The Importance Of Attitude

Chuck Swindoll talks about the importance of attitude:

"The longer I live, the more I realise the impact of attitude on life. Attitude, to me, is more important than facts. It is more important than the past, than education, than money, than circumstances, than failures, than successes, than what other people think or say or do. It is more important than appearance, giftedness or skill. It will make or break a company, a church, or a home. The remarkable thing is that we have a choice every day regarding the attitude we will embrace for that day.

We cannot change our past. Nor can we change the fact that people will act a certain way. We also cannot change the inevitable. The only thing that we can do is to control our attitude.

I am convinced that life is 10% what happens to me and 90% how I react to it. And so it is with you -- we are in charge of our attitudes."

Do you agree? And what is your attitude in life?

Beyond Church Planting

I have been listening to Neil cole's MP3 on how to shape, transition & pioneer new ministries, missions, congregations and churches (which I borrowed from a memeber of LivingRoom) these last few days, and have gained a lot of insights from him.

Neil Cole's teaching on church planting starting at the grassroots level is inspiring. He talked about a number of principles for planting highly reproducible indigenous churches:

• the importance of a healthy biblical understanding of the local church;
• the importance of evangelism that results in churches;
• the importance of identifying and reaching persons of peace;
• the importance of leaders being raised up from the harvest to be sent back into the harvest field.
• the importance of a healthy “DNA” (Divine truth, Nurturing relationships, & Apolostolic mission).

Rather than focusing on only planting one church, Neil has a passion to see the multiplication of disciples, leaders and movements, which I think is so essential in God's Kingdom! And that is also the purpose of World Team (and mine too)!

Decision Making

How important is decision making to you personally?

Napolean Hill said that analysis of over twenty-five thousand men and woman who had experienced failure disclosed the fact that lack of decision was near the top of the list of the thirty-one major causes of failure. Procrastination, the opposite of decision, is a common enemy, which practically every person must conquer.

If that is true, making right decisions will change our lives to the better. To get on the road to success in any endeavour we need to make decisions.

I look back on my past, and realise that I had to start getting more decisive (I used to be quite hesitant in making decisions). Not all of my decisions worked out but I managed to form a habit of making decisions and being decisive and I focused on making the right decisions according to the will of God (or so I believe).

I find that starting with small decisions and expand from there helps me in life, minstry, relationships and business. I guess once we start making the right decisions we'll see our life improve in every area. Let's face it indecision and procrastination don't get results! There are no rewards when we're indecisive and procrastinate, and it can be frustrating to others and ourselves.

What are your experiences in decision making and procrastination? And how do you overcome the difficulties related to making decisions?

Christmas Lights

While the Christmas lights were spectacular in Hong Kong, I personally enjoyed the homely and cozy atmosphere of "The Boulevard" in Ivanhoe. I think it's the best of Christmas Lights in Melbourne (if not Australia). The decorations & lights in every home on the street are all diverse and beautiful. I really enjoyed walking through it with some friends on Christmas Eve!

Although Christmas can be over-commercialized, but as always, there is truth hidden in the bright lights. The Lord Jesus, who brought light to the world and forgiveness of sins through His death on the cross and resurrection from the grave. But it doesn’t stop there. His is a gift that keeps on giving. It keeps on giving because his life is born in all who believe, and his presence in the world is perpetuated by the spiritual gifts he gives all believers by which we reach out to those around us.

Oh Father God, thank you so much for the greatest gift of Your beloved Son Christ Jesus, the light of the world.

The Word In The World

"The Word became flesh and dwelt among us." - John 1:14a

With today being Christmas day, and I happen to be spending it home alone tonight, I am having quiet and peaceful moments resting, thinking and reflecting on the reason for the season again. Really Christmas is not about food (Christmas pudding or Turkey), trees, lights, and commercials for the biggest 'whiz bang' ever invented. It's actually all about JESUS - the living Word of God.

God reminded me today that HIS Word is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. (Hebrew 4:12).

I catch myself at times being more attracted to the internet; reading magazines, books; watching movies, DVD's or TV; or listening to personal development cd's or radio than reading the Bible. As we approach the beginning of a fresh new year, I am committed to reading the Bible in one year through the one year bible blog again (I encourage you to join me too). I hope to be held accountable and will also put comments on the blog.

May God bless you and yours in this festive season, as you reflect on the Word that became flesh and dwelt among us - Jesus, the Son of God.

Random Thoughts / Reflections

My dear brother Simon & me in Hong Kong, in the midst of enjoying a yummy dinner!

• Keep looking at Jesus who is the point of all that happens this season!
• Focus on your family, your friends, the needs of others, and doing the very best you can, happiness will find you.
• Joy = Jesus first, others second, yourselves last.
• I want to reach out and touch someone each day.
• “For a day in your courts is better than a thousand anywhere else! I’d rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God, than to dwell in the tents of wickedness.” Psalm 84:10
  
  Jesus I appreciate YOU heaps. Thank you for coming to this earth, humbling yourself, becoming a man and allowing us to be reconciled to GOD.
  

Merry Christmas

I had a great time catching up with my family before Christmas in Malaysia. In the photo: Connie (my mum), me, Johny (my brother), and Zion (my lovely nephew)

Merry Christmas! As we celebrate & remember Jesus' birth during this season, may you all be blessed to be in his presence today and every day!

Wishing you so much love & blessings, joy and peace…,
great health, immense happiness, abuandance and grace....
this Christmas and right throughout the New Year.

