In Awe of His Creation

Fear and Shame

2012-02-26T16:44:00.002-08:00

Had a wonderful worship service at New Life Church today. The service started at 11am. They had a countdown screen about 4mins before the service starts. The song leader led us with the first song which has a line that says "dance the dust off the ground". He shared the origin of this phrase was during a mission trip to Mexico and the people had no carpet floor and they danced selflessly on the dirt ground until the dust was filling the air. He challenged the congregation to give our worship selflessly to God regardless of how people look at us. It was the kind of worship that I miss much from home. I feel so much at home but it is too far for me to commute to this church.

Brad Byod, the Senior Pastor, shared the message on David and Goliath. I underlined a few lines in my Bible which I have not paid attention to those details. Firstly, Goliath specifically asked for a strong MAN from Israel to fight with him, but David, a BOY, represented Israel. Secondly, David has no fear at all. He even asked King Saul not to lose heart. David refused to wear Saul's tunic but take up his own staff and his sling to approach Goliath. Thirdly, when David came to Goliath and said "I come against you in the name of the Lord Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel." choosing to involve God in his battle.

Most people cannot move forward in life because of fear and shame. Once we can cross over our fear and shame, we can live a fulfilling life courageously. A great reminder for me.

James 1:19-27

2012-02-20T09:54:00.000-08:00

Studying the book of James in my Greek Exegesis class has been a challenge as I look deeper into the text. We will finish the first chapter by this week and the chapter is rich in wisdom and advice. It also has many OT allusions.

James encourages his readers to be doers of the Word and not only hearers. In other words, don't be NATO (No Action, Talk Only)!

Christianity is not a religion that you can pay lip-service only. It demands action! If you love me, feed the lamb... This is what Jesus told Peter after his three-time denials. In James 1:27, James describes Christianity as a "Pure and Undefiled Religion". What does that mean? In order to better understand this, we need to know that it is related to OT (Old Testament): the devotion to compassion and Torah observance that determines the separation. Therefore, this "pure and undefiled religion" exists to "care for orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world".

The two emphasises of Christianity are:
1) to visit orphans and widows in their distress
2) to keep oneself spotless from the world

Are we doing this today? What keep us from doing this?

Seasoned with salt

2012-01-10T09:59:00.000-08:00

As Chinese New Year is approaching, I am reminded of the many things that you should or should not do during this occasion. One of the things we should do is to greet people with good and encouraging words but refrain from filthy and offensive words.

The Bible says in Colossians 4:6, Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.This should be the way we treat outsiders at all time and not just during a certain time. However, speaking good words is not a common practice in most Oriental culture and my family is no exception. However, in the Western culture, people are generally very generous with good words.

Let this practice in Colossians 4:6 becomes a habit in our conversation with believers and more so with unbelievers so that we can be Christ's good ambassadors having right attitude and giving right response for everyone!

Discernment

2011-06-14T17:34:00.001-07:00

The Greek word for "discern" was used to describe the process of testing metals, such as gold ore and coins, to find out what they were worth. There is gold, and then there is "fool's gold." It looks like gold to the naked eye, but it isn't, and it's not worth anything. Too many Christians settle for "fool's gold" in the choices they make.

Paul prays that the Philippians would have god-given discernment that they would continually make wise choices in life.

so that you may be able to discern what is best... Philippians 1:10a

Give us the discernment O Lord!

rural experience

2011-06-08T11:21:00.001-07:00

There were so many new experiences during the trip in Illinois. I was expecting to stay in a country house and working under a hot sun but God gave me so many surprises! My mates and I got to stay in a mansion like a hotel, got to try different food and drove a speed boat on the Illinois river, went shooting, rode a jet-ski, etc. These exciting experiences are definitely worth blogging as remembrance!!!

In the Cultural Immersion class to Illinois, I get to try some of the 'real' American food in the rural area, such as Noodles on the mashed potatoes and fried Wali fish (not sure the spelling).

The 'American-size' fried Wali fish and Noodles on Mashed potatoes

This dessert was served in the class.

Rhubarb Crisp

Rhubarb plant

Rhubarb crisp is a delicious dessert, made with a rolled oats and butter and cinnamon topping.

Ingredients:

1 cup light brown sugar, firmly packed
1 cup all-purpose flour
3/4 cup quick cooking rolled oats
1/2 cup melted butter
1 teaspoon cinnamon
4 cups sliced rhubarb
1 cup granulated sugar
2 tablespoons cornstarch
1 cup water
1 teaspoon vanilla

Preparation:

In mixing bowl, combine brown sugar, flour, oats, butter and cinnamon; mix together until crumbly. Press half of the brown sugar and oats mixture into a buttered 8-inch square baking dish. Top with the sliced rhubarb.

In a saucepan combine 1 cup granulated sugar, cornstarch, and the 1 cup of water and vanilla. Cook together until clear, then pour over rhubarb.
Top rhubarb with remaining crumb mixture and bake at 350° for 45 to 55 minutes.

Silverthorne Outlets

2011-05-31T08:51:00.000-07:00

Last Sunday, I went to Silverthorne outlets mall with my friends after the church service. On the way to the mall, the scenery was picturesque surrounded with stunning snow-capped mountain views. It was a gorgeous day to be out.

The Outlet mall consists of three villages, namely Red, Blue and Green. They claimed to have over 100 brands but when we were there, many shops were out of business. However, there are still plenty to shop at. We started with Red village and then blue and Green. We spent too much time on the Red and blue village and only had 40 minutes before it closed at 6pm for the green village.

On the way back, we stopped at Idaho Springs and had pizza at Beaujo. They serve great pizza. I learned something new here. Americans ate pizza crust with HONEY!!! Very interesting... I'm grateful for the new experience.

Dance

2011-05-04T18:07:00.000-07:00

In relationship, a dance is constantly happening whether we are aware or not. The communication back and forth is like a cha cha dance. The seeking to be understood by another person is like a waltz. Our spirituality with God is another kind of dance to foster a better relationship with God. It takes practice and time to synchronize the dance movements with one another and we must persevere until we learn the movement together.

Fishing experience

2011-03-20T21:16:00.000-07:00

It was a day when I felt too stress and decided to have a bike ride to destress myself. So I went on the usual route behind the seminary and enjoyed the warm weather as I biked. On my way back, I wanted to stop at the 'sea of Sharon' (I named this lake as I miss the sea so much!) to watch the sunset. I realized a guy on his bike behind me also wanted to stop there and so I signaled him to go ahead of me.

He then pull out his fishing rod and bait and started to fish. I was wishing in my heart it would be so good for me to see with my eyes a fresh fish if he could catch one. I was sitting about ten feet away from him and taking pictures at the bird on the tree, the clouds in the sky, etc. About half an hour later, he shouted to me 'girl, come over and take this picture." Even I haven't quite figured out what was happening and I saw him pulling back the rod with all his might, I thought to myself he must be up to something. As I turned to him, I saw the waves on the water and dawned on me a fish was on the hook! Hooray!!

He then skillfully threw the fish to the shore.

While removing the hook from its mouth, I could hear the fish making noise for the first time.

He said this was a rainbow trout. It has a pink stretch from the cheek to the tail across its body and it was very beautiful. It was still very active for a while and then John put it into a bag and let it die slowly. He then picked up the fishing rod and hoping to fish more. I waited to see if he could catch another one but he did not and so I left him because it was getting dark. I still have quite a long way to get home.

