Hero of the week - Bernard Madoff

There are con man, and there are CON master. I've always thought that if I were to be a con man, I should do it big time. Like really BIG time.

Why do it small time? Firstly, it's harder to con. Secondly, if your'e caught your losses still far outweights your rewards. Take our hero for the week for example. The con is worth USD 50bn!!!!! Who knows how much more he kept? The penalty apparently is 20 years jail or 5m fine.

I can almost hear it in court, "The defendant pleads guilty. Here's 10m, keep the change."

But the question I have in mind is how did he get past all the 'checks'. Did the governing authority practiced double standards in doing their job:- if you're a who's who they let you off easy, if you're a new player, they scrutinise you?

A friend have another good theory. The scheme he says, is 100% legit. Just highly leverage and exploiting some insider loopholes. When the financial crisis hit, the scheme starts to fall apart. So, Madoff, being the smaller fry is taking the fall. It's impossible for him to pull out such a scheme alone.

Now if the whole scheme falls apart, not only the insider loopholes will be compromised, the big fishes that Madoff works for will also be affected. Now, Madoff is already big, so you can imagine who the other bigger fishes are. Big money are also at stake .

Saying that it's a Ponzi scheme is easy and less 'technical'. Pleads guilty quickly. Investigation stops. Names are protected, loopholes are still intact. More money exchange hands. In about 2 years, the whole thing can start again when the financial crises is over. Afterall, humans do have a very short term memory.

Old photos.

We were at Cynthia's place the other night to see them off to dubai and we went through some old photos. Thought I post it up here. SJ is so pretty and cute, which made this photo look kinda classic. Hahahah

Below, exhibit A. Who's ass is it?

Najib says...

"Don't expect pump prices to be constantly reduced"

I actually agree with him. Oil has hit a critical level of $50 a barrel, if it holds I think it will go down further but if it doesn't hold, it may just go back up and hover between $50 to $70. Further, our DPM said:-

“If we keep cutting the pump prices whenever crude oil prices fall then we will have to also increase the pump prices every time there is an increase at the international market."

Isn't that obvious? I don't know how else to put it simpler. It's the market, it's how currency, commdities, stock prices... are priced. They change every day.

“We cannot afford this kind of volatility. The people may not be able to cope with these sudden changes."

The last time price went from rm2 to rm2.6 in one day. I would call such big jump 'sudden changes' wouldn't you? These are extraodinary times.

“Oil prices cannot stay so low for long. Sooner or later it will increase. If we cut the prices too much, we will have to increase it even more and this will affect the people,” said Najib to Malaysian newsmen after attending Friday prayers at the Islamic centre here.

Why would u need to increase it EVEN MORE? Unless it peaks above $120 but that's quite unlikely.

When price went $100 to $140/barrel, our price went from rm2 to rm2.60.
When price went from $140/barrel to less than $50/barrel we went from rm2.60 to rm1.90?

Bring it down now and match it later. Is that so difficult? Right there's 'taxes'.

"Asked if the Government would allow the pump prices to float and be determined by the open market, Najib, who is the Finance Minister, said most petrol pump dealers would find it difficult to cope with such daily or weekly fluctuation of prices."

Well, then they shouldn't be in business. Most pump dealers have to cope with fluctuations like these in the world, how do they do it? Generally that's why you need to plan ahead, balance the cash flow and keep cost low. Something our government could learn really.

“If oil is too cheap we will not work very hard to seek alternative sources of fuel,” he added.

Ok, since when have we been working hard at seeking alternative sources of fuel? We have SURIA 1000 but that's hardly 'working hard'. Do we have wind farm? wave farm? Lowered taxes on fuel efficient cars like hybrid, electric, air, diesel, NPG cars? Solar cities? (and while nations are moving away from nuclear power... we seemed to be looking at it without having bakun dam finished. Why do I smell another billion dollars project?)

When oil was high, it was expensive to do so. Now oil is cheap we say we will not work very hard. So when's a good time?

Heads you win, Tail you lose pt 3

Tell me, what was the first word you said (in your head also count!) right after you read this.
.
.
.

Context... ever since petrol peaked a few months ago, the government has been crying foul about how they can't afford subsidy anymore. They were losing billions!! (So they say... except for that P-company which were making billions suddenly with the increase of oil price)

They had NO choice. See they say it here:

"PUTRAJAYA: The Government announced yesterday an increase in petrol and diesel prices, stating that it can no longer continue to subsidise fuel. "

Some people then say taking away subsidy is also good because we should go to a free market system. The government can also use what's saved to other areas.

"He said the Government would save RM13.7bil through the restructuring.

From the savings, he said RM4bil would go to the National Food Supply Guarantee Policy, RM1.5bil for subsidising cooking oil and RM400mil to subsidise rice imports to make the price uniform in peninsular Malaysia, Sabah and Sarawak.

The Government would also spend RM200mil on flour subsidy, RM100mil on bread subsidy and RM7.5bil was meant for contributions to the subsidies for petrol, diesel and gas."

Subsidy or not, inflation quickly sky-rocketed.

And just as it quickly went up it came down. And down. It came down so much that we are now paying TAXES on fuel? TAXES?!!!

CCB! From GETTING subsidy at current prices we end up PAYING taxes!!!!!! and the more petrol price is dropping the more the government can take!

Now, with ALL the BIG savings we get from the cancellation of subsidy we were promised infrastructures.. bla bla blah... now leh? Now do we get more?

Savings + Taxes = more infrastructure? better internet lines? cheaper goods? or just more eurocopter?

When oil prices went up, the people had to take the big blow. We bore the inflation and now that the oil prices has come down we have to pay tax? Is this how a caring government show love?

So what did u say right after you read the news?

FUCK!

Rest

When you rest, God will do the rest

Heads you win, Tail you lose pt 2

Well, well, well....

I got news for you. Rm1.92 is the lowest the price of petrol can go. Why you ask?

Because:- (quote)

He said this would bring some stability to the retail price of petrol and minimise losses by petrol station owners.

Setting a minimum price would also enable the Government to reduce its subsidy on petrol if the global price fell further.

(end quote)

Now, how will putting a minimum price create a stable retail price? You mean stable, high prices to further increase inflation. Genius.

And what did you say? It's also to minimmise losses of petrol station owners? WTF?! Did I clean my ears today.... It explains how they may lose money. (quote)

Ahmad Sarpur, a dealer in Johor, said dealers could lose between RM13,000 and RM25,000 each time petrol is reduced by 15 sen per litre.

“This is because there is a minimum order quantity of 21,000 litres that we must pay for immediately. There is no credit,” he said.

“If the petrol is delivered in the morning and the price is reduced at night, we have to sell petrol 15 sen cheaper than what we had paid for it.”

However, Shahrir said the Govern­ment had been fair to the dealers saying: “We have not reduced their margin of 12 sen per litre after it was increased in June and we will try as much as we can to keep upcoming price reductions to 15 sen at a time.”

(end quote)

Look, buddy, the government can just get their act together and announce on price reduction 'earlier'! And why the f#$k would you place an order the morning of an impeding price increase or reduction, unless you know the risk? It's just a normal business risk! Every business owners are aware of the risk involved, let the market play it out!

The prices of crude oil now is at about the level when we were paying rm1.60? maybe rm1.40?

But it gets even better, this setting of a minimum price would also enable the Government to reduce its subsidy!

Wow! Aren't we happy to hear that? What good news!!!! From a few years ago, the government has been able to saved billions in fuel subsidy since our fuel prices went up from rm1.10 all the way to rm2.60. Each increase the government assured us that the billions saved would go into more, better infrastructure for us.

Eh.. I'm still waiting leh? Now with the minimum price, they get to SAVE.. even MORE! wow!

Which means I get a bullet train ride to penang for free? Or another 2 more KLCC? How about some good bus services? So where are all of them? Not yet? Haven't yet? Are we there yet?

You know what... I kinda miss the bi-election days now. Every time there's a bi-election, we get better deals. No, it's not politically motivated of course. Of course not! Sheesh...

Action speaks louder than words. And a chain of events certainly tells a story. The way our government handle the oil prices really tell us how much they care for us.

Shopping with a sith

Previously on talking cock with cheryl....

Last week I commented on one of cheryl's picture that she looked like a sith in it...

Cher-Ryl: sith lady huh?

Me: i love sith ladies, coz im the jedi, we're opposites

Cher-Ryl: ahahahha

Me: you ain't have sith without jedi or vice versa

Cher-Ryl: i shoot lightning from my finger tips.
that is true
good and evil
are merely different standpoints on the same plane.

me: yeah... but that's coz the sith are insecure...
yeah
we jedi just gotta smile
and talk our way out
or maybe throw objects
or cry.... 'my hand my hand!

Cher-Ryl: hahahhahaha
ah well
lightning's cool
insecure or not
:P

me: dang
can i interest you with some cool lightsaber colour instead then ms sith?
we haev purple
blue
green
cyan
not just your regular red..
altho that fits nicely with your curvavious rubber costime
costume*
but you know.. red is not the colour for all occasions..
green does go quite well with lightning
blue goes with red blood

Cher-Ryl: you sell light sabers do you?
wow...
i'll take one of each please
can i join like the blue and the red... and i get purple?

me: haahahah sure
the purple is a rarity.. so 3 sabers but no discounts... sith or jedis don't need discounts!

