the day the earth stood still

I'm a fan of science fiction. I remember the times when the bbc would show blake 7 on sundays and i wondered why they chose the day i needed to be in church to show my favourite sci fi series. But then there was always star trek and Dr. Who. 

These days i hardly watch any tv so i don't follow any sci fi series and heroes season 3 just ended so my weekly series consumption has been reduced to watching the anime bleach which just reached its 200th episode and going strong.

Without giving too much away, the day the earth stood still or "the movie" is quite interesting. I'm sure if i read the book my brain would have been more creative to draw the mental images it needs to draw to make the movie more exciting. In case you didn't get me, i just said the movie is quite boring. Yeah there are shootings but nothing action-y if you get what i mean. I think match of the pengiuns had more action that this movie, i didn't feel any high point or low point. It kind of reminded me of Quantom of Solace which was bland to say the least but at least i didnt sleep while watching it which is more than i can say for Madagascar Return to Africa. I guess i was too tired or the movie really sucked.

The movie was interesting indeed. If you believe that we evolved as part of a once primitive lifeform then it makes sense. If you believe we were made by God then the movie is just another escape from boredom this holiday season because we are not answerable to some advanced civilisation some where out there in a world outside of yonkers... They do not decide if we live or die and they do not exist as far as i am concerned. But we are answerable to a superior being who one day will decide the fate of not the earth alone but its inhabitants and the choices they have made with respect to his Son Jesus and thats the truth, even though for some it might be an inconvenient truth but its the truth regardless.

What did i learn from the movie? Nothing much really. It didnt excite me, it didn't educate me, it sure didn't entertain me so i'm kind when i give it a 2.3 out of 5.

~shalom~

noel noel

I suppose merry christmas is in order. Christmas time is always a special time. Its a good time to reflect, to stop and take it all in. Sometimes i wish there was a place i could go just to get away from people and be by myself and do just that but the older i get the more difficult it is to find that quiet place to reflect and think.

This year has been really eventful, but instead of thinking of all the things that went wrong, maybe its time we try looking at all the things that went right. God has been faithful, we're still here. There are a lot of people who didnt make it to 2008, or even today for that matter thats something to be grateful for. God has been there through all the hard times and through exams and planning for events, providing a way, even at times when its like why are I doing this? He has always provided strength for the journey. 

I really want to thank God for my family, they have been great and even though i could be a better son and brother they have always been there for me, i miss them so much. And for my mom... my friend said once that she must be very strong not seeing her son for so long and i know she's strong but i just want to see her again, just hang out with her, be her driver or something... i wish i could cook so i can make a meal for her. But she likes her cold cup of water after a long day, i guess i could do that. And my dad, even though i don't talk much about him and we don't talk much to each other, i must say he's been a blessing to me and i thank God for protecting him from all his travels and continuing to shine his grace upon him. I know one day he will bow his knees and willingly worship God. I know it. 

At this time when everyone else will be having family dinners and going out with friends and spending quality time, at this very special time of gift giving and song singing remember to give thanks for its been a rollercoster of a year for many of us and its worth spending some time to give thanks because you have today and you're still here and at this moment thats all that matters. 

Have a blessed christmas from me :)

~shalom~

a few new things

The past few weeks have been quite interesting. Went for a camp at Batang Ai, then went on doulos to take pictures for a murial painting competition. Doulos is great, there are a lot of really nice people there. Met a nigerian who's committed to going back and changing the way people think.

I think its great that some of us come out of the country to get a taste of what humility really means and how a nation should function.

Things to looks forward.... well there is the presentation at the spring. I wish i were singing but i'll be taking pictures on that day. Have I mentioned how i love taking pictures? But yeah its going to be awesome and there's another presentation at Jervynna's grand folks place on christmas eve.

But before all that we'll be off on the doulos this sunday for a trip. I hear there are three buses leaving from bethany centre, st. faith and kuching town no.1 and transportation is absolutely free just come. The buses will be leaving at 2pm so don't be late.

Christmas eve there will be a service and lunch and some visitations.

I thought of making a new theme for this blog to mark the new year and i've been working on it. I wanted something simple, not so much graphics but simple and elegant but i don't think i'll be finished this year with so many things going on at the moment.

I'm very optimistic about the new year. I think its going to be an exciting and challenging. But i believe its going to be a very good year.

I want to specially thank God for blessing my family this year and for keeping them all in good health. I pray that his faithfulness and blessing, his protection and covering will continue.

~shalom~

14 dec

:) 

~shalom~

worlds apart

I've had this song for a long time now but it never hit me as much as it did today. Went to my blog and it was singing and made me listen again and again, worlds apart by jars of clay.

~shalom~

happiness

We came back from camp on monday and a lot was said and shared. There are times when i don't really feel like going to another camp because of the sheer number of camps i've been to and everytime its something new. God speaks to you in a different way, with different things and a lot of reminders to continue to do the things we have stopped doing or are not doing as much of like studying the bible, not just reading it, making a difference in the place we are, being the influence instead of being influenced and having and knowing our place in God's kingdom.

Its really timely all these things happening now. I guess thats the best thing about God's timing, He knows when to bring what and how you will respond to it. If all these came a while back i wouldn't have been paying attention but now is a good time and I really thank God.

Its good coming back to kuching. This is where i grew up i guess and meeting everyone i know and some of those i don't know all that well, seeing how they have continued to remain faithful with the things they are doing and this community of people, my brothers and sisters. I must confess i almost didn't come back because there are things i wanted to do with my break but thank God for boredom in miri that drove me away :) and mr suresh who wouldn't shut up about kuching. I felt like my time would be better spent here.

Looking ahead, i'm hopeful about 2009 it feels like a breath of fresh air, and that old cliche, a new beginning and i'm determined to make the most of my 2009. Start afresh and continue to grow in all the areas i need to and most importantly like Paul said forgetting what is behind and strive for what is ahead aka moving on. Bye baby :) this bro is going to MMIX in style, God willing.

~shalom~

Moving houses

Thanks to oliver, cheryl and joshua's car we moved some of my stuff to my new house on the same street. I'm still quite worried it won't be ready on time, they still have not fixed the aircon and the lights i requested for. I don't want to stay there without the aircon. And i still need to transfer my internet to the new place, the folks at tmnet are not here yet. Just hope they can do everything on time.

There are a few things i'll miss in my present house. The most of course are my housemates. Allan and Amy hehe all A one. I'll miss allan's singing. He usually has a new favourite song every two weeks or so and will play it until he gets bored of it or finds a new favourite song whichever comes first. I'm going to miss the sound of dota from his room "triple kill" haha and his company ma.

And amy even though she's not usually at home, going to miss her cooking :p and her taking care of the bills so we don't have to :p i've not seen a more devout follower of friends, not sure if i'll miss that or not but yeah my two housemates are the best.

I'm also going to miss my iban neighbors and their regular family gatherings complete with loud music and terrible karaoke performances. Will also miss the neighbour across the street who's always cleaning his house and car in his boxers. I really think he should consider getting a wife la.

I will also miss the birds. Yeah the birds in front of my house. They always gather in the morning. I'm not sure if they're having breakfast together on the tree in front but they never have a quiet breakfast. And at night they all come back for dinner on the same tree almost as if catching up on each other's day again they don't do it quietly but its nice to hear them at least at these times. Will definitely miss them.

But i tell you what i most certainly won't miss. The walk home. Sometimes just looking at the way i need to walk makes my heart sink. I just thank God my new house is closer :)

I just want to thank God for everyone who helped out, justin for lending me his truck, amy for driving the tempermental thing, kenin for helping me move some stuff... thanks guys :)

~shalom~

a million parachutes

My first contact with sixpence none the richer was back in Naija (Nigeria). There was this American tv station, tbn that showed christian music videos on sundays and thats where i first heard breathe your name and it instantly became one of my favourite songs and still is.

I like the way leigh nash, the lead singer sings. Her voice gives the band their unique distinction. I could listen to sixpence all day long and not get tired of them. You know some songs or albums when you listen to it too long you get tired of them? It doesn't happen with this band well at least not for me.

