Remember John the Baptist, The Prisoner in the Third Cell

Christian storyteller Gene Edwards writes about John the Baptist in his book "The Prisoner in the Third Cell".

With simple English, Edwards effectively conveys the life and thoughts of John the Nazarite juxtaposed with the thoughts and prayers of his cousin Jesus during the crucial moments.

The following are excerpts from different chapters in Edward's story book that so powerfully reminded me of the call that the Lord may have on a few and to not be offended by him when things don't happen the way one would have expected of him or others. 

The thoughts of Jesus towards his cousin John when the latter was imprisoned and awaiting his death ...
You will never live to see your thirty-third birthday, nor will you know exactly why I have called you. Nor will you know if your life on this earth counted for anything. Those long years in the searing desert, you denied yourself of everything this earth affords except food and water, and only enough of that to keep you alive. You did this all for me. Yet, as you face death, there is no evidence that your life was anything but wasted. Have I forsaken you in the hour you need me most?

"And blessed are you,

if you are not offended with me"

Despite John's seeming immaculate life of devotion to his Lord, the Lord was silent during John's time of suffering and despair.

Today you are resentful of those who so callously hurt you. But no, not really. The truth is you are angry with God because, ultimately, you are not dealing with men, you are dealing with the sovereign hand of your Lord. Behind all events, behind all things, there is always His sovereign hand. 


Will you follow a God you do not understand? Will you follow a God who does not live up to your expectations?


Your Lord has put something in your life which you cannot bear. The burden is simply too great. He was never supposed to do this! 


That God should allow John the Baptist to be beheaded in response to Herodias (Herod's second wife) as entertainment for Herod and his guests in spite of John having lived a life completely devoted to God.


But the question remains, "Will you continue to follow this God who did not live up to your expectations?"

"And blessed are you 

if you are not offended with me"

If we were never to understand why life circumstances are the way they are or if life seems utterly disappointing, unfair, or just completely against what you believe or expect in your pursuit of truth, righteousness and justice ... that we would never take offense or walk away from living the life he has called us to - one of trust in Him and obedience to His bidding in every way. 

For in doing this, we abandon ourselves to worship him with all our heart, soul, mind and strength.

Forgetting what lies behind is a necessary progression

You're a bird who's been in a cage all your life, and suddenly all the walls are gone, and you're in the wide open. You're so afraid you're looking for any way back into the cage again. Whatever you choose to think now, it's not safer there. Even if you tried to go back now, I don't think you could survive that way again. 

- Michael Hosea to his beloved wife,  who lived a life of a prostitute in Francine River's Redeeming Love 

When we were babes, we were fed with milk. As we grow, we will need solid food and exercise to gain strength in our bodies that we may learn to walk, and eventually run. And when we become adults, the motion of walking and running becomes second nature. We choose nutritious food to sustain a strong body and discipline of sorts to maintain a healthy lifestyle.

However, when tragedy strikes, why then is it that human nature punishes us with regression to the old ways? Or to remain in a wheelchair and wheel our entire life, hopes and dreams off the cliff? 

God forbid that we should go back to the old ways and not allow growth beyond the highest point of yesteryears - beyond our comfort zone.  

Should we settle with being taught the ABCs all over again - a place of familiarity and comfort - when we have tasted so much more living in the freedom of the Spirit?

Would we not allow Him to do a new thing in our lives, while being firmly grounded upon His truth and empowered by His Spirit? 

Strange winds are blowing ...

We live in extraordinary times ... yes, times when strange winds blow, turning our lives upside down ... but for a moment and then everything becomes calm again, as if nothing happened. Only the strong, the experienced survive the strange storms and live to see the normality of life again.

*****

I couldn't wait any longer. I had to take a dip, a dive into the cool waters. Inhale nitrogen and find my mind at peace within tranquil surroundings of colorful corals and marine life. Except for the sounds of my breathing through the regulator and the beeps from my dive computer, everything else was blissful.

The 3 days, 2 nights trip to Tenggol Island, off Dungun, Trengganu, was my first dive trip since December 2007. Surprisingly, I found myself completely calm about venturing into extreme conditions - after all, we are not built to breathe underwater - not naturally at least. It didn't take long to adjust to the very tight wetsuit and carrying a ton on my shoulders and back while making my way to our tiny boat (about 15-20 feet in length).

Yes, diving is somewhat like riding a bicycle - once you know how to do it, it doesn't take long to get back into it and getting the buoyancy right during the first dive at Turtle Point.

The vibrance of the marine life and corals were amazing too - the nudi branch, turtle, the clowns made famous by Nemo, and schools and schools of fishes ...













(photos courtesy of fellow diver Siew Keng, very talented to have captured these amazing shots for a first timer in underwater photography)




... including the strange wind that blew towards the end of our last dive at Tenggol Island's tanjung Gemuk site. As my buddy and I were surfacing after the last dive, I saw the dive master making frantic hand signals for us to come up quickly. When we got to the surface, I was amazed to see two-meter high waves when it was rather calm about 30 minutes before.

We struggled to stay close to the boat as the waves kept pulling us away. Furthermore the rise and fall of the boat made it difficult to stay too close for fear of being knocked out by the bottom of the boat.

After what seemed like ages (but I am sure was just a few moments) of trying to hang on to the steps, I managed to remove my fins and climb into the boat. It was as if the boat was heaving and ho-ing, wanting to spit out its passengers.

At that time, all but one was on board.

As the boatman maneuvered the boat towards the lone diver drifting in the waters, another huge swell swept past, titling our boat 180 degrees. The group leader, still out in the water, at that point saw the bottom of the boat. We thought the boat would capsize!

Within that split second, I found myself thrown from the seat and sprawled along with the air tanks in the middle of the small boat. Thank God I was thrown further into the boat and not out of the boat and into the waters!

Scrambling to get back onto the seat and clutching to the metal railings of the boat, I checked my nerves ... fairly calm considering the ruckus on the boat. Experience told me to keep my floatation devices on, tank and regulator ready to be used ... just in case I got thrown back into the water and needed to descend to calmer waters below.

The moment the dive leader got onboard, we sped back to the island that was nestled within a cove and protected from the strange winds.

Within moments, the skies were clear and the waters were calm again.

