Grow old with you?

Got off the bus today and saw an old lady pulling out a paper cup from the dustbin. Putting it to her mouth, she drank from it without hesitating.

Had to turn away, was too much to bear.

I thought, give her money. But feet kept moving and lost sight of her. How much to give, would it really make any difference?

Shortly after 5 meters, I stopped and back-tracked. But she was gone.

Etched in my mind, this image will be...

just do it

Yoda says, do or do not.

Gotta do it to do it.

Hitching

Stephane Rousson, a 39-year-old Frenchman who's hoping to cross the English Channel in a homemade, pedal-powered airship - again.

No vision, no plan, no outcome - as plain as can be. You need no further reminder when people around are getting hitched left/right/center.

You gurg!!

On a separate note, Human Race scored me 54m07s, an average of 5.26min per km. WOOT!

Now, time to buy a blimp...

55minutes

...though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day.

2 Cor 4:16

Who do we run each race for? What keeps us going even when it doesn't seem to matter? And what motivates us to run from race to race?

Part of something larger, yet the whole we never see.

All things

...work together for good,

...are possible to him,

...are created for Him,

...have become new ;)

such imagination!

I'm astounded! Such wonderful story-telling! An urgent message belying a love story, well-told with humour and originality - read: entertaining. How on earth did the Pixar team do it...

It seems to speak of intelligent design: being formed by a creator according to one's unique shape. And it's hard to break away from that innate purpose, personality and preconceptions. Yet when something awakens within, newfound meaning emerges, spurring new behaviour and strength.

Inspired, I am. Retired, I ain't. All fired, I should be. Hired, I can't be :)

Read more about Wall-e here at Wikipedia.

opportunity

Unlike what U2 says, you only find what you're looking for.

~Phil Pringle

extraordinary

When the music fades,
and the smoke dissipates,
faith, wonder and phileo
still remain.

Now, hands willing, hearts clean,
feet restless, lips praise.
Who can refuse when He calls?

A spark begets a fire,
then a lifetime
to burn and inspire.

the end of the beginning

G day: that's G for graduation - on 23 & 24 Aug. Thoughts, fears and frustration temper my faith...

leadership brought to life

Moral of the story: Uphold personal integrity by keeping one's word. It breeds trust. Hmmm......

Rock & praise

Praise jubilante,
Word excellente!
Worship unified,
God glorified!

soldiering

Read recently that James Blunt used to be a soldier and even served in Kosovo. It's heartening what he says about being in the army:

I had to learn about different opinions and perspectives. Many people think the Army is just a group of people who follow orders. But it is not just that: you have to read a situation, assess and react appropriately. And you have to be flexible; soldiers have to switch, at one order from a commander, from being an aggressive force to peacekeepers. One is about forceful action, the other about hearts and minds. It's not surprising that I was able to become a musician after my military career, given that in the Army I learned how to change roles in an instant.

I have seen peace. I have seen pain,
Resting on the shoulders of your name.
Do you see the truth through all their lies?
Do you see the world through troubled eyes?
And if you want to talk about it anymore,
Lie here on the floor and cry on my shoulder,
I'm a friend.

Taking off

Quicker than you can say seven years and there goes!

Over mountains, over seas, to a life less ordinary in a brave new land.

Envy? Nah. A tinge of sadness though.

But there's no time and no need for moping.

Oh the glorious day of living in the fullness of one's calling!



All my bags are packed I'm ready to go
I'm standin' here outside your door
I hate to wake you up to say goodbye
But the dawn is breakin' it's early morn
The taxi's waitin' he's blowin' his horn
Already I'm so lonesome I could die

So kiss me and smile for me
Tell me that you'll wait for me
Hold me like you'll never let me go
Cause I'm leavin' on a jet plane
Don't know when I'll be back again
Oh babe, I hate to go

Recollection

Memories buried deep,
tears I used to weep.
Keys I did not keep,
once I learned to sleep.

Perspectives

Walk among the clouds... almost.


Food Struggle in Egypt


2008 Summer Olympics - akan datang

motorcycle diaries (singapore edition)

Singapore Dream - Round the World

Found out about this amazing Singaporean couple, currently riding around the world on a Honda bike since 1st Jan 2008 and aiming to cover 48 countries by June 2009 thereabouts. Starting budget: $50K (hence the appeals for support from fellow countrymen).

Foolhardy? Perhaps. Defying all rational sense of Singaporean pragmatism? Ah then! Defining cool? Absolutely! ;D

Finishing?

Just signed up for Nike+ Human Race. Though haven't been running regularly, friends & colleagues know me as the "marathon guy."

Tonight CG message was quite apt - about finishing well. Life's indeed a marathon, broken up into shorter runs. The run of bible school's coming to an end. What's next I scratch my head...

Onward I tread.

