Life, Travel, GRACE

 Have been wanting to write about giving. For most Christians, one should give one-tenth of his/her income. Some ministries encourage generous and cheerful giving, i.e. without limiting the amount of giving. After many sermons and online commentaries in the past few years, I came to conclusion that there are three categories of giving, based on this old article  that is still applicable to modern life, which I have also applied in my way of giving. The first one is the main giving, or sacred tithe (Num. 18: 21,24). This is the giving we contribute to the ministry and church periodically. The second type is the tithe of the feasts (Deut. 14:22-27). Basically, you set aside a portion for recreation, with family members, if possible, specificially for a vacation with a religious purpose. I have set aside some portion for this purpose - family vacation and socializing. And lastly, there is giving for the poor (Deut. 14:28,28). Although the Scripture mentions tithing for the p...

In view of recent political turmoil in Malaysia, some might have lost hope. Of course, most of us were shocked, angry, confused. Regardless the outcome of the situation, as a believer, we should entrust all these to the hand of the Lord. And we pray that God will deliver us from this uncertainty. Perhaps a wise quote by Gandalf (from The Lord of The Rings) can be a good comfort and encouragement. It is not despair, for despair is only for those who see the end beyond all doubt. We do not.      -  J.R.R. Tolkien -

Did you watch the opening event of London 2012 Olympic Games? I did and I liked it. Somehow it was quite memorable and very British. The opening act was good in describing Great Britain's journey since industry revolution. It also paid tribute to the workers and national health care system as well as British literature. How about Beijing 2008 Olympic Games? Do you remember their opening ceremony? I remember some - pieces here and there - the giant paper scroll and the four inventions. How about Kuala Lumpur 1998 Commonwealth Games? I do not remember at all even though I attended the event in Bukit Jalil Stadium. So what if Malaysia has a chance to host Olympic Games in the future? How will the opening ceremony look like? Will we portrait to the world that we are a harmonious multi-racial society? Will we stage the foundation of the nation since the Malacca era (with the mythology of Hang Tuah)? I read a blog commenting on the possible event if Malaysia is going to host the next O...

I remember my first PC experience was when I was in primary school. At that time, I had a fun time with the dos-based PC game with a schoolmate (you can say he's from a wealthy family background as buying a PC at that time cost a lot). Few years later, my secondary school had its first ever computer lab. Everyone was very excited. If I remember correctly, at that time only two notable PC brands were prominent: IBM and Apple. The school chose the former brand though. PC had become a cool tool to do your word processing. That's my PC experience back then. As time evolves, so as PC technologies. Windows system was lauded as the most popular and successful PC system in the late 90's. Though some praised on UNIX system, which I came across in my previous Engineering Faculty. Then there was a hype on Apple's new iMac. My first impression was that it had a very sleek design - unconventional. But I had not a single idea about its system. Thought it was the same as Windows. At t...

The main cause of the hatred of early Christians in Roman society lies in their distinctive life-style....Men always view with suspicion people who are different. Conformity, not distinctiveness, is the way to a trouble-free life. So the more early Christians took their faith seriously the more they were in danger of crowd reaction. Thus, simply by living according to the teachings of Jesus, the Christian was a constant unspoken condemnation of the pagan way of life. It was not that the Christian went about criticizing and condemning and disapproving, nor was he consciously self-righteous and superior. It was simply that the Christian ethic in itself was a criticism of pagan life. (Shelley, Church History In Plain Language , 38-39.) Any difference with our country's current situation lately? After all the years, it sounds like meaningless to celebrate the National Day where the majority of the people has taken advantage of the media in persecution of a certain Chri...

We all know about the Bakun dam in Sarawak. And there's plan to build more. Read here . Recent drought in China has brought us to ponder the implication of man made structure which could alter the environment. It is said the Three Gorges Dam has caused some areas to have lower river level which in turn resulting insufficient water for farming. The condition is worsened with the drought which is not seen before. More stories . Across the pacific, we have evidence that a dam has altered the local weather (read here ). So what do you think by having 12 dams in Sarawak? More drought is coming?

This post is in response of the current event which centers around the rejection of Christianity. Certainly it is due to uninformed of the nature of the belief in other party. As much as I like Hillsong's songs, this clip has the best description of who God is.

