Chinese New Year gathering 2015

A long awaited Chinese New Year family reunion dinner at Evergreen Laurel Hotel Penang.

Why 'angpow'

In Chinese and other Asian societies, a red envelope, red packet, 'lai see' or 'hongbao' is a monetary gift which is given during auspicious or special occasions, such as New Year celebration, weddings, graduation, or birth of a baby.

A hongbao (in Mandarin or Cantonese) or ang pow (in Hokkien) is a gift of money inserted into a red packet.

Red is considered a symbol of luck, life and happiness, and is supposed to ward off evil spirits.

Over 1,000 years ago in China during the Qin dynasty, parents gave their children 100 coins called yasuiqian in the belief that they would live up to the age of 100. The money was referred to as 'money warding off evil spirits' and was believed to protect the person of younger generation from sickness and death.

The angpow is more than a tradition of red packets or money changing hands, it is an exchange of auspicious well wishes mutually given to both the givers and the receivers which brings family and friends together.

So please do not stop giving for its more blessed to give then to receive.
" GONG XI FA CAI "

Why tribulations?

Are you passing through the deep waters of trials and disappointment?

Does everything seem to be going against you?

These apparent misfortunes are not accidents. The Lord Jesus allows such things for a blessed purposes.

John 16:33 tells us, "In the world you will have tribulation."  Even God's children are not promised a life of ease, of prosperity, nor of good health.  Yet we are never alone in our trouble.  Isaiah 43:2 reminds us that when we pass through deep waters, God is with us.

A gem cannot be polished without friction, nor a man perfected without adversity.

The Bible tells us that tribulation produces perseverance, character, hope and confidence by the Holy Spirit (Romans 5:3-5)

In Psalm 119:71, David wrote, "It is good for me that I have been afflicted, that I may learn Your statutes." And Hebrews 12:11 says that chastening "yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness."

There are no mountain top that we can climb to, no crevice we can hide in, or deserted island to flee to, that can keep pain, death, hardship, and suffering away from us.  These are all the natural consequences of sin.

Why CHURCH ?

Is it just another day or another Sunday ??

For the believers in the early church [Acts 2:41-47], joining with fellow believers was a source of excitement.

The joy of gathering with others who love to praise God for His greatness (Psalm 122:1) and the encouragement, care, and unity that occurs when believers meet together (1 Cor. 12:25) are why we should gather and fellowship with one another.

The writer of Hebrews reminded us to be obedience to God's command to meet together regularly. (Hebrew 10:25-26)

Church is the best place to find Christian companionship.

 

It is a place where there is person-to-person caring and the opportunity for authentic sharing.  A place where the person will feel free, without embarrassment or shame, to tell his secret or state his struggle, where someone will listen, help him unload, and give him fresh strength.

GO with the anticipation of meeting with God [Hebrew 13:5]

GO to learn about God [Psalms 119:105]

GO to fellowship with others [Hebrew 10:24-25]

We do not become a Christian by joining a church or even being christened or baptized.  The only way you can become a Christian is by meeting Jesus personally.

Jesus said, "I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved." (John 10:9)

Our relationship with God must go far beyond church attendance and regular devotions.  It should affect our relationship (Neh.10:30),  our time (Neh.10:31) and our material resources .(Neh.10:32-33)

Christianity is a relationship not a religion

CHRISTIANS ARE LIKE COALS OF FIRE - TOGETHER THEY GLOW; APART THEY GROW COLD.