Testimony 23/01/06: On Indonesian Roads

Sometimes I think life is like driving on Indonesian roads. Without any speed limit, anyone could drive as fast as they could. Without any clear lines, people could overtake anyhow. Without any bus stop, the public transport could halt anywhere they like without any signal, including in the middle lane! Even all three traffic lights mean go! Green means go. Yellow means go faster. And red means… go at your own risk! All these are in addition to the very bad and rough road surfaces.

More often than not, I become frustrated on the road. I honk my way to the office to let people know that I’m passing by (otherwise they would just cut my lane!). Whenever I see my side mirror and realise someone is trying to overtake, I would step on my accelerator instead. My heart beats faster every time I drive. And I don’t like it. I start cursing out of annoyance, breaking and accelerating more often.

I wish people would drive just like people drive in Melbourne. Oh yes. I wish! And I tried to change everyone. Honking even more. Staring and looking straight into their eyes. No wonder I become tired… and frustrated.

In real life, a lot of people elbow each other to get their own way too. Sometimes they let out words that are not edifying at all. Often with unfriendly glare.

But I realise I cannot change everyone. And when I try to, I become frustrated. Lower my standard? Not an option. I decided to stop cursing. I also decided to drive more carefully. I realise it is not good for my soul and body. I know the temptation is big. Well… people still drive ever so carelessly. But by God’s grace I will drive more cautiously. And be myself. On the road. And in everything else in my life.

Prayer Request 17/01/06: Canine Diabetes

Glucose is our main source of energy. To function, it must travel from blood to cell. Its transport mode? Insulin.

Pancreas produces insulin. When the pancreas is not in good shape ~ due to genetics, old age or lifestyle ~ there is a lack of insulin. Thus glucose stays in the blood, bringing the blood sugar level to a high. This is called diabetes. The person will feel lethargic and get skinnier and skinnier because fat is broken down as alternative energy.

Dogs get diabetes too! For now, it seems that the only way to prolong the life of a dog with diabetes is to have insulin shot every day.

The vet says my dog has symptoms of a diabetic. His name is Fatty (he was born fat!). He is a happy, four-kilo, ten-year old Miniature Pincher. I know this might sound ridiculous but please pray for his healing. Thanks!

Testimony 14/01/06: Stay Amazed

Today was my last day in Frankfurt. I wish I could stay longer. In the beginning, I dreaded the trip. But now, I didn’t want to go. Yet. I wish I could holiday here and enjoy the scenery before I leave. But well… this was a business trip.

“Guten Morgen! (Good morning!)” I greeted the receptionist, “I would like to check out the hotel please,” I said.
“Sure,” the receptionist replied.

As she prepared the bill, I looked out the window. There is not even a cloud in the sky. “It is a beautiful day,” I said.

The receptionist lifted up her face.
She shook her head.
“No, no, no,” the she said.

I looked at her. Surprised.

“But there’s not a cloud in the sky,” I said.
“No, no, no. Look at the weather forecast,” she replied, putting before me the weather forecast of the day.

Minus seven.

“Yes… But it’s still a beautiful day,” I insist.
She looked at me in the eye and said “No… It’s gonna be very cold.”

Many people are so used to simply existing they forget to enjoy the small miracles God performs everyday. Just like Max Lucado says, “Rather than shocking the world with occasional demonstration of deity, God has opted to display His power daily.”

Snow. Sun. Wind. Waves. Birth. Death. Life. They are all miracles. The display of God’s love and power. Stay Amazed. Let God surprise you.

News 12/01/06: Anything Like This

I can feel a twinkle in my eye. I was smiling ear to ear. My heart throbs with amazement. The kitchen. The table. The sofa. The wardrobe. The bed. The toilet bowl. The sink. The bathtub. This house and all the furniture are made of ice!

I’ve never seen anything like this before! And this magical house of ice is placed on an open space without any cooling system. Why, it’s minus six. Why would anyone need a cooling system to keep the cool house cool?

Testimony 10/01/06: The Nose Bleedings, Headaches and Jet Lags of Life

Guten Tag! (Good day!)

The day is coming closer. I am flying to Germany! It is winter and the weather forecast tells me to anticipate minus six degrees Celsius.

