Veritas Vos Liberabit - "The Truth shall set you free"

Warning Lights

2009-12-14T14:56:00.005+08:00

“ “Now, therefore,” says the Lord, “Turn to Me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning.” —Joel 2:12 ”

I didn’t think that the hesitation in my car engine and that little yellow “check engine” light on my dashboard really needed my immediate attention. I sang it away, saying that I would get to it tomorrow. However, the next morning when I turned the key to start my car, it wouldn’t start. My first reaction was frustration, knowing that this would mean money, time, and inconvenience. My second thought was more of a resolution: I need to pay attention to warning lights that are trying to get my attention—they can mean something is wrong.

In Joel 2:12-17, we read that God used the prophet Joel to encourage His people to pay attention to the warning light on their spiritual dashboard. Prosperity had caused them to become complacent and negligent in their commitment to the Lord. Their faith had degenerated into empty formalism and their lives into moral bankruptcy. So God sent a locust plague to ruin crops in order to get His people’s attention, causing them to change their behavior and turn to Him with their whole heart.

What warning lights are flashing in your life? What needs to be tuned up or repaired through confession and repentance? — Marvin Williams

God’s love is not some fuzzy thing
That lets us do what we think best;
It guides and warns, and shows the way,
And always puts us to the test. —D. De Haan

Conviction is God’s warning light.

Extract from : Our Daily Bread

The Great Life

2009-12-14T14:52:00.003+08:00

December 14, 2009

Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled . . . —John 14:27

Whenever we experience something difficult in our personal life, we are tempted to blame God. But we are the ones in the wrong, not God. Blaming God is evidence that we are refusing to let go of some disobedience somewhere in our lives. But as soon as we let go, everything becomes as clear as daylight to us. As long as we try to serve two masters, ourselves and God, there will be difficulties combined with doubt and confusion. Our attitude must be one of complete reliance on God. Once we get to that point, there is nothing easier than living the life of a saint. We encounter difficulties when we try to usurp the authority of the Holy Spirit for our own purposes.

God’s mark of approval, whenever you obey Him, is peace. He sends an immeasurable, deep peace; not a natural peace, "as the world gives," but the peace of Jesus. Whenever peace does not come, wait until it does, or seek to find out why it is not coming. If you are acting on your own impulse, or out of a sense of the heroic, to be seen by others, the peace of Jesus will not exhibit itself. This shows no unity with God or confidence in Him. The spirit of simplicity, clarity, and unity is born through the Holy Spirit, not through your decisions. God counters our self-willed decisions with an appeal for simplicity and unity.

My questions arise whenever I cease to obey. When I do obey God, problems come, not between me and God, but as a means to keep my mind examining with amazement the revealed truth of God. But any problem that comes between God and myself is the result of disobedience. Any problem that comes while I obey God (and there will be many), increases my overjoyed delight, because I know that my Father knows and cares, and I can watch and anticipate how He will unravel my problems.

Extracted from : Today's My Utmost For His Highest

Reasons People Go to Church

2009-11-04T17:36:00.000+08:00

You can do a search of the internet and find lots of information about the excuses people give for not attending church. Some of the most common excuses seem to be that the worship services are boring, the beliefs of churches and the person has other commitments.

Some religious leaders have taken these excuses and applied them to other things. One such leader made a list of reasons why he was giving up eating based on what he considered to be the most common excuses for not attending church. Another religious leader made a list of reasons he was giving up sports based on the same list of excuses. Someone once made a list of ways that a church could eliminate all of the excuses by providing recliners and cots, etc for the people who attend.

While all of these can seem comical to people who attend on a regular basis and there may be some truth to the belief that people are offering poor excuses for not attending church, I do not find the tactic of making fun of the excuses to be very helpful. I doubt the infrequent and non-attendees are insulted by the remarks of these individuals and may find the remarks comical as well, but it is not likely that a person will start attending church after hearing or reading a comical critique of their excuses. At the best such a person will just keep doing what he is doing, which is not attending church. At the worst a person might add the excuse of being made fun of to his list of reasons he does not attend church.

I think that, when all of the excuses are analyzed, you will find that all of the excuses boil down to one word, "priority". Everyone has a list of priories that governs their actions, but many people have not considered what their priories are. Some people use different sets of priorities from day to day or hour to hour. Many people will say that God must come first, so the list of priorities for a person who is active in church might look like this:

God
Family
Church
Country
Self
Work

For some people the list of priorities might look like this:

Family
Self
Work
Country
God/Church

Or like this:

Family/Work
Self
God/Church
Country

There are other things that could be on the list and there are many possible orderings of the list, but let's consider the lists I have provided. You will notice that in none of the lists have self in the number one position. While it is possible that a person will place himself before all other things, most people place a higher priority on something and in my unprofessional opinion people who place themselves as the first priority in their lives are either insane or soon will be.

You will notice that in the first list I placed God first and church third, but in the others I combined God and church. Some people equate God and church. Doing so can lead to problems because it necessitates moving God from the position he deserves to a position that is below the things a person considers to be a higher priority than church involvement. Some people equate working to provide for their family with family. This may, though not always, lead to a person spending more time at work and less with his family.

A person who places God first in his life will naturally attend church on a regular basis because God has commanded Christians to continue to assemble ourselves. He will also be involved in other ways as God leads him. The order of the other priorities for such a person is not as important because God wants the best for us and if we put God's will first in our life then everything else will fall into place.

What about the other people? It is easy for us to just say that they are wrong and that they should change their priorities, but I don't believe that is what God intended. Some people have to go through some really tough times before they get their priorities straight.

Consider some of the people who attend church. Why do they attend church? Why do you attend or not attend church? It is good if you can say that you attend church because you feel that God wants you to attend church, but there are many other reasons why people attend church. Below I have listed some of the reasons people attend church and have placed the driving priority beside it.

It is the will of God. (God)
I go out of habit. (Self)
My family needs to be in church. (Family)
I enjoy the services. (Self)
I like the fellowship. (Self)
I go to meet business contacts. (Work)
It's required for salvation. Isn't it? (Self)
My family or friends would think badly of me if I didn't go. (Self or Family)
I help in the nursery. (God or Church)

Ideally, everyone in the world would seek the will of God and churches that preach the truth would be filled to the point that every church would have to build a stadium sized building just to hold them all. While that may be ideal, our fleshly nature prevents that from happening. Even Christians who have studied the Bible for years will sometimes place their own wants in front of what God wants for them.

We don't always attend church because it is the will of God. Sometimes we attend for our own selfish reasons. Just as we do not always attend for the right reason, we should expect that those we are trying to reach will have the wrong reason. We cannot expect a lost person or a young Christian to always seek the will of God. Though I think we need to be careful which ideas we cultivate as valid reasons to attend church, I believe that we should not discourage people who are attending for the wrong reasons and teach them so they will begin attending for the right reasons.

Some people go to church because they enjoy either the services or the fellowship. Some churches have tried to capitalize on this by trying to entertain the congregation.

Entertainment is clearly a good way to draw a crowd and a preacher is more likely to be effective if the congregation is still awake by the time he starts preaching, but it is not clear that it is an effective method of winning souls. Some people try so hard to entertain their congregation that they forget to "preach the Word". I am sure that many of the people who crowded around Jesus were there for the entertainment of watching him heal the sick. Some of these people may have come for the entertainment and were changed after hearing his teaching, but many left unchanged.

It is not a bad thing to provide programs that are attractive to a person who is looking for a place for his family. A person who places his family first in his life is likely to choose a church based on what his family wants rather than whether or not the church teaches the truth. It is sad, but the person who is trying to do the best for his family may end up harming them instead.

Churches that teach the truth need to make efforts to attract people who are looking for a family friendly church. The center piece of any such program must be the Word of God. We as churches need to make sure that people who are looking for the right thing for the wrong reason are still able to get the right thing.

Most people want to feel needed. Nothing is worse than feeling like no one will ever ask for your advice or ever ask you to do something. Nowhere is it easier to feel lonely than in a sea of people. Many people who are looking for a church never find one that needs them.

Forgiving Ourselves

2009-09-25T01:23:00.011+08:00

Why do we punish ourselves for old regrets long after we believe God has forgiven us?

The question stuck in my mind after a conversation with someone I’ll call "A". "A" described as being in recovery from multiple events on the very life currently on-going. A couple of times the words uttered was, “My problem was forgiving myself. I found it a lot easier to believe God had forgiven me than to forgive myself for what I’d done.”

