Merdeka!

Yes! 31st August marks Malaysia's national day where 48 years ago, Tunku Abdul Rahman, stood in padang pahlawan, malacca and shouted to the large crowd, 'Merdeka! Merdeka!' which means 'Freedom! Freedom!' in Malay, freedom from the rule of the British.

Yeah..I actually thought of having a party for some Malaysians in my home... but no time to plan lah.

Oh well, happy national day Malaysia!......'negaraku, tanah tumpahnya darahku.....rakyat hidup bersatu and maju, rahmat bahgia...Tuhan kurniakan, rajah kita bersama and maju.'

Yeah Tuhan or God is mentioned in M'sia's national anthem, it didn't occur to me until this morning ie 30th August while i spoke about M'sia's national day to my working mates and started singing the national anthem.

Yes...Tuhan kurniakan...means God bless/honor/bestow..... yes God is in the picture in Malaysia's national anthem....he is the one who blesses or gives all the good things .....cool. :)

Selamat malam!

Swimming

I swam so much during my childhood days, primary and secondary school days that i felt like i spent so much of my life swimming!

And so i swum at the only Malaccan public pool (still is can't believe it considering that Malacca is bigger than s'pore and the latter has like numerous pools) all those years.

I usually swum Tues-Sats from 4:30-6pm (late for training really since it starts at 4pm :)

Anyway, what made me think of swimming recently is that on Monday, i went swimming with another old friend who is now a pilot......we had some great discussions about planes, flying etc etc over japanese food. It has been a while since I swum.

The Holland Village pool is nice and quiet, usually so, i am told. Anyway, was great...swimming and chatting in the pool about life etc etc.

Speaking of pools....wow....i've been to so many pools...... in Melbourne....i went to the city public baths quite a lot.....then there was Harold Holt's swimming pool in Malvern (a suburb in Melbourne)....in Sydney.....either the outdoor pool in the park near Moore or the indoor Sydney uni one. In s'pore....a few lah here and there.....

You know when one is underwater.....the feel is quite interesting right.....and i do think quite a fair bit about stuff while swimming.

Oh yes another random pool memory is the one in NZ, I went to watch my 11 year old cousin in her swimming training with my ang mo aunt. Yeah as we watched her....I had to comment about her swimming lah since my aunt was interested to know.... and was also great talking to the mums who were also watching their kids swimming. Had interesting conversations when they realised I had just finished theological training and was soon heading back to S'pore. :)

Oh yeah....many more pool memories.....but i think it's enough for one night....i could go on and on about it......:) ......hmm....makes me think......i should think about the biblical theology of water in the bible.......yes let's start from Genesis.....ok maybe one day i'll do that.....:)

For now, adios.....good nite and praise the Lord! (although I have tonnes of work waiting for me), well by God's grace it will be done. :)

Oh yes....today being 31st August......

The couch

Hi! this random thought about the couch just came to my mind while i was in the bust travelling during my sungai buloh trip. I don't know what brought me to think about it. Perhaps...looking out of the window, admiring the landscape just some how brought the idea of the couch into my mind.

Anyway, yeah......the couch....it makes me think of how almost every day after lunch when I was in secondary school, my daily routine would be to lie down on the couch, read the newspaper in the direction where the sun light was casting into the living room where I could read.

Then, after reading, i would fall into sleep....and i would sleep, most likely back facing up, my head tilted towards the edge of the couch with one hand jutting out hanging suspendedly almost touching the carpet on the floor. I think... most of the time it was a deep sleep. So I would sleep say 2pm till about 4pm. Then I would get up, put on my specs and look at the clock.

And say 'Oh! It's time for swimming........

ps: yes its so nice sleeping on the couch....there's just something about it.....to the extend that sometimes....if i can't sleep in the middle of the night, i would go downstairs and try to fall asleep by lying on the couch (of course this is still in my Malaccan home in my teenage years).

