The state of the Malaysian church sometimes stand at a precarious position. The Malaysian Government, pushed by PAS to declare the nation as an official Islamic state, were at times at their wits end to counter that suggestion.
Why the precariousity of declaring Malaysia as an Islamic state? It's because, the moment Malaysia is declared as an official Islamic state, we most probably would have to apply Islamic law in all aspects in our lives. It'll no longer be Syariah and Civil courts. It'll just be Syariah courts all the way.
And what about the state of the churches, temples and places of worship? If there weren't any counterbalancing points within the government, I guess, we could eventually either decide to convert, or to meet in hiding. After all, they are already trying to ban CFs from schools and also making the application of church buildings tremendously hard.
Ha! Why the sudden serious writing on politics? Well, I'm not commenting on what's going on behind the scenes (don't really knoe much there either lar), but I do believe there'll come a time for Malaysian Christians take up roles within the government and eventually, the Cabinet itself.
Governments are put in place by God. Look at the old testament, and you'll see dat Israel had Babylonians and Assyrians governing over them. New Testament had Romans as rulers of the Jews. And did it all come without the permission of God? No, I believe God's in control. There's a reason why the government we have is in place it is today.
However, we, the Malaysian church, should not slack. Let's all vote when the time comes. And let those called into politics do so. After all, God gave gifts and callings to everyone. If a Pastor would not pastor, but enter business, then who else would take care of the flock? In the same way, let those called to politics do it, and do it well.
We all talk about revival in Malaysia. Frankly, with the current political climate, I hardly think it's possible. At least for the time being. Let's not all be comfortable in church and call politics a dirty old game. True, it's dirty, but well, someone's gotta do it, right? And I believe, with God's blessings, integrity would help the future aspiring Malaysian Christian politicians. After all, look at Daniel and Joseph.
Yep, guess dats it. Do remember to pray for our political climate. Pray for God's favour to continue to reign and dat persecution won't come so soon (it'll eventually I guess). Our Christian lives isn't just about being comfortable or thinking about our own needs all the time.
God Bless~
Friday, February 25, 2005
Sunday, February 20, 2005
Building a genuine community
Running a church certainly isn't easy. As we (my Pastor and I), drew up the blueprints for our Youth/Young Adults ministry in church, we basically targeted on building relationships, maintaining them and forming an authentic community. But yet, as she wanted more emphasis on community building, I couldn't really get her, as I wanted us to begin evangelism work around the area.
However, reading through Sivin Kit's blog about issues churches face now, including the yearning of a genuine community and spirituality versus the the idea of a church just being a fuzzy-huggy club, I realised, 'Hey, ya! This is the way we should actually go!'
I mean, after all, the attraction of some sweet young thing (or buffed up guy for the females) might hold our attention span for awhile and make church going pleasant while the attraction lasts. But what next? Is church just all about being there on Sunday for the sake of attendance, and later going back and resuming our normal lives? Is church just a portion of our lives, where we later go back and resume normalcy? And doesn't dat makes the church, erm, pardon me saying this, but 'abnormal'?
One reason why I choose this church to serve in, was the fact dat I wanted a community to grow in, a family to have, friends to count on. But yet, I find that we're a little cut short on this. Most of the time, we just meet each other on Sunday, and dats it. No more. We're just Sunday friends, whereupon we would go back to our normal bunch of friends after dat.
Authentic genuine community. I'm sure the hurting world would want dat too. I'm sure a bunch of disillusioned youths would 1stly go for a place where they can belong, even more than how happening it is. I mean, if you just emphasise on the happeningness without the relationship building, where would you be? Wouldn't we be just like any social club? Why not then change the church into a Lions club or Rotary club instead?
There is only so much an evangelist can do. Even if he preaches and half the nation gets saved, could the saved be succesfully be integrated into the church? People talk about megachurches. But do all megachurches foster relationship building and spiritual mentoring?
Or do most just go for the numbers? Bring in more people! We need 2000 people by 3 years time! I've seen some going down this path. Heck, I was even at a youth leaders/pastors meeting, and some seem to go around asking others how big is their flock. Aren't we all servants of God? Who serve God because we love Him? Would we be willing to work with just 10 kids our whole lifetime, if God calls us to, just to see them grow and mature in Christ?
As a Pastor, God'll hold them accountable for their sheep. Are they able to nurture the 2000 into a thriving community where everyone's need is met? Or would it just be for glamour and name sakes?
I'm left with many thoughts on this issue. Especially after reading some stuff about the Emergent movement and also topics of the Youth Builder book also seem to emphasis on a proper community building. Is that really what we need?
God Bless~!
