Culture Unplugged Video

View this movie at cultureunplugged.com

I am a Christian

by Maya Angelou

When I say… “I am a Christian”
I’m not shouting “I’m clean livin’.”
I’m whispering “I was lost,
Now I’m found and forgiven.”

When I say… “I am a Christian”
I don’t speak of this with pride.
I’m confessing that I stumble
and need Christ to be my guide.

When I say… “I am a Christian”
I’m not trying to be strong.
I’m professing that I’m weak
And need His strength to carry on.

When I say… “I am a Christian”
I’m not bragging of success.
I’m admitting I have failed
And need God to clean my mess.

When I say… “I am a Christian”
I’m not claiming to be perfect,
My flaws are far too visible
But, God believes I am worth it.

When I say… “I am a Christian”
I still feel the sting of pain.
I have my share of heartaches
So I call upon His name.

When I say… “I am a Christian”
I’m not holier than thou,
I’m just a simple sinner
Who received God’s good grace, somehow!

Posted by Lam Seng

Earth Hour

March 28, 2009,  Saturday at 8:30 pm is the  Earth Hour – a global event in which millions of people will turn out their lights to make a statement of concern about our planet and climate change. Sponsored by World Wildlife Fund, Earth Hour got started just two years ago and is now the largest event of its kind in the world. Last year, more than 50 million participated and the lights went out at the Empire State Building, the Golden Gate Bridge, the Sydney Opera House and the Coliseum in Rome, just to name a few. This year, Earth Hour will be even bigger – already 250 cities in 74 countries have agreed to take part including Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Moscow, Hong Kong, Mumbai, Shanghai and Mexico City. And right here in Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur and several other cities will be turning out our lights, too. But Earth Hour isn’t just for big cities – anyone can participate. To get a better sense of the event, check out this video at http://youtube.com/earthhourmalaysia. Participating in Earth Hour is easy, fun and free.  To sign up, visit http://www.earthhour.org/malaysia. where you’ll learn more including ways you can spread the word about Earth Hour, plus creative things to do when the lights go out in case you need inspiration! Let’s show the world Malaysians are united in the fight against global warming. Let’s all come together and switch off our lights on March 28 at 8:30 pm.

Posted by

Lam Seng

The first ever Christmas Caroling

It is the time of the year again. The time of the year where you can hear Christmas carols being played at every corner you turn. People swarmed to the shopping complexes like bees being drawn to honeycomb. This is the time where gifts are being exchanged but minus the true meaning of giving.

In times like this, our DJ3CG decided to make a difference to bring the true meaning of giving, the gift of love. Joy to the world, a new King is born today, the angels sing. God has given us His Son, humble, born in a manger so that man may live forever more. To spread the true meaning of Christmas, DJ3CG has decided on our very first Christmas caroling. Bringing the good news that Christ is born to 4 families.

We gathered at our CG leader’s house at 7.45pm on 22nd December 2008. The children were excited as this would be the first time they went caroling. After a short briefing, we set out to our first house which belongs to Juat Heng and family. We were quite nervous as we had only practised twice for the past two weeks. Anyway we sang our hearts out, said a prayer for the family and read a Christmas message from the bible. The verdict – we passed with flying colours I think Anyway Juat gave us some constructive criticism and that has helped us improved our singing at the next three houses.

From Damansara Utama, we went to Pastor Siew Woh’s house in Damansara Jaya. With smiling face, we were greeted. We sang, said a prayer and a Christmas message, we left but not before recruiting Pastor and his wife to join us.

From there we went to Yew Lai’s house just across the road, we were given a warm welcome and again we sang.  I think we got better from one house to another. Again we did not let the opportunity pass us by. Yew Lai ended up following us to the next and final house.

It was already about 10pm at night when we reached our final destination but no one was complaining. Everyone enjoyed the caroling so much so that time did not matter anymore. Our final destination was the highlight of the day. The host Angie and JJ Lim had promised to throw us a feast and a feast it was indeed. We sang with all our might knowing that great food was waiting for us. For the grand finale, we sang an additional verse of the song “We wish you a merry Christmas” that went like this, “we won’t go until we get some” Yes we got more than just “some” .  I have yet to receive the photos.  Will upload them when I get them. Look at the way we eat. I am sure you will agree that the food was not good. It was fantastic!

This will definitely not be the first and our last caroling. You bet we will make it a better one next year. Want to invite us to your home next year?

Here are some photos which I have received.

Group photo at JJ’s home. Guess who is at the hole on the staircase?

Food glorious food! 

