When Money Is Powerless

Often, little conversation or a simple statement can convey a heart cry of a soul.

I was having supper with two fellow friends after a game of futsal. On our way home, one friend's mobile rang and it was his dad concerning of the time, late to be home.

"I'm on my way home now. Just eaten. Reaching home soon." Friend A.

"Wah, your dad called just asking your whereabouts. My dad will never call me regardless what time I reach home." Cried Friend B.

"My dad can't sleep if any of us (siblings) is not home yet." Friend A.

Can you see the message Friend B trying to convey?

It is a cry to be cared. He is longing for concern. In short, it is a demand of love.

Friends, often we hear that, "Money is power. You can't survive without having pennies." "I want to be rich one day." "I want to earn all possible dollars." "How I wish I can be as rich as him/her." "One day, I will marry a rich guy." "Criteria for my future partner? He/she must be rich." So on.

When one gains the whole world, he is on top of the world. Yet it is the most vulnerable time for he has everything to lose.

You can't purchase love. You can't purchase values. You can't purchase personality. You can't purchase integrity.

It will just be the materials, to clothe you and to woo some temporary friends.

Perhaps when you are out there, all eyes are on you. But yet, you are crying due to loneliness. You are insecure. You become sceptical. Self-consciousness creeps in then the roots of all evils engulfed you.

Looking to the eternal, pursuing the everlasting.

Are you a gold digger? What are you after?

When I Don't Desire God - How To Fight For Joy

Was unravelling John Piper's When I Don't Desire God - How To Fight For Joy.

He is exploring and explaining his famous quote - "God is most glorified when we are most satisfied in Him." For 25 year he has trumpeted the truth. He calls it Christian Hedonism. The problem is that many people, after being persuaded, find that this truth is both liberating and devastating.

Have you ever pondered on what and where your joy and happiness rest on? I am not referring to temporary joy and happiness, but eternal. Perhaps you might say well, joy and happiness they do not last for long. They short-lived.

Our being satisfied in God is necessary to show God's worthiness and to sustain sacrifices of love. Jesus endured the cross for the joy that was set before him. He tasted it. It sustained him through the deepest suffering. His Father was glorified. His people were saved. That is what joy in God does.

What do we have? Is joy in God merely the icing on the cake of Christian commitment?

Triggered Thoughts

I was on the way back with the other two friends after 3 hours of indoor soccer. Heading towards the Mcd, our car passed by a few cafes filled with people. Sibu is developing? Or just that the lifestyle has changed. It was 11.30pm! To many out there, especially those living in well developed advanced cities where nightlife is a norm, Sibu is a town where the people kick off their day at 5-6am and doze off at 10-11pm, used to be. We call it the healthy way. Being out and not at home at 11.30pm, is unusual!

What caught guys' eyes were definitely the opposite sex? No and yes there were these three young ladies dressed well (you know what I mean) chatting away at a corner. Our car drove pass and caught their attention.

Friend A: "Wah, that three girls ah, so late already still out, not to mention their dressings."

Me: "Haha. They are pretty good looking hey."

Friend A: "Lol. So late already and they are still out there, won't be any better. Good looking also no use."

Silence.

I started to ponder and contemplate. Hmm... Is it being judgmental here? Friend you might be wrong. We can't just judge them by that one occasion. Perhaps they are close buddies haven't met up for long time? Er, perhaps they are hungry like us? Er... But you might be true...

But I have to admit that it is hard to find good quality girls at the same time, stunningly beautiful. Perhaps you might say look doesn't matter, but I think frankly speaking, it does matter to all guy, just that the definition of Beautiful and Good Looking or Hot or Cute varies from one to another.

Do you think God is fair and majestic in His creation, that no one is perfect? You might have this but you don't have that. You might be rich but you are not as clever than the other.

Be contented. Be thankful. Do not conform to the pattern of this world.

It is all inside out. Beauty and appearance will fade, but the heart and values will not.

I am who I am. Be who you are called to be!

Life Is Made Interesting ...

Life is made interesting by all that little things.

Life is made interesting when you were young, you ran around naked not knowing being shameful or embarrassing. As you grew up, people remembered your good old days and your face turned red.

Life is made interesting when you were a kid, you were easily distracted by the toys in the shop until you lost track of your papa mama, then you cried and you were redeemed from the information centre or helpdesk.

Life is made interesting when you were cheekily young and naughty in the car, the response you got every time was “Sit still and stop fighting. Later the Mata (Police) catch you!” And you were scared.

Life is made interesting when you were still naive, you easily believed people for the truth, be it or not. When you gained knowledge and wisdom, you laughed at the fool.

Life is made interesting when you were in Kindergarten, you wet your pants and your papa gotta send a new pair for you.

Life is made interesting when you were in Nurturing School or Pre school, as you got a friend’s contact number, the first thing when you got home from school everyday is to call him or her. Your parents could only laugh.

