Big Jons Blog

Asia Conference

2010-05-29T10:49:00.001+08:00

I learned from the most influential man in South Korea Dr. Cho Yesterday about what the Gospel is...

Heard the famous Reinhard Bonnke with his disciple Daniel Kolanda teaching about plundering hell and populating heaven!... They are probably the most influential people in the whole of Africa in this day!

and I captured the spirit from Pr. Kong about the importance of youth ministry yesterday night. I've learnt that love is the key motivator in EVERYTHING that you do!

Thank you God for this opportunity! Reinhard Bonnke again tonight! Can't wait! :D

Honoring your Pastors

2010-02-23T23:56:00.001+08:00

Just thought of sharing with you one story which I have learnt from John Bevere's books which I have read in the past.

As i shared with you before, John Bevere's book Under Cover is the 2nd Christian book i ever completed reading and it has changed my life tremendously. Inside the book there is a chapter whom a pastor (priest) treats a church member unfairly. The church member instead continued to honor her pastor, and her reward was tremendous!

This story is found in 1st Samuel:

In the days when the judges ruled, there was a woman called Hannah. She was married to Elkanah who had taken a second wife named Peninnah. Hannah was miserable because Peninnah taunted her everyday due to her barrenness. However, her husband Elkanah loved her very much, but Peninnah filled Elkanah's houshold with lots of children. So every year, Elkanah's household would travel to a place called Shiloh to worship God. And every year when they travel to Shiloh Peninnah would make fun of Hannah due to her barrenness until she wept. Hannah would cry and even her husband could not comfort her.

So one day in Shiloh, Hannah went to cry in the temple and made a vow to God. She told God: "Dear GOD, Please give me a child! If you give me a child, then I will give him back to you all the days of his life!"

And when she prayed, Eli the pastor(priest) of the temple and also as a judge of Israel came and murmured to himself: "I see her lips moving and there isn't any sound. This girl must be drinking and is now drunk". So he told Hannah: "Must you come here drunk? Throw away your wine!" (1 Sam 1:13-14)

Wow, what an insult! Not only was this pastor insensitive, he was also spiritually numb! Hannah came to cry before the LORD of Israel, only to be judged by an insensitive pastor thinking that she is drunk! How would you have responded if your pastor had accused you of doing evil at the moment of your greatest pain? Perhaps you would have thought: "Is this guy even a pastor? Worse still... he is the senior pastor? Doesn't he know that i'm fasting and crying out to God? what an insensitive, unspiritual jerk! I will NEVER step into his church ever again! You call yourself a man of God and can't recognize someone in pain! can't you recognize someone in deep prayer? What kind of pastor are you? What kind of church is THIS!!!!!!!!!! I'm going to find another church with a pastor who is sensitive to me and the things of GOD!"

However as we continue to read 1 Sam, Hannah's response was totally the opposite! "Oh no sir" she replied, "I'm not drunk! But i am very sad, and I was pouring out my heart to the LORD. Please don't think that i am a wicked woman! For I have been praying out of anguish and sorrow." (vv15 - 16). Hannah responded in respect and honor. Hannah honored the position of authority on her life. She went as far to assure her pastor that she was not wicked.

Eli was a very judgemental pastor, but for Hannah, her focus was not on Eli's behavior but on her own. Hannah was someone who truly feared the Lord. If anything was wrong with the leader, God will deal with it. This true submission and Hannah's humility was the turning point in that story. This is how Eli answered Hannah.

"In that case, cheer up! May the God of Israel grant the request you have asked of him" "oh thank you!" Hannah replied. Then she went back and began to eat again, and she was no longer sad. Hannah honored Eli as a man of God and even thanked him for his word of blessing. And the happy ending of the story comes... as Hannah went home, she slept with Elkanah and in due time she gave birth to a son!

God used an insensitive pastor to release the words to bring forth the conception of a promise. A closed womb was opened, and life came out of darkness. The following year Hannah held little Samuel in her hand, and Samuel would become a man who brought a great revival to the nation of Israel.

So thus, the amazing principal: when God places His authority on a person, no matter his private or personal behavior, we may still receive if we look beyond it and honor him as sent from God.Hannah understood the fear of the LORD and obtained a reward by honoring the authority placed before her. Jesus later confirmed this principal in John 13:20. It says "most assuredly I say to you, he who receives whomever I send receives me"

So then, honor your spiritual leaders. for all authority comes from God(Romans 13). Rebelling against the authorities placed above you is equivalent to rebelling against God Himself!

Blogging again?

2010-01-30T01:21:00.002+08:00

It has been almost half a year since my last post. However, I just feel like writing something today.

Today has been a good day. Was focusing alot of my companies ISO 9001 training programe. It seemed very good for product quality, customer satisfaction etc... It'll be a very valuable experience in whatever i plan to do in the future :)

Anyways, I'm currently in Singapore, and the soft gentle breeze is blowing through the windows, softy brushing across me. From where I am, I see the street lamps shining against the HDB walls, and also the moonlight providing light in this dark night.

I think I miss Esther... I've never blogged about her before, and yes. I plan to blog about her. I plan to blog about our life, and also our future wherever God calls us to.

I read a quote from a friends blog. It says "Missing someone isn't about how long it has been since you've seen them or the amount of time since you've talked. Its about that very moment when you're doing something and wishing they were right there with you." -- How true is that...

FCS2 @ Rianna Green

2009-06-01T13:45:00.007+08:00

Last Sat, we had our FCS 2 @ Rianna Green Condo...

Overall, it was very funny FCS... many funny things happened there. I did enjoy myself alot!

The menu was also very good. Sereena's mum makes VERY AWESOME KEBABS!!! Thank you Aunty Lian See!

Just look at this:

Juicy and yummy Kebabs! The juicy tenderness of the meat was realli well done!

The BEFORE...

And The AFTER....

While I was cooking, Marie took this random shot which i really liked! Marie, you are very telented!

And after eating, we did some cam-whoring :P (sounds weird when i used that word)

Look at Sara's face! :D cutee!

If only a mosquito could fly into that big mouth! (Yum yum...)

My first try on cam whoring :P

Liyen's friend Chyna and Liyen's BOYFRIEND

Junwei is soooooo Tall!

Hannah's BOYFRIEND! They look so sweet :)...

