Thursday, June 28, 2007

6.6km!!

It was grueling.... but I made it.

Just broke my 5km run barrier :) 6 rounds around kiara (1.1km x 6) = 6.6km.

10km here I come.

Tuesday, June 26, 2007

Last sunday, 7 of us went to watch Fantastic 4. It was good la :)

Jessica Alba, my ex-gf, she lost some weight due to our break up but still manage to look quite hot. Not bad not bad... according to the girl, FY, Johny the 'human torch' is STEEAMMINNNGGG hot. Really meh? You haven't seen me in.. nevermind.

Anyway I wanna tell you that we had the BEST seat in the house. Middle row, middle seats. I could hear the THX sound just right - back, front, left, right, back front, back right... etc.

How did we get it?

215pm - We went to Cineleisure for 320pm show and it was packed with ppl. The ticket lines were so long that the 'foyer' couldn't contain it and was making around the corner. We're hoping to get those tickets that were not picked up via phone bookings. Those bookings are cancelled 45mins before show time.

220pm - The line hardly move!!! Tickets going fast! Eric prayed and said to Liping: I feel God saying that He will give us the ticket today :) Yay! He thought he looked cool, composed, as his ego knows no bounds but wife says he looked anxious- slightly. Scared to believe also. (Can't fool the missus)

225pm - almost to the counter.... sometimes, all phone bookings are picked up....

228pm - Cyn said: if the seats are within 5 rows to the front then she rather not watch! Alamak! more conditions, less chances of getting tickets. No tickets, little hope!

230pm - At the counter - 10mins earlier than anticipated to pick up phone booking cancellation. Woman found us 7 seats. Ngam ngam for all of us. Wah!!!!!! She sold us the phone booking tickets because she said sometimes they open them slightly early.

231pm - Eric became 'hero' ! Wife say Eric got so much faith :) Eric also amazed. Everyone thanked God!

...... later that day at about 730pm, we went to DU for dinner. No parking.

Eric prayed and again God answered - parking just in front of eating place :) Sweet, really sweet.

I'm so amazed actually that God took attention in our movie watching and car parking. It's awesome. I'm more blessed to hear later that KH actually later said,"... when he saw that God answered Eric's prayer for car park... I keep quiet already....."

He kept quiet perhaps because he was amazed that God answered? I was amazed too hahaha but most of all, I hope this true story of my Sunday adventure cheers you up and reminds us that God actually loves us so much that He cared... and gave us the best seats in the house, the best parking.... and somewhere among His best - His son, Jesus Christ.

What a start to the week really...

Friday, June 22, 2007

26th August 2007 - 10km RUN

I have had such a tough week... and really looking forward to the weekend right now. Spend some time with wife, doing some runs, eat some delicious home cooked food, read.....

oh yeah, I've also decided to do my first run at Subang Jaya - 10km. 26th August 2007. Now to train for it! I'm quite excited by it really because I have never been able to run when I was in school. Always the last few in any runs, I dread the yearly 2.4km 'jog exam'.... I don't remember much except my friends - and the chicks - over taking me.... again and again (coz we ran in the school track).

... and again.

During my preparation for the KK trip, I started jogging. This time really slowly. In the beginning, I jog really slowly. Like slower than the auntie walking that kind! Hahaha.... but slowly, the body adjusted, strengthen...

Months down the road, I am actually enjoying my jog. I'm still slow (I just timed 2km at 14min) but I'm having fun... trying to break my 5km jog barrier :) So 10km is pretty ambitious really!

ya I know! I can actually say I want to break the 5km barrier! Months ago I was struggling in my 1st km! I'm hoping to go for a 1/2 marathon or a marathon next year.. kekeke..

Praise God!

Tuesday, June 19, 2007

So much difference.....




I've always knownt that my camera - a simple Canon Powershot A700 - has given me a lot of noise, especially for the night shots.

I've tried to work with a lower ISO but it still seems high.... well thanks to digital manipulation :)

Friday, June 15, 2007

I want to be blessed

I do.

