Lesson from the Land of Middle Earth

Something that I came across from Our Journey. To all the fans of LOTR trilogy...

Remember the 2nd part of the trilogy where Frodo finally came to the point of giving up. The responsiblity of bring the Ring to its origin was really wearing him out. He told Sam that he couldn't do it anymore. That was when Sam told Frodo this:

"I know...By right we shouldn't even be here, but we are. It's like in the great stories, Frodo - the ones that really matter. Full of darkness and danger, they were, and sometimes you didn't want to know the end, because how could the end be happy? How could the world go back to the way it was when so much bad happened? But in the end it's only a passing thing, this shadow; even darkness must pass. Living day will come, and when the sun shines it will shine out the clearer. Those were the stories that stayed with you, that meant something - even if you were too small to understand why.

But I think, Mr. Frodo, I do understand, I know now. Folks in those stories had lots of chances to turning back, only they didn't. They kept going because they were holding on to something."

What are we holding on to? Sam was right. Those people held on to something. Something that kept them going even when everything seemed so messed up or failed around them. They keep on moving forward, not letting the 'turning back' chances to catch up with them.

Everything else might fail us but if we hold on to Him, we will be able to finish the race without losing our medal. Are we holding on to our God and eternal life or are we holding on to something else?

No matter how good, how much you try, make sure you have your eyes fixed. Know what & where we are running to...

"...You know, most of our lives we try to run so fast & run so strong. If we would admit to ourselves we don't want to be winners here... But you know, the only safe place to run is into the arms of God..."
- Martin Smith, Delirious?

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APYAC 2007 Jakarta...Here I come!

APYAC in Jakarta? Yeap finally! I'm going! You can say its a last minute thing or mayb its not. The very first time I heard about the conference was in HUGE Camp 2006. At that very moment I was already thinking about going for it but still wasn't sure about it. As 2007 came, I kind of left the idea of going to APYAC because it was beginning to sound even more impossible with the limited leaves and resources that was available.

It wasn't till last week that I made up my mind. A friend acutally asked me if I was planning to go for the conference and my first answer was "No, I'm not going" but then again...after much thought, I told myself "Why not?" I have always wanted to go for the conference, and now that I see the opportunity to get there, why not go for it? I could use the time off not just for the conference and it would be a great opportunity for me to take some time off for a little break somewhere else. Yeap, It's gonna cost me some things but I guess it would be worth it.

Have been waiting anxiously for my leave to be approved for the past one week and FINALLY today I got my green light! I was so excited that I went and bought the air tickets almost immediately. Cost me quite a sum but I know I have already made a deal with Him. I'm just gonna get the tickets and I believe somehow, someway, He will make way to provide the rest for me just like how He did for my Hillsong trip in Australia.

Less then one month to go...APYAC 2007 Jakarta...Here I come!

Check APYAC out for yourselves... http://apyac07.multiply.com/

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I would like to thank you, you, you & YOU!

Its 23rd May 2007, finally, I can get some time to sit and jot down all my thanks to you all! Yeap thanks to you, you,you and YOU... :) for making this weekend one of my longest weekend...my 23rd Birthday weekend! Been celebrating my 23rd Birthday since the 17th May! (although my birthday was suppose to be only one day :P) Was actually kind of not in the mood for it till you bunch of people pop your heads in and burst that 'mood bubble' with these stuff:

17th May (Thursday)
My very first birthday celebration for me this year and also one of my best gift. Had dinner at American Chili's. Stuffed ourselves silly but enjoyed the time and experience together.

19th May (Saturday)
The youth sang the birthday song and bought a cake for the May babies. Celebrated my birthday together with Joman.

20th May (Sunday)
Went out with the Sisters because Denise was back in Malaysia. Had steamboat (yea, not exactly my fav food) but did enjoyed the eggs though. After that, we adjourned to Coffee Bean. Little did I realise the Sisters we actually rushing to get me a cake before I step to the counter to order my coffee and cake. They prepared a little surprise with the cake and celebrated an early birthday for me.

21st May (Monday)
Had many birthday smses and a few calls when the clook strucked midnight. Simple wishes but was meaningful.Started my day with a nice thoughtful breakfast treat.