In some ways I knew what "A" was talking about. Long after believing God had forgiven me, I have silently cursed myself for doing things that embarrassed me and hurt others. What unnerved me is that "A" seemed more willing than I was to admit that forgiving ourselves is something we need to do.

Is it up to us to forgive ourselves?

Although I was willing to beat myself up for past wrongs, offering mercy to myself seemed like playing God. If God wants us to pardon ourselves, I wondered why the Bible doesn’t quote Him as saying something like, “Even as I have released you from guilt, so you must now release yourselves.”

What surprised me is that "A" helped me see that, without realizing it, I was doing the very thing I thought I was trying to avoid. "A" said, “I have a friend who got on my case for acting like I was greater than God. This friend kept saying, ‘Who do you think you are, God Almighty? God forgives you. But you don’t. What is this you’re telling me? Are you greater than God?’”

The good-nature prodding "A" took from the friend helped me. Later, I remembered words of the apostle John who wrote in his first New Testament letter: “This then is how we know that we belong to the truth, and how we set our hearts at rest in His presence whenever our hearts condemn us. For God is greater than our hearts, and He knows everything” (1 John 3:19-20 NIV).

Why is it important to remember that God is greater than our hearts?

John reminded us that when the sin we have already confessed continues to torment us, God sees more clearly than we do. He sees everything. He sees the wrong and the regret we have acknowledged. He sees the price He has paid to release us from that sin. He sees the trust we have put in His Son. He sees the good work He has started in our hearts. And He knows that what He has begun He will finish (Philippians 1:6).

God also sees something else. He sees the people around us who are negatively affected as long as we continue to condemn ourselves. He knows we will never be good at loving others as long as we refuse to let the love and forgiveness of God flush the guilt and shame out of our lives.

Just before raising the problem of self-condemnation, John wrote, “This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down His life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers. If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him?” (1 John 3:16-17 NIV).

John’s question prompts another. How can the love of God flow through us to those around us if we are saying, in effect, “I know You have forgiven me, Lord, but I have higher standards and expectations for myself than You do. I can’t walk with You. I can’t join You in Your mission of love, because I haven’t lived up to my own expectations.” We may think that’s humility. It’s probably wounded pride.

What does lingering guilt tell us about ourselves?

1.We may be expecting too much of ourselves. Whether we are struggling with our own wounded pride or grieving what we have lost, God’s thoughts are more reassuring than our own. Psalm 103 says, “He has not dealt with us according to our sins, nor punished us according to our iniquities. For as the heavens are high above the earth, so great is His mercy toward those who fear Him; as far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us. As a father pities His children, so the Lord pities those who fear Him. For He knows our frame; He remembers that we are dust” (vv.10-14).

2.We may be limiting our ability to be what God wants us to be. Refusing to forgive ourselves as God has forgiven us does nothing but prolong and multiply our sin. Self-condemnation is the opposite of the gratitude that opens our hearts to God.

Open hearts to God and others is what the apostle John had in mind when he went on to write: “Dear friends, if our hearts do not condemn us, we have confidence before God and receive from Him anything we ask, because we obey His commands and do what pleases Him. And this is His command: to believe in the name of His Son, Jesus Christ, and to love one another as He commanded us. Those who obey His commands live in Him, and He in them. And this is how we know that He lives in us: We know it by the Spirit He gave us” (1 John 3:21-24 NIV).

Every day of self-absorbed self-condemnation is a day spent robbing ourselves of the joy of a grateful heart. Every hour of beating ourselves up is an hour spent robbing others of the good that God wants to do for them through us. By contrast, every day lived in the freedom of forgiveness is a day spent praising God. Every hour lived in gratitude for forgiveness is a day spent loving others on God’s behalf.

Father in heaven, in our thoughtful moments we know
You are greater than our hearts.
You see infinitely more than we do.
You see the work You have begun in us, the Spirit You have given us,
the forgiveness You have bought for us,
and the desire You have given us to live in freedom
rather than to hide behind past failures.
Please help us to use that freedom to love others as You have first loved us.

Love and Time

2009-09-14T16:25:00.000+08:00

Once upon a time, there was an island where all the feelings lived: Happiness, Sadness, Knowledge, and all of the others, including Love. One day it was announced to the feelings that the island would sink, so all constructed boats and left. Except for Love.

Love was the only one who stayed. Love wanted to hold out until the last possible moment.

When the island had almost sunk, Love decided to ask for help.

Richness was passing by Love in a grand boat. Love said, "Richness, can you take me with you?"
Richness answered, "No, I can't. There is a lot of gold and silver in my boat. There is no place here for you."

Love decided to ask Vanity who was also passing by in a beautiful vessel. "Vanity, please help me!"
"I can't help you, Love. You are all wet and might damage my boat," Vanity answered.

Sadness was close by so Love asked, "Sadness, let me go with you."
"Oh . . . Love, I am so sad that I need to be by myself!"

Happiness passed by Love, too, but she was so happy that she did not even hear when Love called her.

Suddenly, there was a voice, "Come, Love, I will take you." It was an elder. So blessed and overjoyed, Love even forgot to ask the elder where they were going. When they arrived at dry land, the elder went her own way.

Realizing how much was owed the elder, Love asked Knowledge, another elder, "Who Helped me?"
"It was Time," Knowledge answered.
"Time?" asked Love. "But why did Time help me?"

Knowledge smiled with deep wisdom and answered, "Because only Time is capable of understanding how valuable Love is."

KNEE - How Ma?

2009-09-09T15:35:00.004+08:00

It was 7:15am and the alarm rang. I was searching to snooze the alarm on my good-old-nokia-handphone. I got it snoozed and slept heartily knowing that it would ring again in another 15mins. It didn't as I'd pressed the STOP instead of SNOOZE on my good-old-nokia-hphone. So ...when I was actually up awake, it was already 8:00am. Now if I'm working, it would be no problem for me as it only take about possibly 15-20mins for me to reach my office from home. But today, it is different, as I am on leave and I am supposed to be at HUKM, Cheras for an assessment on my knee injury by the Orthopedic Department. The letter from the Orthopedic Dept of HUKM stated that the appointment is from 8am - 11am.

So now ....sudah 8:00am dah ....I rushed up from bed, took a quick shower and brushed my teeth at the same time. Got into my what-I-wanted-to-wear and dashed out while my mom was like wondering why am I in shorts and T-Shirts when it was a working day.So ...had to do-the-15seconds-explanation to her that I am goin to the Hospital like I'd told her about b4.

Thank GOD the journey to the HUKM was not as bad I had perceived before. Well, traffic was not bad even though there's lotsa cars but thankfully as I was going thru the way that is against the normal traffic of those rushing to work. Reached at HUKM at about 8:45am ...phew ...but still I am LATE.

YES! LATE and the parking was so FULLLLLLL, "....my goodness, what are all these people doing at the hospital so early in the morning", was my thought. I'd to make my way around the parking twice. In the end ....as there was no parking space available, and I was so late d ...parked my car at the side of the curbs for which I'd made sure it is not blocking anyone in all possible way. Took a mask (H1N1 preventive measure) and made my way to the Orthopedic Dept. Was blurry as usual due to the fact I was not sure of the procedure over there ...had to ask around then only able to get my application done.

What was peculiar at the application counter was that there was this Big-BLUE-box for us to put in our appointment letter ....and it is situated right in front of this fellow. I'd passed my letter to him directly as I did not notice the Big-BLUE-Box. He kinda chided me for not following instructions ..I chuckled and slot in my appointment letter into the box. Right after which another chap put in his letter ....for which his letter would be on top of mine. And it dawned upon me that surely they would serve First-In-First-Out ...right? NO!!! The chap's letter got processed first and not mine ....hmmpphh!!! Luckily, there was only one fellow ...if there was 20 ...then I would be very FARRRRR behind.

Anyway ...the dumbness did not end there. Later, I heard my name ....being called like those days at school ....CHOW WAI LOON ....En CHOW WAI LOON. I had to like make my way to the counter quickly to minimise the idea of my name yelled like the-school-days. The dumbness here was as soon as I'd made my way to the counter, that fellow at the counter handed me a form and said to me " Sila isi borang ini ". I was like ...duhh ...can't you like hand it to me when I send in the letter????!!!!!!

