Tuesday, July 31, 2007
Candle In The Wind
Life is like a candle flame that time will only kill.
The Bible said that our candles were designed to burn for 120 years (Genesis 6:3). But for many reasons we can expect only to live up to 71 years in Malaysia if you are a male, and 74 years of age as a female on the average. I am not going to entertain why the female species are the longer-lasting lot, but there suggestions of men killing themselves with cars, guns and alcohol possibly being the contributing factors. But then who wants to live that long anyway, as our EPF will last 5-10 years after we retire. If we live to 120, we will have to work till 100 years old to ensure we have enough money to see us through :-(.
But seriously, indeed, many die too prematurely, well before their candles were meant to burn out. Some are fortunate to retire and see their children begetting children of their own, while some less fortunate ones can at best leave a legacy without actually spending their twilight years with their grandchildren and loved ones. Then there are tragic cases whereby some do leave us before even seeing their very own children grow up. Life is indeed fragile and like a candle in the wind. Notwithstanding, some candles burn out long before the legend ever did as Elton John has chorused. But is that what we want?
I attended a friend’s dad’s funeral today. He passed away at the age of 84 years. Seeing an aged man in a coffin to most seem rather natural, a sense of consolation that nothing was lost if one were to die at such a ripe age. But that coffin could well have had you or me as its occupant.
I am sure the maker of that particular coffin had placed no age limit on its eventual occupant. Definitely coffins are not age-specific, probably only width and height were the considerations to accommodate the various sizes God has designed us, or perhaps their lifestyles had shaped them to be. In truth the Lord has numbered our days, and we can be called back to be with the Lord anytime.
But, 'when' we are summoned back to the ‘Fairer’ and ‘Better land’ is not important, compared to how we had served the purpose God had for our individual lives during in our brief time here on this corrupted and decaying land. The legends that Elton John describes in his 2 songs – each a dedication to Lady Diana and Marilyn Monroe were tragic in nature. Many legends never fulfilled God’s potential for them – Elvis, Bruce Lee, Theresa Teng and the list is endless. It is not the pursuits of such legendary iconic status that we desire but rather the legacy of the likes of Martin Luther King, Nelson Mandela, John Wesley, John Soong, Abraham Lincoln and the likes who in their generation fulfilled God’s chartered purpose for them. These men are those that fought the good fight and finished the race (2 Timothy 4:7). Like 2 of the Korean Christian aid-workers who have already been executed by the Talibans, some of these candles burnt out prematurely, but the manner it burn while it did, lighted the world with God’s splendid beauty and made a difference. Many of us today are feel good Christians and are indifferent to the plights and needs of God’s kingdom.
There are many who have left a legacy in the world, but are unheard, unseen and away from the limelight. A missionary told me that some of the church workers in the Middle-East oversee over 500 cell groups. Care group leaders in Lebanon take buses to make sure those entrusted to them constantly have a touch of God, each having more than 500 cells. I can think of a Singaporean gospel singer who has a great voice and writes endlessly his own gospel tracts. He is no less talented than Michael Wong who has risen to stardom with his song Tong Hua (a fairytale), who himself had started as a church singer in Ipoh. But there is no doubt in my mind who had done more for God’s kingdom at this present moment.
In the end, salvation is a gift. Yes as Paul said we are not to fear death whether we are 54, 74 0r 84 years old, for to die is gain but to live is Christ (Phil 1:12). Only what is done for Christ stands for anything. We all have to stand before Jesus in heaven. He will ask you, ”What have you done?” You are rewarded accordingly to what have you done for Christ (Revelations 22:12). That is what counts folks!
I rewrite the quoted verse earlier,
My life is like a candle flame,
Kindled by God’s grace,
To shine in a world that is dark,
Sharing the depths of His love.
The Bible said that our candles were designed to burn for 120 years (Genesis 6:3). But for many reasons we can expect only to live up to 71 years in Malaysia if you are a male, and 74 years of age as a female on the average. I am not going to entertain why the female species are the longer-lasting lot, but there suggestions of men killing themselves with cars, guns and alcohol possibly being the contributing factors. But then who wants to live that long anyway, as our EPF will last 5-10 years after we retire. If we live to 120, we will have to work till 100 years old to ensure we have enough money to see us through :-(.
But seriously, indeed, many die too prematurely, well before their candles were meant to burn out. Some are fortunate to retire and see their children begetting children of their own, while some less fortunate ones can at best leave a legacy without actually spending their twilight years with their grandchildren and loved ones. Then there are tragic cases whereby some do leave us before even seeing their very own children grow up. Life is indeed fragile and like a candle in the wind. Notwithstanding, some candles burn out long before the legend ever did as Elton John has chorused. But is that what we want?
I attended a friend’s dad’s funeral today. He passed away at the age of 84 years. Seeing an aged man in a coffin to most seem rather natural, a sense of consolation that nothing was lost if one were to die at such a ripe age. But that coffin could well have had you or me as its occupant.
I am sure the maker of that particular coffin had placed no age limit on its eventual occupant. Definitely coffins are not age-specific, probably only width and height were the considerations to accommodate the various sizes God has designed us, or perhaps their lifestyles had shaped them to be. In truth the Lord has numbered our days, and we can be called back to be with the Lord anytime.
But, 'when' we are summoned back to the ‘Fairer’ and ‘Better land’ is not important, compared to how we had served the purpose God had for our individual lives during in our brief time here on this corrupted and decaying land. The legends that Elton John describes in his 2 songs – each a dedication to Lady Diana and Marilyn Monroe were tragic in nature. Many legends never fulfilled God’s potential for them – Elvis, Bruce Lee, Theresa Teng and the list is endless. It is not the pursuits of such legendary iconic status that we desire but rather the legacy of the likes of Martin Luther King, Nelson Mandela, John Wesley, John Soong, Abraham Lincoln and the likes who in their generation fulfilled God’s chartered purpose for them. These men are those that fought the good fight and finished the race (2 Timothy 4:7). Like 2 of the Korean Christian aid-workers who have already been executed by the Talibans, some of these candles burnt out prematurely, but the manner it burn while it did, lighted the world with God’s splendid beauty and made a difference. Many of us today are feel good Christians and are indifferent to the plights and needs of God’s kingdom.
There are many who have left a legacy in the world, but are unheard, unseen and away from the limelight. A missionary told me that some of the church workers in the Middle-East oversee over 500 cell groups. Care group leaders in Lebanon take buses to make sure those entrusted to them constantly have a touch of God, each having more than 500 cells. I can think of a Singaporean gospel singer who has a great voice and writes endlessly his own gospel tracts. He is no less talented than Michael Wong who has risen to stardom with his song Tong Hua (a fairytale), who himself had started as a church singer in Ipoh. But there is no doubt in my mind who had done more for God’s kingdom at this present moment.
In the end, salvation is a gift. Yes as Paul said we are not to fear death whether we are 54, 74 0r 84 years old, for to die is gain but to live is Christ (Phil 1:12). Only what is done for Christ stands for anything. We all have to stand before Jesus in heaven. He will ask you, ”What have you done?” You are rewarded accordingly to what have you done for Christ (Revelations 22:12). That is what counts folks!
I rewrite the quoted verse earlier,
My life is like a candle flame,
Kindled by God’s grace,
To shine in a world that is dark,
Sharing the depths of His love.
Friday, July 27, 2007
Exciting days ahead
I believe God is going to do new things in our lives and in our businesses. I can testify to this. Our eyes however need to be fixed on the Lord Jesus.
