Arms high and Heart abandoned

“So what can I say,
And what can I do,
But offer this heart, O God,
Completely to You…

So I’ll stand With arms high and heart abandoned
In awe of the One who gave it all.
I’ll stand, My soul Lord to You surrendered,
All I am is Yours.”

Last Sunday, our very own Youth Impact song leader, Melissa Cheah together with the Youth Impact worship team and Bro. Alvin, lead the congregation in Praise and Worship for our Sunday Service. It was an awesome time.

One song that moves me deeply was the song “The Stand by Hillsong United” (lyrics above). The song says, “I’ll stand with arms high and heart abandoned, in awe of the One who gave it all”. It is a call for complete surrender…..surrendering my live completely in the loving arm of Jesus.

The reason I am so moved with the song is because the song reflect the ultimate sacrifice that Jesus has given me. He gave His all for me. Jesus was perfect but He gave Himself up for me – an imperfect, sinful me. He gave Himself, that I may have life. Ephesians 5:1-2 - “Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.”

There is no other choice but to offer my heart completely to God. He alone deserves the highest praise and worship.

Note: Image is from http://www.christart.com/clipart/

Think differently and positively

Dear Friends,

Got this article via email from a friend. Be blessed.

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A blind boy sat on the steps of a building with a hat by his feet.
He held up a sign which said: 'I am blind, please help.'
There were only a few coins in the hat.

A man was walking by.

He took a few coins from his pocket and dropped them into the hat.

He then took the sign, turned it around, and wrote some words.

He put the sign back so that everyone who walked by would see the new words.

Soon the hat began to fill up.

A lot more people were giving money to the blind boy.

That afternoon the man who had changed the sign came to see how things were.

The boy recognized his footsteps and asked, 'Were you the one who changed my sign this morning?

What did you write?'

The man said, 'I only wrote the truth. I said what you said but in a different way.'
What he had written was: 'Today is a beautiful day and I cannot see it.'

Do you think the first sign and the second sign were saying the same thing?

Of course both signs told people the boy was blind.

But the first sign simply said the boy was blind.

The second sign told people they were so lucky that they were not blind.

Should we be surprised that the second sign was more effective?

Moral of the Story: Be thankful for what you have. Be creative. Be innovative. Think differently and positively.

God's will

Last Thursday was a very sad day for the leaders of my church when our pastor announced his decision to move as the Lord is leading him to another place yet to be determined. He is simply obeying to the still small voice of the Lord. As for me, on Thursday, I saw a real man of faith who is willing to give up every thing and prepare himself go to the unknown and knowing that the Lord will take care of him. I know it is not an easy call for him but he believes obedience is better than sacrifice.

It came as a surprise to many of the leaders. None of us wants him to leave. He has been serving our church faithfully for 17 years. For me, he is my mentor and my spiritual father. During 2.5 years in the church, he taught me a lot of things and give me the space to serve God.

The whole decision of our pastor to leave is narrowed down to one point -- following the will of God. I remember in 31 December 2005, the Lord spoke clearly to me during the watch night service that our time in Melaka is over and He told us to get ready to move to a new place. It is not easy at all especially leaving our newly purchased house, friends, a stable work with defined career path and others to a new unknown place. Trust me, it was not easy at all. But today, as I look back, I thank God for the obedience in listening to His still small voice. HE is faithful to lead us through and HIS plan and will are perfect for our lives.

George Muller, an English evangelist and philanthropist wrote an essay on the will of God. Here is what he set out to ascertain the will of God in daily basis:

• I seek at the beginning to get my heart into such a state that it has no will of its own in regard to a given matter. Nine-tenths of the trouble with people generally is just here. Nine-tenths of the difficulties are over come when our hearts are ready to do the Lord's will, whatever it may be. When one is truly in this state, it is usually but a little way to the knowledge of what His will is.

• Having done this, I do not leave the result to feeling or simple impression. If so, I make myself liable to great delusions.

• I seek the Will of the Spirit of God through, or in connection with, the Word of God. The Spirit and the Word must be combined. If I look to the Spirit alone without the Word, I lay myself open to great delusions also. If the Holy Ghost guides us at all, He will do it according to the Scriptures and never contrary to them.

• Next I take into account providential circumstances. These often plainly indicate God's Will in connection with His Word and Spirit.

• I ask God in prayer to reveal His Will to me aright.

