Today I reflected on sleep. Yep, I did that the whole day, outdoors, indoors and whilst conversing with friends and housemates. Isn't it funny how much sleep effects your day, your mood-swings, your personality, and projections thereof? My reflections quite surprised me, considering I slept like an energized guinea pig on any given night; if I were to take timestamps of my waking hours, it would be 2am, 5am, 8.30am, 9am, 10am and finally 11am. Sigh.
I guess that’s what two coffees within a time frame of 9 hours can do to you – make you have unsettled sleep; that coupled with unnecessary customer comments and looks that could earn money if they posted themselves on a reality TV show, does not really help.
And it was not even like I was partying all day; I worked all day, slept 7 hours the night before, and generally had a quiet weekend in, so one would think I would sleep well come Sunday night. I guess Sunday’s stress of up-front praying was a factor, but it should not have that effect on me – I’ve done that stuff before.
Anyways I’m digressing very non-linearly, and sounding very non-philosophical; ranting more like. I should keep a personal log - that might be more helpful, keep me from boring others needlessly. But I’ll save that for a rainy day. God willing my Tuesday will be better, after a good night’s sleep. My bed sure is looking comfortable… and on that note.
Tuesday, August 29, 2006
Monday, August 28, 2006
The Looking Glass
When I became a Christian back in the day of August 2000, some of my Christian Union Friends pitched in and got me a couple of CDs for my 19th birthday - namely, “Supernatural” and “Jesus Freak” by dc Talk. I must’ve listened to both albums for about 18 months straight with either CD in my CD Stacker or on MD in my car whilst cruising the streets (sadly, I don’t cruise much anymore.)
Now, dc Talk has never left my side, they just haven’t seen much air-time of late. In the short time I owned an iPOD Shuffle (8 months) and on my current PDA (equipped with a 4GB solid-state-memory expansion card [SDRAM]), dc Talk had always been one of the first artists to see format-conversions and copies.
But the hiatus is over - four and a half years later, the music of dc Talk recaptures my heart and mind. I remember the days of First-Year-Uni, undoubtedly the best days of my life (to date). It was when life was “truly” “carefree” (or rather, “felt truly carefree”) and when you had all the “pros” of being over 18 and none of the responsibilities of adulthood. I mean, life is good now, and in some ways growing older is quite imperturbable (sorry), and also it is only in hindsight that ‘the good ole’ days are exactly that, the good old days – To embrace all my metaphysics:-
"There is no better time than the present moment, to feel the air and to see the trees; breathing deeply the gift of life.”
Supernatural is an awesome album, and Jesus Freak has some very good melodies. That said the track “Supernatural” has embedded great truths of reality:
“Beyond this physical terrain
There’s an invisible domain
Where angels battle over souls in vast array,
But down on earth is where I am
No wings to fly, no place to stand
Here on my knees I am a stranger in this land,
I need an intervention
A touch of providence
It goes beyond religion
To my very circumstance,
God is there and he is watching
He tells me all is well
God is there, there’s no denying
He’s supernatural
Supernatural”
Now, dc Talk has never left my side, they just haven’t seen much air-time of late. In the short time I owned an iPOD Shuffle (8 months) and on my current PDA (equipped with a 4GB solid-state-memory expansion card [SDRAM]), dc Talk had always been one of the first artists to see format-conversions and copies.
But the hiatus is over - four and a half years later, the music of dc Talk recaptures my heart and mind. I remember the days of First-Year-Uni, undoubtedly the best days of my life (to date). It was when life was “truly” “carefree” (or rather, “felt truly carefree”) and when you had all the “pros” of being over 18 and none of the responsibilities of adulthood. I mean, life is good now, and in some ways growing older is quite imperturbable (sorry), and also it is only in hindsight that ‘the good ole’ days are exactly that, the good old days – To embrace all my metaphysics:-
"There is no better time than the present moment, to feel the air and to see the trees; breathing deeply the gift of life.”