The world financial climate has been increasing unpredictable, as new elements like terrorism and pestilences clouds an increasingly complex financial and political matrix. We as Christians must not only be ready to cushion the unpredictable, but be ready when opportunities arise from these crises.
Some may be ready to take on new properties in the coming years, while some may have a crisis fund ready for any stock market crisis that can come anytime. We must be ready, and evolve to new investment and business strategies. It is all about preparation and having the Lord as your partner. God works through us but we must be ready and prepared. Our skills and knowledge must constantly evolve. The world we are planning for today will not exist in this form tomorrow.
The old adage that big will gobble up the small isn’t always true. In the industrial age, the bigger the better. In the information age, invisible is the best. It isn’t a matter of big fish eat small fish. It is the fish that is fastest to react and fastest to capitalize on new ideas and opportunities that will get the prize. Sometimes big organizations become too fat, inflexible, and have little room for creativity and adaptability.
As we all move on as a church, and enter an era of “new beginnings”, the thought comes to mind that there are no evolved organizations – only evolved individuals and leaders that create them. I sense a deep sense of gratitude that by God's grace I have evolve over the years, undoubtedly for the better and seeing the Hand of God pruning my very being.
Many of us see the world as we are, and not the world as it is. We see the world with our own limited experience, and our through our own lens which can be limiting. We all need God to move our paradigm of the world (even business world) towards reality for us to be more effective. That is the power of the paradigm shift. If we remain stuck on our views and ways there can only be limited success.
The years ahead will be exciting, challenging and not without its difficulties. Be ready to cross the river Jordan. The days ahead we will be the conquering of the Promised Land. With the Lord’s guidance, Joshua conquered Canaan in 7 years. Likewise, for those the Lord has prepared in the desert, the next 7 years we will see the realization of the promises of God in our lives and in our businesses. In these last days, God wants us to inherit all the blessings of the cross – healing, peace, grace, supernatural favor, and prosperity. This will bring us to 2014 and the manifestation of His glory will then be ever more glorious.
There will be challenges ahead for a new era is ahead of us. Indeed we need a quantum leap in faith and courage to step into the river Jordan. Many of you are currently preparing for the crossing, some are wading through. It is indeed a new beginning.
The task of any leader is to get his people from where they are (wilderness) to where they have not been (Canaan) in all aspects of their lives. Be a Joshua to those who are in need of help, encouragement and prayer. It is about conquering the Promised Land in this divine timing.
Fellow friends, as we evolve, I believe we will transform, and our lives will become ever more meaningful. And today knowing what I know, I believe we will all conquer the Promised Land and reach the destiny God has for our lives… as it is His grace that will see us through with courage, faith, love and hope.
The world financial climate has been increasing unpredictable, as new elements like terrorism and pestilences clouds an increasingly complex financial and political matrix. We as Christians must not only be ready to cushion the unpredictable, but be ready when opportunities arise from these crises.
Some may be ready to take on new properties in the coming years, while some may have a crisis fund ready for any stock market crisis that can come anytime. We must be ready, and evolve to new investment and business strategies. It is all about preparation and having the Lord as your partner. God works through us but we must be ready and prepared. Our skills and knowledge must constantly evolve. The world we are planning for today will not exist in this form tomorrow.
The old adage that big will gobble up the small isn’t always true. In the industrial age, the bigger the better. In the information age, invisible is the best. It isn’t a matter of big fish eat small fish. It is the fish that is fastest to react and fastest to capitalize on new ideas and opportunities that will get the prize. Sometimes big organizations become too fat, inflexible, and have little room for creativity and adaptability.
As we all move on as a church, and enter an era of “new beginnings”, the thought comes to mind that there are no evolved organizations – only evolved individuals and leaders that create them. I sense a deep sense of gratitude that by God's grace I have evolve over the years, undoubtedly for the better and seeing the Hand of God pruning my very being.
Many of us see the world as we are, and not the world as it is. We see the world with our own limited experience, and our through our own lens which can be limiting. We all need God to move our paradigm of the world (even business world) towards reality for us to be more effective. That is the power of the paradigm shift. If we remain stuck on our views and ways there can only be limited success.
The years ahead will be exciting, challenging and not without its difficulties. Be ready to cross the river Jordan. The days ahead we will be the conquering of the Promised Land. With the Lord’s guidance, Joshua conquered Canaan in 7 years. Likewise, for those the Lord has prepared in the desert, the next 7 years we will see the realization of the promises of God in our lives and in our businesses. In these last days, God wants us to inherit all the blessings of the cross – healing, peace, grace, supernatural favor, and prosperity. This will bring us to 2014 and the manifestation of His glory will then be ever more glorious.
There will be challenges ahead for a new era is ahead of us. Indeed we need a quantum leap in faith and courage to step into the river Jordan. Many of you are currently preparing for the crossing, some are wading through. It is indeed a new beginning.
The task of any leader is to get his people from where they are (wilderness) to where they have not been (Canaan) in all aspects of their lives. Be a Joshua to those who are in need of help, encouragement and prayer. It is about conquering the Promised Land in this divine timing.
Fellow friends, as we evolve, I believe we will transform, and our lives will become ever more meaningful. And today knowing what I know, I believe we will all conquer the Promised Land and reach the destiny God has for our lives… as it is His grace that will see us through with courage, faith, love and hope.
Wednesday, July 25, 2007
The Power of Praying At Midday
Some of you who read my earlier posting, "The power of Praying at midnight" may wave a liberal fist in protesting whether I am too much. I had asked you to consider praying at midnight and now I am proposing that you pray at midday.
As for myself, I have committed to the Lord to pray for an hour at midnight on specific days. I have not quite gotten to the rhythm of praying that long at midday, but I guess if possible, even 5-10 minutes will do.
Yes, God is everywhere and available anytime, but note that there are specific times whereby the spiritual activities in the heavenlies are at a high point. The powers of darkness with its sorcerers and witchcrafts can manipulate the heavens at specific set times. The Muslims pray 5 times a day at set times. There must be a reason!
The greatest encounter, between the forces of light and darkness took place on the cross at midday.
"And it was about the sixth hour (i.e 12 noon or midday) and there was darkness over the earth until the ninth hour (i.e 3pm). Then the sun was darkened and the veil of the temple was turn into two (Luke 23:44-45).
Midday is the high point of the day.
Why is midday dangerous?
- The spirit of destruction is most active in the midday.
- There is an unnatural spirit of slumber and sleep released at midday.
- Carelessness and drunkeness at midday could lead to death.
- Satan releases a spirit of weariness that limits productivity at midday.
- Midday, for some people, is a time of drunkenness and irresponsibility.
Why should we pray at midday?
- Persecutors of the church can be arrested at midday and turned into preachers of the gospel (Acts 26:8-19).
- Nations can receive help in the heat of trouble at midday (1 Samuel 11:6-11).
- Long lasting problems ca be solved at midday (Genesis 18:1-14).
- Angelic visitations and covenant blessings can be provoked at midday (Genesis 18:1-14).
- Defeat can be turned into victory at midday (Isaiah 58:10).
- Shepherds can bring their flocks into their rest at midday (Song of Solomon 1;7).
- Family covenants can be restored or reactivated at midday (Genesis 43:33-34).
- Divine favour can be released to lastborns at midday (Genesis 43:33-34).
Tuesday, July 24, 2007
Higher into the heavenlies
As I travailed for the nation at midnight onwards, I felt that the Lord says that this is the season all His children in Malaysia must go to war. So guys lets put on the helmet of salvation, the breastplate of righteousness and the sword of the spirit.
