Hey KSers!
Just read an article written by the staff at SYFC on 'Addressing Dressing' and I thought it might be good for all to read :)
"Let us now turn to God's Word for principles on dressing. WHile the verses chosen address the ladies - since adornment and dressing is an area with which women are often more concerned than men - the principles also apply to the rest of us.
1 Peter deals with holiness of the believer. 1:14-15 says,
As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance: But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation
Holiness is demanded in all areas of life, including dressing... God values beauty (1 Peter 3:4). The question, then, is do we reflect the beauty God has created and godly values - through outward adornment or through good inner character that shines through attitudes?
Once we are convinced about dressing in holiness, we no longer ask 'how holey is too holey', or 'how short is too short'. Holiness is an attitude and direction we pursue, not just a line we try not to cross.
Since holiness includes our dressing, what guidelines are there for dressing?
In like manner also, that women adore themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array; But (which becometh women professing godliness) with good works. - 1 Tim 2:9-10
The three keywords are 'modest', 'shamefacedness' and 'sobriety'.
'Modest' denotes attire that is appropriate and reflects good behaviour.
'Shamefacedness' means dressing with a proper sense of honour, with reverence, regard and respect for others. Our dressing impacts others and so we dress with consideration for others.
'Sobriety' suggests self-control and soundness of mind. The mind is involved in one's attire. It literally means having a dress sense that is with restraint.
As we contemplate the length of skirts and tops, height of waist or hipline, sheerness of material, tightness of fit and the messages of prints, there are speific dimensions to also ponder:
Trend-specific: Bob Kauflin the author of How Do You Adress Modesty said, 'As trends change from year to year, we just want to continue to be thinking critically about what might not serve others'.
Occasion-specific: Different occasions demand different attire. That is why swimmers change from their swimsuits into tracksuits for medal presentations. While appropriate attire is acceptable to the society, believers still need to assess that acceptability. For example, should we condone ladies wearing tiny dresses at proms?
Age-specific: It is weird to see old people trying to dress young. Likewise, it is inappropriate that we, teens dress like children or dress too old. Since young people are eager to grow up and dress up like adults, let us ensure that we do not regret growing up too fast by keeping to a wardrobe that helps others relate to ourselves as teenages.
As we look to Christ, let us clothe ourselves, youths, with holiness that reflects love for God and modesty that reflects love for people.
Friday 10 June 2011
Thursday 9 June 2011
A fortnight each.
Just last week, Mr. George Yeo, former Foreign Minister and MP for Aljunied, announced he might attempt to stand for presidency. He gave himself 2 weeks to consider.
The past Sunday, the church voted, and a decision was made to call Uncle Nam Tuck as pastor of our church. He is to answer within 2 weeks.
It's here that much of the parallels between the situations of these two leaders end (yes, they are already leaders, even before they are confirmed into their respective positions). There are a great many differences, here are a few.
First, God's calling for Elder Chong Nam Tuck to serve in the church is very much clearer. He has already served several years in the church, and has much love for the people of God. To accept the call to be a pastor is but a step further in his commitment. George Yeo, on the other hand, has to decide between attempting to stand because of a wide range of encouragement from the people, and sticking to his earlier decision to quit politics (which many online critics prefer). Even if he stands, he may not win the votes to become president.
The two men differ a lot in ability. George Yeo has vast experience dealing with his foreign counterparts, as well as in depth knowledge of Singapore's economy. He is more than qualified to be president (assuming that a claim to be non-partisan is not lambasted in the media). Elder Chong, on the other hand, struggled through his theology course. He readily admits his incompetence, and reliance on the grace of God to understand concepts. If he accepts the call, he knows he will need much more divine blessing. (Then again, which good minister would be useful, were it not for God's unmerited favour?)
The minimum level of commitment demanded from a president of Singapore is, in reality, not very high. He may or may not put his heart into his job, though he is usually expected to live an exemplary life. Each terms lasts up to 5 years. Thereafter he may step down. It would only be some hassle to replace the photos of him and his wife in every government building. In contrast, accepting the call to be a pastor is practically a lifelong commitment. Jesus said, 'No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God' and this truth resounds acutely for ministers. So many ministers, unable to preach because of health reasons, retire to write words of edification to their flocks. Likewise Elder Chong must be prepared by the Holy Spirit to work all the way until God calls him home.
