Eeditorial. mencari di mana bayi mereka tersebut tetapi walaupun mereka sudah mencarinya di mana-mana, mereka tetap tidak dapat menemukannya

E

editorial —————————————————————————————

Apakah

saudara-saudari sekalian pernah mendengar cerita tentang sebuah keluarga yang mengadakan pesta untuk menyambut kedatangan bayi pertama mereka ke dalam dunia ini? Pada malam itu semua tamu berdatangan dengan raincoat dan baju dingin mereka yang tebal-tebal. Tuan dan nyonya rumah dengan gembira menyambut tamu-tamu mereka dan menanggalkan baju dingin mereka. Karena closet mereka sudah penuh, mereka meletakkan jubah dingin para tamu di ‘kursi’ yang ada di dekat closet. Ketika dinner telah selesai dan mereka pun telah puas makan-minum, berbincang-bincang dan tertawatawa, para tamu baru bertanya ingin melihat their first “baby boy”born. Mereka baru sadar kalau pesta tersebut adalah untuk bayi mereka yang baru lahir itu tetapi selama ini mereka melupakannya. Kini mereka baru mulai mencari di mana bayi mereka tersebut tetapi walaupun mereka sudah mencarinya di mana-mana, mereka tetap tidak dapat menemukannya. Dan secara tiba-tiba sang babysitter baru sadar dan mengatakan bahwa dia meletakkan bayi mereka di cradle dan telah menyerahkannya pada sang ayah dan ibu bayi tersebut. Seketika itu juga mereka baru menyadari dan mencari di mana cradle tersebut. Mereka akhirnya menemukan cradle itu telah tertimbun oleh mantel-mantel dan baju-baju dingin para tamu. Semua orang panik dan berusaha dengan secepatnya menyingkirkan pakaian-pakaian tebal yang mahal mereka walau akhirnya mereka berhasil menyingkirkan semuanya, mereka sudah terlambat karena mereka mendapati bayi tersebut telah meninggal dunia karena tidak dapat bernafas tertimbun oleh pakaian-pakaian para tamu.

AGAPE — Christmas 2004

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Sebuah cerita yang menyedihkan, tetapi kita tidak menyadari bahwa kita membuat cerita itu terulang dan terulang lagi setiap tahun kita merayakan Natal. Tuhan Yesus, Sang Bayi Natal itu seringkali ‘mati’ di dalam hati kita karena “Dia” tertimbun oleh pakaian-pakaian tebal kita, pakaian kemewahan dunia, pakaian kesombongan, pakaian ke-egois-an, pesta pora dan segala macam daya tarik dunia ini. Kita merayakan Natal tanpa mengingat akan Yesus sama sekali, sehingga banyak sekali orang mengubah arti natal yang sebenarnya menjadi salah satu hari pesta pora belaka, bahkan menjadikan hari natal itu menjadi hari dimana mereka melakukan hal-hal yang sangat memalukan dan dosa-dosa yang tak terampunkan. Apakah kita yang sudah mengaku diri kita adalah orang Kristen dan telah menerima Yesus di dalam hati kita akan melakukan hal yang sama, mengubur dan melupakan bayi Yesus sama sekali? Marilah kalau kita pernah melakukannya dan masih tetap melakukannya, belumlah terlambat untuk merubahnya dan meminta Tuhan Yesus lahir di hati kita kembali dan sambil kita berjanji akan membiarkan Tuhan Yesus tetap hidup di dalam hati kita dan bertahta di dalam hati dan pikiran kita, sehingga tahun ini pada saat kita merayakan Natal akan menjadi perayaaan Natal yang rohani yang sungguh berkenan di hadapan Bapa yang di surga dan dinikmati oleh Tuhan kita Yesus Kristus dan akan disucikan oleh Roh Kudus. Maka para penghuni surga dan para malaikat akan menyanyikan puji-pujian yang kudus seperti natal pertama yang terjadi, mereka menaikkan puji-pujian sewaktu mereka turun ke dalam dunia ini untuk memberitakan kabar sukacita kepada para umat manusia yang merindukan kedatangan Sang Juru Selamat dunia ini. Akhir kata redaksi mengucapkan selamat merayakan Hari Natal dan menyambut Tahun Baru dengan penuh pengharapan akan berkat dan bimbingan Tuhan di dalam kehidupan kita bahkan sampai selama-lamanya, amin.

redaksi 2


AGAPE

Christmas 2004

Penasehat Ev. Wilson Suwanto Daniel Loe Editor Evelyn Sunarko Janice Atmadja Jeannie Lesmanawati Marcia Japutra Rachel Atmadja Shirley Soetarso Ilustrator & Fotografer Joshua Adidjaja Martha Raharja Pilipus Santoso Layout (majalah & bulletin board) Eva Leony Martha Raharja Tesia Trisnadi Tjandra Afandi Kontributor Rev. Billy Lim Mrs. Shyu Phebe Hosea Printing Semiwaty Oei Special Thanks Para jemaat yang berpartisipasi dalam penerbitan edisi ini. E-mail Redaksi [email protected] Produksi GII Azusa 539 N. Sunset Ave. Azusa, CA 91702 Telp: (626) 812-0326 http://lax.gii-usa.org

D

daftar isi —————————————————————————————

6

Reflection: New Beginning How do we face the Year 2005? With our old self and no plan, or with a resolution to be better than the passing year?

8

Self Evaluation: You Call Yourself A Christian You go to church. Sing the songs, listen to the sermons. And perhaps get active in the church, too! But... are you really a christian?

9

Profile: Billy Graham: The America's Pastor You might—or should—hear the name already. To know more about him, just read this profile article!

13 Bible Fact: Behind Jehovah's Witnesses What's so dangerous about them? Aren't they just another Christian group? Well, read this one, and judge them yourself! 17 Sharing: Don't Let It End This Way 20 Parenting: Masalah Membesarkan Anak (saduran dari buku oleh Dr. James Dobson) 25 Cerpen: Tragedi di Malam Natal 32 Book Review: Every Woman's Battle (by Shannon Ethridge) 35 Opinion: Baby's First Christmas 38 Event: Holy Wind (Fall Carnival) 40 Christmas Crafts: Beaded Snowman Ornament Glitter Christmas Ornament Throw Pillow 42 Recipe: Tasty Chicken With Basil 43 Humor

e! n i l on l

e ape.htm r ' e w web/ag t a h rg/iec_ t t rge .gii-usa.o o f 't s @ lax n o D visit u AGAPE — Christmas 2004

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S

surat pembaca ———————— Kudos to GII Azusa! I really like the website. One suggestion though: can you please add more articles to it? Make it weekly instead of monthly. Anyway, keep up the good work! S.T.

Thanks for your compliment and suggestion. As our website has its own team, we'll forward your request to them. One more thing: perhaps you can contribute in some articles too? I really like the Top Christian Songs list like what you had in the Easter 2004 edition. But it was gone in the Anniversary edition! Is it a once-in-a-year thing? I wish you could have it in every edition.

Anda punya usul, kritik, saran, atau apapun yang berhubungan dengan Agape atau GII Azusa? Silahkan mengirimnya ke [email protected] atau memberikannya kepada redaksi.

CORRECTIONS There are some mistakes in the Anniversary Edition: * For the article about John Calvin, the correct author is Ev. Wilson Suwanto. * For the article about Courtship vs. Dating, the correct contributor is Fairlyn Soetojo. * For the quiz, the answers can be found in our OLD church website at www.basicministries.org/heaven/ salvation/OneWay2Jesus/088/. Please note that this website is obsolete and will not be updated anymore. We apologize for these mistakes.

D.J.

Actually we didn't plan to make it a recurrent article. We'll see... if people are really interested in it, we'll try to make it yearly, or maybe even in every edition as your wish. Thanks for reminding us. In your parenting section, can you please review a movie/game or something kids like in a Christian point of view? I know book reviews and concepts/theories are good, but sometimes I feel I need some down-to-earth advices. M.D

Good idea! We're pretty sure we can come up with something like that in the next edition. Thanks for your input! 4


RE: WHERE'S THE FOCUS? Due to some unforeseen circumstances, we regret that this Christmas Edition doesn't have any Focus articles. We are truly sorry for this matter.

Ingin terlibat dalam pelayanan Agape (edisi cetak, online, maupun majalah dinding)? Cepat hubungi kami (redaksi) untuk keterangan lebih lanjut!

Gereja Injili Indonesia Azusa 539 N. Sunset Ave, Azusa, CA 91702

LOKASI LAINNYA:

Jadwal kegiatan:

Gembala Sidang: Rev. Kristianto Hosea

Minggu Pk. 09.00 Sekolah Minggu Dewasa Pk. 10.30 Kebaktian Umum (IndonesiaN & English) Sekolah Minggu Anak-anak Pk. 16.00 Chinese Service (diterjemahkan ke bahasa Indonesia) Jumat Pk. 19.30 Kebaktian Doa (Indonesian & English) Bible Study Anak-anak Sabtu Pk. 18.30 youth fellowship (Indonesian & English)

GII San Jose

GII Seattle

600 W. Campbell Ave. Campbell, CA 95008 (408) 343-1314

(c/o First Christian Reformed Church)

14555 25th Ave. N.E. Shoreline, WA 98155 (425) 357-5928

GII Sacramento (c/o Chinese Grace Bible Church)

6656 Park Riviera Way Sacramento, CA 95831 (916) 692-3756

GII San Francisco 400 Brussels St. San Francisco, CA 94134 (415) 656-0886 AGAPE — Christmas 2004

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R

reflection

As this year 2004 draws to a close and the prospect of

a new year reminds us again that time marches on, many will see the turning of the calendar as their annual stimulus for personal change and spiritual growth to make a significant and hopefully lasting improvements in our physical health as well as spiritual. I would like to share two things for my brief meditation as we approach the closing year of 2004. REFLECTION OF THE PASSING YEAR: Points to reflect and ponder Year 2004 has been a great year for us as a church for we have just celebrated our 21st anniversary celebrating His goodness, faithfulness, love, and blessing all over. Indeed God has been good to us and for this we give thanks for the abundance of blessing that He has bestowed upon us, it is all for us to look back and evaluate ourselves whether we are making any progress in our Personal Christian life, our church and family, our spiritual life and ministry, and our work and study. Today we can ask ourselves whether we 6


have prospered in our walk with God and our serving Him. Are we better off than last year, strong and firm in the faith or are we drifting along and take everything for granted. Are we procrastinating and have lost our burden and vision for God and the lost? Well, take a good look at the way we are living now and let us re-order our life and set proper priorities right and seek personal purity and once we do this, we will see the promised prosperity that God is going to bless us. PREPARATION FOR THE NEW YEAR: A few thoughts about personal resolutions "New year’s resolutions." Normally January 1st might be the day you and I always make our personal resolutions. And I must admit most of these are noble pursuits, but my question is, do these new year’s resolutions really work? Or do we find that we are frequently successful in making significant and lasting changes of this annual form of sincere commitment? In asking myself these questions, I had to admit that I could not think of even one significant or lasting change in my life that has come as the result of such a calendardriven resolution. As Christians, such a miserable ratio of success to failure should cause us to examine the whole concept of the new year’s resolution from a biblical perspective and for this we need to come back to the bible, the word of God. A few considerations before making personal resolutions: 1. Before making any resolution, consider the Scripture prayerfully and carefully.