Heaven is the control room of the earth. Whoever rules heaven rules the earth. Whoever controls heaven controls the events on earth. Jesus said "I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven" (Matthew 16:19).
I really feel that the spiritual battle is being won by God's people but we must not let up but increase our intensity of intercession. We must penetrate higher into the heavenlies. We must bind the spirit of witchcraft, wizardry & the kingdom of darkness on earth so that it will be bound in heaven. We need to loose the angels to break down the barriers of discrimination and injustice in Malaysia, so that they are put to flight from heaven. But praise God that something is happening in the spiritual atmosphere and it is evident to those that can discern the daily events. The skies and heavens above Malaysia must declare the glory of God and not fulfil the plans of the devil.
The end-time battle is getting more sophisticated than before. But we need not fear as we have assurance by our Commander in-Chief of the eventual results in the confrontation with the forces of darkness.
We must all arise and play our part and summon our spiritual resources to ensure complete victory. In this Jubilee year, those who love this country must understand the importance of this hour. Let God not lament at His church in Malaysia as He did regarding Israel's watchmen.
"His watchmen are blind, they are all ignorant; they are all dumb dogs, they cannot bark; sleeping, lying down, loving to slumber. Yes, they are greedy dogs, which never have enough. And they are shepherds who cannot understand; they all look to their own way, every one for his own gain, from his own territory. "Come", one says, "I will bring and we will fill ourselves with intoxicating drink; tomorrow will be as today, and much more abundant (Isaiah 56:10-12).
If there is a time for the church in Malaysia to unite, it is today! There has been so much division in the church worldwide and also locally. Yes, I agree each church has its own God-given vision, but without unity on this, the church is unable to play its part to win this nation for God in this year of Jubilee (Lev 27:24).
Heaven is the control room of the earth. Whoever rules heaven rules the earth. Whoever controls heaven controls the events on earth. Jesus said "I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven" (Matthew 16:19).
I really feel that the spiritual battle is being won by God's people but we must not let up but increase our intensity of intercession. We must penetrate higher into the heavenlies. We must bind the spirit of witchcraft, wizardry & the kingdom of darkness on earth so that it will be bound in heaven. We need to loose the angels to break down the barriers of discrimination and injustice in Malaysia, so that they are put to flight from heaven. But praise God that something is happening in the spiritual atmosphere and it is evident to those that can discern the daily events. The skies and heavens above Malaysia must declare the glory of God and not fulfil the plans of the devil.
The end-time battle is getting more sophisticated than before. But we need not fear as we have assurance by our Commander in-Chief of the eventual results in the confrontation with the forces of darkness.
We must all arise and play our part and summon our spiritual resources to ensure complete victory. In this Jubilee year, those who love this country must understand the importance of this hour. Let God not lament at His church in Malaysia as He did regarding Israel's watchmen.
"His watchmen are blind, they are all ignorant; they are all dumb dogs, they cannot bark; sleeping, lying down, loving to slumber. Yes, they are greedy dogs, which never have enough. And they are shepherds who cannot understand; they all look to their own way, every one for his own gain, from his own territory. "Come", one says, "I will bring and we will fill ourselves with intoxicating drink; tomorrow will be as today, and much more abundant (Isaiah 56:10-12).
If there is a time for the church in Malaysia to unite, it is today! There has been so much division in the church worldwide and also locally. Yes, I agree each church has its own God-given vision, but without unity on this, the church is unable to play its part to win this nation for God in this year of Jubilee (Lev 27:24).
Monday, July 23, 2007
Not all fishes have scales
I have always despised the taste of patin fish and catfish. I wondered why each time I eat them I feel sickly.
These fishes have no scales, and strictly according to the Bible we are not meant to eat them. Scales are to protect the fishes from the external environment, from toxins, lead, mercury etc that poisons the sea. Fishes without scales have a membranous layer (eat patin and you will know) which is high in cholesterol, possibly toxins such as lead and mercury which accumulates in fatty tissue.
But I must admit I do like to eat promphet (ikan bawah putih) which has no scales, eeeks! Maybe I have to give that up, or maybe not just yet he!he! The catfish and patin I have refused to eat all along anyway so no big issue he!he!
I am allergic to prawns and crab
For years I literally just don't eat prawns and crab. My lips will swell and also I dislike the taste.
Leviticus 11:9-10, "Of all the creatures living in the water of the seas and the streams, you may eat any that have fins and scales. But all creatures in the seas or streams that do not have fins and scales - whether among all the swarming things or among all the other living creatures in the water - you are to detest."
If you ever watch National Geographic on Astro, you realize that fishes swim across all levels of the sea as they have fins and a tail. Imagine the ceiling of your house as the sea-level while the floor is the sea-bed. Rubbish will settle at the sea-bed as the specific gravity is higher than water. Those without fins such as shellfish, crabs, lobster, prawns, oysters, clams and mussels are usually on the sea-bed and become nature’ s vacuum cleaners to keep the sea-bed clean. In the ecology of the sea, they are designed to clean up all the rubbish, toxins, bacteria, viruses and parasites on the floor of the sea. Crabs are even known to eat dead things. Little wonder these foods are associated with gout, high cholesterol and allergies (contain many toxins).
I stopped eating pork
I actually stopped eating pork for 2 weeks and feel so much fitter in my running and swimming. I had one piece of roast pork and felt rather sickly two weeks ago.
Leviticus 11:7-8 "And the pig, though it has a split hoof completely, does not chew chud; it is unclean for you. You must not eat their meat or touch their carcasses; they are unclean for you".
Since this Old Testament command, what has changed? Yes, we have the indwelling Holy Spirit in us, but does that immune us to unhealthy dietary practices? Absolutely, "not".
Pork consumption is high among the Chinese. It is one of the fattiest meats, rich in saturated fats. The organs of any animals are high in cholesterol, but the Chinese seems to spare no part of a pig, not even the intestines. A swine if left on its own will eat itself to death. Firstly, pigs eat a lot of rubbish. Secondly, even commercial pigs are full of toxins as by eating a lot, the hydrochloric acid in the pig’s stomach is diluted and bacteria and parasites can thrive.
Leviticus 11:7-8 "And the pig, though it has a split hoof completely, does not chew chud; it is unclean for you. You must not eat their meat or touch their carcasses; they are unclean for you".
Since this Old Testament command, what has changed? Yes, we have the indwelling Holy Spirit in us, but does that immune us to unhealthy dietary practices? Absolutely, "not".
Pork consumption is high among the Chinese. It is one of the fattiest meats, rich in saturated fats. The organs of any animals are high in cholesterol, but the Chinese seems to spare no part of a pig, not even the intestines. A swine if left on its own will eat itself to death. Firstly, pigs eat a lot of rubbish. Secondly, even commercial pigs are full of toxins as by eating a lot, the hydrochloric acid in the pig’s stomach is diluted and bacteria and parasites can thrive.
If you check the wikepia, it states that the pigs have no effective "sweat glands". That is why they bathe and wattle in mud to keep cool. As a doctor and a person dealing with health, I know in humans, probably the major excretory organ is the skin along with the kidneys and intestine. So all the toxins and rubbish accumulate in the meaty pork that we eat as pigs have no effective sweat glands.
Sunday, July 22, 2007
Praying for others
Praying for others does not come naturally to me, I must say. But since the Lord impressed upon me to be serious in prayer, intercessory prayer-praying for others- has allowed me to see others as God sees them.
