Life As It Is.

2009-10-06T01:21:00.000+11:00

Strangling Studies

2009-06-10T18:13:00.003+10:00

Studying for exams can really get a hold of u can't it? And i don't it's just the studying. It's the anxiety, satisfaction, adrenaline, ambition that's associated with it. It's not just about preparing for the exam. It's also linked to our career, the thought of having 4 straight H1's. Sometimes, it's the fear of disappointment that drives us on. Or even the need to attain a certain grade to keep the scholarship going. It really can be consuming. And to make things worse, to separate yourself from that during the exam periods when ure surrounded by students is not easy at all. I find i get sucked into a warped world where everything's in a hyper-time. It's like a vortex that slowly closes in when u write that last paragraph on ure final exam. swish!!

The exam climate can really be consuming at times.

I've been getting encouraging scriptures from friends lately:

Pslam 16:3

Isaiah 33:6

Psalm 73:26

Thank God for His Word and friends. I'm outta words.

Jc.

On Prophesy

2009-05-29T14:56:00.001+10:00

Commenting on 1 Thessalonians 5:20, John Calvin wrote,

By the term prophesying I do not mean the gift of foretelling the future, but as in 1 Corinthians 14:3 the science of the interpretation of Scripture, so that a prophet is the interpreter of the divine will... Let us understand prophesying to mean the interpretation of Scripture applied to the present need.

Cecil Robeck's understanding seems to best encompass the important points. He defines the New Testament prophecy as

a spontaneous manifestation of God's grace, received by revelation, (sometimes as a vision, at other times as impressions or thoughts) and spoken by the Spirit through a Christian who has been given a gift of prophecy, in the language of those who hear the prophetic word spoken."

Source: http://www.joyfulheart.com/scholar/preach.htm

Struggles

2009-05-26T18:03:00.003+10:00

I find myself going through struggles everyday. I mean, some days are much better than others but if you look deep enough, if you honest enough - you'll know there's something you're wrestling with. It might be a thought, a decision, a past hurt, an uncertainty. We experience it in our studies, in our Christian walks, at work, in the family etc.

Struggles.

Just a reminder to myself though. I've developed a habit time and again of covering up and sugar-coating everything. Time and again these unresolved issues that have been pushed aside rear their ugly heads and there i go again - not knowing what to do. We need to talk about them, we need to be honest, we need to talk trustworthy people about it - we need to talk to God about it.

I am refering to the type of things we can do something about. No matter how painful, awkward or inconvenient they may be it is much easier on ourselves to NOT bear it alone and hope that they go away. Been there, done that - really hard to do. I recently had one such conversation with a friend. It was honest, friendship building and at the end...dare i say it...encouraging. =)

But seriously, things can be so much easier. For me that day, God worked things out through an honest conversation.

Bells ringing in your head? Go deal with em'. Jesus came to set us free.

Jc.

Being With God

2009-05-14T01:21:00.002+10:00

God moves in countless ways in situations we can only imagine.

i'm just going to blabber on.

Enough of the religion. Enough of the peer pressure. Enough of the weight of expectations and responsibilities. Enough of the stress from uni. Enough of trying to fake that everything's alrite. Enough of putting a mask on.

I love being with God, taking walks with Him, chatting with Him about problems, life, prayers, dreams, people...etc. I love Him because my relationship with Him has grown. It's developed in a way where i've realized it's at it's best when i remove every mask, quite every act and strip every facade that the human side of me tries to hold on so dearly to. The world tells me to be strong, to have it all together and to believe in yourself. It tells me to sell my soul so i can be happy.

But with God, He sets us free. Free from religion, from peer pressure, from responsibility..and all that.

When was the last time we've been vulnerable with Him. He has an answer for every situation. It might not come right away but rest assured, i believe with all that I am that He is good and that He knows what He's doing.

There's really no substitute.

Jc.

Trust - simple but difficult

2009-05-07T20:38:00.002+10:00

God is SO faithful. It's taken me awhile, but more and more as I get to know Him and allow Him to have my life and everything in it, the more convinced I am that He LOVES walking this life with me. He is sooooo willing!

We have a million things in our life we can take control of, or we can let go of it all. ALL. It's funny though, i realize that i always overestimate my trust-0-meter. I think i trust God with my life, but...maybe not.

And when those times come when God gently challenges you to give ure life to Him again, i want to be able to do just that. It's a time in my life when i'm living it so i thought i'd write it down. And everytime we hand it over to Him, whether it's a job, a person, a struggle...it seems we die and He increases a bit more.

If ure struggling with trust issues, God loves you and has the best in mind. Life's too complicated for figuring out sometimes. Ask God for a sign/confirmation, fast..whatever. So long as we get to that place of trust in Him, in His goodness.

JC.

Pancake Good Friday

2009-04-10T22:05:00.004+10:00

I had an amazing day today.

Ben (my housemate) and I invited our urbies (UL27 rawks btw!) over for pancakes this morning. Ok, here's the deal. For the record, I've not had this much fun leading a group of people since...forever! They are just amazing! let me talk about them a bit:

We're a good good mix really. Young and old (you know who u are). But i'm so excited for us, we're on this journey and i see those young men and women growing up to be mighty men and women of God. We're going to mature. For those that do not yet know Jesus, i see the day when they do. I see a bunch of people hungry, eager to learn and follow. I see God at work amongst us. I see people that are talented, gifted, willing to serve. I see us loving each other, building family and really bearing each others burdens as we live our lives for Jesus. We will fulfill the purpose He's called us to.

I'm excited.

Jc.

Picture Perfect

2009-02-06T20:10:00.002+11:00

Photographers. I think what they do is amazing because they are able to capture snippets of time and keep them for later.

I was looking at old pictures yesterday night and got fascinated with the fact (not for the first time in my life though) that we could capture time on a piece of photo paper or in digital form. It's as if God knew He created us with good memory but also with the inevitable ability to forget. Pictures capture the emotion, the hype and the environment of the setting.

My dad had this picture of him being part of a circus when he was younger (don't ask mei obviously didn't get those genes), and a portrait that still contained his handsome 17 year old features complete with an complexion as smooth as a baby's..you know.

Then my mom was comparing by brother baby pictures with his daughter's. Better yet, i compared my mom's baby photo with my brother's baby photo and i actually thought they looked alike!

So people, refrain from being cam whores but please, please take pictures. I'm guilty of belittling the power of the camera at times. And to make things clear, you're not a cam whore if you take a few pics of yourself. Btw, you usually can tell a cam whore when you meet one. They seem born for the camera!

One thing about a good picture, everything seems perfect. picture perfect.

Random Photos

2009-02-03T19:50:00.007+11:00

My workplace: I'm starting to understand what a desk job means.

Emily (my niece) and me zoning out at a shopping centre.

These are my guy cousins.

