hey thanks sean for the ball :D
I actually felt loved today...not that I don't feel loved any other day, but today, I felt extremely loved. I was never a believer in gifts, not a gifty person, never did give anyone anything for their birthdays...sure...maybe a little lazy, a little selfish (but i did give cards!)...but so many people bothered to go out of their way to get me gifts today. And Ding was so sweet to remember it as well :D Thanks all....but remember it's not the gift that matters, what matters is that we give our all and our best for one another in terms of commitment and friendship :D And let God into this friendship as well...supporting each other in our spiritual walks
Was actually quite touched by today's teacher's day celebration...thank you prefectorial board...thank you student council..must have been one of the times that i wasn't being a wet blanket about the student council's stuff. Haha...so much talk about them being on...i'm already going to become an 'on' person. As daryl once commented. My enthusiasm is quite annoying.
Oh well. Happy teacher's day. And a tribute to 2006 teachers below:
Mr Alvin Tan (Class Teacher): Never come to school on teacher's day, went to see John's doctor perhaps. Laughs at and loves Eric alot :D
Mrs Sandra Sim (PCT that never taught me :P): Always concerned for the trees at MacRitchie, and I'm sorry I haven't got it done yet!!! According to Fab, always doing something useful and thus v.hard to find on teacher's day.
Mdm Loo Shiek Kien (Motherly Chinese Teacher): Went through several hair makeovers, fought with sickness, and still managed to come back for her students. Most inspiring.
Ms Shue Carolyn Chieng (C Math..C Math): First perceived as the 'crying' math teacher. Unforgettable yellow bag which i had to carry on several occasions. Another hair makeover. And sick two days before teacher's day. Thanks for the free periods. :) Always looking out for Kenny's tie.
Mrs Carol Low (ChemWhiz): Made us laugh by telling jokes that weren't funny, yet we laughed simply because of her attempt to make us laugh. Loved the video on polymers. Interesting accent when teaching. And thanks for the BB photo :D
Mr Jason Chan (very much ignored Physics Teacher): Always neglected. Free period. Loves balancing chairs, playing with little electronic things. Never hesistates to sacrifice his break time or other classes' lesson time to teach us :D
Mr See Boon Thiam (Bio): shoulder dislocates most easily. Makes a great story teller. Loves to entertain with details on parasites like pinworms and flukes. Was my first contact with the express IP world.
Mrs Gina Ong (Half AMath teacher): The only one who did math journal reflections. 200 slides powerpoint presentations. The extendable rod thing. Always loved to wear black and more black. So scary-looking yet so caring and loving on the inside :D. And i was your rep....haha
Mr Daniel Yew (the other half): The mountaineer, never too far away from his markers, safely stashed away in a little waist pouch. Small framed and talks a bit funny..but in a good way. knows/knew how to solve the rubric's cube. Thinks we went swimming when we come back from soccer.
Mrs Elaine Lee (IHS...errr): Gave up her pension for us. Caring. Good humor. Act blur. Mistook PM Lee for Lee Kuan Yew. Loves her notebook (the labtop thing). Was the funniest on the Teacher's day video :D. Interviewed me for IB entry...knowwonder i got in :)
Mrs Mervyln Goh (LArts..): Quirky feminist. Short sparks of genius. Promptly forgets everything after that. Loves Kopi-O, needs a daily dose and conveniently gets students to buy for her...haha. Romeo and Juliet.
Mrs Maria Nathan (Missing in Action LArts B): Not most liked...but did have those fun moments. Delivered a child this year. Apparently the child liked it when i sang the Walrus and Carpenter...yes the weird one...:)
Mr Rasdeen (PE): Undoubtedbly the most 'on' PE teacher ever. Paid attention to the stretches. Loved the circuit training. Likes to ole people in soccer. Punishes people for not knowing his name on the second PE lesson. Thanks for the soccer :D
Mr Azmi (former sensei): occasional meetings. Quirky fellow. Hates self-deprecation...gets pushups for it. Always smiling. Hates tardiness. Do not anger or suffer horrible consequences. Would love to see me put on weight, and it overfeeding me all the time :D
haha that's all. Gots to get back to work now :D
Thursday, August 31, 2006
Wednesday, August 30, 2006
Into the Mind of Tim
So was walking with Derek to the SAC. A pair of girls walk ahead of us. Suddenly one of them drops some hand-phone like thing, and it breaks cleanly into 3 pieces, the wires spilling out and the battery still attached. What would Tim do.
Well the other girl helps the first to pick up her stuff. I kinda took one step forward, one stifling step back, and another step forward, a short murmur of 'Are you OK?' or something. Then promptly retracted back next to Derek. I guess the other girl was already helping, there wasn't much stuff to pick up (3 parts) and there wasn't a need to help.
Derek then starts to laugh, and says he's sorry, apparently it's Derek's splutz effect again. I exclaim quite loudly that Derek was cruel, and pat him on the back and all that, telling him to say sorry as his face goes all red the usual way. But then we start laughing and we walk off, leaving the girls behind us.
I guess it didn't occur to me that time. And most people would probably not think this way. But i should have bent down and helped the girls to pick the stuff up. I was quite upset with myself later on. To make things worse, laughing away and walking off wasn't the best thing to do, and they could have easily misintepreted those laughs.
And so i was disappointed, and guilt swelled from within. Sharp conscience again. Self-reprimanding myself for being thoughtless. Sigh. It's the way i think i guess. Praying for forgiveness for not helping someone in need when the opportunity was right in front of me; Praying for an opportunity to make it up to her...or at least to do something thoughtful for someone else. If only time could be turned back, I'd have done differently. It was hesitation, ignorance, and carelessness. Sigh.
Sure. Tim is probably just being over sensitive, over paranoid and silly in thinking such a way :(
Well the other girl helps the first to pick up her stuff. I kinda took one step forward, one stifling step back, and another step forward, a short murmur of 'Are you OK?' or something. Then promptly retracted back next to Derek. I guess the other girl was already helping, there wasn't much stuff to pick up (3 parts) and there wasn't a need to help.
Derek then starts to laugh, and says he's sorry, apparently it's Derek's splutz effect again. I exclaim quite loudly that Derek was cruel, and pat him on the back and all that, telling him to say sorry as his face goes all red the usual way. But then we start laughing and we walk off, leaving the girls behind us.
I guess it didn't occur to me that time. And most people would probably not think this way. But i should have bent down and helped the girls to pick the stuff up. I was quite upset with myself later on. To make things worse, laughing away and walking off wasn't the best thing to do, and they could have easily misintepreted those laughs.
And so i was disappointed, and guilt swelled from within. Sharp conscience again. Self-reprimanding myself for being thoughtless. Sigh. It's the way i think i guess. Praying for forgiveness for not helping someone in need when the opportunity was right in front of me; Praying for an opportunity to make it up to her...or at least to do something thoughtful for someone else. If only time could be turned back, I'd have done differently. It was hesitation, ignorance, and carelessness. Sigh.
Sure. Tim is probably just being over sensitive, over paranoid and silly in thinking such a way :(
Tuesday, August 29, 2006
Teacher's Day Approaches
And i'm yet to start on making cards. I'll prepare to work overtime tomorrow then
And Mdm Loo's finally back. Praise the Lord. Though she still looks frail and struggling with some sort of pain in her abdomen :(
gtg..Bio beckons :D
And Mdm Loo's finally back. Praise the Lord. Though she still looks frail and struggling with some sort of pain in her abdomen :(
gtg..Bio beckons :D
Monday, August 28, 2006
Missing the Obvious
Just on the 27 of August (yesterday), was in the car on the way to church, it was a normal Sunday, save for the fact that for the first time in ages my father wasn't speeding because we were on time. A peek outside the car window unveiled a pleasant surprise: a bright celestial body slightly bigger than the moon hung in midsky. It was 8.15, daybreak, it didn't look like the sun, nor was it like the moon, my brother was fascinated. I mistakenly said it was the sun and didn't pay any further notice.
Until i received an email today: titled "Fwd: In case you think you are looking at the sun". At that instant i knew i had been horribly wrong. How embarrassing :P. The celestial body was none other than Mars, at its very closest to Earth ever, so far, yet so close, it appeared like the moon. It was a spectacular sight to behold, as Mars was clearly visible even with the naked eye. It's wonders like these that get me perked up. Scientists say that such a sight won't happen in another 300 years or so.
Actually, something sprung up within me. There was talk of mars coming close to Earth as one of the signs of the end of the age, but I'm not going to go on speculating.
More on planets, apparently Pluto's no longer part of our happy solar system family. Poor Charon. And poor Mickey Mouse. But that's besides the point.
Missing the obvious. When it's staring at you right in the face. Have we missed something obvious today? Are we searching for something that is standing right in front of us? It seems like it. Man is always on the prowl for something to satisfy himself, yet the answer is right at the doorstep of his heart, where Jesus is slowly and patiently knocking at the door.
I guess sometimes it's good to reevaluate if we've missed out anything today. Count our blessings and we'll realise how many we've got. And always be on the look out for something beautiful to behold! Wow.
