Think and Grow Rich (1937) by Napoleon Hill and 13 Steps to Riches

Think and Grow Rich (first published in 1937, this is a modernized version)
by Napoleon Hill

I’ve read this book for the third times now. The first time was in 8^th February 2010 and I was so excited to read it that I finished reading it on the 16^th February. I probably can read faster today than 8 years ago, but if I can finish a book in 9 days in the olden days, then surely that book was very interesting. And it is! I might be not as wealthy as I want to be (not yet) but in my mind, I’m a rich person! This is not a positive self-talk, this is matter-of-fact. Because of this book, I learned to treasure my mind: keep it, nurture it and filled it with great inspirations and positive mental attitude. There is a reason why this book was entitled ‘Think and Grow Rich’ and not ‘Act’ or ‘Do and Grow Rich,’ because wealth – may it be spiritually, financially, emotionally, physically and intellectually – is a state of mind. As the saying goes: “Watch your thoughts, they become words; watch your words, they become actions; watch your actions, they become habits; watch your habits, they become character; watch your character, for it becomes your destiny.” It all started in the mind.

There are many things you cannot control, but you can control the only things that really matter: your mind and attitude. External forces have very little to do with success. Those who program themselves for success find a way to succeed even in the most difficult of circumstances. This quest for success has led Napoleon Hill to write this book. In 1908, as an unknown author and reporter, Hill got the opportunity of a lifetime to interview America’s richest man at that time, Andrew Carnegie. To cut the story short, Carnegie presented to the 25-year-old Hill a letter of recommendation that would grant him access to 500 men of top achievers (including Henry Ford, Alexander Graham Bell, and Thomas Edison) in business, politics, science, and religion in order to discover the common denominators for success. From these interviews, Think and Grow Rich was created and written. As history revealed, Hill and this book have given life to the personal development movement that has since swept the world! As Christian, read this book with cautious and discernment, but do not dismiss this book altogether. Read it and you’ll surely reap its benefits – for the sake of your mind.

This book covers The Thirteen (13) Principles and the Philosophy of Personal Achievement and Success. For each principle, I will quote Napoleon Hill and briefly comment:

Principle #1 Desire: The Starting Point of All Achievement. All of the top achiever started with a certain amount of dreaming, hoping, planning, and desiring before they became rich. They imagined riches before they even have it, Hill explains, “Wishing will not bring riches. But desiring riches with a state of mind that becomes an obsession, then planning definite ways and means to acquire riches, and backing those plans with persistence which does not recognize failure, will bring riches.”

Principle #2 Faith: Visualization of, and Belief in Attainment of Desire. Believe that you can achieve your goal. Growing rich starts with your mindset — with the belief that you can have it. Hill writes: “Riches begin in the form of thought! The amount is limited only by the person in whose mind the thought is put into motion. Faith removes limitations!”

Principle #3 Auto-Suggestion: The Medium for Influencing the Subconscious Mind. Turning desire for money or success into reality requires sending your subconscious mind phrases and affirmations that support your goal. You have to repeat out loud what it is that you want, and how you plan to get it, so you become obsessed with your purpose, Hill explains: “Your ability to use the principle of auto-suggestion will depend, very largely, upon your capacity to concentrate upon a given desire until that desire becomes a burning obsession.”

Principle #4 Specialized Knowledge: Personal Experiences or Observations. Knowledge is potential power. An education only becomes powerful and leads to great wealth when it is organized and applied to life. It also must be continually sought after. You're never done learning, Hill emphasizes: “Successful men, in all callings, never stop acquiring specialized knowledge related to their major purpose, business, or profession. Those who are not successful usually make the mistake of believing that the knowledge-acquiring period ends when one finishes school.”

Principle #5 Imagination: The Workshop of the Mind. If you can imagine it, you can create it, says Hill: “Ideas are the beginning points of all fortunes. Ideas are products of the imagination... Man's only limitation, within reason, lies in his development and use of his imagination.”

Principle #6 Organized Planning: The Crystallization of Desire into Action. Once you've visualized your success, you need to take action and go after exactly what you want. You must act with persistence and enthusiasm. Hill explains: “Opportunity has spread its wares before you. Step up to the front, select what you want, create your plan, put the plan into action, and follow through with persistence…”

Principle #7 Decision: The Mastery of Procrastination. A key trait Hill recognized in all of the individuals he studied was – decisiveness. Those who settle on decisions quickly know what they want and they tend to get what they want. He writes: “People who fail to accumulate money, without exception, have the habit of reaching decisions, if at all, very slowly, and of changing these decisions quickly and often.”

Principle #8 Persistence: The Sustained Effort Necessary to Induce Faith. Persistence is crucial when trying to accumulate riches – don’t-give-up spirit is a must! Hill writes: “Riches do not respond to wishes. They respond only to definite plans, backed by definite desires, through constant persistence.”

Principle #9 Power of the Master Mind: The Driving Force. To have a "Master Mind" group is to surround ourselves with talented friends and colleagues who share our vision. The alignment of several smart and creative minds is exponentially more powerful than just one, Hill explains: “No individual may have great power without availing himself of the ‘Master Mind’...” We become like the people we associate with.

Principle #10 The Mystery of Sex Transmutation. Sexual energy is an incredibly powerful human energy — it creates physical life and develops emotional life, and when it is harnessed and redirected, it can enhance our creativity, passion, enthusiasm, and persistence, all which are crucial in accumulating wealth. Hill says: “Sex desire is the most powerful of human desires. When driven by this desire, men develop keenness of imagination, courage, willpower, persistence, and creative ability unknown to them at other times.” And women too.

Principle #11 The Subconscious Mind: The Connecting Link. If you truly want to be rich, you have to plant that desire, and then your plan, into your subconscious mind. Hill writes: “The subconscious mind will not remain idle! If you fail to plant desires in your subconscious mind, it will feed upon the thoughts which reach it as the result of your neglect.”

Principle #12 The Brain: A Broadcasting and Receiving Station for Thought. Our brain is a “transmitter and receiver of thought vibrations" — it absorbs thoughts from other individuals surrounding us, making it even more important to associate with intelligent, creative, and positive individuals. Hill writes: “Every human brain is capable of picking up vibrations of thought which are being released by other brains…”

Principle #13 The Sixth Sense: The Door to the Temple of Wisdom. The final principle — the "sixth sense" — occurs only after you've mastered the other 12 principles. You'll experience a sort of mind-shift, Hill says: “Through the aid of the sixth sense, you will be warned of impending dangers in time to avoid them, and notified of opportunities in time to embrace them.” In short, trust your gut!

