this is my life

The Perfect Christmas

2011-12-08T22:13:00.000-08:00

Definition - Repentance

2011-10-24T20:56:00.000-07:00

Repentance? This word is a famous word in the church. What does it really mean in reality? When I repent, must I shed tears? Oh, that person has a look that looks penitent? Repentance means I wont do that bad deed or wrong action anymore? Oh, it means I am sorry!

Well, those are some popular definitions (which probably represent one side each of what true repentance mean). But as a Christian, our definitions and beliefs need to be aligned with Heaven's, where God is. So lets look at the Bible and the Greek (the language the new testament was written in).

In Greek, metaneo means to bring about the meaning of a change of mind, thinking differently, reconsidering, regret and reversal of a decision, a change of heart and attitude and is applied particularly to sin and one’s relationship to God.

Brought about by the Holy Spirit, the mind changes the way of thinking. A recognition and acceptance of the truths laid out by God, not just agreement. The emotions realize how far it wandered from God’s truths, produces godly sorrow. This is where lamenting, groaning and sorrow of heart. The decision faculty decides it’s getting off the wrong path and onto the right path. Changing the will and purpose.

Realize that throughout your Christian life, repentance is an integral and essential part in it. From salvation, to daily living and realizations of sin.

So repentance is not just a change in outward action, true repentance is not just saying I wont tell a lie cause well it's wrong. True repentance is when the mind realises that lying for example never originated from Heaven. And when one's mind is changed, the mind will instruct the behavior to behave accordingly. Repentance wont just be from "sinful actions" (like what some commonly think), repentance needs to encompass even the way of thinking of who God is and how God operates in us and through us. Some believers will even need to repent of thinking that God is an angry God, He is all out to punish you, I must earn God's blessings by doing good things, sickness and disease are from God, or some will even need to repent from judging the manifestation of God's presence through a person from a very earthly reasoning, instead of allowing God to be God.

So well, don't we all need to keep on repenting :D

Peace? What does that word mean to you...

2011-01-26T05:25:00.000-08:00

Ephesians 1:2: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

What does the word peace mean to you?

This is the definition from an online dictionary http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/peace

Definition of PEACE

1: a state of tranquillity or quiet: as

a : freedom from civil disturbance

b : a state of security or order within a community provided for by law or custom

2: freedom from disquieting or oppressive thoughts or emotions

3: harmony in personal relations

4 a : a state or period of mutual concord between governments

b : a pact or agreement to end hostilities between those who have been at war or in a state of enmity

5 —used interjectionally to ask for silence or calm or as a greeting or farewell

— at peace

: in a state of concord or tranquillity

I also used this reference: http://strongsnumbers.com/greek/1515.htm

HELP STUDIES:

1515 eirḗnē (from eirō, "to join, tie together into a whole") – properl, wholeness, i.e. when all essential parts are joined together; peace (God's gift of wholeness).

STRONG'S EXHAUSTIVE CONCORDANCE

one, peace, quietness, rest.

Probably from a primary verb eiro (to join); peace (literally or figuratively); by implication, prosperity -- one, peace, quietness, rest, + set at one again.

Reading the Dictionary definition and the explanation from Greek gives you two different 'feels' of Apostle Paul's statement. I have to admit, I have misunderstood statements with the word peace up until today.

I used to think the word peace would mean the absence of negativity, giving a feeling of tranquility and serenity. But hey, the Greek implies: when all parts are joined together - God's gift of wholeness! To be set at one again. WOW. ... To be put back according to God's standard and ways does imply peace. So imagine when Paul told the people, 'Grace and peace', he was saying 'Hey people, God's unmerited and unearned favor be upon you and let all of you, all the essential parts in your spirit, soul and body be joined together into God's gift of wholeness'.

Brings a total new meaning to the word PEACE.

Remember one the fruits of the spirit in Galatians 5:22 - But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness

When you focus on the Holy Spirit, one of the results will be to receive the gift of wholeness from God.

Perspective indeed.

Gratitude and Thanksgiving

2010-10-08T02:22:00.000-07:00

“Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful” (Colossians 3:15 NIV).

Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18)

As believers, we are commanded to be thankful. It is the will of God for us to give thanks in every and any situation. To rejoice always.

You can try this experiment. In an unforeseen situation, your thoughts keep thinking of negative things. In another time, you keep looking at the good things in life that you still have. For example you may have lost your wallet, and you now have to go through the hassle of making the police report, cancelling credit cards, so on and so forth. Your mind can either be complaining .. why was I so careless, why did I not take good care of my things. Or you mind can be thinking about, God I thank you that, even in this circumstance, You are still my provider. I may have lost my wallet, but I still have my job. I still have you, the main Provider on my life. Thank God, I didn't lose You!

You may have lost a job, got bad grades, fought with a loved one or just plain tired after a whole day. When you complain in your head or to a friend, you will find your strength dwindles too. Your thoughts go towards impossibilities and sadness. That's why God commanded us to "Rejoice and give thanks always". You may have lost a job, but you still have your family. You may have fought with a friend, but you still have other friends. You may be tired after a whole day's work, thank God you have a whole day's work to occupy and pay you for it. You may have got bad grades, well, thank God you have the brain ability and capacity to have at least enrolled to begin to study. The opportunity to study and grow!

Try it, you will know. As you give thanks, strength, courage, peace and every fruit of the Spirit comes back to you.

Sit down, take out your notebook and start by listing down things you can thank God for. This is mine for today!

1. I thank God that in every situation, He is with me, always loves me and will never leave me.

2. I thank God I have a wonderful a supportive husband and beautiful daughter.

3. I thank God for my church friends and members who always smile at me and greet me with such enthusiasm each time we meet. They are always all out to try to help me when I call on them

4. I thank God for the maggie I still have in my kitchen for days when I am lazy to cook or buy food ;p

5. I thank God for my laptop that still functions, though it is slowing down.

6. I thank God that I have the revelation of His grace and I have abundance of sermons in my itunes.

7. I thank God that I wake up each day with a baby smiling at me happily

8. I thank God for my co-workers and pastors who are ever ready to support me and pray with me anytime, anywhere.

9. I thank God that I know the things in the world are temporary and my main security is in Him. I know where I am going.

10. I thank God that I have Him to back me up and bless me abundantly too as i live this life on earth.

You see, life on earth is just a journey. A journey towards eternity.

See yourself as Jesus sees you!

2010-08-22T18:39:00.000-07:00

'Where the rubber meets the road' (check out it's definition here)

We all wish that life is fair, challenge free and a breeze. Yet, each day poses new difficulties, new ups and new downs.

I am writing this mainly to the beloved students who are facing their routine challenge of the semester, your exams. Challenging situations that causes stress, anxiety, worry, unrest are actually one of your greatest times. These are the times 'where the rubber meets the road', times when you see what you are really made of. Strength? Discipline? Perseverance? Endurance? Peace?

As Christian's we strive and aim to emulate the good characteristics of Jesus and be the best and excel in all we do right? In our hearts, we want it so badly, that when in reality we fail, it either plunges us into a spiral of asking 'why', or some will say I try again til I succeed, or some will say, i've been trying, why keep trying since the last 'many' times i've failed. For students, we tell ourselves, i'll sleep lesser, study more. I'll not watch so much dramas. I'll spend time with God and study, so i'll cut down my facebook, msn or other online distractions. Perhaps, now you say, I wont get distracted by my 'farm'. Btw, some people can even get distracted by church and use it as an excuse saying, i'll go for all the church events and God will bless me. Actually they are having a 'barter' system with God. (You don't escape to church, to escape studying!)

The greatest lesson you can learn out of times of stress and challenge is to see yourself as Jesus sees you!

Jesus did not come to save the perfect. Jesus came to save the wretched, weak, poor, sick, ... And He saves you each day!

For me, when I need to construct the website over and over again, this is a project that always points me to my inabilities : my lack of discipline, lack of 'brain power to understand how the website works'. Doing the website always wears my patience and perseverance thins and it bring out the monster of impatience, worry, anger, and oh well, the 'I am not in a good mood, don't talk to me'.