Praying for others instills a deep fill of compassion for those I am praying for, and helps me see their pains, anxiety and frustration. It is then that I can travail for them in moans and groans as the Spirit leads and reveals where they are hurting. Intercessory prayer puts me into God's field of emanating love, allowing Him to fill me with compassion I myself cannot muster. It puts me into God's stream of unconditional love that God is already directing towards them.
When I pray for Malaysia, God open my eyes to see the nation as He sees it, not as how the rumor bloggers render it. God puts Chinese and Indians in this country by divine arrangement and for a reason. What I desire for Malaysia, God desires it all the more. I petition to God for a strong economy; good governance; equity for all races in terms of opportunity, education and business; and freedom of religion for all races. I continually bring all these to God in prayer as I know He wills the very same thing.
I sit here in my sofa as a mere mortal, hoping to transform the nation with my prayers. Confusion crosses my mind as I hear of all the latest local news and gossips, until He reminded I am talking to the One who spun the galaxies into the Universe, who created the lesser light to rule this night (2.11am now) and who sets the borders of nations (including Malaysia), did my doubts fade away.
Praying for others instills a deep fill of compassion for those I am praying for, and helps me see their pains, anxiety and frustration. It is then that I can travail for them in moans and groans as the Spirit leads and reveals where they are hurting. Intercessory prayer puts me into God's field of emanating love, allowing Him to fill me with compassion I myself cannot muster. It puts me into God's stream of unconditional love that God is already directing towards them.
When I pray for Malaysia, God open my eyes to see the nation as He sees it, not as how the rumor bloggers render it. God puts Chinese and Indians in this country by divine arrangement and for a reason. What I desire for Malaysia, God desires it all the more. I petition to God for a strong economy; good governance; equity for all races in terms of opportunity, education and business; and freedom of religion for all races. I continually bring all these to God in prayer as I know He wills the very same thing.
I sit here in my sofa as a mere mortal, hoping to transform the nation with my prayers. Confusion crosses my mind as I hear of all the latest local news and gossips, until He reminded I am talking to the One who spun the galaxies into the Universe, who created the lesser light to rule this night (2.11am now) and who sets the borders of nations (including Malaysia), did my doubts fade away.
Saturday, July 21, 2007
The Power of Praying At Midnight
Before reading this book I had started to pray at midnight at specific days as each day has a distinct significance. In fact I have been praying at midnight on most days for the past few weeks. This book is a fast read (2 hours) but its application is the crux of the book.
Why midnight?
Midnight is the high point of the night. It is the time of intense activity. It is the time of the most serious spiritual activity and intense spiritual programming. It is a time whereby the satanic generals are released by the kingdom of darkness for warfare (unfortunately it is the lowest point of intercession for the church).
Whoever possess the gates for the next day will have control over the day. Midnight is the navel of the night (middle). The navel is the point where the umbilical cord of a child is attached to the placenta of the mother. It is the transmission point whereby the child receives life support till the child is born. We must intercede at the navel of the night to ensure God's agenda is born out for the day (notice the navel becomes useless once the child is born). Praying at midnight can be a means of transmitting life to the activities to be done during the day.
The navel is a lover's delight (Songs of Solomon 7:2). If the navel is a lover's delight, then praying at midnight, the navel of the night, should also be a delight to those who love God.
I am using the navel of the night in prayer to birth God's will for my businesses each day and to pray for Malaysia. Maybe I should rename myself as Watchman Chen he!he!
Why is midnight dangerous?
- The spirit of death and hell is most active at midnight.
- The highest sacrifices are performed by the Satanist at midnight, especially during satanic days.
- Satanic exchange of blessings for curses are done at midnight.
- Harlots and the Harlot Church are cheated at midnight.
What praying at midnight will do for you?
- Midnight is one of the best times to raise the sacrifice of thanksgiving that can release divine grace to you (Psalms 119:62).
- Midnight is a time to smite a devastating blow on the enemy and his first-born (Exodus12:29).
- Midnight is a time to prevent satanic exchanges (1 kings 3:19-20).
- Midnight is a time to secure the life of your vulnerable children (Lamentations 2:19).
- Midnight is the time to pull off iron gates of limitations and walk into limitlessness (Judges 6:1-3).
- Midnight is the time to hasten the coming of your spiritual and physical bridegroom (Matthew 25:6).
- Midnight is a time God can meet your needs if you demonstrate the spirit of importunity (Luke 11:5-13).
- Midnight is a time to cause a spiritual earthquake that can release men in bondage (Acts 16:25-34).
- Midnight is a time you can receive the anointing to raise the dead (Acts 20:7).
Friday, July 20, 2007
Prayer: Does it make any difference?
I have read many of Philip Yancey's books and this one is as good as any of the previous. As usual it is not an overnight read with his books, but a reflective approach to the topic of "prayer".
This book helped me understand prayer in a different light. Today, we kind of expect God to perform His magic each time we pray. We tend to view God as a genie in a bottle, answering every wish, every desire that we ask. The truth is that most of us have had our faith shaken when our prayers go unanswered. What makes it worse is that there are sweeping statements in the Bible that suggest we can have anything as long as we have the mountain-moving faith. On top of that there is much cheery optimism of consumer-oriented faith which is apparent in today's church circle. For example, there is so much emphasis on the prosperity gospel, instilling optimism to believers but often leading to disappointment. The same goes with miracle healing sessions whereby most people are left unhealed. These miracles of supernatural breakthroughs in business and genuine healing are are few and far between.
In fact most of us have prayers unanswered. However, "the greatest tragedy in life is not unanswered prayer, but unoffered prayer" F.B..Meyer.
Philip writes in page 208 that "My emphasis in prayer has moved from petition to companionship..". I have to agree with him on this. Prayer is conversing with God as Adam did before the fall of man.
Prayer! Does it make any difference? If it does, is there any proof to offer?
The great author CS Lewis pointed that.."this impossibility of empirical proof is a spiritual necessity. A man who knew empirically that an event had been caused by his prayer would feel like a magician. His head would turn and his heart would be corrupted. The Christian is not to ask whether this or that event happened because of a prayer. He is to believe that all events without exception are answers to prayer in the sense that whether they are grantings or refusals the prayers of all concerned has been taken into account. All prayers are heard, though not all prayers are granted".
"Only faith vouches for that connection, Lewis concludes. "No empirical proof could establish it.
We are to trust God's character and believe that if a prayer is answered it is more than just a coincidence. Coincidence is God's way of protecting his anonymity and faith is our way of acknowledging God's background activity.
This book is a must read!
Thursday, July 19, 2007
Proof That God Created The World (6)
Chromosome
Science shows that men have two different chromosomes, X and Y, while women have two same chromosomes, XX.
This is plausible as in Holy Bible it says the LORD God had taken a rib from Adam and then created Eve and brought her to the Adam. Then Adam said, “This at last is bone of my bones and my flesh; this one shall be called Woman, for out of Man this one was taken.” (GENESIS, 2: 22-23).
Proof That God Created The World (5)
Gene variation
Gene variation can cause the serious illness.
Why? Because the sequence of the gene is preset before one’s birth. The environment we live in is not perfect as we live in a fallen world. Viruses, radiation, chemical, free radicals etc can cause gene mutation and this can lead to cancer and other diseases.
How can God heal you? He can simply reset what He had initially programmed in your genes.
Wednesday, July 18, 2007
Proof That God Created The World (4)
Binary and the Yin and Yang
The German mathematician Leibniz was inspired by the above diagram, substituted 0 for Yin line and 1 for Yang line, and hence the binary code.