Guess what?

Wow.....went to WOMAD....and guess what?

Yeah we were expose to samba music, bengal music, french folk music, apache-indian music, cuban music.....but I was so pleasantly surprised when after the samba music was over, the mc mentioned that ............guess who?......sheila majid was to come on at 8:45pm.....what? my ears couldn't believe what i heard.....what were the odds.....sheila of all people were invited to WOMAD and this is her first appearance at WOMAD.....and just few days ago...I was reflecting about her.

Terima kasih sinaran :) for inviting me to WOMAD :).

Oklah, sudah cukup....saya ini sungguh letih....best saya mandi, lepas tidur....atau main sikit komputer games.

Yeah seeing Sheila on stage up so close....wow inilah satu experience yang saya never forget
seerti.....dream come true....and so unexpectedlah.

Tuhan, terima kasih dan terima kasih juga untuk Isa yang mati untuk kita's sin.

Sungguh menghargai,
ron

Thoughts

Yup came back from Sungai Buloh in one piece. :)

Joi Chua is in the air:), it's a beautiful hot sunny Sunday afternoon. The wind is blowing, the white clouds float in the blue sky. The green plants sway, some birds are singing. Had a great JFN, do pray that as God searches and waits for us sinners to come back to him, we will (Luke 15). I'm supposed to be sleeping, resting, before I head out....for WOMAD.

Anyway, here are some thoughts from SB:

- again I'm greatly encouraged by the love for God by the elderly saints of SB (they are like in their 50s and 60s)...to see them serve God, love His people, and their humbleness to learn from someone who is half their age! We spend like from 9+am till 5+pm studying and discussing Mark's Gospel. One of the guys had BSF at 6:30am!

- when I arrived on Fri night, had a good 1-1 time with WP, probably in his 50s or 60s. As we ate hokkien mee (famous in KL), it rained...rather heavily....good....considering the haze and low water levels in the damps of KL.

- when we arrived at his home, after shower, I went downstairs and tv was on in the living room, CNN was on. News...about Iraq.....yes they will have a hard time getting the constitution for the country to be agreed by the 3 main groups ie the Sunnis (small in numbers but powerful), were in power before the US came, then we have the Shiites (big in numbers....the other form of Islam from Iran (west of Iraq), then we have the Kurds which Sadam had killed many of them (found mainly north of Iraq near Turkey). Yeah read that the US will probably have to be there for any 4 years! Wah.....makes me look forward to the day this will be resolved....or would it?

This news also made me think about the recent news of the West Bank...the Gaza strip...yeah the Israelites are pulling from the Palestinian area (descendents of the Philistines). And there was a recent article...good one....I think it was on Wed/Thurs straits times.

- at the bus stop while i was in the bus, waiting for it to depart to S'pore, there was a couple...in quite an embrace....as it finding it so hard to say goodbye....ah...what love ..... :)

- in the journey back....one of the movies I watched was Frequency....which I had already watched....anyway....it's really a good one for fathers and sons to watch...it 'touched' me ....really makes me feel like wanting to call my dad and spend the day with him :) right Chief (wink).

- oh and the 2nd Malaysian Idol competition is on....down to about 6 contestants.

- ok all in all, I thank you Lord for a fruitful trip. It's always great to serve you, and to be used by you to be servants in your work. What a privilege!!!

Enjoying God, ron.....oh and now to some world music.......(WOMAD).

Old friend

Hi! I just got back from seeing an old friend not too long ago. And Deb Fung is in the air!

Yeah....it's always great to meet someone whom you have known for a long time and who knows so much about you ......family, relatives, friends, your ups and downs, your faith, struggles etc etc.... Known this friend since 16. The bond we have is 'magical'. No amount of money can ever purchase such a bond. That's when one realises ah it's a gift from God!

Though there were gaps in our time of knowing, somehow, the bond is just there. Always there.

