Free

Completed my last exam for this semester this morning. Got a free feeling. Felt like a bird. Light & easy. Though I know it will not last for long. I still like the feeling. Yes, loved it. Get to rest and do catch up on doing the thing I love to do.

The Bible also teaches about being free. Free form bondage and the yoke of sins through Christ Jesus. If the freedom of the Bible is as what I felt today, I want it.

I WANT TO BE FREE !!

King James Bible
John 8:36 If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.

PARADOX OF LIFE

Received this from HF, I like it.

A Message by George Carlin:

The paradox of our time in history is that we have taller buildings but shorter tempers, wider Freeways , but narrower viewpoints. We spend more, but have less, we buy more, but enjoy less. We have bigger houses and smaller families, more conveniences, but less time. We have more degrees but less sense, more knowledge, but less judgment, more experts, yet more problems, more medicine, but less wellness.

We drink too much, smoke too much, spend too recklessly, laugh too little, drive too fast, get too angry, stay up too late, get up too tired, read too little, watch TV too much, and pray too seldom.

We have multiplied our possessions, but reduced our values. We talk too much, love too seldom, and hate too often.

We've learned how to make a living, but not a life. We've added years to life not life to years. We've been all the way to the moon and back, but have trouble crossing the street to meet a new neighbor. We conquered outer space but not inner space. We've done larger things, but not better things..

We've cleaned up the air, but polluted the soul. We've conquered the atom, but not our prejudice. We write more, but learn less.. We plan more, but accomplish less. We've learned to rush, but not to wait.. We build more computers to hold more information, to produce more copies than ever, but we communicate less and less.

These are the times of fast foods and slow digestion, big men and small character, steep profits and shallow relationships. These are the days of two incomes but more divorce, fancier houses, but broken homes. These are days of quick trips, disposable diapers, throwaway morality, one night stands, overweight bodies, and pills that do everything from cheer, to quiet, to kill. It is a time when there is much in the showroom window and nothing in the stockroom. A time when technology can bring this letter to you, and a time when you can choose either to share this insight, or to just hit delete...

Remember; spend some time with your loved ones, because they are not going to be around forever.

Remember, say a kind word to someone who looks up to you in awe, because that little person soon will grow up and leave your side.

Remember, to give a warm hug to the one next to you, because that is the only treasure you can give with your heart and it doesn't cost a cent.

Remember, to say, ' I love you ' to your partner and your loved ones, but most of all mean it. A kiss and an embrace will mend hurt when it comes from deep inside of you.

Remember to hold hands and cherish the moment for someday that person will not be there again.

Give time to love, give time to speak! And give time to share the precious thoughts in your mind.

AND ALWAYS REMEMBER:

Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away..



George Carlin

Mary

John 12:1-11
Then Jesus six days before the passover came to Bethany, where Lazarus was which had been dead, whom he raised from the dead. There they made him a supper; and Martha served: but Lazarus was one of them that sat at the table with him. Then took Mary a pound of ointment of spikenard, very costly, and anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped his feet with her hair: and the house was filled with the odour of the ointment. Then saith one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, Simon's son, which should betray him, Why was not this ointment sold for three hundred pence, and given to the poor? This he said, not that he cared for the poor; but because he was a thief, and had the bag, and bare what was put therein. Then said Jesus, Let her alone: against the day of my burying hath she kept this. For the poor always ye have with you; but me ye have not always. Much people of the Jews therefore knew that he was there: and they came not for Jesus' sake only, but that they might see Lazarus also, whom he had raised from the dead. But the chief priests consulted that they might put Lazarus also to death; Because that by reason of him many of the Jews went away, and believed on Jesus.


We all had probably heard and read this popular Bible story many, many times, about Mary anointing Jesus' leg with expensive perfume and wiping it with her hair. What did it speak to you of this peculiar action of Mary? Lord forgive me, but I really had no special appreciation of this story until yesterday, until when Pastor Lydia explained.

This special perfume, spikenard is said to be very very expensive. It cost 300 denarii in Jesus' time. Wow, that is actually a whole year wage for a working man. As for the women who do not work during Jesus' time, it would take a far longer time to save and purchase this special perfume. Usually the woman would save and buy this perfume to be used only for her wedding day. The fragrance is very strong and it fills the air. On the wedding day, the woman would use this perfume, scented herself and the also whole atmosphere. This special fragrance is dedicated just for the husband by the wife. It is an very expensive offering to be given to the very special husband, and the scent in the atmosphere announce to all present of this special offering by the wife. Mary offered her expensive spikenard to Jesus in front of all. This is meant that Jesus is truly special to Mary. Mary had offer a very expensive offering to Jesus.

Reflection: Can we dedicate our very best offering to the Lord? Can we also offer a very expensive gift offering to our Lord?


The situation then is tense, the Jewish leaders who are in power are losing their fellow Jews to Jesus and they intended to kill Lazarus and Jesus. In such time, to remain safe, one would choose to avoid association with Jesus. However, Mary and Martha continue to welcome Jesus into their home. Jesus had raised their brother Lazarus back to life and that is no accident. The plot to kill is on. And it is during this tense situation that Mary anoint Jesus' feet with the very expensive perfume. This had declared loud about Mary's association to Jesus. Mary is actually endangering her life in doing so.

Reflection: Do we remain faithful and not deny Jesus, even unto endangering our life and death?


Mary also let go her hair and used it to wipe Jesus' feet. In doing so, she is deemed as a prostitute by the society. Women in Jesus' time do not let down their hair, otherwise, they will be labeled as prostitute. I still don't know the reason why Mary did so, but she had risk maring her reputation and putting shame onto her name.

