Siaw Ping
John 15:5
[I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.]

This is the bible verse that we need to remember for the 1st chapter of “Experiencing GOD”. Indeed I am in the midst of experiencing GOD in Puchong, a place that is unfamiliar to me.

The main content of this course is to let us truly know how GOD works in our life and to know what GOD wants us to do. There are 7 steps that describe our relationship with GOD.

Reality 1: God is always at work around you.

Reality 2: God pursues a continuing love relationship with you that is real and personal.

Reality 3: God invites you to become involved with Him in His work.

Reality 4: God speaks by the Holy Spirit through the Bible, prayer, circumstances, and the church to reveal Himself, His purposes, and His ways.

Reality 5: God's invitation for you to work with Him always leads you to a crisis of belief that requires faith and action.

Reality 6: You must make major adjustments in your life to join God in what He is doing.

Reality 7: You come to know God by experience as you obey Him and He accomplishes His work through you.

It’s a day-by-day devotional material. I had gone through the 1st week and found that this book serves as a reminder, to refresh how did/do I serve GOD, what I may/would have done that is/are not pleasing to GOD. It’s not difficult to have devotion everyday but it seems to be not easy to work them out. Feel like being an empty vessel. It’s even harder to have good testimonial and let others see the image of Jesus in us.

My life here in Puchong is considered relaxing. Although I have no much work to do, I do feel tired. I have one voice in my heart telling me that I should not make this as an excuse for not joining cg /bible study/ prayer meeting. In Permai Methodist Church, we can hardly find twenties youngsters. But, I can feel the strong faith and confidence in brothers and sisters. A very different church…

Here, there are two Sunday services continuously. “shi feng ren yuan” stay back to attend both services. There is breakfast fellowship for the 1st service while lunch fellowship for 2nd service. I can’t imagine the tiredness to get ready cutleries for so many people. Give thank to GOD for the increment of church members from year to year.

Most of the brothers and sisters will be in church till late evening as there are number of classes to attend straight away after lunch fellowship. I don’t hear murmur, I don’t feel the unhappiness. What I observe, they will “automatically” sign up for any new course available. They appreciate the opportunity to learn the word of GOD.

This is the spirit that I should learn and apply to the fullest in my life too. I find difficulties to balance improving myself spiritually and at the same time assisting friends around me to grow spiritually. I am not here to say that I have grown spiritually or I am a holy Christian. Word of GOD is unlimited but human’s knowledge is limited. I am not able to understand thoroughly the teaching of bible, but I pray, hoping that as the children of HIM, I can override my own potential with GOD’s guidance because our only GOD has the only power to empower anything.

I am always afraid of trying something new or something out of my ability. I am still holding firmly to my own principles. Em…..Pray for that.

Lastly,
Pray for yourself
Pray for Da Zhuan Tuan Qi
Pray for PBBC
Pray for your friends
Pray for your family
Pray for anyone that u know
Pray for anyone u encounter along the path

Amen.
Siaw Ping
Copied from email...

有一個女生,因為跟家裡處得不好,所以很少回家,後來有一次回家,發現年老的母親走路一跛一跛的,不經意的看了母親的腳一眼,這才發現母親的腳指甲太長而長到肉裡面造成流血,流膿,這時,她認真的看者已經很久沒有正眼看過的母親,她才發現在她眼前的母親已經年老,老到已經沒有辦法彎下身來自己剪指甲,所以才會讓雙腳的指甲傷到肉,她哭了!

從此她變每個禮拜回家,用一盆溫水先幫母親泡腳再幫她剪指甲,泡溫水是讓腳指甲變軟,才不會因為這樣不好剪而傷到母親的腳。

一直以為父母也應該跟我們一樣能適應這個變化的世界,新的科技、新的資訊,新的理財觀...

直到最近幾年才知道他們追的蠻辛苦的,遙控器太多太複雜、聽不懂的專業術語、完全陌生的理財工具...

