LOVE BUILDS

We try to demonstrate our love for family and friends in various ways. We don't always succeed and sometimes our good intentions are mistaken. People have different characteristics and behavioral patterns. When someone doesn't respond to you in the way that you expect, you should not fault him or imagine that he dislikes you. It could simply be that he was brought up differently, not better or worse off than you, just different. Leave it at that.

Humans crave love, recognition and acceptance.
Declarations such as "You're the best thing that have ever happened to me" or "I've fallen for you", or "You're my world, you're my life, you're my everything",  have some elements of the above.
Anyone who receives those compliments are bound to be so affected, for some even to a point of delirium.

I've heard them all before and very likely so have you!  Words so full of conviction and passion but only for a season and with the passing of the season, they have become empty mutterings now devoid of any lasting truth.

But this is the way of the world. 

So the search for love, approval and acceptance continues...

"For this purpose I've emptied myself that you may experience the FULLEST of life in every form. It is my good pleasure to prosper you not only with wealth but also in your health, relationship, family, career and much much more. All that I have belong to you, even my life!"
In other words, "I gladly give up everything for you. I will never leave you or harm you.  You will be safe with me for all eternity.  You've tried the ways of the world but my way and my love is not of this world.  Trust and believe in me  - JC-"
I do!

When I feel that no one loves me and my world is caving in on me, I cling to that Promise!
Call me old fashioned but faith in the BIG JC seems to work for me.

At least He's consistent!

Think I'll stick with Him  :-)

"YAM SENG"

Hey Buddy,

More photos of the wedding.

Everyone who should be there was there.
Everyone...except you and if you had been present, you would be right there, up in the front, taking photos and videos; teasing and making all the young girls pose for you.
And you know what, they would have gladly succumbed to your charm!

It was a joyful celebration...

GUILTY AS CHARGED ...

She rescued him from a place where no one cared very much about him. He was alone and aloof; bored and mad as hell. He presented a challenge, one she could not resist.

She took him in, dusted him off and cleaned him up. Breathe new hope into his life, put a glint in his eye, a spring in his walk, a song in his voice, passion in his blood and a dream in his heart.
He was a new man, a happy man.
People around him sense and saw the difference but not everyone applauded her effort.

If what she did is a crime, then yes, she stands guilty as charged.
But I wouldn't be too hasty to cast the first stone ...

 

 

IT'S A SCAM ...

They cornered her when she was at her most vulnerable.
She lost RM230,000.00. Everything gone ... up in smoke.
No money, no honey, no home AND no justice!

This is their modus operandi.

According to the police, not all scams have syndicates behind them. They're just cooked up by a group of people, foreigners mostly working with locals, operating from houses, cars or even cafes and kopitiams.

First they will sweet talk you and make tempting promises of gifts and eternal love. These suave operators, using fictitious photos, email contacts, phone contacts and bank accounts will claim to be some high powered somebody from UK or the Middle East.
They are smooth, polished and VERY INSISTENT and will not let up even when you reject their advances. They play on your emotions planting guilt, fear, pity and shame and before you know it -- SNAP! --you're lured and fallen for their subtle bait.

Stage 1 accomplished.

What they are after is your money, whatever they can fleece off you. When the soft approach doesn't work, they will resort to blackmail, threats, intimidation, harrassment and even throwing 'the law' at you, frightening and making you believe that you have committed a crime punishable by jail sentence or even death! Usually they scare you with penalties concerning drugs and money laundering. These unscrupulous tricksters are very convincing pretending to be from the government agencies, customs, income tax department, police, banks, lawyer's office and even the mortuary!

If you're unlucky by the second stage you would probably lose a substantial amount of money anything between RM15k to RM200k (along with your pride) depending on how deep you have fallen into their trap.
Their cheating and conniving follows a consistent pattern as if they have been meticulously taught by some school that specialises in this field!
SEVEN KEYS TO SUCESS IN ANY CON JOB!