Well, nevermind ....filled in the form and hand to them again. Apparently the form do have a running number slip stapled on it. My number was 5040 and the number of the prompter was like 3012, 5009 and 2044. I was like ...."what the fish...??!!!". So I went back to the sitting/waiting area and took out my book to read (Next Door Saviour - Max Lucado).

The Prompter went berserk for a moment I think ...as the numbers being announced or called was like jumping here and there. Sigh ....I didn't think much on that and indulged myself into the book. Noticed quite a number of ppl who was there ...limping due to the injury. My injury was like 2months old ...? If not 2months then it could be a little bit more like 2 and a half month old. Anyway ...the prompter went into light-speed for a moment as I had to attend to some calls (yea ...on leave also had to work!!!). A few SMS to/from Mei Sheen as well. Called her too to let her know of the situation lo.

Then the highlight of the day, while the prompter was like at 5022, I'd heard my name being called again ...this time by some young chinese chap dressed in white doctor's what-you-call-that-thing ...a robe? Anyway ...he called and I'd responded in a comical way ....raising up my hand ...hahahaha! Macam saje like at school. This young chap led me to a room whereby a bunch of the same uniform waiting. There were about 6 of them there ....suddenly I realised that there are INTERNS ...young learning doctors-wannabe. Oh Yah ...a few chicks too ...haha. In the room was two separate sections, the other section was where the real doctors are at ...whereas at my section ...those INTERNS surrounded me.

I WAS THEIR TEST SUBJECT ......!!!!!
In the earlier stage, these INTERNS instructed me to walk about as they each like tengok animal and studying them. Aku macam binatang yang dijual di pasar. They spoke to each other like how CSI personnel would conclude to each other while finding the details of any matters or items that are being investigated. Then ....one fellow said ..."lets proceed to examination" ..I was like ....WHAT???!! EXAMINATION???!! This gal instructed me to lie down on a bed ...told me to undress ....hahahahha! No la! ...only told me to lipat my pants for her to look at my knee. She did some checking and then the thing starts ....each of them do the SAME-&*#%&@#-CHECKING on me ...over and over and over and over AGAIN. What was annoying is that they would look straight to my eyes to see whether I am in any pain whenever they engaged in some twist or press or compressing my knee/leg. The look is not like just to see ...as they was so many of them ...I got fed-up ...I gave them a straight DULL ( -__-) look ...hahahah. They treat me like a dumb-ass-fellow as each time any one of them check/test on me ...they would like speak to each other in those medical jargon.

This went on for more that half an hour. More INTERNS popped in ....more chicks too ..hehe. One of the INTERN addressed me as UNCLE!!!! Sigh ...no problem la ...since I know they are like so YOUNG. Then ...after being "molested" for more that 45mins ...they told me to wait outside again ...duhhh. Time is 10:50am like that d. SO ..took my PSP out and continued on my career as a MANAGER in FIFA09 ( ^___^).

Then about 11:35am, at last the prompter announced my number ...lima ...kosong ...empat ...kosong ...sila ke bilik 5. Went into the room 5 and saw this malay-woman-real-doctor ...macam QUEEN ...cuz she is like listening to the interns explaining the cases to them but her face macam like I-dun-care-what-you-say-to-me. So ..now I know those INTERNS bukan main-main tadi. There have to debrief the real-doctors above the patient's condition. Well ...I was asked to sit down and in came another male-doctor ...real-one ...hahahaha! He looked like one who did not have a good sleep ...or even looked like never slept for 2-3 days. I was asked to lie on the bed again and this male-doctor ...did the SAME-OLD-THING of checks on me. I was like "....ok ...yah ....hmmm ....pain ...yes ....when u do that ...yah ...pain" to response to the doctor. This male-doctor then spirited away and came back some 5mins later with another guy ...who was told to me a REGISTRAR ..don't ask me what is his job but he did the SAME-OLD-CHECKING again ( -____________-). They discussed a bit and spoke to me on my condition ....saying "You need surgery"!!! and I responded "...ok", " ..how much?".

Around 10k - 12k ....WHATTTTTT!!!!!!!
I was like ter-jump off my sit. My injury is PCL tear and also MENISCUS Tear. So ....need to perform surgery to cut/remove the injury/tear. Now ...please PRAY for me ppl. As I do not have Medical Insurance coverage. ...

Was told to think about it or discuss then only reply to them. Alright ....then I quickly made my way to the carpark as I was worried about the amount I need to pay since I was there since about 8:45am. As I drive to the payment counter ...."dua ringgit" said the parking attendant .....COBAAANNNN!!!!

Eternal Life Insurance

2009-09-01T17:24:00.000+08:00

THE ETERNAL LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY, the largest, oldest, and most reliable fire and life insurance company, offers a policy which is strictly equitable; it operates all over the world (John 3:16), and its management has never changed. It insures a man for more than he is worth.

* The only insurance against loss in the great Judgment Day fire (Rev 20:15).
* The policy is non-forfeitable and never expires (John 10:28).
* The dividends are most liberal, being 100% in this life and in the world to come life everlasting; therefore, there are immediate as well as future advantages (1 Tim 4:8).
* Each member personally gets the benefits, being made immediate possessor of immense wealth and the inheritance is entered into later (1 Pet 1:4).
* The distribution of profits will shortly take place and a bonus will be paid for the manner and spirit in which the instructions have been carried out, whether the person has been a long or short time insured (Rev 22:12).
* Premiums are much lower than elsewhere (Isaiah 55:1). There is no extra charge for bad lives (Matt 9:13), and no reduction for good lives (Rom 3:22). This insurance is within the reach of all, as the premium has been fully paid in advance by a gracious, rich Person (2 Cor 8:9).
* There is only one Medical Officer and He is continually looking out for individuals wishing to be insured. He accepts all who apply, whether healthy or sick, even the diseased and dying and those who have been refused by other companies (John 6:37). However, people who "have no souls" can not apply.

OFFICE HOURS: Today (2 Cor 6:2, Heb 3:7). Tomorrow may be too late (Prov27:1). Companies offering policies after death are not reliable (Heb 9:27).
PAID UP CAPITAL: Unsearchable riches (Eph 3:8).
REAL ESTATE: An inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that fadeth not away (1 Pet 1:4).
ACCUMULATED FUNDS: Inexhaustible (1 Cor 2:9).
CASH IN BANK: Gold trieth in the fire (Rev 3:18).
SURPLUS: Able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think (Eph 3:20).
BURIAL EXPENSES AND CARE OF DEPENDENTS: After one is gone to heaven they need not trouble anyone who is insured in this Company (Mat 6:24-34, Deut 34:6, Jer 49:11).
CONDITIONS OF POLICY: Repentance toward God and faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.

All applications must be made to the President through the Adjuster (John 14:6).
President--King of Kings (1 Tim 6:15).
Adjuster--The King's Son (John 3:35).
Solicitor--The Holy Spirit (John 16:8).
Agents are wanted. Each member is commissioned as an agent and none but members are authorized.

I Can't Prove My Faith

2009-07-24T16:38:00.006+08:00

I can't prove my faith.
I can't come up with some magical answers to the arguments put up against Christians.
I take my answers from the Bible, but I can't prove to you in a logical way that every word in it is true.
I can't stand here and use earthly, logical evidence to say that God is here.
I don't have solid evidence that there is a God. I don't have evidence I can hold in my hand. I don't have evidence that I can pass around the room so everyone knows it's real.
I can't argue when you say that I am flawed.
I know that I am flawed.
I know that I swear.
I know that I lie.
I know that I gossip.
I know that I hurt others.
I know that it says in the Bible that these things are wrong.
I know that I need some work.
I won't tell you that I'm perfect.
I can't tell you that I'm not as nasty about atheists as they are about me.
I can't tell you that I'm "better" than an atheist.
I can't prove my faith.

I can only say that I have a God.
I have one that sticks up for me when things are going wrong.
I have a God who makes strange miracles that can't be explained.
I have faith that this beautiful world wasn't created by two stars smashing together.

I have faith in what's there, what I can't prove to others, but what I know is there every second, holding on to me.

I have faith because my faith is all I've got, and no one can take it away from me.
If I give up my faith, I have nothing to live for.
If I live up my faith, I would see no point in love.
I have faith because my faith makes me real, and it latches me on to what I believe is real.

They said I would be tested throughout my life.
I've seen it here on earth, as it is in KL, within my community.
Arguments against what I believe.

