Month: August 2009

The Greatest Gift of Love

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Of all the gifts from God, the greatest is  Love. He shows it by sacrificing His only Son as our personal Saviour. In    God’s natural garden up north in wild Western Australia “wreath flowers” grow bountifully – in the shape of “heart”.

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Word for “Love”

The Chinese character of love “ai” interestingly is written traditionally with the radical “heart” right in its midst.

Symbolically, “heart” shows to be the essence of love.

Word for “Heart”

It’s believed that Singapore girls, when selecting a partner or contemplating marriage, take into consideration these Five Cs – Cash, Condominium, Car, Career and Character. Modern Singapore is so full of slogans, and more recently I heard that the Five Cs have given way to Five Bs – Bachelor, Bank Account, Boss, BMW and Bungalow. The order of priorities varies from individual to individual. Whatever they are, it’s essentially confined to materialism or tangible assets. Love and marriage is traded like in the stock market or the choice is likened to the auction where the highest bidder merits the prize.

Going by the above there’s no basis for a long and enduring partnership in marriage. Physical attraction and materialistic assets soon fade with the passing years. The bond of love breaks loose from its weakest link and the link of Five Cs or Five Bs is not strong to begin with. Fragile link leads to fragile relationship. Human relationship is without a shadow of doubt the most fragile, in that it is complicated by emotion. A house that is not built upon strong foundation soon collapses. The fire of love cannot burn indefinitely or brightly without the right fuel of marriage.

They say that love makes the world go round. Spinning round and round makes you dizzy with headache setting in as you sail through rough waters. Material things can dwindle with time or disappear through misfortune or poor management. For an enduring and lasting partnership, it calls for the right ingredients which are not provided for by the Five Cs or Five Bs. The greatest test of true love is through the test of time – what endures and what not.

_MG_0487Abundant “Wreath” Flowers growing in the wild of Western Australia


The marriage vows spell out “for better or for worse”. Sadly enough, the latter means absolutely nothing. It’s all a question of money. Oftentimes, money problem breeds marriage problems. Many seemingly good marriages have collapsed under the weight of financial struggle. One wonders the whereabouts of love, fresh air and sunshine and all those rosy promises of getting the moon and the stars and dying for each other. Evidently, all the heartaches are spelt out in the court of law or the mediator’s office in terms of property settlement. All other considerations are thrown out of the window.

The bond of love is only secured through the commitment of one for the other through all kinds of weather, rain or shine, stormy or calm. Commitment will take care of the Five Cs or Five Bs.. It seals the question of security, love, faith and hope – all vital ingredients that will withstand the test of time. Commitment takes care of the doom and gloom, war and peace, rain or shine, giving or taking, and unimaginable human problems. No more talk of complaints, criticism, or condemnation – all the negative ‘Cs’.

One good positive ”C” says it all for peace and harmony for always!

Paul Chong

China – A Great Singing Nation

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China – A Great Singing Nation

By Paul Chong

Lin Miaoke Beijing Olympics Singer

The lip-synced girl, Lin Miaoke, who sang in the Beijing Olympic Opening Ceremony now has every potential in $$$ making; few movie directors in Hollywood hunting her out. The actual singer Yang Peiyi is virtually in the back stage.

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The whole nation sings

The Minorities

with

The Majority


The illustrative display of the photos taken directly off the satellite TV with my little digital camera shows & verifies the truth that China is a great singing nation. On the stage comes a galaxy of singing stars, both male & female, known by the thousands & millions throughout China, though maybe little heard of in the western world. In all their brilliance & golden voices, they thrill & enthral the teeming audience in the thousands & millions. With shouts, cheers & tears they raise their hands & flags of all colours flying high. Truly a colourful event to celebrate the 60th. Anniversary of the founding of this new great ancient nation. This is a nation where everybody sings – young or old, rich or poor, male or female, indoor or outdoor, professional or amateur, from native folk songs, pop or rock to the very high class of opera – Chinese or Western. Singing could be backed up by a full orchestra or just simple musical instruments.

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In terms of sheer numerical numbers, no other nations in the world can compare!

There is no shortage of talents with a pool of 1.3 billion population neither is there any lack of singing contests, festivals or celebrations to put the whole nation to songs! Often the audience would sing along as with the more popular tunes.

SANY2112On an amateurish basis, some may even be professional, Karaoke is very popular in China. Karaoke provides an excellent avenue for social life at home, bars or karaoke houses known as “KTVs”, & for business entertainment between suppliers & customers. Good deals are often sealed & there’s no shortage of attractive hostesses helping out in the entertainment. For the uninitiated this could be a daunting experience.

