Recently Read/ Currently Reading ...

It's been a while since I update about the books that I recently read/ or reading:

A little history of the World - EH Gombrich. Bought this book in the Singapore airport while I was attending a training there. History can teach us so much, yet after many decades ... sad to say, mankind never really learn. Interesting book. Finally finished it over the lazy CNY week. My wife's reading it now. :)

Sticky Church - Larry Osborne. Was introduced to this book during my Penang trip to our church there. Great book with practical insights on Life Groups. I devoured it in just 3 days.

Linchpin - I had no idea what that means when I bought the book just last week. But after reading Seth Godin's book - The Dip & Tribes; I'm a fan. Not only he is a marketing guru, he has also great insights on thought leadership and next generation cultural shift. Just started.

Crazy Love - Francis Chan. This was given to me by a very good friend, currently based in New York. Thanks T! I just started the Introduction chapter and I liked it already. Simple, fresh, passionate and unreserved. This is the kind of book not to be rushed through, but to stop and reflect and hear what God is speaking to you through this book.

Well, if you don't know what to get me as a gift - just books! :) Any books to recommend?

Happy Chinese New Year

Few short lines on life in Kuching during CNY break:

• Sarawak Laksa, 3rd morning in a row ... i think my wife's is a believer too now!
  
• So many new places and shops here. First time going to Bing's Coffee in 101.
  
• "What's the name of siblings of Transformers? - Transisters". "What's the name of the dad and mum of Transformers? - Transparent" - It's good to have my younger brother back :)
• A good time of rest and relax
  
• Last minute CNY shopping with wife
• Finally finished the book - "A little History of the World" This book got me interested in history. Great read.
  
• Had a 9 course family reunion lunch + Dinner! Stuff!
  
• it's 2 hours to midnight but the firecrackers are already firing away!
• Happy Chinese New Year!
  

Devotion: Abraham

It's been a while. Time flies. Busy. Got to slow down. Not been blogging often. I thank my 2 faithful followers of my blog - my wife and my daugther.

Gen 21:
Have you ever wonder why did God told Abraham to take his son, Isaac, his ONLY son to be sacrifice (during the test)? When in fact, Abraham had another son Ishmael from the maid-servant when he listened to his wife? (One reason why we need to rationally think through before we listen to our wives :)

We know that God loved, cared and provided for Ishmael and Hagar (the maid servant. So, God being cruel was not the issue here. But the issue here is that ... in God's eyes and in God's story for Abraham, only Isaac was part of His plan. An heir from his wife, Sarah. Abraham was recognised and judged based on what he was called to do, not just based on what he did. Abraham's life was measured based on God's plan for him, not merely his own plans for himself.

At the end of the day, our life is recognised and judged by what we are CALLED to do, not by ALL that we do. Some of the things that we are doing today are things that we are not supposed to do. Some of the things that we should be doing today, we are not doing. I think the key to a FULL life is to distinguish between those 2 categories of things. What do you think?

2 guys @ The Sisters & CYW & First Kiss

It's been a while! End Jan already, time flies!

Been a great weekend ...

• Friday was off day for me, due to Thaipusam. Ran errands while meeting up with a good friend for lunch. Had lunch at The Sisters. I found it amusing. 2 guys @ the Sisters.
• Attended an engagement dinner of another couple friend! Had fun.
• Flew to Kuching for the Change Your World Tour. 900 young people gathered to want to see a Change in their City. Amazing things!
• 2 bowls of Kuching Laksa this morning. YEAH!
• Flew back and finished up my message on the plane.
• What a great service - Great worship and good to see so many people!
• Dinner with family. It's great to just spend time and talk to my wife!
• Preached on Overcoming Sexual Temptation today. Are you willing to trade short-term suffering/ embarassment / hurt for long-term blessings/ freedom/ benefits?
• Saw this video of a friend who just got married. He is a young man that i respect, a man of integrity, wisdom, purpose and purity. His bride is an actress. Their first kiss on their wedding day. Beautiful wedding on the beach. Watch this! http://vimeo.com/9090115
• We need to live a G-rated life in this X-rated world. It's time to set a standard!
• I'm thanking God each day for this LIFE!

