Last Sunday, we had the privilege of hearing from Kenny Ng, an elder from Emmanuel EFC on the Three Rs of Persecution based on Daniel 6.
"Now Daniel so distinguished himself among the administrators and the satraps by his exceptional qualities that the king planned to set him over the whole kingdom. At this, the administrators and the satraps tried to find grounds for charges against Daniel in his conduct of government affairs, but they were unable to do so. They could find no corruption in him because he was trustworthy and neither corrupt nor negligent." (Daniel 6:3,4)
Daniel gets persecuted by the administrators satraps for being righteous and for being faithful to his God. As Paul wrote in 2 Timothy 3:12, "In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted." This world is certainly not a friend to God and His people, the world that did not recognize their creator or received Him when He came in the flesh.
Daniel's response was to continue with his routine of praying three times a day in defiance of the King's decree not to pray to anyone for thirty days but to the King, on pain of execution by being fed to the lions. How Daniel was able to do that was because he had been praying and seeking God consistently all his life: discipline becomes habit, habit character, and character destiny.
The result: God heard Daniel and protected him in the lions' den, and gave poetic justice by having his persecutors themselves with the families thrown into the den instead. God is glorified by the King and the people everywhere who heard about the miracle.
But it is not in every case of persecution that the persecuted gets rescued. Many times, many suffer and die, like Stephen, the first martyr of the church, and all the apostles and thousands upon thousands of Christians down through the centuries and all over the world now, even in our own neighbour: Boycott Indonesia—Stop Murdering Christians Now!
The roll call of the faithful in Hebrews 11 includes those who were miraculously delivered and those who died. They lived and died by faith, as Daniel's friends put it, "... the God we serve is able to save us... and He will rescue us... But even if He does not, ... we will not serve your gods..." (Daniel 3:17) If we live and die by faith in God, this world is not our home and we will truly be the children of Abraham who "was looking forward to the city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God." (Hebrews 11:10)
Sunday, October 15, 2006
Tuesday, September 26, 2006
Tuesday, September 12, 2006
School is Out!
While most of the Malaysian school kids are in the throes of exam fever and preparations, the boys and I will be going off for an unexpected bonus holiday to Kota Kinabalu, Sabah! That's because their uncle, my brother the lawyer, had decided to go for a law conference in Seoul and give his 3 return tickets which he had booked earlier to us! There are only 3, so D will be staying back, enjoying a break of peace and quiet from us, which will help him to prepare his next sermon and talk at the Melawati school christian fellowship.
The best thing is that my parents will be coming along, on the same flight on AirAsia to KK. They will be staying on longer at the Chees' while we come back on Sunday the 17th.
I've heard and read about AirAsia delays and rescheduling of flights and we've experienced several, but this takes the cake: my parents' flight from Alor Setar to KL tomorrow has been changed from 10.35 am to 8.35 am! Yes, it's been pushed back, not forward! What on earth? This means that they'll have to wait at the LCCT from the time of arrival, about 10.40 am, till the flight to KK at 5.10 pm, which of course, may also very likely be rescheduled. It also means that the boys and I will have to go to the LCCT earlier to be with them and wait with them. Well, we'll be armed with books, and Ethan with his IPod, and probably Chinese Chess for them to play with their grandpa.
So, KK, here we come!
The best thing is that my parents will be coming along, on the same flight on AirAsia to KK. They will be staying on longer at the Chees' while we come back on Sunday the 17th.
I've heard and read about AirAsia delays and rescheduling of flights and we've experienced several, but this takes the cake: my parents' flight from Alor Setar to KL tomorrow has been changed from 10.35 am to 8.35 am! Yes, it's been pushed back, not forward! What on earth? This means that they'll have to wait at the LCCT from the time of arrival, about 10.40 am, till the flight to KK at 5.10 pm, which of course, may also very likely be rescheduled. It also means that the boys and I will have to go to the LCCT earlier to be with them and wait with them. Well, we'll be armed with books, and Ethan with his IPod, and probably Chinese Chess for them to play with their grandpa.
So, KK, here we come!
Friday, August 18, 2006
VPS
How nice to have the whole apartment to myself for a whole day! It's rare for a homeschooling mum, as either I'll be out sending one or both of the boys somewhere, or they would be home with me. But today, I've sent them both early in the morning to the Zoo Negara (National Zoo), where they will work from 9 to 5 as volunteers.