Exactly! But it did not change the fact that many people say, you did a good job. Wow, with no knowledge you can do all these. One main factor is throughout everything I did, it kept pointing me back to Jesus.

Jesus says:

All things are possible. My peace is with you. You are smart, because you have the Holy Spirit. You can do all things through Christ who strengthens you. You are righteous because I have died for you. I love you, and I care about what you are going through. You are still blessed because I see my cross and not your 'anger and inabilities'. You have wisdom.

When the rubber meets the road, when the challenges come to show us who we really are, beloved, that is the time that you need to see yourself as who Jesus says you are because of the cross.

... Forgiven
... Righteous
... Loved and blessed
... Smart, wise, beautiful
... Fruitful in ministry and all you do
... Rich, prosperous, able to provide
... Free from hurt, delivered from any oppression
... A great parent, spouse, worker, boss, leader, intern, soul-winner, teacher, student etc.

I end with this:
Love has been perfected among us in this: that we may have boldness in the day of judgment; because as He is, so are we in this world (1 John 4:17)

So when the challenges come, don't just see you inperfections and inabilities. Don't live as if the cross never happened.

See yourself as Jesus sees you. Smart. Wise. Disciplined. Achieving. Successful. Favored. Able. Blessed. Righteous. Forgiven and Loved by Him

God wants to bless your studies!

2010-08-10T09:03:00.000-07:00

Had a great time sharing that God wants to bless your studies to a few people.

Before I start, I want to ask you a question, why do you think you need God to bless your studies? This questions points you to the fact that likely studies is an area you lack in, be it time management, discipline, or even IQ. Whatever it may be, when Jesus dies on the cross, His sinless blood has bought for you a whole lot of blessing, ranging from eternal life to the smallest minute details of your life.

So to the beloved guys and gals that I was sharing to earlier, these are some bible verses on blessings that you can believe for. You are the object of His love and affection! When in doubt, ask yourself ...

... Is Jesus good enough?
... Is Jesus perfect?
... Does Jesus deserve all these blessings?

When you have Jesus, the tables are turned. It's not about you or what you deserve, but about what Jesus has done. Don't live your day to day life as if Jesus did not die on the cross for your imperfections.

Romans 8:32
He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?

If Jesus has already died on the cross for sins, what more other important things to our heart.

Sin has separated you from God's blessings and His love. Jesus has died to fulfil the punishment of all your sin (I'll put in the bible verses for those points that I mentioned in the next few days!).

Success - Jeremiah 29:11
For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope

Peace - Philippians 4:6-7
Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

Wisdom - James 1:5
If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.

Strength - Isaiah 40:31
But those who wait on the LORD Shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, They shall run and not be weary, They shall walk and not faint.

So for now. Be blessed knowing that ... In Christ, I am righteous, perfect and good. Because of Christ I can come boldly to God without doubting and am confident that He loves to shower blessings on me!

Driven by Eternity?

2010-08-04T01:52:00.000-07:00

Ps. Jadeline preached on Sunday, and it was a good one. Not because she was eloquent (though she definitely is), but it was because she spoke the truth, and the truth reveals and changes us.

I posted her blogpost in my previous post, you can see it there if your interested.

Listening to preachings always makes me ponder on my own life, and reflect and see what can I learn from the servant of God. Over the years I strive to be driven by eternity daily and realised that like what she said, I failed many times too. Phew! I thank God I am a Christian, because to God, no failure of mine will change my destiny in Christ.

Listening, my mind wondered to those time when I couldn't let go of the past and how the past got hold of me. Determination to move forward? I had. Determination to let go? I had too. Yet, many times the feelings of situations of the past can cloud a better judgement. But I'm glad to say that now, I've found myself able to let go any situation when I hand them over to Christ moment by moment. Divinely interesting.

So my point in blogging this, if anyone of you who are reading this and ask.. "So how?". I wont attempt to say it all in this entry, but in short, there is a way out and there is an answer. Indeed new creations of Christ no longer need to dwell in the past! Jesus is the answer. If you have tried once and it didn't work out well, I can only exhort you to try again. Perhaps you didn't try it correctly (not saying you didn't try hard enough.. but did you believe correctly?)

If you really want a long answer.. then you need to brace yourself and call me up :)

Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus (Phillipians 3:13-14 NIV).

God is love: From NOW till ETERNITY....

2010-08-04T01:48:00.000-07:00

God is love: From NOW till ETERNITY....: "Everyday, we are driven by something. Most people live their daily life in order to have a better future, be it for the future of themselves..."

Giving and God

2010-06-21T01:09:00.000-07:00

Galatians 3:13-14a

But Christ has rescued us from the curse pronounced by the law. When he was hung on the cross, he took upon himself the curse for our wrongdoing. For it is written in the Scriptures, “Cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree.” Through Christ Jesus, God has blessed the Gentiles with the same blessing he promised to Abraham

When we have believed in Jesus, all our sins, inadequacies and inabilities were nailed on the cross. It says clearly in this verse that Christ has taken upon Himself the curse for our wrongdoing.

Sin = wrongdoing. Sin = inability / refusal / ignoring to do what is right and expected by God. Sin = you didn't keep the 10 commandments.

When it comes to Sunday, and we are going to put in our tithes and offering into the offering bag, we know the "steps" (I've heard this from fellow believers and sometimes myself)...

You give your tithes (10% of your income) as a worship to the Lord
Give cheerfully, purposefully
Give and it will be given to you with the measure you use
etc etc...

All this are right and expected by God. However, many times we miss the main point of the giving time during Sunday worship. We fall into a rut of religious and repetitive givings without seeing the main point of it all. We are very familiar with all the important sub points, but what is the main point?

How many times before you give on Sunday there are some of this statements that have gone through your mind during the week ...

I must remember to give on Sunday if not i'll be cursed
When you face a financial challenge, did I sin against God? What did I do wrong? Why is this happening?
Am i being punished for something?
Perhaps I did not do enough..

If you analyse the above statements, the center of it all is "I", "Me". There is nothing wrong with reflection and self analysing when something does go wrong. All the above are normal statements that goes through a sound minded humans mind in a week. And when it comes to Sunday giving, our thought pattern is still about the same.

From Galatians 3:13-14, giving is about what Jesus has firstly done upon the cross. When challenges come, we should firstly say, "I thank you Lord, Jesus has already suffered for all my wrongdoings on the Cross". Then comes in the self reflection and self analysing. If Jesus is not added into the equations, then we are living life as if Jesus never died for our sins.

The main point is: Giving is honoring Him. So when you give to the Lord your finances, it's not about you. It is all about Jesus and what He has done.

My Lil Princess

2010-06-16T23:55:00.000-07:00

Has been a awhile since I last posted something. My beautiful darling is taking up my time :)

Seeing you makes me appreciate the Love of God more. I asked God in our conversations, how in the world could He allow Jesus to die for us. Cause, well, I would never ever let anyone take Claire away from me. I am a very protective mother. I first realised this nature in me with my cell members, but now with Claire, it is even more.

It cost God His heart to allow Jesus to come on earth. Wow. I am amazed.

To my dearest sweetheart Claire: I'll tell you this everyday. Your beautiful from the inside out :) Your created by the most wonderful person on earth-God. He will take best care of you with Mummy and Daddy. God has given us many good things. You are one of them. Lets share it ya.

So how are you training and preparing yourself for successful marriage?

2010-04-16T23:20:00.000-07:00

An excerpt to from an article i read during MTI. From www.davidfoster.tv

.... ....

And that really brought me to the main point of our talk today and that is, trying is woefully overrated, and training is woefully under used. Trying is one thing, but training is altogether another thing.

Trying to be happily married is one thing. Knowing how to be happily married is totally another. That’s the motivation behind our live event coming up April 30th called “Making Marriage Fun Again.” It’s to provide concentrated, practical, real-world training to good people who are trying to grow amazing marriages

Without training things become hard and difficult. Good people fail, not because they’re not motivated;they just simply don’t know how. If you don’t know how to be married, all the good intentions in the world won’t make you happily married.

