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 1 - 10th Anniversary of a Wonderful Journey

Hi everyone,

1st November 2013 is a significant milestone in my journey of life, as it marks the 10th Anniversary of the beginning of a remarkable chapter of my life.

I have Alopecia Areata since young and then it rapidly developed to Alopecia Universalis within a several months just before my 17th birthday in 2001. The hair on my scalp fell off significantly (>90%) followed by my eyebrows, eyelashes, arm hairs and the rest is history.

It was extremely tough to deal with the sudden massive hairloss psychologically and socially as I retreat myself in the comfort of my house and a baseball cap whenever there is a need for me to go outdoor. I never know why I loss my hair, never know that there were people out there who shared my condition for almost two full years until 1st November 2003.

1st November 2003 was the day when I first discovered and officially get in touch a wonderful group of people sharing my condition on a support website called "Alopecia Areata Support Community".

From the online community I've met a group of wonderful people where the seeds of friendship were planted into our hearts and lives.

From then, friendships have been blooming like spring. Many thousands of miles have been traveled to spend quality time together including special events like, group gathering, wedding, New Year's celebration and Christmas Day.

Sunflower is symbol of my friendships and it has been my favourite flower since. The Lord has been kind enough bless my life with so many people that has never fail to touch of my heart many times.

There is so much share on this milestone and days till Christmas 2013. A very special Christmas indeed as it marked the 10th Christmas together in spirits and thoughts with my friends from all around the world.

Joshua

My love for the flower began when one of dear friends Dotty sent me some sunflower seeds from the United States.

This teddy is named "Josh". It reminds me of a very dear couple of my life- Uncle Wilf & Aunty Kath. Aunty Kath has since gone home to be with the Lord in 2012.

The Holy Bible

Post 13th General Elections of Malaysia : Fight for democracy continues on...

There are overwhelming issues raised regarding the final outcome of the just ended Malaysian's 13th General Elections.

The fight for democracy, justice and freedom from oppression and corrupt practices continues.

The majority of genuine Malaysians have spoken and stand up together.

and beware that any "democratic" government that comes into power through deceit and fraud in the elections is indeed a very fragile government because it does not have the support of the majority of genuine rightful citizens.

Please follow news update on major news portal.

May God bless this beloved nation of ours.

Joshua

Post 13th General Elections of Malaysia: Anwar Ibrahim: Kebangkitan Rakyat Malaysia

I will reserve from commenting the results of the 13th General Elections in great details except to congratulates all fairly, legitimately, honestly elected representatives whether on parliamentary or state assembly levels.

I would also like to congratulate all Pakatan Rakyat (PR) leaders, members, supporters, volunteers, voters and Malaysians who gave PR of more than 50% to the total votes cast, giving a majority of 386,000 votes/ voice over Barisan Nasional's slightly over 46% of votes received. Thus concluding that Pakatan Rakyat received the support from majority of Malaysians of their message of anti-corruption, good governance, honesty and integrity compared to Barisan Nasional's half-hearted "transformation" promise.

We continue to place our faith and trust in God.

May God continue to bless this nation.

Joshua

5 May 2013: The Hope of Malaysians is in your hands/ Harapan Rakyat Malaysia adalah pada tangan kamu

This is the last five must watched videos before you go to the polls tomorrow. 

Ini adalah lima video terakhir yang anda harus tengok sebelum mengundi esok.

[Perubahan di tanganmu: Bahasa Malaysia dan Mandarin]

[This is it change! Ini kalilah! Ubah!]

[Kebangkitan rakyat dan perjuangan Pakatan Rakyat: Bahasa Malaysia]

[Compilation of Anwar's speeches with English and Mandarain subtitles]

[Short clip urging us to vote for the future of Malaysia: Mandarin with English Subtitles]
Another version with proper English and Malay subtitle is faulty due to unknown reason

Vote for Mother earth

Vote for Democracy

Vote for Integrity and Honesty

Vote against Racism and Religious bigotry

Vote for Justice and Freedom

Vote 

As an appointed Pakatan Rakyat Information Officer with no allowance and no salary by Anwar Ibrahim along with hundreds of thousands fellow officers out there, I would like officially end my online campaign for Pakatan Rakyat  for the upcoming 13th General Elections. We must have faith in God, and we must believe in hope, believe in justice and believe in change.

May God Almighty bless this beloved nation of ours.

Pakatan Rakyat leaders, members, supporters and volunteers have worked extremely hard for the past two weeks and beyond. It's over to the people now. Change is in your hands.

---

Sebagai Pegawai Penerangan Pakatan Rakyat yang dilantik Anwar Ibrahim bersama ratusan ribu Pegawai Penerangan PR yang lain tanpa diberi gaji dan tanpa allowance. Saya ingin mengakhiri kempen online saya untuk Pakatan Rakyat untuk Pilihanraya Umum ke-13. Kita perlu percaya pada Tuhan, percaya pada harapan, percaya pada keadilan dan percaya pada perubahan.

Semoga Tuhan mecucurkan rahmat kepada negara tercinta kita.

