Social Network - Christmas version

Spent some quality time catching up with family and friends back in KL during Christmas break... Dread going back to work tomorow but one must face reality...

My pastor showed this video and I think it's really cool... thought you should watch it too...

2 similar stories

A story was told about a man who fervently prayed to God, asking God to let him strike the lottery jackpot. He is a man who diligently fulfils all his religious responsibilities and was a man of faith. He too, never gave up, keep praying and believing that his prayer will one day be answered.

Alas… he never did, and died without his prayer answered.

Upon meeting God in heaven, he asked why his prayer was never answered despite being faithful and all. The answer God gave was…

“I cannot let you win the lottery when you never buy a lottery ticket”


Another story was told about the people of this nation, who fervently prayed to God asking for changes to happen in their nation. Drastic changes were required; else the nation will fall into oblivion.

This people are men and women of faith too, never gave in praying and organised mass fasting rallies and forging huge prayer groups.

Alas… changes never happen, and many died with their wish unfulfilled.

Upon meeting God in heaven; naturally, they asked of God why their fervent prayer was never answered. And God replied…

“I cannot let changes happen when you never register to vote and vote”


James 2:20 --- “You foolish man, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless?”


1 year ago… It felt like shite

2 years ago… Thoughts from govt talk… A matter of unproven record?… A piece of humour in the current light

Can bias-ness and double standard be anymore obvious?

I have actually drafted a very good piece of Friday Frolic for today but I think I am not in the mood to post it.

The Allah issue is getting out of hand. The hypocrisy has gone off the roof!

A bunch of Christians who held a peaceful gathering was interrupted by police. Fresh from that, our PM said “We cannot stop Friday’s protest”, one organised by those who opposed the Allah judgement. Lest we forget, there were people once got arrested simply because they wore black.

Can bias-ness and double standard be anymore obvious? This is truly an epitome of “Jek Sau Jeh Tin”. Is there a guarantee that our basic right to walk the streets of this country will not taken from us one day?

I wonder how many Christians will give the all time favourite saying of… “We must pray about this”

I have no place in this nation. That’s the message I decipher from all these.


2 years ago… Trustology

That car sticker that got me thinking

I was driving around the other day and I saw this car sticker which states “I love Allah”.

As most of you are aware, Christians in this country are currently wrestling with the “authorities” in court on the usage of Allah in the Malay-language bible and other Christian publications.

The “authorities” are prohibiting Christians to use the word “Allah” as they claim that the usage of “Allah” will confuse the Muslims while the Christians are arguing that “Allah” simply means God and hence, should not be prohibited from using the word.

The encounter with that car sticker got me thinking… Will we Christians put up the “I-love-Allah” car sticker in our cars? After all, we claim that it simply means “God”.

No Christians have answered yes to my question.

P/S: The driver of the car which bear that sticker was not a Christian.


1 year ago… The annual corporate battle

Between saying nice things and facts

About 5 years ago, I attended a wedding ceremony of an ex-colleague. It was a Christian wedding ceremony held at the garden of hotel before the wedding reception. I must say, it was rather romantic ala Hollywood style.

Just like any other Christian ceremony, there was the bridal march-in followed by a brief worship session and of course, a short sermon by the officiating pastor. As usual, the pastor spoke about the usual wedding stuff and then he mentioned something which caught my attention. He said something to the effect…

“… what a truly beautiful couple, truly match-made in heaven. I am sure God put them together in a wonderful way. It’s truly God’s plan for them to be together…”

Certainly, there’s nothing wrong with those words. In fact, one would expect these words to be typically uttered during a wedding ceremony. But to me, it’s odd. It’s very odd. I am sure you are wondering why…

It’s odd because I was aware of how the married couple first got together. It wasn’t exactly heavenly. When they first started seeing each other, both were still attached to their respective bf/gf. It went on for almost a year before they broke the news to their respective bf/gf, which led to a very ugly confrontation.

Speculatively speaking, I wonder if this so called match-made-in-heaven-which-God-put-together-in-a-wonderful-way were sleeping with each other and with their respective bf/gf at the same time. Scandalous isn’t it, do you think?

Don’t get me wrong. Whatever they did doesn’t concern me at all. They can have all the affairs they want and screw around for all I care.

Just that when the pastor started going on a verbal diarrhoea about all the nice things that you can ever imagine about the married couple and particularly, saying that God put them together in a wonderful way, it was just so odd for me and a few others who know the history.