Supernatural is an awesome album, and Jesus Freak has some very good melodies. That said the track “Supernatural” has embedded great truths of reality:
“Beyond this physical terrain
There’s an invisible domain
Where angels battle over souls in vast array,
But down on earth is where I am
No wings to fly, no place to stand
Here on my knees I am a stranger in this land,
I need an intervention
A touch of providence
It goes beyond religion
To my very circumstance,
God is there and he is watching
He tells me all is well
God is there, there’s no denying
He’s supernatural
Supernatural”
Thursday, August 24, 2006
Stepping into Eternity
Wow, events in the past week have certainly been interesting, coming from wanting ‘to weep by the rivers of Babylon’ to knowing the little weeping that we do in this life is ‘tolerable’ (‘joyful weeping’?) which does not compare to eternal joy that awaits us... and wanting to go there.
...Three things helped me last week to see the bigger picture, to look past those cloudy emotions and thoughts.
I| Prayer. It is said again and again, being used repeatedly sometimes seemingly to no end. The word that rings like an endless bell that sometimes you just want to shut it up. But the reason it is echoed by so many Christians is that Prayer does work. And we don't do enough of it, no matter how much it is said, even in repetition.
How does prayer work? Well, you sit quietly in your room, in the dark, and humble yourself before the Majestic King of the Heavens and the Earth. You meditate on how small you are, because everything around you is so big, not just in the spatial sense, but in the grand scheme of things, the centuries gone by, those who have come before you, and if God so permits, even after you have gone from this world, the next generation that will come after you, follow in your footsteps. Sometimes you speak, and sometimes you don’t; meditation is good, read Psalm One.
But here is the catch. Prayer can only be experienced truly if you do it - truly. If you don’t put time and effort into it, it will not work; for prayer is a relationship between yourself and the Lord of the Universe. As we all know, relationships fall apart if you don’t “put in”, just like a fire – relationships have to be constantly “checked” - A fire with no fuel is no fire at all, but a pile of charred black coal waiting to be blown away like “chaff in the wind”.
Work on your prayer life, ask God to work through your prayers; Jesus' disciples asked Jesus how they should pray, we should too. You will not be disappointed.
II| Music. I love music. What would I do without my ears. What would I do without simple harmonies and soft rock. Great music for anytime and for any day. If any of you listen to Tracy Chapman, you’ll know what I mean – what a great voice, accompanied by great guitar.
III| Friends. People play a big part in one’s life, especially so for those who know you well and you see regularly. The comment posted in my previous blog – thank you! And to all my long-time-since-first-year-Christian-Union-University-friends, there is no substitute for you, any of you; I thank God every time I remember you all.
Some words from Tracy Chapman that reflect in the lives of a lot of my friends (myself included):
“There is fiction in the space between
You and reality
You will do and say anything
To make your everyday life
Seem less mundane
There is fiction in the space between
You and me”
So true, but fortunately not hopeless. Christ left his heavenly riches in Heaven to live amongst us, the poor and hopeless in spirit (and as it would seem) the poor/hopeless in an unfulfilling earth-bound-life. He redeems us and makes our lives worth living – “I have come to give life and give it to the full.” Not just for heaven but for now, “Repent, for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand.” And ain’t that an offer worth considering, if not whole-heartedly embracing.
The last week has made me more eager to step into Eternity, not that I’m suicidal, but in supernatural mysteries unfathomable, Eternity suddenly does not seem so far away; it is just one step away, one step away from this life - once I take that step, there is no going back, there is no looking back. And albeit one has to die to step into Eternity, the Eternal Joy that awaits us, the Eternal Joy that beckons us – those who have been sanctified by his blood on the Cross - is incomparable, just like our Lord and our King, Jesus Christ of Nazareth...
...Simply Incomparable.
...Three things helped me last week to see the bigger picture, to look past those cloudy emotions and thoughts.
