Tag: God

“Without Thee”

On By PaulLeave a comment

SANYO DIGITAL CAMERA

Pastor Jeffrey Saw strumming his 12-string guitar

“Without Thee” an original chorus & song composition by Paul Chong with music sung  beautifully by Pastor Jeffrey Saw.

Pastor Saw first came to Perth in 1991 as a religious worker from Myanmar, sponsored by the former Church of Resurrection.

 He was then a young man with a mop of dark black hair.

Today his black hair has been replaced by grey and through sheer hard work, he has built up a church with well over 150 members in the congregation, mainly of Karen minority.

These people has settled down peacefully in a peaceful & harmonious environment, so drastically different from being prosecuted in Myanmar. The little town of Katanning south of Perth is said to be attracting quite a number of Karen minority.

With God’s guidance, love & care, the Karen people are now happy Australians“

“Life without God is like an unsharpened pencil – it has no point.”

IMG_4458 - Version 2

”Without Thee”

– lyrics by Paul Chong     Music by Pastor Jeffrey Saw

”I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me, you can do nothing.” – John15:5

WHAT will we ever be without Thee

We are all but empty vessels indeed

Without Thee there can’t be any destiny

Only with Thy Spirit will our bondage be free.

Chorus

“Glory, glory, glorious God

Only with Thy love

‘Only with Thy grace\

Will we know our fate.”

CLICK  BELOW IF ABOVE DOES NOT PLAY

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=405079472929654&set=vb.100002828149716&type=2&theater 

Without Thee nothing will be possible

Nor  life or spirit of survival

For thou art the vine; we’re just branches

Only with Thy Spirit will we be free from the crunch.

Lyrics: Paul Chong    Music: Pastor Jeffrey Saw

Copyright 1992.  All rights reserved.

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To All The Good People Of The World

On By Paul2 Comments

42-17891336Give Take & Share

Your little good gesture

will help us start off

our worthy venture!

Let me share a beautiful story here:

57 Cent Church  

A little girl stood near a small church from which she had been turned away because it was ‘too crowded.

‘I can’t go to Sunday School,’ she sobbed to the pastor as he walked by.

Seeing her shabby, unkempt appearance, the pastor guessed the reason and, taking her by the hand, took her inside and found a place for her in the Sunday school class. The child was so happy that they found room for her, and she went to bed that night thinking of the children who have no place to worship Jesus.

Some two years later, this child lay dead in one of the poor tenement buildings. Her parents called for the kindhearted pastor who had befriended their daughter to handle the final arrangements.

As her poor little body was being moved, a worn and crumpled red purse was found which seemed to have been rummaged from some trash dump.

Inside was found 57 cents and a note, scribbled in childish handwriting, which read: ‘This is to help build the little church bigger so more children can go to Sunday School.’

For two years she had saved for this offering of love.

When the pastor tearfully read that note, he knew instantly what he would do. Carrying this note and the cracked, red pocketbook to the pulpit, he told the story of her unselfish love and devotion.

He challenged his deacons to get busy and raise enough money for the larger building.

But the story does not end there….

A newspaper learned of the story and published It. It was read by a wealthy realtor who offered them a parcel of land worth many thousands.

When told that the church could not pay so much, he offered to sell it to the little church for 57 cents.

Church members made large donations. Checks came from far and wide..

Within five years the little girl’s gift had increased to $250,000.00–a huge sum for that time (near the turn of the century). Her unselfish love had paid large dividends.

When you are in the city of Philadelphia , look up Temple Baptist Church , with a seating capacity of 3,300. And be sure to visit TempleUniversity, where thousands of students are educated. 

Have a look, too, at the Good   Samaritan Hospital and at a Sunday School building which houses hundreds of beautiful children, built so that no child in the area will ever need to be left outside during Sunday school time.

Dr. Russell ConwellDr. Russell H. Conwell

In one of the rooms of this building may be seen the picture of the sweet face of the little girl whose 57 cents, so sacrificially saved, made such remarkable history. Alongside of it is a portrait of her kind pastor, Dr. Russell H. Conwell, author of the book, ‘Acres of Diamonds’.

