Chance across this article written by Emily Asher-Perrin http://www.tor.com/blogs/2013/11/neville-longbottom-is-the-most-important-person-in-harry-potter and I don't think many people can put it better than her
"In the final hour, Neville is given a chance to make the same cowardly choice that Peter did, to join Voldemort’s forces and go the easy route. And instead he pulls Godric Gryffindor’s sword out of a burning Sorting Hat and destroys the final horcrux by slicing off Nagini’s head. It couldn’t be more clear than it is in that moment; Harry needs Neville in order to end this war just as much as he needs Ron and Hermione, the same way that his parents needed Peter. And it is true that Harry is a much better friend to Neville than his father might have been to Peter, but at the end of the day, that’s still down to Neville—down to a boy who demanded respect from his friends right from the start, no matter how small or unremarkable he felt. Who had the gumption to do what he knew was right, not when it was hard but because it was hard.
That distinction makes Neville Longbottom the truest of Gryffindors and a surprising balancing point of the entire Harry Potter narrative. Who Peter Pettigrew might have been had he understood that courage wasn’t about blind action, but about doing what was needed even if no one ever asked. In a world of leaders and followers, there are some who don’t attempt to fit either mold, and it is those distinct few who really determine the future of us all. That is what Neville Longbottom can teach us.
I especially like the last two sentences, which is really a good reflection of the world as it is. So many don't want to take up the roles of leaders to make a difference because it is hard work, and yet, a lot of the same people refuse to be followers to contribute to a cause. They will be happily sitting in one corner criticizing everything about the direction and efforts of leaders and yet, refuse to do anything more than be a negative spirit, out to tear people down, and never wanting to make an effort to build people up, only have thoughts for no one else but themselves.
Thursday, November 21, 2013
Wednesday, November 6, 2013
being scared
"Doesn't being scared let you know you are on to something important"
"If your not scared, then you are not taking a chance. And if you are not scared, then what the hell are you doing?"
- HIMYM
"If your not scared, then you are not taking a chance. And if you are not scared, then what the hell are you doing?"
- HIMYM
Tuesday, November 5, 2013
only one way to do it..
there are times in life where you want to take an action to do something, with the hope of getting something that your heart desires. more often than not, one has many ways to carry out the actions. you might choose to do it like most people in the world will do, it is usually the easiest way. you may or may not achieve the ending you hope, but very often, it is not God's way. or you can do it God's way, very often is the hardest, very often you have to sacrifice something, but deep inside, you know it is the only way you want to do it, no matter how much easier all other ways are.
I can choose to do it the world way. it is very easy, especially with modern technology. I may or may not achieve the short term outcome, but I know in the long run, it is not an outcome I want. I can wreck my brain and try to picture what each outcome is like, lose sleep over it, but whatever scenario I can come up with, I wont know for sure which one will definitely happen. on the other hand, God has provided another way, to do it His way. Many things I can lose by using His method, higher probability that it will fail. But at the end of the day, if it fails using His method, I know in the long run, it's a good thing it failed cause I wont like the outcome. It's funny how using what seem to be the harder way can make the picture so clear and so simple.
I can choose to do it the world way. it is very easy, especially with modern technology. I may or may not achieve the short term outcome, but I know in the long run, it is not an outcome I want. I can wreck my brain and try to picture what each outcome is like, lose sleep over it, but whatever scenario I can come up with, I wont know for sure which one will definitely happen. on the other hand, God has provided another way, to do it His way. Many things I can lose by using His method, higher probability that it will fail. But at the end of the day, if it fails using His method, I know in the long run, it's a good thing it failed cause I wont like the outcome. It's funny how using what seem to be the harder way can make the picture so clear and so simple.
Saturday, October 5, 2013
baby watching
not even babysitting. I spent a good 6 hours baby watching today. im definitely not skilled to babysit yet, especially im clueless about changing diapers, and feeding a baby. hence, I offered to baby watch, to entertain the baby while she is awake and not hungry, so that the parents can catch their breathe and finish some marking and some housework, near enough that whenever something happens and carrying cant solve, they can come and make sure the baby doesn't cry for too long.
the first time she started crying while I was carrying her a few weeks ago, I panicked and didn't know what to do till the parents came and take over. turned out she's at a age where she doesn't like to be carried facing up, but rather carried upright so that she can look. so when she started crying again today, that's exactly what I did, thinking that I shall apply something I learnt! turned out that I was wrong again! she was getting sleepy and wanted to sleep. third time, she cried again, and I was wrong again! turned out she was getting hungry and want to be fed!
i hardly did anything very tiring, nor for very long, but i came home a little tired, just from carrying her, singing to her, second guessing what her cries meant. can you imagine what parents have to go through, having the to take care of a child round the clock. it is definitely not exaggeration when they say you wont get much sleep and you will be perpetually tired. saying that, you can just totally see the joy she brings to the parents through every single interaction they have. i didn't ask, they didn't mention, but i bet they will say the joy of having a child outweigh all the things they have to sacrifice.
the first time she started crying while I was carrying her a few weeks ago, I panicked and didn't know what to do till the parents came and take over. turned out she's at a age where she doesn't like to be carried facing up, but rather carried upright so that she can look. so when she started crying again today, that's exactly what I did, thinking that I shall apply something I learnt! turned out that I was wrong again! she was getting sleepy and wanted to sleep. third time, she cried again, and I was wrong again! turned out she was getting hungry and want to be fed!
i hardly did anything very tiring, nor for very long, but i came home a little tired, just from carrying her, singing to her, second guessing what her cries meant. can you imagine what parents have to go through, having the to take care of a child round the clock. it is definitely not exaggeration when they say you wont get much sleep and you will be perpetually tired. saying that, you can just totally see the joy she brings to the parents through every single interaction they have. i didn't ask, they didn't mention, but i bet they will say the joy of having a child outweigh all the things they have to sacrifice.
Wednesday, July 3, 2013
the last days...
nope, not about the end times. today marked my last official working day at my current workplace and in typical cliché tv show style, I left office with a box of things.
you know you have done some things right along the way when most of your colleagues make time to go for a farewell lunch, express how much they will miss you, and even asked to meet up over the next few days. for this, I thank God, from whom I learned to treat people not just like colleagues, but showing love and care towards them. looking back, I really didn't do anything that I'm very proud of, work wise, but I think I might not be too far off from how God wants me to treat people. it's quite apt that today's QT, it was about first being a Christian, then your occupation - I'm a Christian that happens to be in the marketing line.
so the company finally hired a brand manager to replace the outgoing on. Even though I have only met her three days ago, and our interaction wasn't that much, it was so nice and refreshing to work with someone that came out from similar background. of course it's not good to group think, but it was such a nice change to be able to communicate with someone on the same wavelength. it's a pity that this only lasted 3 days though. it might have been fun.
you know you have done some things right along the way when most of your colleagues make time to go for a farewell lunch, express how much they will miss you, and even asked to meet up over the next few days. for this, I thank God, from whom I learned to treat people not just like colleagues, but showing love and care towards them. looking back, I really didn't do anything that I'm very proud of, work wise, but I think I might not be too far off from how God wants me to treat people. it's quite apt that today's QT, it was about first being a Christian, then your occupation - I'm a Christian that happens to be in the marketing line.
so the company finally hired a brand manager to replace the outgoing on. Even though I have only met her three days ago, and our interaction wasn't that much, it was so nice and refreshing to work with someone that came out from similar background. of course it's not good to group think, but it was such a nice change to be able to communicate with someone on the same wavelength. it's a pity that this only lasted 3 days though. it might have been fun.
