Nothing But The Blood

What can wash away my sin?
Nothing but the blood of Jesus;
What can make me whole again?
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.

This is all my hope and peace,
Nothing but the blood of Jesus;
This is all my righteousness,
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.

Now by this I’ll overcome—

Nothing but the blood of Jesus,
Now by this I’ll reach my home—
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.

I'm not very much of a hymn person myself. I just happened to randomly browse and found that. The above is a selection of 3 stanzas from the hymn "Nothing But The Blood". 3 stanzas that mean so much more than they look at first glance..

Oh that the sacrifice that our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ could be imprinted ever more firmly upon my heart, and all of our hearts.

"Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends" (John 15:13)
"You are my friends, if you do the things which I command you" (John 15:14)

To think that God Himself should die for such as us (Hey that's a line from a song!) Warrants some reflection doesn't it? A reflection on our priorities. Have we put other things before our own spiritual welfare? Have we diminished God's part in our lives? I've been guilty of that countless times.

We are called to put off our former ways and conducts, or the old man, to be renewed in the attitude of our minds, and to put on our new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness (Paraphrased from Ephesians 4:20-24)

How do I do that? I guess any number of motivational and inspirational books could offer a hundred pieces of good advice. But I think it all boils down to one thing..Nothing but the blood of Jesus. For without Him we can do nothing. And learning to trust in God is not exactly 'Learn to Bake in 2 Minutes' or 'Paper Aeroplanes for Dummies'. I read a poem somewhere awhile back. I can't remember all the lines and stuff, but I remember this one:

I asked for strength, that I might overcome,
You gave me weakness, that I would learn to depend on You.

God give me the grace to be able to turn to You anytime and every time.

One particular version of Nothing But The Blood that I like: Juju Song

A List That'll Do Us All Good

The first of the year is known for three things: black-eyed peas, bowl games, and lists. Some don’t eat black-eyed peas. Others hate football. But everybody likes lists.

The Bible certainly has its share of lists. Moses brought one down from the mountain.
There are lists of the gifts of the Spirit. Lists of good fruit and bad. Lists of salutations and greetings. Even the disciples’ boat got into the action as it listed in the stormy Sea of Galilee. (If you smiled at that, then I’ve got a list of puns you’d enjoy.)

But the greatest day of lists is still New Year’s Day. And the number one list is the list I call the Laws of the Lighthouse.

The Laws of the Lighthouse contain more than good ideas, personal preferences, and honest opinions. They are God-given, time-tested truths that define the way you should navigate your life. Observe them and enjoy secure passage. Ignore them and crash against the ragged rocks of reality.

Smart move. The wise captain shifts the direction of his craft according to the signal of the lighthouse. A wise person does the same.

Herewith, then, are the lights I look for and the signals I heed:

– Love God more than you fear hell.
– Once a week, let a child take you on a walk.
– Make major decisions in a cemetery.
– When no one is watching, live as if someone is.
– Succeed at home first.
– Don’t spend tomorrow’s money today.
– Pray twice as much as you fret.
– Listen twice as much as you speak.
– Only harbor a grudge when God does.
– Never outgrow your love of sunsets.
– Treat people like angels; you will meet some and help make some.
– ‘Tis wiser to err on the side of generosity than on the side of scrutiny.
– God has forgiven you; you’d be wise to do the same.
– When you can’t trace God’s hand, trust his heart.
– Toot your own horn and the notes will be flat.
– Don’t feel guilty for God’s goodness.
– The book of life is lived in chapters, so know your page number.
– Never let the important be the victim of the trivial.
– Live your liturgy.

To sum it all up:
Approach life like a voyage on a schooner. Enjoy the view. Explore the vessel. Make friends with the captain. Fish a little. And then get off when you get home.

(Source: Max Lucado)

Israel vs. The World

Nobody likes wars. Ok, well, some do. Some companies and people make huge profits from wars. But never the victims and people directly involved in a war. There are wars all over the world. Sri Lanka has been warring ever since I can remember. Some parts of Africa are warring. But the one that immediately catches the attention of the whole world, inevitably always seems to be Israel's wars.

Malaysia has been quick to rise to the call to protest against Israel, along with a large portion of the Muslim world. At first glance, the protests seem justifiable. Palestinian civilian casualties are in the hundreds, whereas Israel appears to have sustained only paltry losses of lives. Turn to any news channel in Malaysia and you'll see them full of pictures of flattened buildngs in the Gaza, and peoply crying and dead bodies etc.

For the record, no I do not support war. I do not think that it's alright for civilians to lose their lives. But neither do I want to jump the gun and be hasty to choose sides. I believe that we all need to recognise that there are always two sides to a story. I recognise the fact that the US may be backing Israel. But I also recognise the fact that there are a whole lot of people out there who would like nothing less that the complete extermination of Israel.

Please read this article and perhaps you'll know what I mean.

