Who Knew?

Goodbye Blogger

2012-01-02T18:40:00.002+08:00

Hello.

It takes awhile to say goodbye... and a little longer to embrace a hello.

2012 is a New Year with new beginnings.

This blog has seen moments of joy and celebration, wept with disappointment and sorrow, leaped in faith and courage, and grown from ramblings to substance.

If you asked me, where I was since the blog started and where I am now.

I will tell you a story...

But that's for another day and another time...

But for now, I bid you farewell.

And possibly say that Tumblr has a prettier interface.

Records

2011-10-15T12:37:00.002+08:00

Was it that long ago?

Sometimes memories seem to play like a bad record player. Skipping a beat and hearing muffled noises.

Sometimes only what plays is but that same noise.

I wonder if she ever looks here anymore.
I've been neglecting this place for awhile.

Wasn't it just the other day...

We came here to ride the roller coaster.

I remembered it was just the other day that I was sitting, waiting, and wishing.

Turns out, that wait became a reality.

Then there were times when glasses broke, and winds of change blew past...

However, it's already been 3 years past, since that day.

Question really is, what is it we've been holding on to?

Looking back at that record player.

Seems to be broken sometimes but sometimes just by adding a little bit of grease to oil it... possibly it could work again..

And just as the song plays back in proper tune and timing.

Memories rushed to reality.

And here I am,

Still holding your hand.

A new step

2011-06-23T16:01:00.002+08:00

So in the midst of everything that is around...

the confusion, the dust, the blood and the tears...

In the end..

It's who we turn to that defines our next step.

Is this the end?

2011-06-17T14:57:00.003+08:00

Is it just the egotistical nature of males to not show that they are weak?

Or is it just human nature to cover up any issues in life and smile and say "I'm fine".

Caving in.

Falling down.

Breaking apart.

Losing it.

Is this where our story ends?

Time to open up the doors...

The Lord is our refuge

2011-03-13T12:23:00.003+08:00

Many times we fail to look outside ourselves.

I am a victim of thinking so much of myself that sometimes I just never think of others or the world outside.

We try to figure out ways to get the project done, to hit that sales figure, to please others... you get the picture.

But the recent earthquake and tsunami that hit Japan really got the whole world shaking (especially the countries around the Pacific).

With the various flooding, earthquakes, fires, hurricanes and droughts that came about since the dawn of 2011...
it's easy to be shaken and doubt one's security.

With the various things in life, a breakup, a letdown, betrayal, hurt, failures, mishaps and accidents...
it's easy to be shaken and doubt oneself.

Turning to Psalm 46 was so reassuring and comforting...

"God is our refuge
and strength,
an ever-present help in trouble.

Therefore we will not fear,
though the earth give way
and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea,
though its waters roar and foam
and the mountains quake with their surging."

God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.

Let's have a moment of silence for Japan.

Picture courtesy of undertheweathermap.

Friend

2010-06-06T14:19:00.005+08:00

As I sit here waiting for the water to boil, waiting for it to be poured into my ceramic green and white cup with a pod of Madame Flavour patiently awaiting its consumption...

I can't help but to think of how fast time flies... the rain gently hitting on my window is of course, expanding the mood and thoughts.

Today, another friend bids me farewell.

Someone whom I cherish and who has influenced me greatly.

Although we did not get to hang outside much (only twice, one in city for shopping and the other was your art exhibition), it seems that our connection was much more than just the time spent outside of college.

I realised that writing on that A4 sized paper that you had on your door and meeting up randomly whenever we dried our clothes, or that time when I joined you and others to study because I could not study in my room.

You played a big role in transforming me to be who I am today.

You have shown me that Australia is not as inhospitable as it seems.

Your courage also shows me that your unique and beautiful talent goes beyond borders and cultures.

But I know,

after today... we will soon meet again. :)

Hope to see you soon.

Till then, Bon Voyage and God Bless!

First day on June...

2010-06-01T20:16:00.002+08:00

And the Lord asked me, "Son of man, can these bones live?"

And I spoke what He told me to prophesy, "Dry bones, hear the word of the Lord!"

...

"Live!"

Inspiration taken from Ezekiel 37:1-14

Free as a bird without hunters

2010-05-28T09:53:00.001+08:00

Can't wait to be free!

Wait am I not already set free?

Everything

2010-05-19T19:12:00.002+08:00

He dares me to move...

The battle

2010-03-04T14:48:00.002+08:00

If sin is not diligently hunted down and dealt with by holy violence, it will escape all our attempts at killing it. It is a great mistake to think that we can at any time rest from this duty... Sin can not be killed without a sense of pain and trouble.

- John Owen (The Holy Spirit pg. 168)

What is war, without pain?

I will trust in Jesus.

To be thankful...

2010-02-11T10:35:00.003+08:00

"The afflicted also will increase their gladness in the Lord,

And the needy of mankind will rejoice in the Holy One of Israel."

- Isaiah 29:19 (NASB)

To be able to rejoice, is to be able to trust in the One who brings joy.

"Why are you downcast, O my soul?

Why so disturbed within me?

Put your hope in God

for I will yet praise Him,

My Saviour and my God."

Psalm 42 (NIV)

We have choices to make.

It is our choice to glorify Him or to not.

It is our choice

to Rejoice.

to Trust.

And it is my decision to hold your hand to continue to journey with you.

Home...

2010-01-19T12:31:00.002+08:00

Having been home for the past couple of weeks has really brought me to think about the word "Home" much more often... or maybe it's just right now while I'm typing to you that I'm thinking of it. :P

But all I know is,

Home is really where the heart is.

PS: Hope you had a safe trip :)

I will be with the one I love...

2009-12-10T00:06:00.002+08:00

It's great to be back!

Those of you who are from Malaysia or currently living in Malaysia... you do not know how blessed you guys are!

Everything is cheap here! (except maybe cars)

I changed some Malaysian Ringgit (Rm100 to be exact) and I received ONLY AUD$30.

AUD$30 is my monthly top-up when I am in Australia... and it sometimes only lasts me 3weeks, it's that sad!

Really puts into perspective of how awesome Malaysia (home) is! :)

Anyways, one of my good friends asked me how do I feel that I'm back...

I answered her that I felt pretty good.

I know that although I am back here, she is still over there.

But somehow... just somehow...

I feel much closer to her.

When will I see your face again? :)

I'm just sitting here, wishing, waiting...

And I know God will answer me.

Soon...

Have you ever noticed?

2009-11-18T09:21:00.002+08:00

Stumbled upon this while hearing a song

I’m giving up on doing this alone now

Cause I’ve failed and I’m ready to be shown how

He’s told me the way and I’m trying to get there

And this life sentence that I’m serving

I admit that I’m every bit deserving

But the beauty of grace is that it makes life not fair

-Relient K

I just thought it relates to what you told me :)

How wonderful

2009-11-14T07:43:00.002+08:00

And everything You hold in Your hand

Still You make time for me

I can't understand

-Unfailing Love by Chris Tomlin

No matter how hard I try to understand the love of God,

I simply fail doing so.

Maybe the reason behind it is that, we just not meant to understand it.

That's why it's really

Faith. Hope. Love.

Thought you should know...

2009-11-08T14:44:00.002+08:00

I do not do this very often....

But I just thought you should know...

