This is a very brave and courageous article written by the Chairman of the NECF, Pastor Eu Hong Seng with regards to the “Allah” issue.
We publish this article here in CT because we see a lot of similarities between the Church in Malaysia fighting for the right to use the word “Allah” and the Concerned Calvarites or TTG fighting for the rights of the members to put in Resolutions at a General Meeting to be voted on by all Church Members.
We suggest you read this article twice. First as a Christian in Malaysia, as the article is originally intended for. Then a second time, as a Calvarite in the midst of the CC Saga.
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WHY I USE "ALLAH."
Wednesday, 27 January 2010 06:59
If it is suggested by adherents of the respective faiths, this could perhaps be more acceptable. But when followers of one faith, suggest (and insist) that believers of another faith, re-write their Scriptures to pander to their “unsubstantiated convictions” then we are not too far from the “height of arrogance.”
By Eu Hong Seng, Pastor
A layman’s perspective
In the current ongoing debate, some are of the opinion that Christians should just give in and forego the use of the word “Allah” so that the threats and attacks on churches will stop and Malaysia can continue to enjoy her peace and move on unhindered to developed nation status.
Now, more than ever the country needs clear-minded Malaysians and not “confused” citizens, Christians included.
There are ten salient facts and reasons and I would like to address these to the ordinary man in the street and lay people in the Church.1.
1. The use of "Allah" predates Islam
"Allah" is the Arabic name for God, and it indeed pre-dates Islam and even Christianity. The pagan Arabs of the Arabian Peninsula called God "Allah," even though they worshipped hundreds of idols in addition. Christians all across the Arab World today use the word "Allah" for God, and if one were to read an Arabic Bible, he would find that God is indeed called "Allah."
"Allah" is also the name that Jesus Christ called God. "Allah" is the Arabic equivalent of "Elohim," which is Hebrew for God. The "im" is a plural appendage of respect, and so the word is "Eloh," which is very similar to "Allah." In addition, the Aramaic word for God is "Alaha," and Aramaic was the language which Jesus himself spoke. Moreover, the word "Allah" is found in the English version of the Bible which we read today. In Matthew 27:46 we read: "About the ninth hour Jesus cried out in a loud voice, 'Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?' - which means, 'My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?'" The word "Eloi" is the Aramaic form of the Arabic "Allah."2
It is important to know the fact that Christians in Malaysia didn’t start using “Allah” only recently, as some contend.
2. It is used all over the world by Christians.
The Arabic word is commonly used by Christians to describe God in such countries as Egypt, Syria and Indonesia, the world's largest Muslim nation.
So it is not just a Malaysian word, for the Malaysian context only. One cannot just decide to copyright an “international” word and hope to escape ridicule.
And anybody in Malaysia can tell you that it is more than just one word that can be involved. The focus now may be on one word, thereafter the contention will be expanded to include other words, and at a later stage any other word or words that the “authorities” may so decide.
3. “Allah” was used by East Malaysians before Malaysia was formed
The SIB church was formed in Sarawak in 1928, nearly 30 years before Malaysia's independence, and they were already using “Allah” in their worship and literature.
And some of them don’t even speak BM or English, only their own mother tongue and in their mother tongue, the word used is “Allah.”
So it’s not only the Alkitab, the BM Bible. The other Scriptures which use “Allah” are the Kelabit and Lunbawang Bibles.
Daniel Raut, a senior leader of SIB Church — the largest Malay-speaking congregation in the country — said it will not drop the use of the word "Allah," even though Christians fear for their safety.
"Since our forefathers become Christians in the 1920s, we have been using Allah even in our mother tongue," said Raut, who is from the Lunbawang tribe in eastern Sarawak state.
Furthermore, how does one propose that its use be restricted to East Malaysians only? What happens when they come to work in West Malaysia? What about the thousands who are already in West Malaysia? What about our existing West Malaysia Bahasa Malaysia churches?
What happens when an East Malaysian crosses over to Labuan (a Federal Territory) for the weekend?
Some proponents of the “East Malaysia only” concept take it a step further and suggest (to those of us in West Malaysia), “when in Rome, do as the Romans do.”
Though debatable, the new political landscape has all the major political parties, including the key partners of the Barisan, not aligned with Caeser, on this issue.
