Tuesday, December 23, 2008
Saturday, December 06, 2008
Dear Michael...
This warmed my heart...
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Dear Michael,
Let me welcome you to this crazy place called earth. I know you’ve been bouncing around inside my sister for 9 months and i’m sure that’s a wild experience, but trust me, it gets crazier. Right now we’re still counting how many hours you’ve been with us, but soon you’ll be 5 years old. Then you’ll be 12. And before we can blink we’ll turn around and you’ll be going to college. So, as your wise uncle, let me say a few things before all that happens. I hope one day when you’re old enough to understand what’s happening around you that you’ll think it’s cool that i was in China when you entered the world. Maybe you’ll even come visit. I’m going to personally make it my goal that your first word is a Mandarin word, not English. Oh wait, i was supposed to be giving you words of wisdom. Ok, here we go.
First, the world is not too big for you to make a difference. Live for the grandness of God. Make your life about something bigger than yourself. Love deeply. Give fully. Sacrifice greatly. Walk confidently. Make mistakes. Fail. Stand up. Live abundantly. Know grace.
Second, you have wise grandparents. Talk to them, beg them to pass on this wisdom to you. Your parents are cool too. Your mom is a little goofy, but she’ll take care of you. I have no doubt that your dad will show you how to experience great adventures and will show you a good time and teach you really cool stuff. But, in the midst of all that, don’t forget that your uncle Biscuet is the awesome one. I’ll buy you stuff for Christmas that your parents tell you you’re not allowed to have.
And, Michael, my final word to you is this: You are meant for amazing things. Experience life to the fullest. Find ultimate satisfaction in who you were created to be. The world is your playground so have fun.
Ok, i know this is a lot to take in during your first 24 hours on earth, but don’t worry, we’ll help you along the way. For today, just concentrate on what matters to you right now - poop, puke, eat and sleep. We’ll get the ball rolling on our end to show you the cool stuff later.
Your favorite uncle,
Biscuet
(My sister had her first baby today, December 3, 2008. Michael Alan Burr is his name. He weighed in at 8 pounds 6 ounces.)
(Taken from Biscuet.com)
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Oh glenn you're such a sucker for this sorta stuff......
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Dear Michael,
Let me welcome you to this crazy place called earth. I know you’ve been bouncing around inside my sister for 9 months and i’m sure that’s a wild experience, but trust me, it gets crazier. Right now we’re still counting how many hours you’ve been with us, but soon you’ll be 5 years old. Then you’ll be 12. And before we can blink we’ll turn around and you’ll be going to college. So, as your wise uncle, let me say a few things before all that happens. I hope one day when you’re old enough to understand what’s happening around you that you’ll think it’s cool that i was in China when you entered the world. Maybe you’ll even come visit. I’m going to personally make it my goal that your first word is a Mandarin word, not English. Oh wait, i was supposed to be giving you words of wisdom. Ok, here we go.
First, the world is not too big for you to make a difference. Live for the grandness of God. Make your life about something bigger than yourself. Love deeply. Give fully. Sacrifice greatly. Walk confidently. Make mistakes. Fail. Stand up. Live abundantly. Know grace.
Second, you have wise grandparents. Talk to them, beg them to pass on this wisdom to you. Your parents are cool too. Your mom is a little goofy, but she’ll take care of you. I have no doubt that your dad will show you how to experience great adventures and will show you a good time and teach you really cool stuff. But, in the midst of all that, don’t forget that your uncle Biscuet is the awesome one. I’ll buy you stuff for Christmas that your parents tell you you’re not allowed to have.
And, Michael, my final word to you is this: You are meant for amazing things. Experience life to the fullest. Find ultimate satisfaction in who you were created to be. The world is your playground so have fun.
Ok, i know this is a lot to take in during your first 24 hours on earth, but don’t worry, we’ll help you along the way. For today, just concentrate on what matters to you right now - poop, puke, eat and sleep. We’ll get the ball rolling on our end to show you the cool stuff later.
Your favorite uncle,
Biscuet
(My sister had her first baby today, December 3, 2008. Michael Alan Burr is his name. He weighed in at 8 pounds 6 ounces.)
