How Pastors Get Rich(an article by Cultwatch Director Mark Vrankovich)

http://www.cultwatch.com/HowPastorsGetRich.html

This article exposes the secret methods certain pastors use to get rich off God's people. Have you ever wondered how some pastors start a church and then become wealthy living in flash houses and driving luxury cars? Well this article exposes how they do it, extracting money from their congregations to fund their lifestyles. Here are the secrets they definitely do not want you to know.

Important Note: As you read please remember that very few pastors use the techniques you are about to discover. The great majority of Christian pastors do not earn much money even though they work hard at their jobs. Most Christian pastors would find these techniques repugnant. Please do not make the mistake of tarring the many good pastors with the brush reserved for the spiritually corrupt few.

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Table of Contents

Introduction

The Multilevel Marketing Pattern

Books

DVDs

Hyped Conferences

The Christian Speaking Circuit

Pastor Owned Businesses that Feed Off the Flock

The Honor the Pastor Scam

High Pressure Offerings

Cathedral Building Wars

Siphoning Cash into Property

Excessive Wages

Perks

Nepotism

Their Fabricated Tithing Doctrine

The Carrot and the Stick

Summary

Why you should read this Article

You will discover the secret techniques that certain pastors use to transfer money out of your pocket and into theirs.

You will understand the overall pattern behind their tricks.

You will learn enough to protect your friends and family.

You could gain thousands of dollars (or pounds or euros), literally. Reading this article can set you free. Free to keep more of the money that you have worked hard for. Money you can take and invest in genuine works of God, or in toys for your kids, or perhaps something shiny for your spouse.

Finally, reading this article can help you please God more, since you will no longer be investing in ungodly works.

Introduction

Like Judas reaching into the money bag, the sad reality is that a small minority of Christian pastors steal from God's people. As Christians we hate to face this truth, but I believe we must, because it is our duty to protect our less aware brothers and sisters - keeping them from these thieves.

Unlike so many, we do not peddle the word of God for profit. - 2 Corinthians 2:17a

Here exposed are the secret techniques used to fleece money from God's people. Don't be naive thinking that these schemes have spread throughout the world by accident. These techniques are talked about and shared behind closed doors by the clique of pastors who employ them.

It's big business. Some of them laugh at us like con-men laughing at their marks. Seriously, if you don't believe that there are men like that, then watch the 1972 documentary Marjoe. You'll soon realize that these wolfs in sheep's clothing have been a blight on Christianity throughout its history.

I will start by outlining the primary pattern that underpins these modern schemes. Then I will drill down, listing each technique one by one, exposing how they work. Finally, at the end, I will outline the biggest monetary scam of all.

First let's discover the primary pattern behind their methods...

The Multilevel Marketing Pattern

When it was almost time for the Jewish Passover, Jesus went up to Jerusalem. In the temple courts he found men selling cattle, sheep and doves, and others sitting at tables exchanging money. So he made a whip out of cords, and drove all from the temple area, both sheep and cattle; he scattered the coins of the money changers and overturned their tables. To those who sold doves he said, "Get these out of here! How dare you turn my Father's house into a market!" - John 2:13-16

We've all been approached at some time by a friend caught up in the hope of multilevel marketing. The business they are pushing is simple, sell toothpaste or web sites or whatever, and then recruit people under you doing the same, taking a cut from their sales. Soon you will be so rich that you can buy a flash European car and give stacks of money to Godly causes.

That is the dream. The proof the dream works is embodied in the wealth of the dream's leaders. Do you see how rich our leaders are? They made all their money by following the dream, proving that you can too. Except, that it's a lie.

Coming up is the key to the pattern, are you ready? These leaders did not become wealthy by following the dream, instead they became wealthy by building up a group of people who believe passionately in the dream, and then selling dream-promoting wares to this captive audience.

I will say it again, because you need to understand this pattern. They did not become rich by selling toothpaste; they became rich by hyping dream-promoting books, tapes, DVDs, and conferences to their own private market of dream believers.

This same pattern is practiced by some Christian leaders and their churches. The dream is the prosperity gospel. Their captive market is their congregation. The products are, well you guessed it: books, tapes, DVDs, and conferences, and t-shirts, and most ominously spiritual rewards and the prevention of spiritual punishments.

These leaders use their faked "success" to promote a distorted gospel which basically says: "tow the line obeying the leaders buying whatever we tell you to buy, and donate money whenever we tell you to donate, and then God will pour riches into your life." They tell us that they became successful by following this dream, but in reality they became rich by sucking money out of those caught up in the buzzing environment where this distorted gospel seems real.

Let's drill in and discuss some of the products and techniques they use to line their pockets with money that ought to have stayed with God's people or gone to legitimate good works. You are about to discover how these spiritual vampires feed...

Tip: A clue that you are caught up in one of these churches is if you hear things like, "This is your spiritual home, you can't go to another church. You must be loyal." They are very jealous about protecting their market, and do not want to lose one of their paying customers to another church. Some even try to prevent their patrons leaving by making them sign contracts or "covenants", like a mobile phone company locking you into a two year term. But the Bible does not teach that Christians are bound to their local church organization, this idea is foreign to Scripture.

Books

The first product is the leader's book (often ghostwritten and fraudulently claimed to be authored by the leader). Let's be honest, many of these books are below par. Like bad business books they have one good idea, if that, and then are padded with motivational sayings and anecdotal stories of how the leader obeyed the dream and so God hosed him down with wealth. The theological content is basically non-existent. These books would tank on Amazon or in a real bookstore, but hyped to their captive market they sell like hot cakes.

Your Counter Strategy: Buy the book if it's got good reviews or if your friends have read it and liked it. In other words treat it like you would any other book. Avoid buying it if the pastor or speaker has hyped it during his talk and especially if there is a lot of peer pressure from the group to buy. Be aware that conferences and seminars are designed to emotionally hype these products. If you've ever been to a high pressure time-share sales session, then you will know what it's like. If you're feeling the hype, then cool off for a few days, buying the book later if you still want to.

DVDs

Next comes the ever popular DVD. Most of which are videos of the leader preaching in his church on a certain topic. Let me ask you a question, is it ethical for a leader who has been paid by his church to prepare and deliver a sermon, to then take that performance and sell it back to his own church members for a healthy profit? I'm not talking here about paying for reproduction costs or the money going into church funds. I'm talking about DVDs being sold at the same cost as a movie DVD and the profit going into the leader's own pocket.

And like the books most of these DVD's are awful, not worth the money paid. Minimal content with gallons of fluff. Some are so bad that my friends and I have been in hysterics, like the preacher whose proofs for his latest invented doctrine is to slap the bible he's carrying and say, "It's bible, it's bible!".

But, these DVDs are hyped and hyped, and the captive audience buy stacks of them. In the worst money hungry churches you're expected to buy them, and it is noticed if you don't.

Your Counter Strategy: The same as for a hyped book. Is it good? Do you still want the DVD after the hype has dissipated? Then buy it, otherwise save your money.

Hyped Conferences

The hype for these conferences start months before hand. Other church members look at you strangely if you are thinking about not going. What, you can't afford the huge entry fee? What's wrong with you, don't you love God? Don't you want to be blessed? Don't you want to be successful and wealthy? Don't you want to be part of us? Because you won't be, unless you go to THE CONFERENCE!

Each speaker is completely amazing. The next best thing to the second coming.

He's built a church up from nothing to one with thousands of people. She's the most Godly woman in the universe who is the best wife ever with the best kids and the best lifestyle, and she's the pastor's wife too. He's from overseas. She's a corporate CEO. Wow. It's going to be awesome. It's going to be triple awesome! It's going to be mega massive triply awesomely awesome!

The spiritual reward for going is implied to be life changing. The conference fee is nothing, compared to the fire-fighting-bomber worth of blessings and wealth God will dump on your head from upon high.

And Jesus had conferences too, don't forget, like the Sermon on the Mount, where He charged, oh, he didn't charge anything for that spiritual teaching. In fact it was free wasn't it? Hmmm. Well, often the first-movers can't figure out how to monetize their success, we can't blame Jesus for that, can we? Gosh, if only He had some books to sell at the back...

Understand, I'm not against conferences. I'm against overly expensive hyped conferences that deliver hardly any lasting value to their attendees; Conferences that are linked to your standing in your church, and supposedly what God thinks of your commitment to Him.

And why are they so expensive? Where does all that money go? Well, in the next section you're going to find out...

Your Counter Strategy: Hire a hotel room, and sit there reading your Bible with a few Christian friends - trust me, spiritually you'll get more out of it and it'll cost less. Realize that you don't need the sugar high of a conference to get closer to God. Deprogram yourself from the idea that conferences are like a spiritual hot-point you just have to be at. See the hype for what it is. Be led by the Spirit to conferences, not pulled by the fear of losing your church friends and God's blessing.

