Wednesday, January 30, 2008

Love Malaysia 2008

LOVE MALAYSIA 2008 on our knees [1 Thessalonians 5:16-18]


Love Malaysia-BM-Tamil

Love Malaysia-English-Mandarin

Click Here for State Profile













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compiled by lyme disease

Tuesday, January 29, 2008

Waiting For The Wind

My nephew's 10 year old son came for a visit one hot, July weekend. I was enticing him to stay inside by joining him in a nintendo game. After being mercilessly defeated by a more experienced player, I suggested that we relax awhile. I collapsed into my favorite recliner to let my neck muscles relax and my ego recover from such a beating. He had slipped out of the room and I was catching a few relished moments of peace and quiet.

"Look, Alice," he said enthusiastically as he ran over to the chair where I was recovering.
"I found a kite. Could we go outside and fly it?"
Glancing out a nearby window, I noticed there was not a breeze stirring. "I'm sorry, Tripper," I said, sad to see his disappointed eyes, but thankful for the respite from more activity. "The wind is not blowing today. The kite won't fly."
The determined 10 year old replied. "I think it's windy enough. I can get it to fly," he answered, as he hurried out the back door.

I peeked through the slats in the venetian blinds to watch determination in action. Up and down the yard he ran, pulling the kite attached to a small length of string. The plastic kite, proudly displaying a picture of Batman, remained about shoulder level. He ran back and forth, as hard as his ten year old legs would carry him, looking back hopefully at the kite trailing behind. After about ten minutes of unsuccessful determination, he came back in.

I asked, "How did it go?"
"Fine," he said, not wanting to admit defeat. "I got it to fly some."
As he walked past me to return the kite to the closet shelf, I heard him say under his breath, "I guess I'll have to wait for the wind."

At that moment I heard another Voice speak to my heart. "Alice. Sometimes you are just like that. You want to do it your way instead of waiting for the Wind."

And the voice was right. How easy it is to use our own efforts to accomplish what we want to do. We wait for the Wind only after we have done all we can and have exhausted our own strength. We must learn how to rely on Him in the first place!




Monday, January 28, 2008

The Gift Of Insults

The Gift of Insults

There once lived a great warrior. Though quite old, he still was able to defeat any challenger. His reputation extended far and wide throughout the land and many students gathered to study under him.

One day an infamous young warrior arrived at the village. He was determined to be the first man to defeat the great master. Along with his strength, he had an uncanny ability to spot and exploit any weakness in an opponent. He would wait for his opponent to make the first move, thus revealing a weakness, and then would strike with merciless force and lightning speed. No one had ever lasted with him in a match beyond the first move.

Much against the advice of his concerned students, the old master gladly accepted the young warrior's challenge. As the two squared off for battle, the young warrior began to hurl insults at the old master. He threw dirt and spit in his face. For hours he verbally assaulted him with every curse and insult known to mankind. But the old warrior merely stood there motionless and calm. Finally, the young warrior exhausted himself. Knowing he was defeated, he left feeling shamed.

Somewhat disappointed that he did not fight the insolent youth, the students gathered around the old master and questioned him. "How could you endure such an indignity? How did you drive him away?"

"If someone comes to give you a gift and you do not receive it," the master replied, "to whom does the gift belong?"








compiled by lyme disease

Sunday, January 27, 2008

Helping A Moth

Helping a Moth

A man found a cocoon of an emperor moth. He took it home so that he could watch the moth come out of the cocoon.

On the day a small opening appeared, he sat and watched the moth for several hours as the moth struggled to force its body through that little hole. Then it seemed to stop making any progress. It appeared as if it had gotten as far as it could and it could go no farther. It just seemed to be stuck.

Then the man, in his kindness, decided to help the moth, so he took a pair of scissors and snipped off the remaining bit of the cocoon. The moth then emerged easily, but it had a swollen body and small, shriveled wings. The man continued to watch the moth because he expected that, at any moment, the wings would enlarge and expand to be able to support the body, which would contract in time.

Neither happened! In fact, the little moth spent the rest of its life crawling around with a swollen body and shriveled wings. It never was able to fly.

What the man in his kindness and haste did not understand was that the restricting cocoon and the struggle required for the moth to get through the tiny opening was God's way of forcing fluid from the body of the moth into its wings so that it would be ready for flight once it achieved its freedom from the cocoon. Freedom and flight would only come after the struggle. By depriving the moth of a struggle, he deprived the moth of health.

Sometimes struggles are exactly what we need in our life. If God allowed us to go through our life without any obstacles, He would cripple us. We would not be as strong as what we could have been.

How true this is! How many times have we wanted to take the quick way out of struggles and difficulties, to take those scissors and snip off the remaining bits in an attempt to be free. We need to remember that our loving Father will never give us more than we can bear and through our trials and struggles we are strengthened as gold is refined in the fire. May we never let the things we can't have, or don't have, or shouldn't have, spoil our enjoyment of the things we do have and can have.

Don't focus on the things you DON'T have, enjoy each moment of everyday God has given you.







compiled by lyme disease

Saturday, January 26, 2008

The Ant And The Contact Lens

Brenda was a young woman who was invited to go rock climbing. Although she was scared to death, she went with her group to a tremendous granite cliff. In spite of her fear, she put on the gear, took a hold on the rope, and started up the face of that rock.

Well, she got to a ledge where she could take a breather. As she was hanging on there, the safety rope snapped against Brenda's eye and knocked out her contact lens.

Well, here she is on a rock ledge, with hundreds of feet below her and hundreds of feet above her. Of course, she looked and looked and looked, hoping it had landed on the ledge, but it just wasn't there.

