Merdeka

Happy 50th Birthday Malaysia -

It isn't perfect, far from it. But every country has its struggles and idiosyncrasies.
Over 50 years, it's definitely gone places. If you don't believe me, talk to anyone over 40. I'm proud of my country's achievements. Passport aside, I still consider myself proudly Malaysian - a mere document cannot change what's written inside of me - Merdeka remains a powerful word 50 years on. It's funny but though i obviously wasn't there then, it still resounds within - Freedom

As we look back at 50 years of independence, and as all isn't well back home; its tempting to focus on the negatives, and blame others - but this won't help. True, others may be to blame for the less-than-perfect situation back home, and some injustices may seem entrenched, but every human has a choice in how he/she responds to each and every situation that confronts him/her. I'm choosing to pray for my country, and to act, live and hope for the best.
Why? Because I love my homeland.

To the next 50 years.

Hang on to You - Delirious

And I'll hang on to you
Cause you're stronger
And you keep me from falling
And you brighten the world
With your beauty
Keep me closer
I'm calling

Lookin' out like a little child
Holding tight when it all gets wild

And I'll hang on to you
Nothing in this world will see me through, only you
And I'll hang on to you
Everyday I live I give to you

And your love it is true
I feel stronger
And I'm happy to know you
Cause you shine like the sun
And you're brighter
Than the darkness
That's falling

Nothing in this world
Could ever take your place
Happiness is found
In your holy face
In your warm embrace

I'll take it as a compliment

I had a rather frantic day today, with my regular 10-1 lecture, followed by a good lunch with DW, and then, having to rush via TransPerth to my orthodontist for an appointment at 2:45. Anyways, after the bus stalled along Canning Highway, I ended up being about 10 minutes late.

Reason for the appointment?
My retainer, having been left out in the open for a day had shrunk. I have no idea how or why. But yeah, I discovered this on Sunday night, after (foolishly) trying to put it on, despite its abjectly obvious minuteness (this will invite a cry of "big mouth!" from any smart alec reading this blog).

So anyway, I strolled into the office, to be greeted by the receptionist, and then Dr Gan's (a middle-aged, thin Asian lady with short hair and glasses) first words are:

"Wow I like your hair! Where do you get it cut? I want mine cut like that too!"
Dr Gan proceeds to complain to me about how her hair is too heavy at the front or something along those lines...
And then...

"Not bad. A soft perm and dye! Where did you get it done? I want my hair like that" (All this in a thick Singlish accent)

She then takes my impression (for my mouth). I doubt she listens, because she tried asking me a question when my mouth was in a mould. It was rather funny for all concerned - well except for me given it "mmmghhh" isn't likely to be a satisfactory representation of how I was feeling re my teeth.

So maybe i need another haircut. She didn't believe me when I said I had never got my hair permed (in dreams or reality). It's just the way it is. I'm trying to work out whether the whole sequence (having a middle-aged lady admire and want to get your haircut) was meant as a compliment or not.

Oh yeah, and I did get the new retainer.

As i write this, my sister is singing "Accidentally in love" at the top of her voice, abetted by my father. Interestingly enough, he's not allowed to sing, and she's just scolded him for getting the order of the song wrong =P...

I'm also in the midst of sorting out data for the thesis... and the above is a slight distraction. But she'll only be 8 for so long. and one day, she'll probably not remember being so carefree or headstrong, and one day, she'll grow up and remembering this may embarrass her.

And now she's moved on to playing a recorder accompaniment to "Amazing Grace"... she's slightly off-tune... but getting there. Sometimes family's like that - off-beat, sentimental, warm, inadvertently hilarious, cringe-worthy also. And i wouldn't give it up for the world. Because when life brings me far away from home, then it's these moments that will remind me that life is a precious gift from God.

So cherish every moment. You can only live each day once, so live it well.

wow... i realised i crossed the 100 post mark on this blog sometime ago... having said that, i still shudder at reading old posts ("how juvenile!!"). But yeah... thanks to all those who've graced these digital pages with your eyes. Having said that, even if i didn't get any readers, I'd still blog for myself - it's somewhat relaxing.

Anyways, onto more current matters. Lifetrack was awesome - and the changes in my life are ongoing - practicing regular solitude has been amazing... to be honest, i never knew that God was always speaking to me so clearly. I just rarely listened.

Uni started 2 weeks ago - well... it's been an interesting two weeks, what with having to do an oral presentation last week (which didn't go all too well). However, the thesis looks on track.

And on the church front? Depends on which ministry you're talking about i guess. I'm really looking forward to seeing God work in cell this semester, what with all the changes happening. Evan's an interesting leader to work with... he even makes us laugh occasionally =)

Re the worship ministry? I love it, and its one i feel very comfortable in (being my first church ministry). But yeah... some things tell me that its gone backwards since last year. Having said that, life is not about looking back at past glories, but working towards the future. Even if things may not be perfect, just do your best to submit i guess. Do what's put in front of you. Remember the big picture. And in all things seek God for His guidance

Today Amanda and i led worship at Life-Plus, a family church in the Bentley area. it was ... wow! Even though it was a small church (around 30+ ppl), and we had a minimalist setup (keys + acoustic), the whole experience was great. You could really feel God moving in the place, touching people's lives... I'd like to say it was because we played well etc etc, but no it wasn't (I sang ... well, not very well - aftereffects of a jam session the night before). HOWEVER:

I've realised recently that worship isn't really about Us, but about Him. It's less about the music, but more about lifting God high, for being God. Worshiping Him regardless of the circumstances. This congregation were worshipers. You could feel it, and that just lifted the whole atmosphere up - even after 2.5 sermons, all insightful in their way =P.

I leave you with these words from a youthful sage: "a church service should leave you, at the end of it, feeling full, and yet hungry" (2007).

Sometimes its easy to compare what others have with what you have, and feel a lack. But sometimes also, the challenge is to go beyond coping with what you have, to acting in whatever capacity we can, to let God achieve breakthroughs.