Love Singapore Pastors Prayer Summit 2010

By kenny, 22 January, 2010, 12 Comments

I went to the Love Singapore movement’s annual Pastors’ Prayer Summit of 2010. I liked hearing the movement’s leaders share their hearts, the burden of the Lord’s word, and the vision and strategy of the movement. Here are my personal impressions:

Most Regrettable Decision: Eating the famous Malacca chicken rice balls from an imitation stall, even though forewarned by a pastor who was patronizing the restaurant. I mean any Malaccan food can’t be that bad right? Wrong! The chicken was as tough as LKY; as juiceless as coconut husks; as tasteless as licking the floor; and as hopeless as asking for lower GST. It was a new definition of kampong, range-bred chicken. The side dishes were unremarkable, and our eyebrows raised when we saw the bill. Adventure turned disaster. We were bombed, and we asked to be bombed! The next day, we sought and ravished the real thing at Jonker Street, after a fifteen minutes walk in what was like a frying pan. The truth must be told: there was a heaven and hell difference in taste and texture.

Most Interesting View: The view from the fifteenth floor of the Renaissance Hotel in Malacca made me curious about the red roofed traditional kampung houses embraced by the slow, lazy but clean Malaccan river. I was dying to find out what that neighbourhood was all about.

Most Sobering Moment: When I saw security guards at the foyer of the main auditorium at every meeting.

Most Medicinal Value: The emcees, Pastors Guna Raman and Lawrence Chua, had such chemistry and finesse, in delivering dry, depreciating humour that tickled tired pastors desperately in need of holy laughter. They introduced each of the speakers with a humourous banter. Instead of raising expectations and building credibility, in clean and funny tease, they chopped at the pedestals we had put these pastors on, and to everyone’s delight, equalized the field and increased the connect.

Most Impactful Message: The message by Lawrence Khong on how God wants to enjoy and take delight in us (Psalms 45). It was a message we pastors needed to be reminded over and over again. My twist on it is that prayer is not about us performing to standard or custom; its about Him enjoying our company.

Most Refreshing Time: I had a good few hours in the hotel room just sitting in His presence in silence and solitude. Its good to know He enjoys my company. Rest in the Lord and be still.

Most Threatening Moments: When we had supper with pastor friends like Kenny Fam to catch up on news and ministry; and cholesterol up with mee goreng, nasi goreng and Ramli burgers.

Most Interesting Walk: Vincent and I took a walk around the Malay village living museum. We crossed a bridge and walked leisurely by the pavements lining the snaking river peering into charming wooden houses with colorful curtains and decorations. A living kampung in the heart of high rise buildings and busy streets.

Most Striking Impression: I have not been to the Pastors Prayer Summit for about seven years. As I surveyed the pastors walking, standing, talking in groups I recognized many of them by their names or faces. It struck me that many now looked older. Grey hair, less hair, no hair; heavier frames, wrinkled, tired looks, hunched postures. I remarked to Vincent, “Everyone looks older. When they look at us, they’re probably seeing us the same way we see them. Haha.” The generation that came to Christ in their teens in the 1970’s and answered the call in the 80’s and 90’s, after many decades of faithful service, are now in their fifties and sixties! It was plain to me that the greatest need of the Singapore church was for us to raise, mentor and release a new generation of sons into glory.

Most Tasty Meal: Hotel food cooked en masse for big crowds always carry a certain sameness that crashes the appetite. It was outside the hotel, at a Yong Peng coffeeshop that I tasted my best meal. Pastor Vincent, my roomate, wanted some Hockchiew food. We discovered that both our fathers were Hockchiew. So we were aiming to go to this restaurant he knew, but it was closed so we tried this other one and we enjoyed the meal as thoroughly as the dish was red in colour and the chicken meat tender.

