Interesting chat I had with a friend. (Don't bludgeon me when you read this!)
Subjectivity versus objectivity. This topic, is like opening up a can of worms, but one might find gold at the bottom.
We see what we want to see, we allow ourselves to think what we want to think. After all, ignorance is bliss right?
WRONG! (In my opinion that is)
Can we continue to live in a fantasy world, where events are juts a figment of the mind, merely to cover up unpleasantness?
There's always two sides to the coin.
Followed with a response of, "we are perceptive creatures, we only see the side we want to."
If we only see the side we want to, does that mean there IS only one side?
Can we truly live without knowing what goes on around us? If we can, then will it still be bliss? Living in a war torn country and choose to believe that the sounds outside the house, is just the sound of a pot crashing to the ground, hit by a cat.
To live like that, to me, it's like living in an illusion. Then, we live in a dream, not reality.
Tuesday, November 27, 2007
Monday, November 26, 2007
plank!!!
It's so easy to pick out other people's faults. I know that for certain, because I'm in the habit of doing that daily. I don't know whether I'm overly critical or just finding ways to shooting my mouth off.
This verse comes to mind each time, I judge others, or when other people make judgments of their own.
Matthew 7:3
"Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother's eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye?
Not the best picture that comes to mind, but I don't think I can sketch it better. So...
Yowzaass...
This verse comes to mind each time, I judge others, or when other people make judgments of their own.
Matthew 7:3
"Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother's eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye?
Not the best picture that comes to mind, but I don't think I can sketch it better. So...
Yowzaass...
Sunday, November 25, 2007
what!?
CNN really got this wrong, and comes to prove that sometimes, reporters do not get it right with news!
Go read this article about HINDRAF in Malaysia!
For those who don't know why HINDRAF had their rally: it was because they were demanding the Queen to set up a committee into inquiring and perhaps compensating every Indian that was brought over from India to Malaysia as laborers. As much as US 1 million per person is hoped to be given as compensation. Local news on this matter can be found here.
Go read this article about HINDRAF in Malaysia!
For those who don't know why HINDRAF had their rally: it was because they were demanding the Queen to set up a committee into inquiring and perhaps compensating every Indian that was brought over from India to Malaysia as laborers. As much as US 1 million per person is hoped to be given as compensation. Local news on this matter can be found here.
Friday, November 23, 2007
lest we forget
Luke 15
1Now the tax collectors and "sinners" were all gathering around to hear him. 2But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law muttered, "This man welcomes sinners and eats with them."
I put this up after a conversation with a friend, and how this was part of this person's life at one point of time. I think we forget. We forget how important we are to Christ, to God, that despite all our shortcomings, He still wants us back. Beyond waiting, beyond hoping, He goes out in search. What moves me most, is that, when He finds us, He just doesn't hug us in joy, but He carries us home. If I may just highlight this part, "he joyfully puts it on his shoulders and goes home".
This is the relationship that will not be severed by sin. Yet, sometimes we cheapen His work by saying we are not worthy (not out of praise, but really out of self condemnation). We dilute His grace, we put away His love as if it were nothing. Then, we find it hard to love others, because we feel ourselves do not have enough love. As IF His love wasn't enough.
He loves us. Very much. So much so, He'll run after you in tears, even as you turn your back on Him and run in further away from Him. Even if He had to carry that cross again, He probably would, just for us.
Lest we forget. Lest we forget.
1Now the tax collectors and "sinners" were all gathering around to hear him. 2But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law muttered, "This man welcomes sinners and eats with them."
3Then Jesus told them this parable: 4"Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Does he not leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it? 5And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders 6and goes home. Then he calls his friends and neighbors together and says, 'Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.' 7I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent.
I put this up after a conversation with a friend, and how this was part of this person's life at one point of time. I think we forget. We forget how important we are to Christ, to God, that despite all our shortcomings, He still wants us back. Beyond waiting, beyond hoping, He goes out in search. What moves me most, is that, when He finds us, He just doesn't hug us in joy, but He carries us home. If I may just highlight this part, "he joyfully puts it on his shoulders and goes home".
