tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-228818252024-03-13T08:11:55.317-07:00The Inspired Educator(A slice of Phye)
In my life and words, Lord Jesus be glorified.Kenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00297083470703114905noreply@blogger.comBlogger84125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22881825.post-29688761803971113592011-02-11T22:16:00.001-08:002011-02-11T22:30:14.158-08:00Dog<div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">If I had a house with a garden, I would have no hesitation in getting a dog. I grew up with many dogs in our home, among them many Spitzes, a Doberman, a Pointer (for a while), a Daschund, two from a breed that eludes me now (haha), and my favourite (and final dog) a white Bull Terrier.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I miss having a dog.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I read the Star today and there was an article about dogs and their owners, what having a certain breed may say about you. Haha. Ok.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">If I had my way, I would instantly choose either another Bull Terrier or a Beagle. In fact, I momentarily considered buying this really cool Beagle pup from a pet store some time ago, but the fact that I live in a condominium brought me back to reality. Oh well.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Oh by the way, some people have confused the Bull Terrier for the Pitbull, which may have a less than stellar reputation. They are quite different, mind you.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Here are some pictures of the dream dogs:</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-A2zHlP6hZRQ/TVYoBSlcf5I/AAAAAAAAAQI/0jiViu_3lK8/s200/English-Bull-Terrier-300x275.jpg" style="text-align: justify;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 183px; " border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5572685591551442834" /></div><div><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qMJCj6A5I14/TVYoBHaeLXI/AAAAAAAAAQA/Z0lBRFIYTv0/s200/beagle.jpg" style="text-align: justify;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px; " border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5572685588552625522" /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The first photo is from this website: <a href="http://about-your-dog.com/english-bull-terrier/">http://about-your-dog.com/english-bull-terrier/</a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The second: <a href="http://www.bestbullysticks.com/blog/bully-sticks/spotlight-on-a-breed-beagles/">http://www.bestbullysticks.com/blog/bully-sticks/spotlight-on-a-breed-beagles/</a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">They would make great pets.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Now for that house with a garden. Haha.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Jesus be glorified.</div>Kenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00297083470703114905noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22881825.post-32979613588037764712011-02-11T07:59:00.001-08:002011-02-11T08:18:29.559-08:00This world is spinning faster, to a new disaster<div style="text-align: justify;">What's with the world?</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">H<span class="Apple-style-span" >aha. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" >One of the more decent songs on the radio today (and a lot of songs are rubbish) is 'I run to you' by Lady Antebellum. The lyrics speak volumes about the current world situation.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" >I am not sure if the 'you' that is used refers to another human being (I think it does because at one point the man sings 'I run to you, girl'), but it would mean a lot more if it referred to God. God is our only refuge in today's world. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" >Psalm 91: 1-2 declares:</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia; "><i>Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High </i></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><div style="text-align: justify;"><i> will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.</i></div><i><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; "><i>I will say of the LORD, “He is my refuge and my fortress, </i></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; "><i> my God, in whom I trust.”</i></span></div></i></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><i><br /></i></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" >The Bible also clearly says that this world will deteriorate further (Matthew 24, 2 Timothy 3), so the happenings in the world today are really or should not really be surprising.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" >God is my refuge. I run to Jesus.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" >Jesus be glorified.</span></div>Kenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00297083470703114905noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22881825.post-73307409764253490512011-02-10T06:02:00.000-08:002011-02-10T06:16:53.173-08:00Reboot<div style="text-align: justify;">2011.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I am back. I hope this desire to blog continues through the (not so) new year.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">A few updates to what has been happening/happened, as a testimony to God's goodness.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">1) The 'wall' that I hit is coming down gradually. I am finding joy again in what I do.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">2) One step at a time, one day at a time. Walking with some people is not easy, but I find that the journey can be enjoyable. I have been blessed with a small group in Bethesda. Some I have connected with with relative ease, others took a little time; but I thank God for all of them. Walking with people can be very rewarding. Thank you Jesus. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">3) Work is progressing relatively well. I am tackling some new things, but with God's grace, time and effort, all things are possible.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The new look for my blog reminds me of John 15, the Vine (Jesus) and the branches (us). Here is to a blessed year where we remain tightly clinging to Jesus.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Jesus be blessed.</div>Kenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00297083470703114905noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22881825.post-77065016539747336302010-10-13T07:02:00.000-07:002010-10-13T07:05:24.808-07:00Keep onI have hit a wall.<div><br /></div><div>It is a pretty high wall, and one that seems to go on and on for miles.</div><div><br /></div><div>But I remember from my devotional reading that Life is a Test. By God's Grace I intend, in Jesus' strength to pass that test.</div><div><br /></div><div>Heavenly Father, only You can bring about changes for the best. Let it be done in Your time.</div><div><br /></div><div>In the meantime, I am going to keep on and keep on shining.</div><div><br /></div><div>Jesus be blessed.</div>Kenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00297083470703114905noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22881825.post-30595009349617316752010-08-06T21:17:00.000-07:002010-08-06T22:13:48.473-07:00(More than) half way mark2010 is more than half done and it all seems to have just rocketed by.<div><br /></div><div>What has happened in the past 7 plus months?</div><div><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>New Frontiers</b>: first thing's first, the law school (which includes me) of KDU was blessed to move in to our new campus at section 13, near the Rothmans Roundabout. The new campus is spacious, green, newly renovated and did I mention spacious? Haha yes I am a 'spacy' guy (as in I like space, not the kind where aliens come from but where there is a lot of room). I remember coming in to the new campus to select seating places in December 2009 and looking forward to being planted there. Now that I am here, I cannot imagine going back to the older campus, which lacked space (haha). And, with our new campus we have a ''new'' CF too. God is gracious.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Bethsaida: we finally branched out from Bethesda and have been meeting weekly since May (I think). A lot of personal sharing and encouragement and it is less formal now, a lot more like the simple house church that we have heard so much about. :)</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Visit to the palace</b>: This may surprise some but I have never been to PutraJaya (as far as I can remember). The Law Society organised a trip to the Appeal Courts and I tagged along, as a so called chaperon. Haha. The building itself is beautiful I must say. Very palatial and posh inside.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Sing</b>: Had many karaoke sessions this year. Really the bug has bitten me. :) Thank you UTas semesters 5 and 6 and OBU semester 4. Also thank you ANC karaokers. :)</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Re retreat</b>: Haha, you are reading it correctly, the extra 're' was intentionally done. I have had a handful of retreats this year, to Fraser's Hill (twice), to Cameron Highlands (once) and to Ipoh. It is always a blast to have a retreat with church mates and friends but the thing I notice is that I usually end up more tired after a retreat. Must be the lack of sleep. Haha. Well there are more to come I am sure, but this time I will be keeping my sleep time. :)</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>World Cup</b>: One of the highlights of this year so far, surely, and one of the most enjoyable. The Oranje should have won (haha, not getting into some kind of debate). I remember the late nights and early mornings, the stuffy mamak and watching some games with dad in front of the telly. I don't think I have quite recovered from the lack of sleep but I did enjoy the Netherland-ic march all the way to the finals. A pity about England though.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Hello and goodbye</b>: Hello Lisa (my old friend), hello Mich and Rach (again), hello Stephen from Ireland, hello Chung En (again). It is always nice to have hellos. But then again we also have goodbyes: goodbye Sabah, goodbye semester 6 UTas, goodbye Sammy boy and goodbye Ming Yue (soon). I will miss you guys. Jesus be with you all.