We do get our good looks from each other.

As opposed to the girls in the family. XD! (sry eden!)

Good ol' Chinese New Year Dinner with the folks.
Inset: My Dad (in purple) and his brother.

Baby Allison with her new headband and dressed in CNY red! She's my other niece. =)

Embracing Forgiveness

2009-02-03T15:51:00.002+11:00

Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven—for she loved much.
But he who has been forgiven little loves little." - Luke 7:47

She was forgiven many, many sins, and so she is very, very grateful.
If the forgiveness is minimal, the gratitude is minimal. - Luke 7:47 (The Message)

This passage makes sense right? It makes a whole lot of sense. Most of us have probably experienced gratitude in some way, either towards God to man. Maybe when someone gave us a gift that was to good to be true, or when we realized how much parents or friends have sacrificed for us. Things like that u know.

But here Jesus links up love and forgiveness. More forgiveness = more love; less forgiveness = less love. But then this thought came to me.

God's forgiven us of ALL our sins, so according to the equation above, we should love Him with ALL we have right? But what if a lot of us don't receive His forgiveness into our lives? What's the likelihood that there are things in our lives we don't REALLY believe God has forgiven or ever forgive?

Because if we do receive His forgiveness that removes our sins as far as the east is from the west (the last time i checked, that was quite a distance!), we'd encounter this thing called gratitude. Which will..make us love. It is when we realize the passionate love He has for us and how merciful He was in going through all that suffering on our behalf that we realize.

Just maybe.

JC.

Being Human

2009-01-16T16:19:00.002+11:00

In Rob Bell "Sex God", I read about how so many of us human beings have become disconnected. Disconnected from nature, disconnected from God, disconnected from each other, disconnected with myself. I think most of us would agree that we know how that feels. Sometimes, it feels like we're living life but not really LIVING. It feels more like we're just existing sometimes. But i'd like to add that it's impossible to feel that way when we're truly connected with God through Jesus. Jesus said He came to give life and life abundantly, how can be bored with life when it's been given abundantly!

We were created to be beings of relationship, beings of connection. Research has shown that this any forming relationships improve one's quality of life. So much of the time i find myself disconnected. I'm overworried about something in my life and set about frantically trying to solve it - disconnected. I'm too busy with work and study - disconnected. I take people in my life for granted - disconnected. (This one's personal) I watch waaaaaay to much TV - disconnected. And when i become disconnected, i myself become less of the person God made me to be. In turn, i become indifferent to the needs of others. Sometimes, i even become indifferent to laughter and fun.

Which brings me to my thought for today. The reason God asks us to love Him and to love others as ourselves is really because loving others and connecting with those in our world is part of our makeup. Those of us that choose to live for ourselves might end up getting what we want but not truly be the human beings we're created to be. We become cheated of life. Like what is says before John 10:10, the enemy comes to kill, steal and destroy.

When was the last time we actively sought out someone in need? When was the last time we made a difference in a situation or made ourselves available to be "salt and light"? When we do that, God is glorified and i personally feel and think we get that "this is what life is about!" epiphany.

Ranting on,
Jc.

Renewable Expectation

2009-01-14T15:52:00.002+11:00

Renewable expectation.

I've never thought about this before until I heard it at Hillsong Conference 2008 from Ps. Paul De Jong.

When we come before God, do we come with renewable expectation? Instead, do we come with a stubborn mind that feels this is going to be the same whole religious routine that won't make a difference at all? A better question - how are our expectation levels when we come before Jesus? I feel faith and expectation are somehow linked. Kids all expect Santa to be fat and full of presents; we expect the lift to go up when we press the "up" button; we expect a rainbow after the rain.

My pastor used this analogy - when we're waiting on God, it's like waiting for the next train to arrive at the station. It's 2:55pm now, and the sign says the train is due in 5 minutes. WE WAIT EXPECTANTLY!! Thing is, even if the train does not arrive at 3 sharp, we are convicted that it will come. It could be 5 or 10 mins late, but it will come!

Renewable energy is amazing because it is produced from naturally replenishing resources. We can have that too. Isaiah chapter 40 reminds us to wait on the Lord so our strength (energy) can be renewed. I want to have an expectation of God that can be renewed and blown up each time i pray and read His word. I don't want to limit or box Him up.

JC.

Playing Our Part

2008-10-16T00:41:00.003+11:00

Today has been fantastic! My house mate Jonathan delivered his first baby (he's a medical student); I met up with some good friends; listened to an awesome lecture on African Economics and did my fare share of study. That means free time to blog - WOOT!

I was reading Matthew 7:7-8 one day, it says "Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened."

What hit me was not the asking, but rather the seeking and knocking part. I realized a lot of times we ask God for something but really don't set about looking for a solution or knocking on the doors. Sometimes we just wait and expect things fall onto our laps. I believe in the natural and the supernatural right? God does His part and He WILL perform miracles but I think we also need to do out part in the natural. We need to do the seeking and knocking as well.

My housemates and I (4 of us) are currently looking for a house to move in to next year. Now, imagine us going "God, please give us a place to stay!" and then just wait for a house to miraculously find us! We're praying (believe me =D) but we're looking online for the house, we're asking around, we're going to go for the inspections and we're talking to people - we're putting in the action.

Maybe we should start to include "Lord, teach me how to help me friend" in our prayers instead of just "Lord, help my friend". Let's learn to take action and partner with God in this journey. God is good and He will not disappoint us, but i was just reminded how important it for us not to be lazy too.

JC.

A Process

2008-10-11T01:58:00.006+11:00

We all know that life is a journey. Sometimes we forget, but we are eventually reminded again and again.

There was this time in my life when I was eager to do everything INSTANTLY. I wanted to to be the best guitar player after a week of practice; i wanted to score the best marks after one study session; i'd want to lose all that weight from dinner after one jog around the park.

I would say that i didn't live the words diligence, faithfulness, patience, consistency in my life.

More and more I'm starting to realize that God works in us through a process. The Bible calls Him the Potter and we the clay right? And if we allow Him, we are going to get molded to be like Him. I found it really helpful to actually understand that this is more like a process than an exam which u pass or fail. Through every failure or success, God can turn it into good for us - to shape us to be more like Him. And in every situation we CAN choose - to be frustrated, worried, angry, pitiful or trusting, rejoicing, peaceful and loving. Most of us can relate to being in a position of this choice.

You know how you never truly know how safe a newly designed car is unless you do one of those crash tests? Similarly, maybe we'll know when have gotten over being a worrier when we can choose not to worry and trust God in the most difficult of situations. Difficult life situations can be opportunities for us to grow. Maybe that's why the Bible tells us to rejoice in various trials! Romans 5:4 says suffering leads to perseverance, which leads to CHARACTER.