Whats with the name?
Well they get their name from C.S. Lewis' book Mere Christianity:

Every faculty you have, your power of thinking or of moving your limbs from moment to moment, is given to you by God. If you devoted every moment of your whole life exclusively to His service you could not give Him anything that was not in a sense His own already. So that when we talk of a man doing anything for God or giving anything to God, I will tell you what it is really like. It is like a small child going to his father and saying, 'Daddy, give me sixpence to buy you a birthday present.' Of course, the father does, and he is pleased with the child's present. It is all very nice and proper, but only an idiot would think that the father is sixpence to the good on the transaction. When a man has made these two discoveries, God can really get to work. It is after this that real life begins. (source)

My love for the band will not be complete without having at least one of their albums, their best of to be precise and leigh nash's solo album blue on blue.

I discovered a song i've not listened to before a few minutes ago on youtube and instantly liked it. While its not yet one of my favourite songs I really do like it. So here's a million parachutes



Like a million parachutes
The snow's coming down
I'll lock up the front door
And turn down the lights
I see them descend
Like a million parachutes
Small men on a mission

I miss the warmth
And I miss the sun
I miss the ocean
I miss everyone
And I miss the bridges
That span across the bay
Tonight, it seems like ages ago

Like a million parachutes
the snow still falls
The dogs are asleep now
There's no one to call
I'll put on some records
And wait for the light
Under those million parachutes
Now a blanket is white.

~shalom~

blogging is dead

I heard blogging is dead. Well i don't know about that but this blog has certainly stagnated. 

Well exams are over, its done, onward. Now i face an uncertain break. I'm not sure what to do with all the time. I certainly don't want to spend my days in front of the computer unless i have to. I'm not sure if i'll be going to Kuching again this break although i would love to just that I need to settle things at my new house. I have a feeling i've said this before...

Yep blogging is dead, i don't know what to say... see you in Facebook?

No la. I feel a winds of change coming. The next sem is going to be interesting in many levels. There will be changes and i just hope we respond to them in the right way. 

I believe next year is another opportunity to do things right, to grow in new areas as well as in other areas where there should be growth especially personally and spiritually. I want next year to be a year of purpose of course without work its just going to be desires.

I miss my family a lot. Love them so much :)

~shalom~

change

Its inevitable, the words of agent smith in the matrix movie. He was talking about purpose but he was also talking about change. 

A few sundays ago there was a guest speaking talking about the same thing. 

I just had a thought that i put down and right after that i heard the song from the movie wall*e talking about change and at that point i couldn't ignore it anymore.

Its all around us, in live, in people in places and landscape in our selves, the way we think, the way we react. Hopefully we have changed, and hopefully the change is for the better.

People come and go thats a reality of live. Once upon a time i was not in malaysia and contrary to what most people think i am not from kuching although i consider it my second home of sorts because of the people i know there and the warm fellowship i enjoy there. So its no wonder why every chance i get i want to go back but one day there may be no going back. I may not be here, i may be far far away maybe back to my home. And even though its where i'm from its a big change because i've lived most of my adult life outside the country of my birth and have become accustom to the things here, and the way of life here that i have lost touch of what it means to be nigerian in some sense. Thats a change.

We make friends and the beginning are always tricky and awkward but through time and chance and whatever effort we put in, it happens and in a few years you become close and then the time comes for parting and what has awkward becomes a difficult ordeal. But people will come and people will go, thats the reality of life. So its not so much the friends you lose to time and proximity but more towards the challenge of facing the possible tricky and awkward again. 

I didn't want to bring this up but what would this blog be if it didn't reach the personal level? In the course of our lives we meet people who at first are strangers but something happens and we begin to spend time with them and they grow on us and then we take a chance on love as they say and see how the relationship leads and find out its wonderful for the most part. Its great that you have that special someone but then it comes to an end. How do you deal with that? Do you throw you gloves down and say thats it, i'm done. No more? How do you deal with that. I know a few people who are in this situation, and just thinking, back i feel sad at all the promising relationships that come to an end for some and a pause for others but how do you deal with this kind of change?

Curtin has this slogan, "look ever forward" and i have mentioned that it is very biblical. I'm not sure if who ever came up with the slogan had Paul in mind but Paul said something similar in philippians. Pressing on to what is ahead, forgetting what is behind... sounds like a good plan. What i believe is that no matter how good something is, there's always something better. This is not to say you take what you have for granted thinking there's always something better but to be the best steward of what you have and if for some reason things don't go as you wish, cry if you have to, mourn if you have to. But make a decision to move on, to enjoy your life, to be the best man or woman you can be, the do those things you never had the chance to do. But in all things glorifying God because He is good, pure good.

I think change in a way is a test from God to see how we react to new thing, maybe its a way for him to get us moving, not getting too comfortable in one spot, lifting us up into higher places of faith and dependance. The israelites where in the desert being fed with manna and the day came when God stopped providing manna and let them work for their food. Elijah was with Elisha and the day came when Elijah had to go away and Elisha had to stay and be the prophet. There was a day when Mary was just a good godly woman but the day came when she would become pregnant before she was married. I think i've made my point but just in case, change is inevitable. Its not always a bad thing, its not always comfortable but it brings us to a better place if we have the right attitude and continue to trust God. 

~shalom~

the 44th

~shalom~

the hills are alive

One of my favourite movies of all time is the sound of music. Its one of those timeless classics that reminds you how old you must be to remember them.

I just love classic movies, i never tire of them and this one tells a tale of love but not in the modern way we have become so accustom to but the old traditional way where you don't need to sleep with the girl you fancy to know that it is love.

Anyway, i like this particular song because of what it brings to mind when i listen to it; nostalgia, good thoughts, the great outdoors rapidly disappearing. Some day we may be like those bloated folks on board the axiom floating out in space, sucking on our cups, never wondering about anything while robots attend to our every needs even those trivial ones. {if you're scratching your head wondering what i'm talking about, you should watch wall*e, wonderful movie}




The hills are alive with the sound of music
With songs they have sung for a thousand years
The hills fill my heart with the sound of music
My heart wants to sing every song it hears

My heart wants to beat like the wings of the birds
that rise from the lake to the trees
My heart wants to sigh like a chime that flies
from a church on a breeze
To laugh like a brook when it trips and falls over
stones on its way
To sing through the night like a lark who is learning to pray

I go to the hills when my heart is lonely
I know I will hear what I've heard before
My heart will be blessed with the sound of music
And I'll sing once more.

Why can't modern songs make you feel like appreciating God's creation?
~shalom~

updates 291108

I just feel like making a post since i've been rather quiet lately. 

Exams are approaching and i don't feel it, don't feel like there's an urgency there's an almost indifference, scary!

Moving to a new house next sem, hopefully all goes well with the renovations and with my new housemates. I have a feeling its going to be one noisy house. 

This saturday I'll be attending a wedding at Grace Methodist Church pujut. I'll be among those singing. Picture this if you can, me singing jin jia jo, lia xin yah saw, jin jia ho... haha. Will be interesting hehe.

There's a possibility that i'll be spending the entire 3 months in miri. I'm not so sure what i'll be doing eventhough i have a few ideas to keep me busy. Anyone going to be in miri? Let me know so i won't feel all alone.

I feel like a lot of the people i've come to know are moving away, some finishing with school, others moving to other places. Almost makes me want to go away somewhere. I guess life's like that, people come and go and hopefully the time you spent together with them was worthwhile while you had it. I know i'm going to miss those leaving. Keep in touch guys.

Lately i've been thinking about the people of Israel and how they always follow God's laws for a season and then go their own way and cause God to send oppression to them so much that they cry to him again for deliverance and how he's always been there to deliver them time and time again and how that relates to our lives. Yeah there are seasons when i feel so close to him, and times when i dont feel like i'm doing anything that is good but looking at the God then and how even when he had not shown his humanity in the person of Jesus how he loved his people to deliver them from their mess when they called on him, gives me hope that he will always be there for me when i go my own way. 

I miss being in a family. Oh yeah, happy birthday manda :)

~shalom~

just for laughs

I can't get enough of this video la. Can watch it over and over and still break out into laughter.


~shalom~

praise+worship night

I don't watch a lot of veggie tales but the bit i've watched was really nice. There was this one they were talking about how lies starts small and harmless and then grows and grows because usually to cover the lie you have told you tell another one, and the more you do that you get better at it and so it gets so big that it gets out of control.

While i'm not going to talk about lies i'll like to share this song 'my day'. I like it a lot because its sung in the perspective of a child, going through his day and reflecting on the goodness of God all through his day.