Friday, June 21, 2013
ash ville
for a country with summer all year round and little pollution, the last few days have really changed the appearance of the landscape. on a first look, it looks like what you would imagine England will look like, grey all the time. but soon, your eyes starts to irritate a little, the air smell like someone somewhere has a giant bbq party, you feel the urge to cough every now and then and sometimes, you feel like you need take in a little bit more air. all these, no thanks to the plantation owners from across the border.
im thankful that I am healthy enough not to feel too affected by the change in air quality. nothing more than feeling my eyes being a bit dry, throat a little itchy, and a bit of blood in the nose (but then again, this could be caused by all the fast food I already consumed this week)
it is also times like this that I feel so dishearten and disappointed with people. many will use this opportunity (or any other opportunity) to criticize the government, and almost all the time, they are never constructive, and almost all the time, vulgar. they think that they have perfect knowledge, that they know how things should be done better.
one good current example would be how everyone seems to think how much the PSI should be based on how hazy it appears to be. I don't dare to say I know much about air quality, but logically, I know PSI does not measure visibility, nor does visibility necessarily correlate with air cleanliness. for one, water in the air causes visibility too (as seen in fog, steam, cloud). secondly, there are many colourless poisonous gases out there, which once again makes sense that visibility does not necessary correlate with air cleanliness. but it's amazing how so many people just insist that the PSI should be this and that based on what they see. it's like everyone suddenly major in environmental science.
when such relentless comments come along, I always wonder what would Jesus do, what would Jesus want me to do? do I attempt to correct them, knowing most of the time, these people are blinded by their hatred that they wont listen to reason? do I leave them alone and let them influence others with their words? do I remove them from my social circles so that I wont have to read about their rants?
im thankful that I am healthy enough not to feel too affected by the change in air quality. nothing more than feeling my eyes being a bit dry, throat a little itchy, and a bit of blood in the nose (but then again, this could be caused by all the fast food I already consumed this week)
it is also times like this that I feel so dishearten and disappointed with people. many will use this opportunity (or any other opportunity) to criticize the government, and almost all the time, they are never constructive, and almost all the time, vulgar. they think that they have perfect knowledge, that they know how things should be done better.
one good current example would be how everyone seems to think how much the PSI should be based on how hazy it appears to be. I don't dare to say I know much about air quality, but logically, I know PSI does not measure visibility, nor does visibility necessarily correlate with air cleanliness. for one, water in the air causes visibility too (as seen in fog, steam, cloud). secondly, there are many colourless poisonous gases out there, which once again makes sense that visibility does not necessary correlate with air cleanliness. but it's amazing how so many people just insist that the PSI should be this and that based on what they see. it's like everyone suddenly major in environmental science.
when such relentless comments come along, I always wonder what would Jesus do, what would Jesus want me to do? do I attempt to correct them, knowing most of the time, these people are blinded by their hatred that they wont listen to reason? do I leave them alone and let them influence others with their words? do I remove them from my social circles so that I wont have to read about their rants?
Sunday, June 16, 2013
this would be chapter........... 6 of my life?
barring any unforeseeable intervention, it seems like in a month time, i'll be starting another phase in life.
chapter 6? that's just some random number since I cant really keep track of when the chapters changes earlier in life. I cant foresee what's coming, and how significant it will be, but it is a big change to the routine lifestyle of the past two years.
now I have to start with the small talk all over again, to find out who can be friends and who can't. a whole new environment that I have to start from almost scratch.
all these in 30days time..
chapter 6? that's just some random number since I cant really keep track of when the chapters changes earlier in life. I cant foresee what's coming, and how significant it will be, but it is a big change to the routine lifestyle of the past two years.
now I have to start with the small talk all over again, to find out who can be friends and who can't. a whole new environment that I have to start from almost scratch.
all these in 30days time..
Saturday, June 8, 2013
Not for the faint hearted but...
so two weeks ago was the birth of the daughter of two of my friends from church. I had the chance to follow their journey quite closely through frequent meet ups over dim sum.. having visited them with their daughter thrice over the past two weeks, I could really see the tiredness accumulating in them. just today, the dad was trying to get her to finish just a small jar of milk, whereby any adult can finish in one small gulp, but it took him like 20 minutes to get her to finish. first, it was the crying, then she started to fall asleep. it was really one huge effort for such a small amount. times that a few more times in the day and night. parenting is definitely not for the faint hearted.
however, just watching the parents looking at their daughter, smiling with every small movement she makes, it really is that simple huh. the indescribable joy you derive from bringing up your child always trumps over all the sacrifices you have to make.
however, just watching the parents looking at their daughter, smiling with every small movement she makes, it really is that simple huh. the indescribable joy you derive from bringing up your child always trumps over all the sacrifices you have to make.
Sunday, May 26, 2013
road not taken..
one of the very first poem I ever learned (not counting all those kiddy ones) would be the road not taken by Robert Frost. I believe it was during my first few literature lessons (ever) in secondary 1.
not an expert in literature, I think on the basic level, it talks about the author choosing the path less travelled and how it has made the difference.
recently, I started thinking about different paths in life too, but not in the same focus as this poem. for me, I grown to realize that sometimes, once you chose a path, the other path is just no longer an option anymore. it's not one of those where you did badly in school when you were young and you still manage to turn your life around later on.
sometimes, even though the path you chose is a deadline, it doesn't mean that you can simply go back and choose the other route. maybe the bushes have grown so tall that the path disappears, maybe a bridge along the other way collapse making it not passable anymore or maybe someone built a really long fence across the area and it is now private property.
guess when things like this happen, one can only find a new path somewhere else.
not an expert in literature, I think on the basic level, it talks about the author choosing the path less travelled and how it has made the difference.
recently, I started thinking about different paths in life too, but not in the same focus as this poem. for me, I grown to realize that sometimes, once you chose a path, the other path is just no longer an option anymore. it's not one of those where you did badly in school when you were young and you still manage to turn your life around later on.
sometimes, even though the path you chose is a deadline, it doesn't mean that you can simply go back and choose the other route. maybe the bushes have grown so tall that the path disappears, maybe a bridge along the other way collapse making it not passable anymore or maybe someone built a really long fence across the area and it is now private property.
guess when things like this happen, one can only find a new path somewhere else.
Thursday, May 23, 2013
now what?
after doing a google search on House, I come to realize that in a weird coincident, I finally finish the series exactly 1 year after they aired the last episode.
a series that took me like what.. 5 years to complete. with a long break in between when I was trying so hard to buy the dvds but ended up only able to add season 1's to my collection as it seems like retailers just wasn't interested to bring season 5 - 8 into Singapore.
having only decided to end the series while they were filming the last season, the whole season kinda had a rushed feeling to it, characters were written out of the shows suddenly, kinda like when they had to kill off a character when he committed suicide due to depression, even though prior to that, he was portrayed as a happy go lucky guy, midway through the season when the actor got a job in the white house. kinda a pity cause I thought they had maybe 1 more season in the series at least.
hmm.. now that it had ended, what's next? HIMYM only has 1 and a half season to go. And generally all the glee-ish or crime series doesn't really keep me engaged for too long. hope once upon a time season 2 is good...
a series that took me like what.. 5 years to complete. with a long break in between when I was trying so hard to buy the dvds but ended up only able to add season 1's to my collection as it seems like retailers just wasn't interested to bring season 5 - 8 into Singapore.
having only decided to end the series while they were filming the last season, the whole season kinda had a rushed feeling to it, characters were written out of the shows suddenly, kinda like when they had to kill off a character when he committed suicide due to depression, even though prior to that, he was portrayed as a happy go lucky guy, midway through the season when the actor got a job in the white house. kinda a pity cause I thought they had maybe 1 more season in the series at least.
hmm.. now that it had ended, what's next? HIMYM only has 1 and a half season to go. And generally all the glee-ish or crime series doesn't really keep me engaged for too long. hope once upon a time season 2 is good...
Monday, May 6, 2013
Normal or Special?
by some sheer coincident, I ended up receiving notification letters to apply for a new IC as well as a passport at the same time. it really saved me of a day having to go back for another document and at this time, I must say that I am very impressed with the efficient of ICA! Not so sure about those who didn't make an appointment but for me who did, I managed to collect both documents at separate offices in the building all within 30 minutes!
so when I was there, my queue number flashed on the screen and I proceed to the counter. while I was a few steps away, a mother and her kid reached the next booth beside. each booth was only assigned one seat, so the mum sat down on it, and the boy just proceed to drag the seat at my booth to the booth his mum is at. so when I reach the booth one second later, he stared at me. I don't dare to say I know how to read people very well, but I thought it was a look of I-don't-care-whether-it-is-your-seat-or-not. he then proceed to rest his head on the booth as the mum continues to talk to the customer service person, either oblivion to what her son has did, or chose to ignore. I want to think it is the latter as it is very obvious each booth only has one seat, and im obviously (and im not short) standing at the counter when everyone else is seated.
im quite happy giving up my seat for someone else, I really don't mind having to stand, especially when I wasn't expecting to be there long in the first place. But I also believe that such things shouldn't be taken for granted. either it is up to the person to give up his seat, or the other person to ask for the seat. and even more, im someone who believes that parents should teach their kids the proper way to do this, and not leave them to do whatever they like.
as i was thinking of what to say to the kid and the mum, it is then I noticed that the boy was wearing a tshirt of a school for autistic kids. immediately, I decided to not say anything, and even told the customer service person that im ok standing and she doesn't have to ask the kid to return the seat.
