Virtues

• Honesty is respect for Truth
• Compassion is Love of others
• Valor is Courage to stand up against risks
• Justice is Truth, tempered by Love
• Sacrifice is Courage to give oneself in name of Love
• Honor is Courage to seek and uphold the Truth
• Spirituality is to seek Truth, Love and Courage from one's own self and the world around
• Humility is the opposite of Pride - the absence of Truth, Love or Courage

FORGIVEN by Thomas Blackshear

This painting features a contemporary man in a pose of despair and more than ready to fall on the ground (hmm...macam saya!!). Notice that in one hand he was holding a mallet and the other a large spike. What it reminds us of? The absolute truth that each of us (hereinafter the word "us/we" is inclusive of myself) is responsible for Christ's death on the cross (so dun blame either the Jews or Pontius Pilate again!). IT is a strong reminder that we are nailing Jesus on the cross again and again everytime we fall into sin. YET, he is there everytime trying to lift us up.

Christ's love still shines in the face of the wretch humanity that destroys, destroys and continue to destroys!!! But Christ forgives, forgives and still forgives.

I pray that God will forgive our blindness to His presence in our life.

I found Allies!!!???

As i was reading Matthew 26:53 which read as follows:

"Do you think that I cannot call upon my Father and he will not provide me at this moment with more than twelve legions of angels?"

Hmm...., would this verse implies to mean that since I am a child of God, would I be able to call on the angelic to assist me when i need help also?

Great! Finally I found something to do. As i was looking through all the notes, magazine and books i could find in my library, Psalm 91 was repeatedly mentioned in respect on the topics of Angels.

"You who dwell in the shelter of the Most High, who abide in the shadow of the Almighty,
Say to the LORD, "My refuge and fortress, my God in whom I trust."
God will rescue you from the fowler's snare, from the destroying plague,
Will shelter you with pinions, spread wings that you may take refuge; God's faithfulness is a protecting shield.

You shall not fear the terror of the night nor the arrow that flies by day,
Nor the pestilence that roams in darkness, nor the plague that ravages at noon.
Though a thousand fall at your side, ten thousand at your right hand, near you it shall not come.
You need simply watch; the punishment of the wicked you will see.
You have the LORD for your refuge; you have made the Most High your stronghold.
No evil shall befall you, no affliction come near your tent.

For God commands the angels to guard you in all your ways.

With their hands they shall support you, lest you strike your foot against a stone.
You shall tread upon the asp and the viper, trample the lion and the dragon.
Whoever clings to me I will deliver; whoever knows my name I will set on high.
All who call upon me I will answer; I will be with them in distress; I will deliver them and give them honor.

With length of days I will satisfy them and show them my saving power. "

Psalm 91 says that God will provides for all His children who find themselves in dangerous circumstances. And HE promises to rescue us from: the snare of the Fowler, the destroying pestilence, the terror by night, the arrow by day, and from plagues, the wicked, evil, and affliction.

Psalm 91 did use the words "For God commands the angels to guard you in all your ways...". Then in verse 13, it says, "you shall tread upon the asp and the viper; trample the lion and the dragon". Hmm...notice that it says, "you shall". So It is "I/we" who do it! By what power? By the power of God, of course. That is "our" authority!!!. Paul did say that "if God is for us, who can be against us?" (Rom 8:31). So if God is for us, logically everything that is of God is for us, too. (right?). If i am correct, then we should always call on the angelic to fight the battle for us in the spiritual realm. Not forgetting that We will even judge the angels (1Cor.6:3).

I hope i am right on this, Cornel any comments?

兩個天使 [Two Angels]

有兩位天使來到一個富有的家庭，想在那裡過夜。這個家庭態度粗魯，且拒絕讓天使住在他們的客房裡，只肯讓他們睡在冰冷的地下室。

當他們在硬梆梆的地板上鋪床時，比較年長的天使看到牆上有一個洞，就把它補起來。年輕的那位天使看到他這樣做，就問他為什麼？年長的天使回答說：「事情不像表面上看起來的那樣」。

第二天，這對天使來到一個很窮的家，但是住在這裡的農夫和他的太太卻十分好客。他們與天使分享僅有的少量食物之後，讓他們睡在他們自己的床上，好使他們好好睡一晚。第二天早上，天亮, 天使發現這位農夫和他的太太在哭泣，因為供應他們牛奶、帶來唯一收入的一頭乳牛，死在田裡。

年輕的天使很生氣地問年長的天使：「你怎麼可以讓這事發生？第一個人什麼都有，你卻幫助他。」他接著指控說：「第二個家庭雖然擁有那麼少，卻樂於分享一切，你卻讓他們的乳牛死掉！」

那位年長的天使回答說：「事情不像表面上看起來那樣。當我們在這家的地下室過夜時，我注意到牆壁的洞裡藏著黃金，既然這家的主人如此貪婪，又不願意與人分享他的財富，所以我就把這洞封起來，免得讓他找到。而最後一晚我們睡在農夫的床上，死亡之神來找他的太太，我用那頭乳牛來代替她，事情不像表面上看起來那樣。」

有時候事情發生的剛好不是它應該發生的樣子，如果你有信心，你只需要信任每個結果都會對你有好處，雖然你可能後來才會知道。

Here is the EG translation:

Two traveling angels stopped to spend the night in the home of a wealthy family.

