2 Samuel 1: It's hard to say goodbye....

For David, that day must have been one of the worst day of his life. He found out 2 persons who had a significant place in His life was forever gone. Saul, His king and master whom he had the upmost respect and his dearest friend, Jon. My guess it that he sang the lament accompanied with his wonderful harp playing. He also ordered that the people in the land of Judah to be taught this lament to remember this 2 great men. It shows that David was a man who had a big heart. Even after what Saul had done on him, he was never bitter over him and even mourned for Saul. David showed us what it means to be merciful, to be forgiving and compassionate.

In this lament, it also tells us of how David will forever remember Jon; a mighty fighter, dies at the height of his life, a dear brother and a loving friend (vs.25-27). It tells me what kind of a friend was Jon, to have left such a significant imprint in David's life. I wondered...how would people around me remember me the day when I am gone forever? What will they 'sing' about me?...

Perspective :)

There are more than 1 way to look at things. Check this out!

See more than one deer?

NEXT: What do you see here? Do you see the word 'LIFT'? Or, a bunch of black splotches ?

Do you see all faces or houses?

This is so cool. Do you see the baby?

A face? . Or, the word 'liar' ?

next...

How many horses in this picture? Should find 7

Lastly, people or faces?

1 Sam 31: Say who?

These days it's not easy to find people who mean what they say and keep their promises. Many people say things for the sake of saying things, say things they don't really mean and some even say things that are not true or partially true. Some truly mean what they say but has no ability to fulfill them. But here, i see God truly keeps to His words. Saul and his sons all died tragically in the war with the Philistines just as God said they would through Samuel (or the spirit of Samuel, chp 28:19). Its' both scary at the same time a relieve. It means that God is dependable...it means that His words is reliable.

Let's take God seriously.

Sleepy...sleepy...sleepy...

Coffee...coffee...coffee....how i wish i can have 1 but i CAN"T.....i MUSTN'T!!!

something i luv to listen to to chill out

1 Sam 30: When things turn from bad to worst

What if one day something terrible happened... you not only lost something precious to you but the best part is your friends blame you for it. What will you do? David was in such a situation when he and his men came back home and found the place burnt down and their family members kidnapped. Adui!...dah lah sakit hati his own wives kena kidnapped now he is the target of their anger. But surely David is not called 'a man after God's heart for nothing.' David turned to God and found the strength he needed in such a time (v.6). He dint turn to his own wits to save his neck but asked God for His advise (vs.8) and God din't disappointed David and things turned out ok in the end.

I guess, when thing turn from bad to worst, very often we turn to everyone or everything other than God. Well, the next time things falls a part, I know who I should call...

Britians Got Talent'09: Susan Boyle lost yet a champ in many hearts!

Susan proofs that if we are willing to take the time to listen, we'll find that we can't judge a person by the cover. Though it's kinda sad that she lost coz i think it's her dream to perform before the queen yet she has been an inspiration to many and to give us a timely reminder that we should always look beyond the external.

1 Sam 28: What will you do when you are truly desperate

I remembered once when I felt desperate was a couple of years ago when there was a black-out in the whole country for a couple of hours in the afternoon. I was out from my office for a meeting and din't realised i had no money left in my purse. Since it was a black-out, I couldn't withdraw money from the bank. It was well past 2'o clock and i was feeling very hungry. There was nobody i knew there and it would take me sometime before I can go back to my office. For once I had no money to even buy a pack of mamee junk food (RM0.30) and I was seriously thirsty and hungry. For a moment it was desperation.

Well, Saul of course was more desperate for sure than me. His life, his people, his country was at stake here. The enemies, Philistines were already camping outside ready to attack. The bible says terror filled his heart. Wow...he is scared to his bones. He called out to the only one he knew could help him, that is God himself. But God had already rejected Saul for his disobedience and 'doing wrong also want to say dint do wrong' kinda attitude. Saul is on his own now and guessed what he did? He did something he himself banned people to do coz it against God....seeking the help of a medium. The end? He got told to his face that dooms day was the very next day.

