Good Day!

2011/2012: A Sabbath Year For Me!

A Sabbath Year

• Work, On Every Aspect Of Life
• Rest, For The Soul

Latest Posts

1. Friends

2. A Gift To Everyone; And Many Gifts Within That Gift

3. Be Thou My Vision

4. My Peace

5. Christmas Season Reflection (2010)

Life-long Partner Series

1. Loneliness (Revised: 19th July, 2010)

2. Finding A Girlfriend (Revised: 19 July, 2010)

3. A Sad SAD Situation? A Valentine’s Day Sharing. (Revised: 19 July, 2010)

Memories and Stories

1. At Membakut, Sabah (A Christmas Sharing)

2. 母亲节分享

THERE WERE GOOD TIMES AND NOT SO GOOD TIMES

          Some people told me that I looked very solemn, or took things just too seriously. Others said I was friendly, and sometimes just crazy. Still another said, “Chris, you’re a quiet person,” not to my surprise. Well, perhaps those who had been roommates or who stayed in touch regularly might know each other better. I, like everyone, met various personalities. I am blessed by people who really expressed their care and concern, continually. I still keep in touch with some friends, gathering together once in a while regularly. There were also those with whom I rarely stayed in touch but who still graciously helped me upon my requests. And there’s someone that comes into my mind almost always, but to whom I could hardly get any closer yet. There were even people of whose kindness I am not aware at all. It is good, therefore, to have good friends around you; good friends beget better life.

          Now, however, after graduation, we’d have even less chance to meet together. In fact, I discover that I am already finding (and re-finding) my fit in some new (and old) groups of friends, back where I am currently staying. I don’t know if we’re on the same page, but this is how I then think: Being able to stay in touch closely with a new friend is just as equally possible for us as losing contact with those in whom we had once confided or with whom we’re once close. On the one hand, every bond of friendship is as long, lasting as our memories can preserve, in the sense that whenever we have a chance to gather together after having not met with each other for a long while, most of us would look forward to having any such reunion. On the other hand, a person could have long, lasting bonds with rarely more than three people, or perhaps six or seven people, so few or many as it depends on that person, in the sense that time and space limit the size and span of the person’s inner circle – for one to truly care for and know another deeply, with mutual affection, and continually.

          On the gloomier side, I could not deny that sometimes there’s a need for a lot of patience. I did make mistakes: Sometimes I carelessly mentioned on matters that should not be mentioned; at other times I talked or wrote in an insensitive manner; there were even a few arguments – yes, heated arguments! I also learnt the hard way to neither be manipulative (e.g. the “All I care is that you do what I want, and don’t do what I don’t want” attitude) nor indifferent (e.g. the “I don’t care whatever you do” attitude). I am learning to keep seeking mutual understanding (e.g. simply, the “I care” attitude) in every relationship. Nonetheless, troubles are inevitable this side of heaven, and worrying helps but nothing. Moreover, there were things I did wrong that I find hard to mention here. Hmmm… words cannot always describe gloomy things clearly; silence might conceal them; but in Christ I shall put my trust.

AND THE BEST TIME IS YET TO COME

Consider the work of God:

Who is able to straighten what he has bent?
When times are good, be joyful;
when times are bad, consider this:
God made the one as well as the other,
so people won’t seek anything outside of his best.

[Ecclesiastes 7:13-14 (ISV)]

          This is it: a new stage of life has just begun for me this year. I shall keep advancing forward; I shall not fear the future; I shall not waste the present; then, in the end of my life, perhaps I will not regret the past. I shall learn from my mistakes, from others’ mistakes and, more so, from others’ successes. I shall enrich my life and others’, by working continually for God’s best on every aspect of it. In short, I shall build good relationships and live wisely. I am to appreciate everything gifted, more so my family and friends, while abiding always in God. Whenever I remember this bible verse “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” (Philippians chp. 4: v. 13), I will recall the next one, “Nevertheless, it was kind of you to share my trouble” (v. 14). I believe God intends us to be able not only to say, “Thank you, Lord,” but also to tell those around us, especially those close to us, “Thank you for sharing in my life.”

