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Monday, December 29, 2008

A Bitter Sweet Christmas

I finally understood what spiritual warfare means. Being a Christian is really not easy, we often have to face spiritual warfare, which are things that the devil plots in our lives and family to trap us and cause our downfall. 

Ever since I was saved, I evolved to become a Christian in a very public way, meaning almost everyone now knows that I'm a Christian and I don't hide that that I'm a Christian and I share the goodness of Christ and testimonies during appropriate circumstances. I didn't know that by doing so, I inevitably put myself into facing lots of risk and I sure didn't know what will come my way. 

I had a bad argument with my mum on the morning of 23rd Dec when she start nagging at me (which happened regularly and usually I just ignored it). Actually it was a small thing, I was talking to my dad and asked him if NTUC is selling turkey because a friend of mine who is going for Christmas service with me on 24th Dec wanted to eat roast Turkey, so I thought of getting a small one and we have it after service ended.  Turned out my dad was not sure and he said I might have to reserve it earlier if I wanted to buy one. My mum soon overheard this and start saying sarcastically 'you are always like that, so last minute, you have prepare earlier for such things...', I don't know why I took her words badly this time and got angry and started shouting back 'you keep quiet lah, I just asking if they are selling it and I'm not confirmed about getting it too, why do you always have to criticize me!', and that started the whole incident. My dad soon sided my mum and saying why I talk in such manner to my mum and we start arguing.

I managed to end the argument for that moment and we soon resume back to normal conversation. My dad asked me why Christmas must eat Turkey and is it something Jesus ate in bible, so I replied its just a commercial thing that businessmen invented to earn money. That's when I heard my mum said in mandarin 'Turkey are for them who have bad temper (Turkey 'Huo Ji' sounds like bad temper 'Huo Qi' in chinese) - 火鸡是给他们这种火气大的人吃的。 That's when I had an outburst again, and an even larger one that was uncontrollable. I was offended because the words sounded like insults to me and my religion, so I start questioning her who she meant by 'them'. Then my dad stepped in again and said 'why am I so sensitive? She didn't even say anything..why am I so argumentative towards my mum...I should go and reflect on my wrong doings etc...'  Maybe he's right, I might be over-reacting. But I just can't let this matter rest because I felt being criticized for nothing and so I went on to start a verbal war with them, saying things like 'but mum shouldn't say this, why must she criticize my character? etc...' Seriously I don't know why I was so worked up this time and even attempted to go all out to win the argument. Maybe its got to do with all the insecurities, failures and pressures that I'm facing, so when I heard words of attack from a loved one, it was like adding on to this big pile and so I acted rashly, trying to protect the tiny bit of dignity and hope that's left in me. 

The defining moment came when my dad said something during the heat of the argument. He shouted 'Aren't you a Christian now? You should not be not argumentative like that, especially towards your own mum, you should be respectful. I thought Christians are supposed to change to become better, yet you are like this. Last time when I went church with you during father's day, your pastor said must love & honour your parents and you even lay hands and prayed for me, I was so touched, and now you are like that...'. He went on telling me about a story about his past, he said when he was young there was once he argued with his mum in the manner of questioning 'why' many times, and grandma couldn't answered and started crying, so he still regretted it till today and he asked me 'do you really want to see mum cry?'.

These words were like arrows piercing through me, I was so upset. Not only I felt that no one cared how I feel, it also felt like someone had threatened against me using Jesus, that I'm being held captive because of my religion and for the first time I felt like an outcast in the family. None of my family members and relatives are christian (except for one younger cousin). I felt the full impact of what being a Christian means in a non-christian family and the standards I'm expected to live up to - being always understanding and comprising to them (even if they might seem to be in the wrong), being 'perfect' in other words and that's just because I'm Christian. It was so hard for me to accept these words that I didn't know what to say. So I didn't say a word, turned my back and walked away, with tears flowing down my eyes. It's been a long time since I cried buckets. 

I felt so miserable, so want to give up. I didn't even bother to invite my parents and brother to the Christmas service because I had lost the confidence to try. The nasty side of me stood out in contrast like a sore thumb to this nice side that I'm striving to be, I just want to be alone from them. Tears would flowed out freely everytime I thought about what happened in the morning, and then I would go on to think about the issues I'm facing right now and how helpless or hopeless things seemed to be. Like a sudden bomb, this anxiety and depression attack hit on me and blew up my whole day. 

We didn't talk for the entire day and I went to the gym in the late afternoon without telling my parents that I'm out. Then dad sent an sms saying mum had left me some food for dinner but I didn't even bother to reply him. When I went home, dad broke the silence by saying there's some soup left for me and I replied him coldly 'I don't want it, I've already eaten'. He continued saying 'You don't want? Its your favourite mushroom chicken soup', I still replied 'No I don't want' and went into room and shut the door. Actually I had not eaten, I was still bitter about what happened in the morning and I want to show it. 