I remember it today because there's a line that goes '...Sometimes I'm off key when I sing' I searched for the video on youtube but couldn't find it, anyway coming from the praise and worship night some people were clearly singing off key but they didn't mind, it was their own way to express the way they feel. Their way to worship and it doesn't matter how it sounds because God would still leave the angels in heaven with their perfect symphony to listen to us sing off key :) thats just the way He is I guess.

I really like the service, its true that our lives should be full of praises for the one we call our Lord for all He has done for us. For all He continues to do. Sometimes we look at the task at hand and they seem so big but God is bigger. I was reminded to delight in the Lord again, and worship. I felt like someone was telling me you dont worship like you used to and yeah.

My Day

In my bed I start to pray
And tell God all about my day
I woke up in my little bed
And put my hat upon my head

Cleaned my room
And cleared my dishes
Told mom breakfast was delicious

I went to school, learned something new
And tried to follow every rule
I studied my vocabulary
Had some fun with Bob and Larry

And so it's good to know (And so it's really good to know) 2nd time of chorus!
How much you love me…it's true
The bible says you do
You really love me
Your love was with me all throughout my day

I some how over looked my bed
Seems my dog is underfed
Forgot to change my underclothes
Watched one to many T.V. shows

I had some trouble sharing toys
And during rest time, made some noise
Walls are not for coloring
Sometimes I'm off key when I sing

And so it's good to know
How much you love me…it's true
The bible says you do
You really love me
Your love was with me all throughout my day

In my bed so quietly
I rest in knowing God Loves Me!

~shalom~

-no comment-

the rift,

within,

expressions that cannot be expressed,

not suppress, 

not repressed, 

not me, 

not just me.

the reflection, 

the projection,

the construction and re-construction,

the toil, 

the joy,

the end? 

the beginning,

the decision.

what do you want?

where are you going?

what are you doing to get there?

what makes you?

what's more important?

look ahead, 

leave it all behind,

there's nothing you can do to change it,

its done. DONE.

let it go.

Sometimes i talk to myself. Its not weird, i bet you do it too.

Into Your hands, i commit again, everything i am, and will be. I know i can't do anything without You. Take away my shame, my reproach, and lead me to a more excellent future. Let Your word be my certainty, let my faith in You be unshaken through the storms, through all these times. Don't let worry cripple me, don't let me slip away. Let Your word renew and freshen me, give me new hope in a hopeless world, where all the towers of men crumble and fall, when there's frantic panic let me to calm, still knowing that in You i have everything i need. For You have given me everything i need for life and godliness. Remind me of Your unfailing love, let my hope be in You alone. Bring me back when i stray and go my way. Guide me to the paths of wisdom, and understanding so i can make the most use of my time. Let me have cause to glorify You in the end. Arigato o-tou san.

~shalom~

what is wisdom

I was going through the apple website and bumped into this video on their pro page. I've watched it three times and i like it. Its part of a larger project called wisdombook by Andrew Zuckerman. Listen, learn and have a blessed weekend :)

In the words of Solomon the great king, "the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom..."

~shalom~

jogathon

This morning i woke up early to join the jogathon in campus. I thought it was a good thing to do since i get almost no exercise so why not? My preference is 100m, i think i'm fast and prefer shorter races to long distance races because i don't have the stamina to sustain myself. And i used to have breathing problems but thank God i don't have them anymore.

This is my first time running so far, we ran from campus to curtin village and back. The route was longer initially but the organisers decided to cut it short. I was a bit sad la when i heard it was just to village and back but ran anyway.

How Was It?

It was a very tiring run, both physically and mentally. I didn't know curtin village was so far, and i'm glad we didn't run with the initial route. I don't think i could finish.

Before the race i was very anxious, everytime i think about the race, my heart will beat faster and i have no idea why, i think it was scared but coming this morning, in my mind i was measuring everyone and thinking hmm, maybe i can be top 5. I was starting to be proud.

The race started and a few people started fast, i paced myself and tried to breathe rhythmically and consistently. I started slow not wanting to use too much energy since i didn't eat anything just drank milo in school before the race. 

Coming out of curtin, i started to feel the strain of the race, i started to doubt if i can finish. I could see those in front, they were too far ahead. I wanted to stop. But told myself, i came here to finish. My aim is not to win, i came here to finish. And it was hard to keep my head clear of many thoughts, so along with my breathing i would say silently finish, finish...

Did You Win?

Yes and No. No because i didn't come first, or second or third. And No i was not last. I came 7th. And Yes because i accomplished my aim, to finish. I thought to myself after a while, for someone who has not run before you didnt do too bad. Its not being proud  but the bible says David encouraged himself in the Lord. My mom told me once, that if you don't say i am, no one will say thou art. So yeah even though i had no hamper, i finished and that was my aim.

What Did You Learn?

I learned a few things, for one, even though i am strong, i am young, i have strength but my strength is given to me by God. And i am given the responsibility and priviledge to manage it and use it in the way that will honour him. 

Secondly i learned again to be humble. I was wrong to size people up in my mind and say sure can win that one. But instead to think lowly of myself and trust in God.

I also learned that we can do pretty much anything we set our hearts to do. Nothing is impossible. But we cannot do it in our own strength, Ultimately you will need God because in your own strength you can only go so far it is he who gives the staying power, the stamina to remain and not give up.

I talked about keeping my head clear, i think its important to remain focused and clear headed in a race, you cannot think about too many thing but control the things you can and leave the rest. 

I also think its important in a race to be prepared. And to set your mindset straight. Plan your work and work your plan. Because a lot a distractions will come, there will be times you will look at others and see how they  are so far ahead, and become discouraged but just as the bible asked us to run the race. Its interesting that it says to run and finish. Some people were disqualified along the way and they didn't get anything. But for those who finished they can look back at the God who led them through and give him praise.

On the way back i hit my heart and said to it, thank you, you did well, God bless. I hit my legs and said thank you legs, you did well, God bless. And hit my head and said you can do better, next time. The race is as much within as it is without. 

Run the race and FINISH.

~shalom~

vcf 9th anniversary

I think its nice to take some time and thank God for everything thats happened. I first want to thank God for Amanda for organising everyone and getting most of the stuff done. And Cheryl, Olly {happy birthday}, Ching Shen, Edric, Chipmunk, and everyone else i didnt mention. I know some had to put their personal work on hold just to make it. People i've not seen in a while like wee chuan. And those who had assignments but still came. 

Thank God for Oja for doing the video, i thought it was really good considering that the time and resources were short. I believe when you honor God He will honor you and nothing we do for God is a waste. I also want to thank miss Hannah for her help and ideas on what to present.

I'm really learning not to complain but to give thanks for everything. I want to apologise for the way things went. I know it could have been a lot smoother, a lot more glorifying to God and next time i think we'll do better. 

God bless you all for your effort. In the words of paul, be careful for nothing but in everything through prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God and the peace of God that transcends all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Puji Tuhan.

~shalom~

who do you trust

I read this just now and i'm going to paste it here. Sorry about the English.

Reader, this is an important question. Listen to the Christian’s answer, and see if it is yours. “On whom dost thou trust?” “I trust,” says the Christian, “in a triune God. I trust the Father, believing that he has chosen me from before the foundations of the world; I trust him to provide for me in providence, to teach me, to guide me, to correct me if need be, and to bring me home to his own house where the many mansions are. I trust the Son. Very God of very God is he—the man Christ Jesus. I trust in him to take away all my sins by his own sacrifice, and to adorn me with his perfect righteousness. I trust him to be my Intercessor, to present my prayers and desires before his Father’s throne, and I trust him to be my Advocate at the last great day, to plead my cause, and to justify me. I trust him for what he is, for what he has done, and for what he has promised yet to do. And I trust the Holy Spirit—he has begun to save me from my inbred sins; I trust him to drive them all out; I trust him to curb my temper, to subdue my will, to enlighten my understanding, to check my passions, to comfort my despondency, to help my weakness, to illuminate my darkness; I trust him to dwell in me as my life, to reign in me as my King, to sanctify me wholly, spirit, soul, and body, and then to take me up to dwell with the saints in light forever.”

