Monthly Archive for April, 2007

suiting up!

I can’t wait for my car. Can’t wait, can’t wait, can’t wait, can’t wait, can’t wait, can’t wait, can’t wait.

Was out shopping today. Again. I guess, I’m just trying to make sure I don’t have anymore basic necessity purchases once I start on my loan. Save money, save money, save money, save money, save money.

My first cuffed shirt. I don’t know what you call them, but they require stuff like these:

cufflinks.jpg

Not the key chain, of course. That came with the set. I think they’re the coolest things! Love the fact that they look like gear knobs. I bought them .. in conjunction with ..

I can’t wait for my car. Can’t wait, can’t wait, can’t wait, can’t wait, can’t wait, can’t wait, can’t wait.

I’ll put the keychain with the car keys!

I’m so psyched! Can you tell?

David[woohoo!]

significant struggle, or struggle for significance?

Significance.

What defines your significance? Is it your status? The number of zeros in your bank account? [RM0.0000000] Good looks? Pretty car? Job description? Abilities, character, attitude?

I was standing in the MRT train, with my big backpack heading to Novena Square. I was en route to where the bus will take me back to KL. The train was 3/4 packed with diverse people, obvious from their appearance. I looked around, observed them and I realized one thing. Had it been that I was on the Malaysian LRT, I’d gotten looks and people wondering about me. I didn’t get the same vibe in Singapore. It’s hard to stand out in a society so .. competitive and fast-paced.

My half-brother and I talked a lot about Singapore. The life, the work, the play, the 1.2 million studio apartments, hospitality. As I compared Malaysia and Singapore, I thought that the infrastructure difference isn’t too big. Information and technology wise, we’re pretty close. I guess the only obvious difference between the two countries is the mindset of it’s citizens. At the end, one conclusion I drew from it was that it is very hard to stand out in a place like Singapore, but it’s not hard to stand out here in Malaysia. It just takes us to work hard for what we desire to achieve in our career and life. And have God involved in everything that we do, yeah. :)

When I think about standing out, it encompasses significance. Is the struggle, that significant? Is it hard to stand out? When I think about my career, and as of late I have been thinking a lot about it .. It’s not, really. Hence the question, what is our definition of significance? Is it the items listed above, or is it God, and what God has destined and set us apart to be?

For me, and I hope it is for you too, that it is definitely God and what He has destined us to do or be. First, a child of God .. and the rest follows: Shepherds, sheep, light of the world, priests, lay leaders, respectors of authority etc. In terms of work and all, it’s just having God as the focus and source of our service and delight .. will bring about that significance in our lives. Ultimately, it’s God’s approval that we seek .. and not only just that of men.

Ps. Julie shared among the few of us, this really simple truth; When we learn to let go, and submit to God’s will .. all the more God will trust us. If we struggle, worry or resent things that don’t go quite right .. it’ll be harder for it to come through.

So trust God, wait, and wait patiently. It’s something that I need to learn.

David[hmm]

minority wins!

Guess who was the only voter?

car-poll-result.jpg

Yours truly. Shook hands on a deal for a RM37K Nov 01′. Can’t wait to drive it around. Now, for the financing part .. UGH.

David[hmm...]

diabetic church

Today, I thought about the church.

I thought about the people in the church.

And I think that sometimes, the church seems like it’s suffering from diabetes.

According to the American Diabetes Association,

Diabetes is a disease in which the body does not produce or properly use insulin. Insulin is a hormone that is needed to convert sugar, starches and other food into energy needed for daily life.

Of course, excessive consumption food with high levels of sugar also contributes to diabetes.

Much like … sugar coated truth.

I think we’re all too nice with our words to the point where people don’t know when to use their insulin and break down all the sugary parts of it and convert those truths to reveal underlying valuable lessons and advice. Insulin’s really the thing that sets the truth apart.

Much like … the Bible.

Of course, the Word was God, and Jesus is God and so is the Holy Spirit.. all in one. So yeah. Much like the Holy Spirit too.

I think I can only speak for myself, where I constantly find myself minding the feelings and possible reactions of the person I speak to, to the point where I put it across in such a gentle manner that it almost loses it’s gist.