I'm falling in love with you

20 Years On

2009-11-02T09:02:00.002+08:00

I never knew that 20 years would come by so quickly.

A couple of years ago, I could only daydream about being 20.

Now here I am.

Leaving the "-teen" years behind.

Being 20 isn't very much different from being 19, really.

It was just a couple of days ago.

People ask me about how do I feel celebrating my birthday overseas, is it any different?

Looking back to last year's.

I'd say it's not very much of a big affect.

Because in every birthday

He was There.

And He always gives me friends to celebrate with.

Quirky

2009-10-22T21:07:00.002+08:00

To : You

It's been 12 months...

12 months of learning and trusting.

Not to depend on ourselves and each other.

Instead to depend on the One who is infinitely dependable.

Yeap,

we hold on to this.

And we journey on once again from this day.

From : Me

PS : I might regret writing such a short post! :P

Unmasked

2009-10-17T21:41:00.007+08:00

It will be slow and painful.

For I know my transgressions,

and my sin is always before me.

Against You,

You only,

have I sinned and done what is evil

in Your sight,

so that You are proved right

when You speak

and justified

when You judge.

Surely I was sinful at birth,

sinful from the time my mother conceived me.

Surely You desire truth in the inner parts;

You teach me wisdom in the inmost place.

However, let the restoration begin.

verse taken from Psalm 51:3-6 (NIV)

A tangling situation

2009-10-09T08:42:00.003+08:00

Although a wicked man commits a hundred crimes and still lives a long time, I know that it will go better with God-fearing men, who are reverent before God. Yet because the wicked do not fear God, it will not go well with them, and their days will not lengthen like a shadow.

-Ecclesiastes 8:12-13

Anyways,

A possum and her baby visited my room last night!

It's either my room is quiet and comfortable or I am Noah.

This goes to remind you that when you are down in the dumps or when you are so busy with the things in life, God will bring something interesting to you.

It's just whether you will see His fingerprints in that little gifts He bring each and every day.

Have a great day!!

Note : assignments micro-disgust-financial-resumes!

So here we stand...

2009-10-02T10:29:00.003+08:00

Good morning all,

It is interesting how we wish people good morning.

What does good morning really mean?

I haven't had the time to research the net over where this greeting of combining "good" with "morning" stems from.

But what I believe is that everyone believes that each new day is indeed a "new day".

It's another morning.

Another day...

We wish each other good morning, to bless the other to have a "good" day ahead, and also ushering in the thought and feeling of a new day...

Another day...

I wonder how many people wished each other "Good Morning"...

Those in Samoa & Tonga, what do they say to each other after that morning at when the waves of the vast ocean that surrounds them struck their very lives.

Those in Sumatra, when they wake up after an evening of horror when the earth shook violently and buildings crumbled...

Those in Philippines, after the day when the torrents came and swept everything away...

There's stuff happening all over the world.

All these happened within a week.

Where do we go?

Where do we stand?

Endless questions and unanswerable questions are upon the hearts of man.

Only one truth remains and forever has and shall.

So, how are you going to live today?

Red Dawn

2009-09-23T08:47:00.005+08:00

"Sydneysiders woke up to an eerie red dawn this morning"

Wonderful. I woke up this morning wondering what was this red hazy sky I'm looking at.

Heard it's one of the worst in 10 years. (or more like..the last time it happened was 10 years ago)

Blindly sat on a dining hall chair that's dusty... hope my milk didn't have particles of red desert dust in it.

Forgot to close my window... thought I should get the funny smell out of my room by airing it out. Instead the funny smell came from the dust flying around outside.

Woke up to a dust storm. Guess I won't be going to the beach today...

On a prettier note...

I went to Canberra for a day... Floriade Festival (Spring Flower Festival) was so pretty :). I really thank God for flowers!

Spongebob was there too!

Note : Sony Ericsson phones aint that bad after all :)

Have a great day!

And if you wake up to a dust storm, you might just look like a red panda :D

Happy Goodbye

2009-09-16T09:20:00.003+08:00

Goodbyes are normally sad...

But this one's a happy one.

Because we know that soon we'll say hello again.

Day 16.

-Philip Tan

Awesome Possum

2009-09-09T19:25:00.004+08:00

Mostly every night especially during my assignment and stressful periods..

I have a very special visitor who visits me occasionally.

Look what I found outside my window!

No, it's not a cat or squirrel...

It's a possum!

Here... a close up view of it (the eyes are red because of my flash :)... makes it look scarier anyway)

Cute ain't it?

Maybe I should treat it nicer this time...

I wonder what possum would taste like... hmm

For You

2009-08-25T21:15:00.003+08:00

There's a cry in my heart

For Your glory to fall

For Your presence to fill up my senses

There's a yearning again

A thirst for discipline

A hunger for things that are deeper

Could You take me beyond?

Could You carry me through?

If I open my heart,

Could I go there with You?

For I've been here before

But I know there's still more

Oh Lord, I need to know You...

For what do I have

If I don't have You, Jesus?

What in this life

Could mean any more?

You are my Rock

You are my Glory

You are the Lifter of my head.

Cry in My Heart - Starfield

When all feels like its breaking apart...

When you just can't seem to hold on any longer...

God,

You are THERE.

You are HERE.

Forgive me, I want to surrender all to You...

Tracks...

2009-08-25T14:09:00.003+08:00

There are times when the questions of life seem to creep into my brain.

There are times like these.

And today is a day where a nap seems like it can take it all away...

Yet the verse of Philippians 4:13 stands out ...

I'm tired...

Maybe I've been running too much.

Dandelion on the wall

2009-08-17T10:20:00.003+08:00

Presented with choices, we have to make a decision.

Our decision affects the outcome.

Life is short.

But what is worth experiencing?

Is what we believe that is worth our time, money, relations, material, sacrifice, life ..etc, really worth it in the end?

We have one life to live.

Ps Jentezen Franklin said in a recent message, "What is your 'dash'? You know, on a tombstone, they have your date of birth and also your date of death. But in between it is a 'dash'. What IS your -? "

Life's a - (dash).

How are you going to live it?

PS : I'm sorry...

A different perspective

2009-08-04T23:33:00.003+08:00

You are beautiful beyond description...

Genesis 1:26

That is why you are beautiful.

note : picture taken by Philip with C901. :)

Another challenge

2009-08-03T21:17:00.003+08:00

Hello.

I know I haven't been blogging in like gazillion years!

Haha, kinda neglecting this blog.

But now since I'm back in Sydney and a little lonely sometimes, so I decided to blog abit again.

Just another way of connecting you to my little world ie. my brain :)

well yes, so here I am back in Sydney.

Honestly, it didn't feel so bad this time although I did cry heaps and I do still feel kinda homesick at times.

But I do know I'm missing some memorable moments back home ie. girlfriend going to UK + close friends going to UK too + church + driving + makan + cheap good food + cheap clothes (yes boys and girls, Australia more expensive) + etc.

Hmmmm,

But I do thank God for His provision that I could go back last month. It was such a joy to spend time with family, friends and you :).

Indeed, I don't think I could survive without returning home.

People do ask why do I miss Malaysia so much or why not stay in Australia for holiday.

Well, I don't really know the answer really.

But I do feel like there's this tugging in my spirit and soul to return to my homeland. Not for my own gain or even my girlfriend or my parents (if that's what you're thinking). Yes they may be factors and reasons for that, but they have very little affect.

