Nothing

of my own.

Step by Step Part I

Honestly, I realised I was avoiding writing this post, but no good reason not to. So yeah sat my butt down and started putting it down at 12am like a BOSS... Who am I kidding, if I'm the boss I would get my assistant to write this, So, putting it down at 12am like a normal dude. Word.

Where do I start? Lets break the long-time-no-post-ice. Cue fat polar bear. *badadish* Anyhoo, Updates. I turned 21, 3 weeks ago in the company of friends and family. It is certainly will be one of the memorable ones, for those spared the facebook pics, I assure you, contrary to my grinning face, the makeup was the horriblest feeling ever. But having friends around you that love you, is one of the best feelings ever, so I guess that Makes Up for it. (You see what I did there?). Also, the steak was very nice, thank you everyone! :) Apart from that, I started internship the day after my birthday, and its great, I am really blessed to be where I am in a decent internship just 5 minutes away from my house, thank You!

So after all that hoo-haa, its suddenly December and I'm sitting here thinking about 2012. Thats alright, everyone will look back at their year, and look forward to the next one with resolutions, goals and expectations. But then I realised that it means I am sitting here thinking of my future but limiting it to next year only!I can think further ahead, plan my steps with more certainty! 2012 is the next step, but there are many more after that, equally as important. But that is another story.

More importantly, was what followed that train of thought. In your steps ahead, how do you accomplish your goals, your dreams, your needs, your wants? Setting a target, vital. Have a game plan, of course! For Christians, submitting it to Him, done thing. Praying, in the process already! But ultimately I realised that in everything we want to do, if we want to see a change, if we want to see things happening the most important step is actually to begin here *taps heart*. People search for change everywhere and always want to do things. Dont get me wrong, I also agree that things have to get done. But what I mean is that for REAL change to happen, it always has to come from the inside out, and not outside in. Let me give you an example from Christian faith. What is it that Jesus did, the miracles, the healings, will that save us? Does being cured, or saying a simple prayer grant us eternal life? No, it is deeper than that, because behind the miracles, the cures, the prayer, we believe that by grace He has died for us, and now lives in us, and promises to change our hearts to be like His. 2 Corinthians 1:21-22 "Now it is God who makes both us and you stand firm in Christ. He anointed us, set his seal of ownership on us, and put his Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come." This tells us that 1)Grace, not our works saves us, and 2)Change, to God, starts from the heart.

Thus for now I am trying to understand that change comes from within and flows out to affect things around you instead of thinking that by changing the things around us, we can achieve the change we want. Its getting late, and I should sleep. But, I hope that the next step, begins with the heart.

A Good Day

Ingredients:

1 tablespoon Waking up early to the sun.

1/2 cup Waking up knowing that you can lie back down for another hour

1 kg of Then waking up to Taylor Swift

15 sticks of Malacca Satay for lunch

500g (sifted) of getting things done!

1 teaspoon of Serving in church

A generous splash of God's Word, and seeing old friends

Mix well, then set aside. Add:

Slices of Turkey, A bowl of Chilli con carne, and a good Ramli

top off with mango sorbet.

Finish with,

Taylor Swift- Ours MV world premiere

4 goals win from Arsenal.

Remember to stir in lots of laughter, and good company.

Enjoy!

Identify

Know who you are.

Verbatim

Is the act of repeating word by word, exactly.

Are you having verbatim worship?

Are you repeating whatever is on the screen, or the lyrics, or whatever the leader is singing?

Are you having worship of worship?

Is your worship dependent on who the worship leader is, how good the vocals are, or how well the musicians play?

Sometimes its good to stop, and listen.

I heard the voice from the guy behind me. Slightly out of tune he might be, but it sounded as beautiful as the music the band was playing on the stage.

The simplicity of a single untrained voice comparable to the level of music a band can achieve? Come on! What am I saying, that's impossible.

But the truth is, that the only way it is possible, is because the purpose of worship, is to glorify One.

Drop Everything Now

The most memorable snippet of advise I remember reading is from non other than AMA Artist of the Year 2011 Ms Taylor Swift.

She said that she likes to divide things into two categories. 1) Things I can change and 2) Things I can't.