The Christian Speaking Circuit

If you have a big market (congregation) and are willing to let others come and sell there, then your fellow pastors will invite you to come and sell into their markets (congregations) too. The bigger your own market, the larger the markets that will open their doors to you - as long as you are willing to reciprocate. Quid pro quo.

There is a Christian speaking circuit, just like there is a motivational speaking circuit. The circuit has no formal structure like say a football league, but rather is like an exclusive network or an old boys club.

Young speaking-cubs sweat blood to be allowed into the circuit. These wannabes practice hard and desperately seek in-circuit patrons because the financial rewards are significant. Revenue flows in four ways: from sales of products, from special "love offerings" taken for the speaker, from various perks, and from the formal payments (honorariums) for speaking.

Not all visiting church speakers are on the circuit, the difference is in the amount of money their visit extracts. There is nothing wrong with a speaker's flights and accommodation being paid for, along with the speaker receiving a fair payment for his time. But if the amounts are excessive and the perks extravagant, then that is an unacceptable waste of the Lord's money.

Some speaker's egos are so ripe that they demand business or first class flights, expensive chauffeured cars, five star hotel accommodation, gourmet dining, and the right to bring a small entourage along with them (at the church's expense). Their fees can be enough to buy a family car, and then they have the audacity to expect a special "love offering" to be made for them. The sales of their books and DVD's are carefully planned, and the hosting pastors are expected to hype their products.

Of course the hosting pastor will then get the same treatment later at the visiting speaker's church, including his own big fat love offering. If the visiting speaker does not have a church, then the hosting pastor will expect a cut from the speaker's product sales.

These Sunday service speaking engagements are the bread and butter, to the glamour and super-liquidity of the hyped conferences. Only the true speaking-circuit superstars get to keynote at these hype-fests. The speakers at these conferences are like sharks in a feeding frenzy, seeking to boost their profit margins with the over inflated prices of their products. Their speaking fees and perks are why these conferences cost so much, and can sometimes even run at a, ahem, cough, "loss".

It is unbelievable what some of these speakers expect from the Body of Christ. I would not like to be in their shoes when they finally meet our Lord, or for that matter anywhere within the blast radius.

Your Counter Strategy: Don't go to these conferences. Demand transparent accounting to the whole church of all costs of visiting speakers, and for that matter transparency about any income your pastor is earning while speaking at other churches and conferences. No pastor earning reasonable fees from away engagements would have a problem with this, assuming of course he is on leave when he speaks and not double dipping.

Pastor Owned Businesses that Feed Off the Flock

Another way bad pastors extract money from their captive market is to set up a business, and then get their congregation to patronize their business.

Businesses like: bookshops, counseling, gyms, production firms, computer consulting, cinemas, business coaching services, supermarkets, building firms, music festivals, music studios, real-estate firms, and many more. The bookshop is the most common, often located inside the church itself.

Members in the church who show loyalty to their pastor's businesses are rewarded, often with increased standing in the church. Members who refuse to use the pastor's businesses are frowned upon.

Your Counter Strategy: Don't frequent these types of businesses. Ask questions about who owns them, and where their customers are from, if eighty percent or more of the customers come from the pastor's church then that indicates where its marketing is targeted.

The Honor The Pastor Scam

Money focused churches tend to be run on cultic patterns. One of these cultic patterns is the division of the church into exclusive rings: the all-powerful pastor perched at the center, the inner-ring of sycophants around him consisting of the pastor's lieutenants and the church's privileged class (the rich, the famous and the very pretty), and the outer-ring of the ordinary folk who would love to be in the inner-ring, but are not.

The power of those in the inner-ring is determined by the amount of favor the pastor bestows upon them.

To get more favor the inner-ring will employ many favor-currying measures, one of which is a scam called "Honoring the Pastor". It works this way, the inner-ring will figure out what the pastor would like, say for his birthday. Then the inner-ringers will squeeze the outer-ringers for the money to buy this item.

Using this method pastors have been "given": diamond rings for their wives, cash gifts, jet skis, luxury cruises, motorbikes, cars, holidays, boats, and a myriad of other expensive luxury items.

Are the pastors complicit in this game? Of course they are. They couldn't demand the gift openly themselves, but seek plausible deniability by having their inner-ring lieutenants do the work. Of course they could refuse the gift when it is presented, and make it clear that they don't want the Lord's money spent on such things again, but they never do. These pastors exchange their favor, for cash from their congregation.

Your Counter Strategy: Unless it's something reasonable like a bunch of flowers for the pastor's wife, don't give to this sort of fund raising.

High Pressure Offerings

Another way the pastor uses his inner-ring to extract cash, is via high pressure offering talks in the church services.

One of the church's inner-ring will take the Sunday offering, which in these money focused churches can turn into a mini-sermon. These inner-ring members are competing against each other's past high scores. At stake is their standing with the pastor and hence their standing in the church. If they rake in the cash then their position is secure, but if they score low then no matter what excuses they have they know the pastor will blame them.

In the extreme money focused churches it is made known who gave the most and who gave the least, and in these churches the giving will not be in secret but people will be expected to come up the front so that everyone can see how much they give. Or people will be watched to see if they put anything in the offering container as it is passed down the aisles.

Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. - 2 Corinthians 9:7

Your Counter Strategy: If you feel you are being compelled to give then don't give a penny, no matter how much pressure is applied.

Cathedral Building Wars

Like the cathedral building wars in the middle ages where cities and countries vied against each other to build the most impressive cathedral. The pastors of these money focused churches fight to own the most impressive church to top their rival pastors - their egos demand that they are the king of the heap.

The most impressive churches require the most magnificent buildings, the most professional entertainment in their services, the best church programs, and the best conferences, the best websites, the best radio and TV programs, and the most members. All this costs a lot of money.

And just like in the days of old these self anointed church kings seek to tax their subjects to fund their private war.

Understand that these cultic churches ultimately exist to serve their pastor's insecure egos, and their congregation suffer under their madness. This type of church culture breeds a harsh environment where people are discarded as soon as they are no longer useful. This is a dysfunctional ethos entirely alien to that of Jesus's teachings.

Your Counter Strategy: Don't help fund these monuments to the pastor's pride and prestige, these pet projects, these grandiose visions. Realize that these churches are not focused on Jesus, but are centered around the narcissistic pastor and what he desires most. Don't be part of this game. Surely we are accountable to God to how we spend our money. Surely then it is our duty as Christians to give that money to true Godly works that bear real fruit for the Kingdom.

Siphoning Cash into Property

Is it ethical for the pastor (or his company or trust) to own property that the church is paying for? Of course not.

Another variation on this scam is the church trust being controlled by the pastor and his family, so they control both the church's cash and property.

Some of these pastors are very clever in how they hide the money trail. But ultimately if church money is paying for an asset the pastor owns, except via his wages of course, then it is almost certainly wrong. Imagine the furor if a politician was caught siphoning off government money into property or assets owned by himself.

Your Counter Strategy: Check who owns your church's property. If it is a trust or company then find out who owns and controls that entity. Then look at what your pastor owns directly or indirectly, and who is paying for those assets. Stop giving to that church until any unethical dealings like these are stopped and the money repaid.

Excessive Wages

The Bible teaches that the spiritual worker deserves to be paid:

The elders who direct the affairs of the church well are worthy of double honor, especially those whose work is preaching and teaching. For the Scripture says, "Do not muzzle the ox while it is treading out the grain," and "The worker deserves his wages." - 1 Timothy 5:17-18

I believe it is reasonable to assume that Paul the Apostle meant only fair wages, not excessive wages, and that Paul would have agreed with what Peter the Apostle wrote:

To the elders among you, I appeal as a fellow elder, a witness of Christ's sufferings and one who also will share in the glory to be revealed: Be shepherds of God's flock that is under your care, serving as overseers-not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not greedy for money, but eager to serve; not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock. - 1 Peter 5:1-3

Obviously one of the ways greedy pastors can extract money from God's people is via excessive wages. The amount of which they will often decide themselves, or have conferred on them by their sycophants (via the church board, or the church wages review committee, for example).

No honest pastor would have a problem with his congregation knowing how much their church pays him, or at least what range his wage fell in, like say "between $50,000 and $60,000". This is normal. Openness regarding the pastor's stipend has been a practice of the Christian church for hundreds of years, and continues today. Only those pastors who have an excessive wage would be reluctant to let the amount become public knowledge.

If your pastor refuses to be open about his wage then be very suspicious. It is likely he knows that the amount would be considered excessive. If it is excessive, then watch him dodge the issue like a sweaty politician.

