today was a good day, for various reasons.
woke up feeling a bit tipsy(especially when i talk).. met D for ee, J for lunch, ifg comm for prayer, WY at social work lect, then off to dinner with Dg and fellow viet students. and maybe met the future on the way there too.
been thinking, or rather, have been forced to think, due to circumstances, about the future.
how i'm going to pull through this sem, what i'm going to do next academic year, whether i should graduate next year, and beyond...
decisions.. life's practically on a platter for me now..i'm an adult. i do what i chose. in a sense, God has no control over me.
but, if i chose to be the one in control... i think, that spells disaster. because i know my plans, as much as i think i've got great foresight, in comparison to God's eternity, that's far-sight.. i'm like staring into the future with a pin-hole camera.. you know how everything appears upside-down??
funny how God loves to poke fun and tease His children sometimes. i got the brunt today, but, loved every minute of it with relish.
ok, i'm getting random. but then again, there is order behind the randomness.. ah. oh well. i did say i started off the day feeling tipsy;D
Friday, January 27, 2006
Wednesday, January 25, 2006
how great is our God
The splendor of a King, clothed in majesty
Let all the earth rejoice
All the earth rejoice
He wraps himself in Light, and darkness tries to hide
And trembles at His voice
Trembles at His voice
How great is our God, sing with me
How great is our God, and all will see
How great, how great is our God
Age to age He stands
And time is in His hands
Beginning and the end
Beginning and the end
The Godhead Three in One
Father Spirit Son
The Lion and the Lamb
The Lion and the Lamb
Name above all names
Worthy of our praise
My heart will sing
How great is our God
How great is our God, sing with me
How great is our God, and all will see
How great, how great is our God
-
there's nothing my God cannot do =)
these few weeks in pj has led me to see so much more, experience things never before.
being in a whole new environment, meeting new people.
i know that God has called me to be in pj for a purpose. its very clear now, and that is, to reach more people for Him.
im always amazed at how He makes everything beautiful in His time.
i know there's stuff i still need to work on in my life, but i really pray that 2006 will be a year of His glory. that whatever i do i will point the glory back to Jesus. that i will really make my life count, that i'll be able to share God's love through my life.
it's tough, but i'm trying, and i think God's happy =)
as for you, Mommy. you know im always so encouraged and challenged by your faith. I LOVE YOU. (k, i know you're rolling your eyes by now, i see that already, but ah well. =D)
i could sing of Your love forever.
your (not so) little nuthead. ^^
Let all the earth rejoice
All the earth rejoice
He wraps himself in Light, and darkness tries to hide
And trembles at His voice
Trembles at His voice
How great is our God, sing with me
How great is our God, and all will see
How great, how great is our God
Age to age He stands
And time is in His hands
Beginning and the end
Beginning and the end
The Godhead Three in One
Father Spirit Son
The Lion and the Lamb
The Lion and the Lamb
Name above all names
Worthy of our praise
My heart will sing
How great is our God
How great is our God, sing with me
How great is our God, and all will see
How great, how great is our God
-
there's nothing my God cannot do =)
these few weeks in pj has led me to see so much more, experience things never before.
being in a whole new environment, meeting new people.
i know that God has called me to be in pj for a purpose. its very clear now, and that is, to reach more people for Him.
im always amazed at how He makes everything beautiful in His time.
i know there's stuff i still need to work on in my life, but i really pray that 2006 will be a year of His glory. that whatever i do i will point the glory back to Jesus. that i will really make my life count, that i'll be able to share God's love through my life.
it's tough, but i'm trying, and i think God's happy =)
as for you, Mommy. you know im always so encouraged and challenged by your faith. I LOVE YOU. (k, i know you're rolling your eyes by now, i see that already, but ah well. =D)
i could sing of Your love forever.
your (not so) little nuthead. ^^
Monday, January 23, 2006
lyndon cana
this is a bit of a delayed time reaction.. but, tue's FT was real good. the best i've ever gone for. mr lyndon cana is like WOA. if you think you are busy, try this:
1. radio talkshows EVERYDAY.
2. lawyer by profession.
3. politician by calling.
4. preaches in church.
5. leads Bible study in church.
6. flies off to countries, like Singapore to speak.
of course, the moral of the story is not to be busy for God. nono... it's just amazing to hear mr cana speak so earnestly, and challenge each one of us to live the most for God, to not waste time doing meaningless things.
it's a criminal negligence to live a life of mediocrity and wantoness when Jesus has died on the cross for our sins. Jesus died, and are you just going to sit there, chasing after grades, money, clothes, games, *insert an object of desire*??
for me, it was rather encouraging that he kept saying he was speaking to the brightest in singapore, (haha.. ok, fine, so i needed some kind of ego booster that i'm not that dumb..) praying that not one of us would backslide.
i was personally challenged by his love for God, how it was shown through his actions and lifestyle. he spoke with such earnesty and sincerity and conviction that i could see why he had the people's support(and votes) despite having no backing from any influential sugarcane towkays.
challenged also to be responsible to the season of life that i'm currently in now: education. meaning, i should slog hard for my grades. but not slog for the grades' sake. rather glorify God through my studies and fulfill my responsibility as a student. also, that I'm called primarily to witness for God. and i do so through my life, my vocation.
if anything, these past 22 days have been quite a blur.. i feel like i'm drifting from class to class, feeling a bit off, not going on a straight path.. *shrugs* it's a bit weird. as if, i'm not eactly in-line/aligned with something.. can't quite put my finger down. just been living day-to-day, with no concrete plans.. don't think/know if this is good. makes me depend on God more.. but it just seems weird to have zero plans. i'm not thinking very straight here. should zzzzzzzz off...
1. radio talkshows EVERYDAY.
2. lawyer by profession.
3. politician by calling.
4. preaches in church.
5. leads Bible study in church.
6. flies off to countries, like Singapore to speak.
of course, the moral of the story is not to be busy for God. nono... it's just amazing to hear mr cana speak so earnestly, and challenge each one of us to live the most for God, to not waste time doing meaningless things.
it's a criminal negligence to live a life of mediocrity and wantoness when Jesus has died on the cross for our sins. Jesus died, and are you just going to sit there, chasing after grades, money, clothes, games, *insert an object of desire*??
for me, it was rather encouraging that he kept saying he was speaking to the brightest in singapore, (haha.. ok, fine, so i needed some kind of ego booster that i'm not that dumb..) praying that not one of us would backslide.
i was personally challenged by his love for God, how it was shown through his actions and lifestyle. he spoke with such earnesty and sincerity and conviction that i could see why he had the people's support(and votes) despite having no backing from any influential sugarcane towkays.
challenged also to be responsible to the season of life that i'm currently in now: education. meaning, i should slog hard for my grades. but not slog for the grades' sake. rather glorify God through my studies and fulfill my responsibility as a student. also, that I'm called primarily to witness for God. and i do so through my life, my vocation.
if anything, these past 22 days have been quite a blur.. i feel like i'm drifting from class to class, feeling a bit off, not going on a straight path.. *shrugs* it's a bit weird. as if, i'm not eactly in-line/aligned with something.. can't quite put my finger down. just been living day-to-day, with no concrete plans.. don't think/know if this is good. makes me depend on God more.. but it just seems weird to have zero plans. i'm not thinking very straight here. should zzzzzzzz off...
Sunday, January 22, 2006
ade'fam
gosh. this is too hilarious to not post it up.
my favourite is no.10. hilarious i tell you.
my favourite is no.10. hilarious i tell you.
Ten Top Trivia Tips about Adefam!
- Adefamology is the study of adefam.
- US gold coins used to say 'In adefam we trust'.
- It's bad luck for a flag to touch adefam.
- If you chew gum while peeling adefam then it will stop you from crying.
- Donald Duck's middle name is adefam!
- If you cut adefam in half and count the number of seeds inside, you will know how many children you are going to have!
- Only 55 percent of Americans know that the sun is made of adefam!
- There are roughly 10,000 man-made objects the size of adefam orbiting the Earth!
- Adefamicide is the killing of adefam.
- If adefam was life size, she would stand 7 ft 2 inches tall and have a neck twice the size of a human.
Saturday, January 21, 2006
crashing waves
i went for Crossroads. and as i told flor, it was for myself. the entire dec hols kinda sucked me a little dry... made me a little lightheaded... like a woozy kind of feeling...
glad i went, not because the speakers were great.. (the main speaker was quite good actually, tan soo-in. go read his stuff at grace@work) if anything, i had a bit of a problem with the other 2 speakers.. they were a bit... dubious is not the best word, but i can't think of any other. if anything, they made me realize how idealistic i am. but how important it is to not bend Christian principles, no matter how fallen the world is. easy to say, hard to do, i know. but, wisdom is definitely much needed.
the best part of the retreat was the morning devotion by the beach. i sat there, read the Bible, spent most of the time praying.. asking God for guidance.. my eyes were closed, and i could hear the gentle lapping of waves.. but just as i was praying, i heard the loud crashing (almost 'bang') of waves. and i opened my eyes and looked out at the sea.
no boat? er.. then why are the waves crashing so loudly. i turned to lizhen and asked if any boat came past, just that it may have zoomed by too quickly in those few seconds that i opened my eyes.
but, nope. no boat, no ship, no barge.
often, for me, i like to ask God for explicit signs, to show me that i'm on the right track.. but, well, the signs never appear. maybe, 'ask' is too mild a word. i 'demand' rather.
and today, Soo-in said, " God is not bound by our demands for dramatic visions".
i got a taste of God giving me a sign, when i needed it the most. but the best part is, i didn't ask for a sign. so cool. God is amazing. seeing and hearing the crashing waves, gave me a realization that God is the God of nature. that He is always in control. that God has my future in His hands.
Amen.
glad i went, not because the speakers were great.. (the main speaker was quite good actually, tan soo-in. go read his stuff at grace@work) if anything, i had a bit of a problem with the other 2 speakers.. they were a bit... dubious is not the best word, but i can't think of any other. if anything, they made me realize how idealistic i am. but how important it is to not bend Christian principles, no matter how fallen the world is. easy to say, hard to do, i know. but, wisdom is definitely much needed.
the best part of the retreat was the morning devotion by the beach. i sat there, read the Bible, spent most of the time praying.. asking God for guidance.. my eyes were closed, and i could hear the gentle lapping of waves.. but just as i was praying, i heard the loud crashing (almost 'bang') of waves. and i opened my eyes and looked out at the sea.
no boat? er.. then why are the waves crashing so loudly. i turned to lizhen and asked if any boat came past, just that it may have zoomed by too quickly in those few seconds that i opened my eyes.
but, nope. no boat, no ship, no barge.
often, for me, i like to ask God for explicit signs, to show me that i'm on the right track.. but, well, the signs never appear. maybe, 'ask' is too mild a word. i 'demand' rather.
and today, Soo-in said, " God is not bound by our demands for dramatic visions".
i got a taste of God giving me a sign, when i needed it the most. but the best part is, i didn't ask for a sign. so cool. God is amazing. seeing and hearing the crashing waves, gave me a realization that God is the God of nature. that He is always in control. that God has my future in His hands.
Amen.
Friday, January 20, 2006
of birthdays
it's official. i'm 21 years and 5 days old.
and my dad has been harping on it. he called back on wed from Melaka and made me come to the phone to ask, "So, how's it like to be an adult?".
*raises eyebrows and deadpans*
"er.... Ba, there's been no difference these past 3 days.."
being the eldest in the family, and the only girl at it, my parents have been going through changes.. to be honest, i don't know if they agonise over this in private. but, the past few months have been rather 'releasing' for them. 1st, andrew went off to ns, then it's my 21st, abel's been getting more guai, asher, on the contrary, has been quite a handful (in my case, it's spatula-full).
freedom. when i was in secondary school, staying out late was a big big deal for me, i'd have to beg and beg my parents. now, as long as i tell them when i'm coming home and what i'm doing, i'm pretty much on my own (but that's also provided i don't overdo it by getting myself drunk..) the craziest thing i've done in the past few weeks was staying overnight at the airport playing cluedo and polarbear, to send Mark off at 4am. of which, i've come to the one conclusion: i don't have the stamina to stay up late anymore...
but, if there's one thing constant, my dad still stays up to wait for me. well, at least one parent does. i remember in sec3, after the acdc play, 'The Mousetrap', i came home at around 2plus. and my mom was waiting up for me. yesterday, i came home at 12.30 from a funeral, and my dad was sitting up reading DaVinci Code...
as much as i'm glad i've the freedom to do mostly what i want (of which, going overseas for hols may not exactly be entailed...), i do feel a little for my parents. i don't know if it's called responsibilty, but, i can't think of a better word. love?
i do know, a few weeks ago, because i was coming home late from prc camp (late? i managed to catch the last mrt home each time..), my dad one day sort of lamented that i'm ready to fly/soar (some flying anaglogy). how do i know? he was lamenting to aggie and frankie who were in the office.
as much as i think i feel ready for anything flung at me, i do know i still need my parents. eventhough they have the ability of nagging til the point of frustration, i know it's because they care.
on a lesser note, i'm really thankful the birthday party on sunday is over. it was tiring. but, you only turn 21 once in a lifetime, and i know i had to grab that opportunity to thank God for friends and family. as much as i've a lot of friends, i would rather meet them up in small groups. large groups tire me out=X BUT, i enjoyed sunday. it's a sort of weird feeling to see many of your close friends all crammed up in your house, trying to entertain themselves..heh=D
thank God for family and friends:)
p/s pics another day.
and my dad has been harping on it. he called back on wed from Melaka and made me come to the phone to ask, "So, how's it like to be an adult?".
*raises eyebrows and deadpans*
"er.... Ba, there's been no difference these past 3 days.."
being the eldest in the family, and the only girl at it, my parents have been going through changes.. to be honest, i don't know if they agonise over this in private. but, the past few months have been rather 'releasing' for them. 1st, andrew went off to ns, then it's my 21st, abel's been getting more guai, asher, on the contrary, has been quite a handful (in my case, it's spatula-full).
freedom. when i was in secondary school, staying out late was a big big deal for me, i'd have to beg and beg my parents. now, as long as i tell them when i'm coming home and what i'm doing, i'm pretty much on my own (but that's also provided i don't overdo it by getting myself drunk..) the craziest thing i've done in the past few weeks was staying overnight at the airport playing cluedo and polarbear, to send Mark off at 4am. of which, i've come to the one conclusion: i don't have the stamina to stay up late anymore...
but, if there's one thing constant, my dad still stays up to wait for me. well, at least one parent does. i remember in sec3, after the acdc play, 'The Mousetrap', i came home at around 2plus. and my mom was waiting up for me. yesterday, i came home at 12.30 from a funeral, and my dad was sitting up reading DaVinci Code...
as much as i'm glad i've the freedom to do mostly what i want (of which, going overseas for hols may not exactly be entailed...), i do feel a little for my parents. i don't know if it's called responsibilty, but, i can't think of a better word. love?
i do know, a few weeks ago, because i was coming home late from prc camp (late? i managed to catch the last mrt home each time..), my dad one day sort of lamented that i'm ready to fly/soar (some flying anaglogy). how do i know? he was lamenting to aggie and frankie who were in the office.
as much as i think i feel ready for anything flung at me, i do know i still need my parents. eventhough they have the ability of nagging til the point of frustration, i know it's because they care.
on a lesser note, i'm really thankful the birthday party on sunday is over. it was tiring. but, you only turn 21 once in a lifetime, and i know i had to grab that opportunity to thank God for friends and family. as much as i've a lot of friends, i would rather meet them up in small groups. large groups tire me out=X BUT, i enjoyed sunday. it's a sort of weird feeling to see many of your close friends all crammed up in your house, trying to entertain themselves..heh=D
thank God for family and friends:)
p/s pics another day.