In the office that day, I had birthday lunch celebration treat from my boss (unexpected). Later, at tea time, had a second round of celebration with a huge jelly birthday cake. After the birthday song, my boss presented me with an ang pow...(really unexpected and I was kind of tight financially at the moment!),thank God for the blessing!

On my way home, I received another special gift. I had a birthday song presented to me live via my handphone. The person actually called, sang and played the guitar through the handphone for me after practicing it a few times. So sweeeet! :P

Dinner that night was Sushi with my family at Sakae Sushi. Next was Starbucks. Lyd had organised a small meet up there. A few of the guys were there and John bought me a cake to celebrate my birthday. (unexpectedly rare! but so good of him :P) Got a pretty Bonita hair accessory from Lyd and a thoughful Ikea gift from the guys (yes John, you're the best~~again, haha) Spent the rest of my day with them - my bunch of thoughtful buddies :)

22nd May (Tuesday)
The Thor's decided to bring me out for dinner. Had an opportunity to go for a treat at Marche at The Curve. Food was good but what I enjoyed most was the concept of the place. Never really had an opportunity to dine there so the experience itself was a BIG gift to me. Yeap, maybe be nothing much to some, but for me it was special.

23rd May (Wednesday)
Not over yet? Haha...yea. Lil' bit more to go. Unexpectedly got a nicely wrapped Skin Food product from my fellow marketing colleagues (excuses from them: Sorry "DHL-Dua Hari Lambat"). Haha...how nice of them.

There are still plenty others but I guess if I go on, I'll never get to finish anytime soon. All in all, I did enjoyed myself. Yeap, not so much of what I got but because of u all! Your time, effort, thoughts and everytyhing else that you have put in to make my weekend a great one. A very big THANK YOU to ALL! Love you all! :)

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Psalm 91

Got another verse dropped to me this morning via msn at office by a friend. After the Isaiah 40:30-31, this verses definately doesn't sound like a coincidence.

Psalm 91

1 He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High
will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.

2 I will say of the LORD, "He is my refuge and my fortress,
my God, in whom I trust."

3 Surely he will save you from the fowler's snare
and from the deadly pestilence.

4 He will cover you with his feathers,
and under his wings you will find refuge;
his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.

5 You will not fear the terror of night,
nor the arrow that flies by day,

6 nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness,
nor the plague that destroys at midday.

7 A thousand may fall at your side,
ten thousand at your right hand,
but it will not come near you.

8 You will only observe with your eyes
and see the punishment of the wicked.

9 If you make the Most High your dwelling—
even the LORD, who is my refuge-

10 then no harm will befall you,
no disaster will come near your tent.

11 For he will command his angels concerning you
to guard you in all your ways;

12 they will lift you up in their hands,
so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.

13 You will tread upon the lion and the cobra;
you will trample the great lion and the serpent.

14 "Because he loves me," says the LORD, "I will rescue him;
I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name.

15 He will call upon me, and I will answer him;
I will be with him in trouble,
I will deliver him and honor him.

16 With long life will I satisfy him
and show him my salvation.

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Isaiah 40:30-31

During the LED Retreat few weeks ago, each of us were given a postcard and were told to fill in our names and addresses. The postcard was then collected back and distributed out again to another person at the end of the retreat. The person who gets your postcard is supposed to write in some word of encouragement on the postcard and mail it back to the you when they get back to their respective home after the end of the retreat.

I got home today, and saw my postcard waiting for me. It has just arrive by hand I guess, since there was no trace of postage stamp on it. The person who sent the postcard had quoted Isaiah 40:30-31:

30 Even youths grow tired and weary,
and young men stumble and fall;

31 but those who hope in the LORD
will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
they will run and not grow weary,
they will walk and not be faint.

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"Just Let It Go..."

So much...so much that is happening I just want to let go. The past few days has been like crap, felt like Lewis at times. I keep telling myself 'keep moving forward' but its not easy.

Reflecting on Lewis' life...he was kinda hopeless and not going anywhere in the beginning. How would he have guessed that he would be someone that so great in the future. But all that only did happen because he went back and worked on his project again after it failed him. Could I be like him? Seeing that every 'project' that failed is a step closer to the bright future? How much more failure? I dunno. Till then I guess I have to keep counting on His 'little wonders'...the 'little wonders' that still remains...

