Life's Music

Luck - that four letter word.

2011-12-21T23:19:00.003+08:00

This christmas, I hope to set you free from this 'fear' of luck. It seems, to me anyway, that there's this unspoken rule to boycott the word luck. So 'potluck' becomes 'potbless', good-luck becomes blessed...etc (it seems happy and merry is also changed to blessed in many occasions, which baffles me really).

What's the fear of using luck? The general thought is that there's nothing random in life and luck has nothing to do with life as a christian. So we should avoid 'luck' altogether. The general scripture used here would be "...the race is not to the swift and the battle is not to the warriors, and neither is bread to the wise nor wealth to the discerning nor favor to men of ability; for time and chance overtake them all. "" (ecc 9.11)

But if you look at the hebrew - time and chance - is 'qarah'. Does that describe luck? Time and Chance.

And in gen 24.12 while Abraham's servant was looking for a wife for Issac he said, "O LORD, the God of my master Abraham, please grant me SUCCESS today, and show lovingkindness to my master Abraham. ""

Success is the same word - qarah.

Yeah, I know right? Go figure. And did the God of Abraham grant the servant the right TIME and CHANCE aka good luck? Of course! As LUCK would have it, he found Rebecca at the well and the rest, they say is history.

Merry Christmas friends and have a happy 2012. And if you need luck, know that Jesus has plenty of that to give. Seek Him out.

On faith....

2011-12-15T18:54:00.009+08:00

A long time ago, I thought that faith was something I can produce. If I believed, if I have the confidence in the things I hope for and then feel that 'Presence', and have that warm fuzzy feeling, then I have faith. That usually happens after some good worship sessions, prayer sessions... etc. maybe because those activity really led me to focus on Jesus. Those were the good old times in church when I was a young christian, but I'm really not that old, really.

But the problem was that the warm fuzzy feeling was hard to come by during critical time - during car accidents, during crunch time in work, during gigs where I completely forgot what chord comes next...etc So how do I attain great faith then?

I suppose, there was a reason the bible was given to us. And I found it peculiar that Jesus need no long, hard, loud, strong prayer to produce faith. Neither did the disciples. They were walking power houses of faith. They just were. It was about that time I was introduced to the concept of 'being'. These people didn't do faith-activity, there were being faith-full. It was about who they are and not what they do.

That was a great lesson. It got me started on reading who they are and what they're about. What similarities did they share to become so full of faith? Which then got me even more curious because none of the disciples are really great people when I think about it - cowards(Peter), doubter(thomas)... show-offs(there was a passage where they all compete to become the greatest, in front of Jesus)... all of them have some serious issues. I asked myself what made all these men and women (don't forget there WAS something about Mary) so full of faith?

And I somehow concluded that it was because they saw what Jesus had done. They knew Jesus was not only CAPABLE of doing all, he was WILLING to do so. Seeing is believing after all, right? Wrong because I'm guessing Apostle Paul didn't see the miracles Jesus perform miracles? And on the other hand, the Pharisees saw the miracles and yet they don't believe. Yet Paul was full of faith, hello? healing with this handkerchief - that was some 'greater things' he did.

*** point to note: seeing really isn't believing. many saw the miracles and did not believe. ***

So here was my first 'real' discovery to faith - you have to believe. All of the people mentioned above who are full of faith believed in Jesus as the savior. That He represented man and cut a new covenant on our behalf with God so that through Him we become the righteousness of God. That through Him, ALL promises are Yes in Him. That through him, blessings and shalom are there for us.

No fuzzy feeling required.

But as I ponder about this (by the way, this process of me pondering or discovering usually describe a time duration of a few years. I know I'm just smart that way) how come I still can't walk on water? Don't laugh. I'm a bit scared of water and having the ability to walk on water, even for a few steps like Peter, you would have to say is simple awesome.

I think the key here lies in Mark 11. Jesus cursed the fig tree and the fig tree withered from the roots up. Jesus' explanations were simple. If you believe, do not doubt and say to it - it will be done. The meaning of doubt(diakrino) in greek was my second key. It meant, simplistically, to judge. You see, if you 'judge' that the thing that you're praying for is not going to be answered because it's too good to happen to me, it's cannot be so easy, it's not your time yet, whatever it is...etc then you have doubted.

Truly, He is able to do ALL things. To think otherwise simply is looking down on him. Your friends don't like to be pre-judge, so does Jesus.

And thirdly, you have to say it. Speak it out. There is power in the tongue. Your word, literrally, is power. So speak it.

Still no fuzzy feeling required nor long, 'strong' prayers. Believe, do not doubt and speak it.

The fourth one was a great lesson for me. One day pastor was preaching about the 2 person mentioned in the NT to have great faith. The centurion and the Syrophoenician Woman. Jesus called both of them people were GREAT faith. In fact, he said that no one in israel has such great faith as the centurion. Imagine that, not even John the Baptist! So what made these 2 so full of faith? They were both gentiles and they were completely UNAWARE of their own GREAT faith. Think about it, both of them didn't know they were full of faith when they came to Jesus. What did they know? That Jesus was a good God, and that Jesus was ABLE and WILLING to heal.

No one told them that they have to repent first either.

What they SEE in Jesus, made their faith STRONG. It completely ties in with the verse that says, Faith comes from hearing and hearing the (renma) word of Christ. These 2 person has probably heard a lot about the miracles Jesus did. They see in Jesus a savior, a provider, a healer.

That's why I believe you don't need to worry about whether you have faith at all. Look at Jesus and what He can do. When we see/hear more about Christ (His truth and grace), our faith increases. (If you don't know what is Christ about, read about the new covenant or just refer to john 3:16 in greek preferably)

This really strengthens me because now not only do I not have to 'produce' or 'attain' or 'kek' the faith (out) - all I have to do it to focus on Jesus. I find asking myself often - can He do it? Yes, Is He willing? Yes. Am I deserving? No but He is still willing. Case close.

The fifth key I got was from last week's sermon. And since I've been typing for a long while now I'll try to keep this short. It has to do with this verse (mark 9)

21Jesus asked the boy’s father, “How long has he been like this?”
“From childhood,” he answered. 22“It has often thrown him into fire or water to kill him. But if you can do anything, take pity on us and help us.”
23“‘If you can’?” said Jesus. “Everything is possible for him who believes.”
24Immediately the boy’s father exclaimed, “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!”

Basically, this man doubts if Jesus can heal his boy. So Jesus's reply: 'what do you mean if I can heal your boy? I'm Jesus aka God aka I-can-do-anything. Everything is possible for those who believes in me.' And the man cleverly said 'I believe in you (Jesus), help me overcome my unbelief (that you cannot).

So in this story, you can see that even while you cannot believe that it can be done, just believe in Jesus. Pastor call this putting your faith hook on Jesus. (Faith, is afterall from God but that's another story for another time). Our faith is afterall shaky at best, but even while we are faithless, He is faithful and faith-full.

If you do not have enough faith IN Jesus, use the faith OF Jesus. Say - I believe in you Jesus and Jesus, you can.

Isn't this last key great? I know sometimes finding faith is like trying to squeeze water out from a rock. And sometimes it's hard without 'feeling' it. But God don't work with feelings. Know that your God is able and willing. And if you ever find yourself in a difficult situation, He is your Help in every time of need. Just say to him- I believe you can and you are willing, help.

Merry Christmas. (because blessed is so main stream now)

Cain and Abel - a tale of 2 offerings

2011-04-23T02:41:00.005+08:00

This year, I look forward to resurrection Sunday. I want to celebrate the grace that I'm given - that by His stripes, His blood, His death - I'm healed, forgiven and given a new life. What an ultimate sacrifice Jesus was. And as I ponder about Jesus as the lamb, as the perfect offering, I suppose it is time I go back to the story of the offering of Cain and Abel.

In chapter 3 of genesis, after the fall, God cursed the soil, so that man will only eat through his own toil. And then in early chapter 4, we read the Abel kept flocks but Cain worked the soil. And in the course of time, Cain brought some of the fruits of the SOIL as an offering to the Lord. We learn that God was not impressed at all by Cain's offering at this point.

Very likely, based on the context, the one of the reason why God was not happy with the fruits was because it was from the soil he just cursed a chapter ago. On a typology angle, God is also not happy with the TOIL of the soil. Toil (ie amalek), speaks of self-work and has been a constant no-no to God throughout the bible. (see the previous 2 entries).

We learn that because of the offering, God did not look at Cain's offering with favour and his Cain was downcast, sad and angry. There's an interesting point to note here. At this point, thre are no mention about the character of Cain. Was he a good guy? or a bad guy? We only know that because he gave the wrong offering, God did not look at him with favour - is that interesting or what?

So anyway, the story continues that God ask Cain, why are you angry? if you DO what is right, will you not be accepted.... SIN crouches at the door...

This verse seems straight forward except when we look at the word 'DO' here in hebrew, it can also mean offering. The word SIN can also mean sin-offerring.

So it can be read, if you OFFER what is right, will you not be accepted. if you OFFER what is not right, a SIN OFFERING crouches at your door. It desires to have you but you must rule over it.

(See YLT version)

I believe God was not angry with Cain. Rather, it was Cain who was angry with God. And God gave Cain a sin offering which was of the right kind. An offering who desires for Cain but Cain must take it. God was not rebuking Cain but rather trying to reconcile with Cain. He even provided the offering - at the door (ie a metaphor that means near you).

Today, God is still looking at our offering, and not the fruit of our toil. He has also provided a sin offering who is near us. He desires for us but we must take hold of him for He is the perfect lamb of God. His name is Jesus.

How is this story practical? This story is about daily favour from God. In my opinion, a bit of His favour on us is mighty practical in everything we do.

Perhaps you think that this favour is not for you because you have been a bad christian. Think on this - was Abel as good christian? We never know really because he died too quickly for us to find out. The only thing we know about him is his offering. And when you're down, and feeling the darkness closing around you, remember Jesus our perfect offering. Because His favour is our path back to the Father. And God will set our paths straight, once again. and again. and again.

Happy Easter everyone.

The first battle II

2011-03-30T22:19:00.003+08:00

The first battle was fought at Rest, at Rephidim.

This may sound like an oxymoron, how can anyone be at rest and yet still be fighting? I used to think that being at rest means sleeping, watching tv, relaxing or more recently chillaxing (chillout + relax = chillax). But the truth of the matter is that being at rest has nothing to do with activity. Rest is a state of believe that He is in control.

Pastor JP has this to say about rest, "rest is not inactivity but God directed activity".

Sometimes, we can be working 26hrs day and still be at rest. Other times we can be physically having a holiday and yet in the inside, we're restless, anxious and troubled. Can you see what I mean? This also completely debunk the popular thought that rest is about not doing anything. This is far from the truth. As seen in the story, Israel was fighting a fierce battle at rest! Although Mary was seated at the foot of Jesus, she was LISTENING to Jesus.

How is this useful in our lives? Well, picture this, you just had the worst dayS of your life. The last few months has been horrible. Wave after waver of bad news. You worry and cannot sleep. And because you cannot sleep, you're tired to work the next day. Anxiety attacks happen more frequently. Trouble multiplies. You blame God, your luck and everything else. Where is the help in time of need?

Relax mate. Relax. God is helping you. Calm down. Be at Rephidim. Hear his voice. Feel where His wind is blowing. Raise up the staff of moses (ie. lift up Jesus, look at Him). Suddenly, the thigns of the world turns strangely dim. Your vision gets clearer. You know in your heart what you need to do. You take that first step, then your next and your next. And He will lead your path straight... straight out of that wilderness. Will there be battles? Sure. Big ones too. (and in all battles, there may be casualties but the Lord is victorious, so are you!)

