This Vagabond ...

"The Lord is Good, His Steadfast Love Endures Forever." ~Psalm 100:5

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Friday, August 15, 2008

LIFE ON EARTH IS A TEST

Posted by Ruth72

Part 1: LIFE ON EARTH IS A TEST(Excerpts from ‘What On Earth Am I Here For’ by Rick Warren)
God continually tests people’s character, faith, obedience, love, integrity, and loyalty. Words like trials, temptations, refining and testing occur more than 200 times in God’s word.
God tested Abraham by asking him to offer his son, Isaac.
God tested Jacob when he had to work extra years to earn Rachel as his wife.
Adam & Eve failed their test in the Garden of Eden.
David failed his tests from God on several occasion.
Others who passed personal tests of character:
Joseph, Ruth, Esther, Daniel, Job etc.
Character is both developed and revealed by tests, and all of life is a test.
You are always being tested.
God constantly watches your response to people, problems, success, conflicts, illness, disappointment, and even the weather!
He even watches the simplest actions such as when you open a door for others, when you pick up a piece of trash, or when you’re polite toward a waitress or attendant.
We don’t know all the tests God will give you, but we can predict some of them, based on the Bible.
You will be tested by major changes, by delayed promises, by impossible problems, by unanswered prayers, by undeserved criticism, and even by senseless tragedies.God sometimes tests our faith through problems. Hope ~ by how we handle possessions, and love ~ through people.
One very important test is how you act when you CAN’T FEEL God’s presence in your life. Sometimes God intentionally draws back, and we don’t sense His closeness.
A king named Hezekiah experienced this test.
The Bible says, “God withdrew from Hezekiah in order to test him and see what was really in his heart”. – 2 Chronicles 32:31.
Hezekiah had enjoyed a close fellowship with God, but at a crucial point in his life, God left him alone to test his character, to reveal a weakness, and to prepare him for more responsibility.
When you understand that life is a test, you realize that nothing is insignificant in your life. Even the smallest incident has significance for your character development.
Everyday is an important day,
and every second is a growth opportunity to deepen your character, to develop your love, or to depend on God.
Some tests seem overwhelming while others you don’t even notice.
But all of them have eternal implications.
God wants you to pass the tests of life, that’s why He never allows them to be greater than the grace He gives you to handle them.
God keeps His promise, and He will not allow you to be tested beyond your power to remain firm; at the time you are put to the test, He will give you the strength to endure it, and so provide you with a way out.
Every time you pass a test, God notices.
He makes plans to reward you in eternity.
“Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love Him”
-James 1:12

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The Tongue

Posted by Ruth72


Why I choose this topic? Nothing controversial, juz a thought that the tongue is a very important 'tool' that we own and cherish. To cherish our tongue, we have to be cautious of how we move it and wag it (careful with our speech, that is). Afterall, we have only one tongue.
Some people even pierce their tongues...for styles maybe, even pleasure and way of life.. but to me it must be sheer painful, so no thanks. I can't even begin to think of how I'd eat and drink or brush my teeth and even talk with something (a foreign matter) being stucked on the surface of my precious tongue.

We can sing and talk and express ourselves because of our tongues, among others. When I was a little girl, I used to stick out my tongue at my big brother who was a terrible teaser. He made me cry often, and got all the fun from it by himself (by the way, he's now a very gentle and responsible 39 year-old dad to 4 children, who scolds his children for being naughty...hello???).

My tongue also endows me with a very 'kampung' taste bud. I eat raw chilly to accompany my food and dishes such as sambal belacan, tapioca leaves, bamboo shoots, dayak mustard (ensabi), petai, cencaluk... hahaha, and the list goes on. Yes, I have a taste for bitter/bittersweet food. 'Town' food don't fancy me that much. As a little girl, I ate a lot. I was and still am not a choosy type, I ate whatever was set on the table, even when it means salt & chilly blended together. Being born in a poor family and lived such a modest life in the 80s, I had nothing much to complain and couldn't afford to be selective. (There are 8 of us, and my dad's salary was only one quarter of my current salary. But quite amazingly, he managed to put us all through school, altho' he couldn't afford to accomodate us higher levels. Even then, we're most grateful. Thanks dad).

