90-Day Bible Challenge: Reflections from the Early World (Genesis 1-11)

On Creation (Genesis 1-2)

I found interesting the idea of resting on the seventh day. This creation story was set at a time when people literally lived or died based on the work they did. They didn't have minimum wages, mandated 48 hour work week or enterprise bargaining. And in this context, there is still a clear message for rest, appreciation, and reflection on past accomplishments.

I find this interesting because (broadly speaking) it's a message society still hasn't quite got right today. (I think) we spend so much time working and striving for things that we don't take enough time to rest, reflect, and appreciate the fruits of our labour.

-          Surath F

We don't allow ourselves time to rest - to be still. And it's only when we allow ourselves those times to just soak in the presence of God throughout the day then we can truly rest.

-          Jess T

And sometimes we only realise that we haven’t had any rest when things are going downhill already, we feel drained and exhausted.

-          Pat P

Has anyone ever wondered why God formed woman out the man's rib instead of any other part?

Women were created from the rib of man to be beside him, not from his head to top him, nor from his feet to be trampled by him, but from under his arm to be protected by him, near to his heart to be loved by him. - David O'Mckay

-          Mario WP

On Original Sin (Genesis 3)

By eating of the tree of knowledge, we are given God’s knowledge of good and evil. This act constitutes original sin. God exiles us from the garden and guards the tree of life, which grants immortality.

Now all of us are sinners. All of us long for redemption. All of us have eternity "written in our hearts". So maybe the message is for us to not spend our lives in a frantic attempt to escape sin (of course do our very best to avoid sin), but rather to respond with faith, hope, and love.

-          Surath F

I oftentimes get upset with myself when I fall to sin. This is accompanied by shame. It is the devil's way of keeping us from God. I was told that shame is bad. Guilt, on the other hand, is good in a way. Apparently, when we have guilt after doing wrong, it's a sign that our soul is still alive.

-          Pat P

There is a difference between good guilt and bad guilt. Good guilt prompts out hearts (it's our guardian angel’s way of telling us what we have done wrong). It allows us to acknowledge, understand, and forgive ourselves. Bad guilt (essentially shame), makes us dwell in our sins. But oftentimes, it's hard for us to differentiate them both, hence, when we sometimes go for confession we never truly believe we are forgiven.

-          Jess T

Sin is lurking at the door; its desire is for you, but you must master it.

-          Claire D

On Cain and Abel (Genesis 4)

The Cain and Abel story is also interesting to me because I take from it to not compare yourself to others. Taking a line from the poem desiderata, "If you compare yourself with others, you may become vain and bitter; for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself".

-          Surath F

On Adam’s Descendants (Genesis 5)

Is there a significance in the number of years that each descendent lived and when each died?

I took it to be linked to the increase of sin in the world. In other words, as the descendants of Adam and Eve became more sinful and wayward in their ways, their lifespans were reduced.

-          Surath F

On Noah (Genesis 6-9)

I admire Noah. Imagine he was building a huge ark and everybody must have thought that he has gone crazy, hearing the Lord talk to Him. But he remained faithful. I wish I can go crazy for God like that. Not thinking of what other people would say about me.

-          Pat P

Noah had so much faith and was so obedient to God's word. It also makes me think that I'm thankful for the scriptures and the stories of all the prophets and apostles. It all helps to remind us to stay 'on track', so to speak.

-          Gen Y

I used to think that God is not fair for only selecting only Noah and his family. But now that I've grown up, I realise that to do what Noah did requires a lot of faith and trust in God. Not just anyone can do it.

Maybe God wanted to save as many as possible, but Noah was the only one who truly believed in God and so was saved. Maybe God prompted all humans, but only Noah and his family answered God’s prompting and trusted their lives in Him.

So I guess it's a question every one of us can relate to. Are we like Noah? Answering God's call and trusting Him until the very end even when the whole world does not? Or are we like the rest of the world and die in end because of the hardness of our hearts?

-          Mario WP

I find Noah's story fascinating. The words are very strong. Mankind is to be wiped off the earth for their sins. Likened to dirt! It begs the question of how far mankind must have fallen during that time to be so out of favour with God!

