Author Archives: Ronnie Lim

The Berlin Wall

https://odb.org/2023/12/22/a-wall-torn-down The Berlin Wall fell on 9 November 1989 and was a historical event unimaginable then. I remember thinking how impossible it was, and yet it happened. Two years later, in 1991, the Soviet Union collapsed. The difference was that with the fall of the Berlin Wall, East and West Germany were genuinely reunited. ButContinue reading “The Berlin Wall”

Christmas memories

https://odb.org/2023/12/21/the-light-of-hope I recall that as a family, we used to celebrate Christmas even when we were yet true believers. We had always identified ourselves as Christians even though we knew very little of the faith then. So we will set up the Christmas tree, my father will buy and wrap up presents and my mumContinue reading “Christmas memories”

Forgetting what’s behind

https://odb.org/2023/12/20/forgettable Isaiah 43:25 speaks of God forgetting the sins of Israel and Judah. He remembers them no more. In verses 18 and 19, He urges them to forget the former things, not to dwell in the past. Instead, see that the LORD is doing a new thing amongst them. As humans and even believers, weContinue reading “Forgetting what’s behind”

Wrestling with God

https://odb.org/2023/12/19/the-meaning-of-a-scar The story of Jacob wrestling with God in Genesis 32:22-32 was a breakthrough that changed Jacob from a cunning and conniving man (who tricked his father Isaac to give to him the blessings of his brother Esau) to one who prevailed in persistence. Jacob named the place he wrestled with God as Peniel becauseContinue reading “Wrestling with God”

Our God is near

https://odb.org/2023/12/18/my-god-is-near I think if we are facing some major crisis or an important exam or presentation like a board meeting or a performance like singing in an event or preaching in church, it is difficult not to be anxious. We are anxious because we are worried that things will not be smooth or will notContinue reading “Our God is near”

Christmas gathering

https://odb.org/2023/12/17/christmas-dilemma Most of us would usually be busy in church when the Christmas season comes. There will be lots of activities and lots to do as most churches gear up for their main evangelistic event of the year, for some the finale to cap the year. This year, my family and I are not involvedContinue reading “Christmas gathering”

Equal before God

https://odb.org/2023/12/15/equal-before-god Life is never equal for everyone. I used to wonder and even lament why I was born in Malaysia to ethnic Chinese parents (with Baba Nyonya blood in my mum’s side) where we faced institutional discrimination from when we were young. They say the Chinese are rich, but we were certainly not. Until theContinue reading “Equal before God”

Be still and know that I am God

https://odb.org/2023/12/14/appetite-for-distraction In the present world of mobile apps, we spend an inordinate amount of time on our phone or tablet, just browsing, whether on social media, YouTube, or just catching the news. This is particularly so with the younger generation so much so that pay TV as a business model is now well past itsContinue reading “Be still and know that I am God”

Perseverance triumph trials and tribulations

https://odb.org/2023/12/13/overcoming The story of Anne Sullivan, the subject matter of today’s ODB, bears similarities to Joseph son of Jacob of the Bible. Despite one misfortune after another, they prevailed in the end. In the case of Anne, she developed a method to teach deaf and blind people how to read, especially Helen Keller, a well-knownContinue reading “Perseverance triumph trials and tribulations”