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yesterday's journal entry...

2009-10-19T08:09:00.002-05:00

In John 15:16, Jesus said "You did not choose Me, but I chose you..."

Today at church we were reminded that the reason we have salvation in Christ is not merely because we made the choice to believe in Him, but it is more the reason that God Himself deliberately chose us to be a part of His kingdom. If we truly study the Word, we find that there is nothing we could have done or could ever do on our own to obtain salvation. Apart from Him, we are hopeless and loss--we are nothing. But because of Him, we are counted as righteous and are co-heirs with Christ in His kingdom!

Tonight I experienced a short moment while leading worship at Vibe...a moment o thankfulness and gratefulness for what Christ did on the cross. He paid the price for our sin, redeemed us from the curse of death, and positioned us as righteous in the sight of God. What love! What mercy! WHAT GRACE!

In moments like these, I find the strength and inspiration to carry on and keep believing. I find Christ, my Saviour, my Lord, and friend.

"...and appointed you that you would go and bear fruit, and that your fruit will remain..."

My Lord and my God, grant me this legacy for the generations after me. Amen.

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Benjamin Netanyahu

2009-09-24T20:27:00.002-05:00

Now, this is what I call a world leader. This man is:

Resolute and righteous in defending his country.
Espousing truth in his claims.
Not ashamed in calling out hypocrites, liars, and false accusers.
Firm, confident, and authoritative in challenging the world towards virtuous causes for all of humanity.
And doing all this with dignity and pride for those you represent.

Mr Prime Minister of Israel, you have my honor and respect.

Speech at the UN General Assembly, 2009, part 1
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=44HkjBDQz_k

Speech at the UN General Assembly, 2009, part 2
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ofIwsB7xDm8

Speech at the UN General Assembly, 2009, part 3
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3gkjEUjK4as

Speech at the UN General Assembly, 2009, part 4
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mPEdIWa5H9k

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Haggai 2:10-23

2009-09-24T10:00:00.002-05:00

Blessings for a Defiled People

¹⁰ On the twenty-fourth day of the ninth month, in the second year of Darius, the word of the LORD came to the prophet Haggai: ¹¹ "This is what the LORD Almighty says: 'Ask the priests what the law says: ¹² If a person carries consecrated meat in the fold of his garment, and that fold touches some bread or stew, some wine, oil or other food, does it become consecrated?' "
The priests answered, "No."

¹³ Then Haggai said, "If a person defiled by contact with a dead body touches one of these things, does it become defiled?"
"Yes," the priests replied, "it becomes defiled."

¹⁴ Then Haggai said, " 'So it is with this people and this nation in my sight,' declares the LORD. 'Whatever they do and whatever they offer there is defiled.

¹⁵ " 'Now give careful thought to this from this day on ^a]">[a] —consider how things were before one stone was laid on another in the LORD's temple. ¹⁶ When anyone came to a heap of twenty measures, there were only ten. When anyone went to a wine vat to draw fifty measures, there were only twenty. ¹⁷ I struck all the work of your hands with blight, mildew and hail, yet you did not turn to me,' declares the LORD. ¹⁸ 'From this day on, from this twenty-fourth day of the ninth month, give careful thought to the day when the foundation of the LORD's temple was laid. Give careful thought: ¹⁹ Is there yet any seed left in the barn? Until now, the vine and the fig tree, the pomegranate and the olive tree have not borne fruit.
" 'From this day on I will bless you.' "

Zerubbabel the LORD's Signet Ring

²⁰ The word of the LORD came to Haggai a second time on the twenty-fourth day of the month: ²¹ "Tell Zerubbabel governor of Judah that I will shake the heavens and the earth. ²² I will overturn royal thrones and shatter the power of the foreign kingdoms. I will overthrow chariots and their drivers; horses and their riders will fall, each by the sword of his brother.

²³ " 'On that day,' declares the LORD Almighty, 'I will take you, my servant Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel,' declares the LORD, 'and I will make you like my signet ring, for I have chosen you,' declares the LORD Almighty."

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Prayer of St Francis

2009-08-31T01:45:00.001-05:00

This is, by far, one of the most articulate, touching, and powerful prayers ever uttered. Thank you, St. Francis of Asisi.

Lord, make me an instrument of Thy peace;

where there is hatred, let me sow love;

where there is injury, pardon;

where there is doubt, faith;

where there is despair, hope;

where there is darkness, light;

and where there is sadness, joy.

O Divine Master,

grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console;

to be understood, as to understand;

to be loved, as to love;

for it is in giving that we receive,

it is in pardoning that we are pardoned,

and it is in dying that we are born to Eternal Life.

Amen.

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Healer

2009-08-26T12:49:00.001-05:00

OK. I’ve been wanting to write this for a long time now. So finally I have decided to put into words about how I feel about the following.

Much has been said about the song ‘Healer’ by Mike Guglielmucci. When I first heard the song, my heart was so moved because its lyrics were so declarative and powerful. Almost everyone I knew was singing it and talking about it. And then when the truth about Guglielmucci’s condition was revealed, the popularity of this song dwindled quickly. I can understand the hurt, pain, and betrayal felt by so many people when they realized that his condition was a big con. I, too, felt cheated, but nevertheless, the song remained just as powerful for me as when I first heard it.

The more I listen to and play and sing this song, the more it continues to grow on me. Sure, the songwriter had a big fall, but I still believe in the truth conveyed in this song. And I have come to believe that God used this song to heal Guglielmucci, however ‘ugly’ the truth was. I believe now that God put this song in Guglielmucci’s heart so that he could cry out for help, so that God can use it to restore him and heal him of his ‘condition’.

For the long while, I was afraid of what people might think, or how it might offend other people if I sang this song in public. But I am coming to see that the truth of the Gospel heals some, and offends others. For some, the truth that God is Healer sets them free and restores them. For others, it is like fairytales, and for some others, a total ridiculous notion.

Nevertheless, we are not called to judge others for what they think. That is God’s job. We are called to love. We are called to faithfully proclaim His truth, that God sent His Son to die in our place. That whoever believes in Him who was risen three days later, would be saved from an eternity of death, darkness and ultimate hopelessness. That God is Healer, Redeemer, Restorer, Deliverer, and Saviour.

I think we’ve got it wrong when we say, hastily or even with much thought, that this song shouldn’t be sung because of the controversy surrounding it. I think we’ve got it wrong when we think about how it would offend others. Instead, we should think about how God can use even a song, written in such unfavourable circumstances, to mend broken hearts, to calm raging seas, to bring assurance that God has not left us alone nor forsaken us, to heal our sickness, illness and disease. We should think about how this song can remind us to trust in God, that He is all we need, that He is our portion, that He is more than enough for us.

If we believe that God can do miracles and has the power to raise the dead, and if we believe that He has given us this power through His Holy Spirit, then we should be singing this song. It’s about time that we remove the barriers and walls we’ve built that we use to try to shield ourselves from hurts and offenses. It’s about time we stand up in worship and declare the truth that God is who He says He is. It’s about time we sing this song again.

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at DFW...

2009-07-16T17:39:00.002-05:00

so it's been February since i last blogged! lol

I dont even know how many people visit my blog anymore, but hey, I wanna at least keep it alive with a few blogs every once in while.

So right now I'm at the airport waiting for my flight...Yep. Going back to my hometown in Malaysia for three weeks. It's gonna be smashing. We got Lynn's sister's wedding to attend, family and friends to meet, and beaches to hang out at. Well, I hope we get to at least spend some time at any beach at all...*sigh* waterfalls, even better.

Oopss...just found out that the flight will be delayed. I hope I get enough time to check out at LAX...it's just something that I'm required to do whenever I leave the country. I have to 'log out' officially with the immigration department, like i'm some kind of a threat to this country lol. Well i do appreciate and understand their work in keeping the country's borders safe...if only they can streamline the process and make it a lot easier than it is.

Gonna go get something to eat. Till next time...!

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2009-02-09T06:47:00.003-06:00

O Lord, You have searched me and You know me.
You know when I sit and when I rise;
You perceive my thoughts from afar.
You discern my going out and my lying down;
You are familiar with all my ways.
Before a word is on my tongue
You know it completely, O Lord.

You hem me in--behind and before;
You have laid Your hand upon me.
Such knowledge is too wonderful for me,
too lofty for me to attain.

Where can I go from Your Spirit?
Where can I flee from Your presence?
If I go up to the heavens, You are there;
if I make my bed in the depths,
You are there.
If I rise on the wings of the dawn,
if I settle on the dar side of the sea,
even there Your hand will guide me,
Your right hand will hold me fast.

If I say surelythe darkness will hide me
and the light become night around me,
even the darkness will not be dark to You;
the night will shine like the day,
for darkness is as light to You.

For You created my inmost being;
You knit me together in my mother's womb.
I praise You because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
Your works are wonderful,
I know that full well.
My frame was not hidden from You
when I was made in the secret place.
When I was woven together in the depths of the earth,
Your eyes saw my unformed body.
All the days ordained for me
were written in Your book
before one of them came to be.

How precious to me are Your thoughts, O God!
How vast is the sum of them!
Were I to count them,
they would outnumber the grains of sand.
When I awake,
I am still with You.

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.

~ Psalm 139

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O'nine

2008-12-31T14:16:00.000-06:00

I'm looking forward to the year o'nine
And thinking that it will be just fine.
In fact, more fine than most, I'll have to say,
'Coz a new year is, really, just a longer new day;
When yesterday's gone, happy or forlorn,
Look to the sun as the new day is born.

A year of new beginnings, of joy and of cheer,
A year untainted with hate, anger, or fear.
A year of opportunities and wide opened skies,
New things to discover and to open our eyes.
Why start off the year with baggage and woes?
Lets look straight ahead, and leave behind those!

Surely the future is bigger and bright
Gone are the days of misery and blight!
Called, we are, to a divine hope
To walk this world and to up climb this slope
Our goal before us is our heavenly home
And though we tread here, we are not earth's own.

So fix our eyes on what is unseen
And all that is seen will fall in between.

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My frustrations concerning Middle East militants

2008-12-27T15:34:00.008-06:00

Reading this peace of news on Reuters just frustrates me. These people dont know the meaning of being grateful or content. And I'm not talking about Israel.

They should have been happy that Israel finally, after many years, agreed to pull out of Gaza. And it is understandable that they wanna build a fence, coz after all they've been invaded by ruthless suicide bombers. So now they've pull out and finally committed to a truce. But once the truce ended, militants in Gaza launches missiles into Israeli territory...what the heck?! Give them an inch, and they want a mile!

And so understandably, Israel has to respond to protect it's citizens and cities...and now Gaza has people dead coz you militants were being irresponsible and childish...you think this is a game? And then you dare rally all the people around the region to say that Israel is being unfair and unreasonable to the Palestinians? How about peaceably coming up with another truce? What about diplomacy? Isnt it more important that your people live in peace and are able to populate, grow, be productive, and prosper? Gosh!

Israel has been an independent country for more than 50 years now, and all they want is to be in peace and have some place to call their homeland. The decision to accord independence to Israel was agreed upon in an international treaty. For 2000 years, the Jews had no place to call home after being displaced by Romans, and now they got back what generations had only dreamed of. You militants are the selfish ones that wanna hold back what rightly belongs to them! For generations you lived in another people's heritage, you should be grateful. Instead, you fight and threaten to keep a territory that does not rightly belong to you. It's like a tenant refusing to move after being informed by the landlord. Instead of vacating, the tenant fights and claims the property for himself. What logic is that? You think it's going to be given to you just like that?

Oh I know there's gonna be all kinds of response to this post...and many will say it's coz I'm so pro-Israel. Whatever. I'm writing this not from the perspective of a pro-Israel, Jew-supporting-Christian, but just using logical reasoning. If you got back what you've been denied for a thousand years, then it's logical to want to keep it at all costs. If you're attacked, it's human nature to retaliate, defend, and to disable the threat. If you're being stupid, you get what you asked for.

It's time these militants realize how much harm they're doing to themselves. Gee whiz, and to think they'd realize by now.

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Merry Christmas, Everyone!

2008-12-23T01:34:00.002-06:00

[click for larger picture]

Dear Friends and Family,

Here's wishing everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! May the sweet graces of our Lord Jesus Christ bring you peace, love and hope. As the new year unfolds, may His heart reach yours, and may you open your heart to hear His voice.

Blessings to you as you celebrate this joyous season!

Thomas & Lynn
@ Dallas, TX

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2008-11-22T11:43:00.004-06:00

"Dear God, I prayed, all unafraid
(as we're inclined to do)
I do not need a handsome man
but let him be like you;
I do not need one big and strong
not yet so very tall,
nor need he be some genius
or wealthy, Lord, at all;
but let his head be high, dear God,
and let his eye be clear,
his shoulders straight,
whate'er his state,
whate'er his earthly sphere;
and let his face have character,
a ruggedness of soul,
and let his whole life show,
dear God,
a singleness of goal;
then when he comes
(as will he come)
with quiet eyes aglow,
I'll understand that he's the man
I prayed for long ago."

~ Ruth McCue Bell, written in 1939
before she met Billy Graham

Lord, I wanna be that man to my wife for you. Make me like you, Jesus!

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Faith & Provision in Ministry

2008-10-21T19:11:00.004-05:00

"God's plan is, there shall be none of self and all of Christ.
The very people who are doing the most for God in saving souls, in mission work, in the care of orphans, are those who are working on short supplies of strength, of money, of talents, of advantages, and are kept in a position of living by faith and taking from God, day by day, both physical and spiritual supplies. This is the way God succeeds and gains conquests over His own people, and over the unbelief of those who look on His providence."

~ George Muller (1805-1898)

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Dream of CFNI past

2008-10-21T08:38:00.002-05:00

Last night, I dreamt that Lynn and I had travelled back in time to an older CFNI. It's been bugging me all morning, and i might as well write it down in here. If you are reading this, and you were from CFNI years ago (how many, it dont know if it matters), and if you recognize anything from my dream, i'd like to hear from you. Comment or email me.

In the dream, the CFNI we travelled back to see had a big stage, but a smaller hall. The stage was wide and deep, much like those used for production pieces. There was music playing, and a brass band was on stage. It was a lot like a live musical; with dancing and singing on stage, performing to the crowd in the hall. I dont really know the reason we went back in time, but once we were there, I started walking around showing Lynn all the things like the band and the show, and kinda saying how much better it was then than when we were attending in the present.

The show was winding down, and I remember that the audience was seated along the walls, with the middle of the hall empty. In the hall, there was a slightly raised platform in the middle. I was standing in the back of the room near the entrance. Then I heard a piano playing the song "Give Thanks", and you know how the songs is so old that sometimes we roll our eyes when we hear the song, but this time, when the song was played and the the man was singing behind the piano, it sounded very contemporary and relevant. I looked at the musician, and he was probably in his 30s or 40s, wore glasses and a thin beard and moustache.

Then an older gentleman, balding, white hair on the sides of his head, with a slight beard, and he was gently inviting the crowd to respond to the calling of God and come to the middle. There was movement at first, and then it seemed like some of those who were moving toward the middle was hesitant, but more began to respond as the man continued to encourage people to come down. About 20 or so young people got down to the middle of the floor, and all of them were in tears, as they song "Give Thanks" was playing.

