What do you think?

reading this post written long time ago...
http://sungguh-nyata.blogspot.com/2011/04/blind-faith.html

hmm... and was thinking about this thing called, "FAITH", yet again...

What is faith?


When i was reading this portion of Bible, in the book of Hebrews, saying,
"now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see... This is what the ancients were commended for."
"...by faith we understand that the universe was formed at God's command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible..." (Hebrews 11:1-2 NIV)

"The fundamental fact of existence is that this trust in God, this faith, is the firm foundation under everything that makes life worth living. It's our handle on what we can't see. The act of faith is what distinguished our ancestors, set them above the crowd."
"By faith, we see the world called into existence by God's word, what we see created by what we don't see." (The Message)

"Faith is the confidence that what we hope for will actually happen; it gives us assurance about things we cannot see. Through their faith, the people in days of old earned a good reputaion."
"By faith we understand that the entire universe was formed at God's command, that what we now see did not come from anything that can be seen." (New Living Translation)

"Iman adalah dasar dari segala sesuatu yang kita harapkan dan bukti dari segala sesuatu yang tidak kita lihat. Sebab oleh imanlah telah diberikan kesaksian kepada nenek moyang kita."
"Karena iman kita mengerti, bahwa alam semesta telah dijanjikan oleh firman Allah, sehingga apa yang kita lihat telah terjadi dari apa yang tidak dapat kita lihat." (Alkitab Terjemahan Baru)


"信 就 是 所 望 之 事 的 实 底 ， 是 未 见 之 事 的 确 据 。古 人 在 这 信 上 得 了 美 好 的 证 据 。

我 们 因 着 信 ， 就 知 道 诸 世 界 是 藉 神 话 造 成 的 ； 这 样 ， 所 看 见 的 ， 并 不 是 从 显 然 之 物 造 出 来 的 。" (Chinese Union Version - Simplified)


Probably because I was thinking about "FAITH" as something which can be felt, tasted, smelled, known that I would know it with my physical senses? Trying to imagine what is FAITH is, with my mind...

or because it's so intriguing that it makes me wanna figure it out, like,
'how is this faith works?... especially in terms of prayer, repentance, miracle working, spiritual gifts... in pleasing God... in seeing things which are unseen to naked eyes... how? why? and what is is thing called faith is...'


hmm... then, I read it again and again... and it came down to one simple thing... 'just believing' and continue to believe all those things which we don't seem to understand at first or perhaps not even until the second coming of Jesus Christ!

Believing... what is laid far far beyond my naked eyes, far far beyond my imagination, my mind...
Believing... what has been revealed to me, to my heart (to the point that which I would go like, 'yes, this is it... I chose to believe it...)

Hanging on...
Believing and continue to believe... even until your death!

That's what the accounts of people of faith which follow the first three verses in Hebrews 11...
"Because of faith..."
"Karena iman..."

then I remember, in Habakuk 2:4, it says,
"..but the righteous person will live by his faithfulness..." (NIV)
"..but the just will live by his faith.." (KJV)
"..tetapi orang yang benar itu akan hidup oleh percayanya.." (Alkitab TB)

"...one man will live by what he believes in and continue to live in it, walk in it until the end..."
At least, that's what I was thinking as I ponder on the subject of faith...

It's like when a man puts 'I wanna be a successful man in career' as his goal, and he works hard throughout his life, solely to achieve that goal, seeing that one day he will be a manager/CEO owning a property, having a family (depending on his definition of being successful), and believing that he will reach that goal...
that's how he hold onto his dream, goal, belief, vision of future and live on his life...

So, looking it in the context of 'religion'... i suppose that's how 'FAITH' is...
and if, let's say someone who considered to be atheist, doesn't believe in a cosmic deity, a god, a creator... having this 'goal' or 'foresight' of this future where he will be in and works towards it... and he really persevere regardless of the obstacles... and he did it, because he hold onto that future he envisioned...

then, being a people of certain faith, ok let's put it this way, a people of THE FAITH...
we chose to believe what we're taught to believe...
we live by what we chose to believe..
we act by the way we live..