(Taken from Biscuet.com)
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Oh glenn you're such a sucker for this sorta stuff......
Thursday, November 13, 2008
Broken & Poured...
Finished Rob Bell's "Jesus Wants To Save Christians". Yet again, Rob Bell's writings deliver the message with words so simple, yet so powerful that they leave a deep lasting impression on your heart that doesn't fade after you're done with the book.
While, I won't reveal too much, here's some of my favourite quotes. He makes reference to the Eucharist (Holy Communion)...
"God has made peace with the world through the Eucharist, the good gift, of Jesus. And so Christians take part in a ritual, a meal, a reminder of the Passover, called the Eucharist - also called communion or the Lord's Supper or Mass - as a way of remembering and returning to who God is and what God has done in Christ.
But the Eucharist, as it is with any other ritual, is about something far more significant than the ritual itself.
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***further on, Rob talks about Paul's letter in 2 Corinthians***
God gives the world life through the breaking of Christ's body and the pouring out of Christ's blood. And God continues to give the word life through the body of Christ - who Paul tells his friends at Corinth is them.
They are his body. The body of Christ.
The church is a living Eucharist, because followers of Christ are living Eucharists.
A Christian is a living Eucharist, allowing her body to be broken and her blood to be poured out for the healing of the world.
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It is written to the Ephesians that God's "intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms."
We have been given everything we need for the fulfilment of the story. And the act of loving the poor is an act of fulfilling, remembering; it's living our hope; it's the fullness of him who fills all things in all ways.
It's not a building, because no building can ever be big enough for that kind of grace.
The Eucharist is not fair.
Giving to those who can't give in return, that's not fair.
Serving those who have no way to serve in return, that's not fair.
Breaking yourself open and pouring yourself out for people who may never say thank you, that's not fair.
Because God is not fair. This is a God who is defined by action on behalf of the opressed. God is about giving the good gift. Jesus is God's good gift for the healing of the word. The church is Jesus' body, a good gift for the healing of the world.
It's for the benefit of others.
For the good of those who look different from us.
A church is an organisation that exists for the benefit of nonmembers (emphasis mine)."
WOW.... I love that last line. Have we as a church gotten it wrong then?
While, I won't reveal too much, here's some of my favourite quotes. He makes reference to the Eucharist (Holy Communion)...
"God has made peace with the world through the Eucharist, the good gift, of Jesus. And so Christians take part in a ritual, a meal, a reminder of the Passover, called the Eucharist - also called communion or the Lord's Supper or Mass - as a way of remembering and returning to who God is and what God has done in Christ.
But the Eucharist, as it is with any other ritual, is about something far more significant than the ritual itself.
.
.
.
.
.
.
***further on, Rob talks about Paul's letter in 2 Corinthians***
God gives the world life through the breaking of Christ's body and the pouring out of Christ's blood. And God continues to give the word life through the body of Christ - who Paul tells his friends at Corinth is them.
They are his body. The body of Christ.
The church is a living Eucharist, because followers of Christ are living Eucharists.
A Christian is a living Eucharist, allowing her body to be broken and her blood to be poured out for the healing of the world.
.
.
.
.
.
.
It is written to the Ephesians that God's "intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms."
We have been given everything we need for the fulfilment of the story. And the act of loving the poor is an act of fulfilling, remembering; it's living our hope; it's the fullness of him who fills all things in all ways.
It's not a building, because no building can ever be big enough for that kind of grace.
The Eucharist is not fair.
Giving to those who can't give in return, that's not fair.
Serving those who have no way to serve in return, that's not fair.
Breaking yourself open and pouring yourself out for people who may never say thank you, that's not fair.
Because God is not fair. This is a God who is defined by action on behalf of the opressed. God is about giving the good gift. Jesus is God's good gift for the healing of the word. The church is Jesus' body, a good gift for the healing of the world.
It's for the benefit of others.
For the good of those who look different from us.
A church is an organisation that exists for the benefit of nonmembers (emphasis mine)."
WOW.... I love that last line. Have we as a church gotten it wrong then?