So....the tongue. We use it for all kinds of purpose. Now, I'd like to remind myself of the danger of misuse of the tongue. I myself tend to forget it, and struggling to remember the implication of the words we use in our daily lives. So here goes:

“ A slip of the foot you may soon recover,
but a slip of the tongue you may never
get over” – Franklin.

“ If anyone considers himself religious
and yet does not keep a tight rein on his tongue,
he deceives himself and his religion is worthless”
- James 1:26

So if you love yourself, please love your tongue and careful not to utter careless words which can hurt yourself and others.

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Thursday, August 14, 2008

Himbauan Lalu...Pintasan Masa Part I

Posted by Ruth72

Rasa nak berblog dalam Bahasa Malaysia pulak. I terai, hehehe.

Sesekali mata memandang ke luar, kelihatan kibaran bendera-bendera M'sia & Sarawak menghiasi bangunan kompleks Mahkamah Bintulu, disapa angin laut Cina Selatan. Telah lebih 7 bulan aku berada dan berkhidmat di sini, menongkah arus perjuangan sebagai seorang penjawat awam yang mencari rezeki di rantauan. Tidak terasa tempoh 15 tahun (genap pada 1 Oktober ini) aku 'membawa diri' jauh dari kampung halaman tempat aku dilahirkan. Kuching seakan asing bagi diriku.
Sejak usiaku menginjak 21 tahun, aku telah melangkahkan kaki keluar dari bumi kelahiran yang telah mewarnai kehidupan kanak-kanak dan remajaku. Selebihnya, aku jalani di Miri selama 14 tahun, dan kini di Bintulu. Adakalanya aku rindukan suasana di kampung. Kuching, meskipun asing bagi dunia dewasaku, tetap abadi dan manis di dlm jiwaku.

Zaman Kanak-Kanak (1972-1984)


Ketika kecil, aku seorang yang minat belajar dan bermain. Keduanya seimbang. Aku sangat gemar bermain pondok-pondok. Segala macam produk semulajadi dan hasil bumi kujadikan 'props' utk berlakon di dalam permainan pondok-pondokku. Contohnya rumput dijadikan sayur, kertas kalendar dijadikan wang (merah bernilai RM10, hitam RM1); kocek seluar buruk ayahku yang telah terpakai turut menjadi mangsa; kugunting dan jahit menjadi beg. Kekadang aku memanipulasi alam sekitar seperti bermain tanah liat dengan alasan hendak membuat labu sayung (sejenis pasu yang direka oleh orang Perak). Waktu itu RTM sering menyiarkan dokumentari mengenai seni kraftangan, antaranya Labu Sayung, Ukiran Kayu, Keris, Batik dsbnya. Terpengaruh dgn apa yg kulihat di tv, dan terpesona dgn keunikan dan keindahan labu sayung, aku sanggup mengotorkan tangan dgn tanah liat yang tak seberapa liat (sebenarnya di kawasan rumah kediaman kami hanya terdapat tanah gambut yang berwarna kehitaman). Impian utk memiliki labu sayung sebenar tercapai apabila di tahun 2007 aku telah pergi ke Kuala Kangsar, Perak. Itulah daerah kelahiran labu sayung. Di sana aku membeli dan membawa pulang beberapa biji labu sayung utk diberikan kepada kawan-kawan dan sbg koleksi diri-sendiri. Kononnya air yg disimpan dan diembunkan di dalamnya agak baik utk kesihatan jika diminum. Tapi aku sendiri x pernah mencuba, sekadar dijadikan hiasan.

