Saturday, July 12, 2008

Dogs and me

Here's Faith, a miraculous dog who was taught to walk on two legs because she was born deformed. But her human family patiently taught her to walk on two legs, and she eventually did. In Faith's official website, they attributed this miracle to Jesus.. because teaching Faith to walk like that was truly supernatural :) I was very touched by this story because it reminds me of how people are sometimes, so broken, deformed and lifeless. And nobody sees any good in them and thinks they are better dead. But God comes along and sees a beautiful life and he gives them a miracle and a brand new beginning :)

I was born with an intense love for dogs. I remember going to my grandparents' house when I was about five, and I'd head straight to Mickey, the golden labrador and spend my evening patting his head until my hands were all black (because Mickey wasn't exactly the cleanest dog in town). When Mickey died, Captain the boxer came and I loved him the same. But Captain wasn't that easy to pat because he was really hyperactive.

Looking back at family pictures, I saw myself as a five year old with my tongue sticking out - because I wanted to be the family dog. I got my first dog at 14, he was a Pekingese cross Shih Tzu and very lovely! When he was growing up as a puppy, my family felt that maybe he would feel left out as the only dog in the house, so we bought Titi (meaning little brother), a Shih Tzu. I was so proud to have 2 new brothers. I'd tell all my friends that I had 3 brothers - 1 human and 2 furry ones. I learnt much from Butchie and Titi - about love, loyalty and being 'human'. When I cried, Butchie would lick me until I stopped crying. So I would end up with a wet face and also a wet leg.

As I was growing up, I'd spend hours reading dog books. Learning about all the different type of breeds, temperament, height, weight and all that! Now I realise that I can identify all kinds of dogs without much difficulty.

Butchie and Titi died a few years ago - they were 15 and 13. I cried a whole lot of course - it was like losing family members. People say dogs don't go to heaven, but I know - for all the things that God has taught me through my dogs, and all the love I've felt through them, and how God does the impossible and answers my prayers - they are in heaven.

Now I have Spottie - my friends found him in a drain a few years ago. He came as a puppy - shivering, tiny and hungry. And now he's a wonderful family member, dad walks him at least 4 times a day and mum cooks him chicken rice everyday. I love him immensely, just like how I loved Butchie and Titi. I love walking with him on my off days, seeing him so happy enjoying nature and meeting all his doggie friends.

I've never been angry with my dogs - I have been bitten many times by them. Once I had to be rushed to the clinic because I was bleeding profusely after separating my dogs from a potential fight. When I came back, I hugged my dog and told him its OK and I still loved him. When I see 'dog' movies, I cry easily because I can't stand seeing dogs suffer. I love everything about my dogs - the tail that is 'too long', the ear that is 'crooked', the smell from not bathing, the cute look when they sleep...

Having this love for dogs helps me understand God's love for me. That God loves me so exceedingly much and nothing can change His love for me. God loves me so much more than how I love my dogs. His love is immeasurable. He loves me unconditionally regardless of how I look, what my achievements are or how many times I've failed. And God will always take me in no matter how broken or useless I appear to be - look what Faith and Spottie have become. God works miracles.... and He worked a miracle in me by giving me a love for dogs.


I will sing of the Lord's great love forever; with my mouth I will make your faithfulness known through all generations. Psalm 89:1

Thursday, June 12, 2008

Nepal

My highlight of the month is my recent mission trip to Nepal. It was my 3rd time to Nepal and a really unforgettable one too. Everytime I go there I feel the awesome presence of God. Not that I don't feel God in Malaysia, its just how real God feels when I'm in Nepal. I saw how the Nepalese Christians worshipped God...I think they would continue worshipping Him even if the world crumbled around them. Through them I understood the meaning of 'Created to Worship God'.

While we were there there was bandr (strike) and the van we were travelling got attacked. People threw bricks at our van and smashed the windows. 2 of our members got hurt and got treated at hospital. But the next day, they were in miraculously good shape. We're ok, and that won't stop me from going to Nepal. I still think its a beautiful country with wonderful people. And words will never be enough to describe how much God loves the Nepalese people.