Its simple, yet it works. When dealing with an issue, I am able to identify with this and divide it into these 2 categories. It doesnt mean giving up on 2), but rather concentrating my efforts into the stuff that has a higher priority. Thats revolutionary, because Sag's like me and Taylor love nothing better than to overcomplicate, overthink and want to deal with every minor detail that crops up. Remembering this helps me keep on the right track.

Interesting thoughts Ive got from this so far in my life.
1) One thing you can always change, is yourself.
2) Things that you cant change, wont stay unchangeable forever.
3) Sometimes, you need to realise that you cant change things by yourself, and you need Someone to change it for you. :)
4) All that being said, sometimes change can wait.

So, heres to never changing, yet never staying the same. Its a Sag thing. after all.

and meet me in the pouring rain

Once Upon A Time

we caught on to something. 


Hehehehe. 4 more months, Me Gusta.


Back up, baby back up.

Wise Words

Be Joyful in Hope, Patient in Affliction, Faithful in Prayer.
Romans 12:12 (NIV)

Tanah Airku

Yesh, I am back! Haha, in the time since I've been home, so many things happened. The first day it rained and lightning spoiled my internet. The first roti I had, took so long to arrive, and it wasnt nice. The first time I took my dog out again, my dog almost died. The first time I went out to see my friends, I was forced to walk around in wet shoes/socks the whole night due to flooding @ Monash.

But every single time, I just feel so blessed to be around family and friends once again. I am glad to be around and experience the ups, and downs, because I know in the end, it will always be Up. There is nothing like His love after all, He is the Author and the Way.

Its good to be home. Let the good times roll! :)

Imagine

If everything you wanted was granted to you,

If you never faced disappointment,

If you just had to ask and it would be given immediately,

If everyone acted the way you want them to,

If all your desires are met,

If all your expectations were exceeded,

If there was no obstacles,

Imagine, all that.

I say,

How boring.

Whatever You Say

may matter, but the real truth in it will come out in what you actually do.

I'm choosing to believe that actions matter, not merely words by itself.

After all, as the wise people in life will say, time will tell.

On another note, 

:)

Au Revoir

Why so gloomy, O Mind?

Why so sorrowful, O Heart?

Have you not received more than you deserved?

Have you not been taken in?

Have you not been pardoned, when you should have been condemned?

More than that, have you not been promised greater things than what you thought you wanted?

Train the mind and guard the heart, all for the single purpose, that,

In the end, the only one that matters is You.

Earth

Without "Art", is just "Eh".

Remember, Remember

the 9th of November.

Lifted up,

Thank You.

On this day

may the prince of peace and the lord of lords, be my strength, as in, replace my strength with His.

MADNESS?

THIS
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
IS
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
SPARTA!!!

1 more paper! 

Ready, Steady, Go

The Traffic light is Green. I repeat, the traffic light is green.

Even after a crappy day,

Feeling so blessed now,

ThankYouJesus!

Joy

It can be said that today, I am literally at the edge of everything. Exams are starting tomorrow, I am feeling so tired, I slept so much and forgo-ed my studies for the day, I skipped meals and took friendships for granted, I stumbled in my walk, and in the process caused others to stumble as well. Most of the time, I chose myself, over God. Even when things are going well, I manage to mess it up.

But I woke up, not feeling the weight of all these upon my shoulders, I woke up, with a sense of peace and a Psalm in my head. It is not my own strength that lifted these things off me. It is by grace that I,with all my imperfections am still secure. He said that He will change me for His glory, and that for change to happen, repentance must come. I share with you now the Psalm that I have never seen before this.

Psalm 7

¹ 

LORD my God, I take refuge in you; 

   save and deliver me from all who pursue me,
² or they will tear me apart like a lion
   and rip me to pieces with no one to rescue me.

