From me to you

Hello again, folks! I'm sure that the past three weeks of holidays have been immensely enjoyable for most of us. I certainly did enjoy the ski trip even though I can hardly ski decently. Anyway, it's time to put away the holiday hat and start sharpening your pencils in anticipation of yet another great semester.

I can't help but notice that the holidays were a bit marred by the nail-biting, teeth-gnashing, agonizing moments spent in awaiting the exam results. To those of you who did well.....CONGRATULATIONS!!! Praise the Lord for His benevolence!

To those who are disappointed and disheartened by their results remember that God knows what you are going through and the extent of your feelings. Our greatest glory consists not in never falling but in rising every time we fall. Christians, our God is able to pull us through. Let us be steadfast in the Lord and stand firm when the storm comes. When Jesus has calmed the storm, you will experience peace and you will understand the reason behind your sufferings. Praise be to God that He is moulding and shaping you by your trials!

Many of you gave glowing testimonies of how God worked miracles in your study and work life last semester. It is important to reflect on God's goodness in the past and renew your commitment and faithfulness to him for the present as well as the future. Isn't it comforting to know that God is faithful to us in all circumstances? What a joy to serve Jesus who understands all that we're going through and comforts us: "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest." (Matt. 11:28)

I bid a very warm welcome to those who are beginning their first semester here at Monash Uni. You might find the article "How To Survive Uni" adapted from the Australia for Christ Fellowship's brochure of the same title helpful. We at CCM are always glad to help you in your time of need. For Christ said in Galations 6:2 "Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ."

This month's issue also features "The Story of CCM", an excerpt from Catherine Marshall's Beyond Ourselves and the wonderful testimonies from Kay Mei Chun, Cynthia Wong and Priscilla Ang (Priz the Whiz!). A new column surfaces this month and it is aimed at assisting students in their study needs. Entitled " Academic Hot-line Numbers" it contains a list of subject codes and the assistant's name and phone number. This column is not, I repeat, not for plagiarism of any sort but rather to guide and facilitate the understanding of students on that subject and the practicals involved in it. The list is a bit short at the moment and CCM members interested in being assistants please contact Anthony, Angeline or yours truly.

I would like to thank Ivan, Anthony and all CCM News' contributors for motivating me, assisting me in great many ways and mostly for making this newsletter possible. A big thanks goes to my greatest Inspiration for without whom all things are not possible. Enjoy! Over and out....!

In His Majesty's Service,

Yean Tai

Introduction

In 1991, a number of students gathered together to discuss the setting up of an organization to help meet the needs of students in Campus whether physically, emotionally, or spiritually, and to help overseas students in Australia to feel at home.

This resulted in the birth of the Campus Christian Movement (CCM). CCM is now an internationally recognized Christian organization. CCM is made up of people from many nationalities such as Indonesia, Malaysia, Hong Kong, Singapore, Taiwan, China, and Australia. Our branches span various campuses around Victoria, in Sydney, Canberra and Queensland. CCM is continuing to expand. In Melbourne, CCM exists in three major campuses; Monash, RMIT and Swinburne University. CCM is in the process of obtaining registration at Melbourne University.

Purpose

Our main purpose is to care, train, equip, share and preach the good news in campus. The group endeavors to be a part of the commandment Jesus commissioned the church to fulfill.

'Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you'

Matthew 28:19-20a

Our Activities

CCM organizes activities to meet the holistic needs of members. A wide variety of activities are available as follows:

Past & Future Events

Trips, Friendship dinner

Cycling and B.B.Q Student camps

Ski-trip, Annual dinner

Mid-Autumn festival

Sports And Games

CCM holds occasional sporting games include basketball, tennis and swimming.

Social Concern

We help students adjust to life on campus, find accommodation, cope with studies and examinations and other matters of concern to young people.

Creative Art

CCM fosters creativity by encouraging members to participate in drama, mime, dance and music.

Social Events

Apart from these activities, the group also holds seminars on time management, studying skills, as well as other life issues students will face now and in the future.

