IF MICHAEL JACKSON IS ALIVE...

The world now mourns for Michael Jackson's passing and up to date, there is still no news about his funeral arrangements. I read from The Malay Mail that his body was slowly and surely shutting down way before he died. He ate only one small meal a day and he was bald (wearing a wig) and also skin and bones. I am skinny but okay for my height (55kg) but MJ was skinnier because he was taller (51kg!). When he died, the doctors found in his stomach only pills, some even not yet disintengrated.

His albums right now suddenly become top selling albums in the world and stores all across the world couldn't keep up with the sales.

What if Michael Jackson is still alive today and I don't know whether the world would be so caught up with him. I don't think so. This is because we are living in a world where we thrive on excitement and fast paced action. This is also partly due to world media not giving him much attention because he was already not news-worthy. When something drastic happened, then the world pay attention. I don't know whether those who cried and mourned for him now were so excited about him when he was alive.

That's why I believe entertainment business is an extremely tough business, the stars always have to keep up with the fast-paced action, always thinking of new things, do some wierd stuffs just to keep in the limelight. With one or two entertainers made it in the world, thousands failed! Yes, American idols churned out superstars along the way but how many thousands left with broken dreams. Susan Boyle made sensational news once but I don't know how much it will cost her to continue to made headlines.

If Michael Jackson is alive today, he would have felt disappointed with the world again and again or he already would have before he died, I don't know.

On a different note....

What IF Michael Jackson suddenly jumped up on CNN camera one day covering his funeral and said, "Hey, I am alive! I did not die!" How would the world react?

Some day in the future, three person would make that impossible possible. See how the whole world reacted. Read Revelation 11: 1-13; 13:3-10.

MICHAEL JACKSON AND FARRAH FAWCETT DIED

What a sad day! I turned on the radio this morning to discover two celebrities (popular during my time) have died.

DEATH #1

Michael Jackson, king of pop, died last night from heart attack at his home in the midst of preparing for his upcoming sold-out concerts. The concerts are called "This is it!" But it turned out so differently for him. That was it for him for life! Michael was a huge fan of mine during the eighties especially the album, "Thriller" which I believe was an all time highest grossing album in the world. His dance moves especially MOON WALKING are simply magnificent. There are many not so good stories circulating during his lifetime and to me, he was a little wierd but I have to admit I enjoyed his songs and his dance moves.

The closest I got to see him live was when my wife and I was walking in One Utama shopping complex one day and suddenly a commotion borke out there. We were surprised to know that Michael would be coming to One Utama. Then we queued up and got to see him about two feet away. Sadly, the handphone doesn't have camera yet during that time.

DEATH #2

Farrah Fawcett passed away after succumbing to cancer. She was the most attractive (sexiest too) Charlie's Angel in the 1980s and guys were glued to the show because of her. I couldn't remember any of the shows but her voice was always distinct. Although she never did so well in the entertainment industry after that but her marriage to the actor of the popular Six Million Dollar Man and her link to famous actor, Ryan O'Neil continue to make her a star.

She was not married to Ryan O'Neil after many years living together but on her deathbed, she agreed to marry him. Before this could happen, she passed on.

WHY AREN'T WE AFRAID OF A H1N1 VIRUS?

The Hollywood movies about plagues that plagued the world are now a reality. The world is on pandemic mode of the A H1N1 virus. Pandemic is such a serious word meaning the whole world is plagued with the virus and it is growing relentlessly. But why aren't people panicking like in Hollywood movies? I think you can calculate the maths right? The death rate is only 0.2% of those people who have the virus. Even the dengue fever or Malaria caused more death in the world than the A H1N1. Are we then just forget about the whole thing and go on life as usual?

I believe the WHO (World Health Organisation) is serious about the precautionary measures taken by countries from spreading this virus even more. WHO knows its maths too that this flu is not exactly dangerous as far as fatality is concerned but WHO is afraid of the mutation of the virus into something more dangerous. The mixing of some other flu bug could cause considerable damage to society at large. Therefore, it is disheartening to see the lackadaisical attitude of countries like New Zealand and Australia (especially Melbourne) to deal with the virus.

