anything goes

Apparition of our Lady of Akita, Japan

2011-03-26T06:33:00.000-07:00

Appreciation to my nephew, Wilfred U. for this article.

Our Lady of Akita

Medal of our Lady of Akita

Sr. Agnes Sasagawa.

Japanese quake's epicenter located near Marian apparition site

The shrine of Our Lady of AkitaNiigata, Japan, Mar 12, 2011 / 07:17 am (CNA).- The epicenter of the earthquake that caused a deadly March 11 tsunami is located near the site of an apparition in which Mary warned about a worldwide disaster that could afflict humanity.Japanese church officials have confirmed that the Diocese of Sendai, in the north of the country, was hit hardest by the 8.8 magnitude earthquake – the worst in Japanese history – and the resulting 23-foot waves. Hundreds of people have already been confirmed dead in the city of Sendai, located less than 90 miles away from the apparition site of Our Lady of Akita in the town of Yuzawa.The city of Akita, which experienced fire damage and flooding along with many parts of northern Japan, is a place of veneration for Catholics. In 1973, the Virgin Mary was said to have predicted a number of future events – including natural disasters even more serious than Friday's earthquake and tsunami – during three appearances to a Japanese religious sister, Sr. Agnes Sasagawa. The purported appearances of the Virgin Mary in Japan were reviewed by Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger in 1988. During his time as Prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith prior to his election as Pope Benedict XVI, he let stand the local bishop’s judgment that the apparitions and the messages were acceptable for the faithful.The messages warned of chaos within the Church, and disasters which could afflict the world.“If men do not repent and better themselves, God the Father will inflict a terrible punishment on all humanity,” Mary reportedly told Sr. Agnes. “If will be a punishment greater than the (biblical) flood, such as never seen before.”“Fire will fall from the sky and will wipe out a great part of humanity, the good as well as the bad, sparing neither priests nor faithful,” she said. “The work of the devil will infiltrate even into the Church, in such a way that one will see cardinals opposing cardinals, bishops against bishops.” “Churches and altars will be sacked. The Church will be full of those who accept compromises, and the demon will press many priests and consecrated souls to leave the service of the Lord.” “Each day, recite the prayers of the Rosary,” she told Sr. Agnes. “With the Rosary, pray for the Pope, the bishops and priests.” Two years after the last message, the statue of the Virgin Mary in the chapel where the apparitions had occurred began to emit tears and drops of blood. The occurrence continued for more than six years.Reports from Akita following Friday's earthquake indicate that the city received significantly less damage than other parts of northern Japan, despite its proximity to the epicenter. However, residents did report power outages, burst pipes, and fires. Bishop Tarcisio Isao Kikuchi of Niigata, whose territory includes the Akita apparition +++++

Our prayers and thoughts go out to the Japanese in this their time of tragedy and great suffering. You may have heard of Our lady of Akita - if not google it and start reading.On one of my many trips to Japan I made good a promise I made to Our Lady of Akita which was - if ever I finish my work here and can't get out for some reason I will come to see you. This happened one Saturday night when I was at Narita Airport and the flight was canceled because of bad weather. Immediately I caught the train for the long journey to Akita. Before I left I got my agent in Japan to write on a piece of papaer for me "take me to the Cathlic Church". I knew that once I got to the church I could find my way to the convent where the statue of Our Lady of Akita was housed.

I took the train, it was snowing very heavily. I got to Akita and looked for a Hotel. Luckily I got a room late that night; I had not booked so was furtunate I guess. The next moring I got up, had breakfast, checked out and got a cab to the church using the piece of paper my agent had given me. When I got in the cab the driver looked at me rather curiously but drove away from the taxi stand toward the church. About 100 meters down the road there was a statue of Our Lady displayed in a shop on the corner of a street, the cab turned into the street and there was the church - I could have walked!I went to Mass in the church then after found someone who could speak english. I got them to get a cab for me, tell the driver to take me to the convent, leave me there for 3 hours then come back to get me to return me to the railway station for my trip back to Tokyo. And so I went to the convent.It was snowing and the taxi cab was slipping all over the place - eventually we got there. I knocked on the door and a nun answered who spoke english. I began to say "I have come......" when the nun interupted me - "I know why you're here" she said, "the Bessed Mother is in here". I took of my shoes (you have to do that there) and entered the lovel sanctuary that housed Our Lady of Akita"; it was a very special time. An hour later the nun came and said to me - "come and have lunch with us". "No thanks" I replied "I don't need lunch I am hapy to stay here". "No, you must come and have lunch with us" And so I did.What a fantastic lunch it was. All the Japanese nuns were giggling and laughing so I asked the nun who could speak english what they were laughing at. "At you coming here John" she replied. "How come?" I asked, you must have other people coming here also". "Yes", she said, "But not in this kind of weather, not when it is snowing so badly". Well this was the time Our Lady arranged for me and so there I was. The one question they asked me about New Zealand? "What is your national flower?" - I'm ashamed to say I didn't really know but I mentioned a few natives then selected the Kowhai as our native flower.After lunch I spent some more time with Our Lady then the taxi arrived to take me to the train station to catch the train back to Tokyo where I found a Hotel for the night.The next day a funny thing happened. I was walking by Tokyo Central Station looking for a Catholic Church so I could pay a visit to say thankyou to God for allowing my successful trip to Akita. Out of the corner of my eye I saw an old lady sitting on some stairs in distressed state. She had bare feet with sores all over them. She looked shocking to say the least. I noticed literally hundreds of people walking past her and not one of them was taking any notice - I couldn't believe this. I was going to see if I could do any thing for her but then thought I have to find the church to say my thankyou. I had tried on foot but no luck so then I thought I would get a cab because I had the piece of paper to show the driver. I found a cab, the driver read the paper then shut my door (they do it that way there) then drove off for about 20 yards then jammed on the brakes, opened my door, was yellng something in Japanese that I couldn't understand - so I just sat there. He raced off to get some one else who also started yelling and he literally pulled me out of the cab - and that was that.So then I thought I will carry on walking the streets to see if I could find someone to show me where the church was. As Iwas walking I heard a voice say "You Walked past Me", how do you mean I thought to myself. I carried on walking when the same voice said: "You Walked Past Me"; then I remembered the old lady. I thought to myself I will go back and if she is still there I will give her some money to help her situation. I went back, she was still there, so I took some money from my wallet and gave it to her. I could see the joy in her face as she realized someone cared - the rest of Japan was still passing her by without even noticing.It was an amazing journey, my trip home had me thinking a lot about everything. God works in ways we don't understand and this experience of mine was one of them.Todays distress in Japan brought back many memories. One thing I have not heard in the media (not to say it hasn't been said but I have not heard it) the word GOD. The power of Nature is a common phrase it seems to me; when will we ever learn?Below is some informaton abut Akta - the Church has approved it - we need to wake up!John Porteous=============================================Our Lady of Akita weeping statue

AKITA, Japan 1973 to 1975

The extraordinary events began on June 12, 1973, when Sr.. Agnes saw brilliant mysterious rays emanate suddenly from the tabernacle. The same thing happened on each of the two days that followed.

On June 28, 1973, a cross-shaped wound appeared on the inside left hand of Sr. Agnes. It bled profusely and caused her much pain. On July 6, Sr. Agnes heard a voice coming from the statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary in the chapel where she was praying. The statue was carved from a single block of wood from a Katsura tree and is three feet tall. On the same day, a few of the sisters noticed drops of blood flowing from the statue's right hand. On four occasions, this act of blood flow repeated itself. The wound in the statue's hand remained until September 29, when it disappeared. On September 29, the day the wound on the statue disappeared, the sisters noticed the statue had now begun to "sweat", especially on the forehead and neck. On August 3, Sr. Agnes received a second message. On October 13, she received a final third message.

Two years later on January 4, 1975, the statue of the Blessed Virgin began to weep. It continued to weep at intervals for the next 6 years and eight months. It wept on 101 occasions.

Here are the three messages of Our Lady of Akita to Sr. Agnes:

JULY 6, 1973

"My daughter, my novice, you have obeyed me well in abandoning all to follow me. Is the infirmity of your ears painful? Your deafness will be healed, be sure. Does the wound of your hand cause you to suffer? Pray in reparation for the sins of men. Each person in this community is my irreplaceable daughter. Do you say well the prayer of the Handmaids of the Eucharist? Then, let us pray it together."

"Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, truly present in Holy Eucharist, I consecrate my body and soul to be entirely one with Your Heart, being sacrificed at every instant on all the altars of the world and giving praise to the Father pleading for the coming of His Kingdom."

"Please receive this humble offering of myself. Use me as You will for the glory of the Father and the salvation of souls."

"Most holy Mother of God, never let me be separated from Your Divine Son. Please defend and protect me as Your Special Child. Amen."

When the prayer was finished, the Heavenly Voice said:

"Pray very much for the Pope, Bishops, and Priests. Since your Baptism you have always prayed faithfully for them. Continue to pray very much...very much. Tell your superior all that passed today and obey him in everything that he wil tell you. He has asked that you pray with fervor."

AUGUST 3, 1973

"My daughter, my novice, do you love the Lord? If you love the Lord, listen to what I have to say to you."

"It is very important...You will convey it to your superior."

"Many men in this world afflict the Lord. I desire souls to console Him to soften the anger of the Heavenly Father. I wish, with my Son, for souls who will repair by their suffering and their poverty for the sinners and ingrates."

"In order that the world might know His anger, the Heavenly Father is preparing to inflict a great chastisement on all mankind. WIth my Son I have intervened so many times to appease the wrath of the Father. I have prevented the coming of calamities by offering Him the sufferings of the Son on the Cross, His Precious Blood, and beloved souls who console Him forming a cohort of victim souls. Prayer, penance and courageous sacrifices can soften the Father's anger. I desire this also from your community...that it love poverty, that it sanctify itself and pray in reparation for the ingratitude and outrages of so many men.

Recite the prayer of the Handmaids of the Eucharist with awareness of its meaning; put it into practice; offer in reparation (whatever God may send) for sins. Let each one endeavor, according to capacity and position, to offer herself entirely to the Lord."

"Even in a secular institute prayer is necessary. Already souls who wish to pray are on the way to being gathered together. Without attaching to much attention to the form, be faithful and fervent in prayer to console the Master."

After a silence:

"Is what you think in your heart true? Are you truly decided to become the rejected stone? My novice, you who wish to belong without reserve to the Lord, to become the spouse worthy of the Spouse, make your vows knowing that you must be fastened to the Cross with three nails. These three nails are poverty, chastity, and obedience. Of the three, obedience is the foundation. In total abandon, let yourself be led by your superior. He will know how to understand you and to direct you."

OCTOBER 13, 1973

"My dear daughter, listen well to what I have to say to you. You will inform your superior."

After a short silence:

"As I told you, if men do not repent and better themselves, the Father will inflict a terrible punishment on all humanity. It will be a punishment greater than the deluge, such as one will never seen before. Fire will fall from the sky and will wipe out a great part of humanity, the good as well as the bad, sparing neither priests nor faithful. The survivors will find themselves so desolate that they will envy the dead. The only arms which will remain for you will be the Rosary and the Sign left by My Son. Each day recite the prayers of the Rosary. With the Rosary, pray for the Pope, the bishops and priests."

"The work of the devil will infiltrate even into the Church in such a way that one will see cardinals opposing cardinals, bishops against bishops. The priests who venerate me will be scorned and opposed by their confreres...churches and altars sacked; the Church will be full of those who accept compromises and the demon will press many priests and consecrated souls to leave the service of the Lord.

"The demon will be especially implacable against souls consecrated to God. The thought of the loss of so many souls is the cause of my sadness. If sins increase in number and gravity, there will be no longer pardon for them"

"With courage, speak to your superior. He will know how to encourage each one of you to pray and to accomplish works of reparation."

"It is Bishop Ito, who directs your community."

And She smiled and then said:

"You have still something to ask? Today is the last time that I will speak to you in living voice. From now on you will obey the one sent to you and your superior."

"Pray very much the prayers of the Rosary. I alone am able still to save you from the calamites which approach. Those who place their confidence in me will be saved."

Preventing Stroke

2011-03-25T02:41:00.000-07:00

Appreciation to my friend, Francis A. for this article

Preventing Stroke

Please read, the many minor symptoms that most people overlook.

Three years ago I was struck down by a stroke. Three years later I am still stricken with the malady. In the beginning, I asked doctors about the condition and was told that there is no cure for stroke. . I asked about the symptoms and was told there are no symptoms meaning a stroke will attack a person suddenly, without warning. That is bad news, very bad news.

Following my own advice, I did not believe that. So, I thought back to my experiences and I found that there are plenty of signs that a person is susceptible to an attack of the deadly stroke. Hah! If you cannot cure it at least you can prevent it. That is what we should all do. We must choose to avoid the stroke or be condemned to consuming tons of pills whose veracity is questionable. How do we go about that, how can we prevent stroke. Will it be expensive? Will it be time consuming? Before we go into details let us first recognize the symptoms, the signs if you like.

More than thirty years ago, while reversing my car, I suddenly found that I could not move my right leg. It simply refused to obey me. I went to see a doctor immediately and all I got was two days medical leave. That was the first sign that I was heading for a stroke. After two days rest, I was back on my feet as if nothing had happened. I just put it down to work stress and physical and mental exhaustion. When I was afflicted with the stroke and certain parts of my body refused to obey me I realized that I had experienced that feeling before.

I will now endeavor to put down on paper, for you, the other signs so that you may recognize a potential victim before the stroke strikes and be able to take evasive steps to prevent it happening. These signs will be presented randomly as they come to mind.

1. When walking you stumble even on level ground.

2. You kick the legs of chairs and tables when you usually walk pass them effortlessly. 1 & 2 is because your legs are not as strong as they used to be although you do not realize it.

3. You sometimes find you cannot pronounce the 'ar' sound and it comes out as 'el', your speech is slurred and sometimes you drool.

4. The pen you are holding slips from your fingers. Holding up the newspaper can be a problem because your fingers have lost their flexibility. You think it is clumsiness when in truth it is not. It is caused by your muscles having lost their strength.

5. After sitting for some time you find that you cannot stand up as usual. You lose your balance and fall back onto the seat.

6. You also lose your balance when you squat and may find yourself sitting instead of standing up.

7. You are always sleepy even after a good night's sleep. This sleepiness is quite different from the usual tiredness you experience after a restless or late night.

8. Urinating has become a problem. Instead of a strong stream what you get is a trickle and this causes you to go to the toilet often.

9. Constipation becomes more frequent as your rectal muscles do not work well anymore.

10. Sometimes you will find you are forgetful and mental activities become difficult as your brain weakens through lack of nourishment. Blood is not getting through to your brain quickly enough.

Some of these signs will come and go, so much so that you do not take them seriously when they do occur. You tend to pass them off as signs of physical and mental stress and fatigue or in certain cases of aging. Since there is no pain you do not think it necessary to see a doctor. Anyway, the signs come on only momentarily and disappear almost at once. So that you think it is not anything serious and a visit to a doctor is out of the question, until it is too late that is. Then, it is the doctor who has to come to you. Another thing, the signs are similar to many other diseases and illnesses which are quite common. Seeing a doctor would be rather pointless, as far as a stroke is concerned, as you would only describe the symptoms you are experiencing at that particular moment.

Now we come to the important part of this discourse, how do we prevent stroke. What can we do or rather what should we do when these signs appear one by one. Let it be known that I am not a doctor and never in my dreams do I even pretend to be one. So what I am about to tell you is mostly from my own experience.

Firstly, when you find that your body is not functioning as it should, that some parts are slacking and not obeying your brain as it normally does, you should start exercising. Go for long walks. Incidentally, you will experience immediate benefits even while exercising, such as clearer vision and mental alertness.

Make it a habit to go for walks at least three times a week. Do not stop. I did go for walks but then I stopped when the symptoms disappeared. I made the mistake of not exercising for far too long and then it was too late. The stroke struck!

Remember, regular exercise is very important in promoting blood circulation. Of course, other forms of exercises will be just as good for you. One word of advise, exercises performed with the use of machines are not necessarily the best and that is why I advocate free hand exercises like walking, jogging and swimming.

Drinking lots of water helps immensely. Drink two glasses of water first thing in the morning every morning. Then drink one or two mouthfuls every half hour or whenever thirsty. This is to provide the blood stream with a regular supply of fresh water as our body gets rid of water all the time. We lose water when we breathe, sweat and urinate. Lack of water means poor blood circulation which can lead to stroke.

Eating proper foods is also important and I mean greens and fruits on a daily basis. Everything else can be enjoyed in moderation. A monk who practices healing advised me on certain foods to take to prevent the occurrence of stroke.

It is my pleasure to be able to share it with you here. He said that to prevent stroke I should drink a soup made of one cucumber and one red tomato. Boil them together, strain and drink one or two glasses daily. That will help prevent the blood from coagulating (or is it congealing?). Stroke affects the brain and the best remedy for it is egg yolk. The monk suggested I take the yolk from free-range chickens leaving out the white. The egg must be hard boiled. Consuming egg yolks is also recommended for elderly people as well as school children because it helps to nourish the brain and thus improves memory..

What do we do when someone is suddenly seized by a stroke? Chinese physicians will use a pin to prick the ends of the fingers and toes, all twenty of them, and squeeze out a few drops of blood from each prick. The logic is that by drawing blood one is stimulating the flow of blood. Think of it as unlocking a traffic jam. The needle must first be disinfected by putting it over a flame and wiped clean with tissue paper. Everyone and anyone can do this because there is absolutely no danger whatsoever. Wait, not everybody can do that. Oh? Yes, those people who are afraid of blood, else we will have two patients instead of one.

Okey, you are now as expert as I am in the matter of strokes. Share the information herein with anyone and everyone who is willing to lend you their ears. Perhaps, there will be less people afflicted with the dreaded stroke (slight shiver).

MAY YOU ALL ALWAYS BE WELL,

MAY YOU ALL ALWAYS BE HAPPY.

MIND MATTER

2011-03-25T02:06:00.000-07:00

Appreciation to my friend John P. for this article

Season of goodwill

MIND MATTER by RAJA ZARITH IDRIS (Sultanah of Johore)

If Christmas is the celebration of the birth of Isa (Jesus), a prophet respected and revered in Islam, is it so wrong to wish a blessed day for those who celebrate it?

DURING the days before Christmas last year, I wished my friends who were celebrating it "Merry Christmas" in much the same way they would wish me "Selamat Hari Raya" or "Happy Eid".

I find it rather sad that such a simple greeting – one which I grew up with and which I have never regarded as something that would compromise or de-value my own faith – is now regarded as something so religiously incorrect for us Malaysian Muslims.

When I was at boarding school in England, I had to go to church every Sunday because it was part of the rules. My father advised me to consider it as part of my "education" and he had no doubt that the experience would strengthen rather than weaken my own faith.

I was able to see the similarities and differences between Christianity and Islam. I learned more than the average Malaysian Muslim would about Christianity. I learnt that just as we Muslims categorise ourselves according to the four different schools of thoughts of the four Imams (Imam Malik, Imam Al Shafi, Imam Abu Hanifa and Imam Ahmad Abn Hambal) and are either Sunnis or Shias, so Christians too are divided into different sects or churches.

Going to church did not make me less of a Muslim when I was a young girl, and neither does saying "Merry Christmas" make me less of a Muslim now. My faith has not been shaken just because I wished some friends a time of joy with their families. Neither will I suddenly suffer from amnesia and forget what my religion is.

What I do not wish to forget, however, is that there are good, kind people who are not of the same faith as me.

As Harun Yahya, the Turkish writer (he was selected last year as one of the 500 most influential Muslims in the world by the Royal Islamic Strategic Studies Centre of Jordan) noted: "Islam is a religion of peace, love and tolerance.

Today, however, some circles have been presenting a false image of Islam, as if there were conflict between Islam and the adherents of the two other monotheistic religions. Yet Islam's view of Jews and Christians, who are named `the People of the Book' in the Quran, is very friendly and tolerant.

"This attitude towards the People of the Book developed during the years of the birth of Islam. At that time, Muslims were a minority, struggling to protect their faith and suffering oppression and torture from the pagans of the city of Mecca. Due to this persecution, some Muslims decided to flee Mecca and shelter in a safe country with a just ruler. The Prophet Muhammad told them to take refuge with King Negus, the Christian king of Ethiopia. The Muslims who followed this advice found a very fair administration that embraced them with love and respect when they went to Ethiopia. King Negus refused the demands of the pagan messengers who asked him to surrender the Muslims to them, and announced that Muslims could live freely in his country.

"Such attitudes of Christian people that are based on the concepts of compassion, mercy, modesty and justice, constitute a fact that God has pointed out in the Quran."

I do not wish to be a self-centred Muslim who expects friends of other faiths to wish me Selamat Hari Raya or, for those who are not Malaysians and therefore do not know about Hari Raya, a Happy Eid and yet do not return their goodwill when it is Christmas, Chinese New Year, Deepavali or Vesak Day.

Every year, friends who are Christians, Buddhists, Hindus, Sikhs or those without any faith come to our home to celebrate Hari Raya with us. They do so with sincerity and as a mark of respect for one of the most important days in the Muslim calendar. Why should we not reciprocate their kindness, show them the same mark of respect for their religion and wish them the same joy on their holy days of celebration?

An Islamic scholar and lecturer also reminded me that as Muslims we must remember the importance of both the five Pillars of Islam and in the six Pillars of Iman (Faith), which are:

Belief in Allah;

Belief in the angels;

Belief in the revealed Books (which include the Bible, the Torah and the Holy Quran);

Belief in the Prophets (May Peace be Upon Them);

Belief in the Resurrection and the events of Kiamah, the Day of Judgement; and

Belief in the predestination (Qada' and Qadar) by Allah in all things.

The prophets include not just Muhammad (May Peace Be Upon Him) as the last prophet and as the Messenger of Islam, but also in the 24 earlier ones who are mentioned in both the Bible and the Quran. Four of them are Ibrahim (Abraham), Musa (Moses), Daud (David), and Isa (Jesus).

So, if Christmas is the celebration of the birth of Isa (Jesus), a prophet respected and revered in Islam, is it so wrong to wish a blessed day for those who celebrate it?

We are now in the second decade of the 21st century. Surely, we should, now more than ever, be far more enlightened at a time when information of any sort and of all kinds are so readily available to us.

What is most important is that we regard one another as fellow citizens and treat each other with respect, regardless of our race or religion.

The writer is Royal Fellow, School of Language Studies and Linguistics, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM), and holds a BA (Honours) degree in Chinese Studies, University of Oxford

Indigenous Ethnic Communities of Sabah: The Kadazandusun - Adding On To Their Cultural And Value System

2010-04-01T01:42:00.000-07:00

Comment in response to Tan Sri Datuk Herman Luping's talk on the Indigenous Ethnic Communities of Sabah: The Kadazandusun at the Sabah Society's Premises on 15 September 2009

Tan Sri Datuk Herman Luping

What is important here is the Adat or Culture. A name is only a name. A Rose is a Rose by any other name. Actually, it is only a form of identity. However, the heart of the matter is the most crucial.

In this case, it is the Adat or Culture which will determine whether a race will move to higher level of achievement, educationally, commercially, industrially, agriculturally etc.. So far the Kadazan/Dusun/Murut ( KDM ) Culture has been able to cope with the progress of modernity.

I am in agreement with Tan Sri Herman Luping on the role that Culture plays in the life of an individual. It is the motivating force which makes a person achieved his dream or goal.

Values originate from Cultural practices. Similarly Values can be changed to meet the needs of the times. It follows therefore that dynamism is required to make one competitive in this era of globalisation in all aspect of human endeavours.

Just so, this same spirit of ' high self-esteem ', hardwork, pragmatism, perseverance, knowledge seeking and ' never say die ' must be complementary to the existing KDM Culture and Values. These are mechanisms or means that will propel KDM to the next level of development and achievement.

No doubt, Tun Fuad Stephens, Datuk Peter Mojuntin, Datuk Joseph Pairin Kitingan, Tan Sri Suffian Koroh, Tan Sri Bernard Dompok, Tan Sri Joseph Kurup, Datuk Monggoh Orow including Tan Sri Luping and other KDM leaders have the abovementioned prerequisites of holding firmly and practising the Culture and additional Values of hardwork, pragmatism, perseverance.................

And because of these Values, each one of them have achieved their respective dreams and goals.Therefore these supplementary Values should now be incorporated into the mainstream of KDM Culture. Thus making them part and parcel of the KDM Cultural and Value System.

It would also be a good idea to record the struggle of all KDM leaders until they attained success in their respective fields. These would then be compiled into a book and become compulsory reading for all KDM parents and children.

In order to instil them with these positive values, thus enabling them to become achievers in this competitive world.

The Difference Between Westerner & Asian - In A Nutshell

2010-03-23T23:58:00.000-07:00

Appreciation to my friend Ms. Janet H. for this article

Asians Westerners

Difference between Westerners and Asians -

This is very interesting, just read on.

To group all the different races of Asia as one is to overgeneralize. They are more diverse than the Caucasians, i.e. Indians are different from the Chinese. And the most glaring differences between Asian and Westerner are as listed below:-

(1) Opinion
Westerners: Talk to the point
Asians: Talk around in circle, especially if opinions are different

(2) Way of Life
Westerners: individualism, think of himself or herself
Asians: enjoy gathering with family and friends, solving their problems, and know each other's business.

(3) Punctuality
Westerners: on time.
Asians: in time.

(4) Contacts
Westerners: Contact to related person only.
Asians: Contact everyone everywhere, business very successful.

(5) Anger
Westerners: Show that I am angry.
Asians: I am angry, but still smiling... (Beware!)

(6) Queue when Waiting
Westerners: Queuing in an orderly manner.
Asians: Queuing?! What's that?

(7) Weekend
Westerners: Enjoy weekend relaxing peacefully.
Asians: Enjoy weekend in crowded places, like going to the mall.

(8) Party
Westerners: Only gather with their own group.
Asians: All focus on the one activity hosted by the CEO.

(9) In the restaurant
Westerners: Talk softly and gently in the restaurant.
Asians: Talk and laugh loudly like they own the restaurant.

(10) Travelling
Westerners: Love sightseeing and enjoy the scenery.
Asians: Taking picture is the most important; scenery is just for the background.

(11) Handling of Problems

Westerners: Take any steps to solve the problems.

Asians: Try to avoid conflicts, and if possible, don't leave any trails.

(12) Three meals a day

Westerners: Good meal, once a day is sufficient.

Asians: At least 3 good meals a day.

(13) Transportation

Westerners: Before drove cars, now cycling for environmental protection.

Asians: Before no money and rode a bike, now got money and drive a car

(14) Elderly in day-to-day life
Westerners: When old, there is snoopy ( a dog ) for companionship.

Asians: When old, guarantee will not be lonely, as long as willing to babysit grandkids.

(15) Moods and Weather

Westerners: The logic is: rain is pain.

Asians: More rain, more prosperity

(16) The Boss

Westerners: The boss is part of the team.

Asians: The boss is a fierce god.

(17) What's Trendy

Westerners: Eat healthy Asian cuisine.

Asians: Eat expensive Western cuisine.

(18) The Child

Westerners: The kid is going to be independent and make his/her own living.

Asians: Slog whole life for the kids, the centre of your life.

A New Malaysian Identity

2010-02-19T21:10:00.000-08:00

Commenting on Azly Rahman's post - " Brave new Malaysian identity emerging? " in his blog http://azlyrahman-illuminations.blogspot.com/2008/03/162-brave-new-malaysian-identity.html

It is not impossible to achieve this Malaysian identity. The instrument to do so is already in place - One Malaysia/Bangsa Malaysia. It is now up to the Government to make it a reality. It must realise that the crucial issue is Equal Opportunity for every Malaysian irrespective of race or religious belief. Human being have one important basic need that is the chance to improve their families and their own financial position. And this is also the heartfelt desire of every Malaysian.

