are who we say we are? (part 2)

How are we supposed to tell the world, we are christians, which basically means followers of Christ, if we don't follow what He says?

Sounds a bit like an emo blog, but it isn't really.

This is not so much of a complaint, more so a rhetorical question.

Do you know, as a christian we are constantly being watched?

Have we ever thought that, what we do, may affect one's decision to come to know God?

I'm not to say, that I'm a perfect shining example, but....

1Cor 10:
31So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. 32Do not cause anyone to stumble, whether Jews, Greeks or the church of God— 33even as I try to please everybody in every way. For I am not seeking my own good but the good of many, so that they may be saved.

Be careful of your every action.

I'll have to be careful with mine too. I really don't want someone quoting me, in a "Why as a christian he does this?".

class 10

A bit of a sappy one this.

I met my classmates from Class 10, Taylors, and to be more accurate, I met the people whom I used to hang out a lot with, while I was doing my A Level. Kevin, Shu Pinn, Grace, Yee Li, and I were really like 5 peas in a pod (did I get that right? 5 is a bit too many isn't it?). We hung out every weekend unless there were circumstances that prevented us from doing so, we ate together, had our own inside jokes and even BGR, but as life carried on, we all moved on our own separate ways.

Shu Pinn went on to do IT while his gf, Grace graduated as a mechanical engineer. Yee Li is on her way to be a true doctor (PhD yo!) in something that's related to chemical engineering, Kev and I went to IMU to pursue careers in medicine. The last time we all gathered like this, was about 4 years ago, and the next time we'll meet again, will probably be years away. It's funny how we used to travel on holidays together, but now we travel with different people. We hang out with different people, we are closer to different people.

I will always remember our jokes, our cutting classes to play games (oops!) and how we imparted life to each other some way or another. No pics here, because didn't bring a camera.
To Kevin and Yee Li, whom I might not see for a while, it was good meeting up like old times, in that old mamak stall that was our weekly meeting place as we discussed plenty of... interesting topics (like where to go the next day), catching up with each other.
I wish you both the best in everything you do.

The memories shall last forever.

Ooh... the sappiness. :)

are you who you say you are?

A very wordy, repetitive title, but decided to blog quickly about this before I go to bed, just as I was reading something that caught my eye, and it stimulated the brain juices a little.

In the past decade, there have been quite a few people who have been placed in the role of a leader, and one thing often done is, them quoting that God is their running mate (quote from Micheal Kinsley's article in Time).

Micheal Kinsley in his article was basically saying, that these days, it's important for presidential candidates to wear their religion on their sleeve. What he said about, how a government is run, and how one's belief system cannot be separated, is very true. He used the example of Mormonism list of no-nos, which include no alcohol, tea, coffee and such forms of sexual behavior as "passionate kissing" outside wedlock, and how if a candidate has to both hold on to his beliefs and at the same time impose these laws, it would be an issue. It would really be difficult for him to be a good President and a good Mormon.

It is true. We don't have to go as far as being a presidential candidate to have to ask this question. Simply because, the day we start saying we are Christian, we have to act like one. We have to act like followers of Christ, not just people who are following behind, but people imitating Him.

It's bad enough that people think, the bible is just another book on the shelf of a bookstore, it's worse that we don't follow it enough convincingly, and do what we are supposed to do. It makes the case much worse, because not only are people not convinced that the bible is not the word from God, but the book that we are supposed to follow its commands, we don't treasure well enough, and cannot make it a strong enough case for people to see it is truly FROM God.

Are you who you say you are?

where are we headed?

It's rather disturbing, to say the least, that the moral values in this country has really reached the point of being so low, that it's almost to scary to think that one can go out safely. The streets are no longer what it used to be.

What am I talking about? All Malaysians would have heard of the latest shocking news, of a 8 year old girl, kidnapped, sexually abused before murdered, to be left in a gym bag in front of someone's shop lot.

Where has this country been heading all this while? Is this the price of development, that we let loose of our moral values? Do we no longer know God or fear the repercussions of our own doing? So bad has this country plunged in its outlook towards certain things, that some other issues are not deemed to be as 'bad' or as 'evil', just because something else like this pops up. Everything is becoming relative, as people's believes are shifted with the times, with nothing to anchor them as such, to tell them what's right and what's wrong.

All you Malaysians who are not currently at home, please, please be the one to stand in the gap, and pray for this nation. This country, our home, needs help.

and...

FREEDOMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM!!!!!!!!