And here is my answer: I can't prove to you what I have faith in. I just believe it.
That's what faith is all about.
[Hebrews 11 : 1]

Do You Judge People By What They Wear to Church?

2009-07-02T15:12:00.002+08:00

I was preparing to leave the house for church when I was pondering over what clothing I should wear to church; a weekly 'problem' which I'm sure most of you can relate to. Soon, the questions came racing into my mind, "What should I wear to church? What should I wear to church so that others will think that what I'm wearing is acceptable and pleasing to the eye?"

I stopped to consider for a moment, and realised that after all it was just going to church. And the basic purpose of going to church every Sunday is to gather in the presence of God as a congregation and to praise and worship Him in spirit and in truth. I wasn't going to some fashion show or anything.

It then dawned on me – it's true that many people say others cannot afford to wear designer labels, and that does not make them less of a nice person or in any way reflect their personality. Or that they do not normally "judge a book by its cover," clothes being just a person's cover. If you saw someone dressed in rugged clothes stepping into church wearing jeans with a tear and a beat up t-shirt, what would you really think of that person?

"Gee, I'm sure he hasn't had a bath for a pretty long time."

"Why is he/she wearing that to church? Is that even legal?"

Sound familiar? Did you know that judging other people is a sin? It's true, and I cannot think of a single problem that has brought more heartache, dissension, disease, and destruction upon the Church than this sin! Jesus speaks clearly on this point. "Do not judge," (Matt 7:1). He said even the Father does not judge anyone, but that He has committed all judgment to the Son (John 5:22). Later, He lets it be known that He Himself does not judge. It is the words He speaks that will judge in the last day (John 12:47-48).

So the next time you're having trouble thinking of what to wear to church, think twice and wear what pleases God. Go with your conscience. Dress down because your heart should be dressed with the presence of God and the fruit of the Spirit when you go to church. What is on the outside is trivial.

Do you judge people by what they wear to church?

Life's Knowledge with Noah and the Ark

2009-06-09T16:04:00.007+08:00

Everything I need to know about life, I learned from Noah's Ark...

1. Don't miss the boat.
2. Remember that we are all in the same boat.
3. Plan ahead. It wasn't raining when Noah built the Ark.
4. Stay fit. When you're 600 years old, someone may ask you to do something really big.
5. Don't listen to critics; just get on with the job that needs to be done.
6. Build your future on high ground.
7. For safety's sake, travel in pairs.
8. Speed isn't always an advantage. The snails were on board with the cheetahs.
9. When you're stressed, float a while.
10. Remember, the Ark was built by amateurs; the Titanic by professionals.
11. No matter the storm, when you are with God, there's always a rainbow waiting.

When trouble comes to our lives ....

2009-05-19T00:21:00.006+08:00

When trouble comes to our lives, we can do one of the three things:-

Endure it,
Escape it, or
Enlist it.

If we only endure our trials, then trials became our master, and we have the tendency to become hard and bitter.

If we try to escape our trials, then we will probably miss the purposes GOD wants to achieve in our lives.

But if we learn to enlist our trials, they will become our servants instead of our masters and work for us; and GOD will work all things together for our good and His Glory (Rom. 8:28).

Too Much To Do??

2009-03-24T13:10:00.005+08:00

One thing I have desired of the Lord, . . . that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life. —Psalm 27:4

I'm usually a happy person. Most of the time I can take on as much work as anyone can give me. But some days there just seems to be too much to do. The schedule may be so full of meetings, appointments, and deadlines that there's no room to breathe. Life often contains too much work, relationship with friends, improvement of your surroundings, and other responsibilities for one person to handle.

When that happens to me—as it may happen to you—I have some options. I can retreat into a shell of inactivity and leave everyone who is depending on me out in the cold. I can slug my way through, moaning as I go and making everyone wish I had chosen option one. Or I can get my perspective realigned by reminding myself what Jesus said to Martha (Luke 10:38-42).

Jesus told Martha that she had become "distracted with much serving" (v.40). He reminded her that her sister Mary had chosen the one thing that would never be taken away (v.42). Like many of us, Martha got so wrapped up in her service that she forgot the most important thing—fellowship with her Lord.

Are you overwhelmed? Don't lose sight of your priorities. Spend time with the Lord. He will lift your load and give you the right perspective.

- extracted from article from Dave Branon

The many tasks we face each day
Can burden and oppress,
But spending time with God each day
Can bring relief from stress. —Sper

To keep your life in balance, lean on the Lord.

Do you long for GOD within your heart ....?

2009-02-28T02:55:00.005+08:00

1 As the deer pants for streams of water,
so my soul pants for you, O God.

² My soul thirsts for God, for the living God.
When can I go and meet with God?

³ My tears have been my food
day and night,
while men say to me all day long,
"Where is your God?"

⁴ These things I remember
as I pour out my soul:
how I used to go with the multitude,
leading the procession to the house of God,
with shouts of joy and thanksgiving
among the festive throng.

PSALMS 42 : 1 - 4

During a drought, the writer of this psalms saw a female deer panting and struggling to reach water to quench her thirst, and this reminded him that he thirst for the Lord and wanted to go on pilgrimage to seek the Lord. The living God was the God of his life, and he could not live without Him.

Note that the essentials for physical life are mentioned here: air (panting), water (v. 2), and food (v. 3), but without worship (v. 4), life to him was meaningless. Hunger and thirst are familiar images of the quest for fellowship with God and the satisfaction it brings. Day and night he felt the pain caused by separation from God’s sanctuary and by the constant ridicule of the people around him. He “fed” on his grief (not a wise thing to do) as his tears became his bread. His weeping was as regular as his eating had been.

As the Deer is a well-known praise and worship song by Martin Nystrom. Written in 1984, this song is based on Psalms 42 verse 1.

As the deer panteth for the water,
So my soul longs after YOU.
YOU alone are my hearts desire,
And I long to worship YOU

YOU alone are my strength, my shield;
To YOU alone may my spirit yield.
YOU alone are my heart's desire,
And I long to worship YOU.

A (Goodbye) Letter to GOD

2009-02-26T21:20:00.009+08:00

Dear God,

Tears stream down my face and drip silently to the floor as I write this. The pain has become almost unbearable and it's all your fault. I have a few questions to ask you and with the end of this letter, so ends my belief in your existence.
Where were you when my Father left me without even saying goodbye? Where were you when my single mother had to raise me on welfare with barely enough money to survive while I went hungry? Where were you when I couldn't sleep because the pain from the beatings was unbearable? Where were you when I lived four years on my own to fend for myself? Where were you when I am a child I knew I couldn't take care of myself? Where are you right now as I consider taking my own life?
Clearly you see my point. You weren't there. Not ever. You left me in this world all alone to live out my horrible retched life. A loving God would never do something like that. A loving God would be there every step of the way holding my hand telling me that it would be OK. So do tell, where were you? Of course you won't write back which only further proves your nonexistence.

From, Nonbeliever

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Dear Nonbeliever,

Where was I, you ask? I was watching you as I watch the caterpillar break out of its cocoon. If I helped that caterpillar escape its tomb of webbing, it would never have the strength to live the rest of its life as a beautiful butterfly. So where was I, you ask? Weeping at your suffering as I stood by your side. Watching you grow into a beautiful, strong, and intelligent child of mine.
Have you so easily lost faith in me? Do you reject me because I was helping you? Do you hate me for making you who you are? I love you more than a father can love his child. More than a couple love each other on their wedding day. I have loved you since before you were conceived... and I’m still loving you even as you turn and walk away.
My arms will be open waiting for the day you find the truth, if that day comes. Until then I will be standing next to you and over you watching your every step and loving you as you hate me so bitterly. I only wish I could say this to your face, but unfortunately I cannot. If I could show myself to you visibly and talk to you audibly, it would defeat the whole purpose of faith. My child the only way for you to see me as I am is for you to come to me on your own.

I Love You,
God

Do You Depend on Music to Worship God?

2009-02-19T21:41:00.008+08:00

[Is it the glory of God, or the music that moves you?]

I was in Singapore early Feb and visited a contemporary church. With that, as in most cases being a "rigid" person I am, there is often resistance from me as to going more 'contemporary'. At the risk of sounding judgmental, I will say I think that was the case here.

The service began with the "worship-leader" giving a brief introduction and welcome to the people inside the rented school hall. Next, the people on stage leading the music sang some newer worship songs that I'm not so familiar with, and started swaying a lot more than before. I noticed all the people were singing along and moving to the music, too. I don't know if I was just looking for it, but it seemed very obvious to me and I have been to other churches before where it seemed like this sort of thing was going on. It was almost like the some people wanted the rest of the people to see that these songs are more powerful and they can worship better to them.

