WHAT MATTERS

Diversions & Digressions

2010-01-07T21:20:00.000-08:00

Nope... I'm not talking about JPJ or PWD nonsense in Malaysia and I'm not talking about taking short cuts out of legendary traffic jams in Malaysia. The latest Allah issue has escalated into the burning of the Metro Tabernacle's church administration wing. We can expect more of such colourful news.

In mass communication and journalism lectures, this is called "agenda setting" - of course, we know who's setting the agenda. But with the web boom - only those who wish to follow the agenda would be diverted and distracted.

Let's watch what happens next.

Dying to Live

2009-12-28T21:41:00.000-08:00

How many of us are dying to live well?

We hear people saying they're dying for a piece of chocolate cheesecake or something. But dying to live? Hey, I'm already living it up, they say. But O really?

What does it mean to live well?

Napolean Bonaparte once said: Death is nothing, but to live defeated and inglorious is to die daily.

Interesting to note that Napolean relates dying well to living well. To fear death is to live defeated and ingloriously... and ultimately, to die NOT just once, but daily.

AS we face the end of one year and the beginning of a new year, BEFORE we consider what resolutions and goals we will make... shall we for a moment ponder over the fears in our life that has caused us to flinch and dodge and duck and flounder and feign and fault and .... the whole of 2009, my gosh!

Unless we hold up our fears to scrutiny, we may plan and plan and plan, but in vain, because we would lack the guts to see through the beautiful plans we draft.

For until we are ready to face down our pretensions and futile preoccupations, we would have allowed, before 2010 even dawns on us, another year lost.

Napolean Bonaparte also said: Strategy is the art of making use of time and space. I am less concerned about the latter than the former. Space we can recover, lost time never.

And my friend, time is lost when we vacillate in the mirage of false hope that we can live well at the expense of a lost cause and no cost.

What is our cause? What cost are we willing to bear under?

Are we really dying to live? Or happy to plainly exist?

The Apostle Paul declared: For me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.

Is This It?

2009-06-24T06:52:00.001-07:00

Reading Titus Loh's blog planted a smile on my face. The little I know of him helps me picture the journey he must have gone through the past months, if not years. And now, for some flash in the dark reason, he sees the light at the end of the tunnel he thought he was in, and decides it's time he makes his move.

So he exhales with a breath of fresh vigour and say, I will resurrect my blog!

For the rest of us who go through the winding trails in life's tortuous treks, once in a while, we ask the perennial question: Is this it?

What next?

As I celebrate my birthday at the stroke of midnight, and cross over to the next phase in my life, I too ask this question, what next? Is this it?

Any wise thoughts out there to a cryptic question or two?

What Now?

2009-05-14T22:56:00.000-07:00

Just when I was beginning to ease into life in Melbourne with my family.... I was reminded that I began this year staring at deception as never before. It's here.

Not that you can see it. But it's here.

I was up in Shepparton and around the area for about 35km radius... delivering building samples... that I got sobered up as I drove and walked the streets. Lots of thinking time. And when I got back to my nice hotel room, tired but alert, thinking...

Night cometh when no man can work.

Watch and pray my friend, for what truly matters... and ask yourself: What now?

On the way home, I stopped by the town and saw this fascinating display of cows. So I got down and snapped with my mobile. Last shot... what a reminder... what now?

What next?

You'll see soon enough...

A Mona Lisa cow?

A cow from hell?

A ferocious tiger cow?

Spider man cow? Cool...

Oooooh.... can you guess this one?

Iron cow?

And Ooooohhhh....

A smart cow!

What a gaudy looking cow?

And a carnival cow?

I like this one best. Iron cow.

But what's next?

What kind of cows can we find out there?

Winter's Coming

2009-04-26T19:35:00.000-07:00

Winter's coming and so is pig flu virus.... but thankfully it's not pandemic.... yet?

Snow has fallen around larger Melbourne. This would be our first winter in our new home. With temperatures dropping to 7 degrees and freezing water gushing out of the taps, I shiver a the thought of attempting my first dive in winter. Or should I.

Back in 2004 when we visited China and Korea, we hiked up a two peaks in Sokcho and Jeju Island and braved the cold amid cutting wind on the Great Walls of China, I was casually wearing a singlet while the locals wrapped themselves in pullovers and jackets with hoods and gloves.

Fast forward to the future, which is now, I tried to do the same, and while my ageless spirit says no worries mate, my aging Asian-made body says no way man!

Somehow, the cold is now colder than previously. And with body aches and tendonities straining at every joint.... I realize that this is it.

So should I be doing things I did previously. Why not? Should I be doing things the same. Mostly not. Should I be doing old things in a brand new way? Definitely. Should I be doing new things? Yes.

Winter's coming for sure this season. And I will be living it a whole brand new way....

War Criminals on the Loose

2009-03-24T19:44:00.000-07:00

Hamas militants must be sniggering at latest news reports of Israel coming under fire for deliberately targetting civilian infrastructure in Lebanon.

It was reported that human rights group Amnesty International has called for a UN investigation on Israel's indiscriminate attacks on homes, bridges, roads and water and fuel plants.

Apparently, if Israel intelligence cannot accurately direct their highly sophisticated firepower to pick off militants holed up in the suburbs of normal peace-loving civilians, then every Israeli attack becomes a war crime.

What is puzzling is Amnesty International doesn't find it criminal that the militants were using civilian suburbs as a safe base to launch attacks into Israel territory.

Common logic dictates that if gunman holds a family in a car hostage (whether the family in the first place consented to being held hostage or not) and drives around shooting pedestrians on the streets, the police will have to take out the gunman as quickly as possible, even if it means potentially harming that family.

Some people may argue that the safety of that abducted family is paramount. But while the debate goes on, more pedestrians are being mowed to the ground by sporadic gunfire. By which time, if the police fail to act swiftly, more people would have died on the streets than the family of three or four in that car.

What is interesting is, the police is seen as the criminal, but the gunman who holds that family hostage doesn't become the issue at all.

Perhaps my simplistic perspective of this state of affair does not adequately explain the international scenario that spills over every day for the past decades. But then again, what's the point?

Should Amnesty International call to attention Hamas militants and their associates' war crimes or is is perfectly acceptable that these freedom fighters continue to hide behind the skirts of every daughter, mother, and grandmother in Lebanon, as they fire away in relative safety?

In any case, perhaps that the ploy of the militants. To draw the ire of the international world everytime civilians die. At the expense of Israel.

Do I sound like a zionist?

Almost Five Months

2009-03-22T05:00:00.000-07:00

It's been almost five months since we made our move to Melbourne. Almost unbelieavable that our first month of vacationing in the Yarra valley and bushland regions have eased through a scorching summer into the routine of everyday life in cool autumn.

I am thankful our three girls have taken in the breadth and length of their initial transition so well. Janielle played the first time in church on her violin with the worship team at Casey Life International led by Charlene, who introduced a song she wrote. Really a beautiful piece that I can't see any less than those done by professional Christian song composers.

And Janna has also started on her violin and what is wonderful is she's enjoying the experience.

Jirene is just soaking in all the fun in school and the new learning curve that is unlike her previous homeschool.

We are praying naturally for them to move on either to select schools when they could focus on music and other pursuits that would prepare them for life and ministry instead of going through the usual regiment of earning their degrees to earn a better living.

And so we will anticipate God's further providence as His promises unravel down the path this year.

Real or Plastic Olive Branch

2009-03-20T18:20:00.000-07:00

US President Obama Barrack hands the olive branch to Iran in a move to seek "the promise of a new beginning," appealing to the people and leaders of the Islamic Republic since taking office on Jan 20.

His major shift seems to overlook Iran's hard line stance and former president George Bush's isolation policy - targetting new grounds based on mutual respect and concerns - that does not take into account previously irreconciliable differences.

How he hopes to bridge this divide is yet to be seen, but he is banking on the noble intents of a great civilisation - that is, if Iran chooses do demonstrate this "true greatness."

And should Iran agree to continue down that path of nuclear progress, with the promise to build rather than destroy, would that agreement itself be enough, and how would this progress be moderated should it's final end lead to anything but destruction - particularly that of Israel?

Bearing in mind, Obama's departure from Bush's "cowboy diplomacy" is not accompanied by any specifics as yet; on the contrary, it is punctuated by his sombre acknowledge of the dire situation that "won't be resolved easily."

Can peace be achieved when it is tied to the existence of Israel's future?

Will this be the pre-cursor to an attempt that will turn awry?

Or it is simply one insignificant gesture that may slip into nothing by the end of Obama's first 100 days in power.

No Deal

2009-03-18T05:55:00.001-07:00

A sombre Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, said: "We have red lines, we won't cross them."

Earlier, Israel had offered to free HUNDREDS of Palestinian serving life sentences for suicide bombings in exchange for the release of ONE captured Israeli soldier, who was seized by Palestinian militants in 2006.

But the proposals were rejected by Hamas who demanded the release of 1400 prisoners including hard-core militants deviously instrumental in previous terror attacks on the nation.

Olmert said: "The proposals were rejected. No others will be offered Hamas."

Already, Israel's offer was ridiculous considering the fact that many of those they were prepared to free were a threat to national security. If they had agreed to the list demanded by Hamas in addition to the hundreds earlier offered, Israel would have faced a bleak future knowing that many of the murderous militants would return to inflict severe loss and terror to the already beleaguered nation.

This would be Olmert's last stand, a final effort that would mark his last days in office two weeks away.

The collapse in peace talks could deal a serious blow to Egyptian-mediated negotiations to cement a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas following the Jewish state's 22-day offensive in the Gaza Strip that ended two months ago.

Olmert must soon hand over to incoming right-wing leader Benjamin Netanyahu, who is widely assumed to be less generous than Olmert on the matter, having pledged a tougher line against Hamas.

Meanwhile, Olmert comes under fire for vacillating on his pursuit to free St.-Sgt. Gilad Schalit.
What would you do if you were him?

One soldier for hundreds of militants? Hardly a fair deal. But Hamas believes Israel would bow to its demands as it had in the past under similar conditions. So the impasse continues.

What makes you angry?

2009-03-16T20:48:00.000-07:00

US President Barack Obama chocked with anger in a rare flash of public anger at a White House event with owners of small businesses, vowing to block multi-million-dollar bonus payouts by bailed-out insurer AIG as he confronted intensifying public anger against Wall Street excess.

He demanded: "It's hard to understand how derivative traders at AIG warranted any bonuses, much less 165 million dollars in extra pay," when Massive losses at a London trading division have already forced the US government to pump some 150 billion dollars into AIG, leaving the company 80 percent owned by the taxpayer.

Although there was little that Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner could do legally to stop the bonuses, because they were promised under AIG employment contracts before the insurer was bailed out, Obama said Geithner has been asked to pursue every single legal avenue to block the bonuses.

What makes you angry?

In the Gospels, Jesus was recorded to have made a whip of cords to drive out of the temple courts those selling cattle, sheep and doves, and exchanging money.

To those who sold doves he said, "Get these out of here! How dare you turn my Father’s house into a market!"

(Jn 2:17) His disciples remembered that it is written: "Zeal for your house will consume me."

Here is a glimpse of when Jesus was angry.

What consumes you?

Financial Woes the Least of Our Problem

2009-03-15T20:40:00.000-07:00

Most people caught up in their own little web of worries think - naturally - that money, or the lack of money, is the source of their migraine and stomach ulcers.

But little do they know it is the least of their problem.

What IS the problem?

Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke concludes on CBS's 60 Minutes that "We can't count on recovery." He says, "We don't have the political will - the commitment - to solve this problem."

Is he speaking about the United States or the rest of the world? In any case, this is the problem.

But even this problem is the least of our problem, simply because it is one that may lead to the ultimate problem - the solution - if indeed we will live through it in our generation.

Incidentally, The Nostradamus Code: World War III (an interesting read that I am not necessarily vouching as truth) says earth changes will take place that will help the Antichrist's drive for world conquest with serious economic problems persisting along great social unrest, contributing to the ease with which he can seize power.

So what do you think is our problem?

Sons of Fortune

2009-03-04T05:12:00.000-08:00

Started a couple of days back on Jeffrey Archer's Sons of Fortune. Inspiring. The idea of destiny and fate arising from simple choices we make and those others execute leaving lasting imprints in our lives.

Courage, Wisdom, Conviction. Clearly a scarce value in today's political arena of survival of the shrewd and ruthless.

The days ahead of us are numbered. And we best learn to come to Him who assigns the stars in the sky and breathes life into mere mortals. That we may learn what truly matters and choose what is left of life's outcome beyond what we can choose that we may decide what can still be decided and not hand over that last shred without a care, without a fight.

2 Cor 3:18 says, "And we who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord's glory are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.

We can choose like Moses to walk with God. We can choose to go up to the mountain of the Lord and behold Him who is the great I AM.

Food Food Food

2009-03-02T04:47:00.001-08:00

(Front left to Right) Pastor Ken Teo, Yasmine Tan, Marc Chow, Yours Truly, Chong Fu, Ambrose Cho, and Henn Drik Low.

OCF President, Tara Ong Vi Ling, was the photographer.

Last Thursday, Pastor Ken and I, together with church leader, John Tan, and youth leaders Nick and Voon, met up with a bunch of 20 odd returning and new students at Monash University Berwick for delicious piping hot Vietnamese cuisine at Springvale.

As we chowed down the food with lots of chit-chat and laughs, I couldn't help but think about the bunch of youth leaders and friends that we left back home. How we used to meet over food and laughter as well.

And Wednesday cell with Pastor Geoff's group revolved around pot-bless dishes. Food again!

On Friday, we joined another of the church's cell at Melvin's house. And guess what - pot-bless again! Food, Food, Food!

On Sunday, after service, we went out with a different group of other students to Sofia that served huge, and I mean huge, helpings of pasta and pizza. This time, Jessica and our three girls join the feast. The girls ended the meal with foot high multi-flavour ice-cream which they scooped down in no time with Claire, Ken's daughter, in the lead.

This Thursday, we are going to have fun with the varsity's Overseas Christian Fellowship group playing some outdoor games. I wonder, if there'll be more food again.

And this Saturday, we're going to chill out over Asian BBQ at Ken's house. Would you believe it, the Monday after, the church is going have a picnic at Lysterfield Lake during Labour Day holiday! More food!

In fact, that's how it has been the past couple of months.

Now that brings us to the obvious question: Does food matter? Can we do without it in our Christian get-togethers? Did you wonder that the Lord's Feast was also called the Agape Feast? Back then, it wasn't with a wafer and tiny weeny tumbler of ribena? It was a sumptuous meal with wine and real food!

Hmmm....

The Prometheus Deception

2009-02-28T05:15:00.000-08:00

Reading another old book, flipping through the final pages of one of Robert Ludlum's best sellers. This one was out in 2000. The catchy title's lure was easily exceeded by the author's captivating style that drew me into mesmerizing plots and sub-plots of every conceivable double and triple conspiracy and counter espionage.

That's so much like world we live in today. What seems to be may not be at closer scrutiny.

As mentioned previously, this year will usher in unprecedented deception.

What struck me most about the book was how the mastermind networked with world leaders using satellite imaging and the finest computer technology to monitor every individual's life movement down to the personal moments. Reminds me how our lives would be replayed in the next world to show accounts of how we have lived every moment.

Unlike the Big Brother watching version which was limited to audio-visual recording, God's version included a display of every thought and motive. Wow!

Heb 4:13 says, "Nothing is hidden from Him. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of Him to whom we must give account."

I wonder.... if that doesn't matter, nothing else does.

The Eleventh Commandment

2009-02-19T04:52:00.000-08:00

Finally read my first novel after more than 15 years. You wouldn't believe it huh?

Jeffrey Archer's The Eleventh Commandment published in 1998. I supposed from here on, I'll be picking up more readings of various sorts to rev up my fancy and spur me on to different things as we moved into our new lives in Melbourne.

By the way, the Eleventh Commandment is - Thou Shalt Not Be Caught.

