My thoughts

I'm back

2011-10-28T08:16:00.000-07:00

It's been 18 months since I left this blog unattended. Now I've decided that I needed to come back to this space that I have left. I kinda of miss blogging but I'm about to start soon. So this post is to say, Hey, Sakthi is back.

Malaysia has forgotten Tunku, and Tunku would not recognise Malaysia

2010-02-08T06:11:00.001-08:00

Malaysia has forgotten Tunku, and Tunku would not recognise Malaysia

Posted using ShareThis

Meditation II

2010-02-05T07:43:00.000-08:00

GOD OUR LOVING FATHER

As I was putting my daughter, Ivy to sleep, she hugged me and said, "Papa, I love you". Now that beats anything. Imagine a father's feelings. One of the most wonderful revelations in the Bible is that of God as our Father who loves us. Jesus himself was constantly in touch with his Father throughout his ministry on this earth.

The Parable of the Prodigal Son paints a wonderful picture of loving Father. There are three aspects of the character of the father that we can learn from this parable, which helps us understand the father heart of God.

i. He loved his son enough to let him leave home.

In the Jewish tradition, a father’s role meant many hours of teaching him the laws of God. He would prepare his son to be a righteous and responsible member of the Jewish community. Now that the son has reached age, he must choose. For a father to respond this way to his rebellious son shows that the father understood the heart of God.

ii. He loved his son deeply that he watched everyday for him to return home.

Every day his Father stood at the end of the road and watched for him. How great was his patience and compassion. In this story it is the knowledge of his father’s love that finally brings this son to the place of repentance.

iii. He loved his son so much that when he returned home, he did not condemn his son but forgave him.

In fact when we read this parable, we notice that he was not a waiting Father but a running father. He embraces his long lost son. He is totally forgiving. His action says it all.

See in what manner that the Father loves us that he calls us sons and daughters. It grieves Him when we sin or He sees us hurting others. He weeps for us and waits for us. To know him is to love him. And to love him is to obey him. One attribute of God that not even the best parent can hope to imitate – that is God’s ability to be with us all the time.

Meditation

2009-11-20T08:27:00.001-08:00

This was one of the meditations that I wrote and would want to share with you

The Lord’s Prayer

True, whole prayer is nothing but love. – St. Augustine

Scripture Text: Matthew 6: 5-15

Are you weary of praying? Do you feel that your prayers are ineffective? Do you wonder if God is listening? Prayless people cut themselves off from God’s prevailing power. The frequent result is the familiar feeling of being overwhelmed, overrun, beaten down, pushed down.

To pray is to change. Prayer has been the avenue that God has used to transform us. Prayer is the way we consciously realize our relationship with God. Karl Barth, rightly affirmed, “The first and basic act of theological work is prayer.” Not to pray is to deny our Christian faith.

At the heart of Jesus’ own life were the moments when he withdrew from the crowds in order to be alone with his Father. He wanted us to enter into that same experience of knowing God as our Father. So the prayer he teaches us starts in that way: ‘Our Father’. Knowing God as our Father includes bringing him our personal and intimate needs and belongings. Each of us can think of God as ‘my Father’.

The Lord’s Prayer is an expression of faith, not only in what it says, but in what it assumes. The assumption is that we, human beings are not self-sufficient. It is not a sign of weakness to pray but a sign of genuine humanity. Prayer is not merely for emergencies, but is thankful praise that acknowledges our true dependence on God.

Thank God that the Lord’s Prayer does not belong to any one denomination. It is his gift to all of us and shared by all of us. To pray ‘Our Father’ helps to remind us that we belong to the people of God.

Reflection

Read the Lord’s Prayer and reflect on its importance of it in your daily life. Determine to make it of greater use throughout the day.

[P.Sakthivel]

Why PAS lost in the Bagan Pinang by-election

2009-10-12T07:52:00.000-07:00

Looks like we know now why Pakatan lost to BN in the by election at Bagan Pinang. Look at the goodies that BN dished out.
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In the run-up to the Bagan Pinang by-election there were allegations that BN offered many 'sweeteners' to win over the voters.

PAS had even threatened to lodge a report with the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) over the alleged 'goodies' offered by Defence Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi and Negri Sembilan Menteri Besar Mohamad Hasan to entice army personnel to vote for BN.

Below are the promises made to the Bagan Pinang folk in the run-up to the landslide victory for BN's Isa Samad in the Oct 11 by-election.

Sept 27: Tourism Minister Ng Yen Yen announces that the Negri Sembilan state government will cooperate with the Tourism Ministry to attract more than six million transit passengers from the KL International Airport (KLIA) to the state.

Click here to read Malaysiakini report.

Policeman vs Penan girl: who is worth more?

2009-08-19T19:27:00.000-07:00

This statement was written by Katrina Jorine Maliamauv, daughter of Irene Fernandez. It’s her respond the article in Malaysiakini: “No budget, so no to rape probe”.
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The bile is rising in my throat.

For more than ten years at least, Penan girls have been raped, violated and sexually abused. The Penan women in the community have been at dire risk of various forms of sexual assault and harassment.

Young, young, school going girls have made the difficult step to come forward and say that they have been raped by members of the logging companies.

The life and dignity of a Penan woman, however, appears to be worth less than RM3600.

Investigations into the allegations of rape and abuse by loggers in Sarawak against the Penan girls have led nowhere.

Today, the Sarawak police say they can only afford the RM100 000 needed to pay for police personnel, and not the RM3600 proposed to pay for the much-needed Penan-Malay translators, if the 6-day investigation into these allegations were to be carried out.

