Re-blogging

Today has been more than a month since I last blogged. Many has taken place between then and now, some of which I might share in this blog in the condensed form. But first here is a summary:

1. Our church service has moved from evening to morning service time. It's now Sunday 10:30am in the newly refurbished Werner Brodbeck Hall in 156 Collins Street, Melbourne.
2. I have recently finished the sermon series on the book of Revelation chapter 17-25. Great book. Great lessons.
3. Had two major speaking engagements recently: A leadership presentation at the Australian Embassy in Jakarta and a leadership seminar in GKY Mangga Besar organized by Perkantas.
4. The kids are on school holiday and I am on annual leave and on study leave (yay!). We are getting ready for our long-expected Christmas and New Year's break.

Approved by God

Ray Ortlund posted the following quote from Henri Nouwen a while ago, which reminds me about how we should establish our sense of self or self-identity and self-image securely on the basis of God's acceptance.

A voice from heaven said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.” Matthew 3:17

“There are many other voices speaking — loudly:
“Prove you’re worth something.”
“Prove you have any contribution to make.”
“Do something relevant.” . . .
These are the voices Jesus heard right after he heard, “You are my beloved.”

Another voice said, “Prove you are the beloved. Do something. Change these stones into bread. Be sure you’re famous. Jump from the temple, and you will be known. Grab some power so you have real influence.” . . .

Jesus said, “No, I don’t have to prove anything. I am already the beloved.”

Henri Nouwen, Leadership Magazine, Spring 1995.

There is more than one way to be strong. We can be strong with the dark energy of anxiety, because we need approval, or we can be strong with the bright energy of assurance, because we are already approved.