Sunday, September 28, 2008

Touched by the Spirit

I woke up well before the alarm this morning, a call not to be late for the early morning service at 6.30a.m. I felt it would be a special day and indeed, I felt the gracious presence of the Lord, the moment I knelt down to pay homage; one of those blessed days. I know He is truly in the midst of the congregation, because there is such a stirring in my heart, each time a hymn was sung, words of worship uttered and mercy asked for. The words just sprung forth a fresh meaning ...... to became a two way bonding with the Lord. . Doesn't happen all the time, but , this morning, it was a wham! Maybe it was because, of the early hour, Maybe, it was the mass itself....I really do not know....
..

The letters of St Paul is truly remarkable in that it was Spirit inspired and enpowered not only to teach,impart wisdom and guidance but also to provide a pathway to action the legacy, Christ left for us, Love God and in so doing , shower love upon the whole wide world , because God is Love itself. Paul was called to be the apostle of the Gentiles, from whence the seeds of the Word shall spring up and multiply to all corners of the world , thrive and gain strength.. Acts 13:47. "I have set you to be a light for the Gentiles that you may bring salvation to the uttermost parts of the world."

To me, God intents that love and charity should begin at home....For those who chose higher love and devotion to God, ...over -marriage and human needs, great will be their blessings in heaven, to them the task of a good sheperd had been entrusted. But for those who chose to raise a family, theirs is a another kind of blessings, and a different set of responsibilities.... committment to provide love, care and safe sanctuary to those they call their own. In so doing, they build a house of stone from where they plant and nuture good family values, attitudes and love in their young ones, building a strong foundation of love, values and peace which will ultimately flow outwards to all people -church, community, society and to the whole universe --irrespective of race, culture, religion or creed. We are brothers and sisters..... children of one God. Peace, and joy and loving one another starts from a good home , whatever choice our young children make in life, whatever paths, they later walk in life..believe it or not, it starts from a home planted seed.






Wednesday, September 24, 2008

Charity begins at home

In touching on " charity begins at Home," a young man from the charismatic prayer group , touched briefly on his own awakening of this beautiful virtue from within , realising that caring must begin first from home before allowing it...the spirit of love and charity to flow out into the community at large. He is learning to look after the needs of his mom first before venturing out to fulfil his obligations to the community .. As a mom myself, I was deeply touched. It is every woman's dream, to have good God fearing husbands and children , what more... if our husbands or children, took good care of our needs first before flying off to tend to the needs of the world. Not many people realised that, in order to help others, they will first need to take good care of their own household.....- many were just too busy building bon fires to warm the whole wide world, not realising that the people who matters most, in their lives, their loved ones at home, were freezing to death.
..
And I praise and thank God, for this awakening in our bro's heart....... Folks, I can just see the smile in a mom's face and the happiness her heart. If you are a mom yourself, you will know what I mean.

Sunday, September 21, 2008

Church -Sunday 21st Sept 08

Wonderful! The Church of Our Lady of Lourdes Klang has an email address. Praise the Lord! We are finally in keeping with the knowledge world. These days, if you are not connected to the internet, ..if you do not have at least a parking lot in the cyber world, well , the world just passes you by, you are like those still riding the bicycle while everybody else is driving and flying....

I am inspired by the quotes from this week's church bulletin in celebration of Catechetical Sunday - "The Catechist's Hands." Let me share some of the soul searching and inspirational words with you .. Here goes:-

  • I look at my hands with discovery new. Such awesome gifts, they are and yet challenging too! God sealed them forever with God's powerful grace, that I might give blessings and anoint in God's place.

  • I look at my hands ....Have I made them God's own....have I raised them in prayer? Were they eager to serve and more willing to share?

  • I look at my hands...(deep within self .. writer's own interpretation)...are they quick to Forgive? Or do I pass judgement about how others live?

  • I am content to receive what's delightful and free. But I need to take hold of all God sends to me.

  • I look at my hands..could they pen words to say "God's love is eternal", with conviction this day?

  • I look at my hands used to take food and eat. Bread blessed and then broken becomes communion treat

  • Hands must freely unclasp and palms must open wide. For them to be transformed by Christ's dweling inside.

  • When will I look at my hands and see not only mine, but hands moulded with love formed into Christ's sublime?
Beautiful yet gently heart and soul searching for an answer. A Christian call to to serve . Acts 20:35. " In all things, I have shown you that by so toiling, one must help the weak, remembering the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, "It is more blessed to give than to receive".

Sunday, September 14, 2008

Pray for our Catholic Sister

A Catholic Sister in Christ is in distress and is in great need of our prayers. Let us all pray that the storm will soon blow over and all the misunderstandings will be cleared up and she comes back to us soon, safe and sound. Lord, we place our Sister Teresa into your care. Watch over her and bring her home safely Lord, in Jesus Name, we pray Amen. Can I call upon everyone to say a little prayer for our sister in our heart. Just a little prayer and the Lord will surely be with her . Bless you people!
..
An Update Sat 20th Sept 2008: Thanks be to God for prayers answered.

Tuesday, September 9, 2008

The Spirit Seminar-Baptism of the Holy Spirit


Do I believe in the Holy Spirit? Absolutely! And the atmosphere at the culmination of the Spirit Seminar was highly charged up after powerful praise and worship. I sense great anticipation- from the crowd- a certain expectation -the question in everyones' mind -"will something extraordinary touch me tonight?"