In the final chapter, Hill wrote How to Outwit the Six Ghosts of Fear, in which he exhorts us to take inventory of ourselves and to examine how many ‘ghosts’ that may have stopped us from thinking and growing rich. “Fear is nothing more than states of mind,” writes Hill, “One’s state of mind is subject to control and direction…” He ends this book with a challenging question: “Will you make the start and be convinced?” I can’t tell enough how much this book had changed (and continue to change) my mind and attitude about life and success in general. Famous authors like Anthony Robbins, Robert Kiyosaki, Zig Ziglar, Les Brown, Brian Tracy, Ken Blanchard, Bob Proctor, Mark Victor Hansen, Og Mandino and many more had been blessed by Napoleon Hill’s philosophy. I’m aware that there are articles and investigations on the life of Napoleon Hill and his works lately claimed that the real Napoleon Hill was not at it seems to be. Maybe true, maybe not (I only see Jesus Christ as the perfect Man and no others!). I also realized and very alert that some – if not, more than a dozen – of his teachings are not biblical sound. Regardless, as I read Think and Grow Rich, I’m taking a pragmatic approach. Enjoy!

THINK BIG. START SMALL. GO DEEP.

A Muslim Perspective: "The Earth is a Mosque"

The earth is a mosque, and everything in it is sacred. I learned this basic tenet of Islam from my father. He was raised in New York City in the borough of Queens, spent summers in Virginia, and always loved and respected the natural world. He took it upon himself to share this appreciation with his children. I spent my early childhood in the New York boroughs of Queens and Brooklyn. My brother and I used to think the entire world was a sea of concrete buildings. My father upended that reality the day he took us to Bear Mountain. Just north of New York City, Bear Mountain is known as a hiker’s paradise. On that trip, we were Black Muslim city kids hiking in “the country” for the first time. What I recall from that day was moss growing on rocks, mushrooms on rotting wood, and drinking from my first juice box – the kind you poke a straw into.

When it was time for the afternoon prayer, my father stopped to pray. My brother and I asked him where he was going to pray. He pointed to the ground, to a small area he had brushed free of twigs and leaves. Until the day, prayer for us had always been something done at home or in the mosque.

Our mosque, Masjid At-Taqwa, was an oasis of Islam in the heart of the struggling Bedford-Stuyvesant neighbourhood (better known as Bed-Stuy) or Brooklyn. The imam of Masjid At-Taqwa, the respected Siraj Wahaj, later became the first Muslim to give the opening prayer in a session of Congress. My father was one of the first twenty-five brothers involved in building Masjid At-Taqwa. To us, the mosque meant proud black families creating community and praying together.

On Bear Mountain, as we prepared to kneel down in prayer, my father related a hadith, a saying of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him): “Wherever you may be at the time of prayer, you may pray, for it (the Earth) is all a mosque.” At that instant, and I could not have been more than five or six years old, I understood for the first time: the Earth is a mosque; a mosque is sacred; therefore, the Earth is sacred. That moment of prayer on the mountain, thanks to the hadith my father relayed, transformed the way that I would see the world forever.

As an adult, my contemplation of the notion that the Earth is a mosque led to my discovery of the core message of this book – that Islam, the world’s second-largest religion, provides a helpful lens to prompt action among Muslims and anyone else concerned about saving the Earth. This lens encompasses a variety of principles – understanding the Oneness of God and His creation (tawhid); seeing signs of God everywhere (ayat); being a steward of the Earth (khalifah); honouring the covenant, or trust, we have with God (amana) to be protectors of the planet; moving toward justice (adl); and living in balance with nature (mizan). Each of these principles points to the same well-kept secret: that Islam teaches a deep love of the planet, because loving the planet means loving ourselves and loving our Creator. That is to say, Islam teaches that we are all One. “The Earth is the mosque” is another way of saying that we are all part of the same, wonderful fabric of creation.

Ibrahim Abdul-Matin

A policy advisor and writer

Quote from GreenDeen: What Islam Teaches About Protecting the Planet

(Berrett-Koehler Publishers, Inc, 2010) page 1-3.

I disagree with the core teachings, beliefs and theology of Islam. But I highly support and recommend the teaching of Islam (as the author portrait in this book) about environmentalism and protecting our planet Earth. This book is good.

THINK BIG. START SMALL. GO DEEP.

Penebangan Pokok, Kandungan Karbon Dioksida dan Pemanasan Global

“[TUHAN] Allah menempatkan manusia itu di Taman Eden

untuk mengusahakannya serta memelihara taman itu” (Kejadian 2:15, BM)

Hutan kita memerlukan pokok (itu logik!). Tiada yang menarik tentang hutan yang gondol dan tidak ada pokok (Itu logik kedua). Tetapi, bagaimana penggondolan hutan boleh memberi impak kepada pemanasan global? Mari kita kembali kepada asas. Fikirkan, setiap udara yang kita sedut mengandungi oksigen dan yang kita hembus pula mengandungi karbon dioksida. Pokok-pokok dan segala tumbuhan akan menyerap karbon dioksida dan menukarkannya kepada oksigen supaya kita boleh terus bernafas. Beginilah, secara ringkas, kitaran kehidupan di dunia.

Tetapi harus kita fikirkan juga bahawa pokok-pokok dan segala tumbuhan bukan hanya menyerap karbon dioksida yang dilepaskan oleh kita manusia dan haiwan-haiwan. Ia juga menyerap karbon dioksida yang ada diseluruh bumi ini termasuk yang dilepaskan secara semula jadi seperti apabila berlaku letupan gunung berapi, melalui gas-gas yang dilepaskan semasa proses pereputan berlaku dan apabila hutan terbakar. Malah, pembakaran bahan api fosil juga menyumbang kepada pelepasan gas karbon dioksida.

Hutan-hutan yang ada di bumi sekarang sangat penting bagi menyeimbangkan kandungan karbon dioksida di atmosfera kita. Ia menyerap karbon dioksida dari atmosfera dan dipindahkan ke daun-daun, akar-akarnya dan kembali ke tanah. Menurut apa yang saya pernah baca dalam satu artikel, selama 40 tahun, 4000 meter persegi hutan boleh menyimpan 50 tan karbon dioksida. Tetapi, bagaimana jika pokok-pokok semakin berkurangan?