(Hannah says he isn't her bf)

Hannah and her friends from BU4! All really nice ppl. And that Andrea... still as lame as ever :P

Haha... I can't remember why i was looking at Hannah like that... I think she said something about me that i didn't like :P

And lastly... Amanda, Michelle and Eelaine TRIED to push me into the pool! HAHA... Luckily i was smart enough to hold on to them... so if they were successful in pushing me into the pool, they themselves will get wet too! ;)

Overall... It was a fun and tiring night. We could have done better though... But well, this is the first time we have done a BBQ like this.

THANK YOU MICHELLE AND TARA FOR HELPING ME WITH THE PLANNING. You guys are DA BEST!

A (H1N1) Swine Flu

2009-05-30T12:20:00.006+08:00

Recently... there has been alot of talk on the H1N1 Virus...

I tried to do some research... and i found an ASTONISHING TRUTH about that VIRUS

According to many lab reports in America, this virus all started when... ...

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Haha... I just wasted 1 minute of your life!! :P

Was just bored at work... and wanted to post something as I haven't posted in a while :D

A big day for the W2, & W3 girls :)

2009-05-24T21:57:00.004+08:00

This weekend just FLEW PAST....

Haha, there was a baptism this week in church. A total of 13 of my cg members got baptized on Saturday.

Here are the befores :P

Looks like they are wearing a uniform huh? :P

Lol Ryan was the only one not getting baptized in there

Lol... Reena's sexy leg :P

And this is the after...Kindof blur shot though :(

Then after I went for dinner with Daniel, and two beautiful princesses :P

And the next day with my key leaders from the cg ;)

And well... pfft... thinking of work tomorrow now... haha, I like my job, but i wonder why i dread going to work just thinking about it on Sunday nights :/

Interesting Signages

2009-05-16T08:58:00.004+08:00

I was in Ipoh recently, and i saw this sign on top of some cookies which i thought was very interesting...

The Cookies realli realli looks expensive huh?

Haha... Anyway, below are some funny signs spotted around the world...

Spotted in a toilet of a London office:

TOILET OUT OF ORDER. PLEASE USE FLOOR BELOW.

In a London Laundromat:

AUTOMATIC WASHING MACHINES:

PLEASE REMOVE ALL YOUR CLOTHES WHEN THE LIGHT GOES OUT

Outside a London second-hand shop:

WE EXCHANGE ANYTHING - BICYCLES, WASHING MACHINES, ETC.

WHY NOT BRING YOUR WIFE ALONG AND GET A WONDERFUL BARGAIN?

Spotted in a safari park:

ELEPHANTS PLEASE STAY IN YOUR CAR

Seen during a London conference:

FOR ANYONE WHO HAS CHILDREN AND DOESN’T KNOW IT,

THERE IS A DAY CARE ON THE 1ST FLOOR

Notice in a field:

THE FARMER ALLOWS WALKERS TO CROSS THE FIELD FOR FREE,

BUT THE BULL CHARGES

On a repair shop door:

WE CAN REPAIR ANYTHING

(PLEASE KNOCK HARD ON THE DOOR,

THE BELL DOESN’T WORK)

People in other countries sometimes go out of their way to communicate with their English-speaking tourists. Here is a list of signs seen around the world :

At a Budapest zoo:

PLEASE DO NOT FEED THE ANIMALS.

IF YOU HAVE ANY SUITABLE FOOD,

GIVE IT TO THE GUARD ON DUTY.

Doctors clinic, Rome :

SPECIALIST IN WOMEN AND OTHER DISEASES.

Hotel, Acapulco :

THE MANAGER HAS PERSONALLY

PASSED ALL THE WATER

SERVED HERE.

In a Nairobi restaurant:

CUSTOMERS WHO FIND OUR

WAITRESSES RUDE SHOULD WAIT

AND SEE THE MANAGER.

In a City restaurant:

OPEN SEVEN DAYS A WEEK,

AND WEEKENDS TOO.

In a Calcutta Coffee House:

PEOPLE DISCARDING CIGARETTE

STUBS IN CUPS WILL BE SERVED

COFFEE IN ASH TRAYS

710???

2009-05-15T10:40:00.003+08:00

This story is from a friend....

it goes,

Yesterday I was having some work done at the workshop. A woman came in and asked for a 'seven-hundred- ten'.

We all looked at each other, and the mechanic asked, "What is a seven-hundred- ten?"

She replied, "You know, the little piece in the middle of the engine. I lost it and need a new one. It had always been there."

The mechanic gave the woman a piece of paper and a pen and asked her to draw what the piece looked like. She drew a circle and in the middle of it wrote 710 !!

He then took her over to another car which had the hood up and asked, "Is there a 710 on this car?"

She pointed and said, "Of course, it's right there."

Now go to the photo below to learn what a 710 is..........

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... go on… scroll down some more ;)
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BigjonThe EVANGELIST

2009-05-09T22:18:00.003+08:00

Haha, I just did a test on facebook... Which five fold ministry do you belong to.

The result was...

EVANGELIST!!

I wonder if that is what I will do in the future

*in deep thought*

2 Timothy 4:5 (21KJV) But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill thy ministry. Revelation 20:4 (NLT) Then I saw thrones, and the people sitting on them had been given the authority to judge. And I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for their testimony about Jesus and for proclaiming the word of God. They had not worshiped the beast or his statue, nor accepted his mark on their forehead or their hands. They all came to life again, and they reigned with Christ for a thousand years..

2009-05-06T22:11:00.002+08:00

I watched this movie... it is pretty awesome. Haven't watched movies like this in a while.

This moive is about a mum who's child when missing. And when the police managed to find him, he wasn't the boy the mum knew. He was a different person.

The mum knew the boy was not her child. But yet, everyone around wasn't conviced. Finally the mum manages to prove that the boy isn't her son after a long struggle with the Police.

This is probably one of the best Angelina Jolie movies i've seen in a while. Definitely recommended.

I rate this: 8.5/ 10

Forgetful me!

2009-05-05T22:11:00.002+08:00

Hhaha... guess what, I totally forgot about Leaders meeting tonight!

I got a sms from pstr foo asking me to join in the ZLs for a meeting tonight. I read the sms around 8.15pm (leaders meeting started at 8) and I replied: "Hi sry, just read your message. Was busy with work, I guess its too late to come now."

