Buying a House?

Thinking of buying a house? Here are some tips you might want to consider before making decision, read on!

HOUSING

Since the cost of housing is perhaps the greatest expense you’ll ever incur, you must study your personal situation, research the possibilities, and pray for the Lord’s guidance in order to make educated decisions about what’s right for you.

CONSIDER THE VARIABLES

One decision you’ll face in your search for housing is whether to buy or rent, which depends on how much you can afford to spend. And the only sure way to determine your spending limit is to live on a budget. With a budget, you know how much is coming in, how much is going out, and areas in which you can cut costs. This allows you to take the monthly amount you’d be paying on a certain house and try fitting that amount into your budget. It should be stated at the outset that buying a house without first checking your budget can place a tremendous financial burden on your family. The resulting stress can destroy your relationship with your spouse.

Of course, buying a house within your budget may require you to settle for a smaller house than you desire. But one thing’s for sure: The less you owe on your house, the faster you can pay it off. Then, you can take the money you were using to make payments and invest it for your children’s college or for retirement. The state of our nation’s economy is another reason to pay off your house early. The continuous buildup of federal debt must eventually produce severe economic consequences. The people with the greatest amount of debt at that time will be likely to suffer most as a result of these consequences.

Thus, we may conclude that living on a budget is the first step in buying a house. But even though your financial situation will be the major factor in determining what type of housing you need, there are other factors that must be considered. Prayerfully give these questions some thought.

1. Is your job secure enough for you to start making a mortgage payment? If not, consider renting instead of buying a house.

2. How long do you plan to stay in the area? If you know you will be staying in the community for at least five years, house ownership may be a good option.

3. What is the economy like in the area you are considering? Is the area growing substantially, and will the house appreciate? You don’t want to be stuck with a house that you can’t sell because of a poor economy.

4. What is the cost of living in the new area? If it is high, it will definitely affect your budget and may change the amount you can afford for housing.

After answering these questions, take the amount you can spend for housing and determine if house payments, including taxes and insurance, upkeep, and maintenance would be equal to or less than rental payments for a similar house in the same area. If they would be, then buying a house may be a wise choice.

RENTING A HOUSE

If you’ve decided that renting a house is a better option for you at this time, there are several things to consider. First, decide what type of dwelling you want to rent.You can rent a house, apartment, town house, mobile home, or even a room or suite in someone else’s house. The people in your church are often a good source of information about availability, location, and cost of rentals around the area.

BUYING A HOUSE

If you’ve decided that buying a house fits into your budget and is in your best interest long term, you can begin to look at the options available to you. Included in these options are new and used houses and condominiums.

First you will need to decide whether you want to purchase a new or used house. The advantages of purchasing a new house are that you can design the interior of your house to fit your individual needs. But new houses also have a big disadvantage. With few exceptions, those who bought a new house end up spending more than they planned to spend. Changes made, i.e. renovation, while the house is still new cost a lot of money, and it takes considerable time and mental effort to oversee the renovation of a new house.With used houses, there are several advantages. You know exactly what the house is going to cost and you can get more extras.

Used houses may come with curtains, curtain rods, towel racks, ceiling fans, lights in the closets, light bulbs, built-in cabinet, renovated kitchen/dining area, and occasionally appliances (air-conds, entertainment, fridge, washing machine etc). Be sure the contract states exactly which items will come with the house. One disadvantage of a used house is that it will likely have some wear and tear, which means repairs. The older the house is, the more repairs it’s likely to need. You should always check the heating and air conditioning, roof, water heater, kitchen cabinet, and appliances to see if they are in working condition. You may choose to hire a house inspection service to do this for you.

After the house has been checked, you can decide whether to purchase the house as is or back out of the deal.

Auction
This type of a house can be purchased at a relatively lower cost than other used houses. But you’ll need to take into consideration the extra funds for repairs, which will be in addition to the normal housing allocation. Be sure to have the house checked thoroughly, including foundations, roof, plumbing,and wiring, so you’ll know exactly what is wrong with the house before you buy it.


Condominiums
Another option is a condominium. You need to be aware of some additional costs involved above the purchase price, such as maintenance fees and club fees. Be aware that the maintenance fees are subject to change each year, and you have no control over them. This is not a bad option, especially if you don’t want to bother with yardwork.


PURCHASE OPTIONS

Now that you’ve decided what type of house you want to buy, you need to decide how to pay for it. In order to serve God in the very best way, the goal of all Christians should be to become debt free—including their homes. If you choose to borrow money to purchase the house, you should make it your goal to pay the house off as soon as possible.