Dengan jumlah penduduk di bumi sekarang semakin meningkat – hampir 7 bilion – pemintaan untuk bahan binaan seperti kayu juga semakin meningkat. Kita perlu membina rumah, membuat kertas untuk keperluan rumah, sekolah dan pejabat, memotong pokok-pokok untuk pertanian dan menggondolkan hutan atas tujuan pembangunan. Pokok-pokok dipotong supaya kita boleh membina banyak lagi pusat-pusat membeli-belah dan untuk membina empangan elektrik. Hutan-hutan yang pada mulanya memenuhi seluruh bumi sekarang sudah ditebang, dibakar dan dibersihkan secara rakus dan tidak teratur menyebabkan kita hilang hampir 80 peratus hutan-hutan semulajadi di dunia (menurut World Resource Institute). Sebagai contoh untuk kamu lebih memahami kemusnahan ini, bayangkan kamu berdiri di sebuah cermin yang besar. Lihat dari kepala hingga lutut kamu. Itulah 80% dari bahagian tubuh kamu. Itulah nisbah hutan-hutan yang hilang sekarang.

Apabila hutan ditebang atau dibakar, ia akan menyebabkan dua perkara. Pertama, pokok-pokok yang menyerap karbon dioksida di udara semakin kurang. Kedua, ia akan mengakibatkan pelepasan karbon dioksida yang terkandung di dalam akar-akar pokok dan tanah yang selama ini disimpan di dalamnya. Ketahuilah, penebangan hutan adalah penyumbang kedua terbesar selepas pembakaran bahan api fosil kepada pemanasan global di bumi sekarang. Ingat: semakin banyak kandungan karbon dioksida di udara, semakin panas suhu muka bumi. Semakin panas suhu bumi, semakin kering tanah dan pokok-pokok. Semakin kering tanah dan pokok-pokok, semakin tinggi peluang bagi hutan terbakar teruk. Apabila ada kebakaran hutan, secara sengaja atau tidak, hutan yang kering akan lebih mudah merebak dan menjadi teruk berbanding dengan hutan yang sihat. Semua kitaran alam semula jadi, pasti akan memberi kesan kepada kita juga akhirnya.

Sayangi hutan-hutan kita.

Kita harus mengusahakannya dan juga – memeliharanya.

Lakukan sesuatu. Kita dan masa depan.

Jadilah suara bagi ciptaan-Nya.

THINK BIG. START SMALL. GO DEEP.

God Loves the Homosexual

I have braved a few real-life conversations with homosexual friends. I distinctly remember how I felt on each occasion. Queasy mostly. Knowing that Christians often have a head start in the race of bigotry, I had no desire to win us any additional medals. In each conversation, my Christian affiliation betrayed me. Hence, my homosexual friends gestured knowingly at the back pocket of my soul where I had temporarily stuffed the fact that homosexuality does not fit with my faith.

On one rare occasion, I even initiated the conversation… only because my friend hoped our Christian group would embrace his homosexuality and faith and perhaps join him in championing homosexuality as a non-sin.

Fearing he might be emotionally stir-fried in group, I offered a gentler “CliffsNotes” of the responses he might encounter. This forced me to disclose the contents of my back pocket. To pull out, unfold, and display the wrinkles and stains on my evolving take on homosexuality and faith. There were dozens of tangible traits I cherished about my friend, and I told him so. But – in a voice trembling with nervousness and compassion – I confessed I was afraid my friendship might seem insincere if I couldn’t affirm what he held to be the central part of his identity: his sexuality.

“As far as I can tell,” I gulped, “the Bible only introduces one kind of sexual union, and that is between a man and a woman. So, I have to believe this is the course that leads to the fullest life – the life the Creator intended for us.”

When I spit out these defining sentences, I worried all my friend could hear was Blah-Blah-Christian-Blah-Blah. But he stared back at me kindly, so I continued, thankful there were no microphones or flashbulbs as I struggled forward in my statement about homosexuality.

“I want you to know I believe God loves every person deeply and equally. That includes the homosexual. It would be dishonest for me to pretend I agree with or understand the path you believe is right, but I accept that you are free to choose your own life course. That is not because I’m especially charitable or generous, but because God is.”

I think the conversation changed me more than my friend, because it forced me to acknowledge parts of God’s will I sometimes overlooked. To accept that God doesn’t want me to do things even he does not choose to do – to control or hijack someone else’s freedom. I am not asked to impersonate the Holy Spirit but to live a life that gives of God’s fluorescence. And I resolve to remember that God often allows us to learn just as much as we travel our chosen paths as we would have if we had walked only his lighted portions.

But wait, we protest, that is like saying that God allows learning even when we go the wrong way. But wait, we continue, now that we think about it, that sounds a whole lot like grace.

Sarah Raymond Cunningham

Author, Dear Church: Letters from a Disillusioned Generation

Quote from Unchristian by David Kinnaman and Fermi Project (Baker Books, 2007) pg. 113-114

As for me, Richard, I believes that God loves the homosexual

Yet, I also believes that God in the Bible disapproved homosexual relationship

But wait, God’s grace is big enough for homosexuality… it just take time to change

Jesus can do the impossible. He is able.

THINK BIG. START SMALL. GO DEEP.

"TUHAN Mengerti": My Observations during Sii Chung Huei's Funeral Ceremony

Picture from: www.utusan.com.my

I, FES Sarawak team and a graduate attended “Joe” Sii Chung Huei’s funeral ceremony yesterday, the sole Malaysian passenger of Air Asia flight QZ850 plane crashed last December 2014, at Nirvana Memorial Park in Siniawan, Kuching. There were about two hundreds people paying their last respect and give supports to the family members. It was a very heart-moving ceremony and I want to share some highlights during the prayer service.  

I know this family through Prof. Madya Annie Wong Min Ngiik, wife of late Joe Sii. She lectures at Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM) where I was studied. We use to be in the same church and she is one of the big influences during my student life. Because she always bring students to her house for lunch after church, I then also get to know the family. Not intimately, of course, but quite close back then. That was why when Madam Annie and her children shared about their life with their father, I somewhat very moved.

After pastor Lim Gee Tiong of Blessed Church Kuching conducted prayer service, he called the family to share their personal testimonies. First, Stephanie Sii shared about how her father encouraged her to achieve her dreams as medical doctor, business woman and property investor. She read her father’s favourite passage of the Scripture, Psalm 23. Then Samantha Sii, second daughter of the family, shared a poet that she wrote during the difficult period of waiting. I wish I can share it here. Nonetheless, it was very personal and intimate portrait of daughter-father relationship. Samuel Sii open his speech by saying, “I’m the son of my father…” When he first heard about the news, he texted his father: “Where are you dad? I love you.” All of the children testified about how their father always texted and called them at least twice a week. Late Joe Sii was indeed a family man. A loving father.