Most Magical Moment: Lawrence Khong took the old vision of Love Singapore and put it in the hat of the seven gates of influence. He waved the magic wand, and the ‘old rabbit’ disappeared and the new ’seven coloured rabbit’ appeared. Its actually the old rabbit, but it looked new. And we were inspired! Now, that’s what I call the magic of Lawrence Khong! It has to be a supernatural grace. There is no other explanation.

Most Inspiring Story: The transformational story of how God used a small church in Phuket to have a mega impact on the city. Pastor Burton, a British Assemblies of God missionary told us how the Lord can move to reduce corruption among local government officials and establish God’s justice in the city through leaders being born again.

Church bombing turn into church blessing

By kenny, 20 January, 2010, 2 Comments

I received this wonderful testimony of how God can work all things for good to those who love Him and are called according to his purpose. God can turn bombings into blessings and ash into cash! Here are stories from the Metro Tabernacle church:

“Anyway, the reason for writing is to encourage each and everyone of us. My colleague, CT is a member of the Metro Tabernacle church. This morning (my 1st day back at work) she shared with me the wonderful testimonies that has happened since the burning of their church. And I would like to share the same with you all too.

1) The night before the church was burned their Pastor was at the church past 11pm because he wanted to check his emails. He is a very hardworking person and has a habit of wanting to complete his work as much as possible. But he is also very sensitive to the Holy Spirit. When he got to the church premise and was about to swipe the card to open the door, he had a terrible stomachache that he had never had before. He knew that the Lord was telling him to go back home and he obeyed and left the church premise.. It was past midnight that the church was torched. If he had not obeyed he would have been burned alive and would not be able to live to tell this wonderful testimony. God still has work for him to do on earth. His time was not up yet.

2) The MTC had trouble moving to the new premises in Batu Caves. They had been waiting for approval from the Local Authorities and is still pending. Then they were facing financial difficulties as they needed to buy new furniture for the new premise. They had been raising funds on their own to relocate to Batu Caves but had been stuck due to approval permits and raising more $ to buy new furniture and equipment. So when the church was burned it was all the old stuff that they had been wanting to get rid off! And our Govt compensated them RM500K and CIMB and many other donations started to pour in. From an adversity it turned into a blessing! Our God truly provides!

3) CT has been rejoicing in the office and shared with my MD. Today at our Management meeting, the MD said I had never seen anyone so full of joy when the church got burned down but instead she said it was a blessing.

4) CT said the church leaders and members shook hands with Najib and they released forgiveness for whatever that has happened in the past. She said Najib felt very welcomed at the church. Hishamuddin commented that during his visit he has never seen so many smiling faces when their church had just been burned down. To God be the glory!

5) They also requested for the Batu Caves new church premise to be turned into a place of worship and not a commercial zone. The Selangor Govt is looking into it and the MB, Khalid gave his assurance that he will look into it personally.

6) The Metro Tabernacle worship service appeared in the International Herald Tribune (they were on international news) and the photo of the worshippers with their hands raised was taken in the Wisma MCA hall. My MD asked what was happening and CT told him we were praising and worshipping God. MD didnt know that this was how we praised and worshipped God.

7) A few years ago a visiting speaker from overseas prophesied that the MTC would be in international news. At that time the congregation thought that their Pastor would be traveling around the world to preach as he was already doing that but she said now they understood what the speaker said. I told CT if it was the doing of man, God would not be glorified but when it is not of man, then God would be glorified like in this situation.

8) It was good to see many church leaders of other denominations coming together at the MTC worship service over the last few days, united and praying together.

9) Lastly, sometime last year CT approached me and said that she has been praying and she was convicted in her heart to give me an invitation to ask our church/cell to partner with them in prayer with regards to the move to the new church premise in Batu Caves. They were facing a lot of spiritual warfare. I remember sharing with the cell. We didnt know very much about them then. God is moving amongst us and we could choose to obey his call to pray or disregard and miss the excitement and blessing

I hope the above sharing would have encouraged us all to press on and serve our Almighty God. MTC has found favour with God and so has many other churches. We must increase our faith to the next level and stay united. PRAYER is the only powerful weapon God has given to all of us. Lets use it mightily for His Glory!

