The ST interview with palliative care specialist Rosalie Shaw today serves as a stinging reminder to our government about the value of life, and what dying with dignity means.
The headline was brilliant - Helping the dying with living.
So much wisdom from Dr Shaw. I liked especially the quotes that were pulled out:
"People fear being hooked up to a ventilator at the end of life. This fear drives the euthanasia debate. We should not prolong the dying process. But euthanasia is not about allowing death. It is about killing. It's doing something with the intent to end life."
"Euthanasia makes the elderly and the ill more vulnerable. Society wants a magic bullet for everything. But life is difficult. Wanting to fix everything is part of a denial of the reality of life."
"The automatic response of most doctors here to requests for euthanasia is 'Oh no, doctors are not allowed to do that here.' Instead, what patients need is a listening ear, compassion, care and the truth on how long they have left."
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
Saturday, October 4, 2008
The Art of Tent-Making
One of my church friends invited me to the Tanglin Fellowship yesterday. I was quite curious about it and so I attended it. The meeting started at 8pm with half an hour of praise and worship, followed by prayers. Then there was a guest speaker who spoke about what it means to be a tent-maker. He was a former economist with the World Bank. His teaching hit home with me because it was about how one could still be actively serving God even when one is employed in secular work.
At the end of the teaching, he asked for people to come forward for prayer. I was a tad shy and hesitant so I didn't. Then much later on, he said that God has said there are still people who need to come up for prayer but haven't yet done so. At that point, I most reluctantly made my way up front. He prayed over me and said to me that God understands my innermost desires and He knows my heart's desires and that He would give me a special anointing. I fell when he prayed for me, and remained on the floor. I could feel that my face was very very warm. After a while, I got up and went back to my seat. I could still feel the warmth on my face.
Now I will have to pray about what God's special anointing for me was and how to use it well in my everyday life so that I can reach out to people and meet their needs in the name of Christ.
At the end of the teaching, he asked for people to come forward for prayer. I was a tad shy and hesitant so I didn't. Then much later on, he said that God has said there are still people who need to come up for prayer but haven't yet done so. At that point, I most reluctantly made my way up front. He prayed over me and said to me that God understands my innermost desires and He knows my heart's desires and that He would give me a special anointing. I fell when he prayed for me, and remained on the floor. I could feel that my face was very very warm. After a while, I got up and went back to my seat. I could still feel the warmth on my face.
Now I will have to pray about what God's special anointing for me was and how to use it well in my everyday life so that I can reach out to people and meet their needs in the name of Christ.
Thursday, October 2, 2008
Dance With Joy
I volunteered for a kids' day camp on Oct 1. This camp was run alongside an adults' seminar on coping with bereavement, especially the death of a spouse. The kids at the camp, aged between 3 and 12 years old, had lost either a father or a mother.
The camp was to get the kids to learn about feelings, and how there can be comfortable and uncomfortable feelings. I was just a helper and I was extremely impressed by the Wesley team that put everything together.
The camp was also a relief for the parents, who could put their kids with us while they attended the seminar which would be very helpful for them. I could feel and know that they were very grateful to us whenever one of them came up to me.
I was in charge of the first ice-breaker game, which was a "find the badges" game. After finding the badges, the kids had to form three words from the letters on the badges. The words were Dance With Joy.
Other activities included using clay or playdoh for the kids to form their own interpretations of comfortable and uncomfortable feelings.
This was what I did with my clay -
- The bible and reading (comfortable)
- The heart and loving (comfortable)
- The cross and Jesus (comfortable)
- The mask and unhappiness (uncomfortable)
One of the kids wanted my cross so I let her take it home with her. :-) She said it was very nice. Ha ha!
At the end of the day, the kids got to make their own sock buddies which they could take home with them.
It's hard bringing up a kid, so I can imagine it's doubly hard bringing up a kid or kids on your own. I think the parents really appreciated that while they were attending a seminar that could help them a lot, their kids were being taken care of.
Following on from this camp is actually a more comprehensive programme for such kids so I'm thankful that there is some follow-through programme that the parents can turn to in helping their kids cope with bereavement. :-)
Actually one of the camp coordinators asked us during the debriefing session whether we were interested in volunteering for this upcoming programme, which would comprise more in-depth sessions over six Saturdays to help kids cope with their grief. At that time, I was most reluctant to volunteer because I was not confident of my ability to help the kids in a more in-depth manner.
However, this morning, when I was doing my quiet time in the cab, God brought to my mind the fact that we should be concerned about the widowed.
This was the verse that came to mind:
James 1:27
Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.
Therefore I think I will volunteer at the upcoming six-session programme, since God has brought it into my mind.
There were so many learning points I took away from the camp:
1. Kids are amazingly creative. I ended up asking a very talented girl to help me finish one of my own clay art.
2. Kids can be remarkably resilient and mature but we also need to remember that they are still kids and they also need help to work through their own grief.
3. One of the most moving episodes for me during the camp? When the children were broken up into two groups, one aged 3-8 and the other for 9-12 year olds, this girl went up to her younger sister and gave her a very long hug and kissed her and spoke to her, probably to reassure her sister before they split up into their own groups. I was quite moved by this because it showed how mature and responsible the older child was, and even more surprising considering that I found it quite a challenge reaching out to and relating to the older child, who was one of my two buddies during the camp. When I saw her hug her sister and speak to her to reassure her, my eyes watered. Some of these kids have had to grow up so fast and handle very adult responsibilities.
4. The parents were extremely loving towards their children, and some of the children were very attached to their parents. I remember one girl asking me at least four times whether she will be able to see her mum during breaks.
5. Some of the kids were well-adjusted but some were more withdrawn. They are also one of the more neglected groups in society and we should endeavour to help them in any way we can. This includes their parents, too.
6. This camp also brings to my mind that God has said in His Word that to those who have been given more, more will be expected of them. This has always humbled me tremendously because I think God has blessed me in many ways and I need to constantly remember that He blesses me so that I can bless others through my giftings and abilities given to me from God.
One more wonderful outcome of the camp: I bumped into one of my secondary school mates whom I have not seen for years and years. We exchanged numbers and I'll be planning to meet up with her and her two kids in November. :-)
The camp was to get the kids to learn about feelings, and how there can be comfortable and uncomfortable feelings. I was just a helper and I was extremely impressed by the Wesley team that put everything together.
The camp was also a relief for the parents, who could put their kids with us while they attended the seminar which would be very helpful for them. I could feel and know that they were very grateful to us whenever one of them came up to me.
I was in charge of the first ice-breaker game, which was a "find the badges" game. After finding the badges, the kids had to form three words from the letters on the badges. The words were Dance With Joy.
Other activities included using clay or playdoh for the kids to form their own interpretations of comfortable and uncomfortable feelings.
This was what I did with my clay -
- The bible and reading (comfortable)
- The heart and loving (comfortable)
- The cross and Jesus (comfortable)
- The mask and unhappiness (uncomfortable)
One of the kids wanted my cross so I let her take it home with her. :-) She said it was very nice. Ha ha!
At the end of the day, the kids got to make their own sock buddies which they could take home with them.
It's hard bringing up a kid, so I can imagine it's doubly hard bringing up a kid or kids on your own. I think the parents really appreciated that while they were attending a seminar that could help them a lot, their kids were being taken care of.
Following on from this camp is actually a more comprehensive programme for such kids so I'm thankful that there is some follow-through programme that the parents can turn to in helping their kids cope with bereavement. :-)
Actually one of the camp coordinators asked us during the debriefing session whether we were interested in volunteering for this upcoming programme, which would comprise more in-depth sessions over six Saturdays to help kids cope with their grief. At that time, I was most reluctant to volunteer because I was not confident of my ability to help the kids in a more in-depth manner.
However, this morning, when I was doing my quiet time in the cab, God brought to my mind the fact that we should be concerned about the widowed.
This was the verse that came to mind:
James 1:27
Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.
Therefore I think I will volunteer at the upcoming six-session programme, since God has brought it into my mind.
There were so many learning points I took away from the camp:
1. Kids are amazingly creative. I ended up asking a very talented girl to help me finish one of my own clay art.
2. Kids can be remarkably resilient and mature but we also need to remember that they are still kids and they also need help to work through their own grief.
3. One of the most moving episodes for me during the camp? When the children were broken up into two groups, one aged 3-8 and the other for 9-12 year olds, this girl went up to her younger sister and gave her a very long hug and kissed her and spoke to her, probably to reassure her sister before they split up into their own groups. I was quite moved by this because it showed how mature and responsible the older child was, and even more surprising considering that I found it quite a challenge reaching out to and relating to the older child, who was one of my two buddies during the camp. When I saw her hug her sister and speak to her to reassure her, my eyes watered. Some of these kids have had to grow up so fast and handle very adult responsibilities.
4. The parents were extremely loving towards their children, and some of the children were very attached to their parents. I remember one girl asking me at least four times whether she will be able to see her mum during breaks.
5. Some of the kids were well-adjusted but some were more withdrawn. They are also one of the more neglected groups in society and we should endeavour to help them in any way we can. This includes their parents, too.
6. This camp also brings to my mind that God has said in His Word that to those who have been given more, more will be expected of them. This has always humbled me tremendously because I think God has blessed me in many ways and I need to constantly remember that He blesses me so that I can bless others through my giftings and abilities given to me from God.
One more wonderful outcome of the camp: I bumped into one of my secondary school mates whom I have not seen for years and years. We exchanged numbers and I'll be planning to meet up with her and her two kids in November. :-)
Thursday, September 18, 2008
What really does God require of me?
Micah 6:8
8 He has shown you, O man, what is good;
And what does the LORD require of you
But to do justly,
To love mercy,
And to walk humbly with your God?
8 He has shown you, O man, what is good;
And what does the LORD require of you
But to do justly,
To love mercy,
And to walk humbly with your God?
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
My type
Did a Myers-Briggs type of personality test on Facebook, and discovered that I was an INFP (incidentally the same result as the actual Myers-Briggs test I did quite a long while back). The description below kind of explains why I'm into social causes and introspection.
The Idealist
Introverted, Intuitive, Feeling, Perceiving
Quiet, reflective, and idealistic. Interested in serving humanity. Well-developed value system, which they strive to live in accordance with. Extremely loyal. Adaptable and laid-back unless a strongly-held value is threatened. Usually talented writers. Mentally quick, and able to see possibilities. Interested in understanding and helping people.
