With Christ, there should be no bull

Great Brisbane Flood Jan 2011-28, a photo by Mervin Chiang on Flickr.

Sanctification. Holiness. Pure. These are words, if you read the Bible often enough it keeps coming up. Being Asian, I find that my upbringing and even the Chinese culture as a whole, there are practices that goes against these words.

So what does it mean to be Sanctified? Made holy? Remain pure? There are many visualisations I can think of in my head on how God does this. A nice elegant one is like a pearl, constantly polished by sand and grit in the Oyster. Or crudely, like a stainless still pot. Sin entering is like burning food on the pot. Once there, each time you cook it'll just keep charing... The only way to keep my pot "pure" is to scour it. To scrub it to keep it clean. Like the pearl and like the pot, even after all that, under the microscope, there'll still be impurities...

Anyway, why am I saying all that? Well all based on this versed that lingered in my head for the last few weeks... "For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart." Heb 4:12

In 1 Thessalonians we are told to "admonish" one another. Over the last month, I myself have been rebuked by my wife, put straight in my place at work and even admonished at my bible study group to keep my priorities right. So what am I saying?

Well, I'm saying that I appreciate it! I appreciate my wife, friends and work mates being so straight with me. To not beat around the bush, to not sweep under the carpet, to tell me straight up that I am wrong. I want to be sanctified by God, and the only way to get there is for people and circumstances around me to be my "sand". Get it? I am not asking you to go out and look for trouble or cause trouble for me and others all the time. However, if it is righteous, justified and edifying, a fellow Christian should not feel afraid to speak up. To Admonish!

I had to learn humility and stifle my pride to accept the rebuke. Honour and appreciate the admonishment.

Friends, if you are a Christian and are part of a church family that smiles at you each week and talks behind your back without coming to you with the hard conversations, something is wrong. We are not heeding Hebrews 4:12 and obeying 1 Thessalonians.

Do you feel the constant Sanctifcation/scrubbing by God?

My Son, My Only Son

My Son, My Only Son, a photo by Mervin Chiang on Flickr.

He said, “Do not lay your hand on the boy or do anything to him, for now I know that you fear God, seeing you have not withheld your son, your only son, from me.” - Gen 12:22

Despite whatever critics might say about the new dramatised documentary "The Bible, the TV mini series" (Christians or non-Christians). I implore you to watch it as it is... switch your minds off judgemental-ism. Non-Christian friends, watch it for its cinematography and dramatic almost Hollywood-style action (think 300 or The Gladiators). For Christians, "Zoom" out, not asking you to overlook details, but just take in how certain stories we might know for so long but have never really "seen" and just busk in the wonder and awe of our God's plan laid out in the Bible.

Digressing further... Perhaps it's just me not being able to remember all verses in the Bible and cannot remember all the details. So I can't judge on how accurate or inaccurate things are. It's kind of like me watching DC or Marvel movies. I don't know the stories well in the comic. So I loved Man of Steel for what it is. Again, let me disclaim that I do not endorse any inaccuracies as fact or anything like that. But I guess its just my long-winded way of saying that if you are not too busy judging the show and watch it God might tell you something. Like how He did me...

Now zoom back into episode 2... I was tearing at the scene when Abraham almost took Isaac's life. "Why? We all know the story. Abraham would surely past the test...", you might ask. It's not that. Its how the scene penetrated right into my heart tonight. As early as I can remember, I had known this story. I had always assumed that Abraham so blindly just followed God's command. And Isaac just so obediently lie there to let Abraham do God's command. In reality, there would be aching. there would be anguish. The actors portrayed very human reactions, hesitation and sadness. It kind of reflected a mirror directly at me. "Will I be able to do it?" was the question I asked. Then tears started rolling down my cheeks because I realised my sin and how may I can't! The simple answer lied with "Do I fear God more than my son's life?"...

Let me explain this word "fear". It is not the "afraid" kind of fear. "It is a reverential awe of God; a reverence for His power and glory. However, it is also a proper respect for His wrath and anger. In other words, the fear of the Lord is a total acknowledgement of all that God is, which comes through knowing Him and His attributes." (borrowing from http://www.gotquestions.org/Bible-fear.html)

"The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom" Proverbs 9:10a

A simple relaxed Saturday watching of the show has prompted a very simple yet challenging question in my mind and life. Do I fear God? If I do, it means I have faith in Him. This means I can trust Him in all things. ALL things... Even with the life of my son. My career, my life directions, my hard decisions, my future... ALL things... It's all good theory. But when my faith is really tested like Abraham, can I do it? It's easier when we're taking from God... It's harder when we are expected to be obedient. To give, to sacrifice and to NOT be self-centred. What would I do when God asks of me?

