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Saints from far east…

I have spent 5 days FULL TIME with the saints coming from far east. I will write down what have incribed in my heart during these days. 

To have these 5 days available, I have work really hard for 2 weeks in order to get my school work done before my school leave is approved. From the moment I received them from airport until the day I send them to airport… the Lord is writing His Acts chapter 29.

Many of them are first time oversea, some are even more than 70 years old. They have paid a high price to come, not only materially. They spent days in train and flights just to meet us. Some came with family, some came alone.

I companied these saints traveled west Malaysia. In the bus, I tried my best to take care of everyone’s need. Obviously, they do not come for touring but fellowship and building. They mean business with the Lord. Therefore, I realized my detailed introduction of Malaysia never draw their attention but our prophesying and sharing of Christ throughout the trip. 

On the first day, I was reminded by the Lord that we are not here to be a tour guides, touring as others did. We are here to be His testimony, expression. Most importantly, these people know Christ resurrection and ascension. They know the Body and live in the Body. They are here for the Body. 

On the third day, we went to Genting which is a place solely for entertainment, but I ended up in a restaurant for hours just to fellowship with the saints, in tears, in joy. After then, I felt the impact of the fellowship and saints began to speak less and prayed more. I witnessed their prayerful spirit throughout the trip. I dare not to close my eye in the bus, when I turned back and look at the saints, they were not closing their eye either, they were looking at me (for more sharing), and some praying… I asked myself, what is happening? O Lord, what is this? What to do? 

Honestly I also hardly speak publicly in the bus, but kept praying. On the last day, I testified on my salvation and my turning point in the Lord. The saints also shared and their sharing is like Mary’s pouring out her love offering.. fragrance filled the room. 

Last day, everyone left. I woke up and look at the empty room, a deep grieve within me. Lord, remember far east. That’s what I prayed while I walked home at 7am from meeting hall to sister house. 

Now, 5 days after our departure. They called and prayed with me through phone. They may dwell in a very litle tiny corner in far east which I never thought of going in my whole life, but there is a testimony of the Lord, a group of Christ witnesses, His testimonies. They brought back the riches of Christ with great price. The riches which are inscribed into the deepest part of their being. 

Conclusion, “Things which eye has not seen and ear has not heard and which have not come up in man’s heart; things which God has prepared for those who love Him” (1Cor2:9) is fulfilled on us.

My trip to the Philippines 25 Dec to 31 Dec 2008

 

May 2008, the campus serving ones decided to pay a visit to the saints in Philippines. In 2 weeks time, we have all our flight ticket booked. About two months before our departure, we started to prepare some messages on Jubilee in which we can fellowship with the saints in Philippines, we also started to budget our gifts and peso.

As for me, I have my thesis proposal to be done before Jan 2009. On the 25thDec 2008 3am, I am still writing my thesis and emailed to my supervisor that I will not send her my thesis proposal until 8th Jan 2009. In fear and trembling, I sent the email. Early in the morning, I double checked my luggage and say good bye to my thesis…

 

In the 3.5 hour flight to the Philippines, I asked the Lord to make me just a flowing channel who is open to His dispensing and flowing Christ ONLY in these few days. Obviously, I am not ready for this trip. The messages on Jubilee helped me to see that if I am still under bondage (being bound by my thesis) I would not be able to declare Jubilee to others. Only those who are freed can free others.

 

Finally, we landed in Manila airport. In our 1.5 hour drive to FTTM (Malabon), I see people played at the road side, some doing nothing, some just wondering, having no God and no hope. I my heart sink. Then we reached Malabon, the totally different environment compared to what I saw. We stayed in a simple but neat room, enjoy ‘chinese food’, and heater bathroom.

 

— I will not illustrate our itinerary in detail —

 

After our delicious chinese food dinner, Malabon saints presented to us the history of Philippines propagation work. I was impressed with the saints’ faithfulness in asking the Lord to bless Philippines. From 7 churches, asked for 12 churches (one month one church), then, 52 churches (one week one church), then, 104 churches (two churches a week). Then, gospelized, churchized and truthized the WHOLE Philippines! Their cry to the Lord for the spreading of the gospel has ‘shake’ and awake me from myself. Honestly, from that night onward I never slept well. O the burning fire within me…

 Next morning, we headed to Dasmarinas. There I met my Lord. We sang a hymn,

 As a sojourner

I’m dwelling on the tent

Lord, I’m not settled, I’m ready to go

Wherever You lead me,

A charge that I must do

If I can gain You

I’m willing to do.

