Blessed Good Friday & Happy Resurrection Sunday

Blessed Good Friday and

Happy Resurrection Sunday

to all my family, friends and fellow bloggers

Astonishing Folly

This article has been taken from here.

Astonishing Folly
Anti-Christian Britain

April 6, 2009

As you may know, in Islamic countries such as Afghanistan, converting from Islam to Christianity is a crime punishable by death. While they don’t go that far, certain Indian states and Nepal erect formidable hurdles for would-be converts to Christianity.

And then there’s the United Kingdom.

In 2007, a 16-year-old girl was placed into foster care after being assaulted by a family member. Her foster mother had taken care of 80 foster kids over 10 years. She rented a farmhouse and was, by all accounts, completely committed to the well-being of the children placed under her care.

She is also a practicing Anglican Christian. This hadn’t been a problem. No one had ever accused her of taking advantage of her relationship to the girls for proselytizing.

The same is true of the 16-year-old in question. Still, the girl became interested in Christianity on her own; said that she wanted to attend church; and expressed a desire to be baptized. For the girl, baptism was a “washing away of the horrible things she had been through and a symbol of a new start.”

Well, that’s when the fur flew. You see, the girl was born a Muslim, and her baptism is regarded by Muslims as apostasy. If you’re thinking “so what? It’s not Afghanistan,” think again. But this is Britain, where a Christian nurse was recently suspended for offering to pray for her patients.

Thus, when the girl’s case manager learned about her baptism, she “flew into a rage.” Even though the foster mother hadn’t encouraged the girl’s interest in Christianity, she was removed from the list of foster care providers. A child who was in her custody was removed and she “lost the farmhouse she rented to look after vulnerable teenagers, due to the loss of income.”

Even more outrageously, government officials told the girl to stay way from church for six months!

To their credit, neither the foster mother nor the girl passively accepted the rulings. The foster mother has, with the assistance of Britain’s Christian Institute, challenged her removal, and the girl is supporting her efforts.

A spokesman for the Institute called the right to “to change or modify [one’s] religious beliefs” a “core human right in any free society.” He added that he couldn’t imagine an atheist foster parent being removed if “a Christian child in her care stopped believing in God.”

Beyond the double standard, there’s a tragic irony at work here. As journalist Peter Glover wrote in First Things, Britain's “growing crime rate and out-of-control teenage pregnancies” has created “national anxiety” among Brits.

At the same time, as these cases illustrate, government and media elites have instituted a “determined program to abolish the influence of Christianity.” Brits shouldn’t be “astonished that a culture that set out to devalue its values should find itself awash in crime, sex, and social discord.”

And a country where government officials forbid a girl from going to church has clearly forgotten what makes social accord possible in the first place.

Joyce Meyer & Hillsong in Chiang Mai, Thailand - Part 1

I went to Joyce Meyer & Hillsong, Festival of Life in Chiang Mai with a friend's church. They rented two 11-seater van which was very comfortable. There were many pee stops and we still managed to reach within a reasonable timing.


The first night, there were to be a concert by Hillsong & local church groups.

A group photo with the gang


The MC for the night



One of the local band.... wearing cowboy hats...


Gsus7 team members which consist of mostly girls... Sorry for the blur photo. That's the best shot of them.

Joyce Meyer didn't preach the first night. There were at least 3 local church bands which led in praise and worship. One of the band was a famous Christian local band named Gsus7. They even have their own recording albums. Good singers and good looking guys/girls. It was mostly in Thai and unfamiliar songs. So, I didn't really enjoy the first night.

Well, what do you know... I managed to snap a photo with Hillsong co-songleader and guitarist

The stadium was packed with mostly Thai and some foreigners, like me

This is my first time attending a live Hillsong concert. I didn't really know what to expect. I am not the very expressive type who jumps with fast and loud beat songs. In fact, I found their music a little too loud for my ears. Then again, what do you expect? Hillsong caters for the young people. Well, I am young... in the heart, anyway. It didn't really help that I was way near the front of the stage. Understanding the consequences of that, I had some cotton in my ears... ;-)


I was really blessed seeing the stadium being so crowded with people praising and worship all together. There were easily 10,000 people, if not more.


