"...he that winneth soul is wise"

"...he that winneth souls is wise" (Proverbs 11:30)

This was something I read recently that stirred my heart. Honestly, I've never really seen this verse before although I've read through proverbs a few times.
Ever wonder that it's not easy to win a soul for the Lord? Because as I look back, I could almost count the numbers with my hands. Many times when we reach out to our friends, we are not among the favourable. And we give up or give in to it. We rather change the subject and avoid further arguments. We want to "keep" the friendship but not their souls.
It's not just a matter of telling all you know about Christ, but truly speaking to their level of needs. It's not easy. Sometimes my conversation seems empty but sometimes it gave life to the hearer. They may not tell you that you have touched them or they feel a stirring inside. So do not stop when you see nothing happens because He is working something in them. And that we truly need the wisdom of God.

I am made all things lo all men, that I might by all means save save some. (1 Corinthians 9:22)
You can be in a class full of non-believer for three years and conducted yourself well but if no lives have been touched and brought to the Lord, Christ death is made in vain. A person becomes a new creation only when he accepts the Lord.
Telling a man what he must be does not help him. We do not put before a blind man what they ought to see but we open their eyes in the name of Jesus. We do not give steps on how to open the chain when their in captives but we open the door for them. Do not just correct a child's behaviour but show them the key to it. Jesus who gives us His Holy Spirit will teach us all things.
Christ entire life and purpose on earth was to save sinners(1 Timothy 1:15) He came to seek and save the lost.(Luke 19:9) Let us walk as how Christ walked on earth.
I love what Charles Spurgeon quoted from his book,
Dr. Chalmer' experience is a very valuable one to those who think that Christian ministry ought to preach mere morality, for he says that in his first parish he preached morality and saw no good whatever arising out of his exhortations. However, as soon as he preach Christ crucified, then there was a buzz, a stir, and much opposition, but grace prevailed.
Let us be minister of His grace to our friends. He who is wise brings souls to the kingdom of God.

I won the lucky draw first prize!!!

I must say that the Lord has blessed me with plenty this break.

In it, I saw the Lord's hand carefully orchestrating every event from coming back home to ipoh, to visiting my brother in Sarawak and to kl.

Thank you Lord for...
The right time to visit my brother when he happened to be on a long break too. So he was there to take me around Marudi.

My nephew Isaac Liew who showed me the meaning of love. I love him so much. Seeing him really brings so much joy to me. Through him, I got to better understand children more and see them in a different light.

For the Pastor & his family in Miri for opening up their house for me to stay before I fly over to my brother's place & to kl. I felt so loved. When I wished for a cup of milo after the flight, the wife happen to serve me one. I was privilege too to celebrate their daughter's birthday that fell on the last day of my visit I stay over in their house before I fly over. He gave me more kids to love and they are really such an awesome family. I've always have a love for adopted kids and he told me that she was adopted. It's a very common thing for the locals there to give their children away among their family members if they have more =) And when his wife thought she could not conceive anymore after 16 years, her third child came 6months after they adopted Natasha(picture attached). Now they are like twins. Inseparable. I see God's miracle & he gave them both a play mate for each other.

Lili. A very dear friend who grew up together with me. So happen that we were able to arrive on the same day and time at the airport. The last time we met each other was about ten years ago. Thank you for the yummy food, going from restaurant to restaurant to try..and the hawker food! I wish I could stay longer to try more. Heh~You really pampered me. And also for the manicure & pedicure. Plus the fruits too!! Love them.

The first prize 32" LCD television!!!
It's amazing how this came about. I was suppose to follow my friend back to Ipoh on Saturday morning but I cancelled it on Friday night when they asked me to stay longer. I called my mum on Saturday morning to tell her about it to realised that my dad was actually down in kl too. He got a free dinner ticket for the 6th Asia Pacific International Entrepreneur Excellence Award 2007. His friend won the award and he drove my dad down. One table was worth about 13,000. So I asked my dad if there's extra. hehe~Wanted to see what's a business dinner like. He called later to tell me there's one. Anyway, the food wasn't spectacular =) I think they paid for the advertisement and the program.

