*+_Praise † Grace_+*

It's 10 days since my grandfather's passing and it's Winter Solstice. My mother misses my grandfather deeply and has not stop grieving. In the face of death we felt so powerless and helpless, but the death of Christ and His resurrection gave us hope, that we may have power over death in Him alone. So hold on to your Christ, because it is by His power we are made strong. Share this power, so that all may be saved in Him alone.

After the visit to Silterra Malaysia Sdn. Bhd, this is what happened in my car.

Indeed the simplest truth is enough. When I went back to KL to see my grandfather, I didn't know how limited there was for me to do. I had to simplify the gospel because I don't even know if he could hear me. I simply know that I have to do it. And so I did, quoting John 3:16 I told him that God loves him and wants to save us from our sins, that whoever believes in Him has eternal life. And then I just started cry feeling helplessly powerless to do anything for my grandfather. All I could do was to pray and ask God for help. And He's the only one who can help me now. I thank God for the trip back home. To help me realise that the gospel is simple and we need to bring it to other as simple as possible. Its just, our fear complicates it.

I was on my way to my aunt's house in Kampar after the Gua Tempurung adventure. I was going to lodge at my aunt's house for a night before continuing the journey back to KL to bring the gospel to my grandpa who is now in vegetative state. I cried while praying because I felt helplessly powerless and I beg God to do all He can for what I cannot.

One Sabbath he was going through the grainfields, and as they made their way, his disciples began to pluck heads of grain. And the Pharisees were saying to him, “Look, why are they doing what is not lawful on the Sabbath?” And he said to them, “Have you never read what David did, when he was in need and was hungry, he and those who were with him: how he entered the house of God, in the time of Abiathar the high priest, and ate the bread of the Presence, which it is not lawful for any but the priests to eat, and also gave it to those who were with him?” And he said to them, “ The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath. Mark 2:23-27 The disciples had a terrible breakfast. On a Sabbath day, they were so much into following Jesus, they forgot their breakfast. When they realised it, they were desperate for something in the stomach already, so they plucked some grains from the roadside field to ease that hunger a bit. Now, you can imagine this to be funny. Some Pharis...

The illness of my grandfather has been hard on my family and I. But I have hope in Christ, that even things doesn't go the way we wish it would, God remains in control, and because God is good, we know our grandfather is in good hands. Bring the good news to those you love, before it's too late. With much regret I did not bring it to my grandfather, I pray you would not have to live with such regret for the rest of your life. But I trust the Lord that He would reveal Himself to him. He's in good hand.

The sky thundered with words, Of sorrow, of pain and of hopelessness. Lightning strikes through the stretch of my chest, Numbs the depth of my heart with pain, I know not what to feel. I lost for words, Know not any comfort. The cloud of regrets covered my eyes, They clogged up the river of tears, Not a drop flow out of it. How could I walk this path any more? When the strength of my legs are no more, The energy of my youth is drained, And the joy of my hope is taken away. How could I hope any more? But the Lord is my strength, He told me; He is my refuge and my hope. When my sky is torn He stitches it up; When my window is clouded He clears it off; He holds the power to give and to take, I hold but the legs of His mercy. I know not the plans of His ways, With all the wisdom of my days. But the Lord has been good in the abundance of my past, Shall I curse Him in the trouble of my present?

Somehow along the way, I felt like I have lost my identity, but I was only being transformed more and more into my new identity, which is found only in Christ.

It's true when people say that we don't pray until we are in trouble. For a long time I had not prayed as frequent as I have for these few days, in the same way I would not think that my grandfather as important as he is until the moment I realise I might lose him for eternity. It's strange about this grandfather of mine. He's been what the Chinese would call him - the medicine bottle, a reference to people who are constantly in various kind of sickness. In fact, he's sick so often that he somehow became an amateur body examiner of my family. He stays home most of the time and had been forbidden from going out on a motorbike ever since the last accident he had. Our family seldom pay attention to him, I have no more than 10 words with him in every 5 meetings with him. Recently, I'm not even sure if I felt his presence at home when I was back in KL. The point is, he is often the neglected person, until 3 days ago. The Sunday morning before I was leaving b...