There was a report some day ago about a church preaching the 'prosperity gospel' in Africa. It's a place with severe poverty and critics say that they are a cult.

Don't you just love it when newspaper write, "...critics say....." @#$#@% (Internet- critics have reportedly more smellier shit than normal ppl and critics of the critics says they also have more shit than normal..... )

Now I'm not saying that this church is a cult or not. They could be, I don't know. But is preaching prosperity in a place of severe poverty bad?

Would it then be bad to preach so that the blind can see? or that the lame can walk? or that the sick can be healthy? So why not the poor shall know no lack? (Someone said, "as if we buay kau suay!" )

Some christians may be shocked by this. What else should the church be preaching? Oh you sinners who are saved, you were blind and now more blinder. You thought you were lame, now you're lamer! muahahahahahah wah you're sick ah? cham liao... sure sicker (I know, I sound like a psycho.. keke )

I just think that many people feel that money and god don't mix. That's wrong. The greed for money and God don't mix as no man can serve 2 masters.

If you still don't believe me then I suggest you stop blessing others.

Yes, stop saying God bless you.

Why? because bless in the NT mostly means - 'eulogeo' - is the original Greek word for 'blessed', meaning favoured of God, to celebrate with praises, consecrate a thing with prayer, to cause to prosper or make happy, to bestow blessings on.

Yup, it's there.. to make prosper and in the blessings from the law. Fu yoh!

So God bless me. Bless my readers. Bless all of us abundantly so that we may know you more - the power of your ressurection, the depths of your love and the wonders of your grace. In Jesus's name I pray.

Amen.

Monday, June 11, 2007

More spirituality

A good friend ask how come you were not in *enter church event* ? It's the best ever and s/he has learnt the most this time.... man you don't know what you missed! Man.

Recently it's the MCCC.

I've no doubt that I probably missed some stuff. Some great stuff too but why should I be there?

I mean, if I don't go would I be less spiritual or would I be more? Would I have grown more godly character if I went? .... during the time of MCCC it was the first time I experience God's healing, a time where I see God answering our prayers for weather. How could any sermon give me the experience I had with God during those 25 hours of climbing up and down. Oh... and the beauty of God's creation - the mountains, clouds.... and the great company! :)

I know that my friends mean well, and they're excited about the stuffs they learn. I know. When I learn something new I get so excited I tell everyone about it and most time shove it down their throats! Which I should have learn by now that it is the WRONG thing to do. hehehe but I still do it... arrghhh!!!!!!

So why should I be there? Unless God tells me to.

Recently there was Taming the Tiger. Many people went and said, "WOW!...." Then what?
I remember I was there during the prophetic conferences.... the many ppl around me when "WOW!..." Then?

Edmund Chan came to DUMC for MCCC a couple of years ago. Then ppl was saying the same thing.. it's the BEST thing! REALLY! ..Har? You didn't go? Wah.. why la.. you should have because.. well I've learnt so much.

Couple years down the road... could we remember what he was teaching?

I'm not saying that we shouldn't go. No. I feel that we should go. In fact go for as much as we can because listening about things of God is great and increases our faith....

But remember what Edmund Chan taught about the story of martha and mary. Mary has chosen the one thing that is needful, it shall not be taken away from her.

I believe we need to find that one thing for us - that place of restedness in Him - and know that we're where God wants us to be. Then Relax. Have some fun then have more. Love.

Thursday, June 07, 2007

Miracles in KK

It's been almost one week since we got back from our hike and memories of it is starting to fade... sadly, that's how forgetful I am. Partly because my muscle aches are gone! yay! Partly the busyness of KL has started to creep back into my life!

However, I want to take some time to remember the good things God has done for us in our trip. I wanted to write ALL the good things God has done for us... but that would not be possible because I believe He has done many many many many good things for us and we are only conscious about some of them, perhaps even a small portion of them.

