Crossroad

A mini-reunion it was the day before. Many little assemblage there was. Amongst I realize, a friendship is similar to a road. It greatly reminds me of the literature – “The Road not taken” by Robert Frost. Assembling life where we each begin our journey of our own from different starting point. With little do we know the journey ahead. Though some traffic lights some time and along the journey, some police traffics placed along the side of the road and some road signs built. Before independent, many are coached. Some, without coaches, begins the journey on their own. Venturing into the unknown, we sometimes tries hard to predict the unknown. All kinds of means are utilized.

I once thought that all ship wear and break no matter what, except Friendship. That’s what people say... I’ve come to realize that it doesn’t break that easily, but it is fragile. It is yet fragile, yet it’s not so easily broken. Not so easily broken and yet it changes. Therefore, I think friendship is an amazing and weird thing. Just when friends are together, you thought this will last forever. You thought you could actually lean against each other. Some goes to the extent of making vows, some to the extent of revealing one’s deepest secret to another. So much for Friendship last forever?

We forgot we grow. We change. We adapt to our environment. As we move on to new environment, we make new friends. This is endorsed when we each separate and go into different fields, different countries, different unis, different colleges and different life. We then begin to doubt, are we still his/her BEST friend? Or IS he or she still my BEST friends. What about our current friend? What about our new friend(s)?

Many tell me that they are still very good with their past and current friend. Thats your thinking. What about them? I seemed to doubt that Best friends last forever. I think friends do. But not BEST friend(s). I may be wrong. I was told too that as long as we are pretty much alive, we expect the unexpected.

But at least what I’ve experienced is that, as we live a separate life, we are not so close anymore. We each have new commitments. We each pretty much don’t know what is going on in each other’s life. We each grow at different rate in different environment. How can u say that he/she is your best friend, when you don’t know each other’s life and you don’t go through what each other experiences?

Therefore I personally imagine friendship to be like a journey of life. We each walk at a different pace, different style, different speed, and different tempo. At certain stage of life, we meet up at some junctions, say like you meet some at Kindergarten, then some more junctions at the following crossroad, where u meet in high school, and then some more junctions at the following crossroads where u meet at work place. Perhaps more junctions where you each meet... OR even not meeting at any junctions anymore till the day you are called back to where you come from.

In scribbling off, I do personally apprise you to appreciate the friends you have around you now. They aren’t gonna be with you all the time as always suggested. Appreciate it well…

6⁰?

Is it really true that the world is differentiated by 6 Degrees apart? If so, why is it that through this 6 Degrees of differentiation, a man and a woman may come together? How would you know if he or she is the one? Is it because you made a point that he or she is the one? Isn’t it funny when just you thought he or she is the one, it turns out to be sour?

Why is it that some people can so easily be in a relationship and some have to struggle and fight to be in one? Is it because of the qualities of human? Physical? Personality? Emotionally?

I was once told, man (mankind) by default is designed to have another half. I just have to keep searching and searching for the other half. The other half don’t just drop down from heaven. This I hold on tightly as I personally believe that God don’t help those who don’t help themselves. Thats where i began my search.

But yet again, SOME people are gifted with the gift of Celibacy. Consecrating them self to serve the Lord and hold fast to their gift of singleness. This I begin to ponder whether I am chosen to be gifted. As I dwell on this surface of dirt, I search and search. In confusion whether am I searching in vain!

How is it that 2 person may come together and stay together? Why he or she? When there are 6.7 billion other people on this piece of rock? I truly admire the couples who made it. Those who made it to consecrate themselves to matrimony of vow. Not only making the vow, but holding tight to it no matter what. This is something that has been happening since Genesis and yet it amazes me. It’s so simple yet so complicated.

Sometimes, I just can’t help but to say “It’s AWESOME!” In the midst of admiration, I sometimes really think. Will I be able to setup my own family and such? Will I be able to have a spouse next time? Will I be a good companion, b/f, husband, father and maybe grandpa? To think of it, it’s really far and yet so near.

The fact that not even having a g/f makes me really doubt. How is it that I always get the NO? When will I get a yes? Try harder? It’s not easy to have a feel for someone and then court and then propose and then comes a NO. It’s painful…

How is it that Our God is a God of Love and yet it’s so hard to Love? Try as I may, to love but it’s just so different to love someone with affection and to love someone with care. It’s different. Loving someone special means the Love you pour out is so special that it’s poured out is so special for that person only. You can’t possibly duplicate this love per se.