Posted by Lam Seng

The award- the crown of righteousness

My dad returned to the Lord in the early hours of 30^th September 2008. It was 12 days after his 69^th birthday. It happened so suddenly. He was in Penang where he resided with my mum since his retirement four years ago from the Conference of Chinese Methodist Church. He had faithfully served the Lord since he decided to go full time ministry more than 40 years ago. Even after retirement, he had always say, once a servant of God, he will serve till his last breath. That was what he actually did as he continued to preach though his mobility was affected by the stroke. He had just preached at one of the church service the Sunday before his passing.

I want to thank our CG members who have prayed for me. This is a real big blow for me and my family. This year alone my sister-in-law and my father-in-law have returned to the Lord early half of this year. Now my father who had suffered stroke since a year before retirement had been called to return to eternal home.

My mum related that at about 4 am she checked my dad but she did not touch him as my dad was a light sleeper. A bit of noise would wake him up. It was also around this time that my dad would go to toilet almost every day without fail. And because he tends to wet himself before he could reach toilet, my mum was also very careful to wake up often so that she could clean him up, if necessary, or if he falls, she would know and tried to get him up. They have refused to get a maid and though it was tiresome, my mum persisted. An hour or so later, my mum felt that it was odd that my dad did not go to toilet. By then, my dad was sleeping very near to the edge of the bed and my mum was worried that he might fall when he wakes up. And so, she pushed him and to her surprise, my dad did not wake up. At this point, she somehow felt things were not right. She put “minyak angin” at his nostril and slapped his face. That too did not get any reaction. My mum shook him many times and told him that it was time to wake up to go to church. At this point, she asked God if He had taken my dad away. At about 6.30 am she phoned my elder sister and my brother-in-law went over and he immediately called my sister to tell her that my dad’s legs were cold. Things did not look good. He called for ambulance and the medical officer certified my dad had passed away.

My dad may not be the hugging type of person. In fact, he was a very strict disciplinarian. His words were to be final and no one dared to argue. But all of us (2 sisters and 1 brother) respected him. Tears just flowed non stop for all of us. But my mum did not shed a single tear till last night. On the first homecoming service my mum gave a brief eulogy and she said, This is Rev Tiang’s most glorious day. Nothing beats this day as he has returned to the Lord. My dad was dressed in his favourite red shirt with pastor collar and coat. This was what he wore whenever he preached.

On the funeral day, he had a grand send off. His body was taken to Jelutong Chinese Methodist Church where he worshipped the Lord and also served before his passing. It was full house as my dad had served in many churches before. Longest period was in Sitiawan. Many church members and relatives from far and near came to send him off. There were about 20-odd senior pastors from the Methodist Church that attended the funeral. The president of Conference of Chinese Methodist Church conducted the funeral. The message was taken from Deuteronomy 34 titled Moses, the servant of the Lord has died. How appropriate as my dad was a servant of God.

My brother gave eulogy and he took 2 Timothy 4:7 & 8 as the basis of the eulogy. That is also the verse which we would like to put on the tombstone. My dad final journey on earth ends with the burial at Penang’s Western Road Christian Cemetery. For those in the know, this is a very old cemetery and there is no more plots available in the entire Penang island Christian cemetery. My brother-in-law’s maternal grandfather was buried there and what we did was to bury my dad on top of him. Meaning, a plot of land for two persons.

My mum felt so proud to see so many people who came to the funeral. People who either have been blessed or who have blessed him. My mum is doing well. She definitely knows my dad is in heaven. However, I would like to ask for prayers that my mum will get over the grief soon. At every turn at the house, or grocery shopping, it all reminds her of the times they were together. It was too much for her to bear. I have just spoken to her this afternoon and she cried and again she asked if things would be different if she had woke up earlier than 4 am. According to my brother-in-law, my dad had passed away much earlier than 4 am. That is because my dad’s body had changed colour by the time the undertaker came at 10 am to take away his body. Although she knew God would have taken him away anyhow, she is still wondering why is it that my dad did not wake her up or say some thing to her before he went away. But we told her that my dad had went away so peacefully. We think he may have cardiac arrest while sleeping. But he was in sleeping position and there was no sign of struggle.

My dad have lived a fulfilling life. My dad did not have earthly possession. My mum, till today, has always said our God provided for all our needs. Indeed, my dad had accumulated heavenly wealth. My brother was to take my parents to Australia for a holiday in mid-Oct. But God has better plans for my dad. My dad no longer have to suffer the frequent falls.

My dad was always proud of his children. I may not have the academic excellence like my siblings but he never fails to love me all the same. My elder and younger sisters are teachers and my brother is a microbiologist. How did they manage to send them to university? All through the grace of God.