          So to end this writing, I convey my gratitude, a big “Thank you”, to all of you who helped, cared and shared all these years. Thank you for the time spent for one another. With all my heart I wish all of you who read all of these all the best in all your future undertakings. The best time is yet to come! God bless you all.

Christmas (or to emphasise through capital letters, CHRISTmas) is a season remembering Christ’s birth, just as Good Friday commemorates Christ’s death, and Easter Sunday, his resurrection.

There are many approaches to share the Christian good news, according to the gift God gave each one of us.

For example, I understand people might feel uncomfortable when they hear messages like “If you don’t believe in Jesus, you’ll surely go to hell” such as one shared in this video: Hell Revelation. But most serious Christians won’t deny that the very reason why there is Christmas is to tell us that Jesus came to save the world from sins.

On the other hand, instead of hell, this one paints pictures of paradise, and I have no more words to describe such miraculous gift that is given to this girl, named Akiane, than to just post here a few interviews about her (then 10 years old in the video, now about 18, a famous painter/artist): Akiane Kramarik (Public Interview) and Akiane Kramarik (Shorter Individual Interview).

No matter what happens or exists, God’s gift is life, and within life are many gifts, gifts and blessings that God gives to each one of us according to his will for our good. Again, life is God’s gift, because of which Christ has come, Christ has died, Christ has risen, and Christ will surely come again, for you and me who need him.

May we keep seeking and discovering new, good gifts in this gift of life that Christ has given to everyone, and have a truly Merry Christmas!

BE THOU MY VISION

Be Thou my Vision, O Lord of my heart;
Naught be all else to me, save that Thou art.
Thou my best Thought, by day or by night,
Waking or sleeping, Thy presence my light.

Be Thou my Wisdom, and Thou my true Word;
I ever with Thee and Thou with me, Lord;
Thou my great Father, and I Thy true son;
Thou in me dwelling, and I with Thee one.

Be Thou my Breastplate, my Sword for the fight;
Be Thou my Armour, and be Thou my Might;
Thou my soul’s Shelter, and Thou my high Tower:
Raise Thou me heavenward, O Power of my power.

Riches I heed not, nor man’s empty praise,
Thou mine Inheritance, now and always:
Thou, and Thou only, the first in my heart,
High King of Heaven, my Treasure Thou art.

High King of Heaven, my victory won,
May I reach Heaven’s joys, O bright Heaven’s Sun!
Heart of my own heart, whatever befall,
Still be my Vision, O Ruler of all.

Time flies. Today is the 6th anniversary commemorating the day of my new birth, of my knowing our heavenly Father. So by now I have entered the seventh year of living in the Lord since the moment I was baptised on the 25th Sept, 2005. Well, I have grown a little bit more now. There were things I did wrong that I find hard to mention here. We are not to concern about our own interests, but also the interests of others. I have learnt particularly in the sixth year, and am still learning, that, to give, it is not about what I have but what God has.

The lesson I have been taught most is this: To have bold faith and yet “… demonstrate all expressions of humility, gentleness, and patience, accepting one another in love” [Eph 4; also Prov 3:3]; and I learnt it the hard way. Sometimes things are just so subjective to individual opinions that mutual understanding seems to be the only key to integrate differing individualities. Furthermore, worries, heated arguments and vain glory are just unnecessary. What really matters is what builds up.

In this coming one year, there is much for me to learn about Sabbath, about rest, about all its blessings. Of course, every day, month, and year is blessed, so Sabbath is established as a sign of God’s children for the world; it is not mere ritual. I wrote in my previous devotional sharing about Sabbath, and about Work, On Every Aspect Of Life and Rest, For The Soul. I have also decided to be more reserved in my writings despite going through life’s ups and downs, because it is always better to share personal stories face-to-face, so I’d just write from a general point of view.