The police can spend RM15 million on a by-election in Kuala Terengganu, but RM3600 to pay for an essential part of an investigation into rape of children is too much?

By the way, how much was spent by the police on “guarding public interest” during the recent peaceful assembly in Kuala Lumpur?

Is the interest of the people in power worth more than the safety, security and basic rights of the Penans?

The Sarawak Contingent –where the blame is being placed now- is certainly being reflected in a despicable light.

To read more click here on Suan Loone's Blog

Yasmin Ahmad we shall miss you.

2009-07-26T08:51:00.000-07:00

Director Yasmin Ahmad, who provoked controversy with films that dealt with subjects like interracial relations and teenage angst in this conservative mostly Muslim country, has died aged 51. We shall miss her. Her talents showed that she was one of the best creative directors. She ventured into flims that touched the human soul.

We shall miss her. Goodbye Yasmin, you will not be forgotten. You will remain in our hearts.

For a fuller report read Malaysiakini's website report.

I CANNOT BE NEUTRAL ABOUT ISSUES OF MORALITY by Goh Keat Peng

2009-07-17T08:07:00.000-07:00

I CANNOT BE NEUTRAL ABOUT ISSUES OF MORALITY

Goh Keat Peng

As a Christian, I cannot keep to my seat, or shut my mouth and stay neutral over issues of morality.

So I emerge today from my several months of silence and non-involvement to say that what transpired yesterday is immoral, unacceptable and unconscionable.

Why was a witness being held for questioning for ten hours and only released at 3.45am? What kind of case is it and what is the urgency of the case in question that the witness had to be deprived of sleep and forcibly kept awake till 3.45am? Was the nation deemed to be in grave danger had the witness in question been sent home at a respectable time and asked to report again for questioning the next morning? The nation could endure long years of waiting over so many other much longer pending cases involving so much more public money and have much greater weight in public interest but this particular case could not wait for the next morning when the witness in question would have been fresher and better rested? What kind of interrogation was he subjected to on the fateful night without end? Why was it that a witness had to be isolated from his lawyer and forced to be in the sole company of officers with no other neutral person/s present? Because he was in the sole company of officers who were interrogating him, how would his side of the story be ever told? And how would, why should the officers in question be trusted when they tell the nation what actually transpired during that fateful night the witness lost his life? There were no other witness/es present so how would these officers in question clear their own involvement or clear their own names in this sad story?

Isn’t it true that a medical doctor should carry out the examination of a patient of the opposite sex in the presence of at least one other person? This is a wise procedure so that should any allegation of wrongful conduct be raised against him or her, the doctor would have some neutral testimony to defend him or her.

There have been too many instances of contravention against natural justice in this country involving the agencies and instruments of state. There have been too many victims. The neutrality of these instruments of state is questionable.

I CANNOT REMAIN NEUTRAL ABOUT ISSUES OF MORALITY.

This is not about partisan politics. I expect my friends from both sides of the parliamentary divide to speak up. I expect to hear from all political parties and all who hold public office at all levels to speak up. I want especially to hear from Maximus Ongkili, Bernard Dompok, Lee Hwa Beng, Loh Seng Kok who publicly profess the Christian Faith to speak up.

I expect the churches and the church leadership to speak up including those I know personally such as Hwa Yung, Ng Moon Hing and many others.

Of course all of the above persons should state their own views and even fault my manner of speaking or reasoning. But silence is not an option. Leaders do not have the option of keeping their opinion to themselves. They must lend their voices to voices which have been silenced.

A young life has been lost on the very eve of his wedding. Siblings, parents, colleagues and a fiance are in inconsolable grief. WHY SO? WHO WILL BE NEXT?

A reflection

2009-06-06T08:25:00.001-07:00

I was looking at this passage from Isaiah chapter 33:1.

How terrible it will be for you who destroy others but have not been destroyed yet.

How terrible it will be for you, traitor whom no one has turned yet.

When you stop destroying, other will destroy you.

When you stop turning against others, they will turn against you.

[Isaiah 33:1, New Century Version]

I began to think of political dramas, scandals and betrayals in our Malaysian politics as I reflected on this verse. An endless and vicious cycle of hatred and the quest for power for selfish gain. How true it speaks about most of our Malaysian politicians and their devious methods. Do they not realise that what they do to others, will ultimately be their own downfall.

2009-06-06T02:18:00.000-07:00

Sayings of George W Bush

'The vast majority of our imports come from outside the country.'
'If we don't succeed, we run the risk of failure.'
'One word sums up probably the responsibility of any Governor, and that one word is 'to be prepared'.'
'I have made good judgments in the past. I have made good judgments in the future.'
'The future will be better tomorrow.'
'We're going to have the best educated American people in the world.'
'I stand by all the misstatements that I've made.'
'We have a firm commitment to NATO, we are a part of NATO. We have a firm commitment to Europe . We are a part of Europe'
'Public speaking is very easy.'
'A low voter turnout is an indication of fewer people going to the polls.'
'I have opinions of my own -- strong opinions -- but I don't always agree with them.'
'We are ready for any unforeseen event that may or may not occur.'
'It isn't pollution that's harming the environment. It's the impurities in our air and water that are doing it.'

Pieces in life

2009-06-01T09:51:00.000-07:00

A journey

Friends we are on a journey

Time has been our judge

It seems it will never end

Neither death nor life are victors

But partners of a greater plan

Show me then your life

Must it be cradled with greatness?

What do you seek then?

A moment in life

When you found the meaning of life

Walk with me then

Hold me close to you

Will you not cradle me in your arms

When you welcomed me and forgave me

Seek not the one, who crushes you

But be the one who forgives

And shows the meaning of life

Friendship…

- P. Sakthivel

What a mess

2009-05-23T02:52:00.000-07:00

Read here Malaysiakini's article.

