CHIO BI BI

Real love - The LOVE of God

2012-02-14T01:11:00.009+08:00

Every year without fail on February 14, the world takes delight in celebrating Valentine's Day - a day in which people celebrate and express love or feelings for each other. It is also the time to develop a sense of belonging and friendship.

To love and be loved by someone is the most beautiful and fulfillng experience.

True love knows no bounds and consists of great sacrifice and care. It also embraces compassion, kindness, respect and thoughtfulness.

Real love comes with a lot of responsibility, commitment, understanding, tolerance, acceptance and humility.

The word love appears in Scripture more than 500 times. The essence of the gospel is love, as we see in John 3:16. For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. (NIV)

The Bible gives us some practical suggestions about becoming the person who demonstrates the love of Christ. We are to give preference to one another (Romans 12:10), edify one another (Romans 14:19), care for one another (1 Corinthians 12:25), serve one another (Galatians,comfort one another (1 Thessalonians 5:11) and pray for one another (James 5:16).

5:13), bear one another's burdens (Galatians 6:2), forgive one another (Colossians 3:13)

It is always better to give others a piece of our heart than a piece of our mind.

TO KNOW LOVE, OPEN YOUR HEART TO JESUS,.

TO SHOW LOVE, OPEN YOUR HEART TO OTHERS.

God's great "medicine bottle"

2012-01-30T14:00:00.002+08:00

God's Word is so varied and wonderful in its working that it provides not only spiritual health and strength for the soul but also physical health and strength for the body. In Proverbs 4, God's promise perfect healing and health to every believing child of God. God's great "medicine bottle" is contained in Proverbs 4: 20-22.

My son, pay attention to what I say; turn your ear to my words. Do not let them out of your sight, keep them within your heart; for they are life to those who find them and health to one’s whole body.

They are four fold :

1. "Give attention to my Words."

2. "Incline your ear."

3. "Do not let them depart from your eyes."

4. "Keep them in the midst of your heart."

[This excerpt is taken from Foundational Truths For Christian Living by Derek Prince]

The Right Kind of FAITH

2012-01-22T14:22:00.005+08:00

My faith is not in my ability to control my own destiny.
My faith is not in my good name and good living.
My faith is not in my church or its ceremonies.
My faith is not in my ability to improve myself.
My faith is not in my ability to push all negative thoughts out of my life.
My faith is not in my own sincerity.
My faith is not in my power to tap some inner, godlike resources.
My faith is in Jesus Christ.

[This excerpt is taken from Do I Have The Right Kind Of Faith? 2001 RBC Ministries.
Read it online at www.discoveryseries.org/q0603]

D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones, former pastor of London's Westminster Chapel said: "Faith is holding on to the faithfulness of God and, as long as you do that, you cannot go wrong. Faith does not look at the difficulties..... Faith does not look at itself or at the person who is exercising it. Faith look at God..... Faith is interested in God only, and it talks about God and it praises God and it extols the virtues of God.

Musical Performance

2012-01-13T10:10:00.002+08:00

We were blessed when we attended our first musical performance at PenangPac , Straits Quay, Tanjung Tokong, Penang on 12 January 2012.

MALAYSIAN GIRLS show us the existing world of a beauty pageant. It is full of catchy songs and explosive dance moves on high-heels together with glitzy costumes and high energy performance. The music is a bold fusion of iconic and equally captivating numbers.

Fostering Strong Family Ties

2012-01-02T13:23:00.002+08:00

DAP national chairman Karpal Singh wants the government to enact a law making it a crime for children to abandon their aged parents.

He said this in view of a latest survey, conducted by the National Malaysian Population and Family Survey which showed that 675,000 citizens, or one out of three people, aged 60 and above, have been abandoned and do not receive financial support from their children. The survey based on the 2010 Population and Housing Census included senior citizens abandoned in hospitals and those living in welfare homes.

He proposed the government to enact a Maintenance of Parents Act to protect parent’s rights from callous children. He also highlighted the high penalty imposed on children in other countries which have implemented similar acts where the punishment included hefty fines or imprisonment.

In India, children who fail to provide monthly allowance as ordered by court can be punished up to three months in prison or imposed a Rs5,000 fine (RM305.50) while in Taiwan those who abandoned their parents may face up to a year in prison or a fine up to $200,000 (around RM20,740).

In Singapore, the Maintenance of Parents Act 1995, states that parents are entitled to make maintenance claims from their children. The punishment for failure to provide maintenance, included a maximum fine of S$5,000 (RM12,200) or up to six months imprisonment.

A healthy relationship between parents and their childen can only take place through the power of love, not by enactment of law.

In the Ten Commandments which are divided into two tables, the first lays the foundation of all duty in our relation to God, while the second rears the superstructure in the various offices of love between man and his fellow.
God honours his own ordinances, the family. He gives parents rank next after himself. Filial love stands near, and leans on godliness. Love to parents ranks next under reverences to God.
Honouring thy father and mother is an ornament of solid gold.

Exodus 20:12 “Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the LORD your God is giving you. NIV

Honoring our parents has no age limit.

Mother Teresa said : "Loneliness and the feeling of being unwanted is the most terrible poverty".

Our time on earth is limited

2012-01-01T01:45:00.003+08:00

Time and tide wait for no man.

The relentless ticking of the clock reminds us that our time on earth is limited. Despite the joys and pains of life, time always marches on. For the believer, our time on earth is an opportunity for gaining wisdom.
" Let's ask God to "teach us to number our days" (Psalms 90:12) so that we may gain a heart of wisdom.

One way of numbering our days and make good use of our spare moments is to ask :-
How can I become more Christ-like?
Am I reading the Word of God regularly?
Am I devoting time to prayer?
Am I meeting together with other believers?
Am I sharing the gospel with other pre believers?

The psalmist wrote : "LORD, make me to know mine end, and the measure of my days, what it is: that I may know how frail I am. Behold, thou hast made my days as an handbreadth; and mine age is as nothing before thee: verily every man at his best state is altogether vanity. Selah.Surely every man walketh in a vain shew: surely they are disquieted in vain: he heapeth up riches, and knoweth not who shall gather them. And now, Lord, what wait I for? my hope is in thee." (Psalm 39:4-7 KJV)

Don't spend your time - invest it.

Be With You in 2012

2011-12-31T23:25:00.001+08:00

Be With You

Savior of my soul
I confide in you
Through all my darkest moment
In you I find my peace
My comfort when I'm weak
I trust in You, through storm and raging sea

Faithful, You're my God
You're the Glory and the Lifter of my head
Your light it fills my days
It leads me in Your ways
Forever I surrender all to You

Chorus
And I live to worship You
My Jesus You're the only one for me
Nothing will ever take Your place
My precious Savior
Who can stand between my Lord and me

Lord I live to honor You
And I long to bring my life an offering
Take me higher
Draw me deeper
I give all to be with You

[Translated from "Selalu Menyembahmu" by Sendy Stepvina]

One-Third in World are Christians

2011-12-21T14:55:00.004+08:00

A major study (Pew Research Center's Forum on Religion & Public Life) released on Monday puts the total number of Christians worldwide at 2.18 billion, or 31.7% - nearly a third of the estimated global populaton of 6.9 billions while Muslim comprise the second largest group, with about 1.6 billion people.
I wander how many of those 2.18 billion are truely followers of Christ - or are they just Sunday Christians.

According to Wikipedia - A Christian is a person who adheres to Christianity, based on the life and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth as recorded in the Canonical gospels and the letters of the New Testament.

The term "Christian" is also used adjectivally to describe anything associated with Christianity, or in a proverbial sense "all that is noble, and good, and Christ-like."It is also used as a label to identify people who associate with the cultural aspects of Christianity, irrespective of personal religious beliefs or practices.

Christians must examine themselves regularly to see whether they are living as Christians (II Corintians 13:5, I Corintians 9:27).

The Bible describes a Christian as one who is a new creation, having put to death the former sinful self (II Corintians 5:17, Galatians 2:20, Romans 6:6). Because of our love for and responsibility to God, we strive to follow the New Testament pattern for Christian living.
However, because we all sin, we never reach the perfection for which we strive (Romans 3:23, I John 1:8). If we will follow in Jesus' footsteps, His blood will continue to cleanse us of sins (I John 1:7, II Corintians 5:7).
Nevertheless, we are not saved because of any of these works of righteousness of ours, but through the grace of God (Acts 15:11, Titus 3:5).
Let us continue to please God and "walk worthy of the Lord" (Colossion 1:10).

Let us be Christians that are known for our righteousness, faithfulness, love, service, example, and self-control.

Only as Christians who are striving to serve and please God according to His will can we know and feel "the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding" (Philippians 4:7).

E.N.D.

2011-12-19T08:50:00.012+08:00

Emotional Neglect and Depression appear to be the biggest problems among Malaysian children, if calls to the country's first 24-hour helpline for children, 15999 Childline are anything to go by. Forty percent of the children calling the helpline had symptoms of psychosocial and mental health problems. Of the 5,127 calls that Childline received since its launch on November 20 last year, 2,044 were from children who were bored, lonely, stressed or depressed, with some even having suicidal tendencies. Some were as young as 4 - most were latchkey kids.

[New Sunday Time 18-Dec-2011]

Children want our time and attention. They want to give and receive affection. They also want to play and eat together as a family, to jump and run, to climb and explore. They want to go to bed each night knowing that they are safe and loved.

The foundation of a child is how we as a parent bring them up physically, spiritually and mentally.

Parents roles are to prepare them to leave us as independent, emotionally resilient beings with a strong moral and social compass. That means being loving and kind while setting clear behavioural boundaries and consequences, positive as well as negative.

Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it. Proverbs 22:6

Correct thy son, and he shall give thee rest; yea, he shall give delight unto thy soul. Proverbs 29:17

And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. Ephesians 6:4

Fear of the Lord

2011-12-12T12:40:00.005+08:00

One of the best words to describe the fear of the Lord is reverence. Reverence is a response to a revelation of God. When God reveals Himself, I believe the only appropriate response is reverence. And with it goes submissiveness. A submissive attitude towards God is an expression of the fear of the Lord in our lives. - Derek Prince

Some of the benefits of the fear of the Lord in the book of Proverbs :-

The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction - Proverbs 1:7
Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil - Proverbs 3:7
The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understandin - Proverbs 9:10
The fear of the LORD prolongeth days: but the years of the wicked shall be shortened - Proverbs 10:27
In the fear of the LORD is strong confidence: and his children shall have a place of refuge - Proverbs 14:26
The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life, to depart from the snares of death-Proverbs 14:27
Better is little with the fear of the LORD than great treasure and trouble therewith - Proverbs 15:16
The fear of the LORD is the instruction of wisdom; and before honour is humility- Proverbs 15:33
By mercy and truth iniquity is purged: and by the fear of the LORD men depart from evil - Proverbs 16:6
The fear of the LORD tendeth to life: and he that hath it shall abide satisfied; he shall not be visited with evil - Proverbs 19:23
By humility and the fear of the LORD are riches, and honour, and life - Proverbs 22:4

IF WE FEAR AND LOVE GOD, WE WILL OBEY HIM.

Pondering my path....

2011-12-06T11:22:00.002+08:00

I was pondering the years that went by when Deuteronomy 8 and Proverbs 4 came to mind.
In Deuteronomy, it reminded us to "remember that the Lord God led you all he way......."[verse 8] and to "beware that you do not forget the Lord your God by not keeping His commandments" [verse 11]. In the book of Proverbs, we are to be careful and choose our road in life with wisdom.

Two significant events in my life took place this year : my daughter joined NTU, Singapore in early August while my son graduated from Curtin University at the end of the same month.
Praise be to God for His presence in my family life and His promises of the life to come.

Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it. Keep your mouth free of perversity; keep corrupt talk far from your lips. Let your eyes look straight ahead; fix your gaze directly before you. Give careful thought to the paths for your feet and be steadfast in all your ways. Do not turn to the right or the left; keep your foot from evil. Proverbs 4:23-27

NEVER LET THE ABUNDANCE OF GOD'S GIFTS CAUSE YOU TO FORGET THE GIVER

You Can't Be A Baby All Your Life

2011-11-18T19:47:00.003+08:00

When a man accepts Jesus as his personal Lord and Saviour, his eyes are opened to see God. His mind can perceived the Word of God and his will incline to godly life.

This is the beginning of a Christian, birthed into the family of God. He comes in as an infant and don’t even know what to say. All he knows is that he has received Jesus into his heart. Now, he is to grow out of that stage. He is to grow to a child, then to an adult, and become full grown in the Lord Jesus Christ.

God's will for us is to grow up in spiritual maturity; to become like Jesus. "For those whom God foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of His Son" (Romans 8:29). He wants us to develop the character of Christ. The big question then, is how do we become mature in Christ? The answer is that we read, believe and obey. It's the application of the Word: become doers of the Word; don't just hear it and deceive yourself (James 1:22). Don't call yourself a Christian and then not practice Christianity.

"Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming. Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ." (Ephesians 4:14-15).

The evidence of Christian maturity is not just in what we know, but how our lives and words speak to others. When we allow God complete control in our lives, we become mature in Him.

A mature Christian is one who exercises godly wisdom and does not become disillusioned by the things that people do, but, rather, stays focused on Christ.

Colossians 2:6-8 So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness. See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the elemental spiritual forces of this world rather than on Christ.

"God is not honored by our arrested development. The New Testament teaches that we should go on to full maturity, that mediocrity is not the highest that Jesus offer!" - A.W. Tower

Why married?

2011-11-13T23:58:00.009+08:00

It’s school holidays soon – and we are all going to be swamped with wedding invitations to attend. I attended two wedding dinner within a week, and will be attending another in 3 weeks time. The question that is always ringing in my head is whether the marriage will last, whether there is a matched compatibility, and most importantly whether the flame of love will continue to burn despite the wind?

In today’s society, the focus is not on the longevity of the union, but on lavish gowns, adornments, gifts, gold necklaces, diamond rings and five-star hotel reception.

Marriage is the process by which two people who love each other make their relationship public, official, and permanent. It is the joining of two people in a bond that putatively lasts until death, but in practice is increasingly cut short by divorce. Of course, over the course of a relationship that can last as many as seven or eight decades, a lot happens. Personalities change, bodies age, and romantic love waxes and wanes. And no marriage is free of conflict. What enables a couple to endure is how they handle that conflict. So how do you manage the problems that inevitably arise? And how can you keep the spark alive?

I heard joke about marriage and money, because they say you can’t sustain a marriage if you don’t have enough money. But if you’re a Muslim and you have too much money, you also have the itch to expand your series of women, often resulting in more headaches than happiness.

Real happiness is overcoming our negativity and beginning to count our blessings so we can experience the mysterious beauty of life. It is about learning to surrender, release the need to control and allow our lives to unfold in its own unique and organic way. Happiness is a choice that only we can make.

Hugh Downs once wrote, "A happy person is not a person in a certain set of circumstances but rather a person with a certain set of attitudes".

Essence of happiness is love. You are genuinely kind, generous, open, warm and friendly. In marriage, two unique individuals are bound together in a most intimate and demanding relationship.

Successful marriages are not perfect or made in heaven but rather well managed. Accept the realities of day-to-day life, and work within it. It is important that marriages be sustained and improved upon.

“A successful marriage requires falling in love many times, always with the same person” – Mignon McLaughlin.

