A good show engages the audience. That is why I got excited by shaking hands with Eason and Lam, and going out in the mosh pit to grab their signed tennis ball, as the atmosphere makes you want to do that. Normally I would not do that, but Eason was so good in creating a fun atmosphere.
A good show will continue no matter what happens. Eason and Lam continued their show even though they had to make small talks during the show to determine who sings first. We had to continue with our Good Friday service even though someone stumbled during the bible reading.
Audience is very important. During the Good Friday service, I was still reflecting on the sermon when sining the response hymn, and after the first line my mind went blank. Luckily, the audience was loud in their singing and that got me going again. The enthusiam of the audience in singing the songs encourages us to lead the service.
Atmosphere is also very important. During the Hillsong Easter service, the use of smokes enhanced the performance of Rebecca St James. We used candles and soft lighting to enhance the mood of our Good Friday service.
Once the show ends, there is a feeling of loss. This applies to the organiser of the show. However, even though the show has ended, its effects continue to live on in the hearts of the audience. Hopefully, the message of Easter is in the hearts of the audience attending the Good Friday service (just like Eason's songs are entrenched in my heart at the moment making me wanting to sing karaoke).
Monday, April 17, 2006
Wednesday, April 12, 2006
Equination part 2
The game is so frustrating!! You spend hours studying pedigrees of horses. You try to breed your mares to the perfect stallion. You look through the sales board to find cheap high quality horses that people discarded as they don't have enough patient. You build up your stable with quality lined horses, and you expect that after a few training sessions, they will do well.
But they don't. Some even went backwards. Why? They got perfect lines, and yet they suck on the track. Should I sell or keep training?
It is so ironic that the best horses in my stable at the moment are old horses aged over 10 years old. And these horses I should have retired years ago. All my new stock suck.
I need to have more patience to train them, and hopefully they can bring me back some money soon.
If you want to play, please log in through the banner below. Join up and become a basic member like me (free). I will give you a few of good lower level horses for you to begin with.
But they don't. Some even went backwards. Why? They got perfect lines, and yet they suck on the track. Should I sell or keep training?
It is so ironic that the best horses in my stable at the moment are old horses aged over 10 years old. And these horses I should have retired years ago. All my new stock suck.
I need to have more patience to train them, and hopefully they can bring me back some money soon.
If you want to play, please log in through the banner below. Join up and become a basic member like me (free). I will give you a few of good lower level horses for you to begin with.
Knowing others
Just found out at drinks last night that one of our collegues is going through a really difficult time at the moment, as his sister is undergoing treatment for cancer. He did not tell anyone about it, even though he has been locked in his room looking really depressed and stressed out in the last few months. We feel bad as none of us knew what was happening, and the only reason one of us found out was that his mom rang, and he was not there to pick up his phone, and his mom left a message with one of the secretaries telling him that his sister was out of a cancer operation.
You don't expect to grow so close to people that you work with, but you do. You see them everyday, you talk to them and you work with them. You understand their strengths and weaknesses, and you form a special kind of bond with them. And when they are in trouble, you want to care for them, but maybe the work enviornment doesn't allow you to do that easily.
I feel guilty as I know he has been down, so I have been going into his room once in a while and talking to him about random stuff to take his mind off his stress, not realising that he is going through this. Maybe he just needs some time alone to think through things.
Ironically, you expect that love and care from a religious institution, not a corporate profit-driven law firm.
You don't expect to grow so close to people that you work with, but you do. You see them everyday, you talk to them and you work with them. You understand their strengths and weaknesses, and you form a special kind of bond with them. And when they are in trouble, you want to care for them, but maybe the work enviornment doesn't allow you to do that easily.
I feel guilty as I know he has been down, so I have been going into his room once in a while and talking to him about random stuff to take his mind off his stress, not realising that he is going through this. Maybe he just needs some time alone to think through things.
Ironically, you expect that love and care from a religious institution, not a corporate profit-driven law firm.
Wednesday, April 05, 2006
Helpless
We are so limited in our ability to help others. We feel their pain, we empathise with them, we show our care to them. But we are not able to relieve them from the emotional torture they are going through. Ironically, we understand what they are going through, and in some way you are able to acknowledge their situation, but its hard to find a concrete solution for them. Maybe we are all in the same situation already, and all of us are trying to find a solution. Such a solution may not come from a change in physical situation or the existence of a certain person, but may only come about as a result of our spiritual realisation.
Saturday, April 01, 2006
Why?
When I first meet a person, and she is already dating, I would not even consider her as a potential partner even if we develop a close friendship, as I think that such actions are inappropriate and unethical.