Lastly, Madam Annie gives thanks to AirAsia Group chief executive officer (CEO) Tan Sri Tony Fernandes and staffs for their “professionalism and transparency” in handling the incident. I have to tell you that Tan Sri Tony is a very humble person. His physical present in the midst of his busy schedules during the ceremony was a great encouragement to the family. He even walked to the burial area when he can easily go by car (No publicity too). Madam Annie testified that she prayed to God for her husband to be home safe or if not, at least, let her husband’s body be found. Tan Sri Tony, she said, was very committed to find her husband’s body. She also appreciates family of Blessed Church and SIB the City friends for their continuous support and prayer throughout her family mourning period. Madam shared about her grieves and sadness of losing her beloved spouse but at the same time glorifying God in the midst of her lost. She quoted Jesus as saying, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die” (John 11:25-26).  She then said, “I believe that my husband is happy now with the Lord in heaven…” She looked at all those present and asked this burning question, “Do you have an assurance of place in heaven?”

I concludes that it was more than a funeral ceremony – it was an evangelistic funeral service. Indeed, Christians are able to rejoice in the Lord in the midst of our suffering and lost because Jesus is in us, and us in Him. This is Christian privilege. The service end with a song “TUHAN Peduli” by Jonathan Prawira:

TUHAN Peduli (God Cares)

Banyak perkara yang tak dapat ku mengerti

(There are many things I cannot understand and accept)

Mengapakah harus terjadi

(Why must they end up that way)

Di dalam kehidupan ini

(In this life we are living)

Satu perkara yang ku simpan dalam hati

(But one thing I keep deep in my heart)

Tiada satu pun ‘kan terjadi

(Nothing will ever occur)

Tanpa TUHAN mengerti

(Without God’s concern and care)

*TUHAN mengerti, TUHAN peduli

(God understands, God cares)

Segala persoalan yang kita hadapi

(For all the doubts and questions we are facing)

Tak akan pernah dibiarkannya

(He will never abandon nor forsake)

Ku bergumul sendiri
(or leave me alone to struggle)

S’bab TUHAN mengerti

(because God understands me)

Shang di zai hu wo

THINK BIG. START SMALL. GO DEEP.

Refleksi tentang Pengganas ISIS: Pergi, Menukar Agama atau Mati?

Pengganas-pengganas ISIS di Iraq, sedang mereka menakluki banyak lagi kawasan, telah membuat ramai orang Kristian dan orang bukan Islam (malah orang Islam sendiri yang tidak bersependapat dengan mereka) terpaksa membuat keputusan samada untuk meninggalkan kawasan mereka atau memasuki Islam secara paksa atau mati dibunuh dengan kejam. Pada hari ini ramai orang di dunia terkejut dan takut kerana mereka menyangka bahawa tindakkan untuk menukar agama melalui pedang adalah sesuatu perkara yang lepas. Mereka sudah silap. Bagi kita yang tahu perkembangan isu semasa tentang pemahaman radikal Islam (merujuk kepada istilah ‘radikal’ yang negatif) dan tentang tindakkan pengganas yang kejam, ini sudah menjadi perkara biasa – tidak mengejutkan kita.  Dan bagi orang Kristian yang mengkaji Alkitab, kita seharusnya sudah tahu bahawa ini akan terjadi.

Tuhan Yesus Kristus sendiri sudah memberi amaran: “Kemudian kamu akan ditangkap dan diserahkan untuk diseksa and dibunuh. Semua orang akan membenci kamu kerana kamu pengikut-Ku” (Matius 24:9, BM); “Berbahagialah kamu apabila orang membenci, menolak, dan menghina kamu, serta memburukkan kamu kerana Aku” (Lukas 6:22); “Jika dunia membenci kamu, ingatlah bahawa dunia sudah membenci Aku lebih dahulu” (Yohanes 15:18).

Rasul-rasul Yesus juga menulis: “Semua orang yang mahu hidup beribadat dan bersatu dengan Kristus akan dianiaya” (2 Timotius 3:12); “Sahabat-sahabat yang aku kasihi! Kamu sekarang menanggung penderitaan yang berat kerana kamu sedang diuji. Janganlah hairan dan janganlah anggap perkara itu luar biasa” (1 Petrus 4:12); “Oleh itu, saudara-saudaraku, janganlah hairan jika orang di dunia ini membenci kamu” (1 Yohanes 3:13).

Akan ada masanya nanti bila dunia akan membenci dan menganiaya semua pengikut Kristus yang benar. Ianya tidak akan terhad kepada mereka yang tinggal di tempat negara-negara pengganas, malahan juga kota-kota kecil yang namanya tidak pernah kita peduli selama ini. Keganasan dan penganiayaan lambat-laun akan berlaku – mahu ataupun tidak – di tempat kita sendiri. Saya tidak pasti samada orang Kristian sudah bersedia untuk perkara seperti ini. Saya berharap ramai diantara kita sudah bersedia. Masanya akan tiba. Adakah kita akan lari meninggalkan tempat ini atau menjual iman kita atau terus mempertahankan iman kita walaupun ianya akan membawa kepada kematian. Ini persoalan saya.

Orang Kristian di negara barat sudah semakin lemah. Kebanyakkan mereka sekarang mendefinasikan dan memperkecilkan maksud “kasih” sebagai “toleransi” terhadap apa saja termasuk ajaran sesat, palsu dan menyeleweng. Orang Kristian di Asia terutamanya dan di dunia khususnya harus bersatu dan bersedia untuk mempertahankan iman kita dengan kasih Kristus. Kasih yang benar harus diberitakan dan dipertahankan pada masa yang sama. Tragedi yang terjadi kepada saudara-saudari Kristus kita yang mengalami penderitaan di tangan kumpulan pengganas ISIS harus menjadi siren untuk kita bangkit semula dan bangun daripada tidur rohani kita! Kita harus berdoa untuk mereka dan bersedia jika ada apa-apa yang kita boleh lakukan untuk membantu mereka. Tetapi, kita juga harus sedar bahawa apa yang terjadi kepada mereka akan terjadi kepada kita suatu hari nanti.