No disrespect to pastors. But I just think they should know more of the history of the married couple when preparing the sermon of their ceremony and not just go all flowery and say all the nice things. And that is why I like my pastor. His sermon during my wedding covered mostly about all the “challenges” we will be facing as married couple. Now, that’s reality.

On a related note, an emcee at this particular wedding dinner made the biggest boo-boo ever. She proudly announced that the married couple are finally tying the knot after so many years of courtship. What the emcee didn’t know was that the wedding happened because the bride was 3 months pregnant. And, she only met (focus on the word “met”) the groom 3 months earlier.


1 year ago… Why you should want the inflation to be up

Maundy Thursday

It was my first time celebrating Maundy Thursday. I have never heard of it, and it was also a maiden celebration for my church. I was told that Maundy Thursday is the celebration of The Last Supper; bearing in mind tomorrow is Good Friday.

We had a proper meal though, with rice, potatoes, salad and roast lamb. Of course, it was not exactly a dinner fellowship. The meal went through a full liturgy with reading of the The Word. And yes, I enjoyed the meal very much. I didn’t bring my camera and that was the best shot I got with my phone. The lamb was yummy!

But you know what is the best part?

Jesus washed the feet of his disciples before he went on to be arrested and crucified, and we had the “feet washing” ceremony too. To symbolise a master washing the feet of a servant, we had…

An employer (a boss) washing the feet of an employee…
A person who has a library at home washing the feet of a student…
A husband washing the feet of his wife…
A professional working in KLCC washing the feet of a refugee social worker…
The pastor washing the feet of church council…
And a few more…

We then had holy communion (with real wine) and ended with a blessing toast.

Jesus – we partake the bread and drink the wine in remembrance of Your body broken for us and Your blood shed for us. We remember your death on the cross tomorrow, and will celebrate your resurrection this Sunday.


1 year ago… “Dutch” in a different way

2 years go… Baptised

Part 3: The Great Tribulation

Part 1: How will the end begins?
Part 2: To Capture the Rapture

I have always wondered… if one day, 95% of the Christians around the world just vanish from the face of the earth, how will the world react to such phenomenon. Aliens have suddenly developed an interest in Christians perhaps? And what about those who are left behind?

The time after the Rapture is called The Great Tribulation (“TGT”), and it’s not a pleasant period based on interpretations. In Matt 24:15-22, in which scholars have interpreted that it gave a glimpse of how tribulation times will be; Christians are told to “run to the hills”, “woe to those who are pregnant” and “great distress”.

It is a time where most Christians are believe to have been taken to the clouds and the anti-Christ will be allowed to rule the world. I guess it puts life to the saying… “all hell breaks lose”. Perhaps there will be people who will actually enjoy life during this period. After all, “all hell breaks lose” sure sounds more fun than being lifted to the clouds right?

It was also interpreted that TGT will stretch over a period of 7 years. You may >read here on how the interpretation is derived. Quite deep and I have to read it twice before being able to digest it. Again, it is just an interpretation by people. How long will it actually last… only God knows.

During the first half of the period, presumably 3.5 years; mankind will enjoy prosperity. Assuming 95% of Christians gone and then mankind enjoy prosperity, speaks a lot about the existence of Christians on earth huh? [grin]

Lo and behold, the second half of the TGT, as read in Revelation 13:5, the ruler (i.e. anti-Christ) will break the peace and bring chaos to the world. It’s like “all hell breaks lose” level 2. Some interpreted that those who defy him will be beheaded, literally. Maybe after that, the body will be c4-ed. Just joking. But the headed part is real.

It is at the end of the TGT that things will be so messed up where some actually predicted nuclear war, God will come back and clean things up. Then a period interpreted as the “1000 year Christ rule” will take place. It will be a time of peace where satan will be imprisoned.

Sounds boring eh? Imagine Jesus ruling the world, physically, for 1000 years, I am sure many will think… where is the fun? Will talk more later in the next instalment.

TGT has got many interpretations and some are pretty scary. One thing for sure, it is a time where I would rather not be in. I would rather be lifted up during Rapture and stay there happily playing the harp with probably a ring on top of my head.

Anyway, I have this burning question…

I have shared these series of event to many people and more often than not, I am being laughed at. Of course, these are not Christians. But let’s say… let’s just say… if suddenly a peace deal is successfully brokered in middle-east and the very next day, you wake up to a breaking news that a whole load of Christians have disappeared…

Will you go just shrug it off and continue with your life?
Will you brace yourself for the good “all hell breaks lose” times?
Will you head to church and try to save your soul?
What would be your reaction?