It's not that they love animals, but it's thanks to EYAA: the Edison Youth Achievement Award Programme, started and run by Amy Delph, a young mother of 2 small girls, who despite her slight figure is packed with creativity, ideas and dynamism. One important component of EYAA is the voluntary public service (vps) that every one of the youth has to fulfill, double the number of hours for the other parts, viz. personal development, physical fitness and expedition/exploration. They have to do 30 hours of the vps to get the bronze certificate, 60 hours for the silver and 90 for the gold, and so forth for the medals.
So Elliot has begun helping out on Monday afternoons at SPICES (Support for Parents, Infants, Children through early services), a community service centre set up and run by Emmanuel EFC for children with learning disabilities. Ethan, who once said that he had no patience to be a drum teacher, is now teaching 3 boys from the Chinese congregation of our church who cannot afford to pay for lessons, besides having 2 other paying students.
Apparently, the national schools close for a two week break from tomorrow, but for homeschoolers, every day is a day of varied work and play and rest, and learning through it all.
It's not that they love animals, but it's thanks to EYAA: the Edison Youth Achievement Award Programme, started and run by Amy Delph, a young mother of 2 small girls, who despite her slight figure is packed with creativity, ideas and dynamism. One important component of EYAA is the voluntary public service (vps) that every one of the youth has to fulfill, double the number of hours for the other parts, viz. personal development, physical fitness and expedition/exploration. They have to do 30 hours of the vps to get the bronze certificate, 60 hours for the silver and 90 for the gold, and so forth for the medals.
So Elliot has begun helping out on Monday afternoons at SPICES (Support for Parents, Infants, Children through early services), a community service centre set up and run by Emmanuel EFC for children with learning disabilities. Ethan, who once said that he had no patience to be a drum teacher, is now teaching 3 boys from the Chinese congregation of our church who cannot afford to pay for lessons, besides having 2 other paying students.
Apparently, the national schools close for a two week break from tomorrow, but for homeschoolers, every day is a day of varied work and play and rest, and learning through it all.
This poor woman cried
"I will extol the Lord at all times;
His praise will always be on my lips.
My soul will boast in the Lord;
let the afflicted hear and rejoice.
Glorify the Lord with me;
let us exalt His name together.
I sought the Lord, and He answered me;
He delivered me from all my fears.
Those who look to Him are radiant;
their faces are never covered with shame.
This poor man (woman) called, and the Lord heard him (her);
He saved him (her) out of all his troubles.
The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear Him,
and he delivers them.
Taste and see that the Lord is good;
blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him.
Fear the Lord, you His saints,
for those who fear Him lack nothing.
The lions may grow weak and hungry,
but those who seek the Lord lack no good thing.
....
The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous
and His ears are attentive to their cry.
....
The righteous cry out, and Lord hears them;
He delivers them from all their troubles.
The Lord is close to the brokenhearted
and saves those who are crushed in spirit.
A righteous man may have many troubles,
but the Lord delivers him from them all.
....
The Lord redeems His servants;
no one will be condemned who takes refuge in Him."
(Psalm 34:1-10, 15,17-19,22)
On the 10th instant, I went for a long overdue medical checkup. I came back troubled and worried that something did not appear quite normal. I was afraid it could be cancer and I couldn't sleep that night. Then I cried to the Lord and talked with Him. I read His word and put my faith in His sovereignty, wisdom and goodness. Gradually, I felt the peace of God fill me and I was able to sleep and go about my daily work. I kept this to myself because I did not want to cause unnecessary worry for D and the boys. But I did share my concern privately with 2 sisters in the Lord just the day or two before the results, and they prayed for me and strengthened me further.
Yesterday, I went to get the results of the tests, and to my amazement, everything was normal! Except that my blood showed some moderate erythrocytosis, microcytosis... some anemia, or suggestive of thalassaemia trait, which could explain why I felt tired easily, sometimes.
What can I say but thank God for His mercy, and break into song as per Psalm 34 above?
And note to self: go for regular checkups, especially since you're 48 years old already, yes, believe it or not; have regular exercise, and eat well and healthily. But most of all, I will feed on God's word and keep on trusting Him to lead and guide me as to how I should live the rest of this life on earth for Him and for His glory.
Only one life,
'twill soon be past.
Only what's done
for Christ will last.
His praise will always be on my lips.
My soul will boast in the Lord;
let the afflicted hear and rejoice.
Glorify the Lord with me;
let us exalt His name together.