Yet after this act of defiance, I felt even more miserable and started crying, I was angry at myself too. It was so painful that I  could do nothing but pray. It sounds funny because the whole thing seemed to start because of Christ, but deep down I know I can't blame God and my parents because the real culprit is really the devil trying to defeat me by creating this rife between me and my parents at such a crucial time like Christmas. Yet having this revelation doesn't mean that I will feel ok in an instant, I can't help being angry and bitter and I can't control it. So I cried and prayed, asking God to remove this pain and helped me to handle this emotion. I asked for God's forgiveness and that he would removed my bitterness and to forgive my parents. Then I went to the kitchen and saw that the soup is still on the stove, so I heated it up and drink it; I don't want to be defiant anymore. I felt a little better after that but I still cried myself to sleep that night, the anguish didn't leave me totally that day. 

The next day when I woke up, things got better. There was still some side effects like I was still a bit reserved in talking to my parents. Then I went about doing my things and went to church for night service. I was supposed to invite my parents to go for the morning service again on the following day but I even bother to try, anyway a friend I had invited was not going too. 

Then Christmas day arrived, my parents came into my bedroom in the morning and wished me Merry Christmas while I was still in bed (it was the first time they did that since I become a Christian). Dad even suggested for the whole family to eat out that night, saying that it was a dinner treat for me because its Christmas Day, which is my day.I was surprised by their words and actions, yet I knew that was my their way of 'saying sorry'.  When I got up, the ill feelings and bitterness were gone entirely. 

Maybe it's God grace or maybe its my parents' love that touched me that caused all bitterness to disperse and allow us to resume talking as normal. Although I still have memory of what happened, I can happily say that I had forgotten how the bad emotions feel like..Hallelujah! God can really heal fast if we allow him. No doubt I felt foolish and sorry for my silly actions and I felt guilty about not inviting my parents to the Christmas service, I learnt something about God and my parents that day. Treat it as a Christmas Day lesson for me from God. I witnessed a higher level of God's forgiveness of my sins and how much grace and love he had for me that he turned the bad into good and created such a meaningful event for all of us on Christmas day . I also learnt that my parents are really never the ones at fault and they are such adorable people whom I love dearly. I might have failed at inviting my parents to the Christmas service, but this will not stop me from trying again and I believe they will come eventually.

Sunday, November 02, 2008

Our Weakness is strength in God

We were created by God, according to His plan, in love and with purpose -- weaknesses and all.  "God in heaven appoints each person's work." (John 3:27 NLT) 

We tend to view our weaknesses as liabilities.  However, since our worth does not depend upon us in any way, we can and must be honest about our weaknesses, knowing they do not diminish our value in the heart and mind of God but can, in fact, become the areas through which God does His greatest work.

"God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong." (1 Corinthians 1:27 NIV)

Instead, we try to ignore weaknesses, hoping no one will notice.  We live in denial, assigning blame to others when we fail.  Eventually, we attempt to bury our weaknesses only to find them resurrecting themselves when we least expect it.  A powerful life embraces pain, brokenness and weakness and understands that perfection is for Heaven, not Earth. The words of Paul are profound, "God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong." (1 Corinthians 1:27 NIV)

When we are honest about our weaknesses, we are conceding the fact that only God can accomplish anything good in or through us.  God's power is instantly recognizable in obvious weakness.  God has always allowed man's weakness to validate the immeasurable need of His redemption and His sufficiency in our lives.  He can and will use us if we allow Him to do so -- not despite our weaknesses -- but through our weaknesses.  We are not the message -- just the messenger.  Our weaknesses are not excuses to escape God's plan but divinely appointed opportunities for that plan to work.   

Noah was a drunk.

Abraham was too old.

Isaac was a daydreamer.

Jacob was a liar.

Leah was ugly.

Joseph was abused.

Moses had a stuttering problem.

Gideon was afraid.

Sampson had long hair and was a womanizer.

Rahab was a prostitute.

Jeremiah and Timothy were too young.

David had an affair and was a murderer.

Elijah was suicidal.

Isaiah preached naked.

Jonah ran from God.

Naomi was a widow.

Job went bankrupt.

John the Baptist ate bugs.

Peter denied Christ.

The Disciples fell asleep while praying.

Martha worried about everything.

The Samaritan woman was divorced, more than once.

Zaccheus was too small.

Paul was too religious and Lazarus was dead!

