Stuff that I came across recently:

God is waiting for you to despair- "Lord, I cannot love and I give up trying, but I count on thy perfect love. I cannot forgive, but I trust thee to forgive instead of me, and to do so henceforth in me."

When God's will isn't clear- "..conformity to the world or to Jesus is most clearly seen in the pattern of decisions we make over time."

The macho messiah- "Want to see what real masculinity looks like? Look to Christ. Real men pray. Real men weep. Real men love. Real men are bold, but real men are also broken."

And behold! In the morning, it is always Leah.

Preaching Jesus from Proverbs, Ecclesiastes and Job- "I don’t think the wisdom literature is necessarily more difficult to interpret and preach than, say, 2 Samuel or 2 Peter; it is simply a less familiar genre.

The preeminence of Jesus is for everyday life-..it dawned on me that in the middle of such a mess is where I really live, and that Jesus wants it that way. This is where most everyone lives, and if the supremacy of Jesus doesn’t land on us here, in the mess of the everyday, then we’ll spend our days oblivious to its wonder.

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And here's something fun to watch.

But we don't actually need loudspeakers to say something nice.

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To all booklovers! THE BIG BAD WOLF SALE!! 75-95% off ALL books!! =)

Travel log- Cambodia pt 2

..I shambled after as I’ve been doing all my life after people who interest me, because the only people for me are the mad ones, the ones who are mad to live, mad to talk, mad to be saved, desirous of everything at the same time, the ones who never yawn or say a commonplace thing, but burn, burn, burn like fabulous yellow roman candles exploding like spiders across the stars and in the middle you see the blue centerlight pop and everyone goes ‘Awww!’. –Kerouac

It’s always the mad ones that catch my eye- it’s the certain state of being of these souls that seems rather divine; not holy, but divine. I happen to chance upon some of them whilst in Cambodia and listen to me when I say that Cambodia filled with em’ maddies. God bless their souls, they sure made my trip a whole lot more interesting.

It was in Siem Reap that I met one of the maddest of em’ all. It was about noon and I just got to my room and there she was, lying in a hammock along the shared corridor listening to some reggae music. I nodded a greet (to which she nodded in reply) and retreated to my room to unpack and to rest. When I was finally done some hours later, she was still there listening to her music in the hammock along the shared corridor. So I said hi and she said hi and told me that her name was Lou. Lou-- sounds like a sweet name and you’d half expect her to be ladylike, prim and proper and meek and mild. But she had a nose piercing across her nostrils and she had short braided brunette hair that was tied up with a rubber band. I was beginning to suspect that she was a hippie (which she was as I found out later) but she lacked the common headband that they usually wear and she wasn’t holding a bong. She told me she was form Germany and she’s been travelling for 3 years through Australia and South East Asia. She looked rather young so I asked her what her parents thought about her travelling like that. She saw right through the question and told me that she was 25. She skipped university after one semester because she felt that she didn’t like the way life was laid out before her. So she gathered her savings and bought a ticket to Australia.

I told her that I was from Malaysia and she told me that she spoke fluent Bahasa Melayu which was rather surprising. Her story was even more surprising: Apparently she decided to go to Malaysia after a friend told her about a mystical guy who lived in the jungles in KKB near the dam. So she and a bunch of other friends, all eleven of them decided to buy tickets to Malaysia and head to KKB. Then, discovering that they had no idea where to find this mystic of theirs, they decided to get some food at a stall by the roadside. At the stall, they asked some locals where to find Antaraz (that’s his name), and as fate would have it, the locals knew exactly where he could be found. So all the eleven of them hopped on to 4-WDs and they head of into the jungle. Antaraz our dear mystic, had no idea who they all were and was totally shocked to find eleven hippies wanting to see him. But he was totally accommodating and they lived with him for 5 months in a rumah panjang.

Now, it could’ve been that her story was a whole load of hogwash, but at that moment in time I was rather awed ‘coz she really could speak the language (perhaps better than some of us city kids do) and that sort of lends her story some credibility. Then we talked about life in general and a whole lot of other stuff. Our conversation was interspersed with her deciding to pick dirt from her toe nails with her fingers and I found that kinda cool ‘coz it seemed to me that she wasn’t the type that tried to impress (and she also didn’t shave her armpits which I couldn’t help noticing because she wore a spaghetti strap top and made huge arm movements. that being said, it’s only cool if you’re a hippie. if you’re not, women, please shave your pits). She was biking to Phnom Penh the next day and I thought it’d be nice to have evidence of my encounter with a hippie. But it was totally uncool to ask a hippie if they have facebook (I think that might almost equal blasphemy in their eyes) and I didn’t dare take her picture so this is all the evidence I have. And that sums up what might’ve been my first encounter with a hippie (not a bum, they’re a different species). Of course, it’s equally possible that she’s just a travelling story teller.