I have had people tell me that singing in worship at the beginning of a church service helps to prepare their hearts for the sermon and focus in on the Lord after a hard week. I understand that there are going to be times when we just don't feel like we are close to the Lord, and I do think God uses music at times to move us and engage our hearts. But every week? We forget about the Lord all week and need some music to motivate us to think about Him?

I am not saying that enjoying music is bad. But I question the meaning of a 'worship service' when people often base what church they go to on how much they like the music. I have watched people flirt and tell dirty jokes and the moment the music starts they sway right along and raise their hands, looking very spiritual.

When a friend of mine walked away from the Lord, one of the things he told me was that when he first started really questioning his faith, he noticed that during a (secular) concert he had those same feelings then as he did singing the worship songs at church. So, he reasoned, God must be in "everything" and who can really say what is right after all? It made me think that maybe it wasn't Christ that had moved him that way before, it was the music...

I hate writing posts like this, because I feel like such a judgmental jerk and a hypocrite. I know I have done these very things I have noted in this post. So if this post serves nothing more than a confession of what I have learned, so be it. I do not believe that I am always right and I have probably misjudged a lot of people. But if you can relate at all to what I am saying here, I hope that you can learn from it and weigh your motives next time you go before the Lord in worship. If we can't glorify the Lord singing the same words in the form of a hymn that we can to a catchy beat, perhaps we really need to think about why we are singing in the first place.

Which do you think moves you more during musical worship: God or the music?

Blogger Cycle Syndrome XD

2009-02-10T17:39:00.006+08:00

Do you need your "Other-Half" to Ask You to be their Valentine?

2009-02-05T13:14:00.013+08:00

With Valentine's Day slowly creeping up on couples all over the world, I'm beginning to hear (and read) stories about how "Valentine's Day SUCKS!" and how "sucky it is to be single on Valentine's Day." But let's face it - whether or not you believe Valentine's Day is a completely Hallmark or some cheeky-old-romance-tradition-day, there are thousands of people out there that do look forward to Valentine's Day (including myself - why not?!).

Yeah, it may have little religious aspect to it, if any...and sure, it has a little bit of history behind it, but it's not like Chinese New Year or something close to it. But Valentine's Day is still a nice day to take time out with your significant other and treat each other to something special. Of course, V-Day shouldn't be the only day that you show your lady that you love her, but it's a nice way to remind her of how you feel.

I do hear from girls around me who are in serious relationships would still feel like their boyfriends need to ask them to be their "Valentine." I'm not quite sure how I feel about this, considering that I think that it should be a given or known fact - cuz you're dating someone d, you're sure gonna be theirs on Valentine's Day lo. But I do see, in a lot of ways, how girls may think this to be a romantic aspect in addition to the already romantic day.

So this is for all da ladies in relationships: Do you expect your man to ask you to be their Valentine? Or are you understanding that you've already got the title of "girlfriend," and "Valentine" fits under that category?

And for all of you without a Valentine this year - DON'T WORRY!! la. Grab a couple of your friends who are also Valentine-less and go hang out together and have a great time. It'll make you happy that you're out of the dating scene and free from the "does he like me?" worry.

And God said "No"

2009-02-03T22:46:00.002+08:00

I asked God to take away my pride,
And God said, "No." He said it was not for Him to take away.
But for me to give up.

I asked God to make my handicapped child whole,
And God said, "No." He said her spirit is whole, Her body is only temporary.

I asked God to grant me patience,
And God said,"No." He said that patience is a by product of tribulation.
It isn't granted, it's earned.

I asked God to give me happiness,
And God said, "No." He said He gives blessings, Happiness is up to me.

I asked God to spare me pain,
And God said, "No." He said, "Suffering draws you apart from worldly
Cares and brings you close to Me."

I asked God to make my spirit grow,
And God said, "No." He said I must grow on my own.
But He will prune me to make me fruitful.

I asked God to help me love others,
As much as He loves me,
And God said, "Ah, finally, you have the idea."

Author: Claudia Minden Weisz

The Window

2009-01-30T01:18:00.005+08:00

Two men, both seriously ill, occupied the same hospital room. One man was allowed to sit up in his bed for an hour each afternoon to help drain the fluid from his lungs. His bed was next to the room's only window. The other man had to spend all his time flat on his back.

The men talked for hours on end. They spoke of their wives and families, their homes, their jobs, their involvement in the military service, where they had been on vacation. And every afternoon when the man in the bed by the window could sit up, he would pass the time by describing to his roommate all the things he could see outside the window.

The man in the other bed began to live for those one-hour periods where his world would be broadened and enlivened by all the activity and color of the world outside. The window overlooked a park with a lovely lake. Ducks and swans played on the water while children sailed their model boats. Young lovers walked arm in arm amidst flowers of every color of the rainbow. Grand old trees graced the landscape, and a fine view of the city skyline could be seen in the distance. As the man by the window described all this in exquisite detail, the man on the other side of the room would close his eyes and imagine the picturesque scene.

One warm afternoon the man by the window described a parade passing by. Although the other man couldn't hear the band, he could see it in his mind's eye as the gentleman by the window portrayed it with descriptive words.

Days and weeks passed. One morning, the day nurse arrived to bring water for their baths only to find the lifeless body of the man by the window, who had died peacefully in his sleep. She was saddened and called the hospital attendants to take the body away. As soon as it seemed appropriate, the other man asked if he could be moved next to the window.

The nurse was happy to make the switch, and after making sure he was comfortable, she left him alone.

Slowly, painfully, he propped himself up on one elbow to take his first look at the world outside. Finally, he would have the joy of seeing it for himself. He strained to slowly turn to look out the window beside the bed.

It faced a blank wall.

The man asked the nurse what could have compelled his deceased roommate who had described such wonderful things outside this window. The nurse responded that the man was blind and could not even see the wall. She said, "Perhaps he just wanted to encourage you."

Epilogue :
There is tremendous happiness in making others happy, despite our own situations. Shared grief is half the sorrow, but happiness when shared, is doubled. If you want to feel rich, just count all of the things you have that money can't buy.

Chinese New Year Reunion Dinner

2009-01-26T10:32:00.002+08:00

At Chinese New Year a reunion dinner is held on New Year's Eve where members of the family, near and far, get together for celebration.

This is one of the most important meals for the Chinese, and many Chinese living away from their homes would make special effort to attend this meal with their families, as the Chinese place a lot of emphasis on being reunited with their family members especially for this day. The reunion dinner should be eaten with all immediate family members present as a symbol of strength and unity in the family. Some Chinese make it a point to eat this meal also with their in-laws and extended family members. This is a time to renew and reaffirm family ties.

There is usually an abundance of food prepared for this meal, even by poorer families. The Chinese believe that having an excess of food on the table symbolises good fortune for the New Year, as it would bring excess wealth. Some families would make special effort to save up money throughout the year in order to prepare a good reunion dinner.

Many families now choose to have their reunion dinner in restaurants instead of staying at home, because they would not have to prepare the food and do the washing-up. My family members chose to have our reunion dinner at a "steamboat" restaurant at Sri Petaling.

[from the left] Wern Li (sis-in-law), my bro Eric, Me [Sitting down] my Mom and my sister

Chinese New Year 2009

2009-01-22T01:23:00.003+08:00

Xin Nian Lai Lohhhh......

Wait! What Do You Mean By That, God?

2009-01-21T23:33:00.000+08:00

So often, I would think of my own obedience to God ..in terms of DOING His will, SERVING Him, ACCOMPLISHING great things for His Kingdom. And, it's just so easy to judge others by what I SEE happening in their lives.

It's in our nature, isn't it, to focus on outer things? It's why so often we have the cliche "to judge a book by its cover"; it's also why Jesus accused the Pharisees of being "white-washed tombs" (in Matthew 23:27).
But I've found myself in an unfamiliar season of my faith: NOT doing (at least, in my own perspective). I suppose I had a sense of anticipation for this, when I thought of this a couple months ago:

"... I sense that my role in the Youth Fellowship is going to have to be more defined and less all-encompassing than it has been in the past. I dread the moments when I am going to have to, at some point, say NO to myself, my fellow council members, and worst of all, to my friends. But I don't see a way around that if I'm going to keep myself and my relationship healthy for the long term."

