Sometimes I wonder

Sometimes I wonder why the society tends to look at achievement by how many strings of A's one gets. Sometimes I wonder why some people can afford to live in a big mansion yet couldn't carry themselves well in the public. Life's unfairness yet just. It's not how long we live our lives but how we decorate the content of our lives. Life's liken to a book of white pages. We will write and draw and even sketch the different fragments of our lives.

When we're happy, pleased and delighted, we will draw colourful pictures. We will pay attention to the minute details, that even the border of the pages will be decorated and trimmed.

When we're calm, relaxed and reserved, we will write words of encouragement to ourselves. Whatever that comes to the mind will be translated intop words by hands, energized by the core of our heart.

When we're down, upset and challenged, we tend to sketch only part of the facets. We don't even bother to make a picture out of the sketches. After all, not many strangers will come and appreciate the pictures anyway. So, what's life for?

One fact remains : tough people last through thick and thin of the jungles of life.

Storms in life

Remember the story where Jesus walked on water and later commanded Peter to come to Him on water? Peter actually walked on water towards Jesus until storm came and he started to sink. In our lives, we are bound to have Struggles in our daily walk that sometimes violate our principles, Troubles in our work that sometimes we hardly have space to breathe, Obstacles that demand us to face them and not turn away, Relationships that are complicated to be comprehended, Money matters that seeks our immediate attention. Jesus says, "Take heart, for I have overcome the world. Peace, I leave with you."

When we have Struggles with ourselves pertaining our principles, we need to Seek into God's Word to gain wisdom just as how Solomon asked for when he was given the liberty to choose

When we have Troubles and trials of all kinds in our work, study, family, ministry whatsoever, we need to Trust in God's Word that He will still be by our side just as the psalmist says in Psalm 23, "Even I walk through the shadow, I shall fear no evil for you are with me."

When we have Obstacles in handling tasks, no matter how big or tough the obstacles are, all we need to do is to Open our eyes and see God bigger than all these and we will have personal breakthrough. God says "My grace is sufficient for you." The end of Man is always the beginning of God.

When we have Relationships conflicts due to misunderstanding or communication barrier, forgiveness is the key to victory. All we need to do is to Rest and be still and let God deals with it. God says be still and know that He is God and that He will rest our case. Jesus says forgive up to seventy times seven and don't let the sun go down while we are in anger. To err is human but to forgive is divine.

When we have Money matters that might burn a hole in our pocket, making our wallet thinner and thinner, remember God is our Provider. All we need to do is to Meditate on God's promises and claim them. His provision always comes in times we least expect them. All we need to do is Ask, Seek and Knock.

The only way to fight raging STORM in our lives is to call upon a greater STORM. All Jesus asks is for us to continue to fix our eyes upon Him and we will see all STORM around us began to subside, when the Lord of STORM comes.

Is it worth it?

Today I examined my car again. The scratch is so deep and so long and has been there for almost 1 month now. And what saddens me is the culprit still at large and yet to be apprehended. I couldn't help but to wonder is it really worth my time to continue to work in such an environment? This year is really a happening year ; so much duties and responsibilities, be it career, be it ministry, be it personal breakthrough. Someone told me that and has reminded again that we need to count blessings and name them one by one. The real truth is... it hardly sinks into the deep core of my heart.

Well, to trash all things out, the only worthwhile thing that keeps me going on is perhaps the better students who sincerely wanting to learn and develop themselves. I try hard to look for these students in each class that I teach. Indeed, I find not one, but a few of them. But then again, spending my time and effort into it, is another issue alltogether. Entering my own class, seems the best of all.. this is really a blessing among all blessing. Not because of the class is small, but because the new students there are better behaved than the rest... generally saying, they are good bunch of people. Almost too good to be true. No doubt, students will be students, teenagers will be teenagers. Naughty and playful. Yet, many of them are teachable. How I wish if all of them are teachable.

As for the other classes, at times I do drag my feet into them. How I wish, I don't have to stay in there longer than even 5 minutes!! But God seems to have the remedy - Wednesday and Friday seem to be the days that my feet will be light. I would wait eagerly when will the time to enter my class, my fortress. Some times though, I wish they will be better behaved. Bible says if the house that we visit welcomes us, then let us bless the occupants the peace that our feet bring. So, I pray every time I enter my class, I will remember to leave my peace and blessing in it. And, that's not the end. I pray every one who enters my class, they too will be blessed.

LIFE as it is ...

Today's sermon dwells on serving and ministry, part of a series of sermons with the theme Nehemiah 52-Plan. Once again, we are serving God not men. Therefore, we should not feel discouraged or disheartened when our people do not respond well or our ministry doesn't seem to bear fruit. After all, we are bearing fruits that are supposed to last forever. Remember Christ mentions, for where your heart is, there is your treasure as well?

So, Lord Is For Everyone. Simply put, the Lord Is For Every human on earth. So, serve Him with all your heart, soul and might. One day in the house of the Lord is better than a thousand days on earth. When we serve the Lord, we are actually introducing Him to the people around us. Lord grant us strength and grace.

Esau vs Jacob

Have you heard the story of Esau and Jacob? I personally have heard the story many times, but today's message impressed me the most. Ps Dr Tan Hann Tzuu asked the question, "Given the choice, what type of friend do you want? Jacob or Esau?" We all know Jacob is a deceiver, so I don't think I want him as my friend. Esau, on the other hand, though he might be rowdy, at least he won't lie or cheat the way Jacob cheated Esau's birthright.

