Livin' A Dream

Was talking with one of my good friends today about dreams. Not the ones that happen during the night, but the ones that are carved in our hearts. I'm talking about the ones that give us an adrenaline rush, the ones that make us feel alive, the ones that sometimes seem only, at best, achievable in our imaginations.

We were talking about vision. We were talking about possibility.

I grew up loving soccer. Loved playing it, loved talking about it, loved watching it...etc. Like most young M'sian boys, I dreamed of being the best soccer player ever. I dreamed of dazzling the world with my skills, I dreamed of giving spectators the same rush my footballing heroes gave me. You could call that wishful thinking - but that was my dream. And it was valid too - who said I couldn't dream like that.

A lot of our dreams get crushed by "reality". We're taught to be more practical and pick better dreams - like being an accountant (nothing against them, just using an example). I mean..trade being the best footballer in the world for being an accountant? For those of us who have become the accountant, is there possibility for more? What happened to those dreams?

Different people have different dreams. Growing up, I realized that there's far more important things than soccer (at least a few! xD). I dream of making a difference, i dream of making a change, i dream of God's kingdom being established and brought down to earth. It's not shallow, it doesn't simply mean i want everyone to be Christians. God's kingdom means that there is freedom, overcoming, healing, blessing, provision, love..etc. My flesh tells me to forget about it and to get a uni degree and live and ordinary lifestyle. But something that God has placed in each of us tells me that there is more, and as we tap into the Creator there is so much more! He gives the dreams, He gives the vision! How it is concretely going to happen is none of my business just yet, but i need to allow my imagination to run wild first! If my imagination is limited, what can be done will be limited.

Let's start using word's like "if only..", "just imagine..", "what if..", "why not.." more. Let's not let our dreams die off, they are not ridiculous - most of them are valid. So many corporations, movements, NGO's & ideologies were birthed out or dreamers. God has called us to live an extraordinary life with Him! That itself sounds like a sweet dream to me!

JC.

How we playin it?

I read this at Border's one day -

"We cannot choose the cards we're dealt, but we can choose how we play them."

It speaks a lot doesn't it? I feel absolutely blessed and thankful for the family that I have, for the friends that I have, for the covering that I have, for the place in life that I find myself. I really do - His grace overwhelms me every time I consider my background and where I'm from. Simply by grace, I was dealt those cards.

We're often placed situations which we did not choose. Could be a physical condition, a friendship gone sour, a bad habit or bad parents. We don't get to choose the cards don't we? Fact is, we don't get to pick the aces. Some of us are dealt the 2's and 3's; some the 6's and 7's. We can't change the past, but we can change the future. We can make a difference. God can make that difference! No one can explain the cards we're dealt, but Jesus came precisely so there would be a way! He can flip our situation, He came to give hope. Being dealt with a set of cards, something we CAN choose is the way we play them.

Who said the player who wins with the best cards is the best player anyway?

JC.

Feedback

Hmm. I've been blogging for two weeks. It's been pretty fun + challenging to see what I can come up with so far, most of which are totally unplanned. Just thoughts that have come to me throughout the day or week.

Hope it's been inspiring + challenging.

Would absolutely love some feedback if it's not too troublesome. =). You can leave your comments on this post.

Thank you!

Me, Myself and (fill in the blank)

We live in a world where most of us are wired to think of me, me me & me. Oh no, I feel so bored! I feel tired! Doesn't anyone care about how I feel? Don't I matter? What about me? Me? ME?

Honestly, whenever I find myself falling into that sort of attitude I realize I am the most miserable person around. It's not because I am miserable, it's just because my thinking has made me think I am. And why? Because the focus is on me. Now, what's the problem with that? Ok Ok. Hear me out. Let me try to make some sense of this.

Jesus was asked how we were to inherit eternal life. His reply, "You shall love the Lord you God with all you heart, soul, strength & mind." Then He continues, "To love you neighbor as yourself." Love God and the people around us. It doesn't say love yourself and live, we are told to direct our love to others.

In Mark 8:35 it says, "For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me & for the gospel will save it."

I think what I've learned and the point that I getting at here is that when we start living out of sincere, action-filled love for God and for others around us we finally start to..well - live. This is what I've noticed, one of the best ways to get over our self pity is actually to give our love and help to someone else. It's as if we were made to function that way, and when we start functioning in a self-centered way we don't feel like we're fulfilled. I realize it in so many scenarios. Maybe that's why so many of the rich & famous are not happy despite riches and indulgences. Maybe that's why some of them be come philanthropists after - to live more like what we're made for - God and each other. You know how it feels so much better & fulfilling to give than to receive? Cause it's about another person being blessed, about being able to sow into someone's life!