I| Prayer. It is said again and again, being used repeatedly sometimes seemingly to no end. The word that rings like an endless bell that sometimes you just want to shut it up. But the reason it is echoed by so many Christians is that Prayer does work. And we don't do enough of it, no matter how much it is said, even in repetition.
How does prayer work? Well, you sit quietly in your room, in the dark, and humble yourself before the Majestic King of the Heavens and the Earth. You meditate on how small you are, because everything around you is so big, not just in the spatial sense, but in the grand scheme of things, the centuries gone by, those who have come before you, and if God so permits, even after you have gone from this world, the next generation that will come after you, follow in your footsteps. Sometimes you speak, and sometimes you don’t; meditation is good, read Psalm One.
But here is the catch. Prayer can only be experienced truly if you do it - truly. If you don’t put time and effort into it, it will not work; for prayer is a relationship between yourself and the Lord of the Universe. As we all know, relationships fall apart if you don’t “put in”, just like a fire – relationships have to be constantly “checked” - A fire with no fuel is no fire at all, but a pile of charred black coal waiting to be blown away like “chaff in the wind”.
Work on your prayer life, ask God to work through your prayers; Jesus' disciples asked Jesus how they should pray, we should too. You will not be disappointed.
II| Music. I love music. What would I do without my ears. What would I do without simple harmonies and soft rock. Great music for anytime and for any day. If any of you listen to Tracy Chapman, you’ll know what I mean – what a great voice, accompanied by great guitar.
III| Friends. People play a big part in one’s life, especially so for those who know you well and you see regularly. The comment posted in my previous blog – thank you! And to all my long-time-since-first-year-Christian-Union-University-friends, there is no substitute for you, any of you; I thank God every time I remember you all.
Some words from Tracy Chapman that reflect in the lives of a lot of my friends (myself included):
“There is fiction in the space between
You and reality
You will do and say anything
To make your everyday life
Seem less mundane
There is fiction in the space between
You and me”
So true, but fortunately not hopeless. Christ left his heavenly riches in Heaven to live amongst us, the poor and hopeless in spirit (and as it would seem) the poor/hopeless in an unfulfilling earth-bound-life. He redeems us and makes our lives worth living – “I have come to give life and give it to the full.” Not just for heaven but for now, “Repent, for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand.” And ain’t that an offer worth considering, if not whole-heartedly embracing.
The last week has made me more eager to step into Eternity, not that I’m suicidal, but in supernatural mysteries unfathomable, Eternity suddenly does not seem so far away; it is just one step away, one step away from this life - once I take that step, there is no going back, there is no looking back. And albeit one has to die to step into Eternity, the Eternal Joy that awaits us, the Eternal Joy that beckons us – those who have been sanctified by his blood on the Cross - is incomparable, just like our Lord and our King, Jesus Christ of Nazareth...
...Simply Incomparable.
Tuesday, August 15, 2006
Where the Holy Spirit chooses to dwell
I went to my church’s monthly prayer night tonight. Can I say, that the verse, “When two or three of you gather, there I am” resounds ever more so in gatherings such as this. To focus your mind with a few dozen people for one purpose in a common goal is awe-inspiring, just like that of ACTs chapters 1 & 2.
I might also add that it is the company that makes “community gatherings” such as this that much more heart-felt… funny I should think that – because in our individualistic society, we’ve been conditioned to think otherwise - but our God is a triune God, relating within the Godhead and towards his Spirit-breathed creatures.
I prayed that tonight’s prayer meeting would be encouraging to my soul – no specifics - but God answered that prayer - specifically - making a friend turn up unexpectedly and orchestrating groups that we could pray together.
I saw it in the first-person and experienced our Majestic King's promise first-hand, "ask and you shall recieve."
...But a few hours later, and I’m feeling so anti-climactic... I have been left wanting more. What do I do? Where do I go?
