Christmas Party...

As you well know, we are getting closer to my birthday. Every year there is a celebration in my honor and I think that this year the celebration will be repeated. During this time there are many people shopping for gifts, there are many radio announcements, TV commercials, and in every part of the world everyone is talking that my birthday is getting closer and closer. 

It is really very nice to know, that at least once a year, some people think of me. As you know, the celebration of my birthday began many years ago. At first people seemed to understand and be thankful of all that I did for them, but in these times, no one seems to know the reason for the celebration. Family and friends get together and have a lot of fun, but they don't know the meaning of the celebration. 

I remember that last year there was a great feast in my honor. The dinner table was full of delicious foods, pastries, fruits, assorted nuts and chocolates.  The decorations were exquisite and there were many, many beautifully wrapped gifts. But, do you want to know something? I wasn't invited. I was the guest of honor and they didn't remember to send me an invitation. 

The party was for me, but when that great day came, I was left outside, they closed the door in my face...and I wanted to be with them and share their table. In truth, that didn't surprise me because in the last few years all close their doors to me. 

Since I was not invited, I decided to enter the party without making any noise. I went in and stood in a corner. They were all drinking; there were some who were drunk and telling jokes and laughing at everything. They were having a great time. To top it all, this big fat man all dressed in red wearing a long white beard entered the room yelling Ho-Ho-Ho!  He seemed drunk. He sat on the sofa and all the children ran to him, saying : "Santa Claus, Santa Claus".... as if the party were in his honor ! 

At 12 midnight all the people began to hug each other ; I extended my arms waiting for someone to hug me and  ....  do you know .... no one hugged me. Suddenly they all began to share gifts. They opened them one by one with great expectation. When all had been opened, I looked to see if, maybe, there was one for me. What would you feel if on your birthday everybody shared gifts and you did not get one ? 

I then understood that I was unwanted at that party and quietly left. Every year it gets worse. People only remember to eat and drink, the gifts, the parties and nobody remembers me. I would like this Christmas that you allow me to enter into your life. I would like that you recognize the fact that almost two thousand years ago I came to this world to give my life for you, on the cross, to save you. Today, I only want that you believe this with all you heart. 

I want to share something with you. As many didn't invite me to their party, I will have my own celebration, a grandiose party that no one has ever imagined, a spectacular party. I'm still making the final arrangements. Today I am sending out many invitations and there is an invitation for you. I want to know if you wish to attend and I will make a reservation for you and write your name with golden letters in my great guest book. Only those on the guest list will be invited to the party. Those who don't answer the invitation, will be left outside. 

Do you know how you can answer this invitation? it is by extending it to others whom you care for... 

I'll be waiting for all of you to attend my party this year... 

See you soon..... I love you ! 

-Jesus-

==========================================================
Let's put Jesus back into Christmas. This is not a holiday season, but the Christmas season.

Let's not care about those who want to take Christ out of Christmas.

Remember Jesus is the reason for this season!!!

The Final Inspection

The soldier stood and faced God,
Which must always come to pass,
He hoped his shoes were shining,
Just as brightly as his brass.


"Step forward now, you soldier,
How shall I deal with you?
Have you always turned the other cheek?
To My Church have you been true?"

The soldier squared his shoulders and
said, "No, Lord, I guess I ain't,
Because those of us who carry guns,
Can't always be a saint.

I've had to work most Sundays,
And at times my talk was tough,
And sometimes I've been violent,
Because the world is awfully rough.

But, I never took a penny
That wasn't mine to keep...
Though I worked a lot of overtime
When the bills got just too steep,

And I never passed a cry for help,
Though at times I shook with fear,
And sometimes, God forgive me,
I've wept unmanly tears.
I know I don't deserve a place
Among the people here,

They never wanted me around,
Except to calm their fears.
If you've a place for me here, Lord,
It needn't be so grand,

I never expected or had too much,
But if you don't, I'll understand."
There was a silence all around the throne,
Where the saints had often trod,

As the soldier waited quietly,
For the judgment of his God.

"Step forward now, you soldier,
You've borne your burdens well,
Walk peacefully on Heaven's streets,
You've done your time in Hell."

A Prayer

Dear Lord, I thank you for this day. I thank You for my being able to see and to hear this morning. I'm blessed because You are a forgiving God and an understanding God. You have done so much for me and You keep on blessing me. Forgive me this day for everything I have done, said or thought that was not pleasing to you. I ask now for Your forgiveness.
Please keep me safe from all danger and harm. Help me to start this day with a new attitude and plenty of gratitude. Let me make the best of each and every day to clear my mind so that I can hear from You.Please broaden my mind that I can accept all things. Let me not whine and whimper over things I have no control over. Let me continue to see sin through God's eyes and acknowledge it as evil. And when I sin, let me repent, and confess with my mouth my wrongdoing, and receive the forgiveness of God.
And when this world closes in on me, let me remember Jesus' example -- to slip away and find a quiet place to pray. It's the best response when I'm pushed beyond my limits. I know that when I can't pray, You listen to my heart. Continue to use me to do Your will.
Continue to bless me that I may be a blessing to others. Keep me strong that I may help the weak. Keep me uplifted that I may have words of encouragement for others. I pray for those who are lost and can't find their way. I pray for those who are misjudged and misunderstood. I pray for those who don't know You intimately. I pray for those who don't believe. But I thank you that I believe.
I believe that God changes people and God changes things. I pray for all my sisters and brothers, for each and every family member in their households. I pray for peace, love and joy in their homes that they are out of debt and all their needs are met.
I pray that every eye that reads this knows there is no problem, circumstance, or situation greater than God. Every battle is in Your hands for You to fight. I pray that these words be received into the hearts of every eye that sees them and every mouth that confesses them willingly.. AMEN.