Marriage should be honored by all, and the marriage bed kept pure, for God will judge the adulterer and all the sexually immoral. - Hebrews 13:4

Honoring our parents

2011-11-11T11:00:00.004+08:00

Honoring parents is not the same as loving them, or even the same as obeying them. Some children who obey their parents, who say they love their parents, do not honor them. To honor is to show reverence, respect, and godly fear. Already here it is wonderful to see that the relationship of children to parents is patterned after the relationship of us to our heavenly Father. When we are called to honor God, we reverence, respect, and fear Him. We are not afraid of God, but reverence Him. Likewise, if any children are afraid of their parents, the parents would do well carefully to examine their behavior. Children respect their parents as we respect God.

Honoring parents includes loving them. This ought to be plain to children who know that the fifth commandment is part of the second table of the law. The heart of this second table is to love the neighbor. Since parents are the children's closest neighbor, obedience to the fifth commandment is loving the parents. This is not a natural love - - loving because the parents gave them birth and feed them. This is a spiritual love that comes from a heart that loves God.

Third, honoring parents means submitting to them. This is crucial. It's not enough that the children say, "I know that God put these parents over me; I love them; I honor them; I respect them in my heart." The children must submit to them. Here is where children have a difficult time. Suppose dad must rebuke his son. Son stands with his arms on his side, defiant while dad speaks. Even though son may obey dad, he shows that he is rebelling in his heart. This is not the way we behave towards our Father in heaven. Children who love their parents will submit, with an attitude that shows it.

Fourth, honor includes obedience. If the children honor their parents, they will obey them - - both of them. The 5th commandment says, "Honor thy father and thy mother." Deuteronomy 21 speaks of a son who will not obey the voice of his father or the voice of his mother. Ephesians 6:1 says, "Children, obey your parents." It used to be that when pastors gave the warning about this part of the commandment that children needed to be exhorted to honor their mother. Nowadays the warning is in order that the children honor their father. From television programs to the Berenstein Bears, father is mocked as a bumbling oaf. But disrespect of father or mother is serious business. If children do not obey both parents, they really honor neither, for the parents are one.

This does not mean that children must always obey their parents. If parents command the children to disobey God, the children must disobey them, using the same reasoning that Peter did with the rulers of Jerusalem who commanded him not to preach about Jesus: "We ought to obey God rather than man" (Acts 5:29). But children still must honor their parents, submitting to them always, just as Peter and the disciples still honored those in authority, submitting to them and not rebelling.

We parents must work our entire life teaching our children to honor us. We do this by being honorable ourselves - - by behaving honorably at home. Mother honors her husband in all things (I Peter 3:1-6). Father loves his wife by caring for her in humility (I Peter 3:7); by honoring those in authority over them, obeying the laws. respecting the president, police, judge, and employer (I Peter 2:13-18).

Why must children honor their parents?

Not simply because God says so. This is part of the reason. God says, "Honor your parents". Children often do not like to hear this, but sometimes this must be the last word: "Obey because God says so." Paul brings this out in Ephesians 6 when one of the reasons given for children to honor their parents is, "For this is right"! Indeed, this is the first reason given, but it is not the only reason.

Nor must they obey this commandment of God because they fear dad's punishment. Chastisement is a deterrent to disobedience, but it certainly is not the reason for obedience. And yet it's not infrequent that this is the reason given by children. Is it fear of punishment that drives us to obey God? God forbid!

Children honor their parents because they are thankful. Children of God honor and obey Him because they are thankful for their salvation. This is the beauty of the Reformed faith! I love God because He first loved me; therefore I honor Him! Children, honor your parents because you are thankful to God for everything He is for you.

Especially, they must honor their parents because their parents are over them in the place of God. The Reformed Heidelberg Catechism says, "since it pleases God to govern us by their hand". Parents are the "hand of God" upon the children.

These reasons show how serious dishonor is. First, dishonor shows that children are not thankful, do not love their parents. This is dreadful! More dreadful is that dishonor shows a failure to love God. For obedience to the second table of the law ("love you neighbor" is evidence of our obedience to the first table ("love God").

May God forgive our children, lest His great judgments come upon them (Deut. 21:18-21). God grant grace to our children to fight against their sinful nature, to love their parents, to love God, "that it may be well with them, and that they may live long on the earth" (Ephesians 6:3), and eternally in heaven. May God grant it. For His glory.

article written by Rev. Barry Gritters

SAD

2011-10-06T10:30:00.003+08:00

Almost one-third of 6,540 secondary students surveyed in a mental health study showed a high level of depression, anxiety and stress. The study also showed about 40% of the students interviewed found it difficult to cope with depression, anxiety and stress, said Health Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai. [The Star 6 Oct 2011].

Acronym of Stress, Anxiety and Depression is S.A.D.

Extracted from Wikipedia :

Stress is a term in psychology and biology, borrowed from physics and engineering and first used in the biological context in the 1930s, which has in more recent decades become commonly used in popular parlance. It refers to the consequence of the failure of an organism — human or other animal — to respond adequately to mental, emotional, or physical demands, whether actual or imagined.

Anxiety (also called angst or worry) is a psychological and physiological state characterized by somatic, emotional, cognitive, and behavioral components.

Depression is a state of low mood and aversion to activity that can affect a person's thoughts, behaviour, feelings and physical well-being. Depressed people may feel sad, anxious, empty, hopeless, helpless, worthless, guilty, irritable, or restless. They may lose interest in activities that once were pleasurable, experience loss of appetite or overeating, or problems concentrating, remembering details or making decisions; and may contemplate or attempt suicide. Insomnia, excessive sleeping, fatigue, loss of energy, or aches, pains or digestive problems that are resistant to treatment may be present.

Stress is expected in our life and are usually due to academic pressure, peer pressure and family pressure. Likewise, a little anxiety is normal, but constant worry is not. Peter encouraged believers not to be filled with anxiety but to cast all their worries upon God (1 Peter 5:7).
Recognising that the challenges of life can be both overwhelming and suffocating, Jesus urged us to take matters in hand by simplifying. He said "Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. - Matthew 6:34

In our sadness and devasting loss, we have this hope : The Lord Jesus provides joy in the midst of grief. So let us learn to lean and trust God as the Psalmist David recorded in Psalm 62:8 - "Trust in him at all times, you people; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge."

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. - Philippians 4:6

Priest, Prophet & King

2011-09-05T19:27:00.001+08:00

Father's Day was celebrated on the 4th of September in Perth, Australia. We attended Sunday Worship at Faith Community Church at Winthrop Baptist College, Perth. Pas. Benny Ho, the Senior Pastor, was sharing the role of a father that include :- PRIEST, PROPHET and KING.

The role of a priest as Job carried out in the book of Job 1:5 When a period of feasting had run its course, Job would make arrangements for them to be purified. Early in the morning he would sacrifice a burnt offering for each of them, thinking, “Perhaps my children have sinned and cursed God in their hearts.” This was Job’s regular custom.

A priest to pray and intercede for the family and loved one.

A prophet is to teach and guide as the Lord speaks to the father.

Only when you are a priest and a prophet, then you earn the rights to lead as a king.

Just like Jesus, playing His role as the High Priest (Hebrew 4:14-16), Prophet (Matthew 13:57) and King (Luke 1:32-33)(Matthew 25:31).

God is good

2011-08-27T22:00:00.006+08:00

Just came back from attending my son's convocation in Curtin, Perth, Australia. God is good and is always good to us. As I recall the time my son started his university life in Curtin, Miri campus, I was worried how we are going to provide for him financially.

Well, today he not only finished his degree in Curtin, but he was able to spend his last semester in Perth under a student exchange programme.

God also provided us the opportunity to spend a family holiday in Perth while attending his graduation. The only peoples missing in our group are; my dad [when back home to be with the Lord in November 2009], my daughter [studying in Singapore] and my brother and sister-in-law, work commitment in Singapore.

We were very bless while in Perth as the weather is kind to us when we were out travelling. We met up with good host and managed to cover many interesting places. God is great and most worthy of all praises.

Alone or Loneliness?

2011-08-20T15:30:00.002+08:00

Mother Teresa said : "Loneliness and the feeling of being unwanted is the most terrible poverty".

My daughter, after being away from home for 3 weeks came back to Penang to her familiar surrounding - cozy room, comfy bed, friendly people and delicious food; for 3 days. She was feeling alone in an unfamiliar place where there is no old friends, to shares and laughs.

Loneliness has been termed the most desolate word in the English language. It is no respecter of age, race, economic status, or intelligence. Albert Einstein said, "It is strange to be known so universally, and yet to be so lonely."

What circumstances make you feel helpless or hopeless today? Poor health, broken relationship, a family member in great need? In Jesus Christ, God has pierced the dark winter of our world in a daring rescue through His redeeming love. He is therefore able to reach us and calm our fears in the most desperate circumstances.
If you feel unloved, don't run from your pain or try to get love through wrong means. Instead, devote yourself to knowing God and loving Him. Allow Him to meet your deepest needs. Then give Him all the praise !

God made us for intimacy and companionship with others. Even before sin entered the world, He declared that it is not good for man to be alone (Genesis 2 : 18). That's why many people often feel so empty inside.

In such moments, I am thankful to have a heavenly Father who knows what it is to be separated from a beloved Son. I am thankful to have a God who is described as "a father of the fatherless, a defender of widows" (Psalm 68:5).

Those who know Jesus are never alone.
THOUGH PEOPLE MAY NOT LOVE YOU. GOD WILL NEVER LEAVE YOU.

LONELINESS COMES WHEN WE FORGET ABOUT THE ONE WHO IS ALWAYS WITH US.

Discipleship

2011-08-15T16:24:00.001+08:00

Matthew 28:18-20 Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

From the above Great Commission, we evangelize unbelievers, and after that, we disciple them to have a desire for holiness like Jesus Christ.

Likewise, with our Christian life. When we were saved [converted from pre-believer to believer], we were like babies. We started growing in our faith by feeding on milk, then soft diet and then solid food. Our spiritual life slowly grow from immature baby to mature adult by having an ongoing dialog with God and a growing knowledge of who God is and who we can be with in time of need. After being matured, we started to disciple other new converts to be disciple of Christ.

Even when our journey in life is marked by confinement and limitations, we can be sure that the Lord will leads other Christians to guides us and encourage us through His Word.

Discipleship is relational and experiential. As such we not only need to communicate with one another, but also live a God glorifying life. We are also to be committed to our call to fulfill the commission to share the gospel to others.

KNOWING ABOUT GOD MAY INTEREST US; BUT KNOWING GOD WILL CHANGE US.

Right Attitude

2011-08-11T23:11:00.003+08:00

Author Henri Nouwen, in his book The Return Of The Prodigal Son, suggests that all Christians, at some point in their walk of faith, are represented by each of the three main characters. At times we are the wayward child in need of repentance and forgiveness. At other times we are the big brother who wants to hold on to resentment and withhold forgiveness. But as we mature, we become like the father, whose highest desire is to have all his children reconciled.

The church is also a big family, we should not be split into separate parts as 1 Corinthians 1:10 records "I appeal to you, brothers and sisters, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another in what you say and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly united in mind and thought."

1 Corinthians 12:12 Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ.

Paul encouraged the Corinthians in their trials: "Do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal." (2 Corinthians 4:18)

So what's unseen and eternal that we can focus on? The character of God is an excellence place to focus. He is good (Psalm 25:8), He is just (Isaiah 30:18), He is forgiving (1 John 1:9), and He is faithful (Deuteronomy 7:9).

A right attitude with your family begins with a right attitude toward God.

Journey

2011-07-31T22:55:00.003+08:00

Live is a journey. We are just like a pilgrim, travelling on a bus or train. As we move on, we will come to a cross-section where we need to make a decision - to stop or to move on. We can make a wrong stop, or turn into a wrong direction, but if we have Jesus with us, He will guide us back into the right path and right direction.

By the end of July, my son Johnathan finishes his university life while my daughter, Audelia begins hers from first of August. In a few months time, Johnathan would journey on to the next stage - that is working life.

As parents our role is to prepare our children, when they grow up to leave us as independent, emotionally resilient beings with a strong moral and social compass.

Being loving and kind while setting clear behavioural boundaries and consequences, positive and negative.

Proverbs 22:6 Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it.

Ephesians 6:4 Fathers,do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.

Faithfulness is God's requirement; fruitfulness is His reward.

Father

2011-06-19T00:01:00.004+08:00

Fathers of today is different from the past, which could get away with just being the breadwinner of the family. They are expected to juggle work and home, just like mother. They need to be strong in the office, yet gentle, loving and supportive at home. They must provide encouragement, teach and counsel; to warn and be a model Christian life for their children.

Being a dad means that God has entrusted us with the task of training our children in the way they should go [Proverbs 22:6]. He also asked us to bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord without exasperating them. [Ephesians 6:4]

"A dad is Gods love in action, He looks with his heart and feels with his eyes.
A dad is the bank where his children deposit all their worries and hurts.
A dad is the cement that keeps his family together and his love last a lifetime."

Ephesians 6:4 Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.

"To bring up" refers to nourishing children by providing resources for their physical, mental and spiritual needs. "Training" includes concern about all aspects of a child development. And "instruction" speaks of providing direction by well-chosen words uniquely suited to each child.

THE BEST FATHERS NOT ONLY GIVE US LIFE -- THEY TEACH US HOW TO LIVE.

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY

Salvation Belong To The Lord

2011-06-18T20:00:00.002+08:00

I am very blessed and honor to be given the privilege to lead my aunt's sister through the sinner prayer just now. I am amazed, and believed that ... grace and truth came through Jesus Christ [John 1:17b].

As usual, I was with a group of church's friends hiking at Youth Park, when my aunt called and told me that her sister would like to invite Jesus to be her personal Saviour. This aunt, aunty Yeoh shared that she saw a vision of two persons carrying a table and a book on it, asking and inviting her whether she would like her name to be written into this Book - she said she told them she was not ready, and they just turned away and took the table and book away and disappeared.
Her niece [a pre-believer], upon hearing her vision, asked her if she would like to be a Christian - and she replied three times 'yes'.
I went to the hospital and share to her that all of us are sinners (Romans 3:23) and the wages of sin is death (Romans 3:10). God loved us and sent His Son Jesus to died for us (John 3:16) and He was buried, and He was raised on the third day (1 Corinthians 15:4).

By the grace of God, I then lead her through the sinner prayer. Jesus said , “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

Revelation 20:15 Anyone whose name was not found written in the book of life was thrown into the lake of fire.

Salvation belongs to our God,
Who sits upon the throne,
And unto the Lamb:
Praise and glory, wisdom and thanks,
Honor and power and strength -
Be to our God, forever and ever, AMEN!
And we, the redeemed, shall be strong,
In purpose and unity;
Declaring aloud:
Praise and glory, wisdom and thanks,
Honor and power and strength.

F.A.T.H.E.R. in heaven

2011-06-16T00:01:00.004+08:00

Attributes of our Father in heaven :-

F AITHFUL For the LORD is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations. - Psalm 100:5

A WESOME For the LORD Most High is awesome, the great King over all the earth. - Psalm 47:2

T RUTHFUL Whoever has accepted it has certified that God is truthful. - John 3:33

H OLINESS Ascribe to the LORD the glory due his name; worship the LORD in the splendor of his holiness. - Psalm 29:2
E TERNITY Your throne was established long ago; you are from all eternity. - Psalm 93:2

R IGHTEOUSNESS Righteousness and justice are the foundation of your throne; love and faithfulness go before you. - Psalm 89:14

A GODLY FATHER REFLECTS THE LOVE OF THE HEAVENLY FATHER.

