In Christ

In Christ- made more sense today.

It's akin to the hope I had when Chong Wei made it to the finals, won the first set and was ahead of Lin Dan for part of the third set- he would've been our (Malaysia's) best chance at bagging a gold at the Olympics. And so, I completely cast my hopes on this man to deliver for me; every point he scored or conceded mattered to me. The subsequent loss mattered to me. 

But Christ is victorious. And this is how I ought to see myself in relation to God- to be found in Christ. To identify with every thing that Christ has done; death, ressurection, glorification. The bible means a whole lot more (to me) when read this way. Especially these bits: 

• I have been crucified with Christ
• Being made alive with Christ
• Being made children of God,  in Christ Jesus
• Having freedom in Christ
• All the promises of God are yes in Christ

Not the best analogy, but helpful. 

July randoms

Sometime last year, I blogged rather glibly: "I want to be dancing when I’m wrinkled and grey. First things first- I’ve got to learn to dance now." Of course, there wasn't any intention to actually go for dance lessons; I had been (to my shame) cheap with words. And who would've thought that I'd be seeing my careless blog through? But life has its way of handing you opportunities without even trying; one day a friend invited me to join him for free swing dance lessons (courtesy of LindyKL), and so I did.

The experience was thrilling to say the least. And over the course of two weeks, I've learnt alot, of, resilience to shame- and apart from that, in general, learning a lot.

I'll have to say, swing isn't an elegant dance. Graceful, but not elegant. And that too in a different way. There is so much interaction between the dancers- dance routines aren't planned, but are done impromptu based on body language. There are different roles in the dance; leaders must lead and followers must follow. It takes so much understanding and cooperation for the dance to work. But when it does, Voila. It really is a sight to behold.

I'm a slow learner, but I'm really enjoying it. And at the moment, only one desire that’s left in me, want the whole damn world to dance with me.

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Big bad wolf booksale is back! And this time, it's back in time for Christmas! ;) Gather your sons and daughters everyone. It's time for war!

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Sorry for such a disjointed post. But here's something to add to it (so much win!).

 Alright then, stay safe and don't do drugs (unless you're really ill and must absolutely have it).

June

Perhaps the weirdest dream in a long time, but I had dreamt last night that our Lord had returned. I was terrified, but overjoyed and I was playing the ukulele in London by the Thames singing you never let go. Yeah, I know right..

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Thank God for frisbee (and sports in general). I think it's been instrumental in making me feel more human/alive; if what the world needs are people who come alive, I oughta be doing more of it. And if you're game, frisbee pick ups are every tuesday & thursday nights.

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It's been such a blessing to have people run alongside you in your walk with God; I thank God for those who are back for summer and I thank God for those who've just left. Keeps things in perspective and reminds me that people come and go and life is a long race to the end. 

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It's been a tough season, and adapting (to new and ever changing work/social obligations) is a slow and painful process. So pray with me for grace for each day, and a continuous realization that I can't live a day without it; to depend on it with my life and likewise, to show others how to depend on it with their lives. Pray with me that at the end of the day, Christ is magnified. 

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I haven't been reading as much these days, but I do try to squeeze as much as I can in the sporadic pockets of time which appear and disappear in the same mysterious and abrupt fashion. And I thank God for technology which enables me to do this.

Here's a little something for those who are:

• Lethargic/worn-out: the resolutions of Jonathan Edwards (a huge portion written when he was 19 years old). May his resolve to live for God inspire you on your journey. Here are some of my favorites:
• Resolved never to lose one moment of time; but to improve it the most profitable way I possibly can.
• Resolved, to live with all my might, while I do live.
• Resolved, to endeavor to obtain for myself as much happiness, in the other world, as I possibly can, with all the power; might, vigor, and vehemence, yea violence, I am capable of, or can bring myself to exert, in any way that can be thought of.
• Needing encouragement in their battle of faith: You may feel that you have prayed the last prayer you’re ever going to be able to pray about the need that is pressing you. You are exhausted but you must stay in the fight. Don’t stop praying and don’t give up. Yes, it has been a long day! Nighttime is coming and inside you are saying, “It’s time for me to sleep.” But instead God says, “No, no, the fight is just starting.”