It's been a lazy holiday for me. I spent most of my time changing channels on my TV. Fox Channel has been advertising Marvel's latest series, "Marvel's Agents of SHIELD". It really catches my attention firstly because I really love Marvel's Avengers, and also because the way they advertise the characters. It goes like "Agent Ward - Man of Few Words". It reminds me of Camp Cameron when our grandpa and grandma encouraged us to reflect and give a very personal name for God. I can't remember the name I gave back then, but I have a name for Him now - "God of Second Chances in My Mistakes". It's true when I look back into my life as His son, I cannot count how much mistakes and failures I had made. I fall every time I try to stand back up; I gave into sin because of my weakness; I choose pleasure over righteousness every time. Man, I can't even control my anger and I even cursed the name of God.  One thing I cannot get ...

This is my second video log. Coming down from Cameron Highland was a bliss as I was able to have an elaborate conversation with Benjamin, and hence, this video. This is my vision for CF. Ambitious but it's what I strife to achieve.

My deepest regret and condolences for my friend who lost his baby. His reaction and faithfulness to God really encouraged me. But, how do I trust God if such sorrow befalls me?

I attended my first devotion with CF tonight. I casually flipped opened one of the Economic ESV Bible I bought for CF last academic year and started reading. I guess I was bored so I went to the end of the Bible and I stumbled upon a page that is a little abandoned by common eyes. The title was huge writing "PLAN OF SALVATION". But what follows has inspired me to write this: From the first chapters of Genesis through the closing scene in Revelation, the Bible is the book of God's salvation. From start to finish, its one unifying theme is that of grace and forgiveness for sinners through God's redeeming work in Jesus Christ. Whatever else you gain through the reading of the Bible, it would be tragic if you missed the heart of its message for you - God's gracious provision of Jesus Christ as the atonement for sin. I guess sometimes, we missed the whole point of the gospel. We practise religion like Do's and Don't; we abstain from this and strive...

Matthew 5:3"Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." Many Christians today have one problem - we keep thinking we are the blessed one. We often think that being a Christian makes us somehow more blessed than another, and those who do not believe in Jesus are inferior to us. Don't think so? Then what drives us to organise mission trips saying that we want to help the poor? The truth is, only one who think that they are superior would say so. Being wealthy is our disadvantage. In one of his very famous sermon, Francis Chan said so. But I'm saying, being a Christian makes us feel spiritually wealthy. That's why we hear feedbacks from non-believers that Christians are pretty nasty. Simply because, sometimes the way we tell people about Christ, makes them feel inferior to us. We talk as if we are holier than them, like we can fix them, like our ways is higher than their ways. But hey, the truth is, no one needs a fixing from another per...

I guess in the midst of my busyness - Upcoming CF events stacking up week by week, Group Assignments, Design, part time job, personal time, devotion, prayer and etc. I lost the horizon somewhere during my flight. I lost my focus on Jesus and instead staring at the pile of work that blinds me from His greatness. Fear, pride and stubbornness, I saw things bigger than it should, saw God way smaller than He is. Psalm 46:1-3 "God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way, though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble at its swelling." Then why should I fear? Upcoming CF activities left unplanned - it's just CF! I have 4 Group Assignments piling - it's just assignments! One heck of design project - it's just design, it's just my academic study, it's just a Bachelor Degree! I'm the Vice President of Christian F...

Overview: Matthew 1 started the first section with the genealogy of Jesus Christ along the line of Joseph, His earthly father. This is a direct and one of the most obvious fulfilment of prophecy concerning the Messiah as a descendant of King David. Whatever follows in Matthew 1 and 2 are multiple fulfilments of prophecies. In two chapters alone, the writer of the Gospel pointed out 5 prophecies fulfilled apart from Jesus' genealogy, which 4 out of 5 of them can be cross-referred to the Old Testament. This is amazing to read because the fulfilment of these prophecies proves Jesus to be the promised Saviour. These prophecies are like a fingerprint security that only Jesus' fingerprint can match. In chapters to come we will see even more prophecies to be fulfilled through Jesus Christ, which all will come together to reaffirm our faith in Christ.