I believe that's how Rephidim or Rest works - by leading us to quiet waters. And everytime we find ourselves in trouble, in a dark valley like the shadow of death, Rest in Him (but you can keep working) and He will lead you out.

I hope this helps guy.

One last thing before I sign out for tonight. While I was coming home just now in the bus I was praying for a brother who is facing some work challenges. And as I was praying for him, declaring on his behalf that he is above and not below his challenges.... I saw a vision of myself learning how to swim. You see, before I learn how to swim I could hardly float. I kicked as hard as I can but Im usually sinking. And those of you who knows how to swim would know that all I have to do is to relax and our body floats naturally.Now, that I've learn how to swim it's sinking that I find hard to do. I suppose that's why divers carry added weight.

I know what it meant for us immediately. As believers, we are all, always, by the Covenant that He has cut with us, above. The only thing we need to do is relax in water and then the laws of physics (the covenant) will take over - we will always float... and he is above and not below.

Have a blessed week people.

Carnal Christian

2011-03-14T02:27:00.002+08:00

Last week I caught up with a friend whom I have not seen in a few months. When we meet each time, I usually ask him, " how's your spiritual walk? " His answer would be, " I have been praying and reading the bible. " Then I would reply that I was asking about his state of being, his relationship with Jesus and not what he does. Strangely enough, my friend will looks at me confused at this stage. We will then have to observe a minute of awkward silence before 'normal' conversation continues.

That is, until last week. When his reply was simply, 'I think Eric, I have not grown, at all."

The simple confession was powerful and I was almost at a lost for words. Almost. I said, in a most candid way, "I know. We all know. We could tell. " He replied, "You all did?" And then we all laughed. I know because I've fooled myself many times this way too. Many of us do. And if we're honest to ourselves, we all do.

You see, I think my friend was loving Jesus in an 'intellectual' way but he wasn't able to 'feel' him. What I told him next may make you fall down from a chair... I told him that he should be a carnal christian.

He was shocked beyond belief. Are you kidding? All these years we were taught that christians are meant to avoid lust, greed, sloth... etc and here I am saying that you should be carnal.

And by carnal, I don't mean lust, greed and sloth... but almost. You see, being a christian has a lot to do with EATING. Eat from the Tree of Life god says. Eat the bread of life and drink the forgiveness of sins. TASTE and SEE that the Lord is Good. It also has a lot to do with carnal feelings. More than once, God has told us to ask that our JOY be made complete. LOVE Him, Love people. Rejoice. Shalom peace. Feeling words. Carnal words.

No one can tell you how delicious a meal is until you have experienced it yourself. It's like a kiss, it's like a bite of cheese, or that first bite of steamy nasi lemak or ckt. I can show you pictures but it ain't the same if you haven't experienced it yourself.

I think the christian walk is like that too. Taste and see that the Lord is good. Taste Him. Experience him. Don't just 'think about it'. Live life. Live life. Experiment with Him. And when we have drunk the best wine - the son of God, Jesus - before we know it, we'll be drunk in the Spirit.

The first battle.

2011-03-07T00:45:00.006+08:00

Today in church, a very special passage was read. It was exodus 17:8. It described the first battle that the Israelite fought after they escaped from Egypt. "Firsts" are usually very significant in the bible. The principle of first mentions, theologians call it, sets the tone God sees a certain principal throughout the entire bible.

In this battle "...While the people of Israel were still at Rephidim, the warriors of Amalek attacked them...."

Rephidim means rest, while Amalek (The term may be divided into amal - to toil, and the letter kuf, with the meaning 'ejection of the life-spirit' e.g. katal - to kill with removal of life-spirit.) means 'becoming dispirited through loss of spirit as a result of hard labour and continuous toil'. Such detachment is negative in nature.

In other words, this verse reads: ...while the people of Israel were still at rest, the warriors of toil attacked them.

Can you see it? Here the bible records for us, that the first battle of that the Israelite fought was against toil - works of flesh. When I saw that in church, my whole spiritual being was shaken - this is no coincidence indeed. The bible has hidden this wisdom for me - that today, my first spiritual battle is fought at rephidim - the battle is fought at REST against works.

And how did the people of Israelite win that battle? Apparently, they won the battle by holding up a staff on a hill.

"...on the top of a nearby hill. ¹¹ As long as Moses held up the staff in his hand, the Israelites had the advantage. But whenever he dropped his hand, the Amalekites gained the advantage...."

Now, staff's are made from trees. And on a hill, far away, hung a man on a tree (see hebrew) on top of a hill. This is a picture of Jesus' finish work. Lifting up the staff is synonymous with declaring His finished work. Just as Jesus has once spoken "... Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, that everyone who believes may have eternal life in him. For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life...."

The picture is so consistent, my goodness. It is as if history repeats it self! No wonder God says, the OT is a foreshadow of things to come.

As Jesus was lifted up by Moses, His people had victory. It was a glorious battle. But the story did not end there. After the victory, the Lord instructed Moses, “Write this down on a scroll as a permanent reminder, and read it aloud to Joshua: I will erase the memory of Amalek from under heaven.” Moses built an altar there and named it Yahweh-nissi (which means “the Lord is my banner”). He said, “They have raised their fist against the Lord’s throne, so now the Lord will be at war with Amalek generation after generation.”

This point of view from God is very shocking to me indeed. Because it sounds as if God HATES toilsome labour and He has a personal vendetta against it. When God says WAR I He means WAR.

The truth in this story has been repeated several times since the days of moses. Perhaps the last time was the story of Mary and Martha. Mary has chosen that ONE thing which shall not be taken away from her - sitting at the foot of jesus & listening to him. (yes, it's seen as one thing). The WAR ended with Jesus when he finally SAT down on the right hand of the Father.

This sermon has deep impact for me. Because at this point of my life, I have been working really hard. I think sometime a few weeks ago, I transited from working-hard-from-rest to toilsome-striving. The former brings joy to me and the latter sucks life out of me. I think many of us can relate to that feeling at one time or another. And the fact that almost every christian can relate to 'loss of spirit due to toilsome work' - amalek - is a scary one. It is the very idea God hates. The thought of it sends me to prayers.

This story also opened up a question of how we disciple new believers. (what should we teach them to get them ready for the 'real christian life' ?) I think my direction is clear from now on - it is to tell about them about this rest. That their righteousness is founded on faith on Jesus. That after all, is that ONE thing that is needed - and it shall not be taken away from us.

What are some of the things that were taught to you as a new christian? Did you find it helpful or not helpful? Would love to hear them in the comment section below.

How to Hunger Pt 2

2010-09-14T21:00:00.004+08:00

Nobody ever needs to learn that when you're hungry you need to eat. A 1 day old baby will know how to cry when s/he needs to eat.

But why do Christians need to be taught, encouraged to hunger for God?

In Pt 1, I talked about how our righteousness is as good as sanitary pads. If one fully understand that, one would be hungry for Him already. How else is anyone going to be right before Him?

Jesus said, unless we abide in Him, else we can do NOthing. No thing. Do we believe that? Do you believe that if you don't eat you'll die? Do you, then, believe that can do nothing without im? How is it then that we do not do ALL things with Him?

Remember, our actions mirrors our believe. I think, my opinion only ok?, that many do not hunger for Him because they have not got a full-er, more-complete revelation of who Christ is. One cannot be hungry without first knowing that he or she is actually hungry. We teach our people to hunger but if the people think that they're full, why eat? Could it be that many are not eating because they think that they're full?

Now, the funny thing about hunger is that sometimes you're 'overly' hungry... you pass the point where you are feeling 'hungry'... until you have the first bite of KFC or Nasi Lemak, or Chicken Rice. I don't know about you, but it does sometimes happen to me.

But it's interesting that somewhere in the bible it says -'taste and see that the Lord is Good'. TASTE! TASTE! TASTE! Jesus is the BREAD of life. EAT! The logic that the bible present here is extremely simple. Taste and see if you like it. If you like it because it's good you'll come back for more. If it's EXTREMELY good - you'll come back for more very frequently!

I really believe that that's the 'secret' to 'hunger' for God more --- to TASTE and see that the Lord is good.

But first you must EAT, so that you can TASTE. EAT what? The bread of life. Go out and live your life with Jesus. Explore the world with Him. Oh what joy it has been for me and my family. I can tell you that 1000 ckt and kfc and nasi-lemak cannot match the GOODNESS.

And when you have tasted His goodness, you will be full. When you're full, you'll know what hunger is. And when that hunger comes - you know where to go.

Hope this article has blessed you greatly!

Testimony Time

2010-07-30T18:38:00.002+08:00

This is testimony from a friend/reader of this blog. As she choose to remain anoynmous, we will call her Angelina. (Because Angelina Jolie is going to be SALT). I told her to share with us what God is doing in her life so that we can all be encouraged!

**************
Amen! I am going to add on to how great God’s love for us is!

I am currently 5 months pregnant. I have hypertension since young, but it has not affected my
health since and neither have I prayed for healing until now when I am pregnant. I feared for the
safety of my baby. The doctors I have consulted are worried as this is considered a high-risk
pregnancy, which added on to my worry and stress level as I couldn’t enjoy the pregnancy as
much as I want to.

It was then that I shared with Li Ping about my condition and requested for her to pray for me
and baby. Eric and Li Ping shared the promises of the Gospel to me as they felt prompted by
God to convey this message to me. It’s not that I am ignorant about the Gospel, but I guess I did
not know how to exercise my priviledge as God’s child.

Li Ping wrote an e-mail to me explaining how the Gospel worked. When Jesus died, there was
already healing! So then why is my blood pressure still not showing a normal reading? I realised
that I have been praying prayers of “Please heal my condition” rather than claiming the healing
that has already been granted and approved! Now my prayers are “I know and believe I have a
normal bp reading because Jesus has redeemed my heart and given his perfect one to me!”. It
is a step of confidence in the Lord’s promises.

The next time I went for a doctor’s checkup, I took Li Ping’s advice and told God a reading I
want to see. However, the first 2 readings were high, and my heart sank. The nurse took a 3rd
reading and it was the reading that I had asked for. Somehow that did not delight me. I felt that
if my bp reading is normal, it should not take 3 readings to show. In my next visit, I told God I am frustrated, that while it is tough to stand confident in His promises, I needed to see results that this is happening. I wanted Him to SHOW ME the actual reading that I had asked for in the first reading.

In one of the visits to the doctor again, the nurse took my reading and it was normal the first time, although my heart was racing with anxiety! God truly loves me and my baby and has healed me, I trust Him that He will continue to show me the “good” readings from now on. It took me a lot to battle against the negative thoughts of my mind to trust Him, but I know that His promises are real and are worth relying on!

***********
Angelina, sent me this a couple of weeks ago. Yesterday she told me that when she checked her BP yesterday morning it showed normal the first time. And it was one of the best reading she ever had.

Praise God!!!!

How to hunger Pt 1

2010-07-17T21:05:00.007+08:00

There are times in our christian walk we wonder how to 'love God more', how to be 'more obedient to God'. We wonder just what is these other christians are doing that they 'hunger more for Jesus'. Why are some christians just so on fire for Jesus all the time.

Take my cg for an example. It's been 1 year plus since I've joined. And in this 1 year the miracles/sharing/testimony keeps going - the leader always need to cut it short to keep time.

So what is it that keeps the fire burning? What is it that keeps a christian hungry? What is it keeps a christian growing? What keeps a christian wanting to be more obedient? What makes some crazy christians talking about Jesus day and night?

Some say pray more. Some say read the bible more. Some say serve more to grow more. Some say it's training and discipline...etc

The key as many of you have guess lies in our relationship with Jesus. This love relationship with our Lord and friend and servant and elder brother - Jesus - holds to key. The key verse lies in what Jesus said, Luke 7:47 "Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven—for she loved much. But he who has been forgiven little loves little."

