Saturday, March 29, 2008

Taming the Tiger


I had attended the Taming the Tiger Rally in Klang. Boy, Tony Anthony blessed so many people, I believe, including me !! He had such a powerful testimony. I couldn't of completing my post without leaving you with his testimony. It's just amazing !! Would like your take and what you all think of his story. :



Tony’s dramatic personal story is testimony to the saving power of the Lord Jesus and to the grace, freely given, to all who choose to follow him. Raised in China, Tony was trained in the way of Kung Fu. His upbringing, barren of love and severe in discipline, pushed him to harsh extremes until he excelled in the art of his heritage, becoming a World Champion ‘master’ in martial arts and a highly proficient combat fighter. In his early twenties Tony worked as a body guard, travelling the world with some of the world’s richest, most powerful people. When tragedy struck in his personal life he allowed himself to fall into sinister circles and was ultimately incarcerated in a Cypriot prison. A then violent and bloodthirsty man, Tony was visited regularly by a missionary who was committed to sharing the message of freedom in Christ with those physically imprisoned. One night, in a broken prayer, Tony Anthony realised for himself the love and saving grace of the Lord Jesus. Today, Tony is a happily married family man, living in Southend-on-Sea, England. ‘Few people have sinned in the way I have,’ Tony maintains, ‘but God has saved me in such a mighty way. Even though I have fallen so short, he has used me, in his grace and power to bring others to him. Evangelism is my passion,’ he continues,'I pray that we will make many more disciples and that thousands of people will come to know the freedom and the love in Christ that I know today.’



Luv,
jO feat. Tony

Wednesday, March 26, 2008

ONLY a Sultan

Before I start my post, I just want to wish Dr. A. Xavier Jayakumar, dad of my good friend, Dev, a very big congratulations on winning the state seat in Sri Andalas (where I stay) and then, becoming an exco member in the state of Selangor.

So today, during lunch, Dev was talking about his dad's swearing-in that took place at the palace on Monday (yesterday). The amount of preparation just to see the Sultan was so.. so.. so.. I don't know where to start !!! Dev was slapping us with the whole list of rules and regulations (protocol) to see the Sultan : you must where a songkok, you must where black clothing, you must kiss the Sultan's hand before stepping away, you must never show your back, when walking away walk backward to avoid showing your back, you must bow down with your your hands together several time (I lost count how many times) to different several people, so on and so forth.

And I just sat there thinking that we, Christians, probably wouldn't even be able to give a list as long as that when we go into the KING OF KINGS' presence. It's just appalling isn't sometimes. New Year's a great time to make resolutions. But as for a challenge - Let us be really careful with what we have and what we do when we're in the King's presence, for he deserve our very very very very best. If anyone can do it for the Sultan, I'm confident in God's children that we'll be able to do the same for our real KING !

P.S: Our King of King is ALWAYS around us. Just a reminder =)

God bless,
-jO-

Tuesday, March 25, 2008

The Sixth Hour



As it turned three o' clock, the thick blanket of dark almost-black clouds enveloped the sky. One of my six-year old schoolmates asked my supervisor," Is it night time?". "No, it's only 3 o'clock" came the reply. It was a sight, alright !!


Shaun rushed to the window, with eyes wide open in disbelief that the sky could ever be so dark. It was indeed the one of the darkest DAYS I've seen in a long time. But yet, even in times like these we can transport back to another time where the sky was pitch dark at 3 o'clock. Can you remember ?


Yup, just as Jesus breathed his last breath and cried out a triumphant,"It is finished !!" - the earth was covered or rather the sun was covered and the earth was dark. The Bible describe the time of this event that it happened on the "sixth hour" - scientifically in modern-time, 3 o'clock.

Amazing!!


Luv

-jO-

The Triumph !!


I had the greatest privilege of being involved with the IBAYD ( Inter-Brethren Assemblies Youth Development) Drama Team during the "Easter" Period. We performed in PJ Gospel Hall on the 22 of March, Setapak Gospel Centre and Shah Alam Gospel Centre on the 23 of March itself. You could say it was my second "major" production- if you're counting my "oh so scary Christmas sketch" last year. It was a great learning experience. As most of you who know me- yes, I really did enjoy myself tremendously. I indeed learnt so much learning from people who have acted in productions before. Ann Choo, my Mission Team Supervisor at RBS, and Mun Wai also a great actor - in more ways than one. They both are part of a team called the FOOTSTOOL PLAYERS, led by Colin Kirton - who was one of the RBS staff too.

