I didn’t expect it but in the last 5 seconds of that video, tears welled up in my eyes.

Man, it’s strange listening to Australians speak. It’s like going back in time. I kind of miss it.

I am most impressed at the damage control so far. Their lawyers and PR teams are smart. People were a bit skeptical on Today Tonight’s involvement in this situation even though the Guglielmuccis’ signed an exclusive deal with them. Read: Exclusive deal means that the Guglielmuccis will give Channel 7 the story but they cannot make deragatory statements or flame them. VERY SMART. It protects the Church(es) and the people involved. It was heavily and well edited and what really struck me was the calmness everybody had on the show. Almost as if they were coached and prepped by the legal team beforehand. Listening to each person say 10 words before cutting to the next segment or interviewee is not enough to form a proper argument or a proper apology to such a crime.

On top of that, the Guglielmuccis’ only gave their statement in church when everybody is obviously on their best behaviour because they are in God’s house. It is only right since they owe their church an apology, not to Australia or to the world.

I am impressed because everything that has come out so far has been controlled. Well done PR team!!

They knew this would blow up big but they needed to make sure that the impact would be lessened so that people will not lose faith in the Church and maybe even in God. It’s a sensitive and precarious ledge to be standing on. After all, 3 churches were indirectly/directly involved… even if the churches are trying very hard to disassociate themselves.

After all, megachurches already get enough flack for their hype and presentation.

In a way, although we have watched and witnessed ‘the truth’, we will never really know if they are telling everything because it was a heavily edited and exclusive “insight”.

What happened to investigative journalism? Has it become one big PR game?

“Just Stand Up” is produced by Babyface & LA Reid and it’s really well-produced. This is what good production is about!

This all-star charity single features the voices of some of the greatest, most popular and respected female singers who’ve come together to Stand Up 2 Cancer.

Just read the names in the lyrics below, read the powerful message that the song is telling us. The tune is catchy, uplifting and will motivate you! Let’s get this song to no.1! For the cause, y’all, for the cause!

Download “Just Stand Up” mp3 here.

JUST STAND UP

Beyonce: The heart is stronger than you think
It’s like it can go through anything
And even when you think it can’t it finds a way to still push on, though
Carrie: Sometimes you want to run away
Ain’t got the patience for the pain
And if you don’t believe it look into your heart the beat goes on

Rihanna: I’m tellin’ you that
Things get better
Through whatever
If you fall, dust it off, don’t let up
Sheryl: Don’t you know you can go be your own miracle
Beyonce: You need to know

CHORUS
Sheryl: If the mind keeps thinking you’ve had enough
But the heart keeps telling you don’t give up
Sheryl/Beyonce: Who are we to be questioning,
wondering what is what
Don’t give up
THROUGH IT ALL, JUST STAND UP!

Fergie: It’s like we all have better days
Problems getting all up in your face
Leona: Just because you go through it
Fergie: Don’t mean it got to take control, no
Leona: You ain’t gotta find no hiding place
Keyshia: Because the heart can beat the hate
Leona: Don’t wanna let your mind keep playin’ you
Keyshia: And sayin’ you can’t go on

Rihanna: I’m tellin’ you that
Miley: Things get better
Through whatever
Rihanna: If you fall
Miley: Dust if off, don’t let up
LeAnn: Don’t you know you
Natasha: Can go
LeAnn: Be your own
Natasha: Miracle
Carrie: You need to know

Ensemble: CHORUS
If the mind keeps thinking you’ve had enough
Melissa: adlibs
But the heart keeps telling you don’t give up
Melissa: adlibs
Who are we to be questioning, wondering what is what
Don’t give up
Melissa: adlibs
THROUGH IT ALL, JUST STAND UP!
IF WE ALL, JUST STAND UP!
Mary: You don’t gotta be a prisoner in your mind
Ciara: If you fall, dust it off
Mary: You can live your life
Rihanna/Carrie: Yeah
Mary: Let your heart be your guide
Rihanna/Carrie: Yeah yeah yeah
Mariah: And you will know that you’re good if you trust in the good
Ashanti: Everything will be alright, yeah
Light up the dark, if you follow your heart
Mary: And it will get better
Mariah: Through whatever

