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Uncle Lim

He's gone, did he take anything with him? Did he leave anything behind? Yes and no..The old man "Uncle Lim" as he was fondly called was known for his wealth and "kingdom", but as SC Cheong put it in MCMC Forum, 可惜他还没有信主....(he didn't know Jesus)....

Below is one of the best article written by 鄭丁賢 of Sin Chew
very good, it makes you THINK and REFLECT.....read on

"從一個老人逝世談起"

一個非常，非常富有的老人家逝世了。

很多人，從達官貴人，到市井小民，都抬頭45度，仰望這位老者的影子。

45度斜角，如果方向正確，正好可以看到那個白天雲霧裊繞，夜間粼光閃閃的山頭。

老人就是從那兒發跡。

確是有過人之處。今天，一條媲美收費大道的公路，將國內外火山孝子日以繼夜都送到山頂，累積了富可敵國的財富。

這都和老人的毅力、意志、遠見，以及長袖善舞有直接關係。

這是老人的個人成就，從金錢和商業的角度，國內無人能出其右。爾後長眠高原上涼風習習，群峰環繞的墓園，猶能仰天長笑，餘音在谷中盤旋。

山腳下的凡夫俗子，又是如何評價老人？

可能有點複雜。

人，終其一生，追求的是甚麼？成功是甚麼？財富是甚麼？幸福又是甚麼？

資本主義商業社會的“顯學”，會告訴大家說：人生是一種投資，製造財富是一種驅動；兩者融合，就是成功人生。

渾渾噩噩的紅塵眾生，羨慕之餘，也想學老人賺到金山銀山般的財富，絡繹不絕的上山朝拜，然而，絕大部份卻是繳盡學費，最終學藝未成，敗興而歸。

在早期的遊牧社會，人類逐水草而居，維持基本的溫飽就足夠了，一片草原的草遲早都要吃光，要遷移時哪帶得走這許多身外物。

進入農業社會，人類定居下來，思維也稍微改變。人們需要儲蓄一些糧食雜物，以便在收成不好時，積穀防饑，於是，累積一些財富，成為生活的需要。

到了工業時代，經過資本主義狂潮洗禮，累積財富成為生存的目的，人們耗畢生精力追逐財富和伴隨而來的名利地位和權力。

然而，財富的真正意義又在哪裡？

這讓我想到巴菲特。有人稱他為股神，這也沒有不對，在商業社會，能夠在財富堆裡呼風喚雨，來去自如，就是神。

但是，人們沒有想到，在他有生之年，他把個人大部份的財富，300億美金，約是1000億令吉，捐了出去。

他甚至沒有要求這筆捐款，要以他的名字為紀念。300億美金，是投入其他人為名的基金之下，好像和他沒有關係了。

這筆龐大的金錢，將流到全球最貧苦，最需要求助的地方，尤其是非洲。

在西方文化中，追求財富是資本主義的特質；但是，它只是一個方式，以及一個過程，而不是終極的目的，換句話說，它不是生命的最重要部份。

得到財富之後，如何應用財富，才是智慧。

財富可以豐富人生，讓個人和家族改善生活。這一點，沒有人不知道。

但是，西方人看得更遠，在滿足生活之後，就要豐盛生命。

生命的豐盛，是要讓其他人能夠分享，得到滋潤。

幾乎所有西方的富豪，都有慈善基金，或是蓋大學、建圖書館、辦醫院、設立研究中心……

財富的意義，從美化個人的生命，擴大到造福社會人群，意義完全不同了。

在華人社會，這種觀念，還未成形。

確實有一些企業家熱心公益，在累積一定的財富之後，回饋社會。這種仁風義舉，的確應該受到表揚。

然而，比較起來，他們捐獻的數目，與留給家族的遺產，往往不成比例。

局部的捐獻，缺乏生命的深度。善款固然能夠協助一些貧病孤苦的個體之需，或是為教育和福利盡一分力，但是，卻不能完整傳達財富的價值和意義。

財富的累積，和財富的意義必須找到交集，生命才會豐盛。財聚財散，如花開花落，雲展雲舒，這才是幸福。 （星洲日報/情在人間•作者：鄭丁賢2007.10.24）

As Heart2Heart remember what the Wise man have said:
TO GET MONEY IS DIFFICULT, TO KEEP IT MORE DIFFICULT, BUT TO SPEND IT WISELY MOST DIFFICULT OF ALL!

It remind me of these questions?
Am I managing my money as God's possession, not mine? Am I following spiritual principles of complete honesty, honoring God by donating first to his work?