Jeffrey Archer in his usual flair paints the exploits and escapades of a CIA spy who lived by the code "never to be caught." Interestingly, many of us like the spy live double lives, hoping never to be caught.

And like the old adage, "Power corrupts. Absolute power corrupts absolutely," reminds us that most people live civilly for fear of being caught. The stark reality is those rare few who cross the boundary have a story to tell. None would have expected to be found out. The worst of the lot usually have reasons to justify their actions.

What would you do if you know you can do it without any dire consequences?

The flip side of the coin is: For those who us who choose to live by God's code, we are free of every commandment simply because we have been set free from the law of sin and death.

We ought not to be living the way we choose for fear of being caught; rather, because we believe that's the right way.

This brings me to one particular quote: Mahatma Gandhi said, "You have to do the right thing. It may not be in your power; maybe not in your time, that there'll be any fruit. But that doesn't mean you stop doing the right thing. You may never know what results come from your action. But if you do noting, there will be no result..."

Recently, the senior pastor of Crossway Baptist in Melbourne quoted someone in his preaching about sin and suffering: He said instead of enjoying favor and blessings when we do the right thing, we ought to be prepared to suffer when we do the right thing. How wise.

Naturally, there is a cost to doing the right thing. The Bible speaks clearly about persevering in doing the right thing. James says when you suffer for doing wrong, you deserve it. But when you suffer for doing the right thing, rejoice!

What matters in the coming days is to bear up under suffering. At least, to prepare to face the consequences. Paul said: I can do all things through Christ who strenthens me (and may I add: "if I can take the consequences.")

The Eleventh Commandment is NOT about NOT BEING CAUGHT (punished) doing the wrong thing. It is about being CAUGHT (punished) doing the right thing.

So let us spur each other on even as it is called TODAY that he who does evil continue to do evil, and he who does good continue to do good. For the time is coming when we will give account to Him who sees all things.

When Fire Rages On

2009-02-13T05:24:00.000-08:00

The news report copycat arsonists inspired by attention given to the recent bushland fires could possibly be lighting more fires. With 181 people dead and scores missing amid 21 wildfires blazing across Victoria, I couldn't help but wonder how all this is hardly felt in Malaysia and other parts of the world.

When tragedy drags on anywhere in the world today, people seemed less disturbed than they would have been 10 years ago, or possible decades earlier. Over the years, we have all been subtly made hardened by the amount of large scale deaths witnessed on satelite news.

In the midst of all this, we are simply too preoccupied with our own world of challenges.

When the end draws near, how many of us would raise an eyebrow or look up to note the threat and change?

What fire are we battling and how can we prepare for the ultimate fire - the fire of judgment - that comes on the earth?

May God have mercy on us all.

Sad News After Three Months

2009-02-06T18:38:00.001-08:00

I didn't tell any of the leaders I worked with that I had set aside three months from the time we left Kuala Lumpur for things back home to surface. That will be a little sign to me.

Of course, I already knew ahead of time the outcome.

But three months it was, for grace to take its course before the next window of change opens.

And now exactly three months on February 3, it all came up.

Sad. But it was to be.

Those who understand will know what I am saying. I will not go into details because what must next take place will take place.

May God have mercy on us.

Three Months

2009-02-01T05:54:00.001-08:00

It's going to be three months since we made our journey Down Under.

It's time to move on.

I will be reconstructing this site and blogging again as promised.

Before that, remember: First. We are facing deception as never before in this next season. Second. We have to turn around and get moving next out of our rut. We are going to be stronger and bolder than ever if we are going to make it. And we will by God's grace!

Year of the Donkey

2009-01-30T22:54:00.000-08:00

Today is the last day of first month of the year of the ox.

Many people are thinking of grabbing the bull by its horns to face this year's challenges.

Others are thinking of kicking the bull in the butt because it has been far from a bull run since the year kicked in hibernating.

Grabbing or kicking, it's NOT the solution. Going to Feng Shui experts and soothsayers or foretellers operating within the fold churches is NOT going to work.

To cut a long story short, it's going to get worse before it gets better. And when it finally gets better, it's time for the worst.... yet to come.... before the end.

It is time to SEEK the LORD!

When Tomorrow Comes

2008-12-30T05:49:00.000-08:00

This is my last posting for the year, and my first in Melbourne, Australia.

I don’t suppose many will read it because this site has been dormant for quite a long while that those few who frequent it previously could have stopped checking it out altogether. And so, I log my last post knowing my thoughts are bare to the One who sees all things, but which I have also chosen to make know to the world on this obscure blog – thoughts that will mark the end of this year and the beginning of next year.

The past two months since leaving the country, have been fleeting and almost spurious. And I have come to appreciate how reality and wishes can blend into a kind of twilight that leaves you wondering if at all your life is in free fall instead of the masterful control of the unseen Hand of the Almighty.

I don’t think I can begin to express enough and mention the many people I would like to talk about who have crossed my path this season. Not just yet. I will blog in stages when the year begins, as I mentioned I would in my last posting.

Today, I will just articulate three concerns.

First. I know just how far I am from understanding what it takes and means to be strong and courageous. But that is what not only I but those who are called to hasten His coming and to possess the land are required to be. Thus, I will continue into the next season this endeavour. To be strong and courageous. That would be my resolution this coming year, in the things that truly matter. Beyond that, I couldn’t care less. For the moment, I speak almost in riddle. Those who have walked with me would understand, for I speak plainly.

Do you need to be strong and courageous? What does it matter if you do or not?

Of course, I will elaborate as we move along into the new year what matters you and I must face and overcome. But for now, let me move into my second concern.

While the world reels in the onslaught of incessant blows – those of us who have managed to track developments locally and abroad – most of us are focused on our micro priorities. For us, who have moved out of our comfort zone into a new land, we too have easily stumbled headlong into our self-centered preoccupations, however legitimate they may be. In that process, we are caught in a vicious cycle of survival. Surviving. And in the course of time, we become who we survived to become without realizing it – victims of our perceived circumstances and limited choices. Do I judge someone on this matter? I fear that I may, though I wish I would not.

How can we break free of our cycle, or “karma” in the words of some others labelled heathens? Doing the same thing over and over, until the silver cord is broken.

Do you know how you are going to end your cycle? What is does it take to move on to that which you know truly matters? Or are you going to ask, What does it matter, and carry on as if tomorrow will never come.

My third and last concern, for the moment, is simply this. We will see like never before a beguiling force that would shroud the world. Unprecedented deception. In so much that, if it were possible, even the very elect shall be deceived.

The Church will be sieved. Listen to what the Spirit says to the Church.

The Word says you shall know the truth and the truth will set you free. Only those who truly love the Truth and seek the Way will find Life.

And the elect will stand.

What does it matter to you to be counted among the elect? You and I need to be strong and courageous and not be among the crowd who are deceived.

Already, the next hour draws near….

For now, I conclude.
May God bless you

Last Blog in Malaysia this year

2008-10-31T23:44:00.000-07:00

This is likely my last blog in Malaysia this year.

The next will be done in Melbourne.

For starters, I'll be posting in three installments my next blog.

First, pictures and commentary on our three years and seven months in Grace Assembly. That's the happy nostalgic part.

Second, pictures and commentary on the mighty warriors I've had the privilege of knowing in Grace Assembly. That's the grand part!

Third, pictures and commentary on what was, what is, and what is to come in Grace Assembly. This would be my insider view on the whole journey. And that's the exciting part!

Unlike Raja Petra Kamaruddin, I don't think I'll be hauled up for sedition, ISA, OSA, or whatever Thossai or Chappati.... Heh heh, but it's time to look to a new season.

So if you're watching and waiting... pray along, and we'll soon see what's next!

God bless you all my wonderful friends, fabulous fans, and fiendish fiends....

Let me end with an old Christmas song ahead of time....

You better watch out, You better not cry
You better not pout, I'm telling you why
CAUSE Jesus Christ is coming so soon....

End of Days

2008-10-12T07:35:00.000-07:00

Like the movie starring Pierce Brosnan in The Day After Tomorrow, the world's climate seems set to change more amid drastic levels in global warming. But more alarming is the financial meltdown that last days prophets of doom in the 70's and 80's would shrill with delight in proclaming curtains for all.

But really, how close are we to the end?

Those who have lived with the overcast gloom in those days and are pushing 50 to 60 today seem largely oblivious to the fears of yesteryears. I guess, for them, it doesn't really matter as much if Jesus comes back today or not since they are already close to ticking off their bucket list.

For those who are hale and hearty, the end seems a remote and unwelcomed possibility. Although none can run away from the inevitable of pushing daisies when their number is up, most do not come close to considering death let alone Jesus coming again.

So where does this leave us all?

The Bible says, as it was in the days of Noah, many will go on eating, drinking, and making merry with business as usual, so shall it be in the last days....

So what shall it be for you, my friend....

What does it matter if the end comes today, or tomorrow, or whatever you say?

What does it matter?

2008-10-06T09:47:00.000-07:00

Does it matter that RPK is still squatting in a cell in Kamunting?

Does it matter that the financial status of the United States is in a quandary?

Does it matter that you have been ingesting melamine the past many donkey years as a result of China's .... hmmm shall we say, apathy?

Does it matter that Najib could be the next prime minister in Malaysia?

Does it matter that you don't know what you believe in and when someone asks you what your religion is and you pause a moment and say, ur hur ur ur....

Does it matter that tommorow Thailand will dip further into some kind of anarchistic melee as a result of the nation's loss of vision?

O you say, vision? Is Malaysian on target to achieve its vision 2020 or is the country going to go under in the next few years from corruption and mismanagement and sheer stupidity?

Does it matter .... O does it matter at all whether you are going to sleep soundly tonight and probably waking up to a more crappy tomorrow because you haven't figured out why you are the way you are?

Does it matter that the rest of the world is in doldrums and you're thinking about what you are going to do about your life?

Does it matter if anything really matters and nothing matters altogether because you haven't figured out what matters that is worth mattering over? Huh? Duh?....

Does it matter....? What? You say....

Farewell my friend until we meet again

2008-09-18T19:32:00.000-07:00

(Sunther in the middle with his arm over Ethan, flanked by Davian and Torina, in a photo taken with missionary friends, John and Melody woodworth, and their sons, Tanner and Grayson, and a church member.)

Today, the family and friends of Pastor Sunther will bid him one last farewell. I'm sure it will be a teary affair. While we know he has certainly moved on to a far better place in the bosom of the Lord - awaiting the last trumpet call when the dead in Christ will join all who are still alive to meet in the air to reign forevermore - he will be missed by those dear to him.

Sunther was the president of our graduating class in 1993. He was always jovial and outstanding as a leader among leaders. Quick to inquire when he spotted a need and to speak a kind word or intervene when he could make the difference. That was why his peers elected him.

Since then, the class of 1993 have moved on.... everyone doing their own thing in the ministry field, too busy to meet as regularly as we ought to have met. Like most ministers, the driven pace of work and tyranny of the urgent crashing into our pool of priorities, clouding oftentimes the menial from the what matters most in life.

The last I met Sunther was in the recent AG council meeting. Bright eyed and alert, he chatted only briefly with me. I noticed though, a pensive mood he carried. He looked the same only having added some kilos to his portly frame, but appeared quite different from the earlier days.

We all change. Life's choices weigh down on us. And the passage of time carve its effects on us.

Among our graduating class, he is the first to move on. At age 42, he leaves behind Lydia, his sons, Davian, Ethan, and daughter, Torina, and immeasurable memories behind.

One day, we will meet again.

Meanwhile, his passing on leaves a poignant impression and trailing questions.

At the end of the road, at the end of the day, what does it matter.

Sept 16 - A New Day for Malaysia?

2008-09-15T19:59:00.000-07:00

By the end of this day, all Malaysians will know whether a new era has dawned in our nation.

But in any case, the year 2009 looms ahead ominously spelling certain doom and perilous times ahead for those who are not anchored in the Rock of the Ages!

Let us call unto the Lord - 2 Chron 7:14

Arrested Under Internal Security Act

2008-09-12T00:38:00.000-07:00

Finally, after a week predicting his own arrest, controversial blogger Raja Petra Kamaruddin was picked up today at 1.10pm under the Internal Security Act for allegedly being a threat to security, peace and public order. He could be detained for up to 60 days.

No wonder our friend said he was banking on Anwar Ibrahim forming a new government failing which he is done for!

For somewho who is doing what he has been doing to uphold justice and the truth, I wonder if his arrest will inspire Christians and the church to get locked up for upholding justice and the truth.
If not, then for preaching justice and the truth?

Diving in Manado, North Sulawesi

2008-08-31T19:57:00.000-07:00

A small school of Cardinal fish....
Hiyo silver.... the kind of underwater horse you find here...

A frog fish that crawls underwater.... one of the sights to behold and capture on video!
Not a very sharp picture.... but you can imagine the dazzling beauty of sunset after a full day's diving in Lembeh Straits.
Not a tangled bunch of banded sea snakes. Just the friendy mimic octopus in the area...
Hmmm, a pretty shot of a wise Napolean Wrasse humming along the depths in North Sulawesi.
Nothing like the black-tip shark to zap your adrenalin level up on a typical dive here.

Now that AirAsia is flying to Manado, we can enjoy the fabulous underwater world around the islands off North Sulawesi.

Pretty soon, many divers will throng this place and operators will explore options from Malaysia.

If you want to be among the first to dive on an AirAsia ticket (Heh heh, not promoting for AirAsia ya....) you may join me and my wife on this fun dive.

We're flying off Sept 26 and back Oct 3. While the fares are still cheap from Sept 28 to Oct 3 at about RM400 inclusive of taxes for return flight, go ahead and book your aeroplane first!

I anticipate the whole package for a 5 day 4 night to be ranging from RM1500 to RM1900.

For more details, email me at johnbeh@gmail.com

Can Muslims Become Christians?

2008-08-18T20:32:00.000-07:00

Most of us who grow up in Malaysia have come to reject the idea that a Muslim cannot become a Christian.

The recent Malaysian Bar Council forum on issues related to this came under fire and drew the ire of a rowdy bunch of demonstrators allegedly instigated by certain political figures. The mainstream newspapers did not seem to provide information the public could get hold of online, thus casting doubts on the reliability of our media.

Foxnews.com recently posted an exclusive interview with the son of an influential Hamas leader and even provided the transcript of the discourse detailing at length his thoughts on leaving his Muslim faith and embracing Christianity.

Mosab Hassan Yousef, 30, attends an evangelical Christian church, Barabbas Road in San Diego, California. He renounced his Muslim faith, left his family behind in Ramallah and is seeking asylum in the United States.

Did he have to flee his homeland after he became a Christian? Like Lina Joy, could he not remain and impact his family and friends and community? Could and did the church provide him moral, spiritual, and physical support?

Mosab told the media that unlike the past, the generation today can seek the truth about their faith. He being the product of this search, concluded that more than 95 percent of Muslims don't understand their own religion and know little about the faith of other people.

Does this apply to the Muslims in Malaysia? Most Malaysian think that a Muslim is a Malay and when you converted to Islam, you also become a Malay, and enjoy the rights and privileges of a Malay. Is this true?

Would a Malay cease to become one when he choose to NOT become a Muslim?

Are the indigenous "sons of the soil" in Sabah, Sarawak, and Peninsular Malaysia Malay? Does the Malaysian constitution say that a Muslim who speaks Bahasa Melayu is a Malay? Does someone who embraces Islam and eventually speaks fluent Bahasa Melayu qualify to become a Malay?

Is there such a thing as a Christian Malay? Does that person cease to be a Malay when he stops becoming a Muslim?

Mosab explained to FoxNews.com that embarrassing stuff like the Prophet Muhammad's wives are not mentioned in mosques, saying that most Muslims are not aware of other such information that go against the grain of today's free thinking generation.

He said Islam try to destroy Christianity distorting the truth of Jesus's crucifixion and the redemptive plan of God. When he asked these among many other difficult questions from young, he was told off.