But having said that, there was one man, Noah, who found favour with God. He was a man living with principles in a time when there were none! He is a trailblazer, trend oppose, and leader. Think about the level of pure faith this man possesses, to see such a monumental task done. I both admire and aspire to that level of faith and trust (easy to say - challenging to do!)

Interesting to observe that God chose to destroy the world through water. Just as we enter our Christian faith through baptism of water. Or another way of looking at it, God saved Noah through water, just as we are saved through baptism.

-          Surath F

It's interesting that post the flood, Noah is given the authority to eat meat. Therefore, I assume that beforehand Adam and Eve were vegetarian in the garden. Is this a lifestyle hint for us, granted by God? Logically speaking, long life and a balanced vegetarian diet go hand in hand.

-          Surath F

On the Tower of Babel (Genesis 11)

The Tower of Babel episode is interesting because it shows what a united humanity, speaking "one language" can achieve. It also shows God’s wrath at the human attempt to reach the heavens. Note that in this instance, God does not forgive or extend the proverbial olive branch!

-          Surath F

My First Refugee Visit

By Jeremy Pierce

Unlike a “Holy Spirit” retreat or “STAY” where I go with an intention of receiving something, like being filled with the Holy Spirit, learning more about my faith and having the opportunity to learn from others. (* If you were thinking I go for tea, coffee, or snacks  NJ !)

The friends of refugees visit for me was an opportunity to give back and get involved, to do something for our community.

On arrival at our first house, I was astonished to meet with someone who had a friend move in with him. His friend brought along all the essentials for their home. He was polite, grateful and expressed such heartfelt thanks for all the support he received, said that he didn’t need anything and urged us to continue to help those less fortunate.

This set the atmosphere, which resonated with all the subsequent visits encountering one person after the next, full of cheer, gratefulness and love. People who have left their families, loved ones and everything that they are familiar with, seeking a safe environment to bring their families to. At one of the houses we met people who were eager to assist FORM as they spoke 5-6 languages, it's unfathomable to me who only speak one and has been afforded so many opportunities.

I find myself in the autumn winter of my life and saw myself Friday night scrolling through my phone book looking for someone to go to coffee with, someone who I could talk to and have a laugh with. This is after sitting at home for one week.

Can you imagine refugees being in detention centres for 5 plus years, now in Melbourne and still not afforded the right to work, there are so many obstacles that they face, one would imagine that they would be negative and despondent.

I saw only love, joy, and a longing to connect with someone.

I urge everyone to step out of their comfort zone and make a difference in their community, let's change someone’s season from winter to spring, share the light we have in our lives, let's fill someone’s cup, touch someone less fortunate. 

John 13:34
A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another.

Putting God to the Test

By Jack Chui

I put my hand up to lead Firebrandz Worship Night in June because Aaron wanted a break after the retreat in June. I'm not a fan of skipping regular events because I'm tired or that (no disrespect to Aaron) especially when there are many others in the team who can help. It was my chance to give back to Firebrandz not in part due to the great blessings that has been brought to STAY through Firebrandz.

I had never led Worship Night before nor ran such a big event from the front. It was an opportunity to step outside the comfort zone as I haven't done so for awhile, and I trusted God to be there like I have grown to trust God slowly through several years of ministry. I had done all the necessary preparations of people, advertising and prayer. I knew what I was going to do - a retreat testimony sharing session like the one I witnessed in Singapore during March.

It wasn't easy leading the Worship Night. I'm probably not the speaker I had imagined myself to be. Must be a gift I'm yet to develop - don't know how Aaron does it... There wasn't as many people as I had hoped or thought normally came to Worship Night (I've missed the last few Worship Nights) and the rush to share testimonies wasn't quite the same as I had seen in Singapore. The Holy Spirit was there to bring out the testimonies from the retreat but not in the way I had hoped for. This was not to say that it wasn't an amazing night - it was, and I was privileged to be able to hear the STAY people share how God worked through Fritz and them from the retreat.

I wondered and prayed about why it wasn't more amazing to me. I opened my bible for the first time in a while, and playing some guided bible roulette (thanks to inspiration through the Quick Journey Through the Bible series at Tuesday Cell Groups) I came upon the short book of Judith. I wanted to read more about the Maccabean revolt as its my least understood part of the bible and I enjoy reading about battles. 

