Standing the "test of time"?

Time has gone by extremely "fast" this year eventhough the fact is time is constant and never changing since the dawn of Creation.

However, the feeling of time "flying by" is directly related to events that are happening around you. Country, work, relationships with family, friends and colleagues, health ...etc are always in a "struggle" for your attention in addition to things we totally have no control over.

Things that means dearly to me seemed to be changes but it doesn't mean it has never been this way before. As a get older and older, I do pray and hope that I get wiser as well. I realize more and more that life is a "marathon" and not a "sprint".

Just like "blogging", everyone seemed to have lots of enthusiasm to blog about everything that happens around them and dear to them but as the years gone by, the enthusiasm dies down as well and it is even evident in my very own blogging patterns.

Perhaps, there was not enough "views or likes" on my blogs to feed my enthusiasm to blog more frequently but that's a the very nature of human beings - seeking attention always. Then I realize, perhaps one day after I am long gone, my thoughts would still be around on the Web and who knows someone else may be encouraged by some of the thoughts and words.

Nevertheless, many things that are dear to my heart remains there, only that they are sometimes and more frequently be buried by "worries", "material possession", "power/fame"...etc but we must give up in "spring cleaning" of our hearts and minds or we will be sucked into idleness, ignorance and one day our spirit and mind will not stand the test of time as like our physical body.

From the ancient past during the times of Egyption Pharoahs or Chinese Emperor, the idea of "standing the test of time" is synonymous to immortality and scientists are still looking for that "path of immortality" till today.

So, how do we really stand the "Test of Time?"

1. Building wealth? 

- (How many generations can it lasts?)

2. Building a statue? 

- (How to make sure it is not teared down after you are gone?)

3. Have many sons and daughters?

- (How do you know if your great-grandchildren can even remember your full-name?)

In fact everyone of us have a desire whether hidden or not to be able to "Stand the test of time" and majority of the youths today that would be a equivalent to "beauty, energy, smooth and fair appearance" and majority of senior citizens today it would means "health and energy" but these desires are pretty much just a delusion given the present logic and nature of life. This very "desire" alone reflects and in agreement with what C.S. Lewis has said that we were created with "desires" which "there are fulfillment" for those "desires".

“The Christian says, 'Creatures are not born with desires unless satisfaction for those desires exists. A baby feels hunger: well, there is such a thing as food. A duckling wants to swim: well, there is such a thing as water. Men feel sexual desire: well, there is such a thing as sex." ― C.S. Lewis, Mere Christianity

This explains why humans are in constant pursuit of "anti-aging" (also known as "immortality" in ancient civilization). So if this desire cannot be fulfilled, C.S. Lewis said the most probable explanation is that we were made for another world.

"If I find in myself a desire which no experience in this world can satisfy, the most probable explanation is that I was made for another world. If none of my earthly pleasures satisfy it, that does not prove that the universe is a fraud. Probably earthly pleasures were never meant to satisfy it, but only to arouse it, to suggest the real thing. "― C.S. Lewis, Mere Christianity

So, this desire of "anti-aging" or "immortality" whatever  you would like to call it can only be fulfilled in another "world".

"If that is so, I must take care, on the one hand, never to despise, or to be unthankful for, these earthly blessings, and on the other, never to mistake them for the something else of which they are only a kind of copy, or echo, or mirage. I must keep alive in myself the desire for my true country, which I shall not find till after death; I must never let it get snowed under or turned aside; I must make it the main object of life to press on to that country and to help others to do the same.” ― C.S. Lewis, Mere Christianity

Therefore, I would like to encourage all readers to pause for a moment and think about life and of our loved ones, are we really made for another "world"?  Or should just carry on with our lives with our endless pursuit of material possession, wealth, power, fame which can never ever satisfies our desires?

Do have a great week ahead.

May God's blessings be with all of you always.

Joshua

Part 2 - 10th Christmas of a Remarkable Journey

I would like to dedicate the song "The Heart of Christmas" to all my loved ones (You know who you are) and to all out there who are trying to find the meaning of life again, trying to discover hope again and trying to believe in love again.