I remember in the dream, I knew who the two men were, and I was familiar with their style of ministry. When I saw those two men, I had a sense of respect and approval for what they were doing. Also when the young people came to the middle to respond, I recognized them as those who would make an impact for the Kingdom of God in our present time, where Lynn and I came from, and in the future. I was proud, in a good way, of what happened that night. As I looked on, I was in awe of the significance of the altar call, and of the people that responded.

The dream ended with me looking straight and continuing to slightly nod with approval at everything that was happening. Then Lynn came up behind me as I was doing that and gave me a hug, and says that she was going to give up school, but because of what she saw, she will continue. Then I awoke.

The first feelings I felt when I awoke was the strange realization that the CFNI that I know off today is not the same from the CFNI in the past. In the dream, it felt as though there was more freedom for the Holy Spirit to move and touch lives, and it felt like we had time to let God do what He wants to do instead of rushing through services. It also felt like although things are, of course, very much different now than what it was back when, it is not necessarily better now.

So, in following my invitation in my first paragraph, if you attended CFNI in the past, and you recognize anything in this dream, please comment or email me. If this is indicative, in any way, of the CFNI now or past, I would like to know. And also, I would like to assert that it is not my intention to defame or lower the image of CFNI in any way. I am an alumnus, and I have an affinity for this school. If anything, I just want to bring to light a dream that I had, and to gather some feedback as well as perhaps stir a new hunger and passion for God. Please do not decide whether or not to come to CFNI based on this post or my dream. If God has called you here, then by all means come. This is the place for you.

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2008-08-04T01:02:00.001-05:00

This video is absolutely genius!

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Deadly

2008-07-24T23:03:00.003-05:00

A man who deceives his friend and then says "I was only joking!" is like a madman shooting firebrands or deadly arrows.

Proverbs 26:18,19 (paraphrased)

For weeks now, this verse has been bugging me day and night. I have been thinking so much about its truth and, yes, it's prevalence in my own life!! Oh, how often have I said something crass or stupid or meaningless, even sarcastic, followed by those very words "Oh, I'm just kidding!" Usually it is said with a half-laugh (if there is such a thing) and the wave of the hand gesturing like it's not a problem. Verdict? GUILTY!

It is so easy, isn't it, to just wave it off and insist that it was a joke. OK, sometimes it IS an obvious joke, and it may be very funny too. But seriously, how many times have we employed sarcasm to make a point, and then wave it off hoping to diffuse the offence by saying that we were only kidding?

That verse says that those who say it is like a madman shooting arrows that kill. Words like that can leave painful scars on a person, much like a firebrand on an animal. More and more, I am convinced that I have to be so careful with my words, and even more so with my jokes. Coz you know, one day, we'll all be accountable for what we have done on this earth and that includes the words that come out of our mouths. On that day, we will be asked if we spoke life into others, or if we used our tongues to tear and destroy. What will your answer be?

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SMILE!

2008-07-20T21:53:00.007-05:00

Ahh. The Smile. Have you ever wondered about how powerful a smile can be? I have come to believe that anyone can smile, and when they do, they look beautiful. A genuine smile, even a laughter that comes out of joy and sheer delight is perhaps one of the most beautiful and meaningful contributions a person can give to the world.

Like I said, I'm talking about the ever elusive and hard-to-get genuine smiles. These days, it does seem like not many people give those out a lot anymore, except for in church. It's not one of those you showed your mom or dad to get out of trouble. Not one of those smiles you give hoping to the driver in front of you know you didn't mean it when you accidentally honked at him. Not one of those cheesy smiles for the camera (unless it's genuine), and definitely not the ones in front of the mirror when you floss. The genuine ones. The ones that comes from the heart. The ones that crease up your face and make your eyes small. The ones that last for a while even after you've given it away. The ones that say "I'm happy" and you know it's true. The ones that radiate the joy that God gives, the peace that Holy Spirit brings into your life... These are the ones that I'm talking about.

Let's take this a notch higher...no matter how ugly you think you are, if you put one of those genuine smiles on your face you look beautiful. I have been to the old folks homes many times. I don't mean to be mean, but grumpy old people are really not very pleasant folks. Then there are those who are just happy on the inside, and they have no problem showing it on their faces regardless of how toothless of wrinkled they are. You know, the smiles they give when they start sharing happy memories of the simplest joys of life, when they remember their children and their grandchildren. Those smiles melt the heart and warm the soul. Those smiles tell stories of lives that mattered. Those smiles are beautiful.

So smile, and let your beauty within shine out. Let's make this world a more genuine and friendlier place.

10:12 pm >>> Following up on what I said earlier, something really ironic just happened...after posting, I was surfing on another page, and right in front of me was this banner ad to www.smiletrain.org. Here I am posting about how beautiful a smile is and smack right in front of me is the opportunity to do something about smiles (not mine, if you noticed). According to the site, the mission of The Smile Train, a non-profit organization, is to provide free cleft surgery for millions of poor children in developing countries and offer training to local doctors and medical professionals. Their promo video brought me to tears. I personally know a couple of people who've had cleft surgeries, and on trips to native villages in Malaysia I've met a few kids who have this condition, so I guess I can say that I do understand a little about how important it is to get clefts corrected.

According to The Smile Train, a gift amount of $250 provides cleft surgery for one child. That's actually quite a bit of money for me----> So I just had this coolest idea--I think it's cool--I can't really afford to donate to The Smile Train on my own, and since I really want to give anyway, I'm throwing it out there to those who wanna share a {one-time-$250-donation} with me. You can let me know via email or comment on THIS BLOG and i'll get in touch with you. You can also let me know via Facebook; if you dont have a FB account, get one. It's shnazzy. Or even better, you can just give me the money in person.

Here's my pledge: I'm only gonna do this within the next 2 weeks, ending Sunday, August 3, 2008. If there is no $250 by then, I will return all the money I've collected. But once I've gathered $250 I will donate to The Smile Train via credit card and I will email the receipt to all those who contributed to this effort. If you're wondering why I'm collecting the money instead of you, well, it's coz I thought of this idea, and it's my 'baby'. I promise I'm not gonna swindle or run away with your money. Boy Scout's honor [3-finger-salute].

So for starters, I'm putting $25 in the bank for The Smile Train. Anyone else?

Cataclysmic!

2008-07-12T22:01:00.001-05:00

If I had to describe what happened this week, it would be that God forever changed lives, touched hearts, and transformed Trinityouth into 'another animal' as Pr Jude says, or something else; an actual, living organism that knows His love and lives for His glory.

We went for YFN (Youth For the Nations) Camp again, this year with 30 of our young people. By the end of the week, I could sense such an anointing on their lives. When young people are saturated in the presence of God, they show so much promise in them! There's so much in them that shines because their hearts are illuminated by Holy Spirit and their souls set ablaze. Only into the second day of camp, their hands are already shot into the sky and voices blasting away in worship!

I remember telling the boys that night, the second night, when we were in the church kitchen, that I really felt God told me He was gonna set each on of them on fire, the girls as well. Their lives will never be the same again. Their passion and zeal for God will be fiery, and they will infect their families and friends with the presence and the power of God.

By the end of camp, just within our group, we had about ten youth baptized in Holy Spirit and their tongues rolling in a new prayer language and others set free from their sin and shame, set free to dance and use their bodies as worship unto God, eyes opened to see how important their lives are and how much is at stake as the devil tries everything to steal, kill, and destroy their generation. Some of them experienced God for the first time, realising how much they are loved by Him. Some of them were delivered from demonic oppression and possession and overcame haunting spirits of the past by the power of blood of the Lamb and the testimony of His saints.

Dear God, raise up a generation that will seek You face! Let Your holy flame burn passionately in them for You...let this be the beginnings of a fresh work You are doing in our young people, our church, and our generation. Pour out Your Spirit, God, on Your sons and daughters! Set us aflame to reflect Your glory and do Your will on this earth!! Amen!

Freedom

2008-03-29T10:44:00.003-05:00

Ever wondered what people meant when they accuse you of restricting their freedoms or rights to certain things? I do.

"I'm free to do whatever I want," and you see the next time you see him/her, they're snorting drugs, cussing, cutting themselves, destroying property, or just doing something destructive. Then you look at them and say "Freedom, huh..."

I'd like to think of the word "Freedom" in a positive way. It's just rational, coz it IS a positive word. The idea of freedom should enable us to do positive things. For example, If I say I have freedom and turn around with cuss words in my mouth, then I really am bound by those words. Cuss words are negative, demeaning, destructive. Can I really be practicing freedom if those words have such a grip on me so much so they come out of my mouth? I'm not free, I'm bound.
If I say "FREEDOM!" and I turn around and do drugs, then I really am not free but bound by drugs. And if I turn around and look at porn, or lust at someone, then I really am not free because I'm bound by sexual immorality and lustful addictions. You cannot invoke your freedom to do something that is negative. That is not freedom, that is bondage.

Like I said, true freedom allows you to be free to do positive things. In my opinion, only those who are free know how to say "Thank you" or "You're welcome". Those who know what true freedom is know what it is like to live a life free of drugs, immorality, and destructive behaviour. I mean, it takes a really free person to be obedient to authority, don't you think? Freedom enables us to enjoy a life free of bondages. Freedom should lead us to live a life of positivity and possibilities. Freedom is the ability to do what we want as long as it develops who we are and brings out the best in us in every situation and circumstance.

I'm free. Are you?

Not just any dream...

2008-03-25T06:11:00.003-05:00

I just got done writing down what I could remember from a dream I had just before I woke up at about 5am this morning.

I dreamed that I got on a bus, and in that bus were a few people. There was a tall guy, white shirt, and sport shorts, he was talking to a lady, and two other ladies in the bus. The driver was on the right side. As I got on the bus from the left side, I scanned the bus to see where I would sit. I ended up sitting in the middle on the silver chrome railing up front by the driver,
the two ladies to my left. I was listening to their conversation, they were talking about the other passengers on the bus.

The tall guy in white shirt suddenly was talking to them too, apparently this is a bus where people were going through things (sickness, disease, various problems with $$ and others, etc.) and they were on the bus to help them get to their 'destinations' so this guy was talking to one of the ladies and telling her his story, why he was on the bus. He was very cocky, seemed like he was trying to impress the girl. At this point I realised that I was observing them looking straight at them as if I was positioned further behind toward the middle of the bus, but still at the front. This man kept talking and talking as the bus rumbled on. I wasn't paying attention to the places we were going through; it was almost as if everyone knew where the bus was heading.

As the bus rumbled along, one of the ladies had been "running" on the bus, like exercising or something. She had a nice sleeveless blouse on, white with red lace edges, don't remember what bottom she was wearing, but she was being really active. She needed help of others to lift her by the arms over obstacles she has to go through as she was running in the bus. The tall guy asked her what she was on the bus for, and she replied that she had anorexia, to which we were all mildly surprised. She looked like a healthy looking woman. The guy then asked if she was anorexic, then why her arms looked fleshy and she looked healthy instead of anorexic. She explained that in order to get to her 'destination', she had two choices: she would either have to get fit and stay fit and keep running, or she would have to go into a coma all the way to the destination. She said she would rather be conscious getting there than be in a coma all the way.

The bus stopped as we arrived at some destination and everyone got down except for me and the running girl. An older lady got on the bus, and sat on the right front row. The running girl stopped running and sat behind the older woman, presumably to rest. She looked really sad and tired. The older started to talk to me, I don't remember what about, but as she was asking me why I was on the bus, I felt the Holy Spirit prompt in me, and I knew that I had to go over and pray for the anorexic girl. So I walked toward the girl, and sat down next to her, and asked her if I could pray for her, totally ignoring the older woman's question not because I was rude but because I was focused on what I needed to do. The girl said yes. The older woman was probably annoyed that I ignored her, but I put my right arm across the back of the girl's shoulder, like a side hug, and started praying anyway. The girl was visibly touched as she closed her eyes, like any person who knew how to pray.

Parts of the prayer that I remember praying aloud:
"Dear God, I pray for my sister here....
...in the name of Jesus take away the pain, distress and confusion...
...I know You have a plan for her and her future, of hope and purpose..."

At this point, the older woman in front started to pray in tongues, and I felt like the Holy Spirit was moving, touching and stirring in the girl's spirit, at which I intensified my prayer, and I knew I had to believe in what I was asking for, and not just pray any simple general prayer that we all sometimes do to help everyone feel good about the prayer:
"I know, Lord, that You can heal, I know that this sickness and pain is NOT of You, so I wanna be brave and ASK and BELIEVE for your healing power to come and RESTORE her to health...
...I don't want her to just go through the motions of life, but ENCOUNTER her in Jesus' name!"

The girl began to sob as I laid my left hand over her belly, not touching her.
"RELEASE! " I shouted, "A full anointing of Your healing power!" as she sobbed more, and I continued to gesture with my left hand with my index up as I prayed. "A FULL ANOINTING in Jesus' name!"

Then I turned to the girl and asked what her name was.
"Li Ling," she replied, tears in her eyes. I asked her if she knew Jesus Christ as her Lord and Saviour, and she replied "No." Then the dream ended as I sat up in bed, wide awake, heart pounding like I just had a nightmare.

I dream a lot, but I usually don't remember them, but I have learned that when I do remember a dream, it is usually of great significance and importance. Lately, after my visit to Kansas City about 2 weeks ago, I've been documenting the dreams that I remember, and they have been coming more and more. I know that somehow they will mean something of significance either for me or for others. Perhaps God is developing the prophetic in me through dreams.

In any case, I strongly believe this to be a prophetic dream. I don't even know any girl by the name of Li Ling. If you read through this post, and know of someone named Li Ling that is going through anorexia or depression, please tell her about this dream. I believe she needs to know that God is aware of what she's going through, and not just aware but cares and loves her and is willing to heal and restore her. She needs to know that she is not alone in her struggle to stay alive and arrive at her 'destination', wherever or whatever that may mean.

Give-up galore...

2008-03-20T22:55:00.003-05:00

While I was talking to Pr Mike this afternoon, God reminded me once again of His divine providence in my life. I have just been offered an administrative position in church, something that Lynn and I have been praying for for months. I realised that before I was even offered anything, I had to come to a point where I totally surrendered to God, and give up my desire to work in church.

Then, it all came back to me like a reel of film unrolling at full speed: Everything I have ever asked of God, every desire that I have ever had, I had to come to a place where I have totally given it up before He would give it back to me. The more significant ones were:

to attend Christ For the Nations Institute. My visa took more than 6 months before it was approved, by which time I had already given up hope of ever coming to the United States. Then it came.
to complete my education. When I answered God's call to serve Him in full-time Christian ministry, I stopped my college education after 2 years to serve my youth group. 3 years after attending CFNI, God realised my dream to finish a bachelor's degree, and by His hand provided through others all the funds for it. I have never lacked food, clothing, or shelter. I have seen more miracles of God's providence in my life through financial means than I have ever experienced before.
to get married early. I had literally given up the prospect of getting married before the age of 30 because of many reasons, mainly career and financial ones. My marriage to Lynn would not have been possible if not for God's clear direction and providence for the entire wedding ceremony. It would have been sheer stupidity if we had ignored God's hand over our lives for marriage.
to serve in a growing, healthy church in a full-time capacity while here in US as Lynn pursues her education. Just last week, I remember telling God "Whatever. I give up. I don't really care where You put me, which door You open, I just want to be in Your will." In the last week, I received my authorization to work and an offer for a position in this church.

