Week 7: Ask, seek and knock - Don't be Presumptuos

I had a friend who was always depressed and sad (ok, most of the time). While in campus during my studying years, I almost never see him smile for more than 15 minutes. He always got an issues going on. There are times when I saw him from the distance I would questioning myself, 'Oh my, should or shouldn't I met him... he gonna make my day cloudy'. Are you smiling now? I bet you had been in this kind of situation before huh? …So I said to myself, 'Ok not now!' and I hide somewhere behind the wall, pretending to be busy. "Hey, what are you doing?” he asked me. Well, of course, our campus is not that big plus, who won't recognized someone who wearing white T-shirt among many who wears black that day. (Gothic la konon pakei baju hitam) I replied, "On my way to my room, class cancel today." We talked about 5-7 minutes.


During that conversation, I just can't ignored the fact that something is bothering him because he kept making the sound 'huh' 'hah' 'hmmm...' a signal for 'please ask me'. It's not that I don't care about how he felt, I asked him for so many times before and the problem was always not that big deal, it was a small and tiny Minnie problem. Since I value this guy as a friend, I have not 'choice' but to asked him, "What happen to you?” Then, he said his 'big problem' is his roommate always steals his 3-in-1 Nescafe pack and didn't tell him about it.

See, that's why I try to avoid asking him. I pat him on his shoulder. I told him that you really need to ask your roommate personally. Talk to him gently and politely. Don't assume. Finally, I confessed to him with a nice massage on his shoulder that I took 2 packs from him during his camp and the rest, I don’t know. (hi2) Yes, he talked with his roommate and their relationship was getting better.

How many times we mad, sad or discourage about something that we don't really know what exactly happen? Or the problem may arise by our own assumption? The other contribution to this kind of similar disease is: believe in 2nd hand news 100%. Someone share with me that '_____' book is not good to read. 'Why?' 'Because I read the summary of others critics saying that it’s all about money and personal success, it just not right.' 'Is it? Have you read the book?' 'No I didn't' 'Then, how to do really sure that it is not good?' (Some critics said that movie 'Fireproof' is very bad, I nearly believe, not until I watched it for myself. I burst into tears... like a cry baby. The movie is amazing!)

If you hear that a friend has done something wrong, ask him about it. Maybe it isn't true. If it is true, he won't do it again. If you hear that a neighbor has said something he shouldn't, ask him about it. Maybe he didn't say it. If he did, he won't say it again. If you hear something bad about a friend, ask him about it. It might be a lie. Don't believe everything you hear. A person may say something carelessly and not really mean it. Everyone has sinned in this way at one time or another. If you hear something that makes you angry with you neighbor, ask him about it before you threaten him. Don't create a big problem out of small issues. John C. Maxwell say, "Never let the situation mean more that the relationship".

I said Jesus is the Son of God. He dying on the cross to cleanse and forgive our sins. Would you just believe me? I hope you will, but perhaps I maybe lied. Check it for yourself. God bless you.

Week 6: Prayer - The Cheapest Call

I said to her how I wish to grasp that guitar and pluck it louder and I can make it more enthusiasm. 'This is not much alive! The song leader didn't sing whole heartedly and man... that guitar player really disappointed me', I said this with my hand moving like an espanyol’s actor. And then in the middle of that conversation, she asked me a burning question: "Did you pray for them?"
How can I miss such a basic discipline? How can I be so blinded by the outer expression and not aware of inner need of others? What a selfish statement could ever come out from my heart? "Pray for them? Err... you know, I never thought about it", I answered.

Sometime in the business of our society we forget to pray, even the simplest prayer such as 'Thank you, Lord' is so alien to our tongues. Homework, assignments, meetings, appointments, datelines, jobs, responsibilities etc, often become our Master that hinders us to pray. From my own experiences and others that 'accidentally' share with me will make such a 'logical' excuses:
"God know what I need, so I don't need to pray"
"I've been praying for __ days/ weeks/ months/ years (I suspect, seconds) yet God doesn't answer me, what for?"
"No time" Similarly "Busy lah"
"I don't know how to pray"
"I don't feeeeeeeellll like to pray"
"Pray? What is that?"

The greatest motivational tool in the universe is no doubt none other than PRAYER. Prayer is not to get what you want things to be done. Prayer is not claim it and it will be given to you. It is not a ritual or code to unlock the greatest you. Prayer is one's personal conversation with the Almighty that includes both expressing our concerns and listening to His response. Pastor Chew Weng Chee said 'When we work, we work; when we pray, God work'. It is our most powerful, most immediately accessible, most useful recourse for responding to the moment-to-moment challenges of both good and bad times.