Be even more suspicious whenever you hear a pastor's wage being justified by comparing him to a CEO. If you hear this CEO nonsense then you can instantly know two things: first, the pastor's wage is massive; second, you are being scammed. A pastor is not a CEO no matter how big his church empire is; a CEO runs a for monetary-profit organization, a pastors serves the people of God - they are not the same thing.

By the way, if the pastor claims to be a CEO, then you must be a shareholder. Shareholders have full rights to the accounts, including how much their "CEO" is earning.

Your Counter Strategy: Find out how much your pastor is paid. If he will not reveal the information then stop giving to that church until it is revealed. Especially stop if you hear any of this "CEO" rubbish.

Perks

Expensive leased cars, holidays, clothing allowances, spending money, restaurant meals, hotels, flights, and expense accounts, are some of the perks demanded by these luxury smitten pastors.

Some say that if they are preaching the "prosperity gospel", then they have to appear prosperous to "walk their talk". But of course that is a deception. They are using God's money to misrepresent how wealthy they are, to help prove their false teaching works. Despicable.

Rather, we have renounced secret and shameful ways; we do not use deception, nor do we distort the word of God. On the contrary, by setting forth the truth plainly we commend ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God. - 2 Corinthians 4:2

What is worse, many of these churches make their members complicit in this deception. Members are instructed to wear expensive clothes and groom themselves in the manner expected of the rich. They are encouraged to buy (or lease) the most impressive car they can afford. Members are required to appear happy and successful. The excuse given is that the appearance of success breeds success, but this is nonsense, more likely it breeds significant debt. The real reason the leaders want their church members to appear successful is to trick others into thinking that the prosperity dream that they preach really works.

Your Counter Strategy: Stop giving money in protest, until the excessive perks are removed. Ignore any pressure to live beyond your means.

But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs. - 1 Timothy 6:3-10

Nepotism

A church isn't a family business you know; it is a family, but it's not a business.

Are the pastor's relatives high up in the church? Are they the ones with the most powerful positions? Then that is nepotism. A good church will choose the very best people for the job, while a bad church will reward those closest to the pastor with the lucrative positions of power.

If you see nepotism, then that is a sign that something is very wrong.

Your Counter Strategy: Yup, you guessed it - stop giving to that church until the pastor's little family fiefdom is disassembled.

Their Fabricated Tithing Doctrine

This is the big daddy. This is their sacred cow. This is the beating heart of their evil empire. The crown jewel. The Death Star. The one ring to bill them all. The pot of gold. Their matrix (into which they want to plug you). Their Wizard of Oz. Their magic spell. Their special power. Their secret recipe with the eleven herbs and spices. Their Golden Goose. The very air upon which they breathe!

Question this doctrine and watch these money hungry pastors bare their fangs. This is a teaching that they will bear no compromise on. Tithing, or at least their own version of tithing, is their one true love.

Here are some bullet points about tithing that these money hungry pastors don't want you to know:

• The New Testament Church did not tithe.
• The New Testament does not teach tithing for Christians.
• Their favorite Malachi verses cannot be used for Christians since Christians are not under the law of Moses.
• Abraham's one off tithe of his war booty did not set up a precedent for Christians to regularly tithe their income.
• The version of tithing they teach cannot be found in Scripture (see below).
• The "Storehouse" in Malachi cannot be equated to your local church organization.
• There are plenty of rich (money wise) Christians who do not tithe. This would be impossible if their version of tithing was true.
• The New Testament teaching is that you decide how much to give, and there are no rules about where it goes. You cannot be compelled to give.

It may come as a surprise to learn that their tithing doctrine is a combination of twisted scriptures and wishful thinking, as opposed to solid Biblical exegesis reflecting a central thrust of New Testament teaching. Here is their tithing doctrine stated in a nutshell:

"Christians must give ten percent of their gross income only to their church organization. If they do, then God will bless them for any offerings they make to the church organization beyond this ten percent. But if they do not give ten percent gross, then they are stealing from God and God will curse them."

There are variations of this teaching, and sometimes it is called a "principle", but the above definition contains the core essence of this doctrine.

It is vital to grasp that tithing is not for Christians. Tithing was part of the old law (of Moses) which was fulfilled (completed) by Jesus. You know that Christians are not under the law of Moses don't you?

But now, by dying to what once bound us, we have been released from the law so that we serve in the new way of the Spirit, and not in the old way of the written code. - Romans 7:6

know that a man is not justified by observing the law, but by faith in Jesus Christ. So we, too, have put our faith in Christ Jesus that we may be justified by faith in Christ and not by observing the law, because by observing the law no one will be justified. - Galatians 2:16

All who rely on observing the law are under a curse, for it is written: "Cursed is everyone who does not continue to do everything written in the Book of the Law." - Galatians 3:10

New wine should not be put into old wine skins, nor should new unshrunk cloth be used to patch an old garment; if you think you need to obey the law of tithing then you need to obey the whole law (or you will be cursed, Galatians 3:10).

What is more, this tithing doctrine they teach isn't found in either the New or Old Testament. Tithing in the old testament does not match what these pastors preach - this unique tithe teaching is of their own invention.

This is such an important subject that Cultwatch has a special website TithingDebate.com dedicated to setting Christians free from this fake doctrine. There are free books to download and articles to read. Make sure you read our article "Should you give? New Testament Giving Supported!", because Cultwatch is not anti-giving. If you think tithing is for Christians today, then you need to read TithingDebate.com

Tip: If you are struggling to feed your family or buy them clothes, then understand that you do not need to give to the church. You can still do so if you choose, but you should not feel under compulsion since your family is more important. Also understand that if you are poor then that does not mean God is cursing you, or that you have done something wrong; this is an erroneous teaching these greedy men promote to guilt you into giving. Remember, your duty is to your family first. If anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for his immediate family, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever. - 1 Timothy 5:8

Tip: Churches that push this erroneous tithing doctrine will often try to enforce tithing via written agreements (called covenants), and also by monitoring what people give (so they can compel them to give more if they are not meeting the ten percent target). First, grasp that these "covenants" are illegitimate and not worth the paper they are printed on, because they contain false doctrine (like tithing) and set up the pastors as a false authority over you. God would not be party to a covenant that contains falsehoods, therefore God was not party to the covenant you were pressured to sign, therefore you are free from this burden. It is as if you never signed it. Second, recording what you give and using that information to pressure you to give more is wrong, the Bible implies that our giving is best done in secret so that only we and God know what we gave. Don't go to a church where they monitor what you give. (note: some churches voluntarily let you record what you have given via a numbered envelope system for tax purposes. Done correctly, no one in the church will know what you gave. There is nothing wrong with this kind of recording.)

Your Counter Strategy: Stop giving to that church until they change their ways. That doesn't mean to stop giving to Godly works, we would encourage you to give as the Holy Spirit prompts you and as you decide. But it is valid to protest false doctrine by refusing to fund the system that promotes that false doctrine.

The Carrot and the Stick

These pastors are not only money hungry, but often power hungry too. They want to be both pastor and master. They commit the sin of the Pharisees and appoint themselves as middle men between God and you. They seek to replace the Holy Spirit in your life. They "lord it over" their flocks. Read Cultwatch's articles on the "Super Apostles" here if you want to find out more.

Using the connection they claim to have with God they threaten you with the stick of spiritual curses if you disobey them, and dangle the carrot of spiritual blessings if you comply. They seek to dominate your life; often implying that they have say in where you work, where you fellowship, who you marry, and of course, when, where, and how much you should give.

This is a false spiritual authority not supported by Scripture. In fact I believe it to be quite devilish (the desire to control and dominate others).

In these pastor's prosperity teaching, obeying the pastor and giving money are the two pillars necessary for a successful Christian life. If you sit back and think about it, you will quickly see what a con it is.

These men want to be at the head of everything, they want to dominate you, they want to be seen as the big man, and some even secretly desire adoration (almost worship). This is the opposite of true Christian leadership:

Also a dispute arose among them as to which of them was considered to be greatest. Jesus said to them, "The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them; and those who exercise authority over them call themselves Benefactors. But you are not to be like that. Instead, the greatest among you should be like the youngest, and the one who rules like the one who serves. For who is greater, the one who is at the table or the one who serves? Is it not the one who is at the table? But I am among you as one who serves. - Luke 22:24-27

I call God as my witness that it was in order to spare you that I did not return to Corinth. Not that we lord it over your faith, but we work with you for your joy, because it is by faith you stand firm. - 2 Corinthians 1:23-24

Jesus called them together and said, "You know that those who are regarded as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all. - Mark 10:42-44

Threatening people with curses if they do not obey or donate is spiritual extortion. It is contrary to the nature of grace and the person of Jesus.

