Langkawi...The Counting of Blessings...

Do we count our blessing when good things happens, or do we count our blessings when trouble overshadows us? For me, it's in both situations that reminded me to count, count, count...

Our trip to Langkawi started way before we step foot in LCCT airport. About 2 weeks before, I had to scramble my way to get accommodation booked, and prepared the tour agenda. An over sight of the public holiday made bookings nearly impossible, not to mention the exorbitant prices the motels are charging for the mosquito infested shacks.
But with a little determination, finally a local agent got us a place for shut eye for the two nites.


In Langkawi, the breathtaking view from above the clouds @ Mount Mat Chinchang really is mother nature's testimony of God, the creator and tasteful artist of the beautiful pieces of work.

On our first nite, back at Pantai Cenang nearby where we stayed, we decided to go shopping around the night markets, a hotspot for souvenirs in Langkawi. To my terrible embarrassment, I missed a huge hole by a tree stump and drove the rented car right into the ditch. The left tyre was virtually hanging free, while the right tyre did not have enough grip to pull the car out.
The moment I got out of the car, several kindly Mat Sallehs came up to me to offer a hand. While discussing for a solution to the seemingly impossible situation, another Mat Salleh gentleman came by to offer his help. To cut the story short, all of them simply lifted the car, while I slowly reversed it out of the ditch, almost effortlessly. I am ever so grateful to these angels that came to our aid. They asked nothing in return and went off after that. I could imagine the consequences were there no angles such as these tourists around. I counted our blessings twice, when I remembered that I did not drive my own Evie(my Honda City) to Langkawi, but rather rented an aged Iswara. Otherwise, my heart would've been dented too.

Although not much was pre-planned, God has been a real good Father, paving the way smooth for all our visits, from Underwater World to Mount Mat ChinChang.

One of the most memorable journey was out Island Hopping trip, which included a boat ride to a cove where the eagles feed. These are eagles in the wild mind you, and they have nested virtually around the cove area where we see dozens of these majestic creatures spread their wings, swooping down in grace to skim the waters for food.



To top it all off, sunset at the beach by our ole' shack was terrific. To see the sun slowly descending behind a little island just off the shoreline, setting into the horizon is simply beyond words. My sweetheart and I were busy snapping away, trying to take in as much as possible the glorious moment. This reminds me, God sends the sun to greet us in the morning, and sets in the evening for us to rest. I am reminded to appreciate each day as it comes, because no matter how we feel, the sun still rises and sets just the same. We have been given the privilege to live, and so much live it worthwhile for God.

Final words, glory and thanks to my God and Friend, for His unending and relentless love and cover over me and my sweetheart throughout the entire trip, and may our lives continue to be works of testimony of His wonderful grace and gift to mankind. I hope for those who do not know who or what I am talking about, if u are wondering the reason of my gratefulness, or why wonderful things has been happening in my life, feel free to ask. I am more than happy to share with you, the REAL UN-SECRET to everlasting happiness and fulfillment.

Langkawi...The Trip...

I'm back from my 3D/2N vacation @ Langkawi Island, Malaysia. While this is not my first trip, it is one of my more significant trip to remember. You see, I have a very short term memory capacity. One could say my memory runs only on RAMs, not ROMs(for those computer geeks). I only remember what was stored while they are fresh, and I find it a really hard time recalling anything older than a couple of years.
Anyhoo, I shall break this trip into 2 posts, this one being an information post for those who are considering going to Langkawi in the near future.

ONE: Transportation - Renting a car in Langkawi is a good idea, as the vacation hot spots are spread out across Langkawi, taking about a good 20 minutes drive in between places. Renting a car cost about RM50/Kancil or RM60/Iswara(mid-size sedan).