 

If loving You means

Giving up my future;

Lord, make me willing to love and let go:

With absolute will that is fully surrendered;

Oh my Lord Jesus

I love You, I love You!

I love You, I love You, Lord

 What I could testify to the saints is just God’s mercy. It’s His mercy that I can let go my thesis, it’s His mercy I can love Him, it’s His mercy I can be her in Philippine. Nothing in me is superior to anyone. It’s altogether His mercy.

 One day, we reached Santa Rosa. On our way back to our host house, I discovered that my host, bro Norma was in Penang back in 1997. I remembered this family. We fellowshipped on the propagation in Philippines, the testimonies of the saints, and the Lord’s move in Malaysia. We shed tears in joy when we testified the saints living in faith and the pouring of the saints offering.

I wondered how a person can sing praises in such a difficult situation. They have nothing, insufficient material support, walked for 2 days (no money to take bus), swim in river… they have NOTHING but the joy in the Lord! No one can take away their joy. Again, a sleepless night to me. I have what they don’t have and I don’t have what they have, the joy.

 

 On the last day of our trip, we were calculating our remaining Peso. Although we give away all our Peso in the offering box, deep within me I realized only the Lord can cover their need.

 In conclusion, I learned one thing from this trip, pray like the widow in Luke 18. A widow who has no husband and no children, but a developed faith. I subjectively see that the faith within me is a develop-ing faith. Outward environment may caused my heart to sink and to give up in the matter of gospelizing Malaysia. But here, there is a widow praying with a developed faith!

 Note: I never checked my email throughout my trip in Philippines. Upon my arrival in Malaysia, 40 emails. My supervisor insisted me to submit my proposal (40 pages) by 8 Jan 2009. Thesis writing took all my time but not my joy. :)

My Trip to Kota Bharu

A 3K (KB, Kuala Terengganu, Kuantan) trip.

This trip took us 7.5 hours to reach KB. We have listened to 4 mp3 messages on our way to KB. It’s really time redeeming traveling. Rainy weather, heavy traffic and bumpy road are unavoidable, but momentory ’suffering’ cannot compared with the over-whelmed joy when we meet the saints.

Immediately after we arrived KB, we had our dinner and then headed to different home meetings with saints from Penang, SJ, and local saints.

Friday, the Lord’s table meeting has about 25 saints attended. People are few but the Word of God is strong and supplying. The saints shared that, “at the entrance of the church, there is the cross”, in order to practice the church life, apart from Christ there is no way to live a church life in oneness. Likewise, whenever the is oneness, there is no our self.

At 5pm, truth talk session “Jubilee“, in which 7 brothers were coordinating to release the truth and translate for each other. Saints from various locality were praying watchfully and coordinated mutually in hymn singing, transportation, love feast, and etc. We have 6 gospel friends came and 2 baptized. Praise the Lord! AFter the truth talk, we headed to Kuala Terengganu, it took us about 3 hours to reach. Next day morning, we visited some beaches and a Sea Turtle muzium.

At 2pm, we reach Kuantan to meet with the saints there and blend with the matric’s students there. About 10 gospel friends came to have lunch with us. Despised our exhaustive traveling, everyone is functioning as a living member of the Body, shepherding the gospel friends through sharing, testifying, hymn singing and etc.

Then, we traveled from Kuantan to PJ to attend campus home meeting. We had rich fellowship with the saints in our home meetings concerning the move of the Lord in KB and East Coast. Truely, we can testified we’re sustained by grace in this trip, and experienced the 7 spirit burning to go forth!

My life in UTAR

It is week 6 of my UTAR course duration. Life in UTAR is typical, read, eat, read, and eat. But, we also have students like this, eat, play, eat, and play. :) Typical.

I encountered some obstacles in my lab’s life (I spent 20 hours in my lab daily), social issue. Everyday I ‘talk’ to my computer more than I talk to my friends. But, many of my work is closely collaborated with my others classmates. And my classmates are onjobers, part time students, and even full time students. We have different life style, different value of studies, different network. Some like Facebook, some like traveling, some home sick (I am in this category). With this diversed life style, we have to perform as a group in unity.