Your Counter Strategy: Don't be afraid of these men. Ignore their bluster. Grow a backbone and stand up to them. And if you give, then give to honor God and not out of fear of punishment or greed for financial gain. Memorize this verse: Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. - 2 Corinthians 9:7

Summary

I believe many church goers would be shocked if they could comprehend the real attitude their pastor has towards them. From my experience with both the cults and these money focused churches, it is my impression that instead of being looked upon with love, these pastors see their congregation as farm animals to be milked.

It is my prayer that this article will set you free from this kind of spiritual bondage. I hope now you will be able to spot this counterfeit Christian life and be able to transition into a closer walk with Jesus; a walk built on love, trust and grace, not fear.

To summarize what we have learnt about the methods money hungry pastors use to feed off their flock: We discovered the multilevel marketing pattern that these often ex-salesmen (not theologians) model their churches. We examined some of the products they sell into their captive market like books and DVDs. We unhyped the hyped conferences, and exposed the christian speaking circuit. Next we talked about how spiritually dishonest pastors set up their own businesses that their followers are expected to patronize. After that came the scam of "honoring the pastor" with gifts of luxury items. We delved into the high pressure offering mini-sermons that are designed to guilt people into giving. We examined how most of the money gained is used to build the pastor's modern day cathedrals, projects that their fragile egos demand. We exposed the scam of siphoning the church's cash into properties and assets owned by the pastor. We covered the obvious points of excessive wages and extravagant perks, and that was followed by the not so obvious problem of nepotism. Their big daddy came second to last - their fabricated tithing doctrine was exposed for what it is, a fraud. Finally we discussed the spiritual carrot and stick of the false authority that the pastors claim.

There are other methods these guys use to extract money from churches. Revisit this article regularly to discover these methods in future updates.

Realize that a number of churches follow the patterns that this article exposes. However there are many good churches who do not practice these methods. If you have been hurt by these practices then feel free to give up on these twisted money-focused environments, but please do not give up on Jesus.

Unlike so many, we do not peddle the word of God for profit. On the contrary, in Christ we speak before God with sincerity, like men sent from God. - 2 Corinthians 2:17. Therefore, can we conclude that men who peddle the word of God for profit are not sent from God?

Feel free to think this one through for yourself.

Please link to this article, and email the link to your friends and family. Help us get the word out there.

Please treasure your life

http://ascportfolios.org/chinaandmedia/2011/04/13/a-auditor-lady-in-pwc-died-from-overwork/

Please treasure your life. Your work will be never-ending. It's pointless to die for your company that you work for cos they will simply just get another employee to replace you. They wouldn't care for your well-being

Mess-up life

Things has somehow gone in a mess. In a way that I didn't expect it to - sort of. I finally get to talk to the guy whom I have been thinking about. At first, it was just encouragement words, talk about work and nothing else. I didn't know how, but we somehow get much more closer than I have thought. Or maybe it's because we have similar activities? Though I don't know whether is it him being an Aries has anything to do with it?

Bought a book about "His needs, her needs" it talks about different needs in women and men in marriages. After reading about half the chapters, I realize that guy and I have been doing what is exactly in the book that lacks in my own relationship - communicating. It can start as a simple encouragement, later on progress to friendship and then before you know it, you start to share your problems with that other person other than your own spouse! Which according to the book, it can be fatal to a relationship.

After reading that book and spending time with that other guy, I come to realized that my own relationship lacks affection - from BaoBei! Which unfortunately, I get it from other source - that guy. That is when things start to mess-up! I think Aries in general are romantic sort of personality. At least base on experience, I can proved that! They may not be the most good-looking guy, they may not be attractive as they would like to be, but something deep inside themselves, makes the opposite gender falls for them.

But then again, on the other hand, I know for sure at the back of my mind, that we don't suit each other and it won't work out. Though somehow he would like his dream girl to be like me of some sort? BaoBei thinks that he did a lot in our relationship. Maybe he did. But just not the kinda expectation I wanted from him. What I wanted is more communication, affection(which he rarely gives) and more recreational activities. Recently he did find an activity that both of us could do together - Prawning. But then in the long run, this activity is very $$ consuming. Not to mention you have to patiently wait for the prawns to bait. It does train up one's patience level somehow.

I will end here for now. Will blog again some other time.

Agony

I think I am missing someone that I should not be missing...H.E.L.P

I don't like this feeling. I don't know what is wrong. I hope someday it will go away soon.

My brother is going to Brunei for 10 days for his Army training. I am so gonna miss him. I wonder when he will be back? New Year is around the corner and strangely for this year, I am dreading it for the very first time. I wonder why?

At least now I have learn something new:
1) Couples SHOULD NEVER work separately

2) There must be consistent communication

I am an attention seeker and I do need constant attention. I don't know what exactly is lacking but I find myself starting to have wondering eyes. I do not like this. Cos I know if one thing leads to another(WHICH I HOPE NOT!) it will cost me my relationship.

Recently there's another guy who paid slightly more attention to me than he should have. I know he treats me just a friend but...I kept on thinking negative things that I should not have. I hope it will go away soon. This is NOT good....

What is happening?

Ever since changed new supervisor, things has been quite okay. Less stress and lesser burdens. My tolerance has finally paid off! Hopefully things can continue to go smoothly.

I don't know what is wrong with my legs recently. It seems that they no longer can support me anymore. There was once I fell from my workplace staircase because my left leg suddenly went weak. All the customers there look at me stunned. I cannot sit for too long cos one thing will happen, when I stand up(esp after sitting down for a long time), my feet will hurt a lot. Every step I take are very painful to me. The kinda pain I don't know how to describe. I am afraid one day I might have to sit on wheel chair permanently. Cos my legs are really very weak to the point that I cannot sit down for too long. If not when I try to walk, I will feel a kinda pain rush through the legs. I don't know is it the bones problem or the veins problem. It has been like this for a month now.

I am very happy for Esther that she has finally found her love of her life. But I am still worried as the guy used to be my ex-bf's friend. I do not really trust him. I guess I have difficulty trusting anyone at all, ever since some unpleasant things happened.

Ransack through my cupboard and again I saw some things that brings back old memories. Saw "His" mobile no. on one of my old phone book. I suddenly remembered something: He only gave me one of the no. and strangely that particular no. he gave me, his hp is mostly not switch on. The other no. was given to me by Jacelyn. But...it has all become memories now. He has now married to a Cheena girl and live very happy with his own family. While I seems to have only memories of him when he was 15 yrs old. I don't like the "him" when he grew up. Probably one of the reason is because we have been apart for like...3 yrs? Before he came back to look for me. I feel that he has changed. To another person whom I do not know and could no longer catch up with him. *Sigh* He belongs to the upper-class. I am the lower-class. So by right, we don't even match. Much less to be together. But I treasured the memories he left for me. At least he did show me how is true love like. Which I couldn't find the same pure love later on in life.

Delivery for these two days are very "siong". Candy asked me about my boyfriend during lunch. I told her how we met, to how we manage to get together in the first place. She said BaoBei was very romantic!(Ya, at first very romantic. Now old husband old wife so no longer romantic!) I told Ping this and she was surprise,"Eh?! Never hear you mention how you met your boyfriend before leh!" -.-" HELLO?! I have told you before lor! Long time ago...er...2 years ago I told you before???

Feeling very down these days. Went drinking yesterday cos of my work. But I didn't drink much. NB! Only 7% and I am tipsy..oh! Ate a Brandy chocolate before that. Almost cannot walk back home -.-" 7% only + Brandy nia!!!

BaoBei changed these few days. He use his nails to poke my arm WHEN HE HEARD THE PAST OF ME AND VINCENT. I don't even know that he dislike Vincent so much, HELLO, we are only GOD SISTER and GOD BROTHER RELATIONSHIP!! BaoBei:" He's not so innocent as you know ok!!" But thinking back, I sometime really did something to hurt him. Not sometimes, is all the times. I'll put all my anger on him, I slap him infront of his relatives when I fell down and I even scream at him when I'm not happy. But all of this, he still love me as usual. ^.^

BaoBei lost his iphone yesterday, 2 November 2010. He don't know where he lost it at. Worst! His iphone account is registered under my name! Bought a red and white rebel serpent casing and we both swap it together, and he lost it like that!

Now I am worried cos his phone iTunes account is registered under my card! I am very worried that my money will be misuse somehow. He is not at least bit of worried except for the contacts on his phone! Of course lah! The card money is not his!

I am having mix feelings about this now. I don't know whether should I cancel my card for this? There are also some important information inside his handphone. Since his phone is so striking, I wonder how the hell did he lose it and NOT seeing it properly and not checking it properly!? The person who picks up the phone is not very honest in returning the phone. I doubt he or she would want to return it at all. Am so devastated!

