My IroNies

ACTS Kids Holiday Program

2007-11-21T09:00:00.000+08:00

Was pressured to post this event in my blog. Nevermind that i've never updated it in ages. So if you happen to stumble upon this. Check it out. We're having a children event on 28- 30 November. We had one last year it was really awesome. Everyone who came had a blast. The kids really enjoyed something and more importantly they've learned something as well. Tell a kid. Better yet, if you got kids sign up NOW.

How big is my God?

2007-01-26T17:39:00.000+08:00

The earth's largest land animal, the African Elephant can be 4 metres tall and 7 metres wide. The average blue whale is about 15 times the size of an African elephant. If you pile about 3000 blue whales together, you'll get about the size of Mount Everest. Yet, Mount Everst is only just a speck compared to the size of the earth. The sun is about three hundred thousand times bigger than the earth. In a galaxy, it's estimated to have around 100 billion stars around the size of our sun. This universe is said to have around 250 million galaxy in it.

Then, God created the universe by saying 'let there be'.

Mengejar hadir-Mu

2007-01-18T22:31:00.000+08:00

Mengejar hadir-Mu (GMB)
Dekat pada-Mu itu rinduku
Setiap kataku
Kau pun menunggu
Tak kusangka, ku temukan
Satu kasih yang abadi
Kini kudatang
Dan kubawa hidupku
Memandang wajah-Mu
Mengikuti kebaikan-Mu
Mengejar hadir-Mu
Dalam hidupku
Membawa sembahku
Menyatakan kebesaran-Mu
Mengejar hadir-Mu
Dalam hidupku

I'm now in love with this song. Listenning to this just song just reminds me that I am to chase after his presence. It seems so simple when it's put in words. You can sing it without meaning anything but to actually do it is a totally different thing altogether. This is why we need constant remindeds to keep our life in the right track.

By the way, I'll get to hear GMB perform live at AYA Festival. Yes, I am obviously promoting this event (note: the side banner) because I know this is going to be an amazing event. The bands that are going to perform are really talented. Also, the proceeds of the concert tickets will go to the Johor flood victims. You get to do your bit for charity and have a great time as well. So come!

My New Year's Resolution

2007-01-14T23:17:00.000+08:00

It's been two weeks since new year and people are still asking me what my new year's resolutions are. Everytime I'll give the same answer- I don't make new year resolution. I just don't see the point. Why do we have to wait for the new year to decide we need to do something. Let's say if your resolution is to exercise more, then why can't you do it in September?

OK, this will not be a post where I rant on how I don't get certain things. Instead, I've joined the rest and made a couple of new year's resolutions.

1. Go to the zoo. I've always wanted to do this but did not get around to do it because I couldn't drag anyone to go with me.

2. Gain weight. I'm thinking an extra 5 kgs should be good and this time the weight should be distributed evenly. This means I need to eat more full cream milk, ice creams, cheese and chocolates. Why do I put myself through this torture right?

3. Swim in the pool at my apartment. The only time that I made an effort to do it last year, they chose that day to clean the pool.

4. Bake. Yes , I mean mixing flour, eggs and whatever ingredients needed and put it in the oven and no I do not want to be Betty Crocker. Just thought that it'll be fun for me to attempt to bake something.

5. Take better care of my car. The poor thing has been badly neglected. There's no cutesy soft toys or air freshner in it. The time it has been sent for washing is when I could not find a parking space at the shopping malls.

Think of the poor straving kids

2007-01-02T08:13:00.000+08:00

I bet all of us would have heard this phrase one time in our lives when we could not finish our food- " Think of the poor straving kids." It is suppose to make us feel guilty for not finishing our food because the some kids in the third world country barely have enough food to survive and here we are having wasting food right? WRONG. This guilt thing has never worked on me as a kid and honestly, people should stop saying it because it just doesn't make sense.

Think about it. The fact that I've finished my food will not be able to satisfy the hunger of the children miles away right? Me eating the left overs could not fill their stomach. It's not as though I'm robbing their food and then throwing it away. My plate of rice will not be shipped to wherever these children are. My point is that we shouldn't be stuffing ourselves when we are already full. Food is meant to be enjoyed. If it becomes a torture to even take a bite then don't because you're definately not helping any kid by doing so. Hence, we should not feel guilty when we can't finish our food.