God is Sovereign - So quit complainin'!

God is Sovereign, a photo by Mervin Chiang on Flickr.

I know the title seems to take an extremist view on the matter. But it's not... It's just my human fleshly voice getting this dull irritation that has built up to a point where I really need to vent somewhere! So, please read this with a filter on 'cos it's me being human complaining as well :P

So what ticked me off? Small trivial things I guess, but like death-by-a-thousand-cuts, it amounts to some level of irritation. Let me explain... I check Facebook a lot, I guess many knows that. I see lots of posts about people complaining about things. But hey, I'm Singaporean! It's in my blood to complain... Complain about politics, about how politicians don't keep their word, about how the recent "The Bible" documentary is a lousy depiction and theologically off, about the weather, about life... You get the picture?

Recently, I've been struggling with this a little. You see it's a strange cycle I get into... I am sinning because I am judging you when you are judging others when you complain. Get it?

To borrow words from Job, "“I know that you can do all things, and that no purpose of yours can be thwarted." (Job 42:2, ESV)... So let me walk you through my thinking process... You might complain about the Bible documentary, ask about the age and credibility of a speaker on the pulpit or complain about a politician going back on his words... [insert any ranting complains you did here...].. For me I'm goin' how do you know that God is not using this very situation, event, show, person, circumstance for His plans? If you don't get what I mean, go watch Final Destination or Butterfly Effect for more "confusion" :) Anyway, I digress.. So I judge you for judging the situation, event, person, thing. I think to myself "who are you to complain?" Don't you know that God even uses non-believers for his purposes? (See Jer 21:7, and all through the book of Judges and many more examples)

These verses rightly sums up my feelings... "So then he has mercy on whomever he wills, and he hardens whomever he wills. You will say to me then, “Why does he still find fault? For who can resist his will?” But who are you, O man, to answer back to God? Will what is molded say to its molder, “Why have you made me like this?” Has the potter no right over the clay, to make out of the same lump one vessel for honorable use and another for dishonorable use?" (Rom 9:18-21, ESV)

Ok ranting over... Friends, I struggle with this myself. I have to diligently catch myself from judging and complaining about things. But please don't fall into this subtle trap of being quick to judge all things. Facebook and twitter has given us easy access to simply take pot-shots at ranting. Please don't do it too often. God's will and sovereignty IMHO is meant for us to do inward reflections... to ask "why has this happened to me or others? Why is it this way? What can I learn from this? What is God trying to do here?" instead of an outward all-guns-blazing-all-finger-pointing words, comments and posting on social media or face-to-face.

Yup! That's me...

Yup! That's me..., a photo by Mervin Chiang on Flickr.

Every few years I have a new surge of resolve, a new passion, a new direction, a new meaning in life. And each time, hopefully, I mature and have grown more in wisdom than the last... What I mean is... I want to start blogging again..

My last stint was on photography. That still exists.. My current on-the-simmer passion is coffee. However, my latest craze I want to focus on and hopefully with as much zeal and passion as my other previous crazy passions and also to keep it as my ONLY focus is... GOD!

Yup the gospel is what I want to sink my teeth and whole being in next. Not to say that I haven't been doing that before. Don't get me wrong, I'm not recently born again as a Christian. I've been in, near and around Christianity almost all my life. But when God starts showing you things and starts revealing His magnificence to you time and time again without fail and with that much consistency. You'll stop, look back, then look at yourself and then look forward and go... "Woah..."

A good friend I recently caught up with after having lost contact for almost 20 years said something that struck me. I started telling him enthusiastically about what has happened in 20 years. I wasn't sure how much he believed in God, I kinda didn't care. I wanted to just tell him how my life journey was and how God had so many things to do with my life events and how I became this person I am now... he listened and he wowed and he ahhed and he oooed... Eventually he said, "You should write this down! It's a great testimony. A memoir of some sort... " This statement stuck with me for all this time. And the months after that meeting lead to many fast and almost God-zapping sequence of events that lead me to... well.. this post... The start of "writing things down"...

You see, like Neo in the Matrix, I sometimes like to and can almost see life in those green characters running down everything like in the movie. I like to somehow reach out touch and appreciate the beauty of how awesome God's sovereign guidance is. Everything, and I mean EVERYTHING happens in accordance to His design. We can't see it until it happens. Narrating my life for 20 years in a 1 hour sitting certainly exposed God's guidance in all its glory when I was with Justin. It's there when you choose to see it. It won't be if we don't or won't...

This was the verse I scribbled down to look up on and to memorise..."And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose." - Rom 8:28

Get ready for a series of my life :) (if I get the discipline to keep blogging...)