The Malay equivalent is “Masuk kandang lembu, menguak. Masuk kandang kambing mengembek” (When entering the cattle pen, moo. When entering the goat pen, bleat).
Perhaps it is time the new minority, moo and bleat with the majority.
4. The success of our National Language education policy
Since the introduction of the National Language policy, our emerging generation has become more proficient in Bahasa Malaysia. And with the continued emphasis, the next two generations can be expected to be not only proficient but dependent on the Bahasa Malaysia as the lingua franca in our nation.
Alongside the Allah contention, there are clear intentions to further impose restrictions on other words like “Injil” (Gospel) and “firman” (Word).3
So the logical question we all are asking is “how would this pan out?”
Any strategists will tell you that in winning the generational war, ignore the “old diehards” and focus on the future generations.
Our grandchildren and great grand-children, will find themselves reluctant to read Scriptures in a language in which they are less proficient and also not be able to access the Alkitab, and also, perhaps be the first generation who have never heard of “firman” and “Injil?”
I can understand the zeal of the government to Islamize the nation,4 but I pray that they will do so with honesty and integrity. “Bring all to the table” and aim for the hearts. Malaysians will respect you for that.
But no coercion, no bullying, no media misrepresentation, no scrambling the minds of our children and no re-writing of Scriptures!
But I also pray that by the same token and in the true spirit of religious freedom, the day will soon come, when others, if they so desire be allowed to share their respective faiths with our Muslim friends as is fully acceptable and permissible in Indonesia, the largest Muslim country in the world. Surely Indonesia is a great example to us on what freedom of religion is all about.
Sharing one’s faith with another should not be narrowly interpreted as with ‘intent to convert’. Understanding one another’s faith is surely an excellent way of promoting goodwill, peace and harmony among the multi religious population in this lovely country of ours.
Under the present circumstances, the many proposed “inter faith dialogues” and formation of councils to facilitate such dialogues will be nothing but a monologue, as the other faiths are “gagged” in the name of the constitution.
5. Used by others as well
The Sikhs use “Allah” in their Scriptures. Do we stop them next?
What about Hindus, who also refer to one of their gods as "Allah?"
Rigveda is the most sacred scripture of the Hindus, and one of the attributes given to God Almighty in Book no 2 Hymn no I verse II, is ‘Ila’ which if pronounced properly is the same as Allah5.
So it is not a Christian issue alone. What the Christians are asked to do, the Sikhs and the Hindus will be asked to do, eventually.
6. Constitutional right to "manage" our own religion
This right must include how we address our God.
Over enthusiastic bureaucrats, consequentially are interfering with the worship & education of Christians – CDs have been confiscated, Sunday School materials are held up by customs, besides the confiscations of the Alkitab.
According to Prof. Dr. Shad Saleem Faruqi6, the Malaysian Constitution provides that Islam is the religion of the federation. But all other religions may be practised in peace and harmony:
Article 3(1).
In respect of religion, every person has the right to three things:
1. To profess
2. To practice
3. And, subject to Article 11(4), to propagate his religion: Article 11(1)
Every religious group has the right to:
1. Manage its own affairs
2. Establish and maintain institutions for religious purposes.
3. Acquire and own property and administer it: Article 11(3).
4. Establish and maintain institutions for religious education: Article 12(2).7
Our constitutional right, to manage our own affairs, to practice religion freely has been increasingly under threat particularly over the past two decades.
7. Dictating what should be in the Scriptures of a major religion in the world
This suggestion that another word be used is perhaps “the biggest joke.”
Whether one agrees or not about the word is not the main issue.
The basic issue, lest we forget the obvious, is that each and every religious Scriptures is the sacred book – of Christians (including the Kelabit and Lunbawang), the Sikhs and the Hindus. We are not talking about some supplementary textbooks or a "pseudo scripture" just written recently.
Are those who argue for a substitute word suggesting that all these Holy Books be re-written to accommodate a few?
If it is suggested by adherents of the respective faiths, this could perhaps be more acceptable. But when followers of one faith, suggest (and insist) that believers of another faith, re-write their Scriptures to pander to their “unsubstantiated convictions” then we are not too far from the “height of arrogance.”
I know Malaysia is “boleh-land” but this move to “force” the other religious groups to rewrite their Scriptures is preposterous.