Saya tidak bertanya adakah kamu bersedia dengan senjata dan alat perang kamu; saya bertanya, “Adakah kita sedia untuk meninggalkan tempat asal kita atau sedia untuk menukar agama dengan menjual iman yang hidup kepada yang lain atau sedia untuk dianiaya yang mungkin membawa kepada kematian kerana Yesus?” Apakah keputusan yang kita akan buat? Meninggalkan tempat asal kita mungkin satu keputusan yang harus dibuat. Berdiri teguh dan sanggup mati demi iman kepada Yesus juga satu keputusan yang mungkin kita harus ambil (Begitu sukar… saya tidak dapat bayangkan). Bertukar agama juga satu keputusan yang mungkin akan dibuat, tetapi ini menunjukkan bahawa orang itu tidak pernah menjadi pengikut Kristus yang sebenar. Ada satu lagi pilihan yang boleh dibuat, iaitu, melawan balik. Tetapi di dalam Alkitab Yesus secara peribadi dan dalam ajaran-Nya tidak pernah melawan balik musuh. (Dia akan menghakimi pada Akhir Zaman setiap tindakkan orang yang melakukan kesalahan setimpal dengan perbuatan mereka) Secara manusiawi saya ingin melawan balik, tetapi Yesus tidak mengajar begitu. Oleh itu, Tuhan Yesus, Engkau kuatkanlah kami yang lemah ini!

Namun begitu, saya optimis bahawa penganiayaan yang berlaku di Iraq pasti telah membawa ramai lagi orang untuk mencari kebenaran dan menerima Yesus Kristus sebagai Tuhan dan Juruselamat mereka. Memang tidak mudah untuk saya berkata begini kerana ramai penduduk Iraq dan orang-orang disekeliling mereka bukan hanya dianiaya dan dibunuh, malah, ada diantara mereka disembelih, dipenggal dan digantung seperti daging yang dijual di pasar. Semuanya dilakukan atas nama “TUHAN.” Apa yang berlaku sekarang tidak ada bezanya dengan sejarah dahulu. Oleh itu, ini juga yang berlaku sekarang: Sejarah membuktikan bahawa apabila orang Kristian dianiaya, Berita Baik akan cepat lagi tersebar dan ramai lagi orang akan menerima kebenaran tentang Yesus Kristus sebagai Tuhan dan Juruselamat mereka. Kenapa ini berlaku? Saya berkata demikian kerana penganiayaan “memaksa” kita untuk mencari kebenaran dan memberi fokus kepada kita tentang apa yang terutama di dalam hidup ini. Membayangkan pisau atau senapang diacukan di atas kepala kita akan menyebabkan kita fokus kepada apa yang penting sekali. Yesus. Yesus. Yesus.

Wahai saudara-saudari Kristus yang saya kasihi sekalian, jika menjadi seorang Kristian, iaitu, pengikut Kristus yang benar akan mengakibatkan nyawa kita terancam, jadi, adalah lebih baik (malah tindakkan yang bijak) sekiranya kita hidup untuk Tuhan Yesus Kristus. “Sesiapa yang mempertahankan hidupnya akan kehilangan hidup sejati, tetapi sesiapa kehilangan hidupnya kerana dia pengikut-Ku, akan memperoleh hidup sejati” (Matius 10:39). Jika mengikut Yesus bermaksud kita harus pergi ke kayu salib, maka kita harus memberitakan Berita Baik tentang kematian dan kebangkitan-Nya dengan seluruh kehidupan kita. Jika ada orang yang ingin membunuh kita kerana kita seorang Kristian, maka mereka tidak perlu bertanya atau ragu-ragu samada kita adalah benar-benar Kristian atau tidak. Roh Kudus menyertai kamu. Amen.

Senang untuk saya menulis, tetapi sama-samalah kita merenungkannya.

[Jika saya ditahan oleh polis kerana menulis artikel ini, tolong ikat jamin saya okay?]

THINK BIG. START SMALL. GO DEEP.

2015 Resolution for Digital Life: 10 Digital Diet Rules to Live By

Why did you click to read this blog article? Was it the picture art? Was it the title? Was it a random choice? Or was it because of an undeniable voices saying that you’re, in fact, having an “obesity” with technology and you need a digital “diet” now?! Me and Daniel Sieberg, writer of The Digital Diet, guessing the latter. Well, you’re not alone. In fact, you’re in the majority. Let’s examine yourself more with these questions by Daniel in case you still not convince of your need for digital diet:

Do you sometimes feel the urge to pull out your smart phone when someone else is making a point in conversation? Have you ever realized you were texting while your child was telling you about her day at school and later couldn’t remember any of the details of her story? Have you ever felt that something hasn’t really happened until you post it on Facebook or tweet about it? Do you sometimes wonder if you could actually focus better in real life before all these gadgets invaded your space? Does a flashing red light on your BlackBerry or white light on your iPhone make your heart flutter? Does a ringing/vibrating cell phone interrupt and trump everything else? Do you feel anxious if you’re offline for any length of time? Do you find that your family can be in the same room but not talking to one another because you’re each interacting with a different device?

The Digital Diet: The 4-Step Plan to Break Your Tech Addiction and Regain Balance in Your Life (Three Rivers Press, 2011) by Daniel Sieberg is a treasure book for me. As for the content of this book, you must read it for yourself. In summary, the 4-Step Plan and subtopics are Re: Think (You Are What You Type, My Binary Binge, The Weight You Can’t See), Re: Boot (Detox, Your Virtual Weight Index, Surveying the Damage), Re: Connect (Mind and Body Dexterity 2.0, Upbeat While Downloading, This Time It’s Personal), and Re: Vitalize (Your Organic Blueprint, Sustainable Intake). Here I would like to quote at length Daniel’s 10 Digital Diet Rules to Live By:

1)    Avoid tech turds. Don’t just dump your smart phone on the table at a restaurant or at home. Keep it in your pocket or purse unless it’s critical to have it out. If you must have it out, acknowledge its presence and inform your companions that you’ll check it only in an emergency. It’s a courtesy that you’d appreciate, too.

2)    Live your life in the real world. If you must post a status update or tweet or blog about something in your life, then make sure it’s something you’d be willing to announce to anyone you know face to face.

3)    Ask yourself whether you really need that gadget. There are tons of cool stuff in the tech world, and some of it might even improve your or your family’s life, but don’t feel compelled to buy every new toy that comes out. Before you make a digital purchase, question its necessity.

4)    Seek tech support. Navigating the wilds of the wired world can sometimes be too much to handle alone. It’s okay to ask for help and it’s also okay to use technology to help “outsource self-control” when needed. Check out the many programs that can assist with budgeting your time online.