As an INFP, your primary mode of living is focused internally, where you deal with things according to how you feel about them, or how they fit into your personal value system. Your secondary mode is external, where you take things in primarily via your intuition.
The Idealist
Introverted, Intuitive, Feeling, Perceiving
Quiet, reflective, and idealistic. Interested in serving humanity. Well-developed value system, which they strive to live in accordance with. Extremely loyal. Adaptable and laid-back unless a strongly-held value is threatened. Usually talented writers. Mentally quick, and able to see possibilities. Interested in understanding and helping people.
As an INFP, your primary mode of living is focused internally, where you deal with things according to how you feel about them, or how they fit into your personal value system. Your secondary mode is external, where you take things in primarily via your intuition.
INFPs, more than other iNtuitive Feeling types, are focused on making the world a better place for people. Their primary goal is to find out their meaning in life. What is their purpose? How can they best serve humanity in their lives? They are idealists and perfectionists, who drive themselves hard in their quest for achieving the goals they have identified for themselves
INFPs are highly intuitive about people. They rely heavily on their intuitions to guide them, and use their discoveries to constantly search for value in life. They are on a continuous mission to find the truth and meaning underlying things. Every encounter and every piece of knowledge gained gets sifted through the INFP's value system, and is evaluated to see if it has any potential to help the INFP define or refine their own path in life. The goal at the end of the path is always the same - the INFP is driven to help people and make the world a better place.
Generally thoughtful and considerate, INFPs are good listeners and put people at ease. Although they may be reserved in expressing emotion, they have a very deep well of caring and are genuinely interested in understanding people. This sincerity is sensed by others, making the INFP a valued friend and confidante. An INFP can be quite warm with people he or she knows well.
INFPs do not like conflict, and go to great lengths to avoid it. If they must face it, they will always approach it from the perspective of their feelings. In conflict situations, INFPs place little importance on who is right and who is wrong. They focus on the way that the conflict makes them feel, and indeed don't really care whether or not they're right. They don't want to feel badly. This trait sometimes makes them appear irrational and illogical in conflict situations. On the other hand, INFPs make very good mediators, and are typically good at solving other people's conflicts, because they intuitively understand people's perspectives and feelings, and genuinely want to help them.
INFPs are flexible and laid-back, until one of their values is violated. In the face of their value system being threatened, INFPs can become aggressive defenders, fighting passionately for their cause. When an INFP has adopted a project or job which they're interested in, it usually becomes a "cause" for them. Although they are not detail-oriented individuals, they will cover every possible detail with determination and vigor when working for their "cause".
When it comes to the mundane details of life maintenance, INFPs are typically completely unaware of such things. They might go for long periods without noticing a stain on the carpet, but carefully and meticulously brush a speck of dust off of their project booklet.
INFPs do not like to deal with hard facts and logic. Their focus on their feelings and the Human Condition makes it difficult for them to deal with impersonal judgment. They don't understand or believe in the validity of impersonal judgment, which makes them naturally rather ineffective at using it. Most INFPs will avoid impersonal analysis, although some have developed this ability and are able to be quite logical. Under stress, it's not uncommon for INFPs to mis-use hard logic in the heat of anger, throwing out fact after (often inaccurate) fact in an emotional outburst.
INFPs have very high standards and are perfectionists. Consequently, they are usually hard on themselves, and don't give themselves enough credit. INFPs may have problems working on a project in a group, because their standards are likely to be higher than other members' of the group. In group situations, they may have a "control" problem. The INFP needs to work on balancing their high ideals with the requirements of every day living. Without resolving this conflict, they will never be happy with themselves, and they may become confused and paralyzed about what to do with their lives.
INFPs are usually talented writers. They may be awkard and uncomfortable with expressing themselves verbally, but have a wonderful ability to define and express what they're feeling on paper. INFPs also appear frequently in social service professions, such as counselling or teaching. They are at their best in situations where they're working towards the public good, and in which they don't need to use hard logic.
INFPs who function in their well-developed sides can accomplish great and wonderful things, which they will rarely give themselves credit for. Some of the great, humanistic catalysts in the world have been INFPs.
Sunday, September 7, 2008
Too frosty a reception?
I was at Kinokuniya today after having lunch and coffee with an elderly former colleague. When I was browsing the poetry section, an elderly Japanese writer/author came up to talk to me.
He asked me if I was interested in poetry. I said I was keen on poetry because I loved the sound and the use of words. He explained to me why he loved poetry and suggested that I should read Rumi, Frost as well as Homer's Iliad and The Odyssey. Following that, he also recommended Hemingway and Dostoevsky. In contrast, he panned works by Neruda and Plath, saying that they were too commercial.
I listened attentively. Then he took out some of his own works (short stories and poems) and showed them to me, probably seeing if I wanted to buy a copy. I didn't, though, but I wondered if I should have.
We parted ways, but later I put back Colossus by Plath and bought a collection of poems by Robert Frost instead.
PS: I really enjoyed my lunch with my former colleague. We ended up talking about how Christians view life after death, as well as discussing Hindusim, Buddhism and Islam. It was educational for me, listening to the views of a near-60-year-old man. :-)
He asked me if I was interested in poetry. I said I was keen on poetry because I loved the sound and the use of words. He explained to me why he loved poetry and suggested that I should read Rumi, Frost as well as Homer's Iliad and The Odyssey. Following that, he also recommended Hemingway and Dostoevsky. In contrast, he panned works by Neruda and Plath, saying that they were too commercial.
I listened attentively. Then he took out some of his own works (short stories and poems) and showed them to me, probably seeing if I wanted to buy a copy. I didn't, though, but I wondered if I should have.
We parted ways, but later I put back Colossus by Plath and bought a collection of poems by Robert Frost instead.
PS: I really enjoyed my lunch with my former colleague. We ended up talking about how Christians view life after death, as well as discussing Hindusim, Buddhism and Islam. It was educational for me, listening to the views of a near-60-year-old man. :-)
Thursday, September 4, 2008
Dr Ogata Ryosai: Memorandum
I was pleasantly surprised that Ryunosuke Akutagawa's collection of short stories contained a few stories on Japanese Christians. One of his short stories (the title being this posting's heading) concerned the account of a healing miracle. The notes in the translation by Jay Rubin also stated that Akutagawa read the bible closely but was unable to believe in divine miracles. During his short life, he travelled to Nagasaki and took a deep interest in 17th century Japanese Christian martyrdom. He committed suicide at the age of 35: he took a fatal dose of Veronal and fell asleep reading the Bible.
Tuesday, September 2, 2008
Grace covers a multitude of sins
Was doing my quiet time and the Lord impressed upon me these words from Zechariah 7:9-10:
9 "Thus has the LORD of hosts said, 'Dispense true justice and practice kindness and compassion each to his brother;
10 and do not oppress the widow or the orphan, the stranger or the poor; and do not devise evil in your hearts against one another.'
9 "Thus has the LORD of hosts said, 'Dispense true justice and practice kindness and compassion each to his brother;
10 and do not oppress the widow or the orphan, the stranger or the poor; and do not devise evil in your hearts against one another.'
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
Oh how he loves you and me
Recently, God has been reminding me to memorise Scripture and seal them in my heart and my brain. After the verses from The Little Bible, another opportunity caused me to do a straw poll among some of my colleagues for their favourite bible verses. Here are the results:
James 1:22
But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.
Psalm 121
1 I will lift up my eyes to the hills-
From whence comes my help?
2 My help comes from the LORD,
Who made heaven and earth.
John 14:27
Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I
give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.
Philippians 4:13
I can do all things through Christ[a] who strengthens me.
Proverbs 3:5-6
Trust in the LORD with all your heart,
And lean not on your own understanding;
In all your ways acknowledge Him,
And He shall direct your paths.
Habakkuk 3:17-19
17 Though the fig tree may not blossom,
Nor fruit be on the vines;
Though the labor of the olive may fail,
And the fields yield no food;
Though the flock may be cut off from the fold,
And there be no herd in the stalls—
18 Yet I will rejoice in the LORD,
I will joy in the God of my salvation.
19 The LORD God [a] is my strength;
He will make my feet like deer’s feet,
And He will make me walk on my high hills.
The two below are my favourite verses:
Philippians 3:7-11
7 But what things were gain to me, these I have counted loss for Christ. 8 Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ 9 and be found in Him, not having my own righteousness, which is from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith; 10 that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death, 11 if, by any means, I may attain to the resurrection from the dead.
1 Peter 2:9
9 But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;
PS: I'm still trying to figure out a way to memorise Scripture in an orderly manner. :-P
James 1:22
But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.
Psalm 121
1 I will lift up my eyes to the hills-
From whence comes my help?
2 My help comes from the LORD,
Who made heaven and earth.
John 14:27
Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I
give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.
Philippians 4:13
I can do all things through Christ[a] who strengthens me.
Proverbs 3:5-6
Trust in the LORD with all your heart,
And lean not on your own understanding;
In all your ways acknowledge Him,
And He shall direct your paths.
Habakkuk 3:17-19
17 Though the fig tree may not blossom,
Nor fruit be on the vines;
Though the labor of the olive may fail,
And the fields yield no food;
Though the flock may be cut off from the fold,
And there be no herd in the stalls—
18 Yet I will rejoice in the LORD,
I will joy in the God of my salvation.
19 The LORD God [a] is my strength;
He will make my feet like deer’s feet,
And He will make me walk on my high hills.
To the Chief Musician. With my stringed instruments.
The two below are my favourite verses:
Philippians 3:7-11
7 But what things were gain to me, these I have counted loss for Christ. 8 Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ 9 and be found in Him, not having my own righteousness, which is from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith; 10 that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death, 11 if, by any means, I may attain to the resurrection from the dead.
1 Peter 2:9
9 But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;
PS: I'm still trying to figure out a way to memorise Scripture in an orderly manner. :-P
Thursday, August 14, 2008
His mercies are new every morning
Nearing the end of a significant day in my life, I can say only "glory to God". Indeed, he has blessed me with a wonderful life thus far, and I have faith that my journey with Him in the future will be even more exciting, edifying and fruitful. Every day I wake up and thank God for His Spirit that is within me, and pray that He will empower and guide me to fulfil His calling for me in my life.
I thought it would be an appropriate day to remember my wonderful glorious identity in Christ.
The following are taken from My Little Bible, a very small little book filled with some bible verses. At the end of it, there is this segment called "Who am I in Christ".
Who am I in Christ?