I don’t know what to expect. I’ve never been to Germany before. And after all, the coldest place I’ve ever been is probably zero degrees.

I pack up all the winter clothing I have, hoping that they would be able to sustain me in the land of FIFA World Cup 2006. Will I get headache? Will my old injury hurt? Will I fall sick? And how about the jet lag? Man… I am afraid that I couldn’t even last the 15-hour flight!

But God spoke to me: Do not be afraid! My Spirit is like fire, He will keep you warm.

WOW! I am to worry about nothing. I am to focus on one thing: going to Messe Frankfurt and observe 2006 trend at HEIMTEX exhibition. God will take care of the rest!

And it is true indeed! Even though the jet lag prevents me from sleeping, I don’t feel tired. Even though my nose continually bleeds due to the cold weather, I keep on walking. And even though the temperature drops to minus seven, I feel all right! And guess what…it snows in Frankfurt… the second time in nine years! And I felt so happy and blessed! Never have I seen fresh snow falling from the sky.

So… stay focus. Do not worry. When God calls, He will provide. Obstacles are many, but God will take care of it all. He will take care of all the nose bleedings, the headaches and the jet lags of life. All we need to do is to stay true to our calling and stay focus. God will bring His promises to pass.

Oh, by the way, the worst thing ever happen to me during the trip is to sit on the cold toilet seat!

PS. Heimtex is the German term for Home Textile. This year, my dad and I visited the exhibition as visitors. Next year, we will be back as exhibitors. It’s going to be a long and challenging journey but I am quite excited about it. We have a year to prepare. Please pray for God’s favour. Danke! (Thanks!)

Testimony 04/01/06: Different

Ever wonder why there is such thing as loneliness? Ever wonder if there is such thing called friends forever? Ever wonder why no body understands you?

I do. I feel like an alien when everyone tries to take over each other, I give way. When everyone grumps, I smile. I give thanks for a favour when everybody else walks away. I feel so different. And I feel so tired. I feel so alone. I want everybody to be nice to everybody. I want every Christian to be passionate and on fire for Him.

Sometimes I think I should also take over others. May be I should stop smiling. Or may be I should walk away, too. Reading the Bible everyday might be too much anyway. Besides, everyone is doing that. I feel I make no difference doing it alone.

Yes, it is true I don’t have many friends over here yet. But I feel a voice whisper to my heart. You might disagree with me but I felt it saying that the very thing that makes me feel lonely is because of that… I’m different. I’m not like anyone else. My patience on the road might save someone’s life. My smile might make someone’s day. My thanks might touch someone’s heart. And my passion for Christ might save someone’s soul. If I down grade myself to some impatient, grumpy, thankless person… than I would be like everybody else! And yes I would make no difference!

Funny how I enjoy my kind of “loneliness” now. And I’m glad that I am different not just for the sake of being different, but because I follow what God has put in my heart.

Testimony 02/01/06: It Was Pouring Last Night

Today is different from any other day. Not because it is the first working day of 2006. Not because everyone is pumped up by the New Year resolutions. But it is because the sky is blue. It is because the air is cool and the wind is fresh. The mountains look green and the leaves glow with radiance.

Why, smoke has been washed away from the air. The dust is now down the drain. Vision is as clear as crystal.

It is no wonder. It was pouring last night. And the air pollution has been cleared by the heavy rain. How I long for such a beautiful day in this heavily polluted country!

Do you feel dry? Does everything look hazy? Smoke from day-to-day activities might have entered your soul. Pollution might have crept into your heart. Disappointments. Expectations. Loneliness. Accusations. Sins. Failures. Bitterness.

You might feel frustrated. You might feel choked by the ever-hazy vision. If so, wash yourself in the Living Water. He is the One that can wash you clean. He is the only One to bring you the cool air and the fresh wind. He is the only One who can make your vision crystal clear.

And His name is Jesus.

News 01/01/06: Phew… BANG!

What did you do on New Year’s Eve? Hanging out with friends? Last minute shopping before the specials end? Going to church? Wishing everyone a happy new year?