Many times before my group presentation, I always wondered how can I (or my group members) present an idea which represent our group? We don’t have much discussion (we are busy-man). How am I supposed to know what others think? Hmn.. but we did it.

Everyday, I am burdened with tons of readings and research. The most challenging part (apart from the social issue) is the refactoring of my mind with all the readings. Sometimes, I just don’t know what is that term all about. To understand that particular term, I need to read for 3-4 days. :) No joke, master degree.

Beside studies, I spent my time with my niece, we always indulged ourselves with luxurial food, once a week. :) To reward myself. And I meet with my dear sisters. They know my need.

My studies is getting heavier… unless my eye failed me, I will read in such a pace until I graduate. :=)

Next time, I shall talk more about my friends. Getting to know them more…

-ormiau-

My May 2008

Today is 23 June 2008. My 4th week in UTAR (University Tunku Abdul Rahman).

My master degree programe, Information System is ‘interesting’, but almost overloaded me with tons of readings.

My previous experience with MMU research proposal writing somehow backup me with current study pace.

To be honest, I am now more deligent than last few years when I was doing my degree.

Haha, my points are scattered.

Everyday I woke up at 630am and reached home at about 11pm. Packed! I spent most of my time in research lab, reading, reading and reading.

I also met some new friends, some are christians, some are cute.:) Enjoy studying with them. Sometimes we talked about the Lord, the church… in other words, we fellowship.

My church life in PJ is ‘honey-moon’. Meeting with campus students. Always ‘parasite’ on Wen Jun for free meals.:)

My living with my niece, Stephenie and my uncles are sweet. They love me as they love their own daughters. In fact, I am ’spoiled’ by them. Planning to bring their kids to children meeting next week. I will see how it work out.

Taking care the kid, 7 years old and 2 years old are challenging. Nowadays, children ‘talk’, they don’t obey without ‘talking’. Talking according to their mentality and manipulate their thought is really a knowledge.

Haha. Enjoying life! What about you?

Standing on top of NIgara’s Falls

Deeply pressed by thesis proposal wiriting… I decided to take a rest by seeking fellowship with a dear couple.

In the fellowship, they paid full attention to my proposal presentation (I know they don’t understand what I was presenting because I also don’t know what I was presenting). Their comment is, try again.

As elderly ones, they brought me back to the origin (the source of life) by shepherding. My difficulties in writing my proposal is that I am disconnected with the edge of IT, I would not be able to writing anything unless I am exposed to recent IT. How? working in IT industry is one of the best option.

I was helped to see that our Triune God is a flowing triune God, He flows. Manytimes, I am just stagnant. No more flowing. Others may not sensed it because I am (we all are) very good in putting masks. Deep in my being, I have a longing for a flow within. A flow which brings in the fine dispensing of Triune God.

In my seeking of change (at least a change in environment), I realized I am seeking for more flowing. I hated to change as I am familiar with my life style now, I am very very comfortable with my life now. Changing it will just kill me.

However, radical change brings in strong current of flow within. Now, I am standing on top of Nigaras’ Fall.

1, 2, 3 JUMP! Be disappeared in the ‘flow’.

Killing proposal-writing

Ever since I came back from MMU, I tried very hard to prepare my master degree proposal.

First, I did my reading. Tons to read, and yet MORE tons of books to read. I am very much consumed by such an boundless reading. Just imagine, I have not kept in touch with IT for 6 years. And I am expecting myself to complete my reading in 2 weeks. Hahaha… mission impossible.

Then, I start to write my thesis by identifying my research problem. Every problem’s solution is already solved by ‘branded’ company such as IBM, Oracle..etc. In other words, I am trying to overcome these companies’ solution and come out with mine. Ahaha … mission impossible.

Now, I am writing my blog and foolishly think I will be able to submit my thesis proposal by coming Lord’s day. Hahah… mission impossible.

I AM SUPER TIRE and PRESSED by this thesis writing!

