What if Christmas......

I stood there motionlessly as the music played. My mind was overwhelmed by the minor setback in life. Then, he went up to stage and said, "friends, you're not alone in this Christmas, many came today with broken heart, hurt and disappointment! But I want you to know this!" He flipped his bible, and declared, "Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing!" Unconsciously, my heart's strings were pulled, and tears raced down my cheeks. I've never thought that he would say such things, not in Christmas especially. It all seemed pre-arranged, and God knew exactly what words could soothe my wounded soul and ease my pain a little.


But what if Christmas was not as joyful as you'd expected it to be? What if Christmas was down due to life's circumstances? Through my years on earth, my Christmas was spent with great joy. And it's devastating that someday, in somewhere, your Christmas was no longer a joyous season in your life. The day will come when you'll be put to test, when things doesn't go your way anymore.


Oh God, let your will be done. No matter what comes my way, I know that you are in full control. Even though Christmas was hit by some unexpected setbacks, life still goes on, and hope is still alive even in darkness.

Good deal

I don't know what brought me to SaSa, a place where I refuse to enter because it sells girl's stuff. I guess I had no choice. As I was looking for this particular perfume names AQUA, by CK, I went to Metrojaya and I was shocked to learn the price. It costs RM200 for 50ml. Damn damn damn, I call it "daylight robbery"! AirAsia sells RM157 only for the same size. I thought I could get it cheaper outside than to buy in aircraft, but I was miserably wrong!



Then SaSa came across my mind in the midst of my "anger". So I went in there without much expectation. But I was consoled and lightened for a while because the same perfume of the same size only costs RM180. Then the sales girl came, as they usually do (one of the reason I hate SaSa), so she introduced me some perfumes which are selling at promotional price. I glanced at them and took no interest. When I was about to turn, she said, "try this". She sprayed the perfume on a card and when the first scent of it reached my nose, it's like, damn, what was that, it smelled amazing and it "turned me ON". This fragrance releases the true male's identity and maturity, and it also brings out a sense of elegance, a pinch of trendiness, with some grains of freshness. It's definitely a perfume one shouldn't miss, and it's none other than the much talked about BURBERRY BRIT. As the names suggests, it's so British that symbolizes elegance and classiness. The Price? It's sold at rock bottom price of RM179, after 30 percent discount off original price of RM256, and wait, it's LARGE BOTTLE, 100ml !!



I grabbed it without second thought and about AQUA, forget about it for the time being, you're too expensive to me though you smell good. I'm sorry AQUA, I found new one which you couldn't beat. Maybe next time I would take a look at you again, the day when your shelf price drops.

Time Flies......

Time passes by, people change, things change, and perhaps you and me change, too. But one thing remains- the sweet memories that are kept in my heart. This year was a less challenging year in comparison to past few years. The key- learn to let go and look at the bright side. If I told you my life was a bed of roses, you may or may not believe. But I wanna tell you, it's a LIE. There are setbacks and there were times when I just sit there and cry, not because I was weak, but I was feeling depressed and sometimes people accuse you for what you've not done and being unreasonable to you. I'd just grin and bear, but over time, I couldn't take it and tumbled down. And I was happy that after some times, those wounds recovered and I dont hold on to them anymore. After all, what's the point of keeping them in your heart if it's going to ruin your happiness? Most importantly, I learnt to be stronger through each hardship and there're always wonderful lesson to be learnt, that's why I said in the beginning, look things at the bright side.

Putting them aside, there are just too much, so much, and over-flowing blessings and sweet memories to be embraced. I give thanks to God for His abundant blessing. It's almost impossible to tell you one by one, as there're just too many. One of the fondest memories I had was the time I spent in Bali and Perth, with those whom I love the most in my life, dad and mum, and wife to be, Charlotte. It totally went beyond my wildest dream to think I would be able to go abroad with them, especially my parents, because throughout all these years, they fought for more money in order to give us the best education that we'd ever get and they're having financial difficulties every time. Having vacation overseas is something "out of question" for dad. But I was amazed when he decided to join the trip, of course, thanks to free ticket. The best part of the trip was not how beautiful the place is or the weather, but it's the family ties and bond that strengthen the relationship of one another. I would always remember that trip, and I look forward many more vacations with family in years to come. Ironically, my unkind grandma, was trying to be sarcastic with mum. She said, "well, it must have been fun, to have your honeymoon for the first time since day one of your marriage." Well, naysayer, pure jealousy!



I couldn't be more thankful, really. Oh God, how can this be?? He did amazing things which never in my life would I thought possible. I wanna tell you something, something which I leant throughout these years. When life seems miserable and there's no hope, wait on God, wait, not just one or two days. Wait, even if you need to wait few years. God's working slowly, but surely. In His perfect timing, your prayer will be answered to the fullest, or even exceed what you've been asking for. I thought I wasted too much time and I compared my life with others and discovered how sorrowful I was. But God is never too late! And as Pastor Joel wrote in his book, God will make up your lost!



I hope you enjoy reading this little stuff. As Christmas is round corner, I wish you a happy holiday and I shall get back to you with more updates, soon.



Cheers.

Early Easter - An Encounter Redefined

The rain is falling outside my window. It has been gloomy the whole day since early morning. The sun came out a while, but gave way to drizzle and rain in the afternoon. Two thousand and ten years ago today, the life of the son of the man was in threat, because in two more days, He's going to embark to the path of cross, the deadliest punishment ever in mankind history. The gloomy weather resembles the feeling of His heart. I thought of doing devotion last night, but the plan failed because of some unexpected interferences and eventually I slept due to tiredness.