This is the relationship that will not be severed by sin. Yet, sometimes we cheapen His work by saying we are not worthy (not out of praise, but really out of self condemnation). We dilute His grace, we put away His love as if it were nothing. Then, we find it hard to love others, because we feel ourselves do not have enough love. As IF His love wasn't enough.
He loves us. Very much. So much so, He'll run after you in tears, even as you turn your back on Him and run in further away from Him. Even if He had to carry that cross again, He probably would, just for us.
Lest we forget. Lest we forget.
Monday, November 19, 2007
filler
What do you call cheese that's not yours?
Drum rolllllllllllll..............
..............
......
NACHO cheese! :P
Drum rolllllllllllll..............
..............
......
NACHO cheese! :P
Sunday, November 18, 2007
encounter
When was the last time you met someone so influential over your life, you totally changed? Made anew, not just the skin, but all the organs inside. So new, that when you walk, it'd squeaked.
I'm not just talking about bad habits, I'm talking about HUGE character flaws.
From the bible, I've met someone who's changed, walked in a 180 degree direction from his original path. From being a skeptical, to a believer, from a prosecutor, to be the prosecuted, from a man of noble position, to a man put in jail multiple times.
Paul, was a Jew, who studied under Greek philosophy was also a Roman citizen. As Ravi Zacharias to appropriately summed it in one sentence: The Hebrews gave the world its moral categories; the Greeks its philosophical categories; and the Romans its legal categories - Paul (or previously known as Saul) had everything that one would need.
BUT... he didn't believe in Christ... initially. In fact, he persecuted all who believed in Him. Christ wasn't his Savior, wasn't his Lord. Not until he met Christ on the way to Damascus. Then, he changed. Not just out of fear, but I believe the encounter was so real, he couldn't turn away from it. He could no longer deny Christ. From that day on, he gave up everything that was his, and gave all to Christ.
Similarly, in this day and age, I've met so many people, who have come to know Christ, and have walked in a totally different direction in their lives soon after. Angry people becoming the most patient and calm, anxious people being able to achieve peace. True encounters with influential people, will definitely change the person. Can we then deny that Christ or God does not exist, even for those who've met Christ and truly changed?
I'm not just talking about bad habits, I'm talking about HUGE character flaws.
From the bible, I've met someone who's changed, walked in a 180 degree direction from his original path. From being a skeptical, to a believer, from a prosecutor, to be the prosecuted, from a man of noble position, to a man put in jail multiple times.
Paul, was a Jew, who studied under Greek philosophy was also a Roman citizen. As Ravi Zacharias to appropriately summed it in one sentence: The Hebrews gave the world its moral categories; the Greeks its philosophical categories; and the Romans its legal categories - Paul (or previously known as Saul) had everything that one would need.
BUT... he didn't believe in Christ... initially. In fact, he persecuted all who believed in Him. Christ wasn't his Savior, wasn't his Lord. Not until he met Christ on the way to Damascus. Then, he changed. Not just out of fear, but I believe the encounter was so real, he couldn't turn away from it. He could no longer deny Christ. From that day on, he gave up everything that was his, and gave all to Christ.
Similarly, in this day and age, I've met so many people, who have come to know Christ, and have walked in a totally different direction in their lives soon after. Angry people becoming the most patient and calm, anxious people being able to achieve peace. True encounters with influential people, will definitely change the person. Can we then deny that Christ or God does not exist, even for those who've met Christ and truly changed?
Thursday, November 15, 2007
purpose
This question is something that comes back over and over again.
Said in another way: Why am I here on earth?
Purpose driven life. Pastors preaching. Leaders sharing.
Self help books. Well known gurus. Subtle messages.
Have we truly found out why we are doing what we are doing? In fact, sometimes we think we know we are, but we are deceived and hence we can't live a fruitful life. Constantly keeping busy in battle with the situation/job/studies we are in.
I told this to my friend today, because I believe, like all else, this person needed to find the purpose God has set.