According to Jesus the way to love Him more is to know how much MORE you're forgiven!!!!

Accortding to Jesus if we know how much we are forgiven, we will love more of Him who is altogether lovely, altogether beautiful.

Instead most times we think we are altogether lovely! We think we are doing 'ok' as christians. We don't commit the 'big sins' of adultery, of murder, of having idols in our lives. But have you been worried today? Have you been angry today? Have you wished that you have more money? Have you taken care of your health today? Remember if you break one you break them ALL

It is the nature of the LAW.

We, of course, try to lead holy lives. We try to lead godly lives. But if we're honest to ourselves, the best of us - the church leaders, the prayer warriors, the worship leaders, the prophets, the pastors....etc - break the 10 Laws constantly (and I almost dare say frequent because we never know.... ). Our righteousness, the bible says, it's like used tampons (that's what filthy rags mean). Our best righteousness is that dirty.

That's the nature of the LAW - your righteousness, your efforts to live the godly life, is just that dirty.

My righteousness is just as dirty. The best of us - the apostle paul - says of himself is just that dirty. What he wants to do, he does not - sigh.. who can save a wretched man like him?

That is what He was trying to point us to in Romans. Because we cannot, He can. Through Him is preached the forgiveness of sins! All your sins are washed away. And if we think about it, it makes sense. What can morally bankrupt man offer the holy God? Our morally bankrupt righteousness?

Now, we go back to the prostitute. She has learnt that she has been forgiven much, hence she loves much. The same can be said of us. Do we love much? Do we know how much we have been forgiven?

I suspect, we do not hunger much because we do not know

to be continued in part 2....

Covenants are for our sakes

2010-06-23T16:04:00.008+08:00

I've been getting this inkling to share this for some time: covenants. Truthfully, I do not know where to begin because words seem so insufficient. I will try my best. Hopefully, I'll be able to bless you with what I have learnt.

A covenant is like an agreement. An agreement sealed by blood. It is sealed by blood because if a party breaks it, that parties dies. In the bible, there are many covenants. Some between God and Man and some between man and man.

Examples of covenant today can be seen in many chinese gangster movie. The members each drip their blood into a bowl of water and drink it, symbolises shared blood. A blood covenant the chinese call it. That's why when a brother betrays another, blood is demanded as payment.

Now, when a covenant is made, an exchange took place. In a marriage covenant, the man & wife becomes a unit, becomes one, becomes unity. (One in the hebrew language means just that, unite) In the gang, what is yours is also mine and what is mine is also yours. ( chinese translates loosly to: got money together share joy, got trouble together share burden)

That is why when David and Jonathan cut a covenant, they exchanged robes (status), armor (protection?), sword (power). Jonathan gave all his treasures to David. In essence they took each other's place. David is now united with Jonathan. And Jonathan now is also part of David.

This is what it means to have a divine exchange. The exchange of positions, of power, of posessions, of everything.

Therefore when Jesus died for us, He was the mediator of a new covenant. He is our 'Jonathan'. We took his place as the prince. And He took our place as the sinner, as the man with curses, as the man with a broken body. He became all the BAD so that we can inherit all the GOOD. He DIED so we may LIVE. He (insert anything bad) so that we may get the (insert the opposite). It's a DIVINE exhnage.

In other words, how do we know today that our sickness will be healed be Jesus? Look at his broken body. (Isiah says by his stripes we are healed.... surely he carried all our infirmities) How do we know what we are forgiven, look at his ressurection.

But many a times, we are not convinced. We think that perhaps it's not God's soveriegn will to heal, or to bless... etc. I do not know many things but this I know, God has cut an covenant with Jesus. Jesus represent man, although he is the son of god. So that through him I may take his place. And whoever breaks the covenant dies. I'm not dead cause he died for me. He cannot die because He did that once already.

What about generation curse? He that was hung on a tree is cursed. Jesus was hung on a tree (the cross).

What about health? Look at His broken body. What about wealth? Look at his possesion at the cross. What about peace of mind? Look at His crowns of thorns on the cross. Whatever your needs are, look at Jesus.

It's a wonderful thing to have a blood covenant with Jesus whereby He has fufilled all. Now we can enter that rest.

Now what is more amazing than any of this is to me is what I discovered recently while I was trying to memorise this verse: 2 cor 9

⁹For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich he became poor, so that through his poverty you might become rich.

For the longest time, that was how I remember the verse. Yet the Holy Spirit prompted me that I missed out an important section. And guess what was it? Let me show the whole verse:

⁹For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich.

Yes people, it was YET FOR OUR SAKES, that he became a man, a broken, beaten, sinful, ugly, beyond recognition, despise man. So that in exchange we may become like him. I'd imagine looking into his sad eyes at the cross. His lonely eyes- for no one was there with him. Even God forsake him. Every curse possible fell on him. He who has not fall sick for all his life is now tasting death..... yet for our sakes he says. "I'm going to purchase your every good"

It was this verse that touched me so much that night. Yet for OUR sakes, He became (insert your need), so that we may inherit the good.

It was for our sake that He cut the new covenant with us so that we through him may inherit the good.

time and chance OVERTOOK them all.....

2010-06-06T22:43:00.004+08:00

Recently, I've put in a lot of effort into this business. I have become a certifed property agent.

Yes I have.

For the last few months, so much effort has been put into the business but sadly,it just isn't taking off. It seems like no matter how much effort I put in, the wheel is just not turning. I seem to have all the right ingredients (I formed a team with some really experienced ppl, I had great seaview looking private property to sell, I had nice landed property to rent....) to cook the soup but it just isn't happening.

People around me seems to say that you simply have to work harder. Put in more hours, more marketing dollars and more creativity. But to me, I believe something was amiss.

"...the race is not to the swift and the battle is not to the warriors, and neither is bread to the wise nor wealth to the discerning nor favor to men of ability; for time and chance overtake them all. "" (ecc 9.11)

I finally understood what Solomon, the wisest man, the richest man, was talking about (and for that matter, what Pastor was teaching about this passage). Being the fastest, being the smartest, being the best is no guarantee of your success. In fact success has nothing to do with you. I repeat, your success has nothing to do with you.

But time and chance OVERTAKE them all.

It's no wonder so many of the business people worry about fengshui (tian he, di li, ren he), worry about luck, worry about karma. Because they know that success or failure depends on that undefinable 'randomness'.

We can increase your chances of success for sure (maybe) by preparing, but we can't prepare for randomness.

So, lets do some exegersis. The word OVERTOOK there in hebrew is qarah. It means to encounter, to HAPPEN. Literally, time and chance will happen to them all.

The first time the word qarah is used is in gen 24.12....He said, "O LORD, the God of my master Abraham, please grant me SUCCESS today, and show lovingkindness to my master Abraham.

The word SUCCESS there is qarah!!!

Take some time to let this sink in to you. OVERTAKE-HAPPEN-SUCCESS.

It took me sometime to understand this. Unless 'qarah' is with me on a certain task, I will be forever striving, swimming-upstream, uphill fight. But when qarah is with me, things are 'in the flow', in the zone....etc

I believe many of us experienced this in our life. We tried so hard to gain so little. Or in my case, gained nothing. We cried over all our wasted effort, time and resources. And without prejudice, time and chance happen to us all.

But in all this randomness, there's hope for us. The pslamist says, the steps of the righteous are ordered by God. In Him we can do All things....etc While the world depends on 'risk management', we have a good shepard that leads us. He is the qarah. He can cause the time and chance to happen to us.

This was what I have experienced in the last week. After being despair that the real estate business isn't taking off, I prayed for new and fresh ideas. One of them is giving tuition. Qarah is with me. Within 1 week = 7 days, I'm now giving tuition everyday. And I have 2 more enquiries with 1 more student coming in 2 weeks time.

When I told a friend here about this, he had a faraway look - he went back to memory lane. Where at one point he was a failed business man deep in debt. It was then that he learnt about qarah. 5 years later, today, our friend now is doing very well. very very well.

Qarah - Your Qarah - is waiting for you to go to Him and ask so that He can lead you to life and life more abundantly. Go to him now. Rest in Him. And see His miracle working.

Will the REAL pruner please stand up?

2010-04-28T17:29:00.003+08:00

A few weeks ago, a friend of mine felt God calling her to go to full time into church work. Instinctively, she felt that it'll be a time for 'hardship' or 'pain' because she said, "how can God use us if we're not broken?"

You know that teaching where unless you're broken, God cannot use you because you're still filled with self.

I got news for you. After you're broken, you're still filled with self. As long as you're alive, you're still filled with self. Unless you're a robot or cylon. (but in BSG, they are also filled with 'self').

This kinda of thinking is in fact quite popular. I know of a few friends who has said similiar words to me. "Oh, I'm so ready to move on but I'm just afraid of what God will tell me. What if he sends me to Africa to do some mission work". Or "I'm not sure, I think God wants me to suffer so that I learn something from my experience".

Look here people, Jesus said that He came to give you life and life more abundantly but the devil comes to kill, steal and destroy. Anything that kills, steal and destroy is not of God. Period. It's that simple. Who in their right mind would train their child by breaking an arm?

But what about that part that says about pruning? If you're not fruitful it'll prune. If you're fruitful, you'll be pruned too.. right? Wrong!

(amplified version) John 15:2 Any branch in Me that does not bear fruit [that stops bearing] He cuts away (trims off, takes away); and He cleanses and repeatedly prunes every branch that continues to bear fruit, to make it bear more and richer and more excellent fruit.

³You are cleansed and pruned already, because of the word which I have given you [the teachings I have discussed with you].

So clearly suffering is not because of pruning. This is talking about salvation (**I think I'm mistaken here not about salvation, about sanctification, see below).

What about wisdom? We know many ppl who asked for wisdom and the next thing you know... they go through a very difficult time. Perhaps God is teaching them wisdom? Experientially that may be true but that again is against the teaching of the bible. Did solomon suffer to gain wisdom? no. Is death (killing), is losing all money (stealing), is broken relationship (destroying) from god? no.

Jesus said, as you have believed.. So it shall be done to you. Do you believe that it's going to be hard or easy? As you have believe, so it shall be done to you.

We pray.. let your will be done in heaven as it is on earth. Is there suffering on heaven?

Then there comes a question of flesh vs spirit. When there's conflict there could be suffering. But this isn't to say that God wants us to suffer. In fact, this support the fact that God doesn't want you to suffer. Hence the Holy Spirit guides you to - green pastures, to quiet waters, to path of righteousness. It isn't difficult for sheeps to eat grass, to lie down, to drink water you know. Time is difficult when the sheep don't have food, water and rest. But "though I walk through the shadow of the valley of death.... I fear no evil....."

So please don't think or believe that God wants you to suffer. He doesn't. This is very important. because whatever you believe - your actions will follow.

So will the REAL pruner please stand up? - JESUS!

If you believe in Jesus you are already pruned.

*********************
in the bibly study yesterday, the word 'takes away'and 'prune' was further illuminated - in the context of

john 15:2 "Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit, He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit, He prunes it so that it may bear more fruit."

takes away is
- airō
-to raise up, elevate, lift up
1. to raise from the ground, take up: stones
2. to raise upwards, elevate, lift up: the hand

*and what they do in wineyards, when a vine don't bear fruit they elevated the branches with a support beam. *

prune is EVEN more interesting, because it's
-kathairō
- to cleanse, of filth impurity, etc
1. to prune trees and vines from useless shoots
2. metaph. from guilt, to expiate

Now... re-read john 15:2 and think about what Jesus is saying. It is talking about our santification
***********************

Holy = Grace?!!!!