Queensland Brides Expo 2012

Prize drawn at Queensland Brides Expo 2012, a photo by Mervin Chiang on Flickr.

This is a quick post to say that I am supporting Team Gabby at the Queensland Brides Expo 2012 as in a form of a prize voucher worth $380 in photoshoot package. They need people to buy the raffle tickets to win the prize!

From Kev, "Team Gabby is holding a Raffle at this weekend's Queensland Brides Wedding Expo and we have fantastic prizes to be won!! Check out the prizes on our FB page "Gabriela Caldwell Support Group" if you are NOT able to come to the Expo and want to buy tickets message me on FB or txt me 0418853987. tickets are $2 ea or 3 for $5. Prizes are drawn on Sunday 14th at 3 pm"

Side note: Haven't blogged in a while. I've been pursuing other distractions. On a more "caffeinated" kind :)

Will be hopefully posting more of those one day as well....

The Cain and Abel Story of a Car Dealership

Toyota Kluger Final, a photo by Mervin Chiang on Flickr.

Warning: This entry is a mix of professional, personal and academic ranting… A usual side effect from being a Research ProfDoc student at QUT, a Business Process Improvement and Management Consultant and well… being me! Also, this is a VERY LONG post!

Disclaimer: What you’re about to read is purely from my perspective as a customer at these dealerships. By no means is this a stereo-type or is it meant to be a professional review of any sort. My hypotheses are merely my own and has no scientific backing. It is, after all, ONE customer’s experience. But hey, isn’t that what it’s about in the service industry – A successfully GOOD customer experience?

So why did I call this entry “Cain and Abel”? Well, if you are familiar with the bible, Cain and Abel are the 2 opposite children from the same parents, Adam and Eve. One represented what was done right in God’s eyes and the other represented all the things you should not be doing! In this case, the “Parent” is the car dealership Eagers. The “Good” kid - Abel - Eagers Holder. The “Bad” kid - Cain – Eagers Kia.

Ironically, we bought a Toyota!... Anyway, we had the pleasure (and pain) to have met both of these “child” dealerships as we narrowed our search for a new (used) car down to these 2 places that have what we want. The weekend that ensued was nothing short of a mini drama series in itself. Well, you have to understand that we had 2 kids in tow; one was a 7 month old baby! So you can imagine how a “customer experience” is quite important when in a situation with juggling decision making, nappy changing and test driving car comes into play.

Before I continue, I’d like to also write about why I decided to write this blog that is non-photography related (again) and put it here. Besides the fact that I have nowhere else to post this, I wanted to write somewhere to commend one dealership and at the same time “constructively criticise” the other. Also, as part of my academic quest, I’ve been recently studying organisational behaviour. Particularly how a “Healthy” organisation fair as opposed to what I’d like to call an “unhealthy” or “toxic” one. (Concept derived from the book: “The Advantage” by Patrick Lencioni).

Back to the story… In order to relate my experience, let’s dissect it…

First Contact:
Like most typical customer, I sent an enquiry through Carsales in to all my shortlisted parties and waited for a response. “Abel” replied within the hour with a cheery discussion about the weather over the phone and answered all my questions and concerns around financing, etc… He got the financing side to call me within the next 30mins which they did. All good.

Why “Cain” then? I normally wouldn’t but the car they had over at “Cain’s” side had a particular feature that is rare and is something we really want in a car we’re looking for. Otherwise, this whole episode would be a non-event… It would have been: Customer-see-car -> Customer-meet-Abel -> Customer-buy-car -> Customer-happy… NOoo…

After waiting a whole day with nothing, I had to call “Cain”! Asked and mentioned all the same stuff I did like in “Abel’s” call, but I felt I was hurried through the enquiry with no interest to ask me more about what I’m looking for. Said someone will call me back about my finance and other questions. Do you think I got any call back that day?... Free AIR for guessing the right answer!

Test Drive Day:
Come test drive day, we went to “Abel” first. I told them up front that I had a car to view at “Cain’s” that had something we really wanted. I didn’t want to waste their time going through a discussion that might go nowhere. I like to be upfront this way. They were ok with it… Offered us drinks, coffee, tea. Overall very friendly, warm and personable. The test drive was very nice and we talked about general things and rather uneventful. They had a nice little office with a couch and an old TV. Nothing flash, but very “homely” :)

“Cain’s”? Well, he got back to me eventually. Apologising about something along the lines of: the-fact-that-something-is-more-important-than-me. I kind of tuned out after the first sentence. When we met, it all seemed ok. He was friendly enough. “Cain’s” place is bigger and more “flashy” than “Abel’s”. However, besides the fact that the car had this little extra thing, the car was shabbier looking that what “Abel” had to offer. The test drive? After my comment about us seeing another car at “Abel” and the fact that this one is worn out looking comparing to that, the whole car ride was all about how he lost the detailing guy, how he used to own a car dealership, what his son does and what thinks about his wife’s spending and opinions. Interesting how all these had anything to do with me wanting to buy a car… Hmm…

The (Wrong first) decision:
Despite a somewhat weird sales experience where the entire episode was about the life of a car salesman rather than the car in which we want to buy, we felt that the feature was important enough to want to buy this more worn out car than the one from “Abel”.