So YES, I am reminded that God wants all of me. Even my very desire to serve Him, would I be willing to give it up if He asked me to?

Yes. YES. YES.

Take my life and let it be consecrated, Lord, to Thee
Take my hands and let them move at the impulse of Thy love
At the impulse of Thy love

Take my feet and let them be swift and beautiful for Thee
Take my voice and let me sing always only for my King
Always only for my King

Take my silver and my gold, not a mite would I withhold
Take my moments and my days, let them flow in ceaseless praise
Let them flow in ceaseless praise

Take my will and make it Thine, it shall be no longer mine
Take my heart, it is Thine own, it shall be Thy royal throne
It shall be Thy royal throne
~ Frances Havergal, 1874

A Righteous Man

2008-03-16T00:47:00.005-05:00

I often wonder and ask God concerning what makes a man righteous. I do understand the teaching we have heard so many times, that God considers us righteous because of faith. I believe that with all my heart. "Without faith, it is impossible to please God," says the famous scripture in Hebrews 11:6. However, I still do have questions about righteousness. What does a righteous man look like? How does a righteous man of faith act? What does he do? How does he carry himself?

In my devotion this morning, I believe God revealed to me a small part of what righteousness looks like.

The Righteous Man:
- practices justice and righteousness (faith)
- does not eat the food offered at idolous shrines
- does not lift up his eyes to idols
- does not lust after or defile his neighbour's wife
- is sexually pure
- does not oppress anyone, but shows mercy
- does not commit robbery (selfish desires and attitudes), but is generous, unselfish, and compassionate to the needy
- does not lend money on interest or take increase
- keeps integrity at everything he does
- executes justice as a peacemaker
- walks in the statutes and ordinances of God in order to make wise decisions consistently

~ derived from Ezekiel 18:5-9
To anyone who keeps this list, "..'he is righteous and shall surely live,' declares the Lord GOD."

I'm sure that there are more descriptions of what a righteous man can look like, but for now, this is already quite a list to aspire to achieve. Nevertheless, I know it's not impossible because "all things are possible with God."

I CAN DO ALL THINGS THROUGH CHRIST WHO STRENGTHENS ME!

Waiting on the LORD and His Word

2008-03-12T08:22:00.003-05:00

Last weekend at Kansas City was one where we allowed our faith in God to grow. Personally, I felt that God was calling me into a deeper level of faith with Him, hence my previous post on living by revelation.

One of the passages of Scripture I was guided to was Psalm 19. It speaks of the works of God, and the power of His Word.

The law of the LORD is perfect, restoring the soul;
The testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple.
The precepts of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart;
The commandment of the LORD is pure (and bright), enlightening the eyes.
The (reverent) fear of the LORD is clean, enduring forever;
The judgments (or ordinances) of the LORD are true; they are righteous altogether.

They are more desirable than gold, yes, than much fine gold;
Sweeter also than honey and the drippings of the honeycomb.
Moreover, by them Your servant is warned (reminded, illuminated, and instructed);
In keeping them there is great reward.

Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O LORD, my (firm, impenetrable) Rock and my Redeemer.

~ Psalm 19:7-11, 14 (NASB,AMP), emphasis mine

It is so important to abide by the Word of God, which is Jesus Christ himself. John 15:5 says that Christ is "the vine and we are all the branches, he who abides in Me and I in him, bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing." Nothing, as in everything we do will not count for anything at all except for eternal death, which basically is perpetual nothingness, devoid of God, the Source of life itself. By keeping God's law, testimony, precepts, commandment(s), a reverent fear of Him, and His ordinances, we find ourselves recipients of a great reward which is God himself! In Him our joy is complete, our blessing secure, satisfaction guaranteed! There is nothing about God that disappoints us; everything about God exhilarates the soul, revitalizes the spirit, and arouses in us selfless praise and adoration of our Creator, Saviour, and Friend!

This is why David is able to declare in his subsequent Psalm 20:7-8 the infamously quoted, "Some boast in chariots and some in horses, but we will boast in the name of the LORD, our God. They have bowed down and fallen, but we have risen and stood upright." He knows that when he cries out to God, his victory over the enemy is certain. He knows of the importance of waiting on the word of the LORD.

The reason I'm capitalizing LORD is because it is translated in biblical Hebrew as YHWH, the name which is too great and awesome to be spoken. God gave himself this name as He revealed himself to Moses in Exodus 3:14 as "I AM WHO I AM." This is the God who is, where nothing about Him is false and everything true, where the absolute and unparalled Source of all life and power is revealed in our feeble weakness. This is why we cry out to Him. This is why we wait on Him.

And this is why I know, that as I wait on Him, He will answer. And He has.

I waited patiently for the LORD; and He inclined to me and heard my cry.
He brought me up out of the pit of destruction, out of the miry clay,
And He set my feet upon a rock making my footsteps firm.
He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God;
Many will see and fear, and will trust in the LORD.
How blessed is the man who has made the LORD his trust,
And has not turned to the proud, nor to those who lapse into falsehood.
Many, O LORD my God, are the wonders which You have done,
And Your thoughts toward us;
There is none to compare with You.

~Psalm 40:1-5 (NASB)

Living by Revelation

2008-03-09T17:03:00.005-05:00

This afternoon I am reminded that as children of God we live by revelation. Living by revelation requires that we operate in the realm of faith and not sight. It is natural for us as humans to live corresponding to our circumstances and surrounding conditions. So often we find that we limit ourselves to the boundaries that are dictated to us. And so often we find that we respond to God by presenting Him with those boundaries and expecting Him to adhere to them. We limit His power in our lives.

Have we forgotten that we serve the God of the impossible? Have we forgotten that we worship a God that loves us even in our sin and our unworthiness? Have we neglected the power of the Holy Spirit in us, that raises the dead to life, that restores broken souls, turns all things intended for evil into good? Have we ignored the voice of the Father that continually speaks through His Son the Word by distracting ourselves with the cares and worries of this world and allowing these things to overwhelm us instead? One Word from His mouth can turn a life around, can transform darkness into light, reveal secrets so unimaginable and unthinkable that we have no choice but to fall on our faces and worship! One moment in His presence can alter the course of our lives forever! Oh have we lost sight of what is necessary and replaced it with inessential and dispensable idols?

It's time to live again by revelation. It is time we stir up our faith and return to our first love in Christ. It is time we, the Church, the Bride of Christ, prepare ourselves to welcome Jesus Christ our Bridegroom. It is time to seek the Father's face with relentless fervour so that we can hear that beautiful voice and behold His glorious holiness. We must do this, even if it means the sacrifice of food, the refusal of earthly pleasures, even to the death of our selves.

The People Have Spoken

2008-03-09T01:06:00.004-06:00

I think the General Elections in Malaysia this year which ended just yesterday was the most significant political upset I can remember! The ruling coalition, Barisan Nasional, has been denied their 2/3 majority, and the opposition parties now have a more significant presence in the parliament. After 4 years of corruption, 'mis-administration', and undelivered promises, the people have cast their vote and said "ENOUGH!"

The thought that Penang has finally been taken by DAP is quite astounding! I remember when Gerakan defaulted their opposition status and joined the BN. Many people were not happy. I was brought up with the understanding that a government can only be healthy where there in accountability. And I guess this is one of the roles of opposition parties, to bring a healthy balance into government. When Gerakan jumped boat, I would think many felt betrayed by them but still stuck with the party because they had a good record of bringing progress into the state. People would generally stick with stability that comes with familiarity. To change parties could potentially mean change in what was already perceived to be progress.

And now that DAP has won Penang, I can picture some of the faces of people I know that are staunch supporters of the party. I can only imagine the sheer disbelief of those who lost the state, thinking they were going to win. A good story is of the MIC president who was even actually confident that he would win. I chuckled when I read that.

To be honest, I don't really know much about politics in Malaysia, except from what I read in the news and updates I get from my family. I am almost shameful to say that I know more about American politics than what's going on in my home country. Nevertheless, I do feel a strong connection to what's happening back home coz I know that everything that happens will eventually affect me as well.

All I know is, there is a big change in the political scene in Malaysia. Many have been convinced of the malpractices of the BN, and they know that it's time for some rockin'. The weight of the political may have shifted this recent elections, but only time will tell if these people will be able to live up to expectation and deliver.

SO anyways, that was my 2-sen worth of probably fodderless and under-informed ramblings about the state of my country. If you wanna know more, just Google "Malaysia General Elections 2008". My only hope for my country is that the Gospel of Christ will be preached to every tribe, race, and people of Malaysia. Everyone must have an opportunity to respond to the Gospel. That is their job. Our job as Christians is to give them that opportunity. One day all will know who Jesus Christ is and what He did for mankind.

Arthur Ashe

2008-03-07T20:33:00.002-06:00

Arthur Ashe, the legendary Wimbledon player was dying of AIDS which he got due to infected blood he received during a heart surgery in 1983. From world over, he received letters from his fans, one of which conveyed: "Why does GOD have to select you for such a bad disease"?
To this Arthur Ashe replied:

" The world over --
50 million children start playing tennis,
5 million learn to play tennis,
500,000 learn professional tennis,
50,000 come to the circuit,
5000 reach the grand slam,
50 reach Wimbledon,
4 to semi final,
2 to the finals,
and when I was holding a cup I never asked GOD 'Why me?'.
And today in pain I should not be asking GOD 'Why me?' "

Universal

2008-03-01T11:41:00.002-06:00

Throughout my 26 years of life, I have learned the following lesson, and today I am reminded of it again: that the problems and hardship in life afflict anyone and everyone.

It is quite easy for me to look at myself and think that all the world should serve me and help me get back on my feet. Yet I have come to learn that it is much more beneficial and rewarding to help others with their problems in spite of what I am facing myself. Not that I do not care about my circumstances, but I've learned that I am not the only one, and if I want to make a difference in this world, then I have to at least learn to be different from the world. I've found that the best attitude to have is selflessness. The world is full of people who are selfish, proud, and look after their own interests. If I am to make a difference by being different, then I must be selfless, humble, and help others.

This is what Christ did. This is why He died. This is who I want to be like.

Haiku of Despair and Hope

2008-02-25T01:15:00.006-06:00

Lost in a mist
So cold, so bleak
Scorned dreams

Straight is the path
Goes up and goes down
Dark; Bright ahead

Sunrise clears the fog
When sunrise comes, if it comes
With patience it comes

Allah Yang Setia

2008-02-24T22:24:00.003-06:00

What an awesome song by GMB. Really ministered to me tonight. Our God is faithful. No matter what we say, He has never forsaken us and He never will.

Yesus, Kau telah memulai s'gala yang baik dalamku
Engkau menjadikanku serupa gambaran-Mu
Dan berharga di mata-Mu

S'karang ku memuji-Mu
Allah yang setia
Yang tak pernah meninggalkan perbuatan tangan-Mu
S'karang ku menyembah-Mu
Allah and mulia
Sempurnakan s'genap hidupku
Agar indah bagi-Mu

Yesus, Kau telah memulai karya yang mulia dalamku
Kau berikan hidupmu s'bagai ganti dosaku
Karna kasih-Mu padaku

Mad skills

2008-02-22T14:31:00.000-06:00

check this video out. You'll be impressed, even if you're not a musician. The drummer is absolutely amazing, but the other guy makes me laugh. Props to him, though, coz he's still quite a unique fella~

Enjoy!

In Your Freedom

2008-02-21T16:37:00.001-06:00

BBQ Chicken

2008-02-21T10:27:00.002-06:00

AHHHHH I just sent an email out to a friend of ours asking about my BBQ chicken recipe, and so while typing the email my mouth began to water and it just sounded SO GOOD to me right now! BBQ CHICKEN wooooohooooo!!

so anyways, here's the excerpt from the email I thought I'd share with the rest of the world.

Here’s what I can recall doing with my chicken…
But before that, here’s what I didn’t do that I should have done:
- Boil/steam (steam is better) the chicken before marinating it. Why? Coz you save time on the BBQ. Since it’s already cooked before it was marinated, you can just BBQ for a short time just for the taste, color and fun of it without having to wait forever for the pieces of meat to cook.

Okie, here’s the recipe:
- BBQ sauce (any will do, but I used “Essentia" brand Southwestern Chipotle flavor. I forgot where I bought it. Sorry…) This is your PRIMARY INGREDIENT so be generous with this
- Thick, black, sweet soy sauce (I use the ABC brand “kecap manis” from HK market)
- Generous amounts of chopped up garlic and onions. Blended would work just as well, if not better.
- Some lemon juice
- Mayonnaise (the real stuff, not miracle whip)
- Italian seasoning
- Chopped up rosemary (I have some you can use)
- Pepper
- A little bit of cooking rice wine (optional)

Put all those in together in a gigantic mixing bowl, mix it well. As for the portions, I dunno lah. I don’t really pay attention to the portions…I just “see” and improvise. You can try that. The idea is to create a thick sauce that will stick with the pieces of meat as much as possible, yet watery enough for the juices to seep into the meat. And then throw in the chopped steamed/boiled chicken pieces, and use your hands to work it into the meat. Be careful because since the chicken is cooked, it will be EASY to separate the meat from the bones. You don’t want that (BBQ is always nicer IMHO with bones in the meat). Cover the chicken and leave marinating overnight in the fridge.

aiiiayaiayaiayaiaa...

Are you going to Heaven?

2008-02-13T00:28:00.003-06:00

For every American who believes he's going to Hell, there are 120 who believe they're going to heaven. This optimism in stark contrast to Christ's words in Matthew 7:13-14: "Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only few find it."

What would keep us out of Heaven is universal: "All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23). Sin separates us from a relationship with God (Isaiah 59:2). God is so holy that he cannot allow sin into his presence: "Your eyes are too pure to look on evil; you cannot tolerate wrong" (Habakkuk 1:13). Because we are sinners, we are not entitled to enter God's presence. We cannot enter Heaven as we are.

So Heaven is not our default destination. No one goes there automatically. Unless our sin problem is resolved, the only place we will go is our true default destination . . . Hell.

I am addressing this issue now because throughout this book I will talk about being with Jesus in Heaven, being reunited with family and friends, and enjoying the great adventures in Heaven. The great danger is that readers will assume they are headed for Heaven. Judging by what's said at most funerals, you'd think nearly everyone's going to Heaven, wouldn't you? But Jesus made it clear that most people are not going to Heaven: "Small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it."

We dare not "wait and see" when it comes to what's on the other side of death. We shouldn't just cross our fingers and hope that our names are written in the Book of Life (Revelation 21:27). We can know, we should know, before we die. And because we may die at any time, we need to know now---not next month or next year. "Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow . What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes" (James 4:14).

It's of paramount importance to make sure you are going to Heaven, not Hell. The voice that whispers, "There's no hurry; put this book down; you can always think about it later," is not God's voice. He says, "Now is the day of salvation" (2 Corinthians 6:2) and "Choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve" (Joshua 24:15).