Mosab described Islam as his father. "I grew up for (one) father — 22 years for that father — and another father came to me and told me, 'I'm sorry, I'm your father.' And I was like, 'What are you talking about? Like, I have my own father, and it's Islam!' And the father of Christianity told me, 'No, I'm your father."

Mosab discovered all these on his own. But he did say in the interview that if a Christian tells the truth to a Muslim, it will definitely increase the vacuum between both religions. But with the help of Christians, he can reach his people.

However, there had to be a starting point. Mosab left everything behind: culture, civilization, traditions, society, family, religion, his Islam God. He went on to make his decision public by announcing to the world.

And now, Mosab is calling all Muslims to open their minds to read the Bible and study the religion of the Christians.

Can Mosab succeed on his solo mission? Is there any one like him who has gone ahead this path to preach the Gospel? I'm sure there are many.

Perhaps this is the season that we will find a gathering a believers and disciples of Jesus Christ from the four corners of the world to preach the Gospel of Truth beyond the walls of the physical church.

A random search brings up the site of Photios Michael Burkland, a retired Navy Chief Petty Officer who is an Orthodox Christian, seeking to express himself writing what is true.

Someone can verify this report perhaps?

Hundreds of thousands of Malay Muslims have filed for apostasy

Tue Feb 14, 06 06:15:44
By Oleh Ekmal Yusof

IPOH, 14 Feb: Head of the Malaysian State of Perak Mufti (religious head) Dato' Seri Haji Harussani Haji Zakaria announced that there are close to 250,000 Muslim apostates in Malaysia .This figure includes about 100,000 Malay Muslims who have declared themselves Christians.

This announcement was made on a TV Forum entitled "Pekerti Islam" in the Malaysian State of Kedah recently which was aired by RTM (Malaysian TV & Radio Department) at 2 pm this evening.Another 100,000 Muslims are in the process of filing for apostasy while the rest are filing to have their Muslim name changed to "other religion name""This figure does not include individuals who don't do salat, doesn't fast and breaks all the tenets of Islam" he said.

According to the Perak Mufti he has personally received a letter from the American Christian Missionary Association which accuses the Malaysian (?) / Perak (?) religious authorities of being cruel (or mean) for not allowing about 30,000 Malay Muslims to convert out to Christianity.

Even in a religion where the penalty for apostasy is death, and in a predominately Muslim country where one must publicly file with the government to apostasize, Christianity is growing.

Live Life Live

2008-08-14T19:43:00.000-07:00

Are we living in the past? Or the future? But never or seldom in the present?

That's what this blog title mean: Live (verb) Life (noun) Live (adjective)

Bukan Siaran Tergendala.

Siaran Langsung.

Sipadan Friends at Sea

2008-08-07T20:15:00.000-07:00

Relaxing on the rig after a hearty lunch of fresh fish, squid, prawns, chicken and mixed vegetable.

From left: Canadian Josh, who teaches English in Taiwan. This guy can speak Chinese. Cool. Maybe not a whole lot but enough la.

The girl behind my wife, Jessica, is June Pak. She is Korean and just finished medical school during housemanship. Right now, she is taking time off to dive and chill away from home.

IN the next picture, June with Jessica on the beach front near the Jetty to Sipadan.

Danish model, Pil, with Jessica, after coffee break from our morning dive at Drop-Off and Barracuda Point.
Swiss Romain leaving us in gags when we realized he was trying to get the coffee out of the point. Finally, Oooh, just depress the top cover. Wondering how coffee pots in Switzerland works.
A nice group picture before we jump onto the speedboat for our next dive. From Left: Pil and her Danish boyfriend, Nikki, Peter (from England), and another Danish, Helle, who is on a year long break with her boyfriend to explore life beyond the comfort of their home.

Last day picture. Taking the lift from the rig to the waiting speedboat at the bottom. The tall guy is Helle's boyfriend, Michael. Real cheeky dude who's playful and fun to have around.

Enjoyed fresh coconuts on the way to Tawau from Semporna. Got a video of them scraping the flesh off the nuts. Messy business.
Hmmm. This is Yong, one of the rig's divemaster who took us around. This guy has gone to 60 meters depth. Just for fun to feel how drunk he can get with his buddy. I wouldn't want to be his buddy, you can count on it. Sixty meters is a long way up to the surface.
Long long way.

Here are some pictures of the fabulous people we met on the Rig in our dives. More to come....

Sipadan Dreams

2008-07-30T23:18:00.000-07:00

A crocodile fish half-buried in the muck in the depths beneath the oil rig at Sipadan.

You find these horrors in other spots in the area. And as usual, I needed my tectile experience. So I stroked the monster with my fingers. Scaly and rough. Urgh.

A white-eyed eel darting out of hiding. Quite a beauty. So much beauty beneath the murky oil rig.

Herd of huge bumphead fish gliding past in the blue deep off Barrucuda Point.

Close up of a bumphead. Notice the bugs bunny teeth. Real clowns.

Patted the head of this handsome turtle resting on a ledge about 20 meters deep at Sipadan Turtle Tomb somewhere near Drop Off.

Swarm of barracudas spiraling in estatic circles. One of the must catch sights at Sipadan.

One of many whitetip reef sharks gliding gracefully from shallows of 10 meters to beyond.

Another close of up a turtle. Unlike other spots when you get excited when you spot one, you find them shuttling back and forth at Sipadan.

d

Jessica luring this turtle with bits of sweet potato. Got his on video. Real beauty. She was so pleased with it.

And before more pictures come up, here's one of us in clear waters.

Uploading the pictures one by one. Details later ya

Sipadan Dreams

2008-07-26T06:32:00.001-07:00

Finally making our dream dives in Sipadan, Sabah.

Four days three nights of underworld thrills from 24-27 July, 2008.

Many pictures to follow.

This first is a 2cm Mandarin fish in

Posting some random pictures first before filling in the details:

What Manner of Fasting

2008-07-04T03:25:00.000-07:00

Isaiah 58 describes the kind of fasting that God approves.

When we pause, and consider the gravity of the warnings, instructions, promises, and commands, we tremble realizing how far off the mark we have strayed.

Malaysia, like so many nations this season, is going through unheaval. Like never before, we will see the landscape prepared for the final onslaught. And what would the saints do?

IN the final moment, do we rise in the strength and courage we have long prepared ourselves with or do we wallow in the feebleness and faintheartedness of our fears.

GOD DOESN'T NEED US TO DO ANYTHING FOR HIM. GOD ONLY WANTS US TO WORSHIP HIM WITH ALL WE ARE. And all we are destined to be can only be wrought about as we learn to go through the fire and the flood and come out as pure gold.

IT IS ABOUT HOW WE ARE BECOMING WHO WE ARE.

May God have mercy and compassion on us, so that we understand what does matter.

Rush Hour In Washington

2008-06-28T00:17:00.000-07:00

Came across "Pearls Before Breakfast" and found the idea intriguing.

As part of an experiment by the Washington Post, Joshua Bell, who easily earns $1,000 per minute, performed as a street musician on his $3.5 million violin one morning in January last year, collecting only $32 plus. The result, published in the April 8 edition of the newspaper, is the buzz of the classical music world in the US and around the world. Click here to read Gene Weingarten's story, complete with audio and video.

My two-cents worth of comment?

First. People rush through life missing the pearls in life. No wonder the Bible has a quote that says, Do Not Cast Pearls to Swines. But for you and me? Seek the everyday pearls in life.

Second. We cheer when the crowd cheers. We jeer and boo when the crowd heckles the lone figure. If the world says it is good, we believe it must be good. We derive our values from the dictates of societal norms. We ARE the crowd. But check out the Word of Life to break free and Stand out for Christ. What does God say? Do you look to God for affirmation or the world for confirmation?

Third. We live like there is no God in heaven. People forget that they don't just do what they like to do and want to do without consequences. Just as we watch the entire episode of the experiment on video, I wonder, how we would behave if we realized for a moment, everything is caught on camera by the angelic crew. No wonder Heb 4:13 says, Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of Him to whom We must give account.

What do you think? Does it matter?

Yeah, maybe you say, what does it matter....

More Fabulous Pictures from Phuket

2008-06-24T21:47:00.000-07:00

Catch Janielle's blog for the latest Phuket pictures. And Hwai Tah's blog too.

I'll be posting my perspective of the trip pretty soon.

Jasen!!! Wished you were with us!!!

Sipadan Next! at very good old price still ....

2008-06-23T20:06:00.000-07:00

Dear fellow niche divers

You're invited to join me and my wife on a 5 DAY 4 NIGHT FUN TRIP exploring the underworld beauty of Sipadan from July 24-28 this year.

This will be one of your perfect diving adventures.

Since we are staying on a converted oil rig (the only one in the world if I'm not mistaken) that sits in the middle of the sea, we could make daily trips easily to Mabul (1 kilometer away) and Sipadan (20 minutes away), INSTEAD of making repeated long trips from Semporna (if we were to stay on the mainland) to dive.

ON TOP of that, we can make unlimited house-reef dives from the rig.

We get all these at the following price for Malaysians (subject to changes soon) based on Twin Share Basis:4 Days 3 Nights Seaventures Diving Package: RM1560.00 Per Diver

*Every Extension Night (Stay more than 4 nights): RM415.00 Per Diver Per Night
*Sipadan Permit: RM40.00 Per Diver Per Day/Night/Entry
*Excluding flight, equipment, and additional 1 night stay in Tawau.For your information, I'm arranging the following itinerary to optimize dive time and travel comvenience.

Day 1 – July 24 Arrival at dive resort (Lunch/Dinner)Take flight to Tawau Airport. Land transfer to Semporna (about 1 hour journey). Boat transfer from Jetty to Seaventures Dive Resort (about 45 minutes journey).1 orientation dive + 1 boat dive at Mabul Island (Subject to change without prior notice) + unlimited housereef dive with own buddy + night dive (with own buddy)

Day 2 – July 25 (Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner)3 daily boat dive (Sipadan / Mabul / Kapalai) + Unlimited house reef dive with own buddy + Night Dive at house reef with own buddy

Day 3 – July 26 (Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner)3 daily boat dive (Sipadan / Mabul / Kapalai) + Unlimited house reef dive with own buddy + Night Dive at house reef with own buddy

Day 4 – July 27 Departure (Breakfast/Lunch)After early lunch check-out & transfer you to the Tawau Airport by flight to Kota Kinabalu then connect flight back to home

OR(THIS IS MY OPTION!) So that we can make another 2 dives since we're not flying on the same day.After lunch at resort, around 1400hrs, check-out & transfer you to Semporna/Tawau Town. Note: No. of dive depend on flight time on next day.(Please bear in mind of requirement for the surface interval before flight on next time.)

Day 5 – July 28 Home Sweet HomeRelax after a night's rest and take either morning flight or afternoon flight according to your schedule and personal flight arrangements.TOTAL NUMBER OF PROJECTED DIVES: 10 day dives + 3 night dives (or more depending on YOU and DIVE CONDITIONS)

Note:Sipadan Permit is subject to availability. Once permit is booked, subject to 100% cancellation charges. All daily entry to dive or visit Sipadan Island will be subject to approval by Sabah park Management, which is in control of issuing the entry permit. Should the entry permit to Sipadan Island is not approved, we will make alternative diving at nearby island such as Mabul, Kapalai Island...etc.

Diving is subject to coincide with our scheduled transfer or subject to charge accordingly.
- 15% discount for the non diver from the diver rate
- 50% discount for the children below 12 years old (non diver)
- Dive scheduling and grouping arrangement of divers shall be determined by the resort staff
- All the diving schedules are subject to change without prior notice & subject to sea and weather condition

Package Rates includes:
1. EX-TAWAU Package: Return land & boat transfer between Tawau Airport/Tawau Town - Seaventures Dive Resort
2. Fullboard Meals & Beverage (Excluding alcoholic & carbonated drinks)
3. Twin share accommodation in fully air-conditioning cabin attached bathroom with hot shower.
4. 3 Daily boat dive ( 2 boat dive at Sipadan Island + 1 boat dive at Mabul/Kapalai Island) + night dive at house reef with buddy system.
5. Tanks, weights and weight belt.
6. Unlimited housereef dive with buddy system.
7. Free use of internet broadband services.

Equipment Rental Rates (Per Day)
1. BCD RM25.00
2. Regulator W/Gauge RM25.00
3. Mask & Snorkel RM15.00
4. Fins RM10.00
5. Wetsuit RM25.00

* Full set Equipment Rental Rate (Per Day): RM100.00

For Unscheduled Return Transfer:• Land Transfer: An additional of RM120.00 Per Person • Boat Transfer: An additional of RM300.00 Per Person Facilities:* Accommodation with fully air-conditioned & attached bathroom with hot shower* Karaoke Lounge with VCD movies* Sundeck Lounge (also serves as open-air area)* Maindeck Lounge (also serves as open-air dining area)* Restaurant* Game Room - Pool table* Fully equipped Conference Room (accommodated 60 persons)* PADI Diving course (up to Assistant Instructor Lavel)* Internet AccessYou are require to provide full name according to passport, passport number, gender, nationality & flight details of the guests. All guests are required to sign a liability release (waiver) and express assumption of risk upon arrival and abide by all diving and safety rules. Unused portions of tour packages are not refundable once tour commences.

Congratulations!

2008-06-22T10:53:00.001-07:00

Congratulations to Hwai Tah, Sherene, Jacky, and Janielle for completing their PADI Open Water Diver certification! Posting some early pictures before I get the rest from the others.

STREET MAGIC: Nataly taking a peek under the funny man's dancing cocacola bottle to figure out how this magician does his act!
DON'T PLAY PLAY: Jacky walloping down his favourite extra-spicy everything-mixed-in authentic Thai beef noodles at only 60 baht!
COOL DUDE: Nataly and Janielle flanking this dude who runs the beef noodle stall
FOOD GALORE: Land piranhas tearing at Thai pancakes with a variety of toppings and flavour

TUCKING INTO NUM TUK: Andrew and Jacky stuffing down strips of delicious BBQ pork drenched in special lemon coriander mint leave chilli sauce.

SECOND DAY DIVING: Splendid sunset after a wonderful day's dive at Phi Phi Island

WHOSE ANGELS? Posing at Bida Nok

READY TO GO: Hwai Tah raring to experience the weightlessness of the underwater world

TITANIC POSE? Hwai Tah and Sherene at the bow of West Coast Diver

INTO SHORTIES: You don't have to only jump off a boat when it sinks. You can do it when you like - if you're a diver!

COOL ANDREW: Old faithful promoting RR in Phuket.

EASY AS ABC: Jacky and Hwai Tah finning into their buddy positions awaiting the rest of us to jump into the waters at Phi Phi.

I'M OK! Close up of Hwai Tah gleefully giving the OK signal

SURFACE INTERVAL: Divers fooling around after lunch awaiting the next plunge into the water world.

It was my privilege to work through the training with this bunch of enthusiastic and determined divers who didn't flinch when facing a thunderstorm and choppy waves amid wafts of cold wind on the second day of their dive training.

It was even cold enough for me to abandon my swimming trunks and T-shirt in favour of shorties. What more for them as new divers!

On the third day aboard Sea Fantasy II, all of them practically enjoyed their dives 5 and 6 with excellent buoyancy control as we explored the depths of Racha Yai.

PIECE OF CAKE: Janielle and Sherene chowing down pancakes drizzled with chocolate and cinnamon sauce and syrup after the second day's dive at Bida Nai and Bida Nok in the vicinity of Phi Phi.

ALL OK: Janielle, Sherene, and Hwai Tah giving the OK signal after they giant-stepped off the boat

Last Trip to Phuket This Year

2008-06-18T08:56:00.000-07:00

Hwai Tah, Sherene, Nataly, and Jacky will be taking a cab to LCCT tomorrow while Andrew will join us on his own. Janielle will get to complete her Discover Scuba stint a year back and get certified on this trip.