This is the foundation theory of computer calculating. Digitization is the important in the push towards modernization, as all the floppy have two symbols, 0 and 1, one byte is one “0” and one “1”. Just like Morse code is dot and dash, it can be expressed in many way. Leibnize was a great scientist, He was inspired by two diagrams that was mailed from China by his friend, which founded the basic and universal mathematical language.
Paul Dan Cristea, a scientist from Politehnica University of Bucharest Bio-Medical Engineering Center, explained that the T=0, C=1, A=2, And G=3. This assumption is reasonable, but it can be divided into smaller bases. I propose that only 0 and 1 can completely to explain the problems. That is also say that 0 and 1 are the things that God created at the first day. They are the basic elements of the world.
From the bottom to top, names the first, second line as the first line, the second line, and so on. Assumes that the Yang line is 1, Yin line is 0:
First Yang line: 2n-1=20=1
Second Yang line: 2n-1=21=2
Third Yang line: 2n-1=22=4
Fourth Yang line: 2n-1=23=8
Fifth Yang line: 2n-1=24=16
Sixth Yang line : 2n-1=25=32
Hence:
This one is Yin, is equal to 0, is correspondent with Thymine, and abbreviates T.
The first Yang line is 1. This is correspondent with Cytosine, and abbreviates C.
The second Yang line is 2. This is correspondent with Adenine, and abbreviates A.
The first and the second Yang line are 1+2=3. This is correspondent with the Guanine, and abbreviates G.
According to this, I propose that:1)
is C, so, A consists of TC. G consists of CC. So this raises two questions:
a) Does Adenine consist of Thymine and Cytosine together?
b) Does Guanine consist of Cytosine?
2) The 64 genetic codes can be represented by the two element numbers, 0 and 1. The details are given as follows:
The German mathematician Leibniz was inspired by the above diagram, substituted 0 for Yin line and 1 for Yang line, and hence the binary code.
This is the foundation theory of computer calculating. Digitization is the important in the push towards modernization, as all the floppy have two symbols, 0 and 1, one byte is one “0” and one “1”. Just like Morse code is dot and dash, it can be expressed in many way. Leibnize was a great scientist, He was inspired by two diagrams that was mailed from China by his friend, which founded the basic and universal mathematical language.
Paul Dan Cristea, a scientist from Politehnica University of Bucharest Bio-Medical Engineering Center, explained that the T=0, C=1, A=2, And G=3. This assumption is reasonable, but it can be divided into smaller bases. I propose that only 0 and 1 can completely to explain the problems. That is also say that 0 and 1 are the things that God created at the first day. They are the basic elements of the world.
From the bottom to top, names the first, second line as the first line, the second line, and so on. Assumes that the Yang line is 1, Yin line is 0:
First Yang line: 2n-1=20=1
Second Yang line: 2n-1=21=2
Third Yang line: 2n-1=22=4
Fourth Yang line: 2n-1=23=8
Fifth Yang line: 2n-1=24=16
Sixth Yang line : 2n-1=25=32
Hence:
This one is Yin, is equal to 0, is correspondent with Thymine, and abbreviates T.
The first Yang line is 1. This is correspondent with Cytosine, and abbreviates C.
The second Yang line is 2. This is correspondent with Adenine, and abbreviates A.
The first and the second Yang line are 1+2=3. This is correspondent with the Guanine, and abbreviates G.
According to this, I propose that:1)
is C, so, A consists of TC. G consists of CC. So this raises two questions:
a) Does Adenine consist of Thymine and Cytosine together?
b) Does Guanine consist of Cytosine?
2) The 64 genetic codes can be represented by the two element numbers, 0 and 1. The details are given as follows:
Proof That God Created The World (3)
64 Hexagram
The 64 Hexagram are from a Chinese mysterious book I-Ching. Some scientists found that the structure of the 64 Hexagram is the same as the 64 genetic codes. The hexagram have six lines, why six, not 5, 7 or 8? Is it a coincident? In fact, I-Ching has so many connections with Bible. Up to now, nobody knows who wrote the I-Ching and when was it written? But I am sure that it was written by one or one more wise ancient people.
Matthew2: 2 reads, “wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, asking, where is the child who has been born king of Jews? For we observed his star at its rising and have come to pay him homage.” Hence, wise men from the East, possibly China, had seen Jesus that after his birth.
It can be postulated that the wise men were from China. The reasons are:
1) Astrology is a tradition for Chinese.
2) China is called East.
3) “and they knelt down and paid him homage.” (Matthew2:11). “kneel down” was a habit for the ancient people during homage.
4) “they offered him gift of gold, frankincense, and myrrh,”(Mattew2:11). Frankincense and myrrh are the native products of China.
5) The book Proper Sense of I-Ching reads: “The Grand Terminus is referred to arch-gas mixed into one entity before the division into heaven and earth.” This is the same meaning with the Genesis1: 2.
6) The book On I-Ching reads, “In the I-Ching, there is Grand Terminus, which produced the two elementary Forms. One is Yin, and one is Yang”. In I-Ching , Yin means the Earth, dark; and Yang means the Heaven, bright. In Genesis 1:2 reads, “And God saw the light was good, and God separated the light from the darkness”.
7) The archaeologists have found more than 160 thousand inscriptions on bones or tortoise shells of Shang Dynasty (C.16TH—11TH Century B.C) in An Yang. And this fact is exciting because An Yang is the origin of The Book of Change. So John Rose explained in his book, named Primitive Monotheism In China, there is close relationship with the “sense of God” and China, for in the earliest book in Chinese history, the word of “ God” can be found in the first page (Lukas Tjandra, 2003, p183).
8) The five elements In The Book of Change, Water (In first day), Earth, Wood (Second day), Fire (fourth day), were created by God, but how about Gold? The name of the first is Pishon; it is the one that flows around the whole land of Havilah, where there is gold:” (Genesis 2:11).
So, we can guess that the I-Ching was written by the wise men, who had paid homage to Jesus. If like this, this is very easy to explain the truth of the original of the 64 genetic codes.
The 64 Hexagram are from a Chinese mysterious book I-Ching. Some scientists found that the structure of the 64 Hexagram is the same as the 64 genetic codes. The hexagram have six lines, why six, not 5, 7 or 8? Is it a coincident? In fact, I-Ching has so many connections with Bible. Up to now, nobody knows who wrote the I-Ching and when was it written? But I am sure that it was written by one or one more wise ancient people.
Matthew2: 2 reads, “wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, asking, where is the child who has been born king of Jews? For we observed his star at its rising and have come to pay him homage.” Hence, wise men from the East, possibly China, had seen Jesus that after his birth.
It can be postulated that the wise men were from China. The reasons are:
1) Astrology is a tradition for Chinese.
2) China is called East.
3) “and they knelt down and paid him homage.” (Matthew2:11). “kneel down” was a habit for the ancient people during homage.
4) “they offered him gift of gold, frankincense, and myrrh,”(Mattew2:11). Frankincense and myrrh are the native products of China.
5) The book Proper Sense of I-Ching reads: “The Grand Terminus is referred to arch-gas mixed into one entity before the division into heaven and earth.” This is the same meaning with the Genesis1: 2.
6) The book On I-Ching reads, “In the I-Ching, there is Grand Terminus, which produced the two elementary Forms. One is Yin, and one is Yang”. In I-Ching , Yin means the Earth, dark; and Yang means the Heaven, bright. In Genesis 1:2 reads, “And God saw the light was good, and God separated the light from the darkness”.
7) The archaeologists have found more than 160 thousand inscriptions on bones or tortoise shells of Shang Dynasty (C.16TH—11TH Century B.C) in An Yang. And this fact is exciting because An Yang is the origin of The Book of Change. So John Rose explained in his book, named Primitive Monotheism In China, there is close relationship with the “sense of God” and China, for in the earliest book in Chinese history, the word of “ God” can be found in the first page (Lukas Tjandra, 2003, p183).