Reflection: Can we risk our destroying our reputation and shame our good name for Jesus' sake?


In Palestine, the feet will get dirty as people travel. They will wash their legs as they enter a house. As for VIPs, slaves will bend down to wipe these VIPs' feet. Hence it is a very humbling act. Jesus entered the house, but none washes His feet. Mary in humility, bend down and washes Jesus feet with this expensive perfume and wiping it clean with her own hair. A humbling slave's action of those days.

Reflection: Are we able to humble ourselves to serve Jesus with humble acts as such?

Clouded Sky

Joe 2:2 A day of darkness and of gloominess, a day of clouds and of thick darkness, as the morning spread upon the mountains.

In a time where there is many gloom and uncertainties. Let me still focus onto my good Lord who is my hope, my trust and my refuge.

Timing

After all these year walking with the Lord. I kinda understand His timing. It is always on time, never too soon nor a second too late. However, even after scores of experience with the Lord on timing, I still couldn't get use to His timing. It drives me crazy all the time. Even though I had rest assured that His timing will never goes wrong, it takes so much faith to wait and experience the perfect timing. I like to plan ahead and be early, however being early don't seems to be registered with the Lord. It is always on time precisely, never early nor late. Gets on my nerve !!

YESUS KEKUATAN

Inside Out; Outside in

I was reading the texts from my Strategic Management textbook yesterday and came across this very interesting article and phrase.

'Inside out' and 'Outside in'.

The textbook gave an account in the context of organisations who plan and strategically for their goals, which are having the best product ever, excellent efficiency and productivity. Yup, they are the best, no way the system is gonna fail. Or is it so? Today we see many organisations getting stronger and bigger and meaner. However, their business is not getting any better. A glance across the profit return of the companies listed on the stock exchange will tell you that, their businesses are earning menial profit. Why? Why is General Motor the once leader of the world industry is now facing threat of bankruptcy and not even the US government is in position to pull it out of its hot soup. They all have this problem. They are looking from "inside - out". Business is about satisfying the customer. And if the the great product or organisation does not satisfy the customer, nope, it is not gonna stay in business very long. My textbook described this phenomena as if that these organisations have each a 'key', and they are looking for the 'lock' that match thier key. Not sure if they are going to be very successful in finding that 'lock'.

The answer is in looking from "outside - in". It is about satisfying the customer and understanding what does the customer wants? The correct attitude should be, "Right, yes, we got it, and yes, we will tweak our product and organisation to satisfy you Mr. Customer". This would be liken to having the 'lock' in place, and now we fashion our 'key' to match and unlock this stubborn lock. Looking from 'outside - in'. Looking from the customer perspective, not our.

I looked back at our Christian walk with the Lord. Have we been looking 'inside - out' or is it 'outside - in'? Have we been telling the Lord what we wanted and please Lord, do fulfil our wants. Or have we treated the Lord as the esteemed and Ultimate Customer, looking 'outside - in'. Being in-perfect ourselves, we need to fashioned ourselves to satisfy the Lord. Just how much have done that?

Lord, we have failed you many times, we had become the customer and treat You as if You are there to satisfy our wants. Now we repent and change. We will treat You as our customer, we will satisfy Your wants according to Your Word in the Bible.
Amen.

A Heavy Week - Thank You Lord

Wow, it sure is a very heavy week on this first week of June. It seems that everything is arriving at the same time together this week. Aaahh... Lord have mercy.

Last Tuesday, after a very long day at the workplace, I was truly tired out. But I was scheduled to drive my maid to the airport at LCCT, Sepang the same evening. Her flight was at 0655 hrs the next morning. That means I would have to reach there by 0455 hrs. The journey would take me four hours. I got my wife and Joseph my youngest son to join me. We took off with the maid at 0000 hrs. It was a very challenging journey, it would means that I would have to drive all night during our usual sleeping hours. I started well, driving slowly and steadily, but my eyelids got the better of me within the next half an hour. Wow, I really struggled to remain awake and to drive on safely. The truth is the body was so tired and I actually drove in a semi conscious state all the way to the airport. It must been so dangerous and I could have dozed off a dozen times. To make things worse, we met heavy rain in the midst of the journey and visibility was poor. I stopped at every R&R to take some fourty winks. The fourty winks sometime added up to a hundred. We reached the airport at about 0415 hrs. Still good timing! We spent about one a half hour in the airport sending the maid off and then make our way back to Kluang. That will be another 4 hrs on the road. Boy, I really had not sleep. Even with the daylight now, the return journey was as bad as the night journey. I was really tired out and was still driving in that semi conscious state. Reached Kluang finally at 1100 hrs.

How I did I survive that journey? Only God knows. I truly convinced that God has been merciful to me on that night and had sent a dozen His angels to watch over me and my car.

Thank you Lord.

WORD - FAITH

Today, I researched on the Word-Faith movement. It is labeled as a cult movement. Googled on "Word-Faith" and out came many familiar names. I was visibly upset by the reports I read. I was sad that the church is so naive and sometimes so take things for granted. Even to the point when God is challenged, many times we prefer to stay ignorant. Last week, pastor preached that we are in constant battle. Yes, I agree, we should not relax, surely the enemy comes prowling as a roaring lion waiting to devour all he can.

1 Peter 5:8
Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:

Cults have been around for ages. The enemy comes to steal, kill and destroy. He is the deceiver of old (Rev 12:9). I just cannot accept that our beloved church is being infiltrate by the enemy right under our nose.

Need to research more. Will pray. Please join me, fellow soldier.