Pay Cash
The best way to buy a house is to pay cash, provided you are financially able to do so. The idea of owning a house debt free is not a new one; in fact, it’s quite ancient. Most families used to own their houses, and those who didn’t were abnormal. Couples who couldn’t afford the large house they wanted followed a procedure that young couples need to follow today.

They would
1. Buy a smaller house;
2. Put a great deal of time and effort into it, thereby improving its value;
3. Sell it; and
4. Buy the next larger size house.

Eventually, these couples got their dream house without going into debt.

Remember: Patience is the key, as the bible says "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. (Galatians 5:22-23)

Called to be Teacher, Proud to be one...

“Why do you want to be a teacher?”
“Why are you a teacher?”
I remember many years ago when I first started as teacher (lecturer), one of my students asked those questions most people would like to know the answers too.

Is it because of the pay? Limited opportunities in the other sector? The half day spent in School/College? The long holidays? Job security? Or just “nowhere else to go”? Is it a calling or vocation?

Well, may be all of the above or may be not, I don’t quite sure when I started to be one…

But after so many years of being a “Teacher”, I am kind of loving to be a teacher—a great one! Know what? Of all professionals, teachers are the ones most intimately in touch with human lives and their development. Sound good and great huh?! Indeed, it is..

When I finished my STPM, my father suggested to me to enter Maktab Perguruan, I quickly brushed aside his suggestion and telling him I wish to enter university. Then he suggested Law, I declined again by putting Economics my first choice, wanting to end-up working in Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM).

At that time, things seemed to be working out well towards my goal. When I graduated from U and were start to working in a finance company, I received a call from BNM to go for an interview, only later to find out it was an interview for BNM prize for outstanding Economics’ students. I didn’t get the gold prize but were able to establish a rapport with BNM officials (most of them were seniors from the U).

After working for a few years, I decided to do my Master in Economics as that will add more weight to my resume for a BNM job. I started praying for a place where I can work and study part-time. The Lord then made special provision for me to enter TAR College where I managed to study even as I was teaching. After a while, I was shunted into education. But over the years I have seen God’s guiding hand and have learnt some valuable lessons being a teacher. I will call this “Teaching as a vocation”

It’s now my vocation and it is “called to be a teacher”!!

As Ruth Wong put it in her write-up entitled “Called to be a Teacher—A Christian and personal viewpoint.” A vocation

A vocation is not what I decide upon for my own ends. It is assigned by God.
God will adequately equip us for the work to which He has called us.
The Christian is called to walk in His footsteps.

So, to you, who are teaching or in any professions now, render service to your “earthly masters with respect and fear, and with sincerity of heart, just as you would obey Christ. 6 Obey them not only to win their favor when their eye is on you, but like slaves of Christ, doing the will of God from your heart. 7Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not men, 8because you know that the Lord will reward everyone for whatever good he does, whether he is slave or free. 9And masters, treat your slaves in the same way. Do not threaten them, since you know that he who is both their Master and yours is in heaven, and there is no favoritism with him. (Ephesians 6:5-8)

Called to be a teacher! Proud to be a Teacher! A Christian Teacher!!

Called to be a Teacher

Good teacher is like an angel, this picture tells a thousand words . . .

Here is one good article on why people choose to be teacher.

Will follow up with a reflection on why I became a teacher, coming soon!

(CK in action. BB Study Camp, 5-6 Aug, Riviera Bay, Melaka)

Botak Geng II

Dear Botak Geng(s),

Guys, there is a good news for you here and all you need to know about why your head is getting botak :-) here.

By the way, my wife say botak can be sexy also if we look like these photos.

Ha! errrr, trying to comfort the worried husband but my head is not as round as these heads! how?

Urgently need your advise!!

Yours sincerely,

C K
your botak geng (coming soon)

p.s in case u can't visualise how I would look like in bald, here are some clues..see like father like daughter ma, so may be I'd look like this! :-)




(note: photos taken when Joyce was 1 month old)

Botak Geng

How are you doing? I pray that you are still as young as you are and as you wish!!

You know what? I start losing my hair nowaday and moving toward the new era of my life: Mid-Life as some of my friend keep on reminding me: Mr Wee, you are entering the "mid-life crisis" stage!! (ERRR!!) (I can see some smiling faces out there, especially my "Botak Geng" who I'm joining them soon! HAHA!)

Oh! Dear! Don't remind me on that please!! I know, age is catching up on me very fast. But you know what, I still think there are a lot thing that I have not finish, complete and ....many-many work to do before I call it a day! Or put it this way, God has not finish with me yet!

