Monday, June 12, 2006
Brevity is the soul of wit-- Lord Polonius, in Hamlet Act 2 Scene 2, Shakespeare
Then I have not wit.
Then I have not wit.
Sunday, June 04, 2006
Something I received. To whet the appetite of the defination enthusiast.
When one hath nothing to worry about,
That is peace.
When one hath no one to worry about,
That is desolation.
When one is not talked to unnecessarily,
That is peace.
When one has no one to in necessity,
That is loneliness.
When all your cares are dead,
That is peace.
When no one cares when you are dead,
That is seperation.
When one hath nothing to worry about,
That is peace.
When one hath no one to worry about,
That is desolation.
When one is not talked to unnecessarily,
That is peace.
When one has no one to in necessity,
That is loneliness.
When all your cares are dead,
That is peace.
When no one cares when you are dead,
That is seperation.
Post worship experience
Before I begin proper on my thoughts, let me try to address some questions that I myself sometimes ask and I think others might ask too.
"Why do Christians, and other people like me, try so hard to please this GOD? I mean isn't the faith supposed to give you joy, comfort, peace and what not?"
Having known this God who is so faithful and good to me, I have been convicted that my life should be a pleasant offering unto Him. I mean Jesus came to die for my sins so that I can be accepted by God and can come to Him freely to throw all my burdens somewhere; surely I ought to be dead to sin now.
"Huh? You dead to sin still have to strive to be sin-free meh?"
Yup cos the devil will intensify the attacks of temptation. And because our Christian walk is not a pleasant bed of roses, we might often slip a little here and there. That's when we might struggle. I wanna move to the point of faith that I can face trials without feeling it as a painful struggle, but more of as a wonderful refining process, by which my faith is strengthened. Then indeed can I really shine for God and present myself confidently before Him on the day of judgement.
"Ee.. so what man? Strive so hard in the end only become very confident.."
God has a good reward for the faithful. I think the eternal reward by far exceeds what momentarily pleasures the world can offer..
"What reason have you for your faith man? Such an uptopic faith.. Utopianism is impossible.. Didn't we discuss that in Animal Farm?"
Well I have more than enough reasons for my faith. I seriously cannot find peace anywhere else. Believe me man, I've tried. Like what Hebrews 3-4 explains in detail, God swears that if the Israelites do not believe in Him, He will not grant them rest. I've been to the place of questioning God and the Christian faith until I corner the faith with many many doubts. No peace.. Nope I toss and turn unable to sleep. Not a nice feeling at all..
I've been to the place of abandoning God for studies.. didn't quite work out either. As I've told people many many times, that was last year first sem. Really bad.. And as I place my trust back in God again, my CAP for the 2nd sem improved by 0.25. Significant improvement in my opinion.
Even Josh Mcdowell, a former skeptic of Christianity can testify to the changes brought about by God. And I tell you this, he is really a man that can research until he gets to the very roots of the matter. Go read his books if you ever have the time. If you have time in abundance, try The New Evidence for the Verdict. If you don't, why not The Da Vinci Code: A Quest for Answers?
Right..now I know I'm very very late in telling you guys this. But Worship Experience was AWESOME! If anyone actually bothers to notice my msn nickname, for some time it was "You know what cannot make me more upset?" Well failing the God standard is what cannot make me more upset. Imagine when I just get so distracted when worshipping God. Then my inner conscience just screams guilty and "stop it!" But no.. I keep getting very very distracted. Just unable to focus. And my very being just starts to really stink. To me, that is. "Why can't I focus?!?"
Not only that. I really really wanna live a life of worship. A live that God can be proud of. A life that my parents can be proud of. But lemme be frank with this big problem of mine: honouring my parents. 4th command in the 10 Commandments. Failure to do so makes me feel all the more stinky..
Worship experience taught me that God still loves and accepts me nevertheless. He'll always have His arms wide open for whenever I come to Him. I can still worship without being burdened down by my sins. My heart just warms at that thought.. Could not stop those tears from falling.. Was just so touched again by God's love.