Pemimpin Pakatan Rakyat, ahli, penyokong dan sukarelawan telah bekerja paling kuat sekali untuk dua minggu kebelakanagan ni dan lebih. Sekarang, segalanya terpulang kepada rakyat jelata. Perubahan di tanganmu.

Joshua

p/s: Will be back after the Malaysian 13th GE and results.

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

A silly comment from an opposition MP about Sabah crisis

A silly comment made by the opposition MP Tian Chua recently about the Sulu militants intrusion into Sabah has been blown into a huge issue no matter how you may want to intepret it.

 

There should not be any doubt on the heroic sincerity and passion to defend the sovereignty of country among our country's security forces and defense personnel in dealing with the armed militants in Sabah.

 

I urged MP Tian Chua to apologize and retract his remarks/ comments as it does hurt the feelings of the loved ones of those whom had died in the operation so far.

 

I would also like to urge those whose anger continue to burn against the MP that made the silly remark that Tunku Abdul Rahman- our Bapa Kemerdekaan Malaysia (Father of Independence) is also accused of being "worse than" and defamed and we should also stand up/ speak up against those who defamed our Bapa Kemerdekaan.

 

However, I believe that Malaysia's mainstream media have given far too much attention on this remark by the MP eventhough how silly it may be. Patriotic and peace loving Malaysians should instead divert their energy to pray and to contribute in support of the affected families and Sabahans. Not to forget that we should also analyze the intrusion issue as how we could help to secure a better future, more prosperous and a more secured Sabah for all Malaysians in general and Sabahans in particular in the up coming 13th Generel Elections.

 

Blessed are the peace-makers. May the peace of God be with everyone. I pray that a peaceful solution without further bloodshed can be reached sooner.

 

Joshua

 

 

Happy Chinese New Year 2013!

Happy Spring Festival/ Chinese New Year to all chinese from all around the world.

To all Malaysian Chinese, in this new year of the snake, I invite everyone to heed the call of the greetings in the video produced by YB Teresa Kok (Democratic Action Party Parliamentarian, State Assemblymen and Selangor State Exco) and her team. "Discard the old, change to new, dare to try"





Happy Blessed Chinese New Year!

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

In Loving Memory of Kath Ashton



Words can never described how much Aunty Kath had touched my heart within these 7 years of friendship. When words of her passing into heavenly realms at 10.15am, 28th September 2012, my life has darkened, dark black as in a cave, but soon enough a light of hope shines into that "cave" just as the ressurection of Lord Jesus on the 3rd Day after His cruxcificion, beaming a powerful hope that Aunty Kath is in heaven and enjoying the wonderful presence of the Lord and the saints now. Her words and encouragement never fails to move my heart to tears. I miss you really much Aunty Kath, till we meet again in heaven.

Thoughts and prayers are with her beloved husband Uncle Wilf and family and friends. (((HUGS))) to all of you.

Joshua

We shall overcome

— Jacob Sinnathamby


The Malaysian Insider
Jul 07, 2012

JULY 7 — How often have you heard this statement? Those who do evil and wicked things in Malaysia seem to prosper but the good-intentioned are jailed, demonised and subject to continuous harassment by the mainstream media and authorities.

Or this line? It is so unfair that the crooked politicians can get away with anything.

These statements are often then followed with a burst of anger and frustration, and a despairing rant about how little we can do to bring the wicked to justice and bring about change in Malaysia.

But there is no reason to despair. I am a Catholic and I also sometimes find myself wallowing in the cycle of “nothing can be done”.

But every time I read Psalm 37 I am brought back to the realisation that the corrupt, wicked, evil will face their day of reckoning.

I put down a few verses which points out that God will reverse things, rewarding the good and punishing the wicked here on earth.

“Do not be provoked by evildoers;

Do not envy those who do wrong.

Like grass they wither quickly

Like green plants they wilt away.

“Be still before the Lord;

Wait for God.

Do not be provoked by the prosperous nor by malicious schemers.”

“The wicked plot against the just;

And grind their teeth at them

But the Lord laughs at them

Knowing their day is coming.

“Those whose steps are guided by the Lord;

Whose way God approves,

May stumble, but will never fall,

For the Lord holds their hand.”

I am sharing some of these verses because there is a danger that sometimes we get too despondent surveying the political landscape and the wanton actions of those in power. We seem helpless to act against the power of incumbency and the use of the institutions of the state.

In those times, we must remember to trust in God’s promise: “I have seen ruthless scoundrels, strong as flourishing cedars. When I passed by again, they were gone.”

Quench your real "thirst"

It's been a while since I last posted something. Work has been keeping me occupied most of the time, but being working over-time or stressed about it does not help in finding true satisfaction and fulfilment in life. At the end of the day, a healthy relationship with God is all that matters in addition to healthy relationships with people around us.

I'll spare the audience of this blog  from Malaysia and its political situation at the moment, and share with all of you an article will touch each of our hearts and search for a true meaning in life.

