The Coming

Initially when I got to know about the earthquake tremors from fellow Penang bloggers, I thought it was just minor. It was only during these few days with all the news reports that the seriousness of the quake strucked me!

- My heart is burdened by these calamities and my prayers goes out to the victims of the quake. -

Apparently the high-death tolls was due to the fact that there was no warning of coming tsunamis! Latest death toll to date: 55,000 (what's more disease could double the current number!) During these few days as I was contemplating on what had happened, I was reminded of Christ's coming. For Jesus said:

"Know this: A homeowner who knew exactly when a burglar was coming would stay alert and not permit the house to be broken into. You also must be ready all the time. For the Son of Man will come when least expected."
-Matthew 24:43,44- (NLT)

While tourists were having the time of their lives on the beach and as natives were making a living, in a blink of an eye the strong currents and tidal waves swept them away. I cringed as I imagined I was among those caught unawares... And I cringed even more, when I think about the times where I blatantly sin without giving a hoot about God! As St. Paul says:

"I don't think, friends, that I need to deal with the question of when all this is going to happen. You know as well as I that the day of the Master's coming can't be posted on our calendars. He won't call ahead and make an appointment any more than a burglar would. About the time everybody's walking around complacently, congratulating each other--"We've sure got it made! Now we can take it easy!"-suddenly everything will fall apart. It's going to come as suddenly and inescapably as birth pangs to a pregnant woman.

But friends, you're not in the dark, so how could you be taken off guard by any of this? You're sons of Light, daughters of Day. We live under wide open skies and know where we stand. So let's not sleepwalk through life like those others. Let's keep our eyes open and be smart. People sleep at night and get drunk at night. But not us! Since we're creatures of Day, let's act like it. Walk out into the daylight sober, dressed up in faith, love, and the hope of salvation.

God didn't set us up for an angry rejection but for salvation by our Master, Jesus Christ. He died for us, a death that triggered life. Whether we're awake with the living or asleep with the dead, we're alive with him! So speak encouraging words to one another. Build up hope so you'll all be together in this, no one left out, no one left behind. I know you're already doing this; just keep on doing it."

- 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11 - (Msg)

Oh my Jesus forgive us our sins, save us from the fires of hell. Lead all those to Heaven especially those most in need of Your mercy. Amen.

Interview with Malaysian Idol's Nikki Palikat

She was the girl who blew Roslan Aziz away, the one Jee wanted to see more of, the one who was told by Paul Moss "You look beautiful...". Who's that girl? For Malaysian Idol fans, you'd know that I'm referring to none other than Nicolette Palikat; better known as Nikki.

She was here from her hometown of Sabah for the Christmas Carols with the stars organised by The Council of Churches of Malaysia on 15th November. Never one to pass up a golden opportunity, Lifeline took this chance to interview her, asking questions about practically everything under the sun. Read on to see what our intrepid reporter unearthed...


DID YOU KNOW THAT NIKKI...


...hated singing as a child?
Perhaps it had to do with being the fifth child in a musically talented family of 6 girls and a boy. The turning point came at the tender age of 10 - she sang along to "Hero" by Mariah Carey, imitating the full range of vocal acrobatics of the diva herself. At that point, her whole perception of singing changed as she unearthed a previously buried talent.


...almost missed Malaysian Idol?
Being a student, Nikki couldn't afford the plane ticket from Sabah to Kuching, Sarawak where the auditions were held. Her mother also objected to her idea of auditioning for Malaysian Idol. When all seemed lost, help came from an unexpected source - her elder sister Adriane. (Growing up, Nikki & Adriane didn't get along. They were the two most musically inclined in the family, yet total opposites - Nikki hated musical instruments while Adriane played almost every kind!). Nikki shares that Malaysian Idol has brought both sisters closer together, and for that she is thankful.


...felt God's presence the most at the lowest point of the competition?
Shockingly, Nikki was eliminated at the first workshop. Feeling depressed and discouraged, she was becoming a pain in the neck to her sisters, and to make matters worse, was coughing seemingly non-stop.

