Christmas is less than a Month Away

It's that time of the year again where people go shopping, travel, take a short break with their families and just enjoy Christmas. I plan to travel but haven't decided yet within Malaysia. It is the time you get your bonuses to save up for retirement or just splurge a bit to pamper yourself like getting a new bag, go for that spa or facial massage, etc. At this time also, I normally get a Christmas gift from my youngest sister like a bottle of perfume or something. She is thoughtful and will spend buying and wrapping up Christmas gifts for her family and church friends. I don't follow this tradition but rather spend the time with my partner perhaps in Genting Highlands or go for a cruise to the high seas.

Reading Herald Magazines have Uplifted Me

My dad passed me several copies of the weekly Herald magazines, a publication by the Catholic Churches in Malaysia. It was edifying and uplifting for my weary soul, considering what had happened by attending my local baptist church. I like writings by Anil Netto on the second page of Herald. It is written in 3 languages - namely English, Bahasa and Mandarin. They are more organised compared to my baptist church who hardly or never produce any magazines but play politics like a spoilt child when they don't get their weekly RM 1k tithes from my partner because of non-attendance due to business or other reasons. At the moment, I am contributing RM 50 per month for a Catholic church building fund, passed through my dad while my partner contributes RM 200 monthly.

Such Audacity!

We did not go to church about 4 times and missed the wedding of one of the elders' son. So, in effect, the church did not get RM4k as tithes from my spouse who is far too generous for his own good to the point of politicking. How dare, they condemn people with mental illness instead of praying and giving edifying sermons. Now, they are quick to condemn like the Old Messianic Testament filled with Law and punishments. I had been contemplating for a long time to change to a Catholic church where the message is universal and similar around the world. And not specifically targeting some members who they think is a nuisance.

Skipped Church

I haven't been to church for the last 6 months due to pressures from the authorities to 'force' you to join small groups and singling you out for not wearing a name tag while others get off scot free. Just because my spouse is giving RM 1k per week, they think, they can lord over me for not giving so much or think that I am bad influence to his generosity. Hello, I was the first person to ask my spouse to give in the first place for some wisdom from God in his finances. But little do I know that he was a bankrupt but currently dishing out tithes like a multi-millionaire. All thanks to my innocence and lack of information!