Church of the Good Shepherd, Johor Bahru

OUR NEW WEBSITE

2010-03-28T02:33:00.002+08:00

We now have our own website at http://www.cogsjb.net

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

I read about why God placed the Tree of Knowledge in the Garden of Eden.

The author wrote (paraphrased):

"God placed the tree so that we have a choice. And because he LOVES us, God could not deny us the right to make a choice - because of that love."

I like that.

Please Release Bibles

2009-11-04T13:46:00.003+08:00

Authorities asked to release 15,000 seized Bibles

By SHAILA KOSHY

KUALA LUMPUR: The Christian Federation of Malaysia (CFM) has called for the immediate release of the 15,000 Bahasa Malaysia Bibles being withheld by the authorities.

It said the seizure contravened Article 11 of the Federal Constitution which gives all Malaysians the right to profess and practise his faith.

“This constitutional right is rendered illusory if Christians in Malaysia are denied access to Bibles in a language with which they are familiar,” said its chairman Bishop Ng Moon Hing and executive committee in a statement Wednesday.

They said withholding the Bibles deprived Christians in Sabah, Sarawak and in the peninsula, a large majority of whom use Bahasa Malaysia, “the right to use the Holy Scriptures in Bahasa Malaysia, to practise and profess their faith and to nourish themselves spiritually.”

They said it was baseless to withhold the Bibles on the ground that they were prejudicial to public order since they had been in existence before independence and had never caused public disorder.

“Since the 1970s and in consonance with the Government’s policies in education and the national language, Christians in Malaysia have received their education in Bahasa Malaysia.

“To deny the same Christians the right to read and study the Bible in Bahasa Malaysia is thus ridiculous and offensive. In fact, it is this action by the authorities themselves which is an affront to good public order.

“We call on the relevant government officials who have neither the authority nor the right to act in this unconscionable manner to explain their action to the church leaders and to the public,” they said, adding that churches stood to their commitment to Bahasa Malaysia as the national language.

They said the Government had in an agreement in 2005 stated Bahasa Malaysia Bibles could be distributed so long as the symbol of the cross and the words “A Christian publication” were printed on the front page.

They called on the Government to walk the talk of its 1Malaysia policy and not impose conditions on the freedom of citizens to worship, pray and read the Holy Scriptures in Bahasa Malaysia.

“How can the first pillar of the Rukunegara, that is, ‘Belief In God,’ be made a living reality if the Government imposes restrictions and conditions on the constitutional and fundamental right of citizens to freedom of religion?” they said.

Published in TheStarOnline: Wednesday November 4, 2009 MYT 1:26:00 PM

LOVE CHANGES EVERYTHING

2009-08-07T11:53:00.006+08:00

Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.

1 Corinthians 13:6

*******************************************************************

Like oil and water, good and evil, black and white - love dictates how you act.

Love for God, love for your spouse, love for one another.

We claim that 'love is lacking' in a person, thus he/she acts so indifferent or angry or unhelpful.

But we always forget that the root of such love is from God. We tell the person straight in his/her face that "HEY! YOU DON'T HAVE GOD'S LOVE!"

Hmmm...

Not the most tactful way of telling. But nobody likes to acknowledge the fact that they don't love God enough.

We all WANT to and KNOW that we need to love God with all our heart, with all our mind and with all our soul.

Decisions are hard to make, but making the decision to love God is essential to start loving God.

Love will change our perspective on so many things in life that hurt us and disappoint us. Love will cause us to look at people through God's eyes. Love will fuel us to do what is right and good.

Let us make the decision to think about the love God has for us since the beginning of time.

It will change your life forever...

****************************************************

What do You Love More?

2009-08-05T09:38:00.003+08:00

The story goes like this. . . . . . .

A man was polishing his new car..., his 6 yr. old son picked up a stone and scratched on the side of the car. In anger, the furious man took his child's hand and hit it many times, not realizing he was using a wrench.

At the hospital, the child lost all his fingers due to multiple fractures.

When the child saw his father, with painful eyes he asked:

'Dad when will my fingers grow back?'

The man was so hurt and speechless. He went back to the car and kicked it many times. Devastated by his own actions, sitting in front of the car he looked at the scratches; his son had written:

'LOVE YOU DAD'.

Next day, that man committed suicide.

Remember, Anger and Love have no limits . . .

Always remember... "Things are to be used and people are to be loved"

But the problem in today's world is....

"People are being USED & Things are being LOVED"

The Eyes of Love

2009-07-24T16:20:00.002+08:00

(Taken from http://amazinglyblessed.com)

A grandmother and a little girl whose face was sprinkled with bright red freckles spent the day at the zoo.

The children were waiting in line to get their cheeks painted by a local artist who was decorating them with tiger paws.

"You've got so many freckles, there's no place to paint!" a boy in the line cried.

Embarrassed, the little girl dropped her head. Her grandmother knelt down next to her. "I love your freckles," she said.

"Not me," the girl replied.

"Well, when I was a little girl I always wanted freckles" she said, tracing her finger across the child's cheek. "Freckles are beautiful!"

The girl looked up. "Really?" "Of course," said the grandmother. "Why, just name me one thing that's prettier than freckles."

The little girl peered into the old woman's smiling face. "Wrinkles," she answered softly.

-Author Unknown

Family

2009-07-24T15:29:00.003+08:00

God created a family because it is in our nature to require communication and a sense of belonging.

Since we broke that sense of belonging with God by sinning, God gave us the ability to create children so that we can have a community to belong to.

It was from the beginning that God separated us into tribes and clans. Starting from Cain founded a city, naming the city after his son, Enoch.

We find comfort and security in our family. When the secure bond between God and us broke, God gave us our family to reflect what we had, and what we can have, with God our Father.