Monday, November 10, 2008
Naughty Naughty Puppets
So the 4 of us (Nettes + Walzy + me) went to watch Avenue Q. Those are some naughty puppets I must say. I can never watch Sesame Street the same way again.
Ok so here's the downer. To those who might be offended or will be think me a prude or something of the sort, errr I'm not quite sorry? Haha... ok anyway somewhere between songs that question whose life sucks more and about what the actual purpose of the internet is, a thought popped into my head, and refused to leave me for the rest of the night.
Ok so here's what bothered me: I was thinking about all sources of humour/comedy available to us in the media these days. How many of these rely on racism or sex to get people laughing? Must it be this way? Must we always laugh at the expense of demeaning another race? Or at the cost of reducing something that was meant as a beautiful gift to just a mere recreational act to be laughed at?
I admit, I did think the show was well put together, and that it was definitely creative in many ways. I laughed at many points. But there seemed to be this voice in my head questioning myself WHY I was laughing, at each of the things I was laughing at.
Has the human race degraded to such a point that only such things are able to make people laugh? What is clean humour in today's age? Would clean humour work? I don't have the answers, but I am thinking. Are these things that we as a generation should be working out?
When will people be able to laugh in joy, without whacking another person's race, ethnicity, skin color and their related stereotypes? When will they even come closer to seeing sex as it was originally intended? Do I even see it that way? Truly?...
Ok enough, I could go on...
(the Walzy take one)
(the Walzy take one)
(we were trying to look serious)
(we weren't really trying to do anything)
(the dustbin take one... Walzy's got a lightsaber through his head)
Ok so here's the downer. To those who might be offended or will be think me a prude or something of the sort, errr I'm not quite sorry? Haha... ok anyway somewhere between songs that question whose life sucks more and about what the actual purpose of the internet is, a thought popped into my head, and refused to leave me for the rest of the night.
Ok so here's what bothered me: I was thinking about all sources of humour/comedy available to us in the media these days. How many of these rely on racism or sex to get people laughing? Must it be this way? Must we always laugh at the expense of demeaning another race? Or at the cost of reducing something that was meant as a beautiful gift to just a mere recreational act to be laughed at?
I admit, I did think the show was well put together, and that it was definitely creative in many ways. I laughed at many points. But there seemed to be this voice in my head questioning myself WHY I was laughing, at each of the things I was laughing at.
Has the human race degraded to such a point that only such things are able to make people laugh? What is clean humour in today's age? Would clean humour work? I don't have the answers, but I am thinking. Are these things that we as a generation should be working out?
When will people be able to laugh in joy, without whacking another person's race, ethnicity, skin color and their related stereotypes? When will they even come closer to seeing sex as it was originally intended? Do I even see it that way? Truly?...
Ok enough, I could go on...
(the Walzy take one)
(the Walzy take one) (we were trying to look serious)
(we weren't really trying to do anything)
(the dustbin take one... Walzy's got a lightsaber through his head)Kids...
I love kids...
Glenn
Haha... sorry just had to say it. I love kids... And I hope I get the chance to have my own one day. And if I do, and if I had a little girl, she'd be my princess forever (together with her mother of course... haha).
And I'll take photographs of her. Running... dancing... playing... like this
Haha... aiyah this whole post was triggered by this photo (by Daley Hake of course).
***Announcement***
Glenn will be on reservist training for the next 3 weeks.
As one is forbidden from bringing a mobile phone with camera into any of the military camps/bases of the Super Armed Forces, if you wish to contact him between the hours of:
7:30AM - 6:00PM daily...
... Please dial/SMS 9457 5284.
He will be contactable via his regular phone number at all other hours.... (incl weekends).
However, he will be on exercise next week. Things might change. Stay tuned...
Sleep in peace friends (and the rest of Singapore), Glenn's got your back.
=END=
As one is forbidden from bringing a mobile phone with camera into any of the military camps/bases of the Super Armed Forces, if you wish to contact him between the hours of:
7:30AM - 6:00PM daily...
... Please dial/SMS 9457 5284.