Lastly, I am still grieving for my dad. I also know for sure that my dad is in heaven now. But humanly speaking, I can’t escape from grief. I remembered how he caned me, how he advise me to study well, how he would drive all the way from hometown (Sitiawan & later Teluk Intan) whenever I have problems. Like the Chinese saying, only time will lessen the grief. Every homecoming service and the final moment before they nail the coffin, I made sure that I take good long look at my dad’s face. I just want his face to be captured in my memory always. When they lowered the coffin into the grave, I muttered farewell to my dad. My dad is a man of God. Served faithfully till his last breath.

Praise God. Hallelujah.

Posted by Shee Aie

God is good to Jadon

Jadon, our son is to be dedicated to God on 28th September 2008. On 14th September 2008, we were supposed to attend the dedication class to prepare us for the dedication. We had to cancel the class because on 13th September 2008, Saturday, Jadon suddenly had fever. He was fine in the morning without any symptom that he was not well. His mum, Shee Aie was not well the day before with running nose, cough and fever. We could not imagine that it was passed to him so fast.

Jadon’s fever did not subside completely even after taking fever mixture. By about 9.30pm that night, the temperature has shot up to 39.3 degree Celsius. So we decided to give him the Voren supp which is very effective in bringing down the fever within half an hour. But after one hour, the temperature did not go down much. We were really panic and we bathed him. Even that did not bring down the fever. We decided to give him Paracetamol syrup hoping that it will bring down the fever. But immediately after taking the mixture, he vomited it out. All the pediatricians clinic were closed on Saturday evening. We decided to call Pastor Choon Miau to inform him that we could not make it to the dedication class the next day. Pastor Choon Miau told us that one of our church member, Joseph Kwan is a pediatrician and we can call him if we need help. So we called him at about 11.00pm and told him what had happened. He told us that it was not advisable to give Voren Supp to child below two years old. He advised us to get Jadon admitted as the fever was very high.

On the way to SJMC, we prayed hard as we can see that Jadon was very hot and tired. We informed Suet, our home cell group leader that we are getting Jadon admitted and asked her to pray for us. Suet informed the rest of the CG members and they all prayed for us. God is good and by the time we reached the hospital, his fever has gone down to 37.5 degree Celsius. Doctor said it was viral fever but any way, we decided to get him admitted just in case the fever will come back again.

He was admitted and the fever went up and down while still in the hospital the next day. The fever subsided completely only on 15th September, Monday morning. What we learned from the pediatrician who treated him at the hospital really scared us. He also told us that child below two years old should not be given Voren Supp. It may affect his brain.

Jadon was discharged on Monday. Upon reaching home, I check the DIMS medicine book to double confirm that Voren Supp should not be given to child below two years old. It says that the dosage for children should not be more than 1mg per kg of body weight. Then I decided to check the dosage of the Voren Supp that I have given to Jadon. To my surprise, it was not Voren Supp that I have given him. It was Paracetamol Supp. It was really a relief to know that. It the midst of all the panic, I thought that the Supp that I have is all this while Voren Supp and thank God it is not. And looking back, if Jadon has not vomited out the Paracetamol syrup that I gave him one hour after the supposedly Voren Supp, I may have unknowingly overdosed him with Paracetamol.

God is good and He is in control of the whole situation. Normally Jadon would not vomit when he takes Paracetamol syrup. But that particular time, he vomited and because of panic we did not try to give him again which we normally do should he vomit his medicine. God has held us back from giving it to him.

On hindsight, there was a spiritual war going on that Saturday. Jadon is a very special child, a precious gift from God. God is with him since he was conceived. He has gone through tough time while in the womb. But God has brought him into this world a perfect baby. So when it comes for him to be dedicated to God, the Satan is trying hard to prevent this from happening. But God is a sovereign God. Victory is own our side because there is power in the blood of Lamb. Evil one shall flee in the name of Jesus.

Thanks and glory be to God.

Posted by Lam Seng

The meaning behind the “siew chie”

The meaning behind the ‘siew chie’

 

Dearest all dj3 members

 

All these talk about ‘siew chie, siew chie, siew chie’ suddenly got me wondering why it’s being brought up so often.  Then I realized that why the ‘siew chie’ came about, although the reasons were verbalized, was not brought up in this blog.  And I think whoever reads our blog, is good they understand why we had the ‘siew chie’, and don’t just get the impression that we are all just greedy pigs!!

 

For quite a number of years now, we had been going through really tough times and had really low and frightening moments when JJ was not working and the kids stepping into college and uni one after another.  The only reason we got out of those moments unscathed was truly because of God.  He really sustained us and  we drew so much comfort in His presence.  And, of course because of all u guys,  your constant prayers and support… you even had a fast and prayer for us.  We were so touched.  I am also thanking all our Aussie siblings as well!

