Marital Happiness

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

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

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 ?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.