Chapter 86: Out of the Sudden

Readers must be thinking why my blog is not updated for at least a week. What happened to Jack’s Stuff? This is the story from a week ago.

Bringing my DELL laptop to McDonald, looking for a seat, finding a switch, ordering a Cola drink, promising a friend that I would be online, doing my assignment at the same time, happily opening the lid of the computer, pressing the “ON” button...

WHAT! Why is the light of the power not on? Worrying and looking at the adapter.

Wait! The adapter looked fine. What happened? Trying several times…


Oh no! My DELL lifespan had ended! Oh… My assignments! I had done 5 assignments! And now…

ALL GONE!! OH GOD!!

God, at this time, You play a joke on me? The assignments were almost done! Now what happened? God, this is not funny. Oh God, it is better to be good and back to normal mode. Please God, what happened?

At this time, readers, how would you react? When you are earning your own money, and you were saving for your future, and you are depending on yourself… Unlike students, they can just stretch out their hand and ask money from their parents. Look at my situation, will you feel good to ask your parents for money? Well, my money is not even enough to buy another laptop! If I buy a new one, I will eat nothing (not even maggi) for the rest of this year! This is not funny. What am I going to do?



When you lost your assignments, when you need to redo your whole assignments again, when you have no one to help you, when you are troubled whether you can borrow someone’s laptop to do your assignment, what are you going to do? All the important things which I had kept in my DELL...
Oh man!

Readers, right now, you might not feel it. However, when this happens, remember to seek God first. Tell me what I am going to do in such situation as this. God, have mercy on me.

Ecclesiastes 7:14
"When times are good, be happy; but when times are bad, consider: God has made the one as well as the other. Therefore, a man cannot discover anything about his future."

Chapter 37: Right Decision

Continued from Chapter 36: First Priority

After a long prayer, I decided to stay in church ministry. I had decided to let go of the Choir Presentation.

I believe Bishop will help me to explain this matter to STS. To stand firm in my position, Anglican is where I supposed to be right now.

However, one thing to know… The people will think that Anglican is arrogant. In this world, even Christians have divisions. In my own view, Christians intend to start comparing between one another about who is the first. However, I really do not understand one thing.

Mark 9:35
“Jesus called the Twelve and said, "If anyone wants to be first, he must be the very last, and the servant of all."”

I always tell my disciples about Mark 9:35.

Do the churches know about this bible verse?
Why are the churches competing to be the first?
Do they not know those, who are the last, supposed to be the most humble among all people?

God will lift up the humble to be the first.
I supposed every church should know this very clearly. Why is there competition?
Even there are conflicts between the churches…

Now I, as a middleman, am cracking my head in making decision whether to choose credit hour or church ministry. I think I have made the right decision. Will outsiders think that Anglicans are not united with others? Well, why do I need to bother whether we are united?

God, You shall be my focus!
You shall be the one whom I follow.
Not anyone else…

Jesus, so I look to You.

Chapter 36: First Priority

On the way to STS school, I was worrying about one thing. As I was entering into the theater for Choir practice, I managed to take a breath out. As I was thinking whether I should discuss the problem with my lecturer, she came and sat besides me, smiled and said,

“Jack, you will be the narrator
for the choir presentation on 11 April 2009.”


What?! Eyes widely opened.

Astonished!!


That is the problem which I was about to tell my lecturer. STS will be having a choir presentation on Saturday, 11 April 2009. It is about Easter Celebration. I supposed to assist ASC youth ministry on every Saturday. I was thinking whether Bishop will allow us to join the STS choir on tat day.

People always tell us to put the first priority – the church ministry. I know that the youth ministry is important to me. However, the choir presentation is one of the compulsory events for my credit hour. (Credit hour – those who have studied in college or university will understand what I said.) Choir is one of the school requirements which all students MUST attend and join in choir.

If I choose church ministry, my credit hour which is compulsory will be gone. If I choose the STS choir presentation, my credit hour will be earned.

How am I going to bring this matter to Bishop? How should I tell my lecturer? Will she be angry? Will others think that Anglican is very arrogant? Will Bishop allow? Will Bishop be angry too? (I am not saying that he is a bad guy.) Furthermore, I really do not want to create a division between Anglican and others in STS.

God, again I am stuck in ministry and study, additionally political issue too. Now, I have one more task to do. Both are important. Which one should I choose?

“Jack, you are playing a very important role. You are representing the whole STS choir to do the narration. We are all depending on you.”

Now, if you are in my shoes, which one do you choose: Credit Hour or Church ministry?