Until i received an email today: titled "Fwd: In case you think you are looking at the sun". At that instant i knew i had been horribly wrong. How embarrassing :P. The celestial body was none other than Mars, at its very closest to Earth ever, so far, yet so close, it appeared like the moon. It was a spectacular sight to behold, as Mars was clearly visible even with the naked eye. It's wonders like these that get me perked up. Scientists say that such a sight won't happen in another 300 years or so.
Actually, something sprung up within me. There was talk of mars coming close to Earth as one of the signs of the end of the age, but I'm not going to go on speculating.
More on planets, apparently Pluto's no longer part of our happy solar system family. Poor Charon. And poor Mickey Mouse. But that's besides the point.
Missing the obvious. When it's staring at you right in the face. Have we missed something obvious today? Are we searching for something that is standing right in front of us? It seems like it. Man is always on the prowl for something to satisfy himself, yet the answer is right at the doorstep of his heart, where Jesus is slowly and patiently knocking at the door.
I guess sometimes it's good to reevaluate if we've missed out anything today. Count our blessings and we'll realise how many we've got. And always be on the look out for something beautiful to behold! Wow.
Sunday, August 27, 2006
The Rate of Growth
The church of Philadelphia was a small one, but nevertheless one that was highly praised and complimented by God. Size never matters. The bible says that when two or three are gathered in His name, God will be right there in fellowship with us. I suppose you could have a congregation of less than ten, and still call it a church - a church isn't a fancy building, it's not even an institution, it's about the people, about a people who are united in their worship toward God.
Recently there's been this talk on the tagboard about church growth, I'm not even sure who is WABOOMBOOM. But ya...let's spend a moment to ponder about this.
I'm sure all churches start out small, especially overseas on mission trips when the pioneer Christians are but a group of ten to twenty or less. Small churches, being small, would definitely be more close-knit, knowing one another better, comfortable, and more hospitable. However, they lack out on prestige, on size, on these tangible measures of 'growth'.
Big churches on the other hand, grow. Both physically and hopefully spiritual. They expand exponentially, reputation gets things going for them. However, more often than not, many new congregation members get neglected. Cliques are extensive. Personal needs may not be met. Most unfortunately. I've met Christians before, who went to mega-churches and left promptly after a few months only to abandon the faith. That's the danger of big churches.
Every small church becomes big in its own time, planned according to God's purpose. It's a process I'll probably see FPP go through in my lifetime, a process that I welcome yet look with fearful anticipation. Welcome because it is the blessing of God for a church to grow, as well as an outward sign of its growth. But fearful anticipation because of the problems we may run into.
Nowadays, we love playing the number game. Many organizations have lost the meaning of evangelism, mass-production is not the end-product. Discipleship is more important. We work and toil not for results but out of faith because God has told us to do so. God never promises instant results, He only promises to be with us as we toil and work. Any results are a bonus, but lack of results should not come as a discouragement to us who are working. We might be sowing seeds - seeds that will take long nurturing and care to grow. And God will grow them in His own time. God only desires for us to submit to Him. Not our will but His be done.
People measure success by numbers these days. It's a saddening sight. sigh.
So back to small churches. Ya, we can't get too cozy in them. This doesn't just apply to churches, but to bible study groups, prayer groups, or any other Christian related organization. Let's always have the great commission in mind and be outward-looking. Being outward looking and reaching out to the community is a frequent exercise that must always be done lest we become spiritual obese (because of not sharing what we have received, or not applying what we have learnt).
As to how spiritual growth can be measured: I am most unsure, perhaps we could seek God on that point. But it's not just one criteria. It's a whole rubric :P. And perhaps God doesn't have a set rubric, He's probably not as shallow as that, remember that He is complex beyond human reasoning (not merely a teacher who uses rubrics :P). But I do know what spiritual growth is not (merely):
1) Not merely numbers
2) Not merely spiritual dynamic-ness (yes, even if a church is actively organizing activities and reaching out, it does not mean it is growing)
3) Not merely growing inwardly
Spritual growth would probably be getting oneself right with God first, then going out dynamically, in the process staying close to God and not running ahead, not forgetting God in the process. And any increase in number, would be a bonus, a blessing from God, his favor upon us. Not a fruit of our works, but of His work.
I guess I'll never know for sure, gots to pray over it. Meanwhile. Today's TRAC was very encouraging, in more ways than one :D Praise God! Hallelujah!
Recently there's been this talk on the tagboard about church growth, I'm not even sure who is WABOOMBOOM. But ya...let's spend a moment to ponder about this.
I'm sure all churches start out small, especially overseas on mission trips when the pioneer Christians are but a group of ten to twenty or less. Small churches, being small, would definitely be more close-knit, knowing one another better, comfortable, and more hospitable. However, they lack out on prestige, on size, on these tangible measures of 'growth'.
Big churches on the other hand, grow. Both physically and hopefully spiritual. They expand exponentially, reputation gets things going for them. However, more often than not, many new congregation members get neglected. Cliques are extensive. Personal needs may not be met. Most unfortunately. I've met Christians before, who went to mega-churches and left promptly after a few months only to abandon the faith. That's the danger of big churches.
Every small church becomes big in its own time, planned according to God's purpose. It's a process I'll probably see FPP go through in my lifetime, a process that I welcome yet look with fearful anticipation. Welcome because it is the blessing of God for a church to grow, as well as an outward sign of its growth. But fearful anticipation because of the problems we may run into.
Nowadays, we love playing the number game. Many organizations have lost the meaning of evangelism, mass-production is not the end-product. Discipleship is more important. We work and toil not for results but out of faith because God has told us to do so. God never promises instant results, He only promises to be with us as we toil and work. Any results are a bonus, but lack of results should not come as a discouragement to us who are working. We might be sowing seeds - seeds that will take long nurturing and care to grow. And God will grow them in His own time. God only desires for us to submit to Him. Not our will but His be done.
People measure success by numbers these days. It's a saddening sight. sigh.
So back to small churches. Ya, we can't get too cozy in them. This doesn't just apply to churches, but to bible study groups, prayer groups, or any other Christian related organization. Let's always have the great commission in mind and be outward-looking. Being outward looking and reaching out to the community is a frequent exercise that must always be done lest we become spiritual obese (because of not sharing what we have received, or not applying what we have learnt).
As to how spiritual growth can be measured: I am most unsure, perhaps we could seek God on that point. But it's not just one criteria. It's a whole rubric :P. And perhaps God doesn't have a set rubric, He's probably not as shallow as that, remember that He is complex beyond human reasoning (not merely a teacher who uses rubrics :P). But I do know what spiritual growth is not (merely):
1) Not merely numbers
2) Not merely spiritual dynamic-ness (yes, even if a church is actively organizing activities and reaching out, it does not mean it is growing)
3) Not merely growing inwardly
Spritual growth would probably be getting oneself right with God first, then going out dynamically, in the process staying close to God and not running ahead, not forgetting God in the process. And any increase in number, would be a bonus, a blessing from God, his favor upon us. Not a fruit of our works, but of His work.
I guess I'll never know for sure, gots to pray over it. Meanwhile. Today's TRAC was very encouraging, in more ways than one :D Praise God! Hallelujah!
Friday, August 25, 2006
Rods and Cones
Wait...i promised Fab i would post about rods and cones. So why?
Rods and Cones, those tiny structures in our eyes, responsible for our perception of colour and our vision in darkness. Cones allow for color vision, sadly, rainbows would be monochrome without them. Rods, allow for vision in the dark, without them, we'd be groping around aimlessly during Kluang-like camps. But that's not the point I was getting at.
Rods. Vision in the darkness. Something dangerous if you put it in Christian perspective. Living in sin, and still being able to look around, albeit seeing mostly shadowy silouhette of things. The scary thing is, we CAN and will get accustomed to sin. After being in sin too long, we get desensitized, hearts get numbed, hardened, it's dangerous to dwell in the darkness once our rods get to work. We get a blurred view of everything, a view without color, but we think we can still see, we think we're still alright, we think we're not in trouble. But the truth is, we're more blind than we know it. Believe me, it's much better seeing in color and in the light!
There was once a story told of some girls who put on lipstick in the school bathroom, they would always kiss the big bathroom mirror and leave unsightly marks. Of course the poor janitor had to clean the mirror everyday, painstakingly, and tiresomely. The janitor appealed to the girls, but to no avail, but carried on cleaning everyday. One day, the girls asked him how he stayed so faithful to his job. And he replied saying that he didn't mind cleaning the mirrors with toilet water every day..it was fine for him. Of course, the girls, grossed out, never did that kissing thing again.
And that should be our attitude to sin, like toilet water, like disgusting filthy toilet water. We should stay far far away, it's terrible, monstrous and doesn't deserve our slightest attention. After walking in the light and with God for a long time, we should look back on sin with hatred rather than we with sense of longing to go back to those past pleasures. They aren't pleasures! It's as pleasurable as kissing toilet water. It's sickening. Stay far.