Here she was, far from home, her sight now blurry. She was desperate and began to get upset, so she prayed to the Lord to help her to find it.

When she got to the top, a friend examined her eye and her clothing for the lens, but there was no contact lens to be found. She sat down, despondent, with the rest of the party waiting for the rest of them to make it up the face of the cliff. She looked out across range after range of mountains, thinking of that Bible verse that says, "The eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth." She thought, "Lord, You can see all these mountains. You know every stone and leaf, and You know exactly where my contact lens is. Please help me.

Finally, they walked down the trail to the bottom.

At the bottom there was a new party of climbers just starting up the face of the cliff. One of them shouted out, "Hey, you guys! Anybody lose a contact lens?"

Well, that would be startling enough, but you know why the climber saw it? An ant was moving slowly across the face of the rock, carrying it.

Brenda told me that her father is a cartoonist. When she told him the incredible story of the ant, the prayer, and the contact lens, he drew a picture of an ant lugging that contact lens with the words, "Lord, I don't know why You want me to carry this thing. I can't eat it, and it's awfully heavy. But if this is what You want me to do, I'll carry it for You."

At the risk of being accused of being fatalistic, I think it would probably do some of us good to occasionally say, "God, I don't know why you want me to carry this load. I can see no good in it and it's awfully heavy. But, if you want me to carry it, I will."

God doesn't call the qualified, He qualifies the called.


Contributed by Karen Swaim




compiled by lyme disease

Friday, January 25, 2008

The Stone Cutter

The Stone Cutter

There was once a stone cutter who was dissatisfied with himself and with his position in life.

One day he passed a wealthy merchant's house. Through the open gateway, he saw many fine possessions and important visitors. "How powerful that merchant must be!" thought the stone cutter. He became very envious and wished that he could be like the merchant.

To his great surprise, he suddenly became the merchant, enjoying more luxuries and power than he had ever imagined, but envied and detested by those less wealthy than himself. Soon a high official passed by, carried in a sedan chair, accompanied by attendants and escorted by soldiers beating gongs. Everyone, no matter how wealthy, had to bow low before the procession. "How powerful that official is!" he thought. "I wish that I could be a high official!"

Then he became the high official, carried everywhere in his embroidered sedan chair, feared and hated by the people all around. It was a hot summer day, so the official felt very uncomfortable in the sticky sedan chair. He looked up at the sun. It shone proudly in the sky, unaffected by his presence. "How powerful the sun is!" he thought. "I wish that I could be the sun!"

Then he became the sun, shining fiercely down on everyone, scorching the fields, cursed by the farmers and laborers. But a huge black cloud moved between him and the earth, so that his light could no longer shine on everything below. "How powerful that storm cloud is!" he thought. "I wish that I could be a cloud!"

Then he became the cloud, flooding the fields and villages, shouted at by everyone. But soon he found that he was being pushed away by some great force, and realized that it was the wind. "How powerful it is!" he thought. "I wish that I could be the wind!"

Then he became the wind, blowing tiles off the roofs of houses, uprooting trees, feared and hated by all below him. But after a while, he ran up against something that would not move, no matter how forcefully he blew against it - a huge, towering rock. "How powerful that rock is!" he thought. "I wish that I could be a rock!"

Then he became the rock, more powerful than anything else on earth. But as he stood there, he heard the sound of a hammer pounding a chisel into the hard surface, and felt himself being changed. "What could be more powerful than I, the rock?" he thought.

He looked down and saw far below him the figure of a stone cutter.





compiled by lyme disease

Thursday, January 24, 2008

Stopped By A Brick

About ten years ago, a young and very successful executive named Josh was traveling down a Chicago neighborhood street. He was going a bit too fast in his sleek, black, 12 cylinder Jaguar XKE, which was only two months old. He was watching for kids darting out from between parked cars and slowed down when he thought he saw something. As his car passed, no child darted out, but a brick sailed out and-WHUMP! -- it smashed into the Jag's shiny black side door! BRAKES SCREECHED...!!!!

Brakes slammed! Gears ground into reverse, and tires madly spun the Jaguar back to the spot from where the brick had been thrown. Josh jumped out of the car, grabbed the kid and pushed him up against a parked car. He shouted at the kid, "What was that all about and who are you? Just what do you think you are doing?!" Building up a head of steam, he went on. "That's my new Jag, that brick you threw is gonna cost you a lot of money. Why did you throw it?"

"Please, mister, please .... I'm sorry! I didn't know what else to do!" pleaded the youngster. "I threw the brick because no one else would stop!" Tears were dripping down the boy's chin as he pointed around the parked car. "It's my brother, mister," he said. "He rolled off the curb and fell out of his wheelchair and I can't lift him up." Sobbing, the boy asked the executive, "Would you please help me by getting him back into his wheelchair? He's hurt and he's too heavy for me."

Moved beyond words, the young executive tried desperately to swallow the rapidly swelling lump in his throat. Straining, he lifted the young man back into the wheelchair and took out his handkerchief and wiped the scrapes and cuts, checked to see that everything was going to be OK. He then watched, as the younger brother push him down the sidewalk toward their home.

It was a long walk back to the sleek, black, shining, 12 cylinder Jaguar XKE - a long and slow walk. Josh never did fix the dented side door of his Jaguar. He kept the dent to remind him not to go through life so fast that someone has to throw a brick at him to get his attention..... Some bricks are softer than others. Feel for the bricks of life that are coming at/to you.