Much like anything else in our culture, we focus so much more on the hunt and the acquisition rather than the possession of a thing. This is true in marriage. The average marriage in America costs between $30,000 and $45,000. I see it over and over again: renting tuxes, limo’s, cakes, flowers, receptions; all this focus and all this money on getting married and no money, focus, or training on how to be married. And don’t forget. You’ll be married a whole lot longer than it takes to get married, believe it or not.

Here is the point I tried to drive home today: the will to win at anything – marriage, life, relationships, or a career – must be preceded by the will to prepare to win. So how are you training and preparing yourself for the challenges in your life? Maybe your marriage is close to ending. Maybe you’ve even thought about divorce. How about trying some training before you give up on the most important relationship in your life? Maybe you’re ready to quit your job and walk away because the fruit just hasn’t been there. You’ve been trying really hard, but how about training? Are you getting smarter? Are you looking at life any differently? Are you engaging new technologies?

This could be your day of breakthrough. But you’re going to have to stop trying, and start training.

.....

What struck Wilson and I when we read this is, even we, how much have we actually put in to make our marriage succeed. How much preparation did we put in and are still putting in?

How much has any of us put in (money, time, effort, brain energy, alertness, & etc) in the things that matter in life.

Education & society places much emphasis on "face value" which is related to career and money. Nothing's wrong with all that, but it's much emphasis, makes us lose sight on essentials of life.

How do you know what matters in life? Just start thinking, when I die ... what has it all been about? Did i fulfil the purpose of the Creator? The family God has placed all around us?

... so ... the will to win at anything – marriage, life, relationships, or a career – must be preceded by the will to prepare to win.

God Helps The Helpless

2010-02-08T00:50:00.000-08:00

From The One Thing Daily Devotional by Ps. Joseph Prince | Click here to subscribe to your own

Psalm 63:7
7Because You have been my help, therefore in the shadow of Your wings I will rejoice.

I have had people tell me, “Pastor Prince, please pray for me. I can’t see a way out of the mess I am in. I know that this whole thing is my fault. Right now, I don’t even know whether God will hear my prayers.”

If you think about it, a whole lot of our troubles are of our own making. But it is when we deserve the punishment and not the blessing that we can receive grace — the undeserved favor and unmerited help of God!

When we stop trying to be deserving of God’s help, we find God more than willing to be our Savior. But when we continue to try to work things out, we are trying to be our own saviors. God will say, “Save yourself because I can’t help you when you don’t need My help.”

You might be thinking, “But Pastor Prince, don’t you know, God helps those who help themselves?”

Contrary to popular belief, this saying that “God helps those who help themselves” is not in the Bible! God does not help those who help themselves. He helps those who are helpless and dependent on Him. He helps those who look to Him as their only source of help for their problem.

If you say, “My problem is that I am weak.” God says, “That is not a problem. I am your strength.” If you say, “Lord, my face is the problem. I am ugly.” God says, “My face will shine on yours. I am your glory.” If you say, “Lord, I am the problem. I am a nobody.” God says, “I will make you a somebody.”

Unfortunately, many of us are still trying to help ourselves, thinking that for certain matters, we don’t really need God. But God says, “Without Me, you can do nothing.” (John 15:5) Do we really believe that? Or do we believe that without Him, we can still do some things to help ourselves?

Only when we realize that we can do nothing, and are nothing in and of ourselves, can we do all things through Christ who strengthens us! (Philippians 4:13) Then, we will see the undeserved, unmerited help and favor of God deliver us from every evil!

Purpose Driven Life

2010-02-05T18:59:00.000-08:00

Purpose Driven Life

At the start of the year, we all started to do this book called Purpose Driven Life together. It is now Day 20. This journey has been interesting, seems most of us did not do it on a daily basis as recommended by Rick Warren. I admit, me too. The discipline is not there, time is tight. There are always reasons to it, yet in the last Section Gathering, Shuang said "well, at least we wont give up and try to catch up".

Doing this book opens my eyes to see, that even in the simplest standard of discipline to do a chapter a day, most of us failed. This failure may not seem deadly or big, but when you compare it to God's standard for behavior, I guess in a few days, all of us failed.

Knowing this, it made me to continue to appreciate God. Did i feel guilty? Of course! I'm "suppose" to be an example. :D But well, I thank my precious Jesus that He has removed every guilt and condemnation. This seems like such a simple tasks that we wont need to rely on "Jesus" special grace or supernatural power. Yet, we all failed immediately when we missed out a day. It is only a 40-day commitment! I didn't get pass the first 5 consistently.

I shared in Discipleship Cell this phrase i read from Destined to Reign ... It is not about being passive and lazy. If you are a student, be the best student. If you are working, be the best at working. Yet, in all these to succeed, where is your trust? Your trust must be in the finished work of Christ to succeed in life.

And what a meaningful way for me to continue to see that.

"Jesus, You are my everything. In Christ I am righteous, disciplined, successful, wealthy, healthy, and I have every good thing. Wisdom & Strength too!"

I will continue to read the book and do my best to cultivate the discipline (last few days was quite successful), yet, my trust is not in myself, but in Jesus.

I'm in Day 15, need to catch up til Day 20 and I believe I have the ability, cause God made me smart! And I have Jesus!

2010 | It's the end of January

2010-01-27T07:13:00.000-08:00

Time has passed and yesterday will never come again, and today is the present! :)

Been thinking about new year resolutions and what I wanna achieve in 2010. There's the usual major things that never run from the list.

- To be all that God wants me to be and be the "bestest" pastor possible. All for His glory.
- Baby baby baby ... Praying and working out how the above and baby will work out on a daily basis (I grew up with a working mum, it's implanted in me that I can do what I need to do and also take good care of her. God gives strength anyway!)

Won't write down the details here of how I will break down the above to smaller achieveable steps. Surely all this includes reading not just my lovely Bible, but books that will equip me (10 books this year? excluding all the proofreading of course :P).

Verses to ponder and get into my heart for the "still new year"

Romans 8:32 He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?

To all those in the section: Let us be refreshed with Purpose Driven Life - What is driving us now ... knowing that life is a test, a trust and a assignment!

67 more days to go :)

30 weeks now.

Supposedly

Size: 15 1/2 in.

Weight: 3 lbs

Interesting and miraculous!

The Value of Mystery

2010-01-08T23:42:00.001-08:00

(I totally acknowledge that all this are excerpts that I have take from Bill Johnson's Dreaming with God book. This chapter has impacted and encouraged me to continue to press on. If you want even more and more testimony by him, do read the book directly :>)

As you set your hearts on 2010, with goals, aspirations, dreams, promises and resolutions, I have found that the mystery of why some prayers are answered faster and why some take longer and all the why's can be daunting. As I read this chapter again and again, it has inspired me to continue to press on and believe in what our eyes cannot see. To know that living in now and also in the present of all God's promises is indeed a roller coaster ride, some questions are answered now, some are not. That is our Christian life, that's why it is called the faith.

I believe in the power of God that will show up as i live my Christian life. Healings, miracles, the supernatural. What is in Heaven to invade this Earth.

.....(what I shared in cell group) .....
An intellectual gospel is always in danger of creating a God that looks a lot like us; one that is our size. Living with mystery is the privilege of our walk with Christ. If you understand all that is going on in your Christian life, you have an inferior Christian life. The walk of faith is to live according to the revelation you have received, in the midst of the mysteries you can’t explain. That is why it is called the faith.

Don’t dilute or abandon a teaching or revelation, just to feel better about the things that you cannot explain. Don’t abandon the things God has placed in your heart in the past years. The dreams of revival, salvation for your families, miracles and healings, financial providence, souls being saved by the hundred, ministering with the power of the Spirit and so much more.

Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father (John 14:12 NKJV).

To allow what we cannot answer to dictate our lives is to downgrade our lives and to be carnal minded (worldly minded).

