Tas-Mania Pt 2

The days in Tassie went by quite quickly, but that was because I was enjoying myself. There are so many things to relate, but I think I will just highlight them. The pictures that I took from my visit are on my Multiply site (phyeken.multiply.com), so please feel free to have a look:

University of Tasmania

I was finally able to see firsthand our twinning partner. UTas is one of the oldest and largest universities (so I understand) in Australia but the law school was anything but old. The campus is colossal and the law school is confined to a corner, bordering the residential areas of Sandy Bay, Hobart. As we arrived, we were greeted by Prof Margaret for a short discussion and then were ushered into Dr Gail's (one of my moderators) classes: Law of the Oceans. I received a warm welcome and an introduction in front of the lecture theatre (wow ... felt really nice). After that it was off to the cosy law faculty lounge where we were served morning tea and all sorts of biscuits, cakes and pie ... yummy. During my visit, this is what I remember: I had good chats and lunches and dinners with my moderators (Ken, Dr Lisa and Dr Gail) and other lecturers that I had met before (John and Michael), ate loads of great food and wine, visited Dr Gail's lovely home and had a great evening with her family (and superb seafood, food and wine), spent good times with my ex students, took a tour of the campus (courtesy of my ex boss: Patrick Foong), visited Salamanca market (an experience that can only be appreciated if you are there), tricked (haha) by my students to visit Zoo Doo (an um interactive zoo where the emus and osctriches and all sorts of towering animals 'assault' you for food), walked around Hobart city and had home cooked meals too (thanks all). I really praise Jesus for His grace and love and generousity. Also I visited Energizer Life Church.

P.S: hehe ... do pay attention to the food pictures I took. It's no wonder I gained about 3 kgs. Hahah ... and that was only the tip of the proverbial iceberg, as Sydney was also a gastronomical adventure in itself.

So please feel free to check out the pictures. Here are a few below. I think there are 400 plus at my Mulitply. :)

Jesus bless you all.

Tas-Mania (Pt 1)

I took over 1400 photographs while in Australia ...

O_O

Pre Australia: the situation looked grim ... I had about a 'gazillion' things on my plate and little time to enjoy any of them. My time with my God, Jesus; family; work; ministry and friends and studies was precious little. I felt as if I was running when I wanted to walk, burning out slowly but surely. I was grudgingly serving God and others and just needed a break. In the nick of time, God 'rescued' me from crashing and burning ... and gave me a much needed retreat in the form of a 10 day trip (almost fully sponsored) to Tasmania and Sydney. So on the 25th of September 2007, I boarded the MAS flight and made my way to Koalaland ... :)

Flight: I enjoyed my trip even before I arrived at my destination ... woo hoo. I admit I was slightly nervous about flying (after my experience flying back from Sarawak) but I prayed and put everything into God's hands. I enjoyed it so much ... I was actually trying hard to stay awake trying the movies, songs and video games ... hahah ... like a child in a candy store. Needless to say, even at that time, I was looking forward to my flight home also (walau). I managed to watch Mr Bean 2 and also listened to many songs and played some games. Food was good (I was hungry) and flight was smooth.

Melbourne: I last visited Melbourne when I was std 5. That was a good ... 20 years ago. This time however, I was just squatting, as it were, at the airport, waiting for my connecting flight to Tasmania. Melbourne is nice and cold and windy too (reminded me so much of ol England). The transit time was 5 hours and I must say, Australian customs mean business ... oh the number of mooncakes I saw being inspected ... hahah.

Tasmania: Finally ... Tassie land! Even as we circled to land, I was thinking how sparse the population was ... Tasmania is relatively, in that sense-lah, untouched in its pristine condition. Nature lovers will adore it. The airport was small (like Ipoh one) and it even had a Selamat Datang sign :). We (my friend and I from KDU) were greeted by a driver hired by the University of Tasmania to ferry us to the largest hotel in Hobart, the Grand Chancellor. The country side gave way to city sights and a huge bridge (which name I do not recall now) that connects one side of Hobart to the other. The hotel was elegant without being too expensive looking and guess what? we each got a double room! Talk about space ... Food was on the university and so was transport. Where else can you find such a business partner? Sigh ... :) God bless Utas.

Dinner day 1: Seafood, seafood ... we had (on UTas) a seafood dinner at Blue Skies restaurant. The raw oysters in Tasmania are the best that I have ever had. So fresh ... yummy. We ordered this huge seafood platter (besides three entrees and wine - the wines are delectable) which had pan fried and deep friend fish, octopus, calamari, prawns (fried and steamed), really fresh veggies, mussels and raw oysters with roe. Walau.

