He's done it again!

“Time for bed, Danny” he said as he softly gestured toward the clock. The hour hand showed number ten.

“So soon? Can’t I stay up any longer daddy?” Danny replied.

“Not today son, you’ll need rest for tomorrow. It’ll be your first day at school.”

Mr. Williams stood up and gave Danny a gentle backrub.

“I’ll read you a bedtime story if it helps.”

“A story?! Can we read ‘the adventures of Capt. Joshua’? Please daddy, please!” pleaded Danny as he jumped up and down the couch.

“Alright. Now up to bed you go.” said Mr. Williams gently.

“Yay!”

Danny beamed from ear to ear. It was obvious that Danny was delighted. Of all the bedtime stories, ‘the adventures of Capt. Joshua’ was his favourite by far. He hurried up the stairs into his attic room filled with excitement.

Mr. Williams followed slowly up the stairs. He removed the book from its shelf.

‘The adventures of Captain Joshua’ read the title. It wasn’t an old book, but its pages had already started to turn brown and its edges started to shrivel- it made some of the edges of the pages look like little doggy ears. It wasn’t the first time he had read it to his son.

Mr. Williams sat by the bed, cleared his throat and began.

“The town of Gallisville was a town along the coast. Its people were a nice and friendly bunch. But lurking in the darkness of a nearby cave was Evy the evil dragon..”

Mr. Williams was a good story teller and Danny was an even better audience- every change in intonation of Mr. Williams’ narration produced a similar change in Danny’s expressions. When the people of Gallisville were under attack, Danny would squirm in his bed pleading for help. When Joshua appeared, Danny would breathe a sigh of relief. When Evy engaged in battle with Joshua, Danny would fight alongside him and when Joshua triumphed over Evy, Danny rejoiced with the people of Gallisville.

“.. And the people of Gallisville lived happily ever after.”

By this time, Danny was jumping up and down in bed in celebration. Mr. Williams smiled to himself as he placed the book back to its shelf. His son’s enthusiasm was infectious. It happens every single time he tells this story.

Eventually, Danny calmed down and was ready for bed. As Mr. Williams was tucking his son into bed, he asked him.

“Tell me Danny, I read this story to you all the time. Every single time you end up jumping on the bed when Captain Joshua triumphs over Evy. Does this story ever get boring to you?”

Danny was surprised that his dad would ask such a ridiculous question. He immediately replied:

“Don’t be silly daddy. Of course it doesn’t. Can’t you see daddy? He’s done it again, he’s done it again! Captain Joshua has saved the day again!”

-

Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” -Matthew 19:14

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Don't let me lose my wonder by Keith and Kristyn Getty

I've seen days melt into nights, in circles of lights,
I've watched a spider spin a star between the window box flowers,
I've heard you laugh and cry in a single sigh, and a story form within.

Don't let me lose my wonder.
Don't let me lose my wonder.

I saw her broken, dreams inside, but helping others fly,
I saw his eyes, without a doubt, though other lights faded out,
And though her calling roared, such graciousness flowed
From the vision of her soul.

A baby cried through the dark beneath a jeweled spark,
I knew Your voice upon the hill and heard my lostness still,
I found my home in the light, where wrong was made right
And You rose like the morning star.

Don't let me lose my wonder
Don't let me lose my wonder.

time to say goodbye- andrea bocelli

I suppose I should be writing a post on my travels in Europe. I do promise to write a little more about my experiences in Europe, but at the moment, there are certain matters which I feel I must write about. I apologize for the lack of chronology.

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You will never be able to go home again. You will probably always leave part of yourself behind and thereafter will be split, and home may be in more than one place. But that is the price you pay for the richness of having experienced more than one culture so deeply. –Miriam Adeney

My time here in London is finally coming to a close. I’ve been here for four years, which is quite a long time for someone my age. Four years- four good years and God has been so good.


I spent my final few days walking along the paths I once used to walk along and through the parks I used to frequent. Autumn really is a beautiful time- the leaves are just starting to wither and it’s colours finally turning yellow. In a few weeks, the leaves will turn vivid brown, the weather will start to get colder, the days shorter and the nights longer- a change in season. It’s weird how I know this place so well and it pains me to be leaving it.

