I REALLY think I've reached the limit
I can't go on...
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
Tuesday, February 19, 2008
A True Love Story, according to Perry......
I've been thinking recently about how we're constantly fed with the rubbish that is the world's definition of love. We take the movies, the stories in the magazines and books that are thrown our way, and allow them watered down, counterfeit definitions to tug at our heart strings and satisfy us as if they were the real thing.
I believe with all my heart that there is another reality, a new reality that was, and IS meant to be the original reality. But the problem is that we settle. We settle on what THEY tell us what all this should be about. And we forget what HE says...
Anyhow, I'd like to share this article I found on www.perrynoble.com. Check it out...
"America is WAY too fascinated with Hollywood and the “love stories” that keep coming out of there…sort of like vomit coming out of someone with food poisoning. Basically…all the tabloids are reporting is who is screwing who this month…and for some reason we are obsessed with it.
And movies…those are horrible as well when it comes to “love stories.” Remember the movie Titanic? Yep, quite a love story…girl meets guy on a boat & has sex with him without even knowing him (can anyone say “ho” boys & girls) and then swears she will never let him go! And when he dies…uh…she lets him go!!! And everyone in the theatre cried because they thought that was love.
Our world is so screwed up when it comes to identifying love…what true love is and how it makes a difference. Too many have equated love with a feeling…and when the feeling is gone then the love must be as well–so they jump from one relationship to the next, forgetting the vows they took before God and friends on their wedding day…and doing damage to their lives.
BUT yesterday–WOW–I heard a love story that put a lump in my throat. I am about to cry right now just thinking about it…and I want to share it with you.
Jason Wilson (Executive Pastor) and his brother Ken (Graphics/motion engineer) both work here at NewSpring. In fact, both of them were in the original group that met in a living room a little over seven years ago.
I’ve always told them that their family was “dysfunctional.” You see…their grandparents are still living on both sides…and there has been no divorce in their family…and their family actually loves hanging out with each other–isn’t that weird?
Anyway, their grandparents on their father’s side are the only set of grandparents that I have met…and they are two of the coolest people in the world. He is in his early 90’s and she is in her mid 80’s…and they are STILL together…still in love…and have established a legacy that is the same. I remember meeting them several years ago and being impressed with how full of life they were!
On Monday Jason had to leave the office rather quickly–he told us that his grandmother had fell as a result of a massive stroke and was in the hospital…and that they were not expecting her to make it through the night.
Yesterday morning he came in and we asked him what happened. He told us that she had fallen as a result of the stroke. The grandfather cannot hear very well–so he can’t make a phone call. And he could not pick her up because, well, he’s 92 I believe. So when Jason’s aunt could not reach the grandmother by phone she became concerned and went over to the house and found her mother lying in the floor…and her husband standing there right beside her. He refused to leave the side of his bride–for better or worse, in sickness and in health…’till death do us part!
They took her to the hospital and admitted her into ICU. After the entire family had gotten there they brought Jason’s grandfather into the room. He had to be brought in by wheel chair…and when they rolled him up by her bedside he got up out of the chair, leaned over his bride, kissed her and said, “I love you!”
THAT is a love story! Hearing that made me want to leave my desk & go home & hold my wife. I remember saying to Jason when he told me his story, “I want that so bad for my marriage–I want the only thing that can separate us to be death…and even when it tries it will know it has been in a fight!”
Love is not jumping from bedroom to bedroom…love is a commitment that sticks through whatever situation life throws at you. Ken & Jason were able to witness first hand the power of true love–Jason said when his grandfather kissed his grandmother that there was not a dry eye in the room…why…because true love is motivating!!!
Singles–my challenge to you is HOLD OUT for what is REAL! If he’s trying to get in your pants…or your relationship is based on something other than true love–then you may have what Hollywood has…vomit…and the pain that it will bring will leave a scar.
And if you are married–I challenge you right now to stop what you are doing–right now, pick up the phone & call your spouse & tell them that you love them…and that you always will!!!
I am not sure how Jason & Ken’s grandmother is doing right now…but please keep them in your prayers…and when you are doing so–thank God for allowing us to see a demonstration of the kind of love He has for us…a love that will not leave us…no matter what!"
I believe with all my heart that there is another reality, a new reality that was, and IS meant to be the original reality. But the problem is that we settle. We settle on what THEY tell us what all this should be about. And we forget what HE says...
