He comes near to us

I'm going through a season of spiritual barrenness. You know, those times when you feel so far from God. I'm not sure if it's even correct to call it a season. By season you imply that it is a natural course of nature, when many time this emptiness are caused by the our negligence of God. But I guess by calling it a season, there is comfort in knowing it will pass. But then again, the coming of the fruitful season only comes by our efforts to continue seeking God.

I believe it's not enough to just sit back and wait for God to call us back. The first half of James 4:8 says "Come near to God and He will come near to You". Did you see that? It says come near to God, not God comes near to us first. God gave us the greatest invitation to be close to Him when Jesus paved the way to eternal salvation. Technically, He has already done His part. Now it's our turn to "come near to God". Then, when our heart softens in His Love and Grace, we "allow" God to come near to us.

God will not push His way in. He gave us the gift of freewill and because of that, we unfortunately shut God out sometimes. But He waits. As the loving father who waited for his prodigal son. So does God wait for us to return. But when we do, He won't spend a moment longer away from you. He's the Father who will meet us halfway. He comes near to us.

This post didn't turn out exactly like I planned. I wanted to write about something else. As a matter of fact, the original title was "Saving Faith and Holy Lives". But as I typed, I just felt led to write this instead. And you know what? It's just what I needed to hear myself. Thanks Dad, I love You. I'm sorry I've been keeping away from You. But I'm coming back. Thanks for waiting.

I need strength..

Still
Words and Music by Reuben Morgan

Verse1
Hide me now
Under your wings
Cover me
within your mighty hand

Chorus
When the oceans rise and thunders roar
I will soar with you above the storm
Father you are king over the flood
I will be still and know you are God

Verse2
Find rest my soul
In Christ alone
Know his power
In quietness and trust

During the dark periods of my life, this song never failed to give me hope and strength. The beautiful assurance of being able to rest in God and know that everything's going to ok. I remember sharing in youth some time ago about Peter and his experience of walking water. Whatever storms we're trying to navigate through, we'll never sink as long as we're looking towards God. But so many times we see the wind and are afraid much like Peter. But it good to know that despite our lack of faith, Jesus is there to reach out and lift us above the stormy waters.

As I write these words, I hope someone struggling out there will know that God's not going to let you sink. As I write these words I also want to encourage myself. It's been one of those days. Days that remind you that being a youth leader is not easy. I know, it's never easy, but some days are just tougher than others. To see so much effort, so many prayers, so much time, so much patience, so many teachings, so much listening, so much caring... fall to pieces in one of your youths. I'm far from perfect, but I know I must have done some good in my service. To have it gone completely unnoticed by the very person that I'm doing them for, it's heartbreaking. And I'm not talking about favours or the sorts, I don't mind if favours I do go unnoticed. But to have the compassion and patience shrugged off... I'm at a lost of words.

But don't worry about me, I know things will turn out ok in the end. I know these things are normal. I know that God will give me strength. I know I know I know. But for now, I'm just feeling a little down. I'm praying and I'm waiting. Don't worry, I'll rise on wings of eagles soon enough.

I want my 24-hour cyber cafe!!!

For the past two weeks almost every cyber cafe in Subang Jaya was shut down because they operated past midnight. There's a law in Subang Jaya which states that cyber cafes can only operate from 8am till midnight. But it hasn't been strictly enforced, until two weeks ago. Being typically Malaysians, the laws that we really pay any attention to are those that are being strictly enforced. Well MPSJ, you got my attention, along with many other irate gamers in Subang Jaya. GIVE US BACK OUR 24-HOUR CYBER CAFE!

Now, I know some of you reading this are thinking "Oh just another whiny kid", so let please allow me defend my case and not just whine. I hate whiny, pointless, baseless complaining as well.

