Keeping The Bibles Holy, Just As Keeping Ourselves Holy

The recent spat about stamping the Holy Bibles or Alkitab with serial numbers (as though the holy scriptures are criminal men and women) and the wordings "For Christian only " (which is confusing, as though people wouldn't know that Bibles are meant for Christians until they need to see the sentence) and also "By The Order Of The Minister" (wa, now man can dictate Bible is it ? ) is very disturbing and I personally and strongly reject this kind of injustice call.

"There is no compulsion in religion" - is a phrase I remembered very clearly from a friend of mine who converted to Islam.

The 10-points resolution proposed by the Government is indeed a step forward to solving this problem. My question is - how permanent is that step ? And why must it be a bias act between Penisular and Sabah Sarawak ? Why can the bibles in Sabah Sarawak not stamped but for those that will be circulating in Penisular, it must be stamped ? Are we implying that the people in Peninsular does not know the national language very well ?

I sincerely hope that in spirit of 1Malaysia, everyone will be allowed the same courtesy to worship in their respective religion. And the holy books of any religion should just be kept holy, and not desecrated in any way as it is disrespecful.

And let us try to be holy men and women as well, and "DO UNTO OTHERS AS WE WOULD LIKE OTHERS TO DO UNTO US".

Prayer for Tracy Wong

The sister of my colleague was diagnosed with cancer (stage 2 going into stage 3) recently and is now undergoing treatment at Sime Darby Medical Centre.

I am not someone who knows how to speak eloquently or provide comforting words especially in times of need. All I can do is offer up prayers for Tracy - that she will be given the strength, courage and faith to undergo all these trials. For when the Lord closes a door, somehow He opens a window. Trials are placed unto our shoulder to make us stronger and more faithful in Him - I truly believe that.

I pray that she will recover soon, and the Lord will be merciful on her, sparing her with much pain. God bless you and keep you safe always, Tracy. Amen.

Daily Prayer

I like the prayer which was on Christine @ Mariam's page (http://mariamaisha.blogspot.com/), therefore, I would like to share it with all of you:

Lord,
Teach me to be generous,
Teach me to serve You as You deserve,
To give and not to count the cost,
To fight and not to heed the wounds,
To toil and not to seek for rest,
To labour and not to seek for reward,
Save that of knowing I do Your most Holy Will

Selamat Berpuasa or Happy Fasting

Today marks the first day of fasting for all my Muslim friends. Therefore, wishing everyone, Happy Fasting and may this holy month of Ramadhan brings peace and solitude to all those who are seeking for it.

May it also bring us all closer to one another - after all, we are all human beings, brothers and sisters, who, by God's grace, were given a chance to live on the Earth.

Different Ways To Fast

Usually, comes Lent season, I would be thinking, "Ok, this is the time for me to fast, to give up food." But a friend of mine sent me this powerpoint presentation which says, "Lets try a different way of fasting. Instead of giving up food only, lets try... "

Fast from anger and hatred
Give your family an extra dose of love each day...

Fast from judging others
Before judging others, recall how Jesus overlooks our faults

Fast from discouragement
Hold on to Jesus's promise that He has perfect plan for your life

Fast from complaining
When you find yourself about to complain, close your eyes and recall the little blessings that Jesus gave you

Fast from resentment or bitterness
Forgive those who may have hurt you

Fast from spending too much money
Try to reduce spending by ten percent and give those savings to the poor

Spend extra time for personal prayer

I pray that this season of Lent will help me to be more grateful and thankful with the gift of Jesus in my life. And to be more grateful and thankful for the gift of my family - my syg and little Daniel.

A Simple But Wonderful Prayer

Dear Lord, I thank You for this day,
I thank You for my being able to seeand to hear this morning.
I'm blessed because You area 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.
Amen!

A Prayer for Baby Alden

A message from GIFT member:

Dear All,

One of our former GIFT members (batch 1997-2001) needs our help. Let us all pray for Marilyn John Sibatu's family. Her 5 month old son, Alden Joey Laison was admitted to ICU last Wednesday [22nd March 2009]. He had serious episodes of seizures and after further testing, the doctors found out that there are some bleeding in his brain. His condition is very serious as this can lead to severe brain damage.We (Joyce Siambun & I) went to visit baby Alden at Hospital Likas this afternoon and how our heart breaks looking at him lying on the bed with all those tubes and machines attached to his 5 months old body. He had tears at the corner of his eyes. According to Marilyn, baby Alden is unable to open his eyes since he was admitted because his eyes are bleeding too. Marilyn keeps talking to him, comforting him and telling him that mommy's friends came to visit.Please pass this on to everyone who knows her and let us all pray for the recovery of poor baby Alden. May God bless their family.

