"Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit"

Thank You, Lord

A heart-wrenching, utterly saddening video about my country's government and the police force. How absurd, that as the crime rates escalate in the nation, the police are unscrupulously arresting people with opinions- the very people our country needs! How will the young learn to love their country and all its ideals, when the people who do are put behind bars and silenced? How will the ones with a heart for this land; the people who have been jealously guarding its reputation and serving the government continue, without thoughts of leaving and bitterness if they stay?

The young can, and the people who love this country can, with a stronger resolve. Let's not lose hope.

To my uni friends and fellow (stressed up) students,

The cause > the cost

:>

Religion and grace

"In church the other Sunday, I was intent on a small child turning around smiling at everyone. He wasn't gurgling, spitting, humming, kicking, tearing the hymnals, or rummaging through his mother's handbag. He was just smiling. Finally, his mother jerked him about and in a stage whisper that could be heard in a little theater off Broadway said,
"Stop that grinning! You're in church!"
With that, she gave him a belt and as the tears tolled down his cheeks added,
"That's better," and returned to her prayers....

Suddenly I was angry. It occurred to me the entire world is in tears, and if you're not, then you'd better get with it. I wanted to grab this child with the tear-stained face close to me and tell him about my God. The happy God. The smiling God. The God who had to have a sense of humor to have created the likes of us...By tradition, one wears faith with the solemnity of a mourner, the gravity of a mask of tragedy, and the dedication of a Rotary badge.

What a fool, I thought. Here was a woman sitting next to the only light in our civilization- the only hope, our only miracle- our only promise of infinity.
If he couldn't smile in church, where was there left to go?"
-Erma Bombeck (in What's so amazing about grace? by Philip Yancey)

The tragedy of contemporary Christianity is despite the radical truth about grace it carries, followers adulterate the message of the Cross with worldly legalism and self-righteousness. The world continues to cry for grace and a love that is beyond man's limited capacity to give while elitism creeps into the religious circles.

What a sobering reminder to me... that we, who have the truth and the gift of grace, are capable of betraying the people who need them the most. Non-conformity, if not balanced with grace and a heart for the people can easily turn into religious exclusiveness. If we serve a God of grace, we must be people of grace.

“Victorious warriors win first and then go to war, while defeated warriors go to war first and then seek to win.”-Sun Tzu

A vaporous life

It is said...

An average woman, over a lifetime,
- Spends 2 years getting ready for a function
- Cleans her household and performs chores for 2 and a half years
- Cooks for 3 years
- Spends 6 years watching television
- Talks on the phone for 5 and a half years

An average man, over a lifetime,
- Spends 10 and a half years working in his office
- 6 months getting ready for a function (as opposed to 2 years for women)
- 1 year shopping
- 2 years exercising
- 3 years in the toilet (as opposed to 6 months for women)


One wonders how much can be achieved or experienced in a short lifetime of 70 years, when one is awake for 50 years (20 years spent sleeping), out of which 2 weeks are spent waiting for red traffic lights to change and 3 years are spent waiting for others (possibly getting ready for a function).

Truly, the average human doesn't have much time on his hands. God speed

A matter of greeting

Eastern pride says "I'm fine" when the opposite is true.
Western pride asks "Hi, how are you?" when there is in fact no interest.

Simple greetings tell much about us.

Quote

"Sad is the day for any man when he becomes absolutely satisfied with the life that he is living, the thoughts he is thinking and the deeds he is doing; until there ceases to be forever beating at the door of his soul a desire to do something larger which he seeks and knows he was meant and intended to do."
-Philips Brooks

Be not weary of well doing

In my absence I've been reading quite a fair bit, and I chanced upon the story of John Wesley who wrote his last letter to William Wilberforce, the man we remember today for his opposition to slavery. It was a significant letter for the both of them- for Wesley because it was to be the last recorded letter of his life, and for Wilberforce because upon receiving the letter he had just suffered another defeat in one of his many futile attempts to abolish the cruel practice of slave trade. The words of this letter, however, inspired Wilberforce many a time in years to come to continue in his effort until finally, the Parliament outlawed the practice in 1807.

Balam, February 24, 1791

Dear Sir:

Unless the divine power has raised you us to be as Athanasius contra mundum, I see not how you can go through your glorious enterprise in opposing that execrable villainy which is the scandal of religion, of England, and of human nature. Unless God has raised you up for this very thing, you will be worn out by the opposition of men and devils. But if God be for you, who can be against you? Are all of them together stronger than God? O be not weary of well doing! Go on, in the name of God and in the power of his might, till even American slavery (the vilest that ever saw the sun) shall vanish away before it.

Reading this morning a tract wrote by a poor African, I was particularly struck by that circumstance that a man who has a black skin, being wronged or outraged by a white man, can have no redress; it being a "law" in our colonies that the oath of a black against a white goes for nothing. What villainy is this?

That he who has guided you from youth up may continue to strengthen you in this and all things, is the prayer of, dear sir,

Your affectionate servant,
John Wesley


"O be not weary of well doing!"

Happy Chinese New Year and happy holidays to all :>

Moments Captured (Dec to Jan)

Some of the guys in my cell, after a hike in FRIM. A good bunch who remind me of my own youth.

Photo courtesy of Jonathan, taken during the camp briefing in the youth camp. I served as the Camp Commandant last year, and thoroughly enjoyed the process of planning and executing our plans.
The committee, whom I appreciate very much and are dear friends to me.
The 145 of us, unprepared for the shot. Photo courtesy of Leo.
This is Eugene Koo, my treasured team member, who leads the group of young guys with me.
Watching Vegetales intently with some friends, during the Christmas Eve Party.
Christmas Day, with Meng Yoe, Joey and Kar Kien.
This is Jason, a close friend of mine from the days of high school whom I think has never been mentioned here. We meet every now and then, and during each time, share and exchange ideas, thoughts and dreams. Soon, Jason leaves to Tasmania to further his law studies.
This is a reluctant 'Arsenal' fan whose picture I thought is worth displaying. My fellow 365 committee member and buddy, Daniel Chia.
Chien Aun, another friend who leaves to continue his studies in Monash Australia soon. A person of well balanced opinions and good sense, I enjoy many engaging conversations with him.

This is a shot of a MUFY orientation session in which I came along to assist my youth pastors in, speaking as a Monash student on university life.

I decided to spend the rest of my holidays helping out at a home for disabled and handicapped children during my free time. The experience alone has many colours to it, and I thoroughly enjoy the kids there. Many have terrible stories to tell, and many of these stories need to be told to the rest.

Have a good week, to all of you.

Happy New Year