When Heart Matters - Compassionate

In a world that upholds material possessions and every success is measured by how much we gain, sometimes we have to reflect and rethink again the essence of life. Some time ago I read on ABC news that somewhere in Foshan, Guangong province, China, a 2-year-old girl named Wang Yue died after being run over by two vans. Sadly, it appeared that nobody cared about her and many just passed by without helping until an old woman pulled her aside and called for help. It was big news afterwards and was followed by a social media movement called “Please end the cold-heartedness”.

People can be so ignorant nowadays. Not only in China but also in our own surroundings, even without us ever noticing. I find one of the biggest enemies we have is the spirit of indifference. This can be anything small or insignificant, such as the cleanliness of our environment, but can cause a big difference. People might forget that to be able to have a clean environment, it takes all of us to be involved in and aware of our surroundings.

When we reflect, we might find that our life is so busy with our daily activities that we fail to realize the importance of life itself. Best selling author, Rene Suhardono, once said, “Our life can be so ‘noisy’ until we can’t hear what matters.” On the other hand, we see some people with their caring heart doing extraordinary things for others. They are called to do things not many people are willing to do. They do things to ease the burdens of the poor and needy people. They embrace the unfortunates and open their arms to help them. This is called compassion.

As we read in the Bible about our role model, Jesus was frequently moved with compassion when He saw there was a need to take some action. Often times we have feelings of pity towards others and we are sympathetic to their misfortunes, and we can also understand and share the feelings of other people and their circumstances. However, that is not enough. There is a great difference between sympathy or empathy, and compassion. Jesus not only felt pity or empathy, but also took meaningful and courageous/decisive action. He was not only moved when he saw the multitudes but also decided to healed them. He had a heart for those people and gave them solutions. Being compassionate is understanding someone’s problem and offering them a helping hand to ease their burdens.

This is the time for us to cultivate again the value of compassion towards the community we live in and take the role as a problem solver to make the world a better place. Let’s hope that in a world that can get very ‘noisy’, we can still nurture a generation that have a heart for everything they do and to be compassionate towards the world around them. When that happens, we know we still have hope for a greater future.

“And Jesus went forth, and saw a great multitude, and was moved with compassion toward them, and he healed their sick.” -Matthew 14:14

The Church Challenges on Dualism in Indonesia Today

Get the pdf version of this article here: The Church Challenges on Dualism in Indonesia Today

Keywords: Church, Dualism, Dichotomy, Greek, Kingdom, Secular, Sacred.

Rationale

Jesus said in Matthew 5:13-16 the following:

“13 Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost its savor, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out and trodden under foot of men. 14 Ye are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hid. 15 Neither do men light a lamp, and put it under the bushel, but on the stand; and it shineth unto all that are in the house. 16 Even so let your light shine before men; that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven”.

We understand as Christians we have to become a blessing to others and we are put in the world to subdue and have dominion (Genesis 1:128). When we read the Bible we know that God created us to do something noble in order to glorify Him in all aspects of our life. We know it is our duty to manage the world according to God’s way. As the time went by and the church has been influenced, we see today’s church role has been perceived differently. Church is seen as a sacred place where the attendees considered live in two different worlds. There is a strict line that separate between secular and sacred worlds. This division, moreover, creates the mindset of hierarchy that put sacred world more important than secular since it is related with life after death experience which is considered more important than our present mortal life.

According to David A. Noebel, who stated that many people believe that Christians are considered overstepping their boundaries when talk about “worldly” disciplines as politics, economics, biology, and law,^[1] we are, then, trapped and limited in sacred area without having opportunity to do other things in the world. To this fact, this essay wants to explore more about this condition especially that happen in Indonesian Christians who live in country considered as the largest Islam population in the world. Is it true that as Christians, we should only focus on spiritual matter? and How Christianity is perceived that makes Indonesian Christians reluctant and hinder them to express themselves in other area rather than sacred/spiritual life is one of the focus that will be discussed on this essay. How about when Jesus said: “Your kingdom come. Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven”. (Matthew 6:10). Whose Kingdom should reign on earth? The answers of those questions should prevail at the end.

At the end of the essay, it is hoped that we as Christians in Indonesia would understand the essence to be God’s servants in the world and to stand firm with Biblical Christians worldview among other existence worldviews in the world today.

The Cause and Definition of Dualism

According to the article extracted from Dr. Ladd’s book, The Pattern of New Testament Truth that explains about “The Greek Versus the Hebrew View of Man”, that the Greek view of man and the world is different in kind from the biblical view.^[2] The Greek dualism explained that we live in two different realms which are spiritual and material.^[3] Life is viewed as two separately realms as heavenly vs earthly, spiritual vs worldly, spirit vs body, sacred vs secular, facts considered as science vs values considered as religion. If we jump to the present reality, what we see today in the real world, especially with Christianity, is mostly influenced by the dualism of spiritual and material matters.