The Heart of Christmas

"The Heart Of Christmas"

I’m gonna make a wish this Christmas
I’m gonna say a little prayer
I’m gonna stop here for a moment
Before the moment disappears

The world’s in a hurry this December
City streets and shopping malls
I wish we could slow down and remember
The meaning of it all

Wherever you are, no matter how far
Come back to the heart, the heart of Christmas
Live while you can, cherish the moment
The ones that you love, make sure they know it
Don’t miss it, the heart of Christmas

Let’s make it feel the way it used to
Let’s find that wonder of a child
You can see the magic all around you
Come on, and open up your eyes

You can find it in the warm embrace of your family
Or calling up a long lost friend
You can even find it in the eyes of stranger
When you reach out a helping hand

Wherever you are, no matter how far
Come back to the heart, the heart of Christmas
Live while you can, cherish the moment
The ones that you love, make sure they know it
Don’t miss it, the heart of Christmas

In the shadow of a steeple
In a star that lights the way
You will find Him in a manger
The heart of Christmas has a name

I’m gonna make a wish this Christmas
I’m gonna say a little prayer

Wherever you are, no matter how far
Come back to the heart, the heart of Christmas
Live while you can and cherish the moment
The ones that you love, make sure they know it

Wherever you are, no matter how far
Come back to the heart, the heart of Christmas
Live while you can, cherish the moment
The ones that you love, make sure they know it
Don’t miss it, the heart of Christmas

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Christmas is a time when all of us should be reminded on all things that truly matters in life.

Let's light a candle,

for peace we pray for every nation,

for joy we pray for every child

for faith we pray for every man

for hope we pray for the world

for love we pray for every heart

My Christmas Tree 2011

Lin's Christmas Tree 2011

Lin's Christmas Cake 2011

My window decoration Christmas 2013 (At night)

My home decoration (Christmas 2013)

Blessed Christmas to everyone and to all people that God loved so much that He gave His only Begotten Son Jesus Christ, that who so ever believe in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.

Come back to the Heart of Christmas which is Christ our saviour.

Joshua

The Holy Bible

My Appeal , this 13th Malaysian General Elections / Rayuan Saya untuk Pilihanraya Umum Ke-13 Malaysia (Part 4 / 5)

[English version after Malay version]

Warga Malaysia yang dikasihi, 5 Mei 2013, hari di mana semua pengundi Malaysia akan menentukan pimpinan negara yang seterusnya. Terdapatnya 5 perkara yang kita semua patut teliti dengan sepenuh minda dan hati yang murni apabila kita mengundi pada 5 Mei (505).

Bahagian 4: Harmoni, tolenrasi dan kepercayaan diantara semua rakyat Malaysia tanpa mengira kaum dan agama

Seorang pemimpin yang inginkan kuasa untuk penyelewangan akan memecah-belahkan rakyat dan seorang pemimpin yang inginkan kuasa untuk berkhidmat akan menyatukan rakyat. Sejak kebelakangan ini rakyat Malaysia telah dibubuh pemikiran cetek untuk memainkan perasaan ekstrem kebencian, tidak harmoni diantara kaum dan agama. Malaysia adalah sebuah Negara berbilang kaum dengan melayu-islam menjadi majority lebih daripada 60% di kalangan rakyat Malaysia. Pemimpin yang bermasalah, demi untuk mengekalkan kuasa telah menggunakan strategi “pecah dan perintah” dikalangan rakyat Malaysia.

…di samping menyemaikan ketidakpercayaan dan syak-wasangka diantara masyarakat dan agama. Parti komponen yang berbeza dalam barisan yang sama telah memainkan isu kebencian diantara masyarakat dengan parti MCA dalam Barisan Nasional yang terus menghina undang undang Islam dan nilai-nilai Negara berkebajikan yang berlandaskan Islam yang diperjuangkan oleh PAS (satu ahli dalam Pakatan Rakyat) di kalangan kaum cina. Sementara pada waktu yang sama, parti UMNO dan rakan seperjuangan PERKASA dalam Barisan Nasional menaburkan sentiment ekstrem dan penghinaan pada bangsa dan agama lain di kalangan kaum melayu  jika masyarakat melayu menyokong  ahli Pakatan Rakyat yang lain seperti DAP dan PKR.