Ensemble: CHORUS
If the mind keeps thinking you’ve had enough
But the heart keeps telling you don’t give up
Who are we to be questioning, wondering what is what
Don’t give up
THROUGH IT ALL, JUST STAND UP!
Ensemble: CHORUS
If the mind keeps thinking you’ve had enough
But the heart keeps telling you don’t give up
Who are we to be questioning, wondering what is what
Don’t give up
THROUGH IT ALL, JUST STAND UP!
Fergie: You got it in you, find it within
You got in now, find it within now
You got in you, find it within
You got in now, find it within now
You got in you, find it within
Find it within you, find it within
Everyone: THROUGH IT ALL, JUST STAND UP!

Without thinking much of it I read on only to have my eyes widen and my jaw drop.

My first impressions were, I know of a Pastor Guglielmucci and only last week I had read a blog that talked of a song “Healer” that some local Malaysian church was hoping to use at their healing service this weekend.

So I did a Google News search and you can read the story in the link below…

- Pastor Michael Guglielmucci spun gospel of lies

Basically what he did was lie that he was dying from cancer when he really wasn’t. Not only that, he wrote an inspirational song called “Healer” based on his lie and this song reached the top of the Australian Music Charts.

A quote from the article above,

It since has become an anthem of faith for believers, many of whom are suffering their own illness and were praying for a miracle for Mr Guglielmucci, who has claimed for two years to be terminally ill.

I know I’m not making it sound sensational at all. But it is a ground breaking sensational and scandalous story that will rock the Church (with a capital ‘C’) to its core.

The consequences will be devastating which is why Hillsong Music, have flexed their muscles on Youtube, furiously removing or attempting to remove all traces of the song and of the pastor giving his testimony on stage with an oxygen mask. Maybe they are hoping that this will not blow up and affect the church but it has and will when more and more people find out about it.

Why this has captured my attention is not only because of the seriousness of the situation but because I know of a Guglielmucci who pastors an Edge Church… so when I read that name in the article, I was thinking, “Wait, you mean the guy who came to my church and spoke a few years ago faked his sickness? You mean that pastor that my pastor reveres so much and calls his Italian brother, is a liar?”

It turns out that it is not Danny Guglielmucci (the pastor whom my pastor respects) who is a pretender but his son, Michael Guglielmucci. Apparently, his family including his wife are just as shocked at the revelation that he did not have cancer.

I shared this news with my family at dinner and one asked, “Wait, did they donate money to this guy for his illness?” I thought that was very intuitive. The other dismissed the family’s cluelessness - “How could they not have known? You would get a second opinion wouldn’t you? There are doctors? Medical reports? His wife must’ve known ‘cos she had to take care of him. Don’t tell me his parents didn’t know.” Two very valid points.

I can understand why his family need to separate themselves at this moment. Danny Guglielmucci is senior pastor at Edge Church. If he admitted that he knew of this lie his credibility and the trust in the church will be in tatters. Not that it is not already. However, I now wonder how many times he may have spoken on his son’s condition at church services and sermons, how many times they may have talked of “God’s healing touch” and how good and powerful the song, “Healer” is.

When I read of this song from a blogger a week back, he said it was a powerful song that he hoped would move people at a local healing service this weekend. At the time I thought, “hmm, a song about healing?” I did a lyrics search but thought the lyrics were not as spectacular. I thought of my dad and how the song reminded me of Don Moen’s “I am the God that Healeth Thee”. I didn’t even bother to listen “Healer” though.

Are they still going to use this song at the healing service I wonder? How can you?

The context of the song, “Healer” was based on a lie. This is sickening. Imagine the many dying patients who cling to this song for dear life, praying fervently that God will heal them. Think of the caregivers who listened and believed that God will heal their loved ones. Think of the impact this will have.