Another excerpt from The Face of Atheism by Ravi Zacharias:
The life of the Scotsman Eric Liddell, who was a devout Christian and a superb athlete, was featured in contradistinction to Harold Abrams in the film Chariots of Fire. Abrams, we recall, underscored his emptiness by finding even winning to be anticlimactic. Liddell's life, and his striving for excellence, was an expression of his love for God - everything mattered because his life was committed to Christ. The lines in the film that capture this best are uttered by Liddell to his sister: "Jenny, God has made me for a purpose - for China; but he has also made me fast, and when I run, I feel his pleasure."
Liddell won the 400 meters gold medal in the 1924 Olympics and later became a missionary to China, where he died. His enjoyment of God in every endeavor and service for Christ was a strong reminder that nothing for the Christian is essentially secular. It can only be secularized by leaving God out of it or by engaging in that from which God, by his nature, must be excluded.
A christian sees life in continuum. Not about yesterday, not just about today, nor does one gaze and hope only for the future.
The christian explains history through the eternal eyes of Christ. By contrast, the traditionalist lives for the past; the existentialist lives for the now; and the futurist or utopianist lives for the future.
It's true. A christian lives in a different mindset. Knowing what his purpose is, it's so much easier (although not easy) to handle ups and downs, or obstacles. A runner in the secular sense, would run to win the next gold medal, to qualify for the next big event, like the Olympics, but then when that runner reaches there, then what? What happens when the days are up, and the runner can no longer run as fast, or compete with the rest of the incoming young crowd?
But the christian runner, runs because he knows of his purpose. He knows that God gave him the body to run, that whenever he does it, he glorifies God, as God's beautiful creation. He runs not to win, but to please God. Simple, yet hard to grasp.
In this so called battle of living, we place ourselves in a dog eat dog world, and when all dogs are eaten, leaving one, then what? We work ourselves so hard, we do so much, but for what?
When we finally come to realization of what's Gods purpose is for us, we can do it with full passion. Just like the footballer who plays beautiful football because of passion, and not out of drive to win the match, we will soon find ourselves no longer in a battle to survive, but fully driven by God's beautiful purpose for us.
Said in another way: Why am I here on earth?
Purpose driven life. Pastors preaching. Leaders sharing.
Self help books. Well known gurus. Subtle messages.
Have we truly found out why we are doing what we are doing? In fact, sometimes we think we know we are, but we are deceived and hence we can't live a fruitful life. Constantly keeping busy in battle with the situation/job/studies we are in.
I told this to my friend today, because I believe, like all else, this person needed to find the purpose God has set.
Another excerpt from The Face of Atheism by Ravi Zacharias:
The life of the Scotsman Eric Liddell, who was a devout Christian and a superb athlete, was featured in contradistinction to Harold Abrams in the film Chariots of Fire. Abrams, we recall, underscored his emptiness by finding even winning to be anticlimactic. Liddell's life, and his striving for excellence, was an expression of his love for God - everything mattered because his life was committed to Christ. The lines in the film that capture this best are uttered by Liddell to his sister: "Jenny, God has made me for a purpose - for China; but he has also made me fast, and when I run, I feel his pleasure."
Liddell won the 400 meters gold medal in the 1924 Olympics and later became a missionary to China, where he died. His enjoyment of God in every endeavor and service for Christ was a strong reminder that nothing for the Christian is essentially secular. It can only be secularized by leaving God out of it or by engaging in that from which God, by his nature, must be excluded.
A christian sees life in continuum. Not about yesterday, not just about today, nor does one gaze and hope only for the future.
The christian explains history through the eternal eyes of Christ. By contrast, the traditionalist lives for the past; the existentialist lives for the now; and the futurist or utopianist lives for the future.
It's true. A christian lives in a different mindset. Knowing what his purpose is, it's so much easier (although not easy) to handle ups and downs, or obstacles. A runner in the secular sense, would run to win the next gold medal, to qualify for the next big event, like the Olympics, but then when that runner reaches there, then what? What happens when the days are up, and the runner can no longer run as fast, or compete with the rest of the incoming young crowd?
But the christian runner, runs because he knows of his purpose. He knows that God gave him the body to run, that whenever he does it, he glorifies God, as God's beautiful creation. He runs not to win, but to please God. Simple, yet hard to grasp.