(Author unknown)

Sunday, October 26, 2008

130 Wealth Principles from T. Harv Eker's 'Secrets Of The Millionaire Mind'

1) Your income can grow only to the extend you do!

2)If you want to change the fruits, you will first have to change the roots. If you want to change the visible, you must first change the invisible. What you cannot see in this world is far more powerful than anything you can see.

3) Money is a result, wealth is a result, health is a result, illness is a result, your weight is a result. We live in a world of cause and effect.

4) You outer world is a reflection of your inner world.

5) T>F>A=R - Thoughts lead to feelings. Feelings lead to actions. Actions lead to results. Thoughts come from past programming, so change your programming and you have P>T>F>A=R.

6) When the subconscious mind must choose between deeply rooted emotions and logic, emotions will almost always win. How you are brought up towards money and finances since young will have a profound effect on how you view rich people and being wealthy.

7) If your motivation for acquiring money or success comes from a nonsupportive root such as fear, anger or the need to 'prove' yourself, your money will never bring you happiness.

8) What I modeled around money was their way. I choose my way.

9) If you believe you are not enough, you will validate that belief and create the reality that you don't have enough. On the other hand, if you believe you are plenty, you will validate that belief and create plenty of abundance because 'plenty' will be your root, which will then become your natural way of being.

10) I release my non-supportive money experiences from the past and create a new and rich future.

11) The only way to permanently change the temperature in the room is to reset the thermostat. In the same way, the only way to change your level of financial success 'permanently' is to reset your financial thermostat.

12) Your income can only grow to the extent that you do.

13) Consciousness is observing your thoughts and actions so that you can live from true choice in the present moment rather than being run by programming from the past. No thoughts live in your head rent-free, it will either be an investment or a cost. 

14) I observe my thoughts and entertain only those that empower me.

12) You can choose to think in ways that will support you in your happiness and success instead of ways that don't.

15) Rich people believe 'I create my life.' Poor people believe 'Life happens to me.' Stop coming up with victim story.

16) Rich people understand the importance of money and the place it has in our society.

17) Money is extremely important in the areas in which it works, and extremely unimportant in the areas in which it doesn't.

18) When you are complaining, you become a living, breathing 'crap magnet'. Since what you focus on expands, you'll keep getting more of what's wrong.

19) There is no such thing as a really rich victim!

20) Everytime you blame, justify, or complain, you are slitting your financial throat.

21) I create the exact level of my financial success.

22) Rich people play the money game to win. Poor people play the money game to NOT lose.

23) The goal of truly rich people is to have massive wealth and abundance. Not just some money, but lots of money.

24) When your intention is to have enough to pay bills, that's exactly how much you'll get - just enough to pay bills and not a dime more.

25) There is a huge difference between being comfortable and being rich.

26) If your goal is to be comfortable, chances are you'll never be rich. But if your goal is to be rich, chances are you'll end up mighty comfortable.

27) You get what you truly intend to get. If you want to get rich, your goal has to be rich, to become a millionaire or more!

28) Rich people are COMMITTED to being rich. Poor people want to be rich. Poor people give a lot of excuses why they are not rich, like too much work, could face robbery and kidnap, friends and family will criticize, could lose health trying blah blah...

29) The #1 reason why most people don't get what they want is that they don't know what they want. Rich people are totally clear that they want wealth. They are unwavering in their desire. They are fully committed to creating wealth, as long as its legal, moral and ethical, they will do WHATEVER it takes to have wealth.

30) If you are not fully, totally and truly committed to creating wealth, chances are you won't.

31) Rich people think big. Poor people think small.

32) The Law of Income: You will be paid in direct proportion to the value you deliver according to the marketplace.

33) Your life is not just about you, it's also about contributing to others. If you want to be rich, it has to include adding value to other people's lives.

34) The happiest people are those who use their natural talents to the utmost. Part of your mission in life then must be to share your gifts and value with as many people as possible. That means being willing to play big.

35) Too many people are playing far too small, and too many people allowing their fear-based ego selves to rule them. The result is that too many of us are not living up to our full potential, in terms of both our lives and our contribution to others.

36) I think big! I choose to help thousands and thousands of people!

37) Rich people focus on opportunites. Poor people focus on obstacles.

38) The point is that no luck, or anything else worthwhile will come your way unless you take some form of ACTION. To suceed financially, you have to DO something, START something or BUY something. 

39) Rich people focus on what they want, while people people focus on what they don't want. What you focus on expands. So focus on opportunities over obstacles. Get ready, fire and aim!

40) Rich people admire other rich and successful people. Poor people resent rich and successful people. 

