Spiritual awakening

1 John 4:8 (NIV)
Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.

Yes, God is love. But He is not only love, He is holy.

Many people question if there's such a loving God, why are there present sufferings?

Charles Templeton, was an evangelist and a close friend of Billy Graham was a spiritual giant who was predicted to succeed Graham. But he failed to see God as a holy God. His faith fell through the rocks when he saw a photograph of a North African woman carrying her dead baby, looking up towards heaven, hoping for rain.

"Why couldn't this God of love send her rain? All she needed was rain!" Templeton questioned with frustration.

God is love, but don't put a full stop to it. He is holy, too.

He is holy too.

1 Peter 1:16 (NIV)

For it is written, "Be holy, because I am holy."

I'm still learning to grasp this spiritual truth, but I believe it with all my heart :)

Photograph source: brfuk.com

Is Volvo really a safe car?

I had the opportunity to test out if Volvo was really a safe vehicle.

In a bumper-to-bumper accident.

Yesh, I got involved in a accident. My safe driver image (sorry Chian Hui, sorry Joanna!) is brushed off for good. But I promise to work my hardest to get that title back!

I kept my lane. But a red Wira which stayed on a lane leading to the flyover last minute-ly changed lanes (to pump petrol, of all things lol) and thud!, this post was born.

By the way, Volvo is officially safe. More than safe. The safest safe. Amat safe sekali.

Only the signal glass was smashed in an average triangular shape.

And good thing the man knew the situation well enough to let things off the hook.

The accident wasn't so bad, I would say. Going home was tougher. I had no idea what my parents were going to say. No idea. Clueless. Idealess. (Okay I'm done with synonyms hehe).

My mom was strict with me. "You drive too fast", "Please... slow down", "Drive with two hands, not one on the wheel, the other on your hair"... I treasure these words more now than before.

Oh no, what's my dad going to say?

He came into the living room all smiles when he heard the news.

"Are you mad?" I asked.

He said, "Why would I be mad?" and continued after pausing shortly, "Accidents happen. Take your lesson from it."

God is so good for letting these happen. Hallelujah!

Signing off,

I realised my walking is slowing down a bit too. Must be post-traumatic-symptoms! I'm afraid of banging walls lar lol.

TVs and potatoes

I've been a serious contender for the World Potato Couch Championship, I tell you. Watch TV everyday only.

Speaking of potatoes, I'm making potato salad later lol

What's on TV these days?

Well, there's American Idol on Star World. Forgotten to post about how close Matt Giraud was to elimination (he was saved by the judges!).

Then there's The Biggest Loser on Hallmark.

More exciting than the former by A MILE.

[edited]
Wipeout on AXN is refreshing amongst the shows on deck.

Paris Hilton's My New BFF on MTV.
Err skip

E! News, THS, BTS, Kimora...

Not to mention the salivating Asian Food Channel. So much food, so little time


Still, time is well spent in daily devotion. Been reading Nehemiah from the Old Testament, and I am blessed!


Signing off,
btw this is my 80th post =P

Life can't be a dot

Googled image

When I was really young, I used to close my eyes and pretended that life never existed.

No exams, no schools, no people, no time, no world.

Again, I was really young. I think I was still in primary school.

I had a feeling that life was just an imagination.*

As I grow older right, those kind of thoughts disappeared. I was very occupied with life. I make more mistakes and learn new things. I worry and I have fun. I cry and I laugh. I change (physically) and I make new friends.

But what is life? Life wasn't about happy endings, or is it?

Many people are still looking for the answers to these questions.

I believe in Jesus. He saved my life. He pulled me out of the darkness (you know how people are naturally afraid of the dark? I think it's built in) - and I'm ever grateful because life now had meaning. I have this want to tell other people too.

What really matters in your life?

* Don't worry, I didn't have depressing thoughts when I was young. I was innocent lah lol.

Signing off,

My favorite section of the newspaper - The Jobs Seekers' section.