I want to return, because I know that there's something great that's happening back home. An unexplainable thing. haha

But yes,

thank you family and friends for making my holiday back in Malaysia a fruitful and amazing one.

And, thank You for giving me so much more than I can even ask or imagine.

Signing off,

Philip

Time and time again

2009-06-29T23:39:00.002+08:00

So this is it.

A mix of feelings.

Is this what growing up is about?

Losing habits of old, and having the urge to gain new habits that are more "beneficial".

So...

Where I want to be most, is by your side.

It's always better when we're together :)

Thank you for today.

God is great!

Note : Picture taken by Wong Vic Kie

I'm so proud :)

2009-06-25T01:38:00.002+08:00

It's opening its doors to you...

Congratulations.

I am so proud of you! :)

All glory to God!

So this is it...

2009-06-14T23:37:00.002+08:00

You know...

I would want to be selfish and think about myself and my situation at this moment.

It's moments like these that make me focus so much more on myself than others and it's all about me mE ME.

And you know what?

It's so much more different when you're in a relationship.

A relationship is a two-way thing and not a one-way thing.

It's never about me and my desires and my wants and my satisfactions.

But instead, love should be all about the other.

It makes me remember how much our relationship with God isn't just a one-way thing as well.

We always go to God asking Him for this and that, and telling Him about stuff.

But how often do we concern ourselves with what He has to say?

Or how about,

What He wants you to do in a certain situation?

I think today was a great reminder for me about this.

Thank you God.

And, I'm sorry to both of you for how I've been...

I want to continue to learn to love you and You.

Random

2009-06-11T22:24:00.001+08:00

i've been told to update this.

i'm getting bored to blog.

maybe no inspiration

or maybe i'm just losing my English skills.

hoho

Rid me of myself

2009-05-28T20:17:00.001+08:00

What is the use of carving you on my flesh...

when I don't carve you in my heart?

Looking

2009-05-22T23:09:00.001+08:00

My worst enemy...

I am my own worst enemy

Glorious Food!

2009-05-20T22:52:00.004+08:00

Okay, after a couple of months living in RMC.

I've managed to get my fair share of "interesting" food moments...

Here's some of them...

Look mummy!

A tomato with pepper sprinkled on top! YUM! :)

Actually... It's a rotten apple with some sort of fungi growing on top...(I accidentally forgot about my apple that I left in my room for about 2-3 weeks)

I still think it kinda looks like a tomato though.

Genetically mutated grape.

And finally...!

Brownie face :D

As you could tell, it's a totally random post..

But I've been wanting to upload these pics for quite some time.

Have a great day!

Nostalgic

2009-05-16T23:02:00.004+08:00

We could build a rocket,

Fly to the moon.

Leave Tuesday morning,

Be back for noon...

Note : my drawing is worst than a kindergarten kid, so no point to waste your finger-strength to comment and criticise.

credits : James Morrison

Enemy

2009-05-14T09:56:00.001+08:00

Maths...

I'm going to freaking PASS you.

PS : Does business course have THAT much mathematics? Or am I in the wrong uni?

Whales

2009-05-13T22:37:00.002+08:00

It's funny how you're afraid of them (imagine you in the middle of a big big ocean with a huge huge whale swimming underneath) *shudders*

But yet, you left a piece of it with me.

Thank you.

Don't give up this month! :).

Just 9 more days to go.

Just a thought

2009-05-10T21:14:00.002+08:00

Sometimes the bigger the picture we put there to remind ourselves, the more it becomes a part of the wall and the less you tend to look at it.

The smaller the picture you place up there, the more time it takes for you to look at it.

Well it's simply because you stand there trying to decipher what is that speck doing on your pretty white wall... until you realised that it's actually a very memorable picture.

I guess sometimes I have to look at the smaller picture instead of placing a huge one on my wall.

you know ...

2009-05-05T14:21:00.002+08:00

I just want to let you know ....

Thank you for always reminding me...

And never giving up on me.

I like it much more than I'd like to hug a sleeping dog. (but they are still overly cute! :) )

For this month.

Hold on.

For He is holding on to you :).

your love...

2009-05-01T15:10:00.002+08:00

of these three things I can be sure...

Love

Prayer

and

Forgiveness

and the greatest of these is love...

I'm falling to my knees in this.

A little funny mix up

2009-04-22T18:11:00.004+08:00

I'm feeling nostalgic today amidst the sniffling and inflammation of the throat.

I remembered the time where we thought we wouldn't make it to see me off, where I thought the traffic jam that held you back was against me.

But just right before I left, there you came.

From that moment on...

The momentum that had the wheels turning began.

There weren't any goodbyes.

Only "hello's".

Thank you for being you.

PS : I know I got something mixed up. Sorry if I counted wrong :P.

Sniff

2009-04-21T16:04:00.000+08:00

It's got my name on it

And it's still waiting there for me...

Complexity or Completion?

2009-04-18T22:33:00.002+08:00

Many times we tend to see what is before us instead of looking at what is ahead.

We tend to look at the small details of painting and sometimes even forget the whole masterpiece that that small detail belongs to.

I've been focusing on that one verse to get me through all this while.

Maybe it's time for me to take into account the next two verses...

So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in Him, rooted and built up in Him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.

- Colossians 2:7

Thank You For Reminding Me

You Really Are A Blessing Beyond Words.

Unanswered

2009-04-18T13:08:00.001+08:00

Where do I stand now?

Where am I in this exactly?

the same power that conquered the grave lives in me

2009-04-13T21:32:00.001+08:00

Stop your lies, devil.

They die here at this very moment.

I am identified with Christ.

A challenge

2009-04-11T22:29:00.003+08:00

I try my best

to make everyday a little less burdensome

I hope to lighten your burden a little more

I really do try my best

to make your day... your each and every day.

A special and a wonderful one.

I guess the problem is not really you.

The problem is really me.

I figured out it's because I try my best and I want to, I go to the limits.

I expect results that are attainable but in reality the forces do change the outcome.

In the end, what I desire to give becomes my downfall as me, myself and I become the expectation.

I expected too much of myself.

And in return, I did what I didn't purposed to in the beginning...

That is, to hurt you again..

Selfishness And Pride

they SAPped my spirit.

Forgive me

It's really time to learn again.

Well... here we go

2009-04-05T22:23:00.002+08:00

I tried searching for a quote that can quench a flaming heart of anger and melt the hardest of hardened hearts.

A quote that might make this post seem a whole lot more intelligent than it already is and a quote that will make you think...

My search ended in vain...

Nothing was suitable.

It made me realise however

That my journey with you could be a quote.

Or rather, a book full of quotes.

Every page a new discovery, every line another shock.

There are so many lessons learnt and lessons that I am about to learn in this journey.

It's a wonderful concoction of something uniquely uninterpretable.

You would never know what you are going to expect next.

However,

quoting from The Road Not Taken by Robert Frost...

I shall be telling this with a sigh

Somewhere ages and ages hence

Two roads diverged in a wood, and I--

I took the one less traveled by,

And that has made all the difference.

It's another new month, another new day to journey on with you.

I pray that this month,

that your love will be rekindled

for it was possibly in this month that Love was so greatly manifested some 2000 years ago

for your journey will be wonderful

once you allow it to be

because I know you took a higher path as well

Doing something out of the ordinary, strange, weird, unimaginable...