Protest terhadap pembinaan kuil Hindu di Shah Alam oleh Kerajaan Selangor Pakatan Rakyat. (Protest against the building of an Hindu temple in Shah Alam by Pakatan Rakyat Selangor State Government)

Protest terhadap pemimpin DAP Lim Kit Siang dan Lim Guan Eng yang juga merupakan Ketua Menteri Pulau Pinang (Protest against DAP leaders Lim Kit Siang and Lim Guan Eng who is also the Chief Minister of the Penang State Government)

Protest terhadap pemimpin BERSIH Ambiga Sreenevasan yang memperjuangkan pilihan raya yang bersih dan adil. (Protest against BERSIH leader Ambiga Sreenevasan who fight for clean and fair elections in Malaysia)

Protest dan kencing atas gambar pemimpin Islam PAS (Protest by urinating on the potrait of PAS Muslim leader and spiritual leader)

Bahan kempen pilihanraya yang menyamakan pemimpin PAS Nik Aziz seperti babi (Election campaign material that equates PAS spiritual leader Nik Aziz as swine)

----------

My fellow Malaysian brothers and sisters,  5th May 2013, a day when all Malaysian voters determine the next leadership of our nation. There are 5 issues that we can all ponder on with our mind, heart and conscience when casting our votes this 5th May (505).

Part 4: Harmony, tolerance and trust between all Malaysians regardless of race and religion

A leader who wants power to abuse will divide the people and a leader who wants power to serve will unite the people. Malaysians of late have been sowed with seeds of hatred, racial disharmony and fed with extreme racial and religious sentiments. Malaysia is multiracial nation with muslim-malay made up a majority of over 60% of the country’s population.  It seemed that tainted leaders who are on the brink losing power continue to resort to “divide and conquer” strategy.

…sowing mistrust between communities and religions.  Different parties in the same coalition incite hatred between communities with one party (namely MCA) in Barisan Nasional insulting Islamic laws and Islamic view of welfare/benevolent  state as suggested by PAS  (a member of Pakatan Rakyat) among chinese communities while another party (namely UMNO and ally Perkasa) in Barisan Nasional inciting distrust and insults on other religions among muslim-malay communities if they support other Pakatan Rakyat members of DAP and PKR.

Amaran terhadap mengundi (PAS) Pakatan Rakyat yang akan merosakkan bangsa dengan sembahyang di gereja, sekaligus menghina agama Kristian yang akan menghancurkan negara. (Warning against voting for (PAS) Pakatan Rakyat which will destroy the nation, religion and race by seeing future generations praying in churches, thus insulting the Christian faith of destroying the country)

Amaran terhadap mengundi (DAP) Pakatan Rakyat yang  akan  mengadai hak bukan  bukan-Islam di Johor seperti di Kelantan, dimana MCA/ BN menuduh rakyat Kelantan yang 95% terdiri Melayu memilih kerajaan negeri diterajui PAS untuk menindas orang bukan Islam sekaligus menghina nilai-nilai Islam. (Warning against voting for (DAP) Pakatan Rakyat which will turn Johor into another Kelantan, where MCA/BN accuse the people of Kelatan whom 95% are muslim-Malay of electing a state government led by PAS to oppress the non-muslim there, thus insulting Islamic values in the state.

_________________________________________________________________

Undillah untuk MENOLAK parti satu kaum UMNO, MCA, MIC dan kawan-ekstrem PERKASA (Barisan Nasional) yang memecah-belahkan rakyat Malaysia.(Vote against a race-based party of UMNO, MCA, MIC and ally-extremist PERKASA (Barisan Nasional) who divides the races and conquer Malaysians)

Undilah untuk parti DAP, PAS dan PKR (Pakatan Rakyat) yang berbilang kaum.

(Vote for a multi-racial party of DAP, PAS and PKR (Pakatan Rakyat) who unites all Malaysians)

Undi untuk Ubah

Vote for change

Joshua

Vote for Pakatan Rakyat where its ethnic-chinese leader asks Malaysians to fulfill the dreams of a great Malay leader, Dato Onn Jaffar who once dream on a multi-racial political party. Where Malaysians from different background will proudly called themselves Malaysian first and last.

Good Friday reflection [Repost from 10 April 2009]

I hope everyone had a meaningful Good Friday and Easter Sunday recently. The day which historians and the Catholic Church adopts as the anniversary of Christ's crucifixion and resurrection.

It's significance transcends the beliefs of mankind and put God's love for mankind in action. Only the suffering and crucifixion of Christ (The unblemished Lamb of God) can redeem us from sin and Only His resurrection can redeem us from the consequences of sin which is death. The ultimate sacrifice of a truly innocent and willing person has even reverse day as seen on Easter.