• Thus, through prayer to God, the study of the Word, and reflection, I come to a deliberate judgment according to the best of my ability and knowledge, and if my mind is thus at peace, and continues so after two or three more petitions, I proceed accordingly. In trivial matters, and in transactions involving most important issues, I have found this method always effective.

Jesus himself taught us that knowing God's will and living in obedience to the Father's will is the key to life abundance. We are his clay and He is our potter. As we surrender to His will, He will shape us to be more Christ-like. So surrender your life daily and spent time at the feet of Jesus. Be blessed.

‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ declared the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future’ - Jeremiah 29:11

Leaving a Legacy

In life, one thing is certain - DEATH. What we don’t know is the date, time and how it will happen but death is certain. Life & death is in the hands of the Mighty One. When our time is up, He will call us back to be with Him.

Having said that, we are still responsible on how we live the life that God has entrusted to us. Recently, I receive a message from my sister informing me that a pastor whom I know passed away suddenly. He is just in his early 40’s. A great man of God. A man who is so passionate about God. We may think what a premature death but this man has done so much for the Lord. His wake service had over 300 friends and church members giving their last respect. During the funeral service, I was told that many people come up and give eulogy about this man of God and what he has done. I have been to wake service where there are hardly 25 people and hardly anything was said about the deceased.

Someone once said that when we die, we leave our inheritance and one of the inheritances is our legacy. Proverbs 13:22 says "A good man leaves an inheritance for his children’s children."

A legacy is something significant, but not usually tangible; valuable, but not always visible. We need to ask ourselves today whether in our action, in our response or in our service, we are leaving any footprints in people’s lives. Of course footprints here is referring to the good things that we leave behind. Some may end up leaving a negative legacy and the world rejoice on their demise.

The Apostle Paul talks about legacy in II Timothy 1:1-7 when he told Timothy “I am reminded of your sincere faith, a faith that lived first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice and now, I am sure, lives in you”. Timothy was the beneficiary of a generational legacy of faith – a devout faith that was alive in his mother and, before that, in her mother. Eunice and Lois left a lasting legacy of faith that shaped their son and grandson in a vital and eternal way.

What kind of lasting legacy will we leave for our children and grandchildren? By the grace of God, may it be a positive legacy that will build others.

Youth Imapct Rocks!!!

An excellent poster designed by Cui Lin (http://alwayscuilin.blogspot.com/)

Ten Commandments of Human Relations

I received this article via email today and I believe it is something valuable to share to my friends. It talks about the Golden Rule in Human Relations based on Matthew 7:12. We easily get hurt by people in many ways. Matthew 7:12 share about the way how the Word of God instruct us to live in the context of Human Relation.
Be blessed.

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Ten Commandments of Human Relations, by Rubel Shelly

The fundamental issue in human ethical behavior is summarized by Jesus in what we have come to call "The Golden Rule." Jesus put it this way:

So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets (Matthew 7:12 TNIV).

It asks us to test our treatment of others by putting ourselves in their place. Treat others the way you would want them to treat you in the same or similar circumstance.

Somebody took that principle and translated it into Ten Commandments of Human Relations. You may have seen this anonymous piece, for it circulates in a variety of settings. In case you have missed it, I am reproducing it here.

1. Speak to people. There is nothing as nice as a cheerful word of greeting.


2. Smile at people. It takes 72 muscles to frown, only 14 to smile.


3. Call people by name. It is music to anyone's ears to hear the sound of his or her name.


4. Be friendly and helpful.


5. Be cordial. Speak and act as if everything you do is genuinely a pleasure. If it isn't, learn to make it so.


6. Be genuinely interested in people. You can like almost anyone, if you try.


7. Be generous with praise, cautious with criticism.


8. Be considerate of the feelings of others. There are usually three sides to a controversy -- yours, the other fellow's, and the correct one.


9. Be alert to serve. What counts most in life is what you do for others.


10. Live with a good sense of humor, a generous dose of patience, and a dash of humility appropriate to being human.

Made in God's image, all of us have something to be valued!

The great challenge in human experience is not work skills, but people skills. That is, research has shown that the majority of people who fail in their vocation do so because they cannot get along with people.

You might think through the meaning of these ten common-sense ideas for your own workplace and personal activity. But what about the larger setting for your daily life? These principles work everywhere you go, for they are about showing respect to the people you meet in all those
places.

Made in God's image, all of us have something to be valued, affirmed, and acknowledged by others. But let it begin with us to acknowledge it in them. As the cycle of giving and receiving enlarges, the human community comes alive.

