I had a lovely time with my mum in the mall called Spring in Kuching tonight! I must record here my thanks to the management for allocating 4 parking lots, right near the entrance of the mall at the basement level,specifically for those who are on wheel-chairs. Such caring gestures from this management ought to be emulated by other businessmen all around the world, especially Malaysia.
I especially appreciated this because my 85 year-old mum needs a wheel-chair to move around and I often find it difficult to park my car at the entrance of any building to let my mum get out of the car and into her wheel-chair, without people getting impatient waiting behind my car which they cannot pass until I wheel her to some safe spot and driving somewhere else to park my car. At Spring, I can do it so easily and other cars have ample space to pass my car on one side while my mum slowly gets out of her carseat into the wheel-chair! And then, I just have to reversed a little to park my car into the lots specially reserved for those with wheel-chairs. Often we meet kind-hearted security personnel who helped me with my mum while I parked the car! Bravo to such kind consideration! The world is a better place because of kind people like them!
So Spring will always be my choice of destination whenever I want to take my mum out for dinner or shopping or just to get out of the room where she spends most of days of her sun-set years!
We had a simple but lovely dinner of hot-plate chicken/beef with rice and our favourite dessert - ABC ( Ais Batu Kacang), a huge bowl of ice-shavings topped with sweetened red beans, chandol (a green rice noodle with pandan), chin chau (chopped black jelly), mixed fruits, syrup and evaporated milk and vanilla ice-cream! Always a delicious treat!!! I think my mum was happy tonight and I am happy because she is happy.
The best part of the dinner was the opportunity to make friends with a most wonderful couple from Coffs Harbour, Australia who owned a bakery for 31 years and have come to Kalimantan to build a bakery in Living Waters Village so that the orphans in the orphanage there can be trained to be bakers who can bake well and sell good baked products so that they can be self-sufficient and financially independent soon! What nobel efforts to help the poor ! A wonderful example of teaching the underpriviledged how to fish for themselves and not just give them fish! May God sustain and empower this lovely couple to finish this task He has placed on their shoulders and may He grant them great joy!!!!
I thank God that I had a Happy Mother's Day after all!
Sunday, 10 May 2009
Unhappy Mother's Day
Wouldn't any mother feel unhappy on Mother's Day when she tried to teach her children about wise spending and commented that they do not feel the pinch when they spend needlessly because they did not have to earn the money, her children replied that she, a homemaker, did not earn the money either --- implying she has no right to teach them about monetary things!!!! Well, I was that mother today and I have been deeply wounded! May God grant me the healing I need! I will focus today on showing love to my aged 85 year old mother, who lives with me, instead!
Today I wish there is no Mother's Day because at least I will not expect to be appreciated. When you do and you are not appreciated, it is a huge diasppointment. When you do not expect any appreciation and it comes to you, you will be pleasantly surprised and you will feel you are at the top of the world!
Today I wish there is no Mother's Day because at least I will not expect to be appreciated. When you do and you are not appreciated, it is a huge diasppointment. When you do not expect any appreciation and it comes to you, you will be pleasantly surprised and you will feel you are at the top of the world!
Monday, 16 February 2009
I know a 15 year-old boy who is dying of cancer. The doctors have tried everything they could but they could not help him to conquer this disease. He came to Sarawak General Hospital for treatment when the cancer has already spread from his bone to his lungs and it really was too late. The malignant growth in his leg has been removed surgically but the lung cancer was just not responsive to the chemotherapy he was given. Now it has spread all over his lungs and spine. Tommorow he is going back to his home in Sabah, knowing that he does not have long to live.
How does one talk to a person who knows he is dying soon?
I wanted to see him today, to take him and his mother to a nice place for a meal. But on my way to fetch him and his mother, I got a call from his mother saying that he has a headache and wanted to rest instead. I really hope to see him again tomorow before he leaves for Sabah because I do not know if I will get to see him again. He is a wonderful chap who has been brave in going through all the treatments at SGH and who has really hoped for a cure until last week when he was told that nothing else can be done for him. Cancer has triumphed again - how sad! If only he was diagnosed earlier and treated earlier !!!!
Months ago I have shared with him that he can have eternal life by accepting Jesus as his Saviour and Lord. But because he was hearing this for the first time in his life, he was not sure how to respond to this good news. I hope he has read more of God's love for him in the Bible I gave him and that in his own way, he has opened his heart to God but I do not know and I hope I can find out tomorrow. May God use me to encourage him to let God into his life and become a child of God. May God give him the faith to believe he can have eternal life through Christ Jesus! O, Lord, please have mercy!!!
How does one talk to a person who knows he is dying soon?
I wanted to see him today, to take him and his mother to a nice place for a meal. But on my way to fetch him and his mother, I got a call from his mother saying that he has a headache and wanted to rest instead. I really hope to see him again tomorow before he leaves for Sabah because I do not know if I will get to see him again. He is a wonderful chap who has been brave in going through all the treatments at SGH and who has really hoped for a cure until last week when he was told that nothing else can be done for him. Cancer has triumphed again - how sad! If only he was diagnosed earlier and treated earlier !!!!
Months ago I have shared with him that he can have eternal life by accepting Jesus as his Saviour and Lord. But because he was hearing this for the first time in his life, he was not sure how to respond to this good news. I hope he has read more of God's love for him in the Bible I gave him and that in his own way, he has opened his heart to God but I do not know and I hope I can find out tomorrow. May God use me to encourage him to let God into his life and become a child of God. May God give him the faith to believe he can have eternal life through Christ Jesus! O, Lord, please have mercy!!!
Friday, 24 October 2008
It has been an awfully long time since I last blogged.My family has been robbed at our home 2 months ago! Since that day I have been very busy with efforts to try to increase the security of our home. We got people to re-install our alarm system, change locks and add bolts to our doors, put in an extra grill at the top of our stairs(leading to our bedrooms) and build a new and tall fence. We also started rearing 2 dogs to guard our house.
Thursday, 18 September 2008
Robbed!!!
About a month ago, my family and I were robbed at our home at 4.30am. I was soundly asleep when I was rudely awakened by 4 robbers who had entered my bedroom, after breaking in through the kitchen grills. They covered their heads and faces using our t-shirts which were hanging out to dry at the backyard. The gangleader was the only one who spoke to us most of time. He threathened to harm with the clever knife in his hand. They bound my hands and told me to wake the rest of my family - my son, daughter, mother and mother-in-law. My husband was in Seremban at that time. After that, they ransacked our rooms and took away all our valuables - cash, jewellery, lap-top, camera, 4 hand-phones, badminton racquets and shoes.
During the robbery, which lasted about 30-45min, I was filled with the peace of God. I was convinced God was with us and that He was still in control, even though there were evil men around us. I kept praying that He will protect us from bodily harm and He did!!! God even gave me the words to say so that the robbers will not bind my mother-in-law's hands at the back of her because her shoulders were experiencing pain and they were compassionate enough to agree. Because of that, she was able to free the binds on her leg easily and able to walk to her sewing-machine to get a pairs of scissors to cut the binds on my son's hands. He then freed the rest of us. Also when I saw my waist-pouch worn across the chest of the gang-leader, I was calm enough to bargain with him, to ask him to take the money inside but to leave my documents behind. He cooperated! Thanks to God !It saved me from alll the hassle if I had to report the loss and get replacement of all my bank cards, identity card, driving license,etc.