Ever had a pain in the midst of somewhere you can't be excused?

I just learned about the nonpainful nerve impulses and pain impulses a few days ago. Basically, these two impulses compete to reach our brains first and the winner takes control of our pain.

If nonpainful nerve impulses get there first, pain is dulled.

Vice versa.

But does that mean that testimonies of "God healing my tummy ache (and headache and dot dot dot) when I pray" are actually nothing at all?

Googled picture

Wait wait, that's like imagining missing the point.

The point is, my body was created by Someone, who was an absolute genius.

For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb.
I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.
Psalm 149:13-14

Signing off,
I am working hard to love pieces of myself, Lord *Smiles*

I say, girls will be girls.

Ecclesiastes 4:9-12

Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work:

If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up!

Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone?

Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not easily broken.

Yesterday's dinner and the-after-talk was definitely the start of something new besides ahem..!

1. Su Faye is joining Ushering.
God spoke to you somemore. Amen amen! (Finally can rest, don't have to ask already! Lol.)

2. Wen Yi is attending university soon.
Her mom tells her, "university is where you'd meet your soul mate". Your mom cracks me up.

3. Chian Hui is trusting God to lead her path.
Girl, I'm super encouraged to hear your story and I know this one thing, God will bless you.

4. Jue Lyn is ready to get on with life!
I'm thoroughly berbonded after yesterday night. Ditto the verse in green.

If only Tze-En and Chia Wen (and Michelle, our new member) was there to join the C1 girls' talk... I think the night couldn't have ended. :P

"... All things are gonna happen naturally
Taking your advices and I'm looking at the bright side
Balancing the whole thing."
-Jason Mraz, "You and I Both"

So many times I agree with this - Girls Want To Be Swept Off Their Feet. What an irony, some people nicknamed me Snow White. LOLOLOLOL.

Signing off,
Ahhh... God knows my wires and He will be my strength. :)

It Could Be

A Google image.

Today this could be the greatest day of our lives
Before it all ends, before we run out of time.

Tonight this could be the greatest night of our lives
Let's make a new start, the future is ours to find.
- "Greatest Day", by Take That.


This song just has the natural effect of translating the message.

Signing off,
Open up and you can make today an exciting and meaningful one.

The Word

Something God spoke to me.
Loud and clear.

John 1:1-2; 14
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning... The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us.

Love Jesus? Love the Word.

Signing off,
Monk has one more fan today =D

Finally An Update. A "Chim" One.

11th-14th December.
XYZ Encounter Camp 2008.
Served at an National Service campsite at Raub, Pahang. (No joke.)

My camp tag and camp booklet posing for you.

NS has never looked this good, eh?

Aside from the yellowish water, it's not bad ler. ;)

Before I show you more pictures, let me thank Chian Hui! Girl, your bubbly spirit stays on. Thank you for taking all the pictures and I hope you don't mind me posting them up.
Credits of pictures all goes to Ms. Jasmine Lee Chian Hui! - who by the way just turned 18 in less than a month.

The girls of C1/C2.
Yours truly, Chian Hui, Petra, Christina and Sarah!

The Programmes people who couldn't stop thanking God for great weather!
Chian Hui, me, Petra, Robin (he rarely smiles on pictures XD), Tai Chi Kong!

Part I of the Shave-off-the-Shaving-Cream-from-my-balloon Game.


Part II says it all.

Rachael being goofy as always. She's someone I look up to, holiness-wise. Though the picture kinda prooves otherwise lol.
And seriously, I wasn't posing in that picture. I was unprepared. XD

Victor wants to have his own t-shirt with his shadow imprinted on it. Funny fellow!
And he nicknamed me Joo Joo. Sorry Joo Li! XD

The T-Shirt signifies a lot of possibilities. Notice that there's a hand-phone number there? Lol.

Robin still didn't smile.