In our desperation, the person we need most is God. Let us continue to walk faithfully with Him and we won't end up like King Saul, who has only himself to blame.

Sunday Evening

Was thinking of blogging...anyway have been 'out of action' for the entire week...this is not a good sign man...wat if the IT dinosaur slipped back into deep sleep and never blog again...hahaha...so i'm going to do it...hmmm...maybe after a short nap! Haha....

To be continued...

1 Sam 25: True beauty

Here we have in the bible a real beauty. Though it was mentioned that Abigail was beautiful, what was really highlighted here was her strong character. She was complemented by David to be a women of good judgment; not only able to preserve Nabal's family line from being wiped out by David and his men, but also prevented David from unnecessary bloodshed. Boy...she's a women who truly stands out! And God turned Nabal's insult to David to be a blessing. Nabal consequently died out of heart attack and Abigail became the wife to David.

True beauty exceeds the outlook of a person. What is more important is not looking beautiful from the outside, but it's from the inside (you may not want to believe it but it's true!). While much emphasis is given to improve appearances...what about character? Do we spend time and effort to work on them? Real beauty is not from our looks but who we are within. Care to be an Abigail?

Sell Out!

Sell Out! is over very own Malaysian Comedy Musical Movie which is currently showing. I saw this movie yesterday and it is truly worth the watch! I think the producer, composer, writer and first-time feature director Yeo Joon Han deserve a loud applause for his commendable effort. The movie is both funny and meaningful as it touches on issues that every malaysians could identify with. Oh, one more thing, Jerrica Lai, the main lead actress not only could speak fluently in english and cantonese, she acts and sings pretty well too. What a talent to discover!

1 Sam 24: Repaying Evil with Good

When we have a chance to get back at someone who treated us badly or hurt us deeply, what will we do? Do we seize the opportunity to take an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth? Would we not be tempted to inflict even the smallest amount of damage on the person? A sip of their own medicine will not cause them to die and surely cannot be called acting 'overboard'? If such a day arises for me, I sure hope I can do what David did; choosing not to harm Saul despite given the chance by God Himself (he even feels disrespecful for secretly cuts off the corner of Saul's rope...walau man...). As a result, Saul feels utterly shameful about himself because David was more righteous than him (vs.17). The best thing to do is to do what David did...repaying evil with good. That's the bom man! That's what we call a classic act!

1 Sam 23: Friendship Part 2

There are one kind of friends that make significant impact in my life...they are not only fun to

be with, accept me for who I am but even more so, they help me to grow in my relationship with God either by their words, action or their own lives. I thank God for them, for the mark they have left in my life. They are to me, the Jonathans in David's life. They are my spiritual friends.

1 Samuel 23:15-18 (The Message)
14-15 David continued to live in desert hideouts and the backcountry wilderness hills of Ziph. Saul was out looking for him day after day, but God never turned David over to him. David kept out of the way in the wilderness of Ziph, secluded at Horesh, since it was plain that Saul was determined to hunt him down.
16-18 Jonathan, Saul's son, visited David at Horesh and encouraged him in God. He said, "Don't despair. My father, Saul, can't lay a hand on you. You will be Israel's king and I'll be right at your side to help. And my father knows it." Then the two of them made a covenant before God. David stayed at Horesh and Jonathan went home.

Japanese speaking Engelishi...

This is hilarious!

1 Sam 20: Friendship

What is the mark of a true friendship? Common interest? Willing to spend time together? Standing up for one another? Openess to share everything? David and Jonathan were truly best of friends. vs.17..because he loved him as he loved himself...tells us that the depth of their brotherly love is to love another as himself. Jesus too mentioned that the greatest commandment is to love God all our all and to love our neightbours as ourselves. Hence the benchmark for us to evaluate our friendships is 'do we love our friend as ourself? Base on this, can we call ourselves a true friend? As I reflect about this, I find it really challenging because it is so easy to think of ourselves first. It even seems fair to put our interest first. Unless we allow God's spirit to help us, we will always remain superficial in our friendships. Only when we are filled with the love of God, we truly be able to meet the benchmark...that is to love our friends as ourselves.