My dad saw the top prize for the Lucky Draw & as anyone would, he joke that maybe we could get them. What are the chances of one getting it for a dinner size of one thousand. Before I came, I told my friend that I've never gotten a lucky draw prize before. I remember while her bro-in-law drove me there, he shared to me that he would wake up each morning and confess that Goodness and Mercy will always hunt him down.How can they not.Hehe~ They listen to Pastor Prince's sermon too =)

During the dinner, three guys left early and pass us their tickets. The draw went on till quite late eleven plus. We even hope for the smaller ones like the hamper. Even that we were happy.
We got two for the earlier part. The first time I went up & the next my dad. I called my mum to tell her about it.
Then, they called another of our number. So this was the third one. They were giving out five same prizes for that category. And the next following number was my dad's other number! So it was our fouth prize. Then my dad & I was on the stage together. So funny. I was so excited and called my mum again. I told her that we won two more & will most likely be back real late to Ipoh as they were still drawing. She jokingly said that she thought I had called because I had gotten the tv. I told her I wont be calling again as it's late unless I win the tv =)

The time came for the final draw. Everyone was on their seats waiting in anticipation for the winner to be announced. I quietly mutter under my breath, "Thank you Lord for this tv, In Jesus Name". When he called out the number "7" to put up their hands, my heart sank. Mine starts with a four "4" He went on to say, put down your hands if you have "7" and our smiles return. Slowly he called out "4..3..3" I couldn't believe the number before my very eyes and hands. It's ME!!! My first two times I was up there I didn't quite feel anything. Just happy.
But this time, all eyes & spotlights were on me. I shivered. I couldn't believe the moment. Now I knew how would one feel when they won the first prize. haha. There were so many cameras, I looked down and saw my dad smiling broadly.

From not having win a lucky draw before in my life, we won five lucky draws on the same day!!! =) Five for the number of Grace. Grace was truly with us that day =)
I rush down to call my mum. She said she has been praying Heh~
And thank God my dad's friend drove down yesterday.They'll usually just catch a bus down. Maybe the Lord already knew it =)

Surely goodness & mercy will hunt me down all the days of my life! I believe it's a present of Daddy's faithfulness in my life before I return back to Singapore!

I love you.

Music for the weary heart

I would like to encourage you to listen to anointed songs if you’ve been feeling tired or weary lately. Nothing soothes you more than an anointed song. Leave your cares on Him and seek the One who understands it all.

I was there listening to a Malay Christian song when it was played in my brother’s car. I was there at my brother’s student Christian Fellowship. I went there to observe. And when the students sang the first song, I felt the presence of God enveloped me so strongly like I never felt before. I found out later from my brother that it was the same song in the car I heard that day. I didn’t know it was the same song but I knew I had the same feeling when I heard it at separate occasions. I could sense His love so strongly.

The song was called “Bapa Yang Kekal” translated as “Eternal Father”. Little did I know this was a song about the grace of God, I knew not the Malay word for grace then. Even when I search the dictionary for “kasih kurniaMu” for grace, it was not registered in my Malay dictionary. Even the word “syurga” for heaven. How “limited” our dictionary is when it comes to knowing the truth. My brother later said that whenever this song was sang, you could sense the anointing of His presence very strongly.

I encourage you to listen to them. Wondering if it makes sense to you?

If you truly want to sense the anointing in a song, take a simple test. Listen to a Christian song with a language foreign to you. I’m a Chinese who knows not or understands Mandarin (a little better now;)) but I was so ministered by our church latest release Chinese album, Justified =) I listen to it almost everyday now.

This is what I caught & wrote last night:

I believe many times a good and anointed song is first caught before being taught. Do you remember the times when the worship leader introduced a song at the end of service and you fell in love with it the moment you heard it. Just like when you first lay your eyes on the one you love. It’s your first time hearing that song and you hardly even know the lyrics. But it feels like you have known it. If it was because of the musicians for the reason they played well or maybe because it was well written then the song you have heard outside, some even top the Billboard list could have outweigh all these reasons but you know that it does not carry the same experience. Just one moment of eternity. A simple song that could move you to tears or fill the empty heart that has been seeking for love but true love is only found in Jesus alone.