The weather was very beautifully cool... where is my blanket? Grrrrggghhh... *shivers*

Where is Your Wisdom?

Our church is very friendly to newcomers and first time visitors. That was how I first met him. He was visiting our Church and being Malaysians, its a double joy. Thereafter, we met again for 1-2 more times when he returned to Church. In totality, maybe 2-3 times.


He has skyped me every now and then. We chatted briefly. The other day, he skyped and following is the exact conversation...


Him: I guess it is better for you all to go back to Malaysia...not really safe here.

Me: You think?

Him: Yes...based on thai news

Me: I think we should stay to be a blessing in this trouble times than running for shelter in Malaysia

Him: It is all depend on you...as there will be civil war soon...moreover, you are not Thai...you are Malaysia. your home is not shelter....it is your real home

Me: Well, we should pray against that. Home is where the Lord leads us. If the Lord wants us to leave, we will. For the moment, we have no such leading

Him: i guess that it is up to you...the Lord give you wisdom...if you don't use it...it is like Israel never listen to Moses during the beginning

Me: Thanks for your warning

Him: moreover, never easy to get a job in Thailand...economy already down....it is better for you all to seek a job in Indonesia

Me: I rebuke those words in the name of Jesus. My God is a big God. His providence does not depend on economy of the world

Him: you can rebuke...self elegant. you didn't really read my report properly

Me: I rebuke the negative declaration. Not you

Him: there is a warning that Jesus, Daniel and Isaiah had warn.

Me: Power of life and death in the words of our lips. By faith we speak. By faith it will come to pass

Him: having Faith is good...stronger the better...but God give wisdom. where is your wisdom. God only bless those who move by wisdom


I couldn't believe what I read.

Firstly, declaring civil war on Thailand before it actually happened. I know heaps and heaps of Christians, including myself, in Thailand who is praying for peace and the situations in Thailand. Janice for one didn't make it for Ethaniel's party because she was having a prayer meeting with some others for the peace of Thailand. And we have this so called Pastor declaring civil war!

Secondly, he is asking us to return to our home country because of the upcoming civil war. So, does it apply to all expats? Then, he should have sent out notices to all people who are non-Thai to return home. Including him.

Thirdly, (1) he is accusing me of being disobedient unto God as Israel has been towards Moses. (2) Being self-elegant (3) Being a fool and not using my wisdom... Just because I am still in Bangkok and not obeying his warnings.


If he really thinks that his report is true, it still has to be confirmed. Which country is not facing problems?

1 Corinthians 14:32 (King James Version) " And the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets."

So, has anyone confirmed it? Anyone can go around saying that they have heard from God and still not be subjected to a Prophet/Pastor/Church. Even Cindy Jacob, the well known prophetess attends a Church and is accountable to her Pastor Dutch Sheet.

Because we don't know the whole picture! If someone claims he knows it all, then we have to be very careful of people like that.

1 Corinthians 13:9 (New Living Translation) "Now our knowledge is partial and incomplete, and even the gift of prophecy reveals only part of the whole picture! "

To summarize, I am wary when people, no matter who they are or how important they think they are, begin to insist their words are biblical truth. I have been a Christian for a long time, I know my bible and what it says. I also have many godly Rev, Pastors, Missionaries and friends and none of them are as manipulative and controlling, just because they have received a vision and prophecy from God. Its a spirit of Jezebel!

1 John 4:1 Dear friends, do not believe everyone who claims to speak by the Spirit. You must test them to see if the spirit they have comes from God. For there are many false prophets in the world.

Prophecy by Cindy Jacob

You might recall that I went for the Cindy Jacob seminar a few weeks ago from 13 to 15 Nov 2008. I have been meaning to type out her prophecy over Thailand but the procrastinator in me took over. I was so glad when a friend emailed it to me... Thanks Doreen.