黑貓的黑色一星期

一個關於黑貓的故事。。。

上個星期四淩晨,黑貓到了吉隆坡,天空一片黑色。第二天,匆匆忙忙,四處問路的情形下,趕路到媒體大學。黑貓竟然遲到面試!十點早上開電郵發現,面試竟然是當時的十點早上。黑貓老老實實的回信給教授,盼望還有機會面試。

雖然錯失了面試機會,黑貓乘機會到處看看。扛着那五公斤重的手提電腦,筆挺的西裝,繞了半小時,黑貓快要暈倒了。。。黑貓趁還有一口氣,趕緊寫下其他教授的辦公室號碼。

回到家,黑貓馬不停蹄的把那些教授的研究報告都過濾過(四個小時),以應付面試。黑貓的那最後一口氣(其實是很長的一口氣)竟然維持到淩晨兩點。黑貓是戰戰兢兢的昏睡下去的。。。

黑色星期五。駕着黑貓表妹的黑色‘神子’,凖凖提早了一小時到達媒體大學。望著那灰黑色的高樓,黑貓不禁嘆了一口氣(說不出來的嘆息)。

黑貓面試了。。。找了幾位‘博士’,都吃閉門羹,沒什麽結果。三小時后,黑貓逼得要坐在教授門口,等他囘辦公室。哈!真的給黑貓等到了。當然,教授也答應接受黑貓的研究報告提議書。

回家咯!沒什麽歡欣。這一切,在主之外,我是不可能願意做的。這升學的意願完全是主在維持着。

到了家裏,病了兩天。根本無法行走。這是黑貓的黑色周末。

黑色星期一。當天還黑,有個陌生人大力的叩門,把我叫醒。要我趕緊更衣隨他去見我媽媽。我心知不妙,也不敢問太多。到了菜市場,我看見我媽媽淤腫的左眼,擦傷的左膝蓋,神智不清的坐在路旁。。。這幅景象我畢生難忘。

我無助的走向她,我伸出我發抖的手不懂該如何慰問她。路人七嘴八舌的講論我媽媽被打搶的的事。我轉身背向媽媽,流着淚,打電話求助。擦干眼淚,趕回家駕車。媽媽已被救傷車載走了。

接下來的二十四個小時,我做了許多我不可能做的事。我沒有時間流淚。媽媽要入院觀察,檢驗。還需要安頓家裏的小孩。大學的論文又還沒有寫完。。。我只知道,一個人是很有限的。而且,有許多事情對我已經不再重要了(比如,那個聖徒怎樣虧欠我,那個姐妹又怎樣麻煩,那個麻煩弟兄又如何如何。。。)。這一切都不重要了。

聖徒陸陸續續配搭照顧我媽媽,替我安頓一些事務,我的確輕省很多。

我只睡了四個小時。。。沒吃,沒睡,好像都沒有感覺。

明天是第三天,它會不會是黑色星期三呢?實在說,再多黑也沒關係了。我記得,我的阿爸父看顧我。

黑色一星期能把黑貓打倒嗎?越多的試煉,越多的信心。很明顯的,不能。

我拖着我四肢發麻的身體,勉勉強強寫完這個‘黑貓黑色星期’。現在是11:14pm。末了,主啊!我愛你。

黑貓著

咒詛或是祝福?

『宇宙』這辭的意思是:祝福是隨處的…

今天我們可以豫嘗新天新地,其中沒有咒詛,只有祝福。我們若是仍與妻子或丈夫爭吵,我們就是在海、死亡、軟弱、疾病與黑暗之下,我們是在無光的深夜裏。但是假設在我們的婚姻生活中沒有爭吵,也沒有埋怨,只有讚美主;這指明海在我們的婚姻生活中已經乾了。

約瑟有一個特徵非常特出。他雖然受過許多苦,卻從不埋怨。當他向弟兄們表明身分時,他似乎說,『把我送到這裏來的不是你們,乃是神。我不埋怨你們,我讚美神。』約瑟沒有埋怨,只有讚美,因為他在祝福之下,不在咒詛之下。你若埋怨,那是你仍在咒詛之下的標記。你也許有很多理由埋怨,但每一個理由都是咒詛。你若是在神祝福之下的人,就不會有埋怨。你不埋怨,反而說,『讚美主!凡事都效力,叫我得益處。』 用客觀、道理的方法讀經很容易,但我們需要看見,聖經上所記載的事,就是為著我們今天的。不要等候新天新地,今天就可以活著豫嘗新天新地的光景。我們可以活著沒有埋怨、責備、咒詛或黑暗。我們可以過滿了祝福的生活。一切的眼淚可能是喜樂的眼淚,而不是悲哀的眼淚,這是我們今天可以享受的宇宙之福的小影。