And I came home with the thought: Well that was great; but so what?
Well the next day was district gathering. My district pastor has a powerful word. I really like his preachings actually.. Cos they really delve into the word and what it means. He was sharing from Romans 12:1-2.
Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, hold and pleasing to God--this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the patterns of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is--his good, pleasing and perfect will.
Romans 12:1-2 (NIV)
I shall not attempt to type out all the sermon notes which I commited to memory (cos I didn't bring a pen to district gathering). But the main point that really spoke to me, amongst all others that did so strongly, was that many times we as Christians don't see why sticking to God's will is the right way to go, and the temptations and ways of this world appeals so much more to us. I can identify with that. And the reason for feeling that way is cos we have yet to make that CHOICE to not conform to the patterns of this world. Once we make that choice, our minds are renewed and transformed; we start to think in accordance to God's good, pleasing and perfect will.
I mean when we're standing on one side, we can't see what's so great about the other side until we finally decide to cross over and take a look for ourselves. The thing for us to do is to "finally decide".
That sure shook something in my spirit. That's it. Yes I've heard that making a choice stuff from Pas Jeanne Mayo before but when I responded to altar call that day, I really had to make that declaration to God. By saying that to God, I bound myself to live not with hypocritical words. Make the choice to focus on worshipping God.. Make the choice to honour my parents.. yup, God is very good..
"Why do Christians, and other people like me, try so hard to please this GOD? I mean isn't the faith supposed to give you joy, comfort, peace and what not?"
Having known this God who is so faithful and good to me, I have been convicted that my life should be a pleasant offering unto Him. I mean Jesus came to die for my sins so that I can be accepted by God and can come to Him freely to throw all my burdens somewhere; surely I ought to be dead to sin now.
"Huh? You dead to sin still have to strive to be sin-free meh?"
Yup cos the devil will intensify the attacks of temptation. And because our Christian walk is not a pleasant bed of roses, we might often slip a little here and there. That's when we might struggle. I wanna move to the point of faith that I can face trials without feeling it as a painful struggle, but more of as a wonderful refining process, by which my faith is strengthened. Then indeed can I really shine for God and present myself confidently before Him on the day of judgement.
"Ee.. so what man? Strive so hard in the end only become very confident.."
God has a good reward for the faithful. I think the eternal reward by far exceeds what momentarily pleasures the world can offer..
"What reason have you for your faith man? Such an uptopic faith.. Utopianism is impossible.. Didn't we discuss that in Animal Farm?"
Well I have more than enough reasons for my faith. I seriously cannot find peace anywhere else. Believe me man, I've tried. Like what Hebrews 3-4 explains in detail, God swears that if the Israelites do not believe in Him, He will not grant them rest. I've been to the place of questioning God and the Christian faith until I corner the faith with many many doubts. No peace.. Nope I toss and turn unable to sleep. Not a nice feeling at all..
I've been to the place of abandoning God for studies.. didn't quite work out either. As I've told people many many times, that was last year first sem. Really bad.. And as I place my trust back in God again, my CAP for the 2nd sem improved by 0.25. Significant improvement in my opinion.
Even Josh Mcdowell, a former skeptic of Christianity can testify to the changes brought about by God. And I tell you this, he is really a man that can research until he gets to the very roots of the matter. Go read his books if you ever have the time. If you have time in abundance, try The New Evidence for the Verdict. If you don't, why not The Da Vinci Code: A Quest for Answers?
Right..now I know I'm very very late in telling you guys this. But Worship Experience was AWESOME! If anyone actually bothers to notice my msn nickname, for some time it was "You know what cannot make me more upset?" Well failing the God standard is what cannot make me more upset. Imagine when I just get so distracted when worshipping God. Then my inner conscience just screams guilty and "stop it!" But no.. I keep getting very very distracted. Just unable to focus. And my very being just starts to really stink. To me, that is. "Why can't I focus?!?"