...Sing a song:
“...by the rivers there we sat, in Babylon we sat and we wept... and upon the Willow trees hung our harps. When we remembered Zion…” only because Rod Gear is a remarkable composer and the first few lines of this Psalm reminds me of the promised Eternal Joy that is not yet here.
by the rivers there I sat and wept...
...But I remember Zion
I might also add that it is the company that makes “community gatherings” such as this that much more heart-felt… funny I should think that – because in our individualistic society, we’ve been conditioned to think otherwise - but our God is a triune God, relating within the Godhead and towards his Spirit-breathed creatures.
I prayed that tonight’s prayer meeting would be encouraging to my soul – no specifics - but God answered that prayer - specifically - making a friend turn up unexpectedly and orchestrating groups that we could pray together.
I saw it in the first-person and experienced our Majestic King's promise first-hand, "ask and you shall recieve."
...But a few hours later, and I’m feeling so anti-climactic... I have been left wanting more. What do I do? Where do I go?
...Sing a song:
“...by the rivers there we sat, in Babylon we sat and we wept... and upon the Willow trees hung our harps. When we remembered Zion…” only because Rod Gear is a remarkable composer and the first few lines of this Psalm reminds me of the promised Eternal Joy that is not yet here.
by the rivers there I sat and wept...
...But I remember Zion
Monday, August 14, 2006
Simplicity
There is this guy at church whom I met a week ago. Since then, we’ve become better friends, and have seen and “done things” together that make that initial bind much more comfortable and a lot less awkward.
The core thing that makes our male-bond “click” is our personality - I have to say that you rarely find people of this sort of persona; without giving away too much, the both of us have what I like to call ‘intelligent dry humor’. Is it not true that absolutely anybody can be silly? And is it also not true that many people are simply not funny? I think there’s a fine line; sometimes you cannot see it, but once you or someone else crosses the line, everyone cringes – proof that the line, though at times seemingly invisible, does exist, to separate jovial-hilarity from embarrassing-cringes.
The flip side of this whole line-of-thought is that I actually do know people (friends/acquaintances whatever-you-want-to-call-them we’re all brothers and sisters in Christ) who do not find this kind of humor funny, nor do they “get it”.
In any case, back to the story – some might be thinking, “how did I get to know this guy?” – well, due to certain circumstances, and of course ‘natural’ social interactions at church, we have seen each other’s humor and personality 'in action'. And here’s the punch-line, which will come as a surprise to some: “we haven’t gone out for a coffee together to ‘catch up’ or ‘meet up’ or ‘{anything} up’”, which is energetically refreshing for me, especially so in a culture where that is the ‘cool’ thing to do.
….as disclaimer: I LOVE coffee and cafés and such like, the simple pleasures of life are hard to substitute, much like simple faith which trusts wholeheartedly in the words of the LORD Jesus and his promises; no bachelors of theology required to enter through these pearly gates…
“I, Jesus, have sent my angel to give you this testimony for the churches. I am the Root and the Offspring of David, and the bright Morning Star.”
The Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” And let him who hears say, “Come!” Whoever is thirsty, let him come; and whoever wishes, let him take the free gift of the water of life.
AMEN to that, Sons and Daughters of our Almighty God.
The core thing that makes our male-bond “click” is our personality - I have to say that you rarely find people of this sort of persona; without giving away too much, the both of us have what I like to call ‘intelligent dry humor’. Is it not true that absolutely anybody can be silly? And is it also not true that many people are simply not funny? I think there’s a fine line; sometimes you cannot see it, but once you or someone else crosses the line, everyone cringes – proof that the line, though at times seemingly invisible, does exist, to separate jovial-hilarity from embarrassing-cringes.
The flip side of this whole line-of-thought is that I actually do know people (friends/acquaintances whatever-you-want-to-call-them we’re all brothers and sisters in Christ) who do not find this kind of humor funny, nor do they “get it”.