Ran towards the PA system during a hiccup during Sunday Service. When everything was okay, I simply sat down beside Derrick Tan. Le DT: So you are in your 3rd year already right?!  Le me: Yea, can you believe it? When I first met you, I was still that hyperactive 1st year who talks non-stop.  Le DT: Yea, so what has changed for you?  Le me: Haha, it's different when you are a senior and no more a junior. I used to look up to people, and now people are looking up to me and I would panicked by such expectations.  Le DT: Haha, I had been there, done that.  Le me: Yea, I know. Now, I don't dare to call myself AWESOME as often anymore.  Le DT: HAHAHAHA!   Senior, is too much a title for me to carry. Call me a friend, just call me Joash!

Being a PPSL sure has benefit by its own. I am privileged to be able to attend several useful talks and seminars. Here I was again, helping out as technical team, at a Entrepreneurship forum. I was a little taken aback by the panel's sudden survey: "Siapa nak jadi kaya angkat tangan. (Those who wants to be rich please raise your hand.)" I was even more surprised by the almost immediate response from the I-don't-really-care-about-the-talk students. More than 3 quarters of students raised their hands, among them I could identify some Christian juniors. I didn't write this so to make these brothers and sisters look materialistic and terrible. I myself was tempted to be a part to admit this great desire. I mean, who doesn't want to hold all the money in the world and be the most powerful man. I do. But Agur, oracle of Proverbs 30 desires a different thing from the Lord. Two things I ask of you; deny them not to me before I die: Remove far from me falsehoo...

1 When Israel was a child, I loved him, and out of Egypt I called my son. 2 The more they were called, the more they went away; they kept sacrificing to the Baals and burning offerings to idols. 3 Yet it was I who taught Ephraim to walk; I took them up by their arms, but they did not know that I healed them. 4 I led them with cords of kindness, with the bands of love, and I became to them as one who eases the yoke on their jaws, and I bent down to them and fed them. 5 They shall not return to the land of Egypt, but Assyria shall be their king, because they have refused to return to me. 6 The sword shall rage against their cities, consume the bars of their gates, and devour them because of their own counsels. 7 My people are bent on turning away from me, and though they call out to the Most High, he shall not raise them up at all. 8 How can I give you up, O Ephraim? How can I hand you over, O Israel? How can I make you l...

7 July 2013, Day 0, Home at KL I thought the hardest part of the mission trip was to take the leap of faith, but the truth is, preparing my heart and keep it holy for the mission is the hardest. When Sue Min called me up for this mission, the first challenge was to raise the required trip expenditure. RM4500 is a huge amount for a student on study loan like me. But knowing God and all He has done in my life for the past 5 years, I know in my heart well, that He will have His way and His plan for me. So I told myself, I have nothing to lose really. After all, I would need to pass a round of consideration by FES staff first. If God doesn't want me to go for this, I asked God to close that door, in fact, a huge part of me wished that God would close this door for good, it would have save me a lot of trouble and I would be able to enjoy my 2 month semester break comfortably at home. If God wants me on this, I guess I will have no way to run and I know well, He will provide. Mone...

Acts 4:23-31 (ESV) In the midst of persecution and threats, the believers does not merely continue to proclaim the resurrection of Jesus Christ, but they took a step further to pray for boldness. What would your response be, when confronted by persecution of your faith? Let's encourage each other to pray, not for any more prosperity, blessing or wealth, but let us pray that we would be bold in proclaiming Christ's Name. I really wonder why would pastors teach his flock to pray that God would bless their business, their career and their health, when what we desperately need from Sunday service is spiritual food - which is His Word. But even with a reborn spirit, as fallen flesh and soul we tend to seek what is of flesh and of physical, little do we realise that our true hunger is spiritual. Therefore, pray, for what is spiritual. And when we realise that our true hunger is spiritual hunger, wealth, pain and health won't matter any more.

