http://www.desiringgod.org/blog/posts/pizza-pizza-waking-up-in-little-caesar-s
Staying awake
Something in me resonated with this article. The Himalayan moment. I felt that before, sometimes even during very mundane moments like realizing that I'm on a bus, realizing that the scent in the air is perceived through a very complicated process, realizing that the person I'm speaking with is... really a person.
And it's funny. Anyone who knows me knows that I often complain about people not really knowing about what they're talking about as they drift like zombies in the fashionable trends of thought and parroting the latest thing they heard. It often sounds like my gripe is that they're stupid. Not so, it's that they're asleep.
This article reminds me that even I am asleep. I don't have to think far to realize why it applies. Those mindless moments taking in junk on youtube, mindless moments getting angry over a person taking forever to tap in with their ez-link card... those asleep moments, spent unaware of what is happening, unaware that God exists
and that He is bringing all these things into existence.
Help me stay awake dear Lord.
Monday, September 30, 2013
Monday, September 16, 2013
Our church needs a cure
http://www.desiringgod.org/blog/posts/the-art-of-motivation
What works on a cold congregation?
Not harsh words. Not hellfire and brimstone.. then what?
I think I found the answer! Magnificence and Joy. Preach the magnificence of God, induce desire for the joy in Him. That's what needs to be preached.
But how does one preach joy when one does not know joy well?
alright. I've got it. I've got the plan and direction going.
What works on a cold congregation?
Not harsh words. Not hellfire and brimstone.. then what?
I think I found the answer! Magnificence and Joy. Preach the magnificence of God, induce desire for the joy in Him. That's what needs to be preached.
But how does one preach joy when one does not know joy well?
alright. I've got it. I've got the plan and direction going.
Tuesday, September 10, 2013
Why I don't do competitive sports
it's funny how I only realise this now, the trend down the years should've informed me more about myself.
I'm not much of a sportsman, not because I'm not athletic, but because my heart simply cannot contain the sense of loss that so often accompanies a match gone bad. The more I hear about the things people did in anger, the more I think that sports seem to make more enemies than friends.
Because I'm not satisfied with the begrudging sorrys and handshakes and pats on the back. Because my mind does not escape the awareness that they were truly themselves even in their outbursts of anger.
My heart mourns for what has happened, it burdens me.
But as I was lying on the floor in my room and thinking things through, I wonder why I haven't prayed for others in ING.
And so I sat myself down and prayed. I prayed that somehow people will remember to treasure one another over their victories (I know it sounds very unconvincing seeing that I've won both of the sports I'm in). I pray that the Christians amongst us, esp you Clarence you vulgarities spewing twit, will come to consider honouring God in the way we play.
Even I, I can... use a little bit of not-getting-angry-so-easily.
God what's your plan for ING? It's kinda late. But I pray you give me the eyes to see alright, and then I can start the rhythm by first changing myself.
Whereas for sports, I wonder if I'm right to dislike you.
I'm not much of a sportsman, not because I'm not athletic, but because my heart simply cannot contain the sense of loss that so often accompanies a match gone bad. The more I hear about the things people did in anger, the more I think that sports seem to make more enemies than friends.
Because I'm not satisfied with the begrudging sorrys and handshakes and pats on the back. Because my mind does not escape the awareness that they were truly themselves even in their outbursts of anger.
My heart mourns for what has happened, it burdens me.
But as I was lying on the floor in my room and thinking things through, I wonder why I haven't prayed for others in ING.
And so I sat myself down and prayed. I prayed that somehow people will remember to treasure one another over their victories (I know it sounds very unconvincing seeing that I've won both of the sports I'm in). I pray that the Christians amongst us, esp you Clarence you vulgarities spewing twit, will come to consider honouring God in the way we play.
Even I, I can... use a little bit of not-getting-angry-so-easily.
God what's your plan for ING? It's kinda late. But I pray you give me the eyes to see alright, and then I can start the rhythm by first changing myself.