Well, New Year’s Eve was the night I was looking forward to spend with my family. Even though I was overseas for seven years, I didn’t know how it felt to celebrate New Year overseas. I was always home for Christmas and New Year. My bro and I went groceries and prepared tepanyaki for dinner. Then we watched “Fantastic Four” as we waited for midnight. Exactly when the movie finished, we could hear the sound…

Phew… BANG!

Fireworks! Fireworks everywhere! Our house is on the mountainside and so we could watch the whole city lighted up with fireworks. Red. Green. Blue. Yellow. Purple. All kinds of colours! And my heart was filled with colours, too, thanking God for the dawning of the New Year.

Testimony 31/12/05: You Raise Me Up

Hi..

I would like to dedicate this hymn to you. It has touched my heart as I reflected upon the lyric…

YOU RAISE ME UP

When I am down and, oh my soul, so weary;
When troubles come and my heart burdened be;
Then, I am still and wait here in the silence,
Until you come and sit awhile with me.

You raise me up, so I can stand on mountains;
You raise me up, to walk on stormy seas;
I am strong, when I am on your shoulders;
You raise me up: To more than I can be.

There is no life - no life without its hunger;
Each restless heart beats so imperfectly;
But when you come and I am filled with wonder,
Sometimes I think I glimpse eternity.

You raise me up, so I can stand on mountains;
You raise me up, to walk on stormy seas;
I am strong, when I am on your shoulders;
You raise me up: To more than I can be.

I believe God raises you up through such tremendous season in your life. Jesus is all you ever needed. He raises you up to more than you can be!! Your blog has directed your attention to Jesus and is definitely encouraging note to your readers.

In Christ's love,
Maureen Tham

Testimony 29/12/05: The Trumpet Seller

The year is coming to an end soon. But I was not happy. The economy was bad. The business was not healthy. Terror was everywhere. Poultry and pork were contaminated with avian flu and beef with anthrax. Now fish was preserved by formalin! The future looked so bleak. How could I be happy?

I put a crooked face. I had no reason to be happy, I told myself. But not until I saw the trumpet seller.

The New Year is approaching and a lot of people are selling trumpets as to celebrate the dawning of the New Year. The seller smiled at me. He nodded his head, offering the few trumpets that he had on his hands. What a sincere smile I saw! It melted my heart. And I bet it would melt yours too.

Well… he had every reason to be worried. He has every reason to be grumpy. The trumpets sell much less than a dollar each. His shirt and shoes were worn out. His wife was waiting at home, looking forward for the little money that he earns to put a meal on the table. His son need to pay his school fees. His infant baby was crying … demanding to be fed.

For me? I have food to eat. I have clothes to wear. I have a car to drive. I have a job. I have every blessing to be happy… but I was grumpy! And look at this guy! Though he only sells trumpets, he was smiling out of his heart!

I wish I could tell you that I stopped. I wish I could tell you that I bought a few of his trumpets. Well, I didn’t. The traffic didn’t allow me to slow down. But I have to tell you this: his smile has brightened my day. Have yours brightened someone today?

Testimony 28/12/05: Just A Crying Baby

I was filled with awe and wonder as I worship God. I realised that after all that He has done for me… the incarnation, the cross, the sacrifice… I cannot help but give my all to Jesus. No trumpet. No banner. No hype. No party. Just a crying baby. God had come near… just for you and me. I cannot just give a part of me. I have to give all of me.

***

I love You
All of my hope is in You
Jesus Christ, take my life
Take all of me

I love You so
And I give all my heart to say
I need You so
My everything

Hillsong United 2004, Take All Of Me

Testimony 23/11/05: He Makes All Things New

Do you notice…

He dined Zacheus the tax collector into Zacheus the forgiven
He pardoned Mary the prostitute into Mary the forgiven
He healed Bartimeus the blind to see
He spoke to Lazarus the dead into Lazarus the living
He took Simon the denier into Peter the rock
He turned Saul the murderer into Paul the preacher

He turns me, the sinner, into a new me, the redeemed…
Jesus makes all things new!

2 Corinthians 5:16-17
So from now on we regard no one from a worldly point of view. Though we once regard Christ in this way, we do so no longer. Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!