2. Before making any resolution, consider your other necessary duties, for as Christians, we have a number of preexisting responsibilities that must take precedence over personal resolutions. It would be wrong to resolve to do something that would prevent you from fulfilling necessary duties. 3. Before making any resolution, and especially before making it known to others, consider how your family, your church, and the reputation of Christ in a watching world will be affected, either by your faithfulness or by your failure to follow through. (Luke 14:28-30) 4. Before making any resolution, examine your own motives. Is it glorifying God? Or am I trying to gain the approval and admiration of people? 5. Before making any resolution, consider the cost that you have to pay or otherwise you will have to regret. CONCLUSION Do you want to make the rest of your life the best of your life especially in the area of making resolution year after year, you allow Jesus Christ to be your Lord. Put Him first and live every moment for Him, and He will take care of you for the rest of your life. [JL/MR]

Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight. Proverbs 3:5-6 (NIV) AGAPE — Christmas 2004

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S

self evaluation ——————————————————————————

You call yourself a

Christian by: Phebe Hosea

You call yourself a Christian But do you even know what a Christian is? You say you believe in Jesus But do you really know who He is? So what is a Christian? Someone with Christian parents? Someone who goes to church? All these acts don’t define a Christian For a Christian demands a relationship so pure, so strong A relationship so personal with the Almighty So you may call yourself a Christian by label, But do you call Jesus by name whenever you encounter troubles? Do you call Jesus by name whenever you’re living a great life? Think it through again.

You may call yourself a Christian But are you doing what a Christian is called to do? Or are you covered with a cloud of fear— that you can’t even say “God loves you” to your friends? How many lives have to be taken away before you get your act together? You say “later”, “I’m not ready.” The answer is “You are ready” just trust in the Lord. Don’t waste another day watching one of your close friends pass away, Regretting you didn’t share the love and joy God has given you with him sooner. Don’t wait until it’s too late. Don’t regret Live life as if it’s the last So you call yourself a Christian But is Jesus who you live for? If this is so—great If not—better think twice before calling yourself a Christian Because you’re giving the Almighty Lord a bad name. Don’t badly represent. No Imitations. Just Imitators of God.

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P

profile

The America's Pastor

by: Marcia Japutra & Jeannie Lesmanawati

My one purpose in life is to help people find a personal relationship with God, which, I believe, comes through knowing Christ." --Billy Graham

resident George Bush called this leading figure in Christian community the "America’s pastor." William Franklin Graham Jr., also known as Billy Graham, is now more than 80 years old, and has been our leading religious revivalist for more than 50 years, ever since his eight-week triumph in Los Angeles in the autumn of 1949. Graham's finest moment may have been when he appeared at President Bush's side, Bible in hand, as we commenced our war against Iraq in 1991. My one purpose in life is to help people find a personal relationship with God, which, I believe, comes through knowing Christ." --Billy Graham Evangelist Billy Graham took Christ at His word when He said in Mark 16:15, "Go ye into all the world and preach the Gospel to every creature." Mr. Graham has preached the Gospel to more people in live audiences than anyone else in history—over 210 million people in more than 185 countries and territories— through various meetings, including Mission World and Global Mission. Hundreds of millions more have been reached through television, video, film, and webcasts. Since the 1949 Los Angeles crusade vaulted Mr. Graham into the public eye, he has led hundreds AGAPE — Christmas 2004

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of thousands of individuals to make personal decisions to live for Christ, which is the main thrust of his ministry. Born November 7, 1918, four days before the Armistice ended World War I, Mr. Graham was reared on a dairy farm in Charlotte, North Carolina. Growing up during the Depression, he learned the value of hard work on the family farm, but he also found time to spend many hours in the hayloft reading books on a wide variety of subjects. In the Fall of 1934, at age 16, Mr. Graham made a personal commitment to Christ through the ministry of Mordecai Ham, a traveling evangelist, who visited Charlotte for a series of revival meetings. Ordained in 1939 by a church in the Southern Baptist Convention, Mr. Graham received a solid foundation in the Scriptures at Florida Bible Institute (now Trinity College in Florida). In 1943 he was graduated from Wheaton College in Illinois and married fellow student Ruth McCue Bell, daughter of a missionary surgeon, who spent the first 17 years of her life in China. After graduating from college, Mr. Graham pastored the First Baptist Church in Western Springs, Illinois, before joining Youth for Christ, an organization founded for ministry to youth and servicemen during World War II. He preached throughout the United States and in Europe in the immediate post war era, emerging as a rising young evangelist. The Los Angeles crusade in 1949 launched Mr. Graham into international prominence. Scheduled for three weeks, the meetings were extended to more than eight weeks, with overflow crowds filling a 10


tent erected downtown each night. Many of his subsequent early crusades were similarly extended, including one in London which lasted 12 weeks, and a New York City crusade in Madison Square Garden in 1957 which ran nightly for 16 weeks. Today, at age 85, Billy Graham and his ministry are known around the globe. He has preached in remote African villages and in the heart of New York City, and those to whom he has ministered have ranged from heads of state to the simple living bushmen of Australia and the wandering tribes of Africa and the Middle East. Since 1977, Mr. Graham has been accorded the opportunity to conduct preaching missions in virtually every country of the former Eastern bloc, including the former Soviet Union. Mr. Graham founded the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association (BGEA) in 1950 which was headquartered in Minneapolis, Minnesota, until relocating to Charlotte, North Carolina in 2003. He conducts his ministry through the BGEA, including: •

the weekly “Hour of Decision” radio program broadcast around the world on Sundays for over 50 years.

•

crusade television specials which are regularly broadcast in prime time in almost every market in the United States and Canada approximately six times annually.

•

a newspaper column, “My Answer,” which is carried by newspapers both nationally and internationally.

•

Decision magazine, the official publication of the Association, which has a circulation of more than one million and is available in English and German versions, with special editions available in Braille and on cassette tape for the visually impaired.

•

World Wide Pictures which has produced and distributed over 125 productions, making it one of the foremost producers of evangelistic films in the world. Films have been translated into 38 languages and viewed by more than 250 million people worldwide and, for a minimum charge, are provided for showing in prisons and correctional facilities nationwide.

Mr. Graham has written 24 books, many of which have become top sellers. His autobiography, "Just As I Am," published in 1997, achieved a "triple crown," appearing simultaneously on the three top best-seller lists in one week. In it Mr. Graham reflects on his life, including nearly 60 years of ministry around the world. From humble beginnings as the son of a dairy farmer in North Carolina, he shares how his unwavering faith in Christ formed and shaped his career. Of his other books, "Approaching Hoofbeats: The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse" (1983) was listed for several weeks on The New York Times best seller list; "How to Be Born Again" (1977) had the largest first printing in

publishing history with 800,000 copies; "Angels: God’s Secret Agents" (1975) sold one million copies within 90 days; and "The Jesus Generation" (1971) sold 200,000 copies in the first two weeks. Mr. Graham’s counsel has been sought by presidents, and his appeal in both the secular and religious arenas is evidenced by the wide range of groups that have honored him, including numerous honorary doctorates from many institutions in the U. S. and abroad. Recognitions include the Congressional Gold Medal (1996); the Speaker of the Year Award (1964); the Templeton Foundation Prize for Progress in Religion (1982); and the Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation Freedom Award (2000) for contributions to the cause of freedom. He has received the Big Brother Award (1966) for his work on behalf of the welfare of children and been cited by the George Washington Carver Memorial Institute (1964) for his contributions to race relations. He has also been recognized by the Anti-Defamation League of the B’nai B’rith (1969) and the National Conference of Christians and Jews (1971) for his efforts to foster a better understanding among all faiths. In December 2001 he was presented with an honorary knighthood, Honorary Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire (KBE), for his international contribution to civic and religious life over 60 years. Mr. Graham is regularly listed by the Gallup organization as one of the "Ten Most Admired Men in the World," whom it described as the dominant figure in that AGAPE — Christmas 2004

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poll since 1948—making an unparalleled 46th appearance and 39th consecutive appearance. He has also appeared on the covers of Time, Newsweek, Life, U.S. News and World Report, Parade, and numerous other magazines and has been the subject of many newspaper and magazine feature articles and books. He and his wife, Ruth, have three daughters, two sons, 19 grandchildren and numerous great grandchildren. The Grahams make their home in the mountains of North Carolina. Billy Graham has led such a wonderful living testimony of Christian faith. Through his numerous ministries in Billy Graham Evangelistic Association (BGEA) and his powerful personal life, thousands of people around the world have come to know Christ. Truly, Billy Graham is the "America’s Pastor" who has lived his faith and has greatly affected the life of many.

Billy Graham Evangelistic Crusade ("The Crusade") is a concerted effort by Christians in a specified community or area to bring the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the attention of every person in that community or area. The purpose is to evangelize the community using a variety of methods with primary emphasis on personal evangelism, as well as to strengthen the local church for continuing witness and discipleship through renewal and training activities during event preparations. These objectives can only be achieved as churches and thousands 12


of Christians commit themselves wholeheartedly to pray, to work, and to witness in a cooperative effort of proclaiming Jesus Christ to an entire area. The latest crusade was The Greater Los Angeles Crusade—as a part of Billy Graham Evangelistic Association’s ministries—on November 18-21, 2004, at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California. In this Crusade, Christians were encouraged to get involved in the ministry: the locals can help in becoming counselors, ushers, translators, participants in the events (and in the 'subevents' such as Love-In Action project and Operation Christmas Child), etc; nonlocals can help as well, by spreading the word about the event/ projects, and especially praying for God's help on the Crusade. Billy Graham spoke at the event which featured numerous guests including musical artists such as Jars of Clay and Third Day. Many people’s lives were changed through this event. At the conclusion of another historic Los Angeles Crusade, Billy Graham had preached to more than 312,000 people, and the angels in heaven were rejoicing over the more than 12,000 men and women, boys and girls who had committed their lives to Jesus Christ. There will be similar events scheduled in other parts of the country every year. By God's grace, those will undoubtly lead more people to salvation in Christ. [JL/MR] Sources: • w w w . b i l l y g r a h a m . o r g / m e d i a R e l a t i o n s/ bios.asp?p=1 • www.wheaton.edu/bgc/archives/archhp1.html • www.time.com/time/time100/heroes/profile/ graham01.html

B

bible fact ——————————————————————— by: Rachel Atmadja

J

ehovah’s Witnesses (JW) had its beginnings in Charles Taze Russell (1852-1916). As a man of reason, Russell disliked the doctrines of hell and the Trinity precisely because they contradicted human reason. When the Adventists advocated that the wicked were annihilated instead of eternally-punished, Russell joined the Adventist ranks. By age eighteen, Russell had already formed his own Bible Study and is developing his own theology. He never had any formal theological training. The Adventists had predicted that Christ will return in 1874. Five years after the failed prediction, Russell left the Adventists. In 1869, Russell founded the Watchtower Bible Tract Society (WTBTS), later known as the Jehovah’s Witnesses. The magazine “The Watchtower” became the chief means of spreading Russell’s theology. Russell’s theology placed a strong emphasis in Armageddon, and the concept that the dead are completely annihilated, instead of suffering an eternal punishment in hell. When World War I occurred in 1914, he said that it was the “beginning of Armageddon.” After his death in 1916, a series of WTBTS presidents have launched predictions after predictions that continued to disappoint their followers.