... so, what is the thing which you've chosen to believe in and hold onto, for so long... for eternity?...

is it... FREEDOM?

is it... FORGIVENESS?

is it... REST? (not rest as in R.I.P.)

is it... simply living a LIFE?

and, I'm thinking... what is the thing I foresee in the future, or even now, in this 'religion'?

FAITH in what?

A Call to All Malaysians (Lim Guan Eng)

Since Merdeka, two million Malaysians have migrated overseas because they do not see a future for themselves and for Malaysia . It is time that we don't live in our past that is filled with hatred and fear. We should look to the future filled with hope and harmony between all Malaysians.

To put the past behind us, we must stop the politics of race and religion.

To put the past behind us, we must end corruption.

To put the past behind us, we must abolish the suppression, oppression, repression of our basic human rights and freedoms.

To put the past behind us, we must demand good governance and performance from our ministers.

To attain peace Malaysians must stand united and reject those who wish to divide us by preaching racial and religious hatred. If we want to benefit from equal opportunities and realize our human potential we must stop extremists from continually degrading others as inferiors so as to uplift ourselves. Why should Allah not be allowed to be used in the Bible when it is used in the Middle East ?

We can only achieve harmony together. Despite our differences and diversity, Malaysians can make our common aspirations of freedom, justice, democracy and truth come true if we remember key values.

That it is not who we are that is important, but what we are that is important; not the colour of our skin that is important but the content of our character; and not our past ancestry that is important but how we connect with the present and with each other to face the future.

We can only be prosperous together. The time has come to focus on the economy, in employment, education and business opportunities as the conditions for prosperity. We must build human talent and be performance-based.

For those who say that PR do not know how to govern, the 4 PR states of Penang, Selangor, Kedah and Kelantan have proven our ability by beating the other 10 BN states by attracting RM25 billion in investments comprising 53% of Malaysia 's total investments of RM47.2 billion in 2010. For the first time in history, Penang is now the new champion of investments in Malaysia , coming out top in 2010 with RM 12.2 billion.

To put the past behind us, we must end corruption. Barisan Nasional cannot reform to end corruption. Remember, if we do not end corruption, Malaysia dies. If we end corruption, BN dies. The choice is clear.

To put the past behind us, we must abolish the suppression, oppression, repression of our basic human rights and freedom. How can we have a clean government when we do not have clean elections?

We do not want our children to live in fear of oppressive laws as we have lived. A Pakatan Rakyat government will abolish the UUCA, the Sedition Act and the Printing Presses and Publications Act and restore local government elections.

When can we find justice for Teoh Beng Hock, Ahmad Sarbani and A Kugan? When will we have Freedom of Information & Freedom of Speech? When can we have justice that is not only done, but is seen to be done.

To put the past behind us, we demand good governance and performance from our ministers. Malaysia can be an international and intelligent country. We must have digital intelligence with broadband connectivity. We must also have integrity intelligence, so ensure that only honest people are the decision-makers. We must have institutional intelligence under the rule of law. We demand good governance and performance from our ministers.

Has the Transport Ministry done its duty to run our airports and seaports well?

Look at the Penang International Airport whose completion has been delayed more than 3 times. And the Penang Port is to be reduced to be a feeder port and privatized to a 3rd party at the expense of Penangites. Why is there no consultation with the people of Penang to restore the port to its former glory? Instead of looking after airports and ports, the Transport Ministry is more interested in vehicle registration numbers and wants to increase the maximum traffic fines to RM2,000.

Director-General of Tourism is wrongly charged of corruption but the Tourism Minister finds nothing wrong with spending RM1.8 million in doing up her Facebook page, when we all know that it can be done for free.

