New Hope Sermon: Ask What not Why..

Below is the notes for the sermon i just listened to.. I pray that we as the Body of Christ will continue to follow these basic principles of living..

Listen&Watch to the sermon here


My 3 take home points
a. Not let our education become a religion, but let it become a revelation for our relationship
b. Who am I when I am in a different and unfamiliar situation. My relationship will determine who I am when I am in a different place
c. Ask God "What you want me to do?" not "Why does this happen to me?" in every situation.

Saul: God's Interruptions


"And it came about that as he journeyed, he was approaching Damascus, and suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him; and he fell to the ground, and heard a voice saying to him, 'Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?'" (Acts 9:3-4)


# Pay attention to SIMPLE reminders.
"And when we had all fallen to the ground, I heard a voice saying to me ... 'Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me? It is hard for you to kick against the goads.'" (Acts 26:14)

"Do not despise these small beginnings, for the Lord rejoices to see the work begin ..." (Zech. 4:10 NLT)

# Change is from the INSIDES.
"Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs which on the outside appear beautiful, but inside they are full of dead men's bones and all uncleanness. Even so you too outwardly appear righteous to men, but inwardly you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness." (Matt. 23:27-28)

"I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me ..." (Gal. 2:20)

# When God prompts a change, ask WHAT not WHY.
"And I answered, 'Who art Thou, Lord?' And He said to me, 'I am Jesus the Nazarene, whom you are persecuting.' ... And I said, 'What shall I do, Lord?' And the Lord said to me, 'Arise and go on into Damascus; and there you will be told of all that has been appointed for you to do.'" (Acts 22:8-10)

"And Zaccheus stopped and said to the Lord, 'Behold, Lord, half of my possessions I will give to the poor, and if I have defrauded anyone of anything, I will give back four times as much.'" (Luke 19:8)

Roots & Wings: Reading it..

Am beginnning to read a discipleship book , Roots & Wings by Pr Edmund and Ann Chan of CEFC Singapore.. here's part of what's going thru my mind today.

Was reading an excerpt out of Chuck Colson's book (as quoted in Roots & Wings).. in summary... Our affluent society and technology advancements has resulted in a life that is self centred, self absorbed, frightened and hollow ppl..
And we are all in the consumeristic lifestyle.. that says "Give us what we want" and Commercials says it all.. And business leaders do just that..

This culture even permiates the church.. are we serving the congregation what they want.. or do we present to God what God wants?

Technology and advancement should help us in our worship to be drawn towards God Himself.. to give Him our love, worship and to glorify Him!

Rude People

This is kinda work issue.

It's always about what one person says against what antoher person says. We can either go about it in a nice way or a rude way.

Just encountered a nasty Vice President of a public listed company.

He accused me and my company about twisting and turning the facts. I didn't want to talk to him before because I have heard him speak, I have seen him in action.. and it's not pretty.

And there's no etiquette in his phone conversations.
Amongst the things I've heard him say

a. In discussion of a project.. he speaks loudly in the background "EH! I thought I told you we're not dealing with this company anymore?"
b. Disconnects the phone when he feels like it
c. Even my MD doesn't want to speak to him

Just because they are a rich and public listed company doesn't give them and him the right to treat others like dogs.. Just wish I could name the company.. but that would make me like them..

GRRRRR....

Acceptance... Just Accept It

I've been pondering over the few weeks about acceptance when I encountered it again this past weekend.

For many of you who know me long enough.. I come from a rich traditional Catholic background and in the past 12 years made a recommitment of my faith into the protesting movement and have settled into DUMC (www.dumc.com.my) for the past 8 years.

Some might say I have been borned again, but I guess I always knew from the age of 7 I'd be involved deeply in church. After all I put "Cita-cita : Paderi" in my student portfolio.

I had always admired the selfless giving of a Catholic Priest.. (not about his celibacy lah).. just that he did travel from place to place to meet ppl and serve them

*To be continued*

Anyways.. safe to say I am very happy where I am and I thank God for each day I live in this community of believers.

What intrigues me is when I talk to Catholics I get this question after I share with them that I am no longer serving and worshiping in the Catholic church, I get a smug look and get asked "Because of girl is it?" "Your wife is a protestant is it"

They don't realise my journey has always been an inner search of my own life and how He speaks to me..

I broke up with my Catholic girlfriend because we no longer shared the same direction, vision & commitment in life. It was hard, she and I both suffered because of this break up. It was not an easy chapter in our lives.

Then I struggled with singlehood for many years within the protestant movement finding a girlfriend & companion, being rejected a number of times. It was the point when I surrendered to Him.. Emily appeared :D

I guess ignorance is bliss to people who assume that a person can convert for the right reasons.

There are a few things I could say.. but I do believe that it may be deemed to be insulting my Catholic friends. My Catholic friends are my good & precious friends.

While there may be Catholics who have been "Born-Again" because of a girl/guy who brought them over to the protestant movement..
But when it comes to me... know that I have done my soul searching many years ago, and am convinced in my heart & spirit that I am where I am supposed to be.

And also to not assume that everyone who has "converted" to the protestant faith is because of attraction to another gender.. please respect their choices and not assume that their reasons are purely because of amorous pursuits.

So in summation to my friends who are still surprised that I am in the protestant movement because of a girl.. I say.. "I didn't" .. and to "Just Accept It"

One of My Fav Songs : Land Down Under - Men AT Work

Carpal Tunnel Update

One week after the surgery.. still healing .. the doc dressing the wound says my stitches are healing well..

However some numbness & tingling still persists.. according to the doc.. takes time for the nerve to also recover.
Forearm feels not tight because of lack of exercise.

Well i hope to get into rehab soon..

Hope Dorset Rehab can help.. run by 2 of my wonderful friends (shameless plugging)

Carpal Tunnel Surgery Done!

Am done with the surgery
CTS


thank u all for praying.. now i'm typing with mym left hand only