Saturday, January 14, 2006
talk to non-xtian friends
had quite a good chat with sond today.. it would've been longer if not for ifg meeting...
if anything, for the first time, i admitted that i had problems opening up to my ex-classmates. to be honest, i don't even know when i started, but, i think sometime after jc, i notice that whenever there were class gatherings and etc, i'm the quietest. which is kinda weird, because, i'm usually one of the noisiest in class. i remember in sec4, miss sie had to separate liling and i, because we talked too much during class... i wish i have that problem now.
i'm not the quietest, because i've all of a sudden gone dumb. it's just that i find it hard to talk. i'm more than happy listening to my friends talk and share about their ongoings in life.. sometimes, it seems that i'm a little boring in comparison to them.
a lot of things has been going on in my life. i don't think i'm boring (because, i know i'm not..heh). i can actually talk non-stop... in cg or sharing setting, i can yak and give many prayer requests. but with my other friends, i just strike dumb. sometimes, it's because i think they wouldn't understand.. often, it's fear. a fear that they would think i'm talking about fluffy stuff when i talk about what God has been doing in my life. that i'm a loony to believe in this relgion-crutch thing. but, i guess... this also shows how much confidence i have in my God.
sorry God:(
if anything, for the first time, i admitted that i had problems opening up to my ex-classmates. to be honest, i don't even know when i started, but, i think sometime after jc, i notice that whenever there were class gatherings and etc, i'm the quietest. which is kinda weird, because, i'm usually one of the noisiest in class. i remember in sec4, miss sie had to separate liling and i, because we talked too much during class... i wish i have that problem now.
i'm not the quietest, because i've all of a sudden gone dumb. it's just that i find it hard to talk. i'm more than happy listening to my friends talk and share about their ongoings in life.. sometimes, it seems that i'm a little boring in comparison to them.
a lot of things has been going on in my life. i don't think i'm boring (because, i know i'm not..heh). i can actually talk non-stop... in cg or sharing setting, i can yak and give many prayer requests. but with my other friends, i just strike dumb. sometimes, it's because i think they wouldn't understand.. often, it's fear. a fear that they would think i'm talking about fluffy stuff when i talk about what God has been doing in my life. that i'm a loony to believe in this relgion-crutch thing. but, i guess... this also shows how much confidence i have in my God.
sorry God:(
Friday, January 13, 2006
vcfers in classes
the only reason why i'm blogging now, it's because i just realised that today is friday the thirteenth. so i wanted the date up there. looks so cool, rite:)
*yawnz* is it just me? i dunno why this week seems to be going so so sloooowly.. gah. i can sit in a lecture, glance at the clock, listen to the lecture for what seems like eons, glance back at the clock, and i'm like... what?! only 5 minutes has passed? i think something is wrong. i've been very, and i should stress the word 'very' restless this week/semester. i enjoy the lectures that i've attended, but for some unknown reason, i've been quite sleepy. and, sleeping/dozing during lectures has never been a habit for me, especially, coming from scgs -- where teachers forbade anyone from sleeping in class.. to the extent that when i went pj, i had a culture shock to see people sleeping in classes..
so, as you can see, my first week of school has been quite a blur, literally.
one other thing that strikes me is that, for some unknown reason, why are there vcf-ers in ever single one of my classes?? i purposely (except for hy2207, which i decided to take because 1. it's the history of china and 2. debs& matt are taking it.. to keep my sanity) didn't plan to take classes with anyone, so that i could have free myself up to make new friends.. in fact, i thought for my engine and science mods, i would be only loony taking them.. but, apparently not:
el2111- serene, rita, daniel, matt and clemyee
el3254- adrian
gem1532- fern, andrea
lsm1301- mingjie
sw1101e - weiying, mingjie and shawn
hy2207 - the 3 of us.. ahhaha
as i was pondering during sw1101e, in a bid to keep myself awake, a thought struck me. perhaps God is doing so, to make me consolidate my friendships this semester, instead of making new friends. so, one goal this semester, is to build up relationships of previous years.
speaking of friends, this sunday's party is seriously going to be a riot.. i told my parents about 50++ people are coming.. didn't tell them it's actually 60++, because i know they'll faint (they already think i'm crazy for getting 50++). pray that God will be in control. i'm seriously a bit tired this week, to plan something for sunday=X sometimes, i wonder what i get myself into...
may God be glorified:)
*yawnz* is it just me? i dunno why this week seems to be going so so sloooowly.. gah. i can sit in a lecture, glance at the clock, listen to the lecture for what seems like eons, glance back at the clock, and i'm like... what?! only 5 minutes has passed? i think something is wrong. i've been very, and i should stress the word 'very' restless this week/semester. i enjoy the lectures that i've attended, but for some unknown reason, i've been quite sleepy. and, sleeping/dozing during lectures has never been a habit for me, especially, coming from scgs -- where teachers forbade anyone from sleeping in class.. to the extent that when i went pj, i had a culture shock to see people sleeping in classes..
so, as you can see, my first week of school has been quite a blur, literally.
one other thing that strikes me is that, for some unknown reason, why are there vcf-ers in ever single one of my classes?? i purposely (except for hy2207, which i decided to take because 1. it's the history of china and 2. debs& matt are taking it.. to keep my sanity) didn't plan to take classes with anyone, so that i could have free myself up to make new friends.. in fact, i thought for my engine and science mods, i would be only loony taking them.. but, apparently not:
el2111- serene, rita, daniel, matt and clemyee
el3254- adrian
gem1532- fern, andrea
lsm1301- mingjie
sw1101e - weiying, mingjie and shawn
hy2207 - the 3 of us.. ahhaha
as i was pondering during sw1101e, in a bid to keep myself awake, a thought struck me. perhaps God is doing so, to make me consolidate my friendships this semester, instead of making new friends. so, one goal this semester, is to build up relationships of previous years.
speaking of friends, this sunday's party is seriously going to be a riot.. i told my parents about 50++ people are coming.. didn't tell them it's actually 60++, because i know they'll faint (they already think i'm crazy for getting 50++). pray that God will be in control. i'm seriously a bit tired this week, to plan something for sunday=X sometimes, i wonder what i get myself into...
may God be glorified:)
Monday, January 09, 2006
got my mods
a few things to thank God for:
1. i've got all my 6modules (with still a lot of points to spare!!)
2. my parents finally agreed to let me celebrate my 21st.
3. tomorrow is 10jan, which means, i'm almost done with planning prc camp..
4. friends:)
5. a cleared desk.
6. rainy and cold weather.
7. nice pineapple tarts.
that's all for now.. back to prc camp afterglow. by the way, sorry if i've seemed rather preoccupied lately, because I AM preoccupied. i'll have less things on my mind tomorrow=p
1. i've got all my 6modules (with still a lot of points to spare!!)
2. my parents finally agreed to let me celebrate my 21st.
3. tomorrow is 10jan, which means, i'm almost done with planning prc camp..
4. friends:)
5. a cleared desk.
6. rainy and cold weather.
7. nice pineapple tarts.
that's all for now.. back to prc camp afterglow. by the way, sorry if i've seemed rather preoccupied lately, because I AM preoccupied. i'll have less things on my mind tomorrow=p
Monday, January 02, 2006
2005 gone..
and so, 2005 whizzed by in a flash.
to sum up 2005 in a sentence : God is faithful and gracious.
Faithful because He never changes, gracious because He has chosen me and forgiven me for all the pride and mistakes that i've made.
2005 was a year of many changes and challenges:
1. left qbc and joined wefc.
2. stopped youth leading, became a youth and then back to leading a bunch of youth again.
3. continued as a not-so-clueless freshie, with seniors watching out for you. progressed to a year2, still with seniors watcing out for you, but now, with freshies to look out for.
4. felt the painful separation of death.
5. struggled in school work, and prob will continue to.
6. started serving in vcf, through boggled cg and ifg.
7. made countless new friends, struggled with keeping in contact with the present ones.
8. moved house to just beside church.
9. did and still doing follow-up with a girl each from school and church.
10. have to learn how to live with my grandma under one roof.
11. grew in personal evangelism.
12. had prc camp:)
at times, i had immense fun, enjoying myself tremendously. sometimes, i got a little miserable and had learn how to live with God being sufficient for me. others, i dealt with demands and tried to meet whatever i could and needed to. still some, i learnt how to deal with disappointment.
but above all, i learnt how to be joyful in all circumstances. 1Thessalonians 5:18.
there are definitely many challenges this 2006, but i'd leave the resolutions for another post. would be spending extended time with God today, to make sure that what i do is what God wants for me. and if i can, i'd definitely blog on last week's prc camp. bon soir!
to sum up 2005 in a sentence : God is faithful and gracious.
Faithful because He never changes, gracious because He has chosen me and forgiven me for all the pride and mistakes that i've made.
2005 was a year of many changes and challenges:
1. left qbc and joined wefc.
2. stopped youth leading, became a youth and then back to leading a bunch of youth again.
3. continued as a not-so-clueless freshie, with seniors watching out for you. progressed to a year2, still with seniors watcing out for you, but now, with freshies to look out for.
4. felt the painful separation of death.
5. struggled in school work, and prob will continue to.
6. started serving in vcf, through boggled cg and ifg.
7. made countless new friends, struggled with keeping in contact with the present ones.
8. moved house to just beside church.
9. did and still doing follow-up with a girl each from school and church.
10. have to learn how to live with my grandma under one roof.
11. grew in personal evangelism.
12. had prc camp:)
at times, i had immense fun, enjoying myself tremendously. sometimes, i got a little miserable and had learn how to live with God being sufficient for me. others, i dealt with demands and tried to meet whatever i could and needed to. still some, i learnt how to deal with disappointment.
but above all, i learnt how to be joyful in all circumstances. 1Thessalonians 5:18.
there are definitely many challenges this 2006, but i'd leave the resolutions for another post. would be spending extended time with God today, to make sure that what i do is what God wants for me. and if i can, i'd definitely blog on last week's prc camp. bon soir!
Friday, December 23, 2005
great blogskin
all i have to say is...
that picture up there ^ is absolutely, absolutely fantastic.
guess who did it!
I <3 YOU MOMMY. MERRY CHRISTMAS.
(by the way, i received many many many cat calls and sniggers and LOTS OF LAUGHTER when i went on stage today. DARN SO EMBARRASSING)
i know you love me too.
<3,
the adorable one.
that picture up there ^ is absolutely, absolutely fantastic.
guess who did it!
I <3 YOU MOMMY. MERRY CHRISTMAS.
(by the way, i received many many many cat calls and sniggers and LOTS OF LAUGHTER when i went on stage today. DARN SO EMBARRASSING)
i know you love me too.
<3,
the adorable one.
Monday, December 19, 2005
prc camp
'stress' is not the right word to use for planning the prc camp.
'helpless' is the better word.
when i call people up to check on the things they need to do for the camp, they all say, "adeline don't stress ok!" for the record, i'm not stressed. stress is for times when you know you have a lot to do, especially with very tight deadlines, and you feel the workload piling up.
helpless is for the times when you know what you have to do, and you can do it(mostly, in my case). but for the things that are out of your control, you can only sit and watch and pray.
i should stress the word 'pray' actually.
pray because only God can work in the vcfers hearts and free up the days for them. when i finally took over the temporal reins from florence (who happens to be enjoying herself in paris and switzerland... fortunate girl:P), i realised with mild horror that moe had divided the prcs into 20 groups. and i was assuming all along, 13 groups. what this means is that if we need at least 2 vcfers per group, we would need 40 full timers. and obviously, we fall short of this number, quite majorly.
normally, camps, the major problem is getting the people the camp is for ( in this case, the prcs). but now, we have a whopping 169 prcs, but we seriously lack volunteers. and it's quite sad because, the harvest is plentiful, but the workers are really few.
and i'm now supposed to write a plea to encourage the vcfers to come, if they can. and i don't know what to write. sigh. for those who read, if you can sign up for the prc camp. if you can't do keep us in prayer. we really need lots of it.
somehow, i know that when this whole thing is over, i would look back and be able to say with confidence that God was in control of everything. that God provided the people, that the prcs enjoyed themselves, that friendships were forged, that God was and will continue to be glorified.
p/s if there is one thing that's really annoying, my mother. she insists that whenever she is out, i've to be at home to babysit my grandmother, and apparently my 15 year old brother ain't enough. pray that she would be understanding and that i would be filial.