"It was not with perishable things such as silver and gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your forefathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect." - 1 Peter 1:18-19




Submitted by LMMyers






compiled by lyme disease

Wednesday, January 23, 2008

What Do You Hear

A Native American and his friend were in downtown New York City, walking near Times Square in Manhattan. It was during the noon lunch hour and the streets were filled with people. Cars were honking their horns, taxicabs were squealing around corners, sirens were wailing, and the sounds of the city were almost deafening. Suddenly, the Native American said, "I hear a cricket."

His friend said, "What? You must be crazy. You couldn't possibly hear a cricket in all of this noise!"

"No, I'm sure of it," the Native American said, "I heard a cricket."

"That's crazy," said the friend.

The Native American listened carefully for a moment, and then walked across the street to a big cement planter where some shrubs were growing. He looked into the bushes, beneath the branches, and sure enough, he located a small cricket. His friend was utterly amazed.

"That's incredible," said his friend. "You must have super-human ears!"

"No," said the Native American. "My ears are no different from yours. It all depends on what you're listening for."

"But that can't be!" said the friend. "I could never hear a cricket in this noise."

"Yes, it's true," came the reply. "It depends on what is really important to you. Here, let me show you."

He reached into his pocket, pulled out a few coins, and discreetly dropped them on the sidewalk. And then, with the noise of the crowded street still blaring in their ears, they noticed every head within twenty feet turn and look to see if the money that tinkled on the pavement was theirs.

"See what I mean?" asked the Native American. "It all depends on what's important to you."

As Jesus tells the Pharisees in the Gospel, "Give to Caesar what is Caesar, but give to God what is God's."



Contributed by Father Pat




compiled by lyme disease

Tuesday, January 22, 2008

COP January `08


©2007-2008 Photo-Cap




Event : Circle Of Prayse
Venue : Shalom Fellowship
Time : 8.00pm
Date : 25th January `08




Prayer coordinator Amos.P would be unpacking a new flow to the session, one leading not only to a time of praise and worship but also to have an intimate relation with our Lord.










compiled by lyme disease

Monday, January 21, 2008

The Old Fisherman

Our house was directly across the street from the clinic entrance of John Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore. We lived downstairs and rented the upstairs rooms out to patients at the clinic.

One summer evening as I was fixing supper, there was a knock at the door. I opened it to see a truly awful looking man. Why, he's hardly taller than my eight-year-old, I thought as I stared at the stooped, shriveled body. But the appalling thing was his face--lopsided from swelling, red and raw.

Yet his voice was pleasant as he said, "Good evening. I've come to see if you've a room for just one night. I came for a treatment this morning from the eastern shore, and there's no bus 'til morning." He told me he'd been hunting for a room since noon but with no success, no one seemed to have a room. "I guess it's my face...I know it looks terrible, but my doctor says with a few more treatments..." For a moment I hesitated, but his next words convinced me: "I could sleep in this rocking chair on the porch. My bus leaves early in the morning."

I told him we would find him a bed, but to rest on the porch. I went inside and finished getting supper. When we were ready, I asked the old man if he would join us.

"No thank you. I have plenty." And he held up a brown paper bag.

When I had finished the dishes, I went out on the porch to talk with him a few minutes. It didn't take a long time to see that this old man had an oversized heart crowded into that tiny body. He told me he fished for a living to support his daughter, her five children, and her husband, who was hopelessly crippled from a back injury. He didn't tell it by way of complaint; in fact, every other sentence was preface with a thanks to God for a blessing. He was grateful that no pain accompanied his disease, which was apparently a form of skin cancer. He thanked God for giving him the strength to keep going.

At bedtime, we put a camp cot in the children's room for him.

When I got up in the morning, the bed linens were neatly folded and the little man was out on the porch. He refused breakfast, but just before he left for his bus, haltingly, as if asking a great favor, he said, "Could I please come back and stay the next time I have a treatment? I won't put you out a bit. I can sleep fine in a chair." He paused a moment and then added, "Your children made me feel at home. Grownups are bothered by my face, but children don't seem to mind."

I told him he was welcome to come again.

On his next trip he arrived a little after seven in the morning. As a gift, he brought a big fish and a quart of the largest oysters I had ever seen. He said he had shucked them that morning before he left so that they'd be nice and fresh. I knew his bus left at 4:00 a.m. and I wondered what time he had to get up in order to do this for us.

In the years he came to stay overnight with us there was never a time that he did not bring us fish or oysters or vegetables from his garden. Other times we received packages in the mail, always by special delivery; fish and oysters packed in a box of fresh young spinach or kale, every leaf carefully washed. Knowing that he must walk three miles to mail these,and knowing how little money he had made the gifts doubly precious. When I received these little remembrances, I often thought of a comment our next-door neighbor made after he left that first morning.

"Did you keep that awful looking man last night? I turned him away! You can lose roomers by putting up such people!"

Maybe we did lose roomers once or twice. But oh! If only they could have known him, perhaps their illnesses would have been easier to bear. I know our family always will be grateful to have known him; from him we learned what it was to accept the bad without complaint and the good with gratitude to God.

Recently I was visiting a friend who has a greenhouse. As she showed me her flowers, we came to the most beautiful one of all, a golden chrysanthemum, bursting with blooms. But to my great surprise, it was growing in an old dented, rusty bucket. I thought to myself, If this were my plant, I'd put it in the loveliest container I had! My friend changed my mind.

"I ran short of pots," she explained, "and knowing how beautiful this one would be, I thought it wouldn't mind starting out in this old pail. It's just for a little while, till I can put it out in the garden."

She must have wondered why I laughed so delightedly, but I was imagining just such a scene in heaven.

"Here's an especially beautiful one," God might have said when he came to the soul of the sweet old fisherman. "He won't mind starting in this small body."

