Here's nothing

Well, i'm finally going. It's a short trip and i hope to make full use of it. If you don't already know, i'm going to UK for 3 weeks to attend some conferences in Lichfield, partly to strengthen the partnership my church here in Malaysia has with the church in Lichfield and also to meet and greet representatives from churches all over the world.

I suppose i'm kind of excited to go, but i'm more anxious and worried. This would be the first time i'm going so far away from home and it scares me. Also i'll be meeting loads of people and i hope i don't put my foot in my mouth when i talk to them. And i kinda don't want to leave home. Things here, people here, i'm too much of a homebody perhaps. And i have a feeling that a raincloud is gonna be hanging over my trip.

So pray for me please. Pray that i will be bold in sharing the Gospel, for God's strength to be my strength and that i will remain faithful to God's Word.

The Incredible Hulk

I liked this one, ignoring the violent disgusting bits of course. I like how the story revolves around a good value called self-control. Especially with anger (i can totally emphathize). Was pretty good overall, but there were bits i didn't like.

For one, Betty Ross was a bit too much of a bimbo. From the movie it's quite obvious how women just really don't know what they want: one moment, they're vulnerable things that need to be saved by the big macho guy and in the next, they're so into mothering (saving?) the vulnerable sweet but lost guy.

And another thing, i sometimes wish producers/directors won't push the romance/sexy bits overboard. The romance can happen naturally, you don't really need to emphasize the sex to show that they are into each other. And it's so awkward to watch. One minute, it's a tender and sweet moment and the next, they're jumping into each other's pants. I know it's a movie and there's a time constraint and sex scenes sell more, but there just really isn't any flow to that. It would have left a much nicer memory of the movie if they had stopped at the tender sweet moment (yes i know i'm repeating myself, but this is the best try to not reveal too much of the movie).

I liked it otherwise, there's the good stuff like self-control, protecting women, selflessness, which should be valued more in movies (and in everything else too) nowadays.

Leaving God outside the door of your blog

The fact that so many Christians are so at ease with offensive blogposts is a growing concern for me. While i'm slowly starting to understand more about worship, it's interesting to note how we Christians feel about blogging. It's as though blogging is one segment of our life that has nothing to do with God. However, it is pretty clear from the Bible that we are called to more than just the usual blog nonsense.

"So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God." (1 Cor. 10:31)

This would mean that we need to seriously re-consider every inch and detail of what we write. Which also means your blog shouldn't be just a place where you say whatever you feel like saying, ranting and inciting unnecessary controversy. It is really hard for me to believe that people who blog so are truly Christians. It just doesn't add up. One minute, i'm seeing a Godly person, gladly serving in church and the next, i'm reading about the same person in a totally different (and not in a good way) light on his or her personal blog. I guess in the same way that reading someone's private journal would be totally telling of the person's true heart and beliefs, reading someone's blog would tell much about the heart as well.

So what should we do?
Well, i think for one, we as bloggers should retract/delete any unnecessary and hurtful blogposts and strive to write responsibly. Posts that cause unhealthy arguments or cause people to turn away from the truth. What if you really want to post something? If it's that important, i think it deserves a little extra time and thought to be written well.

What if you really want to vent your anger/frustration/other emotions? Number one: what would venting get you? Nowhere, doesn't solve your problems and it usually just makes you even more angry/frustrated/other emotions. Something that would help? Loving God and loving his people. Think about it. If you love God, it's natural to want to obey his commands. So why murder people in your mind? Also if you love God's people, i guess it'd serve others better if you'd discuss things personally in love. If you have issues with people, don't blog about it! Find a way to work it out with the person directly. I think blogging about it is a coward's way out.
Related article : Venting and Losing

What if you think, "Well, it's my blog and i can write whatever i want on it. You don't have to read it. If you don't like it, go away"? Well sure, here comes the part addressed to criticism. I believe we learn the TRUTH so that we know and can make good judgements. And it's very important for Christians to be able to take criticism (even if you don't like it, like me) and consider it prayerfully. Don't just blow it off. Some person out there must care enough to say something so at least try to think about it objectively. I find that most of my own brush off reactions are usually caused by unwillingness to confront my own sin.