Tax Time

A tax assessor came one day to a poor Christian to determine the amount of taxes he would have to pay. The following conversation took place:

"What property do you possess?" asked the assessor.

"I am a very wealthy man," replied the Christian.

"List your possessions, please," the assessor instructed.

The Christian said:

"First, I have everlasting life, 

 John 3:16

Second, I have a mansion in heaven, 

John 14:2

Third, I have peace that passes all understanding, 

Philippians 4:7

Fourth, I have joy unspeakable, 

1 Peter 1:8

Fifth, I have divine love which never fails,  

1 Corinthians 13:8

Sixth, I have a faithful wife, 

Proverbs 31:10

Seventh, I have healthy, happy obedient children,  

Exodus 20:12

Eighth, I have true, loyal friends,  

Proverbs 18:24

Ninth, I have songs in the night, 

Psalms 42:8

Tenth, I have a crown of life,  

James 1:12

The tax assessor closed his book, and said, 

"Truly you are a very rich man, but your property is not subject to taxation."

Deck Of Cards

During the North African Campaign,
a bunch of soldier boys had been on a long hike,
and they arrived in a little town called Casino.

The next morning, being Sunday,several of the boys went to church.
A Sargeant commanded the boys in church,
and after the chaplain had read the prayer,
the text was taken up next.

Those of the boys who had a prayer books took them out,
but, this one boyhad only a deck of cards,
and so he spread them out.

The Sargent saw the cards and said, "Soldier, put away those cards".

After the services were over, the soldier was taken prisoner,
and brought before the Provost Marshall.
The marshall said " Sergeant, why have you brought this man here?"
"For playing cards in church Sir."
"And what have you to say for yourself Son?"
"Much, Sir," replied the soldier.
The marshall said, " I hope so, for if not,
I shall punish you more than any man was ever punished."

The soldier said, "Sir, I have been on the march for about six days,
I have neither Bible nor prayerbook, but I hope to satisfy you, Sir,
with the purity of my intentions."

And with that, the boy started his story.

"You see sir, when I look at the Ace,
it reminds me that there is but one God,

And the deuce, reminds me that the bible is divided
into two parts, the old and the new testament.

When I see the three, I think of the Father, Son, and the Holy Ghost.

And when I see the four,I think of the four Evangelists who preached
the Gospel There was Matthew, Mark, Luke and John.

And when I see the five, it reminds me of the five wise virgins
who trimmed their lamps, there were ten of them,
Five were wise and were saved, five were foolish,
and were shut out.

When I see the six, it reminds me that in six days,
God made this great Heaven and Earth.

When I see the seven, it reminds me that on the seventh day,
God rested from His great work.

And when I see the eight, I think of the eight righteous persons
God saved when he destroyed this Earth.
There was Noah, his wife, their three sons, and their wives.

And when I see the nine, I think of the lepers our Saviour cleansed,
and, nine out of the ten, didn't even thank him.

When I see the ten, I think of the ten commandments,
God handed down to Moses on a table of stone.

When I see the king, it reminds me that there is but one King of Heaven,
God Almighty.

And when I see the Queen, I think of the Blessed Virgin Mary,
Who is Queen of Heaven,

And the Jack of Knaves is the Devil.

When I count the number of spots in a deck of cards,
I find 365, the number of days in a year.
There are 52 cards, the number of weeks in a year.
There are four suits, the number of weeks in a month.
There are twelve picture cards, the number of months in a year.
There are thirteen tricks, the number of weeks in a quarter.

So, you see Sir, my pack of cards serves me as a Bible,
an Almanac, and a prayerbook.

And Friends, the story is true, I know,
I was that soldier.

A video on the song 

Hoping Your Box Is Empty

It was on the fifteenth day of the 12th month celebrating his 75th birthday when he decided it was time.

Having been happily married, raising three boys, and continuing with great success, the family business handed down from generations before him, this now frail man had to make a decision.

His health had not been good over the past few years and the stress of keeping the business on course was beginning to wear on him.

The challenge was in deciding which one of his sons would take his place.

Each boy had the experience. Each one was capable of helping it grow in the future.

But each had different personal values.

As they gathered together to celebrate Father's birthday, he quietly pulled them aside from the rest of the family to announce his retirement.

"Father, I can't imagine a day without you as the head of the business," one said.

"We are sure to falter without you, but you deserve some rest," another said.

"You are this company," the last chimed in.

Then there was an uneasy silence. Surely the question playing on their minds was "who would take his place?"

