Metamorphosis

The Barber Who Wanted to Pray

2011-10-23T08:11:00.000+08:00

Open publication - Free publishing - More christian

My personal testimony Part 1 - Dedicated and Rededicated

2011-09-10T14:00:00.002+08:00

Received a call from a Presbyterian church youth pastor. He came to visit FCC 3 weeks ago and I have shared my testimony to his group that day. He called me to ask me whether he can share my testimony, and I can write it to him. I said okay because if he feels that it can help his youth and edify his youth to serve the Lord, why not? As I was writing the testimony, I kinda being refreshed of what the Lord has done in my life. Indeed, he is a faithful God.I decided to share it in my blog here. I will divide it into few parts (I do not know how many parts are they :D). Here is the first part:

I accepted Christ as my personal Lord and saviour personallyin 1998 when I started to join youth meeting in St. Patrick Church, Tawau. Myfaith in Christ grew since then as I continued to experience God’s grace in mylife.

However, I have backslidden, ran away from God in 2001. Eventhough I was still gone to church that time, but my heart was away from God. Icould not figure why my heart was not with God anymore, all I know is that thislife is getting bored because it seems like a routine for me to go to churchand cell group without any purpose. Perhaps one of the reasons is, I gottempted with what the world offers to me that time – cybercafé life, hangingaround with friends, and all that can fulfill the desire of my flesh. I ranfurther from God when I leave my family in 2003 for business foundation studyin Kota Kinabalu . It was my first time leaving my family. I thought I got thefreedom I wanted when I stayed away from my family, but it wasn’t true. I filledmy life with alcohol and wasting time around – hanging around with friends.Thank God that my study was not affected. Before I went to Inti Nilai for mydegree, I have started a relationship with my course mate. We went to IntiNilai together. Our relationship did not work out well. It started to break before the semester itself.

I felt so miserable, and I was depressed because she was myfirst love. But through this broken relationship, I have come back to God. Iwas invited to an Alpha Course during my third or fourth week there in Nilai.In fact, this person, Nickson, a fulltime staff in the church that I amcurrently serving, has been calling me even before I came to Nilai. It wastheir Holy Spirit weekend. I joined it, and God ministered me. I toldNickson what happened to my relationship, and he prayed for me. When he prayedfor me, I felt so guilty because I have run away from God who is faithfullyloves me all the time. God loves can really never fail us! There, Ire-dedicated my life to God in May 2004.

Isaac

Congregational Singing

2011-07-29T10:49:00.003+08:00

While I was doing my thesis - the last chapter which is on the practical aspects of Intergenerational Worship (IGW) - I was dealing on how praise and worship can be made as an intentional education and a time where all ages can experience faith together. I came across Martin Luther thoughts on Congregational Singing which is equivalent to our praise and worship today. He believes that through congregational singing, we are proclaiming the Word of God to the congregation. To him it is another form of preaching!

When I was doing this, I feel more and more worry on the way that our church handling Congregational Singing. I am more and more worry with the songs we sing every Sunday! I am more worry with the modern Christian songs that are available to us now. I was reflecting with some of the songs that we have sung recently. I might sound that I am criticizing songs, but I am just raising my concern here. Please don't get me wrong that I am attacking worship leaders here, I am certainly not (I am not defending here, but I just want to avoid some misunderstanding).

I concern with some of the modern songs which have a weak theological expression. I see more and more songs which only describe God as an active God and human has no responsibility. Only what God has done for us; His grace is enough for us. Songs that portrayed that we are an passive Christian. A lot of songs addressed to Christians felt needs - with music and lyrics. Many songs were written out of inspirations than inspirations plus real experience. Many songs were written just because we think how God looks like.

Shallow music form shallow people (Marva J. Dawn). Shallow theological expression form shallow christians! As a worship leader, we should be serious in choosing our songs that we are going to sing in church weekly. We need to discern they type of the songs that we are going to sing. We should not be moved by the tune of the music or the impressiveness of the lyrics. One thing extra that the worship leader need to concern today is the theological expression of the songs!

Isaac

'tis so sweet to trust in Jesus

2011-07-01T09:06:00.005+08:00

When I was doing my devotion this morning (just now), this hymn came to my mind - 'tis so sweet to trust in Jesus. A lot of things happened to me since the beginning of the semester - family problem, financial, thesis, and the struggle of mind. All these are affecting my progress in thesis, my readings and assignments.

Of all these struggles, the Lord comforts me with His Word and this hymn. I learned one thing - TRUST in Jesus! By God's grace that we can trust Him more and more. This hymn was written out of struggle of Louisa Stead (click the name) who lost his husband who was trying to save a boy from drowning. Perhaps, it is not a coincidence that I led this hymn during the Anglican retreat.

Not all Christians can really trust in Jesus in times of difficulties. After all the things that had happened to composer; what has happened and still happening to me, how can a person really say that "in all things God works for the good of those who love him?" - Romans 8:28.

The ability to trust in Jesus is grace to us. The ability to trust in God who works for the good of those who love Him even in the time of difficulties is grace. Let's trust in Jesus, the precious Jesus; O for Grace to trust Him more.

’Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus,
Just to take Him at His Word;
Just to rest upon His promise,
And to know, “Thus saith the Lord!”

Refrain:
Jesus, Jesus, how I trust Him!
How I’ve proved Him o’er and o’er;
Jesus, Jesus, precious Jesus!
Oh, for grace to trust Him more!

Oh, how sweet to trust in Jesus,
Just to trust His cleansing blood;
And in simple faith to plunge me
’Neath the healing, cleansing flood!

Yes, ’tis sweet to trust in Jesus,
Just from sin and self to cease;
Just from Jesus simply taking
Life and rest, and joy and peace.

I’m so glad I learned to trust Thee,
Precious Jesus, Savior, Friend;
And I know that Thou art with me,
Wilt be with me to the end.

Isaac

Happy Father's Day

2011-06-19T17:22:00.002+08:00

Indeed no father will give a snake when the son asks for a fish; not the father will give a scorpion when the son asks for an egg. I'm talking about the earthly father here. Father's day reminds me how much my father has sacrificed for me; it reminds me how have I misunderstood my father for many years. Since 1998, due to the financial crisis, my father's business was affected and he has to stop it in 2001. In that period I thought my father did not love me anymore by the way he treated me - he is so cool to me and we hardly talk to each other. It wasn't like this before: my father and I were so closed. I remember in one of the period when our relationship is not that close, I used a toothpaste and wrote "Dad, I hate you!" on the mirror in our washroom. I am so regret for doing that when I got to know that I have misunderstood him. I felt so guilty every time I thought of it.

Half way of my tertiary education, I then realized that I have misunderstood my father. I realized how much my father has sacrificed for me to support me in my studies. He nearly lost all his properties in order to support me. He taught me a lot of this through what he has done to me. When I work as fulltime, I try my best to send money back home even though I have not enough. I did this is to show my father one thing, and for myself to learn two things. I want my father to know that even when I work as fulltime, I still can support the family. I just want my family to see the provision that God will give to us when we choose to obey. The two things that I learn is giving sacrificially because my father did that to me; secondly is to rely on the Lord's provision - He knows the needs of my family.

I cannot imagine more about my heavenly Father. Whenever I see my father, I am always being reminded of God the Father. Of course my relationship with my father now is getting better. I thank God for that. I also thank God that he continue to trust in the Lord in everything that he do.

May God continue to shower His blessings upon my family.

One more semester to go

2011-05-20T16:11:00.002+08:00

One more semester to go to end my journey as a seminarian. It is tough. By God's grace and his strength, I've gone through this tough journey.

This semester is the toughest one to me. My spiritual life was so down and so dry. Relationship with God was cooled down. I've lost my first love feeling with God. I procrastinated and compromised a lot this semester. I find it very difficult to wake up early in the morning to do my devotion. It is not that I am legalistic with my life, but towards the end of the semester as I was doing my assignment, God reminded me that spiritual discipline will affect my spiritual life. I've totally lost the momentum in my life. I've lost the discipline in my life. Many things surrounding me reminds me and challenged me to be more discipline spiritually, but I ignored all that.

What have I learnt in this period of wilderness?

The most important thing is relationship with God. I these period, I hardly pray and read the bible. Until one point of life, I wonder what kind of relationship I have with God. I feel awkward when I want to talk to God back. Perhaps this was how the devil deceived me, or it is just my problem. Relationship with God which was affected, affects my relationship as well.

Another thing is that a person can be "unspiritual" and yet handle the word of God. This is what I have gone through this semester. But, there is such an emptiness with the results that you have. The Word is not the lively word anymore.

One theological question I have in mind since the beginning of the semester is, "Can a community affect a person spiritual life or worship?" Right now I am still searching for the answer. It really affect me a lot until the point that I won't partake in the Holy Communion with this community anymore.

Every experiences, God has something to tell me. Even though this journey is tough and lonely, I thank God that I am out of this wilderness. One thing I always fear just like David when he committed sin is that the Lord will cast me away from his presence and take away His Holy Spirit from me (Psalm 51:11).

May God continue guide me in this journey. One semester to go. May he grant me strength and wisdom.

So Help Me God

Isaac

They are human too

2011-04-25T12:10:00.002+08:00

I was reading a friend's blog. She is a pastor's kid. To me she always looks so tough and strong and independent. I seldom read her blog, but that day I read her blog month by month. I seen the struggle that she had gone through. And all the things that she had gone through and is going now is just like any other people. Suddenly came to my mind is that, "Oh she is a human too". Just a phrase and my thoughts developed.

I see how high expectation it is to the pastor's children to behave within the expectation of the congregation where the congregation's children are not behaving the way they are expecting the pastor's children to behave. It makes the children not growing in a normal way, and always living in fear because every act they do will be penalize by people - they just could not grow up as children. It is no wonder not many pastor's children have the passion to serve as fulltime!

This kind of expectation same goes to the fulltime and to the pastor.

I think we should see each other as a human where we all live under the same grace from our Lord Jesus Christ! We go through the same pain and struggle. We call upon the same Lord in times of trouble. We belong to the same body of Christ every time we partake the Holy Communion.

Isaac

What would Jesus think?

2011-04-18T14:54:00.001+08:00

Luke 24:44 44 Now He said to them, "These are My words which I spoke to you while I was still with you, that all things which are written about Me in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled."

What do you think about this when Jesus read the book of the Law and saw that everything that was written is written about him?

Just a thought.

The Fear of the Student

2011-04-15T11:07:00.003+08:00

Do you know what is the fear of most of the students here? Yes! not being able to graduate from here and need to extend another semester of year here. Many reasons that will cause us not being able to graduate - not able to meet the requirements such as GPA is not met, or you failed certain subjects.

Sometimes I feel that as a student here, I need to please the lecturer (not all - majority to those "traditionalist"!) in order to pass my subject. Sometimes even though you disagree with their point of view, you will tend to put their view in the assignment so that you can get higher marks in order to pass your subject. In summary, you are being hypocrite!

I finally couldn't stand with this anymore. One day, in a discussion, I have reason to disagree with an author whom the lecturer respect or "admire". I voice it out, and directly I can see the changes of the face, and I got this comment that my argument is too general. I didn't fight back because I just want the lecturer know that not all of the author's points are correct - he is, too generalizing certain point and make his argument with an agenda behind.

If the student fail because they failed to please the lecturer, I think the lecturer themselves must reflect on it: whether they are showing off their knowledge that they are always correct or teaching us the essence of the Bible. Most lecturers here I think in my personal opinion have a presupposition upon the students (especially those who are young) that we as students lacked of experience of the things in this world without they realizing that we have lived in this world for 20 over years. They say we are naive, but I say they are naive with certain arguments too - their view on using technology in church and prosperity of the church!

This year I've been voicing out a lot of dissatisfaction of the school in handling certain issues. I've told myself actually not to voice out anything and be patient until I finish my study. But what is not right is not right and there is reason why God put the burden and let you see all these problems! You must act not waiting and pray for wisdom!

The fear that hinders the student to act is that we afraid to hurt the lecturers and in the end our marks in our subject will be affected! Marks affected, GPA affected; GPA affected, cannot graduate.

Isaac

Obediently Praying vs. Praying Obediently

2011-04-08T08:35:00.004+08:00

In the midst of stress in doing my thesis. Along the journey, most of the lecturers will say just write something down, then you'll know where you are heading to. As I reflect back in the journey of doing my thesis, I read a lot, I research a lot; but I have not written anything yet.But I thank God that I'm now in my chapter 3 just because I wrote something. I was very ambitious last year to finish at least a chapter, but I failed because I kept on reading and researching but did not put anything down on paper.

Well, that is the introduction to what I want to share in this post. Sometimes our prayer life is liken to my thesis journey. Sometimes we keep on praying and keep on waiting for an answer. We do not realize that if we obediently follow, we will find the answer. Take answering the fulltime call for example. It is always a struggle to answer the call because it is really a cost to follow Jesus. Most of us including myself will have this reaction to pray but scare to make decision to answer call. If we keep on praying and do not answer the call we will not know whether we are call or not. Sometimes we just need to obediently follow and take the courage to answer the call.

Imagine if Joshua has no courage to lead the Israelites into the promise land, and did not obey the call that God asked Moses to pass down the leadership to him. I do not think that the Israelites will win all the battles that they have gone through. Of course one will say that if Joshua is not obey, God will call others to do his will, perhaps Caleb.

This reflection was inspired by the Bishop message in one of his sermons in FCC. He said one thing that captured me and it disturbs my mind. He said that sometimes we have to 'stop' praying and start to obey with action. By saying this, he did not mean to ask us stop praying.