Firstly, let me just say that rule boils down to one huge problem, discrimination or more specifically, ageism. This senseless ban is prejudice towards youth. Let's have a look at why do I say this. Many other establishments are allowed to operate past midnight. Cinemas, futsal centers, mamak stalls, bars and what not. Why are these places allowed to operate past midnight and not cyber cafes? These places have one thing in common; older people understand these establishments. Everyone's familiar with movies, futsal is a variation of football, older folks enjoy late night teh tariks too and our parents enjoyed getting drinks are bars as youth. Plainly speaking, these places can open past midnight because those "fuddy duddies" (I wanted to say worse but swearing's a sin) enjoy those activities or at least understand those businesses. But cyber cafes? NO WAY! Those places are smoke filled dens of gamblers. Look, if I wanted to gamble and smoke I would go to Genting Casino (which also opens 24-hours). Gamers go to cyber cafes to GAME and we don't want to choke on smoke while doing so.

I'm guessing the next thing they would say is, "Those games are murder simulator! They make teens violent!". I slap my face every time I hear that statement. If you're concerned about aggression stimulators, then ban football. There's been more football related deaths and violent conducts than computer game violence cases. Oh wait, I forgot. Old people like football as well. No way we could ban that. We can only ban things we don't like or don't understand.

And don't give me that rubbish about futsal places being good for health and that's why they should be allowed to remain open past midnight. I'm not saying that futsal isn't healthy. I'm saying that if you're so concerned about health, then please ban mamak stalls first. They're feeding young and old alike with oil drenched, fatty foods at late hours! Oh dear, sounds like a heart attack waiting to happen. Oh wait! I forgot again, the people at MPSJ probably like mamak stalls as well. How absent minded of me.

Some may be asking, why do cyber cafes need to be remain open past midnight? Well I know it's improper, but bear with me as I retort with a question, why do mamak stalls have to open past midnight? The answer is obvious isn't it? Because people still visit mamak stalls past midnight! There's business to be made at those wee hours as well. Many Malaysians are nocturnal in nature. We seem to enjoy going out for drinks and food late at night. Maybe it's the night air or perhaps we have no other free time except late at night. Whatever the reason, we can't deny that we're night creatures. We youngsters inherited this nocturnality as well. But instead of frequenting mamaks as our parents did, some of us frequent cyber cafes. 24-hour operating hours is necessary because of the nature of the business, the nature of the patrons.

But I guess it's not enough to be all talk and no action. So I'm starting a petition for 24-hour cyber cafes in Subang. If what i said made sense. Please, show your support here. Thank you so very much for your support.

http://www.PetitionOnline.com/sj24hrcc/petition.html

I was at a car wash...

I was at a car wash on Sunday with my sister when she said, "Wah, very worth it" as we saw all the dirt and grime being washed away. I confess that I am horrible at keeping my car clean, inside and out. Which is one of the reasons that prompted going to the car wash. Anyway, back to what my sister said, it made me think a little. Every person who parks there pays RM8 for the wash. We all get the same treatment; soap, rinse, dry and vacuum. But I believe no one else walked away feeling as happy as I did. As I stared at my shiny black Kembara I said to myself, "That was RM8 well spent". Why was that so? Well plainly because my car was by far the dirtiest car among the lot.

My thoughts then turned to the salvation that we receive through the death of Jesus Christ. We all received the same salvation. Jesus suffered to the same degree for all of us; none more, none less. But then again some of us seem to appreciate this eternal gift so much more, so much so they give their lives entirely to God. More often that not, these zealous brothers and sisters are what some may consider the "dirtiest among the lot". It is the people who recognize their dirty condition and then experience the cleansing touch of God that appreciate salvation the most. As long as we feel that we're "ok", we'll never be able to embrace the forgiveness of God. Isn't it high time we let God forgive us?

Last night, as I lied in bed, I thought of all the demons of my past. Things that I am not proud of. Things that I still struggle with a to a certain degree. At times I wondered, God why of all the kind of struggles, You had to give me such a difficult one. But I guess I would not appreciate salvation as I do now had I not had to struggle with such sins. So, thanks God, for making me wonderfully made.