Chosen by God
just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love, (Ephesians 1:4)
Made perfect forever
For by one offering He has perfected forever those who are being sanctified. (Hebrews 10:14)
Redeemed
In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace (Ephesians 1:7)
Made at peace with God
Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have[a] peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, (Romans 5:1)
Totally forgiven
And you, being dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He has made alive together with Him, having forgiven you all trespasses, (Colossians 2:14)
Totally cleansed
And such were some of you. But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God. (1 Corinthians 6:11)
Made holy and blameless
in the body of His flesh through death, to present you holy, and blameless, and above reproach in His sight— (Colossians 1:22)
There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus,[a] who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. (Romans 8:1)
Made into a new creation
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. (2 Corinthians 5:17)
Reconciled to God
For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life. (Romans 5:10)
Made heirs of God
Therefore you are no longer a slave but a son, and if a son, then an heir of[a] God through Christ. (Galatians 4:7)
I thought it would be an appropriate day to remember my wonderful glorious identity in Christ.
The following are taken from My Little Bible, a very small little book filled with some bible verses. At the end of it, there is this segment called "Who am I in Christ".
Who am I in Christ?
Chosen by God
just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love, (Ephesians 1:4)
Made perfect forever
For by one offering He has perfected forever those who are being sanctified. (Hebrews 10:14)
Redeemed
In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace (Ephesians 1:7)
Made at peace with God
Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have[a] peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, (Romans 5:1)
Totally forgiven
And you, being dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He has made alive together with Him, having forgiven you all trespasses, (Colossians 2:14)
Totally cleansed
And such were some of you. But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God. (1 Corinthians 6:11)
Made holy and blameless
in the body of His flesh through death, to present you holy, and blameless, and above reproach in His sight— (Colossians 1:22)
Given Christ's righteousness
For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him. (2 Corinthians 5:21)
There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus,[a] who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. (Romans 8:1)
Made into a new creation
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. (2 Corinthians 5:17)
Reconciled to God
For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life. (Romans 5:10)
Made heirs of God
Therefore you are no longer a slave but a son, and if a son, then an heir of[a] God through Christ. (Galatians 4:7)
Wednesday, August 13, 2008
Character-building
I took a character strengths survey some time back at this website. It turns out that my top five character strengths are:
1. Bravery and valor
2. Creativity, ingenuity and originality
3. Curiosity and interest in the world
4. Forgiveness and mercy
5. Love of learning
Another fellow counselling friend's was:
Another fellow counselling friend's was:
(1) Kindness and generosity
(2) Fairness, equity and justice
(3) Love of learning
(4) Capacity to love and be loved
(5) Humour and playfulness
The interesting thing was that these proved extremely true for both of us. :-)
The interesting thing was that these proved extremely true for both of us. :-)
Memories are made of this
A note left on my desk by a colleague.
The team treated me to lunch at Tomton
and ice cream at Azabu Sabo at Central,
one day before my birthday.
Very thoughtful of them,
and I really appreciated it a lot. The entire day
has been hardwired into my memory. :-)
The team treated me to lunch at Tomton
and ice cream at Azabu Sabo at Central,
one day before my birthday.
Very thoughtful of them,
and I really appreciated it a lot. The entire day
has been hardwired into my memory. :-)
A Wesley card from my counselling supervisors
received by post. I e-mailed them this picture
of a very happy me holding the card in return.
A very interesting gift sent through facebook
from one of my closest friends.
I love this because it's
very different and so me.
Her sms sent the night before
made her a very dear friend
who truly understands me way deep
to know my heart's desires.
Her sms to me was:
"Happy birthday to one of my bestest friends!
May God continue to use you
to touch the lives of those around you,
multiply your giftings to be used to further His Kingdom
and bless u with all the desires of your heart."
received by post. I e-mailed them this picture
of a very happy me holding the card in return.
A very interesting gift sent through facebook
from one of my closest friends.
I love this because it's
very different and so me.
Her sms sent the night before
made her a very dear friend
who truly understands me way deep
to know my heart's desires.
Her sms to me was:
"Happy birthday to one of my bestest friends!
May God continue to use you
to touch the lives of those around you,
multiply your giftings to be used to further His Kingdom
and bless u with all the desires of your heart."
Monday, August 11, 2008
Wait for a moment directly beneath the star
I should probably have the words BOOK ADDICT branded onto my forehead.
Recently, I bought the Chinese illustrated version of Antoine de Saint-Exupery's The Little Prince and read it. After a few days, I was in Kinokuniya and couldn't resist buying the English illustrated copy, which was being sold in the children's section for only S$16.
I was touched when I read the story in Chinese, and equally moved when I read it in English.
The story's like a matryoshka doll, which keeps revealing more and more every time you read it.
There are some excerpts which I liked a lot:
"In those days I understood nothing! I should have judged by her deeds and not her words. She cast her fragrance around me and brightened my life. I should never have run away! I should have guessed the tenderness behind her poor little strategems. Flowers are so contradictory. And I was too young to know how to love her."
"Now here is my secret, very simply: you can only see things clearly with your heart. What is essential is invisible to the eye."
"The stars men follow have different meanings. For some people - travellers - the stars are guides. For others they are mere lights in the sky. For others still - the scientists - they are problems to be solved. For my businessman they meant gold. But for all these people, the stars are silent. For you, the stars will be as they are for no one else."
Recently, I bought the Chinese illustrated version of Antoine de Saint-Exupery's The Little Prince and read it. After a few days, I was in Kinokuniya and couldn't resist buying the English illustrated copy, which was being sold in the children's section for only S$16.
I was touched when I read the story in Chinese, and equally moved when I read it in English.
The story's like a matryoshka doll, which keeps revealing more and more every time you read it.
There are some excerpts which I liked a lot:
"In those days I understood nothing! I should have judged by her deeds and not her words. She cast her fragrance around me and brightened my life. I should never have run away! I should have guessed the tenderness behind her poor little strategems. Flowers are so contradictory. And I was too young to know how to love her."
"Now here is my secret, very simply: you can only see things clearly with your heart. What is essential is invisible to the eye."
"The stars men follow have different meanings. For some people - travellers - the stars are guides. For others they are mere lights in the sky. For others still - the scientists - they are problems to be solved. For my businessman they meant gold. But for all these people, the stars are silent. For you, the stars will be as they are for no one else."
Thursday, August 7, 2008
An ear for music
I've been reading Musicophilia - Tales of Music and the Brain by Oliver Sacks and learnt quite a few interesting terms:
1. Musicogenic epilepsy/Musicolepsia - epileptic seizures induced by music.
2. Amusia - profound impairment in recognising melodies and in pitch discrimination. The person is tone deaf.
3. Synesthesia - instant conjoining of sensations. One person may perceive individual letters or days of the week as having their own particular colours, another may feel that every colour has its own peculiar smell, or every musical interval its own taste. For example, Monday could be green while D major is blue.
4. Aphasia - damage to the "speech area" in the brain's dominant (usually left) frontal lobe - whether from a degenerative disease, a stroke or a brain injury, may produce expressive aphasia - a loss of spoken language. Damage to a different speech area in the left temporal lobe results in receptive aphasia - difficult understanding speech.
5. Dystonia - certain twisting and posturing spasms of the muscles. It is typical of dystonias, as of Parkinsonism, that the reciprocal balance between agnostic and antagonistic muscles is lost, and instead of working together as they should - one set relaxing as others contract - they contract together, producing a clench or spasm.
1. Musicogenic epilepsy/Musicolepsia - epileptic seizures induced by music.
2. Amusia - profound impairment in recognising melodies and in pitch discrimination. The person is tone deaf.
3. Synesthesia - instant conjoining of sensations. One person may perceive individual letters or days of the week as having their own particular colours, another may feel that every colour has its own peculiar smell, or every musical interval its own taste. For example, Monday could be green while D major is blue.
4. Aphasia - damage to the "speech area" in the brain's dominant (usually left) frontal lobe - whether from a degenerative disease, a stroke or a brain injury, may produce expressive aphasia - a loss of spoken language. Damage to a different speech area in the left temporal lobe results in receptive aphasia - difficult understanding speech.
5. Dystonia - certain twisting and posturing spasms of the muscles. It is typical of dystonias, as of Parkinsonism, that the reciprocal balance between agnostic and antagonistic muscles is lost, and instead of working together as they should - one set relaxing as others contract - they contract together, producing a clench or spasm.
Monday, August 4, 2008
Imparting grace
God amazes me always. I was faced with a difficult situation, and during the sermon on Sunday, God spoke to me through his Word. Through Ephesians 4:30-32, "And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice. And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you."
I was also relating the situation to a dear friend, and she encouraged greatly through her listening as well as her considered opinion. She also pointed me to one of the verses that always calmed her - Philippians 4:6 "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be known to God;"
I prayed to God that I would be able to learn the lessons, and that this difficult situation would make me more spiritually mature.
I was also relating the situation to a dear friend, and she encouraged greatly through her listening as well as her considered opinion. She also pointed me to one of the verses that always calmed her - Philippians 4:6 "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be known to God;"
I prayed to God that I would be able to learn the lessons, and that this difficult situation would make me more spiritually mature.
Thursday, July 24, 2008
The best return
I was bowled over by John Templeton's obituary article in this week's Economist. Here's an excerpt:
"But most of all Sir John went long on God. As a lifelong Presbyterian with a devout and curious mind, he reckoned that the market price of the creator of the universe was probably 1% of its actual value. The crowd might have lost interest in this under-rated stock, so dully and unerringly recommended by theologians and priests down the centuries, but Sir John bought it up on the firm expectation of stellar future earnings. Indeed the divine, he once said, if approached in a humble spirit of inquiry, might turn out to be 3,000 times more than people imagined it was."
"But most of all Sir John went long on God. As a lifelong Presbyterian with a devout and curious mind, he reckoned that the market price of the creator of the universe was probably 1% of its actual value. The crowd might have lost interest in this under-rated stock, so dully and unerringly recommended by theologians and priests down the centuries, but Sir John bought it up on the firm expectation of stellar future earnings. Indeed the divine, he once said, if approached in a humble spirit of inquiry, might turn out to be 3,000 times more than people imagined it was."
