tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-360217642024-03-13T10:06:06.838+08:00John 13:35"By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another."jtkl89http://www.blogger.com/profile/07293984654151358273noreply@blogger.comBlogger438125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36021764.post-67728146950658945802020-03-02T18:31:00.000+08:002020-03-02T18:35:39.873+08:002-3-20 Kuching from the outsider's view - Part I - FoodA bit of background to begin with.<br />
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I was born in Kuching, Sarawak. Before I could remember, my family moved to Miri, where I grew up (~17 years of my life). 2 years was spent in Singapore for studies. Now, I've lived in Canberra, Australia for more than 11 years.<br />
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In other words, Kuching was foreign to me. I've never lived there, practically speaking. Hence, this last Chinese New Year (CNY), when we were gonna go there for at least 10 days, I decided to do some research to see what places were recommended and what there was to do and eat there.<br />
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The last trip that we spent in Kuching in 2018, was rather abrupt and my parents had not settled in proper as they had just moved back from overseas. That trip, we got to visit the Semenggoh Orangutan Sanctuary/Nature Reserve but that was probably the main highlight.<br />
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This time round, our 10-day trip ended up being extended to almost 4 weeks due to unforeseen circumstances (my wife sprained her ankle + Covid-19 in Singapore) and it was truly a blessing in disguise.<br />
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Working off the online recommendations, we were quite disappointed with what little was mentioned and how so many more gems were left out so I thought I might do a bit of promotion for my dear city of birth. Maybe it was just that I couldn't find many recommendations but I thought I'd provide a bit of an outsider's perspective to the place.<br />
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Being Malaysia (or East Malaysia, which is quite distinct from West Malaysia, my wife keeps reminding me...), there's no better place to start than food. I'll just mention the places we enjoyed and what stood out. They are all different types of places so I'm not ranking them in order of preference.<br />
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<u><b><span style="font-size: large;">Madeleine Cafe@Green Heights</span></b></u><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Google Maps link<u> <a href="https://www.google.com/maps/place/Madeleine+Cafe+@Green+Heights/@1.5025297,110.3448219,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m5!3m4!1s0x31fba74c3d97627d:0xfcfa61eb40bf5036!8m2!3d1.5025297!4d110.3470106">here</a> </u></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJFP0KLhSC032lggW_buoQLlzXujqjdzbLr_x18li_wHQilXqLsaNeR2-vDvFaybVC1sK6y8mKUP8GJRkOTjiSWeDD6UNHu9l4izoHfKK6JBrpl6rz17btsJfdvweC5cmDaIyf/s1600/IMG_20200209_211228.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJFP0KLhSC032lggW_buoQLlzXujqjdzbLr_x18li_wHQilXqLsaNeR2-vDvFaybVC1sK6y8mKUP8GJRkOTjiSWeDD6UNHu9l4izoHfKK6JBrpl6rz17btsJfdvweC5cmDaIyf/s320/IMG_20200209_211228.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
This place was easily the top on my wife's list. She's a big dessert fan and having being spoilt with cafes like Zumbo, Sydney (now closed), Flute Bakery, Canberra and Hopetoun Tea Rooms, Melbourne, she had high standards for her dessert.<br />
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Yet Madeleine did not disappoint. Erene (wifey) had this on her list to visit from the moment we had Kuching added to our itinerary. Their desserts don't just look stunning, they wow with flavours and texture too!<br />
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Prices range from RM5 to RM18. The cakes were in the upper end of the range but for those special occasions, I definitely think they're worth it!<br />
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We've tried out some other bakeries around and as Erene put it, Madeleine is so good it's almost out-of-place being in Kuching! They would give the bakeries in Australia a good run for their money! No kidding!!!<br />
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<u><b><span style="font-size: large;">Gala Food Court</span></b></u><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Google Maps link <a href="https://www.google.com/maps/place/Gala+Food+Court/@1.5128757,110.3543693,17z/data=!4m12!1m6!3m5!1s0x31fba7e674f05de9:0xfa851256773e777f!2sGala+Food+Court!8m2!3d1.5128757!4d110.3543693!3m4!1s0x31fba7e674f05de9:0xfa851256773e777f!8m2!3d1.5128757!4d110.3543693">here</a></span><br />
Not for those who have a hard time making choices. This place is packed with food stalls, practically a culmination of four (4) cafe/kopitiam into one food court. This was definitely Erene's favourite kopitiam. I'll pick out a few of the highlights for us, not that we've tried everything in our 2-3 visits here...<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhap7JNFmFrPBa06fsdGkE9-e-d90IvQ3to-iSisxiVxYWa6DD1zklhIu8eagE3Id6fsBXxpSKihiDlJfDiLpXhQOX7k2qwyKZK1xhogMQ5NMsNz36Bu_1RRTKSrUOknYNggQtw/s1600/IMG_20200214_085311.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhap7JNFmFrPBa06fsdGkE9-e-d90IvQ3to-iSisxiVxYWa6DD1zklhIu8eagE3Id6fsBXxpSKihiDlJfDiLpXhQOX7k2qwyKZK1xhogMQ5NMsNz36Bu_1RRTKSrUOknYNggQtw/s320/IMG_20200214_085311.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Best char kueh teow in texture, ingredients and flavour.</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDeJzSA_JrivpnpZOZsfAuVOBzXnmr2USQ9MYuL2mdFm9SokT4ZEHk3UACX-i3kxht5NXeMTZtyI5XoUBLHav3_j3X0IYUqvXm1GuzynfO5FH7wVNL-J1YaqM6QlJqEeh11d58/s1600/IMG_20200214_085319.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDeJzSA_JrivpnpZOZsfAuVOBzXnmr2USQ9MYuL2mdFm9SokT4ZEHk3UACX-i3kxht5NXeMTZtyI5XoUBLHav3_j3X0IYUqvXm1GuzynfO5FH7wVNL-J1YaqM6QlJqEeh11d58/s320/IMG_20200214_085319.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJfwlt-nxuqHHiji-gqjP0BQ_8N0v2XU0IeR3YUm31zjdll-TCCEglFhInw5Jv278BQuh1yQlOOvmdjdXeYjitt16s0XNLRVVb1IhqDzGcAWI0zKgJ26EkG3x3LFnfxqo5Yfj4/s1600/IMG_20200214_085403.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJfwlt-nxuqHHiji-gqjP0BQ_8N0v2XU0IeR3YUm31zjdll-TCCEglFhInw5Jv278BQuh1yQlOOvmdjdXeYjitt16s0XNLRVVb1IhqDzGcAWI0zKgJ26EkG3x3LFnfxqo5Yfj4/s400/IMG_20200214_085403.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This stall's kolok mee is probably the best one we had this trip, with smoked char siew instead of the usual char siew. Be prepared to wait in line if it's a busy day!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjssRkHzR5pwYBNdSsQAOmEB7Urj0XZQD5Dq47vZCGQZABY1dxlGpB2dFvZy1fshtifkCnseLCOKwOcYjwjUeSK8XXgA6Qd8udN4auGV-nUAP8gk_km9gfJH-Xj7KooAdreRJcW/s1600/IMG_20200214_091220.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjssRkHzR5pwYBNdSsQAOmEB7Urj0XZQD5Dq47vZCGQZABY1dxlGpB2dFvZy1fshtifkCnseLCOKwOcYjwjUeSK8XXgA6Qd8udN4auGV-nUAP8gk_km9gfJH-Xj7KooAdreRJcW/s400/IMG_20200214_091220.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ah Di's Popiah is probably the best value-for-money and one of the better popiah we had in Kuching. Erene compares with popiah in Singapore, which is quite different but this one was probably the closest she could get. Quick service too, which is a plus.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGdbUzIN7EJZ2lz6ffvmgGfo2TZTko5QaeBpFyHT3HVYimL62cKRctpNI7bLXCca-AXB_5ol5q1iZS1ApPw_DbVAzm_eGEDxQAmpXaT5oFsJDaKqIdG5X56r31sqQl1SxOLNtd/s1600/IMG_20200214_085419.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGdbUzIN7EJZ2lz6ffvmgGfo2TZTko5QaeBpFyHT3HVYimL62cKRctpNI7bLXCca-AXB_5ol5q1iZS1ApPw_DbVAzm_eGEDxQAmpXaT5oFsJDaKqIdG5X56r31sqQl1SxOLNtd/s320/IMG_20200214_085419.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Apam Balik here was really good! Crispy and tasty without being too greasy/buttered.</td></tr>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;"><u>Topspot Food Court</u></span></b><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Google Maps link <a href="https://www.google.com/maps/place/Topspot+Food+Court/@1.5561755,110.3501679,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m5!3m4!1s0x31fba7ea4e7e9457:0x8b50b07ca672010f!8m2!3d1.5561755!4d110.3523566">here</a></span><br />
Fantastic value-for-money seafood that is equally tasty. I wouldn't say it's mindblowing but it is definitely good on the tastebud! We ordered from one of the two Ling Loong Seafood stalls (same owners). They were polite and prompt and held no surprises (in the good way!). Halal option.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwOR-vXqAX5SwOD1LTqBhJicndVp8iLbzu5H-SZ2gG2349b3PlimClnX9lh48u18rST8yzV7RknCYM-2tT5HNz0Xli-W_yJY5GEYJBQ-INY5ElU-G45Ym46L6jASw0Gw4CObz9/s1600/IMG_20200209_174756.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwOR-vXqAX5SwOD1LTqBhJicndVp8iLbzu5H-SZ2gG2349b3PlimClnX9lh48u18rST8yzV7RknCYM-2tT5HNz0Xli-W_yJY5GEYJBQ-INY5ElU-G45Ym46L6jASw0Gw4CObz9/s400/IMG_20200209_174756.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ling Loong Seafood</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiQXdGsuXygnvZorvryPbIY2J23ee1gQIMX6vJlGHLIgWUgoanPynf44STH2cj8uW6LgXmmeVLmlq9plU7e4bwad6kkWdPh47kETI2qZ128lpeKoU27cGQ7HhYUn6R7dkGamDm/s1600/IMG_20200209_180634.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiQXdGsuXygnvZorvryPbIY2J23ee1gQIMX6vJlGHLIgWUgoanPynf44STH2cj8uW6LgXmmeVLmlq9plU7e4bwad6kkWdPh47kETI2qZ128lpeKoU27cGQ7HhYUn6R7dkGamDm/s320/IMG_20200209_180634.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ikan bakar (grilled sting ray with sambal chilli on top), Tofu (meh...), 四大天王 (four emperors - 4 vegetables fried with garlic). </td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivcqnQMqS2d0w1dyriuvACGDAfS-4_OYFcksmpfYoaX0g2Kq_wVq9FDKN-2zjPrXV3aa6XzHcisohUPuBoz0qxcwYCOBnnawWvqfzj3xRemgRRxndQ8Jz_lqR1DcPBBAzG251o/s1600/IMG_20200209_180641.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivcqnQMqS2d0w1dyriuvACGDAfS-4_OYFcksmpfYoaX0g2Kq_wVq9FDKN-2zjPrXV3aa6XzHcisohUPuBoz0qxcwYCOBnnawWvqfzj3xRemgRRxndQ8Jz_lqR1DcPBBAzG251o/s400/IMG_20200209_180641.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<b><u><span style="font-size: large;">333 Charcoal Fried Kueh Teow</span></u></b><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Google Maps link <a href="https://www.google.com/maps/place/%22333+%E7%82%AD%E7%83%A7%E7%82%92%E6%9E%9C%E6%9D%A1+Charcoal+Fried+Kway+Teow%22/@1.5324921,110.3600183,14.99z/data=!4m5!3m4!1s0x0:0xcc3e6ef2ba5cf97c!8m2!3d1.5318309!4d110.3681105">here</a></span><br />
This one's an interesting one and not many people would have eaten like this before. The Google Map first photo can be deceiving, showing a food court but this is actually in someone's house! I hypothesized that they moved out of their stall at a food court and decided to just do it out of the comfort of their own home. (Note: OUT of the comfort... it's actually outside their home. Not indoors.)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXV5fBQa9LUDdfQLKZzKXDGT37FNk_WCzmytZoytcWEwTZrypB1xWOU7dRl1by_RYrTMU9NL6a1ambwdODZYrSwRACO0AHAnRa0xs5hiqXItZP1qatYyHQ7Z_UyMdap4lVMvzh/s1600/IMG_20200212_182545.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXV5fBQa9LUDdfQLKZzKXDGT37FNk_WCzmytZoytcWEwTZrypB1xWOU7dRl1by_RYrTMU9NL6a1ambwdODZYrSwRACO0AHAnRa0xs5hiqXItZP1qatYyHQ7Z_UyMdap4lVMvzh/s320/IMG_20200212_182545.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Nevertheless, I loved the fragrance and taste of their char kueh teow (CKT)and the dish options - ranging from standard CKT to numbing spicy (麻辣) to salted egg CKT.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiori_h4wMupSoZSXRgPG38rnW_FGz1dEnfNDtyL5dLJ7RYpACNRuMt69amVWPXZ6ys1kJwthK43mvNL9UY7ObxQRyU7AFsjQh8TVjGX6Augy7-7Bj0osRErjl8ll74nKixSvB5/s1600/IMG_20200212_182949.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiori_h4wMupSoZSXRgPG38rnW_FGz1dEnfNDtyL5dLJ7RYpACNRuMt69amVWPXZ6ys1kJwthK43mvNL9UY7ObxQRyU7AFsjQh8TVjGX6Augy7-7Bj0osRErjl8ll74nKixSvB5/s320/IMG_20200212_182949.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIfebQ9FDXbeKEwQqjeKhSalwNjAC4Xorg6hIYoTb6RyccTbuACzg9dRQu0C6kNRhJsi5kk_DzViBSF-7tQADGeSUUzksoHNLb2wOMmdj73qf0wro0duoHZ8kuQYThbxieIGlL/s1600/IMG_20200212_183322.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIfebQ9FDXbeKEwQqjeKhSalwNjAC4Xorg6hIYoTb6RyccTbuACzg9dRQu0C6kNRhJsi5kk_DzViBSF-7tQADGeSUUzksoHNLb2wOMmdj73qf0wro0duoHZ8kuQYThbxieIGlL/s640/IMG_20200212_183322.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">You wouldn't tell from looks but the top one is the spicy CKT (too hot for me!) and the bottom was the salted egg CKT.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPYsNr-X0oGidv6Ocbd9uUH7b-qh6S7_kKKlvohWZr5TqsKpvTggGn-W0klq2xLh-wxehRgkFKxPCTT3WVMgJWPSqVatE1iBt0Jiw_ICkqzdcEk3u5Fgo6stwhhl0fIcXQaf_w/s1600/IMG_20200212_183419.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPYsNr-X0oGidv6Ocbd9uUH7b-qh6S7_kKKlvohWZr5TqsKpvTggGn-W0klq2xLh-wxehRgkFKxPCTT3WVMgJWPSqVatE1iBt0Jiw_ICkqzdcEk3u5Fgo6stwhhl0fIcXQaf_w/s320/IMG_20200212_183419.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Roast pork rice was ok.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioiZ501Rit8Y3_phbKJ9xheaaunJE5BbgYoSL0pN_Hd4LrCoXd-f1E0b0ZZXwzZfbhgSJI5zia6z2S0YJNQi8SVq9MwmAl3FJe53_fWmKwtdXubxeCazcTvxj5gaUU_aT2h50b/s1600/IMG_20200212_183859.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioiZ501Rit8Y3_phbKJ9xheaaunJE5BbgYoSL0pN_Hd4LrCoXd-f1E0b0ZZXwzZfbhgSJI5zia6z2S0YJNQi8SVq9MwmAl3FJe53_fWmKwtdXubxeCazcTvxj5gaUU_aT2h50b/s320/IMG_20200212_183859.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The chicken rice was interesting... Tasted a bit more western to me.</td></tr>