It was a beautiful day. Thank you Lord for this wonderful experience.

they will know that I am the LORD

2011-02-28T12:49:00.000-08:00

I have been reading the book of Ezekiel and I found a repeated theme throughout this book. The theme which says "They will know the I am the LORD". How fascinating to me that God constantly giving chance for the people of God to turn to Him and deepen our knowledge in Him. He is the God who cares for us and will not abandon us. Sometimes we may miss that in lives but God is patience with us and always waiting for us to repent.

I recently again experienced His providence and learned about right timing and trusting in Him. I had to move out and again it was a rush decision and so I moved last Saturday. I moved all my belongings without any furniture except book cases. I was in need of a bed, a desk and a desk chair. However, on the day I moved, I found a free bed online nearby my place and quickly called my friend for help. He helped me to get the bed that evening and I could sleep in a comfy bed that night. It was better than the bed I had which belongs to my ex-roommate.

The next day after church, I was meeting with my mentor and I shared my needs with her over lunch. To my surprise, she said she had an extra desk and a desk chair that she can give to me. After lunch, I went to the store to get some other stuff and got back home to put up curtains and around 3:30pm, my mentor showed up with the furniture and some extra items. My room is all furnished with what I need now. I am so happy to present my room to you... den den den den!!!! (unveiling the curtian....)

Sometimes we don't know what we are getting into but the change may turn out to be a blessing. I'm glad I took the step to move out of my comfort zone. "They will know that I am the lord". Yes God. I know you are the LORD over my needs, help my unbelief!

Assurance

2011-02-08T20:07:00.002-08:00

Waking up in the morning and seeing another snowy day can make one feel depressed or grateful. Feeling depressed because the density of the clouds would cover the sky and sunlight and hence the day appears to be gloomy. However, as I was sitting by the window watching the tiny snow flakes dropping from the sky and fill the earth, I chose to be grateful for this snowy day because I was reminded of two things: white as snow and uniqueness.

As the snowflakes fall from the sky and covers up the earth, all I can see is snow and the dirt is slowly out of sight. Everything becomes white as snow. The Bible also talks about how God forgave our sins in Isaiah 1:18 Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool and Psalm 51:7 Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow. I was imagining the sprinkling of the blood of Jesus over our sins until God the Father only sees the blood of His only son rather than our sins. What a gracious assurance!

As every snowflakes is different and unique in itself, God made each of us also unique and different from one another. Seeing the view of snow falling is just fascinating. God even cares to create each tiny flake with special design, he also took time to create each human being and we are made to bear His image. We don't need to work hard to earn His love and care but He freely gives His equal attention to all mankind. What a restful assurance!

coyote

2011-02-07T09:00:00.001-08:00

One of the assignments for the training and mentoring class is to work on an area in one's life and I have chosen to work on resting in the Lord for this semester. Yesterday I decided to take a walk even though it was quite cold outside. While I was walking by the Platte River, I saw this coyote across the river and I was so excited. I'm grateful to live so close to the nature where I always find myself in awe of what God has created. I want to enjoy every moment in Him. Bring it on please!

toebah

2011-02-02T09:25:00.000-08:00

It's a year of Rabbit this year. There are 12 animals represented for each year and come back to the first animal after the twelfth. Therefore, the years are in a cycle of twelves. I personally don't care about what year it is for Chinese New Year because I believe it has to do with superstitions. I remember before I come to know God, I would read articles pertaining to the different animals especially related to the year and to the year which I was born and represented and do what they say accordingly. Yes. It's kinda like zodiac. They tell you if you are lucky this year, if you are going to have good health, if you should get married, etc. After knowing Christ, I believe my life is in God's hand and only He determines how my life should work. I have all that I have in Christ and I don't need anything other than Christ. Therefore like Ezekiel 8, the remnants, elders and men of God did detestable things in the temple and provoked God's anger. God is a jealous God and He will not tolerate idolatry. People may be innocent about what they are doing but for some they know what they are doing. In this case, the elders said in verse 12 that 'the Lord does not see us, the Lord has forsaken the land.' So, they all did what they think it is right to them because the Lord does not see them. What more the elders were committing idolatry in God's temple!! In verse 16, they bowed to the sun in the east and their backs toward the temple of the Lord. Sometimes we think what we do in the church (temple of God) is honoring God but God sees our hearts. What a danger!

Toebah is a Hebrew word translated as abominations or detestable things. This word appears in OT over 100 times and of all these times, 41 in the book of Ezekiel. The Israelite people has been influenced by other pagans who worship idols and they even integrated and practiced the pagan worship in God's holy temple. This is called syncretism. For us today, some churches have gone far to incorporate different practices so that the church can accommodate and look less weird to the unbelievers. We tolerate or compromise the practice of homosexuality, and even for different beliefs, we think it is alright to yield to some of the practices. Know the truth and the truth will set you free. Arise church, for biblical teaching and expose the false teaching!!!

My prayer for this year is that I will refrain from all the detestable things and honor Him alone. May God help me to love Him with all my heart, with all my soul and with all my strength.

God's will

2011-01-17T08:30:00.000-08:00

Interestingly, I have come across similar themes after I have been turned down from a part-time job that I wanted badly. The themes are God's will, listen, teach, etc. I was so disappointed to the extent that I was thinking I was not good enough to be hired as they took another candidate. However, after a few days of calming down and coming before the Lord, I am convicted that my worth and identity do not determine by any external factors but what is found in Christ. I have not felt so disappointed for a long long time. What a year to start off with! Even though I don't see the full picture, I will trust His faithfulness.

Few verses that I came across:

Psalm 143:10
Teach me to do your will, for you are my God; may your good Spirit lead me on level ground.

Psalm 142:7
Set me free from my prison, that I may praise your name.
Then the righteous will gather about me because of your goodness to me.

Isaiah 48:17-18
This is what the LORD says— your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel:
“I am the LORD your God, who teaches you what is best for you,
who directs you in the way you should go.
If only you had paid attention to my commands,
your peace would have been like a river,
your well-being like the waves of the sea.

What a blessed assurance of His goodness and faithfulness for teaching me the right way to go according to His will IF I pay attention to His Word.

“Thy Way, Not Mine”

“Thy way, not mine, O Lord,

However dark it be!

Lead me by thine own hand,

Choose out the path for me.

Smooth let it be or rough,

It will be still the best;

Winding or straight, it leads

Right onward to thy rest.

I dare not choose my lot;

I would not, if I might;

Choose thou for me, my God;

So shall I walk aright.

The kingdom that I seek

Is thine; so let the way

That leads to it be thine;

Else I must surely stray.

Take thou my cup, and it

With joy or sorrow fill,

As best to thee may seem;

Choose thou my good and ill.

Choose thou for me my friends,

My sickness or my health;

Choose thou my cares for me,

My poverty or wealth.

Not mine, not mine the choice,

In things or great or small;

Be thou my guide, my strength,

My wisdom, and my all!”

Horatius Bonar (1808-1889)

I commit my plans into Your hand, O God. Bring to past only if they align with your will. Teach me to do your will! Amen.

Never the same

2010-12-20T15:34:00.000-08:00

What remains the same? What changes?

Relationships?
Life exposures?
Health?
Finance?

I find it so fascinating to observe things around me. Some changes rapidly, some with slower rate, some stays the same.