The best way to help your problem is to help someone else.

See, it makes sense! The Bible makes sense on this one! It's the way a Creator has made us! That's how He is like - He gave His life for us to live!

JC.

=)

Life's Like A Snowball

I'm currently reading "Letter from a Skeptic" by Gregory A. Boyd. It's a collection of letters than were written between Boyd and his atheist father. I think he was atheist. They're in question and answer form, so it's one heck of a book. Needless to say, after much discussion and persuasion, Boyd's father believed in Jesus after 3 years of letter writing. So flippin cool!

In one of the chapters, Boyd made a statement (or at least one along these lines) that "Life is Like a Snowball." A snowball of decisions was what he was talking about - a snowball of decisions.

Ever feel we are our decisions? If we decide to be an angry person, we'll become an angry person. If we decide to be hardworking, we'll more likely end up being a hardworking person. Why a snowball of decisions? I think cause maybe the starting part is the awkward, the more difficult one. It's the one nobody notices because it's too small. But we realize as we've made decisions in the past, our future decisions seem to be affected by them. If we've decided to be hardworking, we tend to decide not to spend out time doing nothing - and we elimate activities in our life that our counter-productive. And so it snowballs...it gets bigger...BIGGER..BIGGER.

Hmm..maybe that's why there's the saying "Old dogs can't learn new tricks."

I think our decisions ultimately shape us and make us who we are. The longer we live, the more decisions we make based on our previous decisions..it snowballs. We end becoming who we are. And we become more difficult to change (this is my personal opinion). try unrolling a giant snowball. We become so settled - only God can change us.

JC.

Here comes the Bride

Think I've been MIA for a few days. Studies are all i'm thinkin about at the moment. It's bummer i know. But it'll be over soon and I can't wait! There's no rainbow without the storm right?

This blog post by Perry Noble..
Just amazing! Read it. It's for all us self-pitying/complaining/moaning/groaning ppl. THERE"S A BIGGER PICTURE! Time to size up!


Love,
JC.

Post-exam activities!

Had my first exam today, think I did alrite. 70% maybe?
Anyway, I can't wait for exams to be done already, but will need to focus real hard the next week. I've been making this list for a while - it's unedited! Actually plucked it off my lappie and pasted it here.

Thngs to do after exams!! =)
1) Make sure you plan your course
2) Ukelele
3) Job
4) PS2? (Ee Lin)
5) Hang out at Brunswick St

Books to read:
1) Unchristian
2) Soul Cravings
3) Honour's Reward
4) Sex God

Worry Wart.

I realize that when I am worried about something, especially something with regards to my studies, or my timetable, or my friendship or my feelings....it feels as if the world is revolving around me. And if my problem goes the wrong way, it'll feel as if the earth stops rotating, the stock market crashes and World War III is about to happen! Basically, i am not occupied with anything other than me - my situation! And these are only problems on a relatively small scale, just imagine what it would be like when those BIG things come along and hits me in the face (I'm trying to get ready for those. =D).

And were always taught to take our eyes of our problems and fix it on Jesus. Well, I've tried it and (*drumroll)...it works like a charm! The Bible tells us to fix our eyes on Jesus (Hebrews 12:2) in our lives. Well, I always wondered how to actually do that..any takers out there? I mean, fixing my eyes on Jesus, which i cannot see might pose a bit of a problem.

Well i guess to put it into words, it would mean to think about who He is and how that relates to the problem we're facing. Another would be to remember how He was when He was on earth and see what He did/would do if He were in our situation.

This does a few things for me:
(1) It puts my problem/worry/concern into correct perspective - it is nothing compared to who God is!
(2) It takes away my fear - I have God on my side!
(3) It takes the burden off my shoulders - He has the solution and He'll take care of it (He'll at least teach me how)!

The Bible tells us to cast our cares upon Him because He cares! It tells us not let our hearts be troubled. It let's us know how small we are so that we understand if we have faith and trust in the BIG BIG GOD that we serve, we'll be okay, we'll be more than okay! At the end of lifting everything to God, we find ourselves liberated, free-er, lighter - finally able to think clearly again. Until of course the next thing comes about...which is fine because we've got Jesus the lifter or our heads!