We can lose our money, our reputation, our hair, our friends...but our CHARACTER stays with us. It is OUR character, and it's how we choose to live by Jesus and allow Him to mold us that will see us develop to our fullest potential.

And if we are the type that give up easily, it's time to stand up and not give up when it feels the easiest to. Hope this blesses someone.

I need to read this post over and over myself. Love You Jesus!

JC.

Romans 10:15

2008-09-10T01:21:00.003+10:00

PlanetUNI Event on the 27th at Dallas Brooks Centre. It's going to be amazing! A celebration and an invitation to those who want to know more about Jesus. Come and see how un-boring He actually is. It's $5 per entry and starts at 7:30pm. There's going to be performances, praise and worship. Pastor Matt Fielder will be there to spice things up for ya! Presence of God will be there, it's going to be the best.

See u guys there!

Intimacy

2008-09-10T00:49:00.008+10:00

To sum up, it's been a blog famine for me of late. =) So I actually haven't been reading blogs as well, let alone login to my own account and spend time posting.

However, I thought i should.

Intimacy - spending time with our Dad; chit-chatting; worshiping; listening; communing; loving; laughing; being transparent...whatever that word means to you.

How is our relationship with God going? Okay, let's put our tags as "leaders" aside for the moment. Let's not think about the amount of time we spend serving in church, practicing for worship services, or writing sermons. Let's forget about the number of people we're reaching out to.

Being a servant in the house and being a son of the House is a altogether different is it? (just learned about this at Inner Champ).

From out relationship with God, are we still entering His rest and Presence? Are we listening to what He has to show us? Does the thought of spending time with Him cause a spring to our step? See, I believe God wants us more than we can ever want Him. So much of the time we're like little brats who don't want to listen and think we know it all.

For those of us plagued by guilt, we NEED His Grace. Accept that we are not worthy (you prob don't have a prob with that), but also accept that His Grace is bigger than anything. The Cross is bigger than anything. Let's enter in everyday with that full assurance and confidence His Grace has given us. He's saying, "Come in and feast! Come in and hang out with me, the door is open! The curtain is torn; come, come! The entrance is free, it's been paid for!" See, we need to hold fast to that confidence and to be strong in the grace because the enemy will want to rob us of that. That will stop us building our relationship with God.

I constantly fight to keep my confidence in His grace. I'm not losing my relationship with God to the lies of the enemy anymore. Who's voice are we listening to?

JC.

Have No Fear

2008-08-05T23:29:00.002+10:00

Got this from a devotional I subscribe to, I have to admit I almost don't read it at all but just thought this was really good for a lot of us. Let's declare His promises! Heaven and earth shall pass away but His Word shall remain yea? When we have no confidence in ourselves and in our situation, it's His promises than can uphold us. =) Be blessed guys.

JC.

Worried? Pray!!

So also is My Word. I send it out and it always produces fruit.

Isaiah 55:11 TLB

Are you worried today? If you are, begin these words until they take root in your heart, awaken your faith, and become your fixed attitude towards GOD! This prayer will bring results!

“Father, you told me not to fear, for you are with me. You will strengthen me, you will help me, and you will uphold me with the right hand of your righteousness. You said those who rise up against me will be confounded. (Isaiah 41:10-11) You also said that no evil would befall me neither would any plague come near my dwelling, for you have given your angels charge over me to keep me in all my ways. (Psalms 91:10-11) You declared that when I walk through the rivers of difficulty, you won’t let me drown. When I walk through the fires of oppression I will not be burned for you are the LORD my GOD. (Isaiah 42:2-3)

“You said that no weapon that is formed against me will prosper and that you will silence every tongue that rises against me in judgement because I am you servant. (Isaiah 54:17) You promised that if I ask anything according to your will, you would hear me and that I could have it. (1 John 5:14-15) You said I am blessed when I go out and blessed when I come in. (Deuteronomy 28:6) You told me to cast all my cares on you and you would take care of me.” (1 Peter 5:7)

Adapted from A Fresh Word For Today
by Bob Gass

There's More Than One Christianity?

2008-08-02T20:00:00.005+10:00

Found this in my study Bible during my devotion yesterday morning.

There are 4 types of Christianity (3 are distortions):
Judaized Christianity (distortion)
Definition: Christians are Jews who have recognized Jesus as the promised Savior. Therefore any Gentile desiring to become a Christian must first become a Jew.
Danger: Tends to add human tradition and standards to God's law. Also subtracts from the Scriptures God's clear concern for all nations.

Legalized Christianity (distortion)
Definition: Christians are those who live by a long of "dont's". God's favor is earned by good behavior.
Danger: Tends to make God's love something to earn rather than to accept freely. Would reduce Christianity to a set of impossible rules and transform the Good News into BAD news.

Lawless Christianity (distortion)
Definition: Christians live above the law. They need no guidelines. God's Word is not as important as our personal sense of God's guidance.
Danger: Forgets that Christians are still human and fail consistently when trying to live only by what they "feel" God wants.

True Christianity
Definition: Christians are those who believe inwardly and outwardly that Jesus' death has allowed God to offer them forgiveness and eternal life as a GIFT. They have accepted that gift through faith and are seeking to live a life of obedient gratitude for what God has done for them.
Danger: Avoids the above dangers.

What type of Christian are we?

Love At a Distance

2008-07-31T23:57:00.004+10:00

My friend Trili told me last night that she always gets her revelations in the shower, as in like enlightenment.

I totally agreed.

Today, it happened again! U know what i realized? In the shower. I realized (at least for myself) that it's actually quite hard to love people that are really close to me. Realize how easy it is to "love" and have "compassion" for the people in Africa but hate you little brother? By people close to me i actually mean people that know me inside out, people that know my faults, my past, my REAL me. Not the me everyone that I'm nice to knows, but the me when I'm sulky, when I'm moody, when I'm bad. I use to think that I'd have to go through the whole awkward stage when they'll say, "What's the matter with you? Why are you suddenly so nice to me?"

Ok for me, that's awkward.

But this is the deal. For people that I hardly know, people that I watch from the tram stop, people that aren't exactly close friends - I find it easier to "love" and be "nice" to. And i was thinking about it, about myself. Know what I realized? Of course it's easier!! OF COURSE!! It dawned upon me like a warm shower on a winter morning. ;)!

It's easy to love at a distance because we can FAKE IT.

Well, there's really no responsibility. We hardly come into contact with them, we don't really have to care for their problems. We don't have to bear their burdens, we don't have to be patient with them. We don't have to clean up their mess, we don't have to SACRIFICE anything for them. All we do is just have a nice feeling about them. That's not love! That's faking it. The Bible tells us not to love with hypocrisy. In other words, if we think we can love the people in Africa, we'd better start loving those around us.

SO RANDOM YET SO GOOD!

love (the irony),
JC.

Tongue-tied no more!