Here's a question I think it would be wise for us to ask ourselves before being so eager to point accusing fingers at Israel; What would we do, if we were in Israel's shoes? Small tiny little country surrounded by 500 million Arabs. Six Muslim countries.

Israel is not new to persecution. World War 2 was a fine example.

So, please at least try to find out the other side of the story before condemning. I too regret the loss of innocent lives. But I would point my finger at Hamas as well, not just Israel.

On another note, my apologies for not posting for 3 months. I've been pretty busy at work. God bless y'all and have a great day, wherever you may be.

The Untold Story

Justice will be done

Read this

Of course, just like how YB J is "NOT" Teresa kok, Aminah is "NOT" Altantuya

You Know What I'd Like To See?

Solidarity.

Unity.

Utusan just published a short 'so-called fictional' story about a MP (obviously Teresa Kok) who gets killed for being anti-Islam and anti-Malay. I read it with great distaste.

Obviously the publishers have no ethics, no conscience and a disgusting liking for character assassination. But that's nothing new, is it?

Just yesterday, I was talking to a friend who works for one of the state councillors. He was telling me that some of the local suraus in their constitution are pulling some sort of trick again. Something akin to the whole Teresa Kok humdinger. And obviously, it's all blown out of proportion in the Malay dailies.

You know what gets me? It really never ceases to amaze me how these 'defenders of Islam' are so similar all around the world. When the Taliban was getting whupped by the US Army, they issued broadcasts proclaiming glorious victories. Same scenario in Iraq. And right here in Malaysia, some few of these 'defenders of Islam' proliferate. What great men you are, hiding behind the excuse of defending your religion to hurl barbed accusations at your opponents.

And in all of this, where is MCA's bravado? Where is Gerakan's muscle? The 'show' that they put on in 'defending' the rights of the non-Malays seems to be nothing more than a facade, doesn't it?

So tell me, who has shown unity so far? BN? Haha. They have about as much unity as a bald man has hair. When Teresa was accused, it was a Malay lady from PAS who came to help. MCA? Gerakan? Woefully silent. But I do like the fact that this lady (I'm sorry I can't remember her name) reached across the racial barrier to help out another person.

I know this is not being written very well. I'm still very disgusted at the short story I just read, which you can find here.

Anyway, what I would really like to see is Malaysians reaching across the cultural and racial divides that set us apart. I would love to see our beloved Malay brothers and sisters rise up and condemn the racial acts the Government is churning out. I assure you, if you could read and understand the Chinese dailies, you would see very little love for Gerakan and MCA. I believe the Indians have been vocal enough against MIC.

No we don't want to take over the country. This country is Malaysia, and it will forever be, not China or India. Don't buy the lies of the Government who say that we will take more and more and leave our Malay brothers and sisters behind in the mud. You guys are better than that. You don't need the coddling they're giving you (which is also enriching themselves at the same time).

Stand up and be counted. I know so many of our Malay brothers already reject UMNO and their racial ways. Just like how so many of us reject MCA and their spineless ways. What's left to be done is the joining of hands across races. Across cultures. Across languages. Across skin colours and long or short names. Across the racial barriers this maggot-riddled, selfish and arrogant Government has strived to place between us for so long.

Another thing that makes me wonder. Any sane person who reads the papers and the blogs, or sees with their own eyes what's going on, would surely be able to see just what a shame the Government is. They praise Malaysia and curse Singapore, and yet they seem so intent on destroying the country the way they stir up racial hatred. Have you ever been to a Biro Tatanegara course? My sister has, and I tell you, it is rotten to the core. It is so racist it's even amusing. A question was asked during the course; PAS has said that they can win enough seats to form the Government (or smth like that). A) PAS is lying, B) PAS is trying to trick more people into voting for them, C) PAS is stirring up trouble. And I cant remember wat D) was. But it was absurd to the point of imbecility. Not to mention hilarious of course.

So, back to the point. How do these people face their families and friends? How do they face their kids? What kind of a country are they sculpting for their kids? Do they really believe they are doing what's right for the country? Defending Islam?

Forgive me if I sound sarcastic or cynical (I still haven't found out the difference between both). I actually am pretty disturbed after reading that article.

Unity

Solidarity

Hope

May God help us to look past our differences, cuz a whole lot of people (read UMNO) sure seem hell bent on making sure all we see are our differences.

A Church of Imperfect People

Some of you might have heard of the whole Mike Guglielmucci issue down in Australia. For those who don’t here’s the story in short.

Mike Gug was a pastor in one of the prominent churches in Melbourne. For the past 2 years or so, he told everyone he had been diagnosed with cancer. He struggled against the disease valiantly. He even wrote a song that became famous, about how he was placing his trust in God, and how God is a healer.

To cut a long story short, it turned out that it was a farce. He hadn’t been diagnosed with cancer at all. I don’t know what he had, but it certainly wasn’t cancer. At first glance, it would seem he lied to everyone (his family included). He probably also made a lot of money from the royalties of the song he wrote.