Jehovah’s Witnesses based their predictions on their interpretation of Matthew 24:34. “This generation will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened.” Jehovah’s Witnesses believed that the ‘generation’ refers to the JW’s who had converted in 1914. Russell’s successors tried to stay within the 1914 generation lifespan in their predictions. Summarized from So What’s the Difference by Fritz Ridenour.


13

Joseph F. Rutherford, the man who succeeded Russell as president in 1917, set 1925 as the new date for Armageddon. When 1925 passed without Armageddon, Rutherford claimed that he has been misunderstood despite the fact that it was he who advertised the 1925 Armageddon in “The Watchtower.” Rutherford made another prediction; he predicted that 1931 will be the year Armageddon will arrive. Meanwhile, Rutherford tried to increase membership by spreading the word that only 144,000 people will make it to heaven. It worked, Jehovah’s Witnesses swelled in rank; but a problem soon appeared. They are exceeding the 144,000 Rutherford had originally set as those who could enter heaven. To solve this problem, Rutherford announced that those who became a JW in before 1935 would go to heaven, and the rest will look forward to a life in paradise on earth (after Armageddon). Rutherford set another prediction (1940) before he died in 1942. John Knorr (Rutherford’s successor) set 1975 as the “absolute final” date for Armageddon. Setting the prediction at 1975 gave the JW 1914 generation time to live just long enough to see Armageddon. However, 1975 passed without Armageddon. Frederick Franz succeeded Knorr in 1977. He avoided making more predictions; but he held on to the doctrine that the JW generation of 1914 will experience Armageddon. Franz was succeeded by Milton G. Henschel, who discarded the entire 1914 generation by reinterpreting the 14


‘generation’ mentioned in Matthew 24:34 as “all people in any generation who would see the signs of Christ’s coming but fail to mend their ways.”

Jehovah’s Witnesses still used Russell’s theology despite their claim to reject him as an authority in “The Watchtower.” They continued to reject the doctrine of the Trinity (just like Russell) and to endorse the concept that the wicked will be totally annihilated instead of eternally punished. As a man of reason, Russell tried to make sense of God’s word by twisting it to fit his own theology. The New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures (the JW translation of the Bible) was designed to fit JW theology. Here are the main doctrines that set Jehovah’s Witnesses apart from true Christianity. 1. They Deny the Trinity Jehovah’s Witnesses rejected the concept of the Trinity, deeming it unreasonable and an insult to “God-given reason.” They try to reason that if Jesus was God when He died, then who ran the universe during the three days that Jesus was in the grave? The answer is simple, Jesus may have died physically, but he continued to exist and rule the universe as the Trinity. Biblical Christianity taught that “…the eternal God exists in three coequal and coeternal persons—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. All three have the same divine nature (essence) and, therefore, exists as one divine being.” References to the

Fast Facts Charles Taze Russell in 1869 by the name of the Watchtower Bible Tract Society (WTBTS) Founded by

Other main leaders: * Joseph F. Rutherford * John Knorr * Frederick Franz * Milton G. Henschel

Watch out for

The Watch-

tower (their magazine) and The New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures (their bible) They deny these doctrines: * Trinity * Christ's deity * Christ's bodily ressurection * Holy Spirit is God * Christ's full atonement

Beware

of their weekly

We should train ourselves to know our basic door-to-door ministry!

doctrines in order to resist being swayed by them!

Trinity had been found in Genesis 1: 26, where Jehovah says, “Let us make man in our image.” Other references to the Trinity are found in John 14:26, 15:26, 2 Corinthians 13:14, and 1 Peter 1:2 2. They Deny Christ’s Deity Although Jehovah’s Witnesses honors Christ; they saw Jesus as nothing more than a mighty god while Jehovah is the Almighty God who created Jesus. In turn, Jesus created everything else. This idea was not new; it had been proposed by Arius, a pastor’s assistant from a church in Alexandria, in AD 325. In short, Jehovah’s Witnesses taught a polytheistic religion of two gods; Jehovah the Almighty God, and Jesus the mighty god. According to Russell’s teachings; Jesus had been the archangel Michael in heaven. Michael supposedly renounced his “godlike” characteristics and left behind his life force. Russell believed that Jehovah placed Michael’s life force in the womb of the Virgin Mary. While on Earth, JW’s say that Jesus was just a perfect man, and after his death on the cross, Michael’s life force returned to heaven and Jesus is completely annihilated (the JW concept of death). Jehovah’s Witnesses twisted the phrase “the only begotten Son of God” into the “first and only being created directly by Jehovah.” Since Jesus is called “the Word,” Jehovah’s Witnesses also twisted that reference into simply “speaks for Jehovah.” John 1:1 is another passage that Jehovah’s Witnesses have tampered with: AGAPE — Christmas 2004

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Actual Verse: “In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God.” (John 1:1) Context: Jesus is equal to God The NWT (Jehovah’s translation of the Bible): “In the beginning was the Word and the Word was a god.” Context: Jesus is beneath God. 3. They Deny Jesus’ Bodily Resurrection Jehovah’s Witnesses believed that Christ did not rise bodily from the dead. Their concept of death is that of total annihilation. They reasoned that Jesus must have risen only in spirit; and that his spirit only seemed like a body. Another rationalization is that Jehovah did not resurrect, but “recreate” Jesus’ body. Jehovah’s Witnesses believed that Jehovah could recreate any life pattern by drawing from His memory. The Christian answer to the JW claim that Jesus rose only in spirit is found in Luke 24: 36-43. When Jesus appeared to his disciples, he allowed his disciples (notably Thomas) to touch him and see that he is there in the flesh; he also ate a piece of fish. 4. They Deny the Holy Spirit is God According to he WTBTS, the Holy Spirit is an “invisible act or force that God uses to inspire His Servants to do his will.” 5. They Deny Christ’s Full Atonement Although Jehovah’s Witnesses stated that salvation is “off grace” granted by Jehovah, nowhere did it say in “The Watchtower” that salvation is by faith 16


alone. JW’s regarded Jesus Christ as a “ransom to God for Adam’s sin,” but by Christ they meant the Archangel Michael’s life force in human form. Jehovah’s Witnesses believed that Jesus, the perfect human, was a fair trade for Adam’s sin. Jesus made it possible for all men to be saved; but for mankind to be saved, they must earn their salvation through “works and perfect obedience to Jehovah and doing exactly what the WTBTS teaches.” Being a Jehovah’s Witnesses meant that one has to constantly reaffirm one’s salvation. Even salvation would not include going to heaven as the quota of 144,000 Jehovah’s Witnesses had been filled to capacity. They only have an earthly paradise to look forward to.

Jehovah’s Witnesses continued to entice more followers despite their failed predictions of Armageddon. Diligent Jehovah’s Witnesses organized a weekly door-to-door ministry that spells danger to the not-fully-mature Christians. If we hope to witness to these Jehovah’s Witnesses, we must be well-grounded in the basic doctrines of the Trinity, the bodily resurrection of Jesus Christ, and that salvation is by God’s grace alone. Just as the Jehovah’s Witnesses were trained to memorize passages from the NWT (Jehovah’s Witnesses translation of the Bible), Christians must also train themselves to know the basic doctrines in order to resist being swayed by false doctrines. [RA/MR]

S

sharing —————————————————————————————

Don’t Let it End This Way by: Sue Kidd source: Chicken Soup for the Christian Soul

The hospital was unusually quiet that bleak January evening, quiet and still, like the air before a storm. I stood in the nurses’ station on the seventh floor and glanced at the clock. It was 9:00 P.M. I threw a stethoscope around my neck and headed for room 712, last room of the hall. Room 712 had a new patient, Mr. Williams. A man all alone. A man strangely silent about his family. As I entered the room, Mr. Williams looked up eagerly, but dropped his eyes when he saw it was only his nurse. I pressed the stethoscope over his chest and listened. Strong, slow, even beating. Just what I wanted to hear. There seemed little indication he had suffered a slight heart attack a few hours earlier. He looked up from his starched white bed. “Nurse, would you…” He hesitated, tears filling his eyes. Once before he had started to ask me a question, but had changed his mind. I touched his hand, waiting. He brushed away a tear. “Would you call my daughter? Tell her I’ve had a heart attack. A slight one. You see, I live alone and she is the only family I have.” His respiration suddenly sped up. I turned his nasal oxygen up to eight liters a minute. “Of course, I’ll call her,” I said, studying his face. He gripped the sheets and pulled himself forward, his face tense with urgency. “ Will you call her right away – as soon as you can?” He was breathing fast – too fast. “I’ll call her first thing,” I said, patting his shoulder. “Now you get some rest.” I flipped off the light. He closed his eyes, such young blue eyes in his 50-year-old face. Room 712 was dark except for a faint night-light under the sink. Oxygen gurgled in the green tubes above his bed. Reluctant to leave, I moved through the shadowy silence to the window. The panes were cold. Below, a foggy mist curled through the hospital parking lot. Above, snow clouds quilted the night sky. I shivered. “Nurse,” he called. “Could you get me a pencil and paper?” I dug a scrap of yellow paper and a pen from my pocket and set it on the bedside table. AGAPE — Christmas 2004