BAPA YANG KEKAL/Eternal Father

Kasih yang sempurna telah

Complete love

Ku terima dariMu

Have I receive from you

Bukan kerna kebaikanku

Not because of my good deeds

Hanya oleh kasih karuniaMu

Only through your grace

Kau pulihkan aku

You saved me

Layakanku ‘tuk dapat

My qualification cannot

MemanggilMu Bapa

Call you Father

Kau bri yang kupinta

You’re the one I adore

Saatku mencari ku mendapatkan

Everytime I look for you, you’re there

Ku ketuk pintuMu

I knock at your door

Dan Kau bukakan

And you open it

Sbab Kau Bapaku, Bapa yang kekal

Because you’re my Father, Eternal Father

Takkan Kau biarkan

You will not allow me

Aku melangkah hanya sendirian

To walk alone

Kau selalu ada bagiku

You always give to me

Sbab Kau Bapaku, Bapa yang kekal

Because You’re my Father, Eternal Father

The heart of love is what matters in a family

Lately I've been away from home and also from my friends in Singapore. Nothing of running away or such but just a break I took to my brother's place in Sarawak. It certainly has not been easy not having both with you at the same time. At least with one it would have been much better.
But I've learnt to appreciate my loved ones more.
This pass three days I've been reading the book "Chicken Soup for the Christian Family Soul". The first day I read it, it seems that most of the pages that I turned to has a story of a mum. In there the Lord speak an important lesson to me. I saw in those stories how much a mum would sacrifice and give the best to their children. To be there for them at home while dad works. She takes her nap when the child goes off to school and work the extra night shift to be able to support her children's education. The sacrifice of a mum is immeasurable. One can only understand when she becomes a mum herself. I saw that in my mum.

In the stories I saw how much we mean to our mum. It struck me suddenly to realised that mother's are just so precious. So many times we have place a law on our loved ones esp our family members. We "expect" them to be this and that for "their" good. Otherwise, we get angry or irritated at the way they are because they don't see our good intentions.

 

Why dun I just love them. What do I get if they get the point. Wouldn't it be better for us just to accept and love them just like our heavenly Father love us. Unconditionally. After all, our life here on earth is short.

 

What if I would not see them tomorrow, would I have been proud if I have gotten the point across to them or would I be much happier if I had just love them & appreciate them more.

 

I think I would have chosen the latter.

 

Yesterday night, my brother turn on a series in hallmark channel and it was a story about a mother who end up working as a drug dealer because she could not support the family anymore. She later came out of it when she realised how much she was addicted to it & had lost the love & time with her children.

 

We wonder how would one be so silly to give her life to such danger. Everything because of a mother's love for her children.

 

As I flip through the pages the next day, I found some words penned down by a son from the lessons his dad has taught him. It happened when he saw his little brother scribbling across his dad's prized hymnal one day. Instead of punishing the boy, his dad looked at it carefully, and sat down without saying a word.  He toke the pen from his brother hand and wrote along the scribbles made : "John's word 1959, age two"

 

How many time have I looked into your beautiful face and thanked God for the one who has now scribbled in my new hymnal?...And as I look at their artwork, I think about my father, and how he taught me about what really matters in life : people, not objects; tolerance, not judgement; love which is at the very heart of a family. I think about these things, and I smile. And I whisper, "Thank you, Dad." by Aurthur Bowler