Feeling a bit nolstagic already, having been to Phuket quite often, and each trip was filled with different memories.

The best were when Jessica and the girls joined me midway while I was spending a couple of weeks doing my dive training last year for two long stretches. You know, when you're away for a spell from those you spend your life with everyday, ....

Anyway,

Diving conditions are challening this season. The latest update today describes good diving and sunny weather so far, even though the seas are expected be rougher. That means the big fish are aplenty.

Interesting huh. When the going gets tough, the tough gets going. That's when you see less of the wimpy and small fries. Hmmm. Life's like that huh.

Latest update:

17 June 2008Weather After a nice high season, some unusual rains in April though, the wind has shifted. After this wind direction change we always have some unsettled weather, which happened in the middle of May. We are having very nice weather lately; today it is sunny, there is a slight breeze, the seas are very calm.

The diving is very nice at the moment, with quite lots of ghost pipe fish, frogfish and seahorses at Shark Point, Bida Islands and Koh Doc Mai.

Also plenty of sharks in the area, both leopard sharks and black tips at the Bida islands, lots of jacks, and we even saw a whale shark at the King Cruiser wreck and at Racha Yai a few days ago.
Temperatures of appx. 34 degrees Celsius (90 Fahrenheit), sea temperatures of 29 degrees Celsius (84 Fahrenheit).

The visibility is ok at the moment. On average: Racha Noi 20 meters, Racha Yai 15-20 meters, Phi Phi 10-15 meters, Shark Point area 10-15 meters, Hin Daeng/Muang 15-20 meters, no diving at Kata Beach or Similans. Visibility in the area varies a lot day by day.

Sightings Besides the usual things to see, there are lots of leopard sharks at the moment, and also the number of white tip and black tip reef sharks has risen dramatically since last year. And there are of course the usual things to see.

At Similans, Koh Bon, Koh Tachai and Richelieu Rock there are apart from the pretty standard nursesharks, leopard sharks and reefsharks also humphead parrot fish, Napoleons and quite a few turtles.

At these sites we also see nice small life like harlequin shrimp, nudibranches, etc.
At Shark Point: seahorse, nursesharks and of course leopard sharks; at Anemone Reef turtles, nursesharks and quite often a leopard shark in the 5 meter range; at Koh Doc Mai 2 seahorses and a frogfish; 3 different shark species, plenty of scorpion and lion fish and also a turtle at King Cruiser.

Turtles, see needles, a frogfish and frequently manta rays at Racha Islands; turtles, leopard sharks, seahorses and different types of reefshark at Phi Phi.

Obama on Israel

2008-06-13T00:05:00.000-07:00

Is Obama going to be the next US President?

Let's look at his position on Israel and second guess where the world is headed. Because, at the end of the day, the world leaders in power will play key roles with Israel and the middle east center stage in the end times. So what Obama stands for will certainly give us a glimpse of what lies ahead.

Recently, Obama declared that whatever peace accord contemplated, Israel's identity as a Jewish state must be preserved, and "any negotiated peace will involve the Palestinians relinquishing the right of return."

Like Bush, he has given his unequivocal support to Israel's rejection of the 40 years old demand by the Palestinian Liberation Organisation (PLO) - endorsed by the 22 member States of the Arab League - that millions of former Arab residents or their descendants be allowed to emigrate to Israel.

For Hamas - the Islamic Resistance Movement - that right of return is non- negotiable and inviolate and will be pursued until the complete destruction of Israel's identity as a Jewish state is achieved.

Article 11 of the Hamas Charter states clearly that:
"The Islamic Resistance Movement believes that the land of Palestine is consecrated for future Moslem generations until Judgement Day."

Any attempt therefore by any Arab leader to abandon negotiate away or compromise on this issue would bring swift retribution from Hamas.

"Palestine is the homeland of the Arab Palestinian people; it is an indivisible part of the Arab homeland, and the Palestinian people are an integral part of the Arab nation."

When push comes to shove this claim to Arab ownership of Palestine to the exclusion of the Jews will bring any negotiations crashing down to an ignominious end, since American support for the Arab position is absolutely essential if any kind of pressure is to be put on Israel to moderate its opposition to the demanded right of return.

Immigrants and Second Third Class Citizens

2008-06-04T20:17:00.000-07:00

Are you an immigrant? Are you Second or third Class Citizen in Malaysia?

But what does it matter to you?

Raja Petra Kamaruddin blogged saying: Last month, Umno Johor said that the greatest mistake they made was in giving the non-Malay immigrants citizenship in August 1957. Now that they have been given citizenship they show their ingratitude by voting for the opposition. Yes, non-Malays, even those born in Malaysia, are immigrants. And, being immigrants, they must vote Barisan Nasional. And if they do not vote for Barisan Nasional then they are ungrateful.

It seems then that the Malays can vote for whomsoever they would like to vote for because the Constitution allows them to do so. Malays, therefore, can vote for the opposition. But, if you are non-Malay, then you must vote for Barisan Nasional because you are an immigrant.

Tun Dr Mahathir’s father was born in India. But Tun Dr Mahathir can vote opposition. He can even oppose Umno like he is doing so now. In fact, he can even become the Prime Minister. He is not an ungrateful immigrant who should be sent back to India. Tian Chua, however, can’t oppose Umno. Tian Chua, whose family settled in Malaya long before the Portuguese came in 1511, is an immigrant. And if he is not happy and if he opposes Umno then he should go back to China. And Umno Johor regrets giving Tian Chua citizenship in 1957 but does not regret giving Tun Dr Mahathir citizenship.

Why? Because Tun Dr Mahathir is Muslim while Tian Chua is not. But if Tian Chua circumcises and takes on the Muslim name of Musa Bin Susah and marries a Malay woman, then he need not go back to China and Umno does not regret giving him citizenship in 1957.

My bro-in-law who is a Mat Salleh who previously married a Muslim and now has a Muslim name is more Malaysian than I am. In fact, by constitution, he is a Malay. Because if he speaks Malay, and he practises Islam, then he is more than a Malay - he enjoys Bumiputera status. Son of the soil. Although he was born in France, he is closer to Malaysian soil than me or my children (2nd and 3rd generation immigrants).

But I can beat him at his game. Convert and be a Muslim. Then I become a son of Malaysian soil. A yellow-skinned bumiputera.

But I don't care. Because my citizenship is of another land. Another time. Another world. Meanwhile, I can go where I like and travel where I want to. Settle where I choose to. All I need to do is move.

But what does it matter to you?

GOSPEL MAGIC

2008-06-03T19:33:00.000-07:00

Is the Gospel magic or what?

Some people say magic is the devil's stuff and should not be dabbled with.

Illusionists, known commonly as magicians, are scorned because the latter label is seen to have negative impressions on people - especially nowadays when so many movies and TV shows portray the dark side of magic so attractively.

What happens when Christians use illusion to share the Gospel?

What do you think?

Diving in Phuket

2008-05-25T01:26:00.000-07:00

COMING SOON!

JUNE 19-24

I'll be making another trip to Phuket.

You can get the latest information on Diving Matters at nichediver.blogspot.com

God bless!

Mighty Mighty Vultures

2008-05-24T23:17:00.000-07:00

Vultures are a misunderstood bunch.

You are probably familiar with the North American stereotype of the vulture -- harbinger of death, dirty and traitorous. Why do we feel this way? Why has our view of these marvelous creatures so like this?

When I was covering the crime beat as a reporter checking out the morgue at the local hospitals, the guys from the funeral parlours used to hang out there waiting for customers. We call them vultures then.

The same vulture names we call the tow truck operators plying the highways. The same names we call people who prey on those who are weak and defenseless and dying.

But poor poor mighty vultures. They have been falsely accused.

First: Vultures are basically classified into two groups: Old World vultures and New World vultures. The similarities between the two different groups are due to convergent evolution. Old World vultures found in Africa, Asia, and Europe belong to the family Accipitridae, which also includes eagles, kites, buzzards, and hawks. YES, eagles.

Old World vultures find carcasses exclusively by sight.

New World vultures and condors (the largest bird in the world) found in warm and temperate areas of the Americas are not closely related to the superficially similar Accipitridae, but belong in the family Cathartidae, which is quite close to the storks. Several species have a good sense of smell, unusual for raptors, and are able to smell the dead they focus upon from great heights.

So now you know Eagles and Vultures are in the same category. The same kind.

Second: While eagles are know to hunt down the weak, slow rabbit (it doesn't really care so long as it's easy meat) the vulture is known to feed on carrion. And what is carrion? The meat or flesh of dead animals. Vultures don't prey on the healthy.

In fact, vultures seldom attack healthy animals, but may kill the wounded or sick. Vast numbers have been seen upon battlefields. They gorge themselves when prey is abundant, till their crop bulges, and sit, sleepy or half torpid, to digest their food. These birds are of great value as scavengers, especially in hot regions. Botulinum toxin, the toxin that causes botulism, does not affect them, and they can eat rotten flesh containing anthrax and cholera bacteria.

They clean up after the sickly is dead. They oftentimes clean up after the dead is long dead and a putrefying stench of rotting carcass covered in maggots. With 100 times the botulism of a human, the stomach of a vulture can digest meat in advanced stages of decay, a favor to every other creature in the world.

Basically, vultures takes out the garbage. And in a world full of rubbish left behind by the killers, we sure need the vultures.

Third: The vulture is one creature that can spread its wings and soar for hours. Much like the eagle. Like the eagle that hunts, the vulture patiently smells out its food or spots it from high up in the sky,and waits for it to die or if it's already dead, swoop down to clean it out. It hunts. Only differently. And patience! Boy, is it patient.

Fourth: The vulture's bald head is one feature that appears revolting to many people, but it is a brilliant physiological property that allows the creature to plunge into all sorts of carcasses, and come out clean. Its other cousin, the American Bald-head eagle probably had no feathers for different reasons. But for the vulture, that's how it keeps clean. After sticking its head into rotting carrion and gorging itself, the vulture would fly high and perch in the scorching heat of the sun. That takes care of the germs and rotting leftovers without the trouble of cleaning out under the feathers and stuff.

Without feathers to serve as a habitat for all the bacteria that infests their meals, vultures soar through their lives disease-free. After eating, vultures can often be seen perched in the heat of the sun. Here, whatever has managed to cling to the few bits of fuzz on their head will be baked off once and for all. So it knows how to keep clean.

Fifth: We are what we eat. But the vulture is not carcass. In fact, it can stomach so much rot that while other animals would have dropped dead from the same crap the vulture feeds on, the vulture has a digestion system that takes care of things. In other words, the vulture can take
s#@t as it comes.

Sixth: In Southern Africa, the name for a Nubian vulture is synonymous with the term applied to lovers, because these vultures are always seen in pairs, mother and child remaining closely bonded together.

Pairing, bonding, protecting, and loving are essential attributes associated along with the vulture's size and its ability to soar high in the sky. The Egyptians considered the vulture to be an excellent mother, and the wide wingspan was seen as all-encompassing and providing a protective cover to her infants. The white Egyptian vulture was the animal picked to represent Nekhbet, the mother goddess and protective patron of southern, Upper Egypt. The vulture hieroglyph was the uniliteral sign used for the glottal sound (3) including words such as mother, prosperous, grandmother, and ruler.

Wow! So now you know the vulture is esteemed for some lofty attributes.

Now what's so BAD about vultures?

Did you realize by now that what people have been telling you about vultures is not necessarily the whole truth? Isn't it interesting that many people who accuse the vultures of all the bad things can themselves be attacking the defenseless and weak and strayed? That they could be as bad as the vultures they are accusing? In fact worse, because vultures are not so bad after all?

After all, God created the vultures. At least the vultures know what they are living for. DO YOU?

The vultures are lofty. They can put up with a LOT of stench. They can survive the contamination and not die from what they consume. They know how to keep clean by basking in the sun and soaring against the wind to shed the dirt clinging to them. It is amazingly patient. It takes out the garbage. (Many of us don't)

AND.... one last point! This will surely thrill you.

"And I bore you upon wings of vultures and brought you unto me." (Ex. 19:4)

The Hebrews chose to compare God with a vulture, in this verse, because of the bird's amazing talent of flight. They admired the vultures ability to "float" on the air for long spans of time, without so much as flapping a wing. Vultures are incredible birds. In fact, they have been revered by many cultures throughout history.

One place we see this clearly is in the Hebrew texts of the Bible. Exodus 19:4 is translated in the King James version of the Bible as "I bore you on wings of eagles and brought you unto me." But the Hebrew word "nesher," which is interpreted as "eagle" in many common translations, actually translates as "vulture" in English!

Mighty Vultures

2008-05-08T06:16:00.000-07:00

I'm going to write about vultures. But before I do, anyone of you wonderful people have a thought or two about vultures and relate it to our Christian living?

Just wondering....

Hear from you all by tomorrow ya

Going to Jail for what?

2008-05-06T23:52:00.000-07:00

Malaysia Today Editor Raja Petra Kamaruddin is behind bars today in the Sungai Buloh prison.

He is remanded pending trial on October 6 on sedition charges for implicating Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak and his wife Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor in the murder of Altantunya Shaariibuu, a Mongolian woman who was shot dead and blown up with explosives sometime last year.

Some say he is a fool for getting into trouble writing about sensitive issues. But Raja Petra said he would gladly go to jail for upholding the truth and opposing evil. Perhaps a fool to many.

What are Christians like you and me willing to be jailed for? What are we willing to be a fool for?

Flying with Crows

2008-04-29T20:35:00.000-07:00

It is difficult to soar like an eagle if you're surrounded by crows.

Imagine a baby eagle raised by crows.

Would that eagle one day soar high above the skys and crags of mountain peaks? Maybe.

Would that eagle become a vicious scavenger that flaps its mighty span high enough to spot the next rotting pile of leftovers or maggot infested carcass of a runover dog? Maybe.

Would that eagle cackle and caw like a cowardly crow for dead meat instead of shrieking its paralyzing scream before striking down its prey? Maybe.

Three maybe's are just not good enough if you want to soar like an eagle and not a crow.

Are you an eagle? Or a crow? Or simply your good old next door farm chicken?

What does it matter if you shrill, caw, or cackle?

What does it matter if you soar, scavenge, or plain scratch for worms?

It matters. If you're an eagle.

The Third "Redemption by Annihilation"

2008-04-29T20:12:00.000-07:00

I did come across the mention of Redemption by Annihilation the third time. Wow! Food for thought!

The third encounter was full of repeated mentions in the Bible .

In the Old Testament, the vanquished are selectively "devoted" to God. Everytime Israel was specifically instructed to "finish" off their enemies, and they didn't, the ended up suffering for their disobedience.

God knew that for Israel to be set apart unto Him (redeemed) as a peculiar nation, they had to rid themselves of certian groups of people. Although it seem heartless to kill them off, to allow them to live mostly resulted in the contamination and defeat of Israelite tribes eventually.

God knows.

What does this mean to the church in this season?

To those who seek to understand and those who seek to undermine, their portion will surely come to them.

What does it matter to you who seek?

Living with Pain

2008-04-17T17:20:00.000-07:00

Recently, I decided to visit my physio-therapist, after vacillating for a month. Not until I have endured pain on my right elbow for as long as half-a-year and when I can't lift light objects like even a chair because of the pain.

And previously, I had this pain on my back for years. Can't remember how the accummulated bumps and falls I had over a span of years added to the injury. In any case, i finally did, and the physio did the job after a month of treatment. Then again, God healed through her.

This time would be the same. I'm so blessed to have enjoyed God's grace for all these while.

But then again, why did I choose to endure and live with the pain, however miniscule?

(more to come)

Redemption by Annihilation

2008-04-17T17:15:00.000-07:00

I have been thinking about God's solution for mankind. Why it has to be the way it had been. And how this strategy flows down to our earthly sojourn.

Then I saw this article in New STraits Time's technologogy pullout: Redemption by Annihilation.