-----------------

Psychologists have observed and tested and verified that people who grow up without a family, as orphans, tend to be more defensive, they don't trust easily and the percentage of being mentally and emotionally unstable is higher.

Humans are made to love. Humans are made to have communion with others. Humans are made to have a relationship with God.

Without love (whether from other people or from God), we feel lonely and depressed and our other emotions become very extreme.

Without contact with other humans, we become isolated and many 'good' and 'healthy' characteristics such as kindness, gentleness or even generosity will not be learnt and portrayed.

Without a relationship with God, we feel empty. It is best described as empty because that is exactly how we feel. There is always a spiritual element in us that has been evident from since the stone ages, when people have worshiped almost anything and everything.

---------------------

God our Father, gave us our family.

Despite all that has been done to wreck or destroy our relationship with our family, where we are and who we are in our family is God-appointed. Hence, let's not blame God for anything, but in all things, know that God has good plans for all of us.

-----------------------

FOCUS on DISTRACTION

2009-07-13T14:56:00.003+08:00

We are continously distracted by everything and everyone around us.

Distraction is such a common occurrence that we do not even realise we are being distracted.

To be able to focus on one thing and one thing only is slowly becoming impossible.

Information is easily available and our minds are being opened to all forms of ideas and facts - both good and bad.

--------

That is why I am always reminded to think about Him and all he has done.

At a recent dinner, there was a speaker who mentioned about copying great leaders and reading about their biography. To emulate successful people.

For us, we copy Jesus. His biography is the bible's new testament, written by Matthew, Mark, Luke and John.

From leadership skills, to character building and personality enhancements - we use Christ as our benchmark.

Some say it's a benchmark too high to attain. But if it's easily attainable, then Jesus would not be called the Son of God.

:)

Therefore, let's continue to focus on one thing only - Jesus.

Indonesian Worship Songs

2009-07-04T12:51:00.001+08:00

I like this song...

May it bless your heart today....

11. Betapa Hatiku - Nikita

My dear brothers and sisters in Jesus Christ...

2009-06-04T10:46:00.003+08:00

Now is the time

for us to

hold firm to the Word of God

and

pray

like never before

Church Camps / Retreats

2009-05-26T17:35:00.003+08:00

It is a common practice for churches to have church camps or church retreats, where the congregation goes off to some holiday resort or faraway place, to spend a few days in one another's company and to dwell upon God's word for the few days that they're there.

We shall be having our church camp at Sri Malaysia Hotel at Genting Highlands.

With the theme:

MATURITY in CHRIST

The place is old and in the middle of the highlands, making it not as cool as people would like it. There's no fun facilities like the theme park or beautiful garden or a golf course or arcade games.

Sometimes, we are so pampered by holidays and vacations that we squirm and complain and go 'eewwww' when we go into a room and find the paint peeling off the wall.

Yes, we would like to have SOME comfort.

If it was about general cleanliness, by all means, say it out.

But if it were because the TV wasn't working. Or if it was because the cup had a crack. Or if the toilet didn't have those free shampoo. Does it warrant a big complaint and telling yourself, "I won't go for another church camp. Such lousy lodgings."

In order to appease all parties in the church, we go to all measures to find a cheap and good place. Serviceable, affordable and comfortable enough.

We should be thankful. For some who did not know. Several trips were personally made and TONNES of phonecalls made to the hotel to confirm and to ensure that they give us everything that we want.

Thanking God is in order...

Fellowship with God is not determined by the venue. Fellowship with people is not deterred by surroundings.

Each individual plays a part in making the whole camp successful. God will already be there, to welcome us with open arms and to tell each of His child:

"I'm so happy that you decided to spend some time with Me."

God the Artist

2009-02-11T09:11:00.002+08:00

God's creations display not only God's magnificence, but also his humour and creativity.

A little panda cub. Cute as cute can be.

God created them for our pleasure. God created them for us.

God made us such that we would appreciate these things He gave us. It's like a Christmas tree with heaps of presents underneath. There are still some boxes we have not opened yet.

Boxes which include the sea creatures at the bottom of the sea, flowers that grow on icy cold mountains, the kindness of a stranger, or even the colour of your eyes.

Let's put our life on PAUSE - then look around at God's love - just next to you, for you.

------------

I was looking at the full moon on chap goh meh (15th day of the chinese lunar calendar, marking the last day of chinese new year celebrations), and i was so taken by the large round orange moon.

It was right there, so near, yet so far.

Glancing upon the moon and thinking how complex it was for God to ensure that we get moonlight, time, gravity and the change of tides - because of the moon.

------------

It's All Right

2009-02-03T12:27:00.004+08:00

Dear friends, let us continue to love one another, for love comes from God. Anyone who loves is born of God and knows God. But anyone who does not love does not know God — for God is love.

God showed how much he loved us by sending his only Son into the world so that we might have eternal life through him. This is real love. It is not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as a sacrifice to take away our sins.

Dear friends, since God loved us that much, we surely ought to love each other. No one has ever seen God. But if we love each other, God lives in us, and his love has been brought to full expression through us.

1 John 4:7-12 (NLT)

----------------------------

To take the intangible,
Hold on to it firmly,
With the assurance and trust that the intangible is so very good
- It eventually becomes tangible in us.

Because God first loved us, we are given a gift, a feeling. This feeling will naturally overflow out of us to others around us.

But how do we obtain or acknowledge this love God has for us?

1. It was already given the day we were born.

We do not need to seek it. It's already there. So, it is a question of whether we want to accept it in our hearts and believe in it. God made it our choice to decide if we want His love in our lives.

