OUCH!

Finally

noreply@blogger.com (Jonathan) — Fri, 01 Apr 2011 18:35:00 +0000

Retuned the guitar.

Had the KFC Godfather meal.

Continued my reading of John chapter 12.

Bring on the nights!

noreply@blogger.com (peasantboy) — Thu, 10 Feb 2011 23:17:00 +0000

noreply@blogger.com (peasantboy) — Wed, 09 Feb 2011 06:25:00 +0000

noreply@blogger.com (peasantboy) — Tue, 08 Feb 2011 19:07:00 +0000

noreply@blogger.com (peasantboy) — Tue, 08 Feb 2011 07:49:00 +0000

Hey guys!

noreply@blogger.com (BenYong) — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 20:35:00 +0000

Hey, not sure if you guys are aware but I have moved my writing to my own site. I just want to let my writing take a more personal direction hence the move.

Do pop by and leave your thoughts!

http://benyong.wordpress.com

If you have a moment..

noreply@blogger.com (Jonathan) — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 09:56:00 +0000

Could you spare it to say a brief prayer for this chap, who is still lost after 5 days.

I just heard the news, he's a friend from way back. A pretty resourceful guy, I wouldn't put it past him to turn up with a goofy grin and apologize for the fuss.

Hope everyone else is keeping well and safe.

Normal state vs Fundamental state

noreply@blogger.com (Jonathan is my name!) — Sun, 27 Jul 2008 02:35:00 +0000

"When we accept the world as it is (by living in the normal state), we deny our ability to see something better, & hence our ability to be something better. we become what we behold. what is not normal, is embracing the fact that another state exists."

-Prof Quinn (Building the Bridge as You Walk On It)

Something to think about...

noreply@blogger.com (Edward Chong) — Mon, 12 May 2008 21:33:00 +0000

Hi everyone,

Don't think all of you know who I am... anyway, I have this video to share... it's something for all of us to think about...

Yeap, made me jump right out of my seat!

God Bless
Edward signing off.........

Some verses that have got me thinking

noreply@blogger.com (Jonathan) — Sat, 26 Apr 2008 08:29:00 +0000

'so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern with each other. If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices in it.' 1 Cor 12:25-26

'In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.' 2 Tim 3:12

'Remember those earlier days after you had received the light, when you stood your ground in a great contest in the face of suffering. Sometimes you were publicly exposed to insult and persecution; at other times you stood side by side with those who were so treatet. You sympathized with those in prison and joyfully accepted the confiscation of your property, because you knew that you yourselves had better and lasting possessions.

So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded. You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised. For in just a very little while,

'He who is coming will come and will not delay. But my righteous one will live by faith. And if he shrinks back, I will not be pleased with him.'

But we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who believe and are saved. Heb 10:32-39

identity

noreply@blogger.com (peasantboy) — Tue, 01 Apr 2008 15:39:00 +0000

Ever imagined why, we never felt secure in our own skin, fearing our own shadow, as it grows on us, as we move away from the bright light?

As we try to carve more and more of ourself, and form our own name, we tend to fail, fall back to insecurity.

Ever thought why? Why we get so defensive over certain things, or hold on to certain things to tightly? Or sometimes how we are so influenced by peers?

We can't name ourselves, or more specifically, we can't give ourselves a name. (I'm not talking about names like John, Joanne etc, I'm talking about identity, title). Only God knows our capabilities, our limits, our strengths, and more importantly, He accepts us for who we are.

Reading 'The Namer' by Matt Rawlins was really good. Suddenly I understood so many other things. Like a bulb lit over my head, I saw a revelation in who I am, and what I need not strive to be. All the talk about, I am secure in Christ, and I am made whole in Him, finally made sense.

You see, when we try to name ourselves, we try to place ourselves in a position that we think we should be, we often fail. The book gave an example of Saul, who was insecure about his position, coming from the smallest family in the smallest tribe of his country, he was picked as king. He couldn't see or understand why, and hence, using human reason, he strived to be king. He did what ever that was humanly possible to maintain his status. A lot of times, he did what others told him to do (for fear that they may see less of him, sounding familiar?) or protect his title as king. So as David (who was confident of who he was in God) came along, Saul was jealous. He was afraid that this man would be a title snatcher. King Saul tried to kill David a couple of times, but was unable to.