London has been indeed a very special time for me- growing in knowledge of God, in fellowship with believers and in a more general sense, living life. I will miss it sorely. For all these reasons, it’s most tempting to see London as ‘the’ special place where life was really good- good people, good education, good lifestyle etc. I use the word ‘tempting’, because I know that the giver of these things is good irrespective of place and time. It would be flawed to think that life will never be as special as it is now- just as the giver is unchangeable in nature, so will his gifts be unchangeable in goodness both in the past and in the future. I should be wary to guard myself from moping around and bemoaning the fact that the good ol’ London days have now come and gone. God has been good to me in London and He’ll still be when I return to Malaysia. The best is yet to be!

-

In the past 2 weeks, so much has happened and will be happening- my graduation, birthday and farewell. Again, I have to stress that God has been extremely good. He has provided me with so many people around me to share my joy. For that I’m so very thankful!

The sheer quantity of people that I’ve met over the past few years amazes me. I just met up with some friends over dinner just now- some old, some new. It saddens me to be leaving all the friends I’ve made here in London and that I might never get to know my new friends a little better. Such is life- always littered with people whom you might never meet again. The question that comes to mind is ‘what have I left them with?’ Hopefully more than a few one-liners that gets them cracking. I made some new friends today and I hope that any way possible, I have pointed them to Christ. Given the chance, I’d love to see and hear from them again. But in all likelihood, this goodbye would be very long one- till the day when the trumpet sounds. O that all my interactions with other people may be of eternal value.

hit the road, jack..

The past few weeks have been quite different- life on the road has been.. em, different? haha.. It's been tiring yet refreshing, lonely yet exciting.. It's like a brewing pot of broth with too many ingredients, only that the broth isn't spoilt. It just tastes different.

Moving from place to place, there are so many changes to deal with- different people, different language, different scenery. I'm just glad that God remains a constant. =)

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Tian Shan mountain range in Kazakhstan

In the beginning you laid the foundations of the earth, and the heavens are the work of your hands. They will perish but you remain; they will wear out like a garment. Like clothing you will change them and they will be discarded. But you remain the same, and your years have no end.-Psalms 102:25-27

Hugh Palmer said today (not verbatim):

"We must be very careful not to neglect the bible out of carelessness. The scripture is God speaking sufficiently and supremely."

Travel log- Norway

Norway was awesome! But I'm getting a little confused with the whole traveling idea. It's so easy to fall in believing that traveling is a journey of self discovery- planning your trip, hitting the road, meeting strangers who then become your friends, living out of a ruck sack, sleeping anywhere that'll take you, abandoning your plans and going to anywhere and everywhere you want to. Such a compelling idea no? Kinda similar to the Age of Aquarius and the hippie movement.

Very romantic, but it also reeks of self-sufficiency I'd say. In all honesty, I'm a sucker for these sort of things. Which makes it extra dangerous for me in my travels (and I say this in a very honest way). Please pray for me as I travel that I won't make my travels about discovering myself, but instead discovering God- to see the wonders of his creation, to see the creativity of the maker of heaven and earth and to praise and seek Him that made all these things.

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Meanwhile, here are some pictures of Norway that testifies of His glory!

The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament
sheweth his handywork- Ps 19:1

It begins!!

I'll be headed to Oslo tomorrow. From Oslo, I'll head to Stavanger where I'm hoping to visit kjeragbolten, a boulder wedged between two cliffs. I'm really praying that the weather will hold! The rain would probably spoil the trip as well as some potentially great photos. =)

Finally the traveling has started, yet I think I'm a little distracted =/.

-

Dear friends and family, please do pray for me that my period of traveling won't be wasted, but instead be a time of preparation for me before I head back home, both mentally, emotionally and spiritually. It's going to be a big change. Pray for journey mercies too!

Think quick!

How would you know if the orange is sweet?



As Mr. Lai says, "taste it."

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"Taste and see that the Lord is good.. "-Psalms 34:8

Proverbs 3

Had bible study on Proverbs 3 last Friday during summer OCF. We came across several things, some of which I thought it’d be good to share. Proverbs 3 draws a lot of symbolism from Deuteronomical era, and the first few verses of proverbs seem to be very similar to that of Deuteronomy 6.

My son, do not forget my teaching, but keep my commands in your heart.-Proverbs 3:1

Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart. –Proverbs 3:3

These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. – Deuteronomy 6:6-8

It gives me more meaning when reading proverbs 3. The author of proverbs wrote his instructions using similar imagery as that found in Deuteronomy 6; Moses had just declared to the whole of Israel the 10 commandments which were carved on stone. He then goes on to say that the commandments carved in stone were in fact to be carved on their hearts, tied on their hands and bind on their foreheads; It was more than simply being law. It was meant to be internalized- it wasn’t enough for the people just to know the law but to understand the spirit of the law.