2008-07-29T15:37:00.004+10:00

I have three nieces - Emily, Allison & Ella (they are in order =D).

This week, I received an email from my sister-in-law telling the family news of a miracle! It's just amazing. Apparently, baby Ella has been been suffering from a tongue-tie. She's about 6 months old now and is still breast feeding. Basically, there was a piece of skin underneath her tongue that restricted the movement of her tongue tip. Understandably, this has caused her and her mom difficulty during feeding. The doctor's advice was to "snip it off". After church on Sunday, my bro and sis-in-law decided to pray for her healing. It seemed after the prayer that baby Ella's feeding had improved. =). Later on in the week, my sis-in-law sought the advice of Ella's maternal and child health nurse. Okay, the nurse knew the GP who diagnosed the tongue-tie and how a tongue-tie looked like. The symptoms described by my sis-in-law also all pointed to a tongue-tie.

AMAZINGLY when the nurse picked her up, she saw NO signs of a tongue-tie! The following week after that, baby Ella seemed to be sticking her tongue out all the time, something which a baby with a tongue-tie would find hard to do! Now, that's a miracle! There's God at work right there in this present age.

For all of us pressing on for healing, restoring, provision and all that. Our God is mighty to rescue!

JC.

Pointing Up!

2008-07-22T01:22:00.005+10:00

I've been wanting to write about this for a while. It sort of dawned upon me one day, the fact that we are like arrows. Actually, we really are aren't we?

The lifestyle we make us like arrows that point at some direction doesn't or at something doesn't it? Okay, I'm rambling on but bear with me. =). I think what we say, how we react to things, the things we do and don't do rotates our life arrow and where it points to. For example when I think of Martin Luther King, his life arrow seems to be pointing at the under-privileged blacks of America; when I think of of Mother Teresa, her life arrow seems to be pointing to God, hope and the needy in India; when I think of David Beckham, his life arrow seems to be pointing at fame, hairstyles and soccer. It's just illustration, I don't really know either one of them well enough to be making valid statements like that.

But imagine ourselves - regardless of our job, physical appearance, social status, abilities, achievements, living as walking arrows that point to a Creator. In all we do and say and act just pointing to hope that lies in Jesus! That would be awesome wouldn't it.

Are we pointing to God? Are we pointing the hopeless to the Hope? Are we pointing the sick to the Healer? Are we pointing the lost to the Purpose? Are we pointing the confused to the Way? Are we pointing the lifeless to the Life?

How obvious are our arrows? Are they tiny or are the so big you could see them from a distance? Do people have to spend a week with us to find out or just a day?

OR, are we pointing to the world? Are we pointing to ourselves? Are we pointing to other solutions?

Don't know bout you but I desperately want to be pointing up. There's enough of us pointing everywhere else already. =).

Sydney + Influence

2008-07-06T00:14:00.004+10:00

Am in Sydney at the moment! woohoo! Been traveling with friends for the day and we just returned from a major shopping spree at Safeway. We're bunking at a backpackers that is pretty dodgy (it's mostly my fault for booking at xD!). Mom, if you read this, it's so dodgy you'd be worried. BUT! We'll be fine - it'll make Sydney more of an adventure! Hillsong Conference here we come! I pray that God will empower and charge us up ore so we can change the world for Him!

I just received an email from a friend back home telling me how one of my posts have been inspiring! I'm honestly just really glad! Okay, instad of blogging about powerful Godly influence which I know squat about, I guess I just really feel priveleged. That was my heart's desire and God is giving me that bit by bit. I want others to be inspired to live their lives for Him, to live lives the way it's supposed to be! As a disclaimer, I am very much on that journey of discovering life and living in His freedom as well. He never gives up on us so we should never give up on Him. Ahh! I just soooo feel like LIVING at this moment!! We so need Jesus we so do! He challenges, He heals, He gives LIFE!

JC.

Heart Glasses

2008-07-03T00:56:00.002+10:00

Ps. Frank Damazio said this at a leader's conference last week:

"We see people through the glasses of our heart."

What does that mean? Well, if i could put a definition on it, it would be that the condition of hearts affect our view of people. A huge reason why I think the people around me are not friendly is because I see myself as being unfriendly. Why I think people are all snobs is because I am a snob and I hate it. Why I think people are not open to relationships is because I myself am not open to relationships.

I thought that ministered to me a lot. If it doesn't help you reason out certain issues, it'll help you realize a lot more about yourself. =). How are the people around you like?

JC.

Livin' A Dream

2008-06-30T20:53:00.003+10:00

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?

2008-06-27T00:06:00.006+10:00

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

2008-06-23T19:05:00.001+10:00

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)

2008-06-23T18:55:00.000+10:00

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.

=)

2008-06-20T00:50:00.002+10:00

Life's Like A Snowball

2008-06-18T17:55:00.011+10:00

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

2008-06-17T00:32:00.002+10:00

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!

2008-06-12T21:07:00.003+10:00

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.

2008-06-12T18:10:00.006+10:00

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!

2008-06-11T11:42:00.003+10:00

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

2008-06-09T01:06:00.005+10:00

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

2008-06-08T00:49:00.003+10:00

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.

2008-06-06T02:13:00.003+10:00

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

2008-06-05T02:10:00.005+10:00

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

2008-06-04T00:41:00.004+10:00

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)

2008-06-03T01:33:00.007+10:00

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)

2008-06-02T12:26:00.003+10:00

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

2008-06-01T22:20:00.005+10:00

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

2008-06-01T00:50:00.004+10:00

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). =).

Hmm.

2008-05-30T14:01:00.001+10:00

Know what? I've inspired to start blogging again recently. Even if no one knows. Let me get into a habit.

JC.

Oh NO! My assignment........

2007-04-16T17:47:00.000+10:00

Hey everyone... i know i know.. i've been slacking off my blogging duties.. hey, gimme a break!=)
Well, lots of things have happened since i lost blogged..I'm doing great here, not to say there haven't been those ups and downs..those things are actually making my stay here great.. Well, Aus is really a nice place.. most of the people are nice, just got to learn to love everyone for who they are..

Thoughts: Well, since i've been here, i believe God's been opening up my teeny, tiny PJ boy mindset.. Lots of my values have been challenged and comfort zones pushed, but its really an eye-opener to live somewhere else and to learn how people function.. learning to adapt, learning to care, learning to change, learning to rise to the occasion, learning to give way, learning to blend in etc...and the good news is, I'm still learning!..Jesus has always been my strength, He knows us through and through.. well, like when i was down and away, and not speaking to Him as much.. He knew it all, He knew what i was thinking about..He still loves me..And thank God, He HAS brought me through.. so so much..that's the best part, and we end up firmer, stronger and loving Him more..