This is just one example of how, when one tries to carve their own name, and because of not knowing what exactly is his/her name, it fails.

Psalm 139:

1-6 God, investigate my life; get all the facts firsthand.
I'm an open book to you;
even from a distance, you know what I'm thinking.
You know when I leave and when I get back;
I'm never out of your sight.
You know everything I'm going to say
before I start the first sentence.
I look behind me and you're there,
then up ahead and you're there, too—
your reassuring presence, coming and going.
This is too much, too wonderful—
I can't take it all in!

That's how well God knows me, and how well He knows my name. I am thus secured in Him.

Live the Life

noreply@blogger.com (Jonathan) — Sun, 09 Mar 2008 12:20:00 +0000

Live the life

Counter-culture

Breakout, breakthrough

Stretching boundaries

I n c r e a s i n g INFLUENCE

Stepping O.u.t.

Daring to be dIFFERENT

Radical

BURN

Passion

Catchphrases, every one. Stuff you used to hear at rallies, propaganda parties, revolutionarist gatherings, and Christian meetings. Stuff that's nice to hear because its anti-apathy, anti-statusquo, anti-keepingthingsthewaytheyalwayswere.

But also, stuff that forces ruffling of feathers, uncomfortable-ness, possible falling-outs, and most of all, Change.

We hear them over and over again, and every time we hear them, another voice speaks out.

"Really think you'll make a difference?"

"Want to stick out like a sore thumb?"

"Think of yourself for a change"

or simply

"Why bother?"

"Since you died with Christ to the basic principles of this world, why, as though you still belonged to it, do you submit to its rules:" Col 2:20

"For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God." Col 3:3

Worship is not a slow song!

noreply@blogger.com (Jonathan) — Mon, 04 Feb 2008 10:21:00 +0000

"Allow me to ask you the reader a question: Where do you find the first occurrence of the word worship in the Bible? ......

The first time you find the word worship in Scriptures is in Genesis 22. It reads:

Abraham said to his young men, "Stay here with the donkey; the lad and I will go yonder and worship." Gen 22:5 (author's emphasis)

Abraham was not going up yonder to sing a slow song with Isaac. He was going up there to put the most treasured possession in his life to death, simply because God asked him to do it! So as you can see, worship is a life of obedience. This explains why God passionately says to His own people who were singing songs to Him:

Away with your hymns of praise! They are only noise to my ears. I will not listen to your music, no matter how lovely it is. Instead, I want to see a mighty flood of justice, a river of righteous living that will never run dry. (Amos 5:23-24 NLT) "

- John Bevere, Drawing Near

Help from all!

noreply@blogger.com (Jonathan is my name!) — Tue, 22 Jan 2008 16:09:00 +0000

hey fellow imuans/ex-imuans

am trying to put together a small book/notebook/handout about testimonies from imu students.. as in what is their God-defining moment when they are in imu, whether through ecf, or pivoting moments of your spiritual growth in imu.

hopefully the content will be more than just "God is good" "i feel God" "i feel goosebumps" "God help me thru exams" "God gave me an A" "God help me find my thumbdrive" so on so forth.. hpe it will be testimonies of life changes events! try to explain in such a way how your testimony can point others to God/show others who God is/allow others to experience God like you do... basically POWERFUL TESTIMONIES!

it is something we wanna book it so that whenever new juniors come imu/who visit our church/during freshie party we can give a copy to them and say to them "this is how God move & touch lives in imu"...

please type it out in word and send it to me @ jonism85@gmail.com preferably not more than an A4 size..

thanks a bunch!

Drawing Near

noreply@blogger.com (Jonathan) — Mon, 21 Jan 2008 12:37:00 +0000

I've started reading a book by John Bevere called Drawing Near.

The first chapter is titled The Greatest Invitation Of All Time.

