This past week, I was blessed with the opportunity to see one of the most unbelievable photographs in my life. I can honestly say I have never seen anything quite like it, be it a photograph or in person. When gegirl (Joy) told me about this picture and how beautiful it was, I wondered to myself what it could be. When i finally got to see it...*eyes wide open, jaw dropped open a lil (realistic type, not the cartoon type!)* How i wish i had caught it in person! *wishful thinking* I can't photo blog it, coz I do not own the copyright of this photograph, but it can be viewed on Joy's blog at http://shavain.blogspot.com - I hope it's alright i promote this. I really think it's beautiful. Readers, please behave at other people's blog ok? ;) And to give credit where it's due, Ying, another friend of ours took that photograph. Very nice!
Now for touching :) Not that kinda touching dirty minded. Daniel (http://whoisthemonkeyandareyouit.blogspot.com/) posted an entry on his blog that kinda moved me. It's titled 'The Mistress' :) I won't say more about it except remind you to behave at his blog too ok? *haha* For those who might not get what's so touching about the entry, or how it is relevant, do ask me ok? Thank you...
Friday, October 29, 2004
Wednesday, October 27, 2004
Welcome to finding direction
Good morning! There are a few people who have already expressed their interest in this photograph as i've posted it up on my Friendster profile too. In case anyone wants to know, this photograph was taken in Ipoh, somewhere along the main roads in the heart of the city. Its colors are nice and vibrant because the photograph was cross processed. For those who do not know the cross processing technique (not that i know it so much either!), it's basically taking your photographs with a roll of slide film but processing it like normal photographs and making them into prints :) Oh by the way, i made James take this photograph of me *shout out* *haha*
I really like this photograph simply because it's raw and it paints all sorts of stories. It looks almost like i'm trying to find my way around, asking myself "where do i go? where do i want to go? where does He want me to go?" At the same time, the door there, with an already open grill, represents other things too, perhaps an opening to new and unexplored opportunities? Or an outlet to something God opens us to? There's always that phrase, 'Let God open doors for us to...' I also look like i'm the usher at that entrance :) I think we're in a time where many of us are finding our feet, finding our direction - in life, in our own life, in our family relationships, romantic relationships (if you have one), friendships, careers, spiritual life etc. I too am finding mine. I am at a juncture of my life where my dreams on certain things are beginning to unravel. I'm beginning to be given a glimpse of my future and enjoying the ride :) I'm still seeking my vocation, what God calls me to do... You, yes you, you reading this, might be feeling these feelings too...and i welcome you, welcome to finding direction :)
I really like this photograph simply because it's raw and it paints all sorts of stories. It looks almost like i'm trying to find my way around, asking myself "where do i go? where do i want to go? where does He want me to go?" At the same time, the door there, with an already open grill, represents other things too, perhaps an opening to new and unexplored opportunities? Or an outlet to something God opens us to? There's always that phrase, 'Let God open doors for us to...' I also look like i'm the usher at that entrance :) I think we're in a time where many of us are finding our feet, finding our direction - in life, in our own life, in our family relationships, romantic relationships (if you have one), friendships, careers, spiritual life etc. I too am finding mine. I am at a juncture of my life where my dreams on certain things are beginning to unravel. I'm beginning to be given a glimpse of my future and enjoying the ride :) I'm still seeking my vocation, what God calls me to do... You, yes you, you reading this, might be feeling these feelings too...and i welcome you, welcome to finding direction :)
Monday, October 25, 2004
The Rainbow Story
Those who know me and know me well, know that i am quite a lover of nature (not as huge a lover of nature as James of course!). I speak of rich blue skies and cotton-candy clouds and luscious greens all around :) Apart from these things that according to some, doesn't seem part of my nature (they're biased just coz i look a certain way *haha*), i am a rainbow lover. I think most of us did at least at some point, when we were kids? Kids and their innocent minds, their enthusiasm for so many things, it's amazing sometimes...and in the following story, i kinda owe it to the kids, for their enthusiasm led to my curiosity, that led to a major change in my life. Before events in this story took place, i already was an avid admirer of rainbows. But it was especially after this event that rainbows began having a really special place in my heart....
My granny who was everything to me, lived with me since i was born, taking care of me, whom i loved dearly, so dearly u wouldnt believe it - passed away in 1998. I was distraught of course. *cuts story as short as possible* I cried so much, till i could have had my eyeballs roll out! So after the funeral, i didn't feel like coming back (she was in butterworth, we moved her there 2 months before she passed on coz my aunt was a housewife and could take care of her). So i stayed on there to soul-search and find myself again. I think a week had almost passed and I hardly smiled and i hardly was enthusiastic all week. Then one day, we went for dinner in Bukit Mertajam or some place lah near Butterworth (name i can't recall now!). We were in some chinese coffee shop when i was stoning and zoned out as usual. Sudddenly, i hear these kids screaming and yelling with such enthusiasm, declaring that there was something very beautiful to look at. I went out to see what the fuss was about and i was pleasantly shocked because i could see not 1, but 2 HUGE mega rich colored, fully complete half-circle rainbows hovering over beautiful huge green mountains next to where we were eating! oh i tell you...what a sight! I thank God for His creation and His gift. After that sighting, i was totally rejuvenated and came back to KL and my friends didnt have to worry about me. You RARELY have the opportunity to see rich colored rainbows, not the faint looking ones. Furthermore, these 2 were complete, one over the other...2! Wow...amazing i tell u. Too bad i was younger and didnt carry a camera everywhere i went, like how i do now but i have a photographic memory of it that i will NEVER let go off. I look through the internet today and can't even find a picture of what i saw that day!
My granny who was everything to me, lived with me since i was born, taking care of me, whom i loved dearly, so dearly u wouldnt believe it - passed away in 1998. I was distraught of course. *cuts story as short as possible* I cried so much, till i could have had my eyeballs roll out! So after the funeral, i didn't feel like coming back (she was in butterworth, we moved her there 2 months before she passed on coz my aunt was a housewife and could take care of her). So i stayed on there to soul-search and find myself again. I think a week had almost passed and I hardly smiled and i hardly was enthusiastic all week. Then one day, we went for dinner in Bukit Mertajam or some place lah near Butterworth (name i can't recall now!). We were in some chinese coffee shop when i was stoning and zoned out as usual. Sudddenly, i hear these kids screaming and yelling with such enthusiasm, declaring that there was something very beautiful to look at. I went out to see what the fuss was about and i was pleasantly shocked because i could see not 1, but 2 HUGE mega rich colored, fully complete half-circle rainbows hovering over beautiful huge green mountains next to where we were eating! oh i tell you...what a sight! I thank God for His creation and His gift. After that sighting, i was totally rejuvenated and came back to KL and my friends didnt have to worry about me. You RARELY have the opportunity to see rich colored rainbows, not the faint looking ones. Furthermore, these 2 were complete, one over the other...2! Wow...amazing i tell u. Too bad i was younger and didnt carry a camera everywhere i went, like how i do now but i have a photographic memory of it that i will NEVER let go off. I look through the internet today and can't even find a picture of what i saw that day!
Sunday, October 24, 2004
Sun-Fun-Day :)
*Originally from 'The Waiting Room' http://thefathershouse.blogspot.com*
It was a really fun Sunday wasn't it? Well some of us who were at BLC sure felt that i hope. I wish i hadn't expired my flickr account so i could photo-blog here on this post :P But i'm sure Pastor Sivin would have some 'interesting' photos to post once he is free ;)
After this morning's prayer breakfast, i said to John just before service was about to begin, "How shy it is for us. Our guest speaker is here and the church is almost empty. BLC always packs up by 10.30am when service begins at 10am!" Now, before i am bashed for making any comments, first of all, i do not think it's wrong for a speaker to speak the word of God to just a very small number of people. No problems there. However, i was just thinking and saying to John and Su Shen, why do people always have to make God wait? Or how can we be late, on Sabbath Day, the day for God, all the time? Do we say ok to waiting for God to answer our prayers? I don't think so. I think if God made us wait all the time, we'd be pissed off and blame Him for whatever goes wrong with our lives. Now isn't that unfair? :) Not bashing anyone here alright? Just some thoughts based on some observations.
