It's Christmas Time Again

Funny as it seems, the atmosphere of the commercial Christmas is rather muted this year. And we all know the reason - we are in the midst of a financial crisis that is creating turmoil and affecting the lives of everyone in the world. Singapore is the first to enter into a recession and a bleak outlook for 2009 is forecasted.

But it doesn't change the fact that this is a season to be jolly because at this time, 2000 years ago, our saviour, Jesus Christ, was born. So, be Happy and Rejoice!

In the midst of doom and gloom, we need to lighten up! Yes, spirituality and fun do go well together.

Scripture says : "A joyful heart makes a cheerful face, but when the heart is sad, the spirit is broken" (Prov. 15:13).

"A joyful heart is good medicine, but a broken spirit dries up the bones" (Prov. 17:22).

Amazing how that proverb goes right to the heart of the problem. We're not talking about a person's face here as much as we are about the heart. Internal joy goes public. We can't hide it.

So, don't let the circumstances rob you of the joy that we have in Christ. A joyful heart brings healing to the emotions, healing to the soul.

Radiate that joy this Christmas season and be a blessing indeed to those we meet.

Have a Wonderful and Blessed Christmas.

A Small Victory

After blogging about the fight in the US with MacDonald on their "Gay" stand, I am glad to read that they have finally relented. Read about it here.

Sometime it pays to be a little more inquisitive when it comes to making choiced decisions.

Hmm...I heard Levi Straus is going the same path as MacDonald.....

MacDonald Supports "Gay" Agenda

I came across a post recently on World Net Daily that MacDonald has signed onto a nationwide effort to promote "gay" and "lesbian" business ventures in the US. They have one of their guy sitting on the board of NGLCC ( National Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce ).

Wal-Mart did the same thing and came up against a host of protests from Christian groups that eventually led them to backtrack on their commitment to NGLCC.

These issues may be trivial as compared with those coming from within the Christian community like embracing homosexuality in the church. However it should help us to rethink how sometimes our simple act of buying grocery from the supermarket or eating a simple meal may invariably contribute to pushing the agenda of these groups.

As for me, I think I will be laying off that McChicken for sometime to come.

Hey...there is still Burger King or Carls Junior...right?

Our Distorted Obsession?

A few months ago, my brother-in-law brought my attention to a certain revival called the "Lakeland Revival" going on in Lakeland, Florida. What is unusual about this is its main preacher, Todd Bentley of Fresh Fire Ministries. Todd's prophetic and healing ministry draws in the crowd by the thousands and spark a national interest in the US. Todd is not your typical usual preacher-type guy you see in churches but a fully tattooed biker who spoke of meeting with angels and healing with sometime violent acts like stomping or kicking people to get rid of the diseased parts. The internet are peppered with news and videos of the events that took place with varying opinions both for him and against his teachings as unbiblical.

The latest update is that Todd has stopped the revival meetings indefinitely after he announced that he and his wife have separated. Further update from his ministry's website reveals that he was involved in an unhealthy relationship with one of his staff and has been asked to step down from the board and to receive counselling as part of the restoration process.

Another news that broke this week was that of Michael Guglielmucci who gave us the hit song "Healer" while being diagnosed with cancer. He inspired hundreds of thousands of young Christians around the world as he performed with an oxygen tube in his nose. He has now confessed that he was never sick. You can read about it here.

I have no intention of dragging these people through the mud. Rather I moaned how we ourselves has been caught up extolling their virtues instead of God himself.

As I reflect on all these news, I can't help but felt ashamed that we actually has inadvertently been obsessed with Health, Wealth and Success, and leaving behind the pursuit of Holiness & Godliness that God has called us to pursue after. The priorities has been jumbled up somehow.

BlogPastor in his blog entry commented,

" We have baptized Fu Lu Shu and now worship an unholy trinity of Health, Wealth and Success. And it is a success as the world defines it: big budgets, bombastic buildings; great excitement and crowds; stratospheric worship. All this while the Cinderella of holiness, godliness and integrity sits somewhere in the grimy world of day by day living and working and serving, dishevelled and forgotten in a dark attic, waiting for the fairy godmother to restore her centrality in the royal ball. Such a worship inevitably cause leaders to turn a blind eye, rationalized with grace, and partner with highly gifted ministers in huge events, because they can bring the SUCCESS that God’s people crave. Like Aaron of old, we give in to what the people want, even when we know it is not the REAL THING."