If only love is like cooking. Where I know what ingredients I need, how to cook it and how to prepare it. But yet, Love needs patience. Just like cooking, you sometimes need slow fire to slowly bring out the taste. And sometimes big flame to flambé the flavor out.

Ah, the aroma I can smell from the table across. And yet where is mine? To start with, where are the ingredients? Who am I cooking this for? Or Whom shall I cook this with? It’s really disturbing to know that the earth is actually differentiated with 6 Degrees only. So near and yet so far… Where art Thou?!

More or Less

In this post, a special dedication towards Brother Desmond. Thanks for the sharing and the challenge...

More or less?
The More you Want, The more you Need;
The More you Give, The Less you Want;
The Less you Want, The more you Have.
Desmond, 2007

Simple may it sound. BUT many neglect this very simple principle. This very simple 'sense' that is blinded by the very greediness of our eyes. Often are the times when our heart is deceived by the lust of want. What we see, we want. What our brethren have, we covet. What our friends own we desire to possess. What others receive, we yearn...

Sound familiar? As much as we compare, we lost the sense gifted by God in us. We are so eluded in our greediness. We have become so numbed that we don't even know that we have sinned against God!

In our journey of pursuing God, we cannot pursue Money the same time. It is however wrong to think that it is wrong to have the mentality of wanting to be rich. Wanting to be rich is not wrong at all. It's just that you just have to 1st define what is rich? How rich is rich? And why do you want to be rich.

Among the best example given in Bible is King Solomon, son of King David. King Solomon to date is still regarded as the richest man ever lived. His wealth are from the result of pursuing God. He 1st pursued God, then only God gave him Wealth. By pursuing God, God gave Solomon wisdom. and through these infinite Wisdom from God that Solomon generated Wealth and managed those wealth.

Solomon knew why he is rich. he knew how he is rich, how he became rich and how rich is rich. Therefore, to those who seek fortune. 1st seek thyself. Only through finding one-self, one will be able to know ones purpose and ones portion of wealth!

With that i pray earnestly that one find self before wealth..

Will it sustain?

After 21 days since losing my 'baby' - Bike... Today, I praise the Lord for his kind and goodness that i am being blessed with another bike. Only to lose a Rock and Get Nexus. Hopefully it'll be sustained and well watched over this time round.











Clearer description & picture can be found at: http://quicksilver.com.my/products1.asp?catid=MOUNTAIN&subcatid=MB02&id=235











Well, going back to the same shop in SS 14, arriving at the shop itself gave the shop owner a fright. the immediate reaction was as if he knew my bike's stolen already. Signaling to me using his hand , flipping it over & over, asking me, "gone?" i just smiled and nod.

Having to make my decision on Bike again, he told me that the price of bicycle has increased since my last visit. Neverthe less, he will still quote me the 'best' price. I was thinking... "should i buy back the same Rock bike or should i get something of the same range?"

The Choices laid out were Raleigh, Nexus & Rock Bike. Each differentiated by RM 20. I was especially attracted to Nexus & Raleigh's frame. The problem that Raleigh had was that it's tyre Spooks structure is a single walled while Rock Bike & Nexus both has Doubled walled tyre spooks. As science recommends, double walled spooks are able to support heavier mass. Besides, Raleigh's price was the highest of all the three. Therefore, Raleigh fell out of the choice list.

Narrowing to only 2, I was of course attracted to Nexus as I used Rock Bike for 26 days (1 Aug - 26 Aug), i know how Rock Bike functions and it's characteristics. I look at nexus, It's really 'sexy' :P With that, i think to myself, "there so many Rockbikes in Monash Uni which looks the same as this one. Why not get something 'extra-ordinary'?" And besides, with extra RM 18 i can get something better... Thats where i decided to get Nexus.

Originally RM 420, I managed to get the price of RM 388 (inclusive of the bike, Alloyed paddle & a heavy duty lock). Thank God for me being a Foochow... Did i mentioned the shop-owner was a Foochow too? :P hahaha...
With the choice made, i had to make sure the safety of the bike. I got the heavy duty lock. From the picture, i made a comparisons of it with the pencil to show how thick it is. And look at the intersections of the lock. It's quite thick. I suppose it will take a REALLY huge cutter to cut it.