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And what do you do with stories like this?

People ask me why I enjoy traveling and I don’t have one single answer. It’s the enjoyment that comes from a little bit of everything I guess- the sights you see, the people you meet, the food you eat, the sounds you hear, and (sometimes) the lack of it. I’m pretty sure it is closely related to the way God created us humans to be stewards of this earth. But I think stewardship is more than just being a tourist.

I’d love to see the world and I have deep respect for people who are willing to bet their ranch to this end. But don’t be fooled (and I say this mainly as a reminder to myself), living life only for this would be tragic. Real tragic.

A new voice

If you were given an option to change or not to change to world for the better, which would you choose?

When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can turn the whole animal. Or take ships as an example. Although they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the pilot wants to go. Likewise, the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts.

An anxious heart weighs a man down, but a kind word cheers him up

A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.

Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.

Reckless words pierce like a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.

A word aptly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver.

And if I put as much thought into speaking as I put into solving math, I’d wield the power to change the world, one word at a time.

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I’ve been tremendously blessed to have friends who are very encouraging and thoughtful- I owe it to them for being the person I am today, God knows it’s true. I thank God for all of them. I, I’ve slept and rose in settlings of silver, ate apples of gold like a king, tasted choice honey from the honeycomb, lavished with words that don’t even cost a thing. Economically absurd. I gotta pass it on.

On Fellowship

Fellowship with em' family is so refreshing- spent the weekend with bros and sis' up in the mountains and it was bare mystical. Not in the zen mystics kinda way, but in the apostolic church kinda way. I thank God for ordaining that his body be encouraged through fellowship with other believers.

My faith, it seems to be a rather personal thing- not something that I share openly with others, even family. It's a pity that although I meet em' churchies every weekend I spend so little time dwelling on the things that mean quite a great deal to me. Uncle Langsir suggests that I be more intentional in having conversations about Christ. And who knows, others too might be just a tad shy. And you too, talk to me about Christ 'coz it takes two to tango.

Camerons

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Just been released and has been doing rounds in facebook- my favorite homeboys Decimal. They'll be opening for Jayesslee when they head up to Malaysia in October. Sure hope they'll make it big someday.

Who says fat people can't dance?

If you're willing to overlook the lack of cloth and excessive fat folds, tis' actually one amaaazing kid. As I observed, in 2 hours, the viewership rose from 19000 to 43000.

So.. dance lessons anyone? =D

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Alumni retreat tomorrow, wonder what's in store.

Travel log- Cambodia

Raya festivities over, people back at work and the slave machine resume its unforgiving reign of terror. Ah, life of a cog in the machine. I’m just glad to have had a good break, (albeit falling a little ill).

So, how was the trip you ask? Well, it was pleasant. Met some interesting people, saw some pretty sights, met some pretty people, saw some interesting sights. I’d say that the bulk of my experiences are a sum of the people I met and the sights I saw.

Spent three days in Phnom Penh. The city isn’t very impressive; a little backward in fact. Traffic lights are merely a display of colours as passing motorists zoom by, mocking its authority. The traffic comprises mainly of motorcycles (usually just called moto) and tuk-tuks. Pillions never wear helmets (of which I too am guilty of) and vehicle horns are used all the time, if not to warn other vehicles, to greet them. But it’s the things like these that tickle your sense of adventure. One of the best things about the traffic is that you get to act like it’s your grandfather’s road and noone’ll judge you. In fact, you’ll fit right in. (incidentally, I wonder what happened to your grandfather’s road anyway?)

From the map of Phnom Penh, it’s almost obvious that the layout of the streets were inherited from the French- the gridded map, long and wide boulevards and circuses. Nothing in comparison to Avenue Foch of course, but it’s still something worthy of taking note of. It’s definitely not something you expect to see in developing third world countries.

Visited tuol sleng and the killing fields. It’s rather sad. Had a chat with some locals and they were saying how a large part of a generation was wiped out when the Khmer Rouge (it means red Cambodians; rouge for red. Another legacy of the French) came into power. Most of the young adults grew up without the benefit of having parents- they had to figure it out themselves. Parental wisdom, something I (we) shouldn’t take for granted.