I'm sure many us can identify with this. Please leave a comment if u can..just for encouragement's sake! Sorry if this post is a bit all over the place, i just had dinner (*burp). Cheers!

JC.

There's No Way Out!

In Romans Chapter 8:38-39, it tells us that we are inseparable from the love of God which is found in Christ Jesus. We are told that neither angels nor demons, nor the past nor present can ever separate us from the love of God! Nothing can! We’re stuck with it! There’s no way out! =). I believe this goes for every single human being in planet Earth.

Honestly, I think I have never been so sure and secure in God’s love in my life. Okay, it’s not that I’m totally secure (which I should be), but rather I have never been this secure. And it’s an awesome revelation to have! In good and bad times, we KNOW there’s a Savior that paid the price for us, and we know that we’re worth God’s time (or life) at least! And that goes for everyone.

Few random things I find myself going through:

1)I can’t feel His love

2)Where is He when I need Him?

3)He’s probably mad at me

This is just me. It could/would be different for everyone else. Okay, we could go all psychoanalytic on me and revisit my childhood tragedies to try to find out why. But really, we’ve all been through tough times haven’t we? Just in different contexts and severity.

For the first one, I’ve come to realize something. Since our relationship with God is a reflection of Father and child, this would be an excellent illustration. You know how we’re loved by our parents? Well, me not feeling loved by them doesn’t mean I’m not loved right? That’s just my problem, that’s just me not understanding and believing the fact that they love me. Similarly with God, I think I’ve come to grasp with the fact that He loves me even though I can’t always feel it. His love toward us is constant and unconditional, and that’s the truth I’ve started to learn to build on. Ps. Matt always says this, “Nothing we can ever do will make Him love us more or less.” In other words when I feel loved, it really isn’t because He loves me more. And when I feel un-loved, it really isn’t the opposite either.

Our emotions/feelings fluctuate and change; His love doesn’t. That’s such a relieving thing to know and live in. =)

JC.

The Author

A bud of mine told me recently that he was praying this prayer, or a prayer along these lines, "God, You're the Author of my life. God, You're the Author of my Love life." (you know who you are, thanks.)

He is the author of our love life. Yes, and by that i mean relationships. =).

God has the world in His hands. Being our Father, He knows how you and me feel. For those of us struggling with singlehood or with a decision, He is really the best Advisor/Counsellor. See, this is what happens. The minute we start to making drastic decisions based on emotions (and who hasn't been guilty of that!), things start to get messy. And I understand that everyone makes mistakes and everyone can learn from them.

But i guess what I'm really getting at is not that. It's the fact that we actually trust in our Father to know that He is control of the area of relationships too. He can see what we cannot see and He has the utmost best-est best plan in store for us. That's my Dad, that's the God that the Bible tells me. Don't know about you, but I think emotions can really muck us up if they're not seen in the proper light. So when it seems that there's a switched on blender going nuts inside our head and heart, it is times like these that we really need to get our eyes of our situation and onto Him, the Author of our love life (Okay, this is getting a bit too sappy even for me). Times like these, we need to trust and believe that ALL things work our for the good of those who love Him and are called according to His purpose! We need to KNOW and BELIEVE and WALK in that belief. We have to, because He has got to be real even in these situations! In fact, I would say times like these would really test how much we actually take God's Words as the truth.

Let Him write the story, let Him put the pieces together, trust Him enough to do it. At the end, we'll have stories that is not just about us, but really about a faithful God who never ever fails. Let Him write the story, I'm sure He has the better endings. ;)

On that note here is something fun/informative for the single dudes by Perry Noble. And this is for the single ladies.

JC.

Volunteering at BW

Spent a whole day today volunteering for Beautiful Women 2008. It was awesome for the girls, i'm sure it was such a blessing to them! Got to rub shoulders with the likes of Ps. Russell, Ps. Sam, Ps. Henry..etc. It was cool, and just really meet some amazing people as well!

Aight, for those who are puzzled - Beautiful Women is an annual women's conference held by Planetshakers. We really believe that God has called for us to hold this event, the effort, preparation and prayer put into it is just says it all. It is the second most important event after PS Conference, that's how BIG it is! Ps. Russel and Ps. Sam really want to see the women in our church and also from elsewhere really understand the heart of God as women of God.

During the worship sessions, a few of my volunteer buddies and I snuck in to the sessions. One of em went and came out just absolutely beaming. He said, "It's crazy in there! I could just so feel God responding because of their desperate cry! My bulu all standing up (in proper English, that means "I had the shivers.")! You can only get this at a women's conference, guys have a bit too much ego to be desperate."