Perd Hung or Perrdy, Serene (Babiwati no. 1 - my dorm mate, hahhaha), Christina or Nana, and Kenn Quan who named himself Dwayne.
Love the picture!


Chian Hui and a new friend I got to know, Michelle. =D


Chian Hui, smiling Robin, Kay Lee the dancing queen!
(with Christina in the background).


Kayak.

I'd trade nothing than to hear God speak to me.

I didn't know that... unless I was myself, I cannot ever encounter God.

I didn't know that... God wants me to be His friend, more than me being His servant!

I didn't know that... my fear managed to stopped me from living out an exciting Christian life.

I didn't know that... I was trying to look for God in only the obvious places all these while. A super good and "chim" example: "God, why can't I be in that girl's position talking to him???"

Like Mathew, I was kicked right where it hurt.

But God is taking me to the journey of healing, already! Amen.


Signing off,
We can walk together forever like this Lord, until the end of the road brings me to You. :)

Signing In

I've decided to update after a long moment of hiatus. I know, spank me! Lol.

The thing is... this blogger partially destroyed her medium of blogging.

Butterfingers is something I've literally grown up with. Just when I thought I was growing out of it, its seeds began to germinate again.


It aches my heart to see the laptop screen "ghost" - look up into Discovering Computers 2008 for more information.

I'm deeply humbled that despite my terrible mistakes (especially for my inaccurate judging towards my butterfingers), my dad promised to share his laptop with me. I was really afraid that I would screw up again, but thank God I've learnt my mistake.

Anyway, having a new laptop - I meant sharing a new laptop - means there are new things to explore. And I found this one day...

That's me being unsure on how to use the built-into-laptop-camera.

5 minutes later,

Owh. I know already. I can even smile and pose. Haha. Although its quite obvious that my smile looks kinda awkward here. =S

I'll be reading Cecilia Ahern's Thanks for the Memories in just a while I think. Am pretty dissapointed by the storyline (so far) since I've expected much much more from Cecilia Ahern - If You Could See Me Now was just blissful to read. I'll do the review next time lah.

Also, I realised there are so many bloggers now using the term "signing off" during the end of their posting. I really like how they can express their instant thoughts below it! So, I want to put it in now also lol. Oh and read this: Iona started the trend! Woo... =D

Signing off,

I think it's possible to love Monday.

Sanity Happens

Reality check.

I'm having mixed emotions these few days. Wait, months. Or maybe even years. It's swinging up and down. Urgh, hormones, let me put all the blame on you.

Still, God has been the same yesterday, today, and (will be) forevermore (Hebrews 12:8)! And my friends - these wonderful homo sapiens who take time to dig the best in me.

Just what a girl needs for her dose of sanity.

***

I saw a rainbow today.

I saw a lizard today, too.

The L-word was on my dad's car's side-view mirror. It couldn't fly away even though my dad was speeding at 120km/hr. That L-word made me felt sick when I saw its tail flipping all over the side-view mirror. Sumore it's the brown-brown kind. You know what I mean.

But the L-word wanted to survive - it could only hang on.

I feel like I need to learn from the L-word. To hang on. Even when life makes you look foolish (flipping tail) hanging on?

I can consider being a philosopher.
Yeah, I know.

***

Wai How: I might be going on Wednesday. See lah. =D

Wei Wei, who told me to sleepover at Pek Kuan's house: See lah. If she lets me. HAHAHA.

Pek Kuan: Can I sleepover at your place? LOL.

Siew Mei: Your fringe looks absolutely nice! I also want.

Wee Han: Thanks Gweeky for 2 hrs of your time. Can't thank you enough =D

Aisha: "Explain to me again why I need a boyfriend" cracks me up. XD

Joo Li and Iona: Your compliments on my necklace makes me feel feminine (sorta) LOL.

Ivan: I'm not sleeping over at Wai How's house. Accuse me! XD

Chia Yee: Your handphone's so cool!!!! I want the dictionary part only though. Hehe.