Life is made interesting when you stepped into Primary school, you would try to find hundreds reasons just to excuse yourself from going to school. And you found yourself being dragged to school whether you like it or not.

Life is made interesting when there was this puppy love or not even love, girls chased after you even when you were only 11 years old. Your reaction was to RUN. When you recalled back, it was sweet!

Life is made interesting when you sat next to the same fellow friend for few years in a row in the class, did the crazy things and see the craziest side of each other. When school reopened, you already knew where to sit or who to look for so naturally on the first day of school.

Life is made interesting when you and a bunch of friends were crazy about soccer. On Monday afternoon you started planning for the position and strategy and sent out “Challenge Letter” to the opposite team. You even drew the draft of the strategy on paper and rehearsed everyone. On Friday morning, it rained.

Life is made interesting when you were so adamant of getting what you would want to have, when hitting the rock, you stomped.

Life is made interesting when you signed up to as my tuitions as possible, hired detective to inspect which friend went to which tuition (as you were 17, quality doesn’t matter, which tuition that girl went matters most!). You were fighting the competition. You found it all not worthwhile as you grew up. You snared.

Life is made interesting when you were at a point where you did not know which uni to go for. Your parents were equally worried.

Life is made interesting by all the friends that popped up and out along the way in the different stations of your life. Some liked you, some might not.

Life is made interesting when you saw a woman figure from the rear and you thought she must be hot, but when you see her face, you thank God for all creations.

Life is made interesting when you hanged out with your bunch of friends day in and out and did all those crazy things. The best part was to have some good jokers to crack jokes that shook the earth and let everyone gone bursting and not forgetting friends to make fun with but make sure they were the most patient people and never gotten angry. Later on, you found Slowpoke and Psyduck. They complimented each other, didn’t they?

Life is made interesting when you ordered a plate of mee, to your horror, it tasted YUCK and you blacklisted the shop.

Life is made interesting when BGR became your attention and you thought of him or her days and nights. It’s crazy but people said it is the power of love, is not true. Its infatuation!

Life is made interesting when you categorized your friends into different groups. Some were close buddies, some were church brothers and sisters, some were basketball friends, some were assignment runners, some were postmen, some were ...

Life is made interesting when you thought its time to get serious and some stuff going and to plan for the future. You ended up delaying and never doing that.

Life is made interesting when you were all ready to go out for a run but it poured cats and dogs the moment you stepped out from the house.

Life is made interesting when you imagined how manly and heroic you can be if you could be the person to give that girl your umbrella when it rained. You smiled and you walked off.

Life is made interesting when your friends changed in style, attitude and behaviour as time went by.

Life is made interesting when you were away from home, you always thought of going home. When you were at home, you wanted to be away.

Life is made interesting when you were excited to see the number of friends on Facebook kept increasing but you found people whom you didn’t know adding you as friend. Is either you are famous, good looking, attractive, or they were just same as you!

Life is made interesting when 2+2 ≠ 4. But that never happens.

Life is made interesting when …..

Life is never interesting, when God didn’t appear to you.

Life is never interesting when you don’t know God! Life is made interesting because God first loved you before you know how to love! Life is made interesting when Jesus died for you for your sins to deliver you from eternal damnation and you couldn’t fathom how great is THY Love!

17

Just some updates and thoughts over the past week.

1. Realize that Facebook is the page that I patronize everyday. Too used to it, bravo to Mark Zuck, did he cast a spell? Genius Dropout Billionaire.

2. Have been going abouts searching for stuff that could possibly smuggle into Australia to amply supply me for a year. Ie, herbs and ginseng to brighten up my Chicken soup. What's next? For sure fooodddd, Old Town Coffee, and lotsa personal stuff.

3. Have been attending corporate prayer meeting on Thursday, Young Adult Fellowship on Friday, Church on Sunday weekly. What more? Old folks Bible Study on Wed?

4. Eat out is fun but Mama frowns. Officially starting 15th of January, everything hikes up due to the claim that the cost of production for sugar, flour and condensed milk has increased. A cup of milk tea up by 50cents. Even a math noob will know that is ridiculous. If a KG of sugar only perks up by let say a dollar, does that equate a KG of sugar can only make 2 cups of milk tea? Diabetes roars. Genius sellers. Consumers suffer.

5. Lovingly indulged not so in love (haha), but the Milkshakes. Kudos to my "Honey ABi".

6. Have been thinking of the year and happenings ahead in 2011. Bit anxious yet excited. Expect for more to come.

7. Saw a mama carrying a kid window shopping, whom by his age supposed to run here and there, but the kid is apparently, sick. See and feel the mama's love. Is that love, or at times, does she feel it as a burden? Mixed feelings. I believe she had sleepless tearful nights.