'helpless' is the better word.
when i call people up to check on the things they need to do for the camp, they all say, "adeline don't stress ok!" for the record, i'm not stressed. stress is for times when you know you have a lot to do, especially with very tight deadlines, and you feel the workload piling up.
helpless is for the times when you know what you have to do, and you can do it(mostly, in my case). but for the things that are out of your control, you can only sit and watch and pray.
i should stress the word 'pray' actually.
pray because only God can work in the vcfers hearts and free up the days for them. when i finally took over the temporal reins from florence (who happens to be enjoying herself in paris and switzerland... fortunate girl:P), i realised with mild horror that moe had divided the prcs into 20 groups. and i was assuming all along, 13 groups. what this means is that if we need at least 2 vcfers per group, we would need 40 full timers. and obviously, we fall short of this number, quite majorly.
normally, camps, the major problem is getting the people the camp is for ( in this case, the prcs). but now, we have a whopping 169 prcs, but we seriously lack volunteers. and it's quite sad because, the harvest is plentiful, but the workers are really few.
and i'm now supposed to write a plea to encourage the vcfers to come, if they can. and i don't know what to write. sigh. for those who read, if you can sign up for the prc camp. if you can't do keep us in prayer. we really need lots of it.
somehow, i know that when this whole thing is over, i would look back and be able to say with confidence that God was in control of everything. that God provided the people, that the prcs enjoyed themselves, that friendships were forged, that God was and will continue to be glorified.
p/s if there is one thing that's really annoying, my mother. she insists that whenever she is out, i've to be at home to babysit my grandmother, and apparently my 15 year old brother ain't enough. pray that she would be understanding and that i would be filial.
feed yourself
i realise a lot of people are quite tired this hols. it's not just me after all. all these camps, church stuff, cf stuff is taking quite a toll on people, been reading quite a few blogs and chatting with friends on msn. many are quite tired by all these activities.
for me to type this entry out coherently, is all thanks to the much over-dued 3 hour nap i caught this evening. been so tired, too many activities, that it has actually taken a toll on my health(and note, even the period where all schoolwork was at an all time bad didn't make me flinch). i succumbed to the flu bug, lost my voice on tue n wed, took all (and many) desperate measures to regain my voice. the flu has hence progressed into a whopping cough. and to make things worse, my mom( and grandmother) are reminding( to put it mildly) me to eat this, don't eat that, do this, don't do that. it drives me insane.
i'll blog about youth ee soon( it was a really eye-opening experience for me), the new youth cg i'm sheperding(the youths are actually really adorable and encouraging), my dear brother in army( who is being used mightily by God over at tekong^ ^), all the planning for the coming prc camp. how soon, depends. heh. but in the mean time, i'd encourage everyone to get ample rest, both physically and spiritually. just spending one day, even one afternoon, in the bed and with God does wonders. reminds me of what i'm actually here for.
Imagine if you will. You visit a new bakery near your campus. You love going there because the chief baker has created new recipes for breads, pastries and cinnamon rolls that are better than any ou have ever tasted in your life!
Soon, word gets out about this bakery. Crowds start forming lines each day, waiting for the new confections to come from this baker's marvelous kitchen. The baker doesn't have enough help, and ends up trying to serve all the customers himself. He is scurrying back and forth, busy with all the requests of the people --but oblivious to what's happening to him. His exhuastion is quickly becoming burnout. What's worse, as you watch him for a few weeks, you see a change. this man is getting thin. Very thin. It almost seems like he is shriveling up.
You sit down and observe, and the problem becomes obvious. This man never stops to eat. The irony is, he is busy serving bread to everyone else, but never stops long enough to feed himself.
So many leaders forget to tend to themselves, and eventually are unable to really serve others. They are starving intellectually, emotionally, spiritually and even physically. When they do read their Bibles, or listen to CDs, it is always for someone else. They are always preparing Bible study for a group or message for others. They read for "programme", not for personal growth, and neglect to consume nourishment or apply it to their own lives. Their "talk" is great, but their "walk" is fake. They go through the motions, but aren't really spending time eating the "bread of life" (John 6:35). They are spiritually starving.... so close to food, yet never eating.
read this from Habitudes, homework for the coming youth clg x-training coming this thurs:) i'm actually quite excited by it, looking foward to having God speak through Pastor Shern, and tapping on the wisdom and experience of the others who are there.
so, go rest, especially when you know you cmi already:) praying for you!
p/s btw thanks to all who've been praying for me the past 2 weeks^ ^
for me to type this entry out coherently, is all thanks to the much over-dued 3 hour nap i caught this evening. been so tired, too many activities, that it has actually taken a toll on my health(and note, even the period where all schoolwork was at an all time bad didn't make me flinch). i succumbed to the flu bug, lost my voice on tue n wed, took all (and many) desperate measures to regain my voice. the flu has hence progressed into a whopping cough. and to make things worse, my mom( and grandmother) are reminding( to put it mildly) me to eat this, don't eat that, do this, don't do that. it drives me insane.
i'll blog about youth ee soon( it was a really eye-opening experience for me), the new youth cg i'm sheperding(the youths are actually really adorable and encouraging), my dear brother in army( who is being used mightily by God over at tekong^ ^), all the planning for the coming prc camp. how soon, depends. heh. but in the mean time, i'd encourage everyone to get ample rest, both physically and spiritually. just spending one day, even one afternoon, in the bed and with God does wonders. reminds me of what i'm actually here for.
Imagine if you will. You visit a new bakery near your campus. You love going there because the chief baker has created new recipes for breads, pastries and cinnamon rolls that are better than any ou have ever tasted in your life!
Soon, word gets out about this bakery. Crowds start forming lines each day, waiting for the new confections to come from this baker's marvelous kitchen. The baker doesn't have enough help, and ends up trying to serve all the customers himself. He is scurrying back and forth, busy with all the requests of the people --but oblivious to what's happening to him. His exhuastion is quickly becoming burnout. What's worse, as you watch him for a few weeks, you see a change. this man is getting thin. Very thin. It almost seems like he is shriveling up.
You sit down and observe, and the problem becomes obvious. This man never stops to eat. The irony is, he is busy serving bread to everyone else, but never stops long enough to feed himself.
So many leaders forget to tend to themselves, and eventually are unable to really serve others. They are starving intellectually, emotionally, spiritually and even physically. When they do read their Bibles, or listen to CDs, it is always for someone else. They are always preparing Bible study for a group or message for others. They read for "programme", not for personal growth, and neglect to consume nourishment or apply it to their own lives. Their "talk" is great, but their "walk" is fake. They go through the motions, but aren't really spending time eating the "bread of life" (John 6:35). They are spiritually starving.... so close to food, yet never eating.
read this from Habitudes, homework for the coming youth clg x-training coming this thurs:) i'm actually quite excited by it, looking foward to having God speak through Pastor Shern, and tapping on the wisdom and experience of the others who are there.
so, go rest, especially when you know you cmi already:) praying for you!
p/s btw thanks to all who've been praying for me the past 2 weeks^ ^
Monday, December 12, 2005
bad christmas
i just realised a very scary thing.
christmas is in 13 days.
and i'm actually really tired, if not getting a lil grouchy. and being tired, means that my fuse is shortened, considering the fact that it takes a lot to get my temper going. so, i realise that i've been getting easily irritable lately. which is not a good sign, especially when i've just come back from youth camp.
i'm very thankful that youth camp is over. but now, there's today's combined thursday cg gathering later, wefc's first youth ee training seminar this week, the new youth cg, prc camp after christmas-- and these are just things/events that i have to plan and prepare, other things that i have to be present are not included.
i actually think, for once, i've gotten too much on my hands.
and just as i was getting highly irritated by some people, and i started complaining to mr C, who came back from an all time spiritual high from anntic, i was amazed that for once, roles were reversed.
for once, mr C was the one telling me to take things easy. for once he was the one joking, singing online. and to think, this time, he was the one telling me to go and rest.. ha.
plus, for some unknown reason, my voice is going. and no, i'm not losing it because of camp. at abt 8pm, when i was helping my mom peel garlic, i could actually feel my throat getting increasingly sore.
then, to have J, my jc friend tell me that God has healed me and to have faith. really brings a smile to my face:) i miss my old friends from previous schools and churches so so much. i actually miss being in familiar grounds. for once, i actually wish/hope that i dont have to take on challenges. that i don't have to try to do new things, don't have to make new friends.
but, i can't. it's wrong. it's selfish.
so, i need your prayers. please pray that:
1. that i would trust God and obey His commands.
2. for ample rest.
3. my voice would come back, especially with youth ee this week, i can't neither teach nor share the gospel with no voice.
4. i will not be so short tempered. that i would have God's joy in serving him back in my life.
5. to be focused on God and only God. always.
6. to love people. and to have patience to deal with them.
7. to spend time with God to remember the sacrifice that Jesus paid by coming down to this earth.
it'll be all pointless. God will be very sad if i forget the reason why i'm serving him, especially during this Christmas period.
Christmas is in 13 days. are you ready for Christ's birthday?
'Cause, i know i'm not. but, i hope i will be soon:)
christmas is in 13 days.
and i'm actually really tired, if not getting a lil grouchy. and being tired, means that my fuse is shortened, considering the fact that it takes a lot to get my temper going. so, i realise that i've been getting easily irritable lately. which is not a good sign, especially when i've just come back from youth camp.
i'm very thankful that youth camp is over. but now, there's today's combined thursday cg gathering later, wefc's first youth ee training seminar this week, the new youth cg, prc camp after christmas-- and these are just things/events that i have to plan and prepare, other things that i have to be present are not included.
i actually think, for once, i've gotten too much on my hands.
and just as i was getting highly irritated by some people, and i started complaining to mr C, who came back from an all time spiritual high from anntic, i was amazed that for once, roles were reversed.
for once, mr C was the one telling me to take things easy. for once he was the one joking, singing online. and to think, this time, he was the one telling me to go and rest.. ha.
plus, for some unknown reason, my voice is going. and no, i'm not losing it because of camp. at abt 8pm, when i was helping my mom peel garlic, i could actually feel my throat getting increasingly sore.
then, to have J, my jc friend tell me that God has healed me and to have faith. really brings a smile to my face:) i miss my old friends from previous schools and churches so so much. i actually miss being in familiar grounds. for once, i actually wish/hope that i dont have to take on challenges. that i don't have to try to do new things, don't have to make new friends.
but, i can't. it's wrong. it's selfish.
so, i need your prayers. please pray that:
1. that i would trust God and obey His commands.
2. for ample rest.
3. my voice would come back, especially with youth ee this week, i can't neither teach nor share the gospel with no voice.
4. i will not be so short tempered. that i would have God's joy in serving him back in my life.
5. to be focused on God and only God. always.
6. to love people. and to have patience to deal with them.
7. to spend time with God to remember the sacrifice that Jesus paid by coming down to this earth.
it'll be all pointless. God will be very sad if i forget the reason why i'm serving him, especially during this Christmas period.
Christmas is in 13 days. are you ready for Christ's birthday?
'Cause, i know i'm not. but, i hope i will be soon:)
Friday, December 02, 2005
dotted
i'm sitting here wiating for emily to finish bathing so we can discuss the prayer lab.
and yes, i've a delayed time reaction. my exams ended over a week ago, so, i've been free, meeting people outside and at home, made numerous trips down to church(which some people now call it my 2nd home...or is it my first?), celebrated countless people's birthdays (of which i've another party to attend in 16hours), remaining extremely broke(as a result).
there is also youth camp next week, a secret garden to create, prc camp to plan and publicize, work at sml to start on 12dec, cgs stuff to pray and plan, more friends to meet up with, and many more camps to come...
i feel...
what i would really want to do is to just bum at home infront of the tv and watch my hk and now korean dramas and discovery travel&adventure, read harry potter, catch harry potter (and chicken little, narnia, about love), read those books&novels that have been piling up on my table&under the bed& on the shelf, sleep, bake all those goodies from those blogs.
nuah in an empty home. there are too many people in my house.
and i think, i need to spend extended time alone with God...
and yes, i've a delayed time reaction. my exams ended over a week ago, so, i've been free, meeting people outside and at home, made numerous trips down to church(which some people now call it my 2nd home...or is it my first?), celebrated countless people's birthdays (of which i've another party to attend in 16hours), remaining extremely broke(as a result).
there is also youth camp next week, a secret garden to create, prc camp to plan and publicize, work at sml to start on 12dec, cgs stuff to pray and plan, more friends to meet up with, and many more camps to come...
i feel...
what i would really want to do is to just bum at home infront of the tv and watch my hk and now korean dramas and discovery travel&adventure, read harry potter, catch harry potter (and chicken little, narnia, about love), read those books&novels that have been piling up on my table&under the bed& on the shelf, sleep, bake all those goodies from those blogs.
nuah in an empty home. there are too many people in my house.
and i think, i need to spend extended time alone with God...
Sunday, November 13, 2005
serve God joyfully
Today for Bible Study in church, Reina led a very good BS session. In fact, it was a rather thought-provoking and ministering session. For the past few weeks, I've been struggling in the area of service for God. Which is what Reina shared=)
Why serve?
Why serve God?
Why serve not gladly?
Why serve non-Christians through Christians?
These were really thought-provoking questions, that had me stopped very often too, not because the brain was tired.. Rather, these questions caught me totally off-guard. They struck me hard. And if the questions were tough, check out the answers (if I can even verbalise them).
(As these questions are mostly issues each of us has to struggle and wrestle with God ourselves, I'll jump to the third question.)
Why serve not gladly?
1. no focus on God.
2. no absolute (due to lack of appreciation)
3. no love for God. *Ouch*
It is true. When we serve God, sometimes we may get disillusioned and be unhappy (for a whole list of reasons). But by doing so, it means we don't love God. Ok, I'm sure out of the bottom of our hearts, even when we are unhappy, we would at least love God 3% or maybe 20%. But, as long as we don't love God 100%, it isn't really love. So maybe we aren't exactly unhappy. We don't think, "darn, I hate doing this. Why am I doing this?" But, as long as we end up loving or seeking after something else, and God becomes, even a close second, we don't love God.
How do we serve then?
" We should ask how God wants to be served, not how we want to serve."
It's so deceiving sometimes, that we may think (at least, I know I did) that God calls us to serve Him in a certain area we are particularly good at, or we enjoy. But, there are times, if I may even dare to add, often at times, what God wants and what I want can be vastly different.
For the past few weeks, I was seriously contemplating if I should join a particular ministry. As if I hadn't learnt my lesson, from the previous 2 churches, I thought I would toy with the idea. Thank God for friends who prayed, and for God who intervened so swiftly, that the idea was snuffed out once again. God made it very clear that He wanted me to work with His people, His children in the background. Just as God had provided me in my teen years (gosh, I'm freaking old. To think I can look back and reminisce my 'teen years') with older Christians and pastors who bothered to take the time to guide me, and I had been richly blessed by their wisdom and time, God wanted me to do the same.
So, it's back to youth ministry, after a three-quarter year hiatus^ ^
Just to end off, I thought I'd leave with something highly ironic. You know how people often gripe and moan about how it's so tiring to serve God, that it takes too much of them (us)?
John 4:34
"My food," said Jesus, "s to do the will of him who sent me and to finish his work."
For Jesus, doing God's work gives him the strength, the 'food'.
Amazing, ain't it? By right, we should get energized and ministered when we serve God.
It's my prayer that each one of us would serve God joyfully in our whole lives:)
Why serve?
Why serve God?
Why serve not gladly?
Why serve non-Christians through Christians?
These were really thought-provoking questions, that had me stopped very often too, not because the brain was tired.. Rather, these questions caught me totally off-guard. They struck me hard. And if the questions were tough, check out the answers (if I can even verbalise them).
(As these questions are mostly issues each of us has to struggle and wrestle with God ourselves, I'll jump to the third question.)
Why serve not gladly?
1. no focus on God.