God bless, JJ”

Of animals and God

By kenny, 17 January, 2010, No Comment

I read Rev Dr Lorna Khoo’s “SEMINAL THOUGHTS AND REFLECTIONS ABOUT GOD AND ANIMALS” in her Facebook and thought it interesting. She has permitted me to reproduce this for the good of all hoomans.

1 God’s world is not meant to be humancentric (revolving around humans )but theocentric (revolving around God). While it is true that humans have a special exalted position in His world -it is God’s world where He alone is God and Lord.

2 Animals don’t exist for us. They exist for God. They were there before humans were made(Gen 1 ), created for His pleasure and for His glory. Do not usurp God’s role.

3 Animals have inherent worth as fellow creatures of God in God’s world. Their worth is not tied to their ‘usefulness’ or lack of it to humans/ecological system. Their worth is in how their Creator values them. And He values them – be they Israel’s sparrows or the cattle of Nineveh. Never limit the wideness of God’s love.

4.We DO NOT have absolute right over their lives. (eg #1 I do not own my dogs. I am their God appointed guardian.#2 Patenting ‘clones’/’ chimeras’- says that they are ‘things’ and we have absolute right over their lives. This is wrong)

4 There is a Fall. What we see now as ‘natural’ or ‘natural order of things’ (eg survival of the fittest, hierarchical structure of wolf pack etc.) is NOT the model of how God’s ideal creation was meant to be. To use ‘what is’ now as a principle, pattern or philosophy for relating to creation(eg dog obedience is based on the ‘wolf pack’ hierarchical idea: top dog vs underdog) is to perpetuate the brokenness of the Fall. Alternatives should be found based on the rediscovery of His original intention and desire for creation.

5 Humans do owe to creation a duty: the duty is to ‘rule’ creation as God’s steward ie to care and tend it, reflecting the character of God.

6. God’s ideal was for humans to be vegetarians. Note that even when verse28 of Genesis says that humans are to ‘rule’over creation, the very next verse (s) 29-31 states the food appointed for humans- plants. Animals were NOT created to be eaten in the original plan of God. (Neither do they eat each other then).

7. The way we treat animals reflect/affect our integrity as Christians.

8. The argument based on ‘order’ and ‘hierarchy’ leading on to ‘prioritizing’ importance and value is inherently problematic eg to say that we have to take care of humans first sometimes means there will never be a time when anyone would be allowed to focus on creation’s needs.It is like someone saying, “ Children should be our priority” which can lead to no resources being ever given to the aging and the old. “Citizens first” can mean the lack of care for migrants. “Focus on development of male leaders” can lead to a denial of God given gifts and callings when it comes to women. God usually has a preferential option for the marginalised and forgotton. Some of His best resources will be set apart for such ministries.

They’re all growing up fast

By kenny, 14 January, 2010, No Comment

L to R: Joshua, Elaine, Kenny, Wen Mun, Matthew, Wen Por

Wen Por and Wen Mun live in Bangkok and study in an international school there. Their mum, Baby, is my wife’s younger sister, a Singaporean who has worked there, met her husband and now has her home there for over twenty years. Her husband Jack, is Taiwanese, and they run a trading business there. They have visited us over more than a decade now, usually during the Christmas season and they are great to have around. They are very well brought up and well behaved and this time it struck me that they are mature young folk and love doing things young people love doing. They are no longer young kids. So my son and daughter who were on vacation brought them to an overdose of shopping, church events, and activities and I am sure it built strong bonds of love.

Church bombings show intention and pattern

By kenny, 10 January, 2010, 8 Comments

The fire bomb attacks on churches were not spontaneous expressions of outrage and violence of common folk, but deliberate, intentional, strategic acts of violence to damage religious harmony that have largely prevailed since the federation was formed. The avoidance of death seemed to be deliberately calibrated to make all parties open to concessions without triggering a religious war. This was probably masterminded by one who knew what he was doing, and he is educated and not a village folk. It was deliberate because it showed a multi-denominational pattern.