Mozart on Guitar

CRIME @ YOUNG AGE

(Excerpt taken from MNPN prayer New #11 dated 30 April 2009)

While we are constantly reminded of the rise in overall crime occurring in the country,the worrying fact is the increasing crimes committed by children who are under 18 years old.

Facts as reported by media

• IGP Tan Sri Musa Hassan said criminal cases involving juveniles, aged between 13 and 18 y/o, have been on the rise.
  
• There were 2,218 cases last year, compared with 1,836 in 2007 (1/4, Star Online). These cases involved 3,725 students of which 3,629 were between the ages of 13 and 18. They were linked to serious cases such as murder, rape and break-ins.
  
• Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye, vice chairman of Malaysia Crime Prevention Foundation, said 295 students were caught in the first two months of 2009 (5/4).
  
• In Pahang, a total of 202 students were arrested in 2008 for 147 criminal cases, ranging from rape amd molest to rioting and extortion.
  
• In the first two months of 2009 alone, 51 students were detained for involvement in 25 cases (22/4).
  
• Recently, police picked up 23 "punk" and skinhead teenagers in an operation in Pudu. "Most of them were high on alcohol," said Dang Wangi police chief Assistant Commissioner Zulkarnain Abdul Rahman (27/4, NST Online).
  
• According to a recent survey jointly conducted by the Youth Research & Development Institute of Malaysia and Psychology Research & Development Centre of Malaysia, 87% of Mat Rempit were those between 14 and 25. 48.1% of them indulged in illegal activities out of boredom, while 38% did it to fill their time. Another 27.8% due to peer pressure (1/4).
  
• A few days ago, some 20 Mat Rempit attacked and robbed a deaf girl at a petrol kiosk (26/4, Star Online)
  
• Statistics show that the number of girls below 16 engaging in sexual activities has increased. 60% had sex because they "wanted revenge" on their parents (27/4).
  
• Statistics from 2005 to 2008 showed 75% of the rape victims were below 18 and at least 60% of them were below 16.
  
• Boys below 18 made up between 8.4% and 13.6% of the 'rapists' (27/4)

What do people say about the causes of juvenile crime:

• Lack of morals and values are major reasons for the increase in crime.
• Emotional development in young people is being neglected.
  
• The demise of family life and the increase in family violence.
  
• Family breakdown, especially when parents contradict each other, provides no clear moral lead.
  
• Lack of parental supervision and father figure as role model.
• Growing incident of child abuse and child neglect
  
• "Boredom, low self-esteem and anger at the parents lead them to be Hells-Angels."
• Insufficient penalty for delinquent acts.
• Poverty: teenagers commit crime in response to failure to rise above their socioeconomic status, or as a rejection to middle-class values.
  
• Other risk factors: repeated exposure to violence, drugs, frustration or failure in school, delinquent peer groups, and media violence.
  
• Heavy exposure to internet or televised violence may be one of the causes of aggressive behavior, crime and violence in society.

I read the above report with sadness. These younger generation of our is so dear to us and yet we seems to be losing them. Dear Lord, do forgive us.

Angels and Demons

Watch the movie this evening with wifey and some friends. Actually enjoyed it, though it is not as good as reading the novel. Still much better than the previous Da Vinci Code.

Bersyukurlah

Healthy Self Image

We had our Power Point Meeting last night and my, it was a crowd. We continued our lessons from Joel Osteen's book Living Your Best Life Now. This time, it is Part 2 which dwells on developing a "Healthy Self Image". Guess what, I have to lead the discussion again. Oh..oh... how I drag myself to prepare for the lesson. Pheew... I actually pushed it aside until the very last day. Tell you the truth, I actually finally prepared the lesson for the evening, over lunch hour in the office. How lazy can you get, Cheekar, Cheekar???

Well, I am really amazed many times how God can work through the very the weakness of people, like me, and bring glory to Himself. For Him, it always work out while we freak out.

Some salient points from the lesson.

Self Concept:
Self Image - how we see ourselves
Self Esteem - how we feel about ourselves
Self Worth - How we value ourselves

Sum up, a level of self acceptance. I call it a measure.

We would never live beyond the self image we see for ourselves. It is like a measure we set for ourselves, and we will and we surely will live to that measure, be it a good or a poor measure. Hence, we got to make sure it is a healthy one.

The the question is, what is God's measure for us. What image does God sees us? How do our image of ourselves measure up to God's image for us?

Now I realised why the church keep asking us to confess, confess all those goody, goody stuffs. Sometimes sounded fake to me. I guess, in this context, if we confess and believe, we set a healthy self image for ourselves and hence we will live into achieving it.

If we have a healthy self image, we love ourselves and we can also love others. If cannot love ourselves, we too will find it difficult to love others. Richard Innes of ACT International says that we love others the same way we love ourselves.

1 John 4:19 We love because He first love us.

We have to be loved first, and then we can love others. Thus it is important to love one another, that they can also love others. If we cannot love ourselves, we cannot have a healthy self image. Why can't we love ourselves then? It is due to the dark secrets and hurts in us that are not resolved.

Richard Innes offers seven steps to developing a healthy self image for ourselves.

1. Be real, do not live behind a mask or in pretense. People will love our mask and not us.

2. Face the dark side of ourselves. This is the part that we are ashamed, guilty, embarrassed of. The cause of why we don't like ourselves or reject ourselves. It can be rejection, abuse or painful memories, anger, fear, hurt, guilt and grief. These has to be brought to light and dealt with.