All this happened long ago -- and now, in God's garden, how tall this lovely soul must stand.



The LORD does not look at the things man looks at.
Man looks at the outward appearance,
but the LORD looks at the heart." (1Samuel 16:7)




compiled by lyme disease

Sunday, January 20, 2008

What God Can Do With "57 Cents"


A sobbing little girl stood near a small church from which she had been turned away because it was "too crowded."


"I can't go to Sunday School," she sobbed to the pastor as he walked by.
Seeing her shabby, unkempt appearance, the pastor guessed the reason and, taking her by the hand, took her inside and found a place for her in the Sunday school class. The child was so happy that they found room for her, and she went to bed that night thinking of the children who have no place to worship Jesus.


Some two years later, this child lay dead in one of the poor tenement buildings. Her parents called for the kindhearted pastor who had befriended their daughter to handle the final arrangements.


As her poor little body was being moved, a worn and crumpled red purse was found which seemed to have been rummaged from some trash dump.
Inside was found 57 cents and a note, scribbled in childish handwriting, which read: "This is to help build the little church bigger so more children can go to Sunday School."


For two years she had saved for this offering of love. When the pastor tearfully read that note, he knew instantly what he would do. Carrying this note and the cracked, red pocketbook to the pulpit, he told the story of her unselfish love and devotion.


He challenged his deacons to get busy and raise enough money for the larger building.


But the story does not end there...


A newspaper learned of the story and published it. It was read by a wealthy realtor who offered them a parcel of land worth many thousands.
When told that the church could not pay so much, he offered to sell it to the little church for 57 cents.


Church members made large donations. Checks came from far and wide.
Within five years the little girl's gift had increased to $250,000.00--a huge sum for that time (near the turn of the century). Her unselfish love had paid large dividends.


When you are in the city of Philadelphia, look up Temple Baptist Church, with a seating capacity of 3,300. And be sure to visit Temple University, where thousands of students are educated.


Have a look, too, at the Good Samaritan Hospital and at a Sunday School building which houses hundreds of beautiful children, built so that no child in the area will ever need to be left outside during Sunday School time.


In one of the rooms of this building may be seen the picture of the sweet face of the little girl whose 57 cents, so sacrificially saved, made such remarkable history. Alongside of it is a portrait of her kind pastor, Dr. Russel H. Conwell, author of the book, "Acres of Diamonds"


This is a true story, which goes to show WHAT GOD CAN DO WITH 57 CENTS.









compiled by lyme disease

Saturday, January 19, 2008

Two Women


Two Women
Written by a working-class Chilean woman in 1973, shortly after Chile's socialist president, Salvador Allende, was overthrown. This is to be read by two people, one reading the bold-faced type and one reading the regular type.


I am a woman.
I am a woman.


I am a woman born of a woman whose man owned a factory.
I am a woman born of a woman whose man labored in a factory.


I am a woman whose man wore silk suits, who constantly watched his weight.
I am a woman whose man wore tattered clothing, whose heart was constantly strangled by hunger.


I am a woman who watched two babies grow into beautiful children.
I am a woman who watched two babies die because there was no milk.


I am a woman who watched twins grow into popular college students with summers abroad.
I am a woman who watched three children grow, but with bellies stretched from no food.


But then there was a man;
But then there was a man;


And he talked about peasants getting richer by my family getting poorer.
And he told me of days that would be better, and he made the days better.


We had to eat rice.
We had rice.


And beans.
And beans.


My children were no longer given summer visas to Europe.
My children no longer cried themselves to sleep.


And I felt like a peasant.
And I felt like a woman.


A peasant with a dull, hard, unexciting life.
Like a woman that sometimes allowed a song.


And I saw a man.
And I saw a man.


And together we began to plot with the hope of the return to freedom.
I saw his heart begin to beat with the hope of freedom, at last.


Someday, the return to freedom.
Someday freedom.


And then,
But then,


One day,
One day,


There were planes overhead and guns firing close by.
There were planes overhead and guns firing in the distance.


I gathered my children and went home.
I gathered my children and ran.


And the guns moved farther and farther away.
But the guns moved closer and closer.


And then, they announced that freedom had been restored!
And then they came, young boys really.


They came into my home along with my man.
They came and found my man.


Those men whose money was almost gone.
They found all of the men whose lives were almost their own.


And we all had drinks to celebrate.
And they shot them all.


The most wonderful martinis.
They shot my man.


And they asked us to dance.
And they came for me.


Me.
For me, the woman.


And my sisters.
For my sister.


And then they took us.
Then they took us,


They took us to dinner at a small, private club.
They stripped from us the dignity we had gained.


And they treated us to beef.
And then they raped us.


It was one course after another.
One after another they came after us.


We nearly burst we were so full.
Lunging, plunging -- sisters bleeding, sisters dying.


It was magnificent to be free again!
It was hardly a relief to have survived.


The beans have almost disappeared now.
The beans have disappeared.


The rice -- I've replaced it with chicken or steak.
The rice, I cannot find it.


And the parties continue night after night to make up for the time wasted.
And my silent tears are joined once more by the midnight cries of my children,


And I feel like a woman again.
They say I am a woman.






compiled by lyme disease

Friday, January 18, 2008

Attitude Is Everything

Jerry was the kind of guy you love to hate. He was always in a good mood and always had something positive to say. When someone would ask him how he was doing, he would reply, "If I were any better, I would be twins!"


He was a unique manager because he had several waiters who had followed him around from restaurant to restaurant. The reason the waiters followed Jerry was because of his attitude. He was a natural motivator. If an employee was having a bad day, Jerry was there telling the employee how to look on the positive side of the situation.