1. Obedience and understanding
We need to obey where we do not see or understand the revelation in spite of an apparent contradiction. To obey on favourable outcomes is not obedience. Where the Bible says, obedience is better than sacrifice.

So Samuel said: “Has the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed than the fat of rams. For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of the LORD, He also has rejected you from being king” (1 Samuel 15:22-23 NKJV).

Look at this example when people hardened their hearts in Jesus' time.

JESUS WENT away from there and came to His [own] country and hometown [Nazareth], and His disciples followed [with] Him. And on the Sabbath He began to teach in the synagogue; and many who listened to Him were utterly astonished, saying, Where did this Man acquire all this? What is the wisdom [the broad and full intelligence which has been] given to Him? What mighty works and exhibitions of power are wrought by His hands! Is not this the Carpenter, the son of Mary and the brother of James and Joses and Judas and Simon? And are not His sisters here among us? And they took offense at Him and were hurt [that is, they disapproved of Him, and it hindered them from acknowledging His authority] and they were caused to stumble and fall. But Jesus said to them, A prophet is not without honor (deference, reverence) except in his [own] country and among [his] relatives and in his [own] house. And He was not able to do even one work of power there, except that He laid His hands on a few sickly people [and] cured them. And He marveled because of their unbelief (their lack of faith in Him). And He went about among the surrounding villages and continued teaching (Mark 6:1-6 Amplified).

When the people at Nazareth could not put two and two together. It did not cause them to be in awe and be in wonder. Instead they became hard hearted. This unresolved question became the mental stumbling block that was strong enough to shut down Jesus’ anointing to perform miracles and teach with power.

To have questions is healthy; to hold God hostage to those questions is not. Not understanding is ok. Restricting our spiritual life to what we understand is not. It is immaturity at best. It is a controlling spirit.

God responds to faith but will not surrender to your demands of control. Maturity requires a heart felt embrace of what we do not understand as an essential expression of faith.

2. Learning process and renewal of the mind
The Holy Spirit dwells in your spirit, hence when the mind filters teachings, words and revelations, what you are doing is you are removing what isn’t logical. So, you are extracting the things that you actually and really need!

And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:7 NKJV).

How many of us can actually explain how that peace came? It is of God and from God.

Only when what goes beyond your understanding is positioned to renew your mind. Our hearts can embrace what our minds can’t. Our hearts will lead us to places where logic will not go; where lies your courage, valor, intuition and gut feelings. Or you can say your ‘faith’.

Faith does not come from understanding, it comes from the believing heart.

But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him (Hebrews 11:6 NKJV).

We do not believe because we understand, we understand because we believe.

In Christian Living, you will face questions and circumstances that seem contradictory to the revelation. To bring down the Bible to your level of experience is wrong. You need to bring your level of experience up to the standard of God’s Word. Don’t feel better when you live in compromise of the Word.

We need to be a people who will embrace revelation in one hand and embrace mystery in another. This is a cross everyone who is hungry to do the works of Jesus has to carry.

3. Now but not yet
To view things as now, and not just something for the future.

A person’s heart is more clearly seen by what they are willing to embrace without offence than by their expression of faith only in what they understand. The mind is trained through the experience of divine encounters and supernatural experiences initiated through revelation from the Scripture. Once you have experience a supernatural provision of the Lord, you cannot start a thought pattern that starts with lack or the impossible!

It is the glory of God to conceal a matter, but the glory of kings is to search out a matter (Proverbs 25:2 NKJV).

Your inheritance is to search out the revelations and mysteries of God. You have rightful access into those realms when you are born again (see Revelation 1:6).

An inheritance gained hurriedly at the beginning will not be blessed in the end (Proverbs 20:21 NASB).

(This could be a glimpse to why God makes us search out things and we still believe in the now)

His promises cover everything, they are ‘Yes and Amen’ (see 2 Corinthians 1:20). All is covered by the redemptive work on the cross, but it is gained little by little – sometimes from our co-laboring effort.

Many times you will hear this statement or promise ‘Now, but not yet’. When you tell it to yourself or one another and it speaks with promise and potential, it gives hope, hold on to it. But when a person says this with discouragement, limitations and restrictions – reject it.

As you soak in His love, be in His presence and peace will come to help you to carry revelation and the mystery together! To pursue when you can’t understand. When reality does not tally with what you want to see. Yet, God has said so.

A Royal Princess on her way ....

2009-11-21T01:29:00.000-08:00

The first time I went to the doctor and we saw the scan with Michael, it was unbelievable. I was not prepared. My mind said, "let's wait until 2010, that will be perfect timing, after the Apostolic Program". My heart said, "i want one! :) i want to share more of the love i have".

I have always channeled all the love I received from God to the lovely gals He put under my care. I love them with all my heart and soul and strength, with every ability I can to raise them up spiritually, some naturally where there was a lack of input at times. And, yes I admit, I always have and will always want my own kids and my un-realistic dream was to be a mother by 23! (Haha, that was a childhood dream that I came to terms with as an adult, and I left it to God when I chose my life path as a pastor. Like my previous quote from Kris' site, it didn't even feel like a sacrifice, it was out of my passion for Him).

And so, at the first scan, we saw a little bean like thing through that monitor! And the doctor said, "ok la, that's why you don't have appetite and can't work" and he laughed and said congratulations. Michael looked in awe, cause that's how I first saw him and I know the feeling. Wow. Wilson just kept smiling as usual. That's the part we're the same I guess, in nervousness and joy he will smile, I will smile, but what is running through our brains, only God knows. Rejoice in Christ always you see! So smile la.

The second checkup a week later was normal, routine. Doctor just said eat more, drink more and don't worry about the vomiting. Reality still sinking into me. Everday I hear my thoughts and I know it was many times the Holy Spirit telling me all the good things and whenever worry would come in, like we're not prepared, this is to sudden, money issues, we're still renting a place, who is going to take care and stuff. My mind would start to think about Ps. David's preaching last Sunday, the jokes from Ps. Joseph Prince sermon, a song or two, the Left Behind books I'm reading or the Reader's Digest or my Victory Magazine.

In that situation of shock, I couldn't read much solid stuff (I missed reading my books on God then..) or my Bible much. That was the time I really knew, all those times I spent in the presence of God, focusing at Him really came through for me. God overtook my brain everyday because my body in the first 3 months felt so weak. I had to sleep so often because I ate so little then. Like Pastor D always tells us, a weak spirit can lead to a weak body and soul. And a strong spirit can even carry a weak body and soul to be strong.

Third checkup was good, cause I started eating more! YAY! Food and me are good friends! Dieting is always a no-no. The scan we saw again the little bean looking thing, and I was more real by then. I'm three months now. It started to be more exciting, we're looking and seeing it jumping all over the screen. Wilson and I said, the baby is having a party in there. The doctor took a long time to get a good picture to check the spinal cord and nasal bone formation.

Fourth checkup, doctor is happy with everything. Scan again to try to see if he can check the gender, and well as usual the baby is partying in there, moving everywhere and didn't want to be in a revealing position.

So today, the fifth checkup ... :) Our little princess is on the way. The girls are happy, they can start their shopping now. The theme of pink and cute stuff is now known. Wilson has been planning, if a girl he'll teach her to go on his bikes, a boy he'll teach him to fly. Both will be loved and spoiled in all our love anyway.

So to my dear princess,

One day you will read this blog and you will know how you came about. Who are all those "jie jie" and "gor gor" and aunties and uncles who surround you once every week, they will teach you MSN or Facebook if it is still around when your big! They will take photo's of you, pose with you, hug you, kiss you, take you out. Love will never be something you lack because your parents know the source of Love, and His Love can't run out.

More than a house over your head, you will grow knowing the Provider of the house, His kingdow is your inheritance

More than the beautiful things you will wear, you will know the Giver of Life

More than the love you will receive from us, you will know the Ultimate Lover of your soul

More than the money we can give you (til you earn yours), you will know the Source of all Blessings and your Faith that will unlock it

More than anything this world has, you will know your eternal home, eternal future, eternal reward and the great destiny you have to reign in life with your Creator :)

The greatest gift we can give to you apart from all other gifts in this world is to let you grow up as a Royal Princess of the Most High King. May you grow up knowing you have every right to walk to Him, into His throne room to talk, to play, to discuss, to listen, and to carry out His desires for you and the world around you. You are most welcomed there as you are most welcomed into our home.