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IBA unplugged is back. And this year we hope to go beyond just music. I hope to express more on our visions for music and worship in the near future, but in the mean time, find out more at IBA unplugged's facebook page.

Another bites the dust..

To those going through the valley and shadow of death, hear this word: Weeping will last through some dark, awful nights—and in that darkness you will soon hear the Father whisper, “I am with you. I cannot tell you why right now, but one day it will all make sense. You will see it was all part of my plan. It was no accident. It was no failure on your part. Hold fast. Let me embrace you in your hour of pain.


-David Wilkerson's last blog post before a fatal car crash.

May

Three weeks. Clean and fair elections and convictions with roots that sprung overnight? Perhaps. But don’t let time play you out. There’s much to believe in, much to hope for. And as with many things, bearing fruit takes time. Don’t give up just yet because God is good and He is in control.

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It’s also been a little more than three weeks since Labor Day and I’ve been thinking about work and rest and it seems that work is good and rest is good but too much of either can be bad. But holiness and righteousness and faith on the other hand, can only come from a place of rest in God. He bids all who are heavy laden to come to him, for his yoke is easy and his burden is light. And we must strive with reckless abandon to enter that rest.

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Emma has been writing tons on great stuff and let me share a little with everyone because I benefit so much from her writing. Here’s an excerpt on a piece which I think depicts sanctification really well:

God is not Paul Daniels.  And getting better is not magic – ‘shazzam! All fixed.    When things break, my instinct is to chuck ‘em out and get a better model.  But people aren’t vacuum cleaners.  And God works with what’s already there.  I’d like a shiny new airbrushed Emma.  But instead, he’s redeeming the limping, snot-nosed girl I’ve always been. He’s taking the bits I hate about myself and making them into something he can use. Something I can’t keep despising – even though that’s the easy option.

So.  Recovery –  process And event.  But the power behind both is not mine.  It’s His.  And that’s what makes it all worthwhile.

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And here’s a century old shoutout to all super moms from spurgeon:

The devil never reckons a man to be lost so long as he has a good mother alive. O woman, great is thy power!

Happy belated mother’s day to all moms! =)

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You don’t know it, but I do. And it’s a secret I’m willing to share: Butterflies giggle jazz riffs. Take me at my word and your ears are in for a treat =)

If you haven’t yet heard of the weekend projects, here’s a brilliant short they did. Well done Diaz, Fei and VeeVian. Absolutely brilliant!

Things in life that force you to be serious.

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Bring the thoughts to a boil, let it simmer for a while, add a pinch of salt. I'll let you know soon.

And did you hear the people sing? 

Things that fill me with passion for His name and His renown.

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 Loved before the dawn of time

Even if the earth were empty but for one, He’d still endure the cross. Not because of our worth, but in spite of our worthlessness. What a great mystery!- that He’d make a wretch his treasure.

Perplexing, and it cuts to the heart.

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Good Friday thoughts

“Two people owed money to a certain moneylender. One owed him five hundred denarii and the other fifty. Neither of them had the money to pay him back, so he forgave the debts of both. Now which of them will love him more?” 


Simon replied, “I suppose the one who had the bigger debt forgiven.” 

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Could we comprehend the sinfulness of sin? And could we fully understand the depth of love?

O that we’d all have adequate visions of the Cross!

favourite people

people that make me extremely happy

Finally married! =D (size of emoticon is proportional to happiness). Ooh, I can't wait to be an uncle. Please, please, please don't take too long! 

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And click here, here and here for some favourites that played during the night =)

On language

Had a sudden realization that there's a certain richness in Bahasa Melayu that I overlook. Certain words seem to capture meaning in a way other languages won't. 

Meskipun badai silih berganti,

Pakailah sesuai dengan rencanaMu.

I'm sure the same goes for other languages; certain expressions will never be adequately expressed in English.  Leaves one in anticipation for the day when knees take a bow and the tongues confess- what a glorious day! I wanna learn all the languages in the world.