I couldn't help but think though. how are people suppose to treat them. do we accept that they are different, and give special allowances for them? or do we treat them as we do for everyone, and hopefully they will learn and someday fit into society?
so when I was there, my queue number flashed on the screen and I proceed to the counter. while I was a few steps away, a mother and her kid reached the next booth beside. each booth was only assigned one seat, so the mum sat down on it, and the boy just proceed to drag the seat at my booth to the booth his mum is at. so when I reach the booth one second later, he stared at me. I don't dare to say I know how to read people very well, but I thought it was a look of I-don't-care-whether-it-is-your-seat-or-not. he then proceed to rest his head on the booth as the mum continues to talk to the customer service person, either oblivion to what her son has did, or chose to ignore. I want to think it is the latter as it is very obvious each booth only has one seat, and im obviously (and im not short) standing at the counter when everyone else is seated.
im quite happy giving up my seat for someone else, I really don't mind having to stand, especially when I wasn't expecting to be there long in the first place. But I also believe that such things shouldn't be taken for granted. either it is up to the person to give up his seat, or the other person to ask for the seat. and even more, im someone who believes that parents should teach their kids the proper way to do this, and not leave them to do whatever they like.
as i was thinking of what to say to the kid and the mum, it is then I noticed that the boy was wearing a tshirt of a school for autistic kids. immediately, I decided to not say anything, and even told the customer service person that im ok standing and she doesn't have to ask the kid to return the seat.
I couldn't help but think though. how are people suppose to treat them. do we accept that they are different, and give special allowances for them? or do we treat them as we do for everyone, and hopefully they will learn and someday fit into society?
Wednesday, May 1, 2013
Meaning of Genesis names revealed!
someone shared something very interesting during this week's bsf class:
did you know the list of people from Adam to Noah, their names in English actually form some form of message:
Adam - Man
Seth - Appointed
Enosh – Mortal
Kenan – Sorrow
Mahalalel – The blessed God
Jared – Shall come down
Enoch – Teaching
Methuselah – His death shall bring
Lamech – Despairing
Noah – Comfort and rest
Put those meanings into a complete sentence and you get: Man (is) appointed mortal sorrow, (but) the blessed God shall come down teaching. His death shall bring (the) despairing comfort and rest.
did you know the list of people from Adam to Noah, their names in English actually form some form of message:
Adam - Man
Seth - Appointed
Enosh – Mortal
Kenan – Sorrow
Mahalalel – The blessed God
Jared – Shall come down
Enoch – Teaching
Methuselah – His death shall bring
Lamech – Despairing
Noah – Comfort and rest
Put those meanings into a complete sentence and you get: Man (is) appointed mortal sorrow, (but) the blessed God shall come down teaching. His death shall bring (the) despairing comfort and rest.
Monday, April 22, 2013
greg & james
you know you watched the series way too much when you can guess the medical problems based on the symptoms, like blood in the urine, yellowish eyes, ammonia smell in the breath, etc.
I think im like a few years behind most people, like I remember carol telling me how she was hook to the show even during the university days. back then, having never watched it, I just thought it was something like grey's anatomy.
yes, im talking about House, and it turned out to be nothing like Grey's and strangely addictive. other than the season with the annoying cop, or that rich guy that became chairman of the hospital.
the show is founded on one central theme. everybody lies. but moving beyond that, what I really enjoyed was the unusual friendship between House and Wilson, a friendship that I cannot imagine two real guys having. don't get me wrong, it has their ups and downs, and many times, potential friendship breaker if it happens in real life. but at the end of the day, or after a few episodes for that matter, things get forgiven and forgotten.
as I get older, I realized I don't do very well in maintaining friendships, close ones for that matter. there were times when I thought something genuine was coming, but it always seems to fade away, either by the different path we take that creates a gap too big to bridge, failing to communicate, sudden moments of bad decisions making or what not.
wouldn't it be nice to have what House and Wilson seems to have? someone to share a joke, watch silly things like monster trucks, get advice from, or just to share how wonderful or terrible your day is?
the other day, I had to log into my university email account (which hasn't been accessed in years) to get some login password I created for a job portal. I chance upon a bunch of email chains with two people who potentially was the closest I ever got with anyone, not counting my exes of course. they really did light up my uni life, without whom, im pretty sure I wouldn't have enjoyed university as much as I did. we see each other so often in school and yet, there was still so much to share over email. sadly, we have all chosen our path which sees us in different parts of the world, and I guess I just don't have that much 细心ness to maintain it at that level.
I think im like a few years behind most people, like I remember carol telling me how she was hook to the show even during the university days. back then, having never watched it, I just thought it was something like grey's anatomy.
yes, im talking about House, and it turned out to be nothing like Grey's and strangely addictive. other than the season with the annoying cop, or that rich guy that became chairman of the hospital.
the show is founded on one central theme. everybody lies. but moving beyond that, what I really enjoyed was the unusual friendship between House and Wilson, a friendship that I cannot imagine two real guys having. don't get me wrong, it has their ups and downs, and many times, potential friendship breaker if it happens in real life. but at the end of the day, or after a few episodes for that matter, things get forgiven and forgotten.
as I get older, I realized I don't do very well in maintaining friendships, close ones for that matter. there were times when I thought something genuine was coming, but it always seems to fade away, either by the different path we take that creates a gap too big to bridge, failing to communicate, sudden moments of bad decisions making or what not.
wouldn't it be nice to have what House and Wilson seems to have? someone to share a joke, watch silly things like monster trucks, get advice from, or just to share how wonderful or terrible your day is?
the other day, I had to log into my university email account (which hasn't been accessed in years) to get some login password I created for a job portal. I chance upon a bunch of email chains with two people who potentially was the closest I ever got with anyone, not counting my exes of course. they really did light up my uni life, without whom, im pretty sure I wouldn't have enjoyed university as much as I did. we see each other so often in school and yet, there was still so much to share over email. sadly, we have all chosen our path which sees us in different parts of the world, and I guess I just don't have that much 细心ness to maintain it at that level.
Sunday, April 7, 2013
wet market
so yesterday was the first time in a really really long while I found myself "shopping" in a wet market. the wet floor aside (hence the term wet market), I really had a good experience.
always wanted to buy ingredients from wet market but was never able to wake up early enough for it, so I ended up buying from supermarkets.
wet markets are so much better than supermarkets!
always wanted to buy ingredients from wet market but was never able to wake up early enough for it, so I ended up buying from supermarkets.
wet markets are so much better than supermarkets!
- you do not need to buy more than you need. you can buy 1 pc of lemon, a specific amount of chicken wings or prawns. unlike supermarket, you would often have to buy more than you need.
- wet markets stall owners know what they are selling. how often do you find yourself at a supermarket and needing to ask a staff which type of onion should you use for a specific kind of cooking? you probably find a staff that do not know much other than where the item is kept. at the wet market, the stall owner can advise you accordingly so that you will buy the right thing.
- it is just cheaper than supermarket.
Monday, April 1, 2013
faith...
the timing was so apt. the week I began started looking for a new job, one of my favourite companies to work for was hiring a position that my work experience seems to fit very well.
I didn't do exactly very well for the interview, messing up some questions that would have set me apart from others. I prayed to God about it, knowing very well that God does not answer all prayers in the way people want Him to. after all, if all the candidates prayed to God about this job, I'm sure a lot will end up not getting still.
so I reflected, what does having faith in God means? have faith that He will create a miracle out of a bad interview? no. having faith in God means trusting that He knows better no matter what the outcome is. maybe the job will give me less time to serve? maybe there's something at my current job that God still wants me to experience? I can second guess all I want but it's not important I suppose. If I'm meant to know, I'll know it when the time comes.
I didn't do exactly very well for the interview, messing up some questions that would have set me apart from others. I prayed to God about it, knowing very well that God does not answer all prayers in the way people want Him to. after all, if all the candidates prayed to God about this job, I'm sure a lot will end up not getting still.
so I reflected, what does having faith in God means? have faith that He will create a miracle out of a bad interview? no. having faith in God means trusting that He knows better no matter what the outcome is. maybe the job will give me less time to serve? maybe there's something at my current job that God still wants me to experience? I can second guess all I want but it's not important I suppose. If I'm meant to know, I'll know it when the time comes.