Whereas for sports, I wonder if I'm right to dislike you.
the first thing in the morning
the curious thing is how we begin our days with a pretty strong test of our character and of the things we believe in.
waking up.
I believe that snoozing says a lot about us.
Sometimes it tells me that I've forgotten to give myself a reason to wake up to.
Sometimes it's horrible irresponsibility, flirting on the edge of latecoming because really, that's what I think of the thing I'm waking up for.
But really, every instance is of a deep distrust in God, a distrust that He is pleased when I wake up promptly, a distrust that His pleasure will mean the world to me.
So I'm really careful as I woke up today, knowing that it is my most vulnerable moment.
Knowing that my groggy head is no less certain that I am myself and that the choices I make shall betray and reinforce my attitudes towards things.
It is in vain that you rise up early
and go late to rest,
eating the bread of anxious toil;
for he gives to his beloved sleep
Psalms 127:2
When I sleep I ought to sleep as one who knows that sleep is a means through which God gives grace. But really, there is no room for such thought in snoozing.
He gives to His beloved in sleep.. yes, but not in snoozing.
waking up.
I believe that snoozing says a lot about us.
Sometimes it tells me that I've forgotten to give myself a reason to wake up to.
Sometimes it's horrible irresponsibility, flirting on the edge of latecoming because really, that's what I think of the thing I'm waking up for.
But really, every instance is of a deep distrust in God, a distrust that He is pleased when I wake up promptly, a distrust that His pleasure will mean the world to me.
So I'm really careful as I woke up today, knowing that it is my most vulnerable moment.
Knowing that my groggy head is no less certain that I am myself and that the choices I make shall betray and reinforce my attitudes towards things.
It is in vain that you rise up early
and go late to rest,
eating the bread of anxious toil;
for he gives to his beloved sleep
Psalms 127:2
When I sleep I ought to sleep as one who knows that sleep is a means through which God gives grace. But really, there is no room for such thought in snoozing.
He gives to His beloved in sleep.. yes, but not in snoozing.
Monday, September 09, 2013
Frisbee
So we won, Frisbee champions by score difference.
It brings me back to December last year.. it was so different then.
The shouting, the thirst to win, the blame pushing..
Of course there was a share of anger this year, with teammates who did not give in their 100%, with players who flout the rules (but maybe really never knew the rules to begin with). But all in all I slowed my tongue down. I chose my words with care.
This year we won a victory not too coveted, and that feeling is good.
Still, imagining how they'll probably invite me to join inter-college games scares me. The tembusu and usp guys were not remotely as gentle and good natured as the players today.
Speaking of which, they really made it easy to be a good sportsman on court today.
Thank God for the good characters on court today.
There are still two more days to go and I know tomorrow will be tough. I know that floorball will be rougher and pose as a greater challenge than today. Still I'm committed to stick to Romans 12, to not be conformed to the world, but be transformed by the renewing of my mind. When all hell breaks lose, when players disregard the rules and when referees disappoint, Lord help me quiet down and test to see what you approve.
I'm determined.
It brings me back to December last year.. it was so different then.
The shouting, the thirst to win, the blame pushing..
Of course there was a share of anger this year, with teammates who did not give in their 100%, with players who flout the rules (but maybe really never knew the rules to begin with). But all in all I slowed my tongue down. I chose my words with care.
This year we won a victory not too coveted, and that feeling is good.
Still, imagining how they'll probably invite me to join inter-college games scares me. The tembusu and usp guys were not remotely as gentle and good natured as the players today.
Speaking of which, they really made it easy to be a good sportsman on court today.
Thank God for the good characters on court today.
There are still two more days to go and I know tomorrow will be tough. I know that floorball will be rougher and pose as a greater challenge than today. Still I'm committed to stick to Romans 12, to not be conformed to the world, but be transformed by the renewing of my mind. When all hell breaks lose, when players disregard the rules and when referees disappoint, Lord help me quiet down and test to see what you approve.
I'm determined.
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