Thus, it is believed that we live in these two different worlds which mean we have to act or respond differently when we face one of the world. As Christians, we believe we should live according the Bible and focus on the eternal life and life what we live today is just temporary and therefore should not be our focus.

This paradigm  makes Christians think and live their life with understanding that the physical world is ruled by non-Christians with their ungodly values that is why we should separate ourself from the world and focus on spiritual matters. Thus, even though we still live according to the Bible values in terms of honesty and integrity at work, but we still believe that the job we do is a worldly matters. Like what Nancy Pearcy is quoted: “But the work itself is typically defined in secular terms as bringing home a paycheck, climbing the career ladder, building a professional reputation”.^[4] She continued: “ As a consequence, Christians often live in two separate worlds, commuting between the private world of family and church (where we can express our faith freely) and the public world (where religious expression is firmly suppressed)”. Dr. Furgason explained that the Greek mindset is the idea that only some part of life belong to God.

Limited Impact

It is clear now the reason why some Christians believe no matter what we do even it is insignificant to the world but if we focus on spiritual matters, God is pleased. No wonder it is difficult to find solid Christians in other area of life like politicians, philosophers, scientists and other areas considered as ‘secular’. The church has ‘left’ the world by not becoming part of it. Christianity becomes isolated and life among its believers without impacting the world with God’s values. Many believers live segregated from the world believing that God’s kingdom is in heaven not in this ‘sinful’ world. They live the Christians values and yet believe that the most important aspect of life is on how they act on Sunday when they go to church, nothing else matters. Thus, they would feel guilty and not become good Christians when they do their job well but if they do not do any ministry at church. Their life would not be balance they thought. That is why the focus of the church sometime is always inward rather than outward looking.

The church has lost its impact to the world and become a social club rather the forefront of God’s kingdom on earth. We become too busy with our inward programs not realizing how many people we should reach for Christ live surround us. This condition definitely hinders us to subdue and have dominion on earth. It crippled the church.

Christianity in Indonesia

After Soekarno’s time, Indonesia was under Soeharto’s regime who wanted to make sure he would gain the absolute power to reign the country. He controlled every important aspect including military, governments, politics and economics. He created his own kingdom and chosen his own crony to ensure the ‘stability’ of his own power. He created this belief that the politics is dirty so therefore we should not get involved. He had managed to make people believes in his ideas of a nation. He made a strict line that religion should not enter other area of ‘secular’ world. Including Christianity was tamed under his authoritarian leadership style. He did not stop people to go to church or spreading the gospel but he made us clear what areas not to be entered or we are in trouble. It was so strong that created this mindset that the church should not talk about politics or give ideas on how this nation should be managed.

That is why until now, it is difficult for us to find Christians serve as politicians or in other important areas like military and government positions. In the last ten years, fortunately, the situation started to change. After Soeharto’s regime, the church started to realize their purpose why we are here on earth in the first place. Still, there is an emerging and fast-growing worldview that starts to influence the nation to be aware of which is Islam.

The church has to go back to the calling to be the light of the world. We have to go back to what God has intended us to do, is to subdue and have dominion over the earth.

Conclusion

We have to breakdown the thinking of two different worlds, secular and spiritual. The dichotomy has to be unified under God’s authority as the Creator of all including human mankind, nature and history. David Noebel mentioned in his book, there are at least ten disciplines that reflect various aspects of God and His creative or redemptive order.^[5]

The church has to reclaim what is supposed to be God’s and live their faith boldly doing His mandate on earth. Your kingdom come. Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Amen.

Further Reading

Ladd, George E., ‘The Pattern of New Testament Truth’, Present Truth Magazine, Volume 29, Article            2, http://www.presenttruthmag.com/archive/XXIX/29-2.htm

Noebel, David A., The Battle For Truth, Eugene, Oregon: Harvest House, 2001.

_____________. Understanding The Times, Manitou Springs, Colorado: Summit Press, a division of           Summit Minitries, 1991.

Pearcy, Nancy, 2005, The Sacred/secular Divide, Adrian Warnock, viewed 20 August 2008, http://adrianwarnock.com/2005/01/more-from-nancy-pearcy-on.htm

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^[1] David A. Noebel, The Battle For Truth (Eugene, Oregon: Harvest House, 2001), 11.

^[2] Ladd, George E., ‘The Pattern of New Testament Truth’, Present Truth Magazine, Volume 29, Article 2, http://www.presenttruthmag.com/archive/XXIX/29-2.htm

^[3] Darrel Furgason’s lecture and notes

^[4] Pearcy, Nancy, 2005, The Sacred/secular Divide, Adrian Warnock, viewed 20 August 2008, http://adrianwarnock.com/2005/01/more-from-nancy-pearcy-on.htm

^[5] Noebel, David A., The Battle For Truth (Eugene, Oregon: Harvest House, 2001), 11.

