16:49.
Heh. I saw this on Cass's blog and thought it's really pretty good and funny. Heh.
Wednesday, December 27, 2006
Friday, December 22, 2006
0958.
I grew up reading Enid Blyton's Famous Five and Faraway Tree series... where ordinary children and an ordinary forest became exordinary for those who kept their eyes and heart open and went where impetus led.
One after another, they had adventures, meeting people and things and situations so excitingly unreal adults would scoff if they only knew or for that matter, listen.
My life is an adventure.
I have not busted criminals or seen fairy beings but Omnipotence has peeled back the stuff that lined my heart and eyes which prevented me from seeing and feeling like I am meant to do so.
I have not travelled to all that many places or ate the delicacies of non-human communities but Omnipresence has kept me under the shadow of His wings, in His heart and as the apple of His eye and I have ate and drank at the table of mercy and great rejoicing, the truest movable feast available for those who seek.
I'm not in the headlines nor do I live a child's tasks-free life but Omniscience has guided me through this adult's weaved world and kept me totally in His plan, hemming me in and out, left and right, top and bottom with the knowledge that all things work together for good for those who love God, who are called according to His promise.
When I was young, I loved sitting at, with legs poking out of, the metal gate of our HDB flat. There was a peace that came with sitting there staring at the skies and being quiet or talking or singing to myself.
There's always a peace when I sit with You, when I am with You and how thankful I am that my impetus is not my own folly but that it is You, You who help me be still when I should and move like the wind into my destiny when it's time.
Lots of things have been happening the last two weeks. At my first Msian PlanetShakers conference, I learnt things new to me and had matters learnt reaffirmed in my spirit. And many matters God has revealed and spoken to me over the last two months especially geared up for a curve I didn't see coming but which made all the sense now.
The light on the narrow path is purposefully only ever big enough for just the next step, not two km ahead but as you keep walking on, there is a step when you move into something different, something bigger and you see the tapestry of the lessons you took every step before.
Last night, the man who is going to be my pastor said, "It's an adventure."
And it is. This. wave. is. big. And I can't wait to ride it.
Blessed Christmas, everyone. Live big.
He came and died and lived again for you so you can live too.
I grew up reading Enid Blyton's Famous Five and Faraway Tree series... where ordinary children and an ordinary forest became exordinary for those who kept their eyes and heart open and went where impetus led.
One after another, they had adventures, meeting people and things and situations so excitingly unreal adults would scoff if they only knew or for that matter, listen.
My life is an adventure.
I have not busted criminals or seen fairy beings but Omnipotence has peeled back the stuff that lined my heart and eyes which prevented me from seeing and feeling like I am meant to do so.
I have not travelled to all that many places or ate the delicacies of non-human communities but Omnipresence has kept me under the shadow of His wings, in His heart and as the apple of His eye and I have ate and drank at the table of mercy and great rejoicing, the truest movable feast available for those who seek.
I'm not in the headlines nor do I live a child's tasks-free life but Omniscience has guided me through this adult's weaved world and kept me totally in His plan, hemming me in and out, left and right, top and bottom with the knowledge that all things work together for good for those who love God, who are called according to His promise.
When I was young, I loved sitting at, with legs poking out of, the metal gate of our HDB flat. There was a peace that came with sitting there staring at the skies and being quiet or talking or singing to myself.
There's always a peace when I sit with You, when I am with You and how thankful I am that my impetus is not my own folly but that it is You, You who help me be still when I should and move like the wind into my destiny when it's time.
Lots of things have been happening the last two weeks. At my first Msian PlanetShakers conference, I learnt things new to me and had matters learnt reaffirmed in my spirit. And many matters God has revealed and spoken to me over the last two months especially geared up for a curve I didn't see coming but which made all the sense now.
The light on the narrow path is purposefully only ever big enough for just the next step, not two km ahead but as you keep walking on, there is a step when you move into something different, something bigger and you see the tapestry of the lessons you took every step before.
Last night, the man who is going to be my pastor said, "It's an adventure."
And it is. This. wave. is. big. And I can't wait to ride it.
Blessed Christmas, everyone. Live big.
He came and died and lived again for you so you can live too.
Wednesday, December 13, 2006
17:17.
In three hours, I'd be at the first night rally of Planet Shakers conference in Msia. I'm looking forward to it. Ray and I both took leave for Thurs and Fri so we could attend, though on Fri night, we would have to go to CG instead of the rally. It wld be the first CG meeting after multiplication, we think it's important for us to be there and we want to be there too.
Caught a chill just now for no reason or rhyme and felt pretty bad but my colleagues' preserved ginger powerfully chased the symptoms away. Praise God! heh.
Was designing a website for a new training and consultancy company last week. Yesterday, the directors kind of made me a job offer as Programme Developer, with pinches of design work, trainers sourcing and actually doing training thrown in. I'm not too sure about it so pls pray.
At WorldTeach meeting at 11am, David asked if I want to update the rest about me and I basically told them I'd be leaving and why I'm leaving. They prayed for me and all and were sweet.
After that, my lunch date was "robbed" by my boss, haha, and I ambled out to a roadside nasi campur stall to get a packet lunch of sambal chicken, sambal prawns with petai and a lovely runny omelette. So Malaysian hor? Roadside makeshift store some more. heh. The Malay and mamak food rock major. I'd miss them if I leave for a long time.
Any way, just wanted to update a bit before I disappear for the next few days. After the conference, we have Cg on Fri night and Eugene and Nianci's wedding (aww) on Sat. I got to write another article for the church mag (did one last night) on Sun (hopefully).
Enjoy the Christmas ambience. Now and then, I get a bit bleh and yet now and then, when I remember it's Christmas soon and sing a jingly song quietly or merely inside, I feel lifted up. How good it is that He came for me. How good it it that we have Christmas. I'm not expecting much gifts for Christmas, that's not why I love it. I just love the... vibe.
So I hope you remember the joyousness of our Saviour come. And smile :)
In three hours, I'd be at the first night rally of Planet Shakers conference in Msia. I'm looking forward to it. Ray and I both took leave for Thurs and Fri so we could attend, though on Fri night, we would have to go to CG instead of the rally. It wld be the first CG meeting after multiplication, we think it's important for us to be there and we want to be there too.
Caught a chill just now for no reason or rhyme and felt pretty bad but my colleagues' preserved ginger powerfully chased the symptoms away. Praise God! heh.
Was designing a website for a new training and consultancy company last week. Yesterday, the directors kind of made me a job offer as Programme Developer, with pinches of design work, trainers sourcing and actually doing training thrown in. I'm not too sure about it so pls pray.
At WorldTeach meeting at 11am, David asked if I want to update the rest about me and I basically told them I'd be leaving and why I'm leaving. They prayed for me and all and were sweet.
After that, my lunch date was "robbed" by my boss, haha, and I ambled out to a roadside nasi campur stall to get a packet lunch of sambal chicken, sambal prawns with petai and a lovely runny omelette. So Malaysian hor? Roadside makeshift store some more. heh. The Malay and mamak food rock major. I'd miss them if I leave for a long time.
Any way, just wanted to update a bit before I disappear for the next few days. After the conference, we have Cg on Fri night and Eugene and Nianci's wedding (aww) on Sat. I got to write another article for the church mag (did one last night) on Sun (hopefully).
Enjoy the Christmas ambience. Now and then, I get a bit bleh and yet now and then, when I remember it's Christmas soon and sing a jingly song quietly or merely inside, I feel lifted up. How good it is that He came for me. How good it it that we have Christmas. I'm not expecting much gifts for Christmas, that's not why I love it. I just love the... vibe.
So I hope you remember the joyousness of our Saviour come. And smile :)
17:01.
From BBC here. Way to go, China. I believe in compulsory education.
China ends school fees for 150m
China says it will abolish tuition fees for 150 million rural students, in a bid to narrow the gap between wealthy coastal provinces and poorer regions.
The students will be exempt from tuition fees over the course of their compulsory nine-year education.
The move would cost 15bn yuan ($1.9bn) a year, the China Daily said.
Last year the government abolished fees for 50m students living in the western provinces of China, some of the poorest parts of the country.
"It is part of a major move to relieve the financial burden of farmers and to develop a new countryside," the state-owned newspaper said.
Money shortage
In theory, Chinese children are guaranteed free education from age six to 15.
But in practise, cash strapped local authorities and schools charge fees and education taxes which poorer families can find prohibitive.
The move to end fees follows increasing concern at unrest in the countryside and at a growing gap between the rich coastal provinces and poor interior.
The authorities have promised more money and fresh policies to ease the problem, as part of what is officially billed as building a "harmonious society".
But many people in rural areas are still living on less than a dollar a day, and rural schooling is seen to lag well behind.
Rural unrest, often blamed on illegal land grabs, is also a growing problem.
There are thought to be thousands of protests a year across China, with farmers in villages whose land has been taken often directing their anger at corrupt local officials who skim off the profits when it is sold to developers.
From BBC here. Way to go, China. I believe in compulsory education.
China ends school fees for 150m
China says it will abolish tuition fees for 150 million rural students, in a bid to narrow the gap between wealthy coastal provinces and poorer regions.
The students will be exempt from tuition fees over the course of their compulsory nine-year education.
The move would cost 15bn yuan ($1.9bn) a year, the China Daily said.
Last year the government abolished fees for 50m students living in the western provinces of China, some of the poorest parts of the country.
"It is part of a major move to relieve the financial burden of farmers and to develop a new countryside," the state-owned newspaper said.
Money shortage
In theory, Chinese children are guaranteed free education from age six to 15.
But in practise, cash strapped local authorities and schools charge fees and education taxes which poorer families can find prohibitive.
The move to end fees follows increasing concern at unrest in the countryside and at a growing gap between the rich coastal provinces and poor interior.
The authorities have promised more money and fresh policies to ease the problem, as part of what is officially billed as building a "harmonious society".
But many people in rural areas are still living on less than a dollar a day, and rural schooling is seen to lag well behind.
Rural unrest, often blamed on illegal land grabs, is also a growing problem.
There are thought to be thousands of protests a year across China, with farmers in villages whose land has been taken often directing their anger at corrupt local officials who skim off the profits when it is sold to developers.
Thursday, December 07, 2006
Tuesday, December 05, 2006
Monday, December 04, 2006
1030.
It's very strange but highly welcomed - For all my love for Melbourne, the lifestyle and all its offers, I think finally, my soul has embraced Singapore and Malaysia as the better place for me to be in now. As if there's a shift in the well, the way my heart and neck's inclined towards, I guess.
:)
I'd a very good weekend. Friday evening was our CG sub zone gathering so all 9 CGs under PJ North 4 gathered at the venue the chinese church norm use. Ray was playing drums (and did a great job!). Watching him play was slightly deja vu :) After all, I used to watch him play. The CG had to put on a presentation for our cell leader and though it wasn't oscar winning materials, it was joyously riotous and very very funny.
Living Springs, our CG on stage midway through our sing-song for CG leader Shelley, next to me in black. Ray's covered by Jessey (in pink on most right), who happens to be our new CG leader.
We ended the evening with a mamak nearby where I discovered the joys of double cheese naan. By the time I got home, I guess it was over 1am. Had to get up a bit earlier than I wanted to on Sat morning 'cause I forgot to pass one of the church keys to my zone leader but that was fine. Ended up having a little chat where I updated her about what's happening with me too.
Saturday, we started it off late at 145pm and went to eat at a good hawker centre, then to The Curve to hang out, booked Happy Feet tix for the 7pm show, went to eat kaya toast and coffee/ tea at Kluang, hung around idyllically at scrapbook and techie stores, watched the movie and imprompt-ly went to a nice Italian restaurant we always fancied but never yet visit. I had a very very good grilled calamari salad (mmmmmmmm) and he had garlic prawn fettucine (home-made). We rounded it off with flat white and cafe latte. Very very nice.
Sun, we went to church, had pan mee (dry version, do we have it in Sg?) at the hawker centre oppt church then went to KL for the PC fair which was thronged with throngs of people and some very very good deals.
My baby got a black iPod, 30gig which came packaged as a deal at RM1249 with free speakers, leather case and a RM100 accessories voucher which we used to get another casing and two whaddaya call those stickers... screen protectors? We recuperated at Kenny Rogers after that before he sent me to a Dew Media Appreciation dinner (since I write for the newsletter, which falls under the Media Team). Was a good night. Lots of funny, impromptu sing alongs with an acoustic two-piece band, sharing from the ministry heads and good food. They made the senior pastor sing too, after he finally drop by on his third appreciation dinner on his rounds that night.
Got a free tee too, hah. It was a good night. And a very good weekend indeed.
Thanks, God :)
It's very strange but highly welcomed - For all my love for Melbourne, the lifestyle and all its offers, I think finally, my soul has embraced Singapore and Malaysia as the better place for me to be in now. As if there's a shift in the well, the way my heart and neck's inclined towards, I guess.
:)
I'd a very good weekend. Friday evening was our CG sub zone gathering so all 9 CGs under PJ North 4 gathered at the venue the chinese church norm use. Ray was playing drums (and did a great job!). Watching him play was slightly deja vu :) After all, I used to watch him play. The CG had to put on a presentation for our cell leader and though it wasn't oscar winning materials, it was joyously riotous and very very funny.
Living Springs, our CG on stage midway through our sing-song for CG leader Shelley, next to me in black. Ray's covered by Jessey (in pink on most right), who happens to be our new CG leader.
We ended the evening with a mamak nearby where I discovered the joys of double cheese naan. By the time I got home, I guess it was over 1am. Had to get up a bit earlier than I wanted to on Sat morning 'cause I forgot to pass one of the church keys to my zone leader but that was fine. Ended up having a little chat where I updated her about what's happening with me too.