Cancer is life threatening. People die from cancer. It is a heartbreaking journey - the life you knew will be altered and turned upside down, where your appearance will change, where your life will consist of ample hospital visits, lots of medication and pain. The things you knew of will never be or look the same again, you will see who your real friends are, who loves you, how precious life is and how much your faith matters. It will be a time when you prepare for the ‘just-in-case-I-do-not-make-it’, where you question the after life and your place in it, when you feel lonely and wonder how and why it happened to you… to some, it may feel as if time and life is not on their side.

Someone took those sentiments and pretended that he was dying. This is the disrespectful part. How can someone do that? Does he even know the anguish that reverberates through the soul when it feels like you are handed a death sentence? No, he made a mockery of that.

Yes, he wrote a powerful song that I am sure God will use for His greater good. But the point is not the song.  

The point is, he chose to tug at the heart strings of man with this fake illness,. He lied to further his cause. Is that what evangelism has become? That you have to play dirty to bring the people to believe in Jesus Christ? I hope not. God, please forgive Michael Guglielmucci. Whatever strongholds the devil has on him, release him in Jesus’ name!

I am disgusted because my father was one of those that Michael made a mockery of. And yes, I am fiercely protective of my family. When my father was ill, I used to despise the people who “felt sorry” for my dad. I hated those who treated my father like a pariah. I hated those who visited and enquired on my dad’s condition only to feed their own curiosity. I cursed the people who condemned my dad and said that it was karmic retribution. My father went through hell on earth because of his love for his family.

Now that I think of Michael standing on stage giving his testimony with his oxygen tank it makes me sick to my stomach. How could he do that?! It is such a cheap way to gain votes and sympathy.

Many a time people ask what differentiates Christianity from other religions? We say the testimony of believers is what makes Christianity special. It is their unique story of how God touched and saved them.

Of course, now this is all up in the air because people can lie about how God touched them. Even pastors. The precedence has been set. Or maybe, the truth is out.

When pastors lie, the ground shakes and the sky falls because they are meant to be obedient, humble, God fearing men. They are meant to be the shepherd of the herd bringing us to greener pastures and not into the wilderness. They have a lot of responsibility on their shoulders.

Yes, pastors and church leaders are not perfect. They fail but when they do they do not just destroy themselves but the people who looked to them for direction, help and guidance. There will be a division in the church, people will take sides naturally and the establishment will crumble.

This will be a big blow to the Church because there are so many people and demons sitting on the sidelines waiting for the church to falter so that they can point their fingers and cause dissentment. Maybe this is why the church cover their tracks ala the Catholic Church and now Hillsongs. To protect the faith that they have failed to upkeep.

The Edge Church is known as a powerful church in Australia. Hillsong Church is famous for their music. Their reputation is tainted now.

I recall my pastor claiming that he was modeling our church after the Edge church. I hope to God my pastor will see the flaws in this plan.

What this teaches us is we should not look at other people for guidance and help. Our strength and wisdom should be sought at God’s feet and drawn from God Himself. Only Jesus Christ can take us on the straight and narrow path. Only He is the way, the truth and the life. Not man. Because men fail all the time.

Maybe this will steer us away from the commercial and megachurch mentality and return to the reason and basis of our faith - that is, Jesus Christ.

In the last couple of weeks, there have been rumblings that local megachurches (in Malaysia) are on shaky ground too. Problems with the leadership - how they lord their power over the people and misappropriate funds just to name two issues. We don’t expect our pastors to be CEOs of corporations, they are meant to serve the people and bring them to Christ. Rather they sit on their high horse as if they are king of their tiny kingdom, where they expect people to furnish them with gifts and swoon at the mention of their name. There are so many disgruntled and disillusioned church goers out there. God help us.

Maybe this is God’s plan, with everything uprooted and the bad weeded out, God will be able to sow the right seeds in Malaysia and Australia again and that both countries will flourish and bear the right fruits of the Spirit and see spiritual revival that has God’s approval stamped on it. We can only hope and pray that God is in control.

I’ll post some links so you can read other people’s views.

