The Ruler(s) of My Life
Monday, October 20, 2014
(Reflection of Jeff Liando at St John's Presbyterian Church service 19 Oct 2014 , Wellington New Zealand)
Bible Readings: Isaiah 45:1-7 and Matthew 22:15-22
Good morning, selamat pagi.
If I were a Jew and one of the Pharisees, I would have asked again, why pay taxes to non Jewish ruler? Why Cyrus, a non Jew, is anointed by the God of Israel? In reality, I’m an Indonesian and never ask IRD why they tax me or my ministers why I am an Elder now.
From the story about paying taxes to Caesar, I've found the most common interpretation of the story, that Jesus is trying to distinguish between duties to Caesar’s and God’s Kingdom, between government and church. I understand that tax is a tool used by government to raise money in order to perform their jobs in making a better country. However, I know that some conservative views may think that a better country can be established by us privately, with less tax and government intervention. Is God a conservative?
More than the issue of secular versus church or progressive versus conservative, I see three personal points that may face me from this topic.
• Firstly, the ruler of my life. Who or what has power over me? God or something else?
• Secondly, the options of worldly and godly attitudes. Towards family, church, career, hobbies, relationship, colleagues, community, and so on.
• Thirdly, the solution of pursuing both worldly and godly matters simultaneously. Does it work? Is it OK?
As Jesus asked whose head in the coin, I ask myself, who is ruling my life? Do I have more than one dominant power over me? If there are two rulers, then it’s not easy to perform my duties to both sides at the same time. There’s a double tax agreement between New Zealand and Indonesia so, fortunately, I don’t have to pay taxes twice for one income. A few months ago, when I worked for both sides at the same time I paid my taxes separately for each income. Answering to my own question, I always justify with a classic answer that the rulers of my life are God, family and career. Somehow, I feel they are manageable and can be treated separately.
Nevertheless, when it comes to choosing the worldly and godly attitudes, everything seems problematic and not consistent. There are nights with prayers with the children, there are nights without prayers. There are workdays started with prayers, and there are not. Sometimes I confess my mistakes, sometimes I defend and even hide them. I could love my enemies but it’s easier to love my friends. There are chances I use to forgive but sometimes I use them to get revenge. I go to church most Sundays. However, there are Sundays I play badminton with my friends. I consider all missing godly attitudes are just my ignorance, but I do realise they show my disobedience to God.
When I see the reality I find that the previous problematics are actually justifiable and understandable. Perhaps it’s like the concept of tax return on charity when we can shift our unintended duty to good intention. God wants me to believe only He provides all my needs, but I say my work provides my needs and God bless me through my job. God wants me to only serve Him, but I say I can pursue my career, seek wealth, take care of my family and serve God at the same time.
It seems the worldly and godly matters are not in the same scope. If one is in the scope, the other should be out of scope. An Australian client cannot be invoiced with GST for a service provided by a New Zealand company. If I belong to God, can I perform my worldly duty to Him? Or, if I’m at a professional symposium, can I discuss something godly with my colleagues? If I’m holidaying in Queenstown on Sunday should I schedule to go to church first or just enjoy my holiday all day?
I think my initial classic answer of God, family and career becomes obsolete. My answer now is that the ruler of my life is only God Almighty. With this, I can feel His power given to me. I can feel I am His instrument. Like Cyrus the Great, a King of Persian, conquered Mesopotamia and freed the Jews from Babylon to return to Jerusalem. I will have a full control of my life. I believe God will increase everything I have. I will experience His salvation through Jesus Christ. I will move on, forward and upward, stage by stage without interruption. In any given day each of my steps will be full of God’s love, peace, grace and hope.
Do you think God Almighty is the one and only ruler of our life?
Tuhan berkati. Amin.
Bible Readings: Isaiah 45:1-7 and Matthew 22:15-22
Good morning, selamat pagi.
If I were a Jew and one of the Pharisees, I would have asked again, why pay taxes to non Jewish ruler? Why Cyrus, a non Jew, is anointed by the God of Israel? In reality, I’m an Indonesian and never ask IRD why they tax me or my ministers why I am an Elder now.
