THE DEATH OF JESUS

At the age of 33, Jesus was condemned to death.

At the time, crucifixion was the "worst" death. Only the worst criminals were condemned to be crucified.

Yet, it was even more dreadful for Jesus, for unlike other criminals condemned to death by crucifixion, Jesus was nailed to the cross by His hands and feet, rather than tied.

Each nail was 6 to 8 inches long.

The nails were driven into His wrist. Not into His palms as is commonly portrayed. There's a tendon in the wrist that extends to the shoulder. The Roman guards knew that when the nails were being hammered into the wrist, that tendon would tear and break, forcing Jesus to use His back muscles to support himself, so that He could breathe.

Both of His feet were nailed together. Thus, He was forced to support Himself on the single nail that impaled His feet to the cross.

Jesus could not support himself with His legs for long because of the pain, so He was forced to alternate between arching His back and using his legs just to continue to breath.

Imagine the struggle, the pain, the suffering, the courage.

Jesus endured this reality for over 3 hours.

A few minutes before He died, Jesus stopped bleeding. He was simply pouring water from his wounds.

From common images, we see wounds to His hands and feet and even the spear wound to His side. But do we remember the many wounds made to his body.

A hammer driving large nails through the wrists, the feet overlapped and a nail hammered through the arches, then a Roman guard piercing His side with a spear.

And before the nails and the spear, Jesus was whipped and beaten.

The whipping was so severe that it tore the flesh from His body.

The beating so horrific that His face was torn and his beard ripped from His face.

The crown of thorns (two to three inch thorns) cut deeply into His scalp.

Most men would not have survived this torture.

He had no more blood to bleed out, only water poured from His wounds.

All these without mentioning the humiliation He passed after carrying His own cross for almost 2 kilometers, while the crowd spat in his face and threw stones. The cross beam was almost 30 kg of weight, to which His hands were nailed.

Jesus had to endure this experience, so that you may have free access to God.

So that your sins can be "washed" away.

All of them, with no exception!

Jesus Christ died for you.

EASTER....

Easter is the most important annual religious feast in the Christian liturgical year. According to the Bible, Jesus was resurrected from the dead on the third day after his crucifixion. Christians celebrate this resurrection on Easter Day or Easter Sunday (also Resurrection Day or Resurrection Sunday), two days after Good Friday and three days after Maundy Thursday, also referred to as Holy Thursday by some.

The Resurrected Jesus appearing before Mary Magdelene

The chronology of his death and resurrection is variously interpreted to be between AD 26 and AD 36. Easter also refers to the season of the church year called Eastertide or the Easter Season. Traditionally the Easter Season lasted for the forty days from Easter Day until Ascension Day but now officially lasts for the fifty days until The first week of the Easter Season is known as Easter Week or the Octave of Easter. Easter also marks the end of Lent, a season of fasting, prayer, and penance.

Just the other day, Tasha and I were having dinner with Ben, Kamal, Vixx & Komathi. Ben & Kamal asked me a question: "So Devan aren't you observing Lent this year?" It was nice that they remembered. Every year, I give up something for Lent - normally something I cannot live without. For the past years it has been, alcohol, red meat, in fact in one of those years, it was meat altogether - but this year, I gave up coffee. Ever since I started here in CSC, I have been drinking at least 2 mugs of coffee every morning. So, this is something I have decided to give up. Honestly, it was tough initially, but eventually, I am alright. There is no longer a craving.

Tasha and I will be going back to Melaka on Thursday, right after work and we will be attending Good Friday service in Christ Church Melaka. Amma has promised to cook up a delicious vegetarian meal - yummy! I can't wait. To those of you who read the post last year, I'm sure you saw the spread - the works ya'll :) I have requested a menu from Amma - so, I am looking forward to it. Will post the pictures by Saturday, 3rd.

That's all for now, more after the Good Friday service.