He will be contactable via his regular phone number at all other hours.... (incl weekends).
However, he will be on exercise next week. Things might change. Stay tuned...
Sleep in peace friends (and the rest of Singapore), Glenn's got your back.
=END=
Sunday, November 02, 2008
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
Zilch...
Silence
Is sometimes all I am capable of
During those times when the waves come crashing
When things fail...
And people disappoint
And I disappoint...
I'm sitting here
... trying to be still
trying to hear
But still the race goes on...
And so does the battle for the soul...
It may be a moment (and many more) lost... but this is me and this is who I am. Trying to find the balance between knowing, being and doing, I just want to be real. And this is how it is...
Save me from myself...
Is sometimes all I am capable of
During those times when the waves come crashing
When things fail...
And people disappoint
And I disappoint...
I'm sitting here
... trying to be still
trying to hear
But still the race goes on...
And so does the battle for the soul...
It may be a moment (and many more) lost... but this is me and this is who I am. Trying to find the balance between knowing, being and doing, I just want to be real. And this is how it is...
Save me from myself...
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
more faithful than the seasons...
Pretty spot on...
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The heart progresses through the seasons.
Like a tree, it is cut down, only to grow back stronger.
It is in that first spring that we are closer to Heaven then we will ever be.
It eventually experiences the nostalgic chill of fall that streams into the death of winter.
Our hope lies in the return of spring, which beckons us to move forward towards the freedom of summer.
Embrace the fall - for winter is inevitable.
This is only a fraction of the greater human struggle.
Embrace the struggle…every meaningful story must have conflict.
This is a season that is necessary for your story.
Hold on…
Behind you are the prayers of the Saints
.…spring will dawn.
For God holds your soul, and God is more faithful than even the seasons.
I find myself in a season where I trust very few….the least of these, Christians.
However, I write this not out of bitterness…but out of desperate hope.
I will continue to press on grasping to a single truth……
God transcends seasons.
(Daley Hake)
Help... I'm turning into a hopeless romantic! =S
Seriously, what is happening to me?! I saw THIS after 3 hours of non-stop work and got REALLY blown away by the sheer amazingness of it. Like how beautiful is this man? (Promise herself is sooooo hot)
I choke, get teary eyed and smile like an idiot to myself for about an hour after reading this.
(Mag has always feared the worst for me and my sexuality had I not come to know Christ, maybe she has reason for that fear)
And then after reading after that, you can go read the boyfriend's (now fiance) account of the same event. HERE
If it doesn't move you, you're not my friend.
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If I'm even half as crazy about you as I know I'm gonna be
I'm hanging on for the rest of the story
I choke, get teary eyed and smile like an idiot to myself for about an hour after reading this.
(Mag has always feared the worst for me and my sexuality had I not come to know Christ, maybe she has reason for that fear)
And then after reading after that, you can go read the boyfriend's (now fiance) account of the same event. HERE
If it doesn't move you, you're not my friend.
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If I'm even half as crazy about you as I know I'm gonna be
I'm hanging on for the rest of the story
Friday, October 17, 2008
Ha ha ha
I can't believe how retarded this video is... Switchfoot doing a BEYONCE cover?!
And check out their reason for doing the cover too...
Thursday, October 16, 2008
Fear...
Found this letter/series of thoughts/whatever during one of my recent blog surfs. There's just something about it that really struck a chord within me.
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A sense of urgency concerning life has caused much thought as to what I am to do with this life of mine.
Grace and Peace,
"Love not for the benefit of the recipient of your actions, but Love for the sake of your soul."
Loving "for the sake of your soul", and "not for the "benefit of the recipient of your actions".
Really? Is this what it should be?
Loving does do something to and FOR your soul. But what is the primary purpose?
I guess I've always been the guy who really wanted to love for the benefit of the recipient(s) of my actions, and getting myself burnt as a result...
Could it be nothing more than a one way exchange...
Anyhow the writer (Daley), is an awesome photographer. Please check out his blog (http://daleyhake.com/blog/), where I got that excerpt from. I love his photos... the way he captures people. Every single photo makes me wonder what the person's story is......
