coldmilktea

Hillsong - This is Our God (by WimNL) I used to think people...

Thu, 17 May 2012 00:06:00 -0700

Hillsong - This is Our God (by WimNL)

I used to think people who listen to a lot of Christian music are dumb, because lots of Christian music isn’t good.

But here’s the thing: all songs are worship songs, they just worship different things.

One of my favorite bands is The National - and a lot of their music is brooding and sad. When I listen to them, I picture myself breaking up with a girl, holding a glass of whiskey, singing with the lights off.

But that’s worshiping sadness, longing, and misery, isn’t it? It’s celebrating that state. It’s a way to deal with a pain that is common within our souls through music.

So maybe I shouldn’t laugh at “simple” Christians listening to simple Christian songs, because we’re all just worshiping. Whether we’re conscious of it, we’re trying to reach beyond our reality and towards something outside of ourselves.

What have you been worshipping lately? What are you reaching for to take you beyond yourself? What are you using to numb your current pain?

It seems to me that there is a difference between editing and censorship. At least, there is...

Mon, 30 Jan 2012 23:18:03 -0800

It seems to me that there is a difference between editing and censorship. At least, there is especially a difference between self-editing and self-censorship.

The act of editing is the act of taking away something for the purpose of focus and strengthening. You take something away to make it better. The act of censorship is to take away something for the purpose of hiding something. You take away something not due to qualitative reasons. Truths are hidden. The work is diminished.

So, I wonder, which camp does “He must increase, but I must decrease” belong into?

Is your life being edited, or simply being censored?

Are you growing into maturity to know the difference?

但主愛更深廣曾聽信仇敵控告，忘記了後嗣名份，但我軟弱時主總看顧，致令我更深信： ...

Sun, 01 Jan 2012 16:50:00 -0800

但主愛更深廣

曾聽信仇敵控告，忘記了後嗣名份，
但我軟弱時主總看顧，致令我更深信：

主的愛更深更廣

(via 雜崩能閱讀報告 JBL Reading Report: 但主愛更深廣)

Written by my friend Pastor Alan, and sung by Maggie while she had a bad cold.

Supper Moment - 點滴水點將苦與樂連結　交織一生渴望與心跳淚線　為平凡命裡釋出改變 ...

Sat, 22 Oct 2011 21:23:13 -0700

Supper Moment - 點滴

水點將苦與樂連結　交織一生渴望與心跳
淚線　為平凡命裡釋出改變
水點將苦與樂連結　交織風光燦爛與失意
點滴裡　背負了彼此的意義

The first track from Supper Moment’s new album, 《再次心跳》. This song is so beautiful when you consider Hong Kong’s hardship. Pass the video to your friends to cheer them up, and to give this band more listeners.

"前兩日朋友在Facebook貼了一條關於運動節目的link，其中有這一句：「其實，『運動後進食會致肥』是沒有科學根據的。」我看見的時候，心裡不禁說了一句：「這真是破除迷信的福音啊！」..."

Sun, 25 Sep 2011 11:23:22 -0700

“

前兩日朋友在Facebook貼了一條關於運動節目的link，其中有這一句：「其實，『運動後進食會致肥』是沒有科學根據的。」我看見的時候，心裡不禁說了一句：「這真是破除迷信的福音啊！」要理解什麼是福音，我想這種語境是很關鍵的。因為這種論述，我們心裡被一種迷信的觀念捆綁著，然後為了一個沒有根據的原因，把吃喝的自由都白白犧牲掉。

那麼，耶穌基督的福音，要打破的是什麼樣的迷信呢？

”

- Pakkin @玻璃樽

林阿P - 給金鐘地鐵站車廂內的人 (by iimisshotmail) Speaking of...

Sat, 27 Aug 2011 19:56:11 -0700

林阿P - 給金鐘地鐵站車廂內的人 (by iimisshotmail)

Speaking of hypocrisy…

Unknown unknowns

Wed, 17 Aug 2011 00:37:00 -0700

Jesus came down the mountain with the cheers of the crowd still ringing in his ears. Then a leper appeared and went to his knees before Jesus, praying, “Master, if you want to, you can heal my body.”
Jesus reached out and touched him, saying, “I want to. Be clean.” Then and there, all signs of the leprosy were gone. (Matthew 8)

I was driving to work today when I smelled something like burnt oil coming from my fans. This was quite troubling to me, as I had recently taken my car for a check-up. But since my car is about 15 years old, it would not surprise me if there are problems despite the auto service.