 

When JJ got this new job,  we wanted to give you guys a special makan just to thank all of you and to give all glory to God! And we thought, what can be more special than to belanja you guys with his first pay check?  And since our sifu and si moh happened to be in the neighbourhood, we thought it a wonderful idea to have it one week earlier than planned so as to include them in our blessings as well.

 

And then we thought, a roast pig would be something special for such special people and since everybody love ‘siew chies’ so much….  Well, as they say, the rest is history….

 

On a serious note, JJ and I want dearly to thank each and every one of you for your support and prayers over these past few years of very tough times.  And, very special thanks to Teng Wu and Suet for holding the fort so faithfully all these years.  We know it’s really not easy, that’s why we really appreciate all your effort.

 

And, all glory goes to God!  We have seen His hands at work, slowly but surely, molding us.  We learnt that everything happens in His timing.  We just have to be patient, and faithful and know that God is always there for us and that everything happens for a reason.  And  we must always remember to give thanks to God.

 

So, everybody, thank you once again! 

 

To Him be glory forever and ever! Amen!

 

jj and angie

Birthday boy

4th July 2008, Friday. This was not just any other day. Our CG meets every Friday but this 4th July was different because it was the day our assistant CG leader entered the Promised Land. After 40 years of wandering on this earth, he has now entered the Promised Land. 4th July was Thomas’ birthday. Keep it no secret, he is now 40 years old. His look can be deceiving though.

We had another makan to celebrate his birthday. This time it was satay and birthday cake. Yummy! Anymore birthday coming up? Can’t wait for another makan.

Sorry, I don’t have the pictures to show you the satay and the cake. Believe me, they were delicious!

Posted by Lam Seng

You guys have been awesome

Wuz sitting quietly in my  corner doing my quiet time. The verse that crops up, was this folks: ….. “They … ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. Acts 2: 46-47. 

Phew, can’t help but thought of our CG group. With the recent “siu chee” festival and also culminating to another event of “satay festival” yesterday at our current “si fu and si moh’s” house and i’m sure with many more wonderful celebration to come,  they were  all gatherings with the essence of heartfelt thanksgiving to the One above.

Even as we gathered together to reflect upon His goodness and grace and mercy, i can’t help but reflect upon this verse and the commentaries by  John Stott:-

Firstly,  they were related to the apostles. They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching.  A living church is an apostolic church, committed to believe and obey the teachings of His word.

Secondly, they were related to each other. They devoted themselves to the fellowship. They loved each other. A living church is a caring church.

Thirdly, they were related to God. They worshiped God in the breaking of bread and the prayers, formally and informally, with joy and and with reverence. A living church is a worshiping church.

Fourthly, they were related to the world.  They reached out in witness and mission. A living church is an evangelizing church.

There is no need for us to wait for the Holy Spirit to come. He did come on the day of Pentecost and he has never left the church. But we need to humble ourselves before him and seek his fullness, direction and power. For then ourselves, our CG, our churches will at least approximate to Luke’s beautiful ideal in apostolic teaching, loving fellowship, living worship, and outgoing, ongoing evangelism.

(extracted from John Stott “Thru the Bible, thru the Year”)  

Truly, i believe that there is much to ponder upon this verse. May each and every one of us flourish in Him as an individual, as a family member, as a CG member, as a church member, as a “community member”.

You guys have been awesome. Love you guys.

Hey.. pst.. anyone,  any more “siu chee” festivals… Word has leak out.. that they will be one in the near future. Umm.. can’t wait.

Anyway, please watch out for the next change of our CG Sunday trip on the 27th of July to Teluk Gong, (i hope i have spelt that correctly).  Casey over to you..  .  What do you mean by what the trip is for.. Makanlah of course. …..

chrissy

Welcome sifu and si muh night

The sifu and si muh finally arrived and we had a great time of fellowship and sharing and not forgetting the FOOD! We had siu chie and porridge (tradition mah!) for dinner and durian cake (baked by none other than our super chef Angie) and local fruits for dessert (Hey it is hard to get fruits like these at Downunder). It was an enjoyable night for all. For those who were not able to join us, don’t worry, we have some photos for you to enjoy.

Mun Keong the model. ” How do I look?”. Teng Wu:” I think you should stand like the way I do.”

What is fellowship without food? Must eat!

The photogenic young members.

The future CG leaders

Passionate about Passion fruit. Yumm..yumm.

Our super chef Angie cutting durian cake. Tell me how to go on diet like that?

Posted by Lam Seng