A Grateful Heart

Developing an attitude of gratitude in all situations is not an easy task. It is easy to be grateful during good times but it is always a challenge to demonstrate gratefulness in difficult moments.

The Bible tells us in 1 Thessalonians 5:18: “In everything give thanks; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus”. Take note that the scripture says “IN EVERYTHING”. It talks about in good times and in bad times. Then the verse go one and stress that it is the “WILL” of God. So if you are seeking for the will of God in a situation, this is the word for you....GIVE THANKS.

A grateful heart will lead to happiness. To develop an attitude of gratitude is a choice one has to decide. It is a choice that we make on how we respond towards a situation. Abraham Lincoln said “I reckon a man is about as happy as he sets himself out to be”.

Happiness is a product of gratefulness. You can choose to be grateful... and happiness will follow.

Anger Management

There are many possible reasons for anger outbursts. A generally high level of stress is one good reason. Anger can burst merely by simple triggers: angry if there's no milk in the fridge, angry if you forget something, angry if someone doesn't say yes to all your requests, that kind of thing.

Someone once said, a match stick has a head but not a brain. How true it is to reflect a state of person when they are in uncontrollable anger situation.

According to American Psychological Association website, “Anger is a completely normal, usually healthy, human emotion. But when it gets out of control and turns destructive, it can lead to problems—problems at work, in your personal relationships, and in the overall quality of your life. And it can make you feel as though you're at the mercy of an unpredictable and powerful emotion”

I believe the Bible has the answer for all life’s question. In Ephesians 4:26-27, Paul says “In your anger do not sin": Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold.”

Paul was quoting Psalms 4:4 when he says, “In your anger do not sin”. James wrote in James 1:19-20, “My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, for man's anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires.”

Oh well, being a human, it is normal for us to be angry but we need to be always on guard with our anger. Let not our anger in-turn used by the devil for its own advantage.

Anger is not good for health. Anger is "an emotional state that varies in intensity from mild irritation to intense fury and rage," according to Charles Spielberger, PhD, a psychologist who specializes in the study of anger. Like other emotions, it is accompanied by physiological and biological changes; when you get angry, your heart rate and blood pressure go up, as do the levels of your energy hormones and adrenaline.

The wisdom writer writes in Proverbs 29:11: "A fool gives full vent to his anger, but a wise man keeps himself under control".

So next time when you are angry, remember the match stick quote.

Flying High

Last week, I was in KL for a business trip. I took the opportunity to fly with Firefly, a one year old community based airline. Although I heard a lot of negative feedback on Firefly especially on their frequency for delays, I decided to give it a try. My experience with them was positive. Both of my flight was on-time and there was no delay. In fact I had the pleasure to travel with their new ATR 72 twin-turboprop propeller based aircraft. Surprisingly the noise level from the engine is pretty low. One advice is always ask for a seat at the back of the plane. You can get down faster as the aircraft main exit door is located at the rear site of the plane.

It was a nostalgic moment for me when the aircraft landed at Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport in Subang. I remember using the airport when I was traveling to New Zealand for my studies in the mid 90's. Subang Airport used to be the main international airport for Malaysia before being taken over by KLIA in 1998.

I recall a lot of sweet & painful memories. I remember the pain I have to go through in order for me to continue my studies in New Zealand. It is not easy at all to raise the fund. Only by God's grace, I am able to have the means to study there. I still remember the miracle of His provision. He is indeed Jehovah Jireh, the Lord who provides.

Back to Subang airport, the airport is going through some major renovation work. The current condition is not so conducive especially poor air-conditioning.

As for Firefly, the crew live up to their name as a community airline. I am pretty impressed with their friendliness and excellent service. Good job to the Firefly team.

Giving your very best

Jacques Barzun, an eminent French-born American scholar and educator once said “In teaching you cannot see the fruit of a day's work. It is invisible and remains so, maybe for twenty years”. There is so much truth in his statement and I am a living example of it.

There are many great teachers in St. Thomas Secondary School, Kuantan (class of 1987-1991) who has mold me into someone today. Names like Mr. Moore, Mr. Tan, Mrs. Khoo, Mrs. Lim and others are still fresh in my mind.

Today, my article is about one of them who have played a pivotal role in my last two years in St. Thomas. She is a teacher who has impacted a lot in my life simply by her humbleness and desire to give her very best to her students. Madam Chee Poh Kiem (I am so used to address her as Ms. Chee) was our English and Geography teacher at St. Thomas. She is always prepared and ready to answer our questions. As a student, it is easy to know whether a teacher is prepared or not prepared simply by observing the subject delivery.