Firstly, we got there in one piece and got back in better shape :)

Secondly, we had a friend in Sabah who was so kind to ferry us around, show us around and bring us to some of the good makan spots :)

Thirdly, the company of friends was great. All of us has our own quirkyness which made the whole team 'colourful'

Then, there was good weather for the 2 days that we climbed Mount KK. See , the guides have been telling us that it has been raining VERY heavily EVERYDAY. When we were decending, the guides were chasing us a little so that we don't have to get caught in the rain. We weren't so worried because God said He'll hold the rain and He did. Just slight drizzle, nothing heavy.

Then, there was my hamstring. I pulled my left hamstring 2/3 weeks before the climb. The doc says 6 weeks to heal. So when I climbed I was careful not to put too much strain on the left leg, turns out my right leg was strained and I pulled my right hamstring on the way down. Same spot somemore. So I claimed His promises that He will heal me - by His stripes I'm healed. The pain subsided and I was able to walk down without any pain! Few days now, still no pain.

Then, the backpacker place we stayed in was very clean, friendly, well equiped and most of all cheap!

Lastly, when I got home I tried to call mom. She didn't answer. Apparently she accidentally cut her wrist - just missing the veins while she was doing some house chores. I was so shocked and worried. She told me calmly later that she's alright already. Doc say the cut just missed the veins a liiiiittttttllllleeee biiiit. Wah. Thank you God for taking care of my mom!

Thank God for a restful, fun, and adventurous holiday!

Monday, June 04, 2007

serene kk

The trip to Mount KK was great :)

We actually made it. It was so great. The trip was super grueling but fun.

For one week, it was serene. The only stress was the never-ending steps in the BEAUTIFUL jungle - without snakes or leeches - good.

The only noise was the faint waterfall in the distant or the chirping of the birds. :) - gooder

We drank water from the mountains - it's sweet, refreshing... like 10000 times better than diamond water. I found out, natural untreated water is very tasty! - very gooder

The scenery at the top is breath taking - very goodest!

Muahahahahaha.. and we did all this while you were working!

We started our hike from Mesilau on Friday morning about 8am at about 2000 meters above sea level. After about 9 hours, at about 5pm we reached Laban Rata at about 3300 meter. During the 9 hours, we saw the vegetation change. We moved from under the clouds to 'inside' to 'above'. When we are 'inside' it seems we were in the enchanted island, very shiok la. Then when we made our way above the clouds, it was so cool. I feel like I can almost jump down to a pillow of cloud cushioning my fall.

We then rested till 130am then we started our climb to the top - Low's Peak. We reached there about 530am just in time for the sunrise. We then made our way down at about 630am ? I dunno because I was very very very very freaking cold. We reached back at Laban Rata at about 1030am, had some food, packed and then head back down to Timpohon at 12pm. We reached at 600pm.

During the trip we ate tonnes of musli bars, sneaker bars and RM33 buffet- wahlau we dunno how to hunt in the jungle ok! The food up there was expensive but I guess no one is complaining. I wasn't because why? I didn't want to run down hill to get nasi lemak for my dinner. The wise thing is to pay and eat. Quote from grace," I don't want to see or eat another musli bar ever again... for a long time la..."

hahahahahahahaha

Monday, May 28, 2007

Everything was going well

until "I" came along.

That's what David says in the next verse:

Psa 23:4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.

See from 23:1-3, the context is that "He leads me, He makes.... " It starts from Him. But in verse 4. it starts with "when I walk.

It's like saying, we'll do okay when He leads but when I do the walking...I blow it all away and now I'm in the valley of the shadow of death. Kinda describe to me how screw up we can be.

But it's okay, God is still with us. His rod and His staff they comfort me, not whack me.

Is our perception of God one that will hit us and punish as we make mistakes?

David, who is the man after God's heart says:

He leads me in path of righteousness and even though I walk through shitty times, I fear no evil. Yes I walk and not He leads... I will still fear no evil because God is with me. His rod and staff they comfort me.

God loves us so much!!