- Pop star pastor lied about cancer
- Michael Guglielmucci - An Appropriate Response
- Will we learn from Pastor Michael Guglielmucci’s fall?
- Michael Guglielmucci faked his illness?!
- Michael Guglielmucci is a Fake and a Fraud - what about you?
- BREAKING NEWS: “Healer” Pastor Michael Guglielmucci Faked Terminal Illness
- Why Do Christian Ministers Fail?
- Healer Thoughts: Now what?
- Michael Guglielmucci On Road To Recovery

But I wonder if the real problem is not Mike and his deceit but the very system he became a victim of. A church that loves to make heroes and stars out of ordinary people…in fact does this not sound like the very worldy system that we live in?

- The Healer Hoax
- Healer - exposed or misunderstood?
- When Vessels Break (Mike Guglielmucci and Healer)
- Fake illness preacher Michael Guglielmucci told to go to police (video inside)
- Youtube: Hillsong (Michael Guglielmucci) Healer
- How did Michael Guglielmucci get away with it?
- Mike Guglielmucci News - A Response

I remember seeing Mike on his Myspace in a sick bed with hospital clothes, etc. How hardcore was this lie?

- Mike Guglielmucci and the problem of Christian celebrity.
- Michael Guglielmucci Should Be CRUCIFIED!
- Mike Guglielmucci
-

How God Created the Bible

Many people say St. Paul’s Cathedral was built by Sir Christopher Wren. It took him 30+ years to build the cathedral. However, he did not lay a single brick. Rather, he was the architect and the designer of the cathedral. He directed people and made sure the cathedral was built.

Likewise with the bible. God did not write the bible himself. He inspired the authors of the books and letters of the bible.  He led them and made sure they wrote down the right things.

God wants to set us free with the Bible

Believing in Jesus Christ is meant to set us free. Not to bind us further. We aren’t meant to feel trapped. So many times, we think being a Christian has so much rules and regulations. Not true. God gave us commandments to follow not to trap us but to free us.

For example, imagine attempting to play football without really knowing the rules of the game well. You will feel lost playing it and you’ll be frustrated because there are no set boundaries. However, when you do know the rules of the game well and you have a referee who knows when to cry foul and who is wrong and right and it is someone you can trust, then you will feel happy playing the game. You will enjoy the game.

Likewise, God gave us the bible so that we can enjoy life. Not the other way round.

How we are meant to use the Bible

The bible is like a manual for our life. We aren’t meant to study it just for the sake of studying it. We are meant to apply it in our lives.

Just like how we read a car manual for example. Aside from highlighting the important bits of the manual, it would seem utterly strange if you were to refer and memorise the car manual rather than learn how to drive the car. The car manual is supposed to help you drive the car well. It will tell you what each function of the car means and how to tell when something is due for repairs.

Same with the bible. It is meant to show us how to lead our lives well to the fullest. We are meant to apply it to our lives with its life changing aspects. We are meant to read and study it so we can tell right from wrong and apply the goodness of it in our lives.

——————-

Of course I’m not as good as Nicky Gumbel but these points make so much sense, don’t you think?

Exactly a year ago, all of us went to Singapore for a holiday. My dad was so happy and excited that we were all going as a family. We had to leave at 8am in the morning or something and I remember so vividly, sitting in the front seat of the van, half asleep and my dad proudly saying to no one in particular, “My little pig … what is my little pig doing… my little pig” and prodding me from the back. I was too tired to respond and the sun was blinding me. I really could sense his joy. He was so happy and made sure my little sister was comfortable at the back seat and that we were all settled for the journey.

We arrived and I finally got to see first hand what my dad really did while in Singapore for treatment. I had gone down maybe once or twice before but my dad was warded at the time. We followed him to the hospital and he got his blood work done, we sat there, watched HBO while waiting for the results…I think that was also the time we learned how to clean my dad’s port. I might be w

It was really a great trip for all of us, I think. My dad was really upbeat and he wasn’t sickly at all. We watched Rush Hour 3 and my dad, who never really watched movies in cinemas actually went with us. He thought it was a stupid movie. My little sister and I watched The Secret which was quite awesome and my dad really was feeling good. I’d like to think it was because we were there with him. My older sister and husband had gone off on a holiday to the Philippines.

We hung around Singapore during their National Day and walked quite a bit and my dad wasn’t tired at all. We walked so much, just seeing Singapore as it is and every time we asked my dad if he was tired, he said no. It was amazing. It was as if God had given my dad energy so that we could cherish our time together.

