Children of Christ

Yes we are...

United with purpose

We may have lots of friends, but as the cliche goes; good friends are hard to come by, let alone true friends. In the time I've been blessed on this earth, God has put me among many many friends throughout. I've met and made many good friends in my time, but as time passes, sometimes things change. People change, our surroundings change, the things we want, need and desire change...

I have a few sets of really good friends today, friends I see and hang out with often, friends I consider myself close to and try my best to see as often as I can, and even Jo's friends are my friends today. God really has blessed me in this regard and I am thankful for all the friends I know.


Recently, I found myself befriending Aaron, Kevin and Jess. It's been such a priviledge to be friends with people who share the same faith and have a united drive and purpose in life. I'm happy that we can share our lives with each other, affirm and encourage each other. The best part is, my best friends happen to be friends with them too =) What a small world indeed...

Kevin's currently in Croatia for a month on a training stint, and Jess is in Banda Aceh representing World Vision Malaysia for 3 months on a working trip. I pray that they'll be safe and our good Lord keeps them and protects them always...

Adoration

Some time earlier in the year, when I wrote an entry about Sivin being the doting father with Gareth; they were expecting baby Elysia anytime then.


Forward many months ahead, and little Elysia has been part of our lives for some time already. She's absolutely adorable and I somehow have a soft spot for the little one. Sometimes, we think it's because I went to see her at the hospital when she was born; but we also think it's 'cause she's probably a baby girl. Sivin once said somewhere that baby girls are special. I gotta agree with that, although girls will say that baby boys are special. I guess we are all special =)

Surface highlights

I know the pictures aren't great, and they do look bland because I didn't treat them on photoshop but I've uploaded them to point out just how beautiful photographs look especially in the sunny mornings, and especially when there is natural sunlight.

On my last Thursday or Friday in Melbourne, I took a morning walk in the chilly climate, to Brunswick Street from the city. Brunswick Street is on the fringe of the city and I had to walk through Carlton Gardens, my favourite gardens in the city. It was such a 'lousy', cloud and gloomy morning; and none of the photographs I took could look nice. There's nothing better than a photograph with blue skies and nice morning sunlight hitting right on the object you're pointing that camera at =) So I had to settle for the first photo of that tree on my way to Brunswick Street.

After a few hours at Brunswick Street, I headed back to the city on foot and passed by the garden again with the bright afternoon sunshine above my head and fairly clear blue skies. I thought I'd have a go with the photo of the tree again and true enough, I had a much better picture than the first one I took =)

The Good News

Something really powerful happened last night. In the wake of yet another natural disaster, my other half felt a strong call by our Maker, to wake up from a slumber. I say 'a slumber' as a referral to a phase. She was quick to share it with me, as with everything else. Although our little discussion didn't go quite as we'd have liked, it however did rub off on me and I spent my time from then till now; still in prayer, reflection and thought.

After getting her permission, I decided I would share with you, what I feel is a very simple YET powerful email, by her to her closest friends:

I just realised that if I knew of a free gift, or a discount or a sale, I'd share it with you guys. When I found love, I yelled to tell you guys...and it's the same for all of you. But when it comes to God and religion, we all don't say much. We never did; to save our friendships.

At the rate natural disasters are happening all over the world, it wouldn't be extreme to say that maybe we're closer than ever to the end.

This email isn't to debate or to start an argument, but I just want to share with you how God has worked in my life, how He has answered every prayer, and how He has guided my entire life. I am the person I am because of His blessings, my entire family is. From the time my sister was born as a miracle, to the times I had no money in Perth and just like that He sent money through friends, and gave me not one job but countless opportunities, how He protected me from being hurt in the car accident.

There are countless testimonies to share with all of you, but for fear of embarassing myself or losing your friendship, I kept quiet.

I find peace in Him, and I found myself in Him, and the whole world is put into perspective because of His greatness. God is really real, but too often we allow science and technology to cloud us.

I'm afraid of what you may think of me for sending this out, but I'm more afraid of not saying anything when I have the chance to.

At the 'Prayer Breakfast' this morning at church, I felt a very strong urge to open up and pray.

"Lord, I call out to you Father, as I feel a strong sense to remember and pray for, all who have suffered the natural disasters that have befallen our world this year. From the Tsunami, to the Hurricanes, the typhoon and now, the earthquake again. Father, we ask for your presence and protection be upon all victims of these disasters O'Lord. Lord, your hand of healing be upon the broken and suffering. Father, we pray that provisions in the form of medicine, food and shelter are flowing in to the ones in need and we also pray for those who are there, although not affected as victims, but are there to help; that Father, you provide them with the strength and equip them with what they need, to be of help there.

Father, they say that the end times are near. End times or not Father, I just feel this strong feeling in me to pray for everyone of us to remember just what we've been put here for. I pray we remember why we were saved by You in the first place, why You have chosen us in the first place; even before we chose You. Father, thank You for challenging me, for challenging all of us; to remember our roles as Christ followers in this world. Lord, often we get caught up in our own little worlds, that we even forget to be walking testimonies to our closest friends. Lord, forgive us. Father, we just want to pray that you will fill us with Your Spirit and drive us toward being worthy testimonies to the lives we are put among every single day. Let us not wait till end times to make a difference. Help us Father, to make a difference every single day. Lord Jesus, as Your Father has sent You, You have sent us... Thank You Father, we pray You continue to be with us. Lord, help us as we cannot do this without you...