It all started when morning had finally broken. The neighbourhood began their daily morning rush, housewife preparing kids to go to school and husband preparing to go to work. I was disturbed by their busyness and so I woke up a while. Before long, I fell asleep and I got up few hours later. I felt an unspeakable peace and joy the moment I woke up. As I turned on my computer, I quickly search for some worship songs to freshen up myself. Holy spirit reminded me of the song our cg sang last week- Amazing Love.

As the song started to play, I observed the scene in that video clip. It was about cruxification, resurrection and forgiveness. The scenes moved my heart, and tears rolled down my cheeks. I began to re-evaluate my life. I realised that I am not as keen for His words as I was in the past. Life's busyness has led me astray from Jesus. What'd happened to the promises and vows that I once made unto Him? Where is my faithfulness? What have I done all these months? What'd happened to the "serve-you-for-the-rest-of-my-day" vow? Nothing, I've achieved nothing. "What good will it be for a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul?"

How many times have I overlooked Jesus's sacrifice on the cross? Was it because of getting tired of the same old story, or I really don't care anymore? Today, I know that God wants to remind me once again about His son sacrifice, He wants me to REMEMBER each and every sacrifice He had made some 2000 years ago. He wants to have fresh encounter with me, He wants me to seek Him deeper, not just surface knowledge, and as the psalmist wrote, "as the deer panteth for the water so my soul long after thee", in the same way, I should yearn for His words more.

Today is the day that the Lord has made! Everything happens for a reason. The visit of holy spirit meant a great deal to me, it reminded me of how my sin and lifestyle have been displeasing God in some way. The importance of Easter cannot be emphasized enough. This is a season in commemoration to His death and live again. It signifies one vitally important thing- VICTORY. Friends, know this and let's cheer for the victory that our saviour had won.

It's been a while

Manado- Indonesia. A must visit for nature lover.

The past few months of my life have been very hectic. Of course there are many changes took place, some are yet and some will soon I believe. The primary focus in my life during these period of time has shifted solely to my career. There were many minor setbacks in my career which require extreme "ironing out". I was, and still working on it. It won't be done overnight, but I believe it'll all get better with time.

Looking back at my life for the past few months, it wasn't smooth sailing all the way, but with every failure I encountered, I grow wiser and learn new things. The greatest and most "heartening" achievement throughout these months is the success of overcoming the temptation of "giving up". I was so heavily overwhelmed by such negativity, but thank God I found the weapon to fight this battle. All that is required is just a little bit more fighting spirit from your side and keep going, full stop.

Spiritual downfall is inevitable, considering my working life. I haven't attended any church service for nearly two months. But recently I came back to church, it's good, I mean the feeling was really good, it hasn't changed a bit, still the same old people and environment, but it just feel good, the peace of Lord was upon me. Church has always been a refuge and spiritual clinic for me, when life's afflictions hit me, I go to church and I get healed. I know it's kinda weird, but I was having this thought since young. I always believe that you will get something in church, even if it's just a plain, boring and monotonous service.

Health has been a major issue for the past few months. I was battling with sickness, initially sinus, then it got worse and I had severe flu, then high fever, then cough, then sore throat. It did not come in one time, but it came one symptom at a time, meaning to say "one by one" they visit me. I went to see doctor three times in two months. I felt as if I was dealing with "chemo". The flu was so bad that it almost took my life, the running nose was like "open tap" in the washroom.

Basically the above mentioned points summed up what I've been going thru all these months. And oh, I won't be blogging as often as I did in the past, nowadays are damn busy. But once in a while, I will put my feeling into words just for your reading pleasure. Good-bye until then. Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for your attention!

Give Thanks

Taste and see that the LORD is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in him. (Psalm 34:8)

Words can never fully expressed his gratitude towards the Lord, who had parted the Red Sea, who had brought me out of the wilderness into the Promised Land, a land flowing with milk and honey, who had given him "manna" when he was still wandering in the desert, so that he may learn to humble himself and fully rely on Him, who had stopped the Jordan River from flowing, so that he may set his foot on the other side of land.

But remember the LORD your God, for it is he who gives you the ability to produce wealth, and so confirms his covenant, which he swore to your forefathers, as it is today. (Deu 8:18)

On the sixteenth day in December 2008, he went for the interview in his current company, after jobless for nearly half a year. He knew he was weak and insignificant, but God's power helped him through his weaknesses, and he landed a job in AA. On the seventeeth day in December 2009, exactly one year later, in the same place and the same people, another good news arrived his doorstep, this time, the company decided to give him one month bonus after evaluating his performance. He'd never asked for more, all he want is just "bread and butter", and he doesn't expect much. But God is faithful, He gives him more than what he could imagine.

Traditionally, the month of December is the most profitable month for almost every company in the world. On December 2009, his salary was a whopping "five-figure" amount. This was due to the completion of his training earlier on which rewarded him another 3 months pay. After the confirmation by the company for the distribution of one month bonus, he's expecting another "five-figure" amount in January's pay.

He was happy for all the blessing he'd received, and those which are yet to receive. He'll never forget in those days when he cried for financial blessing from Lord, because he was jobless. He had barely enough money to live through each day, and he regarded those money he had as "manna", which he gathered them in the morning and take enough quantity for the remaining of the day. Those days seemed long and weary, and his life was like ship without rudder, tossing around heading towards unknown direction. Today, things have certainly changed, dramatically, and you'll be amazed at how God had turned things around.

Friends, are you going through difficulties in life? You feel like your situation is "impossible"? Are you feeling despair? Take heart my friend, the Lord who had delivered me will surely do the same to you in your hardship, if you'll depend on Him and wait patiently!