2. Love is tangible.

Love is an emotion. It is deemed as unseen. We cannot see God. But how do we know He's there? We were created to 'know' certain things. I call these things 'truths'. It could be a mere belief. But once you believe, the actions and manifestation of the love you receive will be what makes it tangible.

-------------

We're not only commanded to love. We're politely asked to realise that we have this ability and this emotion of love, to love others. We're well-equipped to love others.

Enjoy your day... loving someone with the love of God.

Blessed New Year 2009

2009-01-04T02:06:00.001+08:00

From all of us at Church of the Good Shepherd...

BLESSED NEW YEAR

and

MAY YOU SEEK HIS KINGDOM FIRST

Let 2009 be a year of new experiences with Jesus!

Children's Christmas Party - 20 Dec (Sat)

2008-12-15T16:48:00.002+08:00

This year's Children's Party will be even

BIGGER and BETTER

than previous years.

We have

games and clowns

and food and drinks

and presents and party packs

and not forgetting good ol' Santa Claus!

So bring your friends and relatives and neighbours and classmates!

IT'S FREE!

Fun, Joy & Laughter

2008-12-11T11:31:00.003+08:00

The Joy of the Lord is my Strength.

Joy is repeated often in the Bible. To be happy is to be contented.

To be able to laugh and smile in times of pain and suffering is the ultimate "YOU MUST BE CRAZY".

Our human emotions will follow what our circumstances are. If we're facing all forms of challenges, our faces will automatically show the stress and strain.

It would take a person who either 1. doesn't care (indifferent) or 2. knows how to handle the situation - to be able to laugh and smile while others are complaining and having their blood pressure shooting up.

I look at adverse situations from various angles:

1. God knows what He's doing.

2. I have something to learn out of all these awful happenings.

3. This will not be forever.

4. It's no use worrying about it because I will be blinded by my worries, such that I can't find the solution.

5. The joy of the Lord will strengthen me to go through it.

6. The people around me who are stressed need someone who is calm and level-headed to bring some 'balance' to the whole atmosphere.

---------

The last one sound really 'new age'. But it's true how in every situation or company or group, you need a balance of characters to bring the best out of the team.

So, I hope this short note will give us something to think about and not WORRY about our current situation.

You're not ALONE in this problem. And it's really NO USE TO WORRY since you don't have a solution yet.

Might as well find the answer instead of wasting time and worrying about what you cannot solve.

So, please... LET GO AND LET GOD.

Upcoming November Programs

2008-10-31T11:06:00.006+08:00

Seminars and guest speakers are a great way to learn and as reminders to our gingko-deficient memories.

We're in constant need of encouragement and God knows that.

He constantly reminded His people about obeying Him and to dwell on His word so that we may stand firm.

Below are a few programs that we're having. And we hope to see you there! For more info, please email us at cogsjb@streamyx.com or call 07 3328277.

CLICK ON IMAGES BELOW FOR LARGER IMAGE

7th - 9th November 2008 (Friday - Sunday)
Daren Tay will be coming to tell us more about Holy Spirit - our Comforter and Friend that Jesus gave to us when He left this earth.

15th November 2008 (Saturday)
Anglican Diocese of West Malaysia - Men's Seminar 2008
A full-day seminar for all men!

Pelangi Cell Farewell Dinner

2008-10-10T22:59:00.002+08:00

This is just the beginning of LOTS of food...

Don't we just love feeding them and sending them off to a food haven?

It's the Chinese way of saying... we love you!!!

Why Do I Go to Church?

2008-10-06T11:02:00.003+08:00

Taken from http://www.heartlight.org
by Sarah Stirman

Newsflash: I don't go to church to worship God.

Oh, I DO worship God when I go, but if MY church were going to be all about ME and MY best way to worship God, MY church would only have ME in attendance, and I would be outside somewhere talking with and worshipping God. I have had the privilege and responsibility of being in on some discussion about "worship planning" recently. I finally told the group: "Not gonna happen — you will NEVER plan a worship service that is perfect for me, or anyone else for that matter. I don't worship best in 'the pink room' (what I call our horribly outdated auditorium)."

Besides not lovin' the setting for "corporate worship," I'm generally busy. I interpret services for the deaf. That means I'm HEARING what is said and sung and prayed, but I can only process it in the part of my brain that translates it into another language, not the part that absorbs it and lets it transform me or reflect praise to our Father. Even when I'm not "working" by interpreting, I'm "feeding" signs to the person who is interpreting. (The very funny part about our deaf ministry is that we are positioned in the auditorium where the speakers shoot the sound over us — the interpreters can't hear a thing where we are!) Again, even if being surrounded by hundreds of people were my "thing" for worship, I'm a little occupied.

But, I do GO to church: I'm one of those "every-time-the-doors-are-open" kind of people. (I'm also one of those "last-ones-leaving-because-they're-turning-off-the-lights," but that's a whole other issue.) Even though I am openly professing to not attend church for the number one cited reason for attending, I think it is a crucial part of my faith and "Christian walk." I'm also teaching that to my children. My children know where we will be "every-time-the doors-are-open," and they know we don't plan events or things that would interfere with our attending.

So ... you GO to church, but you don't go to church to worship God? HUH?

So, why do I go to church?

I actually started thinking about all of this for several reasons. First, the church where I worship has started making an intentional difference in our two morning services. The second service is "less traditional" in nature. And our "more traditional" service is struggling over some bumps of its own. This, as you might imagine if you are a regular attender somewhere, has ruffled a few feathers and created some exciting end-of-the-pew discussion. I have also been included in some committee discussions regarding planning worship. Our "corporate worship" time has been on my mind lately.

Someone is unhappy with the song choices ... or song tempo ... or song leader. Others aren't happy with the screens or temperature or preacher or what-have-you. And — true confessions — I'm right there with them in many regards. As I mentioned — you can't plan a perfect worship for me, especially if there are people involved!