Seeing this style really made me curious, so one day I went up to Jerry and asked him, "I don't get it! You can't be a positive person all of the time. How do you do it?" Jerry replied, "Each morning I wake up and say to myself, Jerry, you have two choices today. You can choose to be in a good mood or you can choose to be in a bad mood.' I choose to be in a good mood. Each time something bad happens, I can choose to be a victim or I can choose to learn from it. I choose to learn from it. Every time someone comes to me complaining, I can choose to accept their complaining or I can point out the positive side of life. I choose the positive side of life."


"Yeah, right, it's not that easy," I protested.


"Yes it is," Jerry said. "Life is all about choices. When you cut away all the junk, every situation is a choice. You choose how you react to situations. You choose how people will affect your mood. You choose to be in a good mood or bad mood. The bottom line: It's your choice how you live life."


I reflected on what Jerry said. Soon thereafter, I left the restaurant industry to start my own business. We lost touch, but often thought about him when I made a choice about life instead of reacting to it.


Several years later, I heard that Jerry did something you are never supposed to do in a restaurant business: he left the back door open one morning and was held up at gunpoint by three armed robbers. While trying to open the safe, his hand, shaking from nervousness, slipped off the combination. The robbers panicked and shot him. Luckily, Jerry was found relatively quickly and rushed to the local trauma center. After 18 hours of surgery and weeks of intensive care, Jerry was released from the hospital with fragments of the bullets still in his body.


I saw Jerry about six months after the accident. When I asked him how he was, he replied, "If I were any better, I'd be twins. Wanna see my scars?"


I declined to see his wounds, but did ask him what had gone through his mind as the robbery took place. "The first thing that went through my mind was that I should have locked the back door," Jerry replied. "Then, as I lay on the floor, I remembered that I had two choices: I could choose to live, or I could choose to die. I chose to live.


"Weren't you scared? Did you lose consciousness?" I asked. Jerry continued, "The paramedics were great. They kept telling me I was going to be fine. But when they wheeled me into the emergency room and I saw the expressions on the faces of the doctors and nurses, I got really scared. In their eyes, I read, 'He's a dead man. " I knew I needed to take action."


"What did you do?" I asked.


"Well, there was a big, burly nurse shouting questions at me," said Jerry. "She asked if I was allergic to anything. 'Yes,' I replied. The doctors and nurses stopped working as they waited for my reply.. I took a deep breath and yelled, 'Bullets!' Over their laughter, I told them, 'I am choosing to live. Operate on me as if I am alive, not dead."


Jerry lived thanks to the skill of his doctors, but also because of his amazing attitude. I learned from him that every day we have the choice to live fully. Attitude, after all, is everything.






Thursday, January 17, 2008

The Little Girl In The Park

There was this little girl sitting by herself in the park. Everyone passed by her and never stopped to see why she looked so sad. Dressed in a worn pink dress, barefoot and dirty, the girl just sat and watched the people go by.


She never tried to speak, she never said a word. Many people passed but no one would stop. The next day I decided to go back to the park in curiosity to see if the little girl would still be there. Yes, she was there, right in the very spot as she was yesterday, and still with the sad look in her eyes.


Today I was to make my own move and walk over to the little girl. For as we all know, a park full of strange people is not a place for young children to play alone. As I got closer I could see the back of the little girl's dress was obscenely shaped. I figured that was the reason people just passed by and made no effort to help.


Deformities are a low blow to our society and, heaven forbid if you make a step toward assisting someone who is different. As I got closer, the little girl lowered her eyes slightly to avoid my intent stare. As I approached her, I could see the obscene shape of her back more clearly. She was grotesquely shaped in a humped-over form. I smiled to let her know it was OK, I was there to help, to talk. I sat down beside her and opened with a simple Hello.


The little girl acted shocked, and stammered a "hi," after a long stare into my eyes. I smiled and she shyly smiled back. We talked until darkness fell and the park was completely empty. I asked the girl why she was so sad. The little girl looked at me and with a sad face said, "Because I'm different."


I immediately said, "That you are!" and smiled. The little girl acted even sadder and said, "I know."


"Little girl," I said, "you remind me of an angel, sweet and innocent. She looked at me and smiled. Slowly she got to her feet and said, "Really?"


"Yes, you're like a little Guardian Angel sent to watch over all those people walking by."

She nodded her head yes, and smiled. With that she spread her wings and said, "I am. I'm your Guardian Angel," with a twinkle in her eye. I was speechless, sure I was seeing things. She said, "For once you thought of someone other than yourself. My job here is done.


" I got to my feet and said, "Wait. So why did no one stop to help an angel?" She looked at me and smiled, "You're the only one that could see me," and then she was gone. And with that, my life was changed dramatically.


So, when you think you're all you have, remember, your angel is always watching over you.





Contributed by Jodi Kalas





compiled by lyme disease

Wednesday, January 16, 2008

Offer A Hand?


©2007-2008 Brutalster


©2007-2008 AydinYAMAN


©2007-2008 Kuna-Aayla-Secura



©2006-2008 DianaCretu




3 John 1:5-8

5
Dear friend, you are faithful in what you are doing for the brothers, even though they are strangers to you. 6They have told the church about your love. You will do well to send them on their way in a manner worthy of God. 7It was for the sake of the Name that they went out, receiving no help from the pagans. 8We ought therefore to show hospitality to such men so that we may work together for the truth.