Victims are reluctant to report this because of 'face' and other 'stigmas'.
There is a special COMMERCIAL CRIME department within the police force handling all such frauds and scams. High ranking police officers, bankers, (retired) high court judge tell us to be wary. Con men (and women) come in various forms and yes, even your next door bro, sista, uncle or aunty can be a suspect!

Please be aware and read the newspapers and watch TV. Everyday there are warnings to the public to be wary of such crooked schemes. It's better to be safe than sorry. Young people who think they know it all are easy targets.
Remember there is no free lunch in this world. Be thankful if there is a trade off, unfortunately there is none, only a RIFF-OFF!

According to the Police, the latest scams in Malaysia come under 'Parcel Scam', 'Nigerian Romance Scam', 'Scratch and Win scam", 'Gold Rush Scam', "Urgent Help: In Trouble Scam' and macam macam.
Don't for a minute think it won't happen to you!  YOU ARE NOT SAFE WHETHER YOU ARE 16 OR 60.

Please do yourself (and your family) a favour, WAKE UP and be alert or YOU MIGHT END UP THE NEXT VICTIM!
If you have already been 'scammed', I'm sorry but please warn others and try to save them from a similar fate.

COMING OUT OF HER SHELL

Heard an all too familiar story recently.
She had risked everything for him but found out that he had a different agenda. He broke her heart and left her desolate, with no apology.

The poor girl was in limbo, cried a lot and even contemplated suicide.

Blamed herself and fell into deep depression... a hell no one could save her from.

After months of therapy, counselling and with the loving support and assurance from her family and intimate friends she gradually regained her self- esteem, got over the rejection, humiliation, anger, hurt and resentment. 

 

He had used her for his own selfish gain and pleasure whereas she had fallen for him hard.

 

Why do people delight in taking advantage of others, especially when it comes to matters of the heart where women are the most vulnerable.  As if life isn't difficult enough.

If he can't make her happy, the least he could do is not to make her sad.  But no...

 

And with great reluctance and determination she set out to forget him because as long as she allowed him in her thoughts, he was going to be able to hurt her over and over and over again.
To free herself, she released him! 

And hopefully in time she will be liberated of all the ugly memories and start afresh.

A bad 'love' --- if this experience can even be called 'love' --- need not be the last love.  It takes courage not to shy away but who knows, the next person who comes along may turn out to be the best mate yet.

 

My friend: she's dreaming again, coming out of her shell, taking risks and loving it...

 

 

LIKE A DREAM ...

Blessings of Holy Matrimony
Brandon & June
7th September 2012
Renewal Lutheran Church
Petaling Jaya

(Officiated by)
Rev. Patrick Kan          :  Exchange of vows 
Rev. Dr. Joshua Yee     :  Pronouncement of Blessings
                                       Holy Communion

1 Corinthians 13:4-7,13 

Love is patient, Love is kind,
It does not envy, it does not boast,
It is not proud, it is not rude.
It is not self seeking, it is not easily angered.

Love always protects, always trusts,
Always hopes, always perseveres,

And  now these three remain:  faith, hope and love
But the Greatest of these is LOVE

+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*

Our heartfelt thanks and appreciation to our pastors, family, friends and loved ones whose presence added to our happiness and made our joy complete.

CHURCH REHEARSAL

Hey Buddy,

Agree!
Nothing like an old fashioned church wedding to start the young couple on their marital journey.

"To have and to hold...to love and cherish...in sickness and in health ...till death do us part..."
By the grace of God ... Amen.

We had the church rehearsal yesterday, on a beautiful Sunday afternoon.
Everyone was in high spirit, especially the father of the bride. 
I think he worked the hardest, walking the bride down the aisle no less than three times to make sure that he got it right! 
Wonderfully patient, accommodating and a pleasant gentleman, my in-law.

Let the photos tell the story.

You know what?...I think it's going to be a lovely, lovely wedding.

I know you're smiling down at us too... the applause of heaven rings loud in our ears.

- Me -