Let'us reflect and ACTS on that...God bless you!

Your Roadmap to Success

My sister Angeline finished this book in a very short time and ask me for more books. I told her "1 step at a time, you are not the lengchai aka rocketman...:p"...looks like she really benefited from the book!! Oh Yes!!

So I thought it's good to share with you guys one of the best book by John Maxwell (an America's expert on leadership, founder of the INJOY Group, an organization dedicated to helping people maximize their personal and leadership potential.) who have written twenty-five books, including "The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership", "Failing Forward", "Developing the Leader Within You", and The "21 Indispensable Qualities of a Leader".

May be this book can help you To Get There from Here, especially my another sister who seems to be very troubled by many things - their performance, by many questions thrown at her, by many unsuccessful events/trips - and as a result of that have to eat-2-live & growing very healthily lately... hehe!

ok, okay, lets get back to our review...:p

Defining success is a difficult task. Most people equate it with wealth, power, and happiness. However, true success is not a thing you acquire or achieve. Rather, it is a journey you take your whole life long.

In a refreshingly straightforward style, John Maxwell shares unique insights into what it means to be successful. And he reveals a definition that puts genuine success within your reach yet motivates you to keep striving for your dreams.

He shows that the keys to success are:

1. Knowing Your Purpose In Life
2. Growing To Your Maximum Potential
3. Sowing Seeds That Benefit Other

Success is not limited to those with financial resources or special talents. It is available to anyone willing to learn a few practical principles and then follow through with hem day to day. In Your Road Map for Success, the author guides your every step until you are equipped with your own road map to take you on the rest of the trip.

As the author put it in his foreword: "I want to help you discover your personal road map for success, teach you what it means to be on the success journey, answer many of your questions, and equip you with what you'll need to change yourself and keep growing."

So, to many of you "young dreamers" who aspire to succeed in life, go and grab one at about RM23++ at MPH, NOW!

Rocketman!

My sister said he very leng-chai, and she called him Rocketman, what do you think? leng-chai meh?
Malaysia "Boleh"! Rocket pun boleh!!

To Facebook kaki...

"Kena racun kut??"

Build to Last!

Today, our church MCMC launched the "Arise and Build" to buy next door unit at a price of RM320K. All together we want to raise RM420K in 6 months (RM320K + RM100K renovation funds). We believe in our God-Jehovah Jireh-the Provider and once again we will put our faith in Him to provide the RM420K from October 2007 to March 2007. He provided the money the last time when we raised RM600K in 2 years for our current building. read here

So, this time again, we believe our God is a Great Paymaster, and He never fails....because in Him we trust! and When God’s work is done in God’s way for God’s glory, it will not lack for God’s supply! (Hudson Taylor)

"And my God will meet all your needs according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus." （Phil 腓 4：19）

Below is an article on Why we won't go to bank for His Building..

Borrowing to Build

The use of debt to build or expand the outreach of a church is so common a practice today that even to challenge the idea can create an air of animosity. However, just because a practice is normal does not mean it is scriptural or best.

It should be noted that most churches repay their indebtedness according to contract. So the discussion is not whether a church can repay (they must) but whether churches should borrow even if they can repay.

Is borrowing prohibited?
Church borrowing is an emotional and controversial topic. When the time comes to fund building programs or expansions, too many ministry leaders immediately call a bond company or make an appointment with a commercial loan officer at the bank.

Why do churches so frequently borrow to fund expansion? In many cases, they feel they have no other alternative. Church leaders too often feel trapped and resort to borrowing out of a sense of desperation.

Borrowing is not prohibited in Scripture. It is discouraged. There are no positive references to borrowing, but there are explicit warnings to avoid it. “The rich rules over the poor, and the borrower becomes the lender’s slave” (Proverbs 22:7).

Thus God’s Word indicates that an unnecessary authority is created by borrowing, plus borrowing denies God’s people the opportunity to experience His blessings (see 2 Corinthians 9:10).

Scripture points out four precedents concerning borrowing:

• Borrowing is always presented in the negative (see Proverbs 17:18).
  
• God never made a promise to anyone and then fulfilled it through a loan or debt (see Luke 6:38).
  
• God promised His people that if they would obey His commandments they wouldn’t have to borrow (see Deuteronomy 28:12).
  
• God had worship structures built at least three times in the Bible, and no credit was used.

How borrowing affects ministry
The philosophy of the day says to have it all now. This mind-set causes serious problems in the local church.