Cher-Ryl: ahahahha
no..
the performance of the light saber depends only on the power of the wielder

me: exactly.... lightning or no
yes yes.. performance is dependance on wielder.. but
no performance like showmanship you know?
no biz like show biz
so blue and red and purple?
joining blue and red?
you think that goes?

Cher-Ryl: purple light saber will be the for the ultimate sith lady with an eye for fashion
hahahahaha
royal purple
sexy no?
hahahahha
XD
well, you could join blue and green... and get a light saber for the ocean
perfect for grilling fresh fish straight off the line.
mmmmmm... i can smell it now... fresh saber grilled grouper
aaaaah

me: ahhh..
you're a sith lady with fashion.. my my, you don't say :P

Cher-Ryl: hahahahhahahaha
uhuh you said it... i didn't
hahahhahah

me: in that case.. let me show yuo something really special
like SPECIAL

Cher-Ryl: ok
bring it on

me: i don't do this with all customers.. esp not a sith. they usually come blazing and not paying

Cher-Ryl: ahahhahah
ah well....

me: takes out a special saber.. with LV engraved on

Cher-Ryl: new breed of sith ladies will be... OOOOOOOOHHHH

me: here.. it's 'gold' ni colour!

Cher-Ryl: *blink blink*
wwwaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhh

me: only one in this galaxy

Cher-Ryl: waaah waaaaahh waaaaaaah
only 1 in the galaxy you say?
ok gimme 2 please

me: yoda will 'kill' for this...
but don't tell anyone.. i think he's 'werid' that way you know....
too much suprresing
there's only !

Cher-Ryl: ahhahaha

me: 1

Cher-Ryl: hahahhaha

me: ONE

Cher-Ryl: i was kidding
:P
it's a joke
HAHAHHAHAH
*katoing*
well
yoda can kiss my tight rubber ass
hmm.
gold would go pretty good with the purple too..

me: hahaha
yeah

Cher-Ryl: ok.
time to pay...?

me: anyway.. here take this sabers and get lost. jedi's and sith shouldn't be friends you nkow

Cher-Ryl: you accept credit cut?
slice slice

me: cut?

Cher-Ryl: hahahahaah

me: lol

Cher-Ryl: slice and ride

me: that's like 10mil banks

Cher-Ryl: hahahahhaha
yea
i know hahahahha

me: you can pay it back in installments when you wreck havoc in galaxies with your loot

Cher-Ryl: yayyyy
a sith knows a good deal when she sees one
hahhahaha

me: hehehe

Cher-Ryl: so rubbish

me: i gotta get back to work now mate

Cher-Ryl: !!!!
me too
hahaha
ttyl dude

me: haha
yeah

See how interesting work can get when you get to play jedi? :)

The Law and Punishment

Recently I got a friend who is going to get married to a non-christian and apparently someone told her that God will punish her for that. Another friend failed a professional exam 3 times and was wondering if God is punishing her with that to teach her something. Many times when I am at a low I think about that too. I wonder if God was punishing me putting me in such dire situations to teach me something.

Let me tell you, God do not punish you in the New Covenant. Not at all. Even if you sleep around and waste your life away, you're blessed. He doesn't 'CAUSE ' you to be punished. He does however 'LET' things happen to you. For example I never really did study much from primary school to university. I did above average. I was never punished for being 'lazy'. However what DID happen was I wasted all those opportunity to learn how to develop my character, be more focus, be more determine..etc

Did God punish me? No. He let it happened.

It's like jumping out of the plane at 10,000ft. He didn't cause us to die as a result but He has to let gravity does its thing.

If punishment did work in making us righteous, believe you me, he'll just rain down sulphur and punish us and we'll all be righteous. In fact, the OLD covenant is based on punsihment and the bible calls the old regulation, weak, useless and faulty. Go figure!

But some people feel that it's unfair! Is it unfair really that one can go on sinning and sinning and sinning and yet get off scot free? Unfair maybe, truth absolutely. Because while we get off scot free, someone didn't. He paid a hefty price for it - with blood. He died for it. He paid the price of our sins.

Jesus paid for it so that everyone can get off scot free. No skin off their backs. Free. So while some people think grace like this is 'cheap' (I don't think so) but let me tell you, it sure ain't 'easy'.

If dead could be measure in level 1 to 10, Jesus died to level 100. He died so well that all our sins are paid for. And when all the sins are paid for, what's left? Righteousness. That's what you get when you see Him resurrected and alive again. It's the prove that our sins are done for.

So some people ask: if that is the case, we can keep go on sinning and sinning and sinning and still be 'enjoying the benefits'? What a good deal! But wait, that's not logical! How can u say such thing in church....

What's more illogical is why do you need a savior to keep sinning? If you want to sin why do you need a saviour? You can do so without one. Try it if you don't believe me. Why do people want to go to a savior to keep on sinning? So that they can sin more?

Perhaps we should ask: can we keep on sinning in the face of so much love? How difficult is it to fall in love with someone who took a bullet for you? And if you didn't know that there was a bullet for you, go and read the Law.

Heads you win, Tail I lose

... wall street for you.

... and if they manage to brokee the deal to outright spend USD$700bn to buy back all the bad debts, and indirectly passing back all the risk to the taxpayers

....while the bankers, regulators (ie the Feds) get off scott free....

Hahahahaha! Muahahahaha!

All Americans taxpayers just got butt fucked / screwed / whateveryouwannacall it.

RPK to be detained for 2 years and the reason is...

as according thestar here: "his articles ridiculed Islam, said Home Minister Datuk Seri Syed Hamid Albar."

He also added that :" “His articles could arouse anger among Muslims,” Syed Hamid said, adding that he signed the detention order on Monday after he was satisfied with the reasons to detain Raja Petra. "

Firstly, I don't understand this: How did his articles ridiculed Islam? Like really how? What did he say about Islam that was ridiculous? And what did he write specifically that ridiculed Islam? How come these evidences are never mentioned?

Secondly, is one arrested for being a possible cause of anger? If there's a rumuor against you like Teresa Kok you get ISA for 1 week. If you're a possibility to cause anger you get detention for 2 years? What happens when you wave a keris around say let is soak with chinese blood or anyone's blood for that matter.... what do you get for that?

High stake poker.

The situation between Anwar and Abdullah is really like a high stake poker. A VERY high stake poker.

Now who is holding the stronger hand? Who is calling who's bluff?

And all this while the world finance sector is in turmoil!

Very high stake poker!

The bad soap opera - Blocking malaysia-today.net

It's like the bad soap opera on tv - you know what lines will be coming next - just like the banning of Malaysia-today.net. And "No", it's not a politically motivated move... just one day after Anwar's victory. Perfect.

I think our government clearly went against the guideline they have set for themselves when they setup the MSC- not to censor the internet. I believe, this move to block MT has definitely shaken the confidence of investors. It leaves me wondering how strong or resolute will the government follow through their other promises/guidelines/acts? Will they 'bend the rules' to suit?

It just doesn't lend credibility. Not that the current govt has much left, or if there's any to start with.

And what reason did they give to ban the site? At first the reasons given were that the published materials that are libellous, slanderous and defamatory. Really? Says who? Says our home minister here. Has the court proven so? Not yet. I'm no lawyer but can one simply say things like that?

Of course after a few days, the tone has changed. Now it's about religion.

"No" It's not politically motivated afterall.

I got another question running in my head. SKMM is a department under a minister. SKMM ordered the ban. The minister said, "No" they did not order the ban. Okay, I got all this parts so far.

So why not lift the ban now? Unless the minister agrees with the move. So don't say that you didn't give the order to ban because you here, you just gave the approval. Or did you? I'm confused.

And like all soap opera, even the bad ones.. they end their episodes well. They end it with just enough pull for us to wonder what will happen next (but of course we can kinda guess but you never know right?)...

So quoting the star here:

*start quote*

Datuk Joseph Salang Gandum, the Deputy Minister of Energy, Water and Communications, said he was not aware that SKMM had ordered ISPs to block the website.

“I do not read Malaysia Today. Media practitioners must be sensitive to culture and religion,” he said.

Information Minister Datuk Ahmad Shabery Cheek declined comment as it was not under his jurisdiction.

SKMM chief operating officer Mohamed Sharil Mohamed Tarmizi, who is overseas, declined to elaborate, saying a press conference would be held to explain why such action was taken.

It is understood that this is not the first time SKMM has ordered a website to be blocked.

Malaysia Today remains accessible through its mirror website.

*end of quote*

How classic is that? No one seems to be able to comment. Happy birthday Msia.

Why we should vote opposition...

Like the new 15cents drop in fuel prices? Like the fact that our PM finally took the train after so many years? Like that our PM actually attends debates in the Parliment? Like that suddenly our government seems to care of us? Like that more land scams are discovered? Like that a more fair and competitive Malaysia is build?

Like it? Love it?

Then vote the opposition. (At least for now.)

