Prepare the ground before planting!

Since it was my "off day", I had planned to plant some tomatoes and chilli in the garden. Went to the store and got some fertilizer, shovel, gloves and etc. to get to work. When I looked at the ground, I realised that there was a bush plant next to the place where I wanted to plant my plants. It had to be first of all removed. Then I realised the ground where I have intended to plant was not fertile enough, I had to mix fertilizer into the ground. Only then can I plant my tomato plants and chilli plants. Even then it will take a long time of watering, and caring before i can actually see some fruits.
Similarly, many of us want to see immediate fruits in our spiritual lives, when in fact we need to do many other things before it happens. First of all sinful lifestyle, habbits and behaviors need to be cut and removed, secondly the foundation of the WORD needs to be laid and finally, the planting and fruiting takes place.
I thank God for this experience...

Don't forget to live!

I am a fan of work and productivity. Like many others, I have for a while fallen into the trap of thinking I can "safe the world" mentality in my life. By the grace of God, I am glad that it has changed now. Now, I leave the saving to God and focus on living and being faithful to HIM.

It is strange, if we live with the burden of the whole world upon us, it is even hard to safe ourselves. Let alone saving others! It was and is only Jesus who can do that, (save the whole world).

I am reminded that we are given a family so that we can live a family life. We are given a spouse so that we can happily live a married life. We are given children, so that we can share love and life with the ones who lean on you. There are many things that we forget in the agenda of busyness. I praise God for His grace upon my life!

Before carrying on with passion, stand still for a while to measure the cost on life and your loved ones. God works within the life that He had given us. He doesnt expect us to throw this life and look for one that is ...

May the grace of God be upon you as it has been on me.

What do you do when you are misunderstood?

Being misunderstood is common in relationships and it is always followed by clarification of your point so that you are not misunderstood anymore. But there are times when you dont care if the other person got you or not. In this case, we dont even bother to make any clarification. The other persons perception does not really matter to you so you just let it go.

On the other hand, there can be another scenario where you do care for the other person enough to want the person to think well of you and you wished that you could make clarifications to be at peace. Even when it looks easy enough, it can get complicated at times. What if sharing the truth(clarification) might actually cause more harm to the person. Sometimes it is like that, even though you can get out of the mess, it might mean more hurts or even trouble for the other person. Sometimes we love the other person enough to bite the bullet and be the bad guy for loves sake.

What hurts more? When the other person shares the ill informed fact about you to others and that makes you look even worst as a person to more people. Love or reputation? What do you do? I guess thats life, take a position and stick to it.

As for now, I rather God alone know all truth and that I might be found pleasing in HIS eyes alone. Learning to not bother about peoples opinion over you. Its hard!!!

PLEASE VALUE THE YOUNG IN YOUR CHURCH!

When young people attend your church, please don't take them for granted. There will come a time when they will not and there is nothing we can do. In the "western church", young people generally do not attend church, "church is for the old" (The Asians are slowly catching up to this trend). The church has not found a way to penetrate their culture and be relevant, mostly the church is still in denial that they are fine. But look, when the church does not speak the good news into the society, there is really no hope for generations after generations of young people who will have no moral or spiritual grounds to stand against sin and evil. Drugs, sexual liberalism, alcoholism, decay in self respect and respect of others...WHY NOT?

I know there are churches where the vestry (PCC) just spend most of their time complaining and grumbling against the young people of the church. If only you can see how precious are these individuals who still find a reason to come to church. Every minute a young person spend in a church is extremely precious. Many don't want to come, and if we keep ignoring those who do, we inevitably sign the death certificate of the church for both today and the future.

Today, even the adults who had proper "church upbringing" don't go to church because church didn't really mean anything when they did go. The church was more occupied in matters of "culture", rituals and polity. It is alright to have those things in the church but not at the expense of people and families. There are many crying over relational issues, financial issues, moral issues and even spiritual issues, what are we saying when we ignore them? We don't care!

The important question for the church is, what should we be doing as a church? What is the direction we should be taking as a goal/vision? What is essentially the biblical mandate for the purpose of a church? many of our churches today, are just concerned about being successful as an organisation or a business. Let us not forget that our business is "Kingdom business".

Remember, that worldly measures of success mean nothing, we are to look at things above and not earthly as the bible says. If the church of today looks at itself as an organisation and business, we will fail to look at people as God would want us to. People in our society today are dying both in their spiritual lives and earthly lives. Spiritual decay, inevitably leads to social decay. If we are not concerned about this, the church has lost its purpose and soon closing of churches as in the west will be a norm throughout the world.