Wednesday, February 20, 2013
lao yu sheng
i have never really been a big fan of yu sheng (raw fish salad singaporeans eat during CNY) nor believe in the supposedly good things it symbolizes.
last week, i decided to buy one back from my restaurant to eat it with my family. after such a unpleasant past two months, i thought it would be something nice for everyone to get involve.
and though my family doesnt do celebrations, i think secretly, everyone enjoyed the silliness of just tossing the yu sheng, and making noises (since none of us know those words to say)
food can really draw people closer huh....
last week, i decided to buy one back from my restaurant to eat it with my family. after such a unpleasant past two months, i thought it would be something nice for everyone to get involve.
and though my family doesnt do celebrations, i think secretly, everyone enjoyed the silliness of just tossing the yu sheng, and making noises (since none of us know those words to say)
food can really draw people closer huh....
Saturday, February 9, 2013
memories of life #1 - letters of the past
so after a long while, i decided to get off my lazy butt and clean up (much needed) my room. i still have christmas presents from 2 years ago still lying around! but as awful as that sound, it isnt really that bad, i just let things pile up.
for much of my life, i am a hoarder - i keep things even though i know very well i probably wont use them ever again but today, after being inspired by the 5S thing going on at work (some process thing that helps to unclutter your workiing place and increase productivity), i decided to get rid of some of these things.
today, i decided to target my pile of letters and presents from the days of st andrew's (both secondary and jc), and it is a lot - two drawers full. i decided to re-read (or in some long letters, scan through) them for the last time before tearing them and disposing of them. letters from my ex, from my crushes, from people who had crushes on me, my angels & mortals, friends whom i have since lost touched, people that could have became my other halfs, and many more.
i must have forgotten, but seeing how so many of these letters came from bedok & tampines, i just cant help but wonder what i was really like back in secondary school. chatting up with girls from a particular school in the east via IRC, meeting up with them at a mall somewhere there too. if i could travel back in time, would i stand there and see how unpurposeful and meaningless my life was? time wasted hanging out at the mall and neglecting my studies, making friends that i have since stopped talking to or keeping contact with.
on the other hand, i cant help but smile at some of the things i read, and how silly (in not a bad way) some of the things were. i dont remember the situations, but from the letters, those people did really try and encourage me in various ways and im sure they worked. so it wasnt all that bad huh?
in any case, all these things led me to where i am today. life may not be perfect, but i know You have a plan for me, and that is all i need to know.
next up.... photos from the past!
for much of my life, i am a hoarder - i keep things even though i know very well i probably wont use them ever again but today, after being inspired by the 5S thing going on at work (some process thing that helps to unclutter your workiing place and increase productivity), i decided to get rid of some of these things.
today, i decided to target my pile of letters and presents from the days of st andrew's (both secondary and jc), and it is a lot - two drawers full. i decided to re-read (or in some long letters, scan through) them for the last time before tearing them and disposing of them. letters from my ex, from my crushes, from people who had crushes on me, my angels & mortals, friends whom i have since lost touched, people that could have became my other halfs, and many more.
i must have forgotten, but seeing how so many of these letters came from bedok & tampines, i just cant help but wonder what i was really like back in secondary school. chatting up with girls from a particular school in the east via IRC, meeting up with them at a mall somewhere there too. if i could travel back in time, would i stand there and see how unpurposeful and meaningless my life was? time wasted hanging out at the mall and neglecting my studies, making friends that i have since stopped talking to or keeping contact with.
on the other hand, i cant help but smile at some of the things i read, and how silly (in not a bad way) some of the things were. i dont remember the situations, but from the letters, those people did really try and encourage me in various ways and im sure they worked. so it wasnt all that bad huh?
in any case, all these things led me to where i am today. life may not be perfect, but i know You have a plan for me, and that is all i need to know.
next up.... photos from the past!
Sunday, February 3, 2013
thoughts from HIMYM #2 - right place right time
it felt like i have blogged about this, but since i cant remember and find this so thought-provoking, here i am again:
it is an episode whereby ted retold his story about that one particular day where the little things changed his life forever.
rather than going to his usual bagel store, he decided to go to another one after finding out that robin got food poisoning from the usual place.
rather than just walking by the magazine stall, he stopped by to check out barney's 200 in one of the magazine.
rather than walking directly to the bagel store, he made a detour to pay $1 to the homeless guy whom he bought marshall's charts from.
all these led to him meeting stella (former girlfriend who left him at the altar) and tony, and resulted him in getting a job as a professor.
for those who dont know better, you may term it coincident, or being at the right place at the right time. you may term like just like the show did: You see, the universe has a plan kids, and that plan is always in motion. All these little parts of the machine constantly working, making sure that you end up exactly where you're supposed to be, exactly when you're supposed to be there. The right place at the right time. the show may call it "the universe" but i know very well that it is God who is behind all these, He has a plan for everyone and everything happened so that everyone can come to know Him.
just like my testimony i said on the day of my baptism. it is no mere coincident that i am where i am today. i would very likely not be attending church if amy didnt invite me to her church youth camp (which i am very curious to know what made her do so), i would not have become friends with amy if i didnt persevere and stayed in the frisbee team despite not having any friends. i would not have joined the frisbee team if i wasnt in smu, and wouldnt have been in smu (but in nus fass!) if my jc classmates didnt rave about smu, wouldnt have considered business school if my then jc crush wasnt doing business, wouldnt have made in the sajc if it wasnt for the three months as a guest student, wouldnt have been a guest student if my then secondary class clown ask me along to apply for it, would not be in st andrew's if my mum didnt just put down a nearby good reputation school after my first choice of victoria. wouldnt have done how i did if i wasnt around good company.
many "if" things happened over the past 30 years. if i was to put it all in a excel =IF formula, excel would probably crash. no computer or AI could have planned such things, no human for that matter. im sure my parents would have secretly hoped that i did better and joined my elder brother at RI. if i had control, i would have been in nus business school. but the truth is in life, we can plan but ultimately, it is God's plans for us that matters.
it is an episode whereby ted retold his story about that one particular day where the little things changed his life forever.
rather than going to his usual bagel store, he decided to go to another one after finding out that robin got food poisoning from the usual place.
rather than just walking by the magazine stall, he stopped by to check out barney's 200 in one of the magazine.
rather than walking directly to the bagel store, he made a detour to pay $1 to the homeless guy whom he bought marshall's charts from.
all these led to him meeting stella (former girlfriend who left him at the altar) and tony, and resulted him in getting a job as a professor.
for those who dont know better, you may term it coincident, or being at the right place at the right time. you may term like just like the show did: You see, the universe has a plan kids, and that plan is always in motion. All these little parts of the machine constantly working, making sure that you end up exactly where you're supposed to be, exactly when you're supposed to be there. The right place at the right time. the show may call it "the universe" but i know very well that it is God who is behind all these, He has a plan for everyone and everything happened so that everyone can come to know Him.
just like my testimony i said on the day of my baptism. it is no mere coincident that i am where i am today. i would very likely not be attending church if amy didnt invite me to her church youth camp (which i am very curious to know what made her do so), i would not have become friends with amy if i didnt persevere and stayed in the frisbee team despite not having any friends. i would not have joined the frisbee team if i wasnt in smu, and wouldnt have been in smu (but in nus fass!) if my jc classmates didnt rave about smu, wouldnt have considered business school if my then jc crush wasnt doing business, wouldnt have made in the sajc if it wasnt for the three months as a guest student, wouldnt have been a guest student if my then secondary class clown ask me along to apply for it, would not be in st andrew's if my mum didnt just put down a nearby good reputation school after my first choice of victoria. wouldnt have done how i did if i wasnt around good company.
many "if" things happened over the past 30 years. if i was to put it all in a excel =IF formula, excel would probably crash. no computer or AI could have planned such things, no human for that matter. im sure my parents would have secretly hoped that i did better and joined my elder brother at RI. if i had control, i would have been in nus business school. but the truth is in life, we can plan but ultimately, it is God's plans for us that matters.
Saturday, February 2, 2013
thoughts from HIMYM #1
so i mentioned that i started watching himym a while back, and as wordly as the show is, there are times when some quotes really get you thinking about life.
so in this episode, ted gets advice on how long it takes for someone to get over a relationship:
so in this episode, ted gets advice on how long it takes for someone to get over a relationship:
- Lily says half the length of the entire relationship
- Marshall says one week for every month you were together
- Robin says 10,000 drinks
- Barney says the amount of steps to get out the door.