John 14:1
“Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me (Jesus Christ).”

Chapter 34: F2 Telematch

We had a F2 telematch for the youth last Saturday (21 March 2009). It was the first time which the English and the Chinese youth combined together in ASC.


That was really an enjoyable time together. Fellowship is always a good thing for all the people especially Christians. If we were to discuss about healthy fellowship, that is always to do with our God, Jesus Christ. When normally great fellowship happens, we will only find happiness, joy and peace. I love to see the youths’ face expressions. I found the word “joy” is applied on that day. On that day, we had 5 games altogether: Tug-of-War, WWE, One legged catcher, Dodge ball and Water War.

You may enlarge the pictures below if you wanna see clearly.

Tug-of-War
WWE ASC Youth (Boys only)
One Legged Catcher (Girls only)
Dodge Balls
Water War

As you all know from Chapter 24: Reading Week, I was one of them who set up the games for the F2 Telematch. Even though I was very tired, I actually enjoyed the whole event. As long as I can see their real smile, it is worth it after all. As long as I could see the youths were enjoying the games, it filled my whole heart with joy. I really hope they can enjoy as much as possible because I really love them.

After the Water War, the youths chased me!!
They splashed the water on me!! What is this?!
This is my reward (All drenched)

Romans 8:28
“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”

Chapter 33: World of sadness

Continued from Chapter 32: Painful Loss of Money

After the car bill settlement, I went to a coffee restaurant to have two pieces of bread. While I was sitting there, thinking moodily about the incident, I suddenly heard a loud voice from the next table.

“What?! You always say like that! You think you know everything. Then what will happen to me now? You say you don’t know?! @#$%^&*!!”
(In Cantonese)

It was a young working lady shouting to her phone. After she hung up the phone, she put both her hands on her face, keep on mumbling. I could not hear what she said. Then as I turned my face to the owner of the restaurant who was talking on the phone, I observed his frustration. Then I recalled a few blogs which related to my friends and their family problems. Some of my youths were crying in darkness which we do not even know. They face their terrible problems too. Apparently, I felt that I was NOT the only one who was sad at that time. I could sense that this world is full of sadness. If it is to compare the probability of the happiness and sadness, I believe sadness has the higher percentage.

God, I was thinking that I was NOT that bad as compared to those sorrowful people around me. I believe God wants to train me into extraordinary person, as this is also my prayer request.

Right now, even though I face a trial of finance disability, yet I will praise my God, my Savior.. Now, I lost RM200, yet I still believe God will provide me the needs. He will not make me ashamed. RM200 is my two months pocket money, …

2 Corinthians 12:9
But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you,…”

God, thank you.
God, I still have You in my life.
My situation is not that bad after all.

Chapter 32: Painful Loss of Money

Today I lost RM200.
It was my two months pocket money.

In the morning, I went to fetch a youth leader from Beverly Hills because she needed to attend the Youth Cell Leader’s training. The traffic jam in Beverly Hills was extremely heavy.
Along the T junction, I had a chance to turn.

Suddenly, “CRACK!!!”

Car Accident

I turned back and saw a blue car behind me. It was a car accident. The driver told me to come down from the vehicle. I checked my own vehicle and found that it was alright. When I went to see the driver, he was smiling at me and said, (in Malay) “Luckily, it is just a scratch along the plastic on my bumper.” When I viewed the scratch, a small little piece of plastic broke off. I was relieved.

Without hesitation, he responded, “Therefore, you just need to change my bumper.” I was surprised, questioned “I thought you just need to change the plastic only?” He replied, “In workshop, no one sells a spare part for the plastic only. You just give me 2-5 (in malay).”

Giving out a relaxed sigh… Thanks God, I was relieved. “So I paid you RM25 now?”

“No, it’s RM250.”


To my horror, I was totally frozen in my actions. I felt a deep blade cut in my heart. It even pierced through my body. It was so painful. I cannot imagine how painful it is when I need to save money, and I lost it.

Oh no! My money! RM250!!! I can’t stand the pain in my heart. There were full of thoughts in my mind.

“God, why does it happen when I need to save money for my future?” “God, I should not fetch this youth in the first place. So troublesome!” “God, why do you let this happen? God, I need money badly now.” “God, I do not want to fetch people anymore because it only brings trouble to me.” “God, because of this ministry, I met a car accident!!" "God, I even woke up early in the morning, now I need to face this crap?” “God, how I wish I do not serve! God, why does it have to be me?” "God, I want to blame you but it is not your fault! It's my carelessness. I do not know what to say!" “God, I want to hate you but I cannot hate! God, You know my need! Why...? Why...? Why...?”