Emotions

There are times I really wish to give up on everything and just leave this stupid chaotic world.
Last month, a so-called "new colleague" join my workplace. Ever since he's here, he either intentionally or un-intentionally create a lot of troubles for me. Whatever I do, he will always put pressure on me by saying,"If you are not happy working here then I'll let Albert know" Albert is our top Executive Chef. I am not happy with the way he handle things. Just because his IQ is smarter than me so he can bully me? I just have to tolerate but for how long more? I do not know

Not many people can be trusted nowadays. Especially your colleagues! I realize the more closer your relationship with people, the more you can't put your trust in them cos you'll never know when will they ever betray or at least gossip about you behind your back. That is what it is happening to me at my workplace.

The other day when we went to the newly opened Universal Studio, Belvin didn't even greet BaoBei. He told me yesterday that BaoBei is a kinda useless guy who isn't worth to be greeted. Just because he knows certain things of my secrets that spread from Jing, he look down on BaoBei. Others who know began to follow suit.

I admit that most of the time I am unhappy with BaoBei. I just don't know how to express my thinking and unhappiness to him anymore. So I keep quiet about it. Actually I am thinking of breaking up more than three times in these 3 years. I am afraid that one day if I couldn't take it anymore I will just leave without a word.

Suicidal thoughts have been crossing my mind too. But I know I will not attempt any of it for now cos of my parents. But I still do not know how long I could endure all the pent up stress and unhappiness in my life. I do not know what exactly do I want anymore.

Will end here for now. Continue some other time

T.T

我的结果总是胜不过我的负出。为什么有些人就能轻轻松松拿到

加薪？ 为什么我做的东西比他们辛苦，做了很多人不喜欢做的

事，却得不到一点加薪的机会？！还是不管我怎么做，都不会得

到我所要的结果？

最近很多事发生。我以经没有力气去处里。既然我在人们的眼中

是那么讨人厌，为何老天还要把我留在人间？为何不让我早点离

开人世？！我觉得人生活的很累！！！ 没有任何意议! 不知到我

还活来做什么！？ 孝顺父母吗？ 可是我没有一个很高的收入，

没有什么可以让他们感到缴傲的事。怎么孝顺他们？！还好我弟

弟不像我。至少他比我还有出熄多了。Chuen, 如果你看到这

个，不要跟Papa, Mama 讲。我不想让他们担心。由其是

Mama。

我很难和人沟通。有很多事情，讲了也是这样。不讲也是这样。

我很累。有些事我以经尽力了。事情不能改变我也不免强了。反

正讲跟没讲，到头来都没两样。算了..我放弃了。 有很多次我很

想放弃我的感情。 因为我找不回“初钟”的感觉。一切都变成

很routine. 我觉得“外遇”是迟早会发生的事。如果真的发生，

他要离开的话，我会让他走。因为我要的“初钟”，他已经不能

给我了。我所为的“简单爱”他以经做不到了。爱一个人真的很

辛苦！被爱？如果爱变的很routine, 那不是我要的爱！

可能是在一起太久。他觉得反正都追到我了，有很多事可以不用那么在呼

或努力了。也可能是我自己不知到我到底要的是什么。终而言

姿，我觉得很累了。很想好好的“休息”

我写到这里。下次在update.

Sad

Maybe I have never been a good friend. Or maybe I am the kinda person who is not part of anyone's friends list at all. Sometimes I think I do not know what friendship really is and what it really means. That is why people often take advantage of my weak points(if they knew).

View someone's blog and I am very sad at her recent entry. After something happened, which I hear from Ivan's side of the story, I did call her and SMS her to try to ask her for her side of the story. But from his mouth of what that other person said, I know those words can't be from that "someone's" mouth as I know she isn't that kinda person to say such words! I believe her even before I get to hear her side. Since she does not wish to reveal, I won't force. It's okay. It's her life anyway. What upsets me is what she wrote in her recent entry abt friends. Okay fine...since I am nothing in your eyes, I will stay "Nothing" from now on.

Now I finally understand why you didn't look for me or even SMS me. Your excuse says that you are afraid of disturbing me or that afraid to bother me. At first I didn't understand why but still I told you if you need someone you can call or SMS me anytime. I will be there for you and I meant my every word. Now I finally understand, those "excuse" of yours, simply mean I am not one of your friends in your eyes after all. Is okay. Just give me some time to digest all these. I will be fine. That bitch already disappoint me greatly by her misunderstandings and her words. I thought you would be different. But...I guess I was wrong. Maybe you don't mean what you type but somehow, I know from your blog where I stand in your "friendship".

Things at work and friends started to have problems. I am very upset but I just don't know how to express any emotions anymore. Workplace colleague take advantage of my kindness and started to "bully" me, an extremely long-time friend of mine promise me something but end up taking back her words after receiving what she want. Is that what F.R.I.E.N.D.S meant? Seriously I don't know what is happening and I don't wish to know anymore. Even BaoBei started to be cold towards me during weekdays. All these isn't what I want. But I know it's useless.

I am envious and jealous of others having NORMAL BGR relationship. They have sensitive boyfriends, have boyfriends who would call them on the dot every night, have boyfriends who would give surprise visits or accompany them to walk around town after work. For me? I have a boyfriend who don't call. Sometimes don't SMS. Lazy to walk around town cos he don't like crowded place. And I have to be the one who do all the work - Go to his place every weekends cos he don't like to come to my place(Yes, call me cheap if you want), I have long ago given up on this relationship that I don't know what am I staying for or holding onto except the fact that he don't accept BREAK UP for a reason. I don't understand how come every of my relationships turns out this way. Is it my fault after all? That I don't know what relationship is and I don't know how to love someone and don't have a boyfriend who is sensitive enough to all my needs?

I am seriously tired. To that someone if you happen to see this and know who you are: I am not blaming you or what. Just that I am extremely disappointed that I am not your friend after all. No wonder you don't call me, don't pick up my calls and don't SMS me or ask me to go out with you. It's okay. I will leave you alone from now on. I won't bother you ever again. If that is what you want.

I will end here for now. Will blog again some other time.

Seoul Garden buffet

Ever since BaoBei passed his driving licence, there's been both joy and headache for me. The joy? Happy lah! Cos can sit in his car and look at the scenery pass me by. The headache? He always ask me to suggest places for him to drive to. Some times when the places I suggest, either he doesn't know how to go or he said it's too far -_-"

He went to pay respects to his ancestors and call me to think of place to go for lunch. I then surf this website: hungrygowhere.com and anyhow type "steamboat". Hoping to find something else out. But then...the computer only shows you a list of restaurant of what you type. You also can view comments leave by diners about the place, service, ambiance etc whatever you want before you visit a place to eat. Not bad for a site! But the bad thing about it is, if you happened to browse the restaurant that has since closed down, it won't shows up. Unless some kind-hearted souls is kind enough to placed a warning sign or something. That happened to BaoBei and me while we browse a particular Japanese Ramen restaurant, only to rush there and greeted by surprise - The shop no longer operated there. KNS! Some people just don't know how to update things! BaoBei then uses his Iphone to check the last entry date of the last person commented. It was dated as far as 2004 -_-"

Went to Seoul garden @ Marina Square. The food was superb!!! Especially the black pepper beef! Sluuurrrp! Yummy! The chickens are also marinated well! Overall, for food wise, maybe say out of 5 stars I will give 4-and-a-half stars. Worth to give it a try! If you are vegetarian or non-meat fancy eater, you can try the vegetables there. There's a number of variety you can choose. Though the variety may not be much more like what Sakura has. Maybe you'll ask me,"Eh? Then the other half star leh?" Erm....it fail at the oyster section. Maybe it's because I choose the wrong oyster to eat. But I don't like the overall taste! It has a kinda sea taste. I don't know how to exactly describe. It's like the oyster when you try to eat the meat(even if it is cooked) you can taste a kinda sea-water taste there. End up I didn't eat the oysters that I took. Oh! One thing I have to caution you though, they charge $5 for every 100gm of food you wasted. So....erm...unless you are damn rich and don't mind paying for wastages, then you can go ahead and waste all you want.

It also has free flow of drinks(Milo, Pepsi, Pepsi-light, root beer, H2o etc) and coffee. I heard from BaoBei that the coffee is already sweeten even without sugar? Hmm? I don't know how true is that? But the machine indicate that there's no sugar in the coffee so I poured 2 packets of sugar into my Ice coffee. Haha! But end up errr....too sweet!

Before we step into the restaurant to eat, already there are one group of Japanese tourist rushing in. Is ok, never mind. Then just before we enter, another tour group of Koreans rush in. Never mind. We still manage to get a table. The annoying part I experience is this: I stood up to go to the buffet counter to pick the food out. The moment when I open this big pot(I knew beforehand that there's RICE inside the pot) this group of idiot Koreans old men rushing towards me & one of them even shove me aside to grab the rice! KNS! I stared at them for awhile and I mumbered loudly in Mandarin,"妈的！没有吃过饭是吗？！" I then walk off and pick out other foods from other sections. Luckily I manage to scoop out a handful of rice. After that I complaint to BaoBei. He said that Koreans men generally love to eat rice. While the women, most likely wanted to maintain their figure, will opt for salad or vegetables instead.