If you're so concern about the straving children then go to the hunger site daily or better yet sponsor a child in world vision. This will at least in some ways help the children. If you're up for it, then adopt a child. This way you can really impact the child's life and give the child a much better life. Besides, you can give the child all the food that you can't finish. Thus, elimating any wastage. Problem solved...

Christmas (t +2 days)

2006-12-26T20:07:00.000+08:00

Christmas is over. It came, I had a great time and it left.

Things that I've learned during this period.

1. Jesus was fully God and fully man. This phrase has been said so often but yet the meaning never really sinks in. He's human previously. He became a baby. He needed to be carried around. His diapers needed to be changed. It's just something that I can't imagine. Yet, it's the this is the very thing that makes Him God. He became fully human.

2. The world is a compassionate place. The willingness of people to help the flood victims is just great. I've read articles on people driving around to bring the victims to the shelter. Post flood, everyone making an effort to collect money for the victims. There's even people who volunteered to clean up the homes of the flood affected area. It's really comforting to know that we're not indifferent to other people's suffering. Find out what you can do to help out at the redcrescent site.

3. There's so much that we can do. (Will elaborate on this later.)

4. I can't wrap presents for nuts. Previously, I have always manage to get help (read: trick) someone to wrap my christmas gifts. Yet, everything was really last minute this year that I was wrapping gifts on Christmas morning itself. Considering the fact that most of my gifts are in boxes it should be quite easy but somehow taking a calculus test seems more appealing then.

5. I have one of coolest church on earth. We (not that i was involved) has put up a really superb play. Hats off to those involve. It almost made me want to be involve next year. Note: Almost...

Christmas post... sort of

2006-12-24T00:14:00.000+08:00

Normally, I would have a lot to blog about. In fact, I do have a lot to blog about. My mind is working overtime now. But for now I just want to say that there's Christimas because Jesus, the son of God, came down to die for our sins.... Enough said.

2006-12-11T17:23:00.000+08:00

Recently, I need to constantly remind myself on who God is.

He is the God who so loved the world that He gave His only begotten son. (John 3:16)

He is the God who created the universe by saying "Let there be..." (Genesis 1)

He is the God who will never leave nor forsake us. (Hebrews 13:5)

He is the God who will go before me and follow me. (Psalm 139:5)

He is the God who calls me by my name. (Isaiah 43:1)

He is the God who covers the sky with clouds; supplies the earth with rain and makes grass grow on the hills. (Psalm 147:8)

He is the God whose love reaches the heavens and faithfulness to the skies. (Psalm 36:5)

He is the God whose ways are higher than mine. (Isaiah 55:9)

Finally,

He is the God who will wipe away every tear from our eyes. (Rev 21:4)

To the most amazing dad.

2006-11-13T09:14:00.000+08:00

Whenever there's something expensive that I really wanted you asked me to save my pocket money to buy it. But after a while when you think I've waited enough, you offered to sponsor the difference for the money that I am short of.

You're loved all the gifts I gave you and I have given you some crappy gifts before. I was young then and I really thought a tissue box is what you wanted.

Everytime during mom's birthday or mother's day you secretely gave me some money to buy a present for her. Most of the time you've given me more than enough and you asked to me to keep the change and get something for myself as well.

You're always there early to pick me up from my tuition classes because you do not want me to wait.

You've insisted that I need to continue my studies abroad even though I'm offered a scholarship, if I choose to complete my degree in Malaysia.

You immediately pass the phone to mom everytime I called home but mom will then need to be on the line telling me stuffs that you've told her to tell me.

Happy Birthday Dad!

It's a Disney ending!

2006-11-08T08:53:00.000+08:00

When I was a kid, a scene from 'Lady and the Tramp' always makes me depressed. There's this scene where the dog was run over by the carriage while trying to save Tramp. It was really sad because the other dogs where whining around him and it looks as though he was about to die. But the thing is that in the end he did not die. So, it's really stupid of me to be effected everytime during that scene because I know at the end it will turn out fine. He did not die. Lady and Tramp get to be together and have like half a dozen of the cutest puppies in the world.

