Chinese New Year in Penang

My family and I spend the Chinese New Year Holidays in Penang together with our family friend from Indonesia, Pastor Kurnia Ginat (extreme left) and his wife Ibu Yeni (right) and their daughters, Vieren (in front of Pak Kurnia) and Faviola (the little girl in pink). This photograph, with my wife and daughter was taken at Batu Ferringhi on Feb 26. Those not in the picture are me, Dr. Mulyadi (Ibu Yeni's brother) and Nathan (their son).
It was a good trip but tiring. While we were in Penang, my good friends Rev Ezekiel Panier Selvam, Pastor Richard Pany and Pastor Asong were holidaying in Bandung, Indonesia.

Renewal Conference

Noel Robinson is passionate about the power of worship, but not only a worship of words, music and song. Rather, Noel is seeking the kind of worship that comes from a place not seen with the ordinary eye, but rather deep within the spirit.

That’s why he is pulling together top worship leaders for Renewal, the first of what he hopes will become a regular conference at different locations across the UK to take worship to the next level – in whatever shape or form that might be!

“I just felt like God wants to use the power of worship in us, not just the songs, not just the music, but the power of worship in us,” said Noel, founder of Kingdom Worship Movement.

“I love that song that says ‘when the music fades and all is stripped away’. I think that is such a prophetic song for our time because the music has faded for a lot of people and they are looking for something more real.”

Hence the Renewal Conference aims not only to give people the skills they need to make worship a lifestyle, but it also wants to serve as a platform for God to ignite people’s hearts and help them realise their God-given purpose.

“When God spoke to me about Renewal he said: What happens to the people in the pews on the Sunday morning? Are they empowered? Or when Monday morning comes are they just back to an ordinary week? Do they just go to the church for a top-up and then by Friday they are needing to get back to church? God is saying I want people to bring their worship to the marketplace. I want people to be able to bring their worship so that the Kingdom of God is a vehicle.”

He urged Christians not to see worship as something done in addition to their daily jobs, pointing to the words of Jesus to the Samaritan woman by the well, that the Father is seeking those who will worship in Spirit and in truth.

Source: Christian Today

Setialah kepada Yesus sampai mati

Ini hanya sekadar suatu peringatan kepada kita supaya sentiasa bersedia untuk "setia sampai mati".
"Dan ia menyebabkan, sehingga kepada semua orang, kecil dan besar, kaya atau miskin, merdeka atau hamba, diberi tanda pada tangan kanannya atau pada dahinya dan tidak seorangpun dapat membeli atau menjual selain dari pada mereka yang memakai tanda itu, yaitu nama binatang itu atau bilangan namanya.
Yang penting di sini adalah hikmat: barangsiapa yang bijaksana, baiklah ia menghitung bilangan binatang itu, kerana bilangan itu adalah bilangan seorang manusia, dan bilangannya ialah enam ratus enam puluh enam." - Wahyu 13: 16-18.

Thinking modern or modern thinking?

Tired of being the butt of local jokes about being ulu (backward), some Dayak Orang Ulu (interior people) in Sarawak are looking for a name that will do the community proud. ‘Lun Daya’ has been suggested by Federation of Orang Ulu Association Malaysia (Forum) president Lihan Jok, who is also the state assemblyperson for Telang Usan. “Orang Ulu seems not to reflect, and does not befit, the community in the modern context,” said Lihan who plans to hold a symposium in April on the name change and forward the idea to the Sarawak cabinet for its consideration and incorporation in the state constitution. “Many Orang Ulu have migrated to urban areas where some have found success in various endeavours. Some have become professionals, not only in the country, but internationally as well.” “Most of the community’s professionals, intellectuals and leaders have agreed in principle to the name change,” said Lihan. The Orang Ulu will remain within the Dayak grouping which includes the Iban (formerly Sea Dayaks), the Bidayuh (formerly Land Dayaks) and the Melanau whose Muslim third often identify themselves with the Sarawak Malays. The word ‘Dayak’ comes from the Melanau word dayeh (land). Apparently, the term Orang Ulu was chosen to ‘differentiate’ the community from others as they live mostly in the ulu or upper reaches of the great rivers of northern Sarawak. However, many have come to associate the name with ‘backwardness’ in all aspects of modern life. Others feel that there is no harm in taking pride in the current name, which covers over 30 sub-groups in Sarawak. It was coined in 1969 by the now defunct Orang Ulu National Association which preceded Forum. In neighbouring Sabah, a decision by some Dusuns to call themselves Kadazan, a new umbrella term, resulted in a split with the emergence of two groups.Attempts to merge the two terms, Kadazan and Dusun, into the more unified KadazanDusun about a decade ago was not enough to heal the split, resulting in the emergence of three groups and three separate cultural associations. So, what do you all think?

Let's pray for our nation

Some 45,000 workers in the manufacturing sector may temporarily be out of job soon with most factories in the country to cease operations for the Chinese New Year celebration. According to the Human Resources Minister, Datuk Dr S.Subramaniam, this would happen because the factories would shut down operations for two or three weeks and the workers were asked to take leave, either on paid or unpaid leave, depending on their respective employers.
He said that as of Jan 12, 14,000 workers from various sectors lost their jobs because of the world economic slowdown, but that there were some 15,000 job vacancies in various sectors registered at the ministry.