 ³ LORD my God, if I have done this
   and there is guilt on my hands—
⁴ if I have repaid my ally with evil
   or without cause have robbed my foe—
⁵ then let my enemy pursue and overtake me;
   let him trample my life to the ground
   and make me sleep in the dust.^[c]

 ⁶ Arise, LORD, in your anger;
   rise up against the rage of my enemies.
   Awake, my God; decree justice.
⁷ Let the assembled peoples gather around you,
   while you sit enthroned over them on high.
 ⁸ Let the LORD judge the peoples.
Vindicate me, LORD, according to my righteousness,
   according to my integrity, O Most High.
⁹ Bring to an end the violence of the wicked
   and make the righteous secure—
you, the righteous God
   who probes minds and hearts.

 ¹⁰ My shield^[d] is God Most High,
   who saves the upright in heart.
¹¹ God is a righteous judge,
   a God who displays his wrath every day.
¹² If he does not relent,
   he^[e] will sharpen his sword;
   he will bend and string his bow.
¹³ He has prepared his deadly weapons;
   he makes ready his flaming arrows.

 ¹⁴ Whoever is pregnant with evil
   conceives trouble and gives birth to disillusionment.
¹⁵ Whoever digs a hole and scoops it out
   falls into the pit they have made.
¹⁶ The trouble they cause recoils on them;
   their violence comes down on their own heads.

 ¹⁷ I will give thanks to the LORD because of his righteousness;
   I will sing the praises of the name of the LORD Most High.

The message I take from this is threefold. v12-v16 Firstly, nothing wrong can be justified in God's eye, and nothing evil will go unpunished. IF you have done wrong, God knows and will display His wrath. Keep in mind that this is from a position where one KNOWS better, and yet does not repent (v12).

But at the same time, God loves righteous people and will bring an end to wickedness and make them secure (v9). God saves the upright in heart (v10). So here it is, its not a matter of whether we can earn our love from God, that is already given, but the message here is that God is not a PASSIVE God that stands by idly, but a RIGHTEOUS and HOLY God that transforms and changes us so that we might do greater things.

Lastly, I take refuge in the Lord my God (v1). There are always situations we find ourselves in and realise that we cannot depend on ourselves any more, because we end up failing some point down the road. Stubborn as I am in always doing that, I hope to bring this verse into my life as I keep on learning to listen to Him. v10 - My Shield is God Most High. No others above Him.

May the joy of the Lord be my strength, because that is the only joy I need, not any other.

Go, Stop, Go

Dear Mr.Traffic Light.

Its been red for a while now, and I'm wondering if it will ever turn green. Waiting is no fun. But good things come to those who wait, no?

I know You will provide me, with the best green light.

but still, the selfish, impatient me asks,

(surprise me next week please? *grin*)

Thanks Mr Traffic Light, I know You've got my back. :)

Sincerely,

Not Eugene. How about Aiden?

A Funny Moment

The other day, I spent 20 minutes in tutorial doing the wrong past year question, and came discussion time, I proudly announced the first answer, only to be shot down gently by the tutor, "Youre looking at the wrong past year" *shy*.

Interestingly, I was the only one sitting alone. And it got me thinking, that mistakes will go unnoticed by trying to do anything alone, without guidance and people checking up on you.

Be not alone, Be humble and seek help.

Most importantly, do not depend on your own strength. For you might end up wasting it.

The Retreat

Retreat (verb).  a. A period of seclusion, retirement, or solitude. b. A period of group withdrawal for prayer, meditation, or study.

Both a. and b. rang true in this retreat. I could not have asked for a better culmination to 5 weeks of seeking and learning, of fellowship and growing, of discovering and building. There was simultaneously deeply personal finding and at the same time a bonding of a group united under one banner - Jesus. Time did not stand still, but rather it felt like every moment was fulfilled and purposeful, not one second of looking back. Because this was no ordinary retreat filled with ordinary people. LEADERS filled the hallways, LEADERS experienced God together, and LEADERS stood by one another in the two days in Kimgara Park.

I was inspired by the people around me, who had a fire burning in them, igniting everyone around them in so many ways. I was amazed at the willing hearts, who took in the Word and were hungry, so hungry for more and more. I was touched by the humble spirits all around me that strived for God's glory and not their own. Simply put, I was most excited because I could see that a whole new generation was born in that place. I was blessed by the abundance of examples to follow, of good influence, of wise words, of lessons learnt, of brothers and sisters I can count on, and I know, oh I know, that it all came from the simple fact that God was with us. Emmanuel. And He will be with every single one of us, beyond those two days, forever in us until the end of ends.