Why is it everytime something unhappy happens we'll be affected despite the fact that everything will work out in the end? We seem to have forgotten that our God overseeing everything and that He is in control. It is something that we know but when things does not go our way, we seem to have forgotten all about it. We loose hope. We become depressed and give up. Yet, if we put things in perspective, we know that He has never let us down before. He always come through no matter what.

It will be a Disney ending no matter what.

Let'$ $ave our environment

2006-11-01T09:42:00.000+08:00

Recently, saving the environment has become a huge topic and it's because of a report by Nicholas Stern. The main point of his report is a that with the continue increase of carbon emmission, the effect of global warming by the year 2015 could cause:

1. Floods from rising sea levels could displace up to 100 million people
2. Melting glaciers could cause water shortages for 1 in 6 of the world's population
3. Wildlife will be harmed; at worst up to 40% of species could become extinct
4. Droughts may create tens or even hundreds of millions of "climate refugees"

In the report, i think there's one thing that caught the attention of the UK government. It's that global warming can cost the world 20% of the world's wealth. The earlier things are something that most people are aware of and yet the urgency does not seems to be there. When you put money into the picture, it not only gets their attention but it motivates them to actually do something. Still, I think it's great that something is being done. It'll be launched in an international scale. World leaders are actually sitting up and planning to do something. I can't say I totally agree with some of their initial plans but the fact that they are putting time and effort and money to think of ways to save the environment is just awesome.

I'll sign off now. It's my way of saving electricity...

Man's greatest achievement.

2006-10-20T02:37:00.000+08:00

Lance Armstrong won Tour De France from 1999 to 2005 despite recovering from cancer. Michael Owen at eighteen years old had scored an amazing goal, which beat the entire Argentinean’s defence during World Cup 98. Franklin Roosevelt who was paralysed from waist down was known as one of the greatest US presidents. Roger Federer has won nine grand slams in his career so far. Julius Caeser has single handedly extended the Roman empire.

Me? I drove all the way to Klang without getting lost. Enough said.

Flaky Christians or not

2006-10-15T10:40:00.000+08:00

I used to be confused by Christians who find every thing to be a testimony. In fact, I sometimes find it a tad annoying. When I hear people sharing their testimony that goes " I had flu and went to see the doctor and rested for three days and now I'm so much better. Praise God." I'll be like "Huh?" I thought that's normal. You've rest and you've been to the doctor naturally, you'll be well. So why are they pulling God into the picture? My thoughts on them: Flaky Christians who over spiritualised things. Harsh? I know but I thought I was being logical. Someone being healed from a terminal illness now that's a reason to praise God but this?

Yet, after going through certain stuffs, I'm changing into one of them. It's easier to thank God for pulling you through a tough situation. Yet, when things are going fine, you'll take it for granted. You are suppose to do well in your exams, your collegues are suppose to be helpful and understanding, your bank account is suppose to have monies in it. In general, you're suppose to be blessed. It's right, good things are suppose to happen to us because it's God is a good God but it's also important to acknowledge that it's from God and be thankful.

It's not about thinking whether your glass is half-full or half-empty but sometimes it's just fine to be thankful that there's water.

We had to ...

2006-10-08T19:24:00.000+08:00

"But we had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found."
Luke 15:32

I was reading Luke and there's this verse from the parable of the lost son that got me thinking. It's because of the word had to- it somehow made it seems like a must to celebrate and be glad. It's not should or could. It doesn't seem right to me. I mean I do understand why they would want to celebrate the return of the prodigal son but to actually make it mandatory?

Imagine a friend coming over to you saying " we have to celebrate Bob's birthday". My first reaction will be- no we don't. I still do not get why the father said that they had to celebrate the return of his son but one thing for sure he said it. It's like when God says you have to do it, you really have to.

So, how many things that I did not know it's a 'have to' and did not do it because I thought it's optional? I guess the only way to prevent this is to give our best in everything that we do so that by the end of the day we know we've done everything that we 'had to' do.

Elijah is like me... Coolness

2006-09-30T14:37:00.000+08:00

I was doing a study on James and the verse from James 5:17- 18 just tells us what an amazing power we are given with prayer.

