2 Views of the Same Object

There's always a few perspective of the things we see. We stand from several view point and we'd naturally give different comments on things. It's good to understand things thoroughly, weighing all comments and all possibilities.

Tehehehe... Yes, I am getting to AI (Adam vs Kris).

Well, as for those whom knows that I am musically trained, I'd naturally see this whole "havoc" from the aesthetic angle. I heard Kris' version of No Boundaries on the radio earlier. That, only gave me a "Hmm... alright" kinda feeling. There was no "fireworks", no point where I could say, "Oh wow... He did that, how amazing.". Plain lah. Whereas, with Adam, it was only later that I heard it. The moment he sang and build towards the bridge, I could feel my goosebumps all over my arms and back. Astaga... Yes, it was so much better. He managed to carry the song very well, fully utilized the points where he can push to the max. He has his advantages by his range in his vocal capabilities, thus able to handle it.

Now, I brought this up to my brother. Same topic... of course with the other areas involving the factors that made America crown their recent AI. It was interesting that my brother was grateful that the decision was made. "At least they are still against the idea of Gay-ism." Moral health still exist in a country so advanced, this is already a miracle and something to be grateful for.

See, there are a different perspectives to things.

Then, I read this in The Case for Faith. Remember this little childhood story of a few blind man trying to figure out this huge creature that they were touching? One said, it's a fan. The other, a trunk. And another, a wall. Same thing. Different people will see things or feel things differently depending on where they stand and how they position themselves. The conclusion to this story is that, they are all wrong. The truth was, IT WAS AN ELEPHANT. Nothing more, nothing less. It was an elephant. Plain as that.

What's the truth? Have you ever asked? Have you ever wondered?

Sadly...

I'd have to say, I like Adam Lambert's version better.

I know I'll get fired by Kris' fans, but honestly, Adam's much better. I'll go through the details why later. It's CG time.

Adios!

Taking Things for Granted

This should be rated as "For 25 and above, should have parental guidance". "Contents may include angry remarks." LOL!

"Saya rasa, kamu semua telah bagi yang terbaik. Style pelayanan s'karang senang saja. Sebab kampung, kan? Jadi, rilek sikit. You orang memang bagi yang terbaik, jangan tension sangat. Santai saja… ya? Santai saja."

Being sensitive to the Holy Spirit's movement, responding to needs at opportune moments, playing by ear are the few things we normally have to apply when serving God in ministering to people. God is no doubt the focus and the center in all we do, and it's by His grace that all things are made possible.

One of the few regrets of this mission trip was as the title spells. There were a few things I took for granted and mess mounted and miscommunications led to some hard feelings. I take responsible for all the mistakes as there was a breakdown in the "over communication" part and my members failed to work as planned.

Although we were not clearly briefed of what to be done for every session and each visit, but as people in ministry, the "always ready" attitude has to be there. Performance not up to par, brush it up. Can't speak well publically, write them down, practice it over and over again. Have never done a service, think it through, plan it out, decide on the flow and practice and over communicate it. Do not pray in BM, start uttering it before even leaving the island. Etc, etc… There were just so much we could have done.

I regretted the mess, and what we could have done better but we didn't. I know, by making all these mistakes, I was giving the villagers a 2nd class service. They deserve so much more, they are worth so much more. God did not send me there to give a discounted product, but the full package. I admit this, I fail.

People may give comforting comments as in first paragraph, but that's when we put our guards down thinking that we can handle it already. Ugh! This sucks.

Worry not, this is not the end of me serving Him. Mistakes I've made, lessons I've learnt are the things that will be very valuable to me in future, especially "Never take things for granted".

God, my boss, inspect my heart and attitude.

Do I Really Care?

As I was hiking down from Bukit Jambul earlier on, I was reflecting on the hikes I did during the Sarawak Mission Trip to Kampung Semban and Bojong. One mad thought strike my mind.

"Do I really care?"

People hike up and down the hill (it could be a mountain, you'll never know) everyday. There are at least 4 to 5 or more villages in this hill itself. Same route, same trail, Semban-ians (as Ps Heins addresses) them, Bojong-ians and many more. One small thing I picked up from the locals is that as they meet people from a different village, they'd ask, "Pak, dari mana?" or "Ibu, ke mana?". It's simple, it's common, but I was wondering why they'd ask where people are heading to instead of saying, "S'lamat pagi, Pak."

In England (decades ago, I am not sure if they still practice this), we were taught that they'd greet each other with, "How do you do?". And I am not sure how you were taught to respond, but mine was "How do you do?". Does it make any human sense to you at all? I was just thinking and trying to reason why they greet each other that way. When they say all that, what really goes through their mind? I am sure, it's only polite that they ask, but do they really care?

How do you do? Thank you, I do fine?? Do what? Well, do life. What life do you do? Hold your horses, young lady, you're intruding. Owh dang!

Human beings were created in the image of God. God loves us and longs for our relationship. Thus, we're relational beings, that makes us inseparable from the community. But somewhere along the line, we lost this important essence in our soul. Okay… I'm going to give you a list of excuses why we have such breakdowns.
Busy with work, can't talk, can't spend time
We have no common interest, I can't relate to her
She talks too much, it's like a one way traffic
Why waste time? I am not getting anything out of this relationship.
Owh… it feels weird because she's of another race, I cannot speak the language
It's too far where we're supposed to meet up
I am shy
It's been so long since I talked to them, it feels awkward.
There you go, my excuses. I didn't make them up, these are all my very own excuses. I hate it when it happens to me.