©2004-2008 plastico










New International Version (NIV)

Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society












compiled by lyme disease

Monday, January 14, 2008

K.E.M.P. Media

The pictures and the video can be acquired from me
Simply pass me A CD for the complete pictures
and about 4 DVD's for the complete uncensored video hehehe


You can either pass it to me on Higher Ground session itself or drop a message on this post so I can get back to you as soon as possible.



Thank you.








compiled by lyme disease

Sunday, January 13, 2008

January's Higher Ground Session


©2007-2008 vickydemonique



...Your Value In God...


God loves you, how do you know of that?
God loves you, how sure are you of that?
God loves you, how confident are you of that?


Our speaker for this months' January Higher Ground Session is Sister Sarah Chiang from CPC and she is going to bring to us a valuable message, one which everyone would feel necessary to affirm their insecurities. Sister Qing Ling from Hope Church shall interpret after her in mandarin.


Definitely everyone wants to be loved, who doesn't want to be loved if the love given is given FREE?


There will be a short game to loosen up those tensed muscle after not having a session in December 2007 to give way for the churches to prepare for their Christmas celebration.


Our emcee Sun Lik will probably send a giggle if not a laughter with his humorous presentation.


The band leading worship will be presenting something rather different in experience, to say the least...led by Abelene.P from GCC, she'll be co-lead by Phoebe.T from WMC who will also be on the keys providing the ambient for the whole worship. Michael.O from GCC with his black beauty acoustic will be belting his strums of symphony and Clement.C from Shalom on the other hand is gonna add on to the already soothing resounding theme with some brushes on them cymbals. There suggests a surprising back up vocal by a male number whom identity shall only be known at the eleventh hour due to unexplainable complications.


Alas we won't be forgetting the January babies of course, so if you have a friend whose birthday falls in the month of January, do bring him/her along so we can celebrate his/her birthday together!!



The details pertaining the session as follows:

Venue:
Kuantan Baptist Church
Date:
26th January `08
Time:
7.30pm (I'm guessing it's gonna be "Malaysian time" again)









compiled by lyme disease

Saturday, January 12, 2008

Combined Healing Service


Do You believe in miracles?

Do You want to be healed?
Do You believe in unity?
or are you just too comfortable on your chair



Combined Healing Service
lingua in Mandarin, Tamil & English
time at 8.00pm on the 19th(Saturday) and 20th(Sunday) January `08
held at B822, Jalan Gambut, Kuantan, Pahang D.M.


Mandarin speaking will be held at the New Tamil Methodist Sanctuary
Tamil & English speaking will be held at the Wesley Methodist Sanctuary



*For inquiries, contact GCC Office at +609 5177127








organized by Kuantan Pastors Fellowship
compiled by lyme disease

Friday, January 11, 2008

Lonely No More

As life is followed with death
and positive to negative;
like day time conjoins night,
they have an inverse partner;
like man is to woman
and therefore loneliness -
you're never alone in this world,
as brothers and sisters you have
whether by blood or by spirit,
you need not bear the weight,
the burden for insecurities
as we love our neighbors
and that makes you one.





John 15:19

If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you.



New International Version (NIV)

Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society












compiled by lyme disease

Thursday, January 10, 2008

Philippians' Balance Sheet

As Paul writes to help new Christians at Philippi understand the difference between Christianity and Religion…he says there are three contrasts between the joy that is in Christ and the requirements or duties of religion. He suggests we need to balance these things out.


1. Christians need to balance purpose and power in life. “…work out your salvation…for it is God who works in you…”
(Phil. 2:12-13)


2. Christians need to balance attitude and action in life. “Do everything without complaining or arguing…(instead) shine like stars”
(Phil. 2:14-16)


3. Christians need to balance seriousness and joy in life. “...even if I am poured out like a drink offering…I rejoice.”
(Phil. 2:17-18)




Balance in life keeps us from being experienced as “super serious" and “long-faced” religious zealots…poor advertisements for Christ’s kingdom. When we find balance in life…we radiate warmth, beauty, and joy.











*disclaimer - interpretations is and are subjective to ones understanding

composed by jo@ghost

Wednesday, January 9, 2008

Congratulations Team 2008


To the new committee members of Higher Ground! For some of you, this could mean a leap of faith from a follower to a leader. For some, this means stepping out from your comfort zone into a different level of leadership; a different experience at least. Now, a typical committee would perceive the HG Coordinator to be superior compared to the rest. I personally believe that this mindset should be wiped-out from your minds. The bible says we are the body. And if any part, organ or piece is not in good shape, it will eventually weaken the rest of the body. I’ve once been in the committee and I can guarantee you that as long as one mere fellow starts backstabbing the other, it will only end with the demise of the committee’s function. I’m exaggerating a little but this is a possible upshot. So, if there are any disagreements, lay it out on the table right away, talk things through. If anyone refuses to listen, pin them down, drill their ears a bigger hole. Listen more, complain less. Be more optimistic and hopeful because in God, all things are possible. Amen?


I’ve got a whole list of things to say. So I’ll start slow... (I’m just about to begin… =P)


Firstly, Higher Ground will die without prayer. And this is no exaggeration. Therefore, COP MUST go on. No matter if there are only 2 or 3 of you, the prayer must go on! The prayer coordinator need not chair every single prayer meet but COP is compulsory for ALL committee members (try to open it to the rest). The one thing that has been bothering me about the HG board is your personal walk with the Lord. I know it is hard to pray every single day, believe me, I know. But if there isn’t a relationship with your Father, do you know why you’re a Christian? Do you know why are you serving Him? Why are you serving in HG? Don’t do it because it’s a routine. Do it because you love Him. Sit alone, dig deep, look inside and find your first love. Retrace that feeling, that moment where you had dedicated your life to Him. Love Him again. It’s tiring I know, but this phrase helped me throughout my quiet time years. “When you don’t feel like doing it, DO IT!” And every time you do it, reward yourself because it makes the devil mighty mad! And do it everyday, because every time you do it, you’ve WON a Victory! It’s like you’ve shot down an enemy! I don’t know about you, but every time I pray, I feel very happy because I know I’ve won and satan has failed to stop me! Huahahahahhahaaha…. XD



Don’t lol me!