What a timely reminder when in reading God’s word not to treat it as knowledge that informs, but as a piece of wisdom from God that transforms.

Trust in the Lord in 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

With all your heart.

Not on your own understanding.

In all your ways.

Reading these verses in the light of Deuteronomy 6 makes it seem to carry so much more weight.

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I’ve been doing a little thinking on trusting God recently. It’s kinda hard at times. But more and more, I’m convinced that the where(s) and the what(s) you end up doing pale in comparison to being able to know God at a level where he alone is everything. The jump in itself means very little if it’s not into God’s hands.

Promise or a dare,
I would jump if I knew you’d catch me. –Jars of Clay

And here's a photo I knicked off the net by stickybraw20:

A brief introduction..

There are many possible reasons for one to blog, but here are my few:

• To keep friends and family updated on the what, who, when, why, were and hows of my life. Do keep me in prayer.
• As a means of expression; an overflow of my thoughts/feelings/emotions. I write a lot better than I talk. Perhaps this is also due to the fact that I spend more time thinking before I write than when I talk.
• To cultivate the habit of penning down my thoughts. I feel that journaling helps streamline stray thoughts and provide perspective and direction.
• To encourage my fellow participants in the race of life. We are running the race, but let’s not just run for the prize but also to help the others along the way. I would be absolutely delighted should whatever I pen down be of any help you in your time of need.

There are certain things that this blog isn’t meant to be. I include here some chosen portions of a write up on Christianity and modern social media (by Dustin Neeley) which I agree with wholeheartedly:

Social media (blogging, Facebook, Twitter, etc.), as technology, is neutral and harmless. Social media can and should be used for the glory of God and the advancement of the gospel in every possible way. But natural-born idolaters like you and me are no more than a few clicks away from making this good thing a god thing.

The most dangerous of these tainted meals is pride. Few other creations in history have allowed us to see how "important" we and our thoughts are with such tantalizing immediacy as our blog and tweet stats. There are times we check our stats because we are more concerned with the applause of man than the affirmation of Jesus, and we forsake the true justification of who we are in the gospel for the false justification of who we are in the eyes of our followers. We do the opposite of what we set out to do in the first place; we serve ourselves instead of God and his people.

Pride creeps in through tweets and status updates. Though there is nothing inherently wrong with mentioning where we are having lunch or who we are with, we would be well served by checking our hearts before we do. Are we sharing this information to give people a helpful window into our lives as we seek to live out the gospel, or are we unwittingly (or even quite wittingly) enticing our friends toward coveting the life we are living? Out of the overflow of the heart, the mouth tweets.

May every single post be motivated by my love for God and point others toward Him and not myself.

the beginning of the end..

These are interesting times- the beginning of the end has just started for me. My four years of formal education here in the United Kingdom is finally over. So many good memories- the fellowship with other believers in OCF as well as in church, the many friends that I’ve made over the years, the many adventures that I’ve shared with my peers. Indeed too many to write down. At the same time, there had been a fair share of painful memories too- Markus’ sudden departure, the frustrations of my final year project, the weariness of service and more recently, the uncertainty of future. Yet through all these, the fact remains- God is very very good and his mercies are new every morning. My stay here in London certainly has been so very enriching.

Spring has come and gone and summer I suspect summer will pass by just as quickly. One by one, friends depart for home. The initial euphoria of finishing formal education is beginning to wear off and reality strikes- A full 4 months remain before I head back to Malaysia for good. Now what remain are me and God and time. It’s so easy to fall into wishful thinking, where the good times would be perpetual. No frills- sponsorship money, spiritual support and so many friends to rely on. I’m glad my summer plans didn’t work out. It’s a reality check. Student life has been so comfortable. In fact, just a little too comfortable that I have become very picky and fussy; both spiritually and physically. It reminds me of the words sung by bobby giles: comfort sings a siren tune. How true.

I’m not really sure where the Lord is leading me nor am I sure what he’s doing/will be doing in my life. But I surely can feel the change. More and more, I feel this burning desire to bring glory to His name in every action, word, thought and deed. Even as summer comes and goes, it is my prayer that God will continue to work on me and shape me and mold me so that with each passing day I grow more and more into the likeness of Christ.