2. no absolute (due to lack of appreciation)
3. no love for God. *Ouch*
It is true. When we serve God, sometimes we may get disillusioned and be unhappy (for a whole list of reasons). But by doing so, it means we don't love God. Ok, I'm sure out of the bottom of our hearts, even when we are unhappy, we would at least love God 3% or maybe 20%. But, as long as we don't love God 100%, it isn't really love. So maybe we aren't exactly unhappy. We don't think, "darn, I hate doing this. Why am I doing this?" But, as long as we end up loving or seeking after something else, and God becomes, even a close second, we don't love God.
How do we serve then?
" We should ask how God wants to be served, not how we want to serve."
It's so deceiving sometimes, that we may think (at least, I know I did) that God calls us to serve Him in a certain area we are particularly good at, or we enjoy. But, there are times, if I may even dare to add, often at times, what God wants and what I want can be vastly different.
For the past few weeks, I was seriously contemplating if I should join a particular ministry. As if I hadn't learnt my lesson, from the previous 2 churches, I thought I would toy with the idea. Thank God for friends who prayed, and for God who intervened so swiftly, that the idea was snuffed out once again. God made it very clear that He wanted me to work with His people, His children in the background. Just as God had provided me in my teen years (gosh, I'm freaking old. To think I can look back and reminisce my 'teen years') with older Christians and pastors who bothered to take the time to guide me, and I had been richly blessed by their wisdom and time, God wanted me to do the same.
So, it's back to youth ministry, after a three-quarter year hiatus^ ^
Just to end off, I thought I'd leave with something highly ironic. You know how people often gripe and moan about how it's so tiring to serve God, that it takes too much of them (us)?
John 4:34
"My food," said Jesus, "s to do the will of him who sent me and to finish his work."
For Jesus, doing God's work gives him the strength, the 'food'.
Amazing, ain't it? By right, we should get energized and ministered when we serve God.
It's my prayer that each one of us would serve God joyfully in our whole lives:)
Tuesday, November 08, 2005
Oh my soul
evan led this song about a month ago at cbs, and i always thought it was a rather cool song. but, when D posted Isaiah40 on her blog, i was quite surprised to see that this song is actually an adaptation of Isaiah 40.
anyways, i'm not posting this song up just because it has a double cool factor. but, more so, the Bible& the lyrics are so true. I have already heard, been told from the beginning that the Lord is on my side. yet, i live out my life as if i've never heard this truth before, worried about stuff, which ultimately lies in God's hands.
Oh my soul
Oh my soul, do you not know,
Have you not heard,
It's been told from the beginning,
The Lord is on your side!
Oh my soul, don't be afraid,
Trust in the Lord,
By his righteousness and power,
He will strengthen, He will guide.
And I will soar on wings like eagles,
Held by the hand of God,
I will run and not grow tired
When on His name I call.
For the Lord is never weary,
His ways are beyond my thoughts,
I will trust in Him with all my heart.
anyways, i'm not posting this song up just because it has a double cool factor. but, more so, the Bible& the lyrics are so true. I have already heard, been told from the beginning that the Lord is on my side. yet, i live out my life as if i've never heard this truth before, worried about stuff, which ultimately lies in God's hands.
Oh my soul
Oh my soul, do you not know,
Have you not heard,
It's been told from the beginning,
The Lord is on your side!
Oh my soul, don't be afraid,
Trust in the Lord,
By his righteousness and power,
He will strengthen, He will guide.
And I will soar on wings like eagles,
Held by the hand of God,
I will run and not grow tired
When on His name I call.
For the Lord is never weary,
His ways are beyond my thoughts,
I will trust in Him with all my heart.
Tuesday, November 01, 2005
nostalgia
i'm actually feeling a combination of tiredness (i just came back from young adult retreat), stickiness (i just played a lil' pickle ball), hunger (the fridge is still empty..).
inspired by the "wonderful" (haha) entry that the nuthead blogged for me (check out the next entry *points below*), because i was stoned. i've been thinking, actually i do miss ywav.ok, i don't need to think that i do miss them. sigh
here's some of my favourite pictures:
me, the nut and wen. ooh. and because i've finally moved, which means i finally get a washing machine, i can finally wear the white adidas shirt!! because i don't trust myself washing white clothes. yay!
sos girls. minus the one guy.
i actually take great pride when the younger youths grow taller than me. yes, i'm no longer in denial, clement is taller. i accept that.
my sec one, eh, no. these are my sec two jam girls.. aiyoh. so fast. i keep forgetting. it seems only yesterday they entered ywav. and it seems only yesterday i left qbc.
but, living beside church (wefc) now, which in case you do not already know, i've just moved last week, is quite funky. haha. caleb just yelled my brother's name from church. and all andrew had to do was stick his head out of the window and wave in response. it's hilarious. you want any fam-family member? just holler, we'll be down pronto. well, almost.
you know, i just realised, i don't have a pic of the new cg in church. oui, calling out to my cgls.. why no photo??
ok, i'm feeling drowsy. i should go sleep now. i'll blog more coherent stuff another day. i actually have a lot to say. and yes, i know i'm cheong hei=X
inspired by the "wonderful" (haha) entry that the nuthead blogged for me (check out the next entry *points below*), because i was stoned. i've been thinking, actually i do miss ywav.ok, i don't need to think that i do miss them. sigh
here's some of my favourite pictures:
me, the nut and wen. ooh. and because i've finally moved, which means i finally get a washing machine, i can finally wear the white adidas shirt!! because i don't trust myself washing white clothes. yay!
sos girls. minus the one guy.
i actually take great pride when the younger youths grow taller than me. yes, i'm no longer in denial, clement is taller. i accept that.
my sec one, eh, no. these are my sec two jam girls.. aiyoh. so fast. i keep forgetting. it seems only yesterday they entered ywav. and it seems only yesterday i left qbc.
but, living beside church (wefc) now, which in case you do not already know, i've just moved last week, is quite funky. haha. caleb just yelled my brother's name from church. and all andrew had to do was stick his head out of the window and wave in response. it's hilarious. you want any fam-family member? just holler, we'll be down pronto. well, almost.
you know, i just realised, i don't have a pic of the new cg in church. oui, calling out to my cgls.. why no photo??
ok, i'm feeling drowsy. i should go sleep now. i'll blog more coherent stuff another day. i actually have a lot to say. and yes, i know i'm cheong hei=X
NATANIA INVADES :D
hihi. HIHI :D
This is Ade's one and only beloved adorable SLIM(!!) pretty daughter.
Darlie the Nuthead, as she so affectionately calls me -.-
It's really Mommy's honour to have invited me to blog for her.
even though you see her scowling like
(classic Ade smile. for more proof, sneak a peek at her NUS id/IC ;D)
she's actually rather adorable.
LOOKIE!
even though she LIED to me about an imaginary boyfriend at one time...
long enough.
I LOVE YOU MOMMY<3
(gasp! you just called me an evil freak! heartbreaks)
<333 NATANIA!
This is Ade's one and only beloved adorable SLIM(!!) pretty daughter.
Darlie the Nuthead, as she so affectionately calls me -.-
It's really Mommy's honour to have invited me to blog for her.
even though you see her scowling like
(classic Ade smile. for more proof, sneak a peek at her NUS id/IC ;D)
she's actually rather adorable.
LOOKIE!
even though she LIED to me about an imaginary boyfriend at one time...
long enough.
I LOVE YOU MOMMY<3
(gasp! you just called me an evil freak! heartbreaks)
<333 NATANIA!
Monday, October 17, 2005
decisions to follow Christ
"I don't think God really cares about which one you decide to do. I do think He has an interest in how each situation might influence your call to follow Christ."
How true. we have brains for a reason.. and a heart to discern...
How true. we have brains for a reason.. and a heart to discern...
Sunday, October 16, 2005
worship
in the end, i chose Make Me A Channel Of Your Peace for marcus&jasmine's wedding. figured, i'll save How Deep The Father's Love for my own wedding.heh. more so, because, i wanted a song that this young Christian couple could better relate to and understand.. and also for my mom. because, Make Me A Channel Of Your Peace is my mom's favourite song. i hope it brightened her day. i know she was pleasantly surprised:p
in less than a week, i've had to choose worship songs for various occasions. it's been an entire onslaught.. figured i would take them on, because i could feel God's urging.. and as this week of worship sessions draw to a close, with the final being this tue, i have realised that my entire life has to be worship unto God.
it's so tough to sing songs, praises to God saying that He is my everything, that i would tell of His goodness and mercies, that i would shout His fame forever, etc.. dunno, just find it so difficult to worship God simply. many times i just get stumped and well, stumped..i'll just stare at the lyrics trying to make meaning of them. is it just me, or nowadays, many songs, that are so pleasant to the ears don't really seem to be praising God. there are just too many 'I's in them, too many 'me's...maybe i'm being sensitive but, it's hard. perhaps my life is just not right with God therefore i can't give him the due praise. i guess, i really have to learn how to make my entire life an offering of worship unto God.
It's all about you, Jesus.
And all this is for you,
for your glory and your fame.
It's not about me,
as if you should do things my way.
You alone are God and i surrender,
to Your ways.
in less than a week, i've had to choose worship songs for various occasions. it's been an entire onslaught.. figured i would take them on, because i could feel God's urging.. and as this week of worship sessions draw to a close, with the final being this tue, i have realised that my entire life has to be worship unto God.
it's so tough to sing songs, praises to God saying that He is my everything, that i would tell of His goodness and mercies, that i would shout His fame forever, etc.. dunno, just find it so difficult to worship God simply. many times i just get stumped and well, stumped..i'll just stare at the lyrics trying to make meaning of them. is it just me, or nowadays, many songs, that are so pleasant to the ears don't really seem to be praising God. there are just too many 'I's in them, too many 'me's...maybe i'm being sensitive but, it's hard. perhaps my life is just not right with God therefore i can't give him the due praise. i guess, i really have to learn how to make my entire life an offering of worship unto God.
It's all about you, Jesus.
And all this is for you,
for your glory and your fame.
It's not about me,
as if you should do things my way.
You alone are God and i surrender,
to Your ways.
Friday, October 14, 2005
eliza
thought i'll pay a little visit to eliza. mark is mad, he put every word of my conversation(note: it's my.. not 'our') through eliza...
anyway, i decided to talk to eliza myself, and here's our conversation. it's hilarious i tell you. it all boils down to what i've concluded from my psycholinguistics module: language is innate as discovered by Noam Chomsky. and guess who made language innate?? God. God was the one who built us so intricate, that we are better than computers (being able to accomplish simple yet complex tasks like conversing), yet not devoid of feelings.
(this is me)>> Hello.
How do you do. Please state your problem.
>> ni hao ma
I'm not sure I understand you fully.
>> wei she me ni kan bu dong
Please go on.
>> can i whack you?
Whether or not you can whack I depends on you more than me.
>> so i can whack you lah
Perhaps in your fantasies we can whack each other.
>> oh
What does that suggest to you ?
>> so, i shall whack you now.. where's my stick?
Do you wish to shall whack me ?
>> ya. why not
Why do you ask ?
>> because i think you are dumb
Is that the real reason ?
>> then, what do you think
Does that question interest you ?
>> if it doesn't, would i even be asking it
Do you think its likely that it doesn't ?
>> *rolls eyes*
Do you feel strongly about discussing such things ?
>> strong? like throttling you?
We were discussing you -- not me.
>> oh. it doens't matter.
I'm not sure I understand you fully.
>> you are really dumb.
What makes you think I am really dumb ?
>> because you are giving computer generated answers
Do computers worry you ?
>> well, yes. computers like you worry me.
You seem to be quite positive.
>> hahahahhaha
Please go on.
>> this is getting funnier by the day.
What does that suggest to you ?
>> that you are really really dumb
Does it please you to believe I am really really dumb ?
>> yes. because it shows that i'm still better than you.
You are sure.
>> yes, a human HAS to be better than a computer.
I see.
>> don't you agree?
Oh, I agree ?
>> yes. just say yes.
I understand.
so, bottom line is, eliza told me to whack her..
ok, shoot me. i need major comic relief.
anyway, i decided to talk to eliza myself, and here's our conversation. it's hilarious i tell you. it all boils down to what i've concluded from my psycholinguistics module: language is innate as discovered by Noam Chomsky. and guess who made language innate?? God. God was the one who built us so intricate, that we are better than computers (being able to accomplish simple yet complex tasks like conversing), yet not devoid of feelings.
(this is me)>> Hello.
How do you do. Please state your problem.
>> ni hao ma
I'm not sure I understand you fully.
>> wei she me ni kan bu dong
Please go on.
>> can i whack you?
Whether or not you can whack I depends on you more than me.
>> so i can whack you lah
Perhaps in your fantasies we can whack each other.
>> oh
What does that suggest to you ?
>> so, i shall whack you now.. where's my stick?
Do you wish to shall whack me ?
>> ya. why not
Why do you ask ?
>> because i think you are dumb
Is that the real reason ?
>> then, what do you think
Does that question interest you ?
>> if it doesn't, would i even be asking it
Do you think its likely that it doesn't ?
>> *rolls eyes*
Do you feel strongly about discussing such things ?
>> strong? like throttling you?
We were discussing you -- not me.
>> oh. it doens't matter.
I'm not sure I understand you fully.
>> you are really dumb.
What makes you think I am really dumb ?
>> because you are giving computer generated answers
Do computers worry you ?
>> well, yes. computers like you worry me.
You seem to be quite positive.
>> hahahahhaha
Please go on.
>> this is getting funnier by the day.
What does that suggest to you ?
>> that you are really really dumb
Does it please you to believe I am really really dumb ?
>> yes. because it shows that i'm still better than you.
You are sure.
>> yes, a human HAS to be better than a computer.
I see.
>> don't you agree?
Oh, I agree ?
>> yes. just say yes.
I understand.
so, bottom line is, eliza told me to whack her..
ok, shoot me. i need major comic relief.
