Discipleship is often expressed in two very contrasting ways – as a burden that is difficult to carry and costs us everything (Luke 9:57-62), and as a joy that makes work light (Ps 100:1-2, Matt 11:28-30). It’s often hard for us to hold these two in balance with each other. Equally often we emphasise…
Posts by Ps. Tan Hui Ru
Last Sunday I preached in Gereja Kristus Yesus Journey on Nehemiah 9:1-38. And if you look at Nehemiah 9, much of it recounts what God has done in the world as well as in Israel’s history, with the conclusion that God truly is faithful beyond human reasonableness, so Israel re-commits herself to God as His…
In conversation with some long-time friends over dinner recently, I noticed one word which kept popping up – “feedback”. This was a word that kept occurring whenever they were talking about things which they didn’t like or didn’t go their way, and so they wanted to give “feedback” to the relevant authorities. Thinking about it,…
“I don’t feel that I’m being fed spiritually.” I’ve heard this several times from friends on why they are changing church. Maybe they don’t understand the preaching or the teaching in church doesn’t address their real needs and struggles. Maybe the music or the preaching, though spiritually nourishing, is not to their taste and style.…
One of the images that has stayed with me in these past 3 years (nearly) of ministry in church is that of mountain climbing. Serving God through working in church has always reminded me of climbing up a steep, rocky mountain. And you know what? I’ve tried mountain climbing, albeit only on Kota Kinabalu, and…
A common description of Singaporeans is that we are a very pragmatic and task-oriented people, concerned more about outcomes than about reasons. After all, all the good intentions in the world will not feed you. And what does it matter why your boss wants something done? You’re not being paid to understand but to do!…
In John 13:34-35, Jesus tells his disciples “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” What does loving one another look like? Perhaps an immediate answer is what…
Hospitality is one of the things that we find most challenging as a society. It’s somehow really ingrained in us to leave others alone unless they ask to be approached. And in church, that means that we are content to sit in the same area as the same people for many years without ever knowing…
About a month ago, I joined the ranks of the 60% in Singapore who have caught COVID-19. And in the past month, I have been learning once again what it means to slow down, what it means to rest, and what it means to rely on God and trust Him even as plans go awry.…
As a school teacher in the past, June and December have always been important to me as times of rest and reflection. They served as fallow periods, as time for me to consider where I’ve been, what I’ve been doing, as well as to pray and consider where God is calling me to grow in next.