8. The fact of my hometown is that it is never safe walking out there in the streets. You always have to keep an eye and be vigilant of your surrounding. Fearful of snatch thieves, robbing and all that boils down to one issue - the Poverty Issue, or the gap between the rich and the poor. Who draws the line? I believe they rob for a reason, if given a choice, they would not want to rob. Morally and the conscience should tell them not to, but the pressure of the society give them a shot in the forehead. But that doesn't mean I am glad if I were robbed.

9. Sport is life. Keep it balance. Healthy lifestyle includes exercising at least 3 times per week. I do it 7/7. Hectic lifestyle in Aus is another story. Keep the momentum going so long it can.

10. Realize different pastors preach differently. They have different giftings, insights, understanding, eloquence, and more. Some pastors preach more on daily livings, some dig into the bible learning from biblical characters, some highlight the doctrines, some go into social issues, diversity. But one thing, they should be clear and firm with what they preach. To strengthen the faith not to cause confusion or to stumble. For me, how a message delivered can be deeply embedded, applied and remembered, it greatly depends on one's gifting. The weight of preaching.

11. Decided to write a note to my eldest sister and drop it like a bomb before i depart. Hope she can wake up before its hard to amend. God, grant me wisdom, and grant her a soft heart.

12. You are adorable, missing me, ain't you?

13. Should get discipline on reading and discover more of the Word.

14. Sometimes, you feel good when someone popped and you have a chat with him or her. Make sure they are your friends. Haha.

15. Queensland Flood, Brazil Landslide, USA Gunshots ... What's the hint? Thank God my abode is safe. Resilient Queenslanders. Expecting a war torn Brisbane in Feb. But I will still love you as it is.

Anna Bligh: "We are Queenslanders. We are the people that they breed tough north of the border, we're the ones that they knock down and get up again. This may break our hearts ... but it will not break our will." Man! U gotta love those words even if u are not a Queenslander!!

16. C. S. Lewis said "Aim at Heaven and you will get earth thrown in. Aim at earth and you will get neither. " What are you aiming for?

17. Leaving for another day. Aroma of food is in the air.

感谢神

A heart of gratitude. Thank you Lord.

感谢神　赐我救赎主　感谢神　丰富预备；

感谢神　过去的同在　感谢神　主在我旁
感谢神　赐温暖春天　感谢神　凄凉秋景；

感谢神　抹干我眼泪　感谢神　赐我安宁
感谢神　祷告蒙应允　感谢神　未蒙垂听；

感谢神　我曾经风暴　感谢神　丰富供应
感谢神　赐我苦与乐　在绝望里得安慰；

感谢神　赐无限恩典　感谢神　无比慈爱

感谢神　赐路旁玫瑰　感谢神　玫瑰有刺；

感谢神　我家庭温暖　感谢神　有福盼望；
感谢神　赐喜乐忧愁　感谢神　属天平安；

感谢神　赐明天盼望　要感谢直到永远！

Praise You O God.

And the old is gone and the new has come.

Wishing for a prosperous year ahead, especially in my serving and walk with Him.

Dare not imagine what lies ahead, but with greater momentum I promise.

It is good to recall and reflect what had taken place in 2010, but I will not stop enchanting or weeping the past. Never look back, but strain forward.

God, Church, Campus Christian Movement, Daniel 1, Worship Team, Events, Studies, New Friends. . . Bring them on.

Should I sign up for Gym in 2011?

How can I live a legacy with what's available? Asking for more.

Continue to looking forward to meet and stalk people who can inspire you, encourage you, motivate you, and just, shape you to be better off in facing this life. They are helpers on earth apart from God.

Just wanna Love more. Be filled more.

Improve on identified weaknesses and going for maintenance and overhaul.

Titivate and further polish strengths, putting on greater armors.

Desire to have deeper understanding of the Word. Greater, more.

Above all, to soak in His Presence everyday of my life.

My Prayer:

1. This life is Yours, take it as You wish. Let Thy Will be done, not mine.

2. All my friends who have already received the greatest give of life, treasure it and never lose it. That the faith will grow, and the relationship with God will blossom. Those who are side tracked, I pray that you will be ignited once again, by any reason. Don't wait until disaster strike. Repent.

3. Those who are yet to believe, Open your eyes and embrace the King of Wonders. By whatever means, you can't deny Him. Ask yourself why? You have missed out much, but it's never too late. BELIEVE.

4. I wanna shine, in every opportunity and chance given. I want more.

5. Pray for my family, to be physically mentally and spiritually strong and healthy. Pray for God's favour, provision and covering.

6. Pray that you will be good, continue to draw closer to God every single day, and grow up to be the Godly Woman that Abba Father has called you to. Be more involved in your circle of bros and sis in Christ, serve as you are called, more disciplined, and work on your weaknesses. In Him you will find your strength to be the Overcomer. You are called to be Glorious. Bring down the norm and societal beliefs, impact with Love of Christ. Dare to be different, knowing when to Say No and most importantly, acknowledging the Cross and do not conform to the pattern of the World. God bless America. hugs.

7. All is well.