Little Wonders
by Rob Thomas

Let it go,
Let it roll right off your shoulder
Don’t you know
The hardest part is over
Let it in,
Let your clarity define you
In the end
We will only just remember how it feels

Our lives are made
In these small hours
These little wonders,
These twists & turns of fate
Time falls away,
But these small hours,
These small hours still remain

Let it slide,
Let your troubles fall behind you
Let it shine
Until you feel it all around you
And I don’t mind
If it’s me you need to turn to
We’ll get by,
It’s the heart that really matters in the end

Our lives are made
In these small hours
These little wonders,
These twists & turns of fate
Time falls away,
But these small hours,
These small hours still remain

All of my regret
Will wash away somehow
But I cannot forget
The way I feel right now

In these small hours
These little wonders
These twists & turns of fate
These twists & turns of fate
Time falls away
(yeah, but) these small hours
These small hours, still remain,
..still remain
These little wonders
These twists & turns of fate
Time falls away
But these small hours
These little wonders still remain..

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INFLUENCE forms are here!!

Hey, remember about the INFLUENCE conference that I was talking in my past blog? Yea, the forms are out! So if u want it let me know. Will try to pass out some. In the mean time, I think I will be working on an emailer to be sent out via email. Since this generation of people that the conference it targetting is a generation of 'online people,' think the email be quite effective to spread the word around. Keep ya all update on it then! Remember...catch the early bird registration and SIGN UP!

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"Well, shouldn't I know? Who would know?"

"...with great power, comes great responsibility."

"Love should never be a secret. If you keep something as complicated as love stored up inside, it could make you sick."

"I believe there's a hero in all of us, that keeps us honest, gives us strength, makes us noble, and finally allows us to die with pride, even though sometimes we have to be steady, and give up the thing we want the most..."

Think am getting too much of the spidey-craze season. Maybe not. Haha..."Well, shouldn't I know? Who would know?"

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BP : Boiling Point

Guessed some of you would know bout that show, "Boiling Point" from TV. Just had my share of BP today.

It was quite evening as I had to stay back in office to finish up some stuff that I did not manage to finish earlier. Supposed to have delivered the job earlier, but somehow couldn't. So decided I better stay back awhile, to finish up before I rush home to do some other work.

At 8.30pm, I finally finished and was getting ready to leave. Was kind of frustrated as it was way pass my plan timing. I was also feeling quite bad as I know my colleague was waiting to use my computer. The whole day she had to share the computer with me because her computer failed her last weekend and was still being repaired. Me and my delayed work wasn't helping her at all. She had to wait till I finished before she was able to rush her work out. As I was about to leave, I was asked to do some changes again. Went to my computer again reluctantly and quite irritated this time. It's so impossible to rush out a brand new design over a few minutes especially for my standard but I guess I have to do. On top of that, my stomach was already not behaving itself since a few hours ago.

After struggling with the whole process, finally finish at about 10pm plus. I was struggling not to 'over boil' deep inside me. Got into my car and drove back after that. At the point that I was almost leaving the frustrations and irrritation behind. Lo and behold, of all the hours of the day, I was stuck in a bad traffic for almost an hour. Who would have predicted that a jam so bad could have happened at that kind of hour of the night due to an accident?

The evening was like a series of BP for me. First the work, then more work, then after that, the bad traffic. As I reflected back again, I thought it was kind of funny. It was as if someone was putting a BP on me, waiting for me to burst any moment, adding more and more ways to make burst out. Yes, I was really frustrated at some point, but I think I successfully kept the 'boil' from coming out. I kept reminding myself that I have to react radically as a GRYP and that helped me me from messing up. Another thing was also because of my colleagues patience. Throughout the night, I was taking her time away using the computer, she just waited patiently for me. I realised that she was in a much worse situation than me, knowing that she had to wait for me to go off before she could start her work only late that night. Maybe she was used to it, who knows. But that certainly gave me a different perspective of things. Her patience and the understanding somehow did helped me to react to my situation tonight. Thank God for a good reminder even in the workplace itself! Thank God for helping me pass my BP test!