It's interesting to see the kids in BLC grow. They grow up so fast! And we have so many of them! The babies are currently toddlers, the unborn are now babies, the bigger kids, well...they're bigger now! The young adults? Urm...let's not even go there! *haha* But the best part about all this is the fact that we're all growing together as a church, a congregation. We have a very family, close and tight-knit thing going on for us at BLC and it's great. I think even guest speaker, Herman Shastri enjoyed the ambience of the church and the styles that we employ here at BLC :)
It was a really fun Sunday wasn't it? Well some of us who were at BLC sure felt that i hope. I wish i hadn't expired my flickr account so i could photo-blog here on this post :P But i'm sure Pastor Sivin would have some 'interesting' photos to post once he is free ;)
After this morning's prayer breakfast, i said to John just before service was about to begin, "How shy it is for us. Our guest speaker is here and the church is almost empty. BLC always packs up by 10.30am when service begins at 10am!" Now, before i am bashed for making any comments, first of all, i do not think it's wrong for a speaker to speak the word of God to just a very small number of people. No problems there. However, i was just thinking and saying to John and Su Shen, why do people always have to make God wait? Or how can we be late, on Sabbath Day, the day for God, all the time? Do we say ok to waiting for God to answer our prayers? I don't think so. I think if God made us wait all the time, we'd be pissed off and blame Him for whatever goes wrong with our lives. Now isn't that unfair? :) Not bashing anyone here alright? Just some thoughts based on some observations.
It's interesting to see the kids in BLC grow. They grow up so fast! And we have so many of them! The babies are currently toddlers, the unborn are now babies, the bigger kids, well...they're bigger now! The young adults? Urm...let's not even go there! *haha* But the best part about all this is the fact that we're all growing together as a church, a congregation. We have a very family, close and tight-knit thing going on for us at BLC and it's great. I think even guest speaker, Herman Shastri enjoyed the ambience of the church and the styles that we employ here at BLC :)
Reflections off conversations
This past week has been one of many conversations, of all varieties. Here are some really interesting paraphrased quotes and my 2 cents worth on them (hope the people involved don't mind! All apologies if you are offended!) :
1. "i'm a spoilt brat, an award winning university student who works as a barista at starbucks and earns a living making coffee and bussing tables =p ... hehehe the irony...hehe...no...i actually find it very funny and amusing...and i'm more proud of being a starbucks barista than i am of the two pieces of paper that i got from university..." - words from a good friend of mine.
Funny how ironic and truthful in all its rawness that sounded to me. Many of us actually attended University probably because that was the natural progression to go through, the transition and level to reach for just coz our parents tell us, just coz they might not have had the opportunity or for some, that's really what we wanted for ourselves. I am not in any way making any judgements. The jury is still out on this quote, i just found it ironic in its own way and quite an interesting talking and thinking point.
2. "you're such a geat friend of mine, its amazing we hardly spent that much time together in our life but i feel as if ive known you for 10 folds of life time and youre such a great friend, i want you to know that..." - one of the closest friends of mine who isn't in M'sia currently
I was really touched when Tersh told me this. It's amazing how we became really close friends. But i don't really think i did anything. I guess i was just her friend :) But to read about how i feel about her as a person, here is the excerpt from the testimonial i wrote for her in Friendster - It's not often a person has a 2nd chance at or with lots of things in life. When we do, we're thankful and appreciative that we had the chance to set something straight, or set something right etc. I'm just thankful and appreciative that Tersh and myself had a 2nd chance of a great friendship since we lost touch after we first got to know each other (barely!) a few years ago. I stand firmly on the grounds that this Tercia is a fine young lady - generous, intelligent, kind, gentle & also a bad-ass (whatta combo!), nice, friendly, open, hospitable, direct, expressive - let's not even get to all these adjectives alright?! What I don’t get is how assholes disguised as 'friends' can mistreat her. If you know who you are, shame on u! How does a person in any right mind make use of a fine person like this? And why doesn't anyone (yeah there's lots of you out there), see her as the responsible and awesome person she is? She's a great friend, if you can’t see that, u must be blind, deaf and dumb! I can also testify that this woman has brilliant ideas! Her ideas are really out there. It’s not everyday you meet people with ideas like these. Her scrapbook’s awesome! Her thoughts and ideas are awesome! Plus, she writes really well. Contrary to how she appears (she looks like one bad ass I tell u!), she has such a big heart! A true friend indeed. Plus she isn’t irresponsible like how ppl assume she is. Tersh, if people do not see you for the beautiful person that you are, screw em! You got your real friends. I have your back just as those who love you do. Be the person you are coz you’re special and unique. Those who aren’t down with that, it’s just too bad…go to your cliques and private circles. Just stay out of ours! Take care at Australia my friend; we’ll wait for you back home! ;) Leave the judging to our Maker. Tersh, you are a great friend. Thank you.
3. "...curious , do u respect ppl who do not believe in God?... i respect them as human beings, people, friends, relatives etc. We may not agree but doesn't mean we do not respect each other, it doesnt mean we cannot discuss things constructively or have makan together... hahaee... right, but i always find it hard to discuss things constructively when a believer connotes every reason with God. Not that I'm saying I do not believe in God and not that I'm sugggesting I'm not interested in conversing with you. ... No worries my friend. Speak your mind... But yea, what you want to write/ say automatically does not have a place anymore. It seems belittled next to an apparently profound reason. Actually belittled is a wrong word. It seems that it does not have strong grounds, perhaps?..." - a dialogue i had on MSN with a friend.
Unfortunately, this conversation had to end abruptly due to both parties having to go for dinner :) Interesting isn't it? Good, provocative questions. However, i am currently unable to answer her question, as of right now. *grins* I do however believe it isn't necessarily difficult to discuss things constructively when a believer connotes every reason with God. We do believe that everything does lead to God. But i think it's also how discussions are carried out. So long as people don't impose, don't act all anal about it and expect others to be the same just because they have those beliefs. I do also think that the world already chooses not to connote life with God, they are so used to it that's why if there are people who do, it's them being 'over-religious'? Most of the world only falls back on God only in times of trouble. Or when they want something. How is that right? :) We are indeed called to live our lives as Christ did. That's my belief at least. People just give up to easily or choose not to want to go there maybe cause it's easier to sin? Or temptions are too difficult to refuse? Who knows? But...back to giving comments... Perhaps if someone reading this is interested in replying to it, you could post your comments? Sivin? Wanna have a go at it? You would be a good person to do so ;) James? Wanna have a go too? *hehe*
These were just a fraction of the conversations that i did have throughout the week. I have so many more quotes i could write about, but maybe not today huh? ;)
1. "i'm a spoilt brat, an award winning university student who works as a barista at starbucks and earns a living making coffee and bussing tables =p ... hehehe the irony...hehe...no...i actually find it very funny and amusing...and i'm more proud of being a starbucks barista than i am of the two pieces of paper that i got from university..." - words from a good friend of mine.
Funny how ironic and truthful in all its rawness that sounded to me. Many of us actually attended University probably because that was the natural progression to go through, the transition and level to reach for just coz our parents tell us, just coz they might not have had the opportunity or for some, that's really what we wanted for ourselves. I am not in any way making any judgements. The jury is still out on this quote, i just found it ironic in its own way and quite an interesting talking and thinking point.