As soon as my son cut the binds on my hands and legs, I called 911. But the policewoman on the line told me to call 103 to get the telephone number of the police station closest to me. When I threatened to report her unwillingness to help me, she relented and connected me to the Kuching police station. Within 10 min after that call, the police arrived at my house to investigate the robbery. They found the entry point- a cut chain-link fence at the back of my house and a cut iron grill at my kitchen.They found the robbers' weapon - the cleaver knife on my bed and tried in vain to get the finger-prints of the robbers. They found the sock which was worn by the robbers to prevent finger-prints being left behind. A sniffer dog was brought to my house to sniff out the scent of the robbers and it led to the back lane onwards to the adjacent road and the trail of scent ended. The neighbours were questioned by the police. My family and I were also questioned many times regarding the details of the robbery. Despite the flurry of investigative activities, there is no trace of the robbers to this day.
After the robbery, my daughter who is most traumatised by it has been sleeping with my husband and I till today. Hopefully, after our new fence is built and extra iron grill installed at the top of our stairs, and the alarm system of the house fully functioning, my daughter will feel safe enough to sleep in her own room again. May God heal her completely of the trauma she had gone through and take away all her fears and enable her to trust Him again. God had never left her, even during the robbery but she needs to be reassured of God's abiding presence with her and be courageous again like she used to be. She still talks and make noise often in her dreams. She says she does not dream about the robbery but had other types of bad dreams, eg huge spiders.
Guess what? 2 weeks after the robbery, my husband lost his wallet with all his documents while we were watching a movie. It was very stressful, having to cancel the bank cards and going to report the loss of his documents and running around to the different places to replace them. Even though the wallet was found 2 days later, all the hard work had been done. We are grateful, though, that it was found in answer to our prayers and there were many more cards inside that we do not have to replace. Wonderful to know that God is with us through it all!
During the robbery, which lasted about 30-45min, I was filled with the peace of God. I was convinced God was with us and that He was still in control, even though there were evil men around us. I kept praying that He will protect us from bodily harm and He did!!! God even gave me the words to say so that the robbers will not bind my mother-in-law's hands at the back of her because her shoulders were experiencing pain and they were compassionate enough to agree. Because of that, she was able to free the binds on her leg easily and able to walk to her sewing-machine to get a pairs of scissors to cut the binds on my son's hands. He then freed the rest of us. Also when I saw my waist-pouch worn across the chest of the gang-leader, I was calm enough to bargain with him, to ask him to take the money inside but to leave my documents behind. He cooperated! Thanks to God !It saved me from alll the hassle if I had to report the loss and get replacement of all my bank cards, identity card, driving license,etc.
As soon as my son cut the binds on my hands and legs, I called 911. But the policewoman on the line told me to call 103 to get the telephone number of the police station closest to me. When I threatened to report her unwillingness to help me, she relented and connected me to the Kuching police station. Within 10 min after that call, the police arrived at my house to investigate the robbery. They found the entry point- a cut chain-link fence at the back of my house and a cut iron grill at my kitchen.They found the robbers' weapon - the cleaver knife on my bed and tried in vain to get the finger-prints of the robbers. They found the sock which was worn by the robbers to prevent finger-prints being left behind. A sniffer dog was brought to my house to sniff out the scent of the robbers and it led to the back lane onwards to the adjacent road and the trail of scent ended. The neighbours were questioned by the police. My family and I were also questioned many times regarding the details of the robbery. Despite the flurry of investigative activities, there is no trace of the robbers to this day.
After the robbery, my daughter who is most traumatised by it has been sleeping with my husband and I till today. Hopefully, after our new fence is built and extra iron grill installed at the top of our stairs, and the alarm system of the house fully functioning, my daughter will feel safe enough to sleep in her own room again. May God heal her completely of the trauma she had gone through and take away all her fears and enable her to trust Him again. God had never left her, even during the robbery but she needs to be reassured of God's abiding presence with her and be courageous again like she used to be. She still talks and make noise often in her dreams. She says she does not dream about the robbery but had other types of bad dreams, eg huge spiders.
Guess what? 2 weeks after the robbery, my husband lost his wallet with all his documents while we were watching a movie. It was very stressful, having to cancel the bank cards and going to report the loss of his documents and running around to the different places to replace them. Even though the wallet was found 2 days later, all the hard work had been done. We are grateful, though, that it was found in answer to our prayers and there were many more cards inside that we do not have to replace. Wonderful to know that God is with us through it all!
Sunday, 13 April 2008
Happy Birthday???
Last Thursday, my beloved hubby baked me a chocolate birthday cake - his very first cake! I really appreciate his loving gesture and his courage to step into the baking world! And everyone who ate that cake found it hard to believe my husband was the one who made it! It was soft, moist and yummy!! Someone actually said it tasted like the rich Hilton chocolate cake! Another friend actually took some of the cake home in an attempt to inspire her husband to bake one for her birthday next week!
Cakes aside, I was very glad to have the company of 14 good friends in my home fellowship who sang me the birthday song and prayed for many blessings from God for me. I was touched by their love for me. But another part of me pained at the thought that 3 out of 4 of my children did not remember my birthday. Only my second son in Sewanee, Tennessee, USA emailed me a birthday greeting. The eldest son in Fort Worth,Texas totally forgot. My two other children who are still staying with me at home did not even give me any verbal greeting, although they knew it was my birthday since their father tried in vain to get them to help him make the cake the night before.
It is at times of disappointments like this that I find comfort in God's Word. Just recently, God has spoken to me in a very clear way, like a bolt of lightning brightening the dark sky. I was reading Luke 17:7-10, a passage where Jesus said :
"Suppose one of you has a servant who is plowing or looking after the sheep. When he comes in from the field, do you tell him to hurry along and eat his meal? Of course not! Instead you say to him,'Get my supper ready, then put on your apron and wait on me while I eat and drink, after that you may have your meal.' The servant does not deserve thanks for obeying orders, does he? It is the same with you, when you have done all you have been told to do, say 'We are ordinary servants, we have only done our duty.' " I suddenly saw for the first time that in all my service unto others, especially my children, I must not expect to be thanked! If I expect any gratitude, I am in for disappointment. I am only serving the Lord as His servant. It is good enough that the Lord sees what I do in obedience to Him. The Lord can set me free from my self-centredness and the need for appreciation from others. I desire to continue to do good unto others without expecting ANYTHING in return - not even a thank you.
I do not want to wallow in any self-pity when my children do not remember my birthday. Why is my birthday so important anyway? (Probably many thousands of people were born on the same day of the same month as me!) Perhaps it is because I grew up in a family where we always remembered and celebrated each others' birthdays as a way of showing love and appreciation for one another. And I have never failed to remember and celebrate the birthdays of each of my children and my husband. But why must I expect them to do the same for me? May I never forget Jesus' teaching in Lk 17. I must decrease and Christ must increase! Lord, help me!
Cakes aside, I was very glad to have the company of 14 good friends in my home fellowship who sang me the birthday song and prayed for many blessings from God for me. I was touched by their love for me. But another part of me pained at the thought that 3 out of 4 of my children did not remember my birthday. Only my second son in Sewanee, Tennessee, USA emailed me a birthday greeting. The eldest son in Fort Worth,Texas totally forgot. My two other children who are still staying with me at home did not even give me any verbal greeting, although they knew it was my birthday since their father tried in vain to get them to help him make the cake the night before.