Haps: Well, as u prob know, something went wrong with my first, first Uni assignment..=).. i handed it in late..u know why?.. take a wild guess... .. - I was having lunch with my MATES!!! I just plain forgot about it!.. haha.. (watch the next sentence, it rhymes) I handed it in half an hour late, oh well; laugh it off, and there's another story to tell!! =) =)!!! Well, I'm settled in my church and doing my part in serving by playing the guitar for cell meetings.. Prayer group in IH is doing really, really well.. such an encouragement to know those guys..its great what God is doing in my life and the lives of my friends..And i believe that He'll do more.. He's just so amazing..His faithfulness is like the oceans, nvr fails.. And it just doubled from 5 to 10 ppl.. we're looking for more as well..=) yeap, so that's been good..

Actually just back from easter break..and the week before that i volunteered with a bunch of my friends to help set up drink stands for a fund run.. A fund run is like a marathon held for charity.. contestants pay to participate and some of the money goes to help less fortunate children.. its was one awesome experience!! more and those two when i get the pics from my friends..

Anyway, that's for now..

P.S. havent got the chance to catch up with lots of you online..drop me a mail at jcsy16@gmail.com..

lots of luv,
James.

Car Show Pics

2007-03-23T16:11:00.000+11:00

Another late entry! Well, this isn't anything much.. Just some pictures from the Melb International Car Show i went to a few weeks earlier..mmm.. enjoy! Eden, Aaron, Andrew, and Ben Ong..look out for ure names below!

Shiny!

Shiny! Shiny!

Look what they did with the Gen2!

Aaron, this is for you.

Eden, go crazy over this..

Andrew, it's black..what more should i say?

And Ben, yes, this is an Alfa..

Well, as for me..I picked this ride.. Look at the middle man. =)

Be blessed!

Mumba!

2007-03-20T23:41:00.000+11:00

Hey all..This is a bit delayed.. but last weekend, i went with some of my friends to Mumba Festival!.. Its an annual festival held at the Yarra River, right at the south end of Melb city..there were rides, food and most importantly fireworks! Basically you could call it a funfair..it was on both sides of the river..Well, the rides were really expensive, so we only went for one..That was enough though..The ride spinned so much that i had a headache all the way back home..it didn't seem so fun after that anymore.. well, here are some pics!

mmm..yeap. I've been learning a great deal here..there lots of time to think and reflect on life and myself..times i get to listen to God and deal with things inside of me..God's been real faithful and real good as He always is..Always there when i need Him, when i feel lonely and stuff..so praise Him.. Btw, my friends and I sort of re-started a prayer group for the Christians in IH..yea, praying that God will work through that..

so much for now,
James.

Car Show and Melb Aquarium!

2007-03-11T22:30:00.000+11:00

hey..this week's been a relatively busy one for me. Basically with tutorials, assignments and classes. But their all packed into tues, wed and thurs.. so, I'm blessed to have fri(one class only!), sat, sun and mon off!

Well, I've slightly left behind on my studies already..well, will strive harder to do my best..after all, it's the major reason i'm here for! Yea, been catching up with my brother's again..that explains the title..I would have had loads of pics from the carshow..its just their in my bro's PC..so, yea..sigh..i actually took pics of some cars specifically for some of u back home..jst for fun! hehe.. u'll see what i mean when and if i get those pics up..

The Melb International Car Show was just a fun thing me and my bro Peter decided to do on a sat. Got to see lots of cars..honda's, mitsibushi's, BMW's, merc's, lambo's, chrysler's, alfa's (yes ben!)..it was okay..i mean i'm not really THAT into cars, but it was a fun time..hehe..we actually got free coffee from the Mazda stand becos my bro owns a Mazda..not to mention free expresso cups as well! heeeheee...

Now that was last sat. The following sat, which was yesterday, Paul (my eldest bro), Tai Sou(my sis-in-law), Emily, Bri(she got invited), and I visited the Melb Aquarium..It was fun, but i think Emily made it more fun for all of us..hehe..she kept going "Fish! Fish!" the whole time..well, she started saying the word "naughty" on that day too..hehe..which was pretty funny.. and she can call me "sei sok!" now..anyways, enuf about her..we saw loads of sharks, stingrays,jelliyfish, seahorses, seadragon, crabs..(hmm..how i wish i had a cam phone to take all those pics..I'm so gonna get one..)We also got to see the sharks and stingrays being fed by the divers, which was a cool sight..yep yep yep..ohya, u rmbr i told u Emm was using the word naughty that day? Well, when we got home and Tai Sou was going to carry her out of the car..She said "Mommy, naughty!" Haha.. that was really funny.. Kids say the darnest things..

k k..its been almost a month and some of u haven't seen my room.. so here a some pics:

I changed the sheets..nice?

Memoirs of a James..this stuff is from home..

This is where i study..

erm..just a sofa..

the communal sinks..where we say gd morning to ppl..

shared bathrooms..

God of faithfulness..

2007-03-05T00:22:00.002+11:00

Oops, my bad..Hehe.. Was reading Brigette's blog and it reminded me of something God did for me over the week.

Well, it was my first one or two days of uni, and I guess I was feeling a little bit left out. If you dont know, I actually took the subject "Introduction to Hebrew and Jewish Studies". Yea, that class was full of Caucasians(Westerners), so it was a bit hard to make friends. Guess I was intimidated cause these people really know their stuff! They were answering questions and everything. Being Asian as I was, I hardly knew a thing..hehe..It was all that plus the fact that I was finding it hard to make friends and all. Even in IH, i was making friends with the M'sians but i have to admit it was harder to make friends with the Westerners.

So, it was Tues. Well, to say the least, I really wanted to make more and more friends, and meet more and more people. So that day before I went to Uni, i actually prayed about this and believed that it would be a good day. Well, to cut the story short, i actually got to make more than 20 plus brand new ppl on that day! Not to mention the fact that I got to know so many ppl better that day. Well, I really love meeting ppl and building relationships with ppl..so, thank God! All glory to Him for His goodness and faithfulness..I mean, what a way to answer my prayer! I never expected something like that and its great that He's given me so much mroe courage to go and meet ppl now.. well, its something I love and He's giving me that.. so praise Him!

First Week at Uni and more..

2007-03-04T23:45:00.000+11:00

Hey! This was my first week at Uni. Man..i want a new phone so badly so i can just take pictures of stuff and post it on here..Right now my pictures are all wit my friends in their rooms, so its a bit troublesome.. Don't worry, I'll get them soon so i can show u guys what i've been up to.

So first week of uni was a bit awkward at first. Its mainly cause you walk into this lecture theater filled with ppl you dont know. There are like 300 students(I'm guessing) in the large theaters, so yeap, making friends with the ppl sitting beside me is a priority. Well, since then, i;ve been able to find ppl with same lecture times as me from IH, so we sort of end up sitting together. If you ask me, tutorials are better places to meet ppl. Basically, we have like 15-20 ppl in tutorial classes, and meet once or twice a week. Its an experience to have to do reading by yourself, remind ureself of assignments and stuff. Yeap. Its definitely a challenge.