Chee Hong: You and your new hair. XD

You. Yes, you: Buy an Andy McDonough CD! Ask me how.

Reflecting

I'm ready to fly

I wanna breathe in and breathe out and be who I am
Let go of fear wanna feel alive


I'm ready to fly
The more that you hold me back you set me free
You help my heart decide
Maybe I'm, maybe I'm ready
To fly

["Ready to Fly" by Amy Pearson]

Whenever you remember times gone by
Remember how we held our heads so high


When all this world was there for us
And we believed that we could touch the sky


Whenever you remember, I'll be there
Remember how we reached that dream together
Whenever you remember

["Whenever You Remember" by Carrie Underwood]


I could be the one
Someone You're looking for
I don't have much to give
Lord, I'm ready
And through You


I could be the one
Whatever You want me to do
I will hold on to
What You say could be done
I could be the one

["I Could Be The One" by Stacie Orrico]

Remembering the past we've shared,
Ready to live the present to the fullest,
Imagining and anticipating tomorrow for all that will come to past!

Surrounded by Your glory
What my heart will feel
Will I dance for You Jesus
Or in awe of You be still


Will I stand in Your presence
Or to my knees will I fall
Will I sing hallelujah
Will I be able to speak at all
I can only imagine

["I Can Only Imagine" by MercyMe]

Nah, I'm not being emo. Hehehehe.
Just wanted to put up these pictures and duh, pen my thoughts. Some are mild, while some speak louder than others.
This is when blogging can do you good. XD

Kena Splash!

I went to the dentist this morning to remove my stitches. I walked there.

It was raining in PJ. Janelle said it was in raining in Klang too. The rain even visited Beijing.

Thinking it was going to take a while in the dentist - with the dentist giving me numbing medication before cutting the sewed lines - was a mistake. She didn't give me any numbing medication! I went in and then *pfft* she cut my stitches! She cut it like how you would cut the extra inch of thread coming out of your schoolbag.

Well, pain's over anyway. So I was walking home after that. My house is VERY near the dentist by the way ;p

I kena splash!

Hahahhahahaa. It's the first time in my life that I kena splash - as a pedestrian walking by the road. I thought it was funny.

Sadly, I wasn't splashed by a Volkswagen though it would have been cool to be splashed by one, no?

The Bottle and the Lid

Everything comes together. It forms a circle I suppose.



These few days, I've been treasuring a lot of things...

Smaller things like how God helped me to recover a key chain.
Smaller things like carrying a jacket to college in case it gets chilly (I have lazy bones).

Moderate things like not cursing too much (don't look at me!).
Moderate things like not using too much tissue papers (I am addicted to them).

Bigger things like realizing that my life is way blessed.

Traveled to Jumble Station (a new link I added) last Sunday and I must say, the servants' heart are bright. They serve God and their community the best way they can.

Makes me wonder. What (else) do I have to do today besides what I am doing?
Quote from Wei Wei and every cliche (but true) movie,
Life is Short.

Also, I watched Kung Fu Panda yesterday on Youtube. I guess I do *heart* Youtube. Part 1-10 was available though the last 3 parts were not (suspended liao, LOL).

The turtle said something to me,
"The past is history. The future is a mystery. Today is a gift! That's why it's called the present."
I figured it must be meaningful because Jane Tomomi uses it too! View her blog here.

Not forgetting, the people who brightens up my life! My life is filled with colours because of you =) Don't doubt la, you brighten up my life because you read my blog! LOL.
Doesn't sound right. Rephrase.
Yeala, you are one of those who brighten up my life!!! *hugs*

Life is a tough lesson. Use it well. May it be:-
- learning how to use your email account (Ivan, hahah, secret exposed!)
- learning how to talk better in front of crowds (TMC!)
- learning how to blog more regularly (me specifically lol)
- learning to be happy with who we are.
- learning to walk closer with the Creator of the Universe.

Have a great week people! Exams are approaching soon...