Ironically, if they do ever break up, it will be hard to consider her again, since both of us see each other as friends only and it will be weird for another relationship to be developed between us.
Ironically, if they do ever break up, it will be hard to consider her again, since both of us see each other as friends only and it will be weird for another relationship to be developed between us.
3luv4all
Loving God, loving others and loving ourselves are not three separate kinds of love. You will need to understand and love yourself, before you are able to love others and love God. If you don't love others, you can't claim that you love God. These three loves are interconnected with one another and not indepedent.
Its easy to love people that we connect with. Its hard to love people that have a grudge against you or people that you can't stand. If we can't love them, we can't claim that we truly love God.
Its easy to love people that we connect with. Its hard to love people that have a grudge against you or people that you can't stand. If we can't love them, we can't claim that we truly love God.
Office politics
Feel like being used as a pawn at the moment for office politics between the higher authorities. I should be diplomatic, but I can't since there is a strong sense of what is correct and ethical in this case. I can only try to escape by burying myself in current tasks, but I must face it eventually. The timing is all wrong as this may adversely affect my ability to be promoted.
And the irony is that the promotion only matters to me because I think I deserve it, not that I really desire it. But I still want it to happen.
Who understands the dilemma? Not even my collegue fully appreciates the situation. People outside the industry wouldn't understand either.
And the irony is that the promotion only matters to me because I think I deserve it, not that I really desire it. But I still want it to happen.
Who understands the dilemma? Not even my collegue fully appreciates the situation. People outside the industry wouldn't understand either.
Monday, March 20, 2006
Showing or Lacking Love?
How much love do we show? Some recent observations about events happening around me:
1. People complaining others not showing love, but they themselves won't do anything but are only content in complaining.
2. People happily willing to spend the night at someone's place to play games and have fun, and they are more than willing to allow the homeowner to clean their mess in front of them afterwards.
3. People abusing our love and trust of others, expecting others to be there for them when it is convenient for them and ignoring us when we are of no value.
4. People only showing concern at events, but do not show any concern about the root cause of such events, and the impact it has on people. People only show concern to those who are directly affected by the event, but show no concern to us who are greatly affected indirectly by the event.
5. People not realising how much we've done for them and show no appreciation for what we've done, taking things for granted and abandoning us when things don't work out anymore.
The fact that I am posting this shows that I may be guity as well.
1. People complaining others not showing love, but they themselves won't do anything but are only content in complaining.
2. People happily willing to spend the night at someone's place to play games and have fun, and they are more than willing to allow the homeowner to clean their mess in front of them afterwards.
3. People abusing our love and trust of others, expecting others to be there for them when it is convenient for them and ignoring us when we are of no value.
4. People only showing concern at events, but do not show any concern about the root cause of such events, and the impact it has on people. People only show concern to those who are directly affected by the event, but show no concern to us who are greatly affected indirectly by the event.
5. People not realising how much we've done for them and show no appreciation for what we've done, taking things for granted and abandoning us when things don't work out anymore.
The fact that I am posting this shows that I may be guity as well.
Sunday, March 19, 2006
Reality of Full Time Ministry in Chinese Churches
At a recent training day, a pastor mentioned that you would know that you are suitable for full time ministry when someone is willing to pay you for it. Several issues flow out of this:
1. Would you be comfortable in taking money for doing God's work? And if you are, then you would want to do it well. But whether a pastor is doing his job well or not is very subjective. What is the measure? If the deacons think you are doing a bad job (but the congregation thinks to the contrary) and you are 'fired' as a result, does that mean you are not suitable for full time ministry? Or should you just change to a different church, although you are attached to the people you are pastoring in your old church? Or should you fight to stay in your old church for the sake of those people you are pastoring as you don't want to abandon them without a leader.
2. Demanding a certain level of remuneration is contrary to the idea of taking up your cross for doing ministry. And on one level you need to have faith in God's providence, but on another level, if a church wants someone that is good, should they pay them a reasonable amount to attract quality candidates to the role as a pastor. I am not talking about smaller churches, but those large churches who have more than enough funding but are not willing to put out the money to attract quality people to be pastors. Maybe this is a process from God for the individual to see whether they are willing to bear the costs of taking such a role. Or maybe we can learn from Hillsong churches.
3. Although in alot of respects, the culture of Anglo churches would suit us more than Chinese churches, the reality is that it is more effective for Chinese to reach to Chinese, even if we speak in English. Does that mean that we need to persevere and endure the inefficiencies of the Chinese church structure and have patience for slow changes to be made over time?