- excerpt from Heaven by Randy Alcorn

Satisfaction

2008-01-24T20:46:00.001-06:00

There's something about peeling the meat off bones that gives me great satisfaction in a meal.

I look forward to feasting at the table with my Lord. See you there!

Something Beautiful, Something Good

2007-12-25T07:12:00.001-06:00

I woke up this morning with an idea: that for every post beginning in 2008, I will endeavour to write a word in praise of someone, something, or someplace. Not such a bad idea, eh?

I also think that this is gonna be my personal theme for the year. 2006 was the Year of Opportunity for me. I remember telling my wife (my then fiancee) that I believed God had given me that theme. This year in 2007, it was the Year of Refreshing. Indeed, all my experiences this year have truly been refreshing...among them, my marriage to my beautiful and lovely wife; and my graduation with a university degree.

As for 2008, I shall call it the Year of Goodness. Together with the idea, I woke up with this morning with an old chorus that I learned as a kid. And as I rushed to the toilet and threw up my dinner from last night, it was playing over and over in my head.

Something beautiful, something good
All my confusion, He understood
All I had to offer Him was bitterness and strife
But He made something beautiful of my life
~ words and music by Gloria Gaither and William J Gaither

What an ironic way to start on Christmas day. I guess it's a good reminder for me of how the Saviour of the world came to earth, the Prince of Heaven, King of Glory, descending to earth as Emmanuel, God With Us, in the form of a human baby born in an obscure stable and placed in a lowly manger. Pure irony, yet it had to happen for our sake.

Goodness and Beauty it is for all of us in the coming year.
Have a Blessed Christmas, everyone.

Think of Me

2007-12-07T00:08:00.000-06:00

Following up on my previous post...it's a challenge for me to think outside of myself sometimes. To be honest, after 5 years in America, I have selfishly thought more about myself than when before I came.

America has showed me how selfish I am. In recent years, I have thought of myself as:

- more distinguished than others (so worship me)
- more experienced than others (so respect me)
- smarter, wiser, and more intelligent (so listen to me)
- more needful than others (so give to me)
- more humble than others (so follow my example)
- more important than others (so prefer me)

And then sometimes, and sad to say, less often than it should be, I am reminded that I'm...

- not any more distinguished than a convict
- not any more experienced than an infant
- not any smarter, wiser, or more intelligent than a fool or a failure
- not any more needful than those who seem to have everything
- not any more humble than Mother Theresa
- not any more important than the homeless

Sometimes, I look at myself and see the sorry state I am in. I am more consumed with acquiring worldly things than being consumed with Christ! I have forgotten what it means to have compassion for others, and have placed myself above all things!

I am sorry. I apologize. I have not been a good example of one who follows hard after God. I have forgotten what true religion means: to look after orphans and widows. To extend help to the poor. To reach out in love to those who do not know Him. I must remember to think of others above myself: this is what I am called to do.

Think outside of yourself!

2007-11-30T18:01:00.000-06:00

I just gotta put this excerpt from John Maxwell's book "Winning With People". And of course, I highly recommend this book to anyone who wants to improve their people skills. I'm into the sixth chapter and the lessons here are absolutely insightful. Read it. It's really good.

What does it take to change people's perspective and help them see the big picture for the first time in their lives? Sometimes it's getting married. Other times it's getting divorced. Or having a child. The bottom line is that people need to understand that everything is not about them.

READING BETWEEN THE LINES

I recently read an article about actress Angelina Jolie. The catalyst for her change in perspective was a script. Jolie, who won an Oscar in 1999 for her role in Girl, Interrupted, could have been the poster girl for a life adrift. The child of actors Jon Voight and Marcheline Bertrand, she had grown up in Hollywood and indulged in many of it's excesses. She was called a "wild child". And she was well known for drug usage, outrageous behaviour, and sometimes self-destructive actions. She was convinced she would die young.

"There was a time where I never had a sense of purpose, never felt useful as a person," says Jolie. "I think a lot of people have that feeling---wanting to kill yourself or take drugs or numb yourself out because you can't shut it off or you just feel bad and you don't know what it's from."

Success in movies did little to help her. "I felt so off balance all the time," admits Jolie. "I remember one of the most upsetting times in my life was after I had attained success, financial stability and I was in love, and I thought, 'I have everything that they say you should have to be happy and I'm not happy.'"

But then she read the script for Beyond Borders, the story of a woman living a life of privilege who discovers the plight of refugees and orphans around the world. Jolie recalls, "Something in me really wanted to understand what the film was all about, these people in the world, all these displaced people and war and famine and refugees." For a year she traveled around the world with UN workers. "I got my greatest life education and changed drastically," she observes. She visited camps in Sierra Leone, Tanzania, Cote d'Ivoire, Cambodia, Pakistan, Namibia, and Thailand. Her entire perspective changed. She realized that the entire world was made up of other people, many of whom were in dire circumstances, many of whom she could help.

When the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees asked her to become a goodwill ambassador in 2001, she was happy to do it. She also began donating money to help refugees and orphans, including $3 million to the UN's refugee program. (She says she makes a "stupid amount of money" to act in movies.) And she adopted a Cambodian orphan, Maddox. Recently Worth magazine listed her as one of the twenty-five most influential philanthropists in the world. She estimates that she gives almost a third of her income to charity.

Jolie puts it all into perspective: "You could die tomorrow and you've done a few movies, won some awards---that doesn't mean anything. But if you've built schools or raised a child or done something to make things better for other people, then it just feels better. Life is better." Why does she feel that way? Because she finally gets the big picture. She stopped focusing on herself and began putting other people ahead of herself.
~ John Maxwell, Winning With People (emphasis mine)

A Christmas Carol

2007-11-30T17:22:00.000-06:00

Last night Lynn and I were invited to watch a play by the First Baptist Academy Senior High Theatre group. It was the funnesssstt and one of the best plays I've seen by young people. They played "A Christmas Carol" by Charles Dickens, and one of young men at church, Mr David Robson (yeah, Meagan's brother) played the infamous Ebenezer Scrooge.

Two thumbs up for the splendid performance! As I watched, I was smiling and laughing and crying as I am reminded of the characters in this classic story I read as a child. Brings back memories.

One tear-jerking scene was when Scrooge is taken back by the Ghost of Christmas Past, and he sees himself as a young man engaged to be married, but his fiancee sings a heart-wrenching song and leaves him because he was more in love with his business and making money. The song just broke my heart as the present Scrooge shouts at himself in the past. Excellent portrayal. Bravo!

Another scene that brought tears to my eyes was when the Cratchit family celebrates Christmas present.

At last the dinner was all done, the cloth was cleared, the hearth swept, and the fire made up. The compound in the jug being tasted, and considered perfect, apples and oranges were put upon the table, and a shovel-full of chestnuts on the fire. Then all the Cratchit family drew round the hearth, in what Bob Cratchit called a circle, meaning half a one; and at Bob Cratchit's elbow stood the family display of glass. Two tumblers, and a custard-cup without a handle.
These held the hot stuff from the jug, however, as well as golden goblets would have done; and Bob served it out with beaming looks, while the chestnuts on the fire sputtered and cracked noisily. Then Bob proposed:

"A Merry Christmas to us all, my dears. God bless us."
Which all the family re-echoed.
"God bless us every one!" said Tiny Tim, the last of all.
~ Charles Dickens

Yes, Tiny Tim.
God bless us, EVERYONE.

Disciple

2007-11-29T16:42:00.000-06:00

One of the girls in my youth group wrote this essay. It is such a refreshing thing to me when I see young people write with such an understanding and insight of what being a true Christ-follower truly is. Her parents are awesome folks, and she's blessed to have them. And I know they are very proud of their children. I know because they told me.

"What It Means to be a Disciple of Christ"
by Meagan Robson
Many things make up my life. Sports, friends, family, relationships, talents, school, you get the picture. But the one thing that sets these things apart from the many of the other 7th grade girls in this world is that God is involved in each one of these.

Take school for an example. While many other people think of school as a time to sleep, hang out with friends, or just chill, I think of it as a time to worship God. I mean, come on. He gave us each gifts to use to prepare for the future, so that we can fulfill his purpose. If you wanted to be a missionary, for example. You would have to be able to read and write, so that you can study the Bible and lead people to Christ. Or if you wanted to be a teacher, or help people that are illiterate. You can't teach people something if you need to be taught it as well. Things like that kind of make you look at school in a different way.

Another thing is friends. God puts certain people in your life for a reason. Maybe you have a friend that is not saved. You have a good chance of pushing them in the rigth direction, or even leading them to the Lord. It's a little bit harder to do that if you barely know hat person, or not know them at all. If you start out small, such as with your best friends, then acquaintances, and eventually you will find yourself evangelizing to people you've never met in your life. Just remember that one life could change many.

And talents. They can be so important in your life. Say you have a big mission team in Mexico. One person may have the smoothest words and strongest voice that impact and reach thousands, while another could excel in listening and understanding which could reach many hearts. Or if you love to write. Think of if you wrote a book or magazine, which is then published and read by thousands. Think of how many people you could affect because of the gift God gave you. Or if you have talents in music, such as singing. You could make records that who knows how many people will listen to. Small things like that could change the world.

There are more than 6.6. billion people in the world. Imagine what it would be like if even half of us used the gifts and opportunities God puts in our lives. Just imagine.

Thanks, Meagan.

Hard word

2007-11-29T00:55:00.000-06:00

Today at Trinityouth, I think I preached the hardest message in my life. Hard as in heavy, pounding, serious, straight-to-the-core, jokes and funnies aside. I dont think I remember seeing so many serious (and zoned-out) faces in any group I've preached to ever. Nevertheless, I believe I brought the right word at the right time, because it does seem like so many of them have forgotten what it is to truly follow Christ.

The Rich Young Ruler

One day one of the local officials asked him, “Good teacher, what must I do to deserve eternal life?”

- Eternal life is something far more important, precious than this present life. This guy understood it.

Jesus said, “Why are you calling me good? No one is good—only God. You know the commandments, don’t you? No illicit sex, no killing, no stealing, no lying, honor your father and mother.”

- You know what right things to do. In fact, you have kept them all. But keeping these commandments have not answered your question. You feel like there is something else missing in your life.

He said, “I’ve kept them all for as long as I can remember.”

When Jesus heard that, he said, “Then there’s only one thing left to do: Sell everything you own and give it away to the poor. You will have riches in heaven. Then come, follow me.”

- In other words, give up everything you have ever placed value on. Give up your pride. Give up your rights. Give up your honor. Give up everything you have. And then follow Jesus.

This was the last thing the official expected to hear. He was very rich and became terribly sad. He was holding on tight to a lot of things and not about to let them go. Seeing his reaction, Jesus said, “Do you have any idea how difficult it is for people who have it all to enter into God’s kingdom? I’d say it’s easier to thread a camel through a needle’s eye than get a rich person into God’s kingdom.”

“Then who has any chance at all?” the others asked.

“No chance at all,” Jesus said, “if you think you can pull it off by yourself. Every chance in the world if you trust in God to do it.”

- With God, all things are possible. What is there that is impossible to God? The only thing that He will not do is to violate your choice by taking it from you. You must choose to follow him. Then only can He do it. If not, then it is technically impossible for Him because He will not violate your freedom of choice.

Some of you gotta put your pride away. There’s so much pride in you, it’s killing you. It’s like you don’t care even if you know I’m talking about you. I’m responsible for my own self, and you’re right. You just don’t realize that that pride is blinding you. Dragging you down. Keeping you chained and all locked up inside. Or maybe you realize, but you’re not choosing to let go. In fact you like being like that, locked up, prideful and conceited. You feel like you’re in control. You feel like at least you are comfortable with the walls around you.

Some of you gotta put your dreams away. They’re taking you away from God. You think that maybe those dreams will give you the kind of life that you have always wanted to live. Dreams of being famous. Dreams of being wanted. Dreams of making lots of money. That dream girl, or that dream boy. If only you could get your hands on them you would be successful. And oh, by the way, my dreams will be OK if I just Christianize them and say that I’m doing them all for God.

My question is, is it really from God? Did God give you that dream? Or did you cook it up yourself? Because if God gave you that dream, you would know that God is important enough to help you achieve that dream. But right now, chasing that dream takes up so much more time, energy, and effort, than chasing after God. You’ve become so focused on your dream that you have forgotten about God, except for the occasional “yeah I’m doing this for God,” like it even means anything. You know you’re just saying it to tell yourself that you’re OK with God, when actually you’re not. You’re not alright with God. You’re not following him.

Some of you gotta put yourself away. You think this whole world is about you. You think that everything revolves around you. In fact, you’re thinking maybe this guy up here, he’s lost his mind speaking like this in youth group! How dare he accuse anybody, how dare he accuse me? Yeah, then I’m speaking to you. Because it’s not all about you. It’s not all about how you feel. It’s not how you think it’s wrong, or even right. It’s all about God and his relationship with you. If your self is in the way of God getting to you, then why are you even here? You should be at home playing your videogames. You should be out with your worldly friends becoming more and more like the world instead of becoming more and more like God.

But you’re here. The fact is, you’re here.

And if you are here, then I urge you to make this time count. And not just when you’re in youth group, or when you’re in church or among your Christian friends…but even when you’re alone. Will you get with God? In your quiet moments will you choose to be someone who follows Jesus?
What you do in your public life reflects what you do in private. The kind of person you are here, or in school, or in front of people, shows what kind of person you are when you are alone. And standing here looking at all of you, I can somewhat tell what kind of person you are even if you hide from me. I can tell if some of you are true Christians. I can also tell if some of you are doing this Christian thing just coz.
Or maybe I’m wrong. Maybe I can’t tell…but does that matter if you’re such a good actor/actress? What matters is that you cannot hide from the fact that God knows every single thing about your life, public or private. You may get to choose. But God gets to watch. And in the end, everything you have ever done in your entire life is going to count.

Then Jesus said to his disciples, “If anyone of you desires to come after me, you must forget yourself, and take up his cross and follow me. Don't run from suffering; embrace it. Follow me and I'll show you how. For if you want to save your own life, you will lose it; but if you lose your life for my sake, you will find it.

Have you been a faithful follower?

Paul Potts

2007-11-28T22:06:00.001-06:00

My hair stood, my tears fell, and my heart leaped at this man's story and voice.

I wonder what kind of history he went through in his past.

but this is a lesson for all of us, for me at least, that we should pursue our God-given dreams with the talents He has given us. Giving up is not an option. We must be bold and courageous to take that step of faith, and who knows where that road might lead us?

You past does not matter. All of us have been given talents. In the end, we are accountable not to others, but to God, for what we have done with them.

Go Paul Potts. You inspire me.