Probably the most effective prayer is: God, help me. Make this your common practice: Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you can live together whole and healed. The prayer of a person living right with God is something powerful to be reckoned with. Elijah, for instance, human just like us, prayed hard that it wouldn't rain, and it didn't—not a drop for three and a half years. Then he prayed that it would rain, and it did. The showers came and everything started growing again. James 5:16-18 (The Message) If Elijah can pray and got answered, so as we. What is needed is transparency if we pray. Therefore, we need to confess first. Consider this humor: During a cell group session, the group members are encouraged to confess their sins, which have not been confessed publicly. Pastor A: I used to take marijuana before I joined the bible college. (The group members were in shock upon hearing this) Paster B: I sometimes use foul language when people overtake...

"I must study politics and war that my sons may have liberty to study mathematics and philosophy. My sons ought to study mathematics and philosophy, geography, natural history, naval architecture, navigation, commerce, and agriculture in order to give their children a right to study painting, poetry, music, architecture, statuary, tapestry, and porcelain." John Adams, 2nd President of the United States. Literally speaking, you need to work and plan smart so that your children will have a better choice, a better life.

Perhaps the right thing to do when you count your blessing for the past year is not to compare with other. God made every person the way he is. There's purpose in everything. He/She maybe rich or blessed just because that might be God's plan for him/her to prosper others (who knows). As we gather together, especially during reunion dinner, let's not talk about achievement. Let's encourage each other towards closer understanding and love. We should not bother how others are doing. After all, God does not look into our achievement but how we stay with and follow him. Peter turned around and saw the disciple whom Jesus loved following them. (This was the disciple who had leaned back against Jesus' chest at the meal and asked, “Lord, who is the one who is going to betray you?”) So when Peter saw him, he asked Jesus, “Lord, what about him?" Jesus replied, “If I want him to live until I come back, what concern is that of yours? You follow me!” (John 21:20-22, NET) Th...

What does Christmas mean to you? Perhaps we should consider generosity in our life. God has been generous to us. He's still now. He blesses his people. He forgives. And the biggest gift from him, his one and only Son. That's beyond measurable of generosity. You can be generous too - in time, encouragement, resources, relationship and even prayer. You can spare your valuable time to build a friendship. You can give words of encouragement to brothers and sisters. You can give your wealth for the blessing of others. You can even say a little prayer for others. Of course, giving from a heart is praiseworthy. Remember this: Whoever sow s sparingly will also reap sparingly , and whoever sow s generously will also reap generously. Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. (2 Cor 9:6-7)

The world's largest rubber glove manufacturer has this business rules: (i) Do not lose your shareholders' money (ii) Do not lose your health (iii) Do not lose your temper (iv) Do not lose your customer Talking about fruitfulness, stewardship and control. The first rule is what all investors looking for when investing. Spiritually, who is our shareholder? The creator? ...be fruitful and increase in number... (Gen 1:28). When the time of assessment come, those who are fruitful will be rewarded (Matt 25:29) . Likewise, if the organization does not perform well, investors will withdraw the fund. Any organization, in order to survive and achieve success, must have a sound set of beliefs on which it premises all its policies and actions. Next, the most important single factor in corporate success is faithful adherence to those beliefs (quoted by Thomas J. Watson).

At some point, we check our facebook or twitter at regular basis. Some at defined interval time. Some even click the refresh button in their mailbox every second. Are we addicted? Sometimes, when activities are meeting some need other than those they are intended to meet, you can become attached or addicted to that behavior. You develop a need for it to perform some function that regulates how you feel ... If you cannot be away from e-mail for some period of time to do something vital in life, like connect with your loved ones or take a walk or play golf, then something is wrong. If you cannot go to a social dinner without checking e-mail or responding to someone, something is wrong. If you can't go on vacation without constantly checking in, are you really on vacation? What about at home when you are supposed to be having downtime? Dr Henry Cloud What does the Scriptures say? They promise them freedom, while they themselves are slaves of depravity— for a man is a slave to whatever...

Jesus replied: "A certain man was preparing a great banquet and invited many guests. At the time of the banquet he sent his servant to tell those who had been invited, 'Come, for everything is now ready.' "But they all alike began to make excuses. The first said, 'I have just bought a field, and I must go and see it. Please excuse me.' "Another said, 'I have just bought five yoke of oxen, and I'm on my way to try them out. Please excuse me.' "Still another said, 'I just got married, so I can't come.' Luke 14: 16-20 At certain time, we choose to give excuse because we have our dearly business, property and family! This is because we are focusing on ourselves. The word sin in Greek is to miss the mark; the word excuse is a reason to miss the mark.