If we read the passage further and think deeper, it seems that Esau was criticised more than Jacob. Why? Gen 27:34 - Then Jacob gave Esau some bread and lentil stew. He ate and drank, and then got up and left. So Esau despised his birthright. Esau despised his birthright just for a bowl of soup. All he ever thought of was eat and drink. Is life just for eat and drink and play? I too believe that God has a higher calling for us.

Look into our lives. Sometimes, we too despise our birthrights. How many of us know that we are the children of the Lord Most High. We claimed we are from Him, but we don't act like one. Isn't that a despise to Him? We are supposed to be the salt and light of the world, but are we acting like light and salt? Sometimes we are not. Or rather most of the times, we are not.

Jacob knew how to claim his blessings from God, his Heavenly Father. Just like the parable of the prodigal son. Towards the end, the Bible says that the father told the elder son, that all he has is him. All that God, our heavenly Father, has, all that belongs to us too. So, do we want to despise our birthright for a "lentil soup"?

A brick

I received an email from my ex-principal today; about a brick. The story goes like this :

A young executive was travelling down a busy neighbourhood in his new Jaguar. He was watching out for kids darting out of nowhere between parked cars and slowed down when he thought he saw something. As his car passed by, no children appeared. Instead, a brick flew and smashed the Jag's side door. He slammed the brakes and reversed the Jaguar to the spot where the brick flew.

The angry driver jumped out of the car, grabbed the kid and pushed him against a parked car. He shouted, "What was that all about?! Who are you?! Just what do you think on earth you're doing?!"

The young boy was apologetic, "I'm sorry mister... please sir. I don't know what to do..." He pleaded,"I threw the brick because no one would stop..." With tears running down his cheek, he pointed to a spot just around a parked car. "It's my brother. He fell from his wheelchair and I can't lift him up."

Now sobbing, the boy asked the stunned executive, "Please mister. Would you please help me to get him back onto the wheelchair? He's hurt and he's too heavy for me." Moved beyond words, the young executive hurriedly lift the handicapped boy onto the his wheelchair, then took out a handkerchief and dabbed at the fresh scrapes and cuts. A quick look later told him that everything would be okay. "Thank you, mister. May God bless you". Too shock for words, the executive just watched the young boy pushed his wheelchair-bound brother down the sidewalk towards their home.

It was a long walk back to the Jaguar. The damage was noticeable, but the driver never bothered to repair the dented side door. "Let this dent be a reminder to me that I shall never go through life so fast that someone has to throw a brick at me to get my attention"

God whispers at our souls and speaks to our hearts. But many times, we are too busy to notice that. This week, the chapel sermon, the devotion, even Bible study and casual chat with friends, all seemed to flow along the tag "God is whispering. Are you listening?"

So, to me a brick is a reminder .. that God is looking into our hearts. How much are we willing to spend with Him? How much are we willing to share with Him?

New Journey

Well, it's been two days since I started my post-graduate degree at UPM. Finally, after so many years of waiting, God has sent an angel to bless me. Indeed, the time has come rightfully for me to pursue my Masters in field that will allow me to not only go far in my career advancement, but also to extend my ministry arm. When he encouraged me to go for it, I couldn't do much but to just thank him and prayed a prayer of thanks to the Lord. I want to proclaim that God is the Lord who Provides. He is always there to answer our calls in distress, providing us with all our needs, even at times that we didn't notice of Him.

The only decision left for the coming week is how many credits should I register? Not even one week of lectures, there are two assignments on my desk ready to be read and handed in.

Finally .. it's started

Finally, the day that I've been waiting has arrived! The only thing getting in my way are the rules and procedures. If given a choice, I would have wished today had happened 3 years back. Maybe if it had started then, I would not have to tolerate high boiling blood every day. I would have ended in university or college, doing research and lecturing instead of 'babysitting' some bunch of robots. The more I want to move forward, the more I would be held back.

No doubt this job is very fulfilling though not rewarding, interesting though not enjoyable. Many times, I wanted to leave. But many times He said "My grace is sufficient for you. Think of those who sincerely wanting to learn". Alas... my heart would feel so much for them. After all, even there is one soul left to listen to my lecture, it is still blessing. If he was to thank me after my lesson, that in itself is a double blessing. All I could now say is carpe diem...

Life ... a crisis or a marathon

It's been a long time since my last blog. Been tied down with errands, assignments, workload all seem neverending and ever piling. Even the school is facing crisis after crisis. Little did I realize that God has a plan and a purpose in all that happens around us. The word crisis in Chinese can be viewed as danger or opportunity. Likewise, life is a crisis. If we choose to see it as danger then it is the greatest danger as we don't know what the future holds. The world around us has been so uncertain that things are becoming routines to many of us.

Today is the day that God has spoken. It reads in Jeremiah 1:5 "Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you, before you were born, I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations." We are all chosen by God and set apart by Him. How would we respond? It's a crisis; but it's definitely not danger! It is not even an apportunity, it's grace! A grace given in times we don't deserve it, when we are still filthy rags!

My friend today shared his experience about running a half marathon, 21-km race. When we asked what was his motivation, he answered "The ending line is my motivation. I just wanted to see how much I can go." That is exactly what the Bible talks about. Apostle Paul said, "I have finished the race, I have fought a good fight and I have kept the faith." Life is indeed a marathon race. We did not choose to be in it, but out of God's grace, we are in it. Are we alone in the race? No, He is there running with us, so long as we allow Him to.