From the story about paying taxes to Caesar, I've found the most common interpretation of the story, that Jesus is trying to distinguish between duties to Caesar’s and God’s Kingdom, between government and church. I understand that tax is a tool used by government to raise money in order to perform their jobs in making a better country. However, I know that some conservative views may think that a better country can be established by us privately, with less tax and government intervention. Is God a conservative?
More than the issue of secular versus church or progressive versus conservative, I see three personal points that may face me from this topic.
• Firstly, the ruler of my life. Who or what has power over me? God or something else?
• Secondly, the options of worldly and godly attitudes. Towards family, church, career, hobbies, relationship, colleagues, community, and so on.
• Thirdly, the solution of pursuing both worldly and godly matters simultaneously. Does it work? Is it OK?
As Jesus asked whose head in the coin, I ask myself, who is ruling my life? Do I have more than one dominant power over me? If there are two rulers, then it’s not easy to perform my duties to both sides at the same time. There’s a double tax agreement between New Zealand and Indonesia so, fortunately, I don’t have to pay taxes twice for one income. A few months ago, when I worked for both sides at the same time I paid my taxes separately for each income. Answering to my own question, I always justify with a classic answer that the rulers of my life are God, family and career. Somehow, I feel they are manageable and can be treated separately.
Nevertheless, when it comes to choosing the worldly and godly attitudes, everything seems problematic and not consistent. There are nights with prayers with the children, there are nights without prayers. There are workdays started with prayers, and there are not. Sometimes I confess my mistakes, sometimes I defend and even hide them. I could love my enemies but it’s easier to love my friends. There are chances I use to forgive but sometimes I use them to get revenge. I go to church most Sundays. However, there are Sundays I play badminton with my friends. I consider all missing godly attitudes are just my ignorance, but I do realise they show my disobedience to God.
When I see the reality I find that the previous problematics are actually justifiable and understandable. Perhaps it’s like the concept of tax return on charity when we can shift our unintended duty to good intention. God wants me to believe only He provides all my needs, but I say my work provides my needs and God bless me through my job. God wants me to only serve Him, but I say I can pursue my career, seek wealth, take care of my family and serve God at the same time.
It seems the worldly and godly matters are not in the same scope. If one is in the scope, the other should be out of scope. An Australian client cannot be invoiced with GST for a service provided by a New Zealand company. If I belong to God, can I perform my worldly duty to Him? Or, if I’m at a professional symposium, can I discuss something godly with my colleagues? If I’m holidaying in Queenstown on Sunday should I schedule to go to church first or just enjoy my holiday all day?
I think my initial classic answer of God, family and career becomes obsolete. My answer now is that the ruler of my life is only God Almighty. With this, I can feel His power given to me. I can feel I am His instrument. Like Cyrus the Great, a King of Persian, conquered Mesopotamia and freed the Jews from Babylon to return to Jerusalem. I will have a full control of my life. I believe God will increase everything I have. I will experience His salvation through Jesus Christ. I will move on, forward and upward, stage by stage without interruption. In any given day each of my steps will be full of God’s love, peace, grace and hope.
Do you think God Almighty is the one and only ruler of our life?
Tuhan berkati. Amin.
South Island New Zealand Winter Holiday - Jun 2011
Thursday, July 14, 2011
Ferry to Picton. Wellington Harbour and Marlborough Sound
Roadtrip to Queenstown. Lake Tekapo and Wanaka
Dinner in town, the hotel, Queenstown scenery, jetboating
Roadtrip from Queenstown to Milford Sound Impressive and beautiful Milford Sound scenery Cruising around Milford Sound
Snow experience on the way to Milford Sound
Indonesia Holiday Dec 09 - Jan 10
Friday, July 23, 2010
We had a good time holidaying in Indonesia 10 Dec 09 - 18 Jan 10 and got our children baptised. We enjoyed meeting our relatives and friends, also visiting places such as Jakarta, Manado, Minahasa, Tompaso, Tomohon, Tondano, Santika Bunaken, Puncak, Taman Safari, Jakarta malls, etc.
Kezia play with Isaiah
Monday, August 24, 2009
at home with kakak kezia....is always fun.
Kezia so lovely....as always !!! :D
kezia: you always pull my hair Isaiah....but still love you my brother :)
Kezia so lovely....as always !!! :D
kezia: you always pull my hair Isaiah....but still love you my brother :)
17 Agustusan
Monday, August 17, 2009
Kezia & Isaiah selama ini cukup aktif di TK. Pelangi Indonesia.
