Updating my blog

I am in the process of enhancing and upgrading notweak.blog. I apologize for any inconvenience/delay/'cacat-ness'.

Recent Updates
Favourites & Bible verse of the week : added.

Confusion

Many people go through life staying put in certain locations, turning round and round; and more often than not, they feel dizzy as the world around them spin. I am in such a situation right now though I don't know why. There are so many confusions and frustrations though I can't put it in words. There are so many things in my life right now that are hindering my growth in God, so many battles lost. I know that the War has already been won by Our Lord Jesus but will I be in the winning side at the End? In my service to the KING, I was always there to impact people but what about myself. In the dawn of a new era for me, this is the worst I could have expected. Would I end this year as a scum (as I was the same time last year) again? I pray oh God, that I wont. I truly and madly need discipline in my life- spiritual discipline that requires divine help. I am free because JESUS paid the price. YOU are my King and friend. Draw me close to you...

1 Corinthians 9:27

²⁷No, I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.

Group photo from church camp.. Proud of all you guys! 

Pathway To Spirituality

The pathway to the Light is not easy


It was like the blurrest 3 days of my life. Due to the natureof the camp itself I must say that there was no 'WOW' (a sudden dramatic positive change of life) effect, unlike some other camps I've been. Both a good thing and a bad thing. One of the things about the WOW effect is that it does not last long usually. Anyway, it was a great experience nonetheless, now that I've discovered my tempearament in my pathway to spirituality. But most of all, I thank God for the fellowship I had with the people there and a good weekend-off the usual calendar.

My dominant trait

1) Comtemplative- loving God through adoration
Key idea: As 2 lovers do nothing but gaze into each other's eyes, the
contemplative holds hand with God and gazes lovingly at God until his
heart's delight is satisfied.

2) Enthusiasts-loving God with mystery and celebration
Key idea: God is to be lovedwith gusto, so we must let go and encounter him
with all excitement and awe.

May God, through His Spirit, strengthen my inner being.

Heaven is in your heart!

Kingdom of Heaven is better than Troy or King Arthur. Not because of the cinematic effects, good acting, or ORLANDO BLOOM... but because it taught me one or two things about life, and confirmed a few others.

Meet Belian of Ibelene (Orlando Bloom), son of Godfrey. Before he was knighted (by his dying father), he was a sinful blacksmith.. he killed a somewhat wicked priest who deserved to die anyway. Just few years down the road, Belian needs to defend the city of Jerusalem from the 'mighty' Saladin, the muslim leader of the Saraceans. As one might suspect, this movie is what is called 'politically sensitive' (or should I use religion-ly sensitive). Muslims and christians fighting and racing to control the Holy City, God is with him who wins..Classic, ain't it?

That being said, the underlying lesson is one of great importance. The 'kingdom of heaven' mentioned in the Bible is not on earth- not in Jerusalem. It is out-of-the-world. Muslims and crusaders at that time miss the point! As even in Isaiah 55 it is said 'your thoughts are not My thoughts... declares the Lord'. The kingdom of heaven is established when Jesus returns in all his glory, and as Belian has also said- it is in our heart. If we love God, and do what is right, and be blameless.. the Kingdom of Heaven has already been established in us.

One more issue highlighted in the movie: Are we required to do evil for the GREATER good? May God be my guide, and teach me if I ever fall into this situation.

Enjoying Your Youth means Playing AND Studying Hard!

Just had a great weekend.. and in some ways, the weekend is extending itself right up to this very moment. Well, sometimes, students just don't understand workers (working people, that is) but do workers really understand students? Ok, fine, they were once students as well, but humans are a forgetful bunch- plus: times have changed. Back then, there were no posh malls, no internet, no DOTA, no PS2, no happening peers... all you can do is study, eat and sleep.

The modern student is different. Temptations are everywhere. Study is still fun- but the rest is 'funner'. This doesn't mean that they are a spoilt lot. Yes they have fun 24-7, but they too worry about their studies at the same time. They know that screwing the math paper means disaster, but the yound self just doesn't justify itself by actions, if you understand what I mean. In conclusion, while the past generations had no worries but to study and sleep, the current generation has much more worry, for the reasons given above. This is not a bad thing, since we grow in our problems, don't we? Saying that, however, actions speak louder than worries. For God and for our parents, I guess I'll try hard to choose the less fun activity more - studying.