I sought the Lord, and He answered me;
He delivered me from all my fears.
Those who look to Him are radiant;
their faces are never covered with shame.
This poor man (woman) called, and the Lord heard him (her);
He saved him (her) out of all his troubles.
The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear Him,
and he delivers them.
Taste and see that the Lord is good;
blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him.
Fear the Lord, you His saints,
for those who fear Him lack nothing.
The lions may grow weak and hungry,
but those who seek the Lord lack no good thing.
....
The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous
and His ears are attentive to their cry.
....
The righteous cry out, and Lord hears them;
He delivers them from all their troubles.
The Lord is close to the brokenhearted
and saves those who are crushed in spirit.
A righteous man may have many troubles,
but the Lord delivers him from them all.
....
The Lord redeems His servants;
no one will be condemned who takes refuge in Him."
(Psalm 34:1-10, 15,17-19,22)
On the 10th instant, I went for a long overdue medical checkup. I came back troubled and worried that something did not appear quite normal. I was afraid it could be cancer and I couldn't sleep that night. Then I cried to the Lord and talked with Him. I read His word and put my faith in His sovereignty, wisdom and goodness. Gradually, I felt the peace of God fill me and I was able to sleep and go about my daily work. I kept this to myself because I did not want to cause unnecessary worry for D and the boys. But I did share my concern privately with 2 sisters in the Lord just the day or two before the results, and they prayed for me and strengthened me further.
Yesterday, I went to get the results of the tests, and to my amazement, everything was normal! Except that my blood showed some moderate erythrocytosis, microcytosis... some anemia, or suggestive of thalassaemia trait, which could explain why I felt tired easily, sometimes.
What can I say but thank God for His mercy, and break into song as per Psalm 34 above?
And note to self: go for regular checkups, especially since you're 48 years old already, yes, believe it or not; have regular exercise, and eat well and healthily. But most of all, I will feed on God's word and keep on trusting Him to lead and guide me as to how I should live the rest of this life on earth for Him and for His glory.
Only one life,
'twill soon be past.
Only what's done
for Christ will last.
Friday, August 11, 2006
No one can snatch them out of my hand
A man in despair says in Shakespeare's King Richard II,
"Comfort's in heaven; and we are on earth,
Where nothing lives but crosses, care, and grief." (Act II, Scene II, lines 78,79)
But thanks be to God for Jesus who told us many precious things that we may have peace, said,
"In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." (John 14:33)
And,
"My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father's hand. I and the Father are one." (John 10:27-30)
"Comfort's in heaven; and we are on earth,
Where nothing lives but crosses, care, and grief." (Act II, Scene II, lines 78,79)
But thanks be to God for Jesus who told us many precious things that we may have peace, said,
"In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." (John 14:33)
And,
"My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father's hand. I and the Father are one." (John 10:27-30)
Tuesday, August 08, 2006
Another Life Snatched
In Malaysia, we don't have volcanoes, typhoons or hurricanes, heat waves or extreme cold, strong earthquakes, or so far, suicide bombers or war, thankfully. But we have snatch thieves! They used to snatch ladies' handbags, but now they also snatch lives, of not just ladies, but anyone carrying anything, male or female, young or old.
"Tuesday August 8, 2006
Another life snatched
KUANTAN: Another life has been snatched; a week after a college student in Kuala Lumpur and a hotel worker in Petaling Jaya died at the hands of snatch thieves.
At about 7.30pm on Sunday, a thief pushed salesgirl Ng Chiew Lim down an emergency staircase on the ground floor of the Berjaja Megamall here where she worked.
She landed headfirst. Several security guards later found her lying on the ground and unconscious, with blood oozing out from her ears, nose and mouth.
They rushed her to the Kuantan Medical Centre where she was warded in a serious condition.
Other guards who spotted the suspect in front of a video shop on the first floor nabbed him as he tried to flee.
Chiew Lim, 25, from Bandar Indera Mahkota here, died from her injuries at 11.25am yesterday.
It is learnt that she was on her way to meet her boyfriend when the incident happened.
She had received a call from him and went down via the emergency staircase.
OCPD Asst Comm Jamshah Mustapa said police have detained a 23-year-old man to help in investigations.
The case has been classified as murder.
The girl’s father Ng Pang Kiow, 65, and her younger brother Ng Chew Seng, 20, were in Singapore at the time of the incident. They took a flight home upon hearing the tragic news.