So then i took my own sweet time, went for my workout in the gym... went for dinner, and took my time to go home.

When I reached home, I called Zhiwei, asking him to help me out with street ministry worship this coming June. And he told me: "eh bigjon, I'm right now in leaders meeting." I was like getting slapped hard on the face! Haha.... totally forgot about leaders meeting tonight.

This the first time I forgot to come... hope there won't be any more.

My mums birthday surprise!

2009-05-03T20:54:00.005+08:00

My mum with her presents. A collage photo and also a 8GB ipod nano!

Haha cool huh? a 59 year old mum using an ipod nano! :P

Anyway, the surprise didn't really go as planned. Many errors made this time.

but oh well, she turned out realli blur and did not realize that so many errors in organizing the surprise for her heheh!

I hope she's happy :)

I made a collage for her using picasa. and it turned out quite well!! :D

Here are some pics i took last weekend.

My mums birthday Collage

Me and the guy cousins :)

The birthday cake

My sisters neighbours. A family from india!

My mum coming out from the toilet, and we're singing her birthday song for her! haha...

My nephew Emmanuel. Look at the contrast between his skin color and my dads! Huge difference!

Vegetables are good for HEALTH

2009-04-29T23:14:00.003+08:00

Eat more VEGETABLEs... Its good for health!

- Thats what my mum frequently told me when i was younger.

She would take a HUGE scoop of vege and place it on my plate.

My face would scorn...

This is another post dedicated to my mum. The most important woman in my life (currently lah... :P)

FISH AND CHIPS!!!

2009-04-28T23:50:00.004+08:00

I was searching through my old pics....

And I found this pic! Classic Fish and chips....

Yum Yum :)

Oh ya... thats my beloved mum enjoying the meal btw :P

And i think... this is in Israel

Yesus Kekuatanku

2009-04-26T23:52:00.003+08:00

Its been a long time since i posted something....

I've been hearing this song non-stop today. Listen to it.... It will really bless you.

YESUS KEKUATAN
Song by Steve Tabalujan
Lyrics by Sari Simorangkir
Music Arrangement by Ucok Radjagukguk

HANYA ENGKAU JURUS'LAMATKU
TUHAN KAU SETIA PADAKU
YANG KUPEGANG HANYA JANJI-MU
KUPERCAYAKAN HIDUPKU

REFF :
KUSEMBAH KAU ALLAHKU
BAPA DAN SAHABATKU
KAU YANG PEDULIKAN S'LURUH HIDUPKU
WALAU LEWATI LEMBAH
AKU TAK DITINGGALKAN
YESUS KEKUATAN DI HIDUPKU

HANYA ENGKAU JURUS'LAMATKU
TUHAN KAU SETIA PADAKU
KUYAKINI PERTOLONGAN-MU
TAK KAN TERLAMBAT BAGIKU

One of the happiest moments of my life

2009-04-09T21:23:00.005+08:00

The smile on my face describes it all =) =) =)

The team that i treasure most, From left clockwise: Jeff (Paraguay), Oojoo (Mongolia), Abraham Jung (S.Korea), Caleb Ebb (Canada), Yours truly, Katharina Blau (Germany). Katharina, if you read this, i want you to know that you thought me alot about life, and i respect you for guiding me through all the though times. =)

My official deck team, From left: Deepak (India), Daniel Rutchman (Swiss) <- He said he would be a missionary to Malaysia and i'm still waiting for that day to happen :P, Samuel Schulhz (Germany) <- My team leader, Me, Thomas Fernandez (Mexico), David Livingstone (Indonesia), and Jamsheed (Tajikistan) . We are right now scatered all over the world. We'll meet again in heaven some day i hope :)

My first E-day in Cambodia! Me in my traditional Batik... I can't compare to Indonesia's David. His suit seems more melayu than me hehe...

The WACKIEST Malaysians ever! From left: The exciting Karen Goh, The crazy Aihwa, Weird D-way (Funny name huh?), Yours truly, Mr. Lengchai Lionel Tan (at least he thinks so :P, and the sweet Aunty sweechoo

My best friend of board the ship, Niek-Jan Schouten, Netherlands. He is an awesome friend. Funniest guy ever! :D (another guy is Bram Zwart, can't find his pic, i wonder why...)

Lol, thats my job under the water tanks of the ship, scraping rust, and repainting them with epoxy... I MISS THAT JOB!

LOOK AT THOSE FEET!!!

2009-03-31T01:12:00.003+08:00

Ever thought of how Sereena and Amanda's feet look like? Check out this video.

I also got Donovan dancing. He's really a nice boy. The way he talks seems quite mature, but packed with lots of cuteness within ;)

YBMW PICS

2009-03-29T22:31:00.008+08:00

Hey, I uploaded the pics for YBMEW,

YBMEW

Mar 27, 2009
by Jonathan

View Album
Play slideshow

If you are having problems viewing this email, copy and paste the following into your browser:
http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/sredir?uname=basket84&target=ALBUM&id=5318612449340747585&authkey=Gv1sRgCJ3sqvuaw_rMxwE&feat=email

Common sense in 2009

2009-03-21T12:09:00.005+08:00

I came across pstr Kong Hee's blog, and here he gives some advice from Warren Buffet. He gave some common sense on our own approach on money.

He states:

“We begin this New Year with dampened enthusiasm and dented optimism. Our happiness is diluted and our peace is threatened by the financial illness that has infected our families, organizations and nations.

Everyone is desperate to find a remedy that will cure their financial illness and help them recover their financial health. They expect the financial experts to provide them with remedies, forgetting the fact that it is these experts who created this financial mess.

Every new year, I adopt a couple of old maxims as my beacons to guide my future. This self-prescribed therapy has ensured that with each passing year, I grow wiser and not older. This year, I invite you to tap into the financial wisdom of our elders along with me, and become financially wiser.

* Hard work: All hard work bring a profit, but mere talk leads only to poverty.

* Laziness: A sleeping lobster is carried away by the water current.

* Earnings: Never depend on a single source of income. [At least make your investments get you second earning.]

* Spending: If you buy things you don’t need, you’ll soon sell things you need.

* Savings: Don’t save what is left after spending; spend what is left after saving.

* Borrowings: The borrower becomes the lender’s slave.

* Accounting: It’s no use carrying an umbrella, if your shoes are leaking.