Ode To My Dear 'Sons'

Every day when I return home from work, Caesar and Vasco are always there to greet me. Caesar will be running up and down the drive way with a soft toy in his mouth and Vasco will be whining in anticipation so that I will just pat him and give him a regular belly rub. It is amazing that the both of them are there to greet both Tasha and me every day without fail. There hasn't been a day go by, with them not greeting us the way they do. Cute fellers - I always look forward to going back home just to see them greet and welcome the both of us - very enthusiastically.

Caesar

Vasco

Love you both Caesar and Vasco

This posting is specially dedicated to the both of you - woof woof!

Below are some of the most famous animal quotes compiled from many people. Enjoy...

"An animal's eyes have the power to speak a great language" ~ Martin Buber

"We can judge the heart of a man by his treatment of animals" ~ Immanual Kant

"My little dog -- a heartbeat at my feet" ~ Edith Wharton

"Who can believe that there is no soul behind those luminous eyes!" ~ Theophile Gautier

"Dogs are not our whole life, but they make our lives whole" ~ Roger Caras

"You think dogs will not be in heaven? I tell you, they will be there long before any of us" ~ Robert Louis Stevenson

"A dog is the only thing on earth that will love you more than you love yourself" ~ Josh Billings

"Until one has loved an animal, a part of one's soul remains unawakened" ~ Anatole France

"Old age means realizing you will never own all the dogs you wanted to" ~ Joe Gores

"There is no psychiatrist in the world like a puppy licking your face" ~ Ben Williams

"To err is human, to forgive, canine" ~ Anonymous

"The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated" ~ Mahatma Gandhi

"Every boy should have two things: a dog, and a mother willing to let him have one" ~ Anonymous

"A dog has lots of friends because he wags his tail and not his tongue" ~ Anonymous

"The dog represents all that is best in man" ~ Etienne Charlet

"The greatest pleasure of a dog is that you may make a fool of yourself with him and not only will he not scold you, but he will make a fool of himself, too" ~ Samuel Butler

"I care not for a man's religion whose dog and cat are not the better for it" ~ Abraham Lincoln

"If a dog jumps in your lap, it is because he is fond of you; but if a cat does the same thing, it is because your lap is warmer" ~ Alfred North Whitehead

"The best thing about animals is that they don't talk much" ~ Thornton Wilder

and the best of it all....

"...he will be our friend for always and always and always" ~ Rudyard Kipling

Family Trip

Tasha and I have been planning to have a family trip for a long time. We have been planning to have the trip since early September 09. Thankfully, everyone responded on time and kept the date free. The date was set be on the 2nd of Jan 2010. A one night trip to PD. We made the necessary arrangements to have a bungalow booked and pot luck was also organized. We wanted to have a barbeque so we had to ensure sufficient food was catered for the 23 people & 2 furkids that came:-

1. Devan, Tasha, Caesar & Vasco (2)
2. Uncle Krishnasamy, Auntie Lalitha, Pravina & Suhashini (4)
3. Thatha (1)
4. Uncle John, Auntie Rani, Hans & Natasha (4)
5. Uncle Revee, Auntie Chelva, Arwin & Sharwin (4)
6. Kumar, Pathma, Aniruth & Adhiti (4)
7. Vicknes & Yoges (2)
8. Alfred & Geeta (2)

By God’s grace everything went on well. We left KL at 12.50noon and we were in PD by 2.00pm. The entourage from Melaka arrived at about 2.30pm. We started off by having some deliciously made nasi lemak by mom-in-law (Aunt Lalitha). Once we were done with lunch, we left for the beach. It was just a 5 mins walk from the bungalow. We swam in the sea for about 3 hours and then got back to prepare for the barbeque.

Barbeque started at 8.00pm and by then, Alfred, Geeta and the Kumars had just arrived. Oh yes, how can I forget? We had problems finding the barbeque grill. We could buy it from KL because; we did not know the size of the barbeque pit in the bungalow. We spent a good 1 hour looking for it, and finally we found one shop that had it. As soon as we got it and all the other supplies, we headed straight to the bungalow. After we were done with eating and drinking, we had a short game of football – really fun. 2 teams of 5 aside were made and we played for a good 1 hour. Then, we stopped to rest. But after resting, no one wanted to continue, so all of us had our showers and we started card games. Some gambled, some of us played Citadel – a game introduced by Vicky & Yoges. Interesting, I must say. After that, the rest went to sleep, but some of us continued with Monopoly and more drinking. 3 of us (Arwin, Hans and me) only slept at 5.30am – after some supper.