One was a charismatic church: the Metro Tabernacle church in Kuala Lumpur. Another was the Assumption Catholic church in Petaling Jaya, though the explosive that was thrown into the church compound did not explode. The third was an attack on a Brethren church called Life chapel in Petaling Jaya where a Molotov cocktail damaged the porch. The latest was a Lutheran church, the Good Shepherd Lutheran church, in south west Kuala Lumpur. Petrol bombs were thrown into the windows of the first and second floors of the buildings but they narrowly missed.

How many denominations are there in Malaysia? Will the Presbyterians, Baptists, Methodists or Anglicans be next in line? Watch and pray.

Meanwhile, Rev Ong Sek Leong, the Malaysian pastor of Metro Tabernacle church spoke for all Malaysian Christians and citizens of all races and religions when he responded to what had happened to the church he pastored.

My grandparents were from Sarawak

By kenny, 7 January, 2010, 3 Comments

My wife and I were tidying up our drawers recently and we found some old documents like this photo above and my mum’s family tree. My mum Ada Law, is the girl on the extreme left, next to her frowning mum, my grandmother, Beatrice Kho. The father John Law was probably taking the photo. The interesting thing were the two boys in the front wearing shorts. One is James and the other is Harry. Both went missing during the Japanese Occupation, presumably taken away and killed by Japanese soldiers. My mum before the onset of Alzeihmer’s disease, harboured bitter memories about their deaths.

I also learned that my grandparents and great-grandparents were from Kuching and there are relatives I do not know who still live there. And my father’s family came from Sibu. So they were all Sarawakians.

Among my aunties was one who married a Malacca man, an Ahmad Derus, who had ten children and twenty-nine grand-children. The aunty, Mable Law, married him, and had one son, Johan, before she passed away. The rest were born to the second wife, a Connie Jacobs. We still have contacts with Johan.

Knowing this also made me think: I must try to visit Sarawak one day. Even if I cannot meet my relatives, I am sure there is a mountain to trek there.

(This blogpost was first published on August 17th, 2006 and I want to make available this information for myself and posterity by republishing it.)

‘Allah’ should stay in the Bahasa Bible

By kenny, 6 January, 2010, 2 Comments

Dr Tony Siew, New Testament lecturer in Trinity Theological College, has written a coherent case for keeping Allah in the Bahasa bible, and an impassionate plea for reason, calmness and humility to prevail in the wake of the high court decision to uphold the use of ‘Allah’ in the Bahasa bible. His blogpost is titled, “Allah” for Malaysian Christians.

A surprising but refreshing turn of events: main Islamic party PAS in Malaysia has said the word “Allah” can be used by followers of the Abrahamic faiths to denote God, as long as it is not misused or abused. This came from a written statement from PAS president Hadi Awang. Some would say it is not surprising, as PAS is seeking to put on a moderate face, just as UMNO is seeking to seem more Isalmic. Whatever the case may be this statement by PAS bucked a growing online expression of fury from Malaysian Muslims about the high court decision.

Three weddings and a funeral

By kenny, 3 January, 2010, 4 Comments

It began with my son listening to his Japanese love albums. Overhearing, I found them catchy despite not understanding the lyrics. It sort of grows on you. I have watched many episodes of Japan hour and even caught some J movies and serials. Lately, I have used Japanese tracks for some of my slides in YouTube and videos. And I have been hearing them on and off. Subconcious decisions. Even now, with the cool of afternoon drizzle outside my window, Japanese songs are blaring in my bedroom and I am happily writing my blogposts for the week. Maybe its the J pop that stoked my creativity and lightness of being as reflected in my blogpost today.