This caused me to think further that OBEDIENT IS AN ACT OF PRAYING as well. It is an act of praying with faith that we might see the results that God has intended for us to see with this step of obedience.

Praying is just the most simplest answer a person could give when they are challenged. We won't move to another higher calling if we do not obey!

That is the difference between obediently praying and praying obediently. Where an adjectives is put can make such a huge difference to an action. Obediently praying is act of praying and obediently answer the call with faith. Praying obediently is just praying (hopefully with faith) without obediently act on it.

An example I can think of now is Abraham. When God commanded him to go to Canaan, he obediently praying. He packed up all his stuff and starts his journey. He does not know what is going to happen, but with faith he knows he will reach his destination as God has promised. Each of his steps to Canaan is a prayer of faith; each of his steps to Canaan is an act obedient in faith.

May the Lord bless us and guide us as we obediently praying in our lives. AMEN

Isaac

The Lord is my shepherd

2011-04-07T14:19:00.002+08:00

Ok, I'm in the midst of ethics class now. Hmmm...sound not ethical. But the class starts with a reflection on Psalm 23 AGAIN!! This psalm has non-stop come to us at least for 5 times since last Friday.

hmmm.....what is the message for us?

Isaac

Why Should I Eat in Canteen Anymore?!

2011-03-31T09:09:00.004+08:00

Picture paints thousand words. Let my word be few!

Food in canteen @ RM 4.50 - RM 5! This is dinner: 1 meat and 1 vege; lunch is 1 meat and 2 veges. Don't forget that we have to come and prepare the food and wash the dishes. Some more, whether you are eating in or not, that amount still be paid.

Food at Kampung Baru Rahang (5 mins drive) @ RM 3.50. Two meats (both also pork) and one vege. No washing dishes; no preparing food. You pay for the food you like to eat. If you do not eat, you do not need to pay.

What is more to say?

Isaac

Weaker Brother??

2011-03-24T12:46:00.004+08:00

I could never imagine that in seminary there will be weaker brother because I think we are mature enough to come into the seminary to be equipped. Someone told me that it is because we come to be equipped shows that we are weak. Now, you know what I mean as a weaker brother: doing something that will causes your neighbor to stumble. I think, if you are ready to come into seminary, you must be strong in your faith and confident with it already. But sadly, even playing cards, someone will think that it will stumble the students. Just because I am using cards which has Carlsberg, Sports Toto logo on it will cause them to stumble. This is just ridiculous, isn't it?

In words, people say please don't speak so harsh. I don't know when it happens that speaking the truth is treated as harsh. I really don't know how to speak politically correct words. And I do not know why people can mixed manners with politically correct words. Since when if you speak politically correct means that you have manners?

Backstabbing!

2011-03-10T10:50:00.006+08:00

We had our Ash Wednesday yesterday. One of the sessions, each year has to share what are the things we need to repent in our lives, community, our country and the world. A particular year said that we need to repent of gossiping, talking about people from behind (in particular). Our year shared on the community living that we are reluctant in spirit to be part of the duty in our community. I was asked to share this to the community, in front of all students and the faculties. I asked the year representative is he sure that he wants me to share. In my heart, I am afraid to pour out all the negative emotions I have with this issue.

I shared. I've said something rather 'radical'. I shared what we shared. I shared what really happens in our community life among the students which most of them afraid to raise it up publicly. I shared that we are reluctant to do gardening, and we need to repent of it. I shared that we need to repent of ignoring our responsibilities in the dorm. I shared we need to repent of our selfishness in library. And I shared that we need to repent of our attitude in the canteen because of the under-cost food. We are grumbling about it. In the end of sharing, we are required to pray for repentance.

I shared publicly, "I am sorry; I need to confess and repent that I do not know how to pray for these items." I just say, "Lord, in your mercy." I was expecting they all to say, "hear our prayer," but it didn't happen. I do not know how to pray for these items because I am struggling with these issues, especially the under-cost food. My struggle is if I repent on behalf of the community, it means that we are not grateful with our food and we need to change our attitude in canteen. And it also means that the one who cook, the one who responsible in this area simply ignoring their responsibilities just by ACCUSING the student of not being grateful with what they have. We all know as students even some of the faculty where the problem is, but blames have to be upon our attitude!

That is why I am struggling. I do not want to use prayer to politicalize the issue. I am not being selfish here. I think the one who need to repent and change is not us as student.

The title of this blog is "backstabbing". My action in chapel has been a discussion in some of the Chinese Pastoral group. I knew this because the students told me. Some defended me. As far as I know, I do not know who back-stabbed me! I was quite angry and disappointed. One hand you pray "WE NEED TO REPENT FOR GOSSIPING AND TALKING ABOUT PEOPLE FROM BEHIND." Just in a short time, you talk about me from behind in your PASTORAL GROUP?! This is just simply HYPOCRITE! Are we all just coming our for the sake of sharing and to be POLITICALLY CORRECT in sharing and praying?

Have mercy upon me, Lord.

Isaac

Thank You for the Cross My Friend

2011-03-07T21:03:00.003+08:00

Begin to ponder on the Cross once again. Thank you for the cross my friend.

Isaac

Love your enemy?

2011-03-04T20:31:00.003+08:00

My dad's business was affected during the 1998/99 financial crisis. His business partner cheated his money, and he has to close down his business. My dad of course forced him to pay back the money that he owed to us. At one point we even called the police, but it didn't work. He said he will pay monthly to us. And that is how I can use the money more my tertiary education and completed my degree in finance.

Recently, his daughter added me in Facebook. At first I was suspicious who is this. Many people added me recently whom I do not know them. So famous..:D Anyway, I checked up her photos, and saw her brother who I used to hang out with. I recognized by then that the father is the one who has cheated us! 12 years time had passed. I saw that they are enjoying and my dad is struggling financially.

Mix feelings. Should I be hateful to them? Is their generation. But if not because of him, I might have the chance to go oversea to study. My extended family relationship would not be broken now! And I would not see how my dad being insulted by people especially my uncles! My mum wouldn't struggle to work daily until her health is affected. And my brothers will have the chance to continue their study too.

All these happen because the love of money! I thank God, it is through deepest struggle in my family that my dad accepted Christ and willingly allow my brother and I to serve fulltime, 66.7% of us.

I'm still struggle to love them. I actually has forgotten about it.

So Help Me God,

Isaac

Altar Call?

2011-03-02T13:31:00.004+08:00

I do not know what do you all think about when church has altar call after their preaching. To me, I am still struggle with it. Either we agree or not agree, each party will say that we limit the work of the Holy Spirit. While remaining in struggle and being in church that practice altar call, this my stand if they do so. By saying all these, I have not made my stand yet, but is just my stand because I am in church(es) which practices altar call.

Firstly, do not misused altar call when the preaching is not solid! Most of time from observation and to young preacher, and to preacher with charismatic influence, will tend to do altar call when their preaching is not solid; when they preached not systematically, and they feel that they have failed to deliver the message properly. Sometime you will notice the message is different than the altar call challenge! I'm standing in a position if I would practice altar call, we should not use it when we feel we fail to deliver the message, and try to use psychology to manipulate people. If you feel your sermon is lousy, don't do altar call for you are the one who need the Holy Spirit to minister.

Second, if I were to practice altar call, we must respect people who responded and come up to the front. Most of time we see that when there is an altar call, the worship team will make the music so loud and encourage those who standing and not responded to sing while people in front are being ministered. I think this is just all wrong! It is so hard to minister and pray for those who has accepted the challenge when the music is so loud. We have to yelled at their ear, and sometime we could not hear what is their needs. If you want to have an altar call, make the music soft so that people who have accepted the challenge will be ministered. Sometime, like the first point, music is purposefully made loud to manipulate people feeling that they feel is Holy Spirit prompting them.

These are my main two issue when people practicing altar call.

Isaac

Boasting?

2011-02-05T21:19:00.002+08:00

Philippians 3:4-7 4 though I myself have reason for confidence in the flesh also. If anyone else thinks he has reason for confidence in the flesh, I have more: 5 circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; as to the law, a Pharisee; 6 as to zeal, a persecutor of the church; as to righteousness, under the law blameless. 7 But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ.

Hmm... I was thinking what is the difference when we share our testimony of following Christ with Paul's.

Isaac

Superb Jan 2011

2011-01-24T17:12:00.006+08:00

Jan 2011 going to end in one week. I can say, I have a great and superb January except coming back to seminary to face my academic studies. It is superb month because I've experienced, and experiencing, and continue to experience answered prayers. I've shared some to the church how God has answered my prayers just in the first 2 weeks of January. It really increases my faith and my trust in the Lord that He is always there when I pray. Even simple prayer like looking for a nice parking I experienced it this month when I pray and trust in it!

Let me share one quote from Hudson Taylor that makes my year to be fruitful: God's works done in God's way will not lack God's supply

Picture taken in CEO center, Bangalore

Isaac

Holding the right thing

2011-01-09T23:01:00.004+08:00

I saw the "washing machine"

kaabooooo....

I'm back in STM and the so-called retreat has over. The semester will be starting tomorrow. Nervous! Thesis!

Just want to share some thoughts which is in my mind now. Yesterday, in a small group discussion, we were discussing things that we can give thanks for; so I shared that I give thanks because I'm alive today because 4 years ago I nearly drowned during a water rafting game. After sharing this, I kept on thinking back on the incident.

In 2007, I went for water rafting at Padas River during a staff retreat. Thank God that all of us were safe under His grace. We rented two boats and we were the only two boats that prayed before we started the game, and we were the only two boats that capsized! I sat in front of the boat, and we went into the "Washing-Machine" section. Once our boat hit on the water current, the impact was so great at the place where I was, so I flew few meters away from the boat, but because of the current which was so fast, I was pushed near-by the boat but that time I was in the river already. I went down to the water, I came up and saw the boat and I was supposedly to hold the rope at the side of the boat, but instead of holding it, I hold back my pedal!: I went down into the water and came up, the boat had gone far from me. I tried to yell for help, but the voice just couldn't come out from my throat! Cut the story short, I was saved.

In our lives, we sometimes hold the wrong thing to secure our lives. We thought that what we are holding now will secure us, but it is actually a burden in our lives that caused us into depression, stress and lost our focus in our lives and eventually find that life has no purpose. I was supposed to hold the rope, but I hold the pedal which could not save me from being drowned! Only the rope can. I missed the robe and I was saved because someone on the boat throws the robe back to me. The decision I have to make is to hold the robe so that I can be saved from drowning.

Today, for those of you who are reading this post, if you have missed the first rope, there is the second chance. The rope is from our Lord Jesus Christ. Now your decision is just to accept the rope and be saved for eternity!

Isaac

God heals!

2010-12-05T12:34:00.007+08:00

Second half of the year, I faced a hard question. The question arose from an incident over a controversial song. Most of us know the controversial song from Hillsong entitled "Healer". The question came when my friend and I were discussing about it. He recognizes that the song is controversial, but, he adds on, that God can use the song to heal people with the main reason that through this song, many people were healed. This was the question which is in my mind until recently: The song, Healer heals a lot of people. My question is that, why a song which was written with false testimony can heal people?

I've been pondering about it. During one of my devotions, I got an answer: it is God who heals. I have doubt because my focus is on the song which heals, and I did not focus on God who heals. I believe all those who had been healed either from singing this song or just listening to it, was healed by God. It is not the song which heals, but God. By saying this, I am not saying or encouraging people to simply write songs to manipulate people psychologically, but songs must be written firstly through the meditation of the Word of God and with our experiences with God. This is what is lacking in today's Christian songs!

Question came now, will I use the song in church. My stand is, I will not! Because it is God who heals by His grace and His will. Our focus should not be with the power of the songs, but our focus must be with the power of God who heals!

God heals,

Isaac

Effort Based or Academic Based?

2010-10-09T12:15:00.003+08:00

After receiving my year one, first semester results, I was disappointed with the results that I have for one of my subjects. This subject requires us to do 2 weekly reflections: one on the lecture, another on the book. Except for one week, I never miss to hand-in any of my reflections on time. At the end of the day, I got a B+ for that subject. I thought it was alright. But when I got to know certain people got an A- for that subject, I began to question the marking system in STM. I question because of the character of the person who got that result: always rushing assignment in the last minute. I try my best not to compare, but recently the negative feeling was so strong in me.

I admit my English is not that best, do not have solid reasoning skills, and I do not have the ability to make argument or debate, or may I say, twisting facts. But in every assignment, I put all the effort that I can; try my best to reason beyond my ability; read more books that I can. But, sometimes, or perhaps, the school does not recognized this; those who do last minute assignments; it can be one night before the due dates; or sometime taken lecturer's grace for granted, can get higher marks than those who put a lot of effort in it! I can understand if it is only one or two assignments you did that. But if you do it in every semester for every paper, I think the school seriously need to think about this.

This is not the character formation that a seminary should produced. To be minister of God, we need discipline in serving. If the students can do this in seminary, and yet is not being told that they have discipline issue, I think, then they will have problem after they graduated from the seminary: preparing last minute sermon, only read the Bible when preaching day is approaching, and etc. If the seminary's vision is to equip God's people for ministry and mission, then I think the seminary should be able to identify the people, and take action on them.

I encounter only one lecturer that will judge our assignments based on our effort. Being an 'A'- student does not mean that you are a good minister and justify your pastoral hearts in the field. Excuses like, "I only can do my works last minute when there is pressure on me" is not valid at all!