Decision on sultan's 'absolute power' unprecedented

Humayun Kabir | May 23, 09 3:39pm

The Court of Appeal judgment giving the sultan absolute power to dismiss the menteri besar is setting a dangerous precedent for a non-elected monarch to dismiss an elected head of state without going through the process of the state legislative assembly, said Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddin’s lawyer .

Leong said: “The power to dismiss (by the sultan) has always been believed not to exist but now the Court of Appeal has enlarged the monarch’s power to dismiss the head of the state government

“What happens if another sultan takes over (Perak) or for that matter any sultan of any state is given such powers which can be abused by the monarch?,” he asked.

He said: “The Court of Appeal judgment has set a dangerous precedent which will lead to the abuse of the separation of powers between the monarchy, the executive, the legislative and the judiciary.”

“This means the menteri besar can be dismissed by the sultan without going through the state assembly merely by a group of assemblymen going to the palace and informing the ruler that a majority no longer supports the menteri besar.”

Leong’s arguments are:

(1) Although the sultan has the power to determine whether or not to grant a dissolution, there is no express power for him to dismiss the menteri besar even after he has determined that the menteri besar has lost the confidence of the majority of the assemblymen.

(2) The sultan’s discretionary powers are to be found in Article 16 of the Perak Constitution only and no where else.

(3) Article 18 of the Perak constitution provides that: “In the exercise of his functions under the Constitution of this state or any law or as a member of the Conference of Rulers, his Royal Highness shall act in accordance with the advice of the executive council…”

(4) In 1994, the Federal Constitution was amended to stress that: “Where the Yang di-Pertuan Agong is to act in accordance with advice, on advice, or after considering advice,” he must act in accordance with that advice.

Court of Appeal is plainly wrong in its judgment

(5) Professor RH Heckling’s “Malaysian Public Law” in page 76 has written that the pivot on which the whole of the constitution turns is that the power of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong (the Sultan) can only as a general rule be exercised in accordance with the advice of democratically-elected ministers (exco).

(6) The Court of Appeal therefore has interpreted the Perak constitution to allow the sultan to act without advice and without any such express power in the Perak constitution and therefore is plainly wrong in its judgment.

(7) We will submit to the Federal Court that if the sultan has no such power to dismiss, he also has no power to deem the office vacant.

Leong said: “How can the High Court findings of fact that Nizar has not lost the confidence of the majority of the aduns be reversed by the Court of Appeal? For what reason? We want to know so we are going to appeal against the decision to the Federal Court soon.”

He said: “It is a long and established principle of law that an appeal court does not reverse the High Court’s findings of fact. In this case, it was an express finding that Nizar had not lost the confidence of the majority.

“The High Court judge made the decision after seeing and hearing the witnesses.

“However, the Court of Appeal is substituting its own finding for that of the High Court despite not having had the advantage of first hand evidence of the witnesses,” he added.

A thot

2009-05-22T09:02:00.001-07:00

As I was putting my daughter to sleep, she came by me and hugged me and said, "Papa, I love you". Now that beats anything. Imagine a father's feelings.

As I looked back at the cross where Jesus was died, he knew that His Father loved him. Do I know that God my Father loves me despite who I am?

TRUE PEACE

2009-05-16T09:02:00.000-07:00

True peace is not for the spineless or self-absorbed. It has nothing to do with passivity or resignation. Peace demands honesty. It entails the burden of duty. Peace requires deeds of love.

2009-05-13T07:17:00.000-07:00

Reproduced here from Tunku Razaleigh's blog

What is at stake in Perak - Tunku Razaleigh

The Perak crisis is a tragic comedy of errors and bad political judgment that reflects a failure of political leadership. As it continues to spin out of control, it damages our democratic system of governance. To all intents and purposes, one of our most prosperous and developed states has been reduced to a failed state, with a possibly illegal state government in place. This is a condition that can propagate outwards to the rest of the country.

I stated at the beginning of this crisis that by our Constitution, a change of government can only be brought about by democratic means, which is to say, through the ballot box or through a formal vote of confidence in the elected Legislative Assembly. These are the constitutionally mandated means by which the people decide on their government. Any other means of changing the government is unconstitutional and undemocratic, and subverts the basis upon which we are a civilised society.

We now have reason to fear the loss of the people’s confidence in the Constitution, in democracy and in our constitutional monarchy. Responsible political leadership must support rather than destroy the confidence of the people in these practices and institutions. In particular, powers reserved for the Legislative Assembly, which represents the sovereign will of the people, cannot be taken away under any circumstances by anyone. This foundational constitutional principle has been affirmed by the Court. We are all sworn to uphold it. Those who do not understand or accept this principle have no place in government.

Some issues can be solved by a court of law, but the Perak crisis is not one of them. The back and forth events of the past week demonstrate this fact abundantly. The Perak crisis cannot be solved by a decision of the Court because it is at heart a political rather than a constitutional problem. There is really no doubt about what the Constitution says. What is now unclear as a result of an ugly series of manoeuvres is whether Perak has a legitimate government, and there is only one way to resolve that issue. Perhaps our political leadership has not understood how important it is that the people’s voice must prevail, and be seen to prevail, in the choice of their government.

The only solution to the Perak crisis now is for the State Legislative Assembly to be dissolved and free and fair elections held. At this stage there is no other way to restore both public confidence and constitutional legality to the Perak state government, and by extension to our entire system of government. Our survival as a democratic and constitutional monarchy depends on our acceptance of the judgment of the people as expressed in free and fair elections. Any attempt to circumvent that judgment betrays the basic principles and values upon which our nation and incidentally, UMNO itself, stand. I appeal for wisdom and a broader concern for the wellbeing of our country.

Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah
Member of Parliament, Gua Musang

Bukit Gantang: Photo the newspapers didn’t show you (from Anil Netto's Blog)

2009-04-04T05:31:00.000-07:00

A massive crowd pouring into the streets of Taiping on Nomination Day yesterday - Photo courtesy of Wartawan Rasmi Laman Reformasi (Click to expand)

My contact at the scene yesterday estimated the crowd at 30,000-50,000. It was a huge show of support for Nizar.

Another Perakian reports:

Taiping was jammed and packed with supporters. The police presence was felt with a helicopter above. Pakatan had 30,000 supporters compared to 5,000 for BN. We had fun with the Mexican wave, Indian dancing, crowd singing, families on an outing, young adults and old retirees. All converged into melting pot of Malays, Chinese and Indians.

Malays holding DAP flags. Indians wearing Pas T-shirts. Chinese chatting with one and all. People came from as far as Trengganu, Tampin, Damansara, Shah Alam, etc. Only sour note was when Karpal’s was pelted with water bottles by Umno Youth.
Source : http://anilnetto.com/malaysian-elections/bukit-gantang-photo-the-newspapers-didnt-show-you/

Read about Anwar's shock announcement today

2009-04-04T04:02:00.001-07:00

Bkt Gantang: Pakatan confident but cautious

Live coverage here of Anwar’s “Big Shock” announcement from 8.30pm today. Read it this from Anil Netto's website.

What happens in UMNO General meetings

2009-03-25T07:15:00.001-07:00

Just look at the antics of some UMNO delegates as reported by Malaysiakini . Read Malaysiakini's report.

An excerpt of the Malaysiakini's article [blue] is produced here:
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Kelantan delegate Mohd Affendi Yusof, when taking his turn to debate, said Umno has been very lenient and patient towards Pakatan’s antics.He also touched on the Perak fiasco and blasted ousted PAS menteri besar Mohd Nizar Jamaluddin for his now legendary statement: “Mohon maaf tuanku, patek mohon derhaka.” (Your highness, forgive me for I plead to commit treason).

“In Islam, there is no forgiveness for those who commit treason against the sultan,” he said, claiming that the sultan is considered as God’s representative on earth.
Instigating the crowd, Affendi said now is not the time for Umno to be soft and patient, and said it was time the party uses force to crush its Pakatan rivals.
“We cannot be soft anymore. We must use force. And we will use it immediately after the annual general assembly ends,” he said.

Instigating the crowd, Affendi said now is not the time for Umno to be soft and patient, and said it was time the party uses force to crush its Pakatan rivals.

“We cannot be soft anymore. We must use force. And we will use it immediately after the annual general assembly ends,” he said.
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If this is what UMNO is then what was said of reforms is just plain lies. Such drama. If we ever are going to move forward, we need to think about each other regardless of race, colour or creed.

How a new goverment is formed by Tunku Razaleigh

2009-03-24T06:30:00.000-07:00

Read this article at From Tengku Razaleigh’s official weblog.

Reproduced here for convenience.

How a new government is formed

In a recent interview I was quoted as saying that the Yang di-Pertuan Agong could appoint someone other than the man nominated by the party. The fact that this was reported as “news” shows how far we as a country have drifted from the principles set out in our Constitution.

Let us understand very clearly the transitional situation we are in.

The incumbent Prime Minister is about to resign as he has solemnly promised to by the end of this month.
On the appointed day (which like so many things in this administration remains a mystery) the Prime Minister will tender his resignation and that of his cabinet to the Yang di-Pertuan Agong. With this the government of the day comes to an end.
The Yang di-Pertuan Agong will appoint the next Prime Minister at his sole discretion from among the members of the elected lower house of Parliament, the Dewan Rakyat. His Majesty’s choice is guided by his own judgment of who among the members “commands the confidence” of a majority the members of parliament.
The new Prime Minister will name his cabinet and form the next government.
The Agong’s choice may at any time be tested by a vote of confidence in the Dewan Rakyat. If the Prime Minister is rejected by the Dewan, the King will have to re-appoint another person.

As there has been much confusion on this point let me re-state it:

The Yang Dipertuan Agong has sole and absolute discretion in how he forms his judgment as to who in the Dewan Rakyat commands the confidence of the majority. The choice is his alone.

The choice is absolute but not arbitrary, since it is guided by the Constitution. The right is the Agong’s alone, but it can any time afterwards be tested by the Dewan Rakyat.

This system is democratic in that it provides for the Dewan Rakyat and the Ruler to check and balance each other’s powers in an orderly manner. The participants in this process are the Ruler and the individual members of parliament. Within the Dewan Rakyat, each member is accountable to his constituents as an individual. Political parties do not enter this description. The Agong’s concern is solely for the rakyat. In his formal capacity, His Majesty sees each member of the House only as representing his subjects in a particular constituency. This is why MP’s are referred to only by the constituencies they represent. Their party affiliation is no consideration at all.

Let me draw on some implications of this understanding of how our governments are formed.