It is at times of disappointments like this that I find comfort in God's Word. Just recently, God has spoken to me in a very clear way, like a bolt of lightning brightening the dark sky. I was reading Luke 17:7-10, a passage where Jesus said :
"Suppose one of you has a servant who is plowing or looking after the sheep. When he comes in from the field, do you tell him to hurry along and eat his meal? Of course not! Instead you say to him,'Get my supper ready, then put on your apron and wait on me while I eat and drink, after that you may have your meal.' The servant does not deserve thanks for obeying orders, does he? It is the same with you, when you have done all you have been told to do, say 'We are ordinary servants, we have only done our duty.' " I suddenly saw for the first time that in all my service unto others, especially my children, I must not expect to be thanked! If I expect any gratitude, I am in for disappointment. I am only serving the Lord as His servant. It is good enough that the Lord sees what I do in obedience to Him. The Lord can set me free from my self-centredness and the need for appreciation from others. I desire to continue to do good unto others without expecting ANYTHING in return - not even a thank you.
I do not want to wallow in any self-pity when my children do not remember my birthday. Why is my birthday so important anyway? (Probably many thousands of people were born on the same day of the same month as me!) Perhaps it is because I grew up in a family where we always remembered and celebrated each others' birthdays as a way of showing love and appreciation for one another. And I have never failed to remember and celebrate the birthdays of each of my children and my husband. But why must I expect them to do the same for me? May I never forget Jesus' teaching in Lk 17. I must decrease and Christ must increase! Lord, help me!
Thursday, 28 February 2008
Life is Beautiful!
Life is beautiful! That is how I have been feeling nowadays, for quite some time. I wake up each morning with joy, thanking God for a brand new day to experience His goodness to me and to do His bidding. There is peace and harmony between all members of my immediate family – no more hostility that I used to sense from my daughter, no more enmity between my eldest son and my only daughter (they made peace before he went overseas for studies). I also sense that a deeper understanding and appreciation of one another has grown between my husband and me. This is so precious.
I am also thankful to God that I am physically healthy and rather strong ( able to lift things like my mother’s wheelchair all by myself although my arms complain after each lifting). I jog with my husband in the evenings as often as we can, when it is not raining and there is no meeting with anyone. Recently, we have started swimming once a week on Sunday evenings at the Stampin Waterpark when my children are having their Bahasa Malaysia tuition. We really enjoy that time together in the pool, exercising and chatting in between our laps. So, physically, I feel very well and this sense of well-being energizes me to do a lot more than just cooking, shopping and fetching the children to their activities. I have been busy helping out at the Friendship House, where cancer patients and their relatives stay, in between receiving treatments at Sarawak General Hospital. My latest project is to teach the children during the coming church camp, together with my husband. There will be about 17 children, ages 5-10, and four sessions over 3 days. I have been busy looking for suitable materials and preparing for the children’s program. But I am looking forward to it. I pray that the children will be nourished in God’s Word through creative ways next weekend and that they will have much fun too!
For the past three months, I have not had any attacks of depression. Thanks be to God!!! I believe God has brought my hormonal levels to a good balance and I pray He will keep it that way! On my part, I try to pace myself and not to do too many things at one go. In the afternoons, I take a nap to be rejuvenated for what I need to do in the evenings. I am grateful to God for the good domestic help that He has given me. She helps me with a lot of the household chores and this frees me to be of service to others and to exercise and keep fit. She is also a great help in taking care of the physical needs of my aged mother ( she is 84!).
I believe that the secret to personal happiness is in being obedient to God and in loving service to others. When we have an intimate relationship with God and we are obedient to His leading, we will have a great sense of fulfillment and contentment. When we deny ourselves, for example in not going for the type of holidays we desire and not buying the new set of furniture we long for, but using that money which is saved to give to the poor and needy (including needy pastors), there will be so much joy in our hearts – joy which is from God which way above the short-lived thrills that the world offers. When we choose not to cling to our possessions (including our time), but instead share it with others, we are freed from slavery to materialism and self-centredness and our lives will not be so cluttered too! I think this is a good way to spread the fragrance of Christ wherever we go!!!
I am also thankful to God that I am physically healthy and rather strong ( able to lift things like my mother’s wheelchair all by myself although my arms complain after each lifting). I jog with my husband in the evenings as often as we can, when it is not raining and there is no meeting with anyone. Recently, we have started swimming once a week on Sunday evenings at the Stampin Waterpark when my children are having their Bahasa Malaysia tuition. We really enjoy that time together in the pool, exercising and chatting in between our laps. So, physically, I feel very well and this sense of well-being energizes me to do a lot more than just cooking, shopping and fetching the children to their activities. I have been busy helping out at the Friendship House, where cancer patients and their relatives stay, in between receiving treatments at Sarawak General Hospital. My latest project is to teach the children during the coming church camp, together with my husband. There will be about 17 children, ages 5-10, and four sessions over 3 days. I have been busy looking for suitable materials and preparing for the children’s program. But I am looking forward to it. I pray that the children will be nourished in God’s Word through creative ways next weekend and that they will have much fun too!
For the past three months, I have not had any attacks of depression. Thanks be to God!!! I believe God has brought my hormonal levels to a good balance and I pray He will keep it that way! On my part, I try to pace myself and not to do too many things at one go. In the afternoons, I take a nap to be rejuvenated for what I need to do in the evenings. I am grateful to God for the good domestic help that He has given me. She helps me with a lot of the household chores and this frees me to be of service to others and to exercise and keep fit. She is also a great help in taking care of the physical needs of my aged mother ( she is 84!).
I believe that the secret to personal happiness is in being obedient to God and in loving service to others. When we have an intimate relationship with God and we are obedient to His leading, we will have a great sense of fulfillment and contentment. When we deny ourselves, for example in not going for the type of holidays we desire and not buying the new set of furniture we long for, but using that money which is saved to give to the poor and needy (including needy pastors), there will be so much joy in our hearts – joy which is from God which way above the short-lived thrills that the world offers. When we choose not to cling to our possessions (including our time), but instead share it with others, we are freed from slavery to materialism and self-centredness and our lives will not be so cluttered too! I think this is a good way to spread the fragrance of Christ wherever we go!!!
Thursday, 17 January 2008
God Empowering Us!
He gives power to the faint;
and strengthens the powerless. Isaiah 40:20
My grace is sufficient for you, for your power is brought to its finish in weakness. 2 Cor.12:9
In my readings, I have come across a marvelous character and here I would like to share him with you by quoting Marva Dawn :
"Clifford Schultz, one of the mightiest men I have ever known, was almost completely incapacitated by multiple sclerosis. The vibrancy of his faith and witness and the depth of his love and compassion moved literally hundreds of people. He always had a good word of encouragement for everyone he met, especially the other patients at the convalescent home where he lived. All who visited him were uplifted by his strength. No one could ever doubt who was the Source and Giver of Clifford's immense resilience.
Clifford had a tremendously eternal mind enclosed in a terribly confining body, limited to little physical movement. He constantly struggled against pain and limitation. His faith and zeal for evangelism were a constant inspiration for others. He knew well how to draw his strength from the LORD. He told everyone he met about the great love of his Savior Jesus Christ.
One day while he was struggling to breathe and travailing laboriously to speak and sing, he said, "You know, Marva, life is so wonderful down here, it's hard to imagine that heaven will be even better. But it will be!"
He knew so well the promise of strength in Isaiah 40:29, and his love for the LORD overpowered everything else. His heart, mind, and spirit were so eternally fixed that the limitations of his body were surmounted with great struggle and greater joy. He always had more than enough strength to carry on his ministry, even in the weakest of times. Isn't it amazing that God accomplishes his purposes through us -in spite of us! What is stunning about Isa.40:29 is the realization that we never do really begin to discover the power of God until we learn our own weaknesses.