How true, isn't it?

We need to go back to the basic, that of true repentance and seeking after the Giver, not the gift ; the Healer, not the healing. Indeed the signs of a true convert is not in the gifts or ability to work miracles (Matt 7:21-23), but that of character (1 John). Let's strives to be one that follows after God's heart. To pursue after Godliness .

Running The Race

A few weeks ago, we mourned the passing of a dear brother whom we have grown up together during the past 30 years. In fact, we recently met at my place for a time of fellowship. It seemed just yesterday that we were talking of the past and our future plans and now he is with the Lord.


His passing has brought new focus to the words of Paul in 2 Tim 4: 7,8

" I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing. " (NKJV)

What race are we on right now? A race to gather more money so that we can retire well or are we motivated like Paul to finished well the task that God has given us? Paul has exalted Timothy to.. " Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching" ( Vs 3 ).

Wake up from our slumber...the time is at hand..

PLMC Is Top Again!

The Tay Eng Soon Cup is again safe in PLMC's hands. Against a field of close to 200 golfers who tee-off on Wednesday at the MWS Charity Golf tournament held at the Laguna Golf and Country Club, PLMC's golfers came in strongly to cling the overall 1st position for the second year running. It was a wonderful time of fellowship on the greens as members and their friends from all the various Methodist Churches came together for a competitive round of golf and at the same time, raising funds for the various ministries under the MWS umbrella. PLMC's G18 group has grown, both in size as well as closer to one another as we fellowship around the greens, planning outreach programmes as well as contribute to the various ministries the Church undertakes.

Truly, we believe that God will continue to use this group to make an impact in the lives of its members as well as those we come into contact with.

Under the Shadow of The Almighty

I have not been blogging for awhile. I was stopped in my tracks while browsing through some of the other blogs on the net.

It set me thinking for awhile as I reflected back on the time when I started blogging. What was my purpose? To share with others what the Lord has taught me as I journey through life and to give Him glory. Have I done that? Or in the process, lost focus and directed attention to my own self, pushing my own agenda?


In taking stock of the situation, I resolve to uphold the following :

1. Stick to the truth that will enlighten and lift up others.

2. Never to use the platform to sow discord or to undermine others.

3. Glorify God and not self.

I have failed if others see more of me in my writing than the one I am trying to extol.

I pray that God continue to give me wisdom whenever I start writing an entry that He will enable the message to touch lives and bring Him glory.

To God be the glory.

BTW...I have removed the blog stats...it is an unnecessary distraction...

In Search of His Will

Have you ever wonder whether you are living under God's will or your own? Is the future sometimes seems blurry?

Sunday's sermon by Ellis Sudaypan, a missionary in Thailand brought home the message that He is sovereign over all things and he will always be there. His will for our lives becomes clearer when our hearts are right and ready to receive it.

In one of my devotions, the Bible reveals another fundamental truth. When God directs, God provides. That's what sustained Elijah during his boot camp experience.

" We have to learn to trust God one day at a time. Did you notice that God never told Elijah what the second step would be until he had taken the first step? God told His prophet to go to Ahab. When Elijah got to the palace, God told him what to say. After he said it, God told him, "Now, go to the brook." He didn't tell Elijah what was going to happen at Cherith; He just said, "Go to the brook and hide yourself." Elijah didn't know the future, but he did have God's promise: "I'll provide for you there." And God didn't tell him the next step until the brook had dried up. "

Rather than looking for a dramatic change of direction or event, God may simply reveal things in a simple and ordinary way, one step at a time. For instance, if we are praying for direction in the mission field, God may ask you to get involve in your own local church mission ministry first. It is through our active obedience in small things that He leads us into bigger things for Him, in His own time.

It is in times like this that we begin to tune our hearts to His and wait upon Him to show us His will....that He will surely do.

