Times & Seasons

As I was reading today text from Our Daily Bread on " Times & Seasons', I was reminded of the goodness and faithfulness of God throughout the year 2008.

I am thankful of His mercy that are new every morning as I wake up,
I am thankful of His grace that carried me through, my daily life when I need it,
I am thankful of His provision that are ever sufficient towards my family,
I am thankful of His promise that He will deliver and comfort me when I faces challenges in life,

I am thankful of His protection as He will watch over our coming and going forevermore,
I am thankful of His presence because in His presence there is fullness of joy,
I am thankful of His spirit that empowered me to live a God honoring life,
I am thankful of His peace that passes all understanding,
I am thankful of His living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,
I am thankful of His love because His love endures forever.

As we begin the new year, 2009, let's embrace the lessons and opportunities of every season that comes to us. Ecclesiastes 3 : 1-2 recorded that There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven: a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot.

WORRY ! WORRY !! WORRY !!!

Britain is becoming a nation of worriers, according to a new survey, with the financial crisis giving people ever more reason to fret about their lives.
The average Briton now spends two and a quarter hours of every day worrying - six and half years of the average life span - a figure up 30 minutes a day from last year, according to the worry index compiled by reallyworried.com, a support group.
Young adults - those aged between 16 and 24 - worry the most, and women worry substantially more than men, according to the survey of 1,400 people nationwide.
The top five concerns in 2008 were : the cost of living, energy pricings, personal health, income and personal debt.

If you're a worrier, there's hope for you too ! Rick Warren, author of The Purpose-Driven Life, wrote : "When you think about a problem over and over in your mind, that's called worry. When you think about God's Word over and over in your mind, that's meditation. If you know how to worry, you already know how to mediate !"

Worry may be a symptom of a bigger problem. Sometimes it's a lack of gratitude for the way God has cared for us in the past. Or Perhaps it's a lack of faith that God really is trustworthy. Worry is sin. It is caused by lack of faith, a failure to believe God's Word. Yet it is a sin that many Christians find hard to overcome.

Matthew 6 : 25-34 reminded us "Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life? "And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
We Christians need not fear the perils around us because the eyes of the Lord is always upon us.

Philippians 4 : 6 tell us "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. "

Remember WORRY DOES NOT IMPROVE THE FUTURE, IT ONLY RUINS THE PRESENT and WORRY IS LIKE A ROCKING CHAIR - IT WILL GIVE YOU SOMETHING TO DO, BUT IT WON'T GET YOU ANYWHERE

The Power Of Christmas

The Power Of Christmas was manifested on Christmas night when the church was packed with more than 450 people turning up for the musical presentation.

The celebration started at 6-00 pm where 9 candidates took the step of faith in water baptism. After the baptism, they were served with a hot dinner (rice with 4 dishes) cooked at the basement car park. At about 7-15 pm, the crowd started queing up eagerly at the door of the sanctuary to be among the first to enter. It took more than 20 minutes for the crowd to be seated as more chairs were needed to fill up the place. Children were then ushered to the multi- purpose hall for the children programmes under Pastor Grace.

The musical presentation started with a musical pieces by 7 musicians followed by a 15 members choir singing Christmas carols. The sunday school and youth children then presented a dance each followed by a solo number from Sister Soo Khim. A 'Light and Darkness Mime' team of 7 members took over the stage for 15 minutes before the Choir came back for more Christmas carols. The musical presentation ended with a message on "The Power Of Christmas" by Pastor Geoffrey where PEACE, HOPE and LOVE were shared.

Truly God is Good. Even as we seeked and asked of Him to fill the sanctuary with people for the Christmas night presentation, many lives were blessed and again the name of JESUS is lifted up and glorified.

BLESSED CHRISTMAS & VICTORIOUS NEW YEAR 2009

No Place To Call Their Home

Upon read 'The Star' newspaper on Sunday, this headline struck my attention "No Place To Call Home".

I was reminded of our recent visit to the General Hospital 'neuro' ward where the neighbouring bed patient after being knocked down by a motor vehicle, could only remember his home address and his wife name. Upon further probing from visiting church members, we found that his wife passed away a week ago and his only daughter is married to Singapore. We suspected that he could be in a state of depression or denial due to his wife departure. The hospital authorities is now facing problem to discharged him as there is no one to take him home.

It is very sad that youngster nowadays while busy earning a living, forget about their responsibilities to care for their elderly parents. What is a big house for, when there is no one staying in to create a HOME ? What is all the money for, when there is no one to share it with ?

We have to remember that our children are observing us and they can do the same to us when we grow older, it could be a vicious cycle as the saying goes, WE REAP WHAT WE SOW.