Sunday, July 20, 2008
Gooseberry Jam
I was over the moon when I asked to sit in during a jamming session by HOCC fans, and they agreed. I delight in new experiences and I had never gone to such a session before. I was very happy and excited. The band played around 14 songs during a three-hour session. I just sat on the floor and listened to their music and their bantering. It makes me happy to see and experience people doing what they love to do. Following the session, I followed them as they had a late dinner. After that, I took a cab home. I took some shots during the session but thought it inappropriate to post them here, because it was after all a private jamming session. So I thought I'd pen some thoughts about it because they gave me three hours of their time.
Saturday, July 19, 2008
East Timor: One child in God's family
This quote on the front of a bulletin for Love East Timor drew my attention:
"Within a family, there are invariably times when one child will need more attention than another. To respond to the needs of that child is not to say that the others are loved any less. Rather, at that particular moment, the needs of one are more pressing, more critical. Every parent knows this to be true: every child realises it at some intuitive level."
- Kofi Annan
"Within a family, there are invariably times when one child will need more attention than another. To respond to the needs of that child is not to say that the others are loved any less. Rather, at that particular moment, the needs of one are more pressing, more critical. Every parent knows this to be true: every child realises it at some intuitive level."
- Kofi Annan
Friday, July 18, 2008
Let the little children come to me
Just had dinner with some friends. One of them brought along her 4.5-month old baby daughter, and she was adorable and beautiful. Very few life experiences beat cradling a sleeping baby in one's arms. Indeed, children are a blessing from God. I feel very happy when I see a baby, because the baby always reminds me of how wonderfully and fearfully made we all are by God. I am always in awe of God's handiwork in us. That every one of us is unique in God's sight and every one of us is valued enough by Him for Him to die for us.
When did it all begin?
I recently met the church members I had gone on a mission trip to Central Asia with two years ago. Our trip leader, who has since gone on to OMF to be a full-time missionary in Lopburi, about twenty minutes' drive from Bangkok, returned for a visit and so we arranged for dinner.
During dinner, we were talking about how we came to know the Lord. Surprisingly, of the seven of us, three had one way or another attended Sunday School before. When it came to my turn, I told the rest that I got the goosebumps when I heard my senior pastor say some time back that in the beginning, Church of Our Saviour had held its services at this small facility at Prince Charles Crescent close to 20 years back before the church moved to the current Margaret Drive premises.
First a little something about how I landed up at Church of Our Saviour: One of my former colleagues (who is in full-time ministry now) brought me to Christ in 2001 and I started attending the church that he and his wife were serving at. I was there for a year but somehow or other, I kept missing the membership courses during that year. I also prayed to God about whether this was the church He wants me to settle in, and I felt that His answer was "no".
Then in December 2001, my cousin came back from the US and she invited me to a service at Church of Our Saviour. At that time, I had prayed to God for three things: direct me to the church He wants me to settle in, what the biblical perspective of money is, and what His calling for me is.
When I went with my cousin for my first ever service at Church of Our Saviour, I received two things at the door - one was a pamphlet of upcoming mission trips for 2002 and the other was a schedule of baptism and membership courses for 2002.
I stepped into the main auditorium, and immediately I thanked God and said to Him, "Lord, I'm finally home." I knew in my spirit then (in fact, every part of me) that it was the church God wanted me to be in. And the subject of the sermon? The role of money in a Christian's life.
I remembered that I was so happy that day because I knew that God had answered all my prayers. The following day, I went to work and told my colleague that I was switching churches. He was absolutely flabbergasted and kept asking me why. This was the same reaction I received from the pastor at his church, who was mentoring me, whom I also told immediately. I told them that God wanted me to attend Church of Our Saviour and to serve there. From then on, I have been attending Church of Our Saviour. I was baptised and confirmed in May 2002.
Coming back to the goosebumps: My family and relatives were living at Prince Charles Crescent during those times when Church of Our Saviour held services there. I had often heard my two aunties saying that when they were young, they would always sneak out to go and listen to sermons despite my grandmother's objections. The dots didn't connect until I realised recently that they had gone to listen to my senior pastor, who was then young and absolutely on fire for the Lord, and still is very much so today. So for me, in a sense, it was coming full circle. That I would land up at the church which had been located so close to my home when I was still a kid.
One of my aunties and her husband also regularly brought us to Sunday School at Grace Assembly of God. My uncle would let us get into the driver's seat and pretend to drive the car around the carpark. In a sense, they were also our parents because they always brought us out and every weekend, they drove us up to their house in Teban Gardens. They supervised our homework and my auntie sang songs (Christian and folk songs) to us. God took my uncle home many years back (and blessed my auntie with a daughter). I'm so looking forward to seeing him in Heaven when God deems it time to bring me home.
As one of the mission trip members said during the dinner, thank God that we were in Sunday School when we were young, because the Sunday School teachers prayed for us back then and we are today the beneficiaries of their care, their devotion and their many prayers for our salvation.
Truly prayers avail much and I probably won't know how many and who prayed for my salvation but I am sure glad and extremely grateful and humbled that they did.
Truly, my feelings are like that of the words in Ray Boltz's song "Thank You":
During dinner, we were talking about how we came to know the Lord. Surprisingly, of the seven of us, three had one way or another attended Sunday School before. When it came to my turn, I told the rest that I got the goosebumps when I heard my senior pastor say some time back that in the beginning, Church of Our Saviour had held its services at this small facility at Prince Charles Crescent close to 20 years back before the church moved to the current Margaret Drive premises.
First a little something about how I landed up at Church of Our Saviour: One of my former colleagues (who is in full-time ministry now) brought me to Christ in 2001 and I started attending the church that he and his wife were serving at. I was there for a year but somehow or other, I kept missing the membership courses during that year. I also prayed to God about whether this was the church He wants me to settle in, and I felt that His answer was "no".
Then in December 2001, my cousin came back from the US and she invited me to a service at Church of Our Saviour. At that time, I had prayed to God for three things: direct me to the church He wants me to settle in, what the biblical perspective of money is, and what His calling for me is.
When I went with my cousin for my first ever service at Church of Our Saviour, I received two things at the door - one was a pamphlet of upcoming mission trips for 2002 and the other was a schedule of baptism and membership courses for 2002.
I stepped into the main auditorium, and immediately I thanked God and said to Him, "Lord, I'm finally home." I knew in my spirit then (in fact, every part of me) that it was the church God wanted me to be in. And the subject of the sermon? The role of money in a Christian's life.
I remembered that I was so happy that day because I knew that God had answered all my prayers. The following day, I went to work and told my colleague that I was switching churches. He was absolutely flabbergasted and kept asking me why. This was the same reaction I received from the pastor at his church, who was mentoring me, whom I also told immediately. I told them that God wanted me to attend Church of Our Saviour and to serve there. From then on, I have been attending Church of Our Saviour. I was baptised and confirmed in May 2002.
Coming back to the goosebumps: My family and relatives were living at Prince Charles Crescent during those times when Church of Our Saviour held services there. I had often heard my two aunties saying that when they were young, they would always sneak out to go and listen to sermons despite my grandmother's objections. The dots didn't connect until I realised recently that they had gone to listen to my senior pastor, who was then young and absolutely on fire for the Lord, and still is very much so today. So for me, in a sense, it was coming full circle. That I would land up at the church which had been located so close to my home when I was still a kid.
One of my aunties and her husband also regularly brought us to Sunday School at Grace Assembly of God. My uncle would let us get into the driver's seat and pretend to drive the car around the carpark. In a sense, they were also our parents because they always brought us out and every weekend, they drove us up to their house in Teban Gardens. They supervised our homework and my auntie sang songs (Christian and folk songs) to us. God took my uncle home many years back (and blessed my auntie with a daughter). I'm so looking forward to seeing him in Heaven when God deems it time to bring me home.
As one of the mission trip members said during the dinner, thank God that we were in Sunday School when we were young, because the Sunday School teachers prayed for us back then and we are today the beneficiaries of their care, their devotion and their many prayers for our salvation.
Truly prayers avail much and I probably won't know how many and who prayed for my salvation but I am sure glad and extremely grateful and humbled that they did.
Truly, my feelings are like that of the words in Ray Boltz's song "Thank You":
Thank you for giving to the Lord.
I am a life that was changed.
Thank you for giving to the Lord.
I am so glad you gave.
Thank you for giving to the Lord.
I am a life that was changed.
Thank you for giving to the Lord.
I am so glad you gave.
Saturday, July 12, 2008
Tizzy Bac concert
I just want to thank God that He gave me an immense curiosity and hunger for new experiences in all facets of my life. I also thank God that He gave me a love for words and music, which have enriched my life beyond what I could ever have hoped for and for which I am extremely humbled and grateful for.
Just attended the Tizzy Bac concert at the Esplanade Recital Studio. I went to the concert with my cousin (who got hooked after I lent her a Tizzy Bac album) and one of my friends (who was game enough to agree to go for the concert despite not having heard Tizzy Bac music before).
After the concert, this friend of mine was so impressed with the band music that she asked me to lend her my Tizzy Bac albums. Mind you, she doesn't really follow Mandarin indie-pop or alternative music. She was also the kind soul who helped take pictures for us, using my cousin's handphone.
I have the bands' two albums and so I bought two EPs so that my cousin and I could get their autographs on the CDs.
Another reason the band now has my lifelong support: When it was my turn for the autograph signing, the bassist kept trying to adjust the sleeve note on my EP so that it would slide inside the groove because it was loose. He kept doing it until the sleeve note slid into the groove before he signed on the CD itself. I felt that it said something about him and the band.
During the concert, the lead singer and keyboardist Huiting mentioned that she really really liked fried carrot cake, and that she wouldn't mind eating it every day for the rest of her life, and that the band was thinking of how they could franchise it in Taiwan. :-)
We had ice cream at Swensen's following the end of the autograph signing. When I reached home, I went to the Tizzy Bac website and left this message:
Hi, absolutely loved your live performance here at Esplanade Singapore!
- Fantastic understanding among the band members. An absolute joy to watch and listen.
- Keep the fire forever in your heart and make the music that you believe in and are passionate about. You will always have fans supporting you all the way, me included!
- I think I have all your albums so far, and am waiting in great expectation of your third album, and your next performance in Singapore.
- Persevere in making the kind of music you want to make, and be always true to yourself.
- All the best and always remember that you have fans here in Singapore supporting you!
- TIZZY BAC ROCKS!!!!
Wednesday, July 9, 2008
Common Sense by Thomas Paine
During one of the busiest months of my work, I took to reading Common Sense by Thomas Paine, George Washington's farewell address and the US Constitution. Predictably, I bought the three books in Washington D.C. when I visited a friend last year. Just found them in my room and, on a whim, decided to read them.