To check out their biodata click here. Ann Choo and Colin Kirton were involved in the recent Malaysian film,"Jarum Halus".

The production was called Condemned ,Broken and Risen. It contained 3 Acts. The first one being a monologue by 3 people of different viewpoints of the Resurrection, the second one was the "play-out" of the events building up to the death of Jesus and the third one being a mime from the song "I'm the Reason" written by Ng Wah Lok ( who also wrote songs like Everytime I pray and Approved in Every Way ). I cannot stress more on how much I have learnt about acting in the last 3-4 months, eventhough I act in church rather regularly. It's just amazing how much God can use dramas to impact people. It's such an amazing tool and the more I do it, the more I'm convicted it's one of the most effective tool God can use.

Well, that's that. The message of "real Easter"..
never fails to make an impact,
never never fails to refresh your faith,
never fails to show who Jesus really was and what he really did !!

God bless,
-jO-

Saturday, March 15, 2008

I Wanna Go Home at Midnight !!



Midnight Cry:

Michael English feat. Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir

VERSE 1:

I hear the sound

Of a mighty rushing wind

And it's closer now

Than it's ever been

I can almost hear the trumpet

And Gabriel sound the chord

And at the midnight cry, We'll be GOING HOME

CHORUS:

When Jesus steps out

On a cloud to call His children

The dead in Christ shall rise

To meet Him in the air

And that those that remain

Shall be quickly changed

And at the midnight cry, when Jesus comes again.

VERSE 2:

I look around me

I see prophecies fulfilling

And the signs of the times

They're appearing everywhere

I can almost hear the Father

As He says "Son, Go get your children"

And at the Midnight Cry, the Bride of Christ shall rise !!!

Luv,

-jO-

Friday, March 14, 2008

Lotz of stuff..



It's been a real tough or should I say busy few weeks. I really cannot describe how many things have happened. I've been going through so many things too. But more importantly, God has been more and more real. Especially when things get tough and bad - it's just makes me happier. I suddenly find myself expecting pressure and thriving on it. Although it's never a good thing when you are having pressure, I don't know how to describe this feeling.


I've been learning to see the bigger picture in things and in situations. I've been leaning to see things beyond "the small things". And I feel more and more convicted about the things I believe I'm doing. I miss your testimonies. It really can give someone a great boost. As I said, I've really been going through some stuff that aren't all that pleasant.


In times like this, I remember some words Dad mentioned at one of our Worship meetings two weeks ago - before the church was about to praying for the country going into their 12th general elections : The fact is we DO NOT belong (to the world). That just sums it all up. Going through the Experiencing God Series has taught me one big thing : TO SEE THINGS GOD'S WAY !! and that about it. Our goal as Christians simply is to be like Christ and to make him known. And the only way for this to happen is TO KNOW HIM.



I am one who can stand up today and testify that even though I had a relationship with God before RBS. My post-RBS relationship with God has been renewed to one that is refreshed - as though it was given a new life. It's just amazing. And I think that's why there have been things in my way. I'm happy to take them on as I know that I holding someone's hand that can help me go through all these "small pitiful obstacles". I pray this post will be a great encouragement to you all especially those who probably might be facing some thing similar to me. I would like to hear some of your testimonies too - it's really encourage !!


"My thoughts are not your thoughts.." - Isaiah 55:8.


Luv u all,

-jO-

Thursday, March 6, 2008

Famous 5 !!

Let me introduce 4 great people I met at RBS :
I'm sure you know who's on the far right *Laughs*
From Second from left to right :
Wern Ming, Ruth, Joycelin, and Jason









When we meet,

bowling - must have !!!
So I took the first game..

(which no picture of the score board was taken.. Sigh)

but when I lost the second game,

Jason took picture of the score board..

So unfair right ?










Here's the scoreboard for the second game..
I'm the first "J", = 104 points..





I must say..
I blame it on the "revenge sabotage"
courtesy of Jason Chin Jinn Foong..
Sigh !!!





So back to posing..
I tell you..
the 5 of us would make great models..
We practice lotz of posing..
Here's a few..
( To Joycelin, Wern Ming, Ruth, and Jason - DO NOT KILL ME !! PLEASE !)




Jason letting out all his frustrtions on Wern Ming..
Almost looks like a "Cain and Abel" scene..
Jason, remember our classes on Anger: A Tool For Change yea ??!!
Besides, I like Wern Ming - Don't kill him la..



At least, This is the only thing from RBS..

I CAN keep..

Of course there are 46 more friendships too lah !!

Luv you guys !!

-jO-