2. "you're such a geat friend of mine, its amazing we hardly spent that much time together in our life but i feel as if ive known you for 10 folds of life time and youre such a great friend, i want you to know that..." - one of the closest friends of mine who isn't in M'sia currently
I was really touched when Tersh told me this. It's amazing how we became really close friends. But i don't really think i did anything. I guess i was just her friend :) But to read about how i feel about her as a person, here is the excerpt from the testimonial i wrote for her in Friendster - It's not often a person has a 2nd chance at or with lots of things in life. When we do, we're thankful and appreciative that we had the chance to set something straight, or set something right etc. I'm just thankful and appreciative that Tersh and myself had a 2nd chance of a great friendship since we lost touch after we first got to know each other (barely!) a few years ago. I stand firmly on the grounds that this Tercia is a fine young lady - generous, intelligent, kind, gentle & also a bad-ass (whatta combo!), nice, friendly, open, hospitable, direct, expressive - let's not even get to all these adjectives alright?! What I don’t get is how assholes disguised as 'friends' can mistreat her. If you know who you are, shame on u! How does a person in any right mind make use of a fine person like this? And why doesn't anyone (yeah there's lots of you out there), see her as the responsible and awesome person she is? She's a great friend, if you can’t see that, u must be blind, deaf and dumb! I can also testify that this woman has brilliant ideas! Her ideas are really out there. It’s not everyday you meet people with ideas like these. Her scrapbook’s awesome! Her thoughts and ideas are awesome! Plus, she writes really well. Contrary to how she appears (she looks like one bad ass I tell u!), she has such a big heart! A true friend indeed. Plus she isn’t irresponsible like how ppl assume she is. Tersh, if people do not see you for the beautiful person that you are, screw em! You got your real friends. I have your back just as those who love you do. Be the person you are coz you’re special and unique. Those who aren’t down with that, it’s just too bad…go to your cliques and private circles. Just stay out of ours! Take care at Australia my friend; we’ll wait for you back home! ;) Leave the judging to our Maker. Tersh, you are a great friend. Thank you.
3. "...curious , do u respect ppl who do not believe in God?... i respect them as human beings, people, friends, relatives etc. We may not agree but doesn't mean we do not respect each other, it doesnt mean we cannot discuss things constructively or have makan together... hahaee... right, but i always find it hard to discuss things constructively when a believer connotes every reason with God. Not that I'm saying I do not believe in God and not that I'm sugggesting I'm not interested in conversing with you. ... No worries my friend. Speak your mind... But yea, what you want to write/ say automatically does not have a place anymore. It seems belittled next to an apparently profound reason. Actually belittled is a wrong word. It seems that it does not have strong grounds, perhaps?..." - a dialogue i had on MSN with a friend.
Unfortunately, this conversation had to end abruptly due to both parties having to go for dinner :) Interesting isn't it? Good, provocative questions. However, i am currently unable to answer her question, as of right now. *grins* I do however believe it isn't necessarily difficult to discuss things constructively when a believer connotes every reason with God. We do believe that everything does lead to God. But i think it's also how discussions are carried out. So long as people don't impose, don't act all anal about it and expect others to be the same just because they have those beliefs. I do also think that the world already chooses not to connote life with God, they are so used to it that's why if there are people who do, it's them being 'over-religious'? Most of the world only falls back on God only in times of trouble. Or when they want something. How is that right? :) We are indeed called to live our lives as Christ did. That's my belief at least. People just give up to easily or choose not to want to go there maybe cause it's easier to sin? Or temptions are too difficult to refuse? Who knows? But...back to giving comments... Perhaps if someone reading this is interested in replying to it, you could post your comments? Sivin? Wanna have a go at it? You would be a good person to do so ;) James? Wanna have a go too? *hehe*
These were just a fraction of the conversations that i did have throughout the week. I have so many more quotes i could write about, but maybe not today huh? ;)
Saturday, October 23, 2004
Let that be enough
:) Currently playing 'Let that be enough' by Switchfoot and Jars of Clay on repeat on my itunes. Don't really recall how i got Switchfoot's 'The beautiful letdown' in my itunes library, but it made me curious about them since they have a song playing on radio and i happen to also catch a glimpse of their album at MPH the other day. So my curiosity brought me to download some of their songs, just to have a taste of their songs so i can buy the albums later if i like their stuff (cool out James if you read this! *haha* not trying to pirate my way through!) :) 'Let that be enough' is one of those songs and i simply enjoy it to bits! It's so soothing, calm, warm and engaging. I can imagine a video for this song. It's the type of song that gives me that 'awww' feeling for some strange reason, and makes me remember my childhood, or toddler-hood, makes me lumpy in the throat and wanna shoot a home video of my future children and editing the video using this song as the soundtrack :) But that's just how the song makes me feel, the lyrics have no connotation to how i feel. I think the lyrics are meaningful too, and to me, it's about someone's cry out to God. Anyhow, their stuff's pretty good and i am kinda sold. I guess i have to put their albums on my currently growing list of 'CDs i wanna buy' *rolls eyes* Where do i find the dough to fund this...*sigh* :)
--- If anyone is interested in the words of the beautiful song, the lyrics are available on the internet. I rather not cut and paste it here in case i get in trouble for it! *grins* I recommend a read AND a listen at least! ---
--- If anyone is interested in the words of the beautiful song, the lyrics are available on the internet. I rather not cut and paste it here in case i get in trouble for it! *grins* I recommend a read AND a listen at least! ---
Thursday, October 21, 2004
Garden of delights
We had combined life groups yesterday at church - Daniel's group with ours, James' group. It's always nice to see more than your own members for a change. The sharings, fellowship, worship, comments, ideas, insights etc are given a new lease of life, intergrated too you could say. It was good to see most LG members from both groups show up and thank you to Daniel's life group for being so hospitable with us :) Even baby Natalie joined us - she eventually slept though but was a part of the study of the word throughout, while sleeping on her daddy's shoulder :) It was encouraging to see everyone share throughout. Sure, we might have taken some time to warm up, and needed some encouragement from Daniel and John to speak out, but i think as time went by, the speaking out was good and so were the volunteering :) It was very encouraging to see everyone chip in and feel right at home with one another.
God sure is just and fair. He loves all of us but He will also punish us for our wrong-doings. We live in a wicked, cynical, individualistic world. But we can always seek refuge in God. We have an impression of what God promises for us after life but i guess more often than not, we are too caught up with this earthly world and what we tell God we want Him to do for our lives to realize how beautiful the promise will be. But our hikes with God and this life, every step of the way till we reach the kingdom is what matters most. If we follow with Him faithfully, spiritually and prayerfully, we will indeed grow stronger in Him. It's easier said than done but it's important to be a mirror of what God is, and when we fall, to always cling on to Him and seek Him, not turn away from Him. Our hike is a long one, one with many obstacles. But we have the comfort of knowing that we can stop at God's Garden of Delights or Refreshing Springs to rejuvenate ourselves and carry on with the good fight. Let us not be selfish Christians. Our walk with God is not a self-centered one but a God-centered one. Many Christians accept their salvation and forget that that's the beginning of our walk, not the end. We also tend to forget that we are not put here and saved to be just that. We are also here to save others, not ostracize them. Let God be the judge, let us not be the one's trying to play God. Lord, humble us and soften our hearts. Let us not assume that being a Christ-follower is just about giving in terms of dollars and cents, not cheating, not sinning, not commiting adultery and fasting. These things are good values but these aren't the only things God has called for us to do.
These were among the many things reflected and meditated upon the study and sharing of the Word. I couldn't help but feel thankful to God for the members of BLC, whom are as always a tight-knit group of people, appreciative of what we have, and what we can share with one another. Not just a bunch of people who come walking in and out of church on Sundays, forgetting all about fellowship and genuinely being...friends.
God sure is just and fair. He loves all of us but He will also punish us for our wrong-doings. We live in a wicked, cynical, individualistic world. But we can always seek refuge in God. We have an impression of what God promises for us after life but i guess more often than not, we are too caught up with this earthly world and what we tell God we want Him to do for our lives to realize how beautiful the promise will be. But our hikes with God and this life, every step of the way till we reach the kingdom is what matters most. If we follow with Him faithfully, spiritually and prayerfully, we will indeed grow stronger in Him. It's easier said than done but it's important to be a mirror of what God is, and when we fall, to always cling on to Him and seek Him, not turn away from Him. Our hike is a long one, one with many obstacles. But we have the comfort of knowing that we can stop at God's Garden of Delights or Refreshing Springs to rejuvenate ourselves and carry on with the good fight. Let us not be selfish Christians. Our walk with God is not a self-centered one but a God-centered one. Many Christians accept their salvation and forget that that's the beginning of our walk, not the end. We also tend to forget that we are not put here and saved to be just that. We are also here to save others, not ostracize them. Let God be the judge, let us not be the one's trying to play God. Lord, humble us and soften our hearts. Let us not assume that being a Christ-follower is just about giving in terms of dollars and cents, not cheating, not sinning, not commiting adultery and fasting. These things are good values but these aren't the only things God has called for us to do.