41) Bless that which you want - Huna philosophy. If you see a person with a beautiful home, bless that person and the home. If you see a person with a beautiful car, bless that person and the car. If you see a person with a loving family, bless that person and the family. If you see a person with a beautiful body, bless that person and their body and etc.

42) I admire rich people! I bless rich people! I love rich people! And I'm going to be one of those rich people too!

43) Rich people associate with positive, successful people. Poor people associate with negative or unsuccessful people. 

44) Successful people look at other successful people as a means to motivate themselves. 

45) The fastest and easiest way to create wealth is to learn exactly how rich people, who are masters of money, play the game. The goal is to simply model their inner and outer strategies. When poor people hear about other people's success, they often judge them, criticize them, mock them, and try to pull them down to their own level.

46) Don't bother trying to get negative people to change. Your job is to use what you've learned to better yourself and your life. Be the role model and maybe they'll see the light in you and want some of it. Energy is contagious, darkness dissipates in light.

47) If you begin to judge, criticize, and put others down for who they are and what they do, then you are no better than them.

48) Most people earn within 20% of the average income of their closet friends.

49) I model rich and successful people. I associate with rich and successful people. If they can do it, I can do it!

50) Rich people are willing to promote themselves and their value. Poor people think negatively about selling and promotion. 

51) Leaders earn a heck of a lot more money than followers!

52) I promote my value to others with passion and enthusiasm.

53) Rich people are bigger than their problems. Poor people are smaller than their problems. Poor people will do almost anything to avoid problems, they see a challenge and run away, and that is the biggest problem of all! Rich people do not try to avoid or get rid of problem, they grow themselves so that they are bigger than any problems and are always ready to face, handle and overcome any problems coming their way.

54) If you have a big problem in your life, all that means is that you are a small person! Rich people don't focus on the problem, they focus on their goal.

55) The bigger the problems you can handle, the bigger the business you can handle, the bigger the responsibility you can handle, the more employees you can handle, the more customers you can handle, the more money you can handle, and ultimately, the more wealth you can handle.

56) Rich and successful people are solution oriented, they spend time and energy strategizing and planning answers to challenges that come up, and creating systems to make certain that problem doesn't occur again. Poor people are problem oriented. They spend their time and energy whining, bitching and complaining, let alone making sure it doesn't happen again.

57) I am bigger than any problems, I can handle any problems.

58) Rich people are excellent receivers. Poor people are poor receivers.

59) If you say you're worthy, you are. If you say you're not worthy, you're not. Either way you will live into your story.

60) If a hundred-foot oak tree had the mind of a human, it would only grow to be ten feet tall!

61) For every giver there must be a receiver, and for every receiver there must be a giver.

62) If you aren't willing to receive your share, it will go to someone else who is.

63) Rich people work hard and believe it's perfectly appropriate to be well rewarded for their efforts and the value they provide for others. Poor people work hard, but due to their feelings of unworthiness, they believe that it it inappropriate for them to be well rewarded for their efforts and the value they provide.

64) Money will only make you more of what you already are. If you are mean, money will afford you the opportunity to be meaner. If you are kind, money will afford you the opportunity to be kinder. If you are a jerk at heart, with money you can be jerkier! If you are a real jerk, you will find a way to be a jerk. If you are generous, more money will simply allow you to be more generous.

65) Being open and willing to receive is absolutely critical if you want to create wealth and to keep wealth. If you are a poor receiver and you somehow fall into a substantial amount of money, chances are it'll be gone quickly.

66) Once you truly become open to receiving, the rest of your life will open up. Not only will you receive more money, but you'll also receive more love, more peace, more happiness and more fulfillment.

67) How you do anything is how you do everything.

68) Remember to keep saying 'Thank You' as you receive all of your blessings. Visualise yourself as a money magnet.

69) I am an excellent receiver. I am open and willing to receive massive amount of money into my life.

70) There's nothing wrong with getting a steady paycheck, unless it interferes with your ability to earn what you're worth. 

71) Rich people choose to get paid based on results. Poor people choose to get paid based on time.

72) Rich people usually own their own business in some form. They make their income from their profits. Rich people work on commission or percentages of revenue. Rich people choose stock and options and profit sharing in lieu of higher salaries. None of these have any gurantees. In the financial world, the rewards are usually proportionate to the risk.

73) Rich people believe in themselves. They believe in their value and in their ability to deliver it. Poor people don't. That's why they need 'gurantees'.

74) Never have a ceiling on your income.

75) Don't trade time for money, create a way to duplicate or leverage yourself.

76) I choose to get paid based on my results.

77) Rich people think "both". Poor people think "either/or".

78) Rich people live in a world of abundance. Poor people live in a world of limitations.