One subject that I struggle to appreciate was Geography. It was simply because I am not able to visualize some of the terms used like frost when we were studying on North America. Living in a tropical country, many of us are not able to understand except for some of the boys who have been to overseas. At that time, our family had very limited means even to appreciate things outside of our town. Kuantan was my world. Add to that agony, we don’t even have a TV set at home to watch any documentary. But Ms. Chee will go the extra mile to prepare additional notes and teaching material to give us a clearer picture. She was my living National Geography channel. I learn about the world through her teaching. When my SPM result comes out, I was so thankful to God and Ms. Chee for helping me to obtain a strong credit for Geography.

Ms. Chee is a faithful believer of the Almighty God. She lived a Christ like lifestyle in school. Trust me, it is not easy to be a teacher in all-boys school. She ensured the needs of her students are met and giving her best in the profession the Lord has placed her in.

I am so blessed to read an article about her on The Star published on 27 May 2007 in conjunction with the Teacher’s Day Celebration. In the article, she said that it is her calling to be a teacher. How true it is. Some of us are called into the market place ministry where we serve God as teachers, engineers, doctors, adjusters, bankers and the list goes on.

I was searching for her contacts for a long time till last month when I met someone who had her mobile phone number. It was a joy to be in contact with her again.

Ms. Chee, thank you so much for investing in my life. I truly believe God has brought you to St. Thomas for many purpose but one of it is to mold me especially on how to give my very best in whatever thing I do.

Ephesians 1:16 - I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers.

Teaching Children using Object Lesson

Object Lesson has been a very effective way of teaching young people. They help to make our teachings come to life in a visual way, making what we have to say easier to both understand & remember. More than just a visual, an object lesson draws a truth from something we are showing or doing.

Do you know that God Jehovah himself use it to bring a point across to His children? One good example is how God ask Jeremiah to go the Potter’s house and showed him the process of making pot using clay and then delivered the message.

Jeremiah 18:1-6:
This is the word that came to Jeremiah from the LORD: "Go down to the potter's house, and there I will give you my message." So I went down to the potter's house, and I saw him working at the wheel. But the pot he was shaping from the clay was marred in his hands; so the potter formed it into another pot, shaping it as seemed best to him. Then the word of the LORD came to me: "O house of Israel, can I not do with you as this potter does?" declares the LORD. "Like clay in the hand of the potter, so are you in my hand, O house of Israel.


Jesus Himself taught using object lessons. Jesus often used the objects at hand around Him to teach people about God and His Kingdom. When He was by a well, He used water. After He fed 5000 people, He taught them about the bread of life.

Object lesson is not just for children alone. It can be used for youth and adults too.

So make your teaching deliverable fun though object lesson.

Anyway, the boy in the picture above is Caleb. He is so cute and adorable.

Noise

We are living in a world that is full of noise and clamor. It is interesting to note that many especially the younger generation are adapting to it so well until they can't live without noise. One good example is when you observe youngster doing their studies. Almost 70% of then need some sort of music being played while they are studying.

These noise that is derived externally and also internally is slowly robing us away from listening to His still small voice. In the midst of busyness and life's struggle, we fail to recognize that He still speaks to us today.

Psalms 46:10 says " Be still and know that I am God" Be still here may refer to "be relaxed", "let go and let God" or "be emotionally calm". It is a call to surrender our struggle to Jesus. Jesus said "Come unto me all who are weary and burdened, I shall give you rest" (Matt: 11:28).

We need to find time to be still with God. Jesus during his earthly ministry have shown us that He himself spend time in isolation to commune with the Father. Richard Parrot puts it into perspective on silence before God. He said "Silence is not the absence of sound as much as it is an attitude of your heart. There is a silence that pushes aside complaining, negative words of the world in order to hear the positive word of God"

So if the noises around you is unbearable, find a quite moment with Lord. Be still and know that He is God.

Be blessed.