Got up by 8.00am the next morning and yes you guessed it right, we headed to the beach again. Swam for about 3 hours, got home, bathed, got ready, some of us had light lunches and then we all headed back to KL.

All in all a very good trip – some of us came from KL, some from Melaka, some from Singapore and some even from India. I am very glad everyone had a good time. We are planning to make this an annual event – even bi-annual, of course only if the response is good.

Pictures of the trip can be viewed by clicking on the picture below:

Say 'No To Plastic Bags'

Greetings of the New Year everyone!

I came across a very good article in the NST this morning on the ‘No Plastic Bag’ campaign.

Every Saturday (from the 2nd of Jan onwards) in all Carrefour hypermarts nationwide, no plastic bags will be given to customers – if they would like to have one, they will have to purchase it.

This is a very good move. Tasha and I have always been wondering when people will ever stop using plastic bags. This is the beginning. We should encourage shoppers to use their own recyclable shopping bags. It is also good to know that other supermarkets and convenience stores have also decided to follow suit. In fact, Cold Storage had already declared Thursdays as a ‘no plastic bag day’. Now, they have also decided to take part in the campaign. Among the other stores who have decided to follow suit, 7-11 and Giant. I do hope other marts will do the same.

Please spread the message everyone. Please go into stores with your own reusable shopping bags. Let’s join hands in saving the environment. Let us start off the New Year by inculcating the habit of recycling.

Thank you and God bless you all this year!

Caesar & Vasco....

It is such a joy to have Caesar and Vasco in our lives. I was just watching some tele after dinner and I realised that Caesar (for 5 years) and Vasco (for 3 years) have been with us throughout our entire lives together. I can still remember the day Tasha brought Caesar home. The memories of that day are still very fresh in my mind. He was a ball of fur. I have seen many pups growing up. I must say, Caesar was the best of them all. He was very well behaved. He is 5 years old (35 human years). Vasco will be 3 years old (21 human years) this October. It is sad to note that dogs do not live as long as humans do. I just hope and pray that both Caesar and Vasco will live their lives to the fullest. I pray that the both of them will remain healthy.

Here are some of their pictures taken recently:-

Caesar watching tv

Vasco eating (he is known as the 'sappadu raman of the house')

Caesar & Vasco....

Every now and then, Caesar and Vasco have this wrestling sessions. It is so cute to see them going at each other. Tasha and I were watching tele this morning and playing with the boys. Suddenly Caesar got into a minor rage and started going at Vasco. He started his 'cari pasal' mode.

Do watch the video below:

Weekend....

It is a strange feeling when you look forward to the weekend. But when the weekend comes, you're like thinking, damn, it is Monday in a day or two. Then you lose all focus of the weekend. Anyway, this weekend was rather quiet. Woke up early this morning, ran some errands, took Vasco to the vet and Caesar to the groomers. Then, got back. Tasha cooked lunch. Lovely lunch I must say - chicken curry, rice, carrots and cauliflowers. In fact, once I got back upon running my errands, I slept for a while. It has been like eternity since I ever had a good afternoon nap, and boy was it good. Woke up and 6.00pm and had lunch. Yup - lunch was at 6.00pm. Then, Xavier called me for a game of pool. We were supposed to go for a bowling session in Sunway Pyramid - but it didn't work out. We had vouchers for some games - but sadly, it didn't work out. Anyway, I headed to IOI Mall - Brewball to play some pool. I must say, Brewball has one of the best tables in town. Well maintained and excellence service by the staff. We played for a good 2 hours - 8 ball. We hope to be having another round of 9 ball soon. It was a well contested match: Devan - 10 vs Xavier - 8.