We had dinner we my ex boss, Patrick Foong, now pursuing his PhD at UTas. After dinner, we three went for a late evening walk around some parts of Hobart. The night was nice and cold ... like I like it. What a wonderful start to my trip ...

More to come ...

Jesus I bless You.

Jesus bless you all

Occupational 'hymns'

Hey all,

Another superfastsofastitisablur update (hahah). This one is from aunty Dolly and it is a good one. For those of us who grew up with hymns (although we sing mostly great contemporary songs, I still think hymns are majestic).

Here they are:

The Dentist's Hymn ... Crown Him With Many Crowns
The Weatherman's Hymn ... There Shall Be Showers Of Blessing
The Contractor's Hymn ... The Church's One Foundation
The Tailor's Hymn ... Holy, Holy, Holy
The Golfer's Hymn ... There Is A Green Hill Far Away
The Politician's Hymn ... Standing On The Promises
The Optometrist's Hymn ... Open My Eyes That I Might See

Heheh ... there's more:

The IRS Agent's Hymn ... I Surrender All
The Gossip's Hymn ... Pass It On
The Electrician's Hymn ... Send The Light
The Shopper's Hymn ... Sweet By And By
The Realtor's Hymn ... I've Got A Mansion Just Over The Hilltop
The Pilot's Hymn ... I'll Fly Away
The Paramedic's Hymn ... Revive Us Again
The Judge's Hymn ... Almost Persuaded
The Psychiatrist's Hymn ... Just A Little Talk With Jesus
The Architect's Hymn ... How Firm A Foundation
The Credit Card Telemarketer's Hymn ... A Charge To Keep I Have

And more:

The Postal Worker's Hymn ... So Send I You
The Waiter's Hymn ... Fill My Cup, Lord
The Gardener's Hymn ... Lo, How A Rose E'er Blooming
The Lifeguard's Hymn ... Rescue The Perishing
The Criminal's Hymn ... Search Me, O God
The Baker's Hymn ... When The Roll Is Called Up Yonder
The Shoe Repairer's Hymn ... It Is Well With My Soul
The Travel Agent's Hymn ... Anywhere With Jesus
The Geologist's Hymn ... Rock Of Ages
The Hematologist's Hymn ... Are You Washed In The Blood?
The Men’s Wear Clerk's Hymn ... Blest Be The Tie
The Umpire's Hymn ... I Need No Other Argument
The Librarian's Hymn ... Whispering Hope A Charge To Keep I Have
The Zookeeper's Hymn ... All Creatures Of Our God And King

More than Enough

Here we go again ...

I am back after a semi hiatus (hahah). Not an intentional one anyhow, was ill and very occupied with work and further studies.

The days and weeks do pass by very quickly. It's already August, and it has been more than a month since my last post (thinking out loud: actually, a post a month is reasonable, wouldn't you say?). Anyhow, here are some updates concerning me and my memorable few weeks.

(1) The Holiday/The assignment/The illness

It all started with the holiday ... one that we had been planning for months. Destination: Redang. I had not been to Redang before this and was looking forward to this: sun, sand, fellowship and fun (food, boardgames and etc.) It had been scheduled for 19th - 22nd July and all was going smoothly ... until the assignment was given.

Hmmm. I am ok with assignments, but not if they get in the way of health and relaxation. I was happily in my Trademarks Law class in UM, listening to the lecturer and thinking of my holiday that Thursday (it was a Monday) when suddenly the bomb was dropped. I was given the very first assignment of the year for the class - a presentation on the Law of Passing Off. Oh wow ... my heart sank and I was speechless for a few seconds (apparently the honour was all mine as I was a second year student in UM and the only one with an Intellectual Property Law background: yeah ok, hahah). However the worst thing was that my holiday would be ruined ... I thought fast and ended up saying this 'I am ok with going first, but would need an extension in the deadline as I will not be around from Thursday till Sunday' (hoping that the lecturer would pass the buck). She did not.

Groan ...

I had to start on my research immediately and so to the library I walked and got loads of cases copied for my research (I think I had to cover about 20 plus cases and explain them, lecture style), hundreds of pages literally and slowly began to pore through them.