So, with that in mind, althought the next time you see me, I may look "more mature" (he! he!) but you know what? my student always says to me: Sir, you are young at heart!! Ok, ok...you guys must think that I'm trying to comfort myself with all the saying....fine, ok-lah, I am 37 years old, 3 more years to go before entering 40!!

As I was wondering what to do with my "head" and my "hair", I found this song and flash (as attached) that remind me of my dream and remind me of my ultimate goal and purpose of life as written in the bible

Philippians 3 "Pressing on Toward the Goal "

12Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. 13Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, 14I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. 15All of us who are mature should take such a view of things. And if on some point you think differently, that too God will make clear to you. 16Only let us live up to what we have already attained. 17Join with others in following my example, brothers, and take note of those who live according to the pattern we gave you. 18For, as I have often told you before and now say again even with tears, many live as enemies of the cross of Christ. 19Their destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach, and their glory is in their shame. Their mind is on earthly things. 20But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, 21who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body.

12 这 不 是 说 我 已 经 得 着 了 ， 已 经 完 全 了 ； 我 乃 是 竭 力 追 求 ， 或 者 可 以 得 着 基 督 耶 稣 所 以 得 着 我 的 （ 或 作 ： 所 要 我 得 的 ） 。13 弟 兄 们 ， 我 不 是 以 为 自 己 已 经 得 着 了 ； 我 只 有 一 件 事 ， 就 是 忘 记 背 後 ， 努 力 面 前 的 ，14 向 着 标 竿 直 跑 ， 要 得 神 在 基 督 耶 稣 里 从 上 面 召 我 来 得 的 奖 赏 。15 所 以 我 们 中 间 ， 凡 是 完 全 人 总 要 存 这 样 的 心 ； 若 在 甚 麽 事 上 存 别 样 的 心 ， 神 也 必 以 此 指 示 你 们 。16 然 而 ， 我 们 到 了 甚 麽 地 步 ， 就 当 照 着 甚 麽 地 步 行 。17 弟 兄 们 ， 你 们 要 一 同 效 法 我 ， 也 当 留 意 看 那 些 照 我 们 榜 样 行 的 人 。18 因 为 有 许 多 人 行 事 是 基 督 十 字 架 的 仇 敌 。 我 屡 次 告 诉 你 们 ， 现 在 又 流 泪 的 告 诉 你 们 ：19 他 们 的 结 局 就 是 沉 沦 ； 他 们 的 神 就 是 自 己 的 肚 腹 。 他 们 以 自 己 的 羞 辱 为 荣 耀 ， 专 以 地 上 的 事 为 念 。20 我 们 却 是 天 上 的 国 民 ， 并 且 等 候 救 主 ， 就 是 主 耶 稣 基 督 从 天 上 降 临 。21 他 要 按 着 那 能 叫 万 有 归 服 自 己 的 大 能 ， 将 我 们 这 卑 贱 的 身 体 改 变 形 状 ， 和 他 自 己 荣 耀 的 身 体 相 似 。

So, lets continue to dream and to dream for God!! And to pressing toward the Goal of our Life: to win the prize for which God has called us heavenward in Christ Jesus.

I may have gave-up on my hairs, but I never give up on my life and my "DREAM" for Him!! You too shouldn't stop dreaming and continue to do BIG things for Him!!

Click here for the flash. Listen to it a few time, you will see and hear something, especially those of you who are like me, entering mid-life and start losing hairs!! Welcome to the "Botak Geng"!! Ha HA! :-)

(first time download may be slow, after running the first time, it'll become smooth then, enjoy!)

为主来梦想

相片里 儿时的模样
记录着年少的时光 曾经在你我的心中
要登上月亮 要飞越太平洋

年后 我们都成长
告别了清涩和迷惘 曾经在你我的心中
编织的梦想是否已遗忘

人生的理想是 为主发光 拭去了泪水使我们更坚强
路依然漫长 别失去了盼望 痛苦时记得有主在你身旁

为主来梦想 为主来发光 虽然有挫折 但我不用沮丧
主是我力量 主指引方向我们的日子有梦想 有灿烂的阳光

Enjoy the Mid-life!!

(Your Botak Geng :-)

p/s sent this flash to a very good fren and decided it should benefit more people, therefore it's here for you, enjoy the song!

One of the best comment i've ever read . .

see here and enjoy the article ...