79) Do you want a successful career or a close relationship with your family? Both! Do you want to focus on business or have fun and play? Both! Do you want to earn money or meaning in your life? Both! Do you want to earn a fortune or do the work you love? Both! Poor people always choose one, rich people choose BOTH. So ask yourself how can you have BOTH.

80) Money brings freedom - freedom to buy what you want, and freedom to do what you want with your time. Money allows you to enjoy the finer things in life as well as giving you the opportunity to help others have the necessities in life. Most of all, having money allows you not to have to spend your energy worrying about not having money.

81) Rich people believe "you can have your cake and eat it too." Middle class people believe "Cake is too rich, so I'll only have a little piece." Poor people don't believe they deserve cake, so they order a doughnut, focus on the hole, and wonder why they have "nothing".

82) There is no such thing as if someone has more money, somebody else will have less. There is no limited supply of money, in fact they keep printing more of this stuff everyday. People don't realize that the same money can be used over and over to create value for everyone.

83) My friends, being kind , generous and loving has nothing to do with what is or isn't in your wallet. Those attributes come from what is in your heart. Being pure and spiritual have nothing to do with what is or isn't in your bank account, those attributes come from what's in your soul.

84) I always think "BOTH".

85) Rich people focus on their net worth. Poor people focus on their working income.

86) The true measure of wealth is net worth, not working income. Net worth is the financial value of everything you own. To calculate net worth, add the value of everything you own, including your cash and investments such as stocks, bonds, real estate, the current value of your business if you own one, the value of your residence if you own it, and then subtract everything you owe.

87) The four net worth factors are: Income, Savings, Investments, Simplification. The more working income you have, the more you can save and invest. Savings are important because if you don't learn to keep any of it, you will never create wealth. 

88) The better you are at investing, the faster your money will grow and generate a greater net worth. Rich people take the time and energy to learn about investing and investments. Poor people think investing is only for the rich people, so they never learn about it and stay broke.

89) Simplification means you consciously create a lifestyle in which you need less money to live on. By decreasing your cost of living, you increase your savings and the amount of funds available for investing.

90) Expenses will always rise in direct proportion to income. That's why income alone will never create wealth.

91) Where attention goes, energy flows and results show.

92 ) I focus on building my net worth!

93) Rich people manage their money well. Poor people mismanage their money well. Until you show you can handle what you've got, you won't get any more!

94) The habit of managing your money is more important than the amount. 

95) Money attracts more money.

96) 10% of your money goes to your financial freedom account. It is NEVER spent, only INVESTED. It can be only used for investments and buying or creating passive income streams. Eventually when you retire, you get to spend the income from the fund (the eggs), but never the principal itself. 

97)  10% of your income goes to your play account. It is primarily used to nuture yourself -  to do the things you wouldn't normally do. The play account must be spent every month! You have to blow all the money in that account in a way that makes you feel rich.

98) 10% goes into your Long-Term Savings for Spending Account. 
       10% goes into your Education Account
       50% goes into your Necessities Account
       10% goes into your Give Account

99) Either you control money, or it will control you.

100) I am an excellent money manager.

101) Rich people have their money work hard for them. Poor people work hard for their money. The more your money works, the less you will have to work. Move from hard work to smart work.

102) Financial freedom is the abililty to live the lifestyle you desire without having to work or rely on anyone else for money. 

103) To win the money game, the goal is to earn enough passive income to pay for your desired lifestyle. You become financially free when your passive income exceeds your expenses. Own a business that is working for you. E.g. Rental income, royalties from books, music or software, licensing your ideas, becoming a franchisor, owning storage units, owning vending or other coin operated types of machines, and network marketing.

104) My money works hard for me and makes me more and more money.

105) Rich people act in spite of fear. Poor people let fear stop them.

106) Action is the "bridge" between the inner world and the outer world.

107) A true warrior can "tame the cobra of fear". Feel the fear and do it anyway. You don't need to kill the cobra or get rid of it, and certainly not to run away from it. It says "tame" the cobra.

108) It is not necessary to try to get rid of fear in order to suceed. Rich and successful people also have fears, worries and doubts, they just don't let these feelings stop them. Unsuccessful people have fears, worries  and doubts and then let those feelings stop them.

109) Either you are a person who will be stopped, or you are a person who won't be stopped. You choose. You have to be willing to do whatever it takes. You have to "train" yourself to not be stopped by anything.

110) Getting rich is not always convenient. Getting rich is not always easy. In fact, it can be pretty damn hard. If you are willing to do only what's easy, life will be hard. But if you are willing to do what's hard, life will be easy.

111) The only time you are actually growing is when you are uncomfortable.

112) Training and managing your own mind is the most important skill you could ever own, in terms of both happiness and success. 