* Auditing: Beware of little expenses; a small leak can sink a large ship.

* Risk-taking: Never test the depth of the river with both feet. [Have an alternate plan ready.]

* Investment: Don’t put all your eggs in one basket.

I’m certain that those who have already been practicing these principles remain financially healthy. I’m equally confident that those who resolve to start practicing these principles will quickly regain their financial health.”

There is truly no short-cut to success. We all need to remind ourselves of these back-to-basic principles of life, wisdom and common sense.

My testimony on sat

2009-03-15T20:57:00.004+08:00

Last sat, I shared my journaling testimony to 1,500 people! And as you guessed, i was indeed nervous! Hmmm... I wonder if everyone gets stage fright some times ;)

Well here's my testimony:

Hi, my name is Jonathan, I’m a cell leader in XYZ, and today, I would like to share with you my testimony on Journaling. I first heard about journaling during our church’s 14 day fast and prayer in January 2005. I was very excited when I heard about it, and I remember journaling every morning, I was on FIRE! I was desperate to know God and experience a breakthrough from him! Flipping back to the pages of the old and dusty journal long kept in my cupboard, I noticed my hunger and the passion I had for God. Every page I could picture myself crying out like King David, not wanting God’s presence to leave me. Every page I could see myself crying to God for an opportunity to be able to share Gods love with someone that day. That period of the 14 days, I met God. And where did I meet him? Through the book of Matthew and… my journal.

4 years have passed, and right now, as we are also doing the book of Matthe, I compare my notes and I realized the verses I picked spoke to me at different times. God taught me a lot through Peter 4 years ago, but now, reading the same chapters and same verses, God has taught me more through the life of Mary Magdalene. Journaling speaks to different people at different times at different seasons. It is not boring at all!

Journaling will always be something I will never forget. As I live my life each day, if someone asks me about the biggest highlight of my Christian life, I will surely answer them that it was during our church 14 days fast and prayer and… also my journal. 4 years has passed, and reading through the experiences I had 50 months ago has made me realize how much I have grown spiritually (and also physically). Meeting God requires effort. It says in the book of James that if we draw near to God, He will draw near to us. So when I took the effort to start journaling, I encountered God and my life was never the same again! God doesn’t break his promises, so when you journal, expect God to come. He will be there!

And here are some of the pix (TQ Sarah Ong for taking the pix!)

Minesweeper - the movie

2009-03-10T21:09:00.003+08:00

Did you know that minesweeper the movie is coming out? This popular windows game is going to be a hit!! My mum plays it over, and over again. (I think she still does play)

Anyway, Here's the trailer...

Lol... just jk, hope you had fun watching it.

This sat

2009-03-10T20:20:00.003+08:00

This sat... I was told to stand in front of 1,500 people to...

SHARE MY JOURNALING TESTIMONY!!!

I'm feeling nervous now *brrrrrr.....*

Theologically confused

2009-02-24T18:36:00.004+08:00

I've been quite confused recently. I'm confused with many theological teachings... questions like:

- Are we once saved always saved, or are we once saved not always saved?

- Do we need to repent our sins, as Jesus has died for our yesterdays, todays, and tomorrows sins?

- Is the old testament law totally abolished, or does it still apply today, inscribed in our hearts?

- Why can there be 2 Godly man, both hearing from God, but yet get two messages which TOTALLY contradicts each other?

- Is salvation a one time thing, or is it a process?

Well, i'm doing a study on this right now, I was challenged in Pastor Edmund Chan's sunday sermon about making a stand. I need to make a stand in my theology. I MUST do it, because my confusion will just cause me more harm than good.

Please post your comments, if you have any. I really want to hear from you.

Concerns of Late

2009-02-19T22:41:00.004+08:00

I wonder... with the current political situation in Malaysia, who is right and who is wrong?

I'm also confused. Right now who is the rightful MB of Perak? I just read in malaysiakini that Anwar has evidence that bribes were offered for the defection. A sum believed to be about RM 5 million!

I'm seriously confused with the current situation. I respect our current PM, in fact I still firmly believe he is the best person to lead us in this unstable situation. The 3 defections of late, the swearing in of the 'illegal MB', the ban on the new MB with his exco, I have come to see the reality of politics. With all due respect, I couldn't believe that BN would force their way to take over the government of Perak... And now with the Elizabeth Wong case, I never thought our former MB of Selangor would give such remarks like this!

Sigh... I pray for Malaysia. I do not understand and know who's right and wrong in this power struggle. BN may be right in some way, however PR seems to be also right in another way. One person I respect once told me this, he said that we as christian citizens of malaysia are made accountable for the situation in malaysia. Should we be concerned about politics? YES! We need to keep a close watch and keep an eye on the current situation. God won't work until we pray. Continue to pray for malaysia. Pray that God will remove the corrupt and place the righteous.

Jesus is EVERYTHING to me

2009-02-17T22:57:00.007+08:00

Have you ever heard my testimony on how Jesus touched me?

I heard this song while driving again, and I was just overwhelmed by it.

Journalling day by day helped me know God better...

And I realize, that everything that I have, is totally blessed by God

I come to realize that God is everything to me. He's not a story, he's not history

The lyrics here totally describes my life with God right now and do take a minute to listen. You will be blessed.

I grew up in sunday school

I memorized the Golden rule

And how Jesus came to set the sinner free

I know the story inside out I can tell you all about

The path that led Him up to Calvary

But ask me why He loves me And I don't know what to say

But i'll never be the same Because he changed my life when He became...

Everything to me He's more than a story

more than words on a page of history

He's the air that I breath The water I thirst for

And the ground beneath my feet

He's everything, everything to me

We're living in uncertain times

And more and more I find that i'm aware

Of just how fragile life can be

I want to tell the world I found

A love that turned my life around

They need to know that they can taste and see

Now everyday I'm praying

Just to give my heart away

I want live for Jesus

So that someone else might see that he is...

Everything to me He's more than a story

more than words on a page of history

He's the air that I breath

The water I thirst for

And the ground beneath my feet

He's everything

And looking back over my life at the end

I'll go to meet you saying you've been...

You're everything to me

You're more than a story

More than words on a page of history

You're everything to me

You're more than a story

More than words on a page of history

You're the air that I breath

The water I thirst for

And the ground beneath my feet

You're everything to me

Lord, you're everything to me

Aetheist's Holy Day

2009-02-07T09:11:00.002+08:00

I found this article and thought it was a good read!