I've been attending a few churches to decide which one I'll settle in. Went to Planet Shakers today and was at Crossculture(the former Swanston Street Church of Christ) on Saturday for an International Students Meeting. I've also attended my bro's church called CityLife. Crossculture seems really M'sian to me, and PS is definitely Western. My bro's church is sort of a mix between the two i guess. Well, going to join their cell groups soon, so i'm giving myself 3 weeks to make a decision. Its real interesting to go around and see the churches tho.

On the fun side! Yesterday, me and my friends went down to Lygon Street(an Italian street in the city) for a Ferrari parade sort of thing. Melbourne's gonna host the F1 race next weekend, so Ferrari had this demo on Lygon Street. We got to see old and new ferrari's displayed and they even got some drivers to drive the new F1 cars down the whole street, and at the end, they did a 360 spin. Now that was awesome..

Plus, IH had Commencement Dinner on Thursday. Well, basically we all had to dress formal and put on Harry Potter gowns. It was real nice though. After dinner, all the IH-ers walked to a cafe in Uni(in our gowns!)and had coffee and cakes. We were also given blue glowsticks, so everyone was waving them around and stuff. It was really fun.

Yeap..God has been blessing me with Christians friends here. So we''ve been trying out churches together. I really thank God for that cause it really is a blessing and a support. God's been my strength and my joy.. His love and care for us is so amazing and He is always so faithful to us. Yeap, so I'm doing good. And I'm praying and believing that i'll do better..for Him!

signing out
James!

New Experiences

2007-02-24T01:43:00.000+11:00

WELL! Its been a while since I've posted..

It has been a great week for me..I had a trip down to Great Ocean Road with my family and Bri's family over the weekend..To find out more about it, click on brigette's link..haha..yay, tumpang her blog! It was a good trip, really got closer to everyone who went..

mmm..So Uni's starting on Monday for me..I have a 15 hrs a week..yeap, and I only have 1 hour on mondays and fridays.. bout 4-5 hrs for tues,wed and thurs tho..but the past week has been orientation..altho I spent most of the nights out with my family, i still got to join IH O-week during the daytimes..IH stands for International House by the way, it's where i live in..its been great..I've been meeting lots and lots of ppl from different countries..Sing, HK, US, Mauritius, Sri Lanka, Kenya, Japan, Korea, Philipines, Thailand, China, Aus..and of course Malaysia..!

Orientation week at IH was great..hehe..we played crazy games and stuff..like one of it apparently is an IH tradition..its a three-legged race where the team is supposed to click a block of ice around the whole IH..and along the way, we get bombed with water, flour, oatmeal and mud..so..it all ended up being a BIG mudfight..haha..They also had stuff like bad taste parties (which everyone dresses their worst) and cocktail parties..din attend those tho as i was having dinners wit my family..

Also, they brought us to the Rod Laver Arena the other day..that's wehre the Aussie Open is held every year..tennis? We got to go onto one of the courts, the players' changing room and toilets (which I used, haha!), and also the press conference room.. its was awesome..I even got to see Andy Roddick's locker!..

hmm.. so that was fun.. After that, we had this thing called the Magical Mystery Tour..Well, it wasn't that magical but it was one to rmbr.. Basically, our seniors took the whole IH freshers around the city.. we were running everywhere in a whole bunch.. there were more than hundred of us..on the way were doing chants of IH..one of em goes like this.."IH is hot to go! H-O-T-T-O-G-O! Ahum! Hot to go! *clap clap* Ahum! Hot to go! *clap clap*" It was really crazy..we did stuff like cram into a corner McD's shop and started shouting "We want fries! We want fries!"..so much to tell you guys..

God been really good.. as He is always to all of us..My brother's have been a great blessing and i'm starting to get used to life here..its much more challenging and I guess I haf to learn to stand on my own..esp for what i believe in..His Grace is just amazing..We don't deserve it.. haha.. and guess what? for those of you who knew..I was worried I couldn't play drums for the whole year and i wanted to be able to play music so badly.. well, found out to day that IH actually has a music room with a piano and a set of drums in it!.. haha plus i brought my guitar!!and there were these M'sian dudes that I met that can play instruments well..one guy stays at tropicana 7/1(I stay at 4/1...I KNOW!) and he plays the guitar and piano by hearing..the other dude used to play for a Christian band back home in M'sia..so its been really good.. hehe.. met up with lots of Christians as well..looking forward to my first week of church here..mmm..

I mean there's so much more to tell.. well, i'm enjoying God's blessings here..truly goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life..I miss you guys back home so much..but thank God I'm loving the fun and challenges here too..truly, looking to HIm for strength and grace and goodness.. well, all things!

Finally..

2007-02-13T20:10:00.000+11:00

Finally, I'm here. Finally, I've left. Finally, I've let go. Finally, the old has passed, the new has come. Finally, it has begun. Australia has finally descended upon me. Haha, well, okay okay..I know i'm being a little dramatic again.

SO! It's been two days since I've arrived. Erm, staying at a place near(15 minutes walk!) Melb U called International House. Its a pretty cool place, think it'll be very fun to come home to once everyone moves in. Well, guess what? My first dinner was a BBQ, mmm.. Good ol' Aussie BBQ. Well, you know the saying that goes "Melbourne's a second M'sia"? Well, its soo true.. I met two guys who live below me and they're from Sunway D'sara and Mutiara D'sara! That's like 5-10 mins from where I live!! Plus, when i boarded my flight to Melb, the guy sitting behind me was actually my course mate. I mean we nvr talked, but we've seen enuf of each other to know who we were. So awesome.

My first day was a difficult one. Everything was new..Friends, bed, toilet, table, not to mention the water..=_=*(I know)..I mean, it doesn't really hit you until you realize that your on your own. I hardly had any sleep the nite before on the plane, maybe 1 or 2?..I was sick..The weather was HOT!..And I didn't really haf any new friends yet..I wasn't familiar of so many things..I couldn't drive..I didn't know where to buy my things.. To make things worse, I actually left my toiletries in another bad which my parents are bringing over on thurs..So, i had to go somewhere to get the things i needed to shower myself.. BUT WHERE! Having no choice, i asked around for directions and eventually wandered my was dere..Thank God i got what i needed for a bath..(yeah..) Well, it was really stressful up to that point. I did have lunch wit my brother tho, but i was too sleepy to think of anything..hehe..Well, to be honest, i really don't know how ppl over here think..I mean, they could function in a whole different way..Be careful as i am, i naturally didn't want to get too up close and personal with my floormates(ppl living on the same floor as me)..For dinner, my brother brought over a whole regular pizza..They was a lot left..so i was thinking whether i should offer it to the guy living next door or not..(He's a chinese but He's born and bred in Perth)..I actually asked for courage from God and WENT!.. haha..well, turns out to be he's very much into philosophy..You know wat..?We ended up talking about God and philosophy till 11:30pm..I mean..the conversation just began to flow..Many questions i couldn't answer..but God is the one that'll work..not me..Glory to God, cos that just reminded me that i'm not just here to study..That took my mind of missing home and friends and turned my attention to God and what He wants..