These were among the many things reflected and meditated upon the study and sharing of the Word. I couldn't help but feel thankful to God for the members of BLC, whom are as always a tight-knit group of people, appreciative of what we have, and what we can share with one another. Not just a bunch of people who come walking in and out of church on Sundays, forgetting all about fellowship and genuinely being...friends.
P-blogged out
"Hi chinhor - Sorry this is a bit confusing... but, for now, free account limits are measured in bandwidth, or 'throughput'... so deleting an image doesn't free up anymore space. We will be changing this limit soon, so free account holders have a storage limit instead... that way, you'll be able to delete old photos and upload new ones within the limit. For now, i'm afraid your limit is stuck... and it's nearly the end of the month. Sorry about that." - Flickr
*sigh* My worst fears have been realized, only one more chance at photo blogging till next month for me :'( I guess i had to learn this the hard way, at least i wont make the same mistake again from next month on! :)
*sigh* My worst fears have been realized, only one more chance at photo blogging till next month for me :'( I guess i had to learn this the hard way, at least i wont make the same mistake again from next month on! :)
Wednesday, October 20, 2004
Ridding foreign-ness
It's coming to a month now. The foreign-ness that was there before, isn't there anymore. The uncertainties that were there, aren't there anymore. The weird orientation that was there to go through, is over. The illness has past, the lost-ness conquered. We're back on track now, from last week. Back with a passion un-felt of the first 3 weeks. The belief in this, the same belief so confident, definite and assured from before, is renewed and rekindled. The fire that was nearly doused is burning stronger than before. Every touch, smile, words - uttered, typed or written, surprise, effort, look - are embraced and celebrated only a couple of plunging united souls can feel :) It's good to feel what is supposed to be felt at this juncture. Now is that time.
Tuesday, October 19, 2004
Inside out fatigues
This could most probably be the last photo blog entry i get to do for this month, or perhaps the 2nd last. Being a Mac user, i photo blog using flickr and being a member for free, i have only 10MB of space to upload pics, which is cool coz each photo i have blogged with thus far takes up only 2% of my 100% limit. Unfortunately, while trying to post more than one photo on one of my posts last week, i accidentally uploaded a mega sized photo which took my limit to 40+%! To save space, i decided to delete this photo off my flickr and i was rudely surprised to find my limit upped to almost 90%, meaning uploading and taking off cultivated in percentages to my storage limit! $#%^@$ What the..?! James suggested i write to them to complain and to try asking back for some storage space. Well, i did, and still no reply after 10 hours! *grumble*
I was bored, and i didn't quite feel inspired enough today to have anything to blog about. There are a few people who have asked me what my new hair color looks like, what i look like nowadays etc. So i thought why not, why not i put up a new pic since i am bored anyway and since i am running out storage limit on flickr, i might as well put a pic of myself that i like :) Can't really see the real hair color though, it's different under sunlight, under fluorescent light, different when it's wet and when it's dry. But it's nice :)
Anyway, today wasn't such a bad day. There were hiccups, contributing to the physical fatigue i already felt due to lack of rest from last week that i cannot regain, due to a cold and cough i've had for days. Jo says i'm very grumpy. I guess i was and i am. I am temperamental, not proud of it but i readily admit it :)
Some things just pissed me off. Some things just irritated and annoyed me. Some things were just insensitive. Some things were just pathetic. Some things i don't even wanna discuss. Some were down to just plain bad timing. Some were ill-advised and ill-informed. Some were just a matter of opinions. Some were down to me just being impatient. Some were cause i was bugged by the stupid flu and cough. Some were cause i am grumpy...
I like the photo :) I don't know why but the background looks very Japanese. I like the interior. I like the colors and the lighting. I'm guessing that it also reflects my feelings and emotions from today. I hope i'm not as edgy tomorrow as i was today.
I was bored, and i didn't quite feel inspired enough today to have anything to blog about. There are a few people who have asked me what my new hair color looks like, what i look like nowadays etc. So i thought why not, why not i put up a new pic since i am bored anyway and since i am running out storage limit on flickr, i might as well put a pic of myself that i like :) Can't really see the real hair color though, it's different under sunlight, under fluorescent light, different when it's wet and when it's dry. But it's nice :)
Anyway, today wasn't such a bad day. There were hiccups, contributing to the physical fatigue i already felt due to lack of rest from last week that i cannot regain, due to a cold and cough i've had for days. Jo says i'm very grumpy. I guess i was and i am. I am temperamental, not proud of it but i readily admit it :)
Some things just pissed me off. Some things just irritated and annoyed me. Some things were just insensitive. Some things were just pathetic. Some things i don't even wanna discuss. Some were down to just plain bad timing. Some were ill-advised and ill-informed. Some were just a matter of opinions. Some were down to me just being impatient. Some were cause i was bugged by the stupid flu and cough. Some were cause i am grumpy...
I like the photo :) I don't know why but the background looks very Japanese. I like the interior. I like the colors and the lighting. I'm guessing that it also reflects my feelings and emotions from today. I hope i'm not as edgy tomorrow as i was today.
Monday, October 18, 2004
Coming back, coming home
Amazing how a week of turmoil, bitterness, lostness (is there such a term?!), being in limbo and almost in dire straits can turn and become one of the most fantastic turnaround comeback weeks! :) I must say that when God takes certain things away from people, whether to take us away from our 'comfort zones' or to teach us a lesson or plunges us into trouble; He wants us to cling on to Him, to return to Him and also perhaps to see if we fall back to Him and let Him catch us or to see if we blame it on Him. Interesting.
It was a good feeling coming back to the Father's House (better known as BLC - Bangsar Lutheran Church) yesterday. I did blog last week that Sunday is the 1st day of the week, not the last and that it was a refreshing start for me then. One week has gone by and another Sabbath Day has come! Coming back to the Lord feels like coming home :) We don't just come back on Sundays though. Coming back to God is an a daily thing. Worship is an daily thing. Worship is active. 'The heart of worship is worship from the heart'.
I thank God for the last 2 weeks. Why shouldn't i thank God for the horrible week too? I thank Him for teaching me so many things that week. I thank Him for His grace, mercy, compassion, love, patience, guidance, wisdom and strength that week. I got by didn't I? He sent me His angel, my mentor and friend to help me. Thank you Father :)
I spent most of the week catching up with friends, both old and new. Spent it with Jo. Although i didn't have much time with her, the time that we did spend were priceless and quality. Spent time with my mum and sister, the latter coming back just for the weekend - the family fellowship was so meaningful and lovely. Spent time with my work - in contemplation, planning, focusing and execution. Spent time with my bandmates. Spent time in creativity. Spent time in devotion. Spent time with God. Spent time working on spiritual growth and discipline. Spent time catching 2 movies. Spent time in conversations, in writings, in readings and in the Daily Bread.
Jo says i'm back. I do feel back in better form. I do feel that i am back :) Back at home...
It was a good feeling coming back to the Father's House (better known as BLC - Bangsar Lutheran Church) yesterday. I did blog last week that Sunday is the 1st day of the week, not the last and that it was a refreshing start for me then. One week has gone by and another Sabbath Day has come! Coming back to the Lord feels like coming home :) We don't just come back on Sundays though. Coming back to God is an a daily thing. Worship is an daily thing. Worship is active. 'The heart of worship is worship from the heart'.
