God Bless …

8 01 2010

With all the news of what’s happening in my nation Malaysia today, I intend to add no fuel to the fire. However, here I offer my brief comments on what we have witnessed this day.

Today, there was a series of premeditated strikes at churches (some successful, others not) aimed at expressing displeasure against certain sections of this country’s Christian community. This certainly has it’s catalyst from the recent High court’s verdict on the usage of the word ‘Allah’ in a Catholic publication and the fact that the case has yet to be resolved.

What we’ve witnessed today marks a sad and dark day in the history of this young country. To my knowledge it is unprecedented, and it unfortunately may serve as a precedent for the future. The mental barrier for committing acts of this nature has been breached, and the unthinkable in this peaceful country (and it still is) has unfortunately been committed. I’ll be honest to say, that I didn’t quite envision that what i saw in Pakistan and the need for police personnel to monitor at the gates of some churches, would be a reality in Malaysia. Now, we won’t quite be able to say that this kind of thing doesn’t happen here . That is a reality we’ll have to live with irrespective of whether this sort of thing ever occurs again.

To put this in perspective, there has been a positive and widespread condemnation from all quarters (government, opposition, religious parties, public and many more) against what has occurred, and this is certainly something noteworthy.

With all that said, I think it’s as opportune a time to be reminded of our Lord’s words when He said in Matthew 5:43-45 “Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy. (44) But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; (45) That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust. ”

Here we’ve been commanded to do 4 things. Love, bless, do good and pray for those who persecute you. So, let’s always look for the practical ways we can do that while continuing to keep Malaysia in prayer … that the Lord’s name be glorified in the actions of those who are His.


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Categories : Country, Life, malaysia, out of the blue, Perspective, Politics

Quaint Ain’t It?

3 04 2009

A bit of a Malaysian’s observation for today. I’ve always found it a little interesting years ago when I heard that those who took the office of prime minister in our country seemed to follow an acronym. That acronym was based on the name of the country’s first PM name, thus we arrive at R.A.H.M.A.N.

A slightly loose rule that limited it to any occurrence of the starting letter to any portion of their name. The trend seemed to show itself as subsequent premiers filled the portfolio.

And so Malaysian history went on to show …

Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra Al – Haj
Tun Abdul Razak b. Hussein
Tun Hussein b. Onn
Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad
Dato’ Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi (earlier thought to be Mr. Anwar)

And today, if things stand as they are, the final ‘N’ as there will be the inauguration of Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak. So there we go, the so called ‘R.A.H.M.A.N prophecy’ fulfilled. It’s funny how some of these things go. 🙂

Now, on a more important note, let’s continue to pray for the leaders of this country. For wisdom to govern justly and honestly. To do the right thing.

Also for peace in the land such that there is freedom for the gospel to be preached near and far. Let us remember that it’s not the shouts of protests, supposed freedom of press or even the abolishing of certain laws that will really free men in this country. Indeed history has shown that more often than not, man’s idea of freedom is the right to say and do whatever they desire irrespective of what God says is right. That certainly is not ‘freedom’, but rather a distortion of it. No, it is the light of the true gospel which brings true freedom and liberation in the hearts of men, and this freedom is found when men live in light of God’s rule upon their lives. If we believe this, it will affect our witness.


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Categories : Country, Gospel, Hmm.., Interesting, out of the blue

Down Lines

13 03 2009

At present, the reliability of the Rapid LRT train system in the Klang Valley is pretty dismal, with the frequency of trains simply unable to cope with the human traffic during peak hours. This morning it was a case of train choking up somewhere down the train lines, most of the times it’s just the sheer volume that it can’t handle.

However, the scene this morning was a really sight for sore eyes as I saw the civilized folks of PJ consciously queuing up all across the waiting platform in long patient lines. It reminded me of the good ol’ nokia cellphone game “Snake”, unbelievable by Malaysian standards ! … the scenes elsewhere are usually utter chaos as my friend who embarks at Wangsa Maju related to me. Well done PJ folks. (Would have taken a photo of it, but I didn’t want to offend anyone not wanting their faces in the picture)

Anyhow, there seems to be some light at the end of the LRT tunnel, as I was informed by 2 technicians squashed in together with me in the carriage that new cabooses have arrived and are almost ready for launch (apparently still in the testing phase). We’re all hoping the problem of being packed like a herd of cows into moving stables will soon by eleviated. For the meantime, it’s “Snake”.


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Categories : Country, malaysia, Really Random, Trains

Just Some Thoughts …

24 06 2008

As I search the morning paper, I’ve noticed that good news is hard to come by. It’s in scarcity these days. This is where the law of supply and demand doesn’t quite apply, for you can’t merely manufacture good news to meet with it’s demand. So what we have often times is a steady flow of quite the opposite. Even  these days you’ve got to think twice before accepting what people term as good news, simply because it may very well turn out to be otherwise. There’s just  this extra whiff of negativity in the air these days.

My beloved countrymen are growing increasingly discontented and angry with the slightest hint of price hikes, ready to take to the streets when a rally call is sounded, scream on blogs, set up facebook groups, lambaste the powers that be on almost every decision made. You strike up a conversation with a citizen you randomly meet on the road and you’d realize just how everyone seems to have a take on this, almost usually negative. The political situation in my homeland is tremulous and as unstable as ever, descent and revolt is encouraged, even celebrated. Honest Abe’s Gettysburg address of “government of the people, by the people, for the people” seems to be wrenched out and used as a battle cry for defiance.