What say the Bible?

Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. 2 Corinthians 4:16.

We are changing inwardly and outwardly.

If you really change your ways and your actions and deal with each other justly, if you do not oppress the alien, the fatherless or the widow and do not shed innocent blood in this place, and if you do not follow other gods to your own harm, then I will let you live in this place, in the land I gave your forefathers for ever and ever" Jeremiah 7:5-7

Change the way we treat others. Remain faithful to our God.

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. Heb 13:8

Jesus remains the same. God is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love.

Quotes:

They must often change, who would be constant in happiness or wisdom. ~Confucius

If you're in a bad situation, don't worry it'll change. If you're in a good situation, don't worry it'll change. ~John A. Simone, Sr.

If nothing ever changed, there'd be no butterflies. ~Author Unknown

My past experiences have definitely shaped me to be who I am today. Change of my worldview, the way I interact, the process of making decisions, etc. Change is necessary for life.

This Christmas, I am reminded because of Jesus, He has come to change the world. By laying down His life, He made available the gift of salvation to all mankind. Through Him, we have eternal life, a life to the fullness. May you have a changing experience with Jesus this Christmas. Blessed Christmas!

Alien-ship

2010-10-15T11:46:00.000-07:00

What come to your mind when you heard the word "Alien"? negative or positive? two-big-eyed green weird figure? One-eyed creature? It's interesting to know how the Americans term their visitors and foreigners. They refer them as ALIENS. When I first heard that I have been put on an alien-ship status in America, my mind was directed to negative feeling. I was thinking that the Americans show no respect to the foreigners at all! They like to call everybody else names. However, this is totally a biblical concept! I was reminded that this is our status here on earth. What? Yes, alien does appear in the Bible (well, at least in some versions like NIV :p. Some phrase it as sojourners, temporary residents, or foreigners). It's not the scary figure depicted in the Hollywood movie. In 2 Peter 2:11-12, "¹¹Dear friends, I urge you, as aliens and strangers in the world, to abstain from sinful desires, which war against your soul. ¹²Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us." What does that mean? We are the chosen ones and we are just different from the pagans and the rest of the world. We are not called to compromise to the world values if they are against the biblical teaching. We are not called to live like one who does not know God. We ought to live a life that is pleasing unto God. We are called to live a holy life (a life being set apart) and not yielding to any of our sinful desires. Though the world may laugh at your foolishness or seeing your having different behavior than those in the world, this are the good deeds that you can show to them. And though they may think that you are wrong at doing what you are doing or being who you are in Christ, this are your good deeds to glorify God. However, being different doesn't mean that you reject them as friends. I do think it's vital to accept who they are but rejecting any of their non-biblical values or belief systems. Ultimately they are created in Christ image. As we build good relationships with aliens, we are bridging them to Christ too because you are the little Christ that they see on earth. Appreciate the diversities and differences that God has made!

So, whenever I need to fill out a form on my status, I am reminded of I too, in the spiritual sense, am alien to this world. Thank God for everything!

Fall

2010-10-07T15:33:00.001-07:00

This year I get to experience Fall (autumn) season. What I mean by that is I get to see the leaves change in color. Last year I did not quite experience thFall because the weather turned cold too soon and the leaves just dropped from the branches. However, because the weather stays warmer till now, I have been suffering fro allergies and apparently many of my fellow students also facing the same issue. Should I anticipate snow soon? So that I don't have allergies? or should I enjoy the warm weather but suffer from allergies... hmm... such a dilemma... Anyway, truly grateful for the spectacular view of trees with golden yellow leaves. Thank God it's FALL!!!

surprised quiz

2010-09-13T12:26:00.000-07:00

Last Friday, Dr Wenig surprised the whole preaching class with a quiz. I was not prepared at all and I can tell many of my fellow peers were not either from the looks! haha.. how exciting?! I only casually read the 10-page article the night before and I vaguely remember the key points. Anyway, I must thank God that I remembered to read and even I did not score well, I'm surprised by how much I could answer.

My mouth will speak in praise of the LORD. Let every creature praise his holy name for ever and ever.

Back to School!

2010-09-02T17:51:00.000-07:00

I've been traveling the whole Summer and kinda sick of it. It's time to readjust my mind for the hard work at school. School has just started this week. Had sat in all my classes for the very first time. How do I like them? hmm... I think they are not too bad except I think Theology and Preaching classes are more heavy in term of work loads. Anyway, I will ganbatte! I do not want to feel overwhelm by the load rather I want to tackle each class step by step. Library will be my second home this semester as most subjects required reading from the reserve in library. My apartment will only be a place for resting. Sayonara vacation.. back to school, back to stress, back to busyness... Pray that I'll be diligent in studies and be able to retain the knowledge. May God help me!

away from home again

2010-08-15T12:46:00.000-07:00

I'll be entering the second year at Denver Seminary and I still have a lot of decisions to make. The urgency is more intense now as I'm reaching the dead end and being pushed to decide what I needed to decide on. I am seriously on prayer and deliberately spending more time in God's presence hoping to hear from Him.

Leaving home again this time is different from how I felt when I first came last year. I had the excitement and was kinda looking forward to the new beginning here. However, this time, my heart was so heavy and even to the point that I felt reluctant to come back here as I've tasted the challenges at the seminary. I wish I could retreat but in reality I can't. I have no choice but to move on. I am praying for extra strength and grace and boldness to finish this journey well.

Time in Malaysia with family and friends had been wonderful. I got to catch up with many family different members and friends which I have not met for years. Also, I got to eat so much of the food that I missed much in Denver. I am so thankful to God for the resting and connecting time in Malaysia. I know it's a bit luxurious but there was no better thing to do for the summer.

I decided to read the Bible again and I'm reading the Archaeological Study Bible as I want to know the background as well. I have finished the Book of Genesis and into Exodus by now. As I was reading Genesis, The word "remember" strikes me. Gen 8:1 But God remembered Noah.... Gen 19:29 ... he remembered Abraham,... Gen 30:22 Then God remembered Rachel;... Then a question arose in my heart. Does God forget?? God can't be forgetful that He needs us to remind Him all the time. As we pray o Him, we are asking God to remember what he has said and promised. When He remembered, I think it is because the timing is right for Him to act upon as well. He remembered and He intervened on our behalf according to His timing. There are things that I asked of Him which are yet to happen but I need to wait upon Him. He is faithful. God is faithful. Forever He is faithful! I need to be reminded of His faithfulness in guiding me to this place and He will remember me for the rest of my time here as He has brought me from Malaysia to USA.

My mouth will speak in praise of the LORD. Let every creature praise his holy name for ever and ever. Ps 145:21.

Picasa 3

2010-05-09T06:00:00.000-07:00

Lately, I've been blessed by the program Picasa3 to edit my photos. It's free for download and here is the link http://picasa.google.com/

I used to have photoshop to edit the photos but I don't have that program in my computer and so I have not been editing any photos until recently. Picasa3 has limited functions but I'd say it is good enough for me plus the fact that I can download it for free, what more can I ask?? haha.. Hope those who are interested in photography can be blessed by Picasa3 as well...

There are still many functions I'm yet to explore and I sure hope to become more expert in photography. I received invitations to take photos at some events and I never knew I could bless others in this special way with my gift. PTL! I do hope to charge a minimum fee so that I can save enough to buy a DSLR in future.. This is my dream! yeah..