Sigh ... (I guess that is why they say 'He is reading law' and not studying law)

Stress weighed heavy upon me and soon I fell sick. Fever one day before our trip. Very disappointed ... but I was determined to go for it, so I prayed about it. I was on MC that Wednesday. Thursday came and went and the trip went on, and I had a good time. I enjoyed the trip there, travelling early in the morning (by the way most of the pictures are on my Multiply site, so please feel free to look) and listening to praise and worship songs in Yoke Kheng's car. Some highlights of the trip: (1) frying eggs and luncheon meat on the balcony of the hotel with our portable stove ... hahah I was so fearful that they would blacklist us; (2) introduced Careers to the gang and they love it; (3) fellowship and seeing certain two people having verbal spars; (3) snorkeling in Redang: pretty corals and schools of fish, exotic and otherwise (even made a couple of new Japanese friends); (4) the food (that we broughtlah); (5) having fun with Sahaya and YK with quiz questions (hahah, inside joke).

(2) The flu saga

The holiday went, but the flu remained. My fever had broken but the cough arrived with a vengeance. I was coughing (almost) non stop for hours on end, so much so that I had to take another MC a few days after I returned. My presentation day came and after hours of preparation I delivered a lecture on the topic and managed to finish about 1.5 litres of water from 5.45pm to 7pm, to keep myself from coughing. Praise Jesus that all went well. My burden lifted ...

The assignment had passed, but still the stubborn cough remained, so much so that my voice was going as well (thankfully at that time my lectures had finished). I sounded different and was struggling to do things I used to take for granted like back up singing. The Lord Jesus taught me a valuable lesson at the time: I was depending too much on myself to do these things and was put to the test when I was to back YK up for the Church Philippines fundraising dinner. I really felt helpless (esp when singing higher notes), but God delivers ... Jesus delivers. Amen. May I truly and wholly depend upon God in all things.

The last straw broke (figuratively) when I pulled a muscle in my back coughing one night. It was painful when I lay down, got up and coughed. I visited the doctor for the third time in two weeks (I think) and got pain killers. Oh yes, and my rash came back also. It was a rather miserable time ... I really felt I was under immense testing or attack, but there was light at the end of the tunnel ...

(3) Today

I can talk almost normally again and can sing again (praise God) but still feel like coughing every now and then. My back is better, still hurts if I exert myself. I am learning to not say yes to everything that I am asked to do (most politely and after prayer), and I think I am making some progress. More time for God as well. I am reading A W Tozer's excellent 'The Pursuit of God' and already am impacted by it, just after two chapters.

(4) The book

A W Tozer is a well known writer and has been a blessing to Christendom. In the book he writes about how God has always been seeking a relationship with us and that we cannot take the credit when we come to Him as He initiates the relationship. Once that is done, it is then up to us to seek Him. He writes that while we are doing that, He is holding us in His hands (such an assurance). In the second chapter, he explains a wonderful truth about 'Blessed are the poor in spirit for theirs is the kingdom of Heaven'. The truth is plain but most of us do not see it: the less we covet of the world (it is in our nature, fallen as it is), the more room we have in our heart for Jesus Christ and the less challenged He is to rule in us. People who realise that and surrender their hold on earthly things are 'poor' in the sense of possessing nothing (earthly) but having everything in God. Such a wonderful truth. Each chapter ends with a prayer and I think that is very practical. I am looking forward to discovering more gems from this great teacher, and praying that I learn and experience more and more of Jesus in it.

So, there are some updates. You can clearly see how God, Jesus is more than enough for me. He upholds me. I have also just finished marking loads of scripts (woo hoo). Will blog again ... sometime ... soon. :)

Jesus bless you all for His glory.

You scored as Bumblebee, Your match is Bumblebee! People around you appreciate your positive outlook and feel that they can rely on you. Putting others first is important to you, often at your own sacrifice. Your determination is something to be proud of. Optimus Prime 75% Bumblebee 75% Soundwave 69% Kup 69% Galvatron 50% Hotrod 38% Starscream 38% Omega Supreme 38% Which Transformers character Are You? created with QuizFarm.com

Hehe ... the link was given to me by Annie. A toss up between Optimus and Bumblebee is not bad ... although my probable favorite is, if I remember, Perceptor (the microscope?). Hahah.

Jesus bless you all.

Kid's Humour

Hey,

This is a cool article, well actually a short collection of subscribers' funny stories, that I got from Christianity Today.com .

Sigh :) ... the humour and innocence of children ...

Have a read and brighten your day.

http://www.christianitytoday.com/tc/2007/003/11.7.html

Jesus bless you.

