Alma Maters

Alma Mater - the school, the college which one has attended.

Reflecting back, I did attended quite a number of schools, and had graduated from a few too. My sincere thanks to you, my Alma Maters, you had taken part in making me what I am today and I appreciate you.

Wawasan Open University (WOU), I was with WOU from 2008 - 2011 to pursue a Commonwealth Executive MBA program. I took 7 full semesters to complete this program. Whew! WOU is a special university and I am proud to be associated with it. WOU is a non-profit university that uses the open distance learning (ODL) concept and is opened only to working adults. Since I am residing and working hard in a not so accessible city of Kluang, this ope

n distance learning concept applies well to me. The quality of study is also very commendable

. A word of caution though, this ODL program not exactly easy, it is in fact extremely strict and only the those with extra strong will will complete the program. Having gone through it, I would say, strict discipline, passion, strong will will be what it need to complete this strenuous ODL program. Extra portion of will will be needed for those working adults with family. Ha, and I did

it :). Kudos to myself.

University Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM), is where I pursued my first degree in Chemical Engineering from 1992 to 1996, and also where I spent four solid years of campus life. Those who had experienced campus life will know what I meant. Beside attaining a degree in engineering, UKM is the place where I actually I have learnt much and enter into adulthood. It is also where I met many of life long friends and my wife Siew Choo. It is also a place where I learnt to draw myself close to God and to serve Him. UKM, you have been an important place in my life.

Maktab Sultan Abu Bakar (English College), Johor Bahru. I prefer to call you EC or English College as what you were known as. For I am truly an EC boy. I was at EC from 1987 till 1991, that is Form 3 till Upper Six Form. I took both my general examinations of SRP and SPM at EC. EC is a place where I studied hard and tried many sports. Although I did not excel in any sports but I did well in studies. Also made some very close friends there.

Batu Pahat High School or BP High for short. I was there only for a year in 1986 when my family had relocated to Batu Pahat. I did not spend much time here but it was indeed a very memorable year of schooling for me. I was in the last class and for the first time made many Malay friends. And I even managed to get into the class football team which was dominated by the Malay boys. In spite of the poor academic influence of the class, I did well in my exams, beating most of the pupils from the first class and caught the attention of the teachers. Well liked the very scenic and old school :).

Saint Joseph School, Johor Bahru had trully been my alma mater. I even remember and hum to the old school song. Yeah. St Joseph form me during my growing years. I remember the fields and old canteen and the drills I as a boy scout. Many, many childhood friends there. Fierce .teachers and being caned by the headmaster :( Ha, plus many happy moments

Kudos. You all have done well. Live on my alma maters.

Amazing Grace

Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound,
That saved a wretch like me.
I once was lost but now am found,
Was blind, but now I see.

Finally watched this movie which is long been on my watch-list. William Wilberforce, I salute your passion and tenacity and John Newton I salute your bold repentance. Praise to the God of Love.

Online Ordering

:) I am extremely pleased with myself today. Did something for the first time. I finally order a pizza online. Domino's Pizza is in town. Sunday evening, and lazy to go out. Wanted to order by calling, but decided to try the online ordering system. Struggled a little trying to register my house address, but overall it had been a pleasant experience. The Domino's GPS Tracker is fantastic, the kids goes crazy as they tracker ticks and revealing that the pizza to ready and is being delivered. Amusing indeed. Kids had fun, and I had my stomach filled. Thank you Lord.

Swimming

Finally I did something I can be proud of today, something I wanted to do for ages but never got it. Exercise! Today I swam at noon during the lunch break. Made my way to the swimming pool, I had the whole pool by myself. Excellent! The sky is a little shady, just nice and the water in the pool is slightly warm, wonderful. Did a 30 minutes swam, exactly what I wanted. Thank you Lord. :)

Paul, Barnabas and Timothy

Yet another funny service today without a normal Sunday Sermon. However pastor did shared about Paul, Barnabas and Timothy. We all need Pauls, Barnabas and Timothies in our lives. One or more Pauls, leaders or mentors who will guide us and fathered us; Barnabas who walks with us and encourages us when we are at valleys of life; and Timothies, many of them if possible for discipleship and for us to pass on the the legacies.