1. Would you be comfortable in taking money for doing God's work? And if you are, then you would want to do it well. But whether a pastor is doing his job well or not is very subjective. What is the measure? If the deacons think you are doing a bad job (but the congregation thinks to the contrary) and you are 'fired' as a result, does that mean you are not suitable for full time ministry? Or should you just change to a different church, although you are attached to the people you are pastoring in your old church? Or should you fight to stay in your old church for the sake of those people you are pastoring as you don't want to abandon them without a leader.
2. Demanding a certain level of remuneration is contrary to the idea of taking up your cross for doing ministry. And on one level you need to have faith in God's providence, but on another level, if a church wants someone that is good, should they pay them a reasonable amount to attract quality candidates to the role as a pastor. I am not talking about smaller churches, but those large churches who have more than enough funding but are not willing to put out the money to attract quality people to be pastors. Maybe this is a process from God for the individual to see whether they are willing to bear the costs of taking such a role. Or maybe we can learn from Hillsong churches.
3. Although in alot of respects, the culture of Anglo churches would suit us more than Chinese churches, the reality is that it is more effective for Chinese to reach to Chinese, even if we speak in English. Does that mean that we need to persevere and endure the inefficiencies of the Chinese church structure and have patience for slow changes to be made over time?
Wednesday, March 15, 2006
Equination
What better way to take my mind off troubles than playing online computer games.
I have always been fascinated by horses from a very early age. I like the way they move and the speed they get from racing. As I get older, I enjoyed seeing horse races, and later on, learnt about horses through the newspaper and the form guide. At one stage I was so familiar that I even looked at the sires and dams of horses.
I have never liked to gamble excessively, so this interest is purely for personal pleasure.
Anyway, I discovered a game at www.equination.net a few years agao. It is a very realistic horseracing game, where you are the trainer, and you train and breed horses and put them in races that rates from Starter Allowance level to Group 1 level. A very addictive game. I have asked my friend to look after my account for me for 1.5 years but I recently picked it up again, and its so fun, buying and training horses, and looking at their lines and trying to find a bargain and train a winner. Most of my horses are now quite old (over 10) and I have retired them to the breeding barn. Some are still racing at 14. Very unrealistic. But the whole game is really fun and time consuming but I guess if you are not a horse lover, you will find it boring and slow.
I have always been fascinated by horses from a very early age. I like the way they move and the speed they get from racing. As I get older, I enjoyed seeing horse races, and later on, learnt about horses through the newspaper and the form guide. At one stage I was so familiar that I even looked at the sires and dams of horses.
I have never liked to gamble excessively, so this interest is purely for personal pleasure.
Anyway, I discovered a game at www.equination.net a few years agao. It is a very realistic horseracing game, where you are the trainer, and you train and breed horses and put them in races that rates from Starter Allowance level to Group 1 level. A very addictive game. I have asked my friend to look after my account for me for 1.5 years but I recently picked it up again, and its so fun, buying and training horses, and looking at their lines and trying to find a bargain and train a winner. Most of my horses are now quite old (over 10) and I have retired them to the breeding barn. Some are still racing at 14. Very unrealistic. But the whole game is really fun and time consuming but I guess if you are not a horse lover, you will find it boring and slow.
Sunday, March 12, 2006
Discouragement
We are supposed to encourage one another and love one another as brothers and sisters in Christ. But often, the reality is more about discouragement between brothers and sisters than encouragement.
In church, if people do a good job at something, there is no encouragement from others. But if there is a small problem, people become critical and judgemental towards you. Why are we like that? Getting the congregation together to talk about how to improve the Sunday services through administrative tasks only results in expressions of personal opinions as opposed to finding a way to enhance our experience of God through worship. Noone talked about how we can be closer to God through worship. We just talked about insignificant things like how to better set out the bulletin. We did not even discussed how we can be drawn closer to God and glorify Him through worship, which should be the reason why we are at church on Sundays. We can say we would like this or that, but when it comes down to implementation, noone is willing to help. How can we change if we lack resources? Why do they even raise it in the first place if there is no solution? Why can't they understand that we lack resources and that I am doing the best I can with what I am given.