Begitulah. Zaman kanak-kanak dan remaja memang indah. Bermain di dalam hujan sambil menyanyikan lagu Taman Rashidah Utama (Wings) dlm nada tinggi. (Aku juga peminat Dato' Shake, Sudirman, Francissca Peters dll). Pergi ke sawah yang letaknya 2 batu (dulu x pakai km) selepas balik dari sekolah dan di hujung minggu. Menolong ibubapa menanam padi dan menuai, tapi kebanyakan masa dihabiskan dengan bermain di tepi bendang melihat ikan, siput gondang emas (pernah makan...rasanya seperti siput laut tapi kalau disuruh makan sekarang, aduh! tak sanggup), mencari jering dan rebung di hutan, memetik miding dan pucuk paku, bermain dgn biji getah, mengutip buah 'helikopter'(dalam bahasa tempatan 'engkabang'; sejenis pokok yg buahnya berbentuk bujur seperti gasing dan isinya dikeringkan utk dijadikan minyak. Bila matang buahnya akan gugur ke bumi dlm keadaan berputar-putar seperti helikopter). Pernah sekali buah ini jatuh betul2 di atas kepalaku. Bull's eye! Seperti ditindik manja dgn jarum, kerana hujungnya agak tajam, tetapi tidaklah sesakit mana). Banyak sungguh kenangan manis waktu itu. Aku dan adikku Nicholas mmg nakal tapi bukanlah sampai tahap ganas...cuma kami gemar bercakap merapu dan menukar lirik lagu dan mereka-cipta 'jokes' yang jika difikirkan semula, betapa kreatifnya dan tak tergapai oleh akal dewasa ini.

Walaupun di kampungku tidak terdapat bekalan air paip, aku tidak dapat bayangkan bagaimana di zaman kanak-kanak dan remaja, aku mampu melaluinya dengan penuh selamba. Jika tiada hujan dan tangki air kosong, kami akan berjalan sejauh kira-kira 200-300km utk mandi-manda, mencuci pakaian serta mengisi botol air ke sebuah anak sungai yang berada di tengah2 kampung. Di situ terdapat pancuran air, di mana hampir kesemua orang kampung pergi utk menjalankan aktiviti seharian yang bersangkutan dengan air. Mandi-manda bersama, tanpa berebut-rebut dan tanpa segan-silu. Hmmm...betapa 'jujur'nya kehidupan di zaman itu. Ada yang mencuci lampin anak-anak dan membuang 'bahan sisa' nya ke dalam sungai sehingga terapung-apung di permukaan air...dan mata kanak-kanakku hanya memerhatikan tanpa byk emosi.

Zaman kanak-kanak penuh ceria dan cerita. Walaupun tetap ada saat duka. Teringat lagi di suatu ketika di Darjah 6, aku telah lulus satu tahap pembelajaran agama di gereja. Kami dikehendaki memakai gaun warna putih. Namun kerana keluargaku tidak mampu, aku dibenarkan memakai gaun berwarna biru. Gaun itu tetap kupakai walaupun aku kelihatan lain dari yang lain... Aku mengaku, di usia yg hampir mengerti dan hampir mencapai akil baligh, aku tercuit rasa malu kerana dilihat berbeza; salah satu tanda bahawa keluargaku tidak mampu. Namun itu semua telah berlalu, aku sendiri tidak mengenangnya lama. Kerana meski keluargaku antara yg paling susah, aku telah menjadi pelajar terbaik di kelas kerana meraih 3A 2B di dalam Penilaian Darjah Lima waktu itu. Justeru keputusan akademik yang agak baik, aku telah terpilih utk melanjutkan pelajaran di Kolej Datu Patinggi Abang Haji Abdillah, sebuah kolej asrama penuh pada tahun 1985. Di situlah zaman remajaku bermula...

....Akan bersambung....