Not only that. I really really wanna live a life of worship. A live that God can be proud of. A life that my parents can be proud of. But lemme be frank with this big problem of mine: honouring my parents. 4th command in the 10 Commandments. Failure to do so makes me feel all the more stinky..
Worship experience taught me that God still loves and accepts me nevertheless. He'll always have His arms wide open for whenever I come to Him. I can still worship without being burdened down by my sins. My heart just warms at that thought.. Could not stop those tears from falling.. Was just so touched again by God's love.
And I came home with the thought: Well that was great; but so what?
Well the next day was district gathering. My district pastor has a powerful word. I really like his preachings actually.. Cos they really delve into the word and what it means. He was sharing from Romans 12:1-2.
Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, hold and pleasing to God--this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the patterns of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is--his good, pleasing and perfect will.
Romans 12:1-2 (NIV)
I shall not attempt to type out all the sermon notes which I commited to memory (cos I didn't bring a pen to district gathering). But the main point that really spoke to me, amongst all others that did so strongly, was that many times we as Christians don't see why sticking to God's will is the right way to go, and the temptations and ways of this world appeals so much more to us. I can identify with that. And the reason for feeling that way is cos we have yet to make that CHOICE to not conform to the patterns of this world. Once we make that choice, our minds are renewed and transformed; we start to think in accordance to God's good, pleasing and perfect will.
I mean when we're standing on one side, we can't see what's so great about the other side until we finally decide to cross over and take a look for ourselves. The thing for us to do is to "finally decide".
That sure shook something in my spirit. That's it. Yes I've heard that making a choice stuff from Pas Jeanne Mayo before but when I responded to altar call that day, I really had to make that declaration to God. By saying that to God, I bound myself to live not with hypocritical words. Make the choice to focus on worshipping God.. Make the choice to honour my parents.. yup, God is very good..
That's What Love Is For
Friday, June 02, 2006
Was enjoying the old songs of Amy Grant. Her album Heart In Motion.. I'm talking about an album older than I am, created in 1991. But I kinda learn to appreciate the songs the more I listen to them. To just relish the old tunes and meaningful lyrics... Here's one song that never really made it big and famous, but holds very close to my heart.
That's What Love Is For
Sometimes we make it harder than it is
We'll take a perfect night
And fill it up with words we don't mean
Dark sides best unseen
And we wonder why we're feeling this way
Sometimes I wonder if we really feel the same
Why we can be unkind
Questioning the strongest of hearts
That's when we must start
Believing in the one thing that has gotten us this far
[Chorus]
That's what love is for
To help us through it
That's what love is for
Nothing else can do it
Melt our defenses
Bring us back to our senses
Give us strength to try once more
Baby, that's what love is for
Sometimes I see you
And you don't know I am there
And I'm washed away by emotions
I hold deep down inside
Getting stronger with time
It's living through the fire
And holding on we find
[Chorus]
That's what love is for
To help us through it
That's what love if for
Nothing else can do it
Melt our defenses
Bring us back to our senses
Give us strength to try once more
Baby, that's what love is for
Believing in the one thing
That has gotten us this far
That's what love is for
To help us through it
That's what love is for
Nothing else can do it
Round off the edges
Talk us down from the ledges
Give us strength to try once more
Baby, that's what love is for
That's what love is for
That's what love is for
Melt our defenses
Bring us back to our senses
Give us strength to try once more
Baby, that's what love is for
That's what love is for
That's what love is for
That's what love is for
Yup, lovely song which I used for my Clay Marble project last year. We were doing on Dara's POV I think.. This song further supports my view on love. Sure.. love ain't a feeling man.. It's something that should pull you through the seasons. Something that refines your rough edges no matter how painful it is. Something that doesn't change in spite of mood swings..