However, reading through Sivin Kit's blog about issues churches face now, including the yearning of a genuine community and spirituality versus the the idea of a church just being a fuzzy-huggy club, I realised, 'Hey, ya! This is the way we should actually go!'
I mean, after all, the attraction of some sweet young thing (or buffed up guy for the females) might hold our attention span for awhile and make church going pleasant while the attraction lasts. But what next? Is church just all about being there on Sunday for the sake of attendance, and later going back and resuming our normal lives? Is church just a portion of our lives, where we later go back and resume normalcy? And doesn't dat makes the church, erm, pardon me saying this, but 'abnormal'?
One reason why I choose this church to serve in, was the fact dat I wanted a community to grow in, a family to have, friends to count on. But yet, I find that we're a little cut short on this. Most of the time, we just meet each other on Sunday, and dats it. No more. We're just Sunday friends, whereupon we would go back to our normal bunch of friends after dat.
Authentic genuine community. I'm sure the hurting world would want dat too. I'm sure a bunch of disillusioned youths would 1stly go for a place where they can belong, even more than how happening it is. I mean, if you just emphasise on the happeningness without the relationship building, where would you be? Wouldn't we be just like any social club? Why not then change the church into a Lions club or Rotary club instead?
There is only so much an evangelist can do. Even if he preaches and half the nation gets saved, could the saved be succesfully be integrated into the church? People talk about megachurches. But do all megachurches foster relationship building and spiritual mentoring?
Or do most just go for the numbers? Bring in more people! We need 2000 people by 3 years time! I've seen some going down this path. Heck, I was even at a youth leaders/pastors meeting, and some seem to go around asking others how big is their flock. Aren't we all servants of God? Who serve God because we love Him? Would we be willing to work with just 10 kids our whole lifetime, if God calls us to, just to see them grow and mature in Christ?
As a Pastor, God'll hold them accountable for their sheep. Are they able to nurture the 2000 into a thriving community where everyone's need is met? Or would it just be for glamour and name sakes?
I'm left with many thoughts on this issue. Especially after reading some stuff about the Emergent movement and also topics of the Youth Builder book also seem to emphasis on a proper community building. Is that really what we need?
God Bless~!
Saturday, February 19, 2005
Robbed!
Yes, you read right. My house (not home, as home is the place I stay with my family), was robbed in the early parts of the morning of yesterday. Ha, as I woke up later in the noon, just in time for our MMCG session (which translates to Eat, Drink and be Merry gathering to all you blur folks out there), I suddenly heard
'My wallet's missing lar'
'Hey, mine too!'
'What? When?'
'This morning when I woke up lar'
'Hey, me as well!'
and someone added
'But Leo Koo's laptop's still there! Was there anything lost from Leo Koo's stuffs?'
And as I checked, there was none! Haha, at least I keep my wallet somewhere else, other than leaving it smack in the middle of the table, unguarded (though my camera was there, it was unscathed too! Wow!) Perhaps the robber panicked as I could not sleep for the night and walked out halfway to find the wooden door of the main entrance open.
But whatever it is, thank God for His providence. Imagine losing my laptop, guitars, camera, pda and whatsoever, and I think I might just break down. Dat's it, hope dat was a blessing to you~
God Bless!
'My wallet's missing lar'
'Hey, mine too!'
'What? When?'
'This morning when I woke up lar'
'Hey, me as well!'
and someone added
'But Leo Koo's laptop's still there! Was there anything lost from Leo Koo's stuffs?'
And as I checked, there was none! Haha, at least I keep my wallet somewhere else, other than leaving it smack in the middle of the table, unguarded (though my camera was there, it was unscathed too! Wow!) Perhaps the robber panicked as I could not sleep for the night and walked out halfway to find the wooden door of the main entrance open.
But whatever it is, thank God for His providence. Imagine losing my laptop, guitars, camera, pda and whatsoever, and I think I might just break down. Dat's it, hope dat was a blessing to you~
God Bless!
Monday, February 14, 2005
Differentiate
Was thinking about the Youth/Young Adults thingy that we've just launched in church. It seems like there's so much to do, so much to accomplish, and well, I feel like giving up.
Why give up so fast? I dunno, not easy as my Pastor would also want me involved in those family cell groups in Sunway on Friday nights. But then, dat it not where my heart lies, and I usually feel so drained coming back from those. It's just dat the age gap and communication wavelengths are so wide.
Perhaps I should really sit down and talk to her about my priorities, should I? After all, I need to graduate and I told God and myself dat Monday to Fridays are for my studies and nothing else. Perhaps CF too..but not an additional family based cell group I wouldn't want to attend. *sigh* I do pray I could get through to her on this issue.
