My Identity, Christ’s Identity.

I am first and foremost a Christian. In whatever that I do, I pray that God will remind me that I am first and foremost a Christian.

Too many people call themselves Christians and then go out doing things that totally contradict any of the Bible’s teachings. Their acts resulting in the world having distorted views about Christianity. Being a Christian requires a different standard of living. Being a Christian requires you to think differently, to act differently, to talk differently, to mingle differently, to judge differently, to everything differently.

Being a Christian is to BE Christ.

Often times when we act out of anger, we forget that Jesus only acted in righteous anger.

Often times when we accuse people of sinning and so quickly punish them, we forget that Jesus told the crowd who were about to stone to adulteress woman, “If anyone of you is without sin, let him be the first to cast a stone at her.”

Often times when we segregate ourselves from people who are low class and of different standard, we forget that Jesus sat down and ate with sinful tax collectors.

Often times when we complained that we do not have a better place to stay, we forget that Jesus the Son of God had no place to lay his head.

Often times when we curse the world for being unfair to us, we forget that Jesus was crucified by the world.

And it goes on…

I have to admit that at different situations in our life, it is hard to BE a Christian. However it does not need to be so. It isn’t hard and it isn’t possible. Although being a Christian is more than just confessing that Jesus is Lord, it is not hard to live a Christian life.

If we only try. And give ourselves room for failure. And muster the strength to rise again each time we fall.

But it is sad to see that today many Christians do not even bother to lead a Christian life. All they have in mind is to do whatever it takes to be rich and famous and enjoy life. They go to church but they do not bring their heart there. They pray but only when the need arises. They sing and praise God but only to feel good on a Sunday. They raise their hands towards heaven but their hearts have already been surrendered to the world.

They don’t care.

But you should not.

I try. And I keep trying.

I am first and foremost a Christian.

My identity = Christ’s identity.

2 Corinthians 5:16-17

So from now on we regard no one from a worldly point of view. Though we once regarded Christ in this way, we do so no longer. Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has gone, the new has come!

The pictures found in this post were taken by Joshua Chan during Grace Youth Identity Conference and Rally at Grace PJ last Saturday 8th of August 2009. I wasn't able to attend the night rally and hear the preaching. But this is what I understand about Identity=Christ.

What's Behind

This post was taken from Yoke Pei's blog - www.deeperthanlove.blogspot.com

I do not want a tongue piercing anymore!

Never! Yes, I am renouncing it publicly. Haha. Well, not that I was serious on getting one but yeah, I thought it was simply cool and all, you know. Ahaaa, until Bill Sudduth shared on Tattooing and Piercing yesterday. Thank God I was taught the ugly truth behind the ink and holes. Tongue piercing actually speaks I-Am-A-Lesbian. *gasp* I was not, am not and never will I be okay.



Generally, in the ancient days and even until today, tattoos are done as an act to gain power, acceptance and protection from the demonic spirits. And tattoos are often linked to prostitutions, convictions, slavery and perversion. A number of pictures were shown, from the Egyptian god Bes to the African's scarification, cicatrization and even, tongue slitting, ear plugging and lip plugging. The slides definitely freaked us out. Or at least, myself. Clearly, I was not exposed to things like this and it gave me a big, big shock. =O

I never thought that anyone would tattoo their face even! Yeah, a beautiful woman to have "goatee" on? And do you think it's worthy just because one finds pleasure in checking out the "amazed" look on their fellow friends when they proudly exhibit their slitted tongue? Very cool, huh? I looked at those pictures and I went all like, " What!? How sick can one be?" I'm sorry, I don't think it's cool at all.

Leviticus 19:28 -

"Do not cut your bodies for the dead or put your tattoo marks on yourselves. I am the LORD."

There are certainly some spiritual aspects that we must be aware of in the case of tattooing and piercing. God warned us not to impair the image He has created in us as our body is the Temple of God and shall be kept holy. When we allow the ink to seep into our blood stream or when we get our body pierced, we're actually opening the door for the evil. Our different body parts are like gates to our inner self. The ancestors used to get their face and body tattooed just to make them look more like the idols that they were worshiping. And eventhough they were from different nations, we could see the resemblance in the designs of the tattoos. Coincidence, you think? No, it's the work of the Satan who came to steal, kill and destroy. To make God's people like you and me to fall into sins as such to worship and carry the image of idols instead. And now that the end days are near, we have to be extremely cautious in overcoming this growing "culture".

God doesn't want us to condemn ourselves, to condemn the way He formed us. However, the permanent marks are made to mar the body, a reckless act to allow the unrighteous take charge of us and as a sign of rebellion against God. Oh, and there's no such thing as a Christian tattoo at all. The Lord is the LORD. He does not need a tattoo of the cross on our arm to be glorified. It does not make us a Christian either. Jesus paid the price for us on the cross and rose again. We're made pure by faith and He looks deep into the beauty of our heart. It is the heart of worship and the passion to serve that He's searching for.