Sin: Enjoy first, pay later. But with God, it's always pay first and enjoy later. Take your pick. It's not that difficult to choose, yet so many people, including myself, find it so hard to make the choice. Let's view life with our cones and not let our rods get to work in the darkness, lest we delude ourselves again...
Rods and Cones, those tiny structures in our eyes, responsible for our perception of colour and our vision in darkness. Cones allow for color vision, sadly, rainbows would be monochrome without them. Rods, allow for vision in the dark, without them, we'd be groping around aimlessly during Kluang-like camps. But that's not the point I was getting at.
Rods. Vision in the darkness. Something dangerous if you put it in Christian perspective. Living in sin, and still being able to look around, albeit seeing mostly shadowy silouhette of things. The scary thing is, we CAN and will get accustomed to sin. After being in sin too long, we get desensitized, hearts get numbed, hardened, it's dangerous to dwell in the darkness once our rods get to work. We get a blurred view of everything, a view without color, but we think we can still see, we think we're still alright, we think we're not in trouble. But the truth is, we're more blind than we know it. Believe me, it's much better seeing in color and in the light!
There was once a story told of some girls who put on lipstick in the school bathroom, they would always kiss the big bathroom mirror and leave unsightly marks. Of course the poor janitor had to clean the mirror everyday, painstakingly, and tiresomely. The janitor appealed to the girls, but to no avail, but carried on cleaning everyday. One day, the girls asked him how he stayed so faithful to his job. And he replied saying that he didn't mind cleaning the mirrors with toilet water every day..it was fine for him. Of course, the girls, grossed out, never did that kissing thing again.
And that should be our attitude to sin, like toilet water, like disgusting filthy toilet water. We should stay far far away, it's terrible, monstrous and doesn't deserve our slightest attention. After walking in the light and with God for a long time, we should look back on sin with hatred rather than we with sense of longing to go back to those past pleasures. They aren't pleasures! It's as pleasurable as kissing toilet water. It's sickening. Stay far.
Sin: Enjoy first, pay later. But with God, it's always pay first and enjoy later. Take your pick. It's not that difficult to choose, yet so many people, including myself, find it so hard to make the choice. Let's view life with our cones and not let our rods get to work in the darkness, lest we delude ourselves again...
Thursday, August 24, 2006
Being Away
Being away. Sigh.
From Mother Church. The strangest feeling whenever I return. Mixed emotions: both those of familiarity and those of alienation. Familiar faces, five years down the road, changed but still recognizable. Old friends, separated by circumstances. People whom I would like to know. But it's impossible, it just can't happen. Whatever friendships, fleeting and short-lived. It would be pointless to take the first step when one knows that the second will not come.
Such a feeling I had during church camp, meeting new people was enjoyable, socializing for the first time in a long while was meaningful, but it was but four days. Four short days. And whatever friendships were merely the momentary bright sparks produced by two people crossing paths, and not burning embers that last. All i was left with was an even greater sense of loss and emptiness. Not having something is bad enough. But being away from something after knowing the joy of having it, is more excruciating.
But i guess God has humbled me throughout the years, and kept me focused on Him rather than on the other things in church. In the tiny community at Preaching Point, He has blessed me with an environment free from the temptation of excessive socialization or even that of BGRs and unnecessary distraction. You could see this as a bad thing, but I'd see it as a blessing.
Still I must say that I wish I were back somewhere with a larger pool of people to interact with. But till then, I'd just have to endure and learn how to enjoy (even) the feeling of Being Away.
On another note. Being Away will cause friendships to suffer. Being away too long will cause them to disappear. Being Away from Ding has helped us to appreciate this frienship more. And it is tough maintaining communication even in this age of technology. You see, the problem is never with technology, but with our heart, and how much we treasure the frienship. When there is a will, there is a way. And love can transcend even the Pacific :D
haiz. Being away. Being away. We all have to face it one day...
From Mother Church. The strangest feeling whenever I return. Mixed emotions: both those of familiarity and those of alienation. Familiar faces, five years down the road, changed but still recognizable. Old friends, separated by circumstances. People whom I would like to know. But it's impossible, it just can't happen. Whatever friendships, fleeting and short-lived. It would be pointless to take the first step when one knows that the second will not come.
Such a feeling I had during church camp, meeting new people was enjoyable, socializing for the first time in a long while was meaningful, but it was but four days. Four short days. And whatever friendships were merely the momentary bright sparks produced by two people crossing paths, and not burning embers that last. All i was left with was an even greater sense of loss and emptiness. Not having something is bad enough. But being away from something after knowing the joy of having it, is more excruciating.
But i guess God has humbled me throughout the years, and kept me focused on Him rather than on the other things in church. In the tiny community at Preaching Point, He has blessed me with an environment free from the temptation of excessive socialization or even that of BGRs and unnecessary distraction. You could see this as a bad thing, but I'd see it as a blessing.
Still I must say that I wish I were back somewhere with a larger pool of people to interact with. But till then, I'd just have to endure and learn how to enjoy (even) the feeling of Being Away.
On another note. Being Away will cause friendships to suffer. Being away too long will cause them to disappear. Being Away from Ding has helped us to appreciate this frienship more. And it is tough maintaining communication even in this age of technology. You see, the problem is never with technology, but with our heart, and how much we treasure the frienship. When there is a will, there is a way. And love can transcend even the Pacific :D
haiz. Being away. Being away. We all have to face it one day...
Tuesday, August 22, 2006
Christians on the Soccer Pitch
The soccer pitch. The soccer game. A game of beauty, a game of teamwork, a game of absolute ecstasy at times. Yet, soccer too is a game of monstrosity, brutality, even barbaric at times. Heightened emotions. Yes, people rear their ugly head on the field at times. Conflict ensues on the soccer pitch. An innocent game of 11 on 11 and one black and white ball turns ugly.
I'm sure we've seen it all on TV before. All those controversial decisions leading up to unnecessary brawls and arguments. Profanities, insults, punches, kicks and more recently, headbutts, we've seen it all. It's become part and parcel of the soccer experience, some people even live to watch such conflicts and get a kick out of them. However, we don't have to look that far to see such conflict. It happens right here, in ACS(I), every P.E, every recess, it happens.
It happened today. People got tackled. People got pissed. People started to hurl insults. I'm (hopefully) not referring to anyone in particular, there have been countless of incidents on the pitch that have resulted in unhappiness:
1) Unfair tackles/Fouls: Sometimes it hurts. Sometimes it's just an accident. Cool it and relax. Physics talks about momentum and sometimes it's hard to stop before crashing :P. Sometimes it's intentional. Those are the most testing times.
2) Unfair (a.k.a 'Imba') Team selections: I've seen people get pissed over this before. It's a small issue, it's unfair, so play on then. For the fun of it. Soccer is after all, just for fun.
3) Losing: Obviously a disappointment. No need to cuss, no need to spit on the other team for beating you. No need for a spat. Have the humility to admit that there are definitely better players out there, and that we are not the best. In fact, give a hand to the opponent and be a sport. Soccer is all about sportsmanship.
4) Winning: People boast, say ridiculous things sometimes when they win. We've had experiences when we've been termed GEPs...or worse because of losing. It's totally unnecessary. Stop it with all the childishness on the field. So you're better, they stay humble. Pride (or Bcart) comes before a fall.
Now this post is titled 'Christians on the Soccer Pitch'. It's just an appeal to all those out there who truly believe in our Father in heaven and His great love for us, to consider if we have done such things before on the pitch. Sometimes it's just a spur of the moment, and we do something that we find regrettable later on. Sometimes it's the urge to get angry at someone, or execute revenge. Let's remember that golden rule of forgiveness and loving even our enemies. The best testimony any Christian can give is after all through deed and not merely through speech and thought. Actions speak louder than words.
Keeping the peace on the field should be a responsibility of every Christian. Blessed are the peacekeepers. If we have done wrong, let's humble ourselves and apologize. If we are wronged against, let's have a heart of forgiveness. If we lose, let's not be sore losers. If we win, let's cheer the other team on. These are simple Christian values, and we ought to stick fast to them.
Admittingly, it's tough on the pitch, emotions soar high, we tend to get fussy over petty issues, angry over trivial things. But let's draw strength and discipline from our Father in heaven. and be a great testimony for Him. even on the soccer field. :D
I'm sure we've seen it all on TV before. All those controversial decisions leading up to unnecessary brawls and arguments. Profanities, insults, punches, kicks and more recently, headbutts, we've seen it all. It's become part and parcel of the soccer experience, some people even live to watch such conflicts and get a kick out of them. However, we don't have to look that far to see such conflict. It happens right here, in ACS(I), every P.E, every recess, it happens.
It happened today. People got tackled. People got pissed. People started to hurl insults. I'm (hopefully) not referring to anyone in particular, there have been countless of incidents on the pitch that have resulted in unhappiness:
1) Unfair tackles/Fouls: Sometimes it hurts. Sometimes it's just an accident. Cool it and relax. Physics talks about momentum and sometimes it's hard to stop before crashing :P. Sometimes it's intentional. Those are the most testing times.