Joshua

Celebrating the 10th Year of "Hairlessness" Part 2

In my Part 1 "Celebrating the 10th Year of Hairlessness" blog, I briefly talked about my alopecia and also re-tell and re-explain what Alopecia Areata is. However in the blog posting, I would like to talk more about my journey with Alopecia Areata (AA), not my entire life journey but more or less the summary direct to my alopecia journey.

As again I have AA since young but it remained only small patches of hair loss which could be "hide" by keeping longer hair. However, AA takes a turn to its most severe form "Alopecia Universalis" or AU on November 2001 when I was a month away from my 17th Birthday. So at my 17th birthday, my hair loss no longer happened only to the scalp as it progress to other parts of the body, from legs to arms, to eyebrows...etc. and the last to go was my eye lashes.

Now at 27, I am still having AU but there are a few strands of hair scattered here and there, so technically speaking, I am not 100% hairless...hahaha.

2001/2002 at 17. Being an alopecian (a person with alopecia) at the end of my high school years was tough, many of my friends were lost and do not know what to say. While I remained in a state of shock waking up every morning seeing clumps of hair on the pillow, losings clumps during shower and seeing the progressive baldness in the mirror, I stayed determine to complete my high school examination. While I displayed a strong personality at school about my ever "growing bald spots", I have not only invited stares and talks, nicknames like "baldy, baldness, monk" also surfaced. At the age of 17, one is not only concern about his/her studies, arguing with parents but also discovering the wonders of the "birds and bees", obviously the exploration of the wonders of the "birds and bees" has to be stopped abruptly at the dawn of AU (and it was really automatic). There were happenings at school and school assemblies (when I started wearing a baseball cap to cover my baldness) that remains "dark histories" in my life that I myself would not want to revisit at this point.

After I graduated high school and while waiting for a place in college, I just kept my feelings, disappointments and bitterness while I find comfort and strength in poetries, computer games and of course my pet dog, I could walk my dog for hours in the dark before going home.

Also at that point, my journey in faith has begun to take "root", it has been all "growing on the surface" when I first accepted Christ at the age of 11 or 12. "Almost" daily personal Bible reading and prayer has also started to happen, but guess what? Eventhough I want my hair back, I hardly pray for hair and I do not really know why I did not. Other areas of life had taken a turn for the worst, and so my journey with alopecia universalis began with God and my pets (animals). You'll be suprised that I trained my dog to wait till I say grace to thank God for the dog food!...hahaha.

I no longer spend time with my usual highschool friends, I don't go out without a baseball cap, my social life completely broken down until I gained entry into university to study a pre-veterinary science course which I "had to" social with my classmates. Except for occasional thoughts and covering my baldness (with a few patches of long hair here and there) with a baseball cap in class, or in the public, I turn "numb" towards my alopecia and "enjoyed" my time in university (which the environment has been less hostile to me compared to my final months in highschool)....until October 2003.

wait for my third blog posting...:) on what happened in October 2003 that changed my life forever...

Have a good day everyone

God bless us alll

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/)

Celebrating the 10th Year of "Hairlessness" Part 1

...10th...

November 2001 was the time when my hair was falling rapidly, within months I lost about 80% of the hair on my scalp, then it progressed to my eyebrows, arm and leg hairs, eyelashes and the rest of the body and this condition is termed as ''Alopecia Universalis"- a severe form of Alopecia Areata.

It's been 10 years and I still love to tell others about alopecia areata. So, what is alopecia areata (AA)? In short and lay-man explaination: The white blood cells in my body attacks my hair roots and there is no cure yet. And I cannot die from having Alopecia Areata. It is widely believed and accepted by both scientist and dermatologist it is one to the Autoimmune diseases.

Now, in the 10th year of living with alopecia universalis (AU), instead of sobbing about my "still hairlessness" and still being a "weirdo" to some people in the society, I want to celebrate it. Without alopecia, I will never be the person I am today.

Being AU also marked the beginning of a blessed life.

Before I speak furthermore on how AU has affected my life, to all who is new to AA or AU, you are most welcome to learn about it through my previous blog postings (clicking on the topic will link you to the post):

1. Explaining Alopecia Areata and Auto-immune disease
2. Understanding the role of T-Cytotoxic & T-Helper Lymphocytes
3. Alopecia Areata as an Auto-immune disease
4. Should Alopecia Areata patients strengthen their immune systems?
5. Wouldn't the T-Lymphocytes around the hair follicle of an AA patients die?

There is no cure yet eventhough there are various form of treatments available, from the immunosuppresants to acupuncture to ayuverdic. The success of these treatments are not consistent for every patient with AA, I have personally know people living with AA have spontaneous regrowth and complete recovery with any form of treatment at all.

So, thats the end of Part 1 of a series of blog postings in Celebration of my 10th Year of "Hairlessness". This post explain what Alopecia Areata is. Future blogs will talk about living with alopecia.

God bless everyone.

Joshua

A Proud Alopecian :)

p/s: You can post me a comment if you would like to talk to me in private or visit http://www.alopeciaworld.com/ for more advice or support on alopecia areata.

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