May the Lord continue to bless mankind, and His love continous to touch the hearts of man, and that we may truly reflect the loving image of God, our Creator.

God bless.

Joshua
(2nd April 2013)


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Today is the most sombre day of the Christian calendar.

God as the guardian of Love and Justice, love and justice co-exist in every situation and time throughout the beginning of time, with love, Heaven is created and with justice, Hell is created.

A day when evil seems to prevail, the guardian of evil was able to inflict greatest damage and pain in God's own heart but it is still called Good Friday because evil was ultimately overcome by good.

Christ even asked God to forgive those who were hitting, beating, jeering, putting him to death. I could see how much He loved me.

God who is loving and justice, had to turn His face away from His beloved only Son on Good Friday, the day where the greatest love was demonstrated and yet the greatest injustice took place at the same time. As much as God is a jealous and wrathful God, His love is the greatest among all His noble characteristics. Christianity is not a religion or faith to be sum up as judgemental, intolerant...Christianity is a faith with love as it's theme just as God is love.

Even though God is loving, He could not be injustice. On Good Friday, an exception was made for the greatest injustice incident to take place in paving a way for the greatest act of love, where an innocent, blameless, faultless, sinless was punished and put to death in the place of the guilty, rebellious. Heavenly Father God had to turn away and be separated from His son, Christ suffered the greatest punishment of all, alone, forsaken by His Father.

It was an excruciating lonely and painful journey beyond any man could bear but Christ took the path in His love for mankind.

Let us go back into the day...

• # When evil seems to be triumphant but yet it the day is still called "Good".
• # When there is no greater love than what happened on that day.
• # When God had to turned His face away admitting the pain in God's own heart.
• # When a noble mother had to restrain from saving her beloved son & watched him die.
• # When friends had to see him dying in pain.
• # When helpless women & children crying for him
• # When the sky turned dark.
• # When the earth trembled and cried.
• # When the stars stopped glowing.
• # When the day love was made complete and tested.

Video #1 "Mary did you know?"

Video #2 "Above All"

God bless us all & blessed Good friday.
Joshua

So, here's to the Birthday Boy Jesus who saved our lives

Christmas is about Christ,

and Christ was born to save you and me.

Whether you are a Christian or not,

God loves us all and joy to the world;

 and peace on earth and good will to mankind.

 



This year's Christmas will be different from last year's of 2011 but I am still thankful for all that God has blessed me with. Therefore, I would like to take this opportunity to wish everyone a blessed Christmas and each heart to be filled with hope, peace and joy.

Remember that Christ was born unto us to save us from the death due to sin. As so, let's us celebrate His birth  by sharing His love to our loved ones.

Have a cheerful and peaceful Christmas to everyone and cherish on things that truly matters in life.

God bless us all.

Joshua

Public execution of a woman in Afghanistan

News and video of a woman being publicly executed for alleged adultery in Afghanistan went viral for the past few days. Leaders, activists and the public all cried outrage towards the appaling act of violence. No one has the right to condemn, especially outside the court of law, what more the right to execute. Whether or not if the woman did commit adultery or not is not for debate here, but the way she was treated, executed demands conscience and mercy of all right-thinking people who all us are created in the image of God to condemn this violent act!

Justification for the execution?

Whether Islamic or the Law of Moses found in the Bible, both faiths have strict laws against adultery. Adultery is a sin, no more or less than the sin of deceit/ lies, greed...etc. The Law of Moses which both Islam and Christian faiths subscribe to requires the accused woman's partner in crime to appear and to be punished as well. What the executors done certainly weren't following the Law of Moses, so the execution has no justification at all as it is definitely un-islamic and un-christian! It is barbaric, inhumane, unmerciful!

Christian approach?

There is no better example and explaination than the Lord Jesus himself to deal with the issue of adultery. The Gospel of John in the Bible (NIV Version), Chapter 8:

" But went Jesus went to the Mount of Olives. At dawn, he appeared again in the temple courts, where all the people gathered around him, and he sat down to teach them. The teachers of the law and the Pharisees brought a woman caught in adultery. In the law, Moses commanded us to stone such women. Now what do you say?" They were using this question as a trap, in order to have a basis for accusing him.