On the other hand, I just created a yahoo groups for us, the youths (hah, I still consider those working as youths. We're still young after all rite?) Hopefully it'll facilicate better communications and exchange of ideas of how a cell group should be run, especially a cell group dat is geared towards reaching out to youths of the area.
Yea, and as I was pondering about it, asking God for guidance, I felt the word, 'Differentiate' come into my head. And well, it stayed on and gave me an idea/a vision of a group dat are willing to stay different for God. Not weird or funny people, but people with a mission to change their workplace and their study place.
Differentiate, cause we're not doing this for the sake of getting the biggest amount of people in (as most youth groups/churches would aim for, haihh), but because we want to care, share and love the people around us.
Differentiate, because we've got a mission to reach out to the youths of USJ, while most churches would target a university based audience to reach out to. After all, research has shown, 90% of people getting saved, do so while they're below 18. At least, they've been exposed to Christ in someway (Sunday School, youth groups, etc)
Guess dats it. It's not going to be easy, and I would need all the help I can. After all, I don't wanna run a Youth/Young adults dat forces people to come for the sake of coming. Let's care..
God Bless~!
Why give up so fast? I dunno, not easy as my Pastor would also want me involved in those family cell groups in Sunway on Friday nights. But then, dat it not where my heart lies, and I usually feel so drained coming back from those. It's just dat the age gap and communication wavelengths are so wide.
Perhaps I should really sit down and talk to her about my priorities, should I? After all, I need to graduate and I told God and myself dat Monday to Fridays are for my studies and nothing else. Perhaps CF too..but not an additional family based cell group I wouldn't want to attend. *sigh* I do pray I could get through to her on this issue.
On the other hand, I just created a yahoo groups for us, the youths (hah, I still consider those working as youths. We're still young after all rite?) Hopefully it'll facilicate better communications and exchange of ideas of how a cell group should be run, especially a cell group dat is geared towards reaching out to youths of the area.
Yea, and as I was pondering about it, asking God for guidance, I felt the word, 'Differentiate' come into my head. And well, it stayed on and gave me an idea/a vision of a group dat are willing to stay different for God. Not weird or funny people, but people with a mission to change their workplace and their study place.
Differentiate, cause we're not doing this for the sake of getting the biggest amount of people in (as most youth groups/churches would aim for, haihh), but because we want to care, share and love the people around us.
Differentiate, because we've got a mission to reach out to the youths of USJ, while most churches would target a university based audience to reach out to. After all, research has shown, 90% of people getting saved, do so while they're below 18. At least, they've been exposed to Christ in someway (Sunday School, youth groups, etc)
Guess dats it. It's not going to be easy, and I would need all the help I can. After all, I don't wanna run a Youth/Young adults dat forces people to come for the sake of coming. Let's care..
God Bless~!
Thursday, February 10, 2005
Not married yet-ah?
Got this from Tan Soo-Inn's site, Grace@work. It's a good read
-------------------------------------------------
Not married yet-ah?” These are the dreaded words confronting many a single. Often well meaning, they reinforce the belief that one is somewhat deficient until one is married. Singles know full well the occasions when the pressure will be on: weddings, wedding dinners, and New Year clan gatherings.
If you are single and Chinese you will get confronted with the awful: “ this is the last year you get ang pows-ok?” during Chinese New year functions. (Traditionally, Chinese give ceremonial financial gifts called ang-pows during the Chinese New Year, but only to those who are not yet married.)
Churches also help to add on to the pressure. There are church leaders who actively pray for life partners for the singles in their congregations --- and tell them so. The message is clear. You are not complete or normal until you are married. (The message is a somewhat more ambiguous for widows and divorcees.)
It doesn't help that we live in a sex-saturated society where sex is everywhere in the entertainment media and in advertisements. (I need a cold shower after most MTV video clips.) Therefore we live in a state of almost constant subconscious sexual arousal. And for Christians, well, the only way we are going to get some is if we are married.
As a result of all these pressures, a few things may happen. One, people get stampeded into bad marriages. Two, singles spend an inordinate amount of time thinking about and /or looking for, life partners. Or they go around wondering what's wrong with them.
But what do the Scriptures actually say?
Marriage was the norm for human experience on this earth. It was a gift from God from the beginning (Genesis 1-2).
Marriage will no longer be needed in heaven (Matthew 22:23-33). I assume that whatever needs the marriage institution was meant to meet on earth will be met in other and better ways in the life to come.