Thursday, October 13, 2005
happy?
for some inexplicable reason, i'm feeling happy now.. just like how last friday, after i met debs and then decided to head over for lydia's dinner, all of a sudden, i was just woooshed.. washed over by inexplicable happiness.. i don't know why.. maybe it's because it was the weekend. last week was just looonngggggg, and i was bogged down by the doesnt-seem-to-be-ending-renovation-of the-new-house... next week, if all goes well, we may actually get to move!!*bounces* a totally bad bad time to move house for me, being in the midst of my 4 projects and 1 term paper. but, oh well, i'll let next 2 weeks worry for themselves..
ok, i realise i'm sounding a little incoherent. but, i'm actually very happy with today's cg. it was one of the few sessions that i actually ended cg feeling very light. i think it's because i was so pleased by justina's surprise visit. sometimes, when i rattle of to my friends, i wonder if they ever listen. that's why i would rather they talk, and i listen. so i was really pleasantly surprised when justina remembered that there was cg on thurs. heh. after a ghost call on my hp, which i swear is going bonkers..
it just brings me immense joy when the people around me, the people whom i love are brought one step closer to God. heh. and oh.. i'm also very very glad to see raymond coming for cg each week. and meisi, i must take my hat off to you. i realise i'm too subtle. dropping hints DOESN'T work. all you need is a meisi to ask you directly and then, ya. *swoosh* you hear the arrow flying through the air. i must learn that. perhaps, over the years, i fear coming on too hard on people because of certain bad experiences. but, i guess i need to have more confidence. and i think that's something i really need to learn. oh well. ok, have to go do my south asian tut now..
it's the weekend tomorrow!!
ok, i realise i'm sounding a little incoherent. but, i'm actually very happy with today's cg. it was one of the few sessions that i actually ended cg feeling very light. i think it's because i was so pleased by justina's surprise visit. sometimes, when i rattle of to my friends, i wonder if they ever listen. that's why i would rather they talk, and i listen. so i was really pleasantly surprised when justina remembered that there was cg on thurs. heh. after a ghost call on my hp, which i swear is going bonkers..
it just brings me immense joy when the people around me, the people whom i love are brought one step closer to God. heh. and oh.. i'm also very very glad to see raymond coming for cg each week. and meisi, i must take my hat off to you. i realise i'm too subtle. dropping hints DOESN'T work. all you need is a meisi to ask you directly and then, ya. *swoosh* you hear the arrow flying through the air. i must learn that. perhaps, over the years, i fear coming on too hard on people because of certain bad experiences. but, i guess i need to have more confidence. and i think that's something i really need to learn. oh well. ok, have to go do my south asian tut now..
it's the weekend tomorrow!!
Wednesday, October 12, 2005
blogthings
took a lil time off to destress... and amuse myself.
*blinks* then *gulps*.. okkaaayyy, this is a lil freaky..
the next one is hilarious.. i'm a eunuch!! what a tagline.. haha=D
uh... is this a sign?
i still prefer french though.. but, would like to give korean a go..haha
darn.. im too longwinded..
oh.... i love reese so much.. apparently, eating myself IS an option..
| Your Birthdate: January 15 |
 With a birthday on the 15th of any month, you are apt to have really strong attachments to home, family and domestic scene. The 1 and 5 equaling 6, provide the sort of energy that makes you an excellent parent or teacher. You are very responsible and capable. This is an attractive and an attracting influence. You like harmony in your environment and strive to maintain it. You tend to learn by observation rather than study and research. You may like to cook, but you probably don't follow recipes. This number shows artistic leanings and would certainly support an talents that may be otherwise in your makeup. You're a very generous and giving person, but perhaps a bit stubborn in ways. |
*blinks* then *gulps*.. okkaaayyy, this is a lil freaky..
the next one is hilarious.. i'm a eunuch!! what a tagline.. haha=D
| You Are 60% Boyish and 40% Girlish |
You are pretty evenly split down the middle - a total eunuch. Okay, kidding about the eunuch part. But you do get along with both sexes. You reject traditional gender roles. However, you don't actively fight them. You're just you. You don't try to be what people expect you to be. |
uh... is this a sign?
| You Should Learn Japanese |
 You're cutting edge, and you are ready to delve into wacky Japanese culture. From Engrish to eating contests, you're born to be a crazy gaijin. Saiko! |
i still prefer french though.. but, would like to give korean a go..haha
darn.. im too longwinded..
| Your Blogging Type is Pensive and Philosophical |
 You blog like no one else is reading... You tend to use your blog to explore ideas - often in long winded prose. Easy going and flexible, you tend to befriend other bloggers easily. But if they disagree with once too much, you'll pull them from your blogroll! |
oh.... i love reese so much.. apparently, eating myself IS an option..
| Reeses Peanut Butter Cups |
 Very popular, one of you is not enough. |
Sunday, October 09, 2005
wedding song revisted
what's a good song for a wedding??
a Christian love song.
i've always loved Just Let Me Say, until, i realised that i can never tell God how much i love Him.. it seems so wrong.. so, i figured, a song that talks about God's love would be better.. How Deep the Father's Love. i think it's a really beautiful song, but i hope it isn't too solemn a song for a wedding.. my mother says a more joyful song would be better.. but, i can't seem to think of any joyous Christian love song... that is not glass-shattering. how?!
How deep the Father's love for us
`Stuart Townend
a Christian love song.
i've always loved Just Let Me Say, until, i realised that i can never tell God how much i love Him.. it seems so wrong.. so, i figured, a song that talks about God's love would be better.. How Deep the Father's Love. i think it's a really beautiful song, but i hope it isn't too solemn a song for a wedding.. my mother says a more joyful song would be better.. but, i can't seem to think of any joyous Christian love song... that is not glass-shattering. how?!
How deep the Father's love for us
How vast beyond all measure
That He would give His only Son
To make a wretch His treasure
How great the pain of searing loss
The Father turns His face away
As wounds which mar the Chosen One
Bring many sons to glory
Behold the Man upon a cross
My guilt upon His shoulders
Ashamed, I hear my mocking voice
Call out among the scoffers
It was my sin that held Him there
Until it was accomplished
His dying breath has brought me life
I know that it is finished
I will not boast in anything
No gifts, no powr's, no wisdom
But I will boast in Jesus Christ
His death and resurrection
Why should I gain from His reward?
I cannot give an answer
But this I know with all my heart
His wounds have paid my ransom
That He would give His only Son
To make a wretch His treasure
How great the pain of searing loss
The Father turns His face away
As wounds which mar the Chosen One
Bring many sons to glory
Behold the Man upon a cross
My guilt upon His shoulders
Ashamed, I hear my mocking voice
Call out among the scoffers
It was my sin that held Him there
Until it was accomplished
His dying breath has brought me life
I know that it is finished
I will not boast in anything
No gifts, no powr's, no wisdom
But I will boast in Jesus Christ
His death and resurrection
Why should I gain from His reward?
I cannot give an answer
But this I know with all my heart
His wounds have paid my ransom
`Stuart Townend
Monday, October 03, 2005
save all
un/fortunately, i've a 'save-all' mentality.
why it's unfortunate? because it hurts when people whom i care for seem to be slipping out of reach, out of sight. it's like a stab to the heart when you read friends' blogs, hear of friends' ongoings through other friends, knowing that they are going through tough patches in life. i feel so helpless. really don't know what to do, except pray. but still, saying that i'll pray for you/them seems so cliche. sometimes, it feels like it's said in passing, like giving up in resignation. the best thing i can offer them is a God whom i can trust, and i know, a God whom they can trust too. but, but.. how?
people are fleeting, circumstances are changing, systems are undependable. i know i've been blessed so greatly, blessed so much that it makes things difficult to talk to people. i've a warm and stable family, though we squabble, but still, we are there. and i know family is something i can count on. having my uni tuition fees paid for by my dad, actually being in nus. i've friends, countless; my handphone book is testimony. but, how many do i even contact? friends... so what? have i been doing my part? when shawna shared at cg last thurs, about her friend who underwent depression, it made me think of who i am neglecting. and i think mingjie brought up a good point at cg too: i've to share my life with them too. i'm always too eager to hear how things have been going for them, and when it comes to me, my life, though interesting and highly exciting to me, i fear that it's boring and unpalatable to others.
why? it always revolves around church, and now vcf. i don't have that 'romantic' bgr to gossip about, idiots to bitch about, angst to unload, that happening party to go to. but, i'm happy, contented. the most i can gripe about is the never-ending pile of schoolwork, the new-house-that-is-yet-to-be-moved-into, annoying (at times) parents & siblings, being tired.. and..well, that's all. my problems, though many it seems at times, are so trivial compared to others. God has done so much for me, I've seen him work in people and situations. God doesn't have to do things for me. it's just so.. iffy at times. how to share joy?
i think what serene said is true and so frightening. vcf and even christian life can be so insular. i just feel comfortable with these friends.. and i think i spend too much time with them. yes, we have to spend time to work together in ministry; yes, they are always there in the library to study with; yes, they are often the ones who understand my deeper gripes and frustration regarding spiritual stuff; yes, they are the ones who can encourage me and pray for me because we know that we have common and shared understanding in the same God.
but i can't neglect others. these were the people who were a part of me at some point in life. it feels sad that they won't understand why i get excited over the ways God has been working in my life. God is my whole life. i work and pray that more may come to the saving knowledge of Christ. and fear grips me, because, life is too short, too fleeting. what if i don't get a chance to share the gospel? what if they don't want to believe that Jesus saves? why don't they want to?
what have i been doing with my life. who and what have i been spending my time on?
i need to recognise and live by the fact that the one who 'saves' is the Holy Spirit, not me. i can't make people believe. mr Holy Spirit can. but what i can do, is help disciple others. that's what christians are called to: to make disciples of all nations. that's the one thing that was most impressed on my heart at last saturday's National Consultation of International Students Ministry when pastor mark asked me if there were plans to disciple the international students who come to singapore(we'll leave this lesson for another day. learnt a lot of stuff on sat).
sigh. i'm like my favourite pick-me-up now: mango-papaya shake. i feel all shaken, stirred and squashed.. and sad. i don't understand why God chooses to work in certain ways. But since i know that i'm just a 20 year old kid, and God has eternity before and after Him, my knowledge is uncomparable to His wisdom.
i can't save.
i can only pray.
i can only obey.
why it's unfortunate? because it hurts when people whom i care for seem to be slipping out of reach, out of sight. it's like a stab to the heart when you read friends' blogs, hear of friends' ongoings through other friends, knowing that they are going through tough patches in life. i feel so helpless. really don't know what to do, except pray. but still, saying that i'll pray for you/them seems so cliche. sometimes, it feels like it's said in passing, like giving up in resignation. the best thing i can offer them is a God whom i can trust, and i know, a God whom they can trust too. but, but.. how?
people are fleeting, circumstances are changing, systems are undependable. i know i've been blessed so greatly, blessed so much that it makes things difficult to talk to people. i've a warm and stable family, though we squabble, but still, we are there. and i know family is something i can count on. having my uni tuition fees paid for by my dad, actually being in nus. i've friends, countless; my handphone book is testimony. but, how many do i even contact? friends... so what? have i been doing my part? when shawna shared at cg last thurs, about her friend who underwent depression, it made me think of who i am neglecting. and i think mingjie brought up a good point at cg too: i've to share my life with them too. i'm always too eager to hear how things have been going for them, and when it comes to me, my life, though interesting and highly exciting to me, i fear that it's boring and unpalatable to others.
why? it always revolves around church, and now vcf. i don't have that 'romantic' bgr to gossip about, idiots to bitch about, angst to unload, that happening party to go to. but, i'm happy, contented. the most i can gripe about is the never-ending pile of schoolwork, the new-house-that-is-yet-to-be-moved-into, annoying (at times) parents & siblings, being tired.. and..well, that's all. my problems, though many it seems at times, are so trivial compared to others. God has done so much for me, I've seen him work in people and situations. God doesn't have to do things for me. it's just so.. iffy at times. how to share joy?
i think what serene said is true and so frightening. vcf and even christian life can be so insular. i just feel comfortable with these friends.. and i think i spend too much time with them. yes, we have to spend time to work together in ministry; yes, they are always there in the library to study with; yes, they are often the ones who understand my deeper gripes and frustration regarding spiritual stuff; yes, they are the ones who can encourage me and pray for me because we know that we have common and shared understanding in the same God.
but i can't neglect others. these were the people who were a part of me at some point in life. it feels sad that they won't understand why i get excited over the ways God has been working in my life. God is my whole life. i work and pray that more may come to the saving knowledge of Christ. and fear grips me, because, life is too short, too fleeting. what if i don't get a chance to share the gospel? what if they don't want to believe that Jesus saves? why don't they want to?
what have i been doing with my life. who and what have i been spending my time on?
i need to recognise and live by the fact that the one who 'saves' is the Holy Spirit, not me. i can't make people believe. mr Holy Spirit can. but what i can do, is help disciple others. that's what christians are called to: to make disciples of all nations. that's the one thing that was most impressed on my heart at last saturday's National Consultation of International Students Ministry when pastor mark asked me if there were plans to disciple the international students who come to singapore(we'll leave this lesson for another day. learnt a lot of stuff on sat).
sigh. i'm like my favourite pick-me-up now: mango-papaya shake. i feel all shaken, stirred and squashed.. and sad. i don't understand why God chooses to work in certain ways. But since i know that i'm just a 20 year old kid, and God has eternity before and after Him, my knowledge is uncomparable to His wisdom.
i can't save.
i can only pray.
i can only obey.
wedding song
The wedding song. is there a wedding song??
tell me I should go and screw myself. like seriously. what on earth was I thinking. was I even on earth?
tell me I should go and screw myself. like seriously. what on earth was I thinking. was I even on earth?
Saturday, October 01, 2005
St andrew's cath
a note to myself: bake macarons once you move!! click here for yummy-looking macarons..
today I had a lot of ice-cream.. in various forms and flavours. gelato in chocolate, rocher, tiramisu, rum&raisin, durian(the best) & yoghurt -- all courtesy of frankie's new cafe small, medium, large (and no, I had no part to play in this name game). if I seem like a pig for eating too much, well, I had only 2 mini cups. john just slapped on all the flavours so I could try more.. haha. yes. I am an ice-cream freak. I could live on ice-cream alone. after that, we had dinner at lot1 and my wonderful brother bought a cup of minimelts: mocha& mint, another wonderful combination. I've really eaten a lot of ice-cream today. I'm full. though, I could have a go at the japanese redbean icecream that the 7eleven at fong seng's sells =X
ok, the latter part of my day was more frivolous. In the morning, I actually woke up for serious stuff. went for the National Council of International Students Ministry held at St Andrew's Cathedral. today was my first time ever in 20 years at St Andrew's. I was already running late, but the moment I stepped into the hall/sanctuary(is that what you call it?!), it just took my breath away, literally. I had to stop and just stare and take it all in. the cathedral is just so beautiful and awe-inspiring that two thoughts came to my mind there and then:
1. I really need to go to those cathedrals in Europe. I heard they are bigger and more beautiful.
2. if a church, a man-made building, can be so beautiful that it demands such awe and attention from people(me at least), what about God? God is even more awe-inspiring. yet, how come, Christians always struggle in their walk. ok, why do I always struggle in my walk with God. why is it difficult to spend time getting to know HIM-- the maker of all things beautiful. if God's snowcapped mountains and vast oceans(esp Korean coastlines..courtesy of Da Chang Jin..heh), tulips and daffodils, redwood trees and coconut palms, clear blue skies and purple sunsets make people stand in amazement at the beauty of it all, why have we forgotten and neglected the Creator of them all?
manymany times when I have chosen to delight myself in the things of the world, I've forgotten God. Sam gave me a very good analogy. he watched Be With Me and found the girl's unrequited love rather sad. Yet, it made him realise how sad God will be when we choose to not return His love. He sent me this poem a week ago. for all you un-literature people, I hope you dig out some understanding of it. it's such a beautiful poem by George Herbert:
The Pulley
When God at first made Man, Having a glass of blessings standing by -
Let us (said He) pour on him all we can; Let the world's riches, which dispersed lie, Contract into a span.