The Bible in Ephesians 6 : 1-4 reminded us that ... Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. "Honor your father and mother"—which is the first commandment with a promise— "that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth." Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.

Early Christmas Surprise

God is good, All the times, All the times, God is good. Amen

This morning while going to the market to get breakfast for my parents & family, I carelessly drop my wallet on my way driving my motorbike. After searching up and down the road a couple of times, I still could not find my wallet and decided to go back home. On the way back, I told God that I just need the documents [IC, driving licence] back, money is not that important.

Upon reaching home, I informed my wife and we started calling the banks to stop/cancel the credit cards. After that we started our journey to church. During the journey while driving, my wife prayed a simple prayer and thanked God that no physical harm took placed and believed that He is in control of the situation.

As we step into the church, my wife handphone rings and the caller told her that a policeman is at my home with my wallet. Together with my son, I rushed home to the waiting policeman with my wallet in his hand. The policeman asked me to checked my wallet and make sure that everything is intact. To my surprise, not only all the documents are untouched but all the money are still intact. The policeman informed me that he happen to be doing his round and notice a ' black thing ' on the ground and picked it up, and from the address he just came over to hand back the wallet.

Truly, God is full of surprises - He not only protect my wallet from being pick up by other people but make sure that the wallet is being pick up by a policemen who is willing to deliever it back to my door steps. In my carelessness, God took care of my wallet, Glory to His name !

Matthews 10 : 29-31 Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from the will of your Father. And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So don't be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.

CHRISTmas

Last Monday, December the 8th, our Hokkien Ministry had an early Christmas celebration at Hai Pin Restaurant with a turnout of about 230 people (children included). God is good, as we were given the entire first floor to ourselves to have our buffet dinner. Games and fun times under Bro. Joseph were well participated with Bro. Jeffrey leading in Christmas carols.

Bro. Koay then shared on the meaning of 'Christmas'. It is not just a time of celebration but the importance of 'Christ' in it. Without 'Christ', our Saviour and Lord, Christmas is just a 'mas'. We must always treasure Christ in our lives - always having HIM in our daily walk, guiding and showing us the right path to take.
As Christ fills our lives, then only can we share out the goodness and promises of Jesus. How are we to share what we do not have ?

The celebration ended with gift exchange participated by all those that bring along a gift each.

Actions speak louder than words

The latest yoga fatwa issued by the National Fatwa Council have caused opposing views to be expressed by various quarters and confusion.

Azmi Sharom in his column 'Brave New World' said, it is quite ludicrous to try to control human private and intangible trait : faith. We can't control what another believes because no fellow human being can truly tell what is going on in the mind of another.
You can control a person's actions but can you control his or her faith ?

So we Christians must be careful in what we indulge ourselves into, may it be yoga, karate, qi gong, meditation, line dancing, karaoke, night-clubbing, tattooing, body piecing, etc. because our action may cause confusion and raises questions among one another. We should check with the Word of God and elders of the church on what is beneficiary to us or not. Whether or faith will be eroded or strenghten ?

1 Corinthians 8 : 9-13 reminded us to - Be careful, however, that the exercise of your freedom does not become a stumbling block to the weak. For if anyone with a weak conscience sees you who have this knowledge eating in an idol's temple, won't he be emboldened to eat what has been sacrificed to idols? So this weak brother, for whom Christ died, is destroyed by your knowledge. When you sin against your brothers in this way and wound their weak conscience, you sin against Christ. Therefore, if what I eat causes my brother to fall into sin, I will never eat meat again, so that I will not cause him to fall.

The Bible teaches us to be grounded in His faith through Romans 10 : 17 Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ.

'Small Dragon' Pau

Last week I took my parents to New World Park [Sin Sei Kai] along Burmah Road for dinner.
Our initial target was Starview Restaurant, but because we forgot to place a reservation, the place were fully booked. [despite the gloomy economic situation !!!]We then proceed to Shanghai Ding House of Dumpling to sample 'shanghai siew lung' pau (small dragon pau), yam cake, guo tie (like japanese gyoza), cong you ping (fried spring onion biscuit), mang guo chun juan (mango spring roll), por lor cha siew pau (pineapple pork meat bun), nai wang chi wei (porcupine bun), kang shi q q fun (hongkong style q q rice), various ramen and rice with pork ribs and vegetables.
Our favourite are 'small dragon' pau where you need to suck up the juice before chewing the pau and the pineapple pork meat bun. The place are cozy and prices are also reasonable.