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Here's to learning new languages, though I should really start with something Chinese-ey. 

=)

Who would’ve thought this day would come? 

And though it matters very little (now), it does put a smile on my face =). But seriously, who would’ve thought this day would come? 

What vivid memories! I swear I was plucking microfibers from polymer melts only yesterday and I’m certain I’d do it just as well if I were in the lab today. How time flies! Has it really been that long? 

I do wonder, I really do. 

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Tonight I’ll dream dreams where the water flows ever so gently o’er the Thames. Oh, sweet Thames, run softly till I end my song.

Happy Valentines..

Happy V-Day all, hope you’re sharing the love. And let me do my part:

“Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless. In this same way, husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself.”

That’s the way He loves us. But read it again. That’s what we are called to- the constant wooing, the constant forgiving, the constant yearning for the purity of your partner, the long-suffering, the constant loving- what a high call! Of course, this is about marriage, but it’s always helpful to have a reference point. Some ideals are simply worth keeping.

Oh, who am I to give advice? So take it from a married man instead. Here’s a book for all the hopefuls on a beautiful V-Day: a sweet and bitter providence by Piper. You can download the free PDF book here (it’s free and legal but buy it if you can afford it). I really do hope that some of you will pick this book up because I think it gives some insights on how a God-centred relationship would look like. Let me whet your appetite with some choice excerpts:

“The question this chapter answers is, What do a God-saturated man, a God-dependent young woman, and a God-exalting older woman do when they are filled with hope in the sovereign goodness of God? The answer is that they manifest what I am going to call strategic righteousness. 

By righteousness I mean a zeal for doing what is good and right—a zeal for doing what is fitting when God is taken into account as sovereign and merciful. By strategic I mean that there is intention, purposefulness, planning. There is a kind of inactive righteousness that simply avoids evil. But strategic righteousness takes the initiative and dreams of how to make things right.… 

I imagine her pulse racing as Boaz awoke. Then come the all-important words: “I am Ruth . . . spread your wing over your maidservant.” I picture an immense silence for a moment while Boaz let himself believe that this magnificent woman had really understood—had so profoundly and sensitively understood. A middle-aged man is interested in a young widow whom he discreetly calls “my daughter” (2:8; 3:10–11), uncertain whether her heart might be going after the younger men, commu­nicating with a subtle word picture that he wants to be God’s wings for her. Then a young widow gradually reads between the lines and finally risks an interpretation by coming in the middle of the night to take refuge under the wing of his garment. That’s powerful stuff! Anybody who thinks that a loose woman and a finagling mother-in-law are at work here are missing something beautiful. All is subtle. All is righteous. All is strategic.. 

Don’t be like the world. Be like Boaz. Be like Ruth. Profound in love. Subtle and perceptive in communica­tion. Powerful in self-control. Committed to strategic righteousness.”

Wouldn’t that look beautiful? Profound in love, subtle and perceptive in communication, powerful in self-control, committed to strategic righteousness. Let’s all be that.

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May all of you have a lovely Valentines Day. Here's a piece of my heart: 

A Valentine's Day story

Because V-Day is just round the corner, here's a short story I wrote some years ago which I still enjoy reading =). 

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In a time not too long ago, in a land not too far away, there lived a man and a woman. But they weren't just any ordinary man and woman. You see, Mr Prince was the perfect man- Mr. Prince was single, had good features, was very rich, a good listener, well mannered and love to help out with the housework. He was a dream come true for the ladies.

Ms. Princess too was single, and was the most beautiful woman ever! She was so exceedingly beautiful that people from distant lands heard of her beauty. She was proper, intelligent, had a good sense of humour and thrifty with money- a dream come true for the men. She was fit to be married to a prince.

Most importantly of all, these two people were madly in love with each. They were such a fitting pair, so suited for each other, a perfect fit. 

