Elijah is like me... Coolness

I was doing a study on James and the verse from James 5:17- 18 just tells us what an amazing power we are given with prayer.

"Elijah was a man just like us. He prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the land for three and a half years. Again he prayed, and the heavens gave rain, and the earth produced its crops. "

Elijah is like us. He prayed power prayers. We prayed to the same God. (It's doing Form 5 Maths all over again). Therefore, we can pray power prayers too. James chose Elijah as an example not because he this great man of God and prophet but because he is relatable. He is the guy that told God that have enough and wanted God to take his life and this happened after the 3 years draught and Mt Carmel event. He has experienced God's miracle and yet when things around him gets tough, he's giving up. It's just so natural for us to forget everything that God has done in the past, when things are not going our way.

When God spoke to Elijah in a whisper asking why is he there when he was running away from Jezebel, he answered with this "I have been very zealous for the Lord God Almighty. The Israelites have rejected your covenant, broken down your altars, and put your prophets to death with the sword. I am the only one left, and now they are trying to kill me too." which can be read as "I have been doing this and that for You, giving up my time to serve You and what do I get in return?" Sounded like some whiny brat right? Then, I realised I've been a brat too. So, Elijah has gone through what I've gone through too. He has his weakness and can be tempted to give up too.

Effective prayer does not limit to 'great' man of God. It's also for us. During one of Ps Kenneth's message, he was asking 'why does people always come to God as a last resort' and I was thinking that it is logical that God should be our last resort. Don't get me wrong. I'm not saying that we should use up all our resources before going to God but just that going to Him should be last because it works. You do not need a back up plan when you rely on God. You'll not need to say, "Gosh, if asking help from God didn't work, I need to sell my car then." So, why go through the trouble of trying other options when we know one that will definitely work? After all, the guy who can caused a draught for three and a half years with prayer is like us... coolness

Should i end this?

I used to be a huge liverpool fan. I used to sneak up at night to watch their games because my mom would not allow me to stay up late on a school night. Ask me the score of important matches from 1998 I'll probably be even be able to tell you who score the goals. So, I've always thought that Liverpool will always be the second love of my life. I've stucked with them through thick and thin especially during their crappy season in 2003, when they have crappy players who looks identical like Henchoz and Biscan, when the only time they can score a goal is with Heskey's crappy header. However, recently, I find their games a bit boring. Since Baros is gone, I didn't like any of their strikers except for Morientes and that's for the wrong reasons. In fact, there is only a handful of players that I liked in the current team. So why am i still suporting liverpool? I guess it's because I feel sense of loyalty. But now, I no longer watch a liverpool match and feel as though they should win because my life depends on it. I do not plan my time around watching football but only watch because I have nothing else to do. So, I guess I should end this relationship right? It's time to move on.

Anyway, I have found another love, BASKETBALL. My church was having a basketball tournament last weekend and it was great. There were a couple of really good players and the games were quite exciting. I was suppose to be cheering for my team in netball but I couldn't resist and betrayed my teammates by going over to watch the basketball game instead. NBA will only start in November so how can I statisfy my longing for basketball now? Maybe I should learn how to play basketball then....

Emoticons: Only for the 24s and below

I know I'm not the only one or rather I hope I'm not the only one who does not get emoticons. I've always thought that by the time you've reached twenty-four years old, you should stop using it as soon as you've reached the age limit for it. Yet, I've known people in their late twenties who still uses them. Not only that, almost everyone I know uses them so I figure I'm their weird one who could not stand emoticons. I just don't understand why is it a must for everyone put them in at every opportunity they get. Can someone enlighten me? I've recieved an email from my collegue that just annoys the heck out of me

"**** called and informed that they are unable to use their sytem. :( "
(if you've done this and is wondering whether am I refering to you... I'm not. I'm refering to the other guy who did the exact same thing as you did.)

I thought work related emails should have at least a certain level of professionalism in then and a sad face is definately not.

Then there's the classic use of the smily face also which at times there's really no point in using an emoticon. For instance, a message can go

"I'm fine :)"

Why the smiley face? I know you're fine you do not need to empahsise your point by smiling or rather indicating that you're smiling. So, it's a bit redundant isn't it. It's like doing a commercial. Eg. "This cookie is yummy *pause for effect and smile*."

What about the tongue sticking out emoticon ":P"? I'm sure you will not do that in person so why do that in your message? I just don't understand some people.

I'm tempted to end this blog with an emoticon but no I will not give in and follow what everyone else is doing.

* This post is not intended to offend anyone who likes using emoticons but is just one of my many ramblings. Who am I kidding right? I'm standing my ground on this. Emoticons are annoying.*

Live like someone is watching

I've realised recently, that when I am driving alone, I tend to be more reckless. I’m not saying that I drive dangerously without the regards of the cars around me but when someone is at the passenger seat, I’ll consciously keep to the speed limit, I’ll think twice when I’m overtaking cars and I’m always driving at the left lane.

I figure that this is the way most of us live our lives too. When we are aware that out actions are being watched, we’ll do it differently. I’m sure when you’ve friends coming to visit, you’ll clean up your place. During camps, people can wake up earlier for their quiet time regardless of what time they’ve slept the night before. If you’re with your elders, you tend to be more polite.

We are self-consciously trying to portray a better image when we know someone is watching. So, will we behave differently when we are aware that the God of the universe is watching us? I'm not saying that we should be self-conscious of our actions but just that when He's watching you should not do anything that will displease him. The thing is that He is always watching. So, shouldn't our actions always be right with God then?

I've realised that I have taken God for granted. Why does it seem that I am more motivated to do something to gain approval from the people around me than God? He’s much more part of my life than anyone else can be but doing things to please him sometimes is like too much of an effort. Is it because He's a merciful and forgiving God, so, He'll understand when I sometimes have taken the easy way out? Wanting to please Him should not be secondary in my life. I've digresssed from my original point but as I was typing I just realised certain things. This is why i enjoyed blogging. It has put a lot of things into perspective for me. For this post. the word PLEASE made quite an impression. How do we please God? Micah 6:7- 8 tells us that it is not what we give that pleases God but what we do.

"Will the LORD be pleased with thousands of rams, with ten thousand rivers of oil? Shall I offer my firstborn for my transgression, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul? He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God"
Micah 6:7-8

Happy Birthday Malaysia

It was our National yesterday but for me it became just another public holiday because I did not do anything patriotic. So now, I'm listing down the reasons why I love being a Malaysian.

1. We celebrate every single achievement with pride. From the our squash champion to the making of the biggest mooncake, everything is celebrate no matter how small and insignificant it may seem to ohters.

2. We have loads of public holiday. This has something to do with being multi racial so we get a holiday for every race's celebration. I have 13 days of public holiday!!!

3. We have everything for everyone. Shopping malls, great food, awesome dive spots, historical sites, the list is endless. There's definately something for everyone.

4. One thing: McEgg. Need i explain further? As far as I know, we can only get McEgg in Malaysian.

I know this list is not much but so far this is things that I can think of at the top of my mind.