This morning, I saw the on NST's front page: Redemption. And I thought, wow! If I see that word jump out at me one more time, then I'll be inclined to continue thinking what I have been thinking and see how this little coincidence can be fixed.

Drastic Change

2008-04-14T20:08:00.000-07:00

Change is certain.

The world is evolving. Governments rise and fall. Nations war to maintain their supremacy. People claw their way up the power ladder in their lives, whether at work, play, or business. Even in the privacy of families, we observe some sort of pecking order.

That pecking order changes all the time.

We are at the threshold of change this season. Not just nationally, not just regionally, but globally.

Drastic change.

Those who do not embrace the change will be left behind.

Those who resist the change will be left behind.

Those who move with the change will follow the crowd, eventually.

But the question is, who's starting the change? Who is leading the change?

As surely as change sweeps across the globe, change will also grip and unsettle the church. This is nothing new. We have seen such change coming upon the church repeatedly when men rest on the laurels of their political complacency and insecurities.

Revival is upon us.

Hallelujah!

A Common Malady

2008-04-11T23:08:00.000-07:00

IN Mark 8:24, when Jesus was healing a blind man, he asked him what he saw and the blind man replied: I see people like trees walking.

(That means still blurr la....)

Jesus laid hands again and after this, the blind man could see clearly.

Thankfully the blind man didn't stumble away after he was healed the first time. Thankfully Jesus asked the blind man what he saw. For us all, thankfully, it means when Jesus restores our sight, the healing is complete. Meant to be vision 20/20. Nothing less than that.

Are you and I content with our healing? Or are we suffering a common malady - incomplete healing. Not because God cannot or won't but because we think we see OK la although still blurr-blurr one.

In the world of psychiatry, many people are neurotics. That means they experience a mental disorder characterized by depression, obsession, anxiety, and hypochondria. They get offended easily and they react quickly to perceived assaults.

Scientifically, the word neurotic points to how neurons fire away messages to our brains and triggers action.

Over time, real or imagined, our pre-occupation with how we see and react to situations eventually reinforce our suspicions and we end up believing what we previously wonder about.

Deluded.

This is a common malady.

A serious condition.

We are sick.

We need the Healer.

We need the final touch of Jesus Christ.

A New Season Breaks Forth

2008-03-27T19:39:00.000-07:00

A new season dawns. Another day or two marks the end of three years in Grace Assembly.

Just last week, we went to The Lemon in Shangrila to celebrate change. Hmmm. Zesty and fresh. We're looking ahead to a year of taking dominion in Christ.

With this, I will also shift my focus in blogging. No longer will it revolve just around the church or for church people or youths, it will focus on things that matter to me. And oftentimes, it has to do with asking hard questions about what does really matter in this short sojourn we all make on planet earth.

God bless you all my friends and join me on this new journey.

If for some reason you my find my reasonings hard to digest, you're welcome to personally inquire beyond my rhetorics.

But for those keen to know about my diving trips can check out my temporary blog at nichediver.blogspot

Fide et Labore!

Carpe diem!

Zlwin goes to JPJ on Friday one last time!

2008-03-18T22:31:00.000-07:00

Our dear friend Zlwin will be taking his practical driving test for the third and last time on Friday.

Knees knocking, saliva dripping, hands clammy, eyes glazed behind his trademark blue-tinted glasses, Zlwin will be braving the JPJ's warped assessment one more time.

Let's pray he will get the right examiner this time. Let's pray he will meet the standards. And let's pray he will return celebrating!

Hallelujay!

Distractions

2008-03-17T20:44:00.000-07:00

Solomon spoke of the little foxes that ruin the vineyard.

Paul warned the Corinthians against the little yeast that works through the whole batch of dough.

We are familiar with the proverbial drop of spoilt milk that sours the barrel.

The road that leads to perdition is broad and inviting. The slope so subtle that only a marble can show when it rolls down the path of least resistance to warn us.

Resistance hardly necessary until the momentum picks up. Then it comes futile.

What are the distractions in your life that takes you away from all that really matters.

When we finally catch outselves saying, what does it matter anyhow? a little too late.

In a little while, we will understand what must soon take place. If it's not really too late.

Let's pray it will not be.

2 Chronicles 7:14 When God shuts up the heavens so that it will not rain, or send locusts to devour the land, or a plague among his people. When his people who are called by his name, will humble themselves and pray, and turn from their wicked ways, then will He hear from heaven, forgive their sins and heal their land.

May the God of mercy and compassion be merciful and compassionate to us who call on his name.

AS it was in the days of Noah, so shall it be in the last days....

The Plot Thickens

2008-03-12T20:00:00.000-07:00

Complex circumstances. Chartered Outcome.

Last night's late news alerted Malaysians further to the intricacies of politics.

The much awaited outcome of Perak's situation unfolded. And sighs went around.

"All is lost," many quipped. But really?

It's not over until it's over when it is over.

Yesterday, DAP adviser Lim Kit Siang ordered his party assemblyman to stay away from the swearing-in of the Mentri Besar – but they chose to defy him.

Today, Kit Siang apologises to the Perak Regent for his statement over the appointment of Perak Pas secretary Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddin as Mentri Besar.

There is more than meets the eye.

Keep watching. And praying.

Grace Young Adults Retreat 2008

2008-03-12T00:40:00.000-07:00

Here are the details for YAF Retreat 2008. Taken from Klang YA President Hwai Tah's email!

Date: May 17-19 3D/2N (Sat - Mon). Monday is Wesak Day.

Place: Eagle Ranch Resort, Port Dickson (see http://www.eagleranch.com.my)

Cost: RM235 Price covers everything: accomodation (dorms), meals (buffets), hall facilities, variety of telematch games (facilitated), Go Kart and transportation (44-seater, air-conditioned bus). Complimentary facilities include swimming pool, jacuzzi, beach volleyball, basketball, futsal.

Other chargeable activities include paintball, horse riding, archery, canoeing (fish pond and sea), rafting, map reading/compass march, tracking, obstacle course, flying fox, absailing etc.

This retreat is open to Klang, PJ, USJ young adults and college students 18 and above.

Targetting 50 ppl. The workshops' theme focus is on 'Relationship Enrichment' conducted by non other but our beloved Ps John.

Registration starts this Friday in cell.

The planning team agreed that the full amount ie. RM235, which is transferable but non-refundable, is to be collected.

Cell leaders, please appoint rep from your cell to do this.

Availability of places is on 'first-come-first-served' basis. You can forward this to your cell members and friends who may be interested.

Complex Circumstances. Chartered Outcome.

2008-03-11T21:27:00.000-07:00

Under the state constitution, the menteri besar has to be a Malay Muslim, but there is a provision that allows the Sultan to waive the requirement.

None of the 18 DAP elected representatives are Malay Muslim, even though the party controls the most number of seats in the new state government.

It is learnt that the three of seven Malay Muslim PKR assemblypersons were ruled out as they are deemed not to have suitable paper qualifications. This makes Mohamad Nizar, 51, the frontrunner as he has academic credentials and ranks high in the PAS Perak hierarchy.

Observers have noted that the three parties cannot automatically nominate Mohamad Nizar for the post, or the DAP would suffer severe political repercussions.

What's the outcome? What does it matter?

The outcome is certain. It has been decreed.

Whichever.

Offering the MB’s post to a Malay, either to PKR or PAS shows that DAP respects the state constitution of Perak. This gesture of DAP will win over Malaysians' hearts for sure, in particular, the Malays. This kind of gesture of DAP will also result in more Malays and Indian being endeared to the new move.

Ultimately, if a Chinese is appointed as MB in this new season reflects change.

Watch Perak

2008-03-11T21:10:00.000-07:00

In last year's Merdeka Day 50 hour fast and prayer celebration, the pastors were given diferent states to pray for. I was given another state, I can't even remember which it was. But I distinctly remember asking Pastor Lai Leen to give me Perak instead.

Why?

Because Perak is the state to watch.

I distinctly remember praying a different prayer for the nation. That God will move the Perak royalty to initiate changes to the nation.

I believe this impression is shared among those who are watching the signs.

In fact, I'm wondering what's the possibility of the Perak regent Raja Nazrin Shah becoming Prime Minister. Is that allowed for under our constitution? If the laws of the land say it's not possible, then it must surely be otherwise.

Watch Perak.

One of the winds of change sweeping the world is a rising of leaders in their 50's. Not the older ones. Can you start counting who they all are?

Watch the United States. Is Obama in his 50s? Watch Australia. Is Kevin Rudd in his 50s?

Maybe those who you'd like to research a little bit check out the world leaders and the direction things are going. Let me know will ya? :)

A little background into Malaysia:

Malaysia has a unique system reflecting its history and the federal nature of its constitution. The nine sultans take turns to become king of Malaysia for five years (out of 13 states).
more to come....
Some facts about Raja Dr Nazrin Steven Shah.

Raja Nazrin, who was born in Penang on Nov 27, 1956, and received his early education from St John's Institution (Hey I was a Johanian too!) was appoint the Crown Prince of Perak when his father Sultan of Perak Sultan Azlan Shah became the ninth Supreme Ruler (Yang di-Pertuan Agong) from from 1989 to 1994.

When he married Zara Salim Davidson on May 17, 2007, Raja Nazrin declined state allocation for the ceremony. Bernama reports: http://www.bernama.com/bernama/v3/news_lite.php?id=261511

more to come....

LATEST!

News reported that Raja Dr Nazrin Shah consented to a DAP-PKR-PAS coalition to form the new state government.

The leaders remained tight-lipped on who the new Mentri Besar would be, saying that the matter would be decided at a tripartite meeting later in the night.

Perak PAS secretary Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddin, who won the Pasir Panjang state seat, and Perak PKR Jamaluddin Mohad Radsi, the newly elected Behrang assemblyman, are the two contenders for the Mentri Besar post.

Leader of the new coalition, Perak DAP chief Ngeh Koo Ham said: “Raja Nazrin Shah advised us to submit the names of those nominated for the post of Mentri Besar by tomorrow morning (today) and if possible, work out the portfolios and names of executive councillors.

Perak PAS commissioner Ahmad Awang said the names of three candidates, one from each party, for the post of Mentri Besar have been submitted to the palace and it is up to the Regent to decide who takes the post.

SMSes has gone out saying that Ngeh Koo Ham has been accepted as MB instead.

True or not?

NICHE DIVER

2008-03-11T17:19:00.000-07:00

I'll be shifting all information and pictures and stuff on diving to another site to avoid clutter.

Haven't done the site yet, but the name is nichediver.blogspot.com

When I can manage my time better I'll come up with a professional dive site

Attention Attention Divers Wannabe and Experienced Sea Explorers

2008-03-11T02:30:00.000-07:00

Have you been to Phuket?

I'm planning another dive to Phuket at the end April.
Here's some helpful information for those of you who are keen.

Nothing like doing your open water certification and straightaway exploring the exciting depths of the Andaman!

And instead of stressing out in an intensive 4day3night diving course on a local island, enjoy your 5day4night dives and holiday. Kill two birds with one stone.

How do you do it? Sign up for a customised training. Master your dive theories and practical dive techniques in the comfort and safety of a nice swimming pool first. Give your friendly diving coach more time to help you be a better diver.

What's your investment?
Only RM650 to getting your PADI Open Water Certification.

Which includes:
Five dive theory modules, quizzes, and a final exam
Five confined water practical dive technique modules
Inclusive of pool rental, dive equipment and personal gear, tanks, belts and weights

When you're ready to make the trip, (depending on luxury level) the cost ranges from a low RM700-1200 for a complete 5day4night certification package:

Which includes:
Four required assessment/training dives and additional FUN dive or more (subject to weather and time constraints)
Accommodation including breakfasts/lunches
Transit to/from jetty and/or dive sites
Rental of tanks, belts, weights, equipment, and boats,
PADI fees and your PADI Diver Card

FOR those of you who are certified divers and want to join me for some fun dives, it's as low as RM700-1500 depending how many dives and what type of dives you'd like to make!!!

From the choppy currents of Koh Doc Mai that will swirl you past a wall of aquatic splendor, to exploring the 83meter-long sunken Kingcruiser wreck 33meters plus deep that is home to variety of sea life, and other exotic dive sites.

Mahathir points Badawi the way

2008-03-11T02:09:00.000-07:00

The right way to go is the Japanese Harakiri way. That was what our former prime minister has to say to our current prime minister.

Hmmm. fOOD for thought, eh.

Dawn of a New Era

2008-03-08T18:11:00.000-08:00

At 4.03am, triumphant PKR leader Anwar Ibrahim described the victory of the opposition parties in five states and its breach of Barisan Nasional’s two-third majority in Parliament as “a defining moment” in the history of the nation and the opening of “a new chapter.”

Our prime minister only has these words to mumble: "We’ve lost, we’ve lost" - 4.12am

These were the only words which Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi could muster when quizzed on the ruling coalition’s shocking defeat in five states.

So what does it matter that the turn of events spell a different future for Malaysians?

Malaysians go to polls as rest of world reel

2008-03-07T22:11:00.000-08:00

Today I cast my vote with my wife at our designated polling centre in Cheras.

Barisan supporters wooed us to vote for change chiding others at the centres to give Dr Jefferey Goh a break. After all, what has DAP's Tan Kok Wai done for Cheras folks?

Guess beside whose face I marked my cross?

While the rest of the country shuffled to the polls, the rest of the world continue to reel from the endless waves of bad news.

Top UN World Food Program official Josette Sheeran said the world's economy "has now entered a perfect storm for the world's hungry" caused by high oil and food prices and low food stocks. That simply means record high food prices and resulting inflation are set to continue until at least 2010, fuelling a "new hunger" across the globe and anarchy on the streets of poorer nations.

Rev 6:6 And I heard a voice in the midst of the four beasts say, A measure of wheat for a penny, and three measures of barley for a penny; and see thou hurt not the oil and the wine.

The poor will be poorer and the rich will wallow in more wealth.

In Jerusalem, a gunman, who once worked as a driver in the same college, opened fire with an automatic rifle at students in the Jewish religious college library killing eight girls. Palestinian Hamas supporters celebrate the killing. Meanwhile, violence in the Hamas-run Gaza strip continue to escalate with the Israeli government vowing intensify major offensives on the city and the occupied West Bank.

For the dead, life ends. Chapter closes. Curtains. Game over.

What does it matter to you and me?

And in Baghdad, the death toll rosed to 68 when the whammy from double blasts tore through a packed shopping area, making it the deadliest attack in the capital for nine months. The bombs wounded 120 people. The horror unleashed hours after a brigade of 2000 US soldiers were withdrawing the capital.

Senseless killings persist.

The list goes on. You name any country in the world today that is not hit by some kind of madness.

What does it matter?

Life goes on meanwhile in our backyard. Pottering over our cute little bonsai.

Our upcoming vacation. Our next business deal. Our new job. Hmmmmm.

Perspective. O God, we need perspective.

More Dive Shots from Phuket

2008-03-03T15:20:00.000-08:00

Aha. Who's this muscleman? Bet you can't recognize him without his pink outfit!

Moray eels the thickness of your fist abound in the nooks and crannies if you slow your finning long enough to
peer through the cracks. Always fun to stick your finger at them for a tempting bite!

Jeff holding the standard underwater hovering position. Excellent buoyancy control!

Yellow spotted puffer fish are among the many exotic sea life around here. Tasty but deadly if you sliced and cooked them the wrong way. The Japanese and Koreans are known to love these buggers. When we were in Korea last year, the wet markets were selling them by the buckets.
Hmmm. Recognize who this one is? It's funny how a mask and a regular could conceal your identity so easily.
Who's this cool slit-eyed dude holding his position in a steady hover? I'm sure you could identify this one.

What's this!? Tempting to grab and shove into a grub bag eh. Lobster hunting anyone?

Carl shot this from the bottom. Certainly not one of the sea beauties, Shannon and Wenshu, trying hard to blend in with the underwater flora and fauna.