I have conducted three weddings and a funeral in recent months. Interesting and very different ones.

The first was at an award-winning restaurant along Clarke Quay just before the lunch crowd. It was a small intimate family affair. A ceremony for registration of the marriage of Nat and Janice. The HDB required proof of marriage but wedding plans was later. It reminded me of my own situation in 1980. I did the registration of my marriage to satisfy HDB requirements, and later did the church marriage solemnization. It was not uncommon in my days and quite a number of couples landed in the same quandary. So I conducted the marriage registration as deputy registrar of marriage for Nat and Janice, and after that they continue to live separately until their actual church marriage ceremony. Umm…..never mind if you don’t understand. Anyway I enjoyed the ambience, and the sumptuous leisurely lunch in a restaurant that overlooked the Singapore river.

The second wedding was the marriage of my god-daughter Eunice and Colin. I was of course happy to see their relationship blossom into a covenant before God and man. An answered prayer for me. The wedding was elegance in full bloom. Well dressed good-looking young men and women of the entourage, as well as family, guests and well wishers. The location was unique and understatedly grand: the Asian Civilization Museum, with its old Brit colonial swagger. The ceremony went smoothly, everyone was relaxed despite the formality of dress, and the hall and reception area was tastefully decorated with elegant design touches that drew out the oohs and aahhs and phone cameras from aesthetes. Later they had a tea ceremony in the hall itself. Eunice has uploaded early pics on her blog, Memoire of Eunice. The next evening was a dinner at the Tanglin Club with close family members and friends. It was like being in a movie as couples took to the dance floor and danced to live music….including novices like me and my wife, a first for us.

On New Year’s day, which was yesterday, I did another kind of wedding. This one was done at home in a five room HDB flat. Stephen Koh and Lily Lim. It was surprisingly refreshing, free from the burden of dress and formality of the usual weddings. We were all dressed smart casual, and I could see the power of community of the small church, as the friends from the cell group went all out to help make the wedding special. From photo taking, to decor, to whatever else was needed that kept them at work until 4 am on the wedding day itself. The groom was so touched he choked while saying a heartfelt thanks to the cell group and helpers. I did the solemnization next to the LCD TV and the signing in the balcony, and we had excellent food from Four Seasons outside the larger than normal lift landing. The couple hosted their reception with two groups: one over lunch and one over dinner.

All three were so special. I like weddings. More Lord, more.

Now that I have written about three weddings, I have no heart to write about a special funeral I witnessed and participated in. The mood is just not right. Perhaps another time. But I will not change the catchy title for obvious reasons.

Contemporary megachurch first founded by a woman

By kenny, 29 December, 2009, 5 Comments

The men may not like to read this but it was a woman who birthed what I believe was the precursor to the contemporary megachurch. This woman’s name was Aimee Semple McPherson (1890-1944). After a short stint as a missionary’s wife was curtailed by her husband’s death, and a period of fruitful itinerant evangelistic preaching, she decided to base herself in Los Angeles, California. There she built an enormous church with a seating capacity of 5,300. The Angelus Temple, which was completed in 1923, became a forerunner of contemporary megachurches of today.

Drama and entertainment in the service of the gospel

She incorporated Hollywood entertainment and theatrics to attract and hold the attention of the crowds. Once she had a giant whale built on stage and she dressed up as Jonah to preach. Another time she preached to the LA Police and came on stage on a motorbike in police uniform, dismounted it, blew the whistle, and shouted:”Stop! You are breaking the law! ” That’s drama for you. According to Wikipedia, her “illustrated sermons attracted people from the entertainment industry, looking to see a “show” that rivaled what Hollywood had to offer. These famous stage productions drew people who would never have thought to enter a church, and then presented them with her interpretation of the message of salvation. McPherson believed that the Gospel was to be presented at every opportunity, and used worldly means at her disposal to present it to as many people as possible”. She preached a gospel of love and reconciliation and grace, unlike the many preaching the hell and brimstone gospel. “McPherson was famous both inside and outside of religious circles. Every city where services were held usually had civic leaders in attendance, as well as pastors representing the local churches of every denomination. She made sure that Angelus Temple was represented in local parades and entered floats into the famous Rose Parade in Pasadena”.