In this so called battle of living, we place ourselves in a dog eat dog world, and when all dogs are eaten, leaving one, then what? We work ourselves so hard, we do so much, but for what?
When we finally come to realization of what's Gods purpose is for us, we can do it with full passion. Just like the footballer who plays beautiful football because of passion, and not out of drive to win the match, we will soon find ourselves no longer in a battle to survive, but fully driven by God's beautiful purpose for us.
Wednesday, November 14, 2007
relationships
I'm sure that caught your eye.
In terms of relationships, no matter what we say, we crave it. Friendships, parent-child relationships, boy-girl relationships. It's real. We can't deny it. Without it, we are truly lonely.
And we all know, no man is an island. It is true. Even the madman would try to have a relationship with someone, and hence talks to himself for company.
The whole big problem about relationships, is that somehow sooner or later, they can be severed. People get disappointed, hearts get broken, expectations not met. Others, are broken from death, death from illness, death from murder, death from suicide. Death from sin.
Relationships severed by sin.
By a drunken driver who hit a pedestrian. By the robber, who only wanted more money the easy way, kills someone by accident in the heat of the moment. The father who commits suicide because someone had cheated all his cash. A lover jilted, due to selfish reasons. Lung cancer of inhaling second hand smoke. Unable to reconnect due to unforgiveness. Bitterness. Hate. Jealousy. Rage. Malice.
Bringing his point to an end, Ravi Zacharias quickly summarized all he has said earlier, in his book The Face of Atheism:
If relationships bring meaning to life, then the ultimate mockery of life is the reality that all relationships are either ruptured by sin or severed by death. Each of us longs for a relationship that cannot be victimized by sin or destroyed by death. That relationship can only be found with God. Once that relationship is established, it serves as a blueprint for all other relationships, bringing the strength of genuine love and shunning the cancer of selfishness.
I thought it was very well written. Like the child who is seeing his/her father for the first time after some time of separation, that child would want to run towards a relationship, in which the child know he/she will be accepted with open arms. God will accept all of us that way. As long as we meet Him halfway.
In terms of relationships, no matter what we say, we crave it. Friendships, parent-child relationships, boy-girl relationships. It's real. We can't deny it. Without it, we are truly lonely.
And we all know, no man is an island. It is true. Even the madman would try to have a relationship with someone, and hence talks to himself for company.
The whole big problem about relationships, is that somehow sooner or later, they can be severed. People get disappointed, hearts get broken, expectations not met. Others, are broken from death, death from illness, death from murder, death from suicide. Death from sin.
Relationships severed by sin.
By a drunken driver who hit a pedestrian. By the robber, who only wanted more money the easy way, kills someone by accident in the heat of the moment. The father who commits suicide because someone had cheated all his cash. A lover jilted, due to selfish reasons. Lung cancer of inhaling second hand smoke. Unable to reconnect due to unforgiveness. Bitterness. Hate. Jealousy. Rage. Malice.
Bringing his point to an end, Ravi Zacharias quickly summarized all he has said earlier, in his book The Face of Atheism:
If relationships bring meaning to life, then the ultimate mockery of life is the reality that all relationships are either ruptured by sin or severed by death. Each of us longs for a relationship that cannot be victimized by sin or destroyed by death. That relationship can only be found with God. Once that relationship is established, it serves as a blueprint for all other relationships, bringing the strength of genuine love and shunning the cancer of selfishness.
I thought it was very well written. Like the child who is seeing his/her father for the first time after some time of separation, that child would want to run towards a relationship, in which the child know he/she will be accepted with open arms. God will accept all of us that way. As long as we meet Him halfway.
Tuesday, November 13, 2007
discrimination?
This happened last week, but didn't get round to blogging it. So I shall, right now. It isn't so much as a rant, but thought I'd just label it as one. My sister said this is discrimination, and it most probably is. So here's the story:
Last week, I went to look for my mum and sister in Carrefour, Mid Valley, as they had gone in first. I was carrying my brown bag with me, as I had just come from somewhere else, when at the door, I was stopped! And for what reason? If you can guess.
Coming.
Coming.