'Last minute' blessing

Odd title for a topic.

Last Saturday I had the pleasure of attending a worship workshop and concert thereafter by Hillsong Australia. It was at KL Baptist church in Jalan Changkat Bukit Bintang. Needless to say I was blessed.

I first heard about it through Yoke Kheng when I was passing to her some papers for a meeting that I could not attend (college ministry) and just before the rather protective (or impatient?) guard ushered her off, she asked me whether I would like to go for a Hillsong worship workshop. I think before that she may have smsed me about it but I am not sure now (30lah, what to do?). Anyway, I thought about it and soon smsed my confirmation to attend. I was looking forward to it.

I have attended two Hillsong concerts in the past: Hillsong United (SIB KL) and also a Reuben Morgan concert (PJEFC) and enjoyed both a lot.

The day came finally and we were on our way to a place called Changkat Bukit Bintang. Thanks to God's grace, wisdom and mercy, Seng Chor's direction and some brilliant directing skills (and driving skills from YK) from yours truly (haha swt) we found the place with little difficulty. As we arrived we parked at the Radius Hotel just opposite the road and made our way to the church. The small entourage comprised members of BUC and KDU CF.

There were a few workshops offered: keyboard, bass and guitar, drums, vocals, media and planning. So there we were all signed up for the sessions and entered what I think was the main sanctuary. It was a new looking building with a spacious sanctuary, well furnished and modern. What caught my eye were three throne-like looking chairs on the stage. I presumed they were for God (Father, Son, Holy Spirit) during the services. :) God be praised.

The team from Hillsong comprised some 'veterans' like Miriam Webster and Raymond Badham. The rest were relatively new volunteers serving in different Hillsong churches around Australia ... but they played and sang like they have been doing it for ages. The morning service started out awesomely. We sang and sang newer as well as songs from later albums and it was just a great atmosphere. Truly God was glorified. I particularly took an almost instant liking to a new song that is covered on the latest Hillsong United effort called 'Hosanna', which I hope will also be in the new Hillsong album later. Our morning worship session was powerful.

Later Ray, who I found out from his sharing was leading the team, shared a short message (a refreshing one) and introduced the team to us (if I remember correctly). Then we broke up into the different workshops. I went for the vocals led by Miriam and Elisa (another member, a pretty lady). Miriam basically gave us some pointers on preparing yourself (physically) for worship leading. Here are some tips I remember:

(i) drink lots of water as your throat is the last place that gets water,

(ii) avoid dairy products before a worship session as it causes muccus build up;

(iii) warm up (throat and voice) and warm down before and after;

(iv) know your lyrics so that you can move freely;

(v) and perhaps the 'newest discovery' for me, when you sing, you will know you are singing the proper way if you feel two muscles at your lower back tense up (basically do not sing from your throat).

The workshop ended with a Q and A session with the whole team (their testimonies were very encouraging) and they were a joyful bunch of people.

The concert

The concert started almost 730pm sharp that evening and by God's grace (and Pei Lu and Jia Yein's help) we got front row seats (I hope we did not cause people to fume at us ...). It started off very memorably with Pei Lu running up the stage and getting an autographed Mighty To Save CD (woo hoo) and the evening progressed beautifully and energetically with some of the latest and later songs. Wow, I sang and jumped and jumped and jumped some more. It was awesome to be in God's presence, in rededication and worship to Jesus. The concert paused with an evangelistic message and sharing (praise God our Father for those who responded) and ended with One Way (twice) and King of Majesty (yayy). My legs and foot (that I had earlier suffered a torn muscle) and throat were put to the test. It was wow. God be praised. To God be all glory.

All in all it was a great feeling to worship Jesus so freely and passionately. I only hope we can use what we learned and with God's anointing, bring my local church, BUC, to higher planes of worship to Jesus.

God blessed the day truly, although .. hehe ... it was a 'last minute' blessing in the sense that I only got to know about it last minute.

All glory to Jesus.

Some of us and Miriam Webster.

Post exam stress ... can it be true?

I'm back ... but I am tired ... (so what is new?)

First of all, sorry, sorry and more sorries that I have not been blogging. I guess it is just like going to the gym or something. The longer you stay away from it, the less interesting it becomes. Oh well ... Hahah, that and the fact that my tag board has become somewhat of a community board, haunted and all with faux phantoms and of all people Josh (the opera singer) (swt).