Kali ini untuk pertama kalinya
kita perform di KBRI setelah upacara 17 Agustusan.
Kali ini untuk pertama kalinya
kita perform di KBRI setelah upacara 17 Agustusan.
Thank you everyone
Saturday, May 23, 2009
Isaiah Jozua Kusumo Liando
20th May 2009, 1.47pm, 3.76kg
"Thank you very much for all the good wishes and nice presents."
Special thanks to:
Sheila, Lesley, Fonga, Joey, Anne, Meta, Catherine, the team of midwives, doctors and nurses helped delivering baby Isaiah at Wellington Hospital.
Mom and dad's friends visited baby Isaiah at hospital:
- mama Nur, bu Kiki
- mami Dien, ka Ovy, ka Tiara
- om Yoyo
- tante Farina
- om Iqbal, tante Mercy, Abrar
- om Stewart, tante Nani, mami Keke
- oma Ally, oma Kirsty
- ayah Rahmadi, ibu Noni, Samuel
NZ govt for the free hospital facility and dad's tax credit. Lyfords for dad's 3 days leave.
Mom and dad's friends for all their best wishes through Facebook.
Most importantly, all my family:
- Oma (Manado), Yangti (Jakarta), for heaps of presents.
- Om Perry (Manado), Om Ouky & Tante Rolly/Om Joe (Jakarta) and Tante Cindy (Paris)
- All relatives: Tante Lisa, Tante Aci, Tante Iput, etc for the wishes through Facebook.
Mom and dad's friends visited baby Isaiah at home:
- aunt Coralie
- om Murdi
- oma Audrey/eyang Herry, om Adhi/tante Yanti
- bunda Afi, ka Azza, Sherine, Nadine, om Faisal, om Sammy
- oma Felly/opa Irawan, tante Myrna/om Mervin
- tante Sari & Rochelle from Pelangi Indonesia
- om Tama from Hamilton!
- mama Keke/om Aston, Ethan, Colin
- tante Erika/om Danu, Will, Nick, Bianca
- tante Dona/om Nico, Joe
- tante Indri/om Alex, Kevin
- ibu Noni/ayah Rahmadi, Samuel
- mama Nur/om Rosihan, Rachel, Ezi, ka Juwita
- tante Lita/om Budi, Arya, Aubrey
- oma Net/opa Yo
- bude Tina/om Yuri, Nanda, Rangga, Yudha
- tante Nuniek/om Ahmad, Abi, Aqif
- om Irdan/tante Wina
- tante Mila/om Dwi
- tante Michy, om Dade, om Dhani/Lia
- om Yaya and family
- om Budi and family
- tante Mika and family
- om Agam and family
- om Nino and family
Thanks for your very kind attention!
20th May 2009, 1.47pm, 3.76kg
"Thank you very much for all the good wishes and nice presents."
Special thanks to:
Sheila, Lesley, Fonga, Joey, Anne, Meta, Catherine, the team of midwives, doctors and nurses helped delivering baby Isaiah at Wellington Hospital.
Mom and dad's friends visited baby Isaiah at hospital:
- mama Nur, bu Kiki
- mami Dien, ka Ovy, ka Tiara
- om Yoyo
- tante Farina
- om Iqbal, tante Mercy, Abrar
- om Stewart, tante Nani, mami Keke
- oma Ally, oma Kirsty
- ayah Rahmadi, ibu Noni, Samuel
NZ govt for the free hospital facility and dad's tax credit. Lyfords for dad's 3 days leave.
Mom and dad's friends for all their best wishes through Facebook.
Most importantly, all my family:
- Oma (Manado), Yangti (Jakarta), for heaps of presents.
- Om Perry (Manado), Om Ouky & Tante Rolly/Om Joe (Jakarta) and Tante Cindy (Paris)
- All relatives: Tante Lisa, Tante Aci, Tante Iput, etc for the wishes through Facebook.