Kali ini mesti kasi dia "kaw-kaw" :-)

Biblical view on Wealth & Economy System

Lately, one student asked me this through email:
"Sir, as a Christian Lecturer, what is your view of Wealth and Free Capitalism?"

Here are my reply:

“The love of money is a root of all kinds of evil.” Paul (1 Tim. 6:10)

“Store up for yourselves treasures in heaven . . . . For where your treasure is, there your heart will also be.” Jesus Christ (Matt. 6:20-21)

“I have heard confessions to every kind of sin—except covetousness.” A Catholic priest.

There are rich people in the Bible: Job, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob were all rich. So, later, was Solomon. The Bible teaches that it is not the amount of our wealth that matters but the way we get it, how we use it, and our ability to sit lightly to it. Paul explains (1 Tim. 6:6-9, RSV):

There is great gain in godliness with contentment; for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world; but if we have food and clothing, with these we shall be content. But those who desire to be rich will fall into temptation, into snare, into many senseless and hurtful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction.


Again Paul says to Timothy (vv. 17-18),

As for the rich in this world, charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on uncertain riches but on God who richly furnishes us with everything to enjoy. They are to do good, to be rich in good deeds, liberal and generous.

Practicing Christians are likely to be richer than their neighbor. We are taught to work harder, be more trustworthy and responsible, and develop our talents to the full; we are not to gamble or waste our money on conspicuous consumption—it would be odd if all this did not put us ahead.

But Christians are wary, believing that no system, however good, can stay uncorrupted. The Bible has warnings and safeguards against economic power. We must always remember its warnings and who benefits from the freedom to do as they like, and who, if there are no safeguards, will suffer.

Although the economic background to Bible times were very different from our own industry society, but the Bible does lay down some quite sharp guidelines regarding economic activity. The laws were clearly aimed to pass down the capital (the land) of each family intact from generation to generation, and the laws were totally opposed to the accumulation of that capital by the rich and powerful. The legal instrument was the Law of jubilee. Every fifty years, the family farm had to go back to its original owners, and the debts run up in hard times had to be cancelled. Land was the capital of an agricultural society, and the rich were not free to corner it, adding “house to house and . . . field to field.” (Isa. 5:8).

So the biblical model was family capitalism. The family’s independence was to be protected against the state. Naboth was entitled to oppose King Ahab’s demand for his vineyard, and God punished Ahab for seizing it. Other prophets attacked the rich for using their wealth to buy off the judges and rulers. Moving to the New Testament, we find James telling Christians not to give undue deference to the rich, for “Is it not the rich who are exploiting you? Are they not the ones who are dragging you into court?” (James 2:6).

Nowhere in Christians Scriptures, OT or NT, is there any support for an open-ended capitalist system in which the rich get richer while the poor get poorer. The ideal is a society in which each family is under its won vine and its own fig tree (1 Kings 4:25; Mic. 4:4, Zech. 3:10).

Any system should be judged by its results:

1. Is it fair between citizens?
2. Does it give equality of opportunity to earn a living?
3. Does it protect us against exploitation by the rich and powerful?

10 Myths about Examinations

Myth No. 1: Revision based on “Tips”

Many students start their revision based on hearsay, tips or guidance and thought that will be enough.

Fact: The scopes of the examination are based on the subject syllabus, lecture notes and tutorial questions. Therefore, student should first arrange their lecture notes and tutorial questions base on the subject syllabus, and their revision according to the syllabus, not base on tips!


Myth No. 2: “Spot” past year questions will be enough

Many students will take out the past year questions and spot the popular questions and concentrate on these selected questions.

The fact is: spotting questions may lighten the revision load, but the percentage of getting it all correct is very low. Spot question will reduce your chance of getting good result, if you missed it, then instead of getting 4 A, you will get F 4!


Myth No. 3: No time already, sleep a few hours will do

Because of fear of no enough time to prepare, students choose to sleep a few hours only.

The fact is: If you have no enough sleep, you will lose your concentration, you will be physically weak, the less you sleep, the less you read…many problems will come!

Sleep well, eat well and study well!


Myth No. 4: Take 3, Drop 3

Many students will have this idea of too many subjects to handle and decided to concentrate on some paper and drop the others.

The fact is: If you manage and arrange your time properly, you can score and pass all subjects!

Don’t give up any subjects!!




Myth No. 5: Answer base on instinct or what people called “sixth sense”

When come to exam question, a lot of people will quickly answer after a quick glance without proper planning.

The fact is: Answer question without proper understanding and planning will lead to an unorganized answer given.