As we live in between the ages, between this age and the age to come, both marriage and singleness are equally valid expressions of life in Christ (1 Corinthians 7:25-38). In fact, Paul seems to favour singleness but this stems more from practical concerns than from theological concerns. Paul expected that Christ would return in his lifetime and that there would be much tribulation and persecution just prior to His return.
Therefore there is no basis to treat singles as second-class citizens in the church. Instead we should affirm singleness as an equally valid expression of our life in Christ. I believe that a life partner is a gift from the Lord (Proverbs 19:14) and if and until such time that the Lord gives us a life partner, we need to learn to be complete in Christ.
Indeed it needs to be said that if someone is not complete in Christ, and is somehow hoping that a life partner will make life complete, he or she is putting divine expectations on any future partner that can only add more strains to what is already a tough calling. If you are not happy alone, it is unlikely that you will be happy hitched to another imperfect person.
It doesn't help that we live in a society that is getting more and more lonely. Automation means that more and more, we will be interacting with machines rather than with people. And the pressure of the modern work place means that many of us will have little energy and time for meaningful relationships. This is potentially fatal to the spirit for single and married alike.
We may not all be married but we all need to be in significant relationships with significant others. We all need to be nurtured by the love and affection of others just as we need to be blessed by caring for others. We may not all end up with spouses but we all need good friends, brothers and sisters in Christ, and other family relationships to be truly human.
Sometimes, our hunger for a life partner is really an expression of our hunger for God Himself. Which is why there are some people in good marriages who still feel that there is something missing from their lives. No spouse no matter how good can fill that place in our heart meant for God alone. And the loneliness of many singles can be addressed to some degree if they have an intimate healthy relationship with their Abba Father.
Then there are those who do not want to get married for various reasons. Some want to be free from the demands of marriage to be free to serve God in some special way or to pursue some other personal goal. Others have seen the destruction of bad marriages and are fearful that their marriage may turn bad. Others still are just fearful of commitments. Some may just be unwilling to pay the price needed to make a marriage work. Married or single, we all have to be accountable to the Lord for the choices we make.
But there are mysteries in life. There are some folks who would make excellent life partners, and who want to get married, but are still single. God never seems to bring the right partner into their lives. Why? I do not know. I fall back on the fact that we live in a fallen and imperfect world and that none of us will get all we should get, this side of heaven.
Life is also full of ironies. There are many in difficult marriages who wish they were single again. And there are the singles who long to get married, believing that marriage will make life worth living. Truth is, following Christ is tough for all of us, married or single. But we don't have to make it tougher by putting unnecessary pressure on our singles.
The primary focus of our life is not marriage or the absence of it. It is God and His Kingdom. In the words of Jesus:
Set your mind on God’s kingdom and his justice before everything else, and all the rest will come to you as well.” Matthew 6:33 REB
Your brother, Soo-Inn Tan
-------------------------------------------------
Not married yet-ah?” These are the dreaded words confronting many a single. Often well meaning, they reinforce the belief that one is somewhat deficient until one is married. Singles know full well the occasions when the pressure will be on: weddings, wedding dinners, and New Year clan gatherings.
If you are single and Chinese you will get confronted with the awful: “ this is the last year you get ang pows-ok?” during Chinese New year functions. (Traditionally, Chinese give ceremonial financial gifts called ang-pows during the Chinese New Year, but only to those who are not yet married.)
Churches also help to add on to the pressure. There are church leaders who actively pray for life partners for the singles in their congregations --- and tell them so. The message is clear. You are not complete or normal until you are married. (The message is a somewhat more ambiguous for widows and divorcees.)
It doesn't help that we live in a sex-saturated society where sex is everywhere in the entertainment media and in advertisements. (I need a cold shower after most MTV video clips.) Therefore we live in a state of almost constant subconscious sexual arousal. And for Christians, well, the only way we are going to get some is if we are married.
As a result of all these pressures, a few things may happen. One, people get stampeded into bad marriages. Two, singles spend an inordinate amount of time thinking about and /or looking for, life partners. Or they go around wondering what's wrong with them.
But what do the Scriptures actually say?
Marriage was the norm for human experience on this earth. It was a gift from God from the beginning (Genesis 1-2).
Marriage will no longer be needed in heaven (Matthew 22:23-33). I assume that whatever needs the marriage institution was meant to meet on earth will be met in other and better ways in the life to come.
As we live in between the ages, between this age and the age to come, both marriage and singleness are equally valid expressions of life in Christ (1 Corinthians 7:25-38). In fact, Paul seems to favour singleness but this stems more from practical concerns than from theological concerns. Paul expected that Christ would return in his lifetime and that there would be much tribulation and persecution just prior to His return.