Subject: FLORIDA COURT SETS ATHEIST HOLY DAY

In Florida , an atheist created a case against the upcoming Easter and Passover holy days. He hired an attorney to bring a discrimination case against Christians, Jews and observances of their holy days. The argument was that it was unfair that atheists had no such recognized days.

The case was brought before a judge. After listening to the passionate presentation by the lawyer, the judge banged his gavel declaring, "Case dismissed!"

The lawyer immediately stood objecting to the ruling saying, "Your honor, how can you possibly dismiss this case? The Christians have Christmas, Easter and others. The Jews have Passover, Yom Kippur and Hanukkah, yet my client and all other atheists have no such holidays."

The judge leaned forward in his chair saying, "But you do. Your client, counsel, is woefully ignorant."

The lawyer said, "Your Honor, we are unaware of any special observance or holiday for atheists."

The judge said, "The calendar says April 1st is April Fools Day. Psalm 14:1 states, 'The fool says in his heart, there is no God.' Thus, it is the opinion of this court, that if your client says there is no God, then he is a fool. Therefore, April 1st is his day. Court is adjourned."

2009-02-04T17:07:00.008+08:00

Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat
This will most likely be my favourite musical I have ever heard...
I remember during my primary school days I would lie down on the couch and sing along with the lyrics. And right now i think i still can remember 70% of the entire lyrics!! Go listen to it yeah... It will change your life ;P

Since its been such a long time that I haven't updated my blog, I have uploaded this to share with you all the BEST musical in the world! =)

Big bad schedulle....

2009-02-03T11:33:00.003+08:00

I just had a feeling... needed to update this place abit... learn abit of html... Anyone have any ideas on where to get nice blog skins? a 3 column one would be nice :D

The life of Kathryn Kuhlman

2008-11-16T15:17:00.004+08:00

W3 presented this media presentation last sat. Was great to know people liked it.

Let me know how you think of it ok?

Would appreciate feed back :)

- The Freedom Writers -

2008-11-12T21:04:00.007+08:00

- = The Freedom Writers = -

I watched this movie just now, a one great movie which I haven't watched in a while.
To me, this movie was fabulous... You can read more about the plot here However, just thought of giving this a thought. When you see the below pic, what do you think of?

You might have just saw an image of some funny old man with a huge nose, wearing a hat with the star of david.

And how about this?

Some black kid with big lips?

The first pic is actually a picture of a Jew which people drew before and during the Holocaust. And the second is one which some kid did for funnn....

You might be shot at if you produced those pictures during that time.

I'm glad I live in Malaysia. Although we live in a multi-cultural society, I guess it wasn't as bad as the Jews living in Italy, Germany etc, or the African Amerians in America getting some racial prejudice every single day.

Hilary Swank acted as Erin Gruwel in this film. Teaching is indeed a noble job. A job which gives you the ability to impact people, or just fill your pockets with 'easy' money everyday. haha... Anyway heres the picture of the true Erin Gruwel. I encourage you to google her. She has a very inspiring story to share :)

I always remember that teacher Lee Tian Ying (Lee Lao Shi) from my primary school giving me a bear hug when i went on MC for almost a week after getting chicken pox...

I remember my Junior Middle Two teacher Chen Lao Shi who always encouraged and believed I could do it after the year I failed my grade and had to retain and repeat my Junior middle 2 (Form 2) for another year.... (In which that year, i obtained a 80% average for the whole accademic year and 2nd in class)

Maybe I could consider teaching?? heheh... You'll never know! :)

P.S. I actually own a Home schooling center in Johor Bahru. (By name only lah.... my parrents running it) do contact me if you are looking for a place where lives will be changed! Contact me for more info ;)

~Birthday Wishes~

2008-11-04T15:26:00.005+08:00

DEAR SARA!!!

I've never written a poem to anyone before,

and this is the poem is the first I have written for anyone! haha, Hope you like it!

Dear Sarah,

God gave a gift to the world when you were born—

a person who loves, someone who cares,

who sees a person’s need and fills it,

who encourages and lifts people up,

who brings joy to someone who had a bad day,

Your jokes, I remember always made my day.

I’m in awe of this spoilt friend I first knew,

To this cheerful princess I now know.

Another year has come and gone;

The sands of time keep trickling along.

Your now one year younger to heaven,

And I must say, you’re now hot like an oven.

I wish you the happiest of birthdays,

And I hope this day will be your happiest yet.

-Big Jon-

2008-11-02T22:42:00.003+08:00

Have you ever come across an event like this?

Airport security event

Customs Official : 'May I know your name?'
Passenger : 'Batman'
Customs Official : 'What's your name!?'
Passenger : 'My name is Bat-man'
Customs Official : 'Trying to be funny? What's your surname?'
Passenger : 'Super-man'
Customs Official : 'So you're telling me your name is Batman Superman?'
Passenger : 'Yes'
Customs Official : 'Arrest this guy'

When they had him in custody, he was asked to show his identification card:

What a name... :)

My Nephew - Emanuel

2008-11-02T00:39:00.005+08:00

Have you ever had the excitement to see a new life born in your family? Well, i had the opportunity to have one today. I'm in Singapore at my sisters place and she just gave birth to a child called Emanuel (with the single m)

Matthew 1:23 23 "Look! The virgin will conceive a child! She will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel, which means 'God is with us.' "

I feel its really a joy, to see a new life grow up. Emanuel, you will grow up to become a fine young man! Just looking at your pictures make me smile :)

The most beautiful country ever!

2008-10-29T22:00:00.009+08:00

I was once told... That theres always a sunny day after a storm. This a pic taken from my trip in Nepal. I was thinking over the things that happened in May this year. And seriously I think i miss Nepal.

Malaysia's Political Tsunami

2008-09-05T02:33:00.003+08:00

Unable to sleep in the wee hours in the morning, I decided to do something which i always wanted to do. I started to flip to Malaysiakini, and started the read post by post in detail.