Work-in-progress

2011-06-15T15:00:00.005+08:00

"For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do." Ephesians 2:10

As we go through our life circumstances, twists and turns, God's grace and mercy will brings us closer to Him and reshape us into more Christlike persons, "conformed to the image of His Son" (Romans 8:29)

Have Thine own way, Lord!

Have Thine own way!

Thou art the Potter, I am the clay;

Mould me and make me after Thy will,

While I am waiting, yielded and still. - Polland

We all face giants in our lives - worry, doubt, fear, sin and guilt. but with limited and unlikely resources and unswerving confidence in our all-powerful God, we too can triumph over them.

"When you fall, don't see the place where you fell, instead see the place from where you slipped. Life is about correcting mistakes."

Christian's life on earth is like God's work-in-progress as written in Ephesians 2:10. It is also about Christ and relationship with Christ.

Matthew 22:37-39 Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.'

First commandment is the relationship or communion with God.
God had a relationship with Adam and Eve that was based on loving trust. But when disobedience broke the trusting relationship, God added more rules to protect the wayward couple and their offspring.

In Christ, God proclaimed once more that the good life He wants for us is not about rules but a relationship or communion.

Second commandment : ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.
Even as we have tasted the goodness of God, we should share it with our relatives and friends as commanded in Matthew 28 :19-20 'Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

The gospel of Jesus Christ brings the promise of peace and reconciliation with God and with each other.

Comforter or Comfortable

2011-06-11T12:30:00.002+08:00

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God. For just as we share abundantly in the sufferings of Christ, so also our comfort abounds through Christ. If we are distressed, it is for your comfort and salvation; if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which produces in you patient endurance of the same sufferings we suffer. And our hope for you is firm, because we know that just as you share in our sufferings, so also you share in our comfort. 2 Corinthians 1 :3-7

Someone has written : "Sorrow can lead us into one of four lands ; the barren land in which we try to escape from it; the broken land in which we sink under it; the bitter land in which we resent it; or the better land in which we bear it and become a blessing to others." To enter that better land, we must stop focusing on our own sorrows but accept God's comfort in them, and reach out to others in need.

The best comforters are those whom God has comforted and who are willing to comfort others -- Henry Bosch

GOD DOESN'T COMFORT US TO MAKE US COMFORTABLE, HE COMFORTS US TO MAKE US COMFORTERS

Trouble

2011-05-20T15:33:00.000+08:00

Does it surprise you that trouble is a part of life ?

When troubles come and doubts arise, I often turn to Romans 8. "Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? asked Paul (verse 35).
It shouldn't surprise us, therefore that God permits the added trials of ridiculed and hated because we follow Christ (1 Peter 4:12)

So why do we need to go through pains or suffering in our walk on this earth ?

As Job wisely assessed God's role in trying circumstances of loss and poor health: "He knows the way that I take; when He has tested me, I shall come forth as gold" [Job 23:10]

As we go through trials or troubles, God uses these circumstances to bring us to our knees and to Him. By His grace, He continues to use life's twists and turns to mould and reshape our character to be more Christlike, ".... conformed to the image of His Son" (Romans 8:29). It will also draw us closer to God, as we seek His strength and comfort. Trouble not only helps us experience our dependance on God but also reminded us of our inter-dependance with one another.

Much of life is about "getting through" the trials and troubles that are inevitable in our sinful world. Acts 14:22 recorded Paul and Barnabas strengthening the disciples and encouraging them to remain true to the faith. “We must go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God,” they said.

Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.

Real trials in life are not ifs - they are whens. In fact, life's most profound lessons cannot simply be observed, they must be experienced. Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. [James 1:2-3]

No one can predict with certainty how stormy our life journey will be. But we do know, though, that everyone will face storms. If you're anchored in Jesus, you have nothing to fear.

TOUGH TIMES CAN TEACH US TO TRUST.

Mission Recce to Betong, Thailand

2011-05-17T20:20:00.002+08:00

The Church organised a mission recce to Betong, Thailand from 14 to 16 May 2011. We [Pas. Gideon, Adrian and Joy] started our journey at 1 pm and arrived at Pengkalan Hulu after 2 hours travelling in the rain, before meeting Mr Lo who lead us into Betong town.

Betong is a district of Yala Province, situated in the southernmost province of Thailand in Sankalakhiri mountain range. With an area of 1,328 sq. km, it borders the Malaysian states of Kedah and Perak. Its terrain is mostly mountainous and hilly with forested plateaus. About 1,900 feet above sea level, it is 140km from Yala and 1,224km from the capital city of Bangkok.

Betong, meaning bamboo, is named in the Malay language. It has a population of around 30,000 which can be classified into two major groups Muslims and Chinese, the majority of its people are agriculturists. Climatically speaking, Betong is under the influence of the Southwest and Northwest monsoons. Therefore, there is a lot of rain and the weather is nice and cool with fog in the morning. This is perhaps how it got is name - 'A Town in the Mist with Beautiful Flowers'.

On arrival, we were given a tour by Mr Lo, where we saw the world's largest mailbox which is located at the Clock Tower Intersection in the town center. It was built in 1924 by Mr. Sa-Nguan Jirajinda, the former head of Betong Post and Telegraph Office and the Lord Mayor of Betong. Then we went to the 'hot spring' which is situated at Ban Bo Nam Ron, Tambon Tanah Merah, 5km from Betong town on Highway 410 and another 8km off this highway on an asphalt road. The heat of the spring water can hard-boil an egg in 7 minutes. Both locals and tourist love to bathe in the mineral water which is believed to cure body aches and skin diseases.

The last tourist site is Piyamit Village-Guerrilla Tunnel. The village of Piyamit located on a mountain surrounded by thick forest was first settled by a group of people called the Thailand Joint-developers in 1976. These people used it as an operation base for the Malaya Communist Guerrillas to escape from air attacks and to store provisions. The village houses a tunnel previously used as a headquarters stronghold for the guerrillas. The tunnel, which took 40 - 50 people 3 months to dig, is approximately 1 km long and some 55 feet wide, and has a seating capacity of 200. Only 6 of the original 9 passageways are left to be seen.

On Sunday, we attended a Lahu hilltribes church at Ban Bo Nam Ron area, situated directly opposite the 'hot spring'. The church is lead by a Lahu pastor, Pas. Caleb and attendance for the day were about 60 people. Presently, Pas. Peter, Pas. Jern and Pas. Wichai is assisting in training the members, and evangelism work in Betong town centre.

Presently, only 0.5% of the population are Christians, half of it being Catholic and the remaining charismatic believers. We believe “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few" as recorded in the books of Matthew and Luke. Thus, the church will be going back again to follow-up and work together with the Romkloa Church as a partner.

Lahu

Population: approx 73,000, Origin: Yunnan, Myanmar
Also known as Musor, the Lahu are concentrated near the Burmese border and have five sub-groupings: Red Lahu, Yellow Lahu, Black Lahu, White Lahu and Lahu Sheleh. The Black Lahu is the largest sub-grouping, making up close to 80 per cent of the Lahu population. The women wear very distinctive black and red jackets and skirts and the men wear baggy green or blue pants. They have a reputation as excellent hunters, and survive off vegetable cultivation, with some supplementing this meagre income with opium production.

Lahu women are skilled in weaving cloth both on back strap and foot treadle looms. Lahu weaving is unique in that the pattern appears on only one side of the cloth. Lahu women also produce delicate and colourful patchwork trims. Lahu men make baskets, crossbows and musical instruments.

M.O.T.H.E.R.

2011-05-08T01:01:00.001+08:00

M-O-T-H-E-R

"M" is for the million things she gave me,
"O" means only that she's growing old,
"T" is for the tears she shed to save me,
"H" is for her heart of purest gold;
"E" is for her eyes, with love-light shining,
"R" means right, and right she'll always be,
Put them all together, they spell "MOTHER,"
A word that means the world to me.

- Howard Johnson

A good mother loves her family and provides an atmosphere where each member can find acceptance, security, and understanding. She is there when the children need a listening ear, a comforting word, a warm hug, or a loving touch on a fevered brow. - Richard De Haan

GODLY MOTHERS NOT ONLY BRING YOU UP, THEY BRING YOU TO GOD

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY TO ALL MOTHERS NOT ONLY ON THIS SPECIAL DAY BUT ALSO ON EVERYDAY OF THEIR LIFE.

Choice

2011-05-05T21:55:00.007+08:00

Choice consists of the mental process of judging the merits of multiple options and selecting one of them. [Wikipedia]

Choice is always a good thing. And what's even greater than choice is clarity of choice - Annoymous

Every choice we make creates a ripple effect on our lives as well as on the lives of others. The choices we have made throughout life determine where we are and what we are becoming. Paul captured the same idea in the universal law of sowing and reaping. He said, "Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows." Galatians 6:7. Our choices often have a reach and impact that we could never imagine. Thus the apostle's words remind us to choose wisely - choices that emanate from a heart fully committed to Jesus. He stated that :- "And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ," Phillippians 1:9-10

When choosing between options one must make judgments about the quality of each option's attributes.

MAKE AN EXCELLENT CHOICE AND WATCH THE RIPPLE EFFECT OF BLESSING.

Be ye holy....

2011-04-16T16:57:00.010+08:00

Lazy people pursuit pleasure without responsibility. As such few people today seem the least bit concerned that before their actual holy matrimony, have been living together off and on since their courting days.
We must therefore always try to take step to set ourself apart from the world as Romans 12:1-2 said.. Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform 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.

Given a choice, many of us are a little afraid of spiritual checkups. After all, if we check our spirit too closely, we might have to change a habit or two.
Proverbs 4:20-27 reminds us of the areas that we need to examine :-

Ears [v20] - Are we hearing God's Word clearly and with understanding? Are we doing what those words tell us?

Eyes [vv21,25] - Are we keeping our eyes on the teaching that will guide us toward righteousness?

Heart [v23] - Are we protecting our heart from evil?

Tongue [v24] - Is our mouth clean and pure?

Feet [v26] - Are we walking straight toward God's truth without wavering?

[Extract from Our Daily Bread]

Colossians 3:2 reminded us "Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things."

1 Peter 2:9 said "But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light."

Greatest privilege

2011-04-11T23:00:00.004+08:00

The greatest privilege of our Christian life is to live in the center of God's Will.

Romans 12:2 Do not conform 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.

Whatever and however man does, God's plan is never crippled or stopped because God is sovereign - He overrules and He reigns.

An adaptable or flexible spirit is essential to fulfill the will of God. - Watchman Nee

CONTENTMENT COMES WHEN WE WANT GOD'S WILL MORE THAN OUR OWN WAY.

Let Him Have His Way with Thee
Would you live for Jesus, and be always pure and good?
Would you walk with Him within the narrow road?
Would you have Him bear your burden, carry all your load?
Let Him have His way with thee.
Refrain:
His pow’r can make you what you ought to be;
His blood can cleanse your heart and make you free;
His love can fill your soul, and you will see
Twas best for Him to have His way with thee.

Would you have Him make you free, and follow at His call?
Would you know the peace that comes by giving all?
Would you have Him save you, so that you can never fall?
Let Him have His way with thee.
Would you in His kingdom find a place of constant rest?
Would you prove Him true in providential test?
Would you in His service labor always at your best?
Let Him have His way with thee.

Sources:The Cyber Hymnal (http://www.hymntime.com/tch/htm/h/i/hiswaywt.htm)

"Li Zai Nyia Lang Eh Sim"

2011-04-04T09:33:00.016+08:00

Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart. 1 Samuel 16:7

祢知道人的心

You know men's heart

Li zai nyia lang eh sim

祢知是假是真

You know if it's genuine or fake

Li zai shi kae shi chin

来到祢面前不必做戏

It's needless to act before you

Lai kao Li bin cheng mian choe hee

来到祢面前做回自己

I can only be myself before you

Lai kao Li bin cheng choe th’ng ka kee

给我心会清洁灵也正直

Give me a pure heart, a right spirit

Hor gua sim eh cheng khee ling eh chia tit

外面和里面全会真实

Outward and inwardly, to be true

Gua kao ka lai bin long eh chea sit

做每个事情真是为祢

To do everything, as unto You

Choe mui eh tai chi chin sit ooi Li

不是为别人为自己

Not unto others, nor myself

Ng shi ooi pak lang ooi ka kee

真是为着叫祢叫祢欢喜

It's only unto You, to please You

Chin shi ooi tiok kheo Li kheo Li hua hee

别人看不到的

What escapes the sight of men

Pak lang khua beh tiok eh

祢全知道

Are all in Your knowledge

Li long zai nyia

骗得过别人

I can deceive the world

Pian eh kueh pak lang

也骗得过自己

As well as myself

Ye pian eh kueh ka kee

我骗不过祢

I cannot hide it from You

Wo pian beh kueh Li [A song by Pas. Lim Gee Tiong]

1 Chronicles 28:9 “And you, my son Solomon, acknowledge the God of your father, and serve him with wholehearted devotion and with a willing mind, for the LORD searches every heart and understands every desire and every thought. If you seek him, he will be found by you; but if you forsake him, he will reject you forever.

This is true whether the heart is pure or if it is a corrupt heart robed in false claims of innocence. We may fool others who see us only on the outside, but God sees the reality of our hearts - whether good or bad.

It is wise, therefore, to humbly confess our faults to the Lord. He desires that we admit the truth (Psalm 51:6). The only way to escape the sin and restore our fellowship with God is to acknowledge and confess it to Him (vv 3-4)

WE MAY SUCCESSFULLY FOOL OTHERS, BUT GOD KNOWS OUR HEARTS.

F.A.I.T.H.

2011-04-02T15:55:00.004+08:00

When affliction strikes us, how do we react? Are we embittered, or do we trustfully appropriate God's sustaining grace? 2 Corinthians 12:9 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.

I was reminded of this verse when a young believer and his family encountered trials and challenges in their walk with the Lord. I was wondering how I might lift their spirit and encourage them to cling to God's promise of Romans 8:28. And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

Faith in Christ is not about safety and caution But about believing Jesus and trusting Him no matter what. It's about taking up a daily cross [Luke 9:23] and living for the Saviour. - Dave Branon

When to hold your tongue ?

2011-03-31T15:41:00.001+08:00

Sometimes silence is the best response to a false charge. At other times we must speak up.

When false witnesses accused Jesus as He stood before the Sanhedrin, He 'kept silent' [Mark 14:53-61] Defending Himself would have been useless.

Saying nothing may allow wrongdoers to go unchallenged in their evil ways. But if God's Spirit leads us to remain silent, or if we want merely to try to salvage our wounded pride, then we should hold our tongue.

Proverbs 16:32 "He who is slow to anger is better than the mighty, and he who rules his spirit than he who takes a city"

Proverbs 15:1 "A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger."

SILENCE CAN BE VALUABLE, DON'T BREAK IT UNLESS YOU CAN IMPROVE ON IT.

Crab Rice

2011-03-20T20:48:00.007+08:00

Visited 'Cai Xiang Seafood Restaurant' in Bukit Tambun, a cosy outlet located for Crab rice lunch with Frankie and Mary on 19 March. Had a wonderful time fellowshipping over the freshly cooked dishes that were served hot in tradional Malaysian style.

2 crabs and crab rice in a claypot

the famous 'chiu pai' taufu

New Cook

2011-03-17T21:52:00.001+08:00

First lunch prepared by Audelia on 14 March 2011 as the mother was away for the AOG Ministerial's Retreat in Sepang, Selangor.