Lead a life not just a living!

Lead a life not just a living. Our life would not be purposeful unless we are doing God’s business. I learned that a tragedy is not when you fail but when you have insignificant successes. Sometimes when we try to reach something in life is only because we envy of others. (Ecclesiastes 4:4). God reminded me on how life should have been lived. Especially when I saw and read testimonies of our DBL team, I felt so blessed and reminded that their divine experiences should have been our main goal. To spread God’s love and His righteousness should be our life, our breath and our everything. More than anything important in this life, to see others receive God’s grace should be our main purpose in life. Our time is precious to bear fruits for His Kingdom. (Self Reflection August 2009)

Cambridge Visit

Please click here (Faizol)

Drive - Daniel H. Pink

I read this book titled “Drive-The surprising truth about what motivates us” by Daniel H. Pink who is an author of the long running New York Times and BusinessWeek bestseller A Whole New Mind. He starting with recapping Harry F. Harlow’s research on primate behaviour that should have changed the world. His research failed to prove two main drives powered behaviour. The first drive was the biological drive that can explain why human or other animals ate or satisfy their hunger and thirst. The second drive was the rewards and punishments that can explain why people react based on their environment. Those two drives have failed to explain the monkeys’ behaviour that reacted and solved the puzzles even without any stimuli.

He then tried to explain that we should react and be driven not only by rewards and punishments or even just to fulfil our biological needs. He offers the third drive called ‘Type I’ which can be categorised in the following:

• Autonomy - our desire to be self directed
• Mastery - our urge to get better and better at what we do
• Purpose - our yearning to be part of something larger than ourselves

To be related with my own life, this book reminded me again about what is important in life and how we live our life. Going back to the reason and passion why I choose what I do now and rethink in what way I can be part of something greater that God has in store for me. It’s a revealing book that should be read with the right perspective.

ME Care Visit to Cita Hati 2011

A Peek into the Future - A Letter from a Father to His Son in the Year 2030

The following is an excerpt from Tim Elmore's book titled "Generation iY" that talk about the generation we're facing nowadays. This book gives us a clear and vivid description on the condition that our children is facing and what might happen if we do not do anything about it. The following is an informed imagination letter which opens the book. It's a must read book! More details on www.growingleaders.com

Dear Son,

Congratulations on your baby-to-be! I remember the feeling your mom and I had when we discovered you would be born, way back in 1992. I know, I know— it was another century. But I remember the anticipation and the angst we felt knowing we were about to introduce another child into this world.

I’ve intended to say something to you for a long time but never found the words. I guess it’s easier for me to write them than to say them to your face. I know it sounds cliché, but you’ll be raising your child in such a different world than the one you grew up in. Everything’s changed. In your early years, life seemed so easy; you were on top of the world. We hovered over you, intending to pave the way for your college and your career. We wanted you to know we believed in you; that you were special and could do anything you set your mind to. We wanted your self-esteem and self-confidence to be rock solid.

Looking back, I realize that in our efforts to help you, we actually hurt you. Please know, we meant well. As I ponder your situation now, with your mar- riage contract ending this month, I can see you’re in a difficult spot. What’s more, because we let you move back home with us after college, you weren’t prepared for the world that awaited you. We just didn’t know what to do. You depended on the meds to get you through each week, you lacked a realistic plan (what with the economy in 2014), and you were as addicted to video games then as you are today. We couldn’t seem to find a way to prepare you for the future you now face. Now it’s too late to change things.

Son, I feel I have failed you. With all the help your mother and I tried to give you, we ended up doing just the opposite. We hindered you from becoming the best version of you possible.

All of this hit me like a ton of bricks last night. I watched a documentary on culture change, and I was shocked to see the impact my generation (parents, teachers, coaches, youth workers, retailers, and employers) has had on yours. The program painted an all-too-familiar picture of you and so many of your friends:

• Adults living in isolation because they can’t stick with their marriage con- tracts—even those short-term contracts that have become so popular.
• Social media junkies with little to no emotional intelligence or people skills.
• Obese adults who are stressed and don’t have the discipline to eat rightand exercise.
• Nearly an entire generation addicted to “happy pills” because of chronicanxiety and depression.
• A generation of adults we allowed to pass through school without reallylearning.
• People confused about their gender and identity because of the BPA youall consumed.
• Midlife adults who are in a “love you hate you” relationship with theirparents. (I keep wondering if that’s true of us.)

All this saddens me because it’s so unnecessary. With the baby coming, now it’s your turn to lead, and I fear you aren’t ready. We let you down.