I guess it took 6 months in Melbourne for me to see how many times I've been messing up God's plans for my life. I need to realise that letting Him guide me, instead of trying to work more of me and less of Him at every step, would be the better option. To have the faith the size of a mustard seed, I wonder if I have that. One lesson that I learnt is that to flow down a river, you have to let go of whatever you're holding on to that is keeping you there.

I do not claim to come out of this a better person, if anything it has made me even more aware of what and where I am lacking in. But the joy is in that it has made me wiser, and that I am not alone in the race. And this race is different from any other, because in this race, the last shall be first, and the first shall be last.

And yet again,

I fell into the same hole

I stumbled over the same pebble

I hid behind the same wall

I couldn't fly

But where I can't

God will pick me out of the hole

God will carry me past the pebble

God will lead me out of hiding

God will give me eagle's wings.

Because He loved us all.

wow, so much backlog! Lakes entrance was awesome! Updates soon after my test!

God's Providence

Is eternal, and limitless. I can't, but He can.

Amazing LTC Retreat. Proper update soon :)

Dusty

That was the only way you could describe my guitar as I picked it up after a week or so in the corner a few days ago.

At first I didn't bother cleaning it, after all, whats a little dust to a real man? I found out that it meant the real man's fingers got dirty and the real man's thoughts went a little like this, "Walau, so dirty." So yeah the music stopped and the cloth came out and let the wiping begin. After that, the real man felt that the absence of dirt equals presence of comfortable mind and the guitar playing, and the whole night went well.

But here's the thing. Whether or not the real man as described above was manly for cleaning the guitar, or unmanly for not leaving the dirt as it is, is another debate altogether which can be discussed on www.doesdirtmakethaman.gg.com.au. What matters is that we all gather dust in our lives if we remain stagnant and unmoving, untouched and unchanging.


"A rolling stone gathers no moss." -  Publius Syrus said, and he meant this - People who are always moving, with no roots in one place, avoid responsibilities and cares.


But I challenge that statement, for even a rooted tree, still has to grow upwards. In my life, and I believe in many of our lives at this moment, we are all looking to be rooted, but once we are rooted, do we sit back and remain content? 


I hope that I do not become like a dusty old guitar, whom although managed to make it out of the factory as a guitar, is content to sit there and gather dust once it has become a guitar. I want to be the guitar that is picked up and played and retuned and restringed and polished and each time I do so I desire even more all over again. I want to be rid of dust or dirt or moss, for if I am to be useful, let me be constantly reused again and again.






I think its time for me to pick up that guitar again

R = VD

Realization = Vivid Dream

In other words, firstly, you've got to have a dream, and then you have to strive for it positively in order to make it come true.

Maybe I have been watching too many Korean variety shows.

Vent

Noun: An opening that allows air, gas, or liquid to pass out of or into a confined space.


I need one for my thoughts.


















Vermicelli.

Speak Now

Not too long ago, I purchased tickets to Taylor Swift's concert in March 2012. Read about it, here! Just so you know, I am screaming inside like how a real man should when he is going for a Taylor Swift concert. Like this --> Oorah! Or Spartaaaaaa! You can be rest assured that they are manly sounds.

And thank you Sarah Lee for getting the tickets! :DDDD

I also recently been asked questions about Taylor Swift. "Why do you like her?", is one I hear often. I shall try to answer it now, for it is a good question! But to be honest, I've never thought about it, because I never needed a reason to like her. The way I see it, if there were certain qualities I like about her, or anything/anyone for that matter, wouldn't that mean when something better comes along I would like that other one better?

For example, I say I like her because she can sing well, or play the guitar, or looks pretty. Logically, shes not the best choice because shes not the best singer, or best guitar player, or even the prettiest in my books. But yet I do choose her in the end. Why? I guess its as simple as this, that she is worth it. Worth listening to, worth following, worth sacrificing for. No doubt there are better and more qualified, talented, whatever artists out there, but I couldn't care less about comparing them to her. No matter what she did, or whether or not she is "good enough", she's my choice, and asking me why do I like her is like asking why did the chicken cross the road. To get to the other side right? And it didn't matter whether there were better roads out there, it just wanted to cross, and it did.