Prayer for the Nation

Almighty God, Who has given us this good land for our heritage; We humbly beseech Thee that we may always prove ourselves a people mindful of Thy favor and glad to do Thy will. Bless our land with honorable ministry, sound learning, and pure manners.Save us from violence, discord, and confusion, from pride and arrogance, and from every evil way. Defend our liberties, and fashion into one united people, the multitude brought hither out of many kindreds and tongues. Endow with Thy spirit of wisdom those whom in Thy name we entrust the authority of government, that there may be justice and peace at home, and that through obedience to Thy law, we may show forth Thy praise among the nations of the earth. In time of prosperity fill our hearts with thankfulness, and in the day of trouble, suffer not our trust in Thee to fail; all of which we ask through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.


Thomas Jefferson | Source: From "A National Prayer for Peace," an address given in Washington D.C., March 4, 1801

What would Jesus Do?

Today, racist remarks are made openly without any fear or respect to each other. Recently, I watch a documentary in a paid TV channel on racial genocide carried out in an African country couple of years ago. My heart burst into tears when I see the cruelty mankind can do to one another under the context of racial difference.

I turn to my Bible to look for an answer. Like in all matters of life, when we need the Truth, the real answers, we have to go to our final authority in all matters, the Bible.

The book of Galatians 3:28 says “There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” This passage gives a clear indication, that in Christ we are all called the children of God. In his book, In Peace with God, Billy Graham stated that "When true Christians look at other people, they see no color, nor class, nor condition, but simply human beings with the same longings, needs and aspirations as our own."

The Bible (both the Old and New Testaments) say that God shows no partiality, but judges with complete justice. Likewise, Jesus showed no partiality. By example, we are also told to show no partiality, but treat everyone fairly.

During Jesus ministry on earth, the Samaritans being treated badly. They were hated by the Jews. The Jews despised the region of Samaria which is located 42 miles north of Jerusalem. In fact, they will avoid Samaria and take alternate and more difficult route when they travel between Galilee and Judea.

For your info, Samaritans were Jews who later intermarried with Gentiles. The intermarriage created a mixed race in the eye of first century Jew. Thus, the pure Jew in Jesus 'day hated this mixed race called Samaritans, feeling that they had betrayed their people and their nation.

Jesus did not despise Samaritans. The bible recorded many accounts of Jesus passing Samaria and performing miracle among Samaritans. Jesus healed a Samaritan leper (Luke 17:16). He in fact honored Samaritan for his kindness (Luke 10:30-37), and preached to the Samaritans (John 4:40-42). Jesus even challenged His disciples to go to Samaria and He rebuked his disciples when they once asked of the Samaritans, "Lord, do you want us to call fire down from heaven to destroy them?" (Luke 9:54-55)

Jesus told us, "As I have loved you so you must love one another," (John 13-.34). Jesus showed us through his ministry on earth that Christian love did not recognize race.

So in conclusion, people may have white skin, black skin, brown skin, yellow skin, red skin, or any other color skin, they may have different ethnic backgrounds, but they are all part of the same race, the human race! We all originated from the first creation, Great Grandpa Adam and Great Grandma Eve. The Bible says that ALL MEN are created in the image of God. I pray when we look at others, we will see them from the eyes of Jesus.

Have a great weekend and God Bless.

Faithful God

Each one of us has our own favorite song that speaks to our heart. For the past couple of months, the song O Faithful God by Mark Altrogge has been my inspiration. There is so much truth about God’s faithfulness in that song. As I sing, there is such a longing and adoration for my Mighty One. Looking back, He has been so faithful in my life. How can I pay back all His goodness in my life? I can only praise Him and give Him all the reverence.

Lord, you are indeed a faithful God. No matter what is the situation, you are always beside me. You are indeed a faithful God.

If you are going through challenges in your life, take courage my friend and know that He is a faithful God.

O Faithful God
Words and music by Mark Altrogge
As recorded on I Stand In Awe

I will praise You all my life
I will sing to You with my whole heart
I will trust in You
My hope and my help
My Maker and my faithful God

O faithful God
My faithful God
You lift me up
And you up hold my cause
You give me life
You dry my eyes
You’re always near
You’re a faithful God

1 Thessalonians 5:24 - Faithful is He who calls you, and He also will bring it to pass.

2 Thessalonians 3:3 - But the Lord is faithful, and He will strengthen and protect you from the evil one.

Deuteronomy 7:9 - Know therefore that the LORD your God, He is God, the faithful God, who keeps His covenant and His lovingkindness to a thousandth generation with those who love Him and keep His commandments;

Rangers Sedia!!!!

Royal Rangers Melaka #1 is a ministry that is always close to my heart. It is a real joy to see young boys and girls who grow through the part and parcel of this ministry and become great man and woman of God. I rejoice in the Lord to see the ministry growing over the years. Having been personally served in RR Melaka #1, I have grown in my own spiritual walk especially learning from the simple faith of a child.