Post Mother's Day

Yea...I know it's a lil bit late too be posting bout mother's day...but this is one of my fav vidoes about mom. Though my mom is not perfect and has her own weaknesses, yet I know she truly loves and cares for me a lot. If we learn to understand our parents' love language, we would truly be able to see how they love us in their own ways. I thank God for giving me my parents and for teaching me what is love and how to love through them.

1 Sam 16: What really matters

Yes Takashi Keneshiro is one of the most good looking guy in this world...haha...at least this is what i think. But if i want to match with the description of David in 1 Sam 16, I think he would probably look more like...

Orlando Bloom....ruddy, with a fine appearance and handsome features. Well, David stands out not because of his good looks but because he was commended to be a man after God's heart. Here in this passage, Samuel by passed 7 impressive young men to be anointed as King. God was not looking for a person based on his appearance or height coz that's what people look at usually...the outward appearance. But God looks at the heart. David is sure not a perfect guys coz he failed in many ways too; adultery,deceit and even murder. But yet, David was God's anointed one not because of how he looks but just because he had a heart that is so true to God and is willing to repent without justifying himself when he is wrong.

Today, when God looks into my heart, what does He see? I know He is not looking at my talents, abilities or success. He is looking at where I have placed Him in this heart of mine. I sure hope God is not disappointed with what He sees in me.

1 Sam 15: From being the Top to be a Flop

I think Saul's story is really a sad case. From being a low self-confidence guy, God made Saul a great man, a warrior-king. But Saul totally forgot about God and decided to his own thing. God gave Saul a mission that is to destroy the Amalekites completely but Saul saw all the good things that belongs to these enemies and decided to keep them for himself despite God's order to destroy them. Saul got greedy and even justified that he was doing it for God. It's like saying "Aiya God, why so angry with me...I din't do anything wrong...I'm doing this all because of you...aren't I giving the best things that I won from the war for you as sacrifices..."

I am reminded that it is not hard to be a 'Saul' too... I too can choose to disobey God and defend my actions because of my own self interest. If God give me great success I too can become proud, greedy and self-centred and forget Him. Choy...choy...I sure hope not...

This is what i call creative!

Luv this video...simply creative!

1 Sam 12: Second chance

When the Israelites asked Samuel to give them a king just like the other nations around them, it was actually a betrayal to God. God had led them all these years through prophets and judges and faithfully saved them from their enemies even when they don't deserved it. Yet, here, the people wanted someone they can see; something that other pagan nations put their faith in...a man, a king. They traded living under the rule of an all-powerful and all-loving God for a mere man. Imagine that....

As Samuel rebuked them of what they have done, he presents to them God's second chance.

1 Samuel 12:20
"Do not be afraid," Samuel replied. "You have done all this evil; yet do not turn away from the LORD, but serve the LORD with all your heart.

Sometimes, we make mistakes and wrong choices because we choose to do things our way rather than God's way. God respects our choice though we would have to pay for the consequences of our actions. Despite that, God is still willing to give us a second chance as long as we are willing to turn back to Him and follow Him whole heartedly. God is so wonderful that He always allows us to find not a dead end but a U-turn.

Threads of Destiny

I watch this movie yesterday night and to my surprise it was not the usual 'feel good, romantically sweet' movie that i expected. "Threads of Destiny" have been one of the most distributed online serialised novel in Japan, and one of the most sensational reading material on a Nihon cellphone.