Having achieved such a goal will ensure comfortable living. The Government can do this, with the facilities it has, to implement the policy of fairness in getting scholarship/employment in the Civil Service, Armed Forces, Police, Education, Medical, etc. within the Government and in the Commercial, Plantation, Manufacturing and Service Industries of the Private Sector too. And to give senior or top positions within these organisations to the cream or the best individuals who are qualified to hold such posts whether they are Malays, Chinese, Indians, Kadzans/Dusuns, Bajaus, Ibans, Melanaus, etc..

Merit and qualification should be the only yardstick use and not race or religion to determine acceptance. Instead, Malaysians are moving disparately. This is not good for the country, it shows the Goverment have failed.

But all is not lost, the Government has this opportune time - now! Using the concept of One Malaysia/Bangsa Malaysia, it can once again salvage this Social Tragedy. It must be implemented materially with seriousness, honesty and integrity. Not a halfhearted attempt. It should be treated as top priority.

The issue is not complex. It is simple that is to " satisfy the needs of Malaysians whether Malay, Chinese, Indian, Kadazan/Dusun, Bajau, Iban, Melanau, etc. to be given equal opportunity in all fields of enterprise whether in Governmental or Private Sector . "

And that is all that is required to create a genuine United Malaysian Nation - One Malaysia/Bangsa Malaysia.

Perkasa Still Living in the Stone Age

2010-01-25T08:11:00.000-08:00

This comment made below in response to posting made by Khoo Kay Peng in his blog, Straight Talk on Monday 25 January 2010 at http://khookaypeng.blogspot.com/

Portrait of Malaysians

First priority is Bangsa Malaysia if we want to create a stable economy and a united nation.

UMNO and Malay will still be the dominant party and race respectively even if it were to espouse and practise the concept of 1Malaysia/Bangsa Malaysia, based on the racial composition of this country. That is an undeniable fact.

It would greatly improve UMNO's political standing if it would implement policies that would give more opportunities to non-Malays in education, senior and top government posts including the armed forces and so forth.

When these are put into effect, the question of loyalty and patriotism will no longer arise. It is when these issues are not resolved that people start asking,why the double standard? And frustration, anger and disillusionment will creep in.

The best leave this country. It doesn't have to be so. Again as mentioned, these matters can be settled. The goodwill that UMNO can garner by putting these policies into action will certainly be tremendous.

All Malaysians must realise that whatever race they are,they have one great desire, to have opportunities to improve themselves and their families financially or otherwise. These are natural human feelings and tendencies.

UMNO can choose whether to play this positive role in being able to help all Malaysians irrespective of race or to narrow down to just one. The choice is UMNO's.

Islam As It Relates To Modern Life

2010-01-21T07:50:00.000-08:00

The comment below is made in response to the interview given by Professor Tariq Ramadan which appeared in the Blog Rantings by MM at http://rantingsbymm.blogspot.com/

Picture of Professor Tariq Ramadan

I agree with what Professor Tariq Ramadan said in his interview above. The doctrine of all religions including Islam has not changed. What changes, are their applications to meet differing conditions and cirmcumstances.

Meaning that methods, techniques and instruments to meet the needs of Muslim at that time cannot be applied now because positions have altered. So a new way have to be found to make the application of the tenets of Islam relevant to modern life from the aspect of functionality and practicality.

This does not mean that the original concept of Islam has changed. Only the approaches.

And he also raises the issue of inter-religious dialogue which will help Muslim to undestand people of other faiths better. Vice versa, it will do the same for the followers of other religions too.

Another important point he raised is the need to respect the various religion in the country as Malaysia is made up of diverse races.

Professor Ramadan has put it clearly that Muslims should not be afraid to ask questions in regard to matters of faith with their religious leaders in order to solve problems on the basis of practicality and not otherwise.

Genuine Effort To Create Unity - Not Disrupt Racial Relationship

2009-11-29T06:12:00.000-08:00

Dato Sri Mohd Najib Bin Tun Hj Abd Razak

The Government must realise that it must be genuine and sincere in its effort to unite the nation. In this regard, no government agency must be used intentionally to split the country. Otherwise, after forty six years of independence, this country is still living on fears and paranoid. If we do that, it means Malaysia is sending the wrong signal to the young of this country.

Many Malaysians don't understand, why there is no healing process being undertaken to resolve the racial conflict? It seems like, we are forever in a state of discrimination pertaning to issues of opportunities. Why is the question of resolving poverty, scholarship, government jobs etc, are not done in respect of the Chinese, Indian and other races. All races have their poor too.

Instead, they are being sidelined. The Prime Minister's, One Malaysia Concept.....can truly be a unifying factor if it is applied based on its original principles and its programme reflecting the same. There is a feeling that somewhere, along the line, some Napoleons have introduced their own agenda.

Totally different from what was pictured.

It's like they have two sets of programme, the one shown to the Prime Minister and his cabinet is the positive one containing the original ideas but the other (which they actually implemented) is negative and is destructive to the basic scheme.

So when the Deputy Prime Minister defended the BTN, his impression was that he was defending the positive programme ( shown to the cabinet ). In actual fact, it was the negative one (creating disunity and not unity, further affecting the racial divide). Unwittingly this was the case.

The implication is, it will create adverse effects on Malaysians.

Eggs - The Wonders Of Its Benefits

2009-11-27T18:31:00.000-08:00

Appreciation to my brother, John M. for this article. It is published just for information with no affirmation given to its truth.

10 Health Benefits of Eggs

1. Eggs are great for the eyes.. According to one study, an egg a day may prevent macular degeneraton due to the carotenoid content, specifically lutein and zeaxanthin. Both nutrients are more readily available to our bodies from eggs than from other sources.

2. In another study, researchers found that people who eat eggs every day lower their risk of developing cataracts, also because of the lutein and zeaxanthin in eggs.

3. One egg contains 6 grams of high-quality protein and all 9 essential amino acids.

4. According to a study by the Harvard School of Public Health, there is no significant link between egg consumption and heart disease. In fact, according to one study, regular consumption of eggs may help prevent blood clots, stroke, and heart attacks..

5. They are a good source of choline. One egg yolk has about 300 micrograms of choline. Choline is an important nutrient that helps regulate the brain, nervous system, and cardiovascular system.

6. They contain the right kind of fat. One egg contains just 5 grams of fat and only 1.5 grams of that is saturated fat.

7. New research shows that, contrary to previous belief, moderate consumption of eggs does not have a negative impact on cholesterol. In fact, recent studies have shown that regular consumption of two eggs per day does not affect a person's lipid profile and may, in fact, improve it. Research suggests that it is saturated fat that raises cholesterol rather than dietary cholesterol.

8. Eggs are one of the only foods that contain naturally occurring vitamin D.

9. Eggs may prevent breast cancer. In one study, women who consumed at least 6 eggs per week lowered their risk of breast cancer by 44%.

10. Eggs promote healthy hair and nails because of their high sulphur content and wide array of vitamins and minerals. Many people find their hair growing faster after adding eggs to their diet, especially if they were previously deficient in foods containing sulphur or B12.

A Prayer Covering All Circumstances

2009-10-11T19:55:00.000-07:00

Appreciation to my friend Datuk Stephen K. for this article.

Hands in prayer.

You never know

when God is going to bless you!!

Good things happen when

you least expect them to !!!!!!!!

Dear Lord, I thank You for this day,

I thank You for my being able to see

and to hear this morning.

I'm blessed because You are

a forgiving God and

an understanding God.

You have done so much for me

and You keep on blessing me.

Forgive me this day for everything

I have done, said or thought

that was not pleasing to you.

I ask now for Your forgiveness.

Please keep me safe

from all danger and harm.

Help me to start this day

with a new attitude and plenty of gratitude.

Let me make the best of each and every day

to clear my mind so that I can hear from You.

Please broaden my mind

that I can accept all things.

Let me not whine and whimper

over things I have no control over.
And give me the best response

when I'm pushed beyond my limits.

I know that when I can't pray,

You listen to my heart..

Continue to use me to do Your will.

Continue to bless me that I may be

a blessing to others.

Keep me strong that I may help the weak...

Keep me uplifted that I may have

words of encouragement for others.

I pray for those that are lost

and can't find their way.

I pray for those that are misjudged

and misunderstood.

I pray for those who

don't know You intimately.

I pray for those that will delete this

without sharing it with others

I pray for those that don't believe.

But I thank You that I believe

that God changes people and

God changes things.

I pray for all my sisters and brothers.

For each and every family member

in their households.

I pray for peace, love and joy

in their homes; that they are out of debt

and all their needs are met.

I pray that every eye that reads this

knows there is no problem, circumstance,

or situation greater than God.

Every battle is in Your hands for You to fight..

I pray that these words be received

into the hearts of every eye that sees it

in Jesus' name. Amen!

My Merdeka Wish - Sharyn Lisa Shufiyan * Tunku Abdul Rahman's Great Granddaughter

2009-09-18T21:48:00.000-07:00

Appreciation to my fellow LJCCC brother, Michael J. for this article.

Tunku Abdul Rahman

“Both my parents are Malay. My mum's heritage includes Chinese, Thai and Arab, while my dad is Minangkabau. Due to my skin colour, I am often mistaken for a chinese.
I'm happy that I don’t have the typical Malay look but I do get annoyed when people call me Ah Moi or ask me straight up "Are you Chinese or Malay"
Like, why does it matter? Before I used to answer "Malay" but now I'm trying to consciously answer Malaysian instead.
There's this incident from primary school that I remember till today. Someone told me that I will be called last during Judgement Day because I don’t have a Muslim name. Of course, I was scared then but now that I'm older, I realise that a name is just a name. It doesn’t define you as a good or bad person and there is definitely no such thing as a Muslim name. You can be named Rashid or ALI and still be a Christian.
I’ve heard of the 1Malaysia concept, but I think we don’t need to be told to be united. We've come such a long way that it should already be embedded in our hearts and minds that we are united. Unfortunately, you can still see racial discrimination and polarisation. There is still this ethno-centric view that the Malays are the dominant group and their rights must be protected, and non Malays are forever the outsiders.
For the concept to succeed, I think the government should stop with the race politics. It's tiring, really. We grew up with application forms asking us to tick our race. We should stop painting a negative image of the other races, stop thinking about 'us' and 'them' and focus on 'we', 'our' and 'Malaysians'.
No one should be made uncomfortable in their own home. A dear Chinese friend of mine said to me once, "I don’t feel patriotic because I am not made to feel like Malaysia is my home, and I don’t feel an affinity to China because I have never lived there.
I know some baby Nyonya friends who can trace their lineage back hundreds of years. I'm a fourth generation Malaysian. If I am Bumiputra, why can’t they be, too? Clearly I have issues with the term.
I think the main reason why we still can’t achieve total unity is because of this 'Malay rights' concept. I'd rather 'Malay rights' be replaced by human rights. So unless we get rid of this Bumiputra status, or reform our views and policies on rights, we will never achieve unity.
For my merdeka wish, I'd like for Malaysians to have more voice, to be respected and heard. I wish that the government would uphold the true essence of parliamentary democracy. I wish for the people to no longer fear and discriminate against each other, to see that we are one and the same.
I wish that Malaysia would truly live up to the tourism spin of Malaysia truly Asia. Malaysians to lead - whatever their ethnic background. Only ONE NATIONALITY -MALAYSIAN. No Malays, No Chinese, No Indians - ONLY MALAYSIANS. Choose whatever religion one is comfortable with.

Removing Gallstones Naturally - Fruits' Juices Method

2009-09-11T21:11:00.000-07:00

With appreciation to my friend, George H. for this article.

REMOVING GALLSTONES NATURALLY
by Dr Lai Chiu-Nan

It has worked for many. If it works for you please pass on the good news. Chiu Nan is not charging for it, so we should make it free for everyone. Your reward is when someone, through your word of mouth, benefits from the regime. Gallstones may not be everyone's concern. But they should be because we all have them. Moreover, gallstones may lead to cancer. "Cancer is never the first illness," Chiu Nan points out. "Usually, there are a lot of other problems leading to cancer.

In my research in China , I came across some materials which say that people with cancer usually have stones. We all have gallstones. It's a matter of big or small, many or few.

One of the symptoms of gallstones is a feeling of bloatedness after a heavy meal. You feel like you can't digest the food. If it gets more serious, you feel pain in the liver area." So if you think you have gallstones, Chiu Nan offers the following method to remove them naturally.

The treatment is also good for those with a weak liver, because the liver and gallbladder are closely linked.

Regimen:
1. For the first five days, take four glasses of apple juice every day . Or eat four or five apples, whichever you prefer. Apple juice softens the gallstones. During the five days, eat normally.
2. On the sixth day, take no dinner.
3. At 6 PM, take a teaspoon of Epsom salt (magnesium sulphate) with a glass of warm water.
4. At 8 PM, repeat the same. Magnesium sulphate opens the gallbladder ducts.
5. At 10 PM, take half cup olive oil (or sesame oil) with half cup fresh lemon juice. Mix it well and drink it. The oil lubricates the stones to ease their passage.

PS. 1cup=250ml, ? cup lemon juice=3 lemons (aprox.)

The next morning, you will find green stones in your stools. "Usually they float," Chiu Nan notes. "You might want to count them. I have had people who passes 40, 50 or up to 100 stones. Very many."

"Even if you don't have any symptoms of gallstones, you still might have some. It's always good to give your gall bladder a clean-up now and then.

Aids - Aids - Aids

2009-09-11T20:35:00.000-07:00

With appreciation to my sister in-law, Yolanda M. for this article.

SENIOR CITIZENS ARE THE NATION'S LEADING
CARRIERS OF AIDS! ( MEANING ASSISTANCE )

HEARING AIDS

BAND AIDS

ROLL AIDS

WALKING AIDS

MEDICAL AIDS

GOVERNMENT AIDS

MOST OF ALL,

MONETARY AID TO THEIR KIDS!

WELL AIDS, IS SOCIETY'S WAY OF
PAYING BACK TO SENIORS FOR
THE CONTRIBUTION THEY HAVE
MADE TO THE COUNTRY

REMEMBER, ONE DAY, ALL OF US WILL
ALSO HAVE THE PRIVILEGE OF GROWING
OLD

Cut Down Living Expenses - Apply This Useful Tips

2009-09-10T19:06:00.000-07:00

With appreciation to my friend, Janet H. for this article.

Ants Problem:
Keep the skin of cucumbers near the place or ant hole.

To get pure and clean ice:
Boil water first before freezing.

To make the mirror shine:
Clean with spirit

To remove chewing gum from clothes:
Keep the cloth in the freezer for an hour.

To whiten white clothes
Soak white clothes in hot water with a slice of lemon for 10 minutes 10.

To give a shine to hair:
Add one teaspoon of vinegar to hair, then wash hair.

To get maximum juice out of lemons:
Soak lemons in hot water for one hour, and then juice them.

To avoid smell of cabbage while cooking:
Keep a piece of bread on the cabbage in the vessel while cooking.

To rid the smell of fish from your hands:
Wash your hands with a little apple vinegar.

To avoid tears while cutting onions:
Chew gum.

To boil potatoes quickly:
Skin one potato from one side only before boiling.

To boil eggs quickly:
Add salt to the water and boil.

To check freshness of fish:
Put it in a bowl of cold water. If the fish floats, its fresh.

To check freshness of eggs:
Put the egg in water. If it becomes horizontal, its fresh. If it becomes slanting, its 3-4 days old. If it becomes vertical, its 10 days old. If it floats, its stale.

To remove ink from clothes:
Put toothpaste on the ink spots generously and let it dry completely, then wash.

To skin sweet potatoes quickly:
Soak in cold water immediately after boiling.

To get rid of mice or rats:
Sprinkle black pepper in places where you find mice or rats. They will run away.

To get rid of mosquitoes at night:
Keep leaves of mint near your bed or pillows and in around the room.

God Is Love

2009-09-09T18:57:00.000-07:00

With appreciation to my friend, Janet H. for this article.

Father John Powell, professor at Loyola University in Chicago, writes about a student in his Theology of Faith class named Tommy

Some twelve years ago, I stood watching my university students file into the classroom for our first session in the Theology of Faith.
That was the day I first saw Tommy. My eyes and my mind both blinked.. He was combing his long flaxen hair, which hung six inches below his shoulders. It was the first time I had ever seen a boy with hair that long. I guess it was just coming into fashion then. I know in my mind that it isn't what's on your head but what's in it that counts; but on that day I was unprepared and my emotions flipped. I immediately filed Tommy under 'S' for strange...very strange.

Tommy turned out to be the 'atheist in residence' in my Theology of Faith course. He constantly objected to, smirked at, or whined about the possibility of an unconditionally loving Father/God. We lived with each other in relative peace for one semester, although I admit he was for me at times a serious pain in the back pew.

When he came up at the end of the course to turn in his final exam, he asked in a cynical tone, 'Do you think I'll ever find God?'

I decided instantly on a little shock therapy. 'No!' I said very emphatically.

'Why not,' he responded, 'I thought that was the product you were pushing.'

I let him get five steps from the classroom door and then called out, 'Tommy! I don't think you'll ever find Him, but I am absolutely certain that He will find you!' He shrugged a little and left my class and my life.

I felt slightly disappointed at the thought that he had missed my clever line -- He will find you! At least I thought it was clever. Later I heard that Tommy had graduated, and I was duly grateful.

Then a sad report came. I heard that Tommy had terminal cancer. Before I could search him out, he came to see me. When he walked into my office, his body was very badly wasted and the long hair had all fallen out as a result of chemotherapy. But his eyes were bright and his voice was firm, for the first time, I believe. 'Tommy, I've thought about you so often; I hear you are sick,' I blurted out.

'Oh, yes, very sick. I have cancer in both lungs. It's a matter of weeks.'

'Can you talk about it, Tom?' I asked.

'Sure, what would you like to know?' he replied.

'What's it like to be only twenty-four and dying?'

'Well, it could be worse.'

'Like what?'

'Well, like being fifty and having no values or ideals, like being fifty and thinking that booze, seducing women, and making money are the real biggies in life.'

I began to look through my mental file cabinet under 'S' where I had filed Tommy as strange. (It seems as though everybody I try to reject by classification, God s ends back into my life to educate me.)

'But what I really came to see you about,' Tom said, 'is something you said to me on the last day of class.' (He remembered!) He continued, 'I asked you if you thought I would ever find God and you said, 'No!' which surprised me. Then you said, 'But He will find you.' I thought about that a lot, even though my search for God was hardly intense at that time.

(My clever line. He thought about that a lot!)

'But when the doctors removed a lump from my groin and told me that it was malignant, that's when I got serious about locating God. And when the malignancy spread into my vital organs, I really began banging bloody fists against the bronze doors of heaven. But God did not come out. In fact, nothing happened. Did you ever try anything for a long time with great effort and with no success? You get psychologically glutted, fed up with trying. And then you quit 'Well, one day I woke up, and instead of throwing a few more futile appeals over that high brick wall to a God who may be or may not be there, I just quit.

I decided that I didn't really care about God, about an after life, or anything like that. I decided to spend what time I had left doing something more profitable. I thought about you and your class and I remembered something else you had said: 'The essential sadness is to go through life without loving. But it would be almost equally sad to go through life and leave this world without ever telling those you loved that you had loved them.''

'So, I began with the hardest one, my Dad. He was reading the newspaper when I approached him.
'Dad.'
'Yes, what?' he asked without lowering the newspaper.
'Dad, I would like to talk with you.'
'Well, talk.'
'I mean. It's really important.'
The newspaper came down three slow inches. 'What is it?'
'Dad, I love you, I just wanted you to know that.' Tom smiled at me and said it with obvious satisfaction, as though he felt a warm and secret joy flowing inside of him. 'The newspaper fluttered to the floor. Then my father did two things I could never remember him ever doing before. He cried and he hugged me. We talked all night, even though he had to go to work the next morning. It felt so good to be close to my father, to see his tears, to feel his hug, to hear him say that he loved me.'

'It was easier with my mother and little brother. They cried with me, too, and we hugged each other, and started saying real nice things to each other. We shared the things we had been keeping secret for so many years.

'I was only sorry about one thing --- that I had waited so long. Here I was, just beginning to open up to all the people I had actually been close to.'

Then, one day I turned around and God was there. He didn't come to me when I pleaded with Him. I guess I was like an animal trainer holding out a hoop, 'C'mon, jump through. C'mon, I'll give you three days, three weeks.''

'Apparently God does things in His own way and at His own hour. But the important thing is that He was there. He found me!

You were right.. He found me even after I stopped looking for Him'! !

'Tommy,' I practically gasped, 'I think you are saying something very important and much more universal than you realize.

To me, at least, you are saying that the surest way to find God is not to make Him a private possession, a problem solver, or an instant consolation in time of need, but rather by opening to love. You know, the Apostle John said that. He said: 'God is love, and anyone who lives in love is living with God and God is living in him.'

Tom, could I ask you a favor? You know, when I had you in class you were a real pain. But (laughingly) you can make it all up to me now.... Would you come into my present Theology of Faith course and tell them wh at you have just told me? If I told them the same thing it wouldn't be half as effective as if you were to tell it'

'Oooh, I was ready for you, but I don't know if I'm ready for your class.'

'Tom, think about it.. If and when you are ready, give me a call.'

In a few days Tom called, said he was ready for the class, that he wanted to do that for God and for me. So we scheduled a date.

However, he never made it. He had another appointment, far more important than the one with me and my class. Of course, his life was not really ended by his death, only changed. He made the great step from faith into vision.

He found a life far more beautiful than the eye of man has ever seen or the ear of man has ever heard or the mind of man has ever imagined.

Before he died, we talked one last time.

'I'm not going to make it to your class,' he said.

'I know, Tom.'

'Will you tell them for me? Will you ... tell the whole world for me?'

'I will, Tom.. I'll tell them. I'll do my best.'

So, to all of you who have been kind enough to read this simple story about God's love, thank you for listening. And to you, Tommy, somewhere in the sunlit, verdant hills of heaven --- I told them, Tommy, as best I could.

With thanks,
Rev. John Powell, Professor, Loyola University , Chicago

God Knows - What Is Best For You

2009-09-09T07:31:00.000-07:00

With appreciation to my friend, Janet H. for this article.

I asked God to take away my habit.

God said, No..

It is not for me to take away, but for you to give it up.

I asked God to make my handicapped child whole.

God said, No.

His spirit is whole, his body is only temporary

I asked God to grant me patience.

God said, No.

Patience is a byproduct of tribulations;

it isn't granted, it is learned.

I asked God to give me happiness.

God said, No.

I give you blessings; Happiness is up to you.

I asked God to spare me pain.

God said, No..

Suffering draws you apart from worldly cares

and brings you closer to me.

I asked God to make my spirit grow.

God said, No.

You must grow on your own,

but I will prune you to make you fruitful.

I asked God for all things that I might enjoy life.

God said, No.

I will give you life,

so that you may enjoy all things.

I asked God to help me LOVE others,

as much as He loves me.

God said.......Ahhhh,finally you have the idea.

THIS DAY IS YOURS

DON'T THROW IT AWAY

May God Bless You,

'To the world you might be one person,

But to one person you just might be the world'

'May the Lord Bless you and keep you,

May the Lord Make his face shine upon you,

And give you Peace......Forever'

'Good friends are like stars...

You don't always see them, But you know they are always there.'

Light Of Jesus Christ's Covenant Community (LJCCC) Celebrated Its 26th Anniversary On 30th August 2009

2009-09-07T02:50:00.000-07:00

The Light of Jesus Christ's Covenant Community, Kota Kinabalu celebrated its 26th Anniversary on Sunday 30th August 2009 with a 3.00 pm thanksgiving mass held at the Church of Mary Immaculate, Bukit Padang. The mass was said by Rev. Fr. Felix Chung.

After the mass, there was high tea and fellowship, so members could socialise with each other and renew relationship. The Presiding Elder, Mr Joseph Chee together with the other Elders jointly cut the anniversary cake. The lady members were responsible for arranging the variety of cakes and other delicacies.

Everybody had an enjoyable time and are looking forward to the next jubilee at 2010. Speaking about next year, we are only a few months away from it. Time just seem to pass so quickly.

Don't Judge Leaders By Their Appearances - The Same Apply To Ordinary People

2009-09-07T01:45:00.000-07:00

With appreciation to my friend, Bernard L. for this article.

2 Tough Questions

Question 1:

If you knew a woman who was pregnant, who had 8 kids already, three who
were deaf, two who were blind, one mentally retarded, and she had
syphilis, would you recommend that she have an abortion?

Read the next question before looking at the response for this one.

Question 2:
It is time to elect a new world leader, and only your vote counts.
Here are the facts about the three candidates. Who would you vote for?

Candidate A.

Associates with crooked politicians, and consults with astrologist.
He's had two mistresses. He also c hain smokes and drinks 8 to 10 martinis a day.

Candidate B.
He was kicked out of office twice, sleeps until noon, used opium in
college and drinks a quart of whiskey every evening.

Candidate C

He is a decorated war hero. He's a vegetarian, doesn't smoke, drinks an
occasional beer and never cheated on his woman.

Which of these candidates would be our choice?

Decide first... no peeking, then scroll down for the response.
Candidate A is Franklin D. Roosevelt.
Candidate B is Winston Churchill.
Candidate C is Adolph Hitler.

And, by the way, on your answer to the abortion question:

If you said YES, you just killed Beethoven.

Pretty interesting isn't it? Makes a person think before judging someone.

Wait till you see the end of this note! Keep reading..

Never be afraid to try something new.

Remember:

Amateurs....built the ark.
Professionals...built the Titanic

And Finally, can you imagine working for a company that has a little more
than 500 employees and has the following stat istics:

* 29 have been accused of spousal abuse
* 7 have been arrested for fraud
* 19 have been accused of writing bad checks
* 117 have directly or indirectly bankrupted at least 2 businesses
* 3 have done time for assault
* 71 cannot get a credit card due to bad credit
* 14 have been arrested on drug-related charges
* 8 have been arrested for shoplifting
* 21 are currently defendants in lawsuits
* 84 have been arrested for drunk driving in the last year...

Can you guess which organization this is?

Give up yet?

It's the 535 members of the United StatesCongress.
The same group that crank out hundreds of new laws each year designed to
keep the rest of us in line.

Are You Ashamed Of God

2009-09-05T09:27:00.000-07:00

With appreciation to my brother, John M. for this article.

IF SOMEONE HAD A GUN HELD IN FRONT OF YOUR FACE AND ASKED YOU IF YOU BELIEVED IN GOD, WHAT WOULD YOU DO? SAY NO AND FELT ASHAMED FOR THE REST OF YOUR LIFE? OR SAY YES, I DO, AND DIE STANDING UP FOR GOD?

TAKE A DEEP BREATH BEFORE READING THIS.

There was an atheist couple who had a child. The couple never told their daughter anything about the Lord. One night when the little girl was 5 years old, the parents fought with each other and the dad shot the Mom, right in front of the child. Then, the dad shot himself. The little girl watched it all. She then was sent to a foster home.. The foster mother was a Christian and took the child to church. On the first day of Sunday School, the foster mother told the teacher that the girl had never heard of Jesus, and to have patience with her. The teacher held up a picture of Jesus and said, 'Does anyone know who this is?' The little girl said, 'I do, that's the man who was holding me the night my parents died.'

If you believe this little girl is telling the truth that even though she had never heard of Jesus, he still held her the night her parents died, then you will share this to as many people as you can.

Or you can delete it as if it never touched your heart. Funny, isn't it? Funny how simple it is for people to trash God and then wonder why the world's going to hell.Funny how we believe what the newspapers say, but question what the Bible says.