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="text-align: justify; "><b>Answered prayers</b>: My Heavenly Father really provides. He is Jehovah Jireh, my provider. Mom was baptised this year, and I am beginning to know how to listen to God in answer to my prayers and to wait. :) Exciting times ahead.</div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Gifts to me</b>: A Dell laptop for me at the beginning of the year from the PC Fair. Thank you Roy for accompanying me to get it. Thank you my Heavenly Father for it too. Also I recently got what I had been looking for for some time: a Netherlands 10 Sneijder jersey. :) Cost me a small bomb and some time to wait but it is all good. Thank you Vincent Lee for your time and effort. Thank you my Heavenly Father for the jersey. It is currently hanging next to my 9 Shearer jersey. Haha.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Run, pray, pray more</b>: Runnat 2010 was good, running in the rain, an experience. Haha. The Global Day of prayer was awesome, I know our Father in Heaven is going to do something powerful. The launch of the 40 Day prayer and fast was impactful as well. Pray pray pray. It is the least we as children of the Most High God can do. Our Lord Jesus be glorified. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I think that is about all I will write for this more than half way mark. I know there is more to come and am looking forward to what is in store. My time is in Jesus' Hands so I am secure.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Jesus bless you.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div><br /></div></div>Kenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00297083470703114905noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22881825.post-33577193933718224552009-12-22T23:32:00.000-08:002009-12-23T01:23:52.709-08:00Two Oh Oh Nine<div align="justify">The year is drawing fast to an end. I have waited about a year for this. Every year after Christmas I begin counting down to the next Christmas. :) It is (besides church camp) my favourite time of the year.</div><div align="justify"><br /></div><div align="justify">In ending the year, I thought it proper to recollect significant events that happened this year (in random order, because I have probably forgotten quite a few, haha) and significant people that I have had the blessing to come across. Here they are (and all glory and thanks to Jesus for them):</div><div align="justify"><br /></div><div align="justify"><strong>Hillsong 2009</strong>: 7th - 11th July 2009 (if I remember) found me in Sydney (again). I have been to Sydney three times in as many years and I really give thanks to Jesus my saviour for that. The ticket was itself a miracle (about RM1670 return, bought a few weeks before the conference) and the accommodation was another miracle (Bob and Sue Garrard, Sue whom Yoke Kheng and I met at Hillsong 2008). The conference was a blessing and I learnt from some of God's best servants: Louie, Craig, Chris, Jentzen, Joel and the Hillsong team. Oh and the 'bonus' pictures with my brothers and 'buddies' Joel, Jed and Rubes. :)</div><div align="justify"><br /></div><div align="justify"><strong>H1N1 scare</strong> and weight loss (cool): I quarantined myself for about 6 days after returning from Australia as I developed a fever some hours after coming home. Imagine my fear as I am a paranoid guy. I packed and was ready to check in to a hopsital but when my dad called the hopsital they said unless it was serious (coughing, etc) there was no need to check in. I took Tamiflu (just in case) and literally cooped myself in my room the whole time, coming out only to wash up, bathe and wash my dishes. My beloved mom would bring the food to my door and my nephew would ask me why I could not come out. When I finally completed my 'course' one of the things I did was to weigh myself and lo and behold I was 4 kgs lighter. From then on it has been gym and/or pool 4-6 times a week. :)</div><div align="justify"><br /></div><div align="justify"><strong>Run for the Nation</strong>: 5 am and some days of training to complete a 5km course in 40 minutes. Running and praying for the nation was something new. Prayer walk with a run ... haha. Thought it was less than possible but all things are possible with Jesus. All glory to Him.</div><div align="justify"><br /></div><div align="justify"><strong>LLM (Master in Law)</strong>: My 'bachelor' hood has been superseded by my master in Law degree. Haha. I am still a bachelor (albeit a most eligible one ... and I thought I made it <em>Obvious</em> to her). Three years and six subjects later I am now qualified to lecture (haha). All glory to Jesus for walking with me through all those tiring assignments, presentations and exams, and for wisdom. Exams are literally a thing of the past now (for Law that is). :) Plus this was my very first convocation (mine). God has been very good with the salary adjustment too.</div><div align="justify"><br /></div><div align="justify"><strong>Restful Holiday</strong>: my trip to Johor was probably my first holiday trip where I slept kau kau. Preferring not to risk going to Singapore at the time or going most anywhere (H1N1, haha), I slept, drank tea, played games on Sahaya's I Phone and slept some more. What a holiday ...</div><div align="justify"><br /></div><div align="justify"><strong>The Little Book that could</strong>: JRR Tolkien's <em>The Hobbit</em> allowed me to pocket RM200 from KDU. I won third prize in a book review contest that KDU had organised. It is truly the little book that could. Haha.</div><div align="justify"><br /></div><div align="justify"><strong>Visitors from abroad (angels?)</strong>: Sarah Yang and the Singapore team, Herr Piero, Janice and Matthew from Singapore (and the USA), the YWAM team and Watchman Ngiam all were God's spokespeople to our campus team, church and I this year. I believe we are in a time of equipping for the labour ahead. Thanks all you guys who have been such a blessing to me (us). Jesus be glorified. And thanks to Piero for all the laughter during our photo taking sessions. Haha.</div><div align="justify"><br /></div><div align="justify"><strong>'Handsomology' instructor</strong>: Pastor Victor and Kelly ran the Cross Encounter Camp this year and although it was for the youth, this older youth still learnt and was impacted for God. The time of rest (I think I feel asleep a little while) before The Lord Jesus during the final evening was such a blessing. Handsomology? Just ask Pastor Victor.</div><div align="justify"><br /></div><div align="justify"><strong>Camp 2009</strong>: Bethesda (us) was entrusted with the planning of the camp and by God's grace, the camp was a success. We revisited Harvest Haven and had a good time with an anointed speaker: Pastor Joshua Krishnan. I learnt that his son Jason is also a Magpie fan (yeah). The only glitch was the tomato game (haha, Ming brothers ...). Accommodation and food were good, sessions were impactful and it was fun, fun, fun. Jesus be glorified.</div><div align="justify"><br /></div><div align="justify"><strong>Campus Life</strong>: My time at the Damansara Jaya campus (KDU) has come to an end and soon we will be shifting to a new campus in section 13 PJ. Many have complained, but I for one am looking forward to it. A new environment is always good (a change can do us a world of good) and right now, I am also listening and waiting for further instructions from Father God about the new campus work there. Amen. Also I am a lot nearer to my old office, LexisNexis Malaysia (Jaya 33). God bless the CF under the capable stewardship of Miss Angeline and Mr Simon and the new president Jennifer.</div><div align="justify"><br /></div><div align="justify"><strong>Campus Life 2</strong>: The students that God, Jesus the Lord, has entrusted me with are some of my very favourite. I have known them for some time (since sem 2) and will miss those flying off soon (whether sem 4 or sem 6) but am looking forward to seeing those that remain at least a little while longer. Karaoke anyone? Prawn fishing? Haha. Jesus be blessed in and through them.</div><div align="justify"><br /></div><div align="justify"><strong>Campus Life 3</strong>: We have been meeting for more than a year in our Campus Ministry group and there have been progress concerning the oikos list. I thank Jesus for all my co workers (Roy, Aaron, Xiying, Jia Ling, Yoke Kheng and uncle Chris) and oikos and I pray that in the year to come, God will multiply us and continue to shelter us under his omnipotent wing.</div><div align="justify"><br /></div><div align="justify"><strong>David A</strong>: my first secular concert of sorts. David Archuleta at the Sunway Lagoon Amphitheater, packed with young (ho hum) and not so young (wow) alike, girls and guys too. An enjoyable consert (more of a sing a long) from an able performer with a really good voice, whose songs have become some of my karaoke staples. Haha.</div><div align="justify"><br /></div><div align="justify"><strong>Karaoke</strong>: Speaking of karaoke, I think it strange that come November to December karaoke seems to be the in thing for me. I could be an addict ... haha. I have been four times in two months already (last year three times I think) with several groups of friends and having a blessed time every single time. For <em>Obvious</em> reasons, I find singing with friends so much fun and boy do we have a good laugh at each other. Haha. Bring it on. Oh yes, I have a membership card too. Haha.</div><div align="justify"><br /></div><div align="justify"><strong>Potty and Lotty</strong>: My dear group of FES friends have come through again, we have managed to get through another year of becoming closer and having our monthly (most of the time) dinners and laugh sessions. Thank you guys for making my time with you all so memorable ... and yes, my house ... soon. :) Jesus be blessed.