Whatever undertakings the present prime minister has made with his deputy or with his party about his successor are external to the constitutional process. To think otherwise is to imagine that the prime ministership is a private property to be passed on from one potentate to another at whim. The behaviour of some leaders might have conveyed this unfortunate impression, and caused the public to find the party arrogant and out of touch.
The fact that the President of UMNO has also been appointed as Prime Minister is only a convention, as Tun Dr Mahathir, Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin and Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz have asserted recently. This convention was based on the assumption of Umno’s absolute dominance of Parliament. That condition no longer holds.
Statements in the media that it is the right of Umno and BN to dictate to the Yang Dipertuan Agong who should be Prime Minister deny the constitutional right of the Yang Dipertuan Agong, and deprive him of perhaps the most important of his few discretionary powers. Such statements turn the Agong’s role into a rubber stamp for the decisions of a political party. I am waiting for Umno to strongly denounce such statements, especially as we have recently rediscovered our concern for the rights of the Rulers.

Over the last quarter century, the rulers, like the legislature, the judiciary, the police, the universities and all our major public institutions, have had their powers systematically curtailed and their immunities removed to make way for unruly executive power. In the process, fundamental principles such as the separation of powers have been ignored. Umno itself has not been spared this process as it has become autocratic and top-down to the dismay of millions of ordinary members.

Over time the rakyat have been so conditioned to the abuse of executive power that many have forgotten that the government is more than the prime minister and his cabinet. Many have forgotten how a properly functioning government works and what the rule of law looks like. Perhaps this is why it is news to some that the Yang di-Pertuan Agong has an independent role to play, just as the judiciary and the legislature do.

Malaysia has fallen into a spiral of institutional and economic decline. If we are to save this country from long term and increasingly tragic deterioration, the next government appointed by the Yang di-pertuan Agong must not only be fully committed to restoring the Legislature, the Judiciary and the Rulers to their proper dignity and independence, it must be seen by the Malaysian public to be capable of doing so.

The Wheel of Life

2009-03-08T06:37:00.000-07:00

An interesting view of aging.

Learning Hokkien

2009-03-02T07:15:00.000-08:00

[Received this through email from a good friend]

Learning Hokkien is as easy as ABC
Children is kina kia
Boy is da boh kia
Bird is chiao kia
Korean car is Kia
Furniture is Ikia
Police is mata kia
Small house is chu kia
Handphone is Nokia
I am Hokkien Kia
Malay is huan kia
Hindu is keh leng kia
Kuai lou is angmoh kia
Chinese is deng lang kia
Japanese is jit pun kia
Bad guy is pai kia
Good guy is ho kia
Person who read this is gong kia
If you laugh, you are siao kia

Funny video

2009-02-19T05:39:00.000-08:00

Chinese and Indians work well together but not with each other. Hilarious accents!!!!!!!!!! So funny!!

Articles on Dr. Ong's website

2009-02-15T04:28:00.000-08:00

Here are some articles posted on Dr. Ong Meng Chai's blog. Click on the link to access the artcles.
1. "Redeeming The Christian Family Today 1 - What Is The Family?" (the first of a four part series)

2. "Darwin's Arguments Against Christianity And Religion (B B Warfield)" . I have posted this in view of the media splash on Darwin whose birth 200 years ago is being celebrated this past week.

3. The Book of Proverbs by F. F. Bruce .

Part 1

Part 2

Tom Wright on the Year of St. Paul

2009-02-09T00:50:00.000-08:00

Here's The Right Reverend Tom Wright's talk he gave to mark the Year of St Paul which was held at St. Mary's Cathedral, Edinburgh.

HAPPY AND BLESSED CHINESE NEW YEAR

2009-01-25T17:41:00.000-08:00

Here's wishing all my friends and readers of this blog a Happy And Blessed New Year.

12 Days of Christmas

2008-12-27T08:15:00.000-08:00

Here's a video on Youtube that gives "12 Days of Christmas " a different twist , Indian version, of course. Click on the link blow to go to the video.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LnFYdu9g0Zc

The Child

2008-12-27T06:59:00.000-08:00

There was a child, not here in my town
Born not in a mansion but a stable
Never knew why he had to, I might say
But then it was God’s intention, prophecies foretold

Loving arms embraced him into this world
Much to the delight of many but not so the ruler
Who had other thoughts, so the Bible says
But then God had other plans.

Strangely yet it may seem,
He was not destined for glory
His path showed us a different route
I might wonder why, but God knew why...

- P. Sakthivel

2008-12-23T06:11:00.001-08:00

LIFE A LESSON

We wander through time
Shifting through the pages of history
Knowing that somewhere in between here and there
Was a place we would call home

Seeing the wonders of life
We may never understand
The sorrows, the joys that we have to pass through
May be lessons for us and our future generation.

Cry may we, at times of anguish
Never knowing, where we need to turn
Knowing that just around the corner
There was a friend who cared

Life is a lesson
We journey through it
We learn from it
And we live to the best of it .

- P. Sakthivel

Announcement : Thanksgiving Service for the Late Bishop Julius Paul

2008-12-19T07:22:00.000-08:00

There will be a Thanksgiving Service for the late Bishop Julius Paul at the Zion Cathedral , Brickfields Kuala Lumpur on Tuesday, 23rd December at 7.30 p.m. This would be followed by dinner after the Thanksgiving Service.

Church growth the healthy way

2008-12-11T06:54:00.000-08:00

Developing a Growing Church - Ray Johnson

1. There are specific, reasonable and attainable growth goals that have been developed. A pastor must see, believe it and work for it!

2. There is powerful Bible-based preaching and teaching, anointed singing, vibrant worship, fervent praying, and generous giving.

3. There is consistent visitation and follow-up on visitors.

4. The pastor recognizes and releases the gifts and callings among the congregation. These gifts include the gifts of teachers, helpers, prophecy, exhortation, ruling, etc.

5. The organization, coordination, and emphasis of the basic departments - Sunday School, Youth, Outreach, Music, New Convert Care - is always on soul-winning and discipleship.

