Listed below are articles abstracted from past issues of PELITA
Source/Author: Bishop Dr Ong Hwai Teik
We live in a world of reality that encompasses the polarities and dualities of life that can often render us confused and troubled.
In the nineteenth century, Charles Dickens opened his famous book A Tale of Two Cities with these renowned words: “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of Light, it was the season of Darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair, we had everything before us, we had nothing before us, we were all going direct to Heaven, we were all going direct the other way. . . .”
#1. “Do NOT sell your BIRTHRIGHT for short term gain but suffer long term loss.”
We are to especially watch out for short-term promises and proffered gratification especially vote buying and to reject and denounce such corrupt practices from any party.
#2. “TODAY is a KAIROS moment from our Sovereign God for our orang asal, Sarawak Iban Annual Conference, Sarawak Chinese Annual Conference and Sabah Provisional Annual Conference to strategically impact our community, state and COUNTRY.”
The national political situation presently gives greater opportunity and leverage to those in East Malaysia to influence and bless our national life with fresh breakthroughs and even greater good to God’s glory.
#3. “The Church is PRO-ISSUE of GOOD GOVERNANCE; we are NOT into partisan politics”.
The Methodist Church is above partisan politics that divide the Church, and we do have a responsibility and duty to seek the total “welfare of the city/land” [Jer 29:7] as God’s people resident in this beloved nation of ours.
Polarities and dualities are “normal” in a fallen world that is being redeemed by the Lord and in people who continue to carry the image of God though this is now marred; we are not surprised to see that humankind is capable of the noblest of deeds such as the sacrificing of one’s life for others, yet also capable of the vilest and sickest of deeds such as unspeakable torture and murder of little children.
We choose to follow in the footsteps of Joseph in this generation. He knew that in all things God is at work. That “in spite of, through and against all human effort” – the Sovereign God of goodness, love and power Who has all history in His grip – is orchestrating and bringing His purposes to pass. He has not lost the plot!