Anyway, it is okay to enjoy the hype, the fame, and being at the front lines. But do you know what front liners do? In battle, they are either the first ones who manages to attack the enemy or the first ones who gets killed. You ARE Higher Ground’s front liners. If you aren’t strong enough, satan will defeat you. It is normal to have disagreements, normal to dislike the habits of others, and normal to have different mindsets. We are all made different. But we don’t do what’s best for us; we do what’s best for His Kingdom. We serve the same God, who is also our Father and Best friend.


Why do we worship? Remember the song “When the Music Fades”? Remember the line, “I’m sorry Lord for the thing I’ve made it”? Matt Redman, the writer, wasn’t apologizing for his sins nor was he asking for the Lord to dismiss his transgressions. He was apologizing for making worship a ‘thing’. “I’m sorry Lord for the ‘thing’ I’ve made it, cause it’s all about You, it’s all about You, Jesus.” Is worship a ‘thing’ to us? Is it about the music, how good the band members are or how lovely the worship leader sounds? Think about it. Can we worship without music? Without singing? Without humming to a song? Just silence?


One cannot worship something he/she doesn’t love. Love the Lord with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind and with all your strength. HIS commandment, not mine.


(Albeit that, the new comers might not be able to comprehend. So, please play decent music, sing songs within our capabilities and try not to make people cringe to deafening sound).


What is a leader without his followers? What is Higher Ground without its members? The purpose of HG is to bring people to the Lord, save lives, do out the Great Commission (make disciples). That’s when Publicity comes in. Cliques have constantly been a problem in HG. It drives people away. I’ve spoken to a few people. They’ve stopped attending HG because, “Everyone is in cliques”, “The ushers only usher themselves”, and “The committee only talks to the committee”. This is a very sad setback for HG. THEY are the ones we need to reach out to. THEY are Higher Ground’s purpose. It broke my heart to hear that coming from my own friend. I want to challenge you to change this. This 2008, break this norm that we’ve been trying to break in 7 years. Ushers, serve the people, befriend them, and talk to them. If needed, sit with them throughout the whole session. One usher per new comer. Take down their numbers, update them. Guys to guys, girls to girls. I’ve experienced stalkers through this, so yea, don’t give out your numbers to the opposite gender if you don’t wanna get into trouble. Serve the people just as the Lord served His disciples. Amen?


Finally, make your life a living testimony. We are our own preaching. People might not be able to understand what the Pastor and Speaker is sharing, but they can see and understand our actions. Look at yourself in the mirror and ask yourself, “What do people see in me?” “Am I a good example of a Christian?” Evaluate yourself. Pray and ask the Lord to make you more like Jesus. One thing I’ve learnt from “Evan Almighty” (the movie), when you ask for patience, the Lord doesn’t give you patience. He gives you the opportunity to practice it. When you ask for strength, He gives you the opportunity to be strong. Always remember, when we are weak, His strength is made perfect!


And so, I’ll end my preaching here. XP


I think that’s all I needed to tell you. Since I can’t be there to pray with you, I will pray here for you all... ; )





Dear Father,

I wanna commit Higher Ground into Your loving hands. I thank You for this new committee, I thank You for Your grace and mercy and that Your hand has never left Higher Ground for the past 7 years. And on this eighth year, I pray that you will continue to bless us and lead us in our ways. I commit Jasmine, Hui Shun, Amos, Michel, Joanne, Vincent and Jasher, Shirley and Hendriq into Your mighty hands. I pray that you grant them wisdom, hope, strength, peace, joy and love for You. That in You, all things are possible. And in this New Year, new things will happen, new people will come for HG, new leaders will rise up, new gifts of the Holy Spirit will be revealed and a new passion will burn for You. I pray that you’d minister to every single member of HG. That You will rain down on them and walk with them constantly. Lord, I pray that they’ll lay down every burden, every condemnation, every worry and every depression at Your feet. I pray that You’d enlighten them with Your presence. You’d grant them the gift of discernment, wisdom and power to lead this generation. That every work of the devil will be broken down in Your name. I pray Lord that You’d grant them the discipline to spend time with You, I pray that You’d always be their tower of refuge. I thank You so much for all You’ve done for us this far. And I also thank You for everything that You are going to do and have in store for us. I pray all these in Your most precious name…

And all God’s children say?

AMEN!











composed by abelene

New HG Board

coordinator/treasurer :jasmine see

secretary :voon hui shun

prayer/worship coordinator :amos phua

publicity :jasher chew and vincent turn

head usher :joanne sm

head registrar :shirley turn

multimedia :hendriq














compiled by lyme disease

Tuesday, January 8, 2008

Jammingz Out of Date

Sad Sad Sad news..

It seems that the Jammingz session can no longer make its way through this year 2008 due to a shortage of educators...
as some of them would be having major examinations this year, their tuitions were placed on mondays, whilst some are going to leave Kuantan to further their studies, and on the majority votes, it's best to call off Jammingz until the educators are complete...

Sad Sad Sad news..










compiled by lyme disease

Sunday, January 6, 2008

Jammingz 7th Jan. `08

On Monday, the 7th of January 2008, there'll be the continuation of the jamming session, venue will be in Grace Charismatic Centre and time is at 7.30pm..