Saturday, we started it off late at 145pm and went to eat at a good hawker centre, then to The Curve to hang out, booked Happy Feet tix for the 7pm show, went to eat kaya toast and coffee/ tea at Kluang, hung around idyllically at scrapbook and techie stores, watched the movie and imprompt-ly went to a nice Italian restaurant we always fancied but never yet visit. I had a very very good grilled calamari salad (mmmmmmmm) and he had garlic prawn fettucine (home-made). We rounded it off with flat white and cafe latte. Very very nice.
Sun, we went to church, had pan mee (dry version, do we have it in Sg?) at the hawker centre oppt church then went to KL for the PC fair which was thronged with throngs of people and some very very good deals.
My baby got a black iPod, 30gig which came packaged as a deal at RM1249 with free speakers, leather case and a RM100 accessories voucher which we used to get another casing and two whaddaya call those stickers... screen protectors? We recuperated at Kenny Rogers after that before he sent me to a Dew Media Appreciation dinner (since I write for the newsletter, which falls under the Media Team). Was a good night. Lots of funny, impromptu sing alongs with an acoustic two-piece band, sharing from the ministry heads and good food. They made the senior pastor sing too, after he finally drop by on his third appreciation dinner on his rounds that night.
Got a free tee too, hah. It was a good night. And a very good weekend indeed.
Thanks, God :)
Friday, December 01, 2006
11:09.
Greetings, December.
How've you been? Last time I saw you, we were in Oz.
You blew hot and cold but held us tight.
Me and my love, under your bright blue skies.
And yes, the end of the year is coming around again.
At DUMC, my church here, 2006 has been - or rather is - the year of building Faith. That that mirrors my own journey this year is more than coincidence.
Last December, I coolly spent SGD3000 on an almost month-long holiday, no sweat. Last weekend, I was walking around Singapore with SGD5 in my wallet, reluctant to take out any money from the bank account with a grand total of two-digit.
Last year, I was in the leadership class in church at Sg and playing in the band, praying for Ray every day in his involvement with Planet Shakers and Planet Uni in Melb, and really wanting to be with him to support him.
This year, I've been in a great cell group for about five months and serving on the church newsletter. Opportunities to serve in various para-church organisations and ministries abound and I'm proud of my baby who's stepping up to assistant cell group leader come next Friday as the cell group multiplies.
I'm going to have to be diligent and chronicle and give thanks for the very real, very deeply-driven-in lessons of 2006 over this last month but those will prob be better bite-sized and spread out.
One big thing though - I will be leaving WorldTeach :)
I don't know exactly when yet but it's quite definite. I've already told my chairman how I feel and my reasons and it has been very encouraging how he completely understands.
The Reason is multi-pronged and has been cuminating in clarity intensely over the last two months but to sum it out:
- I've already done all I can as a media consultant. Unless the ministry moves at a very rapid pace organising seminars much more regularly, honestly, there's not enough any more to keep me even half busy.
- At the end of the day, I want to be effective for Christ. The Christian politician in an industry of grime could be more effective for God than a full-time worker plodding on for 30 years, unwittingly becoming relevant only to people like him or herself. Talents can't be buried, they are God-given.
- I'm understanding that between the command to quit TNP to that place where I'm in my specific calling - I'm not called to limit my choices and that, that specific calling won't be in a para-church organisation but in a church.
I thank God for how He has been showing me things progressively.
He led me to understand those three points before my last trip back to Singapore and the day before I left, I had an unplanned talk with the chairman and told him how I feel.
Then when I came back, on Tuesday, some things about para church organisations and churches and my sentiments towards them dawned upon me with Eureka moments.
On Wednesday, he asked me to his office to discuss about the ministry and whether things are clearer for me and I shared with him how I felt, including the new relevations as we also discussed the ministry's future.
I'm glad I didn't realise how financially bad I'm doing until after I made it clear to the boss, ray and myself that I don't think this is where I can be most effective for God any more. God's good - He knows I question myself regularly and chronological relevations and realisations help keep those doubts out.
I'll share more as we go along, ya? :) Pls pray about the next step - Singapore or Malaysia? Whether to commit to a new lease hinges on this and hinges too on providence (if it's Msia, job offers from companies able to sponsor a visa). I'm also giving lots of thought as to what kind of profession I want to be in next.
Lots of things still up in the air. I'm awaiting the next chronological relevation.
"I was on the inside
When they pulled the
four walls down
I was looking through
the window
I was lost, I am found
... I will follow"
Greetings, December.
How've you been? Last time I saw you, we were in Oz.
You blew hot and cold but held us tight.
Me and my love, under your bright blue skies.
And yes, the end of the year is coming around again.
At DUMC, my church here, 2006 has been - or rather is - the year of building Faith. That that mirrors my own journey this year is more than coincidence.
Last December, I coolly spent SGD3000 on an almost month-long holiday, no sweat. Last weekend, I was walking around Singapore with SGD5 in my wallet, reluctant to take out any money from the bank account with a grand total of two-digit.
Last year, I was in the leadership class in church at Sg and playing in the band, praying for Ray every day in his involvement with Planet Shakers and Planet Uni in Melb, and really wanting to be with him to support him.
This year, I've been in a great cell group for about five months and serving on the church newsletter. Opportunities to serve in various para-church organisations and ministries abound and I'm proud of my baby who's stepping up to assistant cell group leader come next Friday as the cell group multiplies.
I'm going to have to be diligent and chronicle and give thanks for the very real, very deeply-driven-in lessons of 2006 over this last month but those will prob be better bite-sized and spread out.
One big thing though - I will be leaving WorldTeach :)
I don't know exactly when yet but it's quite definite. I've already told my chairman how I feel and my reasons and it has been very encouraging how he completely understands.
The Reason is multi-pronged and has been cuminating in clarity intensely over the last two months but to sum it out:
- I've already done all I can as a media consultant. Unless the ministry moves at a very rapid pace organising seminars much more regularly, honestly, there's not enough any more to keep me even half busy.
- At the end of the day, I want to be effective for Christ. The Christian politician in an industry of grime could be more effective for God than a full-time worker plodding on for 30 years, unwittingly becoming relevant only to people like him or herself. Talents can't be buried, they are God-given.
- I'm understanding that between the command to quit TNP to that place where I'm in my specific calling - I'm not called to limit my choices and that, that specific calling won't be in a para-church organisation but in a church.
I thank God for how He has been showing me things progressively.
He led me to understand those three points before my last trip back to Singapore and the day before I left, I had an unplanned talk with the chairman and told him how I feel.
Then when I came back, on Tuesday, some things about para church organisations and churches and my sentiments towards them dawned upon me with Eureka moments.
On Wednesday, he asked me to his office to discuss about the ministry and whether things are clearer for me and I shared with him how I felt, including the new relevations as we also discussed the ministry's future.
I'm glad I didn't realise how financially bad I'm doing until after I made it clear to the boss, ray and myself that I don't think this is where I can be most effective for God any more. God's good - He knows I question myself regularly and chronological relevations and realisations help keep those doubts out.
I'll share more as we go along, ya? :) Pls pray about the next step - Singapore or Malaysia? Whether to commit to a new lease hinges on this and hinges too on providence (if it's Msia, job offers from companies able to sponsor a visa). I'm also giving lots of thought as to what kind of profession I want to be in next.
Lots of things still up in the air. I'm awaiting the next chronological relevation.
"I was on the inside
When they pulled the
four walls down
I was looking through
the window
I was lost, I am found
... I will follow"
Tuesday, November 28, 2006
1637.
Am back in PJ.
What It Takes To Make A Student - NYT article on Bush's No Child Left Behind legislation and campaign.
Was just msging Ray. If God sees it fit to ever place me in a position where I can influence legislation, I'd - among other things like compulsory education (which thank God, Singapore already has laws for) - push for minimum sentencing and/ or push for more hefty minimum sentences for many crimes, notably sex crimes and murders. Have just been reading too many cases lately where the sentence doesn't fit the crime.
Am back in PJ.
What It Takes To Make A Student - NYT article on Bush's No Child Left Behind legislation and campaign.
Was just msging Ray. If God sees it fit to ever place me in a position where I can influence legislation, I'd - among other things like compulsory education (which thank God, Singapore already has laws for) - push for minimum sentencing and/ or push for more hefty minimum sentences for many crimes, notably sex crimes and murders. Have just been reading too many cases lately where the sentence doesn't fit the crime.
Wednesday, November 22, 2006
1048.
inside the big green bus.
Every month, I take a 5-hour bus ride up to Bangsar in KL and from there, my baby fetches me back to my place at Damansara Perdana in PJ. The routine repeats, of course, 'cept otherwise when I come back to Sg.
I've grown to be almost ambivalent about the going to and fro. "Almost" 'cause I don't particularly enjoy all the travelling but I don't dislike it either. It has to be done and so so be it, adapt. "Almost" also 'cause I do like having time with family in Sg again and meeting up friends and also 'cause I also like going back to that condo apartment and being able to potter ard, bake and live differently.
Living differently seems to be the required ride and nope, it's not at all unenjoyable.
I read a Spidey comic on Sunday... and in it, Peter Parker got a chance to speak with Uncle Ben again through the provision of one of Dr Strange's hoodickey.
I don't remember the exact lines but Uncle Ben was asking Parker how he has been after all these years. Parker struggled for the words, the years had been filled with some of the hardest and worst stuff to fight but Uncle Ben then asked with illuminating clarity - Are you happy?
'cause despite the nasties of life and the times we feel like we are scraping by or our hearts are being scraped, at the end of the day, they don't need to dicate our happiness.
Happiness and misery are not always exclusive.
And I kinda loved how clear that was. We can't quite see our lives in entirety. I think that's why I've always loved stories - Comics, movies, dramas, books... 'cause I can see the characters' lives in entirety and that helps me see me. See the grand design.
All's good, folks. All's good :)
Courtesy of Ray, while we were on the choo choo train back to KL last month
inside the big green bus.
Every month, I take a 5-hour bus ride up to Bangsar in KL and from there, my baby fetches me back to my place at Damansara Perdana in PJ. The routine repeats, of course, 'cept otherwise when I come back to Sg.
I've grown to be almost ambivalent about the going to and fro. "Almost" 'cause I don't particularly enjoy all the travelling but I don't dislike it either. It has to be done and so so be it, adapt. "Almost" also 'cause I do like having time with family in Sg again and meeting up friends and also 'cause I also like going back to that condo apartment and being able to potter ard, bake and live differently.
Living differently seems to be the required ride and nope, it's not at all unenjoyable.
I read a Spidey comic on Sunday... and in it, Peter Parker got a chance to speak with Uncle Ben again through the provision of one of Dr Strange's hoodickey.
I don't remember the exact lines but Uncle Ben was asking Parker how he has been after all these years. Parker struggled for the words, the years had been filled with some of the hardest and worst stuff to fight but Uncle Ben then asked with illuminating clarity - Are you happy?
'cause despite the nasties of life and the times we feel like we are scraping by or our hearts are being scraped, at the end of the day, they don't need to dicate our happiness.
Happiness and misery are not always exclusive.
And I kinda loved how clear that was. We can't quite see our lives in entirety. I think that's why I've always loved stories - Comics, movies, dramas, books... 'cause I can see the characters' lives in entirety and that helps me see me. See the grand design.
All's good, folks. All's good :)
Courtesy of Ray, while we were on the choo choo train back to KL last month
Tuesday, November 21, 2006
1630.
I really like Window In The Skies.
The falsetto chorus, bright guitar twangs, and odd bridge at the back are kinda Beatlesque, no? Post 1967 Beatles. Nicee.
And from Herald Sun, here.
ROCK royalty came to the streets of Richmond yesterday when U2 filmed a music video at the Corner Hotel.
I really like Window In The Skies.
The falsetto chorus, bright guitar twangs, and odd bridge at the back are kinda Beatlesque, no? Post 1967 Beatles. Nicee.
And from Herald Sun, here.
U2 at Corner Hotel
ROCK royalty came to the streets of Richmond yesterday when U2 filmed a music video at the Corner Hotel.
U2 filmed scenes for Window in the Skies with 300 extras at the pub.
The song will be the next release from their new compilation 18 Singles.
Bono talked with fans before entering the venue, coming straight from a meeting with Treasurer Peter Costello.
The extras all signed confidentiality clauses.
Scenes were shot inside the bandroom and on the rooftop beer garden.
It's not the first time the Corner has hosted a rock great -- Mick Jagger played a secret solo show at the venue in 1988.
U2 head to New Zealand tomorrow, before gigs in Japan and Hawaii that finish their rescheduled world tour.
The band played to more than 350,000 people during their Australian tour this month, which ended in Melbourne on Sunday.
U2 also filmed footage at their Melbourne concert on Saturday, which is expected to be used on a DVD.
Meanwhile, U2 are beating their heroes the Beatles in record stores this week.
U2's 18 Singles is flying out of record stores.
The record sold more than 10,000 copies nationally on its first day of release on Saturday, with more than 100,000 copies shipped to record stores to cope with demand.
U2 are expected to be No. 1 and the Beatles' new compilation, Love, at No. 2 on next week's Australian chart.
Monday, November 20, 2006
Sunday, November 19, 2006
15:24.
Thank You that You're coming back for me.
That I'm not abandoned, nor cast aside, that You are preparing a place for me in that mansion with many rooms.
Thank You that You've never left me and will never leave or forsake me.
That whatever I do, You are involved and that You are all that You are, so I can rest and hope and believe and love. So that I can indeed love and be loved.
Thank You, Jesus.