Wow! This is the radiant blue crown of thorns. This is one of the poisonous buggers you wouldn't want to stick your palms onto for balance underwater.

Aha! That's me in my usual tropical underwater garb. Much more relaxing diving in Ts and pair of shorts if you enjoy the cold. But gotta watch out for the jelly fish and other stinging stuffs.

Wow cool. This is old man Octopus Kracken (guess I spelt this right?) in Pirates of the Carribean curled up comfortably under we spook him from his slumber.

Sean and Sidney checking out this huge blob of a jelly fish from a safe distance. Another cool find underwater!

One of our adventure dives on Day 2 on a longtail boat. This kind doesn't have a rudder. The propeller extends overboard like a tail and can swings around 360 degrees.

Aha! Nothing like SYTs to add color above the underwater world on the journey to our dive sites. Snorkelers Shannon and Wenshu.
The fish here is so friendly that if you make friends with it over a banana or bread slice, it'll let you play with it!
Opening a bottle of coke using a bottle of mineral water. I did it! Our six-footer host Carl Richardson could do the trick with anything.
Jianz in one of his pensive moods. I like this shot.

Sidney and Sean dropping off into their first dive on the sandy bottom of Racha Yai. Jeff finning in the left rear.

Perfect spot for buoyancy check!

Excellent visibility!

A pretty clown fish in a quivering in blossom of sea anemone. This is when you take off you glove and caress the slimy blue portion and the sticky green strands. But be careful! You could get nasty stings...

I got seared once and the rashes lasted two weeks!

Jeff (and the other guys) exploring wreck off Banana Rock at a depth of 22m.

It's always a thrill to hover around one of these sunken barges and watch the
underwater creatures settle in their new home. Here the visibility drops to 5 meters.

A dazzling shot of a lionfish in all its cocky splendor up close.

But don't be fooled. These buggers could give you sting that hits 9 on the richter scale! Thankfully I haven't experienced this kind of shake up.

The closest was jabs from sea urchins that left black poisoned looking blotches on your skin.\

So Sad

2008-03-02T22:49:00.000-08:00

Justin's friend, Bruce passed away just before CNY from dengue.

So sad.

When I read his blog, I was impressed by his way of expressing his feelings. His poems are really something.

Bruce Chan-(1987 ~ 2008)
"Bro, Bruce is dead..."
That's what I got from the sms...
He is only 21...
Isn't that too early for him?
Mankind...
The weakest kind...
Even a mosquito can take your life...
You can die anywhere...
anytime...
The question is...
"Are you ready for that?"
"Are you sure where you going after that?"
Words left unsaid...
Dreams left unfulfilled...
How does it feel when you know all your friends and family came to see you,
talked to you but you couldn't give any respond?
Not even until the last breath...
Tell me about it Bruce..
Sorry my friend...
I hope you rest in peace...

Congratulations!!!

2008-02-28T16:33:00.000-08:00

Happy to announce that we're back from Phuket after a five-day four-night trip.

PICTURES TO FOLLOW THROUGH SOON!
Whoooooo hoooooooooooo! We did it!!!

That's Sidney doing his favourity backflip from a rock on Banana Beach where we pulled in for lunch break in our longtail boat.

Congratulations to new PADI Open Water Divers Zlwin and Justin!!!

Both of them were fabulous. Scored 80% to 100 % in their theory exams and cleared all their practicals easily in the Andaman sea successfully! even though Zlwin farted and burped and vomitted at both ends in between dives because of too much wind in his system. Heh heh.

Many of you would not be surprise since Zlwin usually has so much so talk about... so much wind in him, that it takes the diving to put pressure to bring out the wind in him!!! Heh heh heh.

Justin was simply excited and wanted to join the Advance Divers to do their last three adventure dives for the trip on Phuket's largest wreak - an 83 meter-long sunken ferry at a depth of 33 meters plus. But I guess five dives is just about right for them on their maiden plunge into the Andaman Sea on the South-West tip of Phuket Island.

And Congratulations to Jefferey, Sean, and Sidney on achieving their new merits as PADI Advance Open Water Divers. And all three did fantastically well hitting a maximum depth of 30 meters and exploring eight different dives on a single trip! Peak Performance Buoyancy and Navigation at Racha Yai, 2 wreck dives (at Kingcruiser and Banana Rock also deep dives to 22 to 30 meters), Deep dives, Fish Identification, two different types of boat dives, and even a drift dive at 0.4knots current at Koh Doc Mai.

All three demonstrated wonderful peak buoyancy during the dives and did minimum damage to the corals.

I discovered Jeff to be a cool diver. He didn't just shrug off a broken rib and continued to scale Mt KK last year. This cool and tough dude didn't even panic when I buddy ascent with him after offering him my octopus when he was down to his last 20 Bar of air on one particular strong current dives at Koh Doc Mai (Flower Garden in Thai that looks liek a giant muffin floating out of the sea with vertical drops to 25 meteres).

In fact, he told me later, he was ok because we already did our safety stop and was only five meters from the surface.

Cool! He's one guy you'll want to dive with. Only problem was he had some stuffed ear problems on his last few dives and had difficulty equalizing. Maybe he was too cool. Needed to warm up with a couple of half-dozen chin ups and push ups. Heh heh.

As for Sean and Sidney, I happily waved them off into the deep blue on their own to do natural navigation in their last dive at Shark's Point to navigate around the first pinnacle before gliding across the sandy bottom to the second pinnacle at about 22 meters.

My dive Swedish dive buddy, Carl Richardson, was the best host giving us added value pictures and video shots to take home.

Sean, Sidney, and Justin had a special welcome from the Royal Thai Police who waved them off after issuing them a summons for illegally parking their motorcycles.

So glad to have Shannon and Wenshoo snorkel with us when we went out to Banana Rock and Banana Beach and Kamala Rock on our second day.

Nothing like having a few pretty girls to add colour to the already colourful underwater world. Heh Heh.

Kudos to Justin's parents and Zlwin's father for joining us on this trip and exploring Phuket on their own.

Annnnnnnnd ..... All of us came back with a tan!!!

Cool Divers All set to go

2008-01-22T22:00:00.000-08:00

Wow! Look's like we're all set for this dive in February.

The all guys team are Jeff, Sean, Sidney (all open water divers doing their advance certification) Justin and Zlwin (doing their open water certification) and Jon Chandran (advance diver) trying out the open seas around Phuket for some adventure dives.

And yes! Real cool! Zlwin's dad is JOINING US!!! Wow. The brief chat with him that I had previously, despite his steely no nonsense demeanor, I know he's a radical adventurous spirited guy.

But he's going to laze under the swaying coconut trees and sip some Phuket cocktail most of the time when he's not joining our boat trips.

First Dive of the Year

2008-01-02T23:18:00.000-08:00

Hellooooooo... all you diving kakis and diving wannabes... I'll be planning my first dive for the year Feb 24-28 in Phuket (Five Days from Sunday to Thursday).

Those keen to get certified as an Open Water Scuba Diver with me on this maiden dip during peak diving season in the Andaman sea and surrounding islands are welcome to join.

Other certified OWDs may also join us for the simple thrill of adventure dives. Of course, those who wish to step up their diving level to Advanced OWD may also get certified on this trip.

Shoot me an email me at johnbeh@gmail.com for further details so that I can make early arrangements.

Dying to Live... What Next?

2007-12-31T20:11:00.000-08:00

This year's youth camp marked a new season of discovery, growth, and exploits for Grace Assembly.

We have just begun to contemplate the possibility and potential of integration. We have tasted but have not yet feasted.

As we stand on the threshold of the next frontier, we must cry unto the Lord of the harvest to infuse within us a sense of desperation and endow us with power to break free of every shackle that holds us back from taking dominion over all of God’s given resource.

Many are called, but few are chosen. Those chosen are those who chose right.

Like Gideon’s mighty 300, who were the best of Israel’s force then, we too will be sifted.

God demands the best. But our best is never enough. That is the paradox of our faith.

Who will be like the 22,000 who chose to return to the safety and security of their comfort zones? God seeks those who are strong and courageous – willing to die.

And when the 10,000 strong and courageous warriors went down to the water’s edge to drink, all but 300 went on all fours like dogs and plunged their heads into the cool to lap their fill. Only the 300 dropped to their knees and scooped water with one cupped hand to drink as they held their spear with the other, all the while watching the terrain and ready for battle. God seeks the watchful and prepared – those ready to live.

Gideon sent the rest back, and only kept the 300 who took over the provisions and trumpets of the others.

Are you among the 300 strong and courageous warriors who are watchful and prepared to fight? For God has chosen you and will hand over to you the resources and victories others have yielded.

Blog of Faith

2007-12-18T22:20:00.001-08:00

Watch this space!

Before the year ends, I'll be posting my thoughts all the warriors whose path i have crossed in my past two years and nine months in Grace Assembly.

The Day After

2007-12-11T20:17:00.000-08:00

ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz...

The day after GY Camp 2008.

All campers snoozing to catch up on lost sleep.

Today's the Day

2007-12-07T19:16:00.000-08:00

Today's the day everyone didn't sleep a wink all night until the alarm buzzed at 6am and they jumped out of bed heart pounding and mouth dry.

Today's when seven bus loads of cranky young people smiling through their adrenaline-pumped sleepy heads (what an oxymoron) nagged their parents to "faster la" take them to church moments earlier, chowing their breakfast down in seconds.

Today's when parents shake their heads wondering what's the big deal with their children telling them to get lost and not loaf around as they disappear into their crowd of friends and strangers.

Not enough sleep. Cranky. Indigestion. Stress level up. All a mix of elements sure to fire up any recipe for disaster.

But this is no normal disaster. This is the D.ay I.n S.ome A.ll S.o T.hrilling E.xclusive R.endezvous that these young people will experience that will change their lives forever.

As Pastor Henry muttered from the pulpil a couple of weeks back, "Either they will come back changed, or I will come back changed!"

YES. GY Camp 2007. Change is not an option.

In a short while the seven buses will reached the Flat Lands in Cameron Highlands and these young people will spill out onto the cool soil.

Today is December 8.

Dr Steve Ogan did say something about 2008, didn't he?

This is it!

Three Days more to D.I.E

2007-12-04T19:04:00.000-08:00

Whoooooooaaaaaaaaaapeeeeeee!

The camp is just three days away.

I don't know about you guys, but I'm looking forward to seeing the 20 odd youth groups swing into action and enjoy months of hard work falling into place... or out of place.

Hwai Tah and his team of generals have manoevred up till the last moment for this blast of a camp. And they have not worked alone, but with the many able and dedicated leaders who have toiled behind the scenes and up front. Who are they all? You'll get to know this fabulous people on day one of the camp and throughout the camp, you'll get to watch them in action.

Real life people full of promises, warts, and farts.

You'll gonna like them, hate them, feel for them, emo with them. And you'll notice that, like them, you're also real people in real time.

Whichever, we're going to see a lot of struggling not to die taking place. And this is all happening in real time! That's right... real time!

Eleven months of the year have come and gone. We're left with one final month. And this month, you can expect to see the storm that we've been all waiting for. At least, I have been been told would come.

Keep your eyes peeled, your ears unplugged, and your mouth open. But in silent mode ok.

This camp, you guys will get to see Pastor Henry in action. He'll preach his young heart out to all you guys and gals. And you all listen up. This is one shot you have with him that will set the pace for the future.

And this camp, we're seeing many youths and leaders from all the divisions of Grace Assembly coming together - many for the first time - to HAVE FUN, to DISCOVER AND REDISCOVER OUR FAITH IN CHRIST, and to LEARN HOW WE CAN BE FRUITFUL CHRISTIANS.

yES. fUN, FAith and FruiTFULNESS!

iT'S all beginning with your encounter with God, living the NEW LIFE IN CHRIST, and dying to the OLD!

2 Cor 5:17 If any man is in Christ, the old has passed away, the new has come!

LOOK OUT FOR THE NEW ONES AND THOSE WHO HAVEN'T DISCOVERED THEIR FAITY IN CHRIST. YOU ARE going to help them find Christ.

And for those of you who have lost your vision, this camp is when you better rediscover your faith.

And those of us who think we're ok but have been barren, this camp is when you decide how you're going to grow and bear fruit.

The pastors and leaders are going to talk about areas in our lives that are hindering us from growing in Christ.

You're going to walk away from this blast of a camp with a decision. ONly one decision. To D.I.E in Christ so that you may live forevermore!

See ya all

By the way, I'm expecting things some of you don't expect. When they and it all shows up, you'll go figure. But if I'm kind enough, I'll let you know.

:)

Speaking in riddles am I? Let him who has an ear listen.

Coming Home

2007-11-28T09:10:00.001-08:00

HI ya beautiful guys and gals. Diving is like a walk in the bottom of the pool!

Before we fly home on Friday, we're going to make three fabulous dives today in the Andaman Sea. First to a sunken wreck called KingCruiser at 100 feet below. Second to Koh Doc Mai, a huge coral outcrop vertical to about 80 feet. And third, to Sharks Point.

See ya all soon!

Some practice demonstrations controlling movement in shallow waters.

Here are my dive buddies doing the Instructor Training workshop briefings with me.

Chilling out at the graduation dinner.

The Day After Tomorrow

2007-11-27T09:12:00.000-08:00

Did you ever wonder when a lousy day ended like rotten weeklong garbage that tomorrow may bring worse news, and you're seriously hoping the bad news will somehow miraculously disappear into thin air, as the dark clouds mushroom away and shafts of blinding sunlight flood everything in shimmering white?

The day after tomorrow.

Whatever shrulmps you are in or think you are wallowing in, give yourself a hard quick whack. Have you forgotten that God is still God and you're but a pain the neck? Stop your whimpering and whining. Move off your behind and onto your knees. This is the time to give thanks on your knees. Start counting your blessings one by one.

The Bible says in Phil 4:8 Do not be anxious for anything, but in everything with prayer and thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God, and the peace of God that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.

Look up! For your redemption draweth nigh.

The day after tomorrow.

Finally Finally Finally

2007-11-25T04:20:00.000-08:00

Finally. After two weeks of intensive training and assessment. I and my five dive buddies pulled through with flying colours and got certified as OWS Instructors!

Tonight is graduation night party at Soi Bangla.

Finally, I should be able to log in and post pictures and give updates.

But thank God for his grace and providence thus far - that I could do well indeed.

Scoring 100 percent in three sections, and 92 Percent in two sections for the theory examinations. And Scoring an average of 4.5 out of a top score of 5 for all the skills section.

I was actually aiming at 100 percent and scoring 5's all the way. But then again, God saw me through! Hallelujay!

Big hugs all to my lovely wife, Jessica, and my adorable three princesses, Janielle, Janna, and Jirene, for all their heartfelt prayers for me.

And all rounds of hugs for all of you who remembered me in prayer!!!

Remember guys,

Good better best
Never let it rest
Until your good becomes better
and your better becomes best

All glory to God!

And now, for the GY Camp!!!

Hwai Tah and his team of five generals have been planning, strategising, and mobiising the troops for Dec 8-11, 2007, to put in another record breaking youth camp in Grace Assembly.

And this year, we're moving on to Just Doing IT Everyday this year from last year's Following Christ to be Fishers of Men by the resurrection power that comes from new LIFE in Christ Jesus!

And of course, nothing like that until you tasted the encounter with the King of kings and the Lord of lords first!

Finally

2007-11-22T20:37:00.000-08:00

Finally, after nine days of intensive training, we're set to go through the final assessment. This afternoon, we begin the exams on dive theory and regulations. Tomorrow, the teaching assessments, skills demonstration. And Sunday, open water dive training demonstrations and rescue simulation.

So far, by God's grace, I'm doing pretty well.

Praying I'll pull through this weekend with flying colours.

Jessica joined me yesterday and has been enjoyed lazing around the pool already.

I'm arranging for a day trip to one of the islands for her tomorrow so she can enjoy her dives while I sit for my tests.

Janielle, Janna, and Jirene are happily enjoying their days at their aunt's place until we're back.