But their happiness was short lived for the big mean baddie tore them apart and kidnapped Ms Princess. The big mean baddie was the local town bully who loved to pick on everyone. It thrived on taking away people’s happiness and loved to see people in sorrow. It commanded a big gang of little bullies called badlings which wreaked havoc wherever they went. They would knock over old women crossing the road, they would steal the clothes that were hung out to dry, they would take away the children’s toys and candy. They were a real mean bunch, and now they’ve taken captive of Ms. Princess.

The big mean baddie locked her up in a tower so high in the clouds that no eye could ever see, nor any man could ever reach. It was guarded by countless of badlings so that no one would ever reach her. Poor little Ms. Princess was left all alone, sobbing and wailing- in the tower so high in the clouds that no eye could ever see, nor any man could ever reach. But she never gave up hope and waited for her prince that will one day come and save her.

Meanwhile, Mr. Prince was feeling so distraught that his beloved princess had been taken away. He was filled with grief at the thought of the suffering that Ms Princess had to endure. He knew that he had to save her, and that’s what exactly he did- he was going to save his princess.

He wasted no time and made preparations for his journey. In haste, he gathered some food, put on his most comfortable walking shoes and he picked up his trusty old sword. He also brought deodorant as he wanted to smell good when he finally met the princess and he brought along a small colourful box. He put it all in a bag, said a short prayer for success and was on his way to save his princess.

He spent countless of days searching high and low for his princess. He never rested, nor did he sleep for there was no time to be wasted. Whenever he felt tired, he thought of his princess and the thought of her inspired him and gave him strength to go on. The more he thought of her, the more he was filled with determination to continue his journey.

Alas, he finally saw the tower in the distance and he rejoiced. He did not fear the numerous badlings that were guarding the tower for his princess was within reach. He readied himself, and drew his sword and faced the legion of badlings that were coming his way.

The first badling approached and they engaged in battle.

He swung his fist.

The badling leaned backwards and felt his knuckles swish past its nose.

It was furious and kicked back.

He ducked.

He drew his sword, lifted it high and with one mighty swing, he crushed the first badling.

The other badlings came charging at him. Mr Prince was outnumbered a thousand to one, but he didn’t fear the badlings for the love for his princess blinded his fears. He engaged them head on- the thought of retreating never crossed his mind. The badlings attacked Mr Prince ferociously. They swung their weapons at him but Mr Prince overcame every single attack. Their attacks, he parried with his trusty sword. He maneuvered his body skillfully dodging all their advances. And with his sword, they struck his enemies one by one by one by one by one. He emerged triumphant over the badlings.

The big mean baddie saw all of this happening and was boiling with rage! It grumbled to itself and complained ‘if you want a job well done, you got to do it yourself’. It picked up its weapon and headed to the battle field.

From afar they saw each other and they inched closer to each other with every step taken. Finally, they came face to face- the hero of the day, and the kidnapper of his beloved princess. They stared into each other’s eyes for a long, long time. After realizing that neither would flinch, they drew their weapons and the battle begun.

He swung his sword.

It blocked.

It swung its pitch fork.

He parried.

And their battle carried on. It was a long and tiring one- it lasted 3 days. Finally, the decisive moment came. The big mean baddie swung its weapon striking Mr Prince’s heel. He screamed in pain for it really hurt! But Mr Prince didn’t give up. He couldn’t. His princess needed him. Again, he lifted his sword up high and with one mighty blow, he crushed the big mean baddie’s head. He defeated the big mean baddie once and for all and the battle drew to a close.

Mr Prince looked around at the battle field. The felt the sweat on his brow and the wind on his face, he heard the trees swaying and saw the ground was blood soaked red. The air- it smelled. Yes it smelled. It smelled of victory!

Now all that Mr. Prince had to do was to rescue his princess from the tower. Yes, the tower that is so high in the clouds that no eye could ever see, nor any man could ever reach. But you see, Mr Prince was no ordinary man- he was the perfect man. And so the ascent to the top of the tower began. He climbed the narrow stairway that spiraled all the way to the top, one step at a time.

Meanwhile, Ms Princess high up in the tower was watching all that was happening down below. She heard the crowds cheer when the big mean baddie was defeated and she knew that her prince will be coming soon to save her. So she groomed herself, and did her hair, put on her makeup and perfume. Her heart was beating with anticipation, awaiting her prince to rescue her and release her from the tower which kept her captive. Yes, the tower so high in the clouds that no eye could ever see, nor any man could ever reach.