_____________________________________________________________
On Friday night at CG, Jessey asked us to share an experience in our lives where God intervened or provided for.
Among testimonies of how God miraculously set up salvations, how God helped a cater from home chef when the gas ran out with time ticking out too, how God provided money in the mailbox when it was needed... I thought for a testimony to share.
And I remember again that He has always been very much here. Here with me. Every beginning and ending of every phrase, He has provided jobs and money always in time - From graduation from poly, first job, 2nd job, T N P (all without any waiting around in between); leaving TNP, money to go to Melb, acceptance into 3 courses; job waiting for me in Sg when I finished; going to Msia and three job interviews and three offers even when I, by myself, could not have high confidence in my foreign marketability as an employee.
He, my God, my King, my Provider and Warrior, has always provided. Always.
Always pulled me through when I'm going through the preparations of the next step, totally unsure and operating by faith, often faith much tinged with desperation.
I shared about an incident that was so very much Him.
I shared about Ray and my love story. The beginnings of it.
I left Melb in Feb 2005. We only found out we liked each other after that. We could only pray and keep contact with the avail means. We didn't know if it would work out and to our eyes, it was hard to see how it would.
He's Msian, I'm Sgean. I'm in Sg, I can't go back to Aust. He's in Melb, doing a one-year internship with church and when he returns to Asia, it would be to Msia any way.
We simply prayed for God to show His favour and will clearly if He is pleased with us becoming a couple.
I started work in end March. In end May, while still a contract staff who has only rejoined the company barely two months, I got a junkett to Sydney for a movie premiere.
It was a trip that a correspondent told me I can't get 'cause I'm on contract.
But my editor submited an application to send me and the executive editor somehow approved it. All within a day.
I wasn't supposed to get that trip. I didn't qualify for junketts.
God intervened.
On my own, I didn't have money to go to Aust but God provided - The movie company even allowed me to fly back to Sg from Melb instead of Sydney.
Most movie premieres are held in LA, not this part of the world.
God intervened with His divine set-up, a plan beyond what our eyes could see or what we could had expected.
___________________________________________________________
And through Friday till now, me spending Sunday at my room in Sg being blissfully contented, I feel the relevance of God's intervention and provision in my life resound and resonate, going deeper and spreading wider like ripples upon my spirit.
I'm in awe.
And I'm sorry. Sorry to You for allowing myself to be so caught up in worries and the stuff that hangs midair. I'm sorry that I forgot my faith allows and requires me to be midair and You are the Giver and Provider of all I would ever need or require.
And when You give, You give exceedingly and abundantly above all I can ever ask or imagine!
And now, after I look up properly, I start to feel the way I'm supposed to be. I feel more like myself, who You called me to be. And I stir with a quiet wondering cause it feels like I'm standing on the threshold of something else great.
And as always, always. You will provide. You will intervene. You are with me.
And I'm really, really, really, really thankful!
Lord Jesus, I love you. Saya betul-betul cinta Mu.
Thank You that You're coming back for me.
That I'm not abandoned, nor cast aside, that You are preparing a place for me in that mansion with many rooms.
Thank You that You've never left me and will never leave or forsake me.
That whatever I do, You are involved and that You are all that You are, so I can rest and hope and believe and love. So that I can indeed love and be loved.
Thank You, Jesus.
_____________________________________________________________
On Friday night at CG, Jessey asked us to share an experience in our lives where God intervened or provided for.
Among testimonies of how God miraculously set up salvations, how God helped a cater from home chef when the gas ran out with time ticking out too, how God provided money in the mailbox when it was needed... I thought for a testimony to share.
And I remember again that He has always been very much here. Here with me. Every beginning and ending of every phrase, He has provided jobs and money always in time - From graduation from poly, first job, 2nd job, T N P (all without any waiting around in between); leaving TNP, money to go to Melb, acceptance into 3 courses; job waiting for me in Sg when I finished; going to Msia and three job interviews and three offers even when I, by myself, could not have high confidence in my foreign marketability as an employee.
He, my God, my King, my Provider and Warrior, has always provided. Always.
Always pulled me through when I'm going through the preparations of the next step, totally unsure and operating by faith, often faith much tinged with desperation.
I shared about an incident that was so very much Him.
I shared about Ray and my love story. The beginnings of it.
I left Melb in Feb 2005. We only found out we liked each other after that. We could only pray and keep contact with the avail means. We didn't know if it would work out and to our eyes, it was hard to see how it would.
He's Msian, I'm Sgean. I'm in Sg, I can't go back to Aust. He's in Melb, doing a one-year internship with church and when he returns to Asia, it would be to Msia any way.
We simply prayed for God to show His favour and will clearly if He is pleased with us becoming a couple.
I started work in end March. In end May, while still a contract staff who has only rejoined the company barely two months, I got a junkett to Sydney for a movie premiere.
It was a trip that a correspondent told me I can't get 'cause I'm on contract.
But my editor submited an application to send me and the executive editor somehow approved it. All within a day.
I wasn't supposed to get that trip. I didn't qualify for junketts.
God intervened.
On my own, I didn't have money to go to Aust but God provided - The movie company even allowed me to fly back to Sg from Melb instead of Sydney.
Most movie premieres are held in LA, not this part of the world.
God intervened with His divine set-up, a plan beyond what our eyes could see or what we could had expected.
___________________________________________________________
And through Friday till now, me spending Sunday at my room in Sg being blissfully contented, I feel the relevance of God's intervention and provision in my life resound and resonate, going deeper and spreading wider like ripples upon my spirit.
I'm in awe.
And I'm sorry. Sorry to You for allowing myself to be so caught up in worries and the stuff that hangs midair. I'm sorry that I forgot my faith allows and requires me to be midair and You are the Giver and Provider of all I would ever need or require.
And when You give, You give exceedingly and abundantly above all I can ever ask or imagine!
And now, after I look up properly, I start to feel the way I'm supposed to be. I feel more like myself, who You called me to be. And I stir with a quiet wondering cause it feels like I'm standing on the threshold of something else great.
And as always, always. You will provide. You will intervene. You are with me.
And I'm really, really, really, really thankful!
Lord Jesus, I love you. Saya betul-betul cinta Mu.
Friday, November 17, 2006
09:57.
Woke up today a few minutes before my 730am alarm went off and I felt better and more well than I had in days :) Think last night's nice good dinner at Ray's really helped :)
On Fridays, my man has regular 730am meetings (I know... O_O ) so I make my way to work alone. I do every thing a bit slower 'cause I don't have to be ready by 845 to meet him, hehe, so oopsie, it's not unusual for me to be late for work on Fridayyyys.
I'm really chirpy somehow with God Is Great playing in my head. As I type, I have a bemused smile on my face, despite having to retype this post 'cause the window somehow closed on me just now. hmmph! My jolly foot is not pleased. hahhaa. Oops, tt's one of my fave expressions these days - my jolly foot. Teeheehee.
:D
Earlier when I was getting ready, I felt "a slide" come on. You know these slides... when you suddenly feel like you are sliding down to a depressed state or grumpy fit, they are slippery stuff.
But this time, as it started, something inside just automatically rose up and rebuked it.
Why are you downcast, O my soul?
Is not your God great and mighty?
I remembered singing Great And Mighty in church in 2004 while I was in a really low, slided stage from philo and headache causing inner arguments and I declared Him over me.
My God IS great and mighty. Greater than any thing I would ever face. Mighty nuff to vapourise any thing in my path like poooooof! *does Ally McBeal baby dance*
So though I still don't know how this is going to work out and my lease ends in six weeks, He is mighty nuff to ta da! open up a way and deliver me!
There's always something to give thanks for.
Though the tap water was inexplicably yellowish today, thank God it cleared up after a while! Though the weather outside is aping the Sahara and I was convinced I got a sunburn just walking to work, thank God for a nice brekkie of apple crumble and chai tea :D in a nice apt where I can live comfortably.
And as I walk to work feeling seriously scorched, in my head I started talking to myself... I think it's God-guided 'cause I was just thinking how hot it was and then the pep talk came with full seriousness, bringing motivation and the reminder to be who I was called to be.
Simple stuff. Nothing cheem. Nothing existential but oh, how it lifted up my spirit!
"So things sometimes screw up. So life is sometimes hard. You just walk on, just walk on. Just keep believing that everyday is an adventure, even when it doesn't feel like it. I can't even see past my now, let alone my today, but He can. He sees it all and He promised an adventure with Him so just walk on, just walk on and believe. Just walk on. Walk on."
So I will. Though I sometimes slide down and I really can't see well and there seems to be decisions demanding action soon enough, I won't dawdle and avoid stuff or be depressed. I'd just walk on, continuing in faith, believing in my great and mighty God, remembering that all He is means I can rest and trust in Him. I will just walk on. Believe and walk on and dare to dream - That's what I'm called to do. Simply to live.
And so I will. Thank You, Lord!
Woke up today a few minutes before my 730am alarm went off and I felt better and more well than I had in days :) Think last night's nice good dinner at Ray's really helped :)
On Fridays, my man has regular 730am meetings (I know... O_O ) so I make my way to work alone. I do every thing a bit slower 'cause I don't have to be ready by 845 to meet him, hehe, so oopsie, it's not unusual for me to be late for work on Fridayyyys.
I'm really chirpy somehow with God Is Great playing in my head. As I type, I have a bemused smile on my face, despite having to retype this post 'cause the window somehow closed on me just now. hmmph! My jolly foot is not pleased. hahhaa. Oops, tt's one of my fave expressions these days - my jolly foot. Teeheehee.
:D
Earlier when I was getting ready, I felt "a slide" come on. You know these slides... when you suddenly feel like you are sliding down to a depressed state or grumpy fit, they are slippery stuff.
But this time, as it started, something inside just automatically rose up and rebuked it.
Why are you downcast, O my soul?
Is not your God great and mighty?
I remembered singing Great And Mighty in church in 2004 while I was in a really low, slided stage from philo and headache causing inner arguments and I declared Him over me.
My God IS great and mighty. Greater than any thing I would ever face. Mighty nuff to vapourise any thing in my path like poooooof! *does Ally McBeal baby dance*
So though I still don't know how this is going to work out and my lease ends in six weeks, He is mighty nuff to ta da! open up a way and deliver me!
There's always something to give thanks for.
Though the tap water was inexplicably yellowish today, thank God it cleared up after a while! Though the weather outside is aping the Sahara and I was convinced I got a sunburn just walking to work, thank God for a nice brekkie of apple crumble and chai tea :D in a nice apt where I can live comfortably.
And as I walk to work feeling seriously scorched, in my head I started talking to myself... I think it's God-guided 'cause I was just thinking how hot it was and then the pep talk came with full seriousness, bringing motivation and the reminder to be who I was called to be.
Simple stuff. Nothing cheem. Nothing existential but oh, how it lifted up my spirit!
"So things sometimes screw up. So life is sometimes hard. You just walk on, just walk on. Just keep believing that everyday is an adventure, even when it doesn't feel like it. I can't even see past my now, let alone my today, but He can. He sees it all and He promised an adventure with Him so just walk on, just walk on and believe. Just walk on. Walk on."
So I will. Though I sometimes slide down and I really can't see well and there seems to be decisions demanding action soon enough, I won't dawdle and avoid stuff or be depressed. I'd just walk on, continuing in faith, believing in my great and mighty God, remembering that all He is means I can rest and trust in Him. I will just walk on. Believe and walk on and dare to dream - That's what I'm called to do. Simply to live.
And so I will. Thank You, Lord!
"I'm at the place I started
out from and I want
I want back inside...
All because of You"
- All Because Of You, U2
Thursday, November 16, 2006
10:58.
Have been down with fever and a stomach flu the last two days. Spent yesterday literally sleeping away and waking up just for a porridge diet. Thank God the weather was cool and I could get away with not switching on the fan (made me shiver) and thank God for a sweet boyfriend who dropped by unexpectedly with medicine and bread and milo at 8-ish, after he went home from my place after dropping by at 6ish.
This is a bit late but we really had a nice Sat night... didn't do a lot but it was lovely watching U2 @ Live8 together. U2, REM and later some acts we forwarded through. Then, we watched Dave Matthews Band live at Central Park (a close to 3hour set!) and I was totally flabbergasted at the range of genres they skip from and mish mesh together. Veryy impressive.
Nights in are good. Music's good. God's good.
And oh, somewhere in the wee hours of this morning, my fevered brain dreamt that Bono moved in next to me on this row of New Orleans like quaint houses with iron gates and creepers and old architecture in Singapore. He moved in with his wife, Ali and kiddies.
haha. Man, it would be good to be in Melb now.
Have been down with fever and a stomach flu the last two days. Spent yesterday literally sleeping away and waking up just for a porridge diet. Thank God the weather was cool and I could get away with not switching on the fan (made me shiver) and thank God for a sweet boyfriend who dropped by unexpectedly with medicine and bread and milo at 8-ish, after he went home from my place after dropping by at 6ish.
This is a bit late but we really had a nice Sat night... didn't do a lot but it was lovely watching U2 @ Live8 together. U2, REM and later some acts we forwarded through. Then, we watched Dave Matthews Band live at Central Park (a close to 3hour set!) and I was totally flabbergasted at the range of genres they skip from and mish mesh together. Veryy impressive.
Nights in are good. Music's good. God's good.
And oh, somewhere in the wee hours of this morning, my fevered brain dreamt that Bono moved in next to me on this row of New Orleans like quaint houses with iron gates and creepers and old architecture in Singapore. He moved in with his wife, Ali and kiddies.
haha. Man, it would be good to be in Melb now.
Tuesday, November 14, 2006
14:29.