3. We need to self-love. Learn to love and accept ourselves.

4. Resolve all unresolved feelings of hatred, anger and offenses.
1 Peter 2:1-2 (TLB) So get rid of your feelings of hatred [anger]. Don't just pretend to be good!

5. Live in harmony with healthy moral, ethical values based on God's standard.

6. Forgive.

7. Ultimately, of love and acceptance, be connected to God, know His love and affirmation. This is through confessing our sins to God, asking Him of His forgiveness and accepting His Son, Jesus, into our heart and soul as our Lord and Saviour.

1Jn 4:12 If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and his love is perfected in us.

Life

I receive news on Friday morning that Thurai had not died of a heart attack as I posted previously. He too committed suicide and died.

Indeed, only one life chance for all.

Gotta live it right.

Only One Life Chance to Impact !!

Yesterday, Chin Hwee called. He has been trying to call me since all Tuesday evening. I managed to answer his call yesterday morning. He brought sad news of the death of our old classmate Vasu. Vasu had committed suicide. He left a young wife and a child. Sad news indeed.

This morning as I walk to the office, another colleague informed me of another death. Apparently the supervisor, Thurai from the workplace had died the night before due to a heart attack. Thurai is in his early fourties. Also left a wife and two young children.

The events kinda left me thinking, wow, life is indeed for a moment. My pastor passed away last September, he was fourty two. He also had left a young family. Brother El'berd from the church keep sending 'sms'es to me with the a catchy phrase "Only one-life chance to impact !". I never ask him what does he meant. I just knew that it meant something 'deep', maybe too deep for me, but it must been something very real to El'berd.

Guess El'berd is right, there is only one life chance, God has not been generous with this life thing. He has given only one to each person. Whether it is to impact, like for El'berd, to love God, to love your family, or love people as Jesus commanded or anything else. Or maybe to make that big money and enjoy. This is a serious choice here. Sounds like I have to really choose carefully. There is only one life chance. Cannot take it lightly. Mmmmm......mmmh !!

What is your choice?

Comfort Zone

Ricky is now retired and today I have finally shifted into Ricky's old office. It is a much bigger office room, in fact the biggest office room in the whole of our Engineering Site Office Building.

Some colleagues gave some "wow" in admiration but I actually did not enjoy the shift. Although the room symbolised a much coveted position, I did not like it. I finds fault with almost everything in this new office of mine. Silly me. I actually longed for my old room, one that is so familiar and to my liking.

However I know, longing for the old room is not right. This shift means that I am progressing. Isn't that what I have been longing for all this time?

I musta been crazy....

Denomination Breakdown

I would say that today's Sunday Service at our church Gereja Peace AOG Kluang is a historic one. It is significant for Kluang, and also for Christians at large.

Ps.Siong, a wonderful young pastor from Herald Presbyterian Church came over to our church and preached. He preached a wonderful message on the sovereignty of God from the book of Job.

Ps. Siong is from the local Chinese Presbyterian church. Historically, the Presbyterian has not been comfortable with the AOG movement. But that was due to the past and perceptions that are not relevant anymore today.

We, the members from Gereja Peace AOG Kluang had lost our dear pastor last September. Ps.Siong, being a local pastor, had a great burden from the Lord to visit our church and to encourage us. However this easier said than done. Ps. Siong, had never visited an AOG church before and the Chinese Presbyterian Church he serve in, do not agree with many of the cultures in the AOG churches at large. The young Ps. Siong asked his colleagues if it is alright for him to preach in an AOG church, the colleagues answered, better not.

However, this is not an agenda from men but a divine order. The Lord did not give Ps Siong peace. In fact he is troubled. Finally, he actually take courage to asked our pastor if he can visit our church Gereja Peace AOG and preach.

Indeed, this is historic. A breakthrough and victory over traditions and pride.

I salute Ps Siong for his humility, obedience and victory over pride.

Ps 133.1 Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!

Indeed it is very very beautiful.

Hatiku Percaya

Ricky's Farewell

Ricky, my boss of the last four years has finally retired. He is 69. Worked on the same industry for more than 40 over years. Organised a party and got him a wonderful gift of a painting with the Kluang plant he built in the background. The world biggest synthetic latex plant.

Ricky is more than a boss to me. A mentor and one that has many exemplary characters that I would love to have for myself. A genuine, real, straight and honest man who loved his work and loved the people around him.

Ricky taught me many things beside engineering and work. Today over lunch he spoke about working and focusing on things that he truly enjoyed doing. It is this passion that kept him going for so long in his most elaborate career.

Passion.

God bless you Ricky.

Abundant Life

I took leave from work today to work on my long due assignment from the university. Since I did not had a late night before, I actually woke up early today. I make a trip to the neighbourhood mamak store for my breakfast. I took time to savour in the nasi lemak and teh panas. I even linger and enjoy the morning cool breeze. Then I observed the people around me. Many factory workers are happily chatting. Then they hurried off to work. It is 8 am in the morning.

I reflected on God's promised good life for us. Indeed the world has much good stuff that it can offer to us. I actually enjoy the breakfast experience which is not hurried, the cool morning breeze is soothing and friendly people chatting sounded like heaven.

But in reality, many people did not enjoy life as we all shoould. Saw on the Facebook just now that a young friend commented on his frustration. He commented "CRAP !!", another commented "Life is full of crap", and another commented "totally agreed".

Such comments sadden me. I remembered that God never promised a crap life for us but a abundant life. Many are not receiving this good life. We need to received it.

I give thanks to God for the wisdom to take leave from work and reflect on Him. A simply breakfast experience can be enjoyable.

No more being a loser and living a defeated life. I want a victorious life.

Amen.

Children

Love them, you never know how dear they are to you.

