Thursday, March 01, 2012
















How we view Knowledge?

The first picture shows a wise sage in asia who is being consulted on his wisdom. He provides solution and words of wisdom.

The second picture shows the Debate of the Ancients where there is learning through dialogue. Knowledge is created and new thoughts evolved.

Is this telling of how we view education in asia and in the west?

How we are taught and how we learn?

Tuesday, February 28, 2012

3 Constants and 1 Acknowledgement (3 and 1)

As I get older, I find myself wanting to encapsulate or summarise everything into 4 or 5 points. Perhaps my mind is not able to function on so many levels anymore and so I find the need to gather them into clumps to feel some sort of sanity or order. I spend most of my days (4 days a week) in a Christian Seminary in Seremban and the rest between family and the world of grassroot politics. I find the two worlds so apart that I feel like a schizophrenic at times. Hence my need to pen down what is most important in my life into 4 (5 actually but now I've forgotten:)) items which came to me today as I was driving.

1) My faith in the Lord Jesus and His Word as my guide.
This has been a beacon for me ever since I became a Christian in 1977. From small decisions as a 10 year old to larger ones today, my faith in Christ has been my guiding light. His Word, the Bible - my instruction for life. I have only grown deeper in appreciation of the wisdom found in the Bible and the ability to know the God I love through it. Hence, my entry into this phase of life - devoted to studying the Bible for my masters degree at the age of 44.

2) My fight against injustice and for a civil society
For some strange reason, nothing moves me into rash action then the sight of injustice and oppression of any people group. This was learnt from a young age by watching dad who would always fight for the underdogs; the poor, the marginalised and the weak. It certainly rubbed on and together with a conviction that God himself is a God of justice, I have been drawn to the world of politics. Granted that any political party itself is fallible and definietly not the solution for shalom, however the idea of a non raced based political party attracted me in the late 1998. I have been involved in KEADILAN since then and have found myself involved in grassroot politics with no real ambition for any higher ranking positions except to fight injustice, corruption and arrogance.

3) My love for my family and our love for God
My eldest son came back before dinner one day and said, you know dad, we are a very close knit family. Trying to hide my emotional choke; I said why? He said; all my friends are going out for dinner because their parents and siblings don't eat together most of the week. We are a close knitted family and this has been the tradition handed down from Mom and Dad. We eat together, pray, fight and laugh together. My prayer each day is that God would fill our hearts with grace to love one another and all around us and to live for Him all the days of our lifes.

4) I acknowledge that I am in constant need of God and His gospel
I know that I don't have it together and that I am capable of blowing everything except for the grace of God. It is only the measure of Grace which He apportions to me each and every day that carries me through this life. I still have remaining sin which often rears its ugly head and struggle through them. If not for the gospel of grace, that I am a sinner saved by grace alone; the realisation of which hopefully comes to me each day; I know I am in trouble.

Tuesday, February 21, 2012


This week I'm knocking down the papers, smaller ones to concentrate on the bigger ones. A paper on the psalms for OT Survey and a paper on Inter-testamental Period for NT Survey.

Last night I attended the Division meeting for the political party I am still attached with and they will be increasing in frequency and intensity as the General Election looms. I am living on two ends of a spectrum between Seminary and Politics. As I sat in the meeting, I was thinking to myself, how different and seperate are the two - as night and day in content and experience. I am glad for this two experiences in a day for I think they provide the necessary balance between the two worlds. After all in practice, they are the same - human predicament, corruption and life in general.

Here are some pictures of the STM Library where I spend my Tuesday mornings. The view from the library overseeing the driveway into STM - The road I take every morning when I come in.








Tuesday, February 14, 2012

Week 5 of STM

It has been a busy week with a preaching slot at CDPC on (Gospel centered) worship. A topic close to my heart. Went well and had an extended time in worship after the sermon encouraging everyone to enter the presence of the Almighty, acknowledging our sinfulness and receiving His grace.

One thing that struck me most this last 2 weeks getting an overview of the OT and NT was to see how our Sovereign God had planned and kept the people Israel through the generations to bring the gospel to all of humanity. Learning about the inter-testament period is especially helpful to see how God was not actually silent but active in preparing history for the coming of the Messiah who would burst into history to declare that the "Kingdom of God is at hand."

Much of the history about the Syrian, Greek and Roman empires are all new as I never had the opportunity to study it in school ( We were busy studying Malacca and
Parameswara for for 5 years)

My faith is strengthen as I see our Sovereign Lord's hand in preserving the saints and the story through the Jews. I am sure the main actors going through the stories would not have been able to see the big picture but with the benefit of hind sight - my soul is encouraged!

Tuesday, January 31, 2012

A one week break for Chinese New Year was most welcomed although physically more exhausting. Family from US staying with us for 3 weeks. We've had guest in our house every month since October.