The plot of the story is pretty interesting (something different) and for a teenage love story, it has all the ingredient of youthful ideals about love, friendship, and even discussion about social issues that floods the Japanese youth of today. However I found the dialogues lacks the umph and the movie was moving rather too slowly for me. The ending was also kinda confusing.

Well, it's ok la...for a watch but not what you'll expected if you are hoping for a 'feel good movie' to feed your romantic soul :)

1 Sam 11: Saul - From Timid to Teriffic

Saul as we know him from chp. 9 & 10, was a timid guy who hid himself behind baggage when chosen to be the King of Israel. Despite being told and anointed by Samuel, Saul perhaps felt he was too little for the job. He perhaps felt his background from the smallest tribe of Israel made him unfit to lead the people. On top of that, some troublemakers made it clear that they doubted his ability to save them from their enemies and rejected him as God's chosen king.

But here in chapter 11, Saul emerges to be the warrior-king that rescued the City of Jabesh. The people saw a side of Saul that they never thought was in him; a brave and strong leader and Saul was reaffirmed as the King of Israel in a great celebration.

Vs. 6 tells us the root of his transformation.

"When Saul heard their words, the Spirit of God came upon him in power, and he burned with anger."

Saul was able to be a great leader because of the empowerment of the Spirit of God. It was the Spirit of God that inflamed him with burning passion and righteous anger. And gave him the strength and ability to unite all the people and claimed victory over the Ammonites.

The thing that I've learned from chp. 11 is that we need to be completely dependent on him for resources and strength and that he will miraculously multiply skills and talents in order to use them for his purpose. It is something that I have to constantly remind myself, that I can only live an effective life in and through Him alone.

One of my all time fav video

Since One in a Million and American Idol is coming to its finale soon...it reminds me of one of my favourite video clips..."Ken Lee"

1 Sam 9-10: God at work

The anointing of Saul the first King od Israel reveals how God was actively working behind the scenes. He was the one who miraculously brought Saul to Samuel, revealed His will to Samuel that he should anoint Saul, bringing dozen of people into Saul's life as confirmation of his anointing, and finally changing Saul's character through his Spirit. In all this God's unseen hand was accomplishing His purposes.

Today, God is also still actively at work in our lives. He brings people into our lives miraculously, revealing His will for us bit by bit, confirming them through people and circumstances and finally transforming us by His Spirit.

I thank God for His unseen hand in my life, the wonders He was done in my life and changing me day by day to be who He was made me to be.

1 Sam 7: One man can make a change

Can one person bring a great change? Can one person save the fate of a nation. In this episode, we see how one man Samuel, led the people of God to once again turn back to God and because of this God saved the Israelites from their enemy. And in all the days under the leadership of Samuel, God Himself defended the people and brought back peace.

1 Samuel 7:13-14:
13 So the Philistines were subdued and did not invade Israelite territory again. Throughout Samuel's lifetime, the hand of the LORD was against the Philistines. 14 The towns from Ekron to Gath that the Philistines had captured from Israel were restored to her, and Israel delivered the neighboring territory from the power of the Philistines. And there was peace between Israel and the Amorites.

What was the secret of this one great man? What is his success story? I believe Samuel was great because while everyone was doing the wrong thing, Samuel knew what was right and choose to speak up and point them back to the right direction, that is to God. One man who dared to go against popular culture, against the value systems of his time.

Today, we need young Samuels who would point to their own generation the right way back to God...who is willing to go against popular belief, make a stand and bring the change.

1 Sam 5: Don't play play...

For the Philistines, the victory over the Israelites was a victory their God, Dagon had over the God of Israel, Yahweh. Having to capture the ark of covenant, they placed the ark next to Dagon as a sign that now even the God of Israel will be on their side. But least that they knew it was God himself who had planned it all along to have His own people defeated in their hands as a sign that God has left them due to their wickedness and sin. God was no weakling. He was not beaten by the Dagon nor the Philistines. No one has authority or power over Him.