2) Unfair (a.k.a 'Imba') Team selections: I've seen people get pissed over this before. It's a small issue, it's unfair, so play on then. For the fun of it. Soccer is after all, just for fun.
3) Losing: Obviously a disappointment. No need to cuss, no need to spit on the other team for beating you. No need for a spat. Have the humility to admit that there are definitely better players out there, and that we are not the best. In fact, give a hand to the opponent and be a sport. Soccer is all about sportsmanship.
4) Winning: People boast, say ridiculous things sometimes when they win. We've had experiences when we've been termed GEPs...or worse because of losing. It's totally unnecessary. Stop it with all the childishness on the field. So you're better, they stay humble. Pride (or Bcart) comes before a fall.
Now this post is titled 'Christians on the Soccer Pitch'. It's just an appeal to all those out there who truly believe in our Father in heaven and His great love for us, to consider if we have done such things before on the pitch. Sometimes it's just a spur of the moment, and we do something that we find regrettable later on. Sometimes it's the urge to get angry at someone, or execute revenge. Let's remember that golden rule of forgiveness and loving even our enemies. The best testimony any Christian can give is after all through deed and not merely through speech and thought. Actions speak louder than words.
Keeping the peace on the field should be a responsibility of every Christian. Blessed are the peacekeepers. If we have done wrong, let's humble ourselves and apologize. If we are wronged against, let's have a heart of forgiveness. If we lose, let's not be sore losers. If we win, let's cheer the other team on. These are simple Christian values, and we ought to stick fast to them.
Admittingly, it's tough on the pitch, emotions soar high, we tend to get fussy over petty issues, angry over trivial things. But let's draw strength and discipline from our Father in heaven. and be a great testimony for Him. even on the soccer field. :D
Monday, August 21, 2006
More Christian Problems
Felt the urge to post this, not sure why, but there are so many problems that plague Christians, sometimes we feel like grasshoppers in the midst of giants. But before we go on, let us remember that our Father in heaven (Papa!) is greater than all these combined. :)
It's so hard living up to standards of holiness. This has been mentioned countless of times, but as the race goes on, somehow your stamina improves, but we as humans are always prone to failure and to tripping up (like I did today). It's a horrible feeling when we trip up due to our own sin and wrong decisions. We feel dead. Yes literally dead. It's a feeling of not being with God anymore because sin has severed those ties. Today I felt dead. It was a lousy feeling, hot, sweaty, uptight, tired, unable to do anything, consumed by guilt. How can one be so close to God at times yet fail Him. How can one feel the love of God yet betray Him? Reconciliation is the only solution. And do it fast.
The Humility Paradox. One cannot claim to be humble for that in itself is not humility :D
Sharp Sharp Conscience. This bugs me all the time. Don't know how many people feel the same way. When we sin, we get forgiven, there's that peace and joy we shld feel. however, many times us with sharp consciences just can't shed off the gulit. It's tough...and it just keeps bugging away though we know we've been forgiven. Double edged sword...this conscience thing.
Well...gtg now..chatting to Ding and Martin online :D
It's so hard living up to standards of holiness. This has been mentioned countless of times, but as the race goes on, somehow your stamina improves, but we as humans are always prone to failure and to tripping up (like I did today). It's a horrible feeling when we trip up due to our own sin and wrong decisions. We feel dead. Yes literally dead. It's a feeling of not being with God anymore because sin has severed those ties. Today I felt dead. It was a lousy feeling, hot, sweaty, uptight, tired, unable to do anything, consumed by guilt. How can one be so close to God at times yet fail Him. How can one feel the love of God yet betray Him? Reconciliation is the only solution. And do it fast.
The Humility Paradox. One cannot claim to be humble for that in itself is not humility :D
Sharp Sharp Conscience. This bugs me all the time. Don't know how many people feel the same way. When we sin, we get forgiven, there's that peace and joy we shld feel. however, many times us with sharp consciences just can't shed off the gulit. It's tough...and it just keeps bugging away though we know we've been forgiven. Double edged sword...this conscience thing.
Well...gtg now..chatting to Ding and Martin online :D
Sunday, August 20, 2006
Korean Blues
So 10Dec to 20Dec: feeling called to go Thailand for the BB mission trip, for exposure, for experience and basically seeing God at work in everyone's lives. Recently, there's been alot of assurances regarding fears and potential happenings, and God has been telling me He'll be that rock and fortress to sustain me all the way. It's a notable sacrifice, 10 holiday days....and taking into account the fact that I'll have church camp and a whole host of activities on..well.
Then suddenly, there's family holiday planned from 11-20 December. Great. The only few days my dad's free apparently. The whole family's going (well almost the whole...2 aunts' worth of family is quite big enough) to Korea. doh. Nice icy-cold Korea. doh.
Course I was distraught. Another dilemma. Those nasty sticky situations. Have to rely on prayer now. Somehow, God's calling should be higher than any other thing. And There was that prayer prayed earlier "Here I am send me", that prayer that commits the whole of myself to God's purposes, which are definitely higher and better. But sometimes it's so difficult, to let go of such a long-awaited opportunity to go abroad with family.
Sacrifices. Something we all have to face now and then. But we'll commit this to God like always.
And then there's this weird thing about everyone wanting me to be more 'man'....then again...let's leave this to another time..or leave it unmentioned.
Then suddenly, there's family holiday planned from 11-20 December. Great. The only few days my dad's free apparently. The whole family's going (well almost the whole...2 aunts' worth of family is quite big enough) to Korea. doh. Nice icy-cold Korea. doh.
Course I was distraught. Another dilemma. Those nasty sticky situations. Have to rely on prayer now. Somehow, God's calling should be higher than any other thing. And There was that prayer prayed earlier "Here I am send me", that prayer that commits the whole of myself to God's purposes, which are definitely higher and better. But sometimes it's so difficult, to let go of such a long-awaited opportunity to go abroad with family.
Sacrifices. Something we all have to face now and then. But we'll commit this to God like always.
And then there's this weird thing about everyone wanting me to be more 'man'....then again...let's leave this to another time..or leave it unmentioned.
Friday, August 18, 2006
Crushes
Ok ok this post isn't about what you all think it is about. Read something a few days back about crushes..and it's not that kind of boy meets girl, girl/boy likes boy/girl kind of 'crush'. Rather, it's a sort of feeling in the heart that you get, when you get affectionately over something, not necessarily over another person. Hearts race, emotions run high, that warm simple innocent and clean feeling that one gets when one is deeply moved.
Or perhaps we could relate this to BGR somehow...sigh. It's that feeling when you just get struck with a certain sense of liking. It's happened to me before, I'm sure it's happened to many others as well, though many often say that it's never happened to them. They come naturally, these crushes, and it's like chemistry I guess, sometimes some people were meant to look at one another and *poof* love at first sight (a.k.a Romeo and Juliet), sometimes the reaction requires a catalyst, sometimes it's just a slow reaction that takes time, sometimes they're just heterogeneous and can't mix.
Crushes, the feeling is great, always leading to a heightened imagination or sense of purpose and new found joy. Great feeling, but short-lived, like a shooting star, passing swiftly yet ever so bright and unforgettable. And once it's gone, it never comes back again. And we have to grapple with that sense of loss.
Countless of times I've met people, or gone to places, and they never come back again. More often than not, paths don't cross twice. They either cross once, and stay together for a long time; cross once and diverge, never to meet again; or don't cross at all. Any subsequent meetings are merely fleeting and short-lived. The flame can never be fully rekindled...lest it be God's will.
So, crushes, they are refreshing...a day in the mountains, surrounded by white powdery snow, in the midst of pine trees and the crisp winter atmosphere....it's enough to make you wanna cry, cry tears of joy, tears of gratitude for all that God has shown to you. Nature is just...so amazing.
Crushes, giving new motivation to life. Crushes, give spurts of ecstasy. All this might seem in vain, but it's one of the passing things in life that we should appreciate, take hold of for as long as possible and enjoy.
Of course, when they do subside, let's stop holding on and let go, lest we hurt ourselves or hurt others. Forget the past, it's for the better, and look forward to new crushes to come...or rekindled crushes..always stay optimistic! A shooting star may come only once in a few decades or centuries, crushes come more often at least, let's make sure we're there to enjoy it when they come...(elispe)
Or perhaps we could relate this to BGR somehow...sigh. It's that feeling when you just get struck with a certain sense of liking. It's happened to me before, I'm sure it's happened to many others as well, though many often say that it's never happened to them. They come naturally, these crushes, and it's like chemistry I guess, sometimes some people were meant to look at one another and *poof* love at first sight (a.k.a Romeo and Juliet), sometimes the reaction requires a catalyst, sometimes it's just a slow reaction that takes time, sometimes they're just heterogeneous and can't mix.
Crushes, the feeling is great, always leading to a heightened imagination or sense of purpose and new found joy. Great feeling, but short-lived, like a shooting star, passing swiftly yet ever so bright and unforgettable. And once it's gone, it never comes back again. And we have to grapple with that sense of loss.