All the changes we have seen in the last 5 months has happened because we have voted the opposition in. It is because the ruling party has felt the earth move under them. Their power was rocked. Now, suddenly, they listen.

They treat us like children, luring us with candies for so many years... and when that don't work, they take the 'big projects away' like the second Penang bridge, like the LRT system for Penang.

But it is them now who are like kids, we took their candy away and they're crying and shouting and throwing toys around the house. Just read the newspaper... you'll know what I mean.

Like kids, we need to be firm with them... tell them in no uncertain terms that we don't like what they do. As such...I hope.. really hope that the by-election tomorrow goes to Anwar.

Myth - Plausible

Well... Saiful says it's not political! Sure or not?

When you put pieces together like this piece of news :'Saiful ‘appears’ to garner votes - the star 20th August, 2008'.

It's way too too too obvious isn't it?

No, there's no conspiracy against Anwar. Really one!

Mythbuster meets TVB

You know I've always liked HK TVB series. It's full of drama, lies, love, hate and sometimes conspiracy.

I also like discovery channel a lot. Mythbusters is among my favourite. You know it always ends with a 'bang'... fans will know what I mean.

Hehe.. so what do you get when you them together. The Anwar-Saiful sodomy case :) It's so full of drama and myth-tery, don't you think? Check this out from Aisehman for a very quick context.

I've just got so many questions of my own...

Saiful says, “It has nothing to with politics. It is between Anwar and me,” he said..... , just before the by-election... hmmm suspicious don't you think? See here.

And the whole drama has so many inconsistencies. Some say he's sodomised once, some says multiple times, some says forceful and some says consensual.

Now wait a minute. First of all, if it was consensual, then why isn't Saiful charged. So if it was forced.... how can a small man like Anwar pin down a guy a head taller than he is and 'do it'? Anwar's close to 60 and Saiful is a strapping strong lad in the 20s? Is it posible? Were there signs of struggle too? If so why wasn't it mentioned at all?

And if Saiful was sodomised, multiple times? He went back for more? Or was it just once?

So what do you think? Plausible or busted?

How I nearly puke over my coffee

See here. The topic reads "China chemicals starve Indian pharma". If you read further, it says , "But because China has stopped, there's pressure on materials coming from Taiwan, Korea, Europe. And everyone's taking a little bit advantage and jacking up their prices."

So apparently closing factories in China causes prices to rise why? because everyone else is taking advantage to jack up the prices. So now when China's factories take a break for the olympic is China's fault and not the countries that jacking up their prices?

Why not blame the fund managers for pushing up oil prices? Where are they, the fund managers from? How come those issue are not covered nor their country blamed? How about food prices? How about energy prices?


*******

On the local front, this news made me 'vomit blood'. The issue of opening up UiTM to non-malays is actually a 10% issue. 10% of the total places in UiTM is hardly opening up to other races isn't it?

And I quote: "If something like this is allowed to happen, then there will be a worrying situation where many Malay institutions will crumble and be 'Malaysianised'.

So the problem here is that a university being Malaysianised? So much for Merdeka day coming.

Media bias against China Olympic? What's your say?

A friend of ours wrote this:


****************
Dear NBC Sports,

We get it. We really do. We're all well aware of China's poor track record when it's come to human rights. We've also become familiar with the Chinese training setup, and how children are trained up for years apart from their families in a relentless pursuit of excellence. We know that it's all alien to the American culture.

But can you please refrain from constantly calling China and everything Chinese into question during your coverage of these Games? Can your commentators actually focus on the athletes and the competition? Would it be possible to find another human interest angle, since you've saturated your coverage so far with all this commentary about China?

And if President Bush comes to the studio for another interview, could you actually talk to him about the Olympics, instead of human rights, other world conflict, Sudan, and steroids in baseball?

Can you please do all that? Or can you at least put a muzzle on Bob Costas?

Please?

This is not to say those issues are not important. They are. But there is a time and a place to discuss them, and the Olympic Games are surely not the place for it. Not when people have poured forth every ounce of effort they have to get to Beijing. They are the ones you need to be talking about. Leave the political commentary to the ones best suited to it.

Signed,

An Olympic fan who'd like to actually listen to Olympics-related commentary.

***********
What do you think?

Addidas run

Last sunday was the long awaited Addidas run. What a run it was. It was also the first run I ran all the way 10km without stopping. On top of that I felt dizzy at about the 7th km which I am pleased to say that I'm kept my mental strength and kept going. I think I didn't eat enough ni the morning. Once I had a gulp of 100plus in the following drinks station the dizziness went away. Actually now that I think about it, it may have been dangerous that I kept going even though I felt dizzy.

What was really dissapointing was that I finished at 78mins. Granted I went to use the gents for 2mins mid way at the Esso station. It's still 76mins! Actually I was happy with 76mins in the beginning.. because that was the target I set for myself.

Only to notice that I have set the wrong target.

No wonder my breathing was not breathless throughout my training and the run itself. Aiyoh..... Ok next target is at 65mins for 10km!

The problem with a Purpose Driven Life

First of all, I don't really have an issue with a purpose drivien life. I think everyone should have a purpose. A purpose liken to a conviction. And I once heard a very smart man say: a belief is something we cling on to but a convinction is something that clings on to us. I think having a purpose to live is very very important - it drives us forward and gives us fufilment.

That purpose or conviction could be as simple as making the best food in kitchen, be a business tycoon, be the best politician or be the best evangelist but it could also be as simple as wanting to be a taitai or to be a housewife.

Whatever that thing is, I believe that purpose would grab hold of you. You just can't force it to come or force yourself to go for it. It doesn't have to be 'spiritual' or 'secular'... all are spiritual.

The hallmark of Godly purpose I believe is that Peace and Joy and Sureness which follows. You can't explain it but you just know it. Like it's inside of you.

******
The problem I have with the purpose driven life is when 'purpose' takes centre stage of life. It's when our driving force is "purpose". It's when a life that's PURPOSE driven instead of God led that I think there may be a problem. I think. One is motivated by God, the other by sheer willpower from our own. I believe our value & identity in Christ is not judged by our 'Purpose'. It's not about what we do. We're human beings and not human doings.

However there's lot of things out there that incline on making us a 'do' christianity. We are told to 'do' holiness, to 'do' godly stuff, to 'do' ministries and to 'do' serving. Hey! Bible says 'be' holy for God is holy. It's like being a guy or a gal. You don't 'do' guys' stuff to be a man.. you just be, as simple as that. And as I read the bible more, most if not all the things starts from resting in Him, in Jesus' finished work.

Remember Jesus said that we can do nothing except through Him. Nothing.

*****
Lastly on the great commision.

It says to make disciples. Disciples are not converts. Disciples are just much more than that. Again, it's not about doing evangelism to 'convert' it's about becoming like christ to influence. The difference is subtle but the outcome huge.

Last last, on chapter 36 of the book, it quotes: The most important thing is that i complete my mission that the Lord Jesus gave me' -Acts 20:24 .

That's not accurate. "24However, I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the gospel of God's grace."

Hmm... testifying, gospel,God's grace.

In another passage Phil 3 "7But whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. 8What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ 9and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness that comes from God and is by faith. 10I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, 11and so, somehow, to attain to the resurrection from the dead."

What is Paul's purpose? I thought he's suppose to preach the gospel and all that, wasn't he the guy tasked to preached the gospel to the gentiles? Letter after letter, he seems addicted to the "grace of god" -- how come he doesn't say 'go and make converts'?

Even to the mature christians in ephesians, he says:

16I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 17so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, 18may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, 19and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.

So I think there you have it, Paul's own words. His purpose in life.

Taking a walk

I took a walk about 9-10 years ago. It was on one of those nights when I can't sleep. I remember how I felt that night. I felt good that night. Like really GOOD.

Because for the last 12 months prior to that walk I was constantly depressed. A close friend, who after spending his last moments with me committed suicide. I guess I could not forgive myself. I guess I could have done more? I guess many things and it all happened about a year before that walk.

But that night I felt good. Peaceful. Because Jesus found me. He found me when I needed Him most.

I still can remember the walk clearly that night. (I was about 2 months old as a christian maybe?) It was about 12:20am. I was smiling to myself. My feet had a bounce and the cool breeze of midnight felt just right. I must be humming a tune to myself because I was just happy. I just learned how to talk to God and I must be having a great conversation with Him because the 20mins I walked to the 7-eleven seemed to pass so quickly.

At 7-eleven I bought myself a pack of 20s reds (Marlboro) because besides being happy, I could need a smoke. Hehehe, yes besides being happy with myself, I needed a fag.

The long awaited fag was good at first draw. But I certainly missed the Bensons in UK or Marlboros in Singapore, they were just much finer :) Those of you know who knows, know what I mean :)

So as I walked home, I smoked all the way (it's called chain smoking sometimes :) ) while talking to God. Yes, you can still talk to God while you're smoking! I remembered an interesting question He asked me halfway through which caught me by surprise. He asked me why am I still smoking?

I replied, I dunno. Er.. it satisfy? Right?

He asked again, does it really?