Hallelujah! God Heals Indeed!

Many times we read in the Bible that God is a God that heals. We see how God heals miraculously and brought about a transformation in the lives of those touched. However, many in our times and age felt that the time has past where God heal in a divine way. They range from the skeptical( those who demand scientific and physical proof ) to those who totally believe that divine healing and the gift of healing, as with other gifts of the spirit, has effectively ceased.

Apart from my own experiences of how God healed me of my ailments, I have seen first hand account of many healing that has taken place. Praise God indeed.

Last week, one of our cell member shared how God healed her during the Healing and Prophetic Seminar that was conducted in March 2008. She asked for healing for her heart condition which was diagnosed earlier. During her recent follow-up check at the hospital, they couldn't find anything wrong with her heart. Indeed, He heals! Praise be unto God.

The christian faith is a relationship. It is through this relationship that we begin to see and experience what those early Christians experienced. God is the same, yesterday, today and forever. We can look forward to living with the full assurance that He continue to be our Healer and Provider, our All in All. Hallelujah!

Twin Disasters

Words cannot describe the scenes of death and suffering in the disasters that hit Myanmar and China in the past weeks. Tens of Thousands are reported to have perished and many more are still missing. Emotions are running high. While rescue workers are working against time to save lives in Sichuan, governments are trying to persuade the military junta in Myanmar to open doors to aid relief efforts in the Irrawady delta where many survivors faced hunger and sickness.

In times like this, questions will always surfaced. Why does God allow this to happen? I have no good answers. However I am encouraged by an article which I found very enriching :

"Dr Blanchard in his booklet, 'Where Was God on September 11?', recounted the story of Job. A righteous man tested by God. In the midst of his sufferings, he questioned God. God’s response to Job’s agonizing questions forms the Bible’s fullest treatment of the issue of evil and suffering. Job was reminded of the way in which the natural world pointed to God’s overwhelming greatness and power in contrast to man’s dependence and weakness:: “Where were you when I laid the earth’s foundation?” (Job 38:4) “Have you ever given orders to the morning or shown the dawn its place?” (Job 38:12) “Can you set up God’s dominion over the earth?” (Job 38:33) “Will the one who contends with the Almighty correct him? … Would you discredit my justice? Would you condemn me to justify yourself?” (Job 40:1,8 ).

God didn’t tell Job about the cause of pain and suffering, but focused instead on man’s response. The words from Job’s friend were “words without knowledge” (Job 38:2). Now he was able to see things in their right perspective.
1. God was in absolute control of the universe, and nothing could frustrate His eternal purposes. (cf. Job 42:1)
2. Job was in no position to argue with God. (cf. Job 40:4)
3. He didn’t understand everything - “things too wonderful for me to know” (Job 42:3).
4. A living relationship with God was infinitely better than religious feelings or ideas. (Job 42:5)
5. He should confess and humbly commit himself to God. (Job 42:6)

Job didn’t get a straight answer to his questions, but he learned to trust God in the dark. He’s like a child in the darkness gripped in his father’s arms. God does not spell out to us why He allowed sin to enter the universe but, without telling us how this works out in practice, assures us that He is in control of even the worst of its effects. It is less important to know all the answers than to know and trust the one who does. God was not under any obligation to explain anything that He caused or allowed to come into our lives. "

We don't understand why these things happened but like Job, we can learn to trust God in the dark knowing that He is sovereign and in control in all situation.

GDOP 2008

The Global Day of Prayer ( GDOP ) was held this year at the Indoor Stadium on Sunday, 11 May 2008.

God's presence was felt very strongly as we begin to call on the name of God and intercede for the countries in the world. Needless to say, top of our concern was the cyclone hit Irrawady Delta in Myanmar.

Truly, we are in trying times. We renewed our affirmation of our position as the Antioch of Asia and stand in unity with all prayer partners the world over to lift up the nations before the living God.

Gathering of Old Friends

After so long, we finally met again. Friends of old gathered at my place for some makan and fellowship. There was a lot of catching up to do, with some of us not meeting up for the last 30 years.