『宇宙』這辭的意思是:祝福是隨處的。不是說妻子對我好我就蒙福;她不好我就受咒詛。事情是不是祝福,不在於你的妻子。乃在於你。你若埋怨,妻子對待你的方式就是咒詛。你若讚美主,就是祝福。 讓我告訴你一個祕訣:我們的讚美會把咒詛轉為祝福。這是新約告訴我們要凡事感謝主(弗五20)的原因。凡事包括謠言、逼迫、毀謗、反對和定罪。我們需要凡事讚美神。當我們凡事讚美祂時,即便不愉快的事也成為美好的事。當我們為反對感謝主時,反對就成為祝福。這就是今天享受宇宙之福的祕訣。雖然我們活在黑暗的世代裏,我們卻可以豫嘗新天新地的生活。這全在於我們的認識和實行。我們若實行讚美代替責備,我們就要在祝福之下。否則我們就要在咒詛之下。阿利路亞,在召會中我們是在新天新地的小影裏!在這裏凡事都是祝福。

http://lsmchinese.org/big5/07online_reading/lifestudy/ot/read.asp?no=01-108

一切都更新了

一切都更新了

在啟示錄二十一章一節,約翰看見一個新天新地,因為第一個天和第一個地已經過去了。啟示錄二十一章五節說,『坐寶座的說;看哪,我將一切都更新了。』宇宙的福有一個非常奇特的特徵:一切都更新了,神的祝福不隨著任何舊東西。反之,祂的祝福隨著那些更新過的東西。我們若盼望在我們屬靈的生命、健康、家人或家庭方面,都從神接受祝福,這一切就必須是新的。我們需要更新,我們的家人和家庭也需要更新。按照聖經,任何遠離神的事物都是舊的;但是任何歸向神的事物都是新的。例如,你也許有個新婚妻子,但她若遠離神,即使你今天剛和她結婚,她還是個老舊的妻子。但是一個人若與妻子結婚五十年,而妻子已經歸向神,她就是個新的妻子。

一個人或一樣東西新或舊,在於和神的關係。只有神是新的。聖經裏沒有話說,我們的神需要更新。我們纔需要更新。諸天和地並其中的一切都需要更新,但神是永遠新鮮的。祂是最古的,卻是最新鮮的。我們計算老的方法和神不同。我們的方法是算年紀;但神的方法是算某人或某物與祂的關係。妻子若是親近神,她就是新的。她越親近神,她就越新。她若與神是一,並與神調和,她就是最新的妻子。聽起來也許很希奇,連書桌、餐桌或椅子,若是奉獻給主,也能成為新的。例如,一位姊妹也許說,『主,今天早上我把廚房和其中所有的用具、家具和器具都獻給你。』她若這樣作,她的廚房和其中的一切都要成為新的。也許你有一幢全新的房子,但這房子若是與神無關,就是一幢老房子。也許你有一部又破又老的車子,但是你若說,『主,這是你的車子,和我一道坐車罷,』你的車子馬上成為新車。反之,你也許有一部新車,還有兩個電影明星在裏面,你的車子就變得非常老舊。

新天新地要充滿神的祝福,因為第一個天和第一個地都要過去。許多年前,我以為新天新地絕對是新的。後來我纔知道,新天新地乃是更新過的舊天舊地。我們也是一樣,當我們重生時,我們就得了更新。更新的意思就是歸向神,並且有屬神的東西放進我們裏面。第一個天和第一個地變舊了,因為背叛神的撒但,天使族類的頭,和亞當,人類的頭,使天和地遠離了神。因著天使和人類遠離了神,天地就都變舊了。讚美主,在基督裏我們已經歸向神,並且將屬神的東西接受到我們裏面!因此我們得了更新。

我們都盼望從神接受一些祝福。接受神祝福的祕訣,乃是把每一事物帶給神,並讓神進入每一事物。例如,把你的廚房帶給神,並讓神進入你的廚房。對你的孩子,甚至對你的銀行賬戶,都要這樣作。你若把孩子和銀行賬戶帶給神,就會有祝福。雖然今天我們不是真正在新天新地裏,但我們可以有豫嘗。許多時候我體會到我是在豫嘗新天新地,因為祝福圍繞著我。在我四周的每一事物都是祝福

http://lsmchinese.org/big5/07online_reading/lifestudy/ot/read.asp?no=01-108