I know what He meant. Because before I found him 2/3 months prior, nothing satisfy. But with Jesus, my thirst was quench. I was just happy. My heart of 'full'. I was just so low before... but at that point nothing could be better.

So He said something like, you know eric, ciggis don't satisfy you anymore from now on.. not like last time. You don't need it Eric. I mean think about it Eric?

Ooohh.. He got me there :) I agree with you Jesus I replied. I threw the stick I was smoking and the remaining of the pack. Laughing I told him why haven't I thought about that sooner. We continued talking as I walk home.

That was it. That's how I remembereed the last packed of ciggis I smoked as a smoker. (I didn't have much redrawal after that either :P ) God has been so kind to me.

Father's hand

Firstly Hillary, I wanna say what a great idea to start a 'sunday sharing' on the blogs!

When I think of my father's hand I think of my father - the man that he is. You know man is often identified with 'things they do' and what they do with their hands speaks volume about who he is, as a person.

My dad works tirelessly. He loves his work. I know that because through the years I've seen him happiest when he is working, both at the office or at home fixing stuff. And whatever he did, he put in all he had. Even after he retired, he worked on other things like languages (he now speaks and write japanese fluently), business...etc

Like all children, I grew up thinking 'I don't want to be like my dad'! But as years goes by, I think we are more alike than I think. Looking at him enjoy his work has certainly shaped me. I love me work too and if I had ALL the money in the world I'd still be working. *smiles* I am afterall my father's boy.

On hindsight though, I didn't have much chance to talk to my dad on a heart to heart basis. It's kinda hard for guys to open up this way. We like to 'tell' but we seldom, if ever, share what's in our heart. I'd like to tell him that I love him and all that... but when we meet, we talk about how our businesses are doing...etc

But the last few years has seen my dad grown more 'cool', which is a great thing. My ego has also gotten milder :) and there were a few occasion where we actually talked. It was one of the best times I had with him. I look forward now to go home and have a chance to just talk to him.

My wife's dad pass away a few years ago. He passed away at a difficult time and sometimes at night I still hug my wife as she think about her dad. She misses him still. I wonder what her father's hand meant to her? I would never understand... but dad (in law), you've raised a great gal!

When I think about my heavenly father, I think about Jesus. Since He said, if I have seen him, I've seen the Father.

What kinda hand does he have? I thought His hands praying. I thought about His hand that heals when He touched someone, His hands that worked on wood, . What does this pair of hands look like? This image came up:


But that picture isn't accurate at all. Far from it! Jesus' hands would be have been ugly! So ugly beyond recognition, pierced on the cross with 2 holes!

and because of that I have beautiful hands now, unscared, unpierced thanks to Him.

There is no conspiracy against Anwar.

That's what ABM said today according to the star.

I dunno man.

Let me quote Pat here.

"Yes. He is the same person who has a perfect track record for making things happen. In the opposite direction la.

No. I am not getting married. Boom! He gets married.
No. I will not dissolve Parliament. Boom! He dissolves Parliament the very next day.
No. There will be no fuel price increase (the first time last week). Boom! RM2.70 per litre the next day."

So no conspiracy?...

The Dark Knight

I am a batman fan and I have been waiting for this movie for over a year! There was so much hype on this movie that I was afraid that it may not live up to it.

Let me rest assure you fans out there. I have ventured ahead of you, risking the dissapointment of a super flop.... the hype was ALL worth it.

The Dark Knight
is
back!

I think this is the BESTest batman movie ever made: dark, lonely, conflicts, power, evil, love and above all, duty, honour and justice. Throw in an outstanding cast, story and performance, I think this is one of those rare epic move I'll be watching again and again.

Must mentioned also that Joker was especially well played. Chaotic, villain genius, scary, unpredictable. Brilliant.

After thoughts:

Duty. Honour. Justice. These are rare commodities in our society especially in these trying days in Malaysia. And I believe they'll be even more needed in the road ahead with all the global issues coming up wave after wave. Global economic slowdown (or meltdown?), global warming just to name a few.

And just like in the movie, we also have a C4 explosion happened in a neighbourhood not far from here, KL.

Unfortunately though, who can we turn to? Who can we trust?

Do we have a batman call sign....

Christian Urban Legend 1: Anointing

The reason why I'm writing a series on Christian urban legend is because I feel that many of these issues mentioned are deemed as 'common knowledge'. While the issues are seemingly small, I feel that if one believes wrongly it causes a ripple effect that ultimately distort our view of who our God really is.

At the point of writing this, I have no clue what other christian urban legends they are, however I would love to hear from you what other urban legends you think are worth discussing.

The first that I'm writing about is this "anointing". Not just any anointing, it's the one you go to a concert/event/revival meeting and hope to 'bring some back' to your home church. Or it could be this anointed person you meet and hope to bring some of his anointing back with you.

I think many of us has heard that one before.

This wrong teaching - that you can get more anointed by means of being present in certain places or being prayed for by 'more anointed' person - leads one to think that there's different gradient or grades of anointing.

You begin as a padawan and become a jedi if you 'gather' enough.

So why is this an urban legend?

It is because you cannot 'get more anointed' or 'get someone's anointing' and you definitely cannot 'carry some anointing back'. The 'anointing' is not a transferable force or cumulative force. If so then the most anointed person would be the person that gather the most anointing? (We can then create a anointing server and let everyone download, how about that?!)

Firstly anointing as explain in hebrew strongs H4899 says:
ma^shi^yach
maw-shee'-akh
From H4886; anointed; usually a consecrated person (as a king, priest, or saint); specifically the Messiah: - anointed, Messiah.

and H4886 is:
ma^shach
maw-shakh'
A primitive root; to rub with oil, that is, to anoint; by implication to consecrate; also to paint: - anoint, paint.

Quite plainly when you're a priest or a saint and you're rub with oil or consecrated (for god) you're annointed.

Jesus was anointed. Heck, He is the messiah. Same word!

While I don't know the technicality of how you get anointed, or do you get anointed first before the Spirit of God comes onto you or after, there are some consistent theme throughout the bible about anointing.

We do know that when you're anointed the spirit of God comes on you and that you're only anointed once.

Think about it. This happened to David, Samuel, Elijah, Elisha...etc Who was anointed twice? There's Elisha who asked and was given a 'double portion'.. but how many times were Elisha anointed? Once.

Lets look at this:

Luk 4:18 "The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to tell the good news to the poor. He has sent me to announce release to the prisoners and recovery of sight to the blind, to set oppressed people free,
Luk 4:19 and to announce the year of the Lord's favor."

Check it out. It says, because he has anointed me to..... that's why the spirit of the Lord is on me.

That's interesting. The spirit and the anointing go hand in hand. Very consistent througout the bible. Also there was a reason for the anointing. It was for a purpose.

Now was Jesus ever anointed again after this? I don't recall so.

Did he ever need another anointing to fulfill all His purpose here on earth? No need.

The holy spirit on him was able to help him with ALL the tastk, from healing, walking on water, casting out demons, commanding weather...etc

Yeah, I hear some of you say:" but but but that's Jesus what!".

See what Jesus says here:

Act 1:4 While he was meeting with them, he ordered them, "Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the Father's promise, about which you heard me speak.
Act 1:5 For John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now."

Now after His ressurection, He says, we'll be baptized with the HOLY SPIRIT. The same one that He's got. Then

Act 1:8 .... you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."

See the word - POWER. What POWER?

MEGA HOLY SPIRIT KAWABUNGA power.

The same stuff that made Peter walk on water. Same stuff mate.

Well, the Holy Spirit on Him is the same one with you today. It is because of God's grace that we have this gift. Once you believe in Christ, the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of God comes on you as a guarantee. It never leaves you nor forsake you. The spirit of God enables you to do all things through Him. It has consecrated you - you are a 'priest' and therefore is anointed.

To bring the point back home, you as a child of God, is anointed. You do not need to go need to an event to get anointed or get more anointed.

You are already anointed maximus.

All you need is already dwelling in you: the Holy Spirit, through whom can help you do all things you need to do. He knows His purpose for your life and will help you through it.

I hope this explains why this is an 'urban legend'. Why I believe that this is so important is because if you believe wrongly, then you reap the fruit of your wrong beliefs and I truly want you to live the fullest anointed life ever posible, to the power of infinitiy plus one, now.

Why? Because God loves you so much. He wants you to know that He is not angry with your sins any longer. He wants you to draw near to Him without feeling fear. Because our dear Lord has paid a hefty price for our sins and these gifts are given to you. It is there to make your life abundant. It is there to make you live the best life you can in which He has called you to.

Make use of it, because I believe, it pleases Him that you do.

Got my back buddy?

Recently I learnt that I have a weak lower back. My ego was seriously hurt when I discovered that I'm doing the same weights as me wife!

Come on man... how can la?

But I am! A little more investigation showed that I do have REALLY weak lower back. Like when I run, the first place that gives way is my lower back. It starts to ache and standing straight seems tiring.. you know the feeling?

So I started to do more lower back exercise. One of them, my favourite, for giving me maximum 'pain' is the dead lift. Basically you stand straight with your butt sticking out and back straight and just bend down to pick up a weight (bend the knees a little forward but not more than your toes). I start off very light... ok ego aside, I only do light weights! can?