"The more you see the less you know
The less you find out as you go
I knew much more then than I do now"
- City Of Blinding Lights, U2
Sometimes, that seems awfully true. I am learning a lot but at the same time, stuff that were simpler seems increasing harder. The way I approach some things seems to be less black and white, or maybe it's more black and white.
I've learnt many things this past year. One big lesson was to trust God to watch my back and be my defender when it comes to reputation. If people want to slam, if they want to slander, yeah, I first react with mute surprise then the classic symptoms of denial including anger (Any one rem that scene from High Fidelity where John Cusack imagined pulling out an air con unit and bashing up his rival in love? haha) 'cause I don't understand why such actions could ever be thought as acceptable, especially from fellow believers. But I withdraw my claws and allow myself to admit I'm saddened and I tell God about it and pray He help me not become or be the same.
But God is always faithful and I'm glad He is a warrior and a King, the Lion Of Judah not just the Lamb of God. I'm learning that it's acceptable to be angry (no, the pull off aircon bash people part was just funny... well, you have to see it) at the things He's angry at, even when these things come sugar coated at times.
And this is a big one - My heart is understanding more completely that it is true - There is no divide between the sacred and the secular. Each is a minister. And being effective for God is what counts. I'm quite sick of would-be godly types being proved hypocriterical or just poor vessels by their ineffectiveness. I'm really sick of wayangs.
You can be a minister and be bound for lesser rewards in heaven than say, a politician who's not always popular or on majority agreement's side but whose effectiveness for Christ outshines that minister. Not that it's about rewards but see, it's not about masks either.
If I'm honest, it's hard for me to let on I'm hurt sometimes. And keeping quiet seem to sometimes result in sadness. Be still my heart, God knows Your path.
"The more you see the less you know
The less you find out as you go
I knew much more then than I do now"
- City Of Blinding Lights, U2
Sometimes, that seems awfully true. I am learning a lot but at the same time, stuff that were simpler seems increasing harder. The way I approach some things seems to be less black and white, or maybe it's more black and white.
I've learnt many things this past year. One big lesson was to trust God to watch my back and be my defender when it comes to reputation. If people want to slam, if they want to slander, yeah, I first react with mute surprise then the classic symptoms of denial including anger (Any one rem that scene from High Fidelity where John Cusack imagined pulling out an air con unit and bashing up his rival in love? haha) 'cause I don't understand why such actions could ever be thought as acceptable, especially from fellow believers. But I withdraw my claws and allow myself to admit I'm saddened and I tell God about it and pray He help me not become or be the same.
But God is always faithful and I'm glad He is a warrior and a King, the Lion Of Judah not just the Lamb of God. I'm learning that it's acceptable to be angry (no, the pull off aircon bash people part was just funny... well, you have to see it) at the things He's angry at, even when these things come sugar coated at times.
And this is a big one - My heart is understanding more completely that it is true - There is no divide between the sacred and the secular. Each is a minister. And being effective for God is what counts. I'm quite sick of would-be godly types being proved hypocriterical or just poor vessels by their ineffectiveness. I'm really sick of wayangs.
You can be a minister and be bound for lesser rewards in heaven than say, a politician who's not always popular or on majority agreement's side but whose effectiveness for Christ outshines that minister. Not that it's about rewards but see, it's not about masks either.
If I'm honest, it's hard for me to let on I'm hurt sometimes. And keeping quiet seem to sometimes result in sadness. Be still my heart, God knows Your path.
Thursday, November 09, 2006
1721.
From NYT here:
A Neuroscientific Look at Speaking in Tongues
From NYT here:
The passionate, sometimes rhythmic, language-like patter that pours forth from religious people who “speak in tongues” reflects a state of mental possession, many of them say. Now they have some neuroscience to back them up.
Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania took brain images of five women while they spoke in tongues and found that their frontal lobes — the thinking, willful part of the brain through which people control what they do — were relatively quiet, as were the language centers. The regions involved in maintaining self-consciousness were active. The women were not in blind trances, and it was unclear which region was driving the behavior.
The images, appearing in the current issue of the journal Psychiatry Research: Neuroimaging, pinpoint the most active areas of the brain. The images are the first of their kind taken during this spoken religious practice, which has roots in the Old and New Testaments and in charismatic churches established in the United States around the turn of the 19th century. The women in the study were healthy, active churchgoers.
“The amazing thing was how the images supported people’s interpretation of what was happening,” said Dr. Andrew B. Newberg, leader of the study team, which included Donna Morgan, Nancy Wintering and Mark Waldman. “The way they describe it, and what they believe, is that God is talking through them,” he said.
Dr. Newberg is also a co-author of “Why We Believe What We Believe.”
In the study, the researchers used imaging techniques to track changes in blood flow in each woman’s brain in two conditions, once as she sang a gospel song and again while speaking in tongues. By comparing the patterns created by these two emotional, devotional activities, the researchers could pinpoint blood-flow peaks and valleys unique to speaking in tongues.
Ms. Morgan, a co-author of the study, was also a research subject. She is a born-again Christian who says she considers the ability to speak in tongues a gift. “You’re aware of your surroundings,” she said. “You’re not really out of control. But you have no control over what’s happening. You’re just flowing. You’re in a realm of peace and comfort, and it’s a fantastic feeling.”
Contrary to what may be a common perception, studies suggest that people who speak in tongues rarely suffer from mental problems. A recent study of nearly 1,000 evangelical Christians in England found that those who engaged in the practice were more emotionally stable than those who did not. Researchers have identified at least two forms of the practice, one ecstatic and frenzied, the other subdued and nearly silent.
The new findings contrasted sharply with images taken of other spiritually inspired mental states like meditation, which is often a highly focused mental exercise, activating the frontal lobes.
The scans also showed a dip in the activity of a region called the left caudate. “The findings from the frontal lobes are very clear, and make sense, but the caudate is usually active when you have positive affect, pleasure, positive emotions,” said Dr. James A. Coan, a psychologist at the University of Virginia. “So it’s not so clear what that finding says” about speaking in tongues.
The caudate area is also involved in motor and emotional control, Dr. Newberg said, so it may be that practitioners, while mindful of their circumstances, nonetheless cede some control over their bodies and emotions.
1455.
U2's Brissy gig playlist. From U2.com. Can somebody say phwoar pls? Like phwoar ar ar ar phwoar.
07.11.2006
City of Blinding Lights
Vertigo
Elevation
Until The End of the World
New Year's Day
Beautiful Day
Yahweh
Walk On
Sometimes
Love and Peace
Sunday Bloody Sunday
Bullet The Blue Sky
Miss Sarajevo
Pride (In The Name of Love)
Where The Streets Have No Name
One
Zoo Station
The Fly
With or Without You
The Saints Are Coming
Angel of Harlem
Kite
U2's Brissy gig playlist. From U2.com. Can somebody say phwoar pls? Like phwoar ar ar ar phwoar.
07.11.2006
City of Blinding Lights
Vertigo
Elevation
Until The End of the World
New Year's Day
Beautiful Day
Yahweh
Walk On
Sometimes
Love and Peace
Sunday Bloody Sunday
Bullet The Blue Sky
Miss Sarajevo
Pride (In The Name of Love)
Where The Streets Have No Name
One
Zoo Station
The Fly
With or Without You
The Saints Are Coming
Angel of Harlem
Kite
Tuesday, November 07, 2006
11:02.
The Saints Are Coming, U2 and Green Day
I ain't a big fan of Green Day. Since ever, they have been more of a 90s band etched in my memories and nostagia for good tracks like Time Of Your Life, Basketcase and When I Come Around and then recently, I quite like Boulevard of Broken Dreams. But yeah, I think they are pretty good and heaps better than the younger bands like Sum 41 types.
But I pretty like the way this track works out, even though I do think Bono's voice overshadowed Billie Joe Armstrong's. In the opening, when it was just the latter, that sounded pretty good - emo, good strong voice but when Bono kicked in, oopsie, right... it's like comparing Aragon with Legolas.
Any way, enjoy :)
Oooh, and this is random but this is what I sent to Ray to send to his brother, who's gg for the U2 gig and is besieged with requests (mine included) for merchandise. hah.
The Saints Are Coming, U2 and Green Day
I ain't a big fan of Green Day. Since ever, they have been more of a 90s band etched in my memories and nostagia for good tracks like Time Of Your Life, Basketcase and When I Come Around and then recently, I quite like Boulevard of Broken Dreams. But yeah, I think they are pretty good and heaps better than the younger bands like Sum 41 types.
But I pretty like the way this track works out, even though I do think Bono's voice overshadowed Billie Joe Armstrong's. In the opening, when it was just the latter, that sounded pretty good - emo, good strong voice but when Bono kicked in, oopsie, right... it's like comparing Aragon with Legolas.
Any way, enjoy :)
Oooh, and this is random but this is what I sent to Ray to send to his brother, who's gg for the U2 gig and is besieged with requests (mine included) for merchandise. hah.
10:58.
Living Beyond The Consensus
Romans 12:2 'Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is-- his good, pleasing and perfect will.'
God's vision for our lives is always sparked by a call and fuelled by a promise. Many Christians are simply taking their cues from the group around them, acting according to the group's expectation. But when God calls us, he always calls us out of something and into something else. God has selected you for special task. To fulfil that task you will definitely need all kinds of good people around you. None of us can fulfil God's call in isolation. But you need to make sure that you weigh up your actions and decisions putting God's calling above your social conditioning. That way, you can prove the will of God in your actions.
Prayer: 'Lord, help me today to live out your will. Help me to surround myself with the right kinds of friends – especially my close friends – because I need people around me who will encourage me in my call.'
Living Beyond The Consensus
Romans 12:2 'Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is-- his good, pleasing and perfect will.'
God's vision for our lives is always sparked by a call and fuelled by a promise. Many Christians are simply taking their cues from the group around them, acting according to the group's expectation. But when God calls us, he always calls us out of something and into something else. God has selected you for special task. To fulfil that task you will definitely need all kinds of good people around you. None of us can fulfil God's call in isolation. But you need to make sure that you weigh up your actions and decisions putting God's calling above your social conditioning. That way, you can prove the will of God in your actions.
Prayer: 'Lord, help me today to live out your will. Help me to surround myself with the right kinds of friends – especially my close friends – because I need people around me who will encourage me in my call.'
Friday, November 03, 2006
Ray's bro is gg for the gig. My boss is off to Sydney on Sun and would be there for the 3 Sydney shows, not tt he wld go, I reckon. Man, 15 days to the gig I most want to catch ever by the only living band I actually love. Whew... still, I'm glad thousands of folks this side of the hemisphere would be able to experience U2 live. As for me? Dear God, You are fixing up my intw with U2 now, ain't You? *grin* Hv fun if u r gg.
10:35.
On Monday, I read my landlord's reply to my email abt the malfunctioning heater.
"It's really hard to say, but I have to inform you. I woould like to let you know that I am no longer could sustain my home loan re payment to the bank. I have no other choice but to let go for an auction." (All in sic)
On Monday evening, after moping some on R a y's shoulder, I took out a scone recipe and worked the flour, butter, milk, sultanas then threw the dough onto a clean surface and kneaded and pressed, pulled and coaxed with my right hand.
Very relaxing.
On Tuesday, I got a call from the property agent who got me this apt (original lease till May) and she said she has a prospective bumi buyer who wants to see the apt on Sat morning. If the sale goes through, then I prob won't need to move out by Dec-end/ early-Jan but somewhere nearer to the original plan.
On Wednesday evening, I took the remaining scones and tore them up, then with milk, butter, cinnamon and two eggs, turned them into bread pudding.
I think I like the process of baking more than the products sometimes.
I've been emailing some property agents and surfing ard for housing. I reckon the ideal solution is to... buy a place. But yeah, that's pretty hard even though renting means 11k/annum gg up in smoke with nothing to show. Next best solution, and what I'm looking out for is a studio apt that would be cheaper and more sensible than my current 2+1. Rental won't be much cheaper, it seems, up to RM200 max lesser than now. But that would still do my finances better.
Whew.
It's all going to be okay. Which is something gargantuan.
Download this song from Lifehouse, I was shouting along to it last weekend :)
"How can I stand here with You and not be moved by You?
Would You tell me how could it be any better than this?
'cause You are all I want
all I need
You are everything, everything
'cause You are all I want
all I need
You are everything, everything"
Thank God for CG tonight, weekend tomorrow, and the possibility of an abundant life.
On Monday, I read my landlord's reply to my email abt the malfunctioning heater.
"It's really hard to say, but I have to inform you. I woould like to let you know that I am no longer could sustain my home loan re payment to the bank. I have no other choice but to let go for an auction." (All in sic)
On Monday evening, after moping some on R a y's shoulder, I took out a scone recipe and worked the flour, butter, milk, sultanas then threw the dough onto a clean surface and kneaded and pressed, pulled and coaxed with my right hand.
Very relaxing.
On Tuesday, I got a call from the property agent who got me this apt (original lease till May) and she said she has a prospective bumi buyer who wants to see the apt on Sat morning. If the sale goes through, then I prob won't need to move out by Dec-end/ early-Jan but somewhere nearer to the original plan.
On Wednesday evening, I took the remaining scones and tore them up, then with milk, butter, cinnamon and two eggs, turned them into bread pudding.
I think I like the process of baking more than the products sometimes.
I've been emailing some property agents and surfing ard for housing. I reckon the ideal solution is to... buy a place. But yeah, that's pretty hard even though renting means 11k/annum gg up in smoke with nothing to show. Next best solution, and what I'm looking out for is a studio apt that would be cheaper and more sensible than my current 2+1. Rental won't be much cheaper, it seems, up to RM200 max lesser than now. But that would still do my finances better.
Whew.