The Lock itself already is as heavy as a 700ml mineral water bottle. Therefore, additional purpose... 'walloping' (whacking) anyone who endanger me... Hopefully won't use it to that extend :P Kakaka...










Right after buying the bike, i cycled to church. On the way, it brought back so much sad memory of losing the bike. My eyes were literally scanning all around and searching into all houses looking for the sight of my old bike. The thought of seeing my old bike or Paul's bike creates a deep hate and pain in my heart.

After arriving at church, i thought i would ask Pastor to bless the bike. But to much hope comes much disappointment. Pastor's on leave... :S What a day... Anyways, I know that with earnest prayers, i know God is watching over it. And i am responsible on taking care of it. By any fault, it's my own fault on letting it happen...

Soon, Church will be moving to the new building near Medan.. Then, i'll be able to avoid that painful place with bad memories~ May you all who read this blog help me pray & bless my new 'baby'... :P Thanks for reading!

+-×÷ equation to be successfully rich?

This is especially dedicated to Brother Sio Yean. Thanks to his sharing during the service, that it is actually a very interesting point that struck me... It's easy to remember and apply in life...

+-×÷ equation to successfully be successfully rich?

As Bro Sio Yean is a book person... He searches books in bookstores and savors them just as most of the book lovers would.. As most of us would usually do. We will usually glance through the bestsellers sections and look at interesting titles with interesting covers... Then pick some of them up and read them... and if its good enough and affordable, or worth buying, we will proceed to counter and buy them. Among the books favourited, that capture people's attention nowadays are books that teaches you about wealth, making more money, duplicate your wealth and all that... Brother Sio yean would usually just read and hesitate to buy them... The reason? - They all have one common pattern...

Earn more... Spend Less... Just as he was taught the Chinese Culture way... The Chinese proverbs puts it: "开源节流" (Kai Yuan Jie Liu) literally: Open up more streams of incomes and reduce streams of spending. How does that relates to the +-×÷? let me explain...

+ (plus) increase your savings... increase in your income... Increase in praying for blessings...

- (Reduce) spendings, expenditure and so forth.. Buy only what is needed not what we want...

× (Multiply) your blessings by giving to others. The more you give, the more you shall receive. He gave an example of giving to the church where the church will diversify the benefits to the church members. Let the house of the Lord be equipped, furnished and grandiosed. Then the Lord shall uphold you.

÷ (divide) your income wisely. Proportionate to your need. share your blessings as usual...

As i often ask... is it wrong to be rich? or wanting to be rich?

Answer?- It's not wrong actually... As long as you keep the mentality of not being selfish. This is particularly important. As we become selfish, we defy Love. God is Love. From God comes our blessings. Therefore, thou shall not be selfish.

In the quest of being rich, you shall learn how to be a good manager, a good keeper, a good planner. Say if you own a house. you are to go on vacation. Who will you pass the house to? To a responsible and good manager or a simply greedy and notorious person? Same, wealth is a blessing from the Lord, If you can't manage it well, no matter how much more God is giving you, it'll be all down the drain. You just don't deserve it. Therefore, by asking for more wealth, ask for more wisdom in handling the wealth you have in hands 1st. Then eventually blessings will follow. Among the greatest wisdom God has revealed to Mankind is actually through the books of Proverbs where in the prologue itself has revealed the purpose and meaning of the books of Proverbs. May we all learn and continue to seek wisdom from God on how to better manage our wealth! God Bless!

Taken away... in Memories

Let the weak say, "I am strong."
Let the poor say, "I am rich."
Let the blind say, "I can see;
It's what the Lord has done in me."

This this the song... it touches me... It really comforts me a lot... This day... I am saddened by an incident that challenges my faith... my patience and will... My rock bike is gone... GONE!!!