5)    Detox Regularly. Once you’ve completed the Digital Diet, return to the detox phase one day a month. You can do this as a family, too. Use that day as a touchstone to remember what life can be like without technology.

6)    Sleep device-free. Move your chargers out of the bedroom to another room in the house, and let your devices live there overnight. They need a break from you, too.

7)    It’s either the human or the device. Work toward choosing people over the device. Yes, there’ll be times when it’s tricky or nearly impossible to choose between your smart phone or laptop and paying attention to your child or your loved one or your friend, but try to use your devices more on your own time rather than during the time you share with others.

8)    Remember the “if /then” principle. Choices that you make in the virtual world can have an impact in the real one. For example, if you don’t find the time to put down the gadgets and log out once in a while, then you might lose the ability to appreciate the finer moments in life.

9)    Structure your e-day. Work toward a finite beginning and end to your connectedness. In other words, dive into the gadgets and the e-mail and the texts only when you’ve composed yourself in the morning. When you’re ready to unplug in the evening, do it without reservation and focus on what—and who—is immediately around you.

10) Trust your instincts. If you think you might be spending too much time being a voyeur on social networks or playing online games or endlessly texting, then you probably are. That little voice knows when it’s all become too much. Listen to it. Pursue the ultimate goal of balance and awareness.

I would like to add one more rule.

Rule 11) First Thing in the Morning, Don’t Check Your Smartphone – Log In to God First.

Say a short prayer instead or read a chapter or few verses of the Bible and meditate on it.

Jesus first, not Facebook or E-mail. You can do all of it later.

Don’t eliminate technology, no. The goals are balance, awareness and take control.

Now, do you want to consider having Digital Diet this New Year?

Happy New Year 2015! Thanks for all my readers.

THINK BIG. START SMALL. GO DEEP.

Adakah Perayaan Krismas merupakan Cubaan untuk Membawa Umat Islam menganuti Agama Kristian?

Pokok Krismas di Legoland, Malaysia

Soalan utama: Adakah perayaan Krismas merupakan cubaan orang Kristian untuk membawa umat Islam menganuti agama Kristian?

Peratusan Kecil, Pengaruh Besar

Ebola, HIV, api, bom atom. Apakah persamaan diantara mereka semua? Ianya kecil, tetapi sangat bahaya. Ada satu lagi yang sangat ditakuti di dunia ini: pengikut Yesus yang sebenar. Mengikut bancian pada tahun 2010, didapati bahawa 61.3% rakyat Malaysia beragama Islam, 19.8% penganut Buddha, 6.3% Hindu, 1.3% menganuti agama tradisi Cina – dan hanya 9.2% beragama Kristian. Kristian di Malaysia terdiri dari pelbagai makzab seperti Roman Katolik, Anglican, Methodist, Sidang Injil Borneo (SIB atau BEM), Baptist dan sebagainya. Persoalannya, kenapa peratusan yang kecil ini mampu membuat ‘kecoh’ di negara Malaysia sehingga mendapat liputan dunia? Kenapa kelompok yang kecil ini sangat ditakuti oleh golongan pelampau (extremist) agama? Kenapa Alkitab orang Kristian dirampas dan menjadi isu hangat di Malaysia? Adakah orang Kristian sudah melampau dan ingin menguasai Putrajaya? Ingat: hanya 9.2% Kristian, kurang daripada itu adalah pengikut Kristus yang sebenar, dan kebanyakkan adalah mereka yang tidak banyak bersuara dan suka akan kedamaian.

Apa Cakap Orang dan Situasi Sebenar

Pada pendapat golongan pelampau agama, orang Kristian memang mahu agama Islam berpecah. Orang Kristian dikatakan mempunyai agenda untuk menjadikan negara Malaysia sebagai negara Kristian. Ada sebuah buku yang dijual di kedai buku sekarang mencadangkan bahawa orang Kristian melakukan penginjilan secara besar-besaran di Malaysia untuk memesongkan pemikiran umat Islam dan gereja-gereja dibiayai oleh orang-orang kaya Yahudi di Israel dan Amerika Syarikat. Banyak lagi tuduhan yang tidak masuk akal yang saya tidak sanggup tulis disini (Bukan takut tetapi bodoh sangat).

Bagi setiap tuduhan jawapannya agak mudah. Sebenarnya, kebanyakkan orang Kristian tidak berfikir untuk menjadikan negara Malaysia sebagai negara Kristian. Saya sudah banyak kali pergi ke gereja dan kelompok doa – terbuka dan tertutup – tidak pernah saya mendengar orang Kristian berdoa supaya semua orang Malaysia menjadi penganut Kristian (Berdoa supaya mereka mengenal Yesus secara peribadi, ya, selalu dengar dan saya sendiri sering berdoa begitu). Bagi persoalan penginjilan pula, orang Kristian sendiri mempunyai isu perpecahan diantara makzab masing-masing dan pemikiran/kesedaran untuk bersaksi bagi Yesus masih lagi sangat rendah. Jangan takut. Dari segi kewangan pula, sebenarnya gereja-gereja di Malaysia (hampir) tidak mendapat peruntukkan khas dari kerajaan. Kebanyakkannya hanya dibiayai oleh pemberian dari orang Kristian sendiri. Kadang-kadang, gereja dibina dengan wang dan harta peribadi penduduk setempat. Orang Kristian rata-rata sebenarnya miskin! (TUHAN yang selalu mencukupkan).

Jadi, kenapa golongan pelampau sangat takut akan orang Kristian? Secara ringkas: sebab cara mereka menilai dan berfikir bergantung kepada bagaimana mereka menilai agama dan kepercayaan mereka sendiri. Mereka suka berperang, jadi nilai-nilai kedamaian diabaikan. Mereka suka menguasai dan menindas orang lain, jadi apa saja yang boleh membawa kesatuan dan keharmonian dianggap sebagai ‘musuh.’ Mereka suka mencari dan menutup kesalahan sendiri, jadi orang Kristian menjadi mangsa. Secara rohani pula, Yesus berkata kepada pengikut-pengikut-Nya: “Jika dunia membenci kamu, ingatlah bahawa dunia sudah membenci Aku lebih dahulu” (baca Yohanes 15:18-27, BM). Mereka benci dan takut akan Yesus, jadi mereka mahu memusnahkan orang Kristian. Bagi kebanyakkan orang pula – tidak kira agama dan kepercayaan mereka – isu ini tidak timbul langsung kerana mereka sangat suka akan kedamaian dan keharmonian negara Malaysia. Ini ialah situasi sebenar.