Video games make you smarter ??

2011-01-31T16:13:00.002+08:00

Long after researchers branded video games as possible health hazards, educationists and scientists are now singing a more positive tune. Playing video games, they say, can promote multiple types of intelligences.
Fast-paced, action-packed video games can boost visual acuity, spatial perception and the ability to pick out objects in a scene.
Complex, strategy-based games can improved other cognitive skills, including working memory and reasoning.

However, the negative aspects of video gaming are addiction and aggression. Extremity of anything is bad.

[New Sunday Times dated 16-01-2011 by Chan MeiLing/Tan ChoeChoe]

This 'curse' or addiction are essentially terms that have been applied to those that spend excessive amounts of time online at the expense of and to the detriment of other aspects of their lives.

So this 'curse' is real and to avoid this addiction why not get addicted to JESUS instead. Because only Jesus can fill any vacuum that you have in your life.

Song of Solomon in Chapter 2, verse 15 reminded us what little foxes can do to our live "Catch for us the foxes, the little foxes that ruin the vineyards, our vineyards that are in bloom."

Nudity

2011-01-16T20:08:00.003+08:00

The latest trend in wedding photos - nude shots of the wedded couples. If you are the couples, would nude wedding shots, be your cup of tea? Is it an art or phonography?
Taking nude wedding photos is a choice between two consenting adults who decided to eternalise their shared youth and commitment to each other.

I personally would not have my wedding shots be taken - nude. Marriage is a solemn, respectable institution created by God Himself, and it joins together a man and a woman in amazing oneness. When you have spiritual intimacy with God, your emotional intimacy and physical intimacy will be satisfied. You do not need photographs to proof your intimacy with one another.

1 Corinthians 6:12 “I have the right to do anything,” you say—but not everything is beneficial. “I have the right to do anything”—but I will not be mastered by anything.

1 John 3:10 This is how we know who the children of God are and who the children of the devil are: Anyone who does not do what is right is not God’s child, nor is anyone who does not love their brother and sister.

RIGHT THINKING LEADS TO RIGHT LIVING

Good or Bad ?

2011-01-14T07:55:00.003+08:00

Today as you wake up - how do you feel?

Are you in a good mood or a bad mood? I always choose to be in good mood. Life is all about choices. It's your choice how you will live your life. A cup of water can be half full or half empty, it all depends on you.

So to make sure we benefit from what might seem bad, we must recognise and trust God's 'unfailing love' as recorded in Psalm 13:5-6 "But I trust in your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in your salvation. I will sing the LORD’s praise, for he has been good to me."

We may not be able to control events, but we can control our attitude toward them.

Marital Happiness

2011-01-10T11:00:00.005+08:00

Marriage is indeed a great unifier. It is a solemn, respectable institution created by God Himself, and it joins together a man and a woman in amazing oneness. - Dave Branon

Marriage can be the most happy, mediocre or unhappy of life's experience. God designed the opposite sexes to complement each other. He wanted a man and woman to be joined in marriage so that they might give each other what one's lacked.
Marriages may be made in heaven, but they have to be worked out on earth.
So loving and living with your partner takes daily determination and practice - and the giving of oneself for the good of the other.

The church hosted the first holy matrimony of the year 2011 between Ray and Anverlyn on 8 January where about 100 people attended the happy occassion. Wedding dinner was held at Hillside Resort, Bukit Mertajam where about 70 members attended from Penang Island.

SUCCESS IN MARRIAGE IS NOT FINDING THE RIGHT PERSON BUT BECOMING THE RIGHT PERSON
A SUCCESSFUL MARRIAGE REQUIRES FALLING IN LOVE MANY TIMES, AND ALWAYS WITH THE SAME PERSON - MIGNON MCLAUGHLIN

Rapid Penang

2011-01-07T20:00:00.002+08:00

Today I experience my first bus ride after many years of driving. After a short walk from my office, I arrived at the Weld Quay terminal and board a bus [No. 206] and met a friendly bus driver cum attendant.
The bus started its journey at about 5.20 pm and travelled through Lebuh Chulia-Jalan Penang-KOMTAR-Jalan Dato Kramat-Jalan Sungai Pinang-Jalan Trengganu-Jalan Hamilton-Jalan Masjid Negeri where I embarked at about 6-10 pm. The journey were considered smooth despite a heavy flow of traffic. It was indeed a stress free ride without having to worry about traffic jam for once.

Thankful for a time of peace.

bus ticket

Praising God Always

2010-12-31T07:00:00.003+08:00

The end of one year and the dawning of a new one provides an excellent opportunity to wipe the slate clean and make a fresh start. Those who know the Lord Jesus as their Saviour can let go of the past and move ahead with assurance because Jesus provides forgiveness and hope. Remembering God's faithfulness and forgetting past mistakes will make entering the new year a time of joyous antiicipation.

Happy moments, PRAISE GOD.

Difficult moments, SEEK GOD.
Quiet moments, WORSHIP GOD.
Painful moments, TRUST GOD.
Every moments, THANK GOD.

The psalmist's mouth was filled with praise when he wrote Psalm 126. The Lord had done great things for him and his people. Remembering God's blessings, he said "Our mouths were filled with laughter, our tongues with songs of joy."(v2)

PRAISE IS THE SONG OF A SOUL SET FREE.

A HEART IN TUNE WITH GOD CAN'T HELP BUT SING HIS PRAISES.

HAVE A GREAT & VICTORIOUS YEAR 2011 IN THE LORD.

10-10-10 Good day or Bad day ?

2010-10-10T10:10:00.004+08:00

October 10th is the 283rd day of the year in the Gregorian calendar and there are 82 days remaining until the end of the year. And since the date 10-10-10 only comes around once a century, it have created a lot of 'hoo-ha' and many people are taking advantage of the auspicious date to celebrate........ Ten is perfect, so October 10, 2010 should be a pretty great day.

In Malaysia and the world over, there's a rush among people planning to get married or celebrate on the day as they believed something good will happen.

"10" is an important number in Biblical numerics, for example the 10 commandments of God, 10 plagues in Egypt in Exodus, 10 virgins and 10 lepers.

Chinese also believe 10 is an ideal number. It symbolises "completion", "perfection and flawless;" and will bring good luck and marital bliss to couples.
However, according to another source, 10-10-10 is a 癸巳 (Gui Si) Day. To the Dong Gong system, it is a 危 (Danger – Cantonese: Ngai) Day.
Joey Yap’s ‘Dong Gong Date Selection’ book says this about 巳 (si) days in the month of 戌 (Dog)：

So is it a good day or a bad day ?

To find true happiness, we have to find it in SomeOne who is not from "under the sun.". And that is our Saviour, Jesus Christ.
Lasting satisfaction doesn't come from possessing tangible things like savings account and material goods.

The writer of Ecclesiastes concluded that "all was vanity and grasping for the wind. There was no profit under the sun" Ecclesiastes 2:11

Every day - regardless of the weather or our circumstances - is a gift from God to be used for His glory. Psalm 118: 24 said " This is the day the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it." In Psalm chapter 74 verse 16 records that God is sovereigns..... "The day is yours, and yours also the night; you established the sun and moon."

Ron Ash, an author said, "We are where we need to be and learning what we need to learn. Stay the course because the things we experience today will lead us to where He needs us to be tomorrow."

So remember WHEN GOD IS WITH YOU, EVERYDAY IS A GOOD DAY

Weeds of Life

2010-05-30T11:50:00.005+08:00

Temptation is one of the most familiar experiences of the true child of God, but some seem to be tempted much more than others.

"Temptations are like Satan knocking at our heart and when we see him there we should let Jesus answer the door !"

Working in the flower beds always reminded us of the Christian life, where weeds in our spiritual life grow as quickly as weeds in our flower bed. So what are the weeds in our lives?

Galatians 5: 16-21 So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature. For the sinful nature desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the sinful nature. They are in conflict with each other, so that you do not do what you want. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under law. The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.

Recently, we have the priviledged to counsel and encourage a young couple facing a 'third party' crisis. Their problems started after the birth of their first son. Initially, it was lack of communication, then it was discontentment, frustation and resentment.

Dr Tim LaHaye, pastor of Scott Memorial Baptist Church lays down the six keys for marital happiness as Maturity, Submission, Love, Communication, Prayer and Christ.
Marriage is the place designed by God to brings the opposite sexes to complement each other. The daily parts and pieces of marriage do not automatically fall into place as loving and living with your partner takes daily determination and practice - and the giving of oneself for the good of the other. God planned for a man and woman to be more than mates - to be helpmates. Herein lies the secret of a happy marriage. The other secret is - Jesus Christ is the ONLY acceptable 'third party' in a marriage.

Galatians 5:22-26 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other.

Hebrews 12:15 See to it that no one misses the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many.

YOU WON'T STUMBLE IN THE DARK IF YOU WALK IN THE LIGHT OF GOD'S WORD.

Dwell with Understanding

2010-05-26T08:00:00.009+08:00

Marriage is a beautiful, exciting adventure when God is the unifying ingredient.
Today, I'll be married for 24 years to the same person. To my wife, you're the only one for me, through each joy and triumph, spat or fuss. You are the one available when I needed you most; and the one at time, doing what you don't feel like doing. You are the one that interceed for me when I am out of track. You are the one that can read my moods, or deal with all my attitudes. Whether I am all alone, or in a crowd, I know you'll always make me proud.

When I am sad, you will dry my tears; When I am scared, you will comfort my fear; When I am worried, you gave me hope; When I am confused, you help me to cope;

I can truly declared as Genesis 2:23 said, "This is now bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called 'woman, for she was taken out of man."

I have learned to appreciate your unique qualities and take the responsibility to understand you. With you in the house married life is interesting and it stretches our understanding for each others. Your patient understanding and loving tenderness have made our marriage an increasingly joyous experience. Your inner beauty, like your physical beauty, has improved through these twenty-four years.

The love you show throughout the years, and the kindness and the thoughtfulness in everything you do are things that will always mean far more that words can ever say. I'm thankful for the many things and dreams we share. You really makes my world a brighter place to live.

Peter wrote : Husbands, in the same way be considerate as you live with your wives, and treat them with respect as the weaker partner and as heirs with you of the gracious gift of life, so that nothing will hinder your prayers. [1 Peter 3:7]

I want you to know that I feel especially blessed by God to have a wife so dear like you HAPPY ANNIVERSARY with all my love.

James 1:17 Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.

MARRIAGE THRIVES IN A CLIMATE OF LOVE AND RESPECT

World's Highest Paid Professions - Mother

2010-05-09T07:40:00.007+08:00

Mother's profession can be categorized as a Research Associate in the field of Child Development and Human Relations. Their job is never done and it never will be until they finished their journey here. They are not paid much in terms of monetary but they are mainly rewarded emotionally. To most mothers, family time is the most important as it is a time of bonding. It is here where their children interact for information and advice.
Most of the efforts, sacrifices, and expressions of love our mother have given us are usually not recognized or appreciated but they are genuine.

Laura Prieto, an associate professor of history and women's studies in Boston said : Mothers Day was meant to be, and still is, an ideal of motherhood, when mothers were supposed to dedicate themselves to nurturing their children and making a cozy, safe home.

On this special day, may we thank God for the mothers who have molded our hearts. As we honour them, we fulfill the truth of Proverbs 31:28 - Her children rise up and call her blessed: Her husband also, and he praises her.

"A MOTHER WILL ALWAYS LOVE HER SON, NO MATTER HOW OLD HE IS"

##@@ H A P P Y M O T H E R' S D A Y @@##

POWER for Living

2010-05-05T15:37:00.008+08:00

Every Christian is to grow spiritually. The following POWER acrostic will help you to remember the essential elements to spiritual progress.

PRAY. The Christian who wants to grow, communicates with God through prayer. He expresses his gratitude to Him, confesses his sins, and comes to Him with his requests for himsef and for others. God promises to be near to all who come to Him in prayer (Psalms 145:18)
OBEY. In John 14, Jesus said that our obedience to His commands is an indicator of our love for Him (v v 15, 21, 23). We can't do it in our own strength, however, that's one of the reasons He gave us the Holy Spirit (v v 16-17). As we yield to Him, the Spirit provides the power to walk in obedience (Galatians 5:16-25)
WORSHIP. A Christian's devotion to God is to be continuous. Privately, he should worship God in his thoughts and prayers (Psalms 34:1). Publicly, he should unite with fellow believers in a local assembly to bring praise to God (Psalm 111:1; Hebrews 10:24-25)
EVANGELIZE. The good news of the gospel is to be shared. As we tell others what Christ has done for us, we will find ourselves growing by spiritual leaps and bounds (Matthews 28:19-20).
READ. The most direct source of a Christian's spiritual growth is the Bible. It must be read regularly because it is his milk and strong meat (1 Peter 2:2; Hebrews 5:12-14). It tells us how to live (Psalms 119:105). It is God's word to us today.
[Extracted from Discovery Series - How Do You Live the Christian Life]

Day Trip To Padang Besar

2010-05-02T12:58:00.003+08:00

On Labour Day, we gathered in front of Wisma Jelutong at 7-30 am before we journeyed to Seberang Jaya to picked up Micheal Ong and his family for our day trip to Padang Besar, a town bordering Perlis/Thailand.

Our bus of 44 [including the tour guide, Bro. Rodney] then journeyed to Sungai Petani for our breakfast. After breakfast, we continued our trip to Kota Kayangan Museum, located about 12 km from Kangar. The museum ground were once a palace under the reign of Sultan Dhiauddin Mukarram Shah (1661-1687). It displays archaeological relics as well as historical artefacts.

Before heading to Gua Kelam Recreational Park, a place tucked away in the town of Kaki Bukit, we stop to collect our lunch (Tua Pau). All of us gathered under some trees in Gua Kelam Recreational Park for lunch before continuing our exploration of Gua Kelam. Gua Kelam [Cave of Darkness] was famous for tin ore cave mining during the middle of last century. Historically, it got its name from the tin ore miners which uses carbide lamp to lighten the caves.

We arrived at Padang Besar, a quaint border town at about 2pm where we spent 2 hours shopping for food and clothing, handicraft as well as household items.
Before heading home to Penang, we detoured to Permatang Tengah, KhunThai Village Restaurant for an early dinner.

Praise God for a wonderful trip.

Kota Kayang Museum

the 'tua pau'

The 'curse' of modern life

2010-04-26T12:58:00.002+08:00

Study : US students suffer from internet addiction.

American college students are hooked on cell phones, social media and the internet and showing symptoms similar to drug and alcohol addictions, according to a new study.

Researchers at the University of Maryland who asked 200 students to give up all media for one full day found that after 24 hours many showed signs of withdrawal, craving and anxiety along with an inability to function well wihout their media and social links.

But it seems to be an affliction of modern life. In one extreme example in South Korea reported by the media, a couple allegedly neglected their three months daughter, who died of malnutriction, because they were on the computer for up to 12 hours a day raising a virtual child.

[The Sunday Star dated 25 April 2010]

This 'curse' or addiction are essentially terms that have been applied to those that spend excessive amounts of time online at the expense of and to the detriment of other aspects of their lives.

So this 'curse' is real and to avoid this addiction why not get addicted to JESUS instead. Because only Jesus can fill any vacumn that you have in your life.

We should then cultivate the habits of growing in the Lord through the following :-

The Habit of Prayer as in Romans 12:12 Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.