8. Prominent scholars of Islam and Muslim organizations have supported the use of "Allah" by Christians
In Malaysiakini dated 13th Jan 2010, Constitutional Law expert Abdul Aziz Bari contends that it is pretty clear that the use of Allah by Christians has some basis in the Quran.
This is strengthened by the exposition of eminent scholars, including Egyptian scholar Shaykh Yusuf Al-Qaradawi (Maal Hijrah award recipient 2009) who said that Christians, as part of the Abrahamic faiths together with the Jews and Muslims, can use the word 'Allah'.8
Earlier on, the Islamic Society of North America (ISNA) on 4 Jan 2010, also issued a statement viz –
“With regards to actual and historical practices, Christian Arabs have been using the word “Allah” to refer to God in their religious sources since the inception of Islam, and have never been challenged by private Muslims or Muslim governments on this ground. Islamic law is clear that followers of the Christian faith have the right to practice their religion according to their own religious teachings.
We call on the Malaysian government to uphold the religious freedom of Christians and to let the court ruling stand. We also urge Muslim NGOs to respect Islamic teachings and long-held Islamic traditions, and to withdraw their opposition to the use of the word “Allah” by their Christian compatriots.”9
We would like to hear from our government a more coherent and intelligent response to these prominent voices than simply quote “this is Malaysia.”
9. Our State Anthems will take on a new meaning.
How does one sing the state anthems of Selangor, Kedah, Pahang, Johor, Kelantan and Trengganu now, since there are references to “Allah” in these songs, as it is now implied to refer to the Muslim God only?
In schools, about 30 years ago, we were told we were singing to “God.” Now are our children to sing only to one particular God?
See appendix for list of affected State Anthems.
Unless, of course, one is liberal and don't mind singing to all gods or any god or just the Muslim god.
10. We need to keep in mind that there was "good harmony" in the first 30 years after Merdeka, with freedom to use "Allah."
It never was an issue until enthusiastic politicians promulgated the infamous ISA gazette in 1982, referring to the Alkitab as a document “prejudicial to the national interest and security of the Federation.”
The rest is history.
What an insult! But the Christian community has always been a peace loving people.
For the sake of harmony, Christians engaged in closed door meetings in the past, to negotiate “restricted use” of the word rather than to bring it to the courts. And we were always assured by the government that we could use our Alkitab.
But today, they are saying we cannot use the word and the various government agencies started confiscating various Christian materials, not just the Alkitab. And the claim is we "used to accept it" – but that's because we have been tricked into negotiating behind closed doors in the name of the Malaysian culture of "talk and resolve quietly." So because “nobody” heard from us, now they take advantage and say, we accepted it all this while. This is absolutely not true. Christians have been moaning, complaining, objecting and writing to the government for years.
Should we concede for the sake of peace alone? Friends, the days of closed door meetings - where our views are deliberately misrepresented10 and compromised - where the minority is always bullied and threatened into submission for the sake of harmony and in the name of sensitivity, are perhaps over?
It is indeed sad, that after 52 years of independence, the country is still not ready for mature dialogue, and is still struggling to hear the voice of reason.
This is not a race issue, this is not a Malay supremacy issue, this is not even a religious issue.
And this is definitely not an East-West Malaysia issue.11
Before us are simply constitutional and “human rights” issues, a call to respect the spiritual convictions and Scriptures of other faiths. This is simply a call to exercise common sense and to respect boundaries – ie no rewriting Scriptures!
I hope and pray that the above facts and reasons would help Christians understand that we are not insisting on using “Allah” to "irritate" the “easily confused people” of the land.
We continue to pray for peace and seek a reasoned solution, so that Malaysia can indeed shine as a land so affectionately known as “truly Asia.”
Eu Hong Seng
Pastor
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Appendix – State Anthems
Selangor
Duli Yang Maha Mulia
Selamat di atas takhta
Allah lanjutkan usia Tuanku
Rakyat mohon restu bawah Duli Tuanku
Bahagia selama-lamanya
Aman dan sentosa
Duli Yang Maha Mulia
Kedah
Allah selamatkan Sultan Mahkota
Berpanjangan usia diatas Takhta
Memelihara agama Nabi kita
Negeri Kedah serata-rata
Perak
Dilanjutkan Allah usianya Sultan
Adil dan murah memerintah watan
Ditaati rakyat kiri dan kanan
Iman yang soleh Allah kurniakan
Allah berkati Perak Ridzuan
Allah selamatkan Negeri dan Sultan.