Alright, guys out there. Whether you are desperate or not is really for you to question yourself. But as the women being desperate today, i totally agree. Our father just really really responds to that desperate cry so much! Something we have to learn maybe guys? Something to realize?

Gotta go crash. =)
JC.

More.

More. That word..it holds so much. It carries excitement, expectancy, possibility, hope.

Have you ever wondered whether your life could be more than what it is today? Okay, I'm going to be really honest here. I've thought to myself many times over about how different my life would be had I taken hold of opportunities that come my way. God is in control of everything, I know that for a fact. He's so faithful and powerful, there's no way He's out of control (despite what popular opinion is). I choose to believe that. But I can't help but think I've missed many an opportunity in the past where's He's allowed me to tap into that more.

The beautiful thing is that He is able to see what we cannot at the moment. He knows our capabilities, He knows our full potential. And that includes non-Christians by the way (just in case we think we're that special). So, to realize that potential we've so got to tap into Him right? God doesn't see us the way our parents, our siblings or even our friends see us. He sees past the weaknesses and focuses on our potential. I mean, when he called James and John to drop their nets and follow Him; when he asked Matthew to follow Him - He saw their potential. To everyone of us humaniods, they were just a couple of fishermen and a tax collector. But! They followed Jesus and see where He took them? More. From fishermen and tax collector to apostles and writers of New Testament books. Now, they are forever remembered by Bible readers! More.

Our God brings hope. Jesus saw enough in you and me, enough value in us worth dying for. He saw a potential in a life that could be lived out abundantly by following Him, he saw the possibility in us we couldn't see! My Pastor Ps. Matt says this a lot, "To Him we are not worthless, we are priceless." He did not come to give us value, He came to show us how valuable we are.

Jeremiah 29:11 - "For I know the plans I have for you....plans to prosper you and not harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."

I need to so live in this. If not I'll be less of a blessing of what I could've been. Maybe God made me to be more?

Food for thought right there.

JC.

Petrol Price Hike

Well, today it's been bad news for those back in Malaysia -
petrol prices have been hiked to a high of RM2.70 per liter.
That's really bad news.

My housemates and I were just talking about it just now (their actually playing Street Fighter now, -_-*), and it just sort of occurred to me(again) how difficult and uncertain life can be. Jia Ren was asking us to be prepared and aware for the worst. According to him, we can expect protests and stuff. Now if I was a young adult just about to enter the work force and earn a living, it would be a really nerve-wrecking situation.

On the flipside, I'm actually lying comfortable on my bed in Melbourne busy studying for my finals. Things are going well and (besides my studies at least), there's not a worry in the world. Now, that's where I think I'm wrong. Jia Ren was saying how fortunate and blessed we are, and I totally agree. But this always makes me want to give more, to bless more, to contribute more.

I was just saying this to a friend, "Circumstances in life can either break us, or make us." And thinking about how difficult/uncertain/awkward the future can be, this statement takes on a whole new depth. But, it is still so true. Jesus tells us not to worry; the Bible tells our hearts not to be troubled. We are told to have faith and believe for providence. "Trust. That's my problem", one of my friends said. But really, that's the only certain thing we have, and that's found in Him =). That's why i love Him, Jesus brings all the hope of the world! In the midst of all this, we have His Words to hold on to!

Back to the statement about circumstance, I want to let it make me, not break me. It's a choice really. Once in a while, we come across people who overcome the odds and they become heroes. I want to live that type of life - Jesus lived that type of life.

JC.

This Blogging Thing

Well, what started me blogging again? Is it a source of procrastination (Ben, u must like this one)? Is this my journal? Is it an outlet for me to vent out my frustrations? Will I be a different person on "Life As It Is."?

Think what really revved me up again was really the inspiration i got from other blogs. Really good ones (Check my frequent visits out). As my good friend JonathanC said, "You see the impact it brings leh?" =). Yea, i think i do.

So, I'm not going to be the type of person that reveals his inside for the world to read. I want to be as real, I want to be as honest as I can. My insides are for God, family and friends. I've had a friend say she didn't like talking to ppl on MSN because they could be thinking and typing things that are the total opposite.

Okay, neither do I want this blog to be about me, myself and James. Let's put it this way. I don't want to feel pressured to blog (like today) everyday, cuz that's not inspiration, but obligation. Hopefully, things that I go through in my life that I think are encouraging and helpful can help you. Hopefully, this can inspire you that bit more.