While all of this ha-rumphing was fresh on my mind, I sat down and encountered notes from a worship conference I attended last summer. This was on the top page:

Evaluating worship based on doing the right things in the right way or 'did it make me feel good' is having low expectations. Instead, evaluate worship on whether or not God showed up. There is NO worship renewal without expecting to meet the Almighty God. (Randy Harris)

That quote makes me feel better about not feeling like I am really able to worship at church. Oh, I feel certain the Almighty God is THERE — but I am only able to worship Him by serving His people while in "the assembly," not by chatting with Him and listening to Him. The best part is, I'm not missing my time with God if I don't get it inside the church building. The Almighty God shows up to talk to me and walk beside me on my morning walk. He listens so patiently while I fold the clothes. He blesses us again and again while I pray over carpool. My entire life — SHOULD I CHOOSE TO DO SO — can be a time of worship, complete with the presence of the Almighty God. Because He will ALWAYS show up — I just have to show up, as well.

And while the songs sung or words said and images displayed at church may or may not stir my soul, I can still worship because I will be in the presence of the Almighty God.

May my prayer be set before you like incense; may the lifting up of my hands be like the evening sacrifice (Psalm 141:2).

I will be in the presence of the Almighty God.

Sarah is part of The Coffee Group, a varied group of women who express their love, faith, and praise for God with ladies they love. They do ladies' retreats and special speaking on God's work in their lives, as well as the importance of sharing your faith story.

Check out their website:
http://www.thecoffeegroup.net

Come visit them on their blog:
http://www.espressohislove.blogspot.com

---------------------------

Charlotte's Thoughts

It's true. I sometimes forget too, how to expect God's presence in church.

We get distracted by so much "works" (programs, quality of music, people attending, pastor's message depth, etc) that we lose the meaning of the church and why we go to church.

Let's pull our minds back to God's way of thinking...

Let's go back to wanting to meet God, face to face.

Pastor Chris' Birthday Surprise?

2008-09-26T11:28:00.006+08:00

Laying in wait outside pastor's house at 9pm on 20th Sept. We all crouched down behind a car and looked like refugees in party hats. It's hilarious. Everyone squatted until some complained of cramps in their legs.

We had to eventually stand up when Pastor himself came out and saw 'shadows' outside his house and so many cars. So we stood and sang birthday song...

How old is he this year? I forgot.

Dear God, bless him with your wisdom and strength and patience...

The whole crowd for the night.

L-R: (top) Sharon, Miaw Yee, Bryan, Margaret, Charlotte, Zin Vi, Paul, Nicholas
(mid row) Hooi Ping, Qing Rong, Canest, Doreen
(front) Quintin, Joe, Qing En, Pastor Chris, Mandy, Nerisa, Regina, Mei Yi, Catherine

I know it's slanted. Timer - which Joe took ages to figure out - placed on the sofa.
Hence, slanted...

They couldn't get the timer on the camera to work properly. Getting into position and having Joe accidentally snap heaps of pictures was really funny.

The TOAST... Arm on right side of pic is holding a glass of Irish Cream... And a bowl of ???

Mandy has a 3/4 cup full of Irish Cream which she gamely downed in 30 seconds. We had Red-Lobster-Faced-Mandy after that.

It's Almost The End of the Year... again

2008-09-19T11:07:00.002+08:00

Here we are, in September, with another 3 months to December 25th.

How time flies...

I just remembered how we went door-to-door caroling last year. And how we were at shopping complexes the previous year in 2006. It's already 2008 and here we are, still wondering what to do for this Christmas.

----------

Now, I need to sit myself down and wonder, what IS the purpose we try to do so much during Christmas every year?

What is the meaning of Christmas IF we don't do all that we do every year.

What if we didn't do a single thing this year?

Or what if we did something ELSE other than what we did last year and the year before that?

--------

Before I go into a round of stressful rantings, let's just talk about the birth of Jesus.

--------

Jesus was born. Jesus is the reason we are called Christians.

Then with the birth of Jesus, I want to only mention two main reasons for Christmas:

Firstly...
To remember how God sent His one and only Son - that whoever would believe in Jesus, will have eternal life.

Secondly...
To show the world about God's love, joy, peace and His power and majesty.

----------

The first point is on salvation.

We're so engrossed with the politics within the country and we get so worked up at our countries leaders, we tend to forget that the same things are happening right next to us.

We have our own politics in our office, in our homes, in the church and even with our neighbours.

Sometimes, we choose to rave and rant about the 'bigger macro picture' because we don't want to deal with our more personal issues.

But then, it's not everyone who is like that.

---------------

The second point covers basically who GOD is.

"I AM WHO I AM" (Exodus 3:14)

Christmas is the one time, for our church, to reach out to our community.

It doesn't seem like much. But it's something. So we can't take it away at all, or else we will have nothing.

----------------

We are the body of Christ, many parts.
(excerpt from 1 Corinthians 12:12)

This is my prayer:

Dear Lord,

Let us all remember our roles as part of Your body and with Christ as the head. If we think ourselves as without a function or talent, I pray you help us know it's not how much we can do, but that You see our hearts and desire to serve You and glorify You.

Let the Christmas 2008 be a time where we can fully make known who God is.

In Jesus' name we pray...
Amen.

--------------------

Looking For A Cross

2008-09-03T16:31:00.003+08:00

It's not looking for THE cross. It's looking for A cross.

In Malaysia, it's rather difficult to have a church registered as a 'church'. So we have to remain as an administrative office. Since shifting to this building, we do not have a signboard or a symbol of a cross outside the building.

