The RAT race

The other day in church, both Adrian and myself went to the cafeteria during service for some food. Me, the pregnant one was hungry. At the cafeteria we met up with uncle SK and had a great conversation.

It started with a few exchanges of pleasantries and somehow ended with Uncle SK wanting to know why we young adults are tired. He started with his theory which got us pondering. Is it because we (the young adults and adults) are being sucked into a big big lie?

What lie?

The lie of the pursuit of success.

The whole world apparently it seems; is being sucked into the economic cycle...... having to be successful, earn more money, better life for ourselves and our children etc. etc. that people are just being drained chasing after it.

Well, there is more to that conversation after that but somehow, something in what he said hit me as being the truth.

It is the RAT race!!!!!! It gives you a little more along the way but you always find that it is not worth it or that little that you amass only manages to keep you in the surviving mode.

I don't know much but I do know that I am in the RAT race. And from my teeny weeny little perspective, the more we try to get out of the RAT race by trying to look at other economic opportunities, the more we get sucked into it.

But then, aren't we suppose to work for success? If we as young adults do not work hard and move with the economic demands of the world, how then are we and our children going to survive? How would we be able to afford to send our kids to school? Are we then digressing rather than progressing?

Along the conversation, I realise the issue is not about surviving. The issue is about our priorities. Are we now so blinded by the patterns of the world and the chasing after the things of the world that we are unable to place our lives in the hands of our God? In chasing after the patterns of the world, we have in fact placed our faith in our own hands and that of the world economy.

What struck a chord in me is when Uncle SK asked us if our God, a loving God would forsake us and not take care of our needs and our children's needs? For me, I suppose not. The bible says so. But how am I ever going to find out if I don't start putting my life into His hands? And most importantly, am I willing to take the plunge of journey in faith?

It is a simple decision. To continue on the RAT race which is a never ending pursuit or to journey with our God which in the bible promises life and life abundantly. Yet, as simple as it is, it is one that takes courage and commitment. Nevertheless, it is a decision that has to be made.

Holiday - Part2-Kyoto

Interestingly... Kyoto has more scenery compare to Osaka. It has more trees and "old feel" of Japan. Since we are more into nature... we enjoy Kyoto more. These are all God's marvellous creation... I mean trees.... ha ha ha.

Holiday...Part1 - Osaka

ELLO Everyone!!!

We are just back from holiday. God bless, we have a great time.

Just want to share a few pictures... enjoy...

This is as big as the room can get in Osaka.

The famous Osaka Universal Studio... we only went as far as the entrance hahaha... didn't pay to enter it because I cannot enjoy all the rides... so no point wor.

Wah...see all those delicious food. Yummy yummy. Very clean and nicely display. Seafood are all so fresh...

This is common view in Osaka during autumn.

Night view of all the buildings....

During the days view of river and canal...

Christmas Project # 2

Alas, my tree is up. Check out my Christmas tree and my new curtains!

Also with matching sofa cover plus shoe box gift.

Commitment in Christmas Tree's project

Hi All,

As promised, here is list of names for those commited to involve in activities below:

3rd Nov (Sat) - Training to take detail journal with orphanages.
Gavin, Sze See.

10th Nov (Sat) - GO to Prima Selayang 4:00-6:15pm .
Jackie, Noel, Sze See, Blanche
[Meet at 1.30pm in church cafeteria. After short briefing, will go down together. Map will be given.
Please arrange for drivers within the group that is going.]
Remark: Thanks Sarah for participating in this outing. God Bless.

16th Nov (Fri) - Church wrapping shoe boxes gift.
Joram, Jackie, Noel, Gavin, Blanche, Adrian, Hui Yi, Jo Jo, Sze See, Boo, LeLean
[8:00-10:00pm, SIB 5th floor lobby]
Remark: Thanks everyone who came... we had a great cell time in Church :-D

24th Nov (Sat) - GO Cheras Ophanages
[There are 2 sessions - 10am - 12am Budriah Home(150kids) and 8pm-10pm Pure Life(90kids).]
Please note on the time change to 8pm - 10pm. If you cannot make it, then you might consider to go for Budriah Home or
Myanmar Refugee Camp - Sunday. NST are going out to the Myanmar refugee camps this Sunday and we need YAs to help transport some of the NST kids (none of them drive) there. I will ONLY confirm the time if anyone is interested to visit the camp.
TAKE NOTE: For those going to Budriah Home, the vistitation is cancelled.