Some interesting points:

What do Exodus 3:3, Mark 6:48 and 1 Sam 3 have in common?

"So Moses thought, 'I will go over and see this strange sight-why the bush does not burn up.' "

"He saw the disciples straining at their oars, because the wind was against them. About the fourth watch of the night he went out to them, walking on the lake. He was about to pass by them,"

1 Sam 3 about God calling Samuel 3 times before Samuel responded.

God calls, yes. In each of these verses, Moses, the disciples, Samuel, turned aside to answer the call of God.

Ex 3:4 " When the Lord saw that he had gone over to look, God called out to him from within the bush..."

Mk 6:49 "but when they saw him walking on the lake, they....cried out"

The author hypothesized that the encounters above would not have happened had Moses not turned aside, or if the disciples did not call out to Jesus, or if Samuel had decided sleep was more important.

It costs something to turn aside to follow God's call. Putting aside the cares of the day, whether its gathering lost sheep, or fighting the storm, or just going back to sleep, and turning aside to encounter God, is something which God values.

"Draw near to me and I will draw near to you" James 4:8

About disciples

noreply@blogger.com (LeeBern) — Fri, 21 Dec 2007 19:21:00 +0000

Lu 14:26


A disciple is not above his teacher, nor a servant above his master.

Lu 6:40

A disciple is not above his teacher, but everyone who is perfectly trained will be like his teacher.

Journey

noreply@blogger.com (Jonathan) — Fri, 14 Dec 2007 00:26:00 +0000

Friday evening. On the LRT to:
Plaza Rakyat. Buses underground . Breathing in CO2 and possible CO emissions.

Started late but moving now.
2 women chattering excitedly in the front seat.
An elderly man sits behind me, looking out the window,
In stark contrast with the youngish man in front, jabbering into his cellphone.

Buildings flash by. There's the National Museum, then the Lake Gardens.
I know this road. I've been down here before.
A few rows behind me, a father sits with his son.
Telling him to settle down, that it'll be a while before they arrive at their stop.
I smile and settle farther into my seat. Smiling because I know how the boy feels.
I'm going home.

I'm running late. Unfamiliar station signs flash past.
Though its not my first flight home by myself, I've been flying from Heathrow, not Manchester.
I grab a place in the queue. Realise that bottles filled with water are banned.
Get AAAs for my MP3 player. Get presents. Sorted.
I spot a family I saw during check-in. Going on a holiday, presumably.
Eating at a cafe. For them the journey is just beginning.
For me, I'm halfway home.

I find my seat between 2 people, both young and engrossed in their own thoughts.
The girl on my left nods off intermittently, refusing food and drink.
The guy on my right shifts in his seat, trying to get comfortable.
He asks for beer, I ask for Coke and get Pepsi instead. Both of us are content.
The Muslim gentleman in front strikes up a conversation with the British girl next to him.
Later, when we disembark, he hands her her bag.
'Have a safe journey and a merry Christmas.', he smiles before disappearing into the queue.
I'm smiling too. I'm going home.

A graduate teaching in a medical university.
A new doctor frazzled with responsibility.
A couple who've just taken their first steps together.
Another who are still getting to know each other.
A friend who is still searching for answers.
A sister who takes a step of faith.
We're all going home.

*taken from an idea for a song I had while in IMU.

the grinch

noreply@blogger.com (peasantboy) — Wed, 12 Dec 2007 15:48:00 +0000

Christmas time. O month of December.

It's a very special month for many of us. It's a time whereby we get to spend with family, friends. Sometimes, it's such a great month because it's a time to get gifts. Also, it's the last year of the month, and the new year is coming. Which means, we get to start fresh, we get to move on, and leave all that's bad behind.

Why do we slog so hard throughout the year, only to hope that's it'll soon be over? For some, we are even to beaten to the point that we JUST want the year to be over. Some of us aren't even looking forward to the new year. So lost. So weathered down. Weighed by tonnes of hurt, anger, disappointment, sadness.