Mom and dad's friends visited baby Isaiah at home:
- aunt Coralie
- om Murdi
- oma Audrey/eyang Herry, om Adhi/tante Yanti
- bunda Afi, ka Azza, Sherine, Nadine, om Faisal, om Sammy
- oma Felly/opa Irawan, tante Myrna/om Mervin
- tante Sari & Rochelle from Pelangi Indonesia
- om Tama from Hamilton!
- mama Keke/om Aston, Ethan, Colin
- tante Erika/om Danu, Will, Nick, Bianca
- tante Dona/om Nico, Joe
- tante Indri/om Alex, Kevin
- ibu Noni/ayah Rahmadi, Samuel
- mama Nur/om Rosihan, Rachel, Ezi, ka Juwita
- tante Lita/om Budi, Arya, Aubrey
- oma Net/opa Yo
- bude Tina/om Yuri, Nanda, Rangga, Yudha
- tante Nuniek/om Ahmad, Abi, Aqif
- om Irdan/tante Wina
- tante Mila/om Dwi
- tante Michy, om Dade, om Dhani/Lia
- om Yaya and family
- om Budi and family
- tante Mika and family
- om Agam and family
- om Nino and family
Thanks for your very kind attention!
Isaiah Jozua
Praise the Lord, Haleluya!
Isaiah Jozua Kusumo Liando was born at 13:47 pm at Wellington Hospital, NZ
He weighed 3.76kg and was born with abnormality of a true knot of the umbilical cord. "Such knots are more likely to occur with abnormally long umbilical cords that may develop with increased fetal movement. Such a knot could constrict the blood vessels and lead to fetal demise/death." (source)
Big love to mom (Krisna 'Nina' Kusumo) for the great labour. Well done!
About the name
Isaiah Jozua means "salvation is God and God is salvation", emphasising a faith that God will always save us, human, in any terms and conditions. Because God is good and we are bad therefore there are some corrections need to be met from the salvation.
Isaiah means "salvation is God". (Hebrew: יְשַׁעְיָהוּ, Modern Yəšaʿyáhu Tiberian Yəšaʿăyāhû ; Greek: Ἠσαΐας, Ēsaiās ; Arabic: أشعیاء, Ash'iyā' ; "Salvation of/is YHWH")
Jozua (a Dutch variation of Joshua) means "God is salvation". (Hebrew: יהושע, "Yehoshua", meaning means "Yahweh is Salvation,")
Kusumo means a nice-scented flower from Java Indonesia, also known as Epiphyllum oxypetalum (Dutchman's Pipe).
About the blog
Nina is going to be the person who will update this blog frequently relating to baby Zay's development and interesting stories.
Isaiah's big sister Kezia also has a blog. Is it a good time to merge, Keziawatch?
Isaiah Jozua Kusumo Liando was born at 13:47 pm at Wellington Hospital, NZ
He weighed 3.76kg and was born with abnormality of a true knot of the umbilical cord. "Such knots are more likely to occur with abnormally long umbilical cords that may develop with increased fetal movement. Such a knot could constrict the blood vessels and lead to fetal demise/death." (source)Big love to mom (Krisna 'Nina' Kusumo) for the great labour. Well done!
About the name
Isaiah Jozua means "salvation is God and God is salvation", emphasising a faith that God will always save us, human, in any terms and conditions. Because God is good and we are bad therefore there are some corrections need to be met from the salvation.
Isaiah means "salvation is God". (Hebrew: יְשַׁעְיָהוּ, Modern Yəšaʿyáhu Tiberian Yəšaʿăyāhû ; Greek: Ἠσαΐας, Ēsaiās ; Arabic: أشعیاء, Ash'iyā' ; "Salvation of/is YHWH")
Jozua (a Dutch variation of Joshua) means "God is salvation". (Hebrew: יהושע, "Yehoshua", meaning means "Yahweh is Salvation,")
Kusumo means a nice-scented flower from Java Indonesia, also known as Epiphyllum oxypetalum (Dutchman's Pipe).
About the blogNina is going to be the person who will update this blog frequently relating to baby Zay's development and interesting stories.
Isaiah's big sister Kezia also has a blog. Is it a good time to merge, Keziawatch?
Liburan akhir tahun 2008
Monday, April 20, 2009
Hihihi berapa bulan sudah mommy gak update blognya kezia. Maklum yaaa ada adek baby di mommy's tummy jadi males mo ngapa2in.