Oh, blessed trust! To trust him whose power will never be exhausted, whose love will never wane, whose kindness will never change, whose faithfulness will never fail, whose wisdom will never be nonplussed, and whose perfect goodness can never know a diminution! Happy art thou, reader, if this trust is thine! So trusting, thou shalt enjoy sweet peace now, and glory hereafter, and the foundation of thy trust shall never be removed.

Source: ccel.org

~shalom~

learning from phil 2

I was really encouraged going through philippians 2 with jim and hannah. Even though its was just the three of us, we had a good time, a lot of laughs.

I'm reminded again what it means to be humble. It means to be like Jesus, He gave his life up for us so that we can be free, and receive the redemption that can only come through his death on the cross. As someone said for Jesus to come and live like a human was like for a human to become an earthworm. Although not an accurate equivalent, it gives us an idea of how low he had to come all because of him love.

Paul encouraged the people to live in unity, having one heart, one purpose. And its interesting that unity comes when there is humility. When no one seeks his own but regards the other higher than himself. This is not to say we lose our self worth. We are all bought with a price and are a priced Jewel in the hands of the maker. But really for unity to exist, someone has to play the fool and look stupid so that peace can win over. Bible says by this shall men know that you are my disciples, when you have love for one another.

It was interesting that we had covered this topic because just before the meeting we were discussing about how to increase the participation of the members and commitment and there all the answers we were looking for was there, in the text for the day.

Perhaps the most challenging thing paul encourages his brothers and sisters in Philippians 2 is not to complain or argue about anything thats right, he said ANYTHING. This he put in another way when he said be careful for nothing but in everything through prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God and the peace of God that transcends all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Its easy to just say oh, i won't worry about anything because the bible says so and become indifferent and lazy. Thats not the purpose. I think it means that don't let things trouble you until you lose your peace instead commit your worries and anxieties to God and trust him to take care of them for you. Afterall he says cast your cares on me and i will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you for my yoke is easy and my burden is light. So the next time you see me complain, remind me.

Its interesting that this comes up because something happened during the week that bothered me a bit. When people say things about you that you're not sure if its true or not because you need to ask God to be sure that its not true, it can be a bit confusing because you think you know yourself and then someone says something that give an impression of you that even you cannot recognise. I'm trying not to reveal too much but yeah. There are somethings that are outright false and there are others that needs to be checked on.

People of course are not perfect and say things out of their insecurity or false judgement and perceptions of what they think they know about you but in the end its between you and God and that person. All i can say is that its not the first time and thank God the last time was a case as mentioned however time will tell if this time its really true or not.

I won't let it bother me because i dont fight my own battles, never have. My name mean God's battle. And the verse in the bible that goes well with it is Exodus 14:14 and the Lord will fight for you and you will hold your peace. And speaking of peace, Psalm 119:165 says great peace have they who love thy law and nothing shall offend them. With man this is impossible but with God all things are possible.

I'm trying Lord to love your law, I know sometimes i just have to hurry off but I know that I will come to that place of exclusive devotion to your words. I trust You.

~shalom~

collections: homosexuality

I came across a very interesting article today and would like to share it here with you.

...the corruption of language has contributed to this confusion. When words like love, friend, male, female, and partner are transformed in a new sexual context, what was once understood to be pure and undefiled is now subject to sniggering and disrespect. (more)

Tim Challies writes a lot about life issues and living as christians and i love to read his blog.
~shalom~

Gone

In life there are many things that come our way and for a time they cause us so much joy and pleasure but nothing in this life is permanent. Someday they will be gone. Here's switchfoot gone.

Gone - Switchfoot - Beautiful Letdown

She told him she’d rather fix her makeup
Than try to fix what’s going on
But the problem keeps on calling
Even with the cellphone gone
She told him that she believes in living
Bigger than she’s living now
But her world keeps spinning backwards
And upsidedown
Don’t say so long in the cellphone
Don’t spend today away
Cuz today will soon be

Gone, like yesterday is gone,
Like history is
Gone, just trying to prove me wrong
And pretend like your immortal

She said he said live like no tomorrow
Every day we borrow
Brings us one step closer to the edge (infinity)
Where your treasure, where’s your hope
Forget the world and lose your soul
She pretends like she pretends like she’s immortal
Don’t say so long
Your not that far gone
This could be your big chance to makeup
Today till soon be

Gone, like yeterday is gone,
Like history is gone,
The world keeps spinning on,
Your going going gone,
Like sumemr break is gone,
Like saturday is gone
Just trying to prove me wrong
You pretend like your immortal your immortal

We are not infinite
We are not permanate
Nothing is immediate
We’re so confident
In our accomplishments
Look at how dark it is

Gone, like frank sinatra
Like elvis and his mom
Like al pichino’s cash nothing lasts in this life
My highschool dreams are gone
My childhood sweets are gone
Life is a day that doesn’t last for long

Life is more than money
Time was never money
Time was never cash,
Life is still more than girls
Life is more than hundred dollar bills
And oh the town fills
Life more than fame and rock and roll and thrills
All the riches of the kings
And up in wills we got information in the information age
But do we know what life is
Outside of our conveinent lexus cages

She said he said live like no tomorrow
Every moment that we borrow
Brings us closer to the God who’s not short of cash
Hey bono I’m glad you asked
Life is still worth living, life is still worth living

Its ok la my friend, God has the best for you. Just keep seeking Him. I'm always here.

~shalom~

Tweaks

I have an insatiable desire to change things, to see how they look if this was changed, or this value changed, or something here put there. As a kid growing up, i guess thats why i broke a lot of my toys because i would always get a screw driver and open it up to see how the insides look like and then after putting it back again it was never the same.

I spend a lot of time online, mostly looking at websites and reading articles on webdesign, just look at my delicious tags for webdesign and you'll see what i mean. If you notice i've made a few subtle changes to the way things look over here. I'll let you guess the rest but one of the things i changed is the blockquote class that defines the behaviour of the blockquote tag. This post describes how to style your own blockquote.

This is a blockquote
I sort of like the way tumblr displays quotes so i looked into the css file and customised it for this blog. Now quotes will be italicized and will have a font of 25px. It was originally 32px but i thought it was too big for my liking. The color also changed. Initially the font was Helvetica but it didn't look nice so i changed it to Georgia, consistent with the rest of the site.

One of the things i want to do with my 3months break is try and make a few more tweaks to this site and explore working with grids and playing around with a bit of photoshop and hopefully come up with a new look for the new year :)

I realise i've used a lot of I's in this post and want to apologise for using one more.

I noticed the music on the blog as nice as it is can be kind of annoying sometimes to some users so i'm going to change it so it doesn't autostart. Went into the code but can't seem to know what value to change to alter its behaviour but will look into it.

~shalom~

May your fountain be blessed,
and may you rejoice in the wife of your youth.

A loving doe, a graceful deer—
may her breasts satisfy you always,
may you ever be captivated by her love.

~shalom~

15 things

Tagged by Yan Hui

The rules and regulations:

1. Each player of this game starts off with 15 weird things/habits/little known facts about yourself.
2. People who get tagged need to write a blog of their own 15 weird things/habits/little known facts as well as state this rule clearly.
3. At the end, you need to choose 10 people to be tagged and list their names.
4. No tags back!!

1. I believe everyone is important but no one is too important.
2. I spend way too much time on the internet for my own good.
3. I love gadgets.
4. I love literature even though i dont read much. I appreciate good literature.
5. I like having things around me like toys or desktop creatures. Its nice to look at something pleasant when you're not looking at the computer. I have this frog eilyn gave to me and occasionally i will just pull them apart and listen to what they say. :)
6. I like to collect things. I used to collect reload cards but these days they're not so creative so i stopped.
7. I love to fly. :) :) :) :) can't understand when people say they're scared to fly. I absolutely love plane rides.
8. I like to have my own space.
9. I appreciate and admire good design. It doesnt matter if its a good website or architecture.
10. I love yoghurt
11. I enjoy the company of friends. people you can trust.
12. I can't wait to start working.
13. I like to watch anime, but quite choosey about the ones i watch. currently watching bleach.
14. When i'm really happy i get out of control and hyper.
15. I can go a whole day without food but not without water. I tend to drink more than i eat.

I tag anyone who is interested in doing this survey thingy.

~shalom~

my little treasure box

I like to think of myself as someone who does not hold many things that are of sentimental value. I've learned the hard way to have as close to nothing as something precious because ultimately they compete with God and it may take him ripping it off your hands to save you from yourself.