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INFLUENCE Conference by the "Influencers!"

Just got back from a gathering in Glad Tidings, PJ. It was a gathering for the INFLUENCE Conference committee and also some other young adults from a few different churches. I was somehow pulled into the gathering because I was working on the design for the conference itself. Went there alone without knowing what to expect but glad I did.

It was kind of weird for me at first as I walked into the place alone, not knowing most of the people there. The weirdness soon went away as I was introduced to a few of the early comers there. Dinner was provided but I choose not to eat, feeling quite full from my lunch. So, I decided to spend the time knowing new people. Spent most of my time talking to this girl, Sarah. Found out that she was just starting work next week. Cool, I thought I will be the youngest and the only one that has just started working there, but yea, there were a few others there who are still in their final year of studies. Not that awkward after all. Haha..Saw people like Prakash and also Sazea there too, people who I already knew some time ago.

After the dinner, we adjourned to a small meeting room where a guy named Raymond lead worship. I heard it was kind of an in-prompt-to thing for him but he lead worship well. In fact, we actually enjoyed ourselves in God's presence. Just like me, most of the people tonight came right after their work. Some have come from far and some have just rushed from their office for this gathering. What's encouraging is this...Raymond lead us all into a great time of worship and everyone in that room really worshiped and praised God regardless of what they have been through the whole day. From worship, we continued to prayer and God's presence was there. I can say that we spend most the time worshipping and praying rather then just planning. Though we are of different churches, everyone worshipped and prayed like they were from one church. This is one of my first time in a meeting where people worshipped and prayed like that. New experience for me :)

After all the worship and prayer, Sue (the person who called for the gathering) just gave us a short brief on the updates of the conference and with that we ended the meeting with a prayer. I've also met this girl, Karen. She was sitting beside me all the while we were in the room. Found out she was from GTPJ, but it was her first time attending this gathering. It seems that she was quite new to all the YAM stuff as she was not sure who Ps, Clement Wong was and all. But anyway, was kind of glad to know her. I have always been the "not-so-open" one, but Karen seems to be the opposite. She was talking to me like she already knew me from before, so I took the opportunity to get to know her too.

Overall, it was a good gathering for me personally. I was very encouraging to see many others who is also working in the office like myself being still be so passionate for God. I guess the people tonight had really given the INFLUENCE Conference its definition. Interesting eh? A conference that I believe will be great because it is being put into the hands of those who are really living its meaning!

So yea, find out what it really means to be like these people? This itself is already a good advertisement for INFLUENCE Conference. So, if you’re a fresh graduate, in your final year or a working young adult, come join us for the conference and find out what it really means to be an "Influencer…”

INFLUENCE Conference...Ask me for the forms, will be out soon. Don't miss it!

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The "Encourager's" Role

"i'm very busy," "No, I'm busier," "No, No, I have this and that to do. I am the busiest!"

It never ends does it? Yeap, everyone has their own responsible and share of busy life. No one escapes the word "busy." Whether you're a millionaire or a small kid, somehow you'll still have a certain responsiblity to fulfill.

Today, we have decided to pray on the topic of 'encouragement' for our GRYP Pre-Service Prayer. It was a suggestion from Toefl simply because he felt that we should remember to encourage one another especially when we are all serving together and are our brother's and sister's keepers. As the different ones started praying, a thought just came to me. I just thought how sometimes we can be so caught up in comparing how busy we were and forgot that we were suppose to encourage other in our busy times.

Somehow, I was convicted to pray for the group about that. That we would not be too hooked-up trying to win the "who is busier race" and instead continue to encourage each other to move forward even in that busy times. Not to pushed responsiblities away and in the same time being understanding to each other. We should not condemn those who are busy and start saying things about them if they are unable to serve more. Instead we should find out whether if they are really struggling or if they need help in whatever they are into. As brothers and sisters, God didn't put us there to discourage them, but encourage them to go on.

That itself puts me into a new perspective when I look at people who are busy now. Sometimes, its not that they don't want to do more but they just can't and they need we the 'encourager' to help them to move on...

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All around CNY in a day, 2007!