I think our works should be evaluated based on effort too. If I've been evaluated on purely academic, I think I will not be able to achieve the requirements here. This is the hidden curriculum that we have to learn while doing the works of God including study: paying all effort in this studying ministry.

Servus Servorum Dei

Isaac

Worship

2010-09-06T10:27:00.003+08:00

John 4:23 "But an hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers shall worship the Father in spirit and truth; for such people the Father seeks to be His worshipers.

Colossians 3:16 Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God.

Disclaimer!!

Make sure you read this if you cannot sleep at night!!

Three weeks ago, the passage on John 4:23 came to my mind during the church service. I've forgotten where the verse came from. They next day, as I was doing my devotion, I read this passage again. I was wondering what God is trying to speak to me.

In the midst of pondering the passage, another passage came to my mind, Colossians 3:16. Gosh, so I keep on pondering the relation with these two verses.

As I study the verse, Col. 3:16 I began to see some light. It is so true that, if you keep on meditating or reflecting on certain verses, it will speaks to you. That is the power of God's Word. In Col. 3:16, "The Word of Christ" is the subject. The main verb is "to dwell" (imperative/command). The Word of Christ must dwell in us richly. When the Word dwells in us richly, the next three verbs are the consequences: to teach and to admonish, and to sing (all three are in participle form). [I know is a bit academic here, but to be faithful to the Word of God, we do need to go back to the original text to have a better insight]

Recently, I've encountered a lot of "debates" or "insights" of what worship is? I believe these two verses have spoken to me. Our worship, our preaching, our giving, our daily life and etc is the consequences of the Word of Christ that dwelt in us. We can't just worship the Lord just because of our feeling as Christian that God loves us, therefore we worship him. But we must let the Word of God dwell in us, and with conviction, from inside out we worship our God. Not only in worship, but also in preaching. How can we preach unless the Word of God dwell in us and has convicted. To dwell in us, it is not just having understood the passage, but from inside-out, in practice, we are able to show what has been dwelt in us (1John 4:16b, 20 - God is love, and the one who abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him; if someone says, "I love God," and hates his brother, he is a liar; for the one who does not love his brother whom he has seen, cannot love God whom he has not seen).

What then shall I say? (wow! Like St. Paul arguing certain issue, :D) Am I saying that the Word of God is the most important? Yes! Last Friday, there was a person was arguing that in a service, everything is important. She said, we cannot say the Word is more important than worship, and worship is more important than any other "items" in a service. I think she got it wrong! In a service, all that we are doing are the consequences of the Word that has been dwelt in us. I believe that everything that we do in a service must be Christ centered, and the CLIMAX of the service is the Word of God (the reading and preaching) because that is where the word is proclaimed to us (the Reading) and where through the preacher, we believe that God is using him to reveal the Word to us so that it speaks to us in our current context which in the end lead us to Christ who is our stronghold, and in Him we shall not be afraid (Psalm 27:1b).

Conclusion? Our worship, preaching (or even sharing in a devotion), is the effects of the indwelling of the Word in us. By then, true worshipers that have understood the dwelt Word and practice it will worship the Father in spirit and in truth. Therefore, we need the Holy Spirit, our Helper, the Spirit of truth (John 15:26) who will remind us what Jesus had taught us (John 14:16) to worship God our Father. Worship not just as in singing praise and worship, but also in prayer, preaching and our daily lives.

Our action: Read your Bible and pray everyday so that God's word will dwell in you richly!

Isaac

Syncretism?

2010-09-02T15:31:00.003+08:00

I wonder what would John Calvin says a bout this or even the Presbyterian?

I just need a prayer

2010-08-16T15:32:00.003+08:00

I began to understand the book of Job slowly now. I'm having severe back pain now. It affects my breathing and my left hand movement. I posted this in FaceBook. Only two people offered their prayer to me while others were analyzing the cause of the pain and if I say something some replied me "faith without deeds in nothing". How ironic that people can use scripture for their own benefit, benefit in defending their analysis is correct.

The cause of my back pain is more towards the bed's slats were put wrongly! This has caused my bed sink in the middle! Moreover, I do not have a flat platform on top of the slats! How ironic again that this seminary is lead with a lot of 'doctors'! but do not know how to put a bed slats! Second cause is of course the mattress itself which has been used for more than 10 years. If we ask for a change, it will be replaced from the one in the store room. What is the point?! To change a new one perhaps it will took months to be replaced. Need to go through a lot of meetings perhaps to decide whether need to buy a new mattress or not! Is not that I do not try, but this is the nature of this place and the system here! If we ask for a better one, perhaps the students will be judge why we asking for a luxury stuff and began to tell their old story 30 years ago! Moreover the mattress is neither made from latex or fiber. It's just a foam! Imagine it has been used for more than 10 years by more than 100 people include some campers!

Anyway, I find explaining all these is meaningless. Perhaps, it is better for the three friends of Job to continue remain in silent rather that start their speeches and analyzing what happened to Job, maybe he has sinned against God or just be patient during this suffering. I think, none of them can understand Job more than God and Job himself.

All I need is just a prayer that God will heal me not analyzing from people! It is easier to say. Try and feel the pain!

God please heal,

Isaac

knowledg-ed but no wisdom?

2010-08-07T16:01:00.004+08:00

Since I am free now, let me update my blog now and share what is in my mind..:D

In my wisdom literature class, I learnt that wisdom is not about head knowledge but how we deal with our daily practical life.

I don't know whether is this funny, but this is what I observed in STM itself! There are a lot of intelligent people here. Knowledgeable, very passionate especially during debate to prove their ideas is right and etc and etc.

Imagine this situation, an intelligent person who obtained a doctorate in their lives and do not know how to use simple things such as a microphone or even handling a projector! This is what I observed. Do we need a PhD in handling a microphone? Isn't it is a sad thing where you have the most knowledge and couldn't handle simple things in life. What hidden curriculum that we can learn from here if the hidden curriculum is so important? Just focus on study and filling our mind and ignore the small and simple practical things?

Children and Adult

2010-07-22T20:49:00.003+08:00

Last 2 weeks, Ps. Stella was preaching about Children Worship in FCC. One thing I discovered and I asked myself why I didn't see this during my research. I keep on finding facts to prove that children can worship. But one question is that whose problem when the child could not worship? Is the adult! not the children. The children are not given the chance to worship together in the service.

I was leading worship in the chapel today. I sang hymns and one song that I've sung during the Children Worship Conference. I arranged the songs in the way the songs would give us the feel. One hymns that I sang is "Joyful Joyful We Adore thee". I find that most of the time when we sing this in chapel, is more solemn or more lamenting. How can we sing Joyful song with lament mode?! The form of the music indeed plays an important part in worship. I'm not saying that I use music to psycho the people to worship, or to stir their feeling, but this is the gift of God that has been given to people and we use it. The modern form of music shows another important thing that playing piano alone will not show us; team work! Why people in STM complain that the worship is so noisy? Obvious reason is that we do not have good sound system!

I've been out of topic now. But that is what I am struggling here too. Back to children and adult. Second song that I sang is "I will offer up my life" by Matt Redman. The struggle when I was leading in STM is almost the same in All Saints' Cathedral, difficult to get the people to sing whereby in Psalms it is a command to worship HIM! I sensed that the atmosphere is so different in chapel just now. Not all, but some are so skeptical while worshiping. When we sang this song in the Children Conference, the atmosphere was so different. I personally cried and was touched by the Spirit. I felt the strong assurance in God while worshiping with the children. But I can't sense it just now. I think is because of the simplicity of the faith.

May the Lord have mercy on us.

Isaac

Learning Theology through Steward Group Duty

2010-07-05T13:27:00.004+08:00

Theology that learned through book I think is only stop at head but not hands. Theology, I think, is best learned through the simple thing that we do in our daily lives. I remembered my first day in All Saints' Cathedral for practical, I asked one question "how can I learn theology through folding the bulletins?"

Last week was my steward group's turn to do our duty. I was so encourage by one of the members, saying that she is so happy whenever she saw the forks and spoons are so organized because she said that she knew that this person must have "use his heart" (transliteration from Chinese) or put in effort in doing this, and she said that in STM I'm the only person who does that. Then I gave a reason to her, how can we study Systematic Theology and we do not behave systematically? Through this act, I know that God is an organized God. Just look at how He plans for the Ark. Therefore, I always sigh when I saw the forks and spoons are in a mess!

Second thing that I can put my theology into practice during duty is that God is a God of grace or perhaps He is not a calculative God. If He is calculative, then all of us will live under His wrath! Even single thing that we do will be wrong even though we think that it is right. I say this because every meal in STM we seemed to have only 20mins to eat. After 20mins, second bell will ring and the door will be closed. I've observed that some people really so particular with the time because if many people are still eating then they can wash less. They are so calculative! I think the vision of our student body is not clear to the community here, "Sharing God's grace". I told my group members that they can ring the bell, BUT not close the door. Washing few more plates won't makes any difference after having washed all other plates! Don't be so calculative. Share the grace. I think we have to think like this: we have been served by five different steward groups and we serve for one week only. Compare the 5 times you receive and 1 time you give. Why do we need to be so calculative!

Theology affects methodology. How you treat people or how you behave affect your understanding about God.

James 2:18 But someone will say, "You have faith; I have deeds."

Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by what I do.

Isaac

Is my mind polluted or the people?

2010-06-03T11:00:00.002+08:00

Before I enter the seminary, I have this in mind that the life in seminary will be better than the outside world. Things go to the opposite side. Sometimes people in seminary are far more worst than the people at outside. I really could not imagine this because the seminary is a place where all the future pastors and priest to be trained! How come it has not become a place where it suppose to show the character of a loving Christ?!

Is my mind too perfect or naive, or is the problem with people? Or perhaps seminary is just a place for academic rather than training up our faith?

Isaac

He Knows

2010-06-03T01:37:00.001+08:00

I have a Maker
He formed my heart
Before even time began
My life was in his hands

I have a Father
He calls me His own
He'll never leave me
No matter where I go

He knows my name
He knows my every thought
He sees each tear that falls
And He hears me when I call

He knows my pain, he knows each tears that fall, he knows and he knows.

Isaac

Semester 1 Year 2

2010-05-13T21:53:00.005+08:00

This semester is ending tomorrow. So, what have I learned? Am I still the same like last year did not learn any spiritual thing but only academic from STM? This semester I have changed my perception. I've learned spiritually. A lot indeed. I think, I have learned more in my character building through STM be it academically, spiritually or through fellowship with friends and lecturer. Just share something that I've learned:

1. Mark subject - This is the first thing to share not because I got a good mark for MARK from Dr. KY, but is because through out the process, I learned one thing which is very important: are we an outsider or insider. Studying theology, are we closer to God or further away from God even though we always study His word daily; or will we be like the women at the end of Mark, run away because they were afraid? This subject really challenges my life as Christian, a disciple and minister of God.

2. Fear God and obey His commandment - As I've shared in previous entry, even though the world seems to be unfair to the righteous, even though the wise and fool have the same destiny, those who chose to fear God are far wiser than those who did not.

3. Remember God - While I was preparing my Homiletics' preaching assignment on Joshua 5, one of the things that I reflected is Remembering God especially mentioning about circumcision and we have been talking of this for a month!! potong potong!! Although we guys always joke about it, but one thing that I reflected through the word circumcision is that it is not only the sign of covenant that God has made to Abraham, but is also a sign for us to remember God. Here is the "18sx" explanation. I believe guys will always see his "little brother" whenever we go to toilet and do our small business or "pay our water bill". Whenever we pay our water bill, we will see the mark of covenant (if you are circumcised). I though of, whenever the Jews saw this, they remember why they being circumcised. And this is how I memorized the hebrew word for rememberזָכַר, zakar. You can check this word in internet.:D

Hmm..After all, studying theology is not only fun, but we have to reflect it in our lives.

Happy Holiday.

Isaac

Ecclesiastes

2010-05-02T20:43:00.002+08:00

I've been struggling through the Book of Ecclesiastes last two weeks. It is interesting to go through it and study it in details. Of course as I am writing this, I am writing with many regrets because I should insert this thoughts into my assignment. Anyway, I just want to share some of the thoughts that I got and some "enlightenment" to the difficulties that I've encountered when I was doing this assignment.

The Qoheleth started with a "big sigh", "vanity of vanities, says the Preacher, vanity of vanities! All is vanity"(1:2) and this question, "What does man gain by all the toil at which he toils under the sun" (1:3). And at the end of the book, he summarized it with this in 12:13, "Fear God and keep His commandments, for this is the whole duty of man."

I am not quite satisfy with the conclusion that the Qoheleth made at the beginning because I couldn't understand it and accept it because just because everything is under God control, then he made this conclusion.

I've posted the question in FB and I got this answer, "If he dieth, he dieth a little wiser". At first I could not accept this answer because I was questioning that what is the point of being wise if you have died?

Keep on questioning really can help you to find an answer. I got some enlightenment when I questioned about the wise and the fool. I got this answer, "wise people will choose to fear God" even though there are a lot of unfairness in this world. I mean the fool are wise if the choose to fear God. The world define wise as not being stupid, but to be wise in God is to choose to fear him. With this answer I can understand why Qohetleth came to this conclusion even though the rich and the poor, the wise and the fool, the clean and unclean, those who offer sacrifice and those who didn't will come to the same end, DEATH!