Therefore there is no basis to treat singles as second-class citizens in the church. Instead we should affirm singleness as an equally valid expression of our life in Christ. I believe that a life partner is a gift from the Lord (Proverbs 19:14) and if and until such time that the Lord gives us a life partner, we need to learn to be complete in Christ.
Indeed it needs to be said that if someone is not complete in Christ, and is somehow hoping that a life partner will make life complete, he or she is putting divine expectations on any future partner that can only add more strains to what is already a tough calling. If you are not happy alone, it is unlikely that you will be happy hitched to another imperfect person.
It doesn't help that we live in a society that is getting more and more lonely. Automation means that more and more, we will be interacting with machines rather than with people. And the pressure of the modern work place means that many of us will have little energy and time for meaningful relationships. This is potentially fatal to the spirit for single and married alike.
We may not all be married but we all need to be in significant relationships with significant others. We all need to be nurtured by the love and affection of others just as we need to be blessed by caring for others. We may not all end up with spouses but we all need good friends, brothers and sisters in Christ, and other family relationships to be truly human.
Sometimes, our hunger for a life partner is really an expression of our hunger for God Himself. Which is why there are some people in good marriages who still feel that there is something missing from their lives. No spouse no matter how good can fill that place in our heart meant for God alone. And the loneliness of many singles can be addressed to some degree if they have an intimate healthy relationship with their Abba Father.
Then there are those who do not want to get married for various reasons. Some want to be free from the demands of marriage to be free to serve God in some special way or to pursue some other personal goal. Others have seen the destruction of bad marriages and are fearful that their marriage may turn bad. Others still are just fearful of commitments. Some may just be unwilling to pay the price needed to make a marriage work. Married or single, we all have to be accountable to the Lord for the choices we make.
But there are mysteries in life. There are some folks who would make excellent life partners, and who want to get married, but are still single. God never seems to bring the right partner into their lives. Why? I do not know. I fall back on the fact that we live in a fallen and imperfect world and that none of us will get all we should get, this side of heaven.
Life is also full of ironies. There are many in difficult marriages who wish they were single again. And there are the singles who long to get married, believing that marriage will make life worth living. Truth is, following Christ is tough for all of us, married or single. But we don't have to make it tougher by putting unnecessary pressure on our singles.
The primary focus of our life is not marriage or the absence of it. It is God and His Kingdom. In the words of Jesus:
Set your mind on God’s kingdom and his justice before everything else, and all the rest will come to you as well.” Matthew 6:33 REB
Your brother, Soo-Inn Tan
They converted me(!)
Nope, not into a buddhist or a moslem for dat fact. Hehee. Decided to install linux on my laptop. Or should I just install it into my spare hard disk? Plus, hmm, Red Hat or something else? Haha, guess I want to spend my time productively, instead of letting it pass by watching movies, playing games and chatting. Things done in moderation is the best after all, rite?
Yeah, browsed through my archives and found I wanted to learn cooking. I still haven't learnt much yet! Man, any takers for the spot of being my teacher? Yea, would need some guinea pigs for the job of food tasting too. Sign up? It's free!
On the other hand, studies are progressing smoothly. Been camping in the library, and probably will continue dat trend after the CNY break. Haha, I wanna get some TV series on my laptop too, and the library seems to be the best place for dat. Preferably some stuff you can laugh about later, heh. (nope, not too serious, will have high blood pressure)
Yea, I wanna learn some Blues too. Guess dat as for guitarists, we're more to blues compared to pianists who would be more into classical jazz. Smooth jazz is good, really. Do sample some Rippingtons, Fourplay, Norman Brown to say the least. Miles Davis anyone? (yah, he isn't in the smooth jazz genre, i know..)
Btw, speaking of blues, I'm finding for some B.B. King songs. Preferably in mp3 format lah. Any recommended bit torrent/kazaa wannabe downloaders? Kinda got scared of hidden trojan programs in most of those downloaders. Hah, yea, I'm finding for a Gretsch White Falcon too, though B.B. King used a Gibson 'Lucille', heh
Okie then. Might not be posting for the next few days then. Feedback would be good. Have a blessed holiday!
Yeah, browsed through my archives and found I wanted to learn cooking. I still haven't learnt much yet! Man, any takers for the spot of being my teacher? Yea, would need some guinea pigs for the job of food tasting too. Sign up? It's free!
On the other hand, studies are progressing smoothly. Been camping in the library, and probably will continue dat trend after the CNY break. Haha, I wanna get some TV series on my laptop too, and the library seems to be the best place for dat. Preferably some stuff you can laugh about later, heh. (nope, not too serious, will have high blood pressure)
Yea, I wanna learn some Blues too. Guess dat as for guitarists, we're more to blues compared to pianists who would be more into classical jazz. Smooth jazz is good, really. Do sample some Rippingtons, Fourplay, Norman Brown to say the least. Miles Davis anyone? (yah, he isn't in the smooth jazz genre, i know..)