Saturday, March 8, 2008

Just listening

There are so many blogs and some really great writers out there. With all the talent across the web, I doubt anyone actually reads my blog except me. I haven't been writing here since September, but been writing in my private journals at home. I can put more in-depth stuff there.

Just find that there are lots of people who need a listening ear. Maybe having more listeners instead of bloggers will make a bigger difference in the world. There's no balance in everyone talking and hardly anyone listening. Everyone's fighting to be heard.

Election day today in Malaysia. We've been bombarded by political views lately. Flags everywhere, different faces representing different parties stuck all over the place. I just hope for more social justice, more fear of God, more animal rights, more transparency, less corruption, less lies, less pride, more voice to every race and religion. Don't want people who can just talk a lot, but do nothing to bring improvement to the country.

Monday, September 10, 2007

Polar Bears

A few days ago I read an article that said polar bears would be extinct by 2050 due to global warming, causing their habitats to just melt away. That is depressing news. God, please don't let that happen. I'm gonna pray for polar bears from now on.

I've watched Evan Almighty and I really enjoyed it. Watched it with Hoi Hian last night and with Lin Fong today! I can't believe that its rated 18PL. That is clearly a family show. 18PL??? That is... just unbelievable. What kind of parental guidance does a kid need to watch a show with family values and lots of animals?

I feel like I'm living a hectic frantic life lately. Really need to slow down and refocus and rest in Him.


The Lord will fulfill his purpose for me; your love, O Lord, endures forever - do not abandon the works of your hands. Psalm 138:8

Thursday, August 9, 2007

Punky Brewster

I made my first online purchase at Amazon.com last week. It was Season 1 of the Punky Brewster DVD set. Punky Brewster was my favourite show in the 80s. I remember looking forward to Saturday mornings because of that show. And now 20 years later, I still have wonderful memories of that show... and wish I could watch it again. So I searched in Amazon and to my pleasant surprise... they had it in DVD! Can't wait for it to arrive.

Reading Ravi Zacharias' book 'Jesus Among Other Gods'. Its one of those books that make me want to go home to read. A very thought provoking book with many insights and personal experiences from Rev. Zacharias.

On another note, we're preparing to move to Dream Centre. Its a mammoth task, packing up everything and trying to work out all the media stuff... I really don't know how I'm going to manage, but I know God will somehow bring me through it all!

Surely God is my help; the Lord is the one who sustains me. Psalm 54:4

Friday, August 3, 2007

Spottie's in Love

Yes, my dog is in love... again. This time with Poochie, the young and fair golden retriever across the road. Being so good-looking, Spottie has a string of admirers in the neighbourhood. There's Chloe (an adopted stray), Tricia (a white labrador) and Lizzie (another white lab cross dashund). Hmm.. he seems to like young fair retrievers and labradors. He's got 2 enemies though, Leslie (a male casanova spitz) and a very hostile pomeranian that barks madly whenever he sees Spottie. Then there are his friends that drop by my house once in a while, and my mum lets them in to play - Whisky (a male westie) and Suzy (a female shih tzu pup). Yes, my dog is not short of friends.... he's definitely a sanguine.

You can tell he's in love when...
1. He's not interested in his favourite bacon snack anymore, he only wants to go out.
2. When he goes out, he only wants to go to Poochie's house.
3. When he's outside Poochie's house, he doesn't want to leave. You have to drag him home.
4. When he's home, he wants to go out again.

Thursday, July 26, 2007

Kandu the Jack Russell

I was drawn to a headline online today about a two-legged dog with wheels. I clicked on it and up came a video about a Jack Russell who was born with 2 hind legs only and was about to be euthanised when a couple decided to adopt him. And they made wheels for him! So now Kandu's a therapy dog and visits hospitals to give patients hope. How wonderful! I was very touched by the story and searched more in the internet and found Kandu's website - http://www.kandu.us

It reminds me of how God sees us. Sometimes because of all our imperfections we don't have hope anymore, but God comes and gives us wheels! He's our healer, restorer, provider, source of joy, peace, life ..... He's everything!

Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever. Psalm 23:6