My schedule from 7th - 9th May 2005
Saturday
Morning- Helped in a disabled telematch event
Afternoon- spent time with the Awana Kids in Church
Night- Eu Joe's birthday party, eating nasi lemak (something new) and
barbeque

Sunday
Morning- Guess what? Church, of course
Afternoon- met a friend, and his lawyer friend
Evening- futsal with the testerone-filled church dudes
Night- went dinner with aunts and uncles; watch 'Lost' on AXN

Monday
Morning- Ms Meera's interesting Criminal lecture
Afternoon- Watched 'Kingdom of Heaven', starring Orlando Bloom (the movie
rowks)- by the way, the last time I watched a movie was 'Constantine'.. so I'm
really deprieved of it, me being a movie fan.
NOW- blogging- arguably the most boring thing I've done for the past 3
days... Hahaha

...Now that's what I call LIFE. Oh ya, I really pray that I'll be able to spend more time with God, though. Forgive me, Lord.

A letter to the campers

Here's my very first written speech for a camp, and it's not for myself, but I'm very proud nonetheless HAHAHA :

Dearest
campers,



First and foremost, I would like to congratulate and thank all of you for taking
time out to join this Super Camp organized by the Rotary Club, KL division. I
must say that it is a great privilege for all of you who are attending since you
are among the 150 lucky members of respective Interactive Clubs members across
Kuala Lumpur to be selected to join this year’s
camp.


This year’s camp theme is entitled ‘Towards a Caring Society’. Lately, we find
that the people in our nation are generally lacking the care towards those less
fortunate than us. Day after day, the mass media has never ceased to report of
cases of abandoned children or abused elderly, among others. As a result, these
individuals are cornered into orphanages and old folks’ home respectively. These
people often suffer a hard time in the ‘homes’, where inadequate care and
attention are given. Also, the ‘spirit of neighbourhood’ that was so inherent in
our society just over 2 decades ago has now long disappeared. We are often more
concerned about ourselves than our family, neighbours and friends. This attitude
has been shown to cause a rise in many crimes that can easily be prevented if a
passer-by or neighbour had lent a helping hand. In the wake of such a situation
in Malaysia, the theme of the camp will be centred on building a caring society.
To do so, it must start from us. Learn to care and you will inevitably find
yourself being cared for in your rainy
days.


Also, one of the chief objectives of this super camp is team-building. Through
various activities such as jungle-trekking, river rafting and ‘flying fox’,
students are expected to learn to live as a society, rather than only an
individual. I urge you, therefore, to take time and effort in building good
relationships among all the campers and helping each other to complete each
activity or task. It is my duty to encourage you to ‘leave no man behind’. In
this camp, no one has a privilege over the other. We are all learning to be
tolerant and caring, two values that are essential in our day-to-day association
with members of the
society.


Last but not least, do enjoy yourselves throughout the entire camp. I truly hope
that this camp will be an unforgettable occasion that you would take to remember
all the days of your lives. I express my deep appreciation to you once again for
participating in this Super Camp.

Thank you.

Somehow, you're the best!

OK. YES> It has been 12 days since I entered my last blog entry. But, NO> I did not forget about my dearest blog 'notweak.blogspot.com' nor was I lazy. Sometimes, circumstances mean the freedom to blog whenever you like isn't in your hands, eg. your computer cannot load the blogger.com page or you have 9 assignments to pass up in a week.

Despite the so called 'circumstances', my life was somewhat interesting (as always) since I last blogged. Among the more significant 'events' was the public law briefing paper I completed (by God's grace, really) after I skipped 6 hours of classes. Mummy and papa, forgive me. Also, I went back to Ipoh for a well deserved rest. Caught up with the bunch of friends there and my beloved family (oh ya, my mum would include the rabbits, for that matter).