Btw, speaking of blues, I'm finding for some B.B. King songs. Preferably in mp3 format lah. Any recommended bit torrent/kazaa wannabe downloaders? Kinda got scared of hidden trojan programs in most of those downloaders. Hah, yea, I'm finding for a Gretsch White Falcon too, though B.B. King used a Gibson 'Lucille', heh
Okie then. Might not be posting for the next few days then. Feedback would be good. Have a blessed holiday!
It's a choice
You know, at times, when faced with making decisions, we have a choice. Why choice? Because I believe there are always 2 ways of going about doing things. Do we follow our flesh and do what we want? And in return get the result we want no matter whether we hurt anyone in process? Or do we follow God's way and say, 'Lemme give grace and let God handle it'
I dunno how many of you face daily decisions like this. But perhaps, God's really teaching me through this. The choice to put God's way and God's will above my way and my will.
You know, the hardest thing about having a dream, is to live it out and inspire others to follow the dream of yours. It's never an easy job to lead a bunch of young adults and youth. I, for one, don't think I'm good enough. I just don't cut it God! Why me? I don't want the termed leader either. Haihh~ It's just so cliche. You know, I rather be happily married and earning a stable income, with perhaps 1-2 children. But no, I've a dream and it's not easy.
So many things happened recently. My previous laptop started dying off, my car broke down and costed a total of rm 1630, I had a misunderstanding with someone, a good friend *sigh* Can't push the situation anymore. Guess I've gotta trust in God and let God heal the situation.
What else? Guess I'm the kinda guy dat goes, 'Oh no, dat person ain't talking much to me today. I must have screwed up' and then proceeds to try too hard. (hmm, yea, looking at it again, trying too hard tends to make the situation worse rite?) Haha, yea, as God's leading, it's a choice. It takes maturity to trust in God in such situations. It takes faith to listen to God's voice and act on it, instead of looking at the surroundings. Heh, I just remembered what Uncle Dexter told me too. 'Don't look at your circumstances, but have faith in God'
Decisions, choices. What would you do? If Gideon continued to look upon his situations, he would still have remained a sheep hand.
Anyways, hah, yea, just wanna take the opportunity to wish every reader a blessed and productive Chinese New Year~! Keep the pork meat consumed! After all, pork's a rarity from where I come from, really, heheh..
Btw, don't forget to measure your waistline and weight before and after CNY. The difference in them would be the ones you want to get rid of, rite?
God Bless~
I dunno how many of you face daily decisions like this. But perhaps, God's really teaching me through this. The choice to put God's way and God's will above my way and my will.
You know, the hardest thing about having a dream, is to live it out and inspire others to follow the dream of yours. It's never an easy job to lead a bunch of young adults and youth. I, for one, don't think I'm good enough. I just don't cut it God! Why me? I don't want the termed leader either. Haihh~ It's just so cliche. You know, I rather be happily married and earning a stable income, with perhaps 1-2 children. But no, I've a dream and it's not easy.
So many things happened recently. My previous laptop started dying off, my car broke down and costed a total of rm 1630, I had a misunderstanding with someone, a good friend *sigh* Can't push the situation anymore. Guess I've gotta trust in God and let God heal the situation.
What else? Guess I'm the kinda guy dat goes, 'Oh no, dat person ain't talking much to me today. I must have screwed up' and then proceeds to try too hard. (hmm, yea, looking at it again, trying too hard tends to make the situation worse rite?) Haha, yea, as God's leading, it's a choice. It takes maturity to trust in God in such situations. It takes faith to listen to God's voice and act on it, instead of looking at the surroundings. Heh, I just remembered what Uncle Dexter told me too. 'Don't look at your circumstances, but have faith in God'
Decisions, choices. What would you do? If Gideon continued to look upon his situations, he would still have remained a sheep hand.
Anyways, hah, yea, just wanna take the opportunity to wish every reader a blessed and productive Chinese New Year~! Keep the pork meat consumed! After all, pork's a rarity from where I come from, really, heheh..
Btw, don't forget to measure your waistline and weight before and after CNY. The difference in them would be the ones you want to get rid of, rite?
God Bless~
Tuesday, February 08, 2005
It's Chinese New Year!
Heyy! It's the time of the year again where you get free money by just saying a phrase. Hah, bet you were lost there weren't you? Just say, 'Gong Xi Fa Chai' and you'll get some red packet with some moolah within it.