On the one hand, I cling to the principle, in the perspective of gifts and knowledge, that our strengths must be improved through diligence; and our weaknesses, complemented through interdependence. On the other hand, in the aspect of moral and ethics, I shall quote a minister: “Stay firm in the light (i.e. in good); turn away from darkness (i.e. from evil); as for the grey, bring them to the table, make collective decisions, and be accountable.” Also, pertaining to personality, it is written, “Have the same attitude among yourselves that was also in the Messiah…” [Phil 2].

I trust what I encountered these six years in the Messiah is a preparation for the abundant blessings to be gifted soon, more so in this coming year of his favour! I am realigning myself to grow strong in four areas in this Sabbath year (and beyond): Firstly in loving people, next in career excellence, then in life-long learning, and in financial discipline as well. How will God fulfil his promises in the year of Sabbath? How will I find my fit in the community within which God has always been working? What will the signs be that reveals his unique glory? Can words describe each of them? I am yet to know, and I am excited to know!

I recalled an old song singing by proxy the actual promise of the Lord Jesus.

MY PEACE

My peace I give unto you
It’s a peace that the world cannot give
It’s a peace that the world cannot understand
Peace to know
Peace to live
My peace I give unto you

My love I give unto you
It’s a love that the world cannot give
It’s a love that the world cannot understand
Love to know
Love to live
My love I give unto you

There was a story why I remembered this so vividly.

One night (I was still a ‘baby Christian’ then, albeit an 18-year-old young man already), while I was going to sleep, alone, I suddenly saw a terrible being beside my bed! Though it disappeared quickly, I was panic and fearful, so I ran (or perhaps, fled) to my parents’ bedroom, and I cried out to God. And thus came immediately this song “My Peace”. It came like a lullaby, almost like an angel was sent to sing a baby to sleep, to comfort me in spite of the bad mid-night ordeal, to assure me ”Don’t be afraid; I am with you.”

Through these years, my faith had been strengthened, bit by bit: The first two years of following Christ were my fights against horrifying voices, visions and nightmares; the next four years were spent mostly in Sabah, my growing through various new encounters, and trials, and good times, and failures as well; and my 6th personal anniversary with our Father in heaven is fast approaching already.

I believe God chooses specific time to vividly reveal himself to me as he does to everyone, so vivid that such time becomes extraordinary and special, a turning point of life perhaps.

Let us keep in mind the background of this song “My Peace”, recorded in John 14:27, that Jesus was actually assuring his disciples of God’s faithfulness before being crucified – yes, he was assuring his disciples whom he knew would at the birth of Christianity face persecutions, even martyrdoms.

What I am facing now, therefore, is nothing at all comparing to what the disciples suffered those days, and they endured faithfully following Christ’s example. Similar persecutions are happening in some parts of the world today; we can relate them.

I hesitate to share publicly what I am still struggling against currently, but I know I must remain firm. God is continually guiding everyone, bringing each of us somewhere on his journey, and indeed, it is on his assurance of his promises that we shall hold firm, in whatever situation.

The passage of the month for me, as I keep reflecting on life during this Christmas season in my semester break:

“Stop storing up treasures for yourselves on earth, where moths and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal. But keep on storing up treasures for yourselves in heaven, where moths and rust do not destroy and where thieves do not break in and steal, because where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. The eye is the lamp of the body. So if your eye is healthy, your whole body will be full of light. But if your eye is evil, your whole body will be full of darkness. Therefore, if the light within you has turned into darkness, how great is that darkness! No one can serve two masters, because either he will hate one and love the other, or be loyal to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and wealth! That’s why I’m telling you to stop worrying about your life – what you will eat or what you will drink – or about your body – what you will wear. … … because it is the gentiles who are eager for all those things. Surely your heavenly Father knows that you need all of them! But first be concerned about God’s kingdom and his righteousness, and all of these things will be provided for you as well. So never worry about tomorrow, because tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.”

Matthew 6:19-34

Things that I ponder upon reflection:

1. What can be categorised as treasures? And in what way are they ‘earthly’ or ‘heavenly’?

2. What can moths and rust and thieves mean?

3. “The eye is the lamp of the body” means…? And ‘light’ and ‘healthy’ and ‘darkness’ and ‘evil’, what can they all specifically mean? How to practically apply this principle of “No one can serve two masters. … You cannot serve God and wealth!”?