The family was rude and refused to let the angels stay in the mansion's guest room.

Instead the angels were given a small space in the cold basement.

As they made their bed on the hard floor, the older angel saw a hole in the wall and repaired it.

When the younger angel asked why, the older angel replied, "Things aren't always what they seem."

The next night the pair came to rest at the house of a very poor, but very hospitable farmer and his wife.

After sharing what little food they had the couple let the angels sleep in their bed where they could have a good night's rest.

When the sun came up the next morning the angels found the farmer and his wife in tears.

Their only cow, whose milk had been their sole income, lay dead in the field.

The younger angel was infuriated and asked the older angel how could you have let this happen?

The first man had everything, yet you helped him, she accused.

The second family had little but was willing to share everything, and you let the cow die.

"Things aren't always what they seem," the older angel replied.

"When we stayed in the basement of the mansion, I noticed there was gold stored in that hole in the wall.

Since the owner was so obsessed with greed and unwilling to share his good fortune, I sealed the wall so he wouldn't find it."

"Then last night as we slept in the farmers bed, the angel of death came for his wife. I gave him the cow instead.

Things aren't always what they seem."

Sometimes that is exactly what happens when things don't turn out the way they should. If you have faith, you just need to trust that every out come is always to your advantage. You might not know it until some time later...

Food for thought:

Some people come into our lives

and quickly go.

Some people become friends

and stay a while...

leaving beautiful footprints on our Hearts

and we are never quite the same

because we have made a good friend!!

Yesterday is history. Tomorrow a mystery. Today is a gift. That's why it's called the present!

I think this is special...live and savor every moment....

FRIENDS, PERHAPS Right Now -

somebody is very proud of you.

somebody is thinking of you.

somebody is caring about you.

somebody misses yous.

somebody wants to talk to you.

somebody wants to be with you.

somebody hopes you aren't in trouble.

somebody is thankful for the support you have provided.

somebody wants to hold your hand.

somebody hopes everything turns out all right.

somebody wants you to be happy.

somebody wants you to find him/her.

somebody is celebrating your successes.

somebody wants to give you a gift.

somebody thinks that you ARE a gift.

somebody loves you.

somebody admires your strength.

somebody is thinking of you and smiling.

somebody wants to be your shoulder to cry on.

P/s: Sam, Tambi, Jay, Mit, Jan, Lyn, i miss YOU ALL!!! HOPE to see you guys soon.

To whom it may concern:

I am not too good in giving advises in this sort of crisis. So please take this as my considered view only. I do not think that you are being too choosy. It is absolutely reasonable and obvious that you do not want to make a quick and wrong decision. And I concur. So, I am sure you will find the perfect girl for you. But please bear in mind that I do not think this girl should be 100 percent perfect as this never exists. Draw a list in your mind of the kind of attributes you seek in a partner. Try to get a girl that fits most of your criteria and bridge the remaining gaps through communication. Thats is the best way I think. Oh, the most important thing is pray without ceasing......................................................(for the rest of the advice, please check your email, OKAY)

(credits should be given to Vinny also, Vinny, you know what I mean)

Why do good people suffer?

After my usual fellowship with Cornel at the SHC Canteen (not omitting the fact that he also complaining why it took me so long to finish my cup of KoPi O), then I proceeded to my office.

Routine, routine and routine, to sit down and check my email. While browsing through my inbox, I note that there is a new mail from my good friend from KL. Knowing the fact that what he had being through, in his mail, he posed a classic question to me: WHY DO GOOD PEOPLE SUFFER?” Hmm….I does recall last year my friend did ask me exactly the same question. (right Vinny?). Is this a true fact of life (rebuttable or irrefutable?)

Over the years in my journey of faith, I have the opportunity of meeting people from various classes of life (this includes people who are non-Christian). More often than not, other does like to share their problem with me. It is not such a big problem of keeping all of the sharing to me (in secret and P & C!) However, the obstacle I faced is really how not to get myself emotionally and personally involved!!!

So, I do have question too. Why God? Why do good people always have to suffer? Perhaps, the exact and correct answer only God knows. But what I do know is that one primary reason God allows us to suffer is so we can identify with others in our prayers. Until and unless we suffer, we tend to stereotype others who suffer as inferior and weak. (Hmm… may be something he did in his past life…No, no, no, cancel that in Jesus name, Christian dun believe in reincarnation!!!). Consequently, we have little patience with them without realizing the truth that (may be the absolute truth) Christ lived among the rejected and suffering.


So at the end of the day, when you avoid pain, you limit your usefulness to God. But when you suffer and through the comfort you receive in your trials, you may learn to comfort other. (Perhaps you may want to check 2 Cor 1:4 which implies that if we have never needed comforting, we won’t know how to comfort others.)