I thank God for the last 2 weeks. Why shouldn't i thank God for the horrible week too? I thank Him for teaching me so many things that week. I thank Him for His grace, mercy, compassion, love, patience, guidance, wisdom and strength that week. I got by didn't I? He sent me His angel, my mentor and friend to help me. Thank you Father :)
I spent most of the week catching up with friends, both old and new. Spent it with Jo. Although i didn't have much time with her, the time that we did spend were priceless and quality. Spent time with my mum and sister, the latter coming back just for the weekend - the family fellowship was so meaningful and lovely. Spent time with my work - in contemplation, planning, focusing and execution. Spent time with my bandmates. Spent time in creativity. Spent time in devotion. Spent time with God. Spent time working on spiritual growth and discipline. Spent time catching 2 movies. Spent time in conversations, in writings, in readings and in the Daily Bread.
Jo says i'm back. I do feel back in better form. I do feel that i am back :) Back at home...
Sunday, October 17, 2004
Sunday notes
- What a week i've had! :) It was such a great 'bounce right back up' week for me and I owe it ALL to God! Today was a new Sabbath day - meaning a brand new start to a brand new week. Bring on this week! :) -
- To know and follow hard after you,
to grow as your disciple in the truth,
this world is empty, pale and poor,
compared to knowing you, my Lord,
lead me on and I will run after you... -
- I call out to you, again and again...
You are my rock in times of trouble,
You lift me up when I fall down,
All through the storm, Your love is the anchor,
My hope is in You alone... - - A reminder to us all. When we falter, God calls to us to cling on to Him. --
- Brunch with Bubba, Beks and Mei Ling was ultra fun! Loads of laughs and good food, yum! Got the taste of the bangers and mash i dreamt of a couple of weeks ago *haha* Too bad Lins and Nish missed the brunch outing. It was good to catch up after not meeting up for a long time. It's weird coz we used to all meet up almost every day to hang out! -
- Brand new week and brand new hair color too! :) The orange mohawk is gone after a lil under 2 months! It's now some consumer product Frosty Beige color. I really like the color! Very nice and i now look half decent again ;) *haha* I just felt the phase had passed and i did want to look neat and proper again. -
- It was good seeing Kevin and spending time to talk about God as usual, the band and our plans - both as individuals and also as a band. Told Kev about Jo as well. Got to see Fumi at Julia's birthday dinner. Good time for the band to meet up again and celebrate our frontman's gal's birthday :) -
- Also got to catch up with Daniel who's in Norwich, UK on MSN. Made me miss him us talking about the band, the JM way of life, brotherhood, fellowship and our walk with God, God's graciousness and love. Jo was also discussed as usual :) If Daniel ever wanted to come back to the band in future, we'll be sure to welcome him back with open arms :) -
- To know and follow hard after you,
to grow as your disciple in the truth,
this world is empty, pale and poor,
compared to knowing you, my Lord,
lead me on and I will run after you... -
- I call out to you, again and again...
You are my rock in times of trouble,
You lift me up when I fall down,
All through the storm, Your love is the anchor,
My hope is in You alone... - - A reminder to us all. When we falter, God calls to us to cling on to Him. --
- Brunch with Bubba, Beks and Mei Ling was ultra fun! Loads of laughs and good food, yum! Got the taste of the bangers and mash i dreamt of a couple of weeks ago *haha* Too bad Lins and Nish missed the brunch outing. It was good to catch up after not meeting up for a long time. It's weird coz we used to all meet up almost every day to hang out! -
- Brand new week and brand new hair color too! :) The orange mohawk is gone after a lil under 2 months! It's now some consumer product Frosty Beige color. I really like the color! Very nice and i now look half decent again ;) *haha* I just felt the phase had passed and i did want to look neat and proper again. -
- It was good seeing Kevin and spending time to talk about God as usual, the band and our plans - both as individuals and also as a band. Told Kev about Jo as well. Got to see Fumi at Julia's birthday dinner. Good time for the band to meet up again and celebrate our frontman's gal's birthday :) -
- Also got to catch up with Daniel who's in Norwich, UK on MSN. Made me miss him us talking about the band, the JM way of life, brotherhood, fellowship and our walk with God, God's graciousness and love. Jo was also discussed as usual :) If Daniel ever wanted to come back to the band in future, we'll be sure to welcome him back with open arms :) -
Saturday, October 16, 2004
Glad to be home!
"My things, my room, my house, my car;
nothing like my home, family, living with your family, KL, city life, wan tan mee here, sleeping on your own bed, the joy of seeing so many Indians here, slightly more cosmopolitan people, seeing KL move faster and having my own space..."
I guess my sister just misses being home so much after being in KK for so long :) She's back for the weekend and we miss her too. It's good to have her home!
nothing like my home, family, living with your family, KL, city life, wan tan mee here, sleeping on your own bed, the joy of seeing so many Indians here, slightly more cosmopolitan people, seeing KL move faster and having my own space..."
I guess my sister just misses being home so much after being in KK for so long :) She's back for the weekend and we miss her too. It's good to have her home!
Swirly Wirly
I got me a call at 2am Friday morning, good thing i was still awake on the computer. James asked me to be his camera assistant for today's photo shoot and since it sounded interesting, i wanted to help and he needed help; i said ok :) Unfortunately for both of us, i slept at 3am (James slept even later!) and we had to be up by 630 am. Oh well, not like i'm not used to this, all part of doing shoots anyway.
So, James did oversleep for an hour, we got delayed; the day was long but fun, tiring and full of delays. At Mc'donalds, KL Sentral during one of the breaks between shoots in the afternoon, me and James stopped for some ice cream. I asked him what he wanted before making my order with the friendly Mc'ds staff and he said he wanted a 'swirly wirly' and thats exactly what i asked. "kak, satu swirly wirly" (miss, one swirly wirly please)! *hahaha* She had this priceless look and reaction! I wish i had caught it on tape or film or something. James broke out into laughter because of seeing my straight face and genuinely believing reaction to him asking for his swirly wirly @ mixed sundae cone :) I had a vanilla swirly wirly and we smiled at the courteous girl at the cashier, paid her and left happier as ice cream always cheers me up some. I thought to myself that i had to blog about this and here i am doing this. But what was to come soon after that incident was even funnier! We were going to the lift with the clients and one of them forgot where he parked his car. We went from 3rd floor to the 5th to the 4th to the 2nd, back to the 5th and back to the 3rd and finally back to the 4th which was the correct level all along! I had a good laugh and told James i was gonna blog about this too!
Anyway, our day has been a really LONG one. Ate 2 kebabs with pita bread and i must say i simply enjoy the fasting month coz of the food they sell everywhere! :) When you're hungry, it's difficult to control from being greedy though. You feel like you can eat everything, and everything looks and smells so good! Gotta be careful though, it's times like these u know u surely can't finish the food and it'll go to waste.
*Btw, that picture is a pic of me taken by James @ our 1st location in the morning. It's always fun to be at the playground, feeling like a child again :)*
So, James did oversleep for an hour, we got delayed; the day was long but fun, tiring and full of delays. At Mc'donalds, KL Sentral during one of the breaks between shoots in the afternoon, me and James stopped for some ice cream. I asked him what he wanted before making my order with the friendly Mc'ds staff and he said he wanted a 'swirly wirly' and thats exactly what i asked. "kak, satu swirly wirly" (miss, one swirly wirly please)! *hahaha* She had this priceless look and reaction! I wish i had caught it on tape or film or something. James broke out into laughter because of seeing my straight face and genuinely believing reaction to him asking for his swirly wirly @ mixed sundae cone :) I had a vanilla swirly wirly and we smiled at the courteous girl at the cashier, paid her and left happier as ice cream always cheers me up some. I thought to myself that i had to blog about this and here i am doing this. But what was to come soon after that incident was even funnier! We were going to the lift with the clients and one of them forgot where he parked his car. We went from 3rd floor to the 5th to the 4th to the 2nd, back to the 5th and back to the 3rd and finally back to the 4th which was the correct level all along! I had a good laugh and told James i was gonna blog about this too!
Anyway, our day has been a really LONG one. Ate 2 kebabs with pita bread and i must say i simply enjoy the fasting month coz of the food they sell everywhere! :) When you're hungry, it's difficult to control from being greedy though. You feel like you can eat everything, and everything looks and smells so good! Gotta be careful though, it's times like these u know u surely can't finish the food and it'll go to waste.