That's What Love Is For
Sometimes we make it harder than it is
We'll take a perfect night
And fill it up with words we don't mean
Dark sides best unseen
And we wonder why we're feeling this way
Sometimes I wonder if we really feel the same
Why we can be unkind
Questioning the strongest of hearts
That's when we must start
Believing in the one thing that has gotten us this far
[Chorus]
That's what love is for
To help us through it
That's what love is for
Nothing else can do it
Melt our defenses
Bring us back to our senses
Give us strength to try once more
Baby, that's what love is for
Sometimes I see you
And you don't know I am there
And I'm washed away by emotions
I hold deep down inside
Getting stronger with time
It's living through the fire
And holding on we find
[Chorus]
That's what love is for
To help us through it
That's what love if for
Nothing else can do it
Melt our defenses
Bring us back to our senses
Give us strength to try once more
Baby, that's what love is for
Believing in the one thing
That has gotten us this far
That's what love is for
To help us through it
That's what love is for
Nothing else can do it
Round off the edges
Talk us down from the ledges
Give us strength to try once more
Baby, that's what love is for
That's what love is for
That's what love is for
Melt our defenses
Bring us back to our senses
Give us strength to try once more
Baby, that's what love is for
That's what love is for
That's what love is for
That's what love is for
Yup, lovely song which I used for my Clay Marble project last year. We were doing on Dara's POV I think.. This song further supports my view on love. Sure.. love ain't a feeling man.. It's something that should pull you through the seasons. Something that refines your rough edges no matter how painful it is. Something that doesn't change in spite of mood swings..
HOLSHOLS
HEYA people. Haven't blogged for a very very long time. That's cos I still haven't typed out what I wrote for the english test and exam. Oh wells.. Lazy Chui Yi.. Bad Chui Yi too cos *HI!!! FISHIE HERE!* yes I'm typing while doing administrative work in the selection camp. *FOOD MAKES CHEWY HAPPPPPPPY!!!* That wasn't me but food does make me happy. ;) haha..
Let me tell you guys my diet for the past few days. Basically I've been eating like siao. Council camp from monday to wednesday was.. plain fattening. Although we starved the first day cos we didn't buy lunch, the next 2 days were like a food fest. Eat sleep watch TV. Yup that was council camp. The parents are over generous.. Brought so much food for the BBQ.*BINGI AND BONGI, DA BONGO SIBLINGS!*-Fishie Gary:*Very random here whee... chui yi is a bad gal.. she's eating too much* Right I have people typing all over my post. Then today also eat and eat and type and type in aircon room. Man.. CHui Yi is becoming a sluggard..
I complain to Ms Seah: Ms Seah, I have this big problem.
Ms Seah: What
Me: I am very very full but I can't help eating and eating!
The only exercise I got was kayaking on wednesday, slacky PT on tuesday and unfocused table tennis yesterday. Yes.. marvelous. I am very obviously fatter. Yup. Sigh...
NUSHS council 06 is a council bonded as a family, not very much through adversity. I mean council camp was like a family holiday. We watched TV together, ate in front of the TV together, cook together as a girls group (I hope that the guys enjoyed eating our saliva;)), argued with Mikel that our council logo that was constructed with leaves and twigs looked like a council logo (because we had a united focus and everyone could see the council logo together).. Mess up the boys' sleeping area together.. Man, our unity is unlike any other.. haha..
WOAH. Lemme report matters in the conference room now. Gary is playing with his ball. Gary:"OI!!! not my ball!!! NUSHS' ball lar!" Bleagh.. his just lying. nah lah.. It's NUSHS ball. Probably the one that Donovan got stuck up in a coconut tree. Yes, where was I? Right..
yes during council camp, the marvelous Donovan got a hullahoop hooked around the leaf of coconut tree when we didn't have any games to play.. Then we threw up a volleyball to try to get it down. Guess what happened? Yup the ball got stuck up there as well. So well a hullahoop tied down with raffia plus lots of shaking of the tree got the stuff down in the end. Let's try to imagine the tree. Now I hope everyone knows how a coconut tree looks like. Imagine two leaves hanging down because the stalk is half broken. Then well there are just a couple more leaves that are supposed to be sticking up but came down to droop. Yup that tree really stood out pathetically against the background of straight trees. haha.. And throughout that whole time, well around that time.. I was.. well.. I was.. Lemme try to figure out how to say this properly.. I was filling up my stomach. With chiffon cake. Yup.