Now, we have decided to put up a cross - IN the sanctuary, on stage, behind the altar.

Outside? not sure about that yet. But it will be inside first.

There's not much space onstage on the back wall. But I've been looking at various pictures of crosses and I would love a building with very high ceiling so that the cross can be really big and huge!

------------

The cross is like how you wear your school badge - a symbol, an identity.

On it's own, made of metal or gold or silver or wood, it does not hold any magical powers. Movies have made the cross into a physically magical item.

It is not about it being magical physically, but its meaning and significance that gives the cross its power.

Why use a Cross?

Why not just flog Jesus to death? Or behead Him? Or hang Him?

Why use a cross?

1. The cross was about humiliation, rejection and the lowest form of punishment.

2. To fulfill the prophesies in the scriptures mentioned about 800 years ago. (eg. Isaiah 53:5)

God has prepared us since the beginning of man's fall from holiness to redeem us for that dark pit of sin.

This cross is a heavy burden to carry, but it lightens our spirit and soul with what the cross has achieved for us. The cross that bore Jesus - an instrumental piece of wood in helping God complete His plan to save His people.

We say today, "the higher we climb, the harder we fall."

For Jesus, it's "The lower we crawl, the higher we fly."

You're Everything

2008-08-27T22:14:00.003+08:00

For those who has not seen this skit, may God show you how much we really want Him.

This skit is always a reminder to me how God wants us so personally.

EVERYTHING - Lifehouse

Find me here
Speak to Me
I want to feel you
I need to hear you

You are the light
That's leading me
To the place where I find peace again.

You are the strength
That keeps me walking
You are the hope
That keeps me trusting

You are the light
To my soul
You are my purpose
You're everything.

How can I stand here with you and not be moved by you?
Would you tell me how could it be any better than this?

You calm the storms
And you give me rest
You hold me in your hands
You won't let me fall

You still my heart
And you take my breath away
Would you take me in?
Take me deeper now?

How can I stand here with you and not be moved by you?
Would you tell me how could it be any better than this?

And how can I stand here with you and not be moved by you?
Would you tell me how could it be any better than this?

Cause you're all I want
You're all I need
You're everything,everything

You're all I want
You're all I need
You're everything, everything

You're all I want
You're all I need
You're everything, everything
You're all I want
You're all I need
You're everything, everything

And How can I stand here with you and not be moved by you?
Would you tell me how could it be any better than this?

How can I stand here with you and not be moved by you?
Would you tell me how could it be any better than this?

How can I stand here with you and not be moved by you?
Would you tell me how could it be any better than this?
Would you tell me how could it be any better than this?

Satisfy Me

2008-08-19T09:06:00.008+08:00

It came to mind about how people view Christians. Of how Christians are supposed to be 'holy holy'. Of how Christians cannot be seen doing any wrong.

I guess Christians have 'asked for it' - in a sense. Since we profess our faith and tell others about Jesus and God's love, with more fervor than other religions. With all that talk, we'd better 'walk the talk'.

From the viewpoint of those outside the church, we're being watched with eagle eyes our every actions. We're the ones who are kind and happy and loving.

Or are we?

Looking and Searching

However, in the everyday routine of people trudging along their daily struggles and problems, we are all looking for some good against the evil we fight everyday.

As I always hear and believe, we were all made perfect and wholesome, until someone ate the forbidden fruit.

All of us seek that goodness, that 'thing' that satisfies us.

Everyone is looking for some love...

It sounds really hippy, flower power type of statement, but it's true.

Even during the 70s, 'love is all around'... 'spread love'... Although the methodology was wrong, but everyone embraced it because we all know we needed the 'love'.

Even today, other than love, so many people are looking for trust, for security, for assurance, for refuge. Everyone is scared.

Why are so many people hurting and frightened?

Expectations.

A student is expected to do well or else he will not be able to find a job in future.

A businessman has to lie and cheat and bribe in order to get the business in and continue to pay his employees.

A 16 year old girl is obsessed with her looks and knowing her looks attract, use it, but instead, gets raped by her own father.

A clerk has been a clerk for the past 20 years and is full of bitterness and rage at the multinational company's lack of attention on her.

---------

Now and Here

We're facing a world of injustice. This world has always been unfair. Throughout the bible, no matter where you flip, there will be unfairness.

40 years in the wilderness - do you think the Israelites consider it fair to walk around in circles?

Being flogged and hung on the cross - was Jesus deserving of such harsh punishment?

Fairness is very subjective. Even as I write this, I see how justice and fairness is all about your point of view. God had all His reasons for doing the above and a lesson to be learned from it.

We all try to find reasons for being. We all blame and get blamed. We seek justice for our pitiful lives.

We usually don't find an answer. We feel unjust and bitter and vengeful.

We seek the answers from church and from church members. We don't find an answer.

--------

You, Me & God

Wait... this whole write up started with why everyone is seeking something good and looking at Christians. But it ends up with unfairness and injustice?

We are weak. Everyone is weak. We seek for something stronger, someone to look up to and depend on.

However, when we don't understand that everyone is weak, we tend to get disappointed when we see other Christians fail in being holy and righteous. Our disappointments are bigger when our expectations are higher.

The larger your bubble is blown, the louder and harder it'll burst.

I've heard of so many people who left the church because of what they have seen or heard that made them disappointed in God, in God's church and in God's people.

You say, "Well, we're here to serve God, not men. Why should we do things to please them?"

That's true to a certain extent. Our focus should be on God. Our expectations should be based on what God wants.

Jesus not only asked us to love God with all our heart, our soul and all our minds, but to also love one another. Jesus said He came to serve, not to be served. (Matthew 20:28)

This verse sums up all that I intend to say:

"A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another."
(John 13:34-35)

Christians are given the 'duty' to love and serve. It is through our actions that other will come to know Jesus.

