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.

Time Flies 2

Time and tides wait for no man. A phrase that I've heard many times and yet it seems so fresh and sticking in my mind. It has now entered the second half of the year, time for more challenging happenings : Entreprenuer's-cum-Report Card Day, Speech Day, PMR Trial, SPM Trial, Final Exams, PMR and SPM, year-end camps. Wow!! Alas, time to reflect what have we learned throughout the first and second quarters of 2009. Time to plan and look ahead of the third and fourth quarters of 2009.

Time Is Making Exits;
Time Is Moulding Experience;
Technically I Must Endure

That's TIME for me ^^

Endure

Endurance seems to be the key word for the next five days. It gonna be tough, challenging but at the same time, exciting and fun. That's what I have been hoping all these while. This is the real happening year of my ministry. I do hope that I will have breakthrough in my ministry, life and career.

The next camp is gonna be held at Pasir Panjang. I got to know the theme for the camp is ENDURE .. it actually stands for something which I couldn't recall for now. Well.. wish me luck..

Holiday yet no holiday ...

It's holiday time and guess what? I have to attend to three camps. One of which I had to pay. Just came back from one camp.. two more days .. off to another camp. The last one will be next week. This year is really a happening year for me. Made many new friends, new and interesting students. Some of which really fascinate me and a few really made me want to continue to teach there.. Though it is really tiring, challenging and sometimes find it almost unbearable, the fact that these few are really those who show their sincere appreciation... and this has really touched me to continue to move on. Looking at them really gives me the energy to persevere because I know there is a purpose for me to be put there. Sometimes I only hope there are those who will want to say they have learned and they are inspired to move on.. as Christ has touched their lives.

Deep in my heart, a call seems so gentle persuading me to press on and to push on for He is there to strengthen and His grace is sufficient for me.