- Ted finds that he starts to forget about his last relationship the minute he meets the woman that will help him get over it.
Friday, February 1, 2013
PDL #15 - purpose 2
so purpose #1 was that we were created for God's pleasure, so for a few days, i reflected on the things that will bring joy to God. purpose #2, simply, is that we were formed for God's family.
Every human being was created by God, but not everyone is a child of God. The invitation to be part of God's family is universal, but there is one condition: faith in Jesus.
this means that all of us, any of us has a choice where we want to be. being part of the family has a lot of perks:
Every human being was created by God, but not everyone is a child of God. The invitation to be part of God's family is universal, but there is one condition: faith in Jesus.
this means that all of us, any of us has a choice where we want to be. being part of the family has a lot of perks:
- to be with God forever (rather than somewhere else suffering for eternity)
- we will be changed to be Christ-like
- freed from pain, death and suffering
- rewarded and reassigned positions of service
- share in Christ's glory
Monday, January 28, 2013
PDL #14 - Distance apart
often, people ask me: if there is a God, how can He let such bad things happen?
it is very easy indeed to thank God and feel God's hands when everything goes well - thank God for my good results, for my promotion, for getting a girlfriend, for the huge bonus.. the list goes on. but when the bad things happen, suddenly, for many, God doesn't seems to be around.
indeed, i had a fair share of the bad things the past few years, and indeed, i couldn't help wondering where is God in all these, even though i know very well that He is. and indeed He is.
ironically, one of the example i always used to make sense of this come from a very controversial book. someday when you have children, would you allow them to learn to cycle even though you know very well they are going to hurt themselves through the process? (strangely, when i learned to cycle, i never fell before, all the way till the one time when i flew down the slope at ubin) when you stop supporting your kid, and allow him to cycle on his own, the distance between you and him gets further, but im sure your eyes were always on him, making sure he doesnt go onto the road, and ride straight into the drains.
God allows us to get into bad situations because the process of dealing with the pain and the disappointment will in one way or another, shape you to be a better version of yourself. He is never too far away, and He is always watching you.
it is very easy indeed to thank God and feel God's hands when everything goes well - thank God for my good results, for my promotion, for getting a girlfriend, for the huge bonus.. the list goes on. but when the bad things happen, suddenly, for many, God doesn't seems to be around.
indeed, i had a fair share of the bad things the past few years, and indeed, i couldn't help wondering where is God in all these, even though i know very well that He is. and indeed He is.
ironically, one of the example i always used to make sense of this come from a very controversial book. someday when you have children, would you allow them to learn to cycle even though you know very well they are going to hurt themselves through the process? (strangely, when i learned to cycle, i never fell before, all the way till the one time when i flew down the slope at ubin) when you stop supporting your kid, and allow him to cycle on his own, the distance between you and him gets further, but im sure your eyes were always on him, making sure he doesnt go onto the road, and ride straight into the drains.
God allows us to get into bad situations because the process of dealing with the pain and the disappointment will in one way or another, shape you to be a better version of yourself. He is never too far away, and He is always watching you.
Saturday, January 26, 2013
PDL #13 - real worship
when i was growing up, i first encountered christianity when i stepped into st andrew's school. after a year or two of daily sermons and weekly chapel lessons, i was invited to my first church service. not knowing what being a christian really mean, i just went along to a very popular church (even back then) who was holding their good friday service in the indoor stadium. it was known that alot of my peers went there to meet girls, and curiousity got the better of me, being in a boy school and all, i decided to go along too.
people jumped, people claps and cheer, "singers" as i called them then sang, the band played, as if im watching an taiwanese idol concert. it was a very uncomfortable session i must say, i think im just not someone who expresses myself that way, even till today.
with so many different worship style, sometimes i just wonder is there a correct way to do it. this chapter really provided some good food for thought. Many forms of praise are mentioned in the Bible, among them confessing, singing, shouting, standing in honour, kneeling, dancing, making joyful noises, testifying, playing musical instruments, and raising hands. The best style of worship is the one that most authentically represents your love for God, based on the background and personality God gave you... If God intentionally made us all different, why should everyone be expected to love God in the same way?
people jumped, people claps and cheer, "singers" as i called them then sang, the band played, as if im watching an taiwanese idol concert. it was a very uncomfortable session i must say, i think im just not someone who expresses myself that way, even till today.
with so many different worship style, sometimes i just wonder is there a correct way to do it. this chapter really provided some good food for thought. Many forms of praise are mentioned in the Bible, among them confessing, singing, shouting, standing in honour, kneeling, dancing, making joyful noises, testifying, playing musical instruments, and raising hands. The best style of worship is the one that most authentically represents your love for God, based on the background and personality God gave you... If God intentionally made us all different, why should everyone be expected to love God in the same way?
Thursday, January 24, 2013
clean fight
so once again, my facebook feed is flooded with people who wants to voice their opinions and listen to few. few other events get singaporeans so worked up and this is one of them - an election, or this time round, a by-election, the second one in 2 years.
happened to catch some of the news so far, and a short summary clip of the candidates, it's quite sad that most of their tactics is to pour shame and paint the opponents as incapable useless people. i remember reading a dan brown book, whereby one of the person running for the US presidential election didn't want to go down the road of digging up scandals of the other party. somehow, that really caused me to view at things in a different light since.
i still look forward to someone, who can convince people because he/she is capable, and not because he/she is better able to paint the opponent as a bigger failure. it easy for people to criticise others who are doing it, but what makes one think that he/she can do a better job if he/she is in the same shoes? "i promise that i can......" really.. talk is free, anyone can say that.
it's also amazing how people just so blindly buy into whatever their choice of party says. arguments that are so full of loopholes and ambiguity, it makes swiss cheese looks rock solid. a quote i just heard "you should vote more of us in so that we can make the others work harder".. it sounds ok on surface, but if you think about it, are they saying whoever is in is not capable to make the others work harder?
what are we losing just to gain that small little insignificant thing that eventually will fade away as time passes? is getting into office such an important thing that one has to do such things? i still remember the days of TPL, how many aquaintances, whom i thought were decent nice people chose to reveal their ugly side and make condemnation of TPL that went beyond just capability, but to something downright personal. at the end of it, she is someone's daughter, she is someone's granddaughter, she is someone's wife, she is as human being, as imperfect as anyone of us.
strangely, one of my ex-colleague which i find hardest to love once used a story that he said he witnessed during a training session in a primary school that really make me think about how we treat others.
i was walking to my next class when i passed by a primary one class. the teacher in charge was either absent, or left the class for a while, and left the class monitor in charge. so the class monitor was up in front at the blackboard, with a piece of chalk in his hand. on the blackboard were names of the students i presume. we are all so familiar with this sight, whoever misbehave, jot down the name and let the teacher know later. on the chalkboard were a lot of names, maybe the entire class. puzzled as the students were all so quiet and doing their work, i stayed a while until the class is over and asked the class monitor why did he write down all the names. it turned out that unlike most of us, the class monitor chose to write down the names of those who behaving obediently.
it took a primary one student to show us something that most of us forget. seeing the bad things about people is so easy, but you know, seeing the good in people often works some much better than the former.
sometimes, you dont have to put down others to produce good results. actually, most of the time more than sometimes..
happened to catch some of the news so far, and a short summary clip of the candidates, it's quite sad that most of their tactics is to pour shame and paint the opponents as incapable useless people. i remember reading a dan brown book, whereby one of the person running for the US presidential election didn't want to go down the road of digging up scandals of the other party. somehow, that really caused me to view at things in a different light since.
i still look forward to someone, who can convince people because he/she is capable, and not because he/she is better able to paint the opponent as a bigger failure. it easy for people to criticise others who are doing it, but what makes one think that he/she can do a better job if he/she is in the same shoes? "i promise that i can......" really.. talk is free, anyone can say that.
it's also amazing how people just so blindly buy into whatever their choice of party says. arguments that are so full of loopholes and ambiguity, it makes swiss cheese looks rock solid. a quote i just heard "you should vote more of us in so that we can make the others work harder".. it sounds ok on surface, but if you think about it, are they saying whoever is in is not capable to make the others work harder?
what are we losing just to gain that small little insignificant thing that eventually will fade away as time passes? is getting into office such an important thing that one has to do such things? i still remember the days of TPL, how many aquaintances, whom i thought were decent nice people chose to reveal their ugly side and make condemnation of TPL that went beyond just capability, but to something downright personal. at the end of it, she is someone's daughter, she is someone's granddaughter, she is someone's wife, she is as human being, as imperfect as anyone of us.
strangely, one of my ex-colleague which i find hardest to love once used a story that he said he witnessed during a training session in a primary school that really make me think about how we treat others.
i was walking to my next class when i passed by a primary one class. the teacher in charge was either absent, or left the class for a while, and left the class monitor in charge. so the class monitor was up in front at the blackboard, with a piece of chalk in his hand. on the blackboard were names of the students i presume. we are all so familiar with this sight, whoever misbehave, jot down the name and let the teacher know later. on the chalkboard were a lot of names, maybe the entire class. puzzled as the students were all so quiet and doing their work, i stayed a while until the class is over and asked the class monitor why did he write down all the names. it turned out that unlike most of us, the class monitor chose to write down the names of those who behaving obediently.
it took a primary one student to show us something that most of us forget. seeing the bad things about people is so easy, but you know, seeing the good in people often works some much better than the former.
sometimes, you dont have to put down others to produce good results. actually, most of the time more than sometimes..