Simple lessons from being with a child

It's been a few days since I came here to Marudi, Sarawak to visit my nephew. I decided to take a trip here even though I had to stay up late middle of the night to wait for the flight and another five hours in between for the twin otter to take me over just to savour the moments of seeing him in his cute baby like state =) To be able to carry him, to see him crawl and hear him babble. The next time he flies back, he would be walking. The journey seems far in, but when I first came here the last time,it didnt look so rural after all =) I was amazed. It looks like any other small town equipped with proper facilities like a school, a church building, a hospital & even four banks! Heh~At least my brother didnt make me take the 3 hours boat ride like the last time!
I've learnt that to spent time full day with a baby/child is different that from being or playing with them for a few minutes. During the course of few days here, I got in tune with his personality, his habits and his traits. For example, its easier to feed him when he's watching television. It's like a magical tool. Otherwise, he'll be so occupied with playing. But with the neighbour, he is able to sit & eat quietly. We were wondering why he's more well behaved when he's with the neighbour and more "demanding" with the mum & love to cling on to her. Yesterday while reading one of the baby's magazine, I found the answer. It's because they are simply more attach to their mum and they could not to someone else. And thats why you see the different in character with different people.
My nephew cried when he was in the room at night yest. I asked my brother why and he said he always cries when the mum changes his clothes. How true. I went in and she was changing his pants. Books can educate us on their milestones & on the food they eat. This will give us a knowledge of them, but to apply it we need to be around them to first know their personality and to apply it accordingly.
Sometimes it can be the other way round. Like I wonder the way he is with the way he acts with my neighbour. Reading the magazine gave me the knowledge and a clearer picture of the situation.
We go through different seasons of life. When things seems bleak we turn to Him more, telling Him our problems. It's here that we spend more time knowing the person Jesus. We have studied and hear of his traits and character in the Bible & sermons but it's only through walking and talking with Him in this journey that we truly know Him!
One last thing, it take special grace to be in a place God has called you to! I feel like I'm in an Adventure Camp these pass few days! My bro loves the people, the place here =) For me, I've learnt to appreciate the simplicity of life here. The people here wakes up at six! And start their day at seven because the sky starts to turn bright at six plus =) It's been a good experience though.

10 "Commandments" for a responsible pet owner

10 "Commandments" for a responsible pet owner
(as told from a pet's perspective)

1. My life is likely to last 10 to 15 years. Any separation from you will be very painful.
2. Give me time to understand what you want of me.
3. Place your trust in me--it is crucial for my well-being.
4. Don's be angry with me for so long, and lock me up as punishment. You have your work, your friends, your entertainment. I have only you!
5. Talk to me. Even if I don't understand your words, I understand your voice when it's speaking to me.
6. Be aware that however you treat me, I'll never forget it.
7. Before you hit me, remember that I have teeth that could easily crush the bones in your hand, but I choose not to bite you.
8. Before you scold me for being lazy or uncooperative, ask yourself if something might be bothering me. Perhaps I'm not getting the right food. I've been out in the sun too long, or my heart may be getting old and weak.
9. Take care of me when I get old. You, too, will grow old.
10. Go with me on difficult journeys. Never say, "I can't bear to watch it," or "Let it happen in my absence." Everything is easier for me if you are there.

          Remember, I love you.

Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals of Texas

Children are called to be MIGHTY warriors!

I was just browsing through my book shelf yesterday looking for a right book to read and the first one that caught my attention was this book called, “Soldier with Little Feet” by Dian Layton. I thought then it was a book on discipleship or something similar to that line. Little did I expect this book to be on children’s ministry. The author shared on her experiences, some practical tips working with children and who they are in God’s kingdom. The whole book was really good and practical but there was one page that totally changed my view of children and made me see them in a whole new way.

We had been worshipping the Lord, and I was encouraging the children to listen to God’s voice, then come up to the front and tell us what He said. Slowly, a few began to move out of their seats. There was a mixture of comments, complete with “My dog is sick.”(So we included a litlle teaching on the difference between a testimony or prayer request and something God tells us! No problem.)

Then Karen Cazemeir, with her curls bobbing up and down confidently, came to the front and took the microphone. “The Lord just told me that my spirit is just as big as an adult’s spirit!”

She went and sat down. I stood there, with her words echoing in my mind. The truth of that statement become one of the foundation stones of my ministry.

 When a person receives the Lord into his heart as his Savior, the Bible says he is “born again”. And age is not a factor. A child who read the Word, pray, and worships the Lord will be spiritually stronger than an adult believers who doesn’t!

…Consider the child who is born again at the age of three, four, or five. He loves the Lord. He attends church regularly with his family. He has a regular devotional time with Jesus. When he reaches age ten or eleven, he is perhaps six years old spiritually. How would you feel if you had been a Christian that long and still had no way to give, still had no way to serve? If week after week you were told to sit and listen? Is it really a surprise to see the majority of ten-and eleven-year olds uninterested and bored with church? Without God’s intervention, and perhaps the help of a dynamic youth pastor, this attitude continues into the teen years.