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<b><u><span style="font-size: large;">DP Ice-cream</span></u></b><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Google Maps link <a href="https://www.google.com/maps/place/DP+Ice+Cream+Gula+Apong/@1.5549076,110.3458312,16.25z/data=!4m5!3m4!1s0x0:0xdb4bd113cdeafb8c!8m2!3d1.5565197!4d110.3545144">here</a> but actual location is <a href="https://www.google.com/maps/place/Noisy+Room+Riverside/@1.5555867,110.3472077,20.47z/data=!4m8!3m7!1s0x31fba7fc112ddda1:0xfd7669c38cb7bb5b!5m2!4m1!1i2!8m2!3d1.5556061!4d110.3474227">here</a></span><br />
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Gula apong is to Sarawak what Gula Melaka is to the west. Similar taste but gula melaka is coconut sugar while gula apong is palm sugar. *Leaves the room and lets you finish your spiel about the issues around palm oil*<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8b1SgI14Q8O1AZbUhiUn8nWs49TjbfuaUC4cLG0lvUljQnCeaLMV60WDH68gQ5FEwuWkC_yTjWrxR3qceaxtF6iNohVXM3I4FXaMUnwfIEoB-E1K4E9dQnDfSm3q7UXe1Vxlu/s1600/IMG_20200214_104944.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8b1SgI14Q8O1AZbUhiUn8nWs49TjbfuaUC4cLG0lvUljQnCeaLMV60WDH68gQ5FEwuWkC_yTjWrxR3qceaxtF6iNohVXM3I4FXaMUnwfIEoB-E1K4E9dQnDfSm3q7UXe1Vxlu/s320/IMG_20200214_104944.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">*Goes to own corner to make some ice-creammmmm...*</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMBB8NijRGvsVKwbAISGA_RICfUrNkTaMbuRAQdrAp-Ss8R0PyWweECSLoFA2GA9mkXF-Z77BQBFBKRtf1knf35ogdfoka4V6BVT62ZZecp7TcMKJBZLqmouHYoRANj9H7WrnK/s1600/IMG_20200214_104947.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMBB8NijRGvsVKwbAISGA_RICfUrNkTaMbuRAQdrAp-Ss8R0PyWweECSLoFA2GA9mkXF-Z77BQBFBKRtf1knf35ogdfoka4V6BVT62ZZecp7TcMKJBZLqmouHYoRANj9H7WrnK/s400/IMG_20200214_104947.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Look for the "Noisy Room" on Google Maps to locate it. In front of SMK St Mary.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_JBqY0VVv6PYWRWhbzXb5I7-95K2TmdNp_g2e59ejsHz-d_mNicMtkbbKEju6wPJKaNoByc1365QjRxj5p46zQE8qC2CjEl6sWXRhyczvwdKw1DR6Yvz3wp0YGSq0RPB0mxDQ/s1600/IMG_20200214_105145.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_JBqY0VVv6PYWRWhbzXb5I7-95K2TmdNp_g2e59ejsHz-d_mNicMtkbbKEju6wPJKaNoByc1365QjRxj5p46zQE8qC2CjEl6sWXRhyczvwdKw1DR6Yvz3wp0YGSq0RPB0mxDQ/s400/IMG_20200214_105145.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This was truly one special soft-serve. A must-try! This monster was a measly RM5 (~AUD2 or USD1.20)!!! You could get a <br />
smaller one for RM2 (AUD0.80 or USD0.50), of course.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b><u><span style="font-size: large;">Yunique Bubble Tea</span></u></b><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">2 locations but we went to <a href="https://www.google.com/maps/place/Yunique+Tea+Emporium/@1.5125696,110.35241,16z/data=!4m8!1m2!2m1!1syunique!3m4!1s0x0:0x351cc89dfe4dd5be!8m2!3d1.5155154!4d110.3527495">this one</a>.</span><br />
Bubble tea was everywhere and after the first one left a really bad impression, Yunique was a pleasant surprise. We only tried it because it had a very good promotion - RM8 for everything on the menu.<br />
<br />
Nothing on the real stuff from Taiwan but this was probably... If Taiwan's bubble tea (Tiger Brown Sugar) was full marks, this would probably be a 65%. Not a distinction but a decent credit.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw32VPjZwvn6RjENH0Ju6Ba4OfCQOQH92ZXmvKxtBnzjDO5lYMrwGZsgFBlaCkV8Uhff0Pt70mWrt9Wcu8-IJsV9k-Uo0lIk-46CFA2Ju3BD0NYBR8zPjUzvU9esKGFoyt_xO3/s1600/IMG_20200215_171136.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw32VPjZwvn6RjENH0Ju6Ba4OfCQOQH92ZXmvKxtBnzjDO5lYMrwGZsgFBlaCkV8Uhff0Pt70mWrt9Wcu8-IJsV9k-Uo0lIk-46CFA2Ju3BD0NYBR8zPjUzvU9esKGFoyt_xO3/s320/IMG_20200215_171136.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<u><b><span style="font-size: large;">Rock Road Seafood Restaurant</span></b></u><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Google Maps location <a href="https://www.google.com/maps/place/Rock+Road+Seafood+Restaurant/@1.531035,110.3397743,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m5!3m4!1s0x31fba7656511f0b1:0x95affa9cb87d070!8m2!3d1.531035!4d110.341963">here</a></span><br />
One of the more popular restaurants around. I can see this one being one of the top few here. Pretty good food, as can be seen from the patronage. Halal. You pick your dishes from the display downstairs before you head to your table. They even weigh out your seafood before you so there aren't any surprises with the bill.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpqfoQ0ky053ZFYZ0ZNK4flVdL4ukskey70Jfma2RroXm58x9MhqFIOWh5g0l0eF2qC8r9zqJlwvjd7g6WodjwuK_E3BypKYvmqkbQUm13SW5JuvmWrwJl3ttq3ooD5lc559PI/s1600/IMG_20200215_194718.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpqfoQ0ky053ZFYZ0ZNK4flVdL4ukskey70Jfma2RroXm58x9MhqFIOWh5g0l0eF2qC8r9zqJlwvjd7g6WodjwuK_E3BypKYvmqkbQUm13SW5JuvmWrwJl3ttq3ooD5lc559PI/s400/IMG_20200215_194718.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzGxI5VhyNhtTLxOPxx-wXeBkQkcXw7kiaKgvONChpwVR4mEpS7OcyDJSYv34KpLl-oMoDo7WWUs7aI1os1iOeNKgU4Mg2kjmqkG_KuukVF04C0yF2WSV8XAyNzX-dMqaWL8yy/s1600/IMG_20200215_200040.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzGxI5VhyNhtTLxOPxx-wXeBkQkcXw7kiaKgvONChpwVR4mEpS7OcyDJSYv34KpLl-oMoDo7WWUs7aI1os1iOeNKgU4Mg2kjmqkG_KuukVF04C0yF2WSV8XAyNzX-dMqaWL8yy/s320/IMG_20200215_200040.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I quite enjoyed the oyster omelette you see here. This cooking method is unique to Sarawak, I was told by my West Malaysian cousin-in-law.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<u><span style="font-size: large;"><b>The Coffee Code</b></span></u><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Google Maps location <a href="https://www.google.com/maps/place/The+Coffee+Code/@1.5049847,110.3605613,17.85z/data=!4m5!3m4!1s0x31fba79daa6f158d:0x5f3c5141c4f0a047!8m2!3d1.5053212!4d110.3596133">here</a></span><br />
Decent coffee. Amazing souffle pancake! The pear yogurt ice-cream thing was very good too!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiVeRfUGoLuRxjFKOhkpE3zAcvwXWR22wJrDSQH6fNGjhejxKaT7PRqrGosYOXE-iAeCmSmemSw2zCvk0E-pOpiDCnwxWya-wO1Hwql5-YXK1V-KYCSCSrX3z_1WCO9WisQSZT/s1600/IMG_20200216_153027.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiVeRfUGoLuRxjFKOhkpE3zAcvwXWR22wJrDSQH6fNGjhejxKaT7PRqrGosYOXE-iAeCmSmemSw2zCvk0E-pOpiDCnwxWya-wO1Hwql5-YXK1V-KYCSCSrX3z_1WCO9WisQSZT/s400/IMG_20200216_153027.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvmg-gdGrutegbyLgrQEPeJXuZw96sax3CWNYoU6reYchLfVi_c1nZOeY5xYupNYFwEp0ckjVUeJ51G69s9YES7Ik5J_9aHKqmOxwaGKtQ-eQBq-K2SlbVeXXp5TbKfWnH3ixw/s1600/IMG_20200216_153504.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvmg-gdGrutegbyLgrQEPeJXuZw96sax3CWNYoU6reYchLfVi_c1nZOeY5xYupNYFwEp0ckjVUeJ51G69s9YES7Ik5J_9aHKqmOxwaGKtQ-eQBq-K2SlbVeXXp5TbKfWnH3ixw/s320/IMG_20200216_153504.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My son demolished the desserts, constantly asking for "More! More!"</td></tr>
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ICE+Garden<br />
<div>
Google Maps location <a href="https://www.google.com/maps/place/ICE%2BGarden/@1.5083306,110.358069,15.25z/data=!4m5!3m4!1s0x0:0x59036f76bcad8d75!8m2!3d1.5057368!4d110.3612548">here</a></div>
<div>
Very nice ambiance. Very interesting dessert options. Was recommended this by my sister who frequents this when she visits from KK.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx8qRvYl4xq1pMxz7U4cOk0q6-W_oxfFDWUNznUW2QR5zCuXy7lmAFwi6fzY3E0gV2SDzABQuY4_snq-JFFvYuVhwgaAcbEsaxE3gINx_LjFfiDBGmOFdKn9Mg68xLbBxhhBu3/s1600/IMG_20200203_192851.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx8qRvYl4xq1pMxz7U4cOk0q6-W_oxfFDWUNznUW2QR5zCuXy7lmAFwi6fzY3E0gV2SDzABQuY4_snq-JFFvYuVhwgaAcbEsaxE3gINx_LjFfiDBGmOFdKn9Mg68xLbBxhhBu3/s400/IMG_20200203_192851.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Salted peanut shaved ice. MMMMmmmm... Best savoury ice-cream we had!!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJA1LYIv-wfmU3XyjQTug2_QNYrcZNcbJbdVIckWaspLi_jtYwIaswXwk6OkTErAhLRwRpM8OLMpQBQAt1XQA7Epe4F0mIKEyaIufhTiq2AXdKZCpjjsvVYiJgli0U4WCeUdWD/s1600/IMG_20200203_192437.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJA1LYIv-wfmU3XyjQTug2_QNYrcZNcbJbdVIckWaspLi_jtYwIaswXwk6OkTErAhLRwRpM8OLMpQBQAt1XQA7Epe4F0mIKEyaIufhTiq2AXdKZCpjjsvVYiJgli0U4WCeUdWD/s400/IMG_20200203_192437.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mango yogurt snow ice. This wasn't on the menu and was recommended by the cashier lady. Costs quite a buck at RM20+ (~AUD7 or USD5) but very nice!</td></tr>
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That's pretty much most of our palate trip. Leave a comment if you have any questions or remarks!<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
jtkl89http://www.blogger.com/profile/07293984654151358273noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36021764.post-68014396270594724152019-11-11T11:24:00.002+08:002020-03-02T16:56:52.050+08:0011-11-19 Next big security issue - manufacturing***Update 2/3/20*** Covid-19 has proven this point now. With China's factories shutting doors to contain the spread of the virus, we are seeing global supply chains disrupted with no country escaping unscathed... ***End of update***<br />
<br />
<br />
I had foreseen the "single-use plastic" and "single-season clothing" were to be global issues a few years before them actually happening but never documented it anywhere. Not to say that I'm a futurist and in that time I'm sure thousands of others would have thought the same, if not more.<br />
<br />
I write of another impending issue for countries around the world for the upcoming future. One that is surely on the minds of many.<br />
<br />
We talk about security in many aspects - water, food, energy, border and cyber. I do not doubt the gravity of those issues but another aspect of security for countries is silently being neglected - manufacturing.<br />
<br />
It is a major concern when up to <a href="https://www.theatlantic.com/china/archive/2013/08/chinas-dominance-in-manufacturing-in-one-chart/278366/">90% of a specific good is made in one country</a>. We have no one to blame but ourselves when we're all pushing to buy cheap, cheaper and cheapest. There's no way to fight it as that's how the economy and finances work and a country is smart enough to capitalise on that.<br />
<br />
While it can't be said that it certainly will or will not happen but if the country should decide one day to close its factory to a specific country or the whole world, that country or the world will have massive issues with providing goods for their nation. A scary thought for any country, no matter how great they may think they are.<br />
<br />
<br />jtkl89http://www.blogger.com/profile/07293984654151358273noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36021764.post-32392121917758828492016-09-13T10:45:00.002+08:002016-09-13T10:45:37.094+08:0013-9-16 (Tuesday) "The other side of LDR"We've all heard the familiar stories<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBxTi5RU8kPxweR4MF373oVhkpt3bYr2YXDSs_7ccSwmwFqUvzNTMgOWVmm0_Gkln7OqsYYweai9DHe2KaiPX9CHyRDvnMCkGq2T7h7i5GITFJcJ9ILrVNYY8eLwXeAGQSaSr7/s1600/IMG_20160829_131312282.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBxTi5RU8kPxweR4MF373oVhkpt3bYr2YXDSs_7ccSwmwFqUvzNTMgOWVmm0_Gkln7OqsYYweai9DHe2KaiPX9CHyRDvnMCkGq2T7h7i5GITFJcJ9ILrVNYY8eLwXeAGQSaSr7/s320/IMG_20160829_131312282.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Flinders St Station, Melbourne - A meeting/parting point.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
"My boyfriend is back home in X country. It's really hard. We chat super early in the morning or at random times."<br /><br />"We only get to see each other once a year."<br />
<br />
"I wish we were like you, together every day."<br />
<br />
Long-distance relationships (LDR) have been a well-known challenge of a relationship for those who live with it. The chances are you've heard many stories of an LDR couple, all the more so with the globalisation and far-travelling of everyone around the world. It almost sounds like there is nothing but bad news for anyone in an LDR. Makes one wonder why ANYONE would want to be involved in LDR at all. Just ask many of those in LDR<br />
<br />
I don't need to tell you more sad stories. With the benefit of hindsight, I'd like to share some of the benefits of LFR that are less- or never mentioned.<br />
<br />
<b>1. More aware of immediate surroundings</b><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGXhcKAzSdoXsDwYM6yzIWW3pGnVmVy52bMdbDTaINdjb28vnpHR8vv4NEO4wcoqG7-8M_0tiDstZK4MkfhESFytJ4WKqZMKEwDtoRhZXz3ZF41uqpclnyIbuFCSFMvaaVv1FY/s1600/IMG_20160829_175218890_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGXhcKAzSdoXsDwYM6yzIWW3pGnVmVy52bMdbDTaINdjb28vnpHR8vv4NEO4wcoqG7-8M_0tiDstZK4MkfhESFytJ4WKqZMKEwDtoRhZXz3ZF41uqpclnyIbuFCSFMvaaVv1FY/s320/IMG_20160829_175218890_HDR.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">See your surroundings.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Couples tend to always spend time together. When they're awake, they meet up for brekkie, lunch and dinner. They go to classes together, sports, exercise... The list goes on. Couples tend to get fixated with the significant other that they lose out on what is happening around them.<br />
<br />
"If s/he's not going, I won't go too, as I've to got to keep her/him company." Familiar? How many opportunities were passed up just to be with the other, not necessarily doing anything better?<br />
<br />
We found it especially helpful to be involved with church or ministry opportunities without the other person around as we have more free time than if we were in the same physical place.<br />
<br />
<b>2. More time for developing personal life and identity</b><br />
When introducing A & B, who are a couple, we always introduce them something like this:<br />