*Btw, that picture is a pic of me taken by James @ our 1st location in the morning. It's always fun to be at the playground, feeling like a child again :)*
Friday, October 15, 2004
2 movies and a fine afternoon
A week ago, i said to myself that i hadn't gone to the movies in a long time and that i had missed out on watching a lot of movies. I don't even catch any on DVD. Today, i watched 2! :) Went for a media screening of A Shark's Tale in the morning and Ladder 49 with Bubba tonight. Both are movies that i really wanted to watch, what a bonus! Without spoiling anything for anyone, i just wanna say that i thought A Shark's Tale was alright, funny but nothing to shout about. I ain't making any comparisons with a certain other fish animation movie but this one is of a totally different style, concept and story. Very commercial and more to the adult oriented story.
Now, Ladder 49 on the other hand was *thumbs up* :) It might be to some, a lil bit of a 'guy flick', i mean i knew me and my best friend would enjoy watching it together. Really good movie, good story, nice storytelling, touching, not too Hollywood and perhaps a lil propoganda involved ;) Won't give anymore away now!
Sandwiched between these 2 movie screenings was an afternoon of having a reliable electrician revive the lights of parts of my house and spending much needed quality time with Jo for once in quite a while.
What a good day...*breaths out* Bring on Friday!! :D
Now, Ladder 49 on the other hand was *thumbs up* :) It might be to some, a lil bit of a 'guy flick', i mean i knew me and my best friend would enjoy watching it together. Really good movie, good story, nice storytelling, touching, not too Hollywood and perhaps a lil propoganda involved ;) Won't give anymore away now!
Sandwiched between these 2 movie screenings was an afternoon of having a reliable electrician revive the lights of parts of my house and spending much needed quality time with Jo for once in quite a while.
What a good day...*breaths out* Bring on Friday!! :D
Thursday, October 14, 2004
@ The Book Cafe
Spent a few hours this morning at The Book Cafe, MPH, Midvalley Megamall having a discussion with a few friends. I must say after passing it so many times, this was my 1st time sitting down there, having a drink and chat. Very comfortable, as the whole of MPH is :) Productive and constructive conversation, laughter and even a surprise visit from a special someone ;) Jo joined us towards the end and got right into the laughs with us! What fun..
Role reversal
Wow! I go for someone's birthday dinner only to find myself having my own seating place, with good food and drink awaiting and a customized card bearing my name and a personalized message behind the card waiting for me :) The effort put into this birthday celebration for the closest friends was admirable! Well thought of, A+ for effort and ideas and fine cooked food indeed (not to mention even a 2nd helping)! On the way there, i was telling someone that getting a friend something as simple as a card means the world as long as we put effort in finding the appropriate card and not just any generic 'Happy Birthday' sort, and it means a lot to just write a heartfelt message within that card; not just 'Dear so and so, love, from so and so...' Now that would be lame! :P But to have the host and birthday girl put such effort for every single guest? Wow. Kudos to you and Happy 21st Birthday again Bihzhu! ;)
Wednesday, October 13, 2004
One from the mirror lake :)
This photograph was taken by me at a mirror lake, almost a month ago. At a glance, it may not seem like there is a mirror image. However, if you look closely enough, you will see that the bottom quarter of the photo is the lake, mirror-ing the side of that limestone hill :) Ahh, the joys of admiring God's work, and the beauty of nature! Not to mention that this was in our own backyard, in Malaysia!
Awesome is to God
It's true that culture and the way people speak have trivialized the way certain words are used and are meant to be used. I never thought much of it till lately that words such as awesome are more often than not, simply used. I'm glad though that i've been corrected by those who care and who know better than i do, that the word awesome is and should be used only in reverence to God :) Other words commonly trivialized by us humans are words like love and hate. I think we should all be more tactful and careful with the usage of our words.
One from the studio :)
I love this photo. This was from our studio time on Monday. Very Nirvana-ish, Fumi holding his hair like Kurt Cobain did. Me having a good laugh about it and Kevin putting on his 'what are you doing lah?' face *haha* The band had a good day overall, the vibe was good.
Tuesday, October 12, 2004
Studio time
Yesterday's final session in the recording studio with the boys was very productive indeed. We were scheduled to hit the studio at 11am and as usual it was good to see Kevin on time, even earlier than I was! :) It's been over a month (since Merdeka eve to be exact!) since the band has come together. That's a really unhealthy reality for me to accept to be honest. I did tell Fumi i missed him when i saw him on MSN and i did call Kevin up to catch up and keep in touch. Nothing gay about missing your bandmates and brothers ;) I was just really looking forward to seeing the boys and Kim again, hanging out, catching up and also to do what we were there to do - assess and finalize all tracks of the 5 songs on the upcoming EP before we begin mixing and mastering.
So much to plan for and i was just relieved we were on course from the beginning. We did however spend from 11am till almost 8pm there! Whoever said recording was easy? Thats a common misconception. Well, in the morning before Fumi got there, i was very pleased to have the usual fellowship time with Kim and Kevin, with God being the center of our dialogue, sharings and discussions. Lunch was good too! We are so much of an eating band! Although i worry at times watching Fumi and Kevin eat! Or am i worried about how often they complain about being hungry? Even more than me...hmmm... So the 5 songs are done. Now for the mixing and mastering. It was good the band had a detailed meeting about many things. Now i just have much work to do on the EP's design etc.
So much to plan for and i was just relieved we were on course from the beginning. We did however spend from 11am till almost 8pm there! Whoever said recording was easy? Thats a common misconception. Well, in the morning before Fumi got there, i was very pleased to have the usual fellowship time with Kim and Kevin, with God being the center of our dialogue, sharings and discussions. Lunch was good too! We are so much of an eating band! Although i worry at times watching Fumi and Kevin eat! Or am i worried about how often they complain about being hungry? Even more than me...hmmm... So the 5 songs are done. Now for the mixing and mastering. It was good the band had a detailed meeting about many things. Now i just have much work to do on the EP's design etc.
Monday, October 11, 2004
Walking fine
Ahhh! Got up this morning and realized i have come away unscathed from football yesterday evening! :) It's so important to stretch and warm-up before sports, but i hardly did all these years because i love playing games so much i just jump right into it! *haha* That's just the lil boy in me i guess! :P I'm walking fine, muscles are just a lil tense, but thats normal. At least i'm not limping like 2 weeks ago, barely able to walk and at the same time coming down with a viral fever!
Our walk with God can sometimes be like that too. We never know if we might come away unscathed from trials and hurdles in life. Sometimes it is so important to stretch and warm-up and be all geared up for these things in life. There are times when we aren't walking fine, we're limping, our spiritual life and daily life might be stuttering BUT we could also bounce right back up and be walking just fine :) Prayer's really important in this case. Pastor Sivin did say too that we have to pray!
On the side note, i was just thinking to myself the other day, what happens if your spiritual life is suffering but someone who is also suffering from the same thing or other things comes to you for aid? What do you do? Honestly, in my opinion, should it be so wrong a thing to help others through their spiritual life or any other regular problem for that matter just because you are down too? Does that take away your fundamental qualifications to be a friend? I dont think so at all. In fact, i feel that helping someone in need, putting others before yourself, can only be a help factor rather than a bad thing. Helping others also helps you identify with your own problems sometimes, and in some weird way, might give you a sense of rejuvenation to deal with your own problems.
Our walk with God can sometimes be like that too. We never know if we might come away unscathed from trials and hurdles in life. Sometimes it is so important to stretch and warm-up and be all geared up for these things in life. There are times when we aren't walking fine, we're limping, our spiritual life and daily life might be stuttering BUT we could also bounce right back up and be walking just fine :) Prayer's really important in this case. Pastor Sivin did say too that we have to pray!