So God made this known very clearly to the Philistines. Dagon which was no match to the Living God...laid facedown before the Ark; with it's head and hands broken off. And God continued to inflict disaster on every ground the Philistines placed the Ark. The Philistine now knows who they are dealing with here...and they were terrified!

Our God is the almighty and all powerful God whom all man shall fear. He is no 'Ginny' at manipulation of the Israelites nor he is like a tiger captured by 'Philistines' to be tamed. Our God allowed circumstances to take place that gives the impression that He is weak but really... He is not. He only allows it because they are within his sovereign plan. Jesus was seen defeated by Satan when He was nailed to the cross, but in actual fact Christ gave up willingly His life only to take it up on the 3rd day. Real power belongs to the Real God. So dun play play...

1 Sam 4 (2): God in a Box?

The ark of covenant was a wooden rectangular box, less than four feet long, covered with gold. It is understood in the ancient Israel as the visible sign of the presence of Yahweh. In other words, for the Israelite people, this box symbolizes the very presence of Yahweh. As a symbol of God’s presence, the ark also came to have a significant military function. When Moses led the Israelite nation away from Mount Sinai for the first time, the ark led them through the desert as a means of protection and guidance. On the day when Joshua led the people to capture the city of Jericho in order to enter into the Promise Land, God had the ark to be carried around the city 7 times for 7 days and the wall of the city came tumbling down and the city was successfully taken over. The dramatic success on that day surely must have created vivid images of military triumph, which would have been attached to the ark of covenant.
In chapter 4, the elders and people of Israel long for success against the Philistines. They were hoping that the ark would once again deliver success into their hands just as how victory was achieved in the days of Joshua. They unfortunately view the ark as an infallible talisman or military ‘secret weapon’ that ensures victory. But they failed to realized that if God really wanted defeat for his people, a thousand arks would not bring success. The power is in the living God and not in the Box. The Israelites failed to see it!
Today, we too if we are not careful, can easily place our security in something visible other than God. Let us ask God to help us to place our trust and confidence in Him, and Him alone. Least we too place our security in a ‘wooden box.’

1 Samuel 4: The Funeral

On the same day four in a family all died. A terrible tragedy; a disaster for the family. This was not just any family. The father was an elderly pastor and so was his two sons. The fourth was a pastor's wife, wife to one of the sons. How can such things happen to a religious and pious family? How could God?...

Eli and his sons failed God terribly.Eli was ignorant and spiritually numb while his two sons were wicked and sin greatly against God despite being the very spiritual leaders who should have been the driver to turn the people back to God. So, God fulfilled his words against Eli and his sons and gave all of them over to terrible deaths.

My dad is a pastor, I myself is a full-time church youth worker and my brother in-law is studying to be a pastor which makes my sister a pastor's wife. So reading this passage can be pretty scary. It's a passage to remind me that a life of holiness and obedience to God should never be taken for granted or treated carelessly. May the Lord himself keep us from temptation and strengthen us in times of trials so that we may walk faithfully in Him.

1 Sam 3: 'Speak, for your servant is listening'

For three times, Samuel heard someone calling him and thought that voice was his mentor Eli. He did not recognize the voice until he was told to say, 'Speak, for your servant is listening.' From then onward, things changed. Samuel never failed to hear from God. He became a significant man; God's important mouthpiece in a time where God's words were few.

These 6 words lingers in my thoughts. 'Speak'...if God were to speak to me today, am I interested to hear from Him? Am I concern about what is in God's heart? 'For your servant'...Am I ready at His service or I have become servant to another or even to myself today? 'Is listening'....Am I listening to God with an obedient heart to act immediately upon hearing His words? or 'Am I listening' to do only what is not too costly or inconvenient?

Samuel at that time maybe young and naive but he had an obedient heart that qualifies him for these 6 words. Do I have what it takes to say these 6 words today?

