The Measure of a Leader

Obama became the 44th President of USA today. I'm not American and probably know very little of what's going on in that country... but hearing and reading all thats in the media got me all hyped up too. I saw many 'coloured' people in tears, rejoicing at the very first 'coloured' President. I was touched seeing so many people of different 'colours' united and cheering the leader they have chosen.

People have different reasons for electing a leader. However, its not always that we get to choose our leaders. So I think its a privilege that Americans get to vote for their leaders, and their leaders get to rally for themselves. This got me thinking about how I measure leaders...

My respect and allegiance to my leaders are based on this question - Do they sincerely care about me? I have discovered that it is quite impossible for me to pledge my undying support to a leader who does not seem to care about the people he is leading. He may be a really eloquent speaker, have great knowledge, good looks and is extremely talented but if he doesn't care about his people, I don't think he's fit to be a leader.

On the other hand, he may be shy, not so great in looks and not such a great speaker but if he has a heart for the people he's leading, I will support him. I'm not saying that leaders don't need to have skills, its just that at the very least they must care for the people they are leading.

Leaders aren't superhuman or God, and I think they will fail once in a while. The difference is this - a leader who has cared for his people consistently will be forgiven easily by those under him, but the leader who has not shown care for his people will not be shown mercy when he fails. Its as simple as that.

And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love. 1 Corinthians 13:13

Horton Hears a Who

One of my favourite movies this year is Horton Hears a Who. It reminds me that humans are really just like a speck in comparison with God. In fact, we are just a speck in a speck in a speck. But God still loves us and was willing to sacrifice Himself for us in order that we may live eternally.

Recently, someone in the US wanted to sue God but the case was thrown out by the court. How he could even come to that stage is beyond me. Well, to judge is not my call. But I shall have my say. I think that some people nowadays think of themselves as some kind of god...goddess...whatever. I think its caused by a few main things - fame, fortune, pride, great success, power. Humans forget their mortality. They can be a 'god' only as long as they are alive....but what happens when they die?

We are bombarded by so much information these days and its easy to loose focus. Recession has already started across the globe and everyone's worried.. some have even lost a lot of money. I think money has a way of controlling our lives. Like the Chinese say, 'No money, no talk'.

There's also people debating over doctrine in churches. Pastor X says this, Pastor Y says that. Who is right and who is wrong? There's the constant political battle... character assassination, etc.

Sigh. Everyone's forgotten who's in charge. Only when bad things happen... God's name is brought up again. 'It's God's fault, why did God allow this?'.

I have this to say.. Don't blame God for bad things that happen. Don't only think about God in desperate times... when there's nowhere or no one else to turn to. Don't leave churches hastily.

Keep your eyes on God. Don't worship people no matter how great, powerful, famous they are. Because they are still mortal.

Seek God first because He always faithful, loving and perfect... He never fails. God is immortal.

But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you as well. Matthew 6:33

He is the Rock, His works are perfect, and all His ways are just. A faithful God who does no wrong, upright and just is He. Deuteronomy 32:4

World Animal Day

This is Jojo. He was rescued as a puppy after his owner crushed his leg while reversing the car. After sending Jojo to the vet, the owner never took him home. Jojo's leg had to be amputated and he's now an ambassador for Furry Friends Farm, an animal shelter founded by Sabrina Yeap in October 2006. Having 3 legs doesn't hinder him from being boisterous and making people happy.

My fiance and I volunteered for the World Animal Day celebration at Bangsar Village organised by Furry Friends Farm yesterday. We had such an enjoyable time! Many owners registered their dogs for the dog walk - we saw many labradors, golden retrievers, poodles, westies and many others plus a great big Afghan hound. I was so delighted to see so many dogs.

Hoi Hian and I took care of Bobby, one of the rescued dogs from Furry Friends Farm. He was really well behaved and didn't make any fuss throughout the day. We also met Dr Sugar, Dr Kylie and Dr Babe, the Doctor Dogs of Malaysia. The rest of the dogs who came from FFF that day were Sweetie, Cash, Dollar and a few more.

It was great to see so many people come and inquire about the dogs and the farm. People of all ages bringing their children and grandchildren to pat the dogs and take photos with them. I found that Westerners tend to have more sincere interest in the animals... Although I met some really caring locals too. I had a great time talking to so many different people about dogs :)

I hope that many others will lend a helping hand to support animal welfare in Malaysia. If you want to help, log into http://furryfriendsfarm2006.blogspot.com/

A Letter to Connor

Connor, a dear friend, passed away on 14 September 2008. He was battling a severe case of lung infection after a series of chemotheraphy and radiotheraphy treatments for cancer.

I wrote him a letter.

Dear Connor,
I know you’re in heaven now, walking along the streets of gold and meeting all your new friends and people from the bible! It must be so exciting :) How does your mansion look like? It must be so amazing! I have so many questions for you. Are there many animals in heaven? What do you do all day? Can you fly? Did you meet my 2 grandpas? What’s the temperature? Can you see us on heaven TV?

Anyway, just wanted to say we miss you terribly here on earth. Can’t find someone like you easily – kind, compassionate, gentle, joyful, faithful, generous and loves Yeshua so much. I’m so blessed to have had you in my cell group, you gave so much and took so little. And you’re always smiling and joyful, never complaining about anything. Thanks for the steamboat you cooked for us :) It was really delicious. What do you eat in heaven?

It seems like we’re so busy with life here on earth, that we only truly realize what we’ve lost after it’s gone. Many of us took for granted that you were going to be around just as long as we would be. But you finished your task on earth much faster than us, and you got to go home first.

We’ll always remember you for the wonderful man that you were and we will learn to be more like Yeshua, just like you.

See you soon, Connor!

I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 1 Timothy 4:7

Furry Friends Farm

Skidboot

I found another great video from http://videos.komando.com. Excerpts from the website:-

David Hartwig has a special way with animals. That’s especially true with his dog, Skidboot. You’ll be amazed by this Video of the Day. I’ve never seen a dog like Skidboot. In the video, he seems to understand everything Hartwig says.

With his brains, Skidboot became a TV star. He appeared on Oprah and The Tonight Show, among others. Children all over the country have been delighted by Skidboot. The limelight never frightened him.

The video depicts a close relationship between master and dog. Hartwig and Skidboot show an extraordinary level of communication. This is just a great story. Sadly, Skidboot passed away several months after this video was taken. Hartwig is training other animals. But they will have big shoes to fill.

Christian the Lion

I think many people underestimate animals. I received an email that really touched me today:-

I'll bet you've never seen a pet like the one in this Video of the Day. In 1969, two friends, John Rendall and Ace Berg, purchased a lion. At the time, Christian the lion was a 35-pound cub. He had been born in a zoo. The friends raised Christian in their London home. All three hung out in a friend's furniture shop on the weekends.

Within a year, Christian had grown to 185 lbs. Rendall and Berg realized they couldn't keep him much longer. But they didn't know what to do with him. A chance encounter changed that. Two actors from the film Born Free walked into the furniture store.

The actors recommended a conservationist, George Adamson, living in Kenya. Christian was soon in Africa. There he was rehabilitated and released into the wild.

In 1974, Rendall and Berg decided to visit Christian one last time. He was now a wild animal. Adamson told them it was doubtful that Christian could be found. No one had seen him in nine months.

The two flew to Kenya, anyway. On the day they landed, Christian appeared outside Adamson's camp. Somehow, he knew. He waited outside the camp until Rendall and Berg arrived.This video was taken during their reunion with Christian. What a story! What a video!