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~