Was great to just sit facing the marina ocean at the Esplanade hawker centre, catching up, updating each other about our lives......

Thank you Lord for something so, so special. :) Good nite.

Sheila Majid

Selamat pagi!

It has been several days since my last entry. Of course many things have transpired since then.

Hence I could share these things but when I woke up this morning, I saw my old friend Sheila Majid. Well her CD was looking at me. And when I look at her, ah.....many memories come back.....

I got to know Sheila in 1990. It was my first year in Melbourne. There I was, a 19 year old boy from a small kampung or town from Malacca in a big city. From a small kampung insulated from the world and now I felt like I was in the world. And had to learn to do things which I never had too like taking public transport (in Malacca I rode a bycicle and motorbike during my secondary school days), do marketing, cook, do the banking, wash clothes etc.....all these things I never had to do.

Oh well, back to the main story......so anyway I was staying with an Australian family which had a huge rockweller which looked menacing but tame. I was staying in a small room on the 3rd floor with a small black and white TV. After moving in, soon I learned that they took on another tenant, her name was Grace (I think) from Sarawak....hurray another Malaysian. Grace stayed downstairs in a bigger room next to the living room. Grace had been in Melbourne for a while and one can tell from the things in her room.

Anyway, one night, I happened to bumped into her in the living room and we started chatting and somehow I must (being a music lover) have asked her what kind of music she listens to and to see if I can borrow her stuff. So she recommended me Sheila Majid. My first reaction was 'What! A Malay album.....' up to this point, yeah I liked some Malay music....especially a particular song which I really really liked but sadly I can't remember what's the title and the group that played it.

Oh....and it was in tape form (back then....CD was expensive...and slowly was beginning to make its presence felt). Anyway, I thought no harm trying.......and loh and behold.....I really liked it.....the album was called 'Warna' (released in 1988).

Since then I fell 'in love' with Sheila....I mean her voice and music....it's really unique....no body sounds like her....it's kind of a synergy between jazz and pop. Just simply one of a kind. :)

And since then, I've followed her.....her albums..... I guess still after all this time.....my all time fav song is Gemilang followed by Legenda etc etc.

Now Legenda is in the air.....kau budayawan bangsa....kualah legenda....this song was composed in dedication to P Ramlee - the all time best Malay actor ever!!! Yeah I watched many P Ramlee black and white movies with my grandma on Friday nights (back when I was a teenager :). Simply lovely. The bestlah....

Oh oh oh oh....legenda...... I guess this entry on Sheila is also aptlah since I'll be in Sungai Buloh, Selangor tmr night till Sat night. Everytime I go back to M'sia.....the smell, sights and sounds of it always makes me feel like I've 'balik kampung' .

And Malacca...beautiful charming historical Malacca - many fond memories of my growing up years. :)

Anyway, got to go to work. Catch u later. And Sheila...you're the best Malay singer! (at least that I know of). Oh...I remember a song from her live concert album....simply amazing and electrifying. Oh I better stop. I'll leave you with Gemilang....you must listen to it. :) God Bless!

Enjoying God's creation - thanks be to God, our Creator!

It's 8:03 in the morning. And it's Saturday. Yes I should be sleeping in. And that was the intention. The sleep was interrupted due to an sms. Oh well........

Joi Chua is in the air and i realised that we have become buddies.....the voice and music that brings a smile to my face. I guess she has been 'accompanying' me for about 2 weeks now but seems like a long time. Hmm....it really 'soothes' my soul....but of course not replacing God and His Word!

Which brings me to think.....but before that.....guess what? I've got a new friend at home. Well, not exactly a new friend, but a new thing ie a new washing machine. Soon, I will try it out with my dirty clothes which is pilling up. It's a top load one, LG, greyish in colour and can take up to 6.5kg max load but with no hot water or dryer like my previous one.