Before and after... I only realized that I used the same functions for most of the pictures... haha.. I should try other functions as well. Anyway, this is one of the ways I de-stress myself. Glad this semester is ending soon. Once again, I experienced His faithfulness and His grace was truly sufficient for me.. Crazy but rewarding semester. Hallelujah..

berries mania!

2010-04-03T08:13:00.000-07:00

It's my annual fasting discipline on good Friday to remember Christ suffered for me. He was mocked, despised, flogged and whipped for my sins so that I may have a part in His kingdom. I have not been fasting since I came to the States. It was my regular habit to fast once a week. I was not confidence to be able to pick up fasting again but I managed my fast yesterday and it's encouraging to me. I sense a breakthrough in my spirit this morning and may I ever draw near unto Him, my lover, friend, judge and everything.

Fasting in itself is of no spiritual value (Isaiah 58; Jeremiah 14:12; I Corinthians 8:8) "that which is of the flesh is flesh," John 3:6 – but it is the attitude of a heart sincerely seeking Him to which God responds with blessing.

Berries are on sale now and glad to taste so many fresh berries with reasonable price. As my break fast this morning, I had wheat waffles with syrup and berries topping. Too good to believe I am currently living in this part of the world.

Praise God for who He was, He is and He will be forever!

2010 Spring Break

2010-03-25T20:56:00.000-07:00

I had the opportunity to attend my roommate's sister's wedding at Grand Junction last weekend. She was a single mom living with her daughter, Lisa for some years. I am happy for her to find a man who not only loves her but also loves Lisa. What a blessing! True Love.. Love never fails..

⁴Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. ⁵It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. ⁶Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. ⁷It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. ⁸Love never fails. 1 Corinthians 13

This is not a passage on wedding actually. In the context from chapter 12, the believers was over-fascinated by the gift of tongues and probably segregated those who didn't have the gift. So Paul emphasized loving behavior is more important than any of the abilities that these gifts represent. Love never fails in the sense of falling away when the physical, temporal things on which affection rests pass away; it outlasts temporal things. Gifts of the Spirit will pass away because they are temporary provisions, but the fruit of the Spirit will abide.

Thank God for the good weather on the day and even though it was supposed to be very cold or get some snow that day according to the weather forecast. God is truly gracious to Whitney. I can see how happy she was on that day. May God bless this marriage to last as long as it could be. My pleasure to make them this video from the photos which I took on their special day!

I am yours by Misty Edwards
Though I sleep, my heart is awake. Though It's night, on You I wait. It's been a long night, and I am weary. It's been a long time, and I am hungry. So I'll wait in the stillness again. I'll wait in the quiet again. For when I heard Your voice. When You said my name. When I heard Your voice. My heart it yearned. In the middle of the night. In the middle of the night. In the middle of the night. My heart it yearns. Though You're far away, still I'm here to say. I am Yours. I am Yours. And when You feel so far away, still I am here to say, I am Yours. I am Yours. And I pay my vows, no turning around. I burn the bridges that can't be found. For when I heard Your voice. And You said my name. When I heard Your voice, my heart it yearned... For You...

The night before we come back to Denver, I made some oriental food to thank my roommate's parents for their hospitality for me during the trip. I truly enjoyed the getaway. I didn't study at all during the trip even though I had the text books with me :D

Denver and Grand Junction is 4-hours drive apart. The scenery was picturesque throughout the journey on the road.

Here are a few out of a thousand photos which I took during the trip:

It's all about food... Jan 2010

2010-02-12T10:05:00.001-08:00

Food is like........

- a bonding to relationships
- a story to a culture

2010 CNY 新年蒙恩

2010-02-12T09:05:00.000-08:00

This year CNY will not be the same for me... I have never celebrated a CNY without any family members around. When I was in Canada, I had my aunt and family around. Being in this foreign land, I was reminded of the situation of those immigrants in the Bible, such as Abraham had to leave his comfort zone to seek out for the Promised land and Ruth, the Moabitess, left her own country and followed her MIL, Naomi. Even though the festive season makes me misses home and family, I am truly grateful for the body of Christ.

Here are some of the CNY stuff being displayed in the Asian Store and its deco.

I did not appreciate Nian Gao so much when I was in KK. I decided to treat myself with Nian Gao here this year and so I made both the "baked" & "steamed" version of Nian Gao. To my surprise, they ain't hard to make at all.. If I didn't step out of my comfort zone, I would never have to try that and discover that I could make them! I concluded that it is not a bad thing to leave my comfort zone... and I believe so for you.. hehe..

BAKED ones....

1st attempt..

2nd attempt (improvised.. with raisins.. because I needed to bring it to the Jewish Congregation as we are celebrating the New Year for Trees (Tu Bish'Vat)

STEAMED ones...

1st attempt...

2nd attempt...

Sound Becomes Light

2010-01-23T12:45:00.002-08:00

New research confirms a theory: high-frequency acoustic waves can be converted to light .

This research finding really fascinates me because in the beginning, God spoke and it became light. When the sound becomes so intense that it turns to light. It was recorded in the Bible. the scientific research is a confirmation of God's works and it doesn't mean that without scientific proof, the Bible is not valid. May we have the faith to believe even what is unseen.

Sound Becomes Light This shows "a laser impacting a target like the ones that we utilized in our experiments. The glow is hot plasma that is produced by the laser. The laser pulse produces the high-frequency acoustic wave that propagates through the piezoelectric thin films, generating THz radiation." Ki-Yong Kim, Los Alamos National Laboratory

Researchers at the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory in California successfully converted sound waves to light radiation by reversing a process that transforms electricity to sound, which is commonly used in cell phones. This is the first time that sound has been converted to light. The findings, which were published this week in Nature Physics, could improve how computer chips, LEDs, and transistors are made, and also have applications in ultrafast materials science and terahertz radiation (T-ray) generation.

The research team initially predicted that the conversion was possible around a year ago, using computer modeling, and has been trying to confirm it in the lab ever since. They used a piezoelectric material, whose intrinsic properties allow it to convert electricity into sound, or movement into electricity, and which is used in speakers and sonar transducers on submarines. In the study, the researchers sent a very-high-frequency sound wave, with a frequency around 100 million times higher than what humans are capable of hearing, through the piezoelectric material, which converted it into electrical signals. The electrical signals gave off radiation, or light waves, in the terahertz frequency.

According to Evan Reed, one of the authors of the study, converting sound to light itself is novel, because there is only a very narrow frequency range -- around 100 GHz to 10 THz -- where sound and light waves overlap.

The findings provide a new possible method for creating or studying several technologies, according to Reed. One application might help build better electronics. Electronics manufacturers such as Nitronex Corporation, which donated the piezoelectric materials used in the study, make devices grown out of gallium nitride (GaN) and aluminum nitride (AlN), which are grown on a substrate and consist of layers of very thin films.

One complication in this manufacturing process is determining the exact composition of the film -- even the thickness of each layer of the film is hard to measure, because it is so tiny. But accurate thickness is important, because some electronic devices require a specific thickness for each component of the film. In the new research, the scientists sent acoustic waves through a film consisting of GaN and AlN layers, and were able to measure the thickness of the layers by measuring the time that it took for the acoustic wave to convert to radiation.