Yes the lower back is that weak.

I remember this friend I have - CCL. She's a petite girl with outstanding posture... she only stands or sit or walk ith her back straight (or almost arched back). So straight that we all know she has got a nice butt :) I don't know how she does it but if there's something she can't do - she can't hunch over and pick up a pen! (hahahahahaa.. but i can! ngek ngek ngek)

because I start sweating just holding the weights standing like that. Especially the butt sticking out part, it targets the lower back really good.

Anyway I'm working on the back really hard and I do hope it gets stronger. It's gotten a bit stronger since a couple of weeks ago when i started and already I can run, swim, sit up straight much easier.

Now that I think about it, was that the reason why I had a bad posture. (It used to be worse!)

Anyway I'm glad I found this out now... lets see how I will feel with a stronger back.

Recipe for revival

After my healing, we went for a run. When I came back, I quickly took my shower and got ready to go out for dinner. But before we headed out again... I took my watch and put it to my ear.

Hahaha. Tick tick tick.... I smiled and cried all at the same time in my room as I praised God for the wonderful gifts.

It was easy for me. I prayed and He delivered. Pure grace. Easy for me. But it didn't come cheap, He paid for it with a price.

Grace is cheap? Hardly. It's easy though.

That's the hard part for many to accept I suppose. It seems that we would rather prefer to work for something than to get it free. No wonder Paul was so mad at the galatians when he ask, " let me ask you one thing, did you receive the gift of the holy spirit through work or through faith?"

The word 'revival' is not used in the NT. Surprise? I think there's no need to use it because it's an on going theme. Whenever the gospel is preached, there's 'revival'- if revival means there's a lot of ppl coming to the lord.

I can remember 2 occasions recorded for us that this happen. First was by Peter in which 3000 ppl got saved and the other by Paul, 'almost the whole city gathered to hear the word of the Lord'.

So what happened during these 2 'revivals' recorded for us in the bible?

1. Peter to the Jews at Pentecost:

Act 2:38 Peter answered them, "Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. Then you will receive the Holy Spirit as a gift.
Act 2:39 For this promise belongs to you and your children, as well as to all those who are far away, whom the Lord our God may call to himself."

2. Paul to everyone:
Act 13:38 Let it be known to you therefore, brothers, that through this man forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you,
Act 13:39 and by him everyone who believes is freed from everything from which you could not be freed by the law of Moses.

Notice the common theme?

Repent, which means change your mind in greek. Change your mind from what? What does Peter tells the 'men of Israel' to change their mind from? That the law of moses cannot save you (Act 2:36 Let all the house of Israel therefore know for certain that God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified.")

AND through this man is preached, is proclaimed the forgiveness of sins to you by which you are freed from everything you could not be freed from the law of moses! Then you WILL also receive the gift of the Holy Spirit - as a guarantee.

It is ALWAYS through Him, the foundation of our faith, the cornerstone, that 'revival' starts. Nothing else matters.

Those who believed, received the gift of the Holy Spirit and the promise. (What promise? ALL the promise in the bible)

That is the gospel - the only recipe needed for a 'revival' - the good news, the best news of God that He came to save and all sins are forgiven - your present, past and future ones. The key by which the New Covenant takes place. Hallelujah.

Believe in it.

Still I see ppl find it hard to believe. They feel that there's still 'sin' in them. They need a 'touch' from God since their 'last sin'. They still feel guilty that unless they are 'purified' from all 'sins' God cannot work in them or through them. They feel that they have not been completely obedient.

Well from what I read in Hebrews, the only disobedient the author was concern is this: that you stop believing that your conscience is cleared. Therefore the author say: strive to enter that rest. The 'rest' that it's now no longer our efforts, it's been done for us by Chris. And throughout the book, the unbelief is refered to as sin. And in its context:

Heb 10:26 For if we go on sinning (to stop believing that we have been forgiven) deliberately after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins,
Heb 10:27 but a fearful expectation of judgment, and a fury of fire that will consume the adversaries.

So if we want to 'do' revival do this, believe that through this Man, is preached the forgiveness of sins and by Him all that believe are justified from all things from which you could not be justified by the law of Moses.
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It's a few days now since the healing and I'm still enjoying hearing my watch tick. It's so funny, I feel like a little boy every time I put my watch to my right ear. It's as if I have heard it for the first time. Just like the gospel it seems I have just heard it for the first time, again, today.

Many things I do not know...

but this I know, once I couldn't hear my watch ticking on my right ear now I can.

It was about last week that I found out that my right ear cannot hear the ticking of my automatic watch while my left ear can. I tried putting it at different angles but I just can't hear it ticking like the way it sound on my left ear.

Today we decided to hear a sermon by Peter Youngren or something. It's one of the sermon from New Creation. To be honest, it's one of the more boring one. But at the end of the sermon, on mp3, He said people are being healed and to pray. So wife and I sat here in our bed claiming we are healed here and there.

I prayed for my ear but I felt that it was such a 'small' thing, it can hear a lot of stuff just not 'ticking' but I hear a voice saying, He can heal everything. So I prayed for my mind to be boosted with wisdom, my ear, my knees...etc

About 5 mins later, Peter said to stretch out your arm/legs to test it out. So I took out my watch and there it was.

It sounds like music to my ears.... tick tick tick tick tick tick.

Hallelujah!

Psalm 23. Part 5

Psa 23:5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.
Psa 23:6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD forever.

Just haven't had much time to write. But I'll try to conclude the series now.

You prepare a table before me.... in the olden days, the when kingdom goes to war, the victor chain their enemies and eat before them. It's really a way to taunt them and 'show off' that you're the winner. So here the Lord prepares the table for us to eat in victory. Hence when we pray, we pray from victory not for victory. Because God has done it for us.

He annoints my head with oil. Oil for sheeps are like insect repellent for us in modern times. Sheperds used oil to keep away flies from the sheep with oil. For us spiritually, His oil keeps all things evil, sickness, poverty away.

My cup overflows. This is so nice because when a king keep your cup overflowing in ancient days, it means that he wants you around. He is saying, ' hang around, I like you' so he keeps your cup overflowing (with wine usually in ancient times). Half full means: times' out my friend, get lost. So does God wants us around? YES! Keep my cup OVERFLOWING. With Him around, you can expect overflowing of all things. He is afterall, the creator.

Man, if you think that's good, the best is yet to come!

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD forever. This last one sounds pretty obvious is it not? But let me add a spin to it. "Shall follow me" actually means "to run after.. with hostile intent" in hebrew, or hunt.

Imagine that... God's goodness and mercy (sugar and spice and everything nice!) is chasing down you. Think you can escape that?

So even in your lowest of most days you can be sure, God our Lord, friend, our everlasting refuge and good sheperd is always desiring for you to be around. His goodness is sent, chasing you down.

Even while David was under Law He knew this of God, it's no wonder He is the man after God's heart. What more now that we have the Grace that has been revealed to us.

Hallelujah. Shalom be with you my friends. Have a great weekend.

Addicted to Oil

Before I write more I want to say that I totally don't agree with the way the government increase oil prices? Why can't they warn everyone first, like 3 months before so that everyone is prepared mentally. It seems they like to 'shock' everyone. Maybe they were trying to prevent prices to 'increase so fast' but that's inevitable isn't it?

As Malaysia is pondering about the shocking price increase I can't stop to wonder, why are we still addicted to oil?

And human race as a whole seems to be a forgetful lot. Take Malaysia for example, just more than a few months ago, we were 'shocked' when fuel prices went up to 1.9. The governement said it'll use all the savings for this and that... now they're spinning the same story. Are we expecting the 'savings' to put to good use again...?

So everytime the oil price hit a new high, the human race cries out. When crude oil first hit 50/barrel then 80/barrel then 100/barrel and then 130/barrel as in now. Each time we cry foul! The airline all went crazy. Then the powers that be produces a bit more oil, bring the prices down a bit... and then.... all is merry again!

The car manufacturers, oil producers...etc are playing all of us suckers! Electric cars (google who killed the electric car) were mass produced 10 years ago. Using 'lousy' batteries in today's standards and yet they still say electric cars are 'not ready'. Comparing electric cars and Hybrids, we would conclude that Hybrids are the 'Low-tech' cars isn't it?

So the Low Tech Hybrid cars are made so 'expensive' today because like all new product, they're going to bring the price down slowly. Does that make sense, you decide.

Yet government don't make efforts to shift us from the addiction. Why don't they give tax exemption for such cars? or restructure incentives to promote alternative energies. The technology is not ready is complete bull. It'll never be 'ready' if it isn't given a chance. Actually I think it's more than ready... just google it and you'll see what I mean or if you don't know how to read or spell just watch discovery. But what's stopping it from happening is $$$, money, mulah.

There's just so much unmade profits! from oil, from electricity...etc power supply is big business.

The other half is that, we're not used to energy being free. Humans are habitual creatures and after 100 years of paying for energy we're just not used to it being free... and it can be free. But in a capitalist world that's not gonna happen. And when there's money, there's greed and with that - even the best projects in the world can fail. (but really 100 years ago, energy are mostly free)

Meanwhile, the weather in the world gets worst. We blame it global warming- which is linked! heloo?!

