Queen's Road Cell

There are three Scripture passages that encapsulate my thoughts about the recently-concluded 14 th General Elections in Malaysia. Firstly, Psalm 126: When the Lord restored the fortunes of Zion,     we were like those who dream. 2  Then our mouth was filled with laughter,     and our tongue with shouts of joy; then they said among the nations,     “The Lord has done great things for them.” 3  The Lord has done great things for us;     we are glad. 4  Restore our fortunes, O Lord,     like streams in the Negeb! 5  Those who sow in tears     shall reap with shouts of joy! 6  He who goes out weeping,     bearing the seed for sowing, shall come home with shouts of joy,     bringing his sheaves with him. This election brings to focus my love for Malaysia, which has only increased in these many years since I left it as a secondary school student. To see the fall of a corrupt and greedy government in the face of all expectation to the contrary causes much gratitu

Last meeting we raised the question of what would happen should a non-Christian participate in Holy Communion. It would seem that those who "eat and drink.. .in an unworthy manner"(1 Cor 11) are subject to judgment by God. We noted that the 1 Cor 11 refers to Christians, and that Paul therefore said nothing about non-Christians taking Communion. That does beg the question as to what Communion is all about anyway. Christians throughout the ages have regarded the significance of this sacrament differently. Roman Catholics believe in 'transubstantiation', in which bread and wine have their true nature ('substance') changed in the Mass to flesh and blood. Other Christians (mainly the Lutherans), adopt the idea that in Communion the elements coexist in union with the body and blood of the Lord.('consubstantiation'). Methodists generally believe that the elements are only symbols to help us remember Christ's sacrifice. I said that in 1 Cor 11 there a

I said that the questions in this study were not particularly penetrating. So we discussed these questions I set out in the email : What is discipleship again? Are these 4 commitments the really critical ones? Maybe 3 will do? Or maybe 6 are really critical here? How can we tell if the commitments are being adequately met in our lives?   We each came up with the idea that discipleship involves following Jesus (Lk 14:27) and becoming like Him (2 Cor 3:18). Ind eed, Romans 8:29 tells us clearly that the purpose of our salvation is to be conformed to Christ. To these ideas of discipleship I also mentioned that we are to know Christ (Jn 10:14). We also affirmed that dis ciples love and desire Christ. I did say that 'love' has a wide range of meaning and often does not provide clarity of meaning. Jesus uncompromisingly expects the highest standards of those who would follow Him. His followers are called to deny themselves and take up their crosses if they wish to come a