Special treatment

Mary Schneider wrote in The Star today (24-11-08) that sometimes a parent favours a particular child without realizing it. I believe it can be true, as sometimes we parents just brushed aside the complaint or did not see the imbalance in our affections.

Favouritism, such as extra pocket money, special dishes cooked because he or she liked it are some of the actions of special treatment.

Sometimes, parents also favoured or attracted to one child due to intellect, looks, personality, etc. So parents we should always be careful with our words and actions because our children or the younger generation is always watching us as a living example.

Game draws crowds out

The launch of the much-awaited new extension World of Warcraft in Europe and United States yesterday should awaken we Chrstian from our slumber because our youth may also be drawn into this popular online role-playing game.

Top video game maker Activision Blizzard claimed there are already 11 million players worldwide and I wonder how many are Christians ?

The fantasy online entertainment game is subtly drawing Christian, young and old, away from praying and reading the Word of God.

My son was into this video game few years ago. Initially, he would spent short hours, about 1/2 to 1 hour on the computer daily. After a few weeks, the time spent would increased to 1 to 1.5 hours daily. Despite reminding him about getting addicted to the video games, he always reply that he can control himself. Initially, we took it as just a game or entertainment, slowly, because we try to master the game, we would spent more time and effort to indulge in it. These warcraft games are also into demonic activities because it involves supernatural beings like dwarves, orcs and trolls. Eventually, this 'one-eye monster' will be our idol and our priority in life.

We, parents are always concerned and worried about our children not spending time wisely. After much talking and sharing with other parents in church, we started to pray and ask God for deliverance because we believe this is Satan's ways of drawing youth away from God.

The book of Solomon 2 : 15 reminded us to " Catch for us the foxes, the little foxes that ruin the vineyards, our vineyards that are in bloom". So we Christian young and old alike must always watch what we do daily as Psalm 1 : 1-2 said, "Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers. But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night."

Anything goes

An Australian holiday resort will hold a month-long, nude "anything goes" party to combat an expected economic downturn, media reports said on 13 November in Camberra, Australia.

The controversial "clothes optional" resort, made headlines three years ago when police called to end partner-swapping parties after a swathe of public complains. You've got to wonder what sort of people go and why. Where is the moral and code of behaviour of todays ....

As Christians, we should be prepared to resists any temptations to evil. We must hate sin and be so serious about not giving in to its allurements that we are determined to deny our desire to participate in it. 1 Thess 5 : 22 reminded us to "Avoid every kind of evil" while Jesus warned against adultery and lust in Matthew 5 : 27-28.

The book of Jude reminded us of the sin and doom of Godless men. The Bible also says we have a role to play in overcoming evil and doing what is good. We are to "flee sexual immorality" (1 Corinthians 6 : 18-20), "flee from idolatry" (10:14), and "flee also youthful lusts" (2 Timothy 2:22).

Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. Romans 10 : 1-2

Change

Latest headlines on most newspapers are on the election victory of Senator Barrack Obama, the 1st African-American President. His theme was 'CHANGE'. Likewise, during March 8th, 2008 General Election the opposition parties theme were also 'CHANGE' and they won 5 states out of 13.

The same goes with our Christian walk with Christ. As 2 Corinthians 5:17 says: "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!"

So the question we need to be asking ourselves now is whether people notice that we have been reborn (changed). Can anyone tell that there is a positive difference in our lives?

One of the greatest witness we can have as Christians is to leave a positive impression on others.

We need to change to be more Christ-like. If you have no idea how, below are some steps that you can start with:-

We can start reading now, if we have never read the Word of God before; if we seldom pray, then we must set aside time to pray daily.

Are we contented by just being a Christian? If we have being a follower of Christ for many years and your old habits are still prevalent in your daily lifestyles PRAY and ASK God to transform you to be more like Him. When a person accepted Jesus as His Saviour, he is a new creation.....

ONLY WHEN WE ARE CHANGED, CAN WE HELP OTHERS TO CHANGE

Watch Your Eyes

My mum just came back from a surgery to correct her cataract [and thickening of the lens which may lead to glaucoma].

Human being are such that, when we are about to lose something, then we only start to appreciate and treasure it. Likewise, we should remind ourselves never to lose sight on the important of our relationship with our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ in our everyday life.

Matthew 6 : 22 said "The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are good, your whole body will be full of light."

The ability to discern between good and evil is determined by the things on which we focus our spiritual eyes. If we set our eyes on money, for example, we may have the good life for a while, but our judgement will become clouded. We'll make choices that defy our own values - choices that may devastate our families and destroy us in the end.