113) Positive thinking is to pretend that everything is rosy when you really believe that it's not. With power thinking, we understand that everything is neutral, that nothing has meaning except for the meaning we give it, and that we are going to make up a story and give something its meaning.  With positive thinking, people believe that their thoughts are true. Power thinking recognizes that our thoughts are not true, but since we're making up a story anyway, we might as well make up one that supports us. 

114) I act in spite of fear.
         I act in spite of doubt.
         I act in spite of worry.
         I act in spite of inconvenience.
         I act in spite of discomfort.
         I act when I'm not in the mood.

115) Rich people constantly learn and grow. Poor people think they already know. 

116) If you live it, you know it. Otherwise, you heard about it, you read about it, or you talk about it, but you don't know about it.

117) You can be right or you can be rich, but you can't be both.  

118) If you keep doing what you've always done, you'll keep getting what you've always got. 

119) Everything alive is constantly changing, even for plants. If you are not growing, you are dying.

120) The learners shall inherit the earth while the learned will be beautifully equipped to live in a world that no longer exists. If you are not continuously learning, you will be left behind.

121) If you think education is expensive, try ignorance. Knowledge IS Power and the power is the ability to ACT.

122) Every master was once a disaster. 

123) Success is a learnable skill. You can learn to succeed at anything. It doesn't matter where you are right now. It doesn't matter where you are starting from. What matters is that you are willing to learn. No one comes out of the womb a financial genius. Every rich person learned how to suceed at the money game, and so can you. If they can do it, I can do it!

124) The fastest way to get rich and stay rich is to work on developing YOU! If you grow yourself to become a successful person, in strength of character and mind, you will naturally be successful in anything and everything you do. You will gain the power of absolute choice. You will gain the inner power and ability to choose any job, business, or investment arena and know you'll be a success.

125) Rich people understand the order to success is BE, DO, HAVE. Poor and middle-class people believe the order to success is HAVE, DO, BE.

126) Poor and middle-class people believe "If I have a lot of money, then I could do what I want and I'd be a success." Rich people understand, "If I become a successful person, I will be able to do what I need to do to have what I want, including a lot of money.

127) In short, success is not a "what", it's a "who". The goal of creating wealth is not primarily to have a lot of money, the goal of creating wealth is to help you grow yourself into the best person you can possibly be, to grow yourself as a person.

128) Rich people are experts in their field. Middle-class people are mediocre in their field, and poor people are poor in their field. To get paid the best, you must be the best.

129) Rich people take advice from people who are richer than they are. Poor people take advice from their friends, who are just as broke as they are.

130) I am committed to constantly learning and growing.

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Saturday, September 13, 2008

Live your calling

Look up! The great cloud of witnesses stands near, exhorting you to fulfill your mission in God's great plan. It is not too late to begin. God loves you and wants you to be included in the work of his kingdom. Listen to the voices all around that urge you to accept the challenge to live your calling: Seize the day. Make your life count for eternity. Walk worthy of your calling because nothing else truely matters.

Friday, September 12, 2008

I'm living by faith from now

There is an eagle in me that wants to soar, and there is a hippopotamus in me that wants to wallow in the mud ~ Carl Sandburg

Have you ever shared the same sentiment? Do you feel like you can achieve something but don't know what is it or where to start? Do you feel a constant urge to excel or do more of the stuff THAT MATTERS TO YOU but still not doing anything yet? 

The reason for this procrastination is nothing than the four letter word FEAR. We worry or doubt too much of our own abilities that we stay paralysed. Our tunnel vision can only see what our current situation is and cannot visualise the desired outcome or success so we can only stay hopeful. 

The thing is God loves everybody and has a great plan and destiny that is unique to each of us and will prosper us. So why are we still afraid? 

I am no exception, I have my own fears like everybody else. My fears & confusion were born out of the past mistakes, failures and wrong choices I made. I know God loves me and have a great plan for me but I still struggled with wanting to soar and feeling like getting 'stucked' on the ground at the same time. So I avoid making decisions nowadays and leaving it to God to bring clarity when I'm unsure.

Recently I made a difficult decision to leave my job that I've worked at for 1.5yrs, reason being it is not a long stay and I was trying to hang on to it for at least 2 yrs so it looks good on my resume. In fact this is the longest job I ever held (this is not a good thing) and I sincerely did want to stay for more than 2 years. It was a decision I arrived after much praying and crying out to God for help and guidance. I already wanted to leave much earlier but I held on to it because I don't think its a right thing to do and I felt gulity about leaving and there's no peace at all. 