As it turns out, he issued a formal apology, returned all the royalties he earned for that song, and confessed that he has a deep-seated problem with pornography. At least that’s what I was told by a friend I have in that church. So what do we say about this? I know a lot of people would be angry at him. A lot of people would sneer. A lot of people would point fingers at the Christian community as a whole and say “What’s so good about them? They’re the same as anyone else”.

What most people don’t realize is that the church is a church of imperfect people. Being a Christian does not mean we are perfect. We screw up too. We aren’t perfect. The only difference is that in our imperfection, we look to Christ for our perfection. Only He can cover our imperfections, which He did with His sacrifice.

So no, we are not and should not be holier than thou. We have the same problems as everyone else. Mike Gug made a big blunder. And he’s suffering the consequences now I believe. He sees the consequences in the eyes of the people he meets and the words of others. I don’t condone what he did myself, but neither do I condemn. And that’s because we all make mistakes. We all fall short of the mark. Just because he made a big public blunder does not make him worse than I am.

Have a look at the following lyrics from one of Switchfoot’s songs, Beautiful Letdown:

It was a beautiful let down
When I crashed and burned
When I found myself alone unknown and hurt
It was a beautiful let down
The day I knew
That all the riches this world had to offer me
Would never do

In a world full of bitter pain and bitter doubt
I was trying so hard to fit in, fit in,
Until I found out
I don't belong here
I don't belong here
I will carry a cross and a song where I don't belong
But I don't belong

It was a beautiful let down
When you found me here
Yeah for once in a rare blue moon I see everything clear
I'll be a beautiful let down
That's what I'll forever be
And though it may cost my soul
I'll sing for free
We're still chasin our tails and the rising sun
And our dark water planet's
Still spinning in a race
Where no one wins and no one's one

I don't belong here
I don't belong here
I'm gonna set sight and set sail for the kingdom come
I will carry a cross and a song where I don't belong
But i don't belong
I don't belong here
I don't belong here
Kingdom come
Your kingdom come

Won't you let me down yeah
Let my foolish pride
Forever let me down

Easy living, not much like your name
Easy dying, you look just about the same
Won't you please take me off your list
Easy living please come on and let me down

We are a beautiful let down,
Painfully uncool,
The church of the dropouts
The losers, the sinners, the failures and the fools
Oh what a beautiful let down
Are we salt in the wound
Let us sing one true tune

I don't belong here
I don't belong here
I don't belong here
Feels like I don't belong here
Let me down
Let me down
Feels like I'm let down
Let me down.
Cuz I don't belong here
Please
Won't you let me down?

I know that was pretty long. But look at the words in bold. That’s who we are. A church of losers and failures. A church of the uncool. But above all, a church of sinners saved by grace.

Where Are Your Hearts, BN MPs?

What is a government? What is a democratic government? In short, I can tell you what it is NOT. It is NOT a dictatorship.

You know what really shocks me? It's not the fact that our government is imperfect. No government is perfect, because no one is perfect. It's not the corruption; every government has some element of corruption and abuse of power.

It's the fact that in Malaysia's government, there is a charade - yes, you heard me right, charade - of "Follow the Leader". When was the last time you saw ANY of the BN MPs standing up against the government's stand? I immediately think of Zaid. (Btw, good job, man) And Bernard Dompok and a few of our Sabahan and Sarawakian brothers.

What about the rest? MCA? Gerakan? UMNO MPs? Do all of them agree wholeheartedly with every policy the top leadership makes? Isn't Parliament just a farce when its always just BN vs Pakatan? Do all of them agree with the DNA Bill? Or the recent abuse of ISA? Or the excuses given for the ISA arrests, which are an insult to intelligence? Does every UMNO MP agree with Ahmad Ismail's remarks?

No?

Then come right out and say it! Don't forget that MPs are elected public servants. There's nothing wrong with being a public servant, you know. It's not a derogatory term. It means people have put their trust in you to stand for what is right. To represent them.

How many people really believe RPK, Teresa and Tan Hoon Cheng were guilty in ANY way? And the way Tan and Teresa were released like.. It just makes their arrests reek of injustice.

So enough with the charade. If you don't agree with something the top leadership does, STAND UP for what's right. Even the 2 SAPP reps who did not agree with the party's decision to quit BN, well they made their views heard.

Do you know why I root for the Opposition? Amongst many other reasons, I know some of these people, and its obvious that at least some of them are here to serve the people. At least some of them are here to do the job they were elected to do.

So no, this is not hate mail. This is not an angry post. This is not to be critical about our Govt. It's an appeal to all you BN MPs who have even the tiniest shred of humanity in you. If you have a heart, search it. Life is short. How do you want to be remembered? Do you want to be held in derision by a majority of Malaysians till the day you leave this world? Or do you want to be remembered as a simple person who did the right thing?

Stop politicking. Stop thinking about voters. Start doing the right thing. Start being sincere. That way you don't even need to think about winning votes, you'd already have done so.