8) The five elements In The Book of Change, Water (In first day), Earth, Wood (Second day), Fire (fourth day), were created by God, but how about Gold? The name of the first is Pishon; it is the one that flows around the whole land of Havilah, where there is gold:” (Genesis 2:11).
So, we can guess that the I-Ching was written by the wise men, who had paid homage to Jesus. If like this, this is very easy to explain the truth of the original of the 64 genetic codes.
Tuesday, July 17, 2007
Proof That God Created The World (2)
The number of genetic codes
Why the number of genetic codes is 64, not other numbers?
As we learned, the basic component of material is atom. The fission of atom is from one to two, then it cascades on and on. For instance it goes from 1 to2, then to 4, and 4 to 8. The sequence is indicated as follows:
Hence, the formula of the fission of the atom is 2n-1; n is the times for the fission.
In the Genesis Chapter 1:26. “ Then God said’ Let us make humankind in our image, according to our likeness; and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the wild animals of the earth, and over every creeping thing that creeps upon the earth.’ This was the sixth day of the creation. In fact, the life was created by six days, not only the sixth day. This can be affirmed by the fission of the DNA.
1st day: 2n-I=20=1
2nd day: 2n-1=21=2
3rd day: 2n-1=22=4
4th day: 2n-1=23=8
5th day: 2n-1=24=16
6th day: 2n-1=25=32
The total is 63. Why are not 64?
Genetic codes are range from 0 to 63, not 1 to 64. Where is the 0? Genesis 1:2 reads: “In the beginning when God created the heavens and the earth, the earth was a formless void and darkness covers the face of the deep.” So 0 was the things before the creature, it was the Holy Spirit. 0 does not mean nothing. This is why the codes are from 0 to 63, not 1 to 64.
Proof That God Created The World (1)
Genetic Codes and DNA
DNA is an enormous double-stranded, twisted molecule densely coiled around molecular beads of histone protein to form a chromosome. A strand of DNA from a human chromosome is a very long series of coded messages called genes. Sections of DNA composed of about 1000-1500 bases represent genes.
Each gene is composed of many thousands of letters called bases. Unlike the English alphabet of 26 letters, there are only four possible DNA bases: Adenine (A), Thymine(T), Cytosine (C), and Guanine (G). In order for the cell to decipher the DNA strand, the bases must be read in groups of three letters called base triplets or codons. It is also important to start reading on the correct letter of the base sequence where the first codon of the gene begins. Since there are four different possibilities for each base of a codon, the total number of DNA codons is 64. Some codons represent “ punctuation marks” marking the beginning or the end of a gene message(http;//www.waynewsword.palomar.edu)
As a result of the science research, there are totally 64 universal genetic codes in the world, including human being, animals, plants, fungi, bacteria and viruses (http://www.dsp.pub.ro/articles/042_cristea.pdf). Their genetic codes are the same, totaling is 64. Namely, all the organisms of the world consist of 64 genetic codes; they are the components of the DNA. Two scientists, James Watson and Francis Crick published the international universal genetic codes table in 1965, and is widely recognized. This means all the life are from the same origin.
DNA is an enormous double-stranded, twisted molecule densely coiled around molecular beads of histone protein to form a chromosome. A strand of DNA from a human chromosome is a very long series of coded messages called genes. Sections of DNA composed of about 1000-1500 bases represent genes.
Each gene is composed of many thousands of letters called bases. Unlike the English alphabet of 26 letters, there are only four possible DNA bases: Adenine (A), Thymine(T), Cytosine (C), and Guanine (G). In order for the cell to decipher the DNA strand, the bases must be read in groups of three letters called base triplets or codons. It is also important to start reading on the correct letter of the base sequence where the first codon of the gene begins. Since there are four different possibilities for each base of a codon, the total number of DNA codons is 64. Some codons represent “ punctuation marks” marking the beginning or the end of a gene message(http;//www.waynewsword.palomar.edu)
As a result of the science research, there are totally 64 universal genetic codes in the world, including human being, animals, plants, fungi, bacteria and viruses (http://www.dsp.pub.ro/articles/042_cristea.pdf). Their genetic codes are the same, totaling is 64. Namely, all the organisms of the world consist of 64 genetic codes; they are the components of the DNA. Two scientists, James Watson and Francis Crick published the international universal genetic codes table in 1965, and is widely recognized. This means all the life are from the same origin.
Saturday, July 14, 2007
The Glory of His Grace
The whole creation has been groaning and travailing in pain right up to the present time (Romans 8:22). Nature itself groans as disasters of increasing magnitude and frequency are afflicting the earth more fortuitously than ever before. The rivers are sick of being polluted. The entire ecology with its flora and fauna is sick of suffering. The whole creation groans and beckons to be delivered.
Mankind himself too has been groaning (Romans 8:23) as we are sick of seeing our loved ones grow old, our young ones struck down by accidents, and our middle aged afflicted by diseases.
If there was ever a more critical time for Christians to rise up and introduce the glory of God’s grace (Colossians 1:27), it is TODAY. The whole creation is subjected to futility and awaits eagerly to be liberated from the bondage of decay and corruption (Romans 8:19-21). The whole creation, consciously or unconsciously, seeks to live in freedom from sin and suffering, which God’s children are destined to enjoy in glory (Romans 8:21;TLB).
The world groans and yearns after such a hope in a way it does not even recognize. Many place their security in things of the world that are perishable. Indeed, many have recently seen how their misplaced hope can be instantly vaporized. In these last few years God has clearly began to shake the world to remind us to place our hope in Him. Some have lost their homes and possessions to flee from ethnic wars and cleansing. There have also been more ecological disasters than ever before. The global scale of the economic crisis is increasingly unpredictable in its duration and span. Disease like AIDS alone has claimed more victims than all previous plaques and in some countries nearly 50% of the adult population are infected.
Many will have different explanations for the atrocities around the world, the pestilences, religious bloodbath in Indonesia, the economic uncertainties, the Middle-East conflict, the subtle emergence of the new world order hidden behind the all familiar word "globalization." Those without the Spirit can never see how the truth is unfolding. Furthermore, cynics cannot imagine an alternative that contradicts their current belief. People are prepared for everything except for the fact that beyond the darkness of their blindness there is a great light.
The coming few years are filled with many unknowns. The world will undergo more change in the next decade than it did it the last five. Many will be afraid or unsure of the future. And to them their fears are very real and we need to be sensitive to them. It is our responsibility to some extent to guide the weaker ones, or those still in darkness, to a higher plane.
No one is comfortable as we journey from the known to the unknown, but we can be comforted that the summit is not really new. We used to live on higher ground - and through Christ we are simply reclaiming it. As we journey along the long and narrow highway in the tough times ahead, all the more we need God's grace to see us through. The Spirit too groans (Romans 8:26) and beckons us home.
We live in a world of ungrace and often disgrace. A world filled with old scores, vengeance, hatred, racism, intolerance, judgment, unforgiveness, disunity & bitterness. The world yearns for change, but clearly it does not know how.
Christianity's gift to the world is the 'message of grace'. The great author Philip Yancey notes that grace "contains the essence of the gospel as a drop of water can contain the sun". He says that "the world thirst for grace in a way it does not even recognize; little wonder the hymn "Amazing Grace" edged its way onto the Top Ten charts two hundred years after composition. " John Newton (1725-1807) the hymn composer was once an infidel and slave trader thirst for such grace. Grace so amazingly rich and free....