I don't have all the answers but I feel so compelled to look for them in this matter, will you join me? Having said all these, I do acknowledge the small remnant of ministers and churches who are doing a good job. We should look for them and learn from them! My comments are not meant to be judgmental but as "food for thought", for I am also in the same journey.

Sunset and life!

As always, I have kept Monday as my off day and today I went again to a beautiful beach just 10min away from home. I was there with Florence and the kids.

The kids were playing in the sand, Flo stood in the water (crystal clear) at ankle deep with me, holding each other, looking at the beautiful sky, birds and the children. Seagulls covered a rock island close by, two black swans swam very close to us, a bunch of naked white toddlers were jumping in the water, tourists snapping away at the sunset and me just holding my darling in my hands with these pictures around me was easily the best moment in the past months for me. I remember saying to Flo that, "I am happy!". Life is meant to be happy for all the right reasons. For me, it was a perfect evening with my loved ones. I must admit that the sunset was exceptionally beautiful too. This is my little getaway paradise, provided by God! Looking forward to the next trip, maybe next off day :)

First holiday/break in over a long time!

After more than a month being here, we managed to take a week off to see the city and sites. Julia is on school semester break so it helps too.

Slowing down after some hectic months behind is a welcome. So far we have visited the Melbourne aquarium, brighton beach and botanical gardens. Hope to see the zoo and few other places before the week ends.

Ministry has been good during Lent and Holy week. Some serious stuff will begin after this break!

One month in Melbourne!

I can't believe that a month has passed since we arrived in Melbourne. It has been a good change for us. We are happy with the new life that God has given us and we are ready to move ahead in life and in the ministry of the church.
The people of St. David's are great and have been very kind and good to us since we came. There are many things to be done in St. David's. Some of us are setting up a focus group to plan and work for the future of the church. If we dont do something today, the church will inevitably be closed in the future. Pray for the church with us...

A wonderful welcome!

We arrived in Melbourne all tired and blank, but with some amount of excitement still left after the long flight on airasia. The regional bishop here and a colleague here came to receive us at the Melbourne airport. When we arrived at the vicarage of St. David's which would be our home for some years from now on; there were some parishioners waiting to help us settle. The fridge was full with cooked and frozen food for a week, the groceries were also plenty in the cabinet. The welcome was so warm and thoughtful. We felt at ease!

Monday, 1st March was my induction/commissioning to St. David's and St. Christopher's. It was a beautiful service conducted by Bishop Paul White and attended by almost 12 clergy from the deanery. Followed by a wonderful dinner with dishes brought by parishioners of both the parishes.

Today, 2nd March, joined the Mother's Union fellowship and meeting. Shared some testimony and thoughts, was a good time I would say.

An empty house!

We are almost done with the packing and preparing for the last weekend in St. Luke's. We are supposed to be jumping with joy, but for the first time, the reality of the move is sinking in. We are going to miss family, friends and all that is familiar to us. Its tough on the ladies at home, the small boy is unaware of what is happening. As for me, I am all mixed in my feelings but am completely confident of what God has in store for us. That has been the case always until today in my life.

In-laws and some family members have just left after helping us pack, its all suddenly looking empty and lonely here. The children look lost and they too feel something is up. Pray for us if you are reading this blog!

A new chapter is waiting the other side. Two congregations offer their warmth and love as they wait our arrival on wednesday. Some colleagues over there are helping us learn the new context and are waiting to help us settle in. There is much to cherish and rejoice as we look forward to new experiences in life and ministry!

A new chapter begins in Melbourne!

11 years have past since joining the Diocese of West Malaysia into the ordained ministry. Today, I am ready to start a new chapter, a chapter that I never thought would appear in my life. I am leaving the diocese of west malaysia. I am resigning! (with a heavy heart)

I am not leaving ministry! just the country and the diocese. I am looking forward to a new life and ministry over there.

Hopefully will finish some studies and gain some experience/exposure before coming back. Will I come back for sure? I am not certain, but there is a plan to come back, but what happens then depends on God and His leading.

My family and I will take our flight to Melbourne on the 24th Feb 2010. Our last Sunday in St. Luke's Church, Teluk Intan will be on the 21st Feb 2010.

Please pray for us as we continue to serve Him wherever we are.