God is our Jehovah Jireh

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

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

SEVEN DESIRES OF HUMAN BEING

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

Back Again After A Long Sleeeeep !

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

Further studies & PSD scholarship

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

Directors' fees still low

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

Managing Daily Conflict

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

A new beginning

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