Chiew Lim’s colleague Hoo Wan Lian, 22, said they had just finished their shift and were doing some window-shopping when her friend received a call from her boyfriend.
“She left using the staircase while I went home on my own,” Hoo said, adding that several minutes later a call came in to say that Chiew Lim had been rushed to the medical centre.
Complex manager K.G. Yong, contacted by The Star, said adequate security measures had been taken to ensure the safety of shoppers.
He said they employed 30 security guards and at least 12 of them would be patrolling the premises regularly.
“We regret the incident and urge shoppers to use the seven lifts at the complex, rather than take the stairs,” he said, adding that the management planned to install closed-circuit TV cameras for added security. "
http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2006/8/8/nation/15079090&sec=nation
Where do these murdering thieves come from? Are they our own people or are they part of the 6.8% non-citizens portion of the population (Bernama, 2005-7-15) Whoever they may be, they are "senseless, faithless, heartless, ruthless," and deserving of the death penalty. Why can't they find some honest labour to earn their money? Isn't it better to be a garbageman or a road sweeper than a thief and murderer? Paul went even further: he said that we are to work, not only to meet our own needs, but to share with others in need.
"He who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with his own hands, that he may have something to share with those in need." Ephesians 4:28
Oh yes, we do have the haze in KL now, but what is that compared to floods in Pakistan, India, China which leave hundreds and thousands dead, desolate or displaced?
Saturday, August 05, 2006
A Time for Everything
There is a time for everything,
and a season for every activity under heaven:
a time to be born and a time to die,
a time to plant and a time to uproot,
a time to kill and a time to heal,
a time to tear down and a time to build,
a time to weep and a time to laugh,
a time to mourn and a time to dance,
a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them,
a time to embrace and a time to refrain,
a time to search and a time to give up,
a time to keep and a time to throw away,
a time to tear and a time to mend,
a time to be silent and a time to speak,
a time to love and a time to hate,
a time for war and a time for peace.
... He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the hearts of men...
Ecclesiastes 3:1-8,11
O Lord, may you grant us the wisdom to know the right time to do the right thing. Teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain a heart of wisdom. (Psalm 90:12)
Now is the time to pray, to seek the Lord, to hear His voice and obey.
Now is the time to worship Him and give Him thanks.
Now is the time to "wake up, O sleeper,
rise from the dead,
and Christ will shine on you." (Ephesians 5:14)
Now and always is a good time.
and a season for every activity under heaven:
a time to be born and a time to die,
a time to plant and a time to uproot,
a time to kill and a time to heal,
a time to tear down and a time to build,
a time to weep and a time to laugh,
a time to mourn and a time to dance,
a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them,
a time to embrace and a time to refrain,
a time to search and a time to give up,
a time to keep and a time to throw away,
a time to tear and a time to mend,
a time to be silent and a time to speak,
a time to love and a time to hate,
a time for war and a time for peace.
... He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the hearts of men...
Ecclesiastes 3:1-8,11
O Lord, may you grant us the wisdom to know the right time to do the right thing. Teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain a heart of wisdom. (Psalm 90:12)
Now is the time to pray, to seek the Lord, to hear His voice and obey.
Now is the time to worship Him and give Him thanks.
Now is the time to "wake up, O sleeper,
rise from the dead,
and Christ will shine on you." (Ephesians 5:14)
Now and always is a good time.
Thursday, August 03, 2006
Quo Vadis, Malaysia?
Indonesian Province Of Aceh Embraces Islamic Law
2006-08-01 00:28:55
Posted By: intellpuke
Across this most religious of Indonesia's provinces, brown uniformed policemen in black wagons enforce Shariah, or Islamic law. They haul unmarried couples into precincts and arrest people for drinking or gambling. Increasingly, many of the cases are pushed to the ultimate conclusion, public canings at mosques in front of pumped-up crowds.
In mid-July, a 27-year-old man sentenced to 40 lashes fainted on the seventh stroke of a rattan cane from a hooded man in the yard of a mosque here in the provincial capital. The caning was televised nationally, with an announcer reporting that the man, who had been arrested for drinking at a beachside stall, would receive the remainder of his punishment once he had recovered. Battered by the Asian tsunami 19 months ago, Aceh is undergoing a profound transformation that is likely to have considerable impact on the nature of Islam in Indonesia, the most populous Muslim country.