I thank God for the authorities in Malaysia in providing serious measures to contain it. I told one student from Melbourne that taking precaution can go a long way. He told me that in Melbourne, no one take two hoots about the virus!

Let us take precautionary measures to ensure we are saved and healthy. If anyone of you has fever, do not go work or school/college or even church to protect others from being quarantined lest you have A H1N1 virus.

The Bible has already predicted about this but in a greater scale....Jesus said...

(Luke 21:11) There will be great earthquakes, famines and pestilences in various places, and fearful events and great signs from heaven.

What would happen if the A H1N1 virus kills about 50% of those who have it? I will let your imagination run wild. But thank God, by His mercies, we are saved for now.

IS PLAYING "HALO 3" DANGEROUS?

Daniel Petric today was sentenced to 23 years in prison. Why was he being mentioned all over the world as they are thousands of unknown criminals being in the same position as him? First, Daniel is a teenager. Secondly, he is a pastor's kid. Thirdly, he shot his parents in cold blood, point blank. This is how the story went...

One day, Daniel Petric's parents brought him "Halo 3" as normal parents would want their teenagers to be happy and satisfied. When Daniel was obsessed with the game, the parents took it away from him as responsible parents would want him to also be responsible. Daniel was either furious or illusionary when he shot them both when they were asleep. His mom was killed and dad was seriously hurt but survived.

Many questions left unanswered. How could a Christian teenager in a spiritual home could act in such a murderous manner? Where did he get his guts to kill? Some say it is because of anger and blame the improper placing of his dad's gun. Some say it is because of the Halo 3 game where the player needs to kill and destroy monster aliens that have taken over the earth.

For my personal opinion, it is both! A teenager already knows what is right and wrong as moreover in this case, Daniel comes from a father who is a pastor. I believe the obsession for the game created a mind of a make-believe world and everyone that stands in the way must be terminated. Perhaps it was out of anger, and the available gun that connected the illusion of Daniel's mind to pull the trigger. In other words, the violence he played and witnessed day in day out in Halo 3 game triggered a deadly response to an angry young man.

In the courts where he was sentenced, he felt remorseful and relieved that his dad was not killed. As always, a dad is always a dad to his child no matter what, he forgave him and even begged for a lenient sentence for Daniel.

Young people, always be moderate if/when you play any violent games. Our eyes are a gateway or a window to our soul and could trigger off certain reactions when coupled with anger or temptations. The same goes with pornography. This message goes to every teeanger even though you are a pastor's kid.

PALAU, I SALUTE YOU!

I read an interesting article in the Star Paper today concerning one of the smallest countries in the world, Palau. 191 square miles - Palau (also known as Belau) was a Trust Territory of the United States. It was formerly known as the Carolines and is composed of more than 200 islands in the Pacific; the population is about 20,000. It became independent in 1994.

The population is mostly Catholics and what excites me is that they lived out the gospel truth. You see, there are some unwanted people in the world today, namely, Guantanomo Bay Chinese Muslims prisoners called the Uighurs (Pronouced Wee-gurz) and some Myamarese refugees and Palau receive them with love. President Obama searched 100 countries to house those Chinese but to no avail until Palau agreed to receive them with open arms. Recently the Myamarese refugees went there because their government persecute them and other countries want to deport (send) them back home.

Palau receive them with gladness and feed them too. The priests there were actively involved in helping and what thrilled me was what they said, "Whenever we see people in need, we help. No question asked!" Stuart Beck, an American lawyer who is Palau’s permanent United Nations representative summed it well. “From the time the first British vessel hit a reef in Palau in 1783, it has welcomed refugees.”

Christians today need to be doers of the Word and not hearers only! People don't care about Christianity until you care. The Palau Christians had shown a clear example of how our faith in Christ is a practical faith and not just inward religious piety.

(Mat 25:34-40) "Then the King will say to those on his right, 'Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.' "Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?' "The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.' (Jesus)

TERMINATOR SALVATION

I went and saw Terminator Salvation few days ago and also had seen all other Terminator series. The last few were purely for entertainment but the latest one got me thinking a little. Maybe the word, "Salvation" got me curious. I believe the word "Salvation" appeared only once as title of a movie in my lifetime as far as I can remember.

Then I began to peek further into the review of this movie and I found out that the director when he started the series, he was influenced (a little bit) by the Bible. Let me just comment a little.....