Members who are accustomed to making large purchases using personal credit carry that same belief system and practice into their churches. This has caused many local congregations to assume staggering amounts of debt that has resulted in high debt-service payments.

Many of these debts cut deeply into ministry resources to the extent that staffing needs and other opportunities have to be set aside in order to pay the mortgage.

A debt within the church restricts the ability of the members to serve God. Quite often, ministry decisions are based on the need to meet the debt payments rather than to fund current ministry needs.

Without a doubt, overly ambitious building programs have caused more stress in churches than any other financial endeavor. Many building programs have pursued what has been termed “architectural evangelism.” It is felt that a large, ornate sanctuary will draw people to the church. But at what cost?

Almost everyone agrees that the local church consists of more than simply bricks and mortar. But, then again, almost every church spends a great deal of time, energy, and money on buildings.

Huge portions of church collections go to meet interest payments. This money could be used to further God’s kingdom, rather than the world’s. Some major denominations spend more on interest payments than on foreign missions.

The need to build
There are some essential questions that need to be answered before spending church resources on building or expansion programs.

1. What is the true motive for building or expansion? Is it based on a real or a perceived need (a want)? Is money for building going to be spent to the detriment of missions or essential ministry programs? The Great Commission never said anything about highly leveraged building programs.
   
2. What effect will borrowing have on the cash flow of the church? When a church has a mortgage, the mortgage holder must get his portion first—before pastor, utilities, or missions are paid. In essence, a mortgage reorders all of the church’s priorities.
   The mortgage must be paid first; everything else comes next, regardless of how the church feels God has called them to minister.
   
3. Is God backing the decision? If God is backing the program, He will bring the funds in without the church having to borrow.
   Raising money needs to be low-key and all funds need to be on hand before any construction begins.
   
4. Is God the designer? If God is backing the project and He brings in the amount of money that is needed for the construction effort, the size and the cost of the building effort will be determined by how much God brings in, not by what a building committee says is needed.

Alternative to borrowing
There is an alternative to borrowing: generous giving by God’s people.

Christians need to give in a generous, joyous, God-first, servant-minded, self-sacrificial way, in proportion to their incomes.

Yet when challenged to give up personal desires in favor of contributing to the work and expansion of churches, too many American Christians say no.

This is not the giving attitude that is powerfully and consistently taught throughout the New Testament. If Christians would give as God clearly instructs them to, there never would be a need for churches to borrow.

Conclusion
Although it is not a sin for a church to borrow for building or expansion, it does circumvent the need to trust God.

If God is convicting the people to expand or renovate, there is enough money in each church to fund the project.

There are countless churches across America that are both large and thriving and have chosen to avoid debt. They have decided to build debt free and have delayed expanding until they could afford to do so. To these, the church is in their hearts, not in a building.

If emotion is driving a program, it probably will fail. If the desire to reach more people and show them God's love is the motivation, God will honor that attitude.

Buildings should not be built "to the glory of God," because God does not need buildings. So, if there is truly a need for expansion, the church leadership and congregation need to set aside some time to seek what God wants for the church and ask Him how the money will be provided.

Ten Commandments and Me

"Sixty percent of Americans can't name five of the Ten Commandments"
- USA Today 03/07 -

Eight in ten Americans know 2 All Beef Patties are in a Big Mac, but just over four in ten (41%) can't name "Thou Shall not Kill" as one of the 10 Commandments.
- Ten Commandments Commission Study (conducted by Kelton Research 2007) -

How about You? Take the Test now, as you listen to Jeremy Camp* I am Willing...

*Camp, named 2005 Best Male Artist of the Year by Gospel Music Association, said the song "I Am Willing” is about answering to God’s call in spite of the insufficiencies one may see in himself.

“Moses had a hard time stepping out at first. He was saying to God that I'm not a very eloquent speaker,” said Camp.

But it’s important to have a “willing” attitude, said the music artist, and tell God, “But Lord, I am willing, to be whatever you want me to be — with arms stretched wide — use me as you will.”

“In our own strength we can do nothing but in his strength we can do everything,” he added.

(http://www.christiantoday.com)

To all of you...

Sometime, life seems difficult and full of challenges, but we do have hope in Him.....this one for you. When you are tired, down and wanted to give up walking this path called LIFE..... don't give up because there are hope and blessing in Him at the end of the journey, push on and don't give up...

On your speaker and listen to this:

HOPE

English Version

Chinese Version

Jesus loves you and He cares.....

Footprint

Footprint - one of the very inspiring story we heard all the time, available in flash

English version

Chinese version

(p/s: don't forget to on your speaker!)