Today, we went for our yearly Chinese New Year visitation rounds. It has become the GRYP's tradition to go around visiting the different houses that are open for us every CNY. It is the time where we go from house to house, collecting ang pows, eating like crazy and also the time where there's opportunity to meet up and build bridges with the different family members.

This year, we had a total invitation of 6 houses. The were namely the Yaw's, Teo's, Wee's, Cassie's, Pastor Peter's and last but not least Johanan's. We started our visitation by gathering straight at the Yaw's from 9am onwards. Then we moved on to Kota Kemuning, Seri Petaling and back to USJ again for another 3 houses. The group was as usual except that this year Pastor Nirhal did not join us. We had a convoy of 5 cars and as we moved on from house to house, we picked up a few more youth to join us.

The visitation was ok. There was no real lunch or dinner provided but I guess we were well fed by the time we reached the second house as most of houses prepared plenty of food for us. It was weird though because I thought this year we had lesser food. One particular house that we were kept busy was the Teo's. The house was huge and cosy and they had their very own 'studio room' equipped with a drum set, guitar, piano and even a few percussion intruments. Uncle Benson was kind of excited having the group in his house that he requested us to have a short praise session in the room. We sounded quite funny though, with all the switched musicians and being called on to do so unprepared.

This year we also got invited to Cassie's house. Her family was non-believers and I thought it was cool that they welcomed the youth group to their house. Maybe they did it because they were curious on what their daughter were doing in church or they we just being nice to us, but oh well, no complaints for us. The invitation was a good opportunity as a few of us actually got to have brief chats with her parents and brother. I even heard that her brother is now interested to come to our GRYP youth meetings and he was beginning to like hanging out around some of the youth after having a few rounds of Play Station games with them. Now, that's how CNY visitations should be! Great move guys!

Last but not least, was Johanan's house. As some of us were looking forward for a time of quiz and extra ang pows, this year Uncle Peter did not prepared the usual quizzes. The past years, he had always encouraged us to answer some simple bible quizzes and would reward us with extra ang pows. That's what's makes his house special during our yearly CNY visitations. It has become almost a Ling family tradition, but I guess maybe he was busy or had his hands on some other stuff and was not able to do the same this year. Anyway, we hung around a little and ended our visitation for the day with that house.

After that, a few of us decided to adjourned to the hospital to visit Kristina who was having a Dengue fever. She was so eager to join us for the visitation today but was not able because of the fever. So, a group of us thought it would be nice if we dropped by to visit her instead and I can see that she was encouraged seeing so many of us visiting her.

So, that was it, our GRYP CNY visitation for the year 2007! Time to go and count my ang pows now… :P


My very first ang pow design for my company. Never thought I would do one in my life. Haha...

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They call us the 'unique being'...

It's funny sometimes those who knows you best tends to hurt you the most. Maybe that's how it is among family members. We live with each other so long that we know every single habits and attitudes. Thus, its quite impossible if we can't predict each other's moves and speech and be irritated by it.

It's like how you would talk to your parents or siblings. Realise sometimes you never want to talk about certain things to them cause you know they would be irritated even before you finish talking? Or you used to talk to them but as you grow older and understand each other more, it gets harder to even communicate? Maybe that's what happens to even our friends or love ones sometimes. The closer you get the more easily agitated you'll be. Weird, huh?

Ironically, those people are also the people that you would love most. Even if they really say or do things that really hurts you, you know they still love you and you would still love them too. We, the human beings...unique beings they call it? Yea, real unique...

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KongsI Raya!

It's the eve of Chinese New Year...Yea! Finally Chinese New Year is here! Nop, not that I'm overjoyed over the fact that there is going to be a lot of ang pows or food but more of the fact that I'm finally done with my job! At least for the time being :P

It had been some crazy few weeks for me in office, rushing out some job. I think I kind of broke my personal speed record completing so many designs in such a short period (I'm not really known as a speed worker). Looking back, I thought that was quite impossible, but I believe God was with me the whole time, helping me with the ideas and favours from the people around me.

I had just recovered from a series of fever, flu and throat irritation from the weeks before. Everyday was a drag especially with a tired body and so much to do. I remembered saying; "I can't go any further, I am all emptied through and there's nothing left for me to take another step today. God, if I were to go on with this day, I will have to run on Jesus-fuel! You have to fill me in today." Whenever I wake up feeling really worn out, that's what I did. So it was, the job came, the job was done. Finally, yesterday, I managed to complete all that was to be done. Yeap, there more to come after Chinese New Year but for now, at least I will get a full "kongsi raya" week (raya CNY & raya holiday) before work starts again.