Johor
Allah peliharakan Sultan
‘Nugrahkan dia segala kehormatan
Sihat dan ria, kekal dan makmur
Luaskan kuasa, menaungkan kami
Rakyat dipimpini berzaman lagi
Dengan Merdeka bersatu hati
Allah berkati Johor
Allah selamatkan Sultan
Pahang
Ya Allah Yang Masa Kuasa,
Lanjutkan Usia Duli Yang Maha Mulia,
Dirgahayu, Darul Makmur,
Aman dan Bahagia Sentiasa,
Ya Allah Selamatkan Duli Tuanku Raja Kami
Trengganu
Allah daulatkan Tuanku Sultan,
Terengganu Darul Iman,
Allah peliharakan Tuanku Sultan,
Sejahtera sepanjang zaman,
Allah rahmatkan Tuanku Sultan,
Memerintah rakyat aman.
Kelantan
Lanjutka usia Al-Sultan kami
Sultan Kelantan raja ikrami
Aman sentosa Tuhan sirami
Kekal memerintah kami
Kasih dan taat setia disembahkan
Keriangan diucapkan
Segala kebesaran Allah cucurkan
Bertambah kemuliaan
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To bring this article closer home to us in Calvary Church, Kuala Lumpur, we borrow Pastor Eu’s words and reproduced them to read like this:
But the Calvary Church community has always been a peace loving people.
For the sake of harmony, TTG members engaged in closed door meetings in the past, to negotiate the issues of Truth Transparency and Godly Governance in the running of Calvary Church, rather than to bring it to the courts. And we were always assured by the Senior Pastor and Deacons that we could use our Church Constitutional rights at our AGMs to exercise our rights as church members to voice our opinions and to make decisions by way of voting so that the members voices are heard and carried out as allowed by our Church Constitution
But today (as decided by PG and Deacons since last AGM), they are saying we cannot use the Church Constitution and the various Church leaders have started rejecting all the Resolutions put in for consideration by members at the EGMs and the last AGM thereby confiscating the fundamental rights of the church members to vote at an AGM. And the claim is we "used to accept it" – but that's because the Church members have been tricked into negotiating behind closed doors in the name of the Christian and Church culture of "talk and resolve quietly." So because “nobody” heard from the Concerned Members, (many in the past and the present TTG) now PG, Pastors and Deacons of CC take advantage and say, we accepted it all this while. This is absolutely not true.
Different Concerned Members have been moaning, complaining, objecting and writing to the Church leadership for more than 20 years. (Many have said their peace and left to worship in other churches)
Should we concede for the sake of peace alone? Friends, the days of closed door meetings - where our views are deliberately misrepresented and compromised - where the Church Members are always bullied (i.e removed from church membership as in Dr Lum) and threatened (i.e axed from serving in church ministries) into submission for the sake of Christian Love and in the name of bearing a good testimony, are perhaps over?
It is indeed sad, that after 49 years of existence, the Church is still not ready for mature dialogue, and is still struggling to hear the voice of reason.
This is not a Christian Love issue, this is not a Touch not God’s anointed issue, this is not even a Forgive and Forget your pastor issue.
And this is definitely not a maintaining a good Christian Testimony in Malaysia issue.
Before us are simply constitutional and “human rights” issues, a call to respect the spiritual convictions and Godly principles held by members of Calvary Church. This is simply a call to exercise common sense and to respect boundaries and rights of Calvary members whose monetary contributions are paying for the salaries of the Pastors who are now "biting the hands which feed them".
We hope and pray that the above facts and reasons would help Calvarites understand that TTG brothers and sisters, are not insisting on using the AGM to propose RESOLUTIONS to be voted upon by members to "irritate" the “easily confused people” of the church.
We continue to pray for peace and seek a reasoned solution, so that Calvary Church can indeed shine as a great testimony for our Lord Jesus Christ, so affectionately known as a fountain-head church in Malaysia and the world over.
Adapted by CT Administrators
Thursday, January 28, 2010
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
Introducing our Church Elders
THIS IS AN ANNOUNCEMENT EXTRACTED FROM
THE LATEST CALVARY NEWS
Robert Selvaratnam and Patrick Wong Sing Fah
were introduced as our Church Elders at the New Year’s Eve Worship Service at Damansara Heights on 31 December 2009.