*****

"What was that all about?" I asked the Lord.

"We live in strange times. Upheavels come to sift my people. The righteous and just shall live by faith ... Those who call upon my name shall be saved," the Lord impressed in my heart.

We live in such a time as this ... as evidenced by the happenings in the world - times of uncertainty. It's such a time when the experienced draw on their knowledge and skills to navigate the difficult times and come out stronger or survive the difficult circumstances. Others may not be so fortunate - not able to draw from the skilled, experienced and good fortunes of the stronger ones, and come out of these times in a poorer shape. Distraught. Destroyed.

One thing is certain though. There is a "window of opportunity," this is a time of greater manifestation of God's presence with tangile signs and wonders ... from miracle healings to gold dust on hands. God beckons His people to return into a relationship with Him, and for those who do not know Him, to seek with all their heart, mind and soul in order that they encouter God, our Creator and Maker of the Heavens and the Earth.

The benefit of doubt

If I could only know the heartaches you have felt,
The longing for the things that never came,
I would not misconstrue your erring then,
Nor ever blame.

Daily Inspiration on 11 March from "A Selection from Wings of Silver" a product from Garborg's, The C.R. Gibson Company

I BELIEVE... in magic - the good kind, of course!

"Make me a child ... so I can believe once again!" I cried.

God has a great way of answering prayers. Just last week, I was pondering what it was like to be a child again. Having the child-like faith to believe in the things that are larger than life, things that seem impossible to achieve with one's natural efforts. Having the courage to believe that there was more to life than this ...

While juggling homework, thinking about work and life over the Chinese New Year holidays, I must confess it wasn't all hard work ... really. I had many moments of vegging in front of the telly.

Tonight, I found myself mesmerized with Star Movies' after-dinner program "Mr Magorium's Wonder Emporium". It was exactly what I needed to see and hear ... and have the courage to believe once again.

The story is about Mr Magorium (Dustin Hoffman), a 243-year old eccentric toy inventor who built a magical toy store called "Mr Magorium's Wonder Emporium," where magic makes everything come alive. Wonders never cease at his store and children spend all day playing and letting their imaginations run wild.

And when Mr Magorium decides that it was time to leave the world for good, he entrusts the store to his manager Molly Mahoney (Natalie Portman). He employs an accountant Henry Weston (Jason Bateman) whom he calls "Mutant" to valuate the store and get the necessary paper work for the transfer of ownership.

Henry, the stuffy accountant, does not believe in magic. But of course!

Meanwhile, Molly is devastated with the news because she doesn't believe she can run the store. After all she was just a girl who aspired to be a pianist but ended up working in a toy store all these years.

The "magical" store, too, is upset that Mr. Magorium is leaving and throws a fit. The store deteriorates in appearance and the toys loose their sparkle.

Before departing, Mr Magorium encourages Molly, "Life is an occasion. Rise to it!"

Mr Magorium dies (as all good things eventually comes to an end), the magic leaves with him. Upon seeing the dull interiors of the store, Molly looses all hope and seeks to sell the store.

Nine-year-old Eric, a store helper and one who has befriended Henry the Mutant encourages Molly to keep the store and run it. "It's not so bad. It just needs a bit more magic!" he says.

The Mutant who has since experienced a bit of magic after seeing the "Congreve block" (a wooden cube) move and whizzed around the store finally believes. He, too, encourages Molly to keep the store. He believes she can run the store.

"You can make it to be anything you want it to be," Henry tells Molly.

Don't you see, you are like that block of wood (the Congreve block). "What you need to believe in is not ... the store, or me. What you need to believe in is you."

Suddenly, Molly sparkles. She believes and the sparkle that reflects the greater things in life comes forth. Magic fills the store once again and everything comes alive, and the next chapter begins.

As a reviewer aptly puts, "... the truth is, there's nothing wrong with following our hearts as long as we lend our brains and our souls to the proposition, too. God created in each one of us talent, passion and drive to do ... something.

"Throughout most of this story, Mahoney closes her ears to that calling. And the music doesn't soar until she opens them. She's not escaping responsibility or relationships. She's finally embracing them.

"I believe God made me for a purpose, but he also made me fast," Eric Liddell says in Chariots of Fire. "And when I run I feel His pleasure."

"We are God's creatures, and each of us carry a sparkle - something greater than ourselves trying to get out. And believing in yourself enough (being courageous enough) to make that happen, well, that's a great thing indeed."

And what of the next chapter that is about to unfold?

I will take Mr Magorium's advice.

I will turn the page. "Continue reading. And let the next story begin."

I will be like a child and believe ... that there is truly more to life than this!

Go catch the movie on Astro's Star Movies. Be like a child again. And believe!

Slip sliding into Christmas

Title: Scenic view of the lake surrounded by evergreens and snow-capped mountains
Artist: Raymond Gehman

As much as I envision snow completing the Christmas season, with snow-capped mountains and crystal blue lakes reflecting the beauty around as I snuggle up by the fireplace in a cabin with rustic furnishings, or perhaps slip slidding down the slopes ... Christmas isn't about any of that at all.

Well, let me digress and tell you about my little mishap on the mountains many years ago ;-)

Slip slides happen to those out of control ...
I once tried skiing during winter holidays in Nevada. Prior to that, the sport that I really ever knew was ballet. Needless to say, I was very flexible and walked with turned out feet (some say, like a duck!) The ski instructor said I should have no problems with skiing since I already danced and was flexible. I might as well dance on the slopes as well!

Let me be the first to tell you that dancers definitely don't make good skiers. Skiers' stance is completely the opposite from dancers. They form a wedge (with turned in feet), and adjust their feet, depending on which direction and how fast they want to go down the slope.

Skiers bend their body forwards with knees bent to keep the balance. Dancers pull up their bodies and create a invisible line from head to toe. They stand straight. They walk tall.

After the initial basic lessons on skiing, I was put on the ski lift and journeyed up the mountains. It was difficult enough to muster the courage to get on the lift and now I had to get off the lift. I couldn't the first time round, and they stopped the lift because everybody gets off.