P/S: Don’t ask for my reaction cause I will be playing my harp up there already :P

To capture the Rapture

When I was still in my teenage days, me and my friends who are mostly Christians used to joke about how if any of us wakes up one day only to find the rest of us have gone missing, we should be pissing in our pants. I remember how we used to laugh about it and talked about a few scenarios how that could happen and how we would actually react to it.

You must be wondering what is this disappearing joke all about…

Well, after peace has been bestowed upon middle east, it was interpreted that the much anticipated “second coming of Christ” will take place. Trumpets will sound where the whole earth will hear and His glory can be seen throughout the earth. He will then come riding a horse in the sky.

What about the disappearing act then, you may ask…

Well, it was interpreted that Christians, alive and dead, will be lifted up to the clouds to join Him. But not all Christians will be lifted up; some will left behind. Some quarters said that one must have faith to join Him in the clouds, while others believe that the decision is ultimately with God. I believe that one must have faith.

So there you go, with some being lifted up to the heaven and some left behind, Christians should be pissing in their pants if they wake up one day only to find out that a majority of Christians have disappeared… don’t you think?

This part of the prophecy is called… Rapture.

There are of course many interpretation of Rapture but like I said earlier, this is the version of eschatology that I subscribe to.

Though peace in middle-east is believed to be the final jig-saw, there are also many signs prophesised in the bible which will lead to Rapture. One of it which I wish highlight is that “many will bear the mark of the beast”. It was also prophesised that the mark will be on one’s forehead. I am not sure whether it was also prophesised that it will be on one’s forearm. Anyone care to enlighten.

You must be wondering right now that is this “mark of the beast”.

In the book of Revelation 13:18, it was stated that the mark of the beast is a man’s number. It is 666. Now, I am sure many will be thinking that no one with a sane mind will have 666 glamorously tattooed on one’s forehead. Will it be possible then?

Some quarters believe that the bar-code is the mark of the beast. Now, if you look at the bar-code carefully, you will see that there are 3 significantly longer lines compared to the rest. One right at the beginning, one right at the centre and one right at the end. Can you see it?

Some argued that the significant longer line should carry a 6 as the code. So 3 significant longer lines mean…? There is a 6 at the bar-code shown there. Decipher yourself.

Still, will anyone actually put a bar-code on one’s forehead?

You know the new wave credit technology? I was told that there is currently a new technology being developed where one can implant a chip into one’s body and that will actually remove the hassle of carrying a credit card. This new chip will have information of everything, something like what our MyKad originally intended to achieve. I was also told that research have shown two best places to have this implant… the forehand… and the forehead. Interesting isn’t it?

Coming back to why Christians should be pissing in their pants if they failed to capture the Rapture… Well, the next event based on this interpretation of eschatology is the “7 years tribulation”, something the bible didn’t portrayed as “pleasant”…

And you think the bible is all about telling you to do good and Jesus’ life huh?

P/S: Zewt is not a bible scholar and the above is purely personal opinion.

How will the end begin?

We all like to know what is going to happen in the future. That probably explains why Nostradamus was so famous. I never really dwell into what he wrote but people have told me that Nostradamus has successfully predicted quite a bit of significant event.

It was 1994, the year where I attended my first Christian camp. It was then I learnt about this thing called “end times”, or more famously known as Armageddon. No, the story is not about an asteroid heading towards earth and some oil drillers went up and blow it up from the sky.

According to the most accepted interpretation based on the Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth manual (“BIBLE”), end times will come following a sequence of events. As the end draws near, the bible predicts that there will be chaos in this world. But of course, I understand that this is also prophesied by a few other religions.

Nevertheless, there is one significant event which will trigger it all. Before I continue, I would like to reiterate I am not a bible scholar, nor am I an theologian expert and whatever I have written here is based purely on my understanding.

This single significant event; which many Christians called as “the final piece of the jigsaw” is that someone will bring peace to the middle east. One needs no reminder and one only needs a small dosage of knowledge to know that middle east is the most chaotic region in the world. At any one time, there will be war and conflicts happening there such as America’s war on terrorism in Afghanistan and the never-ending conflict between Israel and Palestine.

Can anyone ever bring peace to middle east? Yasser Arafat continuously tried, and continuously failed. Some people argued that America will never allow peace to be bestowed upon middle east as it means America will lose its grip on the lucrative oil trade there. Many tend to agree.

So coming back to the million dollar question, can middle east ever enjoy peace? Can anyone have the power to bring peace to middle east?