I started with Paine's Common Sense. It was written in 1776, challenging the authority of the British government and monarchy, and also the first document/book to openly seek US independence from Great Britain.
I haven't finished reading the book, but its contents made me realise that truly, the US was a nation founded by men of Christian faith. Paine drew parallels between the British monarchy and the kings of the Bible. Two brilliant excerpts below:
I started with Paine's Common Sense. It was written in 1776, challenging the authority of the British government and monarchy, and also the first document/book to openly seek US independence from Great Britain.
I haven't finished reading the book, but its contents made me realise that truly, the US was a nation founded by men of Christian faith. Paine drew parallels between the British monarchy and the kings of the Bible. Two brilliant excerpts below:
In the early ages of the world, according to the scripture chronology there were no kings; the consequence of which was, there were no wars; it is the pride of kings which throws mankind into confusion. Holland, without a king hath enjoyed more peace for this last century than any of the monarchical governments in Europe. Antiquity favours the same remark; for the quiet and rural lives of the first Patriarchs have a snappy something in them, which vanishes when we come to the history of Jewish royalty.
Government by kings was first introduced into the world by the Heathens, from whom the children of Israel copied the custom. It was the most prosperous invention the Devil ever set on foot for the promotion of idolatry. The Heathens paid divine honours to their deceased kings, and the Christian World hath improved on the plan by doing the same to their living ones. How impious is the title of sacred Majesty applied to a worm, who in the midst of his splendor is crumbling into dust!
As the exalting one man so greatly above the rest cannot be justified on the equal rights of nature, so neither can it be defended on the authority of scripture; for the will of the Almighty as declared by Gideon, and the prophet Samuel, expressly disapproves of government by Kings.
All anti-monarchical parts of scripture have been very smoothly glossed over in monarchical governments, but they undoubtedly merit the attention of countries which have their governments yet to form. "Render unto Cesar the things which are Cesar's" is the scripture doctrine of courts, yet it is no support of monarchical government, for the Jews at that time were without a king, and in a state of vassalage to the Romans.
Near three thousand years passed away, from the Mosaic account of the creation, till the Jews under a national delusion requested a king. Till then their form of government (except in extraordinary cases where the Almighty interposed) was a kind of Republic, administered by a judge and the elders of the tribes. Kings they had none, and it was held sinful to acknowledge any being under that title but the Lord of Hosts. And when a man seriously reflects on the idolatrous homage which is paid to the persons of kings, he need not wonder that the Almighty, ever jealous of his honour, should disapprove a form of government which so impiously invades the prerogative of Heaven.
Wednesday, July 2, 2008
Compassion or pity
Yesterday, I bought some food at Golden Shoe Complex. As I was queuing up, I noticed a cleaner. He was a hunchback, and couldn't stand straight. What he had to do was lean on the trolley that he was wheeling around in order to collect dirty plates, bowls and utensils. He was clearing the plates in a pretty rough manner, throwing them hastily into the bin.
I looked at him and suddenly I felt like buying him a box of bird's nest, giving it to him and telling him "thanks" for his cleaning services. I also wanted to pray for him to be healed. Following that thought, I asked myself whether what I had felt was compassion or pity.
This "compassion or pity" thing troubled me greatly enough for me to ask my boss and my colleagues today what the difference was. My boss looked up the root form of both words - pity implies a feeling, condescension and nothing more, whereas compassion encompasses empathy and sympathy with being moved to action. So after that, I was more reassured that what I had felt was compassion rather than pity.
I wonder: If five or more people went up to him every day to say "thank you", would he then be more cheerful in doing his job and feel more appreciated and more valued?
I looked at him and suddenly I felt like buying him a box of bird's nest, giving it to him and telling him "thanks" for his cleaning services. I also wanted to pray for him to be healed. Following that thought, I asked myself whether what I had felt was compassion or pity.
This "compassion or pity" thing troubled me greatly enough for me to ask my boss and my colleagues today what the difference was. My boss looked up the root form of both words - pity implies a feeling, condescension and nothing more, whereas compassion encompasses empathy and sympathy with being moved to action. So after that, I was more reassured that what I had felt was compassion rather than pity.
I wonder: If five or more people went up to him every day to say "thank you", would he then be more cheerful in doing his job and feel more appreciated and more valued?
The important things
I was replying to e-mails from my group of close friends when these thoughts came to my mind, and I e-mailed them the excerpt below.
It took me many years to realise that:
- Other people may not like what you like.
- Other people are not interested in what you're interested in.
- Being different is good.
- Just because someone doesn't agree with you doesn't mean that you are right and he is wrong
- Some people will like you regardless of what you do, while others will never like you regardless of what you do.
- Be accepting of other people's different viewpoints, faults etc because they are also accepting of yours.
- The key to happiness is contentment.
- Accept people at their level so that they, too, can accept you at your level.
- A simple, boring life is a beautiful life.
- Joy comes from within the heart, and is not found in things, situations or other people.
- People will let you down sometimes, and it's all right and we should take it well because we will also let people down sometimes.
- Self-confidence comes from knowing your value in your own eyes, not through the eyes of another person. (In my case, my value is derived from how God views me - loving me enough to die in my place - so yes, I feel very loved and valued).
- Being able to love oneself and forgive oneself is important for emotional health.
- View every negative comment in a constructive manner and every positive remark with a measured tone.
- It's good to do something silly, impulsive or break out of one's comfort zone once in a while because this helps me cope with life.
Afterthought: I just pray that whenever a situation arises during which I have to defend Christ and my faith, I am able to do so with courage, clarity, wisdom and love.
Afterthought: I just pray that whenever a situation arises during which I have to defend Christ and my faith, I am able to do so with courage, clarity, wisdom and love.
Monday, June 30, 2008
A real star: Joey Yung 容祖儿
I decided on a lark to go up to Genting Highlands over a weekend just to catch Joey Yung in concert. Two weeks before the trip, I had no inkling of any of her songs. So I went on a crash course, listening to her songs day and night literally.
During the concert, Joey's voice was crystal clear and very good. She hardly sounded strained despite lots of gruelling dance steps and movements. She appeared to injure her back slightly during one of the dances early on. I knew something was wrong because she didn't execute one of the steps properly, and following that, when she was talking to the audience, her face seemed a bit pained and she was subtly stretching her back. It was quite worrying for me at that stage, because any fan would not have wanted her to continue just in case that was a serious injury. Thankfully, she seemed okay as the concert wore on.
What I really appreciated was that Joey gave her 150% during the concert. I could really see that she was giving her best. I was seated about 15 rows from the stage and was the only one apart from 20-odd fan club members, who stood up after every song, cheered loudly, screamed and danced. I think I was in her direct line of vision and she saw me and she smiled broadly at me. :-)
When I was told by the minders that I couldn't dance at where I was seated, I moved to dance beside the sound control box during her fast song segment. Ha! :-) Since I was so energetic, the people beside me caught my fever and four of them stood up to dance as well. Ha ha ha!
Joey had two encores that night. People started leaving after the first encore but we of course stayed back. We then started screaming and clapping and whistling. Everyone started moving towards the front, so a metal barrier was the only thing that separated us from Joey.
Joey was very accommodating to her fans. One of them shouted that she wanted to sing a song with Joey, who very sportingly asked her to come up to the stage. She hugged her fan, who was tearing as she sang. The guys around me were hilarious: they kept moaning and saying "aiyoh, wasted, why not us, why not us?"
I could see her really close upfront, and this was the closest I've been to an artiste. So it was very cool for me. All the fans looked very happy and everyone was snapping pictures like crazy. There was this guy who kept motioning in my direction. So I pointed to one girl and he nodded his head. His girlfriend obviously ran ahead of him and forgot about him, who was left behind. I tapped the girl on her shoulder and pointed to him. She laughed and waved at him. After that, she continued to scream, shout and take pictures of Joey, ignoring him. That was quite a funny moment.
The concert started at 8.30pm and finished around 11pm or later. I would say that I made the right decision to catch Joey live in concert. :-)
When the concert ended, one of the announcements was that an upcoming artiste would be Sammi Cheng. If Sammi doesn't make her way to Singapore, I will definitely make my way to Genting's Arena of Stars to catch her live. :-)
PS: The crappy, blurred photos are my fault. I took only my handphone with me to the concert, thinking that cameras would not be allowed. Sigh...I was so wrong.
Monday, June 23, 2008
Where is our place of ministry?
I had a pretty nice conversation with a cab driver just now. He picked me up at YWCA Fort Canning Lodge lobby, and following that, he started to chat with me. Interestingly, a lot can be learnt from a person just by listening to him.
He started off by asking me for my preferred route home and then he started talking about cars, homes and the wealthy. He said that he usually brings his wife and his parents to Genting for a holiday because it was the cheapest destination. As well, he would also travel to Thailand. Then he talked about providing for his family and how he felt that even the rich have their own set of troubles. We started discussing about life and what it meant to be happy. I told him that to me, a contented life is a happy life, and that there would always be ups and downs in life and the main thing is how one responds to a setback.
He then told me that he was very upset by what one customer said to him. The customer had asked him, "You're so young. Why do you want to be a taxi driver instead of getting a proper job?" I then said that it was not a very nice thing for the customer to say. As a taxi driver, he is earning money, working hard and supporting his family. That is a good thing, and something that nobody can take away from him.
He then told me that he was always involved in business ideas and that he had his own business, but that was difficult to sustain and so he turned to driving a taxi because he didn't have very high educational qualifications. I told him about my brother-in-law and my elder sister, and how their wooden-furniture business had to close after five years because it was no longer viable.
I then added that what was important was that both he and my brother-in-law and my elder sister had given starting an own business a try and this was commendable and brave. That he could say that he had given his best and there were lessons that he could learn through his experience.
He then laughingly said: "I used to "cheong" a lot but now I've to be more grounded and take a stable job so that I can support my family." I told him that he can say that he has at least given it a shot in his life. And that he is earning a decent income as a taxi driver and he is supporting his family - this is something to be proud of because there are many other people out there who are still refusing to accept reality and not work hard at keeping a stable job. I cited him an example of someone I know. I also said that a job doesn't define a person, and that as long as someone is working hard and earning an income, then that is all that matters. He said that yes, it's true.
Pretty soon, the journey came to an end. I paid him the cab fare and then thanked him, saying "Thank you for a very nice conversation. Take care!"