Wait for it.
They wanted to tie my bag. Yes. With one of those plastic ties. I thought it was really absurd. Before any of you can come up with wise comments, the next guy after me who was carrying a waist pouch was also stopped. The same was done.
Now let me explain why I say discrimination.
The guy after me? His pouch was so small, he could prob sneak in a choc bar with some sweets at most. Even if my bag was much bigger, it's totally ridiculous to put a plastic tie on my bag.
My sister and my mum who were carrying bigger bags than mine, were not tied up. Many other women's bags too.
So why mine and the other guys? Cause we looked young, and we were of male gender?
Ridonkeylous. If Jusco doesn't practice this, nor does Cold Storage, or Giant Supermarket, WHY oh WHY does CARREFOUR have to have this extra security measure?
ANYHOW. Here's a picture.
It best describes my frustration (?).
If u can see the plastic tie between the zip and the big metal bit which holds the strap.
Last week, I went to look for my mum and sister in Carrefour, Mid Valley, as they had gone in first. I was carrying my brown bag with me, as I had just come from somewhere else, when at the door, I was stopped! And for what reason? If you can guess.
Coming.
Coming.
Wait for it.
They wanted to tie my bag. Yes. With one of those plastic ties. I thought it was really absurd. Before any of you can come up with wise comments, the next guy after me who was carrying a waist pouch was also stopped. The same was done.
Now let me explain why I say discrimination.
The guy after me? His pouch was so small, he could prob sneak in a choc bar with some sweets at most. Even if my bag was much bigger, it's totally ridiculous to put a plastic tie on my bag.
My sister and my mum who were carrying bigger bags than mine, were not tied up. Many other women's bags too.
So why mine and the other guys? Cause we looked young, and we were of male gender?
Ridonkeylous. If Jusco doesn't practice this, nor does Cold Storage, or Giant Supermarket, WHY oh WHY does CARREFOUR have to have this extra security measure?
ANYHOW. Here's a picture.
It best describes my frustration (?).
If u can see the plastic tie between the zip and the big metal bit which holds the strap.
Friday, November 09, 2007
refreshed
After the weeks of being drained, I think I'm ready again to take on some challenges. Get some work done. Sleep less. Don't know why.
The Lord is my banner.
He really is.
When Moses built that altar for God, I imagined myself walking a march, holding a banner that was really the Lord.
It all comes back to Phil 4:13.
Time to be like Moses, or like Elijah. Whomever who had more faith :)
The Lord is my banner.
He really is.
When Moses built that altar for God, I imagined myself walking a march, holding a banner that was really the Lord.
It all comes back to Phil 4:13.
Time to be like Moses, or like Elijah. Whomever who had more faith :)
Thursday, November 08, 2007
logic
"As far as the propositions of mathematic refer to reality, they are not certain; and as far as they are certain, they do not refer to reality". - Albert Einstein
We are essentially creatures of logic. We love explanations, we love to find out why something happens, and more importantly, it must be something that's tangible or physical enough for plain sight to see. For an object to move from point A to point B, we MUST see it move. If by the blink of the eye, it disappears at point A and reappears in point B, the first question that comes to mind is probably: How did that happen? If we saw it move with our own eyes, then it wouldn't have been a problem.
It's been a tough season this past few weeks. Besides feeling a little de-motivated for whatever reason, I've just been feeling lethargic. Maybe it was just hard for me to see past the many obstacles I see before me, maybe I just didn't think some one like me, could be successful.
Hmmm.
It's all about faith. Faith ends when doubt begins, and faith begins when doubts end.
There is no logic in faith. Or else, as Ravi Zacharias said in his book, kids will never be able to believe.
We are essentially creatures of logic. We love explanations, we love to find out why something happens, and more importantly, it must be something that's tangible or physical enough for plain sight to see. For an object to move from point A to point B, we MUST see it move. If by the blink of the eye, it disappears at point A and reappears in point B, the first question that comes to mind is probably: How did that happen? If we saw it move with our own eyes, then it wouldn't have been a problem.