On the side note, i was just thinking to myself the other day, what happens if your spiritual life is suffering but someone who is also suffering from the same thing or other things comes to you for aid? What do you do? Honestly, in my opinion, should it be so wrong a thing to help others through their spiritual life or any other regular problem for that matter just because you are down too? Does that take away your fundamental qualifications to be a friend? I dont think so at all. In fact, i feel that helping someone in need, putting others before yourself, can only be a help factor rather than a bad thing. Helping others also helps you identify with your own problems sometimes, and in some weird way, might give you a sense of rejuvenation to deal with your own problems.
An Official Hello and Welcome!
I can't believe I am blogging! Should i say FINALLY?! *shrugs* Those who know me well, know I love writing at my own leisurely pace. I dont like following crowds or trends. Blogging became such a fad a couple of years back maybe? (haven't researched on the stats so if I ain't right about it, sorry!) Furthermore, there has been recent writeups in newspapers etc. about blogging, parents disapproving blogging because of whatever reasons etc etc etc bla bla bla bla yada yada... Even more reasons to turn me off from wanting to blog! But... Well, I'm the sort who loves journaling and writing my thoughts, aspirations etc. James talked me into it once many many months ago, and i did start this blog on another blog site but i never did anything with it. Not until less than a week ago! :) Mostly i feel 'malas'/lazy to write coz i think fast and in bunches, so sometimes not even typing (i type wayyyyy faster than i write of course!) can help put my thoughts down in time. So i feel tired, and malas, and decide not to do it. But its been fun :) I guess contributing to my church's blog 'The Waiting Room' helped to spark off my interest, not to mention my mentor suggesting i blog my experiences with God, which i find helps me with my walk with Christ and helps me with my daily devotion with God. Anyhow, a big hello and welcome to whoever stumbles upon this blog! If you don't like what you read or see, I ain't here to please everyone. I come as i am. This is who i am, partially... I am no crowd pleaser. I am my own person, a friend, a son, a brother and follower of Christ :) Hello once again!
Sunday - not the last but the first day :)
There was just something about the morning :) A renewed sense of life. A taste of a new beginning perhaps? Beautiful morning, fresh air, people in the park - up and at 'em, revelling in the morning sun, spending quality time with family and friends; songs of joy my mother was playing in the living room, a renewed sense of rejuvenation and hope I felt, morning devotion, a new Sabbath Day and football to come! My u-turn from a week ago could be complete! 2 weeks ago, i spent a week almost bed-ridden completely, suffering from a viral fever. After that one week, i felt as if i had slipped into a coma for a week only to wake up a different person, a lost soul and my life staring at me upside down! This past week had been one of the toughest for me. Countless big problems, my life in tatters... What a turnaround going back to God, seeking Him has helped. Having wonderful mentors also represent big bonuses in my life :) One brief MSN conversation with one of my best friends and mentor helped me begin the turnaround. Thanks for the great advice and confidence in me to turn things around brother!
Carrying our friends to Jesus
*A forwarded email i received from someone. The timing of this was so amazing, and relevant in my life at that point of time i received it. It's amazing how God times things, and He is so full of surprises! I hope this helps those reading it, i know it has already impacted a few ;)*
Carrying our Friends to Jesus
Glynnis Whitwer - Senior Editor P31 Woman, Proverbs 31 Ministries
speaker, editor@proverbs31.org
Key verse:
"Some men came carrying a paralytic on a mat and tried to take him into
the house to lay him before Jesus." Luke 5:18 (NIV)
Devotion:
There's a great scene in the movie "Lord of the Ring: The Return of the
King" where the characters Sam and Frodo are approaching the end of
their long journey to destroy a ring and restore peace to their
embattled land.
The two little Hobbits are picking their way up a volcano-like mountain
covered with smoke and burning rock. Frodo is the carrier of the ring,
and with each step, the evil forces behind it drain his will and
strength. When it looks as if Frodo can carry his burden no farther, his
faithful companion Sam lifts him in his arms and says, "Come on, Mr.
Frodo. I can't carry it for you, but I can carry you." With that, solid
little Sam picks up Frodo and carries him the rest of the way up the
mountain.
As I watched that amazing scene, God showed me a picture of what His
vision of Christian fellowship could be like: believers helping each
other when faced with life's difficulties. But the reality of life is
that I can't always take on the burdens my friends are carrying, even
though I would willingly do so. My sister lost her daughter in a car
accident this summer. I can't take away that pain and grief. A friend's
husband is without a job. In "The Return of the King," Sam couldn't
carry the ring.
Being a "fixer" by nature, I wish I could carry my loved ones' burdens
or take on their sorrow and frustrations myself. At times, I'm
emotionally stronger than my friends, physically healthier, and my faith
is on more solid ground. But try as I might, there are times when I just
can't help enough.
There's a story in Luke chapter 5 about four men who couldn't carry a
friend's burden, but they knew who could. These four men must have heard
about the great miracles of Jesus and believed Jesus could help their
friend. With great faith and determination, they carried their friend
to a house where Jesus was teaching. When they couldn't get through the
door because of the crowds, they carried their friend up to the roof and
lowered his mat through the tiles and into the center of the crowd,
where Jesus did heal him.
When our loved ones are weak and burdened, they might need us to carry
them to Jesus, too. We can do this by praying with them and for them.
Something amazing happens when we lay our hands on a friend and together
we approach God in prayer. We can also invite people to church if they
don't already attend one, give them a Bible, a helpful book, and type
some Scriptures that apply to their situation or buy them an audio tape
of a great teaching.
When people close to us are suffering, there are things we can do. But
they are never enough because our friends need Jesus. The best thing we
can do is carry our friends to Jesus when they just can't get there
themselves.
My prayer for today:
Heavenly Father, I praise You for Your almighty power and great love. I
confess the times I have neglected to share Your hope and love with
those in need. I pray for wisdom to know how to bring my friends to You.
Thank you for answering our prayers and for Your faithfulness. In Jesus'
Name, Amen.
Application steps:
Identify one or two friends or loved ones who are going through a rough
time. List some practical ways you can direct them to God for help.
Schedule a time to do these things.
Reflection points:
What are some common trials that can leave us tired and emotionally
spent?
How do you feel when someone prays for you?
What keeps you from reaching out more to hurting friends?
How can you overcome those concerns?
How has God carried your burdens when you feel as if you can't go on?
Power verses:
Romans 15:1 We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the
weak and not to please ourselves. (NIV)
Romans 15: 5-6 May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give
you a spirit of unity among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus, so
that with one heart and mouth you may glorify the God and Father of our
Lord Jesus Christ. (NIV)
Psalm 133:1 How good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in
unity. (NIV)
Matthew 11:28 Come to me all who are weary and burdened, and I will give
you rest." (NIV)
Galatians 6:2 Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will
fulfill the law of Christ. (NIV)
Carrying our Friends to Jesus
Glynnis Whitwer - Senior Editor P31 Woman, Proverbs 31 Ministries
speaker, editor@proverbs31.org
Key verse:
"Some men came carrying a paralytic on a mat and tried to take him into
the house to lay him before Jesus." Luke 5:18 (NIV)
Devotion:
There's a great scene in the movie "Lord of the Ring: The Return of the
King" where the characters Sam and Frodo are approaching the end of
their long journey to destroy a ring and restore peace to their
embattled land.
The two little Hobbits are picking their way up a volcano-like mountain
covered with smoke and burning rock. Frodo is the carrier of the ring,
and with each step, the evil forces behind it drain his will and
strength. When it looks as if Frodo can carry his burden no farther, his
faithful companion Sam lifts him in his arms and says, "Come on, Mr.
Frodo. I can't carry it for you, but I can carry you." With that, solid
little Sam picks up Frodo and carries him the rest of the way up the
mountain.
As I watched that amazing scene, God showed me a picture of what His
vision of Christian fellowship could be like: believers helping each
other when faced with life's difficulties. But the reality of life is
that I can't always take on the burdens my friends are carrying, even
though I would willingly do so. My sister lost her daughter in a car
accident this summer. I can't take away that pain and grief. A friend's
husband is without a job. In "The Return of the King," Sam couldn't
carry the ring.