The Health Ministry wants to privatise healthcare when it should be a public good given as an affordable right to all Malaysians. Why allow the wastage of public funds and affect the quality and affordability of drugs when drugs are bought through a middleman at higher prices when it could be boughtcheaper direct from the manufacturers, some of which are operating in Malaysia .

The Housing and Local Government Ministry opposes local government elections in Penang , denying our fundamental democratic right to elect our councillors and our mayors.

We believe that Malaysians deserve better. For the last 50 years, the wealth of the nation has been robbed. Let us protect the future of our children by ensuring we have a people-centric government that protects you instead of harming you, that rewards you instead of stealing from you, that respects you instead of abusing your rights. Let us clean up Malaysia to save our children's future.

We must put the past behind us where profits matters more than our health.

Lynas concerns all of us because if Lynas is allowed to operate, Barisan Nasional will proceed with building two nuclear reactors. If we continue to put health above profits, what is the use of having all the money in the world if you cannot enjoy it healthily?

The next elections shall be fought on the economy. We refuse to allow BN to use race as the issue in the next elections. We need to increase the incomes of our poor or else they will fall victims to the Ah Longs. For example,

Bank Negara's Annual Report 2010 revealed that Malaysia 's household debt at the end of 2010 was RM581 billion or 76 per cent of GDP, thus giving us the dubious honour of having the second-highest level of household debt in Asia .

In addition, the Malaysian household debt service ratio stood at 47.8 per cent in 2010, meaning that nearly half of the average family's income goes to repaying debts. As a rule, banks would not lend money to those whose total servicing of loans exceeded one third of their income. In other words, we are spiralling into an indebted nation.

According to the New Economic Model documents, the bottom 40% of Malaysian households are living with a monthly average income of RM1,500 (and three-quarters of them are bumiputera) while 60% of the households (of four persons averagely) live with a less than RM3,000 income, which is near subsistence if one lives in the cities.

These are families living in fear. We will help them live with dignity and not in fear, by increasing their incomes and cutting down their costs, with a minimum wage, getting rid of monopolies, expanding internet connectivity and encouraging creativity, innovation and productivity.

South Korea is a very good example of a nation that chose democracy, performance and freedom of opportunity to become a developed country. With a population of 48 million, its GDP per capita of USD20,000 is more than double Malaysia's. But in 1970, South Korea 's per capita GDP was only USD260 compared to Malaysia 's USD380. We used to regularly beat South Korea at football. And now our children are fans of K-pop culture and their football team are regulars at the World Cup.

Only when we free ourselves of fear of change, can we be free to prosper. BN cannot change. They need to be changed, for BN wants to rule by fear.

Thomas Jefferson said "When the governments fear the people, there is liberty. When the people fear the government, there is tyranny".

The choice is yours, my friends. I urge you - Let us change so we can have liberty and live with dignity.

*Lim Guan Eng, DAP Secretary General & MP for Bagan

HOPE, my dear Malaysia

A New Day Has Come - Celine Dion

I was waiting for so long

For a miracle to come

Everyone told me to be strong

Hold on and don't shed a tear

Through the darkness and good times

I knew I'd make it through

And the world thought I had it all

But I was waiting for You

Hush, Love

I see a light in the sky

Oh, it's almost blinding me

I can't believe

I've been touched by an angel with love

Let the rain come down and wash away my tears

Let it fill my soul and drown my fears

Let it shatter the walls for a new sun

A new day had come

Where it was dark now there's Light

Where there was pain now there's Joy

Where there was weakness, I found my Strength

All in the eyes of a boy

Hush, Love

I see a light in the sky

Oh, it's almost blinding me

I can't believe

I've been touched by an angel with love

Let the rain come down and wash away my tears

Let it fill my soul and drown my fears

Let it shatter the walls for a new sun

A new day had come

and here is one piece of prayer worth to ponder on, love it

http://www.magickriver.org/2011/07/prayer-for-land-i-love.html

to my fellow Malaysians

http://www.flickr.com/photos/56247967@N00/5934372368/in/photostream

http://www.flickr.com/photos/56247967@N00/5934257286/in/photostream

the Unsung "Bunga Raya Kuning"...

the Unsung Yellow Hibiscus...

the idea, the expression was inspired by what had happened on 9th of July 2011 (saturday) in Malaysia...

when i read the stories of my fellow Malaysians who went for the rally as to make a statement of having a clean and fair election... i cannot help myself but to have this intense feeling of 'love' towards them... i learned a word... "solidarity"...