Anyhow, I'd like to share this article I found on www.perrynoble.com. Check it out...
"America is WAY too fascinated with Hollywood and the “love stories” that keep coming out of there…sort of like vomit coming out of someone with food poisoning. Basically…all the tabloids are reporting is who is screwing who this month…and for some reason we are obsessed with it.
And movies…those are horrible as well when it comes to “love stories.” Remember the movie Titanic? Yep, quite a love story…girl meets guy on a boat & has sex with him without even knowing him (can anyone say “ho” boys & girls) and then swears she will never let him go! And when he dies…uh…she lets him go!!! And everyone in the theatre cried because they thought that was love.
Our world is so screwed up when it comes to identifying love…what true love is and how it makes a difference. Too many have equated love with a feeling…and when the feeling is gone then the love must be as well–so they jump from one relationship to the next, forgetting the vows they took before God and friends on their wedding day…and doing damage to their lives.
BUT yesterday–WOW–I heard a love story that put a lump in my throat. I am about to cry right now just thinking about it…and I want to share it with you.
Jason Wilson (Executive Pastor) and his brother Ken (Graphics/motion engineer) both work here at NewSpring. In fact, both of them were in the original group that met in a living room a little over seven years ago.
I’ve always told them that their family was “dysfunctional.” You see…their grandparents are still living on both sides…and there has been no divorce in their family…and their family actually loves hanging out with each other–isn’t that weird?
Anyway, their grandparents on their father’s side are the only set of grandparents that I have met…and they are two of the coolest people in the world. He is in his early 90’s and she is in her mid 80’s…and they are STILL together…still in love…and have established a legacy that is the same. I remember meeting them several years ago and being impressed with how full of life they were!
On Monday Jason had to leave the office rather quickly–he told us that his grandmother had fell as a result of a massive stroke and was in the hospital…and that they were not expecting her to make it through the night.
Yesterday morning he came in and we asked him what happened. He told us that she had fallen as a result of the stroke. The grandfather cannot hear very well–so he can’t make a phone call. And he could not pick her up because, well, he’s 92 I believe. So when Jason’s aunt could not reach the grandmother by phone she became concerned and went over to the house and found her mother lying in the floor…and her husband standing there right beside her. He refused to leave the side of his bride–for better or worse, in sickness and in health…’till death do us part!
They took her to the hospital and admitted her into ICU. After the entire family had gotten there they brought Jason’s grandfather into the room. He had to be brought in by wheel chair…and when they rolled him up by her bedside he got up out of the chair, leaned over his bride, kissed her and said, “I love you!”
THAT is a love story! Hearing that made me want to leave my desk & go home & hold my wife. I remember saying to Jason when he told me his story, “I want that so bad for my marriage–I want the only thing that can separate us to be death…and even when it tries it will know it has been in a fight!”
Love is not jumping from bedroom to bedroom…love is a commitment that sticks through whatever situation life throws at you. Ken & Jason were able to witness first hand the power of true love–Jason said when his grandfather kissed his grandmother that there was not a dry eye in the room…why…because true love is motivating!!!
Singles–my challenge to you is HOLD OUT for what is REAL! If he’s trying to get in your pants…or your relationship is based on something other than true love–then you may have what Hollywood has…vomit…and the pain that it will bring will leave a scar.
And if you are married–I challenge you right now to stop what you are doing–right now, pick up the phone & call your spouse & tell them that you love them…and that you always will!!!
I am not sure how Jason & Ken’s grandmother is doing right now…but please keep them in your prayers…and when you are doing so–thank God for allowing us to see a demonstration of the kind of love He has for us…a love that will not leave us…no matter what!"
Tuesday, February 12, 2008
Selah......
"The significance of our lives doesn't come from the specific thing(s) we're doing, but from the greater thing we're part of......" (Glenn Packiam - New Life Church)
Pause for a moment, and think about it. What are we part of? What are YOU part of?
We've part of something that's much much bigger than ourselves, bigger than this life we live. And this something, is a huge move of God across our land, across the nations. The creator of the universe is preparing for the return of the Bridegroom. He's on the move, and calling out to us to move along with Him.
Now what would YOU do? What are YOU part of?
Selah......
Pause for a moment, and think about it. What are we part of? What are YOU part of?