Ini sekedar update aja yaaa....
Libur Natal dan Taun baru :
Kezia, mommy & daddy pergi ke Auckland. Sudah lama sekali gak menelusuri north island, jadi skrg sengaja driving dari wellington to auckland sempet istirahat di lake taupo dan tepi waikato river di hamilton .
Sampai Auckland masih terang, jadi drop tas di Motel langsung lanjut ke Devonport dan Sky Tower and having dinner di Viaduct.
Besoknya pagi-pagi ke Kelly Tarlton's and kezia soooo excited (termasuk mom & dad) krn bisa liat langsung penguin dan ikan Stingray yg besar sekali dan masih byk yg lain. Disana kira2 2 jam trus mampir ke rumah keluarga Nayoan, disana udah ada kak Irving & kak Joi. Lunch bareng dgn mereka (thank you Tante Yanti) trus ajak mereka ke Auckland Zoo...(ini memang yg ditunggu-tunggu).
Di Auckland Zoo :
Ayam & Burung merak...dua binatang yang paling bikin kezia takjub :))
Dari Auckland Zoo sudah sore dan krn besoknya kita dah mau pulang jadi daddy beli pizza byk tuk lanjut pizza party di motel dgn keluarga Nayoan sekalian farewell :XD
Besok paginya sebelum ke Airport kita jalan2 sendiri muter2 Auckland salah satunya ke Auckland Museum. Bagus juga pemandangannya. Trus lanjut deh ke Victoria Market, shopping sedikit.
Tujuan akhir sebelum ke Airport adalah lunch trus lanjut ke Rainbow's End. Yay !!!
Wuiiihhh seennnennng banget deh meskipun tidak sebagus Dufan tapi not bad lah tuk ukuran NZ ^_^
Puas di Rainbow's End, kita menuju airport deh, parkir mobil trus check in (psst mommy gak lupa borong Dunkin dulu)
Ini sekedar update aja yaaa....
Libur Natal dan Taun baru :
Kezia, mommy & daddy pergi ke Auckland. Sudah lama sekali gak menelusuri north island, jadi skrg sengaja driving dari wellington to auckland sempet istirahat di lake taupo dan tepi waikato river di hamilton .
Sampai Auckland masih terang, jadi drop tas di Motel langsung lanjut ke Devonport dan Sky Tower and having dinner di Viaduct.
Besoknya pagi-pagi ke Kelly Tarlton's and kezia soooo excited (termasuk mom & dad) krn bisa liat langsung penguin dan ikan Stingray yg besar sekali dan masih byk yg lain. Disana kira2 2 jam trus mampir ke rumah keluarga Nayoan, disana udah ada kak Irving & kak Joi. Lunch bareng dgn mereka (thank you Tante Yanti) trus ajak mereka ke Auckland Zoo...(ini memang yg ditunggu-tunggu).
Di Auckland Zoo :
Ayam & Burung merak...dua binatang yang paling bikin kezia takjub :))
Dari Auckland Zoo sudah sore dan krn besoknya kita dah mau pulang jadi daddy beli pizza byk tuk lanjut pizza party di motel dgn keluarga Nayoan sekalian farewell :XD
Besok paginya sebelum ke Airport kita jalan2 sendiri muter2 Auckland salah satunya ke Auckland Museum. Bagus juga pemandangannya. Trus lanjut deh ke Victoria Market, shopping sedikit.
Tujuan akhir sebelum ke Airport adalah lunch trus lanjut ke Rainbow's End. Yay !!!
Wuiiihhh seennnennng banget deh meskipun tidak sebagus Dufan tapi not bad lah tuk ukuran NZ ^_^
Puas di Rainbow's End, kita menuju airport deh, parkir mobil trus check in (psst mommy gak lupa borong Dunkin dulu)
Christmas Pageant
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
Tahun ini St. John's Kids mempersiapkan Christmas Pageant dengan thema : Pacifically Aotearoa.
Cukup unik dan beda karena semuanya kostumnya berciri khas Islander. Kalau tahun lalu kezia jadi angel-nya masih malu2...sekarang sudah berani tampil sendiri tanpa mommy sama sekali. Well done love...
Merry Christmas '08 and Happy New Year '09
Happy Holiday everyone...All the best.
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