Alright, don't think I shall elaborate on council camp. Too lazy to talk too much.. (I hope Roy Ang remembers to go shopping ;) ) You know when I came back at night, I fell asleep during TAWG! Then couldn't wake up until 10a.m. the next day. My mum actually made so much noise cos she thought that I was sick or something.. Haha.. hai, I've so much to do this hols and yet I'm too lazy to start proper.. man.. Chui Yi is in big trouble. I think you guys will be bored sick reading post. I shall try to post something more reasonable next time. Haha.. Sorreh.. terribly slow at typing ou my english essay..
Let me tell you guys my diet for the past few days. Basically I've been eating like siao. Council camp from monday to wednesday was.. plain fattening. Although we starved the first day cos we didn't buy lunch, the next 2 days were like a food fest. Eat sleep watch TV. Yup that was council camp. The parents are over generous.. Brought so much food for the BBQ.*BINGI AND BONGI, DA BONGO SIBLINGS!*-Fishie Gary:*Very random here whee... chui yi is a bad gal.. she's eating too much* Right I have people typing all over my post. Then today also eat and eat and type and type in aircon room. Man.. CHui Yi is becoming a sluggard..
I complain to Ms Seah: Ms Seah, I have this big problem.
Ms Seah: What
Me: I am very very full but I can't help eating and eating!
The only exercise I got was kayaking on wednesday, slacky PT on tuesday and unfocused table tennis yesterday. Yes.. marvelous. I am very obviously fatter. Yup. Sigh...
NUSHS council 06 is a council bonded as a family, not very much through adversity. I mean council camp was like a family holiday. We watched TV together, ate in front of the TV together, cook together as a girls group (I hope that the guys enjoyed eating our saliva;)), argued with Mikel that our council logo that was constructed with leaves and twigs looked like a council logo (because we had a united focus and everyone could see the council logo together).. Mess up the boys' sleeping area together.. Man, our unity is unlike any other.. haha..
WOAH. Lemme report matters in the conference room now. Gary is playing with his ball. Gary:"OI!!! not my ball!!! NUSHS' ball lar!" Bleagh.. his just lying. nah lah.. It's NUSHS ball. Probably the one that Donovan got stuck up in a coconut tree. Yes, where was I? Right..
yes during council camp, the marvelous Donovan got a hullahoop hooked around the leaf of coconut tree when we didn't have any games to play.. Then we threw up a volleyball to try to get it down. Guess what happened? Yup the ball got stuck up there as well. So well a hullahoop tied down with raffia plus lots of shaking of the tree got the stuff down in the end. Let's try to imagine the tree. Now I hope everyone knows how a coconut tree looks like. Imagine two leaves hanging down because the stalk is half broken. Then well there are just a couple more leaves that are supposed to be sticking up but came down to droop. Yup that tree really stood out pathetically against the background of straight trees. haha.. And throughout that whole time, well around that time.. I was.. well.. I was.. Lemme try to figure out how to say this properly.. I was filling up my stomach. With chiffon cake. Yup.
Alright, don't think I shall elaborate on council camp. Too lazy to talk too much.. (I hope Roy Ang remembers to go shopping ;) ) You know when I came back at night, I fell asleep during TAWG! Then couldn't wake up until 10a.m. the next day. My mum actually made so much noise cos she thought that I was sick or something.. Haha.. hai, I've so much to do this hols and yet I'm too lazy to start proper.. man.. Chui Yi is in big trouble. I think you guys will be bored sick reading post. I shall try to post something more reasonable next time. Haha.. Sorreh.. terribly slow at typing ou my english essay..