In times of hardship, it was too hard to praise the Lord. How am I supposed to open my mouth and say, “Don’t worry, everything does fine.”? I really can sense the importance of money is precious in my life. We always say, “We who serve in the church do not look at money higher than God. God is the one whom we depend on.”

However, it is not true. Who does not need money? When we lost our money (especially in times of need), I know we cannot be able to be joyful. It is too hard to smile. It was so painful to bear the HURT in my heart! How can it be recovered fully? Jesus, do you care for me? Somehow I believed God has a message for me. God wants me to live by faith. However, God… This is so hard to do. How do you want me to praise You at this time? God, how am I going to survive?

God… God… God…
What is this?!

Psalms 42:5
“Why are you downcast, O, my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise Him, my Savior and my God.”

In the end, the person asked the workshop to get discount.
And it costs RM200. I praised God for that.

Chapter 32: The lesson about fishing

During STS Retreat, we have a fishing game. There is an old folk home besides Pace Bene. There it owns a fishing pool. The rental for each fishing rod is RM2. The duration for fishing is RM3 per hour. The price of fishes is RM12 per KG.

We had a great time together fishing. We were divided into 10 groups. We have a lot of fun fishing with all the people. At first, it rained heavily. After 20 minutes, the rain stopped. After the game, many people were returning back to the rooms for shower. From this fishing game, I began to figure out it can be related to evangelism, mission and moral story.
Fishing game

1) Evangelism
My group got the biggest fish. The person happened to be a girl. When she caught it, everyone was amazed. Then we decided to celebrate our supper by eating this fish. During the supper, the girl found that the fish was gone! She was too late to have a single taste of it. From here, we can see that the importance is not on the catcher but those people who ate it. We are like those people, “eating” Jesus Christ for the redemption..

2) Mission
Every group will need to send out 5 fishermen (whether experienced or not). During the game, some people caught big fishes, some people caught small fishes. Some people caught none. I caught none too. Those who got fishes were encouraged. Those who got none were upset and discouraged. It is just like the Christian missionaries who were sent out to other places. Some received no fruit at all in mission. Some successfully planted a big church.

3) Moral Story
When it was raining, some said, “Fishes normally do not come out during the rainfall. But the fishes will go up to the water surface after the rainfall.”

When those people who catch no fish, they said, “The fishes are too smart. The fishes identify all sorts of traps and tricks.”

When someone caught big fishes, they said, “They caught big fishes, because big fishes have no brain.”

When someone brought the fishes back, they said, “They have luck. How fortunate they are!”

The moral of the story is telling us that human beings love to defend themselves when they fail to do something.

Fisher of Men

Chapter 31: STS Retreat

The STS retreat was wonderful! I had a great rest and refresh myself greatly. We went to a place called Pace Bene, Papar. It is located with nature surrounding. That was a lovely place to stay. There are a group of sisters who will mainly take care of the food, the accommodation and cleanliness. We didn’t need to do the work, and cook food.

Pace Bene, Papar
To say the truth, I didn’t get to mangle around much with people. Most of the time, I slept. I felt that I was totally pampered. No ministry, no study… The only ministry is interpreting the Chinese sermon into English. Tough Job, anyway. That’s so wonderful to rest in the presence of the Lord. When I slept, I did not need to set alarm to wake up. The sisters will ring the bell to indicate that it was the meal time (breakfast, lunch, tea, dinner and supper). I just kept myself quiet and enjoy the nature, devote myself into the Lord. I spent much time with the STS lecturers and STS friends. They are really good people.

Psalms 133:1
“How good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in unity.”

My STS lecturers
I learnt one thing from the sisters. On Sunday night, it was 1am in the morning. Yet I saw the sisters still cleaning the house of the Lord. They really love the Lord very much.

Psalms 134
“Praise the Lord, all you servants of the Lord who minister by night in the house of the Lord. Lift up your hands in the sanctuary and praise the Lord. May the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth bless you from Zion.”

I felt very touched when I saw them working passionately. In my heart, I thought, “May our Lord, Jesus Christ, bless you and remember your work.”

My STS friends
Before we left the place in the next morning, we thanked the sisters for taking care of us. The thing which touched me the most is that the sister said, “We actually prayed for you all before you all arrived in this place. We really ask God to give you all a successful and meaningful retreat.”

