Man in the Mirror

As the world mourns Michael Jackson's death, many of us are now beginning to appreciate him. Weird huh? Where were the world when Michael was faced with lawsuits after lawsuits? Ironic.


There's nothing much I can say of Michael that have not been said. This once in a lifetime legend will remain a legend - larger than life, his songs touching the whole world.

I am in no position to judge him for what he has done with his life. I leave that to the critics and the haters.

We have to admit that in the rubble of his life and songs, there are some pretty lyrics he shared with the world. Whether or not he lived his songs we do not know and I will not judge. But words of wisdom are still words of wisdom.

One of my favorite songs from Michael Jackson is Man in the Mirror. The lyrics goes:



Gotta make a change,
For once in my life,
It's gonna feel real good,
Gonna make a difference,
Gonna make it right.

As I turned up the collar on,
My favorite winter coat,
This wind is blowin' my mind,
I see the kids in the street,
With not enough to eat,
Who am I to be blind,
Pretending not to see their needs.

A summer's disregard,
A broken bottle top,
And a one man's soul,
They follow each other,
On the wind ya' know,
'Cause they got nowhere to go,
That's why I want you to know.

I'm starting with the man in the mirror,
I'm asking him to change his ways,
And no message could have been any clearer,
If you wanna make the world a better place,
Take a look at yourself and then make a change.


What thoughtful lyrics. "I'm starting at the man in the mirror. I'm asking him to change his ways. No message could have been any clearer. If you want to make the world a better place, take a look at yourself and make a change."

How true can Michael's lyrics be? To change the world we must first change ourself. We must first know what is wrong with ourself and change. We must learn to forgive. We must learn to be selfless. We must learn to care. We must learn to love.

Many of us are out there to judge Michael, saying that he never walk his talk, or walk his songs in this case. However let us not look at what he did or did not do. Let us look at the man in the mirror. Let us look at us.

What are we doing? Are we living each day selflessly, wanting only to satisfy our desire and wanting?

Here's to a better world. Even if I can't, I will try. I will start with myself.

I'm starting with the man in the mirror,
I'm asking him to change his ways,
And no message could have been any clearer,
If you wanna make the world a better place,
Take a look at yourself and then make a change.

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Storm's Too Violent, Abandon Ship Now.

On the night of August 3rd of 1991, the cruise ship “Oceanos” was attacked by rough seas off the South African coast. The engine room started to flood and all power was lost. When the passengers on board started to realize what was happening it was already too late. They saw the crew members of the ship and the captain abandoning the ship in lifeboats.

There was no announcement by the captain and there was no clear instruction on how to evacuate. What the captain and crew members did was to save their very own lives and leave the rest to fend for themselves. More than 200 passengers including children and elderly people were left behind.

The captain and crew members did not obey the commissioning papers. Their job was to first save the women and children by helping them to escape. The last people who are allowed to leave the ship would be the captain and the crew members after making sure that all passengers have left. However this was not the case on Oceanos.

"I don't care what people say about me,'' the captain later said. "When I give the order abandon ship, it doesn't matter what time I leave. If some people want to stay, they can stay."

He later told the press that he felt he could direct the rescue operations "better from the shore" than from his place on the bridge of his sinking ship.

In the book of Acts we witness almost the same event. Paul was sailing on the ship heading to Rome when the ship caught a huge storm. They were in the storm for many many days with no sunlight or shore at sight. Read Acts chapter 27 for the full detail. In the storm, an angel of the Lord appeared to Paul one night and told him that, “Do not be afraid, Paul. You must stand trail before Caesar; and God has graciously given you the lives of all who sail with you.” Paul then told this to everyone on board and they were relieved and encouraged. However the storm was still raging and it showed no sign on stopping.

What happen was one night the sailors or ship crew members was planning to abandon the ship. They were lowering down the lifeboats wanting to escape when Paul saw what happened and stopped them by reporting to one of the centurions on board.

In times of danger sometimes the best option is to abandon ship and to save ourselves, leaving the helpless to fend for themselves. Don’t we think so? Even though the prophecy was revealed to Paul and Paul told everyone on board, the crew members were still so afraid for their lives that they planned to abandon ship. What was clear is that they entertained fear and they invited fear to reside in their heart. And because of fear, they forgot what God told Paul and wanted to save their own lives themselves.

Too often we choose the easy way out instead of hanging on to God’s promises. We, like the captain of the Oceanos and many other ships with similar experiences tend to abandon our duty on board in times of trouble and choose to save our own lives.

I see us as captains of the many ships, if you may. And the passengers in our ship are those people who have not come to know Christ. When the going gets tough, many of us tend to just derelict our duty and abandon ship.

Let the ship sink. It doesn’t matter.

Does it?

It does.