When I finally did, I had to quickly ski around a tree (like doing the U-turn except this one's to the left!). After turning around, I immediately fell right into a pile of snow. Not wanting to embarrass my instructor and friend, I quickly got up and told them to go ahead down the slope ... I will eventually get there!

I tried going down the slope. My feet were naturally turned out, and I struggled to do the wedge, but each time I pushed off with the poles, my feet would naturally move away from the wedge and I find myself going downhill fast with feet in parallel - a nice compromise between turn out and wedge!

With my un-natural extended feet and skis, and the indecisiveness of my body - whether to stay turned out naturally or forcing the wedge - it wasn't far down on the slope before I fell into a heap. Laying on the slopes facing skyward but my legs somehow behind and next to my body.

The skis were still attached to my feet. No matter how flexible, I was not able to untangle myself. Luckily, nothing was broken. Feeling incredibly awkward in a twisted sort of position.

The kids noticed my distress and came around to see how they could help. I was eventually dis-entangled by ... what must have been eight to 1o year old kids! One of them even muttered, "How in the world did she get into such a position!" I was silent, face flushed.

The boys had to take the skis off my feet and help me bring one leg at a time around the side and place my legs back in their natural position. Needless to say, it took me awhile before I was able to put on my skis again.

By then, my friend must have come up the slopes again and slowly skied down the slopes with me ... I don't even remember if I skied some and walked sideways down the slopes from there on ... but I did make it down eventually to be able to tell you this story so many years later!

And no, I have not skied since!

The Miracle of Friendships, Relationships
Much like my attempted ski experience, life has been full of adventures. Some experiences were foreign to my nature and required much courage to get off the lift and get going.

Once the journey begins, it requires self discipline and manouevring to get things moving in the right direction. There were times when the speed picks up and things seem to get out of control.

And there are times when you end up in a heap, exhausted, and in temporary paralysis. This is where I experience God's goodness somehow - that in a state of hopelessness, many whom I had not noticed or paid much attention to (but who have been there all along) would come around and rally around you.

They come as friends, sharing their stories and their lives. Whether they were conscious of it, they were in fact helping me out of my entanglements and getting me back up on my feet again. They walk alongside me and together we sojourn through life together in this season.

On Christmas Day, On the road to recovery
I re-discovered the true meaning of Christmas and why this has got to be the most important season of any and every year.

Yes, I am thankful for my family, my friends, and newfound friends
I am thankful for having all that I have, for the new adventures, for growth
But most of all, I am thankful for the gift of Jesus Christ.

And it all begins with the heart ... my heart ...



Christmas isnt Christmas til it happens in your heart
Somewhere, deep inside you, is where Christmas really starts
So, give your heart to Jesus, youll discover when you do
That it's Christmas, really Christmas for you.

Jesus brings warmth like a winter fire, a light like a candles glow
He's waiting now to come inside, like He did so long ago
Jesus brings gifts of truth and life and makes them bloom and grow
So welcome Him with a song of joy, and when He comes you'll know

That Christmas isnt Christmas til it happens in your heart
Somewhere, deep inside you, is where Christmas really starts
So, give your heart to Jesus, youll discover when you do
That it's Christmas, really Christmas

Christmas, really Christmas
Christmas, really Christmas for you!

Contrary to what I had planned, Christmas turned out to be a very eventful day of feasting and the re-kindling of friendships. I thoroughly enjoyed the conversations and being part of their family. It was good. It was very good!

What of the journey ahead?
Will it be like going downhill on the the ski slopes? Will I find life going by too quickly? Or will I find myself crashing and forming a heap - a sign of the need to slow down? Or will it make up of all those experiences?

What I would rather do is learn to ski properly and get to the bottom of the slope gracefully. I would then like to go back up the slope and ski down again and again.

This should be my next adventure after I have learnt to scale the heights!

Pieces of the jigsaw puzzle ...

It's been so long since I posted an entry on my blog, so much so that it's difficult even to write one now. It's as if my mental energies have been diverted to something else that is so powerful that it has difficulty refocusing on the here and now ... or is this human nature's response to the pressures of post-module assignments that beg the much-needed attention.

The full-time learning environment at the National University of Singapore was a breath of fresh air. Having met 44 others from the United States, Denmark, Egypt, Hong Kong, Taiwan, The Philippines, Japan, Indonesia, and Singapore, the wealth of knowledge and a combined hundreds of years of experience makes the learning environment an incredibly rewarding one. This is indeed one of the unique selling propositions of the Executive MBA Program from both the Business Schools of the University of Singapore and the University of California, Los Angeles.

I wrote in my last post ...

While I see and understand, I also sense a burgeoning vision of great expanse that I am humbly aware that I actually don't see clearly and don't understand fully ...

Let me see your vision, dream your dreams
And paint them across the wide canvas of limitless skies
Thy kingdom come. Not my will, but yours be done ...

Pieces of the jigsaw puzzle began to fall into place during my two-week residential segment at the National University of Singapore. I admit there are many, many more pieces that are still making their way to the huge big board but isn't that how God is ... he reveals bits of information at a time and will eventually create a masterpiece of our lives. He doesn't reveal it all at once lest restless souls like mine get bored in the process of fulfilling our destinies.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Peace for a 1,000-mile journey

Without this, there's not a chance for me to get through this 15-month educational program in a meaningful way. I just knew in my heart that I was where I needed to be at this point in my life. This knowledge gave me the courage and strength to move forward ... No matter how tired I was from all the late nights or early mornings of studying, a certain peace silenced the fears and seeped into the depths of my heart and soul. Along with this, my appreciation for my classmates, lecturers and the topics of study increased with each passing day.

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Handpicked to be blessed

I loved how he brought like-minded people from all over the world to seek, knock, and find him in the midst of academia. In the midst of discussing our presentations, case studies, and concepts, he seemed to be actively working in our lives to reveal and remind us of who he is - our Father, Brother, and Friend who provides and stands by us to comfort and care for us. It did not matter how trivial or major the issues may be in our lives, he cared for them all just the same. And not to mention, the laughter that never fails to keep us alert and engaged in class.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Gifted to be a blessing

Everyone had a role to play. Each bringing his or her gift to the table. Each complementing the other to provide a more complete picture of what we were to learn from the Marketing, Leadership or Economics classes. I loved how he used newfound friends to reaffirm the gifts he has placed in my life. To be reminded that teaching is the ability to identify with the audiece's needs and communicate ideas in a way that helps them understand, appreciate and apply the concepts in their lives.