Continuing from that, for blog readers like me, (you might not necessarily blog yourself but read other people's blogs avidly) perhaps you should re-consider the blogs that you read. If they're not the most shining examples of good English (and by this i mean those containing &*% *@&$ *!&# and other expletives) and/or are filled with gossip and other things that don't edify you or anyone else, why DO you read them? Aha.

I'm definitely not one of the best writers around and i doubt i ever will be, but one thing i want to be : One who loves and serves the Lord in all that i do. Let's not leave God outside the door of blogging and blog-hopping. Let's all be committed to worshiping God with our everything, our hearts, souls, and minds (and fingers used for typing).

Related articles:

• Blogging responsibly
• Blogging to worship God

Also, read my friend's dedication to blog responsibly.

A good example in the matter of music

Two absolutely fabulous hymns that i've recently discovered, pretty good songs. They're played quite often in the 11.30am service and i realize that they are actually very selective over the songs sung there, which is such a good thing! Thought i'd share them with you since we were on the topic of music.

May the mind of Christ, my Saviour
Philippians 2:5

May the mind of Christ, my Savior,
Live in me from day to day,
By His love and power controlling
All I do and say.

May the Word of God dwell richly
In my heart from hour to hour,
So that all may see I triumph
Only through His power.

May the peace of God my Father
Rule my life in everything,
That I may be calm to comfort
Sick and sorrowing.

May the love of Jesus fill me
As the waters fill the sea;
Him exalting, self abasing,
This is victory.

May I run the race before me,
Strong and brave to face the foe,
Looking only unto Jesus
As I onward go.

May His beauty rest upon me,
As I seek the lost to win,
And may they forget the channel,
Seeing only Him.

When i survey
Galatians 6:14

When I survey the wondrous cross
On which the Prince of glory died,
My richest gain I count but loss,
And pour contempt on all my pride.

Forbid it, Lord, that I should boast,
Save in the death of Christ my God!
All the vain things that charm me most,
I sacrifice them to His blood.

See from His head, His hands, His feet,
Sorrow and love flow mingled down!
Did e'er such love and sorrow meet,
Or thorns compose so rich a crown?

Were the whole realm of nature mine,
That were a present far too small;
Love so amazing, so divine,
Demands my soul, my life, my all.

More articles on music:

1. When Music is our Enemy
2. Worship: What really matters
3. An emcee's gentle word
   

I am no longer a kid

...or at least that's what the numbers tell me now. Who knows what the mind is like, though the age is old.

Thank you Lord for another good year that has passed, for all the 21 years of my life, for being there for me even when i couldn't see you there, for all the grace you've given me that i don't deserve, for saving me - a wretch not worth saving. I just pray that You will continue to help me grow to be more like Your son Jesus Christ. Give me your strength to continue struggling on. Amen.

In the tone of celebration, i'm not in favor of huge parties, although i do think 21 is a monumental age! I just thought that the focus of a party held in my honor would be such a total waste of my time. So instead i have planned, or am planning something special. Something where i am the one honoring instead of being honored. The pleasure is all my own, i'm afraid, so don't be expecting any invitations (unless you've gotten invitations). It's going to be a true CELEBRATION!

Some interesting articles:

1. The art of celebration
2. Me, Me, Me

Check back later to see what happens at this thing i'm planning =)

A Matter of Movies and Music

Recalling my last post, this is a brief continuation in the issue of choosing what you see and hear carefully.

You got the movie review in the last post, in this post, we're going to look at music. In particular, the music we sing in church. It's interesting that normal people like you and i, who usually are extremely picky and choosy when it comes to everyday "secular" music, seem to be so lax when it comes to the songs we sing in service.

Of late, i've noticed that some of the songs i've been singing for years in the church have the WORST words you could possibly sing. They either:

• have nothing in there that's Biblically supported;
• or are all to do with the I, me, we.