Funny how everyone wants to go to heaven provided they do not have to believe, think, say, or do anything the Bible says. (Or is it scary?)

Funny how someone can say 'I believe in God' but still follow Satan (who, by the way, also 'believes' in God).

Funny how you can send a thousand 'jokes' through e-mail and they spread like wildfire, but when you start sending messages regarding the Lord, people think twice about sharing them.

Funny how we can go to church for Christ on Sunday, but be an invisible Christian the rest of the week. (Are you laughing?)

Funny how I can be more worried about what other people think of me than what God thinks of me. (Are you thinking?)

Funny how the lewd, crude, vulgar and obscene pass freely through cyberspace, but the public discussion of Jesus is suppressed in the school and workplace.

Magic Online - David Copperfield

2009-09-05T08:29:00.000-07:00

With appreciation to my friend, John P. for this article

When You Are Feeling Miserable - Are You A Carrot, Egg Or Coffee

2009-09-05T03:11:00.000-07:00

With appreciation to my sister in-law, Yolanda M. for this article.

A carrot, an egg, and a cup of coffee...You will never look at a cup of coffee the same way again.

A young woman went to her mother and told her about her life and how things were so hard for her. She did not know how she was going to make it and wanted to give up, She was tired of fighting and struggling. It seemed as one problem was solved, a new one arose.

Her mother took her to the kitchen. She filled three pots with water and placed each on a high fire. Soon the pots came to boil.. In the first she placed a carrot, in the second she placed an egg, and in the last she placed ground coffee beans. She let them sit and boil; without saying a word.

In about twenty minutes she turned off the burners. She fished the carrot out and placed it in a bowl. She pulled the egg out and placed them in a bowl. Then she ladled the coffee out and placed it in a bowl. Turning to her daughter, she asked, ' Tell me what you see.'

'A carrot, egg, and coffee,' she replied.

Her mother brought her closer and asked her to feel the carrot. She did and noted that it were soft. The mother then asked the daughter to take the egg and break it. After pulling off the shell, she observed the hard boiled egg.

Finally, the mother asked the daughter to sip the coffee. The daughter smiled as she tasted its rich aroma. The daughter then asked, 'What does it mean, mother?'

Her mother explained that each of these objects had faced the same adversity: boiling water. Each reacted differently.. The carrot went in strong, hard, and unrelenting. However, after being subjected to the boiling water, it softened and became weak. The egg had been fragile. Its thin outer shell had protected its liquid interior, but after sitting through the boiling water, its inside became hardened. The ground coffee beans were unique, however. After they were in the boiling water, they had changed the water.

'Which are you?' she asked her daughter. 'When adversity knocks on your door, how do you respond? Are you a carrot, an egg or a coffee bean?

Think of this: Which am I? Am I the carrot that seems strong, but with pain and adversity do I wilt and become soft and lose my strength?

Am I the egg that starts with a malleable heart, but changes with the heat? Did I have a fluid spirit, but after a death, a breakup, a financial hardship or some other trial, have I become hardened and stiff? Does my shell look the same, but on the inside am I bitter and tough with a stiff spirit and hardened heart?

Or am I like the coffee bean? The bean actually changes the hot water, the very circumstance that brings the pain. When the water gets hot, it releases the fragrance and flavor. If you are like the bean, when things are at their worst, you get better and change the situation around you. When the hour is the darkest and trials are their greatest do you elevate yourself to another level? How do you handle adversity? Are you a carrot, an egg or a coffee bean?

May you have enough happiness to make you sweet, enough trials to make you strong, enough sorrow to keep you human and enough hope to make you happy.

The happiest of people don't necessarily have the best of everything; they just make the most of everything that comes along their way. The brightest future will always be based on a forgotten past; you can't go forward in life until you let go of your past failures and heartaches.

When you were born, you were crying and everyone around you were smiling.

Live your life so at the end, you're the one who is smiling and everyone around you is crying.

Think Before You Make A Wish On Your Golden Wedding Anniversary

2009-09-04T19:32:00.000-07:00

With appreciation to my brother, John M. for this article.

A married couple in their early 60s was celebrating their 40th wedding anniversary in a quiet, romantic little restaurant.

Suddenly, a tiny yet beautiful fairy appeared on their table. She said, 'For being such an exemplary married couple and for being loving to each other for all this time, I will grant you each a wish.'

The wife answered, 'Oh, I want to travel around the world with my darling husband.'The fairy waved her magic wand and - poof! - two tickets for the QueenMary II appeared in her hands..

The husband thought for a moment:'Well, this is all very romantic, but an opportunity like this will never come again.I'm sorry my love, but my wish is to have a wife 30 years younger than me.'

The wife, and the fairy, were deeply disappointed, but a wish
is a wish. So the fairy waved her magic wand and poof!...the husband became 92 years old.

The moral of this story: Men who are
ungrateful should remember fairies are female.....

Some People Have A Secret File In Their Offices - Concerned With Matters Of Taste

2009-09-04T05:38:00.000-07:00

With appreciation to my sister in-law, Yolanda M. for this article.

Do you have one in your office too !

Committing Burglary - By Using Electronic Technology

2009-09-04T02:26:00.000-07:00

With appreciation to my friend Edmund W. for this article.

This gives us something to think about with all our new electronic technology.

GPS
A couple of weeks ago a friend told me that someone she knew had their car broken into while they were at a football game. Their car was parked on the green which was adjacent to the football stadium and specially allotted to football fans. Things stolen from the car included a garage door remote control, some money and a GPS which had been prominently mounted on the dashboard.

When the victims got home, they found that their house had been ransacked and just about everything worth anything had been stolen.

The thieves had used the GPS to guide them to the house. They then used the garage remote control to open the garage door and gain entry to the house. The thieves knew the owners were at the football game, they knew what time the game was scheduled to finish and so they knew how much time they had to clean out the house. It would appear that they had brought a truck to empty the house of its contents.

MOBILE PHONE
I never thought of this..........
This lady has now changed her habit of how she lists her names on her mobile phone after her handbag was stolen. Her handbag, which contained her cell phone, credit card, wallet... Etc...was stolen.

20 minutes later when she called her hubby, from a pay phone telling him what had happened, hubby says 'I received your text asking about our Pin number and I've replied a little while ago.'

When they rushed down to the bank, the bank staff told them all the money was already withdrawn. The thief had actually used the stolen cell phone to text 'hubby' in the contact list and got hold of the pin number.. Within 20 minutes he had withdrawn all the money from their bank account.

Moral of the lesson:
Do not disclose the relationship between you and the people in your contact list.
Avoid using names like Home, Honey, Hubby, Sweetheart, Dad, Mom, etc....
And very importantly, when sensitive info is being asked through texts, CONFIRM by calling back.
Also, when you're being text by friends or family to meet them somewhere, be sure to call back to confirm that the message came from them. If you don't reach them, be very careful about going places to meet 'family and friends' who text you.

45 Lessons Of Life - To Help You Move Gracefully Through Your Golden Years

2009-09-03T07:15:00.000-07:00

With appreciation to my friend, Bryan L. for this article.

Written By Regina Brett, 90 years old, of The Plain Dealer, Cleveland.

"To celebrate growing older, I once wrote the 45 lessons, life taught me... It is the most-requested column I've ever written. My odometer rolled over to 90 in August, so here is the column once more:
1. Life isn't fair, but it's still good.
2. When in doubt, just take the next small step.
3. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone...
4. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends and parents will. Stay in touch.
5. Pay off your credit cards every month.
6. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.
7. Cry with someone. It's more healing than crying alone.
8. It's OK to get angry with God. He can take it.
9. Save for retirement starting with your first pay check.
10. When it comes to chocolate, resistance is futile.
11. Make peace with your past so it won't screw up the present.
12. It's OK to let your children see you cry.
13. Don't compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about.
14. If a relationship has to be a secret, you shouldn't be in it.
15. Everything can change in the blink of an eye. But don't worry; God never blinks.
16. Take a deep breath. It calms the mind.
17. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.
18. Whatever doesn't kill you really does make you stronger.
19. It's never too late to have a happy childhood. But the second one is up to you and no one else.
20. When it comes to going after what you love in life, don't take no for an answer.
21. Burn the candles, use the nice sheets, wear the fancy lingerie. Don't save it for a special occasion. Today is special.
22. Over prepare, then go with the flow.
23. Be eccentric now. Don't wait for old age to wear purple.
24. The most important sex organ is the brain.
25. No one is in charge of your happiness but you.
26. Frame every so-called disaster with these words 'In five years, will this matter?'
27. Always choose life.
28. Forgive everyone everything.
29. What other people think of you is none of your business.
30. Time heals almost everything. Give time time.
31. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.
32. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.
33. Believe in miracles.
34. God loves you because of who God is, not because of anything you did or didn't do.
35. Don't audit life. Show up and make the most of it now.
36. Growing old beats the alternative -- dying young.
37. Your children get only one childhood.
38. All that truly matters in the end is that you loved.
39. Get outside every day. Miracles are waiting everywhere.
40. If we all threw our problems in a pile and saw everyone else's, we'd grab ours back.
41. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.
42. The best is yet to come.
43. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.
44. Yield.
45. Life isn't tied with a bow, but it's still a gift. Remember that I will always share my spoon with you!
Friends are the family that we choose for ourselves.

Bo Sanchez Is Asking - Are You Fulfilling Your Life Purpose?

2009-08-26T23:44:00.000-07:00

With appreciation to my fellow LJCCC member, Bernard L. for this article.

Imagine a hammer.

A solid, shiny, shimmering hammer.

Expensive. Made of high-grade steel and first-class polished wood.

Now imagine a primitive tribesman from the mountains who has never seen a hammer in his life. He picks up the hammer, likes it immediately, and brings it home. And for the next 50 years, he uses it as a wonderful back scratcher.

Scratch.

Scratch.

Scratch.

That’s all it did for 50 years.

Friends, many people are like that hammer. Because they’re not fulfilling their life purpose, their greatness doesn’t come out.

I believe there are four kinds of people on planet earth…

A. Extremely Unhappy people don’t know their life purpose.

B. Unhappy people who know their life purpose but don’t work on it.

C. Happy people who know their life purpose, work at it, but not daily.

D. Extremely Happy people who know their purpose and work on it daily!

Question: Who are you among these four people?

The 2 Simple Questions

That Will Make You Discover Your Life Purpose

How do you know your purpose in life?

So many people think it’s complicated. No it’s not. In fact, all you have to do is ask 2 very simple questions.

Here they are:

Question #1: What do you love to do?

Question #2: Where do you excel?

I’ve talked about this in my other books, so I won’t dwell on it too much. I’ve discussed this fully in my Free Ebook, How To Know If Your Dreams Are God’s Dreams. (Grab it at www.BoSanchez.ph) But let me cover the main points here.

First Question: What do you love to do?

What’s the one thing that you do, that when you do it, you feel fire in your belly? What’s your passion? For example, as I write this book to you, I feel whole. Complete. In the zone. I believe I was born to write!

However, this first question is only 80% accurate.

Proof: Watch the auditions of American Idol. There are some people who love singing, who sing with passion, who sing like there was no more tomorrow—but whose voices can be used to torture terrorists to divulge where Osama Bin Ladin is hiding. As John Maxwell says, you’d wonder if they have any real friends. Why has no one told them that their singing voice can cause seizures?

But more often than not, we excel in what we love to do, because we do it often and with passion.

That’s why the Second Question is 100% accurate in discovering your Life Purpose: Where do you excel?

God has given you a special gift that’s indelibly connected to your life purpose[1]. This is what I call God’s anointing in your life.

Make An Inventory Of Your Gifts

To help you discern your Life Purpose, list down your gifts and rate them from 1 to 10, with 10 being excellent.

Here’s my own inventory of talents:

o Cooking: 1

I’d rather starve or eat raw, then cook. When I heat water, it disappears. Need I say more?

o Fashion: 1

The only reason why I look presentable when I preach is because of my friend and top couturier, Adrian Panganiban, who dresses me up. Otherwise, I will wear teeshirts and sandals everywhere I go.

o Mechanical: 1

When my wife asks me to fix things, I obliterate their existence from the face of the earth. Today, I’ve learned to fix anything with just one tool: The Telephone.

o Dancing: -10

I tried. We had a concert where I had to take a few dance steps with the singers. But when I danced on stage, I was like a wooden stick suffering from epilepsy.

o Athletics: 3

Do you know what PE I chose in High School? Chess. Do you know what PE I chose in College? Health Lectures. I remember that class so well. We were required to wear rubber shoes and do some stretching at the start of each class—and all we did was sit down and listen to lectures.

o Spelling: 3

In a Spelling Exam, I once got 2 out of 20 items. As a kid, I think I was semi-dyslexic but it was never diagnosed. Today, there are so many labels for kids who have a difficult time in school. “He’s got a learning disability” or “The boy has ADHD” or “She has dyslexia”. But back in my time, there were no such thing. I was simply called stupid.

o Singing: 5

Yep, I have three music albums of all my original compositions. In total, I sold 6000 copies. But don’t be impressed. My mother bought half of them to give away to her friends.

o Drawing: 5

I love to draw. At least my kids love my drawings.

o Business: 5

I’m a late bloomer here. So far, my businesses are doing very well. But I know I’ve got a long way to grow.

o Leadership: 7

I love leading people because leadership is all about loving relationships. But I’m a 7 because I need to learn so much more.

o Writing and Preaching: 9

As you can see, this is my anointing. But I’m not a 10 because that would mean I have nothing to learn anymore. Would you believe that even if I’ve been preaching for 30 years, I’m still honing my craft, watching how other great preachers preach?

Be a Genius!

Do you know why people are unsuccessful?

Two reasons:

1. They don’t know their anointing.

2. Or they know their anointing, but don’t work on it.

I learned that there are two kinds of geniuses in this world.

First are the geniuses that win Trivia Game Shows, like “Who Wants To Be A Millionaire?” That’s not want you want to be. This type of genius is good only for, well, Trivia Game Shows.

You want to be the second type of genius: These are people who focus their attention, time, and energy on one thing.

What’s your one thing?

In my own life, my “one thing” is communicating God’s love to others.

Today, I’m probably the highest paid corporate speaker in the country. When companies invite me to speak, I charge then an arm and a leg. I do this in part to raise money for our ministries. Just between you and me, these companies don’t know that if they only send their employees to our weekly prayer meetings called The Feast, they can hear me preach for free. (Shhh, don’t tell anyone I told you this.)

But the reason I can charge an arm and leg is because I’ve been speaking to crowds for the past 30 years.

Starting at age 13, I was preaching everywhere. All for free. I’d preach in schools, prisons, old folks homes, barrios, hospitals, and the slums. Even while I was studying in school, I’d preach nightly. Caloocan on Sundays, Alabang on Mondays, Cubao on Tuesdays, etc… On weekends, I’d preach in Laguna, La Union, Ilocos Sur…

In his book Outliers, Malcolm Gladwell talked about how successful people clocked in an average of 10,000 hours to their craft before they hit it big.

That’s me.

And that can be you too—if you focus your life on your anointing.

Follow Your Anointing

In the Bible, anointing was done for kings and prophets. They would pour a large amount of oil on the person’s head, indicating that he is totally set-aside for a specific purpose.

Today, we associate anointing for religious professions only: For priests or pastors or preachers only.

I don’t believe in that.

I believe God has anointed people to be entrepreneurs, to be bakers, to be chefs, to be beauticians, to be accountants, to be administrators, to be stock brokers, to be engineers, to be doctors, to be mothers, to be farmers…

This is how you are to serve others.

This is how you are to bless the world.

Anointed For Business?

Ed Silvoso, author of Anointed For Business, wrote how he was running three businesses and impacting the marketplace with God’s love. Many times, he would be an informal pastor to his business associates, bringing God’s Presence in smoke-filled rooms and parties.

But church people looked down on his profession. They kept badgering him to become a pastor. They said, “When are you going to go into the ministry? You don’t live by faith but by sight. At work you hang around sinners, people who drink and smoke. You have a calling on your life. Don’t be rebellious. Leave everything and go into the ministry.”

Yet every time the church needed money, they would go to him!

Years later, he left his businesses and became a pastor. In the process, he decreased his income by 30 times. But he was doing it out of obedience to God.

Yet after a few years, a powerful revelation came to him. He realized that beneath all the shame was an authentic anointing from God to be a businessman.

Here’s what he learned: That the anointing of a businessman wasn’t lower than the anointing of a pastor. Both are necessary in the Kingdom of God.

I love that.

A Formula For Mediocrity & Success

Let me tell you why many people live mediocre lives.

Because they put 80% of their attention, time, and energy on their weakness, and put 20% of their attention, time, and energy on developing their strengths.

If I take this approach, then I’ll enroll in Dancing lessons and Culinary Arts.

This is insane. Because no matter how much I study, I’ll never become a fantastic dancer or a world-class chef.

The formula for success is this:

First, forget your weakness. Delegate them. Outsource them.

And then focus 80% of your attention, time, and energy on developing your strengths. Be the very best in this one thing.

And put the last 20% in developing new strengths. (For me, it’s running business and creating passive income.)

Today, I focus almost all my time in writing and preaching.

And I’ve tasted great success because of this sharp focus.

A flashlight and a laser are both made of the same element: Light. But a laser is a thousand times more powerful than a flashlight because it’s focused light. A flashlight is pretty harmless, but a laser can cut through the thickest steel.

When a person is focused on one thing, he becomes powerful too.

I’m A Preacher For The Marketplace

After 30 years of preaching, I’ve become even more focused.

And you should be too!

Today, I just don’t just have an anointing to preach. That’s too general.

I’ve discovered that I have an anointing to preach to the Unchurched.

In other words, I have an anointing to communicate God’s love to outsiders. To people who aren’t religious. To people who don’t feel comfortable in church. To people who feel distant from God. To people who won’t go to prayer meetings.

One day, a woman came up to me and asked, “Bo, why don’t you preach more about doctrines? Why don’t you talk about the deeper spiritual truths?”

I smiled and said, “I love doctrines. There are wonderful priests who can explain them better than I do. Personally, I don’t think it’s my gift. I’m a layman, so I preach about the practical things of life. Like how to build a family, or how to handle money, or how to grow in your relationship with God as a lay person immersed in the world.

If you check my blog at www.BoSanchez.ph, you’ll read thousands of comments from my readers. Some of them say something like this: “I’m not a religious person, but I really like your articles.” Wow. When I read that, I know I’m hitting my gold. This is my anointing: To talk to those who aren’t religious.

I’m anointed to preach not in Church—in the traditional sense of the word. Instead, I’m anointed to preach in the Marketplace. (By the way, I consider our prayer meeting, The Feast, a part of the Marketplace. Because The Feast is totally focused on outsiders, not insiders. We welcome everyone. We welcome all seekers. We welcome unbelievers, non-Christians, addicts, adulterers, alcoholics, prostitutes, and believe it or not, even corrupt government officials. We welcome all those who feel they are far from God.)

This focusing on my life purpose has blessed me so much.

My prayer for you: May you find your anointing and give your whole life to your anointing. And be very happy.

May your dreams come true,

Bo Sanchez

Sometimes When Studying English - Twists Are Necessary

2009-08-25T05:47:00.000-07:00

With appreciation to my sister-inlaw, Veronica M. for this article.

Yes they have and they call it, the twist. Read, how

they do it, below. Knowing how to dance the Twist

(A popular dance of the sixties) would greatly help

in understanding why English is a language of twist.

1) The bandage was wound around the wound.

2) The farm was used to produce produce .

3) The dump was so full that it had to refuse more refuse.

4) We must polish the Polish furniture.

5) He could lead if he would get the lead out.

6) The soldier decided to desert his dessert in the desert.

7) Since there is no time like the present, he thought it was time to present the present .

8) A bass was painted on the head of the bass drum.

9) When shot at, the dove dove into the bushes.

10) I did not object to the object.

11) The insurance was invalid for the invalid.

12) There was a row among the oarsmen about how to row .

13) They were too close to the door to close it.

14) The buck does funny things when the does are present.

15) A seamstress and a sewer fell down into a sewer line.

16) To help with planting, the farmer taught his sow to sow.

17) The wind was too strong to wind the sail.

18) Upon seeing the tear in the painting I shed a tear.

19) I had to subject the subject to a series of tests.

20) How can I intimate this to my most intimate friend?

Let's face it - English is a crazy language. There is no egg in eggplant, nor ham in hamburger; neither apple nor pine in pineapple. English muffins weren't invented in England or French fries in France . Sweetmeats are candies while sweetbreads, which aren't sweet, are meat. We take English for granted. But if we explore its paradoxes, we find that quicksand can work slowly, boxing rings are square and a guinea pig is neither from Guinea nor is it a pig.

And why is it that writers write but fingers don't fing, grocers don't groce and hammers don't ham? If the plural of tooth is teeth, why isn't the plural of booth, beeth? One goose, 2 geese. So one moose, 2 meese? One index, 2 indices? Doesn't it seem crazy that you can make amends but not one amend? If you have a bunch of odds and ends and get rid of all but one of them, what do you call it?

If teachers taught, why didn't preachers praught? If a vegetarian eats vegetables, what does a humanitarian eat? Sometimes I think all the English speakers should be committed to an asylum for the verbally insane. In what language do people recite at a play and play at a recital? Ship by truck and send cargo by ship? Have noses that run and feet that smell?

How can a slim chance and a fat chance be the same, while a wise man and a wise guy are opposites? You have to marvel at the unique lunacy of a language in which your house can burn up as it burns down, in which you fill in a form by filling it out and in which, an alarm goes off by going on.

English was invented by people, not computers, and it reflects the creativity of the human race, which, of course, is not a race at all. That is why, when the stars are out, they are visible, but when the lights are out, they are invisible.

PS. - Why doesn't 'Buick' rhyme with 'quick' ?

You lovers of the English language might enjoy this .

There is a two-letter word that perhaps has more meanings than any other two-letter word, and that is 'UP.'

It's easy to understand UP, meaning toward the sky or at the top of the list, but when we awaken in the morning, why do we wake UP ?

At a meeting, why does a topic come UP ?

Why do we speak UP and why are the officers UP for election and why is it UP to the secretary to write UP a report ?
We call UP our friends.

And we use it to brighten UP a room, polish UP the silver; we warm UP the leftovers and clean UP the kitchen.

We lock UP the house and some guys fix UP the old car.

At other times the little word has real special meaning.

People stir UP trouble, line UP for tickets, work UP an appetite, and think UP excuses.

To be dressed is one thing, but to be dressed UP is special.

A drain must be opened UP because it is stopped UP.

We open UP a store in the morning but we close it UP at night.

We seem to be pretty mixed UP about UP !

To be knowledgeable about the proper uses of UP, look the word UP in the dictionary.

In a desk-sized dictionary, it takes UP almost 1/4th of the page and can add UP to about thirty definitions.

If you are UP to it, you might try building UP a list of the many ways UP is used.

It will take UP a lot of your time, but if you don't give UP, you may wind UP with a hundred or more.

When it threatens to rain, we say it is clouding UP .

When the sun comes out we say it is clearing UP...
When it rains, it wets the earth and often messes things UP.
When it doesn't rain for awhile, things dry UP.

One could go on and on, but I'll wrap it UP, for now my time is UP, so........it is time to shut UP!

And that might be the reason why English is UPfront in the language world.

Bible Sales - Don't Underestimate The Selling Power Of A Person With A Speech Impediment

2009-08-24T05:40:00.000-07:00

With appreciation to my sister in-law, Yolanda Mah for this article.

A pastor concluded that his church was getting into very serious financial troubles. While checking the church storeroom, he discovered several cartons of new bibles that had never been opened and distributed.

So at his Sunday sermon, he asked for three volunteers from the congregation who would be willing to sell the bibles door-to-door for $10 each to raise the desperately needed money for the church.

Jack, Paul and Louie all raised their hands to volunteer for the task.

The minister knew that Jack and Paul earned their living as salesmen and were likely capable of selling some bibles. But he had serious doubts about Louie who was a local farmer, who had always kept to himself because he was embarrassed by his speech impediment. Poor Louis stuttered badly. But, NOT WANTING TO DISCOURAGE LOUIS, the minister decided to let him try anyway.

He sent the three of them away with the back seat of their cars stacked with bibles. He asked them to meet with him and report the results of their door-to-door selling efforts the following Sunday.

Anxious to find out how successful they were, the minister immediately asked Jack, 'Well, Jack, how did you make out selling our bibles last week?'

Proudly handing the reverend an envelope, Jack replied, 'Using my sales prowess, I was able to sell 20 bibles, and here's the $200 I collected on behalf of the church.'

'Fine job, Jack!' The minister said, vigorously shaking his hand. 'You are indeed a fine salesman and the Church is indebted to you.'

Turning to Paul, 'And Paul, how many bibles did you sell for the Church last week?'

Paul, smiling and sticking out his chest, confidently replied, 'I am a professional salesman. I sold 28 bibles on behalf of the church,and here's $280 I collected.'

The minister responded, 'That's absolutely splendid, Paul. You are truly a professional salesman and the church is indebted to you.'

Apprehensively, the minister turned to Louie and said, 'And Louie, did you manage to sell any bible last week?'

Louie silently offered the minister a large envelope.

The minister opened it and counted the contents.'What is this? the minister exclaimed. 'Louie, there's $3200 in here! Are you suggesting that you sold 320 bibles for the church, door to door, in just one week?

Louie just nodded. That's impossible!' both Jack and Paul said in unison. 'We are professional salesmen, yet You claim to have sold 10 times as many bibles as we could.'

'Yes, this does seem unlikely,' the minister agreed. 'I think you'd better SHARE how you managed to accomplish this, Louie.'

Louie shrugged. 'I-I-I re-re-really do-do-don't kn-kn-know f-f-f-for sh-sh-sh-sure,' he stammered.

Impatiently, Peter interrupted. 'For crying out loud, Louie, just tell us what you said to them when they answered the door!'

Louis replied, 'A-a-a-all I-I-I s-s-said WA-WA-was,' 'W-w-w-w-would y-y-y-you l-l-l-l-l-like t-t-to b-b-b-buy th-th-th-this b-b-b-b-bible F-f-for t-t-ten b-b-b bucks ---o-o-o-or--- wo-wo-would yo-you j-j-j-just l-like m-m-me t-t-to St-St-
stand H-h-here and r-r-r-r-r-read it t-to y-y-you??'

A Combination Of Prawn And Vitamin C Consumed Together Can Cause A Chemical Reaction - Arsenic Poisoning Which Can Be Fatal

2009-08-22T01:58:00.000-07:00

With appreciation to my friend, Benny Q. for this article.

Taiwan - A woman suddenly died unexpectedly with signs of bleeding from her ears, nose, mouth and eyes. After a preliminary autopsy it was diagnosed, death was due to arsenic poisoning. Where did the arsenic come from?

The police launched an in-depth and intensive investigation. A medical school professor was invited to come and solve the case.

The professor carefully looked at the contents from the deceased's stomach. In less than half an hour, the mystery was solved. The professor said: 'The deceased did not commit suicide and neither was she murdered. She died accidentally due to ignorance!'

Everyone was puzzled, why the accidental death happened? The professor said: 'It was due to the arsenic produced in the stomach of the deceased.' The deceased used to take vitamin c everyday, which in itself is alright. But when consumed together with large amount of prawns, it caused a chemical reaction to occur in her stomach. Her family members were not affected. Even though they also ate the prawns. This was because they didn't take vitamin c.

Researchers at the University of Chicago in the United States , found through experiments, food such as soft-shell prawn contains a much higher concentration of - five potassium arsenic compounds.