So back to Malaysia and the world, we're addicted to oil and we're not doing anything about it. Like the guy who's addicted to cigarettes, he tells himself... after his it's the last stick. I was there and I tell you, he's bluffing himself. Until the world becomes convicted, we'll continue to be addicted to oil... so start preparing for 200/barrel and then 300/barrel.

You're nourishment

When you go, you will be nourishment to the land and the ppl there. You're like the grass, the water and the gardener. You will bring new grass to the land.. and where there's one grass, it spreads very fast. You water it and it will grow bringing new life to the land.

I see a fountain of water and fresh grass growing and reproducing and soon the land is a whole green garden.

So your role/you will be this nourishment. Bringing in new life a fresh new living water.

Psalm 23 pt 4

Psa 23:4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.

I have been thinking about this verse for quite some time. And since I can't sleep tongiht, I thought I start typing.

I like this verse very much. :) I know I seem to say that of every verse I write on. And it's true, I'm actually learning new things every time I start thinking of the verse and God seem to reveal things to me.

For this verse, I felt that the emphasis for me to write on is 'even though'. Even though what? What is even though? I keep asking myself. After some thought.... I figured even though is even though!

Even though, I, the BIG I walk through the.... Contrast to the previous verse, this verse speaks of ME walking. No longer God, the shepherd is leading, but I am walking. See what happens when we start walking our own ways? We tend to end up in the valley of the shadow of death.

Also I felt that this 'even though' is for those moment when we choose the path where we sincerely thought it was a right choice. It also includes those moment when we know it's the wrong choice but decide to go with it anyway... and go 'what was I thinking back then!' months later and regret. Either way, we shall fear no evil because the Lord watches over us with his rod and staff.

Remember also that the rod and staff of the shepherd was not meant to hit the sheep
but to keep the wolves away.

In the NT, there's a verse that also say that ALL things were worked together for our good, those who love Him. ALL things I guess includes the bad ones. Hmm... I wonder if this also fit into this verse?

Either way, even though I walk through some bad paths, I will fear no evil because God takes care of me. David calls these paths - SHADOW of the valley of death. It's not the real thing, it's just the shadow. David, who has gone through many battles and wars know a thing or two of death and he says it's just the shadow. God protects him then just as he does now to us.

Psalm 23 pt 3

Psa 23:3 He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake.

I wanted to write about this verse for quite some time. I think God revealed something new to me :).

Firstly, He restores my soul. He and me, we're are good buddies :) Such a personal God. Restores speaks of well, restoration. Soul here refers to our soul, our being. So (I think) He restores us - in our mind, in our will, our bodies and implies 'spirituality'. I think many of us see it that way too. He restores it all.

He can leads us to paths of righteousness BECAUSE of his name's sake. Actually most time I see 'FOR' in the bible, substitute it with 'BECAUSE" so that you can find out because of what to know the context.

Again, He leads. We follow. As a sheep we just relax and follow. I don't remember herding sheep with whips.

.. Because of his name's sake. It is really God's pleasure to lead us righteousness and He does it gracefully - literally. At least I think it's much more graceful in shepherding sheep as opposed to buffalos or cows? But then I have never shepherd... just watch TV only and learn only :P

Anyway, what I notice is this: (and I think God reveal this to me)

Did you realiase that the Psalm speak of 'material' want first before 'soul'? First God lead us to 'no wants', food, water, place to rest, then only come 'soul'. It seems that God IS interested in our physical needs. He wants us to be well taken care off! Once that is taken care of, He comes to restore our soul.

Isn't it wonderful to know that God really want us to 'rested'?

It comes quite directly opposite of what I thought I hear about 'set your life up right first... only THEN God will bless you'.

This is the gem I learnt last week. God, like a shepherd takes care of our makan, our living first before He starts talking about our 'spiritualility'. I think, I believe once we have tasted His goodness and live in His restedness - we are already spiritual. That's the relationship of a Father and son.

Psalm 23 pt 2

I'm a bit busy this week, so post will come a bit slower.

He leads me beside still waters.

He LEADS speaks of God leading us. I'd imagine a sherperd guiding, watching over them. Oh, btw, in ancient Israel, they don't use 'sheep dog' to do th herding. So no barking at you my friends, just leading, guiding.

He leads ME. ME speaks personally about - me. Me speaks about a personal god who looks at us individually, so that at times of need, I can be sure that he'll be leading me. Sometimes I think that God looks only at the big picture. You know, He wants the church to do this and that.. He wants the nation to be this and that... I'm comforted to know that He also guides me - this tiny person on earth. He speaks to me to guide me, personally. That's like the world's wisest, smartest man being my advisor, counsellor.

And He guides me where? beside still waters.

Still water here don't mean stale water. In hebrew (I think) it says peaceful waters like shallow gentle flowing streams. It speaks of peace, rest, ease.

So the whole sentence says: The Lord, who is my God, speaks to me and guide me, to rest and peace and ease.

I like this verse a lot. Because sometimes when I pray I don't get a 'direct answer' - like a lightning or a thunder you know? But what I do get is this 'life and peace'. I just know that God will be with me if I follow down this part and there's this joy and there's this peace - this 'at ease-ness'. It doesn't mean that the path is 'easy' in the conventional sense but it does feels right- peaceful. I try to follow it because I believe my sheperd is guiding me to quiet waters, even when I'm looking for a parking or when I'm playing dota or when I'm doing business (I've turned down many 'good' deals this way and found them to be the right choice months later).

So friends, when you pray for direction or confirmation, sometimes it is okay not to get a 'sign'. Just go with that PEACE that goes beyong ALL understanding. He's closer than you think!

Psalm 23

Psa 23:1 A Psalm of David. The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.
Psa 23:2 He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters.
Psa 23:3 He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake.
Psa 23:4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
Psa 23:5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.
Psa 23:6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD forever.

I was talking to a mei-mei today and we came to the topic of Psalm 23. Being the super cheong hei, long windededme... I decided to share with her what I learn from it. Much of it I learn from Pastor Prince. Seriously, if he isn't a preacher, he should be a teacher.

So Psalm 23 starts off as:
The Lord is my sheperd.
The Lord - the only one Lord. Who is He? The one mighty and loving :)

The Lord IS. Present tense. Which means that the Lord is, currently my - a personal - sheperd. He's not just any sheperd but by MY sheperd. Now why sheperd? Why compare the Lord as a sheperd. I think firstly because sheeps are dumb and in this case, we're the sheep. And it's good to be sheep with a good sheperd because the good sheperd knows our name, goes before us and He takes care of us. It's the image of Him taking care of us - despite what I do because He's my sheperd. I read that sheeps are really quite dumb and that the sheperd takes care of every aspect of thier lives - this is true of our Lord as well and what I believe David to be saying.

Wow all those words just for one sentence!

Wife also adds that the reason why we are called 'sheeps' is because sheep are obedient as compared to goats who needs to be prodded.

I shall not be in want.

Shall - confirmed in the future. Not be in want. Why want? Why not need? Why not hunger? Want is want.

It speaks of abundance. Not just 'ngam ngam ho', it's shall not want.

So that's an introduction of the Lord for us - a sheperd that takes care us who gives us more than enough.


He MAKES me lie down in green pastures.

Emphasis is mine. and MAKES really speak of God MAKING us lie down. He wants us to rest and to rest in green pastures. For a sheep, green pastures is a lot of food... imagine if you're a sheep and the green pastures roll horizon to horizon. How much food is there!!! and He MAKES us lie down, to rest on His abundant supply. Ahh.... I see myself rolling on the green grass - a bit like the bollywood scene kekeke...

eh, btw, today's 'labour day' so I'm stopping here :) I need a holi-holi day.

Running on the threadmill

I got an email today from a friend bragging, I mean telling me how she has improved on her running. The reason:

Because she has new shoes!

Hahahah... it's like the old Nike Ad I used to 'worship'. I thought I jumped higher with a pair of Air Jordans. No, I REALLY did!

Anyway, I've been telling her that Ive been training my runs on the threadmills. Eileen, being the kind, loving person that she is immediately told me to get my lazy ass outside and start running because the outdoors is good for the feet, the lungs and the soul. Ain't no nothing like running outdoors. Besides real roads don't move underneath you....

Well it's true... until recently that it's been raining so much I decided to train in the gym. Here's what I do. I crank up the speed to about 10% faster of what I can run outside and put a 2%-4% gradient to it.

What do you know.... I actually find this working very well :P It's like doing a tempo run, except that I can't cheat because the machine won't stop (ok, there's this time where I lower the gradient down a bit). I find myself getting breathless very fast.

Still.. I have to catch up with Eileen - she's WAY fast

Preaching the gospel to myself today

Lord, you have establish a new covenant with me in Christ

In this covenant You Lord, will put Your laws into my mind, and write them on my heart, and You will be my God, and I will be your child.

... and I shall know you, intimately....

because You will be merciful toward my unrighteousness or my wrong deeds, and You will never again remember my sins.