Main Activity

Care groups for fellowship and Bible study is the main activity of CCM. They are held weekly on Fridays. During care group sessions we offer people a chance to discover themselves, to explore the Bible and most importantly, to build friendships. We encourage people to ask questions regarding Christianity or problems they are facing. We also provide Christians with topics relevant to Christian living to help them to understand the Bible better and to develop a well-balanced Christian life.

Invitation

As it is not possible to tell you everything about CCM in this little column, we would like to invite you to come and talk to us about any queries you may have. May God bless you richly as you commence your course.

It isn't easy being so far away from your family and adapting yourself to a whole new environment. We are writing this so as to help new students understand and cope with university life. Sometimes things get a bit hectic when you are trying to balance study, work and social life all at the same time.

Time Management

University life is not just studying, studying and more studying. You need to manage your time to get the most out of your studies, social and/or work life. Below are helpful pointers to manage your time effectively:

• Budget your time by priority. Value your projects/assignments in terms of importance and urgency, then schedule your time accordingly.
• Practice continual planning. Continual evaluation and re-evaluation of work priorities as well as time schedules lead to the best use of your time today.
• Create large chunks of uninterrupted time. Be careful to avoid over-scheduling or inflexible scheduling which cannot be realistically met.
• Vary study activities. Keep a healthy balance between long and short term projects, working with others and alone to maintain perspective. Identify which subjects/assignments need to be done on a group study basis.
• Look for ways to minimize time spent in unproductive tasks. This will enable you to spend more time on productive tasks. Grouping and executing similar activities concurrently will often save time.
• Gather as much information as you can before acting. Take care in clarifying the objectives of your subject and make an effort to seek feedback in order to avoid time wastage due to information loss. Don't be afraid to talk to lectures or the students before entering a project/assignment. Most of the time, the lecturers would be more than pleased to help you out.

Study Skills

Study is a major part of your university life. You will find that your study techniques will change during your first year of study. You should change your study methods when you find that they are not effective i.e. produce the results you want. While recognizing that each individual has a different technique, here are some details to remember:

• At the beginning of each semester write up a study and assignment program.
• If you are having any problems in a particular subject, do not hesitate to see your lecturer.
• Read over your notes at the end of each day. If you do not revise your subject within 24 hours, you will forget 80% of it.
• Keep up with the work that is set - especially any reading assignments.
• Write up practical reports while they are still fresh in your mind.
• Take a short breather/break when studying for long periods of time.
• Keep focused on the end result - a completed and passed degree.

Handling Stress

During your time at Uni, you will probably go through some stressful times; due to exams, assignments, relationships and/or various other reasons.

If stress is allowed to continue for too long, it can cause fatigue, exhaustion, and even physical and/or emotional breakdown. Therefore, it is necessary that we learn to control and reduce the levels of stress in our lives. Five good coping techniques are:

• Building resistance by regular sleep, and good health and eating habits .
• Recreation is a must!!!
• Keeping study and non-study life separate (this goes for work life too).
• Exercise. A walk around the block, oval, park or a swim (in summer unless it is a heated pool) will ensure that you get regular exercise and won't take a lot of your time.
• Talking things through with peers in the same course, not only getting advice but hearing experiences and identifying with them. You are not alone!!!
• Withdrawing physically from the situation when necessary. This does not mean running away from your responsibilities. Take a break for a while and then come back and begin work again.

Most studies on stress recognize the need to channel aggression into an acceptable release area, such as sports. But calling upon God the Creator, in Jesus' name through prayer is definitely a positive way of releasing your tension. In Matthew 11:28 Jesus says "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest."

Help From Above

The best advice that we can give to help you survive Uni, is to encourage you to consider the claims of Jesus Christ and to accept the help that He offers you.

What claims did He make? He claimed to be one with God the Creator, having authority to forgive our sins; and demonstrating this by miraculous headings and even raising people from the dead. He did not come to earth merely to heal the sick and raise the dead, but to give His life as a ransom for all of us. He claimed that we would one day be judged on the basis of our relationship to God through Him. An honest study of His life and impact show that He can neither be a liar, nor a lunatic, but must truly be the Lord of all the earth.

What Does He Offer You?