In 2Cor.12:9, the verb in the Greek original, which is usually translated "made perfect", is the same verb that Jesus cried from the cross when his work was ended. Every time that verb appears in the New Testament, it is translated "to bring to the finish," with the one exception of 2Cor.12:9. If we brought the customary meaning of that verb to bear on that verse also, we would know more clearly how God's strength is available to us.
When we are weak, we no longer try to exert our useless power. It is brought to its end, and we become yielded vessels. Then God can really begin to exert his power through us to reach out to others. That is what Clifford demonstrated so profoundly. Having no strength of his own, he was an almost perfectly pliable tool in God's hands. With his power ended, God's power could come through Clifford strongly.
Do we take God up on His promise? Are we able to receive His strength? We can never know God's power unless we attempt the impossible. As long as we are doing things that are within our capabilities, things for which we are qualified and skilled, we can easily trust our own gifts (forgetting that those come from God also). Only when we try to do things beyond us, will we end our attempts at power, dependently turn to the LORD and rely solely on Him.
As individuals and as a church, we should proceed more boldly with missions that we know to be the LORD's will. We can trust that God will multiply doubly the strengths we need to accomplish his purposes.
The key is knowing the One who is the Giver and Multiplier of strength. We might faint or lack the necessary might, but it is irrelevant. In fact it is better that way because then our power can be brought to its end and instead God's power can be multiplied through us on behalf of others. Then everyone can see that the transcendent power definitely belongs to God and not to us."
Quoted from "To walk and not faint" by Marva Dawn"
and strengthens the powerless. Isaiah 40:20
My grace is sufficient for you, for your power is brought to its finish in weakness. 2 Cor.12:9
In my readings, I have come across a marvelous character and here I would like to share him with you by quoting Marva Dawn :
"Clifford Schultz, one of the mightiest men I have ever known, was almost completely incapacitated by multiple sclerosis. The vibrancy of his faith and witness and the depth of his love and compassion moved literally hundreds of people. He always had a good word of encouragement for everyone he met, especially the other patients at the convalescent home where he lived. All who visited him were uplifted by his strength. No one could ever doubt who was the Source and Giver of Clifford's immense resilience.
Clifford had a tremendously eternal mind enclosed in a terribly confining body, limited to little physical movement. He constantly struggled against pain and limitation. His faith and zeal for evangelism were a constant inspiration for others. He knew well how to draw his strength from the LORD. He told everyone he met about the great love of his Savior Jesus Christ.
One day while he was struggling to breathe and travailing laboriously to speak and sing, he said, "You know, Marva, life is so wonderful down here, it's hard to imagine that heaven will be even better. But it will be!"
He knew so well the promise of strength in Isaiah 40:29, and his love for the LORD overpowered everything else. His heart, mind, and spirit were so eternally fixed that the limitations of his body were surmounted with great struggle and greater joy. He always had more than enough strength to carry on his ministry, even in the weakest of times. Isn't it amazing that God accomplishes his purposes through us -in spite of us! What is stunning about Isa.40:29 is the realization that we never do really begin to discover the power of God until we learn our own weaknesses.
In 2Cor.12:9, the verb in the Greek original, which is usually translated "made perfect", is the same verb that Jesus cried from the cross when his work was ended. Every time that verb appears in the New Testament, it is translated "to bring to the finish," with the one exception of 2Cor.12:9. If we brought the customary meaning of that verb to bear on that verse also, we would know more clearly how God's strength is available to us.
When we are weak, we no longer try to exert our useless power. It is brought to its end, and we become yielded vessels. Then God can really begin to exert his power through us to reach out to others. That is what Clifford demonstrated so profoundly. Having no strength of his own, he was an almost perfectly pliable tool in God's hands. With his power ended, God's power could come through Clifford strongly.
Do we take God up on His promise? Are we able to receive His strength? We can never know God's power unless we attempt the impossible. As long as we are doing things that are within our capabilities, things for which we are qualified and skilled, we can easily trust our own gifts (forgetting that those come from God also). Only when we try to do things beyond us, will we end our attempts at power, dependently turn to the LORD and rely solely on Him.
As individuals and as a church, we should proceed more boldly with missions that we know to be the LORD's will. We can trust that God will multiply doubly the strengths we need to accomplish his purposes.
The key is knowing the One who is the Giver and Multiplier of strength. We might faint or lack the necessary might, but it is irrelevant. In fact it is better that way because then our power can be brought to its end and instead God's power can be multiplied through us on behalf of others. Then everyone can see that the transcendent power definitely belongs to God and not to us."
Quoted from "To walk and not faint" by Marva Dawn"
Monday, 14 January 2008
The Everlasting God
Have you not known? Have you not heard?
The Lord is the everlasting God,
the Creator of the ends of the earth.
He does not faint or grow weary,
his understanding is unsearchable.
Isaiah 40:28
Can anyone explain how God is eternal or imagine the impossible prospect and incredible possibility of our own everlasting existence in God's presence?
To better understand God's everlastingness, three pictures are given:
1) God is the Creator of the ends of the earth. He not only create all the earth and everything in it, but he also set its boundaries. This means that God created beyond what we know. Even though scientists have discovered an enormous amount of knowledge about the farthest parts of the cosmos, we still cannot fathom its limits, but we know that God is beyond those boundaries as their beginning and end. God's everlastingness means that all things are under His control. By His great might and powerful strength, nothing is missing, nothing escapes his notice. Surely our way cannot be hidden from the One who sees to the ends of the earth.
2)God does not become faint or grow weary. Not only did He create the world, but He continues to preserve it. Not only did He save us, but He continues to work in us to transform us into His likeness and to fulfill His purposes through us. Not only does He establish us, but He continues to care and to provide for us and to sustain us.
God works constantly, watching over everything, all at once, all the time - and He is not tired tomorrow. Nor does He go to sleep tonight. We can call on Him time and time and time again and all of us can call on Him at once, and He remains patient and forbearing, ready to receive and answer our cries. He never grows weary of helping the oppressed, the needy, the comfortless, the desolate.
3) God's understanding is unsearchable. No searching can penetrate His comprehension. Never will God be fully understood. We can only barely begin to imagine Him because His love encompasses us. Even though we cannot figure out why God behaves toward us as He does, we cannot attribute it to His being tired or powerless to to help. Rather, we must recognize that we cannot penetrate God's infinite wisdom. This gives us hope in our waiting. When God does not intervene as we wish, when things don't change as we hope, it is not because God is not able or does not will it. He has reasons infinitely beyond our understanding; many mysteries of God's are not yet unfolded. We do not comprehend why things happen the way they do but God knows, and we can trust that His character is to be just and gracious and righteous. We believe His understanding is right, truly in accordance with genuine reality, even though we cannot decipher it. Consequently, we are driven to a deeper love for His infinite care. Without growing weary of us, the Lord is everlastingly devoted to us.
I grow very weary in devotion. I cannot imagine that God never gets tired of me. My needs seem so important to me, but scrutinized against an eternal perspective, they're not so significant. Yet we allow ourselves to be dominated by our worries and controlled by our anxieties. Why do I worry about God's provision when I should have known that He does not grow weary of caring? Haven't I heard that He knows my needs and understands (better than I do) what I am going through?
One of the most precious assurances for our humanity is that Jesus has undergone every temptation and trial to which we are subject, so that He eternally understands. Who can begin to comprehend how deeply He discerns - since He knows our feelings both from a human perspective and from God's everlasting wisdom?
God's understanding is unsearchable, but we believe that it includes trustworthy purposes for us. God is never weary in faithfulness and well-doing.
It is time for you and me to know. Pay attention now, and let us hear. For God is the God of everlasting good.