Tools for reading the bible

Jenmama asked me yesterday what are some of the tools I used to read the bible and to search for hebrew/greek meaning.

Well here are some of the sites I use:

• Esword.
• My light saber really. Download their FREE software and other plugins. It comes with dictionary, commentaries, maps the works. I usually start my study with this tool reading 3 to 4 translated version of the scripture.
• StrongNumbers.
  
• A site giving explainations to all the words, the occurence.
  
• Spurgeon's archieve.
  
• A site having all his past sermons. His sermons are always good read to learn more about scripture and he's an awesome preacher.
  
• Bibleontheweb.
  
• Bible on the web
• Blueletterbible.
  
• A site for all kinds of bible tool. Concordance, dictionary, different translation. The only downside is that its a bit slow.
• Google.
• It's always important to compare the findings of a site with many many others. So keep searching.

Cheesy B grade movies

I love movies and I'm a sucka for cheesy movie. Like REALLY crap Cheesy movies.

So crap I think some of them should pay me for watching their show. Take this show for example: The MAGUS. When I first watch the show, I thought it was a 1980s movie. The screenplay was so bad it could pass of as comedy. Wait, was the genre really comedy? No, it was action thriller - maybe. But have you seen a thriller going REALLY slowly to the end? It's made last year and it's made so bad I think any amatuer youtube production is better!

We all know that cheesy movies have the same story line, screenplay, script. What many don't know is that they ALL have the same sound track! Yup, you read it right. They all have:

1. mystical, inspiring music for the beginning
   
• when the hero is still innocent
2. boy meets girl music
   
• when the hot girl appears
3. bad guy music
   
• when the bad guy first appears, think star wars when darth vader first come to visit
4. hero training music
   
• yup the training, or learning the 'secret' skills. usually accompanied by some older guy telling him to 'seek yourself' or 'seek the wisdom that cannot be found'
5. boss fight music
   
• you know the last fight, usually by this point the girl is covered with little cloth, tied to a table/pole/rock - immobilised.
6. hero gets girl music - kissing, making love, fading to black then credits - back to inspiring mystical music.
   

Despite knowing all that I'm still a sucka for it. Especially when the movie has a title with the words: Ninja, *enter exotic word no one understand here*, fist of the *****, boy-who-is-nobody-is-the-chosen-one

No wonder I make such good friends with the DVD uncle :)

Reading the bible.

A while ago I posted my first comment on RPK's website. Someone was saying why the bible is such and such..... misquoting it.

Actually many ppl misquote it. Including many christians and me! :) Anyway I'll just post here what commented there:

http://www.malaysia-today.net/2008/content/view/5551/84/

The bible are often misquoted (even by christians) because many times context is not taken into account. Without context, you can make the bible say anything you want. As an example the Bible tells us: 'There is no God'.

What in the world am I smoking? But when we read it further it says Psalms 14: To the choirmaster. Of David. The fool says in his heart, "There is no God."......

The bible is a 'story' gathering many years old and contary to popular believe it's not written in english. it's a Jewish book. Written by Jews in Hebrew and Greek (in the NT). So in order to understand them, one has to really study the culture of the time, the language of the time, and the context of the text.. and follow the story (time/era is important).

For example, (for the purpose of this comment), the main era can be seperated into pre-law (abraham's time), law (moses' time), post-law (jesus' time). Each period is marked by a covenant God has cut with man. Hence we have the NEW testament which is a NEW covenant made by Jesus. So when the NEW covenant was made, the OLD is past. Not that the OLD is not relevant but a NEW covenant was made on top of that, one that supersede the old. Much like renewing a agreement with new (less) terms - in which Jesus fufilled the law and paid the price of the law which is death. The book of Hebrew in the NT explains the connections between the New Covenant and the one concerning the Law.

Other speeches of Jesus, parables of jesus, epistles (or letters in modern day) like the one he quoted about dogs and hands can be better understood this way.. by reading into the context, who he is talking to, why was he saying it, what point was he trying to make and some the lingo of the day.

In modern day we can hear a father telling to a child: do not play with fire or else you won't have dinner! The context of such a sentence was that it was spoken to a child about maybe 4 years old? The same father could tell the same child of 18 years old: Go light the fire in the charcoal, we need to get this bbq going! Was the father inconsistent? No. He was simply speaking to a different 'crowd'.

Lastly, the bible is not written in English. As a random example, the writer quoted:

1 Timothy 5:5-6 But the widow who lives for pleasure is dead even while she lives.

This NT is written in greek which means: But she that liveth in pleasure - Ἡ δε σπαταλωσα· She that liveth delicately - voluptuously indulging herself with dainties, it means one who indulges herself in good eating and drinking, pampering her body at the expense of her mind. The word is used in reference to spoiled children.

Dead here also means: θνήσκω thnēskō
Thayer Definition:
1) to die, to be dead
2) metaphorically to be spiritually dead

So it's not saying that they live as 'naughty girls' or a person who can' t be 'merry'. But as a person with cares for mostly about eating and drinking and without much on top, without a purpose in life, like spoiled children is spiritually dead.

Well, in any case I hope this help the writer start reading the bible better. I would recommend him/her to read a book on 'how to read the bible' by JI packard' before s/he studies the bible.

From the star

Thursday April 17, 2008

To heaven and back

By SARAH CHEW

A grave accident leaves a young boy paralysed and in a coma. When he awakens, he displays extraordinary abilities. His mother documents their story in a book.

Retha McPherson is a striking woman with piercing eyes and she wears four-inch heels, as can be expected of a former beauty queen.

But those eyes tear up when she speaks about her experiences in 2004, which she writes about in her book, A Message from God, that was launched in Kuala Lumpur recently.

It began on June 19, 2004, the same year Retha, a Christian and an image consultant, was chosen as Mrs South Africa.

“My life was so perfect,” Retha wrote in her book. “I had a wonderful loving marriage, two beautiful healthy children and a successful business.”

Against all odds: Aldo McPherson and his mother, Retha.

All that was to change when the family had a car accident on a highway in Free State, South Africa. In an attempt to avoid a stationary car, her husband, Tinus, swerved onto a watercourse and their vehicle rolled over several times. When Retha came to, her children Aldo, 12, and Josh, three, were gone.

“My children flew out of the car,” recalls Retha at the launch. “When we found Josh, he only had minor cuts but I found Aldo on the other side of the highway. I could feel his cracked skull and blood gushing out. I couldn’t feel a pulse.”

The paramedics arrived on the scene by helicopter, revived Aldo and punctured his collapsed lungs to insert respiratory tubes.

Aldo had a four-hour operation in Union Hospital, Alberton, Johannesburg, and doctors informed Retha he had serious brain injuries.

Tinus, in an e-mail interview, remembers having to deal with the trauma and guilt that followed the accident since Aldo was the one who bore the brunt of it.

“I felt so responsible for the accident and the first few weeks after were the lowest points of my life, seeing him on the bed and not responding to anything,” he says.

“I stayed with him in the intensive care unit for a week and doctors told me to say goodbye to him,” Retha says. “On day 12, they told me, ‘Mrs McPherson, you have no medical funds left and we cannot detect any brain function. So we are going to take Aldo off the life-support machines. Either he lives and becomes a vegetable, or he dies’.”

That day was a defining one for Retha and her family, because as she prayed in a room by herself, she felt as if God was talking to her.

“Despite my son’s condition, it was the best day of my life,” she says. “I felt peace, love and acceptance all at one go. I even forgot about my son, everything just disappeared.”

It was then that she decided to take her son home. Two months after the accident, Aldo left the hospital. Still in a coma, he was hooked up to respiratory machines and a feeding tube.

When he was 12, Aldo was hospitalised and hooked to life support machines after an accident left him paralysed, comatose and severely damaged his brain.

One side of Aldo’s body was paralysed and the other, spastic. He was blind in one eye and could not open his mouth to eat.

But Retha refused to accept his condition and with depleting finances, set out to slowly help her son recover.

At the airport one day, she saw Aldo’s favourite candy called “sour worms” and bought four pieces. Every day, she would stick one in his mouth and on the fourth day, he opened his mouth. From then, she began feeding him soft food.

Six months after the accident, he ate his first hamburger.

At the book launch in KL, Retha showed photos of her family putting Aldo on an exercise bicycle to strengthen his legs although five people had to support him.

As Aldo’s limbs strengthened, Tinus would cycle with him on a tandem bicycle.

“I borrowed a tandem bicycle and put Aldo on the back,” Tinus recalls. “Initially, we had to strap him in, even his hands were tied to the handle bar.

“We soon got the hang of things and three months later, we completed a 40km cycle race.”

Only eight months later could he speak and almost a year after the accident, he could see with both eyes. In April 2006, Aldo stood up for the first time in two years and a year later, he started to play football although he still falls down often.

Aldo’s story

Four months after Aldo’s accident, a therapist suggested putting a pencil in his spastic hand, which eventually relaxed, so that he could doodle.

“I held his hand and he started to write. I knew then that his brain was fine,” says Retha. “Even now in school, people still have to support his wrists when he writes because he has a twitch.”

Aldo communicated through writing and one day, he wrote that he had gone to heaven.