Most of the touristy spots are within the city; taking a long stroll was rather pleasant if not for the weather (being cheap helps me put up with minor inconveniences). The museums and palaces were alright. Things begin to get more interesting as evening approaches. The boulevards and the river bank are slowly filled with people; mainly taking strolls, playing jianzi, football, doing aerobics and dancing. Pretty remarkable. Not something you’d see in KL. I head back to the hostel. It’s getting dark and it’s a far walk. I pass by a few more dance groups. The music trails off into the night and they are still dancing. Men, women, children and grandparents, all of them dancing. Eager to live. It almost seems as if the nation were making up for the time they’ve lost during the darker days. I want to be dancing when I’m wrinkled and grey. First things first- I’ve got to learn to dance now.

Had four days to see Siem Reap. On the journey to Siem Reap the bus stopped for a break. That’s where I had my first taste of deep fried insects. 4000 riel for one can of fried insects. I asked if I could have 5 insects for 500 riel. She said no. We settled for half a can at 2000 riel. To be perfectly honest, the insects are actually quite manageable if you don’t look at it. Tastes kinda like ikan bilis but the big ones can be overly crunchy which is kinda disgusting 'coz it makes you aware of what you’re eating. Either way, I didn’t finish the insects- my conscience wouldn't allow it.

I bought a 3-day pass to see the temples. I tried to catch all 3 sunrises (to take photos) but it rained on one of the mornings and it was cloudy the other. There’s something about sunrises that I totally dig. Maybe it’s got to do with starting the day with God, maybe it’s just nice seeing the day in perspective. One thing for sure, every sunrise seems to remind me of the hymn ‘morning has broken’. At least I managed to catch one nice sunrise. Three days waking up early, forty minute bicycle ride to the temples with no promise of sunrise. Dedication to the craft- something I learnt from Alvin. Apart from the sunrise, the temples were brilliant. For the first half day at least. Then I began to understand what the lonely planet guide book meant when it says feeling ‘templed out’. Here are the places I feel deserve a special mention for being different from the other temples: Angkor Wat, Bayon and Ta Phrom.

The place I stayed at in Siem Reap was cheap, clean and neat. The guesthouse staff were courteous and helpful too. If you’re travelling cheap and you’re looking for a place to stay whilst in Siem Reap, try Garden Village guesthouse. They even have beds going for 1USD a night (just a mattress and a mosquito net by a terrace). I settled for a room in a rumah panjang for 3USD a night.

Took a break after the second day of temples and headed to Kompong Phluk- village on stilts. I had the impression that they’d allow us to go up and walk around in the houses but was severely disappointed. It was just a boat tour. But boat tours are kinda nice and comfortable in its own way.

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I’ll stop at the sights I saw. I’ll write on the people some other time. Enough rambling for a day, thanks for reading. Here’s something to listen to while your eyes rest.

Sunrise (over Angkor Wat). Don't think I'll ever get bored of it.

9-11

9-11. Ten years ago some terrible things happened.

Sometimes, calling on the Lord through tears may be painful. And how, how do we sing the Lord’s song in a strange land? We sing the same psalm the sons of Korah did in Psalms 42. Put our hope in God, for we will yet praise Him as Saviour and God. He is mighty to save.

Do you not know?

Read this in the papers today:

“The mutant strain of the H5N1 which started in Cambodia can spread to Vietnam, and from there to Laos and China,” he said, adding that the mutated strain was rather dangerous because an infected person had only a 30% chance of survival.

According to the health wizards, I might’ve gotten myself acquainted with some badass mutant flu. Explains why I felt like a log over the weekend. And I hope I hadn’t spread it to nobody (met up with too many people over the weekend). I’m fine of course, but it’ll do my body some good to rest. And I need to let my toe heal too.

One day flesh will hang limp from my bones and the strength of youth will be gone. There’s a time to rest and a time to play and it takes a lil’ discipline not to get them mixed. I should learn to take my body seriously.

Spare 10 secs for prayer? Thanks =)

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Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you,

whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies. -1 Corinthians 6:19-20

post-trip blogpost

First things first:

(reblogged from alexlayman)

In response to a previous post I made. quality! haha..

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The trip was great to say the least- a much needed break. Feeling absolutely restless at work. Again I thank you all for the prayers. Spent much time thinking about God and life and how they ought to fit together. Managed to do quite a bit of photography too! Might write a lil' on the trip. (Can't promise anything tho, or I might end up breakin em')

I really thank God for such a wonderful trip.

Reached home safely. Appreciate all the prayers. It really makes a difference. =)