So thats why I like Taylor Swift, and same goes for the many things in this world that I like. Special mention to Arsenal, that no matter what happens, Im a Gunner for Life!

"I love you like I love having the last word. And that's real love." - Taylor Swift.

That quote, pretty much sums up why I like things :)

Breather

Its been a good week, and the holidays came just in time!

Writing at 5am in the morning, is giving me a tremendous writer's block.

I rather like being busy, it makes life interesting. But being as busy as a bee, makes you mindless like a bee.

Interestingly, all worker bees are female. Hee.

This week is a well earned break, to catch a breath before the next plunge.

*Inhale.

Its late, I should sleep.

*Exhale.

Waiting For Midnight...

So that technically, I posted this on a seperate day. Pet peeve, no double posting!

I just want to share this song. Its nothing new, I've shared it before. But each time it gives new meaning to me, and its so beautifully written. Please watch it!

Two things I took from this video. Firstly, the video itself, reminded me of the many blessings I have, like a home, a family, friends, the fact that I know Him. How do my worries compare to those in need? Those who lost it all? Seriously, I need to look at them instead of myself. And improve myself so I can help them.

"Jesus's ministry was where people were. We've gotta minister, where people are at." said Billy Graham (presumably) in the video.

Secondly but most importantly, listen to the lyrics. I've found so much comfort in them, because He reminds me that I don't need to try to earn grace. That I dont need to look anywhere else, or do anything, but trust that He is by my side. No matter what I did, or what I'm going through, I am secure in one thing - His Love.

And I believe with all my heart, that goes for all of you.

Edit: Added "About By Your Side" Video! I couldnt link the video itself, but watch it too, because the truth is, we need to wrap our minds that its not about what we've done, but what He has done already.

Here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QQXlUZYxLMY&NR=1

Covered by Your Grace

Is the name of the Font used in my post titles.

Because its true. :)

Joshua 1:9

"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.”


Relying on Him, even beyond sickness and worries. Amen!

Have You Met Me?

They say that a person's actions and words define their impression of who they are.

I used to wonder sometimes, if that is to be taken literally.

Maybe its time to see things as they are, and not through rose-tinted glasses.

But then again, don't we always do things we don't mean?

I choose to think not. Yes and No, Black and White.

Clear skies ahead, and a sunny week ahead to look forward to!

Liberate

Surprisingly, I managed to wake up at 8am today. One of the rare moments I can proudly declare that yes, I've had enough rest and at the same time, am early for something. Usually these two conditions are in an inverse relationship you see, with the presence of one means the absence of the other. True story.

After blinking out the bright (yay!) morning sun, I instantly wondered why did I wake up before my alarm? Am I still a normal 20+ year old male? "Whats wrong with you man?" would be the exact words from any one of the one thousand two hundred and twelve alternate versions of myself.

So I looked hard and deep into my being, making sure I was still Me, you know? With a sigh of relief, I can safely say that thankfully, I was still good looking. Besides that obvious fact, I came to realise that not everything in me was the same. There were things that I've said, things I've done that I wasn't too proud of, whether it seemed right at that moment now faded into irrelevance as I reflected on the decisions of 20 years in this world. Of course there were great moments, and certainly some treasured memories, but unlike mathematics, they don't cross over and cancel each other out.

Random fact, I learnt that a curse is merely the absence of a blessing the other day. Just like darkness is the absence of light. It might be important one day!

Back to me, I thought that certainly the past doesn't disappear just because you want it to. Every word said cannot be truly taken back, every action done, cannot be undone. That's how we learn as humans, and that's kinda what we're here for, isn't it? To learn, who we are and how to live Life.