Solidarity - unity (as of a group or class) that produces or is based on community of interests, objectives and standard (definition from the free Merriam-Webster Dictionary)

though i did go for the rally, well not even close to the huge action-packed down at the centre of Kuala Lumpur (i was at KL Sentral, with 'brother' Kevin Ngui), it was not until i read their stories that the sense of 'Saya sayang negara saya, Malaysia dan rakyatnya" getting deeper and deeper... i just wish i could tell them, in whatever way, say a hug? a simple smile or a bow? how they had inspire me to love more than i ever will be.

when i was with the crowd at KL Sentral, even for a short while we 'marched', for a brief moment my heart was struck with a strange feeling, it was like warmth of love? loving as well as being loved? ... and my eyes saw the crowd walking together (most of them are Malays here), oh~~~

i wanted to cry!

"Thank You Lord, for all this... for today... for Your love upon this country and her people... they are just lovely..."

it was like wanting to stop and fall on the ground and cry my heart out in thankfulness?

and go around and hug them? and say 'i love you'?

but it was also this other side of feeling that is like...

"oh Malaysia, kenapa sampai terjadinya hari ini... until the rakyat have to come out and march as a call for 'clean & fair election', ultimately FREEDOM... all this while you are of the peaceful and quiet one, but today you're shaken, struggling to break free? ... the silence is now broken..."

what happened in Egypt, Syria etc is no longer a tv news from a distance...

it is happening NOW in this peaceful country... Malaysia...

it's like the myth of Malaysia being 'always a peaceful nation', is no longer the myth...

and the people...

Your cries...

Your tears...

Your struggle to be FREE...

Your fight and effort to make a better Malaysia...

you are like never in the sight of others, never noticed? perhaps the others chose not to bother about you...

Being denied...

BUT, though your walk that day was only about a few hours,

you have already spread out the semangat "Saya cinta Malaysia"...

on the streets...

right through the tv and monitor screen...

and by your own stories...

and thus the Bunga Raya Kuning...

your brightness will continue to shine across this land of yours...

in the darkness, now that you have blossomed, will light up the country with hope...

and FREEDOM is on His way... to you...

p/s: many more to write & so much more to express but is limited to do so in just plain words

Undi Hantu?? --- the phantom votes??

alright... this is ridiculously amaze me...

both born on 1880s??? and still exist in the voters list?

230 years old! wao~~~ must be some wolverines and claire bennets, whose existence is unknown to the people of Malaysia until recently?

to all wolverine fans and claire bennet fans... do come to Malaysia and hunt one of them for yourselves, HA... HA... (cynical)

AND so... the cause of BERSIH is plausible.

The "Unsung Bunga Raya Kuning"

the "Unsung Bunga Raya Kuning"...

Semarak-mu bernyala membakar hati Anak Bangsa Malaysia...

Haruman-mu membangkitkan semangat 'Kami cinta Malaysia'...

Mekar dan Wangi-mu kami amati, biarpun buat seketika waktu,

Ia tetap hidup dalam jiwa dan minda Rakyat Malaysia...

Air Mata Kasih,

Laungan Kebebasan,

Langkah Keberanian,

Senyuman Harapan,

Hati berat rasai Kelahiran Bangsa Bebas Malaysia...