Sunday, May 27, 2007

He is not just my Saviour...

He is ALSO my Shepherd.

While I was taking my shower today, feeling happy - as I have been for the last week - I thought about Jesus as my shepherd.

Because He is my shepherd, I shall not be in want. As oppose to He is my saviour I shall not be in want. Shepherd feeds the sheep, He takes care of them. He makes me... He leads me... He restores me. How wonderful.

Psa 23:1 A Psalm of David. The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.
Psa 23:2 He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters.
Psa 23:3 He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake.

Then I realiased that in the midst of my 'happy' in the last few days... in the midst of being caught up that goodness and mercy is hunting me, I forgot to follow the shepherd as much as I want to. I haven't heard his voice for a couple of days now. Eric has a short term memory - busy playing!!!

Thank you father for your abundance blessing and your grace. How wonderful it is to hear your voice now.

To you my reader, God is blessing you right now in abundance. Whatever it is you have in your heart, go to him and He'll make things right for you.

Thursday, May 24, 2007

Help it's hunting me!

Ahhhh.. God is so good. How good you may say?

So good that goodness will follow me.

Psa 23:6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD forever.

Actually, that's not accurate. Not accurate by far.

Follow in hebrew means: A primitive root; to run after (usually with hostile intent; figuratively (of time) gone by): - chase, put to flight, follow (after, on), hunt, (be under) persecute (-ion, -or), pursue (-r).

Which make the verse go: Goodness and Mercy shall HUNT ME all the days of life!

Where to hide? Where to run?

muahahahahaha Jesus love me.

You give

Thank you Jesus for making today special.

Today, many of the things that I've been waiting for happen! Hallelujah!

I can't help but to think that it's because God is encouraging me after I learn what I did yesterday.

Indeed, I can do nothing except through Christ. So many nights of worrying, of praying and things just started moving - before my holiday.

So while I'm getting excited about all the work that I have to do, I'm operating slightly different this time. Firstly, I'm starting work with rest. Before even working on the projects, I'm going for my holiday. Jewish day also starts in the evening, rest before work. First day of the week is Sunday, sabbath. I guess I didn't see how God take rest seriously until now when I'm typing this. I remember reading that during the old time, violation of Sabbath is punishable by stoning! Alamak! Jialat man!

Secondly, I figure that if it's God that causes things to happen, then the maxim seems quite true: Things were going great until "I" came along :).

So I'm learning to let go, to let God cause it, to let him change me to a different being. It's like being a pencil before and then transform to a pen. A pen just writes differently from a pencil.... just different.

Sounds like a robot? Hardly. I can't explain it. It's like what paul say...His love compels. Like what the covenant says, He write His laws on my heart..... At the same time, I can do everything. It's so FREE-ing. It's the Goodnews mate. The Gospel.

Thirdly I learn that by the same account that He gave repentance...ie. because I can't do it... He also gave us power to heal, that the lame may walk, the blind may see and walk on water and raise the dead.

Hehehehe... the force is storng in this one. :)

Fourthly, and this is taught to me by wifey. Man is bankrupt. We need to receive from God. Receive it abundantly and easily so that we know how GOOD our God is... only then we know how to give. Else we're just giving on our own strength.

Wednesday, May 23, 2007

Repentance and Forgiveness of Sin is given

I have been in the pensive mood for the last few days (or weeks). I feel a certain sadness.

Among many things, here is one of the reason. You see, I'm climbing Mount KK in about 2 weeks time and I think my hamstring, which I injured, would not heal completely in time for the climb. Not only that. The workout that I've put myself through, to boost my fitness, is just starting to bear fruit. And now I dare not exercise to much for fear of hurting myself again.

Really, I am just starting to enjoy myself... learning that I can get fitter and strong. I have never been a runner in school and now I am quite happy to jog slowly around kiara park for 5km... really slowly :)

So when I pulled my hamstring a week ago, I was quite anxious to get back to my regime so that I can get real fit. Real fit = easy climb = good time in KK. As I prayed over the healing of my hamstring and whether I should go back to exercise, I sensed in my Spirit not to run but to depend on Him for my KK climb.