So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. 2 Corinthians 4 : 18

God is our Jehovah Jireh

Even in this time of global crisis, where everyone is worried and concerned about our tomorrow, I can boldly declare that God is real and is still our Jehovah Jireh.

I was reminded about my trip to Miri from 9 - 14 October. My wife started to look for cheap airfare in early September and invited me to join her for the trip but I was reluctant and told her to go alone, as I hope to save my share for better use later. Together with my daughter, they booked two seats by AirAsia for herself and me. I was not very happy as I have to spend extra expenses and needed to trouble my colleague to assist my office work. A few days before departing, a close friend invited us out for supper and gave us some love offerings and told us to use it to enjoy ourselves. I was very embarassed and touched.
Firstly, embarassed because God used a close friend to bless us and reminded me that He knows my worry (financial concern). Secondly, God have not forgotten about my needs and He is very much alive and I need to put my trust in Him in all things just as Proverbs 3 : 5 said Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding;
Truly God is my Jehovah Jireh, my Provider, as we learn to put out trust in Him, He will meet all our needs as Philippians 4 : 19 said And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.
Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? Matthew 7 : 25

SEVEN DESIRES OF HUMAN BEING

Mahatma Gandhi said the seven things that will destroy us are WEALTH without work, PLEASURE without conscience, KNOWLEDGE without character, COMMERCE without morality, SCIENCE without humanity, WORSHIP without sacrifice and POLITICS without principle.
Just as the Bible recorded in Genesis 3 : 19 By the sweat of your brow you will eat your food until you return to the ground ....
The latest global catastrophe and financial turnmoil were mainly due to men greed - men eager to gain wealth without putting in much effort for it. Complicated financial derivatives and speculation by hedge funds are the main culprits of the economic crisis in US and Europe, and Asia following behind. Surely this desire will lead us not only into economic crisis but also social unrest where recession will affect the man in the street.
We should follow the WORD of God, to be good stewardship of our money and to work for our food.

Back Again After A Long Sleeeeep !

Have been busy & lazy lately to write. Came back from Miri last week, after 6 days attending a home cell (youth gathering) and two church services [a Charismatic & Anglican]. Caught up with my son and got to know about varsity life in Miri.
Life in Miri is very much relax compared to Penang. But student life is totally different - a lot of assignments, tutorials & discussion sessions to attend. Thank God, I am not into varsity life, I am sure I am not made for it.
Hope this is not the only available blog until another five months.

Further studies & PSD scholarship

NST dated 17 May 2008 reported 21 higher achievers, [scoring between nine and 12 As in the SPM] whose applicantions for further studies and Public Service Department scholarships were rejected wanted to know the reasons why.
The PSD and the Education Ministry should be transparent and publish the names of the students [together with the results] who had been awarded scholarships and gained entry into matriculation classes. This will avoid any suspisious and raise the confidence of the public, especially the students to excel and study hard in their studies.
This will also retain the 'brain drain' that has been happening for so many years.

Directors' fees still low

According to the finding of a survey by PricewaterhouseCooper Malaysia, the median remuneration level for company directors is still low and may not be adequate to compensate quality directors - [StarBiz 24-04-08]
The Board Remuneration & Practices 2007 survey found that although board fees were on a continuing upswing - rising 30% in three years - the remuneration (paid solely for board responsibilities) level at the median of RM33,000 was still low. Higher board remuneration meant a higher performance would be expected from directors. Directors are expected to have :- independence of mind & integrity ; real recognition of responsiblities and diligence in performance ; real & relevant skills ; able to use the right tool for the right task ; emotional quotient (ability to work collaboratively with other management) and of courage (ability to confront when necessary).
I strongly agreed that we should adequately compensate good & qualified directors. Those that performed well should be rewarded and vice versa. If a particular company recorded a good results, the directors should be rewarded with good bonuses and profit sharing while those that reported a bad results, the directors should be held responsible ; i.e. they should forfeit their director fees and if there is any breach of trust against the company they should be dealt with according to the country law ; preferably by imprisonment and cane wiping.

Managing Daily Conflict

Well everyone faces conflicts - at home ; at work ; in the society & everywhere.
After attending 2 hours of seminar sessions - conflict seems to be here to stay. We are not able to make it go away BUT we can try going around it. We can not avoid it BUT can learn to face it and deal with it.
One important RULE I learn is, we must LISTEN -
LISTEN because God gave us two ears but only one mouth.
LISTEN because we need two eyes to be attentive and a heart to be sincere. We also need to be humble by bring ourselves down to the 'ground'.

A new beginning

Yes, I am now a blogger after a Japanese supper @ Yatai Mura.
Not before a little help from my dear daughter & her friend, Patsy.