My exams are over for this round. As some of you may know, I took Copyright Law and Employment Law for my masters in Law (LLM) in University Malaya. Whew ... I have to say upfront that God is GOOD. Who would have thought that I could have kept my hectic schedule and all and study at that? God is GOOD.

For the LORD is good and his love endures forever; His faithfulness continues through all generations (Psalm 100.5)

Oddly enough, the euphoria of having finished exams went like the proverbial wind. Work called again and now I am in up to my chin in work and exams and marking papers ... hehe. Oh for the days of student-hood (haha) where the final minute of exam signalled the liberty bell.

Let's see what updates I have (in a deep breath) summer is here and so are the movies that flow along with it: Spidey 3 was cool and I am looking forward to Pirates and Shrek 3, etc; footie season was, as is getting too usual, a disappointment: I can only hope that Sammy will bring solid and exciting football into St James' Park and quality players (so much for iron fists, sexy football and the like); BUC church camp is just around the corner (woo hoo, some rest and relaxation and spiritual refreshing); my sister is home after many years in the UK, so that is excellent; my new home is almost ready (Pelangi Utama) and now for furnishing and all; the new semester has begun and that brings along a new subject (Legal Systems: Australia); my family has finally relocated to PJ/KL: Praise God for that; things are shaping up well in Bandar Utama Chapel: college ministry, men's discipleship group and fresh worship leading anointing (amen), KDU Christian Fellowship is starting to pick up, etc, etc, etc.

Well, so what has not been happening? Hahah.

Ok, I think I will end here for now, as I have a mountain (oklah, a hobbit's mountain) of papers to mark.

Jesus bless you all.

Real life dramedy

The following story is based on a real life event. The real names and identities of the characters have been altered for confidentiality purposes.

Maid in Kepong story (swt)

A late night out

It had been a good evening, a successful and lively Christian concert followed by a late night tea drinking session with some of the gang. God had come through for us (as usual, Praise Jesus) and a harvest had been reaped (all glory to Jesus).

The clock struck about ... hmmm ... 11 plus?

A few from the organising team had celebrated the completion of the event by having Hawaiian bread and other tea drinking shop ... um drinks (haha). Soon it was time to go. One half of the gang followed Eugene, the other half, Kent (please take note that some of these characters are from the Cake Massacre story a few months back).

The principal characters in Kent's car, a 1995 silver Mousedeer, were Cassandra, Geoff and Eron. Along the amost empty highway did the mousedeer run and eventually approached the gates of Cassandra manor. She alighted and said her goodbyes and then proceeded to the great iron door that stood in her way. She paused ...

From within the Mousedeer, the three gentlemen waited patiently, heavy with drowsiness and eager to get home to their soft, comfortable beds.

Cassandra stood at the door staring and eventually returned to her friends.

'Um, I can see the keys on the floor just in reach, but the wooden door is locked'. (swt 1)

'Huh? How come you do not have a set of keys?' Kent asked. His hands gripped the steering wheel. Eron let out a laugh.

'Why don't you wake somebody in the house up?' Geoff asked after while.

'Ok, I will try that.' Casssandra answered. She flipped open her hand phone and began to dial.

No one answered (swt 2).

Again ... no one asnwered.

'Ring the doorbell then,' Kent suggested. He was really tired after the day's events and had to wake up with the sun the next morning to send his Mousedeer for servicing.

'But I may wake everybody up,' Cassandra said 'Maybe I can go behind my house and wake my maid in the back room,'

'Good idea,' Kent replied 'Eron, why don't you follow her,'

'Sure,' Eron stated and together they disappeared behind the huge communal garden and behind the houses.

During the ensuing minutes, Kent and Geoff began to talk about other matters such as church and work. They waited for a good 15 minutes or so ...

The return

Cassandra and Eron eventually reemerged from the shadows and approached Kent and Geoff. No maid appeared at the door.

Eron had a hand upon his forehead and Cassandra looked a little stunned.

'Well?' Kent asked.

'You know ...' Cassandra started 'we were calling my maid ... and then a most peculiar thing happened'

The rest waited in silence.

'Some stranger came to her window and asked "Who are you"?'

Eron started laughing 'It was the WRONG house,'

(swt)

Cassandra had identified the wrong house and awoken her neighbour's maid instead. Oh the irony, oh the tragedy, of the comedy ...

After a few minutes they went back to try the RIGHT house this time. Kent and Geoff were laughing in their absence for a good 15 minutes, almost non stop.

Finally, Cassandra called her parents and thankfully her mother woke up and opened the door.