Expanding your vision

Finally started on this book. The Power Point Group discussed on Chapter 1 :Expanding your vision this evening.
Some of the points that we concluded are;

• The Word of God stands, no matter what the circumstances.
• God has good things in store for us.
• We have to believe in in His Word.
• The enemy has a plan to abort God's wonderful plan for us.
• Satan is a father of lies. He speak lies and has us believe in mediocrity.
• We had fall short of God wonderful plan.
• We have to have a positive attitude, believe, expect and place ourselves into God's plan.
• We have to have faith and allow God divine intervention to work in our life.

Slumdog Millionaire

I traveled frequently to Mumbai, Vadodara and Karamsad for business between 2006 to 2008. Along these journeys, I would always take note of the people and scenes around me. I took particular notice of the many slums that I passes by. I would ask the locals, where do these slum people find water or sanitary? They always answer, "don't know". They do not like to be associated with the slum people. I felt upset for that the locals are not caring for their people. Once I took some pics of children begging on the streets. My host then said, "Why take these pictures, I will bring you to some nice places for pictures". Yes, many of these scenes are hard to believe or accept in India for the present modern age. But it is true. I have no problem with the poverty as I was also poor before but I do have a problem with the attitude of the local people who couldn't care less for their own people.

Watch Slumdog Millionaire, and your will see exactly what it is. Scenes are superb. There is no need for props or make believe scenery. It is all there as it is, places, scenery, people and all.

Great movie. Thumbs up.

What is Christian Love?

by Steven R. Hemler

As Christians, we are commanded by Jesus to love others. But, what does this mean? In today's culture, love is usually associated with romantic feelings and sexual relationships. Clearly, this is not the type of love Jesus meant we should have for everyone! Also, we often think of love as a feeling. But since we can't decide what we feel, how can we have feelings of love for everyone?

To fully understand Jesus' command to love one another, it helps to look at the Greek word for love most often used in the New Testament. For in the Greek language, unlike in English, there are four different words used for four different types of love. These Greek words are storge, philia, eros, and agape. C.S. Lewis expands upon these in his book, The Four Loves.

Storge is the Greek word for the love between family members. C.S. Lewis calls this affection. Storge is most clearly evident in the love of parents for their children. Most parents are so devoted to their children's welfare that they are willing to sacrifice and do most anything, even unto death, for the sake their children. Storge is also the love children feel for their parents, as well as the love between relatives in an extended family. Storge is a committed, often sacrificial love. It doesn't expect too much, revives easily after quarrels, is unconditional, often overlooks the other's faults and frequently forgives. We often take the storge love of our family members for granted. Storge is the love where we can be comfortable and secure just being in the presence of one another. Just being together in comfortable closeness is often enough.

Philia is the love between good friends. Philia is also called "platonic" love. Philia is a chosen love, because we choose whom we will befriend - usually on the basis of shared interests. Philia is more conditional and less sacrificial than storge. Philia is less willing to continually overlook faults and frequently forgive others.

Eros is the Greek word for romantic/sexual love and is the root of the English word erotic. Eros is the passionate feeling of romantic attraction felt between two lovers. It is also associated with infatuation and lust. Unlike friends who stand side-by-side absorbed in some common interest, eros lovers are normally face-to-face absorbed with each other. Since eros is a passionate feeling and because we cannot decide what we will feel, we usually do not choose this type of love. That's why we say a man and a woman "fall in love." Eros ("being in love") usually just happens. Of course, this does not mean we must always give in to the desires of these passions. While we cannot decide what we feel, we can and should control what we do in response to our feelings.

It is also worth noting that this type of passionate love is often expected to last throughout the many years of marriage. That's why many young newlyweds are often surprised and disheartened when the "fires of passion" begin to decay. However, it is perfectly normal for this passionate love to diminish in intensity over time. What often takes its place in marriage and grows over time is the more secure, committed, and comfortable love of storge. Since feelings come and go, when a man and a woman get married they cannot promise to have passionate feelings of love for each other forever. Rather, what they can and should promise is a commitment of the will to the lifelong good of the other, no matter what lies ahead in their lives.

The final type of love is agape. Agape is the word most often used in the New Testament to describe Christian love. Agape is made manifest in our acts of charity and service for others, including those who we may not even know or like. Agape is unconditional in that it does not expect anything in return. Unlike eros, agape is not a feeling that just happens. Rather, like philia, agape is a chosen and committed love. Agape takes a decision of our free will, a commitment to act for the good of another. Like storge, agape can be a sacrificial and unreciprocated love. It is the love Jesus made manifest for us on the cross. Agape is self-giving.

Agape flows from the abundant, overflowing, and unconditional love of God. After all, God is love. Agape is God's divine love made visible in our good works of charity and service. It is a joyful and spiritual love that grows in our lives by the grace of God. The Holy Spirit is the source of agape love. Agape is the type of love that all Christians are called to manifest in their lives by unconditional acts of goodwill and charity for others, especially the poor and disadvantaged.

Agape vs Philieo

Some contrasts between agape and philia are as follows:

Philia	Agape
Natural	Learned
Emotional	Volitional
Discriminatory	Non-discriminatory
Conditional	Unconditional
Pleasure	Preciousness
Delight	Esteem
Liking	Prizing
Because of	In spite of
Fails	Never fails

Chinese Genesis

Create

Forbidden

Covetousness

Boat

Garden

The Just Man

Gen 6:8 -9

But Noah found grace in the eyes of the LORD... Noah was a just man and perfect in his generations, and Noah walked with God. ....

Worship 2 - Kasher & Yosher

Rom 12:1
I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.

