Our Saviour

I've been keeping up with the news about the 23 Korean volunteers that were taken hostage by terrorists. The largest abduction since the 2001 US invasion.

Here's a link if you're interested
http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2007/7/30/worldupdates/2007-07-30T201923Z_01_NOOTR_RTRMDNC_0_-287333-2&sec=Worldupdates

One reason this news caught my attention is that the 23 Koreans are Christians on mission work and 18 of them are women.

The Taliban are making demands and setting deadlines for the Afghan government in which if they fail to respond would result in the death of the hostages. The Taliban has killed the leader of the group, a Pastor that would have turned 42 on the day he was murdered.

A few deadlines have passed but word is the 22 hostages remaining are still alive and their family desperately praying for them. I myself have found this news rather disturbing and I am too hoping that God will give them a miracle. I can't imagine how those hostages must be feeling right now but I pray that their prayers be answered as I know we have a faithful God.

Talks between the 2 factions have been going on for days but it seems fruitless. May be its time for divine intervention. I want to see our God deliver those hostages, I want the world to see that our God is faithful and to see our God for who he really is, our Saviour.

Final Fantasy XII

Today I completed Final Fantasy 12.

This is quite a momentous occasion for me as I spent 68 hours (to date) in the past 5 months on one of the finest games to grace the PS2.

In my journey to 'unravel the mysteries of an Empire' I have traveled across uncharted lands in the world of Ivalice, discovered ancient ruins of great civilizations, fought creatures of old thought to have only existed in myths and legends.

Along my perilous journey I was aided by my companions, brought together by chance, stood together by a common goal. I learnt the true meaning of loyalty, honour, friendship and sacrifice and prevailed because of these traits.

In the real world, I spent many hours sitting on the living room table playing through the day (or night). All those hours spent were rewarded today as I had finally completed the quests that sparked this epic journey. However my journey in Ivalice is far from over as the world is filled with secrets to explore.

I may not be playing this game as often from now but surely it has taken its place as one of the greatest games I have ever played.


This is my tribute to Final Fantasy XII.

Storm

Life can be scary.

Things can change in just an instant. People come, people go in our lives. Nothing stays the same forever, no one can walk this entire life together with us.

I'm seeing the older generation of my family leaving one by one. My family was pretty big during my grandfather's generation and in recent months aunties and uncles from that generation just started leaving us due to old age. It goes to show that no one can be with us forever and it means everything to cherish and appreciate the people we love.

Life is too short to be bound by grudges against one another.

Sometimes I feel as if we can't escape the 'scariness' of life. We go through different problems in different seasons of our lives. Perhaps I should stop trying to avoid the fears and difficulties in life and to look to my Shepherd. I'm reminded of my Shepherd Jesus through the song Storm by Lifehouse. The chorus goes like this

If I could just see you
Everything would be all right
If I happen to see you
This darkness would turn to light

And I will walk on water
And you will catch me if I fall
And I will get lost into your eyes
And everything will be all right
And everything will be all right


I believe that as I look into my saviour's eyes I would get lost in He's eyes full of compassion, full of love. Love that casts out fear. Love that would make me shine in the darkest hour. I'm not feeling super passionate about God right now, but He's super passionate about me. This is what I love about my God.

I may not love Him as much as I should

But He loves me more than I deserve everyday.

My Malaysia

In China I was constantly asked who do I say I am. Am I a Chinese? Am I a Malaysian? Where do I call home? China? Malaysia?

I would reply i'm a 3rd Generation Malaysian Chinese. I have no thoughts of 'returning to China' as my country is Malaysia. Some would stop there, others would go on asking what's so great about Malaysia. This is where I start telling them of Malaysia, or at least my 'ideal' Malaysia.

Being away from home does make me appreciate my country, and believe me, meeting a fellow Malaysian overseas regardless of race or religion just gives you a strong 'kaki lang' feeling especially when you're abroad alone. I also see the benefits of being brought up in Malaysia while I was in China. Growing up in multicultural Malaysia enabled me to speak at least 3 different languages, it gave me a broader view and understanding of other cultures and so much more.

Despite this 'new-found' pride in my country, I can't help but have an increasing awareness in the 'uglier' side of it. Increasing Crime rates, and the highly controversial 'religious freedom' are just part of it. I'm not going to get into detail on these issues, so for a better inside visit my friend Tim's blog - http://fromthe-insideout.blogspot.com/
he's not political, just analytical and really insideful :)

I love my country but I don't stand by everything the government says or does. There's much weaknesses and mistakes that we need to acknowledge and rectify in order to really progress as a nation.

I read a statement made by a political party candidate claiming that slogan 'The Birth of a Nation' used to promote the Visit Malaysia 2007 campaign is inapropriate. He claims that the natives were here long before our independence and that slogan is an insult to their status and sovereignty before the colonial times. I say the slogan is correct. Malaysia would not be the nation it is today without the inclusion of 'foreign races'.

Malaysia belongs to Malaysians. Its time we stop having the mentality that it belongs to the Malays or that the Chinese and Indians are merely settlers and are stealing resources away from the natives. Malaysia would NOT be Malaysia without the Malays, Chinese, Indians or ever the minority races. Its sad to see that the strong bond and unity among experienced among Malaysias out of Malaysia do not exist in Malaysia itself.

When can we learn to accept our neighbours as our countrymen? When can we experience true freedom in religion? I don't care how technologically advance a country progresses, or how economically prosperous it gets, without the basic foundations of unity, trust and respect among its people it all counts to nothing.

Its not like me to rant so much on something like this. But I guess its because I have a new-found love for my country i'd rather have my say on it instead of leaving it the way it is. Grousing about these wont change Malaysia but praying does. Malaysia is blessed enough to have a strong and growing Christian community who prays for its nation.

Malaysia is not perfect, but Malaysia is Home.

New Season

I'm Home.

And I'm entering a new Season in life.

A Season whereby I would learn to depend on God's love for me.

I'm really happy to be home. I'm even happier to see that my home is the same home that i've fallen in love with.

Yet sometimes things happen, changes take place and there's nothing much we could do about it.

At times like these 'When the rubber meets the Road' it depends whether we choose to trust God through our helplessness or strive to struggle.

Its sad to see my grandfather in such a condition. Honestly its hard for me and my family to take care of him, but its even harder for my grandfather. I'm trusting God but I'm not sure what i'm trusting God for. I'll let the Holy Spirit intercede for me. I don't know whats best for my grandfather but my God does.

I'll start living today for today, I'll start living as who I am, the righteous child of God. I made a list of things to do back home, but I think i'll just do whatever a feel like doing and simply enjoy home.