</div><div align="justify"><br /></div><div align="justify"><strong>'Oh man' </strong>incidents: My A-level group from CF, a most memorable group this year, my yum cha, Hokkien mee group has given me two things to be thankful for from two less than savoury incidents: (A) Getting conned by a group of youngsters aka supposed 'stolen' laptops. Two of my CF students were accused by some random guys of stealing their boss' son's laptop. Well it was all a con game and they ended up two laptops short. I believe there were angels protecting us that night as no one was hurt. (B) The I Phone that went for a swim: I am still a little apologetic to John for pushing him into the pool when he had his I phone (a gift from his grandfather I think) and was ready to buy him a new one. Thankfully it was repairable. Jesus be glorified for that. :) (C) This is a different "oh man" incident: NUFC was relegated this year ... oh man. But in retrospect it was a good thing for now they are soaring in the Championship after having most of the 'dross' cleaned. Kudos to Chris but I am still waiting for Alan. :)</div><div align="justify"><br /></div><div align="justify"><strong>'We'll miss you' <em></em></strong>incidents: To the Wongs and the Yus, thank you for making my growing up in church a blessing. I have been encouraged by you, learnt from you, been inspired to walk nearer to God and just been blessed by your love, friendship and food. Jesus bless and keep you all always. I will miss you for sure. :)</div><div align="justify"><br /></div><div align="justify">I think that is pretty much it, but I am sure I am forgetting some other important things. Oh well, good or bad, God be praised.</div><div align="justify"><br /></div><div align="justify">Jesus bless you all and thank You Jesus for 2009. May 2010 be even better for Your glory Jesus.</div><div align="justify"><br /></div><div align="justify">Amen and Amen.</div>Kenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00297083470703114905noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22881825.post-9650092862382772322009-10-18T21:42:00.001-07:002009-10-18T21:45:38.762-07:00New Campus<div align="justify">I am excited at what is going to happen.<br /><br />KDU Law and Business Schools are moving to a new premise, s 13, with a renovated building and the works.<br /><br />A change will probably do us good, and I for one am looking forward to it. :)<br /><br />Parking woes? Hmmm ... maybe but I am looking forward to it.<br /><br />Jams in the mornings and evenings? Maybe but I am looking forward to it.<br /><br />It is just like when you buy some fish from the store and release them into an aquarium and they roam about exploring the new environment ... I am looking forward to that.<br /><br />New campus = new opportunities for God as well.<br /><br />Jesus be glorified.</div>Kenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00297083470703114905noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22881825.post-59687546166911298592009-10-11T22:02:00.000-07:002009-10-11T22:14:11.175-07:005 am<div align="justify">Would you get up at 345am and run/jog at 5am in a semi deserted area? :)</div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"> <br /></div><div align="justify">God in all His goodness can be quite persuasive. All glory to Jesus.</div><div align="justify"><br /></div><div align="justify">I actually enjoyed myself and the run was quite invigorating. My team mates were excellent as well and we managed to cover the route and pray (at times out of breath) through the prayer cards. </div><div align="justify"><br /></div><div align="justify">Run for the Nation, which is what about 1200 Christians from all denominations and churches have just done over the weekend, is complete. Hopefully the praying continues, redemptive prayers for our beloved Malaysia and her people.</div><div align="justify"></div><br /><div align="justify">Signing up next year? Haha. Remember the date 23 May 2010.</div><div align="justify"></div><br /><div align="justify">All glory to Jesus.</div>Kenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00297083470703114905noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22881825.post-31528025840252559312009-07-02T02:37:00.000-07:002009-07-02T02:40:45.148-07:00Expectation<div align="justify">Dear reader,<br /><br />Tomorrow Jia Ling and I fly to Sydney to meet up with the rest of the gang (Yoke Kheng, Kevin and Jia Yein) for the Hillsong Conference 2009. :)<br /><br />Psalm 91 shall be my/our comfort.<br /><br />Jesus be glorified in us and through us.<br /><br />Jesus bless you. </div><div align="justify"> </div><div align="justify">P.S: please keep us in your prayers: protection, joy, experiencing God.</div>Kenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00297083470703114905noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22881825.post-28413401188156338262009-06-22T00:15:00.000-07:002009-06-22T00:37:32.594-07:00Vacation from vacations<div align="justify">The topic is a little misleading. I am not taking a holiday from holidays ... haha. In fact I think I need to take breaks every now and then and not just breaks like weekend types of breaks because I find that my weekends can be just as busy as my weekdays. I am talking about taking a real holiday, not the kind where you get more tired after one, but one where you almost literally do nothing, have nothing planned when you arrive.</div><div align="justify"><br />I had my first (or at least I think it was my first) holiday where I did not come home more tired than when I left. I have just returned from a holiday in JB with a group of good friends. We left on Friday morning with virtually nothing pre-planned but looking forward to whatever came. Eventually all of them visited Singapore but I decided to stay where I was and just relax. It is rather liberating to be able to wake up, go for a nice breakfast (the food we had in JB was very good from local Malay dishes like nasi ayam penyek, lontong, bakso and laksa Johor to Chinese delicacies like roast duck and salted egg fried crabs), return to the bungalow and just relax, play games, play IPhone games and sleep whenever you wanted to, not having to rush from one place to another enduring the heat and haze and (hehe) flu.</div><div align="justify"><br />That is exactly what I did and I enjoyed it ... it was different. For the longest time, whenever we would go on vacation, whether family or friends, we would normally be rushing from one place to another and then at the end of it I would reflect and wonder where did the holiday go? Well this time I decided to stay back and enjoy the huge, well furnished airconditioned bungalow and sleep whenever I felt like it. :) </div><div align="justify"><br />I did meet up with some old friends though and joined them for a few meals and this I enjoyed a lot as well as they were friends I had not seen or kept in touch with for sometime. I think overall my level of activity this time around truly qualified my vacation as a vacation from vacations (the type that tires you more than energises).<br /><br />Jesus be blessed. </div>Kenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00297083470703114905noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22881825.post-58103742926452836272009-06-12T02:41:00.000-07:002009-06-12T02:46:40.349-07:00A little behind time as well ...<div align="justify">Dear all,<br /><br />Here are two book reviews I submitted for a book review contest in KDU. By God's grace I ended up winning third prize for the staff category for the Hobbit review.<br /><br />:)<br /><br />The Hobbit review<br />http://tlc-kdu.blogspot.com/2009/02/book-review-contest-hobbit-reviewed-by.html<br /><br />The Great Gatsby review<br />http://tlc-kdu.blogspot.com/2009/01/book-review-contest-great-gatsby.html<br /><br />God's timing is perfect as I needed the money which I won to pay for something unexpected.<br /><br />Jesus be glorified. </div>Kenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00297083470703114905noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22881825.post-50658700525145743152009-06-12T02:20:00.000-07:002009-06-12T02:34:37.352-07:00Completion<div align="justify">Hi. </div><div align="justify"><br /></div><div align="justify">It is almost time for Hillsong 2009, so I feel I have to summarise the rest of Hillsong 2008 (haha) so that things can proceed forward (after almost a year). </div><div align="justify"><br /></div><div align="justify">Some highlights:</div><div align="justify"><br /></div><div align="justify">1) As I mentioned before (many months ago) I am awed at being a small part of the congregation of 25000 followers and worshippers of Jesus gathered together to worship God in His Holiness and Splendour. God is great. The atmosphere during the worship services was awesome ... I felt a freedom to just worship God our Heavenly Father and to pour my heart out to Him (even as His Word in the Psalms tells us too: pour out our hearts to God). It was liberating. :)</div><div align="justify"><br /></div><div align="justify">2) The messages were timely and sometimes humourous (esp Joyce Meyer's messages) and contained a lot of Biblical teaching and truth. I just pray that I have learnt from that and that I am now a different person than I was one year ago ... for the better.</div><div align="justify"><br /></div><div align="justify">3) The workshops were eye openers as I got to learn from those God had anointed, some sessions being very practical and fun. It was a privilege to listen from people such as Leeland, the Hillsong Worship Team and Judah Smith.</div><div align="justify"></div><br /><div align="justify">4) Our hosts, Peter and Beth were kindness personified and we were taken care of so well. Thanks again Peter and Beth and all of Jesus best blessings on you. </div><div align="justify"><br /></div><div align="justify">5) The trip home (and there) was safe. God is good.</div><div align="justify"><br /></div><div align="justify">This year around, I do not plan to blog day by day of the Hillsong Conference as you have seen that I can take ages to do so ... haha. I pray almost daily for the healing and protection of God over us as we prepare to brave the journey into Australia, esp from the H1N1 flu. Exodus 15.26 and Psalm 91 are great comforts. Hopefully and prayerfully, by then the H1N1 will be a distant memory.</div><div align="justify"><br /></div><div align="justify">Jesus bless you.</div><div align="justify"><br /></div><div align="justify">Jesus be blessed.</div><div align="justify"></div>Kenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00297083470703114905noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22881825.post-362134220111928742009-02-03T22:06:00.000-08:002009-02-03T22:35:46.042-08:00In the beginning ...<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Fy22VZdckEI/SYkxDnvqB-I/AAAAAAAAANM/V4RXMEq0x_I/s1600-h/7Y1NCA5CK3OBCALGAYP2CACXQBW8CAR8W8V2CADP6526CAFJ891NCAM40RQCCA2TE0L9CARAP4HWCA55UDA0CAE3KDGJCANBI6BKCAM37T7YCAJL9NK2CAK2EUGFCAZJUN11CAZ2PN90CAITT69CCAJ7EP3X.