At that point, a call came to say that she had been selected as one of the "Wildcards" (effectively meaning that she had been given a second chance to be in the Final 12). Instead of being grateful, Nikki ranted and raved at God, "Why God? Why now that I am coughing non-stop? Am I to make a fool of myself at the Wildcard?" Overwhelmed by the emotional roller-coaster ride, she finally broke down and cried. It was then that God spoke through her elder sister Melissa (youth minister of Life Teen, Kota Kinabalu) Melissa randomly picked out a card from a deck of bible verses and it turned out to be Nikki's favourite verse:

"For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."
- Jeremiah 29:11 -

Melissa reminded her that it was God's opinion that mattered and not Man's, and that the Malaysian Idol journey was a mission from God which she was to complete without losing focus.

And how did everything turn out? Despite her cough, Nikki did a beautiful rendition of Christina Aguilera's 'The Voice Within' .


...nearly cried on stage?
This happened while she was singing 'The Voice Within' because this song reminded her so much of God and the mission she was to complete. Obviously, the crowd thought she was a hit too, and she got through to the Top 6 of Malaysian Idol.


...faced difficulties because of her faith?
During a photo shoot, she was requested to remove the crucifix that she was wearing round her neck. Although it was explained to her that it was the newspaper's policy, Nikki felt insulted. Indignantly, she kept it on (but shifted it to the back) and continued the photo shoot.

Unaccustomed to constant swearing, Nikki requested someone on the show not to swear so much. To which she was told to lighten up, and to accept the person as she was, just as the person accepted her as she was. This conversation was overheard by a third party, who asked Nikki if she was a Catholic Christian. When Nikki confirmed that she was, the guy responded 'No wonder'.

It may have been meant as an insult, but I'd say it's a good thing that non-Christians are aware of Christian standards of behaviour, wouldn't you say?


...was accused of being 'sombong' (proud and stand-offish)?
During a visit to Times Square, she was rumoured to be acting like a diva, never satisfied with the perks given to the contestants of Malaysian Idol. When Nikki's sisters heard this, they were shocked because Nikki had been raving to them over the phone about her amazing visit to Times Square! The rumours apparently came from an inside source - this taught Nikki to choose her close friends and confidantes carefully.


...prays together with Jac & Andrew before each round of competition?
This has been a routine for Nikki, Jac and Andrew. Nikki believes in the promise made by Jesus where He said:

"For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them."
- Matthew 18:20 -

Praying has helped her draw closer to God as well as to the other contestants she prays with.


...learned to praise God in every circumstance?
Throughout her journey in Malaysian Idol, Nikki learned to praise God in joy and in suffering. When she was eliminated in the first round, when she re-entered the competition through the Wildcard, when she made it through to the Final 6, when her finger got jammed in the van door - through it all, she praised the Lord. And that, she says, is a lesson she will keep for life.


For Nikki, our meeting was a change from the usual meet-the-fans session (what with the crowd being much smaller than expected). We all had the opportunity to talk and share our testimonies over a cup of grass jelly with milk (a.k.a. 'susu leong fun', a local favourite in Sabah). We got to know Nikki as a regular young lady - a gracious, charming and down-to-earth person with an amazing love for God.

All in all, it was a fun evening. Nikki's quote at 8TV's Quickie sums it up best:

"I loved the way everything turned out. It was how God wanted it. It was how I wanted it."

Praise God.

Christmas Homecoming

Coming home for Christmas has been what I have been doing since I started college. And this year is no different. I was home for Christmas, except that the journey back was... - well, read on.

As the same with last year, my aunt had planned that we go home together for Christmas. But the difference was, this year "we" includes me, my aunt and my aunt's boss; Mr. AB (who was hitching a ride from us to Malacca, which is on the way to Johor) Which was fine with me.

- Fast forward to the journey back home -

There we were in my aunt's sporty 3-door yellow Vitara. She in the driver's seat, Mr. AB in the passenger's seat and me at the back, accompanying all the luggage and Christmas presents; there was barely enough room for my hands and legs. Anyway, by the time we reached the PLUS highway, I was already dozing off with my copy of Amy Tan's The Kitchen God's Wife opened on my lap, while my aunt and her boss yakked away, until I heard...