Speaking of diabetes, I realize that some symptoms are also .. very relevant to the church. One of it is neuropathy. The failure of the brain to detect pain, heat or cold. Well, when one member of the body is hurting .. under normal circumstances the whole body would be able to feel the pain and feel it .. but if the body is suffering from diabetes, and is NOT able to feel the pain of a member of the body, then the body breaks down. If not treated, the leg might have to be amputated .. which is quite common if the body and its parts are not well taken care of.

Sounds quite real now, doesn’t it?

I’m pretty tired from travelling. If you’ve got any thoughts, do leave them in the comment area.

David[hmm]

PS: I’m bringing the insulin!

snuggle up to mommy and daddy

I remember a time I used to snuggle up to my mom and dad in the mornings. Right between the two of them, where it’s warm and comfy. Of course, thinking back now .. it’s usually a Saturday morning, when my dad sleeps in.

Aaah.

David[hmm]

the day ahead..

The time is 6:21 am. I turn to the other side, close my eyes and try to fall asleep again. It’s hard, when I’ve got a time set to wake everyday.

Once I wake, my mind automatically tunes to the day ahead, the agenda, appointments, tasks. It’s the nature of my job, where appointments and tasks are predominant methodologies of which I function by.

Today, it’s full-on. Here’s my schedule:

0915 - 1330 : Jen Nee & Li Kuo’s wedding
1400 - 1600 : Worship practice
1600 - 1700 : Prayer
1700 - 1930 : Service

If you count the hours, it’s almost like a work day. Sometimes, I work harder on weekends .. than I do on weekdays. The irony, huh?

I complained about having to do too much. I was asked if I was burning out .. and I never did think about it. Though, in that particular conversation, I did put across the underlining reason why I acted the way I did thus .. implying that I am not burning out.

Though I think I would if the leaders of the church don’t manage me properly.

Talent is cheap, but commitment is costly.

- Ps. Julie

I’d rephrase her, and say that talent is cheap, but excellence is costly. Many people function on talent and ability, but I feel that the real anointing lies in the strive for excellence. What’s worse is when people who function on the I-do-just-what-I-can-and-nothing-more mode, expect excellence and extra effort from the rest of the world.

It’s just unfair.

Maybe I’m being unfair in evaluating the person as such by my standards of excellence. I admit, I could be wrong. But it really does say something about someone, to still see the person deal with the same issue for the past 6 months. Ah, fine .. I could be in the wrong position to expect again, but with no expectation .. what’s there to work for?

Ps. Julie’s a great example of a leader. Her actions speak louder than words. And I admire her for that. I let my tongue off sometimes, before my actions can come forth. Eventually, it does come through .. but yeah .. why the talk before action? GAH.

I’m just thinking aloud.

I’m sorry if I haven’t been the most supportive cell member. The fact that you’re still depending on the same people for the past 5 months makes me wanna shoot myself wonder why there aren’t others that are being raised. It’s time someone raised the RED flag. It’s either you, or me.

David[hmm]

all alone…

My parents left for UK, early Friday morning. I was already half awake when my mom SMSed me.

We are at d airpt on way to UK be back on 16 May. U take care. Love u

I called her immediately .. just to catch them before they leave .. hear their voice. As I hung up .. suddenly .. that all too familliar feeling of loneliness comes to me. My family’s out of country, and I’m the one that remain in Malaysia.

It’s certainly not the first time I’ve been alone .. under these circumstances but when you feel the same feeling you did it first happen to you .. it incites emotions that once gripped you. But I’m glad that my mom and dad are on their holiday. They deserve it. Especially when their sons are all out and self sufficient. Well, almost. :p

I pray that God’ll protect them from harm and give them a good time in Europe.

David[hmm]

this is my brother

I want to tell you a little bit about my brother. He’s 3 years older than I am, graduated as a Mechanical Engineer, and has big bunny teeth .. like me.

He’s currently in UK on a working holiday visa, but he’s mostly holidaying. Here’s a picture of him:

dscn2986.JPG

He’s posing with his punctured bicycle wheel.