A close friend of mine said that if anyone is to bring peace to middle east, it will not be accomplished using military supremacy. It can only be achieved from an economic perspective. Basically, for someone to bring peace to middle east, that someone must be rich, incredibly ridiculously and obscenely rich. I tend to agree with him.

Many things are happening in the world at the moment in the light of what many seen as the next great depression. Some of these things, you can read in the news. But many of these things which are happening, you and I don’t know. Due to the industry I am working in, I have the privilege to know a little more than you but I am afraid to tell that I can't share them here.

Many people are getting poor and their wealth wiped out. But there are also people out there who are making tonnes of money behind the scene. You just don’t know it.

When peace is bestowed upon middle east, it was interpreted that “rapture” will then occur; follow by “the 7 years tribulation”, the “defeat of the beast”, the “1000 years Christ rule” and then finally “Armageddon”.

Those will be stories for other days.

Counselling at the mamak

It is not easy to go for counselling. One needs not only make time for it, but one must also bring down one’s ego and admit that one needs help. It is a humbling act.

I was supposed to attend a counselling session last week due to various happenings in my life but couldn’t make it. Things sort of settled down this week and I thought maybe I don’t really need counselling anymore. I am glad I did not fall into that over-self-esteem trap.

I have never met Rig, the counsellor before. We have only spoken on the phone twice and he sounded like someone who is very old and wise. When I arrived at the mamak, I was greeted by a man who was totally opposite of what I had in mind. With his very typical Chinese uncle look (no offence to anyone), curry-puff styled gelled hair, short sleeve shirt and dark pants, he looked more like a typical Chinese taxi driver or Chinese triad more like a Christian counsellor. Of course, this is only my impression.

I ordered my drink and went to get my lunch and as I sat down, he asked me about my medical appointment and I gave a brief history about what has happened in the last few months. He went on to order his ‘maggi goreng’ and for about 40 – 45 minutes, he just kept asking me questions.

My condition in the last few months…
My worries and what have been affecting me…
How is my family like…
My siblings…
Relationship with my parents…
Childhood heartaches and moments of joy…
Disappointments…
Basically running through my history as detailed as I intend to review…

All the while, he was going like a broken record… “yes… yes… hmm… hmm… ya ya ya… hmm…hmmm… yes, ya, yes, ya…” I know this is an act to show that one is listening but I was doing so much talking, I wondered if he really listened and manage to register everything I said as all the while he was only going “ya ya ya…” and focusing on his ‘maggi goreng’.

After about 40 – 45 minutes, Rig took out his handkerchief, wiped his mouth and from that moment on, he showed me why is he a counsellor. For the next hour or so, he was the one doing the talking.

He reviewed to me the medical, psychological and social side of things and then he is able to wrap all of them from the Christian spiritual perspective. The way he spoke is totally opposite what his physical appearance projects. This is like a slap of don’t-judge-a-book-by-it’s-cover right on my face.

One may wonder that he has made this kind of speech many times but no, he was picking up all the things I have said earlier. He identified things that I have mentioned earlier during the question and answer session and explained them from a medical, psychological, social and spiritual perspective. I was totally amazed as some of the things he picked up, even I myself has forgotten that I have reviewed it to him earlier.

I was totally in awe and I felt like I was being hit by a heavy dose of wisdom. You know how when you speak to people and sometimes you tend to pause in the middle and go ‘ahhh… when you are ahhh… ahhh… tense… ahhh….”…that kind of figure of speech… it’s non-existent with Rig. Every sentence completes without any pause in the middle and there was not a moment that he ran out of words. And the amazing thing is that it was all about me and the connection between my current situation and my past.

I came out of it feeling refresh and burdens lifted from me. Sometimes, we refused to do certain things because we think we are too great for it or we feel we are too high up there to do it. But I thank God that I humbled myself and made time to attend the counselling session. I did not let my ego over-rule me.

It was a very enlightening experience and I believe it is was a time ordained by Him and I truly want to give Him thanks and praise for that.

Teens raised dead baby in Guatemala

This story was was shared by the Pastor last Sunday at church and a quick search in the internet led me to the testimony of the person during the miracle. While we can never authenticate the story, I choose to believe in faith that the power of God is really sweeping across the land. And like one missionary once said in a sermon... miracles always happen but not around us... because God choose to be with those living on the edge... we who live in comfort.........

Anyway, I invite you to read this amazing story which have been reproduced below. The original news can be found here.