Mr. AB: J sent me an email with the header saying; "Good morning in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ!". I was like what?! "Shit, in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ!" (laughs)

Aunt: (nervous laugh; while peering at me through the rear mirror looking at my reaction)

From the tone of Mr. AB's voice, I deduced that he was not too fond of J. But mocking Jesus was way too much. That was enough to wake me from slumber (and of course, with the adrenaline flowing in my blood) I glared at my aunt's reflection, in the rear mirror looking back at me to show that I was angry and frustrated. And I would so like to give him a piece of my mind but at the same time, I would not want to put my aunt in a spot. Honestly, I was trying real hard controlling my rage (those who know me will know how hard that is)

I was so frustrated that I begun to pray silently and fervently for Mr. AB, directing my hand at his head. I also prayed that God will teach me how to respond. I prayed for at least an hour or so, while the yakking continued (talking about having quiet time!) And praise God! The Lord inspired me in what I should say and I was just waiting for the timing to be perfect.

---

Finally, we arrived in Malacca at my aunt's boss' doorstep. As he was getting down the jeep...

Mr. AB: I am sorry you had to sit at the back... By the way, thank you for letting me have the passenger's seat.

Me: You're welcome. [getting off the jeep also, stretching legs]

Mr. AB: [polite grin] [beginning to turn his back and move towards the frontgate]

Me: Mr. AB. [nonchalant look]

Mr. AB: [turning 'round] Yeah?

Me: [forced a smile, extends hand for a handshake] [grab hand] I would like to wish you a Merry Christmas in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ!

[The expression on Mr. AB's face was priceless.]

Although it was not easy greeting him especially after what he said about my Lord & Saviour, I was glad I did. And it was through God's grace I was able to do so. As the Bible says...

"Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. ...If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head. Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. "
-Romans 12:14, 20, 21-

~ Blessed Christmas! ~

Nikki from Malaysian Idol!

Another note: In your email, please do include your NAME & CONTACT NUMBER. :)

HOW TO GET TO SFX (SAINT FRANCIS XAVIER'S CHURCH)

ADDRESS: 135 Jalan Gasing, 46000 Petaling Jaya, Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia

A Christmas To Remember

Carols with Jac, Andrew, Nikki, Juwita, Mark David and ASEANA Percussion Unit

Date: Wednesday, 15th December 2004
Time: 7.30PM
Venue: Maranatha Hall, Glad Tidings (AOG)
(6 Jalan Bersatu 13/4, 46200 Petaling Jaya)

ADMISSION BY INVITATION ONLY

For further information
Kindly contact: Council of Churches of Malaysia
Tel: 03-79567092 / 03-79557587

Of Leather Bags & Hell

Last week, around this time I went with a friend from cell group to Damansara Uptown's Midnight Pasar Malam after pampering ourselves at a nearby Baskin Robins (yum!). We went stall hopping to check out what was being sold and boy was it an eye-opener! From burgers to t-shirts, you name it they might have it (there was even some that were selling allegedly captured footage of ghosts!). I seldom go shopping without an objective in mind, so I had planned earlier to look out for "leather" sling bags.

After a bit of stall hopping, we located one that sells bags only. I was thrilled at the thought of getting a "leather" sling bag that is similar to a friend's (which he bought from Petaling Street); without having to travel the distance (PJ to KL) and saving time + money. The bag was dark brown (almost black) and it is like those "messenger" bag's a classic postman would use. So there I was checking the bag for flaws but none visible (I probably was too infatuated to see it) while the stall owner pitched me:

StallOwner: We have only two of these left. One in black (editor: the one I was holding) and the other in brown. I tell you honestly: it's real leather on the outside and PVC in the inside.
Me: Really ah..? (I was actually quite convinced). How much?
StallOwner: RM48
Me: RM35, I'll buy.
StallOwner: RM38 lah. Best price.
Me: Deal.

I was very happy with my purchase until 5 days later, the strap started to show signs of tearing! I was going, "Oh no..." when I saw that happened. My heart was really aching at the thought of the money I had spent.

:: :: ::

Funnily (not "haha" funny but "weird" funny) enough, this bad experience had led me to contemplate on the topic of Hell.

The stereotype vision of Hell is a place that's filled with brimstone & fire and not to mention naked people who are eternally tortured by demons. But after much reading and contemplation, I have a developed a different vision of Hell...