Such fresh food by itself has no toxic effects on the human body! However,when taken together with vitamin c, a chemical reaction occurred. The original non-toxic - five potassium arsenic ( anhydride, also known as arsenic oxide, the chemical formula for As205) changed to a three potassium toxic arsenic (ADB arsenic anhydride), also known as arsenic trioxide, a chemical formula (As203), which is commonly known as arsenic to the public!

Arsenic poisoning can cause paralysis to the small blood vessels,inhibits the activity of the liver and fat necrosis change hepatic lobules centre, heart, liver, kidney, intestine congestion, epithelial cell necrosis, telangiectasia. Therefore, a person who dies of arsenic poisoning will show signs of bleeding from the ears, nose, mouth and eyes.

Therefore, as a precautionary measure, DO NOT eat prawns when taking vitamin c.

H1 N1 - Steps To Take To Prevent Infection From The Minnesota Department Of Health U.S.A.

2009-08-21T08:13:00.000-07:00

The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) reported that children under age five, pregnant women, people with chronic lung problems and lowered immune systems, and residents of nursing homes and other chronic-care facilities may be more susceptible to the virus, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. H1N1 flu symptoms are similar to seasonal flu: a fever of 100°F or above, cough,sore throat, stuffy nose, and sometimes diarrhea and vomiting.

The MDS says mild cases of H1N1 can be treated at home as you would normally treat a mild flu, by taking more fluids and resting, and perhaps Tylenol to treat the symptoms. It’s important to remember that we can all take steps to protect ourselves and others. The MDH recommends the following simple precautions for reducing the risk of getting or spreading the virus.

Cover your nose and mouth when you cough or sneeze. Clean your hands frequently and thoroughly – with soap and water or an alcohol-based hand rub solution. Clean your hands after shaking hands or having other close contact with other people – before eating or preparing food, or touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Limit your contact with others who may be ill. If you’re sick from the flu, stay home from work, school or other public places.Drink plenty of fluids while you're sick. If you are an employer, encourage your emp
1964 poster featuring "Wellbee," the CDC’s

national symbol of public health

CDC/ Mary Hilpertshauser
Public health officials must walk a fine line these days. They want to raise awareness about the virus but not cause panic.
It's believed that the novel H1N1 flu virus that first hit the Americas this spring is already widespread in the state, nationally and globally.
In June and July, three Minnesotans died while infected with the H1N1 (“swine flu”) virus. All had other serious medical conditions, consistent with H1N1-related deaths nationwide.
The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) reported that two of the victims were children and one was an elderly patient. All had been living in the Twin Cities.

Children under age five, pregnant women, people with chronic lung problems and lowered immune systems, and residents of nursing homes and other chronic-care facilities may be more susceptible to the virus, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
H1N1 flu symptoms are similar to seasonal flu: a fever of 100°F or above, cough, sore throat, stuffy nose, and sometimes diarrhea and vomiting.
The MDS says mild cases of H1N1 can be treated at home as you would normally treat a mild flu, by taking more fluids and resting, and perhaps Tylenol to treat the symptoms. But if you’re worried that you or your child may have a more serious flu virus, you can call the Minnesota Department of Health at 1-877-676-5414 for advice on what to do.

Minnesota Commissioner of Health Sanne Magnan, MD, said “concern is running high” about the H1N1 flu virus. “But it’s important to remember that we can all take steps to protect ourselves and others.”
The MDH recommends the following simple precautions for reducing the risk of getting or spreading the virus.

Cover your nose and mouth when you cough or sneeze. Clean your hands frequently and thoroughly – with soap and water or an alcohol-based hand rub solution. Clean your hands after shaking hands or having other close contact with other people – before eating or preparing food, or touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Limit your contact with others who may be ill. If you’re sick from the flu, stay home from work, school or other public places.Drink plenty of fluids while you're sick. If you are an employer, encourage your employees to stay home if they are sick.

People at risk for severe flu or flu complications should have themselves medically checked if they have flu symptoms or have been exposed to people with flu symptoms.

Sometimes God Used Ordinary Human To Help People In Trouble

2009-08-21T04:06:00.000-07:00

With appreciation to my friend, Tommie L. for this article.

Psalm 55:22 --- you really need to read this.
'Friends are God's way of taking care of us.'

This was written by a Metro Denver Hospice Physician:

I was driving home from a meeting this evening about 5, stuck in traffic on Colorado Blvd. and the car started to choke and splutter and die - I barely managed to coast, cursing, into a gas station, glad only that I would not be blocking traffic and would have a somewhat warm spot to wait for the tow truck. It wouldn't even turn over. Before I could make the call, I saw a woman walking out of the quickie mart building, and it looked like she slipped on some ice and fell into a gas pump, so I got out to see if she was okay.
When I got there, it looked more like she had been overcome by sobs than that she had fallen; she was a young woman who looked really haggard with dark circles under her eyes. She dropped something as I helped her up, and I picked it up to give it to her. It was a nickel.

At that moment, everything came into focus for me: the crying woman, the ancient Suburban crammed full of stuff with 3 kids in the back (1 in a car seat), and the gas pump reading $4.95.

I asked her if she was okay and if she needed help, and she just kept saying,' I don't want my kids to see me crying! So we stood on the other side of the pump from her car. She said she was driving to California and that things were very hard for her right now. So I asked,' And you were praying?' That made her back away from me a little, but I assured her I was not a crazy person and said, 'He heard you, and He sent me.'

I took out my card and swiped it through the card reader on the pump so she could fill up her car completely, and while it was fueling, walked to the next door McDonald's and bought 2 big bags of food, some gift certificates for more, and a big cup of coffee. She gave the food to the kids in the car, who attacked it like wolves, and we stood by the pump eating fries and talking a little.

She told me her name, and that she lived in Kansas City . Her boyfriend left 2 months ago and she had not been able to make ends meet. She knew she wouldn't have money to pay rent Jan. 1, and finally, in desperation, had called her parents, with whom she had not spoken in about 5 years. They lived in California and said she could come live with them and try to get on her feet there.

So she packed up everything she owned in the car. She told the kids they were going to California for Christmas, but not that they were going to live there.
I gave her my gloves, a little hug and said a quick prayer with her for safety on the road. As I was walking over to my car, she said,' So, are you like an angel or something?'

This definitely made me cry. I said, 'Sweetie, at this time of year angels are really busy, so sometimes God uses regular people.'

It was so incredible to be a part of someone else's miracle. And of course, you guessed it, when I got in my car it started right away and got me home with no problem. I'll put it in the shop tomorrow to check, but I suspect the mechanic won't find anything wrong.

Sometimes the angels fly close enough to you that you can hear the flutter of their wings...

Psalms 55:22 'Cast thy burden upon the Lord, and He shall sustain thee. He shall never suffer the righteous to be moved.'

Here is the prayer:

'Father, I ask You to bless my children, grandchildren, friends, relatives and email buddies reading this right now. Show them a new revelation of your love and power. Holy Spirit, I ask You to minister to their spirit this very moment. Where there is pain, give them Your peace and mercy. Where there is self doubt, release a renewed confidence through Your grace, In Jesus' precious name. Amen.'

When Satan is knocking at your door, simply say,' Jesus, could You please get that for me.

A Miracle Prayer - Put Your Faith In God

2009-08-19T17:35:00.000-07:00

With appreciation to my friend, Stella M. for this article.

NAME IT and CLAIM IT, BELIEVE IT and RECEIVE IT!!!!!!!!!!!
It's a POWERFUL PRAYER! When you are DOWN to nothing ... God is UP to something'

Father, in the Name of Jesus, bless me even while I'm reading this prayer and bless the one that sent this to me in a special way. Open doors in our lives today, Save and set free!
Give us a double portion of your Spirit as we take back everything that the devil has stolen:
****Emotional Health
****Physical Health
****Finances
****Relationships
****Children
**** Jobs
****Homes
****Marriages

I cancel every plot, plan and scheme the enemy has devised against us in the NAME OF JESUS.

And I declare:

NO WEAPON FORMED AGAINST US WILL PROSPER.

I speak LIFE into every dead situation. And, I thank You that nothing is over until YOU say it's over! Speak prophetically into our lives and to our situations:
****our households are blessed;
**** our health is blessed;
**** our marriages are blessed;
**** our finances are blessed;
**** our relationships are blessed;
**** our businesses are blessed;
**** our jobs are blessed;
**** our children are blessed;
**** our grandchildren are blessed;
**** our parents are blessed;
**** our siblings are blessed;
**** our ministries are blessed;
**** our decisions are blessed;
**** our friends are blessed.
**** Mortgages are paid and debts canceled; our hearts' desires are on the way;

According to YOUR perfect will and plan for our lives.
YOU SAID YOU'D NEVER FORSAKE US! IN JESUS' NAME!

AMEN!

A kid asked Jesus... How much do U love me? Jesus replied, 'I love! You this much.' and He stretched His arms to the cross and died for us.

Images That Speak For Themselves

2009-08-19T03:32:00.000-07:00

With appreciation to my sister-inlaw, Veronica M. for this article.

They say a picture speaks a thousand words. Above, are a number of humorous photographs and you can just imagine the messages they are sending, funny, pitiful, senseless.................But the important thing - they did happen. And they are part of the daily realities of life.

God Loves Me Unconditionally

2009-08-18T17:52:00.000-07:00

With appreciation to my friend, James L. for this article

All the passages below are taken from Joyce Meyer’s book “Beauty for Ashes,” published in 1994 by Time Warner Book Group.

IF YOU ARE a person who has been abused, by now you have probably identified some problem areas in your life. To point out problems without offering a solution to them would be disastrous. If I did that, you would end up more frustrated than you were before you began reading this book.
I intend to outline the major truths that brought healing in my own life. As I do so, 1 would like to remind you that God is no respecter of persons (see Acts 10:34). What He does for one person, He will do for another, if it is a promise found in His Word.

THE PROCESS OF HEALING
My first husband did not know how to love, so I received no love at all from our relationship. Although my wonderful second husband, Dave, did truly love me, I knew no more than I ever had about how to receive love. I bounced back and forth between:
(1) rejecting his love and closing him out of my life by building walls around myself to ensure that I would not get hurt (or so I thought), and,
(2) trying to get him to love me with a kind of perfect and complete love that was humanly impossible for him to achieve.
In 1 John 4:18 we read that perfect love casts out fear. Only God can love perfectly and without fault. No matter how much anyone may love another person, he is still human. As our Lord said, “The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak” (Matthew 26:41). People always disappoint other people---they always love somewhat imperfectly, simply because that is part of human nature.
I was trying to get Dave to give me something that only God could give me, which was a sense of my own value and worth. I wanted my husband to love me totally and to treat me perfectly so I could finally feel good about myself. Whenever he failed me, disappointed me, or hurt me, I would put up walls between us and not allow him in at all for days or even weeks.
Many people who come from abusive, dysfunctional backgrounds cannot maintain healthy, lasting relationships because either they do not know how to receive love or they place an unbalanced demand on their marriage partners to give them what only God can give. The resulting frustration often ruins the marriage.
This same principle can be applied to friendships. One time a woman came up to me in a prayer line and said: “Joyce, help me. I am so lonely. Every time I get a friend, I suffocate her.” This lady was so love-starved that if she found anyone who would pay any attention to her at all, she tried to collect all her past emotional debts from that individual, who owed her nothing. Her new friend was usually frightened away.

GOD’S BOUNDLESS, UNCONDITIONAL, PERFECT LOVE
One day as I was reading the Bible, I noticed this statement in 2 Corinthians 5:7: “For we walk by faith [we regulate our lives and conduct ourselves by our conviction or belief respecting man’s relationship to God and divine things, with trust and holy fervor; thus we walk] not by sight or appearance.”
The Holy Spirit stopped me and asked, “What do you believe, Joyce, about your relationship with God? Do you believe He loves you?”
As I honestly began to search my heart and to study the Word of God on this subject, I came to the conclusion that I did believe that God loved me, but conditionally
The Bible teaches us that God loves us perfectly or unconditionally. His perfect love for us is not based on our perfection. It is not based on anything except Himself. God is love (see 1 John 4:8). Love is not His occupation; it is Who He is. God always loves us, but often we stop receiving His love, especially if our behavior is not good.
I would like to stop here and present several passages of scripture that have come to mean a lot to me. Please take time to read them slowly. Digest them and allow them to become a part of you:

And we know (understand, recognize, are conscious of, by observation and by experience) and believe (adhere to and put faith in and rely on) the love God cherishes for us. God is love, and he who dwells and continues in love dwells and continues in God, and God dwells and continues in him.
In this [union and communion with Him] love is brought to completion and attains perfection with us, that we may have confidence for the day of judgment [with assurance and boldness to face Him], because as He is, so are we in this world.
There is no fear in love [dread does not exist], but full-grown (complete, perfect) love turns fear out of doors and expels every trace of terror! For fear brings with it the thought of punishment, and [so] he who is afraid has not reached the full maturity of love [is not yet grown into love’s complete perfection].
We love Him, because He first loved us. (1 John 4:16-19 Amp)
In this the love of God was made manifest (displayed) where we are concerned: in that God sent His Son, the only begotten or unique [Son], into the world so that we might live through Him.
In this is love: not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation (the atoning sacrifice) for our sins.
Beloved, if God loved us so [very much], we also ought to love one another. (1 John 4:9-11 Amp)
Who shall ever separate us from Christ’s love? Shall suffering and affliction and tribulation? Or calamity and distress? Or persecution or hunger or destitution or peril or sword? (Romans 8:35 Amp)
For I am persuaded beyond doubt (am sure) that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities, nor things impending and threatening nor things to come, nor powers,
Nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation will be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 8:38-39 Amp)

May Christ through your faith [actually] dwell (settle down, abide, make His permanent home) in your hearts! May you be rooted deep in love and founded securely on love, That you may have the power and be strong to apprehend and grasp with all the saints [God’s devoted people, the experience of that love] what is the breadth and length and height and depth [of it];
[That you may really come] to know [practically, through experience for yourselves] the love of Christ, which far surpasses mere knowledge [without experience]; that you may be filled [through all your being] unto all the fullness of God [may have the richest measure of the divine Presence, and become a body wholly filled and flooded with God Himself]! (Ephesians 3:17-19 Amp)
Such hope never disappoints or deludes or shames us, for God’s love has been poured out in our hearts through the Holy Spirit Who has been given to us. (Romans 5:5 Amp)
Behold, 1 have indelibly imprinted (tattooed a picture of) you on the palm of each of My hands. (Isaiah 49:16 Amp)

1 John 4:16 is a key scripture for me because it says that we should be conscious and aware of God’s love and put faith in it. I was unconscious and unaware of God’s love; therefore, I was not putting faith in His love for me.
When the devil condemned me, I did not know how to say, “Yes, I made a mistake,” then go to God, ask for His forgiveness, receive His love, and press on. Instead, I would spend hours and even days feeling guilty about each little thing I did wrong. I was literally tormented! John tells us that fear has torment, but that the perfect love of God casts out fear (see 1 John 4:18). God’s love for me was perfect because it was based on Him, not on me. So even when I failed, He kept loving me.
God’s love for you is perfect---and unconditional. When you fail, He keeps on loving you, because His love is not based on you but on Him. When you fail, do you stop receiving God’s love and start punishing yourself by feeling guilty and condemned? I felt guilty and bad about myself for the first forty years of my life. I faithfully carried my sack of guilt on my back everywhere I went. It was a heavy burden, and it was always with me. I made mistakes regularly, and I felt guilty about each one of them.
In Romans 8:33-35 the apostle Paul says:
Who shall bring any charge against God’s elect [when it is] God Who justifies [that is, Who puts us in right relation to Himself? Who shall come forward and accuse or impeach those whom God has chosen? Will God, Who acquits us?] Who is there to condemn [us]? Will Christ Jesus (the Messiah), Who died, or rather Who was raised from the dead, Who is at the right hand of God actually pleading as He intercedes for us? Who shall ever separate us from Christ’s love?
The devil’s goal is to separate us from God’s love, because God’s love is the main factor in our emotional healing.
` We are created for love. In Ephesians 2:4-6 Paul says that God is so rich in mercy that He saved us and gave us what we do not deserve, in order to satisfy the demands of His intense love for us. Think about it. God intends to love us. He has to love us---He is love!
You and I are created for love! Sin separated us from God, but He loved us so much that He sent His only Son, Jesus, to die for us, to redeem us, to purchase us back, so that He could lavish His great love upon us. All we need to do is believe what the Bible says about our relationship with God. Once we do that, the healing process can begin.
During the first year that my husband Dave and I began our ministry called Life In The Word, the Holy Spirit worked with me to teach me about God’s love. I kept a book of remembrance of special things the Lord did for me during that time---little things mostly, personal things that showed me that God cared. By this method I began to become more conscious of His unconditional love. It helped me to remember that God loved me.
If you can believe that God, Who is so perfect, loves you, then you can believe that you are worth loving. Once you believe that you are accepted and loved by God, then you can begin accepting and loving yourself. Then not only will you start loving God in return, you will also start loving other people.

You CAN’T GIVE AWAY WHAT YOU DON’T HAVE!
Many people receive Jesus and then immediately start trying to love everybody. Too often they end up feeling condemned because they find that they just cannot do it. It is impossible to truly love others without first receiving the love of God, because there is no love there to give.
In 1 Corinthians, chapter 13, often called “the love chapter,” Paul emphasizes this truth quite clearly. In the first verse he defines love as “(that reasoning, intentional, spiritual devotion such as is inspired by God’s love for and in us).” This entire chapter is focused on teaching us how to walk in love, yet it clearly says that love must first be in us.
Most people can believe that God loves them when they can feel that they deserve it. Problems arise when they feel that they do not deserve God’s love, and yet desperately need it.
The following charts illustrate the ongoing effects of receiving or not receiving the love of God. Notice that the belief that God’s love for us depends on our worthiness is a deception that causes many problems in our lives. On the other hand, believing that God loves us unconditionally brings much joy and blessedness.

RECEIVING GOD’S LOVE
Determine in your heart that you will receive God’s love. Here are some practical suggestions to help you do that. These are all things that I believe the Lord led me to do, and I believe they will be of help to you too. However, remember that we are all special and unique and that God has an individual, personalized plan for each of us. Don’t get lost in methods.

The Trickle-Down Theory of Unconditional Love
Jesus loves me, this I know.
He loves me unconditionally.
THEREFORE: His love for me is based on Who HE is.
THEREFORE: I have not earned His love, nor can I earn His love.
THEREFORE: I cannot be separated from His love.
When I obey Him, He will bless me.
When I disobey Him, there will be consequences for my behavior. He may not like my behavior, but He always loves me.
THEREFORE: Since I have experienced God’s love, I know I am lovable.
THEREFORE, since I know that God loves me, I am able to believe that there are people who could love me too.
THEREFORE, I am able to trust people who genuinely love me.
THEREFORE, I am able to accept the love that those people give to me.
THEREFORE, since my most basic need for love and a sense of self-worth has been met by God, I don’t need to be “fixed” by other people.
THEREFORE, although I have needs that I look to other people to meet (i.e., companionship, affection, fun), I believe those needs are balanced and God-given. I try to be honest in assessing those needs and in asking for what I need.
THEREFORE, I expect other people to be honest with me. I can handle criticism or confrontation, if it is done with love.
THEREFORE, since I know that I am God’s special and unique creation, I know that the love I have to give is valuable.
THEREFORE, I do not feel that I have to “perform” for other people. Either they will love me for who I am, or they won’t. It is important for me to be loved for who I am.
THEREFORE, I am able to get my mind off of what others are thinking ABOUT ME and focus on other people and THEIR NEEDS.
THEREFORE, I am able to sustain a healthy, loving, lasting relationship.

The Trickle-Down Theory of Conditional Love
Jesus loves me, but...
He loves me conditionally.
THEREFORE: His love is based on my performance.
THEREFORE: I have to earn His love by pleasing Him. THEREFORE: When I please Him, I feel loved. When I do not please Him, I feel rejected.
THEREF0RE: If God, Who is “all-loving,” does not always love, accept, and value me, how can I be expected to believe that I am valuable and lovable?
THEREFORE: I do not believe that I am basically a lovable, valuable person.
THEREFORE, I am not able to trust other people who say they love me. I suspect their motives or figure that they just do not know the “real” me yet.
THEREFORE, I cannot accept love from other people. I deflect it. I try to prove that I am right---that I am NOT lovable, and that they will eventually reject me.
THEREFORE, they usually do.
THEREFORE, I use the world’s standards (money, status, clothes, etc.) to prove to others and myself that I am VALUABLE. I need strokes and feedback from other people to prove to myself and to others that I am LOVABLE.
THEREFORE, I need a “fresh fix” of strokes every day just to get through the day feeling good about myself.
THEREFORE, I look to others to give me something that only God can give me---a sense of my own SELF-WORTH.
THEREFORE, I place impossible demands on people who love me. I frustrate them. I am never satisfied with what they are giving me. I do not allow them to be honest with me or confront me. I am focused on me, and I expect them to be focused on me too.
THEREFORE, since I do not love who I AM, I do not expect that others will love me either. Why would anyone want something that has no real value?
THEREFORE, I try to earn their love by what I DO. I do not give out of a desire to love, but to BE LOVED. Most of what I do is tied up in “self,” so the people I profess to love do not really feel loved. They feel manipulated. I am trying to avoid rejection rather than trying to build a loving relationship.
THEREFORE, I am not able to sustain a healthy, loving, lasting relationship.

These are things I suggest you do to help you receive revelation concerning God’s love for you:
· Tell yourself, in your mind and out loud, “God loves me.” Say it, and let it sink in. Repeat it often: when you awake in the morning, when you go to bed at night, and throughout the entire day. Look at yourself in the minor, point to yourself, call yourself by name, and say, “--------God loves you.”
· Keep a diary, a book of remembrance, of special things that God does for you. Include little things as well as major things. Read over your list at least once a week, and you will be encouraged. Let this become a Holy Ghost project. I think you will have fun with it, as I did.
· Learn, and even commit to memory several scriptures about the love of God for you.
· Read some good books about God’s love. I recommend that you start with the ones I have written called Tell Them I Love Them, and Reduce Me to Love.
· Pray for the Holy Spirit, Who is the Teacher, to give you a revelation of God’s love. (36-46)

Treatment Of H1 N1 With Apples And Oranges (whether it is due to the fruits or otherwise have still to be proven scientifically)

2009-08-18T05:37:00.000-07:00

With appreciation to my brother, John M. for this article.

JUST A SMALL BUT MEANINGFUL INFORMATION FROM ME TO YOU AND YOUR FRIENDS...MY PERSONAL EXPERIENCE OF H1N1 SINCE IT PRACTICALLY HIT US LIKE A TIME BOMB.....

My staff was crying herself sick on Tuesday morning...was told that her son was confirmed of H1N1 in his University at Kangar, Perlis...worse was that when he was bedridden for 2 days the warden didn't even bother to send him to hospital till his dad came fm KL and with his friends' assistance brought him to General Hospital Kangar....

No one bothered in the hospital and he was put in the normal ward for another 2 days!!! (imagine the amount of people he has infected!!) .....after 2 days when his eyes were turning yellow and saliva greenish...he was quarantined in a room...

Called his mom to say...minta maaf and ampun la dosa dia,
etc...she practically fainted just telling me the story.. can't do much
as she didn't have enough money to go to the north with the father...

First thing we did was made her call the hospital and insist that they sent him to Sg.Buloh Hospital or any other hospital in KL since they seemed to be more alert and more equipped...they refused of course...so I sent her off to Kangar the same day to solve the problem.

Whilst this was happening, thank God, I had a call from one Ustaz who was in town to "help cure" another H1N1 child in Shah Alam....and was told this simple prescription by him.....

EAT MINIMUM 6 GREEN APPLES A DAY AND FRESH ORANGE JUICE for those with sore throat please blend the apples and keep on taking till your fever disappear and your symptoms are gone....I cannot explain it but the child in Shah Alam was ok too after taking this tip....

Thank God...my staff's son was given the apple juice for the whole day on Monday/Tuesday and with God's help, he has no fever yesterday, Wednesday....she called me and was crying on the phone to say that her son was out of ICU and was able to eat normally...all these happened within just 4 days today (Thursday 6 August)...

This is just to share with my fellow sisters and brothers and hope this little information could assist others as well. There is no harm in trying.

Strange But True

2009-08-18T02:11:00.000-07:00

With appreciation to my sister-inlaw, Veronica M. for this article.

Why .....do drugstores make the sick walk all the way to the back of the store to get their prescriptions while healthy people can buy cigarettes at the front.

Why .....do people order double cheeseburgers, large fries, and a diet coke.

Why ...do banks leave both doors open and then chain the pens to the counters.

Why? Good question.

A Penny - Can Take Out The Pain From A Bee Sting

2009-08-17T23:12:00.000-07:00

With appreciation to my friend, George H. for this article.

It might be wise to carry a penny in your pocket while working in the yard..........!

A couple of weeks ago, I was stung by both a bee and hornet while working in the garden.

My arm swelled up, so I went to the doctor. The clinic gave me cream and an antihistamine. The next day the swelling was getting progressively worse, so I went to my regular doctor. The arm was Infected and needed an antibiotic.The doctor told me - " The next time you get stung, put a penny on the bite for 15 minutes".

That night, my niece was stung by two bees. I looked at the bite and it had already started to swell. So, I taped a penny to her arm for 15 minutes. The next morning, there was no sign of a bite. We decided that she just wasn't allergic to the sting.

Soon, I was gardening outside. I got stung again, twice by a hornet on my left hand. I thought, here I go again to the doctor for another antibiotic.

I promptly got my money out and taped two pennies to my bites, then sat and sulked for 15 minutes. The penny took the string out of the bite immediately.

In the meantime the hornets were attacking, and my friend was stung on the thumb. Again the penny. The next morning I could only see the spot where the hornet had stung me. No redness, no swelling. My friend's sting was the same; couldn't even tell where she had been stung.

She got stung again a few days later upon her back---cutting the grass! And the penny worked once again.

Wanted to share this marvelous information in case you experience the same problem. We need to keep a stock of pennies on hand.

The doctor said that the copper in the penny counteracts the bite.
It definitely works!

2nd Asian Conference - Catholic Fraternity Of Charismatic Communities And Fellowships Held From August 6 To 9 2009 At Kota Kinabalu Sabah Malaysia

2009-08-16T07:08:00.000-07:00

Pictures.......Pictures........Galore

2nd Asian Conference - Catholic Fraternity Of Charismatic Communities And Fellowships Held From August 6 To 9 2009 At Kota Kinabalu Sabah Malaysia

2009-08-15T19:52:00.000-07:00

Venue, Pacific Sutera Harbour Resort

The conference was hosted by the Archdiocese of Kota Kinabalu with The Light of Jesus Christ Covenant Community as the organiser. It ran from the 6 to 9 August 2009. The theme of the conference was Passing on the Faith. In his message of welcome to the participants, His grace, the Archbishop of Kota Kinabalu, Datuk John Lee, amongst others said:

When the Catholic Fraternity recieved recognition from the Pontifical Council for the laity as an International Association of the faithful in November 1990, one of its objectives is to safeguard the Catholic Identity of Charismatic Communities and to encourage them to maintain a strict bond with the Bishops and the Roman Pontiff. " That identity," according to our beloved late John Paul II, "requires you to be ever more fully associated with the life of the particular Churches." He quoted, "When ecclesial movements humbly seek to become part of the life of local churches and are welcome by Bishops and priests within diocesan and parish structures, they represent a true gift of God both for new evangelisation and for misssionary activity properly so called."(Redemptoris Missi. 72) I hope your reflection on "Passing on the faith" would be done within the context of the local Churches; and how your communities could help strengthen the faith of the new Asian Catholics.

