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Tuesday, 20 May 2008

  • When You Believe....

    I watched Prince of Egypt just now...

    The movie itself obviously doesn't follow the Bible perfectly (Moses is age 80 by the time he led the Israelites out of Egypt, as well as he does not call the pharaoh brother). I was watching the part where the Israelites came out of Egypt, with There Can be Miracles as overarching music. It's indeed a powerful sequence, even for an animation movie. Also in the end when God parted the Red Sea and how God delivered them from the Egyptian pursuit --- God was powerfully at work, and His action demanded faith from the Exodus generation. Yet, I can't help but think of part 2 of their life...

    Of all the happy faces depicted in movie coming out of Egypt, only the children --- the Wilderness generation --- were able to enter the Promise Land. When Moses and the Israelite came to the outskirt of the Promise Land they sent spies to scout out the land. The Canaanites were powerful, strong, wealthy --- seemingly impossible to defeat. So the scouts came back and reported. Almost all of them thought it is impossible for the Israelites to conquer the land, and reported so. Only TWO of them --- Caleb and Joshua --- remained in faith, and urged the people to take hold of what God has promised them. If there is an animation for this part, I can picture the Israelite leaders convening, listening to the spies, many are discouraged at the news the spies bring. And in comes Caleb and Joshua,  intensely, declares that God has given them the land, implores their people to take hold of God's promise, to the point that they their clothes were torn. And you can hear "There Can Be Miracle, When You Believe"..a rallying cry that the animation would surely use. And in the perfect Hollywood script, the people will rally around Caleb and Joshua's cry, enter the promise land with God behind them, and take the land that God promised.

    ...yet their people decides to refuse God's promise. They refuse to take the step of faith, in stark contrast with the scenes depicted in Prince of Egypt, where the Hebrews started their journey towards the Promise Land. And because the Exodus generation refused to receive the promise, they stayed in the wilderness for 40 years --- until all of them died in the desert. God gave the promise land to their children -- after all, their children didn't make their decisions. It was their children  who decided to take on the promise of God, and they entered the promise land -- the ones who grew up in the wilderness, many of them born in the wilderness.

    It is impossible to not note, that the generation who saw God work mightily --- the plagues, the pillar of cloud and the pillar of fire, the parting of the Red Sea --- were also the ones who lost faith and decided to not take the promise that was theirs. If they can lose faith, then losing faith is game for all of us. It is not surprising that the authors of Hebrews used the Exodus generation, ancestors of their intended audience(writing to the Hebrews) to implore them to encourage each other to not lose faith. Let us also do that to each other, because there are times when the going gets tough, and we all wonder is God really there. So let us encourage each other to not lose faith, and in turn lose the blessing that God has in store for us =)

Wednesday, 09 April 2008

  • So I got tagged....

     

    1. At what age do you wish to marry?

    Um... anywhere from age 27~29? And considering that I'm already 23... it's awfully close.... AAHH!H!!! I can't imagine this being a real concern in my life. bleh.

    2. What will you do when you feel really emo?

    I listen to emo music. Dwell on the thoughts that makes me emo, which makes me even more emo. Or I go talk to Emily Mou. I Actually don't. There's a couple of time when I was really distressed about something, and I just cried and poured it all in front of God with prayer.

    3. Who is your idol?

    Someone I want to be like? In many ways, my father, but he also has qualities that I don't want to be like. But nevertheless, he's had great influence in my life.

    4. Where is the place that you want to go most?

    Honestly, heaven, because I really want to see how life is like there, being with God and stuff. On the Earth, England and the Great England Lawn Club for Wimbledon... mmmm those chocolate strawberries...

    5. If you have one dream to come true, what would it be?

    I want to be a popstar. In Taiwan.

    6. What is the purpose of your life?

    I've though long and hard on this topic. Obviously, purpose in life includes what God created us for, which is to worship him, as well as sharing the gospel. However, there's one more area which is the specific thing God desires us to do with our lives. With my spiritual gifts, I think God desires me to be friends with many.

    7. What are you afraid to lose the most right now?

    My family. I cannot imagine how different it would be if I lose one of them.

    8. What cheers you up for the rest of the day?

    Many things. But I believe if I'm not tired, then anything will cheer me up.

    9. If you meet someone you love, would you confess to him/her?

    Yes. But I'm of the camp of "three tier". I believe that you can have no feeling for a person, and you can like him/her, and you can love him/her. By the time I decide that, "yes, I do love her (in my case)" I better have already confessed that I like her.

    10. List out three good things of the person who tagged you.

    One of her quality that I like is that she cares. Intensely. For her friends, for her family, for her significant other (when he exist).

    Second one is her desire for true beauty. Now, "true beauty" is subjective most of the time, but that idealism is very favorable.

    Lastly, is that she's willing to talk about various things. I enjoy a good conversation. She's always willing to share about different things/topic that I find important to discuss.

    11. What type of person do you hate the most?

    I've never really thought of that question. I don't think though, I can be close with people who can't readily share about deeper things. What I mean is, I don't think I can connect with a friend who's shallow in their worldview.