Countless of times I've met people, or gone to places, and they never come back again. More often than not, paths don't cross twice. They either cross once, and stay together for a long time; cross once and diverge, never to meet again; or don't cross at all. Any subsequent meetings are merely fleeting and short-lived. The flame can never be fully rekindled...lest it be God's will.
So, crushes, they are refreshing...a day in the mountains, surrounded by white powdery snow, in the midst of pine trees and the crisp winter atmosphere....it's enough to make you wanna cry, cry tears of joy, tears of gratitude for all that God has shown to you. Nature is just...so amazing.
Crushes, giving new motivation to life. Crushes, give spurts of ecstasy. All this might seem in vain, but it's one of the passing things in life that we should appreciate, take hold of for as long as possible and enjoy.
Of course, when they do subside, let's stop holding on and let go, lest we hurt ourselves or hurt others. Forget the past, it's for the better, and look forward to new crushes to come...or rekindled crushes..always stay optimistic! A shooting star may come only once in a few decades or centuries, crushes come more often at least, let's make sure we're there to enjoy it when they come...(elispe)
Tuesday, August 15, 2006
ROD: The Next Lap
ROD ROD ROD. Three letters. Relief of Duty. Or what army peeps would call ORD - Operationally ready for Duty. Well. An event usually characterized by ectasy, but intense joy. Who wouldn't want to leave UYO, to have a free friday, to be free from push-ups, responsibility, and everything that is part and parcel of UYO.
I must admit I was quite relieved as well...it was a great feeling, to be finally over and done with Admin...finally, longer free time on Saturdays...longer sleeping hours...and happy mornings to do homework with :D However. There was something about BB that I was definitely going to miss. Quoting Bong: "BB has become such an integral part of our lives, and suddenly it is wrenched away, it feels so sad." indeed...there will always be that sense of loss. The bonds made will continue hanging on, and being neither here nor there is always the most painful.
Parting is such sweet sorrow. beautifully said by Juliet...sigh. How can parting possibly be 'sweet' you ask? Well...i guess it's because where there's parting, there's also a chance for meeting again, and that hope to meet again will always remain sweet in our minds...The sweetness also comes in the increased knowledge of our love for one another. Absence does make the heart grow fonder after all...and we only truly appreciate what we have once we have lost it...I guess Eric would understand what I'm talking about.
Increasing laps get tougher...they require more and more stamina. Not only physically but spiritually, i pray that God will continue to renew me somehow...it's difficult to carry on serving Him...difficult but definitely not a chore...in fact it is still a joy to see people blessed and to make my Father in heaven happy as well :D. But...We can't deny that the higher up we go, the higher His expectations of us...and the more temptations we'll face, the more problems we'll face: problems of pride, of self-glorification, of mis-using gifts...sigh...it's tough
Well...It's on to the next lap now...and it's never easy to go on...trust in God..that's all I have to say :D
Let me take your hand and we will run this race together
With the author of life at our reign...
I must admit I was quite relieved as well...it was a great feeling, to be finally over and done with Admin...finally, longer free time on Saturdays...longer sleeping hours...and happy mornings to do homework with :D However. There was something about BB that I was definitely going to miss. Quoting Bong: "BB has become such an integral part of our lives, and suddenly it is wrenched away, it feels so sad." indeed...there will always be that sense of loss. The bonds made will continue hanging on, and being neither here nor there is always the most painful.
Parting is such sweet sorrow. beautifully said by Juliet...sigh. How can parting possibly be 'sweet' you ask? Well...i guess it's because where there's parting, there's also a chance for meeting again, and that hope to meet again will always remain sweet in our minds...The sweetness also comes in the increased knowledge of our love for one another. Absence does make the heart grow fonder after all...and we only truly appreciate what we have once we have lost it...I guess Eric would understand what I'm talking about.
Increasing laps get tougher...they require more and more stamina. Not only physically but spiritually, i pray that God will continue to renew me somehow...it's difficult to carry on serving Him...difficult but definitely not a chore...in fact it is still a joy to see people blessed and to make my Father in heaven happy as well :D. But...We can't deny that the higher up we go, the higher His expectations of us...and the more temptations we'll face, the more problems we'll face: problems of pride, of self-glorification, of mis-using gifts...sigh...it's tough
Well...It's on to the next lap now...and it's never easy to go on...trust in God..that's all I have to say :D
Let me take your hand and we will run this race together
With the author of life at our reign...
Sunday, August 13, 2006
Photos...What's the need?
We can't deny that this is the age of Narcissism, for that uninitiated, that means the age of 'self-love', of posing and of being obsessed with how one looks. Blog-hop and you find a multitude of blogs plastered with beautiful self-portraits, picture-perfect angles, flawless poses, the occasional funny moment...sometimes i wonder, what's the purpose of so many photos? Why go through the hassle to upload those pictures?
Maybe it's the urge to share a candid moment, to share the joy of the moment - after all a picture speaks a thousand words. But many times, it's because we want to be known, we want to be complimented for good looks. Nobody in his right mind would post a picture an ugly picture of himself. Nobody wants to expose flaws. We want our best foot forward, we want recognition, we want to be well-known and accepted. It gets annoying sometimes.
Perhaps that's why i've never posted any photos of myself or used photos as MSN avatars. On the web, I'm but another faceless and anonymous voice. Don't get me wrong, sometimes i fear i might be a little vain as well....it's a stage i guess, when one starts take pictures of oneself (with handphone cameras/cameras...sounds familiar) and when one stares into the mirror for minutes without realising: adjusting that stray hair, smiling schizophrenically, or finding the perfect angle to present oneself with. Sigh. Or maybe, i just like to shun away from the centre of attention...or perhaps i'm just ugly :P
But anyway, what's the point of being vain? What's the point of the outward appearance? Sometimes we tend to get preoccupied with the wrong things....what matters is the heart. David in the bible was the Lord's anointed one, The Lord looked at his heart and not the outward appearance (though he WAS probably quite dashing). What's the point of looking perfect when one's heart is in a state of decay.
Recently, i've started to face many doubts in my spiritual life: and i'm wondering why. Recently during prayer, I even thought for a moment and questioned: Who am i praying to? Is He really real? ---- It was scary entertaining such a thought...i purged it immediately. But why did i think such a thing? God please guide me through this tough time.
Maybe it's all the POD sessions, all the Buddhism, all the Hinduism lectures. You have to admit it does have some adverse effects on the faith, whether big or small. Kenneth has been talking about spiritual attacks....i think i'm starting to feel them a little as well. But i'm trying hard, and I really need God's divine enabling to pull through. Fellow Christians, STAND STRONG!
The heart matters most, let's reflect on that.
If pictures/photos posted reflected the heart and not the physical outlook, i wonder how many people would still carry on posting....probably few or none.
Maybe it's the urge to share a candid moment, to share the joy of the moment - after all a picture speaks a thousand words. But many times, it's because we want to be known, we want to be complimented for good looks. Nobody in his right mind would post a picture an ugly picture of himself. Nobody wants to expose flaws. We want our best foot forward, we want recognition, we want to be well-known and accepted. It gets annoying sometimes.
Perhaps that's why i've never posted any photos of myself or used photos as MSN avatars. On the web, I'm but another faceless and anonymous voice. Don't get me wrong, sometimes i fear i might be a little vain as well....it's a stage i guess, when one starts take pictures of oneself (with handphone cameras/cameras...sounds familiar) and when one stares into the mirror for minutes without realising: adjusting that stray hair, smiling schizophrenically, or finding the perfect angle to present oneself with. Sigh. Or maybe, i just like to shun away from the centre of attention...or perhaps i'm just ugly :P
But anyway, what's the point of being vain? What's the point of the outward appearance? Sometimes we tend to get preoccupied with the wrong things....what matters is the heart. David in the bible was the Lord's anointed one, The Lord looked at his heart and not the outward appearance (though he WAS probably quite dashing). What's the point of looking perfect when one's heart is in a state of decay.
Recently, i've started to face many doubts in my spiritual life: and i'm wondering why. Recently during prayer, I even thought for a moment and questioned: Who am i praying to? Is He really real? ---- It was scary entertaining such a thought...i purged it immediately. But why did i think such a thing? God please guide me through this tough time.
Maybe it's all the POD sessions, all the Buddhism, all the Hinduism lectures. You have to admit it does have some adverse effects on the faith, whether big or small. Kenneth has been talking about spiritual attacks....i think i'm starting to feel them a little as well. But i'm trying hard, and I really need God's divine enabling to pull through. Fellow Christians, STAND STRONG!
The heart matters most, let's reflect on that.
If pictures/photos posted reflected the heart and not the physical outlook, i wonder how many people would still carry on posting....probably few or none.
Friday, August 11, 2006
Aliases...