After the games, I got back, had another round of the rice and chicken curry. Bought some ice-cream back. Tasha and I have this love affair with the McDonald's Cornetto Sundae. Good stuff ya'll. Try it - chocolate though, not the strawberry one. After dinner, had ice-cream and then watched some tele. I wanted to catch the ManUtd v Spurs game, but I doubt I'll be able to stay awake. I need to be up in the morning tomorrow as Tasha and I are driving Appa and Amma to Slim River - one of my dad's episcopal visits. They're driving to the Petronas here in Sg.Besi and then, I'm driving them to S.River. It will be a nice trip for sure as it will be the first time Appa will be going back to his place of birth and his 'kampung' as a Bishop. After the service, I'll be driving them straight to Melaka. Shobs and Balla are in Melaka, so they'll be dropping us off at KL on their way back.

Once we get back, it will already be time to get ready for a new week ahead. Wish you all a pleasant weekend and more to come next week.

I hope to take some picture in Slim River and I'll post it once I get back.

God bless you all.

Good Weekend....

What a weekend it was? The weekend started for me on Friday. Tasha picked me up from work, came back, did some shopping, packed up the boys and we left for Melaka. We were initially worried about the traffic (as Monday as a PH), but thankfully, the traffic was very smooth. We got to Melaka in an hour and 20 mins. Amma was waiting for us, had a warm shower and slept. Woke up the next morning, had breakfast, watched tele and just chilled at home. Appa and Amma went for a picnic with the Senior Citizens Club of CCM - so Tasha and I had lunch and pretty much just lazed at home. It was nice to just be at home. In the afternoon, we headed to Jln Bunga Raya for some cendol and rojak. This shop that we went to brings special memory to Tasha - when she was a kid, her grandma used to take her to this shop for rojak and cendol after their grocery shopping every other Saturday. To our suprise, the old uncle who is managing the shop is still there with his wife. According to Tasha, the taste has not changed - ever! So, it was good - I had longan with ice-cream - nice. Anyway, after that, we headed to buy some fruits and wash the car and then headed back home.

We visited Tasha's auntie (Uncle, Hans & Natasha) in Bukit Katil and then headed home after the 2nd half of the Man Utd v Arsenal game - were we lucky, I'm very sure we were. Although we did play well in the second half, but the way the goals came in for us, I have to thank God for his blessings :) Anyway, we retired right after the game as we were going to Kluang on Sunday. We woke up at 6.30am, got ready and headed to Kluang. Tasha and I slept at the back while Appa and Amma drove. We got to Kluang at 9am, dropped Appa at St. Luke's and then we (Amma, Tasha and I) headed to the Kluang town for some old school breakfast. Seriously very good. There is this chinese coffee shop in Kluang which serves the best baked bread with butter and kaya and coffee. After bfast, we went to church. Right after church service, we left - Appa was conducting the confirmation for some 10 candidates. I drove us back to Melaka - once we got back, we bought some lunch from Selvams.

After lunch, bathed the boys - Tasha bathed Caesar and I bathed Vasco. Fed them and then we slept for a while. Only woke up at about 8pm at night, got ready and left for KL. at about 9.30pm. It was a smooth drive back. Got in to KL by 11pm. Bought some burgers back and now I'm just resting. About to go and sleep in a bit. Tasha is already sleeping. In fact, I wanted to go and shoot some pool with Xav, but he isn't keeping too well, so we'll go tomorrow morning (I hope).

Very eventful weekend - Celtic won, Man Utd won and we had a very relaxed weekend in Melaka and Kluang.

Stray Dogs....

Tasha & I were going back home after dinner sometime last week in Equine Park sometime last week and we were greeted by a very cute Lab looking black colour stray. She was blocking the road as were about the leave the restaurant. So, what we did was we drove back to where she came from and we were pleasantly greeted by 2 small pups and 2 other strays as well. They were all sitting together and keeping themselves warm. A very sad site for an animal lover - I tell you. Anyway, we headed to buy some dog biscuits for them and ever since we have been feeding them at the shop lots that they normally chill out in.