    12. What would you do if you won a million dollars?

    Invest it, and collect dividends. so I don't have to work another day for the rest of my life.

    13. What is your ambition?

    To have enough time to pursue what God wants me to do w/ my life.

    14. What will you do if you got rejected by someone you like?

    This hasn't happened yet... I'm a shy boy growing up. I think it'll take me a long time to get over it though, speaking from similar, but not entirely "got rejected" experience.

    15. If you have a chance, which part of your character would you like to change?

    I want to have more confidence in myself, but talk less.

    16. What is your favourite colour?

    Light purple.

    17. What do you think is the most important thing in your life?

    God, because I truly wouldn't know how to face life when my worldview crumbles. Furthermore, relationship (family, friend, romantic, etc.) is also a very very important thing in my life. I treasure them.

    18. If there’s one thing in your life you want to do but yet unable to, what would it be?

    I want to be Spiderman. And I want Doraemon's Anywhere Door

    19. What would you do if tomorrow was the last day of the world?

    Attempt to share Christ w/ my cousin. Of all the people I loved enough, I pray dearly that she'll come to Christ.

    20. What are the requirements that you wish from your other half?

    I thought a lot about this, and I realize that whatever requirement goes down the drain when you're just, you know, in love, aka she's the one that you make all the exception for.

    No exception though, on she needs to be Christian. It is not until recently that I'm reminded of another dimension of this issue. I believe that it's too difficult to be w/ someone who you can't share your deepest thought with, or doesn't have the same world view as you. Also, God calls us to not be yoked with unbelievers. These are all dandy stuff, and they're in my head since forever. BUT, recently, I've come to notice that another, and I think for me hits home more, reason is the possibility of hurting another person. Assume that you're in a relationship with a non-believer. It hurts that you can't share with her your deepest feeling. Also, she can't understand what her loved one is going through, and that's painful. When you realize the need to break and it comes to the breaking up point, it's IMPOSSIBLE to expect her to understand the reason, forcing you to lie unwillingly, and ultimately hurt one of the people you love. To realize that made me see "She needs to be a Christian" in another light. It's not for me, it's because I don't want to hurt her.

    That's probably the most important thing. Ultimately, I feel like she needs to complement me well. And obviously, that is subjective, because I'd like some things to be the same, some things to be opposite, so we can be effective as a team, family, etc.


    To honor the one among us that actually do(es?) the most quizzes, I tag Lue-Yee!

Thursday, 03 January 2008

  • Um... Year in Review survey...

    1. What did you do in 2007 that you'd never done before?
    Pay for my own insurance. Living with strangers.

    2. Did you keep your New Year's resolutions, and will you make more for next year?

    I dont remember I had any New Year's resolution, I don't know if I will make more for 2008.

    3. Did anyone close to you give birth?

    No.

    4. Did anyone close to you die?

    No

    5. What countries did you visit?

    Taiwan

    6. What would you like to have in 2008 that you lacked in 2007?

    The resolve to let God answer my prayer, rather than hoping that His answers will just drop from the sky.

    7. What date from 2007 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?

    Crossroads Grad Nite 2007, First day of work, December 31st, 2007--I had the best conversation about current life situation with one of my brothers at home.

    8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?

    graduating from college, find a job.

    9. What was your biggest failure?

    What I feel my biggest failure is not getting anywhere in life at a grand age of 23. Sometimes I feel like that's a bummer. Even though I KNOW in my mind that this thought is just Satan lying to me. The gift of at least knowing what are from God and what are from Satan is what keeps me going! Fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom!

    10. Did you suffer illness or injury?

    Nothing major. No. As a matter of fact, other than my baby-time-life-and-death situation I've never been really seriously ill.

    11. What were the best things you bought?

    A shirt from Abercrombie? i don't know maybe that signifies that I actually give thought about what I wear.

    12. Whose behaviour merited celebration?

    A lot of people I believe merits celebration. More importantly, if behaviors merits celebration in heaven, then we should be celebrating!

    13. Whose behaviour appalled you?

    I'd rather not name? That would be disrespectful. The only person that I can truly name whose behavior appalled me would be myself --- because I know a lot of my weaknesses and I can immediately reflect whenever I sin... even then, God asks us to become more like Him yet to not judge even ourselves.

    14. Where did most of your money go?

    Last year? daily living? rent? taxes? tuition?

    15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?

    Cal football season, life after graduation (also gets me really, really, really intimidated, and scared)

    16. What song will always remind you of 2007?

    Theme music -- 我愛黑澀會. It probably doesn't define me for 2007, but I'll remember this year as the year I started to watch...

    17. Compared to this time last year, are you:

    1. happier or sadder? Um, both? I was pretty happy as a last-semester-college guy. Working world present different challenges.
    2. thinner or fatter? FATTER! yay!
    3. richer or poorer? DEFINITELY richer. I work now.

    18. What do you wish you'd done more of?

    Xanga and write my thought down more! (Xanga need to pay me!) Sometimes I feel like my good thoughts goes away too quickly before I have the venue to record them... so I get lazy goes "eh... whatever"

    19. What do you wish you'd done less of?

    Waste time.