It's all going to be okay. Which is something gargantuan.
Download this song from Lifehouse, I was shouting along to it last weekend :)
"How can I stand here with You and not be moved by You?
Would You tell me how could it be any better than this?
'cause You are all I want
all I need
You are everything, everything
'cause You are all I want
all I need
You are everything, everything"
Thank God for CG tonight, weekend tomorrow, and the possibility of an abundant life.
Thursday, November 02, 2006
Monday, October 30, 2006
16:29.
Was leading bible study last Fri at cell group. Didn't realise how long it has been but then I realised that it was probably almost two years now since I last cell led.
It went well. Very well. Thank God. I was coherent, stringed new ideas together and juggled my laid out sequence without fright and at God's leading. I really enjoyed it. And it seemed like the Word was received on some level at least. The rest - I will pray about and have faith that the Word never returns void.
Sunday, r a y and me were "anchors" for the cell group at the 11am service, where cell groups had to dress in similar colours and sit at designated areas. After service, the cg went for a good indian lunch at K a n n a Curry House, one of those places that rocks one's culinary socks.
It's a good life but a strange, wondrous, unusual world where all at once, you feel shriveled up from inaction, then calmly contented at rountine and then something happens and the carpet gets pulled from under.
Hm.
It's a strange, wondrous world.
When I stop and think, I quietly marvel at how opportunities to serve just open up. I stop and miss some people, places and lifestyles. And I get bored from inaction, contented with rountine and fanciful of moving to somewhere new somehow.
Then, I look up.
And I become still. He knows. And that's good 'nuff, good 'nuff for me.
Was leading bible study last Fri at cell group. Didn't realise how long it has been but then I realised that it was probably almost two years now since I last cell led.
It went well. Very well. Thank God. I was coherent, stringed new ideas together and juggled my laid out sequence without fright and at God's leading. I really enjoyed it. And it seemed like the Word was received on some level at least. The rest - I will pray about and have faith that the Word never returns void.
Sunday, r a y and me were "anchors" for the cell group at the 11am service, where cell groups had to dress in similar colours and sit at designated areas. After service, the cg went for a good indian lunch at K a n n a Curry House, one of those places that rocks one's culinary socks.
It's a good life but a strange, wondrous, unusual world where all at once, you feel shriveled up from inaction, then calmly contented at rountine and then something happens and the carpet gets pulled from under.
Hm.
It's a strange, wondrous world.
When I stop and think, I quietly marvel at how opportunities to serve just open up. I stop and miss some people, places and lifestyles. And I get bored from inaction, contented with rountine and fanciful of moving to somewhere new somehow.
Then, I look up.
And I become still. He knows. And that's good 'nuff, good 'nuff for me.
Thursday, October 26, 2006
17:25.
It's a raining day in PJ now, half an hour till knock off.
Came back to work today and am trying to shake off some restlessness. The wireless ain't working well which ruffled me more than it usually does. I guess I merrily got used to unlimited broadband wireless at home.
Waking up early wasn't hard, thank God, it's just the structured office hours that make me restless, I guess, plus the fact that I don't have much to do at the moment. Thought of and taken to doing up a Christmas pamplet/ e-pamplet thingie so some of our resources may find their way as Christmas gifts.
The train ride back on Tues wasn't half bad. In fact, most times, it wasn't obtrusively offensive in even mild manners. Germie and James were God-sent lifesavers to help take a box of books up to KL. Joyce's and her zippy convertible were equally appreciated for dinner at East Coast and late night jaunt at PS Cafe. Friends are good :) and God is good.
Ray's a sweetheart for going down to take the train up with me. I think 7 and a half hours wld have me scowling in my seat and roaring fire out of restlessness. That's something I realised with me over the last two years - I like travelling but I don't really enjoy the process of getting them too much. Or at least, I guess 7 hours on a plane or 5 hours on a coach felt/ feel often 'nuff to be common so I got impatient. Maybe.
I had an idea for a script on the train ride. I saw the movie opening in my head and heard the narrator's intonations. I think I should have more discipline and do my fancies, fancies like writing scripts and hoping and dreaming they can get shot and famous; and writing novels, be still my beating heart.
Oh, thanks to Ray for allowing me to hijack Life Of Pi while on the train. It helped me get through a good few hours. I unorthodoxically started early midway the book and finished it off last night, promptly falling to sleep of dreams which mish mashed the stuff on my mind the last few days - A ahem, Korean drama I got hooked to in impossibly short a time; Life Of Pi and thoughts about bible study tomorrow, which I'm leading and not prepared 'nuff yet.
Kind of gives an indication - the mental stew of melting pot.
I'm finding more peace and seeing the indistinction between what we had termed secular and spiritual. I'm finding more undeniable the way I'm wired and embracing the dichotomies in fearfully and wonderfully made fashion. And I'm seeing how God works through more than I practically understood and I'm amazed and making sense of this wonder.
What's next next year? Dear God, tell me. I have no real concrete idea but I find myself looking.
It's a raining day in PJ now, half an hour till knock off.
Came back to work today and am trying to shake off some restlessness. The wireless ain't working well which ruffled me more than it usually does. I guess I merrily got used to unlimited broadband wireless at home.
Waking up early wasn't hard, thank God, it's just the structured office hours that make me restless, I guess, plus the fact that I don't have much to do at the moment. Thought of and taken to doing up a Christmas pamplet/ e-pamplet thingie so some of our resources may find their way as Christmas gifts.
The train ride back on Tues wasn't half bad. In fact, most times, it wasn't obtrusively offensive in even mild manners. Germie and James were God-sent lifesavers to help take a box of books up to KL. Joyce's and her zippy convertible were equally appreciated for dinner at East Coast and late night jaunt at PS Cafe. Friends are good :) and God is good.
Ray's a sweetheart for going down to take the train up with me. I think 7 and a half hours wld have me scowling in my seat and roaring fire out of restlessness. That's something I realised with me over the last two years - I like travelling but I don't really enjoy the process of getting them too much. Or at least, I guess 7 hours on a plane or 5 hours on a coach felt/ feel often 'nuff to be common so I got impatient. Maybe.
I had an idea for a script on the train ride. I saw the movie opening in my head and heard the narrator's intonations. I think I should have more discipline and do my fancies, fancies like writing scripts and hoping and dreaming they can get shot and famous; and writing novels, be still my beating heart.
Oh, thanks to Ray for allowing me to hijack Life Of Pi while on the train. It helped me get through a good few hours. I unorthodoxically started early midway the book and finished it off last night, promptly falling to sleep of dreams which mish mashed the stuff on my mind the last few days - A ahem, Korean drama I got hooked to in impossibly short a time; Life Of Pi and thoughts about bible study tomorrow, which I'm leading and not prepared 'nuff yet.
Kind of gives an indication - the mental stew of melting pot.
I'm finding more peace and seeing the indistinction between what we had termed secular and spiritual. I'm finding more undeniable the way I'm wired and embracing the dichotomies in fearfully and wonderfully made fashion. And I'm seeing how God works through more than I practically understood and I'm amazed and making sense of this wonder.
What's next next year? Dear God, tell me. I have no real concrete idea but I find myself looking.
Saturday, October 21, 2006
Thursday, October 19, 2006
17:34.
It has been half a year now since this full-time gig got started.
Whew....
God has provided, God has guided and God has protected and blessed.
The ride has not been without my insecurities, pinches of boredom and my ego acting up. I'm learning to face the stuff in me that needs to be faced till we have faces.
Sometimes, at work, I get annoyed by what I'm too quick to term unprofessionalism or inefficency. Then, I remind myself that of all the contexts, being a full-time worker in para church organisations should come with patience, love and not the quick judgement.
But then, I reasoned and do believe, the house of God should be run most well, shouldn't it? Not that type of mechanical efficency that rather walk pass hurt passer-bys, no, God forbid, no. But shouldn't this house where we serve God at more overt a profession and organisation, and longer hours of well, work... be filled with excellence and work well done 'cause there is no One else more worthy to have good work done for and towards?
Yeah, I do think so.
So as I learn not to judge swiftly (learning that it is unpleasant to be the receiving end of snap judgements 'cause of my youth or appearance), I learn to be patient and has just recently learnt to tell co-workers firmly that certain work processes could be done another way for more efficiency.
I feel a bit like the way editing Tribune did, just a bit.
I learn humility when I acknowledge I have no right to judge my brothers and sisters like that (this does not include "sound judgement", which is biblical). And God shows me very clearly that I'm no better or higher.
My own boredom and inclination to swing to the other end of fast efficiency is like a thorn in the flesh, reminding me I do hv no right to be judge and arbitrator and also bothering me. I get bothered about my (lack of) character and of how far off I seem from who I want to be and how scary it might be that maybe I'm a lot lesser than what I used to think.
Lotsa thoughts. Lotsa thoughts.
And at the end of the day, I know that it is when I look to Him and not me that I escape the miry clay of me-dom. And I know a little deeper what grace and mercy mean to the wretched. And I try to rem that my identity and my dreams are hidden in Him alone, no matter comes what may.
And in the midst of the mist, the dream's a little sharper and I dream: I dream of a church where people are more alive than this, where people are drawn to give and connect to the Giver, not in monetary but in life - to give and see the miracle of receiving when your hands are wide open. I dream of a church where we won't serve God feebly or hide behind our walls, of people who are comfortable outside or in our walls, who know this world is not their home, not even the local church can pass as Home. I dream of a church where passionate are the people, and that passion translates into action. Efficient in processes, big in heart, demanding of self for improvement and yet restful in Salvation.
Oh Lord, Lord, Lord, Lord, Lord, won't You keep this dream and make it big?
Jesus. My life is in You.
It has been half a year now since this full-time gig got started.
Whew....
God has provided, God has guided and God has protected and blessed.
The ride has not been without my insecurities, pinches of boredom and my ego acting up. I'm learning to face the stuff in me that needs to be faced till we have faces.
Sometimes, at work, I get annoyed by what I'm too quick to term unprofessionalism or inefficency. Then, I remind myself that of all the contexts, being a full-time worker in para church organisations should come with patience, love and not the quick judgement.
But then, I reasoned and do believe, the house of God should be run most well, shouldn't it? Not that type of mechanical efficency that rather walk pass hurt passer-bys, no, God forbid, no. But shouldn't this house where we serve God at more overt a profession and organisation, and longer hours of well, work... be filled with excellence and work well done 'cause there is no One else more worthy to have good work done for and towards?
Yeah, I do think so.
So as I learn not to judge swiftly (learning that it is unpleasant to be the receiving end of snap judgements 'cause of my youth or appearance), I learn to be patient and has just recently learnt to tell co-workers firmly that certain work processes could be done another way for more efficiency.
I feel a bit like the way editing Tribune did, just a bit.
I learn humility when I acknowledge I have no right to judge my brothers and sisters like that (this does not include "sound judgement", which is biblical). And God shows me very clearly that I'm no better or higher.
My own boredom and inclination to swing to the other end of fast efficiency is like a thorn in the flesh, reminding me I do hv no right to be judge and arbitrator and also bothering me. I get bothered about my (lack of) character and of how far off I seem from who I want to be and how scary it might be that maybe I'm a lot lesser than what I used to think.
Lotsa thoughts. Lotsa thoughts.
And at the end of the day, I know that it is when I look to Him and not me that I escape the miry clay of me-dom. And I know a little deeper what grace and mercy mean to the wretched. And I try to rem that my identity and my dreams are hidden in Him alone, no matter comes what may.
And in the midst of the mist, the dream's a little sharper and I dream: I dream of a church where people are more alive than this, where people are drawn to give and connect to the Giver, not in monetary but in life - to give and see the miracle of receiving when your hands are wide open. I dream of a church where we won't serve God feebly or hide behind our walls, of people who are comfortable outside or in our walls, who know this world is not their home, not even the local church can pass as Home. I dream of a church where passionate are the people, and that passion translates into action. Efficient in processes, big in heart, demanding of self for improvement and yet restful in Salvation.
Oh Lord, Lord, Lord, Lord, Lord, won't You keep this dream and make it big?
Jesus. My life is in You.
Wednesday, October 18, 2006
"Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen" - KJV
"Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see" - NIV
"Faith is the confidence that what we hope for will actually happen; it gives us assurance about things we cannot see" - NLT
"Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen" - NASB
"The fundamental fact of existence is that this trust in God, this faith, is the firm foundation under everything that makes life worth living. It's our handle on what we can't see" - The Message
"Now Faith is the assurance (the confirmation, the title deed) of the things [we] hope for, being the proof of things [we] do not see and the conviction of their reality [faith perceiving as real fact what is not revealed to the senses]" - Amplified Bible
"Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see" - NIV
"Faith is the confidence that what we hope for will actually happen; it gives us assurance about things we cannot see" - NLT
"Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen" - NASB
"The fundamental fact of existence is that this trust in God, this faith, is the firm foundation under everything that makes life worth living. It's our handle on what we can't see" - The Message
"Now Faith is the assurance (the confirmation, the title deed) of the things [we] hope for, being the proof of things [we] do not see and the conviction of their reality [faith perceiving as real fact what is not revealed to the senses]" - Amplified Bible
Tuesday, October 17, 2006
14:07.
Psalm 139.
Sometimes, I feel misunderstood. Do you? Sometimes, I feel like I don't understand myself and that people don't really understand me. Have you? Then I read this psalm and I'm blown into orbit 'cause God knows me. He totally understands me. He gets what I'm about who I am and He can never ever misunderstand me or be a stranger - 'cause He comprehends me.
How can we not praise Him?
Nothing is beyond Him.
Psalm 139.
"O LORD, you have searched me and you know me.