But Jesus bent down and started to write on the ground  with his finger. When they kept on questioning him, he straightened up and said to them, "if any one of you is without sin, let him be the first to throw a stone at her."  Again he stooped down and wrote on the ground. At this, those who heard began to go away one at a time, the older ones first, until only Jesus was left, with the woman still standing there. Jesus straightened up and asked her, "Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?''. "No one, sir," she said. "Then neither do I condemn you," Jesus declared. "Go now and leave your life of sin".

~ Chapter 8, Gospel of John, Holy Bible

Therefore to all right-thinking people, it is not right to commit adultery (I'm not even sure if the poor woman who was executed was guilty of adultery or not), but whether she was guilty or not, we must all have a merciful heart like Jesus, what more we are all sinners and fall short the Glory of God. If Jesus did not condemn the adulterous woman in the Bible, what more are we as sinners to condemn others at present time?

Shame on those executors! May God have mercy on the woman's soul and may God have mercy on all us, who we should forgive and love each other just as Christ forgave and loves us dearly.

"Lord, teach us to be humble, teach us to merciful like you are and teach us to love one and another as you commanded us to. In the most precious, loving and almighty name Jesus, we pray. Amen"

Joshua

Good Friday, Easter Sunday

I hope everyone had a meaningful Good Friday where we reflect on the love of Christ till the extent of extreme suffering, shame and even to a horrible death on the cross. There is no greater Love than the Love of Christ.

I also hope everyone had a joyful and hopeful Easter Sunday, where we celebrate the resurrection of Christ. As a quote from Aslan from the Chornicles of Narnia : The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe "... if a righteous is willing to die in the place of a condemned, even Death itself will be reversed..."

It's always a right time to remember our dear Lord's love for us...

Palm Sunday- The Triumphal Entry



Mark 11: 7-10 (NIV)

"When they brought the colt to Jesus and threw their cloaks over it, he sat on it. Many people spread their cloaks on the road, while others spread branches they had cut in the fields. Those who went ahead and those who followed shouted,

"Hosanna!"

"Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!"

"Blessed is the coming kingdom of our father David!"

"Hosanna in the highest"

Threat of Christianisation in Malaysia?

Interfaith group wants heads to roll over ‘inflammatory’ seminar

By Shazwan Mustafa Kamal

March 29, 2012

KUALA LUMPUR, March 29 — The government must explain why it is allowing a “highly inflammatory” seminar on the “threat of Christianisation” to be held this weekend, the Malaysian Consultative Council of Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Sikhism and Taoism (MCCBCHST) has said.

Religious teachers from national schools in Johor will attend an officially-sanctioned seminar this Saturday focusing on the “threat of Christianisation”. The seminar has sparked outrage among Christians.

The seminar, organised by the Johor Education Department and the Johor Mufti Department, is themed “Pemantapan Aqidah, Bahaya Liberalisme dan Pluralism Serta Ancaman Kristianisasi Terhadap Umat Islam. Apa Peranan Guru?” (Strengthening the Faith, the Dangers of Liberalism and Pluralism and the Threat of Christianity towards Muslims. What is the Role of Teachers?).

Two religious teachers from each of the 55 national schools across Johor are required to attend.

“How can the government agree to something which will affect different sensitivities?

“Is this the policy of the Education Ministry? Who has sanctioned this? Highly inflammatory, uncalled for, someone must be held responsible,” MCCBCHST honorary deputy treasurer-general Reverend Dr Hermen Shastri (picture) told The Malaysian Insider.

He said the council will hold a meeting tomorrow to discuss the matter, and will come up with a more thorough response then.

“On behalf of the Council of Churches of Malaysia (CCM) as well, we are extremely disappointed with the government for allowing this to happen,” said Shastri, who is also CCM secretary-general.

“What if we said Islam was a threat towards Malaysians, we can also ask... what happens then?” said the reverend.

A copy of a letter about the seminar from the Johor Education Department to national schools appears on its website.

Hasimah Abdul Hamid, supervisor for the Islamic Education Unit of the Johor Baru Education Office, declined to comment on the programme’s stance towards the apparent threat of Christianity against Muslims.

“The purpose of this programme is of course to strengthen the faith of Muslims,” she told The Malaysian Insider.

“But I can’t say anything about the title, because it was provided by the organisers.”