But really, my family's really people whom I really should cherish. They are permanent (hey, friends can be turned enemies) and they pay for our food (in PJ, you're on your own, man!). In addition, they are really really someone I can count on and smile with and be loved. Somehow, sometimes I just can't grasp it but somehow they are really the COOLEST and most DEPENDABLE. Thank God for people who's in my life and somehow showed me that. And thank God, ya, we do not know love if He had not first love us.

Erm.. this might sound cliche but it's seriously, magnificently, honestly true: Love you papa, mummy, and Min Min. :D

Darkness is coming your way this May 

Why, Lord?

If there is a good friend who doesn't hurts, it's you
If there is a smile thatI'm obsessed to gain, it's yours
If there were a person whom I need to wait for a 100 years, it'll be
you
If there were someone I could thank when I look at something beautiful,
it'll be you

When I fall in love, I run to you
When I break someone's heart, I run to you
When someone breaks my heart, I run to you
When I screw up a frienship, I run to you
When I gain a frienship, I run to you

If darkness surrounds me, I've got you
If everyone hates me, you still love me
If evrything goes against me, you've got something good for me
If I fall, you'll pick me up each and everytime

I don't deserve anything, Lord... but You gave them anyway. I thought I deserved the things I had, but you took them away. If I only learn one thing about life, Lord, let it be that life is nothing about me...

Bye bye March, Hello April!

I think I just had the most 'happening' week of the year. Firstly, was the great, challenging, scary MOOTING COMPETITION, which my team was eliminated, then there was this very embarassing weekend I have spending the whole of my Saturday night and Sunday morning(wee hours, that is) with my 2 crazy friends, and finally this few days, where the cold virus just torment me. All in all, before I even elaborate, I say once again (like what I've said all this while) God is Good!

Mooting Competition
I didn't really know what was like preparing a REAL case before this, seriously. The preparation, the (so called) reading, the time you spend in the library.. etc . Really an 'eye opener'. And although we lost, and I do not wish to elaborate why, it was soooooooooo cool! I thought I'd just break down at the competition itself and surrender, but by God's grace and strength, I was quite satisfied with my 'powerful' presentation of the case... hahahah HINT:the 'powerful' part was an exageration.

The Weekend
Saturday Morning : Was watching 'The Father's Embrace' conference in my friend, Joram's house. I really learnt what the embrace of God the Father is! It's like these 2 BIG STRONG arms just warapping round you! Now you don't get that much in an Asian culture, do you?

Afternoon: Free lunch! Haha, my dear Awana coordinator, Sharon spent me 'Secret Recipe'. Oh dear, I feel so pampered and blessed !

Night: Manchester United drew with Blackburn. That was a bad thing but I was really too bothered with other stuff to shout 'boo'. I mean, Joram and Annie were there and I really appreciated the jokes, the laughter and the heart-to-heart talk. I really love fellowshipping withmy brothers and sisters in Christ. Thank You Jesus for uniting us :)

Sunday evening: I was totally exhausted with that great futsal match with CDPC people. John See's really THE Sol Campbell.. hahaha.. guess what that means.


The Illness
No. It's not the worse way to end the week. I really do learn everytime I get sick. It's really just a normal cold that I have almost once a month. I think I need mroe vitamins. But if, as Paul said, regarding the 'thorns' in his body (messenger of Satan), let me boast in my weakness - Jesus said:'My strength is made perfect in you weakness'.

AMEN!

Once again, thank God for the week ending Wednesday (31st March) - Wednesday (6th April)

We're worth more than many Sparrows

What did JESUS do?