Free Rice

2007-11-27T17:43:00.000-06:00

I'm feeling rather philantrophic after donating about 2000 grains of rice with my brains.
All you guys should check this out if you're concerned about poverty and hunger throughout the world.

email thread at work

2007-11-21T23:30:00.000-06:00

>>> Wayne Russell 11/21/2007 3:36 PM >>>
Mom is in the kitchen,
And when I take a look,
Im glad Im not a turkey
Thats she's about to cook!
By Karl Fuchs

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

Wayne

>>> Worrell Service 11/21/2007 3:55 PM >>>
I was in the kitchen,
And when I take a look
One fat turkey for me to cook!
By Worrell Service

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

>>> Thomas Leong 11/21/2007 4:10 PM >>>

I stepped into the kitchen

Such a sight to see

A turkey crisp and golden

Roasted just for me

I took a bite of heaven

And ran to tell my boss

He's wondering what happened

Why was I at such a loss

I told him 'bout the turkey

And all the good stuff there

He got in such a hurry

Without his panda bear

A shout of exclamation

He gave when he went down

A voice of desperation

Coz turkey was all gone

-thomas

EU outgoing ambassador is right

2007-11-17T16:42:00.000-06:00

Excerpt from an article of an AP interview with the EU outgoing ambassador, published in International Herald Tribune Nov 14, 2007. (Read the whole article here.)

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia: The European Union's outgoing ambassador has soundly criticized Malaysia, describing it as a virtual one-party state that discriminates against minorities and foreign investors by openly favoring the majority Malay Muslims.

Law Minister Nazri Aziz dismissed the accusations by Ambassador Thierry Rommel, who left his post Tuesday after 4 1/2 years, saying he is an outsider who does not understand the country. "I treat his opinion as uninformed and ignorant," said Nazri.

I do agree with the ambassador about the state of Malaysia's politics. I think for Nazri to accuse him of being uninformed and ignorant is preposterous. I've been in the States for 5 years now, and I know quite a bit about the way politics work here. As a foreign student, I consider myself rather familiar with the atmosphere and how this country is being run, even as an outsider. So if i were the ambassador to another country, deployed there for 4.5 years, calling me ignorant and uninformed about the way that country is being run when I've been stationed there these many years is absurd.

The truth is the truth. While the NEP has proven to be effective in the past, it shouldnt be applicable now if they M'sian govt wants to create a better society.

"Without the NEP, it will go back to square one. It will come back to a situation where Malays will be left behind again. This is a social contract for Malaysians to decide, not for foreigners to interfere," he told the AP on Tuesday.
- Nazri

Then I ask you, why do you think the Malays will be left behind? If they want to advance, what can stop them? As for the social contract for Malaysians to decide...are you kidding? I say if the govt wants Malaysians to decide, then start treating everyone like Malaysians. Instead, we have created a class system based on race and ethnicity.

If Malaysia wants to maintain racial harmony and achieve world recognition, it is not in the building of super infrastructure or the lording of one race over another. To become great, then show the world by providing a just system and equality of opportunity for all its citizens, whatever race they belong to.

It's time Malaysians stop seeing themselves through eyes of color...especially the govt.

The Christian Paradox

2007-11-16T22:44:00.000-06:00

excerpt from an online article

Love your neighbour as yourself: although its rhetorical power has been dimmed by repetition, it is a radical notion. Jesus made it very clear who the neighbour you were supposed to love was: the poor person, the sick person, the naked person, the hungry person. The last shall be made first; turn the other cheek; a rich person aiming for heaven is like a camel trying to walk through the eye of a needle.

Such a good article. Read it in its entirety here

Canine Star Wars

2007-11-02T09:11:00.000-05:00

This is too cute to not post up! Enjoy!

Finger troubles

2007-10-30T11:25:00.000-05:00

News Flash:

I sliced off part of my finger on Monday 10/22 with a box-cutter/exacto. The blade ran off the ruler and onto my finger and took a whole chunk off. That night I had NO sleep because of the pain. On Tuesday it hadn't stop bleeding, so the doctor had the wound carterized (cooked with a pointed flame, like a welding tool). It's OK now, no pain, just numbness around the tip of the finger. (Click here to see a pic)

Isn't this amazing how the finger is such a small part of your body that when it is injured or dysfunctional, the entire body hurts!

So it is the same way in the body of Christ. We all have a place to be, a role to play and a reason for existence. All these senseless bickering in the body is pointless.

Lesson from Matthew

2007-10-30T06:14:00.000-05:00

Matthew 6:25-7:28

Do not worry.
God will take care of you.

Seek first His kingdom and His righteousness.
Everything else will be taken care of.

The way you measure others
will be how you will be measured.

A sk. It shall be given.
S eek. You shall find.
K nock. It shall be open.

Dont ask, won't get.
Don't seek, won't find.
Don't knock, won't open.

Do unto others what you will have them do unto you.

People are known by their fruit.
Who you truly are will be revealed by your fruit.
So bear good fruit.

Build your life on God the Rock, not on man.
Listen and do what He has to say.
He knows more than you anyway.

Change the world

2007-10-29T00:34:00.000-05:00

Inscribed on the tomb of an 11th century Anglican bishop inside Westminster Abbey:

When I was young and free my imagination had no limits, I dreamed of changing the world. As I grew older and wiser, I discovered the world would not change, so I shortened my sights somewhat and decided to change only my country. But it, too, seemed immovable. As I grew in my twilight years, in one desperate last attempt, I settled for changing only my family, those closest to me, but alas, they would have none of it. And now as I lay on my deathbed, I suddenly realized: If I had only changed myself first, then by example I would have changed my family. From their inspiration and encouragement, I would then have been able to better my country and, who knows, I may have even changed the world.

Our Hellhouse experience

2007-10-28T14:20:00.000-05:00

Last night we decided to preview Hellhouse before we took our youth group on Wednesday, which happens to be halloween night here in the US. We thought that we might have a better picture of what to expect if we attended it first.

We left our apartment at 7.10pm, and arrived at the location 7:30pm. The temperature at that time was about 60F (16C). There was already a line at the ticket counter, so we waited. The information on the website indicated that we should be there one hour before our planned entry into the house. So we expected an hour's wait before we actually got to enter. We waited in line for 20 minutes to buy the tickets for $10 each.

After that, we were directed to wait in another line. So we went, and patiently waited. We were sandwiched between 2 youth groups. The group behind us talked loud the whole time, and their attitude and language was rather obnoxious and questionable. By the time we reached the end of the line, we had waited for 3 hours standing in line in temperature that had dropped to about 55F (14C). Although we had our jackets on, we were cold, and my back was already hurting from standing for so long. When it was time for us to be grouped, I asked an official if we could be with the group ahead of us, since it was just the two of us. He then moved us to the group twice ahead of us. Yes, we GLADLY moved ahead!

Finally, we're standing in another line and ready to go through security check before we got on a hay-ride to the house located in a remote location. When the van with the trailer finally arrived 15 minutes later for our group's turn, we got in and enjoyed a short ride through an off-road trail behind a hill. That short ride saved my back. By the time we got off the trailer, the pain was gone.

So we arrived at the remote location...lo and behold, another line awaited us. I confess, I rolled my eyes. It was 11:20pm. We were still in the open cold as we snaked through that line. What an ordeal. I was beginning to think, what have I done to deserve all this trouble? Waiting in line felt so hellish already. Talk about going to a hellhouse...!

We finally stepped into the Hellhouse at 12:05am. We were led through various scenes of murder and death. There were scenes depicting a school shooting, drug usage, cutting/self-injury, witchcraft, abortion, murder, heaven, and hell. We were escorted by "demons"-actors dressed up like grim reapers wearing halloween masks. In each scene there were more of these demons influencing the actors into making terrible decisions.

Personally, I felt that the demon characters were annoying, and frankly, quite cheesy. There was a couple of them that actually had their faces painted; those were the best and more convincing ones. Some of the scenes were well enacted, namely witchcraft and cutting scene, the abortion scene, the molestation scene, and the hell scene. These scenes had the best effects and were most convincing. The rest were just so-so, in my opinion.

We were led to the final room where a short challenge was presented to the group. I thought the preacher did a good job wrapping things up in the short time that he had. Lynn thought he could have done better, but considering the time restraint he had before another group arrived, he did OK. He gave an option to go to another room if anyone wanted to get right with God. Then he dismissed the rest of us.

The whole journey inside the Hellhouse took us about 45 minutes. We got out at around 1am, tired, cold, and not really that impressed. Our concluding impression was that the 45 min show was worth the $10, but definitely not worth the 4.5 hours of waiting in the cold. This was undisputedly the longest line we have ever been in our lives.

So, if you're wanting to go, be prepared to WAIT....LONG.

Political lies

2007-10-25T00:59:00.000-05:00

I am liking my American Government class by Prof. Jack Goodyear. I think his is one of the beneficial classes in DBU...and there are not many I have come across in this place called United States...

Anyways, one reason why I am enjoying this class is the quality of discussion on the online discussion board. Here's this week's question which I totally enjoyed answering. Have fun!

Question: Political philosophers such as Plato and Edmund Burke believe that political leaders are often forced to lie to protect the public. Do you agree with this? Does a Christian politician have a right to lie if revealing the truth might cause harm? Why or why not?

> If a politician has come to a place where he has to lie to protect the public, then I say that he has been lying all the while to protect himself. I think it is important to lead well, and lead with honesty and integrity. If I, as a politician, am truthful, honest and integrous from the beginning, then I should have no problem being honest with the public about the latest tragedy or impending disaster. Of course, this is a matter of tact and how the issue is presented.
I have to agree with some of the posts already about how there is a difference between outright lying and revealing only certain portions of the truth so as not to arouse unrest from the public. In the end, the whole truth must be presented, and the public will be thankful that they were not misled. Nevertheless, in order to come to this relationship between the politician and the public, there must already be a bond of trust and sincerity between them. In this, the timing in the revealing of details is definitely crucial. A good politician/leader is one who understands any given situation, accurately gauges the right timing, and with tact and wisdom, presents it in a way that unifies the public to respond favourably. This is what I call leadership.

As for Christian politicians, the answer is all the more clear: “Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour.” In other words, no lying. No disputes necessary. Period.

In the style of King Solomon’s proverbs and wise sayings, I’d like to say it this way: Better is impending harm from telling the truth than artificial peace from a telling a lie.

excerpt from my personal journal today

2007-10-22T09:44:00.000-05:00

I want to be able to say that I did things right. I will do whatever it
takes to stay alive, to survive, just like Jesus. Sure, there will be impossible
things through our human eyes; we do have our box of sometimes impossible laws
and stupid rules. But until I know for sure that God wants me to specifically
break them, I have to remember that whatever it takes is just this: to put my
trust in God for the impossible.

Jesus did what he had to do to survive when it was not time for him to die.
But when it was time, he did what he had to do to die.

We should be grateful followers.

You're All I Want

2007-10-11T08:26:00.000-05:00

The Hammer Holds

2007-10-10T15:48:00.000-05:00

A shapeless piece of steel, that's all I claim to be
This hammer pounds to give me form, this flame, it melts my dreams
I glow with fire and fury, as I'm twisted like a vine
My final shape, my final form I'm sure I'm bound to find

So dream a little, dream for me in hopes that I'll remain
And cry a little, cry for me so I can bear the flames
And hurt a little, hurt for me my future is untold
But my dreams are not the issue here, for they, the hammer holds

And the water, it cools me gray, and the hurt's subdued somehow
I have my shape, this sharpened point, what is my purpose now?
And the question still remains, what am I to be?
Perhaps some perfect piece of art displayed for all to see

So dream a little, dream for me in hopes that I'll remain
And cry a little, cry for me so I can bear the flames
And hurt a little, hurt for me my future is untold
But my dreams are not the issue here, for they, the hammer holds

The hammer pounds again, but flames I do not feel
This force that drives me, helplessly, through flesh, and wood reveals
A burn that burns much deeper, it's more than I can stand
The reason for my life was to take the life of a guiltless man

So dream a little, dream for me in hopes that I'll remain
And cry a little, cry for me so I can bear the pain
And hurt a little, hurt for me, my future is so bold
But my dreams are not the issue here, for they, the hammer holds

This task before me may seem unclear
But it, my Maker holds

~by Bebo Norman

Thanks again, Bebo, for putting things in perspective for me.

Stepping Stones

2007-10-09T12:07:00.002-05:00

In my previous post, I mentioned that in the world, particularly in the business world, people tend to step on each other to rise to the top. In fact, I still remember the idea that someone I have respected all my life posed to me, "If you dont step on them, they will step on you. Why let them step on you when you're better than them?"

I ended with a very big question: "Where's the love?"

See, we all say we have love. We live in a world where everybody and anybody can say "I love you" and yet don't really mean what they say. We say it to our dogs, cats, our TVs, magazines, the internet, to sex, celebrities, our cars, motorbikes, our food, (the list goes on)... And then we say it to our spouses, our children, our families and loved ones. Have we really lost the essence of what those three words really mean?

With what the world thinks about stepping on others, here's a counter-idea presented to us by a very well known scholar and philosopher:

"Let love be without hypocrisy...be devoted to one another in love; giving preference to one another in honor."

"Do nothing out of selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind, regard one another as more important than yourselves; do not merely look out for your own personal interest, but also for the interest of others."

Instead of stepping on others to rise to the top, the greater glory is revealed when we allow ourselves to be the stepping stones so others can rise to the top. This is who we are called to be as Christians.

Wisdom...?

2007-09-27T12:13:00.000-05:00

Two men were hiking when they spotted a mountain lion staring at them. One froze in his tracks, but the other sat down on a log, tore off his hiking boots, pulled a pair of running shoes from his backpack and hurriedly began to put them on. "For crying out loud, you can't outrun a mountain lion!" his companion said. "I don't have to," the other shrugged. "I just have to outrun you."

That's a quick story on wisdom I came across today. Many of us will find it easy to say "Hey that's the right thing to do!" In fact, it's human nature to be self-serving, to watch out for your own back and forget about the rest. In fact, that is the usual byword that goes about in the business world. "Step on others to rise to the top, before they step on you." The business people will say that's not true, but hey lets be honest, it's reality, isn't it?

So where's the Love?

talk about being random, here's some random!

2007-09-20T11:50:00.000-05:00

Now that we're cooking almost everyday of the week, ideas really do run out on what to cook for dinner or tomorrow's lunch. Now this is what I really miss home about: FOOD! cheap, good, tasty and healthy (well, not all) and freshly prepared food!

ahhhh..
i'm dreaming of char koay teow, hokkien mee, nasi kandar, economy rice at "sa-kak-eng", chicken rice, koay teow thng, charsio-puign, roti canai, koay chap, laksa...the list goes on laaaa!

I'd better stop dreaming before my mouth turns into the Niagara and these already incessant rumbles from deep within turn into quakes.

"Hold on, Thomas! You can do it! Just one exam today, and lunch will follow!"
..
..
..
....
which reminds me of the Israelites when they were roaming in the wilderness, all they could think of was the good food and life they had as slaves in Egypt. Come on, although pizza just doesnt cut it, it's time to be grateful for what we got here. Gotta look forward, keep our focus not on what's past, but on Him and what He's bringing ahead.

So pizza today will just have to do. I'll look out for rojak when the time comes!

Daughters

2007-09-19T08:48:00.000-05:00

I wanna dedicate this John Mayer song to my Mom, Dad, and dear sister, Grace.

I love you all. Missing you guys much...