After all, life is not really meaningless if we choose to Fear and Keep God's command. Notice, it is our whole duty as a man

Isaac

Day 5 - shipping from factory

2010-04-30T11:11:00.002+08:00

Day 4 - Manufacturing built complete

2010-04-29T15:06:00.001+08:00

Day from since ordered

Children

2010-04-25T22:25:00.004+08:00

I've been playing with Keegan these few weeks. As I observed, he understood things but because of his limited vocabulary, he finds hard to explain what he understands. Another thing is that he can remember a video that I've shown to him: exactly from beginning to the end with the sound effect some more!

Yesterday both of us were watching "The Lion King" together. I can understand the whole movie. I asked some questions to him, and he can answered. I asked him because he is more towards Chinese background. I was really impressed with the ability of a child.

I'm currently working on my thesis proposal on children. I am focusing on the importance of intergenerational worship to the children. So please pray for me. I thank God that I am seeing the progress daily. And also thank God for the lecturer who has guided me although we have some "bad blood" before. But, in order for the Lord to mold our character, He purposely put us into this condition and with this people.

I end this post with some sharing from George Barna on why Children are matter to God.

Children are a gift from God. He grants children to adults as a special sign of His love to us and as a means of personal fulfillment (see Deut. 7:13; Ps. 127:3)

Adults receive special blessings through their children. God provides supernatural benefits of many types to family and friends through children, and He matures us through the challenges of parenting (see Num. 5:28; Deut. 28:4, 11; Lam. 4:2)

Children are desirable. From the beginning of human history, God has instructed us to have children. In fact, the intentional decision of a married couple not to have children is viewed as a bad choice (see Gen. 9:7; Deut. 6:3; Luke 1:24-25).

Children need to be taught how to think and act in relation to God and His ways. One of the greatest adult challenges is passing on appropriate knowledge and behaviours to their progeny. We were created to be in relationship with Him, so our understanding of His nature and expectations is a significant undertaking (see Exo. 12:26,37; Deut. 4:9-10;6:1-7; 31:12-12: Ps. 78:4-6: Prov. 22:6).

To have a fruitful relationship with God, children must be taught to obey Him. Obedience is one of the central duties of humankind. Throughout Scripture, God exhorts His people to be raised to follow His commands and reap the benefits of such obedience (see Prov. 8:32; 19:26; Jer. 2:30; 3:22; Eph.6:1; Col. 3:20).

Children are so valuable to God that He commands us to protect them. Parents are supposed to ensure the spiritual and physical security of their children (see 1 Sam. 20:42; Ezra 8:21).

God wants to have a genuine relationship with His children. Accordingly, He describes how children may enter His presence and enjoy His company (see Pss. 8:2; 34:11; 103:13; Mal. 2:15; Matt. 21:15; Mark 10:13-16).

God loves children enough to ensure that they receive discipline. Regardless of the manner in which that shaping s provided, it is a reflection of His passion for a child’s well-being (see Prov. 3:11-12; 13:24; 19:18; 23:13; 29:15-17: Eph. 6:4).

God enjoys the nature and personality of children. The Scriptures specifically identify attributes such as sincerity, humility, naivete, vulnerability and simplicity as qualities found in children, and He treasures these characteristics (see Matt. 18:3; 19:14; Phil. 2:15).

Isaac

God's faithfulness

2010-04-12T11:34:00.004+08:00

Yesterday, Bishop preached in FCC. I din't expect that. Why I say that I din't expect that is because firstly, we have a good chat. Really din't expect that..:D Secondly, God has used him to ministered to me and challenged me..Really din't expect that too..His life has been an inspiration to me. I am sad that many people have misunderstood him. I do not want to say why people can misunderstood him. I think only time and the future generation will know in the end why he is a great man..

As he shared yesterday that he memorized the psalms and one of it is Psalm 91, this morning I give myself a challenge to memorize it too. One verse comforts me and assures to me a lot. Psalm 91:4 - his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart. Only God who is faithful in our life. Only he is the one who never leaves us nor forsakes us. But many time we put our hope in the unfaithful one, things that will perish rather than imperishable and the faithful one. Many times, I seek my own way to solve my problems rather than relying on his faithfulness. But the Lord promises, his faithfulness will be our shield and rampart. Amen!

Great is Thy Faithfulness

Isaac

gated community

2010-04-09T15:56:00.000+08:00

2 years

2010-04-05T20:51:00.002+08:00

This month marks our two years of courtship. I thank God for her because through this relationship, we are as iron sharpens iron. We grow together towards maturity. We tolerate with each other weakness and even style of handling problem. Guess what, we are still writing love letters to each other.:D

We have started our relationship in long distance (that time not really long, Labuan-KK), and now we are still in distance (this time really long, KK-KL!). Even though we are at distance, it is amazing how God sustains our relationship. A lot of sacrifices have been made. I will make every effort to go KK to spend time with her. Even though sometime we are caught up with works while I am in ASC, but in the midst of work we still able to spend our time.

Two years. All these are nothing but the grace of God in us. May the Lord continue to sustain us.

Isaac&Cyn

Google Offices

2010-03-29T20:27:00.000+08:00

How I wish I have this kind of office..:D

Isaac

Should we stay in peace?

2010-03-28T20:47:00.002+08:00

Last week was a tough week for me and also for my classmates. We've struggled for the Church History exam. One of my thoughts while I was reading and doing my revision is that should we stay in peace. I've noticed that during the first 2oo years, the Christians were persecuted and yet, they still hold on to their faith (some of course denied it due to fear of persecution). Once we came to the Christian Emperor, Constantine, we noticed that there were peace for the Christian or everything starts to go smoothly. During this time there were a lot of debate, theological debates on Trinity and Christology. It has created a lot of division just because they have different view on these issues. The Arian and The Nicea Council, the Nestorians and Cyril and etc etc. Of course I won't deny that they have gave big contribution to today's doctrine. But I think, they have fallen or influence by the Greek culture, the philosophical debates and have forgotten what is our mission on earth. It reminds me of my NT Exegesis that I've done last year on 1 Corinthians 1: 26 - 31.

I will call last week as "Unity Week" because two sermons on Unity were preached which I will preach on it too for my Homiletics class using Philippians 2: 5-11. I really agree that unity is the evangelistic tool for the non-Christians. Through division, how can the kingdom stands? How people see us as Christian?

Sometimes, I think that when our lives is so comfortable, at peace, we tend to focus on other things than preparing for the coming of the Lord. We should live as though Jesus will be coming on tomorrow. This is what my lecturer said, the view of Eschatology has changed when Jesus seems to delayed his coming.

What I've done is to not let myself in peace or comfort in order not to lose the passion and the intimate dependency to the Lord.

Why need to hide?

2010-03-23T23:37:00.006+08:00

Today I had a conversation with my girlfriend and touched on a topic which is interesting. Someone criticized my girlfriend on her appearance, wearing too simple. To be a good boyfriend, I comforted her and said, "Only those who thinks that they are not perfect will do a make-up on their face with several inches of powder." She laughed. :D.. I continued, "If you think you are perfect, why you need to hide. Even when you wear simple, you look nice and beautiful"

It is true indeed, if a person feels some part of her (or his)body is not perfect, they will cover it. Of course, simple make-up is enough to make you look afresh, but please, not the extreme one la.

After sharing this, I watched this in facebook which I think will be a good illustration..:D

See the difference. I cannot stand with this. She took 5 mins to make-up her eyes only. Before make-up look like zombie..

Isaac

Melaka trip with pastoral group

2010-03-15T22:08:00.003+08:00

Stay tune!

Blessed are the poor in spirit

2010-03-12T06:41:00.003+08:00

Just want to share on my reflections on being poor in spirit. I quote this from Monika Hellwig on the "advantages" of being poor.

1. The poor know they are in urgent need of redemption

2. The poor know not only their dependence on God and on powerful people but also their interdependence with one another.

3. The poor rest their security not on things but on people.

4. The poor have no exaggerated sense of their own importance, and no exaggerated need of privacy.

5. The poor expect little from competition and much from cooperation

6. The poor can distinguish between necessities and luxuries.

7. The poor can wait, because they have acquired a kind of dogged (persistence in effort) patience born of acknowledge dependence.

8. The fears of the poor are more realistic and less exaggerated, because they already know that one can survive great suffering and want.

9. When the poor have the Gospel preached to them, it sounds like good news and not like a threat or a scolding.1.

10. The poor can respond to the call of the Gospel with a certain abandonment and uncomplicated totality because they have so little to lose and are ready for anything.

My first disciple

2010-03-01T20:30:00.004+08:00

Since I left Sandakan, one person keep on messaging me every night before he sleeps. I taught him to play guitar while I was in Sandakan. Wherever I go, he follows me. He has seen how I serve the Lord. In fact, during my presence in Sandakan, he went to 7am service for the first time. He never been to any services, only to the Sunday School. His mum feels weird too. The people around keep on saying that I have a brother just because our name sounded like a brother.

I think I have left a legacy there for a person, I don't think only one; now whenever the youth saw me online in facebook, they will ask me to play Left4Death game.:D I order for this person to message me, he has to use English because I'm a banana and his English is poor. Therefore, for past two months, I've seen he has been improving his english. Praise the Lord!

What have I said, is not to glorify myself, but I saw how God works in peoples' life through me.

Isaac

Charles Simeon Con't

2010-02-23T22:47:00.002+08:00

I was thinking what are we going to do for tomorrow pastoral group. Either play a game or do some reflection. I decided to do a reflection on Charles Simeon. This person really inspired me a lot as I read more about him.

As I read what John Piper has commented about him, I was touched with his life and perseverance as a rejected-friend and rejected-priest/vicar. I wonder how can this guy can stand for such "persecution" surrounding him yet he still can have the passion to continue to preach!

John Piper says that "Simeon saw his suffering as a wonderful privilege of bearing the cross with Christ.": One striking witness to this was during a time when the university was especially cold and hostile to him. He reflected on his own name "Simeon" which is the same as Simon who was compelled to bear the cross for Jesus. And he exclaimed about that text: "What a word of instruction was here - what a blessed hint for my encouragement! To have the cross laid upon me, that I might bear it after Jesus - what a privilege! It was enough. Now I could leap and sing for joy as one whom Jesus was honoring with a participation of His sufferings." (Moule, 59f)

This person is really positive in thinking and during his hard time. I think we should have the same attitude as Simeon. We should see that it is a wonderful privilege of bearing the cross with Christ. We must be able to see that in time of our suffering, we are actually bearing the cross on our shoulder. Having faith that God will deliver us through times of suffering, we must persevere!

Isaac

Charles Simeon

2010-02-19T12:37:00.003+08:00

I got to know this guy from Dr. Paul Barker. I read his biography, and one thing I learnt is his patient in times of suffering.

The lonliness as a Christian that Simeon experienced as a college student was replaced by the active opposition of his new parisioners. The congregation did not care for Simeon's biblical preaching and would have preferred the assistant, Mr. Hammond, to become rector of the parish. They showed their displeasure toward Simeon by not attending and locking the small doors of their pews (which most churches had at the time). At times, they even locked the doors of the church to prevent Simeon from holding additional services. Simeon persevered, however, and remained rector of the parish for 54 years, gradually winning over his parishioners and making a great impact that reached well beyond Cambridge.

In April, 1831, Charles Simeon was 71 years old. He had been the rector of Trinity Church, Cambridge, England, for 49 years. He was asked one afternoon by his friend, Joseph Gurney, how he had surmounted persecution and outlasted all the great prejudice against him in his 49-year ministry. He said to Gurney, "My dear brother, we must not mind a little suffering for Christ's sake. When I am getting through a hedge, if my head and shoulders are safely through, I can bear the pricking of my legs. Let us rejoice in the remembrance that our holy Head has surmounted all His suffering and triumphed over death. Let us follow Him patiently; we shall soon be partakers of His victory" (H.C.G. Moule, Charles Simeon, London: InterVarsity, 1948, 155f.).

I've lost my patient a lot whether in ministry or in relationship with friends. I always talk about "hey! I'm hurt now. You must say sorry!" Impatient causes me to become more and more individualistic. Is all about my feeling, my rights or this is what I want! I've forgotten what pain that I have compared to the pain that Christ bore on the cross. I've forgot what rejection it is compared to the rejection received by Christ on the Cross.

Pray that in this Lent season, I can persevere a Christ did.

Isaac

Everything has changed

2010-02-13T17:24:00.002+08:00

Today is Chinese New Year Eve. This is my sixth year not going back for Chinese New Year. I suddenly missed my CNY while I was a kids or should I say while my grandma is still around. While my grandma is around, my uncles and aunties will be at our house from CNY Eve till the 15th day of CNY. That time still not a Christian yet, so my family was gambling while we as kids was playing Micro Genius or play the fire crackers. The thing I missed is the reunion time that we had together.

But, when grandma had passed away, everything changes. Though the first year of CNY after she passed away we still meet, but it started to fades away. Our relationship with my aunties and uncles start cracking just because of property and money issue. This is one of the reasons that I don't want to go back. I am sad to see my family situation now. As for now, the reason is that the ticket is very expensive.

I always ask God, what can I do to restore this family? Although my cousins and I had grown up, but I still wish to have the reunion time together. Probably during my wedding? :D

Lord, in Your Mercy

Isaac

No slippers = no Crocs

2010-02-08T13:24:00.002+08:00

Last week an announcement was made regarding wearing slippers and t-shirt without collar. I felt that that was directed to me. Not that I am sensitive, but I am the naughty one who always wear slippers and t-shirt. Sometime when I try to obey the rules, I saw something that brought me back to wear slipper. I always say this to those who wear Crocs SLIPPERS or ASADI brand with Crocs style. I said that this is a compromise version of slippers. Imagine how you wear a crocs and a slipper, it is the same way how you put your feet on it.