But the Malaysian Ulama Association (PUM) said yesterday the Johor government should not be apologetic for organising a seminar on the “threat of Christianisation” as it is an “Islamic” administration and has a duty to do so.

“We need to have these kind of seminars,” PUM president Datuk Sheikh Abdul Halim Abdul Kadir told The Malaysian Insider.

“I do not accept the excuse that Christians will be upset or hurt because of this seminar... the problem of Christianisation has been around for a long while, it is real.

“Therefore, any authority or government which is Islamic has a right to do this. You need to educate teachers, especially the young ones who are unaware of this problem.”

Christians form 9.2 per cent of Malaysia’s 28.3 million population.

In recent years, the Christian and Muslim religious communities have been engaged in a tug of war over the word “Allah”, with Muslims arguing that its use should be exclusive to them on the grounds that Islam is monotheistic and the word “Allah” denotes the Muslim God.

Christians have argued that “Allah” is an Arabic word that has been used by those of other religious beliefs, including the Jews, in reference to God in many other parts of the world, notably in Arab nations and Indonesia.

A number of conservative Muslim groups have also accused Christians of attempting to convert Malays, resulting in heightened tension between followers of the two religions.

Adapted from The Malaysian Insider (http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/)

Whitney Houston passes away...

Today, the world mourns its lost of another person blessed with a gift of powerful and angelic voice, Whitney Houston. We do not know how or why she dies yet, but one can only hope that it is not substance/ drug abuse related or it will be a very very very sad ending. It doesn't really matter how she dies now, but what is more important that we must not lose faith, continue to believe in hope in the world despite despair, knowing that God Almighty still loves you and me dearly.

While radio stations and news pay tribute to Whitney Houston by her famous song "I'll always love you". I personally pay tribute to her through another song which it "When You Believe" featuring Mariah Carey as well.

The song sung by two gifted beautiful person reminds us of a miracle of epic proportion, when God led Israelites out of the land of slavery, Egypt (>2000 B.C) in the movie "THE PRINCE OF EGYPT". Remember, the God today is the SAME God that led the Israelites out of Egypt, so my friends, BELIEVE.

Rest in Peace, Whitney.

God bless us all.

Joshua

Merry Christmas 2011 & Blessed New Year 2012

It's Christmas! This season will not be JOYFUL without the HOPE we found in the First Christmas. May your home and heart be filled with the warmth LOVE of God, family and friends during this season. Jesus Christ is the reason we celebrate Christmas. Shall we all dance with this lovely and lively song "Feliz Navidad" by Michael Buble and Thalia.

Let us dance...

Bullying...

Recently, radio channels in Malaysia are broadcasting awareness messages against bullying and it caught my attention when one radio announcer mentioned that although bullying makes the bullied person stronger and more courages over the years, but the pain can still be felt...

I believe it is true, thinking back of the bad experiences being an alopecian back in high/secondary school, being the only guy with freak bald patches all over the scalp...

Will need make some time and do some research on the topic of "bullying". Research into the minds of a bully and the bullied...

God bless us all.

God makes us for a reason and nothing is in vain, we were made for so much more because there's a place for us...:)

Joshua

p/s: visit my other blog There's a place for us... or simply watch the youtube below and read the lyrics...

The lyrics of the song performed by Carrie Underwood- There's a place for us



There's a place out there for us

More than just a prayer or anything you've ever dreamed of

So when you feel like giving up, 'cause you don't fit in down here

Fear is crashing in, close your eyes and take my hand, yeah

We can be the kings and queens of anything if we believe

It's written in the stars that shine above

A world where you and I belong where, faith and love will keep us strong

Exactly who we are is just enough

There's a place for us

There's a place for us

When the water meets the sky

Where your heart is free and hope comes back to life

When these broken hands are whole again

We'll find what we've been waiting for, we were made for so much more

We can be the kings and queens of anything if we believe

It's written in the stars that shine above

A world where you and I belong, where faith and love will keep us strong

Exactly who we are is just enough

There's a place for us

There's a place for us

So hold on, hold on

There's a place for us

We can be the kings and queens of anything if we believe

It's written in the stars that shine above

A world where you and I belong, where faith and love will keep us strong

Exactly who we are is just enough

Exactly who we are is just enough

There's a place for us

Earth: Population = 7 Billion

According to the United Nations estimate; on 31st October 2011, the human race reached a population milestone of 7 billion. As cheers and fears greet the symbolic "7th Billion babies" being born across the globe.