My name is Abby. I am 14 years old. I live in western North Carolina. During the summer of 2008, I went on a ministry trip to Guatemala. During part of the trip, we divided up into small ministry teams (5 to 7 people) and visited different villages in the San Pedro La Laguna area. We traveled from village to village telling the Indian people about Jesus. On one particular day, we were visiting in the home of a young woman. She lived in a small village of about 14 or 15 houses. We were trying to lead the young lady to Christ, but it was not going very well. After awhile, we decided to move on. Before leaving, we asked the woman if we could pray with her about anything in her life. She told us that just the day before, she had given birth to a stillborn baby and that we could pray with her about that.

In Guatemalan culture, there is great shame and condemnation on mothers who give birth to deformed or stillborn children. We prayed a simple prayer that everything would go well with the funeral and burial of the baby and that the mother would be spared the shame and condemnation associated with having given birth to a stillborn child. As we were praying this simple prayer, my friend and fellow ministry team member, Julia (age 17), told me that we needed to pray over the baby's body. I thought she was crazy to suggest this and that it was not a good idea. Julia was persistent. She said again that we really needed to pray over the baby's body. She told me to ask the mother if she still had the baby's body. When I asked, the mother told us the baby's body was wrapped up in a burial cloth in the back room. I asked her if we could pray over the body. The mother hesitantly said, yes. We went into the backroom and saw the baby's body wrapped up in a bundle on the bed. Julia poked her head out of the back room and asked if she could unwrap the baby's head. The mother said, yes, if we wrapped it back correctly when we were done. Julia picked up the body and unwrapped the head. The baby's head was tiny and pale. The baby was stillborn and had been dead outside the womb for 27 hours. Her skin had turned shades of purple. Our entire ministry team, five of us, began crying and praying over this baby.

We prayed for thirty to forty minutes. At the end of that time, Julia screamed out to God, telling Him that she believed with all of her heart that this baby could be raised from the dead. After Julia screamed out, everyone was silent. We were quietly interceding and praying. Within a few minutes, the baby started moving. Then the baby coughed and began crying. The mother came rushing into the room. She was screaming, what is going on? No one could answer her. We were just staring at the baby, who had come back to life. The mother asked us again, what is going on? She began crying as she saw that her baby was alive. She ran out of the house and banged on every door in the village, telling all of the people that God is real because her baby was alive. Within about thirty minutes, the baby's skin tone and movements had become completely normal.
The other villagers came to the house to see this amazing miracle. They asked us which of the Indian gods we had prayed to for such a miracle to happen. We told them we had prayed to the biggest God ever and we began to explain to them about Jesus. Soon, we realized we would not have time to minister salvation to each person individually. So, we gathered all the villagers together, turned on our little sound system and explained the way of salvation. Everyone in the village, 80 to 90 people, prayed to receive Jesus. Each of them was baptized in the Holy Spirit and began speaking in tongues. Many would fall to the ground as the power of the Holy Spirit came on them.

Five days later, we returned to the village to check in on the mother and the baby. The village had prepared a big dinner in honor of our team. We enjoyed a wonderful time of fellowship together. The baby, whom they named Julia, was perfectly healthy and had gained weight. Even after five days, the mother was still shaking from the impact of God on her life through the resurrection of her child. Two days after our follow-up visit, the mother brought baby Julia to church. The mother was still shaking from the power of God on her life following this astounding miracle.

All glory be unto God.

More struggles

A friend of Jules’ family called and said he has colon cancer. This sort of sparked a sudden need to get our colon-scope done. Mothers of 2 friends of mine have just gone through surgery for cancer and are now currently receiving treatment. 2 of my friends had cancer scare a few months ago.

I was at the clinic this morning seeking treatment for my injured toe and one lady walked out of the room telling her friends that the doctor suspects something. Another girl went in and came out needed to take x-ray and she wasn’t really looking very happy.

Such things never use to affect me, not at all. Maybe it’s because I have not had that many people around me getting sick. But things have certainly changed. Is it because I have suddenly come to realisation of the fragility of life? Or have I reached an age where such things are common and will become more pertinent in times to come… ?

One thing for sure, life is fragile and in the light of our current environment, the food we eat, the air we breath… and top that up with the attitude we carry, there may already be cracks.

After all the good feelings I had in the past weeks, I am now again being brought back to earth and will be heading to a specialist clinic again tomorrow for consultation on another medical complication. Why can't I just be healthy…?
While I sit here and struggle between faith in God and limited medical knowledge I have that clouds my human understanding, I feel lost… longing for that mustard seed size faith. The anxiety I had a just a few months ago seems so near again. I am awaken in the middle of the night, panting for breath… heart raced. I wonder if the struggles and the fights for what seems to be a bright future are worthwhile.