It's been a tough season this past few weeks. Besides feeling a little de-motivated for whatever reason, I've just been feeling lethargic. Maybe it was just hard for me to see past the many obstacles I see before me, maybe I just didn't think some one like me, could be successful.
Hmmm.
It's all about faith. Faith ends when doubt begins, and faith begins when doubts end.
There is no logic in faith. Or else, as Ravi Zacharias said in his book, kids will never be able to believe.
Friday, November 02, 2007
God is good! :)
Was told to put this up, and finally have decided to:
Matthew 6:33 says But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness,
and all these things will be given to you as well.
This is a verse long familiar to me, but not something i practiced.
The excuse was always the same: my studies were tough, it was not easy
to pass, and I had a lot of ground to cover. In short, I had a hundred
and one excuses, and never wanted to spend more than the allocated
time I had put aside for God's work.
This season, as I prepared for USMLE, an entrance exam to apply to the
United States, I was really convicted to do more for God's kingdom
first before anything else. I had about 2 months to prepare for my
Step 2 exam (part of the USMLE) and about another 1.5 months after
that to prepare for my Step 1 exam. It was very easy for me to delay
serving in campus ministry as 3.5 months wasn't a long way off right?
However, I was really convicted to be faithful even while I was busy
because, I knew that a lot of times procrastination would only kill
off a desire,
After my 2 month preparation and my gruelling 8 hour ++ exam, I was
finally done. I couldn't tell if I did okay or not, but I committed it
to God. A few weeks later, my results was in my inbox.
I passed! With a 90th percentile. It was a big deal for me, because I
was never an 'A' student, so to both pass and score sufficiently well,
I knew it could only come from God!
The one thing I really learned from this whole ordeal was that if I
honor God, He will honor me too! When I chose to spend time doing His
work, instead of saying "I need to study", He blessed me tremendously.
It was not an easy ordeal to cram almost 5 years of knowledge into 2
months of studying, and at the same time do His work. I truly believe
that if we give God our time and our efforts, and trust in Him, He
will never let us down, as all things are indeed possible with God!
When we seek His kingdom first and His righteousness, many things WILL
be added onto us.
Matthew 6:33 says But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness,
and all these things will be given to you as well.
This is a verse long familiar to me, but not something i practiced.
The excuse was always the same: my studies were tough, it was not easy
to pass, and I had a lot of ground to cover. In short, I had a hundred
and one excuses, and never wanted to spend more than the allocated
time I had put aside for God's work.
This season, as I prepared for USMLE, an entrance exam to apply to the
United States, I was really convicted to do more for God's kingdom
first before anything else. I had about 2 months to prepare for my
Step 2 exam (part of the USMLE) and about another 1.5 months after
that to prepare for my Step 1 exam. It was very easy for me to delay
serving in campus ministry as 3.5 months wasn't a long way off right?
However, I was really convicted to be faithful even while I was busy
because, I knew that a lot of times procrastination would only kill
off a desire,
After my 2 month preparation and my gruelling 8 hour ++ exam, I was
finally done. I couldn't tell if I did okay or not, but I committed it
to God. A few weeks later, my results was in my inbox.
I passed! With a 90th percentile. It was a big deal for me, because I
was never an 'A' student, so to both pass and score sufficiently well,
I knew it could only come from God!
The one thing I really learned from this whole ordeal was that if I
honor God, He will honor me too! When I chose to spend time doing His
work, instead of saying "I need to study", He blessed me tremendously.
It was not an easy ordeal to cram almost 5 years of knowledge into 2
months of studying, and at the same time do His work. I truly believe
that if we give God our time and our efforts, and trust in Him, He
will never let us down, as all things are indeed possible with God!
When we seek His kingdom first and His righteousness, many things WILL
be added onto us.
Monday, October 29, 2007
what comes first
This is a season of choosing and figuring out what's best to do and not. With much free time in
hand, I am given multiple options to fill my day.
PS 2, books, meeting up people, guitar, playing board games, fine tuning my voice....
Obviously I'm not doing anything too interesting, to the point I am writing a post like this.