I guess I should be quite happy about this - dependence. But really I wasn't completely happy about it. I mean this is my holiday. I should have the pleasure of knowing that I can climb mount KK... I mean I want to experience that satisfaction that I did it. I mean this isn't so hard to understand!

I am wise enough to know that if I 'argue' with God who will emerge the winner. But this hamstring thing is really challenging me. Depend on Him... even for my holilday?

So today I read something in Acts that gave me a glimpse of what I might be learning. In Acts 5:29-32 Peter said,"... that he might give repentence and forgiveness of sins..... "

It kinda shocked me because repentence is also given. It's given meh?

Then I realiase that what Jesus said is true. (duh?!). We can really do no-thing except through him, even repentence. (repentence means change our minds) We can't even change our mind/conviction on our own. This stupid simple 'little' thing called REPENTANCE also we have to depend on Him... sian! sian!

ooi.. but it's God's word. and it's true. and its VERY free-ing. now that I think about it.

He cause the repentance, I just chill out in Him.

So this KK trip I also must depend on him. At first I want to feel that I can achieve something and that I'm 'powerful' enough to control my life (through exercising, planning...etc not that that isn't good, just this is for me, for this season, for this moment.. I'm special you see :) )

Now I'm zero. God you be My Hero la. I just pray that you show up, don't make my hamstring pain again coz last week very siong. Also, let me have fun with my wife and friends. Take care of my business, bless me abundantly.... Yes God, I know I very chiong hei, you said it in scripture already, again and again. But just thought I tell you anyways.

Thank you Jesus for everything.

Tuesday, May 22, 2007

Inlaws or Outlaws

She drives me nuts sometimes, other times she makes me coffee.

She drives me up the wall, and most time- through the wall, other times she washes my laundry.

She's like a BIG little girl at home, giving excuses for a lot a lot of things.

I'm like a small BIG man bugging, irritating, confronting, challenging her many many times a day.

I can't change her but I can change my thoughts (coincidentally, that's the meaning of repent) so help me God.

Monday, May 21, 2007

How to get a free holiday.

Really, I no blaff you one.

Takes about 3 1/2 hours of work only.

1. Go listen to a time share sales pitch
- Just give your phone number when you stay in hotel, some cheesy promotion... etc etc somehow these ppl will soon find out who you are, your name, your gender and your age. They will then call you.

This part is called telemarketing on their part, to me is called: stop wasting my time, what's the deal here?

2. As a reward to listening their pitch they'll give you a hotel stay at XXX location for one night.
- Not bad. They say the sales pitch will only take 60mins. I don't think so. The REAL sales pitch is when they press you after the pitch after the 60mins. Asking you questions like: What's stopping you? Is money the issue, if yes, then how much can you afford....helping you to see past your 'issues' to get to a 'YES'. So Id say the REAL sales pitch time is 120mins.

Their part now is to bite and don't let go. I call my part here: act blur think smart.

3. As a reward to your strong willed NO and super thick skin :) You now have a free 1 night stay. Don't complain if the room is lousy, service is non-existent.. usually it's not. But if it is... it's free okay!

Why 3 1/2 hours? KL traffic and parking. 1 1/2 hours to get to their office and park and back. 2 hours to listen to pitch :)

This is when u say yay! you got a free stay... now does anyone have any idea how to get free transport to the hotel?

Womanese

Recently I learn that while ALL of us, men, speak English, women speak womanese. hahaha. Yup, they speak womanese. I've been married for 7 months and dated the same woman for 5 years prior to that and I'm just starting to learn this new, bizarre language called womanese.

I think I'm just starting to scratch the surface. Maybe.

Womanese is 'deceiving'. It sounds just like English but its undercurrent, its meaning is completely different. For example when my wife ask me if I love her. I answer: I love you.

3 simple words can mean a whole lot things.