Robert Selvaratnam is a Pensioner and is married to Lydia Selvaratnam. They have three children, Roy, Brian and Lorna. He has been a Church member since 1982 (27 years) and was a Church Deacon from 1988 to 2001 (13 years). Currently, he is serving as a Life Group Leader and an itinerant teacher and preacher at our Outreaches.
Patrick Wong is a Learning Consultant. Married to Assistant Pastor Shereen Wong, they have two children, Patreen and Shawn. He has been a Church member since 1968 (41 years) and was a Church Deacon from 1980 to June 2009 (20 years). Currently, he is serving as a School of Christian Growth teacher and Chairperson of the CCC Project Committee.
CT's Note: At the last AGM in June 2009, Patrick Wong lost his bid to be re-elected to the Board of Deacons. His inability to garner enough votes was not surprising as members were unhappy with his staunch support and his condoning the mis-management of the church by Senior Pastor Prince and also benefiting personally during his tenure as a deacon.
CT's Note: At the last AGM in June 2009, Patrick Wong lost his bid to be re-elected to the Board of Deacons. His inability to garner enough votes was not surprising as members were unhappy with his staunch support and his condoning the mis-management of the church by Senior Pastor Prince and also benefiting personally during his tenure as a deacon.
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This is a Comment put in by one of the CT readers, which we
have copied and published here for easy reading.
Anonymous said...@ January 13, 2010 2:51 PM
PG'S TRICKS
Brothers and Sisters in Christ, open up your eyes and ears. See and hear what's happening right in front of you !
SP is up to his dirty tricks again, trying to hookwink us with the sudden and unprecedented appointment of two (2) Church Elders. Have you ever stop to think and wonder why SP specially chose ex-Deacon Patrick Wong ? The same Patrick Wong whose name appeared in the nomination list, but was not voted in last year, being unpopular among the CC voting members. So SP exercised his Big Brother power and specifically chose his loyal and faithful servant Patrick Wong. Don't be misled by the artificial (fake/false) atmosphere of transparency at the swearing in ceremony of these two Elders. Especially take real special note of SP's own words, these two Elders have NO EXECUTIVE POWERS. Meaning these two are just puppets, rubber stamps for SP's dictatorial rule. He and his family has been ruling CC like a monarchy, as befitting his ROYAL title of PRINCE G !!!
Calvarites, do not be deceived by SP, who has wrecked havoc in our beloved CC.
Pray that God save us from this spiritual warfare against the forces of darkness. God's anointing has surely left SP, which explains the reasons why the various projects CCC, Calvaryland, CCC Carnival, etc are experiencing difficulties. Deafening silence surrounds these failed projects, with only one liner "explanations" from SP to satisfy our questions. Do not be gullible to swallow the lies and deceits he spews from the pulpit.
Remember what he said ? He said that CC was experiencing some minor issues with CCC, but never mind, instead of working on the CCC building, God is working on CC, the people ie congregation - like you and I ! What blasphemy ! What sinful words SP dares to put in God's mouth !
The implications of his message to the CC congregation is that God suddenly stops in his tracks, says "Opps, sorry, mistake here ... and as an afterthought decides to concentrate on building up the spirituality of HIS people !
Are we the CC congregation supposed to swallow such nonsense which cannot be from God ! And definitely not an annointed message !
Beware, SP, on Judgement Day, you have to answer to GOD Himself the lies you tell us. Stop and repent before too late.
Saturday, January 9, 2010
Prayer Request
Let us unite to pray for Metro Tabernacle in Taman Melawati and The Assumption Church in Jalan Templer that was set on fire on 8 January 2010.
Read full report from Star Online .
Click here:
1. IGP: Church arson being investigated; police to patrol all churches (dated 8/1/10)
2. Najib condemns attacks (dated 9/1/10)
Let us join hands with NECF's call to all Christians to Pray.