The T-rays from the process may also help researchers in the field of ultrafast materials science, which aims, among other things, to understand what happens to materials in the short time frame that follows ultrafast (on a sub-nanosecond scale) processes, like metal melting after being hit by a laser. And finally, while it wasn't the main goal of the study, the findings may yield a new way to generate T-rays, which are somewhat difficult to generate. T-rays can detect a variety of weapons and explosives, and may have applications in medicine, for example, in skin cancer-detecting devices.

20100122 Ezer Kenegdo

2010-01-23T12:45:00.001-08:00

It was a good break Christmas 2009. I will begin my second semester in three days and it's overwhelming for me to think of the reading assignments lining up for all the classes. Before I dive into the second semester, I want to take this opportunity to write about my experiences here.

Dec 2009 was a crucial month for me as I pressed in for the finals and papers for my first semester here. I managed to pass all the classes and ended the semester well by His bountiful grace. He enabled me and released His glory for His namesake.

When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. Isa 43:2.

Besides rushing for the deadlines and finals in December, I had a memorable Christmas being with a new communities in a new environment. On Christmas eve, I went to my church for the Christmas eve service at 4pm and then a family from the church invited me for dinner at their house. It was a good Italian meal and they surprised me with gifts! Then, on Christmas day, I went with a family to visit friends and of course food and fellowship again! Glad to learn from and be part of the American culture. The people are generally nice and friendly (at least so far those I met :p). I was invited by a Vietnamese family to fellowship with them and tried their homemade Vietnamese food.

After that night, I flew to Kansas City for two weeks being at IHOP (International House of Prayer). I attended Onething Conference with 20,000 participants followed by Leadership Summit and Cultivating Forerunner Worship. I also had the opportunity to spend some days at the Global Prayer Room which operates 24/7 with people praying and worshipping the Lord. I got to spent my New Year day with one of my friends at Kansas City. I truly thank God for how He has blessed me with opportunity to learn and equip myself to becoming better kingdom worker.

I am looking forward to learn more in the upcoming semester. I have signed up for six classes, four Old Testament classes and two of others.
1- Learning Hebrew & Its Grammar II
2- OT Theology & Religion
3- Understanding the Kingdom of Israel & Its prophets
4- Reading the Old Testament from the two-third world
5- Mentoring & Spiritual Formation and
6- Thesis Proposal

I am still deciding whether to take Worship & Culture. Even though I may have settled in with the groove of studying, may I remain humble in depending on God for my studies.

Ezer Kenegdo is found in Genesis 2:18 when God made Eve as Adam's Ezer Kenegdo. God did not just make an Ezer for Adam, but Ezer Kenegdo. Ezer also appears in Psalm 121: my help (ezer) comes from the maker of heaven and the earth. Kenegdo modifies ezer, which literally means a help against him. How can she be for him if she is against him? It is a common misconception among young couples that husband and wife should be in total synch; any difference of opinion is seen as a sign of incompatability and marital failure. The truth, however, is to the contrary. Couples are not meant to be clones of one another; rather they should complement one another. If man so merits, his mate will be a help (ezer) to him; if not, she will act against him (kenegdo). Not that they mean to insert the word or in the verse. But that kenegdo modifies ezer; indicating just what kind of a help a wife is to be; namely, the kind that goes against her husband. By this they mean that opposition from a spouse is, in fact, a desirable quality. Lacking that quality, she will be against him. We are called to be the bride of God and hence we are the ezer kenegdo to God. Struggles are inevitable in lives, but struggles would bring us closer to God, our helper. Trusting Him as my helper was the one of the lessons I learned last semester and He did not fail me. Rest assured in His agape and trust Him.
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. Heb 12:2.

Thank God for His guidance, I was able to find a mentor for the spiritual formation group starting next semester. Pray that I'll be diligent in this learning process at the seminary and be a blessing to others.

Snowshoe experience

2010-01-18T09:44:00.001-08:00

Snowshoeing was once the mode of snow travel used in North America. Hunters, trappers, farmers, timber cruisers, surveyors, prospectors, explorers, soldiers, etc used snowshoes. Anybody needing to travel in snow country owned them and most made their own until about one hundred years ago. They were as important to taming the West as were the axe and flint-lock rifle.

Other modes of winter snow travel did not enter America until Norwegians, Swedes, and Finns began to immigrate in the early 1800s. They introduced the now popular ski, which did not overtake the snowshoe in overall use until the 1960s. Of course the snowmobile is now also in common use as a mode of snow travel, not to mention automobiles and trucks.

Today, it has become one of the winter sports that people no longer do it for surviving but more of a leisure. I had a good experience of snow shoeing but the price I paid was getting two huge blisters on my feet and they took a month to heal and a box of band-aids.. haha.. I'd sure love to go again during break because it's too busy with school works now :( sob.. sob..

History of snow shoeing: http://www.anchorage.net/1283.cfm

The Blindside

2010-01-18T09:04:00.001-08:00

"The Blind Side" depicts the story of Michael Oher, a homeless African-American youngster from a broken home, taken in by the Touhys, a well-to-do white family who help him fulfill his potential. At the same time, Oher's presence in the Touhys' lives leads them to some insightful self-discoveries of their own. Living in his new environment, the teen faces a completely different set of challenges to overcome. As a football player and student, Oher works hard and, with the help of his coaches and adopted family, becomes an All-American offensive left tackle.

As I watched the show on the 1st of January 2010 in Kansas City, I was reminded of God's unconditional love for me by taking me from a miry clay, shaping me, molding me so that my potentials are unleashed. The mother, Leigh Anne Tuohy (Sandra Bullock) saw Michael (Quinton Aaron) and had compassion over him and impacted the life of Michael. She brought him home from the street without reservation. Michael was given not only food and shelter but also opportunity to study and opportunity to maximize his potential. I was once a pagan and because of His great love, I become the heir in God's kingdom. I am being grafted into this big family of Christ. I rejoice for my citizenship is in Heaven (Phil 3:20) even I may still struggle in my flesh but to overcome it through faith in Christ.

The real family of the movie "The Blindside".

The World's Largest Snowman

2010-01-12T17:55:00.000-08:00

Recently, I came across an article in SPIRIT, an in-flight magazine of Southwest Airlines, related to snowman that grabbed my attention. The 122-feet snowman, or rather snowwoman was built in 2008 by residents of Bethel, Maine, USA. The people named her Olympia Snowe. Her base was made bigger so that they could make her hips. Her arms were 30-foot spruce trees, skis are her eye lashes and tires her mouth. The whole project took 100 hours to complete and it broke the previous world record of largest snowman, Angus stood 113 feet tall.

crafting

2009-12-23T21:36:00.000-08:00

It's so fascinating to find so many craft tools here. I was able to make Christmas cards for friends this year. Not only cards, but baking too! The cookies include sugar cookies, oatmeal and honey and chocolate chips. I would not imagine myself doing these things in Malaysia but it was fun!

Jesus is the GIFT

2009-12-06T19:46:00.000-08:00

Jesus is the Gift that perfectly fits the size of every heart and it is with His love that all celebration starts. We rejoice in Him as we remember His birth and thank God for sending His only Son to earth. His life led from a manger to a cross on a hill where He faithfully followed His Father's perfect will. He freely laid down everything so that we could live, and there is no greater treasure anyone could give. Like a scarlet ribbon His love wrapped around the cross and He offered it to us all at the greatest cost. So each time that we give we remember what He's done and honor the perfect Gift - God's one and only Son.