Hebrews 11:1
“Now faith is being sure of what you hope for and certain of things you do not see”

What if you don’t even know what exactly you’re hoping for? What if… at times… at the back of your mind, you hope for death?

I truly wish that all your people out there will have the pinkest of health.

Healing of the soul

It’s Friday tomorrow and usually it will be a time for Friday Frolics. Not this week though. But hey… didn’t my previous entry made it seems as though Friday came early as some of you have commented?

Over the last 3 nights, I have been attending revival meetings at a church I once despised and perhaps, even made an unconscious effort to condemn it. Guess this is another work of God… making me go back to the place I so hate to seek Him. That is irony at its highest level and this is why I have not been blogging that much this week.

Anyway, it has been a long while since I experienced the presence of God and on the first night… true enough, I was not sensitive enough to feel His presence.

The second night, I tried to be more open and I felt a bit… during worship.
But yesterday, which was the third night… was explosive. There was an altar call for healing and I went. A friend of mine, whom once I held a bit of grudge, came and prayed for me and that’s when I fell under the power of the Holy Spirit and cried like a baby on the floor. There were a lot of crying and shaking and feeling as though I was struck by winter but I shall not elaborate on that. It’s between me and God.

But I have to say, one of the most liberating feeling is to tell that friend who prayed for me that I am not angry at him anymore. Truly liberating indeed. Also, I felt a lot of things were taken away from my heart, particularly worries, something which many of us live with.

He may not have healed my body (I may not know it yet)… but He hath truly healed my soul. To God be all glory.

P/S: Since Friday is on the way… might as well throw in some laughter material… on the second night, when I was kneeling down with my head facing the floor, the pastor said something about releasing something… and immediately… you know what happened? The person kneeling in front of me farted… right... in front… of my face…

Remembering Fathers

My pastor made a joke about Fathers’ day and Mothers’ Day today. He said most of us grew up singing the song “shi shang je you ma ma hao…” (Mother is the best in the world). So we’re really accustomed to motherly love. It sort of like built into my sub-conscious mind.

What about fathers? When it comes to father, the song we all learned was … “ge ren lai, jao ba-ba, ba-ba bu jai jia”… (Guest came, look for dad, dad not at home). Not very convincing isn’t it?

Joke aside, we cannot undermine the love of fathers. I have many friends (myself included), who aren’t very close with our fathers. Perhaps it is the culture that we grew up in. Whatever it is, their sacrifice, just like mothers’, is beyond any word can describe.

As we remember our earthly fathers today, I would also like to pray tribute to my heavenly father who made the greatest sacrifice ever. And it is good that we actually have a song that speaks about the Father’s love… one that made me tear… enjoy…

Happy Fathers’ Day to all Fathers.

Remembering ‘Forgotten’

It happened a few years ago, I was very angry with God. Christians are hypocrite and I just put all the blame to God. In the midst of my anger, I wrote a poem and showed it to one of my friend, who is a Christian.

To a certain extent, he ridiculed me. He said I will not regret writing that poem. On top of that, I will actually use that poem as a testimony of God’s goodness one day. I said that will not happen.

That was a few years ago. And he was talking about today.

FORGOTTEN

Life is indeed a cruel phenomenon
Where the wicked rules
Such sight is common
Though it speaks otherwise
Every Sunday’s sermon
Once you stepped out
It’s quickly forgotten… quickly forgotten

What good does it bring to be a humble servant?
Cause when you do
They’ll say you lack confident
To live by the rules
And be a better person?
Is the torture worth it?
Yet to be proven… yet to be proven

Always asked, to live by the commandments
What is the point?
I don’t know for certain
All I am aware
Things always worsen
Why try so hard?
When it’s such a burden… such a burden

Tired, rejected, lonesome and forsaken
I finally realised
It’s my heart that I should listen
Not to some hypocrites
Who think they are full of wisdom
I was lied to
But have been awaken… have been awaken

I want to be good but was treated gruesome
My heart felt such pain
The tears were abundant
So all that is of the world
I shall now sharpen
All that I have believed in
Has already been forgotten… already been forgotten


Despite I chose to forget about Him, He has not forgotten me.

Some things don’t evolve

The other day, I saw the message “Must a person be a Christian in order to be good?” hanging by my former colleague’s chat window. It was after a brief inquiry that I found out that she was feeling rather frustrated as one of her friends rejected a guy because he was “not a good Christian boy”.