Just the other day, as mom and I journeyed to my office at the Twin Towers, she reminded me of my daily habits upon returning from primary school many years ago. I would quickly throw off my uniform and don my Tees and Shorts, dash to the green chalk board and begin scribbling the questions from my classes and textbooks. I would then teach my imaginery students, reading out each question, pausing and waiting for student responses. I would discuss the possible answers, and wave my large ruler in the air ... the thought of me doing this just cracks me up ... LOL!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Enjoying the journey

And not to mention, the little things that makes the overall new adventure exciting ... the first Spanish wine tasting session ... the first dinner at Jumbo Seafood Restaurant at Riverside ... the first Mojito at the Cuba Libere bar at Clarke Quay ... and many more to come ....

What a wonderful world

I've been feeling under the weather for almost a week now. Being the active person that I am, I've probably out done myself again - doing too many things and everything from climbing to knitting to working to making time to build friendships, and definitely not getting enough sleep.

Why am I rushing through life, seeking to do everything in the shortest time possible as if there's no tomorrow? ... Well, I guess the reality is there will come a day when there will be no tomorrow ... the question is when?

Since coming up with my resolutions for 2008, I am pleased with my progress with climbing. Having completed 10 private lessons with Mehdi from Camp5, the once impossible vertical routes or sometimes overhanging walls are now possible to climb with proper techniques. I still have a long way to go to build power and endurance, but I am glad I have basic techniques to better enjoy climbing and achieve greater heights.

The pursuit of furthering my education, though, seems delayed for the time being. As I wait for the check from the Employee's Provident Fund (EPF) to come through, I was thankfully comforted by an email titled:

The 'L I T T L E' things .

As you might know, the head of a company survived 9/11 because his son started kindergarten.

Another fellow was alive because it was his turn to bring donuts.

One woman was late because her alarm clock didn't go off in time.

One was late because of being stuck on the NJ Turnpike because of an auto accident.

One of them missed his bus.

One spilled food on her clothes and had to take time to change.

One's car wouldn't start.

One went back to answer the telephone.

One had a child that dawdled and didn't get ready as soon as he should have.

One couldn't get a taxi.

The one that struck me was the man who put on a new pair of shoes that morning, took the various means to get to work but before he got there, he developed a blister on his foot. He stopped at a drugstore to buy a Band-Aid. That is why he is alive today.

Now, when I am stuck in traffic,
miss an elevator,
turn back to answer a ringing telephone ...
or wait for weeks on end to hear from the EPF on a loan ... and finally receive a check in the mail only to find out that they got the currency and amount completely wrong (what in the world ...)
all the little things that annoy me.

And I think to myself, this is exactly where God wants me to be at this very moment.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I am midway through a nasty throat infection, cough and cold. The last two days, which happened to be Easter weekend was really tough going. I had in mind to go for Easter sunrise service this year before heading to the Sepang International Circuit to host colleagues and clients alike at the AT&T Williams Suite at the Paddock Club. (It was such fun at last year's Malaysian Grand Prix!)

I had to give it all up ... no Easter sunrise, no paddock club pass for the sickly poor me! Ended up catching the rather mundane Malaysian Grand Prix on telly. No skids. No out of control cars. And worse of all, no rain!

It's rather unbelievable for a country like tropical Malaysia to not experience rain in all but one of its 10 years of Malaysian Grand Prix races at the Sepang International Circuit.

Even the telly commentators said that it was remarkable that a country that experiences rain throughout the year with monsoon seasons and all remains dry every single year, without fail, when the Formula One race comes to town.

Our "Visit Malaysia" motto says it all - "Malaysia, truly Asia!" Where we are uniquely Malaysia. Where the all sorts of things can happen - just read the newspapers on the repercussions of the nation's political tsunami that took place on International Women's Day (8 March 2008). The seemingly impossible can become possible ... in wonderful Malaysia!

I digress ... back to the Malaysian Grand Prix. My favorite driver Lewis Hamilton of McLaren Mercedes didn't make a podium finish although he won the race a week before in Melbourne. Finnish Kimi Raikkonen from Ferrari Scuderia finished first, his second Malaysian Grand Prix win; the first being in 2003 when he was with McLaren Mercedes.

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I drove along aimlessly on the streets of Petaling Jaya today, just to get out of the house. Even my stuffed nose and watery eyes deserve a break from the four walls ;-)

I hear this play on Lite & Easy, and I couldn't help but sing along in my sexy, raspy voice ... oh, what a wonderful world ...



What a Wonderful World by Louis Armstrong

I see trees of green, red roses too
I see them bloom for me and you
And I think to myself what a wonderful world.

I see skies of blue and clouds of white
The bright blessed day, the dark sacred night
And I think to myself what a wonderful world.

The colors of the rainbow so pretty in the sky
Are also on the faces of people going by
I see friends shaking hands saying how do you do
They're really saying I love you.

I hear babies cry, I watch them grow
They'll learn much more than I'll never know
And I think to myself what a wonderful world
Yes I think to myself what a wonderful world.

...

If I look hard enough, I just may see

My country through God's eyes and sing

And I think to myself, what a wonderful world

Yes, I think to myself, you're wonderful Malaysia ...

*sigh*

It depends on who's on your side

When I look to the One who is larger than life itself and know that he has heard my prayer ...

To live with him in his house my whole life long.
I'll contemplate his beauty; I'll study at his feet.
That's the only quiet, secure place in a noisy world.
The perfect gateway, far from the buzz of traffic.
(Psalm 27: 4-5, The Message]

And when I hear this song and sing along, I sense the vastness of this God whom I worship and serve. I know that he is in charge, and my life is in his hands.



Almighty God by Tim Hughes

The rising Sun that fills the sky
The starry host that lights the night
Reflecting Your glory
The mountain heights, forever stand
The rain that falls to soak the land
Respond to Your glory

Almighty God, in every way
You are above and beyond understanding
If we did not praise, the rocks would cry out
Glorious God, high above understanding

The vast expanse of earth and sea
Held by You in harmony
Speaks of Your glory
All You've made, since time began
Life itself; Your perfect plan
And it's all for Your glory

Creation joins as one to sing
“Glorious God.”
So far above all earthly things

And my response ...