Similarly, the Archbishop of Kuching, His grace John Ha in congratulating the host and the organiser of the conference mentioned:

The conference is a concrete expression of the unity of the Church. Coming from different countries in Asia, participants are united in the Lord Jesus. Covenant Communities aim to foster this unity by enabling their members to live it in a concrete and more manageable manner. In choosing the theme " Passing On The Faith", the conference seeks to brainstorm on how to share with others our faith in the Lord Jesus and bring them into the unity anchored on Him. "the stone rejected by the builders but becoming the cornerstone"(Mk.12:10).

The participating communities were as follows:
-

Lord's Flock Catholic Charismatic Community, Quezon City, Philippines (Founder/Elder: Techie Rodriguez)

Family of God's Little Children, Tacloban City, Leyte, Philippines Servant Leader: Annie Corpin

Disciples of Jesus Cov. Community, Manila, Philippines Leader: Fr. Steve Tynan

Spirit of Love Cov. Community, Manila, Philippines Elder: Arcadio Tamayo

Elim Communities, Quezon City, Philippines Elder: Willy Nakar

Servants of Jesus Cov. Community, Sydney, Australia Presiding Elder: Joe Chircop

Disciples of Jesus Cov. Community, Kuta, Bali, Indonesia Area Leader: 1 Ketut Respatia

The Holy Trinity Family Cov. Community, Sibu, Sarawak, Malaysia Presiding Elder: David Siong

Bread of Life, Catholic Charismatic Cov. Community, Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia Presiding Elder: Peter Wong

Servants of Yahweh Cov. Community, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Presiding Elder: Ben Lye

Star of Yahweh Cov. Community, Sandakan, Sabah, Malaysia Presiding Elder: Michael Lee

Marvellous Light of Yahweh Cov. Community, Labuan F.T. Malaysia Presiding Elder: George Elias

Servants of the Lord Cov. Community, Papar, Sabah, Malaysia Presiding Elder: Stephen Lim

The Light of Jesus Christ Covenant Community, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia Presiding Elder: Joseph Chee

Although the programme were very tight due to time constraint, all participants learnt a lot from the conference on topics such as:

Living out the faith in the Word by Archbishop John Ha

Family as a seedbed for faith by Joe and Julie Chircop

Faith explosion in the new evangelisation

(i) by our witness in life - Fr. Mathew Carpenter

(ii) by our preavhing - Fr. Burt Pastor

Faith that moves mountain by Techie Rodriguez

Youth - the hope and bearer of faith by Fr. Steve Tynan

Nurturing our faith in community living by Bishop T. Bacani

As shown in the pictures(coming in the next posting), all was not concentration but there were lighter moments when the various groups presented items after the dinner which was held on Friday.

Congratulations To Daily Express For Winning Journalistic Awards

2009-08-13T03:17:00.000-07:00

Journalism Awards (for English language) - Gold went respectively to Kan Yaw Chong for Environment and Elizabeth Majaham for Business and Economics. While merit - for Sports, to Alex Ong and Bryan Gerald, Business and Economics, to Durie Rainer Fong and Kassim Sangi, Environment, to Kan Yaw Chong, James Sarda and Hayati Dzulkifli and for Journalism, to James Sarda, Joseph Bingkasan and Mary Chin.

Daily Express also won a gold each in its Bahasa Melayu and Kadazandusun section. Its sister paper, Overseas Chinese Daily News also won a gold. In addition to winning the above, they also achieved other merit awards.

Presentation of the awards were made by Chief Minister, Datuk Seri Musa Aman witnessed by Shell Malaysian Chairman, Datuk Saw Choo Boon and Sabah Journalists Association's President, Datuk Johniston Bangkuai at Shangrila's Tanjung Aru Resort, Kota Kinabalu.

If You Worry, You Didn't Pray - If You Pray, Don't Worry

2009-08-12T18:33:00.000-07:00

With appreciation to my friend, John P. for this article.

SPECIAL GROCERY LIST

Louise Redden, a poorly dressed lady with a look of defeat on her face, walked into a grocery store.

She approached the owner of the store in a most humble manner and asked if he would let her charge a few groceries.

She softly explained that her husband was very ill and unable to work, they had seven children and they needed food.

John Longhouse, the grocer, scoffed at her and requested that she leave his store at once.

Visualizing the family needs, she said: 'Please, sir! I will bring you the money just as soon as I can.'

John told her he could not give her credit, since she did not have a charge account at his store.

Standing beside the counter was a customer who overheard the conversation between the two. The customer walked forward and told the grocer that he would stand good for whatever she needed for her family. The grocer said in a very reluctant voice, 'Do you have a grocery list?'

Louise replied, 'Yes sir.' 'O.K' he said, 'put your grocery list on the scales and whatever your grocery list weighs, I will give you that amount in groceries.'

Louise hesitated a moment with a bowed head, then she reached into her purse and took out a piece of paper and scribbled something on it. She then laid the piece of paper on the scale carefully with her head still bowed.

The eyes of the grocer and the customer showed amazement when the scales went down and stayed down.

The grocer, staring at the scales, turned slowly to the customer and said begrudgingly, 'I can't believe it.'

The customer smiled and the grocer started putting the groceries on the other side of the scales. The scale did not balance so he continued to put more and more groceries on them until the scales would hold no more.

The grocer stood there in utter disgust. Finally, he grabbed the piece of paper from the scales and looked at it with greater amazement.

It was not a grocery list, it was a prayer, which said:

'Dear Lord, you know my needs and I am leaving this in your hands.'

The grocer gave her the groceries that he had gathered and stood in stunned silence.

Louise thanked him and left the store. The other customer handed a fifty-dollar bill to the grocer and said; 'It was worth every penny of it. Only God Knows how much a prayer weighs.'

Make Time With God - Don't Be Distracted By Satan

2009-08-12T07:12:00.000-07:00

With appreciation to my friend, John P. for this article.

CHECK IF YOU ARE TOO BUSY FOR GOD.

SATAN'S MEETING: (Read even if you're busy)

Satan called a worldwide convention of demons.

In his opening address he said,

"We can't keep Christians from going to church."

"We can't keep them from reading their Bibles
and knowing the truth."

"We can't even keep them from forming an
intimate relationship with their saviour."

"Once they gain that connection with Jesus,
our power over them is broken."

"So let them go to their churches; let them
have their covered dish dinners, BUT steal
their time, so they don't have time to develop
a relationship with Jesus Christ.."

"This is what I want you to do," said the devil:

"Distract them from gaining hold of their Saviour
and maintaining that vital connection throughout
their day!"

"How shall we do this?" his demons shouted.

"Keep them busy in the non-essentials of life
and invent innumerable schemes to occupy their
minds," he answered.

"Tempt them to spend, spend, spend, and borrow,
borrow, borrow."

"Persuade the wives to go to work for long hours
and the husbands to work 6-7 days each week, 10-12
hours a day, so they can afford their empty lifestyles."

"Keep them from spending time with their children."

"As their families fragment, soon, their homes will offer
no escape from the pressures of work!"

"Over-stimulate their minds so that they cannot hear
that still, small voice."

"Entice them to play the radio or cassette player
whenever they drive." To keep the TV, VCR, CDs and
their PCs going constantly in their home and see to it
that every store and restaurant in the world plays
non-biblical music constantly."

"This will jam their minds and break that union with Christ."

"Fill the coffee tables with magazines and newspapers."

"Pound their minds with the news 24 hours a day."

"Invade their driving moments with billboards."

"Flood their mailboxes with junk mail, mail order
catalogs, sweepstakes, and every kind of newsletter
and promotional offering free products, services and
false hopes.."

"Keep skinny, beautiful models on the magazines and
TV so their husbands will believe that outward beauty
is what's important, and they'll become dissatisfied
with their wives..."

"Keep the wives too tired to love their husbands at night."

"Give them headaches too! "

"If they don't give their husbands the love they need,
they will begin to look elsewhere."

"That will fragment their families quickly!"

"Give them Santa Claus to distract them from teaching
their children the real meaning of Christmas."

"Give them an Easter bunny so they won't talk about
his resurrection and power over sin and death."

"Even in their recreation, let them be excessive."

"Have them return from their recreation exhausted."

"Keep them too busy to go out in nature and reflect
on God's creation. Send them to amusement parks,
sporting events, plays, concerts, and movies instead."

"Keep them busy, busy, busy!"

"And when they meet for spiritual fellowship, involve
them in gossip and small talk so that they leave with
troubled consciences. "

"Crowd their lives with so many good causes they have
no time to seek power from Jesus."

"Soon they will be working in their own strength, sacrificing
their health and family for the good of the cause."

"It will work!"

"It will work!"

It was quite a plan!

The demons went eagerly to their assignments causing
Christians everywhere to get busier and more rushed,
going here and there.

Having little time for their God or their families.

Having no time to tell others about the power of Jesus
to change lives.

I guess the question is, has the devil been successful in
his schemes?

You be the judge!!!!!

Does "BUSY" mean: B-eing U-nder S-atan's Y-oke?

Ken and Lee's RV Adventures: Northern Door County

2009-08-11T19:24:00.000-07:00

Ken and Lee's RV Adventures: Northern Door County
Really enjoy seeing the scenic pictures you posted. Can imagine, the clean, crisp air blowing over your faces. It must be a nice feeling. Goodluck with your adventures.

A Book On Kadazandusun - By Tan Sri Herman Luping

2009-08-10T19:29:00.000-07:00

A book entitled, Indigeneous Ethnic Communities Of Sabah: The Kadazandusun written by Tan Sri Herman Luping is timely. Himself a writer, Tan Sri was involved in a number of articles connected with North Borneo(Sabah's former name then), Sabah and Malaysia. Also, a living history, having witnessed the formation of Malaysia and later becoming politically active in it. Thus qualifying him to write this book.

Unity is of the utmost importance in a country's progress. What more, in a community! Because without unity, the positive force required, especially to develop the race would be dissipated. By infighting, etc.. It is better therefore to focus on planning and implementing programmes which have been made so that members of the race could benefit from them.

Afterall, the success of the country's development project should be translated into something tangible like raising the standard of living of the people concerned. It is not buildings, etc. that will benefit them. It is chicken, vegetatable and rice issue with extra money to buy the luxuries of life. These are what is needed in poverty stricken kampongs which can be found in many parts of Sabah.

So for the Kadazandusun and also for the other races, their leaders should therefore be attentive and alert to various ideas of how they could be applied in their respective communities. How to improve those in the poverty level and how to further improve those who are already above. These are no easy tasks. And it is important that any such programme should be result and income oriented.

This book will help the Kadazandusun and those in leadership to consolidate their racial identity as being one race. With the overall intention of making the Kadazandusun an economic force to be reckoned with in Malaysia. It is not impossible to do so. It is a positive possibility. But the leaders and the Kadazandusun people must see the common vision.

A vision of health and wealth that can only become a reality when leaders can introduce practical plans which will help to generate income for the people. Finally leaders will always be remembered for their revenue making ventures which have helped their race to earn good money. Thus providing their followers with economic stability.

It is unity and not disagreements that will bring growth to the people.

GOOD MORNING

2009-08-03T19:54:00.000-07:00

With appreciation to my friend, Gerry Perry for this article.

Life

is funny n twisted,
Sometimes u laugh,
Sometimes u cry,

But as long as I’m Ur friend,
I'll always b at the end of a prayer

Rather than a tear in Ur eye.

Open ur door when ur alone,
Open ur heart when u feel sad,

But don’t open ur hand when u need a friend,
Coz I'm already holding ur hand forever !

*You don't have to be afraid because Jesus is always by your side.

Hot Scams In Malaysia - Be Extra Careful

2009-08-01T15:10:00.000-07:00

With appreciation to my sister-inlaw, Yolanda M. for this article.

SCAMS

This information is meant for you to know and warn your family members and loved ones before they become victims. People got victimised by scams because they don’t know about it and they don’t know about it because those who knew about it did not share it. Here are some hot scams in Malaysia in brief :

The Cafe Scams
Island Red Cafe & Stevens Corner (strange, both in Pandan Indah) - Island Red Cafe collects members RM6,000 each and promised 5% return every month and even give you a name in the ROC as a shareholder but what’s the point when they run away? Stevens Corner, the famous Indian coffee shop follows due to drop of business since their renovation. They collect RM3,000 per member and promise return of RM150 monthly and plans to open nice fanchisee cafe called Stevens Tea Garden. Someone mentioned they will make you sign an agreement that give them the rights NOT to pay you anything in future. If you really wish to join, ask for a copy of their agreement and consult your lawyer BEFORE paying them. Bet you will NOT get a copy. Both collect monies from new members with MLM recruitment schemes and pay the old members like Sunshine Empire. You never know when they will run away.

Sunshine Empire
This licensed and legal Company has an impressive office at the ground level of KUB building along Jalan Yap Kwan Seng, near Menara Public Bank and AmBank Building. They also have a showroom office at the ground level in the next building. 2 or 3 months ago, Singapore’s Straits Times and The Paper published big news reminding their people to be careful and NOT to believe in them. Hope someone can put up the link or google for it. As expected, they STOPPED paying back members now and all investors LOST their money.

Someone below has put a link to the Singapore news. In fact there are more to it. Although Singapore is investigating them, they did not stop their business as the business is legal and so far, no Singaporean has failed to receive their commissions as promised. Thus, the government cannot stop them yet.

The news published that the founder, director and group president is someone named James Phang but he is NOT the owner. Isn’t this quite strange? At the end of the game, James Phang can just disappear from the Company easily and claimed that he was just “employed”. Such trick always happens in scam businesses.

Now, the Company has STOPPED paying commissions and interests to members with the excuse that the Singapore government has freezed their bank account while under investigation. Do you think their boss will be so stupid to keep much monies in the bank to be freezed? They are all transfered away. It’s just an excuse not to pay back to members and members are only paid “e-bonus-points” which is cashless. If they wish to convert to cash, they have to recruit new members to pay them cash and the recruiter less out from the amount. So victims act like Vampires and “forced” to victimise other victims if they wish to get their monies back. And their victims will later transform to vampires and the scam carries on…..

MOBILWALLET
This Company owned by 2 young men, Stanley & Rey Gan, office in Queens Avenue Park has collect multi-millions the last 2 years. Claimed that they tied up with Telekoms, Utility Board payment like Water & Electricity bills, even Maybank got fooled by them. Advertisement Billboards everywhere. They STOPPED paying back their members few months ago and the members cannot do anything because they are made to sign an agreement unaware that they have to claims if the company stopped paying them by CHANGING terms and policies.

Water businesses
Oxygenated and alkaline water products - Some of these are bottled water and some are filters or equipment that claimed the trick. One of the better known Company that sold “oxygen” water is SITO (supposed to stand for Selangor International Trading Organiszation and claimed Selangor State Government owned some share in it). The key person and founder is a Dato Robert Ong from Rawang but his name is no longer in the business now. Their products are sold for RM2 to RM3 for a 350ml bottle and now concentrating mostly in the Indian market. Their Chinese and Malays market are long gone since a year or 2 ago. Their customers are made to believe that their water has more oxygen and able to give miraculous effects for the body. Water is H2O, how to put more O into it? Anyone knows how much oxygen do we breathe into our body everyday at FOC? Latest news is that this SITO Company is going to create new label to market under a new Company since the SITO name has already gone bad. Someone informed that this Company is owing alot of money (due to refunds) to ex-stockists but just refuse to pay them.

(Latest news, SITO shifted to another place and their MLM business has closed but planning to start again with a different name, beware!!)

Alkaline Products - Can anyone explain how it can work for the body? The stomach’s gastric liquid is so acidic that water of any pH that goes through it will not make any difference.

Car Fuel Booster - K-Link
The famous scam MLM Company that sold the footpatch TAKARA, later the “cock-ring” and energy-card launched the patrol-saving pills last year. Got so hot that even grocery shops are selling for them. Recently many of these cars that used the pills are rushing to the workshops to clean the residual. Few months ago, another MLM Company launched a fuel booster gadget, claimed that saves up to 20% fuel that is attached to the cigarette lighter. Started off well using binary plan but businese begin to fade now and most users find it NOT effective.

Perfumery Products (eg Lampe Berger & Bel Air)
Lampe Berger is not so hot now in the neighbouring countries but there are still new victims every month in Malaysia. Must thanks to those who have contributed and kept the thread alive here in Kopitiam. Bel-Air have closed in Malaysia. LB is almost zero in Singapore. This perfumery product from France with over 100 years history is just bottles and fragrance (check the factory’s website) but the Company marketing them in Asia claimed “aromatheraphy” products. Hong Kong TVB aired a program that exposed their scam but their members claimed that HK’s TVB already apologised to them. Note that the biggest strength in a MLM Scam is their members will go all way out to lie in order to defend for their Company. The reason is simple; these members fear that they will not be able to make their money back if the Company collapsed. Knowing that the Lampe Berger products are moving slow, they add a line of skincare products named Estebel, also claim to have over 100 years history in France. (Hardly anymore Chinese newcomers, they are now tapping the Malays in Malaysia).

Energy Products (eg. stone pendants, bracelets, mattress and pillows)
They use all sorts of gimmicks and demonstration to make you into believing them. They will do some tricks and demo to prove that these products really produce energy BUT is there any tricks in their demo? So what if there really produce energy; is it good or strong enough to help the body? The effect is actually PLACEBO which I will elaborate in a new thread soon.

Hi-Tech products
Names like bio-tech, nano-tech that claimed millions of dollars of research involved, eg Bio-Young and XKL few years ago. Most of these will claimed a professor behind them (even with name and picture of a person) or used words like “U.S.A. formula”, “German Technology” or “Nanotechnology” and no further details. If you ask for more details like the professor or factory’s address, the answer will be “trade secrets”.

Investment Schemes
SWISSCASH is the King of all. Swisscash is nearly over now but there are many similar and smaller ones that are still on. Now, it’s closed or stopped paying back members.

GoldQuest
This Company that claimed to be HK-based started with some non-value gold-plated coins that are sold for over RM2,000 have several names and changed products several times - QuestVacation, QuestNet, etc. They have several offices in Amcorp Mall, PJ and their key person (in fact, the owner), a Malaysian Indian was arrested last year in Indonesia for having involved in a very big Phillipines scam. Most of their overseas offices are closed or inactive but their Malaysia business is still hot, with some “energy” products. Can someone please provide a link which showed the news that their boss was involved in a big scam in Philippines and was arrested in last year?

Visible - Numerology & Fortune telling
A Company named Visible is using MLM to sell fortune telling classes using your birthday based on Numerology fortune telling. Prospects will be told that they need to buy a certain “number” between 1 to 9 in the form of pendants or bracelets made of stainless steel and sold from RM600 to RM20,000. Customers or rather victims are mostly females from rural areas. Very hot in Penang now and a number of spin-off Companies have started.

MJ-Life
This Company boasts of a very big background with many many years of history which is NOT true. Their people or associates may be long in business but nothing to do with their MLM launched recently. Why do I consider it a scam or bad? New members are told to pay a sum of money (up to RM1000) and you get NOTHING for it. You only get a membership can entitle you to enjoy all sorts of special price and discounts when you have medical check-ups in their centres. They will claim all those check-ups cost more if done elsewhere. It’s not true. Only the naive and those new to medical check-ups will fall victims to them. Most members who paid the money ended up with nothing.

Seaweed Venture Scam
One such Company is located in Taman Maluri, Cheras. They will ask you to invest a few thousands ringgits for their venture of growing seaweeds in East Malaysia and you are guaranteed returns. To gain your confidence further, they will tell you your investment money is secured by “insurance” or “unit trusts” & “trustees”. When you ask for further documents to prove, they will give all sorts of excuses or just ignore you because they know they cannot get you. These Seaweed scam is one of the hottest now, warn all your friends about it before they are victimised.

MXM (previously MGM)
This is a master scam among the younger group, very successful 2 or 3 years ago but since there moved to their big 10-storey office at Phileo Damansara and changed name to MXM, their business dropped. They collect members RM3,000 to RM4,000 with credit card monthly easy payment and in return you get a hospital benefits insurance from Pacific Insurance worth only a few hundred RMs together with some you-don’t-need medical check-ups from their associate Company Pathlab. Also talk about fitness, lifestyles bullshit that is all worthless.

Gano Excel
This company from the north, a copycat of DXN selling Lingzhi capsules created a new Company called Gano iTouch to cash-in on the internet like e-Cosway after their Company went down the drain since the last 2 years, selling Linzhi and some no-value energy pendants and alkaline water gadgets. They provide free transport every weekend from KL to visit their Alor Star office.

NuLife(HK) - This Company started by some HK people has been in Malaysia for more than 10 years but they have flopped in HK and Malaysia due to bad management and a product scam making use of a prosecuted American named Dr Jeffrey Bland, found guilty of false products claim. Since this case in the US leaked out and many Malaysians found out that the real boss in HK is a Steven Tang (he cheated many Malaysians in another scheme about 20 years ago) their business went down all the way. Now they claim Malaysian partners cheated them and start a new Company in Malaysia. Watch out, this new Company will come out with some investment scheme idea that will get many to lose their money.

Arowana Fish Breeding

Oora from Germany, Biofuel (Kompleks Maluri) etc - These are some newer scams. Arowana fish venture ask you to invest some money and give you fixed return. Biofuel will tell you their Indonesia connections (just like Sunshine Empire before using Taiwan) & Oora from Germany (I never trust those cruel Germans) that market some bio-chips and a gadget that claims to give energy and therapeutic effects of accupunture, tai-chi, yoga, etc depending how you set the toy-like gadget, wear it on your body and you get the effect later. They could not explain or provide any demonstration to prove their effectiveness. Only doctors and papers claim that I will never trust. The health effect is actually PLACEBO.

How To Run A Business Using The Concept Of Correct Behavior

2009-08-01T06:40:00.000-07:00

With appreciation to my sister-inlaw, Yolanda M. for this article.

Robert Kuok Hock Nien's notes on the past sixty years(On the occasion of Kuok Group's 60th Anniversary 10 April 2009).

(1) My brothers and I owe our upbringing completely to Mother. She was steeped in Ru-Jiao – the teachings of Confucius, Mencius, Laozi and other Chinese sages. Ru-Jiao teaches the correct behaviour for a human being on his life on earth. Mother gently, and sometimes strongly, drummed into the minds of her three boys the values of honesty, of never cheating, lying, stealing or envying other people their material wealth or physical attributes.

(2) Father died on 25 December 1948 night without leaving a will. Following the Japanese surrender, he had re-registered the firm as a sole proprietorship. We went to court to get an appointment as managers, permitting us to continue to manage Tong Seng & Co. The judge said that, as there were two widows, the firm and the estate should be wound up.

(3) We decide to establish Kuok Brothers Limited. In mid-January 1949, five of us met at a small roundtable in our home in Johore Bahru. Present were my MOTHER, cousin number five HOCK CHIN, cousin number twelve HOCK SENG, my brother HOCK KHEE nicknamed Philip (a.k.a. cousin number seventeen), and myself (a.k.a. cousin number twenty). We sat down and Mother said, "Nien, would you like to start?" I said, "Fine, yes I will start." To cut the long story short, we got started, and commenced business from a little shop house in Johore Bharu on 1 April 1949.

(4) As a young man, I thought there was no substitute for hard work and thinking up good, honest business plans and, without respite, pushing them along. There will always be business on earth. Be humble; be straight; don't be crooked; don't take advantage of people. To be a successful businessman, I think you really need to brush all your senses every morning, just as you brush your teeth. I coined the phrase "honing your senses" in business: your vision, hearing, sense of smell, touch and taste. All these senses come in very useful.

(5) Mother was the captain of our ship. She saw and sensed everything, but being a wise person she didn't interfere. Yet she was the background influence, the glue that bound the Group together. She taught my cousins and my brothers and me never to be greedy, and that in making money one could practise high morality. She stressed that whenever the firm does well it should make donations to the charities operating in our societies. She always kept us focused on the big picture in business. For example: avoid businesses that bring harm, destruction or grief to people. This includes trades like gambling, drugs, arms sales, loan-sharking and prostitution.

(6) We started as little fish swimming in a bathtub. From there we went to a lake and now we are in the open seas. Today our businesses cover many industries and our operations are worldwide but this would not have been possible without the vision of the founding members, the dedicated contributions and loyalty of our colleagues and employees, and very importantly the strong moral principles espoused by my mother.

(7) When I hire staff I look for honest, hardworking, intelligent people. When I look candidates in the eye, they must appear very honest to me. I do not look for MBAs or exceptional students. You may hire a brilliant man, summa cum laude, first-class honours, but if his mind is not a fair one or if he has a warped attitude in life, does brilliance really matter?

(8) Among the first employees were Lau Teo Chin (Ee Wor), Kwok Chin Luang (Ee Luang), Othman Samad (Kadir) and an Indian accountant called Joachim who was a devout Roman Catholic and who travelled in every day from Singapore where he lived.

(9) I would like on this special occasion to pay tribute to them and in particular to those who were with us in the early days; many of whom are no longer here. I have already mentioned Lau Teo Chin (Ee Wor) and Kwok Chin Luang (Ee Luang) and Othman Samad (Kadir), there are others like Lean Chye Huat, who is not here today due to failing eyesight, and Yusuf Sharif who passed away in his home country India about one and a half years ago and the late Lee Siew Wah, and others who all gave solid and unstinting support and devotion to the Company. It saddens me that in those early difficult years these pioneers did not enjoy significant and substantial rewards but such is the order of things and a most unfortunate aspect of capitalism. However through our Group and employee Foundations, today we are able to help their descendants whenever there is a need to.

(10) I have learnt that the success of a company must depend on the unity of all its employees. We are all in the same boat rowing against the current and tide and every able person must pull the oars to move the boat forward. Also, we must relentlessly endeavour to maintain and practise the values of integrity and honesty, and eschew and reject greed and arrogance.

(11) A few words of caution to all businessmen and women. I recall the Chinese saying: shibai nai chenggong zhi mu (failure is the mother of success). But in the last thirty years of my business life, I have come to the conclusion that the reverse phrase is even truer of today's world: chenggong nai shibai zhi mu. Success often breeds failure, because it makes you arrogant, complacent and, therefore, lower your guard.

(12) The way forward for this world is through capitalism. Even China has come to realise it. But it's equally true that capitalism, if allowed to snowball along unchecked, can in many ways become destructive. Capitalism needs to be inspected under a magnifying glass once a day, a super-magnifying glass once a week, and put through the cleaning machine once a month.
In capitalism, man needs elements of ambition and greed to drive him. But where does ambition end and greed take over? That's why I say that capitalism, if left to its own devices, will snowball along, roll down the hill and cause a lot of damage. So a sound capitalist system requires very strongly led, enlightened, wise governments. That means politician-statesmen willing to sacrifice their lives for the sake of their people. I don't mean politicians who are there for fame, glory and to line their pockets.

(13) To my mind the two great challenges facing China are the restoration of education in morals and the establishment of a rule of law. You must begin from the root up, imbuing and infusing moral lessons and morality into youth, both at home and from kindergarten and primary school upward through university. Every Chinese needs to accept the principle of rule of law; then you have to train upright judges and lawyers to uphold the legal system.

(14) Wealth should be used for two main purposes. One: for the generation of greater wealth; in other words, you continue to invest, creating prosperity and jobs in the country. Two: part of your wealth should be applied to the betterment of mankind, either by acts of pure philanthropy or by investment in research and development along the frontiers of science, space, health care and so forth.

Amazing Love

2009-08-01T06:03:00.000-07:00

With appreciation to my friend, James L. for this article.

Amazing Love---that Thou my God should die for me!

The passages below are taken from Erwin W. Lutzer’s book “Cries from the Cross” published in 2002 by Moody Press.

