Sons of Fortune

Started a couple of days back on Jeffrey Archer's Sons of Fortune. Inspiring. The idea of destiny and fate arising from simple choices we make and those others execute leaving lasting imprints in our lives.

Courage, Wisdom, Conviction. Clearly a scarce value in today's political arena of survival of the shrewd and ruthless.

The days ahead of us are numbered. And we best learn to come to Him who assigns the stars in the sky and breathes life into mere mortals. That we may learn what truly matters and choose what is left of life's outcome beyond what we can choose that we may decide what can still be decided and not hand over that last shred without a care, without a fight.

2 Cor 3:18 says, "And we who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord's glory are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.

We can choose like Moses to walk with God. We can choose to go up to the mountain of the Lord and behold Him who is the great I AM.

Food Food Food

(Front left to Right) Pastor Ken Teo, Yasmine Tan, Marc Chow, Yours Truly, Chong Fu, Ambrose Cho, and Henn Drik Low.

OCF President, Tara Ong Vi Ling, was the photographer.

Last Thursday, Pastor Ken and I, together with church leader, John Tan, and youth leaders Nick and Voon, met up with a bunch of 20 odd returning and new students at Monash University Berwick for delicious piping hot Vietnamese cuisine at Springvale.

As we chowed down the food with lots of chit-chat and laughs, I couldn't help but think about the bunch of youth leaders and friends that we left back home. How we used to meet over food and laughter as well.

And Wednesday cell with Pastor Geoff's group revolved around pot-bless dishes. Food again!

On Friday, we joined another of the church's cell at Melvin's house. And guess what - pot-bless again! Food, Food, Food!

On Sunday, after service, we went out with a different group of other students to Sofia that served huge, and I mean huge, helpings of pasta and pizza. This time, Jessica and our three girls join the feast. The girls ended the meal with foot high multi-flavour ice-cream which they scooped down in no time with Claire, Ken's daughter, in the lead.

This Thursday, we are going to have fun with the varsity's Overseas Christian Fellowship group playing some outdoor games. I wonder, if there'll be more food again.

And this Saturday, we're going to chill out over Asian BBQ at Ken's house. Would you believe it, the Monday after, the church is going have a picnic at Lysterfield Lake during Labour Day holiday! More food!

In fact, that's how it has been the past couple of months.

Now that brings us to the obvious question: Does food matter? Can we do without it in our Christian get-togethers? Did you wonder that the Lord's Feast was also called the Agape Feast? Back then, it wasn't with a wafer and tiny weeny tumbler of ribena? It was a sumptuous meal with wine and real food!

Hmmm....

The Prometheus Deception

Reading another old book, flipping through the final pages of one of Robert Ludlum's best sellers. This one was out in 2000. The catchy title's lure was easily exceeded by the author's captivating style that drew me into mesmerizing plots and sub-plots of every conceivable double and triple conspiracy and counter espionage.

That's so much like world we live in today. What seems to be may not be at closer scrutiny.

As mentioned previously, this year will usher in unprecedented deception.

What struck me most about the book was how the mastermind networked with world leaders using satellite imaging and the finest computer technology to monitor every individual's life movement down to the personal moments. Reminds me how our lives would be replayed in the next world to show accounts of how we have lived every moment.

Unlike the Big Brother watching version which was limited to audio-visual recording, God's version included a display of every thought and motive. Wow!

Heb 4:13 says, "Nothing is hidden from Him. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of Him to whom we must give account."

I wonder.... if that doesn't matter, nothing else does.

The Eleventh Commandment

Finally read my first novel after more than 15 years. You wouldn't believe it huh?

Jeffrey Archer's The Eleventh Commandment published in 1998. I supposed from here on, I'll be picking up more readings of various sorts to rev up my fancy and spur me on to different things as we moved into our new lives in Melbourne.

By the way, the Eleventh Commandment is - Thou Shalt Not Be Caught.

Jeffrey Archer in his usual flair paints the exploits and escapades of a CIA spy who lived by the code "never to be caught." Interestingly, many of us like the spy live double lives, hoping never to be caught.

And like the old adage, "Power corrupts. Absolute power corrupts absolutely," reminds us that most people live civilly for fear of being caught. The stark reality is those rare few who cross the boundary have a story to tell. None would have expected to be found out. The worst of the lot usually have reasons to justify their actions.

What would you do if you know you can do it without any dire consequences?

The flip side of the coin is: For those who us who choose to live by God's code, we are free of every commandment simply because we have been set free from the law of sin and death.

We ought not to be living the way we choose for fear of being caught; rather, because we believe that's the right way.

This brings me to one particular quote: Mahatma Gandhi said, "You have to do the right thing. It may not be in your power; maybe not in your time, that there'll be any fruit. But that doesn't mean you stop doing the right thing. You may never know what results come from your action. But if you do noting, there will be no result..."

Recently, the senior pastor of Crossway Baptist in Melbourne quoted someone in his preaching about sin and suffering: He said instead of enjoying favor and blessings when we do the right thing, we ought to be prepared to suffer when we do the right thing. How wise.

Naturally, there is a cost to doing the right thing. The Bible speaks clearly about persevering in doing the right thing. James says when you suffer for doing wrong, you deserve it. But when you suffer for doing the right thing, rejoice!

What matters in the coming days is to bear up under suffering. At least, to prepare to face the consequences. Paul said: I can do all things through Christ who strenthens me (and may I add: "if I can take the consequences.")

The Eleventh Commandment is NOT about NOT BEING CAUGHT (punished) doing the wrong thing. It is about being CAUGHT (punished) doing the right thing.

So let us spur each other on even as it is called TODAY that he who does evil continue to do evil, and he who does good continue to do good. For the time is coming when we will give account to Him who sees all things.

When Fire Rages On

The news report copycat arsonists inspired by attention given to the recent bushland fires could possibly be lighting more fires. With 181 people dead and scores missing amid 21 wildfires blazing across Victoria, I couldn't help but wonder how all this is hardly felt in Malaysia and other parts of the world.

When tragedy drags on anywhere in the world today, people seemed less disturbed than they would have been 10 years ago, or possible decades earlier. Over the years, we have all been subtly made hardened by the amount of large scale deaths witnessed on satelite news.

In the midst of all this, we are simply too preoccupied with our own world of challenges.

When the end draws near, how many of us would raise an eyebrow or look up to note the threat and change?

What fire are we battling and how can we prepare for the ultimate fire - the fire of judgment - that comes on the earth?

May God have mercy on us all.

Sad News After Three Months

I didn't tell any of the leaders I worked with that I had set aside three months from the time we left Kuala Lumpur for things back home to surface. That will be a little sign to me.

Of course, I already knew ahead of time the outcome.

But three months it was, for grace to take its course before the next window of change opens.

And now exactly three months on February 3, it all came up.

Sad. But it was to be.

Those who understand will know what I am saying. I will not go into details because what must next take place will take place.

May God have mercy on us.

Three Months

It's going to be three months since we made our journey Down Under.

It's time to move on.

I will be reconstructing this site and blogging again as promised.

Before that, remember: First. We are facing deception as never before in this next season. Second. We have to turn around and get moving next out of our rut. We are going to be stronger and bolder than ever if we are going to make it. And we will by God's grace!