4. Is not “… your life…” a part of “… God’s kingdom…” as well? So does it not mean that while I must not worry about foods and drinks and clothes, I should in fact be seriously concerned, even about my own tiny life? What about family, friends, communities, and in fact, all people: Are we all not, or should we all not be, part of “… God’s kingdom…” if indeed we are to ‘… first be concerned…” about that kingdom? And how to relate all things to “… his righteousness…”? So, how to really and properly prioritise my puny life?

5. How to exactly explain these altogether considering various aspects?

6. Having attempted to answer all the above questions, are my answers reliable? Are they only my own opinions or another person’s individual impressive insights? What principles should I embrace that are approved by God, solid and applicable not just for certain individuals but for the general population?

7. “Why don’t you judge for yourselves what is right?” [Luke 12:57]

The 25^th of September was a day commemorating the day I committed myself to following the Lord Jesus, and was thus reunited with the Father of all creation. The years are passing fast, and now it is already the 5^th anniversary of my water baptism, the public declaration as one of God’s children.

GROWING AND MATURING

          By now, I have been learning the importance of repentance from sins, faith in the Lord Jesus and incorporation into his Body, the Church, edification by his words written in the Bible as well as communing in the Holy Spirit, actively seeking and remaining with the members of my inner-circle, responsible service in the world, and glorifying God, continually. The Greatest Commandments are now the ultimate guidelines for my life, God’s Holy Spirit being the Helper and I being his follower. Well, vulnerable that I am, I must commit myself to growing and maturing in the Messiah, until he returns and perfects all who do not cease in seeking to follow his way and his will.

          And life goes on, in him:

Ecclesiastes 7:14-15 (ISV)
When times are good, be joyful;
when times are bad, consider this:
God made the one as well as the other,
so people won’t seek anything outside of his best.

I have seen it all during my pointless life:
both a righteous person who dies
while he is righteous,
and a wicked person who lives to an old age,
while remaining wicked.

Ecclesiastes 7:16-18 (ISV)
Do not be overly righteous,
nor be overly wise.
Why be self-destructive?

Do not excel in wickedness,
nor be a fool.
Why die before your time?

It is good for you to grab hold of this and not let go,
because whoever fears God will escape all of these extremes.

 

“… So enjoy yourself in your youth, young man, and be encouraged during your younger days. Live as you like, consistent with your worldview, but keep in mind that God will bring you to account for everything. Banish sorrow from your heart, and evil from your body, since both childhood and the prime of life are pointless. So remember your Creator during your youth!”

Ecclesiates 11:9-10; 12:1 (ISV)

 

REMEMBERING MY FIRST ENCOUNTERS

“… continually be transformed by the renewing of your minds so that you may be able to determine what God’s will is — what is proper, pleasing, and perfect.”

– Paul [Rom 12:2]

Some people say reading is boring, like I did. I have changed my mind. Acknowledging that action speaks louder than words, I count it a vital to act according to knowledge, and thus reading is one of the most common ways to acquire knowledge. I am impressed with the motto of UPM, “With knowledge, we serve.”

And so I am writing more on devotional sharings recently (check it out at chrisdevotion.wordpress.com; it comprises sharing that is mostly limited to around 300 words each), reserving most of my time for quality sharing with people and for intensive study on various topics as described below:

Lord, make me a channel of thy peace;
that where there is hatred, I may bring love;
that where there is wrong, I may bring the spirit of forgiveness;
that where there is discord, I may bring harmony;
that where there is error, I may bring truth;
that where there is doubt, I may bring faith;
that where there is despair, I may bring hope;
that where there are shadows, I may bring light;
that where there is sadness, I may bring joy.

Lord, grant that I may seek rather to comfort than to be comforted;
to understand, than to be understood;
to love, than to be loved.
For it is by giving that one receives.
It is by forgiving that one is forgiven.
It is by dying that one awakens to eternal life.

Amen.

- Saint Francis of Assisi