"Joseph, meet A. A, Joseph. This is B, A's bf/gf".<br />
<br />
One's identity becomes intertwined with the other's. I think this point is especially applicable for individuals 20yo and younger. They end up defining themselves as the significant other (SO) of the other person and without the other person, it's almost as if one's identity is incomplete. I think there's a great danger in that A becomes overly dependent on B's existence to define themselves that they don't get to understand how they themselves operate and function.<br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfpLmAAvji-Pc67JBN-3XfgV1aPr5ZI5nZbJFWrY7s6gDk55rroyNo_MdjpZgIg49hC8LMc8qjIrHZvmAZwHeWNH7JAftFUsWu9XPfgMOlWlQp90IYqw0xgbHhXj6cJHx7KD6e/s1600/IMG_20160829_175748427.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfpLmAAvji-Pc67JBN-3XfgV1aPr5ZI5nZbJFWrY7s6gDk55rroyNo_MdjpZgIg49hC8LMc8qjIrHZvmAZwHeWNH7JAftFUsWu9XPfgMOlWlQp90IYqw0xgbHhXj6cJHx7KD6e/s320/IMG_20160829_175748427.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">What do you enjoy?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
What sports/hobbies do I enjoy on my own?<br />
Do I really like these activities/food/movie?<br />
What do I find restful?<br />
Who are my friends? MY friends, who would hang out with me, not us.<br />
<br />
Many more questions that can be asked.<br />
<br />
I don't have a problem with that if they're married but in the "not-available-but-not-officially-committed" stage of dating/courtship, that is a hard one.<br />
<br />
<b>3. Better and more deliberate use of actual time together</b><br />
When you don't get every evening or every other evening together, you plan your time and make use of it better. Well, at least you should. You don't waste time on your phones with others or playing games, unlike those who are together every day. You actually stare at each other and chat, since you don't have tomorrow or the next whole month/year together.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9IMfZJRsgUtmA1liJK4OkVcDEl9I87WYB0hyCBg_m25VExSEJqy8IQyLA55IO99Zv2auSleUOk0bgeRL_C5XpAiXfvMFyUdcby-9d46hKlTADNIHLachUn7I65rYV_LfESKPr/s1600/IMG_20160901_191858295.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9IMfZJRsgUtmA1liJK4OkVcDEl9I87WYB0hyCBg_m25VExSEJqy8IQyLA55IO99Zv2auSleUOk0bgeRL_C5XpAiXfvMFyUdcby-9d46hKlTADNIHLachUn7I65rYV_LfESKPr/s320/IMG_20160901_191858295.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Erene and I had a week or two in the times that we met up in 2012 and tried our best to do meaningful stuff together and had things to talk about and learn of each other in that time. The latter applies only to couples who have not gotten to know each other well, of course.<br />
<br />
Sometimes, I think that those who are together everyday might know each other's habit better but not know their personalities as well.<br />
<br />
<b>4. Lesser temptation</b><br />
I say "lesser" because temptation isn't just physical. Much can still take place in the mind but at least there isn't the likelihood of "accidentally" doing stuff that you aren't supposed to. That said, there is a greater need for clear and explicit boundaries for the times when you are together as there is the potential for thoughts of "making up for lost time" and other silliness to take root.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivlPGnTNHYdfQQaiAoM30GGuu9GatZTAzqu4p6q9TsvHymh9Si1Ldr0XpnA0bGyhG5HKZB2W9rtN_dMFDT8-KLULYA5isp02FfPeYp9pRtT7SGgSzyl3Bz_Zu0SMMTQ99pVCDh/s1600/IMG_20160831_164121202.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivlPGnTNHYdfQQaiAoM30GGuu9GatZTAzqu4p6q9TsvHymh9Si1Ldr0XpnA0bGyhG5HKZB2W9rtN_dMFDT8-KLULYA5isp02FfPeYp9pRtT7SGgSzyl3Bz_Zu0SMMTQ99pVCDh/s320/IMG_20160831_164121202.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tempatations, temptations.</td></tr>
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<br />
<b>5. You don't take each other's presence and time for granted.</b><br />
This sounds similar to point no 3 but this is more with an eternal perspective in mind.<br />
<br />Everyone's gonna die someday.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg89bDe_oJyWLq4LruCbKnYuG8kT5g4G8SszCBBMscw-xSJIPf_CmNkvj1N-fjbmSWeygpAwGLoz06d9x7NLe1a2zXkWhbLODJwMax9AAHOwGO8e3iX2WKO-2tncGkXyWZqTe79/s1600/IMG_20160906_172743004.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg89bDe_oJyWLq4LruCbKnYuG8kT5g4G8SszCBBMscw-xSJIPf_CmNkvj1N-fjbmSWeygpAwGLoz06d9x7NLe1a2zXkWhbLODJwMax9AAHOwGO8e3iX2WKO-2tncGkXyWZqTe79/s320/IMG_20160906_172743004.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The journey ends somewhere.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
As couples, the tendency is to continue living everyday as if we'll have tomorrow, next week or next year with the other around but unfortunately, that is not the case all the time. S/he could pass away today or at 80 years old. Only God knows.<br />
<br />
LDR causes one to live with the reality that you will not see the other for a period. In effect, living without the person around. This helps one appreciate the life that God has given them.<br />
<br />
In conclusion, whether you start off in an LDR or are moving into LDR, you should and will learn how to adapt to it. I must admit, it was most likely easier for us, starting off in LDR, which means we didn't have to change any expectations or routines as those moving into it would. I have no basis for comparison but logically, it sounds right. I do acknowledge that it is harder with LDR in certain aspects but it can end up being blown to greater proportions than it should be.<br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOKuNl62nhjdzEE4dpX0GhVfMRJOzz6bumviJGbVEr2-wFqBnRYzGDqq_ziiVX7qyVBkFlxpajUuQyJnFjDdr_Nqt8Z12jPqf8FGlUnFmz54L7kxbbm4QWGfL_NVSGeZPQkYXl/s1600/IMG_20160829_181407854.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOKuNl62nhjdzEE4dpX0GhVfMRJOzz6bumviJGbVEr2-wFqBnRYzGDqq_ziiVX7qyVBkFlxpajUuQyJnFjDdr_Nqt8Z12jPqf8FGlUnFmz54L7kxbbm4QWGfL_NVSGeZPQkYXl/s400/IMG_20160829_181407854.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Your perception of the size of everything depends on your perspective.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
On another note, I speak of this LDR only for the courtship/dating period. I do not think LDR is helpful or practical for the married couple, based on my experience so far. Circumstances can dictate for it to happen but I would definitely NOT recommend that it be continued in that manner.<br />
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<br />
I am definitely not encouraging LDR just for the sake of it. I am only saying that LDR is not all doom & gloom and that with God's help, it can work. just approach it with realistic and practical expectations.<br />
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Let me know what you think. :)jtkl89http://www.blogger.com/profile/07293984654151358273noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36021764.post-2199240623535771222016-07-20T14:14:00.001+08:002016-07-20T14:14:05.032+08:00“Different Beauties”My grandma is a bit reluctant when it comes to taking pictures. Her reason being that we all look so nice but she looks so rugged and dirty.<br />
<br />
The fact still stays that her children and grandchildren STILL want to take pictures with her NO MATTER how she looks. They like her just the way she is! *cues Bruno Mars* This just reminds me of the verse from Proverbs 20:29.<br />
<br />
The glory of young men is their strength, gray hair the splendor of the old.<br />
<br />
There IS a certain splendor to the way grandies look. All the wrinkles… The graying, or even WHITING hair… The dentures… The bent posture… It all tells of how much they have been through and how much wisdom they can impart to us.jtkl89http://www.blogger.com/profile/07293984654151358273noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36021764.post-69873423818601222832016-07-20T14:12:00.000+08:002016-07-20T14:13:02.738+08:0020-7-16 (Wednesday) "The Reached Reaching Out" <span style="font-family: inherit;"><i><span class="text Rom-10-14" id="en-NIV-28203" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 12px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"> </span>How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them?</span><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"> </span></i><span class="text Rom-10-15" id="en-NIV-28204" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"><i>And how can anyone preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!”</i> ~ Romans 10:14-15</span></span><br />
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<span class="text Rom-10-15" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "verdana" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"><br /></span>
It's been a while.<br />
<br />
Many things have changed since the last time but there is one thing in particular I'd like to share.<br />
<br />
My wife and I have been heavily involved with the Mandarin Bible Fellowship here in Canberra since its inception in February 2015. There have been many ups and downs.<br />
<br />
One particular "down" to the ministry is seemingly not seeing results from it. We invest much time, effort and energy into weekly preparations and gatherings, praying for them, organising activities and reading the Bible with them. However, many listen and do not come to believe. Some who believed or who have come to believe do not seem to show fruit in their lives, which makes us question their belief. The challenge for us here is to trust that only God can do the work and He knows the best timing for things to happen. Our role is only to preach the Good News to them and to preach it faithfully and continuously.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><i><span class="text John-4-35" id="en-NIV-26192" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"><span class="woj" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;">Don’t you have a saying, ‘It’s still four months until harvest’? I tell you, open your eyes and look at the fields! They are ripe for harvest.</span></span><span class="text John-4-36" id="en-NIV-26193" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"><span class="woj" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 12px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"> </span>Even now the one who reaps draws a wage and harvests<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-26193AH" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-26193AH" title="See cross-reference AH">AH</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span> a crop for eternal life,<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-26193AI" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-26193AI" title="See cross-reference AI">AI</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span> so that the sower and the reaper may be glad together.</span></span><span class="text John-4-37" id="en-NIV-26194" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"><span class="woj" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 12px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"> </span>Thus the saying ‘One sows and another reaps’<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-26194AJ" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-26194AJ" title="See cross-reference AJ">AJ</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span> is true.</span></span></i></span><span class="text John-4-38" id="en-NIV-26195" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"><span class="woj" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 12px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"> </span>I sent you to reap what you have not worked for. Others have done the hard work, and you have reaped the benefits of their labor.” </i>~</span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "verdana" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;"> </span></span></span>John 4:35-38<br />
<br />
Just today, we had our Market Day. You can think of it as our recruitment drive, really. The day we set up a stall (a table and two chairs, among many other table and two chairs of other clubs) and talk to students who pass by.<br />
<br />
The harvest was ripe indeed, with many students showing keen interest in our gathering (or maybe just the free snacks we were providing. Doesn't matter.).<br />
<br />
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What was even greater to observe was how the students that we've been spending time with come alongside us and talk to new students about coming to join our group! I listened in on a conversation and heard about how one student (a.k.a someone-who-I-deemed-the-least-likely-evangelist) talk to other students about the group and very convincingly invited them to come along to the group. And he wasn't even a believer at this point! Soon, he was joined in by another girl who was fairly new to the group (not a believer too) and she was chiming in on why this new person should come along.<br />
<br />
I was washed over with feelings of great happiness seeing their actions and words and how God had been working in their lives. God does do great things in various ways. In various, unexpected ways.<br />
<br />
<i>Praise to the Lord, the Almighty, the King of creation.</i>jtkl89http://www.blogger.com/profile/07293984654151358273noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36021764.post-36974612125433559002015-08-14T08:34:00.003+08:002015-08-14T11:01:36.839+08:0014-08-15 (Friday) “Be fruitful and increase in number"<span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;">"...fill the earth</span><span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-28C" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-28C" title="See cross-reference C">C</a>)" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"> and subdue it. Rule over</span><span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-28D" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-28D" title="See cross-reference D">D</a>)" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"> the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky and over every living creature that moves on the ground.</span><span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-28E" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-28E" title="See cross-reference E">E</a>)" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;">”</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">- Genesis 1:28</span><br />