The Habit of Study as in James 1:25 But the man who looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues to do this, not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it—he will be blessed in what he does.

The Habit of Fellowship as in Hebrews 10:25 Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

Through all this habits, we can spent our time more fruitful and at the same time grow closer to be Christlike.

A Piece of Clay

2010-03-31T08:00:00.002+08:00

Are you willing to be shape by God?
In Psalm 139, David describes God as fashioning his tiny body together in the darkness of his mother's womb. [verse 13]

Genesis 2:7 records the LORD God formed the man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being.

Even as God have shaped us since we are in our mother's womb, let us continue to submit to Him, as he mould us daily in our walk with Him - like clay in the hand of the potter.

We need to regularly read the Bible and pray for the Holy Spirit to help us understand what it says? Nothing is more important than spending time with God each day to allow him to shape us into the person he wants us to be. There is no short cut to spiritual intimacy; ever Christian needs to cultivate a lifestyle of persistent prayer and intimacy with God.

Jeremaiah 18:6 "O house of Israel, can I not do with you as this potter does?" declares the LORD. "Like clay in the hand of the potter, so are you in my hand, O house of Israel.

How is your health, spiritually?

2010-03-27T09:19:00.005+08:00

Spiritual health is not determined by how we look, but by how we live. It is not enough for us to talk about faith, we must live out our faith. The Lord calls us to be people of inner substance, not just outward appearance - thus we are to demonstrate the reality of His presence in us by an attitude of humility.

Psalm 139:23-24 records "Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.

Even as we ask God to search us, we need to humble ourselves as God reveal to us our attitude and behavior that need to be change.

Firstly, do not harbor any BITTERNESS, as bitterness only consumes the vessel that contains it. Secondly, avoid clinging to critical attitudes, and thinking too highly of oneself.

Mark 7:21-23 "For from within, out of men's hearts, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, greed, malice, deceit, lewdness, envy, slander, arrogance and folly. All these evils come from inside and make a man 'unclean.' "

If we allow God to controls our inside, then we will be genuine on the outside.

Warnings !!!

2010-03-24T14:19:00.003+08:00

The law of the wise is a fountain of life, to turn one away from the snares of death. - Proverbs 13:14

God has provided us with "warnings" for our protection. The book of Proverbs is filled with warnings about evil and it encourages us to seek wisdom. In Proverbs 13, the principal author Solomon, provides God's instructions for His people to deal successfully with the practical affairs of everyday life.
verse 1 - advices us to heed the instructions and rebukes of our father while verse 3 reminded us to guard our mouth. Verses 7 to 11 cautious us not to occupied ourselves with materialistic things and avoid dishonesty.

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

First John 1:9 reminds us : "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness."

TO AVOID GOING WRONG, FOLLOW GOD'S LEADING.

TO BUILD A GODLY LIFE, LET GOD BE THE ARCHITECT AND HIS WORD THE BLUEPRINT.

The Pursuit Of Happiness

2010-03-12T14:44:00.002+08:00

Everyone is looking for happiness, and people follow many avenues trying to find it. They look for it in money, fancy cars, self-improvement programs, parties, luxurious homes, or promoting a cause.

That's a wrong list. The right one is found in Matthew 5. Jesus taught us that deep and lasting happiness comes from being right with God. He said we are blessed, or happy, when we are :
Poor in spirit - recognizing our desperate need for God.
Mourning - realizing the awfulness of sin and being genuinely sorry for it.
Meek - demonstrating self-control, even when we are mistreated.
Hungry and thirsty for righteousness - longing to be holy and pure.
Merciful - showing mercy to others, just as God shows mercy to us.
Pure in heart - being single minded and sincere in our devotion to Christ.
Peacemakers - sharing the peace Christ offers, and promoting peace with one another.
Persecuted - being willing to suffer for Jesus' sake.

Looking for happiness? Follow Jesus' way.
[Extracted from Our Daily Bread written by Dave Branon]

HAPPINESS DEPENDS ON WHAT YOU ARE, NOT ON WHAT YOU HAVE.

Training For Life

2010-03-09T21:09:00.004+08:00

Have nothing to do with godless myths and old wives' tales; rather, train yourself to be godly. - 1 Timothy 4:7

Spiritual fitness takes much more than a relaxed approach to live a God-honoring life. In a culture marked by false teaching, along with extreme forms of self-indulgence and self-denial, Paul wrote : Have nothing to do with godless myths and old wives' tales; rather, train yourself to be godly. For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come. [1 Timothy 4:7-8]

Our bodies and our minds are to be dedicated to God and prepared for His service (Romans 12:1-2). The goal is not spiritual muscle-flexing but godliness - a life that is pleasing to the Lord. Vigorous study of the Word, focused prayer, and bodily discipline are all part of the process. How well we train greatly affects how well we run our race of life.

GODLY EXERCISE IS THE KEY TO GODLY CHARACTER.

[Extract from Our Daily Bread - written by David McCasland]

Can You Hear God ?

2010-03-07T21:37:00.004+08:00

John 10:4 .... and his sheep follow him because they know his voice.

Hebrew Chapter 12, verses 14 - 16 listed three main things that causes us to be separated from God - Bitterness, sexually immoral and godlessness. These three things causes us to be unholy; and when we are unholy, God cannot be near us and be with us. Leviticus 19:2 reminded us ..."Be holy because I, the Lord your God, am holy". Without holiness we cannot see the Lord and hear Him. [Hebrew 12:14]
If a Christian cannot hears from God, his life is without power.

If we are to hear God speaking to our hearts through His Word, we need to pull away from the noise of the crowd. Only when we learn to be quiet can we really understand what it means to commune with the God who cares for us.

To hear from God we need to be HOLY as God can only be found in HOLINESS.
To hear from God we must acknowledge that God is Almighty, thus we need to be HUMBLE.
To hear from God we need to have a HUNGER for HIM.

Psalm 66:18 If I had cherished sin in my heart, the Lord would not have listened;

Proverbs 15:29 The LORD is far from the wicked but he hears the prayer of the righteous.

Proverbs 28:9 If anyone turns a deaf ear to the law, even his prayers are detestable.

Psalm 46:10 "Be still, and know that I am God;......."

TO HEAR GOD'S VOICE, TURN DOWN THE WORLD'S VOLUME.
GOD SPEAKS TO THOSE WHO ARE QUIET BEFORE HIM

Web of Relationship

2010-02-26T14:50:00.005+08:00

Mark 12:30 Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.

Spiritual maturity and success in Christian life are not results from how much we know about biblical facts and principles. It comes from loving one another in the same way Christ loved us. God made it clear that we can do this only if we 'abide' in Him [John 15:7]. This means we must stay close to Him through prayer, and that we will obey His commands [v10].

Our web of relationship must first extend to God [i.e vertically] and then to others [horizontally].
How do we extend our relationship to God, if not through prayer and communion. Relationship is build through conversation.

Prayer is the soul of man talking to God.

It should consist of at least four parts - A,C.T.S.
Adoration - Come, let us bow down in worship, let us kneel before the LORD our Maker [Psalm 95:6]

Confession - Then I acknowledged my sin to you and did not cover up my iniquity. I said, "I will confess my transgressions to the LORD "— and you forgave the guilt of my sin. [Psalm 32:5]

Thanksgiving - Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. [Philippians 4:6]

Supplication - I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone. [1 Timothy 2:1]

As our fellowship with the Lord in prayer and reading of His Words strengthen, this will extend our relationship towards our fellow brethens [1 John 1:3,7]

WHEN CHRISTIANS DRAW CLOSE TO CHRIST, THEY DRAW CLOSER TO ONE ANOTHER.

Fear of God

2010-02-19T16:07:00.001+08:00

Ecclesiastes 7:17-19 Do not be overwicked, and do not be a fool— why die before your time? It is good to grasp the one and not let go of the other. The man who fears God will avoid all extremes. Wisdom makes one wise man more powerful than ten rulers in a city.

The first of our five Rukun Negara principles is to believe in God. Apparently, many have not fully lived their pledge. When we pledged that we believe in God, do we realise the enormity of those three little words? We go through life living for the here and now and are just overly concerned about material things but give little thought to our afterlife and the eternal.

When we believe in Him, we obey all His teachings faithfully. We also acknowledge the sovereignty and supermacy of God in all things. There are hypocrites who claim to believe in God. They pledge one thing but live their lives in opposition to what God wants.

A healthy fear of God will deter one from doing evil even when no one is watching.

Dr. C. I. Scofield defines 'fear of God' as 'reverential trust with a hatred of evil'. Fear of God means piety. It is used to expressed our religious duty towards God.

Job 1:1 In the land of Uz there lived a man whose name was Job. This man was blameless and upright; he feared God and shunned evil.

Let us pray that God will teach us to fear Him. Psalm 86 : 11 Teach me your way, O LORD, and I will walk in your truth; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name. While Proverbs 15:16 reminds us "Better a little with the fear of the LORD than great wealth with turmoil." and Proverbs 19:23 The fear of the LORD leads to life: Then one rests content, untouched by trouble.

This thing called LOVE

2010-02-14T18:00:00.011+08:00

Love - it's such a simple word yet it means a lot of different things, and varies from one person to the other. It has no age limit. People discover it at any age.

To a child, love could just be a cuddling from his parents or his loved one. But to the teenages, love could be spending time with his or her love one. To the elderly, love is everything.

A love that has stood the test of time is one built on trust, loyalty and respect.

Whatever love means to you, it does not matter. For love is universal.

But to God, love is sending His Son to died for our sin as John 3 : 16-18 recorded "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God's one and only Son.

1 John 4:9-15 This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us. We know that we live in him and he in us, because he has given us of his Spirit. And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent his Son to be the Savior of the world. If anyone acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God, God lives in him and he in God.

LOVE IS THE DOOR THROUGH WHICH WE PASS FROM SELFISHNESS TO SERVICE.

TRUE LOVE IS AN ACTION, NOT JUST A FEELING.

HAPPY VALENTINE to all lovers, couples and everyone.

Job's Principle

2010-02-04T13:40:00.007+08:00

Job 2:10 He replied, "You are talking like a foolish woman. Shall we accept good from God, and not trouble?" In all this, Job did not sin in what he said.

The life of Job's is a constant communion with God. Even after God allow Satan to take away his material things [Job 1:13-17], his loved ones [Job 1:18-19], and his health [Job 2:7] he still worship God [Job 1:20] and praised Him. Job 1:21 "Naked I came from my mother's womb, and naked I will depart. The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away; may the name of the LORD be praised." The tragedies reduces him economically, physically and emotionally but Job still fear the Lord and has faith in God. [Job 5:8 & Job 13:15]

Satan argues that divine blessing elicit human obedience while Job's friend contend that obedience earns God's blessing and disobedience merits punishment. However, Job teaches that some suffers are saints, that God is always worthy of the love and worship of His creation, whether or not He bestows blessing upon them, and that God always has a purpose in permitting suffering, though one may never fully comprehend it.

The principle is not "Why do the righteous suffer if God is loving and all-powerful? Suffering itself is not the central theme; rather the focus is on what ones learns from his suffering - the sovereignty of God over all creation.

Philippians 4 : 10-13 I rejoice greatly in the Lord that at last you have renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you have been concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it. I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength.

Bare your love

2010-01-29T12:07:00.011+08:00

Female students in higher learning institutes here are being persuaded not to wear panties on Valentine's Day as an expression of true love for their boyfriends. The "no panties promotion"to being held for the first time, has apparently being gaining interest among the students, who are passing the news by word-of-mouth. [The Star dated 29-01-10]

In loving relationships, people warn one another of the inevitable consequences of foolish behaviour. The fact is, when we love, we take risks. People could very well hurt us, disappoint us, or even leave us. We must ask ourselves, why do we do what we do? and, are our actions affecting other people life?

What a demeaning way to show ones love? Are women suppose to sell their reputation to show their love?

Sometimes conservatism has a higher value than liberalism, especially when it protects ones values and ensures ones reputation are unscathed.

Colossians 3:17 And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

The best place to find love is not in another person but in a book, the Bible. The Bible tells of God's great love for us.

Smack of success

2010-01-25T21:46:00.003+08:00

Young children smacked by their parents may grow up to be happier and more successful than those who have never been hit, a study has found.
According to the research, children smacked up to the age of six were likely, as teenagers, to perform better at school and were more likely to carry out volunteer work and to want to go to university than their peers who had never been physically disciplined.
Only children who continued to be smacked into adolescene showed clear behavioural problems, said Marjorie Gunnoe, professor of psychology at Calvin College in Grand Rapids, Michigan.
[Extracted from Sunday Times dated 10-10-10 reported by Georgia Warren]

The Bible recorded that a home cannot be happy without children but at the same time parents are to bring their children to the Lord at an early age. Matthew 19:13-14. Parents are also to train and discipline their children for the Lord as Proverbs 22:6 recorded Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it.

Proverbs 13:24 said He who spares the rod hates his son, but he who loves him is careful to discipline him.

Psalm 127:3-5 reminded us that Sons are a heritage from the LORD, children a reward from him. Like arrows in the hands of a warrior are sons born in one's youth. Blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them. They will not be put to shame when they contend with their enermies in the gate.

Even as we love our children we should also teach them to obey God and the laws of the country.

Life and Lifestyles of Godly Man

2010-01-11T13:19:00.005+08:00

Matthew 5 : 3-12 "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God. Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

As Christians, we are to honour God with our righteous character and morally correct conduct, which include adhering to the principles of love, peace and good neighbourliness, even to peoples whose faiths are different from ours. We should never resort to violent actions to promote, propagate or protect our faith as we believe that we are created in the image of God who is holy, loving, kind, compassionate, merciful and forgiving.
We also believe the governing authorities are appointed by God as part of his sovereign design to ensure the proper operation and functioning of the civil society.

We have been taught to submit ourselves to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established (Romans 13:1). Hence, we expect the authorities, to whom we pay tax (Matthew 22:21), to be just, fair, transparent, accountable, and be held responsible for our well-being.

In times of calamities, Christians need only to pray and trust God because He control everythings, as Matthew 8:25-27 recorded.

Metro Tabernacle's senior pastor Rev. Ong Sek Leang said the church did not condone such acts[arson attack] but would forgive those responsible. [The Star dated 09-10-2010]
Romans 12:21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

WE CAN STOP FORGIVING OTHERS WHEN CHRIST STOPS FORGIVING US.

Don't worry, Be Healthy

2010-01-08T08:00:00.001+08:00

Matthew 6:28-29 "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".

See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not worry. They do not toil (which means to perform hard labour). They do not spin. The Lord uses the word 'spin' to refer to clothes. We do not need to toil or spin and God will still give us healthy bodies...

Do not worry. God knows what we need. The people in the world seek health and wealth but our heavenly Father knows our needs and we are not to get them as the world gets them as His Word says in Matthew 6 : 31-33 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.

Is it hard to seek His kingdom ? No. Luke 12:32 says, "Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom. So, how can we miss it when our Father gives it to us?

If we want things added to our life, then we need to seek His kingdom. What is God's kingdom ? Paul said that the kingdom of God ".... is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit" (Romans 14:17).

Once we have Jesus in our life, we will have righteousness. Peace and joy of God will then follows. When we are at peace, worry will not dwell within us.

THE SECRET OF PEACE IS TO GIVE EVERY ANXIOUS CARE TO GOD.

What are you seeking for ?

2010-01-04T20:49:00.003+08:00

Matthew 6:33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.