But hey, that's what makes this journey even more exciting doesn't it?

Let your faith in the Faithful One steer your ship.

Love,

Philip

My Saviour

2009-04-05T21:26:00.002+08:00

Matthew 21

When Jesus entered Jerusalem on that day some 2000 over years ago...

He knew that in a week's time, He would die on the cross for a sin He did not commit.

Imagine being born to live out your life with the knowledge that in the end of it all... you are going to die a death that you do not deserve..

Jesus being all Man, could have chosen to not go ahead with the Father's plan.

But Jesus also being all God, still decided to move on.

Because He saw past the moment. Being inclusive, He didn't despise any and He loved all.

He saw past the moment of being hung on that cross, He saw each and every one of us who could have had the chance of salvation but missed out on it...

He chose to move on. He chose to journey on.

Till He drew His last breath

"Into Your Hands, I commit My Spirit."

Jesus was focused from the start. He committed His Spirit to His Father each and every day.

When the troubles come, "Father into Your Hands, I commit my spirit"

When hardships come, "Father into Your Hands, I commit my spirit"

The Saviour of the World reveals who He is in His last breath.

This is what Palm Sunday is all about...

Holy

2009-03-29T21:43:00.002+08:00

take over once again

i've pushed you aside for far too long

but you kept knocking...

forgive me.

Take over.

And be my definition.

on another note : Hillsong Live Album Recording was spectacular. :)

Humility or Foolishness?

2009-03-26T22:35:00.003+08:00

26 March 2009

Today is probably a very humbling day indeed.

27 March 2009

Is another day to humble oneself...

Being humble.

What is it?

Is it considered humble for me to post what I'm posting?

It's so different... a paradox if I can put it as such..

We are taught to justify ourselves..

But yet we should be humble and lead our lives (speech, manner, thinking..etc) humbly.

So how then...

I want to explain myself..

is there a need to?

How can I live a humble life?

How do I be a servant?

Am I being humble by posting this?

Not sure...

I don't know.

It's something that I have yet to learn...

Millionaire

2009-03-20T21:22:00.003+08:00

Just got back from the movies.

After watching the movie, I was left speechless.

I was speechless because I was humbled once again...

I am learning to be thankful for all that I have gone through and am going through and going to go through.

I thank God for the life that He has given me and memories that go along with it.

Slumdog Millionaire showed me that I have everything I need and that the memories I have, I should cherish.

Go catch a movie today :)

PS : It's because You love us, that we can love...thank you.

The journey

2009-03-19T19:22:00.002+08:00

No matter where I run,

you are bound to be there.

Every corner I turn

And every inch of hiding place I hid myself

You crept up behind me without suspicion.

Like a lioness that pounces on its prey.

You pounced on me.

This time,

I have to face you once again.

Now,

It's my turn to fight back.

And destroy your very existence from my life for good.

Maths

One of my biggest enemies.

Everyone =

2009-03-17T14:05:00.000+08:00

My end of the month treat

I don't need to see it to believe it

2009-03-08T18:47:00.003+08:00

Sometimes a conversation about the story of how you and I began...

Reveals to me that actually God is in every situation.

And even up till now, He is still in it

And He will be in this in the days,months, and years to come...

The journey has just begun... :)

Wheat field

2009-03-05T08:32:00.003+08:00

Whatever happened to man?

The true gentleman fades away into the distance

That's why most people say that chivalry is dead.

Well thank you for making that.

It's because of that...

The true man shines so much brighter.

Stands out so much sorer than the usual sore thumbs.

As the best is always birthed out of excellence.

And excellent the true man is.

Tribute

2009-03-04T17:16:00.004+08:00

This shows that you HAVE to come to Australia.

Because you are quite famous here.

hahaha!

You saw me

2009-03-01T11:39:00.002+08:00

You lifted me up from the miry clay...

It's because You love me even before I loved you.

What can I give?

What can I say?

What can I do?

That will even measure up to what You have done for me?

Thank You for loving me...

You Smell Good!

2009-02-23T20:16:00.006+08:00

The story of The Garden is an interesting one...

There is a beautifully landscaped garden that is so huge that one wouldn't even figure out the size of it.

This garden is beautiful, meticulous and almost perfect looking filled with trees and plants of all sorts and maybe even a creek that runs through it.

However, there is no entrance.

With high hedges that surround it, they make up the walls of the garden.

To see the garden, to be in the garden; one must go through the tall thick dark hedge.

Now we all know that hedges are basically flora that is cut in a box-ish fashion. And flora being flora, it's not easy to go right through a hedge. That's because hedges have rows and rows of leaves and branches. Neither is it easy to climb it. (you might find a leg or two being stuck)

So after much perseverance and strength, we finally break through the hedge and we enter the garden.

We are so awed by the garden and its beauty. After a tiring episode of getting through and squeezing through that tall thick dark hedge, wouldn't we just like to sit down and be amazed by the garden and its beauty?

But like all gardens, it needs a gardener. So the garden slowly dies and we start to see the beauty of all it change to the "it's freaking ugly"...

The petals fall and the leaves wither.

Weeds start to take shape and pop up at random places.

The garden slowly dies.

It dies while we sit there and watch...

ad maybe freak out...

And then, the garden finally dies and the weeds take over... we found out that we've made a big mistake going through that hedge...

The garden symbolizes our journey with the Lord. Before we received Christ, we could be said to be in a hedge situation.

But once we received Christ and found out what He has done for us. It's like breaking free through that hedge and finally seeing the sunlight and that beautiful garden. We see that the grace of God is so beautiful beyond comprehension and His love is beyond measure.

But how long are we going to just sit there and watch? Complacency and laziness leads to the weeds of blindness and the death of sin to destroy that beautiful garden we see. A lot of people enjoy the view but they don't do anything about it. Many spectate, few participate.

We have that bad mentality that God is a good God (yes He is, by the way) and that everything will be great when I do good stuff or be good.

However, God didn't say that we would be free from trouble (Luke 21:12-19). But it is that through Him we can do all things! He's our source of strength and comfort. What a wonderful promise.

But many times our walk turns into a bubble of comfort, where many have stayed in that bubble for generations... paranoid of bursting it, afraid of the challenges and problems ahead. Many have allowed that garden to die. Just by resting for too long.

We dislike menial, tiresome and dirty hard work. Oswald Chambers puts drudgery as "...one of the finest tests to determine the genuineness of our character."

Are we just going to sit there and allow that garden to die?

John 14 : 31 puts it "Arise, let us go from here"

God wants us to just go.

We have to go through that state of drudgery to feel that state of freedom.

We have to do our part as well.

God gives the sunshine and the water.

We have to be the ones who help mow the lawn or de-weed the place or even prune the plants.

After doing all that, you will see the garden being beautiful again.

And in the end, you will truly see and understand that God is the ever faithful, with amazing grace and forever loving God.

Because He's the one who provides everything for the beauty of the garden.

And everything is marked with His fingerprints.

Do you want to tend to that garden?

Pondering

2009-02-20T13:07:00.002+08:00

When everybody's talking in words I don't understand

You've got to be the only one who knows just who I am

You're shining in the distance

I hope I can make it through

Cause the only place that I wanna be...

It's right back home with you.

I guess there's so much more I have to learn

Uni doesn't sound as sweet as it should be...