25th Dec - Myanmar Refugee Camp. Please meet in Church's cafeteria at 2.30pm. The visitation will take place from 4pm - 6pm.

Send me e-mail for those interested.


If there are any changes to the dates and activities we will inform ya....

Kudos to those who answered to the CALL from God :-D at least we didn't hear from wrong spirit lor ho ho ho...

Hey there...

this is the first time posting on the blog. he he...sounds so back dated...anyway, it's always not too late to learn, right? feeling monday bluuuueessss. actually, feel like zzzzz...........
this week will be quite for me at work. this might be the only free time to write something. sorry without any capital letters and such cos lazy lah.
please pray for me as i have high cholesterol, genetic kind. pray for breakthru from the generation curses and etc. whatever reason that causes this to happen to my family. both my sisters jennifer and monica as well. my level is 9.1, very high side and went down to 5 when i went to check last 3 months. cos i am taking medication also. thank God so far no side effect. husband has been very worried and bugging me to go for another check up and do constantly every 6 mths. i have no problem except for the "jarum". scared of pain. will go for it this month. pray that the level remains normal that is 4. something. yah...

Techno Savvy

Wah lamak!! This took me ages before I discovered how to do posting. Well, engine has started...just need to learn how to go into 1st gear!! Super complicated, man!!

Anyway, I finally know how to insert pictures. Yay!! Our cell meeting held outside my porch...something for a change.

Will be hearing more from me soon now that I know how to "guna"!!

Sze See

Once again...

Is it just me or Church is getting hectic again?
You will know this when you are being volunteered in (most of the time without you knowing it) events and being inform about it later.

Maybe your CL is not that heartless... ahem. But you are being asked in front of all your cell members if you are going to participate in any of these activities... creating peer pressure if you say no?

Do you feel that way?

If you do feel that way, I would like to apologize to you because it is not our intention to make you feel like that. But I am not sorry that we are doing this.

At the end of the day, it is between you and God. If you are unwilling then please don't do it. If you do, you will do it for all the wrong reason and end up feeling more frustrated about the situation. If you want to do it, check again that you are doing it for God's glory and not for man.

Why is it so important that we must know the reason we are doing it?

It is...truly because by your action, it speaks of your faith and love for God. By your respond, you will know if you are there yet...

Remember love is an "act" word... which means it must have an action to it. Like all the girls said "cheh...talk only, no action" :-D

We must live up to what we profess... if not today? WHEN?

greetings from Edge of the Woods!

yo yo yo!!

this blog-ging business is actually too complicated for a simple-minded person like me but i'll try and contribute anyways.....

sorry i cannot be physically involved in all the Christmas projects but rest assured that i'll be getting some camel blankets for Footprints' outings in the desert!!

much blessings,
Kay.

Friday Cell - 2nd Nov 2007

Everyone is very hard working in cell tonight...except Jo Jo?

WASSSUPP!!!

Hey Hey, We're back frm HK and back to work!

Kudos to Le LEan doing up a blog=) Good reading from the Dato' and wow serious stuff la.

I just have to blog this to make it known that we (wife & I) don't know how to thank you enough again to everyone that came in and helped in our wedding preparations right to the day itself. Really don't know what would have happened without all of your help!!! THe DEco was great, the timing was perfect, the registration and ushering, the last minute "wine & bread" and the list goes on and on. Really appreciate evrything making it a smooth and stress free time for us!!

Fingerprints RoCK!! See you Fri=)

What Christmas mean to you?

Since we are going to celebrate Christmas soon this year... just wonder what does Christmas means for footprinters?

Click into comments to see what footprinters said...

My sharing: Count your blessing daily

I thought about Dato Sha's article regarding workshops he attended; it does seem we miss out a lot of things in life and taking too many things for granted. While people do not generally wish bad things to happen to them but we used to think by not experiencing them, we will not understand how it feel or how our faith is tested.

I agreed that since we have the "Freedom to worship" we may not experience the feeling of being ridicule, mocked, insulted , accused and beaten because of believing in Christ. I count that as blessing. Does this build our faith? It may not and like others I too may take this for granted.

I used to worry about what I do not experience that I missed out the very thing I am experiencing... and at the end gain nothing.

God in His gracious way taught me this from young and I am grateful for this lesson.

Count your blessing daily.