Aliases...or assumed identities...I'm not sure what prompted me to think about this..was just looking around and thought of this. So what has Tim been seen as...hmmm
TimLim the genius
Affectionately known as TimLim, it didn't take long for people to realise that I had a name which rhymed within itself. It didn't take much longer for people to start calling me by that name. And pretty soon, it's become a household name in class. For anyone who is brilliantly 'intelligent' is known as a TimLim. Any reference to TimLim must be followed by smart or genius. TimLim is the traditional mugger and exam-hardened veteran, capable of taking on any challenging paper ahead, and capable of scoring tops almost every exam.
As such, people often come to TimLim for homework help, for study help, for whatever pertains to schoolwork. TimLim is stereotypically smart, and his responsibility is to help those in distress and those who have been wounded by the occasional killer algebra sum or chem quiz question. A typical average day would see TimLim being summoned at least five times, and perhaps even simultaneously.
limmdt
It is not known why TimLim chose to identify himself as limmdt, a very boring representation and straighforward shortform for Lim Min De Timothy. Currently, many, if not all of his usernames are limmdt: this includes accounts such as Starkingdoms (limmdt, limmdt2...), his email account, his neopets account, his BB forums account, his blogskins account...and you know
As such, it is most undifficult to hack any of his accounts with this knowledge, that is, if one managed to find the elusive password, which of course unlocks the secrets to all the accounts. A very risky decision by TimLim to do this, something which might not be expected of his genius nature. However, one must realise that TimLim too is a member of the homo sapiens and requires similar passwords and usernames for practical purposes.
It must be added that TimLim does find it weird or even annoying to be known as limmdt.
LimClanStrummer
Finding its roots in March 2004, the LimClan was set up consisting of Sean, Derek, Ian and TimLIM, all of which belonged to the same extended family of the LIM. It must be cautioned that LimClan should not be confused with The Lim Quartet, which was a quite pathetic misrepresentation of this amateur band (Lim Quartet was coined by Ms Yvonne Lim...).
LimClan made it's debut performance in the underground realms of Orchard Road somewhere in March for the sake of charity - an act known as busking. LimClan played to the tunes of Superman, Everyday, 100 years, Wherever you Will go, even going bilingual with yu(4) jian(4). TimLim was the guitarist, and since guitarist strum, TimLim became affectionately known as LimClanSTRUMMER.
Finding this very interesting, TimLim adopted LimClanStrummer as one of the main aliases, using it on SK and other online games (for the sake of anonimity). However, this proved to be detrimental in SK, where he was merely known in short as 'Lim', a trend which TimLim slowly found to be annoying. He has quit SK to this date (on a side note, LimClanStrummer has played as Banded, LimIDTS, LessThanThree...among many names used)
LimIDTS is merely short for LimIanDerekTimSean. Ok...i hope you understand now.
TimInSecret
Everyone has a side which noone else have ever since before, in the dark, at home, a side which is not easily revealed, a side which, no matter how exposed, can never be fully exposed. Even TimLim has skeletons in the closet, secrets which must be kept just that way...and can only be exchanged with his Father in heaven...
The Child of God
Of course (seriously now), though we live on earth with earthly names, earthly parents, earthly relatives, it's important always to remember that we are but aliens and pilgrims traversing through this world. We are not of this world, we don't belong here, and we should set our minds on things above, and remember that our ultimate home is in heaven! Let's always make sure that we don't get too stuck up on earth that we forget where our true allegiances lie, and where our true Father in heaven is!
Sometimes, i do get carried away, but i found out something, God is always waiting for you to come back to Him, no matter how many times you have strayed, or how far you have strayed, just take that step of faith and run back again. O Lord, thanks for the everlasting love and mercy! Amen!
TimLim the genius
Affectionately known as TimLim, it didn't take long for people to realise that I had a name which rhymed within itself. It didn't take much longer for people to start calling me by that name. And pretty soon, it's become a household name in class. For anyone who is brilliantly 'intelligent' is known as a TimLim. Any reference to TimLim must be followed by smart or genius. TimLim is the traditional mugger and exam-hardened veteran, capable of taking on any challenging paper ahead, and capable of scoring tops almost every exam.
As such, people often come to TimLim for homework help, for study help, for whatever pertains to schoolwork. TimLim is stereotypically smart, and his responsibility is to help those in distress and those who have been wounded by the occasional killer algebra sum or chem quiz question. A typical average day would see TimLim being summoned at least five times, and perhaps even simultaneously.
limmdt
It is not known why TimLim chose to identify himself as limmdt, a very boring representation and straighforward shortform for Lim Min De Timothy. Currently, many, if not all of his usernames are limmdt: this includes accounts such as Starkingdoms (limmdt, limmdt2...), his email account, his neopets account, his BB forums account, his blogskins account...and you know
As such, it is most undifficult to hack any of his accounts with this knowledge, that is, if one managed to find the elusive password, which of course unlocks the secrets to all the accounts. A very risky decision by TimLim to do this, something which might not be expected of his genius nature. However, one must realise that TimLim too is a member of the homo sapiens and requires similar passwords and usernames for practical purposes.
It must be added that TimLim does find it weird or even annoying to be known as limmdt.
LimClanStrummer
Finding its roots in March 2004, the LimClan was set up consisting of Sean, Derek, Ian and TimLIM, all of which belonged to the same extended family of the LIM. It must be cautioned that LimClan should not be confused with The Lim Quartet, which was a quite pathetic misrepresentation of this amateur band (Lim Quartet was coined by Ms Yvonne Lim...).
LimClan made it's debut performance in the underground realms of Orchard Road somewhere in March for the sake of charity - an act known as busking. LimClan played to the tunes of Superman, Everyday, 100 years, Wherever you Will go, even going bilingual with yu(4) jian(4). TimLim was the guitarist, and since guitarist strum, TimLim became affectionately known as LimClanSTRUMMER.
Finding this very interesting, TimLim adopted LimClanStrummer as one of the main aliases, using it on SK and other online games (for the sake of anonimity). However, this proved to be detrimental in SK, where he was merely known in short as 'Lim', a trend which TimLim slowly found to be annoying. He has quit SK to this date (on a side note, LimClanStrummer has played as Banded, LimIDTS, LessThanThree...among many names used)
LimIDTS is merely short for LimIanDerekTimSean. Ok...i hope you understand now.
TimInSecret
Everyone has a side which noone else have ever since before, in the dark, at home, a side which is not easily revealed, a side which, no matter how exposed, can never be fully exposed. Even TimLim has skeletons in the closet, secrets which must be kept just that way...and can only be exchanged with his Father in heaven...
The Child of God
Of course (seriously now), though we live on earth with earthly names, earthly parents, earthly relatives, it's important always to remember that we are but aliens and pilgrims traversing through this world. We are not of this world, we don't belong here, and we should set our minds on things above, and remember that our ultimate home is in heaven! Let's always make sure that we don't get too stuck up on earth that we forget where our true allegiances lie, and where our true Father in heaven is!
Sometimes, i do get carried away, but i found out something, God is always waiting for you to come back to Him, no matter how many times you have strayed, or how far you have strayed, just take that step of faith and run back again. O Lord, thanks for the everlasting love and mercy! Amen!
Wednesday, August 09, 2006
Patriotic Reflection
As I muse over the Romeo and Juliet text set before me, mind set on the focus texts and the IOC that is to come, my mind can't help be drift to three hours before, when the air was filled with the sounds of National Day...my dad says that the songs all have a strategic significance in some way or another, a fact that we cannot overlook, yet, sometimes we really have to look beyond such views, to find a very pure and simple form of patriotism.
Love for the country is so hard to come by, it is difficult, more so in Singapore. Always complaining, always pointing fingers at the government, always looking at the dust on the window (when there are rainbows outside), Singaporeans sometimes forget how privileged they are to be in Singapore. I wonder what it takes to love a country? There has to be some kind of link between a person and his country, a link that is made through experience, through culture and definitely through time.
Time is always important, surely we can't force the forging of an identity, lest we create an empty eggshell, a false identity that is hollow on the inside, and that crumbles under pressure. It's been a whole 41 years, how far have we come? I guess, if we compare the current Singapore to that of 1965, it's identity has grown over the years, albeit very slowly. But slowly and steadily, we are making a name for ourselves, and every person, in his own time, will discover something dear to him that he can identify as distinctly Singapore.
I guess one such experience would be that of going abroad. Or perhaps such an experience is may have two different results. Either one grows to love going abroad and becomes further distanced from Singapore. Or one realises the comforts of Singapore, absence making the heart grow fonder.
NS is another such experience. Quoting my dad: "Every hole i dug, Every bullet i shot, Every gun i loaded, Every shit I shitted in the jungle, was for Singapore!" There must be something about getting your head shaved and embarassing oneself that increases one's loyalty to the country...
That aside, I think I've always loved Singapore...for what? For the life that she has allowed me to live so far...peaceful, stable, a great environment just to work and play...i don't know if you can get there anywhere else, but it seems so natural in Singapore. And there's something about being around with Singaporeans that make us so special...something, that i have yet to grasp...but i hope to in the future. Perhaps i have not been disillusioned by the world, perhaps i have not yet seen the other side of this country, perhaps i'm just being my usual naive self. But i love Singapore.