Read the questions carefully and understand it thoroughly before answering it.


Myth No. 6: The longer I write, the better my answer!

Some students the longer the answer the better and the chance to score good marks is higher.

The fact is: Straight to the point! Elaborate and explain your point with a few sentences. Write short and precise answer with some explanations or elaborations.


Myth No. 7: My handwriting is “like this”, the examiner can understand my writing one!

All this years, my handwriting is like this, how to change in such a short time?

The fact is: If you or your friend cannot understand what you have written, then don’t expect the examiner do.

Write clearly!!


Myth No. 8: Checking my answer? No enough time already!

I don’t even have enough time to finish my answer, where to find time to do final checking?

The fact is: 2 hours examination, 4 questions to answer, and how many minutes for one question? 30 minutes? No! The answer is 20 – 25 minutes. What happen to the balance of 5 – 10 minutes? Read and plan your answer (2.5-5 minutes) and CHECK the answer (2.5 – 5 minutes)! 5 minutes is all you need to make sure your answer the question!

Always check your answers!




Myth No. 9: Time is not important as long as I can finish the questions

I don’t need time management or allocation for each question as long as I can finish doing all the questions.

The fact is: if the time allocated for each question is not balance, some question was spent too much time, some questions too short a time, then don’t expect high mark from question that took up longer time. If each question carries 20 marks, a question that is answer with one-hour time will get the same marks with question that was answered in 20 minutes: 20 marks!

Allocate your time properly for each question!


Myth No. 10: Exam time, no more exercise, no more entertainment!

Study, study, study and study!

The fact is: Some exercise and entertainment will release your pressure, tension and relieve your mind.

Relax…..enjoy the examination!

My Home, My Haven...

Just a little reflection to share with you:

Mark Hatfield, a retired US senator once said this: “The home is the toughest environment of all for leaders.” Being a father of three, I really agreed with him. Why is it the ones we love most are the ones we are most impatient with?

My wife often said to me, “I wish you were as patient with your children as you are with your colleagues, students, brothers & sisters in-Christ.” She’s right. She reminds me that I’m accountable to God and to my family, and I’m grateful to that. Especially now with the new appointment as programme supervisor in the SBS, TAR College, and with many existing roles and responsibilities to be fulfilled both in the Church as well as preaching/sharing engagement in many places.

I think the greatest problem is our allocation of time, whether or not we let our professions exclude time with our families. If our lives are going to be given only to our professions, then better we had remained as Paul said, unencumbered by marriage and family. But if we do decide to marry and have a family, I am thoroughly convinced one has to set priorities as follow: First, God; second, our families; and third, our professions, and if we put our jobs anyplace higher than third place, we have our priorities askew.

I’ve tried to communicate with my wife and boys (excluding Joyce, 9 months++, but is also learning very fast to stop me every time I’m going out :-) that no matter how busy I am, I am always accessible to them. We need to communicate that verbally but also by our actions. By God grace, I’m still learning and progressing well...

“By profession I am a soldier and take pride in that fact. But I am prouder—infinitely prouder—to be a father.” – Douglas McArthur, American five-star general, World War II.

The Months of July till October will be hectic for me as usual but the following sharing engagements need your prayer support the most:

1. Sharing on Sunday service at Bountiful Grace CMC, Seremban every second Sunday of the month from July—October, i.e.: 9/7, 13/8, 10/9, & 8/10. I will be exploring the following topic with the church—Biblical Stewardship of Money and Wealth Management.

2. Sharing on Sunday service at MCMC, 16/7 on “Leadership”

3. “Student Camp”, 5-6 August at Riviera Bay Resort, Melaka with boys and girls of the 2nd Melaka Company, BB (Sungai Rambai CMC) on “How to excel in your Study”

4. 12 August: Methodist Adult Fellowship (MAF), Sri Petaling CMC on “Jobs vs. Ministry.”

Your prayer support are very much remembered and appreciated.
“We loved you so much that we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well, because you had become so dear to us.” (1 Thessalonians 2:8)

I am excited about your participation!!

CK turned 37 today :-)

(Photo takens in MCMC)

Today, I turned 37 and tot for someone as old as me, I would not have any special celebration for my birthday. U know, guy mah, the most is 2 eggs + "mee-sua", that's all. But to my surprise, I reveived a lot of blessing from my loves one including you! Very touching leh....

So, to all of you who sent me your blessings (sms/emails/calls) and who came (church & home), thank you very very much, you are such a good friends and families too. May God bless you abundantly, click here and here to view my appreciations. Enjoy!