Light, space, zest - that's you, my God!
So with you on my side I'm fearless, afraid of no one and nothing.
[Psalm 27:1, The Message]

Would you believe it, after having experienced his presence and finding assurance of being by his side, I relaxed and was able to climb better and higher this afternoon.

Wise is good, decrepit is not!

It's officially the first Friday of 2008, and what do I do? I come home from work later than usual and turn on my PC. Determined not to check any emails, I turn to Facebook for some distraction. I receive a request to take a quiz to find out "what age do you act?"

OK, I can do this, and I was confident I would score well, too! Perhaps, the status of "Youthful Brilliance" or "Swanky 20s" or something to that effect. It's amazing as to the kind of questions that come up. Haven't heard of a third of the people, fashion or acted on the kind of behavior mentioned. Must be a minor who wrote the quiz!

I hit "Submit" after completing the quiz. And the results were shocking ...

Michele is Methuselah
That's it! No turning back, you have officially now received ancient status. Wrinkled prune, that people yell at for driving 20mph and you can't even remember what you say but you tell all of us the same story 20 times.


OH MY GAWD! I have officially been accorded the "ancient status." A wise, but decrepit "wrinkled prune" who can't even remember what I say and then tell it to my friends 20 times. Well, maybe not 20 times, perhaps 5 times!!!!!

I can't imagine what it would be like in another 10-20 years ... I would be history ... perhaps, a specimen on display in some museum.

But I am still so young, with many more oceans to cross and walls/rocks to climb ... so much more to experience and conquer!!!!!

Life doesn't seem fair, does it? Not very nice either. How rude! I am not "any living person with great age" as Wikipedia described the synonym of Methuselah.

OK, you have permission to Laugh Out Loud ... not funny.

Who cares what Wikipedia says! I am determined to live life to the fullest anyway. Time to upgrade myself.

I say "Go for it!" HAPPY 2008!

Changing tides in Similan - A renewed hope for 2008!

Sunset on board M/V Dolphin Queen

Photo courtesy of Vincent Ong

What a year 2007 has been. Looking back at my journal, I was reminded of the words and mental pictures that came to mind during New Year prayer week.

Stories of Bible characters such as Jesus' disciple Peter being "sifted", Daniel in the fiery furnace and Job losing everything except his own life. Back then, I remembered thinking, things are going good ... could these possibly be a picture of what 2007 could be like for me, and for many others as well?

And now, a year later, as I reflect on 2007, I accept that this past year has been a challenging year of sorts. A year that can be likened to the pendulum swinging from one joyful extreme of new adventures and achievements, to the other painful extreme of disappointments, disillusionment, and depression (as you could probably tell from the last many posts on my blog!).

And as the Chinese saying goes, "Feng Shui takes turns in spinning" which means to some, our wheel of fortune/luck turns (good times will not last forever, neither will bad times) and for others, the seasons of life that changes from Spring, Summer, Autumn, and Winter.

As I bid 2007 farewell, I recall the recent dive trip to Similan islands - the sunsets in the far horizons putting to bed the uneasy seasons of the past, the rise and fall of the waves (and of life's circumstances) of the Andaman Sea. I remember marvelling at the beauty of the full moon against a clear backdrop of starlit skies, and being fearful of the increasing strength of the ocean currents down below.

And perhaps, beyond the physical, the tides are changing; life's seasons are also changing; and yet some others like the superstitious Chinese will say, the wheel of fortune/luck is spinning and the good times will come again.

I came home last Thursday, 27th of December. I surfed the Astro TV channels and settled on the movie "Just My Luck" starring Lindsay Lohan and Chris Pine.

From the director of "How to Lose a Guy in Ten Days," comes a "funny, twist-of-fate comedy"!Lindsay Lohan lights up the screen as Ashley, the luckiest girl in Manhattan. But little does she know, her good fortune is about to change. When Ashley shares a kiss at a party with Jake, a bad luck magnet, they miraculously switch paths. Suddenly Ashley is plagued by one hilarious disaster after another, and Jake is headed for fame instead of failure. As she desperately races to find Jake and reverse her misfortune, Ashley discovers that her terrible twist-of-fate is the luckiest thing that ever happened to her.

A nice movie to wrap up the year as well. Seemingly bad things may not be all that bad after all. Here's to the changing tides, the dawn of a new season of hope, more adventures, and the fulfilment of our deepest desires!

Here's wishing you a happy new year. May we all learn to ride the waves and flow with the currents ... and most of all, live life to the fullest!

Hallelujah ... the natural breath!

I heard the song "Hallelujah" recently at the Starbucks next to Starhill Shopping center. It brought up feelings of the richness of life, of love, and ultimately of God, the awesome One whom I have entrusted my life, my dreams, my destiny ... and in spite of the imperfections that I have come to recognize ... yet He loves, loves, and loves. I am humbled by the past and overwhelmed by the future ... and I will breathe the natural breath "Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah."



Copyright © 1985 Leonard Cohen and Sony/ATV Music Publishing Canada Company.
I've heard there was a secret chord
That David played, and it pleased the Lord
But you don't really care for music, do you?
It goes like this
The fourth, the fifth
The minor fall, the major lift
The baffled king composing Hallelujah

Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah

Your faith was strong but you needed proof
You saw her bathing on the roof
Her beauty in the moonlight overthrew you
She tied you to a kitchen chair
She broke your throne, she cut your hair
And from your lips she drew the Hallelujah

Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah

Maybe I've been here before
I know this room, I've walked this floor
I used to live alone before I knew you
I've seen your flag on the marble arch
love is not a victory march
It's a cold and it's a broken hallelujah

Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah

There was a time you'd let me know
What's real and going on below
But now you never show it to me do you?
Remember when I moved in you?
The holy dark was moving too
And every breath we drew was hallelujah

Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah

Maybe there's a God above
And all I ever learned from love
Was how to shoot at someone who outdrew you
It's not a cry you can hear at night
It's not somebody who's seen the light
It's a cold and it's a broken hallelujah

Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

BLESSED CHRISTMAS & A HAPPY NEW YEAR!