Now, what do you think about this? Allowable?

Isaac

Sick for more than a week

2010-02-01T21:22:00.003+08:00

I started to sick since last Sunday. As I woke up early in the morning, I got sore-throat and my bones were aching. Then I need to drive all the down to Sunway from Seremban. Half way of the sermon, I cannot stand for the pain already. I kept on searching for medicine in the church but there was none. SIGH!! Have to wait for the van to return so that we can go back to Seremban. 9pm, the van hasn't come back yet. Luckily got another car we can use. On the way back, I suddenly realize that I have my medicine in my bag which I put it in last two weeks. Another SIGH!!!

Back to seminary, took shower, took medicine and directly went to sleep. Slept until the next day. And I thought I'm getting better. Next day got sore-throat and started to cough. Third SIGH!!! Cough makes me could not sleep well. Every day feel so tired! And here are the effects.

Sleeping in Chapel!!

Sick, still need to study!!

So today, I don't care anymore. No worries for assignment or whatever. I rest and rest and rest. Sleep Sleep Sleep.

Isaac

They did not realize it

2010-01-20T15:34:00.003+08:00

Today I am so blur that I thought our breakfast starts at 7am. Because I am on duty today for breakfast, so I woke up at 6am to go and prepare. I finished everything at 645am and waiting for my partner to come. Then suddenly I realize that breakfast at 730am!! Sigh..So, I don't want to waste time, I did my devotion there while waiting for the time to pass.

An interesting thought came to my mine as I read John 5, when Jesus healed the paralyzed man in Bethzatha (Bethsaida). Once this man was healed, he take up his pallet/mat and walk. The Jews then rebuked the guy, "It is the Sabbath; the law forbids you to carry your mat." As I read this verse, the thought came into my mind. Actually the Jews are working too. Well, I don't know who are these Jews. Probably they are the "someone else goes down ahead of me" when the guy wanted to go into the pool? or probably the Pharisees (this what actually came into my mind).

A lawyer works is to exercise the law when it is needed. So do the Pharisees. Their job is meditating the law and make sure that everyone is following it. When someone breaks the law, they will be on duty (WORK).

So when the Pharisees in the Gospel rebuke Jesus on healing in Sabbath, they did not realize that they too are 'working' while rebuking people.

Matt. 7:4-5

⁴How can you say to your brother, 'Let me take the speck out of your eye,' when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? ⁵You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye.

Isaac

God is Moving - United Live

2010-01-18T22:38:00.001+08:00

I think the classic Hillsong is still the best....:D

10 Jan 2010 Sri Indah Vision School Opening Clip

2010-01-14T23:06:00.002+08:00

Isaac

Decrease Selfishness

2010-01-14T13:21:00.003+08:00

One of the commandments that my pastor gave me when I told him that I've started a relationship is DECREASE SELFISHNESS. Recently I've been thinking of this since I came back to STM. I've been thinking that living in a community, we should not be talking what is the individual's rights rather we must talk about what is our responsibility. Bishop Robert Solomon has inspired me while he was explaining "forgive us our sin". He said this is not an individual sin but rather a corporate sin. This is how it inspire me that we should not talk about individual's rights, but we must practice community's responsibilities.

I think when we talk about our rights, it will always be on the things that benefit us or satisfy us. It never be the advantage of the community. On the other words, we are selfish! Responsibility is something that we work it out together for the benefit of community.

Yesterday, we had our vote whether or not today we can have our gardening. The president is concern because the compound is "dirty" in the sense that the leaves is all around the compound. I've raised my hand to agree to have gardening. My reason is that I just can't stand to see something is messy or dirty, therefore I want to have gardening so that the compound will be nicer.

I'm slowly learn how to be afresh by the Lord in my spiritual life. Yesterday, I've learned a great thing that really changes my spiritual walk with the Lord. I know last year I've shared that my spiritual walk is dry after one year study in STM. Actually it is not the matter with the place or community, but it is the individual themselves. We can't blame others. I remembered what Dr. Kar Yong commented on my post when I started my second semester, "Individual can change the community, we do not need to wait the community to be a better place." Now I really agree with it.:D

Back to the great thing that changed my spiritual walk. Yesterday, in my first theology class, Dr. Ong said something struck me. You can get the best theology in the field, with the farmer! Therefore, best theology is not in the books, but is in the field. Living with what is surrounding you! I think it answers a bit my question in John Gospel and Epistle, why the word "DWELL" is so important.

Decrease Selfishness

Isaac

Let's learn Hebrew

2010-01-14T10:55:00.005+08:00

I'm taking Hebrew this semester. Last night I was having fun learning it. I think when we learn a language, we cannot stress ourself up. Learn it relax-ly. One of things I always keep in mind in learning language is, "DO NOT ASK WHY!!" This is because language is a fix stuff. They had been set like that. Last night Rabbi asked us to find a tune, I found one in youtube, although it is different from what he taught, (5-5-5-4-4), but at least we have a tune in it..:D

יִצְחָק = Isaac

Bandar Sri Indah School Dedication

2010-01-09T19:51:00.004+08:00

Tomorrow marks our Diocese history after 9o years, we are able to see the vision fulfill! Pray that God will bless the school. Pray for all the teachers and principals.

To God be the Glory!

Isaac

Children Worship Conference

2010-01-07T22:50:00.008+08:00

I've promised to update some pictures for the Children Worship Conference in my postbeginning of December. Before the conference, I went to Kudat for a children camp too. Had a wonderful time with the children. It has taught me a lot about children. I made a hypothesis during these two camp and conference: strong children ministry leads to strong youth ministry, and strong youth ministry leads to strong church. I do not know how much you will agree with me, but I have this conviction to believe this is true. The reason I made this conclusion is because I observed that church with strong children ministry, they have youth serving in church whether in worship team or other ministry and they are one of the pillars of the church. They are the the future leader and minister of God.

As I was joining these two events, one verse keep on in my mind: Matthew 19:14 - Jesus said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these."

Nothing much to exegete, but let the verse speaks to you itself. Don't want to talk much, share some picture and video

At Kudat Son Shine Camp

After one whole tired day, Rev. Chin blessed us with wonderful meal in Kudat! YUMMY!!

from left: Nga Choi Ham Ng (bean sprout with salted fish), pork ribs and vege.

Deer meat. Thumbs up!

This is super duper fresh from the aquarium! Kerapu!!

Before and after..

Coconut pudding. Kudat is famous with their coconut productions.

Our breakfast. One of the famous food! Home made!!

St. James Kudat. The church design looks like COHS and Good Samaritan.

The Children in Kudat

........................................................................................................

At KK

Ice breaker

Children from Sandakan, COGS

Ps. Stella's sharing and children listening and paying attention. I am amazed that the children are so quite while listening.

Workshop. This is Sign Language/ Dance

..............................................................

Videos

One of my favorite songs in the camp!

Super Strong God!! Children Can Worship!!

Isaac

Back in STM

2010-01-06T17:20:00.003+08:00

I've back in STM. My first feeling was, "this place again, sigh." I spent last five days in KK with my love one. Although is not really one of the sweetest time among all the time we've spent due to argument and and pressure on works, but we've gone through the toughest time among all together. I praise God that through this five days, God let me see that she truly truly has been grown spiritually and emotionally. I thank God for her! Sometimes, it is not the good time that we spent that helps us to grow, but the bad time too. Of course don't always argue la. I really wish that we are together now, going through this together. This month has marked our 21st month together. Sometime both of us still confused why we are together, because we are really from different world. Thank God that through the same passion, He had brought us together.

I hope I will go through this 15weeks faster so that we can spend time again.

Miss

Isaac

Merry Christmas

2009-12-19T14:15:00.003+08:00

Would like to wish every one Merry Christmas to everyone. May God continually pour out His blessings unto you!

Isaac

Undignified

2009-12-13T14:54:00.001+08:00

Wonderful song. We sang it in children conference and youth camp.

Updates

2009-12-05T21:21:00.002+08:00

It has been more than a month here in Sandakan. Basically I am superb busy. I just came back from two Children Camp. One in Kudat and another in KK. It was a great great and amazing week. God has not only ministered to the children, but also to myself. The atmosphere was so great that I really sense the strong presence of God. I can never imagine that God can use children to minister to me.

Came back Sandakan and start busying with installing the new projector in the hall. I really thank God for the experience that I've gained in Labuan. Although in the process, I am not happy with the person-in-charge who push all the responsibility to me and some people who just think that their work is always important, I thank God that He gave me peace in handling each task with wisdom especially my emotion. I did become a 'bad guy' in the process. Pretending and ignoring the responsibilities. I did this is not because I do not want to do the task, but is because I do not want to do it alone anymore. I did this because I want them to see that we must work together and not pushing away the responsibility!

Two more days I will be in KK for a youth camp. Received a task to do a teaching on the book of Mark. I really prayed hard and preparing for the best. I really need God who is the source of the wisdom. I hope I will be blessed through this camp again!

Thats all for the updates. I will upload the photo asap.

Isaac

I know who holds tomorrow

2009-11-19T11:30:00.000+08:00

I don't know about tomorrow,
I just live from day to day.
I don't borrow from it's sunshine,
For it's skies may turn to gray.
I don't worry o'er the future,
For I know what Jesus said,
And today I'll walk beside Him,
For He knows what is ahead.

Refrain
Many things about tomorrow,
I don't seem to understand;
But I know Who holds tomorrow,
And I know Who holds my hand.

Ev'ry step is getting brighter,
As the golden stairs I climb;
Ev'ry burden's getting lighter;
Ev'ry cloud is silver lined.
There the sun is always shining,
There no tear will dim the eyes,
At the ending of the rainbow,
Where the mountains touch the sky.

Refrain
Many things about tomorrow,
I don't seem to understand;
But I know Who holds tomorrow,
And I know Who holds my hand.

I don't know about tomorrow,
It may bring me poverty;
But the One Who feeds the sparrow,
Is the One Who stands by me.
And the path that be my portion,
May be through the flame or flood,
But His presence goes before me,
And I'm covered with His blood.

Refrain
Many things about tomorrow,
I don't seem to understand;
But I know Who holds tomorrow,
And I know Who holds my hand.

God's blessings

2009-11-14T11:28:00.002+08:00

I have been here for 2 weeks. One thing that God is teaching me is simplicity, the basic needs in life. Yesterday I went out to have lunch with the youth workers. On our journey, they shared how they struggle in their finance and looking for free food (left over food from the kindergarten). Then I asked a question, "Why God's servant has to struggle with all these and eat "inferior" foods? Where is God's blessing?" Then one of the youth workers said, "God's blessing is not the type of food that we eat, but is how God make our stomach full." This simple words really spoke to me and really understand that God bless to our priority needs first before what we want.

Blessings,

Isaac

The Past

2009-11-05T13:56:00.002+08:00

Few days ago, I've been thinking of my past, especially the mistakes that I've done. One question came to my mind, what's went wrong? Sometime I feel very innocent. People can reject you just because you are good, you have the zeal for God and etc. I think my biggest pain in my life is when someone used you as a transition for their life to get their comfort. Once they are sure with their current situation, they reject you. As I think back, the scar was there and I still can feel the hurt. I will think am I a "water bag"? Every past has a lesson to be learned. Probably I am naive that time. Everything is perfect. Failure in the past should shaped our life. Failure only truly becomes a failure when do not learn from it. I thank God that all these failures in the past has drawn me close to God, shaped my life, character and my attitude.

As we go on with our life, we should bring what we have learned from our past, not the past itself. I am writing this blog not because I am emo-ing or what, but sometime we just can avoid that the past will come into your mind. I just want to find a place to express.

Isaac

Sandakan Day 3

2009-11-02T07:45:00.002+08:00

I'm now in Sandakan for the third day. I reached here on Saturday at 1pm. One day before I came here, I felt a bit stressfull and felt that this place is a foreign place. There was uncertainties. But God is amazing in His own way. Sandakan people make you feel at home. They are welcoming.

I am exposed mostly in Chinese ministry. It is a funny feeling when I saw the culture here. Hakka and Cantonese are their main dialect. So I have to improve my Hakka and Cantonese to "cari makan" here. Though I am Hakka, but I can't really speak in a formal way. I feel odd. I really need wisdom in this area. One funny things came in my mind was, how can Cantonese and Hakka are together if we know their history. They are rivals. But God is awesome. We can never think what He is doing.

I hope I won't gain my weight more here since the food here are cheap! Imagine pork ribs rice at RM4.50? hahaha.

I'm also will be going to Kudat for a Children Camp there. I wish to go Kudat for long time because I wanted to go to the Tip of Borneo.

That's all for updates.
Isaac

Year 1 Ended

2009-10-18T17:09:00.002+08:00

I've finished my first year in STM. I went through a lot of struggles such as assignments, character building, communication skills and etc. I thank God that each difficulties I went through with Him. My life here has helped me especially in building up my character. Things that I've learned in lecture is very dry, spiritually dry, because it is just knowledge. But how to make it not dry is using the knowledge and apply it in our daily life.

Sometimes I struggle with the things I've learned. I realized when I understood something, it doesn't makes my relationship with God become more intimate. The only thing I know is "wow!" or " I see!". Though cognitively I know that God is great, but my heart does not have that conviction.

I have to admit that my faith level has gone down so much. Each day I worry more. Things that helped me to see that God is great or brings assurance that God will provide doesn't helped me in my faith in God. It is all just cognitive. I do not mean to talk negative about the knowledge that I've gain, but indeed it gave me some enlightenement. What I want to share through out the year is that I am spiritually dry.