    20. How did you spend Christmas?

    On CE my family went to home church's Christmas' event. Hung out with Church ppl on Christmas Day.

    21. How will you be spending New Years?

    I've already done that, but we had a New Years' Eve gathering at my house with home fellowshippers!

    22. Did you fall in love in 2007?

    No, even though MANY around me wishes that it happens in the near future.

    23. How many one-night stands?

    0.

    24. What was your favorite TV program?

    Um, 我愛黑澀會. See which celeb I fancy the most section.

    25. Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year?

    No. Hate is a strong word that I don't think could be used lightly. Just as love is a strong word.

    26. What was the best book you read?

    How To Be A Millionaire God's Way

    27. What was your greatest musical discovery?

    Err... still trying to harmonize properly...

    28. What did you want and get?

    Job? Graduation? I suppose at least at this point it is God's plan for my life.

    29. What did you want and not get?

    Knowing completely God's plan for my life. This also reflect how much I desire control in my life... except my feeble probably cannot hold the expansiveness of God's plan for me at this point...

    30. What was your favorite film of this year?

    Evan Almighty! *nod in approval*

    31. What did you do on your birthday?

    Spent time with family, I believe, they were up in SJ on my b-day.

    32. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?

    Cal making the BCS... beating USC so we can rush the field...

    33. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2007?

    Gotten better.

    34. What kept you sane?

    Nothing drove me insane.

    35. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?

    陳建州. Good Christian, he has a pure heart.

    36. What political issue stirred you the most?

    Political issue? I think it's more about the people in politic. I pray that God raise us true and honest and God-fearing men and women in politic.

    37. Who did you miss?

    Originally I thought about my college friends, but I see them from time to time and it doesn't constitute that much "missing".

    But I definitely will miss: Tiffany Wang and Allison Kwan --- they're some of the coolest ppl I've got to met in my life, and I don't know when I'll get to see them again? Except online?

    38. Who was the best new person you met?

    The Chens, though not related: Stephanie Chen and Tim Chen

    39. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2007.

    Life is like a box of chocolate --- ravaged by girls (and ProfX), leaving only wrappers.

    Just kidding.

    Mmmm... Realizing that when God wants to do something, He has his PLAN, his WAY, and his  TIMING. At times we want our way and our timing and our own plan, but it doesn't work that way.

    40. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year.
    Mmmm... to sum it up... I think this year I've been touch every time I'm reminded of Jesus' sacrifice on the cross. It's this primal emotion (however not-outwardly-exhibited) that I have whenever I heard music, sermon, etc. about that. It's a good reminder of why I'm Christian -- because Jesus died and came back alive three days later -- if that didn't happen my world view would break completely apart and I would be scared to death at facing my life in some other fashion. Thus...

    At the cross I bow my knee   Where Your blood was shed for me   There's no greater love than this

    You tore the veil, you made the way, when you said, that, "It is done!"


Thursday, 11 October 2007

  • New Music: Love's Beautiful

    ===EDIT=====

    after wrestling with IMEEM, it only allows 30 second clips on widget, for the full music..
    http://hasegawa.imeem.com/music/vKXJp4tZ/beautiful_love/

    So once again, xanga-record my music. Hopefully people will like this one.

    看住時間 別讓它再流浪
    從前我 太適應悲傷
    你的出現在無意中 卻深深撼動我
    一起走著 沒說什麼 心是滿足的

    這個世界 隨時都要崩塌
    我沒有 其他的願望
    假如明天將消失了 趁現在我愛著
    只想記得 被你抱著 溫熱的感受

    Love's beautiful so beautiful
    我失去過 更珍惜擁有
    多慶幸我是我 被你疼愛的我
    緊緊牽住的手 不要放手 永遠守護我

    Love's beautiful so beautiful
    我很快樂 你會了解我
    我不會再哭泣 是因為我相信
    我們勇敢的愛著 每秒鐘 都能證明 一生的美麗

    這個世界 隨時都要崩塌
    我沒有 其他的願望
    假如明天將消失了 趁現在我愛著
    只想記得 被你抱著 溫熱的感受

    Love's beautiful so beautiful
    我失去過 更珍惜擁有
    多慶幸我是我 被你疼愛的我
    緊緊牽住的手 不要放手 永遠守護我

    Love's beautiful so beautiful
    我失去過 更珍惜擁有
    多慶幸我是我 被你疼愛的我
    緊緊牽住的手 不要放手 永遠守護我

    Love's beautiful so beautiful
    我很快樂 你會了解我
    我不會再哭泣 是因為我相信
    我們勇敢的愛著 每秒鐘 都能證明 一生的美麗
    Love's beautiful so beautiful

Tuesday, 02 October 2007

  • Let's see...

    Proverbs 3...

    verse 3: Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart.

    verse 7: Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and shun evil.

    verse 27-28: Do not withhold good from those who deserve it, when it is in your power to act. Do not say to your neighbor, "come back later; I'll give it tomorrow" -- when you now have it with you.

    verse 31-32: Do not envy a violent man, or choose any of his ways, for the Lord detests a perverse man but takes the upright into his confidence.