I came upon Lim Kit Siangs Blog, about him writing a letter to our Malaysian PM & Cabinet which was a very good read. First thing on the list was the remarks of that infamous Ahmad Ismail. He called us Chinese migrants, and untrustworthy Malaysians. In my point of view, as a chinese, it does hurt! But never in my 24 years of life had i ever imagined that I was a migrant in this country. For him to mention that statement and still unwanting to appologize really scares me. Do the Malay people actually think the same way as Ahmad Ismail do? Or was he hurt by chinese in the past which triggered him to say that?

LKS, also mentioned about the way UMNO will be dealing with his case. Last year, many of us did flip to youtube to watch the video of Wee Meng Chee rapping "Negarakuku". I did watch it, and to be honest, i really did enjoy that song as it was very catchy and did portray the current situation in Malaysia. The Malaysian government did not like it at all and made it such a big issue whereby his citizenship was taken away from him (even though he appologized). I'm quite eager to find out what will happen to this Ahmad Ismail. I pity our PM Abdullah as he is right now stuck in the middle. Every decision he makes will be a crucial move to his political career.

Racism... Will this always be an issue in Malaysia? Whereby the chinese and indians become 2nd class citizens and see all our top talents migrating to other coutries? Or will we one day, beat Singapore, Taiwan, Hong Kong and Korea towards a Nation which strives to succeed. I do hope we achieve that some day.

To be honest, sometimes at work I really get disappointed by the malay clients I meet. Most of them ask me for some money if they were to give me the contract. But of course as a Christian I will never give. Its confusing sometimes, you love them, but you don't love them. You hate them, but yet, you also don't hate them. I may be racist at times, and this genuine love seems to be just an act. I'm in no position to judge anyone, as me myself is racist. But God is the eternal judge, and he does judge fairly ;)

btw, here's the link for the articles i read
Part 1 & Part 2

Our Colour!

2008-08-26T09:02:00.003+08:00

Was thinking about this today... It was really meaningful.

By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another. —John 13:35

In Thailand, the people greatly love and admire King Bhumibol (Rama IX), who has led them for over 60 years. To display their respect for the king, the Thai people wear bright yellow shirts every Monday, because yellow is the official color of the king.

As we seek to live for our King, the Lord Jesus Christ, we should also show our colors of allegiance and appreciation for all He has done for us. But how? What are the “colors” that declare to the world that we serve the King of kings and Lord of lords?

The night before His crucifixion, King Jesus told us what our “colors” should be when He said, “By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another” (John 13:35). His disciple John echoed this when he wrote, “Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another” (1 John 4:11).

When we display Christ’s love for our fellow believers, it is more than just kindness or care. It is one of the most tangible ways we can show our love and devotion for the Savior.

As we interact with fellow Christ-followers, let’s be sure to show our colors. That will honor our King before a watching world. — Bill Crowder

The dark knight

2008-08-08T23:24:00.004+08:00

THE DARK KNIGHT
This movie is a hit! I've already watched it twice, and the storyline is still fresh inside my brain!!!
To me this movie was class, as the story was perfect and the casting was perfect. This movie consisted of a crusading hero (Christian Bale) and a sneering villain of Joker (Heath Ledger), but what surprised me most was the role of Harvey Dent (Aaron Eckhart) , a prestigious district attorney who played the hero of locking every villain in jail in becom.

THE TWO FACED HERO/VILLAIN
His fall at the end of the story reminded me about a two-faced heart. He quoted saying that "You either die being a hero or you live long enough to see yourself become the villain." He lived long enough to see himself become the villain. Harvey Dent and Two-face
is a big contrast of Chance and freewill, good and evil, hero and villain, justice and chaos, sacrifice and suffering. Two face would rather put his faith in "unbiased chance" than our human freewill. He even quoted saying "You thought we could be decent men in an undecent world. But you were wrong; the world is cruel, and the only morality of this world is chance"

The people involved involved in Jokers two ship experiment showed great humanism by showing that we humans do have a freewill, and from that freewill comes something good.
One ship consisted of prisoners, and the other consisted to normal passengers. Both had their chances to blow each other up. Both ships came to a conclusion that they should blow up the other ship to save their own lives. But yet as the clock struck twelve, nothing happened. They left their lives to chance, that the other ship would not blow them up. This reminds me of the chinese proverb, whereby it says that 人之初,性本善.
Are we really born with something uncorruptable? whereby we do have some good inside all of us?
Joker showed exactly, how to show the worst face of humanity, but yet forgetting that good always triumphs over evil.

And lastly, the movie ends with the unconvincing hero, the main character of the movie, the dark knight. I felt that he transends this superhero to become an everyman, conflicted and troubled by pain and brokenness in life. He is like us, everyday trying to find his identity while trying to maintain some morality.

His bat symbol was even broken due to his sacrifice. Gotham had rejected their only surviving hero. Batman quotes "Sometimes, truth isn't good enough, sometimes people deserve more. sometimes people deserve to have their faith rewarded." Truth isn't good enough?Many of us prefer to build our lives, our significance on things that are not true; we place our faith in the goodness of humanity (when humanity has not been good to us). We insist on believing that being successful and family-oriented will bring us true happiness (while money corrupts and families divorce). We place our faith in a lie, a lie that temporarily rewards our faith, only to crumble seconds later under the weight of truth-sized hope. The truth isn’t good enough because we have been believing lies.

The Savior of Gotham
This bat becomes the savior of Gotham. A scapegoat. This dark knight, not one in shining armor, shows a truth, a truth that we all need someone to bear our sin, and also our refusal to stand on this truth, choosing to believe what movies and magazines portray life. We ourselves are in need of a savior, a hero who can identify with our humanity and bear our burden. Someone who will take our sin into his own hands, that we might be known as righteous. Contrary to the dark knight, we need a faith greater than what we can manufacture, to find a God greater than man-made philosophy. We need a God-man...

Sold out at the altar of 'Malay unity'

2008-07-28T22:22:00.002+08:00

(JL : Thought this might be a good read) JULY 25 — I was not planning to write about Malay unity this week, but after a little talk I just had with my father, I've decided it's imperative to underscore yet again the very real effect so-called "Malay unity" has on Malaysian society.

Malay unity as it is presently understood is fundamentally undemocratic, and fundamentally a threat to Malaysian unity. The notion that it is not just okay but morally right to prefer one Malaysian over another because of his or her racial identity undermines everything that the concept of a Malaysian stands for; it justifies racism, communalism and separatism.