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5298820374856337378" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 137px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 103px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Fy22VZdckEI/SYkxDnvqB-I/AAAAAAAAANM/V4RXMEq0x_I/s200/7Y1NCA5CK3OBCALGAYP2CACXQBW8CAR8W8V2CADP6526CAFJ891NCAM40RQCCA2TE0L9CARAP4HWCA55UDA0CAE3KDGJCANBI6BKCAM37T7YCAJL9NK2CAK2EUGFCAZJUN11CAZ2PN90CAITT69CCAJ7EP3X.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div align="center">Life is a highway, life is a rollercoaster, life is ... life.</div><div align="center"><br /></div><div></div><div align="justify">It was not the best of starts, but it was not the worst of starts either. I think for most 2009 started rather shakily what with the economic crisis and all. I had felt (in 2008, if I remember correctly) that for me at least, 2009 was going to be a year of sanctification. With sanctification comes trials and of trials, the Bible says (in James 1:2-4):</div><div align="justify"><br /></div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"><em>Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.</em></div><div align="justify"><em></em><br /></div><div align="justify"><em></em></div><div align="justify">My year paradoxically, has not started very well and yet in a way it has. I am grateful to my Lord Jesus Christ for the financial blessings I received (including the review contest I won today: third place, all glory to Jesus) and for the fact that I know God has something great for me this year. On the other hand, my rash recurred and my LLM assignment has been postponed on numerous occassions, the burden on my shoulders heavy, among other mishaps ... I think to myself every now and then, will I be able to stand after the trials, and am still holding on to the truth of the matter that is Jesus Himself will hold me up. It is not I that stand but that God holds me up in His omnipotent arms. Still the going has not been easy, not for me, not for most.</div><div align="justify"><br /></div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify">God gives and takes away. Who am I to complain? Job had the right attitude ...</div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify">'The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away; may the name of the LORD be praised. (Job 1: 21b)</div><div align="justify"><br /></div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify">Lord Jesus Christ, have Your way in me, with me.</div><div align="justify"><br /></div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify">May we all have a fruitful 2009, all for Jesus' glory.</div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"></div>Kenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00297083470703114905noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22881825.post-19874672643786832672008-12-31T19:04:00.000-08:002008-12-31T19:13:49.469-08:00Herald<div style="text-align: justify;">Here's Kenny!<br /><br />2009 is here. Another new year filled with fresh possibilities.<br /><br />Even as I watched the displays of fireworks (and there were more than three of them from where I was), I could not help but wonder: are people unwittingly 'celebrating' bleaker, uncertain times to come?<br /><br />Whatever it is (or will be), I am sure God has it all under control, as my God, Jesus, has all things in the palm of His Almighty Hand. He is Jehovah Jireh. :)<br /><br />And I did not forget to finish my blogging (nor am I discontinuing it) of Hillsong 2008. I will summarise and bring it to an appropriate completion ... soon. :)<br /><br />Jesus bless you.<br /><br />Jesus be blessed.<br /><br /></div>Kenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00297083470703114905noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22881825.post-67570313510660381292008-07-18T02:08:00.000-07:002008-07-18T02:50:04.810-07:00Soaring up, down under: Pt 3<div align="justify"><strong>Day 5 8th July</strong><br /><br />The Conference had begun!<br /><br />The winter mornings in Sydney are really cold and if you are tucked up nicely in a warm bed and the alarm bells ring at 630am, there is no where else better to be than to remain in bed ... oh the luxury. This would have been the case but for the fact that I came all the way to the largest island/smallest continent in the world to experience God, so at 645am (haha), I forced myself out of bed and shivered my way to the washroom.<br /><br />Our hostess, the wonderful Beth, drove us in a heated car to the nearest station, Pennant Hills and it took us to Strathfield St and then to Lidcombe St, where we switched again to Olympic Park. We arrived at about 815am (the trains in Sydney are very punctual and predictable). By this time, the doors were already opened and people were literally flocking in the cold to enter the warmth of the indoor Acer Arena stadium.<br /><br />That morning our speaker was Ps Brian Houston on 'Does my donkey offend you'? He spoke about the Palm Sunday story where our Lord Jesus rode on the donkey into Jerusalem amidst praise and adoration by those who would scream for His crificixion a week later. Basically the message was about things that God allows us to have to be used as vehicles for Him (ministry, gifts, etc) and we should never forget that it is not about those vehicles, but about Him. Jesus should always be upon whatever 'donkeys' we have. Amen.<br /><br />Subsequently, Joel Houston shared his vision (I Heart) that God had given to him and what it meant to him and us as Christians ... to love God and love people with all our heart; God's commandments. It was not really prepared in the sense that you could see that he spoke from his heart. All glory to Jesus.<br /><br />Our seats were just a stone's throw away from the stage where the Hillsong Team led the morning worship to Jesus.<br /><br /></div><a href="http://bp1.blogger.com/_Fy22VZdckEI/SIBgJwFYaWI/AAAAAAAAAJ0/UvacIidZYOY/s1600-h/Hillsong+08+179.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5224281288392337762" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp1.blogger.com/_Fy22VZdckEI/SIBgJwFYaWI/AAAAAAAAAJ0/UvacIidZYOY/s200/Hillsong+08+179.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://bp0.blogger.com/_Fy22VZdckEI/SIBgKIzeDiI/AAAAAAAAAJ8/WeR1-HowjMM/s1600-h/Hillsong+08+195.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5224281295028096546" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp0.blogger.com/_Fy22VZdckEI/SIBgKIzeDiI/AAAAAAAAAJ8/WeR1-HowjMM/s200/Hillsong+08+195.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://bp3.blogger.com/_Fy22VZdckEI/SIBgKaC0eDI/AAAAAAAAAKE/_HaEpclf47I/s1600-h/Hillsong+08+198.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5224281299655882802" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/_Fy22VZdckEI/SIBgKaC0eDI/AAAAAAAAAKE/_HaEpclf47I/s200/Hillsong+08+198.jpg" border="0" /> <p align="justify"></a><br /><br />Tim Costello (World Vision, Australia) also spoke on Freedom being the heart beat of God and about the fact that in today's world there are about 21 million people in literal slavery! We are agents of redemption, not just spiritual but also physical (social justice).<br /><br />The congregation then broke off into our respective streams: Leadership, worship leadership or community. I had signed up under worship leadership and that morning the elective speaker was Mr Marcos Witt who runs the Lakewood Church Spanish service in the USA. He gave an interesting exposition about worship leadership based on Revelation 4 (the four Heavenly Creatures). It was nothing I have ever heard before and it seemed to make sense. :)<br /><br /></p><a href="http://bp3.blogger.com/_Fy22VZdckEI/SIBhIgY_65I/AAAAAAAAAKM/TiF65XNFqME/s1600-h/Hillsong+08+200.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5224282366511410066" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/_Fy22VZdckEI/SIBhIgY_65I/AAAAAAAAAKM/TiF65XNFqME/s200/Hillsong+08+200.jpg" border="0" /> <p align="justify"></a><br /><br />(the picture shows Darlene Zschech (pronounced something like 'Zhjec') introducing Marcos, pictured later in my blog)<br /><br />Evening approached and by 430pm it was time for the first of two daily rallies. As I already stated, it is amazing worshipping Jesus with 25000 of my brothers and sisters in Christ. The Hillsong Team led again and the evening's speaker was Paul de Jong (of New Zealand). Paul is a good preacher and can be funny at times (if you look closely when he grins, he looks a little like Sean Connery, haha).<br /><br /></p><a href="http://bp1.blogger.com/_Fy22VZdckEI/SIBig4WIkPI/AAAAAAAAAKU/MVbq4TM_vu4/s1600-h/Hillsong+08+207.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5224283884770332914" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp1.blogger.com/_Fy22VZdckEI/SIBig4WIkPI/AAAAAAAAAKU/MVbq4TM_vu4/s200/Hillsong+08+207.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://bp2.blogger.com/_Fy22VZdckEI/SIBihFc8wRI/AAAAAAAAAKc/dNCofUm34Cw/s1600-h/Hillsong+08+208.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5224283888288579858" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp2.blogger.com/_Fy22VZdckEI/SIBihFc8wRI/AAAAAAAAAKc/dNCofUm34Cw/s200/Hillsong+08+208.jpg" border="0" /> <p align="justify"></a><br /><br />He spoke of faith and confidence (being attributes we are actually born with) and how to restore God centred confidence in times of trial. Powerful words.<br /><br />730pm's rally (and it was getting colder) started again with worship to Jesus and this was followed by Mike Pilavachi (I think he started Soul Survivor ministries and is Matt Redman's pastor in UK). I loved his British humour and he was hilarious. Really funny guy, and with an inspiring message: the relationship between worship, evangelism and justice (worship is an expression of our love to God; evangelism is an overflow of that worship (if you love someone, you want the world to know that person) and justice is a consequence of that (helping the poor, widows, orphans, oppresed, etc). He also remarked something very interesting: <em>Evangelism is a church without walls which doesn't preach the gospel but IS the Gospel</em>.<br /><br /></p><a href="http://bp1.blogger.com/_Fy22VZdckEI/SIBkGNBXoqI/AAAAAAAAAKk/k_r9fftGIKA/s1600-h/Hillsong+08+224.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5224285625487172258" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp1.blogger.com/_Fy22VZdckEI/SIBkGNBXoqI/AAAAAAAAAKk/k_r9fftGIKA/s200/Hillsong+08+224.