The Israelites having returned from exile were being held to seige by the Assyrians looking to starve them out without causalities to any side. A very smart move... The Israelites were starving and thirsting and so they complained to their leader and the leader said they would surrender if nothing happened in 5 days. Judith was an Israelite widow in the town and asked the Israelite leader to meet her and she said:

Judith 8:11-17 (just the beginning of Judith's speech)

“Listen to me, rulers of the people of Bethulia! What you have said to the people today is not right; you have even sworn and pronounced this oath between God and you, promising to surrender the town to our enemies unless the Lord turns and helps us within so many days. Who are you to put God to the test today, and to set yourselves up in the place of God in human affairs? You are putting the Lord Almighty to the test, but you will never learn anything! You cannot plumb the depths of the human heart or understand the workings of the human mind; how do you expect to search out God, who made all these things, and find out his mind or comprehend his thought? No, my brothers, do not anger the Lord our God. For if he does not choose to help us within these five days, he has power to protect us within any time he pleases, or even to destroy us in the presence of our enemies. Do not try to bind the purposes of the Lord our God; for God is not like a human being, to be threatened, or like a mere mortal, to be won over by pleading. Therefore, while we wait for his deliverance, let us call upon him to help us, and he will hear our voice, if it pleases him.

It puts to light what I might have done wrong - I had expectations that God will deliver no matter what I do, so long as I was there and faithful. I have learned to be faithful and not successful from St. Mother Teresa and it eventually came with success (after quite a lot failing...). I wanted to see God work through weak/new people like me. I didn't think I put God to the test, but perhaps unconsciously I did with my expectations. God is the author of success, in His way and not mine. Perhaps I have been spoilt by the success He has brought STAY/Firebrandz that I have forgotten how to accept the small victories in front of me.

Thank you Father for continuing to teach me, and humbling me so that I can learn. I pray that I can change from what you are teaching me. All praise and glory be to Him forever.

A Leader’s Journey through the Quick Journey through the Bible

By Pat Pagulayan

Here I am, wide awake at 3am, reflecting on the last 8 weeks of StAY. Blame it on my malfunctioning body clock courtesy of doing shift work.

Anyway, as you all know, we have had Jeff Cavin’s Quick Journey through the Bible in the last 8 weeks of cell group. I can’t fully recall how the idea came about, but I remember that it was a choice between Jeff Cavin’s Quick Journey through the Bible, Fr. Robert Barron’s Catholicism, or Christopher West’s Theology of the Body. It was not an easy choice to make, as there is a need to inform young adults on those 3 topics, most especially on Theology of the Body.

But at the end of the day, I decided to go with the Quick Journey through the Bible. Above all, as Catholics, we should know more about God. And what better way to start knowing more about Him (other than journeying with Him of course), than to know His Word. Aside from that, StAY’s mission is to bring God to young people. A lot of young people like you and I are seeking God; that’s perhaps why some of us came to StAY in the first place. And God has revealed so much of Himself and His love for us in His Word. As St. Jerome said, “Ignorance of Scripture is ignorance of Christ.”

Sadly, a lot of us lack appreciation for the Bible, and it is difficult to be motivated to read something that we don’t appreciate. Personally, being led to have this for cell group is God’s gentle nudge on me to read the Bible in an organised manner as well. I have started reading the New Testament back in September last year and it has opened my eyes to how valuable the truths that God’s Word provide. I started encouraging people in my small group to read it as well, however, the most common question thrown at me were “how do we read the Bible?” or “where do we start reading the Bible?” And so the decision to push for Quick Journey through the Bible (QJB) came about.

Then the organising part came. First of all, we needed the materials. Jessica Lee from Emmaus has kindly lent StAY her DVD, Leader’s Manual, and Student Workbook. Reproducing the workbook was easy. However, the Bible Timeline Chart was another story. It’s painstaking enough to assemble them one by one, but moreover, to write on every single one of them as I realised that some of the words were too light to be read. But I guess the excitement took over, and by God’s grace, I was able to assemble 40 charts before Session 1.