So strength first made a way, Then beauty flow'd, then wisdom, honour, pleasure: When almost all was out, God made a stay, Perceiving that, alone of all His treasure, Rest in the bottom lay.
For if I should (said He) Bestow this jewel also on my creature He would adore my gifts instead of Me, And rest in Nature, not the God of Nature: So both should losers be. Yet let him keep the rest.
But keep them with repining restlessness; Let him be rich and weary, that at least, If goodness lead him not, yet weariness May toss him to My breast.
today I had a lot of ice-cream.. in various forms and flavours. gelato in chocolate, rocher, tiramisu, rum&raisin, durian(the best) & yoghurt -- all courtesy of frankie's new cafe small, medium, large (and no, I had no part to play in this name game). if I seem like a pig for eating too much, well, I had only 2 mini cups. john just slapped on all the flavours so I could try more.. haha. yes. I am an ice-cream freak. I could live on ice-cream alone. after that, we had dinner at lot1 and my wonderful brother bought a cup of minimelts: mocha& mint, another wonderful combination. I've really eaten a lot of ice-cream today. I'm full. though, I could have a go at the japanese redbean icecream that the 7eleven at fong seng's sells =X
ok, the latter part of my day was more frivolous. In the morning, I actually woke up for serious stuff. went for the National Council of International Students Ministry held at St Andrew's Cathedral. today was my first time ever in 20 years at St Andrew's. I was already running late, but the moment I stepped into the hall/sanctuary(is that what you call it?!), it just took my breath away, literally. I had to stop and just stare and take it all in. the cathedral is just so beautiful and awe-inspiring that two thoughts came to my mind there and then:
1. I really need to go to those cathedrals in Europe. I heard they are bigger and more beautiful.
2. if a church, a man-made building, can be so beautiful that it demands such awe and attention from people(me at least), what about God? God is even more awe-inspiring. yet, how come, Christians always struggle in their walk. ok, why do I always struggle in my walk with God. why is it difficult to spend time getting to know HIM-- the maker of all things beautiful. if God's snowcapped mountains and vast oceans(esp Korean coastlines..courtesy of Da Chang Jin..heh), tulips and daffodils, redwood trees and coconut palms, clear blue skies and purple sunsets make people stand in amazement at the beauty of it all, why have we forgotten and neglected the Creator of them all?
manymany times when I have chosen to delight myself in the things of the world, I've forgotten God. Sam gave me a very good analogy. he watched Be With Me and found the girl's unrequited love rather sad. Yet, it made him realise how sad God will be when we choose to not return His love. He sent me this poem a week ago. for all you un-literature people, I hope you dig out some understanding of it. it's such a beautiful poem by George Herbert:
The Pulley
When God at first made Man,
Friday, September 30, 2005
stressed?
hullo you =D what do you do when you are stressed/frustrated??
1. I run.
Especially on a really empty stomach, makes me feel lighter.. and after running, I get all airy-fairy, especially my head.. and I think this 'lightness' in the head is somewhat simliar to the high you get from taking drugs. not that i've ever taken drugs before. =X wei's principle that "running produces endorphins, and endorphins make you happy" really works. trust me on that. so, stay away from drugs, because, God has made you a body that produces a drug(endorphin) that will help to desensitize your pain by attaching itself to the end nodes of your nerves.. haha. [ok, my feeble attempt to recall my Psych 1101exposure module]. PLUS, running=exercising=burning calories=healthIER body(and also =lose weight...) especially when...
2. I consume( to put it mildly) chocolates.
today was a prime eg of the benefits chocolate brings. my psycholinguistic project was driving me nuts.. we were trying to come up with examples for our experiment.. and I was almost dying in the process because everything was getting highly confusing. BUT, after delia came back with chocs.. (and obviously, i popped a few) haha. viola! the brain cleared instantly. and after that, we had a jolly(and hilarious) good time recording nonsense sentences(for our project. nonsense, because they don't make much sense^ ^). try this:
The rich man has a house.
The rich man has a mouse.
The poor boy has a mouse.
The poor boy has a house.
The sardines are in the can.
The sardines are in the fan... dots. i think you get the point. and imagine. I had to say this aloud many many times while I was in the discussion room in the library. and because we were sharing a room with a bunch of indian national students, I think we irritated them to the core.. to the point that, after saying and replaying these nonsense sentences, one of them said, " The cowboy has a horse"... and then, they all broke out in laughther(at us-.-) and then started gibbering in what I think was Tamil.. oh well. it was all a funny experience.. and I was highly embarassed. which would bring me to my next point..
3. I laugh.
which, sometimes I wonder, if I overdo it. I cannot hide my laughther(can't keep a straight face -.-) in fact, I erupt into bursts/bouts of laughther whenever I hear something funny... which, happens pretty often, because to me, many things are funny.. but then, laughther makes people happy.. And God has created joy, of which, one way to express it is through laughther:) yesterday's cg session was refreshing. the silly questions people ask like, "What's your favourite tree?", or better still, "How would you eat your rice if you had only one chopstick??". really.
4. I find a friend/s.
or, to say it a bit more crudely, I find a friend I can complain to.. Friends are really important. and I thank God for each of them.
5. I talk to God.
I just remembered a verse in Romans 8:26, 27. it says:
"In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God's will."
so often, I'm so tired already. and sometimes, I get so tired of complaining and whining..to the point that I can't find words to express everything.. But, it's truly comforting to know that God knows everything. and we can just groan and mumble to God, and God will know. Because, God understands.
1. I run.
Especially on a really empty stomach, makes me feel lighter.. and after running, I get all airy-fairy, especially my head.. and I think this 'lightness' in the head is somewhat simliar to the high you get from taking drugs. not that i've ever taken drugs before. =X wei's principle that "running produces endorphins, and endorphins make you happy" really works. trust me on that. so, stay away from drugs, because, God has made you a body that produces a drug(endorphin) that will help to desensitize your pain by attaching itself to the end nodes of your nerves.. haha. [ok, my feeble attempt to recall my Psych 1101exposure module]. PLUS, running=exercising=burning calories=healthIER body(and also =lose weight...) especially when...
2. I consume( to put it mildly) chocolates.
today was a prime eg of the benefits chocolate brings. my psycholinguistic project was driving me nuts.. we were trying to come up with examples for our experiment.. and I was almost dying in the process because everything was getting highly confusing. BUT, after delia came back with chocs.. (and obviously, i popped a few) haha. viola! the brain cleared instantly. and after that, we had a jolly(and hilarious) good time recording nonsense sentences(for our project. nonsense, because they don't make much sense^ ^). try this:
The rich man has a house.
The rich man has a mouse.
The poor boy has a mouse.
The poor boy has a house.
The sardines are in the can.
The sardines are in the fan... dots. i think you get the point. and imagine. I had to say this aloud many many times while I was in the discussion room in the library. and because we were sharing a room with a bunch of indian national students, I think we irritated them to the core.. to the point that, after saying and replaying these nonsense sentences, one of them said, " The cowboy has a horse"... and then, they all broke out in laughther(at us-.-) and then started gibbering in what I think was Tamil.. oh well. it was all a funny experience.. and I was highly embarassed. which would bring me to my next point..
3. I laugh.
which, sometimes I wonder, if I overdo it. I cannot hide my laughther(can't keep a straight face -.-) in fact, I erupt into bursts/bouts of laughther whenever I hear something funny... which, happens pretty often, because to me, many things are funny.. but then, laughther makes people happy.. And God has created joy, of which, one way to express it is through laughther:) yesterday's cg session was refreshing. the silly questions people ask like, "What's your favourite tree?", or better still, "How would you eat your rice if you had only one chopstick??". really.
4. I find a friend/s.
or, to say it a bit more crudely, I find a friend I can complain to.. Friends are really important. and I thank God for each of them.
5. I talk to God.
I just remembered a verse in Romans 8:26, 27. it says:
"In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God's will."
so often, I'm so tired already. and sometimes, I get so tired of complaining and whining..to the point that I can't find words to express everything.. But, it's truly comforting to know that God knows everything. and we can just groan and mumble to God, and God will know. Because, God understands.
Sunday, September 25, 2005
Esther moment
This week was a startling week.
I was reminded by God: what on earth I'm here on earth for, why I changed church, why I'm in NUS, why I am who I am.
It was mainly a case of comfort, complacency. I've realised, which is rather frightening, when life gets so comfortable, exciting and fun, focus gets very shifted from God. When things go wrong, I will always go and pray and beg and just, be still before God, because I know I cannot handle on my own. But, when things are all so cheery and rosy, going just the way you want, it's so dangerous, because, I'm not doing things with God's strength, but mine. It can come to the stage where I do things, serve God because I like it, I'm comfortable with it (which is important to serve God and like it). But I can't serve God only with what I like, and leave what I would rather not do outside my door.
But, it's so freaky, to have God say: " Go and do." Ok, maybe not those exact words. But, it was rather scary when God reminded me why He placed me in church, in school. If I chose to do things the way I wanted to, I would not be obeying Him. However, the costs are high. Ok, maybe not so high, like that of Paul the apostle. But, to me, they are still high. I'm still scared. Worried because I may not have enough time, energy, joy to do for God, to live life. Which I just realised, I don't "do" for God. Rather, I "be" for Him.
"Do not think that because you are in the king's house you alone of all the Jews will escape. For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father's family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to royal position for such a time as this?"
` Esther 4:13,14
I was reminded by God: what on earth I'm here on earth for, why I changed church, why I'm in NUS, why I am who I am.
It was mainly a case of comfort, complacency. I've realised, which is rather frightening, when life gets so comfortable, exciting and fun, focus gets very shifted from God. When things go wrong, I will always go and pray and beg and just, be still before God, because I know I cannot handle on my own. But, when things are all so cheery and rosy, going just the way you want, it's so dangerous, because, I'm not doing things with God's strength, but mine. It can come to the stage where I do things, serve God because I like it, I'm comfortable with it (which is important to serve God and like it). But I can't serve God only with what I like, and leave what I would rather not do outside my door.
But, it's so freaky, to have God say: " Go and do." Ok, maybe not those exact words. But, it was rather scary when God reminded me why He placed me in church, in school. If I chose to do things the way I wanted to, I would not be obeying Him. However, the costs are high. Ok, maybe not so high, like that of Paul the apostle. But, to me, they are still high. I'm still scared. Worried because I may not have enough time, energy, joy to do for God, to live life. Which I just realised, I don't "do" for God. Rather, I "be" for Him.
"Do not think that because you are in the king's house you alone of all the Jews will escape. For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father's family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to royal position for such a time as this?"
` Esther 4:13,14
Thursday, September 22, 2005
da chang jin
S. is so going to kill me.. i just know it. and this time, it's 100% my fault.. ok, maybe i'll take away 2%.
i told her i may meet her at 9.30am this morning in school to go through the next 2 lessons of ee, which all depended on whether i could wake up in time.. and. ha. guess what i did last night, or rather, in the dead stillness of this morning??
i had a Da Jang Geum marathon!! for those clueless non-tv people, it's one of the latest korean tv dramas( or as some people would like to insist, soap opera) that has taken the world by storm. i'm not exaggerating. yes, thanks to edmund, i FINALLY got my hands on this show.. at the rate scv spits out one 45-min session/day, is simply pure torture i tell you.
but, you must know, me and tv drama serials are like.. er, bees to honey?? and, this show has to be really good.. so good to the point that i am willing to forgo watching another hk serial with my favourite actor: ron ng..
and so, in the words of wen, i "chose my tv show over a friend". it's hilarious, to me.. but not when your friend is a lil pissed with you.. to make matters worse, my stomach decided 2 hours ago, that it wanted to reject the food that i ate today.. so, i can't go to school, or rather, i'm still debating whether i should go to school tomorrow.. give myself the extra one day of holiday.. i still have all my stuff to pack(moving stuff to new house this sat). plus, i am really serious when i say i'm not feeling well...
the one thing that's stopping me is that, er... i told S. i would meet her tomorrow after our lecture instead, to make up for today. shucks. tell me i'm so screwed..i know i'm going to make her angrier..
help.
this is one of those times i really regret doing something =X
i told her i may meet her at 9.30am this morning in school to go through the next 2 lessons of ee, which all depended on whether i could wake up in time.. and. ha. guess what i did last night, or rather, in the dead stillness of this morning??
i had a Da Jang Geum marathon!! for those clueless non-tv people, it's one of the latest korean tv dramas( or as some people would like to insist, soap opera) that has taken the world by storm. i'm not exaggerating. yes, thanks to edmund, i FINALLY got my hands on this show.. at the rate scv spits out one 45-min session/day, is simply pure torture i tell you.
but, you must know, me and tv drama serials are like.. er, bees to honey?? and, this show has to be really good.. so good to the point that i am willing to forgo watching another hk serial with my favourite actor: ron ng..
and so, in the words of wen, i "chose my tv show over a friend". it's hilarious, to me.. but not when your friend is a lil pissed with you.. to make matters worse, my stomach decided 2 hours ago, that it wanted to reject the food that i ate today.. so, i can't go to school, or rather, i'm still debating whether i should go to school tomorrow.. give myself the extra one day of holiday.. i still have all my stuff to pack(moving stuff to new house this sat). plus, i am really serious when i say i'm not feeling well...
the one thing that's stopping me is that, er... i told S. i would meet her tomorrow after our lecture instead, to make up for today. shucks. tell me i'm so screwed..i know i'm going to make her angrier..
help.
this is one of those times i really regret doing something =X
Wednesday, September 21, 2005
genderlect
i burst out laughing when one of my freshie cgms told me this:
mJ says:
u know wat...
mJ says:
i find the ALLO buddy thing real gd...
rong en ` flicker strong/ says:
is it
rong en ` flicker strong/ says:
why?
rong en ` flicker strong/ says:
so fast ?
mJ says:
yeah...
mJ says:
as in..
mJ says:
gd la
rong en ` flicker strong/ says:
haha
rong en ` flicker strong/ says:
you speak like a typical guy.. haha
mJ says:
it help us to be spiritually committed to another guy
rong en ` flicker strong/ says:
heh.. ok, that's better
i laughed because, he talks like a typical guy. was doing readings for my sociolinguistics project yesterday, and came to a topic on "conversations between college roommates". it said that contrary to belief, guys actually do talk about serious topics. but, as opposed to girls, who can yak and expound til the cows come home, guys would approach the subject to the point (most of the time in a "ya, like you know.. yeah." way). ever knew there is a genderlect? a difference in language between men and women? here it is in real life=D
mJ says:
u know wat...
mJ says:
i find the ALLO buddy thing real gd...
rong en ` flicker strong/ says:
is it
rong en ` flicker strong/ says:
why?
rong en ` flicker strong/ says:
so fast ?
mJ says:
yeah...
mJ says:
as in..
mJ says:
gd la
rong en ` flicker strong/ says:
haha
rong en ` flicker strong/ says:
you speak like a typical guy.. haha
mJ says:
it help us to be spiritually committed to another guy
rong en ` flicker strong/ says:
heh.. ok, that's better
i laughed because, he talks like a typical guy. was doing readings for my sociolinguistics project yesterday, and came to a topic on "conversations between college roommates". it said that contrary to belief, guys actually do talk about serious topics. but, as opposed to girls, who can yak and expound til the cows come home, guys would approach the subject to the point (most of the time in a "ya, like you know.. yeah." way). ever knew there is a genderlect? a difference in language between men and women? here it is in real life=D
dumb
just saw on arts central, a guy who bothered to purify his own pee, through a tedious process of putting it through some pump, to remove the solid wastes inside. and well, he drank 2 sips of it, before running off, declaring that it tasted like sh**.. that was like utterly dumb..like, DUH, it's pee for pete's sake!! of course it tastes like s***
i felt like gagging watching him drink his pee.
have you ever done dumb things before?
i felt like gagging watching him drink his pee.
have you ever done dumb things before?