<br />
We've heard that over and over. That the responsibility of the (Christian) parents is to be fruitful, make babies, and fill the earth. Many have gone even further and praised the parents of many (biological) children, saying how well they have fulfilled the commandment of God.<br />
<br />
I only have <b>two </b>bones to pick from two perspectives with that interpretation. For now, at least.<br />
<br />
<u>1) Environmental</u><br />
<u><br /></u>
The call was given BEFORE the Fall<br />
<span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;">God saw all that he had made,</span><span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-31CI" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-31CI" title="See cross-reference CI">CI</a>)" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"> and it was very good.</span><span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-31CJ" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-31CJ" title="See cross-reference CJ">CJ</a>)" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"> And there was evening, and there was morning</span><span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-31CK" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-31CK" title="See cross-reference CK">CK</a>)" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;">—the sixth day. ~ Gen 1:31</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"><br /></span>
Back then, there was ONLY Adam and Eve. Severe underpopulation meant they would need more help taking care of the whole Earth, that God had entrusted to them (though God is very much capable of taking care of everything Himself, which He IS actually doing.). In addition, God was VERY pleased with what He had created- ESPECIALLY mankind!<br />
<br />
5 chapters after this verse, we hear the following:<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span class="text Gen-6-5" id="en-NIV-143" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 12px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"> </span>The <span class="small-caps" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span> saw how great the wickedness of the human race had become on the earth,<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-143L" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-143L" title="See cross-reference L">L</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span> and that every inclination of the thoughts of the human heart was only evil all the time.<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-143M" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-143M" title="See cross-reference M">M</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span></span><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"> </span><span class="text Gen-6-6" id="en-NIV-144" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"><b>The <span class="small-caps" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span> regretted<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-144N" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-144N" title="See cross-reference N">N</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span> that he had made human beings on the earth</b>, and his heart was deeply troubled.</span><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"> ~ Genesis 6:5-6 (bold mine)</span></span><br />
<br />
The evilness of sin in mankind doesn't bode well for a world filled by humans.<br />
<br />
Fast forward a few millennia and we have the threat of climate change with overpopulation being one of the major problems. Many movies have gone along the theme of humans being the cause of the destruction of Earth, with the extinction of humans being the only hope for the earth to survive. (Avengers: Age of Ultron, Wall-E, Divergent series, After Earth, I Am Legend) I do actually believe that we have reached a population that is more than the earth can sustain. Having my own babies will only compound to that problem. We have gone past <i>filling and subduing</i> to <i>overrunning and destroying</i> the earth now!<br />
<br />
We've crossed 7,000,000,000 (billion) people. "8b" is knocking on our door.<br />
<br />
<u>2) Physical or spiritual</u><br />
<u><br /></u>
In many instances, Jesus, the apostles and prophets talks about how the spiritual is more important than the physical. "Store up treasures in heaven", "Obey the Spirit of the law, not the letter of it", "God looks at the heart of man, not the looks" and "God desires mercy, not sacrifices".<br />
<br />
Could God also be more concerned about being fruitful and increasing in numbers in a spiritual sense too?<br />
<br />
Maybe the Post-Fall way of interpreting the Pre-Fall text might be that we should be fruitful and multiply the kingdom of God primarily before we multiply physically?<br />
<br />
There are SOOOooooo many people out there who have yet to hear of who Jesus is, who God is and what the whole Gospel is about and this work still requires MANY more workers to work this field.<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">What about adopting and fostering?</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">What about the problem of idolising one's own children?</span><br />
<br />
<br />
Our (Erene & I) struggle with this area is that having a baby will severely incapacitate our ability to serve in ministry, at least for a few years, while the child needs THE MOST attention. Sure, we can nurture the child to become another strong member in God's family but how do we know what child God decides to give us(the counter-argument goes along the same line)?<br />
<br />
In the time we take to nurture a child to a productive age, we could have taught and nurtured a hundred times over of other youth, students and/or young adults in the way of the Lord and raised up many Christians to bring the Gospel to all parts of the world!<br />
<br />
Each child would be restricted to one physical place to share the Gospel but reaching out to the many people who we come into contact with by not being stuck at home with an infant means that the restriction is only the places that these hundreds of people go out to when not with us!<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
I am definitely NOT arguing for couples to stop producing babies. I think many are called to be great parents as Christian witnesses and they are to bring up amazing, God-fearing children. I'm just saying that maybe a bit more thought should be given to it than just "oh, let's get married and have children and through the tears and joy, it will be a great experience and we all live happily-ever-after".<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span class="text 1John-3-1" id="en-NIV-30581" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;">See what great love<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-30581A" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-30581A" title="See cross-reference A">A</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span> the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God!<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-30581B" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-30581B" title="See cross-reference B">B</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span> And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him.<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-30581C" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-30581C" title="See cross-reference C">C</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span></span><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"> ~ 1 John 3:1</span></span><br />
<br />
:)jtkl89http://www.blogger.com/profile/07293984654151358273noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36021764.post-2111712570537126172015-06-12T08:39:00.003+08:002015-06-12T08:43:43.269+08:0012-06-15 Crisp MorningsCame into work early this morning to meet up with a pal. it was nice and crisp. A frosty -3 degrees Celsius as the sun slowly crept in in the wake of the canvas of colours.<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIsRqOQtJppsx7pK7gPkUZi2sWQyq_35FkzFmIijQnzGoft7pIhs1m18y2DtgySR1aLE02u1rq-bMkmNOm9fwDSLnqbt0fp6yVqsfYIucX7NvFksL4O0g8MdnLvYZusFA6tdLN/s1600/IMG_20150612_072631.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIsRqOQtJppsx7pK7gPkUZi2sWQyq_35FkzFmIijQnzGoft7pIhs1m18y2DtgySR1aLE02u1rq-bMkmNOm9fwDSLnqbt0fp6yVqsfYIucX7NvFksL4O0g8MdnLvYZusFA6tdLN/s400/IMG_20150612_072631.jpg" width="295" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>You can almost make out the frost on the grass and the condensation on the windows in the background.</i></span></div>
<br />
I like the cold. It is very different from what I grew up with. The constant heat and humidity.<br />
<br />
I like the cold. It reminds me that I am in a land far away from where I grew up in. That I am in a foreign land. Not foreign in the sense that I feel different to the people in the land. I don't. I feel more welcome in this land than back where I came from, at times. But yet, I did not grow up here and was not from here. Even though I have actually spent a quarter of my life here now! It also reminds me that this is not my permanent home. I am just passing through.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: proxnov-reg, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ndMZqT6i4I">This world is not my home I'm just a-passin' through</a></span></span></i></div>
<i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ndMZqT6i4I"><div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: proxnov-reg, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px;">My treasures are laid up somewhere beyond the blue</span></span></i></div>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: proxnov-reg, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px;">The angels beckon me from heaven's open door</span></span></i></div>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: proxnov-reg, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<i style="background-color: transparent;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">And I can't feel at home in this world anymore</span></i></div>
</span></span></a></i><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: proxnov-reg, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span><br />
<br />
I like the cold. It's different from the heat just a few months ago. The different seasons in the year reminds me of the different seasons in life. It reminds me that time does not stand still. That "change" is the only other constant in life.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY7I0Q7mC2HqJzzzglxxBqDvXrdCRCsNp0qBdO34uTdIP78JgMjb9KDluT6tAfpFusIjw8pyROUgZATMIc3229cD9HW6Zdt2zhpaF-ybvc-yckBkE9vDzc8qjP3jACkIceAQEd/s1600/IMG_20150522_071107-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY7I0Q7mC2HqJzzzglxxBqDvXrdCRCsNp0qBdO34uTdIP78JgMjb9KDluT6tAfpFusIjw8pyROUgZATMIc3229cD9HW6Zdt2zhpaF-ybvc-yckBkE9vDzc8qjP3jACkIceAQEd/s320/IMG_20150522_071107-2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">One of the last leaves I saw in official autumn. Some leaves are still hanging on now!</span></i></div>
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<br /></div>
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I like the cold. It reminds me that man can only adapt to the climate and not actually change it, no matter how great or amazing our technology is. Geoengineering is awesome but we are still at the mercy of what happens around us!</div>
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<br /></div>
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What do you like? The heat or the cold?</div>
jtkl89http://www.blogger.com/profile/07293984654151358273noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36021764.post-69867068120931414342014-03-12T10:33:00.001+08:002014-03-12T10:50:30.402+08:0012-03-2014 (Wednesday) "Why the Patriotism?"Ever since I've gotten married, I've had a few <strike>debates</strike> discussions about my home country - Malaysia. Erene can't stand so many things in Malaysia - the inefficiency, injustice, corruption, "relak" attitude... The list goes on. In fact, the only two things she like are probably the fact that the currency is weaker and hence stuff are cheaper for us to buy there and the good food.<br />
<br />
In the midst of these discussions, she has made me realise how defensive I get when she starts to talk down Malaysia.<br />
<br />
Our new housemate, a Malaysian of a non-majority racial background, has also shown similar signs of defending Malaysia when similar topics are brought up.<br />
<br />
"What has your country done for you that you are so defensive about it??"<br />
<br />
I still haven't found an answer to that.<br />
<br />
So far, I've never felt that Malaysia has made me feel special or proud. The recent MH370 case, although can't be blamed on Malaysia yet since its inconclusive, has brought the attention of the world to the inefficiency of the public service in dealing with this ordeal. If anything, the biggest thing any of us "non-majority race" citizens of Malaysia can ever agree on is that we are discriminated against.<br />
<br />
We do not get scholarships based on results alone.<br />