He’s planning to cycle Europe. I don’t know his destinations, nor his timeline .. but I think he’ll go as far as his skinny legs will take him. Or as far as his tyre patches can last his punctures. Now, I used to think that I was the adventurous, outgoing, and wild one .. but somehow .. it doesn’t really seem that way now. It’s the oddest thing, ya know.

So yeah, if you wanna read on about his perils, hop on to http://alexlee.ambitiouslemon.com and leave a comment!

David[hmm]

servanthood

As I did a search on the word “servant” on my blog, the results brought back many memories. I also remember a time in INTI Christian Fellowship (ICF), when I first stepped up to become Chairperson.

It was during the CF Retreat that is held after every semester, for evaluation and planning of CF. I, moved by God’s calling for me to take up leadership of CF [and after being prophetically charged by Ps. Julie] .. went to the retreat full on in leadership mode!

As I prepared for the retreat, God burdened my heart with something that Jesus did to His disciples. It took me about a week, reading up on it, preparing my heart, spirit and mind. It was challenging, because it isn’t something that people do. It just isn’t.

I prepared my bucket, the towels .. came out in the presence of all my committee members. I knelt down and washed each of their feet.

Of course, they weren’t that willing to have me wash their feet .. but as I shared while I washed their feet .. it was something that God really burdened .. not just impressed .. but really set in my heart to do. I washed all, but one. The elusive Jess. She was sitting at the corner with a blanket over her head, sobbing away.

It was humbling. Really humbling. All that preparation was just 50% of the process. The other 50% is to actually kneel, hold the person’s foot and clean between the toes. Repeat for 10 people.

I don’t know if all of them really understood what it means to have your feet washed .. but it’s spelt out in the verses. Check out John 13:1-14.

Jesus answered, “Unless I wash you, you have no part with me.”

- John 13:8b.

I guess, that was what I felt with them. They’re no part of me, nor I them .. if I didn’t live it out. And, I also desired them to be examples .. of servants.

Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet.

- John 13:14

He didn’t do it .. because it’s a ritual that He commanded us to do .. like communion and water baptism .. but He did it cause He wanted to be an example. To be a real leader .. we have to lead. And lead by example. There’s no other way.

The experience is still so vivid. Although, yeah .. the act of feet washing can be represented by so many other things that we can do for other people .. that can be equally humbling. I can still hear Jess’ sobbing.

Ps. Vincent was sharing it over leaders’ meeting after prayer meeting earlier, and it brought back memories. He was challenging the leaders to be examples .. putting into action every single thing that we can claim to do.

If we want the cell group to grow .. we must sow.
If we want the members in cell to grow .. we must grow.
If we want the members to be challenged in faith pledging .. we must also be pledging by faith.
If we want to se a vision for the cell be achieved .. we must work towards achieving that vision ourselves.

If you are too busy with work .. your members will be busy with work too.
If you are complacent .. your member will also be complacent.

Action and reaction.

David[hmm]

financially responsible (part 2)

To the future!

Just to .. correct the possibly .. wrong impression of me - I WAS known as a spentthrift. Was, kay. But, of course .. there is always the potential of being one .. which I think applies to everyone, right? Right right?

Anyway .. to the future! Again!

As advertised .. I am planning to purchase a car in 6 months, when my brother comes back from UK .. and will need to use the car. Now, here comes the larger part of being financially responsible. Financing a car.

What’s hire purchase?
How do you go about getting a loan?
Insurance?
Accident?
Personal Accident?
Roadtax?
Interest rate?

There are so many things to consider when purchasing a car, on top of the list of questions one has to answer.

Year of make
Condition
Number of previous owners
Brand
Series
Accidents involved
Interior
Seats
Air-conditioning

Fuh, what a mouthful. I can’t imagine it, when the time comes for me to settle down and get a house. Micro-managing poses the biggest threat of overthinking.

Then TAXES.

What’s an EA form?
Pin number?
eFiling? Filling? Feeling?
What’s tax-deductable?

Now I’m beginning to feel like an adult. I guess, part of being an adult is to be financially responsible.

Shouldn’t have been in such a hurry to grow up. *blek

David[phew]