We then engaged on a mini debate which she later claimed to be an argument.

Don’t get me wrong, I am not saying a person has to be a Christian to be good. But I did make it clear to her that it is specifically stated in the bible that a believer should not yoke with a non-believer. Can someone please help me out on the book and verse?

On top of that, I did tell her that her friend doesn’t really need to look for a Christian if she wants a good lad. But my friend was very adamant that religion is the culprit of the ruined potential relationship. I told her that if she doesn’t respect the religion, at least respect her friend.
That was when she made this point…

She said she used to be a church goer and she knows Christianity well. In addition, she has also read about Quran and books about Buddhism. Then she said… “the bible was written yonks ago, humans have evolved and progress, why do we need to comply with all the rules”. This was a reply to my point that a Christian is specifically told in the bible not to yoke with a non-believer.

Again, don’t get me wrong. I am not saying that all Christians will follow this so called ‘rule’. In fact, I know many who don’t. And of course, there are many good people out there who aren’t Christian. No doubt about that. But to actually say that the bible was written ages ago and thus does not apply to our modern lifestyle was to me… absolutely absurd.

The bible; or any other religious books, does not go through re-editing according to time. Also, some instructions or life tips do not change in accordance to time. Just like how many have said that humping at a young age in this day and age, though common, doesn’t mean it is right.

I can't help but to rebut her by saying… “The bible said do not commit adultery. So since the bible was written yonks ago and humans have evolved and progress, I guess your husband doesn’t really need to follow those rules and thus, he can go screw around.”

That was when she said it’s no point arguing with me.

We are all like that isn’t it? We only accept things when it is convenient to us.

Things can be spiritual

Many Christians will say that God is great and if you are not a Christians, you will probably not understand. That is perfectly fine because sometimes, it does not make sense to Christians either.

I have not been a good Christian but I have to say, if not because of God, I would have lost my sanity in the last week or so. I was literally screaming in my room when the panic attack struck and with so many uncertainties about my life, I almost lost it.

But God somehow came in…

I was driving to work and I wanted and need to listen to some songs to calm me down and as I browsed through my collection while sitting in the jam, I saw this CD titled ‘Music for the soul’. It is not an original CD, it’s one which was burnt by one of my former classmate, given to me years ago.
When my friend first gave me the CD years ago, I remember my reaction was like… Gee, why give this to me? ‘Music for the soul’? I vaguely recall what he said to me…

“This is for you, maybe you will need it some day”… something like that. And this was years ago.

I put on that CD and I have to say, there is this song and the lyrics touched me immediately. There is this particular song and every single word in it means something to me. Since that day, I have been listening to the song everyday and it somehow kept my sanity in place.

Here is the song…


Something which my friend gave to me years ago; I only found out I need it now. I know it’s going to sound cliché but this is indeed God’s hands at work.

Another incredible thing that happened in the last 2 weeks… it was just about 10 days ago Jules said that she thinks perhaps God is not real, just a feeling and something which we all create to make us feel good.

Yesterday and today, she said something to the effect that God is so real and He has been listening to all our prayers.

God is good (to me) all the time.

2 true remarks

Heck… why should I change my style and my way? I would rather you hate me for who I am, than to love me for who I am not… ain’t that right?
Anyway, I went to Hillsong again today and the pastor made 2 remarks which made quite an impact on me. Simple but yet so true, I think a lot of Christians in Malaysia (or anywhere around the world), should take notice.

Most Christians call it ‘the wisest thing you can do’. I call it “the Christians’ great escape”. It is when Christians say… “I will pray about it”. It’s a time when Christians are confused as to whether they should do what is right or do what they want. Ya’ see, rather than admitting that they want to do what they want; or refuse to do what is right… Christians carve their own escape route by saying… “I will pray about it”.

The pastor was talking about sponsoring a child in Uganda today and asked the congregation to think about it and serious consider it as it has immense impact but whatever they do… Don’t pray about it. Why? Because he already knows what God’s answer is. And he knows if Christians are to pray about it, chances are nothing will be done.

So next time you’re thinking of praying about something… think again…

The second remark is something I believe a lot of Christians in the Klang valley should listen to. He said Christians should exalt the message, and not the deliverer of the message. I think it is so true for though I hate to judge, I strongly believe that a lot of Christians in the Klang valley exalt not the church, not the message, but the deliverer of the message. Yes, I am referring to Christians being “follower of pastors”.