17

“Thank you,” he said. I smiled at him and left. I walked back to the nurses’ station and sat in a squeaky swivel chair by the phone. Mr. Williams’ daughter was listed on his chart as the next of kin. I got her number from information and dialed. Her soft voice answered. “Janie, this is Sue Kidd, a registered nurse at the hospital. I’m calling about your father. He was admitted today with a slight heart attack and …” “No!” she screamed into the phone, startling me. “He’s not dying, is he?” It was more a painful plea than a question. “His condition is stable at the moment,” I said, trying hard to sound convincing. Silence. I bit my lip. “You must not let him die!” she said. Her voice was so utterly compelling that my hand trembled on the phone. “He is getting the very best care.” “But you don’t understand,” she pleaded. “My daddy and I haven’t spoken in almost a year. We had a terrible argument on my twenty-first birthday, over my boyfriend. I ran out of the house. I…I haven’t been back. All these months I’ve wanted to go to him for forgiveness. The last thing I said to him was, ‘I hate you.’” Her voice cracked and I heard her heave great agonizing sobs. I sat, listening, tears burning my eyes. A father and a daughter, so lost to each other! Then I was thinking of my own father, many miles away. It had been so long since I had said I love you. As Janie struggled to control her tears, I breathed a prayer. “Please God, let this daughter find forgiveness.” “I’m coming, now! I’ll be there in 30 minutes,” she said. Click. She had hung up. I tried to busy myself with a stack of charts on the desk. I couldn’t concentrate. Room 712. I knew I had to get back to 712. I hurried down the hall nearly in a run. I opened the door. Mr. Williams lay unmoving. I reached for his pulse. There was none. “Code 99. Room 712. Code 99. Stat.” The alert was shooting through the hospital within seconds after I called the switchboard through the intercom by the bed. Mr. Williams had had a cardiac arrest. With lightning speed I leveled the bed and bent over his mouth, breathing air into his lungs. I positioned my head over his chest and compressed. One, two, three. I tried to count. At 15, I moved back to his mouth and breathed as deeply as I could. Where was help? Again I compressed and breathed. Compressed and breathed. He could not die! “Oh, God,” I prayed. “His daughter is coming. Don’t let it end this way.” The door burst open. Doctors and nurses poured into the room, pushing emergency equipment. A doctor took over the manual compression of the heart. A tube was inserted through his mouth as an airway. Nurses plunged syringes of medicine into the intravenous tubing. I connected the heart monitor. Nothing. Not a beat. My own heart pounded. “God, don’t let it end like this. Not in bitterness and hatred. His daughter is coming. Let her find peace.” 18


“Stand back,” cried a doctor. I handed him the paddles for the electrical shock to the heart. He placed them on Mr. William’s chest. Over and over we tried. But nothing. No response. Mr. Williams was dead. A nurse unplugged the oxygen. The gurgling stopped. One by one they left, grim and silent. How could this happen? How? I stood by his bed, stunned. A cold wind rattled the window, pelting the panes with snow. Outside – everywhere – seemed a bed of blackness, cold and dark. How could I face his daughter? When I left the room, I saw her against the wall by a water fountain. A doctor, who had been in 712 only moments before, stood at her side, talking to her, gripping her elbow. Then he moved on, leaving her slumped against the wall. Such pathetic hurt reflected from her face. Such wounded eyes. She knew. The doctor had told her her father was gone. I took her hand and led her into the nurses’ lounge. We sat on little green stools, neither saying a word. She stared straight ahead at a pharmaceutical calendar, glass-faced, almost breakable-looking. “Janie, I’m so, so sorry,” I said. It was pitifully inadequate. “I never hated him, you know. I loved him,” she said. God, please help her, I prayed. Suddenly she whirled toward me. “I want to see him.” My first thought was, why put yourself through more pain? Seeing him will only make it worse. But I got up and wrapped my arm around her. We walked slowly down the corridor to 712. Outside the door I squeezed her hand, wishing she would change her mind about going inside. She pushed open the door. We moved to the bed, huddled together, taking small steps in unison. Janie leaned over the bed and buried her face in the sheets. I tried not to look at her, at this sad, sad good-bye. I backed against the bedside table. My hand fell upon a scrap of yellow paper. I picked it up. I read. My dearest Janie, I forgive you. I pray you will also forgive me. I know that you love me. I love you, too. Daddy. The note was shaking in my hands as I thrust it toward Janie. She read it once. Then twice. Her tormented face grew radiant. Peace began to glisten in her eyes. She hugged the scrap of paper to her breast. “Thank you, God,” I whispered, looking up at the window. A few crystal stars blinked through the blackness. A snowflake hit the window and melted away, gone forever. Life seemed as fragile as a snowflake on the window. But thank you, God, that relationships, sometimes as fragile as a snowflake, can be mended together again. But there is not a moment to spare. I crept from the room and hurried to the phone. I would call my own father. I would say, “I love you.” [SS/EL]

“Forgiveness is the final form of love” ~Reinhold Niebuhr~ AGAPE — Christmas 2004

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P

parenting ——————————

Masalah Membesarkan Anak by: Jeannie Lesmanawati

James Dobson

menulis buku ini untuk menjawab pertanyaanpertanyaan yang sering muncul dalam membesarkan anak. Buku ini ditulis dalam format tanya jawab, dan di dalamnya terdapat macam-macam topik yang ditujukan untuk menjawab pertanyaan akan masalah-masalah anak balita sampai remaja. Di dalam artikel kali ini, penulis ingin mengangkat salah satu topik buku ini yaitu masalah Pendidikan Rohani Anak. Sebagai orang tua Kristen yang hidup dalam jaman sekarang ini, banyak hal yang tentunya sangat menguatirkan ketika kita memikirkan bagaimana cara mendidik anak-anak sebagai orang Kristen yang baik. Di dalam bukunya, pertama-tama Dr. Dobson menekankan bahwa yang paling penting ialah kebijaksanaan dalam menjadi orang tua harus berasal dari Allah Bapa. Sangat disayangkan pada jaman dewasa ini, banyak orang tua yang mencari jawaban untuk membesarkan anak hanya dari sumber humanis ataupun psikologis karena mereka tidak sadar bahwa sumber yang paling penting ialah dari Allah sendiri. Menurut Dr. Dobson ada dua konsep yang sangat penting dalam menjadi orang tua: 1. "Saya mengasihi kamu lebih daripada yang mungkin kamu mengerti. Kamu sangat berharga bagi saya dan setiap hari saya mengucap syukur kepada Allah karena Ia membiarkan saya membesarkan kamu!" 2. "Karena saya mengasihi kamu, saya harus mengajar kamu agar kamu mentaati saya. Itulah jalan satu-satunya sehingga saya dapat memelihara kamu dan melindungi kamu dari hal-hal yang mungkin menyakiti kamu." Nah, selanjutnya dengan dua konsep ini di tangan, mari kita lihat beberapa pertanyaan penting yang diajukan oleh para orang tua dalam buku Dr. Dobson ini mengenai pendidikan rohani anak di dalam rumah: 20


1.

Haruskah seorang anak dibiarkan "memutuskan sendiri" hal-hal yang ada hubungannya dengan konsep tentang Allah? Jika kita memberitahukan kepadanya apa yang harus dipercayainya bukankah itu berarti kita memaksakan agama kita kepadanya?

Baiklah saya menjawab pertanyaan itu dengan suatu ilustrasi dari alam. Seekor anak angsa mempunyai ciri khas yang relevan untuk hal ini. Tidak lama setelah ia menetas dan keluar dari telurnya ia akan lekat pada (atau mendapat kesan yang kuat dari) hal yang pertama yang dilihatnya bergerak di dekatnya. Sejak saat itu dan selanjutnya, ia akan mengikuti ke mana pun benda yang paling dekat dengannya itu bergerak. Biasanya ia akan mengikuti jejak induk angsanya yang berada di dekatnya untuk menetaskan generasi yang baru itu. Tetapi jika induk angsa itu disingkirkan, maka anak angsa itu akan mengikuti apa saja yang bergerak yang dianggap sebagai pengganti induknya, entah benda itu benda hidup atau benda mati. Sebenarnya seekor anak angsa akan mudah sekali lekat pada semacam bola yang berwarna biru, yang diseret-seret dengan seutas tali. Seminggu kemudian ia akan mengikuti bola itu pada saat bola itu bergerak dengan cepat di dekatnya. Dalam proses ini waktu merupakan faktor yang penting. Anak angsa itu hanya mungkin memperoleh kesan yang kuat itu pada beberapa detik setelah ia menetas dari telur; jika kesempatan itu dibiarkan berlalu begitu saja, maka kesempatan itu tidak akan mungkin untuk diperoleh kembali. Dengan kata lain, di dalam kehidupan anak angsa ini ada suatu masa yang singkat, yang penting sekali, dan hanya

pada saat itulah ia mungkin memeperoleh pelajaran yang bersifat naluriah itu. Demikian juga di dalam kehidupan seorang anak ada satu masa yang penting dimana petunjuk-petunjuk tertentu mungkin diberikan. Walaupun manusia tidak mempunyai naluri (manusia hanya memiliki nafsu, refleks, dorongan, dsb), di dalam kehidupan anak-anak ada satu masa yang singkat dimana anak-anak peka terhadap pendidikan agama. Konsep mereka tentang apa yang benar dan apa yang salah, yang oleh Freud dinamakan supergo, dibentuk selama masa ini, dan pandangan mereka tentang Allah mulai terbentuk. Sama seperti halnya dengan anak angsa itu. Kesempatan yang terdapat pada masa itu harus dipergunakan pada saat masih mungkin diperoleh. Sebagaimana sering dikutip para pemimpin Gereja Katolik Roma mengatakan, "Berikan kepada kami seorang anak sampai ia berusia tujuh tahun, maka seumur hidupnya ia akan menjadi seorang Katolik." Apa yang mereka nyatakan dan yakini ini biasanya memang benar, karena sikap yang permanen dapat ditanamkan selama tujuh tahun yang merupakan tahun pembentukan ini. Tetapi, sayangnya, hal yang kebalikannya juga berlaku. Tidak ada petunjuk atau salahnya petunjuk yang diberikan selama masa awal pembentukan yang penting ini dapat sangat membatasi dalamnya pengabdian seorang anak kepada Allah di kemudian hari. Jika orang tua mengatakan bahwa mereka tidak mau mengindoktrinasi anak mereka yang masih kecil dan membiarkan anak mereka untuk "memutuskan sendiri," itu hampir berarti bahwa mereka menjamin bahwa anak itu akan


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mengambil keputusan yang negatif. Jika orang tua mengehendaki agar anaknya mempunyai iman yang berarti, maka mereka tidak boleh mencoba usaha yang keliru dengan membiarkan anak memilih sendiri. Anak mendengarkan dengan seksama untuk mengetahui sampai di mana kepercayaan orang tua terhadap apa yang mereka sendiri ajarkan; keraguraguan dan kebingungan mengenai etika yang dialami orang tua kemungkinan besar akan menjadi lebih parah di dalam diri anak-anaknya. 2.

Setiap malam saya, istri saya dan anak kami berdoa bersama-sama dan anak kami setiap minggu pergi ke Sekolah Minggu dan ke gereja. Tetapi saya masih merasa bahwa hal ini belum cukup untuk meneguhkan perkembangan agamanya. Apa lagi yang dapat saya lakukan demi pertumbuhan rohaninya saat ini dimana kesanggupannya untuk memusatkan perhatian begitu terbatas?