PDL #12 - Developing that friendship
The truth is - you are as close to God as you choose to be. Intimate friendship with God is a choice, not an accident. You must intentionally seek it.
This line pretty much sum up the whole chapter and basically what goes on in life. People that say they cant feel God, christian or not, very much dont really want to meet God.
For the atheists, they always have so many statements that support their disbelief, but whenever a valid rebuke comes along, they refuse to listen it, must less accept it. they basically have chosen to stick to their view, no matter what happens.
For the curious, they eventually find out enough, enough to convince them, but something just holds them back.
For the struggling christians, many will admit they have backslided along the way. the sad thing is they know something is wrong, yet they do not want to do anything about it. it's like having a leaking tap at home and refusing to fix it.
everyone is given a choice. how we choose is what set us apart from one another.
This line pretty much sum up the whole chapter and basically what goes on in life. People that say they cant feel God, christian or not, very much dont really want to meet God.
For the atheists, they always have so many statements that support their disbelief, but whenever a valid rebuke comes along, they refuse to listen it, must less accept it. they basically have chosen to stick to their view, no matter what happens.
For the curious, they eventually find out enough, enough to convince them, but something just holds them back.
For the struggling christians, many will admit they have backslided along the way. the sad thing is they know something is wrong, yet they do not want to do anything about it. it's like having a leaking tap at home and refusing to fix it.
everyone is given a choice. how we choose is what set us apart from one another.
Tuesday, January 22, 2013
PDL #11 - F.R.I.E.N.D.S
often, people talk about their relationship with God in different aspects - Creator, Lord, Master, Judge, Redeemer. one of the thing that is not that often mentioned, but just as true is that God can be and yearns to be our Friend! not just any mere acquaintance, not a project group mate in school, not someone you say hi to at the lift. rather, He wants to be a friend that is there when you graduate from school, your best man or bridesmaid at your wedding, the one you turn to when you need someone to pour out your woes to.
this really remind me of one of the hymn that i first heard 16 years ago, way before i knew who God really is.
what a friend we have in Jesus, all our sins and grief to bear!
what a privilege to carry, everything to God in prayer.
oh, what peace we often forfeit, oh, what needless pain we bear,
all because we do not carry, everything to God in prayer.
i know Facebook is a very poor indicator, but looking at the number of "friends" we have on Facebook, you would think that at least one can be there whenever you need a friend. chances are, often they can be there, but there's no guarantee they will be there all the time. but i know He is always there, and He can be always there for you too, if you let Him.
He badly wants to be our friend, do we want to let Him be?
this really remind me of one of the hymn that i first heard 16 years ago, way before i knew who God really is.
what a friend we have in Jesus, all our sins and grief to bear!
what a privilege to carry, everything to God in prayer.
oh, what peace we often forfeit, oh, what needless pain we bear,
all because we do not carry, everything to God in prayer.
i know Facebook is a very poor indicator, but looking at the number of "friends" we have on Facebook, you would think that at least one can be there whenever you need a friend. chances are, often they can be there, but there's no guarantee they will be there all the time. but i know He is always there, and He can be always there for you too, if you let Him.
He badly wants to be our friend, do we want to let Him be?
Monday, January 21, 2013
PDL #10 - Heart of worship
The heart of worship is surrender.
Surrender is defined as to yield to the possession or power of another. through the ages, human find it very hard to surrender to anything. surrender usually means your are giving up control of your situation, giving up your power, to follow the plans of another. this is more so in this age whereby technology has caused everyone to have an inflated view of their own ability and knowledge. sorry is a word that i hardly ever hear anymore, especially from people who really should say it.
surrendering to human is difficult. surrendering to God is another level of difficulty, or so it seems. with God, often, when you surrender, you dont get a preview of the outcome. this uncertainty causes a lot of people to be uncomfortable, and hence they resist. people wants to be in control.
hence, to surrender willingly, having trust is very important. you choose to trust that Him who you surrender to loves you a lot, He knows what's going on and He won't leave you to fend for yourself.
honestly, i dont know where my life is going. what the church will become in 3 years time. whether ill meet someone ill spend the rest of my life with. where am i going to work at next. do i like the uncertainty? of course not. its scary, much more scary than going on a trip myself (which i have since semi conquered!).. but that's the best part right? only in such uncertainty can i show my trust, and to know eventually that my trust is not misplaced.
Surrender is defined as to yield to the possession or power of another. through the ages, human find it very hard to surrender to anything. surrender usually means your are giving up control of your situation, giving up your power, to follow the plans of another. this is more so in this age whereby technology has caused everyone to have an inflated view of their own ability and knowledge. sorry is a word that i hardly ever hear anymore, especially from people who really should say it.
surrendering to human is difficult. surrendering to God is another level of difficulty, or so it seems. with God, often, when you surrender, you dont get a preview of the outcome. this uncertainty causes a lot of people to be uncomfortable, and hence they resist. people wants to be in control.
hence, to surrender willingly, having trust is very important. you choose to trust that Him who you surrender to loves you a lot, He knows what's going on and He won't leave you to fend for yourself.
honestly, i dont know where my life is going. what the church will become in 3 years time. whether ill meet someone ill spend the rest of my life with. where am i going to work at next. do i like the uncertainty? of course not. its scary, much more scary than going on a trip myself (which i have since semi conquered!).. but that's the best part right? only in such uncertainty can i show my trust, and to know eventually that my trust is not misplaced.
Saturday, January 19, 2013
PDL #9 - Making Him smile
so if our first purpose is to make Him smile, so we should know what are the things that will make Him smile right?
God smiles when:
it is so true isnt it. when God asks us to do things, they will often be seen as ridiculous things by people who dont understand. they will laugh at christians for doing weird things. many will falter, fearing the judgement by their peers, but many will go against the odds and stay faithful to their calling.
who are you in this story? laughing at things you dont understand? faltering when being laughed at? standing strong even against persecutions because you know something others dont?
God smiles when:
- we trust Him completely
- we obey Him wholeheartedly
- we praise and thank Him continually
- we use our abilities
it is so true isnt it. when God asks us to do things, they will often be seen as ridiculous things by people who dont understand. they will laugh at christians for doing weird things. many will falter, fearing the judgement by their peers, but many will go against the odds and stay faithful to their calling.
who are you in this story? laughing at things you dont understand? faltering when being laughed at? standing strong even against persecutions because you know something others dont?
Friday, January 18, 2013
PDL #8 - Purpose 1
many things happened the past three days, resulting in me having to take a 3 day break from the book. but in a very strange coincident, i continue today with a brand new segment of the book: purpose #1
You were planned for God's pleasure.
The moment you were born into the world, God was there as an unseen witness, smiling at your birth... God did not need to create you, but He chose to create you for His own enjoyment...
i like the author put it, if you are important enough for God to create you, you will never have a problem feeling insignificant. He considers you valuable enough to keep with Him for eternity, what greater significance could you have?
You were planned for God's pleasure.
The moment you were born into the world, God was there as an unseen witness, smiling at your birth... God did not need to create you, but He chose to create you for His own enjoyment...
i like the author put it, if you are important enough for God to create you, you will never have a problem feeling insignificant. He considers you valuable enough to keep with Him for eternity, what greater significance could you have?