Quoted from "To walk and not faint" by Marva J. Dawn
The Lord is the everlasting God,
the Creator of the ends of the earth.
He does not faint or grow weary,
his understanding is unsearchable.
Isaiah 40:28
Can anyone explain how God is eternal or imagine the impossible prospect and incredible possibility of our own everlasting existence in God's presence?
To better understand God's everlastingness, three pictures are given:
1) God is the Creator of the ends of the earth. He not only create all the earth and everything in it, but he also set its boundaries. This means that God created beyond what we know. Even though scientists have discovered an enormous amount of knowledge about the farthest parts of the cosmos, we still cannot fathom its limits, but we know that God is beyond those boundaries as their beginning and end. God's everlastingness means that all things are under His control. By His great might and powerful strength, nothing is missing, nothing escapes his notice. Surely our way cannot be hidden from the One who sees to the ends of the earth.
2)God does not become faint or grow weary. Not only did He create the world, but He continues to preserve it. Not only did He save us, but He continues to work in us to transform us into His likeness and to fulfill His purposes through us. Not only does He establish us, but He continues to care and to provide for us and to sustain us.
God works constantly, watching over everything, all at once, all the time - and He is not tired tomorrow. Nor does He go to sleep tonight. We can call on Him time and time and time again and all of us can call on Him at once, and He remains patient and forbearing, ready to receive and answer our cries. He never grows weary of helping the oppressed, the needy, the comfortless, the desolate.
3) God's understanding is unsearchable. No searching can penetrate His comprehension. Never will God be fully understood. We can only barely begin to imagine Him because His love encompasses us. Even though we cannot figure out why God behaves toward us as He does, we cannot attribute it to His being tired or powerless to to help. Rather, we must recognize that we cannot penetrate God's infinite wisdom. This gives us hope in our waiting. When God does not intervene as we wish, when things don't change as we hope, it is not because God is not able or does not will it. He has reasons infinitely beyond our understanding; many mysteries of God's are not yet unfolded. We do not comprehend why things happen the way they do but God knows, and we can trust that His character is to be just and gracious and righteous. We believe His understanding is right, truly in accordance with genuine reality, even though we cannot decipher it. Consequently, we are driven to a deeper love for His infinite care. Without growing weary of us, the Lord is everlastingly devoted to us.
I grow very weary in devotion. I cannot imagine that God never gets tired of me. My needs seem so important to me, but scrutinized against an eternal perspective, they're not so significant. Yet we allow ourselves to be dominated by our worries and controlled by our anxieties. Why do I worry about God's provision when I should have known that He does not grow weary of caring? Haven't I heard that He knows my needs and understands (better than I do) what I am going through?
One of the most precious assurances for our humanity is that Jesus has undergone every temptation and trial to which we are subject, so that He eternally understands. Who can begin to comprehend how deeply He discerns - since He knows our feelings both from a human perspective and from God's everlasting wisdom?
God's understanding is unsearchable, but we believe that it includes trustworthy purposes for us. God is never weary in faithfulness and well-doing.
It is time for you and me to know. Pay attention now, and let us hear. For God is the God of everlasting good.
Quoted from "To walk and not faint" by Marva J. Dawn
Friday, 11 January 2008
Friendship House
A group of close friends and I have started a Friendship house, a semi-D house which we are renting from a couple in the group at a very rate. The aim of the house is to provide housing and food for patients and their relatives at Sarawak General Hospital who are from other towns or cities in Borneo. Many of them are cancer patients who need very long-term treatment, often months at a time. The hospital is going through renovations presently causing the wards to be very cramped, both male and female patients share what used to be the male ward. Those who have spent time in the Friendship House are very appreciative of the provision of this place where they can have proper sleep, wash and hang their laundry properly, cook their meals and watch television when they are free.
We just started this project last month and we are still learning how to run this place well. The hard work of cleaning the place and furnishing it is done. We are trying to work out a system to make sure there is enough food for the occupants to cook with. Some stay for a few days, some for a much longer period of time. At one time, all four rooms were full and food was running out fast. Food will probably be the major expense in running this place. Most of those who come to stay here do not have the means to buy their own food. In the hospital, if there is remainder food after giving out to the patients, the parents who are looking after their sick children will receive a share as requested by their doctors. If there are no left-overs, they have to share their children's food or go hungry. In the past, when they run out of money completely, after a long stay, they asked for discharge from the hospital, to go home, even though the treatment is not yet completed. Hopefully, with this place to go to, the cancer patients can receive the full treatment and stand a better chance for a cure. May God bless this project in such a way that many will know of His love and goodness through what they receive in this Friendship House.
We just started this project last month and we are still learning how to run this place well. The hard work of cleaning the place and furnishing it is done. We are trying to work out a system to make sure there is enough food for the occupants to cook with. Some stay for a few days, some for a much longer period of time. At one time, all four rooms were full and food was running out fast. Food will probably be the major expense in running this place. Most of those who come to stay here do not have the means to buy their own food. In the hospital, if there is remainder food after giving out to the patients, the parents who are looking after their sick children will receive a share as requested by their doctors. If there are no left-overs, they have to share their children's food or go hungry. In the past, when they run out of money completely, after a long stay, they asked for discharge from the hospital, to go home, even though the treatment is not yet completed. Hopefully, with this place to go to, the cancer patients can receive the full treatment and stand a better chance for a cure. May God bless this project in such a way that many will know of His love and goodness through what they receive in this Friendship House.
Thursday, 10 January 2008
Everise, live up to your name!
Can you believe one of the leading chains of supermarket in Kuching kept a big group of shoppers waiting outside their entrance for more than 45 min while the staff had a briefing? Why is it called a briefing if it is not brief? Yesterday, a public holiday, 19th.Jan.2008, started badly for me because I went to Everise, BDC, where I usually shop, to get 2 packets of Vico as I had run out of it.I reached there at 9.45am and it was supposed to open at 9.30am. But I had to join a large crowd of shoppers in waiting for the guards to let us in. They said that the staff were having a briefing, so we waited. But by 10.15am, I was really mad that the "briefing" was still going on with no sign of coming to a close! I had waited 30min for nothing! Isn't it rude that the manager did not care that we were waiting so long outside. I peeked and could hear her rant on and on, while most of the staff were so bored and disinterested. I have never heard such a thing happening anywhere.
Yes, there have been long queues outside certain shops before they opened, so that those who queued up could be the first ones to buy certain special merchandise, eg Harry Porter's last book in the series. But those shops opened at the scheduled time, not a minute later.
And here we have a supermarket which opened more than 45 min later than its usual opening time without prior notice. I did not know exactly when it opened yesterday because I left at 10.15am, annoyed that so many of us had to waste our precious time waiting for nothing! There are so many other supermarkets to go to and if Everise is not keen to have my business, I will certainly go elsewhere, especially now that there are two big new malls which have just opened in Kuching, with many bargain buys.
I think the incident shows how inconsiderate some people can be. If that manager needs to talk to her staff for one hour, then meet them at 8.30 am so that the supermarket can open at 9.30 am as scheduled. Well, I have called the Everise head office to let them know of this and I hope there will not be a repeat of this incident.
Yes, there have been long queues outside certain shops before they opened, so that those who queued up could be the first ones to buy certain special merchandise, eg Harry Porter's last book in the series. But those shops opened at the scheduled time, not a minute later.
And here we have a supermarket which opened more than 45 min later than its usual opening time without prior notice. I did not know exactly when it opened yesterday because I left at 10.15am, annoyed that so many of us had to waste our precious time waiting for nothing! There are so many other supermarkets to go to and if Everise is not keen to have my business, I will certainly go elsewhere, especially now that there are two big new malls which have just opened in Kuching, with many bargain buys.