In any case, back to the story – some might be thinking, “how did I get to know this guy?” – well, due to certain circumstances, and of course ‘natural’ social interactions at church, we have seen each other’s humor and personality 'in action'. And here’s the punch-line, which will come as a surprise to some: “we haven’t gone out for a coffee together to ‘catch up’ or ‘meet up’ or ‘{anything} up’”, which is energetically refreshing for me, especially so in a culture where that is the ‘cool’ thing to do.
….as disclaimer: I LOVE coffee and cafés and such like, the simple pleasures of life are hard to substitute, much like simple faith which trusts wholeheartedly in the words of the LORD Jesus and his promises; no bachelors of theology required to enter through these pearly gates…
“I, Jesus, have sent my angel to give you this testimony for the churches. I am the Root and the Offspring of David, and the bright Morning Star.”
The Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” And let him who hears say, “Come!” Whoever is thirsty, let him come; and whoever wishes, let him take the free gift of the water of life.
AMEN to that, Sons and Daughters of our Almighty God.
Saturday, August 12, 2006
Tasting Heaven's Power
I have had a good dose of Spurgeon in the past 4-5 weeks; not as much as I’d like, but it has been quite a mouthful; on second thoughts - in hindsight - I have been biting off just enough to chew on regularly.
One of Spurgeon’s writings had me in its grips: The walk of a Christian to realize on a daily basis that he/she needs to depend on God in prayer. The prayer to actively seek the power that God wants to give us to conquer sin in our lives - God knows that we cannot overcome sin in our own power, nor has he left us alone to do so; he has given us his Holy Spirit who empowers us.
If you do not already, I urge you to ask our LORD Jesus to reveal himself to you; that for this day, he may shine on you light from heaven, bestowing his Grace, Mercy and Peace on you -- that He would reign, in your heart and in your life for his glory.
...Sharing in the Holy Spirit and tasting the goodness of the Word of God does have a side-effect however, it will leave you wanting more.
"And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."
One of Spurgeon’s writings had me in its grips: The walk of a Christian to realize on a daily basis that he/she needs to depend on God in prayer. The prayer to actively seek the power that God wants to give us to conquer sin in our lives - God knows that we cannot overcome sin in our own power, nor has he left us alone to do so; he has given us his Holy Spirit who empowers us.
If you do not already, I urge you to ask our LORD Jesus to reveal himself to you; that for this day, he may shine on you light from heaven, bestowing his Grace, Mercy and Peace on you -- that He would reign, in your heart and in your life for his glory.
...Sharing in the Holy Spirit and tasting the goodness of the Word of God does have a side-effect however, it will leave you wanting more.
"And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."
Thursday, August 03, 2006
Zion's Armoury
Studying history, what an awesome pastime – it not only keeps you grounded in reality, but it allows you to take a ‘glimpse’ at the world around you, in the present time as well as to witness those who have come before you - how the world is shaped by the ‘chain of events’ spoken about in my previous blogs; how the sacrifice of one person can make so much difference for many unborn generations to follow.
History not only makes for good reading, but once you get started, you really do become humbled by the insignificance of your human life in this world – what were once battles fervently fought over become biases not even worth mentioning.
Curious, that while the Bible speaks of Man as “nothing more than vapor that appears for a little while and then vanishes”, the Bible also speaks about Man as ‘important’ enough ‘…for God to send his Son into the world in order to redeem them’. It seems to me that the former verse opposes the proud - elect or otherwise - and the latter message:- to those who live in despair through no fault of their own (Luke 16:19 ff). In that latter context, it makes perfect sense that Jesus said: “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”
On the topic of battles worth fighting for, Morpheus in The Matrix Revolutions uttered these words: “What if you knew that the War would be over tomorrow? Would it be worth fighting for? Would it be worth dying for?”
Yes. To both questions. We are fighting a war, an unseen war that has eternal consequences (yes you read that right.) I dare say that most of the Western world is sleeping in this war - impotent to resist the enemy; ignorant towards enemy blitzkriegs reigning; basically too apathetic to give a damn.