I started panicking and going through scenarios in my head. What if it’s an oil leak? Could it be just oil spilled during the check-up, and it’s now burning on some hot metal surface? What if my car breaks down — oh, I’ll have to call a tow truck to bring it to Main Street! I guess I can close my car fan’s air intake right now, but that’s ignoring the problem…

As I kept on driving, I noticed that there was a large construction vehicle in front of me. I also noticed that it was emitting a lot of fumes into the air. So I sped up a bit, bypassed the vehicle, and immediately noticed that the smells were gone. The oil smell did not come from my car. It was actually a smell from another vehicle that my car sucked in.

I had once heard a sermon about sins, saying that sins are like chewed bubble gum. We apply the gum to our bodies, and others also apply theirs on us. Pretty soon all that gum is entangled. Everything is sticky, stretched out, and hardened together.

Let’s say that one day you are moved to get rid of your personal sins, and so you pray for God to address them — but when you try to pull on one piece it pulls another. You can’t tell which piece and which section was from you, and which piece was from someone else. You want someone to pull out the stuff that you inflicted on yourself, but it’s all mixed together now.

A friend recently came back from working with youths in China. She shared one story about when their group was introducing “Embrace Therapy”. She said that the organizers picked some youths as demonstration, talked about the importance of touch to humans and our emotions, and then asked them to try hugging each other in the context of this understanding. She said that people started crying. Everyone, including those in the circle, other attendees, and even the group leaders started crying.

She said that in China a lot of parents just don’t hug their kids, and that they are very distant with them. She also said that many of those kids have an inexplicable, unexplained rage or yearning in them, and that through this exercise they finally have a glimpse of what they were missing. Those tears and that embrace, unlocked what they were never able to put into words. Before this, they had no idea what type of neglect was done to them, and it is as if a great healing has being done through this simple act. This simple act of touch.

“Spirit of the Living God fall fresh again Come search our hearts and purify our lives We need your perfect love We need your discipline We’re lost unless you guide us with your light Lord Jesus come lead us We’re desperate for your touch” - (“Reign in Us”, Starfield)

We are desperate for your touch, because even as we want to be cleaned, we do not know what has been done to us. We do not know the breadth and depth of sin on our lives.

But despite all of this, we know and proclaim this truth: Master, if you want to, you can heal our body.

(Video from The Daily Show, 2011/08/11. Via...

Tue, 16 Aug 2011 21:00:05 -0700

(Video from The Daily Show, 2011/08/11. Via Mediaite.)

Let’s completely ignore the politics and the personalities in this video.

What I find interesting is the hypocrisy fully on display here. I don’t mean Megyn Kelly’s hypocrisy, that’s only one example here —- but human hypocrisy in general. Too often we can hate on something and pass judgment without experiencing ourselves. We can only imagine from our vantage point, within our own presumptions and stereotypes: Poor people are lazy. Asians are brutes. Teenagers have no discipline. Those with depression just need to cheer up. The list goes on.

And then one day we come in touch with the realities of these people. There are those that fit our stereotypes, but there’s also others that completely dismantle them. Sometimes we may even become them. And in those situations we gain a new understanding, and may even become staunch defenders for them. Suffering is also a gift of empathy, and in these pains we are forced to be joined into them as brothers and sisters.

“When I’m at the pearly gates, this will be on my videotape.” - Radiohead, “Videotape”

It is my prayer that we have grace. Not a cheap tolerance, but a potential for inexhaustible empathy. To gain this empathy may also mean facing more suffering, understanding the depths and breadth of people, and having our presumptions dismantled. But isn’t that worth it? Isn’t that so much more beautiful than the shrinking hate and elitism in our own bubble?

At times this cost will seem infinitely expensive, but it is my prayer that we will strive to go there, and to follow those that paid it.

Worship, Instrument, Tension

Sat, 09 Jul 2011 01:05:37 -0700

“What is to give light must endure burning.” - Viktor Frankl

I’ve always thought that the nature of worship is like a musician playing music. God is the musician, and we are the instruments. He is making music through us and into the world. He is also making music for the sake of his own pleasure.

Which brings me to tension.

The pains and tribulations in our lives, then, is the tension in the violin strings. Because of this tension, we are able to make music. Because of this tension, we can be beautiful. It is through this tension that the master musician reveals his craft. Yes, in some cases these strings may snap, but it is essential.