One thing that has kept us together is our common faith in Christ. Though we have moved to different churches and are involved in different ministries, the bond continues to be strong as we kept in touch over the years.

We are planning a bigger gathering with a few more friends roped in. I sensed a new opportunity coming up - a new ministry perhaps, who knows! I know that God is preparing us for greater things ahead for this group...I can't wait.

Hebrews 10-24,25

And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.( KJV )

What Now, Lord?

Life is never at a standstill. We are continually buffeted with situations and crossroads where life changing decisions has to be made. I have seen for myself some major decisions I have made that has changed the course of my life many times. The question continually pops up : "Am I in God's will?". We seems to struggle with this as the answer always seem to be elusive.

Again as I faced another crossroad, I am reminded of 3 timeless lessons from Charles Swindoll in today's devotion.

" First, God's solutions are often strange and simple, so be open. We try to make God complex and complicated. He isn't. Don't make the carrying out of God's will complicated. It isn't. Stay open to His strange yet simple solutions.

Second, God's promotions are usually sudden and surprising, so be ready. At the time you least expect it, it'll come. Just like His Son's return from heaven. Suddenly and surprisingly He will split the clouds and be with us. Just when we expect Him the least He'll be there, like a thief in the night. And that's the way His promotions are. He watches you as you faithfully carry out your tasks, and He says to you, "I know what I'm doing. In a sudden and surprising moment, you be ready. I know where you are, and I know how to find you. You just stay ready as you carry out your job."

Finally, God's selections are always sovereign and sure, so be sensitive. That applies to choosing a mate as well as losing a mate. It applies to our being moved from one place to another, even though we thought we'd remain there ten more years. It also applies to those God appoints to fill the shoes of another. How easy to second-guess God's selections! How necessary, when tempted to do that, to remind ourselves that His selections are sovereign and sure.

God is looking at your town, your city, your neighborhood, and He's looking for His people to whom He can say, "You are Mine. I want to use you there because you proved yourself faithful there." The only difference is our geography. Our calling is to be faithful in the demanding tasks, whether that is our education, our marriage, our occupation, or just the daily grind of life. That's the kind of men and women God wants to use. "

Just as I am, where I am and what I am doing right now, be open, be ready and be sensitive as I continue to be faithful to the tasks God has laid out for me.

MONEY can't buy you happiness.

Can happiness be bought with Money? That was the discussion I had with a couple of colleagues during our usual lunchtime talk. Their lunch time practise were always to drive out to the nearby food centres for a meal. Most of the time, it will also mean a visit to the Toto/4D queue for their weekly bets.

Although their reasons are varied, there is an underlying assumption that all their problems will be solved once they can hit the jackpot. For that they will be happy.
True. Money can solved a whole lot of problems and bring you happiness, albeit momentarily. However, money could also bring you a host of other problems as well.

An article in a recent newspaper mentioned that going by past examples, lottery winners rarely end up happy. Instead, many of them end up in the dumps. It cited that 2 out of 3 winners lose or spend all their money within 5 years.

So, why gamble? The odds against you winning is so high and even when you win, chances are that you will not be happy.

The answer lies in your heart. The Bible tells us that "the love of money is the root of all evil". The reason most gamblers do not stop to think about what they are doing is that they are motivated by greed. That, of course, is what gambling is all about. If you win, you get back the money you put down plus a lot more. You bet a little in hopes of winning a lot.

According to the Bible, there are three legitimate ways to get money. First, you can work for it. (2 Thessalonians 3:10) Second, you can make money through wise investments. (Luke 19:1-27) Third, you can receive a gift or an inheritance. (2 Corinthians 12:14) There is no fourth category.

Perhaps we should hear again the words of the Apostle Paul in I Timothy 6:6-10.

"But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs."



Let us ask God to teach us contentment with what we already have. This is the central issue in the gambling debate. Do we believe that God will take care of all our needs all the time? If the answer is yes, then we don't need to help him out by gambling. If the answer is no, then we've got problems a lot bigger than whether or not to buy a lottery ticket.

How Is Your Heart Today?