With all the love we have ... Your mum, dad, and all those girls whom I love dearly (ok and recently some guys too).

Quote's

2009-11-18T18:52:00.000-08:00

Passion can deliver us from sacrifice. Religion has a high value for self-abasement. Long prayers, huge fasts are the core practices of self denial that hasten to lead to favor with God.

But passion always looks like sacrifice to those who aren’t in love.

from Kris Vallotton

Hope...

2009-11-17T07:56:00.000-08:00

Hope deferred makes the heart sick,
But when the desire comes, it is a tree of life (Proverbs 13:12)

What do you feel when you see and read this verse? In my prayer time just now, memories of who I was flooded my thoughts. I was reading Kris Valloton's book on "The Supernatural Ways of Royalty".

- I remembered there was a long period of time when I could not fall off to sleep without crying, asking the Lord, when He would remove the pain and scars of life (wont tell you what it is la..God has already healed them, don't lift up the mercy seat! )
- I remembered there was a time when I came to a realisation that my strength had become my greatest weaknesses
- I remembered the times when I was growing up as a Christian, I felt so empty, useless, unloved and the whole long list can go on

Did I feel like that each day as a Christian? No

But it did dominate many years of my life, which caused regret and lots of negative feelings.

God brought back to my remembrance the personal notes i jotted down from reading during those times. He has used it to comfort my heart then and even now.

Here it is:

A weakness is any limitation that you inherited or have no power to change. It may be a physical limitation, like a handicap, a chronic illness, naturally low energy, or a disability. It may be an emotional limitation, such as a trauma scar, a hurtful memory, a personality quirk, or a hereditary disposition.

For when you are weak, then He is strong. The less you have, the more you will depend on Him

Be content with you weaknesses, because weaknesses will lead you to depend on God

Moses was proud, Gideon had self esteem problems and insecurities, Abraham the Father of Faith was fearful, Peter was impulsive and weak willed, David committed adultery, John whom Jesus called the Apostle of Love was also known as a Son of Thunder!

Glory in your weaknesses (Because God is going to turn it around!)

... Other people are going to find healing in my wounds. Your greatest life messages and your most effective ministry will come out of your deepest hurts ...

God told me in prayer that He is raising up His children to glory in Him. To glory where once there was pain and suffering. What the devil has meant to tear down and pull down God will raise up. He is raising up His sons and daughters to arise to a position of authority in this world to rule and reign with Him. He has big plans, amen to that. And our God has a big heart. When we are weak, He is strong.

So let's always run to Him! His love will melt your heart like it has melted mine over and over again to stand back up, to stand for Him.

My life has changed in His love, so will yours.

If today was your last day :.

2009-10-22T22:38:00.000-07:00

What would you do if today was your last day?
Would you treat it like there's no tomorrow? That's how i felt when i heard this song. It has make my train of thought to really think and ponder on what am i doing today that is affecting tomorrow?

When I first saw this MTV on Astro, i was amazed at the ending, when the guy took out the money from the bank and started giving it out. The images started to spark a curiosity in my mind, what MTV is this? Wow.. Few weeks passed, and I finally knew that it's a Nickelback song. So here it is:

My best friend gave me the best advice
He said each day's a gift and not a given right
Leave no stone unturned, leave your fears behind
And try to take the path less traveled by
That first step you take is the longest stride

If today was your last day
And tomorrow was too late
Could you say goodbye to yesterday?
Would you live each moment like your last?
Leave old pictures in the past
Donate every dime you have?
If today was your last day

Against the grain should be a way of life
What's worth the prize is always worth the fight
Every second counts 'cause there's no second try
So live like you'll never live it twice
Don't take the free ride in your own life

If today was your last day
And tomorrow was too late
Could you say goodbye to yesterday?
Would you live each moment like your last?
Leave old pictures in the past
Donate every dime you have?
Would you call old friends you never see?
Reminisce old memories
Would you forgive your enemies?
Would you find that one you're dreamin' of?
Swear up and down to God above
That you finally fall in love
If today was your last day

If today was your last day
Would you make your mark by mending a broken heart?
You know it's never too late to shoot for the stars
Regardless of who you are
So do whatever it takes
'Cause you can't rewind a moment in this life
Let nothin' stand in your way
Cause the hands of time are never on your side

If today was your last day
And tomorrow was too late
Could you say goodbye to yesterday?

Would you live each moment like your last?
Leave old pictures in the past
Donate every dime you have?
Would you call old friends you never see?
Reminisce old memories
Would you forgive your enemies?
Would you find that one you're dreamin' of?
Swear up and down to God above
That you finally fall in love
If today was your last day

Buzzing in my mind..

2009-10-14T07:23:00.000-07:00

I picked up my guitar after a long time. And, somehow I started hearing this song in my head, it's been buzzing in my head ....

Song no 1 : More Than Life by Hillsongs
I especially like the verses ... To stand by what He has said.

Stand by everything You said
Stand by the promises we made
Let go of everything I've done
I'll run into Your open arms
And all I know

Chorus:
I love You more than life
I love You more than life

Fall back on everything You've done
Fall back on everlasting arms
When all the world is swept away
You are all the things I need
You're the air I breathe

How can it be, You were the one on the cross
Lifted for all our shame?
How can it be, he scars in Your hands are for me?
You are the king of all

Song no 2 : So Amazing by Planetshakers
(can't find a youtube for this one... )

This love You have for me
It goes beyond my wildest dreams
So unbelievable, yet so amazing
I'm lost for words

Time and again You reach out for me
Looking past my faults You see my destiny
Your hands of love I feel it touch me and set me free

I will praise You Jesus
All my Days
Sing of all Your great deeds
And Your ways
I will worship now and ever more
Love so amazing

I adore

Next post up will be : Expecting the unexpected! The last 3 months

Love .. from Kris Vallotton's site

2009-07-14T22:41:00.001-07:00

Wow, I read this post when a friend uploaded the link on Facebook. And, it melted my heart. It's beautifully written, and I give due credits to the author.

Check out their website http://www.kvministries.com/

as per Kris' 12 July blog entry ...

July 12

Love Flourishes-by Jason Vallotton

Most of this letter was written while listening to Josh Garrels “don’t wait for me”. I highly recommend listening to the same type of music while reading the note… Enjoy.

Love’s flourish is a divine and irrefutable gift, a burning thing; a real and live emblem of why we are here. Its heat melts even the hardest of hearts. Human knowledge of this most magnificent emotion can never truly comprehend all that is love; so I dig and dig and love and hurt and learn and then love some more. I live life unaware that tomorrow could hold love’s great trove, yet upon finding it I feel as if it were mine all along.

Love is more than feeling or receiving. It is not an easy task requiring halfhearted effort. No, love beckons much, calling for all courage and will. I am not immune to love’s trials and when they arrive I must fight back. With all perseverance and strength I must pick myself up and continue on. In my sweet marriage I watched love bud in preparation for maturity’s blossom. We tended to its delicate growth and every year pruned off the mistakes allowing more room and energy to be spent on its development. And after our love was so ruthlessly plucked, I found myself digging deep for love’s great truth and restoration.
There is a strong temptation that comes with the fatality of a relationship, whether it is a relationship with a parent or a loved one. The trauma that accompanies this tragedy causes me to NEVER want to experience it again. My head screams out “Warning!” every time my heart begins to peek open. Packaged inside love’s gift is a vulnerability that enables the seeds of intimacy to flourish. Without this vulnerability an intimate relationship shallows to just mere acquaintances, but it is also this vulnerability that leaves me pervious to carelessness.