Multi-gifted megachurch leader with a social conscience

Her messages were accompanied with signs following: people were “slain in the Spirit”, “drunk in spirit”, healed, speaking in tongues and other supernatural phenomena. The church was filled to capacity three times each day, seven days a week.

“She was also very skillful at fundraising. Collections were taken at every meeting, usually with the admonishment of “no coins, please”. When the $1.5 million Angelus Temple opened its doors, construction was already entirely paid for through private donations.”(Wikipedia)

She started a social and educational center for mid-western immigrants to California and during the Great Depression she supplied free hot meals for thousands of poor and hungry people.

She started a Bible School to train pastors and missionaries and by 1944 over 4000 have graduated from its doors. She also planted many satellite churches in the pattern of the Salvation Army and they evolved into a denomination called the International Church of the Foursquare Gospel.

When it came to communications Aimee was way ahead of many: she wrote scores of books, 180 songs, 7 sacred operas. She also published the weekly Foursquare Crusader and a monthly magazine called “Bridal Call”. She also began broadcasting on radio in its infancy in the early ’20s. McPherson was the first woman in history to preach a radio sermon, and with the opening of Foursquare Gospel-owned KFSG (now KXOL) on and was also the first woman to be granted a broadcast license by the Federal Radio Commission.

But her life was marked by controversy: her divorces, a suspicious kidnap and an alleged adulterous relationship, and her death from sedatives. Read more about Aimee Semple MacPherson (Wikipedia).

The contemporary model of the megachurch is not a new idea: it’s almost a century-old!

And it was founded by a woman!

(This article was first published on the 28th Jan 2008.)

A Christian review in the Lord of a busy day by David Keith Townsend

By kenny, 27 December, 2009, No Comment

“Let me give you an article I wrote which shows how to pray while busy in the Lord’s work. This is what I practice,” said David Townsend, dressed in a Hawaiian bright blue shirt, and looking about 60 . He was my spiritual director for a silent retreat at the Seven Fountains, Chiangmai, Thailand. He gave me permission to reprint and share it online. This ancient practice of reflective prayer called the “examen” is invaluable for all Christians living on the fast lane, not just pastors. It was originated by St Ignatius of Loyola(see pic on left) for his Jesuit priests. It is a practical and spiritual practice that cultivates a grateful heart and a greater awareness of God’s activity in our daily lives.

My day is the place where I meet God moment to moment. My day is also the place where I fail to meet God moment to moment. My God is continually revealing himself to me in the places, events and people of my day. So it would seem rather important to look at this day in which my commitment to God finds, or fails to find, its expression. My day is the place where I respond, or don’t, to the moment to moment calls to love and service of those around me. My day is where God is moment to moment exercising his loving providence over me. My day is where I allow, or don’t, God to work his will for me. How can I grow in an awarenesss of and sensitivity to God working in my own life? The simple way is to look back over the day at some time when I have leisure to do so. Not just to look back in general terms, but to look back seeking to find where God has been active for me in my life today.

Prayerful reflection is an important aspect of Ignatian spirituality. St Ignatius Loyola, founder of the Society of Jesus, was especially keen on this prayer of reflection on the day. For the Jesuits he founded, he insists on two 15-minute periods of such prayer each day. This prayer has variously been called the Examen, the Examination of Conscience, and, more recently, the Examen of Consciousness, or the Review of the Day. It is almost as if Ignatius were saying, “How can you say you are living a Christian life if you never reflect on it? How can you say you are doing God’s will if you never look to see what you are really doing? You want to serve Christ and live a more Christlike life, well then, reflect on how your day has been, and let the experience of the day teach you what it will.”