Such priceless words.
"Amazing grace how sweet the sound,..
That saved a wretch like me,....
T'was grace that taught my heart to fear,..
How precious did that grace appear,..
Through many dangers toil and snare,...
'Tis grace that brought me safe thus far,..
And grace will lead me home....
Friends it is grace that will lead us home. Whatever dangers are ahead, we need not fear, for we are not leaving home, merely going home.
"Yes, when this heart and flesh shall fail,..
And mortal life shall cease,...
I shall possess within the veil
A life of joy and peace,.."
May we all as members of the body of Christ nurture this grace the world yearns for. We have all learnt grace by firstly being graced. In the year 2001 may this grace be conveyed in your lives, peace be in your homes and love continue to be the reason we live.
Happy New Year 2001.
Victor Chen
30 Dec 2000.
Mankind himself too has been groaning (Romans 8:23) as we are sick of seeing our loved ones grow old, our young ones struck down by accidents, and our middle aged afflicted by diseases.
HOPE OF GLORY
If there was ever a more critical time for Christians to rise up and introduce the glory of God’s grace (Colossians 1:27), it is TODAY. The whole creation is subjected to futility and awaits eagerly to be liberated from the bondage of decay and corruption (Romans 8:19-21). The whole creation, consciously or unconsciously, seeks to live in freedom from sin and suffering, which God’s children are destined to enjoy in glory (Romans 8:21;TLB).
The world groans and yearns after such a hope in a way it does not even recognize. Many place their security in things of the world that are perishable. Indeed, many have recently seen how their misplaced hope can be instantly vaporized. In these last few years God has clearly began to shake the world to remind us to place our hope in Him. Some have lost their homes and possessions to flee from ethnic wars and cleansing. There have also been more ecological disasters than ever before. The global scale of the economic crisis is increasingly unpredictable in its duration and span. Disease like AIDS alone has claimed more victims than all previous plaques and in some countries nearly 50% of the adult population are infected.
THE COMING YEARS
Many will have different explanations for the atrocities around the world, the pestilences, religious bloodbath in Indonesia, the economic uncertainties, the Middle-East conflict, the subtle emergence of the new world order hidden behind the all familiar word "globalization." Those without the Spirit can never see how the truth is unfolding. Furthermore, cynics cannot imagine an alternative that contradicts their current belief. People are prepared for everything except for the fact that beyond the darkness of their blindness there is a great light.
The coming few years are filled with many unknowns. The world will undergo more change in the next decade than it did it the last five. Many will be afraid or unsure of the future. And to them their fears are very real and we need to be sensitive to them. It is our responsibility to some extent to guide the weaker ones, or those still in darkness, to a higher plane.
No one is comfortable as we journey from the known to the unknown, but we can be comforted that the summit is not really new. We used to live on higher ground - and through Christ we are simply reclaiming it. As we journey along the long and narrow highway in the tough times ahead, all the more we need God's grace to see us through. The Spirit too groans (Romans 8:26) and beckons us home.
GRACE
We live in a world of ungrace and often disgrace. A world filled with old scores, vengeance, hatred, racism, intolerance, judgment, unforgiveness, disunity & bitterness. The world yearns for change, but clearly it does not know how.
Christianity's gift to the world is the 'message of grace'. The great author Philip Yancey notes that grace "contains the essence of the gospel as a drop of water can contain the sun". He says that "the world thirst for grace in a way it does not even recognize; little wonder the hymn "Amazing Grace" edged its way onto the Top Ten charts two hundred years after composition. " John Newton (1725-1807) the hymn composer was once an infidel and slave trader thirst for such grace. Grace so amazingly rich and free....
Such priceless words.
"Amazing grace how sweet the sound,..
That saved a wretch like me,....
T'was grace that taught my heart to fear,..
How precious did that grace appear,..
Through many dangers toil and snare,...
'Tis grace that brought me safe thus far,..
And grace will lead me home....
Friends it is grace that will lead us home. Whatever dangers are ahead, we need not fear, for we are not leaving home, merely going home.
"Yes, when this heart and flesh shall fail,..
And mortal life shall cease,...
I shall possess within the veil
A life of joy and peace,.."
May we all as members of the body of Christ nurture this grace the world yearns for. We have all learnt grace by firstly being graced. In the year 2001 may this grace be conveyed in your lives, peace be in your homes and love continue to be the reason we live.
Happy New Year 2001.
Victor Chen
30 Dec 2000.
Thursday, July 12, 2007
Exactly 5 years ago
In 2002, I left Abbott as the Medical Director to join Pharmacia as the Medical Director for Malaysia/Singapore.
I remember I turned up to work at CP Tower on July 15, 2002 (exactly 5 years ago) at 8am, and had a welcome lunch at noon. Then after the lunch at 2pm, the HR Manager told me that Pfizer had acquired Pharmacia for US$60 billion. My face went red and my spirit sank! Lord how can this happen? This is my first day of work! I had sought You before taking this job and even thanked You for this job.
I left in 2.5 months even though they wanted to keep me as I had to drop down 2 levels, but the Lord opened another door though it was a roller-coaster for many years. But I really developed a lot more as a person having left to rough it out.
I wrote a farewell letter to them before I left.
Dear colleagues and friends.
Now is a good time as any to say goodbye. Will have to return this notebook after sending this mail. I look back on the last 2 and a-half months with a touch of ambivalence. Certainly, on one hand it is sad to leave, but on the other side I am also looking forward to new challenges, to new horizons.
My first day at work in Pharmacia on July 15th will always be a story to tell. I believe that our interactions and voicing out our grievances regarding the acquisition was not only therapeutic, but have given valuable insights about each other, about our own human weaknesses, hopes and desires. My subsequent time here was a journey of human experience. There was a kaleidoscope of emotions, some with a sense of insecurity, betrayal or anger. Likewise, for me, it was also a time to see how I was to react to all this. I too had to dig deep in for strength and courage.
Seeing both the fears and joy of the human soul in others has been enriching for all. It brings about a connection or bond that otherwise is not possible. It tears down the veil, which we bring to work, which we otherwise would not unmask. It makes us realize that there is so much good in the worst of us and so much bad in the best of us, that it ill behoves any of us to criticize the rest of us. It exposes the humanity in all of us and this is nothing to be ashamed of.
All of us have our own feelings towards the acquisition. To some of you, there will be a need to seek a new job, while some will have to fit into the merged entity. How does one fit into all these changes? But what does Pharmacia means to you currently, with or without the acquisition? Sure it’s about making sales budgets, offering good product knowledge, providing customer service, beating competitors at the game, keeping to our budgeted expenses, and delivering our top and bottom line commitments.
It may also be about interaction with colleagues, the minute annual merit increases, or an opportunity to learn about diseases and medicine that has fascinated us since childhood. Maybe to some, Pharmacia is about getting the bills paid, the installments for the car, and being able to settle the monthly house mortgage, seeing the kids through school, or the little vacation now and then. To some, you may have a little extra to do a little charity.
Some of you have spent a large part of your lives here, braving and surviving through many mergers. Some successful, some not so successful. Some with the gratitude to count your blessings, yet some have bitter experiences and hurts where no one understands.
With the impending acquisition, some are still wanting, while some have gone beyond the “I” to bring back joy and sense of self-worth to others. And yet some content to remain addicted to compensating for their own insecurities, whilst others have gained a measure of consciousness by challenging status quo, searching for a connection between the soul and need for security, and the courage to seek a deeper meaning in their lives.