Maybe I'm just not accustomed yet... hmmmm

Three Doors Down

2009-02-18T20:52:00.002+08:00

Coming to Australia has made me realise how much more I love my country Malaysia.

Trust me, however much Australia "might" seem better. It usually isn't.

Everything has its pros and cons.

Every country has its own problems

All I know is...

I left my heart in Malaysia.

And it's just 3 doors down :)

Bubble Boy Story

2009-02-09T01:40:00.005+08:00

Well the time has come
To say our goodbyes
To bid farewell to the comfortable life.

I can't believe I'm right here right now.
A slew of emotions are astir within me.
It's just a feeling that's unexplainable.
Sure, 3 years is short plus the holidays that I will be back, that makes it even shorter.
But I can't bear the fact that I'll really be gone from my comfortable bubble.

But somehow bubbles are meant to burst.
And today, soon... my bubble will be burst.
My whole world will change.

Am I ready?
I can't say whether I am.
All I know is that, I'll never grow up until I burst that bubble that I'm in now.

The walls of the bubble is slowly thinning...
The time has come...

Goodbye.

A special note to you :
I know you can do this. You're so much stronger than I am. I admire that.
Overall, whatever happens.
Whatever the outcome.
Know that our Father Jesus is far much stronger and greater than we can ever imagine.
And because of that,
You are not doing this alone.
Because I am doing it with you.
And God is doing it with us.
Keep journeying my friend,
Because greater things have yet to come for us.

PS : I'm leaving on a jet plane. But this time, I know when I'll be back again.

Midnight Fried Lice

2009-02-06T00:48:00.003+08:00

Speaking about shampoos with Shealin (Ze Chubs), got me thinking of another conversation I had in the car with someone not long ago.

Me :"Eh, I'm thinking whether should I buy hair-loss shampoo, not very cheap though.

Friend :"Hair-loss shampoo! After you use, lose more hair! Coz it's HAIR-LOSS shampoo! *laughs gleefully*"

I must learn to rephrase my sentences and words next time -.-

Hmmm, but I'm really thinking of buying a shampoo to combat hair-loss

crikey mate...

2009-02-05T15:51:00.003+08:00

It's getting harder to wake up nowadays.

It's as if my body knows that soon everything including the bed its on, will change.

In a few days time, my world will be different.

Sometimes I tend to look back at the past and wish that I could have more time.

Sometimes I look forward so dearly to the future where I could accomplish all my wants and needs.

But I believe now is the time to look at the present.

Because a friend once advised me to "be present".

Because 3 years will pass by in a blink of an eye or maybe 3 blinks. hehe.

And I definitely can't wait to see you again.

But for now, I'll be present.

Because I know that I have to cherish every present moment, as each moment is spent with you.

I'm leavin' on a jet plane...

For now...

2009-02-01T11:50:00.004+08:00

Can I be just a little selfish?

May I spend a little longer?

Blink a little lesser?

Because I just want to be a little selfish for now...

Lost

2009-01-28T22:29:00.002+08:00

Where are you?

Why are you silent?

I am waiting for that moment

To see you again

the heart of a lover

2009-01-28T18:40:00.005+08:00

Our lives are so busy.

Whenever we try to find time to fit each other in, another thing pops up.

Sometimes it pushes the person aside, many times we try to intertwine them both together.

Always there is a sacrifice to be made.

Whether it be me or you.

Time is never on our side.

Many times we try to make do by fitting each other in whatever time we have left.

But again the busyness takes us away from that moment of being together.

I want to spend time with you, but sometimes you can't.

I want to spend time with you, but sometimes I can't.

It frustrates me that whenever I set aside my time to spend with you, you have something else that takes you away from that moment with me.

After a certain amount of thinking and debating with God...

somehow it showed me a part of how God feels whenever He wants to spend time with us.

He's always there, always waiting.

But do we set aside time for Him?

Many times we let our busyness and the pleasures of this world take up our time that we have somehow forgotten to spend time with the Creator.

The One who loves us so much more than we can ever think of and imagine, wants to spend time with us.

Are we making the effort to strip away all the things that we hold dear on this earth... to just spend time in His presence?

Ever wonder how God felt?

Lord, let me today sit at Your feet and gaze at Your beauty.

As you make me lie down in green pastures.

PS : It's a journey I'm willing to take...

The goodness of the Lord

2009-01-24T14:15:00.005+08:00

But He said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me.

2 Corinthians 12:9

Really, I never knew how fasting could be such a challenge until I decided to fast.

It's not easy to see your friends eating the lovely food that you crave for while you sit there swallowing your own saliva.

Sure it's easy to fast if one is sitting on a mountain top in a one-piece garment and chanting meditation stuff the whole day. On the contrary to those who dont have a mountain top to sit on... the temptation is stronger.

However, once you start fasting you will realise the goodness and the grace of God.

My friend once told me that it's really good to fast because even though we might think we can't survive without that certain thing and that we will be so weak, God actually gives us the strength to see us through the day.

God is good. He brought people to encourage me in so many ways. Another encouragement was that I was able to see myself go through yet another day without the carnal desires.

It is in my weakness that God is made perfect, that His power is shown.

How will you live today?

Beautiful

2009-01-18T16:52:00.004+08:00

I love nature.
Just a simple breeze or a blue sky really inspires me to live and relax.

It's invigorating and chilling.
What a wonderful blend.

Sometimes we have to just stop and admire the beauty of nature.
Nature is beautiful because it is marked with God's fingerprints.
When God created the earth, he said it was good.

Do we really need to lose something to only realise that it's so precious?
I praise God everyday.
Because I see His fingerprints every where.
And it is good.

2008 flew by

2008-12-31T19:48:00.018+08:00

As the title states, 2008 really did flew by.
I could actually remember the night of New Year's Eve 2007 where I was ushering in 2008 with a bunch of loved ones.
I actually really looked forward to 2008 from the beginning as this would be the year that I will finally complete my A Levels.
And I sure did.
After that came the onslaught of various events and memories that really filled my mind up to the brim.
Here's some of them (yes, I finally have pictures included with my points!)

The Parties & Farewells

DanLo Birthday
was great! Had a great time eating my "Original Fish & Chips" and also hanging out with great friends.

Jang's Birthday
was filled with fun and laughter. Just the right way to celebrate NST's beloved Janggut Pastor's day of birth!

Shealin's Birthday
was an interesting one because I was the only guy who went!

Vickie's Birthday
which was yesterday, was great. Good food with great people.

My Birthday
was very "Exotic", very red day for two people and the table. Had a memorable one.

Wei Hsien's Birthday
was good. Good to catch up with college buddies.

Debbie's Farewell
was a happy and sad occasion. But more of a happy one :D

Isaac's Farewell
was Japanese-y and super relaxing. Except for the rat that I parked under.

Siva's Farewell
So sudden. So sad. Yet so funny.

Joanne's Farewell
was a nice little farewell where we all get to bully Melissa who was working at Starbucks.

The Travels

Glow United Malacca Outing
was super fun! First outing with the Couz Cell that I go to. Had a great time doing crazy stuff and waiting in line for great food.

DanLo & Tze Quan's Cell Outing
was a day filled with xiao mei meis and xiao di dis.