Jawabannya diberikan oleh Musa ketika 4000 tahun yang lalu ia menulis Kitab Ulangan, “Haruslah engkau mengajarkannya berulang-ulang kepada anak-anakmu dan membicarakannya apabila engkau duduk di rumahmu, apabila engkau sedang dalam perjalanan, apabila engkau bangun. Haruslah juga engkau mengikatkannya sebagai tanda pada tanganmu dan haruslah itu menjadi lambing di dahimu, dan haruslah engkau menuliskannya pada tiang pintu rumahmu dan pada pintu gerbangmu” (Ulangan 6: 7-9). Dengan kata lain kita tidak dapat menanamkan sikap-sikap ini hanya dalam waktu yang singkat selama doa sebelum tidur, atau hanya selama jam pelajaran yang formal. Kita harus menyatakannya 22


dalam seluruh kehidupan kita dari pagi sampai malam. Firman Tuhan harus ditanamkan di dalam percakapan santai disertai ilustrasi, demonstrasi, pujian dan hajaran atau disiplin. Saya percaya bahwa tugas mengajar ini merupakan tugas yang paling penting yang diberikan Allah kepada kita sebagai orang tua. 3.

Sukar sekali bagi kami untuk mengadakan kebaktian yang berarti sebagai satu keluarga sebab anak-anak kami nampaknya begitu bosan dan tidak mau ikut serta. Mereka menguap, tidak mau diam dan tertawa cekikikan pada waktu kami membacakan ayatayat dari Alkitab. Sebaliknya, kami merasa bahwa mengajar mereka untuk berdoa dan menyelidiki Alkitab itu penting. Dapatkah anda menolong kami untuk mengatasi dilema ini?

Satu-satunya kata kunci untuk kebaktian di antara anggota keluarga ialah: Singkat. Kita tidak bisa berharap bahwa anak-anak akan mengerti dan menghargai kegiatan rohani orang tua yang panjang-panjang. Empat atau lima menit untuk merenungkan satu atau dua ayat Alkitab, lalu diikuti dengan doa singkat, biasanya merupakan batas maksimal anak-anak prasekolah dapat memusatkan perhatiannya. Jika kita memaksa anak-anak kecil agar mereka mengenal kebenaran yang kekal melalui kebaktian yang rasanya lama sekali, maka hal itu dapat berbahaya sekali. 4. Bagaimana caranya konsep tentang Allah dapat ditanamkan di dalam pikiran seorang anak? Sudah merupakan fakta yang banyak diketahui orang bahwa seorang anak memandang orang tuanya sebagai

gambaran tentang Allah, entah para orang tua itu menghendakinya atau tidak. Umpamanya, sementara mereka mengikuti pimpinan orang tua yang penuh kasih, anak-anak itu juga belajar untuk mengikuti pimpinan Allah sendiri. Kita bertanggung jawab untuk mencerminkan dua aspek dari tabiat Allah kepada generasi yang berikutnya. Pertama-tama, Bapa kita yang di surga adalah Allah. KasihNya tidak terbatas, dan anak-anak kita harus mengenal belas kasihan Allah dan kelembutan Allah melalui sikap kita yang penuh kasih terhadap mereka. Tetapi jangan Anda salah mengerti mengenai hal ini. Tuhan kita juga merupakan Tuhan yang memiliki wewenang yang Maha Agung dan mulia! Alam semesta ini diatur oleh Tuhan yang Maha Kuasa yang menuntut ketaatan dari anak-anakNya. Dan Allah juga sudah memperingati mereka "upah dosa itu maut." Jika kita menunjukkan kepada anak-anak kita kasih yang tidak disertai wewenang maka hal itu merupakan hal yang sangat menyimpang, sama menyimpangnya seperti jika kita menunjukkan wewenang tangan besi tanpa kasih. 5. Kapan masa yang paling penting di dalam pendidikan rohani anak-anak kecil? Saya percaya bahwa tahun yang kelima dalam kehidupan seorang anak merupakan masa yang paling penting. Sampai saat itu anak percaya kepada Allah sebab orang tuanya memberitahukan bahwa itulah yang patut dilakukannya. Pada sekitar usia lima atau enam tahun ia sampai pada suatu persimpangan jalan: apakah ia akan mulai meraih dan menerima konsep itu sebagai konsepnya

atau ia menolaknya. Pada titik itu, ia mungkin menerimanya dan menjejakkan kakinya pada sebuah landasan yang lebih kokoh-atau ia mulai meragukan hal itu, dan ini berarti ia sudah mulai meletakkan dasar untuk penolakan. Tentu saja saya tidak bermaksud untuk mengatakan bahwa orang tua harus menunggu sampai seorang anak berusia lima atau enam tahun untuk memulai pendidikan rohaninya. Dan hal ini juga tidak berarti bahwa tahuntahun yang berikutnya itu tidak penting. Tetapi saya yakin bahwa dalam masa anak berusia lima enam tahun orang tua harus berusaha dengan rajin di rumah untuk memberikan pendidikan agama. Demikian juga guru-guru Sekolah Minggu yang terbaik harus diatur supaya mengajar anak-anak yang berusia lima dan enam tahun. Setelah masa itu memang ada persimpangan-persimpangan jalan yang penting, tetapi inilah persimpangan penting yang pertama. 6. Di dalam Alkitab orang tua diperintahkan, "Didiklah orang muda menurut jalan yang patut baginya." Tetapi ini menimbulkan pertanyaan yang penting: Jalan apa yang patut baginya? Jika tujuh tahun yang pertama dari kehidupan seorang anak itu merupakan "masa yang sangat penting" untuk pendidikan agama, apa yang harus diajarkan dalam masa ini? Apa yang harus dialaminya dalam masa ini? Nilai-nilai apa yang harus ditekankan? Berikut ini adalah sebagian dari apa yang Dr. Dobson sebut sebagai “Daftar Pendidikan Rohani"—satu perangkat sasaran yang dapat digunakan untuk menjawab pertanyaan diatas. Kebanyakan AGAPE — Christmas 2004

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dari pokok-pokok ini menuntut kedewasaan yang tidak ada pada anakanak dan kita tidak boleh mencoba untuk membuat anak-anak yang belum dewasa itu menjadi seperti orang dewasa. Biarkan mereka hidup sebagai anak-anak tetapi anak-anak yang mempunyai sikap Kristen. Kelima konsep alkitabiah yang berikut ini terutama sekali harus dengan sengaja diajarkan, agar menjadi landasan bagi semua doktrin dan iman yang kelak akan diajarkan. Saya mendorong agar setiap orang tua Kristen mengevaluasi pengertian anaknya dalam kelima hal ini: A. "Kasihilah Tuhan, Allahmu, dengan segenap hatimu" (Markus 12:30) Apakah anak anda belajar mengenai kasih Allah melalui kasih, kelembutan, dan belas kasihan orang tuanya? Apakah ia belajar untuk berbicara tentang Allah, dan apakah ia mengikutsertakan Allah dalam pikiran dan rencananya? B. "Kasihilah sesama manusia seperti dirimu sendiri" (Markus 12:31) Apakah ia belajar untuk mengerti dan untuk turut merasakan perasaan orang lain? Apakah ia belajar untuk tidak mementingkan diri sendiri dan untuk tidak terlalu banyak menuntut? C. "Ajarlah aku melakukan kehendakMu, sebab Engkaulah Allahku!" (Mazmur 143:10) Apakah ia belajar taat kepada orang tuanya sebagai persiapan untuk kemudiaan taat kepada Allah? 24


Apakah ia belajar untuk secara sehat menghargai dua aspek dari sifat Allah: kasih dan keadilan? Apakah ia belajar apa artinya dosa dan akibatnya? D. "Takutlah akan Allah dan berpeganglah pada perintah-perintahNya, karena ini adalah kewajiban setiap orang" (Pengkotbah 12:13) Apakah ia belajar untuk bersikap benar dan jujur? Apakah ia belajar untuk menghormati atau menguduskan hari Sabat? E. "Tetapi buah Roh ialah... penguasaan diri" (Galatia 5: 22,23) Apakah ia belajar untuk memberikan sebagian dari uangnya kepada Allah? Apakah ia belajar untuk mengendalikan dorongan hatinya? Ini hanya sebagian kecil dari yang Dr. Dobson tuliskan dalam bukunya mengenai pendidikan rohani anak-anak. Kiranya para orang tua membaca buku Masalah Membesarkan Anak oleh James Dobson ini untuk belajar lebih lanjut dari para orang tua lain yang juga menghadapi masalah seperti yang kita hadapi. Semoga artikel ini boleh membantu! [JL/EL]

SUMBER (BAHASA INGGRIS) Dr. Dobson Answers Your Questions About Raising Children ISBN: 084230620X (trade paperback) Publisher: Tyndale House Pub (1982) Thickness: 265 pages Dimensions: 0.7" x 5.3" x 8.2"

C

cerpen

by: Daniel Loe

C

emburu adalah merupakan sesuatu yang indah di dalam suatu percintaan... tetapi cemburu buta adalah merupakan suatu malapetaka yang membahayakan kalau kita tidak segera menyadarinya.... Noelle sangat nervous setelah menghabiskan waktu selama satu jam untuk merias dirinya secantik mungkin. Malam ini adalah malam natal pertama buat Noelle yang akan dirayakannya bersama dengan boyfriendnya. Selama ini Noelle susah sekali mendapatkan pacar, rasanya tidak akan pernah ketemu sang pangeran yang menjadi idaman hatinya. Sampai suatu saat, enam bulan yang lalu di suatu senja Noelle bertemu dengan Dean di toko buku. Waktu itu mereka hampir berpegangan tangan karena mereka ingin

mengambil buku yang sama. Noelle seketika merasa telah menemukan pangeran yang selama ini selalu hadir dalam mimpi indahnya. Hidung yang mancung, dagu yang lancip bak dagu para bangsawan, sinar mata yang teduh yang dapat menghanyutkan perasaan siapa saja yang memandangnya. Noelle pun terhanyut di sana seketika, sampai akhirnya Dean memperkenalkan dirinya Noelle seolaholah baru sadar dari mimpinya. Wajah Noelle seketika itu juga bersemu dadu. Mereka langsung berkenalan dilanjutkan dengan minum coffee Starbucks yang ada di toko buku tersebut. Mereka menukar nomor cell phone mereka sebelum mereka berpisah. Mereka telah beberapa kali bertemu, bercakap-cakap, lunch, dinner dan nonton film. Tetapi meskipun AGAPE — Christmas 2004