• A greater sense of purpose
• A change of character
• Better relationships
• Help in times of trouble
• A better lifestyle
• Access to the supernatural
• Divine guidance and instruction
• A peaceful heart and mind
• Assurance of answered prayer
• Eternal life

What does He offer you? Everything and more! So, are you interested? Thousands of students and graduated around Australia could tell of how Jesus has helped them to survive university and go on to successful careers. How can you get to know Jesus and receive all that He offers you? We'd like to help.

We understand the stress and pressures of assignments and exams, relationship problems, loneliness and being homesick, plus all other adjustments you have to make in a new place. We would like to help and befriend you during your Uni years by offering "a home away from home" atmosphere in CCM and Hope of God church. It would be our pleasure to have your company in a time of prayer, bible study and fellowship (Acts 2:46-47) on our Care Groups held weekly on:

We wish you all the best in your studies and hope that your time at Uni would indeed be a memorable and most enjoyable time of your life.

In writing my testimony, I believe I have to start right from the beginning from the point where I began to know Christ.

When I was nine, I was invited to Sunday School by my tutor. My two other siblings were invited as well. I thank God that He used the tutor so that we were given a chance to know Christ.

Salvation Accepted

Since then, the three of us attended church regularly without fail until the time came when our parents felt that we were not as close to them as before. Ever since we started attending church, the whole family no longer went out on Sundays as the Sunday Service starts at 3.00 p.m. and ends at 5.00 p.m. We, children usually spend Sunday mornings are watching cartoons on television before going for Sunday School.

Trials

Eventually, the unexpected happened. My dad felt that he was 'losing' his children and began to stop us from going to church. But, lo and behold, we were brave enough to stand firm on our faith and my elder brother would always take the lead to explain to our parents that we love them even more than before especially when we were taught to honour them in the fifth of the Ten Commandments.

Upon hearing this, my father was very shocked to hear such comforting and assuring words coming from his 11 year old son.

Unity Amidst Persecution

Hence, it was always through family persecutions that we, the three children were brought together and grew in the Lord. I praise God for all that He has done in the lives of my siblings and I. If it were not for Him, we would never have such painful and yet sweet memories to look back upon. Praise and glory be unto Him. Amen!

In His Unconditional Love,

Agape,

KAY MEI, CHUN

Monash University, Clayton

The Lord has undoubtedly blessed me since I committed my life to Him. Among the most precious things He has given me are the peace and joy that I have never known before and can never hope to replace.

Abundant Joy

This abundant joy was revealed to me at the time when I was facing some very difficult times and for the first time, a friend came and prayed for me for she could see that I could no longer stand by my own strength. As down as I was, when my friend prayed for me I could feel the peace that I have never felt before and though my problems were still there, they did not seem as bad as it was and I knew that God will take care of them for me.

Earthly Things Left Me Dry

Not long after that I left for Australia and here I came to know more about the love, peace and joy that can only be found in the presence of God. I realize that when I went to a disco. As I was dancing there I observed the people around me and looked at the things that they are enslaved to do in order to be happy like drinking alcohol, smoking cigarettes, etc.

I started to wonder the reason in doing all this things - dancing in the crowd with no purpose and laughing because they were under the influence of alcohol. I compared this with the joy that I have found in the Lord, and I realized that nothing compares to the peace and joy that the Lord gives. For example when we dance and singing to our Lord in church, we are really rejoicing because we know that He is real and we are His people.

I would just like to end by encouraging all my brothers and sisters out there that as humans we have limited strength. When things begin to pull us apart there is only one way to find true joy and peace - through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Cynthia Wong

A testimony. A testimony... I thought to myself. What is a testimony? Is it simply a note to let the others know about how God is like, about how God has been working in my life? Or is it something more? I thought about it more and realize that a testimony is a letter to both Christians and Non-Christians, to testify about the meaning of Christianity. Profound? Not really. For all those who have not discovered the Lord, I invite you to read about His Family. For all those who are in the Family, come with me and join me in cuddling in His warmth.