Bro Elberd preached on Worship last Sunday. Wow, seems like there is no end to worship sermons.

He preached from Roman 12:1 where worship is when we present our bodies as the living temple of the Holy Ghost, and our lifestlye as our living sacrifice unto God.

Worship has to be wholesome, integrated for our God is ONE.

Kasher - to do what is fit and proper. What we do. i.e. to serve, to give, to love, to pray, to help, to work, ....

Yosher - to do thing straight. Do what is right, the right way. Right attitude Why we do. i.e. do willingly, give cheerfully, hope faithfully, pray unceasingly, love sacrificially, serve excellently.

When we worship God with our body and lifestyle, we do it with "Kasher" and also "Yosher". Need both. No good if one trait is missing.

Worship

Exo 30:34 - 38 And the LORD said unto Moses, Take unto thee sweet spices, stacte, and onycha, and galbanum; these sweet spices with pure frankincense: of each shall there be a like weight: And thou shalt make it a perfume, a confection after the art of the apothecary, tempered together, pure and holy: And thou shalt beat some of it very small, and put of it before the testimony in the tabernacle of the congregation, where I will meet with thee: it shall be unto you most holy. And as for the perfume which thou shalt make, ye shall not make to yourselves according to the composition thereof: it shall be unto thee holy for the LORD. Whosoever shall make like unto that, to smell thereto, shall even be cut off from his people.

Ps Calvin Lee from Kajang AOG visited us today and shared on Worship from Exodus 30, where our worship to God is liken to the sweet smelling incense prepared for altar in the tabernacle.

Some points on HOW shall we worship from Exodus 30.

1. Verse 34 Instruction on the composition of the incense.
Worship is about what God want and not what we likes.

2. Verse 35 ... salted, pure and holy
Worship is Holy

3. Verse 36 grind some into powder
True Worship comes from a broken and contrite heart

4. Verse 37 - 38
Worship is exclusive for God alone.

Children

Pro 20:7 The just man walketh in his integrity: his children are blessed after him.

Felt such heavy responsibility by just reading this.

I feel for the coming generation, there is a strong shallowness that had crept in. A deception. How should we raise up our children? I had this question ringing in my head, for I have three of my own.

The Lord has many answers for this question. Among them, we parents, be just and walk in integrity. The children are watching, learning and their characters are being shaped. O, do let them learn something good from their "heros", we the parents.

Saved ?

"Say the sinner's prayer and you are saved."

How true is this statement?

Lord, Teach us to Pray

I was reading a sermon text by Stephen A Ratliff on prayer. He noted that when Jesus' disciples asked Jesus to teach them to pray (Luke 11:1-4), Jesus taught them the Lord's Prayer.

If we looked carefully, the Lord's Prayer is exceedingly simple and direct, very much like how a child would pray minus all the King James style of vocabulary.

If we ask our children to pray, they can actually pray very easily and naturally. My kids would pray like this, "... thank you Jesus for the fish, rice, ....., pray for mama, that the sickness would go away.." . Their faith in God is genuine, without doubt. Very different from the way an adult would pray. An adult's prayer is always a little restrictive and reserved. There is a fear of disappointment that God would not answer. But I think that is generally alright. We are not God and would not understand many things.

Back to Luke 11, Jesus' disciples are all adult Jews, I would assume them all to had led a lifetime of prayer. But as they followed Jesus and saw Jesus pray, they realised their Jewish prayer is falling short from Jesus'. They humbled themselves and asked Jesus, Lord, Teach us to pray.

Luke 11:1 -4

And it came to pass, that, as he was praying in a certain place, when he ceased, one of his disciples said unto him, Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples.

And he said unto them, When ye pray, say, Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, as in heaven, so in earth. Give us day by day our daily bread. And forgive us our sins; for we also forgive every one that is indebted to us. And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil.

Tithing

One of literature I loved best and does touch on tithing and money is the testimony of Brother Andrew in God's Smuggler. It was a time when he was at Glasgow studying to be a missionary. He was in a team of 5 students on a practical evangelism trip going around Scottland for four weeks. Each student was given a one pound banknote for this practical evangelism trip, they will not ask for any money, it was an exercise on trust. Furthermore, each boy will have to return the one pound note as they return to the school after four weeks.

Brother Andrew's team was faithful, and was strict on tithing. Each time they receive any money, they gave away their tithes immediately within 24 hours. Another team was lenient on tithing, they did not gave away their tithe money immediately, they kept the money for 'emergencies". After four weeks, this other team ends up owing money to hotels, lecture halls and markets all over Scottland. On the contary, Brother Andrew's team never lack and in fact they have ten pounds ahead after four weeks.

There is a sign in front of the missionary school that Brother Andrew went which said

"Have Faith In God"


Mal 3:8 - 11
Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings. Ye are cursed with a curse: for ye have robbed me, even this whole nation. Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it. And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, and he shall not destroy the fruits of your ground; neither shall your vine cast her fruit before the time in the field, saith the LORD of hosts.

Ben Hur

Ben Hur, Son of Hur. Finally read Ben Hur, I never realise that it is such a wonderful book. The author Lewis Wallace managed to bring back to life the environment during Jesus' time. I personally appreciate that part very much. The environment on politics, economy, social and also technology. Brilliant! A sure recommend for reading. We, Christians would appreciate the Gospels more if we can actually grasp the environment then better. Cannot benchmark it with the environment we have here today. A mistake that many Christians did and had led to confusion. :)

Pray

Eph 6:18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;

The group from our church's Indonesian Ministry has been praying for prayer requests that were brought forward. These are simple people, not much educated, just simple people praying in sheer obedience. And praise to God, we see many of these prayers came to past quickly.