Sometimes, Christians have this mistaken notion that one must be doing something really big or significant in order to be labelled as "serving God", but for the majority of us, our service and ministry revolves around the people that we see, interact with or bump into every single day of our lives.
For this cab driver, I reckon he needed first a listening ear and secondly, some encouragement and affirmation. I did not mention God or Jesus at all, but I pray that he received some hope from me, and that could be just what he needed at this point in his life.
He started off by asking me for my preferred route home and then he started talking about cars, homes and the wealthy. He said that he usually brings his wife and his parents to Genting for a holiday because it was the cheapest destination. As well, he would also travel to Thailand. Then he talked about providing for his family and how he felt that even the rich have their own set of troubles. We started discussing about life and what it meant to be happy. I told him that to me, a contented life is a happy life, and that there would always be ups and downs in life and the main thing is how one responds to a setback.
He then told me that he was very upset by what one customer said to him. The customer had asked him, "You're so young. Why do you want to be a taxi driver instead of getting a proper job?" I then said that it was not a very nice thing for the customer to say. As a taxi driver, he is earning money, working hard and supporting his family. That is a good thing, and something that nobody can take away from him.
He then told me that he was always involved in business ideas and that he had his own business, but that was difficult to sustain and so he turned to driving a taxi because he didn't have very high educational qualifications. I told him about my brother-in-law and my elder sister, and how their wooden-furniture business had to close after five years because it was no longer viable.
I then added that what was important was that both he and my brother-in-law and my elder sister had given starting an own business a try and this was commendable and brave. That he could say that he had given his best and there were lessons that he could learn through his experience.
He then laughingly said: "I used to "cheong" a lot but now I've to be more grounded and take a stable job so that I can support my family." I told him that he can say that he has at least given it a shot in his life. And that he is earning a decent income as a taxi driver and he is supporting his family - this is something to be proud of because there are many other people out there who are still refusing to accept reality and not work hard at keeping a stable job. I cited him an example of someone I know. I also said that a job doesn't define a person, and that as long as someone is working hard and earning an income, then that is all that matters. He said that yes, it's true.
Pretty soon, the journey came to an end. I paid him the cab fare and then thanked him, saying "Thank you for a very nice conversation. Take care!"
Sometimes, Christians have this mistaken notion that one must be doing something really big or significant in order to be labelled as "serving God", but for the majority of us, our service and ministry revolves around the people that we see, interact with or bump into every single day of our lives.
For this cab driver, I reckon he needed first a listening ear and secondly, some encouragement and affirmation. I did not mention God or Jesus at all, but I pray that he received some hope from me, and that could be just what he needed at this point in his life.
A deep and serious malady of the soul
I came across this wonderful quote from A.W Tozer:
A generation of Christians reared among push buttons and automatic machines is impatient of slower and less direct methods of reaching their goals. We have been trying to apply machine-age methods to our relations with God. We read our chapter, have our short devotions, and rush away, hoping to make up for our deep inward bankruptcy by attending another gospel meeting or listening to another thrilling story told by a religious adventurer lately returned from afar. The tragic results of this spirit are all about us. Shallow lives, hollow religious philosophies, the preponderance of the element of fun in gospel meetings, the glorification of men, trust in religious externalities, quasi-religious fellowships, salesmanship methods, the mistaking of dynamic personality for the power of the Spirit; these and such as these are the symptoms of an evil disease, a deep and serious malady of the soul.
A generation of Christians reared among push buttons and automatic machines is impatient of slower and less direct methods of reaching their goals. We have been trying to apply machine-age methods to our relations with God. We read our chapter, have our short devotions, and rush away, hoping to make up for our deep inward bankruptcy by attending another gospel meeting or listening to another thrilling story told by a religious adventurer lately returned from afar. The tragic results of this spirit are all about us. Shallow lives, hollow religious philosophies, the preponderance of the element of fun in gospel meetings, the glorification of men, trust in religious externalities, quasi-religious fellowships, salesmanship methods, the mistaking of dynamic personality for the power of the Spirit; these and such as these are the symptoms of an evil disease, a deep and serious malady of the soul.
A Wrinkle In Time
I just finished reading this children's book called A Wrinkle In Time by Madeleine L'Engle, who surprisingly gave a Christian twist to her series. Here are some phrases scattered through the book which I found interesting:
Le coeur a ses raisons que la raison ne connait point (Pascal, French)
The heart has its reasons, whereof reason knows nothing.
Ab honesto virum bonum nihil deterret (Seneca)
Nothing deters a good man from doing what is honourable.
Justitiae soror fides (Latin)
Faith is the sister of justice.
Come t'e picciol fallo amaro morso (Dante)
What grievous pain a little fault doth give thee
Finxerunt animi, raro et perpauca loquentis (Horace)
To action little, less to words inclined
Vitam impendere vero (Latin)
To stake one's life for the truth
Qui plus sait, plus se tait (French)
The more a man knows, the less he talks
Das werk lobt den meister (German)
The work proves the craftsman
La experiencia es la madre de la ciencia (Cervantes, Spanish)
Experience is the mother of knowledge
Que la terre est petite a qui la voit des cieux (Delille)
How small is the earth to him who looks from heaven
...For that he was a spirit too delicate
To act their earthy and abhorr'd commands,
Refusing their grand hests, they did confine him
By help of their most potent minsters,
And in their most unmitigable rage,
Into a cloven pine; within which rift
Imprisoned, he didst painfully remain....
(The Tempest, Shakespeare)
Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men.
For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called:
But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty;
And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are.
(1 Corinthians 1:25-28, King James Version)
Le coeur a ses raisons que la raison ne connait point (Pascal, French)
The heart has its reasons, whereof reason knows nothing.
Ab honesto virum bonum nihil deterret (Seneca)
Nothing deters a good man from doing what is honourable.
Justitiae soror fides (Latin)
Faith is the sister of justice.
Come t'e picciol fallo amaro morso (Dante)
What grievous pain a little fault doth give thee
Finxerunt animi, raro et perpauca loquentis (Horace)
To action little, less to words inclined
Vitam impendere vero (Latin)
To stake one's life for the truth
Qui plus sait, plus se tait (French)
The more a man knows, the less he talks
Das werk lobt den meister (German)
The work proves the craftsman
La experiencia es la madre de la ciencia (Cervantes, Spanish)
Experience is the mother of knowledge
Que la terre est petite a qui la voit des cieux (Delille)
How small is the earth to him who looks from heaven
...For that he was a spirit too delicate
To act their earthy and abhorr'd commands,
Refusing their grand hests, they did confine him
By help of their most potent minsters,
And in their most unmitigable rage,
Into a cloven pine; within which rift
Imprisoned, he didst painfully remain....
(The Tempest, Shakespeare)
Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men.
For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called:
But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty;
And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are.
(1 Corinthians 1:25-28, King James Version)
Sunday, June 22, 2008
Thursday, June 12, 2008
Predestination and free will
I had an interesting discussion with a colleague about predestination and free will. I told her that it was a weighty topic and I did not know enough about it. We threw up a few things and following that, I decided to google it and came upon this Spurgeon extract, which, to me, was a pretty good explanation of the two truths. I've not studied the subject enough or read the bible thoroughly enough to get a grip on these two truths but I thought Spurgeon's comments hit the nail on the spot.
C.H.Spurgeon:
The system of truth is not one straight line, but two. No man will ever get a right view of the gospel until he knows how to look at the two lines at once.
I am taught in one book to believe that what I sow I shall reap: I am taught in another place, that "it is not of him that willeth nor of him that runneth, but of God that showeth mercy."
I see in one place, God presiding over all in providence; and yet I see, and I cannot help seeing, that man acts as he pleases, and that God has left his actions to his own will, in a great measure.
Now, if I were to declare that man was so free to act, that there was no presidence of God over his actions, I should be driven very near to Atheism; and if, on the other hand, I declare that God so overrules all things, as that man is not free enough to be responsible, I am driven at once into Antinomianism or fatalism.
That God predestines, and that man is responsible, are two things that few can see. They are believed to be inconsistent and contradictory; but they are not. It is just the fault of our weak judgment. Two truths cannot be contradictory to each other.
If, then, I find taught in one place that everything is fore-ordained, that is true; and if I find in another place that man is responsible for all his actions, that is true; and it is my folly that leads me to imagine that two truths can ever contradict each other.
These two truths, I do not believe, can ever be welded into one upon any human anvil, but one they shall be in eternity: they are two lines that are so nearly parallel, that the mind that shall pursue them farthest, will never discover that they converge; but they do converge, and they will meet somewhere in eternity, close to the throne of God, whence all truth doth spring.
C.H.Spurgeon:
The system of truth is not one straight line, but two. No man will ever get a right view of the gospel until he knows how to look at the two lines at once.
I am taught in one book to believe that what I sow I shall reap: I am taught in another place, that "it is not of him that willeth nor of him that runneth, but of God that showeth mercy."
I see in one place, God presiding over all in providence; and yet I see, and I cannot help seeing, that man acts as he pleases, and that God has left his actions to his own will, in a great measure.
Now, if I were to declare that man was so free to act, that there was no presidence of God over his actions, I should be driven very near to Atheism; and if, on the other hand, I declare that God so overrules all things, as that man is not free enough to be responsible, I am driven at once into Antinomianism or fatalism.
That God predestines, and that man is responsible, are two things that few can see. They are believed to be inconsistent and contradictory; but they are not. It is just the fault of our weak judgment. Two truths cannot be contradictory to each other.
If, then, I find taught in one place that everything is fore-ordained, that is true; and if I find in another place that man is responsible for all his actions, that is true; and it is my folly that leads me to imagine that two truths can ever contradict each other.
These two truths, I do not believe, can ever be welded into one upon any human anvil, but one they shall be in eternity: they are two lines that are so nearly parallel, that the mind that shall pursue them farthest, will never discover that they converge; but they do converge, and they will meet somewhere in eternity, close to the throne of God, whence all truth doth spring.
Tuesday, June 3, 2008
Eternal love of Christ
Another Christian song from the same 512 charity concert.