As I prayerfully sought God's direction on my commitments for the new year, I was more than a little confused when His overwhelmingly direct response was simply, "WAIT!".

"Wait"? What do you mean by that, God?
Shouldn't I be, like, doing something for You? What exactly, am I waiting for?

But, the clarity of this instruction, and the peace that encompassed it, have subdued the questions that have sprung up within me.

So, I'm attempting to teach myself a new way of thinking. I'm reminding myself that I'm just as valuable to God even when I'm not teaching a Bible Study or planning a mission trip. (Oooh, how that would definitely irks my productivity-oriented friends!) I am seeking to diligently and patiently listen for His voice. I am making myself more "available" - (Thus the quote on my Facebook "...should loose more to gain abundantly"!!). To God, to others. I'm trying to not try so hard.

Because, to God, our hearts are even more important than our actions. And my obedience to His instruction to WAIT is more valuable right now than all the self-satisfying things I could come up with to do in His name.

Ultimately, my desire must not be for specific deeds or accomplishments in my life, but faithfulness to my Lord. Even when all He asks me to do is wait.

I'm Loved And Sometimes I Don't Even Know It!

2009-01-19T00:25:00.010+08:00

The LORD thy God in the midst of thee is mighty; he will save, he will rejoice over thee with joy; he will rest in his love, he will joy over thee with singing.
[Zeph 3:17 - KJV]

Since I'm not in any relationships, there are a lot of things regarding our relationship with Christ that I cannot always understand or relate back to things in my life. During this time I depend on the relationship of some people as an example.

My story is about a couple that aren't overly romantic in public so when you hear of their story you'll probably thinks it is rather common. I prayed that God would reveal to you, the verse above, in some way today while I'm reading, it all came together.

The story is about this couple. One day during their courtship the man dropped by the lady's home to visit her. She was sitting outside scrubbing the pots and pans after dinner and singing to herself.

The lady's mom was going to let her know that the man was there to see her but the man said no and sat on the bench watching the lady as she cleaned and sang to herself - quite unaware that she picked up an audience.

He took delight in seeing her, be her, even if she was cleaning and not looking quite perfect. He loved her anyway and even if she didn't recognize it at the time she was being loved.

I know that God loves me, but I'm amazed at the depth of his love. I love the Amplified Bible's version of the verse

The Lord your God is in the midst of you,
a Mighty One, a Savior [Who saves]! He will rejoice over you with joy;
He will rest [in silent satisfaction] and in His love He will be silent and make no mention [of past sins, or even recall them]; He will exult over you with singing. [AB]

I may not always be aware of it but He loves me to such a degree that He is willing to "rest in his love", to forgive me of my past transgressions and to take delight in me as His child. I don't have to dress up my life and be perfect for him, even when I'm doing my everyday mundane tasks he still watches over me and he still showers me with his love.

I am constantly loved with the greatest love ever known and sometimes I don't even know it!

How is God showing His love for you this week?

I've got a chat box

2009-01-18T19:10:00.001+08:00

Hi people,
Just a note that I've set up a chat box ...
nothing fancy ..
Just something that you could leave a message or two
for me .....

Chill :-) ...

-WiLLiAM-

How Do You Combat Spiritual Dryness?

2009-01-15T13:10:00.005+08:00

Blame it on the holiday season that had passed, but I feel as if I'm running out of steam spiritually; honestly, I just want to laze around and not work on my faith at all. Essentially, I'm going through yet another period of spiritual dryness. I've already given up on being "on fire for God" 24/7, 365 days a year; I've failed in my devotion before, and I know I'll fail again, yet I feel less discouraged now than before because I've accepted that spiritual dryness is normal. That's not to say it's a good thing - while I have learned from my dry periods, and from how God brought me out of them later, I now know what to expect and how to combat it.

I've been a Christian long enough to know that this isn't the end of the world; still, I do get afraid; I've come out of dry periods before, but what if I never come out of this one? What if I completely forget what God's done for me, and about why my faith's important? What if my relationship with God totally ceases to be personal?Sometimes, I'm afraid to even try reading the Bible for fear that I'll become totally jaded from not getting anything out of it. Of course, I know that I should persevere rather than live in fear, but it's really hard to focus on the Word of God when I'm feeling so disconnected to God himself.

From experience, forcing myself to read the Bible and meditate on God's word has been the most helpful thing for battling spiritual dryness. I figure that even if my heart's not really in it, at least the Word's in my head, and I'd rather it be there than have it be lacking completely.

What has helped you get through spiritual dryness? What advice would you give someone who's going through spiritual dryness for the first time?

You Can't Google God's Answers

2009-01-13T18:50:00.008+08:00

THE INTERNET - I think it's one of the greatest invention ever and I can't imagine my life without it. What I love most about it is that I have instant access to anything I want.

Any question that crosses my mind can be answered with a little "clickety-clack" on the keyboard. How far is that restaurant I've been wanting to visit? Google Maps gives me the answer in a matter of minutes... Who is Taylor Swift? Oh, thank you Wikipedia. What does 'Hiatus' mean again? Dictionary.com to the rescue. What's the next project that Dakota Fanning is working on? My answer and much more on Imdb.com.

From dumb questions to important ones, I can find almost all my answers on the web. But I think I'm getting so used to this way of life, so much so that I don't know how to pray and listen to God any more. I want instant responses and nothing enigmatic and vague. I don't want to have to think about it or figure things out for myself. I want everything to be clear-cut and laid out in a concise, easy to read format.

But God is not the Internet. I mean, He's more awesome than the Internet, but He doesn't just work the same way. And as silly as it is to forget that, I do forget. Sometimes God does give clear answers in a short amount of time. But sometimes, He makes us wait. It's not to drive us crazy, even though that's what it feels like. Some things just make more sense with time. We are complex individuals with lots and lots of layers - like onions and ogres :), and I'm pretty sure God knows that a quick-fix answer in the peak of our troubles is not really going to help us. He's not the friend that just says, "It's okay" no matter what we are going through. God cares for us much more deeply than that; He doesn't have quick-fixes and blanket responses. He has specific words for each of us, but it can take time for us to be ready to hear them.

God speaks the truth to us, and at times, the truth hurts. Are you asking God for instant answers or are you willing to wait a little longer for truth?

Is It Okay To Take a Break From God?

2009-01-09T23:54:00.006+08:00

Coming out into working life, I've encountered several "Christians" who claim to be on "spiritual hiatus" - that is, while they haven't completely walked away from their faith, they've decided to take a break from it.

They kinda stop reading their Bibles, not attending church regularly and not meeting in small "christian" group, and really, they stop praying altogether. They don't necessarily go through a dramatic spiral down the road to drugs and alcoholism - in fact, a lot of the time, their lifestyle and surface values don't seem to change at all - but they just stop making the effort to center their lives around Christ, despite knowing that He's there. They don't renounce Christianity, become atheists, or reduce Jesus from God into a "good man" - they just don't want to deal with it.

As someone who's gone through a number of dry periods and struggles, I can understand the appeal of such an action. I liken it to getting a separation rather than a divorce or to avoiding an enemy instead of cutting her out completely. Hypothetically, it's not as if I would reject God (or His existence) completely, I'd just be giving Him the cold shoulder until I found the heart to renew that relationship.

While I'm often tempted to take a break from God, I've never really been able to. I tell myself it's because there's a part of me that's still persevering, but to be honest, I don't think I actually have the guts to just bail, even temporarily. I go through long periods of time where I don't feel motivated to pursue God, be Christly, or to pray at all, but at the same time, I'm afraid of what would happen, and what I would discover, if I lived on my own. I don't know if I could live feeling as if I were alone in the universe or that there is no plan for my life anymore. I like knowing that God is in control, and that I will never be forsaken, but I often feel tempted to "take a break" because my walk feels extremely insincere.

I've always chosen to just persevere, but the older I get, the easier it becomes to just feel bitter and frustrated about my insincere efforts. Now I wonder if taking a break is really wrong - I mean, don't you take a break while exercising, studying, or writing a paper? Aren't breaks good for a refresher? Then again, perhaps the whole concept of taking a break applies differently to relationships, as it's never fun to hear "I want to take a break" from anybody. You don't take a break from being someone's child or parent; nor do you usually hear a friend say he/she wants a break from a friendship.