What are you seeking for as the new year starts? Gold or Glory? Health or Wealth?

People sometimes became so obsessed with making money that they did not form healthy relationships. This made them go through life without purpose or meaning, never satisfied with all they had worked for [Ecclesiastes 4:8]

To counter our natural tendency toward covetousness, Christ urged us to be rich toward God and to trust Him for all our needs. He commands us to "seek first His kingdom", and He promises that "all these things"(life's necessities) will be added to us [Luke 12:31]

Contentment must come from a source other than wealth and fame.

Ecclesiastes 5:10-12 Whoever loves money never has money enough; whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with his income. This too is meaningless. As goods increase, so do those who consume them. And what benefit are they to the owner except to feast his eyes on them? The sleep of a laborer is sweet, whether he eats little or much, but the abundance of a rich man permits him no sleep.

It is not material prosperity but "godliness with contentment" that the apostle Paul called "great pain" (1 Timothy 6:6)

God give us life to enjoy things But the world give us things to enjoy life.
CONTENTMENT COMES NOT FROM GREAT WEALTH BUT FROM FEW WANTS.

New Wine in New Wineskin

2010-01-01T12:28:00.004+08:00

Luke 5 : 36-38 "No one tears a patch from a new garment and sews it on an old one. If he does, he will have torn the new garment, and the patch from the new will not match the old. And no one pours new wine into old wineskins. If he does, the new wine will burst the skins, the wine will run out and the wineskins will be ruined. No, new wine must be poured into new wineskins. [Matthew 9 : 16-18 & Mark 2:21-23]

Praise God - The theme "New Wine in New Wineskin" is going to be a good start for the year 2010.

New Wine because God is going to pour down new anointing so that we can have the courage and strength to continue His Great Commission. "Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." [Matthew 28 : 18-20]

New Wineskin as in 2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!

Old thoughts, routine ways, normal standard are now God's thought, God's way and God's standard.

So let us trust God for the next 365 days of 2010. Let His Holy Spirit guide us and His Word lead us as Psalm 119:105 said "Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path."

God is Faithful

2009-12-31T15:44:00.007+08:00

His compassions fail not. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. (Lamentations 3:22-23)

At the end of every year, I try to set aside some time to review the previous 12 months and record God's faithfulness to me and my family. My list will certainly include instances of God's grace and provision, and not forgetting God's mercy and protection.

I thank God that I can have more quiet time with HIM in prayer and reading of His Word.
I praise Him that his provision is ever sufficient to meet my needs.
I glorified Him that there are always friends who care in time of need.

Praise the almighty God, our Heavenly Father who is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow. Amen !

ADDING UP YOUR BLESSINGS WILL MULTIPLY YOUR JOY.

FAITH IS NOT A LEAP INTO THE DARK BUT A STEP INTO THE LIGHT.
MAY THE LIGHT OF JESUS LEAD US THROUGH THE YEAR 2010.
BLESSED NEW YEAR.

Marriage

2009-12-22T18:40:00.005+08:00

A study of nearly 34,500 people in 15 countries found married people are less likely to suffer from depression, anxiety and substance abuse, clinical psychologist Kate Scott of New Zealand's University of Otago said.

Marital relationship offers a lot of mental health benefits for both men and women, and that the distress and disruption associated with ending marriage can make people vulnerable to developing mental disorders.

Marriage is the product of a divine plan. Human being did not think it up or invent it - God created it. It is the union of a man and a woman that legally and morally binds the two together for life.

However, each partner need to know their role and respect each other for the happiness of a marriage. There is never any excuse for infidelity. We are all equal in that all of us have self-control. The men as the heads of the households, sow the seeds of discord ourselves when we fail in any way to ensure that our wives feel loved and secure with us. If we want to be treated like kings, we must first treat our wives like queens.
Happy and fulfilled marriages are built on solid foundations of companionship and giving. Not selfish desires from any one party.

Matthew 19 :4-6 "Haven't you read," he replied, "that at the beginning the Creator 'made them male and female,' and said, 'For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh'? So they are no longer two, but one. Therefore what God has joined together, let man not separate."

Marriage is like a pepper bottle and salt bottle coming together - if you separate them - one of them will break or both will break. [FIREPROOF]

Giving Thanks

2009-12-18T22:46:00.003+08:00

An attitude of thanks can do wonders for your health.
Academics have long theorised that expressions of thanks promote health and happiness and give optimism and energy to the downtrodden. Now, the study of gratitude has become a surprising burgeoning field, and research indicates being thankful might help people actually feel better. There's a catch, however : You have to say thanks more than just once a year. "If you don't do it regularly you're not going to get the benefits," said Sonja Lyubomirsky, a psychology professor at the University of California, Riverside.
"Gratitude leads people to act in virtuous or more selfless ways," said David DeSteno, psychologist at Northeastern University. Those who offer gratitude are less envious and resentful. They sleep longer, exercise more and report a drop in blood pressure, report Robert Emmons, a psychology professor.
"It makes a person physically, mentally, in every way healthier."

Psalm 92:1 It is good to give thanks to the Lord, and to sing praises to Your name, O Most High.

THANKFULNESS IS THE SOIL IN WHICH JOY THRIVES

Money - Servant or Master ?

2009-12-15T19:29:00.005+08:00

"Take heed and beware of covetousness, for one's life does not consist in the abundance of the things he possesses" [Luke 12:15].
"Money is power." That principle drives most cultures of the world. People scramble for wealth, often at the price of personal integrity, in order to gain the power to live where and how they want, drive the kind of vehicle they want, and get whatever else they want.
Money will buy : A bed but not sleep. Food but not appetite. A house but not a home. Amusement but not happiness. A cross but not a Savior. A church pew but not heaven. What money can't buy, Jesus Christ gives freely without charge."
The problem is not having money, but "living a life where that's your focus."

Agur, the wise author of Proverbs 30, didn't want too much or too little of it (Proverbs 30:7-9). Jesus used it (John 13:29). Paul could take it or leave it (Philippians 4:11-12). The rich young ruler clung to it (Luke 18:23). Ananias and Sapphira died because they lied to God about it (Acts 5).
What about our relationship to money ? Do we used it wisely or does it control us ?

MONEY IS A GOOD SERVANT, BUT A POOR MASTER

Loneliness

2009-12-02T09:44:00.009+08:00

Loneliness has been termed the most desolate word in the English language. It is no respecter of age, race, economic status, or intelligence. Albert Einstein said, "It is strange to be known so universally, and yet to be so lonely."
Loneliness, like the flu, is contagious, US research shows. It can spread among groups of people and women are more likely than men to become "infected", according to researchers at the University of Chicago, the University of California-San Diego and Harvard.
Lonely people tend to transmit their sad feelings to those around them, which eventually led to them being isolated from society. They became less trustful of others, and a cycle develops that makes it harder for them to form friendships.
Loneliness is associated with mental and physical diseases that can shorten life, said psychologist, John Cacioppo, a leading US expert on loneliness.
What circumstances make you feel helpless or hopeless today? Poor health, broken relationship, a family member in great need? In Jesus Christ, God has pierced the dark winter of our world in a daring rescue through His redeeming love. He is therefore able to reach us and calm our fears in the most desperate circumstances.
If you feel unloved, don't run from your pain or try to get love through wrong means. Instead, devote yourself to knowing God and loving Him. Allow Him to meet your deepest needs. Then give Him all the praise !
God made us for intimacy and companionship with others. Even before sin entered the world, He declared that it is not good for man to be alone (Genesis 2 : 18). That's why many people often feel so empty inside.
Those who know Jesus are never alone.
THOUGH PEOPLE MAY NOT LOVE YOU. GOD WILL NEVER LEAVE YOU.
GOD'S HELP IS ONLY A PRAYER AWAY.

Out of the mouth....

2009-11-26T10:00:00.004+08:00

We may think that we're godly people because we go to church regularly or pray, but then we gossip or talk about people behind their backs. James 3 : 9-10 says, "With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God's likeness. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers, this should not be."

The book of James gives us three practical exhortations to deal with life's stressful situations : "Be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath" (James 1 : 19). In life's stresses, let's be "doers of the Word" (v22), and take the time to listen and show restraint with our words and anger today.

Matthew 15 : 18 But the things that come out of the mouth come from the heart, and these make a man 'unclean.'

Ephesians 4:29 Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.

More Girls under 14 having sex

2009-11-20T19:27:00.006+08:00

IT IS a sign of the times - More girls aged below 14 are having sex - report The Straits Times newspaper of Singapore.

One in three female secondary school students who took part in a Universiti Malaya study a decade ago admitted they were sexually active.

"If that was a decade ago, imagine what it would be like today" child psychology researcher Datuk Dr Chiam Heng Keng told the New Sunday Times at the Sarawak Women's Bureau seminar on "Training our Children on Personel Safety".

She said the study found that some had sex for pleasure, but most prostituted themselves for the money to buy expensive goods. It gives them [the girls] the feeling 'I'm very cool because my friends are doing it' and it must be right because everyone is doing it.

Sex has a part to play in everybody's life, but let us not be obsessed by it. Let us weave sex intelligently into our family lives. Let us understand our emotions, let us try and control our sexual urges until we are ready to meet the responsibilities which go with them. Sexual laxity is nothing to be proud of, and, furthermore, is associated with certain risks, among which pregnancy and venereal infection rank foremost.

According to Datuk Dr Nor Ashikin Mokhtar, a senior consultant obstetrician and gynaecologist, because of engaging in sex with multiple partners early in life, more women [in their 30s] are diagnosed with cervical cancer.

We are to practice and pursue sexual relations in holiness and honour (each one of you [is to]) know how to control his own body as recorded in 1 Thessalonians 4:4.

1 Corinthians 10:31 So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.

God's Promises

2009-11-12T20:05:00.003+08:00

It is better to go to a house of mourning than to go to a house of feasting, for death is the destiny of every man; the living should take this to heart - Ecclesiastes 7 : 2

My late father, attended the wake service of my aunt years ago, and were ministered and touched by the peacefulness of the situation. He was also encouraged by the love and care extended by the church.
About two years ago on 22 November 2007, while going through pain due to gangrene of his toes, he accepted Jesus as his personal Lord and Saviour at Lam Wah Ee Hospital. Dad's reason for wanting to be a Christian is because he wanted a Christian funeral and wake service - they are peaceful. He feels the comfort, assurance and goodness of Jesus the Comforter.

The Lord Jesus revealed to us signs that dad's time is up. At about 4-30 pm, he vomitted and passed motion, the family cleaned and changed him. Suddenly, his facial countenance changed from a wrinkled and haggard face to one that was radiant and shinning. A few minutes later staring blankly into space, he asked the question "where are you taking me ?" thereafter he dozed off. Those were the last audible words he said. Then at about 7-30 pm, while taking our dinner, we [my sister (pre believer), daughter and myself] heard joyous songs of praise coming from the back door.

The Lord took dad home at about 9-30 pm peacefully in his sleep. Church friends came and went. After settling the necesarry funeral arrangement, when we finally sat down, it was about 3-00 am in the morning. It suddenly dawned on the family that the Lord was preparing us for dad's passing; through the changed facial countenance [the glory of God came upon him], the question, "where are you taking me ?' [he saw the Lord Jesus] and the joyous songs of praise [angelic hosts singing] we heard.

What a wonderful God we have. We believed that Jesus and His angels came to welcome dad home. Surely it must have been a wonderful glorious sight to behold.

Thank you Jesus, and all glory be unto You.

After the funeral, my sister-in-law and brother-in-law requested/inquired about the Christian songs sung during the past few days. I strongly believed that the Holy Spirit is planting the seed of salvation into their heart.

Once again, all glory to God for His promise in Acts 16 : 31 - They replied, "Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved—you and your household."

Saying Goodbye

2009-11-07T05:20:00.006+08:00

This life is but the childhood of our immortality.

Dad complained of pain on his left leg on 19 October 2009 but resist to visit the doctor. After persuading him for a few days and the pain persisted, we managed to take him to visit a nephrologist on 24 October. On 6 November 2009 at 9-30 pm the Lord graciously took him home peacefully. He departed as his heart desire, without any pain or groaning, without causing any hardship to the loved one.

Weeping for our loss is good, but we need not weep like those who have no hope. Instead, we must rely on three certainties of death said Albert Lee of Our Daily Bread.

First, the soul does not die. The soul of the departed believers are with the Lord. (1 Thessalonians 4:14) We believe that Jesus died and rose again and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him. They have retired from this problematic world, and they "sleep in Jesus".
Second, Jesus will come for every believer. Whether a Christian is alive on earth or asleep in death, Jesus will return for all His children. (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17) For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever.
Third, there will be a joyous reunion. (1 Thessalonians 4:17) After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever.

BECAUSE CHRIST LIVES, DEATH IS NOT TRAGEDY BUT TRIUMPH

Sinless Anger

2009-11-06T16:05:00.002+08:00

"In your anger do not sin": Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry - Ephesians 4:26

What others say and do may arouse our anger and in some cases could make us angry. But we must be careful we don't overreact and lose control. Paul reminded us that "though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. [2 Corinthians 10 : 3-4]

Anger can be bad for our health. Doctors have estimated that 60% of all diseases are caused by emotional stress. Anger causes our glands to release toxins into our bloodstream. Our anger can cause us to suffer high blood presure, ulcers, strokes and scores of other killer diseases.

Should Christians ever become angry ? Certainly! But we should never allow our anger to erupt in a sinful response. Angry words are contagious, we should not spread them!

Proverbs 15:1 A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.

Proverbs 14:17 A quick-tempered man does foolish things, and a crafty man is hated.

Blessings and Curses

2009-11-04T10:35:00.002+08:00

Caramba! A new survey says Mexican adults curse an average of 20 times a day, serving up about 1.3 billion swear words daily.

Some people are inclined to think that blessings are real but not curses. That is illogical. For any pair of opposites that we care to think of, if one is real, the other must be real. Take the following examples: day and night, heat and cold, good and evil, and strong and weak. We cannot simply focus on one and ignore the other. So it is with blessings and curses; blessings are real and curses are real.

The words "bless" or "blessing" occur in the Bible about 430 times. The word "curse," in various forms, occurs about 160 times. Blessing and curses essentially take the form of words. They may be spoken, written or merely uttered inwardly. These words are not just ordinary words but are vessels of supernatural power. Blessing produce good effects and curses produce evil effects. Blessing proceed from God or men representing God likewise, curses are proceed from Satan or men representing him, as Satan cannot bless anyone but only curses.

A very important point to remember is : once released, both blessings and curses tend to continue on through time until they are revoked. Genesis 12:3 recorded "I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you."

James 3 : 9-10 With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God's likeness. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers, this should not be.

[Extracted from 'From Curse To Blessing by Derek Prince]

So let the words of our mouth be a blessing and an encouragement to others daily.

"Karoshi"

2009-10-30T15:34:00.002+08:00

A store manager with hamburger chain McDonald's in Yokohama, Japan who died of a brain haemorrhage was a victim of karoshi or death by overwork. The woman had done more than 80 hours of overtime on average per month for the six months before she collapsed in October 2007 during a training programme at a different store. She died in hospital three days later, said an official at the Kanagawa Labour Bureau. [The Star dated 29-10-2009]

Much of our living is spent acquiring and using money, which doesn't last. The temporary nature of material wealth makes it a poor bargain in the search for security in an insecure world. The Bible does not say it's wrong to have money or the things that money can buy. Where we lose our way is when money becomes the driving purpose of our lives. Like the rich man and his barns [Luke 12 : 13-21], we end up pursuing the accumulation of things that eventually will be forfeited - if not in life, then certainly at death.