Track 3...really good.....anyway....what i was about to share (track 3 is really gd....) sorry was caught up in the song....yes what i was about to share is that things, people, whether Christian or not .......if one thinks about it.....they are all God's creation or created because we are God's creation created in God's image (ie the people lah) . That's why even non-Christians can produce stuff that we Christians can enjoy....because though they are not saved....they are still God's offspring (as Acts 17 puts it). So when we see a great sportman, a great singer or a great whatever, do their stuff whether Christian or not, we all enjoy it....not to be ashamed of it...because in them we see God's wonderful creation at work! Wow.....God's creation...all variously gifted esp those extremely gifted in something....and when they use their gifts....we see as though 'magic' at work....or we see God at work...or we catch a glimpse into God, his greatness for it is his handiwork. Everything, all things are his handiwork. Even things created by man because man is God's creation given the ability to create stuff just like his Creator.

However having said this, because of the fall, man in his sinfulness instead of using the gifts (natural) for the good of mankind and glorify God, he may use it otherwise. Or man may use good things for bad purposes for example using a food knife to kill someone. That's when we (christians) need to be discerning, be wise.

So whatever person or things we enjoy, we are to be careful....if it's immoral or go against God and his purposes, then we should not indulge in it. For example listening to songs with vulgar, sexual content or songs which teach one to kill, or perpertuate worldly thinking.

Also we should never go to the extend that we are so into the created things or person...than the Creator, our God himself is sidelined, diminished or is overshadowed by it or the person...instead.... when we see something good....let's 'look up to heaven' and say....'God, thank you.....indeed u are such a wonderful Creator....and all the more...u deserve our praise, our thanksgiving, our lives, our everything.......indeed u are our Creator!

Good music, the green plants outside my window, the blue sky, the white clouds, yellow flowers, even the washing machine, all these things put a smile on my face.....ah God is good....our Creator who himself said that all of his creation is good except ......that man is alone [in Genesis 1-2] and when the fall took place.....but we do still see the good.... in the midst of our fallen world.

To God be all the glory!

[let's continue to think theologically as Christians..... :)....coz there so much more to think about theologically....everything really....no wonder we can never run out of books..... :) ]

[i know i know, some of u who are reading this might be asking where is Christ in all this ....sorry lah...it's just a blog spontateous sharing.....maybe next sharing sometime....Christ our Creator - John 1 and Colossians 1 etc......oh well...let's dealt with it briefly....yes in those 2 chapters....it's very explicit that Christ is our creator......yes it can be confusing....is it God or Christ.....well it is both for after all Christ is the 2nd person in the trinity. and in revelation...one will encounter our trinitarian God (from this truth....trinitarian thought can permeate our thinking....but next time)]

Ok to put it simply, if Christ is also our creator, than the so called more complete response for Christians should be 'thanks be to God and Christ our savior and Lord' when we see good things and people and take pleasure in them.

Yup not only thanking God but also Christ our creator!

Ah...but who was there at creation too?....the spirit (Genesis 1:2)

So....when we say thank you God (we should be thinking about the trinitarian God). If that is the case, than thank you God will suffice (if we think trinitarian God). Seems like back to square one right....but the exercise is definitely worth while....makes me think...and realise....and want to worship this God even more.

Good morning!

My Jesus, my savior

ok.....i tot before i go to bed....to pen some haphazard thoughts on the fact that Jesus is our Savior.

Why am i thinking about this lately?.....Coz of JFN, session 3....yup in Luke 2:11, besides being the Christ, Jesus is said to be the Savior....yes and today in the town of David, a Savior is born.

Now, before this verse, u should read what comes before.....(from memory)....for already there are lots of themes about salvation....really cool....from Zechariah's and Mary's songs i think.

Then....we read Luke 2:11....bang....powerman...Jesus IS THE SAVIOR!!!! He is the ONE!

But save us from what?...some hints in the songs...and of course is best to read on to find out more. (have a look at the chapter on the lord's supper....hm...reminds me of an essay i wrote on something like 'the atonement in the gospel of Luke').