In the end, I find the idea of taking a break from God problematic as I can't reject, even for the time being, how God has worked in my life. God's revealed Himself to me over and over again in worship and prayer - well, not consistently - but enough times for me to acknowledge Him as a personal presence in my life. To reject God even after He's revealed the truth to me feels like blasphemy. At the same time, those good memories start to become fuzzy when I'm stressed out about things going on in my life now. Where is God now? When did my relationship with Him become less personal?

I once heard a preacher give a sermon about why we continue our walk at all, despite all the hardships. We shouldn't pursue a relationship with God out of mere gratitude for what He has done for us in the past, or what He did for us on the cross; we pursue God because we have faith in what's ahead. While I do feel grateful for how God worked in my life during better days, I know that memory isn't enough to sustain my spiritual life - I need the faith that God is there despite my comparatively dry spirituality now, and I need the faith to believe that He will eventually bring me out of it.

Would you ever take a break from your faith? Can this help one's spiritual life, or is it dangerous to risk walking away and never coming back?

Ever Afraid of How God Will Answer Your Prayer?

2009-01-08T20:30:00.006+08:00

"Though He Slay Me ..."

Have you ever been in that place where you want to pray but you're afraid of how God will answer?

As a good Christian I know the "proper" way to pray is "your will be done," but it's not an easy thing to ask God. That's where I was this morning. I told God honestly that I couldn't pray as I should because I was afraid to trust Him. I was afraid He would take away the one thing I thought I wanted. The one thing I have waited for and longed for.

Then I remembered a conversation I had with a friend.

"Do you know that God loves you?"

"Yes."

"Do you trust that He will do what is best for you?"

"Yes."

"Even if it hurts?"

*Crying*. "Yes."

The words of a verse in Job came to my mind.

"Though He slay me, yet will I hope in Him."

How could Job continue to place his trust in God when his whole life was falling apart all around him? I looked up that verse. It's in chapter 13. Job was mad at God. He didn't want to trust Him. He was questioning God, fighting Him. "Yet will I hope in him."

I began to cry as I once again surrendered my life to God's control. I knew that I had to trust God, but I'm still struggling. I'm where Job was. Asking God. Fighting. "Yet will I hope in Him."

Have you ever been afraid of how God will answer your prayers?

Being Creative

2009-01-06T22:12:00.006+08:00

This is not new ....but I find it somewhat interesting and caught my attention on how some people can be so creative.

LYRICS

[Close Encounters of the Droid Kind]
You must use the force (repeat ad nauseum)

[Raiders of the Lost Wookiee]
Long time ago, far far away (repeat)

Kiss a wookie, kick a droid
Fly the falcon through an asteroid
Till the princess is annoyed
This is spaceships, it's monsters, it's Star Wars, we love it!

Come and help me, Obi Wan
X-wing fighter and a blaster gun
Dance with Ewoks, oh what fun!
This is spaceships, it's monsters, it's Star Wars, we love it!

[Super Han]
Get in there you big, furry oaf
I couldn't care less what you smell
I take orders from only me
Maybe you'd like it back in your cell
Your Highness, your worshipfulness, your highness, your worshipfulness

No one cares if you upset a droid
(nobody cares if you upset a droid)
That's because droids don't tear your arms out of socket.
(nobody cares)
I suggest a new strategy: let the Wookie win
That's because nobody cares if you upset a droid.

[ET the DiscoTerrestrial]
Now we listen to Luke whining:
One more season... One more season... One more season... One more season...

I was gonna go to Tashi Station for power converters
Now I guess I'm going nowhere.
It just isn't fair.

[Jaws: the Wookiee]
Wooookie (repeat)

Someone move this walking carpet (repeat)

Kiss your brother, Kiss your brother (repeat)

Princess Leia
Well I guess you don't know anything about women.

Who's your daddy? (repeat)

[Jurassic Darth]
Luke, I'm your father
(That's not true!)
It is useless to resist
(My hand!)
Come with me my son, We will rule
(I'll never join you!)
Search your feelings it is true

So you have a twin sister
Who Obi Wan was wise to hide
(Is that Leia?)
If you will not turn
Then perhaps she will
Give in to your hate
You are mine

Long Long Long Time ago... Far Far Far Far Away

Long Long Long Time Ago, Far Far Far Away (repeat)

Kiss a wookie
Kick a droid
Fly the falcon
Through an asteroid
Till the princess is annoyed
(She's annoyed!)
This is spaceships, it's monsters, it's Star Wars, we love it, it's true

Episode 3
Coming to you
In 2005

So Let's go
(go go go to the movies)
Stand in line
(buy buy buy me some popcorn)
Cause it's al-
(please I'd like extra butter)
most the time
(Join the dark side...)
May the Force be with you all

John Williams is the man

New Year - 2009

2009-01-01T00:02:00.004+08:00

We stand on the threshold of a new year. Most people generally look at the new year as a fresh beginning, as an opportunity to kind of start over, to overcome a habit, or do a better job of something they see as important and that needs improvement. It may be parenting, being a better spouse, losing weight (which, by the way, is the number one resolution according to polls taken). It may be developing different priorities, using our time better, or a whole host of things that people would like to change.

So, we usually hear a lot about New Year's resolutions, resolutions which are usually broken in a matter of weeks. Many people are very pessimistic about the whole issue of making resolutions, and rightly so, because so many good intentions are followed by a history of past failures.

But the new year is a time to reflect and think about what the past year has brought and what the new year could bring. It is a time to stop and analyze, to take stock of our priorities, values, pursuits, and goals.

We need to ask questions like "Who am I, what am I doing with my life? What should I be doing as a Christian with my life and the stewardship God has given me?" After all, according to the Word of God, all of life is a stewardship--a stewardship of our time, talents, treasures, and God's truth.

In other words, since God's plan and our stewardship's revolve around and through the life of His Son, Jesus Christ, we need to each ask "How well am I responding to the Savior and the spiritual life that He has given me?"

- HAPPY NEW YEAR 2009 -

Road Trip - Penang

2008-12-30T03:32:00.002+08:00

I'd just came back from a stupendous, mind-blasting, awesome road trip to Penang. What makes it so awesome mainly was the buddies (Kah Hean, Richard Wong and Kevin Chew) that went together with me and the hospitality shown by our dear friends at Penang and Bidor. The initial plan of having a vacation at an island resort didn't materialize bcuz of the monsoon season. Well, we had an island ....and a lot of other amazing factors on the whole of the Penang Island that made this trip a success.

Started on SAT 27th Dec 2008 at 9.45am, KH came with Rich, Kevin Chew n Lydia Wan (who was hopping in with us to meet her parents who went to Penang first cuz she was away at Malang, Jawa, Indonesia to attend a friend's wedding) and fetched me and zoomed to Restoran Jejantas ae Sg. Buloh for breakfast and meeting Mike Lim n his wife Julia. We thought we were late, mana tau, Mike n Julia was still eating their breakfast near their house. I was so happy to be able to come back to the place (Restoran Jejantas) to gobble up the infamous nasi lemak. Something caught my eye at the place ....something i thought was the Otak-Otak ...so I took a pack and happily telling them that I love to eat the otak otak (the ones at Gurney Drive, Penang). Opened it up, was kinda suprised to see the colour and texture of it being so different compared to the otak otak i had before. It was not orangy or even the lembik lembik. Instead it was white, watery and pulut. I thought since the name was "TAPAI PULUT" maybe it was a different version of Otak Otak la .....so i scooped with a spoon and put into my mouth. My brain instantly told me to spit it out as it was like some fermented, rotten taste ....KH laughed so loud as he was skeptical it was the Otak Otak we wanted. Then Kevin Chew finished the whole Tapai Pulut, he thinks it was delicious. Uuuwwweek!
Mike n Julia came and we left after a quick dash to the toilet.

- t0 be continued (sleepy la)

For the continuation ....please goto Kah Hean's or Richard Wong's blog ...

Ode to Joy ....

2008-12-25T13:15:00.001+08:00

This is a funny clip from me to all of you....

BLESSED CHRISTMAS ..... O_0

Goodness Gracious Me

2008-12-20T23:52:00.003+08:00

My my ...had to work today. Woke up about 9.00am and found that my sis n mom were not in. Probably they were away to the market or something like that. Well, went on to check on my 'downloads' ...completed the downloading of James Morrison and David Cook new albums.