In Jesus' name I pray, Amen."

Friends, and to whoever who reads this blog; this is not a 'preachy' blog entry. It's just the truth, and how my life has changed from before till today. And I want so much to share this truth with anyone. I ain't perfect as I've stated before many times, but I am trying to make my life fit the one that God has paved for me; and NOT make God accomodate me. And even IF I was being preachy, well, it's my blog and I can do whatever I want! Hehe..just kidding.

I know there will be many eyes rolling, or people might shy away and walk away from these things or people such as myself now that I'm a Christ follower; or some might say that "all religions lead to one God", or some might say that they don't believe in God, or don't know how to believe in God, or some might need some sort of scientific proof or might need something tangibly miraculous to happen before they can grasp that God is real...

There are just so many theories, so many questions, so many assumptions, so many views, debates, arguments and choices. That's just life isn't it?

I've been a Christian for almost 3 and half years now, and countless friends, from all over, have said to me just how much I've changed from before. Yes friends, I truly have. I'm still me in many regards, but also an improved version I would like to think. I'm not the finished article though. I don't think I ever will be till I die, but I'd like to be close to that. That finished article would be as Christ-like as possible. I'd like to think of myself as a Modified: Type-God version of my old self. Why not?

Many times I've slipped it in conversations, in the things I do, or talk about, or the way I behave. I try not to be too up-front for the fear of being treated by my friends the same way I treated certain Christians in the past, before my salvation. But the Good News of God, the Gospel; is too good to not be shared to others.

With this entry, I'm not going to be able to put everything into it. But, what I can do is make a start and make a stand; to share how God has saved my life, how He's blessed me, guided me, moulded me; and how He can do the same for you. I too am afraid of offending, or losing anyone because of what I'm sharing; BUT, I fear more what might happen if I do NOT do anything with what our Maker has blessed me with and share it with you, whether the end time comes or not.

I have lots of stories and testimonies to share, as I had cartoon stories, ghost stories or stupid stories, growing up. But these are stories of my life and lives that have touched me and helped me connect with God better, that I wish to share. I never thought of my life being a powerful tool, catalyst and testimony to other lives; even though it's clearly stated in the Bible and there are so many reminders ranging from books to preachers. But today, today I've realised through another person, just how powerful my testimony is and can be.

God IS real and He is good, all the time. I had all sorts of logical theories before too. I was just like many people who are not Christ followers. So on a lighter note, you could say that I was from the dark side, and now that I'm on the light side, I've seen both worlds. My experiences are from both ends, and I chose to place my trust and faith in a God I haven't tangibly met in person, or have I? ;) God is real. And I must say to my friends, as I've heard more than one speaker say, "I promise you that when you come to Church (God's people coming together, not the building called Church ok!), there will be something for you. That's a sure promise. What is that something, or some things, that's up to God to decide. But that is by no means an empty promise. I assure you my friends, if you come to the place where we meet God, you WILL find something for you."

So my friends...whoever you are, wherever you are, however you are...I hope by saying something today, it gives us more to say and share, the next time we do meet; whether in cyberspace, on the telephone, or in person. Don't worry, we don't have to go to my church, or meet my pastor (who's a terrific guy and friend btw!) or listen to whatever Gospel music. It's not different from talking to me or meeting me as we've always met. I come as I am, no strings attached.

God bless you and keep you =) Shalom.

Unparalelled

For a couple of months or so now, I've procrastinated in putting this entry up. Before their wedding, and before she came over to Malaysia to be with him, I used to send Takeshi to the Central Market bus stop or to Bangsar LRT station after church on Sundays; so that he could take his bus back to Seremban, where he studies at STM.

Today, I had the privilege of sending them both again after lunch. One thing that I've noticed about both of them from the start, is just how polite they are. Talk about discipline and manners; they are at it's ideal. I've never seen anyone bow as much as Takeshi! He must bow at least 5 times just saying hello to a person =)

Oh, back to sending them off.. I notice their gratitude whenever I send them to the station. I felt awkward a couple of times, because the way they thank a person, makes you feel unworthy of such gratitude! I get goose bumps just having my heart warmed by the fact that they actually stand waving at the sidewalk, from the time you drop them, all the way till you are out of sight! It gives me a very warm feeling everytime I drive away, looking at my rear view mirror and waving back at them. You can rest assured they'd be standing there waving goodbye. They wouldn't just walk away right after being dropped off. How often do you see that with close friends even sometimes?

It's probably not a big deal to many, but it's a nice thing to experience and to see. Here's to a sweet, polite, soft-spoken yet fun-loving couple, Takeshi and his Korean wife Vicky! Oh btw, she's Korean and he's Japanese and yet they have made their loving marriage a reality, definately a testament of their personalities to have made it work, against odds.