Lead like Jesus by Ken Blanchard & Phil Hodges suggest ACTS as a way to begin.
Adoration - Tell the Lord that you love Him and appreciate Him for who He is.
Confession - our first response to meeting and adoring God is confession.
Thanksgiving – is an expression of gratitude to God for all He had done. (Toothpaste, air, water, clothes, pen etc...)
Supplication - asking for what you need. (ha ha... most of us including me start with this first) Start by praying about others' needs and then ask for your own needs to be met.

When is the last time you pray? What did you prayed for? How and where you pray is not so important, the posture of the body is not as important as the posture of the heart. The subject of prayer is much more interesting than this, yet I don't want you to be 'burden' with too many words to read on this simple note.

The greatest leader, speaker and Savior once had prayed such a selfless prayer, "Nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done." (Luke 22:42) My action above indicated how I had a center-minded attitude toward myself and how I want things done like what I want it to be. I was reminded to have a prayer habits all the time, pray for others then myself and let God's will not mine be done. Yes, it is easier said than done but it worth to follow. I hope this may encourage you, and what can a 'fool' man like me to teach you how to pray.

His disciples said to Him, "Lord, teach us to pray..." (Luke 11:1)
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"Prayer is listening as well as speaking, receiving as well as asking; and its deepest mood is friendship held in reverence. So the daily prayer should end as it begins- in adoration." (George A. Buttrick)

Week 5: Save - Child is a Gift

On 31st July, there was a baby born. No Angel appeared to his parent before he was born. But his mother knew that he will come when he kicked that tummy of her. He was born in a comfortable place; a hospital not a manger; with all the latest instruments and machines not with the domestic animals around him. He was lucky... yet his parents don’t think so, they said "He's a gift from God". So he was and is now.

As I read newspaper on Sunday, 25th July 2010 on that beautiful evening, I read the most heart breaking news of all. New Sunday Times reported that on 23rd July 2010, a new born baby girl was found inside a garbage bin outside flats somewhere around Kuala Lumpur area that night. Police chief said the body with umbilical cord still intact was wrapped in a cloth and plastic bag. The news column for this case was only covered 2% of full page on the newspaper and not even in the front page! (It was pg. 11, Oh ya, I should tell you that one of the headline on the news was about Kristen Stewart! da???) You and I know that this is not the first time we hear about it. Out there could be hundred or even thousand of cases that never been told let alone only God knows about it.

An innocent baby was dumped in a garbage bin, inside the drain, in a box, eaten by worms! Imagine that. It was warm (in her mother's womb)... 'huh' that was her first fresh air to breath... 'wa wa wa wa!' that was her first word to speak (repetition is the mother of learning, no wonder we cry alot)... she then slowly opened her eyes, that was her first expose to light... she felt someone holds her. It was warm and familiar, but she doesn’t trace any love so she cries louder. Minutes later, she felt cold, cold as lying on the floor. Suddenly, the light turned to darkness. She can't breath! It was so tight! She can only hear her own voice 'wa wa wa.... wa wa... wa... w... a.....' She’s dead.

A child is a gift from God. Some people say unborn child is not a fully human; therefore they (intelligently) promote and justify ABORTION. Where is the value on human life? Throwing a baby inside a garbage bin is not a choice! Abortion is not a choice!

Someone text me few years ago, telling me about she was pregnant. 'It was an 'accident",
she said. "But I'm not ready; I'm thinking of... abortion."
What a shock to me. I was just 20 years old, what could a young man and immature person ever advice her regarding abortion? (Now I realized that girls normally not asking for advice or anything else, they just want someone to listen to them) I was thinking and thinking... what should I reply... then the most intelligent and very wise answered ever produce at that time come in my mind. I replied, "Don't do it".
That was it! Don't do it. Of course she was not buying into my pleading, she already decided. She aborted the baby. Now I don't know what happen to her, I don't have her contact anymore. She's gone.

Sitting here and writing this note, a thought come to mind. What would I say to her if I receive her text now?
I would send her a Scripture:
"You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body, and knit then together in my mother's womb.
Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex! It is amazing to think about.
Your workmanship is marvelous- and how well I know it.
You were there while I was being formed in utter seclusion!
You saw me before I was born and scheduled each day of my life before I begin to breathe.
Every day was recorded in your Book!"
Psalm 139:13-16

We can make a different. Teach others the Word of God. Share them the Word of God. Copy the Scripture above and memorize it. Photocopy it, and attached it at your room or washroom doors. Stick it at your text books, pencil case etc. Who knows, who knows... someone may read the Scripture and remind you (and me) or your friends (or others) before they about to do or though such a nasty thing. Bible won't save you, no, not that bunch of papers can save you. It’s the Word in the Bible that can save you. "For she will have a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for He will save his people from their sins" (Matt 1:21) and "His name is called the Word of God". (Rev 19:13)

Week 4: Thank you - For What You've Done

One day, I decided to say 'thank you' as often as possible to anyone whom I met that day. What triggered me to do that was maybe the books that I read or the audiobooks that I heard at that particular time - I’m not sure (could be both). I always remember this moment when I say it to my mother. Every morning after my mom made breakfast to my brother before he went to work, she will get ready to cook for our lunch together. Mom and me (At that time, I was taking my off day).