In this vulnerability of love I am continually urged to grow. With every relationship (or loss thereof) I am stretched. With every mistake or hurt I have to choose to learn. Love is a risky business and there are no guarantees when it comes to trusting another person. The questions continually abound as my heart is planted and dug up. I must understand how to love and have discernment regarding love’s true nature.

Love’s only promise is this: you will feel. A heart incased in steel feels nothing. I know deep inside that in order to love, I must open up. But with so many hurtful brands of love in this world, I am tempted to throw away the key to the protective cage surrounding my heart. If I am going to be able to hold the gates of my heart open, I have to be watchful for love’s many facades. The first façade I will mention is selfish love. This kind gives only for the purpose of getting back. It is usually short lived; leaving behind flash fires and burnt bridges. Selfish love is neatly packed in sweet talk and smooth moves, wooing its victim to vulnerability before dealing the fatal blow. Another facade is selfless love. Selfless love gives to all who demand with the hopes of one day being able to fill the bottomless pit that fails to give back. Ones identity is wrapped up in the fact that they are the blood that keep the leaches alive. This kind of love is usually administered by very powerless people who pretend to have no needs. There is only one powerful person in the relationship and it’s not them. The third facade of love is drunken love (also known as blind love). Drunken love is fueled purely by an intoxicated state of emotions, usually brought on by desperation and fear. This dangerous love pushes past all the boundaries, failing to yield at the warning signs in pursuit of the fix. Drunken love is sure to leave you in a pile of sober regret with little or nothing gained.

There are many facades that mask themselves as true love but when I experience their fruit I find they lack the attributes of all that love encompasses. Those that partake in these falsities are left anemic and starving to death, thinking they have tasted of the real thing.

In order to find true love I have to know its attributes. 1 Corinthians 13 describes love’s characteristics beautifully. “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.” Love is freedom… Love is wholeness… Love is honoring.

Take a look at the relationships in your life for a moment; do they have the 1 Corinthians 13 standard? Love without a standard is not love at all. It is brokenness finding a home! As I traverse down love’s path again, I am reminded of this truth. I am the only one who has the power to decide what type of relationships I will be involved in. I control my standard. Love is not love unless it costs me something. Love is not love unless it seeks only the highest good. Love is not love unless it leads to freedom.

Love is a gift; a gift I must be vulnerable enough to give, a gift I must hold to the highest of standards. When this gift is given and the seeds of intimacy are planted, when I hold the gates of my heart open, when I seek the highest good, it is then that I really grasp love; it is then that I have truly felt love’s flourish.

Doc: Mental health problems on the rise

2009-06-22T01:45:00.001-07:00

Doc: Mental health problems on the rise

Shared via AddThis

The Wedding

2009-05-26T00:25:00.000-07:00

Life is but a journey, a journey to greater heights, newer challenges and greater discovery of God the Person. My wedding made me rediscover again the grace and acceptance of Jesus of who we are in life. He loves us no matter what has happened! Good or bad, as long as we want to continue to hold His hand in this journey.

You see, something out of the blue happened during the wedding, something totally unexpected of myself. Some people might say it as unbecoming, some as hilarious, some were puzzled over what happened. Even now, people still ask, why in the world did you do that. You might ask yourself .. “Ps Monica, what happened during the wedding?” Yes, I still did get married. But it didn’t really go as planned =)

Before I account to you what happened, let me share how it has impacted me. As I was growing up, I was at a time labeled as a “chatter box”, a “laughing box” since being a toddler. As I grew up, this statement impacted me and became a trigger that caused me to close up in serious conversations, I grew finding myself facing a barrier in my mind and heart. I could not break it. Those words said as passing comments impacted my subconscious realm causing me to navigate through life saying that being a chatty person, outspoken, able to articulate was something not so desired. In my teenage years, I began to keep many things to heart and not say it out. I sincerely don’t know and can’t really analyse how it all transpired to such a state. Of course, I still talked a lot, chattered away at times, but it grew a dawning in my heart in secondary school that I did not know how to say out my mind at crucial times of conversations and at times when I needed to say out what I was going through to parents or leaders. I could have penned down many points or prepared my thoughts, but most would not come out when needed to. I never gave it much thought, till this became a more and more obvious weakness. I could start to feel it weighing down my relationships with people, because I did not know how to tell a person what I was actually feeling or thinking. Happy or sad.

Wow.. It’s amazing ain’t it. Of course, in Christ when I looked up to Jesus, I received the gift from God. That all my weaknesses are on the cross. The shed blood of Jesus brings forgiveness of past, present and future sins. This weakness always made me feel inadequate, held back and many times to be a liar. You see te Devil can do anything to make you conscious of sin and shortcomings. Big or small. One day God did reveal to me of the root of the words that were spoken to me, and in a time of prayer over about a week I brought this area before God and received the inner healing and restoration from Jesus!

What God meant for good, the devil likes to turn it around to be bad, against us. The saying goes, our greatest enemy in life is no one else but ourselves and that is the Devil’s main tactic in our journey in life. To turn God’s good attributes and make us think it is bad.

So how does this tie up to my wedding. The moment you have been waiting for… You see, when Jesus restored that broken part of me, the “chatter box”, “laughing box” eventually came back. As original as it gets. =) I am a person made by God to appreciate all the beauty of life with lots of laughter and smiles! I can smile when I am sad, when I am angry, when I go to sleep, when I wake up. I can be so serious at my work desk and in my thoughts while talking to God, I will suddenly start laughing out aloud when I am tensed at work. Someone once said it is like a BIG GRIN is stuck on my face sometimes. As I reached my twenties I toned down my laughter and smiles (I have a lot of stories of how much I laughed and smiled til it caused many interesting scenarios in life!)

During the profession of vows of the wedding, being already so nervous, many said I looked calm, but those who knew me well, the bigger my smile, the more butterflies I have in my stomach, the more nervous I was! The nervousness spilled over from a grin to laughter when I professed my vows to Wilson following after Ps. David! Oh no! I thought the world was going to end, in my mind I wondered if would I be able to compose myself and not be nervous to finish saying the vows. To cut the long story short, Wilson knowing what was going to happen next was alert and held my hand. I wont tell you what would happen usually after laughter, that’s for you to ask me personally.

This major incident in my wedding made me again to look at the wonderful grace and acceptance of God as who we are in life like what happened in the wedding. He had restored my brokenness and God never made a mistake in creating us the way we are, unique strengths at different times, it made me see again, like in my wedding no matter by how much human effort we can try to “look the best”, “behave the best”, or “plan the best”. (Of course I felt bad that I lost my composure in nervousness but hey, it’s ok, God still loves me, and so does my family!) In life we can put our best effort, discipline and hardwork to make things go as planned, but we can fail at times and it can bring a lot of hurt, disappointment and guilt in this journey of life. But when you know Jesus still loves you all out, unending and unchanging. No bargaining of our sins and failures, it makes you say, this grace and gift of Christ is amazing! Christian life is receiving the work Jesus done on the cross effortlessly…Ask me how! This journey of life is interesting and fun with YOU!

2004 >> 2009

2009-04-13T01:17:00.000-07:00

In 2004, we prayed to God saying ...

We want to reach out to bring Christ to the youth and children in Wangsa Maju. God your grace and give us open doors to them
Equip us Lord to be sent out to minister to believers who need biblical, apostolic teachings
God we want to make an impact in the college community. We want to begin from here and share the love of Christ and see lives being changed. Teach us and guide us to know how to go about

In 2009, we are now saying ...

God send out your laborers into the harvest. It is indeed white. We now need more people to serve and help out in WHCC and the Metamorphosis Project! It's growing!
Grace O Lord on Ps David and TVS, on Ps Gloria and the whole team as Ps David is now the Senior Pastor of two churches
Creativity o Lord to be relevant in our more than 4th attempt of Harvest Season! We want to bring meaning and connect to college students

The list can go on...

Many times we go about not realising that God has indeed answered our prayers through out the years. Our minds look so much through the limited perspective of now. Looking back to the prayers and intercessions of years passed, indeed the trickle of great answers are on the way.