<br />
We pay extra for many things in the country. Written in black and white for all to see.<br />
<br />
We are obliged to respect the national religion, even if we are disrespected.<br />
<br />
... And yet, we defend our country when others talk bad about it. Hypocritical, really, 'cause we ourselves diss our own country amongst fellow countrymen.<br />
<br />
"No one else talks down my country but me!"<br />
<br />
Oppression begets strong affection, it seems. Our neighbouring country has all these things set in place to make her citizens love her more but I haven't found many who are as patriotic as the average Malaysian.<br />
<br />
Why do we defend our country so zealously??jtkl89http://www.blogger.com/profile/07293984654151358273noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36021764.post-27792831959021380392014-01-13T15:13:00.001+08:002014-01-13T15:13:38.086+08:0013-01-14 (Monday) "A Reality Not to Be Forgotten"<p dir="ltr">So I've been married for just over 2 months now. It's been quite an awesome time so far, honestly. Sure, there are some not-so-nice moments when I have been careless and caused some hurt to Erene but we deal with it and we talk about stuff and that's the best part! Even though we hurt each other, we discuss and talk over it and work things out!</p>
<p dir="ltr">A friend of ours, Soph Tam, described it rather aptly. She said, " Marriage is like a marathon adult sleepover. You just stay together and don't have to go back to your separate homes after dates everyday!" I just think that's such an awesome way to put it! :)</p>
<p dir="ltr">Today, I just came across a blogpost by one of my favourite wedding photographers - Jenny Sun and she shares the story behind Taylor Swift's song "Ronan". The lyrics express the thoughts of a mother who captured the journey as she endured the battle that her young son was in - fighting against cancer. It is rather saddening but it is a real story.</p>
<p dir="ltr">As I listened to the song and the lyrics, I became slightly affected myself. Things such as cancer are harsh realities of life. We're not made to live forever on this earth. A colleague of mine recently lost his life in a freak accident while windsurfing, despite having decades of experience under his belt.</p>
<p dir="ltr">"Never be satisfied with anything in this world. Be satisfied only in the God who gives us our breaths, careers, partners, family and supplies our needs."</p>
<p dir="ltr">because</p>
<p dir="ltr">"God is most glorified when we are most satisfied in Him."</p>
jtkl89http://www.blogger.com/profile/07293984654151358273noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36021764.post-85061059929056036112013-05-17T09:19:00.000+08:002013-05-17T09:19:54.396+08:0017-05-13 (Friday) What A Beautiful World!<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span class="text">God saw all that he had made, and it was
very good</span> ~ Gen 1:31a</span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span class="text">I have a short walk to and from work sandwiching
my bus ride during the week and it’s always a joy to enjoy the beauty around
me. I love it especially when the sky turns into a canvas with strips of violet
crossing over to some hot pink spread across a hue of orange during sunset here
in Canberra. </span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu0kdfMSSENLBxmW7jWohr52gZvJTtTdD0Xqyt3sM_yjs6gBwYLV1yJJlG5xIjck9KnoJVoNbXUXfWpDlfIdsuw9o1udIM5CztuzCxFdoEgZVMHdLEugpImXQo62nVOGSxjPRc/s1600/IMG_6869.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu0kdfMSSENLBxmW7jWohr52gZvJTtTdD0Xqyt3sM_yjs6gBwYLV1yJJlG5xIjck9KnoJVoNbXUXfWpDlfIdsuw9o1udIM5CztuzCxFdoEgZVMHdLEugpImXQo62nVOGSxjPRc/s640/IMG_6869.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span class="text"><i>Didn't have a pic from sunset, sorry. :P</i></span></span></span><br /><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span class="text"></span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span class="text">Occasionally, some cotton-ball like cloud
puffs chug along, chasing each other across their infinite playground.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span class="text">The world really is quite beautiful, the
way God made it. I do enjoy it a lot, possibly getting some funny stares from
people walking past when I suddenly chuckle or smile as I look around me.</span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUrOKwvf-fNYihilx423gj7_S5wOqAUy_-lkevD_jGRxb3O5moyGkJquVUcNoR8cO-uo_taliMFK320ay-h-3AvUZaDVQAvCl-XLW1F-gvtCzZStW1y0hV4nBkrxhc1Yinhk6Y/s1600/IMG_6871.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUrOKwvf-fNYihilx423gj7_S5wOqAUy_-lkevD_jGRxb3O5moyGkJquVUcNoR8cO-uo_taliMFK320ay-h-3AvUZaDVQAvCl-XLW1F-gvtCzZStW1y0hV4nBkrxhc1Yinhk6Y/s640/IMG_6871.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span class="text">However, it occurred to me one day that
this was not what I was made to enjoy. This was just a glimpse of it.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span class="text">For this world in its present form is
passing away.</span> ~ 1 Cor 7:31b</span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span class="text">This world, with all its beauty, will be
gone someday. Either that or I will be gone first. Whichever comes first, it’s
even more mind-blowing to think that in someplace even more beautiful and more
amazing than this will I be spending eternity.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span class="text">As my lovely fiancée put it: All these
beautiful things are just creations. Creation declares the praise of her
Creator.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span class="text">Enjoy creation. Praise the Creator.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span class="text">"I am the </span><span class="small-caps"><span style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span></span><span class="text">, and there
is no other.</span></span></span></i>
<i><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span class="text"><span id="en-NIV-18569">I form the light and create darkness,</span><br />
</span><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text">I bring prosperity and create disaster;</span><br />
<span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text">I,
the </span><span class="small-caps"><span style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span></span><span class="text">, do all these things.</span></span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<i><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
</span></span></i><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span class="text">It is I who made the earth</span><br />
<span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text">and created mankind on it.</span></span></span></i>
<i><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span class="text">My own hands stretched out the heavens;</span><br />
<span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text">I
marshaled their starry hosts."</span></span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<i><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
</span></span></i><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span class="text">~ Isaiah 45:6b-7, 12</span></span></span></i></div>
jtkl89http://www.blogger.com/profile/07293984654151358273noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36021764.post-41830215692653542562012-10-09T11:29:00.004+08:002012-10-10T18:47:33.060+08:0009-10-12 (Tuesday) "It's not about being green."I've been rather passionate about living an energy-efficient, low-carbon life for a long time now. I turn off the shower as I shampoo myself; turn off the tap when soaping my dishes; use the sun to dry my clothes instead of using the dryers if there's enough sunlight; turn off my laptop after use, never leaving it on overnight... Many have even got the chance to be annoyed by my pestering to cut down on water and electricity wastage.<br />
<br />
Our pastor, Dom preached on the Apostle's Creed last week at church, touching on the third line:<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
I believe in God,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
the Father almighty,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Creator of heaven and earth.</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
...</div>
<br />
On applying that to our lives, Dom mentioned that we should take good care of the things that God has blessed us with around us. The resources He has given us in this world. The beauty of creation around. The very air we breath. "It's not about being green," he said. "It's about being good stewards of what God has given us."<br />
<br />
I had a short discussion with some friends a day later, finding out that the main thing they got out of that application point was "It's not about being green."<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfqF_LjMcnHgH04TKsVpSEwEO8H9Ql4zrfst8jH_yhrN_sEKaGlIEKyo5G8vBtAJJMPNxjKu7bI8hrvPLwIgNkSBiUrUQL132ljIwJnhTn4k-S7u8BOnbRgmW94O_I9GbEbmxR/s1600/IMG_0690.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfqF_LjMcnHgH04TKsVpSEwEO8H9Ql4zrfst8jH_yhrN_sEKaGlIEKyo5G8vBtAJJMPNxjKu7bI8hrvPLwIgNkSBiUrUQL132ljIwJnhTn4k-S7u8BOnbRgmW94O_I9GbEbmxR/s640/IMG_0690.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
I didn't like the sound of that.<br />
<br />
Just recently as well, I've been reading John Piper's ebook entitled "Preparing for Marriage", where John talks about how the ultimate reason for anything and everything is for God's glory. Our material body, the material world, marriage, singlehood. Everything. John also poses a challenge to ponder upon. How are WE glorifying God in all that we have and do? He also calls us to be good stewards of whatever God has given us and whatever situation He has placed us in. God is ultimate reality. Everything else is secondary.<br />
<br />
So I'd like to respond.<br />
<br />
If we take the stance that "this world is temporary, that everything will pass away, so why bother protecting it so well?", how does that glorify God?<br />
<br />
When others see how we, as Christians, don't bother trying to use only what we need, that we care only about "it's so convenient that way!", how does that glorify God?<br />
<br />
If we let the saying go that "being green is such a western culture" and continue living as the non-western (eastern?) way, doesn't that mean we're just the same as anyone else? How does that glorify God? Does our faith change our lives at all?<br />
<br />
John Piper writes in the book under the heading <i>The Material World - for the Glory of God</i>:<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
"God made bodies and material things because when they are rightly seen and rightly used, God's glory is more fully known and displayed."</div>
<br />
Our material world was made to shout of God's glory. Our bodies were made for that too. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb1j1urHX6Ncklb-Ax5Wnh5PQIcvih_NeNoNt9ZA3orKf6BtxNSgcW5Ihgml-k-hClkFQT1akNm-17wUd3J9A0Mr4zG6bePhljC4tEeAILe9AOaPTklnmYOu0K-2-wGZM5i6Zl/s1600/IMG_7817.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb1j1urHX6Ncklb-Ax5Wnh5PQIcvih_NeNoNt9ZA3orKf6BtxNSgcW5Ihgml-k-hClkFQT1akNm-17wUd3J9A0Mr4zG6bePhljC4tEeAILe9AOaPTklnmYOu0K-2-wGZM5i6Zl/s640/IMG_7817.JPG" width="426" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i><span class="text Luke-19-40" id="en-NIV-25772"><span class="woj">“I tell you,”</span> he replied, <span class="woj">“if they keep quiet, the stones will cry out.”</span></span></i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i><span class="text Luke-19-40" id="en-NIV-25772"><span class="woj">~ Luke 19:40 </span></span></i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="text Luke-19-40" id="en-NIV-25772"><span class="woj"><br /></span></span></div>
No need to get started on the extremes of environmentalism. I'm just talking about the very basics of minimising waste.<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i><br /></i></span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i><span class="text Col-1-16" id="en-NIV-29482">For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him.</span></i></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>~ Colossians 1:16 </i></span></div>
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;">Its not about being green.</span><br />
<br />