Btw, Jesus' name itself means God saves. In Greek save means sozo. and 'God saves' in the Hebrew is the name - Joshua.

And some songs come to my mind....'He's my Savior' - by Jaci Velasquez, 'Love song for a savior' by jars of clay.

Anyway, as i lay my head on the pillow, I'm thankful that Jesus is my Savior (and my Lord)...for saving me from sin, death, the devil, darkness...... thank u Jesus, thank you.

ps: of course there is 'Shout to the Lord'...which begins...my jesus, my savior....Lord there is not like you..... (hence the title of this blog lah)

My fair lady

my fair lady

hmm....the pic was not suppose to be here...oh well...since it's here....what can i say....audrey and I go way back....from my primary school days that's like the early 80s man....when i first saw her in my fair lady. Since then, i probably must have watched it about 10 times....maybe...coz in m'sia...almost every year....when it comes to some special public holiday like hari raya or deepavali or christmas or chinese new year.....guess what will be screened? My Fair Lady.

Yup is a pretty long show about 3 hours or more. But great music and acting. Yeah audrey is really something....one of a kind......seen her also in breakfast at tiffany's and a roman holiday.

later in her life....still as petite and elegant, she did lots of humanitarian stuff. cool.

anyway...wished she was a believer and follower of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Special people

It looks like it's going to pour real soon. Since I walked back minutes ago, mr thunder has been making himself known. The sky is grey and it's sure windy.

Anyway, this morning, we were discussing about 'special' people in church. How one should deal with them. By 'special' we mean u know......those whose mental and social abilities are different from the norm.

As the discussion went on, my mind floated to the Bible....soon.... verses where God asked His people to care for the fatherless, the aliens, the widows....flooded my mind. Besides OT, in NT, for eg James 1:27.

Then I turned to 1 Corinthians 12. Verses 22 - 24 caught my mind. I read....'On the contrary, those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable and the parts that we think are less honorable we treat with special honor. And the parts that are unpresentable are treated with special modesty, while our presentable parts, need no special treatment.'

Wow....no wonder we need to spend time to talk about these special people and how we can care and help them. I repent Lord.....should not overlook them. They deserve our care more so than we think.

[i know...some of you might be thinking...is about spiritual gifts....but maybe hints more than that since is talking about the body of Christ...and in any case, this principle can be extended :)]

Anyway, i was also thinking of Philip Yancey's book i read many years ago where he wrote a chapter or so on 'special' people in church. I think it was from 'Church: why bother, my personal pilgrimage'.

Ok that's all for now. Strange....no rain....oh well at least i won't have to walk back to church wet.

In Him,
ron

The race

Hi! This is my first blog entry.

Went jogging this morning at 7:25am. The air in Botanic Gardens was really fresh and sweet (from the flowers I presume).

Everytime I jog it reminds me of Hebrews 12.....the part about running the race with perseverance. Yeah...let's constantly remind ourselves...to run perseveringly, no matter how hard it seems at times...when we are tempted to give up....let's remember (not reminiscing :) )but run, keep running....till we finish the race....when Christ returns or when we die (whichever comes first).

Isn't it great when you start the day early, one has so much of the day to do stuff. Well....do laundry (opps but Josh's clothes are on the line - he's going overseas tmr till Mon), go out with Matt, watch Napoli (perhaps)...chill..read...pray...call parents....

Alright. Catch you later. To God be the glory.

(yeah...for those who came to my place yesterday....Joi Chua rocks right! But of course nothing replaces the real JC, yeah not even Jay Chou though his music is really cool - one of a kind).

ron
ps: songs.....saya ingat nak tulis atau berkomposi lagu-lagu kristus.....kalau ada..saya akan memberitahu atau menyayikan k. Kepada Tuhan Mahakuasa kita!

pss: Bananarama has got a new song out...interesting.....