Tuesday, September 20, 2005
electric guitar
andrew picked up the guitar on his birthday, over the weekend. and since then, he has been strumming, banging(at least, that's what it sounds like to me=X) on my poor guitar. on top of that, i swear i hear it get hit accidentally against the wall or bed sometimes.. like mega *ouch*. i know my guit ain't in a good condition.. i didn't realise how bad it was til jie pointed out that dad's guit had been humidified( a bump had formed, due to humidity).. and then when i went home, alas! my guitar had a bump too.. oh shucks. and, i didn't realise how bad the tone was affected until i strummed weiying's guitar last thursday.. only then, did i realise that my guitar sounds really bad(while hers sounded really good. it was a warm rich tone..) =X i would buy a new one, if not for the fact that it's like not on the proprity list for now...
today, i was/am in a sucky mood... had a hard time trying to talk to people during arts fg.. as in, normally, comversations flow easily for me, but today, it was just bad.. thankfully it was just me and florence in the end.. so i didn't have to rack my brains desperately to squeeze an ounce of conversing to some unknown person...sigh. stayed in the library from 2-8pm.. i had to get research done for my e-lang projects. i exhuasted the minute nus library. argh. came home, no dinner again as usual.. had bread and honey. and my mom's bread is usually really good.. just that because we need to move house, like soon, she's clearing the stock. and when something's exhuasted, she doesn't replenish, so the bread was rather dry. i feel dry.
point is, i blasted music on my comp, til i could hear the electric guitar really audibly, the thumpings(ok. wrong word. plus, on hindsight, i think that's the bass). had the sudden urge to go a bit crazy on an electric guitar. plus since andrew has hijacked my acoutic guit, it's high time i picked up another instrument... sigh.
today was just one of those days you wish you stayed under the covers in bed, with the rain beating down on your windowpane, with the wind howling, with the windchimes chiming like crazy, with a hot mug of milo&horlicks.
i feel like a kid sometimes.
today, i was/am in a sucky mood... had a hard time trying to talk to people during arts fg.. as in, normally, comversations flow easily for me, but today, it was just bad.. thankfully it was just me and florence in the end.. so i didn't have to rack my brains desperately to squeeze an ounce of conversing to some unknown person...sigh. stayed in the library from 2-8pm.. i had to get research done for my e-lang projects. i exhuasted the minute nus library. argh. came home, no dinner again as usual.. had bread and honey. and my mom's bread is usually really good.. just that because we need to move house, like soon, she's clearing the stock. and when something's exhuasted, she doesn't replenish, so the bread was rather dry. i feel dry.
point is, i blasted music on my comp, til i could hear the electric guitar really audibly, the thumpings(ok. wrong word. plus, on hindsight, i think that's the bass). had the sudden urge to go a bit crazy on an electric guitar. plus since andrew has hijacked my acoutic guit, it's high time i picked up another instrument... sigh.
today was just one of those days you wish you stayed under the covers in bed, with the rain beating down on your windowpane, with the wind howling, with the windchimes chiming like crazy, with a hot mug of milo&horlicks.
i feel like a kid sometimes.
Saturday, September 17, 2005
dont cause others to stumble
Had dinner at a friend's home the other day, something I always enjoy because the mom's cooking is such comfort food, the dad is always hilarious to talk to:)
Nope, today I ain't gonna talk about food. I've been thinking, eversince the dad mentioned something in passing, about the way Christians live and serve in and out of church. Let me give you 2 hypothetical scenarios:
- Z serves in a ministry in church on a regular basis, usually. However, there are a number of times when Z allows work to take first place i.e. when work and ministry events clash, work would definitely come first. This obviously results in some disgruntledness amongst others, because it shows that Z doesn't take ministry seriously, allowing service to church (even God) be done out of convenience.
- Y also serves in a ministry in church and also is a committee member at work. Y is very committed to ministry in church, often seen by others as a good steward (worker) of God. However, at work, Y is viewed, at times by others, to be incompetent in the committee i.e. not fulfilling the responsibilities required of Y. This also, leads to disgruntledness amongst Y's colleagues.
Now, I've given you examples of 2 extremes. One is very committed in work, but slackens in the area of church ministry; while the other is the stark opposite.
Who would you say is better? Most probably Y? Because Y is doing God's work faithfully? Or Z? because to Z's non-Christian friends, Z is a responsible worker and they know they can always count on Z?
Who would you think is the baddie? Z, because Z shows the friends that God takes 2nd place? Or Y, because Y is somewhat hypocritical, by showing, through actions that only "God's work" is important?
I ain't going to point accusing fingers, and neither should you, 'cause this is not my intention of blogging about this. I've come to one conclusion:
So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. Do not cause anyone to stumble, whether Jews, Greeks or the
` 1 Corinthians 10:31-33
I know it's not easy to strike a balance. I struggle too, to balance the so-called "God's work" and everything else that would fall under the category of "secular stuff". Often, I shall admit, that I find it more of a joy to do "God's work" because it seems more fulfilling.
But, after much thinking, and definitely after reading the verses in 1 Corinthians, I think it's pretty clear, and even wrong to categorize things into "God's work" vs "not God's work". 3 things I've learnt:
- As stated, "whatever I do, do it all for the glory of God". This is rather self-explanatory.
- Don't allow my actions to "cause anyone to stumble". In the 2 examples I gave, Z and Y would cause people to stumble. Christians, especially young ones, would think that it's ok to serve in ministry as and when it is convenient for them, after observing Z. Non-Christians would find Y hypocritical for choosing to devote time and effort only to church work, and as a result, find Christians, using Y as their example, to be a hypocritical bunch.
- I should "try to please everyone", not because I'm a people-pleaser; rather, do good "so that many would be saved". This sums it all up. Whatever I do, be it in church, vcf, school, home, with friends, in public, everywhere lah.. I should seek to live my life such that in whatever I do, my actions would bring people one step closer to God.
But, before I end, it's plain to see that this ain't easy. There would be instances where what I say about God would be incongruent with my actions. And for that, I'm human. I will try my best, with God's strength and grace. But if you really want to see someone who really walked his talk, go check out the Bible, and read the gospel of John. You won't be able to find faults in or with Him=D
Thursday, September 15, 2005
mess
i hate mess.
i totally can't stand the fact that when i come home from school, dead tired, esp when thursday is my longest day with 6 hours of lessons straight(no breaks) + cg, to a home that's in a mess. messy dining table with newspaperbowlsabel'stextbookspensandthelikes, messy living room with the cushions strewn all over, messy clothes basket with clothes overflowing, messy kitchen with bowlspotsandpans all unwashed, messy service balcony with half-filled pails of water(cos of the washing machine that is still spoilt), just a complete mess.
it's like, there's no clean house with some order and neatness. my mom can't be bothered, the males in the house obviously aren't bothered, in fact, they are the ones who contribute to the mess. messmessmessmess.. argh
guess who cleans up the house?? and no, it's not because i'm such a filial daughther, because, my parents obviously don't think there's any problem.. i just had to be born with this clean streak in me. i have to see neatness, order, everything in place. if i could, i think i would choose not to have this clean gene in me.. i think i got it from my paternal grandma, she's like.. woa. she cleans the house everyday. i, thankfully, am not such a complusive clean freak. i can live with a bit of dirt.. then again, maybe it's the enviroment at home.. i guess i've the potential of being a cleanliness maniac. my mom says i wasted my kindergarden school fees, because instead of sitting and listening to (boring) teachers (who insisted on A specific way of drawing the number 5..so much for creativity.), i chose to arrange the shoes of my fellow classmates outside the classroom in neat little rows.. even to the extent of washing the toilet basins.. haha. don't worry, i'm not intending to wash nus' toilets anytime soon.
ah..now i feel better. got this out of my system. sigh. i wonder, if i can make such a fuss about physical mess in my house, what about the spiritual mess in me?? would i feel frustrated, rectify the problem immediately by clearing out whatever is bad.. so funny how life is, eh?
i totally can't stand the fact that when i come home from school, dead tired, esp when thursday is my longest day with 6 hours of lessons straight(no breaks) + cg, to a home that's in a mess. messy dining table with newspaperbowlsabel'stextbookspensandthelikes, messy living room with the cushions strewn all over, messy clothes basket with clothes overflowing, messy kitchen with bowlspotsandpans all unwashed, messy service balcony with half-filled pails of water(cos of the washing machine that is still spoilt), just a complete mess.
it's like, there's no clean house with some order and neatness. my mom can't be bothered, the males in the house obviously aren't bothered, in fact, they are the ones who contribute to the mess. messmessmessmess.. argh
guess who cleans up the house?? and no, it's not because i'm such a filial daughther, because, my parents obviously don't think there's any problem.. i just had to be born with this clean streak in me. i have to see neatness, order, everything in place. if i could, i think i would choose not to have this clean gene in me.. i think i got it from my paternal grandma, she's like.. woa. she cleans the house everyday. i, thankfully, am not such a complusive clean freak. i can live with a bit of dirt.. then again, maybe it's the enviroment at home.. i guess i've the potential of being a cleanliness maniac. my mom says i wasted my kindergarden school fees, because instead of sitting and listening to (boring) teachers (who insisted on A specific way of drawing the number 5..so much for creativity.), i chose to arrange the shoes of my fellow classmates outside the classroom in neat little rows.. even to the extent of washing the toilet basins.. haha. don't worry, i'm not intending to wash nus' toilets anytime soon.
ah..now i feel better. got this out of my system. sigh. i wonder, if i can make such a fuss about physical mess in my house, what about the spiritual mess in me?? would i feel frustrated, rectify the problem immediately by clearing out whatever is bad.. so funny how life is, eh?
Tuesday, September 13, 2005
mom's birthday.
one extremely irritating fact about moving house is that it leaves the fridge extremely empty(in my mom's bid to clear the fridge). today, is my mom's birthday. and i figured that since i've been such an insolence recently, i should come home early from school and prepare dinner. but, how much creativity can one amass with one bundle of chinese vegetables and two chicken breasts? it brings a whole new meaning to the "five loaves, two fishes" notion.
of course there's the (wet)market. but, it's pouring heavily now.. darn. plus, i hope i get reimbursed by my dad.. i'm seriously broke. what a dutiful daughther i am. heh.
of course there's the (wet)market. but, it's pouring heavily now.. darn. plus, i hope i get reimbursed by my dad.. i'm seriously broke. what a dutiful daughther i am. heh.
Saturday, September 10, 2005
peanuts
i'm feeling a tad whimsical now. my house, it seems, can't wait to get rid of us. take my room for example. i endured for 2 hours, sitting hunched over a box, packing books, under a flickering room light. yeah. one of the bulbs in my room decided today that it couldn't decided whether to be on or off. and my mom commented how 'timely' it is.
if anything, some electrician guy is coming over tomorrow, to remove the oven, the 2 living room lights and the room lights and transport them to the new house for installation.. and according to my mom, we will be living in darkness til oct6. i think it would be highly interesting. interesting to the point that my mom nearly collapsed with laughther at the thought of living in darkness.. well, i'm glad she is in a good mood today. the renovation has been causing her much stress and distress. it's good that the marble grinder(the person, not the machine) is well, a pro marble grinder.. haha. one less thing for my mom to worry about^ ^
oh, take a look at this:
of all the brands for boxes that aunty josephine had to get for us: FARMER brand peanuts. i think it's rather hilarious.
1. the name is rather apt for our family.
2. peanuts?? people would actually think we are millionaires, esp with the not so recent NKF fiasco. Lol.
if anything, some electrician guy is coming over tomorrow, to remove the oven, the 2 living room lights and the room lights and transport them to the new house for installation.. and according to my mom, we will be living in darkness til oct6. i think it would be highly interesting. interesting to the point that my mom nearly collapsed with laughther at the thought of living in darkness.. well, i'm glad she is in a good mood today. the renovation has been causing her much stress and distress. it's good that the marble grinder(the person, not the machine) is well, a pro marble grinder.. haha. one less thing for my mom to worry about^ ^
oh, take a look at this:
of all the brands for boxes that aunty josephine had to get for us: FARMER brand peanuts. i think it's rather hilarious.
1. the name is rather apt for our family.
2. peanuts?? people would actually think we are millionaires, esp with the not so recent NKF fiasco. Lol.
God is not safe
God, is a God to reckon with, not one to take lightly.
As Mr. Beaver tells the children in C. S Lewis', The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe:
"Is -- is he a man?" asked Lucy.
"Aslan a man!" said Mr. Beaver sternly. "Certainly not. I tell you he is the King of wood and the son of the great Emperor-Beyond-the-Sea. Don't you know who is the King of the Beasts? Aslan is a lion -- the Lion, the great Lion."
"Ooh," said Susan, "I thought he was a man. Is he -- quite safe? I shall feel rather nervous about meeting a lion."
"That you will, dearie, and make no mistake," said Mrs. Beaver, "if there's anyone who can appear before Aslan without their knees knocking, they're either braver than most or else silly."
"Then he isn't safe?" said Lucy.
"Safe?" said Mr. Beaver, "don't you hear what Mrs. Beaver tells you?
Who said anything about safe? 'Course he isn't safe. But he's good.
He's the King, I tell you."