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://bp3.blogger.com/_Fy22VZdckEI/SIBkGQWofBI/AAAAAAAAAKs/_HOK9gdimYo/s1600-h/Hillsong+08+226.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5224285626381663250" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/_Fy22VZdckEI/SIBkGQWofBI/AAAAAAAAAKs/_HOK9gdimYo/s200/Hillsong+08+226.jpg" border="0" /> <p align="justify"></a><br /><br />(picture above: Israel and team, picture below: Mike Pilavachi)<br /><br />Israel Houghton also led a short time of worship along with the Hillsong Team and for those who are wondering, he is a gifted and anointed worship leader and song writer with Lakewood Church in USA. His songs were really upbeat and lively (e.g. Let the Redeemed).<br /><br />What a day. What a great start to the conference proper ...<br /><br />... and there was more to come. :)<br /><br />Jesus be blessed. </p>Kenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00297083470703114905noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22881825.post-38497618788028992912008-07-16T02:12:00.000-07:002008-07-16T02:48:13.915-07:00Soaring up, Down under Pt 2<div align="justify"><strong>DAY 4 7th July </strong><br />(Day 1 of the Conference)<br /><br />Pancake on the Rocks. :) That about summed up our morning. The gang met up at about 10am and made our way to The Rocks for a pancake brunch. To cut a long story short (it was not really that long anyway), here are the pictures of the pancakes. The bacon (for the savoury pancakes) and the 'original' pancakes were especially good (soaked in rich, golden, shimmering maple syrup).<br /><br /></div><a href="http://bp0.blogger.com/_Fy22VZdckEI/SH29ZLjpa8I/AAAAAAAAAIM/07JfDJWNIOY/s1600-h/Hillsong+08+116.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5223539383116327874" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp0.blogger.com/_Fy22VZdckEI/SH29ZLjpa8I/AAAAAAAAAIM/07JfDJWNIOY/s200/Hillsong+08+116.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://bp2.blogger.com/_Fy22VZdckEI/SH29ZdnOWrI/AAAAAAAAAIU/9F6KknVnr34/s1600-h/Hillsong+08+120.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5223539387963169458" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp2.blogger.com/_Fy22VZdckEI/SH29ZdnOWrI/AAAAAAAAAIU/9F6KknVnr34/s200/Hillsong+08+120.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://bp2.blogger.com/_Fy22VZdckEI/SH29ZnNxstI/AAAAAAAAAIc/SE98TzAdXtU/s1600-h/Hillsong+08+119.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5223539390540788434" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp2.blogger.com/_Fy22VZdckEI/SH29ZnNxstI/AAAAAAAAAIc/SE98TzAdXtU/s200/Hillsong+08+119.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://bp2.blogger.com/_Fy22VZdckEI/SH29Z2iMBvI/AAAAAAAAAIk/ZUiN_l0V01M/s1600-h/Hillsong+08+124.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5223539394652931826" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp2.blogger.com/_Fy22VZdckEI/SH29Z2iMBvI/AAAAAAAAAIk/ZUiN_l0V01M/s200/Hillsong+08+124.jpg" border="0" /> <p align="justify"></a><br /><br />We then visited the MCA (Museum of Contemporary Art) and before we entered, took this picture.<br /><br /></p><a href="http://bp3.blogger.com/_Fy22VZdckEI/SH2-DhvutGI/AAAAAAAAAIs/oCG5WwrALzM/s1600-h/Hillsong+08+109.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5223540110627091554" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/_Fy22VZdckEI/SH2-DhvutGI/AAAAAAAAAIs/oCG5WwrALzM/s200/Hillsong+08+109.jpg" border="0" /> <p align="justify"></a><br /><br />Let me say this without prejudice, art seems to be anything today. I mean anything. There was this exhibition where the object on display was a table with some tools on it. Also some pictures of people framed up ... So much for that experience. The picture above would also be an 'exhibit'.<br /><br />A few hours later found us at the Acer Arena in Olympic Park for the opening rally of the Conference.<br /><br /></p><a href="http://bp3.blogger.com/_Fy22VZdckEI/SH2_kJeInXI/AAAAAAAAAI0/ObpAtz01bzU/s1600-h/Hillsong+08+205.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5223541770558152050" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/_Fy22VZdckEI/SH2_kJeInXI/AAAAAAAAAI0/ObpAtz01bzU/s200/Hillsong+08+205.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://bp2.blogger.com/_Fy22VZdckEI/SH2_kdX6hHI/AAAAAAAAAI8/XyAk1maE9v4/s1600-h/Hillsong+08+133.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5223541775900771442" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp2.blogger.com/_Fy22VZdckEI/SH2_kdX6hHI/AAAAAAAAAI8/XyAk1maE9v4/s200/Hillsong+08+133.jpg" border="0" /> <p align="justify"></a><br /><br />(Due to the fact that I have been told that I tend to write theses when blogging, these entries are short, sweet and picture packed. <em>I took over 400 pictures and videos. Please visit my Multiply site for all of them by clicking on the link in the Links section</em>).<br /><br />The initial rally opened what eventually turned out to be an awesome experience for me personally. I worshipped Jesus like never before, some nights literally singing my heart and lungs out, crying and crying out to my God, Jesus. Proclaiming freedom, proclaiming the promises of Him who reigns forever. More pictures from the first rally (Hillsong Nights). The Hillsong Worship Team led the worship sessions (there are two rallies each day: 430pm and 730pm with different speakers). The first day we had Robert Barringer (I think this is correct) and Ps Judah Smith. The former's message was about being extraordinary in the world, and the latter's was a message about 'Embracing Grace' (Luke 15: 1-24) to which I responded to God in rededication. Amen. What a start to the week.<br /><br /></p><a href="http://bp3.blogger.com/_Fy22VZdckEI/SH3BMQWDcEI/AAAAAAAAAJE/FIxg1K3hJtE/s1600-h/Hillsong+08+144.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5223543559109701698" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/_Fy22VZdckEI/SH3BMQWDcEI/AAAAAAAAAJE/FIxg1K3hJtE/s200/Hillsong+08+144.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://bp3.blogger.com/_Fy22VZdckEI/SH3BMrdOPwI/AAAAAAAAAJM/MnSpJyqIxp4/s1600-h/Hillsong+08+147.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5223543566387527426" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/_Fy22VZdckEI/SH3BMrdOPwI/AAAAAAAAAJM/MnSpJyqIxp4/s200/Hillsong+08+147.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://bp1.blogger.com/_Fy22VZdckEI/SH3BMrmAn_I/AAAAAAAAAJU/SCcTg_Ac3Mw/s1600-h/Hillsong+08+156.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5223543566424383474" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp1.blogger.com/_Fy22VZdckEI/SH3BMrmAn_I/AAAAAAAAAJU/SCcTg_Ac3Mw/s200/Hillsong+08+156.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://bp3.blogger.com/_Fy22VZdckEI/SH3BM1r9YOI/AAAAAAAAAJc/wjCoXdqtzrY/s1600-h/Hillsong+08+158.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5223543569133691106" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/_Fy22VZdckEI/SH3BM1r9YOI/AAAAAAAAAJc/wjCoXdqtzrY/s200/Hillsong+08+158.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://bp1.blogger.com/_Fy22VZdckEI/SH3BNNnCB-I/AAAAAAAAAJk/CnFpGy6aWjg/s1600-h/Hillsong+08+174.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5223543575555475426" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp1.blogger.com/_Fy22VZdckEI/SH3BNNnCB-I/AAAAAAAAAJk/CnFpGy6aWjg/s200/Hillsong+08+174.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />The fourth picture is Robert and the one below is Judah.<br /><br /><a href="http://bp3.blogger.com/_Fy22VZdckEI/SH3CX6KdWKI/AAAAAAAAAJs/EzWnE2NEJVE/s1600-h/Hillsong+08+176.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5223544858825545890" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/_Fy22VZdckEI/SH3CX6KdWKI/AAAAAAAAAJs/EzWnE2NEJVE/s200/Hillsong+08+176.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Ok that's all for now.<br /><br />Jesus bless you and be blessed Lord Jesus.Kenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00297083470703114905noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22881825.post-78793179774848088092008-07-15T00:58:00.000-07:002008-07-15T02:02:47.678-07:00Soaring up, down under<div align="justify"><a href="http://bp1.blogger.com/_Fy22VZdckEI/SHxadGyvmQI/AAAAAAAAAGc/sGWqQagXASM/s1600-h/Hillsong+08+137.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5223149123929086210" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp1.blogger.com/_Fy22VZdckEI/SHxadGyvmQI/AAAAAAAAAGc/sGWqQagXASM/s320/Hillsong+08+137.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Picture this: 25,000 people from 69 countries all around the world, united in praising and worshipping Jesus Christ our Lord and Saviour: all in one stadium ... wow, wow, wow.<br /><br />That about sums up my soaring experience at this year's Hillsong Conference at Sydney's Acer Arena: 5 nights and 4 days of soaking/being in God's/Jesus' presence and learning from some of the most anointed preachers in the world; responding to several of God's calls for me personally and getting to know some of the locals.<br /><br />Sign me up for the next one! Haha ... and it is done ...<br /><br />Some highlights of the conference and my trip to Sydney. </div><div align="justify"><br /><br /><strong>DAY 1: Friday 4th July</strong><br /><br />We departed from KLIA (thanks to aunties Susan and Grace for kindly fetching us) at about 8pm to Singapore via SIA. Changi Airport is an impressive airport, but somehow I still prefer the marble (is it?) floors of KLIA to the carpeted ones of Changi. We had wait for a couple of hours ... and then we were off: Sydney here we come. I enjoy night flights as it enables people to sleep easier. As usual, I was excited about catching up on movies, etc and was even looking forward to the food. :) I managed to watch 21 and most of Alvin and the Chipmunks. </div><div align="justify"><br /><br /><strong>DAY 2: Saturday 5th July</strong><br /><br />We arrived at about 9am the next morning at Sydney Airport and surprisingly it did not take us long to clear customs. My uncle Charles met me at the airport and it was then off to Krispy Kreme Doughnuts. Yummy ... I am serious when I say this: I think these are the best doughnuts (that I have had) in the world.<br /><br /></div><a href="http://bp2.blogger.com/_Fy22VZdckEI/SHxdUWnDl7I/AAAAAAAAAGk/pVyijpmvha0/s1600-h/Hillsong+08+023.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5223152272091092914" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp2.blogger.com/_Fy22VZdckEI/SHxdUWnDl7I/AAAAAAAAAGk/pVyijpmvha0/s320/Hillsong+08+023.