Indeed, that was the best retreat which I ever had among all these years of serving.

I find rest in the Lord

Chapter 30: Human Beings (Part II)

Human Beings are funny. It seems like everything they do, they are right. It happened to the family, school, friends, and even COUPLES! It applies from kids to elderly.

I do not understand why we, Human Beings, disgrace the image of God in this way. We supposed to have the image of God. However, human beings know they are wrong, yet they still choose to do it this way. Check it out!


When they laugh, they said it is a joke.
When others laugh, they said it is pathetic.

When they keep quiet, they said they are mature.
When others keep quiet, they said those are nerds.

When they make noise, they said it is called "Enjoy life!".
When others make noise, they said it is idiotic.

When they receive no love, they said others don’t love them.
When others receive no love, they said others don’t find them.

When they sin, they said “It is alright. God will forgive.”
When others sin, they said “It is nasty. Let God condemn them!”

When they gossip others, they said “This is the truth! I am not lying.”
When others gossip them, they said “Why can’t the people talk to me face to face? Scare?”

When they criticize others, they said "This is my comment. This is what I think."
When others criticize them, they said "Why can't they understand my feeling?"

When they are praised, they pretended to be humble, in heart, they said, "Well, Look at me! Who am I? Of course I'm good."

When they are jealous about others who are better than them, they said, "I have a friend who is better than you. If you compare with him, you surely lose."

When they found someone who is talented, they said, "So what? I can do better than them."

When people are weary, they said "Ah ya! Your life is nothing, man! My life is ten times more pitiful than you."

When people are tired of life, they said, "Well, I am also like that. Do you think you are the only one?"

Readers, I have thousands of examples to share. You know what I mean... No wonder Jesus needs to take away our sin by dying on the cross for us.

Human beings are WEIRD.

Chapter 29: Human Beings (Part I)

Human Beings are indeed weird. You will never know why life is so weird even if you have God in your life. Sometimes we will ask, “Why do people such as these exist in this world?”


Those people are around us everywhere. You will agree with what I said. Here it goes:

They want encouragements,
yet they discourage others.

They want compliments,
yet they insult others.

They want praises,
yet they criticize others.

They want attention,
yet they ignore others.

They want love,
yet they don’t love others.

They want care and concern,
yet they don’t even bother about others.

They do not want to be lonely,
yet they leave others alone.

They do not want to be neglected,
yet they only look into their own interests.

They do not like people to back stab them,
yet they do this to others.

Readers, well, you know what I mean.
In conclusion, what can I say? This is what I called Human Beings. One word to describe about Human Beings,

Weird

"Human Beings (Part II)", coming soon.

Chapter 28: Hebrew Language

I have been attending a Hebrew Language class. I thought Jack’s Stuff only learns Cwalk, now he even learns Hebrew Language! Crazy man! If you can read the Hebrew words in the picture below, you are crazily fantastic!

My Hebrew Oral Exam... (Gosh!)

As we were listening to History of Hebrew, Hebrew is one of the earliest languages during Noah’s time. Hebrew Language is written from right to left. If we read the text from left to right, we will never understand the meaning. Most of the people might think Christianity is from the Caucasians. Before I am a Christian, I always thought the original language of the Bible is English. Christianity is originally from Jewish.

During the time of Noah, there was only one language. Yet now we have thousands of different languages in this world. How can it be?

Genesis 11: 1, 4, 8 - 9
“Now the whole world had one language and a common speech…
Then they said, ‘Come, let us build ourselves a city, with a tower that reaches to the heavens, so that we may have a name for ourselves and not be scattered over the face of the earth.’…
So the Lord scattered them from there over all the earth, and they stopped building the city. That is why it was called Babel (confused) – because there the Lord confused the languages of the whole world. From there the Lord scattered them over the face of the whole earth.”

Chinese language is also one of the earliest languages after the tower of Babel. Look at this word.


Genesis 7:13 tells us: "On that very day Noah and his sons, Shem, Ham and Japheth, together with his wife and the wives of his three sons, entered the ark."
How could the Chinese know about Noah having eight members in his family during the time of flood if they were not one of those people who were separated from Tower of Babel? Look again.

This is only one example. There are thousands more examples!

The books in Old Testament were written in Hebrew Language. Some of the books in New Testament were written in Greek; some were in Hebrew. Very interesting! The people of God in early days used Hebrew language to communicate with one another. I cannot believe that I am learning a language which our Lord, Jesus Christ used to speak when He was on this earth.

Doing my assignments while editing video clip for CWC