Do you have this Gift? If this is your desire, it's simple. Just pray this prayer:
Father, thank you for Jesus Christ, the greatest Gift. Through His blood, my sins are forgiven. Empower me to live a new life pleasing to You. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

Congratulations! Now you need to plug in to a church. Just find a church nearby. God loves you.

It's all about food... December 2009

2009-11-27T17:01:00.001-08:00

I have not cooked so much when I was in KK. I got to try so many new cooking here. Forgot to take some of the photos...

Shepherd pie with curry filling...

Fish head Tomyum...

Wontun...

Oxtail soup...

Baked sweet potatoes...

20091101 I'm Alive

2009-11-01T11:09:00.000-08:00

Time flies... If nothing that I can thank God with, one thing that is always true to thank Him for the fact that "I"M ALIVE!". Life is a gift of God! Looking back at the time when I was still in KK, and now I've been in Denver for more than two months was truly amazing... like a dream.. Is this not a dream??

Thank God for this new experience that I could have for this season of my life. The school has begun for two months now and will end in six weeks time. This means I've gone pass the mid line.. Hooray!! I still feel amazed that God has led me thus far in school. Going back to school is not easy and God's grace has been sufficient for me. Knowing I'm not an elite student, I don't like studying academically and yet I chose to be in the most rigorous and academic program in seminary. How odd is that?? haha.. This only humbles me to depend on God more and He's been so faithful that I see His mercy and grace all the time. May my eyes be upon Him for the rest of my life. I've been praying that God will teach me His ways and that I may walk in the truth and I may have an undivided heart to fear His name. Worries can cause me to have divided heart and hence I need to unite my heart to praise Him at all times.

Psalm 86:11

Teach me your way, O LORD, and I will walk in your truth; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name. (NIV)

Teach me Your way, O LORD; I will walk in Your truth; Unite my heart to fear Your name. (NASB)

Teach me your ways, O Lord, that I may live according to your truth! Grant me purity of heart, so that I may honor you. (NLT)

My new experiences include:

1) Weather

In these two months, I seem to have experienced four seasons. Spring, Summer, Fall and Winter.

2) Community

I've met many friends and hoping to have a new community soon. I have chosen to settle down in a church on campus called Aspen Grove Community Church. There will be a new lead pastor coming to lead the church from mid of November. How exciting it is to embark on a new journey with them. I have decided to offer my service to this church in any ways that they want me to so that my gift can be utilize for His kingdom here. The website of the church is http://www.aspengrovechurch.org/

3) Food

It has been rather a challenge to cook but as I attempted to cook, it's been testified that my cooking is not too bad.. haha.. I must have inheritedfrom my family.. Glory to God! I have made fried rice, baked chicken chop, soto, fried noodles, oxtail soup, etc.

God has opened my eyes to see his creation in a new way. I've seen His glory manisfested in the sky, clouds, springs, flowers, etc. I truly appreciate nature in a different way now then before. Let everything that has breath praise the LORD!

200907a Favour Displayed

2009-07-18T03:29:00.000-07:00

Now is the time of God's favour (2 Corinthians 6:2). "In the time of my favour I will answer you." He answered our prayers and His divine blessings are upon us.

DAY 1: On 11th July, I went to KL preparing myself for the USA visa interview on 13th July. I managed to book a fairly reasonable ticket to KL from KK. I haven't travelled with MAS for such a long time and haven't had plane food for quite some time. Upon arriving, my brother came to airport and we went for supper on our way home.

DAY 2: The next day, together with my brother and my sis-in-law, we managed to go for shopping at KL (Sungai Wang and Low Yat). I was looking for a MP3 with recorder so that I can listen to music and talks on the go or do recordings for the lectures when I get to Denver Seminary. I managed to get a 4GiG Philips MP3 at Low Yat. I also bought some gifts for my parents. We also went to check put the location of the embassy after our shopping.

DAY 3: On Monday, I needed to wake up so early at 6am to get ready myself at 6:45am for the scheduled visa interview at US Embassy. My brother took leave to send me there and I'm truly thankful. The traffice wasn't heavy because it was early. We couldn't find a place for breakfast and we ended up having mcmuffin at McD. We headed straight to the embassy immediately after our breakfast. It was very near and I arrived the embassy about 8am. Then I went straight to registration counter and the queue at the entrance was not too long, about 15 people in the line. I thought I was very early (because one of the rules is to line up only 10 mins prior to the appointment time and my appointment time was at 8:50am). So I sat down at the chair beside the line and talked to a lady who was there. She was a mom to one of the candidates who came for the interview that day. I got to know that she's a pastor of the Chinese congregatin of a methodist church in Perth and the husband works in Beijing. So she encouraged me to pursue theological studies. Then, I joined the line to enter the embassy. I went through the screening and then waited for my turn. When the officer interviewed me at counter 5, he asked me about ten questions and showed him few of my documents. Then he said he can release the visa to me provided I pay the SEVIS fee. Oh no!! many thoughts come to me at that time. I can't get my visa the next day, I need to come back to submit the SEVIS receipt the next day, how can I travel to the embassy??? First thing when I got back to my brother's home, I logged into internet and paid the SEVIS fee. Then, I paid the courier fee for my passport at the nearest Alliance branch in Puchong Jaya. But not long after that, I figured I needed the passport for a trip to Australia with my family. Then I quickly changed my flight to night time so that I can collect my passport and go back with it. I wrongly clicked the date and so I had to pay the penalty and difference of the airfare.. All these cost me much but I still managed to sort out the things by His grace. God truly guided me step by step. He sent angels to bring me to the embassy for the next two days.

DAY 4: On the second day, a couple sent me to the embassy as I stayed overnight with them the night before. They will be selling the mansion soon and so they invited me to stay with them again after I stayed with them few years ago when I attended the cell conference in DUMC. So I had the privilege to stay again with them in one of their daughter's room. I took up the guitar and played the song "How great is our God" and worshipped Him. So at the embassy, I presented the SEVIS receipt to the lady and she gave me the receipt to collect my passport on the next day at MCA building.

DAY 5: The next day, I got a brother to send me to MCA building at LRT station as my sister dropped me off at the LRT station. So, when I was at the counter, the lady searched my pasport and couldn't find mine, I was so worried... She literally searched one by one and eventually searched all and still couldn't find mine. I was so concerned as I think they may have couriered it out. Thank God the lady went in and found my passport. The favour of God and men was with me. I got to meet two friends before I leave KL and we had a good fellowship at the mamak stall eating tasty roti canai and ayam goreng. Then my brother sent me to airport while my sis-in-law sent the children for tuition. The flight was delayed and I got home about 1am. My sister and brother-in-law fetched me from KKIA T2 airport even though it was very late.

Thank God for sustaining me throughout this eventful and victorious trip. His favour was displayed throughout the trip!!!

200907 God never fails

2009-07-10T17:03:00.000-07:00

It's been a time of waiting and resting for me in June. I was not well due to many reasons and only God knows the reasons. Things moved slowly but they got done by His grace as I pressed in. I have just received I-20 yesterday and it was just in time for my visa interview on Monday. I was overjoyed with God's faithfulness as I was really anxious about whether it'll arrive before my taking off on Saturday. I was even thinking changing the date of intereview should I not receive it by today. God never fails. He will deliver at the right time without delay. Hooray! He is to be praised..