I then observe that station for a while and I notice this though out the period we eat there: From the moment I open the rice pot, people flood there like crazy just to get the rice(esp the tourist). After that when BaoBei closes the lid, the flow of the people there almost disappeared. I was wondering,"Don't people bother or even curious to go open the big pot(except me) to see what is it?" Or maybe they don't know there's rice? There's also mee siam and some Malay and Indonesian cuisines there too but not much. The buffet timing and prices varies from different timing, so be sure to check online of if you have any other means to check whether if you are okay with the price for that particular timing? For me I paid around $50+(I forgot the exact amount but around $52?)for 2 persons. Not bad. Maybe can bring Li Yi there to eat or even organize SL outing there? It'll be fun!

I think I will end here for now. Will blog again some other time.

Lunch with colleagues

Attended company's annual lunch buffet. It was great catching up with some colleagues. Most of them were shock of my dressing - a light blue flowered dress. Some even make fun of me but it's okay. I am fat or so I admit. Played Ban Luck but I lost $20 in the game. Cos I bet heavily, so I lost heavily too.

WeiTing help me put make up on. It really looks great! She sure does know how to make up but BaoBei complaint that the make-up is too heavy for me. But it's okay. I almost can't recognise myself with that make up. Maybe I should put on more eyeliner. WeiTing said I look more matured with make-up on.

Went for dinner with BaoBei at a Japanese restaurant, ichiban tei, at Robinson Quay. The food was super delicious and the service was excellent! Will recommend my friends there. Yvonne keep SMS me to go pubbing these few days. I wonder what happened? Or she just simply wanna have fun? Went to East Coast Park with BaoBei to relax. I was unhappy that I paid for all the expenses today! >:(

Nothing much to update. So I will end here for now. Will blog again some other time.

BaoBei's passed his driving lesson + Steamboat

Baobei passed his driving lesson only the day before. He drive me to our steamboat meeting with Kakis at Bugis. I was very happy to see some kakis there and we ate a lot of food. The only regret I had was I took a plate of vegetables for Ariel but end up she didn't eat the food. So much food was being wasted. It was also Taily's Birthday yesterday! Celebrate her birthday with a special chocolate cake. The base of the chocolate cake taste like Ferraro Roche!

Went to Xiao Phang's place later for the New Year. I heard from BaoBei that we are not suppose to open our Ang Baos during the Chinese New Year, as the Ang Baos are meant to ward off any bad luck for the entire year. But I have already open most of my Ang Baos.

Went to Vivocity with WeiDa and Lily, the view was great but I had upset tummy. I think it could be the food that I ate during the steamboat. On the way back home, BaoBei listens to 93.3FM but strangely, all songs at that point of time are all very emo. Like breaking up, being apart, a love that cannot be fulfilled due to circumstances. I feel that it talks about me a lot. I then dwell on my past memories but I hold back my tears. A lot of regrets but what else can I do? But seeing him happy with his wife, is enough for me.

The other day, I dreamt of him being kidnapped with his wife and daughter(the daughter seems to grow up) He was trying very hard to protect his wife. Seeing that picture, my heart felt painful but at the same time I am happy for him. At least, this time, he is really very happy with someone else. Some things just can't be forced. I accept fate as the way it is.

I will end here for now. Will blog again some other time.

Sometimes, time doesn't heal all wounds. It may fade certain memories or heal certain wounds. But the wound from the heart, can never be healed. Even if it is, there will always be a scar or broken pieces of it remains.

Lunar New Year

Was suppose to be a extremely Happy New Year yesterday. But guess what?! My Mum quarrel with me about BaoBei. Apparently, she is not happy with me keep going over to BaoBei's place to stay over every weekend, and says that BaoBei is quite disrespectful towards her plus some other stuffs. In my fit of anger, I shout at her in front of don't know how many people,"Last time, I used to date Colin!!! Who is, IN MY EYES, A very rich guy that you've ever wanted!!! In the end, WHAT HAPPENED?!" She then told me this,"I did not say that I don't like Colin okay!? But the way he treat you?! He promised me he'll never bully you! In the end?! He left without a word and you cry so bad for him!!! If this is not bully, then tell me what is?!" My brother, as usual the peace-maker, try to interrupt our quarrel,"Oei! Today 大年初一can both of you don't quarrel? Not good leh" I cried on the way to Dua Gu's place, and my Mum order me not to cry! 妈的！You tell me how NOT to cry?! KNS!!!! Bo dua Bo ji bring this topic up?! No mood to celebrate the New Year anymore as you can guess. This year Ang Bao more lesser than last year. But overall I still feel happy cos this year, surprisingly, Boss gave me $158 Ang Bao money. But -$600 half month salary -_-"

Today is 年初二but I've long ago done with me visiting and rot at home. Vicente aka Vincent surprisingly ask me am I free today? But he didn't reply me in the end. Well, is ok. Esther ask me out too. But I really don't have the mood to go out. Plus, there are not many shops open on this day. So I decided to stay at home and play viwawa(http://www.viwawa.com)

Talk to Nicole about my problems. Strange for me to pour out my problems to her every time we chat online. I think I really need to control myself not to pour out my problems to her every time I see her. Cos I feel very bad lah.

Went to BaoBei's place to pack ALL my things due to what my Mum said. Took a taxi home and the cab fare cost $11.40(I gave the taxi driver $11.50 & ask him to keep the change) Before that I feed Vivi. She seems to be straving! Nobody feed her?! I think I need some time to cool things off but I don't know how to tell BaoBei. He doesn't allow me to pack my things home which I don't know why. When I pack today, I realize that I have a lot of clothes at his place -_-"

I didn't even left a note to tell him. I guess he will try to call me when he is back? But I don't wish to answer his calls. I don't know how to tell him what I am thinking. I feel very pressured being together with him cos I feel that it is as if I am doing everything and he is doing nothing. As a result, I am always the one who gets scolded either by his Mum or my Mum.

During the New Year, one of my long time cousin whom I had not seems for years, suddenly appear. Never mind. His arrogant wife, ask me what I am doing? I replied,"BOC building, as counter crew" She just replied a "Oh" and look at me with the kinda eyes, that people use to see/look at other people when they look down on people that kinda eyes. If you know what I am trying to say? I ask her what she is working as? She only replied(rudely),"Office" I ask,"Admin?" She just shake her head and refuse to reply me her position. My Mum said,"See lah! Ask you to study you don't want. People will look down on you. Aiyah..since she just said office and refuse to reveal her position, she also confirm those low office girl position lah" The most I can think of, she maybe is just an accountant. That is the 2nd "highest" besides Admin Assistant. I don't want to work in office anymore because I can't take the politics. But then, people says that everywhere you go, it's the same. There are bond to be office politics even in sales, retail etc. That's life. Just got to deal with it. Seriously, I do not know what to do with my life. I just wish to end it all after I paid my debts and settle everything in my life and ready to go, I will go by myself. But I will save money for my own coffin fees(Which I heard about $4000 - $8000 or more) depending on the ritual and whether you want burial or ash. BaoBei of course not very happy every time I mention this. He doesn't understand, I really don't wish to live anymore. I think I have depression but I am not sure. I also don't want to see psychologist. The fees very high. Just feel that life is just day in and day out. Useless. Just a routine. Nothing special about it. Also, partly because of BaoBei, I am always not happy. I am not saying that he made me unhappy. But it's the things that I have to shoulder on. Which I don't know how to explain to him and I guess he will never understand. Because he earns even lower pay than me, this makes things extremely tiring and much more difficult burden to my life. My life burden, is much more heavier than my already heavy bag I have to carry everyday. If even simple things(NORMAL relationship bf/gf will do everyday) I have to open my mouth to ASK from him, I have already know my stand in the relationship.

On the surface, I may seem like I live well. But in fact, I am not. I have my own problems which I guess people will never understand. I do things in a way that is very different from normal people. Ya, you can say I am abnormal. I am abnormal from the very beginning of my life. Some times I think I have enough and wish to go. But I have things to settle first.

Will end here first. I have already warn you(whoever you are and reading this), my entry will be very bleak. You can don't read if you want. This is just a place for me to rant everything out.

Too many things to update

I don't know where to start. I realize I only blog once in a blue moon. But it's okay since no one reads my blog anyway. Work for BaoBei at expo during Last year's Christmas right until end of the year. Went to watch fireworks with WeiDa and Lily. The fireworks were very beautiful! But too bad I do not have any camera device to capture it.