For centuries Indonesia has been known for the open-minded, sometimes freewheeling, interpretation of its dominant religion. That is changing as moderate Muslims find themselves under siege from more orthodox proponents, and as the moderates are hesitant to push back.
Read more here.
Are we going there? Do we want to go there, my fellow Malaysians?
2006-08-01 00:28:55
Posted By: intellpuke
Across this most religious of Indonesia's provinces, brown uniformed policemen in black wagons enforce Shariah, or Islamic law. They haul unmarried couples into precincts and arrest people for drinking or gambling. Increasingly, many of the cases are pushed to the ultimate conclusion, public canings at mosques in front of pumped-up crowds.
In mid-July, a 27-year-old man sentenced to 40 lashes fainted on the seventh stroke of a rattan cane from a hooded man in the yard of a mosque here in the provincial capital. The caning was televised nationally, with an announcer reporting that the man, who had been arrested for drinking at a beachside stall, would receive the remainder of his punishment once he had recovered. Battered by the Asian tsunami 19 months ago, Aceh is undergoing a profound transformation that is likely to have considerable impact on the nature of Islam in Indonesia, the most populous Muslim country.
For centuries Indonesia has been known for the open-minded, sometimes freewheeling, interpretation of its dominant religion. That is changing as moderate Muslims find themselves under siege from more orthodox proponents, and as the moderates are hesitant to push back.
Read more here.
Are we going there? Do we want to go there, my fellow Malaysians?
Wednesday, August 02, 2006
Wars and rumours of wars
We had been studying and discussing the Middle East: geography, history, politics, in our cg for several weeks, when the most recent conflict erupted. Will there ever be an end to the unrest and hostilities in that region, and now spreading over the rest of the world? The bombs go off everyday in Iraq, Afghanistan, Thailand, and here and there, and now there's gunfire over the North and South Korean border.
Jesus said in answer to his disciples' question as to what will be the sign of his coming and of the end of the age: "... You will hear of wars and rumours of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places. All these are the beginning of birth pains...." Matthew 24:6-8
Elsewhere he said: "In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world!" John 16:35
"You have heard that it was said, 'Love your neighbour and hate your enemy.' But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven." Matthew 5:43-45
So how do we overcome the vicious cycle of hate and vengeance? By love and forgiveness and faith in God. As Paul wrote, "Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good." Romans 12:21
And the Apostle John also wrote: "This is love for God: to obey his commands. And his commands are not burdensome, for everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith. Who is it that overcomes the world? Only he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God." 1 John 5:3-5
Jesus said in answer to his disciples' question as to what will be the sign of his coming and of the end of the age: "... You will hear of wars and rumours of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places. All these are the beginning of birth pains...." Matthew 24:6-8
Elsewhere he said: "In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world!" John 16:35
"You have heard that it was said, 'Love your neighbour and hate your enemy.' But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven." Matthew 5:43-45
So how do we overcome the vicious cycle of hate and vengeance? By love and forgiveness and faith in God. As Paul wrote, "Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good." Romans 12:21
And the Apostle John also wrote: "This is love for God: to obey his commands. And his commands are not burdensome, for everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith. Who is it that overcomes the world? Only he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God." 1 John 5:3-5
Tuesday, August 01, 2006
Kill, steal and destroy
Saturday night, we were returning home from dinner at mother-in-law's, where D's brothers and sisters from Penang and Singapore had gathered, when we heard the siren and saw a Forensic Dept. van pass our car. Next day, the news told of an 18 yr old TAR College student who had been robbed and slashed and left to bleed to death on the side of the road. He was a first year student and had been here from Ipoh only a few weeks. Today's news said that a short while after that attack, another student had been accosted and slashed but had managed to escape with injuries. It was in Taman Melati near to the first incident at Wangsa Maju. Police think that it's same two men on their motorbike robbing spree.
"The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full," Jesus said in John 10:11
Lord, may you have mercy on our land, with cold-blooded thieves and killers abroad and bloodshed of young and old.
"The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full," Jesus said in John 10:11
Lord, may you have mercy on our land, with cold-blooded thieves and killers abroad and bloodshed of young and old.
Saturday, July 29, 2006
Alive
Hey, it's been seven months or so since I wrote anything here! I'm still alive, here on earth, and while I still have life here, I guess I should write. When I write, I think, and cogito, ergo sum?