Are we able to do it?

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.
Galatians 5:22-23a

I always check myself to see if I have the above. It's a long and windy road, and I know it will be satisfying at the end of it.

Those of you who are non-Christians - we are only human, like you. Our only difference is that we have God who is our source of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.

If we seek all those traits from man, we will definitely be disappointed. Seek it from the main source and we will never be empty again.

Once Upon A Camp 2006 - Melaka

2008-08-14T09:23:00.005+08:00

Church Camp 2006

Click on picture for MORE pictures.

Light of the World

2008-08-12T17:02:00.003+08:00

When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life."
[John 8:12 NIV]

------------

We're always scared of the darkness. Scared of the unknown and uncertain. The darkness denotes all things dangerous and evil. Through movies, through our own experiences.

There might be some who say they love the dark. But I'd say it seems more like they're hiding. If I were to hide, I'd find a dark corner to huddle in. A hole. A cupboard.

A store with bright good lighting will be the store with the most people walking in. After several years, the lights fade and the store starts to dim - in business and in its ambience. A well lit fast food restaurant gives it a clean look. People in bright clothes radiate more energy and life.

Work and growth is during the day. Plants grow with the sunlight on their leaves.

Night and darkness is not to be feared. It has been used by satan to create fear in us. God created Day and Night. God created nocturnal animals too, didn't He? And He looked after them as well, didn't He?

"I am the light of the world."

Jesus came to give us light.

He came to help us grow.

To help us be courageous.

Allowing us to see far far ahead.

His light never fades.

A Little Bit of God's Humour

2008-08-11T15:08:00.002+08:00

God created all things.

Some things make us laugh more than others. Such as this:

more cat pictures

God either laughed with us, or shook His head at our amusement at the expense of a kitty cat. :)

ONE

2008-08-08T09:33:00.002+08:00

One World, One Dream.

Is it ever possible to become one world? Amidst all the power struggles and hatred, what would be the ultimate peacemaker?

What is the one dream that most people want today? Wealth? Career? Love? God?

Questions without answers. Questions with multiple answers.

Let's all watch the wonders of the human body. God created each of us with abilities that we never knew existed - the muscles in weightlifting, the speed in sprinting, the flexibility in gymnastics.

It is extremely touching and emotional to see the determination in the athlete's eyes to finish the event.

Run a good race to the finishing line. We need that to run our race too.

Their race finishes in maybe 12 seconds. Ours take a longer time (12 years? More?). Hence, we need a LOT more perseverance and endurance.

Dear God, teach us to watch the Olympics and remember your creation and your mission.

Simple Faith as Small as an Elephant

2008-08-05T16:43:00.004+08:00

The bible was and is and always will be the focus of the Christian faith and belief. Mere history in the pages written by mere men.

So what is so great about the bible that we have revered it for so many years?

This question has been asked and answered so many times throughout the ages - which answer will you choose to believe?

Our common sense and logic has to be satisfied. God has created us to think. We think to satisfy ourselves because we are selfish.

(What? You say it's selfish to even 'THINK'?)

Yes, in a sense - because we want answers, not for others, but for ourselves.

I've always thought about why people from the villages (kampungs) and rural areas believe in God with a fervor that amazes me. How do they, who hardly have any education and teachings, build up such unwavering faith in God.

We tend to analyse things too much. I'm not asking you to become dumb.

CS Lewis writes the best arguments about Christianity that I had to read the paragraph several times to understand what he was trying to explain. His book, 'Mere Christianity', gives you a scientific and logical argument about Christianity.

The brilliance of such people are required. We were made to think. I like talking to people who gives an in depth explanation of why certain portions of the bible said this or that. It is information.

We're in an age where information is overflowing out of our ears - literally.

How then, can we still remain 'rural' and just swallow everything we hear? We have become skeptical and doubting and careful. It has become increasingly difficult to believe at first take something that is meant to be so simple.

God created the universe and the earth. God created man and woman in His image, to commune with Him. Man sinned against God, making us unholy and unable to come to God, who is holy, face to face. God (in the old testament) gave man solutions to atone for our sins through blood sacrifices of animals and be as close as possible to Him.

God (in the new testament) gave Jesus (God as man, His only Son) to die on the cross for all our sins, that we no longer need to sacrifice blood to atone for our sins - Jesus being the ultimate sacrifice for us. In doing so, created a bridge for us to come to God directly - as was the initial plan for Adam and Eve.

The only thing we have to do is to believe in Jesus, and confess we are sinners and that Jesus is the Lord of our lives.

This basic truth is too simple to understand. Too far fetched to believe that our almighty and great God had to take several thousand years to plan this out.

With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. (2 Peter 3:8b)

Who are we, really, to God? Mere pawns on His chessboard?

You may look at us as pawns and knights and kings and queens - all with a specific purpose. However, He created each of us, not out of game and fun, but out of love and sincerity and purposefully. Everything He created was and is GOOD. The english version only says 'good'. Words are limited.

But consider how God took care especially of Adam. He created all other things and left it for Adam to manage. But he made sure Adam had everything - even to create a woman to help Adam. God did not give the elephants extra attention. God walked together with Adam and Eve. (Genesis 3:8) Why would God take special care of Adam if he was only a pawn whom He didn't care for?

We analyse so many factors of our lives. Where to work. Where to study. What to wear. Whom to marry. What to buy.

It's about time we analyse who God is and who we are to God - and accept it.

Thoughts in Writing

2008-08-01T17:12:00.004+08:00

I've been trying to start writing up several topics but I have not been able to get past two paragraphs.

Hence I'm asking all those of you who visit this site to email me any personal write ups that you want to share online with others.