"For He is the living God and He endures forever; His kingdom will not be destroyed, his dominion will never end. He rescues and he saves, he performs signs and wonders in the heavens and on the earth. He has rescued Daniel from the power of the lions. Daniel 6: 26-27"

So will he rescue us from difficulties in life!

Just like how the song goes..
"My God can never fail, He's been proved time and again, trust Him you'll see, He's got all the power you need!" Hallelujah!

My God can never fail
He's been proved time and again
Trust Him you'll see
He's got all the power you need

He's never early, never late
It takes courage and it takes faith
Trust Him you'll see
He's go all the power you need

He saves, forgives and heals
Takes back what the devil steals
My debt's been paid in full
And every day He does miracles

I got dreams turn them into plans
Too big for human hands
Turst Him you'll see
He's got all the power you need

He's real, He's real
Faith's a lot stronger
Than what you feel
He's real, He's real
I'm believing for miracles

2009 Interlude

2009-07-02T22:51:00.000-07:00

1st of July! A new beginning for me.. Actually it's like a break after a chapter of life and before moving on to the next chapter in life. I'm off work.. I need to sort out many things. The list can be very long.. BUT, I wanna get back to my habit of tracking at Tun Fuad Park. So I went around 4:30pm. It was a fine day. I was happy to be able to see Mt K so clearly from a distance. Good thing was that I brought my camera along this time (which I normally don't :p). God is good. I really enjoyed the tracking soooooo much... A long lost sense of satisfaction and 'filling up my tank'. hehe.. One of the things in my list-to-do is to get more exercise.. Hope to build a healthy body through exercising because the list of farewell meals are increasing daily.. God is still good, all the time!

20090630 End of a Chapter

2009-06-30T08:39:00.000-07:00

Today is the last day at work in Church office. I'm grateful to have my car parked at the the spot where I used to park for few years. In the past few months, the spot was occupied by our church van. Surprisingly today on my last day at work, the van was parked at another location. God must have thought giving me the last chance as a memory for me..

After the sharing of His Word at our staff devotion, I'm glad to be prayed by all my beloved coworkers. It's just so blessed to serve together in the past years (though some of them have just joined the team not long ago).

Starting tomorrow, I am on leave for a month (clearing my leave though not all, I'm happy to leave the rest forfeited). I need to get many many things sorted out while also preparing for the visa interview. But before the interview, I need to receive the document from my school. This makes me nervous and panic BUT I can only put my trust in the Lord for His intervention. He is the God in whom I trust. He will see me through..

Prophesy by Huan

2009-06-18T20:08:00.000-07:00

Today, over the skype, Huan prophesied to me that

you'll meet your future in more ways than you can imagine in USA
[10:56:22 AM] look out for someone who'll say 'its a whole new ballgame'
[10:56:45 AM] you'll meet someone who'll make this precise remark
[10:56:53 AM] don't forget - it involves your destiny
[10:57:22 AM] precisely this statement-
[10:57:35 AM] 'its a whole new ballgame'
[10:58:08 AM] save this chat
[10:58:23 AM] one day - you can show him this chat too that this event was prophesied

Here I come U . S . A . yay!

200906 Jehovah Jireh

2009-06-04T05:51:00.000-07:00

May has been an eventful month to me. Not only we celebrated the Harvest for the Kadazans, but also the Pentecost Sunday in May. A month of gathering harvest, a month of deciding on the destination, a month of breakthrough! His overflowed blessings and favour are beyond words.

Do not let kindness and truth leave you; Bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart. So you will find favor and good repute In the sight of God and man. Proverbs 3:3-4

In my last update, I mentioned that I have been accepted by the two seminaries. I took time to pray and seek the Lord for direction since it's not a small decision and I dare not take this lightly. God is wonderful! His Word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path (Ps 119:105). So, I'm glad to announce that I have decided to move on to Denver Seminary in Colorado.

The application has not completed yet. (phew! my patience is being put to test.. haha) But I have no regret of going through this process. I experienced His power and love which I can't earn by my own righteousness but His grace.

The Jehovah Jireh has provided my financial needs according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus my Lord. Less than two months, God has moved the hearts of sponsors to give generously towards the budgeted expenses in pursuing my theological studies in USA. I really did not have the confidence in the Lord because I looked at the circumstances and that we are facing financial crisis globally. However, all things are possible with God.

At present, I am one step closer to completing my application and the day of leaving KK is also drawing nearer. I am in the process of gathering the documents from all my sponsors to be sent to seminary so that I-20 can be released for visa application. Then I shall go to KL for visa interview. All these should take place before August 20 by His grace.

200905 Crossroad

2009-06-01T04:28:00.000-07:00

Truly God is sovereign! God has once again showed me His faithfulness by answering prayers. I requested to pray for favour from God and men and truly He showered His favour upon me. I'm more than delighted to share with you that I have been accepted by both seminaries todate. Denver Seminary accepted me on 7th May. And on 12th May I received the acceptance from Gordon Conwell Theological Seminary.

It's another lesson in life that I shall learn to make WISE decision according to His heart for my life. May He guide me to make the decision according to His plan.

Let His name be lifted high!

Denver Seminary vs Gordon Conwell Theological Seminary

2009-04-11T07:57:00.000-07:00

Denver Seminary : 6399 South Santa Fe DriveLittleton CO 80120

Gordon Conwell Theological Seminary : 130 Essex StreetSouth Hamilton, MA 01982

**************************** DENVER ***************************************

************************** G C T S ****************************************

200904 Be Free

2009-04-11T00:23:00.000-07:00

This photo was taken one evening after work at Sports Complex. I was worrying about my finance to furthering my studies. When I saw this scenery, I heard a still small voice "I will open the floodgate of Heaven and pour down the blessings to you"... I was in tears.. speechless.. God is good!

How Great is our God, Sing with me how great is Our God....

Many of my friends around me had great expectation on my ability to score well in TOEFL. Anyhow, I would not have passed had God not intervened. Frankly in my heart, I was trembling and fearful to face TOEFL. God must have a purpose for me as He brought me to revisit my failure in the past. I was hoping I could skip it. But... The fear actually crippled me not to move on as I was thinking I may fail again. However, God is faithful. The difference with the TOEFL then and now is that I did not have God in my life at that time and now, God is with me. Hallelujah! As I revisit my past failure, I depended on God and literally standing on His promises by meditating and reciting His Word and that was how I drew strength to trust on Him. For the last two weeks waiting for the score, I slowed down and sought Him, in my distress, I cried out to Him and He heard me.. It was more than a cave experience... PTL!

By His grace, may I know God better to keep trusting Him. I was reading the book "If you want to walk on water, you've got to get out of the boat". Quoting from the book,
'May be God is calling you to trust him at some point in your life. Trust him.. No one ever regreted trusting Christ more -- ever.'
'It is the same with God. Never try to have more faith -- just get to know God better.'
'You will have to follow the Path of God, which requires taking a leap of faith.'

Needless to say, I am speechless and in awe of Him..... of His mighty acts....

How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! 1 John 3:1a
May God lavish on us His unconditional love and may we experience more of His reality in our daily lives during this season of Holy week. God is faithful!