This was the start of the fall of “Cain”. The whole process was very mechanical. See trade-in-car, quote lowest possible price to trade in car, squint when asked if more discounts can be had, shows me that they are making a loss (like I care), shove me to the finance person, tells me that there is nothing more they can do. Mind you, the car specs are almost identical (Cain and Abel’s).

When we decided that we had indeed made a wrong decision to buy here and that we shouldn’t be bullied into buying something from somewhere that had this feature ONLY and nothing else going for it and to live with a worn out, expensive car, with a bad taste in the mouth, we left. I tried to be nice to look for the car salesman to tell him we’re leaving. He was already talking to someone else, walked right past me! I had to call out to him to tell him we’re leaving. I think I heard a grunt noise of some sort in response. With that we pretty much left, wife and kids in tow with our nappy bags. Any drinks, coffee, tea you think? Help yourself to free AIR for the right answer…

The second (right) decision:
We went back to “Abel”. Best decision we’ve made. Despite not having this feature in the car, we had a very personal experience. The whole team was friendly. Our daughter sat on their couch and watched shows. We were offered tea and coffee. They got lots of balloons for Mikaela. End to end, very personal, professional and friendly service. Answered all our questions and were very patient. We even get a better deal with them. How is that possible? You might ask… Same car specs, but “Cain” was telling us that they are making a loss and can’t go lower. Neither should I, the customer, care. All I care about is the bottom line. It’s cheaper – “Abel’s” cheaper.

Let’s break it down
So, this is where my consultant and researcher hat came into play. I was playing the contrasting Cain and Abel story over the weekend in my head over and over to try and figure out and analyse their differences. How come both are similarly branded, i.e. from the same parent, but one is day and one is night? Taking the personality of the sales persons aside, the following are pure hypotheses and should be taken with a grain of salt. So if you like the story so far and don’t like to figure out how the universe works, then read no further.
Some hints:

1. Loyalty – “Cain’s” car salesman hinted that team “Abel” had been a team for a long time. This was confirmed when I saw Malcolm’s award plaque showing he won best service even back in 2003. This is a good indicator that the team works well together and likes working together. Low staff turnover is a good sign.
2. Running the ship: A Cruise vs. Old Yacht – Even though “Cain’s” ship is more flashy and commercial looking and bigger. There wasn’t anything personal about it. It wasn’t family friendly at all. Perhaps this would work when selling a Ferrari, but looking and feeling all corporate-y when I have a whole family in tow with no offer for drinks is not fun. “Abel” on the other hand. Might look older, smaller, has an old couch and TV. Very family oriented. Even the culture of the team is a stark difference. The whole team was smiling and greeting in camp “Abel”. It felt like a true team and not just a few people that happened to be working together in the same building.

So my general observation is that camp “Abel” had a healthy organisational make up. Everyone seemed to be driven with one culture, with loyalty and clarity of their roles and direction. Camp “Cain” seemed to be less so from my brief exposure to them, certainly they did not have a happy customer in this instant. I would also further guess that they did not have happy employees, based on the car ride conversations at camp “Cain”.

I would like to stress again: These are mere observations from one customer’s experience. It does not represent a professional consult, an empirical research or any form of type casting. It is only a ranting blog of an over-analysing nut (a.k.a. The Customer).

Juice Fasting Day 3 - Paused

Juice Fasting Day 3 - Paused, a photo by Mervin Chiang on Flickr.

lol... Guess what? I broke fast after 3 days :P

You can call it an excuse or a trial. Whichever way you see it, I had a lot on this week since it's my last week at my current work place and everyone was "complaining" about how I did not plan this enough... Milk in the fridge, leftovers that needs to be eaten.. etc...

So I decided to stop it after 3 days. Since the literature says that less than 3 days is useless, I decided that 3 days was a good time and a good trial to stop... For now...

How did I go? Well, I did well! Besides the caffeine withdrawals and also the gas discomfort in my stomach, I was OK. I notice, I get it the hardest around 5-6pm and had to take a lie down. However, I was already starting to feel energised and feel better by the afternoon of day 3.

Will I go again. Absolutely! I just need a better recipe for the vege juice. It still tastes a little ... erm.. yuks!