6. The pastor works to have every member involved in the church in some capacity.

7. There is continual training and disciplining for all members and leaders throughout all the ministries.

8. The pastor and church has considered the importance of church location, parking, properties for expansion, and development of new buildings for growth.

9. There is good financial planning and money management with emphasis on giving.

10. The church has good community visibility, which includes not just the church building, but also the involvement of pastor and members in the community

Life it is...

2008-11-28T09:00:00.000-08:00

We walk through the pathways of life
Wondering what was life
Was there never a time
If you knew why you walked this earth

We thrust through life
Running through, as if it was only a moment
Fear encroaches us, leaving us in doubt
Will we ever see it through…

Crying in our dreams, lost we seem

Seeking a way through the mist of confusion

Trying as we may, we may never know

How life ends for each of us

A gentle face, a compassionate smile
Will I not see a gentler face?
The touch, the thought, the intention, the moment.
Is this the begining of life

- P. Sakthivel

The Awakening: One Man's Battle with Darkness - Friedrich Zuendel

2008-11-27T06:19:00.000-08:00

The Awakening: One Man's Battle with Darkness

When Blumhardt, a 19th-century pastor from the Black Forest, agreed to counsel a tormented woman in his parish, all hell broke loose - literally. But that was only the beginning of the drama that ensued. Zuendel's account, available here in English for the first time, provides a rare glimpse into how the eternal fight between the forces of good and evil plays itself out in the lives of the most ordinary men and women. More than that, it reminds us that those forces still surround us today, whether we are awake to them or not.

Beginning in the fall of 1841, Blumhardt was drawn into a spiritual struggle, which he referred to for the rest of his life as "the fight." At first he tried to keep a cautious distance from it, but it soon became obvious that he would not be able to stay uninvolved.
Gottliebin Dittus, a young woman from a pious Möttlingen family who had once been Pastor Barth's favorite pupil, was regarded in her village as a "God-fearing" member of the parish. At the same time she was known, ever since her childhood, to have suffered recurring nervous disorders and various other maladies, including inexplicable attacks not unlike epileptic seizures.
Repulsed by her peculiar behavior, Blumhardt kept his distance from her. He would come when summoned during her worst attacks, but he went reluctantly, feeling that her case was no task for him as a pastor. Village physician Dr. Späth, on the other hand, argued that Gottliebin's disorders were beyond the scope of his medical knowledge, if not symptomatic of supernatural forces at work. It was on this account that Blumhardt finally agreed to observe the woman.
Before long he was so deeply involved in Gottliebin's struggle that no one could hold him back. For one thing, he was ashamed at the thought of conceding power to the darkness affecting her. Moreover, he pitied her. Little did he know that he had embarked on an uncharted journey of the most bizarre kind and entered a battle so intense that it would demand all of his energies for the next two years. The Awakening tells what happened over their course, and beyond.

A must-read for anyone who has doubts about spiritual warfare, The Awakening provides a rare glimpse into the eternal fight between the forces of good and evil in the daily lives of ordinary men and women.

Click here to download e-book.

Here's me the fruit

2008-11-26T06:58:00.000-08:00

Well, I've found out what type of fruit I am. Want to know what fruit you are, click on the link here: Blogthing

You Are an Apple

You are strong, powerful, and even a bit stubborn at times.

You have enough strength to help those around you in trouble.

You are adventurous and charming. Many people are drawn to you.

You love life, and you enjoy traveling the world. You enjoy fine food, art, and culture.

People have accused you of being a snob, but that's not accurate.

You do enjoy the best things in life. Unlike snobs, you truly appreciate quality... not just pretend to.

What Type of Fruit Are You?

2008-11-22T06:38:00.000-08:00

Salt and Light
Living the Sermon on the Mount
Eberhard Arnold

Salt and Light puts hands and feet to the demands of Jesus' Sermon on the Mount from the viewpoint of a writer who believes they are not only viable, but inescapable - something for us to live out today.
In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus puts aside his usual parables and speaks plainly in language anyone can understand. Yet for centuries countless scholars have dissected and analyzed these important words - and dismissed their demanding precepts as unrealistic or symbolic.
Like Francis of Assisi and others, Arnold chose to live Jesus' words. He found new life by embracing the self-sacrificing demands of the Sermon on the Mount. This collection of talks and essays vividly describes a healing, energizing power for those burdened by the concerns of daily life. Arnold calls us to live for the Sermon's ultimate goal: the overturning of the prevailing order of injustice and building in its place a just, peaceable society motivated by love.

Click here to download book (PDF)

Faith

2008-11-22T03:46:00.001-08:00

I can’t see my faith, but I can feel it…

I can feel it because I believe it…
Because I believe, i never give up
Because I don’t give up, miracles happen.

~ BidWiya

The Use and Abuse of Church History

2008-11-22T02:57:00.000-08:00

Here's a must read for students of church history which was also posted at Dr. Ong Meng Chai's website. Click on the link below to access the article. I'm sure you'll enjoy it.

The Use and Abuse of Church History - Johannes G Vos

Christian Approach to the Old Testament

2008-11-22T02:42:00.000-08:00

Here's a great article ( in two parts) which was posted at Dr. Ong Meng Chai's website. Click on the link below to read the articles.

The Christian Approach to the Old Testament - Part 1 (F F Bruce)

The Christian Approach to the Old Testament - Part 2 (F F Bruce)

My other blog

2008-11-16T03:49:00.000-08:00

I’ve started another blog. It’s a blog about books as I am a book addict. I love books and buy them even though I know I probably would not be able to read it, but then I can still read it in the future. Who knows I could probably live up to 100 years and enjoy those books after my retirement.