“My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?”
Matthew 27:46 NIV

Only at the cross can we see the love of God without ambiguity. Here is His farthest reach, His most ambitious rescue effort. God personally came to our side of the chasm, willing to suffer for us and with us. At Golgotha His love burst upon the world with unmistakable clarity and brilliance. Here at last we have reason to believe that there was a genuine meeting between God and man
At the cross, God’s inflexible holiness and boundless love collided, and with a cry of anguish, we were redeemed. Here is sin with all of its horror and grace with all of its wonder. The first three cries from the cross were uttered in daylight. But now nature shrouded the suffering of its Creator with darkness. This cry of dereliction, as it is called, was appropriately the middle of the seven sayings, the one that leads us into the mystery of our suffering God.
“My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” (Matthew 27:46; Mark 15:34 NIV).
Before we meditate on these words, we must take a moment to make sure that we do not misunderstand the relationship between the Father and the Son. Because we are going to speak about God the Son offering a sacrifice to God the Father, we might give the impression that a benevolent Son persuaded a reluctant Father to do something about the plight of humanity and He grudgingly agreed.
Not so.
The Scriptures do say that Christ was “stricken by God, smitten by him, and afflicted” (Isaiah 53:4 NIV), and again, “Yet it was the LORD’s will to crush him and cause him to suffer” (v. 10), but the image of an angry God exacting every ounce of payment from a submissive Christ can distort our understanding of the Almighty. If we are not careful, we can think of the Son as loving and the Father as cruel and harsh.
Such a notion flounders in the face of God’s love. Indeed, the saving work of Christ originated in the heart of the Father. The best-known verse in the Bible teaches that “God so loved the world” (John 3:16 NIV). And Zechariah said that Christ came “because of the tender mercy of our God” (Luke 1:78 NIV). Salvation came to us because our Father is a redeeming God who loves us. The Father and the Son took the initiative of redemption together.
John Stott wrote:

We must not, then, speak of God punishing Jesus or of Jesus persuading God, for to do so is to set them over against each other as if they acted independently of each other or were even in conflict with each other.

The Father did not lay on the Son an ordeal he was reluctant to bear, nor did the Son extract from the Father a salvation he was reluctant to bestow.1

Christ did not die to make the Father loving, for He loved us from the foundation of the world. The will of the Father and the will of the Son coincided in the perfect self-sacrifice of love. If the Father turned away from the Son at the cross, it was because they agreed it must be so to purchase our redemption. It was a horrid necessity.
Nor should we misrepresent the Trinity as we approach this sacred cry. When Jesus cried, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” we should not think that the Father and the Son became separated in their “being” or “essence.” In other words, when the Father forsook the Son, the Trinity did not divide in two. This was a break in fellowship, not a breach of the fundamental unity of the Father and the Son.
Now we again approach the cross and hear this cry of Jesus. Here all of the forces of the universe converge: Man did his work by killing the Son of God and revealing the evil of his heart; Satan did his work by bruising the seed of the woman and displaying his foolish hostility; Jesus did a work, for He died, “the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God” (1 Peter 3:18 KJV); and, finally, God did a work by exhibiting His justice and love when His wrath was poured out on His Son.2
If God is to bless us, He must turn His back upon Himself. Surely, we must approach the cross with wonder.

THE WONDER OF THE DARKNESS
According to Jewish custom, a new day began at 6:00 in the morning. So when we read that Jesus was crucified at the third hour, we understand this to be at 9:00 A.M. So for three hours He hung in the morning sunlight; but then at the sixth hour, that is, at midday, darkness spread over the land. “From the sixth hour until the ninth hour darkness came over all the land” (Matthew 27:45 NIV). At high noon, the world became dark There had been three hours of light, but now there would be three hours of dark ness. This was not an eclipse; the sun was obscured by a supernatural act of God.
Why night, at noon?
Darkness is always associated with the judgment of God for great sin. Here we see the judgment of God against the evil men who treated His Son with cruel contempt; and, in a profound sense, we stand condemned with them, for it was our sins that put Jesus on the cross. Should we ever love sin, we would love the very evil that caused nails to be driven through our Savior’s hands and feet. Just as we would abhor the knife that was used to murder a child, so we should abhor the sin that caused Jesus to die. Darkness came because of the collective guilt of us all.
But there is another reason for the darkness. It represents the judgment of the Father against His Son. In those hours of darkness, Jesus became legally guilty of our sin, and for that He was judged. Think of it: legally guilty of genocide child abuse, alcoholism, murder, adultery, homosexual activity, greed, and the like. How appropriate that when the Sinless One was “made sin for us,” the event was veiled from human eyes.
Recall that, in Egypt, the last plague before the Passover was a “darkness that can be felt” (Exodus 10:21). Now, just before this Passover lamb was slain, darkness covered the world like a blanket. Only when He died did light return.

Well might the sun in darkness hide,

And shut his glories in,

When Christ, the Great Maker died

For man, the creature’s sin.3

Now we probe even further into the relationship between Father and Son.

THE WONDER OF THE QUESTION
“My God, My God, why have you forsaken me?”
What a contrast with His previous experience with the Father!
In the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus has a God who strengthens Him; on the cross, He has a God who turns away from Him. In Gethsemane, He can call twelve legions of angels who would have been quick to deliver Him; on the cross, He cries to God, who refuses deliverance. Previously, He said the Father has not left Him alone; now, the Father has turned His face. In Gethsemane, the Son was tempted to forsake the Father; on the cross, the Father forsook the Son.4
Let us analyze the question.
Only here, in the Gospel record, does Jesus address His Father as “God.” This change of address signified the break in fellowship between Father and Son. At this moment, the Father did not seem to be acting like a Father. The suffering of the Son was intolerable enough, but to endure it without the Father’s presence magnified the horror.
This cry is so difficult for us to accept that some have suggested that the Father did not really forsake the Son, but Jesus only felt forsaken. But we must give the words their plain meaning. Calvin was right in saying that Christ’s soul had also to feel the full effects of judgment. “If Christ had died only a bodily death, it would have been ineffectual. . . . Unless his soul had shared in the punishment, he would have been the redeemer of bodies alone.” In consequence, “he paid a greater and more excellent price in suffering in his soul the terrible torments of a condemned and forsaken man.” Make no mistake: This was a real abandonment by the Father.
Forsaken. It is a powerful word. A man forsaken by his friends. A wife forsaken by her husband. A creature forsaken by his creator. A son forsaken by his father. This Son had been the object of the Father’s love from all eternity; the Father’s presence was His only delight. The hiding of His Father’s face was the most bitter sip of the cup of sorrow He chose to drink.
But did He suffer only as man, or did He suffer as God? Was the divine nature passive while the Father was accepting the payment that was being made on that dark day in Jerusalem?
Dennis Ngien has argued that a God who cannot suffer is a God who cannot love. If God cannot feel the pain of His people, we might be tempted to say that God is indifferent to our plight. “God suffers,” wrote Dennis Ngien, “because God wills to love.”5
Perhaps Bonhoeffer was right when he wrote from prison, “Only the suffering God can help [us].”6
If only the humanity of Christ suffered at the cross, then there was no real Incarnation. Indeed, it might lead to the conclusion that only a man died on the cross, not the God-man. He could not suffer as man without His divine nature suffering too. Nor can I believe that the Father remained passive and unmoved. As parents, we know that if we watched our son die he would not be the only one suffering. Even so, our heavenly Father felt the pain of His beloved Son. God had to turn His back upon Himself, that He might pay the penalty for our sin.
Keep in mind that the Father was not forced to suffer because of circumstances beyond His control. God chose to suffer. He chose to redeem humanity through the suffering of His Son. The Father chose to be accepted by some people and rejected by others. He suffered because He willed it so. He had before Him an indefinite number of possible worlds---worlds in which there was no Fall, no sin, no need of redemption. Yet He chose this plan with its injustice and pain. We are invited to believe that, looked at from eternity, this plan was best.
If we as redeemed sinners think it terrifying to be forsaken by God, think of the grief of the Son, who was with the Father from all eternity; think of Him being forsaken! His holiness was in contact with impurity of every kind. And yet, even in this cry, there is hope and trust. He says, “My God, my God . . .” He still called God “My God”; the Father still belonged to Him. The sweet communion was gone, but the Son had the full knowledge that the Father’s presence would return. The withdrawal of the Father’s presence did not mean the withdrawal of His love. At the end of the dark tunnel was light; in a few hours He would say, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit” (Luke 23:46).
“This was a cry of distress but not of distrust,” wrote Pink. “God had withdrawn from Him, but mark how His soul still cleaves to God.”7 The anguish cannot be captured in words. No wonder when Luther contemplated this text, he agonized over the mystery and exclaimed, “God forsaking God, no man can understand that!?”
Yes, the darkness reminds us of the horror and the mystery. A mystery no man can understand.

THE WONDER OF THE SILENCE
“My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”
The cry rings out to a silent heaven.
Two thousand years before this, Abraham was asked to kill his son Isaac on an altar at the top of Moriah, but just as his knife was raised to the sky, Jehovah intervened. “Do not lay a hand on the boy. . .Do not do anything to him. Now I know that you fear God, because you have not withheld from me your son, your only son” (Genesis 22:12 NIV). So Isaac’s life was spared. But the voice that called out on Moriah is now silent at Calvary.
So why was the Son forsaken by the Father?
The angels, no doubt, searched for an answer, for they have a deep interest in those matters that pertain to our salvation (1 Peter 1:12 NIV). The Pharisees standing at a distance from the cross would not have been able to give an answer. The priests would not understand; nor would the Roman soldiers. Just so today, many people do not understand why God would forsake anyone, especially the Son whom He dearly loves.
That the sum of all perfection should be forsaken by the Father; that the One in whom is all the fullness of the Godhead should not see the Father’s face---for this there must be a grand reason. And we find the reason in Psalm 22 (NKJV). “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from helping me, and from the words of my groaning? 0 my God, I cry in the daytime, but you do not hear; And in the night season, and am not silent. But You are holy, enthroned in the praises of Israel” (v.1-3 emphasis added).
The Father forsook the Son because His holiness required it. The prophet Nahum asked a question that needed to be answered: “Who can withstand his indignation? Who can endure his fierce anger? His wrath is poured out like fire; the rocks are shattered before him” (Nahum 1:6 NIV). Only Jesus could withstand the indignation of the Father against sin; only Jesus could take the wrath we so richly deserved.
Keep in mind that Jesus was regarded by His enemies as a great sinner, but the Father regarded Him as doubly so. Or, more accurately, the Father regarded Him as the One who bore upon His shoulders the sin of many; thus He was reckoned as One guilty of heinous crimes. He was cursed in our place, that we might be set free. “Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, for it is written: ‘Cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree” (Galatians 3:13). Visualize Jesus covered with that which is evil; visualize your sin laid upon His chest.
Might it not be (we can only speculate) that if Jesus died to deliver from an infinite hell all those who would believe on Him---might it not be that His suffering on the cross was, in some sense, “infinite”? Surely He endured the suffering of hell, for hell is darkness, abandonment, and being forsaken by God. If so, the horror of what He experienced is beyond us.
Let us suppose that Jesus was just a man; a perfect man but nothing more. He could only make a sacrifice for one other person. But Jesus was a sacrifice for many people, so He had to compress an eternity of hell into three hours. As best we can, we must grasp that this was infinite suffering for the infinite Son of God. There was no way to transfer sin without transferring its penalty. To put it plainly, He was receiving what was due us. The wrath of the Father burned toward the Son once the reckoning was made. Indescribable sin was in contact with infinite holiness and infinite justice.
Now we can better understand why it was midnight at midday. The physical darkness was symbolic of Christ’s separation from the Father, who is Light. Just as the wicked are thrown into “outer darkness,” so the Son bore the darkness of our hell. Stott wrote, “Our sins blotted out the sunshine of his Father’s face.”8 Look at these hours on the cross and you are looking into hell: darkness, loneliness, and abandonment by God. This explains the cup He would have preferred not to drink. Throughout His lifetime He suffered at the hands of men; at specified times He suffered at the hands of Satan. But now He suffered at the hands of God.
He was abandoned to outer darkness that we might walk in the light.

THE WONDER OF THE HUMAN HEART
Once more let us recreate the scene at Golgotha. The jeering crowd became plaintive and restless during the three hours of darkness. We might expect that they would be stricken with fear, anxiously wondering whether daylight would ever return. Perhaps this was the Son of God after all.
What was their response? “When some of those standing there heard this, they said, ‘He’s calling Elijah’” (Matthew 27:47 NIV). One man, as an expression of sympathy, got a sponge, filled it with wine and vinegar, put it on a reed, and offered it to Him. But as for the rest, they sarcastically said, “Now leave him alone. Let’s see if Elijah comes to save him” (v. 49). I doubt that they misunderstood His words. Matthew actually records the Aramaic version of Jesus’ words, which would have been known to the people milling about the cross. The comment about Elijah was made in derision.
The Jews present should have known that the cry, “My God,” was a quotation from Psalm 22:1. The rest of this psalm describes in detail the ordeal of crucifixion. The Jews did not use crucifixion but stoned those deemed worthy of capital punishment. Yet as further proof of the trustworthiness of Scripture, crucifixion and not stoning is predicted as the means by which the Messiah would die.
I ask, What would it have taken for these people to come to their senses and accept Jesus as the Son of God? But then I must ask, What will it take for people I know to come to their senses about Christ? Today, as then, men and women harden their hearts against what seems most obvious to those who are open to the truth. The credentials of Christ can be seen by all who care to see. The more light that is given, the harder the human heart must become to reject it.

TRANSFORMING LESSONS
We dare not leave this heartfelt cry from our Savior’s lips without savoring its implications for our understanding and worship.
The first purpose of the cross was not for us, but for God. Yes, Jesus shed His blood for us, but it is even more true to say that He shed His blood for the Father. When the blood was sprinkled on the door-posts of the houses in Egypt, it was put there for the benefit of the families, but it was also put there for God. Jehovah said, “When I see the blood, I will pass over you” (Exodus 12:13 NIV). Whether the members of the family had committed great sins or lesser ones, it mattered not; when the Angel of Death saw the blood, the house was exempt from judgment.
Christ’s death was a “sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling savour” (Ephesians 5:2 KJV). Paul says that Christ died to demonstrate God’s justice (Romans 3:25 NIV). God had fellowship with Old Testament saints, though there had not been a final reckoning of their sin. It might appear as if He had lowered His standards, overlooking their transgressions. So Jesus had to die to demonstrate that God is just. He could not overlook the sins of even His closest friends (such as Abraham). Thus the suffering of the Son was planned by the Father. As John Piper wrote, “Never before or since has there been such suffering, because, in all its dreadful severity, it was a suffering by design. It was planned by God the Father and embraced by the Son.”9
There is a story about a man who was brought before a judge for speeding. The fine was assessed at a hundred dollars, but the man had no money to pay. In sheer sympathy the judge did what he did not have to do. He left the bench, laid aside his robe, stood by the defendant, took out a hundred-dollar bill and laid it on the table. Then he returned to put on his robe, walked back up the stairs to his desk, leaned over, took the one hundred-dollar bill he had laid down, and said to the defendant, “Thank you. You may go free.” Just so, God the Son made a payment to God the Father for those who would accept the gift of eternal life.
I’m told that in an Italian church there is a picture of the Crucifixion with a vast shadowy figure behind the portrait of Christ. The nail that pierces the hand of Jesus goes through the hand of God. The spear thrust into the side of Jesus goes through into God’s. Luther said that if it is not true that God died for us, but only a man died, then we are lost.
In one of my favorite hymns, Charles Wesley wrote words that cannot be excelled for their understanding of the cross and breadth of theology:

And can it be that I should gain

An interest in the Saviour’s blood?

Died He for me, who caused His pain?

For me, who Him to death pursued?

Amazing love! how can it be

That Thou, my God, shouldst die for me?”10

That Thou my God shouldst die for me! Of course, God cannot die, if by death we mean some form of annihilation. But if death is defined as separation (for us the separation of the spirit and the body), then God died in the sense that the Son was separated from the Father. “God, dying for man,” wrote P. T. Forsyth, “I am not afraid of the phrase; I cannot do without it. God dying for men; and for such men---hostile, malignantly hostile men” Forsyth continued: “[God] must either inflict punishment or assume it. And he chose the latter course.”11
Let us remember that He was forsaken by God that we might be accepted by Him. Let us hold to this promise: “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you” (Hebrews 13:5 NIV). Paul assured us that nothing shall separate us from the love of Christ (Romans 8:3539 NIV).
Jesus went through darkness that we might have light. He was cursed that we might be blessed. He was condemned that we might be able to say, “Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus” (Romans 8:1 NIV). He suffered hell for us so that we can enjoy heaven with Him. “He entered the awful Darkness,” wrote Pink, “that I might walk in the Light; He drank the cup of woe that I might drink the cup of joy; He was forsaken that I might be forgiven!”22 Sin, like a loathsome serpent, clung to Him, but He bore the sting for us. We can hide behind the wall of His grace and know that we are safe from wrath.
“Without the cross,” wrote Spurgeon, “there would have been a wound for which there was no ointment, a pain for which there was no balm.”13 Sin always exacts a payment. Either Jesus bears our sin, or we do. If the Father turned His face away from His beloved Son when He was regarded as a sinner, we can be sure that the Father will turn away from every sinner who stands before the Judgment Bar on his own merits. We are either saved by His rejection or we must bear our own rejection for all of eternity. If those who are in hell should cry, “Why have You forsaken me?” heaven shall remain silent, for they receive the just recompense for their deeds.
Paul described the future horrid experience of those who do not find shelter beneath the work of Jesus on the cross: “They will be punished with everlasting destruction and shut out from the presence of the Lord and from the majesty of his power” (2 Thessalonians 1:9 NIV). Try to visualize eternal separation from Him who is the fount of all beauty and goodness, the One who is the source of life and love. Christ will say, “I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!” (Matthew 7:23 NIV).
A man who had no regard for God lay dying in a small cabin. As his final breaths approached, he asked his daughter to blow out the candle that was on the table. She said, “No, Daddy, you can’t die in the dark.” But he replied, “Yes, I will die in the dark.” He died as he had lived. Live in darkness; die in darkness.
For those who die in Christ, the darkness has passed. “God is light; in him there is no darkness at all” (1 John 1:5 NIV). Live in light; die in light. No wonder we worship. No wonder we submit. No wonder we serve. I’m glad Charles Wesley did not back down from the bold assertion:

Amazing love! how can it be

That Thou, my God, shouldst die for me? (87-104)

Choices.... A Stunning Story

2009-07-26T22:18:00.000-07:00

With appreciation to my friend, Datuk Peter A. for this article

Choices.... a stunning story
What would you do?....you make the choice. Don't look for a punch line, there isn't one. Read it anyway. My question is: Would you have made the same choice?

At a fundraising dinner for a school that serves children with learning disabilities, the father of one of the students delivered a speech that would never be forgotten by all who attended. After extolling the school and its dedicated staff, he offered a question:

'When not interfered with by outside influences, everything nature does, is done with perfection. Yet my son, Shay, cannot learn things as other children do. He cannot understand things as other children do. Where is the natural order of things in my son?'
The audience was stilled by the query. The father continued. 'I believe that when a child like Shay, who was mentally and physically disabled comes into the world, an opportunity to realize true human nature presents itself, and it comes in the way other people treat that child.' Then he told the following story: Shay and I had walked past a park where some boys Shay knew were playing baseball. Shay asked, 'Do you think they'll let me play?' I knew that most of the boys would not want someone like Shay on their team, but as a father I also understood that if my son were allowed to play, it would give him a much-needed sense of belonging and some confidence to be accepted by others in spite of his handicaps. I approached one of the boys on the field and asked (not expecting much) if Shay could play. The boy looked around for guidance and said, 'We're losing by six runs and the game is in the eighth inning. I guess he can be on our team and we'll try to put him in to bat in the ninth inning.' Shay struggled over to the team's bench and, with a broad smile, put on a team shirt. I watched with a small tear in my eye and warmth in my heart. The boys saw my joy at my son being accepted. In the bottom of the eighth inning, Shay's team scored a few runs but was still behind by three. In the top of the ninth inning, Shay put on a glove and played in the right field. Even though no hits came his way, he was obviously ecstatic just to be in the game and on the field, grinning from ear to ear as I waved to him from the stands. In the bottom of the ninth inning, Shay's team scored again. Now, with two outs and the bases loaded, the potential winning run was on base and Shay was scheduled to be next at bat. At this juncture, do they let Shay bat and give away their chance to win the game? Surprisingly, Shay was given the bat. Everyone knew that a hit was all but impossible because Shay didn't even know how to hold the bat properly, much less connect with the ball.

However, as Shay stepped up to the plate, the pitcher, recognizing that the other team was putting winning aside for this moment in Shay's life, moved in a few steps to lob the ball in softly so Shay could at least make contact.

The first pitch came and Shay swung clumsily and missed. The pitcher again took a few steps forward to toss the ball softly towards Shay. As the pitch came in, Shay swung at the ball and hit a slow ground ball right back to the pitcher.

The game would now be over. The pitcher picked up the soft grounder and could have easily thrown the ball to the first baseman. Shay would have been out and that would have been the end of the game. Instead, the pitcher threw the ball right over the first baseman's head, out of reach of all team mates. Everyone from the stands and both teams started yelling, 'Shay, run to first! Run to first!'

Never in his life had Shay ever run that far, but he made it to first base. He scampered down the baseline, wide-eyed and startled. Everyone yelled, 'Run to second, run to second!' Catching his breath, Shay awkwardly ran towards second, gleaming and struggling to make it to the base. By the time Shay rounded towards second base, the right fielder had the ball. The smallest guy on their team who now had his first chance to be the hero for his team.

He could have thrown the ball to the second-baseman for the tag, but he understood the pitcher's intentions so he, too, intentionally threw the ball high and far over the third-baseman's head. Shay ran toward third base deliriously as the runners ahead of him circled the bases toward home. All were screaming, 'Shay, Shay, Shay, all the Way Shay'. Shay reached third base because the opposing shortstop ran to help him by turning him in the direction of third base, and shouted, 'Run to third! Shay, run to third!' As Shay rounded third, the boy from both teams, and the spectators, were on their feet screaming, 'Shay, run home! Run home!'

Shay ran to home, stepped on the plate, and was cheered as the hero who hit the grand slam and won the game for his team. 'That day', said the father softly with tears now rolling down his face, 'the boys from both teams helped bring a piece of true love and humanity into this world'. Shay didn't make it to another summer. He died that winter, having never forgotten being the hero and making me so happy, and coming home and seeing his Mother tearfully embrace her little hero of the day!

Miracle Of The Eucharist

2009-07-25T01:13:00.000-07:00

With appreciation to my friend John P. for this article

Nun says the greatest miracle happens daily in the Eucharist.
The crowd came to see her in person - to experience her wisdom of healing and miracles first hand.
"The greatest miracle that happens every day is the Holy Eucharist," said Sister Briege McKenna, O.S.C. to the crowd gathered at Resurrection Catholic Church in June.
Sr. McKenna, an internationally known minister of healing, is well-known for her love of Christ's presence in the Eucharist and her belief in healing miracles.
Originally from Ireland, Sister McKenna now lives in Tampa, where she became intimately connected with the power of healing. At age 17, shortly after arriving in Tampa to teach, she became crippled by the onset of rheumatoid arthritis. She wore plaster casts and lived in constant pain. By age 23 she was taking 30 pills a day and receiving shots of cortisone.
But she didn't pray for healing or a miracle.
"People go through crises, but not all crises are bad," Sister McKenna said. "God sometimes stops you and says, 'What are you doing?'
Nun says the greatest miracle happens daily in the Eucharist

The crowd came to see her in person - to experience her wisdom of healing and miracles first hand.
"The greatest miracle that happens every day is the Holy Eucharist," said Sister Briege McKenna, O.S.C. to the crowd gathered at Resurrection Catholic Church in June.
Sr. McKenna, an internationally known minister of healing, is well-known for her love of Christ's presence in the Eucharist and her belief in healing miracles.
Originally from Ireland, Sister McKenna now lives in Tampa, where she became intimately connected with the power of healing. At age 17, shortly after arriving in Tampa to teach, she became crippled by the onset of rheumatoid arthritis. She wore plaster casts and lived in constant pain. By age 23 she was taking 30 pills a day and receiving shots of cortisone.
But she didn't pray for healing or a miracle.

"People go through crises, but not all crises are bad," Sister McKenna said. "God sometimes stops you and says, 'What are you doing?'"
She admits, although she was a nun, even she began to doubt her faith. But one day, something happened. At the age of 24, she believes she was miraculously and instantaneously healed during the celebration of the Eucharist and some time later she received, in prayer, the gift of healing.
"I'd love to take the credit. I know Jesus did something special for you," her doctor proclaimed on a follow-up visit.
"What good is it to have a healthy body and a sick soul? Worries, anxieties, depression - Jesus showed me incurable illnesses can be healed. If you seek him, you will find him," Sister McKenna said.
In her first year of ministry, a man told her that he didn't believe in her gift of healing. Sister McKenna replied, "Believe in Jesus. That's all that matters."
She recounted a story of "Cindy". Driving home after a funeral, Sister McKenna realized the car behind was following her. When the nun's car finally came to a stop, a young woman jumped out of the other car and ran to Sister McKenna asking, "Do you know Sister Briege? Do you? I'm desperately looking for her. She has to heal me."
Cindy explained she had read "Miracles Do Happen" by Sister McKenna and hoped if she found her, the nun would heal her.
"If I can just touch Sister Briege, I know I'll be healed," Cindy said.
After introducing herself to Cindy, Sister McKenna explained that she was not the one who healed. She took Cindy to the chapel and said, "Now look, Cindy, there's Jesus."
But Cindy said it was just a symbol. Sister McKenna replied, "That's the same Jesus. He's not a 'thing'. He's a living person and we need to just touch Jesus with this expectant faith."
Cindy shared her life story with Sister McKenna, including the fact that her parents stopped taking the children to Mass after their first Communion.
Sister McKenna told her to find a priest who could give her absolution. Cindy pledged to attend Mass daily and receive Communion. She vowed also to pray for herself and her parents.
Two months later when Sister McKenna returned from speaking engagements, her fellow sisters told her a man was in the garden waiting for her.
When they met, he said, "I just came to be where my daughter was." He was Cindy's father and he wanted Sister McKenna to know that Cindy was free of cancer and the family had returned to the faith.
"God will have his way," Sister McKenna told the audience.
Many people have shared similar feelings after reading, "Miracles Do Happen." Andrea Corbett of Bronx, N.Y. called The Florida Catholic offices last month in a desperate search for Sr. McKenna. She had also read the book.
Corbett came across the book when searching for a gift for her brother. "The saleslady said, 'You will need this more than he.'"
After reading the book, Corbett said, "I had a dream. Jesus told me to call her. He said she can help me with a healing."
"You will see changes if you make the Eucharist the center of your life," Sister McKenna said.
When she speaks of the Eucharist, she also extols the dignity and holiness of the priestly ministry.
"The Mass is a shadow of Jesus standing in the person of the priest. Acting on that altar, the priest prays every day to the Holy Spirit and Jesus says every day, 'It is me. Believe in me,'" she said.

Michael Jackson - Cause Celebre Not Only In The Entertainment World But Also In The Field Of Law

2009-07-24T20:34:00.000-07:00

Michael Jackson is not only creating waves in the entertainment world but also in the field of law. Cause celebre in both cases. Unusual indeed! Yes. It seems that there is more than meet the eyes concerning his death. There are claims that he had been given drugs which only authorised doctors are supposed to give . And can only be prescribed within the hospital environments. Not outside. Not in the home either.

This drug is so powerful that it should be properly monitored once taken by the patient. To ensure that there are no side-effects. If there are, life saving procedures will be activated instantaneously utilising all the necessary facilities of the hospital. As mentioned in the media, a doctor was with Jackson when he collapsed on that fateful day.