We watched Singapore National Day documentaries and my dad told us some things about Singapore/ Malaysian history and stuff.

There was a really funny incident that happened. My mom was given an IPOD and she would sing-a-long to the songs in a horrendous hum… it really was. It was screechy, pitchy and loud. The three of us (dad, little sister and myself) were trying to watch tv and she was humming in the corner. In the end, my dad, to lighten the mood started imitating her. It was sooo funny. My little sister and I were laughing and laughing. It really is a great memory. My dad had on the best facial expression too. HAHAHA. And my mom had no idea he was imitating her ‘cos she had her IPOD on at full blast. It was hilarious.

My dad was feeling so sprightly that he even felt well enough to drive my sister’s car over to Newton Circle/Circus food court for supper. He really was that well. They wanted me to drive but I was a bit hesitant since my sister’s car is so big and I’m rather crap at driving. Plus, I don’t think I brought my license.

It was a great time away. Checking the dates, I think we were there from the 7-10 August. We came back on Friday so that my dad could spend the weekend in KL.

I couldn’t have asked for more. It was my last holiday with my dad, now that I think of it. A holiday, holiday. Sure, he had to get bloodwork done but he was feeling good. Thank you, God. Thank you.

“Grab yourself back from the devil,” Kelly exhorted the women as they snatched at the air with outstretched hands and moved from side to side.

*ahem* The devil is laughing at us.

“No harm will come to these vessels… no pain… we ask you to remove it in the name of Jesus,” Kelly said, drawing approving ‘Amens’ from the sweaty class.

Say what?

“It’s still aerobics, but doing it unto the Lord makes it easier and gives us that extra push,” said Kindra Owens.

^ Ok, fine that kinda makes sense but still…

Do we have to get so… Christian about everything?

It’s Hungry Ghost Festival as you know.

We celebrated my niece’s birthday today.

My uncle told my mom that some of my dad’s friends had dreamt of Papa.

One of Papa’s friends, I think he used to give us fish and chicken during Chinese New Year in a Mercedes S Class, yes… haha… quite funny, dreamt a while ago that Papa had walked into his house. He was shocked and asked my dad, “what are you doing here?” and my dad said in his brash tone, “Why? Can’t I come and visit? I cannot walk around is it?” That is really my dad. He’d say things like that and he was always restless and I can totally imagine him getting bored and walking around. I mean he always did it when he was alive. He’s always been mischievous.

Another one of Papa’s friends just dreamt of him. About 2 nights ago (start of Hungry Ghost Festival), he dreamt of my dad. My dad said he was very happy “up there” and was with my grandfather, grandmother and my uncle’s first wife. My dad’s friend, who had never seen my grandfather before, could describe him to a degree (in terms of clothes, white singlet, black pants) except that he had seen my grandfather smoking a cigar. My grandfather was never a smoker though. Hmm… However, my dad asked his friend to light a candle for him during this festival.

In a way, it makes you think doesn’t it? We must remember that my dad’s friend is not a Christian but I really believe in the spiritual realm. Not because of the above but everything I’ve experienced and seen over the last year(s).

I first of all, have to say, I thank God that my dad received and believed Jesus Christ as His Lord and Saviour.

Last week, I attended a wake and it was really interesting to hear that a week before the person passed away, she said she saw her dead husband and she had a party with him downstairs. Then she requested for Buddha chants. The thing is, she was a Christian and one of those that served rather fervently over the last few years. She had cancer that went into remission a few years ago but sadly came back aggressively. She suffered a lot before she died. What caught my attention was the party she had “downstairs” and the fact that she requested for Buddha chants.

I believe that things can happen even before we die. When you’re in-between life and death, and in constant pain, you can be swayed and it is easy to be attacked by the devil. Our faith in God must be steadfast and not only that, we must know that our God is the most powerful and He loves us. Jesus Christ is the way, the truth and the life. We must know this so we aren’t led astray or away from God. I remember a dream I had and I thank God for that assurance. My dad a week before he passed away was actually saying things like, “God’s going to heal me. Jesus Christ is going to give me a brand new body. I’m not going to be in pain anymore.” He said it to a pastor and it shows how important constant prayer is for someone so they are protected from all things evil. Wow. Thank you God that you sent angels into our midst, people who could minister to my dad and mom during those trying times. Thank you Father.