This is a true story, which goes to show WHAT GOD CAN DO WITH 57 CENTS.

YOU can be a part of this worthy cause in helping us to “helping people in plight” & saving lives.

Touching hearts and spreading cheer . . . Wiping off both sorrow and fear . . . Since you pass this place but once . . . you can at least extend your help just once.

Open your heart

&

Send your donation to

Asian Australian Initiative Inc.

Westpac Account No: 736 – 065 182364

Thank You

It’s your compassion we seek

For the funds that we need

For more info

CLICK >>>  https://paulchong.net/2012/12/13/asian-australian-initiative-inc/

Further Read . . . Helping People in Plight – Asian Australian Initiative Inc.

N G O

Non-Governmental Organisation

Registered No: A1007004H Incorporated in Western Australia

Touching Story: How Would The Elephants Know?

On By Paul3 Comments

Lawrence Anthony

Elephants have been known to have unforgettable memory. So the saying goes “elephant memory”. But this is one touching story with a tremendous difference. It is definitely God‘s grand design that accounts for the event that unfolded. Is it animal’s instinct or God’s intervention?

The elephant’ journey from their habitat to pay respect to their rescuer & friend who passed away suddenly. How did they know? They observed the vigil & even fasted. Remember these are wild elephants.

Lawrence Anthony, a legend in South Africa and author of 3 books including the bestseller, “The Elephant Whisperer,” bravely rescued wildlife and rehabilitated elephants all over the globe from human atrocities, including the courageous rescue of Baghdad Zoo animals during US invasion in 2003.

On March 7, 2012, Lawrence Anthony died.

He is remembered and missed by his wife, 2 sons, 2 grandsons and numerous elephants. Two days after his passing, the wild elephants showed up at his home led by two large matriarchs. Separate wild herds arrived in droves to say goodbye to their beloved man-friend.

A total of 31 elephants had patiently walked over 12 miles to get to his South African house.

Elephant Herd

Witnessing this spectacle, humans were obviously in awe, not only because of the supreme intelligence and precise timing that these elephants sensed about Lawrence ‘S passing, but also because of the profound memory and emotion the beloved animals evoked in such an organized way.

Walking slowly – for days – making their way in a solemn one-by-one queue from their habitat to his house.

So, how after Anthony’s death, did the reserve’s elephants — grazing miles away, in distant parts of the park — know? “A good man died suddenly,” says Rabbi Leila Gal Berner, Ph.D., “and from miles and miles away, two herds of elephants, sensing that they had lost a beloved human friend, moved in a solemn, almost ‘funereal’ procession to make a call on the bereaved family at the deceased man’s home.”

“If there ever was a time when we can truly sense the wondrous ‘interconnectedness of all beings, it is when we reflect on the elephants of Thula Thula.” A man’s heart stops, and hundreds of elephants’ hearts are grieving. This man’s oh-so-abundantly loving heart offered healing to these elephants, and now, they came to pay loving homage to their friend.”

Lawrence’s wife, Francoise, was especially touched, knowing that the elephants had not been to his house prior to that day for well over 3 years!  But yet they knew where they were going. The elephants obviously wanted to pay their deep respects, honoring their friend who’d saved their lives – so much respect that they stayed for 2 days and 2 nights without eating anything. Then one morning, they left, making their long journey back!

There are things in this world which we may never know & understand. Call it mystery if you like.

 

 

God’s Rosebud

On By PaulLeave a comment

 

In all life’s situation, often there’s a simple solution

to every problem

If only we LET GO . . . AND LET GOD.

Let me share this beautiful story & poem to illustrate my point.

 

A new minister was walking with an older more seasoned minister

in the garden one day. Feeling a bit insecure about what God had for him to do, he was asking THE OLDER PREACHER FOR SOME ADVICE.

The older preacher walked up to a rosebush and handed the young preacher a rosebud and told him to open it without tearing off any petals.