Aquaria KLCC
was cool. Saw many sea creatures and really marveled at God's beauty. Plus I spent a day with two wonderful friends. Couldn't get any better. (Just missing one HA)

Bangkok Trip
was dramatic! But yet it was cool and fun. First trip outta the country with a bunch of friends. We did everything there except sleeping with ladyboys, sucking up drugs, watching "tiger show", buying porn, dealing with firearms... okay maybe we didn't do everything -.-

Cameron Highlands Trip
was fun and chillaxed one. Great one night stay. Had a great time with great friends.

Israel Trip
was superb! Saw many sights, smell many camels..(wait no I didn't), eat many hummus. All in all. I learnt a lot and my heart made a space for this blessed nation. Made a bunch of crazy friends along the way :D

Europe Trip
was crazy and exciting. It's interesting to see the sights that have stood around for centuries. Lost my new camera in Paris... Drama? Yeap.

The Happenings

STAND Camp
was good.
Chillaxed and opened up my heart and ears for the message that God gave Ps Sam.

BAC Prom
I felt like a lobster here.

BBQ @ Club 16.
was fun. Made new friends and ended up playing badminton with them whenever possible.

Club 16
My favourite hangout spot. I go there literally every day. Never knew that I would find someone there who challenges me to be a better and stronger person. (yes I know I'm wearing pink shades)

Of course, there are more moments that were not captured on camera or just can't be said in words alone. Moments like kacauing Chubbs or even when the cup I peed in overflowed... (er ... nevermind).
I do cherish every moment. Yes, even the time when it hurts or when my slipper patah.

2008 has been a great year. Sitting in church just a couple of hours ago, we had to reflect on our year. Honestly, I couldn't. There were just too many moments that I cherish and I will hold on too.
One thing I held on to tightly was the whole year of 2008. But slowly as the clock ticked away, I felt 2008 slipping away by the seconds...
And boy... did it slip away like a wet eel!

And so,
we say hello to 2009.

A year of increasing capacity.
A year to put on the full armour of God.
A year to stand firm in Him.

'If disaster comes upon us, the sword, judgment, or pestilence, or famine, we will stand before this house and before you— for your name is in this house—and cry out to you in our affliction, and you will hear and save.'
2 Chronicles 20:09

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Love,
Philip

Christmas

2008-12-31T14:56:00.003+08:00

Although Christmas has passed and it's now the end of 2008.
I would just like to post something Christmas-y (pressure lah)
I came across this story while cleaning up my cupboard...

A Candymaker's Witness

A Candymaker in Indiana wanted to make a candy that would be a witness, so he made the Christmas Candy Cane.
This candymaker incorporated several symbols for the birth, ministry, and death of Jesus Christ.

He began with a stick of pure white, hard candy. White to symbolize the Virgin Birth and the sinless nature of Jesus, and hard to symbolize the Solid Rock, the foundation of the Church, and firmness of the promises of God.

The candymaker made the candy in the form of a "J" to represent the precious name of Jesus, who came to earth as our Savior. It could also represent the staff of the "Good Shepherd" with which He reaches down into the ditches of the world to lift out the fallen lambs who, like all sheep, have gone astray.

Thinking that the candy was somewhat plain. the candymaker stained it with red stripes. He used three small stripes to show the stripes of the scourging Jesus received by which we are healed. The large red stripe was for the blood shed by Christ on the corss so that we could have the promise of eternal life.

Unfortunately, the candy became known as the Candy Cane - a meaningless decoaration seen at Christmas. But the meaning remains for those who "have eyes to see and ears to hear." May this symbol again be used to witness to the Wonder of Jesus and His Great Love that came down at Christmas and remains the ulimate and dominant force in the universe today.

so cool ain't it?

Look ma! A reindeer!

Merry Happy Birthday

2008-12-31T02:32:00.003+08:00

It's been a lot.

Happy Birthday to you who colour up my life.

Thank you for being you.

I know you love your "Senses". =p

PS : Haven't been blogging lately due to festive blogger's wall.

Choose a ball

2008-12-12T23:30:00.002+08:00

I would not say that I'm the most optimistic person.

I'm actually quite the pessimist. Read my posts and you will understand that I touch upon the more *emo* or emotional side of things.
I could be pessimistic due to my realistic lenses that I wear.

But what makes me keep on journeying each day?
Yes, I do fall at times during this journey called life.
And to fall I mean I do fall quite often.
At times I go around in circles as well...
Thinking that I've found that right path but then the dark haze of pride shrouds my vision and leads me back to the start again...

But overall, I still continue to walk.
Sometimes I have to crawl...
Sometimes I have to run...
Sometimes it's a climb

It's tiring at times and difficult.

But yet, there are times....
When the run turns to a stroll ...

My friend writes in her blog and I quote :
"We can choose to be unhappy about so many things, things which in our opinion should have made us happy. A lady whose daily routine of eating chocolate ice cream was disrupted by the closing of the shop should count her blessings that her blood sugar level will remain normal that day. A student who failed his exam should be thankful that he did not resort to cheating to pass. A person who grumbles about the way the country is being run should look up and say a prayer that he has a country to complain about. It's all a matter of perspective. I used to say that the glass is half empty but now, it seems more pleasing to say it's half full. Both are true, but one makes life more bearable, enjoyable even."

Sometimes... we really need to take a stroll after that long run.
Because running might place our focus on our stride and then our weakness.
That's when we forget to look at our surroundings and see the beauty of the area that we are journeying in.
Until and until we take that stroll, we would not see the blessings that is placed at our feet.

We need to take a stroll...
And that stroll will lead you to realise that
in the end...
there's Someone else journeying with you.

Happiness IS a choice

And I choose to rejoice.
Because He is faithful and good.

Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:4-7

Don't Worry Be Happy

2008-12-12T12:10:00.002+08:00

People been telling me lately that my blog is "emo".

So after much persuasion which involves evidence of the past posts and since the beginning of this blog...

I have decided to write about happy stuff and things that will make you smile and miraculously find yourself with water flowing out from your nose...

And to start it off... this post shall be a HAPPY POST.

THIS IS A HAPPY POST :D!!

:) ?

I'm not Superman

2008-12-07T16:31:00.003+08:00

Lately I've been trying my best to be superman.
Trying to complete certain tasks by a certain date or even pleasing certain people.

But then slowly I was burning myself out.
It's just like I was carrying a piece of kryptonite around my neck while flying around to save the world from mass devastation.

Many times I fail to live up to my expectations and I fail to reach that optimum level of being able to complete everything or just making somebody happy.

It was then I came to my senses.
I shouldn't be superman.
I should just be me. Philip Tan.

It's because I am an imperfect being.
Superman may be a super man.
But he is still a man.
And as a man. He has his imperfections and also a huge weakness to kryptonite.

Instead I should just be Philip.
And place my life and my dreams and visions back in focus.
Focusing on God.
God is not Superman.

God is God.

And by placing the focus back on Him and Him alone...
All things will fall into place.
That's when, we can stop pretending and let down our masks and capes and outside-worn underwear.
And truly be filled with His divine strength and power.
To do the tasks we should have done a long time ago.

Just because...

A super man is imperfect.
God is perfect.

Singin' in the Rain

2008-11-29T01:04:00.003+08:00

I like the rain.

It cools the atmosphere after a long hot day under the fury of the scorching sun.
It washes away the haze that blurs the horizon.
It cleanses the streets we walk on.
Gives life to the vegetation.
And adds cubic metres to fresh water lakes which then becomes a life source to all who live and breathe.