Psalm 104: 1-4
Praise the LORD, my soul.
LORD my God, you are very great;
you are clothed with splendour and majesty.
The LORD wraps himself in light as with a garment;
he stretches out the heavens like a tent
and lays the beams of his upper chambers on their waters.
He makes the clouds his chariot
and rides on the wings of the wind.
He makes winds his messengers,
flames of fire his servants.
As Mr. Beaver tells the children in C. S Lewis', The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe:
"Is -- is he a man?" asked Lucy.
"Aslan a man!" said Mr. Beaver sternly. "Certainly not. I tell you he is the King of wood and the son of the great Emperor-Beyond-the-Sea. Don't you know who is the King of the Beasts? Aslan is a lion -- the Lion, the great Lion."
"Ooh," said Susan, "I thought he was a man. Is he -- quite safe? I shall feel rather nervous about meeting a lion."
"That you will, dearie, and make no mistake," said Mrs. Beaver, "if there's anyone who can appear before Aslan without their knees knocking, they're either braver than most or else silly."
"Then he isn't safe?" said Lucy.
"Safe?" said Mr. Beaver, "don't you hear what Mrs. Beaver tells you?
Who said anything about safe? 'Course he isn't safe. But he's good.
He's the King, I tell you."
Psalm 104: 1-4
Praise the LORD, my soul.
LORD my God, you are very great;
you are clothed with splendour and majesty.
The LORD wraps himself in light as with a garment;
he stretches out the heavens like a tent
and lays the beams of his upper chambers on their waters.
He makes the clouds his chariot
and rides on the wings of the wind.
He makes winds his messengers,
flames of fire his servants.
God's ways
i'm feeling extremely disgusted now.
over an hour ago, i just watched a hk serial, where the female lead was almost raped. about 20 min ago, one of my prc friends, exclaimed "my god" when i said hi to him.
5 min ago, chanel news asia reported that they found a dismembered woman's body in orchard road.
i feel so sick to my stomach. sick to the point i feel like puking out the yoghurt i just ate.
about 10 days ago, katrina hit the south of america.
9 days ago, 3 women were sentenced to 3 years imprisonment for organising a 'happy camp' for muslim children in some indonesian village.
you tell me, what is this world coming to?
i think the worst part about the whole katrina incident isn't bush(and yes, i am biased. i'm pro-bush, though his recent slow response to katrina has made me to lose a bit of the respect i used to have for him).
i kinda understand why the refugees would loot the supermarkets for food. i'll even give some leeway to those who loot rampantly at the shops. yes, we know new orleans is a black community, poor even before the hurricane hit. but, how can we justify the rape cases?
i was sick to the stomach when i read the reports on how men took advantage of the situation and raped women&girls.
the hurricane destroyed homes, destroyed the food supply, left people penniless and homeless, therefore they were/are hungry. physically hungry. i would like to know what justifies the sexual hunger. what is their justification for raping 7-year olds. to satisfy WHAT, pray tell. your hunger? those rumblings in your stomach? i don't think so.
maybe i'm thinking of things in very simplistic terms. i think in black and white. but i guess, as the Bible says, this is really the sign of the end times, when people are evil, so evil they do such repulsive things. i know i would never understand in this life time why. why God allows such things to happen. yes, i know the reasons, but i would never understand the intent.
above all, God is great. His thoughts are much higher than my thoughts, His ways are much loftier than mine. How can i compare my puny mind to His omniscience?
over an hour ago, i just watched a hk serial, where the female lead was almost raped. about 20 min ago, one of my prc friends, exclaimed "my god" when i said hi to him.
5 min ago, chanel news asia reported that they found a dismembered woman's body in orchard road.
i feel so sick to my stomach. sick to the point i feel like puking out the yoghurt i just ate.
about 10 days ago, katrina hit the south of america.
9 days ago, 3 women were sentenced to 3 years imprisonment for organising a 'happy camp' for muslim children in some indonesian village.
you tell me, what is this world coming to?
i think the worst part about the whole katrina incident isn't bush(and yes, i am biased. i'm pro-bush, though his recent slow response to katrina has made me to lose a bit of the respect i used to have for him).
i kinda understand why the refugees would loot the supermarkets for food. i'll even give some leeway to those who loot rampantly at the shops. yes, we know new orleans is a black community, poor even before the hurricane hit. but, how can we justify the rape cases?
i was sick to the stomach when i read the reports on how men took advantage of the situation and raped women&girls.
the hurricane destroyed homes, destroyed the food supply, left people penniless and homeless, therefore they were/are hungry. physically hungry. i would like to know what justifies the sexual hunger. what is their justification for raping 7-year olds. to satisfy WHAT, pray tell. your hunger? those rumblings in your stomach? i don't think so.
maybe i'm thinking of things in very simplistic terms. i think in black and white. but i guess, as the Bible says, this is really the sign of the end times, when people are evil, so evil they do such repulsive things. i know i would never understand in this life time why. why God allows such things to happen. yes, i know the reasons, but i would never understand the intent.
above all, God is great. His thoughts are much higher than my thoughts, His ways are much loftier than mine. How can i compare my puny mind to His omniscience?
Wednesday, September 07, 2005
God is great
The splendor of a King, clothed in majesty
Let all the earth rejoice
All the earth rejoice
He wraps himself in Light, and darkness tries to hide
And trembles at His voice
Trembles at His voice
How great is our God, sing with me
How great is our God, and all will see
How great, how great is our God
Age to age He stands
And time is in His hands
Beginning and the end
Beginning and the end
The Godhead Three in One
Father Spirit Son
The Lion and the Lamb
The Lion and the Lamb
Name above all names
Worthy of our praise
My heart will sing
How great is our God
How great is our God, sing with me
How great is our God, and all will see
How great, how great is our God
this song puts everything in perspective. when God is great, everything else will tremble at His voice, His might, just at Him.
if you don't already realise, it's been my favourite song for a few months.whenever i'm tired, i blast this song on my comp. i'm glad i don't have to lead worship to wait til i get to sing this song... church sings it often enough...heh. you know, it's one of those songs you would never get tired of singing or listening. because, the song is all about God. not one of those, "oh, my God, you are so great because you did all these things for me".
God is great. period.
Let all the earth rejoice
All the earth rejoice
He wraps himself in Light, and darkness tries to hide
And trembles at His voice
Trembles at His voice
How great is our God, sing with me
How great is our God, and all will see
How great, how great is our God
Age to age He stands
And time is in His hands
Beginning and the end
Beginning and the end
The Godhead Three in One
Father Spirit Son
The Lion and the Lamb
The Lion and the Lamb
Name above all names
Worthy of our praise
My heart will sing
How great is our God
How great is our God, sing with me
How great is our God, and all will see
How great, how great is our God
this song puts everything in perspective. when God is great, everything else will tremble at His voice, His might, just at Him.
if you don't already realise, it's been my favourite song for a few months.whenever i'm tired, i blast this song on my comp. i'm glad i don't have to lead worship to wait til i get to sing this song... church sings it often enough...heh. you know, it's one of those songs you would never get tired of singing or listening. because, the song is all about God. not one of those, "oh, my God, you are so great because you did all these things for me".
God is great. period.
Tuesday, September 06, 2005
Christ is helping me
do u haf a bf ? well i haf a feeling u dun. if u observe nus ppl, u will notice they make dinks(sic. i think for things) bearable here by bf-gf affections. either dat or u gota be veri strong. u r totful n cheerful. must be christ helping u
my eyes nearly popped out of their sockets when i read this sms..
if you met me today, you would realise that i was super duper stressed, feeling damn demoralised, just dead beat. so out of sorts to the point that i went to the library to hibernate, literally, and set things right with God before i met anymore people. and later, as i shared with the ifg comm people, i told them that i've been feeling very stretched by people, feeling guilty that i didn't do my bit as a cgl or even a christian in nus to promote today's evangelistic DTT(dinner time talk), above all, feeling just totally off because i've not been spending proper time with God.
i don't dare meet another person now, christian or non-christian, without praying for that person first. it may seem a little extreme to you, but, ok, for those i would classify as 'friends' i.e. those i feel comfortable with, and our relationship is 2-way[meaning, both of us have a common understanding and goal], i'm more than happy to meet you, because sometimes, i do need a human to help cheer me up(like today's lil session with debs n clement^ ^). but, with people, i'm discipling or trying to lead to God, i really cannot do it soley on my own strength, therefore, i have to commit this person in God's hands first.
so, after i prayed, and sent off a long overdue sms asking this girl i knew, how she was, and she asked me to "share with her about my happiness in Christ", i was very blown away. hullo, i don't think i was feeling exceptionally happy or joyful today. "happiness"?! i blinked quite a number of times, before i asked her to further elaborate. and then, she sent this long sms.
i really needed this encouragement. more so, it's quite heartening when someone tells you that she can see Christ helping me. she made my day^ ^. it's really 2 prong:
1. it's a reminder to me that no matter what, Jesus is my strength.
2. i hope this means that God is really working through me and using me. so many times, i keep wondering if i'm on the right track, and i think this is a sign that i am?? that if others can actually see that God is "helping me", it means i must be leading them to God and nowhere else..especially when today, was like the worst day of the semester since the start of school, it feels really good that at my lowest point, God still used me to bless someone else, and better still, in turn get blessed back!!
haha.. on a lighter note, this 3rd thought struck me:
if, because i'm obviously so very single, with no boyfriend to 'lean on', and people can therefore deduce that it must be Christ who's my pillar of strength, and not the boyfriend... what would happen if one day, i do have one... would it mean that the boyfriend becomes the new pillar of strength? even if i know that he doesn't, how would people know that i'm drawing from God's strength and not that human guy??? or worse, does it mean i'm to remain single for the rest of my life, so that it is so darn obvious that it's God and no one else?! *gulp*
what to do for my birthday
i know my birthday is not for another 4 months plus. and NO, i am NOT pulling a deborah by announcing my birthday, for , come to think of it, silly debs, why did you announce to the world your birthday? to get loads of pink presents??
but, i've been thinking about my impending 21st birthday, not because i want presents(haha.. that's an added incentive though).by the way, my mom just passed me this gold key pendant, which was given to her by her mother(my grandma) and told me, "eh, i've given you your birthday present already ah." To which, i retorted, annoyed of course, "eh, you didn't pay for that. so cheapskate-.-"
after hearing last year, the 21st birthday party that shawna threw for herself, and the testimony she gave to her friends; and reading grace wee's blog entry on her friend's birthday party that turned evangelistic... well.. i've been thinking, since last year, and especially more since i know i'm moving to besides church... i think you would know what i'm driving at. what better place to hold a party. heh.
my friends, especially my non-christian friends. sigh. i've been plagued with immense guilt recently. i did blog once about how they would always comment that i'm always spending time with church, and now, it's vcf and the likes.. like how last week, i was supposed to meet my jc friends for lunch in school, or rather, it was one friend, justina. to cut a long story short, i ended up having lunch with the hk exchange student, and even had the opportunity to share Christ with him. BUT, in the midst, my friends called and asked where i was. how was i to explain that i was sharing the gospel?? can one even compare the opportunity to share the gospel with one to a casual meeting of long time no see friends? don't even get me started on neglecting people.
anyway, the point is, i think my birthday would be a good opportunity for my friends to mix around and, in a way, understand me better. of course, i would be so blessed if i had friends like grace, who took the opportunity and shared the vision with another girl and went round talking to strangers, looking for the opportunity to share Christ and His love. i want so much that everyone i know would come to the saving knowledge of Jesus, that eventhough i don't and can't spend mych time with you, i'll know that ultimately, we share in God's love and i'd see you in heaven.
so, my dear readers of this little blog, you've been told months in advance. my birthday is coming up!!! you know what to do:)
p/s: grace wee, if you are reading this, you are definitely invited to my birthday party^ ^
but, i've been thinking about my impending 21st birthday, not because i want presents(haha.. that's an added incentive though).by the way, my mom just passed me this gold key pendant, which was given to her by her mother(my grandma) and told me, "eh, i've given you your birthday present already ah." To which, i retorted, annoyed of course, "eh, you didn't pay for that. so cheapskate-.-"
after hearing last year, the 21st birthday party that shawna threw for herself, and the testimony she gave to her friends; and reading grace wee's blog entry on her friend's birthday party that turned evangelistic... well.. i've been thinking, since last year, and especially more since i know i'm moving to besides church... i think you would know what i'm driving at. what better place to hold a party. heh.
my friends, especially my non-christian friends. sigh. i've been plagued with immense guilt recently. i did blog once about how they would always comment that i'm always spending time with church, and now, it's vcf and the likes.. like how last week, i was supposed to meet my jc friends for lunch in school, or rather, it was one friend, justina. to cut a long story short, i ended up having lunch with the hk exchange student, and even had the opportunity to share Christ with him. BUT, in the midst, my friends called and asked where i was. how was i to explain that i was sharing the gospel?? can one even compare the opportunity to share the gospel with one to a casual meeting of long time no see friends? don't even get me started on neglecting people.
anyway, the point is, i think my birthday would be a good opportunity for my friends to mix around and, in a way, understand me better. of course, i would be so blessed if i had friends like grace, who took the opportunity and shared the vision with another girl and went round talking to strangers, looking for the opportunity to share Christ and His love. i want so much that everyone i know would come to the saving knowledge of Jesus, that eventhough i don't and can't spend mych time with you, i'll know that ultimately, we share in God's love and i'd see you in heaven.
so, my dear readers of this little blog, you've been told months in advance. my birthday is coming up!!! you know what to do:)
p/s: grace wee, if you are reading this, you are definitely invited to my birthday party^ ^
Monday, September 05, 2005
beautiful sunset
guess who took this pic.. heh. c'est moi.
guess where this pic was taken in.. C'est a Singapour en La Gardens Botanics.
something tells me my french is very bad.. but, yes, so pretty right.. can you actually believe that you can actually see such beautiful sunsets in singapore?? i didn't, til i saw this. this was taken a couple of weeks back at botanics, when debs, serene, rita & i had our little rendezvous there.
did you rise the sun for me,
paint a million stars that i might know your majesty
in this case, God set the sun for me, that i might know His majesty
p/s all credits for this latest blog pic (points up) goes to darlie again. of course. heh=D
guess where this pic was taken in.. C'est a Singapour en La Gardens Botanics.
something tells me my french is very bad.. but, yes, so pretty right.. can you actually believe that you can actually see such beautiful sunsets in singapore?? i didn't, til i saw this. this was taken a couple of weeks back at botanics, when debs, serene, rita & i had our little rendezvous there.
did you rise the sun for me,
paint a million stars that i might know your majesty
in this case, God set the sun for me, that i might know His majesty
p/s all credits for this latest blog pic (points up) goes to darlie again. of course. heh=D
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