Fellow Patriots, one day our loyalty may be tested, or perhaps never. But let's all discover for ourselves an identity that can only be found individually, over time, over a long long time. but it's worth the wait.
NDP is always a spectacular sight to behold, a patriotic brainwash perhaps, and i come out feeling refreshed and touched...by what? by love i guess.
This is my home
She's everything to me
Grace and beauty
In all that you see
My island home
Wherever I may be
I never will forget her
Nor will she forget me
Chorus ^
And I will sing
A song of home
A land of peace
Where dreams are born everyday
My home
Wherever I may be
I believe
You will always be a part of me ^
My island home
Home of my family
This is my future
Where I want to be
(This is my future
This is my home)
Repeat Chorus x 2
My home
Wherever I may be
I believe
You will always be a part of me
A part of me
Love for the country is so hard to come by, it is difficult, more so in Singapore. Always complaining, always pointing fingers at the government, always looking at the dust on the window (when there are rainbows outside), Singaporeans sometimes forget how privileged they are to be in Singapore. I wonder what it takes to love a country? There has to be some kind of link between a person and his country, a link that is made through experience, through culture and definitely through time.
Time is always important, surely we can't force the forging of an identity, lest we create an empty eggshell, a false identity that is hollow on the inside, and that crumbles under pressure. It's been a whole 41 years, how far have we come? I guess, if we compare the current Singapore to that of 1965, it's identity has grown over the years, albeit very slowly. But slowly and steadily, we are making a name for ourselves, and every person, in his own time, will discover something dear to him that he can identify as distinctly Singapore.
I guess one such experience would be that of going abroad. Or perhaps such an experience is may have two different results. Either one grows to love going abroad and becomes further distanced from Singapore. Or one realises the comforts of Singapore, absence making the heart grow fonder.
NS is another such experience. Quoting my dad: "Every hole i dug, Every bullet i shot, Every gun i loaded, Every shit I shitted in the jungle, was for Singapore!" There must be something about getting your head shaved and embarassing oneself that increases one's loyalty to the country...
That aside, I think I've always loved Singapore...for what? For the life that she has allowed me to live so far...peaceful, stable, a great environment just to work and play...i don't know if you can get there anywhere else, but it seems so natural in Singapore. And there's something about being around with Singaporeans that make us so special...something, that i have yet to grasp...but i hope to in the future. Perhaps i have not been disillusioned by the world, perhaps i have not yet seen the other side of this country, perhaps i'm just being my usual naive self. But i love Singapore.
Fellow Patriots, one day our loyalty may be tested, or perhaps never. But let's all discover for ourselves an identity that can only be found individually, over time, over a long long time. but it's worth the wait.
NDP is always a spectacular sight to behold, a patriotic brainwash perhaps, and i come out feeling refreshed and touched...by what? by love i guess.
This is my home
She's everything to me
Grace and beauty
In all that you see
My island home
Wherever I may be
I never will forget her
Nor will she forget me
Chorus ^
And I will sing
A song of home
A land of peace
Where dreams are born everyday
My home
Wherever I may be
I believe
You will always be a part of me ^
My island home
Home of my family
This is my future
Where I want to be
(This is my future
This is my home)
Repeat Chorus x 2
My home
Wherever I may be
I believe
You will always be a part of me
A part of me
Monday, August 07, 2006
OK OK!! It's Gwershin!
We thus conclude that Tim has a hearing problem.
I will post another day. The nerve of IOC is getting me!!!
I will post another day. The nerve of IOC is getting me!!!
Sunday, August 06, 2006
The Number Eight
Somehow, eight has a special significance to many people. It's auspicious to the Chinese. Flip it 90 degrees and it's mystifying to mathematicians, the question of infinity stumps so many. The 'Eight' Wonders of the world...the examples are plenty. But to pianists, it takes on a totally new signifcance, Grade Eight exam marks the final lap for pianists (except for diploma), the final culmination of all the hard work put in over the years.
Final laps are never easy, if the difficulty of pieces doesn't get you, the nerves will. Sweaty palms, racing heartbeat, inevitable, the question is how much you'll allow the nerve to control you. Over the years I have realised the importance of practice, practice does make perfect, even if it means packing the whole two weeks before exam with 2 hours of practice everyday. Practice reduces anxiety, but it can't eliminate it. God can.
Philippians 4:6 Have no anxiety at all, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, make your requests known to God.
And so i entrusted the whole exam into the everlasting arms of God. He was with me in that hall. As those fingers caressed the slippery keyboard, as i struggled to get into the right emotions for playing, as i carelessly missed a few bars, as i mistook a staccato for a legato. Sure, there were slip-ups, but by God's grace, everything went quite well. The sight-reading and singing was fantastic (ironic since these were the 2 worst sections for me...). Of course it was a tad bit embarassing that i had no idea who wrote Rhapsody in Blue (well now i do, the examiner gave me a queer look and told me it was Gherkin)
So on to theory now, a relief from the usual piano performances, was always better with the mind than with my cumbersome hands :D. And until the next piano exam, Will continue trusting in God, and glory be to Him from whom comes all good things as well.
Final laps are never easy, if the difficulty of pieces doesn't get you, the nerves will. Sweaty palms, racing heartbeat, inevitable, the question is how much you'll allow the nerve to control you. Over the years I have realised the importance of practice, practice does make perfect, even if it means packing the whole two weeks before exam with 2 hours of practice everyday. Practice reduces anxiety, but it can't eliminate it. God can.
Philippians 4:6 Have no anxiety at all, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, make your requests known to God.
And so i entrusted the whole exam into the everlasting arms of God. He was with me in that hall. As those fingers caressed the slippery keyboard, as i struggled to get into the right emotions for playing, as i carelessly missed a few bars, as i mistook a staccato for a legato. Sure, there were slip-ups, but by God's grace, everything went quite well. The sight-reading and singing was fantastic (ironic since these were the 2 worst sections for me...). Of course it was a tad bit embarassing that i had no idea who wrote Rhapsody in Blue (well now i do, the examiner gave me a queer look and told me it was Gherkin)
So on to theory now, a relief from the usual piano performances, was always better with the mind than with my cumbersome hands :D. And until the next piano exam, Will continue trusting in God, and glory be to Him from whom comes all good things as well.
Thursday, August 03, 2006
The Sentinel are Owning! (part 2)
hmmm where did i stop? oh yes (insert ellispe here)
The Bus Stop:
It rained and rained hard. We were soaked through, and shivering as we waited for the next instructions, huddling together in the busstop across ACJC. Cold and freezing, we found an outlet through telling weird jokes..and relating strange stories. Sec1s were crazy, wanting to continue with the hike, but we weren't allowed to proceed. It must have been 20 minutes there or something..but it passed swiftly. And soon God reduced the storm to a light drizzle. Still, we knew what was in store. The Rochester Field...
The Rochester Field:
Unarguably one of the most feared places in Sec1 2003 hike. Here was where we got ourselves soaked, our shoes and socks drenched, basically making us miserable for the rest of the hike. We simply had to let our sec1s try it out. And we did. It was no better after the rain, in fact, every 2 steps or so you would go about 50cm into the soil...or if you were really lucky, a giant puddle of water. The innocent field beside Buona Vista Station, never seemed so nasty. We bashed through the forest and found ourselves at Buona Vista. :D all safe and sound!
Ulu Pandan Link/The Longest Bash:
It was the longest bash ever. We sang songs to pass the time of course. Chinese renditions of 'We are the Champions' and 'We will We will Rock you (shi tou ni)" were the favorites. We braved through dense forest, traversed across rivers (there were tiny rivers in the forest owing to the rain) and basically got lost. But we did get out eventually, albeit with a whole host of ants upon us.
Kasoh And the Way Back Home
Some Japanese Restaurant, the Sec1s were told to march back to school. It was quite a badly done one...but everyone was tired i guess. On the overall, the hike had been an enjoyable one, rain or shine, i guess God was there every step of the way, though sometimes we might take that for granted. Hopefully not this time. :)
DOTA (LAN)
So much for losing my virginity...in a lan kind of way. Was dragged to play LAN, if Ding had been around perhaps i wouldn't have agreed so easily. But i thought, why not? It took a long time to get going from school to
There was a tiny problem, i didn't have a change of casual wear. So i couldn't enter, oh well, Yugaraj couldn't either. So we had to go buy a shirt. Silly waste of 3.90...but it was an ok shirt. I tried the emo look (shirt over BB collared shirt) but it didn't work, we had to change entirely, ya the guy there was quite fussy abt that. At least we found a shirt lah...it looked near impossible, almost thought we had to settle for a blouse or sth :X
DOTA was ok lah i guess...it was cheapo though, i was this weird skeleton guy who can range everyone and become invisible when hit. So it was really really cheap. Anyway, 'cheapness' brought me the honor of 'mega-kill' (that's 5 kills in a row without dying!!!) but then Bong killed me lah. Shucks. XL was a great teacher. Apparently i was a great padawan. Ben Liau was crazy with the spider guy. Fab was just being killed...of course he got his revenge in CS later. Yugaraj was like free XP. Roshan was huge but we beat him. And the Sentinel Are Owning!