Under the circumstances, you may be able to pray effectively for others since you can identify with their needs, spiritually and emotionally, you would be able to feel what they feel and understand their hurts. In short, when you share in another’s pain, trust me, you will pray with an earnestness you have never known before.

Please dun forget that God is always with us, He felt what we felt and He will never abandon us.

As a psalmist would sing:

"Though the fires burn around me
Though the tempest rage and roar
And the cares of life come to steal my heart away

Though the giant stand before me
Though the enemies draw near
And the voices come to discourage and dismay

You prepare a table for me
And You bid me come and dine and I rest in peace
With a confidence divine
I will stand on the hope I have in you
I can rest in the hope I have in You
I can walk in the hope I have in You"

By the way, for those interested in knowing the theological aspect of it you may want to read the following reference:

Excerpts from the Encyclical Letter of John Paul II, Feb. 11, 1984- “Salvific Doloris”- on Christian Meaning of Human Suffering:

“Human suffering evokes compassion; it also evokes respect, and in its own way it intimidates.” “Insofar as the words "suffering" and "pain", can, up to a certain degree, be used as synonyms, physical suffering is present when "the body is hurting" in some way, whereas moral suffering is "pain of the soul". In fact, it is a question of pain of a spiritual nature, and not only of the "psychological" dimension of pain which accompanies both moral and physical suffering The vastness and the many forms of moral suffering are certainly no less in number than the forms of physical suffering. But at the same time, moral suffering seems as it were less identified and less reachable by therapy.”

“Christianity proclaims the essential good of existence and the good of that which exists, acknowledges the goodness of the Creator and proclaims the good of creatures.”

“Love is also the richest source of the meaning of suffering, which always remains a mystery: we are conscious of the insufficiency and inadequacy of our explanations.”

Safe Journey Unfailing Love!!!

One of my virtual friend is goin to Redang tomorrow (eh AM i hope i got the destination right), arGHHH!!!.... how i wish i can take some days off for a holiday, so I goin to miss her for a while. Cant kacau her until she's back (hmm....how come lately most of my virtual friends are not in town? IC in Sg now, VC in KL now and TT in China!!!!)

Today i have an interesting chat with my little sister (she always call me Tai Lu) on gal and guy relationship. Guess, after the long conversation with her, i starting to understand why some gals behave like that, hehehehe.....

Aiyo, so late oredi, better go sleep now otherwise tomorrow cant make it to church again. I had missed my mass tis morning, seem like HE is not very happy with it. Lucky Terry L din buzz me today, so no homework tonight.

By the way, HK congra of you winning the big case today, you have JP twice this week!!! I am really proud of you. Gd9.

My Father's Love Letter

You may not know me, but I know everything about you.
I know when you sit down and when you rise up.
I am familiar with all your ways.

Even the very hairs on your head are numbered.
For you were made in my image.
In me you live and move and have your being.
For you are my offspring.
I knew you even before you were conceived.
I chose you when I planned creation.
You were not a mistake, for all your days are written in my book.
I determined the exact time of your birth and where you would live.
You are fearfully and wonderfully made.
I knit you together in your mother's womb.
And brought you forth on the day you were born.
I have been misrepresented by those who don't know me.
I am not distant and angry, but am the complete expression of love.
And it is my desire to lavish my love on you.
Simply because you are my child and I am your Father.
I offer you more than your earthly father ever could.
For I am the perfect father.

Every good gift that you receive comes from my hand.
For I am your provider and I meet all your needs.
My plan for your future has always been filled with hope.
Because I love you with an everlasting love.
My thoughts toward you are countless as the sand on the seashore.
And I rejoice over you with singing.
I will never stop doing good to you.
For you are my treasured possession.
I desire to establish you with all my heart and all my soul.
And I want to show you great and marvelous things.
If you seek me with all your heart, you will find me.
Delight in me and I will give you the desires of your heart.
For it is I who gave you those desires.
I am able to do more for you than you could possibly imagine.
For I am your greatest encourager.

I am also the Father who comforts you in all your troubles.
When you are brokenhearted, I am close to you.
As a shepherd carries a lamb, I have carried you close to my heart.
One day I will wipe away every tear from your eyes.
And I'll take away all the pain you have suffered on this earth.
I am your Father, and I love you even as I love my son, Jesus.
For in Jesus, my love for you is revealed.
He is the exact representation of my being.
He came to demonstrate that I am for you, not against you.
And to tell you that I am not counting your sins.
Jesus died so that you and I could be reconciled.
His death was the ultimate expression of my love for you.
I gave up everything I loved that I might gain your love.
If you receive the gift of my son Jesus, you receive me.
And nothing will ever separate you from my love again.
Come home and I'll throw the biggest party heaven has ever seen.
I have always been Father, and will always be Father.
My question is…Will you be my child?
I am waiting for you.

Love, Your Dad.

Hurray! I in now. This is ONLY A trial post, I STILL need time to get use to it.