It is indeed an incident that i never expected it to happen. It was a typical Sunday where i go and help out at church. I cycled there and LOCKED my bike to Paul's bike and to the 3 pipes... BUT at 1:45PM (est.) Paul called me and said, 'Garry, your bike is gone." At first, i thought he was joking. I thought he might have taken my keys and unlock it and play a joke on me... BUT as i go down... I saw all that was left is just the chain cut loose. I am shocked! I just don't know what to say and what to do~

All these while, i never expect my bike to disappear from church. It's at CHURCH"s MAIN entrance! the place where all church members are entering and exiting! But believe it or not.. it's now gone... i took precautions of bringing my bike inside my home instead of locking it downstairs my apartment. making sure i lock it well before leaving my bike around... NOW... it's gone! GONE...

The first point that came to my mind was, Did i sin against GOD? what have i done that caused me to deserve this? This is ridiculous... i can't take it! I can't accept it... At the same time, my mind struggles with me telling me to calm down and pray... I thank God my consciousness is still taking control... With all the church people surrounding me... All giving me their 'condolence'...

My mind stray so far that i thought of "How am i suppose to go uni now?"... back to old shape.. WALK! sigh... i just could bear it... I am so disappointed! after all the cycling... the comfort-ness of conveniences... going every in Sunway as i like. Going church anytime i like. Going Uni according to my preference of time... going to eat and going home as i like...

NOW... with my bike Gone... It's like in the Mika Song... "... like God took away my legs..."... Indeed... my conveniences are restricted once again...

But after all the thoughts.. with confuse and lost... I turn to God... for refuge and direction... Indeed... when man search high and low, left and right, up and down... There's only one way to turn to... GOD!

Seeking answer through prayers, devotion and saints... At once, i felt like i am like Job. But my conscience tells me not... Job lost everything. I didn't. Job suffered loss all by himself. I loss it with Paul.. So, i am not in the worst situation after all...

Through the daily bread...God comforts me with the bible verse in 1 Peter 5:7 "Casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you" there on, i cast all my heart-felt to God... i seek for Patience, strength, Love, Peace and Joy from Him! With the addition devotion summary verse that says "Those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength." —Isaiah 40:31

That really soothes some part of the pain. some verses promptly pops out of my mind... with on of them:

Isaiah 55:8-9 8 "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways," declares the LORD. 9 "As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.

I did the Lord's prayer during my devotion. With that, it brought my attention to 'Let Your Will be done on earth as it it in Heaven...' This may happen and i don't know why it happened... I choose to hang on to my Lord. My lord knows whats best for me...

As i move on... these thoughts come to me... I shall look forward... not backward... Perhaps, I am suppose to lose the bike so that i don't get into an accident.. I don't know.. but i know God has His plans for me... await it patiently... May God give me the strength to get through it...

As i read my email article of faith... again... it reminds me of the thoughts i have... with the bible verse that go "Many are the plans in a man's heart, but it is the Lord's purpose that prevails. - Proverbs 19:21" This further encourages me.

Again, seeking answer from God, God spoke through the Oswald Chambers' Golden book. It speaks of the troubled. John 14:27 27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. It reminds me that i may not seek peace thru any other thing. but only thru my Lord Jesus. King of peace. Peace comes from HIM. Let us fix our eyes upon Him, just as said in Hebrews 12:2 2 Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

In ending... I would like to pray that, I may find the door that God has provided in my life... Every time when God closes a door, He opens another. We just have to back off from the closed door and search for another open door... I also want to take the opportunity to pray for the person who stole my bike. May he/she realize that stealing is not a solution to things. It's not right to take from others, regardless if he/she is rich or poor. If he/she is a non-believer, I pray that he/she may have the opportunity to have access to the Gospel. May the Holy Spirit touch him/her. Let he/she repent from the act and May God pardon him/her. I truly pray that if he/she is a believer, He/she may realize that by his/her act, it has caused pain to others.

As for myself, May God Almighty fill this heart with LOVE. So much that people surrounding me could feel it... Let me not be overcome by hatred or anger... Help me be more Christ-like. All this i ask in Jesus Name. Amen!

May those who reads this, pray with me as well. Thanks for your participation in prayers! God Bless!

A prayer for You who are weary~

I felt the burden in this prayer... It's dedicated to all.. May we pray and share this prayer together...



M ay God give you...

For every storm, a rainbow;
For every tear, a smile;
For every care, a promise;
And a blessing in each trial,
For every problem life sends,
A faithful friend to share;
For every sigh, a sweet song;
And an answer for each prayer.

I earnestly pray through mighty Saviour Jesus Name I pray. Amen!