However, today was kinda strange. When we went to feed the fellers, we only saw one of them. He was just sitting there alone - looking sad and cold (it has been raining here for the past 2 weeks, especially at night). So, what I did was, the usual, trying to call all of them - no one came. I got a bit worried - then this feller was walking away as I was pouring out the food on the old newspapers which were already there (I guess there were others feeding them too). Then, he gave 2 loud barks. As soon as he barked, all the dogs whom I had been feeding all this while, came running - including the 2 small pups. It was so cute - all of them just ran around our car and up into the shop lot. In fact when Spots (the dog that was sitting there alone) called out to his homies to come and feast, one of the small pups was about to run across the road - an oncoming car was about to hit him - but he took a step back and avoided the car. Amazing aren't they - they are so smart isn't? I was truly touched by how Spots called out to all of them to come and eat. Poor fellers were so hungry.

This post is to tell everyone - dogs are precious beings. Do not abuse them, do not throw them out of your house once you get bored of them, do not give them up if you have a child at home and most importantly - PLEASE, for heavens sake, if you are not in a position to care for them, do not ever and I mean, ever take them into your homes in the first place. It is very cruel to care for them for a while and then just give them up later. To those who have pets of your own, please neuter or spay your dogs and cats. It is already depressing enough to see so many of them without loving homes.

To all my dear strays (dogs and cats) - this is my prayer for you - may you be kept very safe from all danger and may you be fed sufficiently.

Take care everyone and have a good weekend!

DOGATHON IS BACK!

Yes, Dogathon is back and this time celebrating its 13th anniversary. Tasha and I have never missed it. It is held in Bukit Ekspo in UPM every year. This event is organised by the vet students of UPM and jointly sponsored by many brands. It will be fun filled day for you and your fur kids. The details are below:-

Date: 16th August 2009 (Sunday)
Venue: Bukit Ekspo, UPM
Time: 6.30am - 2.00pm
Theme: Carnivale Canine

For more details click on the paw below:
See you all there!

Car Keys....

A friend of mine sent me this - it is worth sharing!

PUT YOUR CAR KEYS BESIDE YOUR BED AT NIGHT. Tell your spouse, your children, your neighbors, your parents, your Dr's office, the check-out girl at the market, everyone you run across.

Put your car keys beside your bed at night. If you hear a noise outside your home or someone trying to get in yourhouse, just press the panic button for your car. The alarm will be set off, and the horn will continue to sound untileither you turn it off or the car battery dies.

This tip came from a neighborhood watch coordinator. Next time you come home for the night and you start to put your keys away, think of this:

It's a security alarm system that you probably already have and requires no installation. Test it. It will go off from most everywhere inside your house and will keep honking until your battery runs down or until you reset it with the button on the key fob chain. It works if you park in your driveway or garage.

If your car alarm goes off when someone is trying to break into your house, odds are the burglar or rapist won't stick around. After a few seconds all the neighbors will be looking out their windows to see who is out there and sure enough the criminal won't want that.

And remember to carry your keys while walking to your car in a parking lot. The alarm can work the same way there. This is something that should really be shared with everyone. Maybe it could save a life or a sexual abuse crime.

Do You Believe It?

A friend of mine sent me the article below. It really got me thinking? It may do the same to you. Read it. Very interesting:-

A girl went to her friend’s house and she ended up staying longer than planned, and had to walk home alone.

She wasn't afraid because it was a small COMMUNITY and she lived only a few blocks away.

As she walked along under the bike trail Diane asked God to keep her safe from harm and danger.

When she reached the alley, which was a shortcut to her house, she decided to take it.

However, halfway down the alley she noticed a man standing at the end as though he were waiting for her.

She became uneasy and began to pray, asking for God's protection.

Instantly a comforting feeling of quietness and security wrapped round her, she felt as though someone was walking with her.

When she reached the end of the alley, she walked right past the man and arrived home safely.

The following day, she read in the newspaper that a young girl had been raped in the same alley just twenty minutes after she had been there.

Feeling overwhelmed by this tragedy and the fact that it could have been her, she began to weep.