"Elijah was a man just like us. He prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the land for three and a half years. Again he prayed, and the heavens gave rain, and the earth produced its crops. "

Elijah is like us. He prayed power prayers. We prayed to the same God. (It's doing Form 5 Maths all over again). Therefore, we can pray power prayers too. James chose Elijah as an example not because he this great man of God and prophet but because he is relatable. He is the guy that told God that have enough and wanted God to take his life and this happened after the 3 years draught and Mt Carmel event. He has experienced God's miracle and yet when things around him gets tough, he's giving up. It's just so natural for us to forget everything that God has done in the past, when things are not going our way.

When God spoke to Elijah in a whisper asking why is he there when he was running away from Jezebel, he answered with this "I have been very zealous for the Lord God Almighty. The Israelites have rejected your covenant, broken down your altars, and put your prophets to death with the sword. I am the only one left, and now they are trying to kill me too." which can be read as "I have been doing this and that for You, giving up my time to serve You and what do I get in return?" Sounded like some whiny brat right? Then, I realised I've been a brat too. So, Elijah has gone through what I've gone through too. He has his weakness and can be tempted to give up too.

Effective prayer does not limit to 'great' man of God. It's also for us. During one of Ps Kenneth's message, he was asking 'why does people always come to God as a last resort' and I was thinking that it is logical that God should be our last resort. Don't get me wrong. I'm not saying that we should use up all our resources before going to God but just that going to Him should be last because it works. You do not need a back up plan when you rely on God. You'll not need to say, "Gosh, if asking help from God didn't work, I need to sell my car then." So, why go through the trouble of trying other options when we know one that will definitely work? After all, the guy who can caused a draught for three and a half years with prayer is like us... coolness

Should i end this?

2006-09-18T06:40:00.000+08:00

I used to be a huge liverpool fan. I used to sneak up at night to watch their games because my mom would not allow me to stay up late on a school night. Ask me the score of important matches from 1998 I'll probably be even be able to tell you who score the goals. So, I've always thought that Liverpool will always be the second love of my life. I've stucked with them through thick and thin especially during their crappy season in 2003, when they have crappy players who looks identical like Henchoz and Biscan, when the only time they can score a goal is with Heskey's crappy header. However, recently, I find their games a bit boring. Since Baros is gone, I didn't like any of their strikers except for Morientes and that's for the wrong reasons. In fact, there is only a handful of players that I liked in the current team. So why am i still suporting liverpool? I guess it's because I feel sense of loyalty. But now, I no longer watch a liverpool match and feel as though they should win because my life depends on it. I do not plan my time around watching football but only watch because I have nothing else to do. So, I guess I should end this relationship right? It's time to move on.

Anyway, I have found another love, BASKETBALL. My church was having a basketball tournament last weekend and it was great. There were a couple of really good players and the games were quite exciting. I was suppose to be cheering for my team in netball but I couldn't resist and betrayed my teammates by going over to watch the basketball game instead. NBA will only start in November so how can I statisfy my longing for basketball now? Maybe I should learn how to play basketball then....

Emoticons: Only for the 24s and below

2006-09-13T17:08:00.000+08:00

I know I'm not the only one or rather I hope I'm not the only one who does not get emoticons. I've always thought that by the time you've reached twenty-four years old, you should stop using it as soon as you've reached the age limit for it. Yet, I've known people in their late twenties who still uses them. Not only that, almost everyone I know uses them so I figure I'm their weird one who could not stand emoticons. I just don't understand why is it a must for everyone put them in at every opportunity they get. Can someone enlighten me? I've recieved an email from my collegue that just annoys the heck out of me

"**** called and informed that they are unable to use their sytem. :( "
(if you've done this and is wondering whether am I refering to you... I'm not. I'm refering to the other guy who did the exact same thing as you did.)

I thought work related emails should have at least a certain level of professionalism in then and a sad face is definately not.

Then there's the classic use of the smily face also which at times there's really no point in using an emoticon. For instance, a message can go

"I'm fine :)"

Why the smiley face? I know you're fine you do not need to empahsise your point by smiling or rather indicating that you're smiling. So, it's a bit redundant isn't it. It's like doing a commercial. Eg. "This cookie is yummy *pause for effect and smile*."

