Oh Malaysia

With all the ugly things we are hearing on Malaysian news so near to our Independence Day... here's a different tune. I learnt this in kindergarten, and found it in an old song book:

On the shore beyond the tropical seas
You will stand to welcome me
On the shore beneath the sky so blue
All my dreams at least will come true
Oh Malaysia, land of glory
Where I found my heart's true love
Soon we'll be meeting, dear Malaysia
You will be forevermore

--> hear the song here

Church Camp 2009

Church Camp 2009:
Knowing God and Making Him Known
August 23-26, 2009
Genting View Resort
Rev. Ronnie Chin

I was trying to be excited and to infuse enthusiasm for this camp. We had prayer and fasting for a week before the camp (which I hope would prepare our spirits to receive from God) but some how I could not feel excited. I was exhausted and disappointed. I could not feel the enthusiasm I was trying to portray. I felt like a hypocrite.

But I've always been bound to my sense of responsibilities and was determined to see the entire thing through. I had begun to feel stressed over the enormous amount of work to be done and the standard that I had initially felt I had to live up to. I had to give my best, and yet my heart was always more for people and ministry than the details of organizing. I would rather forgo getting things perfectly in place if there was someone who needed that time in the world. I had always seen need over want, tears over comfort. I decided it was time to get back to the basics, to rock the boats of complacency. (yes, I decided. LOL)


(awaiting more pics) Note: pics were copied from various Facebook albums

I want to thank God, though, that I was able to take the entire thing in stride - organizing the camp, ministering to the youth, finishing my assignment, and finding time to refresh myself in God, on top of celebrating Ann's birthday. It sounds insane even as I think about it now. However, I know that it was by God's grace that I felt un-tension and un-panicky and un-stressed. Now that's the miracle. Though I was tired, I was OK. He lifted me in His wings and I was okay. In fact, I had enough strength and heart to minister, counsel, stay awake.

The very first night God had met me and given me 'just enough strength to live for today', as the song goes. Sometimes when we are looking for a way out, God says I'll give you grace to hang on. Sometimes when you want an answer for something, God says you don't need to know but trust me. It's infuriating but God is looking for faith. And then I stood up and said 'it is well with my soul'. And then I turn around and begin to be His vessel.

On another note. My crazy bunch of youth. They may be noisy and many other things, but I'm blinded to those other things. =) They are the first at the altar. They step up to pray for others. They are excited. They are willing to be transparent with God. They obey. They are easier than adults. LOL!!! (oops..)

Justin, say it again! Aspirers rocks! Pictures

Media Fast

Aspirers declared a "media fast" from the 16th to 22nd August. Everything media related from TV to newspaper, messengers to blogging.. everything listed on the poster below. It was a dedication to remove all distraction from our lives that hinder us from hearing God.

We live in a world that has so much distraction and influences from everywhere else that competes for your attention and focus and very soul. This fast was to learn to remove all these distraction and influence (kinda like detox). And I kid you not, it's not easy.

In fact, this kinda fast is not really heard of. But I feel it may be practical, workable and good in this era that we are living in. So Aspirers, to check the effectiveness of this media fast, click here. Your poll will help in future programs. Thanks!

New Age Influences

(this was blogged during the media fast but posted only after)

Here's something I was reading in the library on New Age Movements*:

"This pervasive resurgence of New Age paganism takes many forms, including cartoons on television and children's movies. Examples are Captain Planet, He-Man and the Masters of the Universe, The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, The Power Rangers, The Lion King, and Pocahontas."
– H. Wayne House, Charts of Cults, Sects and Religious Movements.

That is ridiculous. I watched those cartoons all those years back…

That's a scary thought isn't it? We're all being prepared and swayed into this thought process unconsciously.

*New Age Movements (such as Theosophy, Scientology, Silva Mind Control, etc) basically throws all previous religious identification with God out of the window and claims that such feelings of separation with God is a falsity that blinds one and causes all his problems in life. Thus, by altering one's consciousness through different techniques (i.e. meditation), one will achieve the self-realization that Self is God.