In my years of being a Christian, I had the thinking that the brothers and sisters that I gain in the process of knowing God, is a bonus, a by-product. Yes, you Audrey, Ivan, Irene, Sui Hoon...you guys are all by-products!!!!!:-) Then it hit me finally. The Presence of a Family IS the difference between Buddhism and Christianity, between a free-thinker and a Christian. In no other situations will you find such sacrificial love, such care and concern. Where will you find people flocking to your house when you have a tight exam schedule and you need all the help you can get. Or when you get sick and everyone calls to find out how you are and even offer to stay with you for the night and brave all the virus attacks. Or even the time when you feel down and just need a listening ear, but also a sympathetic eye, loving heart and a frantic "don't know what to do" mind.

And in this Family, you find love, frustrations, care, support, anger and everything that you will find in a normal family, and maybe...even more. You see, you never get to choose the family members that you are going to get. You may find a sister that you can never stand, a brother that giggles his life away and that REALLY gets on your nerves. But when you see that the Father who holds the Family together is Someone who is faithful to your mother, who loves His children and spends heaps of time with them. Who takes care of them with tears and pain, with joy and patience, you begin to learn to love as well. Just like Dad. You see that the irritating sister is actually a great cook and you really appreciate the cake that she baked for you on your birthday. And that hyena brother of yours, actually brings warmth and joy in the house. And things don't look that bad after all.

You know, I thank God that He is so different in His approach. That when I choose to believe in Him, I did not enter into a blind meditating trance or a life of ritual. I walked into a Family of Love. For it is in this Family of Love that I grow up to be a strong spirited lady, with fruits that no other religion can offer me. All the good that is in me, I give credit to God and His Family. All that is vice, I know that my Family will take care of that.

Written by

Priz the Whiz!

"Our little boy Billy was hit last spring in the street in front of our home by a truck. He died a week later. Billy was our only child. He had seemed like a gift from God, because we had hoped and prayed for a baby for two years....."

Then was it God's will that this little boy die such an unnecessary death? In trying to bring themselves to say with honesty, "Thy will be done", these parents found themselves confused. For along with the best physicians and surgeons they could find, they tried everything medical science knew to save their child. Then had they been working during those days against the will of God?

I understood the questions of this mother, because I had faced them all when death had invaded my life. Surely there is a difference between God's ideal will and His permissive will. I could not believe that it is God's ideal will that 3 year old Billy die in such a cruel way. But given a motorized society, given our congested cities, given human free will that resulted in a driver's and a child's carelessness, God would still not suspend the operation of His universe to violate the free will that conspired to bring about this tragedy.

And so illumination came to me. By giving humans freedom of will, the Creator has chosen to limit His own power. He risked the daring experiment of giving us the freedom to make good or bad decisions, to live decent or evil lives, because God does not want the forced obedience of slaves. Instead He covets the voluntary love and obedience of sons who love Him for Himself.

This then, is a large portion of the answer to my early question: Why does not a compassionate God hasten to reedy every wrong? I remember the way Peter Marshall (my deceased husband) answered this in a memorable sermon, "God Still Reigns", preached in Washington during the second world war:

It was H.G. Wells who voiced the dilemma

that many troubled hearts have faced in war-time:

But that is not the answer.....

As long as there is sin in the world.

As long as there is greed

selfishness

hate in the hearts of men

there will be war.....

It is only because God is God that He is reckless enough to allow human beings such free will as has led the world into this present catastrophe.

God could have prevented the war!

Do you doubt for a moment that God has the power?

But suppose He had use it?

Men would then have lost their free agency.....

They would no longer be souls endowed with the ability to choose.....

They would then become puppets

robots

machines

toy soldiers instead.

No, God is playing a much bigger game.

He is still awaiting an awakened sense of the responsibility of brotherhood in the hearts of men and women everywhere.

He will not do for us the things that we can do for ourselves.....

Beyond Ourselves

by Catherine Marshall

One day Bill was being chased by a mountain lion. Faster and faster he ran, with the mountain lion chasing him. Finally, Bill came to the edge of a cliff. There was nowhere to go, so he dropped to his knees and began to pray. "O Lord, I pray that this mountain lion is a Christian!"

As Bill looked up, he was surprised to see the mountain lion kneeling just a few feet away praying, "Dear Lord, I pray that you bless this food that I'm about to partake to the nourishment of my body..."