Perhaps at one point of life, one should stop and re-look and rethink. That's why God rested on the 7th day after the creation. In the just-in-time, modern workplace, speed seems to be all-important. Email and cellphones demand an instant response, and a deadline lurks around every corner. A 2001 survey conducted by the European Foundation for the Improvement of Living and Working Conditions found that EU workers were under much greater time pressure than a decade ago. A third now spend all or almost all of their time rushing to meet deadlines. Of course, speed has a role in the workplace. A deadline can focus the mind and spur us on to perform remarkable feats. The trouble is that many of us are permanently stuck in deadline mode, leaving little time to ease off and recharge. The things that need slowness - strategic planning, creative thought, building relationships - get lost in the mad dash to keep up, or even just to look busy. - Carl Hanore Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out...

Watch this movie and you'll know what it's called acting. A very good acting by Sean Penn. Yes, he deserved the best actor award in numerous film awards. This is a movie about Milk who tried to get elected for city supervisor in order to get the rights of gay community sanctioned. You may disapprove gay behavior at some point or another. Again, all men are made in the image of God. So what went wrong here? Let's not be judgmental. At this period, there could be at least 2% of the population involved in same-sex relationship. Are same-sex partnerships a biblical option? There are three considerations to view: the distinction between sins and crimes, the distinction between preference and practice and the distinction between casual and committed. What seems as sins might not be illegal in law (in certain countries). What seems to be "being" might not be same as "doing". What seems to be casual act might not be a personal commitment. Key stories from the Sc...

Have been reading less physical books nowadays. More on internet surfing. Here's a notable statement which makes you think twice if you would take up a book next time. Don't just say you have read books. Show that through them you have learned to think better, to be a more discriminating and reflective person. Books are the training weights of the mind. They are very helpful, but it would be a bad mistake to suppose that one has made progress simply by having internalized their contents. Epictetus More books are pending to be read. Again, will I get anything from it? Or am I just passing time only? Inspired by insidework.net

Generations unfold, father to son, mother to daughter. Where one leaves off, the other follows, destined to repeat each other's mistakes, each other's triumphs. For how do we see the world, if not through their lens? The same fears, same desires - do we see them as an example to follow? Or as a warning of what to avoid? Choosing to live as they have, simply because it's what we know, or driven to create our own identity? And what happens if we find them to be a disappointment? Can we replace them? Our mothers, our fathers? Or will destiny find a way to drive us back, back to the familiar comforts of home? Excerpt from Heroes' Shades of Gray . Listen, my son, to your father's instruction and do not forsake your mother's teaching. (Prov 1:8) The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline. (Prov 1:7)

If you are in the race, the goal is to win. If you are in pentathlon event, you have to win all. Losing any one of the events doesn't mean you are victorious. So as our life. We have personal life, family, work, church and community. If we do well in work but miss family time, we don't do well in life. Again, this is rather high calling and need enormous effort, dedication and responsibilities. Well, everyone has high calling. Some choose ignorance instead. At the basic, we are all stewards. We need to re-examine our roles (in that five areas) so that to bring out the essence of Christ. I'm a husband, father, son, friend, colleague and community member (Facebook....hehe). Inspired by Grace@Work, article titled Being Before Doing .

Finally I have succumbed to the popular social networking - Facebook. Yes, I may seem a bit too late to join the crowd but I actually have registered it since 2007. Then left it idle and unattended until recently when an old friend started again. It's quite addictive at some point but thank God I still can yield and resist the force....did I (I have also downloaded the mobile version in my phone)? I'm not alone. I found some Nav members within the group, friend's friends. And able to reconnect other long distance friends as well. It's quite a good tool. Now I don't mean to promote the site. You can choose to register other platform - Myspace, etc. They said there are 30 millions users in Facebook. Hmm.... By applying six degree theory, you are actually connected to Barack Obama within six friends connection. Then recently, out of sudden, Britain's Got Talent get the attention. A video performance of a contestant get viewed more than 10 millions in just a week...