What about the tongue sticking out emoticon ":P"? I'm sure you will not do that in person so why do that in your message? I just don't understand some people.

I'm tempted to end this blog with an emoticon but no I will not give in and follow what everyone else is doing.

* This post is not intended to offend anyone who likes using emoticons but is just one of my many ramblings. Who am I kidding right? I'm standing my ground on this. Emoticons are annoying.*

Live like someone is watching

2006-09-09T11:13:00.000+08:00

I've realised recently, that when I am driving alone, I tend to be more reckless. I’m not saying that I drive dangerously without the regards of the cars around me but when someone is at the passenger seat, I’ll consciously keep to the speed limit, I’ll think twice when I’m overtaking cars and I’m always driving at the left lane.

I figure that this is the way most of us live our lives too. When we are aware that out actions are being watched, we’ll do it differently. I’m sure when you’ve friends coming to visit, you’ll clean up your place. During camps, people can wake up earlier for their quiet time regardless of what time they’ve slept the night before. If you’re with your elders, you tend to be more polite.

We are self-consciously trying to portray a better image when we know someone is watching. So, will we behave differently when we are aware that the God of the universe is watching us? I'm not saying that we should be self-conscious of our actions but just that when He's watching you should not do anything that will displease him. The thing is that He is always watching. So, shouldn't our actions always be right with God then?

I've realised that I have taken God for granted. Why does it seem that I am more motivated to do something to gain approval from the people around me than God? He’s much more part of my life than anyone else can be but doing things to please him sometimes is like too much of an effort. Is it because He's a merciful and forgiving God, so, He'll understand when I sometimes have taken the easy way out? Wanting to please Him should not be secondary in my life. I've digresssed from my original point but as I was typing I just realised certain things. This is why i enjoyed blogging. It has put a lot of things into perspective for me. For this post. the word PLEASE made quite an impression. How do we please God? Micah 6:7- 8 tells us that it is not what we give that pleases God but what we do.

"Will the LORD be pleased with thousands of rams, with ten thousand rivers of oil? Shall I offer my firstborn for my transgression, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul? He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God"
Micah 6:7-8

Happy Birthday Malaysia

2006-09-02T00:40:00.000+08:00

It was our National yesterday but for me it became just another public holiday because I did not do anything patriotic. So now, I'm listing down the reasons why I love being a Malaysian.

1. We celebrate every single achievement with pride. From the our squash champion to the making of the biggest mooncake, everything is celebrate no matter how small and insignificant it may seem to ohters.

2. We have loads of public holiday. This has something to do with being multi racial so we get a holiday for every race's celebration. I have 13 days of public holiday!!!

3. We have everything for everyone. Shopping malls, great food, awesome dive spots, historical sites, the list is endless. There's definately something for everyone.

4. One thing: McEgg. Need i explain further? As far as I know, we can only get McEgg in Malaysian.

I know this list is not much but so far this is things that I can think of at the top of my mind.

I'm a nerd?

2006-08-25T04:45:00.000+08:00

I'm not proudly declaring that I'm a nerd through this post. It's just that I didn't realised that I am one until recently. Seriously, who would've guessed I'm actually a nerd in disguise. As far as I know, nerds always looks the same with their never changing style but I've totally changed my hairstyle for three times this year. I love alternative rock music (nevermind the fact that I can never remember who sings what). I love sports but I'm more into watching than actually playing and recently, I have not been actively following any games for that matter. BUT still at one point I was a sport freak. I've followed every F1 match of the season, I stayed up late to watch Wimbledon and I've been to watch live football matches in England. I have been bungee jumping. Nerds are not adventurous. Yet, i guess deep down I am nerdy in someways.

Reasons that I am a nerd:

1. I get really happy when I see high download speed or when ping results are fast. Not too sure whether this is because of my job but its the same for non work related stuff. I find it exciting to handle a high end router.

2. Jargons like 'blunt force trauma' and 'asphyxiation' comes to my mind when watching horror movies. It sorts of take away the fun when watching horror movies because I'll be thinking of the clues that he have left behind and why aren't the police smart enough to figure it out. Yes, I am a CSI fan.