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://bp1.blogger.com/_Fy22VZdckEI/SHxdxa32GII/AAAAAAAAAGs/QtmVMdVpl6I/s1600-h/Hillsong+08+059.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5223152771451459714" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp1.blogger.com/_Fy22VZdckEI/SHxdxa32GII/AAAAAAAAAGs/QtmVMdVpl6I/s320/Hillsong+08+059.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Well shortly after that we went to have tim sum :)<br /><br /><a href="http://bp3.blogger.com/_Fy22VZdckEI/SHxeR5b2W_I/AAAAAAAAAG0/dc5JTJ4Aqig/s1600-h/Hillsong+08+036.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5223153329411349490" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/_Fy22VZdckEI/SHxeR5b2W_I/AAAAAAAAAG0/dc5JTJ4Aqig/s200/Hillsong+08+036.jpg" border="0" /> <p align="justify"></a><br /><br />This was followed (the rest of the day) by going shopping for food as uncle Yuichi had graciously agreed to cook dinner (ginger and capsicum pork Japanese style, etc) while uncle Charles baked some shortbread. (The last time I visited them, I put on weight like nobody's business ... haha. Thank God for my uncles).<br /><br /></p><a href="http://bp1.blogger.com/_Fy22VZdckEI/SHxfROmTb_I/AAAAAAAAAG8/zGjlfJdmH9A/s1600-h/Hillsong+08+057.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5223154417424101362" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp1.blogger.com/_Fy22VZdckEI/SHxfROmTb_I/AAAAAAAAAG8/zGjlfJdmH9A/s200/Hillsong+08+057.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://bp3.blogger.com/_Fy22VZdckEI/SHxfRK2BK0I/AAAAAAAAAHE/QMKS6TDUxDs/s1600-h/Hillsong+08+058.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5223154416416271170" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/_Fy22VZdckEI/SHxfRK2BK0I/AAAAAAAAAHE/QMKS6TDUxDs/s200/Hillsong+08+058.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://bp1.blogger.com/_Fy22VZdckEI/SHxfRgghmOI/AAAAAAAAAHM/33_WJ8oN058/s1600-h/Hillsong+08+062.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5223154422231701730" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp1.blogger.com/_Fy22VZdckEI/SHxfRgghmOI/AAAAAAAAAHM/33_WJ8oN058/s200/Hillsong+08+062.jpg" border="0" /> <p align="justify"></a><br /><br /><strong>DAY 3: Sunday 6th July</strong><br /><br />Morning dawned and I was supposed to meet up with the rest of the gang (Yoke Kheng, Soon Seng, Jean and Anne) for worship at Hillsong Hills Campus. Along the way my uncles took me to Ikea for breakfast (walau right? Makan ... makan) (see above for picture).<br /><br />Finally the bus came to pick us up in front of Max Brenner Cafe and we were on our way to Hillsong. The church is a large one, very 'professional' looking outside and inside it was a mini stadium. Reuben Morgan led worship that day with the team and we had Pastor Judah Smith (see later) to speak to us. What a service. Praise Jesus.<br /><br /></p><a href="http://bp3.blogger.com/_Fy22VZdckEI/SHxgf8pKagI/AAAAAAAAAHU/04PGWTpuY_8/s1600-h/Hillsong+08+082.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5223155769813920258" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/_Fy22VZdckEI/SHxgf8pKagI/AAAAAAAAAHU/04PGWTpuY_8/s200/Hillsong+08+082.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://bp1.blogger.com/_Fy22VZdckEI/SHxggMgPyQI/AAAAAAAAAHc/ahjNZMhu3Gs/s1600-h/Hillsong+08+071.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5223155774071490818" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp1.blogger.com/_Fy22VZdckEI/SHxggMgPyQI/AAAAAAAAAHc/ahjNZMhu3Gs/s200/Hillsong+08+071.jpg" border="0" /> <p align="justify"></a><br /><br />Later, we went back to Paramatta and went around Sydney, meeting up with Mun Yee and shopping at Paddy's Market where I finally bought a hat (g'day mate), a platypus and an echidna. :)<br /><br /></p><a href="http://bp0.blogger.com/_Fy22VZdckEI/SHxjGqE4UbI/AAAAAAAAAHk/ChIKQVLzFPA/s1600-h/Hillsong+08+091.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5223158633868054962" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp0.blogger.com/_Fy22VZdckEI/SHxjGqE4UbI/AAAAAAAAAHk/ChIKQVLzFPA/s200/Hillsong+08+091.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://bp1.blogger.com/_Fy22VZdckEI/SHxjxqP1yuI/AAAAAAAAAHs/M6Z6JFNQJzU/s1600-h/Hillsong+08+083.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5223159372648401634" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp1.blogger.com/_Fy22VZdckEI/SHxjxqP1yuI/AAAAAAAAAHs/M6Z6JFNQJzU/s200/Hillsong+08+083.jpg" border="0" /> <p align="justify"></a><br />(the Australian girl was a friend of the person who took our picture) :)<br /><br />Soon we had to go our separate ways as YK and I were to head to Pennant Hills to meet our wonderful hosts: Peter and Beth Kirkgarde (I hope this is correct). They are some of the warmest hosts I ever have had the pleasure of staying with and I really thank Jesus my Lord for them. They arranged accommodation for us, fed us (yum), fetched us to and from the station to get to and back from Olympic Park and were just great examples of Jesus.<br /><br /></p><a href="http://bp0.blogger.com/_Fy22VZdckEI/SHxk1QVptlI/AAAAAAAAAH0/zfljyYOzn7Y/s1600-h/Hillsong+08+338.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5223160533924558418" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp0.blogger.com/_Fy22VZdckEI/SHxk1QVptlI/AAAAAAAAAH0/zfljyYOzn7Y/s200/Hillsong+08+338.jpg" border="0" /> <p align="justify"></a><br /><br />We got them some small gifts: for Beth a batik scarf and a pair of origami earrings (from Charmaine) and a sarong for Peter. Jesus bless them.<br /><br /></p><a href="http://bp0.blogger.com/_Fy22VZdckEI/SHxllm-AoeI/AAAAAAAAAH8/-EUojzxSaLo/s1600-h/Hillsong+08+339.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5223161364633133538" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp0.blogger.com/_Fy22VZdckEI/SHxllm-AoeI/AAAAAAAAAH8/-EUojzxSaLo/s200/Hillsong+08+339.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://bp3.blogger.com/_Fy22VZdckEI/SHxll2NW0fI/AAAAAAAAAIE/Ku1L2-RBXtc/s1600-h/Hillsong+08+340.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5223161368724034034" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/_Fy22VZdckEI/SHxll2NW0fI/AAAAAAAAAIE/Ku1L2-RBXtc/s200/Hillsong+08+340.jpg" border="0" /> <p align="justify"></a><br /><br />I shall stop here for the moment. Have to rush off to class at UM. Tomorrow's update: the start of a (in the words of Ps Bryan Houston) '<em>fantastic</em>' conference, beginning with the evening rally.<br /><br />Jesus bless you.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></p>Kenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00297083470703114905noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22881825.post-38868863086924756852008-06-25T00:45:00.000-07:002008-06-25T00:48:25.919-07:00The ChangeHey all,<br /><br />How do you like the new look of my blog? I find it modern, clean and bright. <br /><br />Suddenly my interest in blogging has kicked in once again.<br /><br />Tis a new season for me in life, spiritually in Christ and hopefully ... in love.<br /><br />Jesus bless you all.Kenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00297083470703114905noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22881825.post-67010115516644066222008-06-24T21:05:00.000-07:002008-06-24T21:53:31.336-07:00An 'Axe' to Grind<div align="justify">Hey there,<br /><br />Time for another update.<br /><br />The title for the post sounds serious, but in actual fact it has nothing to do with the proverb which means 'to express one's anger to another' ... rather it talks about my experience with my guitar aka 'axe' as taught to me by my guitar 'shifu' Ms Jia Ling.<br /><br />I started lessons back in April 2008 and so far (after some postponements) we have come to week 6 already. What have I learnt and achieved?<br /><br />I can play 5 chords (10 more basic ones to go).<br /><br />I can play my first song: Keep Holding On (although practice is still needed).<br /><br />I can play Rain Down (Planetshakers) ... woo hoo (although more practice is required).<br /><br />I can play (almost) Happy birthday (but I think my version is different from the norm).<br /><br />Okla, so I am cannot play like Reuben Morgan or John Mayer or Eric Clapton ... yet. But slowly and surely ...<br /><br />Anyway, I want to do my best for my Lord Jesus Christ.<br /><br /><strong>Jesus bless you</strong>.</div>Kenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00297083470703114905noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22881825.post-37067131476799768832008-06-12T19:41:00.000-07:002008-06-12T20:51:59.321-07:00Passion<div align="justify">Dearly beloved,<br /><br /><em>Oh how the years go by </em>... eh, <em>oh how the weeks go by </em>(more appropriate here). My last post was a few weeks ago and quite a few things have happened since then. Here's to life (an exciting ride). Journey with me ... (we will walk very slowly as it was only a few weeks ago). :)<br /><br />1) <strong>Hillsong United</strong><br /><br />May 28th marked the beginning of a series of events that I was looking forward to, so much so that it motivated me to do well in my exams (which ended in early May) so that I could figuratively throw myself into them without worrying about results (haha). If you know what I mean, please say 'amen'.<br /><br />At that time (when I was revising for my papers), they seemed far away ...<br /><br />Hillsong United visited Malaysia through Glad Tidings Church and for those not in the know (in that sense), Hillsong United is the 'youth arm' of Hillsong (a mega church in Australia and around the world; also the name of their worship ministry/group). Well suffice to say that the place was packed with young and not so young alike. We were all gathered there by 615pm (the worship concert was at 8pm) and as the time neared, the front hall got smaller and smaller with the crowd. The concert started on time (I think) and I managed to get a standing place in front with an expectant spirit. I was there to expect the unexpected ... to worship Jesus and to enjoy it. The evening started out swimmingly with The Time Has Come and progressed with lively worship songs (One Way, Tell the World, etc), which slowed down to more meditative and reflective songs (Hosanna, The Stand, etc) and finally ending with Saviour King, a powerful reminder of who we worship, Jesus Christ our Saviour King. Hillsong United worshipped with The Solution too as an encore and this song reminded me that no matter what the world is going through, political instability, financial roller coaster rides, wars and etc, God IS and will always be in control. Amen. Praise you Lord Jesus for the time of worship and rededication to you. May ALL your children arise to take their place/destinies in Malaysia and around the globe. Hosanna in the highest.