My best friend came to church today

What a pleasant surprise. Stephen called me in the afternoon to ask me out for dinner, he told me that he's craving for steamboat. So I agreed to meet up with him after church service. 

Just right before I am leaving my house for church, he called again and told me that he's too bored and nothing to do before I am able to meet up with him. So I just simple suggested that why not join me for church service today? And he agreed, to my surprise...

Then another problem came to my mind, how do I arrange the transport and dinner for the campus students after church service and go for steamboat with Stephen... either we got to wait till they all finished dinner and I send them back first, or we just got to compromise not to have steamboat today and have dinner with the students instead.

Little did I know that God already had a solution for me... I was so surprised when Carissa told me that they are planning to have steamboat after the service. In my memory of almost 2 years being in the church, there's only once or twice that we had steamboat after service. What's the chances of it being just a coincident?

Though it's just something trivial and insignificant, but I believe God knows my friend personally and made the arrangement for him even it's just such a small matter.

Praise God for that.

Luxurious after-life property

Went to Janet's mom's memorial service yesterday, it's a celebration for her birthday. We were totally astonished when we reached the Nirvana Christian Columbarium in Shah Alam, just right next to the Panasonic Stadium, where you have your annual Bon Odori. 

The place looked so nice that I wish I could stay there after I am gone, seriously.

I totally don't mind booking myself a room here, only if I have the money.

(Disclaimer: This is not a paid advertising by Nirvana, though the writer would not mind any kind of reward for writing this :)) 

Social media status: Away

I am on fasting for all my social media this week. So no Facebook, no Twitter. If there's any urgent message, go traditional, sms or call me. 

Thankfulness

I remember a few months ago when I was hanging out with a friend in a cafe, he asked me for permission to smokes. Then he told me that he always knows that it's bad to smoke, but he has been smoking for many years, it's not easy for him to stop. 

So I told him about my testimony of how God helped me to quit smoking, and then I prayed for him that God could help him to quit too. But I don't think he had the intention to quit smoking at that time.

Today in the afternoon, when I sms him just to catch up, he told me that he just stopped smoking recently, after 9 years of being a smoker! Then he said, "I do believe in your prayer and I always appreciate your previous prayer for me about my smoking habit." 

Just a little token of prayer could make a huge difference in someone's life, we might not see the result immediately, but we know there's power in our prayer and God always answers.

On a side note, I was so encouraged when I read Jaeson Ma's blog about "365 Days Of Love". It's his new year resolution that in this year he will get to demonstrate love by doing random act of kindness to somebody everyday, and he will blog about it everyday. Wow! I don't think I have the persistence to do that. But I did pray that throughout this prayer and fasting week, everyday God will give me an opportunity to bless someone. 

UPDATE

I just met up with this friend last night, he was so excited when he told me bout his journey of quitting smoking. And I lost count of how many times he repeated the phrase, "it's a miracle!"

As I was looking at the whole progress and talking to God about the "Allah" issue, I believe here's something that He showed me.

Why is this happening now? It's not a new issue anyway... 2 Timothy 3:12 says, "In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted." Persecution is a promise of God to the godly people. 

How should we as Christians react? "But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also." Matthew 5:39. "But I tell you: love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you." Matthew 5:44. It's a time of testing to the church of Jesus Christ, whether we are able to practice what we preach. 

What would Jesus do? "Jesus said, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing." Luke 23:34. He even have compassion for those who nailed Him on the cross.

How shall we pray? "Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness. Stretch your hand to heal and perform miraculous signs and wonders through the name of your holy servant Jesus." Acts 4:29-30. As Peter and the disciples started to face increased persecution, they din pray for God to take away the persecution or destroy the persecutors, they asked God to increase their boldness to face the persecution. I remember reading a quote that says, "we never pray for a lighter load, we pray for a stronger back to carry the load."

Lord, I pray that you will teach your church wisdom, peace and forgiveness in current situation. Lead us to walk in your will and in your way. Amen.

Yaay! I am going to Bangkok again

Can't believe I am going to Bangkok again, it was quite a last minute decision, and it's my 3rd time to Bangkok! Gosh. I must have a special tie with this city...

After two times being there previously, basically I've been to most of the common places that tourists go, Chatuchak, The Royal Palace, The Zoo, Floating Market, MBK, Patpong... 

Basically this time I just want to experience something different, though it's unavoidable to go to some of those places again, due to some first-timer in the group, but I have a list of stuff that I've not done before and wish to do this time.

1. Watch a Thai Boxing match. Wanted to try this during the previous visits but never have time.
2. Visit a local Thai church service. Though I don't understand a single word in Thai, but I believe the presence of God defy language barrier.
3. Get to know a new Thai friend. And I mean really make a new friend and keep in contact even after I come home.
4. Eat all insects and bugs that are sold at roadside stalls. I tried cricket and maggot, but dared not touch the rest. This time I want to eat them all!

That's all for now, I am still thinking of something more. Now I am really excited! 20th Feb...

I am not in the mood for new year eve

I think I have more confident to raise the dead than to finish up what I have at work today...