It is estimated that the world reached its 1 billion population milestone on 1804 and it took slightly over 200 years for the world to reach 7 billion. What an achievement! Better access to healthcare (lengthen life expectancy and reduced infant mortality and eradication/ prevention of diseases), education (empowerment of human capital, choice and progressive thinking), energy (fuel, gas, mass production of food) and awareness through the information age are among the main contributors to the population growth. It is something that all of us should be proud of.

Nevertheless, war, poverty, hunger, oppression, injustice continue to plague mankind. The earth as created by God can provide a comfortable and sufficient food and resources to feed all mankind, be it 7 billion or even 10 billion! As the saying goes, the world can feed every man on earth but can never feed the greed of mankind.

As it is written in God's word in 1 timothy 6:10 "for the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil"

Resources and energy footprints are already leaving strains on the earth's abundance with climate change and excessive depletion of resources in the past several decades, leaving a trail of challenges to produce and provide the most basic requirement for survival : Clean water and food.

At the end of the day, it is the heart of every man that will decide the future of the human race. As the world marked the "7th Billion babies", let us recall the world's first baby being born: the child of Adam and Eve, Cain. Cain is the first infant being born in the world (According to the Bible), and after Cain, there was another child, Abel (Cain's younger brother). As all christians would know the story, Cain being the first person being born of man and woman had also became the world's first murderer.

As God said it in Genesis 8:21 "...every inclination of his [a man] heart is evil from childhood..." . All mankind can only find assurance in a peaceful, abundant and fruitful present and the future through faith in God and His words.

Today, we can be proud of the population milestones, but without God in our hearts, our worries and fear of the future of mankind is trustworthy and true.

Let us rekindle our hope in the coming Christmas season, where the answer lies to the Person's birthday that we all celebrate.

God bless

Joshua

The Spirit of Christmas 2011 arrives...

The year of 2011 started with much pain, horror and sorrow. It's time that the Christmas Spirit to arrive, filling each heart again with hope, hope for a perfect love descending from the Heavens as in the First Christmas.

~Joshua

Muslim extremist in Malaysia threatens to wage war against minority christians of the nation

Muslim extremist in Malaysia threatens to wage holy war/ jihad or crusade against minority christians of the nation...

It is sad that it has been more than 48 hours now since this extremist MP threatens violence against minority christians of the nation...and yet the authority fails to act against this threat of violence...

His threat is based on an unfounded piece article or two.

Meanwhile, Penang Chief Minister, Lim Guan Eng calls for prayers for peace in the nation.

There's nothing much ordinary citizens like myself can do except to speak up for truth, justice, peace, hope and love and to pray.

God bless us all.

Joshua

Protect and defend Christians’ right to use the Alkitab — The Christian Federation of Malaysia

It seemed outdated but the issue has not been resolved and still relevant.

Joshua

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MARCH 30, 2011 — We are grateful to Almighty God for bringing together Christian leaders from across churches in Semenanjung, Sabah and Sarawak to address the current controversy surrounding the impounding of Bahasa Malaysia Bibles, the Alkitab, at Port Klang and Kuching. This decision weighs heavily on us because of the implications not only for Christians but for all Malaysians.

We are united in our reaffirmation of the freedom of religion and worship. Therefore, our position is that there should be no restrictions, proscriptions or prohibitions whatsoever on the bible or the use of the language of our choice in the practice of our religion, as it was in the days before and after the formation of Malaysia.

Christians, like any other Malaysian, are not demanding for anything beyond our constitutional and fundamental human rights as enshrined in Article 11(1) of the Federal Constitution and Article 18 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

The current controversy surrounding the Alkitab is just one of many issues that concerns Christians. There has been a systematic and progressive pushing back of the public space to practise, to profess and to express our faith. For example, the wearing and displaying of crosses and other religious symbols, the use of religious words and the construction of places of worship have been restricted.

When Christians express this concern, we do so not just for ourselves but on behalf of all Malaysians. Our faith forms a critical component of our identity as Malaysians in nation-building as enshrined in the first pillar of our nation’s Rukunegara: Belief in God.