I remember my first Spirit Seminar three or was it four years ago? I was sick, down, weepy and very disorientated. Some one mentioned that the LSS, the Spirit Seminar was on in the Holy Redemeer Church and invited me along to experience the healing touch of the Holy spirit. I remembered, feeling very very heavy inside out on the first day, barely able to follow the worship session but somehow the praise and worship, flowed in and lifted me up a little and I went home more cheerful. On the second day, I was joining in the worship abeitly very self-consciously. I stood very still, with hands hanging stiffing by my side, singing almost to myself, while the others in the packed church were lifting and waving their hands up in the air, singing and praising God with their whole heart and soul. On the third day, amazingly, I found myself swaying with the rest, letting go and trusting in the power of the Holy Spirit. Yes, I wept a little; and that is, release- friends..... unloading, unburdening, helped along by the powerful prayers of others in the Seminar.
..
I felt very much better after that and when it was time for the "Praying over" by the Prayer Group, I found myself eagerly moving forward, with great expectation. BUT, nothing extraordinary happened to me that day, or so, I thought but friends, after that day, my recovery began, body, spirit and soul. God did not light fireworks for me that day, but his healing spirit touched me gently, and lifted me out of the quick sand of destruction. He let me know in His own way, that He is always by my side. Oh yes, I still stumble and fall. I still lose my way sometimes. Sometimes?!! Most of the time, is nearer truth. I get angry with Him, I grumbled but hey you know what friends? God is no more someone distant, high up where I cannot reach Him. He is no more someone to be feared. He has become a loving Father, an indulgent Father who is ever forgiving and ready to comfort., that's why it has become a joy talking to him.

If you did not experience anything spectacular at "the baptism of the Holy Spirit" night, friends do not think that you have not been blessed with the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is very much present and has become a part of you, I assure you. You will find many subtle changes in your life with things moving more positively in your life. Now is the time to dust away the cobwebs, remove the rubbish which kept the Spirit dormant and allow the Holy Spirit to rise forth and shine in your lives. Like Bro Mervin said, Unleash the Spirit from within you and walk in the brillance of his guiding grace.Remember to focus on the Heavenly Giver and everything else will fall into place. God bless you friends. May your faith bring you peace.


Saturday, September 6, 2008

Catholic to Catholic and to All

I chance upon the Catholic Forum whilst browsing the net and wow! the Catholic community is a huge, huge family. People are ready with words of encouragement, and love. To a person down and alone, it is a lifeline. Believe me. Just knowing that others are listening to you, caring for you, makes a great difference. It does. I wished I had chanced upon this site earlier when I was at pit bottom but thank the Lord, I managed to keep on unloading my burdens at his feet and thus retained my peace. Now, I find that I could share my own experiences with those who are going through troubled patches in their lives and needed a listening ear. I am learning that every man and woman is frail in their own ways, everyone has their high and low points. Nobody has it all. Brothers and Sisters, there are alot of people out there who have a great need of God in their lives and yet do not know how to reach out to find the peace. So the next time, you feel that the world is treating you bad, think agan- there could be someone out there who may be going through tougher times. We should really count our blessings and thank God, for watching over us all the time. Pray that others too may receive the gift of His Healing touch and the grace of his guiding light to find peace in their hearts.

Monday, September 1, 2008

Congratulations Wisma Lourdes! You have been Officially Declared Opened! 10908

Interfaith prayer for peace
lead by Father John






..
..
The Opening ceremony,Graced by dignitaries,
YBs, leaders of the interfaith group
Msgr. Daniel Lim-Vicar GeneralArchdiocese of KL
Most Rev Datuk Murphy Nicholas Xavier Archbishop of KL
Sisters, Brothers, Priests, parishers, friends and well wishers.

The pride of a Vision Captured- the birth of Wisma Lourdes , a Dream realised, - is worth a Trillion Trillion, much more than words can ever describe!. Indeed it was a labour of love, a heart driven dedication by a group of People with a Vision and a passion- a Vision of a Catholic Community Centre in Klang,catering to the needs of the less privileged. A seed was planted and that has grown into a large solid Oak Tree.... Though, they at first,do not know how their dreams could be achieved, yet they strived on, labouring, praying and working very hard, driven by a passion to achieve that dream. For them, it was "the Tough gets going when the going gets Tough" . Fourteen years, of tireless labour ,folks, I salute their perseverance , patience and commitment! Yes, I spied smug smiles- of pride and satisfaction at a deed well done.
**
So what is a little rain , eh folks? What is a little rain compared to the pride of achievement and the realisation of a majestic building- in Wisma Lourdes?. Finally, A Centre to provide care and love to ALL- needy, and not so needy. The children especially, they deserved a chance for a smart start in life, a solid foundation, to carry them steadily through life's journey. The people in need of medical care, dental, care. The locals, the migrants community, those searching for God, the list can go on and on. It is a vision of carrying on Jesus's love that was enshrined in the vision of the Pioneer Initiators of this Dream, diligently upheld and pursued by the Parish priest- Father John, ,elders and leaders of the Church.,and indeed the whole parish. God Bless the soldiers of the Lord!
..

Clear musical and joyous voices ringing out in praise of the Lord floated over the entire grounds and out of curiosity I wandered up the building and did a quick check. The choir group hidden upstairs singing their hearts out. Wow ! Such Enthusiasm !








The Building has been blessed and officially declared opened. But tougher tasks lies ahead, turning Wisma Lourdes into a Centre of Care and Love, without any line drawn on creed, religion or race. Your soldiers and Care givers would need more than strength and perseverance Lord, they need your Guiding light and Wisdom; the unity of a One heart and One mind Focus to move forward in one spirit and understanding to accomplished this mission and this goal- Living the commandment of Peace and Love . . in devotion to Christ Jesus, who came, lay down his life for us, then resurrected that all may enter the kingdom of God.