Its about being good stewards of God's gifts.jtkl89http://www.blogger.com/profile/07293984654151358273noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36021764.post-30350369992749490792012-08-09T16:16:00.001+08:002012-08-09T16:16:48.629+08:0009-08-12 (Thursday) “A Nation’s Unity”<p>I used to wonder why we keep talking about this love for our country.<em> Cinta akan negara. Tanah tumpah darahku.</em> All those stuff. Why do we sing our national anthem? We all just joked about it and made fun of our country in school as we read about the stories of this guy seeing a deer next to a river and “Samson-esque” stories. <em>No feel leh…</em></p> <p>Then, I went to Singapore to study. All these MTL and bilingualism stuff that they promote made me rethink my comments in the past about learning 3 different languages being silly. I started to appreciate it more.</p> <p>Not long later… Australia. I start seeing the stark differences in culture. The difference mindsets on the concept of “respect”. The social “norms” that are taboos back home, e.g Smiling and saying “G’day!” to any <em>adik, abang, cik</em> and <em>atuk </em>you come across as you walk about. (Many more that needn’t be brought up.)</p> <p>Suddenly, I’ve started to love my country more. There are so many things that we, as Malaysians, can lay claim to!<br>Best food in the world (Really, Singapore? Haha. Okla. Comparable la, ok?)<br>General public is AT LEAST bilingual.<br>A few week’s worth of public holidays EVERY year.<br>Uh… The rest is better left not said. Heehee…</p> <p>It wasn’t because of the many stories in our Sejarah textbook.</p> <p>It wasn’t the Kelas Sivik that happened in KN (or something like that. Didn’t go through it so dunno)</p> <p>It wasn’t any of the fancy slogans or catchphrases.</p> <p>It wasn’t even the random “bonuses” we get as GE gets closer.</p> <p>More recently, it has probably been brought to everyone’s attention on the Internet how one person managed to unite the whole of Malaysia together. He wasn’t even trying to do it, even! He pushed himself to do his best to recover from his ankle injury, made it onto the long-awaited venue after 4 years, carrying the hope of the 27 million people in his home nation. He pushed his arch-rival to the very last point but unfortunately couldn’t lay his hand on victory. In the midst of his pain and disappointment, he tweeted, “I’m sorry.”</p> <p>However, all the videos, pictures and other forms of tribute flying around the net showed how his apology was ill-placed. He had won every Malaysian heart, even winning some over from neighbouring countries!</p> <p>This was one of the really rare moments that united Malaysians together. It was a thing of beauty. I imagined how every Malaysian glued to Astro/Foxtel/StarHub/NBC/BBC, holding their breath as each rally was played out. All shared in his pain as his opponent raced around the stadium while he slumped into a lump of dejection. Tears were definitely shed all around the globe as their national hero bared his emotions.</p> <p>Yet, it was this sad moment that united Malaysians.</p> <p align="center"><em>Dato’ Lee Chong Wei. Wira Malaysia.</em></p> <p><img style="display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto" src="http://www.straitstimes.com/sites/straitstimes.com/files/chongwei1e.jpg"></p> jtkl89http://www.blogger.com/profile/07293984654151358273noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36021764.post-25889233872533097062012-06-17T16:03:00.001+08:002012-06-17T16:03:18.691+08:0017-06-12 (Sunday) “If the Modern Church were to be compared to someone in the Bible…”<p>… Would we be more similar to Jesus? Or to the Pharisees...?</p> <p>Jesus attracted those who were rejected and broken, who felt out of place while the Pharisees were all for the elites, the knowledgeable and the successful.</p> <p>Hmmm…</p> jtkl89http://www.blogger.com/profile/07293984654151358273noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36021764.post-80270050166167778692012-05-29T20:48:00.001+08:002012-05-29T20:48:51.171+08:0029-05-12 (Tuesday) “Awaiting the Glory”<p>I sat there waiting for the first few “segments” to pass. I know her. Yes. Okay. Another 20 more until this group is over. Come on now… Its probably gonna be another half an hour before it reaches the row in front of me…</p> <p>I recall how it was like in secondary school during prize presentation day. I was told about the awards. My name was in the book, under the “Academic Excellence Award”. I had worked hard (its a relative term) for it the whole year. This was the moment of glory that made it worth it. This short moment.</p> <p>“Joseph Ting Kee Lung”…</p> <p>I made my up the steps, tossed my hair back, pushed my chest out and strode across the stage, hoping that my nervousness would not show. The eyes of many on me for that fleeting moment. I could feel their pupils tracking me. Glory.</p> <p>I recount the feeling of anticipation of that glory. I kinda had an idea of how it would feel like. I knew it would be such a good feeling to be on that stage, claiming what I had earned. I would think about it throughout the day, even on the weeks leading up to it.</p> <p>I share this as I think about my struggle to apply that to the second coming of Christ. It will be a moment of glory for those who believe in Him. In God’s saving grace through Jesus’ death on the cross. We are co-heirs together with Christ. We will reign together with Him. We will be brought back in complete union to God. The struggles and the achievements of this world will fade in comparison to that.</p> <p>… But why do I not look forward to it as I should be…?</p> <p>Why does it seem so distant? Why is it not a motivation for life? Every day is a day closer to His coming!</p> <p>As A.W. Tozer says in “Why We Are Lukewarm About Christ’s Return”, life on earth is way too good. We have gotten used to and enjoy the piling up of the gold and silver on this earth that the paths of gold in heaven don’t seem much better.</p> <p>I personally find it hard to “look forward” to the second coming because I feel like I haven’t actually lived life fully yet. I haven’t gotten married, haven’t travelled to certain parts of the world, haven’t had kids to play with and nurture, haven’t had a promotion… Heck, I haven’t even graduated!!</p> <p>Its tough to think that life is complete in Christ when my perception of “the fullness of life” involves a house where kids run around and knock into things and break and need replacing (the things, not the kids). I seek God’s help in changing me in this area.</p> <p>What about you? How do you view Jesus’ second coming? It will be glorious for believers. It will be just like that first award you got in your childhood.</p> <p>Except that it was all because of grace.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-nC6YXiMZ9YI/T8TFrHt5oHI/AAAAAAAAD_s/AfaJnmG6MIM/s1600-h/IMG_5361%25255B13%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="IMG_5361" border="0" alt="IMG_5361" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-ZHx7A23V_NA/T8TFscPrHuI/AAAAAAAAD_w/yddXp43VWWo/IMG_5361_thumb%25255B11%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="927" height="625"></a></p> <p> p.s. In fact, all those awards were because of God’s grace to us too!</p> jtkl89http://www.blogger.com/profile/07293984654151358273noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36021764.post-63662100683556570572012-05-23T21:01:00.001+08:002012-05-23T21:01:14.497+08:0023-05-12 (Wednesday) “Aussie slang to Manglish translation”<p>For those who come Down Under and find all these weird terms confusing. Here’s an equivalent of what we’d say/do in Malaysia.</p> <p>“G’day mate” = “Eh! Hello!!”</p> <p>“What’s happening?” = “Wassup, man?”</p> <p>“What’s news?” = “Wassup, man?”</p> <p>“How’re ya going?” = “Wassup, man?” (Alternatively, if you happened to be talking about travelling or going somewhere, it might be about how you’re gonna travel there. Or it could be about how you are recently. Serious.)</p> <p>“How are ya?” = *Ignores and walks past*/Refer to previous 3 items</p> <p>“Are you KIDDING ME?” = “Wah! You SURE or not??!”</p> <p>“No way!!” (pronounced "Noh-wuu wa-yee”) = “Nolah! Cannot be la!!”</p> <p>“Winner!”/ “Champion!” = “Very good! Good job!”</p> <p>“Cheers” = “Tankew”</p> <p>“Doll” (e.g. “Would you pass me the chips, please, doll?”) = “Ah Boy/Ah Girl”</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-J6Cq2cHfVKM/T7zflBEBM5I/AAAAAAAAD_Y/V281DYiMHBo/s1600-h/IMG_6196%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="IMG_6196" border="0" alt="IMG_6196" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-liFfWxkxJCg/T7zfmBELj6I/AAAAAAAAD_g/R82tFsFHYT4/IMG_6196_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="396" height="591"></a>That’s all i can think of for now. :D </p> jtkl89http://www.blogger.com/profile/07293984654151358273noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36021764.post-38863237611393557932012-04-20T09:26:00.001+08:002012-04-20T09:26:57.537+08:0020-04-12 (Friday) “Wrong place, yo”<p align="left">I recall how people have used this line for Christians a lot:</p> <p align="left">“You’re going to church only to check out the hot chicks/dudes there, aren’t you?”</p> <p align="left">… Well, at least they have the impression that all Christians are hot/good-looking…</p> <p align="left">I just gotta say how wrong this mentality is. ESPECIALLY among the Christians. If you’re coming to church, or any other Christian gathering/fellowship for the primary purpose of hooking up with someone… You’re going to the wrong place, yo.</p> <p align="left">On the other hand… If you’re going to church to look for LOVE… Well, you chose the right place to be!</p> <p align="left">You know why?</p> <p align="left">Cos’ you’re gonna find the ultimate Lover there. God himself. The Love that sacrificed His Son for you. The Love that is willing to forgive your sins, past, present and future. The Love that can accept your inadequacies and insecurities, because He made you and you are made complete in Christ. The Love that surpasses knowledge that I can’t even explain it to do it justice.</p> <p align="left">I just gotta say how much I dislike the idea of people going for Christian conferences, conventions and camps just to meet the one – mainly cos’ I’m guilty of it myself. Yeah, you’ll probably meet THE MOST God-fearing, God-loving people you’ve ever met while you’re there but that should be something like an “additional benefit” that comes from these things. The greatest gain should be that of discovering more and more of God for yourself!</p><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="IMG_5380" border="0" alt="IMG_5380" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-9W5q-E_uQ1k/T5C7Xvrmf-I/AAAAAAAAD_Q/fp_2OVZjbsk/IMG_5380_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="462" height="691"> <p align="center"><em><font size="2">Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. ~ John 15:13</font></em></p> <p>I’m glad that many get it right in this respect. :)</p> <p> p.s I know I’m not the best person to be saying these things… That’s why I’m only posting it here. Hehe. :P</p> jtkl89http://www.blogger.com/profile/07293984654151358273noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36021764.post-60608547660147191982012-01-08T16:18:00.001+08:002012-01-08T16:18:04.985+08:0008-01-12 (Sunday) “The ‘N’ Word”<p>It has been brought to a whole new level in this day and age.</p> <p>We blog, penning down our thoughts and daily activities.<br>We record videos of our performance, a walk down the street with live commentary, sitting in front of the computer with live commentary, our singing, our pets, our backyard.<br>We can make reviews about the restaurant down the road, the eastern coast of the United States, the newest Nook tablet.<br>We make sure others know our English is better by correcting every grammatical mistake we see online.<br>We update our status, let the whole world know what we’re doing, how we’re feeling.<br>We post comments equating up to essays within a week.<br>We post photos of where we went last Saturday, thinking others will find it interesting.<br>We check-in to every single place we went.<br>We tweet.</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-ewnK2xAZQRs/TwlRE5aMkcI/AAAAAAAAD-g/e300I3lHhyI/s1600-h/IMG_2574%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_2574" border="0" alt="IMG_2574" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-9SPCN694XT8/TwlRFwRdciI/AAAAAAAAD-o/SFnmMXrXf8A/IMG_2574_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="461" height="691"></a><em><font size="1">One smile-ey dog</font></em></p> <p>I think it has even become a common answer to say, “Why do I have to care what they think? As long as I’m right with God, then its fine.” When we consider some of the things we do in front of others. I mean, it does sound natural. It doesn’t sound exactly wrong, does it? My actions shouldn’t bother others. And if it does… Then they should stop being busybodies.</p> <p>But the fact is that its involuntary, most of the time. I don’t wanna hear what others say about my friend but they’re talking right next to me. I don’t wanna be distracted by how you both behave as a couple but you’re sitting right in front of me. I don’t wanna be bothered by what you do on your phone/tablet but you keep tapping away on it the whole time. The very same goes to myself as well in what I wear and do. I have to be conscious of what might be drawing attention away from God and to me, ESPECIALLY when I’m serving.</p> <p align="center"><em><font color="#0000ff">“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.” <br></font>~ Phil 2:3,4</em></p> <p>Its a constant struggle for me to put this into practice. How do I even begin to consider others better than myself when everything that the Internet lets me do is telling me that “Its all about you. Everyone cares about what you do. Everyone wants to know.”? I’m sure people in the past had different struggles with this but I think with our generation, everyone CAN make themselves a star, or at least… Make themselves FEEL like they’re a star… Such a dangerous snare to fall into. And such difficulty to get out of it.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-ix2AX5S0Z8E/TwlRIt8Dh9I/AAAAAAAAD-w/WbczLqo5Vuc/s1600-h/IMG_2666%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_2666" border="0" alt="IMG_2666" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-ohSfcNASS3Y/TwlRKseDEoI/AAAAAAAAD-4/3-MQY7iX8m0/IMG_2666_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="863" height="575"></a></p> <p>Thankfully, the Bible doesn’t just leave us at that.</p> <p align="center"><em><font color="#0000ff">For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathise with our weaknesses, but we have one <strong>who</strong> <strong>has been tempted in every way, just as we are – yet was without sin</strong>.<br></font>~ Hebrews 4:15</em></p> <p>Its always a lot easier to catch something when we have a role model to look up to, to imitate. And that model is none other than Jesus Christ himself. </p> <p align="center"><em><font color="#0000ff">Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus:<br>Who, being in very nature God,<br><strong>did not consider equality with God something to be grasped</strong>,<br>but made himself nothing,<br>taking the very nature of a servant,<br>being made in human likeness.