Being a "fixer" by nature, I wish I could carry my loved ones' burdens
or take on their sorrow and frustrations myself. At times, I'm
emotionally stronger than my friends, physically healthier, and my faith
is on more solid ground. But try as I might, there are times when I just
can't help enough.
There's a story in Luke chapter 5 about four men who couldn't carry a
friend's burden, but they knew who could. These four men must have heard
about the great miracles of Jesus and believed Jesus could help their
friend. With great faith and determination, they carried their friend
to a house where Jesus was teaching. When they couldn't get through the
door because of the crowds, they carried their friend up to the roof and
lowered his mat through the tiles and into the center of the crowd,
where Jesus did heal him.
When our loved ones are weak and burdened, they might need us to carry
them to Jesus, too. We can do this by praying with them and for them.
Something amazing happens when we lay our hands on a friend and together
we approach God in prayer. We can also invite people to church if they
don't already attend one, give them a Bible, a helpful book, and type
some Scriptures that apply to their situation or buy them an audio tape
of a great teaching.
When people close to us are suffering, there are things we can do. But
they are never enough because our friends need Jesus. The best thing we
can do is carry our friends to Jesus when they just can't get there
themselves.
My prayer for today:
Heavenly Father, I praise You for Your almighty power and great love. I
confess the times I have neglected to share Your hope and love with
those in need. I pray for wisdom to know how to bring my friends to You.
Thank you for answering our prayers and for Your faithfulness. In Jesus'
Name, Amen.
Application steps:
Identify one or two friends or loved ones who are going through a rough
time. List some practical ways you can direct them to God for help.
Schedule a time to do these things.
Reflection points:
What are some common trials that can leave us tired and emotionally
spent?
How do you feel when someone prays for you?
What keeps you from reaching out more to hurting friends?
How can you overcome those concerns?
How has God carried your burdens when you feel as if you can't go on?
Power verses:
Romans 15:1 We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the
weak and not to please ourselves. (NIV)
Romans 15: 5-6 May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give
you a spirit of unity among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus, so
that with one heart and mouth you may glorify the God and Father of our
Lord Jesus Christ. (NIV)
Psalm 133:1 How good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in
unity. (NIV)
Matthew 11:28 Come to me all who are weary and burdened, and I will give
you rest." (NIV)
Galatians 6:2 Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will
fulfill the law of Christ. (NIV)
Part-time, Full-time, Some-time?
* Originally posted on 'The Waiting Room' on Thursday, Oct 7, 2004. *
Worship is an everyday thing. Not a Sunday-thing, nor a 2-times-in-a-week thing. So too is our commitment and faith in our Lord, our Saviour Jesus Christ. Commitment is something we take on and give it our all. The word commitment in itself means dedication towards being a part of or doing something. There is no such thing as half-hearted commitment in my opinion. The day we accepted God in our lives, we accepted to be His humble servants. It's funny how people view commitment sometimes. When we commit to a relationship with another human being (a girlfriend or boyfriend for example), do we commit to them part-time? Do we tell them we only want to see them 3 days in a week and if we have to see them a 4th day in a particular week, do we make a deal with them to see them a day less the following week as a replacement? Does it matter how many days in a row we see them? Should there be a fixed pattern? Same goes with our commitment to God. Do we attend service at church on Sundays because of routine? Because its a corporate or religious thing to do on Sunday? Do we serve at church because we feel obligated to? Because some church member asked us to? Serving God is an honour. It's sad for me to see that not everyone feels as such. It's sad to see that for some, God isn't the true driving force behind our motives and actions as disciples of Christ. Should being commited in our Life Group participation, serving at church as part of the Worship Team or attending service on Sunday be such a 'job'? Shouldn't each be seen as an opportunity to meet with God? Or perhaps sometimes even seen as a place of comfort?
Saturday, October 09, 2004
Let it set happy :)
"Be angry, and do not sin": Do not let the sun go down on your wrath. - Ephesians 4:26
"Uncle Ray and his wife's formula to a very successful marriage is living by the 'Don't let the sun go down on your anger' theory". This was shared with me about a month ago. Its so true. More often than not, we just unleash the worst within ourselves in haste and during the peak of heightened anger, those awful spur of the moment experiences. But whether or not its a friendship, romantic relationship or family relation; we musn't let our anger overcome us. Take a deep breath, pause for a moment, crack a joke, say something that you know for certain the person u are having a tiff with will laugh at or at least lighten up, whatever...do SOMETHING. More often than not also, it's worth a crack at and wont lead to disaster.
I've had a reputation for being a hot-head; impatient and fiery in nature. However, i recently discovered the joys of taking the effort to make this change. In the heat of anger, i refrained from allowing the sun to go down on my anger. You never know what it might help change :)
By the way, Uncle Ray and his wife have been happily married for decades. Sure they have their differences at times. Who doesnt? Its not what negatives that go down, it's how they are dealt with :)
"Uncle Ray and his wife's formula to a very successful marriage is living by the 'Don't let the sun go down on your anger' theory". This was shared with me about a month ago. Its so true. More often than not, we just unleash the worst within ourselves in haste and during the peak of heightened anger, those awful spur of the moment experiences. But whether or not its a friendship, romantic relationship or family relation; we musn't let our anger overcome us. Take a deep breath, pause for a moment, crack a joke, say something that you know for certain the person u are having a tiff with will laugh at or at least lighten up, whatever...do SOMETHING. More often than not also, it's worth a crack at and wont lead to disaster.
I've had a reputation for being a hot-head; impatient and fiery in nature. However, i recently discovered the joys of taking the effort to make this change. In the heat of anger, i refrained from allowing the sun to go down on my anger. You never know what it might help change :)
By the way, Uncle Ray and his wife have been happily married for decades. Sure they have their differences at times. Who doesnt? Its not what negatives that go down, it's how they are dealt with :)
Friday, October 08, 2004
Soul
Fly away to another place,
Before you’re falling away,
I never thought that this could be,
Now it’s time to work, to stay, yeah…
You’re facing a downside of sorts,
Hit by things that don’t seem to go,
I had to know, I had to be honest,
With myself and the ones who’ve seen me grow…
Pre-Chorus:
I’ll be on to you,
If you don’t look too far,
I’ll be one with you, yeah…
Chorus:
Dreams that aren’t too big,
Don’t be clouded not to see,
Coz there is always hope somewhere,
If you never wanted me,
I will never go to waste,
My soul will somehow, always be free…
I hate to see you cry,
I hate to be someone new,
Maybe this could be the end of you,
But you gotta not try to hard…
Pre-Chorus:
I’ll be on to you,
If you don’t look too far,
I’ll be one with you, yeah…
Chorus:
Dreams that aren’t too big,
Don’t be clouded not to see,
Coz there is always hope somewhere,
If you never wanted me,
I will never go to waste,
My soul will somehow always be free…
Be free…
My soul will somehow always be free…
Be free…
John's Mistress - Copyright
Taken off John's Mistress' upcoming new EP 'Numb-er 2'
Before you’re falling away,
I never thought that this could be,
Now it’s time to work, to stay, yeah…
You’re facing a downside of sorts,
Hit by things that don’t seem to go,
I had to know, I had to be honest,
With myself and the ones who’ve seen me grow…
Pre-Chorus:
I’ll be on to you,
If you don’t look too far,
I’ll be one with you, yeah…
Chorus:
Dreams that aren’t too big,
Don’t be clouded not to see,
Coz there is always hope somewhere,
If you never wanted me,
I will never go to waste,
My soul will somehow, always be free…
I hate to see you cry,
I hate to be someone new,
Maybe this could be the end of you,
But you gotta not try to hard…
Pre-Chorus:
I’ll be on to you,
If you don’t look too far,
I’ll be one with you, yeah…
Chorus:
Dreams that aren’t too big,
Don’t be clouded not to see,
Coz there is always hope somewhere,
If you never wanted me,
I will never go to waste,
My soul will somehow always be free…
Be free…
My soul will somehow always be free…
Be free…
John's Mistress - Copyright
Taken off John's Mistress' upcoming new EP 'Numb-er 2'
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