I'm not sure of where exactly to draw the line here yet, but i believe that the same rules that applied to movies apply to music as well and we should be concerned for excellence in songs too. Perhaps it all comes from unsupported ideas about "worship", and when i say worship, i don't mean singing songs.

Some articles written by Bob Kauflin, a skilled musician with over 25 years of experience as a worship leader, pastor, and worship song writer. In these articles from his site Worship Matters, he's written about Defining Worship:

• Defining Worship : Part One | Part Two | Part Three | Part Four
• Why Define Worship?
• Why Worship Matters?
• In answer to the question,"What about Me songs?"
• Does it matter Who writes the Songs we Sing?

Also, some good questions posed by Greg Gilbert to get you thinking seriously about worship, the whole worship and nothing but true worship, and a final article called "Why Worship is a No no", taken from the Garage Hymnal blog.

So think about what you sing.

Personal opinions disguised as reviews?

I’ve been watching lots of movies lately, and so close to my exams too =P but here are some notable ones:

1. KungFu Panda

I really didn’t think this movie was any good, it does host Jack Black as the lead voiceover, one actor that i really don’t like paying to watch. But i was pleasantly surprised. Amazingly good story that had good values. A little violent but it was set very humorously (which i haven’t determined whether it’s a good thing or not).

2. Iron Man

This was a really good one. Good for the girls and guys. Taken from Pluggedinonline,

Iron Man emphasizes loyalty, restitution and the responsible use of power by individuals and nations. But this superhero is not merely a Spider-Man clone. And that has a lot to do with his origin story. No radioactive spider bite. No exposure to gamma rays. Stark isn’t accidentally endowed with new skills. His heroic journey involves an arrogant sinner coming to grips with his own depravity and choosing to change.

So the film’s underlying messages—that being virtuous is better than being rich, that we all have unexpected callings, that we, like Stark, live for a reason—are inspiring, biblical and, in today’s fame-and-fortune-at-any-cost society, downright countercultural.

3. Amazing Grace

An inspiring movie, although younger viewers might not be so enthused by it. I don’t know, maybe it’s the whole historical element to it. Ioan Gruffud was excellent as William Wilberforce though, portrayed a real strong masculine and Godly character. Also notable was Romola Garai, as his wife (more accurately, in the movie it was future-wife), who really defied the modern views of what it means to be a woman, she portrayed a woman who was a great helper and supporter of her then future-husband’s cause. She wasn’t downtrodden, but she had a strong mind of her own. I dare say it was the closest i’ve ever come to seeing a true Biblical marriage on the cinema screens, or at least as far as i’ve noticed anyway.

Now for some not so good movies that i don’t suggest anybody watch because it was an utter waste of my money.

1. Indiana Jones

I’m totally disappointed. I was hoping for better. Oh well.

2. What happens in Vegas

I suppose to a certain extent it carries a “good” message, of how you stick it out in a marriage, but the rest of the movie just kills it. The oversexed stuff, it’s kinda embarrassing to watch.

Well the last two certainly teaches me to have a certain amount of discernment and preparation in watching movies or any entertainment actually. Well, just one short scene in a movie could prove detrimental so i should really employ more caution in choosing what i see.

Some related articles to help :

1. It’s Never “Just a Movie”
2. Like To Watch
3. Discriminating the Movies
4. Minding our Media

Evaluation

Now that it’s midyear already, it’s a good time to review the resolutions that i made earlier in the year and re-evaluate. I made resolutions to :

• Increase time spent in prayer & Bible study
• Learn to be more patient
• Pursue good healthy friendships
• Make effort to maintain a healthy lifestyle: eating well, sleeping sufficiently and other things pertaining to keeping a lifestyle that glorifies God.
• Start journalling again

Woohoo! I can definitely see God’s grace in helping me grow to be more like Jesus daily. In addition, i think i want to add some more specifics, let’s call them midyear resolution extensions.