Anyway, if you folks who are addicts like me you are welcome to Books Alone. Send me an email if you have a good book. Would never resist a good book. You never know what it could do to you.

Was I here?

2008-11-15T08:05:00.000-08:00

We are transposed, living our lives
Shifting through the sands of time
Our place in a world soon to be lost
Running we seem, from here to eternity

Our thoughts known only here
The future is another
Grasping hands, holding me
Telling me that you were once….

Am I not the one who…
Should I not wonder?
Was it not me?
No, you were once…

- P. Sakthivel

Children

2008-10-24T10:27:00.000-07:00

A reminder that children are precious
Though they seem so small
Wonder with them
And see the world though their lens

Pretty, beautiful and a host of words
Never could there be a word
To define them in a frame
Their preciousness is a gift not a privilege

Their spoken words so pure and true
Their laughter, lightens up the mournful world
Their smiles, melts even the hardest heart
Were you a child once…

A child will be a child
For they only pass here once
Love them, treasure them
God’s gift…

P. Sakthivel

Reading Pramoedya Ananta Toer

2008-10-23T08:31:00.001-07:00

Picked up a good book to read , The Mute's Soliloquy, after my good friend, Rev. Anthony Loke blogged about Pramoedya's other work Arok of Java .

I had read Pramoedya's earlier work Keluarga Gerilya (published in 1950) back when I was in Form Six for my Malay literature paper . I enjoyed it though it was in Malay. The other was Sandera by Arena Wati.

The Mute's Soliloquy" is a loose autobiography woven together from letters and essays Pramoedya wrote secretly on Buru; he never expected them to survive, but a Catholic priest smuggled them out. The book is an extraordinary mixture of advice to his children, wrenching self-examination and testimony of his time on Buru, a place of shifting, petty rules, grinding labor and indifference to life. "I saw my friends killed by soldiers just for fun," Pramoedya told.

Well, this would be my bedtime reading for the next few weeks.

Mystery

2008-10-23T06:24:00.001-07:00

Holiness a word so oft we forget
Must we not want it
But lo, the world, with its treasures
Leads the soul to darkness

Must I not speak, if I see evil
Must I not, if you do not
Where have we gone but…
To a place where only sin resides

Call me out of the pit of darkness
Show me your kindness, O gentle Spirit
Must it not be love, that wants me?
My soul cries for You, O gentle Saviour

My mind, my heart lost in the wastelands
Wandering through the barren lands
Neither here nor there, but I see a way,
Will you come now?

Walk with me now,
Hold me close, lest I wander away
Love is near me now
He died so that I may know him.

P.Sakthivel

23 Oct. 2008

Walking through time

2008-10-22T08:19:00.000-07:00

What do I live for each day of my life
The simple ness of the mind to the heart
Rendering thoughts of brokenness, suffering and pain
Intertwined by a mixture of hope

Living from a generation to seeing another
What does life mean in truthfulness?
The joys of knowing the past and mourning the present
Is there hope for a better tomorrow?

The sands of time have been my witness
To a life that I have ventured and passed
Next to it I would only be able to see
A section of it before I pass on

Were you not here then, my friend?
Let us then journey on
The never ending stream of our memories
History is written…

P. Sakthivel

22/10/2008

LIFE

2008-10-21T07:31:00.000-07:00

There are songs that inspire me to write
The words that touch the human soul
To have a glimpse of a moment
To know that we have feelings

There are people who inspire me
To know the human touch
To hear the voice of a friend
To know that we exist

There are events that inspire me
That transforms my view of life
That makes life so much interesting
To know we have life

There are things that can’t be explained
Yet by their nature they exist
We may never know why...
Is this the mystery of life

P.Sakthivel

21 October 2008

The Journey

2008-10-19T08:49:00.000-07:00

The Journey

The thoughts of oneness, slips through scales of time
Ever reaching through the destinies in thought
Have we not thought of this?
You were here when I was there.

Measure me not in this time
Slip not through another space
Were you not there
When I was here…

My time is not my own, though I wish it was
But show me now your hand
Was it not you who was here
But left in a sudden haste

The cry of the land never dries
Though the blood has dried
Were you not here
When I looked for you

Where have I been I wonder
When you were here
Were we not on a journey
My Lord, you and I

P. Sakthivel
18/10/2008

Teresa Kok released

2008-09-19T02:03:00.000-07:00

DAP Seputeh MP, Teresa Kok was finally released today at 1 p.m. In the first place she should not have been arrested as there for no basis for arrests.

Though shaken, she was glad that she was freed. Deputy inspector-general of police Ismail Omar said that Kok was released after investigations showed that there was no reason to detain her any further.

It took them a whole week to figure this out. What a lame excuse.

Welcome back Teresa and let's continue the fight.

A thought in passing

2008-09-14T22:08:00.000-07:00

Would you believe it if I said that some churches seem to be very programme – orientated? You can find them running courses A to Z promising you a better life. Not that I do not appreciate the value of these programmes but you would wonder at the end of day, would you have known more about God or something more about the person next to you. It sure would have expanded your "knowledge" of knowing God and knowing what you need to know about the essentials of Christianity, how to answer questions from custom made answers from a book.

Simple Faith

2008-09-14T19:00:00.000-07:00

I was deeply sadden by the loss of Hwa Ye Jien. I’ve lost a friend. Two night ago as we were preparing the children for bed, Ivy, my youngest daughter said this, “Mama, Jesus is hugging Ye Jien”. I don’t know what made her say this.I also don't know what it says about Ye Jien, but her words assured me that he is safe and I just needed to trust God.