May the LORD bless you and protect you.
May the LORD smile on you and be gracious to you.
May the LORD show you his favor and give you his peace.

I'll dance again

Have you ever read a lovely post and thought, "wow, that could be me?" then turn away and completely forget about it. And after going through a bit more of the ups and mostly downs in life, you re-visit that post or re-read it only to realize a greater sense of conviction and truth in the words and say, "that's me alright!"

What was different from the first time I read the post?

Sunday comes. Woke up just in time to get dressed and head for church. A foreigner named John was leading worship. Mike P and team was in town. I wasn't sure what God was going to say through this funny Greek but it sure was good seeing a slimmer, healthier, and younger looking Mike! There is certainly a new lease of life when one hits half time!

Mike talked about the idols in today's church - good looking people, the gifted/talented, and the ones with big personalities that make us laugh - we crave for these, and we subconsciously promote these while overlooking the less attractive, less gifted and boring folks in the pew.

How easy it is for us to be distracted by the ideals of the world and lose sight of the very things that matter the most in life. In the midst of worship, God calls us to build relationships with people; to be humble, give glory and perform to the audience of One - God; and uphold the people whom we love and who have the vision for God's mission, regardless of whether we think it's wise or not ... (it's probably better if you took time to personally listen to Mike P)

There is certainly so much more to life than the good looking, gifted and good laughs ... the altar call came for those who were desperate for more of God ... I found the peaceful presence of God a safe place. Tears streamed down my cheeks. I poured my heart out to the One who really knew how I felt, what I was going through, and knew what would be coming my way. And I knew in my heart that what he said was true, that a new day was coming ... and I will dance again ....

I re-read a friend's post that I had read a couple of months ago and thought ... I may have identified a little with this back then, but tonight, I can say, "That's me alright!"



I hope you dance by Lee Ann Womack
I hope you never lose your sense of wonder

You get your fill to eat but always keep that hunger

May you never take one single breath for granted

God forbid love ever leave you empty handed

I hope you still feel small when you stand beside the ocean

Whenever one door closes I hope one more opens

Promise me that you'll give faith the fighting chance

And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance

I hope you dance

I hope you dance

I hope you never fear those mountains in the distance

Never settle for the path of least resistance

Living might mean taking chances but they're worth taking

Lovin' might be a mistake but it's worth making

Don't let some hell bent heart leave you bitter

When you come close to selling out reconsider

Give the heavens above more than just a passing glance

And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance

I hope you dance (Time is a wheel in constant motion always)

I hope you dance (Rolling us along)

I hope you dance (Tell me who wants to look back on their years and wonder)

I hope you dance (Where those years have gone)

I hope you still feel small when you stand beside the ocean

Whenever one door closes I hope one more opens

Promise me that you'll give faith the fighting chance

And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance

Dance

I hope you dance

I hope you dance (Time is a wheel in constant motion always)

I hope you dance (Rolling us along)

I hope you dance (Tell me who wants to look back on their years and wonder)

I hope you dance (Where those years have gone)

(Tell me who wants to look back on their years and wonder)

I hope you dance (Where those years have gone)

In search of significance ... continued ...

Last night, I asked these questions after a series of disappointments in life:

Why does one even bother to get up each day and continue with life? Where does one muster the energy to wake up every morning and live on when the people around all seem to only be interested in getting their own agendas accomplished?

I come back from the usual Sunday outing and was pleasantly surprised to receive an email from fellow sojourners whom I met at a leadership training in Hawaii almost two years ago. During our convocation in early 2005 among an international audience, we all sang this song "Find us faithful" while I danced ... it was a very meaningful and powerful call upon our lives ... today, I recognize it as the impartation of a calling for each of us to live a life of significance.

May you also find this empowering as we journey towards becoming good stewards of all that we have been entrusted with in life ...

Artist: Steve Green on "Find us faithful"

FIND US FAITHFUL

We’re pilgrims on the journey of a narrow road
And those who’ve gone before us light the way
Cheering on the faithful, encouraging the weary
Their lives a stirring testament
To God’s sustaining grace

Surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses
Let us run the race, not only for the prize
But as those who’ve gone before us
Let us leave to those behind us
The heritage of faithfulness passed on through Godly lives

Oh, may all who come behind us find us faithful
May the fire of our devotion light their way
May the footprints that we leave, lead them to believe
And the lives we live inspire them to obey
Oh may all who come behind us find us faithful

After all our hopes and dreams have come and gone
And our children sift through all we’ve left behind
May the clues that they discover
And the memories they uncover
Become the light that leads them to the road we each must find

Oh, may all who come behind us find us faithful
May the fire of our devotion light their way
May the footprints that we leave, lead them to believe
And the lives we live inspire them to obey
Oh may all who come behind us find us faithful.

Have you been Hairspray-ed?

My friend asked the girls, "Hey, would you all like to see Hairspray next week?"

I asked, "Who's starring in it?"

She said, "John Travolta."

"Oh, I don't like watching John Travolta!" I sighed ... chatter, chatter, chatter ...

I ended up going with the flow and there I was at the Golden Screen Cinemas (GSC) in One Utama the week after. I wondered what the movie was about but didn't have time to find out.

The lead character Tracy Turnblad (played by newcomer Nikki Blonsky), a "plesantly plump" teenager comes on. She reminded me of the character from Ugly Betty - not as ugly but not the typical Hollywood beauty on the silverscreens either; although her bubbly personality and powerful voice made the movie come alive!

They used a lot of hairspray to create big hair and add extra inches to their height ... I guess that's why the movie was called Hairspray!

The 60s set reminded me of the musical film Grease, starring John Travolta and Olivia Newton John, and Grease 2, starring Maxwell Caufield and Michelle Pfeiffer. Both Travolta and Pfeiffer starred in the musical film Hairspray. They were young adults back in the Grease old days, and now they played parental roles in Hairspray ... I was a teenager back then, and now ...!

Some five minutes into the show, I was trying to recall if I had had any conversation with my friends with regards to the movie, what it's about and who's starring in it. I remembered John Travolta and began looking out for him. I didn't seem to spot him all that easily.