She then ask again, do you love me? I say yes I do love you, very much.

How much?

Obviously, my english teacher didn't teach me well. I don't know the words "I love you" can be used to express the dept of love. I love you is I love you la...

Also, most guys probably don't know this. I love you also has a time factor in it.

In Womanese, I love you, last about 5 secs. That's why sometimes my wife can ask me: Do you love me? ...I love you... Do you love me?.... I love you.... Do you REALLY love me?.......

I think most of my dad's generation seldom tell their woman that they love them. Of course, they said that during the Wedding. "Oooi woman, I tell you already what.. how many time you want me to repeat..... I love you la"

It's not enough to tell them that you love them once a week... coz that was LAST week. Not once a day, coz that was YESTERDAY! you need to tell them constantly. It last for 5 secs. The 'weirdest' part is that this is not because they have short term memory. They don't.. never forget the last time you said "I love you".

Dear... do you love me? You haven't said that you love me for a long time......
huh? long time?..
yeah.... since this morning....

5 seconds, after which the power of "I love you" simply fizzles. no more. void. You have start again.

But I think I'm learning. It's like watering the most beautiful flower the more you say "I love you" the more pretty the flower becomes.

Honey I love you!!!!

Friday, June 16, 2006

TIME is the issue here..

Recently I found out that a good friend of my mine was chosen to play for a music hero of mine.

On one hand I was really happy for him as we played together on several gigs before and I was fully aware that he is a good guitarist... he deserves it! Well done!

On the other, I was dissapointed and went to sulk-mode. I needed to. I needed to know why. What have I done badly? What could I have done better?

So I seek answers... and I've gotten some. Not all things in life are pleasant :) but in this case, they are certainly necessary.

The comments on my playing in a nutshell is that I don't play the right thing at the right time. Sometimes I go out of timing and make things 'messy'....

While that is a problem I can deal with on its own, but as I dig deeper myself, I realised that this issue permeates across my life:-

- to say the right things and do the right stuff with the right people at the right time!

(that's saying, doing, people and time)

worst, I don't do it! or want to do it. I think innately I don't even try! Arrgghhh... It's shameful to admit this. I would love to think that I get the saying and doing part right more than 50% of the time but even then, I think I get the people and timing part wrong most of the time.

At the moment, I don't know the consequence of my actions (or inactions). On major aspect I feel is the lost of 'gravitas' or 'leadership'. I'm not sure...

I'm praying and learning now... from zero. Will update.

Tuesday, May 30, 2006

Pyromaniac? Sadist?... I love animals what!

Coolcat asked me to comment on this entry. and I will :)

I don't think I'm a pyro-phobic. I'm not a pyromaniac too but I do enjoy burning things up occasionally.

I have tried to burn my hair when I was younger. Nothing too scary. It burns fast. then dies.

I haven't burn things for a long time until last month when I found snails in my aquarium - EATING my PLANTS!

How can man?! My lovely plants!

So I bought pufferfish that would eat them. And since they were about to die anyway I thought to have some fun with them. I caught one of the snails and put it on a piece of paper and lit it up. 1 min later, the fire engulf the snail and then.. **** blooop ****. A faint explosion signifying the end of miserable snail's life. muahahahaha! The snail's shell exploded into a thousand fragments. It was fun I guess, but too short lived...

If you have garden snails, you can put salt on the snail and see it melt (but this won't work on aquarium snails) which is certainly more fun to watch as it last like 30mins.... I'm sick I know.

Speaking of which, ants and mosquitos last a LONG time without their limbs....

Thursday, May 18, 2006

Engine Oil

Got reminded today... prayer is my engine oil

Tuesday, May 16, 2006

Music & Kings

I went to Jakarta last week on a business trip.

Met this funny-wise man. We are both passionate about our music and that made for much conversation topics. Knowing my busy schedules he told me not to leave my music behind and added:

David became musician 1st then king... not the other way around... remember that!

....
....

now who am I to argue with that?!