We've part of something that's much much bigger than ourselves, bigger than this life we live. And this something, is a huge move of God across our land, across the nations. The creator of the universe is preparing for the return of the Bridegroom. He's on the move, and calling out to us to move along with Him.
Now what would YOU do? What are YOU part of?
Selah......
Thursday, February 07, 2008
Melaka... Malacca... Ma Liu Jia...
As most would know by now, I spend my CNYs in Malacca, where my maternal grandparents live. I've been coming up to Malacca for CNY ever since I was born. I don't even know what Singapore smells like on the 1st day of CNY, and I wonder when I'll ever find out... Some tell me that as far as smells go, it ain't that great. Hmmmm......
Anyhow, this year the hotel which we always stay in decided to provide FREE Wi-Fi in the lobby. So guess where I've been spending most of my time when the relatives are sleeping... Heh.. Thank You Lord...
I've also managed to get some time to catch up on my reading, which is fantastic. The past few trips to SKS have left me with a huge backlog of books to finish. Haha. =) Here's some of the books that I hope to get through within the next few months:
I'm now listening to a whole mix of Ross Parsely and The Desperation Band (4 albums worth! haha), Lifehouse (Collin Kam is the latest fan... yeahhhh), Matt Redman (Facedown, not a new album, but a good one), and Damien Rice Live (i should try listening to it while reading Mag's book... in a child safe environment).
And of course, being here away from work and all, I have the chance to just spend time with God, reflecting on the past month. And also reflecting on some of the stuff that people have said to me over the past month...
No one has a monopoly on the truth, most definitely not me. So it's up to me to cry out to the Holy Spirit to reveal to me the truth of God present in all the things that I've experienced and heard from different people this past January. And it's up to Him to reveal.
Ok glenn's off to e.o.c. with a book. (what's e.o.c.? ask John... that's what John are for... ) Have a great CNY y'all... Shine for Him!
P.S. Oh yeah... Marcus, fellow pine grove mate, I dunno if you ever read my blog, but I'm praying for you yeah? Hopefully I'll be able to say hi to you online soon. God will provide... He is faithful. He is... =)
Anyhow, this year the hotel which we always stay in decided to provide FREE Wi-Fi in the lobby. So guess where I've been spending most of my time when the relatives are sleeping... Heh.. Thank You Lord...
I've also managed to get some time to catch up on my reading, which is fantastic. The past few trips to SKS have left me with a huge backlog of books to finish. Haha. =) Here's some of the books that I hope to get through within the next few months:
- A Hunger For God - John Piper
- By Faith and Failure - David Harley (a gift from Andrew & Diana)
- In Pursuit Of His Glory - RT Kendall
- The Living Church: Confessions of a lifelong pastor - John Stott
- Sex God - Rob Bell (sounds "dangerous"... But I thoroughly enjoyed his previous book, Velvet Elvis)
- someemobook that Maggie gave me for my birthday (I temporarily forgot the title of it, but it looks potentially suicide causing... haha)
I'm now listening to a whole mix of Ross Parsely and The Desperation Band (4 albums worth! haha), Lifehouse (Collin Kam is the latest fan... yeahhhh), Matt Redman (Facedown, not a new album, but a good one), and Damien Rice Live (i should try listening to it while reading Mag's book... in a child safe environment).
And of course, being here away from work and all, I have the chance to just spend time with God, reflecting on the past month. And also reflecting on some of the stuff that people have said to me over the past month...
No one has a monopoly on the truth, most definitely not me. So it's up to me to cry out to the Holy Spirit to reveal to me the truth of God present in all the things that I've experienced and heard from different people this past January. And it's up to Him to reveal.
Ok glenn's off to e.o.c. with a book. (what's e.o.c.? ask John... that's what John are for... ) Have a great CNY y'all... Shine for Him!
P.S. Oh yeah... Marcus, fellow pine grove mate, I dunno if you ever read my blog, but I'm praying for you yeah? Hopefully I'll be able to say hi to you online soon. God will provide... He is faithful. He is... =)
Tuesday, February 05, 2008
When everything hinges on...
It's one of those days when it feels like everything's on your shoulders
When everything hinges on YOU
But still THE ONE says that His yoke is easy
That His burden is light
And then He says,"My grace is sufficient for you..."
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
And there's an intense struggle right now to surrender these feelings of being taken for granted... because I don't need them.
But, who would I be to the people around me if I wasn't who I am... if I didn't do the things I do?