If you are a Christians, ask yourself. Who are the speakers that you really like and you have really enjoyed listening to? And then ask yourself… what is the message that he/she spoke of that you remember?

I will remember these 2 points for a long time, I think you should too.

Anyway, 2 weeks from now; on the 24th of February, Hillsong London will be doing “live album recording” during church service. No wonder I’ve never heard of the songs sung during service before. Wonder if my face will be captured in the DVD… gonna be so cool!

Experiencing Hillsong in London

Cooking rice yesterday was a challenge as my apartment doesn’t have a rice cooker. So KT came over early in the morning today to drop me his spare rice cooker. Thereafter, we headed to Tottenham Court Road station via the Central Line. As soon we went up exit 3 from that station, it was right in front of us… Hillsong Church London.
The church is currently based in a theatre, so it was quite dark. When we reached, the service has already started and it took a while before we found empty seats on the right side of the theatre church.

I have never been to a Hillsong service before; but the praise & worship (“P&W”) was just like what I have expected… very vibrant, very energetic, very passionate worship leader and… very concert-like. I have never sung any of the songs before but it doesn’t take long to pick it up. Sorry God for not concentrating during the P&W as I was busy snapping pictures along the way. It was awesome.

After P&W, there was a short time of prayer and then it was offering time and a dude came up to give a testimony about how his debts were wiped off after he tithed; pretty normal. After that, they prayed for someone who was about to get married. I think that someone, whose name is Grant (I think) is a youth pastor or something.

Then, I heard something really… different. A guy (dunno who he is) came up and talked about the forthcoming Valentines Day. He also called it the “Singles Awareness Day”. In conjunction with Singles Awareness Day, the church will be organising a party in a place called Passion… a local dance club. No kidding… the church is organising a clubbing party in a dance club… called Passion… on Valentines Day! How cool is that!?!?!

KT said it’s pretty normal. Clubbing is a form of celebration. I wouldn’t disagree. But I wonder if there will be alcohol and all. It would be interesting to attend as all, singles and attached (and married) are invited; but I don’t think I will be making it as I will be Paris that weekend. And you know what? That youth pastor Grant, who is about to get married… met his soon-to-be wife in the Valentine Clubbing session last year! Man… he is fast!

The pastor’s name is Gareth; if I am not mistaken and the message today was a continuation from last week’s message which I didn’t attend. But I think I managed to follow through and it was quite a simple and yet powerful message.

One point dropped into my take-away bag as I find it very relevant. He said the church is the body of Christ; and are people coming to know God because of the church?... Or are people staying away from God because of the church. A very simple point but yet, it is just so relevant in today’s world. I find it very relevant to the current Malaysian church arena, particular in the Klang Valley.

Anyway, I am not about to summarise the whole sermon here so… when the service was over, I went to the toilet and it was then I noticed a sign said… “cameras prohibited”… Opppsss… but KT said it should be applicable only during plays in the theatre, not the church… Phew…

Overall, it was quite a pleasant experience and I would certainly come again, if time permits. If you are staying in London and is looking for a more open minded church, this is certainly a place to be… I mean, clubbing organised by the church! What more you want? *grinned*

After church, we headed to Portobello Market. The actual market was not opened today (Sunday) but there were still a lot of shops to provide an interesting view. That will be a story for another day.

What’s your ‘X’ this Xmas?

When I was young, I always wonder what exactly is ‘Xmas’. Yeah, we all know it stands for the celebration on 25th December but why Xmas instead of the actual spelling of… Christmas? Do you all know why? Are you all curious?

From what I understand, the ‘x’ in the Xmas equation is akin to the ‘x’ in algebra. It simply means the ‘x’ in the Xmas equation can be anything you want it to be. Yes, if you think Xmas is the short-form of Christmas, you're wrong...

Christmas is spelt as “Christ”-mas because it is the date of the birth of Jesus Christ, which made 25th December a religious festival. Christ is the centre of it all. But the world has commercialised the day so extravagantly that it became nothing more than a season to let loose ourselves to shop, eat and party.

Therefore, Xmas to you can be shoppingmas, or perhaps feastmas, or to some… holidaymas. That is what the world wants Christmas to be. But yet, amidst it all, Christmas is the most unique religious celebration of all. Why? That’s probably a discussion for another day.

Today, I want to say that Christ is still the X for my Xmas… it is still Christmas to me. And I want to wish all Christian readers a very Blessed Christmas.

What the ‘X’ for your Xmas?