Praise the LORD.
Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever. Ps 106:1

Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever. Ps 107:1

Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever.. Ps 118:1

Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever. Ps 118:29

Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good. His love endures forever. Ps 136:1

200903 Be Still

2009-03-17T19:41:00.000-07:00

Be still, and know that I am God

I believe all of us don’t like to experience failures in life. But in real life, unpleasant experiences are inevitable. The key is how we find strength from our LORD to stand up again and find hope to move on in life. At one point, King David lost his mentor, Samuel, when King Saul was after him and his best friend, Jonathan, left him alone. His supports were stripped away from his mentor and best friend. So, he fled and ended up in a cave. It was in the cave that he met God. Even he experienced many failures in life but he strengthened himself in the Lord his God (1 Samuel 30:6b). To you O Lord I put my trust! Who can be against me if you are with me???

The experience to KL to sit for TOEFL had been a time of experiencing His abounding grace again. Though I did not really plan for it, but all I can say is His overflowing favour and grace. Upon arrival, I suffered from diarrhea may be due to the food I took in the plane. But God had prepared a place for me to take good rest in a hotel and I got well the next day. Then I had the opportunity to review the TOEFL sample questions until the test date.

On Saturday, I went to the test center one hour before the test to give ample time for registration and briefing. Everything went smoothly and I really thank God that a sister alerted me to check the things required for the test before I took off from KK. So, I checked the website and found out that I needed to bring an ID with photo and signature. If I hadn’t checked the website, I probably would have been disqualified from the test because I would have have just brought along my IC instead of passport.

The test started on time and thank God the computer system functioned well. The test itself took four hours and it was barely bearable for me as my attention span is considered short. Haha.. But by God’s grace, I persevered and finished the test right on the dot. Coming out from the test center, my heart sank to the deep valley that I really did not think I scored well. I told myself, not another failure experience!! I was reminded through a sms to trust God with all my heart and lean not upon my own understanding, in all my ways acknowledge him and he will make my paths straight.

I do not have control over the TOEFL result but I trust in my God as the result is in His hand. Like King David, I really need God’s strength to stand against the thought of failure in my mind. If my TOEFL score meets the requirement from the seminaries, I will move one step closer to completing my application. Hallelujah!!

PSALM 46

1 God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.
2 Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea,
3 though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging.
4 There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy place where the Most High dwells.
5 God is within her, she will not fall; God will help her at break of day.
6 Nations are in uproar, kingdoms fall; he lifts his voice, the earth melts.
7 The LORD Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress.
8 Come and see the works of the LORD, the desolations he has brought on the earth.
9 He makes wars cease to the ends of the earth; he breaks the bow and shatters the spear, he burns the shields with fire.
10 "Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth."
11 The LORD Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress.

200902 Be Joyful

2009-03-17T19:30:00.000-07:00

Things has progressed and changed since I last updated you. Praise God. God has again comforted me through His Word. I am humbled to draw strength from His living Word to move on. When I asked "God, if you are there to guide me?" He answered me with Psalm 48:14 "For such is God, Our God forever and ever; He will guide us until death". God will guide me until death. Awesome :)How wonderful is God that When we call on Him, He'll answer us. Jeremiah 33:3 "'Call to Me and I will answer you, and I will tell you great and mighty things, which you do not know." He's indeed my faithful God.... Let His praise be on my lips forever..

As per last update, I mentioned I'll be sitting for TOEFL on 7th March in Singapore. The plan has changed as no more seats for TOEFL on 7th March in Singapore. So, I'll be sitting for TOEFL in KL on 14th March, which is one week later from what I originally planned. I was a bit disappointed as the last day to apply scholarship is 1 April and the TOEFL result will take 15 days from the test date. Anyway, I trust God that His ways are higher than my ways. I just leave it. Two days after I booked my air ticket and secured a seat for TOEFL test, I got to know a sister who will be on company trip to KL and I maybe able to stay with her in the hotel. That saves my hotel expenses and I have my own space in the day to study and with God while she goes for meeting. Eventhough things did not work out according to what I planned, I believe that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. All glory to Him!

While going through the application, I also check out things which need to be done like renewing passport, checking out the ways to fly from KK to Seminaries. With the help from a sister, she helped me to figure out ways to fly to Colorado and Masachussetts in USA.

Even I may not fully see what He has in stored for me, I enjoy walking and interacting with Him now knowing that he's guiding me. Praise the Lord! My desire is to love Him, walk in all his ways, obey his commands, be faithful to him and serve him with gladness (Joshua 22:5).

200902 Be Bold

2009-03-17T19:22:00.000-07:00

I thank God for His goodness and faithfulness. When I'm downcast, He sent His angels to surround me and His Word to give me hope. I truly grateful for having Him in my life. His faithful promises are what I need to cling to now.

As you may aware or you may not know, I would like to share with you on my plan to go for Theological Studies. After serving God fulltime since 1999, I felt I need to move into different season to be equipped and trained to go further for Him.

Going thru the application process is not easy for me. It is definitely a big decision for me to make at this juncture in life. Many many questions i would ask God, also asked myself or questions which I was being asked. Of which, some I have no answer and still seeking Him for some questions. Some are helpful to enable me to think further. Even though I have been under tremendous stress, I thank God for His grace that sustains me till today.

I have sent in my application for two seminaries in USA namely Gordon Conwell Theological Seminaries in Massachusetts and Denver Seminary in Colorado. The Fall intake is in September. If I get accepted , I shall be leaving before the school opens in September this year. There are still quite a bit of details I need to sort out in order to complete my application such as to sit for TOEFL test, getting my passport renewed, getting an international driver's license and etc. When I got my acceptance letter, I will need to apply for visa. I am also not sure what else I need to take note but just taking one step at a time.

The TOEFL test is on 7 March. I will go to Singapore for the test in March. Pray that I will be able to score high to meet the requirement from school. They have changed the format for TOEFL and pray that I will get familiar with the test structure.

200812 Be Courageous

2009-03-17T19:12:00.000-07:00

Mid of last year, Besides applying for ORU, I tried to explore the possibility to pursue my study in other places, like Philippines, Singapore, Hong Kong, Taiwan, etc. The fees for these places should be much lower than USA and I think it may be easier to get accepted by the seminaries. However, I didn't find peace as an inner voice said "not to settle in for an easy way". But the reality is I still struggle with issues like finance and fear of taking the GRE test. That is why I was a bit hesitant to continue pursuing my application to USA actually. Not until lately, God once again gave me confirmation through a prayer from a pastor that this is His plan. So, I'll take up the challenge and move on courageously (I hope).

Like the scripture says in Joshua, be strong and courageous.. I really need that O God! Even though I could have applied for the Jan 2009 intake, I see this as a necessary process and allow time to deepen my conviction to go equip myself. To know what God has instored for me (though not the whole picture but the next step in life.) I just want to follow Him as He shows me one step at a time and let His will be done. Then Jesus said to his disciples, "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. Matthew 16:24. Being His disciples, I wanna follow His ways and not my ways. God is faithful. He is still leading me. So, I'll be applying for the Fall 2009 intake.

By the way, I am applying to Oral Roberts University in Oklahoma, USA doing Master of Biblical Literature with Judaic-Christian Studies Concentration. I hope to finish the program in 2 years. May I humbly ask of you to pray with me in these areas:1) To have the boldness and favour of God to sit for the GRE test (I heard it's harder than TOEFL. that scares me off :p). Besides this test, I still need to write my testimony in order to complete the requirements for the application. only then when I send in all these, they will be able to process my application.