Realiti yang Tidak boleh Dinafikan Juga

Tetapi, secara terus terang memang ada orang Kristian yang ingin menginjili umat Islam supaya memasuki agama Kristian (Jika tidak kerana Kristus, sudah lama saya menjadi penganut Buddha!). Umat Islam juga begitu. Persoalannya ialah bukan “bagaimana” tetapi “kenapa”? Pada pandangan saya, pelajaran agama yang diajar di Malaysia adalah sangat berat sebelah dan tidak telus dan jujur. Sebagai contoh, agama Kristian diajar (dengan salah) berdasarkan pandangan peribadi pengajar yang hampir tidak merujuk langsung kepada Alkitab atau jika merujuk sekalipun, rujukkan selalunya akan keluar dari konteks ayat sebenar. Maka, pada pemikiran orang ramai, tujuan orang Kristian menginjil seringkali disalah ertikan dan menjadi spekulasi sebarangan bagi orang yang tidak mengenal TUHAN secara peribadi!

Bagi orang Kristian yang ada membaca Alkitab (dan yang benar-benar mentaatinya) penginjilan membawa erti yang sangat berbeza. Ia merupakan suatu tindakan atau respon setelah mereka menerima Yesus Kristus sebagai Tuhan dan Juruselamat mereka. Penginjilan bukanlah suatu perkara yang dilakukan untuk mendapat “pahala” atau lesen untuk masuk ke syurga, tetapi sesuatu yang dilakukan kerana sukacita dan kedamaian yang mereka perolehi selepas mengenal Yesus secara peribadi. Mereka ingin menginjil bukan supaya orang menjadi Kristian semata-mata, tetapi supaya orang mengetahui Yesus, Penyelamat Dunia. Jawapan untuk “kenapa” bagi orang Kristian bukanlah disebabkan agama, tetapi Individu yang hidup dan benar – Yesus Kristus. Jadi, motif penginjilan dan perayaan Kristmas bagi orang Kristian yang benar ialah supaya orang mengenal Bapa, percaya kepada Yesus Kristus dan hidup dalam Roh Kudus dan kebenaran.

Soalan utama: Adakah perayaan Krismas merupakan cubaan orang Kristian untuk membawa umat Islam menganuti agama Kristian? Ya (bagi segelintir orang), Tidak (bagi kebanyakkan orang), Tidak tahu (bagi yang masih ragu-ragu).

Soalan seterusnya: Adalah perayaan Krismas merupakan peluang bagi orang Kristian untuk menginjil orang ramai supaya mengenal Yesus Kristus secara peribadi? YA! YA! YA! dan YA!

Jika ada orang Kristian yang cuba untuk menginjil kamu supaya mengenal Yesus,

dengar dahulu dan cuba pertimbangkan sendiri dengan merujuk kepada Alkitab tentang Yesus;

Tetapi jika kamu tidak mahu dan menolak, tidak mengapa,

saya mungkin kecewa tetapi kami tidak harus memaksa. Kasih itu tidak memaksa.

Bagi saya, kes selesai!

THINK BIG. START SMALL. GO DEEP.

The Importance of Orangutan

"The earth is the Lord's and the fullness thereof” (Psalms 24:1)

As for now, morality set aside, there are other, more practical reasons for saving the orangutan from extinction. The red ape’s very presence, in some ways, is a key to protecting all the rain forest of Southeast Asia. People are becoming more aware that all life on earth, including humans, are completely dependent on forests for survival. The world’s rain forests have provided humankind with a number of products they often take for granted: coffee (ah, yes!), chocolate, rubber, and about half of all medicines in the world today.

Of course, many of these items can now be artificially produced outside of the forest. However, the vast majority of the world’s rain forest plants have yet to be studied. There is no way to tell how many more medicines, natural pesticides, and foods are waiting to be found. Once the forests are gone, these undiscovered treasures will be lost forever.

The orangutan plays an important role in protecting these vital rain forest resources. Most rain forests are closed systems, which means the entire ecosystem operates as one large organism. The plants, fungi, and animals are all completely interconnected and dependent on each other for survival. The combined interactions of these smaller organisms make up the rain forest. The orangutan is an integral part of this system. By eating a large amount of ripe fruits, the orangutan serves as a seed distributor. In fact, some trees depend solely on the orangutan to distribute their seeds, throughout the forest. Furthermore, by eating buds, shoots, and leaves, the orangutan effectively thins out or prunes the forest, allowing the sunlight to come through the canopy and stimulate growth in the understory.

Orangutan are also messy eaters, which means that they serve as a food delivery service for many of the ground-dwelling creatures. As the orangutan drop uneaten portions of fruit to the ground below, a variety of smaller animals and insects are treated to a free meal. These scraps make up the bulk of many rain forest animals’ diets.

Perhaps the most important role the orangutan plays in the forest, however, is as a “keystone” species. A keystone species is one that has, for one reason or another, caught the attention of the human world and acts as a focal point for forest protection. Orangutans are large, attractive, interesting, and perceived as highly intelligent. They are also seen by many as a close relative to the human species (If you don’t agree, then just see orangutan as living being created by God). For all these reasons, people are interested in saving them. Thus, in the course of saving orangutans, people also unwittingly save the lives of countless species of smaller animals, insects and plants that share their habitat. By rallying behind efforts to protect orangutans, the general public helps to serve complete ecosystems.

Ecosystems is important. For example, people of Sarawak sometime don’t understand why the natives want the Baram Dam project to stop. Besides the unnecessary dam expansion, every habitat such as plants, animals, insects, flowers, trees - even people who are very dependence on the river and forest for living  – include the orangutans will be badly affected. Anything happen to the forest will affect humankind in general. “A human made tsunami will roll down and destroy everything,” said Peter L. from Long Anap, longhouse interior of Baram district, “forest, rivers, crops, churches, schools, graveyards, just everything! This will be the end of our lives!” Save orangutan! Save ecosystem! Save our lives! My first practical way to save orangutan is through awareness, how about you?  

THINK BIG. START SMALL. GO DEEP.

Reference:  Lucent Endangered Animals and Habitats Series: The Orangutan by Stuart P. Levine (Lucent Books, Inc., 2000).

Invest God-given Time, Energy and Talents in Your Community

“For I was hungry, and you fed me. I was thirsty, and you gave me a drink.