I believe was a certain phrase used by Sir William Wallace in the movie Braveheart.

I'm finally done with exams. Will update more soon. But thanks for the prayers and wishes. Meant a lot to me!

trust

The recurring theme this time round as I prepare for my exams (this Thurs), is really the issue of trust. Just looking at my preparation up to this point, I feel is inadequate, for whatever reason, I am uncertain. It's been really hard for my to sit and face God, as I feel that I have not done sufficiently in what I'm supposed to do.

But since when has it been about what I do anyway?

On Saturday, we sang the song that basically to me, talks about trusting God's name. There is no other name.

The week prior, I read Luke 11, it talks about asking, and Jesus gave the example of asking from a friend in the middle of the night, and how it would be given to the person not out of friendship but out of his tenacity.

Today, as I read Isaiah 30, there were a few key reminders as to who I'm supposed to trust.
Observe closely. ;)

From verse 15 onwards:
15 This is what the Sovereign Lord, the Holy One of Israel, says:
"In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength, but you would have none of it.
16 You said, ' No, we will flee on horses.'
Therefore you will flee!
You said, 'We will ride off on swift horses.'
Therefore your pursuers will be swift.
...
18 Yet the Lord longs to be gracious to you; therefore he will rise up to show you compassion. For the Lord is a God of justice. Blessed are all who wait for him!

19 People of Zion, who live in Jerusalem, you will weep no more. How gracious he will be when you cry for help! As soon as he hears, he will answer you.

So, who is it that I trust? It's easy to prepare oneself to go into battle, having the best horses to ride you in battle, with the best weapons and best armor, the biggest number between the two sides, but does that necessarily equate victory?

Also, read psalms 20:7 and Luke 11:5-13.

still alive and well...

For now at least. With everyone falling sick due to some common cold, (akin to flies dropping dead post-insecticide) I'm still standing. Hopefully until after my exam. I really must not get sick at this moment in time. With a week left in hand, I really need to play catch up with a lot of studies.

The clock is ticking once again. What will happen with this round of exams, I am uncertain. We'll see. I can only trust in Him who has set plans for me.

This is just a quick update about my life at the moment.

Just to let everyone know that I'm still alive and well, and to thank everyone who has been keeping me in prayer.

I thank Him...

For the longest time, I don't know what to put for a blog title. I could not think of a suitable title, without it sounding too cliched or overused, but in all honesty, as simple and as plain as it is, that is how I feel deep down inside.

As I continue my journey studying for my USMLE step 1 which is on Sept 20, I am in faith, that God knows what He is doing, even if I don't.

Anyhow, I would like to share WHY I am thankful to begin with. Today, as I checked my email accountS (yes more than ONE), I stumbled upon a result email that came in. Yes. Lo and behold, right before my very eyes, were the result for Step 2CK. Something that I have been dreading as I really could not gauge how well I did for this exam.

After clicking here and there, downloading the results, I said a little prayer and committed it to God, then I opened it.

bla bla bla...

Continue scanning.

Saw a pass.

Good.

Looked further down.

219.

Further.

90%.

That moment, the background music was Chris Tomlin's 'Your Grace Is Enough', and tears just starting flowing from my eyes. I repeated over and over again: Thank You God!

Why is it so significant? Well, for all those who don't know me that well, I am not an 'A' student, and I've always been just one to get by. To score 90 was beyond my wildest dreams. Some might say, it's not a 99%, but honestly, God is good. All the time.

I am constantly reminded by this verse as this happened to me today -

"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose." Romans 8:28

Thank You God!

still alive

Just a little blog to just say I'm alive.

Problem is I have too much on my mind that I want to talk about, but I'm not sure where to start, so until I figure that one out, or get out of m y lazy chair, and put on my thinking cap, it isn't going to come anytime soon.
Anyhow, I still have not caught up on my sleep, and I still have quite a few things to do.

How was my independence weekend? It was good, as I was at DIVE IN 2007 camp. I was not a participant there, but as a facilitator, which all real divers would know that it's also known as a dive master. It was truly a good time, seeing how people were having fun in the games prepared and awesome that people received from the Holy Spirit.

Personally, I liked having meeting new people, although my time was really limited, but what's better, is that I look like a ghost right now, and if I keep it up, I won't need a costume for Halloween. That or I could just wrap myself in toilet paper and be a mummy. OR, I could crash in bed, and dress up as that boy who goes to bed and covers his head so that no ghosts can see him.

OR.....