Joe Marcose P.J.K

On of the great moments in my career as a newsman was when I was awarded the Pingat Jasa Kebaktian (PJK) by His Royal Highness the Sultan of Pahang in 1987. Tuanku gave this award as he recognized our contribution towards the development of sport in our country.
At that time Tuanku was the President of the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM).
The picture show His Royal Highness the Tengku Makhota of Pahang, Tengku Abddullah Sultan Ahmad Shah presenting me with the PJK in Pekan, Pahang.
I have a lot of respect for the Sultan and TM. They are good people with good hearts.
Today Tuanku Sultan is still the President of FAM, but TM has moved into hockey and is now the President of Malaysian Hockey Federation (MHF).
As for me, I am now serving the most high. Journalism prepared me for the hard life. It also prepared to me accept people as they are.

The FAITH Generation

Last week the Lord impressed upon me that HE is raising up a new generation and this generation is The FAITH Generation. This is the generation, called by HIM, unto HIM and for HIM will be believers who will receive HIS Word and HIS promises (through the Bible). This are the people who will position themselves to receive and see the fulfillment of Prophecies upon their lives, their families, ministries and vocations.
In Joshua 6: 1 and 2, Jericho was described as " securely shut up....none went out and none came in.." In other words, something that is difficult and impossible.
In verse two we read: "And the Lord said to Joshua: "See ! I have given Jericho into your hand, its kingdom and the mighty men of valor"
Joshua received those words and it came to pass. He did not contemplate on the difficulties. The Lord is raising up people who will received and hold on to HIS promises. In Luke 18:8, Jesus said" ..when the Son of God comes will He really find faith on the earth?" Yes, the faith of many will vanish, but HE is raising up a Generation of FAITH that will be with HIM when HE comes.
My dear friends, without Faith, it is impossible to please God. Let's be part of this Generation. Walk by FAITH and not by Sight. Are you fearful of something? Are there "Jericho's" in your life? Read HIS promises, hear HIS voice and hold on to HIS promises..
Amen.

Memories (1)

In 1986, I was assigned to cover the Asian Games in Seoul, South Korea. It was a memorable games as far as the journalists were concerned. The organization was good and efficient and the people on duty were very friendly.
After the games we were taken on a tour to Pamunjom which is the DMZ or Demilitarized Zon between South and North Korea.
We were shown the war like atmosphere with both side ready to attack at anytime and in the middle of them there is an DMZ area. We were brought there.
The picture shows me with my fellow journalists standing next to an Military Police at the "negotiation table" in Pamunjom. The other two are Datuk Fauzi Omar from NST (2nd from left) dan Johnny Yew from Malay Mail.
Seoul was good. After Seoul, I was also assigned to cover the 1990 Asian Games in Beijing.
The Lord has always been good to me. He has always been with me and I will remain in Him. I hope Maranatha comes soon.
Have a blessed day.
(Sorry about the blurred picture)

Expect a visitation

One of the most interesting day's in Joshua's live could would surely be the day the Lord appeared to him, just before the destruction of Jericho. I believe until that time there was still some worry in Joshua about the upcoming battle. But the visitation by "the commander of the army of God" - God himself - changed things. And, I believe it also impacted Joshua a great deal.
Friends, in times like this let us expect a visitation from God. When His presence is with us there is new hope in an seemingly hopeless situation.
Let's us renew our commitment to seek Him and yearn for His continues presence in our lives, every day.
(Read Joshua 5: 13-15)

Goodbye, Johari

This morning (8 Jan) I lost a good friend. Johari Shawal, who was in my team when I headed the Sports Desk at Utusan Malaysia, died in Muar, Johor. He was 41 years old and he died of TB.

He leaves behind a wife (Suhana Mohd Mottasir) and four children between the ages of 4 and 13. He was be buried in Muar later in the day. Johari was a happy-go-lucky guy. A good friend.

Goodbye Johari.

A safari experience

I have been to many places in the world but one that really impressed me was a place called Taman Safari in Puncak, Indonesia.

The animals are well managed and controlled and visitors just sit in the car and move from one group of animals to another.
Here is one of them, peeking into our vehicle. I think it's a Llama.
Last August, my family and I went there with our dear friend in Jakarta.
The animals were well behaved and the safari well managed and clean.
One thing I discovered in life is that when you see things, you learn better. I encourage you all to plan and travel to the many interesting places in the world and I assure you that you will really give glory to Jehovah, for His creation is marvelous.

SAVE IJN

SAY NO TO SIME DARBY

I am not a politician nor am I a businessman but I don't like it when things like this happen. There are plans to "sell" Institut Jantung Negara (IJN) to Sime Darby. Whatever the reason behind it, many are not happy because, according to them, it might be too expensive. Let's pray that the interest of the people will be the priority.

Time to fast

My friends, there are many challenges waiting for us this year. Many of us are not ready for it. We need to set aside time for evaluation, reflection and course correction. We must root out sinful habits, adjust bad attitudes, repent of unforgiveness and destroy idols that have stolen our affections.

Let's do this is with fasting. Let's do a "Daniel fast" from 5th to 9th January. A "Daniel fast" consists of fruits, vegetables and juices only. How about it?