Two men with the same name lived near one another in the same town. One was a reverend; the other was a salesman. The reverend died and, at about the same time, the salesman took a business trip to Florida. When he arrived, he sent a telegram to his wife to let her know that he had gotten there safely. By mistake, the message was delivered to the wife of the deceased reverend. The telegram read: "ARRIVED SAFELY; HEAT HERE AWFUL."

" If any morons are in this class, I'd like them to stand up," the professor announced.

After a long pause, a lone freshman stood up. "Young man," the Prof. asked, "do you consider yourself a moron?"

"Well, not really, sir," the student answered. "But I hated to see you standing up there all alone,"

Education: A process by which information is transferred from the notes of a professor to the notes of a student without passing through the brains of either.

Bill: My wife treats me like an idol.

Ralph: Why do you say that?

Bill: She feeds me burnt offerings at mealtime.

SICKNESS: No excuse. We no longer accept your doctor's statement; if you are able to go to the doctor, you are able to come to work.

LEAVE OF ABSENCE (for an operation): We no longer will allow this practice. We wish to discourage any thoughts that you may need an operation. As long as you are employed here, you will need all of whatever you have and should not consider having anything removed. We hired you as you are, and to have anything removed certainly would make you less that we bargained for.

Additionally, too much time is being spent in the restroom. In future, we will go to the restroom in alphabetical order. For instance, those whose names begin with 'A' will go from 8 a.m. to 8:05 a.m., 'B' will go from 8:05 to 8:10 a.m., and so on. If you are unable to go at your time, you will need to wait until the day when your turn comes again.

DEATH (other than your own): This is no excuse. You can do nothing for them, and we are sure that someone else in a lesser position can attend to the arrangements. If the funeral can be held in late afternoon, however, we will be glad to let you off one hour early, provided that your share of work is ahead enough to keep the job going in your absence.

DEATH (your own): This will be accepted as an excuse, but we would like a two-week notice, as we feel it is your duty to teach someone else your job.

Academic Hot-Line Numbers

Basic Accounting Marketing

Ee Fuang Yeo (9563 5165) Michael Lee (9545 6367)

Karen Law (9571 2301)

Computing

Nathanael Ang (9706 1538)

Yean Tai Chew (9563 5165)

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

Dear CCMers,

Hiya! A warm welcome everyone. It has been said that encouragement is like oxygen for the soul. In reflection, so often has a fresh breath of encouragement come to me at just the right moment in my life.

I see how a kind word, a small card or gift can make the difference between persevering under pressure or letting go in despair. I'd like to encourage us all to actively help ourselves and others get back on our feet if we're down. We should always seeks ways to show love and encourage a fellow believer(To CCM angels, don't limit this to a mere mortal). Praying about and actively developing meaningful relationships with others also keeps our focus away from ourselves only.

But most importantly, I have learnt how important it is to encourage ourselves in God's promises, reading them, hearing them, repeating them until we have exhorted ourselves to stand on His unfailing promises even when times are tough. Maintaining a healthy fear of God and living in obedience, letting the Holy Spirit comfort and guide us through what God is doing in our lives, anchors us against troubles swaying our relationship with God. The apostle Paul inspires with his firm faith in Christ; he was "hard pressed on every side, yet not crushed... perplexed, but not in despair; Persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed"1.

Undoubtfully some of us have been going through tough events in our lives which have made us discouraged or question God's goodness. I remember a particular occasion last year when I failed my Company Reporting paper. I was devastated at the time, I had never expected it. I felt sadness at letting myself and my parents down, and could not see why I had failed while still serving God faithfully. It seemed like a dark cloud was following me wherever I walked, and Zapping me whenever I stopped feeling sorry for myself. I put my sorrows directly to God, and I can truly say that I felt very sad and angry at failing, even to the point of questioning God's plans. No amount of comforting words from others seemed to touch me. I realised I had to settle my hurt with God directly.