When I caught a revelation of how BIG the spirit man is in them as he is in us adults…=) I saw how much more they could do. I am not only helping these little ones to walk or to read, but I’m nurturing their spirit man like I would to my youths or friends. The Holy Spirit in them do not understand less just because they can physically do less or unable to read the books we do, but the Holy Spirit in them is as MIGHTY as He is in us. Have a simple child like faith. If they can hear from God, I'm sure you can too!

The best times too I had was when I was serving in my children’s church. I would quietly wish in my heart that the teacher would ask me to take the offering bag.And when she did, I was happy. I’m sure you did too =) and to the times I got the opportunity to act on stage. If you have them around you, let them serve and help you. Tell them to do it as unto the Lord. Then can they also fully understand and express their love for the Lord.

Some extra nuggets :

Are you afraid of the dark?

A few years ago, I was wearing a black cape and hat in a skit. I was showing the children how satan lies to us. One of the younger girls got frightened and began to cry. I immediately push back my costume to show her it was just me, but she was still upset. I went to the Lord about it. “Lord, I don’t want kids to be afraid of the enemy, I want them to hate them. How can I portray his real character in these skits?” And soon after that, I got a new revelation. Now, whenever I am teaching about satan, I say. “Kid’s the devil’s not scary! He is gross, dirty, ugly and awful…I pick my nose, belch, and scratch my belly button. The kids love it! They respond, “Oh gross!!” I feel it is an accurate portrayal, and it has done wonders in raising up mighty little soldiers who are at war – not running scared!

This story helps me too =) I used to, or still is sometimes Hehe~ afraid of the dark. I still sleep with a small light on if it's pitch black dark;) I would imagine some big scary thing would appear. But now when I picture the devil as an ugly person rather than the big black monster, fear don’t seem to cripple me as much. Try it out!

Ignoring Words of doubts

Ignoring Words of Doubt by J.M Farro
". . . Messengers arrived from Jairus's home with the message, 'Your daughter's dead. There's no use in troubling the Teacher now.' But Jesus ignored their comments and said to Jairus, 'Don't be afraid. Just trust me.'" - Mark 5:35-36 NLT

In the above verses, Jairus had appealed to Jesus to come and heal his daughter, who was seriously ill. Before they arrived at Jairus' house, they were told that the little girl had already died. Scripture reveals that the Master ignored their comments and asked Jairus to "just trust Him." Each time we're in a trial, we're going to have to choose between trusting God, and believing the "negative reports" of others. During difficult times, we can be very vulnerable to the remarks that people make about our circumstances, and if we're not careful, we'll take their negative words to heart and become fearful and depressed. If the people around us are not led by God's Spirit, we're not likely to hear God's view of our situation from them. They'll usually give us the world's view, and you can bet it will be one of doom and gloom, especially if it's a particularly serious or "hopeless" situation. They haven't gotten a revelation of how powerful and loving our God is, and how He delights in working wonders for His children who put their faith in Him. And we shouldn't be too surprised if sometimes even fellow believers don't see our situation through God's eyes. Often, the Lord will reveal only to us that He has a plan for our deliverance. That's why it's so important for us to ignore others when they make comments filled with doubt and unbelief. We need to turn to God and ask Him to give us HIS view of our situation. Sometimes, all we'll hear from Him is "Just trust Me." Sometimes, that's all we'll need. The Lord raised Jairus' daughter to life, and He provided my husband with a wonderful new job. If you're in a trial today, let this promise from God encourage your heart: "Trust Me in your times of trouble, and I will rescue you, and you will give Me glory"! (Psalm 50:15 NLT)

These verses are some of my favorites in all of Scripture. God has used them many times to encourage my heart when I was in a trial. Not long ago, my husband lost his job of 18 years. We knew a year ahead of time that his company would close its doors, and all that time, we prayed and stood on God's promises for His provision. Even so, the day came when my husband's job ended, and he still had no idea what he would do. We watched as many unbelievers who never gave the Lord a second thought got wonderful new jobs right away. There were times we were puzzled, hurt, and disappointed. We continued to pray and seek God for His help, and several more months passed by before the Lord opened a door of opportunity for my husband. One thing I discovered during those long and difficult months was that even well-meaning people can say hurtful and negative things. That's when God began teaching me to ignore a lot of the comments others make about certain situations in my life and the lives of my loved ones.