John 10:10 says
The thief comes ONLY to steal, kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, have it to the full. TNIV

The thief, the grinch, the enemy comes ONLY to steal, kill and destroy. Steal the important bits that's holding up your life, killing whatever dreams, hopes, faith, love that one has, and finally destroying the person that can do great things.

It's the end of the year, but not the end of the world or your life. Reflect, don't regret, but use what you see as a building block.

Christ came so we could have life to the fullest. Don't let the grinch come to steal whatever God's placed under your christmas tree this year. Finish strong!

Matthew 12:29
...how can anyone enter a strong man's house and carry off his possessions without first tying up the strong man?

The Same Old Thing?

noreply@blogger.com (Jonathan) — Thu, 29 Nov 2007 13:46:00 +0000

How many times have we heard it before. Perpetual reminders of what Christmas is, or should mean to everyone on earth.

It's the sound of falling snow,
As we hurry out to go.
Carolling with family and friends

Christmas, the one time where church is something other than what old people go to every Sunday morning. When Jesus is mentioned not as a curse. When the Nativity is elevated from static story to cherished tradition. Where songs are sung about God by Christians and non-believers alike and prayers are uttered not in muffled tones but with clear voices.

Where shops and stores release their latest interpretation of what The Gift Of The Year should be. And when wallets and credit cards suddenly lose all sense of inhibition.

Its the laughter in the air
By the fireside we share
Sweet memories we've made throughout the years

When families gather and friends suddenly lose sight of differences. When memories of past years, and past Christmases are dredged up and laughed at. When people get the urge to organize IMU reunions even though friends are spread across 3 continents.

And as we gather close
With those we love the most
Read the story of Christmas,
Christmas time is here.

The night when Jesus was born as a baby. God encased in human flesh, exposed to frosty cold air, his nostrils assaulted with the salty tang of ammonia from fresh manure, his eyes filled with the sight of a blissful mother and a relieved father looking down on him.

Nowhere in the Bible is there a command to celebrate Christmas, no command to set aside a day for its celebration, unlike the Pentecost. But it seems, the world didn't need one.

Can you hear it, the sound of peace on earth?
Its the song of Christmas and the greatest birth.
Its the chorus that rings in human hearts,

God came down, here with us,
It's the song of Christmas.

"Newsong (The Christmas Hope) - The Song of Christmas."

Sex?!?

noreply@blogger.com (Jonathan) — Sun, 11 Nov 2007 21:12:00 +0000

I'll be the first to admit; sex is intriguing, for the want of a better word.

Being the kampung boy that I am (!) sex doesn't come up in a conversation often. And the times I was present in a sex-themed conversation, well, lets just say it wasn't particularly Godly.

Which I think is a shame. But how often do we discuss what God's perspective on sex is, other than the generally accepted view that Godly sex should be between married couples, and is the ultimate act of giving oneself to another?

ChristianityToday, the source of my free bible studies, sent me a link about a conversation between 4 Christian sex therapists, which is pretty interesting to say the least.

Agree? Don't agree?

More insights to share?

I'm opening this to the floor in general:-)

the march

noreply@blogger.com (peasantboy) — Fri, 09 Nov 2007 15:05:00 +0000

I think, everyone's been pretty busy. Work must be pilling up to your noses at this point.

It is during this time, we often forget what's most important, because we look at everything else, and worry about entirely all things different from what's before us.

After the Israelites defeated the Amalekites, Moses built an altar for God and called it the Lord is my Banner. (Exodus 17:15)

You know, as I thought about it, really, a banner is very significant in A LOT of things. In a march during war especially, as it boosts troop morale. Sir William Wallace had his own banner of Scotland (or however the flag was then) as they marched into battle.

Guess what?

We have the Lord our God as OUR BANNER!

Isn't that in itself a guaranteed success?

Remember guys/gals, look at what's just before you, but more importantly, remember who your banner is! Let it fly high as you march into whatever battle you are facing!