In the first place, I cannot see why anyone would believe that the Malay community or Malays as individuals stand to gain from uniting behind one political party or one ideology. Malays are not a single-minded, homogeneous lot, any more than the Chinese or Indians are. To ask a Malay to subjugate his own individual beliefs to the tyranny of the Malay majority is ridiculous, and completely undermines the democratic right of individual Malaysians, Malay or not, to freedom of thought and expression.

If a few Malay strongmen believe they can really subjugate their fellow Malays and fellow Malaysians to the yoke of one single ideology, one single belief system, they will have to face the consequences sooner or later. We know what single-party and single-ideology countries turn out like; even the few successes like China are forced to tolerate differing viewpoints, if not differing political parties.

You cannot force a man to believe something he does not have his heart in; there is no reason to think a Malay will stop thinking and stop believing in something simply for the sake of "Malay unity".

But enough of this focus on the Malays; this is just one side of the delicate equation as far as national unity and social cohesion are concerned. I want to relate something personal, something that affects untold numbers of Malaysian families, including my own. Many Malays often wonder why non-Malays are so reluctant to offer this country their loyalty; hardly any are ever actually serious in their wonderment.

My mother is not a Malaysian. She is a Filipino, although with a partial Chinese heritage. My parents met while they were pursuing their post-graduate studies in Thailand . They tied the knot two decades ago; they have brought into the world and raised four children, all of them Malaysian citizens. Over a decade ago, my parents made the conscious decision to bring their three children back to Malaysia , and have their fourth born there, because they wanted us to know our roots. My mother has lived in this country for 12 years, and spent close to 19 years of her life raising Malaysian citizens; she has learnt the national language, made Malaysian friends, and settled herself here. If this is not the loyalty asked of Malaysian citizens, I don't know what loyalty you expect from us.

For the past 12 years, my family has made an annual pilgrimage to the Immigration Department, because my mother is not entitled to reside in Malaysia . Every year, my parents swear before a Commissioner of Oaths that they are still legally married, and on this basis, they renew my mother's "social visit pass" at the Immigration Department. A social visit pass, for the mother of four Malaysian citizens, the daughter-in-law of another two Malaysians, the wife of yet another Malaysian, and friend of many more!

A long, long time ago — so long I cannot remember, but about a decade or so — my mother applied to the Immigration Department for a permanent resident visa. My parents personally put all the necessary paperwork together, and my mother invested a lot of her time — time which could have been spent looking after her four young Malaysian children, or contributing to the Malaysian economy — in learning the Malay language. To this date, the Immigration Department has never even acknowledged receipt of her application.

My parents initially followed up on the application, but were told by the officers to await an official letter from the Department. They waited. And waited. Ten years on, they are still waiting.

Last year, my mother applied for a Canadian tourist visa. The process went without a hitch, until we came to picking up her passport. A Canadian embassy officer appeared and enquired about her "social visit pass". My mother confirmed that yes, in spite of everything, this wife and mother of Malaysians has yet to be allowed to stay in Malaysia . The officer shrugged his shoulders, as if he were used to seeing this sort of thing, and replied, "Okay, just checking!"

On the drive home, my father reflected on the ludicrousness of it all. If he were to die, if they were to be divorced, my mother would have no right to stay in Malaysia , no right to be the mother of Malaysians. A decade on, my family was still waiting.

Fed up with it all, my father decided that if his wife could not have a home here, he would make sure she and our family could have a home elsewhere. Two years ago, he applied for permanent residency in New Zealand . Today, before any of us have even set foot in New Zealand , the Kiwi government has welcomed us and given us the right to stay and reside in New Zealand for as long as we like, without any preconditions. We have no prior ties to New Zealand , and they welcome us with open arms; my mother has a rich 20-year history with Malaysia , and to this day, her request to stay here has yet to even be acknowledged.

This story is alas far too common; years ago, my father was warned by an acquaintance that his wife had waited in vain for 10 years for her permanent residency to come through. Earlier yesterday, he decided to check with the Immigration Department, just to see if they had ever done anything about my mother's application.

He got the same brush-off of a reply: "Tunggu suratlah!" As he left the office, he overheard a Mat Salleh woman berating a young officer, in fluent Malay: "My husband is dead already, what should I do now? I have been living in this country longer than you have been alive!" Not far off, an Indonesian construction worker was conspicuously brandishing his approved application for a work permit, entitling him to reside here.

This sort of thing is no bureaucratic accident; this is intentional racism. This is the product of "Malay unity". What good is this talk of how Pak Lah is selling us out to the Singaporeans by giving them cheap sand, when right under our noses, the government is selling our citizenship birthrights out to any old Indonesian, while denying Malaysians the right to live in peace with their spouses, their families? When you endorse this idea that the end of Malay unity justifies the means, this is the result.

I don't begrudge legal Indonesian immigrants their right to live and work here; they are doing a job nobody else wants to, and they are often unfairly scapegoated by a Malaysian society not willing to examine its own fractures and divisions. But I have lived for years with the shame of being a citizen whose own country will not even let his mother stay, in spite of everything she has done for her Malaysian family.

It's easy to mock people like us for saying things like "I will never die for this country"; it's hard to accept that this country has never given people like us a reason to die for it. When my family migrates to New Zealand , they will not be looking back wistfully; they will be looking forward to a future where my mother is not forever in legal jeopardy, forever at risk of separation from us. The last thing on their minds will be a country obsessed with small-minded "Malay unity", obsessed with worshipping its keris-waving heroes while ignoring the countless non-Malays who gave their lives in apparent vain for a country which will not recognise the ideal behind their sacrifice.

John Lee is a second-year student of economics at Dartmouth College in the United States . He has been thinking aloud since 2005

MY Famous Secondary School!

2008-07-23T21:42:00.005+08:00

oh yeah~

Thats my school! The school i spent 7 of my teenage years in!

There it goes:-

JOHOR BARU: Teacher Seng Woam Guei was commended for her bravery when she protected her student from an attacker who was armed with a hammer and a spanner.

The 48-year-old teacher of Foon Yew High School received injuries in the forehead that required nine stitches in the attack last Friday. The Junior Year Two student also suffered head injuries.

Yesterday, Deputy Education Minister Dr Wee Ka Siong witnessed the presentation of a letter of commendation to Seng by the school Committee of Management chairman Tan Wee Hiong.