You may say, "Come on lah, tattoo's just an artwork!" or "Piercings are the now-thing", just ask yourself this "Do I really want to put myself at risk?" Well, not just spiritually (of course, spiritual damage is the ultimate deadly one!) - physically too. You might end up with a real bad infection and lose your parts. If vanity is the reason, then why at all? Right now, if you're thinking of laser as a back-up plan, do check out the cost and the duration of treatment first. And the ink has long-term affects on your health too. We don't need the scientific terms like Ferum (II) oxide here but I'm sure you all pretty much know that ink contains chemicals and most chemicals are hazardous, yes?


Be wise, to those who are on the verge of making a disastrous life-time decision. The choice is still yours. I'm just done sharing what I've learned from the talk and I hope that you'd gain something from this post too.

And to those who have fallen into this, it is not too late to learn, repent and rejoice in the Lord again. Pray and seek for forgiveness, not from men but from God. Remember, He's not only our Creator; He's also our Healer.

Isaiah 1:18 "Come now, let us argue this out", says the Lord. "No matter how deep the stain of your sins, I can remove it. I can make you as clean as freshly fallen snow. Even if you are stained as red as crimson, I can make you as white as wool."

AMEN! (:

I Am Not A Peaceful Alien.

It's been another long and tiring week. There is only 24 hours in a day. It is either enough or not enough. We are the ones in control of the time given to us. Are we being productive? If yes, in what way?

I was just thinking about aliens recently. As much as we love this world and love to dwell in it, we have to realize the fact that we do not belong here. We come as foreigners and visitors.

There are rumours that we belong to another world - not this.

How true it is? I can't answer that for you but I know.

We Christians are called to one purpose - that is to share the knowledge that we have. The knowledge that we have, no one wants it hear it and no one likes to hear it. Because it is offensive. It causes them to think. It requires them to give up the things that are most dear to them. It gives them confusion.

We are aliens on planet earth. Our home is not here but in heaven. Paul has this to say:

Philippians 3:20

But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, our Lord Jesus Christ.

He knew that his citizenship was not on earth, nor in the country that he resided it. With that conviction in his heart, he lived his life differently. He was one of the movers and shakers of the early Christian church.

Our life here on earth is temporary. Like a passing wind. The moment we realize and understand that, our values will change. The way we see things will change. The way we treat people will change. Our ambitions, goals and dreams will change. Our desires will be different. We will start to talk differently. We will start to prioritize differently. We will begin to live our life differently.

Only if we realize what Paul realized.

We are all aliens but we do not come in peace...

We come to this earth to create havoc. To stir the enemy. To infiltrate the enemy's camp and to turn the camp upside down. We come to earth not bringing flowers from another planet but bringing a sword. An offensive weapon. We come as aliens raging war with the values, teachings, and beliefs of this planet. We come as warring aliens.

When Jesus came to the earth. He came bringing a sword. He defied all the laws of the political parties during his time. He defied the laws of the Pharisees, Sadducees, Zealots, Helots and many more. He went against each and every of the political parties' teachings and beliefs. He came to cause havoc! More on this in one of my older posts. Click HERE. It is a good read.

I am an alien on this planet. This world is not my home. I am only a temporary resident given a timeframe for me to do what I am to do. I am only passing through. My citizenship is in heaven.

I am an alien on this planet and I do not come in peace...

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When The World Sees Grace In Action, It Falls Silent

Nelson Mandela, the famous African leader, taught the world a lesson in grace. Being released from prison after twenty-seven years and being elected president of South Africa, he asked his jailer to join him on the inauguration platform. No one would want to offer such an honorable position to a jailer who kept you in prison, Nelson did.

Seeing the natural and common pattern of hate, vengeance and revenge, he decided to set up an official government panel. This panel was headed by Archbishop Desmond Tutu and the name was the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. The panel was created to deal with people who oppressed one another because of their differences in race and tribe.

For the next two and a half years, the people of South Africa listened to reports of the unusual ways the TRC dealt with crimes and punishments. The rules of the TRC was simple: if a white policeman or army officer voluntarily faced his accusers, confessed his crime and fully acknowledged his guilt, he could not be tried and punished for that crime.

This is NONSENSE – according to many people who were affected by the criminal crimes committed by such offenders.

It is an OBVIOUS INJUSTICE.

But Nelson insisted that the country needed healing even more than it needed justice.

At one hearing, a policeman named Van de Broek recounted an incident where he and other officers shot an eighteen-year-old boy and burned the body to destroy evidence. Eight years later, Broek returned to the very same house and seized the boy’s father. The wife was forced to watch as the policeman bound her husband on a woodpile, poured gasoline over his body and ignited it.