As regards the offer made by the government on 22 March 2011, we respectfully state that this does not address the substantive issues. In point of fact, our previous offer made in 2005 to use the term “A Christian Publication” was only honoured in respect of one shipment of the Alkitab. Subsequent shipments were similarly held up and subjected to further arbitrary conditions for release.

In order to move forward, we call on the Government to commit itself once and for all to remove every impediment, whether legal or administrative, to the importation, publication, distribution and use of the Alkitab and indeed to protect and defend our right to use the Alkitab.

This includes revoking all orders made under the Internal Security Act 1960, which have declared the Alkitab as a threat to national security. Neither can the Alkitab be considered a threat to public order under the Printing Presses and Publications Act 1984. We categorically reject the characterisation of our Holy Scriptures in this manner.

Instead, we see our Holy Scriptures as providing enlightenment and direction. In the words of the psalmist, “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path.” (Psalm 119:105). In the New Testament is stated the teaching that we hold dear and true: “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” (II Timothy 3:16)

We remain committed to work with the Government for a viable and long- term solution where the detailed processes and procedures are made clear and unequivocal and so long as our fundamental liberties as enshrined in the Federal Constitution are not infringed.
As for the copies of the Alkitab that have been impounded and desecrated, we reiterate our position that the action of the Ministry of Home Affairs (KDN) in stamping the bibles amounts to an act of defacement, disrespect and treating with disdain the holy book of the Christians.

Given the unfortunate experience of KDN’s tendency of taking arbitrary action without consulting affected parties or respecting the religious sensitivities of the Christian community, any decision to collect copies of the Alkitab which have been stamped and serialised would be with a view to prevent the possibility of further arbitrary acts of desecration, disrespect or destruction being committed against the Holy Scripture of the Christians by KDN and its officers.

We have left it to the two importers to decide whether or not to collect the Alkitab, based on their different specific circumstances and level of trust in the authorities and the processes in their local context.

Nevertheless, no matter what their decision is, we remain united in our common stand to uphold the principle of freedom of religion which includes the free availability without hindrance or obstacle of the Alkitab and all sacred scriptures in Malaysia.
We continue to call on all peace-loving Malaysians to pray for a dignified resolution to these critical issues in the life of our nation.

Dated this day 30th March 2011

Bishop Ng Moon Hing
Chairman and the Executive Committee
The Christian Federation of Malaysia

Above All- Christ died for us...

Why it is called Good Friday? When Christ, Son of God, an innocent man was crucified?

Why isn't it called the Evil Friday when the devil was successful in inflicting severe pain in God's own heart?

Good Friday is called good because GOOD triumph over EVIL with LOVE, the most powerful weapon that is not known for those who dwell in darkness.

Have a good weekend, everyone. God bless.

Joshua

Sexual abuses in the Catholic Church

The revelation by sexually abused individuals have cast a shadow over Christianity's most holy week. These horrendous acts by "men" of God on children and individuals must be condemned and punished according to the law.

There should be no cover up by any authority in the Church. As "men" of God, they must and should be subjected to the court of law if not more severely dealt with. People come to God through Christ not priest. It is better for the sheep without an immediate shepherd rather than putting a wolf among the sheep.

These sexual offenders must be expelled from priesthood and must be prosecuted by the civil law, lest they taint the image of Christ.

Christ has such a deep hatred and anger towards the acts of people who mislead the little ones (children) that he said : "If anyone causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a large millstone hung around his neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea." ~Matthew 18:6

If a shepherd sees a wolf among his sheep, wouldn't he drive the wolf away? and keep the wolf away?

The Catholic Church headed by the pope (shepherd) must not tolerate the presence of wolves among the sheep! especially the One that the pope served has such a deep disgust for sin against the little ones!

Joshua

Genocide in Nigeria

The recent killings of christian villagers in Joss, Nigeria is strongly condemned in all possible terms. All peace loving people of faith must exercise their belief. Killing others in the name of God is an act of the demon. All quarters must exercise restraint, to the victims - rest in peace. To their family, my deepest and sorrowful condolences. Some very graphic images are popping out on the internet but I have not posted them on here.

Who would ever have a heart to burn and slash harmless, innocent children and women???

This must be stop, all peace loving people and Christians must come together in prayer and peaceful-activism to end this violence. Love your enemies, the LORD said...it is certainly almost impossible but let us remember the that vengeance belongs to the LORD.

LORD, hear the cries and sufferings of the little ones.

Joshua