<br /><br />Wow I was thirsty after that ... and looking forward to ...<br /><br /><br />2) <strong>Antioch NetWork CommUnity's Family Camp: God's Love, Our Passion</strong>.<br /><br />Morning dawned and I was like woo hoo camp! I totally believe in God's power to work through camps because I experienced my personal spiritual revival in a camp (about 5 years back in PD, Palm Springs). Thank you Lord Jesus. Soon, we were on our way to Gopeng, Harvest Haven. The journey was pleasant and uneventful, filled with songs and conversation. Oh a very interesting thing happened: our map was um ... inaccurate ... haha and I misdirected three cars, and we ended up travelling through cow dung littered roads (you see Harvest Haven is a secluded hideaway specially for church camps, nestled in an oil palm plantation filled with cows).<br /><br />Highlights of camp: (i) the messages (Ps Aow and Ps Mei) were really anointed: about passion and purity, evangelism and personal holiness. The ministry was blessed and refreshing. God really worked in camp and there were breakthroughs. (Messages can be obtained through me (mp3) if any of you wish to listen). Also our sister Karen came to know the Lord. Praise Jesus. May Jesus bring her deeper into Him daily.<br /><br />(ii) the worship team: a younger team (some inexperienced, in that sense) but the Lord Jesus used us powerfully. New songs which matched the theme of the camp, leadership anointing and even jumping during the worship. Lord Jesus take us further and deeper than we have even been.<br /><br />(iii) fellowship: I made many new friends, brothers and sisters in Christ and we all thoroughly enjoyed ourselves, from cards to swimming, from board games to caving to Twister, truly the joy of the LORD is our strength. How good it is when brothers/sisters come together in fellowship.<br /><br />(iv) accommodation: was excellent, save for the too soft pillows (haha). Please feel free to access my Multiply site for the pictures.<br /><br />(v) personal revelation: I had been asking the LORD about my direction in Campus Ministry and in the Campus Church Planting and so far I was just being stubborn. The signs were all there: a handful of college students were/had joined us in ANC through KDUCF, fellowship dinner(s) with other youth pastors from other churches, God's pastoral and apostolic anointing ... what was I waiting for? Well God spoke to me, through me :). I read a verse aloud during one of the messages: Deut 12.13 and almost immediately I realised that it was for me, and this was affirmed by the Ps later who spoke on ministry and God's calling based on that verse. Amen. My stand has been taken. Campus Ministry it is ... Jesus leads His people.<br /><br />Another blessed camp, I can hardly wait for the next one. I hope to see all those who came this year (including my buddies Scott (haha), Jason, Johnathan and Han Jia) next year. My GG is planning it. Hopefully also those who could only make it for partial camp can come for the full one next year.<br /><br /><br />3) <strong>New car</strong><br /><br />New car, new car ... silver Myvi. Very nice indeed. I still have my trusted ol' Kancil though and still appreciate it. After all, they are all God's provision. Is God good or what? Haha.<br /><br />I like the new car smell, the elevated feeling I get driving a 'taller' car, and it drives smoother too. I will have many good years with this: and may it ALL be for God's glory.<br /><br /><br />4) <strong>Good results</strong><br /><br />God is so good. He blessed me with good results too for my two papers. :) All glory to Jesus, the source of all blessings.<br /><br /><br />... and I am looking forward to ...<br /><br />Passion conference, prayer retreat, Hillsong Conference in July, my holidays (with my ANC gang and my PoTs gang), etc.<br /><br />Oh how the weeks will go by ...<br /><br />And all glory to God Almighty, Father, Son, Holy Spirit.<br /><br />Jesus bless you all.<br /><br /></div>Kenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00297083470703114905noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22881825.post-90170925141264657612008-05-27T23:15:00.000-07:002008-05-28T00:16:09.253-07:00The cattle on a thousand hills ...<div align="justify"><em>How many</em> cattle are there on a thousand hills?</div><div align="justify"><br /></div><div align="justify"><br /></div><div align="justify">Psalm 50:10 speaks of God being the owner of everything on Earth. He is after all the Creator of the universe and all in it and deserves all praise just for that. </div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"><br /></div><div align="justify">... not only that, God is a <strong>good</strong> God too. A most <strong>generous</strong> Father.</div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"><br /></div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify">Psalm 34: 8-10 states:</div><div align="justify"><br /></div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"><em>Taste and see that the LORD is good; </em></div><div align="justify"><em>blessed is the man who takes refuge in him. </em></div><div align="justify"><br /><em>Fear the LORD, you his saints, </em></div><div align="justify"><em>for those who fear him lack nothing. </em></div><div align="justify"><em><br /></em></div><div align="justify"><em>The lions may grow weak and hungry, </em></div><div align="justify"><em>but those who seek the LORD lack no good thing. </em></div><div align="justify"><em></em></div><div align="justify"><em><br /></em></div><div align="justify">How do we know someone or something is good? Why through experiences with them/it of course. The Psalm uses the sense of taste and says 'Taste and see that the LORD is GOOD'. Amen. When you have experienced God's goodness, you, like me and the rest of creation will also rise up to give Him praise.</div><div align="justify"><br /></div><div align="justify">Just a short <em>testimony</em> to share of God my Heavenly Father's amazing grace and providence:</div><div align="justify"><br /></div><div align="justify">As some of you may know I have already signed up for the 2008 Hillsong Worship Conference in Sydney this July and the flight ticket was a somewhat hefty RM2700. That plus the price of my passport renewal added up to RM3000. Now for some that may not be a lot of money, but for where I am now, it is :).</div><div align="justify"><br /></div><div align="justify">I had some money stashed away but not quite enough and so I was hoping my increment would be a good one this year. It was scheduled to come at the end of April and so I was praying for God's providence. If memory serves me properly, I asked for a specific sum (as I also remembered a testimony of my co adviser of the Christian Fellowship in KDU). The day came ... I received the envelope and said a prayer before opening it.</div><div align="justify"><br /></div><div align="justify">...</div><br /><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify">Praise Jesus ... truly I was surprised when I saw that the amount I received as an increment was actually more like an adjustment and it was the exact sum I prayed for. Is God good or what? Jehovah Jireh my provider. All praise and thanks to Him, who sits on the throne.</div><div align="justify"><br /></div><div align="justify">And it did not end there ... after paying for the ticket, I found myself short of cash for the rest of the month ... hmmm ... oh well, if God owned the cattle on a thousand hills, and He does, what is this to Him? I prayed (and complained a little) to God and told Him about my financial circumstances (which He already knew anyway ... God knows our every need even before we ask for anything). Lo and behold, when KDU celebrated its 25th anniversary, we were given 'ang pows' and when I opened mine, the sum was substantial ... so much more than I thought. </div><div align="justify"></div><br /><div align="justify">Is God good or what?</div><div align="justify"></div><br /><div align="justify">Also, a couple of times during the past few weeks, some people have paid me money that I had forgotten was forthcoming. </div><div align="justify"></div><br /><div align="justify">Is God good or what? And He got me through the month ... :)</div><div align="justify"><br /></div><div align="justify"><em>Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows</em>. (<strong>James 1.17</strong>) </div><div align="justify"><br /></div><div align="justify"><em>Delight yourself in the LORD ... and he will give you the desires of your heart</em>. (<strong>Psalm 37.4</strong>)</div><div align="justify"><br /></div><div align="justify"><strong>Matthew 6. 32-33</strong> says that God knows that we need everyday necessities and He will provide them. We have to seek Him (His Kingdom) first and ALL these things He will provide. He knows best.</div><div align="justify"><br /></div><div align="justify">Is God good or what?</div><div align="justify"></div><br /><div align="justify">:)</div><div align="justify"><br /></div><div align="justify">P.S: My LLM exams have come and gone, and of course I know that God was behind me all the way ... </div><div align="justify"><br /></div><br /><div align="justify">All praises and thanks be to my/our God and Lord Jesus.</div><div align="justify"><br /></div><div align="justify">Jesus bless you all.</div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"></div>Kenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00297083470703114905noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22881825.post-58869476471907769192008-05-08T21:20:00.000-07:002008-05-09T02:41:15.919-07:00Hey there 2008<div align="justify">Ahem ahem ... </div><br /><br /><br /><div align="justify">Wow, this blog has not been updated for ages. I know, I know ... it is almost half a year into 2008 and this is my first post of the year. Well better late than never.