You know when I sit and when I rise;
You perceive my thoughts from afar.
You discern my going out and my lying down;
You are familiar with all my ways.
Before a word is on my tongue,
You know it completely, O LORD.
You hem me in—behind and before;
You have laid your hand upon me." (verse 1-5)
Sometimes, I feel misunderstood. Do you? Sometimes, I feel like I don't understand myself and that people don't really understand me. Have you? Then I read this psalm and I'm blown into orbit 'cause God knows me. He totally understands me. He gets what I'm about who I am and He can never ever misunderstand me or be a stranger - 'cause He comprehends me.
"Where can I go from your Spirit?And I'm never alone, no matter where I choose to go or what my circumstances are. What I see as darkness, when I lay down and die and choose the blanket of despair, such does not damp His light or companionship. Darkness is as light to Him - He can do all things and change all things around for good.
Where can I flee from your presence?
If I go up to the heavens, You are there;
if I make my bed in the depths, You are there.
If I rise on the wings of the dawn,
if I settle on the far side of the sea,
even there your hand will guide me,
your right hand will hold me fast.
If I say, 'Surely the darkness will hide me and the light become night around me,'
even the darkness will not be dark to you;
the night will shine like the day, for darkness is as light to you." - (verse 7-14)
How can we not praise Him?
Nothing is beyond Him.
Thursday, October 12, 2006
I WILL FOLLOW AFTER YOU
FOR YOU ARE MY DESIRE
OH JESUS
MY HEART BELONGS TO YOU
I sing loudly because I need it, not because God does.
I cry and scream 'cause my soul and heart needs to, not because it's certain Christian subculture, but because I want and need to expel the negativity sometimes inside.
I need You.
It seems to take quite a bit to stay focused at times. I don't write that much 'cause it's hard to get things precise. And staying focused on a specific topic in writing, casting spotlight on it solely seems sometimes to undercut the big picture and other emotions and consensus which do balance the emotional swing out.
It seems like so long ago and yet not really - I still want a lot of things and help, it does seem that I don't really know what I want either; the struggle shouts pretty hefty. I know my ultimate want - You. I know I still have that child seeking for purpose in me, crazy strung 'cause of the mundane. But, but age has taught me complexity that kid didn't have. I've learnt to see You in the mundane and I've learnt to find pleasure in the work of my hands and the things my gain can buy. And I'm willing to stake my all on Your Faithfulness, but aware that I'm the wild card in the equation.
Dear God, You know what I'm seeing and feeling. You know all these in sharper clarity than myself. I hide myself in You. I rest in the shadow of the Almighty. Dad, help me see the way You do, help me be more like You.
I'm not giving up. So help me, Lord. Give me greater clarity, mould me to be a better person and help me live for You more than any thing or any one. I still sit on the altar, can I rise from the ashes soon?
I rest in Your goodness, Your unfailing love. You are my surety. I love You, Lord.
FOR YOU ARE MY DESIRE
OH JESUS
MY HEART BELONGS TO YOU
I sing loudly because I need it, not because God does.
I cry and scream 'cause my soul and heart needs to, not because it's certain Christian subculture, but because I want and need to expel the negativity sometimes inside.
I need You.
It seems to take quite a bit to stay focused at times. I don't write that much 'cause it's hard to get things precise. And staying focused on a specific topic in writing, casting spotlight on it solely seems sometimes to undercut the big picture and other emotions and consensus which do balance the emotional swing out.
It seems like so long ago and yet not really - I still want a lot of things and help, it does seem that I don't really know what I want either; the struggle shouts pretty hefty. I know my ultimate want - You. I know I still have that child seeking for purpose in me, crazy strung 'cause of the mundane. But, but age has taught me complexity that kid didn't have. I've learnt to see You in the mundane and I've learnt to find pleasure in the work of my hands and the things my gain can buy. And I'm willing to stake my all on Your Faithfulness, but aware that I'm the wild card in the equation.
Dear God, You know what I'm seeing and feeling. You know all these in sharper clarity than myself. I hide myself in You. I rest in the shadow of the Almighty. Dad, help me see the way You do, help me be more like You.
I'm not giving up. So help me, Lord. Give me greater clarity, mould me to be a better person and help me live for You more than any thing or any one. I still sit on the altar, can I rise from the ashes soon?
I rest in Your goodness, Your unfailing love. You are my surety. I love You, Lord.
Thursday, October 05, 2006
It really isn't a major deal but I do wish I can watch U2 in concert. If this was a year back, and I was still at the paper and R a y was still in Melb, I could had flown out for the gig. But I can't now, moolah deficit being a main cause. So well... *shrugs*
To interview U2 is a dream I had and have, despite being out of the journalism circle now. Maybe, God willing, You would give me the chance to one day.
Thank you, Jesus. Amen.
Wednesday, October 04, 2006
17:44.
add ons to the post of when the lights went out:
In the shower last night: Hey, didn't Sg had a island black out or something somewhere in 2004 when I was in Melb?
Rem being just slightly bummed that I wasn't there to experience it.
And talking about Melb, it popped to my mind the many times we had to call our net provider only to find the cables are down every where or something like that.
So... yeah, very interesting.
add ons to the post of when the lights went out:
In the shower last night: Hey, didn't Sg had a island black out or something somewhere in 2004 when I was in Melb?
Rem being just slightly bummed that I wasn't there to experience it.
And talking about Melb, it popped to my mind the many times we had to call our net provider only to find the cables are down every where or something like that.
So... yeah, very interesting.
13:57.
LOL! More on Men Don't Care About Weddings? Groomzila is Hurt here.
"And suddenly I would be back at the computer, birthing tumescent phrases like: “Under the Setting Sun, Tara and Craig Will at Last Be Wed.” I spent days choosing the right tone for the program (I settled on “lovingly irreverent”) and the right adjective for “special” in the invitation (I went with “singular”).
I agonized over whether to quote “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” or “Romeo and Juliet” on the response card — and then I agonized over whether to use a semicolon or a comma in said quote, because frankly, many Shakespeare authorities disagree on that. I hadn’t asked for the job, but now that it was mine, I was determined to write pure wedding poetry.
Tara and I settled into a pattern. I would tease out a brilliant idea and she would come home and veto it, which would only feed my blooming hysteria.
TRUE, she often had a point. For instance, maybe it was tacky to format the invitation like a movie poster and write that our wedding was produced by God Almighty."
LOL! More on Men Don't Care About Weddings? Groomzila is Hurt here.
Tuesday, October 03, 2006
17:31.
Yesterday, the lights went off in apparently half the town, my office included.
Thankfully, my condo - on the other side of this small town - was unaffected. But golly gee, what an experience! As Ray and I walked home at about 450pm in the bright evening sun, we saw office folks waiting around outside their office and cafe staff looking quite lost as to what to do.
We walked home, noting the invisible line in the middle of the town which divided the lighted and non and also the scenes of entire normalcy versus the white-collared in limbo. And after getting back to the condo, decided to go to the car park and get the car to go to The Curve instead of going home.
All's good today though and I didn't object to going home earlier but I wanted to chronicle this 'cause man, how unreal is it that a whole half of a developed, nice, rather poshy even town (it is a small and new estate though, remember) gets a black out?
I was quite in awe and amused. So, here. Heh.
Yesterday, the lights went off in apparently half the town, my office included.
Thankfully, my condo - on the other side of this small town - was unaffected. But golly gee, what an experience! As Ray and I walked home at about 450pm in the bright evening sun, we saw office folks waiting around outside their office and cafe staff looking quite lost as to what to do.
We walked home, noting the invisible line in the middle of the town which divided the lighted and non and also the scenes of entire normalcy versus the white-collared in limbo. And after getting back to the condo, decided to go to the car park and get the car to go to The Curve instead of going home.
All's good today though and I didn't object to going home earlier but I wanted to chronicle this 'cause man, how unreal is it that a whole half of a developed, nice, rather poshy even town (it is a small and new estate though, remember) gets a black out?
I was quite in awe and amused. So, here. Heh.
Monday, October 02, 2006
Thursday, September 28, 2006
Tuesday, September 26, 2006
Monday, September 25, 2006
Friday, September 22, 2006
Psalm September 20
Lord I’m so restless
Like a child obsessed about a toy
’cept the toy has long been lost
and I’m not too sure why I yearn or what
And like a Father (You are) You sing over me
And like my father (You are) You watch over me
Like my Father (You are) You dance around me
Like my Abba, You stay by me
Oh Lord I’m so blind some times I can’t see
Like a man whose sight has never been
And I run and crawl and hurt myself
But I’m not always sure why my flight
Yet like a Father (You are) You sing over me
And like my father (You are) You watch over me
Like my Father (You are) You dance over me
Like my Abba, You stay and stand by me
Jesus help me in my disbelief
When in miry clay I rather sit
Jesus help me in my unclearness
I ask too much and forget why
Then I ask why that and hurt myself more
And I try to do it on my own but my own ain’t ‘nuff to lean on
Jesus help me see and hear Your sweetest gaze
Your warmest touch, Your break of day
Jesus help me anew know Your loving Grace
Your mighty Name, Your all-knowing embrace
Jesus help me bow to Your sovereignty
’cause in constant clarity I do know You are
And in awareness always I know my price
What You paid for me, to wipe out sin
The meaning I seek is in You, my everything
So help these blind eyes see
deaf ears hear, broken, numb heart beat again
To trust, to love, to hold humility
Help these feet walk in Your steps
Holy Spirit, won’t You flood over me
Make me Your vessel of pow’r and peace
May hardship never break my spirit
May praise unto You always come from me
Holy, Holy Lord God Almighty
Dearest Lord, You are everything
He who was and is and is to come
My God is big, big enough for me
And so I sing and dance and rest
My Father He sings over me
9/20/2006 9:28 PM
Lord I’m so restless
Like a child obsessed about a toy
’cept the toy has long been lost
and I’m not too sure why I yearn or what
And like a Father (You are) You sing over me
And like my father (You are) You watch over me
Like my Father (You are) You dance around me
Like my Abba, You stay by me
Oh Lord I’m so blind some times I can’t see
Like a man whose sight has never been
And I run and crawl and hurt myself
But I’m not always sure why my flight
Yet like a Father (You are) You sing over me
And like my father (You are) You watch over me
Like my Father (You are) You dance over me
Like my Abba, You stay and stand by me
Jesus help me in my disbelief
When in miry clay I rather sit
Jesus help me in my unclearness
I ask too much and forget why
Then I ask why that and hurt myself more
And I try to do it on my own but my own ain’t ‘nuff to lean on
Jesus help me see and hear Your sweetest gaze
Your warmest touch, Your break of day
Jesus help me anew know Your loving Grace
Your mighty Name, Your all-knowing embrace
Jesus help me bow to Your sovereignty
’cause in constant clarity I do know You are
And in awareness always I know my price
What You paid for me, to wipe out sin
The meaning I seek is in You, my everything
So help these blind eyes see
deaf ears hear, broken, numb heart beat again
To trust, to love, to hold humility
Help these feet walk in Your steps
Holy Spirit, won’t You flood over me
Make me Your vessel of pow’r and peace
May hardship never break my spirit
May praise unto You always come from me
Holy, Holy Lord God Almighty
Dearest Lord, You are everything
He who was and is and is to come
My God is big, big enough for me
And so I sing and dance and rest
My Father He sings over me
9/20/2006 9:28 PM
Thursday, September 21, 2006
Bimbo post time! :D
Saw this dress on ebay and I reallyyy like it. Darn if the postage is not more expensive than the item itself. And darn if two bids didn't happily pop up after I spotted it yest and emailed the owner to check some sizing stuff.
I never bought stuff ever on ebay but I'm really tempted to go for this. If I just up the bid by half a pound, postage plus product will alrdy cost SGD40 which I'm very tempted to say is an extremely reasonable price for a Laura Lees.
Still... *goes back to checking for bids updates*
And more on Lauren Lees here.
:D
Laura Lees for Topshop. Topshop back home never stocked the special series by various designers, I think. I'm not a butterfly person at all but I think tt butterfly motif is forgivable.
copyright/ amadeo
close-up! a bit of kitsch but it does do a number on the sweet white dress feel.
copyright/ amadeo
Saw this dress on ebay and I reallyyy like it. Darn if the postage is not more expensive than the item itself. And darn if two bids didn't happily pop up after I spotted it yest and emailed the owner to check some sizing stuff.
I never bought stuff ever on ebay but I'm really tempted to go for this. If I just up the bid by half a pound, postage plus product will alrdy cost SGD40 which I'm very tempted to say is an extremely reasonable price for a Laura Lees.
Still... *goes back to checking for bids updates*
And more on Lauren Lees here.
:D
Laura Lees for Topshop. Topshop back home never stocked the special series by various designers, I think. I'm not a butterfly person at all but I think tt butterfly motif is forgivable.
copyright/ amadeo
close-up! a bit of kitsch but it does do a number on the sweet white dress feel.
copyright/ amadeo
Wednesday, September 20, 2006
Tuesday, September 12, 2006
10:26.
In about six hours, I should be on a green coach en route back to Msia again.
You know, for all the practice over the last two plus years, I think I'm still not that awesome at splitting that part of my heart labelled Home between more than one place.
I can smell the Sg heartlandness in the air... nostagia while I'm still here, hm, but I'm looking forward to getting back to PJ. There's work to do, a calling to live out and R a y. Whew, if I've not been convicted of this specific call to Msia for now, I won't be doing this.
And yet, like my aunt and my convo last night, things are really simple if we allow ourselves to see past ourselves. He called, we go. We loves because He first loves us. He created us for something bigger which cries murder when we try to stifle it with a path we think best. There must be more than this. Only believe and obey. God never shortchanges any one.