2010-04-01T16:19:00.002+08:00

holy = grace?!!!!!

holy, hosios (greek), as in
Heb 7:26 We need such a high priest-one who is HOLY, innocent, pure, set apart from sinners, exalted above the heavens.

Hosios, is also found in
Act 13:34 And as for the fact that he raised him from the dead, no more to return to corruption, he has spoken in this way, "'I will give you the holy and sure blessings of David.'

Now this is a quote from the OT written in hebrew from:
Isa 55:3... and I will make an everlasting covenant with you, even the sure mercies of David.
Isa 55:3 ...and I will make with you an everlasting covenant, my steadfast, sure love for David.

here, the hebrew word used is h2617 khehsed = G3741 hosios.

mercy, kindness, grace = holy

Dont take my word for it. Check the bible for yourself :) Happy good friday

What's enjoyable...

2010-03-26T18:59:00.004+08:00

Today, I was listening to the 4 worship songs I'm required to play for the incoming audition for church. I've played twice and I think this third one will be the last leg of the audition.

The criteria for playing for church is to play as close as the CD as possible. No adding 7th or 13th or anything else. One has to follow all the lines as close as possible. That is what it takes to play here in this church.

So while travelling on the bus/mrt for 1hr, I listened intensely to the 4 songs as closely as possible trying to discern the different harmonies the 3 guitars are playing, the keyboard, the bass...etc Some parts are indeed quite tricky!

On my second run though, I found myself having a headache because the guitars were too 'noisy'!

Me? Finding the guitar parts were too noisy? Yes! I think they're over the top! Waitaminute, is that me talking? Me who sleeps listening to death metal in my teens?

Wife says, it's me mellowing. Hahahah.... and you know what? I find that idea very likeable. And I admit, nowadays I find myself relaxing more to some jazz pieces than some of the rockish worship songs. I mean I still like Vai, Greg Howe...the but if I find myself playing for a worship jazz quartet, I'll be quite happy.

So to give myself a break in the bus, I turn on to Michael Battersby and Brad Mehldau. Youtube them, you may just like it too.

Precious to Him

2010-03-15T03:51:00.004+08:00

I haven't blogged for ages. It's not because I have nothing to write about. Quite the contary. I can only blame Facebook's status bar for my not blogging :)

However, something happened just awhile ago which needed a little more description.

You see, we gave a precious gift away recently. And just now, I got it back. Someone gave me back the exact same gift! I know... so 'coincidental' right?

Except this person heard from the Lord to get this gift to us during nov/dec. She just didn't know when to give this present to us, until last week.

I feel so loved. Before I even knew, God got the gift ready for us 3 months ago!

He leads you to quiet waters...

2009-10-20T13:43:00.003+08:00

When the psalmist - David aka Beloved - wrote that He leads you to quiet waters, it means the Lord leads you to life. It means that when He leads you to do something, it feels good to do it.

This was exactly what happened last night when wife and I discoverd that we've lost/misplaced some important documents. We couldn't remember when we last saw it or took it out from its rightful place. It was past midnight at that time. But for some reason, I had an urge to sweep the floor.

So after 30mins of frantic searching to no avail, I took out the broom and started sweeping the floor. Lo and behold, the documents were somehow found under the couch. I was shocked and thankful.

He works wonderfully.

... forgiveness of sins....

2009-06-24T17:40:00.003+08:00

Writting out what I learn over the weekend. I'm still mulling over it. It seems unreal. How great is our God? How great is He, really? How wide, how deep is His love? It baffles my mind.

So here it is, a quick search (using www.searchgodsword.com) on "forgiveness of sins" in the NT yields the following results:

Ac 5:31: Him God has exalted to His right hand to be Prince and Savior, to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins.
Ac 13:38: Therefore let it be known to you, brethren, that through this Man is preached to you the forgiveness of sins;
Ac 26:18: to open their eyes, in order to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who are sanctified by faith in Me.'
Eph 1:7: In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace
Col 1:14: in whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins.

In greek, forgiveness is Aphesis (strong 859).

release from bondage or imprisonment
forgiveness or pardon, of sins (letting them go as if they had never been committed),
remission of the penalty

Yup, you read it right. Even the penalty is remitted. Even the penalty of sin is taken away.

I'm awed and baffled.

How to change your being. Pt 2

2009-05-24T01:37:00.004+08:00

The sum of our beliefs makes very much who we are. So to change us we have to change our beliefs.

Doesn't this sounds like it's from some secular motivation course you've paid thousands of dollars for? (and now reading for free) hehehe :)

Indeed, to change our being, we have to change our believes but how do we do that?

Firstly, I belief, as a christian, that the best changer of believes is God. While I do feel that there are many examples in the bible depicting such processes... some that comes to mind immediately are convertions in acts, apostles paul...etc but I'm not sure how to teach that in a practical way. A powerful encounter with the love of God always change us.

I have seen radical transformation of behaviour in an instant done by God before. Even for myself, I have experienced many such transformation - which are permanent. Therefore I believe that God can change our beliefs in an instant. And if you want to change something about your beliefs, I ask you first and foremost to pray for that change. Sometimes those changes will come immediate to you by His grace.

However, what I learn in the past few months takes a bit more effort on our part.

You see, our beliefs are like our underlying programming. Unlike computers, we can't just hit the 'delete' button and have them erased. These believes have been reinforced again and again by our habits. As a famous philosopher once said, (i think it's plato), we are what we repeatedly do. That is why change is so hard. We can try and be patient for 1 week but when the 'will' wears thin, the pressures high we revert back to our old habits.

The most important thing to change is to question why the initial programming is there in the first place. Why are you afraid of dogs? Were you bitten by one when you were a kid? The FIRST encounter - where the basic programs are written - are crucial. It's no wonder psychologist always ask us to think back to our childhood.

If you know why you are programmed that way - why you belief what you belief - then the next question is to ask yourself what do you want to be? Where do you want to go?

A recent example for me was that I discovered that I tend to want be above average but when it comes to excellence, I self -sabotage myself. I cannot bring myself to aim for an 'A'. I feel bad about excelling. Everytime when I'm closed to be being 'good', I see myself going down in flames.... Actually this issue has been going for quite awhile and it's reflected when i'm playing on stage or playing game or even trading.

For the longest time, I just couldn't figure it out why this programming was there. I obviously love to be 'dominating' and yet everytime I rise to the top, I have many self-sabotaging habits that will ensure my own going down. Only last week, I remember 2 incidents that may started this belief in me.

The first was me getting scholded for my math score in primary school. I got 99 out of 100 but my best friend got 99.5 . My mom often compared me to him and she scolded me for not being as good. I felt terrible. I felt horrible. I remembered I cried and cried and cried. its 99!!!!!!

The second thing I remember was a child, whenever I was good at something, I would be put on the spot to 'prove it' - which I hated. And sometimes because I was good at something, I was made fun of. Oddly, I cannot remember any examples of this but just a flurry mix of emotions. I can remember once mom asking me play the organ for strangers in my play time and when I didn't do as good critise me. All I remember was, I was being made fun off, compared with and belittled.

There was just no incentive in being good - because it was never good enough. Besides, being good gives me added risk of being made fun off, poked at, laugh at... and a constant pressure to stay on top (so that mom won't scold me further for deproving).

I think it was then I decided early in my age that I shall become always above average. It was safe there. I'm better than most without the pain of being the best :) It was a humbling discovery. I was so afraid of rejection that I stopped myself from being the best that I can be! Imagine that.

So once I know about this, I took captive of all this and submit it to the Lord. I told Him that I want change, help me.

I also thought about what I want to be: a man that is confident in himself - at the best of himself. I shouldn't feel ridiculed if I'm doing the best I can. I shouldn't feel shy either because I am good. I shouldn't feel bad either by comparing. I am what I am - and I do the best that I can.

"I can do ALL things in Christ who strengthens me" "I am like a tree plated on rivers of water that shall bear fruit in its season, its leaves shall not wither and what I do shall prosper" "I am the beloved son of God, of whom He is well pleased with" " I'm the righteousness of the Most High God" I repeat, again and again and again the promises of God.

And each time, when I feel the old programming coming in. I stood firm in the promises of God. I remember his goodness to me - the things he has done and is doing and lastly, I THANK him for changing me.

I do it again and again and again. In other words, I am reprogramming my beliefs. The bible calls it 'transforming ourselves to the image of christ by beholding His image' (somewhere in 1cor) . I keep that new image of me, which is an image of Christ, in my head and I keep focus on it.

This is how I became a better trader as well. I looked into my own beliefs that was stopping me - the underlying programming of why I took my stops out early, why I took my profits out early, why I was chasing, why I hesistate...etc It was a very tough time dealing with myself. And when I found out my erroneous beliefs on the market and on my trading system, I took captive of that and designed a trading regime to help me reprogram that. I do that again and again and again

I wrote out what I feel were correct beliefs on stickies in front of my pc and read them everyday. Where I was- an ugly point A was a long walk to point B where I wanted to be. I beheld point B in my head - the way I would trade, the emotions and kept that image.

Lastly, I thank God for changing me because, in some ways, I knew He was helping me a lot. A little daily nudge goes a long way. And as I work towads point B, I repeated those verses as well - my favourite "whatever I do shall prosper".

Last 6 months has been a great journey and it is the FIRST time in my life Ive experience this change. This wonderful change in me. I AM indeed a new creation!

So in summary, to chnage your beliefs you:-

find out your underlying beliefs
find out why they are there
find out where do you want to go from point A to B?
Submit the situation to God
Behold point B in your head
Meditate on verses day and night to help you. (Meditate in hebrew means utter under your breath)
Thank Him for changing us!
Repeat and rejoice!!

Hallelujah. Thank you Lord!

How to change your being. Pt1

2009-05-04T16:33:00.000+08:00

Recently, a few friends ask me how do I change my 'being'. I used to be impatient in waiting for my trades and now I seemed to be a lot more 'patient'. So how did I do it? Not easy I replied :)

I'll try to explain it here in the next few posts:

In the 1st post I shall explain what 'being' is.
In the 2nd post I shall explain how to change your 'being'.

What is being?

The key came to me while i was reading the book 'trading in the zone', later on everything 'clicked' when I thought about who Jesus was. You see, Jesus never had to try to have more patient, or have more faith, or have more wisdom, or have more discipline. He just was. When people ask him, who are you? His general answer was: "I am" Take this for an example:

John 8:58"I tell you the truth," Jesus answered, "before Abraham was born, I am!"

Did he do anything to be? No, He just is. He is wisdom, patient, love, faith... etc personified. He declares, ".. I am the bread of life", "I am the way the truth and the life". Truth is truth. You cannot be more truthful than the truth. Same with patient, you either are or you're not.

We either am, or am not.

My wife gave a good analogy the other day. Lets say you're the diplomat of a country, what do you have to do? Nothing! You're appointed as one, and then you represent your country.

The same question can be applied to our identity. What do you have to do to BE a man? Does peeing standing up makes you a man? Does shaving makes you a man? Does marrying a woman makes a man? Or does muscles and grease and dirt makes you more of a man?

Doing all the things above don't really make you a man. But being a man probably leads you to do all the above, easily, without much effort. (I'm not sure what being woman means, so most of the time my wife is a mystery to me, which is exciting, sometimes).

Similiarly, waiting for the right signals would not make you patient, but by being patient, you'll naturally wait for the right signals to come to you. The characteristic about "being" or "belief" is such that it underwrites all your actions.

Many people believe that exercise is very important to their life but not many actually exercise on a regular basis. Many people believe that the end of the recession is near but they will not buy citibank shares at $1. A guy says he love this girl but keeps on cheating on her. What does all this mean? They don't really belief what they say!