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Audience of young girls singing in  unison with the star performer on stage.

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More matured audience with red flags in hand


Pictures Below:

A male singer rendering a popular number.

A female performer


October 1 2009 is the 60th anniversary of the founding of the People?? Republic of China (PRC) and Beijing will host a grand celebration.

Fog

On By Paul2 Comments

Fog

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From our home towards Perth City shrouded from sight.

It’s that time of the year before the coming of Spring in September that fogs abound up where we live in the hills. It rains off & on & the whole atmosphere is one of serenity & peace. Best time to lay back by the warm fire, read a book or watch the TV or sit at the computer desk & let your inspiration take hold.

Fog in the hills

Shrouding the view

Softening every nature

Hiding every creature.

The sky is grey

Blue’s gone astray

The light is dimly soft

Invisibility even above the turf.

The fog lingers on

Birds fill the air with song

It’s scene like this

That sets you at peace.

Such wonder makes you wonder

In your heart you ponder

As it gradually disperses

Light slowly emerges.

SANY2107Foggy scene at our backyard

Paul Chong

Thursday, 20 August 2009 @ 14.01

GROSS INDIVIDUALISM AND SELF- CENTEREDNESS

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GROSS INDIVIDUALISM AND SELF- CENTEREDNESS

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The ever increasing human problems in our modern day society is attributed largely to gross individualism and self-centeredness. Under the guise of human rights and individual freedom therein breeds abominable trend of modern day living of SODOM and GOMORRAH, that is even condoned by some churches, and which is openly and unashamedly exhibited in public eyes. No more the coy old days, when it was taboo to even talk about it!

When people deviate from the fundamental through the process of rationalization and justification, Satan under the guise of gross individualism and self-centeredness springs forth in all its ugliness.

God’s Commandments are very precise. They are no grey areas as people made out to be. Human ingenuity and supposedly superior intellect can only lead along the broad and straight road to condemnation and the gates of hell.

The degradation of human kind is evident everywhere.

Is there no hope?

WITH GOD, YOU DO NOT COMPROMISE TO SUIT YOUR OWN CONVENIENCE.

Be God-centered.

To be forewarned is to be forearmed.

Paul Chong



Life’s Interdependence

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Life’s Interdependence

(the connectedness of life)

Life's Connectedness

James Bender, in his book How To Talk Well (New York: Mcgraw-Hill Book Co. Inc.1994), relates the story of a farmer who grew award-winning corn. Each year he entered his corn in the state fair it won a blue ribbon. One year a newspaper reporter interviewed him and learned something interesting about how he grew it. The reporter discovered that the farmer shared his seed corn with his neighbors.

“How can you afford to share your best seed corn with your neighbors when they are entering in competition with yours each year?” the reporter asked.

“Why sir,” said the farmer, “didn’t you know? The wind picks up pollen from the ripening corn and swirls it from field to field. If my neighbors grow inferior corn, cross pollination will steadily degrade the quality of my corn. If I am to grow good corn, I must help my neighbors grow good corn.”

He is much aware of the connectedness of life. His corn cannot improve unless his neighbor’s corn also improves.

By the same token, life is similarly linked to each other. As they say, no man is an island. We cannot live alone by ourselves, unless we chose to live like a hermit or a recluse. If you desire peace then you must ensure peace is abound all round you. Likewise with prosperity, you’ve got to share it around or help others to achieve likewise. Those who choose to live well must help others to live well, for the value of life is measured by the lives it touches. You’ll reap what you sow.

Biblically,

It is more blessed to give than to receive.

For as you sow you reap

The more you sow

The more you’ll reap.

In giving you are living

In receiving you’re merely existing.

Let your heart dictate

Your mind not to forsake

Through love, hope and faith

To give a portion of what God gave.


IT’S NOT YOUR WALLET GOD NEEDS

IT’S YOUR HEART THAT GOD SEEKS.

Paul Chong

The “Burning Bush” In Your Life

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The “Burning Bush” In Your Life

the-burning-bushA “Bush” that burns but consumes not.


“As he neared Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him.” ~ Acts 9:3

That was Paul’s calling from God.

Biblically, great figures had spectacular signs of calling from God. Moses undoubtedly had the utmost privilege of God’s presence in the burning bush. In the case of Paul, as mentioned in Acts 9:3, when he got up he was stricken blind.