I faced what seemed like two choices. Trust in the eternal goodness of God and continue to press on serving and studying. Or throw off God's guidance and decide to concentrate on my studies for the semester, seeing how I could do on the basis of hard work. I'm glad God was merciful in letting me see how much He loved me, so that I did not turn my face away from Him. I realised that my emotions at failing often changed, but God never changed. I chose at that time to seek the comfort of the Holy Spirit, and for God's guidance in prioritising my time. I was comforted to "seek the kingdom of God, and all these things shall be added to you."2 I also realised that "where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."3 So even though the exams had tired me, and threatened to burden me with further worry, I chose to entrust my studies into God's loving arms. I poured out my feelings and hurts to God. Waiting in silence sometimes, enjoying the stillness of His comfort. He showed me I could not comprehend His might and ways. Knowing Him as a personal friend and saviour was enough reward, how could I deny Him and stop serving Him, after knowing all He had done for me. "For this is God, our God forever and ever; He will be our guide even to death." 4

Thus God brought me out of my sadness. I can only share my comfort to others in gratitude to God. I would add that God sent a dear brother to me to encourage me at that time, so I can only encourage others never to close themselves to encouragement from other brothers and sisters in times of testing. If we are still feeling far away from God, I encourage us to ask Him to show us our own hearts so that we can always remain pure before Him. God can use us fully only when we are totally dependent and committed to Him. Gratitude for His love motivates our service. Therefore I'd like to encourage you who are drained and weakened by studies and temptations, let God's strength be made perfect in our weakness. Rely totally on His strength to refresh your body, soul and spirit. Fearing God, and not man, gives wisdom to overcome the trials of daily living.

In ending

Soli Deo Gloria!

Ivan Wong

CCM exists to the glory of God on our university campus. If you'd like to find out more about CCM, or as a member are interested in getting involved, do take up the challenge and approach me or anyone in the committee.

1 2 Corinthians 4:8-9 2 Luke 12:31 3 Luke 12:34

4 Psalm 48:14

1. The foundation of ministry is character

2. The nature of ministry is service.

3. The motive for ministry is love.

4. The measure of ministry is sacrifice.

5. The authority of ministry is submission.

6. The purpose of ministry is the glory of God.

7. The tools of ministry are the Word of God and prayer.

8. The priviledge of ministry is the Holy Spirit.

9. The power of ministry is the Holy Spirit.

10. The model of ministry is Jesus Christ.

Warren & David Wiersbe,

Making Sense Of The Ministry

By Michael Tan

When is it safe to be afraid? To fear? Ecclesiastes 12:13 tells us when and how. "Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep His commandments, for this is the whole duty of man." At the end of his observations about life and faith, the Preacher makes this conclusion: Fear God and keep His commandments. These two injunctions are inseperable. We can't have one without the other. We can't say we fear God and not be keeping His commandments. On the other hand, we surely won't keep His commandments if we don't fear Him. By fear, we mean the awe, the reverence, the respect and trust that we reserve only for God. We obey God's commandments because it is God who commands. It is a straightforward as that.

But the tragedy of our modern faith is that we are no longer capable of being terrified. The idea of God as the Holy One doesn't move us anymore. We have done away with references to punishment, judgement and retribution. Those ideas belong to another era, another time. We talk about love, acceptance, tolerance and rights. As a result, we won't even bat an eyelid if we are displeasing God. We are no longer afraid of the consequences of bad moral choices. And we don't feel remorse for hurting people. We have turned Christianity into a fear-free religon, God into a user-friendly Being who is there to meet our needs and to cast out all our fears! Our Gospel meets needs but transforms no one.

Now just who is afraid of God? We are afraid of a hundred and one things but not God. We are afraid we can't afford a car anymore(a typically Singaporean fear). We are afraid of losing business friends and clients. We are afraid of losing social status or losing face, or losing our position in the queue. We are afraid of failures boredom and of being unfulfilled. We are afraid of gaining weight, losing hair, of AIDS, but we are not afraid of God.

Where is this awesome God that the Bible talks about? The God whose wordds break cedars, shake the wilderness and strip forests bare. The God whose presence leaves us shattered, quavering on our faces. Oh no, we have domesticated Him. We who have been entrusted with the terrifying and frightening Good News have become obsessed with making Christianity safe, sensible, acceptable and palatable. We have defanged the Tiger of Truth. We have tamed the Lion of Faith. Whatever has happened to those moments when you and I would open our Bibles or listen to a sermon and our heartbeats would pulsate like the rapid fire of a machine gun because of the Truth we would discover and learn? I remember those awesome times during our teenages years when my colleagues and I were listening to a preacher who spoke with such authority that it was like God speaking. He really instilled the fear of God into us precarious teenagers. We believed everything he said. No on escaped his penetrating gaze and woe betide anyone who would fall asleep during one of his sermons. I t used to be that sermons would disturb us and drive us to repent, to amend and resolve. In contrast, today's sermons seek to enlighten and entertain.