TWO: Accommodation - Pantai Cenang is one of the more popular place to be, where the nice combs of beaches are located. You can find motels and hotels here, although I wouldn't put too high hopes in staying in a great 4-5 star Hilton, but most likely you'd have to rough it out a little. I stayed in a little place called Charlie's Motel, along Jalan Pantai Tengah. It's off the road from Pantai Cenang, and it is a difficult place to find, although not difficult to get to.
For RM85/nite(supposed to be Peak season only), we got a "family room" with 2 queen-sized bed, with a TV that barely works, and an attached toilet. The wooden room has terrible sound proofing characteristics, you can audibly distinguish word for word your neighbor's discussions from the TV program they are watching. The washroom has no heater for shower, and is built in such a way that you feel you're sharing the washroom, only with a brick wall segregating you and your neighbor. Toilet papers are NOT included. Oh...1 important note: The room breeds more mosquito than the fishes at Underwater World. I personally caught and killed over 5 mosquito with my bare hands.
We literally had to keep the lights on while we sleep to avoid being sucked dry while we sleep.
Charlie Motel however is located in a rather strategic place, just off a nice beach where sunset is absolutely fabulous.

However, i would recommend you to look for other alternative motels along Pantai Cenang if you're on a tight budget, such as AB Motel nearby. Alternatively, Helang Hotel seems to offer a pretty good deal with their Hot Wheels package, where it only cost RM140/nite with a car

THREE: Attractions - I would personally recommend a trip up Mount Machincang via the Cable Car. Entrance fee is RM25/person, with a RM10 discount if you hold a My-Kad identity card. The trip consist of 2 observation deck. The view there is absolutely fantastic. A good picture paints a thousand words. So here, I shall let the breath-taking photos do the talking...



Underwater World is a major disappointment, the ultimate Hall of Shame being the so-called 3-D movie. It was obvious right from the start that management had no control or proper direction for visitors to queue to get into the theater. Hordes of barbaric Malaysians cut queues climbing over the dividing ropes to get in. Once inside, you're to help yourself with the ever-so-run-down 3-D glasses.The moment the "movie" started, it instantaneously felt like an mid-term project from an undergraduate Malaysian college student. The good news is, the animation didn't last more than 10 minutes.

Besides that, we went on a Island Hopping trip (costing RM25 if direct from providers, and RM35 if from travel agencies) which covers the Island of the Pregnant Maiden, Beras Basah Island and a stop-over at a lagoon where eagles feed. If you love nature, this is where it is all worth your while...to watch the eagles swoop down for a meal. You can get relatively close to the action, but don't put your hopes up if you intend to catch them on camera. Here's my best shot of a majestic eagle in mid-flight.

Over all, Langkawi is a pleasant place to visit, if you don't mind the heat. All the hyped up duty free discounts are really not that attractive, perhaps unless you are into cigarettes or alcohol.

Well, here ends my list of info...hope it is helpful and informative.

Watch out for my next post on Blessings Langkawi...

Cheers...

Eyes wide Open

Hello hello....I'm back again....
This time, because of something I want, I "had" to turn to God...
You see, I was just informed that my life-long dream of visiting Australia could finally be realized. Malaysia's favorite airline is offering a zero fair return flight to Gold Coast, Australia.


To cut the story short, I had to make a decision quick. Considering my dear darling in the plan, I had to juggle between "is this the right time?" and "do we have enough to spend on the road?" consideration. I knew through experience, that all informed and knowledge-based decision are utterly fruitless and potentially disastrous if they were made without my God in the equation. As much as I wanted jump into it RIGHT AWAY, I slammed on the ABS brake(ABS being Anti-locking Break System for those who are unfamiliar with automobiles) and held back my enthusiasm.

I asked God to give me the peace and an answer before I even work out the budget for such a trip, before I even start calling my friends to see who's interested...etc..etc...
I've been known to be hard-of-hearing when it comes to listening to God from heaven...kind of like I'm using a Maxis line to God...so I asked God to give me some pointers via this morning's daily bread. For a very long time(if not the first), I find myself "looking forward" to reading the Our Daily Bread (http://www.rbc.org/devotionals/our-daily-bread) to find a path to my wandering journey.

Guess what??

Today's ODB speaks of Nick Vujicic, the man without limbs. He's a man born without limbs, and God transformed him to become a missionary for Jesus.
Nick shares: God won’t let anything happen to us in our life unless He has a good purpose for it all.