A ginormous woman comes on the screen. Super-sized knockers ... did they say it was 45 DD or 54 EEE? I don't remember, but whatever that number was, I don't remember selling any of those bra sizes while I worked part-time at Victoria's Secret during my dancing days back in the early 90s.

As you probably already guessed, this plus-sized woman named Edna Turnblad (Tracy Turnblad's mother) was played by John Travolta. A surprisingly interesting choice of character for Travolta ... he was awesome in this role - so big, so sweet, so cute, and so obesely graceful!

In the midst of the movie, I also had one of those revelations; I suddenly understood why it had to be a guy like Travolta playing an oversized woman in this movie. I don't think the producers would have been able to cast a more talented actor/actress with such great height, width and depth for a musical role such as Edna Turnblad. I loved it!

Hairspray is without doubt one of the corniest movies I have seen. But I thoroughly enjoyed it and it certainly has topped my list of favorite movies. There's even a local TV show in the movie called "The CORNY Collins Show." You've just got to see this movie to believe how corny but tasteful a movie can get!

On a more serious note, the movie addressed racial segregation and how it takes a few gutsy folks like the Turnblads to make a difference. The other reason I enjoyed the movie was because I believe in a colorful world made up of different peoples and nations, each bringing to bear the talents that God has given them and using such gifts to bless all those around them.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Have you ever experienced a situation where you were looking so intently for "something," and you immediately zoomed into the smaller details in search of that "something," when all this while it's been starring right in your face.

It happened to me when I dove Manado last year. We went muck diving in Lembeh and suddenly, everyone dove towards this huge, yellow blob that looked like a sponge. My dive instructor seemed to wave his pointer around the area of a black spot within the yellow blob. I went closer towards the black dot and wondered what I was supposed to be looking at. Thank God I didn't go too close or dive into the yellow sponge-looking thing ... it turned out that the "something" we were supposed to be looking at was a giant yellow frog fish (very poisonous) and the black spot was its eye.

The moral of the story is for us to know what the big picture is before zooming into the details. Otherwise, you would completely miss the point in life and end up wondering why the day-to-day details are the way they are in the first place.

I was reminded of this experience while seeing Hairspray. Tracy Turnblad discovers her purpose by being who she naturally was - someone who embraced being different and seeking to do the right thing despite the difficulties that come along with being different. Her purpose - to be a catalyst to disintegrating segregation and integrating the different people groups. The bigger picture was about the need to recognize and respect the many peoples who exist, all of whom had unique things to offer.

If only we can accept people for who they are, respect and embrace them for all they are meant to be, the world would be a much nicer and peaceful place to live.

I must learn to be less judgmental and give others the benefit of doubt more often than not because ...

"People who are different, their time is coming ... to shake things up!"

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Have you been Hairspray-ed?

If not, I highly recommend you go see it soon.

Christians@Work, 24-7

Glorious Sunday. The singing of a prayerful song that being a Christian is not only about attending Sunday worship celebrations or prayer meetings or baby dedications or funerals or Easter and Christmas, but being a Christian is about being a follower of Christ. It is allowing God to be apart of every aspect of our lives, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Here's the song that was so beautifully sung by Huey and team today:

GOD IN MY LIVING
There in my breathing
God in my waking
God in my sleeping
God in my resting
There in my working
God in my thinking
God in my speaking

Be my everything
Be my everything
Be my everything
Be my everything

God in my hoping
There in my dreaming
God in my watching
God in my waiting
God in my laughing
There in my weeping
God in my hurting
God in my healing

Be my everything
Be my everything
Be my everything
Be my everything

Christ in me
Christ in me
Christ in me the hope of glory
You are everything

Christ in me
Christ in me
Christ in me the hope of glory

Be my everything

Tim Hughes Copyright © 2005 Thankyou Music

Somewhere over the rainbow ...

Life continues to be full of challenges. Despite having come back from a dive trip at Bali over Merdeka holidays, I continue to feel a heavy burden in life. I am the sort of person who normally thoroughly enjoys holidays, new adventures, and living life to the fullest. But somehow, I must admit, life has been tough ... including my holiday in Bali.

For the first time in a long time, I actually didn't achieve what I set out to do. The Bali dive trip happened because I wanted to see the ocean sunfish Mola Mola. The fish, about 3-4 meters tall, are usually spotted at the Crystal Bay dive site. We braved the huge swells of ice cold waters (16 to 24 degrees celcius), strong currents with upward and downward drifts, and depths beyond 30 meters hoping for a glimpse of this rare fish that only comes around to Bali in August. Instead, the few memorable dive moments were the graceful manta rays gliding at the choppy surface, blue spotted rays and stingrays at sandy bottoms of the Manta Point dive site.

Sunset at Lembongan island, Bali

I left Bali, though happy to have met great people and eaten the best Balinese foods (Babi Guling & Bebek Dengil), with a tinge of disappointment ... of dreams unfulfilled! Now, I would have to go back to Bali, brave the huge swells and icy cold waters for another opportunity to meet with Mola Mola.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Tonight, I had the privilege of enjoying the Latin Jazz music of dramatic conductor Jacomo Bairus and Latin grammy award winning flautist Nestor Torres at the Dewan Philharmonic Petronas at the Petronas Twin Towers. I fell in love with the rich Latin Jazz rhythms with differentiated renditions of Besame Mucho and Over the Rainbow. Music from the flute awakened my imagination and evoked emotions deep within.

The final Nestor Torres rendition of Over the Rainbow was breathtaking. As an introduction to the song, Torres talked about the significance of Malaysia due to the difficult times the nation has been through and how thr growth and maturity of the nation was dependent on the "stormy" decades and refreshing light rains. Coupled with the sun rays, Malaysia is today like a rainbow of hope to others.

I recognized the stormy season and burdensome journey I am undergoing, when everything seems to be doom and gloom. It is a time of growing pains. A time of new challenges. I was reminded of how absolutely necessary it is for me to cling on to God in whom I trust and embrace everything that he is doing, and allow him to carry me through this time so that I may one day see that rainbow of hope and acknowledge how great God is and how far he has brought me.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Wikipedia gives further insight into the classic Over the Rainbow, popularized by Judy Garland:

"Over the Rainbow" is a popular song with music by Harold Arlen and lyrics by E.Y. Harburg). It was written to showcase Judy Garland's talents in the star vehicle movie The Wizard of Oz, and it became her signature song. She would forever be called upon to sing it in all her public appearances.