And everything that has been will again be. There is nothing new under the sun. What's new is what you receive personally as you do life His way.My life is not my own, I've been bought with a price.
I'm trusting You.
And to every one else, God bless :)
In about six hours, I should be on a green coach en route back to Msia again.
You know, for all the practice over the last two plus years, I think I'm still not that awesome at splitting that part of my heart labelled Home between more than one place.
I can smell the Sg heartlandness in the air... nostagia while I'm still here, hm, but I'm looking forward to getting back to PJ. There's work to do, a calling to live out and R a y. Whew, if I've not been convicted of this specific call to Msia for now, I won't be doing this.
And yet, like my aunt and my convo last night, things are really simple if we allow ourselves to see past ourselves. He called, we go. We loves because He first loves us. He created us for something bigger which cries murder when we try to stifle it with a path we think best. There must be more than this. Only believe and obey. God never shortchanges any one.
And everything that has been will again be. There is nothing new under the sun. What's new is what you receive personally as you do life His way.My life is not my own, I've been bought with a price.
I'm trusting You.
And to every one else, God bless :)
Saturday, September 09, 2006
3:28pm. 6/12/04. Great Ocean Road.
If all creation abides in Your Arms
Roaring fury and gentle sighs
If every endless horizon of sea and sky
melted and blended in blue grey light
Could not even hold You
And rain and sky changes at Your Will
as doe and sparrow feeds on daily bread
Then what for do I worry?
What for do I cry?
In Your presence it's all together and right
A sigh, a wow and a smile
I stand amazed.
My fury's in Your Hands.
If all creation abides in Your Arms
Roaring fury and gentle sighs
If every endless horizon of sea and sky
melted and blended in blue grey light
Could not even hold You
And rain and sky changes at Your Will
as doe and sparrow feeds on daily bread
Then what for do I worry?
What for do I cry?
In Your presence it's all together and right
A sigh, a wow and a smile
I stand amazed.
My fury's in Your Hands.
Friday, September 08, 2006
11:30.
I am thankful for the sound of chirping birds and kiddy voices from downstairs' kindergartens.
I am thankful for 25 years of life and going.
I am thankful for Hong Dao Primary, Mayflower Secondary, Ngee A n n Polytechnic and RMIT City Campus, Melb.
I am thankful for His Sanctuary, for Ps Daniel and Pauline, for Ps Joshua and Evelyn, for the band who graciously allowed me in when I was 16.
I am thankful for Blk 637, Ang Mo Kio and how it was my playground till I was 17.
I am thankful for the skateboard I found opposite the block when I was 11.
I am thankful for Mom and Dad, the best parents ever in the flipping universe.
I am thankful for my elder bro, J o h n, who was my best childhood friend, who "made" me started reading Enid Blyton, who shares a world of comics and funny movies with me.
I am thankful for Ray, my dearest boyfriend and my best friend.
I am thankful for Blk 501, Woodlands.
I am thankful for my own place at Damansara Perdana.
I am thankful for 55/ 222 Victoria Street with its wonderful view of the streets, and thankful to Hannah for finding and setting it up and thankful to Hannah and Germie for being the best housemates possible.
I am thankful for COC swanston st, OCF Park ville, City Church Planetshakers, Urban Life.
I am thankful for the lives I have been able to lead at all these separate places and phrases of my life.
I am thankful for the newsroom - irreplaceable Tribune and T N P, and I'm thankful for the friends who transcended the mould of mere colleagues.
I am thankful for, don't laugh, my clothes and all fashion accessories and stuff.
I am thankful for my lovely soft bloster.
I am thankful for rain and nice weather. For food and things like bak song, for fruits and veggies and 'shrooms.
I am thankful that I have enough to put food on the table and live a comfortable lifestyle.
I am thankful that when I look back at everything, I know You and me are going somewhere, that though I'm not always sure how or by when, You do.
I am thankful that life does have meaning, that there are reasons to live and that Hope exists.
I am thankful that when I sing "help, I need somebody", I have Somebody. And He is BIG.
I am thankful for love, for Love.
I am thankful for the sense of smell, for sight and hearing and touch and taste. I am thankful that all my facilities are in order and working.
I am thankful for Singapore, for PJ, for Melb, for the world.
I am thankful for the appreciation of words, arts and pictures.
I am thankful for music, for its power and depth.
I am thankful for d u m c, for the cg we have settled in.
I am thankful that the younger ones at ocf all seems to be going on strong.
I am thankful.
Just thankful.
It's 1151 on a Friday morning, I sit here at my blue Ikea table with my table fan blowing at me, I look up and I can see the clear skies, not overly sunny, I can hear the kiddies at the kinders downstairs and I can hear some birds chirping away, my mom's at the living room doing her devotion and my God is everywhere.
I am thankful.
Thank You and thank you all.
I am thankful for the sound of chirping birds and kiddy voices from downstairs' kindergartens.
I am thankful for 25 years of life and going.
I am thankful for Hong Dao Primary, Mayflower Secondary, Ngee A n n Polytechnic and RMIT City Campus, Melb.
I am thankful for His Sanctuary, for Ps Daniel and Pauline, for Ps Joshua and Evelyn, for the band who graciously allowed me in when I was 16.
I am thankful for Blk 637, Ang Mo Kio and how it was my playground till I was 17.
I am thankful for the skateboard I found opposite the block when I was 11.
I am thankful for Mom and Dad, the best parents ever in the flipping universe.
I am thankful for my elder bro, J o h n, who was my best childhood friend, who "made" me started reading Enid Blyton, who shares a world of comics and funny movies with me.
I am thankful for Ray, my dearest boyfriend and my best friend.
I am thankful for Blk 501, Woodlands.
I am thankful for my own place at Damansara Perdana.
I am thankful for 55/ 222 Victoria Street with its wonderful view of the streets, and thankful to Hannah for finding and setting it up and thankful to Hannah and Germie for being the best housemates possible.
I am thankful for COC swanston st, OCF Park ville, City Church Planetshakers, Urban Life.
I am thankful for the lives I have been able to lead at all these separate places and phrases of my life.
I am thankful for the newsroom - irreplaceable Tribune and T N P, and I'm thankful for the friends who transcended the mould of mere colleagues.
I am thankful for, don't laugh, my clothes and all fashion accessories and stuff.
I am thankful for my lovely soft bloster.
I am thankful for rain and nice weather. For food and things like bak song, for fruits and veggies and 'shrooms.
I am thankful that I have enough to put food on the table and live a comfortable lifestyle.
I am thankful that when I look back at everything, I know You and me are going somewhere, that though I'm not always sure how or by when, You do.
I am thankful that life does have meaning, that there are reasons to live and that Hope exists.
I am thankful that when I sing "help, I need somebody", I have Somebody. And He is BIG.
I am thankful for love, for Love.
I am thankful for the sense of smell, for sight and hearing and touch and taste. I am thankful that all my facilities are in order and working.
I am thankful for Singapore, for PJ, for Melb, for the world.
I am thankful for the appreciation of words, arts and pictures.
I am thankful for music, for its power and depth.
I am thankful for d u m c, for the cg we have settled in.
I am thankful that the younger ones at ocf all seems to be going on strong.
I am thankful.
Just thankful.
It's 1151 on a Friday morning, I sit here at my blue Ikea table with my table fan blowing at me, I look up and I can see the clear skies, not overly sunny, I can hear the kiddies at the kinders downstairs and I can hear some birds chirping away, my mom's at the living room doing her devotion and my God is everywhere.
I am thankful.
Thank You and thank you all.
Thursday, September 07, 2006
15:34.
Quinessentially here.
The salty smell of dried tears on skin.
The I-really-don't-get-it but I know You do.
The pouring out of a soul laid bare.
Here with You.
I've said there's nothing else I won't do.
But days like these my soul's on fire
Saltwater the fuel, pain the screamer
But I'm here with You.
And You've said that's nothing else You won't do.
To see me run this race for You.
Your Word's the Rock, Grace the cheerleader
Mercy, mercy, Sweet Saviour
On this one buried under tears
Indignation, questions, economic fears
I'm wishing hellfire, brimstone on some peers
How I need Your Saving Grace, my Sire
New vision, new heart, no fears
Never to mistake hardness for strength
Never get more cynical yet be wise and clear
Lord Jesus, I never needed You more
And I never knew a time like this
And I don't want to let You down
Be thou my vision, Lord.
Be thou my all.
Quinessentially here.
The salty smell of dried tears on skin.
The I-really-don't-get-it but I know You do.
The pouring out of a soul laid bare.
Here with You.
I've said there's nothing else I won't do.
But days like these my soul's on fire
Saltwater the fuel, pain the screamer
But I'm here with You.
And You've said that's nothing else You won't do.
To see me run this race for You.
Your Word's the Rock, Grace the cheerleader
Mercy, mercy, Sweet Saviour
On this one buried under tears
Indignation, questions, economic fears
I'm wishing hellfire, brimstone on some peers
How I need Your Saving Grace, my Sire
New vision, new heart, no fears
Never to mistake hardness for strength
Never get more cynical yet be wise and clear
Lord Jesus, I never needed You more
And I never knew a time like this
And I don't want to let You down
Be thou my vision, Lord.
Be thou my all.
Friday, September 01, 2006
11:49.
R a y's leading worship at CG tonight and I'm playing keys/ piano for him ('cause the chords on guitars a bit harder lah...). Was surfing to find some info about transposing and capos and all that 'cause I'm trying to understand things better and I came across this gospel music site.
"Preaching chords" keep coming up and I was wondering what they are, guessing they are the chords you play if the preacher wants you to play while he preaches. Then lo and behold, I found the explaination here (cut below). It's gorgeous and priceless! Hehe. :D Love it! But no, I can't play that.
What Are Preaching Chords??
2006-08-25
R a y's leading worship at CG tonight and I'm playing keys/ piano for him ('cause the chords on guitars a bit harder lah...). Was surfing to find some info about transposing and capos and all that 'cause I'm trying to understand things better and I came across this gospel music site.
"Preaching chords" keep coming up and I was wondering what they are, guessing they are the chords you play if the preacher wants you to play while he preaches. Then lo and behold, I found the explaination here (cut below). It's gorgeous and priceless! Hehe. :D Love it! But no, I can't play that.
What Are Preaching Chords??
2006-08-25
| Preaching chords are a series of chords played when the preacher is really into his message. Usuallythe preacher is grunting at the end of his sentences, which let's the musician know to play a chord or run. This is usually found in most black churches, but not limited to just black churches. Here is a typical way of using preacher chords: Key Eb LH/RH Preacer: "And the Bible says that God," (grunt) muscian plays preacher chord or run: Ab / Gb-Bb-C-Eb Preacehr: "so loved this her world," (grunt) musician plays preacher chord or run: A / Gb-A-C-Eb Preacer: "that He gave," (grunt) muscian plays preacher chord or run: Bb / F-Ab-C-Eb Preacer: "His only begotten Son," (grunt) muscian plays preacher chord or run: Bb / Ab-Bb-D-Gb Preacer: "To die for the sins offff the world," (grunt) muscian plays preacher chord or run: Gb, Ab, Bb, Ab, Gb, Eb (run w/both hands fast) Preacer: "Can somebody say yeeaaahhh?" (grunt) muscian plays preacher chord or run: Gb / E-Bb-Eb Preacer: "yeeaaahhh?" (grunt) muscian plays preacher chord or run: F / A-C-Eb-Gb Preacer: "yeeaaahhh?" (grunt) muscian plays preacher chord or run: Bb / Ab-Bb-D-Gb Preacer: "yeeeaaahhh!!!" (grunt) muscian plays preacher chord or run: Eb / Db-G-C-Eb (hold chord while pressing bass note repeatedly) |
Tuesday, August 29, 2006
17:44.
I just got back from a pastors fellowship where about 14 pastors from churches around a KL district gathered.
A colleague and myself were there to "promote" the two ministries we are serving - To extend invites to the launch of FCCI, which is launching in Malaysia on Sept 14 and to tell the pastors about WorldTeach and hand out our catalogues. We had a small slot of time so both plugs were fairly short.
Still, I did feel some nerves at the thought of having two informal and quite impromptu mini-presentations when the audience are pastors.
The last time, when I presented some stuff at our WorldTeachers' Mtg, there were prob five pastors and two elders present among around 14 or 15 attendees and God took care of my nerves very nicely. Kind folks that these pastors and all were, they gave me kind words at the end of it all when we were mingling too.
Just now though, I reckon I did less well. I'm not kicking myself, but next time, I do short presentations - big or small - I need to mental note myself not to pass out stuff before I'm done talking.
Once I got my colleague to pass out the materials just now about a minute into my er, "talk / spew/ er, words", it was like watching dominos fall - How the heads just went down to read the materials from the left to the right.
Golly.
Note to self, note to self, note to self.
God made the nerves suddenly disappear but once domino effect kicked in, I kind of got kicked off my flow. Did the job, but no, it wasn't my best one.
I have a lonng way to go, man. I need all the trial runs I get before the next step.
Makes me thankful really, that I have had these chances to try. I want more :)
We were supposed to just go to the pastors fellowship, do short presentations and then go but about two hours before we were due there, we suddenly were going to have lunch with them too. Then during the meeting itself, 'cause the hosting pastors said that the other pastors can ask us questions "later during fellowship", we felt obliged to stay till the end.
But despite the slight am-I-imposing-here feeling I had, at the end of it, I was really glad we stayed. The worship was a great time-out, the prayer was on fire and hearing some of the pastors share and update about their work was simply a privilege.
Hearing about conversion among the M a l a y s, hearing update about the L i n a J o y case, hearing about two female pastors work among the sexually broken (as is their church and their specific call).