But I have this from Max Lucado to share. It's so true how Christians look at death with such joy.

One day, when I die, I want everyone to have a BIG party! :) With lots of balloons and music and dancing and singing! Well, I guess you are entitled to miss me and cry. But make sure the laughter is equally as loud and long.

----------------------------

When Death Becomes Birth
by Max Lucado

You live one final breath from your own funeral.

Which, from God's perspective, is nothing to grieve. He responds to these grave facts with this great news: "The day you die is better than the day you are born" (Eccles. 7:1). Now there is a twist. Heaven enjoys a maternity-ward reaction to funerals. Angels watch body burials the same way grandparents monitor delivery-room doors. "He'll be coming through any minute!" They can't wait to see the new arrival. While we're driving hearses and wearing black, they're hanging pink and blue streamers and passing out cigars. We don't grieve when babies enter the world. The hosts of heaven don't weep when we leave it.

Oh, but many of us weep at the thought of death. Do you? Do you dread your death? And is your dread of death robbing your joy of life?

Jesus came to "deliver those who have lived all their lives as slaves to the fear of dying" (Heb. 2:15).

Your death may surprise you and sadden others, but heaven knows no untimely death: "You saw me before I was born. Every day of my life was recorded in your book. Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed" (Ps. 139:16).

Dread of death ends when you know heaven is your true home. In all my air travels I've never seen one passenger weep when the plane landed. Never. No one clings to the armrests and begs, "Don't make me leave. Don't make me leave. Let me stay and eat more peanuts." We're willing to exit because the plane has no permanent mailing address. Nor does this world. "But we are citizens of heaven, where the Lord Jesus Christ lives. And we are eagerly waiting for him to return as our Savior" (Phil. 3:20).

Why don't you do this: give God your death. Imagine your last breath, envision your final minutes, and offer them to him. Deliberately. Regularly. "Lord, I receive your work on the cross and in your resurrection. I entrust you with my departure from earth." With Christ as your friend and heaven as your home, the day of death becomes sweeter than the day of birth.

taken from http://www.crosswalk.com

---------------------

Uplifting Readings

2008-07-31T16:08:00.004+08:00

I like to look for devotionals online. There are those from Heartlight, RBC, Crosswalk - where at each site, you can find various types of writeups and devotionals from various people.

Sometimes, I prefer a short concise one-pointer or on some days a nice long article discussing about the definition and history of the cross.

Reading a variety of devotionals also help us to widen our perspective on certain issues. Each individual writer has different approaches to their style of writing. I find it gets dangerous to follow one particular person's writings for too long. It could narrow our mind and views on certain topics, as per the writer's.

Although the whole world's Christians all base their teachings on the Bible but its interpretations may differ. In many occasions, the Bible has been misquoted and people only see what they want to see, instead of what God wants them to see.

To me, the whole bible is meant to edify, to teach, to encourage, to warn and to help us understand who God is, who Jesus is.

When I first heard of people describing the Word of God as the LIVING Word - I could not understand what he meant. Until it was explained how a single verse such as John 3:16 could impact different people differently.

"For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, that whoever may believe in Him will not perish but have eternal life." (John 3:16)

Person A: This verse caught his eye when he saw the word 'believe' - causing him to realise that all it takes is to believe in Jesus.

Person B: 'God so loved the world' hit this person straight in his heart knowing that God loved him enough to sacrifice so much for him, as a single individual.

Never take the Word of God lightly. There is probably more 'magic' and 'power' in the Bible's ink and paper that even Harry Potter or Gandalf or Aslan cannot match.

"This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success."
(Joshua 1:8 NKJV)

2008-07-29T16:41:00.002+08:00

Running towards the end of the tunnel
Sometimes I don't know when it'll end
Courage, strength, perseverance and faith
Run alongside - we'll reach the light

Sun Fun @ Kuantan

2008-07-26T00:53:00.003+08:00

COGS Church Camp 2008 Album

Worshiping God

2008-07-25T17:10:00.002+08:00

Acknowledging He is God of everything.

Gratitude that He provides for His children.

Obeying His commandment to love one another.

Declaring aloud He is good.

--------

Those are some of the many things we do when worshiping god.

Songs, music, poems, lyrics, etc - to me, they are the various creative and innovative ways God has given us to make worshiping Him more interesting.

He's so nice to us, huh? Instead of us making God's day more interesting, He helps us to make OUR day interesting.

Who's entertaining whom?

Church Camp Pictures - June 08

2008-07-21T14:13:00.004+08:00

Click on the link below for some pictures I took during the church camp at Kuantan.

Church Camp 2008 Album

Find - Feel - Found

2008-07-17T09:39:00.002+08:00

"His purpose in all of this was that the nations should seek after God and perhaps feel their way toward him and find him – though he is not far from any one of us."

[Acts 17:27 NLT]

-------------------------------------------

Have you ever had the occasion when you felt like God was not by your side and you were all alone trying to tackle the problem?

The above puts it such that you 'feel' your way towards Him and 'find' Him.

The NKJV puts it as:
"so that they should seek the Lord, in the hope that they might grope for Him and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us"
(italics and bold mine)

Grope? Find? Are you lost? Were you lost?

Grope comes to mind of being in the dark. Being in a place you can't see. So you need to grope your way around until you find the switch and turn on the lights.

So the lights and switch is ALWAYS there. It didn't suddenly move while you were finding your way or while you were out of the room.

God is a permanent fixture! He's not going anywhere.

--------------------------

while in the dark
    i couldn't quite see
        where i was heading to
  where the road led

but i knew in my heart
      there is no fear
          for you are near
    and you are there beside me

  my heart. my soul, my mind
          they are comforted
    to know that you are near
to know that i am safe

REGISTER TODAY!!