Just pray. Jesus hears.

Scarcity

This is an excerpt from Wikipedia.

Scarcity (also called paucity) is the problem of infinite human needs and wants, in a world of finite resources. In other words, society does not have sufficient productive resources to fulfill those wants and needs. Alternatively, scarcity implies that not all of society's goals can be pursued at the same time; trade-offs are made of one good against others. In an influential 1932 essay, Lionel Robbins defined economics as "the science which studies human behaviour as a relationship between ends and scarce means which have alternative uses."

Scarcity. Most modern man believe in it. Is it really true? We have 6.6 billion population on earth. Is it true that the dear earth cannot support us? Really? Or have we screwed up the way we should be living? Or have we gone greedy?

John 10:10

The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.

Aaron & Hur

Exo 17:8 - 15

Then came Amalek, and fought with Israel in Rephidim. And Moses said unto Joshua, Choose us out men, and go out, fight with Amalek: to morrow I will stand on the top of the hill with the rod of God in mine hand. So Joshua did as Moses had said to him, and fought with Amalek: and Moses, Aaron, and Hur went up to the top of the hill. And it came to pass, when Moses held up his hand, that Israel prevailed: and when he let down his hand, Amalek prevailed. But Moses' hands were heavy; and they took a stone, and put it under him, and he sat thereon; and Aaron and Hur stayed up his hands, the one on the one side, and the other on the other side; and his hands were steady until the going down of the sun. And Joshua discomfited Amalek and his people with the edge of the sword. And the LORD said unto Moses, Write this for a memorial in a book, and rehearse it in the ears of Joshua: for I will utterly put out the remembrance of Amalek from under heaven. And Moses built an altar, and called the name of it Jehovah Nissi:

Ps Lydia taught on team ministry healing prayer. The prayer uses the model of Moses, Joshua, Aaron and Hur. Joshua is fighting the Amalekites; Moses is the great leader of Israel; Aaron and Hur is by Moses' side supporting Moses.

The analogy is this as we pray for the sick.

The person being prayed for is Joshua and his army, he is fighting the Amalekites, which is the sickness. The one praying is Moses. The rest are Aaron and Hur, supporting Moses. Wonderful teaching, we see miracles even as we simply obediently pray and believe.

Wanna zoom in to Aaron and Hur. Many times we are taking the role of Aaron and Hur in ministry. We are not Moses the key person doing the ministry, just side kicks, most of the time not doing much but looked important and busy. Plain busy-bodies. Or is it so? Not how Bible describe it. Moses' hand grew weary over time, but the battle is far from over, and the Israelite need to see Moses' hand and the rod to prevail in battle.

Aaron and Hur did the kindest deed here. They took and stone for Moses, so that he can sit down. Not bad :). They also keep holding up Moses' hands ensuring that the Israelite prevails and finally win the battle over the Amalekites.

It is a long time, the sun is going down, :( Aaron and Hur is tired too. Who holds their hand then? The Bible is silent on this.

Guess we "kay ley fei" do have some important duties and responsibilities on hand. Yes, support our leaders in church, support those who are in the ministry. Support them, be kind to them, lend them a stool that they may sit down and rest. Looks like their hands are weary too.

The Global Economy Crisis

Such gloom. Today, Titan at Pasir Gudang is offering VSS to around 200 employees, about 20% of their workforce. This is so near to home. Yesterday the Second Finance Minister reported that the economy downturn is here to stay, probably for 2 years, and urge the people to accept the fact.

It can be devastating for someone to lose their job especially those who are from the middle income group, supporting a family and without much savings in the bank.

In times like these, I ask the Lord. How? Then I realise the economy is correcting itself. This sequence will come, sooner or later. The banks and the government has been greedy and has not been responsible in maintaining the economy for far too long. It is correction time. It is going to be painful for so many people.

Pray.

Children :)

Mat 18:3

And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.

Energy Conservation and Saving money on your next electricity bill

Reduce your electricity consumption with these energy conservation tips Po

If you pay the hydro bill directly, or if it is included in your rent or you are environmentally conscious, here are my tips to lower your hydro bills, most of which I have enacted, cutting my usage from about 13 or 14 kwh per day down to about 6 kwh (Or a reduction from over 400 kwh per month to under 250):

1. Turn off lights when not in use. Use "task lighting" rather than lighting the whole room unnecessarily for close work.

2. Replace incandescent lamps, (ie. regular light bulbs) with compact fluorescent lights. While more expensive to purchase, (prices continue to drop and they are now under $4 each in packages of 2 to 6 lamps.) they pay for themselves with time, taking 1/4 of the power and having a life of 7 to 10 times a long. They also generate much less heat which is a big bonus during the summer. You will get full life expectancy out of these lamps in open fixtures where the air can circulate and you will get a shorter life in a fully enclosed light fixture due to somewhat higher temperatures lowering the life of the internal electronic circuitry.

NOTE: do NOT use fluorescent lamps where it can get wet or in places of very high humidity like bathrooms because you do not want moisture getting into the electronics.

3. If you are going to use incandescent lamps, (ie. regular light bulbs,) use them with a light dimmer, so that when you don't need as much light you can dim the lights and use less power.

NOTE: Do NOT use a light dimmer on fluorescent or compact fluorescent lamps (CFL's). unless they are clearly marked that they are designed to be used with dimmers.