I think the incident shows how inconsiderate some people can be. If that manager needs to talk to her staff for one hour, then meet them at 8.30 am so that the supermarket can open at 9.30 am as scheduled. Well, I have called the Everise head office to let them know of this and I hope there will not be a repeat of this incident.
Thursday, 3 January 2008
21st.Dec.2007 found us, a group of 36 city folks, trudging through mud on our way to a fish farm. We were in Long Beluyu, on the highlands near Lawas, quite near Ba Kelalan.
My husband, my youngest son, my daughter and I have joined our good friend's family - his own family plus all his brothers and sisters and nephews and nieces - on a visit to his Lun Bawang roots. When we trudged through mud for 2-3 hours, we were told that my friend and his siblings used to walk like that for 3 days just to get to school. And they did it, starting at the tender age of 6 plus, without any adult supervision but under the guidance of older school-mates.
After the first 15 min of walking bare-foot through the very muddy path, I nearly gave up because I was never this dirty in my life before. My feet were sore from cuts and bruises and I really did not like the idea of stepping into a muddy puddle, not knowing what is at the bottom of it. Sometimes, there were sharp thorns or sharp pieces of wood. Sometimes it was simply so slippery that I fell on my bottoms and was covered with mud. Often we had to step on buffalo shit which we nicknamed "Hongkong Pau" because it was all over the place. When we finally reached the fish pond we were rewarded with freshly-cut sugar cane to quench our thirst. The view was beautiful - 2 big fish ponds and padi fields with their golden grains nearby. We had a lot of fun catching fish with nets - 2 pails of fresh water fish for our dinner that day. But we had to trudge through mud again on our way home. I was so glad to see the village again. The ordeal was over! The feeling of great satisfaction that I was able to complete that journey was wonderful! It goes to show that often we are capable of doing much more than we think we can! Let us not be limited by what we think we can do. Let us look for opportunities to test our limits - physical, mental, spiritual - to try to go beyond what we know we can do!
My husband, my youngest son, my daughter and I have joined our good friend's family - his own family plus all his brothers and sisters and nephews and nieces - on a visit to his Lun Bawang roots. When we trudged through mud for 2-3 hours, we were told that my friend and his siblings used to walk like that for 3 days just to get to school. And they did it, starting at the tender age of 6 plus, without any adult supervision but under the guidance of older school-mates.
After the first 15 min of walking bare-foot through the very muddy path, I nearly gave up because I was never this dirty in my life before. My feet were sore from cuts and bruises and I really did not like the idea of stepping into a muddy puddle, not knowing what is at the bottom of it. Sometimes, there were sharp thorns or sharp pieces of wood. Sometimes it was simply so slippery that I fell on my bottoms and was covered with mud. Often we had to step on buffalo shit which we nicknamed "Hongkong Pau" because it was all over the place. When we finally reached the fish pond we were rewarded with freshly-cut sugar cane to quench our thirst. The view was beautiful - 2 big fish ponds and padi fields with their golden grains nearby. We had a lot of fun catching fish with nets - 2 pails of fresh water fish for our dinner that day. But we had to trudge through mud again on our way home. I was so glad to see the village again. The ordeal was over! The feeling of great satisfaction that I was able to complete that journey was wonderful! It goes to show that often we are capable of doing much more than we think we can! Let us not be limited by what we think we can do. Let us look for opportunities to test our limits - physical, mental, spiritual - to try to go beyond what we know we can do!
Wednesday, 2 January 2008
Hello there! I can't believe I have blogged only once last month! Well my children were hogging the computers during their holidays and we were traveling quite a bit. Anyway, it is good to be back and I hope to discipline myself to blog everyday.
Happy New Year! 2008 is here! What great opportunity to start anew and get things right! Below is part of the lyrics of a song I love:
May the Good Lord bless and keep you,
Whether near or far away;
May you find that long awaited golden day today.
May your troubles all be small ones,
And your fortunes ten times ten,
May you walk with sunlight shining
And a blue bird in every tree;
May there be a silver lining
Back at every cloud you see;
Fill your dreams with sweet tomorrows,
Never mind what might have been;
May the Good Lord bless and keep you
Till we meet again!
I had a most lovely double celebration of the New Year and the 21st. wedding anniversary of my husband and I. We welcomed the New Year with a big group of friends . There were more than 50 of us and it was great fun to enjoy a very good dinner and singing and watching an encouraging video together. Later yesterday morning my husband and I drove to Damai Puri Resort and Spa in Santubong, about 45 min from Kuching. That place used to be the Holiday Inn Damai Lagoon Resort but it was bought over by the Sutra Harbour group. It is still under renovations, but half of the rooms had been beautifully renovated and there was a new family pool with water slides and fountains. The only problem was that the water was so shallow that my husband scrapped his fingers while we were swimming in the pool. But we had a very good time relaxing at the beach, watching the breaking of the strong waves as they reach the beach. The weather was cool and the breeze was refreshing. We chatted and simply enjoyed each other's company. It is good to steal away from everyone and everything else once in a while and just enjoy the presence of the one you love. This is a ritual we have been keeping for the last 21 years. Every 1st.January will find us celebrating our love in a hotel somewhere, usually on a beach, my favorite holiday venue. God is so good to us and we continue to trust Him to keep us strongly bonded together in Him.
As we drove home today, we decided to make just one new year resolution. We will commit ourselves to having at least 2 family devotional times every week. Every Monday night and Thursday night, immediately after dinner, we shall read the Bible and pray together with the two children who are still home with us. We must not neglect the nurturing of our spiritual lives as a family. So much time and effort is spent on academics and badminton that it is easy to forgo family devotions but we must do our utmost to keep growing spiritually as a family that trust in Almighty God. May God help us!
Happy New Year! 2008 is here! What great opportunity to start anew and get things right! Below is part of the lyrics of a song I love:
May the Good Lord bless and keep you,
Whether near or far away;
May you find that long awaited golden day today.
May your troubles all be small ones,
And your fortunes ten times ten,
May you walk with sunlight shining
And a blue bird in every tree;
May there be a silver lining
Back at every cloud you see;
Fill your dreams with sweet tomorrows,
Never mind what might have been;
May the Good Lord bless and keep you
Till we meet again!
I had a most lovely double celebration of the New Year and the 21st. wedding anniversary of my husband and I. We welcomed the New Year with a big group of friends . There were more than 50 of us and it was great fun to enjoy a very good dinner and singing and watching an encouraging video together. Later yesterday morning my husband and I drove to Damai Puri Resort and Spa in Santubong, about 45 min from Kuching. That place used to be the Holiday Inn Damai Lagoon Resort but it was bought over by the Sutra Harbour group. It is still under renovations, but half of the rooms had been beautifully renovated and there was a new family pool with water slides and fountains. The only problem was that the water was so shallow that my husband scrapped his fingers while we were swimming in the pool. But we had a very good time relaxing at the beach, watching the breaking of the strong waves as they reach the beach. The weather was cool and the breeze was refreshing. We chatted and simply enjoyed each other's company. It is good to steal away from everyone and everything else once in a while and just enjoy the presence of the one you love. This is a ritual we have been keeping for the last 21 years. Every 1st.January will find us celebrating our love in a hotel somewhere, usually on a beach, my favorite holiday venue. God is so good to us and we continue to trust Him to keep us strongly bonded together in Him.