How I overcome? I think, constant relating with God helps me not to get myself into spiritual dryness. Constant praying, reading the word(sometime I feel guilty that I read more history book than the Bible) and fellowship and serving with one another. Indeed, through out the year, God has never failed me in the difficulties that I've met. I might not be the best student in my GPA, that is not my aim. My aim is to continue glorify his name through my study. God spoke one thing clearly to me, "How can I not take seriously in studying God's word?" One question leads me to a lot of changes. I really thank God for this.

One last thing is keeping touch with the Spirit of God. When I read 1John, I was captured by the word, dwell or abide. That the Spirit of God abides in us. And in 1John also says that who can know what God wants to do unless God's Spirit himself. Therefore, if God's Spirit did not abide in us, how can we know we are doing His will? I noticed the importance of keep in touch with the Spirit.

One thing I always keep in my mind during my studies. I always remembered what Bishop said to me or advice me, "Study with Passion." This has help me to focus through out the year.

Isaac

when imperfect meets the perfect.

2009-10-13T19:39:00.001+08:00

I was reflecting on what John Piper wrote in his book.

Anytime some weakness or bad habit in our lives is exposed by contrast to someone else's goodness, instead of dealing with the weakness or the bad habit, we keep away from those whose lives make us feel defective. We don't kill them. We avoid them. Or worse, we find ways to criticize them so as to neutralize the part of their lives that was making us convicted. We feel like the best to nullify someone's good point is to draw attention to his bad point. And so we protect ourselves from whatever good he might be for us. - John Piper

I find this sound so chinese.:D

Isaac

Exegesis vs. Eisegesis

2009-10-09T20:07:00.002+08:00

I am still doing my Exegesis on my 1Corinthians. Many things to write, but still struggling with the flow. Put this article to remind myself not to do Eisegesis.

Question: "What is the difference between exegesis and eisegesis?"

Answer: Exegesis and eisegesis are two conflicting approaches in Bible study. Exegesis is the exposition or explanation of a text based on a careful, objective analysis. The word exegesis literally means “to lead out of.” That means that the interpreter is led to his conclusions by following the text.

The opposite approach to Scripture is eisegesis, which is the interpretation of a passage based on a subjective, non-analytical reading. The word eisegesis literally means “to lead into,” which means the interpreter injects his own ideas into the text, making it mean whatever he wants.

Obviously, only exegesis does justice to the text. Eisegesis is a mishandling of the text and often leads to a misinterpretation. Exegesis is concerned with discovering the true meaning of the text, respecting its grammar, syntax, and setting. Eisegesis is concerned only with making a point, even at the expense of the meaning of words.

Second Timothy 2:15 commands us to use exegetical methods: “Present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.” An honest student of the Bible will be an exegete, allowing the text to speak for itself. Eisegesis easily lends itself to error, as the would-be interpreter attempts to align the text with his own preconceived notions. Exegesis allows us to agree with the Bible; eisegesis seeks to force the Bible to agree with us.

The process of exegesis involves 1) observation: what does the passage say? 2) interpretation: what does the passage mean? 3) correlation: how does the passage relate to the rest of the Bible? and 4) application: how should this passage affect my life?

Eisegesis, on the other hand, involves 1) imagination: what idea do I want to present? 2) exploration: what Scripture passage seems to fit with my idea? and 3) application: what does my idea mean? Notice that, in eisegesis, there is no examination of the words of the text or their relationship to each other, no cross-referencing with related passages, and no real desire to understand the actual meaning. Scripture serves only as a prop to the interpreter’s idea.

To illustrate, let’s use both approaches in the treatment of one passage:

2 Chronicles 27:1-2
“Jotham was twenty-five years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem sixteen years. . . . He did what was right in the eyes of the LORD, just as his father Uzziah had done, but unlike him he did not enter the temple of the LORD.”

EISEGESIS
First, the interpreter decides on a topic. Today, it’s “The Importance of Church Attendance.” The interpreter reads 2 Chronicles 27:1-2 and sees that King Jotham was a good king, just like his father Uzziah had been, except for one thing: he didn’t go to the temple! This passage seems to fit his idea, so he uses it. The resulting sermon deals with the need for passing on godly values from one generation to the next. Just because King Uzziah went to the temple every week didn’t mean that his son would continue the practice. In the same way, many young people today tragically turn from their parents’ training, and church attendance drops off. The sermon ends with a question: “How many blessings did Jotham fail to receive, simply because he neglected church?”

Certainly, there is nothing wrong with preaching about church attendance or the transmission of values. And a cursory reading of 2 Chronicles 27:1-2 seems to support that passage as an apt illustration. However, the above interpretation is totally wrong. For Jotham not to go to the temple was not wrong; in fact, it was very good, as the proper approach to the passage will show.

EXEGESIS
First, the interpreter reads the passage and, to fully understand the context, he reads the histories of both Uzziah and Jotham (2 Chronicles 26-27; 2 Kings 15:1-6, 32-38). In his observation, he discovers that King Uzziah was a good king who nevertheless disobeyed the Lord when he went to the temple and offered incense on the altar—something only a priest had the right to do (2 Chronicles 26:16-20). Uzziah’s pride and his contamination of the temple resulted in his having “leprosy until the day he died” (2 Chronicles 26:21).

Needing to know why Uzziah spent the rest of his life in isolation, the interpreter studies Leviticus 13:46 and does some research on leprosy. Then he compares the use of illness as a punishment in other passages, such as 2 Kings 5:27; 2 Chronicles 16:12; and 21:12-15.

By this time, the exegete understands something important: when the passage says Jotham “did not enter the temple of the LORD,” it means he did not did not repeat his father’s mistake. Uzziah had proudly usurped the priest’s office; Jotham was more obedient.

The resulting sermon might deal with the Lord’s discipline of His children, with the blessing of total obedience, or with our need to learn from the mistakes of the past rather than repeat them.

Of course, exegesis takes more time than eisegesis. But if we are to be those unashamed workmen “who correctly handle the word of truth,” then we must take the time to truly understand the text. Exegesis is the only way.

Source:http://www.gotquestions.org/exegesis-eisegesis.html

Don't Read into the context

Isaac

Year end placement

2009-10-05T23:38:00.002+08:00

I've received my official letter for my year end practical. So, here I am Sandakan! I've only been to Sandakan twice. I'll be posted to Church of Good Sheperd, COGS, not COHS anymore..haha..

I am anxious about it. I have the feeling that I will be posted to Sandakan, either St. Michael or COGS.. So, I can only pray that God will prepare my heart to serve him in bigger capacity.

All I can say as a GOOD ANGLICAN is, SO HELP ME GOD

Isaac

Are we following the pattern of the world?

2009-09-25T20:07:00.002+08:00

Had a good talk with my friend in australia. We were talking about how much starbucks coffee actually cost. Fyi, we found out that it only cost only AUD0.05 and they charged us at AUD 3-4. imagine the profit that they earned.

In our talk, one thing came to my mind, are we as church or christian following the pattern of the world? I observed that most of our approach is using the modified world ads. I believe you all have seen the ads on "I'm a Christian vs I'm Christ's follower" using the Mac vs Windows theme video, the t-shirt on coca-cola modified to Jesus Christ and etc. Thing that in my mind is, are we not creative enough?

In term of church management, why we must follow toyota management. We know they have the best management. Six Sigma, price of a product should be determined by the market and etc.

Can we as Christian come out with our own "product"?

Forest Gump

2009-09-21T22:35:00.003+08:00

One of my favorites movie is Forest Gump. After watching this videos explaining the visual graphic, I was amazed with the technology during 1994. And when I re-watch this movie again, I can see clearly the effects in this movie. Some part are fake. Amazing!

Isaac

RM 54

2009-09-17T14:57:00.003+08:00

This is crap man! I've been trying to book my ticket to go back to Tawau since last night. Thank God for STM connection! I can't book it (I thought I can't), for the RM39 tickect. I din't know that the booking was successful and stored in my account and waiting for my payment.

So this morning, I tried to book again. The RM39 ticket was still there. I tried and tried. But the connection was really bad! I refreshed the page and book the same ticket. And it increased to RM54. CRAP!!!! Thank you STM! RM15 is a price for a lamb chop! RM15, can be my 4 meals in Seremban. And many other things I can do with RM15!! Sorry, I am a typical CHINESE here.

ps: I post this just to express my feeling.

He Binds the Broken Hearted

2009-09-16T22:13:00.000+08:00

Light Phenomena

2009-09-14T22:28:00.005+08:00

I posted some pictures in my FB. I thought those pictures was an unusual phenomena that had happened in Labuan two years back. But Rabbi said is a common one. So I check it out. It is common. And this is what I've got.

Corona

The Corona is a type of plasma atmosphere that surrounds a celestial body and the most famous example is the sun’s which is visible during a total solar eclipse. It extends thousands of kilometers into space and contains ionized Iron at temperatures of almost 1 millionº C (1.8 millionº F). During an eclipse its shining light surrounds the darkened sun, an appearance from which its name is taken, derived from the Latin for ‘crown’.

Crepuscular Rays

When darkly clouded regions or permeable obstacles such as tree branches filter the sun’s beam, rays of sunlight appear as straight columns radiating from a single point in the sky. The phenomenon, often used in horror movies, is most commonly seen at dawn or dusk and can even be witnessed under the ocean as the sun shines through sheets of cracked ice. This beautiful scene was captured at the Arches National Park in Utah.

Fata Morgana (Mirage)

The interaction between cold air near ground level and warm air immediately above it may act as a refracting lens and produce an upside down image of objects on the horizon, over which the actual image appears to hover. In this picture, taken in Thuringia, Germany, the horizon in the distance seems to have vanished leaving the furthest posts floating in mid-air, however the blue part of the road is merely a reflection of the sky above it. The common perception that mirages are entirely non-existent images that appear to those lost in the desert is a misnomer, probably confused with the effects of extreme dehydration which can cause hallucinations. Mirages are always of real objects, although it is true they can appear closer due to the effect.

Light Pillar

The reflection of light by ice crystals with almost perfect horizontal planar surfaces creates a powerful beam that is reminiscent of sci-fi movies. The light source may be the sun, moon or artificial light and an interesting characteristic is that the pillar will take on the colour of this source – in the image taken in Kaijonharju, Finland, the orange sunlight of dusk creates a similarly coloured magnificent pillar.

Aurora

The collision of electronically charged particles in the earth’s upper atmosphere often creates magnificent light displays over the polar regions. The colour depends on the elemental content of the particles – most auroras appear green or red due to oxygen, however nitrogen sometimes creates a deep blue or violet appearance.

Contrails

The vapour trails that follow aircraft through the sky cause stunning man-made patterns in the atmosphere. They are created by either aircraft exhaust or airflow over wingtip vortices as it emerges into cold temperatures at high altitudes and condenses into water and ice droplets. In this example a flurry of trails crisscrosses the sky creating an intricate pattern.

Rocket Exhaust Trails

High altitude winds contort the trails of rockets and their small exhaust particles diffract sunlight into vivid iridescent colours, sometimes carried by the same winds thousands of kilometres before dissipating. The image shows the trails of the Minotaur rocket launched from the US Air Force Base at Vandenberg, California.

Sky Polarisation

The sky, like many other things around us, scatters polarised light consisting of a certain electromagnetic orientation. Polarization is always perpendicular to the light path itself and if only a single polarization direction is present in the light, the light is said to be linearly polarized. This image was captured with a wide-angle polarised filter lens to show just how spectacular the electromagnetic charge of the skies are.

Star Trails

Not technically visible to the naked eye this breathtaking image was captured by leaving a camera with a shutter opening of over an hour at night. The natural rotation of the earth causes the stars in the sky to move across the horizon, creating these wonderful trails behind them. The only star in the night sky that appears stationary at all times is Polaris, the North Star, which hovers above the celestial North. The same would be true in the south but there is no star bright enough over it.

Zodiacal Light

A faint triangular glow seen in the night sky extending up towards the heavens, the Zodiacal light is easily masked by light pollution or moonlight. It is produced when sunlight reflects off dust particles in the cosmos, known as cosmic dust and consequently its spectrum is the same as the solar system. Solar radiation causes the dust particles to spiral slowly, creating a majestic constellation of delicately sprinkled lights in the sky

Circumhorizontal Arc

Also known as a ‘fire rainbow’ these streaks of colour are created when light is refracted through ice crystals in cirrus clouds. The phenomenon is especially rare as both the ice crystals and sun must be oriented in exact horizontal alignment to create the effect. This particularly dramatic example was captured in the sky over Spokane, WA, in 2006.

Brocken Spectre

As the sun shines from behind a climber or other object at altitude their shadow is projected through the upper surfaces of clouds, creating a curiously magnified triangular shape. The effect is often seen in conjunction with the glowing rings of a glory (Heiligenschein) – rings of coloured light that appear directly opposite the sun when sunlight is reflected by a cloud of uniformly-sized water droplets. It takes its name from the frequent fogs and low-altitude accessibility of the Brocken peaks in Germany, a region in which it is often witnessed.

Circumzenithal Arc

Appearing like an ‘upside down rainbow’ the circumzenithal arc is similarly formed by the refraction of light through horizontal ice crystals in specific cloud forms. The phenomenon is centered at the zenith, parallel to the horizon, its colours running from blue to red towards the horizon and always in the form of an incomplete circular arc – a complete circle in a similar situation is the exceptionally rare Kern Arc, only captured on camera for the first time in 2007.