In today’s blog, I want to share about two precious Rangers whom I have seen them growing in this ministry in Melaka #1.


First of all, let me introduce you, Outpost Commander Bryan Lee. Cmdr. Bryan Lee has been involved in the RR ministry since his tender age. I have personally seen him growing both spiritually and in leadership over the years. His father would faithfully send him for RR meeting every week and without fail, he would thank the Commanders. In my last two years in Melaka, Bryan Lee was my Junior Commander in Adventure Rangers group. He has been a faithful assistant and been a great help. I am so proud to hear positive feedback about this fine young man. Today, he is the Outpost Commander for the Adventure Ranger’s group in Melaka. I rejoice to see him taking the baton from me in leading the Adventure Ranger group into a new height. Despite his busy university schedule, he still commits his time and energy to serve the Master Ranger. In fact I was told that he took the leadership to organize the recent DARE 2008 RR Melaka #1 Camp. Good job Cmdr. Bryan. I am proud of you. I hope to see you one day as the Senior Commander of Melaka #1. May the richest of God’s blessing be upon you.


Secondly, let me share with you about another fine ranger, Expedition Ranger Stefanie Sim. I had the pleasure of being Stefanie’s commander for many years and had the privilege of seeing her growing from her younger days to her teenage days. I still remember her days in Buckaroos (the youngest age group in RR). Today, I rejoice together will all the commanders and rangers of Melaka #1 to see Stefanie being awarded the highest award a ranger can achieve in RR….the Gold Medal of Achievement (GMA). Stefanie has been working hard on the GMA requirement for many years and finally she managed to go through the GMA interview and was awarded the GMA. In fact, Stefanie is the first GMA recipients in the entire RR Southern District of Malaysia. Stefanie is also active in sports especially in fencing. She represented the state of Melaka in the last SUKMA game. Stephanie, thank you for making Melaka #1 proud. Understand from the leaders in Melaka #1 that Stefanie is now being promoted to Junior Commander. Stefanie, continue to serve the Master Ranger with all your heart and shine for Jesus in all your ways.

Lastly, I want to honor all the Commanders of RR Melaka #1 namely (alphabatical order) Cmdr. Errol Gan, Cmdr. Ivan Foo, Cmdr Jason Chiew, Cmdr. Jessica Han Cmdr. Steven Chia…and not forgetting the other present and past commanders for your faithfulness in serving the Master Ranger. The Lord will reward your faithfulness.

Life's Journey

Life is Journey and Not a Destination. How true it is especially for us who knows that there is more to life and our ultimate destination in our Christian walk is to be seated beside our Master and giving Him all the praise and worship.

Looking back on my own life, it is indeed an interesting journey. My life's journey has brought me to various places for both short term and long term. Along the way, we make new friends, we learn about people and above all, we reflect on the goodness of our Mighty One. One thing I observe, the Lord is faithful and gracious to lead us along this life's journey. Of course, it is never filled with bed of roses throughout the journey. There are hurdles and storms that we have to face and overcome in this journey of life but the Lord is faithful. "Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord and has made the Lord his hope and confidence - Jeremiah 17:7"

Today if you are going through some rough seas or a tough road ahead, do take courage that the Lord is on your side. He is a faithful God. Jeremiah 29:11 - "I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."

A world turning insane

Recently I read about an advertisement published in the May 30,2008 edition of Entertainment Weekly that states "Sharing is A Nice Gesture. Stupid But Nice". What an insane tag line. I wonder what is the world turning itself into. Since childhood, our parents reminded us on the importance of sharing as a great virtue. But the world is now teaching our children to be selfish via magazines advert and other media.

The advert looks harmless but the words may change the mindset of the readers especially the young one. We need to be always on-guard. As I always tell my friends, the world is ever ready to teach our children it's own corrupt ways. We need to be every ready to educate our children especially in the ways of God.

"Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven . . . For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also"(Matthew 6:19-21).

Flood in Penang

We had a heavy downpour on Saturday starting about 9.00 till late night. Some places in Penang was flooded. Have never seen such heavy rain for sometime. I guess the global climate change has taken its affect in our land. I know a friend of mine was so worried that her flight would be cancelled. Of course her partner was hoping that the runaway is flooded.