But i have this box, this thin box where I save some of the things that are precious to me, and if i lose everything else i wish never to lose those. Therein lies cards, letters, pictures and encouragements, a few souvenirs from over the years that i love going back to and taking a peek.

I've been trying to do my lab all day without much progress so as my mind wondered, i took a look at the box again to read those letters and was reminded how powerful our words can be and how powerless we can be to keep our words. Not because we don't want to but because there are greater more powerful 'things' that we unwillingly have to submit to. 

Kind of makes me think about the words of God that transcends time and space and is ever true. His words are not just for the present or the past, they are true for whatever future unfolds for us, and those that will come after us. His words are timeless, it does not attentuate with time or season or age. In the best of times, in the worst of times they are still potent. Human words can also be powerful, they give hope, they strengthen, sometimes they make us cry and break us to helplessness. 

I believe in God, there's a hope, {and i'll talk about hope some other time} but there's a hope and a confidence that cannot be shaken, at least not for too long, in the end i always come back to the basics. God is love, He is pure good, there is no evil in him even though sometimes he may allow evil and if it seems like he is far away, its for my good, its for your good, it is the time you cling even more to him, like a drowning man at sea clings to a piece of plank, just like the say Jacob clung to the angel in desperation. Knowing that there is no hope, no future outside of him. Everything out there is just bleak, mundane and sorrowful.

Yet we know that all things work together for the good of those who love God, and are called according to his purpose. And the b-e-a-uty of this statement is that He has called you, he said you did not choose me but i chose you. If that doesn't bring hope and confidence then something is really wrong. But yeah all things work together for our good and going through those letters i saw one my mom sent. 

I've not seen my mom in 4 years now, and i thought i'll be going back this year end to see all my siblings and my parents but thats not going to happen this year. I miss her, she's been such a great encouragement in my life, and part of the reason i don't have a very destructive lifestyle, i used to be different from what people know me now.  

I read her letter and it was something she sent oh i don't know some 2 - 3 years back and it was full of encouragement, i could almost feel her talking to me and i hope as a parent i will have this ability also, to speak something to my children or child that is just like a prophecy because thats what it was like. Even though she wrote it years back it still gives me strength and she talks still about my major struggles and gave me some scripture to memorize part of which i want to share.

From Philippians 4, finally brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable if anything is excellent or praiseworthy - think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me - put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.

Father, bless my mom with good health, long life, prosperity... Keep her safe as you always have and protect her soul from destruction. Let her see her grandchildren and give her the joy of seeing her children live for you all their lives. And also save my daddy, there's nothing you cannot do. I trust you.

~shalom~

msn messages

I've always wanted to make this post, i know it may seem lame but it shows how we use the technology that has become so ubiquitous. Here are some of the messages that my msn contacts have on without naming them of course.

• mary, its hard to make decision
• glucagon face
• faith is the currency of heaven
• PioPio - 60 days, LynLyn - 61 days, Liyon and LaLa - 62 days
• my God, my Everything
• Writing Essay~-jesuslovesuandme.blogspot.com
• crazyleously busy. . today, it finally slipped. i cried. i am tired. so tired. =(
• Next week no class!! :)
• Angeal, what happen to honour?
• free week here i com^^
• love u by bringing out the best in u
• dream more when you are awake
• Zzz~
• 2 and half days to weekend...woohoo!!!
• I CRY ..(>.<").. for my CAREER
• I might be slow, but I'm pushing to move, 1 mm, 2 mm...it will accumulate to 1 km..
• Life without overtime! SAD SAD!
• I feel great when i'm with you...love you dear...
• 冰冻三尺，非一日之寒
  
• MY JOURNEY HAS JUST BEGUN ...... God BleSS....
  
• Trust..:-|
  
• Addiction to Petrucci and Satriani

Now clearly some of these messages are to one person, others are more like announcements. But its interesting to see how we use these basic forms of communication to pass messages across or just express ourselves.

~shalom~

collections: relationships

Part of the way i use this blog is as a collection of things and experiences, as a reference if you like and today I'll be making a collection of good resources that i find helpful on a topic that will never fade and is always hot relationships. 

Sources will be from blogs or websites that gives a Godly outlook on the whole topic and they're in no way the only authority on the subject so seek God for yourself.

When two becomes one

In today's context, Abraham can be seen as our Father, God. He is our Father, who knows us well and wants the best for us in everything, what more to say in choosing a life partner. The bible talks about how everyday of our life is ordained and is written in His book before one of them came to be - psalm 139.

I guess this releases us into a place where we dont have to worry, but to put our trust in Him, knowing that He has our best interest in mind and He knows what's the best for us. As we draw closer to Him, as we wait upon His answers, He will reveal His plan at the perfect timing (more)

More to come.

~shalom~

an appeal

Please pwease for God sake please if you're using the cbox.ws chatbox/tagboard/shoutbox whatever you call it, please replace it. It has this annoying popup.

There are other alternatives

• Shout mix
  
• flashbox
• myshoutbox

There, lets make the web a better place. Thanks :)

{Update}
I feel like this stop using cbox thing is turning out to be a movement. Here are a few people who have switched.

• http://tehcpeng.net/
• http://orcagal.blogspot.com/
• http://amanda--yanhui.blogspot.com/
• http://exceeding--joy.blogspot.com/
  

Thanks for not using cbox. If you want to be listed let me know.

~shalom~

P.s feel free to add to the list. I would like more options myself.

high spirits

I love music a lot, and i spend a lot of time getting them and listening. At the moment i have about 10gigs worth of music in my itunes music library. I kind of prefer itunes to windows media player or winamp or songbird or any other music player out there because of the so many things you can do with it.

I discovered smart playlists lately and have been having so much fun with it. Really give it a try, you will love those little things that you discover while using it that you won't go back to anything else. Especially now with the genius recommendation engine, you can find songs that go well together and create a playlist out of it. Simply brilliant.

Since Ben died on me {Ben is my old computer, a benq joybook 2000e} i've been discovering new music. I have some of my favourite albums that were on Ben and a whole lot more. Basically i hear a new song and if i like it i'll get the album :) and its been really good just listening through all the wonderful songs that are on there.

A personal habit is to create different playlist of certain types of songs i like and today i want to share my most favourite playlist, i call it 'high spirits' see it here.

• We Shine - Fee - God of This City
  
• The Real Party - Mary Mary - Mary Mary
  
• His Love - Hillsong - God He Reigns
• Forever - Sarah Kelly - Take Me Away
• Life is - Sarah Kelly - Take Me Away
• Better - Brooke Fraser - What to do with Daylight
• Angel of the Lord - New Life Worship - My saviour Lives
• Time Has Come - Hillsong United - With Hearts as One
• Love is woth the fight - Lanae' Hale - Lanae' Hale EP
• No Ordinary Love - Toby Mac - Portable Sounds
• Happy - Ayeishe Woods - Wow Hits 2007
• Inside Outside - Delirious? - World Service

Guarranteed to life up your spirit. Have a lovely weekend.

~shalom~

the shy and the happy

I've been here for a while and have experienced some of what Malaysian life is like and as much as i think i know about the culture here, there are parts of it i may never know because i'm not a native. However there are some parts that foreigners tend to experience more than the native if not exclusive. And just to be clear by native i mean people born in this country.

For example, i was walking to school today and this kancil {another word for a really small car} went pass and someone in the car holla 'yeah akon' and i just looked and thought, i wonder if akon will ever be seen lugging a laptop on one hand, backpack at his back while looking for a way to carry his jacket. I just smiled in my heart.

I've been in a similar situation back in kuching, was walking back home from a friend

s house and this guy on the back of a bike was probably drunk and he just held out 'f*ck you' and i was angry for a while and thought to myself  he's just stupid.

The other day i went to the bank and this lady in the bank was really irritated by me. I think its because my particular transaction is not what she does on a normal banking day so its kind of well i won't say stressful, but out of her routine and causes her some inconvenience. Plus i think she's pregnant so its probably the baby's fault she's not in a good mood. I totally preferred the other man. Right after getting from the bank i realised i don't have any RM 1 note and i need the note to take the bus back to campus. 