His words hit a note with me. I realize that it wasn't so much my seeking God for "approval" to book the tickets to the land down under, but rather also my seeking to please God wherever I am and whatever I do.

Did I think of going to Australia just to have a fun time(it's not wrong), or also should I think about God's glory and purposes.

This opportunity presents itself by the grace of God, the question is not just what I do with it, but also how does a grateful child reacts when his/her father bestows an opportunity to make into reality the child's dream trip.
I believe that I need to trust God for this trip, and above that remember to see God's vision and seek His kingdom, either here in Malaysia or during a trip to Australia.
Going to Australia will be one of my dreams come true, but beyond that I need to keep my eyes and ears open when God calls.

Two things to keep in mind:
1. Vacationing in the wonderful land of Australia should be an act of worship and appreciation to God's creativity and marvelous works of nature
2. In the people I meet, God's grace and love should be reflected in my words and deeds.

If my attitude becomes right with God, no matter where I am, or am going, I can rest my trust and future in my heavenly Father.
So I thank God, that my eyes are not opened, a little more than before, to see the real issues of life.
It is not just in the decisions we make, but the attitude and purpose we have towards these decisions that spells out our faith.

God bless...
Dave d Saved...over and out.

Faith above Feelings

Howdy hoo hoo everybody...

This is my first actual blog entry...something that I've been procrastinating for a long while. I've never been a person who's persistent about anything, and thus lacking the motivation to bulldoze my way to accomplish anything. Nonetheless, much was accomplished in my life, all thanks to a Father in Heaven who delights in providing for me more than I could imagine.

Yesterday, as I was having our weekly study of the Purpose Driven Life with my sweetheart, I was compelled to start up this blog. One purpose to to give encouragement to all who might read it. I recognize that I am a long winded dude(genetics perhaps?), so I'll try to keep it interesting(note that I've not promised to keep it short :P)

We were reminded yet once again that as children of God, the elevation of cloud 9 "highness" and a feeling of joy is NOT a yardstick of measurement of our relationship with the Father. Jesus calls us to live by faith, not by sight. I don't suppose living by our other senses will cut it as well. As Rick Warren pointed out, many people think of the experience of worship rather than the experience of God when we go about our religious practices. We sometimes deceive ourselves that we are close to God when we "feel" the presence of God, while the other times when we don't, God is a million miles away. No wonder many of us associate singing praise and worship songs is an act of worship and devotion to God, while much less emphasis is placed on perhaps listening to the sermon or giving of God's tithes. This is because we experience little or no emotional sensation towards the latter two "activity".

TIME FOR CHANGE.

Living by faith, means for us to practice what we believe regardless of how we feel. Many times at work, I don't "feel" God's presence, particularly if I'm in a meeting or speaking to my boss or colleagues, but that doesn't mean that God is not present and most definitely NOT mean that He is not in control or interested in my affairs. He IS. The fact that I am in this wonderful job is a testimony that His Word rings true, that it is His pleasure to pour out His blessings from heaven to His children.

That's all from me now...before someone I know complain against me that I'm long winded...(yes dear, referring to you)...*blink*blink*

An Introduction to the Intricate

Hello and welcome friends and visitors,

Welcome to my first blogolisious blog. This is where I hope you will be encouraged, uplifted, and perhaps even "enlightened" with some of my unorthodox out-of-the-box-into-the-frying-wok thinking.

Everybody is welcomed to join me in a journey of self-discovery and purposeful living. It is opened to those who knows my friend Jesus and ALSO those who do not.
For those of you who also know my friend, I hope this will continually be an encouragement to you. For those who do not know my friend, still, please share in my thoughts of daily living and living daily.

Also not to forget, for all the insights and knowledge shared here, credit goes to my ever beloved Dad and Mom, who relentlessly and consistently built me up in love with the grace of God. Thanks Dad, Thanks Mom.
p.s. Dad, if you could read my blog in heaven, post me a comment, that'll surely be something...:) Love ya and miss ya a lot.