</div><br /><div align="justify"></div><br /><div align="justify"></div><br /><div align="justify"><strong>Some updates</strong></div><br /><div align="justify"><strong></strong></div><br /><div align="justify">What has happened so far in the year? Most recently, praise Jesus, I completed the second year of my LLM and am having the pleasure of relaxing after exams (last paper was yesterday, and it was a long time coming ... haha but I do appreciate God's wisdom in postponing the paper for one day). Thank you Father in Heaven. :)</div><br /><div align="justify"></div><br /><div align="justify">So four subjects down, two more to go. If you are reading this (and I do not blame you if you are not from my neglect of my blog), please keep me in prayer: should I do two more to complete my masters in law or do a research project (that counts as two subjects) to complete and prepare me for my (future) PhD? (Dr Ken has a nice ring to it)</div><div align="justify"><br /></div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify">What else? Oh yes I attended the Youth Alpha seminar and a Planet Shakers concert (first time). I had a great time worshipping God and singing.</div><div align="justify"><br /></div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify">Mmm ... I am officially and comfortably at my new home in Pelangi Utama with my parents, which is a blessing. </div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"><br /></div><div align="justify">I am taking guitar lessons (actually just started, but I am enjoying it). Pretty soon I will be able to play like some guys call Jack, John or even mmm Reuben? Hahah. I am taking it one step at a time. Jesus bless those guitar lessons and teachers.</div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"><br /></div><div align="justify">I shaved my head (at the end of last year though) ... haha not for anything else other than an experiment to see how I would look like and it turned out OK. Funny thing is as the stylist started and shaved off a tuft (is this appropriate?) of hair, she asked me 'Is this ok?'. (Peluh).</div><div align="justify"><br /></div><div align="justify">I have attended some events for youth pastors and saw some friends off to different countries (how ya doin, Charis and Anna?).</div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"><br /></div><div align="justify">2008 has been a blessing so far and I think it can only get better, with Jesus by my side.</div><div align="justify"><br /></div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify">I have several events to look forward to: Antioch's camp, Hillsong United, Hillsong Worship Conference in Sydney, holiday in Langkawi, among other things. My teaching hours are less this semester too. Whew.</div><div align="justify"><br /></div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify">Write more ... soon ... I hope.</div><div align="justify"><br /></div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify">Jesus bless you.</div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"></div>Kenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00297083470703114905noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22881825.post-21959871911592594652007-11-30T20:21:00.000-08:002007-11-30T20:52:16.461-08:00Tas-Mania Pt 2<div align="justify">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:<br /></div><div align="justify"></div><br /><br /><div align="justify"></div><br /><br /><div align="justify"><strong>University of Tasmania</strong></div><div align="justify"><br /> </div><div align="justify">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.</div><br /><div align="justify">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.<br /></div><div align="justify"></div><br /><br /><div align="justify">So please feel free to check out the pictures. Here are a few below. I think there are 400 plus at my Mulitply. :)</div><br /><br /><div align="justify"></div><br /><br /><div align="justify">Jesus bless you all.</div><br /><br /><div align="justify"></div><a href="http://bp1.blogger.com/_Fy22VZdckEI/R1Dl9jc1r1I/AAAAAAAAAEw/Mpzywi7jvhY/s1600-R/DSC03864.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5138860020480716626" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://bp1.blogger.com/_Fy22VZdckEI/R1Dl9jc1r1I/AAAAAAAAAEw/k75CAfNwYXA/s320/DSC03864.JPG" border="0" /></a><a href="http://bp3.blogger.com/_Fy22VZdckEI/R1Dl-Dc1r2I/AAAAAAAAAE4/ge8j1cOtBEU/s1600-R/DSC03903.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5138860029070651234" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/_Fy22VZdckEI/R1Dl-Dc1r2I/AAAAAAAAAE4/Qrpchr9iTlY/s320/DSC03903.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div align="justify"><a href="http://bp2.blogger.com/_Fy22VZdckEI/R1Dl-zc1r3I/AAAAAAAAAFA/3F-kaUQDBek/s1600-R/DSC03989.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5138860041955553138" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://bp2.blogger.com/_Fy22VZdckEI/R1Dl-zc1r3I/AAAAAAAAAFA/Mh-W_bIYCw0/s320/DSC03989.JPG" border="0" /></a><a href="http://bp3.blogger.com/_Fy22VZdckEI/R1Dl_Dc1r4I/AAAAAAAAAFI/1Ph3KWnV7Ls/s1600-R/DSC03990.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5138860046250520450" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/_Fy22VZdckEI/R1Dl_Dc1r4I/AAAAAAAAAFI/BrA1wGC9cu8/s320/DSC03990.JPG" border="0" /></a><a href="http://bp2.blogger.com/_Fy22VZdckEI/R1Dl_zc1r5I/AAAAAAAAAFQ/c-utgkrqT9g/s1600-R/DSC03965.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5138860059135422354" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://bp2.blogger.com/_Fy22VZdckEI/R1Dl_zc1r5I/AAAAAAAAAFQ/wfSWX8k9GVI/s320/DSC03965.JPG" border="0" /></a></div>Kenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00297083470703114905noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22881825.post-70333688761797821682007-11-02T02:31:00.000-07:002007-11-02T03:28:21.842-07:00Tas-Mania (Pt 1)<div align="center"><a href="http://bp0.blogger.com/_Fy22VZdckEI/RyrvskluxAI/AAAAAAAAAEg/kYw-bH7g8AM/s1600-h/DSC03708.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5128174674729944066" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp0.blogger.com/_Fy22VZdckEI/RyrvskluxAI/AAAAAAAAAEg/kYw-bH7g8AM/s320/DSC03708.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />I took over 1400 photographs while in Australia ...<br /><br />O_O</div><br /><div align="center"></div><br /><div align="justify"><strong>Pre Australia</strong>: 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 ... :)</div><br /><div align="justify"></div><br /><div align="justify"></div><br /><div align="justify"><strong>Flight</strong>: 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. </div><br /><div align="justify"></div><br /><div align="justify"></div><br /><div align="justify"><strong>Melbourne</strong>: 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.</div><br /><div align="justify"></div><br /><div align="justify"><strong>Tasmania: </strong>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.</div><br /><div align="justify"></div><br /><div align="justify"><strong>Dinner day 1</strong>: 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. </div><br /><div align="justify"></div><br /><div align="justify"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5128186146587591698" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/_Fy22VZdckEI/Ryr6IUluxBI/AAAAAAAAAEo/BAbtOo3GHis/s320/DSC03746.JPG" border="0" /></div><br /><p> </p><p align="justify">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 ...</p><p> </p><p>More to come ... </p><p> </p><p>Jesus I bless You.</p><p>Jesus bless you all</p>Kenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00297083470703114905noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22881825.post-2075585666981185552007-08-21T18:13:00.000-07:002007-08-21T18:30:04.374-07:00Occupational 'hymns'<a href="http://bp2.blogger.com/_Fy22VZdckEI/RsuRH_g-akI/AAAAAAAAAEY/lDEHaXcKwHk/s1600-h/church.bmp"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5101330569422072386" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp2.blogger.com/_Fy22VZdckEI/RsuRH_g-akI/AAAAAAAAAEY/lDEHaXcKwHk/s320/church.bmp" border="0" /></a><br /><div align="center"></div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Hey all,<br /><br /><div align="justify">Another <em>superfastsofastitisablur</em> 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).</div><br /><div align="justify"><br /></div><div align="justify">Here they are:</div><br /><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"></div><br /><div align="justify">The Dentist's Hymn ... Crown Him With Many Crowns<br />The Weatherman's Hymn ... There Shall Be Showers Of Blessing<br />The Contractor's Hymn ... The Church's One Foundation<br />The Tailor's Hymn ... Holy, Holy, Holy<br />The Golfer's Hymn ... There Is A Green Hill Far Away<br />The Politician's Hymn ... Standing On The Promises<br />The Optometrist's Hymn ... Open My Eyes That I Might See</div><br /><div align="justify"><br /></div><div align="justify">Heheh ... there's more:</div><br /><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"><br /></div><br /><div align="justify">The IRS Agent's Hymn ... I Surrender All<br />The Gossip's Hymn ... Pass It On<br />The Electrician's Hymn ... Send The Light<br />The Shopper's Hymn ... Sweet By And By<br />The Realtor's Hymn ... I've Got A Mansion Just Over The Hilltop<br />The Pilot's Hymn ... I'll Fly Away<br />The Paramedic's Hymn ... Revive Us Again<br />The Judge's Hymn ... Almost Persuaded<br />The Psychiatrist's Hymn ... Just A Little Talk With Jesus<br />The Architect's Hymn ... How Firm A Foundation<br />The Credit Card Telemarketer's Hymn ... A Charge To Keep I Have</div><br /><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"></div><br /><div align="justify">And more:</div><br /><div align="justify"></div><br /><div align="justify">The Postal Worker's Hymn ... So Send I You<br />The Waiter's Hymn ... Fill My Cup, Lord<br />The Gardener's Hymn ... Lo, How A Rose E'er Blooming<br />The Lifeguard's Hymn ... Rescue The Perishing<br />The Criminal's Hymn ... Search Me, O God<br />The Baker's Hymn ... When The Roll Is Called Up Yonder<br />The Shoe Repairer's Hymn ... It Is Well With My Soul<br />The Travel Agent's Hymn ... Anywhere With Jesus<br />The Geologist's Hymn ... Rock Of Ages<br />The Hematologist's Hymn ... Are You Washed In The Blood?<br />The Men’s Wear Clerk's Hymn ... Blest Be The Tie<br />The Umpire's Hymn ... I Need No Other Argument<br />The Librarian's Hymn ... Whispering Hope A Charge To Keep I Have<br />The Zookeeper's Hymn ... All Creatures Of Our God And King </div></div>Kenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00297083470703114905noreply@blogger.com2