Gen 15:13-16 “Then the Lord said to Abram, “Know for certain that your offspring will be sojourners in a land that is not theirs and will be servants there, and they will be afflicted for four hundred years. But I will bring judgment on the nation that they serve, and afterward they shall come out with great possessions. As for you, you shall go to your fathers in peace; you shall be buried in a good old age. And they shall come back here in the fourth generation, for the iniquity of the Amorites is not yet complete.” As we read through the Bible, we often realise that God wants us to wait for Him, a lot! Abraham was 100 years old when Isaac, the promised son was born. Even as we see in Gen 15:13-16, God basically told Abraham, “Hey, I’m going to give you this land, but not yet! Wait, I will give you, not yet!” I love the Jewish people because over the span of thousands of years, they are a nation that endured so much and yet able to maintain their identity as God’s chosen people...

Revelation 4 The Throne in Heaven After this I looked, and behold, a door standing open in heaven! And the first voice, which I had heard speaking to me like a trumpet, said, “Come up here, and I will show you what must take place after this.” At once I was in the Spirit, and behold, a throne stood in heaven, with one seated on the throne. And he who sat there had the appearance of jasper and carnelian, and around the throne was a rainbow that had the appearance of an emerald. Around the throne were twenty-four thrones, and seated on the thrones were twenty-four elders, clothed in white garments, with golden crowns on their heads. From the throne came flashes of lightning, and rumblings and peals of thunder, and before the throne were burning seven torches of fire, which are the seven spirits of God, and before the throne there was as it were a sea of glass, like crystal. And around the throne, on each side of the throne, are four living creatures, full of eyes in front an...

Matthew 4:18-22 "While walking by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon (who is called Peter) and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea, for they were fishermen. And he said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.”Immediately they left their nets and followed him. And going on from there he saw two other brothers, James the son of Zebedee and John his brother, in the boat with Zebedee their father, mending their nets, and he called them. Immediately they left the boat and their father and followed him." We often read this portion of the Scripture and we astonish at their great faith to follow Jesus. We give them credit and we call them good disciples of Jesus. But ironically, when the same happens in our church or fellowship, we call such brothers and sisters as EXTREMISTS , slandering and discouraging them instead of living as such. Do not be surprise that these EXTREMISTS who are willing to go to such extend in following Jesus, are th...

The title of today's devotional kind of wake me up from my delusional slumber after 1.5years of being an Engineering Undergraduate. I often think to myself that I'm not meant for the course (I still think so), that I'm called to ministry, to be I the seminary and be a preacher one day. But the example given in the devotional today struck me hard in my face in utter shame. As young as the little girl, she understands what it takes to follow her father's footstep in being a football manager; that she has to be able to tie her shoelace to be a footballer and finally a manager. She takes one step at a time. Often enough I demand to be or to get what I want before considering what it really takes to get me there. Little did I realize that this engineering course that I'm taking may be my shoelace tying lesson that's going to make me the "football manager" that God intends for me. I demand and often complain that I'm not doing what I meant for. But w...

Every time I drive to Roger’s house, I pass by this house with a banner hung on its front fence. On the banner it writes “Air Zam Zam – Air dari Syurga Untuk Semua” which is literally translated “Zamzam Water – Heavenly Water for All” I was curious by the repeated sight of the banner and my first guess was it has some connection to do with the Muslim Holy Place, Ka’aba of Mecca. But I had to be certain, so I turned to Wang Ching see if he has some answers for me. According to Wang Ching, Zamzam water originated outside Al’Haram Mosque, the place where Kaaba of Mecca is situated. It is the water that springs from the Zamzam well which believed to be the well where Hagar drew water for her son Ishmael, also the elder brother of Isaac. The Muslims believe that Zamzam water is a miracle water of Allah and has miraculous values. The miracle even goes down to molecular level where it is found to have crystal-like structure, which is unique in water. Zamzam well never runs dry ev...