...“In bringing many sons to glory, it was fitting that God, for whom and through whom everything exists, should make the author of their salvation perfect through suffering. Both the one who makes men holy and those who are made holy are of the same family. So Jesus is not ashamed to call them brothers.”
Jesus was made perfect through suffering. Should his saints expect any different?
The Reformers didn’t, we shall not either.
Ephesians 6:13ff - For all of you who have been called to be one of the elect.
History not only makes for good reading, but once you get started, you really do become humbled by the insignificance of your human life in this world – what were once battles fervently fought over become biases not even worth mentioning.
Curious, that while the Bible speaks of Man as “nothing more than vapor that appears for a little while and then vanishes”, the Bible also speaks about Man as ‘important’ enough ‘…for God to send his Son into the world in order to redeem them’. It seems to me that the former verse opposes the proud - elect or otherwise - and the latter message:- to those who live in despair through no fault of their own (Luke 16:19 ff). In that latter context, it makes perfect sense that Jesus said: “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”
On the topic of battles worth fighting for, Morpheus in The Matrix Revolutions uttered these words: “What if you knew that the War would be over tomorrow? Would it be worth fighting for? Would it be worth dying for?”
Yes. To both questions. We are fighting a war, an unseen war that has eternal consequences (yes you read that right.) I dare say that most of the Western world is sleeping in this war - impotent to resist the enemy; ignorant towards enemy blitzkriegs reigning; basically too apathetic to give a damn.
...“In bringing many sons to glory, it was fitting that God, for whom and through whom everything exists, should make the author of their salvation perfect through suffering. Both the one who makes men holy and those who are made holy are of the same family. So Jesus is not ashamed to call them brothers.”
Jesus was made perfect through suffering. Should his saints expect any different?
The Reformers didn’t, we shall not either.
Ephesians 6:13ff - For all of you who have been called to be one of the elect.
Tuesday, August 01, 2006
Sing a song of Zion
HOW is it, that you can be joyful one minute, then miserable the next? I received some news at Church last night, and I was sad - almost instantaneously.
Church was great; good music (tho. we had a newbie drummer…?); ambience was perfect (rain outside on the Church roof after dusk that the stain glass windows were pitch-black); those whom I spoke to were very encouraging… – and that’s the pivotal point isn’t it – the people within the church; warm, heart-felt words that grace the Epistles as you witness the Living God because the Word is Incarnate in their lives, through their speech… (save that blog for another time…)
Funny thing is, this news I received was not even about me – it was in no way related to me and didn’t/is not going to – effect me. BUT I was sad, because it affected a friend of mine; as it hurts them, it hurts me.
That’s what it is about community, sharing the joy and the pain – as Sons and Daughters of God we work together for one purpose, waiting on Him to return and claim us as His own; the Lord of Hosts who emptied himself of all but Love, and that is true Love, that He gave himself up as a ransom for many; For He came into this world that we may not perish, but have Eternal Life.
Everything else that this world offers pales in comparison, no really it does.
…That’s the truth. And it hurts.
Church was great; good music (tho. we had a newbie drummer…?); ambience was perfect (rain outside on the Church roof after dusk that the stain glass windows were pitch-black); those whom I spoke to were very encouraging… – and that’s the pivotal point isn’t it – the people within the church; warm, heart-felt words that grace the Epistles as you witness the Living God because the Word is Incarnate in their lives, through their speech… (save that blog for another time…)
Funny thing is, this news I received was not even about me – it was in no way related to me and didn’t/is not going to – effect me. BUT I was sad, because it affected a friend of mine; as it hurts them, it hurts me.
That’s what it is about community, sharing the joy and the pain – as Sons and Daughters of God we work together for one purpose, waiting on Him to return and claim us as His own; the Lord of Hosts who emptied himself of all but Love, and that is true Love, that He gave himself up as a ransom for many; For He came into this world that we may not perish, but have Eternal Life.
Everything else that this world offers pales in comparison, no really it does.
…That’s the truth. And it hurts.
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