Like how a river begins with a stream, right up to the small spring that hardly resembles the river that leads to the ocean .... The small but certain answered prayers have begun, and in time we will see the sea and ocean of our answered prayers! God ... shock us with who you are, YOU ARE AWESOME...

... “ Eye has not seen, nor ear heard,
Nor have entered into the heart of man
The things which God has prepared for those who love Him ... 1 Cor 2:9

A glory invasion is coming.. Heaven on earth!

Easter :. What is it ...

2009-04-13T00:30:00.000-07:00

On Sunday during the Praise Celebration, there was something more special than the usual. Either than it was Easter, a remembering of the death of Christ ... Ps Jason led a special song after the worship!

His few words before the song made me walk down a quick memory lane of our youth (for those who didn't know, I have known Ps. Jason since very young! And we grew up together in our teens in WHC, as Cell Leader and Cell Intern those days!). Like what Ps. Jason said, this song has brought me through and I thank God that He loves music. Music is one of the windows to the soul.

This song makes me remember the goodness of God. Many things have changed and evolved since my youth. I am amazed and give thanks to God for all the answered prayers. God gave His only Son who knew no sin, to be sin for us, that we may be re-connected to our great Creator.

Thank you God for the life that I have, your amazing love shone on the cross, felt through the heart. Thank you that you never gave up on me all this years and that there is still more to come! A pursuit of your presence because of love and nothing more ... =)

1 Thess 5:18 says: in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you

Click here: View the awesome song by Jars of Clay

The Reason for the Season

2008-12-02T06:30:00.000-08:00

Jesus is Better than Santa

Santa lives at the North Pole.
JESUS is everywhere.

Santa comes but once a year
JESUS is an ever present help.

Santa fills your stockings with goodies
JESUS supplies all your needs.

Santa comes down your chimney uninvited
JESUS stands at your door and knocks.. and then enters your heart.

You have to stand in line to see Santa
JESUS is as close as the mention of His name.

Santa lets you sit on his lap
JESUS lets you rest in His arms..

Santa doesn't know your name, all he can say is "Hi little boy or girl, What's your name?"
JESUS knew our name before we did. Not only does He know our name, He knows our address too. He knows our history and future and He even knows how many hairs are on our heads.

Santa has a belly like a bowl full of jelly
JESUS has a heart full of love.

All Santa can offer is HO HO HO
JESUS offers health, help and hope.

Santa says "You better not cry"
JESUS says "Cast all your cares on me for I care for you."

Santa's little helpers make toys
JESUS makes new life, mends wounded hearts, repairs broken homes and builds mansions.

Santa may make you chuckle but
JESUS gives you joy that is your strength.

While Santa puts gifts under your tree
JESUS became our gift and died on the tree.

It's obvious there is really no comparison.
We need to remember WHO Christmas is all about.

Christ = Christmas.

Jesus is still the reason for the season.

Spiritual Family

2008-11-05T20:00:00.000-08:00

Spiritual Family ...

This has been in my mind for sometime. Someone once asked me, why do I care and love my cell members so much. Why do I want to do so many things for people in the church or my apartment, or even strangers in the neighborhood that has no blood relations to me.

Wake up and bring them to the hospital, help some students to rush last minute studies and homework, plus many other somewhat trivial things that does not benefit me or seem to be profitable to me now or even in the future in monetary terms.

As i thought through it, it came to my mind about Jesus, and how He did the same to us. He came as a Jew, yet He died for us Chinese people. What more, He said that we when have believed in Him, we become a spiritual family.

I believe, once saved you are always saved. And like how loving and generous our Father in Heaven is toward us, our spiritual family here on earth is the same like our natural family. Once a member of WHC, no distance, reason and person can cut off that spiritual tie with us unless the individual want to be cut off. Even then, like a natural family, a spiritual family always welcomes back with open arms.

In our natural family, we give without asking for something in return because of love. We show favor to one another, though we can have serious and loud discussions, but at the end of it we are still a family that forgives and accepts. We can say bitter and harsh words, but actually deep down in our hearts we still do love and care. We have seen one another's love.

Just as God has loved many many of us, in my heart, I will know and feel that how can we not extend such love towards others. I am sure, God in His capacity to give His only Son to mankind, that He would help out anyone with any need. Be it just a listening ear, or money, or even accompanying us to study the whole night through. He has forgiven us so much, of our sin, our indifference, our ignorance, our disobedience. He has done so many things to win our hearts to Him. Doesn't that touch your heart to do it to our fellow family too?

God already sent Jesus to earth, that we may go back to Him.

So, how this explains why even a spiritual family's relationship can't be destroyed, or separated. Like the saying goes, blood is thicker than water. And spiritual blood lasts through eternity :)

Some references ... Romans 8:16, Galatians 3:26, 3:29, John 3:16.

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Home...

2008-07-23T20:57:00.000-07:00

...dated .... December 16, 2007

It's 3 AM and I can't sleep. What's the cause? Tired, yes. Christmas week is coming ... Website is due ... Elections are coming ... News ... Sick ... And a beautiful new year is up ahead. All in one. God, I wanna take the 3 days off, but you got to help me finish the website that I may take the days off!

So, something that I have been thinking about lately ... is the lyrics of a song. "I wont regret this road I chose for me". Might as well post up the whole set of lyrics!

Home by Chris Daughtry
I'm staring out into the night,
Trying to hide the pain.
I'm going to the place where love
And feeling good don't ever cost a thing.
And the pain you feel's a different kind of pain.

I'm going home,
Back to the place where I belong,
And where your love has always been enough for me.
I'm not running from.
No, I think you got me all wrong.
I don't regret this life I chose for me.
But these places and these faces are getting old
So I'm going home.
Well I'm going home.

The miles are getting longer, it seems,
The closer I get to you.
I've not always been the best man or friend for you.
But your love, remains true.
And I don't know why.
You always seem to give me another try.

So I'm going home,
Back to the place where I belong,
And where your love has always been enough for me.
I'm not running from.
No, I think you got me all wrong.
I don't regret this life I chose for me.
But these places and these faces are getting old.

Be careful what you wish for,
'Cause you just might get it all.
You just might get it all,
And then some you don't want.
Be careful what you wish for,
'Cause you just might get it all.
You just might get it all, yeah.

Oh, well I'm going home,
Back to the place where I belong,
And where your love has always been enough for me.
I'm not running from.
No, I think you got me all wrong.
I don't regret this life I chose for me.
But these places and these faces are getting old.
I said these places and these faces are getting old.
So I'm going home.
I'm going home.

In my teenage years, I used to think that believing in Jesus is a bed of roses. Religion is a crutch we hold on to. I admit, I was pretty much self reliant. Looking back, God made me a person who is willing to trust in Him for impossibilities. Too achieve beyond what my mind can think off. He is miraculous ... and somehow, this brain that He gave me still wished and hopes that my life on earth will be a bed of roses without it's thorns. This song reminds me, God your the one in charge, my mind and reasoning reaches it's very own limits each year. He indeed gave me a very good and useful brain, i have to admit. But there is still that flaw of thinking of the easy ways out... HOME is where YOU are. Is where YOUR kingdom is expressed. Is where YOUR will is accomplished. Is where YOUR children are built. And this journey with everyone is long... It's one day nearer to HOME! YEAH!

Wisdom aka God Almighty

2008-07-23T20:54:00.000-07:00

.... dated June 18, 2007

Proverbs 1 (The Message)

Wise Sayings of Solomon

A Manual for Living

1-6 These are the wise sayings of Solomon,
David's son, Israel's king—
Written down so we'll know how to live well and right,
to understand what life means and where it's going;
A manual for living,
for learning what's right and just and fair;
To teach the inexperienced the ropes
and give our young people a grasp on reality.
There's something here also for seasoned men and women,
still a thing or two for the experienced to learn—
Fresh wisdom to probe and penetrate,
the rhymes and reasons of wise men and women.

Start with God

7 Start with God—the first step in learning is bowing down to God;
only fools thumb their noses at such wisdom and learning.