I want to share the prophecy with you.

************************

I Am Coming Like A Mighty Rushing Wind. There is a Pentecost coming – with Wind and Fire, bringing a Great Reformation to change things as if in a day. Look to South Thailand. Revival is beginning to burn in South Thailand. The glory of God is upon South Thailand. Send workers - there will be many miracles - the lame will walk, the blind will see, the deaf will hear, village after village will be coming to the Lord. The Fire will burn from the North and the fire will burn from the South and will burn toward the Central.

The number of believers in Thailand is doubling and doubling. God is sending Revival to this Nation. This is Harvest Time.

This is the Land flowing with milk and honey. There will be more shaking but don’t be afraid. The Lord will bring Josiah Reforming generation. I have surprises for you. I am doing a new thing, roads in the wilderness. There will be a great Economic Reformation coming to Thailand, Great Wealth and spirit of innovation in young men and women. Don’t be discouraged in great shaking.

Entering a Decade of Harvest

Entering a Decade of Harvest : In 2009, it will begin. In 2010, Fire begins in fullblown. 2010-2020, I will fill this nation. More churches will be planted, more than in all the years before.

I will fill the universities with My Fire and Glory. There will be revival among university students, a Great Jesus Movement. It will burn like fire - North-South-East-West. Begin to pray for the universities.

But the secret of my power is in the children. There is power in children. The 3 year olds and 10 year olds will be used to totally transform Thailand.

Thailand will officially connect with Israel which will be done on governmental basis. When this is done, blessing of God will come like never before.

Prepare in 2009 with Daniels and Josephs bringing about market place revival. A shift and change are coming. Many people will come and ask “How did you hear God about this Reformation in Thailand?” Because Thailand will be A Shining Stars for Reformation in Asia.

Words require actions, engage the word. This is a season of full circle – things that were never finished; finish it now. Make your dreams happen. You have one year (2009) to prepare for the Decade of the Harvest. Prepare regional evangelists. There will be revival in all sectors, great transfer of wealth, wisdom and revelation.

There will be Secular Media Revival. Thailand is called to make film and T.V. God will give you money for your dreams. There will be Revival through film, entertainment industry, prophetic mantle on secular media.

The Lord says, I am going to expose great sin in the coming days from the top to the bottom. I am coming with my refiner’s fire.But do not be afraid of the fire, but welcome it. Because I am going to purge My Church. After I finish the purging, I am going to purge the Nation. The Lord says the reason you can not solve the problems of the government is My government needs to be established in the church first.

The Lord says, if you will become a holy church and if you will preach on holiness, I will solve the problems of the nation, says God. And the Lord says, I will vindicate the innocent. But I will convict the guilty. The Lord says, the fear of the Lord is going to start falling on the church in Thailand. It is coming to convict people of God

You write it down. God is very serious about this. He is giving some of you a season to repent. If you repent I will protect you. If you do not repent you are going down.

*******************************

There is such a calling upon Thailand. I’m telling you, a call to preach the gospel to the ends of the earth. This is a new wineskin for Thailand. Father God, there are many here that are being stirred today. That will have a visitation for the nations. Ask of me the nations.

Father God, for the pastors here, you are going to send out armies of missionaries to the ends of the earth. Father God, the call to evangelize Asia, Africa, Europe, North America, Australia. Father God, I thank you right now, send out millions. The Lord just says the numbers of missionaries per capita from Thailand will be amazing.

The Lord shows me that people used to say, well the Africans are going everywhere to preach. Now it will be the Thai – they are going everywhere to preach the gospel. Hundreds of missionaries will preach the gospel all the way back to Jerusalem.

Father, give us a heart for the lost. Let us preach to those no one cares about, but You care about them. To the millions of people in Central Asia that do not know you ever lived, Jesus. Let God give you a fresh passion. Pray to the Lord of the Harvest, send out laborers from Thailand, O God. For Burma, Malaysia,Hong Kong, Laos, Vietnam, Cambodia. Don’t think of yourself that you need missionaries, you be the missionaries.