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A sense of urgency concerning life has caused much thought as to what I am to do with this life of mine.
Countless nights speeding recklessly down the streets of anxiety fueled by fear.
Fear.
But what am I to fear, but God himself.
I will tell you what I fear - despite the fact that it will seem irrational to many.
I fear the day I die…and wake up.
I fear the words spoken to me:“Why did you let fear be the author of your story?”.
From this place is where I begin again.
Whether you believe in God or not, I pray for you.
May you begin to move through life with a new urgency.
May there be seasons of motion, simply, for the sake of motion.
May there be seasons of motion for the gain of certain goals.
Goals that hopefully involve more than a 401k and a house you will spend a lifetime paying off.
May a vision of life be impressed upon your heart that disarms you of useless desires.
May you write that book, record that album, share those poems scribbled on napkins…
Paint that canvas, photograph your community through your lens
.…Or may you simply love.
Love not for the benefit of the recipient of your actions, but Love for the sake of your soul.
It is good to give - It is good to love.
We need you.
We need you to exchange fear for unbridled passion for life.
We need you to engage with those around you and share your passions for life
.…So begin. And never fear to begin again.
Grace and Peace,
-Daley
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"Love not for the benefit of the recipient of your actions, but Love for the sake of your soul."
Loving "for the sake of your soul", and "not for the "benefit of the recipient of your actions".
Really? Is this what it should be?
Loving does do something to and FOR your soul. But what is the primary purpose?
I guess I've always been the guy who really wanted to love for the benefit of the recipient(s) of my actions, and getting myself burnt as a result...
Could it be nothing more than a one way exchange...
Anyhow the writer (Daley), is an awesome photographer. Please check out his blog (http://daleyhake.com/blog/), where I got that excerpt from. I love his photos... the way he captures people. Every single photo makes me wonder what the person's story is......
Monday, October 13, 2008
Lalalala...
Rob Bell's got a new book out. And I just got it yesterday. I've been a fan of all things Rob Bell ever since his first book, "Velvet Elvis", so when I saw this book at SKS, it became a sorta no-brainer that I had to buy it.
Many people may not agree with Rob Bell and may have huge issues with alot of his stuff, but I really like his take on alot of things. I may talk more on some of Rob Bell's interesting perspectives in future...
For now, maybe I'll go get started with the book.
Tuesday, October 07, 2008
L.I.F.E.H.O.U.S.E.
Ok so the Lifehouse concert was pretty good. They played a 90 minute set of just about every hit they have, and more. And they ended the night with my personal favourites, Storm and Broken. That alone made the whole night worth it. Haha...
The fact that the concert actually happened was actually pretty far out in itself. I was thinking to myself a few days before (I knew about the concert) that I haven't been to a concert in really long and would really like to go for one. Then Mich calls on Sat morning to say,"Lifehouse is playing next week!" So I who am incapable of a groupie outburst/meltdown/pop, just said,"ok yaay I'm going" (whole lotta emotion there I know...)
A groupie outburst from me would just be too weird anyway. (Note to self: something to put on MY Bucket List then...)
So anyway, much thanks to MarcuswholtoldAbiandMichwhotoldme. And much thanks to MichMarcusAbiandmanyfriendswhosenamesIcan'trememberorspell for being there that night as well. It was a great concert! Haha... =)
**Abi took 680 photos that night**
Ok of course there was the notsogoods, which were no one's fault in general:
1. St James' Powerstation sucks as a concert venue. Firstly, its name sucks. Secondly the layout of the floor which they use as the concert floor was terrible. There was completely ZERO space to move and the angles especially for those who came late were almost impossible. By the way, if you're not very tall and are going for a concert at St James', you either go super early, or bring a ladder, or just don't go at all.
2. Jack & Rai opening for Lifehouse was alright... Just that they did their own original songs for their 30 minute set, most of which had pretty good (read: familiar sounding, obvious inspired) intros but a tad bit weird in terms of vocal melody. And Jack has this face when he's playing, it looks as if his guitar is telling him dirty jokes as he plays... it's quite... errm... funny
3. And for the main spoiler of the night... I ran the risk of leaving the concert with either: a) a permanently deformed spine or b) a permanent depression caused by a metal pole pressed against the side of my butt.