I know a girl
She puts the color inside of my world
But she's just like a maze
Where all of the walls all continually change
And I've done all I can
To stand on her steps with my heart in my hands
Now I'm starting to see
Maybe it's got nothing to do with me

Fathers, be good to your daughters
Daughters will love like you do
Girls become lovers who turn into mothers
So mothers, be good to your daughters too

Oh, you see that skin?
It's the same she's been standing in
Since the day she saw him walking away
Now she's left
Cleaning up the mess he made

So fathers, be good to your daughters
Daughters will love like you do
Girls become lovers who turn into mothers
So mothers, be good to your daughters too

Boys, you can break
You'll find out how much they can take
Boys will be strong
And boys soldier on
But boys would be gone without the warmth from
A womans good, good heart

On behalf of every man
Looking out for every girl
You are the god and the weight of her world

So fathers, be good to your daughters
Daughters will love like you do
Girls become lovers who turn into mothers
So mothers, be good to your daughters too [x3]

~ "Daughters" by John Mayer

The Rule

2007-09-13T11:09:00.000-05:00

Have you ever been in restrooms,
Public or your own?
I don't know why,
let out a sigh!
the Rule's not set in stone!

I appreciate those who follow it,
who stick to it like glue;
who insist on it,
Hack! Hack! and spit!
May the sky always be blue!

"What," say you, "is this is fast rule
that must be across the lands?"
Why, haven't you heard,
king, peasant, nerd?
The need to wash your hands?!

After business in little rooms,
After using shiny stalls,
Please understand
and wash those hands
when done with nature's calls!

Bacteria and germs thrive galore,
so do other creepy things.
They rest unseen
until you clean
those little fingerlings.

For while you insist that you are a clean,
Others may not know.
Please sir, be kind
and quiet their minds
from worry and from woe.

Some dont even care 'bout it,
some may have no clue!
They walk in there
and "pay their fare"
then out to shake hands with you!

Your hands are important, useful things;
you shake and eat with them.
So wash them often
even after coughin',
smother them not with phlegm!

A Rule, I say, one strong and firm
to pass throughout the lands.
That all must carry
this necessary
need to wash your hands!

Yet till the day of reckoning comes
When Rule is fast and true,
pull up your pants
and wash your hands
Oh please I beg of you!

Forget yourself into greatness

2007-08-29T23:50:00.000-05:00

Consider the comments of William Arthur Ward of Texas Wesleyan College in Fort Worth, Texas:

If you are wise, you will forget yourself into greatness.
Forget your rights, but remember your responsibilities.
Forget your inconveniences, but remember your blessings.
Forget your own accomplishments, but remember your debts to others.
Forget your privileges, but remember your obligations.
Follow the examples of Florence Nightingale, of Albert Schweitzer, of Abraham Lincoln, of Tom Dooley, and forget yourself into greatness.
If you are wise, you will empty yourself into adventure.

Remember the words of General Douglas MacArthur: “There is no security on this earth. There is only opportunity.”
Empty your days of the search for security; fill them with a passion for service.
Empty your hours of the ambition for recognition; fill them with the aspiration for achievement.
Empty your moments of the need for entertainment fill them with the quests for creativity.

If you are wise, you will lose yourself into immorality. Lose your cynicism. Lose your doubts. Lose your fears. Lose your anxiety. Lose your unbelief.

Remember these truths: A person must soon forget himself to be long remembered. He must empty himself in others to discover a fuller self. He must lose himself to find himself. Forget yourself into greatness. Empty yourself into adventure. Lose yourself into immortality.
~ John Maxwell, in his book Be a People Person

unleashed...

2007-08-25T15:52:00.000-05:00

Yo here's a tribute to my good friend Waikit.

I didnt know he could dance. Fantastico! Way to go bro!!

2 Timothy 4:5

2007-08-23T21:53:00.000-05:00

But YOU,
be watchful, alert, and sober in all things,
endure hardship and afflictions,
preach the Good News,
fulfill your ministry.

Is life really worth living?

2007-08-20T13:45:00.000-05:00

Yes, if you live it well.

Problem is, not everyone knows how to live it well. The fast-growing electronics company LG says it right: "Life's Good". But it's not just when you buy their consumer electronics, though. Life's good because you make it good, and you know it's good. Christ made this life worth living. You now have the power to feel good about your life because you're not in control...He is.

Recently, I had a very legitimate reason to say that life wasn't treating me really well. Took two CLEP tests hoping to pass them so I could skip ahead in school and not have to pay through my nose to take those subjects in class. But I didnt obtain the required score to get an exemption from classes...and for a couple of weeks, I really didnt feel too good about myself. I mean, the last time I failed a class subject was when I was 16 in high school! So really, I felt terrible. Does my brain still work? Could I still absorb what I've learned? Am I capable anymore? Lies, Lies, LIES. I let lies sit on the couch on my mind and watch TV through my eyes. Everything was boring and dull as a result of that crummy attitude.

Well, not anymore coz I reminded myself that there is a better way to look at things. There is always a better way. So I went to my first class this semester today and thought to myself, there must be a reason why I'm sitting here taking doing this course when I could have passed it cheap. And I look forward to discovering that reason.

This post is rather sketchy, or raw, if you will, but only because I just wanna write something in here. The song by Switchfoot "Dare You To Move" has been ringing in my head the entire morning. Highly motivational. I recommend it. Go live your life like it mattered for only today. What will you leave behind?

2007-08-04T15:50:00.000-05:00

I just cant hold it in anymore: gotta let it out! But before you continue reading this post, please read my post [click] on the dream I had a few days ago.

I love reading. I'm the kind of person that reads multiple books at a time. I read the book, bookmark it and then leave it for days, sometimes weeks for another book before I continue reading it again. Well, the very same evening I had my dream, I picked up this book by Randy Alcorn called "The Treasure Principle" that I had placed a marker on, and continued reading from there. Here is the excerpt of what I read that day that rocked my world.

After exposing the Laodiceans' spiritual poverty hiddel beneath their wealth, Jesus offered them real treasures: "I counsel you to buy from me gold refined in the fire, so you can become rich" (Revelation 3:18).

When Christ returns, the world "will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything in ti will be laid bare" (2 Peter 3:10). Does that sound depressing? It would be depressing if this world were our home. But it isn't! It would be depressing if we couldn't use our lives and resources to make a difference for eternity. But we can!

C.S. Lewis put it this way: "We are halfhearted creatures, fooling about with drink and sex and ambition when infinite joy is offered us, like an ignorant child who wants to go on making mud pies in a slum because he cannot imagine what is meant by the offer of a holiday at sea. We are far too easily pleased (The Weight of Glory).

Even many Christians have settled for a life of unsatisfying material acquisitions, like making mud pies in a slum. There's something so much better than anything the world can offer--eternal treasures and exhilarating joy.

Eternal things are so much more worth than material wealth. YET there's something so much better than anything the world can offer--

ETERNAL TREASURES & EXHILARATING JOY!

Dream

2007-07-31T07:25:00.000-05:00

I dreamt last night I was in a church building that was newly constructed. It was built with the latest advancements in building technology: harder and more lasting sheet rock, impeccably designed to maximize space, equipped with multipurpose halls and facilities, and exceptionally beautiful.

I was part of this church that had built this facility, and we were proud of what we had constructed. All of a sudden, we heard the news about a freak storm coming our way. A storm like we have never seen. Rain will fall down hard on anything that it hits, and destroys it. The storm purportedly would contain an extremely toxic element that dissolves metal and concrete. News began to spread among the staff and the people in the building to salvage only what they need and run to the nearest natural shelter because the building will not hold.

I hastily looked around, and gathered the possessions I had around me. Wallet, clothes, keys, PDA, shoes. In a few minutes, the storm was coming, and there was shouting all around. "Hurry up! Get out of here!" I started running off with a bunch of people, when I remembered that I left my surround sound speakers on the ground (WHAT!?). I quickly ran back, plugged the speakers out of the wall, grabbed the woofer and speakers, and ran with all my heart as I begin to hear the din of rain falling outside.

I ran out the doors, the crowd nowhere to be seen. I only knew that they were running to the nearby woods. So I ran blindly ahead into the rain. Visibility was terrible, I could only see a few meters ahead of me. I could smell the rain falling on the heated ground. The rain was heavy, but I was not getting wet. Looking back I thought it was a strange phenomenon, but I couldn't care whether I got wet or not then. I just knew I had to get to shelter.

Countless times I would glimpse of trees and I could have stopped and sheltered behind a trunk but I forged on ahead. My hands were getting tired holding on to the speakers and whatever else I had grabbed. Then suddenly, a looming shadow of a gigantic tree appeared right in front of me. It looked like a giant umbrella with its trunk rooted into a massive mound of earth. I ran up that mound and climbed onto the trunk of the tree and I saw the crowd taking shelter there. Some were laughing at me, some scolded me for running back. I was just relieved. I dropped all my possessions at my feet, and realized how foolish I was.

I turned, as did everyone, and looked at our building. The frame of the building is still holding, but the exterior of it was already dissolved. There were some parts of concrete that were still left, but even those are slowly disappearing into a dust-like haze carried by the wind and rain. Soon, the frame began to fall apart, and before long all that was left was a desolate piece of land.

It was then when I looked at my hands and saw that my skin and flesh were intact...my rings now were almost worn away. I immediately thought of Lynn's ring, her necklaces and earrings. I wondered if she was OK.

I begin to ponder what I had seen, and then I woke up. The dream was not quite what I would call a nightmare, but it troubled me. As I pondered, I realized that nothing in this world lasts...nothing. In the end when death comes, we take nothing of our possessions with us. Nothing. Not gold nor silver, not our precious jewelry, nor treasures, whatever they may be. Not even our immortalized memories in the form of photos, not our computers, cars, or houses. NOTHING follows us into the grave...nothing but our deeds.

In the end, when we stand before God, we will be asked to give an account of what we have done on the earth -- not what we have accumulated, but what we have done.

WHAT HAVE I DONE?

YFN 2007

2007-07-26T01:04:00.000-05:00

Just a quick update about what we did last week...we went for a youth summer camp with our church youth to Youth For the Nations at CFNI...it was incredible.

We had about 15 youth at the camp, we stayed at the church at night, so it was almost like a daycamp for us, and i guess the youth really loved the games and sessions. But to me the most rewarding experience is to see them experience the Lord in such a real way, and i have so much joy in my heart to know that i was there to witness it all!!

one guy in our group gave his heart to Jesus for the first time; about 4 of them got baptised in the Holy Spirit with the evidence of speaking in tongues; one of our youth leaders got miraculously healed from scoliosis; several of them were set free from anger, bitterness, addictions, hate, and unforgiveness; one of them discovered his gift and purpose for living; a couple of them received deliverance from demonic influences; several of them got touched by God and cried for the first time in a service; and ALL of them rededicated their lives to God!!

we know that we're treading on the devil's tail here...we know because there have been attacks on some of the youths' families and on them themselves. I know Lynn and I have been praying hard against the work of the enemy; BUT WE KNOW that victory is on our side! The war has been won and the battle is the Lord's!! He has given us EVERY AUTHORITY ( come ouuunnn, somebody shouttttt in this placceee!!)

so we give God all the glory and honour and praise!! To Him to sits on the throne over all the universe, He is able to set you free from all and any bondage. Trust in Him.

And for those who pray with us, please join us in prayer as we seek the Lord for a fresh direction for the youth ministry here. We want to start fresh, passionate, and on fire for God...and right now is the time!!

Holy Spirit unless you show up, then all we do is in vain! SHOW UP! SPEAK! CHANGE LIVES! CONVICT OUR HEARTS! FOR YOUR GLORY!!!!!

Wedding Sonnet

2007-07-25T00:44:00.001-05:00

Here's a copy of our wedding program. Click on the pic for a bigger version.

If you're trying to read the sonnet i wrote, well, here it is.

A Wedding Sonnet

by Thomas Leong

Of me, to thee will I freely give

My heart and life for thy love I live;

To hold thy hand with fingers entwined,

And say thou art mine and I am thine.

To what mystery doth this Love owe

That two would bequeath their hearts like so;

That life itself is now sacrificed,

And the very self is now demised?

My love, thou needs not answereth me

For I know ‘tis Christ, our mystery.

So come, step with me upon this aisle,

This journey we birth will take a while.

For thy love and mine, and Christ’s, is three

And our Love, sweet Love, shall stronger be.

Feel free to use it for your wedding, if you want to. Just leave me a comment and quote me.

Wedding Pictures

2007-07-05T12:50:00.000-05:00

Hello friends!! we are back in Dallas! touched down at 11.45pm on Tuesday night, July 3rd. we're both very tired, trying to get over our jet lag. We're slowly moving into our new apt!! woohooo...

Here's some pictures preview that we promised to upload but we've been very busy with wedding preparation and packing to come back to Dallas. Here's some to whet your appetite..till settle down into our new place and schedule. Okay? =)

2007-05-27T12:03:00.000-05:00

Hello everyone...some quick updates:

1. We have finally gotten adjusted to the time change. Crazy isn't it? Almost two weeks, can you believe it?
2. We have also met with many key people that we hoped would help with our wedding...things are falling into place, praise God hallelujah!
3. We have also taken our wedding pictures. We will be taking our last few shots on location at the beach and then making the final selections this Wed.
4. The CFNI team arrived last night, and Pheng will be staying with them till they leave Penang. Meanwhile, I've been roped by our pastor to help with their transportation for the next few days while they're in Penang.
5. I've eaten so much since I've been here...*burp!* food here is too good. If heaven is better than this, I cant begin to imagine how good it'll be, but for now, this is definitely food heaven for me.

well well, that's it for this post. More to come, hopefully soon!

Blessings y'all!

Touchdown...

2007-05-18T17:00:00.000-05:00

We actually made it! Finally after more than 24hours of flying and transits, we are back in PENANG! Flying like this really takes a toll on the body coz here I am awake since 5am this morning. The AC's too cold in the room, the air is too warm outside the room, mosquitoes and mosquitoes and mosquitoes. Ahhh...this is the life! Y'know, I'm actually so grateful that my parents fixed AC in the room. We lived without that luxury all my life. Definitely one of the best inventions of mankind.

OKOK please excuse me, I digress. So here are some pics from our journey, have fun, and I will try my best to update regularly while I can.

Stopover in LAX

at the new Hong Kong International Airport

Downtown HK

Double decker bus. Downtown HK reminds me of San Francisco.

View from Tsim Sha Tsui: ferry and International Finance Centre (IFC) Building

Pics

2007-05-12T03:14:00.000-05:00

So here are some pics of Pheng during commencement this morning...enjoy!

Receiving the diploma from Dr Lindsay

The Graduate!

Sharing the occasion with Uncle Joe

Congrats Darlin' !!

Some thoughts from way back....

2007-05-12T02:30:00.000-05:00

...from my 2002 mini-journal-notebook thingy

Work:
- what income level do I want to attain?
- what level of responsibility do I seek?
- how much authority do I want to command?
- what prestige do I expect to gain from my work?

Home:
- what kind of living standards do I want to provide for my family and myself?
- what kind of house and home do I wanna live in?
- what kind of vacations do I wanna take?
- what financial support do I wanna give my children in their early adult years?

Social:
- what kinda friends do I wanna have?
- what social groups do I wanna join?
- what community leadership positions would I like to hold?
- what worthwhile causes do I wanna champion?

I looked but I did not write down any answers for those questions above. Now that I've experienced life a bit more and seen so much more than I could ever ask for, I look at those questions and feel like I have answers, yet I am challenged for greater things.