I was a stranger, and you invited me into your home” (Jesus, Matthew 25:35, NLT)

“The best portion of a good man’s life – his little nameless acts of kindness,

unremembered acts of kindness” (William Wordsworth, poet)

One of the comments people most commonly make after a major disaster has hit a community is how it brought people together to help and comfort each other. More often than not, when I read and talk to people who are going through some difficulties and ask them if there is anyone nearby to whom they can turn for support, they cannot think of anyone they know well enough to ask. Admittedly, I only do and join few social community projects in Sarawak, but I understand that this phenomenon is not exclusive to large, city areas only. The need for social community projects is vast and very demanding, especially, today.

Few years ago, I joined FES Malaysia, a student ministry organization, 2-weeks program called S.W.E.E.P. (Social Work Exposure & Embracement Program) and my life changed! Since then, my view on Christian faith broadened and my perspective of the Gospel enlarged. Getting involve in social community projects (definitely not the only means out there!) give joy to me because I get a chance to practise my faith, witnessing Christ both through my work and words, and it is an opportunity to make a difference in people’s lives together – even with the students and my non-Christian friends. Offering to volunteer to help with or initiate a community project has been, for me, the most satisfying ways to love God and people.

In my experience, it pays to think and plan before rushing in to help with the first project you encounter or are requested to help with. In order to obtain the best return in terms of helping the community, while at the same time it helps you in your relationship with God and others, you will need to bear several things in mind prayerfully:

Do Personal Research and Respect Local Needs

You can do this by asking neighbours and meeting leaders of local organizations or churches. It also helps to spend time reading the local newspaper, campus or community bulletins, and listening to any local radio station. Do some research before you get involve. Don’t assume needs but offer helps only in the area of needs (not whatever you wants).  

Try to Match a Local Need or Interest to One of Your Talents

If you are good organizer, you could offer to put on trips for residents’ association, or be on the committee of a charity group. If your talent is writing, you could perhaps, offer to start a newsletter or write something like this article in your blog or any social medias. Give encouragements, update needs and be the voice for the voiceless. If you have driving license, offer your help in transportation. If you’re good in English or math, be a volunteer teacher. “If… be…” There are lots of opportunities and ways you can be involve. What are your God-given gifts or talents? Remember this: Playing to your strengths will be much more satisfying for you and make your involvement much more effective.

Under- Rather than Over-Commit

This is much easier said than done (over-commitment is one of my weaknesses. vise versa). Every community and charitable project is never ending and is constantly thirsty for help. It is particularly hard to say “No!” in crises, but remember – these are inevitable and frequent in this world. Don’t overcommitted that you lost your personal, quiet and alone time with Jesus along the way. Jesus is our priority, not men. That’s why the first commandment is the first, not second. Jesus said, “You will always have the poor among you, but you will not always have me” (John 12:8). So you have to be clear about the commitment you can give, and stick within your capability boundaries with super-assertiveness. Remind yourself that over-commitment leads to resentfulness, bitterness and burnout – none of which will benefit anyone if you do.

“[Whether] you eat or drink, or whatever you do (that include social community work),

do it all for the glory of God” (1 Corinthians 10:31, bracket mine)

THINK BIG. START SMALL. GO DEEP.

You Can Make a Difference: Called to Love even Those Living with HIV/AIDS

Myth #1: “I can get HIV by being around people who are HIV-positive”. No! The evidence shows that HIV is not spread through touch, tears, sweat, or saliva. You cannot catch HIV by breathing the same air as someone who is HIV-positive or thru hugging, kissing and shaking hands with someone who is HIV-positive or sharing eating utensils or using exercise equipment at a gym with an HIV-positive person. But you can get it from infected blood, semen, vaginal fluid, or mother's milk.

Myth #2: “I don't need to worry about becoming HIV positive – new drugs will keep me well”. There are drugs that can improve and extend the lives of many people who are HIV-positive but are expensive and have many serious side effects. None yet provides a cure. Also, drug-resistant strains of HIV make treatment an increasing challenge.

Myth #3: “I can get HIV from mosquitoes”. Yes, HIV is spread through blood but insects don’t inject the blood of animal they have last bitten when they bite us. Also, HIV lives for only a short time inside an insect. So, this myth is nonsense!

These are only top 3 myths and misconceptions people think about AIDS and HIV. There are many more, of course. But these three is enough I guess to make us aware that we are actually ignorance of the truths about HIV. Our misconceptions proof that we don’t care enough. When I told my friends about my experiences with the Crisis Home’s residents, (a non-profit ministry caring for people living with HIV/AIDS), they asked me many questions, “Did you hug them?” “Can you eat with them?” “What are they look like?” “Can we shake their hands?” “Are you using mask when you talk to them?” and many more questions that are too shameful for me to write here. Mr. Isaac Tan, who is working full-time at Crisis Home shared a story about how a man didn't even touch a cup of tea when he came to the Home. That is how deep our misconceptions and stigma against people who is living with HIV/AIDS. There is only one way to breakdown this wall of prejudices – love.

Jesus told us that love for friends is not enough. Love for our own family members is not enough. Love for our neighbour is not enough. Love for those who are different from us in culture or belief is not enough. Love for those who are disagree with us is not enough. Even love for our enemies is not enough. Jesus told us to show love for “the least of these” (as in Matthew 25:31-46). The “least of these” refers to those in a variety of needy situations. They include the hungry, thirsty, impoverished, sick, imprisoned, anyone! – even those who is living with HIV/AIDS. Those are the people we are called to love also. To love is to know; to know is to care. That kind of loving-caring is the sign of God’s spirit at work in us.

How can we show love to people who is living with HIV/AIDS? May I suggests? Firstly, repent from our sin. To repent of our lack of care and rejection towards them. To repent of the way in which we as Christians have often stigmatized those with HIV. Secondly, create personal awareness. Do some research, get some reading, find articles, allocate HIV/AIDS homes nearby you (or in Malaysia) and if possible get to know those whom closed to you who might have HIV-positive. Thirdly, invest your time. Try spend time with the person living with HIV/AIDS. Eat, play, talk, walk or do activities with them. Most of them whom I know personally are rejected by the family members and friends and society. They are longing for companions and friends. Fourthly, invest your money. Support them financially (One way is to give to Crisis Home ministry. Click HERE). And finally, support them in prayer. Indeed we are not just to show deep, compassionate, caring love, but also to pray to God for His grace, mercy and blessing on such people. You can make a different!

“If you judge people, you have no time to love them” (Mother Teresa)

THINK BIG. START SMALL. GO DEEP.

Below are some pictures of Crisis Home’s residents. Share with permission:

Picture with leaders in the church