The young preacher looked in disbelief at the older preacher

and was trying to figure out what a rosebud could possibly

have to do with his wanting to know the will of God for

his life and ministry.

But because of his great respect for the older preacher, he proceeded

to try to unfold the rose, while keeping every petal intact.

It wasn’t long before he realized how impossible this was to do.

Noticing the younger preacher’s inability to unfold the rosebud

without tearing it, the older preacher began to recite the following poem . . .

“It is only a tiny rosebud,

A flower of God’s design;

But I cannot unfold the petals

With these clumsy hands of mine.”

“The secret of unfolding flowers

Is not known to such as I.

GOD opens this flower so easily,

But in my hands they die.”

“If I cannot unfold a rosebud,

This flower of God’s design,

Then how can I have the wisdom

To unfold this life of mine?”

“So I’ll trust in God for leading

Each moment of my day.

I will look to God for guidance

In each step along the way.”

“The path that lies before me,

Only my Lord and Savior knows.

I’ll trust God to unfold the moments,

Just as He unfolds the rose.”

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

Share this beautiful message around & constantly be reminded

TO LET GO…. AND LET GOD UNFOLD YOUR LIFE.

So relax and let go and make Him the Centre of your Life. 

HAVE A GREAT DAY!

 

Forgive and Forget (Poem/Song)

On By Paul2 Comments

“Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.” – Colossians 3:13

To forgive is divine

To forget adds more shine!

O Lord, cleanse our hearts

Let us not judge people apart

Help us to show your great love to all

Whoever at our door shall call.

Christians should never hold grievances

Nor should they entertain preferences

Not just between their fellow believers

But be an example among non-believers.

Let us help lift a fellow man’s plight

When it’s more than he can bear

And his burden may be made light

If you can prove to him that you care.

Restore one another as God restores us

Forgive and forget all the hurts and the slight

Just as it’s more blessed to give

We must give more than what we receive.

Music by: Wendy Pierson

Poem/Lyrics By: Paul Chong

Copyright 1992. All Rights Reserved

“Hear and you forget; see and you remember; do and you understand . . .”

 

PSALM 103 (Bridge Over Troubled Waters)

On By Paul1 Comment
English: Bridge over Troubled Waters. The foot...
English: Bridge over Troubled Waters. The footbridge over Hurst Brook, which runs through Glossop golf course. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

“Praise the LORD, O my soul,

all my inmost being, 

praise his holy name.

Praise the LORD, O my soul,

and forgets not all his benefits-

who forgives all your sins

and heals all your diseases,

who redeems your life from the pit

and crowns you with with love and compassion,

who satisfies your desires with good things

so that your youth is renewed like the eagle.”

(Verses 1 – 5)

In this beautiful Psalm above, there are seven meaningful verbs, well chosen to instil a process of hope and positiveness . . . forgets, forgives, heals, redeems, crowns, satisfies and renewed.

When hurts roar, let your hope soar.

Your heart might be breaking,

A million pieces shattering.

Feeling’s such a delicate thing

It’s hard even with gentle mending.

A process and period of grieving

Is essential for healing.

The heart may grieve for all eternity

That’s when understanding can lift it but not pity.

Troubled waters roar with great muddy swells

Bridging it requires skill to break the spell.

For despair and despondency creep

Even while you sleep.

Your whole being becomes so engrossed

Nothing stimulates, enthusiasm’s lost.

A soothing word, a gentle hand

A listening heart and patience spent

Will calm the roar in the end.

To forgive is divine

To forget exceptionally fine.

Christ heals to redeem

Crowns and satisfies to extreme

Renewed spirit sets to spring.

© Paul Chong

Sunday, 30 May 1999

English: Bridge over non troubled waters The I...
English: Bridge over non troubled waters The Italianate gardens of Renishaw Hall. http://www.sitwell.co.uk/ (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

To be The Servant of God . . .

On By Paul4 Comments
Swaggart's confession
Swaggart’s confession (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Pastor Kong Hee

 

Know the truth & the truth shall set thee free.