A medical student's post

noreply@blogger.com (Jonathan) — Thu, 01 Nov 2007 23:37:00 +0000

Recently, I saw a patient who had a discharging abscess, very messy. The SHO who saw him after me asked for my tourniquet to use in taking bloods. Needless to say, I wasn't too keen, but gave it up anyway, knowing that that was the end of my tourniquet as a useful device.

An Accident and Emergency rotation without a tourniquet....not the best situation ever. And since I haven't discovered lunchtime meeting areas yet, I haven't been able to rely on that benefactor of medical students to provide me a new one: the drug reps.

After chucking it in the bin, I found I had to keep asking the nurses around for their tourniquets to use in taking bloods, putting in cannulas etc. Otherwise, I'd just be hanging around (the Royal Liverpool Hospital sees 200 plus patients everyday in A&E, so it gets pretty busy).

I was fortunate to have a yearmate who had an extra one and loaned it me for a few days. It was nice having my own for a while; I even lent it to a doctor who seemed to be in the same boat as me earlier.

***

I think a touniquet is just one of those things that I don't really think about until its not there. Its just one of those things.

I find that I can misplace God pretty easily and not miss Him. Until I come to a situation when I need Him, that is. And its then that I ask for help, that I repent, that I cry out to Him, etc etc. And He answers, always.

Going to meetings, camps, boosting my faith by meeting others and living by their testimonies etc is fine, for a while, but ultimately I need to pursue this relationship by myself.

With purpose, and not by convenience.

Not borrowing off others, but seeking my own (insert)

Actively seeking, not trusting to circumstance.

God didn't leave me to chance, on His part.

***

I still do really need a tourniquet. In Malaysia I'd have used gloves, but I'm still not that confident putting cannulas in for me to try that.

Beautiful Spirits

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sun, 21 Oct 2007 12:46:00 +0000

Here's an old entry I dug up from my blog which I didn't post... just to share with you all... Sorry, been a little too busy to actually write anything but I assure you that I will once I settle into my job. haha. Here goes..
___________________________________________________________________

I know I should be studying.
I know I have a lot of writing up for my research to do.
I know that I have a long list of things to accomplish.
Work work work.

But I couldn't resist spending the afternoon reading away... reading some of my old friends' blogs and before I knew it, the sun had slipped beneath the horizon. Well, I don't have much time to spare considering I've wasted a good deal of time and time is of essence.. TIME MANAGEMENT was the biblical teaching we got on Friday... which I'll share another time...

I just felt compelled to write something now. As I kept on reading, I was extremely captivated by some of their writings not because they were funny, not because they were so depressingly sad, not because of sacarstic humour, but because it was just plain beautiful words speaking about God and life. Every story was inspiring. Uplifting. And I thought of all the people in life that I knew...

Some were beautiful physically. Some were beautiful inside. Who lives a better life?

She, fortunately, has both.

I gaze upon people like these...gentle and quiet souls... with the Spirit of God speaking volumes in their life and I wish I could be like them. I have yet to know my gift and role to play in God's house.

I've always wanted to do more. Serve God. Climb higher. Do this. Do that. I wanted to progress leaps and bounds. I wanted to be BUSY serving God. But then I am reminded...

The story of Jesus visiting Martha and Mary. Martha was busy preparing food for Jesus. Mary merely sat at his feet and listened to his teaching. And then he told Martha that she was being needlessly busy and that Mary had done the most important thing : LISTEN. She had sthg no one could ever take away from her...God's Word.

And so i learn to be patient. Not to want to do things in my own time but to still my restless spirit and LISTEN. For it is the most important thing that anyone can do...for you can still serve and lose your way...but we need to constantly LISTEN... and before I can progress anymore.. I need to LISTEN...

Once Upon A Time

noreply@blogger.com (Jonathan) — Sat, 13 Oct 2007 16:19:00 +0000

A guy met a girl, they fell in love, went out for periodic ice-creams and walks on the beach, and decided to get married.

Now, during those ice-creams and beach walks, they had plenty of time to discuss how their wedding ceremony would be done. The guy had brief visions of a vision of beauty in a pristine white dress walking up the aisle, and the girl was all for champagne at the reception. Both agreed that Mendelssohn's Wedding March was too old school.