What will be significant for you as a calling sign from God? For Peter, it was walking on water. In the case of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, it was walking through the burning furnace untouched. Or be like Daniel to be delivered from the lion’s den.

God uses different circumstances and situations to call his chosen ones to serve His purposes. The Lord still intervenes in the lives of His people and their lives could be changed forever. Paul, from a prosecutor and oppressor, became a renowned preacher, suffered, imprisoned and persecuted for the cause he was called upon to bear.

When God calls us to a relationship with Him, one thing for sure is that we have to forsake our comfort zone and be prepared to bear the cross. A man’s life is after all predetermined by God. Moses was brought up as an Egyptian Prince, but had to flee into the desert after rashly committed a murder. There he remained for forty years before encountering God in the burning bush.

God may be preparing you through many significant life experiences. Just be prepared, be available when called upon. It’s not your ability that God seeks, but more so your availability. When Moses mentioned that he was not fluent in his speech, God provided Aaron as his spokesman. Be prepared , for your life would never be the same again.

Each of us is called upon in a variety of ways. There can never be another “burning bush” or that another chosen one to be struck down from a horse and be blinded. Are you waiting for signs of wonder from God before making yourself available for His service? Surely not waiting for the “burning bush” to be convinced as such. Be discerning – for God speaks to you through various means and media: in church, through the Bible, through the leaders or fellow workers.

It’s not your ability but more so your availability that God seeks.

Paul Chong

Planning Ahead

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Planning Ahead

save by planning ahead

“Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money.” Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. Instead, you ought to say, “If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that” (James 4:13-15).

Trained initially as a teacher, I learned and picked up a lot of new ideas on salesmanship when I switched and took the plunge to selling life insurance on a commission basis as a career. Without the safety of the “security cheque”, I was inevitably faced with the challenge of having to plan and work my plan for my daily, weekly and monthly survival. That slogan: “Nobody plan to fail but most fail to plan” became deeply ingrained in me even till this day.

In retrospect, looking at it in perspective, the words will only ring true if you and I have the power and ability to control our life and destiny. Circumstances will change, job security vanishes, new career looms and new and alien environment requires us to adjust, adapt and adopt life unplanned for. As a new Christian then, I couldn’t really understand the significance of the wisdom in Proverbs 20:24, which says: “A man’s steps are directed by the Lord. How then can anyone understand his own way?”

Life is fragile. It is one of vanity and futility. Yesterday is dead and gone. Tomorrow may never come. It’s ridiculous to dwell on past glories. Today is the time for each of us to consider where and how we are investing our time and energies. Oftentimes, at deathbed you’ll hear of regretful wishes like ”I wish I had spent more time with my family and kids.” All the worldly plan of making those million bucks is furthest from the mind of the would-be deceased. Ask the Lord to give you His priorities for your life and he will set you straight.

Everything ultimately comes to an end. Life has its beginning. Life has its end and over these two facts we have absolutely no control. I used to preach these words: “From the womb to the tomb, there is but one room. It’s either heaven or hell where we for all eternity will ‘yell.’”Yes, be prepared and plan ahead for that mansion above. “If there’s will, there’s a way” so they say. But it needs to be added “ . . . provided it’s God’s will.”

    Paul Chong

Metamorphosis of Life

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Metamorphosis of Life

Observing the beautiful butterfly fluttering around, I can’t help but reflect upon its short life span & the time I used to spend my effort collecting them as a hobby. Now I would say what a foolish pleasure that was & never had any realization of a wasteful destruction of life! Nor did I realize of its great significance & perspective on life.

2206594250101797828S425x425Q85Rajah Brooke Butterflies

Observe how an ‘ugly’ caterpillar undergoes its metamorphosis to become a beautiful butterfly. This is how nature prepares itself for the wild life outside. It is said that if we were to help the butterfly remove itself from the cocoon, the butterfly would not be strong enough to survive. It is the struggle that prepares the butterfly to become strong enough to fly and face its life ahead. Its struggling gives the butterfly the edge for survival. In time, God makes all things beautiful provided we are patient to wait.

Rajah_Brooke

It is a verified truism that the best steel must go through tremendous heat and pressure. Precious metals such as gold and silver must similarly be refined to attain its preciousness and beauty. A hero is not necessarily an extraordinary person but one who’s able to withstand great perils and danger. He is undoubtedly one who’s made of sterner stuff. Freedom fighters live and die fighting for a cause greater than life itself. Inevitably, there is a price to be paid.