I enjoyed my lunch that day, as my mother is an excellent chef housewife. I always finished my meal first, because you see, my mother talked when she was eating. Right after that, I said something that I really can't remember the last time I said it to her... I said, "Mom, today lunch is wonderful and yummy, THANK YOU very much". As soon as I finished saying that, she smile ever bright and in replied she said, "You are welcome." I can see that her day was unusually great that day, just because I said those two magic words.

As a children to our parent sometime we thought that- 'Why should I say thank you to them? After all, this is their duty'. Sometime, we forget that we didn't appreciate them very much (not until someone is gone). Most of the time, we forget that we owe someone a 'thank you’ just because we thought that it was their responsibilities- cleaners, policemen, firemen, taxi drivers, doctors, nurses, teachers, friends, colleagues, Prime Minister, boss etc.

When you say thank you, you are saying 'I appreciate of what you had done to me'. Appreciation and gratitude, actively expressing can make your life meaningful both for you and for the one you verbalized it to. In his book, 10 Powerful Phases for Positive People, Rich DeVos lists 10 phases that are very important;
1) I'm wrong
2) I'm sorry
3) You can do it
4) I believe in you
5) I'm proud of you
6) I need you
7) I trust you
8) I respect you
9) I love you
10) THANK YOU

These are easy words to remember, but we (including me) are easy to forget about it as fast as we remember it. Jesus was going into a village when He met by 10 men suffering from dreaded skin disease. They shouted for healing and yes, Jesus healed them all. 'When one of them saw that he was healed, he came back, praising God in a loud voice. He threw himself to the ground at Jesus' feet and thanked him... Jesus spoke up, "There were ten men who were healed; where are the other 9?" (Luke 17:11-19)

Give thanks to 'little' things that your parent did to you; cooked, washed your clothes, saving money for your college, make up your bed, brought you shoes, worry for your future etc. Give thanks to your friends who always there when you're up or/and when you're down. Give thanks to your brothers and sisters who stand for you even when they know you're wrong most of the times.

Above all, give thanks to the Lord because 'He gave His only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him may not die but have Eternal Life' (John 3:16) Question, who you will give thanks to today?

Week 3: Action speaks louder than words

Someone e-mail me asking 'Richard, did you really wrote the notes?' I replied back 'yes'. The wonderful things about writing this kind of note are that I can speak my mind and I enjoyed using God's gift of writing for good. But on the other side, it's also dangerous. People may judge you and using your own words to 'attack' you back. That's why I got to practice what I preached and preach what I had practice at the best effort as I can. The old saying 'Action speaks louder than words' is the best topic for this week message - I think.

In the Good Samaritan story,.there was a man who was on his way for a journey attacked by robbers and he was beaten up, leaving him half dead. One day, it so happened that a religious man (know what to do) was passing by the road; but when he saw the man, he walked by on the other side. In the same way a Well-known man (know how to do) also passing by, when over and looked at the man, and then walked on the other side. But an Action Oriented man who was traveling that way came upon the man, and when he saw him, his heart was filled with pity. He went over him, cleans his wounds and bandaged them; then he took him to an inn, where he takes care of him.

Who is this Action Oriented man? He is the man who knows what to do and how to do and take ACTION. You probably heard someone said 'I want to reduce my weight within these 3 months' while keep going to KFC and ordered Chicken Double Cheese burger for breakfast. He knows what to do; lose some weight. He knows how to do; take simple breakfast, reduce cholesterol intake, exercises etc. But he lack of something- follow up action for his word.

What are the things that you knew you need to do it but until now still hesitate or procrastinate to do it? What are the ‘wish’ prayers that you need to act upon? Is it- loss some weight, writing a books, helping people, say 'thank you' to your boss, kiss your mom, or hug your dad, finish your homework/assignment when you promise your teacher/lecturer to pass it next week, read the Bible, stop smoking, say 'hi' to your neighbor, cook at home, belanja others makan etc.

When Jesus said 'Love your neighbor as you love yourself' to the people, he then told a parable and concluded, "In your opinion, which one of these 3 acted like a neighbor toward the man attacked by the robbers?" (Luke 10:36) They answered 'The one who was kind to him'. I love this. Jesus replied, "You GO, then, and DO the same."

At time, I may fall short in what I do in regard to what I said and - you may too. Yet let’s remember, as long as we are still sober and wise, let's our "Action speaks louder than words". Anthony Robbins said "Action is what produces results". With this opportunity I would like to ask, do you want to know Jesus Christ personally? If you want, take this action now. Get that Bible, read it out, pray for understanding and experience it for yourself first hand. Take ACTION now.