Bought some clothes on my own for Chinese New Year. Manage to finally found the shoes that I have been eyeing for a long time at Expo. As for clothes, Lilian help me choose some cheap clothes but then I still think I need new clothes. Will be going to Thailand on 19 - 22 March. Leave was semi-approve but I am afraid that it will change the last minute. Recently Nazmi been quarrelling with me about my leave and my way of doing things. Seriously sometimes I don't know what he is angry about? I am marely asking something. He keep saying things like,"You think you are manager?"

It's the start of a brand New Year but strangely, I don't look forward to life like others do anymore. Cos I feel humans are just a cycle of life:
You were born into this world -> Learn to crawl -> learn to walk -> learn to run -> learn to speak -> learn things in school -> Get a job -> Find a mate/partner -> Get married(if you are lucky) -> Give birth to Children and the cycle goes on. To me, this is very boring. Nothing much to look forward in life anymore. To me, life has no purpose. I have no talents to talk about, I don't know what is my passion, unlike some people who live for the sake of passion on something. So, in short to say, I don't know what am I living for anymore. Facing never-ending same problems everyday and every year. I really wish to end it all.

BaoBei doesn't seems to understand me like I thought he did. All I ask are simple caring ways. An SMS per day, a phone call every night. Is that too much? But nowadays he DID improve. At least he does FB me or MSN me when he is online and will try to call me every now and then. If not I am going crazy and will most probably end the relationship as fast as a speeding car. There are actually more things I wish I could ask from him but...the basics are just enough to content me for now.

I will end here now. Most likely from now all my entries will be very bleak. So..if you don't like it, can stop reading it from now on. Wishing you an advance Happy Chinese New Year 2010!

Shopping spee!!!

Went to my friend's store at SMU yesterday. She was there to set up her stall for just 1 day. Bought a few clothes there at slashed price! All going very cheap. Actually I had my eyes on 2 other clothes which cost $21 and $32 respectively but BaoBei don't allow me to buy those 2. He claims that he saw one of the clothes I had my eyes on, at Bugis cost around $8?! Well, he does the market research and with his stingy cousin around, I think he should know better than me. But then again, how many people actually really remember the price of certain design of the clothes they have seen it before at somewhere else? Unless you really like the design of the clothing and had your eyes on and the remember in your memory how exactly the clothes look like. But I don't have this kinda memory. I have this kinda memory only for bags. I am a bag freak.

Went out with Jazzyme and LaZyChOo after that and initially they plan to eat Sake Sushi! o.O I reject their suggestion and said I wanted to eat something below $20 for 2 persons. Cos today I will also be spending quite a big sum of money at Ajisan later for BaoBei's birthday. Jazzyme's friend, YunQi? Something Qi, her name I forgot, sell me a blue dress which I had my eyes on but cannot fit initially to me at $10!!!(Reduced price from $18) Haiz..I think I am getting fatter year by year. YunQi(I think?) is only a year older than me and she is MARRIED?! She even told me that her husband and her even applied for a HDB flat and is now headache looking for renovation contractors to paint their house etc. I then stared at BaoBei. She said,"Oops! Did I say something wrong?" I said,"See lah! You are younger than me and you are married! I am getting old! Almost 25 next year le!" Initially I thought she was 22 years old cos she look very young! And her figure is also very slim! But then after I said that, she was like -_-" and said,"Thanks for your compliment but I am 25 this year. 1 year older than you. So....you don't need to feel left-out. Anyway, not married is GOOD! You know why? Cos after married a lot of things you cannot do. Freedom lost..kena tied up by your husband and cannot go clubbing/pubbing/shopping etc with your friends cos your husband will expect you to be home by the time he reach home. So..enjoy your freedom while you can while you are still UN-MARRIED LOL" Jazzyme agree with her and said,"That's why I chose not to get married lor" I was thinking,"I still wish to be married cos I feel I am not young anymore." I heard the later you married and give birth to your baby, the wider the age gap is for you and your child and makes communication more difficult.(Like me and my Parents) I know there are parents who are very modern and I am envy of those people who have parents like that cos at least they are much more understanding and patient.

Went to a nice amosphere pub where we drink and chat about everything. It's been a very long time since I have been to a pub cos BaoBei don't allow me to go to such places ever since I have been with him and I don't know why. This part of freedom I have lost even though I am not yet married to him. Haiz...sianz...

I will end here for now. Nothing much to update nowadays plus almost no one reads my blog now. I think except my caring and lovable lil brother ^_^ *hugs*

MOLEST

Was very unhappy at work today. Actually, this incident happen the SECOND TIME. But just that I didn't shout until now. I don't know why, but my manager recently use pen/pencil to poke at my butt. Just to call me or wanted to tell me something. But then, why does he need to do that?! Can't he just call me or tap my shoulder?! Why must poke my butt?!

My so-called "Boss" came to my workplace today and chat with my supervisor at my Manager. I then walk into the back-sink area usually to ask my supervisor what he wanted me to take from restaurant for the day? It was then, this happen AGAIN and it is not the first, but SECOND time:

Manager: (Poke my butt twice) Eh! Later remember the take the Ham ah!

Me: Tsk!!! (Stare at my Manager) Na Beh!!!!! CAN DON'T POKE MY BUTT OR NOT?!
(Meanwhile my "Boss" and Supervisor watch our quarrel with a stunned look on their faces)

Manager: Eh! Hello! I just ask you to take something only right?! Why you so work-up?! Some more I never use bare hands to touch you!!!
Me: THAT ALSO CONSIDER AS MOLEST!!! I CAN CHARGE YOU FOR MOLESTING ME YOU KNOW?! SECOND TIME ALREADY!!!!!!!

(My Boss is standing beside me and my supervisor look at my face)

Manager: Eh!!! YOU SAY THAT AGAIN?! YOU BELIEVE I'LL SLAP YOUR FUCKING FACE?!

Me: YOU DARE YOU SLAP LAH!!!! (Staring at my Manager with my big eyes while saying this)

After that my Manager keep quiet and I ask my supervisor for instructions. My Supervisor still stunned for a minute before answering my questions. I guess he was shock that I shout like that in front of boss. Boss is there so what?! My supervisor and Boss are my witness to the incident! My manager DID POKE my butt with something!!!!! I ask 4 persons and 3 out of 4 of them said this act CAN be consider as molest. And I can sue him if I wanted to.

After the incident, he still can act friendly towards me and chat with me(like where I go clubbing etc) NB!!!! I am not a person that easily forgive and forget!!!! Didn't have the decency to even say "Sorry"!!!!

I then complain this to my admin friend who works at the restaurant. She ask whether I wanted this matter to let the Big boss know? But then she ask me to resolve the matter with Manager first to see how. Maybe he didn't did it on purpose?(He did!) or that he is just playing? Too bad Lah..I am the sensitive kind of person and there is some parts that I don't anyhow allow a person to touch me!(Do I need to be so precise?) If you get what I mean.

Why am I always so weak?! HATE MYSELF!!!!!!!

Haiz...

Went to Singapore Indoor Stadium yesterday to watch some concert. I was quite disappointed with the overall show. Got a free sample of beverage to try. The last time I tried the other type, it didn't suit my taste. Went for supper with WeiDa at Geylang...and I regretted going there.

When I went into the store, I turned and saw WanXia(I finally remembered her name). She was with a girl and a guy. But I ignored her and gesture to WeiDa if we could sit behind?(Cos I dun wish to sit in front of them. But...haiz....blame me for being too tamid and quiet. He suggest to sit at that very place I hated cos of the air-condition. -_-"

From the start, I ear-drop on what they say(My left ear is very sharp at listening things). After our food came, Wan Xia said,"Wah! So much they can finish meh?" Her friend said,"Ai yah! She so fat! Confirm cannot finish one lah!" I almost wanted to cry but never mind. BaoBei and his friends are there so cannot make him lose face. I just try very hard not to shed my tears. Throughout the event, I kept very quiet even when Wei Da ask me things. I just shake or nod my head(cos I was still ear-dropping Wan Xia's group of friends). Then they said something about very obvious? I think they meant my bra strap. Cos it was my first time wearing a bikini with halter top kind(if you can imagine how it look like). When I couldn't stand it any longer, I took my bag and tried to take out my hp but it contain some free samples of 1-shape. They then comment on it(WAH LAU EH!!!!! MUST THEY TALK SO OBVIOUS AND SO LOUD FOR ME TO HEAR!? NNB!!!!! CAN'T THEY LEAVE ME IN PEACE?!) that it can lost 4.2kg in a week.(Not 2.4 meh?! NB duno don't anyhow say lah!!! Stupid brainless bitches!!! People say Big breast no brain. I think she's no breast + no brain! = Shameless brainless sluttiest bitch!!!!) I keep quiet but my expression was like this -_-"

After they left, I then told BaoBei and Wei Da that the girls sitting behind us was my ITE classmate and how they used to bully me. They said,"Why didn't you told us earlier?! We can "shoot" them with our "style"" But never mind. I feel very unlucky...everywhere I go I seems to get bullied. Sometimes I wonder where is the old "me" gone? How gutless I am..sigh...

