kemerdekaan

kemerdekaan

2005 is 48th independent year for our country. How far we have journeyed in less than half a century. If this is not Providence I would not know how else to explain it. Looking back at the reflections of how we came to be a nation brought much appreciation and gratitude of the blessings that showered this land. The News Straits Times published a brief history of its published events prior and after Merdeka which threw in much light on how it felt when time for independence drew near and what were the challenges our country had to face. We post merdeka babies lack is truely appreciating how Merdeka came about. I think this is because we now freemen lacking the empathy of how downgrading colonial subjection can be. We read about it, hear of it, see documentaries but since we have decided it happened long ago and its no longer our problem, we isolate ourselves from what essentially led to the rebirth of our nation. I have also found similar logic pattern taking place in the minds of Christians towards Christmas and Easter. We are not apostate, but we detach ourselves from really celebrating and knowing its full meaning. In retrospect, I too was such, in much ignorance, ingratitude and unbelief.

Is it really a waste of resources and of our time? May be you will change your mind as you read the concluding words of the Proclamation of Independence by Tunku Abdul Rahman. In his own words, Malaysia “with God’s blessing shall be for ever a sovereign democratic and independent State founded upon the principles of liberty and justice and ever seeking the welfare and happiness of its people and the maintenance of a just peace among all nations.”

My admiration for Tunku is heightened by another news report dated 21 February 1956 stating that he proclaimed independence by 31 August 1957 if God permits, instead the fomal words of the London agreement if possible. Following is an extract of his speech that day.

Whereas, in the course of human history, no nation, in order to salvage itself, will ever remain static for a long time. It will be compelled to decide on one of two directions, to go forward or backward. This depends of the ability and adaptability of that nation in facing changes and developments. When people are in a state of complete complacency with their present status they tend to fear anything that may produce changes. They will suspect any move or anybody who comes out with new ideas or inventions. But since human history is the history of changes and developments of making things better and more perfect, this type of self-satisfied nation will be left further and further behind and eventually disappear and remain only to be revealed by future historians. For us we are lucky that our nation is endowed by the grace of God with fortitude, courage and dignity. We were once a nation with great national heritage. Although the circumstances of our history have changed us from an independent, proud nation to a shameful and subjected one, we have managed to maintain our God-given pride, dignity, justice and indomitable spirit while being under continuous colonial rule for more than 400 years. Let it be known that we, the people of Malaya, are united in our endeavour to achieve independence of constitutional means and today we have fulfilled it. Therefore, in the name of God, the most merciful and the most compassionate, I hereby proclaim on behalf of the peoples of Malaya that full Independence for the Federation of Malaya within the Commonwealth, in accordance with the agreement reached in London, will take effect by August 31, 1957, if God permits. Abdul Rahman Putra.

With this, it is not difficult to love and cherish our heritage now, is it? When we love our country, we will do our best and keep her in our prayers constantly. What better service can we offer?

all night youth prayer meeting all right

all night youth prayer meet all right

It has been the most exciting event on our youth calendar so far. Nothing tops it when God comes down to be with us! We shared, prayed, sang, jumped, all the way until 4am. It is a breakthrough as none of us succumbed to sleep though people did trickle to the kitchen to get coffee and a short break. Most of the people remained in the chapel except for trips to the loo. The highlight of the night came when young people broke the fear barrier to come upfront to pray for their own family and friends, releasing love and forgiveness through their cries for healing and restoration. Nothing is more touching than seeing them getting honest and personal in their own words towards God, they went straight to the throne of grace and petitioned for breakthroughs. People were also in one heart and mind to support and encourage them in prayer and ministry. I felt the love, joy and peace of the Lord soaking the room as people poured their hearts unto Him. There was a connection with heaven that night. Words of encouragement filled the hearts of the people as they held each other up on prayer. I think I had witnessed the best reward a leader can ever have, when people had learnt to respond to God, realizing their need for Him and His grace and hang on to Him, discarding fear and shame. I am sure He will come and heal our land.

unshakeable faith

unshakeable faith

It has been a good day for me. Woke up with a little dizziness and heatyness but the joy of the Lord carried me through. I worked though this is my off day, as to fulfill my personal commitment to complete the job at hand and it was resolved. Mom in-law cooked dinner with delicious watercress soup, just the dish for a heaty body. I drank 2 bowls. Headed for SCC bookstore to pick up some manuals for some members and was delighted to find some goodies awaited me there: a newly arrived Hillsong CD God He Reigns and a couple of things which I had wanted to get – a movie made on Mother Teresa and the specific book on how to study the Bible which I was not able to find anywhere else. Just felt that I had gone there at the right time. Above this, I received a good discount and got to hear some good testimonies from Ps Richard. God is good.