Thanking the Lord for her safety and to help this young woman, she decided to go to the police station.

She felt she could recognize the man, so she told them her story.

The police asked her if she would be willing to look at a line-up to see if she could identify him.

She agreed and immediately pointed out the man she had seen in the alley the night before.

When the man was told he had been identified, he immediately broke down and confessed.

The officer thanked Diane for her bravery and asked if there was anything they could do for her.

She asked if they would ask the man one question.

Diane was curious as to why he had not attacked her.

When the policeman asked him, he answered, 'Because she wasn't alone.

She had two tall men walking on either side of her.

Amazingly, whether you believe or not, you're not alone. People will not stand up for God.

PS: God is always there in your heart and loves you no matter what:

'If you deny me in front of your friends, I shall deny you in front of my Father'

Weekend....

What a weekend it was? Yes, it was Easter.

This is how the entire weekend went for me. I went back to Melaka on Fri. Reached Melaka at 10.30am, attended Good Friday service at 12.00noon with Tasha - Appa and Amma were already in church by 11.30am.

Appa at the Good Friday Service

Christ Church Melaka Altar - Good Friday

Service finished at about 2.30pm, got back home and we had one of the best vegetarian lunches I have ever had in my life. Amma prepared the best dishes in the world ya'll. Upon returning home, I went to the back of the house and cut some banana leaves. Tasha helped me wash em' and then we were all ready for lunch.

The menu for the day is as follows:-
(a) Par-boiled rice
(b) Dhal curry
(c) Fried spinach
(d) Spicy egg-plant (this is among the only 2 vegetables in the world that I don't eat)
(e) Potato sambal
(f) Pappadams
(g) Venthaya curry
(h) Pudina paste (my mum's recipe)
(i) Pudina pickles (the new one I bought from Balaji KL)

Yummy!

What a meal? After the meal, I just sat in front of the tele and chilled. After that Amma fried some yam for tea. After tea, Tasha headed to her Auntie's place to spend the night. I was at home, watching tele and then Shobs and Balla got home. I only slept at about 3am. Anyway, on Saturday, I promised Amma to help her with the laptop. Amma is learning to check her emails and to type and print reports. In fact, this is more of a refresher course. She knows all of this, but this is just a refresher, so that she is once again familiar with all of this. After that I headed to pick Tasha up from her Aunt's place, cos we had a photo shoot for our family picture at the Church at 5.30pm. Picked her up and then rushed home to bathe and got ready. And then we headed to the Church. After the photo shoot, we got home, had dinner, and then headed to Jonker Walk for a walk and some dessert.

Amma came along with us (Balla, Shobs, Tasha and me). We walked along Jonker and then made a pit stop at Ringo's. He was so glad to see us. It has been such a long time, since we last went to Ringo's. Anyway, we bought a bucket of Tiger (yup, it was already 12 by then). Having my first beer in 40 days was weird. It took me a good 2 hours to finish it. Shobs kept asking me, "why are you taking such a long time to finish it?" Anyway, after all of them had finished their drinks, we took a slow walk back home.

Upon getting back, we rested and then watched some tele. Amma slept as she had to wake up early the next morning. We woke up on Sunday and headed straight to Church. Upon getting to Church, Appa asked me if I was giving a special item - I had not planned to, so I told him no. But then while, I was sitting in the pew, I felt that I should give thanks to the Lord for all his blessings - and then I told Appa that I will be giving an item. I sang this song, 'From Heaven You Came Helpless Babe'. This song is a song which describes the true definition of Christ' life - born, lived and crucified for all of us. Wasn't very satisfied with it, but everyone else seemed to be happy about it - strange! Then again, I am a perfectionist - I am hardly satisfied with my performance all the time.

After Church, got back home and headed to the Hotel to sort the arrangements out. Anyway, spoke to the Maketing and Sales person and sorted out most of the details. There are some minor details that have to be dealt with - will be doing so when we go back on the 25th. But the place has been booked and 70% of the details have been confirmed. We have also confirmed the date of our food tasting. We hope everything will go on well. We hope and pray all plans hereafter will be by His grace and mercy. He has been with us all this while and I know He will continue to be with us.