There once was a man named George Thomas, pastor in a small New England town. One Easter Sunday morning he came to the Church carrying a rusty, bent, old bird cage, and set it by the pulpit. Eyebrows were raised and, as if in response, Pastor Thomas began to speak.....
I was walking through town yesterday when I saw a young boy coming toward me swinging this bird cage.On the bottom of the cage were three little wild birds, shivering with cold and fright.
I stopped the lad and asked, "What you got there, son?"
"Just some old birds," came the reply.
What are you gonna do with them?" I asked.
"Take 'em home and have fun with 'em," he answered.
I'm gonna tease 'em and pull out their feathers to make 'em fight. I'm gonna have a real good time."
But you'll get tired of those birds sooner or later. What will you do?"
"Oh, I got some cats," said the little boy. "They like birds. I'll take 'em to them."
The pastor was silent for a moment.
How much do you want for those birds, son?"
Huh??!!! Why, you don't want them birds, mister. They're just plain old field birds. They don't sing. They ain't even pretty!"
How much?" the pastor asked again.
The boy sized up the pastor as if he were crazy and said, "$10?"
The pastor reached in his pocket and took out a ten dollar bill. He placed it in the boy's hand. In a flash, the boy was
gone. The pastor picked up the cage and gently carried it to the end of the alley where there was a tree and a grassy spot.
Setting the cage down, he opened the door, and by softly tapping the bars persuaded the birds out, setting them free........

Well, that explained the empty bird cage
on the pulpit, and then the pastor began to tell this story.....

One day Satan and Jesus were having a conversation. Satan had just come from the Garden of Eden, and he was gloating and boasting.
Yes, sir, I just caught the world full of people down there. Set me a trap, used bait I knew they couldn't resist. Got 'em all!"
What are you going to do with them?"Jesus asked.
Satan replied, "Oh, I'm gonna have fun! I'm gonna teach them how to marry and divorce each other, how to hate and abuse each other, how to drink and smoke and curse. I'm gonna teach them how to invent guns and bombs and k i l l each other.
I'm really gonna have fun!"
And what will you do when you get done with them?" Jesus asked.
Oh, I'll K i l l 'em," Satan glared proudly.
How much do you want for them?" Jesus asked.
Oh, you don't want those people. They ain't no good. Why, you'll take them and they'll just hate you. They'll spit on you, curse you and kill you. You don't want those people!!"
How much? He asked again.
Satan looked at Jesus and sneered, "All your blood, tears and your life."
Jesus said, "DONE!"
Then He paid the price.
The pastor picked up the cage he opened the door and he walked from the pulpit........

Notes:
Isn't it funny how simple it is for people to trash God and then wonder why the world's going to hell. Isn't it funny how someone can say "I believe in God" but still follow Satan (who, by the way, also believes" in God).

Isn't it funny how you can send a thousand jokes through e-mail and they spread like wildfire, but when you start sending messages regarding the Lord, people
think twice about sharing.

Isn't it funny how when you go to forward this message, you will not send it to many
on your address list because you're not sure what they believe, or what they will think of you for sending it to
them.

Isn't it funny how I can be more worried about what other people think of me than what God thinks of me.


I will leave you with this scripture
John 3:16
For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son that who soever believeth in him shall not perish but have everlasting life.

Take the easy yoke and bear the light burden

Three days since I'm back in P.J. and life is 'back to square one'. 10 days of being a rather useless (and aimless) guy in Ipoh and I have to say I'm really having such a 'cultural shock' back here. Just the thought of the loads of work awaiting me is terrifying. And after just 2 days, I have to confessed I was overwhelmed. College, Christian Fellowship, prayer meetings, committee meetings, mooting competition... you name it. Well, it's rather obvious how much sleep I've been getting.

In times like this, the flesh and the mind are weakest. I guess the 'thorns of life' (see Jesus' parable on the sower) are catching up and at times of these, I really need to turn to Him MORE for MORE of Him, as the thorns might 'eat me up'.

Despite that, things have been tougher. Guess what? My superb confidence on my contract paper was crushed. An hour or two ago, i was still in self-denial. I DOn't deserve only a PASS for that effort I put in!!! And why is life so unfair anyway?

Answer: Thank God its Holy Week. It is in this time that I really get the much needed reminder of God's great LOVE. And I was really reminded that I (or we) in fact don't deserve anything in our life. We are, I would say, 'super wicked' people. Rebelling and sinning doesn't result in life, but death. We all should've been cursed! I don't deserve what I am and where I am at the moment. But God came, and the Emmanuel changed it all. God is Good. Albeit that, I shall really put in more effort, His name should be glorified.

I would say that God is really the wisest among the wisest. Who else could strike me like that? I really want to commit my life back to Him this Easter season. I'm taking up the cross and following Jesus. Despite the suffering I foresee, I know that:

Jesus said, " Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and
I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am
humble and gentle, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy,
and the burden I give you is light."