Talking about rain & flood, I am reminded about the great man of the Bible called Noah. If it were not for one righteous man Noah, God would have destroyed everything. "This race of men whom I have created, I will wipe them off the face of the earth--man and beast, reptiles and birds. I am sorry that I ever made them." (Gen.6: 7)

After the flood, God made a covenant with Noah. The Noahic covenant is God's promise to never send a flood again. "I will make my covenant with you: never again shall all living creatures be destroyed by the waters of the flood, never again shall there be a flood to lay waste the earth." (Gen.9: 11)

The Noahic covenant is a covenant of love. God recognizes our shortcomings as a race. Because of a few who are righteous, God promises to keep the earth going in continuity from season to season and year to year. The rainbow reminds us of God's promise and His care. No matter how bad things get, God will never destroy us through a flood.

But above all, be reminded that His return is near. So get to know Him today.

Fellowship Among Brethren

Fellowship among brethren is important....Do you agree with me?

Yesterday we went out with a group of our good buddies for dinner fellowship to celebrate the goodness of God in our "friends" life....which is an outcome from project codename "Ops Cantum". You may be asking...what outcome!!....ah!!ah!!...that is for me to know and for you to find out.

Fellowship comes from the Greek word "Koinonia". Koinonia is used nineteen times in the New Testament and in addition to being translated as “fellowship” it is also translated by the words, “contribution,” “sharing,” and “participation.” A close study of the usage of this word shows that action is always included in its meaning. Fellowship, you see, is not just being together, it is doing together! In Acts 2:42 we read that one of the four things the early church devoted itself to was “fellowship.” Fellowship was a very important part of their reason for meeting together. It was one of their objectives.

Anyway, we had a good meal at a "new found" restaurant called "Kucing Jalanan"...stop googling for this restaurant. Only the eleven of us knows this term. Then we went on for bowling. We had a fun filled evening especially seeing one of our good friend guiding someone on the "correct" way of bowling. Most of us did well....a minimum of 1 strike in the course of our 2 games session and not forgetting a minimum of X (don't want to reveal the number) for cleaning the drain.

Later we proceed for the good old "teh tarik" cum supper session. Our fellowship ended at 1.15 a.m......if there is no other commitment the next morning, we might have continue till the wee hours.

During the supper, we have this so called the "Pronounce Blessing" session.....Please don't think of us as a new cult group or etc.....the name behind this activities has profound meaning. It was impromptu but we shared our heart out to relevant parties. Anyway, we officially started a new project called "Ops Meminang" last night.

Key to fellowship is relationship. So, if you are felling lonely in your Christian walk, first learn to have a vertical relationship with our Mighty One and then look for some Christian brethren (especially who are in the same wave length with you)to establish your horizontal relationship. Trust me, it is good to fellowship and spend time with your fellow Christian brethren.

Have a great weekend and be blessed. Shalom!!!

Psalm 133:1 - Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity.

Difference between Love and Lust

Last Saturday, Rev. Geoffrey Yee ask the youth an interesting question. What is difference between Love and Lust? Many were stunt for a moment and then he goes on to give the key difference which I feel it is important that I share with my blog readers.

Love is putting the needs of others a head of your wants.

Lust is putting your wants ahead of the needs of others.

I want to add an additional point to his point.

Love builds but Lust destroys.

In my walk of life, I have seen many compromise their Christian faith especially in the area of Boy-Girl relationship. It is important for us to assess our partners. Questions like, "Is the person loving me because who I am or is the person loving because what I have (money, body, fame,...)?", need to be addressed before we enter into any serious relationship. Of course, we also need to look at the word of God especially in this topic of finding a life partner. Many times, our emotion take control of ourselves when we enter into a relationship. This causes the failure to check on the motif of our partner. For goodness sake, please do not enter into relationship just out of feelings. Seek the Lord. Someone told me that she prayed, fasted and seek the Lord for 1 month before entering into a relationship.

I pray that the Lord will give all of us wisdom in this area and that He will protects us from the snare of the evil one especially in this last days.

John 10:10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.

A GOD who looks deep into our heart

This morning, I was reflecting the word of God in Jeremiah 16 and Jeremiah 17. The following verse speaks to me a lot especially taking into consideration of the events that is taking place around us. Jeremiah 17: 5-10 says:

"5 Thus says the Lord: Cursed [with great evil] is the strong man who trusts in and relies on frail man, making weak [human] flesh his arm, and whose mind and heart turn aside from the Lord.