Our action ALWAYS speaks of our belief- it seldom contradicts, if at all. That's why the bible says where your heart is, there your treasure is also. See a man who spends money and time on spiritual things, you find a real spiritual man. See a man who eat solar, drink solar, sleep solar, you find a man who really believe in renewable energy. See Jesus, the man who heal the sick, teach the people, feed the hungry, die for us on the cross, you find that He is LOVE.

These people's action are driven by who they are. They simple ARE.

The problem comes when you are not sure of who you are. Your beliefs are in contradiction. What happens then? Answer: we hesistate, we feel loss, we don't know what to do. Many simply just 'go with the crowd'. They play 'follow the leader' in their life. Pastor says.... The great ang mo says... But because their beliefs are not aligned to their action, most of the them end up NATO members . No action. Talk only. And if they do take action, they usually end feeling messed up.

Let me explain. Say you're in a Long position of a stock. You feel that it's turning on you and based on your system you should quit. But deep inside, you believe that you are right on the Long. So you end up holding the Long. Worse, you move your Stop Loss to accomodate more downward movements. In the end, your Stop Loss is still hit and you tell yourself - I knew it! I should have followed the system!

Think about this: if I REALLY knew, wouldn't I closed it immediately to minimise my loss? The truth is, my contradicting belief messed up my brains! Liping concludes without reading the book 'trading it zone' - In the end, it just shows that we don't believe in our trading system!

That is why the bible also says in James 6 ".... but let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. ⁷ For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; ⁸ he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways. "

Even in things of God, we are to be sure. And God wants you to know who you really are. Be brave for we are complete in him and know that whatever we ask of Him, will be given, so that our joy may be complete.

In summary, our being is the sum of our beliefs.

Dreaming big

2009-04-28T18:03:00.003+08:00

We have a big God. Thats why it's okay to dream big, pray for big things.

I should start praying for:

Seek ye first...

2009-04-21T16:22:00.001+08:00

Matthew 6:31–33
31“Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. 33But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.

As a child of God, know that it is your Father’s pleasure to meet all your needs. Jesus Himself tells us, “For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things.” But God does not want you to seek after things. He wants you to seek first His kingdom. And when you do that, all the things that you need will be added to you!

So your first priority every day is to seek His kingdom. The word “first” in verse 33 is the Greek word proton, which means “first in order or importance, holding the highest place in all our affections”. My friend, God wants us to seek first His kingdom, and all things will fall gloriously in place.

We are not to seek after things the way Gentiles do. The word “seek” in “the Gentiles seek” (verse 32) is the Greek word epizeteo. It means “to seek with all their might with much sweat or with much stress”. However, the way God wants us to “seek” in “seek first the kingdom of God” is the Greek word zeteo, which means “to hunger, to desire to worship”. It is simply a hungering, a desiring for the kingdom of God, without any labor or toil.

But what is the kingdom of God? Romans 14:17 tells us that it is righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. And the kingdom of God dwells within you because the Holy Spirit indwells you. So the kingdom of God is His righteousness, peace and joy in you.

Beloved, if you want to have peace and joy in the Holy Spirit flowing inside you, then seek every day to be conscious of your righteousness in Christ, not your own righteousness, but His righteousness given to you as a gift. Pursue Jesus first. Spend time with Him and listen to His Word. And when you do these things, you are seeking His kingdom and His righteousness, and all the things that you need will be added to you!

- daily devotions from Pastor Joseph Prince

Should I write a book?

2009-04-15T18:10:00.003+08:00

There are many many nights that I've stayed wide awake on my bed thinking about writing a book. Should I take that as a sign that I should write one? hahaha

Anyway, I am thinking about writing a book about the 'myths of christianity'. I want to gather some commonly err view of christiand and put them into this book and explain them.

Like a long time ago, my mom thinks that jesus is from america, or christianity is from the west. Other 'myth' like you have to pray long, hard and strong for God to hear you. To myth like, you can't have tattoo as a christians.

So friends, what do you think? If I write such a book, would you buy it? Please vote on the right.

Unemployment Claims - USA

2009-04-09T20:51:00.002+08:00

Well... is it bottoming out?

Cycling

2009-04-06T18:33:00.005+08:00

Last friday night, after wifey made homemade pizza which was super yummy... I decided for both of us that we need to work our calories away. We decided on the following route. Which was 'nothing'. Come on, 25km of flat road only what, how tough can it be... right? ONLY 25km

It's tougher than it looks! 25km! one way it's like going to puchong and back ok?!!!!

But we DID manaage to complete it. Slowly. Our butt ache like mad. Halfway through my left quads started to cramp and had to walk.. at first 30mins interval then 15mins....

We finally reach home at 4:40am (from 11:20am). And I sang...

"we are the champion my friend"..... "we'll keep on cycling to the end.. bam bam bam"... "coz we are the champions... we are the champions....."

****
epilogue:

Once we reached home, we didn't talk much. Quickly took our shower, cooked maggi, ate and slept. 'Telepathy" happens at the most tired hours.

****

The Lord's prayer

2009-03-18T12:14:00.004+08:00

A friend asked me awhile ago to explain the Lord's prayer. He asked that if Jesus has forgiven us all our sins, why did Jesus taught us the 'Lord's Prayer'?

I suppose the question points directly where Jesus ask to pray, "...And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us... "

I'll attempt to answer that question. To begin, I want to point you to a previous post I wrote on how to read the bible.

Now the Lord's Prayers are taught in these 2 occasions: Matt 6 and Luke 11. In both the context, Jesus taught the prayers as a way of praying rather than what we should pray specifically. The story of Matt 6 begain in Matt 5 where He was teaching his disciples. These disciples are most, if not all, jews.

Now, to the jews, everything that He taught in matt 5 is going to sound crazy. Jesus just 'shattered' all the core beliefs of a jew:

************
blessed are the poor in spirit, those who mourn...etc

For I tell you, unless your righteousness greatly exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven!"

So if your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one of your members than to have your whole body thrown into hell.

"You have heard that it was said, 'An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.'
But I tell you not to resist an evildoer. On the contrary, whoever slaps you on the right cheek, turn the other to him as well.
**********

Basically Jesus was telling them to do the opposite of what they are used to. By now these guys are in shocked! "What is it? Unless we mourn (ie someone dies) then we're blessed? IF you slap me I have to let you slap more?... How can ?!!!"

Yup Jesus says, in fact if your righteousness don't exceed that of the pharises - the religious professionals - you're dead (ie you will not have eternal life). All these are pretty scary stuff for the listeners - it's meant to shock. Because Jesus was trying to bring an end to themselves. The LAW is all about that.

So when He goes to Matt 6, He says: Mat 6:5 "And whenever you pray, don't be like the hypocrites who love to stand in the synagogues and on the street corners so that they will be seen by people. Truly I tell you, they have their full reward! Mat 6:6 But whenever you pray, go into your room, close the door, and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you. Mat 6:7 "When you are praying, don't say meaningless words like the gentiles do, for they think they will be heard because of their wordiness. Mat 6:8 Don't be like them, because your Father knows what you need before you ask him. Mat 6:9 "Therefore, this is how you should pray: 'Our Father in heaven..... "

So you see, the Lord's prayer is taught as a way of praying and it's the 'anti-culture' of that time, to pray in private, to pray with little words. (Intereting note here is that Jesus say to pray with little words, why is it that sometimes in church when we were asked to 'pray strong' we utter with long strings of vocab? )

Now, in a bigger context of things, Jesus taught that while he is still alive. Obviously. That means that the New Covenant is still not in play yet. At that time, you must ask for forgiveness, burn your offerings...etc before your sins are forgiven. And he taught to forgive others who sins against us, which I think it's another 'anti-culture' thingy because they believe, even up to today, an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth.

So you see how matt 5,6 and 7 all string together.

At the end:
Mat 7:28 And it came to pass, when Jesus had ended these sayings, the people were astonished at his doctrine.

The effect on the teaching was astonishment. Are you astonished? You should be.

That's why the Lord's prayer is taught as it is. Later on when Jesus died, the New Covenant which rendered the old one obsolete. The New Covenant includes the forgiveness of sins with Jesus' blood. Luke offers a similiar scenario and I hope your exergesis will yield many happy hours on that one :)

Something's not right..

2009-03-18T11:34:00.003+08:00

As I'm waiting for the movers to come with my stuff, I went on facebook to find out about the latest gossips on my friends. You know, 3 of my best buddies from high school are gay now. I just found out that 2 of my closest girlfriends frmo that time are lesbian too.

A friend who's now a school teacher is telling me that in every class, there's about 3-5 kids from single parents.

The world is more 'sexual' and yet there's more sexual problems. MTV has shown a lot of skin and but the world has a lot less love.

We've got more communication but a gotten a lot more isolated.

Unemployment Claims - USA

2009-02-19T14:33:00.005+08:00

Whoever said that it's a good time to invest in stocks now may be a bit early or overly aggressive. Whoever thinks that the worst has past us is clearly dreaming. The unemployment numbers have to come down before we can say that this round of 'economic crisis' is over.

By the way, these are NEW unemployment claims.

Bug Attack!

2009-01-25T02:16:00.005+08:00

Recently I've found these crawlies in my apartment.

First spotted by my wife who thought it was a piece of toilet paper moving on its own! But on closer inspection, it's a bug. It has a 'covering' that looks like diamond shaped paper/leaf.

I'm seeing them on the walls crawling very very slowly. Hanging of the corner of the wall and ceiling.

If you know how to get rid of them, please let me know!

p/s: that black dot on the pic is from my pen.

****update****
That is a case bearing moth larvae. yes it's a moth!

More China 'gloom and doom' news.

2009-01-22T14:19:00.004+08:00

China and South Korea have announced sharp falls in economic growth, in a further sign of the financial crisis sweeping through east Asia.

China said its GDP fell to 6.8% in the final three months of 2008, from 9% in the previous quarter.

********************

Yes, yes... We all know the propaganda already. China has human right issues, China trained their athletes too hard, China has bad air pollution, China has unfair trade practices, China is going down the drain with this economic slump.

But 6.8% GDP growth?... That's like Germany on a good year.

Acceptance.

2009-01-19T18:48:00.001+08:00

(Kinda a response to chris's post)

hey dude, what a nice post :)

I just came back from the wedding that you were just in. During the time of catching up, wife told me that someone said something about me that it's downright insulting...

When she first told me what was said, I was shocked. I mean it doesn't feel good to be demeaned, insulted directly or indirectly. I got over it fairly quickly (because God is a very skilled healer). And now that I thought about it, what she said revealed more about her than me...

Like you said man, "...Not everyone knows us through and through and we end up getting unnecessarily hurt by these people." In the end, we get hurt by ppl whom we want acceptance from... or our need for acceptance.

Acceptance is a funny thing. By itself it's not a bad thing nor a good thing. It's when we need that accpetance from a 'wrong' person. And when that person say things hurtful, we feel pain.

Anyone can say anything about us really. Someone wise once said, opinions are like assholes, everyone has one. But for me, I'm concerned only with the one who has the final say- Jesus. He says I'm blessed.

It's interesting to note too that as smart, likeable, warm, loving...etc Jesus is, He isn't liked by everyone. In fact, most people hate him. During His days on earth, He was called names, ridiculed, stones were thrown (at least Bush got only shoes!) and in the end murdered and betrayed.

So if the best man on earth can be hated to such levels, what more me, a mere mortal? Furthermore, I'm far far from perfection.

Someone told me recently that at any one time, chances are, 1/3 of the ppl like us, 1/3 hate us, and 1/3 are undecided. Our job is to convince the 1/3 of undecision to come to our side. Math wise, it looks simple and logical. Still our hearts want to be love by everyone. Perhaps my pride is way too big to acknowledge that 66.6% of the world out there can't be bothered about what I'm saying or hate what I'm saying. Being rejected by 66.6% or 4 billion people isn't a good feeling. Imagine 4 billion rotten tomatoes coming at me!