爱是不保留(电影《天作之盒》主题曲)
Love of No Reserve
演唱：林志美(中文版)、区瑞强(英文版)
常听说世界爱没长久
I've always been told love won't last long
哪里会有爱无尽头
Nowhere can one find eternal love
尘俗的爱只在乎曾拥有
They never care how long love will go on
一刻灿烂便要走
Just a moment, it slips away
而我却确信爱是恒久
But I believe in eternal love
碰到了你已无别求
Being with you is all I wish
无从解释 不可说明的爱
You never know why, love is beyond words
千秋过后仍长存不朽
No matter when, it is still there
谁人受痛苦被悬挂在木头
Who suffered for us and carried the holy cross
至高的爱尽见于刺穿的手
The greatest love is all seen in Jesus' hands
看 血在流反映爱没保留
See! Blood is proving love of no reserve
持续不死的爱到万世不休
Everlasting love until the end of time
惟求奉上生命全归主所有
Wishing I could give my whole life to the Lord
要将一切尽献于我主的手
Your arms are opening wide to hold me close
我已决定今生再没所求
I'll never find another one like you
惟望得主称赞已足够
Setting my soul free with praise and love
爱是不保留(电影《天作之盒》主题曲)
Love of No Reserve
演唱：林志美(中文版)、区瑞强(英文版)
常听说世界爱没长久
I've always been told love won't last long
哪里会有爱无尽头
Nowhere can one find eternal love
尘俗的爱只在乎曾拥有
They never care how long love will go on
一刻灿烂便要走
Just a moment, it slips away
而我却确信爱是恒久
But I believe in eternal love
碰到了你已无别求
Being with you is all I wish
无从解释 不可说明的爱
You never know why, love is beyond words
千秋过后仍长存不朽
No matter when, it is still there
谁人受痛苦被悬挂在木头
Who suffered for us and carried the holy cross
至高的爱尽见于刺穿的手
The greatest love is all seen in Jesus' hands
看 血在流反映爱没保留
See! Blood is proving love of no reserve
持续不死的爱到万世不休
Everlasting love until the end of time
惟求奉上生命全归主所有
Wishing I could give my whole life to the Lord
要将一切尽献于我主的手
Your arms are opening wide to hold me close
我已决定今生再没所求
I'll never find another one like you
惟望得主称赞已足够
Setting my soul free with praise and love
When you feel weary
It was such a joy to hear the HK Christian artistes sing a Cantonese Christian song during a charity concert for the Sichuan earthquake victims. They sang it well, with heart and the lyrics are very meaningful. I don't think I can do justice to the Cantonese version through my English translation but here's the song in Cantonese and my translated version.
當你走到無力......
當你走到無力 - 徐偉賢
當你走到無力繼續下去
當你感到寂寞困惱空虛
只要相信神隨時扶助你
願助你解開困惑拋開痛悲
當你跑到疲乏難再下去
當你感到疑惑說我是誰
只要相信神完全明白你
就讓你伸手接受他深愛你
別害怕他知你難受
擔當軟弱與困憂
不需再懼怕
耶穌必拯救
願你開口接受 張開你手
別害怕他知你難受
擔當軟弱與困憂
不需再懼怕
耶穌必拯救
讓你一生快樂展翅高飛
一個全新的你
When you feel so weary that you can't carry on
When you feel alone, troubled and empty
Have faith and believe that God is always there, to help and support you
Delivering you from your troubles and your sorrows
When you feel so tired that you can't carry on
When you feel doubt encircle you, asking "Who am I"
Have faith and believe that God understands you completely
Just stretch your hand and accept His deep love
Be not afraid that He knows of your suffering
Of your weaknesses and your troubles
You need not fear
Because Jesus Christ is the Saviour
So accept Him and embrace Him
Be not afraid that He knows of your suffering
Of your weaknesses and your troubles
You need not fear
Because Jesus Christ is the Saviour
Living a life of happiness, with your wings spread wide
Becoming a new you
當你走到無力......
當你走到無力 - 徐偉賢
當你走到無力繼續下去
當你感到寂寞困惱空虛
只要相信神隨時扶助你
願助你解開困惑拋開痛悲
當你跑到疲乏難再下去
當你感到疑惑說我是誰
只要相信神完全明白你
就讓你伸手接受他深愛你
別害怕他知你難受
擔當軟弱與困憂
不需再懼怕
耶穌必拯救
願你開口接受 張開你手
別害怕他知你難受
擔當軟弱與困憂
不需再懼怕
耶穌必拯救
讓你一生快樂展翅高飛
一個全新的你
When you feel so weary that you can't carry on
When you feel alone, troubled and empty
Have faith and believe that God is always there, to help and support you
Delivering you from your troubles and your sorrows
When you feel so tired that you can't carry on
When you feel doubt encircle you, asking "Who am I"
Have faith and believe that God understands you completely
Just stretch your hand and accept His deep love
Be not afraid that He knows of your suffering
Of your weaknesses and your troubles
You need not fear
Because Jesus Christ is the Saviour
So accept Him and embrace Him
Be not afraid that He knows of your suffering
Of your weaknesses and your troubles
You need not fear
Because Jesus Christ is the Saviour
Living a life of happiness, with your wings spread wide
Becoming a new you
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
Darkness at noon
I was in Taipei when the Sichuan earthquake struck, and I had no inkling of the severity of it until I flew back to Singapore. I had not seen any TV footage of the destruction, and even though there are so many video clips on youtube now, I am still at a loss as to how and where to start.
From what I could tell, those who saw the TV footage were very affected by it because many children died and there were many clips showing their bodies and grieving parents and grandparents, even nurses. And I read many accounts, which illuminated humankind at its best - heroes, charity concerts, Jet Li, Jackie Chan, soldiers, men in the street, rescuers going without sleep - and at its worst - looting.
I told my colleagues that I wanted to look at the TV news footage, and they asked me why I wanted to see things that would make me sad. I couldn't respond at that time. Now, after some thought, I think I want to see those video footage because I want to share in this collective grief, which makes me human.
Now every day, I'm reading online reports of the latest developments in the earthquake zone. As some have rightly said, charity doesn't just end at charity concerts and the here and now, but there is a need to ensure that the process of rebuilding, which could take years, is also well taken care of. As such, efforts by Chinese, HK and Taiwanese artistes have focused on not only just the immediate needs but the longer-term redevelopment of the devastated areas.
I remember someone saying that the saddest and hardest thing for parents to bear is that their child dies first. In the Sichuan earthquake, my sadness comes from thinking of the life a child could have lived if he hadn't died, and the many many things of this earth that he will never experience; however, this grief is cloaked in joy because I know that this earth will never match up to the wondrous place that is heaven.
My prayer is that God will send His love to those suffering through ways in which He knows will touch their hearts the most, and give them peace and closure.
From what I could tell, those who saw the TV footage were very affected by it because many children died and there were many clips showing their bodies and grieving parents and grandparents, even nurses. And I read many accounts, which illuminated humankind at its best - heroes, charity concerts, Jet Li, Jackie Chan, soldiers, men in the street, rescuers going without sleep - and at its worst - looting.
I told my colleagues that I wanted to look at the TV news footage, and they asked me why I wanted to see things that would make me sad. I couldn't respond at that time. Now, after some thought, I think I want to see those video footage because I want to share in this collective grief, which makes me human.
Now every day, I'm reading online reports of the latest developments in the earthquake zone. As some have rightly said, charity doesn't just end at charity concerts and the here and now, but there is a need to ensure that the process of rebuilding, which could take years, is also well taken care of. As such, efforts by Chinese, HK and Taiwanese artistes have focused on not only just the immediate needs but the longer-term redevelopment of the devastated areas.
I remember someone saying that the saddest and hardest thing for parents to bear is that their child dies first. In the Sichuan earthquake, my sadness comes from thinking of the life a child could have lived if he hadn't died, and the many many things of this earth that he will never experience; however, this grief is cloaked in joy because I know that this earth will never match up to the wondrous place that is heaven.
My prayer is that God will send His love to those suffering through ways in which He knows will touch their hearts the most, and give them peace and closure.
Monday, May 26, 2008
Another fruit
Ever so often, one comes across a person, an event, a video that encapsulates God's love. I just watched a youtube video of a little Korean girl, Ye Eun, who was born blind and could play the piano by the age of 3 on her own. God must have deemed her really special to give her such a gift as perfect pitch and the ability to play the piano without any training at all.
I loved a Korean song about Jesus that she sang in the video. The lyrics go like this:
Thank you although I didn't quite understand
What an important being I am
From the beginning of the earth till now, Your (Jesus) love
Has been giving it to me
Thank you very much for teaching that love
That was approved from God
With Christ's love I'll serve you more
You are meant to be loved
and to pass that love
You have planted Christ's love
Wishing for another fruit
Wishing for another fruit
The video also featured Connie Talbot singing alongside Ee Yun. What's the measure of Connie? At the end of their performance, Connie kissed Ee Yun and also gave her encouraging rubs on her back. I was very impressed by Connie because such actions come from a kind and loving heart. A heart that reflects Christ.
I loved a Korean song about Jesus that she sang in the video. The lyrics go like this:
Thank you although I didn't quite understand
What an important being I am
From the beginning of the earth till now, Your (Jesus) love
Has been giving it to me
Thank you very much for teaching that love
That was approved from God
With Christ's love I'll serve you more
You are meant to be loved
and to pass that love
You have planted Christ's love
Wishing for another fruit
Wishing for another fruit
The video also featured Connie Talbot singing alongside Ee Yun. What's the measure of Connie? At the end of their performance, Connie kissed Ee Yun and also gave her encouraging rubs on her back. I was very impressed by Connie because such actions come from a kind and loving heart. A heart that reflects Christ.
Thursday, May 15, 2008
When small things matter
On my flight back from a trip to Taipei, I was sitting next to this twenty-something girl who looked a tad pale and sick. I noticed tears flowing down her cheek at one stage. I tend to get very affected by such things. I tapped her shoulder and pushed a tissue paper into her hand and asked her if she needed a hot Milo drink. She said no and thanked me for the tissue paper. After that, she closed her eyes and was asleep for most of the journey.
When the plane landed at Changi Airport, she opened the overhead compartment and asked me in Mandarin if the bag of stuff was mine. I replied to say yes and told her not to worry about me and to take care of her own belongings. When the cabin door opened, she smiled at me and waved bye to me. I felt very happy just to be able to help a stranger in that small way.
When the plane landed at Changi Airport, she opened the overhead compartment and asked me in Mandarin if the bag of stuff was mine. I replied to say yes and told her not to worry about me and to take care of her own belongings. When the cabin door opened, she smiled at me and waved bye to me. I felt very happy just to be able to help a stranger in that small way.