Day two - Met a friend (who was also a coursemate!) who wanted to set up a bank account..I needed to get some stuff..like a FAN! It was soooo HOT the day before.. So we and my new friend took a tram down to the city, map in hand and got what we needed.. Ohya, the bank's in Melb Uni..So we walked around the campus as well.. After all that, we headed back to IH. I got my new found FAN and my internet connection both set up.. Met Ben Soon and Ong, Josh, and Gil for a skype sessions.. which was fun!..Chatted wit Eden, Mel, Aaron and Jovy too.. Made me feel so much closer to home.. thanks guys..we should do it more.. Headed down to my my bro's place in Vermont South by train and tram..Took me about 50 mins..and yay!.. waiting at the doorstep was Julia (my tai sou) and Emily (my cute cute CUTE niece!).. All smiles.. she was a bit nervous at first, but we warmed up in no time.. hehe..

Well, all in all..I'm getting more and more used to this place..I'm getting more friends by the day and hopefully I'll find a suitable church real soon too..I still miss home, but like what the Bible says... Forgetting what is behind and looking forward to God's plans for you and me..I still miss home a lot.. But i've got to leave that behind.. Not abandoning everything and everyone, but rather thanking God for everything and everyone.. So, here i am..signing out - still missing home, but looking forward to it all.. Here are some pics:

Life Goes On

2007-01-24T19:40:00.000+11:00

It's about two and a half weeks before my departure. Thank God I still have friends to be around me. If not, aih..Time's gonna pass so slowly.. Guess this is the same feeling everyone has when their on holiday for too long..hehe..

So, basically i've been around.. Went out with my bro, his fiancee, fiancee's mum and the maid of honor to KL on monday..It wasn't planned, but you know..pretty much nothing is nowadays..haha.. Well, we were scouting for nice bridesmaid gowns..that was either white or gold, might i add..Apparently, the WHOLE of Sungei Wang and Lot 10 didn't have one, cos we got N-O-T-H-I-N-G!! Actually, i think there were nice ones, but they were either too expensive or without size..So, we came back..more like jammed back (ahhh..M'sia..) by round 7:30pm..wit nothing.. i repeat..NOTHING..haha..got good exercise walking around though..

And on tuesday..wow..tuesday..Woke up early, and i mean early..at 7:00am..WAIT!.. dont worry, there was a reason..hehe..Went jogging with aaron, bri, eden, and drew at the T.T.D.I park..It was a good workout..Altho it was more like a stroll in the park for the girls..And ltr in the afternoon, met the same ppl at 1u for lunch and watched Blood Diamond..which is mighty good movie by the way..Poh Kong..we're out to get you!!haha..watch it and u'll know wat i mean..After that, had a nice dinner at D'sara Palace with my family and my bro's fiancee's family..

To Do List:
1. Get a labtop
2. Get a webcam
3. Get winter clothing
4. Get toiletries
5. Get visa
6. Get plane ticket
7. Visit grandparents
8. Meet up with friends
9. Get excited
10. Get pumped up
11. Get READY!!!

I so wanna get ready for australia..It's what God has in store for me, and i want to be thankful for everything He's done to get me dere..My parents, studies, friends, brothers...so so much more..Well, i'm looking forward to a very different year..mm..God definitely has plans to prosper us, not to harm us..Wherever we may be..His grace, love, strength is sufficient for us..
God of all creation, I love you!

Rainy Days

2007-01-17T15:32:00.000+11:00

Hey all..we've been caught in the midst of a rainy season for some time now..we've been reading and hearing of floods..the splattering of raindrops on our windows have become second nature to us..well, i'm mighty sure that most of us have experienced these"teardrops" wetting our faces..giving us natural moisture.

Well, seeing what's happening in the natural, it makes me wonder whether its affecting us in the emotions.haha.. Don't know whether it's just me, but things have been really wierd lately. For me, leaving for australia is a big big change. Lots of challenges, which in turn creates lots of room to grow (have to be positive!). Hmm..Reading some of our blogs, somethings definitely topsy turvy..Andrew's all mixed up like a blender..Mel's as mushy as an over-ripe tomato..Bri's head is churning like a merry-go-round(though she's still as pink as ever)..Ange sounds the most sane, but her blog still leaks out the aroma of an emotion packed girl..For me, haha..everything bout M'sia seems so wonderful..Seriously, I was in SS2 the other day, and tell u what, i've never appreciated SS2 that much before..Nowadays, almost everything that I see is accompanied with a "sigh".."sigh"s filled with gratitude and happiness, yet containing feelings of reluctance..HEY!.. i know i said i wouldn't be emotional..hah..but guess the rainy season got a hold of me..haha.

Anyway, I'm still in a season of preparation. Pretty much bumming around nowadays. Thank God my brother is back..At least there's some good company around in the house, plus its nice getting to know my future sister-in-law better. Been going for X-rays and checkups to get my visa done. So, what's left before the dreaded departure(just trying to be dramatic again), is shopping, meetings with friends and family, loads of packing, collecting my IC, dental check-up and prob some other check-ups..hehe..Yeap yeap. Its exciting days ahead, and now seriously, I'm looking to God for His goodness and faithfulness in all things.. Truth be told, life aint very interesting right now.. hehe.. Hope this post entertained you to some extent.. be blessed!

James.

Friends Tribute.

2007-01-10T01:25:00.000+11:00

Friends..Ahh..That's definitely something good that starts with a "F"..besides food, fans, fish, filipines(haha)..anyway, I'm just so thankful to God for my friends..friends..=)

God's brought all types of ppl into my life during these 18 yrs..some have been forgotten(sorry guys!), some have come and go, but some have left footprints so deep it's easier to sing Negaraku backwards than to forget them..Sooo.. i thought i'd pay a tribute to the ppl i know..thanks for helping to make my life wat it is..i am thankful for everyone of u..close ppl u know who you r..

GRC guys and girls..U guys have probably influnced me the most in many ways.. they years we spent growing and playing together are unforgettable..although many things we did WERE stupid and mindless, i think they'll kinda be stuck in my head for a while yet..I thank and praise God for all He's done among us..i've learnt many things from you all..to sum it up, i'd say God put us together for a reason and i'm sure you all know that..altho things are diffrent now, i pray that we'll run after that purpose God has for our lives..never give up or lose sight..u guys have been brothers and sisters...thanks so so much for everything..