When everything hinges on YOU
But still THE ONE says that His yoke is easy
That His burden is light
And then He says,"My grace is sufficient for you..."
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
And there's an intense struggle right now to surrender these feelings of being taken for granted... because I don't need them.
But, who would I be to the people around me if I wasn't who I am... if I didn't do the things I do?
Monday, February 04, 2008
Maybe tomorrow...
I still remember back in 2002, when a friend from NUS first introduced this band to me. I loved this song so much that I had it on repeat on my discman (remember them frisbee looking things?)
The harmonies, the simple acoustic sound which I so love, all these are simply wonderful on the song. But to me what truly got me about this song are the lyrics. I loved the lyrics then, and I still love them now. Theologically probably a bit salah I know... Haha. But I guess they just resonate with that little Mr Emo in me (who's starting to think that his amazing 5 year plan isn't so amazing after all, cos he'll probably fail it).
Sadly, I have no idea what happened to this band. If anyone knows anything about them please let me know. They just kinda disappeared after this album. And if anyone wants the mp3 of this song please let me know, good things must share......
The heavens paint a silent symphony
As Orion shines for me
Are you there feeling the same as I
Whispering love songs to the lonely sky
And though I don't know where you are
I know you must be there
So for now I'll lay me down to sleep and dream and maybe tomorrow
I'll kiss the air that covers you -
I'll watch the moonlight dance in your eyes
I'll hold you safely in my arms -
Maybe tomorrow you'll be mine
I said a prayer for you today
May troubles be far away
And I'll be here on bended knee
Until the day you say you'll marry me
And though I don't know who you are
I know you're beautiful
So for now I'll lay me down to sleep and dream and maybe tomorrow
I'll kiss the air that covers you -
I'll watch the moonlight dance in your eyes
I'll hold you safely in my arms -
Maybe tomorrow you'll be mine
I'll be waiting patiently -
promise you will wait for me
No one else to hold on to - until I'm holding you
I'll kiss the air that covers you -
I'll watch the moonlight dance in your eyes
I'll hold you safely in my arms -
Maybe tomorrow
I'll love you more than life itself -
I'll watch the moonlight dance in your eyes
I'll hold you safely in my arms -
Maybe tomorrow
(Maybe Tomorrow by Nouveaux)
Like it says in the song, "and though I don't know who you are, I know you're beautiful". Haha... Sometimes I wonder about YOU... What if......
Ok Mr Sentimental is outta here......
The harmonies, the simple acoustic sound which I so love, all these are simply wonderful on the song. But to me what truly got me about this song are the lyrics. I loved the lyrics then, and I still love them now. Theologically probably a bit salah I know... Haha. But I guess they just resonate with that little Mr Emo in me (who's starting to think that his amazing 5 year plan isn't so amazing after all, cos he'll probably fail it).
Sadly, I have no idea what happened to this band. If anyone knows anything about them please let me know. They just kinda disappeared after this album. And if anyone wants the mp3 of this song please let me know, good things must share......
The heavens paint a silent symphony
As Orion shines for me
Are you there feeling the same as I
Whispering love songs to the lonely sky
And though I don't know where you are
I know you must be there
So for now I'll lay me down to sleep and dream and maybe tomorrow
I'll kiss the air that covers you -
I'll watch the moonlight dance in your eyes
I'll hold you safely in my arms -
Maybe tomorrow you'll be mine
I said a prayer for you today
May troubles be far away
And I'll be here on bended knee
Until the day you say you'll marry me
And though I don't know who you are
I know you're beautiful
So for now I'll lay me down to sleep and dream and maybe tomorrow
I'll kiss the air that covers you -
I'll watch the moonlight dance in your eyes
I'll hold you safely in my arms -
Maybe tomorrow you'll be mine
I'll be waiting patiently -
promise you will wait for me
No one else to hold on to - until I'm holding you
I'll kiss the air that covers you -
I'll watch the moonlight dance in your eyes
I'll hold you safely in my arms -
Maybe tomorrow
I'll love you more than life itself -
I'll watch the moonlight dance in your eyes
I'll hold you safely in my arms -
Maybe tomorrow
(Maybe Tomorrow by Nouveaux)
Like it says in the song, "and though I don't know who you are, I know you're beautiful". Haha... Sometimes I wonder about YOU... What if......
Ok Mr Sentimental is outta here......
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