Do not wear yourself out to get rich; have the wisdom to show restraint. Proverbs 23:4

Treasures in heaven are laid up as treasures on earth are laid down

Joyful living

2009-10-29T16:20:00.002+08:00

The New Testament gives us many reasons to rejoice. Jesus said, "Rejoice because your names are written in heaven" [Luke 10:20]

The apostle Peter spoke of the reasons believers can "rejoice with joy inexpressible" 1Peter 1:8. We're not asked to pretend that problems don't exists but to rejoice even in the midst of them.

In Romans, we see the contrast between the two kinds of existence possible in this life. In Romans 1 : 18-32, we read about the sad, frightening life of those who refuse to live for God. It's a life full of trouble and turmoil. But in Romans 5: 1-11, we see what happens when a person trusts Christ. "We have peace," it says. "We rejoice," we're told. And we have hope, love, and salvation. What a contrast!

Let's remember that " ... the joy of the LORD is your strength." [Nehemiah 8:10]

Philippians 4:4 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!

Happiness is something you choose.

If you know Jesus, you always have reasons to rejoice.

The miracle of marriage

2009-10-26T11:08:00.004+08:00

Adam said: "This is now bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; ....(Genesis 2:23)

Pastor Howard Sugden said that marriage is the real miracle and not wedding. Anyone can have a wedding, but only God can create a marriage. A miracle is needed to hold two people together. The union of marriage is so strong that we become "one flesh". God wants marriage to be the way it was when He first created Eve from Adam (Genesis 2 : 21-24). To pledge your life to another is indeed an act of faith that requires belief in miracles.

In Ephesians 5 :22-23, Paul asked husbands and wives to turn their thoughts to their relationship with the Son of God. In Him we find Someone who loves to forget the worst and bring out the best. He reminds us not of what we've lost but of what we have yet to find.

Having deep faith in God, lifelong commitment, loyalty, and self-denying love are the dominant themes of a successful marriage.

Nancy Anderson author of 'Avoiding The Greener Grass Syndrome' offers six action to build "hedges" to protect and make a good marriage :

HEAR - give a listening ear to your spouse.
ENCOURAGE - build up your spouse by focusing on positive qualities.
DATE - celebrate your marriage by playing and laughing together.
GUARD - establish safeguard by setting clear boundaries.
EDUCATE - study your mate to truly understand him or her.
SATISFY - meet each other's need.

1 Peter 3:7 Husbands, in the same way be considerate as you live with your wives, and treat them with respect as the weaker partner and as heirs with you of the gracious gift of life, so that nothing will hinder your prayers.

A happy marriage is a union of two good forgivers.
MARRIAGES MAY BE MADE IN HEAVEN, BUT THEY HAVE TO BE WORKED OUT ON EARTH
SUCCESS IN MARRIAGE IS NOT FINDING THE RIGHT PERSON BUT BECOMING THE RIGHT PERSON

Role of Enzymes

2009-10-24T07:12:00.001+08:00

Enzymes are special molecules that work as catalysts. This means that enzymes speed up chemical reactions in the body.

Enzymes are primarily protein molecules that consist of amino acids. They act as biological catalysts responsible for all the biochemical reactions taking place in our body that control life's processes. Enzymes are essential for life sustenance and cellular activity. Life is not possible without enzyme. The amount of enzymatic activity in the body is the indicator that determines "sickness and health".

Generally, the human body consists of 70% water, 15% protein, 13% fat and numerous enzymes responsible for various chemical changes in the body. There are more than 3,000 enzymes in our body to keep us in good health. Anything from digestion of food, limb movement, thinking, the changes happpen 24 hours a day without stopping.

Among our nutrient intake, carbohydrate from grains, glycogen contained in meat and animal livers, lactose from milk and fructose from fruits, etc, also are our energy sources.

Without enzymes, it would be impossible to digest, absorb and utilise these nutrients. Without enzymes in the body, we would not be able to absorb any nutrients.

Enzymes are also crucial for the reactions of each organ in the body. For example, enzymes digest the food so that food is small enough to pass through the cellular membrane of the small intestines and into the blood. Enzymes in the blood will in turn build muscles, nerves, blood and glands from the fully digested nutrients.

Meanwhile, enzymatic actions will also enable carbohydrates to be stored in liver and muscles as well as converting fat into fatty tissues.

Enzymes also aid the formation of urea so that the latter will be excreted in the urine. One particular type of enzyme even aids the bone and nervous tissue in absorbing phosphorus and another enzyme aids the red blood cells in iron absorption.

Hence, enzyme plays an extremely important role in the propagation of life. Enzymes in the immune system clear and eliminate foreign bodies and toxins in the blood tissues.

Joy of Giving

2009-10-22T10:20:00.001+08:00

Jesus warned His followers: "Take heed and beware of covetousness, for one's life does not consist in the abundance of the things he possesses" (Luke 12:15).

Paul challenged Timothy to encourage the wealthy in the prosperous city of Ephesus that having great wealth carried great responsibility. That included being humble, finding their security in God not in riches, and using their money to do good. Even if we are not wealthy, God has called us to radical generosity.

It's not wrong to find pleasure in the good things money can buy, but we should never rely on them for happiness. If our fulfillment depends on material possessions, we are crushed when we lose them. But if our joy is found in the Lord, nothing can disrupt it, not even economic distress.

As a Christians, we too are to have a heart of giving. James tells us to listen to the Word and do what is say (1 : 22-23). But he doesn't stop with just telling us to obey. He gives us specific instructions about what we must do. Then he gives us a practical way we can give of ourselves: "Visit orphans and widows in their trouble" (v27).

The Bible encourages us all to give in this way : "Let each one give as he purposes in his heart, nor grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work" [2 Corinthians 9 :7-8].

You will show me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore. [Psalm 16:11]

Kindness is the oil that takes the friction out of life.

You can give without loving, BUT you can't love without giving

Pleasure versus Joy

2009-10-20T16:33:00.004+08:00

It's not wrong to find pleasure in the good things money can buy, but we should never rely on them for happiness.

The world offers "passing pleasures" (Hebrew 11:25), but the Lord Jesus offers to give us full and lasting joy (John 15:11). Pleasures is dependent on circumsances, but joy is inward and is not disturbed by one's environment.
Pleasure is always changing, but joy is constant! Worldly delights are often followed by depression. True joy is grounded in Jesus Christ, who is "the same yesterday, today, and forever" (Hebrews 13:8).
To keep experiencing pleasure, we must run from one stimulus to another, for it refuses to be permanently grasped. Joy is just the opposite. It is a gift we receive from God.
Pleasure is built on self-seeking, but joy is based on self-sacrifice. The more we pursue self- gratification, the more empty we feel. If a pint of pleasure gives momentary happiness today, a gallon of excitement and thrills is necessary for the same effect tomorrow. Joy, however, is based on the sacrificial giving of ourselves. As we learn what it means to focus on the needs of others, we find greater fulfillment in God Himself, who meets our every need.

Only when you seek the things of Christ can you find abiding joy.

FOR JOY THAT WILL LAST, ALWAYS PUT CHRIST FIRST

[Extracted from Our Daily Bread dated 05-04-2001 written by HGB]

Forgive and forget

2009-10-17T10:06:00.002+08:00

Someone has said, "Forgiveness is not a case of 'holy amnesia' that wipes out the past. Instead, it is the experience of healing that drains the poison from the wound."

Some of life's hurt are so deep and painful to forgive the people who cause them seems impossible. Yet Jesus says that we can't experience His forgiveness if we have an unforgiving spirit.

One factor that motivates us to forgive is that as a Christian we are commanded to, as the child of a Father who forgives. Jesus said' " "And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive him, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins." [Mark 11:25]

Philip Yancey identify three pragmatic reasons why we should forgive :-
First, forgiveness halts the cycle of blame and pain, breaking the chain of ungrace. Without it we remain bound to the people we can't forgive, held in their vise grip.
Second, forgiveness loosens the stranglehold of guilt in the perpetrator. It allows the possibility of transformation in the guilty party, even if a just punishment is still required.
Third, forgiveness creates a remarkable linkage, placing the forgiver on the same side as the party who did the wrong.

Matthew 6:14 For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.

He who cannot forgive others burns the bridge over which he himself must pass - Herbert

Joy Stealers

2009-10-14T08:35:00.003+08:00

Why do many Christians fail to experience real joy, which is listed as a fruit of the Holy Spirit in Galatians 5:22?

In his book Laugh Again, Charles Swindoll suggests three common "joy stealers" - worry, stress, and fear. He defines worry as "an inordinate anxiety about something that may or may not occur." (And it usually doesn't) Stress, say the author, is "intense strain over a situation we can't change or control." (But God can.) And fear, according to Swindoll, is a "dreadful uneasiness over danger, evil, or pain." (And it magnifies our problems.)

Swindoll says that to resist these "joy stealers" we must embrace the same confidence that Paul expressed in his letter to the Philippians. After giving thanks for the Philippian believers (1:3-5), the apostle assured them "that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ" (v.6).
Whatever causes you worry, stress, and fear cannot ultimately keep God from continuing His work in you. With this confidence we can begin each day knowing that He is in control. We can leave everything in His hands.
Resist those "joy stealers" by renewing your confidence in God each morning. Then relax and rejoice.

[Extracted from Our Daily Bread dated 17-02-2003 written by Joanie Yoder]

Pride Kills

2009-10-12T08:33:00.001+08:00

Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall. Proverbs 16:18

Pride is arrogant self-worship. It is the sin of exalting one's own interests above the interests of others. Pride craves for admiration, and sometimes, even adoration. It does not like to share the limelight. The proud are in love with themselves and seek to bring attention to their own admirable qualities.

Pride is very subtle and can manifest itself in strange ways. No one is exempted from the temptation of pride. It is so rooted in our fallen nature.

Pride is the reason why, in our materialistic society, people buy things they do not need with money they do not have, just to impress people they do not even know.

In Proverbs 6 : 16-19, the wise man lists seven cardinal sins that God hates and detests - pride is the first. In other words, the root of pride is the fountainhead of all the other sins. This makes it vital for us to understand, and walk free from, this enemy of our souls.

Galatians 6:4 tells us that there is a pride that is legitimate and healthy. Man wants and needs to feel good about himself. But this God-given dignity and healthy pride is one that comes from self-examination before God, not comparison with man. The key to healthy pride then is not to compare ourselves with others. Sinful pride emerges when we compare and contrast our strengths with the weakness of others in order to make ourselves feel superior. We may do so either verbally on the outside, or subtly on the inside.

Healthy pride can be nurtured when we realise that in the Bible, humility is not equal to humiliation. Humility enhances the image of God in us. Humiliation destroys our God-given diginity. Humility is demonstrated not in putting ourselves down, but in lifting others up.

A Christian can thus be both proud and humble at the same time. He can be proud of who God has created him to be and yet stay humble because he does not look down on others or consider himself more highly than he ought to.

Proverbs 16:5 The LORD detests all the proud of heart. Be sure of this : They will not go unpunished.
Isaiah 66: 2 .. "This is the one I esteem : he who is humble and contrite in spirit, and trembles at my word.

Matthew 23 : 12 For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.

[Extract from Pulling Down Pride by Benny Ho]

Health or Wealth ?

2009-10-10T19:15:00.002+08:00

A modern adaptation of Ben Franklin's adage, "Early to bed, early to rise, makes a man healthy, wealthy, and wise," is being promoted today in the evangelical world. It is heralded from the pulpit and hailed on television. It has been made the theme of great crusades, fellowship meetings, prayer groups, and volumes of paperbacks sold in Christian bookstores.

Ben Franklin's quote from Poor Richard's Almanac has a 20th-century counterpart in slogans like this : "God wants every Christian well." "No Christian ever needs to be sick." "If you are not successful or do not have an abundance of all things, it is not God's fault." Or how about these? "If you tithe, you can be assured that you will prosper financially." "God wants all His children prosperous."
This collage of glib mottoes on health and wealth is further exploited by formulas calling for the "release of faith," by pleas for you to give so that you will receive, and by the use of gimmicks to produce what satisfies the flesh, not the spirit.

No assurance is given in the Bible that it is the will of the Father for every Christian to be rich in this world's possession and also to be exempt from sickness. In fact God promises in 2 Corinthians 12:9 "My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness".

1 John 5:14 This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us.

Sometimes sickness is allowed for our own betterment and to bring God glory.

[Extracted from Christian Living-Healthy, Wealthy, and Wise? by Paul R.Van Gorder]

Sorrow

2009-10-07T21:50:00.000+08:00

During a time of grieve, does your friends seem to forget you? They fail to call, or write, or promise to pray. But those are the times when we can sense God's tenderness most deeply.

Pain and sorrow are inescapable facts of life. All of us grieve at one time or another - including those of us who are Christ-followers. For the believer, however, there is something beyond the tears, pain and loss. There is hope. Yet the Holy Spirit is our source of gladness, 'bringing us the richest treasures man can wish or God can send.' - David McCasland.

Sadness, tears, and mourning are familiar territory for everyone on this earth - even for Jesus. Jesus saw Mary and Martha and their friends mourning (Lazarus death), and He too was overcome. Sorrowing with them, "Jesus wept" [John 11:35]

The psalmist David also experience hopeless despair, as he struggled with his own failures, the attacks of others, and the disappointments of life. In Psalm 6:6 he said, "I am worn out from groaning; all night long I flood my bed with weeping and drench my couch with tears." The depth of his sorrow and loss drove him to heartache - but in that grief he turned to God of all comfort. In the pain and struggle of living without answers, we can always find comfort in our heavenly Father. Just like David, in his frustration, his doubts and fears turned to trust. Psalm 13:5, from his heart he prayed, "But I trust in your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in your salvation."

Isaiah 53:4 Surely he took up our infirmities and carried our sorrows, yet we considered him stricken by God, smitten by him, and afflicted.

The psalmist said that while God's Word gives life, there is still the combination of "comfort in my affliction" Psalm 119:50

Even in life's toughest circumstances, we can, with God's help, enjoy a measure of healing. - Dave Branon

Happiness key to longer life

2009-10-04T18:06:00.006+08:00

Everyone wants to be happy. But many fail in their quest to find that elusive prize because they are looking in the wrong places.
Proverbs 16 : 20 tells us, "Whoever trusts in the Lord, happy is he." And Psalm 146 : 5 indicates that happiness comes to those who find their help and hope in God.

Happiness does not heal, but happiness protects against falling ills, says Ruut Veenhoven of Rotterdam's Erasmus University in a study in 2008.
Happiness can be bolstered by friendship and human community, as well as larger social factors such as freedom, democracy, effective government institutions and rule of law. Happy people were more inclined to watch their weight, were more perceptive of symptoms of illness, tended to be more moderate with smoking and drinking and generally lived healthier lives. They were also more active, more open to the world, more self-confident, made better choices and built more social networks.

Richard De Haan, a writer of Our Daily Bread list Ten Rules for Happier Living :
1) Give something away
2) Do a kindness
3) Give thanks always
4) Work with vim and vigor
5) Visit the elderly and learn from their experience
6) Look intently into the face of a baby and marvel
7) Laugh often - it's life lubricant
8) Pray to know God's way
9) Plan as though you will live forever - you will
10) Live as though today is your last day on earth

Psalm 112 : 1 Praise the LORD. Blessed [Happy] is the man who fears the LORD, who finds great delight in his commands.