Inilah yang mampu kami taburkan,

Mekarlah... the "Unsung Bunga Raya Kuning"

YELLOW~~~ 9th July 2011

Ha!

that's the thing, mates...

but today, i read the news about people getting arrested, just because they are wearing YELLOW t-shirts... joker la dudes... oh well, t-shirt with "Bersih 2.0" wordings??

the best part is, they were having their breakfast when the police came and caught them, 70 policemen!! such celebrity-level arrest! man!

hmm... what a hysteria!

That's my King... Do you know Him?

The Bible says... my King is the King of the Jews.

He's the King of Israel.

He's the King of righteousness.

He's the King of the ages.

He's the King of Heaven.

He's the King of glory.

He's the King of kings, and He's the Lord of lords.

That's my King. I wonder...Do you know Him?

My King is a sovereign King.

No means of measure can define his limitless love.

He's enduringly strong.

He's entirely sincere.

He's eternally steadfast.

He's immortally graceful.

He's imperially powerful.

He's impartially merciful... Do you know Him?

He's the greatest phenomenon that has ever crossed the horizon of this world.

He's God's Son.

He's the sinner's Savior.

He's the peak of civilization.

He's unparalleled.

He's unprecedented.

He is the loftiest idea in literature.

He's the highest personality in philosophy.

He's the fundamental doctrine of true theology.

He's the only one qualified to be an all-sufficient Savior.

I wonder if you know Him today.

He supplies strength for the weak.

He's available for the tempted and the tried.

He sympathizes and He saves.

He strengthens and sustains.

He guards and He guides.

He heals the sick.

He cleanses the lepers.

He forgives sinners.

He discharges debtors.

He delivers the captives.

He defends the feeble.

He blesses the young.

He serves the unfortunate.

He regards the aged.

He rewards the diligent, and He beautifies the meager.

I wonder if you know Him.

He's the key to knowledge.

He's the wellspring of wisdom.

He's the doorway of deliverance.

He's the pathway of peace.

He's the roadway of righteousness.

He's the highway of holiness.

He's the gateway of glory. Do you know Him?

Well, His light is matchless.

His goodness is limitless.

His mercy is everlasting.

His love never changes.

His word is enough.

His grace is sufficient.

His reign is righteous, and His yoke is easy and His burden is light.

I wish I could describe Him to you.

Yes, He's indescribable.

He's incomprehensible.

He's invincible.

He's irresistible.

You can't get Him out of your mind.

You can't get Him off of your head.

You can't outlive Him, and you can't live without Him.

Well, the Pharisees couldn't stand Him but they found out they couldn't stop Him.

Pilate couldn't find any fault in Him.

Herod couldn't kill Him.

Death couldn't handle Him, and the grave couldn't hold Him.

I wonder if you know Him...

--- Rev S.M. Lockridge ---

A Call to Anguish --- David Wilkerson

‎"I don't wanna hear prophesies... I don't wanna hear revivals... I don't wanna hear miracles... I don't wanna hear those things anymore... BUT WEEP NOW..."

Who are willing to weep to death over things which CHRISTIANS seems to concern about? ... ... ... STOP the talks... BUT WEEP NOW...

When my journey's over... I'm going Home~~~

HOME - The Gaithers

Home is where the heart is my heart's own home

Though I never really had one to call my own

I've been given a key by the Carpenter of Galilee

With interest paid the title's made to me

Home where there is no night

Home where the Son is the light

The place I've been dreaming of so long

Loved ones there to welcome me

But His sweet face will be the first I see

When my journey's over I am going home

Everybody dreams of going home it seems

Lately I am no exception to the rule

But home is so much more than windows walls and doors

It's a warm embrace and smiling faces awaiting you

Home where there is no night

Home where the Son is the light

The place I've been dreaming of so long

Loved ones there to welcome me

But His sweet face will be the first I see

When my journey's over I am going home

Home where there is no night

Home where the Son is the light

The place I've been dreaming of so long

Loved ones there to welcome me

But His sweet face will be the first I see

When my journey's over I am going home

And when my journey's over I am going home