God's grace and mercy is shown in the rain.
Just like rain,
God provides us relief and peaceful bliss in the shade of His amazing grace.
His beloved and one and only Son was given to wash away our sin that blurs us with flurry of deceit.
It cleanses the journey of the heart.
Gives us life abundantly and for eternity.
And without Him, we would slowly diminish and die.

Have you had a walk under God's rain of great love recently?

PS : Let's sing in the rain, shall we? :)

photo taken from Lord V @ Flickr.com

Love Changes Everything

2008-11-26T14:00:00.002+08:00

And although being on ground can be so secure
Sometimes we just need to learn to fly.

Not Alone

2008-11-22T01:33:00.004+08:00

The olive tree reproduces by sending up shoots from its roots.
These shoots if fully grown, will become olive trees.
Healthy and bearing much fruit for hundreds of years.

What an awesome tree this is.
Even sprouting back when chopped to the ground.

Just like how an olive tree springs up new shoots to reproduce.
You never fail to surprise me.

It's because of that.
I've been inspired to go further.

Do you hear me?

2008-11-09T23:01:00.002+08:00

My beloved,

I have something for you

And you shall hear about it when I return.

I am so excited that I feel like telling you now.

But,

I will have to wait

And

All I want you to know right now

Is that

God Loves You.

Our future is in His hands.

Another goodbye

2008-11-05T17:50:00.003+08:00

Tomorrow will be another goodbye.

I dislike living out of a bag.
No matter how much I love traveling and seeing the wonderful world out there, home will always be home.
As I see my clothes laid out on the bed ready to be packed in that empty suitcase, it's a reminder that soon I will be packing for a long long trip that spans 3 years.
That will be the day.
When patriotism really kicks in.
Where the way you view "home" comes into question.
When bridges are fortified or broken.
That will be the day.

Plenty of major events happened in October.
I do not regret them.
But I do feel sad that I let it all pass by like a fleeting memory that's tossed with the next breath of wind.

November?(half of it) December... and January.
The months I have left in this country which I call home.
I believe there's more to come.
And this time, the memories will not pass me by.
Instead,

Let's just enjoy this. Now... here... and there.

And to you,
I know that you can do all things. Yes, that even means that you can take this November with a smile and enjoy yourself.
Why?
Because you live your life through Him.
And His wisdom is upon you.
He loves you.
And you know it.
Do not worry, because I'll see you soon.
And when that time comes...
Let's not miss it, yea?

Continue to walk with me.
As we continue to walk in Him.

Note : the author of this blog will not be in Malaysia for 14 days starting from a day after this post. If you have any need to contact him, please feel free to drop him an email. Do pray for him during this time as he is away on a pilgrimage to the "Holy Land". Anything can happen there, and your prayers are of great importance :).

See ya!

Now I know...

2008-10-31T01:42:00.005+08:00

He knew that three and a half years later. He would die a death so horrible and dishonouring.
Yet, He continued His journey.
For He know that it is only three and a half years later.
And that it will the saving grace of mankind.

Maybe that is why He went to the desert before it all began.

Colours

2008-10-30T14:35:00.005+08:00

October 29. 1989

You rescued me.
You brought me to this world.

I was born

October 29. 2008.
Nineteen this year. The one last year left of teenage-hood. Before the big two-O slides itself in.

The journey wasn't easy.
At times the path was slippery. hard rocks penetrating deep into the feet.
Sometimes it was so dark. many of the times I fell.

But out of all the times, I seen another figure beside me.
Helping me through or even sometimes failing like I did.
We,
walked together, climbed together, fought together.
Sometimes we had our backs against each other, protecting the other.
Others, we were far from reach but within sight.

All in all,
There was Another.
Helping us through. Shining a light for us before we take our step.
Sometimes we see it, sometimes we miss it.
Many the time, our focus was deterred by the surroundings.

But I thank You.
I thank You for not letting go.
For shining that light.
For being that Light.
You are Merciful
Graceful
Awesome
Wonderful
Incomparable

For that, I will continue to climb and fight. For You are Faithful.

Thank You for being there, always.
And thank you, the comrade, the friend.
For influencing me and inspiring me to go on, because you are fighting with all your heart too.

On Oct 29, 2008. The story began with a new chapter. A new chapter with You and with you. And the whole of it had you in it. Without you, the pages won't turn to what it is today. I thank you and I love you.

Most of all, You were in it.
And I thank You for giving me the best gift I could have this year.

That is the present.

300 : strong

2008-10-28T12:40:00.004+08:00

Even the youths shall faint and be weary,
And young men shall utterly fall,

But those who wait on the LORD
Shall renew their strength;
They shall mount up with wings like eagles,
They shall run and not grow weary,
They shall walk and not faint.

Isaiah 40 : 30-31

A new day. A new beginning. Another step closer to You.

BRING IT ON!

You are Faithful

2008-10-27T00:14:00.001+08:00

So many thoughts in my head

Broken

Forgive me...

sometimes even a hero needs to recover from the battle.

Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace which we now stand. And we rejoiced in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out His love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom He has given us.
- Romans 5 : 1-5

I thank you for staying strong, I thank you for holding on.
For we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose. (Romans 8:28)
You are such a joy.
You are handling this far much better than I am.

For that...

For that...

I will persevere. And I will continue to fight. For your honour.

sacrifice

Psalm 71

2008-10-22T12:48:00.003+08:00

When I wonder through the desert
And I'm longing for my home
All my dreams has gone astray
When I'm stranded in the valley
And I'm tired and all alone
It seems like I've lost my way

I go running to your mountain
Where your mercy sets me free

You are my strong tower
Shelter over me
Beautiful and Mighty
Everlasting King
You are my strong tower
Fortress when I'm weak
Your Name is true and holy
And Your face is all I see

In the middle of my darkness
In the midst of all my fear
You are my refuge and my hope
When the storm of life is raging
And the thunders is all I hear
You speak softly to my soul

Now I'm running to your mountain
Where your mercy sets me free.

You are my strong tower
Shelter over me
Beautiful and Mighty
Everlasting King
You are my strong tower
Fortress when I'm weak
Your Name is true and holy
And Your face is all I see

Strong Tower - Kutless

Trust

2008-10-21T20:50:00.004+08:00

I don't know when this river will end.
I can't tell you when it will rush through the mountains neither can I point out the next waterfall.
But this I know.
To trust in Him.
He who guides me through the flow of the water.
To have faith.
To believe in the impossible.

It is a journey of the brave...
To live for the present.
Hoping on the future.

I will journey on.
Will you take my hand?

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.
Proverbs 3 : 5-6

Coconut Trees a'swaying

2008-10-17T13:43:00.002+08:00

The blogger, who writes this post at this very moment...
will be away for today, tomorrow and half of Sunday.

If there's any "urgent" matters that needs my involvement... please feel free to contact me.

If not,
Enjoy your weekend!

Thinking is good. But not too much. After your head burst!
- Vic Kie.

So ...don't think so much!

Wishing Waiting

2008-10-16T23:32:00.001+08:00

I let the cat out of the bag.

image taken from here!

Keep on Hoping

2008-10-13T23:11:00.003+08:00

The days seem to be such a blur nowadays.
Life seems to slow down to a snail's pace
But yet night comes as fast as a flash of lightning.