Mr Prince on the other hand wasted no time hurrying up the stairs. The only thing that kept them apart was time. The faster he could reach the top, the sooner he’ll see her princess. He eventually reached the top of the stairway and now, all that separated them was a door.

But before he broke down the door, he strew open the contents of his bag. He grabbed his deodorant and applied it, making him smell really really good. He also grabbed the small box wrapped in colourful paper. Now, he was all set to break down the door. He took a few steps back, and charged at the door with all his might. He gave it a mighty kick and the door came down. Behind the door was his beloved princess and they were finally reunited.

They spent many hours catching up, telling each other how happy they were to see each other again and they professed their love for each other. Amidst their chatter, Mr Prince then remembered the small box wrapped in colourful paper which he brought along. He reached for it and offered it to Ms Princess. In it was a ring! And there and then, on the tower so high in the clouds that no eye could ever see, nor any man could ever reach he proposed to Ms Princess, and she accepted.

Many months later their wedding day came and the groom awaited her bride in the local church. And he waited, and waited and waited.. And he’s still waiting.

Of houses and homes..

All ye readers out there, some interesting things happened over the past weekend. Here's the shortest possible summary: a group of young, energetic adults (called E.P.I.C.) decided to build a house for Mr. and Mrs. Alfred who lives in Kuala Kubu Bahru (see picture). 

If you're wondering what this is all about, read more about EPIC here (E.P.I.C. is the acronym for Extraordinary People Impacting Community); hopefully that'll set your bones a tinglin'. But of course, you want to hear some inside stories, so let the stories begin.

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I happen to be carpooling with the co-founders of EPIC on the way to KKB and it was a great opportunity to find out more about what it's all about.On the surface it may seem that it revovles around the building of houses for the poor and the under privileged- that much is true. But truth strikes deep, like a well. Over the weekend I had the honour of going that much deeper, and believe me when I say that there's much more to go. 

Of course, it wasn't EPIC all the way. As with many great things, EPIC too started small- just a group of friends who decided that they wanted to do something more than just be passive listeners. It started off with simple visits which then progressed to painting houses and then they decided to take the plunge to see how far the idea'll bring them.

One of the things that struck me was that they didn't have it all figured out. This may seem slightly confusing, but what I mean by this is that these people have deep questions (as with all of us). The building of houses isn't the answer to their questions but it's a part of their greater journey to find the answer. And that made complete sense. After all, aren't we all fellow travellers on the journey of life ?

The rest of the team were just as passionate about it and the solidarity was bordering spooky, almost cult-ish. Of course, I exaggerate. But tell me it isn't: a group of almost strangers deciding to give up their 4-day long weekend to toil in the sun, get dirt on their hands, to build a house for another stranger whom they've never met before in their life. And all of that done whilst having great fun. 

So here's a bunch of people who sincerely want to make a difference, and I think that over the weekend we managed to do just that. We finished building the house (might I add: a pretty good looking one) in just under four days, wich is a great achievement by any standard.  But what is a house but a structure of metal and wood and screws and nails? In the end, us building a house matters very little, but I think we did well- we were building a house that others may build a home. 

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So that sums up my EPIC weekend with some EPIC people building an EPIC house (yes, it's cliche, but it's also very apt). 

I bet I know what you're thinking: where do I sign up? Fret not, just get in touch with E.P.I.C. here. E.P.I.C. is always looking to make superheroes out of us ordinaries. 

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And here's what you listen to when you build a house, but listen to this instead if you're building a home. =)

Can we fix it?

a·bil·i·ty/əˈbilitē/ (n): The capacity to do something.

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Will be putting these hands of mine to some good over the next few days. I'll give you a clue, it has to do with:

threescore and ten

You don’t have a soul. You are a soul. You have a body. 

Potentially misleading, but it helped me see stewardship in a whole different light. 