But that is reality. Especially for us who are gifted (even less ppl understand us!) . Who can understand Galileo when he said that the world is round? (He should have just gone to China, they already knew) Who can understand Picasso when he drew those 'ugly' pictures? Who can understand Warren Buffet when he buys when everyone is selling? Who can understand Paul when he talked about the Gospel of Grace?

These men 'see' in their mind's eye.... who can understand Jesus when He said, " Believing is seeing but seeing is not believing". These men are seldom liked when they are alive. They could see where we could not and because of that they are rejected. Are they right? For sure. Are they liked? Not really.

And we are all gifted in our own ways. I can't see what you see, but I can allow you to express that which you see. And if I can do just that, you will feel and know that the love I show you is genuine - then you and I will both feel accepted. My life will also be made richer by your gifts to me. What a wonderful world that will be.

Sale up to 80%... while 'stocks' last!

2009-01-15T23:46:00.002+08:00

Late last year we told friends and families that a next round of crash is going to happen. Some have no clues what we're talking about, some think we're talking air. One said,' Har?! Still got some more to go ah?"

To which I replied with the song..."it's only just begun".

It's round two now at the Dows and.. Apple is out of Jobs :) Banks are still desperate for cash. Not only that, I hear that hedge funds need to liquidate their positions to pay back withdrawals request from last year. It would mean a big sell off of everything in the market which leads to plumetting prices.

We haven't even heard about credit loans, car loans yet.

It's not a beautiful picture really. However for the wise, therein lies great opportunity. Loans are getting cheaper. Good assets are getting more 'affordable'...

And inline with the Golden globe fever... I want to thank USA for this opportunity that they have given us. To be more specific, the Feds who has royally screwed the people of USA, the SEC and of course not forgetting the secretary of treasury.

Your determination to have more debt and to print more money has made all these things possible. Your undeterred support to your banker friends in these great times, giving them free loans to buy up other banks... *smiles* you know who you are... has also given all of us hope that indeed money is 'free'.

I hear you car szar, you're the fastest learner of us all, well done. The threat on massive unemployment did worked! :)

Last but not least, Mr President George W Bush. All this cannot happen without your clueless, aimless and visionless leadership qualities.

Your ability to dodge 2 shoe throws has inspire us all that indeed you can spew out any and every bullshit and dodge all repercussions.

******

You guys should have just elected Ron Paul instead.

Hero of the week - NINJA

2009-01-09T21:02:00.003+08:00

The hero of the week - NINJA - No Income, No job or assets.

Mr. NINJA Loan, NINJA credit cards, NINJA Putra... the NINJA family is taking the headlines everywhere I turn!

Hero of the week - Bernard Madoff

2008-12-18T17:00:00.004+08:00

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.

2008-11-27T14:39:00.003+08:00

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...

2008-11-22T15:13:00.004+08:00

"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

2008-11-21T01:29:00.003+08:00

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

2008-11-03T16:48:00.000+08:00

When you rest, God will do the rest

Heads you win, Tail you lose pt 2

2008-10-30T02:31:00.003+08:00

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

2008-10-17T15:48:00.001+08:00

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

2008-10-09T00:29:00.006+08:00

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

2008-09-26T20:51:00.003+08:00

... 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...

2008-09-24T13:21:00.004+08:00

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.

2008-09-19T02:17:00.003+08:00

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

2008-08-31T02:15:00.004+08:00

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...

2008-08-25T19:51:00.006+08:00

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

2008-08-21T01:08:00.002+08:00

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

2008-08-17T02:05:00.005+08:00

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

2008-08-13T13:05:00.005+08:00

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?

2008-08-13T00:00:00.002+08:00

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

2008-08-11T23:27:00.003+08:00

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

2008-08-05T19:07:00.004+08:00

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

2008-07-29T01:58:00.005+08:00

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

2008-07-24T03:29:00.006+08:00

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.

2008-07-19T04:04:00.003+08:00

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

2008-07-19T03:28:00.005+08:00

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

2008-07-01T13:29:00.012+08:00

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?

2008-06-25T22:25:00.002+08:00

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

2008-06-15T19:40:00.005+08:00

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...

2008-06-15T16:34:00.002+08:00

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

2008-06-13T22:34:00.002+08:00

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

2008-06-05T23:02:00.004+08:00

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

2008-05-19T03:36:00.004+08:00

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

2008-05-19T03:19:00.002+08:00

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

2008-05-15T00:16:00.005+08:00

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

2008-05-06T12:55:00.002+08:00

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

2008-05-01T10:39:00.002+08:00

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

2008-04-28T13:05:00.003+08:00

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

2008-04-25T17:43:00.004+08:00

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

2008-04-23T18:41:00.006+08:00

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

2008-04-22T15:07:00.005+08:00

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:

mystical, inspiring music for the beginning

when the hero is still innocent

boy meets girl music

when the hot girl appears

bad guy music

when the bad guy first appears, think star wars when darth vader first come to visit

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'

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.

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.

2008-04-19T15:45:00.003+08:00

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.

To heaven and back

2008-04-18T19:41:00.001+08:00

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

2008-04-17T15:48:00.004+08:00

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

2008-04-16T14:17:00.000+08:00

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

2008-01-26T16:45:00.001+08:00

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.

No, really...

2008-01-17T11:59:00.000+08:00

He was talking to me....

The biggest news in our country.

You said it best... when you say nothing at all.

2008-01-10T20:38:00.000+08:00

After the song got popular, it became a cliche. Ha ha, and how true, how true! And I don't mean it in a sarcastic kind of way.

My journey started after listening to a sermon last year when I 'discovered' that if I give honour to my parents, God will honour me! Wow! He promise to bless me if I honour them. Awesome. Of course, we're supposed to honour them, God just throw in the bonuses if we do them like giving us long satisfying life...etc

Then I 'discovered' that if I honour God, God will honour me too. Simple.

Then I thought, what if I honour my friends? Give them honour. What would happen? Others reciprocate. Give respect and it will be given back. You get to make better friends, love more and learn more about people around. Life got more interesting.

The amazing thing I found out about this is that I have an unlimited amount of honour to give. How much honour can I give? As much as I want! And the more I give, the more I got back in return.

Ok but how do I give this abstract thing called 'honour'? I learnt later that most times, I can give 'honour' to friends by listening to them. People just love to talk. Incredibly, they love to teach! and I get to learn so much from their lives! ..... and all this while I was trying to get people around me to talk more so that I can learn from them but really all I had to do was to keep quiet! hahaha eric just loved to talk!

Thank you Jesus for this important lesson this year.

where we came from

2007-12-28T17:22:00.000+08:00

I stumbled on this article about spoilt youngsters. The usual complain about the younger generation not knowing how to appreciate the good stuff given to them. Yes, we've all heard it before, that during our father's time they had meat only a few times... Tough times indeed!

I used to frown on such article, which we have heard a million times. This time it touched me. Perhaps I've grown up a bit. Having been through some tough times in the last few years has indeed changed me. It has thought me about determination, belief and faith....

...I certainly appreciate things given to me much more than I had before. My relationships, my faith in God, my ownerships of toys... they are indeed all blessing from God.

Remembering the times when I had little, really thought me to appreciate things when I have

And so I'm reminded to think about where I came from: for once I was sinner. But while I was a sinner, Christ came for me in His grace that I may inherit his gift of righteousness and be joint heir with Him.

Where I came from?... Man, I don't want to go back there - a very bad place to be for sure.
Where I am now?... as Christ is, who is seated on the right hand God, so I am, as joint heir. Really, it's the best place to be - on earth and on heaven.

What I learn about Singapore

2007-12-20T02:51:00.000+08:00

Contary to popular belief I think cars in singapore are cheap, relatively.

It's all relative I guess and I'm comparing it to Malaysia. Yes! Malaysia. Why because Malaysia's import tax on cars are what 300%?! Perhaps this is to protect the local car manufacturers... or whatever but this make imported cars in Malaysia super ex!

Would you believe that on the road prices for cars like Hondo and Toyota are about the same!!!! Perhaps Malaysia a bit more cheaper. Imagine that, Malaysians are paying Singapore prices for cars! So the next time you buy any new car in Malaysia think about that.. is it really worth it? :P

BUT.....

Second hand values of cars in Singapore is super cheap. Mainly because cars here can only 'last' 5 years due to the COE so second hand value drops tremendously. (but I heard you can renew it to 10 years).

Also the mentality that 'old' cars of 5 years are hard to maintain - esp the continental cars. Which explains why a friend of my bought a jaguar x-type for less that sgd80k!!! And a tourag is advertise for 50k OMV (plus coe, plus tax maybe 120k---- retailing in Malaysia 1 million).

brilliant.

and to those who believe that continental cars are hard to maintain, thanks for helping me keep the 2nd car cost low :)

Cost of Happiness

2007-12-10T15:40:00.000+08:00

is RM23.00 ++ at KFC

During one sad day last week, wife gave me a treat to one my favourite restraunts. KFC. My happiness level increased almost 25 points in my 100 point scale.

all it cost was rm23.00 ++ which is a KFC original 3 piece chicken dinner set + 2 piece chicken snack plate + rice + salad.

I had 4 piece of chicken, chicken skin, oil and fats. yummy!

the animation that thought me communication...

2007-11-25T21:02:00.000+08:00

A picture speaks a thousand more, they say. I suppose then an animation speaks a thousand more. As it is so with this one. I hope blogspot is able to show you the animation. It's a picture of a 'dancing girl'. Now which way do you see her spin? Clockwise, or anti-clockwise.

When I first got this picture, I saw it spin anti-clockwise. (Means apparently, I'm more analytical) and the friend who send it to me saw it spinning clockwise.

As we discuss it over IM, our frustration mounted. No HELL way it's spinning clockwise I said and my friend replied, wtf are you talking about?! It's definitely not spinning anti-clockwise if you ask him.

The spell was broken when a colleague of mine remarked, 'wow, what an interesting animation.. i can see it spinning both ways.'

What the FUCK?! Both ways? Of course I only said it 'internally' (hahaha...)

Finally, after about 1 hour, we analysed the gif file - frame by frame ... (see I guess I'm left brain afterall) and discovered how one can see it go both ways - clockwise AND anticlockwise.

It's been months since I received the picture and since then it has thought me a valuable lesson on communication. I can be right while at the same time wife can also be right. Who's to say she's spinning clockwise or anticlockwise. Both could be right - at the same time. Unless one is standing from the top and looking down we don't know for sure which way she's spinning.

In our daily lives I discovered, sometimes, NO, in fact, many times both are right.

The picture also planted the thought to me that sometimes, if i bother to calm down (hard), listen (very hard) and put myself in the other person's shoes (so so very hard) I may just see things spinning differently. Funnily, the result this is usually a very light and happy feeling!

Now that I can see our lady spin both ways, I'm happy. Hey I may even brag a little about it. It's great feeling to know that I can see more than 'meets the eye'. Knowing this truth it seems has set me (more) free and it should do the same to you too... because whoever you're having an arguement with just now, you were right. Perhaps so was s/he.

*if you're on facebook check out the 'brain game' since blogspot can't show animation

What I learn from the running sports....

2007-11-16T03:54:00.000+08:00

You take it, step by step and lap by lap... and you improve minutes by minutes, seconds by seconds.

I'm glad I finally broke my 40min barrier to run 5 rounds in kiara park today. I'm happy

Terry Fox Run

2007-11-06T15:51:00.000+08:00

The 2007 Terry Fox Run happened last Sunday. Though some of our friends FFK in the last minute, LiPing and I, Jit, Mom and Liang still went for it.

We had a great time.