Whattanevening.

swt

swt

swt

and more swt ...

The End

Sands of Time

The hourglass is a fascinating object. There is something mesmerising about watching the sand slowly trickle to the bottom, settling into a small mountain like formation.

They say age is but a number ... and for me that number is 30.

30 ... oh wow.

You know, when I was in my twenties, early or mid, I used to think that 30 was an age away. Well now that it has arrived, 'how do (you) feel about it?' you may ask. Actually ... I guess I am OK.

What is so bad about turning 30? Well let's see. You're nearer to 40 ... hahah. Oh well, 10 years is a long time (or is it?).

What is so good about turning 30? Well, let's see. It is proof of God's grace. I have made it this far ... 30 years on Earth upheld by Jesus' wonderful grace and mercy. Yes, I give thanks for this 30th year on earth, another year to do God's will, to please Him and to grow deeper into Jesus. What an opportunity!

I bless you Lord Jesus for these 30 years of being always on Your mind and now in Your Hands ... always.

More things to be grateful for this year:

1) God is actively at work in me;

2) I am finally well into my LLM (masters in law) programme (something I have wanted to do for the longest time) ... and it is one year nearer to completion;

3) I still look (hahah) like I am in my 20s;

4) I am surrounded by awesome family and friends;

5) I have more than enough.

Happy birthday all those who are also turning 30 this year, and you know who you are. :)

30 ... it is OK.

Jesus bless you all.

Belated greetings to ... my blog.

Happy birthday to my blog ... but belated birthday ...

I have been blogging for a year ... how time flies.

Jesus bless you all.

Dearly beloved ... :)

Humankind has universally declared today (14th February) 'the day of love', Valentine's Day. Love may mean different things to different people, and there are many kinds of love relationships: Creator (God) - creation (us), parent - child, siblings, friends, family, male - female.

Whatever your perception or understanding of love is, here is the Biblical view of love:

1 Corinthians 13

Love

If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing.

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when perfection comes, the imperfect disappears. When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me. Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.

And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.

Jesus loves you so very much. It is up to us to reciprocate. Make the right choice today.

"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him (John 3.16-17).

Oh ... and have a blessed Valentine's day.

Love and blessings in Christ,

Ken.

The sky's the limit

Cobwebs, cobwebs ...

It has been some time since I blogged and I have recently been hounded. Hahah. The thing is, as a matter of practice (thought not necessarily a hard and fast rule), I only blog when inspired to do so. Witness the return ... hahah.

My devotion this morning reminded me of something I had known for sometime, but perhaps taken some time to internalise: God is faithful.

'Your love, O Lord, reaches to the heavens, Your faithfulness to the skies.' Psalm 36:5

Amen. Father keep my eyes always upon You, O Lord in Heaven, in my heart.

A few updates on what has happened this past one month plus into the new year:

(i) I had a refreshing family holiday (which I enjoyed more than I expected) in Langkawi;

(ii) Prospects of an exciting new ministry in BUC;

(iii) Christian Fellowship in KDU has really taken flight;

(iv) Loved ones are safe and all accounted for;

(v) Presentation and assignment for my LLM at UM went well;

(vi) Made a fresh resolution this year: to truly go deeper into Jesus and to come to know Him more intimately, just to understand and appreciate what it is to BE His child, and just to BE;

(vii) Attended a seminar on how to deliver sermons/messages, which I shall put into practice ... in future, some where, some time ...

Yes, God is so faithful!

Recently, the lyrics and positive message of Josh Groban's latest offering, You are loved, has started to grow on me. Powerful lyrics, beautiful melody and a strong voice ...

You are loved (Don’t give up)

Don't give up

It's just the weight of the world

When your heart's heavy

I, I will lift it for you

Don't give up

Because you want to be heard

If silence keeps you

I, I will break it for you

Everybody wants to be understood

Well I can hear you

Everybody wants to be loved

Don't give up

Because you are loved

Don't give up

It's just the hurt that you hide

When you're lost inside

I, I'll be there to find you

Don't give up

Because you want to burn bright

If darkness blinds you

I, I will shine to guide you

Don't give up

It's just the weight of the world

Don't give up

Everyone needs to be heard

You are loved

I can imagine that would be something our beloved Jesus would sing to us.

All praise and glory to You Lord, because You deserve all that and so much more glory.

You are loved too, Lord Jesus. :)

Truly God's faithfulness reaches to the skies. Oh what a deep statement!

God bless you all.