Holy Spirit. Right now…The Lord says, Prepare language schools for your youth. Prepare to teach the Thai youth the language of the nations of the earth. Prepare them to go to English speaking nations. Prepare them to go to Spanish speaking nations. I see a wave of leadership from Thailand to Europe to re-evangelize Europe. I see many Asian leaders going to Germany, the land of Reformation. To go to France, to go to Austria. Do you know there are more Christians in Mongolia than in Austria? The fields are white with harvest.

Ask God to use you. Use me, use me in some way, God. You might be a business person who will do business with Europe. Ask God to show you a way to touch nations that need the fire of Christ.

O Lord, Send the fire, send the fire upon us God. We need the Holy Spirit’s fire once again. Lord, send the fire like the Salvation Army had in England, they would change the nation. We need William Booths who started the Salvation Army. We need those who are willing to suffer the reproach of men to preach the gospel

This may be unusual for a morning meeting but I want to say, have you lost your fire? Has your passion for Jesus grown dim? Do you love him as much today as you did when you were first born again. Ask God to send fire into your heart. Have you lost your fervor. If you have ever loved God more yesterday than today, the fire has grown dim. Say send the fire God, come on say it.

Send the fire, we want a Holy Spirit visitation, fire for the nations, fire for souls.

Thank you Lord, you love the lost. Ask for more fire. Put your hand on your heart, God, light my heart aflame for you. Send the fire into me first God send the fire. Holy Spirit, baptize them with fire. Baptize us with fire. We want to change nations. Thank you Lord. Tell the Lord, use me, use me, use me to change my nation. Use me to change the nations of the earth.

Now the Lord wants to give you new vision for souls

How many souls do you want for the gospel?

Ask Him how many souls you want….

(Notes Taken and Transcribed By Melinda, Helen, Joy, Anna and Caro)

Cindy Jacob Live from Thailand

I have been going for the Cindy Jacob seminar since yesterday. From about 8.30am to 9.30pm with a few breaks in between. The sessions has been a tremendous blessing and I have been really encouraged.


She is indeed a mighty woman of God doing great things in many nations. When I hear the stories about her talking and prophesying to Presidents all over the world, I was amazed!


The hi-tech thing is that, if you are missing the sessions, you can go online to www.lmmthai.org to watch it live. The sessions timing at local thai time would be 8.30am to 12pm, 1pm to 4pm and then the evening session is at 6.30pm to 9.00pm.


15 Nov, Sat is the last day. Don't forget to catch it!

Cindy Jacob Seminar

Cindy Jacob is a very famous Prophetess and Intercessor. I heard from Mary that she will be in Bangkok. Heard a lot about her... So, I am so interested to go to her seminar.


If you are in Bangkok and keen to attend her seminar, following are the details:


Date: 13-15 Nov 2008 (Thursday to Saturday)

Venue: Jaisamarn Church, Ramkhamhaeng Soi 68

Time: 8.30 am to 4pm

Cost: THB800

Inquiry: 081-9193122



Evening revival meetings are free from 6.30pm to 9pm.


Don't miss it!

Blessed Resurrection Sunday

I would like to wish all my Families and Friends a very Blessed Resurrection Sunday.

We celebrated Resurrection Sunday by going to church and after that we went for lunch with Sean, Ong, Jennifer, CY & family and our family.

It was nice to be able to spend Resurrection Sunday with the people we have grown close to since we arrived in Bangkok.

We went to a new restaurant. The owners are Taiwanese. So, the food is very Taiwanese, obviously.

Name of the restaurant

Seaweed

Cannot remember its name... "Pau" with soup and meat as fillings

Pancake

There were many other dishes but I did not get good photos of it.

Hope that you had a wonderful Resurrection Sunday too!

Blessed Good Friday!

Today is Good Friday. The day that Jesus was crucified on the cross and died for our sins.


Send this eCard !