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It’s almost disconcerting that the second-half of my third decade is upon me. The term ‘late twenties’ has always been reserved for others, and never for myself. Alas, the once distant future is now fast approaching and there’s no escaping the label for the next few years. But never mind the labels, it matters very little what people call me. 

More importantly, the next few years will perhaps be the most strategic of the (hopefully) many years to come- not having all the restrictions of youth and neither the restrictions of old age. I’d be a fool not to recognize how precious these years are. There’s so much potential for fruitfulness and productivity which has to be harnessed for the right purposes. 

Time to give up the good for the better. May my best years be His.

Oh Lord, don’t let the days pass me by when greater things are to be done in this city!

Empty- that's what KL is at the moment. I'd imagine that homes would be the inverse- family gatherings, reunion dinners, etc. And even if it isn't,

Better is a dinner of herbs where love is than a fattened ox and hatred with it. -Proverbs 15:17

You know it's true. =)

Happy Chinese New Year everyone! 

I've been re-visiting some of the Christian titles that have been pivotal in my development of faith; mainly because the past year has been a year of great change and I feel a need to regain lost ground (though  there are loads in the bookshed that remain untouched). Still, its interesting to discover fresh insights to passages that I've read  before. Here's something that caught my attention.

Been reading Lewis and his extremely grounded, rational and structured approach toward Christianity. It's almost funny that he spent most of his teenage years as a convinced atheist (ironically, his rationality being one of the factors preventing himself from embracing Christianity) before he made a logical decision that Christ must be the way, truth and life. He then went on to coin his famous adage: "You can shut Him up for a fool, you can spit at Him and kill Him as a demon; or you can fall at his feet and call Him Lord and God."

On the surface, we all see rationality as his Salvation. Of course, we don't actually say it, but that's what we think. We think that if all the evidence for and against Christ was laid before us, we'd be overwhelmed and have no choice but to accept the facts the same way Lewis did. It might very well be the case, but that would sadly be missing the main ingredient. We forget that Salvation isn't a decision- it is a gift from God and found in Christ, by the Spirit. 

People come to Christ through different vehicles, but its the same God that initiates and saves.

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In pursuing others for Christ by whatever means- serious in-depth debates, lifestyle evangelism, preaching, special events or outreach- it'd  be wise to remember who the author of Salvation is. And from there, build our ministry upon this foundation. 

"Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God."

New year!

And how has the first week of the year been different from that of the previous year(s)? =)

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Firecrackers, watchnight services, reminiscing the passing year and making resolutions- all of them, new year's pleasantries. But truth be told, if life has been terrible in the past weeks, don't expect it be any different this year.

That being said, the first week is/might be a fair projection of how well the resolutions of the new year will be kept and (to some extent) an indication of the amount of thought and effort put into the new year's resolutions. If you're failing miserably, not to worry, there's always Chinese New Year to start afresh =).

Oh, don't let me burst your bubble! =D It's good to have a new year and it's especially good to make resolutions. But lets all make wise and responsible resolutions, yes?

“Again, you have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘Do not break your oath, but fulfill to the Lord the vows you have made.’ But I tell you, do not swear an oath at all: either by heaven, for it is God’s throne; or by the earth, for it is his footstool; or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the Great King. And do not swear by your head, for you cannot make even one hair white or black. All you need to say is simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’; anything beyond this comes from the evil one. -Matthew 5:33-37 


Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers. -Galatians 6:7-10 


The ground of a certain rich man yielded an abundant harvest. He thought to himself, ‘What shall I do? I have no place to store my crops.’“Then he said, ‘This is what I’ll do. I will tear down my barns and build bigger ones, and there I will store my surplus grain. And I’ll say to myself, “You have plenty of grain laid up for many years. Take life easy; eat, drink and be merry.”’ “But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?’“This is how it will be with whoever stores up things for themselves but is not rich toward God.” -Luke 12: 16-21 


Our days may come to seventy years, or eighty, if our strength endures; yet the best of them are but trouble and sorrow, for they quickly pass, and we fly away. Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom. -Psalms 90:10,12 

God help us all.

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Here's some music to get your new year started. =)