We are all creatures made for love. We seek love; but more often than not we mistake carnal pleasure (e.g. sex/pornography/money/fame) for love. We may feel contented with these "pseudo-love" (as I would like to put it) and we settle for it. But it satisfies only for a short period and then emptiness comes. When emptiness comes, we seek more of these pseudo-love to fill it. The "dosage" of pseudo-love increases as time passes, until a point where we become so numb that we have to seek for "more extreme" versions of pseudo-love to "cure" the numbness.

Some returned to God after realizing (with the grace of God) how meaningless all these carnal pursuits are, but many stay on with these lifestyles until the end of their lives. When one dies without repentance, essentially he/she have made a choice during his/her lifetime to be separated from God and that decision made will be honoured by God in eternity.

We know that God is love, and that makes Him the source of love. So as creatures made for love we suffer tremendously when we are separated from God and basically that is Hell. I don't discount the possibility of physical suffering but I believe that emotional suffering will be inevitable when one realizes that he/she has missed the opportunity during his/her lifetime to be with his/her Creator, the One that we were made for. It is like missing your one and only opportunity to wine & dine for free with your favourite celebrity and you missed it because you procrastinated to register for the event.

I also likened that emotional suffering of Hell to what I felt when I realized that my decision to buy that bag was a rip-off (after the strap started to tear). I thought to myself: "I should have gotten myself a bag that's made of genuine leather, even if it costs me a couple of hundred extra. At least it will last!" "I shouldn't have believed that stall owner!" Multiply that emotional suffering by a trillion and you get a rough idea of what emotional suffering in Hell might be like.

Fortunately, I was still able to modify my sling bag to a handle-less document bag, so at least the main compartment is salvaged. But unfortunately in the case of Hell, when one chooses it any effort of rectification will be futile.

The Beautiful Letdown

Being Christian, I have experienced the pressure of giving up my faith not once but on many occasions. During these occasions, I have envisioned myself living with no obligations whatsoever. Unrestricted partying. Drugs. Free love. With anyone. At anytime. I was sick of being accountable to God. Although I was already convicted of God's existence. I want to forget God. Ignore His existence. Ignore His will.

- Delude myself. -

And one of these occasions happened not too long ago. At that time I felt... this is it.

Then one day, I decided to listen to Switchfoot's The Beautiful Letdown (introduced by T; a good friend) I figured, Why not? After a couple of listens, I can conclude that The Beautiful Letdown is really a good rock album and if you don't pay attention to the lyrics you will never realise it is Christian music you are listening to. :)

Well, back to the story. I am a sucker for lyrics and as usual I gave my 100% to what was sung and track 2 came up:

"THIS IS YOUR LIFE"
Chorus:
"This is your life, are you who you want to be
This is your life, are you who you want to be this is your life,
Is it everything you dreamed that it would be when the world was younger
and you had everything to lose..."

Praise God. That stirred me to think. And these questions start playing in my head: Who I really want to be? Am I who I aught to be? Is this God's plan for me? That really was it. Though a much more different sort of "it" that I was refering to, compared to the one in the early paragraph... This 'it' is a more positive one. ;)

I realised that I could not ignore God any longer for He plays a major role in my life. And I know in the depths of my heart that the reason & source of my joy could only be Him and in Him. And I also believe that His plans for me is so wonderful. More wonderful than I could ever imagine. So I repented.

Amazing how a song can trigger one's repentance! Yes, I know only the Holy Spirit can lead one to conversion but that is a given. ;)

At The PMCCC

Just something for me to remember...

Last year, I went with a couple of my friends to the Peninsular Malaysia Catholic Charismatic Convention (PMCCC) held in Mines. We arrived just on time for the registration with not much of a crowd at first and then it grew larger...

Friend #1 : This uncle looks familiar.. Oh! He's from our parish! So nice to see him here.
(Pause)
Oh look! He's smoking!
Me : (In a mood for some cynicism) Well, probably he had learnt it here.
Friend #2 : You must not say that! Everyone here is filled with the fire of the Holy Spirit!
Me : Well... then I guess that's where he lit his cigarette.
(Group bursts laughing)

Thinking back that was one funny unintentional joke we made... although some might find it a tad blasphemous.

Sorry God.