Our local newspaper carried the news of reactions from "netizens" in response to a donation drive by the NTU Student Union for one of its student who was suffering from Leukaemia.

The New Paper reported that an informal online poll on a local forum showed that close to 80 per cent of the 120 forum users did not want to donate money to help 18-year-old Li Bingbing, who is a scholar from China. The reason is because he is a foreigner.

I was rather disturbed with this reaction. I mean, donation is purely personal. You can decide to who or what you want to donate to but why do you need to brand them as not worthy of your help simply because he is not one of us? Is he not a human being?

There was a follow up story after the story broke of how a Singaporean man, Mr Lim whose daughter was saved through a transplant where the bone marrow was donated by a man in China.

Mr Lim felt that even if those netizens did not want to donate, they should not have condemned the donation drive.

'They may be disgruntled, but to deny someone an opportunity to life reflects badly on themselves.

'Such reactions are very revealing of the heart of the person,' he said.

How true!

The classic story of the "The Good Samaritan" needs to be repeated here. Jesus narrated this parable in response to a question being asked, "Who is my neighbour?"

Being a neighbor to someone is not limited to family relations or proximity. It is showing the love of God to all who are in need, who ever they may be, where ever they may be.

I pray that as Singapore progressed and becomes more and more affluent, our hearts will continue to be more and more compassionate towards all in need, regardless of race, religion or status. After all, we are all created equal.

Luke 10:25-37

On one occasion an expert in the law stood up to test Jesus. "Teacher," he asked, "what must I do to inherit eternal life?". "What is written in the Law?" he replied. "How do you read it?" He answered: " 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind'; and, 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'" "You have answered correctly," Jesus replied. "Do this and you will live." But he wanted to justify himself, so he asked Jesus, "And who is my neighbor?" In reply Jesus said: "A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he fell into the hands of robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead. A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, took him to an inn and took care of him. The next day he took out two silver coins and gave them to the innkeeper. 'Look after him,' he said, 'and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.'

"Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?"

The expert in the law replied, "The one who had mercy on him." Jesus told him, "Go and do likewise." ( NIV )

Our God Reigns

Our God Reigns! The spiritual exhortation resounded in my mind and heart throughout the last week as we concluded the prophetic & healing conference. It was brought closer to home when the results of the GCE 'A' level examinations were released. There were joy as well as heartache as each student received their result slip from their school last Friday.

As parents, we feel the anxiety felt by our children. How do we counsel our children on this? I am reminded of the story of David in 1 Sam 30. David was blamed when the Amalekites raided their camp and captured their wives and children. What did He do? David "strengthened himself in the LORD" (1 Sam 30:6). He seek the Lord's direction and was able to recover all that he lost and more.

In all circumstances, good or bad, remember that "Our God Reigns!". He is sovereign in all situations. Draw strength from Him and seek Him to direct your ways.

Prophetic & Healing Conference II

The conference which started on Friday came to an end on Sunday. Along with the teachings and practical sessions were testimonies of healing. Praise God indeed for all the lives touched!

Every one has a motivation for coming to the conference. Some came to seek healing for themselves, others to learn how to administer healing or to learn how to release a prophetic word. Rev Bruce Collins and Rev Mark Aldridge took pain to explain the basis and concepts of the healing and prophetic ministry. Jesus in all His humanity, brought healing to the sick and oppressed through the power of the Holy Spirit. He laid the foundation for the 12 apostles and the 70 disciples to follow after His footsteps, effectively setting the stage for all believers to be able to do all that He did. ( John 14:12 )

Coupled with Sunday's sermon on exercising the gifts of the spirit, the underlying message is clear - God continues to speak and heal through his disciples. We are given the mandate to do as Jesus did. With the gifts given to all christians, the question then is what are we doing with it? Are we actively seeking to use the gifts as the Holy Spirit directs or are we burying it somewhere where it will never surfaced?

That is the challenge that was presented to all and Rev Peter Koh in his closing message mentioned that platforms will be made available ( e.g WIN ) so that all can continue to exercise the gifts in this ministry.

Just imagine what will happen if all will heed the call to do just that!