The song's plaintive melody and simple lyrics depict a pre-adolescent girl's desire to escape from the "hopeless jumble" of this world, from the sadness of raindrops to the bright new world "over the rainbow." It expresses the childlike faith that a door will magically be opened to a place where "troubles melt like lemon-drops".



Many years have gone by since Judy Garland sang Over the Rainbow. The song continues to be a favorite that evokes a sense of hope that there is indeed something great at the end of a difficult journey.

Here's another voice as if angels were singing a song of hope to the downtrodden ...

Of integrity and burps ...

It all started with integrity and ended up with a burp!

The past few weeks seemed to have gone by so slowly. It must have been the hardest weeks of my life and truth be told ... I am not sure when this difficult season is going to be over. I have never felt so stressed, mentally drained and physically exhausted.

I taught a class on Christians@Work and how having integrity is so important for Christians. By "integrity" I mean knowing who we are in God (our identity) and living out a life that is reflective of who we say we are and what we say we will do.

And so the test began ...

I found myself suddenly overloaded with work. I blew most of my deadlines. Everyone was edgy. And to top it all, Murphy's Law was at work. Whatever that could possibly go wrong, went wrong. Everything was urgent, and things just didn't go as planned. From having your company's speaker arriving at the wrong hotel to having your company name spelt "ASS ...." on the meeting room door and many more! The most frustrating thing was, it was all completely out of my control.

Time out came this weekend. I went for a four-hour massage spa and cremebath. It was heavenly beginning with a sauna then a body scrub followed by a 90-minute body massage and ending with a cremebath for my hair. But I must say, it was one of the most noisy massages I have ever been through. The Indonesian masseuse kept burping throughout the massage from the time she started massaging my feet all the way through to my shoulders and arms when I was given the cremebath.

I was later told that I was the reason for all that noise (burp!) from the masseuse. Apparently this is a common occurance when Malay or Indonesian massuese massages her customers. If the "wind" that's accumulated in your body does not come out from the customers via burps or farts then it gets passed on to the masseuse and she would have no choice but to release the "wind" by burping. Well, I must say it was my first time experiencing a burping masseuse.

Well ... it is also the most stressful time I have ever been in!

Given all the misfortunes in my life of late, frankly, I am just thankful that it wasn't me burping or farting away. It would have been an extremely embarrassing moment considering my colleague was just next door!

Anyway, moral of the story is life sucks from time to time. Sometimes, having done all, things can still go very wrong. There's no right or wrong nor should one be pointing the finger at someone else or oneself.

I still haven't got it all figured out. It there was one thing I learnt through this time so far, it's to have a clear conscience that I have done my best and it's now time to trust God to do the rest. The burps, tears and laughter in the low seasons help release tension and provide a good night's sleep.

I highly recommend massages to get through tough times. The next time you go through one, remember "Burp!"

A Time to Pause

Life has been hectic of late. While I absolutely loved the travelling adventures in June, I did come home to a very busy life. I struggled with a sense of disorientation and perhaps, discontentment. And before I know it, July is almost gone!

I continue to remind myself that life is filled with ups and downs; otherwise, we would not be able to fully enjoy the ups and grow up during the downs!

This weekend has been a time of literally doing nothing - it was as a result of reading a blog entry by the senior pastor of Christian Life Gospel Center about taking time out to "pause."

Does this necessarily mean that we need to change whatever we are doing? Possibly, but I think God actually wants to go deep and look into our hearts. It is not so much what we are doing but why and how we are living. I believe God is taking us to a place where He wants to work on our "being" first so that our "doing" comes out of who we are i.e. our being. I feel as if God is doing a work of re alignment in our lives and that involves coming back to our first love as many have shared. But I think more than that, He is re-creating us and teaching us new ways of living and being. It's a deep work and we must make the time and space for God to dig deep and work in us.

In my moments of "pause," I was reminded of the movie "One Night with the King" which I recently saw with a group of friends. The story was about the bible character Esther, a peasant girl who became queen for such a time in history when her obedience to do what is right in God's eyes, despite the danger of losing her own life, saved a nation. The secular story of Esther is void of Christianese, yet it speaks volumes about God's sovereign move towards directing man's and the king's hearts toward fulfilling God's plan for his people.

In today's context, this was (once upon a time) my story within the corporate jungle filled with infamous characters surrounding money, sex, and power! It's a difficult story to tell and lest I cause you to hold your breath too long to the point of suffocation, let me assure you that I came out of this slightly scathed but definitely victorious. I survived to someday tell of God's sovereignty and faithfulness to his people ...

But today is not the day to tell this story! My story will have to wait for another time. Rather, the nuggets of truth that comes out of moments of "pause" was beautifully expressed by another this past Sunday. It was not a story of Esther, rather a story about the modern-day dealings with once-upon-a-time passions destroyed and made alive once again.

Take a moment to "pause" in life. Take time to listen to this! (Sunday Celebration Service, 22 July 2007)

Of eagles & new heights

"The Way of an Eagle" painting by Roberta Wesley

Though youths grow weary and tired,

And vigorous young men stumble badly,

Yet those who wait for the Lord

Will gain new strength;

They will mount up with wings like eagles,

They will run and not get tired,

They will walk and not become weary.

[Isaiah 40:30-31; NASB]

In stillness, waiting before God Almighty.

Searching the depths of my heart.

Calling to mind the things that made me feel "alive."

God. His Word. Worship. The dance. The marketplace ... new adventures!

The vision is now clearer. The identity re-affirmed. The call re-established.

I hunger. I thirst.

The journey continues.

New revelations. New adventures.

The purpose unfolds.

Poised to soar higher heights.

The destiny is certain.

An eagle 'mounts up' as it soars high into the sky, far above the plains below. When a storm breaks, the violent winds that lashes the earth also carry the eagle aloft to unscaled heights, above the storm clouds.

Desire the way of the eagle

Strong, courageous, and proudly independent.

Mount up with wings like eagles.

Free to roam the skies.