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pada dasarnya mereka sudah berpacaran, namun Noelle masih belum mengatakan pada keluarganya atau memperkenalkan Dean pada keluarganya. Rencana Noelle adalah akan memperkenalkan Dean pada keluarganya pada kebaktian malam natal ini di gereja. Noelle sengaja menjanjikan Dean untuk bertemu dengannya di gereja, dan malam inilah saatnya, Noelle membayangkan akan betapa handsome-nya Dean nanti dan akan betapa kagetnya keluarganya kalau mereka melihat Dean nanti. Hati Noelle sangat berbungabunga, betapa tidak menjelang Natal ini dia telah memperoleh dua hal yang luar biasa membuat hatinya selalu bernyanyi. Pertama karena dia telah menemukan pujaan hatinya, kedua karena kakaknya yang selama ini study di London datang mengunjungi keluarganya secara tiba-tiba juga. Kakaknya berkata bahwa dia sengaja tidak mau memberitahukan akan kedatangannya karena dia ingin keluarganya surprise dengan kedatangannya secara tiba-tiba. Noelle sangat senang sekali karena selama bulan Desember hampir setiap hari dia selalu berpergian. Hari Senin, Rabu dan Jumat dia berpergian dengan kakaknya Brandon. Lalu hari Selasa, Kamis dan Sabtu dia ‘pacaran’ dengan Dean. Sedang setiap hari Minggu selalu dihabiskannya bersama-sama 26


dengan keluarganya baik di dalam rumah ataupun dinner di luar rumah. Hari-hari mendatang dia membayangkan kalau Dean akan menjadi salah satu anggota keluarganya pula. Maksud Noelle setelah malam ini maka dia tidak perlu lagi secret-secret-an dengan keluarganya. Dan setiap saat orang tuanya mungkin akan mengajak Dean untuk dinner bersama-sama. Betapa Noelle ingin sekali memperkenalkan Dean kepada Brandon. Kedua pria ini adalah pria yang ganteng, charming dan menawan hati. Kalau Brandon bukan kakaknya Noelle sudah jatuh cinta dari sejak pertama Noelle mulai tertarik pada pria, Noelle memperhatikan

betapa kakaknya adalah pria yang sangat ganteng dan betapa ingin dia nanti mempunyai pacar seganteng kakaknya atau lebih ganteng dari Brandon. Ketika Noelle bertemu dengan Dean seketika itu juga semua teori tentang laki-laki yang akan menjadi pujaannya telah hadir di depan matanya, dimana dengan mata telanjang dia bisa melihat pria yang telah menjelma dari dalam mimpinya

dan Noelle bisa memegangnya dengan kedua tangannya. Noelle ingin sekali kalau Brandon kakaknya akan mengacungkan kedua ibu jarinya sebagai tanda dia memuji Noelle karena pandai memilih pacar yang keren dan ganteng seperti Dean, tetapi sayang sekali Brandon harus kembali ke London karena urusan sekolah yang harus dilakukannya. Harapan Noelle untuk mempertemukan kedua pria yang sangat disayanginya menjadi tinggal impian belaka. Kebaktian akan dimulai pukul 7 malam, tetapi Dean sudah berada di depan gereja tepat pada pukul 6 sore. Dean sempat bercakap-cakap dengan beberapa orang gereja yang bertugas sebagai penyambut. Para penyambut gereja ini beberapa kali mempersilahkan Dean untuk masuk dan duduk di dalam karena udara pada malam itu begitu dingin dan menusuk tulang. Tetapi Dean berkata kalau dia akan menunggu temannya di depan saja. Sekitar pukul 6:30 malam Noelle dan orang tuanya baru datang ketika dari jauh Noelle melihat Dean sudah berada di depan pintu sedang menunggunya maka Noelle minta kepada orang tuanya supaya dia diperbolehkan untuk turun terlebih dahulu karena dia ingin menemui temannya yang sedang menunggunya. Papa Noelle menurunkan Noelle di depan gereja lalu mencari tempat parkir di belakang gereja. Noelle langsung berlari dan menghampiri Dean yang sedang berdiri termangu-mangu. “Hi Dean... sudah lama menunggu?” Dean menghampiri Noelle dan mengajak Noelle ke jalan raya.

“Noelle.... aku ingin bertanya kepadamu beberapa hal....” “Dean..... sebaiknya aku akan memperkenalkan engkau pada keluargaku terlebih dahulu.... baru kita berbicara mengenai urusan kita, bagaimana?” Dean tampak kecewa, dan menggelengkan kepalanya. “Noelle aku sebaiknya menanyakan engkau langsung sekarang juga...” “Apakah itu Dean... kau tampaknya seperti sedang marah?” “Yah benar aku sedang marah dan kesal karena pacarku menghianatiku!” “Dean.... APA YANG KAU KATAKAN? Apakah tidak salah pendengaranku? Mengapa kau bisa berkata aku menghianatimu... atas dasar apa kau berkata demikian?” “Sudah jangan banyak berdalih.. katakan siapakah laki-laki tsb?” “Apa maksudmu...Dean, laki-laki yang mana yang kau maksud, dan di mana kau melihat aku dengan pria yang kau maksud?” “Masih juga engkau menghindar? Kalau tidak mau mengatakannya tidak mengapa, aku rasa engkau sudah tidak mencintai aku lagi!” Dean bersiap-siap untuk meninggalkan Noelle seorang diri, tetapi Noelle meminta dengan amat sangat untuk tidak meninggalkannya. “Dean... katakan padaku di mana kau melihat aku dan kapan?” “Aku melihat engkau bergandengan tangan dengan seorang pria berbadan atletis dan berwajah ganteng... dan kau... kau makan malam bersama dengannya di “Paris Bistro” hari kamis yang lalu...” AGAPE — Christmas 2004

27

“Oohh... itu... Dean engkau salah mengerti............” “Apa maksudmu salah mengerti.. aku melihatnya dengan mata kepalaku sendiri! Aku melihat betapa berbahagianya engkau dengannya.. engkau memeluknya dia menggandengmu.... masih juga kau katakan aku salah mengerti......?” “Dean pria yang kau lihat bersamaku adalah Brandon kakakku...... yang kuliah di London dan sedang berlibur.....” “Kau berbohong lagi.. sejak kapan kau mempunyai kakak....kau tidak pernah mengatakan bahwa kau mempunyai kakak yang kuliah di London.... kau cuma mengatakan kau mempunyai adik yang kuliah di UI....” “Dean.. kakakku ini selalu sibuk dan sudah dua tahun dia tidak pernah kembali karena sibuk dan tahun ini pun dia mengatakan sibuk tidak bisa mengunjungi kami... itu sebabnya aku rasa tidak perlu menceritakan perihal Brandon yang tidak berada di sini. Tapi dia secara tibatiba dia kembali untuk membuat kami surprise....” “Kalau benar laki-laki itu adalah kakakmu ayo perkenalkan aku padanya.. apakah dia juga datang ke gereja? Ayo perkenalkan aku padanya, ayo kita masuk ke dalam dan mencari kakakmu.... supaya aku percaya!” “Dean... dia sudah kembali ke London lagi kemarin, karena dia ada yang harus di kerjakan di sana pada hari natal.....!” “Lihatlah.. betapa pandainya engkau berdusta...... sudahlah aku tidak percaya dengan semua ini... yang aku tahu adalah aku selama ini telah dibohongi olehmu.. 28


kau cuma wanita yang suka mempermainkan hati laki-laki, kau mempunyai dua orang pacar bahkan mungkin lebih, itulah sebabnya selama ini kau tidak memperbolehkan aku kerumahmu... karena kau tidak mau orang tuamu mengetahui kau mempunyai banyak pacar....aku menyesal telah jatuh hati pada wanita bermuka malaikat dan berhati ular seperti engkau...selamat tinggal Noelle....” Dean berlari menyeberangi jalan dengan cepat dan tidak menggubris tangisan dan permintaan Noelle untuk tidak meninggalkannya. “DEAANNN.... kembalilah! Tuduhanmu tidak benar.... demi Tuhan cuma engkaulah satu-satunya orang yang aku cintai.....!” Dari seberang jalan Dean sempat menoleh dan berteriak... “Sudahlah simpanlah semua dustamu dan kembalilah kau pada laki-laki tersebut dan semoga kau berbahagia.....!!!!" Noelle sungguh tidak mengerti mimpi indah yang selama ini dialaminya mengapa tiba-tiba menjadi retak dan hancur berkeping-keping. Noelle sungguh tidak tahu harus berbuat apa suaranya seakan-akan sudah habis dipakainya untuk memanggil-manggil Dean untuk segera kembali, malam Natal malam yang diharapkannya akan menjadi malam yang khusus dan kudus di dalam hatinya karena malam ini dia ingin memperkenalkan Dean kepada orang tuanya menjadi malam yang seolah-olah malam yang paling gelap yang pernah dialami sepanjang hidupnya.

Noelle tanpa sadar berlari menyusul Dean yang hampir lenyap di persimpangan jalan, Noelle masih mempunyai sedikit harapan kalau kalau dia bisa mengejar Dean dan berlutut di depannya serta bersumpah bahwa pria yang dilihat oleh Dean bersama Noelle adalah benarbenar kakaknya mungkin Noelle masih bisa memenangkan hati Dean. Noelle berlari dan berlari, hari yang semakin gelap dan kendaraan di jalan itupun semakin banyak dan lalu lintas semakin deras. Setiap pengemudi mobil di jalan itu berlari dengan kencangnya karena ingin menguber waktu untuk menghadiri Christmas Eve worship atau Christmas Eve party dengan tidak terlambat, tetapi justru hal itu sangat membahayakan Noelle yang sedang menyeberang tanpa benar-benar memperhatikan lalu lintas yang ada sambil berteriak-teriak memanggil-manggil nama Dean. Sehingga tiba-tiba di tikungan jalan sebuah mobil sport b e r w a r n a h i t a m dengan kecepatan yang hebat melewati jalan tersebut. Sopir mobil tersebut sempat melihat seperti ada bayangan orang yang sedang menyeberang dan berusaha menginjak rem mobilnya sekeras mungkin supaya mobilnya berhenti dan tidak menghantam bayangan yang sedang berlari itu. Cieeeeeett t t . . . . . . . ! ! ! ! ! Aa auuuuuwwwww. ........!!!!!!!! DHUA ARRRRR.......!!!!!!!!!