May 2007 be the year that many of your dreams come to fruition.

Let's Go To Bethlehem

I found the following things to include for a joyful journey to Christmas by Dr. Michael A. Halleen interesting.

Let's go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened . . . (Luke 2:15)

People - Attend worship celebrations and other events that celebrate the day, even if you are far from home. The journey is best taken in the company of others.

Tradition - What "makes" Christmas for you? Handel's Messiah? A special ornament on the tree? For many, it's the food. Some tell stories, some re-enact the stable scene. Honour your traditions -hold on to them. They add warmth to the journey.

Music - Put on some of the great music of the season.This journey is along a road filled with singing. Let your voice be added to the chorus.

Generosity - Obey any impulse to be generous, even to those who are not expecting generosity from you. "When in doubt, shell it out," one of my crazy unclesused to say, and he was right. Tip freely. Christmas is a time for liberality. It makes the journey to Bethlehem easier for others and more fun for you.

Healing - Take the opportunity to restore a lost personal relationship, to mend a broken friendship. Take the initiative, without worrying about who was right or wrong in whatever it was that divided you. Get past it, and forgive.

Discipline - Keep your wits about you. Do everything in moderation, the Bible says, like eating, for example - or drinking - or driving. We can over extend ourselvesin a hundred ways on this journey, thinking other people's joy somehow depends on us. In fact, we simply add hazards - for ourselves and others -on what is meant to be a road of peace and joy.

Smile - Erase the frown of worry from your face for the season. Think about what children see when they look into your face, and consciously make it a smile. Determine that only kind words will come out of your mouth - no criticism,no complaints. Decide to let more love into your life - love for God, for God's children, for life itself. It was for them that that he came - and for you. Smiles carry us far on this journey.

Which out of the above 7 things are important to you on your journey to Bethlehem?

God's Glory

I read an article by Charles Finney today, which got me thinking about God's glory.

Moses asked God to show him His glory. And God promised Moses to make all His goodness pass before him. Moses needed to know more of God. He had subsequent and frequent manifestations of God's presence and power as circumstances required. Sometimes alone, sometimes in the full presence of all the people. On awful Sinai He moved in thunder and fire, and the congregation quaked at the terror of the Lord.

Moses prayed, and prayed with great earnestness --'God show me Your glory.' And God always did!

I am committed to always going to God, as Moses did, with the prayer, 'Show me Your glory,' and I trust that He will never deny me.

Resiliency

I have started reading the book "The Resiliency Advantage" by Al Siebert, PhD. This book talks about how to master change, thrive under pressure, and bounce back from setbacks. It demonstrates that all of us can develop greater resiliency, the ability to adapt to life's changes and crises, is key to a healthy, effective and productive life.

Dr. Al Siebert suggests a unique five-level program for becoming more resilient:

1. Optimize your health
2. Skillfully problem solve
3. Strengthen your three inner selfs (self-esteem, self-confidence and self-concept)
4. Unleash your curiosity, the power of positive expectations, integrating your paradoxical abilities and allowing everything to work well
5. Strengthening your talent for serendipity and mastering extreme resiliency challenges and our transformational breakthrough

Somebody

I received the following from a friend, and am very touched by it. Hope to share it with you...

"Right Now".....

Somebody is very proud of you.
Somebody is thinking of you.
Somebody misses you.
Somebody wants you to be happy.
Somebody is celebrating your successes.
Somebody admires your strength.
Somebody is thinking of you and smiling.
Somebody wants to be your shoulder to cry on.
Somebody wants to protect you.
Somebody wants to be forgiven.
Somebody wants to laugh with you.
Somebody wants to share their dreams with you.
Somebody treasures your spirit.
Somebody praises God for your friendship and love.
Somebody can't wait to see you.
Somebody loves you for who you are.
Somebody loves the way you make them feel.
Somebody misses your guidance and/or advice.
Somebody has faith in you.
Somebody trusts you.
Somebody hears a song that reminds them of you.

--Author Unknown

My Birth Place

As much as I love my current home town Melbourne, it's really nice to have a holiday in my birth place, Hong Kong, spending time with family, friends, shopping and eating!

Hong Kong is often described as a city where East meets West(that sounds like me too - well I'd like to think that I have a good mix of the Eastern & Western aspects of the culture in me hehe).

The people of Hong Kong take their food seriously. These last couple of days, I have had Yum Cha (Dimsum) breakfast. And it's simply yummy!

Going Overseas

I am going overseas for a holiday .... first Hong Kong ..... then Malaysia ..... can't wait!

Ever After

I watched the DVD "Ever After" on Wednesday, which was a birthday gift for me. "Ever After", starring Drew Barrymore, and Anjelica Huston, was a modern day story of "Cinderella". The movie talks about the life of a bright, beautiful, and independent young woman Danielle (Drew Barrymore), who loves reading books (especially Utopia, the book that her beloved father gave to her before he died suddenly).

What attracted me most about Danielle was her intelligence, perserverance, and an unquenchable spirit with self respect, even in difficult environment (ill-treated by her stepmother and stepsister, as the servantmaid). She offers a good role for today's girls. I myself also aspire to her. "Ever After" is also a wonderful love story. Its theme of true love triumphing over huge obstacles is so touching, and that is something I strongly believe as well!

I had a great evening celebrating D's and my birthday watching this wonderful film.