After thinking for a while i thought instead of buying something i don't need just because I want a RM 1 note i would just ask the cashier there at boulevard. Should be easy right? Well not really, i approached the lady there and asked if she could split this ten that i have and she looked at me, not understanding a word i said and went away shyly smiling all the way to find her language expert to attend to me. For a moment i thought i was an Ang mo. What was it about what i said that she didnt get? Anyways this other lady came who looked more experienced with this kind of situation and asked what i wanted and i said i want to change this ten ringgit... and before i finished the lady_1 was pointing to a currency change kiosk right across the building, at that moment i knew i had to simplify to the bearest vowels what i mean and say it extra slowly so she can get it.

Finally i just told her, i want 5 RM 1 notes and 1 RM 5 note and she was like ooow. Then i thought to myself, i really need to learn this language. 

~shalom~

uncertain times

In the midst of all the uncertainty in the country at the moment, there's no need to panic or fear, but lets spend some time praying for Malaysia. Pray God's will will be done, pray against violence and loss of life. God hates that. Pray for peace and justice. Pray in faith, speak the truth of the word of God. It is well.

~shalom~

fwd mails

We all get them, and sometimes we loathe them but when we find the time to read them they're not so bad afterall, well except for the ones that say if you don't fwd this message all the bad luck in the entire universe will fall on your, or something nice like 'you will have no friends' and so on.

Really its enough to send me mails that i didn't ask for and even while i take the time to read the mail and see that its quite nice, not bad actually, i forget all the nice things i think about it when i see the stupid warning that people put in it. Are you threatening me or something? You think i believe in all that stuff?

I'm not angry, just please if you want to send those nice fwded messages to me, edit the warning part :) thats what i usually do.

~shalom~

new post

First let me apologize for all the trouble i've caused, moving the blog and everything. I'm so sorry.

Whats going on?
I don't know if anyone else feels like they have no time to themselves these days but its funny how most of the time i think i have is not mine, its either i'm doing this or that. I used to have the time to do whatever i want, go out with friends and enjoy their company and just be there but now, i feel like i'm saying no a lot and i'm not sure how they feel about it.

This evening i had to apologize to alan my housemate for not going out for dinner with him, he's been asking me all week and i've been like i can't not because i dont want to but just simply can't. I feel sad la. There i am again.

So Whats going on?
Well as some of you know i stopped blogging here because i thought it was not fulfilling the purpose why i started it in the first place and instead became a place where i get all phlegmatic and emo. But i realised that since moving its not been easy to keep in touch with different people. I don't go blog hopping again and i miss that. So yeah, life is full of ups and downs and i've definitely had my share. Long story short, myoffering continues, reborn if you like.

What about the other blog?
I'll still maintain it. Wah two blogs ah? Well yeah. tumblr offers a simple platform and the reason i moved there in the first place is because it suits the way i blog. Sometimes i just want to post a quote i found or a picture i like and not make an official post about it and its perfect for those kind of thing. But this will continue to be where i blog mainly.

I have 9 mins to do this. Happy birthday samson, you've been a real blessing to me and i'm sure a lot of those who have come to know you. You're an awesome man, welcome to the big 21. Will miss you when you are gone but I'm sure you will continue to be the samson we've all come to know and love. God bless you bro.

And God bless you all :)
~shalom~

take two

Hi,

Its been 5days since the announcement. I've missed being able to share my thoughts. Short story, i'm moving to another place to continue thisjourney. 

~shalom~

fin

After 275 post in 2 years. I have an announcement to make. I'm closing down this blog. I don't enjoy doing this anymore. Its been nice while it lasted. 

~shalom~

where's the tagboard

Hi,
yeah where's the tagboard? Well i've been having problems with annoying pop ups, can't seem to trace where its coming from so i did a little digging and discovered that the cbox tagboard thingy might be causing it.

Hopefully i'm wrong, but if it indeed the cause of all the annoyance than i might look for an alternative or maybe we don't need a tagboard on here. So yeah.

~shalom~

18.08.08

Ello,
So 08.08.08 has come and gone with much fanfare and is now history but there's another history in the making. David Crowder Band, i so love their music, will be launching their new album on the 19th. Yeah the 19th but on the 18th there will be a screening in selected cinemas in the US, yeah unfortunately we can't see the screening here but...oh well.

Here's the official message from david;

In case you haven't heard, we have a brand new live CD/DVD coming out on August 19th that we're SUPER excited about. Remedy Club Tour Live has 16 tracks of audio goodness and the DVD has the full set recorded in Atlanta and New York, plus lots of behind the scenes footage and a step-by-step song instructional with each member of the band! Yes!

In even more crazy news, we've been told that over 100 movie theaters across the country are debuting our DVD for ONE NIGHT ONLY on AUGUST 18TH! Thats right, you will be able to see us in full HD goodness 20 feet tall! Anyway, we're pretty excited about it and hope you guys can make it out!

http://www.sixstepsrecords.com/remedyonenightonly/

And here's a short video of david in his kitchen before breakfast



there is no one like you *whistles away*
~shalom~

some impressions

Hi there,
I'm not sure what to blog about but i feel my fingers are itchy so might as well.

I've been listening to some rather new music, even though some of them are not actually new but i can say they are my discoveries in music. I still can't access my old hard disk since its formated in ext3 format which is native for linux and so my windows yuck yuck vista cannot read it. But i managed to get some of it out.

Its funny how technology complicates life instead of making it easier. That is the promise of technology right?

I've been thinking too. If something is meant to be, why isn't it always meant to be in the time and form that is convenient. I get patience and all but time brings with it change and some changes are not reversible, and memories fade, and feelings die, desire takes a back seat as other more important aspects of life take centre stage. Is that the point? Is that the whole idea?

And why should something that is wrong be made ok, acceptable? Why when the conscience is not in agreement do we persist in things that we know is not the best. Why settle for something momentary. What happened to the long run picture. Not everyone turn out right. So yeah its fun and nice now but what about the future? Think! Emotions are a wonderful thing but sometimes it takes the place of the brain and common sense. I wish we can be more...different. More firm with where we stand. But then again who am I to say anything?

This sem is turning out to be one of those sems you'll remember for the rest of your life. I feel like its a turning point in a lot of our lives. As much as i enjoy doing the things that i do, i feel a sense of loss. I feel like i spend less time with the people that matter, feel like life has become one big job, where there's minimal interaction and time to be just among friends. For everyone i've said no to, turned down for some reason, i want to apologize. At the same time please understand that some of these things are beyond what a puny human like me can control. I wish i can be there for everyone but there's only one me, i feel it la.

I finished reading one of the books on relationships my mom sent to me. I must say at first i felt a bit irritated about her sending me books on that topic but after taking a good read for a few months, i must say mummy knows best. Its actually a nice book. It goes through must of the things a man should know before taking the plunge. What to look out for and how to be a man to your woman. Now don't come to me for advice or anything, i think i need to go through it again for some of the things to sink in but i totally reccommend it. I think the title is how to find the right woman for you or something like that.

The other book i finished reading was take hold of God and pull, it talks about our relationship with the Father, challenges some of the assumptions about prayer that i had and how i approach Him. It really came at the right time, right after the news, and gave me hope again, made me realise that hey God is still there. Helped me see how much catch up i need to make.

Father thank you for every moment that you lay out,
for every day and its challenges, and for those times when i am down and you lift up my head,
wipe my soggy eyes and tell me its ok.

Thank you for your matchless promises, for your encouraging words, for the hope that we have in you. Indeed nothing can separate us from your love. And even if our heart condemns us, you are greater than our heart.

You see beyond the external and through every pretence, you see the heart. In your presence everything is plain, everyone equal.

I cannot run away from your presence, i cannot hide from your spirit, for if i got up to the heavens you are there, if i go to the place of the deep you are there, if i ride the wings of the morning, and ask the darkness to hide me, still your spirit seeks me. For light and darkness are both alike to you. Nothing is hidden, everything is plain in your presence.

I'm not like them, you know that already, and you made me, me. And i want to be me, to remain true, to keep the good deposits you have put in me, and to rid myself of the bad that i have made for myself.

I really thank you father, you are bigger than everything, bigger, much bigger. Much much bigger than anything i can think of or come across. And my life is in your hands, before you, my future decided. I believe in you, I trust you. Xie Xie :)
~shalom~

if you just smile

Hi there,
even though i like a lot of different genres of music, my absolute favourite has got to be those classical jazz, symphony orchestra and classical instruments with some opera here and there. I've been discovering or shall i say rediscovering the music i loved and still love and grew up with. They remind me of my childhood and tnt classical movies and all the beautiful scores to all the beautifully written movies in glorious black and white and the technological miracle of technicolor.