3. I use the internet for practically everything. To check movie times, settle my bank stuffs, find directions, or get ideas on for a practical joke. I've even use the net as my dictionary.

4. Cheap books attracts me more than shoes. So far, I have not been able to resist discounted books. Earlier there was the MPH anniversary sale and it was like Christmas and CNY all in one day. Now I've found out that Borders actually offer 20% off regularly on selected books life has never been the same.

5. I love maths. Whenever I'm stuck in a jam, I'll look at the car plates of the car around me and try to either add, subtract, multiply and divide to get 24. I like counting the probabilty of some event hapenning. Also, I'll always try to find the relation between two variables to see if there's proportional, inversely proportional or maybe exponantialy related to each other.

6. Finally, I actually listed down on why I'm a nerd. How nerdy is this?

No tuna in my tuna sandwich

2006-08-20T08:49:00.000+08:00

The other day, a guest speaker in my church was preaching from 2 Chronicles 26. He was preaching a different message altogether but I found a passage that just stood out. It's from 2 Chronicles 26:16

"Uzziah was unfaithful to the LORD his God, and entered the temple of the LORD to burn incense on the altar of incense."

When i read that, I was quite amused by it. It is wrong to burn incense on the altar of incense? Huh? I thought it was called the altar of incense for a reason. It's like saying that it's wrong to have tuna in a tuna sandwich, it's wrong to order a big Mac in McD. You get my point right? Because it just seemed so right to burn incense on the altar of incense. Well, burning incense a form of worship. So you think God has nothing against that. God has been granting him victories over his battles so God is on his side and it is what you do at the ALTAR OF INCENSE. So, you would think God will be pleased right? But no, this was because in those days it was wrong to do so because only the priest is allowed burn incense.

I guess I really needed to be reminded of this- that no matter how right my action may seemed but if it is done with the wrong intentions, it just doesn't please God. Recently, I have doing things because I am expected to do so. It used to be because I enjoyed doing it but when because I've been given some responsibilities, I made a point to do it. The more i tell myself that I have to do it, it becomes an obiligation so much so that I forgot that I used to enjoy it in the first place. So, I really need to get my heart right again.

"Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts.
See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting."

Psalms 139:23 -24

Pity me...

2006-08-16T09:24:00.000+08:00

It's is normal for a person to be always in the victim mentality? Just recently, a collegue was telling me how he's job is always stressful because there's always issues and problems whenever he works. Yet, it weird because I do the same thing as he does and for me everything is fine with just minor hiccups. So why is both our opinions on the same thing totally different? As far as I'm concern probably one out of ten times things doesn't go our way. So, for him that's a 'why does this always happens to me' moment. There's once when I've been to this really amazing conference. The entire thing was really awesome. At the end of the conference, the bus was late and we have to wait for about two hours. Naturally, there'll be some complaints but what I got was that someone told me that this is what they'll remember of the conference. Not awesome message that was preached, not the fact that two thousand youths came together to worship, not the new people we've met but two hours that we've waited for the bus. Does a person have a choice over this pity-me mentality? Because if they do then why choose to dwell on the things that will bring you spirits down when there's so much better things to do or think about?

This reminds me of 1 Timothy 4:12
Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity."

It says don't let meaning no one can look down on you unless you let them. It's is your choice to let the circumstance determine your feelings. You are only a victim if you let the situation make you one. So, don't let anyone or anything make you miss out what amazing things God has planned for you because you're too busy dwelling in things which you have no control over.

Be Joyful because God says so.

2006-08-13T16:41:00.000+08:00

Just thought that i wanted to share this because i find it really amazing. It's from 1 thessalonians 5:16- 18

Be joyful always: pray continually: give thanks in all circumstances for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus

Since it's all in semi colons, the last part is referring to all the sections. So it's
'Be joyful always for it is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.'
'Pray continually for it is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.'
'Give thanks in all circumstances for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.'

It's the first part that really amazes me. My God, the God of the universe, has it His plans for me to be joyful. This is the same God that created the universe when He said, "let there be". So when you know that it is part of God's plan, for you to be joyful, you it will happen. In fact, knowing this has just made me look a things a lot differently because I know no matter what is going on in my life now that He wants me to be joyful. Awesome right?