A reminder to Mr. Ahmad Ismail

2008-09-06T08:08:00.001-07:00

No human race is superior; no religious faith is inferior. All collective judgments are wrong. Only racists make them. - Elie Wiesel on Race and Racism

This posting is directed at Ahmad Ismail, Bukit Bendera Umno division chief who called the Chinese “immigrants” during the recent Permatang Pauh election.

Faith

2008-07-27T06:17:00.000-07:00

I can’t see my faith, but I can feel it…
I can feel it because I believe it…

Because I believe, i never give up

Because I don’t give up, miracles happen.

~ BidWiya

Beatitudes of Reconciliation

2008-06-26T06:57:00.000-07:00

Blessed are those who are willing to enter into the process of being healed, for they will become healers.
Blessed are those who recognize their own inner violence, for they will come to know non-violence.
Blessed are those who forgive self, for they will become forgivers.
Blessed are those who are willing to let go of selfishness and self-centeredness, for they will become a healing presence.
Blessed are those who listen with compassion, for they will become compassionate.
Blessed are those who are willing to enter conflict, for they will find transformation.
Blessed are those who know their inter-dependence with all of creation, for they become unifiers.
Blessed are those who live a contemplative life stance, for they will find God in all things.
Blessed are those who strive to live these beatitudes, for they will be reconciliers.

[By The Sisters of St. Joseph, Concordia, Kansas, USA]

Lesson learnt

2008-06-23T01:22:00.000-07:00

I had the wonderful chance to witness an orchestral performance by the Petaling JayaYouth Chamber Orchestra held on the 22 June in STM. It was a combination of a number of pieces. There was also the Sing Hua Chinese School, Seremban and stunning vocals from Ian Tan and Andrew Lai. It was a treat.

One lesson that I learnt was that you should never, never talk when you are listening to a piece being played. Never discuss the piece or song while the piece is being played. Appreciate it and enjoy it. If you need to say something or discuss, wait when the whole performance is over.

Memories of my Dad

2008-05-29T23:33:00.000-07:00

It has been 20 years since my dad passed away due to medical complications [he was a diabetic] when he was admitted to the hospital. I did not expect him to leave us, since he had only retired 3 years earlier. I have missed him so much that I wished he were given another chance 20 years ago. Sadly, no. I wrote this as a tribute to him. If you had known him, you would know what I mean.

A tribute to my Dad

My life to you I owe
You loved me and showed me love
Have I not forgotten you, my dear Papa?
It has been twenty years

At birth, you greeted me into the world
Holding me in your arms
A new life began
Knowing you

At two, I left to stay with Grandma and Grandpa
Not to return until I was fourteen
Nevertheless, we still met
Over the weekends

At eighteen, you allowed to express my faith
Though you were a Hindu
You allowed me to be a Christian
You respected my decision

When I was working, you made sure I was home
Picking me up from the university
Where at times I worked late hours
Knowing well how much I meant to you

Then one day, twenty years ago,
You were gone, I lost you
I did not shed a tear
How was I to know I would never see you.

Papa, I will never be able to touch your face
I will never be able to see your smile
I will never be able to hear your voice
Nevertheless, you still live in me
You are part of me.

[P.Sakthivel]

Missed Chances

2008-05-26T23:00:00.000-07:00

Life is full of “If’s”. Have you ever wondered what would have happened if you had this or that? If life was better? I started thinking about this. Much of our yearnings for the things that are lost or missed out chances has to do with own character formation. Are we contented with what we have or do we yearn for more of these “ifs”. I thought about this and started to pen down these thoughts that came to my human hard disk.

IF…

If you were wealthy, would you have given to the poor?
If you were intelligent, would you have changed the world?
If you were powerful, would you fight for the less fortunate?
If you were innovative, would you have created better ways to lead life?

If you were humble, would I see you walking with the lowly?
If you were gentle of heart, would I see you holding the less fortunate in your arms?
If you were kind, would I see you helping your enemy?
If you were loving, would I see you forgiving your enemy?

O,Lord
If you showed me now your path,
If you knew my weakness,
If you knew my struggles,

What have I but this…
Your grace that gives me hope
Your love that envelops me
Your peace that calms me

Let me not regret the days of my life
For you have shown me, O Lord
Your love so amazing, so Divine,

Redeemer, Saviour, Friend

[P.Sakthivel]

An intresting thought

2008-05-25T23:10:00.001-07:00

Ever wonder what Christianity is? Try this for starters and see if you understand what the Danish philosopher, Soren Kierkegaard was saying.

“This Is Christianity. Let a person begin seriously to realize the need for Christ. Let him literally give his fortune to the poor, literally love his neighbour, and so forth and he will soon learn to need Christ. . Christianity is a suit that at first glance seems attractive enough, but as soon as you actually put it on – then you must have Christ’s help in order to be able to live in it.
[Provocations: spiritual writings of Soren Kierkegaard, p. 217]

You can download this book by clicking on the link below:

http://www.plough.com/ebooks/pdfs/Provocations.pdf

Thoughts during the Family Camp

2008-05-22T21:11:00.000-07:00

This weekend was at our Annual Family Camp in Chefoo Methodist Centre. At one of the sessions, Wai Ling, our coordinator gave us time to meditate over certain issues that she raised. We were given some time to think through the issues. I sat down beside the stream that was running by the building that we had our sesssions and I started to write. The end result was this poem, if you call it one.

Sweet memories of grace
Showered my soul
Keeper of my soul
I cry out to You.

My life an empty box
My journey's an endless list of events
But yet I am a Christian
A cross I carry with me.

Would I forgive my brother
And share life with him
Would I hold his hand
And walk with him

This journey is only the begining
Not my will but Yours be done