Needless to say i'm in a happy mood. I absolutely love the voice of Nat king cole and this is one of my favourite songs, smile.



Smile though your heart is aching
Smile even though its breaking
When there are clouds in the sky, youll get by
If you smile through your fear and sorrow
Smile and maybe tomorrow
Youll see the sun come shining through for you

Light up your face with gladness
Hide every trace of sadness
Although a tear may be ever so near
Thats the time you must keep on trying
Smile, whats the use of crying?
Youll find that life is still worthwhile
If you just smile



Thats the time you must keep on trying
Smile, whats the use of crying?
Youll find that life is still worthwhile
If you just smile

~shalom~

smile

I'm just going to talk to myself for a while if you don't mind.

Its not about you. Its not about you. Its not about you. Its not about you. Its not about you. 

Take time to smile, be happy, why are you so worried? Why do you worry? Why do you worry?

Wake up, smell that air, enjoy your life, be at peace, consider how you can be a blessing instead of sulking and being a big baby. STOP IT!

Smile guchi.

~shalom~

whatever

~shalom~

our world today

I saw this cool video and thought i would share it here.

For more information, visit shifthappens.
~shalom~

for my dad

hi, how are you?
Funny when i say i don't feel like blogging, i baru have a feeling to blog again. Well not to say a reason but just feel like saying something. I've been listening to hillsong, God he reigns, and its really great. I know its quite old but i love it.

God is awesome, its nice that a puny person like me can have such a big God how never sleeps just to keep me out of trouble and safe. And how he's always there, just a conversation away even though i don't talk much. He understands the things i cannot say because i don't know how. And even though the world thinks i'm weird, you think i'm you very own.

You ask me to draw close to you and instead i ask why you are far. You give me what i ask for until i feel spoiled. I can never understand your love for me. And yes its true no one can love me like you do.

Thank you for the blessing of music that you have given to us, thank you for awesome friends that i can hang out with, thank you for the salvation that we enjoy, and help me to look beyond me and spread your goodness out just like the way you send rain and sun all both good and evil. Thank you for everyday and for today.

~shalom~

i'll wait

Hi there,
I don't feel like a need to blog anymore, i dunno why. Maybe its just a phase. Another reason is that i'm quite busy this sem there's little time to do this blog thing as much as i love and enjoy it and for that let me apologize.

I'm currently going through some restructuring in my life. Starting to question my motive and the reason i do some of the things i do or do not do. Whether to accept what i've already known and used to, what have become my belief system over the years. So things are stirring in there.

Was asked about tongues during the week and it made me do a bit more reading and basically from what i gather the gift of tongues is one that the Holy Spirit bestows on people. Even though there is a desire in our hearts to want to have that gift, it is all up to the Holy Spirit to enable that gift in an individual. Was reading from the commentary in my bible and discovered the ability to speak in tongues is evidence of being baptised in the Holy Spirit and as such, there is an increased desire for the word in the life of such a person, there is birth in the heart of this person a burden for the lost and a love for God. According to the commentary in my bible, if you don't have these then the tongues that you have is not from God. Scary right? Its not possible for everyone in a church to speak in tongues because its not up to any one individual. I still have a lot of questions on this matter, need a good book on the topic.

There are two things happening around me at the moment. Its either someone i know is going to Australia or getting well...someone special or for one particular case, someone got the special person and went to Australia. Ok whats up with that? I guess its the season. Makes those of us not with that special someone yet feel like of left out.

The more i read on the subject of relationships the more i don't want to rush things and allow what i know to become alive in me first, and let the time of maturing take place. There's always a sweet feeling when you get something you've always wanted and have waited patiently for it until the right time or when you never expected it. I like surprises, i'll wait. Although there are times...

~shalom~

1130212

Hi how are doing? Good i hope.

Today has been a rather interesting day. We went out with Eugene. First locating him was a small challenge but once we got him it was the little matter of where to bring him. There's really nothing much to see in miri so its hard to know where to bring people out to.

We ended up having lunch at 2020. While there i observed a man dividing one bottle of liang teh {forgive my spelling if i'm wrong} into 4 cups and i thought to myself, wow imagine that he has to share almost everything he has into 4 parts, or more. It reminded me of something pastor said; marriage is the most unselfish thing anyone can ever do. Something to ponder on.

We heading to bintang for some window shopping, ended up buying a book. Yeah another book. At this rate i'm going to need a place to put all these books so that i have space for other things. Its getting scary la.

Since we've not been to DeliFrance, we thought its worth giving it a try and my goodness was it ever so mahal. Needless to say i won't be going there very often.

We went to EYM later in the day and after everything i only got back home at about 12 something. Its just about 1 am now and my eye lids are closing. Listening to Chad Blondel's chase album. Haven't really had the time to listen to it since Ben died centuries ago. Thanks to Delia, its now in my itunes library :)

Good night, and remain blessed

~shalom~

I'm sorry :'(

~shalom~

putih tikus

Where have all the white mice gone? A few years ago white mice where everywhere. White was officially the color of mice and even keyboards but these days its very difficult to see them.

Since i'm getting a white dell, i though why not get a white mouse to complement it since my black logitech mouse is now...well, rosak. I've been keeping my eyes peeled for any shop that sells good quality white mouse but haven't found the one i like.

Logitech has these mini mice that are white and other colors but its not the kind of white i'm talking about. I'm yet to go mouse hunting in miri but i feel that if i can't find it in kuching then i won't have much luck in miri.

But then apple has a white mouse, the mighty mouse but i'm not sure if it is supported on windows systems. It would be kind of cool if it works though :P

Let me know if you find a white mouse for me {guchiguchi [at] ymail [dot] com}

{update}
After giving it some thought, and quite simply tired of looking i've decided that the color of my mouse does not matter. I was thinking of the mighty mouse from apple but it looked so fragile and nice, i don't think it can take my daily abuse. So its probably going to be a logitech. I'm not sure which logitech yet but it definitely won't be white :)

{update 2}
I need to be careful with my words. Guess what, today i went to town, determined that i didn't want to spend the day at home, all bored and wondering why in the world i came back early without a computer. And went to boulevard and there it was. A white mouse from logitech. Some more its a wireless mouse and instead of the normal optical mouse i used to have its a laser mouse. They say its suppose to work well on any surface. So i.....got it. Couldn't resist :P


Isn't she beautiful?

I read my gmail thanks to Joshua borrowing me his wife for a while while he attends a pre-marital seminar. And Dell is estimating my Delia will be here on the 28th. Thats the first day of school. I just hope i get it earlier. I don't think i want to keep borrowing people's PERSONAL computer.

~shalom~

Cat lover

Hello everybody, how was your week?

My week was quite interesting :) had two boxes of big apple donuts on saturday with Robert and Amanda. Went to the spring, twice in one week, bought a few things among them was my very first Giordano t-shirt. I have three now but the previous two were gifts from friends.

Sam's gone to australia :( going to miss him.

Going back to miri tonight, thanks Oliver and Joshua for picking me up.

Ok i want to talk about something. In many ways i consider Kuching as a home away from home. I feel very relaxed here. Its like every chance i get i come back to this place and everytime its been different. The last time simon was here and we worked together, had devotions together and we helped plan for the camp among other things. Simon is another guy who's left for perth. I dunno why every one is going to perth these days but anyway, its always refreshing to meet almost everyone even for a short while, to see the changes, the ahem, couples :) err let me take that again.

Its always refreshing to be able to meet the people here. I like that i get the opportunity to serve at bethany, thank you pastor for giving me that opportunity. And i like that i get to go out with different groups of people, go for movies, laksa, coffeebean or just drive around looking for blank cds hehe. I like that bethany is still here and is growing. There are a lot of new faces, some people i don't really know well but its still the same bethany, i still can meet with God, i still can join in the worship and feel the presence of God. There is something about this church that makes me always want to come back. In many ways i think i come back to draw strength, to be encouraged, to be motivated, to believe more.

