Yes, I love my country Malaysia, very much indeed.
Ever since that our plans of migrating to Australia got broadcast, I’ve been hearing so much comments on our move.
“Wow, you managed to escape!”
“Good for you!”
“You’ll be better off there.”
“Good move!”
“Yes, that’s the way… escape as fast as you can.”
“Your life will be a lot better there.”
Everyone seems to be praising our move.
Nevertheless, this move is very tough on me. I’m born and breed in Malaysia. And I’m very much attached with everything here. I really love the people here. Especially my family and friends…
Malaysia desperately needs good citizens to stay on and persevere and built her up. I felt my own nation needs me more than anywhere else in the world.
There are great needs in this nation and a greater need to open the eyes of the citizen to these needs. There’s still a long way to go to built this nation up to be a strong, righteous and humble nation.
Moreover, I’m somehow fearful that my focus on God would be diverted with my new life. I would only go to a place if and only if God wants me to be there. And I pray that my new life will be purposeful to God and His plans. That we’ll be a blessing to our new home and community.
Nevertheless, I’ll always love my dear Malaysia, and keep her in prayers in all times.
I wrote this sometime in the past, about more than 2 years ago. I can't help feeling the same this very day...
~~ A Change ~~
A change, I shouted loudly,
To rebel against monotony,
And to defy amissed conformity,
A better good, I strife earnestly.
Change I encountered, after the fight,
But there I stood, paralyzed and uptight,
The next step was an intimidating might,
The unknown was as dark as the night.
In faith I put my best foot forward,
In prayer I hope my heart not to coward,
Lord, help me through the seas of doubt,
And fill my doubtful heart with Your Word.
Amen.
Hebrews 11:1
Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.
~~ A Change ~~
A change, I shouted loudly,
To rebel against monotony,
And to defy amissed conformity,
A better good, I strife earnestly.
Change I encountered, after the fight,
But there I stood, paralyzed and uptight,
The next step was an intimidating might,
The unknown was as dark as the night.
In faith I put my best foot forward,
In prayer I hope my heart not to coward,
Lord, help me through the seas of doubt,
And fill my doubtful heart with Your Word.
Amen.
Hebrews 11:1
Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.
Last weekend, we attended David Pawson’s sermon on “Unlocking the Bible”. It was a wonderful enlightening experience. There are many wonderful mysteries in the Bible that is waiting to be discovered.
He started his sermon by asking 5 questions and we’re to raise our hands if the answer is “Yes”.
David: One, do you truly believe that the Bible is the Word of God?
== Many hands raised ==
David: Unanimous. Two, do you believed that the Bible is the most important book?
== Many hands raised ==
David: Unanimous again. Three, have you read the book…
== Many hands GOING to be raised ==
David: I don’t mean bits of it. I mean, all of it…
== Several hands raised ==
David: Ok ok... Four, how many of you read through a book before?
== Many hands raised ==
David: Unanimous. Interesting, you said that the Bible is the most important book, but you’ve never finish reading it. And yet, you’ve finished reading other books which are not so important. Last question, and be very careful on answering this ‘cause God is looking at you, will you read through the Bible from today onwards?
== Several hands raised ==
In his sermon, he taught us on we should we should read the Bible. Some interesting pointers I noted:
>> The Bible is a library of books, a history book and a love book.
>> We should read the Bible disregarding the chapter and verse number. In this way, our thoughts will not be influenced by the division caused by the chapter/verse number. If people in the past can read and understand the Bible without these numberings, so can we. Besides, when we have no chapter/verse number to depend on, it will really train us in knowing our Bible better.
>> And by ignoring the verse numbering, we won’t simply read scriptures out-of-context. He gave many verses that are read out-of-context. One very interesting one is Philippians 4:13 “I can do everything through him who gives me strength”. He asked the crowd to think of the areas in our life we can apply this verse. And then he asked us, “Who thought of money?”. Only 2 hands raised. “Well, at least two of you got the verse right”. He, then, went go on to explain the context of the verse. Verse 10-12 was about Paul being thankful to his Philippians friends for their gift and telling them that he’s doing fine in whatever circumstances he’s in because he have learnt to be contented. And then verse 13 comes, that he can do all things (i.e.: surviving on very little and still have a contented heart) because Christ helps him. Very enlightening!
>> Before reading a book, ask what is the book about and what is it telling you. He gave many examples, some interesting ones are:
** The book of Proverbs is a book of proverbs. There are words of wisdom, and not God’s promises which we can claim. This means, that they are generally true, but not all the time. He gave the example on training your son well so your son will not depart from your teachings. Generally, it is true… but not all the time. Your son, even though well-trained and well-taught since young, can choose to rebel and depart from your teachings.
** There’re 4 gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke & John) and they’re written for different audiences:
Nevertheless, I truly enjoyed his sermon and really learn a lot. What really amazed me is his passion for God and in studying of His Words.
The book Unlocking the Bible. I've got one at home. It's pretty thick, but nevertheless interesting!
He started his sermon by asking 5 questions and we’re to raise our hands if the answer is “Yes”.
David: One, do you truly believe that the Bible is the Word of God?
== Many hands raised ==
David: Unanimous. Two, do you believed that the Bible is the most important book?
== Many hands raised ==
David: Unanimous again. Three, have you read the book…
== Many hands GOING to be raised ==
David: I don’t mean bits of it. I mean, all of it…
== Several hands raised ==
David: Ok ok... Four, how many of you read through a book before?
== Many hands raised ==
David: Unanimous. Interesting, you said that the Bible is the most important book, but you’ve never finish reading it. And yet, you’ve finished reading other books which are not so important. Last question, and be very careful on answering this ‘cause God is looking at you, will you read through the Bible from today onwards?
== Several hands raised ==
In his sermon, he taught us on we should we should read the Bible. Some interesting pointers I noted:
>> The Bible is a library of books, a history book and a love book.
>> We should read the Bible disregarding the chapter and verse number. In this way, our thoughts will not be influenced by the division caused by the chapter/verse number. If people in the past can read and understand the Bible without these numberings, so can we. Besides, when we have no chapter/verse number to depend on, it will really train us in knowing our Bible better.
>> And by ignoring the verse numbering, we won’t simply read scriptures out-of-context. He gave many verses that are read out-of-context. One very interesting one is Philippians 4:13 “I can do everything through him who gives me strength”. He asked the crowd to think of the areas in our life we can apply this verse. And then he asked us, “Who thought of money?”. Only 2 hands raised. “Well, at least two of you got the verse right”. He, then, went go on to explain the context of the verse. Verse 10-12 was about Paul being thankful to his Philippians friends for their gift and telling them that he’s doing fine in whatever circumstances he’s in because he have learnt to be contented. And then verse 13 comes, that he can do all things (i.e.: surviving on very little and still have a contented heart) because Christ helps him. Very enlightening!
>> Before reading a book, ask what is the book about and what is it telling you. He gave many examples, some interesting ones are:
** The book of Proverbs is a book of proverbs. There are words of wisdom, and not God’s promises which we can claim. This means, that they are generally true, but not all the time. He gave the example on training your son well so your son will not depart from your teachings. Generally, it is true… but not all the time. Your son, even though well-trained and well-taught since young, can choose to rebel and depart from your teachings.
** There’re 4 gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke & John) and they’re written for different audiences:
- Mark and Luke is written for the unbelievers
- Luke is written for young believers
- John is written for matured believers
Nevertheless, I truly enjoyed his sermon and really learn a lot. What really amazed me is his passion for God and in studying of His Words.
The book Unlocking the Bible. I've got one at home. It's pretty thick, but nevertheless interesting!
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