Make no mistake: I have been satisfied so far, but I am pressing on for more. Because I know there's more out there that God has prepared for me.

Watch out, world. HERE I COME!

no more exams...at least for now

2007-05-11T18:27:00.000-05:00

Wooohooo! So finally I'm done with exams, tests, and papers for this semester! 2 CLEP tests in one week can really bring out the nerd in me, I tell ya! Last week took college algebra, and then this afternoon infosystems and computing. I havent touched those subjects in years, and to pass them with such minimal preparation is definitely God's hand on me!

So now, this weekend I will be busy packing and moving out of my apartment...moving out, hahaha, more like packing up and moving to a corner. I'm leaving my stuff with my awesome roommate who's gracious enough to let me use his space. OK. And when everything's done, get ready, I'll be flying home to Penang laaaa!

I'm so excited!
Alright...gtg help Pheng move now, and then go for Nathanja & Jennifer's farewell party.

God is AWESOME!

2007-05-03T17:50:00.000-05:00

I just thought Jeff's post on Time was interesting.
Check it out here.

The time has come...

2007-04-30T12:08:00.000-05:00

Wow. It's been a while, hasn't it? Time sure does fly by!

Anyways, many things have been going on the last 2 months, and God has been really real our lives, for both Pheng and I. For those of you still in the dark, we are getting married in June in Malaysia. Yesss, the date is finally set, and we will be walking down that aisle very soon!

It's a long story of how God made this all possible, but basically just the fact that He knew the desires of our hearts, He provided the means necessary for the wedding and the dinner, and He gave us the opportune time for this to happen. And in all these, He showed us again and again through a series of confirmation and reminding us that He is working all things out for us. Our plans to get married was not until early 2008 (maybe even later) but God's plan is always best. How could we refuse this?! It would be foolishness and plain stupidity! And so, it is to God's plan that we submit out lives and this decision to get married!

People, all who are reading this: I want you all to know that God is real and He is interested in our lives. When I say "our" I mean YOU and EVERYBODY plus ME! His plans do not confuse us, or bring destruction or aimlessness, but the Bible says that from the beginning of time, even before you or I were even conceived in our mother's wombs, He has thought of us and destined great things for our future to prosper and not to harm us. The only thing we need to do is to trust and believe Him.

Friends, do you believe? I mean, truly believe?

water issues

2007-03-28T07:43:00.000-05:00

One of my favouritest verses in the Bible is Philippians 4:8

Finally, my brothers, whatever things are true, whatever things are honest, whatever things are right, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report; if there is any virtue and if there is any praise, think on these things.

Every once in a while, actually, more often than not, I realise that the reason I get so troubled about things is because I dwell so much on the negative side. It's probably only human to mull over negative things and allow them to overwhelm me, but being human is not good enough an excuse for bad attitudes and negative thinking. As Christians, followers of Christ, believers in the One and true God, we are charged to think positively. Just like that famous analogy of the half cup of water. Do we look at it as half empty, or half full? If half empty, then we will never be satisfied because nothing will be enough. If half full, then we will always be thankful to God for whatever we get, even if it is just a half cup of water. This is one of the ways we live out our higher calling; this is how we become a testimony to those who do not yet know Christ or understand His teachings--when we live a life that says "We face difficult circumstances, but we are not overwhelmed because everything and anything is, can be and will be solved."

But the problem with us is, like I said, we dont dwell enough on the good things but we see the negative side of things and allow our attitude and our thinking to be distorted. Everything then becomes about ME, how I deserve better than this, how this is not working out for ME, how life is so unfair to me, how dare other people treat ME this way, I'm not getting what I want, etc., etc., etc.

The world becomes a sad and sorry place when this happens. We lose respect for others when this happens. Although we can rationalise that we should expect the worse, honestly, even that rational thinking is warped because everything is centered on the self. So while the world and the people in the world turn into a nasty bunch, we forget that we are turning ourselves into one of them. Selfish, Nasty, Unreasonable, Unforgiving.

Oh God, help me not to be anything like that. I want to learn to love like you do, Jesus. Help me to live with and show Your compassion, Your love. Help me to live with honour and respect for others. Help me to prefer others above myself, and to love them with all my heart. Help me, Oh God, to be just like you. Make me a testimony to the world of Your love and grace. Make me reflect you, Jesus.

I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. As I have loved you, you should also love one another. By this all shall know that you are My disciples, if you have love toward one another. (John 13:34-35)

The solution? Dwell on the good things! Even in the midst of trouble, there is good in it! Look at the silver lining in every cloud and remember that the light and clear skies will follow. What good is it when we mull over things and let our attitudes reflect our troubles, when we can let our troubles reflect the greatness and sovereignty our God? He is able, and we must believe it, and LIVE it!

How do YOU look at YOUR half cup of water?

Finally, my brothers, whatever things are TRUE, whatever things are HONEST, whatever things are RIGHT, whatever things are PURE, whatever things are LOVELY, whatever things are OF GOOD REPORT; if there is any VIRTUE and if there is any PRAISE, think on these things.

"A Long Way Home"

2007-03-22T01:49:00.000-05:00

Here's the song "A Long Way Home" by Bebo Norman

It's a long way home, and the fists have flown
In the silence, there's nowhere left to run
It's the battle of our pending love
In the shadow of another smoking gun

When we dreamed this dream for the first it seemed
We could live this love for a lifetime...you and me

I will not give up this fight
I will not lay down and die
I will not carry this heart of stone
I may not be your place to run
I may not be your kingdom come
I may stumble through this great unknown
But I will be all that is true
I will not give up on you
I was made to be with you alone

Cause you and me, we're gonna see...the long way home

It's a long way home, and crying is done
But the sorrow is still wet upon your face
Our colliding hearts sometimes break apart
But now the pieces are gathered up in grace

When we dream this dream for the last time we'll see
That we lived this love for a lifetime...just you and me

Cause you and I, we're gonna fly...the long way home

The words in this song...just so riveting, so apt at this point in my life. My heart is comforted. Thank you Bebo, thank you so much.

thin...

2007-03-21T17:44:00.000-05:00

I've been thinking today that I'm spread out too thin with so many things, responsibilities, expectations; it's a wonder that I'm still sane.

Then there's still plans, ambitions, wants...and along with them come the worries and the stress. Sometimes I feel like just moving out to the country...and farm. Alone.

Almost two years ago I remember telling some friends of mine who went with me into the orang asli villages in East Malaysia...that honestly, I wouldnt mind living in one of those rickety wooden houses, with a small plot of farming land, and just work it for a living. I said "I'd like to live like this, maybe for a year or two."

OK...maybe that'll be too much of a stretch...but it sure would be nice to live and work far far away from the crazy demands of this world, wouldn't it?

Spring Break....

2007-03-19T00:29:00.000-05:00

Okok...real quick...I was over being angry many moons ago, so chills, baby! So anyways I just wanted to say that I had a restful spring break. Even though I still had to work, but I had some good rest times, just not worrying about classes, spending time with friends, etc.

Also I'm starting to exercise a little more frequently now, was planning to take part in a triathlon in May, but now am rethinking that decision because of a more important priority...will post when plans are more solidified, OK. But meanwhile, I am still hoping to maintain a regular workout schedule. You know, getting fit is a good thing for anyone.

So yeah anyways, thank you all those who keep praying for me and Lynn. We are blessed, and we are praying through many things right now...and things have been and are looking to be even more exciting for the both of us.

God is good, and His mercy endures forever! Praise be to the King of Kings!

2007-03-10T09:59:00.000-06:00

I am right now EXTREMELY MAD at and UPSET with myself. I had promised a couple of good friends, Eric and Dustin, that i was gonna go see them take part in a triathlon about 70 miles away in another city, Athens, and I OVERSLEPT. Yes i missed my multiple alarm clocks that i had set up and OVERSLEPT (gasp, facedown, slap-to-forehead, cry uncontrollably). I was supposed to leave at 8am to travel there and arrive at 9.30am in time hopefully to catch them cycling or running. But this TWERP here had to wake up at 9.30 itself, which even if i had gone would have taken me 1.5 hours drive and arrive at 11pm. The triathlon would already be over by then. And worse still is that I had indicated to Eric that i would be able to give him a ride from Athens back to Dallas...and now...GARRRHHHHH!!!

Nobody talk to me, for your own safety.

*boil*

at the Bay...

2007-02-24T01:00:00.000-06:00

I had a great time at San Francisco with my sister! We enjoyed the city so much; its such a beautiful city, and just the atmosphere of the city reminded me of home. Of course, the weather is a lot more different, and the cost of living is much more expensive. But there are lots of Asians there, the roads are smaller, and the smell of the sea air is just too good for me. Ahhh too good! I told my sister and Pheng that if i had the money, and were to pick a city to live in the US, San Francisco would be it (unless i find a better place to be!)

So anyways, here are a few highlight pics of my experience in SF. Have fun!

Day 1

entering San Francisco; Renaissance Parc 55 in the horizon (I stayed there)

aerial view of Union Square at night

dinner with my cousin, Jimmy, and my sister Grace at The Cheesecake Factory

Day 2

taking the cable car to Fisherman's Wharf

at the wharf; delicious clam chowder at the pier

Pier 39;

the infamous Alcatraz

in the cell block

back at the wharf in an old museum of old amusement toys; simple reunion dinner with my sister

Day 3

a painted obelisk; the Golden Gate bridge;

on the bridge; enroute to Sausalito after crossing the bridge

News flash!

2007-02-19T00:49:00.000-06:00

Hello all,

Happy Chinese New Year, Kong Hei Fatt Choy/Gong Xi Fa Cai/Kiong Hee Huat Cai/Selamat Tahun Baru Cina, may your new year be prosperous and fruitful, may you receive lots of angpows (you kids & single folk), and as for those who faithfully and may your gifts be multiplied to you!

Here are a couple of super quick updates:

Last week my car wouldn't start 4 times. Turns out my horn relay was draining out the battery, so I had it taken off and will probably be replaced this week. Also hoping to bring my car in for inspection, when everything is OK. Of course, the horn is one of the necessary requirements to pass inspection.

I had reunion dinner with the Chin family here at CFNI...what an awesome time of celebrating with lo sang and some good steamboat, yummy! I have to say that Pheng and I are so blessed to know this family, their joy and zest for life as a family unit is such a testimony to us both. We are blessed and privileged to be discipled by them for our pre-marital counseling sessions. Hurrah for the Chin clan!

And....tomorrow early in the morning i'll be on my way to San Francisco to see my sister Grace, and meet up with a cousin of mine, Chong, whom I havent seen in probably 8-9 years. Also this will be the first time in 2 years since i've last seen Grace, so i'm very excited! I have missed her quite abit. So anyway, this will be her first ever flight to American soil as well, so i'm kinda honored to be the first person she wants to meet when she's here! So please pray for us to have a good time even though we'll be tight on cash...i just want to spend time with her and take lots of pictures for memories.

OK. So today i woke up with the phrase ringing in my head, "He's going places." Wow. Someone said that about my friend who's working in KL, and sounds like he's working really hard and getting successful at what he's doing. So the entire morning preparing to go to church (i wore red, by the way, to show my observance of the CNY) i was just rethinking some things i'm doing and motivating myself...i want to be a person that's others will say "he's going places" as in, he will be successful in what he does. And to do that, i gotta capitalize on what i do best. And even then, it will not be enough; it's gotta be better than my best. And that can only happen when God is in the WHOLE picture. Then i can say that i'm going places because someone greater is taking me there.

Here's a quote i've been thinking about in recent days, by Bill Johnson in his book "When Heaven Invades Earth":

Much of what we call ministry has no safeguard in it to ensure that He (God) is even present. When our focus is not the presence of God, we end up doing the best we can for God. Our intentions may be noble, but they are powerless in effect. (parentheses mine)

So we can do all the ministry we want, or do whatever we're called to do as best as we can, but when we do it out of our own strength, what fruit is there? Worthless, at the least, and impressive, at most. But when God Himself is in the WHOLE picture, when He's using us as a vessel to channel His presence through what we do, then will we see real fruit in ministry. The result will last for eternity.

His presence is all we need!

Land Called Love

2007-02-16T22:20:00.000-06:00

A poem i gave to darling for Valentine's..

Come away with me for an adventure in Agapeland..

Love is real and love is true;
There's a land called love for you.

There's a land where your dreams come true,
So far away yet so close to you.
Can you imagine what things you could do
In a land called love?

You can toss all your cares in a pile,
You can sing, you can laugh or just smile.
When you get tired, you can rest for a while.
In a land called love.

It's not a land of make-believe.
It's very real. and you can feel
Something you've never felt before-
The love of God and so much more.

Author-Unknown

I love you dear..
pheng

A Valentine Sonnet

2007-02-14T16:12:00.000-06:00

Happy Valentine's, everyone!
Take some time to have some fun
But most of all, on this amorous day
Don’t forget to generously say
The three words that mean so much
More than chocolates or roses or diamonds or such
On a day cluttered with commercial incline
They battle for hearts and purses, yours and mine
Stripping our cash, and push comes to shove
Heck, they do it all in the name of love!

Oh Valentine's, the day lovers love most
For love they would squander, of love they would boast
Say the words, and mean it too
"I love you, baby, it's true, I LOVE YOU."

upside down..

2007-02-10T02:39:00.000-06:00

I told myself to go to sleep immediately. That was 2 hours ago...and I'm still awake...

y'know, I've been telling myself to get to bed early and on time. I have even planned out a timetable to keep myself accountable, but it's not working. I should know better. I've never stuck to those personal timetables much anyways.

Given the chance, I'd rather not go to sleep! I do love sleep, and being lazy and all, but if I had it my way, I'd much rather stay awake 24 hrs! Boy, I bet that'll do something to my body...haha. I guess if I did that pretty soon I'll melt or disintegrate.

I remember as boyscout (those good ole days) my friends and I used to stay up 3-4 days in a row...yup. Hardly any sleep for those 3-4 days. Usually during camps when we had a ton of campsite gadget-building and preparations. By the 3rd day everyone's walking around the campsite like zombies. No kidding. Not even when the girls arrived in the morning (they go home at night, or stay at one of their houses). Sorry ler, but tak cukup tidur leh.

Here's a funny story I remember...I think it was at my first TRAPLEX camp as Patrol Leader. I was wut...14? yeah. Second night. about 4 or 5am. I was working on the tower's platform, sitting on a stool and tying that darn squarelashing onto those bamboo strips. I remember making a lash, and then I fell, literally my head in between my knees, asleep holding on to that unfinished lash. I was knocked out. At about 7am, I was startled when I heard my ex-PL yell at me at the top of his lungs. "Get up, you -expletive omitted- or you're gonna fail your morning inspection!" I sprung up like switchblade, took my first step, and fell face flat onto the mud. I could have sworn I thought I was paralysed! Then, I felt that that tingly feeling that everyone LOVES and HATES. Arrgh! With my butt on the stool, feet on the ground, and head between my legs, all the blood rushed to my head and, y'know, kinda left my legs. I made mental note never to sleep in that position ever again.

Heheh...not just sleep, we wouldnt even take baths/showers too! Goodness! For those of you who know what I'm talking about...remember that pickling stench? Imagine every person you walk past, each with a pair of overnight pits and funky breath...Those are some of the smells I will never forget for the rest of my life.