In the end it was like 9. I told my mum i'd be back by 7 to pass her the hike stuff to wash. She got real mad as i spoke to her on the phone. Of course i cried lor. Thanks to all those who cared :D Mac's that night, and Fab Bong and I go back by 74 again. No Mrs Sim this time though :P
And i guess that marks the start (and probably the end) of a DOTA career. We'll see...
Wednesday, August 02, 2006
The Sentinel are Owning! (part 1)
Ok...so i decided to take a break from the philosophical posts, and return to my elispsical ways for the purposes of this post. 'Philosophy, Adversity's Sweet Milk", random quote. Anyway, just thought it'd be good to blog about the hike experience, the DOTA experience and the past few days as a whole. For the sake of future memories :D
The Hike Route:
Harborfront MRT:
Mimosa Stricken Fields. Scratched Legs.
Mount Faber:
Tiring Climb. Being the first group, we had to chiong. We chionged and went the wrong way, so we had to chiong again to get on the right track. Nevertheless we made it to the titanic-like ship thing, the view of sentosa, re-organized ourselves there. Prayer was most essential as we dedicated the hike to God. The whole hike was a big irony...we were hoping that God would work to make it a spiritual experience as well.
Telok Blangah Hill:
Situational Test 1: Hornet Drill....was fun to see everyone struggling to reach for the groundsheets...yet they failed quite badly, and we got David to act injured. the rest had to carry him down with the groundsheet stretcher, wasn't the prettiest sight...but Wes was so glad they were finally working as a team :D. Meanwhile, FAb and gang slide down the whole hill, rolling their hikepacks and javellin-ning their basha poles :/
Situational Test 2: Shane falls. Oh my gosh. It was partially Cao's fault, anyway, it looked pretty bad...pretty lacerated...and pretty not pretty at all. We didn't let the Sec1s do this though...it was a test for us...Actually, was really thankful for that chance to show love and care to Shane.
Alkaff Mansion: a former torture chamber in WWII. We entered the forbidden vicinity, only to find it abandoned, in a wreck, and really eerie. the door was ajar. some of us were mad enough to suggest entering. others wanted to leave in a jiffy. I'll leave you all to guess which of the two we chose. But it's really obvious. Apparently the top window of the mansion is really really haunted...and the rooms are all locked away from public..
Situational Test 3: I know..alot hor? the Sec 1s took more than 20mins to pitch a basha tent. 6 of them in fact....sigh. We sat and watched...and sighed. So we did a post-talk after that...told them they had to improve and would have a second chance later on. They looked visibly shaken though...tired and just disappointed with themselves. Of course, there were words of encouragement. :D
I almost drank the spring water still stopped by Mr Charles Ng :D
A Random Field:
The first bashing route. Simple enough, followed the drain. Ryan slipped. We did the basha pole whacking thing.
Depot Road/Lock Road:
Where in the world is Little Bali? Came across a Dim Sum sign, Ryan went hysterical upon looking. Prayer along the road side for continual guidance. This was where JianYang was injured previously...when we were forced to retire.
Alexandra Road/Fire Station:
Little Westcott was sitting at Queensway shopping mall waiting to be ferried off to church. We waved to the ppl in the fire station...one of the crazy things you do when you're tired i guess. Wesley whipped out his secret weapon: Ice cold 100 plus...had a great drink there.
Glouchester Park:
Endless plains of grass. The giant monitor lizard (actually a log in the shape of one). The Malaysian Railway track....where we patriotically sang Majulah Singapura as loud as possible. Got lost for a while, in the long long grass.
Sit Test 4,5,6: Alot here. They were given their second chance. They tried. Really hard. Too bad though, the ground would not give in, it was too hard there, like rock, and the basha poles could not go in. They tried desperately again and again. After some time, we initiated a second test, Cao went on the ground rolling in agony, acting of course, he had a 'head injury', so some sec1s tended to him, others continued to battle the ground. Asher fell dramatically clutching his arm in pain. Pretty soon, we ran out of triangular bandages. We also decided to abandon the tent pitching...:)
Lunch: Muesli Bars, Oreos, Baked Beans, Canned Tuna, Lexus Biscuits, Canned Longan. And the best...Packet Nutritious Cereal Drink..without water! that was the tastiest, most sugar high thing i've ever ever tasted! There was an old fella who came by. Had a little chat.
Soon the clouds gathered. We prayed for better weather of course. In the distance there was a spot of bright light. It was almost magical as that was the direction we were supposed to be headed...i guess God was trying to tell us the way, and that He'll stay faithful. Thanks Father.
Portsdown Road:
One word: CHIONG! We tried to beat the rain. Too bad. We didn't. It poured on the way. Wes and I gungho gungho and didn't wear our ponchos. Bad mistake though. We put them on later, the rain was so heavy it was like 10m visibility or sth.
(to be continued...for lack of time. Need to rest early...there's piano exam tomorrow!)
The Hike Route:
Harborfront MRT:
Mimosa Stricken Fields. Scratched Legs.
Mount Faber:
Tiring Climb. Being the first group, we had to chiong. We chionged and went the wrong way, so we had to chiong again to get on the right track. Nevertheless we made it to the titanic-like ship thing, the view of sentosa, re-organized ourselves there. Prayer was most essential as we dedicated the hike to God. The whole hike was a big irony...we were hoping that God would work to make it a spiritual experience as well.
Telok Blangah Hill:
Situational Test 1: Hornet Drill....was fun to see everyone struggling to reach for the groundsheets...yet they failed quite badly, and we got David to act injured. the rest had to carry him down with the groundsheet stretcher, wasn't the prettiest sight...but Wes was so glad they were finally working as a team :D. Meanwhile, FAb and gang slide down the whole hill, rolling their hikepacks and javellin-ning their basha poles :/
Situational Test 2: Shane falls. Oh my gosh. It was partially Cao's fault, anyway, it looked pretty bad...pretty lacerated...and pretty not pretty at all. We didn't let the Sec1s do this though...it was a test for us...Actually, was really thankful for that chance to show love and care to Shane.
Alkaff Mansion: a former torture chamber in WWII. We entered the forbidden vicinity, only to find it abandoned, in a wreck, and really eerie. the door was ajar. some of us were mad enough to suggest entering. others wanted to leave in a jiffy. I'll leave you all to guess which of the two we chose. But it's really obvious. Apparently the top window of the mansion is really really haunted...and the rooms are all locked away from public..
Situational Test 3: I know..alot hor? the Sec 1s took more than 20mins to pitch a basha tent. 6 of them in fact....sigh. We sat and watched...and sighed. So we did a post-talk after that...told them they had to improve and would have a second chance later on. They looked visibly shaken though...tired and just disappointed with themselves. Of course, there were words of encouragement. :D
I almost drank the spring water still stopped by Mr Charles Ng :D
A Random Field:
The first bashing route. Simple enough, followed the drain. Ryan slipped. We did the basha pole whacking thing.
Depot Road/Lock Road:
Where in the world is Little Bali? Came across a Dim Sum sign, Ryan went hysterical upon looking. Prayer along the road side for continual guidance. This was where JianYang was injured previously...when we were forced to retire.
Alexandra Road/Fire Station:
Little Westcott was sitting at Queensway shopping mall waiting to be ferried off to church. We waved to the ppl in the fire station...one of the crazy things you do when you're tired i guess. Wesley whipped out his secret weapon: Ice cold 100 plus...had a great drink there.
Glouchester Park:
Endless plains of grass. The giant monitor lizard (actually a log in the shape of one). The Malaysian Railway track....where we patriotically sang Majulah Singapura as loud as possible. Got lost for a while, in the long long grass.
Sit Test 4,5,6: Alot here. They were given their second chance. They tried. Really hard. Too bad though, the ground would not give in, it was too hard there, like rock, and the basha poles could not go in. They tried desperately again and again. After some time, we initiated a second test, Cao went on the ground rolling in agony, acting of course, he had a 'head injury', so some sec1s tended to him, others continued to battle the ground. Asher fell dramatically clutching his arm in pain. Pretty soon, we ran out of triangular bandages. We also decided to abandon the tent pitching...:)
Lunch: Muesli Bars, Oreos, Baked Beans, Canned Tuna, Lexus Biscuits, Canned Longan. And the best...Packet Nutritious Cereal Drink..without water! that was the tastiest, most sugar high thing i've ever ever tasted! There was an old fella who came by. Had a little chat.
Soon the clouds gathered. We prayed for better weather of course. In the distance there was a spot of bright light. It was almost magical as that was the direction we were supposed to be headed...i guess God was trying to tell us the way, and that He'll stay faithful. Thanks Father.
Portsdown Road:
One word: CHIONG! We tried to beat the rain. Too bad. We didn't. It poured on the way. Wes and I gungho gungho and didn't wear our ponchos. Bad mistake though. We put them on later, the rain was so heavy it was like 10m visibility or sth.
(to be continued...for lack of time. Need to rest early...there's piano exam tomorrow!)
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