Bitterness
By Not Known My son loves eating bitter gourd. He simply loves its bitterness. For many people, bitterness is an acquired taste. The Chinese have a traditional saying that associates the medicinal benefits of herbs to bitterness. Most durian lovers would prize a bitter-sweet fruit over a merely sweet one. In a sense, bitterness is a unique taste that brings out the…
Law of the Garbage Truck
By Not Known As we meditate on who Jesus is today from John 14:6, it is good for us to truly know Jesus and trust Him as our Saviour. For when we do, we know the way (to live) and have the truth (to stand on) and the life (to live fully as He has promised). I am reminded very much of this story that I held dear for a long time. I hope this may encourage…
Cheap Grace
By Not Known The term “cheap grace” may be traced back to a book written by the German theologian, Dietrich Bonhoeffer, entitled The Cost of Discipleship. Bonhoeffer defined cheap grace as “the preaching of forgiveness without requiring repentance, baptism without church discipline, and communion without confession.” The emphasis is on the benefits…
The Mission
By Not Known Since childhood, we love stories of heroes and heroines; of good prevailing over evil; of struggles and of self-sacrifices for greater good. As a little boy, I remembered watching the Star Wars movies, and wanting to be a hero. I imagined myself triumphant above circumstances, with a lightsabre in my hand. Heroic tales captivate and stir our hearts,…
By Not Known Hello, Church! I have only been serving in ORPC for two weeks and I already love this church. Thank you for extending kindness, hospitality and warmth. Your smiles are very comforting and encouraging. Let me introduce myself — I am a third-generation Chinese, born and raised in Manila. My father was a school principal and…
What if…?
By Not Known What if I’m down to my last cents and cannot afford that much-wanted family holiday? What if I’m passed over in that promotion for not playing ‘pet’ politics with my superiors? What if my family has to live strenuously on less with rising costs and growing needs that our incomes cannot match? What if my health and relationship take a…
A Testimony
By Not Known For the Lord is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations. ~ Ps 100:5GOD IS FAITHFUL. Orpc has a special place in my heart as you can see from the diagram above. Throughout the years, I have witnessed members/worshippers come and go, increase in pastoral staff from two colleagues to the present six, births of babies…
Daily Confession
By Not Known Many years ago, when I was still a seminarian, a couple was staying with me in the same hostel. Then one day, they claimed that they had reached a stage in life where they no longer sinned. Apart from one or two other younger seminarians, none of us believed them. Firstly, what they had claimed was contrary to scriptures; secondly, their…
Mortal Man, Eternal God – Psalm 90
By Not Known 1. God is eternal, from everlasting to everlasting v2 — Even before the mountains were created, God was already there. He is the eternal Watcher before whom the life of every single creature is lived out, coming and going like actors in a perpetual play. 2. Even a thousand years is like a day in God’s perspective v4 — How much…
‘Imago Dei’ in Ageing
By Not Known In the Bible, old age is considered a blessing granted to a person devoted to God. Both the blessings and responsibilities attached to ageing are to be accepted with gratitude and with good stewardship. Thus, our personhood and identity are perceived not only through our contributions to society, but also through the inherent value bestowed on us throughout…