One testimony stuck to me.
A pastor shared how he was at the mechanic's and his M a l a y mechanic (let's call him A) asked him what he does. He said he works in a church and A asked if he works full-time and wanted his namecard. When the latter saw the "pastor" on his namecard, he looked around, leaned over and whispered that he is a convert!
Now, they are good friends who meet up regularly.
This is what hit me: A - who is apparently from a prominent M a l a y family here - attends church regularly and he is DISAPPOINTED.
Disappointed 'cause he gave up his faith in I s l a m, went through hellfire and brimstone objections for... this? The watered down, non excited faith churches demonstrates?
He's going to start a church, he said, and placed on a signboard outside: "Here, we preach 100% Christianity".
Does that not make you feel ashamed? It did me.
We are so comfortable in our churches we no longer see the fiery, life-giving and changing nature of the Gospel that saved our souls. We heard these phrases so often that we are jaded and lost. Lost in church, how sad is that. We are lost with our feet firmly planted at the pews, with languishing eyes and heart, stuck in the struggles of the mill....
Imagine how a M a l a y feels when he goes to our church and see our golly, "excitement". Imagine how he or she feels in our CGs, when we share about what often sounds like very defeated lives.
I feel rather chastised and yes, embarassed. 'cause I know we are ALL meant to live more empowered lives than we know now. And I type this in earnest belief, not up-down but sincerely.
The other week, Ray and I attended the night sessions for a conference at here. Nick Reese and Danny Gug from Adelaide were key speakers.
First night we went - Ps Nick preached right to my spirit.
"Stuck In A Moment" was his sermon's name. Here's the two things that make you get stuck in a moment.
First up is Past Disappointments. No surprises there.
But next up is Past Successes. And in that moment of divine clarity, I see my attachment to Melb clearly. Loving the land and people and life are real factors, yes but see - There I had a moment, I was perfectly in the right place at the right time and I was moving with God fluidly, serving the Body cheerfully, having sweet fellowship in the House of God... to me, that's success, not the high-flying journo or corporate world. That's good mentality but see, it's not good if I get stuck in that moment of success.
That's one reason, honest. And I've moved out in obedience and moved again from Sg to Msia in obedience but as I wait for my next level, it can get so mundane and unexciting that I look back to the land I left where I lived success.
Sounds familiar?
I refuse to do that any more. I've said so before and again, I declare my allegiance to the Almighty and my Spirit-empowered resolve to let it go.
And I know I'm not the only one who needs to do this so come on, you know who you are.
We are meant to live adventures. Every day is part of this adventure. But you know, even Neo or Indiana Jones had periods where they were just walking, spent sleeping, nothing particularly unusual or exciting... but it's part of the adventure.
Just don't give up on it.
And rem the testimony of our M a l a y brother - And live lives that shout His Name. Louder. Clearly. And ever more Larger.
I just got back from a pastors fellowship where about 14 pastors from churches around a KL district gathered.
A colleague and myself were there to "promote" the two ministries we are serving - To extend invites to the launch of FCCI, which is launching in Malaysia on Sept 14 and to tell the pastors about WorldTeach and hand out our catalogues. We had a small slot of time so both plugs were fairly short.
Still, I did feel some nerves at the thought of having two informal and quite impromptu mini-presentations when the audience are pastors.
The last time, when I presented some stuff at our WorldTeachers' Mtg, there were prob five pastors and two elders present among around 14 or 15 attendees and God took care of my nerves very nicely. Kind folks that these pastors and all were, they gave me kind words at the end of it all when we were mingling too.
Just now though, I reckon I did less well. I'm not kicking myself, but next time, I do short presentations - big or small - I need to mental note myself not to pass out stuff before I'm done talking.
Once I got my colleague to pass out the materials just now about a minute into my er, "talk / spew/ er, words", it was like watching dominos fall - How the heads just went down to read the materials from the left to the right.
Golly.
Note to self, note to self, note to self.
God made the nerves suddenly disappear but once domino effect kicked in, I kind of got kicked off my flow. Did the job, but no, it wasn't my best one.
I have a lonng way to go, man. I need all the trial runs I get before the next step.
Makes me thankful really, that I have had these chances to try. I want more :)
We were supposed to just go to the pastors fellowship, do short presentations and then go but about two hours before we were due there, we suddenly were going to have lunch with them too. Then during the meeting itself, 'cause the hosting pastors said that the other pastors can ask us questions "later during fellowship", we felt obliged to stay till the end.
But despite the slight am-I-imposing-here feeling I had, at the end of it, I was really glad we stayed. The worship was a great time-out, the prayer was on fire and hearing some of the pastors share and update about their work was simply a privilege.
Hearing about conversion among the M a l a y s, hearing update about the L i n a J o y case, hearing about two female pastors work among the sexually broken (as is their church and their specific call).
One testimony stuck to me.
A pastor shared how he was at the mechanic's and his M a l a y mechanic (let's call him A) asked him what he does. He said he works in a church and A asked if he works full-time and wanted his namecard. When the latter saw the "pastor" on his namecard, he looked around, leaned over and whispered that he is a convert!
Now, they are good friends who meet up regularly.
This is what hit me: A - who is apparently from a prominent M a l a y family here - attends church regularly and he is DISAPPOINTED.
Disappointed 'cause he gave up his faith in I s l a m, went through hellfire and brimstone objections for... this? The watered down, non excited faith churches demonstrates?
He's going to start a church, he said, and placed on a signboard outside: "Here, we preach 100% Christianity".
Does that not make you feel ashamed? It did me.
We are so comfortable in our churches we no longer see the fiery, life-giving and changing nature of the Gospel that saved our souls. We heard these phrases so often that we are jaded and lost. Lost in church, how sad is that. We are lost with our feet firmly planted at the pews, with languishing eyes and heart, stuck in the struggles of the mill....
Imagine how a M a l a y feels when he goes to our church and see our golly, "excitement". Imagine how he or she feels in our CGs, when we share about what often sounds like very defeated lives.
I feel rather chastised and yes, embarassed. 'cause I know we are ALL meant to live more empowered lives than we know now. And I type this in earnest belief, not up-down but sincerely.
The other week, Ray and I attended the night sessions for a conference at here. Nick Reese and Danny Gug from Adelaide were key speakers.
First night we went - Ps Nick preached right to my spirit.
"Stuck In A Moment" was his sermon's name. Here's the two things that make you get stuck in a moment.
First up is Past Disappointments. No surprises there.
But next up is Past Successes. And in that moment of divine clarity, I see my attachment to Melb clearly. Loving the land and people and life are real factors, yes but see - There I had a moment, I was perfectly in the right place at the right time and I was moving with God fluidly, serving the Body cheerfully, having sweet fellowship in the House of God... to me, that's success, not the high-flying journo or corporate world. That's good mentality but see, it's not good if I get stuck in that moment of success.
That's one reason, honest. And I've moved out in obedience and moved again from Sg to Msia in obedience but as I wait for my next level, it can get so mundane and unexciting that I look back to the land I left where I lived success.
Sounds familiar?
I refuse to do that any more. I've said so before and again, I declare my allegiance to the Almighty and my Spirit-empowered resolve to let it go.
And I know I'm not the only one who needs to do this so come on, you know who you are.
We are meant to live adventures. Every day is part of this adventure. But you know, even Neo or Indiana Jones had periods where they were just walking, spent sleeping, nothing particularly unusual or exciting... but it's part of the adventure.
Just don't give up on it.
And rem the testimony of our M a l a y brother - And live lives that shout His Name. Louder. Clearly. And ever more Larger.
Friday, August 25, 2006
09:29.
Poor Pluto.
This is so odd. We distinctly grew up learning there are nine planets in the solar system. And our children are going to grow up learning there are eight. 'cause ya knw, Pluto's an oddity drawf planet with a weird orbit.
Poor Pluto.
Poor Pluto.
This is so odd. We distinctly grew up learning there are nine planets in the solar system. And our children are going to grow up learning there are eight. 'cause ya knw, Pluto's an oddity drawf planet with a weird orbit.
Poor Pluto.
Thursday, August 24, 2006
From NYT here:
Once Muslim, Now Christian and Caught in the Courts
By JANE PERLEZ KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia, Aug. 19 —
Once Muslim, Now Christian and Caught in the Courts
By JANE PERLEZ KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia, Aug. 19 —
KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia, Aug. 19 — From the scant personal details that can be pieced together about Lina Joy, she converted from Islam to Christianity eight years ago and since then has endured extraordinary hurdles in her desire to marry the man in her life.
Her name is a household word in this majority Muslim country. But she is now in hiding after death threats from Islamic extremists, who accuse her of being an apostate.
Five years ago she started proceedings in the civil courts to seek the right to marry her Christian fiancé and have children. Because she had renounced her Muslim faith, Ms. Joy, 42, argued, Malaysia’s Islamic Shariah courts, which control such matters as marriage, property and divorce, did not have jurisdiction over her.
In a series of decisions, the civil courts ruled against her. Then, last month, her lawyer, Benjamin Dawson, appeared before Malaysia’s highest court, the Court of Appeals, to argue that Ms. Joy’s conversion be considered a right protected under the Constitution, not a religious matter for the Shariah courts.
“She’s trying to live her life with someone she loves,” Mr. Dawson said in an interview.
Threats against Ms. Joy had become so insistent, and the passions over her conversion so inflamed, he had concluded there was no room for her and her fiancé in Malaysia. The most likely solution, he said, was for her to emigrate.
For Malaysia, which considers itself a moderate and modern Muslim country with a tolerance for its multiple religions and ethnic groups of Malays, Indians and Chinese, the case has kicked up a firestorm that goes to the very heart of who is a Malay, and what is Malaysia.
Her case has heightened a searing battle that has included street protests and death threats between groups advocating a secular interpretation of the Constitution, and Islamic groups that contend the Shariah courts should have supremacy in many matters.
Some see the rulings against Ms. Joy as a sign of increasing Islamization, and of the pressures felt by the government of Prime Minister Abdullah Badawi as it tries to respond to the opposition Islamic party, Parti Islam Semalaysia.
About 60 percent of Malaysia’s 26 million people are Muslim, 20 percent are Buddhist, nearly 10 percent are Christian and 6 percent Hindu.
Malaysia has powerful Islamic Affairs Departments in its 13 states and in the capital district around Kuala Lumpur. The departments, a kind of parallel bureaucracy to the state apparatus that were strengthened during the 22-year rule of former Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad, run the Shariah courts.
“Malaysia is at a crossroads,” Mr. Dawson said. “Do we go down the Islamic road, or do we maintain the secular character of the federal constitution that has been eroding in the last 10 years?”
In rulings in her case, civil courts said Malays could not renounce Islam because the Constitution defined Malays to be Muslims.
They also ruled that a request to change her identity card from Muslim to Christian had to be decided by the Shariah courts. There she would be considered an apostate, and if she did not repent she surely would be sentenced to several years in an Islamic center for rehabilitation.
Mr. Dawson said Ms. Joy had been interested in Roman Catholicism since 1990 and was baptized in 1998 at Our Lady of Fatima Church in Kuala Lumpur. Because she considered herself a Christian, Ms. Joy did not believe the Shariah courts applied to her. In an affidavit to a lower civil court in 2000, she said she felt “more peace in my spirit and soul after having become a Christian.”
Because of the death threats, including some calls to hunt her down, Mr. Dawson said, he could not say where she was, and could not make her available for an interview, even by telephone.
Similarly, her fiancé, whom Mr. Dawson referred to as Johnson, a Christian of ethnic Indian background whom Ms. Joy met in 1990, had received death threats and was not prepared to be interviewed.
Last month, Prime Minister Badawi appeared to side with the Islamists when he ordered that forums organized around the country to discuss religious freedom must stop. The forums, run by a group called Article 11, named after the section of the Constitution that says Malaysians are free to choose their religion, were disrupted on several occasions by Islamic protesters.
The chief organizer of the Article 11 forums, a well-known human rights lawyer, Malik Imtiaz Sarwar, a Muslim, received a death threat this month that was widely circulated by e-mail.
With the heading “Wanted Dead,” the message featured a photograph of Mr. Malik and said: “This is the face of the traitorous lawyer to Islam who supports the Lina Joy apostasy case. Distribute to our friends so they can recognize this traitor. If you find him dead by the side of the road, do not help.”
Mr. Malik, 36, who presented a brief in support of Ms. Joy to the Appeals Court, said he was seeking police protection. “We must not confuse the crucial distinction between a country in which the majority are Muslims, and is thus an Islamic country, and a country in which the supreme law is the Shariah, an Islamic state,” Mr. Malik said.
Conversions of Muslims to Christianity are not common in Malaysia, though most converts do not seek official approval for marriage and therefore do not run into the obstacles Ms. Joy confronted. One 38-year-old convert, who said in an interview at a Roman Catholic parish that he would provide only his Christian names, Paul Michael, and not his surname, for fear of retribution, described how he led a double life.
“Church members know us as who we are, and the outside world knows us as we were,” he said. He was fearful, he said, that if his conversion became public the religious authorities would come after him, and he could be sentenced to a religious rehabilitation camp.
One such place, hidden in the forest at Ulu Yam Baru, 20 miles outside the capital, is ringed like a prison by barbed wire, with dormitories protected by a second ring of barbed wire. Outside a sign says, “House of Faith,” and inside the inmates spend much of their time studying Islam.
Paul Michael said he and other former Muslims moved from church to church for services to avoid detection. They call themselves “M.M.B.B.,” for Malay Muslim Background Believers. “It’s a group of Malays who are no longer Muslims,” he said.