What so great about Chinese New Year anyway? Here, lemme list it down:
1) Getting paid for saying ,'Gong Xi Fa Chai'
2) The chance to eat porky stuff that you can't find in the desert of Cyberjaya
3) Cookies! Can't wait to get my grubby hands on some ground nut cookies. If you've extra, bring them back for me! hehehe
4) The chance to watch chinese blockbusters on TV! Haha, I've noticed that every year, we get to watch those blockbusters that they showed in the cinema 2 years back. Not a bad deal after all eh?
5) Haha, here's a lame one, the chance to meet your cousins and see how pretty/dashing they've grown. Would be kinda proud to know a superstar as a cousin! hehe
6) Oh yea, if you've started working, you would appreciate the chance to laze around and sleep half the day away (unless ur mom and pop drags you outta bed!)
7) Ah, finally, wishing your pastor and getting an angpau from him/her! Dats the ultimate!
:) Anymore? Would be good to hear some from you guys as well, hehehe
What so great about Chinese New Year anyway? Here, lemme list it down:
1) Getting paid for saying ,'Gong Xi Fa Chai'
2) The chance to eat porky stuff that you can't find in the desert of Cyberjaya
3) Cookies! Can't wait to get my grubby hands on some ground nut cookies. If you've extra, bring them back for me! hehehe
4) The chance to watch chinese blockbusters on TV! Haha, I've noticed that every year, we get to watch those blockbusters that they showed in the cinema 2 years back. Not a bad deal after all eh?
5) Haha, here's a lame one, the chance to meet your cousins and see how pretty/dashing they've grown. Would be kinda proud to know a superstar as a cousin! hehe
6) Oh yea, if you've started working, you would appreciate the chance to laze around and sleep half the day away (unless ur mom and pop drags you outta bed!)
7) Ah, finally, wishing your pastor and getting an angpau from him/her! Dats the ultimate!
:) Anymore? Would be good to hear some from you guys as well, hehehe
Dual Personality
Sometimes, I look back and I notice that I have 2 types of personality. Though naturally an sanguine (carefree, friendly, funny and talkative), many times I revert to being a melancholic person (sad, moody, worrying, trying to get people to like me, etc etc, haha). And I guess it all boils down to security and trust in Christ that everything would work out fine.
It's indeed not easy when more than half your life, you lived with the tag of a reject. And when everything you do, whether right or wrong were labelled wrong and loser. It's even harder when people you think you can trust go, 'I dunno him man, who's he, not my friend' And it sucks.
And pondering deeper, I always find myself comfortable with people I just met or people that say, 'Hey Leo, we're here for you' And that's when I'm a sanguine with all my jokes, pranks and hula baloo. Hah, only good friends have seen me in that condition, hehe.
Anyways, as the Chinese New Year comes, I felt one thing dat God's leading me to is not to worry too much about what people might think and try to impress them, but just being the sanguine I'm to be.
Yea! Let's rock the world for Christ :) (crazy mode on, heehehe, beware!)
God Bless~!
p/s: Was always noisy and talkative from young. Seriously, hehe :p. Remembered getting sent to the headmasters office numerous times for talking too much in class. They even made me sit with the gals in primary school! Hehe, but of course, I got them talking too, hahaha!
It's indeed not easy when more than half your life, you lived with the tag of a reject. And when everything you do, whether right or wrong were labelled wrong and loser. It's even harder when people you think you can trust go, 'I dunno him man, who's he, not my friend' And it sucks.
And pondering deeper, I always find myself comfortable with people I just met or people that say, 'Hey Leo, we're here for you' And that's when I'm a sanguine with all my jokes, pranks and hula baloo. Hah, only good friends have seen me in that condition, hehe.
Anyways, as the Chinese New Year comes, I felt one thing dat God's leading me to is not to worry too much about what people might think and try to impress them, but just being the sanguine I'm to be.
Yea! Let's rock the world for Christ :) (crazy mode on, heehehe, beware!)
God Bless~!
p/s: Was always noisy and talkative from young. Seriously, hehe :p. Remembered getting sent to the headmasters office numerous times for talking too much in class. They even made me sit with the gals in primary school! Hehe, but of course, I got them talking too, hahaha!
Thursday, February 03, 2005
Alone, but not lonely
I guess one of the main grouses of being 26 and still studying is that all your closest friends have graduated and taken off. It's even more so obvious in the forsaken land of Cyberjaya when there's nothing to do at night except play games, chat or study (unless you play with the guitar, watch movies, etc etc). There's no place to chill nearby, with only Dengkil, Puchong and Putrajaya the nearest place.