The Robotic world created by men through Sky Net became conscious and alive and started to take over the world. They destroyed the world termed as the Judgment Day through nuclear power. When it was destroyed, the robots suddenly found out that there were human survivors who formed resistance to fight them. The technology was so advanced during that time, they created a time travel machine, sending back a Terminator into the past (before Judgment Day) to kill the mother of the leader who will lead in the resistance so that the mother couldn't give birth to that leader. As all of you know, the mother's name is Sarah Connor and her son is John Connor. Thus Terminator began! The resistance in the future also sent back a Terminator to protect Sarah Connor and eventually John Connor. That robot is none other than the character played by Arnold Schwarzenegger!

Sarah Connor can be likened as being the Mother of resistance.

Mary, the earthly mother of Jesus was also called to bear the Change that is going to come to earth. When King Herod knew about the baby who was going to be the King, he wanted to kill the baby. The Bible tells us that he killed many babies in that quest to stop Jesus from being born.

In Terminator series, many people close to Sarah Connor were being killed to get to her and the baby. But the baby was eventually born and his name is .....JC! Sound familiar!

Terminators are like Satan who are trying to destroy lives so that he can take over. Nothing must be above them and anyone who opposes him must be killed. Unlike the movie, Satan doesn't have that kind of power to kill and destroy although his aim is just that. In reality, God calls the shot! Amen!

In the movie, Judgment Day is inevitable and the Bible agrees with it. Today we see people kiling people in a senseless manner and that is part of judgment in this fallen world. But this is just a tip of the iceberg. The Bible says when the grace is taken away (so will the millions of true followers of Christ), the Great Tribulation will come.

Today, we don't fight like the John Connor and the resistance, but we share the Good News of God, not to robots but to flesh and blood who have gone astray. God knows and sees the future and He said Judgment Day is inevitable. But He sent out invitations (not Terminators) for everyone to escape that day but to join Him in a joyous celebration in heaven!

I enjoyed the movie TS for its special effects but it also serves a warning to me that the "resistance" is not finished yet until Jesus comes again. Salvation of our souls is found only in Jesus Christ, not John Connor!

V2 CAMP 09

There were few firsts in this year's Youth Camp.

First first was the combined youth camp with the adult camp. Works pretty well, I guess.

Second first, I was the Camp speaker. For the past ten years, I was gladly playing second fiddle to an invited speaker. Truth be told, I was searching for a speaker and because of the dates ding-dong, I couldn't get one. And Sher-Mayne commented that God maybe wanted our very own Youth Pastor to speak and I took the challenge (I guess no choice, hehe). It was because this year we have divided the Youth into Young Adult and youth (12+ - 17 years old) that it was important for me to lay the groundwork. Sher-Mayne, smart lah you!

Third first was that we have decided to select a brand new committee to run the Camp. I applauded all of you for a job superbly done, especially, Kar Mern, the head. Eli Tan, Samuel Lu, Angela Wong, Matthew Lu and Lei Shen (Clap, Clap, Clap).

Fourth first, we have 29 youth (younger ones) signed up for the Camp which to me is a record as far as V2 is concerned.

I would like to comment few things in Camp 09!

1. I appreciated the attention the youth gave me when I was preaching and doing the activities which made my work so much easier.

2. I sincerely thanked Justin, Leon and Kar Mern who helped throughout the Camp. What can I say? I cannot really do it without your help!

3. The games and activities led by Eli and Samuel were being successfully executed by the campers and I am sure the bond between all campers grew stronger during those fun times. (I was tickled to tears by the skits, especially the antics between SBSP and the Emo Chick)

4. I was moved by the response of the campers to the altar when the Spirit of God began to move in our midst! I believe most of them are touched by God in a wonderful way.

5. All in all, I was truly excited that three campers responded to receive Jesus for the first time as their Lord and Saviour! That was one of the main highlights of the whole Camp.

6. On the last day, when they started to discuss and share about their hearts, I found out that our youth were spiritually strong and coupled with powerful potential! WHEW!!!

As I went back from the Camp 09, I thanked God profusely for His grace and wisdom as I know the Camp would not be successful if not for Him! Lord, All GLORY back to YOU!