Monday, January 14, 2013
PDL #7 - the reason
everything that happens is because of God. For everything comes from God alone. Everything lives by His power, and everything is for His glory. God created all mankind to show the glory of God and we, mankind can do so in 5 ways:
- by worshipping Him
- by loving other believers
- by becoming like Christ
- by serving others with our gifts
- by telling others about Him
Saturday, January 12, 2013
PDL #6 - Temporary
the first line basically sums up this chapter really well. Life on earth is a temporary assignment.
indeed, the 60 70 odd years, compared to eternity is really temporary if you look at it that way. Earth is only a temporary residence. You wont be here long, so don't get too attached to it. if we view it this way, then we should really think about what we should working for, working for this 60 - 70 years on earth, or working for eternity. it's funny, yet makes so much sense how the author puts it - In order to keep us from becoming too attached to earth, God allows us to feel a significant amount of discontent and dissatisfaction in life - longings that will never be fulfilled on this side of eternity.
it really puts things into perspective. humans will never be satisified with life. a poor begger may think earning a million dollars will make him satisfied, but how often are millionaires satisfied with their millions? there's always the urge to want something more. but the truth is, nothing in this earth will help you find total satsifaction. let me know if you know anyone who is totally satisfied in life, chances are, you wont find any.
indeed, the 60 70 odd years, compared to eternity is really temporary if you look at it that way. Earth is only a temporary residence. You wont be here long, so don't get too attached to it. if we view it this way, then we should really think about what we should working for, working for this 60 - 70 years on earth, or working for eternity. it's funny, yet makes so much sense how the author puts it - In order to keep us from becoming too attached to earth, God allows us to feel a significant amount of discontent and dissatisfaction in life - longings that will never be fulfilled on this side of eternity.
it really puts things into perspective. humans will never be satisified with life. a poor begger may think earning a million dollars will make him satisfied, but how often are millionaires satisfied with their millions? there's always the urge to want something more. but the truth is, nothing in this earth will help you find total satsifaction. let me know if you know anyone who is totally satisfied in life, chances are, you wont find any.
Friday, January 11, 2013
PDL #5 - Seeing life from God's view
so, knowing that God made us, how then can we find our purpose? the book suggest that there are 3 - life is a test, life is a trust and life is a temporary assignment
why does God test us? Character is both developed and revealed by tests, and all of life is a test.. God constantly watches your response to people, problems, success, conflict, illnesses disappointment... You will be tested by major changes, delayed promises, impossible problems, unanswered prayers, undeserved criticism, and even senseless tragedies.
A very important test is how you act when you can't feel God's presence in your life.. [sometimes] God leaves [us] alone to test [our] character, to reveal a weakness and to prepare [us] for more responsibility
the past two years have indeed been a test. a test that i started badly and failing. one that i slowly crawled out of the dark hole, but with still a huge sack on my back. one that im trying hard to really climb out of. it's also a test of how much i trust Him when nothing in the future is clear at all. each possible path looks equally ambiguous, equally likely to hit a dead end.
but that is faith isnt it? trusting when you cant see...
why does God test us? Character is both developed and revealed by tests, and all of life is a test.. God constantly watches your response to people, problems, success, conflict, illnesses disappointment... You will be tested by major changes, delayed promises, impossible problems, unanswered prayers, undeserved criticism, and even senseless tragedies.
A very important test is how you act when you can't feel God's presence in your life.. [sometimes] God leaves [us] alone to test [our] character, to reveal a weakness and to prepare [us] for more responsibility
the past two years have indeed been a test. a test that i started badly and failing. one that i slowly crawled out of the dark hole, but with still a huge sack on my back. one that im trying hard to really climb out of. it's also a test of how much i trust Him when nothing in the future is clear at all. each possible path looks equally ambiguous, equally likely to hit a dead end.
but that is faith isnt it? trusting when you cant see...
Thursday, January 10, 2013
PDL #4 built to last
if our 100 years or so of life on earth is all that is to it, one should really just start living it up immediately and forget all about the ethical and moral issues. that is if life is all that. however, we are created for eternity. life on earth is just a warm up, one would have to spend eternity in one of two locations - heaven or hell. when you view it in this light, then how you live this short life is very important! you can choose to live for yourself, and risk spending eternity in hell, or you can choose to find out who your Creator is, what your purpose is, and live your life according to that.
This world is fading away, along with everything it craves. But if you do the will of God, you will live forever. 1 Jn 2:17
Are you willing to gamble away your eternity away?
This world is fading away, along with everything it craves. But if you do the will of God, you will live forever. 1 Jn 2:17
Are you willing to gamble away your eternity away?
Wednesday, January 9, 2013
randoms #35642
taking a break from the 40 days reading of the purpose driven life.. here are some random good things that i thought i should share..
the hobbit & wreck it ralph
so i havent catch a show at the cinema for quite some time, so it was really nice that i managed to catch the hobbit as well as wreck it ralph over the christmas-new year holiday period. despite what the critics say (i seem to always disagree with those people), i really did enjoy the hobbit. a fan of overlapping stories and cameos, the hobbit really had a fair share of them, especially since i read and watched LOTR quite a few times. speaking of cameos, wreck it ralph was full of them and i really like this show too. produced by disney, this animation is so different from the usual disney cartoons. a show whereby a bad guy from a video game had enough of being a bad guy and wants to be the hero instead. this show is especially good for video game fans with cameos from the likes of zangief, pacman, as well as the infamous contra cheat code from the era of NES.
once upon a time
it is this show that's showing on channel 5 on wednesday nights. its basically about how the evil queen sent all the fairy tale characters into a town in the real world, and most of the characters cant remember who they were. so each episode, it focuses on one character and the modern version of their fairy tale story.. with a twist. if you like how wicked tells the story of the witches of oz, you might just like this show. like today's episode was about how the mad hatter (from alice in wonderland) became the mad hatter, why he attends tea parties, how he ended up in wonderland.
when you drop a G2
im a big fan of pilot G2 pen since.... forever. it has been my choice of pen since ever... it saw me through the Os, the As, the countless lit / geog / econs essays.. the only complain i have is that it is easily spoilt if you ever drop it. so last week, i went to popular to restock on my G2s, and after I picked it up from the shelf, i dropped it on my way to the cashier. not thinking that it is spoilt, i went ahead to pay it. to my disappointment, when i got home, i discovered that it isnt working very well anymore. and strangely, no bookshop in singapore keep stock of the orange refill, i thought that's like $2+ down the drain. i was about to throw it away when i just thought i should try and pull out the tip from my old pen and change it, not being sure whether that is possible or not. it turned out that the tip comes off easily! so next time if you ever spoil the G2 tip, you can just swap it with an old one!
the hobbit & wreck it ralph
so i havent catch a show at the cinema for quite some time, so it was really nice that i managed to catch the hobbit as well as wreck it ralph over the christmas-new year holiday period. despite what the critics say (i seem to always disagree with those people), i really did enjoy the hobbit. a fan of overlapping stories and cameos, the hobbit really had a fair share of them, especially since i read and watched LOTR quite a few times. speaking of cameos, wreck it ralph was full of them and i really like this show too. produced by disney, this animation is so different from the usual disney cartoons. a show whereby a bad guy from a video game had enough of being a bad guy and wants to be the hero instead. this show is especially good for video game fans with cameos from the likes of zangief, pacman, as well as the infamous contra cheat code from the era of NES.
once upon a time
it is this show that's showing on channel 5 on wednesday nights. its basically about how the evil queen sent all the fairy tale characters into a town in the real world, and most of the characters cant remember who they were. so each episode, it focuses on one character and the modern version of their fairy tale story.. with a twist. if you like how wicked tells the story of the witches of oz, you might just like this show. like today's episode was about how the mad hatter (from alice in wonderland) became the mad hatter, why he attends tea parties, how he ended up in wonderland.
when you drop a G2
im a big fan of pilot G2 pen since.... forever. it has been my choice of pen since ever... it saw me through the Os, the As, the countless lit / geog / econs essays.. the only complain i have is that it is easily spoilt if you ever drop it. so last week, i went to popular to restock on my G2s, and after I picked it up from the shelf, i dropped it on my way to the cashier. not thinking that it is spoilt, i went ahead to pay it. to my disappointment, when i got home, i discovered that it isnt working very well anymore. and strangely, no bookshop in singapore keep stock of the orange refill, i thought that's like $2+ down the drain. i was about to throw it away when i just thought i should try and pull out the tip from my old pen and change it, not being sure whether that is possible or not. it turned out that the tip comes off easily! so next time if you ever spoil the G2 tip, you can just swap it with an old one!