Matthew 11:28-30

What a Friend We Have in Jesus!

Well, it's not the expected entry but I don't feel comfortable just placing it in my heart and stressing it out. So, I might as well just leave a few words here (rather my complains actually).

Not really such a BIG thing actually, but I was quite put down by my bunch of friends this afternoon for not attending an 'appointment'. Some of them didn't even bothered calling (or they called after the thing started)! I was alone(there should be at least 4). My time is precious too. I don't know if my complains are really valid or even worthy to be bothered, but there's definitely a deep disappointment in me. And I have to confess- in my mind, I was cursing those b******s. Sorry, Jesus; sorry, Friends.

As always, I know (deep in me) that God wanted me to learn something. And I'm still trying to paint the whole picture. But these are the 'rough scetches' I was able to draw:

1)God gave us friends, as companions, not as refuge.
2)In this world, God is the only One who will not let us down, whatever the circumstances.
3)Be patient even when a big disappointment stares straight at your face (I really wanted to message them and scold them, but thank God I didn't).
4)God is always building us in our suffering.

God works in wonderful, unseen ways and I'm actually feeling better after typing this blog. HE IS GOOD. I'm convince 101%.

One last thing: Still love you all very much, pals... despite today.

What's for lunch tomorrow?

The good news
A wholesome meal.


...And the bad news

They cause cancer, diabetes, high blood pressure...


"Lord, may my days on earth be long..."

Was Noah too scared of the dinosaurs? 

Of course Heaven is better... 

(concrete) Forest reserve in Bukit Cahaya 

Malaysia - Truly Asia

In a very brief statement, let me make a confession: I love Malaysia. It's really such a wonderful country with wonderful scenaries (looking forward to Redang in May) and more lovely people (gosh, C*** Yee's sooooooooo pleasant to the eye!). My home country is really the next best thing to erm... heaven(?), or more down-to-earthly, France.

However (haha, you just knew it, rite?) the FACTS suggest the contrary. Look at Bukit Cahaya (interpreted as the 'shiny hill' and it's really shiny now without the hills) or the dirty toilets or the awfully, corrupted officers- Malaysia, truly Asia?

And today, the issue of RESULTS is once again highlighted. Why people who deserve something don't get what they deserve? Why do people weep for that 0.01 aggregate that they missed for the STPM*? ANd most importantly, Malaysia's education system sucks to the deepest sense because it's really about getting perfect scores, and not the knowledge. Have we missed the big picture? Didn't anyone tell them that wisdom, honesty and maturity are much more important in the real world? Forget about the FAIRNESS, but are we even there yet in terms of transparency and freedom of choice?

Well, I'm too tired to go on but the conclusion from today's blog entry is this: We want to be perfect but we can't because we chose not to be from the start (see Genesis 3). Therefore, let us just look to the future (and to God, the perfect One) with hope that in our imperfection, good can be produced.

p/s: Sorry my dear country, you're still great despite the people in you who screwed big time.


*STPM- Public examination in Malaysia equivalent to the A-levels.

Can a sim be sick?

This is not me. God did not create me by this method.



Argh... the sore throat's killing me. Must be that Kit Kat bar that worsened the condition.

But on a lighter note, my gastric pain is actually better now (Hallelujah!). God is Good. He'd probably be so good at playing the Sims 2, but then again He might suck- He let his sims make their own choices (remember how the fire used to kill those miserable simmys in the Sims 1, haha). But anyway, it's a joke of course.

Was browsing through the Sims 2 website just now. It just fascinates me to see so many people devoting their time and effort playing a game controlling an artificial person (ya, they call them their 'sim'). If you've played it, you'd know. Their names, race, gender, PERSONALITY... Come on, get some life, friends! You can't even fix your own screwed-up life.

Enough of the criticisms. TO tell you the truth, I played The Sims too... hahahaha.. Well, think of it this way, it's just a game. Releasing tension, entertainment etc. And on a more serious note, hope the gamers do learn a thing or 2 about life while playing it.

Just one more thing, why do those sims NEVER GET SICK?!