Fog Bow

This dramatic halo was seen below the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, appearing like an all-white rainbow. Like a rainbow it is created by the refraction of light through water droplets in the clouds, yet the unlike a rainbow the small size of fog droplets accounts for its lack of colour. Mariners often refer to them as ‘sea-dogs’ or ‘cloud bows’.

Glory

When light is backscattered (a combination of reflection, refraction and diffraction) back towards its source by water droplets in clouds, the shadow of an object between the cloud and source may be wreathed in coloured bands. Named after the majestic effect it imparts – in some parts of China it is even called Buddha’s Light – it is often seen in conjunction with the Brocken Spectre. Here the beautiful bands dramatically surround a plane’s shadow against a cloud.

22º Halo (This is what I saw in Labuan two years back)

Halos are among the most well-known of optical phenomena and appear under a variety of guises. The most frequently scene is the 22º halo, caused by ice crystals in high altitude cirrus clouds, yet the particular shape and orientation of the crystals can create variation in the appearance of the halo. During very cold weather halos formed by crystals close to the ground reflect sunlight between them sending it in several directions at once, an effect known as diamond dust.

Iridescent Clouds

When the sun is positioned at precisely the correct angle behind clouds water droplets in them diffract light away, creating an intense streaking effect. The colouring is, like a rainbow, caused by the differing wavelengths of the light – different wavelengths are diffracted to different degrees, altering the angle of diffraction and consequently the colour of the light as it is perceived. In this image cloud iridescence is accompanied by a sharply coloured ranbow.

Moonbow

The combination of a low moon and dark sky often creates moonbows, essentially rainbows produced by the moon’s light. Appearing in the opposite end of the sky to the moon itself, they usually are seen as completely white due to their weak colouring, however long-exposure photography can capture the true colours, as in this example taken at Yosemite National Park, California.

Parhelic Circle

The parhelic circle appears like a white band circling the sky and always at the same height above the horizon as the sun. Usually only fragments are seen, extending from ‘sundogs’ in the directions away from the sun. Millions of vertically facing ice crystals mirror the sun around the sky to form the beautiful phenomenon.

Rainbows

Rainbows can take many forms: multiple bows, bows that cross, red bows, twinned bows, coloured fringes, dark bands, spokes and many more, but they all share in common their range of colours – red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo and violet. They are formed when light refracts through water droplets in the earth’s atmosphere, most often rain, but mist or fog can create similar effects, and are rarer than one might imagine. Over history many different cultures have ascribed to them a variety of meanings and explanations from the ancient Greek’s belief they were a path to the heavens, to the curious saying that the Irish leprechaun’s pot of gold lies at their end.

source from:http://afzalaung.jeeran.com

Isaac

I wish

2009-09-14T12:53:00.005+08:00

Many things I've desire to have it. But when all these things control you, then you will start to have disappointment when you pray and God did not answers your prayers. Do we have the spirit of covetousness when we pray for the things that we wish?

I wish to have a MacBook. This is my prayer since beginning of the year. Most of the time, I feel so disappointed and see that the hope for this one fades. Sometimes my prayer for this has become a demand for God that He must bless me. I desire this more than Jesus. No wonder I can't sense the satisfaction eventhough I understand that having God is everything!

I wish I could have an I-Phone.

I wish I can have a DLSR Nikon!

How good is it that you receive all these things once in a present box. I wish I wish and I wish. I've been reminded again to do check-balance. Where is God when I desire these things. No wonder desire can cause unsatisfactory or dukkha (I'm in the midst of doing my Buddhism assignment). No wonder all these things can corrupt a person in coveteousness. It corrupts our relationship with God. If our faith is based on blessing, then it will be dangerous. If our faith based on miracle, it too will be dangerous.

How to live a simple faith in this complex world?

When we do not have the things we want, the world corrupts us with coveteousness. And when we have the things we want, the world corrupts us with pride!

Isaac

Why do you have to be like others?

2009-09-13T20:53:00.002+08:00

I've just gone through tough times past few weeks. It affects me until the extend of not doing my devotion, pray, read the bible and spent time with God. I just felt angry and dissatisfy with the things happened to me. Things surrounding me are unfair to me. I compared myself with other people. I asked God, "Am I that bad?" even to the point I told God, "Did you forgive me? If not why you din't answer my prayer, my needs?"

It's a dilemma to me on the other hand as I studying His words and yet I do not want to have relationship with Him. It was a hard time to me. It was a struggle. I even come to point take it academicly rather than spiritually.

I adviced people not to compare, but I myself compared myself to other people. Comparing to other people can really lead us complain to God that we not have enough. Indeed it is human nature that we can never be satisfied with what we have. We want more and more. We desire more. Desire is really a dangerous thing. I still haven't overcome my desire to have good stuff, as I still not satisfy with things I have not, and I will never be satisfy. I read this book by John Piper, he quoted from 1 John 2: 16 which tells me whether I am from the Father or not. "For all that is in the world— the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride in possessions—is not from the Father but is from the world."

I really want to desire the feeling of desiring Jesus and be fully satisfy with it. It is hard to me eventhough I understand it. I need to experience it. My question is always, "how Lord?" Until now I still searching for it.

One of the answers that convicted me is this question, "Why do you have to be like others?" It is amazing that God can speaks to you eventhough you are trying to ignore him. Yes, why do I have to be like others. Why must I compare with others? Though the amount of blessings I received from others is deifferent, but the amount of grace we receive is the same, that is the price that was paid on the cross.

If we say we are special, comparism shouldn't come in. My life is not built on people's blessings nor also my faith. I really hope that I can find that enlightenment that when I desire Jesus, full satisfaction comes upon me and I can overcome the world!

Would like to end this with a quote from John Piper on how worldly things can corrupt us.

"When we don't have what we want, the world corrupts us with covetousness. And when we do have what we want the world corrupts us with pride."

Isaac

090909

2009-09-09T13:40:00.002+08:00

Seems like today many students was reluctant to leave canteen. After batling with food issues, finally the canteen get back their reputation. Remember this date 090909, we have our chicken chop as our lunch, and it is delicious!! It was fresh!! Hope this will continue on until I graduate. But pity the final year students that can only taste this for few more weeks.

Isaac

Children can Worship

2009-09-07T13:26:00.002+08:00

This video really gave me some inspiration. Children can worship! BUt sadly many churches separate the children from corporate worship. This will be one of my thesis topics. I have many topics in my mind and I am still struggling to choose which one. And next semester I have to think one.

This little boy is singing "I See Grace" from New Creation Church. A church which Ps. Joseph Prince is pastoring.

Children can Worship!

Isaac

21 Century Facts

2009-08-28T22:33:00.000+08:00

Got this from Rabbi, an OT lecturer in STM.

21st Century FACTS

Our communication - Wireless

Our phones - Cordless

Our cooking - Fireless

Our food - Fatless

Our sweets - Sugarless

Our labor - Effortless

Our relations - Fruitless

Our attitude - Careless

Our feelings - Heartless

Our politics - Shameless

Our education - Worthless

Our mistakes - Countless

Our arguments - Baseless

Our youth - Jobless

Our ladies - Topless

Our boss - Brainless

Our jobs - Thankless

Our needs - Endless

Our situation - Hopeless

Our salaries - Less and less

Potong Saga

2009-08-20T10:33:00.000+08:00

Clip that makes my day man...hahaa

Laugh out Loud
Isaac

All gains - one loss - one Christ - who has everything

2009-08-19T22:56:00.004+08:00

Philippians 3: 4 -7

4 Though I myself have reason for confidence in the flesh also. If any other man thinks he has reason for confidence in the flesh, I have more:

5 circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew born of Hebrews; as to the law a Pharisee,

6 as to zeal a persecutor of the church, as to righteousness under the law blameless.

7 But whatever gain(the list in vv5 - 6, plural) I had, I counted as loss(singular) for the sake of Christ(singular).

Another reflection and partial exegesis for this passage. I was reflecting on this passage during the exegesis class this morning.

It is a meaningful passage as we see how Paul see that he loss everything for Christ's sake. All the list that he made in vv5 - 6, he count it as one loss, for one person's sake, Jesus Christ, whom have everything, more than this world. Notice the bold words. It has a pattern. It goes like this; plural - singular - singular - plural; which means; all gains - one loss - Christ - who has everything.

When we commit ourself to Christ, we cannot count each things as partial loss. For example, I sacrifice my five figure salary as one big loss, friendship, 80% loss and etc. All things come in one package as a loss. Do not ever boast of what you loss for the sake of Christ, but boast on what Christ has done, and what you gain from him inspite of all the losses.

All the things that we achieved, we count as one loss, for Christ who has everything. What a beautiful thing.

Isaac

Evil is the result of what happens when man does not have God's love present in his heart

2009-08-17T12:24:00.001+08:00

Isaac

Pantene ads

2009-08-11T22:59:00.000+08:00

Christ's Humility in Philippians 2:5 - 11

2009-08-11T19:28:00.003+08:00

My favorite passage in Philippians.

The Song of Christ Glory

1 Christ Jesus was in the form of God:
but he did not cling to equality with God.

2 He emptied himself, taking the form of a servant:
and was born in our human likeness.

3 Being found in human form he humbled himself:
and became obedient unto death, even death on a cross.

4 Therefore God has highly exalted him:
and bestowed on him the name above every name,

5 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow:
in heaven and on earth and under the earth;

6 And every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord:
to the glory of God the Father.

Glory to the Father and to the Son
and to the Holy Spirit;
as it was in the beginning is now
and shall be for ever. Amen.

Today's Collect - Pentecost 10 (Trinity 9)

Father of mankind, who gave your only-begotten Son to take upon himself

the form of a servant and to be obedient even to death on the cross: give us

the same mind that was in Christ Jesus that, sharing his humility, we may

come to be with him in his glory; who is alive and reigns with yu and the Holy

Spirit, one God, now and for ever.

Love without talking

2009-08-06T11:39:00.003+08:00

Wow! Saw this amazing video from FB. What a storyline from the director.

Sorry, the owner has removed the video in YouTube. This is from me.

Isaac

Amos 7:1 - 9

2009-08-03T13:53:00.003+08:00

This is what I am doing during my rest time today...hahaha....This only the first two visions. Third vision, to be continue... some transition is not perfect.. so sorry.:D

Isaac

Goodbye Sir Bobby Robson

2009-08-03T09:32:00.006+08:00

There you go, another legendary has passed away.

Your memories: Sir Bobby Robson

Former England football manager Sir Bobby Robson has died at the age of 76. He had been suffering from cancer.

He won 20 England caps as a player but he was better known for his achievements as a football manager.

Among the clubs he managed were Newcastle United, Ipswich Town, Barcelona, PSV Eindhoven and Porto.

As England manager he led the team to two World Cups, reaching the semi-finals in 1990.

Here readers share their stories of when they met Sir Bobby Robson.

My late father took me to Fulham to see Bobby play and what a player in the team with Johnny Haynes - what these two players and gentleman they were. We have lost another great man, manager, player, and true Englishman. I will treasure the autograph book signed by all the Fulham team including Bobby's forever.
Ken Broome, Milton Keynes

When Bobby Robson played for West Bromwich Albion he and other team members coached at Willingworth Secondary School, in Tipton. I was a weedy 12-year-old and during a game Bobby took me to one side and demonstrated how I should tackle. He then took the ball and came towards me saying: "Don't be afraid, get stuck in." I closed my eyes and swung a boot (wooden toe-caps in those days) and caught him on the shin. Unfortunately, I contacted his knee-cap and put him out for two games. Sorry Bobby but I was a Wolves fan.
Stephen Baker, Ilfracombe

I met Sir Bobby when I was mascot for Ipswich back in 1980. They were playing Coventry at home. I was standing in the tunnel waiting for the players to come out and he came along and talked to me and calmed me down. I was only eight at the time and he was a true gentleman.
Matt Brookes, Chelmsford

My son, aged ten at the time, and I were walking down a corridor behind two corporate boxes at a home match at Norwich City when Mr Robson, who was looking over a possible England contender, was walking the other way. My son and I were looking at the programme's league tables and discussing our current position. Mr Robson stopped and offered his opinion and signed the programme which we still have some 25 years later.
Leon Rose, Norwich

I had the pleasure of meeting Sir Bobby in the mid-80s when I was working for a building society and we used his services to re-open a refurbished branch in Nottingham. He was England manager then. Our branch manager and I took him for lunch afterwards. I will always remember Bobby's kindness and good humour that day. We've lost a wonderful man. See you in heaven, Bob. You can buy me lunch then.
Richard Simpson, Newcastle upon Tyne

I once interviewed Sir Bobby when I was a junior hack. I could immediately see why footballers wanted to play for him - such an inspirational gent. He even gave me some coaching tips on my interview technique. What a smashing bloke.
D G, Oxford

I met him at the luggage belt of Newcastle airport during his time as manager of Newcastle. The team had been in London playing Arsenal and the plane was very late back to Newcastle. Even though I told him my dad was a lifelong Arsenal fan and had been at the match, he offered me a lift in one of the team cars to get me safely home in the middle of the night. Thank you. We in Newcastle mourn.
Nicola, Newcastle upon Tyne

My wife and I met Bobby and Elsie on our way back from our honeymoon in Bangkok. They were such a lovely couple and they pampered us for the three days that we spent at the Bangkok Oriental Hotel. One night they took us out for a meal in a German restaurant and then we went on to Patpong market. It seemed utterly surreal haggling for fake Rolexes along side Bobby. Meeting them was certainly one of the highlights of our trip.
Richard Ellis, Farnham