Monday, April 7, 2008
God came near
This Sunday past, I attended the 4pm service after a badminton session. I had not known that it was to be a confirmation service and that an assistant bishop would be giving the sermon as well as officiating at the service. I was edified by his sermon which focused on three Ss - Scripture, Sacrament and the Holy Spirit.
We had Holy Communion after the sermon. I went up to receive the bread and the wine. I had asked God to forgive me for my sins, such as slipping behind in my quiet time, not settling yet into a cellgroup and other unmentionables etc, before I took communion.
I was served the bread by the assistant bishop, who placed a piece of bread in my hands and started to speak to me beyond his usual blessing. I was terrified that he would censure me on behalf of God because I hadn't been very disciplined in my quiet time lately, so I was trying to pull my hands away from him.As a result of that, I also couldn't hear everything that he said.
He touched my hands and then he said: "You're the light in your office, and you are the light to your colleagues. Be faithful even though you may face ridicule from people in your office....how blessed it is to be approved of God. You have God's approval."
I was too stunned to react, quite emotional and almost in tears because the words came to me at a most appropriate time. As well, I had feared the Lord would discipline me; instead, He bestowed on me His love.
I was so deeply humbled because of what the assistant bishop said to me. God's words through him really encouraged me a lot and strengthened my faith in Him even more. God came near to me, even though I had strayed far from him.
I'm reminded of the lyrics to a song, Grace Has Called My Name, by Kathryn Scott:
Grace has called my name
When all that I had left were just filthy stains
Grace has called my name
When hope had all but faded far away
Grace called my name
I just want to give God all the glory and thank Him that He called my name.
We had Holy Communion after the sermon. I went up to receive the bread and the wine. I had asked God to forgive me for my sins, such as slipping behind in my quiet time, not settling yet into a cellgroup and other unmentionables etc, before I took communion.
I was served the bread by the assistant bishop, who placed a piece of bread in my hands and started to speak to me beyond his usual blessing. I was terrified that he would censure me on behalf of God because I hadn't been very disciplined in my quiet time lately, so I was trying to pull my hands away from him.As a result of that, I also couldn't hear everything that he said.
He touched my hands and then he said: "You're the light in your office, and you are the light to your colleagues. Be faithful even though you may face ridicule from people in your office....how blessed it is to be approved of God. You have God's approval."
I was too stunned to react, quite emotional and almost in tears because the words came to me at a most appropriate time. As well, I had feared the Lord would discipline me; instead, He bestowed on me His love.
I was so deeply humbled because of what the assistant bishop said to me. God's words through him really encouraged me a lot and strengthened my faith in Him even more. God came near to me, even though I had strayed far from him.
I'm reminded of the lyrics to a song, Grace Has Called My Name, by Kathryn Scott:
Grace has called my name
When all that I had left were just filthy stains
Grace has called my name
When hope had all but faded far away
Grace called my name
I just want to give God all the glory and thank Him that He called my name.
Sunday, March 30, 2008
Sheer pleasure
The joy that a book gives is immeasurable. Today, I went to Kinokuniya Bookstore with $60 worth of vouchers in hand, and came out with six books.
I am so looking forward to reading them:
- The Final Martyrs (Shusaku Endo)
- How I Live Now (Meg Rosoff)
- A Wrinkle In Time (Madeleine L'Engle)
- Taking Pictures (Anne Enright)
- Death At Intervals (Jose Saramago)
- Wolf Totem (Jiang Rong)
I am so looking forward to reading them:
- The Final Martyrs (Shusaku Endo)
- How I Live Now (Meg Rosoff)
- A Wrinkle In Time (Madeleine L'Engle)
- Taking Pictures (Anne Enright)
- Death At Intervals (Jose Saramago)
- Wolf Totem (Jiang Rong)
Friday, March 21, 2008
A swift pure cry
I love to read children's books. They always fascinate me. One of my favourite sections in a bookstore is the children's section. I can buy a lot of the classics at half or less than half what the same title would cost in the adult section, and these are unabridged versions or even better, illustrated versions.
Some of my friends give me an incredulous look whenever I mention the fact that I read children's books. To them, children's books are for kids. Well, what many people don't realise is that some of the best written books one can find today are on the bookshelves in the children's section. Of course, that applies to graphic novels, too, but I'll save that for another posting.
I just read a children's book called A Swift Pure Cry by an Irish author, Siobhan Dowd, and felt compelled to just note down these gems.
A pier is a disappointed bridge, Mam used to say as they'd often walked down it, hand in hand. It's trying to get somewhere, but it's run out of faith.
The sea has made the sand a mirror
Which my two feet destroy,
And in that mirror two eyes I see,
A sadness and a joy.
The tender bouquet, the rock shelf, the frozen child: a heartbreak on the world.
Some of my friends give me an incredulous look whenever I mention the fact that I read children's books. To them, children's books are for kids. Well, what many people don't realise is that some of the best written books one can find today are on the bookshelves in the children's section. Of course, that applies to graphic novels, too, but I'll save that for another posting.
I just read a children's book called A Swift Pure Cry by an Irish author, Siobhan Dowd, and felt compelled to just note down these gems.
A pier is a disappointed bridge, Mam used to say as they'd often walked down it, hand in hand. It's trying to get somewhere, but it's run out of faith.
The sea has made the sand a mirror
Which my two feet destroy,
And in that mirror two eyes I see,
A sadness and a joy.
The tender bouquet, the rock shelf, the frozen child: a heartbreak on the world.
Monday, March 10, 2008
Still
At times, I've nearly forgotten how edifying hearing a song of worship can be for my spirit. I wonder how many times I need to be reminded of God's all consuming love for me. It's always so easy for me to forget, but you know what? God remembers.
I just went through my most spiritually dry period in my Christian walk. It took this song to make me remember God, and that He is faithful even when we are faithless.
Still
Words and Music by Reuben Morgan
Hide me now
Under your wings
Cover me
within your mighty hand
When the oceans rise and thunders roar
I will soar with you above the storm
Father you are king over the flood
I will be still and know you are God
Find rest my soul
In Christ alone
Know his power
In quietness and trust
I just went through my most spiritually dry period in my Christian walk. It took this song to make me remember God, and that He is faithful even when we are faithless.
Still
Words and Music by Reuben Morgan
Hide me now
Under your wings
Cover me
within your mighty hand
When the oceans rise and thunders roar
I will soar with you above the storm
Father you are king over the flood
I will be still and know you are God
Find rest my soul
In Christ alone
Know his power
In quietness and trust
Sunday, January 13, 2008
A triumph of humanity
A Model Life With Petra Nemcova caught my eye when I was flipping through cable channels. The series follows 6 new models from their test shoot to the runways of New York Fashion Week, with Petra acting as mentor. At the end of the series, one girl will be offered a modelling contract with NEXT Modeling agency.
During one dinner, Petra asked the girls what they thought was the most difficult part of their lives so far. She then told them about hers, and this was what gripped me. She was a 2004 tsunami survivor. This intrigued me and I went online to look for more details of how she survived.
When the 2004 tsunami hit, she and her fiance, fashion photographer Simon Atlee, were holidaying in Khao Lak. They were swept away. The last she saw of him was his shouting "Petra, Petra". She hung onto a palm tree for eight hours before she was rescued. She said she could hear children crying and screaming for help, but after a while there was silence. Her pelvis was broken, which disabled her legs, and she had to hang on only with her hands. Two Thai men rescued her, and one of them passed her his T-shirt because the strong currents had swept everything off her body. She was transported to a hospital and placed next to a Thai patient, who gave her a small Buddha she wears to this day. "He said, 'It will protect you,' " she said.
Simon's body was found only two months after the disaster. She said that it was difficult to leave the country so that she could begin her treatment back at home because every day, she kept wondering whether Simon was alive somewhere and in need of help. In an inquest into his death later, it was revealed that she and Simon were apparently planning their wedding just hours before the tsunami struck.
In some news reports, she said that she deeply admired the rescuers because they were out rescuing people even though they were not sure whether their own family members, relatives or friends had survived. She spent two weeks in a Thai hospital and then flew back to her homeland Czech Republic, where she underwent daily therapy, learning to walk all over again because of her broken pelvis and bones.
One year later, she went back to Khao Lak to help in relief efforts and decided to set up a fund - Happy Hearts Fund - after she saw that some of the orphaned children's faces were blank and had no signs of life or hope. The fund initially started with offering assistance to children orphaned or in need of help following the tsunami, and has now extended its scope to children all over the world.
I am deeply humbled and tremendously encouraged by Petra and how she reacted to her tsunami tragedy. We can also make a positive difference in other people's lives in our own way. This is how we bring the love and hope of Christ to the world.
During one dinner, Petra asked the girls what they thought was the most difficult part of their lives so far. She then told them about hers, and this was what gripped me. She was a 2004 tsunami survivor. This intrigued me and I went online to look for more details of how she survived.
When the 2004 tsunami hit, she and her fiance, fashion photographer Simon Atlee, were holidaying in Khao Lak. They were swept away. The last she saw of him was his shouting "Petra, Petra". She hung onto a palm tree for eight hours before she was rescued. She said she could hear children crying and screaming for help, but after a while there was silence. Her pelvis was broken, which disabled her legs, and she had to hang on only with her hands. Two Thai men rescued her, and one of them passed her his T-shirt because the strong currents had swept everything off her body. She was transported to a hospital and placed next to a Thai patient, who gave her a small Buddha she wears to this day. "He said, 'It will protect you,' " she said.
Simon's body was found only two months after the disaster. She said that it was difficult to leave the country so that she could begin her treatment back at home because every day, she kept wondering whether Simon was alive somewhere and in need of help. In an inquest into his death later, it was revealed that she and Simon were apparently planning their wedding just hours before the tsunami struck.
In some news reports, she said that she deeply admired the rescuers because they were out rescuing people even though they were not sure whether their own family members, relatives or friends had survived. She spent two weeks in a Thai hospital and then flew back to her homeland Czech Republic, where she underwent daily therapy, learning to walk all over again because of her broken pelvis and bones.
One year later, she went back to Khao Lak to help in relief efforts and decided to set up a fund - Happy Hearts Fund - after she saw that some of the orphaned children's faces were blank and had no signs of life or hope. The fund initially started with offering assistance to children orphaned or in need of help following the tsunami, and has now extended its scope to children all over the world.
I am deeply humbled and tremendously encouraged by Petra and how she reacted to her tsunami tragedy. We can also make a positive difference in other people's lives in our own way. This is how we bring the love and hope of Christ to the world.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)