1 Samuel 2: Generation Hope

1 Samuel 2:26
'And the boy Samuel continued to grow in stature and in favor with the LORD and with men'.

Samuel was born in a time of social and moral slump where everyone did what was right in their own eyes (Judges 21:25). Even religious leadership led by Eli and his sons were so perverse that they provided no hope of renewal. Yet, in the midst of a dark period, this boy, Samuel as mentioned in 1 Sam 2:26 went against the current wave of immorality and instead grew in godliness and righteousness, gaining favour both with God and men. Wow...how on earth can a youth be so different from his own culture and environment?

When we look at both chapter 1& 2, we know that Samuel was born of godly parents; a father whom without fail fulfills his religious obligations (1:3-4) and a godly mother who dedicated him to the Lord even before his birth. A child of God-fearing parents became a much needed spiritual leader for the people of his time.

Likewise today, in our country where we are experiencing our own 'dark age', we need young Samuels to bring hope and change. I pray that God will prepare godly parents or 'spiritual fathers' or 'spiritual mothers' who are willing to dedicate their children or those under their care for the Lord's use. Even if there is only 1, perhaps that all that we need.

1 Samuel 1: To ask for the most precious only to give it back

If I was Hannah, Samuel's mom, would i have made such vow and actually keep it?

1 Samuel: 10-11

In bitterness of soul Hannah wept much and prayed to the LORD. 11 And she made a vow, saying, "O LORD Almighty, if you will only look upon your servant's misery and remember me, and not forget your servant but give her a son, then I will give him to the LORD for all the days of his life, and no razor will ever be used on his head."

It was totally understandable for Hannah to have felt so miserable that she wept much before God. She was not able to give a son for her husband for so long; a failure as a women of her time, the disgrace and shame to see another women (Peninnah) to bearing children for her husband instead of her and to be constantly reminded of these realities in forms of insults and ridicule from Peninnah.

Hannah could have prayed without promising to give back her son. But she did. Did she truly realised that if God had given her a child, she couldn't keep him anyway? Did she make the vow out of desperation and without considering the consequences? Or did she knew that if only God would answer her prayer after such a long time of barrenness, it will be nothing short of a miraculous gift from God and therefore she vows to return such precious gift to God forever? Well God did granted Hannah a son and Hannah did as she promised and gave him back to the Lord to serve Him all of his life (Samuel 1: 24-28).

Hannah knew that if God would intervene, she would no longer be childless, a state which became unbearable for her. And as an act of gratitude towards God's goodness Hannah decided to give what was the best and most precious for her, which is the son whom she has waited for and pleaded from God. The act of dedicating her first born son was an act of acknowledging that the boy was a gift received from God whom she would willingly gave back so that the boy would honour God and serve Him all of his life. Because of Hannah's act of worship and devotion, this boy who was dedicated before his birth became an instrument of God in leading His people and bringing change to the history of Israel through the anointing of the first two kings.

Coming back to the beginning of this post? If I were to ask for something so precious to me from God and he actually grants it, what would I have done with it? Would I have dedicated solely for the Lord's use or keep it to myself? Would I have offered it as an act of worship and devotion just like Hannah?

I remember when I felt God was calling me to full-time ministry, a thought came to mind. I was 25 years old, at the best time of my youth, full of potential, energy and freedom. And I ask myself, is there any better period of time in my life to give it to the Lord for His full use than this? Perhaps then is when I could relate even in a small fraction of what Hannah felt, being given what was so precious to only joyously give it back to the Giver.

Blogging vs. Quiet Time

For most of my students, their enthusiasm of doing their Quiet Time is very much like mine towards blogging. I often find myself too lazy to blog and it's the last thing I'll do when I have done 'everything' else...which of course happens only once in a blue moon. So having to challenge my youths to do their quiet time and journal daily (1 chp a day on 1 Samuel), I have also decided to take up the challenge of posting a short reflection on that chapter everyday (aiyoyo...what have i gotten myself into...haha). So here we go...