I was privileged to meet him several years ago. What a gentleman and example of sportsmanship. I asked him about the "hand of God goal" that put England out of the 1986 World Cup. He said he was not angry at Maradona, just sad for him. He added: "Here was the greatest footballer in the world on the greatest stage in the world with a chance to prove that he was also the greatest sportsman in the world and he blew it." Enough said.
Ian Howard, Swindon

He will be a sad loss to football and had the great pleasure of meeting him the last season he was in charge of Newcastle at a charity event for the Macmillan Nurses at St. James' Park. My table was near the entrance from the room and as I sat towards the end of the evening with arm draped over a chair, he walked past made eye contact, lifted my hand and shook it, said hello, adding what a great evening it was and hoped I'd enjoyed myself, then said nice to meet you. A memory I will never forget - an honour.
Stuart Morrison, Newcastle upon Tyne

We were in the restaurant of the Copthorne Hotel in Newcastle when the team were there ahead of a home game. Sir Bobby and Alan Shearer were sat on a table behind us and I am sure should have been talking tactics, but when Sir Bobby saw my then 8-year-old son in his 'Shearer' shirt stopped and invited him over to sit with Alan and himself. He then spent ten minutes talking to him. My son still remembers that as his favourite day and tearfully reminded me of it again today.
Andy, England

Even though we all knew Bobby was ill, his death still comes as a real shock since his passion for football and love of life was such a strong force. I had the privilege of meeting him once at a book signing in Newcastle just after United had lost the FA Cup Semi Final in 2000. I tried to thank him for bringing us so close to the final but he just apologised for not winning the game and said: "We nearly got it, we were so close." Such a gent, such a genuinely nice guy and a true Geordie legend.
Howard, Newcastle

A few years ago my wife and myself were in the BA lounge at Newcastle airport when Sir Bobby came in. We had previously seen him checking in and surrounded by well wishers. We said hello but thought he deserved some peace. After about ten minutes he came over to us and we talked for about 40 minutes about his family and his time in Spain. He did not have to do this and we would have fully understood if he had wanted some peace. Sir Bobby was a true gentleman and we were honoured to have met him.
Peter Gray, Northumberland

I shall remember the day I met Sir Bobby Robson for the rest of my life. We were staying at a hotel in Newcastle as we had travelled up from Devon to watch them play Fulham in March 2008. My husband has been an avid Sir Bobby and Newcastle fan for many years. On the Friday evening, we met him accidently in the hotel foyer. He chatted to us and was such a charming and humble man, interested in us and our lives. He said he was meeting a "mate". We were introduced to the "mate" - Roy Hodgson! [former player and current manager of Fulham].
Julie Elliott, Dartmouth

My daughter asked for money instead of presents for her 13th birthday and donated it to Sir Bobby's cancer charity. He personally signed a Newcastle shirt for her, and when we met him at a book signing earlier this year (almost a year after her birthday) he even remembered the pattern of the writing paper that she used to write to him. She treasures the shirt and the picture that was taken with him. A real star, he will be hugely missed.
Karen Quinn, Newcastle upon Tyne

source:http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/8178939.stm

Isaac

Dilemma

2009-08-02T21:44:00.002+08:00

I was thinking this question for past two weeks, after the STM student body meeting. Should I or we as STM students request from the school to refund our food's allowance for Friday's dinner, Monday's breakfast and lunch.

This things was raised by one of the student. My immediate response was, NO. We should not, though it would be better that we have extra cash in out pocket.

Why this student raised this request is because he thinks that signing in at the canteen on that particular days seems informal and because those who did not sign in will not partake their food, so it is appropraite that the school refund back the money.

I think this student has forgotten why there is this system of signing in. We start this system because many student did not partake their food on that particular day and did not sign out on that day, and therefore it caused a lot of wastage. Therefore, to avoid this thing to happen, the school do it the other way round, if you want to eat, then sign-in. This decision actually has affect those who are sincerely want to eat at the canteen. This is because, actually the resposibility should be for those who do not want to partake food in the canteen to go to the book and SIGN-OUT, but now, it 'troubled' those student who want to eat and go to the book and SIGN-IN.

Actually, SIGN-IN system was introduce because of us, troublemaker students! And now, we want to take some advantage from the school from the system which caused by us!

I am in dilemma because I have put my signature to agree for refund. Suddenly I felt like Peter at Antioch, waiting for Paul's rebuke! Yes, STM food has been an issue, but I think we should not behave like this.

Isaac

AirAsia Ads

2009-07-27T13:51:00.001+08:00

Your tired son
Isaac... hahahaha

Beautifully Imperfect

2009-07-27T13:39:00.000+08:00

One of the best from Yasmin Ahmad

Isaac

Gospel Whip

2009-07-27T10:42:00.002+08:00

Last week my friend intouduces me to this term called "gospel whip." It means that the preacher is rebuking someone on the pulpit. Sigh! This kind od people simply do not respect the pulpit as John Piper have said!

But another thing that people can condemn people is also through prayer. I joined a prayer meeting, and one of the people there always prays that things that condemn people, list out the mistakes. She seems like saints when praying. Perfect minded.

Sigh! Why we misused God's instrument to condemn people. Do not judge or you will be judge!

Isaac

North Korea 'executes Christians'

2009-07-25T10:40:00.001+08:00

source: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/8167644.stm

Human rights groups in South Korea say North Korea has stepped up executions of Christians, some of them in public.

The communist country, the world's most closed society, views religion as a major threat.

Only the founder of the country, Kim Il-sung, and his son, Kim Jong-il, may be worshipped, in mass public displays of fervour.

Despite the persecutions, it is thought up to 30,000 North Koreans may practise Christianity secretly in their homes.

A report by a number of South Korean groups highlights one particular case of a woman allegedly executed in public last month, in a northern town close to the Chinese border.

She was accused of distributing Bibles, spying for South Korea and the United States and helping to organise dissidents.

Her parents, husband, and children were sent to a prison camp.

Such reports are hard to verify, but North Korea is known to be intolerant of religion - it views any form of alternative social organisation as a competitor for its own, religion-like ideology.

The US government says just owning a Bible in North Korea may be a cause for torture and disappearance.

Pyongyang's position appears to have hardened on everything from human rights to defence policy and international relations in the last year or so.

It is thought this may be a way to shore up the government through Mr Kim's illness and the process of anointing his youngest son, Kim Jong-un, as North Korea's next leader.

_____________________________________________

The pressure is coming

Tarap

2009-07-21T20:18:00.003+08:00

Yesterday I went to a fruit stall which I normally go for my durian feast! After being force to eat two durian, the boss gave us a fruit which I thought was a TARAP in the beginning. More information what is Tarap, go to this blog. I think you are not a Sabahan if you never eat this kind of fruit. I still remember my house got at least three tarap tree! How I miss those time when I am eating the tarap under the tree, drink coconut water under the tree, eating mangoesteen up at the tree. This is really a kampung boy life. Penansular Malaysia people must eat this when the visit Sabah. If not you are not a complete Malaysian..hahaha

These are the fruits that the boss gave us. It's sour and a bit sweet. Size is smaller than tarap.

This is Tarap on the tree. Don't wait until the color turn to brown and the pluck it down. It will be too late to be eat by then. Must know when, how? Normally we look at the size. Seeing this picture, it looks like Sukun in STM compound near the guard house. Wasted, STM people do not know how to eat this good stuff, I mean SUKUN.

Can see the flesh.

Isaac

STM, please do something!

2009-07-20T16:55:00.002+08:00

Heard this from the guards that the tree is collapsing and they have made the complaint to the Seminary but action have not yet been taken. Just now the guard told me that he has made this report since LAST YEAR! I do not want that one night STM do not have electrictiy. Please take action for the sake of the guards as well so that they can peacefully do their responsibity without fearing when the tree will fall down.
Isaac

Racist Issue? I don't think so!

2009-07-20T09:26:00.001+08:00

Issue : Umno Papers Slam MACC Critics in Teoh's Death

COMMENT BY
THOMAS LEE

I now understand and support Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng's decision to boycott the newspaper and stopped the state government's subscription of it.

It is simply beyond an intelligent person's comprehension how an editor could arrive at the conclusion that the protest against the high-handed methods of the MACC is a challenge to the Malays.

Only an immature, insecure and not too intelligent person can look at the Teoh Beng Hock case from a racial perspective.

OneMalaysia? Nonsense! If we have people in positions of power and influence with such racialist mentality, there can never be OneMalaysia.

I have just retired as a journalist after nearly 35 years in the profession, and during my years as a reporter, socio-political analyst and editor, I have identified five types of journalists in the media
community.

First, there are the EEs -- Editorial Eunuchs, who take orders from their political emperors and write and spin stories to promote the emperor's cause. These political appointees are usually in top and
senior positions, not because they are good journalists or great writers, but because of their connection to powerful political godfathers. They are first class cronies. Many are ghost writers for
their political masters. Some have become millionaires.

(Note: I thank God that, except for one or two cases, the editors I had worked under are not such people. I can vouch that people like Ng Poh Tip, Michael Aeria, Wong Sulong and Wong Chun Wai are
good people of principle and top class journalists, not EEs. My good friend Chong Cheng Hai, the chief editor of theSun, is another =person of integrity.)

Secondly, there are the PPs -- Press Prositutes, who have sold their souls and principles to gain favours and privileges from their political and/or business clients. They will write what pleases their
political masters. The amount of hampers and gifts they receive during festive seasons is perhaps a good indication of their rising status in their media organisation. (Perhaps the MACC should
consider looking at this practice of giving editors hambers and gifts during festive seasons).

Thirdly, there are the MMs -- Media Marionettes, the puppets who have no brains but are used and abused by opportunists to advance their own political or business agenda. They usually feed such
journalists with twisted information and deceive these gullible writers to propogate their schemes of things. Our education system has produced many such gullible, unthinking, uncritical, and dumb people, and some of them are found in the media organisations.

Fourth, there are the JJs -- Junket Journalists, those who will write anything for the sponsors of their overseas trips.

Finally, there are the WWs -- Wise Writers, the rare breed who know how to survive through the controlled press situation and get their honest views into print without rousing the suspicion of their media bosses, who are usually political cronies. There are very few such honest writers with integrity and principles, and they are usually not in positions of power.

How can we expect to have OneMalaysia when we do not really have a free and credible press? If our prime minister is truly sincere in wanting to take take the country to greater height as OneMalaysia, then the first thing he needs to do is to liberate the press by abolishing the oppressive legal restraints such the Printing Presses and Publications Act, the Internal Security Act, the Official Secrets Act, etc. and enact a Freedom of Information Act. Then, he must revamp the whole system of administration to get rid of those known to be corrupt, racist, and incompetent. Most importantly, there must a reform in the judiciary, enforcement agencies, the election commission, and reinstate local council elections.

OneMalaysia? It will remain a slogan and a dream if the current federal government does not take concrete actions to reform the whole political and administrative enviornment in the country.

If the Barisan Nasional administration is unable to bring about such reforms, then we must throw it out at the next general election.

I miss leading worship

2009-07-15T22:08:00.002+08:00

Gosh!! Almost eight months I have not lead a single worship in a service besides leading one morning service in STM chapel. That also only one song with piano. That time I really wanted to have full band to have praise and worship, but not all the student will participate, and in the end I know I will get lecture because I know my style wont please them.

Recently I talk with some of the seminarian who have the same struggle as I have. I tell them that, STM kills, destroys, take away our gifts and talent in music, and they all agree with that. It really makes me rusty. I really wish that I can have a guitar here at least for me to practice. sigh!! I really miss the Garisson guitar back in labuan..haha..

Well, what makes me to have this feeling is because of this song by Hillsong - Celebrating Christmas in 2006. I sang one of the song last year before christmas, Angel We Have Heard on High. Really like the song arrangement and the combination of the instrument. All the while I really like to play a song with cobination of modern and traditional instrument, especially Pipe Organ and flute. Though there are 4 months before christmas, do listen this song..

Isaac

Some testimony

2009-07-11T00:18:00.000+08:00

Miss these Foods!

2009-07-10T20:47:00.002+08:00

I went out to have my dinner last Sunday. Suddendly, these two dishes came into my mind. Oh gosh! how I missed these foods. These foods can only be found in Labuan. The cook is very nice. My 18 months there, he really treat me a lot especially the period that I'm not cooking at home. He sometimes will treat me or give me discount. At first, he is not a Christian, but through hardworks of our two sisters, the whole family finally baptized. Sadly, he is now in Singapore. He left Labuan somewhere first quarter in 2008. I think this is the only food that can compete with other places in term of price and portion!

Chicken Chop that only cost you RM10. Mixed chop which consist of lamb, pork and beef, only cost RM18.

This is the most favorite of all among the church member. I think is his own receipe. Direct translation from Cantonese will be "dry grill pork ribs" :D

Saliva flowing already.

Isaac

Durian Feast

2009-07-02T13:51:00.000+08:00

Chinese Rice Dumpling's Fest Lunch @ 28May09

2009-07-02T12:51:00.004+08:00

I know is late but still want to publish this. haha..3 weeks placement has became my home rather than a work place. we basically eat our breakfast and lunch together in the cafe. We cook. In my first week, is the chinese rice dumpling's fest. so the staff plan to cook a meal. wow! really chinese style. in the end it makes me feel more like a chinese new year lunch..haha

My favorite roast pork!

ZongZi

The staffs and family,

Isaac

Liverpool Loan Shark

2009-06-26T16:01:00.002+08:00

This company owned by Xabi AhLongSo. An image I got from the Star's thumnail.