Tonight, as I headed back home from cg, I felt down, drained and depressed. God, I'm here all alone! I don't really talk to my housemates either.. God, who are my best friends, my buddies, my lepak gang?! I was tempted to enter a realm of self pity and self loath at once. But yet, something within me tells me I can't. I'm loved by God, my family and my friends back home. This is just a temporary thing, a phase to go through.
But yet, as I stood under the shower, I felt, 'Hey! I'm here to bless, I'm here to serve, I'm here to be salt and light for God' It's normal after all to feel alone and lonely. After all, the Psalmist did actually go through deepest depths and violent emotions. And yet, it's part of God's plan for us to learn to depend on Him in our alone-ness. Through dat alone we can start growing in Christ. Alone-ness doesn't mean loneliness rite?
Was hanging out with John, Joash and Su Chen when they mentioned a couple of TV series. Hah, I dunno, but I might just borrow some to watch after I'm done studying for the day. It helps with stupidly farnee show like Friends or American Idol, heheh.
Anyways, just a random thought. Do I need a girl friend coz I'm all alone all the time? Nahh~~! Two lonely people doesn't make the world go round. I need buddies, friends, lepak partners! heh. And it's ok if I've not many around (*sigh*, do I have any? God..? do I?....) Haihh~ After all, most people do get attached coz they're lonely, mien.
Guess I need to continue focusing on the goal, the prize, the finishing line. I've started the race and now our Young Adults and Youth ministry is already under way, I need to see it works and grows.(we can't think of an appropriate name other than AYAM. Aiks! Bad name eh? Heheh )
Yea, guess dats it. Help me God~ Do I want to be popular with the largest amount of friends? No God, I want to be the man of God You want me to be, I want to see You in heaven and get told, 'Well done, my faithful servant' Let me be a man after Your heart instead of someone who wants more friends..
Amen~!
Tonight, as I headed back home from cg, I felt down, drained and depressed. God, I'm here all alone! I don't really talk to my housemates either.. God, who are my best friends, my buddies, my lepak gang?! I was tempted to enter a realm of self pity and self loath at once. But yet, something within me tells me I can't. I'm loved by God, my family and my friends back home. This is just a temporary thing, a phase to go through.
But yet, as I stood under the shower, I felt, 'Hey! I'm here to bless, I'm here to serve, I'm here to be salt and light for God' It's normal after all to feel alone and lonely. After all, the Psalmist did actually go through deepest depths and violent emotions. And yet, it's part of God's plan for us to learn to depend on Him in our alone-ness. Through dat alone we can start growing in Christ. Alone-ness doesn't mean loneliness rite?
Was hanging out with John, Joash and Su Chen when they mentioned a couple of TV series. Hah, I dunno, but I might just borrow some to watch after I'm done studying for the day. It helps with stupidly farnee show like Friends or American Idol, heheh.
Anyways, just a random thought. Do I need a girl friend coz I'm all alone all the time? Nahh~~! Two lonely people doesn't make the world go round. I need buddies, friends, lepak partners! heh. And it's ok if I've not many around (*sigh*, do I have any? God..? do I?....) Haihh~ After all, most people do get attached coz they're lonely, mien.
Guess I need to continue focusing on the goal, the prize, the finishing line. I've started the race and now our Young Adults and Youth ministry is already under way, I need to see it works and grows.(we can't think of an appropriate name other than AYAM. Aiks! Bad name eh? Heheh )
Yea, guess dats it. Help me God~ Do I want to be popular with the largest amount of friends? No God, I want to be the man of God You want me to be, I want to see You in heaven and get told, 'Well done, my faithful servant' Let me be a man after Your heart instead of someone who wants more friends..
Amen~!
Tuesday, February 01, 2005
Sources of Power
Was looking at my stats when I noticed a huge jump in visitors and page views. Never before I had 65 visitors and 180 plus page views in a day! *phew* Must have been the photos eh?
Anyways, for those of you who are here to visit and look at the photos, do check out these sites, sources of power for you and me.
Soul Journey, a Star Trek wannabe
My Utmost for His Highest, now in internet edition!
Our Daily Bread, heh, can't leave home without it! Now in PDA format too!
Finally, a Psalm devotional, great in helping u understand the book of Psalm
Anyways, for those of you who are here to visit and look at the photos, do check out these sites, sources of power for you and me.
Soul Journey, a Star Trek wannabe
My Utmost for His Highest, now in internet edition!
Our Daily Bread, heh, can't leave home without it! Now in PDA format too!
Finally, a Psalm devotional, great in helping u understand the book of Psalm
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