The weather on Sunday was superb, bright blue sky but not too hot. The place was crawling with people and the whole place was oozing with a certain positive vibe! It was just beautiful to be there. The crowd was made up of much diversity - all coming in for a cause and to have some fun. There were, Chinese, Indians, Malay, French, Americans, Brits, Aussie (I only guessing from their accents and many other languages I cannot identify)....etc etc

The stores providing the endless supply of water, muffins, milo, bananas...etc also add to the 'Fanfare' mood. It was really fun la.

The run however was ok only because seriously, their organisation of the run wasn't too good. We were supposed to do 6.75km only but due to the lack of direction we did one lap of the kids route and then another one of the adult long route. We estimated later that we ran about 10km using Google earth :) Awesome technology!

Here is the kids route:
And here's the long route:

But all in all, it was still a fun day with family and friends.

Bouncing......

2007-11-02T20:49:00.000+08:00

So I am enjoying my run. Then I see this well endowed woman running my way... aiyah... so big boobs, running sure bounce la. Why never wear sports bra? Not pain meh?

Let me tell you woman, I can identify with you this. Not that I have boobs la but I do have...

*sigh*

... belly

Well, it bounces. It wobbles. It feels weird. When I move forward, I can feel it still at the back, when I'm moving upwards, it's just bouncing downwards....it move the opposite direction of my motion.. not exactly, simple harmonic motion! hahahaha....

Thankfully, it's closer to my centre gravity.

Fear Factor

2007-10-24T15:56:00.000+08:00

Couple of weeks ago, I went for a birthday party of a friend. We started a business together years ago but has since went our seperate ways. They went on to be successful network builders.

Anyway for her birthday, after a couple of beers, they decided to play 'fear factor'. What's the 'fear factor' ? Eat whatever is served to you.

We have FIVE contestant - the bday girl also la - and the loser down one beer.

Deng Deng Deng.....

Hahaha.. a used sanitary pad! Eat the 'leftovers'

Ewwwww.

Actually it's just tomato ketchup and a delicious piece of chicken. It's no wonder we often hear, crocodile, snake, rabbit....etc all taste like chicken. In this case, also chicken. Real one. I know looks like nuggets from... nvm la.

Contestant, ARE YOU READY?!

Someone said at this point, aiyah I drink beer easier la. Can just drink ah? Of course not, then where's the fun for us the spectators? Where's the fun in that FOR us? Must Eat!

Ack-tua-li, quite tasty..... taste like chicken la! hahaha of course la. it is chicken. :P I guess it's all in the mind isn't it? Is durian tasty or stinky? In this case, the challenge is greater for the woman and so here it is.. she gladly down the beer (wash off the 'blood' taste').

Terry Fox Run

2007-10-16T17:14:00.000+08:00

Wife and I are really enjoying our runs for the last couple of months. It's a new sport we picked up. Besides the exercise the obvious physical benefits - more stamina, stronger legs, great way to lose weight - it's also an excellent way of de-stressing. We've found running to be almost always refershing. After a good 30mins-1hr work out, we feel that we can take on the world again!

So what better way have fun with friends and family and raise funds for a cause? None other than the Terry Fox run. Terry Fox is a guy who ran, with one leg, a marathon a day for a consecutive 143days, totalling 5,373km while he was suffering from cancer. He was forced to stop when his condition worsen. He died about 1 year after he was forced to stop.

Wow! What determination.

A gang of 9 of us will be going for this year's run so friends who are reading this and would like to join us for the run do gimme an email or put a comment here. The run is just 5km and 7km. Run, jog, walk, crawl, cycle, rollerblade is welcomed as long as you support the cause - by buying the tshirts.

For more information here's the link again.

Terry Fox, Determination

Gtalk post - my house also got water!

2007-10-11T14:52:00.000+08:00

2:07 PM friend:
hey
u there?
sorry had a discussion just now
i will come to your place to swim later... u go ahead with your guitar lesson if timing is not right, after swim we can go yum cha if u want
i can swim alone.. wanna check out your pool, need to shower at your place too after swim if it's ok with u

2:22 PM me: sure
usual rules applies
no underwear supplied. water got

Context:

A week ago we were all supposed to do some runninng together. I said sure and invited her over for dinner as well, as wife was making curry! Yummy, which so deserve a post on its own. She was hesistant because after the run, she said, she has to go home and shower before dinner. I was like why? So I replied that you can shower at my place. FYI I told her, my house also got water (ie. not only your house got water to shower la, my house also got! don't play play I got water ok! ).... I just don't have clean underwear for you!

On the other hand friend, I can understand where you're coming from.... after a run, when I'm drench with sweat. I hate to have a shower with no clean underwear.

It simply sux!

Medicine

2007-10-10T01:11:00.001+08:00

A SHORT HISTORY OF MEDICINE:
"Doctor, I have an ear ache."
2000 B.C.—"Here, eat this root."
1000 B.C.—"That root is heathen, say this prayer."
1850 A.D.—"That prayer is superstition, drink this potion."
1940 A.D.—"That potion is snake oil, swallow this pill."
1985 A.D.—"That pill is ineffective, take this antibiotic."
2000 A.D.—"That antibiotic is artificial. Here, eat this root!"

The ironman.

2007-10-05T01:28:00.000+08:00

Just read a blog entry from a friend about her brother... So inspiring man.

I think someday I hope to do the ironman. The reason is simple

Train for years
Suffer 1 day

BRAG for LIFE.

wah so lomantic ah...

2007-10-02T13:00:00.000+08:00

Me and wife were doing groceries last week and we bumped into a friend, whom I have not seen for a long time. I was at the phone at that time, so he said 'hi' and went off. So after I got off the phone I called the guy up and ask him if he is free to catch up. To which he decline because he said he didn't want to be a 'lightbulb' admist my romantic date with my wife....

I simply told him, ' Elo friend, when you get married, you can get to be romantic like this with your wife every week.. it's called buying groceries!'

Which brings me to realiased that...

1. Before you get married, going to the supermarket to get groceries seems like a 'romantic' idea.

2. After being married, groceries is another thing we have to do. I'm not using the word 'chore' because that word implies I dislike it. No, I don't dislike it but neither would I say I look forward to it.

Another thing I found out about supermarkets are: Real woman are found in supermarkets!

When we were 'boys' our 'bird watching' areas are mostly like to be clubs, pubs... (ok at least me ok?). Skin was in abundance so were hormones and other intoxication. I learn that those short skirts, tight dresses, and make up are mostly facades. Heck, I learnt later that pushup bras can make any girl have longkang! (I was fooled for so long!!!!! Another thing, for the price they pay for a good bra, I'd expect it to be able to do my presentation AND make coffee besides just a nice cleaveage. On the other hand, sigh....nice cleaveages are nice tho). Anyway I digress.

In the supermarket, woman come in all shape, sizes, height - with and without make up - in all permutations and variations. Their thoughts for their family, how they hunt for the best value, best quality, best nutritional food..etc are just so - wow! Their nurturing instinct is just phenomenol. Week in week out, they just labour to care for their family. After 1 year of doing groceries (not a lot but still), I've not met a woman who looks tired in the supermarket. They are on a roll... I suppose it's pretty similiar when us guys go into our gadget shop (be in Mac shop, electronic goods shop, car showroom....) Even with the younger girls (and their bfs) they seem to display higher IQ when it comes to supermarket shopping.

So naturally, at home in the kingdom of kitchen they are default rulers. Highly esteemed and untouchable.

Sokay, nehmind, I still rule the kingdom of TV and sofa.

We got a baby!

2007-09-24T17:13:00.000+08:00

A baby-g :) for Lip's birthday.... and among other things the staff got her

1. a pack of ikan bilis
2. nescafe 3-in-1
and lastly

3. KAMPUNG KOH CHILI SAUCE!!!! (the original one from setiawan okay!!!!)

So here's to you again Liping, wife, best friend - Happy Birthday!

Happy Birthday Li Ping!

2007-09-23T15:48:00.000+08:00

Happy Birthday wife.... looking to celebrate your 100th with you :)

with lots of love! your hubby, Eric

Mizuno Wave Run 2007

2007-09-09T12:17:00.000+08:00

Got my t-shirt and my number? yes

Got the shoes? Yes!

Got the sports drink to 'refuel'? Yes!

Got the qualifying medal? YES!

Work up at 6am, had 1 glass of apple juice, 1 glass of milo + coffee, a bit of chocolate and raisins and we're off to the 2007 mizuno wave run. Ronnie was roaring to go by the time he came to pick us. I'm not sure about Li Ping but I was still trying to wake up.

By the time we got to Padang Merbok it was 7am. Although we were 30mins early, the place was packed! Unlike the subang run, the crowd in this run looked 'serious'. There weren't a single 'unfit' looking person (except me) around! So at this point, wife and I decided that we shall try not be last and qualify.... hahaha kiasu man!

Walking to the reporting point, people were already doing sprints warm up and stretching -the atmosphere was charged! When the horn was blown, 2000 runners charged forward.

Apparently, this run is the hardest of all 10k run in KL. The route, which includes two hills in bukit tunku, is no joke! Most of our route is sloppy, with some 'mercy' flats threw in intermittently

I started well and got to the drink station which was placed at about 4.5km at 35min +/- . Right after the drink station, came the part with the steep hills. In this part of my run, I took almost 50mins to finish 5.5km, not spectacular but ok considering my first hill run. (We never trained on hills before)

During the run, because I also carried the gatorade, I think I drank too much! hahaha and carrying the bottle with it contents kinda affect my stride also. It was at the 8km mark after I throw away the bottle that I discovered how much easier it was to run without anything in my hand. Hmm.. the swing of the hand does have an effect on overall body balance (duh!)

The last km got easier because it was all downhill, I increased my pace and finished it with a bit of a sprint - all the energy left in me! Praise God we all came in before qualifying time. Ronnie, Eric and Li Ping timed 65mins, 81.5mins and 85.5mins respectively.

After the race, I came home and had a GREAT bowel movement. So GREAT I think it may shave off a couple minutes for me! (maybe got 1kg?) Point to self: Off load before run.

Anyway it was a great feeling completing the 10km run. Even more so when all of us qualify which we did not in Subang :)

Li Ping's account:
Was terrified of this run. In the end, got a medal for finishing within qualifying time. Quite proud of myself. I ran quite well the first 5 km until the water station. Tried to pick up speed on the first half as I know the hills are coming. Tried to run up my first hill too fast. Had to stop to walk for a bit to recover. Also the energy drink they serve didn't go down well...or maybe I was just over-pushing myself on the hills. Tried to run as much as I could but ended up walking some. At the 6km mark when the guy said it was all downhill, I started running again. Ran all the way pass Tugu Negara and thought that I was nearing the finishing mark. See see....there's another 2km to go and we encounter our 2nd hill around Istana Selangor. I was busted then alredi so walk most of the uphill and tried to run. I realised after a while that a brisk walk type of run goes up hill easier than walking. So tried running as much as I could. Last km...ran all the way. Tried to pick up speed but was too tired to push too hard after the hills. Wanted really badly to stop and walk but decided to just finish running. I reach the finishing line at 1:25:30 and got a finisher's medal to show for it. It feels good to qualify on the toughest 10km route in KL :)

The lost ring.

2007-09-07T11:29:00.000+08:00

Recently, I learnt how to swim. Yes! After almost 3 decades living in this planet, I am finally able to. Better late than never I guess.

And so we went swimming yesterday - I wanted to try out my new goggle.

It is fun doing this new thing called swimming, it reminded me when I first learnt how to cycle. The feeling that you can actually float and glide and move on water feels quite cool :)

So you can imagine the super anticlimax when I discovered that I lost my wedding ring in the pool after I got out. Yikes! All the joy of swimming vanished. The happy-o-meter dipped to the extreme negative. Heck I felt panic! My ring?! Where is it? Such a big pool!