Cieeeeetttt.......Cieeeeeeettttt....!!! DHAARRRRRR!!! DHUUAAARRRRR!!!! Tubuh Noelle terhantam mobil sport hitam itu, karena kecepatan yang sangat tinggi membuat mobilnya tetap melaju dengan cepatnya walaupun telah direm dengan keras..... belum sampai tubuh Noelle yang terhantam mobil sport hitam itu jatuh ke tanah telah terhantam lagi oleh kendaraan yang ada di jalur berikutnya yang juga sedang melaju dengan derasnya. Walaupun akhirnya mobil-mobil yang menghantam tubuh Noelle itu berhenti tetapi kendaraankendaraan yang ada di belakangnya tidak lagi keburu untuk menghentikan mobil mereka k e c u a l i menabrak habis mobil y a n g sedang


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berhenti di depan mereka. Sehingga malam natal, dan kebaktian yang baru saja dimulai di gereja Noelle itu sempat dihentikan dengan suara hantaman beruntun dari mobil-mobil yang ada di depan jalan tersebut . Dean juga mendengar suara tabrakan d a n s u a r a jeritan yang memilukan hati dari Noelle. Dean berlari balik dan mendatangi tempat kejadian itu dilihatnya dari jauh sesosok tubuh dengan pakaian yang anggun berwarna putih bersimbah darah segar............ “Noelle..... Noelle.....!! Oh tidak....!! Oh Tuhan.... selamatkan Noelle.....!!! oh Tuhan......... Noelle....!! Noelle...!! Dilihatnya Noelle terbaring di jalan raya tersebut. Dean baru memperhatikan kalau Noelle malam ini memakai longdress berwarna putih.. yang mana membuat Noelle semakin cantik seperti malaikat yang suci dan tidak berdosa. Tetapi Dean melihatnya bahkan dia tidak sadar kalau Noelle memakai pakaian berwarna putih, mungkin kecemburuan yang ada di dalam hatinya telah membutakan matanya. Dean berlutut dan meraih tubuh Noelle yang berlumuran darah, Noelle masih sadar dan masih bernafas meski terputusputus. Ketika dilihatnya Dean ada di dekatnya dan ketika dirasakan Dean meraih tubuhnya dan memeluknya dengan mesra Noelle mengucapkan katakatanya yang terakhir: “Dean....per..caya...lah ke...pada..ku... aku ti...dak menghi..anati..mu... kau... ada...lah 30


laki-laki per...tama d..an ter...akh..ir yang per...na..h aku cinta..i dan a..kan aku se..la..lu ciii..n..ta..i....... Sa..yang ka..kak...ku te..lah kem....ba...li ke Lon...don... ak.. aku iin.. gin.. mem... bu..kk..tii..k..aann nya pa...d...aaa muu..." “Iya Noelle aku percaya... aku percaya... maafkan aku Noelle....maafkan aku... hu hu hu....Noelle aku telah membuat engkau menjadi begini....!” Dean melihat pada orang-orang yang ada disekililingnya yang sedang menonton tragedi yang sedang terjadi. Dean berkata, "Tolonglah panggilkan ambulance... siapakah yang bisa menolong Noelle untuk tetap hidup.... Oh Tuhan.... selamatkanlah Noelle... Tuhan.. aku berjanji akan selalu menyayanginya......

Tuhan....tolonglah aku... hu hu hu hu....ampunilah aku Tuhan...!” “Dean....Dean.. dii ma...na... kaah eenn...g..kau...?” “Noelle... Noelle.. aku di sini sayang....!” “De..aan... ak..ku tiii..ddaakk... bii...sa... me..llii..haatt...muu.., se..mu...aaanya... ge..llaap...De...an... A..ku...me...rraa....ssaa... san...ga..t di....nnginn... se..kaa...llliiii... De..aann...!” “Noelle....jangan tinggalkan aku Noelle....!” Dean berusaha memberi kehangatan pada tubuh Noelle dengan memeluk tubuh Noelle dengan eratnya dan menciumi bibir Noelle... Noelle tersenyum... dan berkata.... "Se..laa...mmaa..t ti...nn..gga..ll De..aan... a..k..u.. m..e..n..cin...ta..i..mu....!” “Noelle.... Noelle... aku juga mencintaimu...jangan tinggalkan aku...!” Ketika Dean menggoyanggoyangkan tubuh Noelle dan sudah tidak bergerak lagi dan Noelle sudah menghembuskan nafasnya yang terakhir di pelukannya, maka tangis Dean pun meledak semakin hebat memanggilmanggil nama Noelle. “Noelle..... Noelle.. kenapa engkau tinggalkan aku sendiri Noelle.. kembalilah Noelle.... kembalilah sayang..... aku mencintaimu sayang...!!" Dean memeluk tubuh Noelle dengan erat dan menciumi bibirnya karena Dean ingin memberi kehangatan pada Noelle, Dean ingin Noelle tetap hidup dan ia ingin melindungi tubuh Noelle dari dingin yang

menusuk tulang pada malam yang gelap itu. Orang-orang yang ada di sekitar tempat itu yang menyaksikan tragedi tersebut turut menitikkan air mata dan menangis mereka sungguh menyayangkan malam Natal yang suci harus diwarnai dengan darah dan tragedi yang seperti ini. Orang-orang yang ada di gereja Noelle pun turut keluar ingin melihat apa yang telah terjadi... mereka sungguh tidak tahu dan tidak mengerti kalau yang akan mereka lihat adalah suatu tragedi yang akan menghancurluluhkan hati dan perasaan mereka, terutama hati dan perasaan orang tua Noelle dan orang-orang yang mengenal Noelle selama hidupnya. [dl/10/2004] [SS/MR]

R

review ——————————————————————————————

every woman's

B AT T L E

W

by: Shannon Ethridge foreword & afterword by: Stephen Arterburn reviewed by: Marcia Japutra

omen’s sexual needs may not seem as dangerous as men’s. However, they may actually be more dangerous than we think. Love affair begins from the first forbidden thought, not the first forbidden touch. When the emotional and mental seeds of compromise are sowed, we will harvest a relational destruction. “The one who sows to please [her] sinful nature, from that nature will reap destruction.” (Galatians 6:8) Once a woman has sowed the seeds of compromise, she has opened her door of sexual infidelity. Because of that, her sexual integrity is now on the line. A woman can only survive the intense struggle for sexual integrity when she can develop an affair with Jesus Christ (the one and only Lover that can truly satisfy her inner most desires), and by guarding not just her body, but her mind and heart as well. Some things in the book that was pointed out in the book that can help women in their struggle for sexual integrity are as follows: ❖ Table top sexuality. o A life of balance and integrity: Spiritual, Mental, Emotional, and Physical. o Our sexuality is not “what we do”, but it is “who we are.” ❖ Win the battle of sexual struggles with the truth (The Word of God). ❖ Design a defense to protect every aspects of your life. ❖ Guard your tongue: “Words are what will lead us into an affair, or words will stop an affair before it ever begins” (Ethridge 103).

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❖ Develop an affair with Jesus Christ. o Friend/friend relationship. o Potter/clay relationship. o Father/daughter relationship. o Shepherd/sheep relationship. o Groom/bride relationship. o Master/servant relationship. MEN

WOMEN

Crave physical intimacy

Crave emotional intimacy

Give love to get sex

Give sex to get love

Body can disconnect from mind, heart, and soul

Body, mind, heart, and soul intricately connected

Stimulated by what they see

Stimulated by what they hear

Recurrent physical needs cycle

Recurrent emotional needs cycle

Vulnerable to unfaithfulness in the absence of physical touch

Vulnerable to unfaithfulness in the absence of emotional connection

Are you engaged in a battle?

Please put a checkmark in the left column in response to the following questions: √ Yes _____ 1. Is having a man in your life or finding a husband something that dominates your thoughts? _____ 2. If you have a man in your life, do you compare him to other men (physically, mentally, emotionally, or spiritually)? _____ 3. Do you often think of what your life will be like after your husband is dead, wondering who the “next man” in your life could be? _____ 4. Do you sexual secrets that you don’t want anyone else to know about? _____ 5. Do you feel like a nobody if you don’t have love interest in your life? Does a romantic relationship give you a sense of identity? _____ 6. Do you seem to attract bad or dysfunctional relationships with men? _____ 7. Do men accuse you of being manipulative or controlling? _____ 8. Do you feel secretly excited or powerful when you sense that a man finds you attractive? _____ 9. Do you have a difficult time responding to your husband’s sexual advances because you feel he should meet your needs first? _____ 10. Is remaining emotionally or physically faithful to one person a challenge for you?


33

_____ 11. Do you often choose your attire in the morning based on the men you will encounter that day? _____ 12. Do you find yourself flirting or using sexual innuendos (even if you do not intend to) when conversing with someone you find attractive? _____ 13. Do you resent the fact that your husband wants sex more often than you do, or wish that he would just masturbate so that you would not have to perform sexually? _____ 14. Do you have to masturbate when you get sexually aroused? _____ 15. Do you read romance novels because of the fantasies they evoke within you or because they arouse you sexually? _____ 16. Have you ever used premarital or extramarital relationships to “medicate” your emotional pain? _____ 17. Is there any area of your sexuality that (1) is not known by your husband, (2) is not approved of by your husband, or (3) does not involve your husband? _____ 18. Do you spend more time or energy ministering to the needs of others through church or social activities than to your husband’s sexual needs? _____ 19. Do you use pornography either alone or with a partner? _____ 20. Do you fantasize about being intimate with someone other than your husband? _____ 21. Do you have a problem making and maintaining close female friends? _____ 22. Do you converse with strangers in Internet chat rooms? _____ 23. Have you ever been unable to concentrate on work, school, or the affairs of your household because of thoughts or feelings you are having about someone else? _____ 24. Do your think the world victim describes you? _____ 25. Do you avoid sex in your marriage because of the spiritual guilt or dirty feeling you experience afterward? There is no “magic number” that will determine your level of sexual or emotional integrity. However, if reading through these questions has awakened you to the fact that your sexual activity, romantic behavior, or emotional attachments are a hindrance to your spiritual growth or intimacy in marriage, this book is designed to help you achieve victory in your area of struggle. [MJ/TA]

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ISBN: 1-5785-6685-1 (paperback) Publisher: WaterBrook Press List price: $13.99 Thickness: 208 pages Size: 9.1" x 6.0" x 0.5"

O

opini ——————————————————————————————

baby's first

Christmas (sususan berdasarkan tanggal lahir)

Tjandra & Evelyn Afandi

Steven Nathanael Tjandra June 22nd, 2004

Kelahiran Xiang En (nama chinese Steven) berjalan cepat dan lancar. Puji Tuhan! Tidak ada masalah apa-apa baik atas Evelyn maupun baby. Saat kelahiran pun Evelyn tidak merasa sakit yang sampai intense, sebaliknya malah bisa rileks sambil mendengar musik dari CD yang dibawa. Ditambah lagi waktu itu memang masih pagi (masuk rumah sakit jam 7 pagi), jadi pengaruh ngantuk malah membantu "membius" Evelyn dalam proses kontraksi. Kami sungguh berdoa kepada Tuhan agar Xiang En bertumbuh dewasa menjadi anak Tuhan yang taat orang tua dan memberi berkat buat sekitarnya, sama seperti namanya. Sebagai koko tertua bagi Tujuh Pendekar Angkatan 2004, semoga dia bisa jadi teladan buat rekan-rekannya. Mmm.. tentang arti namanya, Steven berarti Crowned One (gak pake Stephen biar gak disangka niru-niru Stephen Tong), Nathanael berarti Gift of God (gak pake Nathaniel biar lebih keren), Xiang En (祥恩) berarti Auspicious Graciousness (silahkan diartikan sendiri lebih lanjut....) J


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Bobby & Lucia Salim

Gabriela Natania Lin June 27th, 2004

Ella adalah anak keempat kami. Meskipun merupakan surprise bagi keluarga kami, kami benarbenar bersyukur untuk kelahirannya. Harapan kami, Ella bisa menjadi orang yang mencintai Tuhan dan dipakai oleh Tuhan.