PDL #3 - The driving force
what drives your life? are you driven by guilt? resentment and anger? fear? materialism? or the need for people's approval? if it is any of the above, then your life will most likely be going off course sooner or later. without a purpose, life is pointless really. what is my driving force?
Tuesday, January 8, 2013
PDL day #2 - i am no accident..
there's always that joke about how horrifying if you find out that you were born because of an unfortunate accident, that your parents didnt plan for you. this certainly happened to one of the acquaintance i met during uni. the wife was pregnant almost immediately after they got married, and the general knowledge was that they werent planning to start a family just yet then.
one of the definition of accident as taken from dictionary.com is "chance; fortune; luck". it is something beyond human's control. if we look at it this way, then all birth, planned or unplanned are accidents. people can increase their chances but ultimately, they have no control over whether one will get a baby or not. but the truth is we are not the result of astronomical random chance in the universe. God, our Creator, planned for us even before we were born. He chose who our parents are, what are race will be, where we will be born. We are alive because God wants us to be, he customed made us for a reason, for His purpose.
now as i think about all these, it means that everything about me was carefully planned for. how i look, my personality, my background, my family, everything. He place me in such a position for a reason. sometimes, just sometimes, dont you just wish you were born to a different family, with different looks, in a different country? i can say whenever we have such thoughts, it is almost always because of our selfish desires, what we wish to have in life. we can have everything we want in life, but if we cannot fill up the emptiness of a missing purpose in life, then we will never ever by satisfied with whatever we have.....
here's one of my all time favourite song (always have a soft spot for ballards), it's a pity we dont sing it much, except for christmas..
one of the definition of accident as taken from dictionary.com is "chance; fortune; luck". it is something beyond human's control. if we look at it this way, then all birth, planned or unplanned are accidents. people can increase their chances but ultimately, they have no control over whether one will get a baby or not. but the truth is we are not the result of astronomical random chance in the universe. God, our Creator, planned for us even before we were born. He chose who our parents are, what are race will be, where we will be born. We are alive because God wants us to be, he customed made us for a reason, for His purpose.
now as i think about all these, it means that everything about me was carefully planned for. how i look, my personality, my background, my family, everything. He place me in such a position for a reason. sometimes, just sometimes, dont you just wish you were born to a different family, with different looks, in a different country? i can say whenever we have such thoughts, it is almost always because of our selfish desires, what we wish to have in life. we can have everything we want in life, but if we cannot fill up the emptiness of a missing purpose in life, then we will never ever by satisfied with whatever we have.....
here's one of my all time favourite song (always have a soft spot for ballards), it's a pity we dont sing it much, except for christmas..
Monday, January 7, 2013
PDL day #1 - it is not about me!
so yesterday, i was pondering about the purpose in life. so i decided to dig out the book which i last read 4 years ago and decided to read it again and embark on this 40 days journey once again..
there are many many self help books out there, books to help one become successful, to attain life's goals, to plan your career, what to do with your life. it is almost always about "me", the individual and what to achieve for "myself" in life. that's why they are called self-help books as they are meant to benefit the self. many of these books become bestsellers, and really help many people achieve something in life, but all these are just goals you set for yourself, they are not your purpose.
purpose. what did our monkeys ancestors in mind when they evolve into humans? its funny how all the things we can achieve in life, the cash, the house, the cars, the children and grandchildren, the empire, all these things will go to past. when our life here is up, we cant bring them away.
so all these things doesnt make sense..... and it wont until you know why you are created and what the creator's purpose for you is. You were made by God and for God - and until you understand that, life will never make sense. you wont know how to use a new invention until the inventor tells you thr purpose of the invention, likewise, you wont know your purpose until the Person who created you tell you why you were created.. so it's really about what the Creator's purpose is and not our's............
there are many many self help books out there, books to help one become successful, to attain life's goals, to plan your career, what to do with your life. it is almost always about "me", the individual and what to achieve for "myself" in life. that's why they are called self-help books as they are meant to benefit the self. many of these books become bestsellers, and really help many people achieve something in life, but all these are just goals you set for yourself, they are not your purpose.
purpose. what did our monkeys ancestors in mind when they evolve into humans? its funny how all the things we can achieve in life, the cash, the house, the cars, the children and grandchildren, the empire, all these things will go to past. when our life here is up, we cant bring them away.
so all these things doesnt make sense..... and it wont until you know why you are created and what the creator's purpose for you is. You were made by God and for God - and until you understand that, life will never make sense. you wont know how to use a new invention until the inventor tells you thr purpose of the invention, likewise, you wont know your purpose until the Person who created you tell you why you were created.. so it's really about what the Creator's purpose is and not our's............
what is my purpose in life?
so another pretty routine sunday past by, church service, cell didnt happen, jam a little, went to get food, frisbee not happening. so i spent the afternoon learning to play another song, a song we sang in the morning (as well as to finally start on final fantasy xiii).
making a difference
won't You Lord, take a look at our hands. everything we have, use it for Your plans
won't You Lord, take a look at our hearts. mould it, refine it as You set us apart
we want to run to the altar, and catch the fire, to stand in the gap between the living and the dead
give us a heart of compassion, for a world without vision, we will make a difference, bringing hope to our land.
i think about my life, a life that has been a fixed routine for who knows how long. i wake up, go to work, look forward to the weekends. weekends come, waste the days away and soon find myself dreading mondays once again. surely, life does not revolves around this. a life of no meaning and no purpose.
so what on earth am I here for? the darwinites believe that we are the tail-less, non hunch back evolved version of some form of monkeys. others believe we came from some seeding from outer space. there are others who are clueless and couldnt care more about it. i would say that the answer lies in a compilation of books that was written thousand of years ago.
Col 1:16 - For by Him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by Him and for Him.
all these got me thinking of this other book that i read years ago. i remembered the last time i read it, i didnt take away too much from it, but i have decided to re-read the purpose driven life and im sure this time round, it will mean more to me...
making a difference
won't You Lord, take a look at our hands. everything we have, use it for Your plans
won't You Lord, take a look at our hearts. mould it, refine it as You set us apart
we want to run to the altar, and catch the fire, to stand in the gap between the living and the dead
give us a heart of compassion, for a world without vision, we will make a difference, bringing hope to our land.
i think about my life, a life that has been a fixed routine for who knows how long. i wake up, go to work, look forward to the weekends. weekends come, waste the days away and soon find myself dreading mondays once again. surely, life does not revolves around this. a life of no meaning and no purpose.
so what on earth am I here for? the darwinites believe that we are the tail-less, non hunch back evolved version of some form of monkeys. others believe we came from some seeding from outer space. there are others who are clueless and couldnt care more about it. i would say that the answer lies in a compilation of books that was written thousand of years ago.
Col 1:16 - For by Him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by Him and for Him.
all these got me thinking of this other book that i read years ago. i remembered the last time i read it, i didnt take away too much from it, but i have decided to re-read the purpose driven life and im sure this time round, it will mean more to me...
Wednesday, January 2, 2013
welcome 2013!
the most cliche of cliches, the end of the year / start of the next year usually brings a list, a list of resolutions, a list of things people hope to achieve in the upcoming year.
i dont remember having many resolutions over the span of my 29+ years, but this year, i somehow decided to come up with two.
#1 to exercise at least once a week
so ever since i stopped training with chuckies (2 years ago) and sunday frisbee became irregular, i havent been exercising reguarly and i let myself get away with it. i always hated jogging but i decided enough is enough, and if im not going to play frisbee that week, i better catch up with some running. and to kick off things in style, i went for a jog today! i know 14mins for 2.4km is nothing to shout about, but for someone who hasnt run in ages, i was quite satisfied with it! hopefully ill be able to keep this up
#2 to cook more
well, for this to happen, i need people to eat my food! anyone wants to be lab rats?
i dont remember having many resolutions over the span of my 29+ years, but this year, i somehow decided to come up with two.
#1 to exercise at least once a week
so ever since i stopped training with chuckies (2 years ago) and sunday frisbee became irregular, i havent been exercising reguarly and i let myself get away with it. i always hated jogging but i decided enough is enough, and if im not going to play frisbee that week, i better catch up with some running. and to kick off things in style, i went for a jog today! i know 14mins for 2.4km is nothing to shout about, but for someone who hasnt run in ages, i was quite satisfied with it! hopefully ill be able to keep this up
#2 to cook more
well, for this to happen, i need people to eat my food! anyone wants to be lab rats?
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