It sound simple but when you put it to practise, it does not look that easy. Most people will focus on things they don't have and their weaknesses. I think it is good that we know our weaknesses and our lack of fortune but that should not be our focus. To start and end a day by thanking God for everything does sound good, but how many of us wander off from thanking God to... please do this God... please give me this God... please please please.... :-D *tsk tsk tsk ... I too need a lot of practise in this*.

Just for sharing, what works for me...For me, I counter on taking things for granted by being thankful. I counter on missing out experiences in life by looking forward to life journey with Christ purposefully.

And tomorrow is another whole NEW DAY with so many good things in store for me to experience!!!

:-D That is my blessing daily.

May God bless you all with "tomorrows"...

THIS IS MY FAMILY

Recently I went for this workshop called THIS IS MY FAMILY organized by Open Door (a ministry that serve the persecuted Christian) and I was truly touched by their faith and what persecuted Christians have to go through just for Believing in Christ. Imagine that you are being ridicule, mocked, insulted , accused and beaten up just because you believe in Christ. I think over here in Malaysia, we have the "Freedom to Worship" act to protect us from being persecuted but does this act builds us up in our faith or it has made us to take our faith for granted.

There were 3 workshop that I have to go through and all of them were great for self reflection. The first workshop was called "Captured on Film" where they show you video on underground church. This video really shows you their pain, their fear and you will really marvel at their courage. They are really like you and me... they have dreams, a career, family and just wanted to live a normal life but just because they believe in Christ, their suffering begins. In the beginning like anyone of us will do when we face suffering... they doubt about their faith... and they had to make a choice. To face persecution or reject Christ so that you can save your career, family and your life. It is really not an easy decision. I wonder how I will respond to it when the times comes. My faith have never been tested to that extend. I can be easily shaken if my career is in trouble... or when I face financial difficulties but never have I face persecution for just believing in Christ.

The next workshop was called "Prayer Behind Bars" Have you ever been in a prison cell? What would you do if you are there for 3-4 years? This workshop was a bit unique as they constructed a prison cell for you to be in and feel how is it like to be inside one. The whole purpose was to understand Heb 11:3 "Remember those who are in prison as though you were in prison with them" What we have to do was to pray for those who are currently in prison while we are in the mock up prison. To tell you the truth, when I was in that prison, praying for them was so real. It was so difficult to pray. Words just could not flow like I normally could when outside the prison cell. This is how those in the prison would feel. To be able to pray to God when you don't even know what will happen to you tomorrow..whether you are able to see your family again or who is going to come in to beat you up until you renounce Christ. This workshop was really not for the faint hearted.

Lastly, I went for the "Letter of Hope" workshop. I get to write a simple letter to a lady in Nigeria who lost her husband when extremist came to her house and murdered her husband and her elder son when they did not want to renounce their faith. Now she is facing a difficult future as she has little saving (her husband is a pastor) and no place to stay. At first I didn't know that to say or write. Who am I to tell her to not to worry, I feel your pain and everything is in God's hand. It is easy to write it down but to really mean what I can is difficult. To be honest, there is no way I can ever understand how she is going through. If I'm in the same situation, the last think I want to hear is that everything is going to be fine. It is really not easy to console a person and sometimes even if I meant well, but if it not the right time, it can be discouraging. It took me a while to find the right words.

Finally I wrote down these words"
"Greeting in the name of the Lord and from Malaysia. Even though we come from a different country, different race but we are one in the family of God. I just want to say that God loves you and I will pray for you constantly. They say that great faith comes from time such as these, then you will know that because you love God to such extend, He will honor this love as he honor his Son Jesus Christ who loves the Father and gave his life. God Bless, Shaharudeen - Malaysia"
After that I wrote the words LOVE, HOPE and JOY on the front cover.

When I finish writing the letter, I begin to understand why this workshop is called THIS IS MY FAMILY. Indeed she became part of me, part of the whole family of GOD. She is one of my family member. This workshop thought me that when a member of your family suffers, we all suffers together. She is not just a story or a news that we hear. She is a member of my family who is suffering for the sake of the cross.

There are still alot of people out there who is suffering because they believe in Jesus. I'm not sure how to help all of them but I'm determine to let others know about their suffering and hopefully I can get people to pray for them or write letters to them.

I'm not sure how long we are going to enjoy our Freedom to worshippig God here in Malaysia. But if someday I'm persecuted because of my faith in Christ, I really do hope to know that there are other family members out there who will pray (not to make this suffering to be easier) that I will not give up my faith for anything in this world. Their prayers and letters will keep me strong for Christ.