Productivity came with a downside though. I was just recovering from a spiritual/emotional/psychological roller coaster during Lent, and as I got caught up with the preparations for QJB, my prayer life dwindled. I could hear Kenny’s words echoing: “Manage your priorities. Spend time with God. Ministry doesn’t necessarily bring you closer to Him.” In my head, I was just pushing myself to think that I only need to get through the first session, then everything will flow from that. True enough, it was just Session 1 that needed the most preparation. I’m very thankful to Jack for taking over the Spiritual Gifts session we had at cell group as it bought me more time to prepare.

Second, the facilitators. The first question in my mind was how am I going to get people to jump into the boat with me when I myself don’t know what I’m getting myself into? But as God once again proved to me that He will always provide, He has put courage in the hearts of some members to step up and take this journey with me. As majority of them are new ones, the StAY Leaders have willingly buddied-up with each facilitator to guide them and the group as well.

Everything was set and all good to go.

Session 1. There were around 25 people who were there as we started opening prayer. A lot of new faces, which is good. Then more people came. And more people came. And more people came. Before we started watching the DVD, there were around 40 people in the room! We had to grab more chairs from the other rooms to accommodate everyone. It is at these times that I thank God that I have OCD. I prepared for 4 groups, but I also had a back-up leader in case we needed a 5th group (which we did). We ended up having to put a group in the hallway because there were too many.

As I looked around the room that evening, I felt overwhelmed. At the same time, I felt upset. Recalling all the hours I spent on assembling materials, I thought to myself, “Oh, they’re not here for cell group; they’re just here for the Quick Journey”. Right there and then, I felt God convict me, asking me why I’m doing this whole activity in the first place: is it to get people to come to cell group, or to provide people an opportunity to appreciate and know His Word?

Ouch. That hit me right where it was meant to. I thank God for putting that in my heart right at the very start. It has taught me a valuable lesson on leadership and humility. Getting my intention right has provided my perspective a steady ground that enabled me to just be still in the challenges of the remaining 7 weeks.

The remaining weeks were alright. There were a few bumps here and there, such as the projector suddenly deciding to retire, sudden change in venue, change in facilitators, absent facilitators, sub-optimal speakers, etc. But yeah, I guess we cruised right through it.

And now, 8 weeks is done and over with. The first thing I thought of was, “Yes! No more luggage to drag around!”

But on a serious note, all I could think of after was that I hope that the 8 weeks have somehow stirred up something within those who have taken the Quick Journey through the Bible to actually start picking up and reading their Bible. I pray that there is more appreciation for God’s Word, not just from the lecture, but from the small group sharing as well.

It amazes me how the whole story is focused on a basic and simple question: Do you trust God? Jesus came, relived the experience of the Israelites, and proved that yes, we can trust God. And as I reflect on my walk in these past 8 weeks as well, God has proven once again that yes, I can trust Him.

Giving to Receive

By Elizabeth Etta

Last sunday being the day of Pentecost coincided with the moving day. I found this significant because just as the spirit prompted the disciples to move and to proclaim the good news and preach about Jesus, so also was our mission to move and to reach out to others as Christ would want us to.

I was very much looking forward to my second moving day. It was great to see how everyone was passionate about sorting things and lending a helping hand with the overwhelming amount of donations.

During the lunch, Fr. Victor asked that people should go and introduce themselves to someone they haven't met before. An older Singaporean couple who were extremely nice and whom I had never met before, approached me and talked to me which was very nice of them. It felt like being part of God's family, how everyone filled into St.Joseph's hall for the lunch and just talking and getting to know other parishioners.

Fr. Victor has now been serving as a priest for forty years and I remember him mentioning that during his speech at lunch. I couldn't help but rejoice in my heart at the blessing he is to St. Augustine's. Now as we have been studying the word with Jeff Cavins, forty years is quite a significant number. It took forty years for Israel to make it to the promise land, forty years in which Saul and later David ruled Israel. The number forty is quite significant. I happen to find myself in the midst of a church whose parish priest celebrated forty years, and couldn't help but imagine what this means not only for Fr. Victor's walk with the Lord, but the impact that it has on us individually. I feel God's blessing on our church this year.

Heading out to the homes was quite an adventure. I had the privilege of having my sister and Rui on the journey. Rui and I had a discussion about my Christian beliefs as I didn't even realize she wasn't Catholic at first until she mentioned it. I would like to thank the Holy Spirit for the knowledge in that moment of answering a question that she said she had not understood before. Anyway, one of the best parts of moving day for me is the friendships that we build with each other as we participate in a common cause to help others.