We Try Our Best

J. R. Simplot, Farmer Who Developed First Frozen French Fries, Dies at 99
Clay Felker, Magazine Pioneer, Dies at 82
George Carlin, Comic Who Chafed at Society and Its Constraints, Dies at 71


A tad morbid for a blog opening, but I really find myself intrigued by the passing of personalities and having their life's achievements recounted.

Built to last, comes to mind, for lately I find myself thinking about the legacy that I might leave - and for now, live.

Indeed the best of us really do try our best. Bringing out the best in ourselves - and more. Nurturing what's wanted in others.

As the song goes, "This little light of mine, I'm gonna let it shine!"

And inspired I am, by the chefs who gave it all for their me

don't take it take slow

This is the only race worth running. I've run hard right to the finish, believed all the way. All that's left now is the shouting—God's applause!

2 Timothy 4:7 (The Message)

We're just ordinary people
We don't know which way to go
Cuz we're ordinary people
Maybe we should take it slow (Take it slow oh oh ohh)
This time we'll take it slow (Take it slow oh oh ohh)
This time we'll take it slow

(John Legend)

close our heads and bow our eyes

Speaking without sleeping...

Seriously sleep-impaired I am.

It's a great week nonetheless!

Learning and journeying I am.

Seeing is believing

We don't see things as they are, we see them as we are - Anaïs Nin

Sleep eludes, not because of insomnia but just lack of time.

Mind wanders, gotta focus and ditch the negatives.

Vision of the heart or of another realm?

Wonders now, halfway through, what's ahead?

Be Still... and Pray

It is the Spirit who gives life. (John 6:63)

Another week whizzing by.

Trying to pray more, time (and sleep) is such a precious resource. But thank God for assuredly He speaks - revealing more and more. J reminds me that the real challenge comes after SOT.

Just had dinner with grandparents for an early Father's Day celebration. Their faith really encouraged me; they speak about death with no fear, instead joy - that they will return to their heavenly home soon.

The perfectionist in me has got me again - how can a 1500 word assignment possibly cause so much sleepless grief?

substance of things hoped for

I'm not afraid of anything
Be it mountains, water, dragons, dark or sky
I'm not afraid of anything
Tell me where's the challenge if you never try
So watch me fly
I'm not afraid...

And I feel the calling of adventure
And I hear the ringing in my ear
The lights are glaring
Trumpets blaring
I'm right here
And I hear the calling of tomorrow
And I feel the stirring in my bones...

Keep Going

So don't sit around on your hands! No more dragging your feet! Clear the path for long-distance runners so no one will trip and fall, so no one will step in a hole and sprain an ankle. Help each other out. And run for it!

Hebrews 12:12-13 (Message)

Pacem In Excelsius

Attended PCC's performance of Bach's Mass in B minor - where Z performed this Bass Aria:

Et in Spiritum Sanctum (And I believe in the Holy Ghost),
Dominum, et vivificantem (the Lord and giver of life):
qui ex Patre Filioque procedit (Who prodeedeth from the Father and the Son).
Qui cum Patre et Filio simul (Who with the Father and the Son together)
adoratur et conglorificatur (is worshipped and glorified):
qui locutus est per Prophetas (who spoke by the Prophets).
Credo in unam sanctam (And I believe in one holy)
catholicam et apostolicam Ecclesiam (catholic and apostolic Church).

Bach, the greatest composer in the 18C, was also a devout Lutheran Christian who had a heart for sacred music. He was certainly prolific in producing more than 1000 works in his life. And the more I read online about the intricacy and underlying theology of his music, the more I'm impressed by his cleverness and devotion!

And hear this, the Credo section is in fact, the Nicene Creed. Containing all the essential elements of the Christian faith, it's no wonder that we recite it for holy communion in church. And so I wonder if God's presence tangibly filled the cathedral as the chorus chimed in tutti,

Sanctus, Sanctus, Sanctus (Holy, Holy, Holy)
Dominus Deus Sabaoth (Lord God of Hosts)
Pleni sunt coeli et terra gloria tua (Heaven and earth are full of Thy glory)

On a different note, looking around during the concert, I realised the other constant, next to change: Aging. Friends, friends' family, the conductor and players on stage - oh how we've aged.

No wonder the bible teaches us to number our days. Let's live life with a great story to tell at the end of it!

break my heart for what breaks yours

Moral of the story: A soldier braves landslides, rubble and fatigue to save souls and restore hope.

So have a heart.

spilling

A gift of patience, can it be? Though it seems the phone rings too much.

How to impact lives when an attitude to serve is not entirely there?

Friend seeker

This shows the full meaning of the Scripture that says: "Abraham believed God, and God accepted Abraham's faith, and that faith made him right with God." And Abraham was called God's friend. James 2:23 (NCV)

Watched Superhero Movie with D my old pal. As sillily slapstick it was, it speaks of how we all long for a secret power that makes us invincible while remaining human and true to ourselves.