Week 2: Self-Image - How you see yourself is how you see others

"I'm a lion!"

 To love others you need to love yourself. I’m not saying in term of being selfish, I’m simply saying that you got to appreciate and love yourself before you can begin to love others- You need to have healthy self-image.
Common sense:- Would you 'sell' both of your legs and freedom to walk in this planet for RM1, 000,000? If you're a normal person most probably you don't want.

Science explains that to duplicate human brain, we need to have a large giant computer and billions dollar to create almost similar one (If I'm wrong, don't watch the national Geography channel anymore, OK). Even that will not match the brain power that human have. Generally, our brain uses 20% of our body's energy, but it makes up only 2% of our body's weight. Amazing as it is, we only use 10% of it capability. How cool is that?

Bible verifies it. Psalm 139:14 declares, “I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.” The context of this verse is the incredible nature of our physical bodies. Every aspect of the body, down to the tiniest microscopic cell, reveals that it is fearfully and wonderfully made. There's one time when a kid shouted at me as if I’m deaf saying, 'God loves me!' Surely, this kid has a very healthy self-image.

How you see yourself is how you see others. If you see others as troublesome, not cooperative, less valuable, unimportant etc, most probably... most probably, it's an indication of our inner self. If we want to attempt to correct others, please be sure that we shall examine ourselves first. Jesus in His famous Sermon of the Mount said, “Do not judge, or you too will be judged".(This doesn't mean we shall not correct our brothers when they did something wrong, but we need to check our motive- either to condemn or to correct)
See yourself in a different way now according to God's standard, and you will be able to recognize that people is not that bad as we thought they were. When we see ourselves right, our perspective toward others will be revolutionize. How do see yourself now?

Recognize this, there is an important match going on before you're born. Its call "Sperm Competition". Among thousands of sperms release, there's one winner who 'met' one ovum. After a series of creation, the competition creates YOU. Selected! not by random acts. Wonderfully made! You're a Winner because God create you.

[Unless, you believe we evolve from monkey, then beyond reasonable doubt that my note is nonetheless- wasted.] Smile, have a healthy self-image... when you truly love yourself (not in a selfish manner) then you can easily love others.

"Love your neighbor as you love yourself" 

Week 1:Smile- Costs nothing, creates much

 

One day, I decided to smile to everyone I meet no matter what happen. First I tested it to my mom before I went to church at hometown Sarawak. She said ‘OK, bye bye’ maybe because she thought that I want to bribe her on something. 15 minutes after, there I was... at the church. There I begin my experiment; to 1st usher standing at the stairway- I smiled, 2nd usher at the entrance - with my high pitch voice said ‘Good morning!’ and give her extra smile. Both of them in an instant with the high speed responded consciously smile back at me. ‘It worked!’ I said as I want to conclude the experiment that morning with a sense of success.

Not until I met a guest pastor who will deliver a speech that morning. I shakes his hand, a good morning greeting and of course a smile at him - (I’m about to change my mind on the conclusion though) He shook my hand, say ‘good morning to you too’ and… he was not smiling. I thought; what happen to him today? Am I not smiling sincerely? Ya maybe I thought. So I smiled for a second time and showed him my thumb up and said, ‘Thank you for being here.’ His respond was still the same.

Right after he finished his sermon, I came to him and with curiosity asking him,
‘Pastor, this is between you and me. Do you have any problems? Maybe I can help you.’
‘Why do you think I have a problem?’ He said.
‘Oh, this morning I greeted you. But you aren’t smiling.’
Then, in the twinkling of an eye: He smiles at me. He said, ‘it’s my face. Happy or sad, my face expression is like this.’ He seems like smiling.
Yes, I know now. Even he was sincerely wanted to smile; I can see that he force his face muscles to create the expression of what we called: Smile. But there’s another reason he don’t smile- it was kind of ugly. (Ha ha). It ends up with a great conversation. I joke about his smile, and he jokes at me back about my Maggie mee’s hair.

Smile can make your day much much better. Your smile is a messenger of your good will. Your smile brightens the lives of all who see it. David Schwartz said ‘When you smile, smile. Show few teeth. Maybe your teeth aren’t attractive, but that’s really unimportant. For when you smile, people don’t see your teeth. They see a warm, enthusiastic personality, someone they like.’ Unless you have a face muscles problem like this pastor I’m writing about or you are born with no lips- I urge you to smile. If you’re not in the mood to smile, just smile. No one can be angry and smile at the same time.

Say to yourself: I have no silver and gold, but what I have I give to you (others): my smile.

Start your day with a smile. Maybe you can brighten up those people around you today. God bless you.