<br>And being found in appearance as a man,<br>he humbled himself<br>and became obedient to death – even death on a cross!<br></font>~ Phil 2:6-8</em></p> <p align="left">I think I’m pretty good with my achievements and talents, garnered and groomed over my short life. But to be GOD?!?!? And to not even consider it?!? Try THAT!</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-iU1BlX1Sp08/TwlRNBIGNtI/AAAAAAAAD_A/m70pi9J0vuw/s1600-h/IMG_2671%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_2671" border="0" alt="IMG_2671" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-jq_Y_BY9ATk/TwlROyNxqBI/AAAAAAAAD_I/rUCJkREWRrw/IMG_2671_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="823" height="548"></a></p> <p>Are your actions edifying others? Or are they just to bring attention and glory to yourself?</p> jtkl89http://www.blogger.com/profile/07293984654151358273noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36021764.post-28692316610560025222012-01-03T19:59:00.001+08:002012-01-03T19:59:11.036+08:003-1-12 (Tuesday) “This is for God”<p align="center"><em><font size="2"> Praise the LORD, O my soul,<br>O LORD my God, you are very great;<br>you are clothed with splendour and majesty.</font></em></p> <p>God, I can’t even begin to articulate Your greatness, Your splendour in all the earth, Your majesty that makes all things bow down before You in worship.</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-iihZJBon-qs/TwLtInoL1oI/AAAAAAAAD8c/wV32EUq7_Fo/s1600-h/IMG_1877%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_1877" border="0" alt="IMG_1877" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-hRXhGgEeYRY/TwLtJzQ2dpI/AAAAAAAAD8k/KjaSHm_o-fQ/IMG_1877_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="839" height="559"></a></p> <p align="center"><em><font size="2">He set the earth on its foundations;<br>it can never be moved.</font></em></p> <p>We try to make new things every day, every way to make life easy for ourselves but You are the one who made everything in the first place.</p> <p align="center"><em><font size="2">You covered it with the deep as with a garment;<br>the waters stood above the mountains,</font></em></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-_jHZPVCNbrg/TwLtMD2XTxI/AAAAAAAAD8s/kFaVZsiMPKM/s1600-h/IMG_1949%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_1949" border="0" alt="IMG_1949" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-IJ6vQIjSDnU/TwLtOOJ-2EI/AAAAAAAAD80/WFBmIGgoctM/IMG_1949_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="872" height="582"></a></p> <p>We take years and years and to build up a dam to control a little bit of water and yet </p> <p align="center"><em><font size="2">at your rebuke the waters fled,<br>at the sound of your thunder they took to flight;<br>they flowed over the mountains,<br>they went down into the valleys,<br>to the place you assigned for them.</font></em></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-RvHBVSG9ThQ/TwLtPxs8-PI/AAAAAAAAD88/9906mGgMOKE/s1600-h/IMG_1958%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><em><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-RvHBVSG9ThQ/TwLtPxs8-PI/AAAAAAAAD9E/Gac23M4HEQ0/s1600-h/IMG_1958%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_1958" border="0" alt="IMG_1958" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-bU96giewQEI/TwLtToEc9CI/AAAAAAAAD9I/1QFEYTWFNi4/IMG_1958_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="863" height="575"></a></em></a></p> <p align="center"><em><font size="2">He makes grass grow for the cattle,<br>and plants for man to cultivate –<br>bringing forth food from the earth:</font></em></p> <p>You are the one who breathes life into everything around. Everything that chirps, barks, moos, rustles, crawls, swims, shuffles… EVERYTHING! There is no end to Your creativity! </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-lYCzsy8MLcM/TwLtUwyZv-I/AAAAAAAAD9Q/Hkdz8KvagT8/s1600-h/IMG_5484%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_5484" border="0" alt="IMG_5484" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-lkH51uWDmGc/TwLtWNbZrNI/AAAAAAAAD9Y/j8lLqm-n3YY/IMG_5484_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="850" height="566"></a></p> <p align="center"><em><font size="2">The moon mark off the seasons,<br>and the sun knows when to go down.<br></font></em><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-1tic-_-yG5E/TwLtXmYU-mI/AAAAAAAAD9g/lJDKbRPpMPQ/s1600-h/IMG_4312%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_4312" border="0" alt="IMG_4312" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-s-qXJURen7Q/TwLtYxwhWWI/AAAAAAAAD9o/OyDBqd1Gj3A/IMG_4312_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="869" height="579"></a></p> <p align="center"><em><font size="2">The lions roar for their prey<br>and seek their food from God.<br></font></em><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-igg6CcB2TzM/TwLtapjAo4I/AAAAAAAAD9w/Yy5e2Gi46IY/s1600-h/IMG_28162%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_28162" border="0" alt="IMG_28162" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-zZN9o8HrfFA/TwLtcAzCl5I/AAAAAAAAD94/tNVvESrXj6g/IMG_28162_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="858" height="483"></a></p> <p>You provide for the beasts of the earth. What more us? I am eternally grateful in having You that provides for all my needs, I need not fear. I need not worry. I need not be anxious. Because You are faithful. Your love endures forever. My joy and my satisfaction is in You. You are the ultimate satisfaction. Not other people. Not material goods. Not achievements. You.</p> <p align="center"><em><font size="2">How many are your works, O LORD!<br>In wisdom you made them all;<br>the earth is full of your creatures.<br></font></em><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-umDZszMBdl8/TwLteYLGUzI/AAAAAAAAD-A/ZrgVyZGs-BE/s1600-h/IMG_2754%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_2754" border="0" alt="IMG_2754" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-RnwRPRui5wk/TwLtgsbBK2I/AAAAAAAAD-I/7DUg2tW2X-c/IMG_2754_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="881" height="587"></a></p> <p>Billions upon billions of creatures. Each different from any other. How mindblowing is that?!</p> <p align="center"><em><font size="2">I will sing to the LORD all my life;<br>I will sing praise to my God as long as I live.<br>May my meditation be pleasing to him,<br>as I rejoice in the LORD.</font></em></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-teUyvDxlYHI/TwLtiNb9vxI/AAAAAAAAD-Q/JzXomBWne9U/s1600-h/IMG_5368%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_5368" border="0" alt="IMG_5368" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-WKBHpqUIizk/TwLtjVUfpOI/AAAAAAAAD-Y/DJZZaNo8EUo/IMG_5368_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="872" height="582"></a></p> <p>Because You deserve it. And even more than I can offer. What is my praise worth? It came from You to begin with. I only return to You what is rightfully Yours. Its not much but its what I can offer. God, You be glorified.</p> <p align="center">=)</p> jtkl89http://www.blogger.com/profile/07293984654151358273noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36021764.post-89808366295158360972011-12-24T20:27:00.001+08:002011-12-25T17:01:39.675+08:0024-12-11 (Saturday) “More Than We Know”<p>Quite a number of things have happened to me recently which could have been well-deserving of complaints. There are also many that just leaves me with a high inside, speechless because of what God has done. <p>I was gonna list down all the things that happened but I think I would not do any justice to how God works so many mighty things in His own ways, in His own time. Hmmm… I’ll just give it a shot off the top of my head. A missed flight, a good friend moving away, a visit by my mom’s sisters and a cousin, a dream with more-significant-than-I-thought implications, conversations with siblings-in-Christ…<br><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-t-_n2-q3UZI/TvbmW1ArqMI/AAAAAAAAD78/MHp63bejzts/s1600-h/IMG_280125.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_28012" border="0" alt="IMG_28012" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-DPCgBrmS-g0/TvbmXwzPZ9I/AAAAAAAAD8E/-ePW6CFqK9k/IMG_28012_thumb3.jpg?imgmax=800" width="484" height="723"></a> <p>How do I know why the thing that is happening now is happening for some other reason? I don’t. I just trust that God has got something up His sleeve. And its definitely greater than any kinda idea that I would’ve had.</p> <p align="center"><em>“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, <br> neither are your ways my ways,”<br>d</em><em>eclares the LORD. <br>“As the heavens are higher than the earth, <br> so are my ways higher than your ways <br> and my thoughts than your thoughts. <br></em><em>~ Isa 55:8,9</em></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/--vfP_XGRZaY/Tvbma7dFzsI/AAAAAAAAD8M/vWGF-zFL1fw/s1600-h/IMG_281623.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_28162" border="0" alt="IMG_28162" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-2xGI-p0b0Ho/TvbmctmSg3I/AAAAAAAAD8U/JnfTt670c2c/IMG_28162_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="875" height="494"></a></p> <p align="center"><em><font size="1">Like a boss</font></em></p> <p>God is much, MUCH greater than I can ever comprehend. Where do I even start probing into this…?</p> <p align="center"><em>Not to us, LORD, not to us<br>but to your name be the glory<br>because of your love and faithfulness.<br>~ Ps 115:1</em></p> <p align="center"><em>=)</em></p> jtkl89http://www.blogger.com/profile/07293984654151358273noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36021764.post-22444105444047452212011-12-18T11:20:00.001+08:002011-12-24T20:31:17.580+08:0018-12-11 (Sunday) “Dung” *edited 24-12-11*<p align="center"><em>For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. ~ Phil 1:21 </em> <p align="center"> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-IT9zi4yB7fw/Tu1b4u6XqBI/AAAAAAAAD7M/-0uYXrLBhUI/s1600-h/IMG_9157%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="IMG_9157" border="0" alt="IMG_9157" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/--cioKBMVUe0/Tu1b5_RY8iI/AAAAAAAAD7U/b6PmumbOsr0/IMG_9157_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="378" height="565"></a><em><font size="1">“In chains” </font></em> <p align="center">I always had a pretty smooth life. I always think of how blessed I am, having achieved much since my childhood up till now. I always thanked God for these achievements. <p align="center">I’ve recently come to ponder what Paul was saying to the Philippian church. I used to find my worth in my achievements. I found it necessary to flaunt all these achievements to others and then feel all smug, high and mighty inside. Childish thoughts would run through my mind: <p align="center">“Hah. Wish you had my kinda abilities, eh?”<br>“Don’t you wish you were single now?”<br>“Yeah, ‘Whoa’ is the right response... Aren’t I awesome? “<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-KUHvea4bcE8/Tu1b7NhZO0I/AAAAAAAAD7c/7iJmUfJh5Bg/s1600-h/IMG_0122%25255B5%25255D.jpg"></p><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="IMG_0122" border="0" alt="IMG_0122" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-NZDLn1dDDic/Tu1b9A97XoI/AAAAAAAAD7k/DXIwwkeNNOw/IMG_0122_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="868" height="580"> <p align="center"></a><em><font size="1">BAM!</font></em></p><font size="1"></font> <p align="center"><br><em>But whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ – the righteousness that comes from God and is by faith. I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so , somehow, to attain to the resurrection from the dead. ~ Phil 3: 7-11 </em></p> <p>Paul was clearly addressing people like me when he came to Phil 3:4b-6. We were brought up in a community where our worth depended on how well we are in achievements in life. <p>Now, I’m come to realize why he calls them “loss for the sake of Christ” (Or “dung” in certain translations!). With all these scrolls and paperwork in my hands, I’ve grown to let these things define me instead of the Lord Jesus! All this while, I’ve been busily garnering more and more achievements so that I feel more complete, more valuable. These “profits” in the past have always been a distraction to the knowledge of Christ in me!! <p>I’ve never been able to see how there is fullness in Christ (Col 2:10). In other words, there is no need for anything else to complete me with Christ in me! I am still learning to turn that into reality. Will you? <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-opG4dYrbh6o/Tu1b9zOj8VI/AAAAAAAAD7o/iHUFhGH_1Og/s1600-h/IMG_9306%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="IMG_9306" border="0" alt="IMG_9306" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-PPicrL_Wh6k/Tu1b_P88R1I/AAAAAAAAD70/5zFjC_QM9fA/IMG_9306_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="437" height="653"></a> <p align="center"><em><font size="1">May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. ~ Col 6:14</font></em> <p align="center"><em><font size="1">Lord, it belongs not to my care<br></font></em><em><font size="1">Whether I die or live;<br></font></em><em><font size="1">To love and serve Thee is my share,<br></font></em><em><font size="1">And this Thy grace must give.</font></em> <p align="center"><em><font size="1">If life belong, I will be glad,<br>That I may long obey;<br>If short – then why should I be sad<br>To soar to endless day?