For those who wish to join and learn you can straight away attend and we'll proceed you to your desired class, but bear in mind, we do not, and we emphasize we do not encourage a constant changing of classes.












compiled by lyme disease

Saturday, January 5, 2008

John 3:16













compiled by lyme disease

Friday, January 4, 2008

Committee Board Shuffle `08



A new year, year 2008
Starting anew with a fresh new look
Going ahead with boldness in absolute
Shuffling the committee board
on the 6th of January `08
at Grace Charismatic Centre
rendezvous at 1530
being there witnessing
giving presence and support
is more than one can ask.











compiled by lyme disease

Thursday, January 3, 2008

New Year 2008

Has anyone to share about their goals for the new year 2008?

Is anyone willing to spend a few minutes to state a few verses for the rest to read?

Since it's the new year 2008, why not start by encouraging one another in the brotherhood and sisterhood?


Glory & Praises forevermore










compiled by lyme disease

Wednesday, January 2, 2008

K.E.M.P. Motives

The subjugation motive of K.E.M.P. in a simplified pretext :


The sole purpose of this camp is aimed at achieving a few objectives; first and foremost is the worship, worshiping our Lord God in one accord. On the pretext of modern urbanization of cultural lifestyle, people would and could be dependent on the technological gadgets to muster up magnificent and splendorous music for our Lord. What if these technology is reduced its technological qualities, would it still be as awesome of a praise and worship as the ones they play and lead the congregation into a time of worship? What differential difference are there when it's still and just music for our Lord, what matters is what comes from the heart, and not by the technological advanced instruments one uses to render a soulful song of praise for God.


And as the speakers shares their intricate insights and knowledge of and about particular testimonies from the bible, did anyone realize that they the ones sharing are but just an instrument He uses to feed you with knowledge and wisdom... it's not about how amazingly marvelous a preaching or a sermon would impact its listeners but moreover how He is using these young people for His work, putting to a differencing perspective these sharing isn't prepared and read like a script sounding oh-so boring but rather lead by Him, well of course points relating to certain topic(s) is prepared to avoid having the forgetfulness syndrome invoked out of nervousness or whatsoever syndromes there is to it. Any tom, dick and harry can share but the matter of whether the sharing is being shared out of love or out of "because I have to"...


Most of the time many would be busily and lethargically going through with the games detailedly prepared for them with a listing of pros and cons one would be able to grasp and learn from each game...While certain game(s) would seem to be of a complete waste of time, and some is just too difficult for understanding, it metaphorically applies to life as a game has a 'start' and an 'end'. The only differential fact is there's no restarts in life. So as so for every game, there is a lesson to be learn, every game adding the fruit of the Holy Spirit will lead one to a whole new understanding towards life and what not the bible. Well isn't life tiring sometimes: examinations, financial difficulties, exercise, and etc.


In these days, the blossoming of fast-food outlets (which could prove to be unhealthy) is impossibly fast like mushrooms after rain, they are being too common of a sight, and out of hurry we'd most probably rush through the intake consumption to avoid being late for tuition, given for an example. Being the common normality, it is easy to overlook the importance of every fine grain and to its final drop of water. After being deprived of these "common food" they see daily, they'll somehow grow to appreciate the importance of every meal. It is easier to appreciate what is important when it is lost than when it hasn't. Therefore after being deprived from bread for instance, the value of such food increases. On another perspective basis, in other countries where famine is greatly a norm, food even the size of a quarter hand full is like a meal for a week. Understanding towards its importance could be realized if only one looks at it from the right direction and not at how the meal stinks (not defining the meaning literally).


Every soul needs their slumber, without it the heart may fail and one could just collapse and return to its Maker. It being essential defining it is vital so our body is able to rejuvenate and when one doesn't take their slumber, it is completely out of ones own choice, as He gave all of us a choice to choose likewise the decisions in our own personal life. But too much could be an alarming danger for it could spoil ones character, such as the declining of being able to adapt to the circumstances in any way of a hectic day given for example as one could be prone to be "attached" to their comfortable bed, not being oblivious at its importance, but too much is yet another issue. In its metaphorical application, when one is taken out of ones comfort, will they be able and capable in a probable to be adaptable to displeasing and uncomfortable circumstances?


Homie, less frequently homey, is a slang word for homeboy, which in application could mean a close acquaintance in a neighborhood. No creature is made to live out its life all alone. Every creature(s) from the cenozoic era till the eoarchean era has a mate. Communication is prominently important in the relation of two or more creature. Relations is built when one party musters up the bravery to actually open their gold-filled mouth to greet one with a simple greeting or makes a friendly signal of a gesture. No being wants to be alone, in some way or the other. As one is left in the midst of what seems to be a portion of a jungle, and their only friends are the ones with them, relations is made and built indirectly and directly. A bonded relation among one another could reduce depression which could then lead to other deplorable emotional breakdowns. Bonded relation also builds and bridges the gap of the age and indirectly bringing to understanding among one another.


As far as point systems is concerned, it was aimed to be as an illusion for ones mind to work towards achieving an achievement with or without knowing that it is actually aiming at other qualities. It serves as a motivation for one to work if they knew there was a "reward" for them at the end of it. In retrospect, if a reward is the motivation to one doing or accomplishing great things for the Lord, then shouldn't one who believes in the Lord God, being the Alpha and the Omega faithfully trusting that the reward for them is in fact in heaven? It is inverting to how the world looks at it, as one is rewarded to what one do or does. Consider then this parable.











compiled by lyme disease

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