There seem to be a great yearning in us all, for hope, healing and balance in our lives. Yes, hope not just growth, healing not just dealing, to be balanced and not be burned out. Even if there was no acquisition, in reality how much longer can we keep doing “more of the same” without a different perspective to things. We will just end up being chronic co-dependents of growth, for growth’s sake.
As we move on towards closing out the year and nearing towards the merger, to reconnect our soul with our needs, of hope, healing and balance, there is a realization that a new wave of faith and courage are required. I am sure you all have it within you.
Change is inevitable. In the environment, as well as ourselves. In two months time, it is not whom we work for or where we end up, but what we are, in the inner side, that counts. As I wish you all the best in your future, let me humbly share a thought from Oliver Wendell Holmes,
“What lies behind us and what lies before us
are tiny matters
compared to what lies within us”.
Best regards,
V.Chen.
I remember I turned up to work at CP Tower on July 15, 2002 (exactly 5 years ago) at 8am, and had a welcome lunch at noon. Then after the lunch at 2pm, the HR Manager told me that Pfizer had acquired Pharmacia for US$60 billion. My face went red and my spirit sank! Lord how can this happen? This is my first day of work! I had sought You before taking this job and even thanked You for this job.
I left in 2.5 months even though they wanted to keep me as I had to drop down 2 levels, but the Lord opened another door though it was a roller-coaster for many years. But I really developed a lot more as a person having left to rough it out.
I wrote a farewell letter to them before I left.
Dear colleagues and friends.
Now is a good time as any to say goodbye. Will have to return this notebook after sending this mail. I look back on the last 2 and a-half months with a touch of ambivalence. Certainly, on one hand it is sad to leave, but on the other side I am also looking forward to new challenges, to new horizons.
My first day at work in Pharmacia on July 15th will always be a story to tell. I believe that our interactions and voicing out our grievances regarding the acquisition was not only therapeutic, but have given valuable insights about each other, about our own human weaknesses, hopes and desires. My subsequent time here was a journey of human experience. There was a kaleidoscope of emotions, some with a sense of insecurity, betrayal or anger. Likewise, for me, it was also a time to see how I was to react to all this. I too had to dig deep in for strength and courage.
Seeing both the fears and joy of the human soul in others has been enriching for all. It brings about a connection or bond that otherwise is not possible. It tears down the veil, which we bring to work, which we otherwise would not unmask. It makes us realize that there is so much good in the worst of us and so much bad in the best of us, that it ill behoves any of us to criticize the rest of us. It exposes the humanity in all of us and this is nothing to be ashamed of.
All of us have our own feelings towards the acquisition. To some of you, there will be a need to seek a new job, while some will have to fit into the merged entity. How does one fit into all these changes? But what does Pharmacia means to you currently, with or without the acquisition? Sure it’s about making sales budgets, offering good product knowledge, providing customer service, beating competitors at the game, keeping to our budgeted expenses, and delivering our top and bottom line commitments.
It may also be about interaction with colleagues, the minute annual merit increases, or an opportunity to learn about diseases and medicine that has fascinated us since childhood. Maybe to some, Pharmacia is about getting the bills paid, the installments for the car, and being able to settle the monthly house mortgage, seeing the kids through school, or the little vacation now and then. To some, you may have a little extra to do a little charity.
Some of you have spent a large part of your lives here, braving and surviving through many mergers. Some successful, some not so successful. Some with the gratitude to count your blessings, yet some have bitter experiences and hurts where no one understands.
With the impending acquisition, some are still wanting, while some have gone beyond the “I” to bring back joy and sense of self-worth to others. And yet some content to remain addicted to compensating for their own insecurities, whilst others have gained a measure of consciousness by challenging status quo, searching for a connection between the soul and need for security, and the courage to seek a deeper meaning in their lives.
There seem to be a great yearning in us all, for hope, healing and balance in our lives. Yes, hope not just growth, healing not just dealing, to be balanced and not be burned out. Even if there was no acquisition, in reality how much longer can we keep doing “more of the same” without a different perspective to things. We will just end up being chronic co-dependents of growth, for growth’s sake.
As we move on towards closing out the year and nearing towards the merger, to reconnect our soul with our needs, of hope, healing and balance, there is a realization that a new wave of faith and courage are required. I am sure you all have it within you.
Change is inevitable. In the environment, as well as ourselves. In two months time, it is not whom we work for or where we end up, but what we are, in the inner side, that counts. As I wish you all the best in your future, let me humbly share a thought from Oliver Wendell Holmes,
“What lies behind us and what lies before us
are tiny matters
compared to what lies within us”.
Best regards,
V.Chen.
Wednesday, July 11, 2007
Small tasks and menial things
When God asks us to do small and menial things you never know what it leads to or how it benefits you.
I first did a talk on Vitamin E for my employer at the 1st Asia Pacific Beauty Conference in 1997 to >2,000 participants. I was reluctant to do it then as I knew next to nothing on Vitamin E and skincare. But the Product Manager taught me the basics, prepared the slides for me, and taught me what to say.
Since then my knowledge and understanding of the skin and skin products have increased manifolds. God leads us one step at a time. Praise God!
Tuesday, July 10, 2007
Old Leaflet
As I am now preparing to do a talk in Community Baptist Church on July 28th, 2007, I sat in my study and discovered this old leaflet for my health talk in FGA way back in June 28th, 2003. That was the last time I spoke on health in a church (49 month ago), wonder whether 7 x 7 has any significance in this 7th year of the millenium?
I look back and wondered how I managed to pull that talk off in front of >400 people as I then knew very little about diet and nutrition. I guess God just gives us enough grace to get through each challenge at every developmental point in our lives.
Thursday, July 05, 2007
Fire In His Bones
This book is about Dr.Benson Idahosa's life and ministry. Your life will be changed once you have read the last pages of the book. I read it in 4 hours.God used him to transform Nigeria and used him to evangelize and win the nation of Nigeria for Christ, and the rest of Africa. When Dr.Idahosa started his ministry only 4% of Nigerians were Christians. When he passed away in 1998 aged 59, 50% of the country were Christians.
Some people has that "something special" that sets them apart. Then there are few that God sets apart to reach nations - like Abraham, Elijah and Paul. In the 20th century, we can think of Billy Graham, Watchman Nee, Cho Yonggi and Benson Idahosa.
Dr.Idahosa is set apart by God to win nations for Christ - Nigeria and the rest of Africa. He is as T.S Osborn wrote, Africa's greatest ambassador of the Apostolic faith to the world.
A similar book that I have read (and moved me to tears as I read) is a book on Watchman Nee's life (Heroes of Faith Series). These people has something special.
Tuesday, July 03, 2007
Year 2007
The Year 2007 is a year of rest and restoration. There will be many changes in the spiritual realm that God has put into motion but we must understand the times and pray to possess the gates of the Sabbath year 2007. Since Malaysia is also celebrating a jubilee year, prophetically in understanding the times and season, this is an opportune time to pray for the accomplishment of God's will for Malaysia which will have eternal consequences and purpose.The book says that 7th July 2007 is going to be very significant as it carries a triple dimensional grace or anointing. It has a Sabbath day grace, a Sabbath month's glory and the prophetic guarantees of a Sabbath year. This day only comes once every 1000 years.
It is important that we go through the gate of that significant day with knowledge and understanding. You can hear Ps.Steve Ogan preaching and teaching at Grace Assembly (3-5 July 2007 at 7.30pm) and most importantly join him and his team at Grace Assembly for 24 hours of prayer 7pm(6/7/07 ) to 7pm( 7/7/07).