Raya & Tania Sandjaya

Julian Putra Sandjaya August 16th, 2004

Kami sungguh bersyukur untuk kelahiran Julian. Meskipun sempat deg-degan pada saat test kehamilan 5 bulan, Julian lahir dengan sempurna. Meskipun bukan lahir bulan Juli, nama Julian sangat berarti buat kami. Kami berharap dia menjadi orang yang takut akan Tuhan. BONUS: Pengalaman

Nyata

(sebagaimana dituturkan oleh Sdr. Silas Hosea)

Kemaren.. gua, Riyo dan Raya gantiin pampers-nya Julian, since Tania nggak bisa jalan so kita bertiga yang gantiin pampers... Heheee.. pengalaman tak terlupakan.... gua angkat kakinya Julian... si Riyo yang masukin pampersnya ke pantatnya Julian.. terus si Raya yang nge-lem pampers-nya... Banyangin.. 1 bayi 3 orang dewasa yang pakein pampers!

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Wilson & Ping-Ping Lee

Nicholas Lee

September 2nd, 2004 Baby Nicholas merupakan miracle bagi keluarga kami. Kami berharap dia bisa menjadi anak Tuhan yang baik.

George & Fenny Macamay

Wesley Franklin Macamay September 3rd, 2004

Kita merasa excited dan joyful atas kelahiran Wesley. Dia adalah cucu laki pertama di keluarga kami. Nama Wesley diambil dari tokoh kristen John Wesley. Dan yang menarik tanggal lahirnya cuman beda satu haru dengan papanya. Kami berharap Wesley bisa sayang orang tua dan dipakai Tuhan sesuai dengan talentanya.

Jeffrey & Mira Ibrahim

Gavin Jefferson Ibrahim November 4th, 2004

David & Ming-Ming Wangsa

Joseph Anthony Wangsa November 8th, 2004

Joseph artinya God will increase. Joseph merupakan additional blessing bagi keluarga kami. Kami berharap dia bisa menjadi berkat buat orang lain. AGAPE — Christmas 2004

37

E

event ——————————————————————————————

HOLY

WIND

(FALL CARNIVAL) reported by Marcia Japutra Photos from lax.gii-usa.org

October 31st, 2004

dy was everybofun! having

our church Indonesian Evangelical has put together a memorable event. This fall carnival was intended for the children, but to our surprise it became an event that was for the whole church as a family to enjoy together. With God’s helps this even was able to be held and be a success. The preparation for the fall carnival began a while ago, however, Friday, October 29th, 2004 night a couple people from the youth group stayed and started the work in progress of “the maze” which was a fun experience. The next day, Saturday, October 30th, 2004 was a day that has been dedicated sea o H . v e only to build the whole carnival. Many Ol' R people came to help and by the grace of God the job was done. Exhausted, yet excited everyone went home looken Lil' Darr ing forward for the very next evening where the fall carnival would be held. But before the night ended, we had Pastor Billy and Tante Naomi walk through the maze of course; we had to have a test run. It turns out that they were impressed by it; which was a good thing. After church ended more preparation were being made until the time is up and the carnival begins. Many games and programs were happening at the same time. However, first thing first, the fall carnival would not be complete without a time where we can worship God and listen to some Bible story from Evangelist r Edward Shyu which many h (bette

liat THE Go e original) than th

38


s...

... donut

M rea rs. l m Her ak wi eup *w s it

Mmmm

h*

of the children enjoyed. As the carnival is in progress, there were booths of games like David and Goliath, Dunk Tank (my at personal favorite), Fishers of men, and know th st u o y o many more. Of course there was a food booth D he newe Eva is t of Agape where they served the delicious nachos, hot member team? =) dogs, popcorn, and drinks. Not to forget, the Layout maze was also an excitement for everyone, even Pastor Hosea was able to enjoy the excitement. In the center of the carnival, from time to time there was competition that was being held. For example, the doughnut eating contest. Consequently, this is another event in this church that God has once again blessed. This fall carnival was able to be a blessing for the children where they are able to have fun and not have to be outside going trick or treating where they are actually putting their life in danger. Not only did God use this event to keep the children in a safer Boy place, yet it also a way where e Dunk we can continue to Jeff th C'MON evangelize to our BLE-DA !!! WE DOUyounger generation RE YOU !!! and have a stronger family bond built in our church as we have fun and enjoy the time together with our brothers and sisters in Christ. [MJ/TA]

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craft ———————————————————————————————

Christmas is here!! What is better to do than spend some time with your lovely family in FUN and EASY Christmas projects! Here are some ideas to get you started. Don’t worry if you don’t have all the required materials (most can be bought from craft stores), most of the time you can always improvise and come up with excellent ideas of your own. Have fun and Merry Christmas!! [JL/EL]

beaded snowman ornament you need: • Snowman shaped wire frame (available at craft stores, or you can always improvise and create your own shapes!) • Small bow • 8mm crystal beads • Silver pipe cleaner • Scrap of black craft foam • Glue gun • Scissors • Pliers

you do: String crystal beads to fill preformed wire frame. Pinch end closed with pliers. Add a bow by twisting the end wires around the neck of the snowman. Cut a snowman hat out of black foam. Hot glue to head. Cut a 3” piece of pipe cleaner into a loop and hot glue to the back for hanging.

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glitter christmas ornaments you need: • Clear Glass Ornaments • Glitter Glue • Large Paper Cup

instructions: Remove the metal hanger top from glass ornament. Squirt 2 or 3 colors of glitter glue all around on the inside of the ornament. Don’t use too much, you can always add more. Put the metal hanger top back on and shake lightly to spread glitter glue. Add more glue if needed to coat inside. Shake as little as possible to keep colors from mixing too much. Remove metal top and invert ornament on a paper cup overnight to drain out excess glue.

throw pillows The shapes featured here can be bought or made at home. The large square pillow is 12 inches, so it requires six 12-inch squares of velvet. Sew four of them together to create the outside, then sew the top and bottom, leaving one seam open so that the pillow form can be inserted. The pyramid pillows follow the same pattern, with four triangles sewn together with a square base, again with a seam left open to insert the pillow form. AGAPE — Christmas 2004

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recipe ———————————————————————————————

By: Mrs. Shyu

1 lb. boneless chicken stripes 3 cloves garlic 3 slices ginger 4 stems fresh basil leave (discarded stems) 1 jalapeno (optional) 2 tbs. soy sauce 1 tbs. brown sugar 1 tsp. balsamic vinegar 1 tsp. corn starch 1 tsp. sesame oil 2 tbs. olive oil

Marinade chicken with soy sauce, brown sugar, balsamic vinegar, corn starch and sesame oil for 10 minutes. Preheat non-stick pan or work with olive oil at medium heat. Add garlic, ginger, and jalapeno cook for 1 minute then the chicken for about 12 minutes. Lastly, add fresh basil leaves for another 5 minutes. [JA/MR]

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humor —————————————————————————————— (Source: www.trinityfamily.org):

A father was approached by his small son who told him proudly, “I know what the Bible means!” His father smiled and replied, “What do you mean, you ‘know‛ what the Bible means?” The son replied, “I do know!” “Okay, said his father. “So, son, what does the Bible mean?” “That‛s easy, Daddy. It stands for ‘Basic Information Before Leaving Earth.‛” A minister parked his car in a no-parking zone in a large city because he was short of time and couldn't find a space with a meter. Then he put a note under the windshield wiper that read: "I have circled the block 10 times. If I don't park here, I'll miss my appointment. Forgive us our trespasses." When he returned, he found a citation from a police officer along with this note. "I've circled this block for 10 years. If I don't give you a ticket, I'll lose my job. Lead us not into temptation." There was a very gracious lady who was mailing an old family Bible to her brother in another part of the country. "Is there anything breakable in here?" asked the postal clerk. "Only the Ten Commandments." answered the lady.

(Source: Christianity.about.com):

Q: What do they call pastors in Germany? A: German Sheperds Q: Who does the Bible direct to make coffee, men or women? A: There is a whole book about it: "He brews" Q: What kind of man was Boaz before he married? A: Ruthless Q: Which Bible character had no parents? A: Joshua, son of Nun. AGAPE — Christmas 2004

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(Source: Chicken Soup for the Christian Soul): Sunday School Lessons (by Susan Webber) The Sunday school lesson for the day was about Noah‛s Ark, so the preschool teacher in our Kentucky church decided to get her small pupils involved by playing a game in which they identified animals. "I‛m going to describe something to you. Let‛s see if you can guess what it is. First: I‛m furry with a bushy tail and I like to climb trees." The children looked at her blankly. "I also like to eat nuts, especially acorns." No response. This wasn‛t going well at all! "I‛m usually brown or gray, but sometimes I can be black or red." Desperate, the teacher turned to a perky four-year-old who was usually good about coming up with the answers. "Michelle, what do you think?" Michelle looked hesitantly at her classmates and replied, "Well, I know the answer has to be Jesus – but it sure sounds like a squirrel to me!" Irreverent Manipulation (excerpted from Moments for Mothers) Little Benjamin sat down at the desk to write a letter to God asking for a little baby sister. He started the letter like this: Dear God, I’ve been a very good boy… He stopped, thinking. No, God won’t believe that. He wadded up the piece of paper, threw it away, and started again:

Dear God, most of the time I’ve been a good boy…

He stopped in the middle of the line, again thinking, God won’t be moved by this. So he wadded up the letter and into the trash can it went. Benjamin then went into the bathroom and grabbed a big terry cloth towel off the towel rack. He carried it into the living room and carefully laid it out in the couch. He smoothed out all the wrinkles. Then he went over to the fireplace mantle, reached up, and very carefully lifted down a statue of the Madonna. He had often seen his mother carefully dust the statue, and he had eyed it many times. On several occasions, his parents had told him that he could look but was not to touch the statue. Now, with all the care he could muster, he had it in his possession. Benjamin gently placed the statue in the middle of the towel, carefully folding over the edges. He then placed a rubber band around the whole thing. He brought it to the desk, took out another piece of paper, and began to write his third letter to God. It went like this:

Dear God, if you ever want to see your mother again… 44


Eeditorial. mencari di mana bayi mereka tersebut tetapi walaupun mereka sudah mencarinya di mana-mana, mereka tetap tidak dapat menemukannya

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