But that doesn't mean you can't change anything. Because the future is something every single person is capable of changing. The past is merely a result of what you make of the future. With this revelation, the world looked sunny, both inside and outside. There is a Plan and Purpose for me laid out by Jesus, and its refreshing to know that I can shape my future towards Him. Its the perfect plan for me, but that doesn't mean that I am perfect. There will be falls and stumbles, but the point is that you don't go back to the pebble that tripped you and sit on it, you look towards the finish line and make it your goal.

A fresh start always needs changes, and I am beginning to understand. LTC in about ohmygoodness 10 minutes, a quick bath and a short walk away, to look away from the past, to a purposeful future.

I wasn't early after all. -_-

Make Me Over

This week has left me wishing I have 30 hours in a day. So many things to think about, so many things to do!

"I should be concentrating on my studies" says the little voice in my head clamoring for attention amidst the clutter of things I should be getting done. 

I am determined to finish all of the items in my to-do list. And listen to that little voice as well.

But above all of my worries, He reminds me that I have a plan laid out for me. And I just need to let Him take priority above all voices. Then things will fall into place :)

Skit For Thought.

A few years has gone by, but this clip and this song, still has power and meaning in my life. God doesnt want your Sundays in church, or ten minutes reading the bible everyday, or even 10 million dollars. God wants you to love Him back, and that means He wants... Everything.

Do watch this, again if you've watched it before, grab a few people even :)

Song itself with lyrics:

The Story Of Us

It was 8.00am on a bright Thursday morning.

What better way to start the day, then waking up to the sound of her voice?

Finally managed to drag myself off the sofa I was crashing on, after what seemed like one second of snooze. In reality it was 8.25 as I checked my clock, even as she reminded me once again it was really time to go for class. Which was 830, and about 4 tram stops away, not to mention 7  floors up. Time to RushRushRush, as the Paramore song goes. Wait, is there "C" somewhere in that?

Anyway, 9.00 am. Locked out of class. Next class? 6.30 pm. Milled around for a bit, and went for brekkie. Had to say, it wasnt the best of days at that moment. Even the scrambled eggs with salmon on toast with fetta cheese tasted a tad mundane.

As we got the bill, I happened to glance up, and all the day's worries changed when I saw her by the counter. She was beautiful, as always.

She said she was coming in March, and the world was right again. I promised to be there, and we parted ways for now.

and then I put the newspaper down.

Transitions

Long ago, my form 5 tuition teacher who dabbled in numerology and such told me, "Cheng Hong, beware of new things."

It was a fair warning. After all, everything New is Unknown, and everything Unknown has it's Risks. But I think in the 4 years since that statement, I have to say it was a wise thing to say to a form 5 student about to enter college life. There were many moments since then when I was faced with new things, new paths to follow and I thank God for His grace, that I didn't go down certain paths. I certainly almost did, you might even compare it to me being at the edge of a cliff, and I was blessed with always being able to walk away. All this He has done, despite the fact I left Him out of my life during those trials.

Safe to say, God has been good these 2 years that I've come back to Him, and I've discovered new relationships, new lessons, new experiences. Then, Australia happened. It was new, it was unknown, and it certainly shook my world, and I was desperate to control it all by myself. Which obviously didn't work out that well, and for a while i floundered, trying to find anything to hold on to to keep afloat.

Then, I compare the next event to this, that God was trying and nudging me slowly like a stubborn horse(1990 yo!) back to Him all this while, then suddenly God took out the cattle prod (or horse prod) and gave me a undeniable 'request' to come back. Haha so yeah thats what happened recently, that I came to learn to let go of myself, and let God in. This path that I want to take, it can be seen as something New too, something Unknown, something Risky, like all the previous ones! But this time, I'm quite sure, there is nothing New, Unknown, or Risky to my God. He just has the best plan, and He wants me to take that path so that I may have the best ending of all.

After all, His path, is the path of eternal life.

The First Step

*disclaimer: this post will not survive the changes, it will sacrifice itself for the greater good approximately in the time the blog is "official"

Finally succumbed to my inner(far far far inside) desire to have something to write my thoughts down.

Probably due to boredom, or that i began journalling not too long ago, or that writing notes on facebook once in a while just isnt.. fulfilling.

Here's to the start!

BRB DO WORK.

UP NEXT, DESIGN. *rubs hands*