The courtroom grew hushed as the elderly woman who had lost her son and husband was given a chance to respond. “What do you want from Mr Van de Broek?” the judge asked. She replied saying that she wanted Broek to go to the place where they burned her husband’s body and gather up the dust so she could give him a decent burial. Broek’s head was down, he nodded with agreement.

Then she added a further request, “Mr Van de Broek took all my family away from me and I still have a lot of love to give. Twice a month, I would like for him to come to the ghetto and spend a day with me so I can be a mother to him. And I would like Mr Van de Broek to know that he is forgiven by God, and that I forgive him too. I would like to embrace him so he can know my forgiveness is real.”

Spontaneously, some in the courtroom began to sing “Amazing Grace” as the elderly woman made her way to the witness stand, but Broek did not hear the singing. He had fainted, overwhelmed.

Justice was not done in South Africa that day, nor in the entire country during months of agonizing procedures of the TRC. Something beyond justice took place. “Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good,” said Paul.

Nelson Mandela and Desmond Tutu understood that evil can only be overcome by one response. Revenge gives birth to more evil. Justice punishes evil.

Only grace can overcome evil, absorbing it and not allowing it to go any further.

Jesus Christ showed this pattern of otherworldly grace in his life and death.

When the world sees grace in action, it falls silent.



*This post was inspired by one of Philip Yancey’s writings in his book, Rumours of Another World.

When Life Hands You Lemons, Make Lemonade.

I love the quote, "When life hands you lemons, make lemonade." I do not know its origins though but it is so true don't you think so? Who in a right mind who like lemons? As in lemons, just lemons, without drinks, squeeze the juice out of the lemon into your mouth! How long would you be able to stand the sourly taste? Not for long. Talk about chilled lemonade.. Now that's a different story. Who wouldn't want one cup of icy cold lemonade with ice on a hot day?

When life hands you something that you do not like, turn it into something useful!

Many of the greatest Christian leaders in the world and those around you did not grow up in the church. Their lives revolves around sneaking out of their house on Sundays to attend service with risk. They risk their parents finding out and disciplining them for going to church. They were raised in homes where alcohol and abuse was everywhere.

Many great leaders and motivational speakers in the world did not grow up in a huge white mansion. They grew up in the slums and back alleys and under the bridges. Their childhood days were spent scavenging for food in rubbish bins. They played with discarded toys thrown away by rich children. They ate left overs and knew not what McDonald's taste like. They sleep on card boards.

But their disadvantage did not bring down many of them. Many were inspired instead to change their life and they grew up strong, having in mind to change the way they are living. And those who were successful in leading a good life did not just stopped there, they turned back and were determined to help those who were in need and those who were like them when they were young.

Their disadvantage did not take the upper hand. Their disadvantage gave them an advantage. Their disadvantage became the fuel that fire the engine of change. Their disadvantage was the gunpowder that provided them with the power to turn things around for themselves and those who were like them!

Their disadvantage became their advantage.

In the Bible we see that God do not care about the people's short coming or disadvantages. Because God is God, God can use your disadvantage and turn them into advantages!

Moses could not speak well and he stuttered. He complained to God saying that he is unworthy to carry out duties. Moses complained to God! Moses told God to choose another one to take his place! Moses was also a murderer! God used him to change the course of Israel's history.

Abraham had the hard time of trusting God to give him an offspring when science proofed that his wife is barren. Come on, who would be really able to believe that a BARREN woman can give birth? No way right? But Abraham stayed faithful. He then became the father of children as many as the stars.

Jonah was a coward! He was so scared of the people of Nineveh and he even FLED after hearing God commanding him. Who in their right senses would run away even after hearing an audible command from God? I mean, we yearn to hear God so much yet when we do, we do not really know whether is it real or not. But Jonah knew. He knew God spoke to him. Yet he FLED from God's command. What a coward! But God used him to change the hearts of EVERYONE in Nineveh. I do not know how many people were in Nineveh but I sure know that there were A LOT of people.

David was a normal and low class shepherd boy. He had nothing else to do except look after sheeps. But God had different plans for him. In the field, God trained David to trust in God for the ultimate protection from a shepherd. God trained him how to fight off wild animals and how to use the sling and stone. With that David defeated the enemies of Israel.

Peter was a normal fisherman with no other abilities other than to FISH! I am sure he knows how to bargain for good price and how to talk his way through to get a good deal for his catch. But I am sure he would not be able to be courageous enough to stand in front of thousands telling them that Jesus is God! I mean, he would be stoned for blasphemy! That coward Peter even denied knowing Jesus - thrice! His disadvantage was COWARDICE but God turned it into a GODLY COWARDICE. Peter FEARED God! Look what he did in the book of Acts!

These people used their disadvantages to become advantages.

So can you!

When life hands you lemons, make lemonade!

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