The movie on Mother Teresa was very touching to me. Although they did make her larger than life in certain scenes and since it is a movie they fail to show the real depth of her struggles, but her love and compassion for the rejected and the needy, her sincerity and the persistence within her towards the call of God upon her life not only graced the people around her during her time, it also has reached and touched me. She convinced me of the reality of God in her life and I agree with her, she would not be able to do what she did if God was not in it with her. Her legacy of yielding to the Lord for leading, faith in prayer and in God’s provision deeply encouraged me and assured me that there is no one better and more capable to make way for us than God Himself. In her own words I am just a pencil in God’s hand. He is the One who writes. We are His instruments of blessing, but have we been willing?

I could identify with her moments of despair and loneliness, the times she felt like she had no more strength to go on and the pressure she faced from within her order and without. Yet she shone brightest in the toughest times of her life because this was when God shows up and shows up strong in favor for her. I feel that these are the moments that had deepened her faith in the Lord, refined the vision she was entrusted with and purified her motives and intentions. Some of her words she said during one of those times in this movie was never be afraid to be a contradiction to the world. We face conflict and opposition, but have we been courageous and believing?

Though Mother Teresa trailblazed and much was depended upon her for leadership and encouragement, she had a close circle of friends, whom I believed God had knitted their hearts with hers like Jonathan and David. These friends stuck with her through thick and thin. The journey of a leader may be difficult, lonely and winding, but God graces it with the presence of friends, and I believe God does this for every leader regardless of where they are and what they are called to do, they never do it alone.

Thank God for such inspiration in the life of a woman who chose to live as she was called to be. For more of famous quotes by Mother Teresa, visit:
http://www.dayformothers.com/mother-teresa-sayings.html
http://www.drini.com/motherteresa/own_words/

Another milestone for the year...

Another milestone for the year….

I am quaintly satisfied with myself being apart of the 20th church anniversary, reason being that I find I had contributed something from the preparation till the end which was essential and non replaceable. Maybe being involved in it gives me a sense of feeling important (thank God it did not inflate me!) and having a part in making it an enjoyable event brought some feeling of being positively useful in impact. Received many congratulatory statements and encouragement on my singing which made my happy. Hard work does pay off. I still recall feeling frenzy and nervous the day before, stumbling through and keep forgetting the sequence during practices. I had by far worked myself through the most number of practices for an event and I am glad I did this as a personal commitment. For the first time I had all the songs and the flow in my head without relying on paper and most thrillingly, went deep in devotion even it was a public event. It was magical for me. Never regret pushing through.

There were some struggles the night before the event. I had trouble sleeping and was a little worried whether I would be able to recall the songs and the direction I wanted to go. Had a faint nostalgic feeling of how I used to feel before presentations last time. Besides, there were merry makers joining my neighbour opposite me excited over their all-night mahjong marathon. Didn’t like missing sleep and the crackling mahjong pieces but I knew this need to be dealt with, so I did what would be best – pray and intercede. Apparently, that was what the opportunity had to offer – time with God for petitioning and awaiting breakthroughs. It was an opportunity not to be missed because it first allowed me to deal with my inner struggles. I petitioned my need for the Lord and for breakthrough as encouraged in Philippians “be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” I had the peace of God anchoring me the moment I let out my anxiety and frustrations and started to trust Him, lean on Him. It’s like a release and refill with no gaps between it kind of thing you know. Not only did God gave me rest internally, the Hoy Spirit began to stir me to intercede for the next day. It was such a victorious moment. By then my prayers became confident, assured, giving and faithful; I didn’t mind if I had to pray until day breaks. Isn’t it wonderful when confusion seeks to set foot and distraction seeks to enshroud, simple yielding to the Lord brings deliverance and a weapon to gain ground? Satan sought to wear me down but God turned it all around. I was all charged up and prepared for the morning, even caught some good sleep, had some morning inspirations and energy to last till I reached home.

Another thanks giving occasion would be having all these people around you who are responsible for what they are doing, serious in what they do, and willing to do it. I don’t think there would be any more potent a group than with such attitude. People, they get up early before the sun hits the roof and were on their way to the venue to set up. Most of them did not come with breakfast. Then, they stayed behind after the event to pack up and transport stuff back to church. I am sure God has their reward at hand.

YPS 2005

YPS 2005

Another event I get to serve the pastors and leaders in a meaningful way. It seems to me that the more I grow, the more I should help and serve others – just like growing up being the eldest, there’ll be the time when you will be needed to contribute to the younger and to the needful; not to my detriment but towards more growth in the future. Another way of saying it is growing but never serving is like eating but never exercising, we end up being Super Sized Me look a-like. Heheh… notice the pun.