For the selfish, the cynics, the vampires, the capitalists, the...

Sun, 03 Jul 2011 01:33:00 -0700

For the selfish, the cynics, the vampires, the capitalists, the bourgeois, the government defenders of Hong Kong.

This is your theme song.

Oh Why don’t you quiet down?
Why don’t you quiet down?
We’re the Dollars and Cents
and the Pounds and Pence
and the Mark and the Yen
and we’re going to crack your little skulls
CRACK your little souls

Related: 星期日現場﹕七一．夜這夜，我扮示威者

為何要堵路？這種在香港吃力不討好的抗爭方式，例必惹來「阻住返工╱放工」的口誅筆伐。與堵路者交談之間了解到，他們各有各的訴求和關注點，但採取了同一個方式表達，因為對政府「和平理性」已沒有效果。八十後的Kitty曾跟隨一批社運青年到禮賓府遞請願信，但特首連見個面、接封信都不願，「我當場就哭了，為什麼我們的官員要這樣冷待市民？」此後她覺得再做什麼都沒用，今年七一首次加入堵路行列，其實也是無奈之中的最後反抗。

Best Supporting Actor

Mon, 25 Apr 2011 23:20:00 -0700

Hi. A master director in Hollywood is directing his most ambitious film in his entire career. He claims that this is his life’s work. He has hired his favourite leading man — a thoughtful, charming, critically and commercially-successful Israeli actor. The actor has been training for a few years just to prepare for this physically-demanding role.

Principal filming has largely completed, but the director is now looking to shoot the last third of the footage and has casted you as an supporting actor. Look, I know you’re looking for more leading type of roles, but this is a very rare opportunity. Do you have any idea how many actors want to work with this director? Everything he has done is brilliant, and he has started so many great careers. You always talk about wanting to do meaningful art films, so this is the perfect chance.

Yes, the role is kind of dumb. You will have to play kind of a fool. It’s just a small part, and it’s not nearly as conspicuous as your buddy’s part . But the director has said that you’re perfect for this role. —-Yes! That’s what I’m saying! He has seen your work. He’s seen your work, and he wants to cast you for this. I was actually surprised by how much he knows about your films.

—No… Listen. Listen to me. You can’t. You can’t. You can’t have that role. That’s not what… No, I don’t think you can tell him that. He isn’t going to change the story like that for you. That scene doesn’t play out like that. It’s not about your character. Yeah, it’s the Israel dude.

Yeah. Yeah. That’s right. Exactly! You saw the Oscars two years ago, right? That was such a strange minor character, but she won an Oscar out of it. That’s why I think you should work with this director. He will bring out your best acting yet. You want my opinion? I think you’re right for the role. Honestly. I think it will change your career around.

…

Good. That’s what I want to hear from you. You’ve read the script, so you know how great this script is. Even if your career doesn’t get a boost, it would be a great experience just to have participated. So yeah. Go get them. I think you’ll do great.

Donald Miller: “Your Story Is Your Life”

Thu, 31 Mar 2011 21:00:06 -0700

Donald Miller: “Your Story Is Your Life”:

Along similar lines to Merlin’s presentation, here is Christian writer Donald Miller’s thoughts on viewing your life as a story — a story with a character, conflict, sacrifice, desire, and transformation. The section on conflict is particularly great.

Tip: Click the “Get Free Stuff - Take Our Survey” and complete the survey. You will then get a link to download the talk for free.

Webstock Conference: “Scared Sh*tless”

Wed, 30 Mar 2011 21:00:06 -0700

Webstock Conference: “Scared Sh*tless”:

Merlin Mann’s emotional, authentic presentation on confronting your fears and doing your work. They can’t eat you.

"Fear of Missing Out" and Social Media

Tue, 29 Mar 2011 01:27:00 -0700

"Fear of Missing Out" and Social Media:

Caterina Fake, via kottke.org.

Social media has made us even more aware of the things we are missing out on. You’re home alone, but watching your friends status updates tell of a great party happening somewhere. You are aware of more parties than ever before. And, like gym memberships, adding Bergman movies to your Netflix queue and piling up unread copies of the New Yorker, watching these feeds gives you a sense that you’re participating, not missing out, even when you are.

Are you ok with being alone? Are you afraid of missing out? We need the courage to face this fear - a courage to be outdated, uncool, different.

That is where you are called. That is where you will find your identity.