After quickly grabbing a torch light from the apartment, we went back to the pool to look for the ring... my precious :) (can't resist that one!)

Wife was super calm, dunno why. I acted cool but inside almost crazy liao.

Such a big pool and such a small ring? Where do I start? Luckily being the noob swimmer, I only swam a few areas so we started there. I even ask the guys in the pool to help.

No luck.

It was already nearing eight, the light wasn't very good but I wasn't about to give up really - since the pool was to close at 10pm. I swam back to where I first jumped in and looked there.

And there it is, what was lost is now found. When I surfaced with the ring in my hand, I held it up and shouted across the pool to Li Ping," Yeah! Found it!" Joy beaming from my face, so bright I thought it was morning! hahaha.

The guy in the pool congratulated me and I thought to myself, wow I'm so blessed :)

Best Char Kuay Teow in the world.

2007-09-03T16:09:00.000+08:00

I promised chief to do this review some time back and it's about time i do it :)

On my way to celebrate my 1st anniversary (in july, yalah i know long time ago d) we stopped by at Sitiawan for makan. My colleage recommded a place called 'huey kong shi'. Her direction is as follows: from Lumut go straight then see KFC, go futher a bit then turn left.

I know it isn't much to follow but somehow we manage to find the place. (aiyah sitiawan small place mah, i think they only have 1 kfc) The place looked like one of those hidden corners in a small town. With streams of car going to the stall to order, it gave us a hint that this stall was good. We were certainly not dissapointed.

Turns out the CKT there was excellent. Cooked over coal fire the taste of lard, chili prawns...etc is well balanced and very 'yam mei' (flavourful? frangance? what's the proper word to describe this?) After my first bite, I ordered another one to-go.

Later, I went back to take some photos and watch the uncle do his 'magic'. I noticed that he had very percise strokes when mixing the ingredients and adjusting the heat from the fire. He made the accuracy looked simple! A bit like doing kung fu, except with the wok plus he got a belly.

This explains why my second serviing of CKT taste exactly like my first one - awesome!

ahhh.. joys of ckt.

Race Day - Subang 10km

2007-08-26T15:20:00.000+08:00

The day started at 5.45am for us when the 1st alarm rang (We have two). I was really too excited to sleep properly the whole night and was ready to get up. However I decided to give my body all the rest it needs so I lie back down on the bed. Unconsciously and without much effort, Psalm 23 came up in my mind and I recited it.

What a way to start the morning!

Just after about 5:50am, I got up. Sat on my throne (wash hands first ok!) and then fixed myself 1 glass of apple juice 1 glass of milo. For energy, I ate up 1 mini sneakers bar and 1 mini mars bars. Leftovers from the KK trip. 'Yes, dear' was playing on the TV.

At 6:25am Jit and Kavi arrived and we made our way to Ronnie's house where we all meet.

We reached Ronnie's at about 6:50am. After a short introduction, everyone - Jit & Kavi, Ronald & his friend Kenneth, Viviana, Rosalyn, Ronnie, Liping and I made our way to MPSJ. The excitement is building up as we can see Jit talking, running and jumping. His excuse - needs the warm up :) The veteran runners - Ronald and Kenneth was cool. Ronnie Khoo is also cool. At this point, the three ladies: Kavi, Rosalyn and Vivianna decided that they're going to do the 5km distant.

Prompty at 730am a gun was fired, signalling the start of the run. Wife and I decided that we're going to take it easy at the beginning and stayed right at the back. We can see a large pool of people surging forward. What a sight! We started slow and then wife stopped to tie shoelaces... and we must be really taking it easy when I see that the police bike trailing us! hahaha.....

The morning air was cold. Since we do most of our training in the evening, we could still feel that our muslces were tense. The slow start helped warm us up and we got on to a good pace 5mins into the race. It's a good feeling to start slow, catch up and over take people. As I look around during the run, I was just happy to to know that all those training paid off!

I think our pace was about 7mins++/km. We put many people behind us but still there was so many many many many people in front of us. There's just this long trail of human traffic. At the same time, there were many many runners overtaking us.

Throughout the race, the scenery was okay. USJ does look quite nice in the morning. I also found out that running on asphalt also gives more cushion than running on concrete in Kiara park. There was this part though, the factories were burning stuff and the air smelt foul!

At about the 6km mark we caught up with Jit, who hasn't been well for the last 2 weeks. Poor chap. He was still positive as ever. Somehow I had more fuel today so I ran ahead then.

Soon I found myself pacing this young couple. College kids -girl in blueshorts and blue top, guy in black shorts and yellow top. Whoever you are thank you! While I was panting, they were talking! While my legs were hurting I think they were 'dating'! Somehow they don't look like they were pushing..

Although I was unfamiliar with the route, the signs were clear. In fact I just followed the crowd. Kinda like a herd la.

The last km was the toughest really. I thought the last kilometre was coming up when I saw MPSJ looming ahead. Oh glorious MPSJ! So I started running faster and faster.... Arrgh to find out that I have to run past MPSJ all the way to the end and then make a U-turn back. Ooi play cheat! Hahaha.

Nevertheless, I pushed on. The last 300m run was super painful but it was well worth it when I finished my first 10km run in 71mins. Jit came in at 73mins and then wife at 75mins. I was so proud of her when she crossed the finished line. Kenneth is the champion among us coming in at 61mins with Ronnie close behind him. All in all, we felt really good completing the run.

Liping and I are happy with our time as we aimed to come in at about 80mins+. After cooling down, streching and some free drinks. We finanlly get to ajourn to the main event of the day - breakfast.

Awesome. I really had fun today. I0years ago, I wouldn't have thought I'd enjoy running at all!

the 10km run

2007-08-24T20:24:00.001+08:00

Long long time ago, in a land not far away from here (in Singapore), a boy used to be (one of the) last in school runs. He avoids running at all cost and the dark side has told him that he cannot do it....

This weekend, he is going to face that challenge again. Yes, I will be facing my old fears. But this time with a bit of difference, as a friend aptly put it:

What drives you? Jesus' fuel
Jesus' fuel... give you extra kilometers

Okay I hope that works. Plus I have also been practicing. As you can see from the chart below. Of course I label all of them 'easy' la....what else would they be called?

(Actually, there's long, trail, short, easy, chicken rice and nintendo. I have no idea what's the difference so I just put all of them easy)

Another point to note is that my wife has suddenly improved and have been running so fast I can't catch up with her. I was quite dissapointed with myself last week for not improving. I sulked and sulked and there was this tension between us. Thankfully it's much better now. I come to realiase that it's 'me' I have to challenge. Comparison just makes one feel bad about oneself all the time. As for 'me', 'me' has been improving, slowly but improving.

On a brighter note, it's a good feeling chasing skirts again... as soon as I can persuade her to wear those short skirt tennis players wear for runs or those shorts. Ahhh.. such spiritual reasons I have written in my blog.

Uncle

2007-08-15T20:28:00.000+08:00

As we were stretching down today, I started a conversation with one of the regulars in kiara park. He's a nice chap and really down to earth. Being a 'guru' he naturally encourage us to keep going which was very welcome.

We look at him, he look like he is in his early 30s. Shapely muscular legs, washboard abs, defined arms and bursting with energy. My jaw dropped when he said he was 41! The floor sounded a thud when my jaw finally dropped when he says he can finish a regular 10k run in about 30mins. It's 'normal' runner standard la....

wah seh, 30mins man.

Somemore his body quite the tekong okay. Uncle got washboard abs ok! So okay la. I'm running :)

Haze!

2007-08-14T12:53:00.000+08:00

Arrrgghhh.... @#$%$^%^%&%^ stupid haze is back.

Every year this time Indonesia exports haze to our country.
Every year about this time I get sore throat, sniffy nose... as with the millions of msians due to the haze.

Eh? Isn't this what economist called 'externalities? They produce something that's harmful not to themselves but to others - shouldn't there be a charge on this?

arrrggh. It's like that irritating auntie that comes visit you every year and won't go away!

I wish I can switch on a giant fan and blow it back at them.

I am God's Beloved

2007-08-02T20:51:00.000+08:00

I have always known that God loves me since I became a Christian some years ago. Yeah, I tell myself that he loves me a lot. How much is a lot? Well, God gave me His only son mah.

Somehow it's more head knowledge than heart felt conviction. I mean what does it really mean when we say that God gave us His son?

"He gave us His son lo...." Then?

I believe that if we truly believe that if He gave us His son, our lives would be radically transformed. Or if I put it bluntly, I think that many of our lifestyles reflect that we don't really believe it. Sorry I don't mean to point finger at anyone, if there's one person who I know isn't displaying that enough - it's me. :) In fact, I felt like I've just accepted Christ yesterday, everyday these days.

The truth don't set us free... believing in the truth does.

Imagine if you need to sacrifice your son/daughter. That's tough. Your only son/daughter - that's pushing it. Your only son/daughter that you so loved - that's SOOO hard. Yet God didn't spare him did He?

Imagine that, He didn't even spare His only beloved Son for us to redeem us so that we may be imputed with righteousness and along with that.. ALL the promises of God.

On top of that He deposits the spirit in us as THE gurantee that He'll be back for us. The spirit! That same spirit in the olden days will kill the 'not so holy person entering the holy of holies. Does that make us more holy? ...Now that we can contain THAT spirit?

So when some people feel that they can't ask God for say the job promotion s/he's been wanting because s/he don't feel that it's right. Now think about it, if God can give you His son, the Holy Spirit, the promises - would He withold something as 'small' as the 'promotion'? We don't believe that He really loves us that much do we? Yet we believe that He gave us His son.

Somehow it seems God's work, His grace seems to end at at salvation. But that is not so my friends! God is love and Grace is a teacher!

To God, who is able to do exceeding abundantly, above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.

Life's Music

Luck - that four letter word.

On faith....

Cain and Abel - a tale of 2 offerings

The first battle II

Carnal Christian

The first battle.

How to Hunger Pt 2

Testimony Time

How to hunger Pt 1

Covenants are for our sakes

time and chance OVERTOOK them all.....

Will the REAL pruner please stand up?

Holy = Grace?!!!!

What's enjoyable...

Precious to Him

He leads you to quiet waters...

... forgiveness of sins....

How to change your being. Pt 2

How to change your being. Pt1

Dreaming big

Seek ye first...

Should I write a book?

Unemployment Claims - USA

Cycling

The Lord's prayer

Something's not right..

Unemployment Claims - USA

Bug Attack!

More China 'gloom and doom' news.

Acceptance.

Sale up to 80%... while 'stocks' last!

Hero of the week - NINJA

Hero of the week - Bernard Madoff

Old photos.

Najib says...

Heads you win, Tail you lose pt 3

Rest

Heads you win, Tail you lose pt 2

Shopping with a sith

The Law and Punishment

Heads you win, Tail I lose

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

High stake poker.

The bad soap opera - Blocking malaysia-today.net

Why we should vote opposition...

Myth - Plausible

Mythbuster meets TVB

How I nearly puke over my coffee

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

Addidas run

The problem with a Purpose Driven Life

Taking a walk

Father's hand

There is no conspiracy against Anwar.

The Dark Knight

Christian Urban Legend 1: Anointing

Got my back buddy?

Recipe for revival

Many things I do not know...

Psalm 23. Part 5

Addicted to Oil

You're nourishment

Psalm 23 pt 4

Psalm 23 pt 3

Psalm 23 pt 2

Psalm 23

Running on the threadmill

Preaching the gospel to myself today

Tools for reading the bible

Cheesy B grade movies

Reading the bible.

To heaven and back

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.

Getting fitter

These couple of months

Easter pt 1

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.