If not, I hope it's a good read anyway, =). Plus, blogging should be relaxed.

JC.

Conversation with Andrew (my roomie)

Andrew: "I'm thinking about life, how everything is just so futile. Just life in general. Is studying is all I'm living for I would have given up a long time ago. Man, for people who just live for studying and for material possessions, don't you think it's just so sad? Hmm..this is a good train of thought."

I know. So true. Thank You Lord that You have given me so much to live for. Jesus has brought meaning to us, He has given us such hope, such a future. As we give our lives to Him daily, we really are allowing Him to lead us on. And allowing Him to take our life is really the biggest most amazing adventure ever - one that lasts for eternity!

Know what, I want to be a person that doesn't let life get the hold of him. But rather takes life and LIVES it.

By the way, we broke out laughing minutes later. Andrew was reading Song of Songs, it said this: "...the curves of your thighs are like jewels..." For everyone who doesn't know, yes, this is from the Bible, THE Word of God. See God is interested in sex, which He made for marriage. We had such a good time laughing though.

JC.

Mercy & Truth (Love and Faithfulness)

Proverbs 3:3

Let love(mercy) and faithfulness(truth) never leave you;
bind them around your neck,
write them on the tablet of your heart.
Then you will win favor and a good name
in the sight of God and man.

This verse says soooo much about the things we (or maybe it's just me) lack today. If only we could love more generously, and be more faithful in every sense of the word. If only we could be more merciful, and really love and seek after truth, clinging on to it no matter what. I feel life needs these elements so desperately. Sheesh, there's a whole lot of reflecting left to do. =)

Back to study Finance.

love (haha, talk about application),
JC.

Album Launch 2008

Planetshakers had their Album Launch today! "All For Love" 2008 is finally out! Bought myself a copy in no time.

It's so true though. The only reason Jesus paid the price was because of love. John 3:16 - For God so loved the world.

The world's messed up. There's poverty, disease, circumstances... It's filled with people like you and me, ordinary people like you and me. There are the proud ones, the kind ones, the poor ones, the rich ones, the hurting ones, the popular ones, the sick ones, the ignorant ones, the greedy ones, the kind ones...(u get the point). Well, i always catch myself complaining or criticizing people and places alike. Now, this is what blows me away, God loves every single one of us. Yes, that's includes the people we criticize; yes, that includes the people we think didn't deserve to live; yes, that includes people like you and me.

But He so loved us.. He loved us to death. Help me out here, but I'm guilty of diluting God's love for us a lot of the time. In fact, most of the time it doesn't make much sense. But i mean, just the thought of a Savior that came to rescue - it carries such a weight of hope.

That's right, He loved/loves/will love you and me that same wherever and whenever. There's no condemnation but rather a Way that is presented. And it was because of love - the single most powerful driving force found human beings.

JC.

In His shoes

Just came back from a friend's Birthday. Happy 19th Bernie! It was a pot luck, me and Jia Ren (ma housemate) did our part of course. Wicked Wings to the rescue!

Been studying a lecture and a half of Developmental Psych. Can't take those theories any longer!! Well, guess longevity isn't their issue anyway. They've been around for ages. Had Urban Life today. 8 people came along and we had lunch at Universal Pizza ( pizza place down Lygon St). Then we headed over to the park for the quickest UL ever! Well, I shared about honoring God throughout this exam periods, as in to still give Him absolutely number one priority. I thought it was well received. Believing the Holy Spirit spoke to each individual appropriately, =).

Just really got me thinking - our relationship with God. I was using the illustration of parent and child during the message. Let's just be the parent for a minute....Imagine our child being to occupied with life to drop a "hey, dad how are you?" or "You wanna go hang out somewhere?" I mean, being too busy to hang out? That's just not cool. I'm so guilty of that at times. Show of hands if u can relate to this..

Just a thought (and I remember talking to a friend about this before), isn't it crazy how He created the institution of a family to help us to be in His shoes? I mean, to feel like a Father is to feel like Him. Love between husband and wife reveals that passion, that selflessness, that honesty.

If only we could understand how it feels, if only we could put ourselves into His shoes more often. It would help us understand a lot more of His heartbeat wouldn't it? It would probably make a lot of things easier too. Just a thought.

Blogging is worth it (trying to feed myself some positive reinforcement). =).