Reached office about 9:45am. Teck Lee surprised a number of people in the office by turning up so early on a SATURDAY. There was no BLUE MOON, and in actual fact, one of our company directors had asked to meet our TEAM at 10.00am. Waited a fair bit ...then past 10am, Teck Lee decided to start the sitting re-allocation for our team while waiting for our director. Well ..he had an agreement with another team to change the sitting allocation in the office. End results would be each of the team members would be next to each other (Teck Lee, Ian Tan and myself). Then about 11am ...had the meeting with the director. I shall not mentioned anything in particular here about the meeting.

Was off from work about 1.15pm and I'd ta-pau-ed Jap Farn and went home to eat. No one was at home when I came back ....after finishing eating the Jap Farn ...went to sleep till about 3.00pm. Woke up ...took a quick shower and went for choir practice. The choir was to present tonight at JIC.

I was a bit 'stoned' a few times while singing. I think I had too much in my mind.
GOODNESS GRACIOUS ME!!!

I can do all things.....

2008-12-19T21:55:00.007+08:00

I was on my way back from Kepong just now when I hear of this song "His Strength Is Perfect" by Steven Curtis Chapman. It seems like a rather encouraging song to all as the year comes near towards the end.

With Christmas just around the corner ...and if you blink slowly ...it would be NEW YEAR d (2009) ( " -__-). Well ...here u go ..

HIS STRENGTH IS PERFECT - Steven Curtis Chapman

I can do all things
Through Christ who gives me strength,
But sometimes I wonder what He can do through me;
No great success to show, No glory on my own,
Yet in my weakness He is there to let me know . . .

CHORUS
His strength is perfect when our strength is gone;
He’ll carry us when we can’t carry on.
Raised in His power, the weak become strong;
His strength is perfect, His strength is perfect.

We can only know
The power that He holds
When we truly see how deep our weakness goes;
His strength in us begins
Where ours comes to an end.
He hears our humble cry and proves again . . .

On a lighter note ...pictures time :) - please click on the picture to view it clearly.

This is taken just when we about to leave the camp-site (Camp Motivation 2008)
...minus a number of those who left the day b4

All these are taken during the water-rafting-cum-water-confidence-thingy ..

This was the first day with my good friend.
KH n myself : after the "CRAWL" ..through a hole we went during the caving experience

Early wishes ....

2008-12-18T19:49:00.012+08:00

I had two gifts from my colleagues up till now for CHRISTMAS ... :)

Both the gifts were most exquisite in nature....

Thank you very much ....Sangeeta and Teck Lee : )

an early BLESSED CHRISTMAS wish to EVERYONE !!!!

Some interesting facts about Christmas time

2008-12-17T00:49:00.000+08:00

Every little things ....

2008-12-16T22:25:00.002+08:00

Was feeling pretty lethargic today as the night before, I'd only slept at about 3.00am. Why? You might ask? Well ...I was kinda busy with this new blog settings. Changes were made ...saved ...then changed again and again ...and it goes on.

Work today was a busy day. Started with an appointment within our office block at about 10am. Then I have to rush to KL for another appointment with my ex-college mate for which now he is working at a Managing Director. Met him and proposed our company products to him. He brought me to eat lunch at Pavilion at this 'new' restaurant ...Emperor Q. Quite pricey ..and the food there are 'so-so' only. I had this RICE with Squids mixed with XO sauce (RM17.00) and my friend had noodles (about RM18.00) ... and a cup of Green Tea Latte. We managed to catch up with each other discussing things like marriages, relationships & breakups and matters pertaining to the global economy. Our conversation went on till we had no regards for time ...it was a good catch-up session ..even though we are guys who had not met each other since end-2002 or beginning 2003.

With the month of December already containing 2 weddings, several news of new beginning or "serious" relationships and the most important birthday in the world, I cannot help but have been giving some thought about love. From what I have gone through, from my experiences, my understanding of Love is different from what many people would think. You cannot grow in love until you give it away. The more you give it away, the more people you are able to help and to show love to, the more it returns to you.

Love is part cherishing and nurturing. Love desires nothing more than what is best for the other person and will provide it in any way possible. Love is holding them so dear that even when they are wrong and doing something stupid, you are willing to take the heat and the anger and the wrath to prevent them. Love is forgetting about self and being fully involved with the other person. When someone can not let go of self, they cannot practice love. When someone cannot practice love constantly, they cannot make the choices and commitments love requires.

What does love mean to you?

Intriguing Thots to ponder....

2008-12-16T19:33:00.005+08:00

1You can’t make someone love you.

All you can do is be someone who can be loved;

the rest is up to the person to realize your worth.

AND……

It is love for Christ that will enable us

to love His children.

1 Extracted from MEI's MUSINGs_2408 ( Mei Lai's Newsletter - Malang, Indonesia )

Another Mundane Monday ...

2008-12-15T22:01:00.000+08:00

My hand phone alarm was ringing. So I kinda searched for my hand phone with my hands while my eyes are still closed and pressed the "SNOOZE" button, I couldn't resist to sleep another 15mins ...which I did and when I opened my eyes, it was already 8:15am, which means that I'd had slept for 30mins more. In an instance, I dragged myself up and went into the bathroom to brush and wash up. Luckily I had ironed some of my clothes (which I normally don't often do wan) on SUNDAY afternoon. Managed to reach my office on time.

Work was as per normal. I'd managed to collect payment from a customer for about RM10k plus (wooohoooo). Interesting enough I was kinda busy sms-ing with KMS cuz my colleague (Elaine Wong) was showing to me her new IXUS 870 camera. That was the same model of the camera which KMS was interested in. In the end, KMS n myself were like decided to just pinjam from other ppl than buying one ...hahahhaa.

Lunch today was with my colleagues to bid farewell to Leonard who is an intern. He had worked for more than 6 months plus d. Today was his last day at InternetNow and therefore we had a mini farewell lunch for him at Manhattan Fish Market in IOI Mall. Had a shared order with Teck Lee. Can't finish cuz the portion for the order was just too much ...and it is meant for two persons.

Went home after some appointments at OUG about 5pm. Watched ASTRO on-demand for those episodes that I've missed. Went online after that to check on FACEBOOK and then I kinda read the "Tuesdays with MORRIE" book till i dozed off ...

Pretty mundane and here am I now writing about it ...

The question - Why are you a Christian?

2008-12-14T22:12:00.000+08:00

"I think..reading it the first time..that the question is not about the definition of a true christian nor the true christian life.." says one of my spiritually inspire fren (thank God for him). I guess not... I'm not tackling the fundamental meaning of Christianity, which is more crucial than what we do as acts of service.. not talking about salvation or our process of sanctification etc..

Maybe the issue I'm getting at, is, what does Christianity look like when Christians embrace the full picture of who Jesus really is? What are certain elements that must be evident in one's life if we want to discover the fully redeemed life?

Maybe? Why do i ask? Why so worried? Why don't I just make do with what's been placed in front of me and in my hands, and concentrate on that?
Because I think it's all too easy to rely on doing the same old things I'm familiar with.
- It's all too easy to serve when things are within easy reach.
- It's all too easy to blindly follow the faith of the community you've been brought up in and never question it.

If I have one lifetime, I want to know what God really thinks about Christianity, and follow it. Actually, my main aim was to figure out how to choose wisely, because there were a multitude of opportunities of all sorts coming at me. I had the liberty to choose any of them, but neither was i obligated to do any of them as well.

I don't think that we should just go with the flow of life circumstances and being content with taking in our stride everything that comes our way. Life needs re-evaluation every so often. I, for one, have to keep reflecting to see whether my life is in alignment with what's in God's heart. Having said that, it's God who directs our paths.. but when He does, we gotta wake up and obey and not just carry on with what's necessarily convenient or safe.

Moreover, I think one of the conclusions I think I came to while writing this post .. is that the point of all these different expressions of Christianity is discovering God. Because i want to experience the fullness of who God is (as much as being made available to me while I'm on earth), and all these things show Him in a new light..

"I think it goes beyond how we feel, as well as to how we think our ministries can glorify God"
yeah.. easy to judge (actually one of the major problems i have, hence the questions too).. when u are certain u know the 'right' way to follow Christ and think that others don't...

Just gotta walk step by step and keep my heart open..

TURN YOUR EYES UPON JESUS
LOOK FULL IN HIS WONDERFUL FACE
AND THE THINGS OF THE EARTH
WILL GROW STRANGELY DIMMED
IN THE LIGHT OF HIS GLORY AND GRACE.