Both girl and guy agreed that the hardest thing to do would be choosing whom to invite. See, they both came from different schools, went to different universities and over the years, had accumulated many different friendships all over the world. Asked to name 10 close friends, both of them would have only one difficulty; which 10 friends?

Plus their parents, being typical Chinese dudes, could invite a hallful of people in 10 seconds, no problem. Two hallfuls, cos there were 2 sides of parents.

But they agreed that something had to be done. So they reached a compromise.

The guy would invite 15 of his closest friends, and the girl would invite 15 of her bosom buddies to the wedding. They were all over the world, UK, Australia, Germany, China and one in New Zealand. All of them received their invites in good time (despite the ridiculous postal strike still ongoing in the UK) and did the usual fussing about what presents to get.

After all, they hadn't seen each other for a long time, even though they used to be close in high school and college. But everyone looked forward excitedly to the big day.

Since the wedding was in a private location in KL, all the friends flew over the day before, sort of a mini-reunion before the wedding itself. And as friends who haven't been back home in ages do, they went out to mamak. And to Luna Bar after that. And then to someone's house for a chat. And then out to mamak again. By the time all 30 friends said goodnight and went their separate ways, everyone was pretty tired.

Inevitably, next morning, groggy faces and hangovers were the theme of the day. But everyone remembered the BIG DAY. Church at 10! No messing around-get dressed-beat the KL jam-rush rush rush. And it so happened that about half the group of friends hadn't a clue where the place in KL was. Cos you know, they weren't from KL to begin with. So they got out their mobiles and tried calling the bridegroom. But, wouldn't you know it, they had misplaced the invitations to the wedding, on which the contact numbers of the bride and the groom were written. Then they decided to call each other. But in the rush, not many people were answering their mobiles. Some hadn't even gotten a Malaysia number yet. And some batteries were flat.

And so, just like in Matthew 25:1-13, those who were ready, got to party with the guy and the girl. They got to watch the long-awaited-for kiss, the irresistably 'chim' and romantic vows, and enjoy a great reception after.

Those who weren't ready, lets just say it wasn't the best day of their lives.

***

I think God has this tendency to catch me by surprise. Sometimes He does something I'm not expecting, and I just have to roll with it. Sometimes its ok, cos I'm still walking pretty closely to Him, so can pick up the signs here and there, and its not a total clueless surprise. But at other times, when I'm stuck in a rut, and God pops a stunner, I miss it. Mostly because I'm not ready.

Is there a way to live my life in that perpetual sense of readiness for God's move? What do you ppl think?

My 1st Post Here... ;P

noreply@blogger.com (Jay Low) — Mon, 08 Oct 2007 16:24:00 +0000

1 I will praise you, O LORD, with all my heart;
before the "gods" I will sing your praise.

2 I will bow down toward your holy temple
and will praise your name
for your love and your faithfulness,
for you have exalted above all things
your name and your word.

3 When I called, you answered me;
you made me bold and stouthearted.

4 May all the kings of the earth praise you, O LORD,
when they hear the words of your mouth.

5 May they sing of the ways of the LORD,
for the glory of the LORD is great.

6 Though the LORD is on high, he looks upon the lowly,
but the proud he knows from afar.

7 Though I walk in the midst of trouble,
you preserve my life;
you stretch out your hand against the anger of my foes,
with your right hand you save me.

8 The LORD will fulfill his purpose for me;
your love, O LORD, endures forever—
do not abandon the works of your hands

--Psalm 138

I am once again reminded of the greatness of God when the worship leader shared this psalm in church yesterday. I KNOW it is His plan for me to be here and I am truly blessed. I am excited to see His plans unveil as I walk with Him.

And indeed the saying, "When one in the family finds salvation, the others will follow," is true, because I was truly encouraged when my sister told me that she has accepted Christ! A Godly surprise indeed!

Keep the prayers strong and loud, because God can hear them! I am sure that all families will one day find salvation and serve together in His house! God is indeed wonderful! And I am believing for more miracles!