Life is not a bed of roses. Amidst the beauty lies thorns that prick. Apart from the ups and downs in life, there are twists and turns as well. Sometimes it does seem that God is far away and unloving – allowing endless problems and hardship in our lives. This is how the Lord prepares us to fulfil His purposes. Trust in the Lord always. Follow Him with an upright heart and He’ll make our life an instrument in His hand.

Biblically, we only need to look at the lives of Moses and David to understand having faith and total obedience in God for the outcome. You cannot expect to remain where you are and go with God. Adjustments and sacrifices need to be made just like Noah (Genesis 6), Abram (Genesis 12:1-8), Jonah (Jonah 1:1-2; 3:1-2; 4:1-11) as with the apostles Peter, Andrew, James and John. The question is: Quo Vadis? God will never give us an assignment that He will not enable us to complete. Are you prepared for the challenge?

    Paul Chong

Man Proposes, God Disposes

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Man Proposes, God Disposes

image001God’s In Control

“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the LORD. “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.” – Isaiah 55: 8-9

It’s clear from the above what Prophet Isaiah was trying to convey to us. In Proverbs 3:5 we are told :”Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.” Our steps and destiny are guided by God. Man can only do the possible and leave he impossible to God.

When man fails to understand something or cannot fathom a solution to a problematic event, we like to term it as a “mystery”. To God nothing is a mystery. Nothing is impossible. You may say that to Napoleon the word “impossible” was not to be found in his dictionary, but there was Waterloo to prove otherwise. But when God deliberately reduced Gideon’s army to a mere number against the might of his enemies, God’s almightiness squashed all human doubts with resounding victories.

Impossible happenings to human beings are termed as “miracles”. In Jesus’ time, the lame walked, the lepers healed, the deaf heard, the dumb talked, and Lazarus who was dead and gone, rose from his grave at the command of Jesus. From the creation of the universe in a matter of days to the feeding of thousands with merely two loaves of bread and five fishes all spelt the glory of God. There are countless wonders and miracles filling the pages of the Bible from Genesis to the Book of Revelation. Still human beings harbour doubts in their hearts.

We are nothing without God. Like the lilies of the valley that come on with Spring and fading away with Summer, the same it is with humans. Are we permanent features that will withstand time and last forever? You know the answer to that. Quo vadis? Where do we go from here?

There is but one place for all eternity. From the womb to the tomb there is but one room – it’s either up in heaven or down in hell where for all eternity you’ll yell! Better be up and about and draw near to God above.

Be saved and sound

Rather in hell be found!

Paul Chong

Misery Feeds Into Creativity

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Misery Feeds Into Creativity

pheonix_bird

Mythical Phoenix Rising Majestically From The Ashes



Talented people are in more ways than one peculiar in their behaviour and outlook. We may even consider them strange and difficult to understand, doing things out of the norm. Like all other human beings, they have their fair share of sorrow. In fact, they do appear to have it more abundantly than others do. Personal tragedies or otherwise, they suffer great disappointment, frustration and falling into depression, succumbed to drinks and drugs.

For all the fame and riches they may have, there is absolutely nothing, qualitatively or quantitatively, to be envied by others. Their lifestyle is like flashes of lightning with tremendous brightness shadowed by extreme darkness. One moment they are high up in the pedestal, next they are down in the dump, disappearing from public eyes or are confined to rehabilitation clinics and hospitalised for drugs and alcohol. Such is the nature and general trend of their lives whatever glamour and fame they may have. Broken marriages and family problems are their theme songs.

However, there are exceptions. Some are able to rise above their miseries, like the phoenix from the ashes, to sing and dance greater tunes. Some have the stamina and tenacity to stay on and intermittently making a comeback. Celebrities have a tremendous influence on the lives of their fans, changing lives through their music while undergoing changes themselves. One such singing celebrity is George Michael whose sensational life no doubt filled journalistic pages to capacity.

He, when intervied on Today Show, said something that reflect the creativity of all talented people: “Misery feeds into creativity.” We say when there’s a will there’s a way. I would emphatically say that if there’s a will there’s a way, provided it’s God’s way. Often self-realisation comes into play and something good always come out of the misery when touched by the angel and the hand of God . . . provided there’s a willingness to reach up and out. Many a great song and music were born out of misery . . . often superseding all previous numbers.

Each one of us is different, unique. We are all created in the image of God. We are God’s precious children. He loves us wherever we may have been, or whatever we may have done. When we ask how much He loves us, our Lord Jesus Christ stretched forth his hands and died for us on the cross. Our God is a creative God. Let His creativeness shines through in you.

Paul Chong

A Chinese by Descent

An Australian by Consent