God is all powerful. Jesus Christ is my Saviour.

Therefore when we hear of people who have such dreams, what can we say about it? We have had our shackles broken by what Jesus Christ did on that cross for us. His dying and resurrection is the reason why we are no longer bound to our sins and to evil. So even though my dad’s friend dreamt of my dad asking him to light a candle (my dad’s friend actually asked my uncle if it’s ok to do so), it’s not going against anything God’s said. It’s a sign of remembrance. Like the butterfly.

Edit: Just so you know, we think that whoever asked my dad’s friend to light a candle for him, is not my dad. After much thought and prayer, we feel it could be evil disguising itself. Why? ‘Cos it asked my dad’s friend to light the candle on the Hungry Ghost Festival Day itself. Anyway, it’s not like that spirit asked us (the family) to light it. Just asked my dad’s friend. 

I believe my dad is in heaven with Jesus Christ.

It’s going to make me believe even stronger in God and it proves that God is real that there is a battle between good and evil. Yes, like my youth leader said, we still have to be careful when we hear of such things because they are not Christians and of course, the devil can disguise himself but still, it shows how the realness of heaven and hell.

What I find most strange is how, during this Hungry Ghost Festival, the people burn “hell money”, know their dead loved ones are in hell and know they worship the god of Hades. *ahem* The path to heaven through salvation and yet… they can’t see it and choose not to go there because they love their dead loved ones more and want to be with them.

I was telling my dad about it before, “these people know they are going to hell. Why can’t they see what Jesus Christ has done? It’s so obvious! It’s such a difference. They can take the path of happiness, of hope, of freedom but they don’t.” My dad shrugged his shoulders at the time. We were in the hospital and yes, it was Hungry Ghost Festival then.

Dear Father, thank you for loving us, for not giving up on us and for pursuing a relationship with us. Thank you Jesus Christ for dying on that cross so that we can be saved. Thank you Holy Spirit for always watching over us and protecting us.

One of the things that pleases me most is that Papa is always so happy in our dreams. He’s smiling and we know he’s in a better place. Love you Pa!

I was in the office today when my little sister told me about a butterfly she saw the night before in our house. It was green, very reminiscient of the one that came right after Papa passed away. Not only had she seen it last night but this morning when she was eating breakfast, the butterfly was resting on one of the kitchen doors just sitting there. She told me how happy it made her to see the butterfly and it also made her miss Papa. I burst into tears when she told me and I reassured her that Papa probably came to visit ’cos he missed her. She said she too cried last night when she saw the butterfly.

I came home today and went to the kitchen to drink some herbs. I looked to the ceiling and see a butterfly. So I called my little sister to check whether it was the same butterfly she saw in the morning and she said yes. I was happy to see the butterfly ‘cos I thought I had missed it!

Just now, I was sitting on my parent’s side of the living room with my mother, when I saw the same butterfly flutter by with a flurry to the sofa next to my mom. It perched on the armchair and rested for quite awhile. I finally told my mom, “You know Papa’s visiting?” and nodded to the butterfly.

Last night when my little sister pointed excitedly to the butterfly, all my mom said was that “butterflies are friendly insects”. HAHA!

Anyway, I proceeded to tell her what my little sister said to me today. Then I showed her the two blog entries my little sister wrote. When I read both entries, I cried because what she wrote made so much sense and I really feel it’s from the heart. The first one was after she saw the butterfly and the second one was written after the breakfast meeting.

I took pictures of the butterflies. You’ll understand once you see…

This picture was taken on the 10 October 2007, 7 days after Papa passed away. The butterfly sat on the sofa my dad last sat on.

This picture was taken today, on 4 July 2008 on the ceiling of my kitchen.

Can you spot the butterfly? Taken tonight, 5 July 2008.

The butterfly up close.