Today is the first day back at STM. Realised the many assignments due in March and knocking them off one by one. I am enjoying the one hour drive every morning and evening as it gives me time to pray and to sing praise. They have been moments of pulling everything in order and into perspective, The Lord has blessed.

This semester I am doing NT and OT survey, Greek 1, Christian Spirituality, Liturgy and Worship and Field Ed (which I am able to do at CDPC!)
Total of 16 credit hours

Tuesday, January 17, 2012

Classes are in full swing and assignments are piling up. Knocking them off one by one. I feel that coming back to school after a stint in the workforce and 2 decades older; it is surprisingly easier to understand, relate and process the lectures right there in class. There seems to be more spontaneous analysing and questioning of assumtions (in my mind at least)- perhaps only learned in the 2 decades of work life.

I am getting used to the schedule although there are Sunday church visits (Field Trips) over the next 2 months which I don't really look forward to. The lecturer in charge have given me the liberty to skip SOME if I have duties at CDPC. Its these weekend activities and an upcoming "freshies night" that I don't particularly like as I stay 80Kms away and have a full family life and church life. Praying for God's grace in this area.

OK...going back to revising my greek alphabets...alpha, veta,....

Thursday, January 12, 2012

DAY 3 of Lectures

Well, have had my first class in Greek on Tuesday afternoon, Christian Spirituality and NT Survey on Wednesday and today - Worship & Liturgy and this afternoon OT Survey. I am enjoying the classes thoroughly and what a privelege to be able to study this way. If only undergraduate was this fun!

I'm still getting used to campus life and the community but have made some good friends. Just going to try whatever is required and see how much I can take. For now, I'm taking it like a full time job (8 to 5) - trouble is I've not had to do this "full-time" work hours for the last 15 years! Need some adjusting to.

Connie has been so supportive, making me a wonderful sandwich for lunch, taking over my laundry duties at home :) and taking the kids everywhere. Yesterday, I sat with Bryan and Ellisa to do my Greek homework :)

Thursday, January 05, 2012

Day 1 and 2 of orientation

Sat there and realized suddenly that this is not church camp, or retreat or seminar.. .I'm not going back to business after a weekend of great teaching. This is it! Reality bites. Ouch!

Did not know that it was compulsory (strange word -related only to government, I thought) to go for a weekend annual retreat for STM community. Busy weekend at church with CCEF seminar. Doesn't look like I'm able to get an exemption. I'm also weary from traveling 160KM both ways everyday and by Sunday it'll be 6 Days straight. Not sure if I can do this.

Full campus life apparently is quite compulsory and I understand why, but I have a family life 80 KM away and with an hour in between and I'm not sure if I can cramp campus life + study + church. All the other students live on campus or within 5 mins drive away.

going to speak with the dean and with my pastor today for some counsel.

Monday, January 02, 2012

Entering 2012 seem like another new year celebrated with little fanfare- quiet evening with the family at home knowing however that 2012 is going to be anything but normal. It's going to be a new experience for me and for my family. In January 2012, I leave my 20 year (To the month, as I started my first job in 1992 at NCR) career and business to pursue a Masters in Divinity (MDiv) at the Theological Seminary of Malaysia.

In a sense this has always been my desire to devote myself to the study of The Word of God Wth the view of serving in a full-time capacity in a church. The time is right, I believe, and He has given me the measure of Grace sufficient for this task. About 7 years ago, at the height of my career and busy schedule - my business required me to travel extensively - I had enrolled with some brothers from our house church to realign and to discern what God's plans were for each of our lifes. This was over a 6 month mentoring program where we had spent a weekend away each month. It was during this time that my desire for full-time ministry was reignited.

At 44, I would have 20+ years left of fruitful service and I knew that if ever I wanted to fulfill this desire it would have to be now. And so the process began about 4 years ago of quietly praying and asking the Lord to make this possible. Quietly discerning, counseling and finally praying through with Connie and our dear pastors at CDPC.

I would not have made this leap if not for the following :
1) God making the path clear of every obstacle from finances to my business responsibilities. Each time I took a step, the next one opens up. the Lord gently showing me the way.
2) A wonderful and supportive community at CDPC and authentic pastors who served with commitment and conviction. Connie and I appreciate the counsel of our pastors and their wives who not only gave advise but lived out the gospel in their lives.
3) Connie and the kids who affirmed my calling and gave me the green light to even explore the possibilities at the early stages. My brother, Andre (He's not French) and his wife Kathy who are always spurring us on to live gospel centered lives just by their example. My father-in-law who supported us all the way like Jethro and Last but not least the spriritual legacy left behind by a faithful mother, and the example of my father who never cease to stand up for what is just. The combination of all this, over the last 4 years, is what has led me to this next phase of my live.