Proverbs 17 : 22 A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.

What is Wisdom ?

2009-10-01T15:55:00.005+08:00

If you are given a heart's desire, what would yours be ?
Solomon asked for WISDOM.
He accomplished so much, yet he found all of them worthless. It's equally provocative to realize that Solomon later seemed to wonder wheteher he had made the right choice. According to the book of Ecclesiastes, which shows us where he was in his thinking at the end of his life, Solomon eventually came to the place where he had serious questions about whether he had really been wise in asking for wisdom. Until he remembered his God (Ecclesiastes 12:13-14), he forgot that we live not merely for ourselves but for the honor of the One who made us to worship and enjoy Him forever.
He candidly stated that his wisdom had only increased his misery (Ecclesiastes 1:18)

Solomon acknowledges that wisdom encourages (1) thoughtfulness, (2) realism, (3) reverence, and (4) joyfulness.

Wisdom encourages thoughtfulness. It encourages a person to use his head.
Ecclesiastes 2:13-14 I saw that wisdom is better than folly, just as light is better than darkness. The wise man has eyes in his head, while the fool walks in the darkness; but I came to realize that the same fate overtakes them both.

Wisdom encourages realism. We must come to grips with the real nature of life and death, and God and enduring values.
Ecclesiastes 9:3 This is the evil in everything that happens under the sun: The same destiny overtakes all. The hearts of men, moreover, are full of evil and there is madness in their hearts while they live, and afterward they join the dead.

Wisdom encourages reverence for God. We have lost a sense of the fear of God, of the wisdom of obedience, and of the expectation of accountability.
Ecclesiastes 12:13 Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man.

Wisdom encourages joyfulness in the life that God gave us.
Ecclesiastes 11:9-10 Be happy, young man, while you are young, and let your heart give you joy in the days of your youth. Follow the ways of your heart and whatever your eyes see, but know that for all these things God will bring you to judgment. So then, banish anxiety from your heart and cast off the troubles of your body, for youth and vigor are meaningless.

[Extract from 'Ecclesiastes' written by M.R.De Haan II]

Mid-Autumn Festival Big Party

2009-09-27T22:00:00.016+08:00

For this month Big Party the church celebrated Mid Autumn Festival which falls on 3 October earlier. We held it on the 27th September night where more than 330 people attended. The church santuary were decorated with about 70 lighted paper lanterns while Bro. Wilbur together with Bro. KB birth out a big traditional lantern made up of white polystyrene foam.

There were 12 participants, where some uses polystyrene foam plates, aluminium cans and cardboards to come up with various shapes of lanterns.

Curse God, and die

2009-09-25T15:03:00.002+08:00

Deprived of possessions, bereaved by the loss of his sons and daughters, and afflicted with a painful physical malady, Job's wife told him to "Curse God and die" - Job 2:9.

So how should we react to adversity ?

First, if you know Christ as your Savior and are faced with a time of trouble, come to the Lord with a prayer of humble submission. In other words, when you pray for healing or deliverance from some disturbing situation, be sure you do so with an attitude of complete yieldedness to whatever God sees best for you. God may allow our affliction to continue and lead us into a closer walk with Him.

Secondly, have confidence in God. Instead of looking upon your affliction as a sign that God doesn't love you, view it as a mark of His favor. Hebrews 12 : 6-7 because the Lord disciplines those he loves, and he punishes everyone he accepts as a son." Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as sons. For what son is not disciplined by his father?

Romans 8 : 28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

Finally, we should endeavor to develop our faith while we are experiencing afflection. The Lord wants us to trust Him implicity. And our faith will grow if we study the Bible, obey its directives, and appropriate to ourselves the wonderful truths it reveals about the Lord and His promises.

Isaiah 55 : 8-9 "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways," declares the LORD. "As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.

[Extracted from "How to Get Up... When you're Down! written by Richard W.De Haan]

Mid-Autumn

2009-09-23T14:45:00.008+08:00

God is good all the time, His blessing and mercy never ceases and are new every morning. Blessing came early for this year Mid-Autumn Festival (中秋节) celebration which falls on 3 October 2009. Within a week, we were blessed with 4 boxes of mooncakes despite turning down a regular blesser two weeks ago.

We were blessed with the traditional type such as red bean and lotus seed paste, and the new one from (双胜) Swensen's 'Frozen Delights'. Swensen's pastry skin ice cream mooncakes is a delight for those ice-cream lover as its flavour inlcude durian supreme, hazelnut latte, strawberry peachy mango yogurt, kiwi raspberry, milo, black sesame peanut, mangosteen and sticky chewy chocolate.

traditional mooncakes

Swensen mooncakes with its bag and box

another different variety of mini mooncakes

BLESSED 'MOON CAKE FESTIVAL' to all and happy eating mooncakes.....

Open house

2009-09-21T17:00:00.008+08:00

We joined many Malaysians from different ethnic backgrounds thronged the Hari Raya open house of Opposition Leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim this morning. This was my first open house visit but the second for the other friends, who visited our former Prime Minister Tun Abdullah previously.

We started at 11-00 am from Penang and travelled to Permatang Pauh in the mainland. We were heading to Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim 'rumah terbuka' at Permatang Pauh. The journey and traffc were smooth but we wasted 2 hours searching and asking around for the correct location as we made the mistake of not getting the full address or location but only relied on the publication from newspaper.

After failing to locate the place, we decide to proceed to Penang Deputy Chief Minister I Mansor Othman open house in Penanti constituency. The event was held at Taman Guar Perahu public field. We managed to meet Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim here. Penang Pas Commissioner Mohd Salleh Man and other state exco were also present among the crowd. The myriad of food served included roti canai, roti jala, fried bee hoon, lemang, mee rebus and raya cookies.
The open house truly reflect the 1Malaysia concept where people of various age, race and religion comes together to celebrate.

Padang awam Taman Guar Perahu

Our group photo with Penang Deputy Chief Minister I

P/S: too bad we didn't get the chance to take another group photo with Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

When you're down, how to get up !

2009-09-10T19:00:00.010+08:00

When are you down? You are down when you are depressed.

A major depression is a disabling condition which adversely affects a person's family, work or school life, sleeping and eating habits, and general health. In the United States, approximately 3.4% of people with major depression commit suicide, and up to 60% of people who commit suicide have depression or another mood disorder.

The most common time of onset is between the ages of 30 and 40 years, with a later peak between 50 and 60 years. Major depression is reported about twice as frequently in women as in men, although men are at higher risk for committing suicide.

[From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia]

Richard W. De Haan, a teacher with Radio Bible Class wrote that in many cases of depression, it's more of a spiritual than a psychological problem. Many people have invested a small fortune in psychoanalysis, shock therapy, and medication without ever really being helped. But they never will become well until they get right with God. He lists 4 essential steps to overcome depression:-

(1) Accept God's Pardon - You see, a person plagued with a guilty conscience finds himself in a most distressing situation. It is therefore imperative for him to begin the journey out of the darkness of depression by receiving the forgiveness and the freedom from guilt that God so graciously offers.

(2) Acknowledge God's Providence - By this I mean that you must recognize that God has a purpose for your life. He has your eternal good in mind.

(3) Admit to God's Prerogative - Romans 9 : 15-16 ... "I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion."It does not, therefore, depend on man's desire or effort, but on God's mercy.

(4) Appropriate God's Provision - Remember, therefore, that in order to live a victorious life and to avoid the depression of spiritual defeat, you must avail yourself of God's gracious provision.

We all have moments in life when we're down. We get the 'blues'. The psalmist cried, "Why are you down cast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God. (Psalm 42:11)

I have finished the race

2009-09-07T21:35:00.008+08:00

For the last 2 weeks, I attended 3 wake services, a relative and two church friends. The youngest was in her early fifties and the oldest were in their early eighties. Death rips apart life's closest bonds, leaves hearts broken, ushers in loneliness, and open floodgates of tears. In the valley of grief, the only way to keep going is to trust the compass and map God has given us. You may think the Bible is too dated and old-fashioned to be of value. But the compass of God's indwelling Spirit and the map of the Bible are timeless - always pointing us in the right direction.

Our Lord is faithful and merciful High Priest (Hebrews 2 : 17) who has tasted death for everyone (2 : 9). He is the One who said, "I will never leave you nor forsake you" (13:5). His promise to be there for us is the bedrock of our security in an unstable world shattered by grief.

John Brantner writes, "Only people who avoid love can avoid grief. The point is to learn from it and remain vulnerable to love".

John 5 : 24 "I tell you the truth, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be condemned; he has crossed over from death to life.

2 Timothy 4 : 7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.

Man was not made for the present, and the present was never intended to satisfy man. Man's life on earth cannot and does not fulfill the eternal longings of man. This principle continues throughout his existence and even up to the point of death.

One Body, One Spirit, One Lord

2009-08-31T08:00:00.007+08:00

The latest slogan or theme most used is the one made common by the Prime Mnister, Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak, 1 Malaysia - People First, Performance Now.

That 1 Malaysia, a slogan meant to promote unity and mutual respect and trust among the different ethnic communities in Malaysia, has stirred up so much heated rhetoric shows how much the tricky goal of unity in Malaysia is and how it will be a challenge for the Prime Minister administration.

Likewise the churches of today are also facing a lot of challenges such as that recorded in Galatians 5 : 19-21 The acts of the sinful nature are obvious : sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like.

However, since we [Christians] belong to Christ and live by the Spirit, we should always strive for the fruit of the Spirit that is Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness and Self-control and its gifts that is Word of Wisdom, Word of Knowledge, Gift of Faith, Gift of Healings, Working of Miracles, Gift of Prophecy, Discerning of Spirits, Gift of Tongue and Interpretation of Tongue.

Just like the song : PEOPLE OF THE LORD

There is one body, we have one Lord
United in the Spirit, we are going forth
With His praises on our lips
And a sword in our hands
We are marching on with power
As we possess this land
##
We are the people of the Lord
We're a holy nation
A chosen generation
Called to show forth His praise
We are the people of the Lord
We're a holy nation
Believers in Jesus
Lifting up our voices to the Lord

1 Corinthians 12 : 13 For we were all baptized by one Spirit into one body—whether Jews or Greeks, slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink.

Ephesians 4 : 4-6 There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to one hope when you were called -- one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.

Praise God for 52 years of independence, peace and harmony. Praying that the future of this nation will be built upon justice, righteousness, fairness and integrity.

HAPPY 52ND MERDEKA TO ALL MALAYSIAN

Mum's gems of wisdom

2009-08-26T10:40:00.008+08:00

Halimahton Yusof, the mother of wayward Mathematics genius Sufiah Yusof will be offering her advice to the Permata Negara and Permata Pintar programmes to help guide gifted children along the right path in life.
She said parents of gifted children should teach them basic values and not concentrate only on academic performance. Among the values she stressed was having respects for others, especially their parents.
[Extracted from The Star dated 25-08-09 written by Yuen MeiKeng]

Dr Alex Tang, a paediatrician in private practice offer the following suggestions for raising a GENIUS child :-
G is for Growing normally
Parents must ensure that their children are healthy and growing well.
E is for Emotional quotient (EQ)
EQ is the ability to know how to distinguish healthy from unhealthy emotions and how to turn negative emotions into positive ones. Emotionally healthy children are generally better learners with fewer behavioural problems, able to resist peer presure while resolving conflicts and building relationship with others. Children's EQ can be improved by bonding and building good relationships with them.
N is for Nutrition
Balanced and sensible diets is important for children.
I is for Intelligent quotient (IQ)
To enhance children IQ, we should expose them to challenging games, hobbies or art.
U is for Utmost potential
Children must be allowed opportunities to develop their gifting and areas of interest to the utmost potential [not utmost expectation].
S is for Spiritual quotient (SQ)
As with EQ, SQ can be developed and improved. As parents, we are to teach our children to read God's Word, how to pray and love other people. We are also to be role model for our children as our children's concept of God comes from their perception of us, especially the fathers.

Psalm 127 : 3-6 Sons are a heritage from the LORD, children a reward from him. Like arrows in the hands of a warrior are sons born in one's youth. Blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them. They will not be put to shame when they contend with their enemies in the gate.

Making Good Money

2009-08-25T14:46:00.009+08:00

The Bible shows that wealth can be a blessing from God, it is not always dirty or crooked. Abraham, one of the Bible's heroes of faith, " was very wealthy in livestock and in silver and gold " [Genesis 13 : 2]. So how did he get so rich ? Through God's abundant blessing [Genesis 24 : 35].
Job was another Bible hero whom God blessed with great wealth. Job lost everything but stayed faithful to God. Eventually '....the Lord made him prosperous again and gave him twice as much as he had before' (Job 42 : 10).
The New Testament examples included Lydia, a devout woman who became prosperous in the cloth business. Lydia trusted in Christ and offered her home as a base for missionaries to stay in and for new Christians to gather for worship and encouragement (Acts 16 : 14-15, 40).

Wealth can be a blessing from God. But the Bible opposes those who "think that godliness is a means to financial gain" (1 Timothy 6 : 5). God does not exist to satisfy greed.
A faithful man will be richly blessed, but one eager to get rich will not go unpunished. (Proverbs 28 : 20)

It is not always wrong to make money, but it is absolutely wrong to make money supreme or to give ourselves all the credit for our wealth. The Bible says, "Man does not live on bread alone [material things] but on every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord ... You may say to yourself, 'My power and the strength of my hands have produced this wealth for me.' But remember the Lord your God, for it is he who gives you the ability to produce wealth" (Deuteronomy 8 : 3, 7-18).

Money is not God, but it is not Satan either. If you trust the Lord Jesus as your Saviour and put God first in your life, then making good money can be enjoyed as a blessing and pursued as a calling. Thank the Lord for the work and the wealth He gives you. Give generously to help out people who cannot help themselves.
God tells His people, "You and your family shall eat and shall rejoice in everything you have put your hand to, because the Lord your God has blessed you" (Deuteronomy 12 : 7).

[Extract from Asian Beacon April/May 2004 written by David Feddes]

Proverbs 3 : 9-10 Honor the LORD with your wealth, with the firstfruits of all your crops; then your barns will be filled to overflowing, and your vats will brim over with new wine.

As God empowers us with the ability to earn good money, let us be good stewards and use the gift to empower others as well.

Out of Teenagers

2009-08-24T11:00:00.003+08:00

For more than 20 years, our home was blessed by the presence of teenagers. But now that our youngest is in her late teens, my wife and I are all out of teenagers.
Those years were full of challenges and demands that sometimes zapped our strength and took all our mental and emotional reserves. We rejoiced the trills of success and struggled through their grieved. As I look back on our experiment in parenting, we noticed some valuable lessons :-

1) Some teens follow life in a straight line, while others zig-zag along life's pathway. It's best to 'zig' with them in love and with courage.
2) Teenagers need unconditional love because they live in a conditional world.

Romans 5 : 8 But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
3) A love of God's Word is vital to successfully transfer faith from one generation to the next.

4) Teens need to develop a relationship with Christ that is based not on rules but on a deep love of Jesus.

John 15:5 "I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.
Proverbs 22 : 6
Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it.
Psalm 128 : 3
Your wife will be like a fruitful vine within your house; your sons will be like olive shoots around your table.

DON'T MERELY SPEND TIME WITH YOUR CHILDREN - INVEST IN IT.