Things went quite well in my opinion as we went to each home and met the people before giving them what we brought. They were all very receptive and thankful for the things that we brought them.

One of the most significant moments for me was during the third last visit of the day. Mario and I knocked on the door of one of the refugees, Sami. It took a while before the door was opened. He had no idea who we were and where we came from but after we tried our best to explain who we were and where we were from, he was warm and invited us in. Sami invited everyone to have a seat then asked if he should get us tea or coffee. We all politely declined. Sami is from Lebanon/Syria and came to Australia in 2003 as a result of the war in which he lost his family and friends. Sami asked us if we knew anything about the war in Syria and Lebanon at the moment. Many of us were silent. Sami went on to explain how he came to Australia, the struggles he was facing here and the possibility that he could be facing deportation back to Lebanon as he was going to court soon.

He was also saddened by the fact that his prospects here in Australia were not as great as he would have expected it. In that moment, I felt compassion. I realize that sometimes it is much more than giving the material things. Some of the refugees are used to not having much. They want to feel human, they want to feel that they are no different from us even though their circumstances are different, they want to be heard and listened to, rather than felt sorry for.  We spent a bit more time with Sami, and he introduced us to his beloved dog who was very clever and entertained us with a few tricks.

As we prepared to leave, I somewhat was grateful at that moment because I noticed a joyousness in Sami that was absent prior to our visit. He was grateful for our visit, for our talk with him and for the things we brought him.

At the end of the day, though it was a long and exhausting one, I felt truly blessed to have been part of the moving day group and all these encounters with the refugees and asylum seekers leave me feeling humbled and blessed.

To conclude, it is fitting to end with this scripture verse "Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God"  Hebrew 13:16

For Myself or For the Lord?

By Mario Wahyu Prabowo

There is a question that has been haunting me, and I think it’s going to keep haunting me for the rest of my life. In fact, I should be worried the moment it stops haunting me. The question is: Is it for myself or for the Lord?

Do I get disappointed when I do good things and others don’t appreciate it, or do I rejoice because I have done what God asked me to do, regardless of what other people think?

Do I feel nervous or scared when I am uncertain of what I am capable of? Am I scared of being judged by others or letting them down if I don’t do well?

Or do I feel proud and confident doing His work, thinking I am a good guy and God’s favourite, that it is natural for others to praise me for my deeds and they should look up to me?

Or do I, like a little child, simply focus on what He asked me to do, thinking only of giving my very best to Him as an offering, and want nothing but to please Him?

No expectations, no fears, just the satisfaction as my prize for giving my all to Him, and the joy from thinking what I have done might please Him, even just a bit.

Do I feel the need to have courage to do His work, instead of trusting him fully and letting Him take control in me?

Am I being self-conscious, thinking that I have the responsibility to save the world, that I can save others, that if something wrong happens or someone suffers it’s my fault, that I am the only one who can do it?

Do I try to carry the burden of the whole world and play God?

Aren’t I meant to be humble and simply be His instrument of love, joy, and peace? To be His hands and feet, to do His will and let His will be done, not mine? To do what He wants me to do and to go where He leads me to go, and acknowledge that He alone is God, He alone can save and He alone will triumph?

Am I sad when someone steals my chance to do good things, to be recognized by others, to have that feeling of being a good person and doing something useful? Or will I praise God for the good things He has done in front of my eyes, even if it’s not through me?

When I help someone, do I pity him? Thinking that I am in a better place than him, thinking that I am being good to him and he has the duty to be grateful to me?

Will I get disappointed if I find out that his condition is not as I imagined before, that he is not as miserable and as kind-hearted as I thought?

Or will I treat that person as a human, an individual, accepting that nobody is perfect, including me, and he must have his own circumstances?

Will I be able to sympathize with him, to think of him as a friend and help him when he needs help, just like the Good Samaritan?

Will I say yes if things are not as I expected but God led me to him and told me to help him?

Can I be like Jesus, being able to say “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” when he doesn’t reply my kindness as I had expected?

Do I do things for my own glory, or for God’s glory?

Do I serve and live for myself, or do I serve and live for God?