*Picture used by permission of Poh Leong.

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The Call To Adventure

An ad in London newspaper in the early 1900s read, “Men wanted for hazardous journey. Small wages, bitter cold, long months of complete darkness, constant danger, safe return doubtful. Honor and recognition in case of success.” It was placed by British explorer Sir Ernest Shackleton in preparation for his National Arctic Expedition, which subsequently failed to reach the South Pole.



Frodo Baggins of The Shire from The Lord of the Rings did not expect such an adventure lies ahead of him. He was just like any other ordinary Hobbit enjoying life, but one fateful night came and a great task was upon him. He was called to embark on a journey that will forever alter the course of history of Middle-Earth. Dangerous as it sounded, he answered that call and adventure began.

Whatever it is, a call to do something big is always risky and dangerous.

Centuries ago, one man came into the world to make a call similar to Sir Ernest Shackleton’s but he was different. This man was Jesus Christ and his call is still knocking on the heart’s door of everyone here today.

Jesus’ call was, “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. What good is it for a man if he gains the whole world but yet forfeits his soul?”
What a call.

Being a true follower of Jesus will not guarantee you trouble-free and will not guarantee that your life will be a bed of flowers. Many pastors and evangelists give the call of salvation with sweet baits such as, “When you receive Jesus, he will clear all your problems and your life will change.” “Jesus will help you with all your trouble and will make sure you have none.” Although there are truths in those sentences and many alike, that is not the real message that Jesus gave to us. His real message is hard to swallow and until today many Christians still do not know what it takes to be a true follower of Jesus.

Jesus’ call is one that asks us to deny ourselves, to rid ourselves off our selfish desires, wanting and ambitions. It is a call for us to reach out and get the desires of God. Jesus’ call is one call that guarantees nothing but trouble and hardship, and also an eternal life in heaven. Jesus’ call is one that bids us come and die that we may truly live in Christ.

Jesus’ call is one that is hard to accept and one that not many Christians want to know of.

However the call to adventure still beckons to everyone who confesses that they are Christians.

Will you answer it? Or will you wait and see what happens?


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Footprints That Last...

This man came into my life for a season. A season not too long, oh I wish it was longer! For 3 years, God brought this man into my life, during the early years of my baby Christian life. It was a right timing. That time I was a new Christian without much guidance from anyone. However I was very passionate about the things I do. I was very passionate about my walk with God. I was like a loose cannon. But God knew what was best for me. God brought this man called John Beh into my life for a season. A short one but enough to do what needed to be done.

I had a dream last night, ironically. I dreamt that Pastor John came back to Malaysia for awhile.
The moment I saw him from a distant, I cried and cried. I then ran to him and hugged him and cried even more. He hugged me back and prayed with me. That was all. Nothing much. But the main thing was, I miss him a lot. It was very weird I dreamt that. I seldom dream dreams. But this one came. It came because I knew somewhere inside my heart, I really miss him a lot.

Ever since he left for a new season in Australia, I have been in contact with him through emails. Even through the emails he has been teaching me a lot of stuff and guiding me.

I am not listening to a sermon that he sent to me via email. He preached it in a church in Australia. When I heard his voice on my laptop, I started crying. I am not shy to tell you this. I am an emotional person inside although I look tough outside. I miss this man.

Pastor John, I really miss you!

Thank you for guiding me through the years when you were here. You are indeed a blessing. And as the years passed, I am sure I will not forget you but continue to miss you even more. Till the day we meet again (soon), do take care of yourself and do what you have always been doing. Go and infiltrate the church of God with CHANGE! Go be bold and be more courageous in the things you do.

Indeed there is no one like you. You are special.

I know you are a very strong man. If there is one role model I would want in my life, that would be you!

Many people come into our lives with footprints. Different people leave different footprints. Some leave some good one, some not so good. But yet some come and leave some lasting footprints – footprints that will be carried with us through our lives. Pastor John’s footprints in my life will be the few that will be with me through the days of my life until I come to meet my Jesus.

I do not only remember you when your birthday comes. I appreciate you and remember you all the time. I am who I am not because of you.

Pastor John,

I LOVE YOU!

Blessed 45th Birthday.

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Bids Me Come and Die...

“Men wanted for hazardous journey. Small wages, bitter cold, long months of complete darkness, constant danger, safe return doubtful. Honor and recognition in case of success.” Sir Ernest Shackleton, Leader of the National Arctic Expedition.

“If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. For what good is it for a man if he gains the whole world but yet forfeits his soul?” Jesus Christ.

In Lord of the Rings, Frodo Baggins and Samwise Gamgee loved the Shire. They lived in peaceful harmony with their fellow Hobbits. However they decided to embark on a dangerous mission when adventure and call beckons. What choices to they have?

What choices do you have?

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