Ahh well...enough of sweet reminiscence. Those were the days when life was more worry-free. It's time to go to bed.

Cure for AIDS?

2007-02-05T01:27:00.000-06:00

Can you believe it? Iran claims to have found the cure for AIDS.

Check this news piece: http://english.farsnews.com/newstext.php?nn=8511140239

I have my doubts....

The Setting Sun

2007-02-03T20:17:00.000-06:00

Just ignore the words on the video...

Here's another

Switchfoot - Stars

Okie guys...sorry about the deluge of videos...
These guys are amazing artists...phenomenal music...powerful. And right now, Stars and Setting Sun is exactly how I'm looking at life.

to all my Western friends...

2007-01-29T00:08:00.000-06:00

OK OK, I know it's kinda discriminating by referring to y'all as "Western" (as opposed to Eastern/Asian), but for lack of a better and more encompassing term, "Western" is good. Anyhow, back to the point:

I saw this on youtube, and whaddya know! This is for all y'all who struggling to understand the mechanics of the Asian squat. Trust me, this will help you on y'alls mission trips, and perhaps, the occasional and necessary visits to the nasty public toilets (especially the ones back in my Tanah Air!)

toots away!

2007-01-24T23:10:00.000-06:00

So here we are, at a new year, with new plans, new ideas, new challenges, and new opportunities!

I want to start this year off--albeit 3 weeks into it now--afresh, renewed, REFRESHED! Hence my banner...nice, isn't it? And what about the oranges? Let's just say this particular species of citrus fruits is one of my favourites.

In the last few weeks I have am learning to live this verse out in my life:

"Let your speech be always with grace, having been seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one. - Colossians 4:6 MKJV

Isn't it so much easier to lash out at someone? Yes, but it is hurtful and destructive. Isn't it more convenient to complain? Yes, but it reveals lack rather than a wealth of character. In the Psalms we see that God is slow to anger and rich in mercy (Ps 103 and 145), and in Proverbs 16:32 we know that "He who is slow to anger is better than the mighty, and he who rules his spirit is better than he who takes a city."

To all my friends out there, back home in good 'ole Penang, here in Dallas, all over the world...
I love all of you. May God bless you and keep you. May He shine His face upon you and be gracious to you. May He lift up His face to you and give you peace.

Hugs, people. =)

no trouble at all...

2006-12-27T22:56:00.000-06:00

Dear family and friends...

Some verses for us today from John 14. Please keep praying for Michel...and believing that God is in control and working all things for the good of those who love Him.

"Do not let your heart be troubled; believe in God, believe also in Me." (1)

Jesus said to Thomas, "I am the Way, and the Truth, and the Life. No one comes to the Father but through Me." (6)

"Truly, truly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do, he will do also; and greater works than these he will do; because I go to the Father. Whatever you ask in My name, that will I do, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask Me anything in My name, I will do it." (12-14)

"I will not leave you as orphans." (18)

"Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful." (27)

We can do great things. Only believe.

Mimi...we're praying with you.

Christmas 2006

2006-12-25T23:30:00.000-06:00

I spent most of my Christmas this year helping my new roommate, SamThecka, clean his old apartment. One of the thoughts I had today was "Why do I have to spend MY time cleaning up someone else's mess?" Which was also cool coz Pheng thought about the same thing.

And then it dawned upon me...that was exactly what the first Christmas was about: the Son of God came down to earth as Jesus Christ to clean up the mess that WE created. It was our sin, but He took it upon Himself. It was our penalty, but He paid it with His life. It was our death, but He died in our place. It was our mess, but He cleaned it up for us.

I am glad I spent my time cleaning. If the idea of Christmas could ever be caught, then I think that was what happened to me today. I truly experienced Christmas from God's point of view. What a privilege it was; what an honour. I'm glad that Sam's my roommate.

Merry Christmas, everyone, and a Happy New Year to all~!

No such thing as coincidences...

2006-12-22T13:19:00.000-06:00

and the following is no superstition either!!

it's been 6 hrs.

John 11 tells the story of the death and resurrection of Lazarus. John 11 is the scripture for Lynn and I today. Michel's dad's body is right now in the morgue, but death was not part of the promise Michel heard from God and shared with us many months back.

As I shared with a colleague to keep praying, he shared with me how his mom had died about 5 years ago. She was clinically dead for 18 hrs, but came back to life. She is alive to this day. Coincidence that I would hear a story like that? No. It's a faith-stirrer!

Let's stir up our faith!! Death cannot prevail. Life is in God's hands, and His promises for this man are yet to be fulfilled...LETS HAVE FAITH, for without faith it is impossible to please God...and with man it is impossible, but with God all things are possible to him who believes!

Life is gonna happen. Soon. Believe it.

Wet Wet Wet

2006-12-20T13:16:00.000-06:00

Wet day today. It's been raining almost all night, and this morning the temperature was really nice. It felt like spring all weekend, and it's just December. I like this better than the freezing cold.

Anyways, travelled to work today and guess what? my windshield wipers STOPPED working about 500 meters away from the school gate! I had to drive soopersloowwwe coz the rain on the screen blurred my visibility. So I arrived safely at the parking lot, and tried the wipers again...I could hear the mechanisms work, but the wipers weren't moving...*sigh* I hope i can somehow fix them myself.

So thats my story for today. Hope it doesn't rain on my way home...or I might just have to stay at work.

What is your pH level?

2006-12-17T01:05:00.000-06:00

pH = power of the Holy Spirit

"But you will receive POWER when the HOLY SPIRIT comes upon you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."
~ Jesus, Acts 1:8

Jesus Christ said of Himself, "The Son can do nothing." --- He performed miracles, wonders, and signs, as a man in right relationship with God...not as God. If He performed miracles because He was God, then they would be unattainable for us. But if He did them as a man, I am responsible to pursue His lifestyle."
~ Bill Johnson, When Heaven Invades Earth, 2003

Are YOU a passionate witness, or an indifferent observer?

IT IS FINISHED!!!

2006-12-14T16:31:00.000-06:00

....at least for the semester. It's not gonna be much of a break for me at all until the semester starts coz i'll be working full time for a couple of weeks, then a miniterm (1 week intensive class) and then school starts all over again. So i guess i'll just think of something relaxing to do for a little 3-day celebration this weekend.

Isnt it amazing how God uses the most unlikely people to speak to you? Yesterday after Youth Prayer Alex comes up to me and said I have something for you...and proceeds to read Isaiah 43:18-21

Forget what happened long ago! Don't think about the past!
I am creating something new. There it is! Do you see it? I have put roads in deserts, streams in thirsty lands...I provide water in deserts--streams in thirsty lands for my chosen people.
I made them my own nation, so they would praise me. (CEV)

Isaiah 54

Enlarge the place of your tent; stretch out the curtains of your dwellings, spare not; Lengthen your cords and strengthen your pegs. For you will spread abroad to the right and to the left...Fear not, for you will not be put to shame; and do not feel humiliated for you will not be disgraced. (NASV)

alright. I think i'll start my little vacation by getting some naptime into my system. zZZzzzZzzzz

from my journal

2006-12-10T02:09:00.000-06:00

Act 17:23 For as I passed along and carefully observed your objects of worship, I came also upon an altar with this inscription, To the unknown god. Now what you are already worshiping as unknown, this I set forth to you.
~ Paul in Acts 17:23

I have thought of this many times, but finally decide to share it here. As some of you may know, last year I brought some of my friends to Malaysia and we had a blast over there sharing the love of Jesus all over the place. But one of the things that I wished we did as a team was to visit the big buddhist temple. We didnt end up going because we were warned to not put ourselves in a position where we are open to the attacks of the the devil.

Like I said, I have thought much about our decision, and it wasnt till a year later that I was reminded of the passage above. Even PAUL went sightseeing! I am sure there were dark forces in that place, and all kinds of evil spirits and so on, but that did not stop him from "carefully observing" the idols and altars there. Why? Coz he knew and believed that the One who is in Him is greater than he that is in the world! So why live in fear and superstition?

To the team: Next time, guys, when we return to Malaysia, let's not let fear of anything limit where we can go or wat we can do. We can do all things through Christ who gives us strength. More than conquerors, thats who we are in Christ! As long as we're in Christ we can storm any gate, even the gates of hell, and bring heaven to earth!!

I miss being with you guys.

Mistakes

2006-12-06T22:38:00.000-06:00

9 Mistakes to avoid:
Remorse over yesterday's failure.
Anxiety over today's problems.
Worry over tomorrow's uncertainty.
Procrastination with one's present duty.
Resentment of another's success.
Criticism of a neighbor's imperfections.
Impatience with youth's imperfection.
Skepticism of our nation's future.
Unbelief in God's providence.
~ William Arthur Ward

The last couple of weeks have been most difficult for me as far as I can remember. Read again those words above...I have stumbled over each one of those mistakes over and over again, and it has put nothing but hate and bitterness in my heart. It is only by God's grace that I'm being healed and getting over them now. No more problems? Far from it! However, once again I'm at a higher place lookin' at my mountains from a different perspective.

To all those who prayed for me and with me, my most sincere gratitude. Thank you for allowing God to work through you. Your seeds of prayer and love will forever be recorded in the books of Heaven!

2006-11-23T03:04:00.000-06:00

Some of the best words i've ever heard.

"Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness, that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented and fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small doesn't serve the world. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It's not just in some of us; it's in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others."

~ Marianne Williamson, in A Return to Love (1992)

Check out Mimi's entry on this. I couldnt have said it better.

Chastity

2006-11-22T01:15:00.000-06:00

We may, indeed, be sure that perfect chastity - like perfect charity - will not be attained by any merely human efforts. You must ask for God's help. Even when you have done so, it may seem to you for a long time that no help, or less help than you need, is being given. Never mind. After each failure, ask forgiveness, pick yourself up, and try again. Very often what God first helps us towards is not the virtue itself but just this power of always trying again. For however important chastity (or courage, or truthfulness, or any other virtue) may be, this process trains us in habits of the soul which are more important still. It cures our illusions about ourselves and teaches us to depend on God. We learn, on the one hand, that we cannot trust ourselves even in our best moments, and, on the other, that we need not despair even in our worst, for our failures are forgiven. The only fatal thing is to sit down content with anything less than perfection.
~ C.S. Lewis. Mere Christianity (1952)

Favor

2006-11-11T01:26:00.000-06:00

Here's a paper I wrote for my business leadership class. I just thought it would be a blessing to everyone.

DANIEL

The story of Daniel begins with the invasion and subsequent colonization of the Babylonian empire under the leadership of King Nebuchadnezzar. It is after this colonization that King Nebuchadnezzar commanded for some Hebrew young men to be indoctrinated into the Babylonian culture so that they may serve in the king’s courts. It is in this portion of the story that readers are introduced to the famous Daniel and his three Hebrew friends.

To those who have read and are familiar of the stories of Daniel and his three friends, it is highly unlikely that they will ever forget them. It is so easy to think that as children we would just sit and read or listen to someone tell us stories about Daniel. Who can forget his famous lock-in with the lions, or not marvel at the rendezvous into the fiery furnace of his friends Shedrach, Meshach, and Abednego? The book of Daniel in the Old Testament of the Bible is truly a remarkable book of religious conspiracy, uncompromising faith, and the unbelievable miracle of God’s deliverance. And to many, it is also a book of prophecy of things already fulfilled in our past and of things in the future. Yet from a business and leadership point of view, Daniel was more than just a prophet. He was a leader from whom we can glean many valuable lessons in leadership.

For one, Daniel was a creative problem-solver. When he and his friends were taken to be trained in the service of the king, the trainees were lavishly given luxurious food from the King’s menu. However, Daniel and his friends knew that these foods would defile them and their religious consciences. And so when they brought up the matter to their chief, they did not just decline the royal menu but also provided a creative solution to their problem. They offered to be placed on a vegetable diet for a trial period of ten days, upon which if they did not appear healthier and more energized, they would revert back to royal food. Of course, they appeared better than any other, and were granted their request. Thus we see that creativity is essential in the solving of dilemmas, especially when dealing with those in authority.

Daniel was a man who exercised calm and wisdom in times of crisis. This can be seen most in the part of the story where the king had a dream but could not understand it nor even recall it. He then conveniently calls upon his royal magicians and wise men, but none could do his bidding. In rage, he commands that all wise men in his kingdom be destroyed. When news of this death sentence reached Daniel, he remained calm and with wisdom requested of the king some time so that his seemingly impossible demand may be fulfilled. He then sought God earnestly for an answer and sure enough, it was given to him. Needless to say, he gave the king his dream and the interpretation, and the lives of many were spared. But of more importance was this, that the name of the true God was acknowledged and glorified by a heathen king.

In stories of successful businesses and leadership, we often hear that in order to penetrate into a new market, careful understanding and incorporation of the market’s culture is important to secure effective business. One can find this principle at work in Daniel’s case. He can be said as one who understood and engaged the new culture he was literally thrown into. From the beginning of the book, his diligent and hard work pays off as we see that God allowed him to find favor with the authorities. This is evident in the fact that he and his friends were found to be of higher standards and quality than all the others. Nevertheless, he did not compromise his own culture as he delves into the new. He was given the king’s menu, but he chose an alternative diet so as not to defile his body. He accepted the education of a foreign culture, but did not give in to their foreign religious doctrines. He served in the courts of a heathen king, but did not forsake his faith to his One and Only God. His trait of being able to engage the culture and yet not compromise his own finds him to be in the service of successive kings and kingdoms after King Nebuchadnezzar.

In conclusion, Daniel is a true example of leadership because he remained faithful to God and to the calling of God in his life. In other words, he exemplified leadership by first exercising personal leadership in his personal walk and relationship with God. He was faithful to God throughout his tenure with the heathen kings, so much so that each of them would, at some point, come to realize the superiority and sovereignty of Daniel’s God. That is, and should always be, one of the marks of true leadership, that God would be glorified.

I just wanna highlight my last paragraph as a reminder, first to myself (of course) and to all out there who are leaders whether in church, business, family, or in any leadership capacity, that true and effective leadership comes from personal leadership. I have personally come to this conclusion, that all great leaders have faith in God. Those who do not may find success in their endeavors, but their work is hardly blessed. Successful leaders are successful because God 's favor rests on them, and gaining favor from God begins with our personal lives. May we all find His favor in the worship and devotion of our lives to Him who deserves it!

2006-11-10T13:07:00.000-06:00

once again we're at the time of the year where we say, "GOSH! It's already November?!" and then roll our eyes and start talking about how quick time has gone. And then, if you have enough sympathizers, the conversation may lead to someone saying, "Can you believe it's been x years since i first came here?!" and so on and so forth.

But seriously, can you believe it's been almost 4 years since i've been here in the States? Sometimes I wish I had the opportunity to go home more often, treat myself to some real food, and then maybe come back to finish what I need to get done here. Yet here we are, another Thanksgiving celebration just round the corner, and I take time to reflect again on what I can be thankful for. And before you know it, Christmas comes around, and I find myself once again celebrating this joyous season in a foreign land.

I miss the mamak sessions.
And riding my motorbike.
And getting sweaty from the humidity.

I miss home.