<br>~Taken from “Knowing God”, J.I. Packer</font></em></p> jtkl89http://www.blogger.com/profile/07293984654151358273noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36021764.post-37924968812023823552011-12-13T16:48:00.003+08:002011-12-24T20:24:42.414+08:0013-12-11 (Tuesday) "How does one love so much?"I tried so hard and got quite far but in the end it doesn't really matter. No food compares to mom's home-cooked food. I think its just the "mom" element that makes it what it is. I can try cook the very same dish the very same way with the very same stuff but it just won't be the same. You know what I'm talking about, right? :D <div> </div> <div>Then, I realized what a challenge it must've been for my parents, bringing up 4 kids. I think about how hard it is to love just ONE other person and yet they had to do so to 5 different individuals, with their spouse getting a bigger share of their love, of course... But to split the rest of their love evenly between 4 very different people...??!?! How does one do that?! If it were 2 kids, maybe its possible. 3... Probably still can do it... But FOUR...?!?!?!</div> <div style="text-align: center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-ujUEK2_-Kd0/Tu1aaqu3N4I/AAAAAAAAD6c/NLPqKyCflgU/s1600-h/IMG_1377%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="IMG_1377" border="0" alt="IMG_1377" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-2xYXD9gzD4g/Tu1ab2AKrRI/AAAAAAAAD6k/aUaYC9ARA9k/IMG_1377_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="945" height="631"></a> </div> <div>Even crazier still...</div> <div> </div> <div>How does One love ALL the (almost) 7 billion people on the earth now? How does One love them all the VERY SAME WAY despite their VERY DIFFERENT characters?</div> <div> </div> <div>To make things even more absurd...</div> <div style="text-align: center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-AKTeS9O2io0/Tu1acoClXcI/AAAAAAAAD6s/m0q4tbueJ3I/s1600-h/IMG_2194%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="IMG_2194" border="0" alt="IMG_2194" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-mVFJ3_RomME/Tu1ad9JyUII/AAAAAAAAD60/tNm28dVEl00/IMG_2194_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="420" height="627"></a> </div> <div>How does One love ALL THESE disgusting living beings, tarnished with sin, the very antithesis of One's holiness, destined to be One's enemy?</div> <div> </div> <div>But God DOES do it! And I don't understand how He does it. But He DOES!</div> <div> </div> <div align="center"><em>... God is love ~ 1 John 4:8b</em></div> <div style="text-align: center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-bTsIOyyalvI/Tu1aeylNsGI/AAAAAAAAD68/HjKGm0Akfp8/s1600-h/eclipsed%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="eclipsed" border="0" alt="eclipsed" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-d-W-SGDF-Jk/Tu1afkXGyFI/AAAAAAAAD7A/CZwh0_Qva2A/eclipsed_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="448" height="448"></a> </div> <div>That does help a bit. It is His VERY NATURE! He IS love! But it still is mind-blowing. How does one even begin to wrap one's head around this love?!</div> <div align="center"> </div> <div align="center"><em>"May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully" ~ Eph 3:19a (NLT)</em></div><span class="Apple-style-span"> <div><br></div></span> <div>Paul wasn't being sarcastic or funny there. It really is incomprehensible, this crazy love! It has gotten hold of me now. I hope this love engulfs you as well soon enough!</div> jtkl89http://www.blogger.com/profile/07293984654151358273noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36021764.post-5577371095015370142011-11-25T20:49:00.001+08:002011-11-25T20:57:26.082+08:0025-11-11 (Friday) “Oh great… Now I’m gonna be late for…”<p>Something unforeseen happened to me a few days ago that got me stuck in it for quite a while.</p> <p>In that moment, I thought through how the scenario happens to many and how the “normal” reaction is. The first thing that came to my mind was the title of this post.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-y5OnFo5-o9k/Ts-Oyhn5yII/AAAAAAAAD5w/ZWc1aaRnis8/s1600-h/IMG_0453%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="IMG_0453" border="0" alt="IMG_0453" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-btCkdW25AuU/Ts-OzuzXXoI/AAAAAAAAD50/Xrl7a71BhII/IMG_0453_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="833" height="470"></a> Given this period of post-exam break where nothing much happens and my schedule is pretty clear, things are different and hence that thought wasn’t my main thought. However, if it had been on any other day of the year, I believe that thought would be the very first thing that comes to mind.</p> <p>We claim or think that mankind’s quality of life and standard of living has never been better in any time before the present. We have all these gadgets and devices that make life easy for us, saves us time and effort so that we are able to do ten times the work we would have done in a same period of time a decade ago. Yet, we end up having not enough time to do all that we wanna do.</p> <p>“Darn it, forgot to pray/do my quiet time today. I’ll just go through two readings tomorrow.”<br>“Looks like I’m gonna need that (insert energy-boosting drink) tonight!”<br>“Can you drive faster, please? I really have to be there in ten minutes.”</p> <p>Can we all please slow down? Can we spare at least 1 hour a day for people and not activities? Maybe another hour for God too, for us believers? To just read His Word and think about things to thank Him, to adore Him? Can we afford to be more patient?</p> <p>Can I?</p> jtkl89http://www.blogger.com/profile/07293984654151358273noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36021764.post-68311270974076704682011-11-06T23:09:00.001+08:002011-11-06T23:12:21.445+08:0007-11-11 (Monday) “Time heals…?”<p>We hear it over and over again when hit with some painful event.</p> <p>“Let it heal with time.”<br>“You’ll be fine as time goes by.”</p> <p align="left">I can bear testimony to the time healing bit, having experienced healing over time but… Is it really <em>time </em>that heals?</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-r2ePa8I6_pQ/TrajMggUBjI/AAAAAAAAD4s/-wbYF-i0vv8/s1600-h/IMG_20752%25255B12%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="IMG_20752" border="0" alt="IMG_20752" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-1BVhbm2se_M/TrajNz-xgtI/AAAAAAAAD4w/ygg-rDBoZ8E/IMG_20752_thumb%25255B10%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="935" height="629"></a><font size="1"> A waiting place</font></p> <p>Or is it God that heals us in time?</p> <p>Sure… Most things will feel less painful over time… But I’ve heard of cases where <em>instant</em> healing takes place. No more pain. No more wound to show.</p> <p>Ultimately, God is in control. </p> <p>That’s right… Time heals. But God is in control of time. He is over and above time. Its like… T<em>ime</em> is so out of God’s league. God pre-dated <em>time. </em>He owned <em>time.</em></p> <p align="left">God is the one who heals. Period.</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Sltn9poqnOo/TrajgAIFPAI/AAAAAAAAD4k/RQ8Q4-o3Wro/s1600-h/IMG_20052%25255B12%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="IMG_20052" border="0" alt="IMG_20052" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-xV1vrjTzQDo/TrajO0456CI/AAAAAAAAD4o/thteqce-3QQ/IMG_20052_thumb%25255B10%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="922" height="621"></a><font size="1">The Promise</font></p> <p align="center"><font size="1"><em>Lamb fat is the best fat ever.</em></font></p> jtkl89http://www.blogger.com/profile/07293984654151358273noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36021764.post-72174505818701834652011-10-30T18:48:00.001+08:002011-10-30T18:48:26.455+08:0030-10-11 (Sunday) “I don’t mind having a bit more…”<p>… Do you?</p> <p>To have a bit more money to spend when I go out into the world to work. If I’m given a job with a decent pay, by God’s grace, I wouldn’t complain at all. I’d probably indulge in good stuff every now and then. Get myself high quality gadgets at home. Nothing wrong, right? I’d probably give a portion of my money away to charity and tithe 10% before spending the excess on the said nice stuff. That should be alright.</p> <p>“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. ~ Matthew 6:19-21</p> <p>It does sound harmless but I realize the danger this kinda attitude poses. Its like wading in the seawater, you’re just ankle deep in the water. Then you wade a bit further, you’re knee-deep in water. Before you know it, you’ve accidentally walked into a riptide and you’re swept into the water, in over your head.<br><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-S-YmzSrHLmg/Tq0ra4u5f8I/AAAAAAAAD3Q/b5Q86ZYp02o/s1600-h/IMG_8540%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="IMG_8540" border="0" alt="IMG_8540" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-ifMuziLXGZk/Tq0rbzm2E8I/AAAAAAAAD3Y/XSm0YCPpb0M/IMG_8540_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="926" height="624"></a> <br>I’m not earning my own money but I’ve been buying bits of stuff here and there occassionally. Never really in mass quantities. Now I’m in serious trouble in 4 weeks when I have to pack. :S </p> <p align="center"><em>“How d heck am I gonna pack all those stuff up?”<br>“What should I bring back home to Malaysia?”<br>“How did I end up with so much stuff in my one tiny room??!”</em></p> <p>How many of your possessions would you happily throw/give away? What about those things that you don’t even use much but just stays stowed away in the storeroom the past year?</p> <p>I realize that the more things I have, the more things I have that are chaining me down to this earth. <br><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-nsq5AO-ago0/Tq0rc4bOjQI/AAAAAAAAD3g/fkWJQnjAOO8/s1600-h/IMG_1118%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="IMG_1118" border="0" alt="IMG_1118" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-s9epO1FPj_A/Tq0reCvVE_I/AAAAAAAAD3o/T0P27PuhOvw/IMG_1118_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="442" height="661"></a></p> <p align="center"><em>“Are my games being properly taken care off?”"<br>“Is my camera still working properly?”<br>“Is he reading the book I lent him?”</em></p> <p>Come the day I have to die, will I be at peace to leave everything behind? I mean… Its not like I have an option of checking in 25kg of luggage and carrying 10kg hand luggage to my next destination.</p> <p>I dare not even start reading “Money, Sex and Power” by Richard Foster because I saw the chapter entitled “The Vow of Simplicity” under the index. That IS a calling for every Christian, no? To live simply. No need for fine dining. No need for a mansion. No need for the comfort of a Lexus. Just a Perodua will do. No need for Rolex, Adidas nor Marriott. Just Casio, Asadi and YHA will do. No Max Brenner and Koko Black. Just Milo and Kopi-O will do.</p> <p>Yes. Thank you for asking me how I’m faring in this area. This is another major challenge to date and I’m not even at the starting line yet. Just started the 1st lap for warm up. What about you? Dare you take on the challenge? What are you willing to give up first?</p> jtkl89http://www.blogger.com/profile/07293984654151358273noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36021764.post-45937583210120705072011-10-11T20:57:00.001+08:002011-10-11T20:57:06.908+08:0011-10-11 (Tuesday) “The Other Way Round”<p>We’re used to the idea of focusing on studies/work and occasionally making time for a meet up/activity with friends when our schedule frees up. In other words, we work and study full time while our part time commitment is to people.</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-5xWT8hp3xiE/TpQ9F2g5LdI/AAAAAAAAD2w/bGbGt8l9tFg/s1600-h/IMG_1295%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="IMG_1295" border="0" alt="IMG_1295" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-8YHrYaEzxwA/TpQ9Gx0fnQI/AAAAAAAAD24/V3Q3_Erk1Es/IMG_1295_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="948" height="542"></a></p> <p align="center"><font size="1"><em>Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. Romans 12:10</em></font></p> <p>I think there is something wrong with the upbringing of how we have things prioritized.</p> <p>I think people should be the main priority and the other things come in after people. When I’ve got time, I should probably spend some time with people rather than trying to bury myself in a book (Or surf through Facebook, hmmm…?). I’ve realized how often and how natural it is for the thought to come to my mind after spending some time chilling around or hanging out with friends that “Oh my… I’ve wasted so much time doing nothing.”</p> <p>Is it, really? Isn’t the time invested in chatting with people or just sitting together at a table gonna be the memory that comes up when I’m 45 years old and telling some young guy to live a proper life? Will I not be missing the times I had some laughter with my other pals in the warm, lovely spring sun? Will I not be thinking back on the Skype sessions with my family and smiling? Or will I be reminiscing the times I had spent reading some gossip on some cricket agent asking for millions of pounds or the Ukrainian ex-PM’s incarceration? Will I be so proud of having run 10km one lovely afternoon?</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-kfRs4ODPemM/TpQ9HjAAD7I/AAAAAAAAD3A/F303Ngyh_1Q/s1600-h/IMG_1500%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="IMG_1500" border="0" alt="IMG_1500" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-kgwJXl0SOpc/TpQ9ITyUy9I/AAAAAAAAD3I/gNN2gyDb0Ck/IMG_1500_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="817" height="546"></a> </p> <p></p> <p align="center"><font size="1"><em>Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: </em></font><font size="1"><em>to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world. ~ James 1:27</em></font></p> jtkl89http://www.blogger.com/profile/07293984654151358273noreply@blogger.com0