Time flies. And before we know it, it's pre-rally!

See ya all!

Phuket Day 5

2007-11-15T04:33:00.000-08:00

TSk TSK. Time just whizzed by since I landed in Phuket Sunday late evening.

Busy since with readings and assessments and exams and practicals on dive physics, physiology, equipment, calculations, skills and stuff.

Couple of the my dive kakis failed parts of some of the review exams. Thankfully, only me and a young British passed. Scored 80% to 100%. But more review tests to go.
But interestingly, all way more advanced in diving experience than me.

Praying to do very well. Must be top score mah. And polish up my skills.

Will post some pics when I can. Especially when Jessica joins me for fun dives next week.

Phuket is wonderful to dive. The Andaman sea is fabulous. Must make this annual dive spot la.

Hope to go there again early next year before dive season ends. So can certify Janielle as PADI Open Water. She dived there in April when we were there for couple of weeks.

And let the two other girls do Discover Scuba Diving.

Daulat Tuanku

2007-11-10T06:11:00.000-08:00

The FRU getting all heated up during the crowd control. It's takes a lot to stay level headed. Not an easy job. Easy to freak out.

The one that didn't get away. Poor bugger.

Now this one was part of the demonstration. Nice choc sundae to cool off the heat after a long teary wet day.

All in a day's ruckus!

Big bird watching from the sky.

This is a good way to disperse the crowd. Don't know whether the water was laced with chemical or not. By the time I elbowed my way towards this water truck as the crowd rushed away, it stopped spraying.

Hah. That was when the warning bells clanged and the FRU assembled ready to fire. I thought what better place to be nearer to them and they'll shoot over me if they need to. But no. I was hit as I moved closer.

This was a zoomed shot. I was probably about 50 meters away when they fired.

This is the day everyone has been waiting for. Not everyone. But I was one of them. Well, some blogs say 100,000 people. Others tally it at 65,000. Foreign news agencies counted about 40,000. But let's just say tens of thousands thronged the streets of central Kuala Lumpur today to show support for a march to the King's palace to hand him a memorandum calling for his intervention to ensure a bersih election coming up before the year ends.

I'm posting some pictures I took from the beginning at Masjid Jamek, where news reports say the action was hottest, and ending at the King's palace when the crowd dispersed at 4.30pm.

(The system is really slow tonight. I'll post what I can today and continue tomorrow from Phuket where the line is faster)

Diving is All Fun

2007-11-06T20:01:00.000-08:00

Do you know diving is soooooooo fun.

You get to learn that everything underwater is 25 percent magnified. Even if you're shortsighted, still can see one.

Did you know that underwater, you can hear something 1475 meters away in a second!

Yes! Your hearing powers increase 4 times underwater but maybe not so powerful like Superman. Your friend can do Morse Code hitting the tank to communicate even if he's far away. But you gotta learn Morse Code first.

I'll be off to the Andaman Sea Sunday evening and back end of the month. Will keep you all posted on the latest sights and sounds yeah.

Next year, who wants to go diving with me?

What's next?

2007-11-06T19:48:00.000-08:00

Tonight, Hwai Tah and his fabulous team will meet over pizza to think-tank through the final matters of GY Camp 2007 and decide the winning entries of the T-Shirt competition.

All you brave hearts who have sent in your best materpieces keep your fingers crossed but don't hope to die yeah, and see who emerges as the Chaaaaampionnnnn!

And those of you who don't know nothing about the Leaders Training on Saturday, click into janielle7unique.blogspot.com to check the latest pics.

Tomorrow is the Worship and Musicians Workshop in PJ Grace starting at 10am with the group of artistes from Life Melbourne!

Find your way there and don't miss the fun and learning. Me? I'll be there but may need to dash off to visit some Deepavali non Christian friend(s) and YES! tHE Young Adults PJ are going with Klang folks for Sea Food and to watch kelip kelip lampu fly in Kuala Selangor or somewhere in Klang where also go light fly or fly light?

This Saturday, Uncle Kevin J will be preaching his heart out to Klang youths yeah! So be there! He'll be bringing his team along and if you know his team, they can be real whackoes full of zest!

Pinko Thinks Why Dice?

2007-11-05T06:54:00.000-08:00

Just in case some of you are wondering why the dices, I'll best let Zlwin explain because he's the brains behind the new header in my blog. And, yes. I liked it. So it stays.

Why Dice?

The gambler places his bet. He gathers what is important to him and places it like an egg on the bull’s horn. He then takes the dice, shakes it in his hand and hoping for the best. He prays (to whom God knows) and he hopes. Holding the dice tightly in his palm he then throws it on the gambling table. The faces of the dice then decide his destiny.

What does it matter?

To a gambler who has almost nothing to call his own, nothing matters. No responsibilities, nothing matters. No aim in life, nothing matters. No reason for living another day, nothing matters. It does not matter to him anymore whether he lose or wins. If he loses, it is just another lost out of his hundreds. If he wins, he gives thanks to luck and then rolls the dice again and hope luck is still with him.

The problem now is that we fail to see beyond the question, “What does it matter?” Before we do something, we don’t even give a thought of how will it affect us or others in the days to come.

I have money, I have fame, and I have the position of utmost importance, what does having Jesus matter to me? Does it matter if I don’t share the Gospel? After all, there are a lot of enthusiastic Christians out there to do it. What does it matter if I am not one of them?

If I do this, what does it matter? If I don’t do this, what does it matter?

We lead comfortable lives and have everything we want for our pleasure and comfort. Life couldn’t be better than this. Read the Bible? Haha. What does it matter? Pray? Yea I do pray, I pray that God will bless my family and me. I thank God each day for the blessings He has poured on me. I am so blessed. Press in and seek the things of God and everything will be given to me as well? But I have everything. What does it matter?

We just go on with life each day chasing after our own dreams and desires oblivious of what is going on around us. Many of us do know the seriousness of the situation in the world we live in today... but... what does it matter?

Each day is lived based on the end results of yesterday’s living. Must we then take good care of how we live today? What does it matter?

We just throw the dice and que sara sara, whatever will be will be.

What does it matter anyway?

Flashback

2007-11-01T00:57:00.000-07:00

I unintentionnaly caught a movie a day or two back titled Flashback. Basically a comedy about a young FBI agent escorting to court an ageing 70's hippie rebel who had lost most of his youthful idealism but still had enough magic to rub off people who spent time with him.

Those of you who happen to know what a hippie is and the culture then understand it's all about living your dreams and fighting the conservative but corrupt capitalistic establishment.

That old fella, Huey Walker, had charisma and a dream. But no idea how to make the two work. Although he had a huge following, most of the crowd frazzled out over time, with nothing but a tattered dream.

What was wrong was the methodology.

Today, we are faced with similar dilemmas.

We know we need to fix the system. But how?

Mother earth is slowly hacked, poisoned, choked, stripped, and hanged out to dry a miserable death. Greenpeace and other environmental groups like Friends of the Earth, United Nations Environmental Program, Wildlife Trust, Earth Charter Initiative, Biofuelwatch, Global Witness, Nature Serve and many others are battling on fronts that most Christians know nothing about.

Corrupt capitalist governments, dictatorships, and imbecilic rulers of developing nations continue their merry making while more than two thirds of the world wallow in poverty.

What does it matter? To Christians and the church? Should we be concerned since the earth is slated for destruction anyhow? What is our role here?

Just preaching the Gospel? Or excuse me you say, preaching the Gospel includes the above. Yes?

It's never too late to rethink our life purpose and priorities. And methodology.

George Clooney said:

Don't wait till you're 65 before asking what should I have done with my life differently if I knew better.

Cut the Crap, Not the Tree

2007-10-29T01:05:00.000-07:00

This morning I awoke to a burning desire to cut some crap that I saw in my life around me.

You know. It's that growing feeling of seething discontent and... must have something to do with a dream I had.

But anyways, I blended myself three glasses of tomatoes, a carrot, two bananas, and a green apple. Then with gusto, I set about pruning, sawing, hacking, until the bourgainvillae in my house was a stump standing 10 feet tall.

My sweet wifey shrieked when she saw how I mutilated the unfruitful tree.

I just smiled away that Anthony Hopkins' Red Dragon smirk, still smarting from countless scratches and stabs from the thorns of that wretched tree-plant.

Here's what a fruitful tree look like:

Now my house looks out to open skies.

That was just a symbolic act.

The year is going to end soon. And by the time it is through, I hope to have started cutting not just fruitless trees in my life, not just the crap in and around me, ... but prepare for the next phase in my life.

Oh, by the way, I also laid three mouse traps to snare the monkeys that have been marauding my castle. To no avail. The smart buggers, again, took the food, and left a trail of crumbs and skin all over.

Did I say anything about killing monkeys in my life? You bet.

Questions Questions Questions

2007-10-27T19:30:00.001-07:00

Shall I post questions and answers on this blog itself?

NOthing like making life easier for everyone. As it is, the tyranny of the urgent has lured us into busyland once too long. Yeah, yeah. I know my last blog was like a week or more back.

And it's not just mind over matter.

The past two weeks, Hwai Tah, Jeff, Benny, Hosanna, Bernice, and me have met over the GY camp leaders training preparation on Nov 3. And boy, have we been having fun working!

It's interesting how more work can be done when you simply enjoy what you do. And those who are into running leadership and teambuilding workshops, it's simply fun.

Someone once said: If your play is also your work, then you don't have to work a single day in your life. Because you're playing all the way.

Opps. Enough digression...

One question on a Sunday morning.

You know ah, Pastor Henry preached about obeying our parents saying if they say don't go to church, don't this, don't that... then we better obey. I've been thinking about going into full time ministry and taking up studies in Bible College. What if my parents object and scold me?

Hmm. Do you see Pastor Henry standing there chatting with somebody? Yeah, right, that's him. Why don't you go right up to him and ask him that? Then come back and tell me what he said.

Moments later. This person bounces back and smiles sheepishly. He said depends laa.

That's all? And you didn't ask some more?

Kek ekek kek kek. OK are you happy with that answer?

What do you think?

Mind Over Matter

2007-10-17T19:46:00.000-07:00

The other day I was browsing in MPH and flipped through The Secret by Rhonda Byrne - the much touted miracle book that has taken the world by storm, apparently, spawning countless other books, websites, DVDs and articles in support of or against the principle of successful living - think right.

Interestingly, this idea is as old as the first thought itself. When God thought and spoke into being the world in Genesis.

Of course thinking works! The world is where it is because of thinking. More messed up than otherwise because of wrong thinking. But thankfully it has advanced in positive ways through right thinking.

What about you and me? What does it matter if you think right or wrong? It matters!

But is it as simple as mind over matter? Is it simply a matter of the mind?

For those who haven't read the book, basically it is a compilation of quotes from the author's favourite experts in the subject of thinking right. Her basic premise: Think positive thoughts and you get what you want in life. It's simply the Law of Attraction.

I'd say that is one powerful principle. Even without God, it works.

But with God, it more than works.

Just how far we want to apply this principle to milk it for all its worth. Phil 4:4-8 has lots to say on this matter.

One of the better books that put Rhonda's The Secret in perspective is Dr Henry Cloud's Secret Things of God.

Dr Henry Cloud has been one of my all time best writer. I was glad to note his prompt response to set the record straight. Because otherwise, most people would easily drift into humanism.

What's that? New age stuff but actually as old as Hinduism, and possibly older. Elevating man to the status of God.

Quote of the Day:

We're the sum total of our memories.

And memories are a product of our thoughts.

What we think becomes memories. Since we process our experiences, what people say, what we see, what we feel, what we smell... those also become memories through the filter of thought.

So be watchful how you think.

Getting Rid of Monkeys

2007-10-14T21:59:00.000-07:00

Did I tell you the story about monkeys invading my backyard and the neighbourhood?

Hordes of them. Big and small. Fierce and timid. But all monkeys as monkeys can only be. Monkeys.

They took my shelves and boxes of tools, paint sprays, thinner, tools, glue, adapters, switches... you name it. Scattered everything. Everytime I sort back the stuff, they come again.

What amazes me is they could unscrew caps of cannisters of engine oil, glue and stuff there my daughters would have difficulty unscrewing. Pretty strong buggers.

The monkeys left their territory because the hillslopes behind my house and surrounding area is being developed into a new housing area. They ravage my row of houses because my stupid neighbour who believes animals are reincarnation of people puts out food for the monkeys, the cats, and birds.

I was going to put out rat traps to snare the monkeys but thought it a little cruel to injured them when their feet or hands get snared.

So what I just did, after cannot tahan any more with their monkeying around, was bought rat glue and snared the area with a couple of plastic containers so that when they come get their bananas, their grimy paws will be stuck to the pieces of plastics.

Sure they can escape. But not without tearing away with pieces of stuff stuck to their paws.

That should teach them a lesson.

But I wonder if it'll work. Because the buggers were watching me lay the traps from a distance.

Smart monkeys.

Are there monkeys in your life as well?

You know, there are so many kinds.

Heh heh.

IN any case, you need to think of a way to get rid of them.

But you say, WHAT DOES IT MATTER?

Tell me if it doesn't.

Mammoth March in Dataran Merdeka on Nov 10

2007-10-11T00:48:00.000-07:00

Gabungan Menuntut Pilihan Raya Bersih dan Adil (Bersih) akan menganjurkan satu perhimpunan raksasa yang dinamakan Perhimpunan Rakyat di Dataran Merdeka pada 10 November ini.

Have you heard about this mammoth rally?

Did you know that the country has been going through a political tussle since 1987 with the Executives and Royalty trying to out-manoevre each other?

Nah. Don't think so. Most of you were babies then.

I lost my job with the Star Publications then when the government shut down a couple of newspapers for their bold coverage. Want to know a little about it?

And since then, until recently, the whole tussle is resurfacing. This is what we call the country's constitutional crisis.

Should Christians be involved in politics?

I'm sure you have loads of questions to ask.

Fire away if you're not afraid of the answers.

By the way, I may like to start another blog just for controversial questions and issues. Not everyone has a strong stomach for some of the stuff you may not imagine coming from me.

Hmmmm?

What's going to happen on Nov 10?

A coalition of political parties, non-governmental organizations and trade unions will hold a march at Dataran Merdeka (Do you know where that is?) for free and fair elections tipped to be like held next year.

The march will begin at 3pm and end at Istana Negara (Again, do you know where that is?) which is a couple of kilometres away.

Then, representatives of the coalition will hand a momorandum to the Yang di-Pertuan Agong the King, Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin.

Why is this march important? The coalition, which was formed right after the last general election because the electoral rolls were littered with phantom voters, questionable postal votes, and other forms of poll and campaign abuses that allegedly undermined a fair election, seeks a proportionate representation system.

Our current first-past-the-post Westminster system has given the ruling coalition Barisan some 90 percent of seats despite winning only some 60 percent of popular votes.

But more importantly, the march is known by all bloggers to be a symbolic cry to Malaysia's Supreme Ruler, otherwise known as Agong or the King, to intervene in the country's perceived deteriorating state of just governance.

What should Christians be praying for?

GY Camp Leaders Training

2007-10-10T05:16:00.000-07:00

I remember telling last year's camp group leaders in a lunch meeting in Grace PJ early this year that we will meet again for a Leaders Training before this year's GY Camp in December.

Yes, we will! And we're expecting to have a larger crowd of leaders this time.

Although all you group leaders were thrown into the deep end without any kind of preparation and most were taking up leading roles for the first time, I must say that all of you did a faaaaantastic job and were such a wonderful sport all the way to the end. Whether first or last position in the activities and games, you all never let up in your spirit and put up a brave front all the way.

This year, we want to reward the leaders ahead of time by starting the camp for all of you first.

Yes! For you all, the camp begins in November. And the camp will end one month later for you all too when we come back together for a wonderful makan and appreciation celebration in January 2008.

Want to know what activities and fun await you in the training?

Hmmmm.

See ya all.