The American faith in God has been eroded & destroyed, until their tens of thousands of churches with different “branches and denominations” are for the most part little more than Sunday circuses and their televangelists and top protestant mega preachers were more than happy to sell out their souls and flocks to be on the “winning” side of politics & the devil. Their flocks may complain, but when explained on the “winning” outcome, religion is no longer “politically correct”. Religion is now out of schools, public places and out of Congress.

Yet ironically, on the back of the American dollar notes, it clearly says:

In God We Trust.

Fake . . . Fraudulent . . . Fallen

(Involved in Scandals)

Take not the name of our Lord in vain . . .

In God we trust but what of men?

The past & present day religious landscape could be described as such above with the like appearance of snake oil salesmen, carpetbaggers all making the scene for the great killing. This is not only happening in America, but we are not spared either.

Yoido Full Gospel Church,Seoul

Televangelists like Jim & Tammy Bakker (conviction of bilking followers out of millions of dollars in1986 & 1991), Jimmy Swaggart (sex scandal) & now Benny Hinn (2012) – have fallen all intoxicated by money & power. They may have started out doing honourable work of saving souls, however, “the spirit is willing but the flesh is weak.”

Spaceship-like Calvary Convention Hall, Damansara Hts. Kuala Lumpur

Others like Pastor Kong Hee of City Harvest, Singapore (misappropriation of S$24 Million plus a further S$26.6 million), Tan Sri Dr Sr Pastor Prince Guneratnam of Calvary Church in Damansara Heights, Kuala Lumpur, Dr David Yonggi Cho, (formerly Paul Yonggi Cho), Yoido Full Gospel Church, Seoul, South Korea (2011), who pastored the biggest church in the world . . . all victims of GREED & lure of high living. The global list of offenders is longer than your arms.

Dr David Yonggi Cho (Formerly Paul Yonggi Cho)

The ones named above are familiar by their frequent appearances on Australian Sunday TV Channels.

In God we Trust

Do we give the same due respect for human?

Mass perception, captive audiences . . . being gullible . . . Christian followers are like sheep to be led to be slaughtered.

Faith healer . . . or fake healer

Benny Hinn – Televangelist & Faith Healer

Here’s A CBC documentary on Benny Hinn 
released in YouTube on May 31, 2012 by ‪cpmcd2000: http://youtu.be/ZlNTALOChRc.

Who can be like John Wesley, a great evangelist of the 18th Century, Christ personified – a humble person well worthy to qualify to be in the service of God :

Born in 1703 was one of the great evangelists of the 18th Century.

In 1731 he began to limit his expenses so that he would have more money to give to the poor. In the first year his income was 30 pounds and he found he could live on 28 and so gave away two.  In the second year his income doubled but he held his expenses even, and so he had 32 pounds to give away (a comfortable year’s income). In the third year his income jumped to 90 pounds and he gave away 62 pounds.

In his long life, Wesley’s annual income advanced to as high as 1,400 pounds . But he rarely let his expenses rise above 30 pounds. He said that he seldom had more than 100 pounds in his possession at any one time. This so baffled the English Tax Commissioners that they investigated him in 1776, insisting that for a man of his income he must have silver dishes that he was not paying excise tax on. He wrote them, “I have two silver spoons at London and two at Bristol. This is all the plate I have at present, and I shall not buy any more while so many round me want bread.”

When he died in 1791 at the age of 87 the only money mentioned in his will was the coins to be found in his pockets and dresser. Most of the 30,000 pounds he had earned in his life had been given away. He wrote, “I cannot help leaving my books behind me whenever God calls me hence; but in every other respect, my own hands will be my executors. In other words, I will put a control on my spending myself, and I will go beyond the tithe for the sake of Christ and his kingdom.”

Such was John Wesley – a man of “poverty”, humility, downright honest & sincere to be a shining example for the likes of Benny Hinn, Tan Sri Dr Sr Pastor Prince Guneratnam, Dr David Yonggi Cho and last but not least our Singapore neighbour Pastor Kong Hee.