-Mimi-


In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, Amen.

Jesus our redeemer and healer, we offer baby Alden into Your mighty, powerful and loving hands. Please have mercy on this poor little child, have mercy on this baby who has not opened his eyes to the sins of this world. We pray Lord heal this baby from all his sicknesses, pain and suffering. You Lord have gone through suffering, pain and humiliation for our salvation
so You surely know what this baby is going through.

We believe nothing is impossible for You as You have the power to heal and give life. We know how You healed the blind man, we know how You brought a dead man to live again, we know that You have turned water to wine, and above all, we know for sure that You care and love this baby and so we pray.

ord touch this baby boy, Alden, and heal him in Your mighty name, Jesus, which is above all names. We claim healing and full recovery for this baby by Your precious blood. Heal him Lord
as You have said by the stripes on Your body we are healed. We now pray for healing for this baby.

Jesus, we also offer Marilyn and her family into Your hands. We know Lord, as much as the suffering the baby is going through, the mother Marilyn is also going through the same suffering and pain emotionaly. She is sad, terrified and in despair. We ask you Lord to give Marilyn and also her family strength and peace to go thorugh this moment. We believe Lord and we strongly believe that there is something better coming ahead for them, something more joyful coming ahead for them and that this is only a temporary trial, a test of faith.

Dearest mother Mary, please pray for this baby and the family.

All the saints and angels in heaven pray for this baby and family, and be with them, giving them comfort and calm assurance

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. AMEN.


Thanks be to Jesus.

Advent Season ...

Once again, we are in Advent Season.

Not so long ago, we were making final preparations for our wedding. Now, we are making final preparations for the coming of our baby .... Can't believe how fast the time flies... 2008 is almost gone, and 2009 is coming.

Lets look back at the year 2008. What have I done that I am proud of and what have I done that I shouldn't have do it?

Geez, this is definately a hard question. Well, not so hard actually. I am proud

• to becoming a mummy soon, to go through the 9 months so smooth and easy,
• of my contributions to the church,
• that I am able to play keyboard in the church now (though I am cheating by using Casio chords),
• to be able to do translation for homilies, and
• that finally our Phase 3 project is once again going after picking up pieces and trying to assemble it together when the previous director left with all info scattering and missing,
• to own a home of our own.

I am not proud when

• I allowed people to accuse me of things that I did not do;
• Not being to stand up for myself, to defend myself agaisnt the accusations;
• Hating those who accused me, unable to forgive them (till recently few months ago);
• I felt I neglected my family when I spend too much time with church activities (e.g. bringing my mum to market is something that I seldom do this year which resulted that she tumpang other people - makes me feel so guilty at times);

Will 2009 be a better year? I guess it is up to ourselves on how we wanna make it better. Need to be more positive thinking, that's for sure. Also, must find a balance between church activities and family.

But I am sure, with God's grace, everything is possible. Nothing will be too burden for me to carry, for God knows my strengths and weaknesses.

Meanwhile, I just wanna enjoy the remaining month, faithfully anticipating the arrival of our new member in the family.

Happy Advent to everyone !

Just A Little Prayer Before Begin Work

My Heavenly Father, as I enter this work place, I bring Your presence with me, I speak Your peace, Your grace, Your mercy and Your perfect order into this office. I acknowledge Your power iver all that will be spoken, thought, decided and done within these walls.

Lord, I thank You for the gifts You have blessed me with. I commit to using them responsibily in Your honor. Gove me a fresh supply of strength to do my job. Anoint my projects, ideas and energy so that even my smallest accomplishment may bring You glory.

Lord, when I am confused, guide me. When I am weary, energize me. When I am burned out, infuse me with the light of the Holy Spirit. May the work that I do and the way I do it bring faith, joy and smile to all that I come in contact with today.

And oh Lord, when I leave this place, give me traveling mercy. Bless my family and home to be in order as I left it. Lord, I thank You for everything You've done, everything You're doing and everything You're going to do.

In the name of Jesus I pray, with much love and thanksgiving.

Amen.