Who are your Paul, Barnabas and Timothies?

Mentors of my University Days

By default, Father, Mother and Wife, you had made it into my mentor honour list by default. As I ponder over my mentors, many faces came to my mind. People who came into my life at different phases of my life. I praise the Lord for these people. Special people that God sent into my life and make me into what I am today.

University days at Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM)
- Israel Lee Yik Sheng, we were both freshmen at UKM back in 1996, we stayed at the same hostel. Israel is an extremely extraordinary chap. His name itself sounded weird for a Malaysian student at UKM. Israel has an enormous zeal for Jesus and love for people. He is also an astounding intellect. Being a freshman, first year in
college, he do not seems to fear men, and was moving freely around the campus preaching Jesus to all who care to give him the opportunity to do so. Israel brought my wife Siew Choo and myself to church. Israel has no vehicle in the campus, he would walk and walk and walk to visit people. He taught me to pray boldly for people. His zeal for the Lord and the love for people has influenced me greatly. Israel is a well built, tall, athletic, smart and good looking but he is humble and gentle. I remember following him moving around the hostel, knocking on rooms, offering to pray for students who are totally tensed up during the exam weeks. Well done Israel. You have impacted many and myself, God will surely bless you richly.

- Peter Chen Heng Peng. Peter is another most extraordinary person whom I respected very much. I thank God that I had the opportunity to know Peter and was his friend. We were both in the engineering faculty at UKM. He was doing electrical

engineering while I was doing chemical engineering. We become good friends and later even became housemates in a small flat at Bandar Baru Bangi. Peter has a nerdy look, with thick rim spectacles. An absolutely simple person, extremely humble, very helpful, intelligent, diligent and loved the Lord very very much. A person with many many skills and talents. I was astound when I realised that this nerdy first year student can study so well untirelessly, rides a two cylinder antique motorcycle and yet still can plays a guitar and sing beautifully. He knew the Lord in an most intimate manner and always prays. He is meek and serve others almost readily and in a selfless manner. He never complains. Peter earn much awe from course-mates, a great leader and is a resemblance of our Lord Jesus as a servant leader. Peter graduates, got married and became very successful in life. Peter taught me meekness, patience, servant-hood. He also showed me how to have an intimate relationship with the Lord. Peter influenced me much during the four short years we spent at UKM. Bravo Peter, God bless you.

- Henry Drieberg, another extraordinary fellow with a Dutch heritage. Henry is my two years my junior in university. He is also studying Chemical Engineering. A young man but a great leader who loves the Lord. Henry is a practical person and real. Henry teaches me to be real and faces the ugly reality with boldness and strength.

Mentors

Last Sunday, Pastor Victor preached about mentors. His preaching styles is most extraordinary, full of lah, loh, mah, meh, hah. Hardly English. He even said that if you cut him open, teh tarik will flow out. So much gestures, and even added in a song. And yet he claimed that he is an introvert!!

Well, I don't think he had actually preached that day, but I still like how he shared about his mentors. It made me thought about my mentors.

I am an introvert myself, I don't think there are many mentors in my life. But hey, praise the Lord, on hind sight and when I started naming them, there are actually quite a number of people that come into my life. They actually came during different stages of my life and had impacted me to be what I am today. Well, thinking further, I actually feel like wanting to honour them by listing them out. Will do that on my next post.

MBA - Completed

Ha Ha Ha, MBA completed. Really free this time. Took me three and a half years to finish this. All the same, I am glad that I did this and learn so much along the way.

Thank you Lord Jesus for being with me through these years.

No Fire

1 Jan 2010, I was promoted to Senior Manager position, whoa. Funny thing is that this very much sought after promotion don't seems to excite me. Need to find out why. Most probably the Passion is missing. Just heard Pastor Benny Ho's preaching on Passion, Ability & Responsibility. So this promotion is obviously a Responsibility, it is my job and I have the Ability, was doing this for the last 7 years but hey, where is the Passion. Pastor Benny calls this "No Fire". Pastor Benny's advise for people who are already in this position for some time should consider to move on.

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.