In God’s service, be established & accomplished

To thy own self be diminished

Contributing/Co-Writer: Pastor Charles Christano (Retired, Indonesia)

Reminiscing & Reflecting

On By Paul2 Comments

 

Life is worth the living

Though it may be fleeting

Three scores or more would slip you by

Rejoice in the Lord always as the years go by.

Kids say the most refreshing things in their own ways to make

you realise interestingly of their innocence.

My young grandson, Nathanael (4), asked me once upon wishing me Happy Birthday. He asked me how old I was, and I told him, 74. My grandson was quiet for a moment, and then asked,”Did you start at 1?”

Yes, one day, one week, one month, one year . . . but where did all the years go? Is our life’s journey merely a doomed destination? Were we born to die? Realistically, from the womb to the tomb, there’s but one room – 3 by 6 by 6 . . . it’s a dreaded hole for most to inter our flesh & bones. But then, we can look ascendingly unto Heaven to meet our Maker & God. Be prepared for that glorious day when we all must bid farewell to our loved ones & friends.

If you are not sure of your age, as old people tend to become forgetful, listen to this. “Look in your underwear, Grandpa,” my grandson would advise “Mine says I’m 4 to 6.” That is, if you are still wearing underwear!

Talking of birthdays, the more you have . . . the longer you are going to live. We should rejoice and celebrate as the years go by & let our doctors worry about our chronological age . . . it’s just a number.

Funny, we seniors are beginning to attend more funerals than birthday or wedding parties. It’s a morbid thought. It’s so sad to see your loved ones & buddies go when the use-by date expires. There’s no coming back. It’s a journey of no return. AsEtienne de Grellet (1773 – 1855) would say: “I shall pass through this world but once. Any good, therefore, I can do or any kindness that I can show to any fellow creature, let me do it now. Let me not defer nor neglect it, for I shall not pass this way again.”

There’s enough of dying as it is without having dominant world leaders adding it on with senseless wars. What does war achieve?

 

Stop the wars!

Stop killing one another

To what end & purpose?

Let’s all live harmoniously

&

Appreciate what God has given us!

All nations can survive & prosper without having to dominate!

TOMORROW is NEVER Promised

On By Paul2 Comments
Alone at Sunset/ryndws 

Let’s begin TODAY with a heart of gold

Even though you have a broken soul

Before we meet God for all eternity

May you have love, peace & charity!

Usually in the quiet hours of the morning or late into the night (or rather in the unholy hours of the night), I would have my quiet moments, solitude . . . moments to ponder & contemplate. Very often too when I’m having the “writer’s block” . . . lacking inspiration to write, I would look on to Perth City’s lights from my humble dwelling place . . . and there as with the sparkle of city’s lights, ideas begin to flow & inspiration grow.

This morning was different. At about 6.00, I received this beautiful email from a dear old friend “Roger” (his nick name known only to me) whom I joyfully caught up with after an absence of a lapse of over 40 years. I thought that rather than forwarding it through the usual emailing channel, I could share this with friends far & wide, distant or near, old or new, young & old, male or female in my WordPress blog.

As with the golden sun  in the evening setting

There’s no assurance of the rising in the dawn awakening!

May I suggest that as you read every line, ponder deep & hard, memorise & internalise as with all the good years of your life . . 

tomorrows-never-promised

TOMORROW is NEVER PROMISED . . .

One day a woman’s husband died, and on that clear, cold morning, in the warmth of their bedroom, the wife was struck with the pain of learning that sometimes there isn’t “anymore”. No more hugs, no more special moments to celebrate together, no more phone calls just to chat, no more “just one minute.” Sometimes, what we care about the most gets all used up and goes away, never to return before we can say good-bye, say “I love you.”

So while we have it, it’s best we love it, care for it, fix it when it’s broken and heal it when it’s sick. This is true for marriage . . . And old cars . . . And children with bad report cards, and dogs with bad hips, and aging parents and grandparents. We keep them because they are worth it, because we are worth it.