Bible commentator William Barclay tells us that the word used in the Bible for Truth has three meanings- a word used to describe a wrestler grabbing an opponent by the throat; a work meaning to flay an animal; and a word used to describe the humiliation of a criminal who was paraded in front of a crowd with a dagger tied to his neck, its point under his chin so that he could not put his head down. That is what the Truth is really like! I grabs us by the throat, it flays us wide open, it forces us to look into the face of God. When was the last time you and I heard God's Truth and were grabbed by the throat?

Where is the Fear of God today? I am afraid we have lost it. Is it because we want to make God more accessible to society? Are we trying to woo the world to come to Church? So we preach about the all-loving, all accomodating God whose wide open arms will embace everybody. God is a jolly-good fellow who doesn't mind anything.

To be sure, God is loving but don't forget He is also Holy and Just and Righteous. In fact, God's love is a holy love. It is a love that burns with the intensity of holy fire. He is gentle but He is also powerful. He is ammanent but he is also the transcendent Wholly Other. Take the power of God for instance. We would only like to see His power in terms of what it can do for us. He's a powerful God. Oh yes, He can cure our diseases. He's a powerful God. Oh yes, He can persorm miracles. Oh yes, He can dilever you from your splitting headache. And oh yer, He can zap you. Sure, God can do all those and sometimes He does them but do we recognise that His power can also mean that He could allow suffering and pain and hurts to come our way? Right, our God is perfectly capably of calming the storm and He is also equally able to put us right into the middle of one.

We must recover the fear of God. I would like to suggest that the Church become a place of terror again; a place where God continually has to tell us, "Fear not"; a place where our relationship with God is not a simple belief or doctrine or theology but God's burning presence in our lives. Remember the two men on the road to Emmaus? They knew that they had been with Jesus because their "hearts burned from within." Yes, we must replace our user-friendly God with the God whose very presence leaves us quavering, soul-shattered, on our faces. How then can we recover the fear of God in our lives?

We must see God afresh. Perhaps, we have been guilty of playing down God's demands and playing up on a need-centered Christianity. We are always in danger of running an efficient consumer church. God meets needs. God doesn't make demands. Come early for the best deals. We shy away from language like,"Give your all to Jesus." "Surrender to God." "Give your life to Him." That's asking too much. Instead, we say, "Why don't you let God fill you up?" Our favorite verses are those like:"My God shall supply all your needs." "I come that you might have life and have it abundantly." Sure, God keeps His promises. No doubt about that. Sure, God meets needs. In fact, Jesus always met the helpless, the troubled, the sick and the tormented at their points of need. But God is more that the supplier of all my needs.

He is the awesome, Holy God of the Bible, who ever since His revelation to the Hebrew people, has continually demanded allegiance to Him and Him alove. Ever since the call of Abraham, every call from God is a call to God. He is a God who wants all of us-every bit of use-and He wants us all the time. Mother Teresa of Calcutta once said to this effect when asked about her celibacy,"I am married to Jesus and sometimes my husband is very demanding." God wants our worship and our love, but most of all He wants us to trust Him.

What are we today? Are we more in awe of God that we are of our fast-changing world, more in awe of God than we are of our problems, more in awe of God than we are of our beliefs, more in awe of God than we are of our grandiose plans and visions?

The irony is that we are only safe when we have the fear of God in us. The Psalmist declares that fear is the beginning of wisdom. That is really the most secure place to be. The safest place to be. Nothing is safe in God's presence except us. Think about it. Nothing-our plans, our agendas, our priorities, our money, our security, our comfort, our possesions, our needs-is really safe in the presence of the Holy God. Nothing except you and I.

Herein lies the paradox. When we fear God, we are in the safest of all places. Is it safe to fear God? You bet it is!

Article taken from the Singaporean Christian Publication VantagePoint

CCM