“In heaven, we played and sang for Jesus, the angels were all around us,” Aldo wrote. “No one is sick there.”

Aldo had also written that when Retha found him at the accident scene, his spirit was “taken up” and he could look down and see what had happened and describe the details.

Retha admits that she and Tinus kept all this a secret at first, not wanting people to think that they were mad.

During his recovery, Aldo communicated frequently by writing before he could speak. This is one of his notes in which the first few lines reads 'faith in God'.

Aldo, however, kept telling her about his heavenly experiences and once, kept making a circular motion with his hands over his head.

“Tinus and I asked him to stop it, but he wouldn’t and said it was about two boys, Dwane and Anton, whom he had met in heaven,” Retha reveals.

Aldo wrote letters to these boys’ parents telling them that their children were healed and happy, but were concerned about their parents. He put the letters in envelopes and gave Retha their addresses.

“I thought to myself, ‘This is too much, the medicine is too strong’,” Retha laughs. “I told Tinus that we had to get Aldo off the medicine somehow.”

But Aldo was adamant and in the end, the family made contact with these two families. They found that indeed they had had boys by those names who had died. When shown family photographs, Aldo could point out their faces. Anton had Down Syndrome, and the circular hand motions were Aldo’s way of describing it.

“Anton’s mother told my husband that she had been taking pills for depression,” says Retha. “But she has gone off the pills since she received Aldo’s letter.”

That was not the only incident which stumped his parents and others around him. One time, he had a “vision” of water flooding housing areas in December 2006.

“He kept telling me to put sandbags around our house because water was coming. Then he wrote ‘Mum, you’re going to need rest because you’re going overseas’,” Retha recalls. “I told him, ‘I’m not going anywhere’, because I usually don’t travel in December.”

Two days later, the Dec 26 Asian tsunami struck and because Retha was Mrs South Africa, she was asked to go and help those affected in Aceh, Indonesia.

Apart from Aldo’s extraordinary ability to “see” difficult situations and people’s thoughts, Retha reveals that he is a normal boy who is struggling with his weaknesses.

One eyelid still droops, he has stitches and bruises due to falling every few steps, he speaks in a painfully slow monotone and has epileptic fits when he is tense.

“When he talks, he puts up his hands even in public, we don’t know why he does it,” she says. “Some people don’t react well to him, especially initially when he hung his head and drooled – people would stare at him and say ‘look at that freak’.”

Tinus describes the entire experience as a “very lonely road” and not many friends were willing to walk the journey with them.

But he and Retha have learnt to take things in their stride, because they have seen the big leaps in Aldo’s recovery.

“Aldo is now in a regular private school where he is the only ‘disabled’ child,” Tinus explains. “He has a private tutor who picks him up at the house in the morning, takes him to school, helps him there and then she will take him to speech and physiotherapy in the afternoon.”

Though Aldo, now 16, has come a long way since the accident and defied medical logic, some have asked Retha if she is disappointed that Aldo is not completely healed.

But Retha points out that people are more likely to believe their story when they see Aldo in his recovery stages. She is thankful for the journey that has made her family selfless.

“I tell my husband that nothing in this world impresses me anymore,” she reveals, adding that she realises that not even good works can make her happy.

She is on a mission to share Aldo’s story.

“Before this, I was an image consultant but today, I do workshops in church sometimes on total image – body, soul and spirit,” she says. “How can you tell women to dress up when they are hurting inside?”

So far, Retha has travelled to the United States, Indonesia and Singapore to promote her self-published book. A Message from God has reportedly sold 25,000 copies around the world.

Retha ended her book launch here on a light note about Aldo’s hope to marry someday. “Aldo is praying for a woman who loves scars!”

Check out their webpage here.

Getting fitter

Well it has almost been one year since we went to mount kk. I remember it's that faithful trip that made us realiase how unfit we were both were. So we decided since then to improve our health, fitness.

We started off with just running around kiara park. I remember the first time I ran more than 30mins, my first 10k run. Then I learn how to swim and my first time swimming in the beach where my feet could NOT touch the seabed. (I was saying,' I'm going to drown'.... for 30mins until I realiased that I wasn't going to)

Then in January, we joined a neighbourhood gym. The weights, cardio... hmmmpppmmhh. I must say I enjoy my workouts very much now. My body is leaner. I got 2 1/2 packs instead of 1 big one! The 'V' is starting to form (I'm thinking I'll stop at daniel craig in james bond or matt damon in bourne series) Although I'm still far from my ideal weight and my 10km run is at 75mins (from 81mins) I'm glad I got fitter.

I just feel so much better about my own body. More energy. I look better in my clothes too. Lovin' it.

These couple of months

feels like years because so many things has happened!

Of course one of the biggest thing that happen since my last post is the outcome of the Malaysian election.... and not erection as somone once pronounce it! hehe.

It still feels sureel that BN has been denied their 2/3 majority - because really I think they haven't really let THAT news sink in yet!

Well that's the thing that makes Malaysia politics interesting.

We just never know! hahaha

Is AAB and Khairy working Anwar?
Is Najib working with TM?
Is Najib working with AAB?
Is AAB and the SIL working with Anwar?

Wah... so many questions unanswered. Feels like I'm watching a sitcom... so until the next exciting episode of Malaysia Hari Ini.

Easter pt 1

Easter this year is at March 28. I remember that I got to know a new friend called Christ about one week before Easter some years ago. Looking back it has been an awesome 9 years.

Having just celebrated Christmas a month back and Easter a few months down the future, it got me thinking about the relevance on easter to us Chrsistians.

I thought it odd that Christmas is celebrated so widely, so intensely, so viraciously, so much over the world these days by christians. I mean we eat, drink, throw parties, buy presents, shops go on sales, we go on shopping madness, the world's financial system takes a rest, we get our promotion...etc Meanwhile during easter, we go to church, sing a few songs have a good rest - maybe even check on our stocks.

However when I read the gospel, more chapters are devoted to Jesus' death than his birth. For sure, if Jesus wasn't born how can He die? But I was thinking, do our actions do speak of our belief - and it seems we don't see much relevance in His death.

Is there relevance to how he died to many of us christians in this urban age?

I wonder how many of us christian thought about it. I know I did. I used to wonder when I became a new christians, what does his death mean to me? I mean I know that believing in him makes a christian but now that I'm a christian, so what? My life got better sure, my bad habits got less and less? (This is not to say that I did like being christian, I loved it. I just wanted more of God)

But really how does this guy's death relate or affect my my work, my relationships, my life...etc? Hey I... the big I.. still have to work as hard you know! It's a dog eat dog world out there man! It seems being a good christian also mean that I MUST be of a good example to turn people to God. Pastor says, we are doing this and that to sow the love of God... and we shouldn't complain because we should work like we're working for Jesus - the bible said so.

Sure... I mean I love serving and He deserve our service because of what He has done. His great love.

However when I think of God that way: He is there and I am here. I'm here to serve Him who is 'there', wherever there is. He seemed formal and distant at best. We pray for Him to help us in our work, relationship and then go about working on our work without Him. Worst, I only 'pray' to Him!

You must be wondering if I'm smoking something. Nothing wrong there to pray to Him but I find it very wrong if we ONLY pray to Jesus. Whatever happen to TALK or LISTEN or JOKE or ASK...etc?

Jesus died and rose again. He endured the pain and took our sins. Now that He is risen, He realllly is God.

I think most people see easter as that - He is now God so serve Him.

But if we look beyond that we would clearly see how that has relevance to our lives - every part of it. One of the 'things' He did which I am thinking of right now is how His death and resurrection made us close to Him.

Even if you don't serve Him, don't pray to Him, He is now very close to you. Even if you have done wrong, or not obeyed you're VERY VERY close to Him. His spirit dwells in you. The Holy Spirit dwells in us as a gurantee that He'll come back. Gurantee man! This gurantee can happen because He rose!

Our relationship with God now is very very very close. We don't have to be more holy to be close to Him. We get closer to Him like how we get closer to a friend - by developing a relationship. He wants a relationship with me not my holiness - for at best my holiness is like used sanitary pads (in the bible it translate in greek to filthy rags). His spirit who dwells within us will help us, teach us into all things including our work, our relationship... etc

We can now enter boldly to the throne of God. What used to be limited only to the High Priest once a year IF he does all the rituals correctly is now accessibly to me -wirelessly (literally :) ), instantly and at anytime.

So how does all this affect our every day lives? It means now God is not distant anymore. In fact Jesus only called God once just before He died, the rest of the time He called Daddy. For us, He's now your best friend, who comes by your place to comfort you when you're down. When you screw up, He's there to help you. When you don't know how to finish your work properly, He'll guide you. You know the time when you screwed up so badly your best friend help you 'fix things', He does that too. When you're bored, He's there to talk to you.

I used to think that if I follow his examples, I WILL be able to get better and achieve more. Sure I did. Now I found a better way, I do it with Him, along with Him for 'He writes His laws in my heart', 'He leads me to quiet water'.

I'm not saying we shouldn't serve I am however saying that He does not need us to serve to love us more or He loves us any less.

He is closer than you think.