I like what shellyn shared on saturday night. It really ministered to me. She was sharing from Psalm 139, one of my favourite Psalms. I've tried to memorise it but still miss a few bits here and there but i was reminded that God indeed cares for us, and that everything we need for the journey he has called us to, for the work he has placed in our hands, everything we need to get the job done is inside of us, He put it there. And its for us to bring it out, to step out in faith, to... like pastor said put legs to our dreams and vision and stop day dreaming. It sounds so simple but it really encouraged me.

Many times fear and doubts cripple us and we begin to what if, and analyse, and all that but this is the God who parted the red sea man! What is difficult for him? I just hope i can continue to remember that when doubt comes and i worry, to be like David, say bless the Lord oh my soul and all that is within me, bless his holy name. To be able to look to the hills where my help comes from because its not about me, its all about Him. And if we are faithful, he is always faithful. Amen.

I'm going to miss you all in kuching :'( hope to be here again some time.

~shalom~

3rd year doing this blog thing

This is the 260th post i'm making on this blog and my 3rd year blogging here. I've been blogging a long time, since 2004 but my previous posts where elsewhere and i don't read them again.

I guess its worth stating why i blog again. Well the short answer is to keep in touch with my friends and let them know whats happening in my life. I've talked about this before and have asked you why you blog. Here are a few reasons some of you blog. They have been slightly edited but the full uncut reason are here in the comments.

I thought bout d very same thing b4 i started bloggin.Was skeptical bout it, thot tat its very fake. Bt i was touched n encouraged by some writings. They manifested God's love n it really spoke to me. So i started bloggin coz i wan to share what i'm goin thru n what God has done for me.Maybe it will encourage others s well. i mean how can we keep it to ourselves good things that He has done?...we can relate to others thru bloggin s well? hehe...well tats wat i think....:) {shellyn}

i blog for others esp my friends to see what's happening in my life and to keep contact with them.

And also, blogging keeps me thinking and helps me to improve my language. Lol~ i realise i read more once i started blogging, cuz i wanna improve my writing ma..indeed, i learnt a lot of new words =) {chris}

hahax...
i blog because it's fun..
let other noe wat's going on wif me...
and also,improve ma language!!! {yan hui}

Over time the look of the blog and the content has changed. A lot has happened over the years, and without recounted them i want to give thanks for everything.

I guess one challenge each time is to like shellyn said in one of her posts, to be real. Its very easy to pretend and make things up to spice up the blog and make it more interesting to read, get a lot of comments and boost your self confidence but i feel its sad if you need all those to boost your self confidence.

I don't do this for popularity, i don't do this for money, i do this because i love to and i need to express myself in words; the best way i know i can and yet have come to the realisation that sometimes words fail.

For the future, i hope to continue blogging, maybe host a blog myself. I've been thinking about it for a long time now but haven't made any concrete decisions yet but it will happen one day.

On a final note i would like to thank you all for also sharing your life for me to read and being part of this weird way of communicating ideas. It would be only one way if its just one person writing. Arigato Gozaimasu.

~shalom~
p.s. last years anniversary post is here.

as it draws to an end

As my trip to kl draws to an end, i have mixed feelings. Sad that i'll be leaving KL and all the nice shopping malls, and good roads, low yat, all the food, all the travel. But what i'm going to miss most is the family in which i have stayed for the most part of these two weeks.

I am really grateful to Alvin's family for having me all these time, for treating me like family. I got to go for a dinner with all the aunties and his granny and two cousins. And for alvin for driving us almost everywhere. My sincere thanks to you all. On thursday i'll be heading to Kuching for 10 days. I'm so looking forward to it. On another note, there is a certain rift between me and my mom. Somehow she has this idea that something is bothering me, and she's always right. Its partly i fault, i've not been calling as much as i used to. I just wish she can be calm and not worry too much.

I have this habit of buying books. I don't really read all the books i buy because i'm quite busy and also because i'm lazy to sit down and read. And its amazing that i can buy books and read because i remember some time ago when my mom would put me into this routine to read books and in the process i read one book that suggested I buy books even though i don't read them and i think thats why.

Remain blessed :)

~shalom~

Back in Subang

I'm wearing my nostalgia hat on this post so except the abstract.

Before anything i just want to thank the Penang people; edric, Jmee, and Angie for bring us out to the best spots. And for my companions of course. It wouldn't be as nice without you all. Food in Penang is really good. We were literally hopping from one food place to the other. I can eat, a lot but not like that. I eat bit by bit. That was a little too extreme for me but it was good.

On the trip back the heavens opened and it rained all the way from Penang to KL. That slowed us down but created a good reflection on life and in the midst of the talking, we recognised that in a few years time, we might not see each other again. Like amanda put it, this trip, the three of us here in the car will become a memory.

Thinking about it, i don't remember most of my primary school friends. Some of my secondary school friends i know but others i have no clue whats up with them, lost touch. Even some of my friends in Inti are long gone and maybe we'll never meet again. Life is so temporary, almost like we're living for the moment and after this season of our lives things will change again and we have to make new friends and have different crowds we're comfortable with. Its really quite depressing when you think of it. There are some friends i don't want to lose but like i was reading Readers' Digest this morning, don't hold on tightly to earthly possessions. There's another story in that line but maybe next time.

Somehow it makes you appreciate more the now, the friends you have now, the experiences you have now. The people in your life now, because in time, things will be different, things will change, they may no longer be there, there might be separation, there might be things that come in your life that you have absolutely no control over. It might cause you pain and sadness but in the end. For most of my friends, in the end, i know that one day by God's grace we will all meet again in the grand celestial reunion in heaven. Because we all call on the name of the Lord. We are separated by time and distance but always connected to the same God, who loves us and gave himself for us. We may lose each other but we still have Him.

~shalom~

still in penang

How are you doing? Just a brief one on whats been going on. On monday we drove from Subang to Penang with a brief stop at Ipoh to eat and try the famous Ipoh {I previously said Ipod coffee. Thanks anonymous for pointing it out to me :paiseh:} white coffee. The food was good, very good and the coffee was nice. So nice i bought some back.

We got to Penang quite late and checked into a fairly new hotel. The place was not bad, it had a tv, with a few astro channels and most importantly hot water. But it was weird the way they priced their rooms; based on internet connectivity. I was so shocked when i heard that, definitely a first for me.

Tuesday we met up with Roberto, Jmee, Edric, and later with Angie. Had a good time going from one eating place to another. Eating so much within a a short time frame is not one of my hobbies. I can eat a lot but not all at once. But i valued the time spent with friends.

Also met up with Eilyn, for a short while only. She looked good as usual :) We have one more night here. For the last two nights we stayed at two different places last night was at YMCA which is quite cheap 85 for a night.

Today? Not so sure, but I want to go to the movies tonight, not sure what the others want to do.

Remain blessed :D

~shalom~

the trip so far

I've not had time to blog because i've not really had the time to a computer. I think one of the good things about not having a computer at the moment is that my online time has greatly reduced. I hope it doesn't change when i get Delia.

KL is a mad house, the roads go everywhere, i would get lost if i were not with people who are from here. So far its been good. A typical day starts at about 9 or then, and when you go out of the house you can only get back at about 12 or 1. Its that crazy. I wonder how the young people here can take all the busyness.

Went to City Harvest today. It was quite nice la, only thing was that i went late and had to sit outside the hall. That in itself was the weirdest church experience for me. I literally spent the afternoon watching the televised version of the service going on beyond the glass doors. There simply was no room in the hall. But the service was good, i enjoyed myself. And guess what the pastor was talking about? {kenin was so pleased with himself that the pastor is from Tawau} The R word, ah relationships. It seems like its a hot topic these days, everywhere i go i can't seem to run away from it. But like i said it was good.

So after church, we had food fellowship with the church folks, and kenin's friends then went to meet up with cheryl, grace, erina at the curve for the rest of the afternoon. There we watched the bank job. Not bad though i didn't really enjoy the movie it was more of a history kind of thing for me but well i guess its the time spent with friends that count. After the movie we just hanged out, didn't do much shopping though someone spent over 300 today.

Tomorrow, i mean today we'll be driving to penang for a few days. I can't wait to go penang finally, after everything the penang people say the food one very nice one. The moment of truth is near.

Ok la nothing much to say oso. And no i didnt take much pictures. Carrying my camera around is becoming a burdensome undertaking so might not have a lot of pictures of the trip. Remain blessed and under His love ;)

~shalom~