Next up are the peeps from G14..i thank God for this year..again learning so much with you all and from you all..to see how some of u handle ureselves tho ure far from home is amazing for me...respect respect..thanks for the times we laughed and studied together..also for the times we've shared our stress together..whether u know it or not, u've made my transition from homeschool to college a smooth one..I thank God for knowing you all..keep it touch!

Last up! Church friends..College cell!..Seriously, i have no words to express what a joy its been to know you all...some i've known all my life..others i've not.. but both are equally impacting..God's brought us together by His grace and love..hanging and serving with u guys, i've learnt to love, forgive, understand, care and live out for God.. we've been through so much in youth group, camps and cell...of all my friends, u are the ones that are hardest to leave behind..u've touched my life in so many ways..seeing how some of u live ure lives truly challenges me to be a better person for God..I pray from the deepest parts of my heart out of gratitude and thankfulness that we'll keep running after Him in all things..rmbr wat eden's mom said?..well, if that's what God has planned for us, i pray no one.. no one will be left out..u ppl have been a blessing in so so so many ways i really really dont know where to start..know the term "words cannot express?"..yeap. Its truly awesome how God has guided us these few years..from strength to strength, from glory to glory..i just wanna say that you guys are amazing, amazing ppl..there's Jesus inside of you and its just so different..i look back on the years we've spent trying to do and be our best in MJYF and am truly blown away as to how God has ended our chapter there all together..will love and rmbr you all a-l-w-a-y-s.

So sick yet so well! (2)

2007-01-08T16:16:00.000+11:00

Today's Monday. Or Mournday for most ppl.. A day after I was healed of F&D..=) guess God had other plans.. but I thank Him so much! Story starts..as usual, dragged myself out of bed at 8am to go out for breakfast with my parents. Had Kampar Fishball Noodles.. haha.. So, did the same old same old.. and we all came back from brekkie..

But SUDDENLY!.. haha trying to be dramatic, bear with me.. I started feeling nauseous. That means you actually feel like vomiting..NOOO.. i have plans for the day, I'm supposed to cut my hair, test my eyes etc etc... I can't be having this...sheesh..plus! its so hard to read the Bible and pray with this feeling.. so how? so how?

Soo.. I did try reading the Bible, as I knew i would prob be running around the whole day...It did go away a bit, but i thought taking a nap would REALLY make it go away..if u know wat i mean.. but, nah.. that doesn't work.. so i ended getting up and going to the toilet..by this time, i could feel the vomit coming up my throat..Kinda like drinking slurpee the opposite way..But i didn't want to, hate the feeling of vomiting..I took a deep breath..stepped out of the toilet and just sat on my rolling chair..Then i decided to start praying.. If God healed my two days before of F&D, He'd heal me again..It was difficult, hard to concentrate..But as I began to pray with more and more belief.. that feeling didn't seem to bother me anymore..I mean, it's God who heals!..That was like two hours before i was writing this..

Personally, I'm glad all this happened. Shows me God's reality, greatness, love and power.. Shows that what we need is faith in Him.. not ourselves..so, once again, I give Him all the glory. Know what to do the next time ure sick?..

p.s. i'm not saying that you shouldn't go to a doctor, they're dere for a reason too u know!

So sick yet so well!

2007-01-08T15:54:00.000+11:00

Hey all..Rite, one thing bout me and my blog, I have to lay this down clearly. I'm not going to write my "feelings" or pour out my "emotions" here..haha..So, just to say that if anyone is for "emo" stuff, this is kinda like how a desert is for a fish. yea. dry. hehe.. My week's been good. Basically, I've been running all over the place getting stuff done. Spent a total of 6 hours at the immigration this week, so I got my passport renewed. Hm.. settled my applications for uni and accomodation next year over in Melb. Went to the doctor. Had a 38.2 degree fever+diarrhea btw. Sickening.. became best friends wit toilet bowls dat day..

BUT!.. God is good. You see, I fell sick on a saturday.. And on sunday, I had to be the host for an orientation we were having at church for the newly promoted Form 1's. Back to saturday, i was soooooo down, i basically took my medication and went to bed at 7pm! yea, i know. 7 pm.. food still digesting for most ppl eh? well, I WAS SICK. haha.. becos of that, i woke up at 4am the next morning.. couldn't sleep no more..

Sooo, decided to spend some time with God that EARLY morning. As I was praying, I just began to ask for God's healing. I mean, i had to believe.. He's the God that heals us! And true enough, He took my fever and diarrhea away just like that! I had only taken medication one time the nite before so this was definitely God. So, no reoccurence of the F&D (fever + diarrhea) since then, glory to God!

The Land of the Orang Utans

2006-12-12T01:58:00.000+11:00

Hey all!.. Just came back from Kuching, Sarawak a.k.a "Davin's place" two days ago. U see the title? Yea, there were orang utans, just that we missed them by 15 minutes. Man!! But all in all it was worth the trip. All thanks to Davin and his family'es hospitality, we almost had a free stay.. Almost.. rite Davin? ;) Yea, each of us kinda secretly left 100 bux just to cover at least SUMthing. We had too. least we could do.. haha..

Well, started off by visiting Damai Beach.

This is where ALL the tourists go.. supposedly..dont ask me why, I was told that.

But the waves..i mean, the waves.. were BIG. We rented a couple of bodyboards to show our machoness, but u know.. the waves kinda got to us.. so much for machoness..

Later, we sort of bummed out at Davin's place and visited the city a couple of times. ONe of the best things bout kuching has to be the food.. I mean the wooden cats and three fly-overs (sorry Davin!) were great, but the food was finger lickin' good (they hv lots of KFC's dere).. The Koh Loh Mee, Kiau (wantan), Kueh Chap (sometin like bak kut teh), and Sio Bee was really nice.. particularly loved the Kueh Chap.. MMMmmm..Dont haf a pic of that tho..

Well, after food like that, its hard not to gain a few pounds.. All that swimming at the beach? well, seems like it didn't work. hmm..maybe my scale is lying?.. yea, i think so..

I had a lot of fun with my college mates - the Kuching Gang! Will remember u guys always! =) !Six of us made the trip:

Top Row(from left): Lynn, Davin, me; Bottom Row(from left): Liz, Kay-In, Cindy

This was My Week.

Blogging Debut

2006-12-08T21:57:00.000+11:00

Hey all!.. Today is MY blogging debut. It's wat I like to call it anyway. I am actually in Kuching rite now, in my nosey friend's house..he's watching me.. in fact, they are.. Spent a large part of the day figuring the html out.. haha.. Well, that's in the past and I can now blog like a frog! -_-*..It'll be awhile before I really start getting the hang of this..Check in weekly..!