For Your Intercession
(1 Thessalonians 5:16-18)
Here is NECF's statement :| Title: | Prayer Alert Concerning the "Allah" Issue |
| Description: | On 31 Dec 2009, the High Court decided on the case brought by the Catholic weekly, The Herald against the Home Ministry in respect to the ban on the use of the word "Allah". The substance of the decision by the High Court is as follows:- That the ban by the Home Ministry against the Herald for using the word "Allah" in their publication is unconstitutional and therefore invalid; The use of the word "Allah" is not exclusive to Muslims only but non-Muslims religious groups such as Christians have the right to use the word "Allah" as this is their constitutional right. The decision was hailed as a landmark decision by all parties but has brought significant implication for Christians in Malaysia. |
| Author: | NECF |
On 31 Dec 2009, the High Court decided on the case brought by the Catholic weekly, The Herald against the Home Ministry in respect to the ban on the use of the word "Allah". The substance of the decision by the High Court is as follows:-
The decision was hailed as a landmark decision by all parties but has brought significant implication for Christians in Malaysia. In the after math of the decision and as expected, the Home Ministry filed an appeal to the Court of Appeal over the decision. The Muslims NGOs are also not pleased with the decisions and have organised demonstrations in two cities. More is expected to come. They have also organised an outline signature campaign to pressure the judiciary to reverse the decision. There is also a police report over the decision. All political parties are experiencing division within their ranks over this issue. As a reaction, some are asserting and questioning why are Christians now only using the word whereas they have not done so in the past (this is a misguided and erroneous notion deliberately spread to fan the sentiments of the Islamists and t he masses). In the midst of this tension, the PM has called for calm within all cultural communities.
NECF together with other Christian bodies are keeping a low profile and avoiding unnecessary statement but at the same time making effort to educate the masses on the facts and truth as well as appealing for mutual respect, acceptance and diversity.
In light of this recent development, we appeal to the Christian community to stand together in one heart and mind to intercede for God's will to prevail that peace and order will be preserved in our nation.
Pray that:
| |
| Title: | NECF Malaysia Statement on Fire-Bomb at Churches |
8th January 2010
NECF MALAYSIA STATEMENT ON FIRE-BOMB AT CHURCHES
The National Evangelical Christian Fellowship (NECF) of Malaysia is saddened by the events of the last 24 hours affecting our churches. We regret the irresponsible actions of certain extremist elements for the recent spate of fire-bombs thrown into church premises. These actions display their immaturity and intolerance towards others within a multi-racial society.
Though to date, no casualties have been reported, we want to commend the swift actions taken by both the Police and Fire Department. We hope that with adequate investigations they will be able to probe into the blaze and speedily bring those responsible to justice.
We call on our government to take the necessary steps to educate those who lack understanding and are "easily confused" to be mature minded in a progressive democratic society.
With the Prime Minister’s national agenda of 1Malaysia, we regret to note that these irresponsible actions will bring much setback to the desired goals and derail the country’s effort to move out of recession.
As Christians and responsible citizens of this country, it is our desire to see all quarters promote peace and harmony. We therefore appeal to all communities to exercise practical rationality and to listen to the “voice of reason” and strive to make all efforts to foster a sense of greater unity and harmony within all races and religious community groups.
NECF calls on all parties to learn to respect each other’s basic constitutional and human rights to practise one’s faith and religion, recognising the fundamental boundaries in not interfering with the Scriptures of other faiths.
NECF further calls all Christians to pray for the peace and well-being of the nation.
Released by:
NECF Malaysia Chairman
Administrator's Note:
CT exist as a channel of disseminating information regarding issues pertaining to Calvary Church, Kuala Lumpur's present saga. We however, felt that the recent issue of churches being torched because of the legal battle over the use of "Allah" by Christians, is an issue worthy of attention and should be supported by all Christians.
CT's special post here is to encourage all our readers to join hands with NECF and other churches to pray for this current issue. It is not our intention to debate, to speculate or to garner for suggestions on how to solve this national problem. CT is not catered for that as we are not affiliated with any Christian Organization and therefore have no means to be a channel of help to them.
CT is not a registered body with any Christian organization. As such, CT cannot act as a "collection center" for any contribution that our readers may feel led to give to help the affected churches. If you wish to contribute to help rebuild the affected churches, please contact them personally or NECF for details on how you can help them.
| |
Friday, January 1, 2010
We wish you a....
HAPPY NEW YEAR
AND
A BLESSED
2010
"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you."
(Jeremiah 29 : 11 - 14)
2009 has come and gone but it has also made us strong,
The path was weary and long but we walked it with a song,
There were struggles and tears but we also had many reasons for cheers.
We know not what holds in this new year but with God, we need not move on with fear,
Put all your faith and trust in Him, and in victory, at the end , you will win.