Ok, off to plan my week of holiday!...

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A new Word for the New Year!

Trully blessed my soul, a great encouragement for me to start the new 2007!

Isaiah 43:16-21 (Devotional thots from Our Journey)


16 This is what the LORD says—
he who made a way through the sea,
a path through the mighty waters,

17 who drew out the chariots and horses,
the army and reinforcements together,
and they lay there, never to rise again,
extinguished, snuffed out like a wick:

18 "Forget the former things;
do not dwell on the past.

19 See, I am doing a new thing!
Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?
I am making a way in the desert
and streams in the wasteland.

20 The wild animals honor me,
the jackals and the owls,
because I provide water in the desert
and streams in the wasteland,
to give drink to my people, my chosen,

21 the people I formed for myself
that they may proclaim my praise.

God reminded me to continue to allow His Spirit to work my passions for Him. I have to allow myself to draw my satisfaction from God. My passions should not be drawn from my fulfillment to the world around me but from Jesus Himself! Not the world's approval but God's approval!

It's no use just remembering the former things (achievements or success) but I must turn my heart towards God, seeking to be satisfied in Him!

What an encouragement and reminder to start the year with! Greater 2007, here I come!

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Another chapter has come to its end...

Woa!...2006 gone, 2007 here! Looking back, I realised that so much has happen in such a short time. All in all, it was a challenging year for me. It the year I first started my work life, saving and going for Hillsong Conference in Sydney, serving even more in church and so much more...Year 2006, phew!..(taking a deep breath).

Now that 2007 is here, I am starting the year knowing that 2007 will be a greater and challenging year for me...whatever I have gone through, whether its success or failure in 2006, let it be the chapters in my life that continues to lead me through my journey for the future...

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Through It All...

Last evening, I went to church with eyes red & watery, just at the verge of pouring out after having a short clash on my way. Was feeling bad but at the same time I refused to let it spoilt my evening with God. I stepped into church, the worship was just about to start and I fought to hold my tears back. I told myself, "I am already here to sing and to worship God, let's just leave the burdens and focus on Him." The first few songs went by, I tried to join in but occasionally, a few drops of tear will roll down my cheek. Then the worship leader came to the song 'Through It All"...The lyrics goes like this...

You are forever in my life
You see me through the seasons
Cover me with Your hand
And lead me in Your righteousness

And I look to You
And I wait on You

I sing to you Lord, A hymm of love
For Your faithfulness to me
I'm carried in everlasting arms
You never let me go
Through it all

Hallelujah
Hallelujah
Hallelujah
Hallelujah

The lyrics really reminded me that no matter what, God is still there, carrying me in His everlasting arms. He never leave me alone but He will lovingly guide me through everything. Whatever I have just gone through is nothing, compared to His love. The words just strucked and comforted me...as if it is specially dedicated to me.

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His perfect plan, my pefect plan?

A thought just came to me about my recent Hillsong trip to Sydney. Remember my past blog, "Pressed down, shaken together & running over... (Luke 6:38)?" My prayer was for my salary to be released earlier so that I can meet the savings I intended for Hillsong but God provided me through my dad, grandma & etc instead of through the salary..."God have taken care of all I needed in other ways, that is why the salary was not released to me earlier." that's what I was thinking. Never mind the salary, now that I have the other ways. But I was wrong...

It was more then just providing me enough for Hillsong, in fact it was God's "after Hillsong scheme" for me. Now I understand the big picture of it. God caused the money to come in other ways and He allowed the salary to not be released to me because He knows I will need the money when I get back. True enough, when I got back from Hillsong, I still have enough to spend because of the salary. It was right here in Malaysia waiting for me while I spend the other portion in Sydney. I did not have to worry about how was I going to survive after spending so much in Sydney and so on.

Frustrated sometimes why God do not give us what we ask for? Well, that's because He knows us better and have a better plan for us...Romans 8:28. His perfect plan may not be our perfect plan :)

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Final destination: Heaven, not Earth!