So I endured till now and its finally eating into me. The situation in company did become better (after much praying for the company) but its me who got worst. My performance slipped and I lost heart and motivation in my job so much that I felt its better to leave now than be a burden and affecting everyone. I tried to make an effort but I can't help it, I just can't stay on any longer as much as I will like to. The funny thing now is that the more I prayed about this, the more at peace I am to make this decision. Because I keep proscrating on submitting my resignation, this thought is like bombarding my mind 24/7. Logically I know if I leave now it is a risk and might not do good for my future, but deep down I know I need to leave but I just haven't got around doing it. So I need to trust God that he knows what I'm doing and have faith in him that he will see me through this period of darkness and gloom about my future. 

I'm still not 100% sure on my direction and what's the plan after this, but I do know that the first thing I'll do is to start working on my online marketing stuff and hopefully the tiny side income and grow into full-time income for me. The income from my internet marketing continue to grow bits by bits PASSIVELY even though I have stopped working on it for a year, but somehow I think I can take it further if I work on it. It is absolutely impossible not to think about this or stay away from it when you actually see yourself making money that grows by itself passively! I can't help but be drawn back to this! 

You see, internet marketing is something I came into by chance, which I have no intial interest, planning or intention to do. Initially I just wanted to sell fashion items online but I ventured into affiliate marketing somehow. Naturally, my interest in this had grown when I see results. I believe its God's blessing not just on the financial side, but also for the little talent and desire that he had given me on internet marketing. 

It might sound like this is a clear direction for me, but I have doubts. It is only generating a 3-figure sum and I don't have the confidence that I will be so good that I can generate a full-time income within 3 months, so the conflicting thoughts of finding a MNC job with good pay and prospects are on my mind too.

So after months of tormenting myself with the question of should I leave my job and when should I leave, I just don't care anymore. The answer is clear, I should leave now. I don't know how my future is going to be like but I know God does and I trust him to protect me, to provide for me and guide me to the right places. In Proverbs 16:9, it says 'In his heart a man plans his course but the Lord directs his steps'. Surely with God behind, I know I will be fine and I will survive. I am living purely by faith from now and I thank God for this chance.

Recently I was questioning why some people can attain successful business, financial freedom, self-employment, more time more freedom, working on something they like and earning good income while some people are praying for good job opportunities with good pay, pay increments, good bosses, bonuses etc. Then God revealed something to me, he simply said because these people don't dare to dream big. God is still good to those who sincerely prayed for good jobs & its perks to come by, but if they dare to ask for a bigger dream, God can help them too. 

Many times we don't actually believe we can do what's needed to achieve our 'unrealistic' big dreams, whether it is conciously or subconciously, so we pray for more 'realistic' stuff. Dreams and visions come from God, they are usually God-sized callings. We need to internalise and visualise our God-size callings to turn it into reality with God's help. When we do that, God will start getting more involved in our dreams. This is when we start actively and conciously praying for God's help, to ask him for faith and courage to take actions, the wisdom on the steps to take, the creativity to create new things and his supernatural grace to breakthrough and his blessings to make our dreams come true. Do you agree?









Saturday, August 02, 2008

Half a year gone by

Its been almost half a year since I've blogged. Time passes so unbelivably fast that sometimes I just wanna live in denial. Denial of the fact that I'm older by 6 months and that reminds me of the long list of 2008 goals that I've yet to achieve or even get started on. Call it proscratination, or laziness or lack of time, its just really hard to get it going.

Sometimes I think holding a full-time job does affect what you really want to achieve outside work. Maybe its just me, the tiredness after work just makes me wanna do nothing when I get home. I've been wanting to start reworking on my internet business but just can't get around doing it. My day job requires me to face the PC whole day long and the thought of facing it again after work just doesn't motivate me, even if it will help to increase my income.

Then again, the thought of creating new content for my fashion portal just seems too much work and in the end I rather leave it as it is. Sometimes I thought of starting a new portal but since I don't have a concrete plan mapped out, it makes things difficult. Ultimately its really about not wanting to spend anymore time on work outside work.

I started to reflect on how I really spend my time outside work and concluded that my free time is spent on sleeping, reading books, watching dramas (sometimes only), working out, catching up with friends and church activities. Working on my internet business means I have to forego one or more of these activities, which are all important to me, or simply quit my job and do this full-time. Such is the dilemma of life, doing this full-time poses much risk, especially with such display of my laziness and lack of discipline, yet it is something I desire to do. How do one make a difficult choice like this? It is really not any child's play, considering that as one gets older, the more we have to be responsible for the consequences of our own actions. The struggles of adulthood is really like a thorn in the flesh, not really knowing how to pluck it out and produces pain if it does get plucked out.