As we drove home today, we decided to make just one new year resolution. We will commit ourselves to having at least 2 family devotional times every week. Every Monday night and Thursday night, immediately after dinner, we shall read the Bible and pray together with the two children who are still home with us. We must not neglect the nurturing of our spiritual lives as a family. So much time and effort is spent on academics and badminton that it is easy to forgo family devotions but we must do our utmost to keep growing spiritually as a family that trust in Almighty God. May God help us!
Thursday, 6 December 2007
Mission trip to Pontianak
I just came home from a mission trip to Pontianak. We spend more than half of our waking hours on the bus, traveling through roads with many pot-holes. But it was worth all the efforts because we experience what it was like for God to use ordinary people like us to touch lives with His love.
We had several evangelistic meetings where we shared about God's love and salvation plans through skids, puppet shows and messages. On Saturday, from 8am -4pm we ran a clinic with 2 doctors and many others assisting in registering the patients, measuring their blood pressure, giving them medicines and praying for them that God will heal them. It was an awesome time. About 250 people came to the clinic and they were so grateful to receive free medical treatment. Most of them cannot afford to pay to see a doctor in Indonesia, even at the government hospital. Many have illnesses such as uncontrolled high blood pressure and no one has helped them to understand that they must be on continuous medication to keep it under control. They keep wondering why they are not healed after a course of medication. Our doctors tried their best to explain all this to them and I believe they understand better now and hopefully they will keep on taking their medication.
Many among the patients are malnourished and they were so happy to receive the free vitamins we gave them. We also gave deworming medicine to every child that came to us. We were so glad when we heard that many non-believers were willing to be prayed for by the leaders of the church where we set up clinic. A number of them received Christ as their Saviour and came to the worship service the next day! Glory be to God! It is wonderful to have this partnership with each other and with God for the extension of His Kingdom here on earth!
Our visit to the orphanage was also very fruitful. All 24 orphans there prayed to receive Christ as their Saviour! We gave them Christmas gifts and soft toys and it was so good to see their faces light up when they receive them. We also left a lot of medicines for the the local doctor(who is a member of their church)to prescribe to them whenever necessary. It was so touching when they sang us songs about how their lives have been transformed since they came to the orphanage - how worthless they felt before and how they now know that they are precious in God's sight and they are filled with much joy!
We had several evangelistic meetings where we shared about God's love and salvation plans through skids, puppet shows and messages. On Saturday, from 8am -4pm we ran a clinic with 2 doctors and many others assisting in registering the patients, measuring their blood pressure, giving them medicines and praying for them that God will heal them. It was an awesome time. About 250 people came to the clinic and they were so grateful to receive free medical treatment. Most of them cannot afford to pay to see a doctor in Indonesia, even at the government hospital. Many have illnesses such as uncontrolled high blood pressure and no one has helped them to understand that they must be on continuous medication to keep it under control. They keep wondering why they are not healed after a course of medication. Our doctors tried their best to explain all this to them and I believe they understand better now and hopefully they will keep on taking their medication.
Many among the patients are malnourished and they were so happy to receive the free vitamins we gave them. We also gave deworming medicine to every child that came to us. We were so glad when we heard that many non-believers were willing to be prayed for by the leaders of the church where we set up clinic. A number of them received Christ as their Saviour and came to the worship service the next day! Glory be to God! It is wonderful to have this partnership with each other and with God for the extension of His Kingdom here on earth!
Our visit to the orphanage was also very fruitful. All 24 orphans there prayed to receive Christ as their Saviour! We gave them Christmas gifts and soft toys and it was so good to see their faces light up when they receive them. We also left a lot of medicines for the the local doctor(who is a member of their church)to prescribe to them whenever necessary. It was so touching when they sang us songs about how their lives have been transformed since they came to the orphanage - how worthless they felt before and how they now know that they are precious in God's sight and they are filled with much joy!
Wednesday, 21 November 2007
Freedom
When you have to brake your car at a red light, you may think that the traffic lights are restricting your driving. In actual fact, it is placed there at dangerous junctions to keep you from dangers so that you can truly enjoy the freedom of enjoying your drive along the highway.
The Christian life is much like that. Some people think that there are too many do's and don'ts in the Bible. In reality, God gives us those instructions so that if we follow them, we will be free to enjoy living the abundant life He gives us as His children. It was for freedom that Christ has set us free (Gal.5:1).He has set us free from sin, Satan, the world and death.
The Christian life is much like that. Some people think that there are too many do's and don'ts in the Bible. In reality, God gives us those instructions so that if we follow them, we will be free to enjoy living the abundant life He gives us as His children. It was for freedom that Christ has set us free (Gal.5:1).He has set us free from sin, Satan, the world and death.
Wednesday, 14 November 2007
Singing whilst in trouble?
How many of us will even think of singing in times of trouble? Others may very well think we are crazy if we do so. But in Psalm 108, David was in great trouble, being surrounded by enemies and he chose to sing praises to God, instead of complaining or dwelling in fears. He used songs and musical instruments to lift up his faith in God. He focused on the great love of God and His faithfulness. David sang of God's promises of deliverance to those He loved and was lifted up, out of doubts and fears, to trust God to give him victory.
We can tell our hearts to be steadfast, like David did (v.1). We can determine within our hearts that God is worthy of praise and so praise Him whether we feel like it or not. Our knowledge of God's goodness can help us to overcome our negative emotions. They will fall in line if we focus on the Lord, not ourselves nor our circumstances. The more we speak of God's goodness as a reality, the more easily we shall trust Him and we shall begin to see signs of his goodness again in our lives. Glory be to God!
We can tell our hearts to be steadfast, like David did (v.1). We can determine within our hearts that God is worthy of praise and so praise Him whether we feel like it or not. Our knowledge of God's goodness can help us to overcome our negative emotions. They will fall in line if we focus on the Lord, not ourselves nor our circumstances. The more we speak of God's goodness as a reality, the more easily we shall trust Him and we shall begin to see signs of his goodness again in our lives. Glory be to God!
Encouragement
Dante Gabriel Rossetti, the famous 19th-century poet and artist, was once approached by an elderly man. The old fellow had some sketches and drawings that he wanted Rossetti to look at and tell him if they were any good, or if they at least showed potential talent.
Rossetti looked them over carefully. After the first few, he knew that they were worthless, showing not the least sign of artistic talent. But Roseestti was a kind man, and he told the elderly man as gently as possible that the pictures were without much value and showed little talent. He was sorry, but he could not lie to the man.
The visitor was disappointed, but seeemed to expect Rossetti's judgement. He then apologized for taking up Rossetti's time, but would he just look at a few more drawings- these done by a young art student?
Rossetti looked over the second batch of sketches and immediately became enthusiastic over the talent they revealed. "These," he said, "oh, these are good. This young student has great talent. He should be given every help and encouragement in his career as an artist. He has a great future if he will work hard and stick to it."
Rossetti could see that the old fellow was deeply moved. "Who is this fine young artist?" he asked. "Your son?"
"No," said the old man sadly."It is me- 40 years ago. If only I had heard your praise then! For you see, I got discouraged and gave up- too soon."
Quoted from Brian Cavanaugh's The Sower's Seeds
Rossetti looked them over carefully. After the first few, he knew that they were worthless, showing not the least sign of artistic talent. But Roseestti was a kind man, and he told the elderly man as gently as possible that the pictures were without much value and showed little talent. He was sorry, but he could not lie to the man.
The visitor was disappointed, but seeemed to expect Rossetti's judgement. He then apologized for taking up Rossetti's time, but would he just look at a few more drawings- these done by a young art student?