The old man turned and walked toward the corner of the room where there were three boxes.

"Come, each of you take one of these boxes. They are of equal size. By the first day of the new year when we return here to celebrate, I want each of you to bring your box filled with what you believe to be the most valuable assets of this business. Based on your choices, I will decide who will take over as the chairman," father said.

There was much grumbling, confusion and discussion as father left the room.

During the next 16 days the families and employees could sense a strong competitive spirit between the boys. One carried the box nearly everywhere he went. Another ran from department to department asking for records and inventories. The third simply left the box at his desk.

It was January 1st and the family had once again gathered to celebrate. Right after dinner father called the boys aside.

"Well, it is time. Please share with me what you have placed in your box," father said.

The first son, eager to out do the others, jumped to his feet and began sharing.

From the box he pulled the business ledger, saying "This father, is the true measure of our success. There is no greater representation than the bottom line."

"Simple and direct," father said.

Pointing to the second son, he asked for him to share.

"Where is your box?" father asked.

"It is outside on the back of truck. The box you gave me was much too small. I have ten of our employees out there ready to bring in each of the items I have gathered."

Father walked to the window and from that distance could see his son had gathered many of his own personal possessions; a boat hitched to the back, collections of rare art, antiques and what appeared to be two uniformed guards standing next to a large box.

"What is in the box?" fathered asked.

"My wife's jewels," the son replied. "Shall I order them to bring them in?"

"No! I have seen enough," father said.

With a deep sigh and tone of sadness, he said to the last son, "What valuables do you have to share?"

The son rose to his feet and handed his father the box.

The old man looked inside and with great shock and surprise looked up at his son.

"It's empty!" father said. "Are you telling me that you have found nothing of value in the family business?"

"To the contrary," he said. "What I found most valuable I could not place in a box, on the back of a thousand trucks, or scribbled on the bottom line of a ledger."

Father's face lit up as he returned to his chair.

"How does one measure the value of commitment, quality, honesty, and trustworthiness? What size box would hold the loyalty of our employees and customers? Would the charities we supported through the years fit into the largest trucks in our fleet? How big of an auditorium would I need to gather the families of our coworkers who have benefited from our generous pay and health plan? Where would I place the local companies we have committed to deal with so that the community we live in stays strong? Finally, father, the most valuable possessions I personally hold are the love of you and mother, family values, your wisdom, compassion and love of God. Look again inside that box. They are not there. The result of all of that is here standing before you."

It was clear what decision was made that day.

There will come a time when each of us will be asked by our Father to share what we value most.

I hope your box is empty.

<<< . >>>

Celebrating my birthday today, I hope that when the day of judgment comes, my box would be empty too...

Balance...

Once upon a time in the Kingdom of Heaven, God went missing for six days. Eventually, Michael the Archangel found him on the seventh day, resting.

He inquired of God, "Where have you been?" God sighed a deep sigh of satisfaction and proudly pointed downwards through theclouds

"Look Michael, look what I have made." Said God.

Archangel Michael looked puzzled and said, "What is it?"

"It's a planet," replied God "and I've put life on it, I'm going to call it Earth and it's going to be a great place of balance."

"Balance?" inquired Michael, still confused.

God explained, pointing to different parts of earth.

"For example, North America will be a place of great opportunity and wealth, while South America is going to be poor. The Middle East over there will be a hot spot and Russia will be a cold spot. Over there I've placed a continent of white people and over there is a continent of black people."

God continued pointing to different countries. "This one will be extremely hot and this one extremely cold, and this one coveredin ice."

The Archangel, impressed by God's work, then pointed to a small land mass and said, "What's that one?"

"Ah," said God. "That's Malaysia, the most glorious place on Earth. There are beautiful lakes, rivers, streams and hills. The people from Malaysia are going to be modest, intelligent and humorous and they're going to be found traveling the world. They'll be extremely sociable, hard-working and high achieving, and they will be known throughout the world as diplomats and carriers of peace."

Michael gasped in wonder and admiration but then proclaimed, "What about balance, God? You said there will be BALANCE! So if Malaysians are going to be that great, you must've created some really corny people to balance them out"

What did God say next? In the true spirit of choice, God told of the choices He had set out for Malaysia. You choose your ending...

Ending 1

God replied wisely, "Wait until you see the idiots I'm putting right next to them. They're called Singaporeans!!"

No hard feelings for our southern neighbours its just a joke... Received this when I was based in Singapore a few years back...

Ending 2

God replied wisely, "Patience Michael... As I said before that there will be balance... For the first 50 years of independence, the country will live in harmony.

Then on the 50th year, a man called Samy Vellu will cause a demonstration by the Indians in the country due to his ego which rivals the one Satan has...

The Malays will then be goaded to demonstrate to defend their rights as well by a man frog called Ibrahim Ali...

The Chinese on the other hand will be fascinated by the length of one Chua Soi Lek's manhood while simultaneously looking on in glee as the other races bash each other...

They would all even fight to name me...

And in the aftermath of it all, the country is returned to the natives of Peninsular Malaysia as well as that of Sabah & Sarawak...