Sunday, January 08, 2006
To Narnia and Back Again (Again and Again)
In December and Christmastime, I went to Narnia several times, thanks to Walden Media and director Andrew Adamson who made the movie The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe based on the book The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, the first published novel in C.S. Lewis' children's fantasy series The Chronicles of Narnia.
I first read the LWW when I was in first year of uni. I didn't finish the whole series, got lost somewhere in the 3rd or 4th book, and didn't get interested again until after the movie. Lewis writes in very simple English but as I read the stories now, I see that he is so steeped in the Bible that although (according to him) he did not set out to write allegories, the Biblical themes and tales come shining through. So, children and everyone can enjoy the well crafted tales and adventures on their own merit, while those who know the Bible can enjoy the hints, whispers and glimpses of God and His works. Actually, the pictures can be very clear sometimes, as can be seen in these: The Magician's Nephew - story of the Creation of the world, LWW - the salvation of the sinner by the death and resurrection of the Saviour Lord, The Horse and His Boy - the journey of an unbeliever to faith and conversion, Prince Caspian and The Silver Chair - the fight between good and evil in the Christian life, The Last Battle - the final war, the end of the world, and the beginning of a new world.
The Last Battle especially thrilled and transported me as I was reading Revelation, the last book of the Bible at the same time. A few Sundays ago, Ivy was worship leading and she talked about Narnia too and read from Revelation 5: what a wonder that the Lord is called the Lion of the tribe of Judah and yet when he appeared, John beheld "a Lamb as it had been slain". As the song goes, "Meekness and majesty, manhood and deity, in perfect harmony, the Man who is God."
I first read the LWW when I was in first year of uni. I didn't finish the whole series, got lost somewhere in the 3rd or 4th book, and didn't get interested again until after the movie. Lewis writes in very simple English but as I read the stories now, I see that he is so steeped in the Bible that although (according to him) he did not set out to write allegories, the Biblical themes and tales come shining through. So, children and everyone can enjoy the well crafted tales and adventures on their own merit, while those who know the Bible can enjoy the hints, whispers and glimpses of God and His works. Actually, the pictures can be very clear sometimes, as can be seen in these: The Magician's Nephew - story of the Creation of the world, LWW - the salvation of the sinner by the death and resurrection of the Saviour Lord, The Horse and His Boy - the journey of an unbeliever to faith and conversion, Prince Caspian and The Silver Chair - the fight between good and evil in the Christian life, The Last Battle - the final war, the end of the world, and the beginning of a new world.
The Last Battle especially thrilled and transported me as I was reading Revelation, the last book of the Bible at the same time. A few Sundays ago, Ivy was worship leading and she talked about Narnia too and read from Revelation 5: what a wonder that the Lord is called the Lion of the tribe of Judah and yet when he appeared, John beheld "a Lamb as it had been slain". As the song goes, "Meekness and majesty, manhood and deity, in perfect harmony, the Man who is God."
"REV 5:1 Then I saw in the right hand of him who sat on the throne a scroll with writing on both sides and sealed with seven seals. [2] And I saw a mighty angel proclaiming in a loud voice, "Who is worthy to break the seals and open the scroll?" [3] But no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth could open the scroll or even look inside it. [4] I wept and wept because no one was found who was worthy to open the scroll or look inside. [5] Then one of the elders said to me, "Do not weep! See, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has triumphed. He is able to open the scroll and its seven seals."REV 5:6 Then I saw a Lamb, looking as if it had been slain, standing in the center of the throne, encircled by the four living creatures and the elders. He had seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven spirits* of God sent out into all the earth. [7] He came and took the scroll from the right hand of him who sat on the throne. [8] And when he had taken it, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb. Each one had a harp and they were holding golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints. [9] And they sang a new song:"You are worthy to take the scroll
and to open its seals,
because you were slain,
and with your blood you purchased men for God
from every tribe and language and people and nation.
REV 5:10 You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God, and they will reign on the earth."
REV 5:11 Then I looked and heard the voice of many angels, numbering thousands upon thousands, and ten thousand times ten thousand. They encircled the throne and the living creatures and the elders. [12] In a loud voice they sang:
"Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain,
to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength
and honor and glory and praise!"
REV 5:13 Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all that is in them, singing:
"To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb
be praise and honor and glory and power,
for ever and ever!"
REV 5:14 The four living creatures said, "Amen," and the elders fell down and worshiped."
* Started writing this on 8 January (the first para) and only finished it on the 26th. So the worship service I was referring to was on the 15th.
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