Tony Romas

Another strike of my list. Now I can say I've been to Tony Romas. I've heard both extremes of reviews of this place but I liked the place. It met my expectation. Will I come back? Maybe but obviously not too often. Less than seldom too.
Good food, nice ambiance, awesome company. What more can one ask for? It's the epitome of a good night out.I was taught a Chinese saying: "sam seong si seng". The English equivalent of it would probably be "wishes come true" but it doesn't resonate the same. Basically, my translation is that God indulges us sometimes, to remind us that he loves us. It's the small things. When your loved ones fulfill your little desires, they really know you. But don't forget God behind the scene.

To my friends, you are precious.

To God, you're the ONLY one for me.

My Birthday

Dear Diary,

Today is my birthday. And I thought I might have a quiet one this time. But chance has it that I didn't.

The day started at midnight, at a mamak store nearby. With the Yeohs singing the birthday chorus horribly a couple of times. I thank God I was facing the other way. It was too embarassing. I was pretty much lost for words.

I woke up later than usual with the song Boom boom boom and Great is the Lord remix. Go figure that out! After dressing my best (in the short time), picture with my new toy, I dragged myself to work, walking in 15minutes after devotion had and started. Oops. Bad start.

I had decided the day before that this year, I will thank every single person that wish me. By whatever means I am wished, their simple thought counted for me. It should mean something. So I spent the ENTIRE day replying sms, emails, facebook wishes. I had no idea how tedious it could be. But I wanted to personally thank everyone - not just a template msg. I barely worked the entire day...

Ann came for lunch. So together with my two trusty work day lunch partners, ETC and Matt, we went to Pizza Italia (with almost all the food ETC could not eat). It poured cats and dogs so we decided to wait for the pizza to be ready. Yummy! We overate big time! But I couldn't help it! =) We got free ice creams too

I was feeling guilty from taking such a long break that we rushed back to the office as soon as we could, to find a bouquet of flowers and a cake. Aaawww.... That's a tick off my 'wants-list'. I love my flowers! I have not received any for 8 years now. I don't care that it's from a girl. LOL. Flowers have a very simple way of melting my heart. (It's now sitting glaringly on my desk, right at the foot of my bed) The office had a little celebration of our own. It was nicer than usual.

I spent the evening like any Wednesday evening: TV, rest, and getting ready for prayer meeting. I knew that the youths would probably plan something or other. And of course they did. After a good prayer meeting (with the number smaller than usual), we had a song and a cake. One of the youth prayed for me voluntarily and I was very touched. Plenty of hugs! =)

After a short mamak, I'm back home and writing this entry. There should be a Perseid Meteor shower tonight. I hope I get to see it at least but the sky is too cloudy to see anything. It should be beautiful. But I need to end my day by thanking my Creator, without whom I won't be here. This should be Your celebration too, my God. I love You....

p/s: I should have done some assigment. Man, i'm going to suffer from not doing it....

Good night.

in today's news...

In today's news, H1N1 virus is not the only virus going around. What the newspaper term as ILI or Influenza-like Illness is spreading across the nation like ... well like any air-bound virus.

News here.

This is the very same virus that has been going around and rendering you guys sick, Aspirers. One after another.

So do take care of yourselves guys...

Survey for my Research

I'm doing a research paper on the globalized multicultural malaysian youth. So I'm doing a survey to see how much our generation and the youth today know about our own culture or are we completely westernized. This survey is opened to 13-29years old Malaysian ONLY. It is opened to anyone so please do send this on to anyone you want who fits the criteria. As many and varied as possible will be great. Pretty please...

Please click the link below and do the survey for me.
Survey closes on August 21st. Yea I need it soon. Last minute work ;P
http://www.eSurveysPro.com/Survey.aspx?id=4a0cf892-5659-46ca-9d6a-e5087828afc1

Thanks for your participation!

Globalization and Information Technology

There is a shift happening in our world today, for those who area aware enough or willing to admit. A shift that benefits the next generation in the way we think, do things and live. We are living in the consequences of a previous generation - consequences we never thought possible, now the only reality. We need to rethink the way we do thinks.



It's a technology revolution. How it has changed the world as we know it. What will the world be tomorrow? Are we ready? Can we cope?

Someone Special

This is for someone special.

You never know where you'll be down the years or who'll be there.

You never know if what you did or who you are can be shared.

You never know.


This is for someone special.

Happy Birthday!