What really happens inside is that there's an area that's already broken. Not physically, not mentally, but spiritually. Do I still love God like I used to? Do I believe in the Love anymore? Where did all the "Love your neighbours as yourself" go?
When was the last time I was touched by Him? Why isn't my life overflowing with the love God has given me?

"Pak, dari mana?" I heard them asking. Pak would answer, "Dari Semban." "Jauh tu…"
We should start asking each other questions that really make sense. Not for the sake of making small talks, to make it look good, but really care what the other person is doing. It will be definitely difficult, and it may sound intruding, but I am sure deep inside every human wants to be loved and cared for.

If I were to be asked questions that are personal like, "Do you think Perak would have a future, seeing all the nonsense that's going on?", honestly I'd be taken aback. But I would thank the person for bravely asking as I'd be able to verbalise what's truly in my heart and also make a confidence remark about it. Knowing that it's personal, it shows that I care and it makes me reflect a little more about my life and my hometown.

Life's just not me, myself and I. It's God and His people and His great plans for our existence.

LAP 2009 - Lesson 1

I've just returned from my recent Kuching Mission Trip (aka Leadership Advance Programme). This is a life transforming trip that has opened my eyes to see the many things I've never even seen. And it has also given me the experience I need to the lectures and teachings I've received but have yet to internalise.

Lesson 1 - Matt 6:34 "Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble."

Below is the illustration, I'll explain more.

This is a part of the long trail we are to take going up to Kampung Semban. The teammates kept count, there were more than 10 hills/huge humps we have to overcome, each has at least 1 scary uphill long trail to follow. If not mistaken, each uphill trail has close to or more than 100 steps of stairs to take. The moment you look up the trail, all energy and zeal leave you at that instant. Imagine not being well trained for conditions such as this, it's almost impossible to reach to the top without breaking down a few thousand times telling yourself to give up. But what I've learnt is this.

To take every step at a time, do your best in the present time, in whatever that's at "now". Let tomorrow worry for itself, for if we worry and start fidgeting, we'll never get there in one piece. Many of our teammates have been reminding each other of this, "Focus on the steps you're taking, don't look up." If you look you look up and see how mad at what's ahead, you'll never make it through. That's exactly what we should be doing in life. Take each step at a time, pace ourselves properly, enjoy the steps that you take, look around and offer help and love. As for the scary future, trust in the Lord that we'll make it as we are faithful in the little things we're called to do.

Where have all the Heroes gone? -The Return-

This is a sequal to the post I put up many many moons ago.

Guys and girls... Yes, I finally know why people react to close girl-guy friends and tend to talk about it. That is not really the big issue here, but what really happens between the two individual, is something I am looking into.

Imagine 2 friends, both girls, they spend a lot of time together, talking, sharing about their lives and dreams. They got real close, and suddenly it was about time that one of them got into a relationship. Things begin to change, they do not spend as much time together, they do not talk about everything under the sun anymore. This seemed very natural and normal, yet it affects the other party who's not yet moved on as the friendship is somehow been replaced or taken over by a new person in your close friend's life. (Erm... does this sound very lesbian? NO!) Anyhow, these things happen but in the course of this change, there would be adjustments and people grow and move on. And it's much easier for these 2 girls to adapt.

But, when this situation is applied on a friendship of a guy and a girl, things get a little more complicated. Do be reminded (if you have not known already) that we're wired differently, thus sometimes we are unable to comprehend each other's need in the emotional side. Plus, things will have to change quite a bit in the friendship as things will get real complex if a girl were to have a boyfriend and to have a really close guy friend both at the same time. The girl may have to juggle to guard and protect the heart of both friend as both takes a different place in her heart. Jealousy is another matter that may come into picture. I don't know why this emotion even exist and I don't know what's the reason behind this, but I do know it exists.

I personally have learnt a great lesson in this area and I know as brother and sisters to each other, we'd need to guard the hearts of one another. We need to be keepers of our brothers/sisters.

Guys and girls can be close friends, but there should be a clear boundary of where things should be kept clear and as time goes by let not our actions stumble each other but edify them. Change and progress in the friendship will come, this is not escapable, but I believe if that friendship is built genuinely on a selfless foundation, there would be a lot of grace and edification involved.

Quiet

It's been quiet, I know,
It's intentional;
That's because I am thinking,
Deciding...

There are things that I need to decide on my own,
Things I need to set right,
Decision may be drastic,
It may affect people.

Forgive me if I disappear,
I am sure the decision didn't come easy;
If it changes anything,
My intentions are good.

Sometimes I wish things didn't have to take this course,
Wishing that things were simpler,
But I am sorry that it went out of control,
And sorry for being so complicated.

She Got Married

Hehehehe... Ya ya ya... This came really late. But still I cannot give a full description.

The wedding went smoothly. Simple wedding with a very small crowd. Good weather, nice environment.

Check the pictures out on your own, you judge.
http://www.creativeclicks.com.my/gallery/matt_alicia/

*Side track a bit. I was at this wedding too, that's a week before Alicia's wedding. Check the below link.
http://www.creativeclicks.com.my/gallery/Scott&Anne/