The million dollar question is, knowing the nature of the drugs concerned and its deadly effect if not prescribed within clinical surroundings, why were such medications still given to Michael? What factors induced the doctor to do so? How was it possible for a person who is not licensed to provide such type of treatment be able to get substance like that? These are pertinent questions that need answers.

Were there unseen hands directing this scenario? Considering that Michael Jackson is involved in a multi million dollar project. His return as a mega entertainer, starting with a series of concert in London. Did parties to this enterprise wanted to make sure that even if his health is not up to par, Michael needed to be propped up whatever the consequences? Just to make sure, the show would go on.

Tickets for all ten concerts had been sold out. Failure to proceed would mean the loss of million of dollars. Health is therefore not a consideration in this equation. So, did he fall into the hands of people who wanted to profit from this venture without considering Michael's health first. A likelihood as very substantial amount of money are involved.

Or did Jackson by his own choice, persuaded the doctor to supply him the drugs as he required them to overcome pains in his body. Such a possibility cannot be ruled out too. For he has been knowm to use medication in the past to give himself relief.

Whatever it is, it will be a continuing saga until all the issues in the Michael Jackson story are resolved.

The Way A Situation Is Described Can Influence People's Reaction

2009-07-20T01:35:00.000-07:00

With appreciation to my sister-inlaw, Veronica M. for sharing this article.

A blind boy

A blind boy sat on the steps of a building with a hat by his feet. He held up a sign which said: 'I am blind, please help.' There were only a few coins in the hat. A man was walking by. He took a few coins from his pocket and dropped them into the hat. He then took the sign, turned it around, and wrote some words. He put the sign back so that everyone who walked by would see the new words. Soon the hat began to fill up. A lot more people were giving money to the blind boy.

That afternoon the man who had changed the sign came to see how things were. The boy recognized his footsteps and asked, 'Were you the one who changed my sign this morning? What did you write?' The man said, 'I only wrote the truth. I said what you said but in a different way.' What he had written was: 'Today is a beautiful day and I cannot see it.'

Do you think the first sign and the second sign were saying the same thing? Of course both signs told people the boy was blind. But the first sign simply said the boy was blind. The second sign told people they were so lucky that they were not blind. Should we be surprised that the second sign was more effective?

Moral of the Story: Be thankful for what you have. Be creative. Be innovative. Think differently and positively.. Invite others towards good with wisdom. Live life with no excuse and love with no regrets. When life gives you a 100 reasons to cry, show life that you have 1000 reasons to smile.

Face your past without regret. Handle your present with confidence. Prepare for the future without fear. Keep the faith and drop the fear. Great men say, 'Life has to be an incessant process of repair and reconstruction, of discarding evil and developing goodness….

In the journey of life, if you want to travel without fear, you must have the ticket of a good conscience.' The most beautiful thing is to see a person smiling… And even more beautiful is, knowing that you are the reason behind it!!

Why Go To Church

2009-07-19T22:50:00.000-07:00

With appreciation to my friend, Tommie L. for this article.

Why Go To Church?A Church goer wrote a letter to the editor of a newspaper and complained that it made no sense to go to church every Sunday. "I've gone for 30 years now," he wrote, "and in that time I have heard something like 3,000 sermons. But for the life of me, I can't remember a single one of them. So, I think I'm wasting my time and the pastors are wasting theirs by giving sermons at all."

This started a real controversy in the "Letters to the Editor" column, much to the delight of the editor. It went on for weeks until someone wrote this clincher: "I've been married for 30 years now. In that time my wife has cooked some 32,000 meals. But, for the life of me, I cannot recall the entire menu for a single one of those meals.. But I do know this ... They all nourished me and gave me the strength I needed to do my work.

If my wife had not given me these meals, I would be physically dead today. Likewise, if I had not gone to church for nourishment, I would be spiritually dead today!" When you are DOWN to nothing.... God is UP to something! Faith sees the invisible, believes the incredible and receives the impossible! Thank God for our physical and spiritual nourishment!

What Do You Do If You Have A Heart Attack - Self CPR

2009-07-16T05:07:00.000-07:00

With appreciation to my sister-inlaw, Veronica M. for sharing this article.

What are you to do if you have a heart attack While you are alone. If you've already received this, It means people care about you. The Johnson City Medical Center staff actually Discovered this and did an in-depth study on it in our ICU. The two individuals that discovered this then did an article on it, had it published and have had it incorporated into ACLS and CPR classes.. It is very true and has and does work. It is called cough CPR. A cardiologist says it's the truth if everyone who gets this sends it to 10 people, you can bet that we'll save at least one life. It could save your life!

Let's say it's 6:15 p.m. And you're driving home (alone of course), after an usually hard day on the job. You're really tired, upset and frustrated. Suddenly you start experiencing severe pain in your chest that starts to radiate out into your arm and up into your jaw. You are only about five miles from the hospital nearest your home. Unfortunately you don't know if you'll be able to make it that far. What can you do? You've been trained in CPR but the guy that taught the course didn't tell you what to do if it happened to yourself.

Since many people are alone when they suffer a heart attack, this article seemed to be in order. Without help, the person whose heart is beating improperly and who begins to feel faint, has only about 10 seconds left before losing consciousness. However, these victims can help themselves by coughing repeatedly and very vigorously. A deep breath should be taken before each cough, and the cough must be deep and prolonged, as when producing sputum from deep inside the chest. A breath and a cough must be repeated about every two seconds without let up until help arrives, or until the heart is felt to be beating normally again. Deep breaths get oxygen into the lungs and coughing movements squeeze the heart and keep the blood circulating. The squeezing pressure on the heart also helps it regain normal rhythm... In this way, heart attack victims can get to a hospital.

Tell as many other people as possible about this, it could save their lives!

From Health Cares, Rochester General Hospital via Chapter 240s newsletter

'AND THE BEAT GOES ON ' (reprint from The Mended Hearts, Inc. Publication,

Heart Response)

Why Do I Need God In My Life

2009-07-15T06:55:00.000-07:00

The answer is, I am God's creation. When I look at an invention, I think of the creator. He is the one who created the machine, take as an example the car. The car would not be able to come into the world by itself. Therefore it has to depend on somebody. And the inventor is the one who made it possible.

If the maker is not around, then there wouldn't be a vehicle, Toyota, BMW, Mercedes Benz, Ford, Proton Saga, Perodua, Cherry etc.. Nobody would know them because they have not existed yet. Until the inventor made the first car. And the most wonderful is, all the component parts of the car are connected with one another.

So, if one part does not work, it will affect the overall performance of the car. For the car to be safe, well maintained and to be able to move around, it needs a person who can look after it. That is, the inventor. He will make sure that the car carries out the work it is meant to - transporting people.

Besides, it also point to a creator, the one responsible for it's existence. In other words pointing and honouring ( giving glory to ) the creator. Actually the
only reason for the existence of things created as in this case.

The same analogy can be applied to me. I am just a creature. And a creature cannot be created without a creator. My being here on earth is not due to some automatic system but rather, made possible by God my creator. Since God created me, I have to depend totally on Him and to trust Him for all my needs, physically and spiritually.

And as He created me, He has a right over me. He owns me. And as a creation, my role is to thank Him, praise, worship and glorify. He is worthy of all these because He is my creator and I am His creature.

God created me different from other creatures by giving me free will ( God has a sense of humour too )so that life would not be boring for me. I am just pulling your legs. It shows that God trusted me ( but sometimes I trust myself more and wanted to do things without asking for God's advice/wisdom first ).

As mentioned earlier, I should have put my full faith in God because He is my maker. Whatever I require, all my material and spiritual needs including problems or difficulties that I faced should be brought to Him. Meaning all my burdens whether big or small, I should give to Him. And God will find a way to resolve them for me.

This is how my relationship with God should be, to trust and have faith in Him. And of course, the most important is for me to love Him with all my heart and mind and to love my neighbour as myself ( which is not an easy thing to do ). Why should I give my everything to God? Simple, because God is my maker.

To cut a long story short, my need for God in my life is obvious. It is a question of right relationship with God, a relationship of creature and creator. Which means, God should be in the centre of my life, my King and my ruler. Otherwise, without this proper relationship with my Creator, my heart and my life will always be empty.

Even though I have reached the pinacle of success, there will always be something missing and lacking ( to the extent, some people will kill themselves when they are unable to find this fulfilment ).

For me, God is the answer. And as a catholic, I personally believe that this should be rightly so.

How To Keep Your Heart Healthy

2009-07-12T19:47:00.000-07:00

With appreciation to my sister-inlaw, Veronica M. for this article.

A chat with Dr. Devi Shetty , Narayana Hrudayalaya (Heart Specialist) Bangalore was arranged by WIPRO for its employees . The transcript of the chat is given below. Useful for everyone.

Qn: What are the thumb rules for a layman to take care of his heart ?

Ans:
1. Diet - Less of carbohydrate, more of protein, less oil
2. Exercise - Half an hour's walk, at least five days a week; avoid lifts and avoid sitting for a longtime
3. Quit smoking
4. Control weight
5. Control blood pressure and sugar

Qn: Is eating non-veg food (fish) good for the heart?
Ans: No

Qn: It's still a grave shock to hear that some apparently healthy person gets a cardiac arrest. How do we understand it in perspective?
Ans: This is called silent attack; that is why we recommend everyone past the age of 30 to undergo routine health checkups.

Qn: Are heart diseases hereditary?
Ans: Yes

Qn: What are the ways in which the heart is stressed? What practices do you suggest to de-stress?
Ans: Change your attitude towards life. Do not look for perfection in everything in life.

Qn: Is walking better than jogging or is more intensive exercise required to keep a healthy heart?
Ans: Walking is better than jogging since jogging leads to early fatigue and injury to joints .

Qn: Can people with low blood pressure suffer heart diseases?
Ans: Extremely rare

Qn: Does cholesterol accumulates right from an early age (I'm currently only 22) or do you have to worry about it only after you are above 30 years of age?
Ans: Cholesterol accumulates from childhood.

Qn: How do irregular eating habits affect the heart?
Ans: You tend to eat junk food when the habits are irregular and your body's enzyme release for digestion gets confused.

Qn: How can I control cholesterol content without using medicines?
Ans: Control diet, walk and eat walnut.

Qn: Can yoga prevent heart ailments?
Ans: Yoga helps.

Qn: Which is the best and worst food for the heart?
Ans: Fruits and vegetables are the best and the worst is oil..

Qn: Which oil is better - groundnut, sunflower, olive?
Ans: All oils are bad .

Qn: What is the routine checkup one should go through? Is there any specific test?
Ans: Routine blood test to ensure sugar, cholesterol is ok. Check BP, Treadmill test after an echo.

Qn: What are the first aid steps to be taken on a heart attack?
Ans: Help the person into a sleeping position , place an aspirin tablet under the tongue with a sorbitrate tablet if available, and rush him to a coronary care unit since the maximum casualty takes place within the first hour.

Qn: How do you differentiate between pain caused by a heart attack and that caused due to gastric trouble?
Ans: Extremely difficult without ECG.

Qn: What is the main cause of a steep increase in heart problems amongst youngsters? I see people of about 30-40 yrs of age having heart attacks and serious heart problems.
Ans: Increased awareness has increased incidents. Also, sedentary lifestyles, smoking, junk food, lack of exercise in a country where people are genetically three times more vulnerable for heart attacks than Europeans and Americans.

Qn: Is it possible for a person to have BP outside the normal range of 120/80 and yet be perfectly healthy?
Ans: Yes.

Qn: Marriages within close relatives can lead to heart problems for the child. Is it true?
Ans : Yes, co-sanguinity leads to congenital abnormalities and you may not have a software engineer as a child

Qn: Many of us have an irregular daily routine and many a times we have to stay late nights in office. Does this affect our heart ? What precautions would you recommend?
Ans : When you are young, nature protects you against all these irregularities. Ho wever, as you grow older, respect the biological clock.

Qn: Will taking anti-hypertensive drugs cause some other complications (short/long term)?
Ans : Yes, most drugs have some side effects. Ho wever, modern anti-hypertensive drugs are extremely safe.

Qn: Will consuming more coffee/tea lead to heart attacks?
Ans : No.

Qn: Are asthma patients more prone to heart disease?
Ans : No.

Qn: How would you define junk food?
Ans : Fried food like Kentucky , McDonalds, samosas, and even masala dosas.

Qn: You mentioned that Indians are three times more vulnerable. What is the reason for this, as Europeans and Americans also eat a lot of junk food?
Ans: Every race is vulnerable to some disease and unfortunately, Indians are vulnerable for the most expensive disease.

Qn: Does consuming bananas help reduce hypertension?
Ans : No.

Qn: Can a person help himself during a heart attack (Because we see a lot of forwarded emails on this)?
Ans : Yes. Lie down comfortably and put an aspirin tablet of any description under the tongue and ask someone to take you to the nearest coronary care unit without any delay and do not wait for the ambulance since most of the time, the ambulance does not turn up.

Qn: Do, in any way, low white blood cells and low hemoglobin count lead to heart problems?
Ans : No. But it is ideal to have normal hemoglobin level to increase your exercise capacity.

Qn: Sometimes, due to the hectic schedule we are not able to exercise. So, does walking while doing daily chores at home or climbing the stairs in the house, work as a substitute for exercise?
Ans : Certainly. Avoid sitting continuously for more than half an hour and even the act of getting out of the chair and going to another chair and sitting helps a lot.

Qn: Is there a relation between heart problems and blood sugar?
Ans: Yes. A strong relationship since diabetics are more vulnerable to heart attacks than non-diabetics.

Qn: What are the things one needs to take care of after a heart operation?
Ans : Diet, exercise, drugs on time, Control cholesterol, BP, weight.

Qn: Are people working on night shifts more vulnerable to heart disease when compared to day shift workers?
Ans : No.

Qn: What are the modern anti-hypertensive drugs?
Ans : There are hundreds of drugs and your doctor will chose the right combination for your problem, but my suggestion is to avoid the drugs and go for natural ways of controlling blood pressure by walk, diet to reduce weight and changing attitudes towards lifestyles.

Qn: Does aspirin or similar headache pills increase the risk of heart attacks?
Ans : No.

Qn: Why is the rate of heart attacks more in men than in women?
Ans : Nature protects women till the age of 45.

Qn: How can one keep the heart in a good condition?
Ans : Eat a healthy diet, avoid junk food, exercise everyday, do not smoke and, go for health checkup s if you are past the age of 30 ( once in six months recommended) .....

Sweet Poison

2009-07-12T01:00:00.000-07:00

With appreciation to my friend, Datuk Peter A. for this article.

It is informative and food for thought.

In October of 2001, my Friend's sister started getting very sick. She had stomach spasms and she was having a hard time getting around. Walking was a major chore. It took everything she had just to get out of bed; she was in so much pain.

By March 2002, she had undergone several tissue and muscle biopsies and was on 24 various prescription medications. The doctors could not determine what was wrong with her. She was in so much pain, and so sick she just knew she was dying.

She put her house, bank accounts, life insurance, etc., in her oldest daughter's name, and made sure that her younger children were to be taken care of.

She also wanted her last hooray, so she planned a trip to Florida (basically in a wheelchair) for March 22nd.

On March 19 her brother called her to ask how her most recent tests went, and she said they didn't find anything on the test, but they believed she had MS. He recalled an article a friend of his e-mailed to him and he asked his sister if she drank diet soda?

She told him that she did...As a matter of fact, she was getting ready to crack one open that moment.

He told her not to open it, and to stop drinking the diet soda! He then e-mailed her the article his friend had sent.

His sister called within 32 hours after their phone conversation and told him she had stopped drinking the diet soda AND she could walk!
The muscle spasms went away. She said she didn't feel 100% but, she sure felt a lot better.

She told him she was going to her doctor with this article and would call him when she got home.

Well, she called and said her doctor was amazed! He is going to call all of his MS patients to find out if they consumed artificial sweeteners of any kind.

In a nutshell, she was being poisoned by the Aspartame in the diet soda...and literally dying a slow and miserable death.

When she got to Florida March 22, all she had to take was one pill, and that was a pill for the Aspartame poisoning! She is well on her way to a complete recovery. And she is walking!
No wheelchair! This article saved her life.

If it says 'SUGAR FREE' on the label; DO NOT EVEN THINK ABOUT IT! He has spent several days lecturing at the WORLD ENVIRONMENTAL CONFERENCE on 'ASPARTAME,' marketed as 'Nutra Sweet,' 'Equal,' and 'Spoonful.'

In the keynote address by the EPA, it was announced that in the United States in 2001 there was an epidemic of multiple sclerosis and systemic lupus. It was difficult to determine exactly what toxin was causing this to be rampant. He stood up and said that he was there to lecture on exactly that subject.

To explain why Aspartame is so dangerous:
When the temperature of this sweetener exceeds 86 degrees F, the wood alcohol in ASPARTAME converts to formaldehyde and then to formic acid, which in turn causes metabolic acidosis.. Formic acid is the poison found in the sting of fire ants.
The methanol toxicity mimics, among other conditions, multiple sclerosis and systemic lupus.

Many people were being diagnosed in error.
Although multiple sclerosis is not a death sentence, Methanol toxicity is!

Systemic lupus has become almost as rampant as multiple sclerosis, especially with Diet Coke and Diet Pepsi drinkers.

The victim usually does not know that the Aspartame is the culprit. He or she continues its use; irritating the lupus to such a degree that it may become a life-threatening condition.

We have seen patients with systemic lupus become asymptotic, once taken off diet sodas..
In cases of those diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis, most of the symptoms disappear. We've seen many cases where vision loss returned and hearing loss improved markedly.

This also applies to cases of tinnitus and fibromyalgia.

During a lecture, he said, 'If you are using ASPARTAME (Nutra Sweet, Equal, Spoonful, etc) and you suffer from fibromyalgia symptoms, spasms, shooting, pains, numbness in your legs, Cramps, Vertigo, Dizziness, Headaches, Tinnitus, Joint pain,
Unexplainable depression, anxiety attacks, slurred speech, blurred vision, or memory loss you probably have ASPARTAME poisoning!'
People were jumping up during the lecture saying, 'I have some of these symptoms. Is it reversible?'

Yes!
Yes!
Yes!
STOP drinking diet sodas and be alert for Aspartame on food labels! Many products are fortified with it!

This is a serious problem.
Dr. Espart (one of the speakers) remarked that so many people seem to be symptomatic for MS and during his recent visit to a hospice; a nurse stated that six of her friends, who were heavy Diet Coke addicts, had all been diagnosed with MS. This is beyond coincidence!

Diet soda is NOT a diet product! It is a chemically altered, multiple SODIUM (salt) and ASPARTAME containing product that actually makes you crave carbohydrates. It is far more likely to make you GAIN weight!
These products also contain formaldehyde, which stores in the fat cells, particularly in the hips and thighs. Formaldehyde is an absolute toxin and is used primarily to preserve 'tissue specimens.'

Many products we use every day contain this chemical but we SHOULD NOT store it IN our body!

Dr. H. J. Roberts stated in his lectures that once free of the 'diet products' and with no significant increase in exercise; his patients lost an average of 19 pounds over a trial period.

Aspartame is especially dangerous for diabetics.

They found that some physicians, who believed that they had a patient with retinopathy, in fact, had symptoms caused by Aspartame. The Aspartame drives the blood sugar out of control.

Thus diabetics may suffer acute memory loss due to the fact that aspartic acid and phenylalanine are NEUROTOXIC when taken without the other amino acids necessary for a good balance.

Treating diabetes is all about BALANCE.
Especially with diabetics, the Aspartame passes the blood/brain barrier and it then deteriorates the neurons of the brain; causing various levels of brain damage, Seizures, Depression, Manic depression, Panic attacks,
Uncontrollable anger and rage.

Consumption of Aspartame causes these same symptoms in non-diabetics as well. Documentation and observation also reveal that thousands of children diagnosed with ADD and ADHD have had complete turnarounds in their behavior when these chemicals have been removed from their diet.

So called 'behavior modification prescription drugs' (Ritalin and others) are no longer needed.. Truth be told, they were never NEEDED in the first place!

Most of these children were being 'poisoned' on a daily basis with the very foods that were 'better for them than sugar.'

It is also suspected that the Aspartame in thousands of pallets of Diet Coke and Diet Pepsi consumed by men and women fighting in the Gulf War, may be partially to blame for the well-known Gulf War Syndrome.

Dr. Roberts warns that it can cause birth defects, i.e. mental retardation, if taken at the time of conception and during early pregnancy..

Children are especially at risk for neurological disorders and should NEVER be given artificial sweeteners.

There are many different case histories to relate of children suffering grand mal seizures and other neurological disturbances talking about a plague of neurological diseases directly caused by the use of this deadly poison.'

Herein lies the problem:
There were Congressional Hearings when Aspartame was included in 100 different products and strong objection was made concerning its use. Since this initial hearing, there have been two subsequent hearings, and still nothing has been done. The drug and chemical lobbies have very deep pockets.

Sadly, MONSANTO'S patent on Aspartame has EXPIRED! There are now over 5,000 products on the market that contain this deadly chemical and there will be thousands more introduced. Everybody wants a 'piece of the Aspartame pie.'

I assure you that MONSANTO, the creator of Aspartame, knows how deadly it is.

And isn't it ironic that MONSANTO funds, among others, the American Diabetes Association, the American Dietetic Association and the Conference of the American College of Physicians?

This has been recently exposed in the New York Times.

These [organizations] cannot criticize any additives or convey their link to MONSANTO because they take money from the food industry and are required to endorse their products.

Senator Howard Metzenbaum wrote and presented a bill that would require label warnings on products containing Aspartame, especially regarding pregnant women, children and infants.

The bill would also institute independent studies on the known dangers and the problems existing in the general population regarding seizures, changes in brain chemistry, neurological changes and behavioral symptoms.

The bill was killed.

It is known that the powerful drug and chemical lobbies are responsible for this, letting loose the hounds of disease and death on an unsuspecting and uninformed public. Well, you're informed now!

Forgiveness - Take The Burden Away And Be Healthy

2009-07-10T06:50:00.000-07:00

Stay healthy - Forgive ! What has forgiveness to do with being healthy, you may ask. A lot. We cannot deny that anger always hurt. This is everyone's experience. And what's more, it also doesn't give us peace. It is like a fire that cannot be extinguished. It keeps on burning long after the event is over.

Only now medical researchers are finding out that forgiveness play an important role in keeping a person well. But christians have known this eversince the time of Jesus Christ as mentioned in the new testament part of the bible. That the individual who has been wronged should forgive the offender.

For christians, this is no big deal. It is part of their religious teaching. But just knowing is not good enough. It must be applied. As is commonly experienced, it is easier to retaliate on the person who has committed the offence rather than to forgive him.

In fact as mentioned in the earlier part of this article, it could become a health problem eventually. By manifesting into physical illness. There was this story about a lady who was very angry with the husband of her daughter. Because he had sold all the properties his mother-inlaw had given to his wife. The old lady could not forgive him.

To the extent that due to her extreme anger, she became physically disabled and could not walk. Until one day, she attended a religious seminar. One of the topic of the talks was unforgiveness. After the talk, there was counselling and she attended that session. She was told to forgive her son-inlaw. But couldn't.

She was asked to do again by asking Jesus to help her. She tried and the counsellor prayed with her. In the end she agreed and forgave him. Once she did that, she felt like a heavy burden was taken away from her. There was peace in her heart and her face was radiant. She was happy and joyful.

The next day at the seminar, everyone was surprise when she walked in. Instead of a wheelchair, she was using her own two legs. And people just wanted to know what happened to her? Forgiveness ! And she told them the story about her son-inlaw.

So always be ready to forgive others. Forgiveness will take away the burden from your heart. You will have peace and you will be healthy. For God, our creator did the same, He forgave us when we repented for our sins.

In God We Trust - NBC Poll

2009-07-08T17:55:00.000-07:00

With appreciation to my friend Tommie L. for this item

Do you believe that the word God should stay in American culture?

NBC this morning had a poll on this question..

They had the highest Number of responses that they have ever had

for one of their polls, and the Percentage was the same as this: 86% to

keep the words, IN God We Trust and God in the Pledge of Allegiance

14% against That is a pretty 'commanding' public response................

We are just God's creatures. It is right that we should put our trust in

God knowing that as our creator, our lives are in His hands.

The Silent Sermon Can Be Fiery

2009-07-08T06:32:00.000-07:00

With appreciation to my friend, Victor F. for this article.
Sometimes action speaks louder than words.

If we love God sincerely, then all that we do, think & say will be directed towards pleasing God. But if God is not so important to us, then we will think & seek Him only when we are desperate. Our love for God should permeate every aspect of our ordinary life.
- Fr Philip Heng, S.J.

A member of a certain church, who previously had been attending services regularly, stopped going. After a few weeks, the priest decided to visit him. It was a chilly evening. The priest found the man at home alone, sitting before a blazing fire. Guessing the reason for the priests visit, the man welcomed him, led him to a comfortable chair near the fireplace and waited.The priest made himself at home but said nothing. In the grave silence, he contemplated the dance of the flames around the burning logs.

After some minutes, the priest took the fire tongs, carefully picked up a brightly burning ember and placed it to one side of the hearth all alone then he sat back in his chair, still silent. The host watched all this in quiet contemplation. As the one lone ember's flame flickered and diminished, there was a momentary glow and then its fire was no more. Soon it was cold and dead.Not a word had been spoken since the initial greeting. The priest glanced at his watch and realized it was time to leave. He slowly stood up, picked up the cold, dead ember and placed it back in the middle of the fire. Immediately itbegan to glow, once more with the light and warmth of the burning coals around it.

As the priest reached the door to leave, his host said with a tear running down his cheek, 'Thank you so much for your visit and especially for the fiery sermon. I shall be back in church next Sunday.' We live in a world today, which tries to say too much with too little. Consequently, few listen. Sometimes the best
sermons are the ones left unspoken

21st Century Achievements

2009-07-06T20:39:00.000-07:00

With appreciation to my sister inlaw, Veronica M. for sharing this article.

21st Century.......... Achievements - has got so many ' less ' but no ' ful' . The answer my friend is in the play of the suffix ' less '.

Our

Communication - Wireless

Our dress - Fashionless

Our telephone - Cordless

Our cooking - Fireless

Our youth - Jobless

Our food - Fatless

Our labour - Effortless

Our conduct - Worthless

Our relation - Loveless

Our attitude - Careless

Our feelings - Heartless

Our politics - Shameless

Our education - Valueless

Our follies - Countless

Our arguments - Baseless

Our Job - Thankless

Our Boss - Brainless

Our Salary - Less and less

Do not give up yet. God is still in control. Pray to Him and everything will be alright.

The Seed - One Good Way To Choose Your CEO

2009-06-29T02:21:00.000-07:00

With appreciation to my friend, Datuk Peter A. for sharing this article.

A successful businessman was growing old and knew it was time to choose a successor to take over the business.Instead of choosing one of his Directors or his children, he decided todo something different. He called all the young executives in his company together.He said,"It is time for me to step down and choose the next CEO. I have decided to choose one of you."

The young executives were shocked, but the boss continued. "I am going to give each one of you a SEED today - one very special SEED. I want you to plant the seed,water it, and come back here one year from today with what you have grown from the seed I have given you. I will then judge the plants that you bring, and the one I choose will be the next CEO."One man, named Jim, was there that day and he, like the others, received a seed. He went home and excitedly, told his wife the story.She helped him get a pot, soil and compost and he planted the seed. Everyday, he would water it and watch to see if it had grown. After about three weeks, some of the other executives began to talk about their seeds and the plants that were beginning to grow.Jim kept checking his seed, but nothing ever grew. Three weeks, four weeks, five weeks went by, still nothing. By now, others were talking about their plants, but Jim didn't have a plant and he felt like a failure. Six months went by -- still nothing in Jim's pot. He just knew he had killed his seed. Everyone else had trees and tall plants, but he had nothing. Jim didn't say anything to his colleagues, however. He just kept watering and fertilizing the soil - He so wanted the seed to grow.A year finally went by and all the young executives of the company brought their plants to the CEO for inspection. Jim told his wife that he wasn't going to take an empty pot. But she asked him to be honest about what happened. Jim felt sick to his stomach, it was going to be the most embarrassing momentof his life, but he knew his wife was right.

