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.
Friday, February 6, 2009
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
Random Photos
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
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.
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.
Friday, January 16, 2009
Being Human
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.
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.
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
Renewable Expectation
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.
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.
Thursday, October 16, 2008
Playing Our Part
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.
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.
Saturday, October 11, 2008
A Process
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.
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.
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