Some things we keep — like a best friend who moved away or a sister-in-law after divorce. There are just some things that make us happy, no matter what.

Life is important, like people we know who are special. And so, we keep them close!

I received this from someone who thought I was a ‘keeper’! Then I sent it to the people I think of in the same way . . . Now it’s your turn to send this to all those people who are “keepers” in your life, including the person who sent it, if you feel that way. Suppose one morning you never wake up, do all your friends know you love them?

I was thinking . . . I could die today, tomorrow or next week, and I wondered if I had any wounds needing to be healed, friendships that needed rekindling or three words needing to be said.

Let every one of your friends know you love them. Even if you think they don’t love you back, you would be amazed at what those three little words and a smile Jcan do. And just in case I’m gone tomorrow.

I LOVE YA!!!

Source: iuli72an
TehSext
Source: Alraunie
Source: donjuki

End not in loneliness & solitude

Live not a life of bitterness & unforgiveness

LET GO & LET GOD RULE YOUR SOUL!

The Ultimate Sacrifice of a Mother’s Love

On By Paul1 Comment

Dear Richard,

When I read this message that you thoughtfully shared with me via email, tears just filled my eyes. In fact, I sobbed . . . and I had never been so touched by any story (true or otherwise). Such a TRUE story ought to be shared globally. I will use this story in my blog to tell the world of the basic goodness of mankind . . . that great emotion we loosely called LOVE . . . in the manner that in this DNA age we have lost its essential meaning!

God Bless

Paul

On 27/03/2012, at 1:01 AM, Richard Tay wrote:

A mother’s Love For Her Child Knows No Bounds . . .

This is a true story of a Mother’s sacrifice during the China Earthquake. 

A Mother’s Herart Under Heaven

After the earthquake had subsided, when the rescuers reached the ruins of a young woman’s house, they saw her dead body through the cracks. But her pose was somehow strange that she knelt on her knees like a person was worshipping; her body was leaning forward, and her two hands were supporting by an object. The collapsed house had crashed her back and her head.

With so many difficulties, the leader of the rescuer team put his hand through a narrow gap on the wall to reach the woman’s body. He was hoping that this woman could be still alive. However, the cold and stiff body told him that she had passed away for sure.

He and the rest of the team left this house and were going to search the next collapsed building. For some reason, the team leader was driven by a compelling force to go back to the ruin house of the dead woman. Again, he knelt down and used his hand through the narrow cracks to search the little space under the dead body. Suddenly, he screamed with excitement,  “A child! There is a child!”The whole team worked together; carefully they removed the piles of ruined objects around the dead woman. There was a 3 months old little boy wrapped in a flowery blanket under his mother’s dead body. Obviously, the woman had made an ultimate sacrifice to save her son. When her house was falling, she used her body to make a cover to protect her son. The little boy was still sleeping peacefully when the team leader picked him up.The medical doctor came quickly to examine the little boy. After he opened the blanket, he saw a cell phone inside the blanket. There was a text message on the screen. It said, “If you can survive, you must remember that I love you.” This cell phone was passed around from one hand to another. Everyone that read the message wept.

“If you can survive, you must remember that I love you.”

Such is the mother’s love for her child!

Here’s another touching story in nature depicting a mother’s love . . .

After a forest fire in Yellowstone National Park, forest rangers began their trek up a mountain to assess the inferno’s damage. One ranger found a bird literally petrified in ashes, perched statuesquely on the ground at the base of a tree. Somewhat sickened by the eerie sight, he knocked over the bird with a stick. When he gently struck it, three tiny chicks scurried from under their dead mother’s wings. The loving mother, keenly aware of impending disaster, had carried her offspring to the base of the tree and had gathered them under her wings, instinctively knowing that the toxic smoke would rise. She could have flown to safety but had refused to abandon her babies. Then the blaze had arrived and the heat had scorched her small body, the mother had remained steadfast…because she had been willing to die, so those under the cover of her wings would live.

‘He will cover you with His feathers, And under His wings you will find refuge.’ (Psalm 91:4)