Life, Travel, GRACE

Have received an sms from Air Asia informing that flight from Bangkok to Udon Thani has been cancelled on 6 May 06 afternoon. They have arranged an alternative flight at night (8.40pm, arriving 9.45pm). Unfortunately, this means we (Mic and I) have to spend one nite either in Udon Thani or Nong Khai. Then only the following day we can cross over to Laos. The plan to proceed to Vang Vieng might need to be postponed to second day. Alternatively, we can take up a similar flight offered by Nokair (www.nokair.com). The fare is however, RM50 more than what we paid for Air Asia. If we don't mind to cross to Laos on the following day, taking up train from Bangkok to Udon Thani will be the best option. The fare is RM60-100 (2nd or 1st class). Train info was gathered from www.seat61.com.

Gosh, I only have less than 2 weeks for preparation. Having read some feed back and comment from the internet, I might need to cut short the time in Vientiane. Luang Prabang will be the major attraction. Vang Vieng is recommended due to its beautiful scenery. I'm not so sure if it will look like Halong Bay or Tam Coc in Vietnam (I mean the lime stone formation). People go there just to have outdoor activities (caving, kayaking and tubing). Well, we can do this is Malaysia too. Therefore, I will consider to have a short stay in Vang Vieng. Here's the new itinerary.... 6 May - arrive in Vientiane at night. 7 May - Excursion in Vientiane (morning). Catch bus to Vang Vieng at noon. There will be some time to explore Vang Vieng in the evening. 8 May - catch morning bus to Luang Prabang (around 9am). Should arrive in the afternoon. 9 - 10 May - Luang Prabang 11 - 12 May - slow boat to Huoy Xai with overnight in Pak Beng 13 May - cross over to Thailand 14 May - back to Malaysia

Just as disease requires remedy and cure, so as our sin. The antidote of sin begins with detection. Early detection takes place if we allow God to search our heart and know our thought (Psa 139:23-24). Confession comes when we allow God to come into us. Once we know we have sinned, immediate action needs to be taken. Cleansing takes place with confession. This results in forgiveness (though our salvation is assured). Having known that mistake or sin, it’s time to eradicate it from our life. Some preventive measures need to be taken. Therefore, confession needs to be accompanied by repentance. To quote from the author, repentance is a conscious attitude of regret, a changing mind of the mind or a turning from sin to God. This however, requires effort. Of course, we need to set our heart right such that to achieve purity of heart. We need check and balance – accountability. Pro 17:17 and Gal 6:2 shed some importance of practicing accountability. The whole process however consists of re

Category: Life As the class had ended, the students gave a treat to their teacher....

Category: Travel OK, time is catching up. I have about 3 weeks left before the trip. Have drafted out initial itinerary: 6 May - Fly to BKK and transit to Udon Thani. From Udon Thani, go to Nong Khai and cross over Laos border. Immigration office opens until 10pm. Hope to reach Vientiane before midnite. 7 May - Excursion around Vientiane. 8 May - Travel to Vang Vieng. Not really want to spend 11 hours on the bus to get to Luang Prabang. Have a pit stop will be nicer. 9 May - Continue to Luang Prabang. 10 May - Excursion around Luang Prabang. 11 May - Slow boat to Pak Beng. Mandatory pit stop due to slowliness of the boat. 12 May - Slow boat to Huoy Xai. I guess have to over night here (immigration office might be closed at time of arrival). 13 May - Cross over to Thailand. Might not stay in Chiang Rai. Proceed to Chiang Mai. 14 May -Back to Malaysia.

God detests pride. Pride first starts from our heart. We feel good when we’ve achieved something. It makes us proud. Have we forgotten that our achievement is from God? It is true that God allow us to experience heartbreak or disappointment in order to break the bonds of pride in us. Pride invades our life as we see it through our personhood, success, possession and position. Often we view personal success on the basis of personal achievement, wealth and possession accumulation. This is a subjective judgment and no one can tell how good is good enough. The Bible reminds us wealth is temporary as compared with God’s eternity love. All the things that we have – wealth, possession, position, etc- are from God. Instead of feeling good and showing off to others, let’s use these gifts to honor God. Let God searches our heart and we should be humble under his mighty hand for pride causes us to fall and bring disgrace.

No men never have anger. At some point anger can be beyond control and lead to sin. Three levels of anger have been identified: misdirected anger, the gray middle road of anger and explosive anger. Anger disrupts relationship and causes tension. Immediate solution would be forgiveness. The bible has so much examples on anger. God’s wrath towards sin. Jesus anger response in the temple. But in your anger do not sin. The wise will not give to anger. To overcome the anger pattern in life, first admit that you have problem with anger. Share your problem with close friends (accountability). Ask feedback and support from family and friends. Finally, ask God to change you.

Category: Travel Time flies so fast. I only have one month left before go to Laos. Had done some reading on Laos lately. Had bought the new edition of Lonely Planet: South East Asia on a Shoestring. Planning to utilise the guide in other future trip as well (probably Bali and The Philippines). Basically we (Dr Mic and I) haven't finalised the itinerary. Hopefully will be able to come out the rough plan (we did have a rough plan but haven't finalised it though).