There is time
But time is short
The future looms over my thoughts
But yet I live for the present

It's too quiet.

There's a conflict within.
When will this be resolved?
The dates on the calender are crossed out as easily as breathing
But breathing becomes hard as they are crossed out.

I never saw this coming.
I never expected this.
I never thought this would happen.

But,
I am loving every moment of it.

Because...

The future is near.

And it's my turn to fight.

It's about time for 311

2008-10-09T23:35:00.005+08:00

I want to honour You
I want to honour you
I want to respect You
I want to respect you

I want to obey.
I will devote.
I will discipline.
I will submit.
I will obey.

It's because

I LOVE

and that You NEVER LET GO.

scribbles...

2008-10-09T23:16:00.002+08:00

This chapter feels like a floating piece.
It does not go anywhere.
Neither higher nor lower...
A floating piece.

But one day I know
Gravity will take its toll.

How would this chapter end?
Would it end in a mystery prepared for the next?
Would it end in a blissful melody?
Melancholic tones subdued by celebration in the air?

How would this chapter end?
We shall soon read...

The story has been written.
Shall I continue?

picture taken from here.

clumsy

2008-10-09T00:23:00.000+08:00

you make me smile.

You Think?

2008-10-06T00:52:00.002+08:00

My phone hasn't rang in one whole week...

That never happened before.

Month of rainbows

2008-10-05T14:09:00.003+08:00

You hear my cry from heaven...

the photo doesn't justify the beauty of the rainbow we saw that day. It was the longest and most beautiful rainbow I saw in my life.

The same goes with coming into a relationship with God.
I could describe Him in all the words that were created by the tongues and knowledge of man, but none of them can compare to who He is.
My words cannot justify who God is.

You have to experience Him for yourself to find out.

Have a blessed October.

Confirmation

2008-10-01T16:14:00.002+08:00

This post is for all who needs to know or have already known but just to drill it in your heads again. heh

I (which is me) am going to Macquarie University in Sydney, Australia.

When will I be going?
around February 2009.

I really thank God for giving me this opportunity to enroll into a university of high standards. plus it's a full campus! Yay! No more bus rides around PBD! (many don't know of Macquarie... so if you are one of them... go check it out!)

Have I confirmed?
Yes I have. They have accepted me.

So now, you all should know that I will be leaving this blessed land for another land.
When will I return for good? That is uncertain.
But will I return? Yes.

So here is the little glimpse of 2009. And to end a little of your curiosity

Captivate

2008-09-29T21:11:00.003+08:00

Stop. Think. Respond.

I see my flaws when it comes to this area.
Stop. Think. Respond is the contradiction of Reacting.

Clearly this sounds easy to do and act upon but in reality it takes a whole lot out of a person.

During my month of September I learned a very valuable lesson.
I learned and am still learning the meaning of being contented.
Being contented means to be willing to accept something or happy and at ease.

However it must be noted and clearly stated that being contented at times can cause a laid-back attitude and where people will come to a state of under-achieving their goals.

That is why in 1 Timothy 6:6 says so clearly that Godliness with contentment is itself great wealth.
And it goes further in the 2 verses after that by saying "After all, we brought nothing with us when we came into the world, and we can't take anything with us when we leave it. So if we have enough food and clothing, let us be content."

I had to learn it the hard way by losing one of my most expensive possession (was), my brand new camera during the start of the second week of my trip.
I reacted to the situation with blatant anger.
Later I realised my wrong and did a Stop.Think.Respond check on myself.
However, little did I realised that I did not actually fully Stop, Think and Respond about this whole situation.
Even though I could let go of this camera, I wanted a bigger badder better one than the one I lost.
Well, why not? I am actually considering taking photography up as a hobby. Why not get a good camera. It's a better investment anyway.
But
I only started to see that hideous reflection of pride and envy when my trip ended when I was doing my devotion in the plane home that the verse in 1 Timothy was part of the devotion.

I am contented.
An I am learning to attain that godliness with contentment.
It's a journey.

2 Megapixel pictures aren't that bad after all!

Bonjour to you

2008-09-27T01:29:00.003+08:00

In two days time....

Another summer day
Has come and gone away
In Paris and Rome
But I wanna go home
Mmmmmmmm

Maybe surrounded by
A million people
I Still feel all alone
I just wanna go home
Oh, I miss you, you know

And I’ve been keeping all the letters that I wrote to you
Each one a line or two“I’m fine baby, how are you?”
Well I would send them but I know that it’s just not enough
My words were cold and flat
And you deserve more than that

Another aeroplane
Another sunny place
I’m lucky I know
But I wanna go home
Mmmm, I’ve got to go home
Let me go home
I’m just too far from where you are
I wanna come home

Another summer day has come
And gone awayIn even Paris and Rome
And I wanna go home
Let me go home

And I’m surrounded by
A million people
I Still feel all alone
Oh, let me go home
Oh, I miss you, you know
Let me go home
I’ve had my run
Baby, I’m done
I gotta go home
Let me go home
It will all be all right
I’ll be home tonight
I’m coming back home

(the song Home sung by many and edited a little by me)

Farewell

2008-09-04T13:42:00.002+08:00

Good day to all.
Tomorrow will be my last day spending with some of you before we part our ways due to the pursuit of higher education.
I am going to miss our laughter, our joy, our moments of anger & sadness, our craziness and the whacky stuff we do, our times of chilling, our sudden indecisiveness, and all the other memories that completes the little picture of a certain part of a bigger puzzle.

I leave with sadness.
Sadness that my life will change in a month's time. No more hanging out at McDs, mamak, hawkers or restaurants. No more random spur of the moment meet ups.

I leave with excitement.
Excitement with what awaits me in the future. But most importantly I am excited at what you will experience. Excited because I know that one day our paths will cross again.

I return with joy.
Joy that my cost of usage of my cellphone will be cheaper. Joy because I will still rejoice in the Lord.

Most of all,
I return to you.

I can't wait!

Note : the blogger will be away for the whole month of September. If you have any need to contact him, please do email him. =P

Saviour

2008-08-25T21:02:00.003+08:00

Up until now, the song Your Grace is Enough written by Matt Maher rings in my ears.

It plays so much more even in the midst of happenings like the recent Mike Guglielmucci incident.

The first verse of the song goes like this (Chris Tomlin version):

Great is Your faithfulness Oh God,
You wrestle with the sinner's heart.

And so amazing and true this verse is. God is wrestling for Mike Guglielmucci's heart all this while.
Yes, God wrestles for Mike's heart even when Mike was fooling so many people.

In Luke 15 : 1-7 talks about the Parable of the Lost Sheep.
Jesus talks about a shepard losing 1 sheep out of 100 sheep and leaving the 99 behind, goes out to open country and finds that ONE LOST SHEEP. And having found that one lost sheep; rejoices.

And verse 7 concludes with this "I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent."

According to a news website, it was written that Mike Guglielmucci had a dream a couple of weeks before he confessed. In that dream was Jesus on the cross looking down at him and saying to him, 'the truth shall set you free' . And he confessed shortly after that

I like what Keith mentioned, that we can choose to either 'Pray for Mike Guglielmucci' or 'Prey on Mike Guglielmucci'.

God is wrestling with your heart today.

Rejoice together with heaven or scoff at the sinner.

Your Choice.

But remember, God is wrestling for your heart. :)