Just now, when I was leaving I touched the chair and the butterfly flew away.

Some of us as Christians may have reservations whether to believe in butterflies revisiting because reincarnation or such visitations are not common in the Christian faith. We’er not supposed to believe it. However, I personally believe this butterfly is a sign from my dad anyway. Why? A butterfly represents Resurrection and Life. It represents transformation, transcendence and freedom.

I do believe strongly in the spiritual realm. I have heard strange visitations that sound off and scary. However, when this butterfly visited in October and today, I felt joy, peace and reassurance. I am not scared. And I’m a scaredy-cat!

Do I believe my dad is living in the butterfly? Not really. I do believe it is a sign though and maybe his presence is here. I have faith in God that He blesses us with signs and wonders so that we may have hope. God has always provided answers to prayers and signs as confirmation. It is up to our faith to see it.

I also feel that He is reassuring us that Papa is alive and well in heaven.

In the last few days, I have been amazed and in awe. God to me has never been more real and I have felt so much peace in my heart from the testimonies I’ve read (my last few posts). 

I can understand the reservations though.

Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. 2This is what the ancients were commended for. - Hebrews 11:1

Heaven is real and Jesus Christ is coming soon!

When it happened to Papa in 2006 then and he relayed it to us or tried to, I didn’t doubt then because I saw the hand of God move. I’m not sure why I doubted when I wrote this post.

On Sunday, I attended a meeting where someone talked about this boy who was in an accident and went to heaven. His mother wrote their story in a book called, “A Message from God“. I was watching Retha and Aldo McPherson’s testimony on Sid Roth’s show and came across this,

So I jumped up because I realized this car is going to drive over us. And as I jumped up and I looked into the lights of the vehicle, a very strange thing happened to me, my whole body started shaking, but not like when you are cold, it’s like really, really shaking. And I was looking at the lights of this car and the next thing after the shaking the heat, it is like fire, I could tell where it went, it went right through my whole body, and after that, I could say it is here and then at my feet, and right after that the peace of the living God was with me. And to have peace in this worse situation…

….

When I had this peace, he was in heaven. Jesus, what happened actually, then later on after he was in a coma for months, and he came out of the coma and couldn’t speak, the only thing he could do was write, and then he was explaining what he was writing to me, that night at that bad accident scene I looked into Jesus eyes, Messiah’s eyes, where he took him, picked him up and took him to heaven where he was in heaven the whole time and God was teaching him the word, the word of God is today in his heart.

- Source

Wow. When I read that I felt this surge of clarity and assurance that Papa saw and felt the glory of Jesus Christ that day. WOW! 

I’m going to buy the book. If you want to read her testimony, click here or go to her official website. I have never read a more Christ-centred testimony and it makes the story beautiful, believable and real.

Today is a special day of sorts. We bought something big and I hope that we get the number that we want. It’s something that Papa knew about. We were going to get it when he was around anyway but we postponed it till now. I think Papa would have been happy with our purchase. He’s always happy when we buy things.

I remember paying for my ticket at One Utama after the show, making small talk, smiling and thinking with a heaviness, “Man, if only they knew…” I knew this check-up was going to be the pivotal moment. The turning point.

It was a good movie nonetheless. It made me smile and feel good. That’s what movies should be about.

—

June 27th, 2008 - the day Papa’s beloved car went away. Papa’s car was precious to him. All his cars were. 

His car stored his treasures. And my dad didn’t have a lot of things but the things that he did have, they were in his car.

As much as we hated to see this part of Papa leave us, the last and biggest tangible item that he left behind, we will always have memories of Papa and his car with us. He left really good ones. Every little sound his car used to make, he’d send it in for a check-up. He was always paranoid about his beloved cars. He didn’t care about the other cars in the house - they could be rattling away and he’d never hear it.

We got to sit in it over the last few months and maybe in that way, it allowed us to be with Papa’s treasure thus being a little closer to him in that sense. To go about our daily routines knowing that Papa was closer to us is a good feeling.

But from what I’ve heard, I think the car has gone to a good home where the people are proud, happy and excited with the car. Maybe they will treasure the car too.