8-19 Pay close attention, friend, to what your father tells you;
never forget what you learned at your mother's knee.
Wear their counsel like flowers in your hair,
like rings on your fingers.
Dear friend, if bad companions tempt you,
don't go along with them.
If they say—"Let's go out and raise some hell.
Let's beat up some old man, mug some old woman.
Let's pick them clean
and get them ready for their funerals.
We'll load up on top-quality loot.
We'll haul it home by the truckload.
Join us for the time of your life!
With us, it's share and share alike!"—
Oh, friend, don't give them a second look;
don't listen to them for a minute.
They're racing to a very bad end,
hurrying to ruin everything they lay hands on.
Nobody robs a bank
with everyone watching,
Yet that's what these people are doing—
they're doing themselves in.
When you grab all you can get, that's what happens:
the more you get, the less you are.

Lady Wisdom

20-21 Lady Wisdom goes out in the street and shouts.
At the town center she makes her speech.
In the middle of the traffic she takes her stand.
At the busiest corner she calls out:

22-24 "Simpletons! How long will you wallow in ignorance?
Cynics! How long will you feed your cynicism?
Idiots! How long will you refuse to learn?
About face! I can revise your life.
Look, I'm ready to pour out my spirit on you;
I'm ready to tell you all I know.
As it is, I've called, but you've turned a deaf ear;
I've reached out to you, but you've ignored me.

25-28 "Since you laugh at my counsel
and make a joke of my advice,
How can I take you seriously?
I'll turn the tables and joke about your troubles!
What if the roof falls in,
and your whole life goes to pieces?
What if catastrophe strikes and there's nothing
to show for your life but rubble and ashes?
You'll need me then. You'll call for me, but don't expect
an answer.
No matter how hard you look, you won't find me.

29-33 "Because you hated Knowledge
and had nothing to do with the Fear-of-God,
Because you wouldn't take my advice
and brushed aside all my offers to train you,
Well, you've made your bed—now lie in it;
you wanted your own way—now, how do you like it?
Don't you see what happens, you simpletons, you idiots?
Carelessness kills; complacency is murder.
First pay attention to me, and then relax.
Now you can take it easy—you're in good hands."

How long would we ignore the wise sayings of God. And say that He has not led us, He did not warn us ... We might not voice it out, but it can be heard in our souls. Our inner voices that only we know. The meditations of our heart. The ending of this Proverb says, that when we have ignored Wisdom, He will stand watching our folly. It is true indeed. But God says to always return to Him again. That we will now not always ignore the warning and dealings of the Lord.

Humans tend to blame situations, our fallen self, others, circumstances but why don't humans just admit a mistake and accept the reaping of mistakes consequnces graciously. Why do we not hold on to the Word of God that says, "My grace is sufficient for you". It is an inevitable fact that humans will try to run away. Put the blame on something that they can find. Adam taught us that very well. Indeed the fallen self, the flesh is very dominant in our lives, but do you just allow it to dictate all, some, a few or just one of your actions? It is not easy, it is a thug of war! A war that we will win when we look up to Jesus. But this war is hard, this road is narrow.

With or without Christ, with or without Wisdom, the journey of life is not easy. The road to success, comfortable living, understanding of nature will always be winding, there will be bumps, there will be valleys, there will be mountains. But this is the way of life, for an Athiest, a believer even a demon worshipper. All play by the same rules of life.

As a Christian, i will not question the ways of life. It is predetermined that everyone on earth will go through a similar journey, everyone on earth will live and die for something. Whether a good or bad cause; family, money, success, good life, furthering the betterment of society, the gospel, evils. But as a Christian I have the word of God, i have Wisdom, i have a God who never sleeps. I acknowledge even i have not fully appropriated wisdom for Wisdom Himself many times. Many times I do not go to God and ask for the blessings that are rightfully mine. Many times I am too lazy to work on the situation, but just leave it all hanging.

But the Love i have for and from You, for the cause of Jesus Christ will propel me to do it better each time I fall. I will rise up each day saying "God help me again today. Give me strength in my spirit to wage a spiritual war and expand Your Kingdom, strength in my soul to love and lift up those who need my help, strength in my body to finish my office work again. Holy Spirit give me wisdom in all I do, fill me once again with your power and your anointing. I am indeed nothing. But You are everything. You are everything to me. I know i will never be alone. Thanks Lord. Love You"

My hope, my joy, my exceedingly gret reward.

Purpose and Cause

2008-07-23T20:51:00.000-07:00

.... From my Friendster Blog ... Dated May 1, 2007

Purpose and Cause

Actually, i posted a blog on my trip to Bangkok few weeks back, however, the server got disconnected. Shrugs .. ;p

These are just some thoughts i had in the last few weeks.

My life is to fulfill my destiny on earth.
My destiny is determined by my Creator.
My life is not to fulfil my own selfish pursuits.
My life is created to worship God, to know Him, to friend Him.
To worship Him in all that I do?
What has he asked me to do?

... He made things we can see and the things we can't see - kings, kingdoms, rulers and authorities. Everything has been created through Him and for Him .... Colossians 1:16

I want to return to God's original plan. A life of relating with Him and His wonderful creations. Fellowship.

A life of meaning and hope
A life with good relationships
A life able to understand what in the world He is trying to say
A life free from evil spirits
A life of good health and strength
A life with sufficiency

Life is indeed beautiful! Life on earth is indeed a journey. A journey to be in eternity with the Creator of heavens and of earth. I have been thinking hard again on the realities and expectations of life. Sacrifices made, sacrifices that will be made. Time given, love given, heartaches incurred. The pain in the soul that is part and parcel of this journey of life, the pain that is not separated from Christian Living. The pain that causes growth in character for greater things ahead. Joy of seeing people find hope and meaning in life. A zeal renewed to do things greater for God. I indeed love Him with all that I have, for all that He has done for me. Like a saying that Mike Guglielmucci said in Planet Shakers 2004 ... "My life is sold out for the cause of Christ". I live and breathe, I sleep and wake, I think day and night of this cause that I have laid down my life for.

And today's blog entry is my proclamation and stand for who I am, what I will do.

Life is Beautiful .....

2008-07-23T19:27:00.000-07:00

From my Friendster Blog .... Dated January 29, 2007

Surprised?

Well, in my many years, I've had three unsuccessful blogs. Sorry to say, no one knows cause since once i opened the account, I never did add the first entry because of time.

Been looking through high school friends pages and i'm indeed amazed at the paths we each have taken. It's not usually me to look through friendster, don't really have the time. I'm starting 2007 with looking back and thanking God for all the stuff He has allowed me to go through. For school friends who want to know, I am becoming a Pastor. I know for years you guys have asked and never really got a definite answer of what i would be and finally just drew the conclusion that Moni is going to be a Pastor since she is still working in church. Because it was only in 2003 that I finally decided what I want and the road is set.

For my dear members ... People who I hold close to my heart, those that I've been with for the last 1, 2, even 4 years. We've gone through alot haven't we? Some who I just knew last year but are still very important to me, we will take the world! No matter what comes our way, God is by our side, Holy Spirit is with us and the best is we will always have each other!

So finally, Moni has a blog. I'll endeavor to update it periodically for the sake of people who don't see me that often and we only meet in terms of years...

CNY is coming and as usual i'm in KL. So I should have some time to add more entries. A Pastor will be a Pastor at heart.. the only thing that resonates in my heart is this.. Telling people God loves them, seeing them find meaning and purpose in life, people achieving all that God has placed in their liveS!

Nothing shall ever separate us from God's love... Romans 8:35-39

Visit .: www.worldharvest.org.my :.

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Wisdom aka God Almighty

.... dated June 18, 2007Proverbs 1 (The Message)

Wise Sayings of Solomon

A Manual for Living

Start with God

Lady Wisdom

Purpose and Cause

.... From my Friendster Blog ... Dated May 1, 2007Purpose and Cause

Life is Beautiful .....

Surprised?

.... dated June 18, 2007

Proverbs 1 (The Message)

.... From my Friendster Blog ... Dated May 1, 2007

Purpose and Cause