Just want to share something that came across during my devotion this week from the bible in Numbers 9:15-20. It's about how the Lord lead Moses and the children of Isreal in the wilderness using the pillar of cloud during the day and fire during the night. What actually struck me is this...

(Numbers 9:20-23)
"...20 Sometimes the cloud was over the tabernacle only a few days; at the LORD's command they would encamp, and then at his command they would set out. 21 Sometimes the cloud stayed only from evening till morning, and when it lifted in the morning, they set out. Whether by day or by night, whenever the cloud lifted, they set out. 22 Whether the cloud stayed over the tabernacle for two days or a month or a year, the Israelites would remain in camp and not set out; but when it lifted, they would set out. 23 At the LORD's command they encamped, and at the LORD's command they set out. They obeyed the LORD's order, in accordance with his command through Moses..."


The Isrealite followed the cloud/fire wherever it went. Because of that, they could not settle down permenantly, everything that they built/set up was temporal. They have no idea what the future was or when they were to leave again. Somedays, it could mean setting up their tents and then tearing it down again the next day. They just trust God, their Leader to lead them.

Sound really 'mar fan' eh? This is a good encouragement especially for some of us who are constantly involved in ministries in church. Sometimes we think that we have already done so much that we can't go any further or everything seems to be never ending 'doing' or 'going.'

But our lives here on earth is meant to be like that...like the children of Isreal..not being able to settle down permanently and be comfortable until we reach the 'promised land.' It's never our purpose to only live & be happy here but to strive further in whatever we do for God.We may not know what is installed in the future but we have to continue to do His work and trusting in Him to be our Leader...Our final destination is in Heaven and not on earth :)

This thought was a great encouragement to me, hope it will be for you too :)

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Pressed down, shaken together & running over... (Luke 6:38)

The time has finally arrive! Today is the 1st July 2006! I have been waiting for this day almost a year ago and now it is here! Tonight is the night, I will leave for Sydney, for The 20th Anniversary Hillsong Conference 2006!

But before I leave, I just want to make sure I testify about what He has done for me. Most of the people around me know that a group of us have been working hard to raise funds and save for the Hillsong Conference. We have been saving and doing all sort of things to raise fund for the trip to Australia. We did our part, but it was stil not enough. But God was great! A week ago, we counted our fund and discovered that we have a total of about RM 4OOO plus which was a good amount but is still not enough to cover most of the transport and meal expenses. Then, during the week, the church has decided to bless the group with a total sum of RM 5000 which was a real big help to the transport and meal expenses.

Aside from the group fund, each of use also are planning to bring our own savings for other expenses (extra meals, shopping, emergency & etc). Trying my best to save even after all the accident & camp fees that I have to pay up for the pass few months, I have only reach slightly more then half of what I wanted to save. I was praying and hoping that my salary for the month of June will be realeased earlier to allow me to top up the amount I saved for the trip. By, 27th June, there was still no news about the salary. On 28th June, my dad helped me change some Australian dollars and unexpectedly, he offered to gave me an extra AUD 100 to top up whatever that I have saved. God answering my prayer bit by bit even though the salary was not realeased.

On 29th June, as I happened to pass the currency exchange counter in Mid Valley, I saw the exchange rate was unusually low (2.71). Straight away, I took the opportunity to change another AUD 150. Quite cool I thought. No one I know seems to be able to get the rate around.

Now I have quite sufficient but still not exactly to the amount that I desired in the beginning. Somehow, I just thought if this is what I have, I should be thankful too because God has already provided so much. I was still about AUD 40-50 lack from what I actually wanted to bring with me to Australia.

Today, as I was about to leave for the office in the morning, my dad informed me that my grandma and aunt will be coming over in the afternoon. They have told my dad that they wanted to pass me some money before I leave. They came and both my grandma and aunt passed me the money. Guess what? The amount added to be exactly AUD 40...just the amount I was short of. Man alive! He blessed me through my dad, the low exchange rate and now, my grandma and aunt! I was praying for an early realease of my salary as I thought that would be the only way I could get enough but God had a better plan for me by opening other windows of blessing. It just kept coming...pressed down, shaken together and running over...

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