In SOT, we're learning about the person of God... the Holy Spirit. More than a spooky presence, He's as real as you and me, and comes bearing an immeasurable love along with gifts and secrets. And it all begins with an invitation to begin a relationship.

And it's really a friendship of mutual listening. After all, what do friends do? What makes you feel loved when you meet a friend? When someone gives you time of day?

A couple of friends called me tonight and I realised all they really wanted was a listening ear. I don't feel like I've done much, yet one thanked me for my friendship. Such is the simple faith of a simple man. And it's simply wonderful!

I surmise that leadership is a call to lay down one's life for his friends. By being available, by bearing them on his shoulders and in prayer, by selflessly influencing them for the better...

And so we come full circle to the R-word - Relationship (the opposite of Rejection?)

How does one relate? How does one open one's heart? How does one become a friend?

Receive, rejoice and release, perhaps?

Anxiety, Be Gone

Ubin was great. Today felt like holiday. But am up again till late, busy with bookstore matters.

Racing hard, it feels a little lonely. More importantly, may I not lose focus of the things that truly matter.

Pressing

Passion is a daily endeavour, not a constant emotional high.

Monday saw conviction and bawling, Tuesday featured emcee-ing in front of 300 colleagues, Wed saw newly formed marketers, Thu was seeing human dynamics at work, Fri was wondering about the great something that was due to happen.

Three weeks into bible school and I must admit there're doubts about whether I'm in the right place. But if He spoke indirectly about it, can it still not be correct?

Work challenges remain, if not, have toughened. Perhaps I've been slack, issues long pending have yet to be resolved.

Gotta keep praying for peace, joy, order and freedom...

Manufactured Landscapes (2007)

By Edward Burtynsky

Growing

Friend's grandma suffers incontinence, friend's suffers poor sleep and emotional stress. Grandpa lost 3 more teeth - he's more than 90yo - family suffers temporary worry bout.

Growing old's such a terrible thing. I used to tell myself I don't want to live too long - until someone pointed out that meant dying in your prime. Hmph, life offers much more than worrying about the inevitable.

Truly, we never know what's gonna be hurled at us. But when things are going well for one, can one ignore the plight of others? As Luke reminds us "...for everyone to whom much is given, from him much will be required..."

En commute to work this afternoon, a 15yo beng sitting behind was going on loudly in chinese about his shi fu and his friend wasting his time. Crude mocking and playful wrestling inclusive.

I'm not ranting, really. Just wondering what brings one fulfillment and focus?

*ponder*

Burn You Like Roti Prata

Team name: Ham Chim Peng

Summary: 16 sporting, youthful ones went on round-island game of Monopoly. Sweaty, icky but fun :)

Tomorrow 8am PA duty... ARGH!

Excellence

n. (ks-lns)

quality - an essential and distinguishing attribute of something or someone; "the quality of mercy is not strained"--Shakespeare
admirability, admirableness, wonderfulness - admirable excellence
impressiveness, magnificence, grandness, richness - splendid or imposing in size or appearance; "the grandness of the architecture"; "impressed by the richness of the flora"
civilisation, civilization, refinement - the quality of excellence in thought and manners and taste; "a man of intellectual refinement"; "he is remembered for his generosity and civilization"
courtesy of tfd.com

Big day / Day 1 beckons tomorrow.

Admittedly, was gripped by apprehension before this. Take it easy, you will enjoy, J my leader assured me.

How am I gonna balance tests/assignments/lack-of-sleep/overcoming-fears/
challenges-at-work/ministry-commitment/spending-time-with-loved-ones...?

Spirit-centered, I say!

Watering

The generous soul will be made rich, And he who waters will also be watered himself.

(Proverbs 11:25)

Truly God will use you and your experiences to water others.

how small, how great

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.
Philippians 4:9 (NIV)

What do you do when you're down and out?

When God seems to be putting you through the toughest time of your life, when your family's kicked you out because you refuse to join the fold to follow old ways, when you're hiding at the void deck because you want to avoid spot checks, when you're desparately trying to start anew but no employer seems to want you because of your previous drug conviction, when your wife left you for another man and still lies to you, when you're living off NTUC vouchers from social welfare, when you don't even have that 10cents to make a phone call...

How do you react when you meet a person going through this yet he's backboned enough not to ask for money or any other help? J tells me he's humbled this evening. Me too bro, me too.

Let's touch a life today with a listening ear, an assuring pat and heartfelt prayers.

Worry is meditation on the wrong things

Don't fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns. Before you know it, a sense of God's wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down. It's wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life.

Summing it all up, friends, I'd say you'll do best by filling your minds and meditating on things true, noble, reputable, authentic, compelling, gracious—the best, not the worst; the beautiful, not the ugly; things to praise, not things to curse. Put into practice what you learned from me, what you heard and saw and realized. Do that, and God, who makes everything work together, will work you into his most excellent harmonies.
Philippians 4:6-9 (The Message)