“I do not consider it a heroic act. It is my responsibility to protect my students. Any teacher will do the same,” said Seng, who was honoured with the Outstanding Teachers Award in 2005.

The assailant, a 17-year-old student of the Chinese independent school, has been suspended pending police investigations.

Dr Wee described Seng as a good example of a caring and responsible teacher.

Earlier, he chaired a dialogue attended by officers from the state Education Department and the school authorities.

He said he viewed the incident seriously as the school was known for its strict discipline, tight security and good reputation since its establishment in 1913.

“This is an isolated case. So far, there is no evidence to suggest outsiders were involved in the attack,” he said. However, he advised that a thorough investigation be conducted as a precaution.

On July 18, the 17-year-old rushed into a classroom on the ground floor at 1.30pm and attacked the 15-year-old, purportedly over a misunderstanding.

The attacker was overpowered and handed over to the police by school authorities.

So for those of you who are thinking which ah beng school i came from, well thats it ;)

God given dreams

2008-07-20T21:44:00.003+08:00

Dreams! A word that makes me come alive! Since young, i used to dream alot. Many people call me a dreamer, and there is even one person who told me that i remind him of Joseph in the bible ;)

Well, today my heart is pounding... I'm feeling excited! I'm overjoyed over the message i heard in City Harvest Church today. Everyone of us have a God-given dream! It says in Acts 2:17 "And it shall come to pass in the last days, says God, that I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh; your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your young man shall see visions, your old men shall dream dreams."

Our ability to dream is a God given gift, and in the last days when the Holy Spirit comes upon a person he/she will dream a dream that it is so enormous that it will stun the world! But yet how do we as Christians know whether a dream is from God or not? Well, from Tommy Barnett's book titled 'Reaching your dreams', he states that we will be able to know if it's God's dream if:

It is bigger than you.
You can't let it go.
You would be willing to give everything for it.
It will last forever.
It meets a need that nobody else has met.
It brings glory to God.

Well, a dreamer like me always dreams. When i'm driving to work, i always think of ways to change the environment of my workplace. I think of systems of the sales department, different pipelines and strategies for improvement. I dream of having my own sales team, whereby every single one of them are successful, knowledgeable, and caring towards clients. I dream of going to different places around the world, teaching people technical solutions towards different kinds of customers, how to identify their needs and offer a solution.

Besides work, i think of my cell group, I dream of a cell group full of members who are vibrant in worship. Cell members who encounter God as their true God! Every single member praying fervently for their friends and family members who are yet to know God! and together as a cell, going out to reach out to orphans, cleaning an old folks home, and genuinely encouraging each other and forming a bond whereby no evil forces can break!

In my family, I dream of my grandmother! I dream of her accepting Jesus Christ as Lord! I dream of the house cleansing ceremony taking place! I dream that instead of hearing chanting of buddhist scriptures first thing in the morning, I will be hearing fervent prayer from a believer crying out to God for the souls of her children who are yet to know the Lord.

I also dream of going into the mission field! Building relationship with locals, setting up a God-centered buisness in the middle of the marketplace. Creating jobs for the locals, and also setting up an organization whereby all money we generate goes to the development of the village we are in. Helping the neighbours who do not have any food to eat, and discipling the local christian believers to take up the challenge to reach out to their own people!

Dreams pour into my mind non-stop. But yet are my dreams a God given dream? By writing my dreams out, it most certainly does. But yet deep down inside... I fear that my dream is not big enough. I lack the discipline to make it happen and I dread the difficulties that i will face in the future.

As i continue to read Tommy Barnett's "Reaching your dreams", He teaches the readers to discover their God given dreams in six steps:

Get alone with God - Psalms 46:10 "Be still and know that I am God". From our hectic schedules in life, we must learn to listen to Gods voice.
Review your gifts and talents - God has given everyone different gifts and talents. God uses our desire to accomplish what He wants to do on this earth.
Review your experience - As we grew up, were we brought up different that other people you know? Do you know languages that are unique? Have we had some kind of painful experience that we have overcome that we might be able to counsel people with similar experiences?
Decide whats really important in life - Many times, we take too much time on things which are not really important in life. we should narrow down the scope to only focus on things which are really important to us.
Begin to export different avenues - If the above steps are done and still do not know where our dreams are taking us, we should explore different ministries, jobs, and other activities until something sparks.
Journal your dream - Well... this is the reason why i'm writing this here. Habakuk 2:2 says "Then the Lord answered me and said:"Write the vision down and make it plain on tablets, that he may run who reads it" So therefore i'm writing them down so that it'll be a guiding force in my life.

And as for future posts to come, i hope to find out my new vision and mission statement which will be a guiding force in whatever i do :)

My FIRST serious blog!!

2008-07-08T20:37:00.001+08:00

Hello! If you are reading this, good day to you! Finally i managed to start my own blog to post some of my thoughts and feelings at work, church, and my own 'PRIVATE' life :D

I've started a blog 2 years back, but somehow i didn't manage to maintain it. I didn't have internet connection for some time, and decided to delete the whole blog after that.

A few reasons on why i'm starting a blog

1) The main reason is that i want to be known as a person who reflects on his life, his career and his ministry. Reflecting is one area that i do alot! (in my dreams most of the time) but i realized that to be effective in reflecting, i will have to write it down and remember the lessoned i've learned about life.

2) I heard a preacher once say that a great speaker can attract many people when he is speaking. Some might even attract up to 20k people in a week to listen to him. But yet, bloggers can attract 100k clicks on their website per day! As technology improves day by day, I thought that through continues blogging and sharing what God has done in my life, i might be able to impact somebody's life without me knowing it!

3) Alot of times while driving, many ideas come into my mind. Maybe by blogging and putting in all my thoughts into words, i might be able to transform them into action (this is one area that i'm weak in the most) hehe...

4) Last but not least, I want to write about the thoughts of my work, my sales career, and suggest ways to improve the organization i'm in. And maybe who knows, my boss might manage to google my blog and read the thoughts i have in mind.

I hope this blog will be put into good use, whereby i might be able to be a better person and reflect upon my life.

Dear God, I dedicate this blog for your glory and your honor. I pray that this blog will be encouraging and be a useful tool to people who visit this blog. Help me to be a person who reflects and that you'll develop my character day by day through this blog. Amen.