Till then.

How we need to respond ...

Yesterday, the headlines in our local newspaper is that 3 churches have been attacked by molotov cocktail and one of the churches have been torched as a result. Read here for details.
As i won't be repeating the facts here and that's not the reason of this post.

But this post is really about how I think we need to respond to it ... and i'm glad the Pastor of the church that was torced responded the way i thought is biblical and right. Read the article entitled "Leaders of Metro Tabernacle Church forgive attackers"

I'm so proud of the leaders and proud to be a Christian when i read that. Indeed, it's a time to allow the core of Christianity stands up - Love and Forgiveness. And pray for our nation. The whole nation is watching the reaction and response of the church - this is the opportunity to show how Christ is really like.

Reminded me of my devotion few days ago - Matt 5:9 Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God.

There's a difference between peace-keepers and peace-makers, although it looks and sounds almost the same. But it's a whole lot of difference. Peace-keepers merely keeps the peace, protect the turf, tolerate ... i dont' cross your line, you don't cross mine. But Peace-makers, actually make the effort, and risks the shame, the consequences, the discomfort, the mockery to reach out to the other side and bring reconciliation thought love, kindness and forgiveness. To make peace. To play an active part in bringing peace to a disorder.

That's what we are called to do - as sons and daughters of God. Peacemakers. Loving our 'enemies' so called. (matt 5:44).

In our Team meet today, we prayed for our nation, for the churches and for our neighbours. I hope we all do the same.

High point of 2009

We had our first Team Meet for 2010 today, it was good to gather again ... and we started off by hearing the high points and low points of each one. The fact is, we all go through high points and low points. The difference is how we response to the lows and how we appreciate and be gratitute for the highs.

One of my high points of 2009, is the triple celebration weekend on last week of Nov. Firstly, celebration of Kristen's 1st year bday with family, then my wife's birthday and finally Eaglepoint Damansara 3rd year anniversary. My highs is not so much of actual events (though it's great) but it's just thanking God for the people and lives that God has brought into my life - from family, parents, friends and the lives of so many people that God has changed through the church.

In Team Retreat, we prayed for our nation situation and the response of the churches in Malaysia. Talked and share about the focus, journey and direction of the church for 2010. Spend a good 2 hour lunch - laughed and ate and ate and ate. :) One things for sure, greater things are to come in our city! And we will be part of it!

I'm heading off tomorrow to visit our Church in Penang. It's about time I drop by for a visit and it'll be a great time of fellowship and extention of vision. If there's one thing we value is relationship and spiritual family.

Well, also looking to taste some local penang food ... and see if it's really as good as people say it is :)

Happy New YEAR 2010 ...

Happy new year ... Looking forward towards what God has in store for all of us!

ICU and Thankfulness

After service today, my wife and I made a trip to IJN (National Heart Institute, KL) to visit Ruth who just undergone a heart surgery yesterday. She is recovering and still under Intensive Care Unit (ICU), which looks a lot like the picture here. She's a fighter and she was already starting to talk, although still weak and in pain. Prayed for her.

Today as Alex led us into worship, he asked us to thank God for something and i thanked God for a smooth operation that Ruth had. And I thanked God for her and how she has given her life to serve God and others! I'm go glad that the spiritual family has stepped up to stand with her in this time of need. That's what a church is supposed to be, a spiritual family.

And I thanked God for this spiritual family, the leaders and the people that builds God's house. Building in so many ways - in your words, in your deeds, in your thoughts, in your prayers, in your time, in your trust and respect, in your effort to serve others, in your obedience to God, in your using of your gifts and talents to serve. Of course, there'll be ups and downs ... and difficult times and conflicts, but spiritual family will try to work it out. Apart from being a spiritual family, the church is also a vehicle that God uses to transform a community and a city.

Galatians 6:9
Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.