What triggered this thought though is, really, in this time of having just TOO much time on my hands (okay, don't quote me on this), it's hard to choose what to do first. Anyone with good ideas on how to prioritize? Or rather, how to get my butt moving on the list on what needs to be done first? :)
P/S: Okay.... I admit, this is a filler post, while waiting to play board games... tum ti tum
hand, I am given multiple options to fill my day.
PS 2, books, meeting up people, guitar, playing board games, fine tuning my voice....
Obviously I'm not doing anything too interesting, to the point I am writing a post like this.
What triggered this thought though is, really, in this time of having just TOO much time on my hands (okay, don't quote me on this), it's hard to choose what to do first. Anyone with good ideas on how to prioritize? Or rather, how to get my butt moving on the list on what needs to be done first? :)
P/S: Okay.... I admit, this is a filler post, while waiting to play board games... tum ti tum
Thursday, October 18, 2007
choice
The greatest gift to mankind is choice, because without the power to choose, we are merely like robots or computers, only processing information, but never coming to a conclusion of what to do, only suggesting what may be done.
The whole conversation on choice, has brought me to think of certain examples of people I know. There are the ones who don't like to make any choices, or rather choose to not make any further choices, and then there are those, who choose to do everything and in their progress make it very obvious to be seen and known (the ones I'd like to call the extremist, whether be it the terrorist or the authoritarian).
It irks me that sometimes there we don't practice things like the black and white it can be, but to think about it, we can't, because we are humans, and for the same reason, we are given choice, we are made to be so unpredictable to each other. Everything else however should be somewhat made clear cut. The law, between good and bad, light and darkness, tasty and horrible.
Can we draw that same line for ourselves? Or we'd rather see a blur of a line so that we can jump over blameless, merely as the 'line was not to be seen'?
I am what I choose to be, and it's the same for everyone else. Not one person can say they were forced to out of a situation, because at the end of the day, to be honest, we all have to account for our own actions. We have freedom of choice, but let us truly understand the extent of our choice(s).
The whole conversation on choice, has brought me to think of certain examples of people I know. There are the ones who don't like to make any choices, or rather choose to not make any further choices, and then there are those, who choose to do everything and in their progress make it very obvious to be seen and known (the ones I'd like to call the extremist, whether be it the terrorist or the authoritarian).
It irks me that sometimes there we don't practice things like the black and white it can be, but to think about it, we can't, because we are humans, and for the same reason, we are given choice, we are made to be so unpredictable to each other. Everything else however should be somewhat made clear cut. The law, between good and bad, light and darkness, tasty and horrible.
Can we draw that same line for ourselves? Or we'd rather see a blur of a line so that we can jump over blameless, merely as the 'line was not to be seen'?
I am what I choose to be, and it's the same for everyone else. Not one person can say they were forced to out of a situation, because at the end of the day, to be honest, we all have to account for our own actions. We have freedom of choice, but let us truly understand the extent of our choice(s).
Wednesday, October 17, 2007
i'm back
Hiatus for a while...
now I'm back.
No. Not with a vengeance.
Truly it has been refreshing, to just take time off to gather thoughts and what not. As I continue to observe many things, I have learned lots. Indeed, it pays sometimes to just keep quiet and slip to the back, and watch what's really going on.
No, it's not an emo post.
After leaders retreat, I've gained even more insight on things.
I'd like to end this brief post with just one question:
What makes us who we are?
now I'm back.
No. Not with a vengeance.
Truly it has been refreshing, to just take time off to gather thoughts and what not. As I continue to observe many things, I have learned lots. Indeed, it pays sometimes to just keep quiet and slip to the back, and watch what's really going on.
No, it's not an emo post.
After leaders retreat, I've gained even more insight on things.
I'd like to end this brief post with just one question:
What makes us who we are?
Tuesday, October 02, 2007
hiatus
While everyone is starting new blogs, I'm going to go on a word/blog hiatus for now. Just need to gather thoughts.
ZZZzzzZZZzzz
ZZZzzzZZZzzz
Saturday, September 29, 2007
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?".
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?".
Thursday, September 27, 2007
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. :)
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. :)
Monday, September 24, 2007
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?
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?
Sunday, September 23, 2007
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.
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.
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