Next, the support Uncle Nam Tuck gets is almost unanimous amongst the people he serves. He is in a position to satisfy much of the church's needs, and the people recognise that - and the genuine concern he has for the church. This, again, is underwritten by grace. By divine providence, the Lord has opened a great many doors to prepare him, as it were. It seems God is answering 'yes' to the prayers of the church. George Yeo's position is less tenable. Kings (and presidents) are in the hand of the Almighty Ruler, and He chooses who to give authority to. However, at this point Mr. George Yeo is probably less concerned with the Creator's will than struggling to define his ambitions and what is politically correct.
Altogether, I hope this has emphasized the difference between serving God and serving the country. Both are worthy callings, however schools teach leadership as though they were similar everywhere. Yet to be a pastor requires grace beyond measure. I hope you pray for Uncle Nam Tuck too, for the Lord hears the cry of His people.
The past Sunday, the church voted, and a decision was made to call Uncle Nam Tuck as pastor of our church. He is to answer within 2 weeks.
It's here that much of the parallels between the situations of these two leaders end (yes, they are already leaders, even before they are confirmed into their respective positions). There are a great many differences, here are a few.
First, God's calling for Elder Chong Nam Tuck to serve in the church is very much clearer. He has already served several years in the church, and has much love for the people of God. To accept the call to be a pastor is but a step further in his commitment. George Yeo, on the other hand, has to decide between attempting to stand because of a wide range of encouragement from the people, and sticking to his earlier decision to quit politics (which many online critics prefer). Even if he stands, he may not win the votes to become president.
The two men differ a lot in ability. George Yeo has vast experience dealing with his foreign counterparts, as well as in depth knowledge of Singapore's economy. He is more than qualified to be president (assuming that a claim to be non-partisan is not lambasted in the media). Elder Chong, on the other hand, struggled through his theology course. He readily admits his incompetence, and reliance on the grace of God to understand concepts. If he accepts the call, he knows he will need much more divine blessing. (Then again, which good minister would be useful, were it not for God's unmerited favour?)
The minimum level of commitment demanded from a president of Singapore is, in reality, not very high. He may or may not put his heart into his job, though he is usually expected to live an exemplary life. Each terms lasts up to 5 years. Thereafter he may step down. It would only be some hassle to replace the photos of him and his wife in every government building. In contrast, accepting the call to be a pastor is practically a lifelong commitment. Jesus said, 'No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God' and this truth resounds acutely for ministers. So many ministers, unable to preach because of health reasons, retire to write words of edification to their flocks. Likewise Elder Chong must be prepared by the Holy Spirit to work all the way until God calls him home.
Next, the support Uncle Nam Tuck gets is almost unanimous amongst the people he serves. He is in a position to satisfy much of the church's needs, and the people recognise that - and the genuine concern he has for the church. This, again, is underwritten by grace. By divine providence, the Lord has opened a great many doors to prepare him, as it were. It seems God is answering 'yes' to the prayers of the church. George Yeo's position is less tenable. Kings (and presidents) are in the hand of the Almighty Ruler, and He chooses who to give authority to. However, at this point Mr. George Yeo is probably less concerned with the Creator's will than struggling to define his ambitions and what is politically correct.
Altogether, I hope this has emphasized the difference between serving God and serving the country. Both are worthy callings, however schools teach leadership as though they were similar everywhere. Yet to be a pastor requires grace beyond measure. I hope you pray for Uncle Nam Tuck too, for the Lord hears the cry of His people.
Sunday 5 June 2011
In prayer and supplication
dear fellow brothers and sisters,
may we in our own time pray for Ben Yeo who has met with an accident this afternoon (Saturday)
as Nathaniel beautifully wrote:
"God has preserved him remarkably,
but he still is in High Dependency..
and he still trusts God and really appreciate's everyone's prayer.
Please remember to pray for him at least once tonight
because we know that
"where two or three are gathered together in my name,
there am I in the midst of them"
and
"hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name:
ask and ye shall receive,
that your joy may be full"
Ben Yeo sought God as his first resort......"
"God has preserved him remarkably,
but he still is in High Dependency..
and he still trusts God and really appreciate's everyone's prayer.
Please remember to pray for him at least once tonight
because we know that
"where two or three are gathered together in my name,
there am I in the midst of them"
and
"hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name:
ask and ye shall receive,
that your joy may be full"
Ben Yeo sought God as his first resort......"
We should continue to supplicate for our dear brother
that he may have a speedy recovery and
that God will place His healing hands upon Ben.
We thank God still for keeping him alive and conscious :)
Neither glucose nor sugar can heal him,
thus, please read this and pray.
Some of us will be visiting him :)
that he may have a speedy recovery and
that God will place His healing hands upon Ben.
We thank God still for keeping him alive and conscious :)
Neither glucose nor sugar can heal him,
thus, please read this and pray.
Some of us will be visiting him :)
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