Prophetic & Healing Conference

PLMC's long awaited Prophetic & Healing Conference has started! On Friday, over 500+ members filled the pews in the Sanctuary and listen to Pastor Bruce Collins preach his first message on the Lord's Mission - Preaching of the Good News that the Kingdom of God is come!

I sensed a great awakening in the hearts of the members to reach out and grow deeper in our walk with the Lord as well as move strongly in the prophetic and healing ministry. Having seen and heard Rev Bruce Collins before, I greatly anticipated that God will use him and Rev Mark Aldridge to minister strongly to the congregation. Hallelujah, God never cease to amaze me. When every altar call was made,it seems like the whole church was up in front instead of sitting back at the pews. What a ministry time!

Expect the Unexpected! We are in for a great ride.

Stay tuned for more to come.

The Nature Of Things

I came across an email recently and thought that the message was simple yet captivating enough to warrant a reprint.

"At a fundraising dinner for a school that serves learning-disabled children, the father of one of the students delivered a speech that would never be forgotten by all who attended. After extolling the school and its dedicated staff, he offered a question: 'When not interfered with by outside influences, everything nature does is done with perfection.. Yet my son, Shay, cannot learn things as other children do. He cannot understand things as other children do. Where is the natural order of things in my son?'

The audience was stilled by the query.

The father continued. 'I believe that when a child like Shay, physically and mentally handicapped comes into the world, an opportunity to realize true human nature presents itself, and it comes in the way other people treat that child.'

Then he told the following story:

Shay and his father had walked past a park where some boys Shay knew were playing baseball. Shay asked, 'Do you think they'll let me play?' Shay's father knew that most of the boys would not want someone like Shay on their team, but the father also understood that if his son were allowed to play, it would give him a much-needed sense of belonging and some confidence to be accepted by others in spite of his handicaps.

Shay's father approached one of the boys on the field and asked (not expecting much) if Shay could play. The boy looked around for guidance and said, 'We're losing by six runs and the game is in the eighth inning. I guess he can be on our team and we'll try to put him in to bat in the ninth inning.'

Shay struggled over to the team's bench and, with a broad smile, put on a team shirt. His Father watched with a small tear in his eye and warmth in his heart. The boys saw the father's joy at his son being accepted. In the bottom of the eighth inning, Shay's team scored a few runs but was still behind by three. In the top of the ninth inning, Shay put on a glove and played in the right field. Even though no hits came his way, he was obviously ecstatic just to be in the game and on the field, grinning from ear to ear as his father waved to him from the stands. In the bottom of the ninth inning, Shay's team scored again. Now, with two outs and the bases loaded, the potential winning run was on base and Shay was scheduled to be next at bat.

At this juncture, do they let Shay bat and give away their chance to win the game? Surprisingly, Shay was given the bat Everyone knew that a hit was all but impossible because Shay didn't even know how to hold the bat properly, much less connect with the ball.

However, as Shay stepped up to the plate, the pitcher, recognizing that the other team was putting winning aside for this moment in Shay's life, moved in a few steps to lob the ball in softly so Shay could at least make contact. The first pitch came and Shay swung clumsily and missed. The pitcher again took a few steps forward to toss the ball softly towards Shay. As the pitch came in, Shay swung at the ball and hit a slow ground ball right back to the pitcher.

The game would now be over. The pitcher picked up the soft grounder and could have easily thrown the ball to the first baseman. Shay would have been out and that would have been the end of the game.

Instead, the pitcher threw the ball right over the first baseman's head, out of reach of all team mates. Everyone from the stands and both teams started yelling, 'Shay, run to first! Run to first!' Never in his life had Shay ever run that far, but he made it to first base. He scampered down the baseline, wide-eyed and startled.

Everyone yelled, 'Run to second, run to second!' Catching his breath, Shay awkwardly ran towards second, gleaming and struggling to make it to the base. By the time Shay rounded towards second base, the right fielder had the ball ... The smallest guy on their team who now had his first chance to be the hero for his team. He could have thrown the ball to the second-baseman for the tag, but he understood the pitcher's intentions so he, too, intentionally threw the ball high and far over the third-baseman's head. Shay ran toward third base deliriously as the runners ahead of him circled the bases toward home.