I will end here for now. Will blog again some other time.

Freedom VS Relationship

Sick and tired of my life nowadays. Recently I have been thinking,"Whether BaoBei is really suitable for me after all"? I realize I had lost most things when I am with him. It has been a long time since I last went clubbing. I kinda miss clubbing life. BaoBei forever will not understand why clubbers like me like to go clubbing so much? I heard that clubs do not accept anyone below 18 and above 30 or 40 yrs old. I just wanna visit all the clubbing places in Singapore just to soak in the amosphere and see the clubbing place itself just once. Is that too much to ask for?

Early in the relationship, BaoBei already forbid me to go clubbing. So what if he loves bar-ing? I love clubbing. That is my preference. Why can't I have my own preference? Read the Straits Times today and I realize that there's a lot of clubs in Singapore that I have yet to visit. It's been too long since I last went clubbing. Even just to go there for look-look see-see also forbids me to.

I am starting to having second thoughts on our relationship. I should have notice way earlier in our relationship that this is not going to work out but I didn't. I thought "Give and take will be okay" but it seems that it is not the case. There are things about him that started to irritate me now just that I just bear with it. I don't know why am I in this relationship for?

Maybe I should remain single for the rest of my life. So what if I had no partner to take care of me? I don't wish to live that long anyway. There are times I wish I could end my life. Recently I have found some way to die without anyone knowing and even if police were to found your body, surprisingly, they will classified you as "Un-natural death" or "accident" I have already found some of these ways to die. Just that I have many un-finished business in my life to take care of. Wait till I settled those un-finished business first before I can finally leave this world. Once I had finished, I will bid my friends a formal "Goodbye" and take my leave peacefully. I have been living unhappily for the most of my life anyway. What's the point of living if you are so unhappy with life?

I will end here for now. Will blog again some other time.

PS: If only I had the courage to die...

3 Days 2 nights of Genting Highlands! WooHoo!

Went to Genting last week on Friday night with a big group of our friends. Waited for an hour plus for our coach bus to arrived. After that most of us fell asleep in the bus on the way to Singapore custom checkpoint except for me. I couldn't sleep a wink thoughout the 9-hours long journey. After we went pass the Malaysia checkpoint, again most of them are sleeping. BaoBei snored quite loudly in the bus. I couldn't sleep cos of the cold air-conditioner. We reach our destination at 6am. Had stop for breakfast before that.

When we arrived at our destination, we put our bags in a hall and BaoBei bring me to walk around the hotel. I reluctantly went with him cos I was feeling very tired. We went to casinos, some shopping centres, and 2 arcade games centre. I have never been inside casinos before all my life and was very delighted to have step into a casino!

Went back to the original spot at 11am and proceed to play some games. I played a game that requires to step on 12-steps of colours. It's sort of a memory game. You have to remember all the 12 steps of colours within 30 secs of the card you picked, and then you have to step on the colours that matches with the card that you pick within 3 minutes. Somehow, I manage to win that game in ONE GO. I tried to memorise the 12-steps colours of the card that I pick. BaoBei pick the same card with me but he gets to go first. He won after 2nd try cos he forgot the colour of the last step. While I win at one go. The organiser beep at me with his whistle cos he thought I step on the wrong color(Cos I played Too fast) in the end, his assist said,"She step correctly" He was stunned! Cos he replied,"Huh?! So fast?!" If I am not wrong, I cleared the game within 10 secs flat. The people who are in the queue for the game look at me with big eyes and said,"HUH?! So fast!?" I won a brown bag for the first game.

I then went to play the SAME game for a different prize. The prize is a T-shirt. That queue for the 2nd same game was quite a long queue. Imagine this, I just finish playing the first game with the 12-steps of colours. After I finish the 1st game, I still remembered the colours in my head! When it was finally my turn to play the 2nd game, guess what? When i pick the card, it is EXACTLY THE SAME CARD that I played on the first game! How lucky is that?! Part of me feel like giving it back to the person after looking at it for 3 secs. Cos I already know the steps! But the game rule states that is 30 secs. So I just treat it as a practise even though I know I don't need to. After that, BaoBei and my 3 other friends look at me when it's my turn to play. Again, I cleared the game in one go! This time i think is less than 10 secs. ALL of them were stunned! BaoBei said,"2nd time already!!! 2nd time!!! Clear at one go!!!" Then I heard the people at the queue said,"Wah lau eh! This girl!" I won the T-shirt but then it was too tight and too small for me -_-" I wanted to give the T-shirt away but nobody wants it. After that we went for meeting and called it a day.

I went back to my hotel room first cos BaoBei had to stayed for the meeting and I haven't slept a wink for a total of 40 hours straight!!! Woo! Broke my first record of 24 hours without sleep in year 1998! I duno if I had count correctly, on Friday, I woke up at 7am and haven't sleep until the next day at 10pm. Count it yourself. I don't know is it my imagination or my hearing problem. At first, I hear my hotel room door crack(like someone open the knob of the door) but nobody step in! After that I hear like showering sound coming from the toilet but again, I am alone in the room! I was scared and I went to my bag to place a yellow paper that my mother gave me beneath my pillow. BaoBei only came back at midnight. I was scared to death the whole time!

Day 2:
Went for breakfast early in the morning. I am still not used to waking up so early. Then went for a 5 hours meeting and a group photoshoot which BaoBei missed it cos he was sick. Had a grand wedding-like dinner which they called it "Gala dinner" followed by group dancing in the disco light - WooHoo!!! Went to shop around and experience first hand on a particular incident. I learnt something through the incident and then later shared with my group of friends.

Day 3:
It was time for us to pack up and leave. Went to gather at 11am to leave for Singapore. Again, the journey was very long and each of us gets to share our experience in the bus. When I said that I cleared the game at one go twice, all of them are surprise and jealous at the same time. Especially when I told them I have a very bad memory. All of them don't believe me. I taught them how I remembered the colours and encourage them to try it next year.

I will end here for now. Will blog again some other time.

I had enough....

Went out with SL friends on Saturday for some gathering. Play Monopoly games and I was feeling very happy. Played for five hours before one of the players declares bankrupt and we ended the game. It only cost $22++ for 5 person which Jazzyme and BaoBei says it's cheap. I think it could be that the crew counted wrongly but nevermind..Baobei bought a Molopoly game for us to play. I still couldn't graps the concept. So in the end, I lost in the game without knowing why.

Went back home today morning and went for check up just now for my nose. Doctor explains to me that I have dried blood inside my left nose and that my nose is sensitive and I cannot stayed in Air-condtion places and try not to sleep with Air-con on. She also advice me not to roll tissue papers and stick to my nose(which BaoBei always does that to me). BaoBei always switch on the air con to sleep. Could this be the reason why I have frequent bleeding? During the Journey to the hospital part of me thinking,"Why couldn't I die instead? Why must I still live?" I am seriously sick and tired of life that at times I seriously wish I was dead but I don't have the courage to end my own life.

My Mum nag at me about BaoBei again. She kinda dispise him! What can I do? This is my life and what I have chosen. But no matter what I do or whom I choose to be with, she is never happy with my choice. She will never approve whatever choices I have made. What's the point? I am tired. Seriously tired. My brother tried to console me. While in the back, my Mum keeps on saying bad about BaoBei. I didn't speak up for him cos there's nothing for me to speak for. What she says is right. But...what else can I do? I am tired...I do not wish to speak anymore of this. I'll just live one day at a time...hopefully, one day, I can really be dead. Or someone can kill me whether by accident or not. I'll just thank the person..cos I don't have the courage to commit suicide.

I always put on a smile in front of my friends. I always act like I am happy infront of people. Since there's this saying,"Your life is a movie, you are the director, the actor and the producer. How you want to live your life, how you want to act it out, depends only on yourself". Okay, so, I'll act. I act to be happy everyday, when inside my heart I am crying. I act to be cheerful, when deep inside, I am actually hurt. Sometimes I even wonder why I am I even exist in this world? Why didn't my Mum abort me when I am still in her womb?

I reflect a lot in my life, all along, I had useless boyfriends. Boyfriends who idle day in and out. Or who won't make it big. Some times, I think being single and alone is the best. At least, you have one less trouble weighing on you.

I will end here for now. I wish the end of the world will come soon. I really wish to die, don't wish to go on....