What scares me most is the violence today. In 2010, we all began to read about the youth bulge. Your generation worldwide is huge. Remember what I told you then? When a nation’s population of young people is over 30%, violence almost always follows. I’m afraid the terrorism you’ve seen in the last twenty years will only get worse due to the sheer size of your generation.

Son, I hope you can forgive me—forgive us—for not leading you better. But more important, I hope you can somehow make up for our mistakes. You’re about to become a dad and make me a granddad. Please lead this little one well. Do better than we did in raising the next generation. It may be our only chance to save our future.

I love you, Dad

Useful Search Engines

Dear Colleagues,

Here are some links to useful search engines other than Google that you can you use with your students:

• Google http://google.com
• Ask Kids http://askkids.com
• Gooyaglehoo http://gooyaglehoo.com
• Wikipedia http://wikipedia.org
• Wikimedia http://wikimedia.org
• Go Gooligans http://www.lures.info/childrens_search/gogooligans.html
• ipl2 http://www.ipl.org/ 
• Kids Click http://www.kidsclick.org/ 
• Searchy Pants http://searchypants.com/

Second Chance..It's a grace!

Siang-siang lagi nungguin Kayla bobo siang dan nunggu istri pulang dari kampus, saya nonton film "Crossroads: A story of forgiveness" yang dibintangi oleh pemeran serial Superman, Dean Cain di HBO Asia. "Wah biasa nih film", komentar saya pertama kali lihat karena gak nonton dari awal. Setelah beberapa lama saya mulai tertarik dengan jalan ceritanya dan mulai fokus mengikuti alur film yang "datar". Si "Bruce Murakami" dan dua anak laki-lakinya baru saja kehilangan istri dan anak perempuannya dalam kecelakaan mobil. Singkat cerita mereka menemukan si pelaku yang dengan tidak sengaja kebut-kebutan dengan mobilnya yang mengakibatkan meninggalnya istri dan anak perempuan Bruce. Bruce yang mengetahui hal itu akhirnya memutuskan untuk memaafkan Justin dan akhirnya bersepakat untuk bersama-sama melakukan kampanye ke sekolah-sekolah tentang akibat dari kebut-kebutan di jalan raya. Justin lolos dari hukuman 15 tahun penjara yang hampir pasti diterimanya. Hakim, Jaksa penuntut dan orang tua Justin terkejut dengan keputusan Bruce untuk memberikan "pengampunan" yang membuat Justin bebas dari hukuman penjara dan merenggut masa depannya.

Saya belajar dari sisi Justin, yang sudah pasti bersalah akibat perbuatannya dan harus menjalankan hukumannya, akhirnya bebas karena mendapat "kesempatan kedua". Seperti kita semua yang seharusnya dan pasti binasa karena semua pelanggaran dan dosa kita, akhirnya beroleh hidup yang kekal karena Tuhan sudah menebus kita dengan cara menggantikan hukuman kita dengan diri-Nya sendiri diatas Kayu Salib. Benar, kata ayat firman Tuhan bahwa Salib merupakan kebodohan bagi dunia tapi adalah Kasih Karunia bagi orang-orang percaya.

Dari sisi Bruce saya belajar bahwa ketika kita melepaskan pengampunan bukan berarti kita kalah namun kita melepaskan kuasa yang membuat kita lebih dari pemenang. Tidak ada yang menyangkal kuasa dari pengampunan, terlebih ketika orang yang diampuni sebenarnya tidak layak untuk mendapatkannya.

Thank You for the Cross,

Erlangga

Back Again ;)

hi all, I'm back after a while not even thinking to check this blog. Life has been really interesting lately which there has been a lot of challenges God showed me in the last one year. Through it all I just wanna say that God is good and he is still in control. Have a nice life guys..

"as a man moves he draws unto himself the desire of his heart.."

Love,
Erlangga

Kay

Look Kayla is wacthing! ;) She's so gorgeous. She's now starting to rolling over and making new funny sounds.. our prayer for her so that she can grow with God's wisdom and understanding to be what He wants her to be.. She's an apple to His daddy's eyes.. Love you Kay!
-Ayah 

Desnaya Kayla Putri Dharma

"Hidup ini indah bila kau tahu jalan mana yang benar.."-Glen Fredly. Thank you God for giving us such a lovely daughter..Kayla Putri lahir tanggal 13 Februari 2006. Doa kami, biarlah ini membuat kami lebih mengenal Tuhan Yesus lebih dalam dan selalu bersyukur akan segala yang Tuhan lakukan dalam hidup kami. Kayla, May God shines you and favour you with glory! love you..

Introduction

Hi! Welcome to my blog! My name is Erlangga P. Dharma. I hope this blog can be very useful for you all. Thanks!