直到最近幾年才知道為了怕我們不耐煩,父母偶爾忍住了想說的話,想做的事,

如果沒有這次遠遊, 遲鈍的我也不會知道,一向熱心打點照顧我們子女無微不至的父母,退休十幾年的老爸,竟衰老得如此快速。我們五姊妹只湊足了三個,決定陪爸媽去新加坡玩。

在去程的飛機上,老爸四小時都不願如廁,任憑我們好說歹說,他依然老僧入定,不肯起身。在每一站觀光區,他也是非到萬不得已才進男廁。有次我觀察到他小解很久才出來,看不到熟悉親人身影,先是向東搜尋,繼而向西眺望,即使在這節骨眼,他也不願放聲大喊大叫,讓我們子女沒有顏面,站在陌生人群中,一副茫然失魂的樣子,安靜、耐心等子女們的出現,我終於瞭解他出門在外不願如廁的原因。

以前不解事的小兒子常笑他八十幾歲的外婆,連鈕釦都不會扣,真慢!真笨!

好簡單的一件事,為什麼老人家們就是做不好?

我們還未經歷到,當然難以理解,年紀大了,有時候手腳會不由自主、不聽使喚,我以為老爸和婆婆之間還有一大段差距,誰知他也不知不覺走到這個階段了。往後行程我根本無心玩賞,只要看到老爸表情稍有異樣,便好說歹說強行押解他到男廁,自己則只好守在男廁外頭,起初老爸感到萬分不自在,後來也就漸漸習慣了。

回程飛機上,我陪老爸去洗手間,他忽然低聲對我說:「其實我不會鎖機上廁所的門。」我拍拍他肩膀,告訴他:「沒關係」心裡卻翻湧出一陣心酸。
心裡很想告訴同行的妹妹,下次出遊,把各自的老公也帶來,也可以多盡一份心,也很想告訴沒有同來的么妹,錢財日後都賺得回來,唯有父母健在安康,又能帶著遠遊,這才是為人子最大的福份;想告訴老爸,如廁問題解決了,我們下次可以飛到更遠的地方去旅行。

一趟旅行帶給了我許多感觸,也讓再度離開家、身在火車上的我不禁滴下眼淚....或許是自己太多愁善感, 也或許擔心自己的父母狀況,只是自己一直沒發覺,才驚覺原來老爸老媽也變老了,變脆弱了,不再是以前那「強壯的臂膀」、「溫暖的避風港」,原來一直幫我扛著頭上那片天的巨人, 人也會變老....

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Appreciate and treasure the time with family. Spend more time at home rather than running out from home for entertainment outside. We always feel that family doesn’t understand our need, we tend to rely on materialism to fulfill self-satisfaction. Parents will never abandon us when we need them. Step out and talk with them.

I am sure u will find wonders.

I have been reading this email for several times. It still "knocks" my heart each time. When I ponder deeply, I have always vented my temper towards my family. I have no patience, no tolerance, no consideration…but i believe that it is never too late to turn back.

I used to claim that I never travel to other places out of Sarawak, always fall into swirl of jealousy whenever I heard my friends telling their travel plan. Whenever there is school holiday, I am always the only few who stay at home for the whole holiday, not going anywhere, not taking any astonishing photos, not buying any hard-to-get souvenir….complaining in heart…sometimes, I feel that I want to go out from home to take a deep fresh breath.I just know to be a good girl, I shouldn’t complain so much.

GOD has brought me to this family and with faith, I know HE has HIS plan. HE never fails to hold my hands through hard-shells. At the age of twenties, I begin my step-by-step path with GOD. It’s a wonderful journey with companion.

Now, I know that I have changed. No more complaint and grumble towards family. GOD knows what’s the best for me, that’s what my mum told me since I was small. I even spend more time at home although I have freedom to go out more frequently. The change is unexpected, but GOD is the one who changes me.

Thank GOD that I stayed at home during school holiday. Helping out with house-chores, hearing voice of family…all these are great helper to building up close relationship with family. If not, I don’t even know how to do house-chores (although in some days I really lazy to work out), don’t know how to cook (although my dishes taste normal)…..

Thank GOD for everything….