After that got back home and had lunch. All the bridemaids were at home as the tailor auntie was home. She was measuring and designing their dresses. One of the page boys was also at home. I helped her design his outfit. I hope it will all turn out well. I rested, while Tasha sorted the outfits for the bridesmaids. Then, I woke up to some tele. After that I got ready to leave. Visited Tasha's parents (Unc Krishnasamy & Auntie Lalitha - not forgetting Geeta and Suhasini) and then visited her Aunt (Aunt Rani, Hans, Natasha & Thatha). After that we headed back to KL. Just got bac - it took me a good 1 hour and 15 mins to get back. It was raining for a while, but then it stopped after Nilai.

All in all a wonderful weekend. Now, back to work. I just hope work does not prove to be too much this week. In fact, even if it is, 'whats new?'

Cheers everyone. Have a great week ahead.

God bless.

Good Friday....

I have to thank my dear sis, Shobs for the article below. She keeps sending me loads of good articles. In fact, she has been doing so, ever since Lent started for us some 37 days ago. By the way, for those of you who are not aware, I have decided to give up alcohol and red meat for the entire 40 days. I am so proud of myself that I have successfully done so. This is a special time of reflection and of course abstinence. I am glad to have fulfilled the entire month and more without the 2 most desirable things in my life. Anyway, it is Good Friday tomorrow. I can't wait to get home. Amma, will be cooking a spread of vegetarian food. I told her I want to have lunch on banana leaves. So, I can't wait for the awesome lunch that awaits me tomorrow after Good Friday service at Christ Church Melaka.

We will be leaving for Melaka at 7.30am. Then to service at 11.30am and then back home for the lunch. I will only break fast at 12 midnight on Easter Eve - Saturday. More when I return. Hope to take some nice pictures of the food and hopefully the service as well. More when I return.

To all those who will be driving back to your respective hometowns, be safe on the road. Wishing each and everyone of you a Blessed Easter.

God Bless.

I'll leave you with the wonderful reflection on Good Friday - once again, thanks Shobs. I'd better say it, if not she will be so pissed off. Huh E63..... - she knows why.

GOOD FRIDAY -
THIS SOMBRE DAY
WHEN CHRISTIANS MOURN
A 2,000 YEAR OLD DEATH.

HE DIED, SOME SAY,
TO APPEASE A VENGEFUL GOD,
DEMANDING A ONE-TIME
CAPITAL PUNISHMENT
FOR HUMAN SIN,
BOTH PAST AND YET TO COME.
IT WAS, THEY INSIST,
THE ONLY WAY
WE COULD BE SAVED.

OTHERS ASK
IS THIS THE SAME GOD
WHO SAID "THOU SHALL NOT KILL"
NOW OFFERING HIS SON
AS A SACRIFICIAL LAMB
TO BE SLAIN
FOR OUR SALVATION?

YET OTHERS SAY
HE DIED BECAUSE
HE LOVED TOO MUCH -
LOVED THE OUTCAST,
THE SINNER, THE SICK,
THE POOR, THE OPPRESSED.

AS HE HUNG THERE
BLEEDING, DYING,
SOME HEARD HIM SAY:
"FATHER, FORGIVE THEM.
THEY KNOW NOT WHAT THEY DO."
IS THIS WHAT MADE
THAT BAD DAY GOOD?

WHATEVER WE DO, HE HAD SAID,
WE DO TO HIM.
AND WE ARE CALLED
TO FOLLOW IN THIS WAY.
THUS, IF WE IGNORE ANOTHER'S PAIN
WE SURELY CRUCIFY HIM AGAIN.

IT WAS INDEED A BAD FRIDAY,
MADE GOOD BECAUSE
IT SHOWS THE WAY TO OUR SALVATION -
SALVATION AS LIBERATION.
LIBERATION
FROM OPPRESSION TO JUSTICE,
FROM WAR TO PEACE,
FROM HATE TO LOVE.
AND THIS
IS TRULY RESURRECTION.