The reason for this was because glenn the man had the great fortune of standing in between the aforementioned metal pole and a couple. For starters, this couple was in no way slim. I have nothing against non-slim people, because I am unslim myself, but in this case... when you're packed like sardines in a terrible club named after your church...
To make things worse, err BOTH members of this generously proportioned coupling were women. And they decided to get cosy with each other early on in the concert (oh help...). So whenever one would turn to face the other or to hug, I would get substantial BUTT swinging in my direction causing me to back into my date for the night, the short metal pole. To try and prevent myself from getting hit further, I tried to stand in a position to avoid both the pole and the couple, which left me standing in a sort of "S" shape. Ouch.
AND WHEN LIFEHOUSE STARTED PLAYING THEIR SLOWER NUMBERS, THOSE TWO STARTED TO FACE EACH OTHER AND SUCK FACE, AND NECK... AND EAR... AND I....
J.U.S.T.D.I.E.D.
I had to turn AWAY from them entirely and just keep focus on the stage. Basically I just further contorted my body. Whoopee. Those 2 should be thankful they weren't drenched in my puke by the night's end.
***The Weird***
1. Fat Indian girl (friend of couple i just ranted about) kept shouting "Marry Me Jason!" to lead singer Jason Wade the whole night. Girl, the dude's married...
2. This guy somewhere to my right kept HEADBANGING and lifting his hand with the "rock on!" sign the whole night. He was CLAPPING during the intro of Broken. I wanted to break him.
3. Some loopymama in the crowd kept shouting for the band to play "Butterfly" the whole night. Eh idiot... that's a Jason Mraz song!
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
Best argument I've heard for UNITY in the Body of Christ yet...
"Christ is coming back for His BRIDE, and not a harem..."
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Now all I have to do is remember who said it.
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Now all I have to do is remember who said it.
Monday, September 29, 2008
Grumps...
Woke up this morning really grumpy and tired. Typical Monday blues I guess. But somewhere between the coffee, the bible and the shower I felt convicted over the way I've been acting lately.
It's been about 4 weeks since this "new season" of my life started. A season of walking the talk and talking MY walk.
A season which begins in solitude, where I find silence, and which leads to comtemplation.
A season where I am forcing myself to build and develop my spiritual disciplines.
A season where I, following the footsteps of my Master, set to intentionally take time to get AWAY to be by myself. Of course the point of being by myself is that I will never really be alone. I'm always in the presence of THE ONE, Him whose beauty and majesty I long to forever set my heart's gaze upon.
The man who thinks he can run away from THE ONE...... should just read Genesis 3.
There have been the most wonderful times of tarrying in God's presence over the past couple of weeks. Times during which I have drunk deeply from the deepest and most ancient of wells.
These have also been the times where in my fraility I just tried to just gather the crumbs which fell under the Master's table, much like the dog which I saw myself as. But no, the Master cradled me in His loving arms and carried me to the table, and sat me there with Him. He lifted me up, placed me where I don't belong.
HE CARRIED ME.
This story doesn't end here of course. About 2 weeks in, I must have gone ahead of myself. Jesus says in John 16 we will have trouble as long as we are in this world. He also says that we should take heart as He has overcome the world. I must've taken my eyes off Jesus and focused on everything around me. First, on the table at which He sat me. Then as the trouble came, on the trouble and not on Him, the faithful one.
How big an idiot can I be? Anyway, point is I started to lose the joy which I had. And started getting really grumpy and acting a tad bit weird. My insecurities started getting attacked and were acting up as if on a perpetual caffeine drip. (wait I AM on a perpetual caffeine drip. ok WAS. I'm at 1 - 2 cups a day now)
Guess what I am trying to say is that I was convicted about the way I was acting and behaving to various people around me recently. Grumpy; weird; snappy; annoying; whiny. Any one or more or ALL of these at any one go. And all because I took my eyes of Him.