But really, it’s not quite any different with the rest of the world. This little plot of real estate in South East Asia is merely a small caricature of what is being felt and experienced by the world at large. There is upheaval in the world over just about anything you can name, be it in the political sector, the petroleum problem or very simply amongst the people themselves.

I’ve addressed something similar to this before in an earlier dated blog when the people (including some Christians) were taking to the streets for the hopeful ‘clean up’ (Bersih). Once again, what is the appropriate response for us as believers to the government we’re under (be it in Malaysia, the States, Mozambique, Iraq … etc) ?

I believe it to be clear that we are to be above all beyond reproach and blameless in our dealings with the world. And when it comes to what we are to do regarding the powers that be, it’s put down very practically to 3 simple commands “Obey”, “Pay”, “Pray”. A nice ring to it too (I have brother JB Nicholson to thank for this). Do consider the following …

Titus 3:1 Put them in mind to be subject to principalities and powers, to obey magistrates, to be ready to every good work,

Romans 13:6-7 For for this cause pay ye tribute also: for they are God’s ministers, attending continually upon this very thing. Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour

1Timothy 2:1-4 “I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; (2)  For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. (3) For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; (4)  Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.

I once had a friend who was complaining bitterly about having to pay high taxes and that the government was robbing his/her of his/her money that rightly his/hers. I had to gently remind my friend that even Christ said “Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar’s; and unto God the things that are God’s”. If there was totalitarian regime that was not anywhere near democratic, had oppressive rules, set up extreme forms of capital punishment, imposed taxes, used public funds not for the people but for lavish spending amongst themselves … it was in Christ’s day. But just as Christ the Universal ruler and King of Kings condescended and submitted Himself to these little earthly kings, we too ought to follow in His steps and that which was conveyed by the apostles. It’s a case of WWJD. It doesn’t matter even if you’re living under the worst rule, the most draconian of laws, or a law of the land which could have you crucified by an unfair trial with corrupt judges … it shouldn’t change our simple obedience to God’s word.

Let us not fail to heed what Paul exhorted Timothy in the passage above. This world, this country, it’s rulers, need our prayers and it’s time for believers to not follow suit and be counted amongst earth dwellers who may have little to live for but this world. For us, it’s not time to storm the parliament, to ask for repeal or impose the will of the people. It’s time to storm the gates of heaven, it’s time to appeal to a higher authority (the very Highest), it’s time to seek His will and submit to it.

Just some thoughts.


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Categories : Country, Politics, Prayer, Spiritual

A Nation Decides

7 03 2008

Here is my second posting covering the build up to our national elections. It’s all set. Tomorrow, Malaysia decides.

I’ve got friends who’ve stocked up on a month’s supply of groceries anticipating anything that might go wrong. I’m not following in suit. I’m hoping that it’ll all just go along rather smoothly, without commotion and street protest rallies (depending on how the votes tally up).

Things are really hotting up. Here’s how theSun looked like on the final day before the nation takes to the polls. Last ditch campaigning efforts from both camps in an attempt to influence the ballots. Every ad was a full sized page in the free national daily. The 1st one below depicts the solitary opposition party ad (they could only muster up a b&w print) in comparison to the rest from the ruling coalition. I couldn’t help but *chuckle* seeing the ratio.

DAP

BN-startpage BN 1 BN BN3

BN4 BN5 BN6 BN8

BN10 BN11 BN12 BN13 BN9

Let’s just keep this nation and the ruling authorities of this nation in prayer.

Happy voting (or not voting) Malaysia!


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Categories : Country, Elections, Hmm.., Humour, malaysia

The Dog Pound

4 03 2008
rf-debut.jpg rf-melt.jpg live

After months of walking in and out of record stores across town in anticipation of their latest “Still Feels Good” album and hearing the constant “Entahlah bila” (don’t know when) replies, I finally decided to splash the dosh and bringing it in myself. Amazon expedited shipping line, slightly seared plastic and then the start to an agonizing 2 week anticipation. The excitement of checking the letter box started all over again. The routine of slotting in the key and checking the little pigeon hole was my joyful daily activity mixed with slight anxiety. That especially because I’ve had items lost in transition before via snail mail, and there’s always this possibility that malaysian customs will just confiscate the package, we don’t hear a word about it and it goes into the great abyss (the tale of my 2 Downhere albums).

So last friday evening when I creaked that little door open and beheld a little brownish pickup note for my package, I was in such pure elation that I just had to perform a slight jiggy. Picked it up the next day from the post office and found the contents in mint condition. That certainly made my day. Like a kid receiving a big red toy truck for Christmas, I’m now a proud owner of all the Rascal Flatts albums to date.

Slowly savoring each track so that I don’t overwhelm my senses, I’m keeping some of them still under wraps so that i can enjoy the old releases like new releases for the next few weeks. From the get go of their first track on the debut album, they really deliver. I already can’t help but think these guys are worth every penny I’ve dished out, so no mistakes on this one. Melodies that switch auto-head-nodding mode on, killer country guitar riffs, brilliant harmony, dynamite vocals so absolutely impossible to imitate and performances to boot … these guys are a class act. I’ve never quite been a fan of country until recently, but I’m a changed man now. I even might just consider getting a Diamond Rio album(of which twin bro Alan’s a huge fan of) in the future too. For this new found taste of country, I’ve got wifey to thank, who bought me my first RF album. She also didn’t protest when i told her i put in the order through the net. The only thing I keep getting told now is to keep that volume down. But with these guys, that’s gonna be a mighty tall order.

feels like today me and my gang still feels good


Comments : 2 Comments »

Categories : Country, Rascal Flatts


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