• In pursuing healthy friendships, i should also invest my time and efforts in the lives of younger ones
• In journalling of any kind, i should strive to glorify God in all that i say or do

Ouch!

Recently, i was quite put out when a friend commented on how my blog doesn’t really meet the God-glorifying purpose it should be. My first reaction was stifled, but i definitely wanted to say, “So? It’s my personal thoughts, so what?” But being chosen as i am to be God’s child, i truly believe that it was a timely reminder to hey, buck up, check yourself and move on into the right direction.

Some articles that helped me out during this time of reflection :

1. The Bible called me Stupid by Eric Simmons
2. Faithful are the Wounds of a Friend by Eric Simmons

Both articles address correction, how it is so awesome that God love us so much, how God placed people in our lives, who demonstrate His love by being faithful friends that lovingly guide us to right paths. I thank God for such friends that i have in my life. The second article even goes as far as to say if your friends are NOT correcting you, perhaps it’s time to get new friends.

Hamsteritis strikes again

At least i have valid reasons for squeaking. Anyway i just had to post. It's a memorable date.

Just came back from Melaka, was good and bad but i learned a lot from there. Will elaborate more once i get all the pictures from there.

I'm feeling a little blonde and ditzy [well every girl has her moments]. Someone near me has turned on the laughing gas and i can't stop. Whoever you are, if you're standing near the laughing gas tank, please switch it off *grin.

Going off for the weekend

Well, will be back on Monday. Spending the weekend in Melaka, hopefully it'll be fruitful. Bye, blog!

I'm like a hamster

I get overly excited over not that much at all. Squeak squeak.

edit: 11:51pm As i figured, not much at all. Squeak less. Gahaha. I'm impetuous.. Spontaneous.. Probably many other "ous" words. But i think i'm much less impetuous now than last time, which is good. However, i sometimes just get sick of thinking things over. Sometimes there's too much thinking and too little doing. Which is not good. Which ends up being all talk but no action. It's time to get off my butt, brush the dust off and get moving!

26.05.2008

I love those yellow leggings.

Update similar to previous...

...just maybe with pictures. Well, this post is connected to the last post, so i'm kinda exploring the world of biblical womanhood and followed closely by Godly relationships. It's kinda cool to see the old values, why they were VALUES in the first place; things like submission and serving with love, hope chests, homemaking... you know the deal. And it's really REALLY cool how it all points to the Trinity's relations, how God the Father is the head of Christ, and Christ submits to the will of the Father and how all our other relations with people fall into place, as we continue serving each other, in working to building up of the body of Christ.

I thought i'd highlight some of the stuff i'd read to you all. It's not all about biblical womanhood, just some stuff i've encountered that are serving me good currently.

1. The Dangers of Dating in your Mind by Carolyn McCulley
Part one | Part two | Part three
Well this one is pretty cool, i thought i'd lost the link but thank goodness i found it. This one helped out a lot in my friendships with guys, it's about how women could sometimes see a lot in their friendships with particular men, a lot more than is really going on. Sometimes women could just imagine up a whole relationship in a friendship, which i happen to do sometimes so it's a timely reminder.

2. Biblical Dating : Just friends by Scott Croft
Continuing in the dating theme, here's another one about intimate friendships between men and women. Well since we're on this track, might as well read Biblical Dating: The introduction, Biblical Dating : To kiss or not to kiss, Biblical Dating : Are you ready to date? and Biblical Dating : Navigating the Early Stages of a Relationship. Read them all, they address things like the roles in which men and women have in a relationship and sex. Here's another one also by the same writer called What does a Biblical Relationship Look Like? That should help us out in looking for a suitable partner and following the design of God for relationships.

3. Opposites Attract by Kara Schwab
Haha this one was pretty funny, the illustrations at least.

4. Wait til you're Perfect by Candice Watters
About the search for mentors, which i wrote about in the past post.

Anyway, best place to understand more about these things? Go check the Bible. See how God originally put it together and apply that.