4. Dust your lamps and light fixtures with the power off. Even a thin layer of dust reduced light levels.

5. Unless absolutely necessary, use a fan rather than an air conditioner during the summer. Of course if you have asthma or other respiratory problems, a heart condition, or are a senior, your health is most important and you should continue to use your air conditioner. But you can always decide to lower the settings on the air conditioner from high to medium or low and set the temperature a bit higher.

6. Use window shades to reduce or block sunlight and heat during the summer, particularly if you have windows that receive direct sunlight.

7. Computers and particularly laser printers can really run up your power bills. Keep your printer turned off using the switch on the printer, when not in use. Some printers take as much power as 660 watts, the same as keeping a small microwave oven cooking continuously! We all have a tendency to keep the computer on if we are not using it because we don't want to wait a couple of minutes to boot up again, but if you are going to be away from the computer for a hour turn it off as you will save more power in that hour than that used to power one 14 watt compact fluorescent lamp for 24 hours.

8. While there are many small items you will not want to ever turn off such as clocks or perhaps your telephone answering machine, they are costing you too. A 7 watt clock or answering machine, adds up to 0.168 kWh per day. But there are many items which never turn off, they stay in standby mode eating up power. Examples are TV's, Video Cassette recorders, DVD players and Cable TV converters, though you might decide you want to keep your VCR or DVE player plugged in all the time if you don't want to reset their clocks. Each of these items eat up power, but by putting them on a power bar with a power switch (with prices starting at $5 each) you can often save in excess of 0.6 kWh per day (20 kwh/month). NOTE: If you have pay-TV services, particularly pay-per-view, you will want to keep your cable television converter powered up at all times, otherwise the cable company's system may have to reset you as a pay-user each time you turn the power back on to the converter,

9. Have a hairdrier? Use it sparingly and don't use the maximum heat setting, not only will you save energy, but your scalp will thank you!

10. Thaw, or partially thaw, frozen foods in the refrigerator before cooking.

11. Small appliances use less power than larger ones. Save money by using a microwave oven rather than a regular electric oven/stove. Use an electric kettle rather than a stovetop one. If you are buying a toaster, don't buy an extra long slot one, if you aren't going to use the extra long slots, because the extra energy / heat is just going to be wasted going up the open space. Cooking with a microwave oven typically uses less than half the energy of an electric stove/oven because it wastes less heat something to think about on a sweltering hot summer day. All that heat being given off of the stove is wasted energy. Of course there is a possible big downside to this, read: Microwave Ovens destroy food nutrients, Globe and Mail newspaper October 17, 2003. On the other hand, over cooking foods using regular ovens can also destroy nutrients.

12. When cooking do not open the door if it is possible to examine the food by looking through the window. You can turn off the heat a couple of minutes before the food is ready for stove-top cooking and several minutes in the oven to save money. Also remember to match the size of any pots or skillets you use on electric stove elements.

13. While I as a tenant have no control over what type of refrigerator the landlord supplies me with, only that it be a working one, when my 1985 "Energy Saver" was replaced (after breaking down in 2003) with a modern Energy Saver, it immediately saved me almost 1 kWh per day. Of course it will cost me in other ways since the landlord will include the cost of the new fridge in his costs when applying for any rent increase. But if there needs to be a replacement anyways, it might as well be a modern "Energy Saver" appliance.

14. Refrigerators: Keep the refrigerator section at between 2C and 5C (36 to 42° F,) and the freezer at -18C (0° F). These temperatures help ensure food safety, but lowering the temperatures further only wastes power. Don't overcrowd the fridge or freezer, freezers should not be more than 2/3's full. It is important that the refrigerator door closes tightly and forms a tight seal, otherwise, warm air will get in and the unit will have to work harder to keep things cool, costing more energy. If you can put a piece of paper between the door and the gasket and can easily pull the paper out when the door is closed, the gasket is probably worn out and should be replaced. Keep your fridge and the seal around the fridge door clean. Also, don't spend time and waste electricity by "grazing" in front of the refrigerator with the door open to browse through its contents.

15. Do at least two electricity audits of your home, one for the coldest month and one for the hottest. How much power are you using and where can you save? Remember: some of these items though turned on may not be on or fully on during their use but may cycle on an off such as Air Conditioners, etc. and their power usage is less in reality, than if you assume they are fully powered at all times

Genesis the Foundation

Rev Bill Eng preached on Genesis today. Sounded a little apologetic but surely an interesting approach. I will highlight a few interesting points that we all should ponder upon.

Gen 1:1
In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.

A statement of faith, there is no reason given.

Our attitude towards the Book of Genesis is utmost important. How we accept Genesis will determine how we accept the rest of the Bible. Adam was the first man, Jesus is the second Adam. If we cannot believe in the first Adam, how can we believe in the second Adam? If Adam is a legend, well, that would conclude that Jesus is a legend as well. It is utmost important that we believe in the Book of Genesis.

The Book of Genesis gave the account of creation, life, death, marraige, family, kingdom, nation, government, culture, sex, shame, moral, sin, knowledge of good and bad. God set the rules here in Genesis. It is here the answer to the beginning of things. You asked about why there is marraige; the answer is in Genesis. You asked why we wear clothing, the answer is here in Genesis; you asked why killing another is considered bad, the answer is here in Genesis.

Genesis is the foundation of our faith. The enemy had been very busy trying to destroy this foundation. He speak lies and deceive man into a ridiculous state of unbelieve.

The atheist do not believe in God. But it really takes equal level of faith to NOT BELIEVE in God as it takes to BELIEVE in God.

We need to pray, pay more attention and give due respect to this Book of Genesis.

Amazing Grace on Bass

Victor Wooten - Amazing Grace - video powered by Metacafe