All were screaming, 'Shay, Shay, Shay, all the Way Shay'

Shay reached third base because the opposing shortstop ran to help him by turning him in the direction of third base, and shouted, 'Run to third! Shay, run to third!'

As Shay rounded third, the boys from both teams, and the spectators, were on their feet screaming, 'Shay, run home! Run home!' Shay ran to home, stepped on the plate, and was cheered as the hero who hit the grand slam and won the game for his team.

'That day', said the father softly with tears now rolling down his face, 'the boys from both teams helped bring a piece of true love and humanity into this world'.

Shay didn't make it to another summer. He died that winter, having never forgotten being the hero and making his father so happy, and coming home and seeing his Mother tearfully embrace her little hero of the day!"

The message is clear : We can make a DIFFERENCE. We all have thousands of opportunities every single day to help realize the 'natural order of things.' So many seemingly trivial interactions between two people present us with a choice: Do we pass along a little spark of love and humanity or do we pass up those opportunities and leave the world a little bit colder in the process?

A wise man once said every society is judged by how it treats it's least fortunate amongst them. As Christians, we have a high calling to be "salt and light" to the world, even so to the underprivileged and physically deprived, like Shay in the story above.

It is apt during this festive season to ponder and act on what the Bible said to be an "Authentic Christian" by acting out your faith (Book of James).

CNY Celebrations

The first news that greeted us for the New Year of 2008 is that there will be price increases for most commodities and services. First, the price hike on taxi fares, then the price increase for sundry goods. The latest now is that prices for all CNY goodies will be at least 30% higher than last year. Last check I did for a 1Kg pack of Bakwa from Lim Chee Guan cost S$54....and we are still a good 3 weeks away from CNY.

My sister told me that we will be having a steamboat feast for reunion dinner this year. The traditional feast of Shark Fins Soup, Abalone and Prawns among the rest seems to have been taken off the menu, for obvious reasons. I am totally in agreement with her. With the prices moving steadily upwards, it doesn't make economical sense to spend unneccessarily. After all, it is meant as a time for the family to come together to celebrate the coming new year...never mind what is on the table, right?

While in Johore Bahru on business, I picked up 2 boxes of love letters to try out. The price is half of what you will pay in Singapore. My wife told me the taste is not as good. However, 2 days later, there is only half a box left. I think the strategy to buy from JB is worth a second look ( Maybe Malacca?)

I wonder what the family will say if I tell them they will be getting less in their "Ang Pow" this year....

Are You Jesus?

Received an email from a friend who relates a story of a blind girl selling apples along the street. Her cart was accidentally knocked over and apples were all over the floor. A good samaritan came to help and set everything up for her including buying all the battered and bruised apples. When he handled over the money to her and started to leave, she asked, " Are you Jesus?" It left him with that question burning and bouncing about in his soul: "Are you Jesus?"

Having read this, I recalled a similar message in today's devotion on Genesis 37:36; 39:1-6.

"The sovereign God of Israel was intimately involved in Joseph's life. He guided him. He gave him facility in the Egyptian language. On top of all that, he gave him favor in the eyes of Potiphar. Clearly, God was the secret of Joseph's success. Luck had nothing to do with it.

Joseph didn't have to tell Potiphar that the Lord was with him; Potiphar could see it for himself. "Now his master saw that the LORD was with him" (v. 3). Furthermore, Joseph didn't use his spirituality as a manipulative tool to get benefits from his boss. Simply because the Lord caused all that Joseph did to prosper, Joseph found favor in his sight. Notice, it doesn't say that Joseph asked favors from Potiphar; he found favor with Potiphar."

Do people mistake you for Jesus? That's our destiny, is it not? To be so much like Jesus that people cannot tell the difference as we live and interact with a world that is blind to His love, life and grace. If we claim to know Him, we should live, walk and act as He would. Knowing Him is more than simply quoting Scripture and going to church. It's actually living the Word as life unfolds day to day. Like Joseph, we should reflect who we are in Christ Jesus that people will see less of us and more of Him.