Rossetti looked over the second batch of sketches and immediately became enthusiastic over the talent they revealed. "These," he said, "oh, these are good. This young student has great talent. He should be given every help and encouragement in his career as an artist. He has a great future if he will work hard and stick to it."
Rossetti could see that the old fellow was deeply moved. "Who is this fine young artist?" he asked. "Your son?"
"No," said the old man sadly."It is me- 40 years ago. If only I had heard your praise then! For you see, I got discouraged and gave up- too soon."
Quoted from Brian Cavanaugh's The Sower's Seeds
Monday, 12 November 2007
Refusing medical treatment
There is this old man admitted at the Sarawak General Hospital with cancer in his shoulder bones, which has spread to his lungs. He been staying there for the past two weeks and after the various tests, the doctors are in the process of deciding whether to amputate his arm and/or give him chemotherapy. But he is very sure he does not want to have his arm amputated and has decided to leave the hospital without anymore treatment.
I think the old man is wise in choosing to live the last days of his life in his own home where he is most comfortable and where he can be with his family and friends, instead of the hospital which is quite far away from his home. After all, the cancer has spread and there is nothing much that medicine can do to prolong his life significantly. Why should he spend any more of his precious time left, going through a major operation and being ill from the chemotherapy, which may weaken him and prevent him from enjoying the last days of his life? I am glad that he has determined to go home against medical advice. I just hope that he will not have to suffer too much pain during the last days of his life. May he take comfort in the company of his loved ones and may he find peace with God!
I think the old man is wise in choosing to live the last days of his life in his own home where he is most comfortable and where he can be with his family and friends, instead of the hospital which is quite far away from his home. After all, the cancer has spread and there is nothing much that medicine can do to prolong his life significantly. Why should he spend any more of his precious time left, going through a major operation and being ill from the chemotherapy, which may weaken him and prevent him from enjoying the last days of his life? I am glad that he has determined to go home against medical advice. I just hope that he will not have to suffer too much pain during the last days of his life. May he take comfort in the company of his loved ones and may he find peace with God!
Thursday, 8 November 2007
Enjoy Life!
God has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the hearts of men; yet they cannot fathom what God has done from beginning to end. I know that there is nothing better for men than to be happy and do good while they live. That everyone may eat and drink and find satisfaction in all his toil - this is the gift of God. Ecclesiastes 3:10-13
When we are going through tough times, it is hard to see any beauty in it. But often in hind-sight, we can appreciate the beauty God wants to bring out of it. God is All-powerful and we must believe He can bring good out of every situation as He has promised in Romans 8:28. May God open our eyes to see the good that He is working out in our lives so that we can always be thankful to Him. There is life beyond the grave and even those who claim that there is no God, have fears in their hearts during their dying moments, knowing deep within themselves that they are going to meet their Maker. Indeed there are many things in life which we do not understand but we can always choose to trust in the goodness and wisdom of God. So,let us enjoy all the things God has given us - food and drinks and job - and be satisfied!!!
When we are going through tough times, it is hard to see any beauty in it. But often in hind-sight, we can appreciate the beauty God wants to bring out of it. God is All-powerful and we must believe He can bring good out of every situation as He has promised in Romans 8:28. May God open our eyes to see the good that He is working out in our lives so that we can always be thankful to Him. There is life beyond the grave and even those who claim that there is no God, have fears in their hearts during their dying moments, knowing deep within themselves that they are going to meet their Maker. Indeed there are many things in life which we do not understand but we can always choose to trust in the goodness and wisdom of God. So,let us enjoy all the things God has given us - food and drinks and job - and be satisfied!!!
Wednesday, 7 November 2007
O the brevity of life!
Someone once said that if one is diagnosed with cancer, it is like one is given a death sentence. Is it true? There is the worry that after going through the whole regiment of medical treatment, the cancer cells may be lurking somewhere in the body, waiting to strike you again, just when you think the worst if over.
But I have been thinking about this and this thought keeps recurring in my mind. All of us, even those of us who are healthy, do not know if we will still be alive tomorrow. Any accident can occur any time and at any place and one's life on earth is over and one has to meet His Maker, whether one is ready or not.
Ecclesiastes 12:6,7 says : Remember God - before the silver cord is severed or the golden bowl is broken; before the pitcher is shattered at the spring, or the wheel broken at the well and the dust returns to the ground it came from and the spirit returns to God who gave it.
This passage has a special place in my heart. A few years ago, I was talking to a 80-year old Indian man at a dinner function and he told me that his prayer to God in his old age is that God will not mind if he forgets about God and just leisurely pursue some hobbies. That night, God turned my attention to the above passage and I was struck by God's answer to what that man said. God says,"No, you shall not forget about me in your old age. In fact, as your life winds down, you must REMEMBER ME because you are going to return to me." I wrote out this passage and gave it to that old gentleman the next morning and he was so awed by God's answer.
A close friend of mine has been diagnosed with breast cancer a few months ago and has gone through a mastectomy to remove the affected breast. Then she was given chemotherapy. Two days later, she suddenly felt dizzy and became unconscious. An ambulance was called to take her to the hospital. The doctors said that she had a very rare reaction to one of the drugs given in the chemotherapy. After 20 hours, she regained consciousness and she is ever so thankful to God for giving her a second chance to live. I just spoke to her on the phone and she told me that we must appreciate that we are alive today. She has discovered that focusing on the fact that her life is in God's hand helps her to cope with her fears, anxieties and depression. Here is a fine example of a dear sister choosing to trust God with her life and refusing to be overwhelmed with fears and depression during this time of sickness. She has decided to be thankful to God for the life she now has and is glad that God has strenghtened her to be able to serve her family again.
Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might, for in the grave, where you are going, there is neither working nor planning nor knowledge nor wisdom.Ecclesiastes 9:10
But I have been thinking about this and this thought keeps recurring in my mind. All of us, even those of us who are healthy, do not know if we will still be alive tomorrow. Any accident can occur any time and at any place and one's life on earth is over and one has to meet His Maker, whether one is ready or not.
Ecclesiastes 12:6,7 says : Remember God - before the silver cord is severed or the golden bowl is broken; before the pitcher is shattered at the spring, or the wheel broken at the well and the dust returns to the ground it came from and the spirit returns to God who gave it.
This passage has a special place in my heart. A few years ago, I was talking to a 80-year old Indian man at a dinner function and he told me that his prayer to God in his old age is that God will not mind if he forgets about God and just leisurely pursue some hobbies. That night, God turned my attention to the above passage and I was struck by God's answer to what that man said. God says,"No, you shall not forget about me in your old age. In fact, as your life winds down, you must REMEMBER ME because you are going to return to me." I wrote out this passage and gave it to that old gentleman the next morning and he was so awed by God's answer.
A close friend of mine has been diagnosed with breast cancer a few months ago and has gone through a mastectomy to remove the affected breast. Then she was given chemotherapy. Two days later, she suddenly felt dizzy and became unconscious. An ambulance was called to take her to the hospital. The doctors said that she had a very rare reaction to one of the drugs given in the chemotherapy. After 20 hours, she regained consciousness and she is ever so thankful to God for giving her a second chance to live. I just spoke to her on the phone and she told me that we must appreciate that we are alive today. She has discovered that focusing on the fact that her life is in God's hand helps her to cope with her fears, anxieties and depression. Here is a fine example of a dear sister choosing to trust God with her life and refusing to be overwhelmed with fears and depression during this time of sickness. She has decided to be thankful to God for the life she now has and is glad that God has strenghtened her to be able to serve her family again.
Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might, for in the grave, where you are going, there is neither working nor planning nor knowledge nor wisdom.Ecclesiastes 9:10
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