Anyway I still think I really need to get started no matter what. With my new found faith in God, I make an effort to ask for God's help whenever I can. It is no longer something that can be achieved by my own efforts. Surely he knows my thoughts, my struggles and weakness. I leave everything into my heavenly father's hand and trust that he will help me bring about the change I so needed. Lord please help me....

Saturday, January 12, 2008

My Spiritual Journey (12 Jan 08)

Live a life of servanthood for GOD, for his kingdom and for his glory.

God makes us the HEAD and not the tail.

Be persistent in your prayers and KNOW that GOD will answer them in due time. Sow lots of faith, persistence and patience in your prayers and you shall reap! (Luke 18:1-8)

The key to success is to be humble, listen more than talk and don't be quick to react, always take the lower position and deny yourself (Luke 18:14)

We must always come with a believing, trusting, innocent and anticipating attitude towards our walk with GOD, just like little children (Luke 18:17)

Take good care of what GOD has given you (your money, valuables, talents, gifts etc) and put them to good and productive use. Do not ever take them for granted for these belong to GOD, it is GOD who put them in you, it is not because of luck or your own ability. If they are misused, GOD has the right to take them away from you and give them to someone else more deserving in his eyes. (Luke 19:26)

Surely you will have enemies and experience betrayal and persecution in life, but you will never need to worry or fear, just stand stand firm knowing you have GOD as backing and he will deliver you. (Luke 21:19)

When you are dreaded with fear and worry, you can't hear GOD even if he is trying to call out to you. Calm you mind and your thoughts and you will receive GOD. When you felt your heart burning over a message that you hear or saw in the Bible, it is GOD speaking to you, take heed. Act with faith after you hear GOD's message, run after your GOD given goals! (Luke 24:17-33)

Thursday, January 03, 2008

Conversations With GOD...

Dear child...

You have many questions about your life - why you are here, why you are in these circumstances, why you have such characteristics, why certain things happened, why it is so difficult, what is your purpose and destiny, how will the future be...

You might not find an answer from me to every question and even with answers, they are not easily comprehensible. However, I still want to leave these in you heart:

You are not a chance encounter, I have put you here for a reason. You are meant to have a great destiny and fulfilling life. I have given you a unique blend of characteristics, personality, attributes and talents that sets you apart from the rest. Do not compare yourself to others my dear, for everyone is unique, what you are set out to accomplish in this life is different from anyone and can only be fulfilled by you. Your personality and characteristics exist because they are the tools needed to fulfill it.

You are who you are because it is meant to be so in the beginning, so love and accept yourself with joy. You are called to be independent because soon you will realise you need this as you walk the narrow path with me. Your childhood, family, upbringing and moral values are not by chance, for I have it planned it before you are born. I have already start leading you even if you have not known me yet.

I have watched over your thoughts and response to love & relationships from the beginning till now, and I am overjoyed that you are making good progress. The world might frown upon you, but in my eyes these are the greatest thing that can happen and I will always make you free and pure. With me in you, you are no longer hard-hearted and incapable of love. In time to come you will realise that because you didn't comprise on the standards that I placed innately in you, you will experience beautiful things that is beyond your expectation and understanding. It will be like watching breadth-taking fireworks or wonderful sceneries everyday!

You have to understand that sometimes your prayers do not get answered because I want to give you a big surprise when it does happen, especially when you least expect it. Sometimes it is because you are not ready yet and I still need to nuture you a bit more so that you will not get hurt. Patience might be difficult but all you need to do is to put your trust in me and worked together with me, soon you will realised everything is worth the wait!

My spirit is always inside you but it remained dormant in the past, always watching over you silently from behind and trying to befriend you. I start to get active when you finally know me, because I want to be your advisor and companion whenever and wherever you go. When you call upon me, you will hear my voice and never will you be alone and feel lonely again. When trouble comes and difficulties arise, I will support you and help you get through it, you don't have to walk alone.

Know that I will never leave and forsake you my dearest, even in worst times or even if you turn away from me. This is because you are my son Jesus's dear one, anyone who is dear to him will be dear to me like my own sons and daughters. So know that I only want the best for you. When you are experiencing fears, hopelessness, confusion and difficulties, know that I am already laying out path for you to redeem you out of these traps, so you must endure for the time being and just keep on trusting me.

Remember my words, for when you looked back many years from now, you will realise that these things that I said today will come to pass. You might not understand what is going on or what exactly will happen, for these things are hard to explain but if you believe in me, you will see everything for yourself. It will be a joyous moment and there will be tears in your eyes, love, happiness and graditude in your chest.

Yes, life can be good! Always remember these words my dearest, don't ever forget...

With lots of love,
Your heavenly father, GOD