6 For he shall be like a shrub or a person naked and destitute in the desert; and he shall not see any good come, but shall dwell in the parched places in the wilderness, in an uninhabited salt land.

7 [Most] blessed is the man who believes in, trusts in, and relies on the Lord, and whose hope and confidence the Lord is.

8 For he shall be like a tree planted by the waters that spreads out its roots by the river; and it shall not see and fear when heat comes; but its leaf shall be green. It shall not be anxious and full of care in the year of drought, nor shall it cease yielding fruit.

9 The heart is deceitful above all things, and it is exceedingly perverse and corrupt and severely, mortally sick! Who can know it [perceive, understand, be acquainted with his own heart and mind]?

10 I the Lord search the mind, I try the heart, even to give to every man according to his ways, according to the fruit of his doings."

Recently, the news of the two great men of God revealing their deep sins shocked the world. One of them is well known to my youth group. Many of them admire him and his capability. His revelation shocked many of us. As I read through the above verses, in the last days, our focus and attention need to be diverted to the Lord and not merely on man. Remember man can fail us but God will never ever fail us. The Lord told Jeremiah to believe, trust and relies of the Lord. Do you notice the emphasis the Mighty One is giving us……believe, trust and relies…...and on top of that He tells us to put our hope and confidence in Him.

So today, let us put our hope and confidence, our trust on Him alone and let us be like a tree planted by the waters for we know that the river of God will water us even during the time of trials and temptation.

Be blessed and stay strong for the day of the Lord is near.

Jalan-Jalan Cari Makan

Last Monday, we took advantage of the public holiday to travel to Perak and visit some interesting food outlets. Together with BA, Jessy and Darien “SupLim”, we started our journey at 9.30 a.m. Our first stop is at a small ex-mining town called Kampar.

Kampar is well known for it’s Chicken Biscuit and the ultimate Curry Chicken Bun, which is suppose to be a signature dish in this small town. Chicken curry is wrapped up in a greaseproof paper and then baked in a bun. To eat this bun, one has to cut through the bun and unwrap the precious package. The curry is creamy and extremely tasty, and by this stage, this chicken would have absorbed the flavors of the spices. What bliss to dip the pieces of bread into the curry and savor the tasty morsels! I have tried Chicken curry bun in various places in Malaysia but my vote will go for Kampar Chicken Curry Bun. It is simply the best!!!

Our next stop was Tanjung Tualang. Tanjung Tualang is a town well known for its fresh water prawns and its seafood offerings. We ordered some butter prawn, teochew steamed cat fish, chicken cooked in rice wine and a vegetable dish for our lunch. The prawns are locally bred in the Tanjung Tualang area. The chicken dish is unique. It is my first attempt such a style of cooking.
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On the way back to Penang, we stopped at Ipoh to try out the Ipoh Bean Curd. Though we are tempted to try the famous Ipoh Taugeh Chicken, our stomach has not much room left. Maybe the next trip, we will try it.

Our trip ended with a dinner at Chai Leng Park, Butterworth food stall. We went for Fish Head Curry (my favourite) and Leng Chi Kang (a local desert).

Malaysia is a land full of adventure. There are so many beautiful and interesting places. Every time I visit a new place, I am marveled with the works of the Mighty One. This land Malaysia is indeed a blessed land. Thank you God for placing us in Malaysia.

MERDEKA

31^st August 2008 will mark the 51 years of independence for Malaysia. Being a child born after the Independence, I may not be able to appreciate independence as patriotic as my parents. But this doesn’t mean that I am not loyal towards my beloved nation, Malaysia. I give my loyalty to Malaysia and to my King. I believe in the Principe of Rukun Negara.

Every time I read an article about the struggles of our founding fathers and not forgetting mothers too, my salute goes to them. They are the men and women….big or small…. yellow, brown or black….. who hunger for freedom and fight for it. They are men and women who did not see color, race or religion but fought for one purpose that is for freedom from the colonial masters.

How I wish today, we still have the same charisma and desire as our founding fathers, Tunku Abdul Rahman, Tun Tan Cheng Lock and Tun V.T Sambanthan.

How I wish to see a one Malaysia where people are respected because they are Malaysian and not segregated by race, gender and religion.

How I wish that each one of us is addressed as Malaysian and not as Malay, Chinese, Indian, Iban and ……

My wish for Hari Merdeka is that this nation will be united again with the true Merdeka spirit and will rise up to be a great nation.

Selamat Hari Merdeka to all Malaysian.