2008-07-15T10:10:00.000+08:00

Seminar on the Psalms

Click on image for larger view

Register today as we are anticipating many people from other churches who will be joining us for this seminar. It's only for one day and there is so much to know and learn about God's nature from the book of Psalms. One day is really not enough.

Only RM15.00 per person,
which includes your food and drinks and seminar materials.

Call the numbers shown in the flyer and find out how you can register.

Father's Love - A Recap

2008-07-14T14:46:00.000+08:00

The 3-day rally was truly a reminder for me. A reminder that we are all God's children and no matter what we have done, He will run towards us with open arms and embrace us home.

Luke 15:11-32 - THE PRODIGAL SON

The prodigal son runs off and gets himself all poor and dirty. His very rich and powerful father sees him come home and runs to his son who previously 'demanded' for his inheritance.

The forgiveness and love a Father has for His children cannot be measured.

He never fails to tell you that it is because of His love that you were created. We often 'degrade' ourselves and with all our sins and wrongs and all-that-is-bad, we reject ourselves, hence, think that God rejects us as well.

Our view of God the Father is directly affected by our view of our earthly father.

Was your father the fierce, authoratative type? Or was he never around the house? Or was he someone who never provided for the home?

How you see your earthly dad will be - unconciously - how you see God your heavenly Father.

Hence, you need to know more about God your Father is a closer sense.

1. Father God is love. (John 3:16)

Zephaniah 3:17
The LORD your God is with you,
he is mighty to save.
He will take great delight in you,
he will quiet you with his love,
he will rejoice over you with singing."

2. He waits for you. (Luke 15:20)

"But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him.

3. He provides for you. (Luke 15:22)

"But the father said to his servants, 'Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet.

God has a home for us, waiting for us. Our stay here on earth is just a 'passing through'. It's temporary. We will always be dissatisfied with what we have - because we were made for more than what is here and now.

God's fatherly love is what drives and motivates us to worship Him.

Only with the Father's love, will we be able to fully love others as ourselves. It's a chain reaction.

性情

2008-07-07T17:19:00.000+08:00

Just a little something I wrote myself when the mood fancied me. It tells of how we often forget about God in our daily life. How we only depend on our feelings and emotions to bring us through. But we need to remind ourselves of God's goodness and how He once led us through mountains and deep valleys.

(NOTE: I do not know how to read and write chinese. But with Google pinyin, I can get most of what I want out on paper. In fact, some words may not be the right ones! But if you do read chinese, you'll know what i'm trying to write. Fill in your own blanks.)

Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal. (2 Cor 4:16-18)

靠着性情度过一天
kao zhe xing qing du guo yi tian

离你身边很遥远
li ni shen bian hen yao yuan

忘了当初你劝告
wang le dang chu ni quan gao

靠着自己用不到
kao zhe zi ji yong bu dao

Church of the Good Shepherd - An Introduction

2008-07-06T23:51:00.001+08:00

COGS Christmas Presentation 2006 @ City Square Johor Bahru

Church of the Good Shepherd started in 1993, as a small service with a congregation of about 20 people. Services were held at St Christopher's Church in JB until we shifted out to hold services in a bungalow.

Services were mainly in Mandarin, although there were a few members who were english-speaking. However, we started off as a chinese church. After being in the bungalow for a few months, the church shifted to the first floor of a shoplot.

The church started growing to about 80 people within the first 5 years.

The church was at Jalan Kuning for many years, until we bought a two storey shoplot at Taman Kebun Teh at about 5 years ago, which was fully renovated to suit our growing needs.

This is where we are now and we currently have about 200+ members and we also have an Iban church at Seri Alam that has about 300+ members.

--------

We're an Anglican church with a flair.

We have three service on Sunday:

9:00am - Chinese Service (where it's purely in Mandarin)

11:00am - Bilingual Service (in Mandarin and English)

6:00pm - English Service

Our services all start with a time of praise & worship and we usually have a full band playing for all three services.

God has been good to us and we truly have seen His hand at work throughout these 15 years.

---------------

I have personally been in this church since they started and it has been a blessing to me to be able to see the growth of the church not only in numbers but also in the number of lives that God has touched through this church.

We may not be perfect, but we strive to do as God would want us to and we are not ashamed to say that we will continue to need and depend on God's love, grace and mercy.

-------------

Drop by one Sunday and look for Charlotte. I'll shake your hand!

I go for the 11am service...

God is I AM.

July/August Programmes

2008-07-04T16:05:00.000+08:00

Hies,

I'll try to keep this going and see if I can have the energy to update this, since I am the one who will be doing all the flyers and posters and communication materials.

We will be having two major rallies / meetings / seminars in July.
Details as below (click on the posters for larger image):

FATHER'S LOVE

by Pastor Daren Tay, Church of our Saviour, Singapore

HEALING & REVIVAL RALLY
by Rev John Ng

SEMINAR on the PSALMS
by Rev Anthony Loke

So, God will be pouring His word onto you this month. Lots of things He wants to tell you!

Join us.

HAVE YOU REGISTERED?

2008-05-12T10:57:00.000+08:00

Dear all,

Have you registered for the Family Church Camp 2008?

Venue: Kuantan

Staying at: Grand Continental Hotel

Dates: 30 May - 1 June 2008

Speaker: Pastor Douglas Koh

Camp Fees: RM150 per adult / RM80 per child (5 - 12 yrs old)

Bus Coach Fees: RM60 per person

---------------------------

We have ended up thinking about church camps in terms of fun and enjoyment.

We have forgotten that church camps are meant as a 'getaway' from our daily routines, to get closer to God, our Father.

See you there!!!