Heart Matters

2007-10-07T21:56:00.000-07:00

Pro 4:23 "Above all else, guard your hearts, for it is the well spring of life."

Most of us take our biological hearts for granted. We don't even think about it, until it gives us some problems.

For 14-year-old Tee Hui Yi, who have had two organ donors since Oct 4, she is told that the only way her new heart doesn't die on her is to keep taking immuno-suppresants all her life. If she misses her does, her body could start rejecting the organ. But that's a small price to pay to stay alive.

When first regaining consciousness, Hui Yi, had only one word to describe her condition. Painful.

Our hearts (no pun intended) go out to her for the pain she has had to endure to stay alive.
When she underwent surgery to receive a 15-year-old body's organ after he died, everyone had their hopes high. Imagine the pain of having your chest cut open and the trauma of a heart-replacement surgery! only to be told that your new heart is not working after they sewed you up.

Thankfully, the next day, although NOT so for the 20-year-old mechanic who died in a road accident, she received the poor fella's heart. But that meant being cut up all over again. Can you imaine the pain? No wonder Hui Yi's first words were "painful."

And going through all that? Just to stay alive.

How many of us neglect not just our biological heart, but our spiritual heart. And when it breaks down through years of neglect, or like in Hui Yi's case, one of malfunction arising from some disorder, we suddenly become aware of our heart beating. Whichever, neglect, sin, or some genetic disorder - our heart matters.

What does it matter? It sure does. When your heart stops beating. Everything else stops. Your world ends. Game over.

Memories

2007-10-04T20:19:00.001-07:00

Time and tide wait for no man.

Life is time. It is made up of those moments we measure in precious seconds.

Why "seconds" and not "firsts"? Because the moment we say "first", it has become the past - i.e. second.

You see... we cannot hold time still. It slips away every moment.

So, whether we do it right or wrong the first time... it's done! We don't get a second chance with time. What we imprint in the "firsts" becomes "seconds" in time. And forever imprinted. In history. In memory.

So what memories are you making? What history are you making?

I'm including a blog from THAT'S MY GIRL (Janielle Beh) that I thought was so well articulated. I'm proud of her and how she is growing up to be the kind of gal that God plans for her to be.

Here's a shot from her blog:

Footprints in My Heart

My dad once said, “Life is made up of memories.”

That includes good and bad memories. Your memories of the past will most probably make up what you are today.

It’s extremely important that we leave good memories in the life of others. In everything you do, make a good impression out of it.

When you meet someone who hasn’t met you before, how do you give an impression of yourself? If you were grumpy and in a bad mood, the person would probably remember you as “an ill-mannered and unfriendly person” for the rest of his or her life. It’s all in our memories of each other.

Each time I meet someone, I tell myself that I will leave “footprints” in the heart of this person.

What difference do you make in the lives of the people you know? Do you stand out enough to leave positive memories of yourself in their lives?

Of course, no one can keep a smiling and ever-cheerful face all the time. But still, first, and even last impressions are very vital.

Remember the recent Nurin case that we all know and grieve about? Imagine what shock the parents and all the relatives must have! The parents refused to believe it was their daughter because the truth was too haunting and sickening to behold. They obviously couldn’t recognize her because after all the pain and suffering she went through, how could she possibly look the same? How could she still have the same cheery and child-like face?

My dad was telling me that the relatives didn’t necessarily have to help identify the girl’s dead body. Imagine! That will be their final impression of the poor girl. All their lives the memory of her dead and lifeless body will be impressed upon their minds. It’s scary, you know… Of course, memories of “happier days” will still be at a corner of their minds, but the last time they actually saw her was when she was frozen and dull.

Which memory do you think would stick to them more? And it’s not as if she looked in a very peaceful state. All the innocence would have been drained out of her face. No more sweetness, no more smiles.

Memories are what we keep with us for the rest of our lives. Some memories will fade away, but most will stay. And I’m not talking about what memories you have of other people, you know.

I’m talking about what memories YOU impress in the lives of others. Ultimately, only YOU can determine what memories you want to leave in the hearts of your friends, your loved ones, and all those around you. And do make sure they’re worth remembering.

"I want to leave footprints in your heart. But are you gonna’ leave some in mine?" ;) -

For many people, time continues to slip away. The seconds while away as memories are imprinted randomly. BUT WHAT DOES IT MATTER to you?

Indeed, WHAT DOES IT MATTER?

Youths Today What Tomorrow?

2007-09-27T19:45:00.000-07:00

Generations come and generations go.

Teens when the country celebrated Merdeka are today's senior citizens.

What happens in between is a matter of choice.

Yes, Joel. You're right on the bingo dot! It's about choices!

Look around you and for a moment and soak in the sights. Not just with your eyes but with your heart. And you'll see what I see.

Judges in the Bible describe cycles of rebellion, retribution, repentance, and rescue. The Israelites sinned repeatedly bringing on their heads dire consequences. Then each time, God raised a judge to deliver them when they repented and cried for mercy. But after each rescue, they slipped into sin again.

The book began and end with the main thought: The people did as they pleased because they had no king. Interestingly, right after that in the book of Samuel, God finally gave the people a king. The first king, Saul, messed up his life and the nation.

So it wasn't about an earthly king that God was concerned with. The Israelites forgot their KING and asked instead for a king. So basically, the Israelites rejected God.

Today, we find the same cycles of 4 Rs in the church today. The problem is some people wander off or got carried away by plunderers. Others never repented, and so are still in the dungeons of their own rebellion. Many are running to and fro churches looking for something that makes them happy, feel good, wanted, important, and the list goes on.

The solution is not out there. It's not looking for the perfect or better church. It's not looking for the better preacher. It's not looking for the better music band. It's not looking for the better facilities. It's not looking for the better feel. It's not looking for the better king.

Because the KING is right here. In their hearts. Unless of course, they have REJECTED the KING.

Subtle huh?

Never thought of it that way huh?

Anyways, WHAT DOES IT MATTER to you?

If it matters, it matters.

If it doesn't, then it doesn't.

The journey continues... the hunt for the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow continues.. the search for your king continues.

What does the Church say when families break down?

2007-09-27T01:56:00.000-07:00

The Federal Court is postponing making a decision in the appeal of a woman, Subashini, 28, trying to prevent her Muslim-convert husband from dissolving their marriage in the Syariah Court and converting their second son.

This is simply because the judgment is critical as it affects similar cases in the future.

Earlier in September last year, the Kuala Lumpur High Court had dismissed Subashini’s application to stop her husband Saravanan, 31, from resolving their marital problems in the Syariah Court.

When the case was brought to the Court of Appeal on March 13, the three judges had ruled in a 2-1 majority ordering her to take her divorce and custody claims to the Syariah Court.

However, thankfully, two weeks later, the same panel in a majority judgment, granted an injunction preventing Saravanan from initiating or continuing with any proceedings in the syariah courts or converting their younger son.

Meanwhile, both Subashini and Saravanan have yet to finalise their divorce. In the midst of all these, their two children – Dharvin Joshua, 4, and Sharvin, 1, are in limbo.

But I supposed they have been that way for awhile. While they may not fully understand what's going on around them, I'm sure the two have been picking up negative vibes from their parents and those embroiled in the fracas.

What we're looking at is a situation that points to two things:

One. The stand and role of the church in matters like this.

Two. Also the condition of families in the country. Which all of us know is not limited to unbelievers. We are all too familiar with dysfunctional homes among Christians.

For the first part, we know that the Christian Federation of Malaysia (CFM) has expressed its concern over the decision of the Court of Appeal. In a press statement in March, the federation stressed that the Federal Constitution, as the supreme law of Malaysia, should secure the rights of all non-Muslim citizens in seeking justice in civil courts.

Bishop Paul Tan, the Chairman of CFM concluded by urging all elected members of Parliament to defend the Constitution and safeguard the rights of non-Muslim citizens.

For your information, the Christian Federation of Malaysia, incorporating the Council of Churches of Malaysia (CCM), the National Evangelical Christian Fellowship (NECF), and the Roman Catholics, was formed in 1986.

But what about the second point?

Are you aware of the pain around us? Are you part of this kind of pain?

What does it matter to you?

Baby Tanya

2007-09-26T07:59:00.000-07:00

A time to be born.

This is a picture of Carl's month-old daughter. He'smy diving kaki in Phuket. He's Swedish and married a Thai wife. He runs a dive shop in Kamala Bay. I'm looking forward to diving with his outfit when I take teams out to Phuket at least once a year.

Remember you were once a delicate, chubby, cute, drooling, excitable goo-goo gaa-ga, angelic and trusting babe like Tanya.

But how are you today?

Maybe not as delicate with acne volcanoes erupting all over your face as you go through your hormonal storms.

Maybe still chubby with baby fat clinging on as your body prepares for post-teen growth. Some have lost the fat and are down-right skinny. While others are fat. Thankfully, none humongous that I know of.

Cute? Most of you are simply cute. Thankfully still.

Drooling? Yes. Better tuck in that tongue and smack in your lips shut. With the puddle of saliva all over, one'd think you have no self-control at all. Food. Movies. Music. Hunks. Pretty lasses.

Angelic? You tell me!

Excitable and trusting? Whaddya think?

O well. What does it matter. We're all going through a phase. What matters is how we'll turn out tomorrow.

Fighting in the Church

2007-09-25T01:51:00.000-07:00

In an interview with Leadership Journal, Bill Hybels, founder of Willow Creek Community Church in South Barrington, Illinois, with a 17500 congregation weekly, and who at age 52, leads a network of 10,500 churches and trains more than 100,000 pastors each year, has this to say about fighting in the church.

Bill Hybels: Unity isn't the word we use to describe relationships at Willow Creek. The popular concept of unity is a fantasyland where disagreements never surface and contrary opinions are never stated with force. We expect disagreement, forceful disagreement. So instead of unity, we use the word community.

The mark of community—true biblical unity—is not the absence of conflict. It's the presence of a reconciling spirit.

This was one of the quotes that inspired and challenged me early in my ministry.

Today, I strive to live by this biblical principle. In the words of Steven Covey: High courage, High consideration.

Dr Mahathir's Third Operation

2007-09-23T05:47:00.000-07:00

Yesterday Tun Dr Mahathir was operated on the third time in Institute Jantung Negara. Despite his age and weak condition, thankfully, the operation went through successfully and he is now under post-cardiac surgery care and monitoring for the next 36 hours.

Surprisingly, when I read his daughter, Marina's blog post, I sort of felt for the man, wishing that he would survive, in spite of all the negative vibes about his past leadership dealings in the country.

Apparently an infection had developed 18 days later where he was cut up during his second heart bypass. The same team that worked on him had to do another surgery to rid the infection. After five hours of nervous waiting, the family greeted him as he was wheeled out of the operating theatre.

Dr Mahathir got through the operation fine.

Life is short and fragile. For some, 83 years is a long time. But compared to eternity, it's merely a sniff in time.

The richest, most powerful and famous man in the world may live to a ripe old age of 120. Even then, that is merely a longer sniff in time.

So how are the rest of us mortals planning to make good our short journey on earth? We who are less rich, less powerful, and less famous?

Does our sniff get smaller because we've achieved less? How do we measure up on God's larger blueprint? Surely, the world's standards are not God's. And if we truly believe that, then how is it that we so often find outselves trying to live by the world's approval instead of God's?

What does it matter?

Any thoughts on this?

BRAIN DAMAGE

2007-09-09T20:26:00.000-07:00

We just read in the news that the war in Iraq is far from over. Osama bin Laden has just released a video calling on America to convern to Islam or face the wrath of Allah in the hands of his executioners a.k.a Al Qaeda.

But what's that to you?

As far as most of us are concerned, life goes on, eh... our exams, this evening's Paradise music pleasure, our next plate of nasi lemak, and catching a movie later this week.

And meanwhile, thousands of US troops have been diagnosed with traumatic brain injury, or TBI.

What's that again?

The people on the streets like and me call it plainly - brain damage.

But hey, wait a minute, you say. Brain damage??? I know what's that.

Yes, I'm sure you do.

But let me tell you what brain damage is and see if you find similarities among those in our midst.

Those coming back from the war in Iraq experience blast-caused head injuries that are so different from the ones doctors are used to seeing from falls and car crashes so much so that treating them is as much faith as it is science.

As more troops return from the war, their brain damage makes them unable to continue a normal life and hold a steady job. The damage may not just be physical but physiological, psychological, and yes, spiritual.

Most of these young fighters recover within a year. But one-fifth of the troops will have prolonged or lifelong symptoms and need continuing care.

Why?

People with TBI have frequent headaches, dizziness, and trouble concentrating and sleeping. They may be depressed, irritable and confused, and easily provoked or distracted. Speech or vision also can be impaired. Some sufferers have been misdiagnosed with personality disorders. Others have lost jobs because of unrecognized and untreated symptoms.

Hmmm. Are there people around you who exhibit such symptoms? Are you one of them?

While the soldiers got their brains damaged in the line of duty under fire, some of us get ours from a different kind of pressure. We see many people behave in funny ways around us as a result of coming under fire in our urban lifestyle.

Even in church?

What does it matter?

What do you think?

Malaysia Boleh

2007-09-04T08:04:00.001-07:00

Did you know the tune of our National Anthem was taken from an old song, Mamula Moon? Check it out. The slow waltzy sleepy draggy coconut tree swaying with the ocean waves rushing the shore kind of music

knot Sure

2007-09-02T17:40:00.000-07:00

Most of us are a bundle of tangled knots and loose ends. A result of twirling around frivolous talk and habits as well as lashing onto the wrong things in life.

So learn the right knots and when to use which in different situations.

Is it any wonder some ropes are so knotted they are of no use anymore? And you have to cut it off into smaller strands for some menial use or else just trash it? Frightening huh?

Let's look at a couple of examples:

The bowline is a yatchman's favourite. It is sure and strong and easy to undo.

The sailor's knot or anchor's bend works wonders in wet conditions and is known to be the strongest, and yet it doesn't snag and is easily untied.

But aha, did you know that the figure of eight or stopper knot is one that you purposely make to make sure the rope doesn't frazzle at the ends?

The sheepshank knot is used to shorten a length of rope or to strengthen parts of it that are chaffed or frazzled. Amazing how this technique can redeem an otherwise unusable portion.

One last knot to go. The most common and popular knots that most people know and use frequently, like to tie the opening of a sack, a parcel, or a bundle of newspapers. It's the reef knot. Easy and quick.

DO YOU KNOW YOUR KNOTS? Learn them well and use them in the right time and right place for best results. Otherwise, things come off. Things break loose. Things are lashed so tight you need surgery to cut them loose, and THAT would be nasty. Worse when you are in a hurry and you don't have a knife with you.

So what's this post about?

Still not sure? It's not just about knots. It's about the nots you must beware in life. The nots you must apply and know when.

I could go on and on. But then, I'm not so sure too many knots in one post would leave you more knotted than not.

Heh heh.

Three Minutes to September

2007-08-31T11:57:00.000-07:00

Regrets I've had a few

But then again

Too few to mention

Frank Sinatra belted out these lyrics in his hit song "I did it my way" that even our former prime minister Tun Mahathir sang in one of his farewell bashes.

Before I go crying about how I've failed to blog consistently this month, I'd like to salute all you buggers, opps, bloggers I mean, for your passion in journaling online your most sacred moments to your silliest spells day after day without skipping a heartbeat, although some of you might have stopped a few hearts when you go C#@* colourful with your language.

Now, we all have our regrets. But he who looks back is like someone trying to cycle looking backwards. Ever done that?

Let's pull to the side of the road if need be, check our bearings and our gear, then kick off again to a clear strong course.

September. Another month to make history.

Oh yes. The picture I posted is a one year old shot I took with some of my 1983 former St John's Institution get-together. Wondering how many of us have one too many regrets to handle?

You're get to that age one fine day. Oh well, maybe that age but let's hope it'll be a fine day for you when you get there by God's grace.

Dont' take nothing for granted, yes?