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I'm Searching

Posted by Ruth72

Have you ever felt like you're searching for something,
and yet not knowing what it is?
That's how I feel right now.
Just when you think that you 'have it all' (duhhh...at least the essentials), it's then that u feel that raw nagging, tugging at your soul.
Maybe that's what they call the primitive void. There's a
void in each and every individual, regardless of who she or
he is. Millionaires experience it, priests feel it deep inside.
It's an empty space no human being or material possession
can fill nor fully satisfy. We're created for it. Destined for it.
I just want to keep searching for that 'thing'.
In my 36 years of roaming this planet, I have experienced
joy, pain, victory, defeat etc in my life.
Lifting a trophy or prize in a karaoke competition can be a grand occassion...
but it fades after a while and everyone seems to forget that
moment of glory of yours. So momentary isn't it?
Passing an exam or receiving award for 'Perkhidmatan
Cemerlang' also can be overwhelmingly uplifting. But they too, will
pass and forgotten. So what lasts forever?
I guess that's what I'm searching for.
Something that lasts forever, to fill that empty, special void inside.
So it means that I'll have to keep on searching :-).

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Wednesday, August 6, 2008

Isaiah 49:16

Posted by Ruth72


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Just A Thought :-)

Posted by Ruth72


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Tuesday, August 5, 2008

Uploading for Jesus

Posted by Ruth72

I've been online since 9pm last nite and now it's already morning/wee hour of a new day.

I just posted 4 christian ringtones on zedge.com, something that I did for the first time since I jointed the community in Feb this year.

 It has never crossed my mind before, coz I'm more to a downloader than an uploader. Free, yes...thanks to the diligent & generous zedgers. Many nights ago I was surfing the same website to look for christian ringtones, but was met with disappointment in what I found. Most of the ringtones are too modern, hip-hoppy or R&B, while I being the (conservative?) type, prefer the traditional hymns or church friendly sounds. Then God planted this idea into my head. Why don't I myself upload the familiar christian songs into zedge for the use of other users? Imagine other people who downloaded 'my ringtones' and be blessed by it? No doubt there are seas of modern, worldy songs 'parking' at the same site, and christian songs are too few in comparison, but I believe this small amount shall attract the people who thirst for God's music like I did that night. So I downloaded 4 ringtones just now. I just did.
__________________***_____________________

 On Sunday night, my family & I had a steamboat dinner at home. Earlier that evening my sister and I bought the cooking set at Cosway at reasonable price. It's been my desire to have that cooker so that we could prepare healthy food with less oil and fat and more vege.

I resigned to my bedroom at 10.30pm, not to sleep but just to lay down and read a book I've been trying to finish entitled Heart-Talk With Jesus while listening to mp3 on my Nokia handphone. The songs like When I Look Into Your Holiness, Jesus We Enthrone You and Great Is The Lord filled my heart with nostalgia. I remembered the time when I was an active member of the Inter School Christian Fellowship (ISCF) in my old school (college, by prestige) back in the mid to late 80's . I am a music lover and a composer at heart. During those years, I composed 2 christian songs during my teens, 'managed' to be sung during group gatherings at the same school. I have no idea if the songs are still sung at christian gatherings, but they are my personal gifts for the Lord that I don't mind if people don't recognize me at all as the composer of those songs...afterall, God does. So, it's good to know that 'Alone In The Desert of Live' and 'Kau Lebih Indah Dari Mawar Merah' are actually my songs, my very composition.

Back to the scene in my bedroom, God touched my heart profoundly and filled it with His peace, that I gushed out prayers in many words. I had too many things to say and tell my Lord, incoherent as they seemed, I believed that He heard every word and paid attention.

 I felt so blessed. Nowadays the word 'Joy' brings a deeper meaning to me. I may be in a difficult situation, being misunderstood sometime or another, carrying my cross everyday like other Christians, yet God's joy is in my heart, intact. I want to keep learning to have that joy embedded there despite life's circumstances. Lord, for that I thank You and invite You to sustain your peace and joy inside of me. Amen.

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