I dunno if anyone did notice this or realise this. But if you're one of them who was probably rubbed the wrong way by me. I'm sorry. I deeply apologise. Some of you might not think much of it. But I have to apologise. He wouldn't want me to do otherwise.
I love Jesus. I love His people. I love my family. I love my friends.
"Let us look to Jesus, the AUTHOR and FINISHER of our faith..." (Hebrews 12:2)
What does this verse mean to you?
It's been about 4 weeks since this "new season" of my life started. A season of walking the talk and talking MY walk.
A season which begins in solitude, where I find silence, and which leads to comtemplation.
A season where I am forcing myself to build and develop my spiritual disciplines.
A season where I, following the footsteps of my Master, set to intentionally take time to get AWAY to be by myself. Of course the point of being by myself is that I will never really be alone. I'm always in the presence of THE ONE, Him whose beauty and majesty I long to forever set my heart's gaze upon.
The man who thinks he can run away from THE ONE...... should just read Genesis 3.
There have been the most wonderful times of tarrying in God's presence over the past couple of weeks. Times during which I have drunk deeply from the deepest and most ancient of wells.
These have also been the times where in my fraility I just tried to just gather the crumbs which fell under the Master's table, much like the dog which I saw myself as. But no, the Master cradled me in His loving arms and carried me to the table, and sat me there with Him. He lifted me up, placed me where I don't belong.
HE CARRIED ME.
This story doesn't end here of course. About 2 weeks in, I must have gone ahead of myself. Jesus says in John 16 we will have trouble as long as we are in this world. He also says that we should take heart as He has overcome the world. I must've taken my eyes off Jesus and focused on everything around me. First, on the table at which He sat me. Then as the trouble came, on the trouble and not on Him, the faithful one.
How big an idiot can I be? Anyway, point is I started to lose the joy which I had. And started getting really grumpy and acting a tad bit weird. My insecurities started getting attacked and were acting up as if on a perpetual caffeine drip. (wait I AM on a perpetual caffeine drip. ok WAS. I'm at 1 - 2 cups a day now)
Guess what I am trying to say is that I was convicted about the way I was acting and behaving to various people around me recently. Grumpy; weird; snappy; annoying; whiny. Any one or more or ALL of these at any one go. And all because I took my eyes of Him.
I dunno if anyone did notice this or realise this. But if you're one of them who was probably rubbed the wrong way by me. I'm sorry. I deeply apologise. Some of you might not think much of it. But I have to apologise. He wouldn't want me to do otherwise.
I love Jesus. I love His people. I love my family. I love my friends.
"Let us look to Jesus, the AUTHOR and FINISHER of our faith..." (Hebrews 12:2)
What does this verse mean to you?
Sunday, September 28, 2008
Sydney photos...
I really didn't feel like blogging about Sydney. Mostly because I got pretty overwhelmed once I got back (with reservist and all), and once I finally had time to breathe again, I felt like I kinda "lost" the moment already.
But anyway, I've decided it's best to embrace life and just share a bit of the trip on this blog. Mostly photos... I won't be saying much.
The trip was great... overall. Hillsong conference was fantastic and way more impactful than I actually expected. God is good.
Good times... Good friends... Good food...
Manly beach...
But anyway, I've decided it's best to embrace life and just share a bit of the trip on this blog. Mostly photos... I won't be saying much.
The trip was great... overall. Hillsong conference was fantastic and way more impactful than I actually expected. God is good.
Good times... Good friends... Good food...
Manly beach...
Hillsong conference shots...
Now for some videos...
Here's clip I filmed of the worship team during one of the mornings... It's Brooke, JD, Annie, Jad and Marcus leading...
And by the Acer Arena, there were these "pyramids" cut into the hillside. So Glenn decided it would be fun to roll down the hill... The only thing you can hear in the background is Kaimin's laughing.
Saturday, September 27, 2008
u.g.l.y.
Recently things have been happening what an ugly person I really am. I'm such an inately selfish person. I see what I am, who I am, and it disgusts me.
...which is why grace is so amazing. I did not deserve any of this that was shown me.
...which is why grace is so amazing. I did not deserve any of this that was shown me.
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