Most Christians believe God is working through his Spirit in their lives – unfortunately few reflect on this crucial fact of their lives. The Examen is a short prayer exercise which can help develop in me a greater awareness and sensitivity to the concrete ways God has been working in my day for me. This greater sense of God with me leads me to a more accurate and spontaneous response to the initiatives of his presence. Traditionally there are five aspects or moments to the prayer of Examen, and on any one occasion perhaps one or more aspects will predominate. So these five aspects are not a syllabus to be got through. I give any one of these aspects the time I desire and need.

The First aspect is the fostering of an attitude of thanksgiving or gratitude. There is nothing that has not been given me. I am always on the receiving end of gift. I myself am God’s greatest gift to me- I am the gift by which I can know every other gift. I am the gift in which I can know my own giftedness. So I spend what time I need to become aware of my need to be grateful, to see the giftedness of my own life and living. As this gratitude touches me I express it how I will to Father, Son and Spirit.

The Second aspect is to ask for light. I beg the Spirit to enlighten me to see what the Spirit wants me to see. In other words, it is not my analysis of the day which is important. Nor is it my judgement of what is fine or fitting that is central. Nor has this enlightenment anything to do with my own leanings towards a morbid introspection. I ask the Spirit to show me in the everyday events and people of my life where and how God was present and working for me. I am seeking to find God. The Examen is positive. Without this prayer for light I could all too easily poke around within myself in such a way that scabs are knocked off wounds that would heal very well if only I left them will alone.

The Third aspect of the Examen is to play back the day in such a way as to find God in all of that day of mine. I remember the places I have been in; I recall the activities I undertook; I see the people I was with. In other words: places, occupations, people. I ask the Lord to show me where he was present, in me and in others. To say that God is everywhere may be very true, but it is not very helpful here. It is probably more helpful to remember that God has been acting for me wherever I notice the traces of the Spirit in those places, in those occupations, and among those people of my day. So where have I been aware of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, trustfulness, gentleness, and self-control?(Galatians 5:22,23). I notice each place and express my gratitude. Where I was able to open myself to the work of the Spirit I give deeper thanks. Where I closed myself to those gifts, I ask for sorrow and express my repentance, in some appropriate way seeking reconciliation.

The Third aspect of the Examen automatically flows into the Fourth aspect, which is the deepening of the gifts of sorrow and gratitude. I beg the Lord to deepen my awareness of not allowing him to work for me in his gifts, or of not allowing him to work through me for another, or through another for me. I praise the Lord for those times I did let him work for me, when I co-operated with his gifts.

On any one occasion of praying the Examen I may just wish to take one gift of the Spirit, for example joy. I see where I noticed joy in my day, and give thanks; the places where I entered into the joy of another, or allowed another to enter into my joy; the times joy was shared. These were the concrete moments when God was acting and working in his gift of joy for me and for others. Conversely, I become aware of the times and places when I prevented God acting for me in his gift of joy; when I would not enter into the joy of another, or when I was a kill-joy. I see this now and express my sorrow. And so similarly with the other gifts of the Spirit which are being continuously poured out on my life moment to moment.

The Fifth and final aspect of the Examen is to take a look ahead and to ask for what help and guidance I will need. I can foresee fairly clearly the next day, or half-day: what places will I be in? what people will be with me? what occupations will I take on? or be involved in? With this person I will need the gift of patience; in this place, perseverence; with this occupation, the gift of gentleness, if someone is not to be unduly hurt, etc. I ask for what I see I need very simply and humbly with trust in the loving providence of Father, Son and Spirit – God-with-me.

The practice of the Examen will help foster a growing sensitivity to God, the Trinity, moment to moment at work with me and for me, and through me for others, and through others for me. My life becomes one of greater ease in ’seeking and finding God in all things’, as St Ignatius would put it.

David Keith Townsend, SJ

Sunday, 17th April 1983

B L O G P A S T O R