I thought that my children and I will do something different, rather than the normal homeschooling which we do everyday. How about watching the show The Passion of The Christ, DVD together? I have not watch it since it was screened in the cinema in Malaysia... That could have easily been 4 years ago. Joel has seen it but not Ethaniel.

Joel was reluctant to watch it because he remembered how sad it was.... I told him that its not whether he liked the show or not but rather to remember what Jesus has done for us. So, at last he agreed to watch it.

When I first watched the show, 4 years ago (I think), it was a life transforming experience. I never took Communion without remembering what Jesus had to go through for me, vividly. And how easy I have it.. . The price was paid, not by me but by HIM. Its free for me because He paid the "bill". Its was very difficult to watch what Jesus went through in the descriptive movie but I am sure its even MORE DIFFICULT for him to EXPERIENCE the pain and shame.

Joel, Ethaniel and I was in tears. Ethaniel was crying and had to reach out for a towel, the tissue was not enough for him. Joel was covering his face at certain scenes. You can't watch the movie without crying. It's just impossible. Why? Because He did it for ME. He had to go through those painful, bloody and shameful moments, for ME. Some of us can't even wash plates for someone we love, not to mention DIE and... SUFFER, while at it. BADLY.

Do I wish for Jesus to go through the crucifixion again and again? Of course, NO! What a silly question. Duh? But according to Romans 6, if we continue to sin, we are crucifying Jesus all over again.. and again... Because when we Jesus died for us on the cross, sin has no power over us.

Romans 6

¹What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound?

²God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?

³Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?

⁴Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.

⁵For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection:

⁶Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.

⁷For he that is dead is freed from sin.

⁸Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him:

⁹Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over him.

¹⁰For in that he died, he died unto sin once: but in that he liveth, he liveth unto God.

¹¹Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.

¹²Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof.

¹³Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God.

¹⁴For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.

¹⁵What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid.

¹⁶Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?

¹⁷But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you.

¹⁸Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness.

¹⁹I speak after the manner of men because of the infirmity of your flesh: for as ye have yielded your members servants to uncleanness and to iniquity unto iniquity; even so now yield your members servants to righteousness unto holiness.

²⁰For when ye were the servants of sin, ye were free from righteousness.

²¹What fruit had ye then in those things whereof ye are now ashamed? for the end of those things is death.

²²But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life.

²³For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Have a Blessed Good Friday and a meaningful time pondering on the goodness of our Lord Jesus Christ!

Prayer of Blessings

I have been having problems with Eve (not her real name) for almost 6 months. I am not sure what I did which made her upset. It happened when she came for a holiday in Bangkok.

I was very puzzled and even had a few sleepless nights thinking about it. Of course I felt hurt because I have tried my best to be nice to her and couldn't think of any logical reason how our relationship could turn sour overnight! Thinking that the situation might improve by itself, I did not confront the situation. Unfortunately it did not go away...

After many months, I decided to call her and I did, 2 days ago. It was a simple conversation but I felt so much peace. As if something in the spiritual realm had broken through, for me.

In the last 6 months, I forgaved, asked for forgiveness but I still did not have peace. Just few days before the phone call, I was reading the book, "The Power of Spoken Blessings" by Bill Gottard. It says, to pray for the person or enemies and whoever you are encountering problems or struggles. I did. After that, I felt a change of heart. Its difficult to explain the feelings... A sense of freedom... That was when I had the courage to make the phone call.

So, it does work. In the bible, it says, to pray for our enemies. I think its for the benefit of us, not only the other person. Something happens which we do not understand in the spiritual realm.

You see, the principles of God does not change. Doesn't matter who is right or wrong but we need to make peace with EVERYONE. When we do the right thing, God will bless us. Doesn't matter if the other person doesn't accept or bless us in return. Just do the right thing, anyway. Its difficult to humble ourselves to make the first move but when we sow peace, we shall reap peace. Of course, when we sow jealousy, anger, hatred, unforgiveness, etc. we will also reap bountifully. There are enough hurts all around us, let us be the one who sows peace for 2008.