He took his empty pot to the board room. When Jim arrived, he was amazed at the variety of plants grown by the other executives. They were beautiful -- in all shapes and sizes. Jim put his empty pot on the floor and many of his colleagues laughed, a few felt sorry for him!When the CEO arrived, he surveyed the room and greeted his young executives.Jim just tried to hide in the back. "My, what great plants, trees, and flowers you have grown," said the CEO. "Today one of you will be appointed the next CEO!"All of a sudden, the CEO spotted Jim at the back of the room with his empty pot. He ordered the Financial Director to bring him to the front. Jim was terrified. He thought, "The CEO knows I'm a failure! Maybe he will have me fired!"When Jim got to the front, the CEO asked him what had happened to his seed -Jim told him the story.The CEO asked everyone to sit down except Jim. He looked at Jim, and then announced to the young executives, "Behold your next Chief Executive Officer! His name is Jim!"

Jim couldn't believe it. Jim couldn't even grow his seed. "How could he be the new CEO?" the others said. Then the CEO said, "One year ago today, I gave everyone in this room a seed. I told you to take the seed, plant it, water it, and bring it back tome today. But I gave you all boiled seeds; they were dead - it was not possible for them to grow !All of you, except Jim, have brought me trees and plants and flowers. When you found that the seed would not grow, you substituted another seed for the one I gave you. Jim was the only one with the courage and honesty to bring me a pot with my seed in it. Therefore, he is the one who will be the newChief Executive Officer!"* If you plant honesty, you will reap trust* If you plant goodness, you will reap friends* If you plant humility, you will reap greatness* If you plant perseverance, you will reap contentment* If you plant consideration, you will reap perspective* If you plant hard work, you will reap success* If you plant forgiveness, you will reap reconciliation. So, be careful what you plant now; it will determine what you will reap later.."Whatever You Give To Life, Life Gives You Back"

We Thought, We Had Lost Our Daughter.............

2009-06-22T08:24:00.000-07:00

Picture shows Sean, Cynthia's husband with baby Chenelle and Cythia with Cherelle

It was the day before the eve of Chinese New Year, the 6th of February 2008.
Around 10.00 p.m. our daughter felt a pain on her stomach. According to the
doctor, the baby could be due anytime. Her husband Sean and us rushed her to
the Gleneagle hospital in Kuala Lumpur. On the way, she was already feeling
uneasy and uncomfortable. My wife Irene comforted her.

On reaching the hospital, she was immediately wheeled into a room and
put under oxygen. To help her breathe easier. The nurses were monitoring
her and were just waiting for the time to bring her to the delivery room. As
there was nothing more we could do, her husband suggested we returned home
to get some sleep while he stayed behind to look after her.

At about 3.00 a.m., we received a call from Sean informing us that Cynthia
had delivered a healthy baby girl by normal birth. We were all very happy and
looking forward to see baby Chenelle first thing in the morning. As we got
ready to leave home, we received another call from Sean telling us that Cynthia
was bleeding and the doctors would try to stop it orally. We uphold her to the
Lord.

On reaching the hospital we rushed to her room but she was sleeping peacefully.
The bleeding had stopped. As it was almost noon, we decided to have lunch
at a nearby shopping complex. Entering the parking bay, I received an urgent
call from Sean saying that Cynthia is bleeding profusely again. He was crying.
My son, Oliver turned the car around and we sped to the hospital.

Immediately, I contacted brother Denis Koh, my Pastoral Head in LJCCC to
arrange for prayers and intercession by community members to God to reverse
my daughter’s condition. At the same time, I also contacted my sister Rose to
arrange for intercessors and my brother John to do the same with the Carmelite
nuns.

When we reached the hospital Sean was in tears. Cynthia had already left
for the emergency operation. Sean cried as he told us, how Cynthia’s face had
turned green as she continued to lose great amount of blood and her haemoglobin
count went down rapidly. And if it went down any further, she would have gone.

We started to say the rosaries and upholding her to the Lord continuously until
the operation was over. One of the doctors came out to tell Sean that the operation
was a success. But they had to remove her womb.

She was placed in ICU for three days to ensure that there would be no further
complications. During that time all her body’s blood was replenished as she has
lost huge quantities of blood. Indeed we would have lost Cynthia if not for God’s
compassionate intervention through the doctors and through prayers.

We can never thank our Community members and the Carmelite nuns enough
for their intercession and prayers. Our brother Denis Koh, my sister Rose
and my brother John for their timely help. May God bless and reward each
and everyone of you.

To God the almighty and the compassionate, praise and glory to Your Holy Name
forever and ever. Amen.

Before Eating, Make Sure Ready Cut Fruits From The Roadside Stall Are Not Contaminated

2009-06-20T19:58:00.000-07:00

With appreciation to my brother, Bertrand M. for sharing this article.

Pineapple

A 10 year old boy, had eaten pineapple about 15 days back, and fell sick, from the day he had eaten. Later when he had his health check done...doctors diagnosed that he had AIDS. His parents couldn't believe it...Then the entire family under went a check-up... none of them suffered from Aids. So the doctors checked again with the boy if he had eaten out...The boy said 'yes'. He had pineapple that evening. Immediately a group from Malaya Hospital went to the pineapple vendor to check. They found the pineapple seller had a cut on his finger while cutting the pineapple, his blood had spread into the fruit. When they had his blood checked...the guy was suffering from AIDS..... but he himself was NOT aware. Unfortunately the boy is suffering from it now. Please take care, what you eat on the road side. Please forward this mail to your dear one.

Are You Working Smarter Or Harder? - Smarter, More Relaxation, Harder, More Stress

2009-06-20T19:25:00.000-07:00

With appreciation to my friend, George H. for sharing this article.

Exercising

Are you working smarter or harder?

We all hear the old saying that we should 'work smarter, not harder', but how many of us actually abide by this? It's easier said than done, isn't it? Experts actually say the key to working smart is to be more effective, not necessarily more efficient. Efficiency is doing the job right. Effectiveness, on the other hand, is doing the right job! Think about that! Here are my ten top tips for managing your time more effectively:
1. Figure out when you are at your peakI know I work better from 9am to noon, so that's when I try to do my most important tasks. Figure out when you are at your prime and plan carefully around this.
2. Turn off your e-mail notifierDo you really need the pop-up or 'ding' every few minutes? Try turning off your e-mail notifier when you need to concentrate on an important project, then you really can focus.
3. Expect the unexpectedBlock out some planning time. Everyone needs some time for thinking, so try to build in some flexibility into your daily routines.
4. Say NO occasionallySometimes we may have to be assertive and say 'no' if something is not urgent or a priority. Saying no courteously may be seen as a strength rather than a weakness.
5. Set prioritiesCategorise tasks according to priority, for example:1 = The task is urgent and important 2 = It's important but not urgent3 = It's urgent but not important4 = Its not urgent and not important
6. Stay focused in meetingsHow many meetings have you attended where people go off at tangents? It helps to be clear about the agenda before meetings, and make sure everyone knows what the objectives are. This will help you stay focused and keep the discussion heading in the right direction.
7. Clear out your clutterI know I can't work effectively if my desk is a mess with lots of paperwork everywhere. So once in a while I have a good clearing and sorting session, and I clear out the clutter on my desk, trays, drawers and files. It's amazing how much better I always feel once the clutter is gone!
8. Remember to take a breakWe all tend to make more mistakes when we are tired or stressed, so learn to recognise the symptoms when you are flagging and take a break from your work. Yes Mom, I hear you... this is something I'm not so good at!
9. Don't procrastinateTackle what's right now in the present and don't let procrastination get in the way. It's amazing how great it feels when you can tick off those items on your to-do list!
10. Adopt a positive attitudeKeep your mindset positive. See solutions instead of problems. See positives instead of negatives. Do your tasks with a happy heart, and smile!

Ladies - Always Be On The Lookout For Predators

2009-06-20T18:39:00.000-07:00

With appreciation to my friend, John P. for sharing this article.

Especially for ladies always be prepared and on the lookout for predators wherever you are and apply the techniques mentioned below.

Everyone should take 5 minutes to read this. It may save your life or your love one's life. Because of recent abductions in daylight hours, refresh yourself of these things to do in an emergency situation...This is for you,
and for you to share with your wife,your children, everyone you know. After reading these 9 crucial tips,
forward them to someone you care about.It never hurts to be careful in this crazy world we live in. 1 . Tip from Tae Kwon Do :The elbow is the strongest point on your body.If you are close enough to use it, do! 2. If a robber asks for your wallet and/or purse, DO NOT HAND IT TO HIM .Toss it away from you....chances are that he is more interested in your wallet and/or purse than you,and he will go for the wallet/purse.
RUN LIKE MAD IN THE OTHER DIRECTION!3. If you are ever thrown into the trunk of a car,kick out the backtail lights and stick your arm out the hole and start waving like crazy.The driver won't see you, but everybody else will.This has saved lives.4. Women have a tendency to get into their cars after shopping, eating, working, etc., and just sit(doing their checkbook, or making a list, etc.) DON'T DO THIS. The
predator will be watching you, and this is the perfect opportunity for him to get in on the passenger side, put a gun to your head, and tell you where to go. AS SOON AS YOU GET INTO YOUR CAR, LOCK THE DOORS AND Instead start the engine and speed into anything, wrecking the car. Your Air Bag will save you. If the person is in the back seat they will get the worst of it. As soon as the car crashes get out and run.
It is better than having them find your body in a remote location. 5 . A few notes about getting
into your car in a parking lot, or parking garage: A.) Be aware: look around you, look into your car,
at the passenger side floor, and in the back seat B.) If you are parked next to a big van, enter your car from the passenger door. Some serial killers attack their victims by pulling them into their vans while the women
are attempting to get into their cars. ( C.) Look at the car parked on the driver's side of your vehicle, and the passenger side. If a male is sitting alone in the seat nearest your car, you may want to walk back and get someone - guard/policeman to walk you back out. IT IS ALWAYS BETTER TO BE SAFE THAN SORRY. (And better paranoid than dead.) 6. ALWAYS take the elevator instead of the stairs.
(and the perfect crime spot. This is especially true at NIGHT!) 7. If the predator has a gun and you are not under his control, ALWAYS RUN! The predator will only hit you (a running target) 4 in 100 times; And even then, it most likely WILL NOT be a vital organ. RUN, Preferably in a zig -zag pattern! 8. As women, we are always trying to be sympathetic: STOP It may get you raped, or killed. Ted Bundy, the serial killer, was a good-looking, well educated man, who ALWAYS played on the sympathy of unsuspecting women.
He walked with a cane, or a limp, and often asked 'for help' into his vehicle or with his vehicle,
which is when he abducted his next victim. 9. Another Safety Point: Someone just told me that her friend heard a crying baby on her porch the night before last, and she called the police because it was late
and she thought it was weird. The police told her 'Whatever you do, DO NOT open the door.'
The lady then said that it sounded like the baby had crawled near a window, and she was worried
that it would crawl to the street and get run over. The policeman said, 'We already have a unit on the way,
whatever you do, DO NOT open the door.' He told her that they think a serial killer has a baby's cry recorded and uses it to coax women out of their homes thinking that someone
dropped off a baby He said they have not verified it, but have had several calls by women saying that
they hear baby's cries outside their doors when they're home alone at night. Please pass this on and DO NOT open the door for a crying baby ---- The Crying Baby theory was mentioned on America's Most Wanted this past Saturday when they profiled the serial killer in Louisiana I'd like you to forward this to all the women you know. It may save a life. A candle is not dimmed by lighting another candle. I was going to send this to the ladies only, but guys, if you love your mothers, wives, sisters, daughters, etc., you may want to pass it to them too.

True Love Is Not Physical Or Romantic - It Is Acceptance

2009-06-17T02:13:00.000-07:00

With appreciation to my friend John P. for sharing this article:-

Two people in love

How to Dance in the Rain

It was a busy morning, about 8:30 , when an elderly gentleman in his 80s arrived to have stitches removed from his thumb. He said he was in a hurry as he had an appointment at 9:00 am. I took his vital signs and had him take a seat, knowing it would be over an hour before someone would to able to see him. I saw him looking at his watch and decided, since I was not busy with another patient, I would evaluate his wound. On exam, it was well healed, so I talked to one of the doctors, get the needed supplies to remove his sutures and redress his wound.

While taking care of his wound, I asked him if he had another doctor's appointment this morning, as he was in such a hurry. The gentleman told me no, that he needed to go to the nursing home to eat breakfast with his wife. I inquired as to her health.. He told me that she had been there for a while and that she was a victim of Alzheimer's Disease. As we talked, I asked if she would be upset if he was a bit late. He replied that she no longer knew who he was, that she had not recognized
him for five years now. I was surprised, and asked him, 'And you still go every morning, even though she doesn't know who you are?'

He smiled as he patted my hand and said,'She doesn't know me,but I still know who she is.' I had to hold back tears as he left, I had goose bumps on my arm, and
thought, 'That is the kind of love I want in my life.'True love is neither physical, nor romantic.True love is an acceptance of all that is, has been, will be, and will not be.

With all the jokes and fun that are in emails, sometimes there is one that comes along that has an important message. This one I thought I could share with you.The happiest people don't necessarily have the best of everything;they just make the best of everything they have.I hope you share this with someone you care about. I just did. 'Life isn't about how to survive the storm, but how to dance in the rain.

All About The Goodness Of Barley

2009-06-16T22:58:00.000-07:00

With appreciation to my friend George H. for sharing the article below:-

Healing And Cleansing With Barley

left picture of Barley and right picture of Okura

High in fibre, barley is also a kidney cleanser. Better yet, regular intake of it helps prevent heart disease. BARLEY water was always a regular drink when we were still living at home. Whenever we had to go for a medical exam that included a urine test, my mum would make us drink barley water a day before it to make sure we got a positive result! My mother was a wise woman. I later found out from an Australian naturopath that barley is known to be a kidney cleanser, and he happily downed glasses of it at a meal we had in a coffee-shop here.

Barley is good for your intestinal health too. Try to eat the barley grains you find in your drink or sweet broth with fu chook (beancurd skin) and ginkgo nuts.It's high in fiber which feeds the friendly bacteria in the colon and helps speed up the transit of fecal matter in it. In this way it helps prevent haemorrhoid and colon cancer. The propionic acid and beta glucan from barley's insoluble fiber also help lower cholesterol and prevent the formation of gallstones.Eating barley regularly is a preventive step against heart disease as, besides the fiber content, it is also high in niacin, a B vitamin good for lowering cholesterol. Diabetics should eat more barley as the fiber will prevent blood sugar levels from rising too high. It also provides relief from constipation or diarrhoea forthose suffering from Irritable Bowel Syndrome.

Barley is rich in selenium which prevents cancer and relieves symptoms of asthma and arthritis. It is a good source of manganese, copper and phosphorous. Malt sugar comes from sprouted barley which, when fermented, is an ingredient in beer and other alcoholic beverages.Barley’s Latin name is hordeum vulgare. Since ancient times, barley has been used for healing purposes and has been known to the Chinese, Egyptians, Greeks and Romans. Athletes in Greece and Rome in those days were known to eat barley bread to give them strength.

Besides the usual things we do with barley, I enjoy having it in a western soup. The larger pearl barley is used and I love the sticky bite of it.Here's a recipe for barley soup:Barley soup with roasted garlic 1 cup pearl barley 5 cloves whole garlic, roasted2 liters chicken stock, steeped from 1 chicken breast simmered in three liters water 2 tbsps vegetable oil2 large onions, diced2 carrots, diced2 stalks celery, diced150g turkey ham, cut up1 tsp ground white pepper1 tsp sea salt or to taste1 tbsp chopped parsley Method1. Wash barley and soak it in a bowl of water for three hours. Drain.2. Heat oil in pan and fry onions. Add carrots and celery, then

the barley and fry for three minutes.3. Add chicken stock, pepper and roasted garlic and simmer over low heat for at least an hour, or until barley is soft.4. Add salt to taste and serve the soup garnished with choppedparsley.Specially to those having diabetes……… even if you don’t, you might know someone with one.

Please note that another name for Lady Finger (Bhindi ) is " OKURA ". Last month in one of TV program I learnt of a treatment of Sugar (Diabetes). Since I am diabetic, I tried it and it was very useful and my Sugar is in control now. In fact I have already reduced my medicine. Take two pieces of Lady Finger (Bhindi) and remove/cut both ends of each piece.Also put a small cut in the middle and put these two pieces in glass of water. Cover the glass and keep it at room temperature during night.Early morning, before breakfast simply remove two pieces of lady finger (bhindi) from the glass and drink that water.

Keep doing it on daily basis. Within two weeks, you will see remarkable results in reduction of your SUGAR.My sister has got rid of her diabetes. She was on Insulin for a few years, but after taking the lady fingers every morning for a few months, she has stopped Insulin but continues to take the lady fingers every day. But she chops the lady fingers into fine pieces in the night, adds the water and drinks it all up the next morning.. Please.try it as it will not do you any harm even if it does not do much good to you, but U have to keep taking it for a few months before U see results, as most cases might be chronic.

.................Then A Miracle Happened !

2009-06-16T07:03:00.000-07:00

This is a true story about my grandniece who had a heart complication. The doctor had made preparations for surgery.............then a miracle happened. Read the full story below:-

‘With faith comes miracle. ….this is our testimony. It all started with the birth of our twin daughters, Arlyn and Talena. They were born prematuredly on 27th December 2007 due to – twin transfusion syndrome, whereby in short, one twin is the blood donor and the other the receiver. The first few months were the hardest as both our daughters had complications. When both of them were healthy enough to go home, they have to undergo regular check-ups at the hospital. To our dismay, the doctors diagnosed our first daughter, Arlyn , with hernia and what appeared to be a not entirely closed heart. Further consultation with the doctors left us with no option but to let Arlyn undergo surgery for her hernia. Another appointment was given on a later date for an Echo Test, a test to monitor the heart’s activity.

On the day of the surgery, we made a stop at my parents’s house. Coincidently, my aunt Rose came and told us about the healing mass conducted by Rev. Fr. Augustine who was in Kota Kinabalu at that time. We were all disappointed because we could’nt attend the mass knowing there is a possibility that Arlyn could get healed Putting that aside,we went as scheduled for the operation at Likas Hospital. When the doctor came in to examine Arlyn, we told him about the Echo Test which was set for a later date. He advised us to wait for the outcome of that test in order to determine whether she would be fit enough to go through the surgery as she was at that time only a few months old. And so, as if it was God’s will the surgery was postponed. We were both relieved and mystified as we felt that it was really God’s plan for us to attend the healing mass which we did..

Coincidently again, aunt Rose bumped into uncle George Thien who was a friend of my father and told him about Arlyn. Kind-heartedly, uncle George said that he would ask Fr. Augustine whether he could come by to my parents’ house to pray over Arlyn. Fr. Augustine agreed wholeheartedly. Arlyn was prayed over together with her sister Talena and the rest of our family members.

The day arrived for Arlyn to undergo her Echo Test. Much to our surprise, we were informed by the doctor that there should be nothing to worry about as her heart would close up naturally in time and therefore fit enough to go through the hernia surgery. Arlyn’s hernia surgery was rescheduled to a later date. During that period, her hernia seemed to have subsided and the bumps were no longer visible. We informed the doctor at the Paediatric Surgery department but he still insist that the operation should be done.

During the day of the surgery, she had flu which resulted in the doctor not being able to give her the anaesthetic before the operation. The surgery was again postponed and we were told to see a different doctor at the Paediatric Surgery department for consultation. The doctor examined her and as the bumps were no longer visible anymore, he said that there was no need for any surgery . He explained that as she grew bigger, the condition would become normal.

We knew then that Arlyn had been healed. God had worked through Fr.Augustine to perform the healing and with faith she was healed. PRAISE THE LORD!!

Emily & Alban Samuel
14th January 2009

The Lady Was About To Take Her Life

2009-06-14T03:10:00.000-07:00

The lady was about to take her life. Read on..........

The Pastor and his son -

Every Sunday afternoon, after the morning service at the church, the Pastor and his eleven year old son would go out into their town and hand out Gospel Tracts .

This particular Sunday afternoon, as it came time for the Pastor and his son to go to the streets with their tracts, it was very cold outside, as well as pouring down rain.

The boy bundled up in his warmest and driest clothes and said, 'OK, dad, I'm ready.'

His Pastor dad asked, 'Ready for what?' 'Dad, it's time we gather our tracts together and go out.' Dad responds, 'Son, it's very cold outside and it's pouring down rain.' The boy gives his dad a surprised look, asking, 'But Dad, aren't people still going to Hell, even though it's raining?' Dad answers, 'Son, I am not going out in this weather.'

De spondently, the boy asks, 'Dad, can I go? Please?' His father hesitated for a moment then said, 'Son, you can go. Here are the tracts, be careful son.'
'Thanks Dad!'

And with that, he was off and out into the rain. This eleven year old boy walked the streets of the town going door to door and handing everybody he met in the street a Gospel Tract .

After two hours of walking in the rain , he was soaking, bone-chilled wet and down to his VERY LAST TRACT. He stopped on a corner and looked for someone to hand a tract to, but the streets were totally deserted.

Then he turned toward the first home he saw and started up the sidewalk to the front door and rang the door bell. He rang the bell, but nobody answered. He rang it again and again, but still no one answered. He waited but still no answer.

Finally, this eleven year old trooper turned to leave, but something stopped him. Again, he turned to the door and rang the bell and knocked loudly on the door with his fist. He waited, something holding him there on the front porch! He rang again and this time the door slowly opened.

Standing in the doorway was a very sad-looking elderly lady.. She softly asked,
'What can I do for you, son?' With radiant eyes and a smile that lit up her world,
this little boy said, 'Ma'am, I'm sorry if I disturbed you, but I just want to
tell you that * JESUS REALLY DOES LOVE YOU * and I came to give you my very last
Gospel Tract which will tell you all about JESUS and His great LOVE.'

With that, he handed her his last tract and turned to leave. She called to him as he departed. 'Thank you, son! And God Bless You!' Well, the following Sunday morning in church Pastor Dad was in the pulpit. As the service began, he asked, 'Does anybody have testimony or want to say anything?' Slowly, in the back row of the church, an elderly lady stood to her feet.

As she began to speak, a look of glorious radiance came from her face, 'No one in this church knows me. I've never been here before. You see, before last Sunday I was not a Christian. My husband passed on some time ago, leaving me totally alone in this world. Last Sunday, being a particularly cold and rainy day, it was even more so in my heart that I came to the end of the line where I no longer had any hope or will to live.

So I took a rope and a chair and ascended the stairway into the attic of my home. I fastened the rope securely to a rafter in the roof, then stood on the chair and fastened the other end of the rope around my neck. Standing on that chair, so lonely and brokenhearted I was about to leap off, when suddenly the loud ringing of my doorbell downstairs startled me. I thought, 'I'll wait a minute, and whoever it is will go away.'

I waited and waited, but the ringing doorbell seemed to get louder and more insistent, and then the person ringing also started knocking loudly... I thought to myself again, 'Who on earth could this be? Nobody ever rings my bell or comes to see me.' I loosened the rope from my neck and started for the front door, all the while the bell rang louder and louder.

When I opened the door and looked I could hardly believe my eyes, for there on my front porch was the most radiant and angelic little boy I had ever seen in my life. His SMILE, oh, I could never describe it to you!

The words that came from his mouth caused my heart that had long been dead, TO LEAP TO LIFE as he exclaimed with a cherub-like voice, 'Ma'am, I just came to tell you that JESUS REALLY DOES LOVE YOU .' Then he gave me this Gospel Tract that I now hold in my hand.

As the little angel disappeared back out into the cold and rain, I closed my door and read slowly every word of this Gospel Tract. Then I went up to my attic to get my rope and chair. I wouldn't be needing them any more.

You see-- -I am now a Happy Child of the KING. Since the address of your church was on the back of this Gospel Tract, I have come here to personally say THANK YOU to God's little angel who came just in the nick of time and by so doing, spared my soul from an eternity in hell.'

There was not a dry eye in the church. And as shouts of praise and honor to THE KING resounded off the very rafters of the building, Pastor Dad descended from the pulpit to the front pew where the little angel was seated..

He took his son in his arms and sobbed uncontrollably. Probably no church has had a more glorious moment, and probably this universe has never seen a Papa that was more filled with love & honor for his son... Except for One.

Our Father also allowed His Son to go out into a cold and dark world. He received His Son back with joy unspeakable, and as all of heaven shouted praises and honor to The King , the Father sat His beloved Son on a throne far above all principality and power and every name that is named.

Blessed are your eyes for reading this message.

Matthew 10:32 says:
'Whoever acknowledges Me before men, I will acknowledge him before My Father in
heaven . But whoever disowns Me before men, I will disown him before My Father."

Never Play Riddles With A Stranger - A Joke

2009-06-11T18:41:00.000-07:00

A peaceful river scene

A lawyer and a Chinese are sitting next to each other on a long flight. The lawyer is thinking that all Chinese are so dumb that he could get over on them, easy. So the lawyer asks if the Chinese would like to play a fun game. The Chinese is tired and just wants to take a nap, so he politely declines, and tries to catch a few winks. The lawyer persists, and says that the game is a lot of fun. I ask you a question, and if you don't know the answer, you pay me only $5; you ask me one, and if I don't know the answer, I will pay you $500, he says. This catches the Chinese's attention and to keep the lawyer quiet, he agrees to play the game. The lawyer asks the first question. 'What's the distance from The Earth to the Moon?' The Chinese doesn't say a word, reaches in his pocket, pulls out a five-dollar bill, and hands it to the lawyer. Now, it's the Chinese's turn. He asks the lawyer, 'What goes up a hill with three legs, and comes down with four?' The lawyer uses his laptop and searches all references he could find on the Net. He sends e-mails to all the smart friends he knows, all to no avail. After one hour of searching he finally gives up. He wakes up the Chinese and hands him $500. The Chinese pockets the $500 and goes right back to sleep. The lawyer is going nuts not knowing the answer. He wakes the Chinese up and asks, 'Well, so what goes up a hill with three legs and comes down with four? The Chinese reaches in his pocket, hands the lawyer $5 and goes back to sleep.

The lesson to be learnt here is not to play riddles with someone you don't know. Otherwise you will endup an expensive loser.

Look Down

2009-06-04T23:04:00.000-07:00

Life is all about moving, just like this picture of a vintage locomotive which has been transformed by time into a modern one.

Life! So? Well look down, make sure you don't miss anything. Opportunities maybe there. And you just happened to look on the wrong side and they are gone. The saying, at the right, time , place and mood seemed to be applicable here. But mood! Yes, mood. Don't underestimate it. It makes all the difference whether you want to do it or not.

After all, humans are emotional. And that's why, we keep changing our decision. That is the number one problem with our life. We are always not certain. Mood is the villain. Looking down may also be a symptom that there is something wrong with our neck. A misaligment! It is possible . Or, we just want to make sure that we don't fall or stumble while walking.

Anything goes

2009-06-04T20:24:00.000-07:00

Dance is one action you can do in whatever style you choose, traditional or modern. So anything goes.

Anything goes - just mean that. It covers all sort of activities under the sun. Whatever they are? As long as they are not abusive. It is meant not to miss anything. In other words, it is not restrictive. It's positive. And what's more it has a sunny disposition but sometimes it could be gloomy too.