And how about parents trying to intervene with their children. If their children comes to me to talk about their problems, and as a mentor I try to spend time with them and talk to them, then don't blame me if they actually do something which is not what the parent wanted them to do. Ironically, in a lot of cases, I am only there as a listener, and try to direct them to think of the reasons why they do certain things. And in alot of cases, I am actually on the side of the parents rather than the kids. If the kids don't listen to me and go and do their own thing, why blame me? I've done the best I can. Ultimately its up to that person to make up their mind as to what they want to do. Why do the parents accuse me of swaying their kids away from them when in fact I am trying to do the opposite in most cases. Why can't the parents confront me about it, but instead they talk about me behind my back? Why can't they appreciate the fact that I spent my own personal time, often sleeping only four hours per night for the whole week, talking to their kids on the phone to help them in critical times, when their kids can't even talk to their parents about it. Why do they like to blame others where ultiamtely they should be the one who should be reflecting on why they were not able to communicate with their kids in the first place. It doesn't help if the kids are using me as an excuse to their parents to justify their own actions.
I actually don't mind people that try to do things and know their own limitations. I dispise people that try to tell the world they are doing everything, but in fact they have done nothing but talk. It is even more sad if all they want is power, and not willing to do anything. At least a woman with a baby knows her own limitations and enlists the help of others. What about the independent woman who tries to implement all these ideas and criticises others, but she doesn't even see that her incapacity in doing a simple task (such as teaching) is causing people to turn away from church. How can I work with this person, especially if I used to respect her in the past?
God, I am weak... let me see your glory and my own flaws instead of seeing the flaws of others... Amen
In church, if people do a good job at something, there is no encouragement from others. But if there is a small problem, people become critical and judgemental towards you. Why are we like that? Getting the congregation together to talk about how to improve the Sunday services through administrative tasks only results in expressions of personal opinions as opposed to finding a way to enhance our experience of God through worship. Noone talked about how we can be closer to God through worship. We just talked about insignificant things like how to better set out the bulletin. We did not even discussed how we can be drawn closer to God and glorify Him through worship, which should be the reason why we are at church on Sundays. We can say we would like this or that, but when it comes down to implementation, noone is willing to help. How can we change if we lack resources? Why do they even raise it in the first place if there is no solution? Why can't they understand that we lack resources and that I am doing the best I can with what I am given.
And how about parents trying to intervene with their children. If their children comes to me to talk about their problems, and as a mentor I try to spend time with them and talk to them, then don't blame me if they actually do something which is not what the parent wanted them to do. Ironically, in a lot of cases, I am only there as a listener, and try to direct them to think of the reasons why they do certain things. And in alot of cases, I am actually on the side of the parents rather than the kids. If the kids don't listen to me and go and do their own thing, why blame me? I've done the best I can. Ultimately its up to that person to make up their mind as to what they want to do. Why do the parents accuse me of swaying their kids away from them when in fact I am trying to do the opposite in most cases. Why can't the parents confront me about it, but instead they talk about me behind my back? Why can't they appreciate the fact that I spent my own personal time, often sleeping only four hours per night for the whole week, talking to their kids on the phone to help them in critical times, when their kids can't even talk to their parents about it. Why do they like to blame others where ultiamtely they should be the one who should be reflecting on why they were not able to communicate with their kids in the first place. It doesn't help if the kids are using me as an excuse to their parents to justify their own actions.
I actually don't mind people that try to do things and know their own limitations. I dispise people that try to tell the world they are doing everything, but in fact they have done nothing but talk. It is even more sad if all they want is power, and not willing to do anything. At least a woman with a baby knows her own limitations and enlists the help of others. What about the independent woman who tries to implement all these ideas and criticises others, but she doesn't even see that her incapacity in doing a simple task (such as teaching) is causing people to turn away from church. How can I work with this person, especially if I used to respect her in the past?
God, I am weak... let me see your glory and my own flaws instead of seeing the flaws of others... Amen
Streams of Praise 2006
My first time at a Mandarin Christian concert. I enjoyed it alot as I knew alot of the songs there. Thank God for giving me the wisdom to understand mandarin, so that I can have an insight into their sharings and prayers.
I enjoyed Hillsong more though, the atmosphere was more relaxed and people were more free to convey and express their emotions. Streams of Praise was a little forced in alot of respect, especially the actions to songs which they devised.
Looking forward to praising God with our voices as we live in His glory forever in heaven!
I enjoyed Hillsong more though, the atmosphere was more relaxed and people were more free to convey and express their emotions. Streams of Praise was a little forced in alot of respect, especially the actions to songs which they devised.
Looking forward to praising God with our voices as we live in His glory forever in heaven!
Sunday, March 05, 2006
Hillsong Concert 2006
"How great is our God, sing with me, how great is our God..."
Seeing thousands of pepople coming together to praise Him, lifting their hands up in reverence to our Lord, dancing away for Him because we are free from the bondage of our sins. Being drowned in the music, as we reflect on our own relationships with God. Seeing people willing to be converted to God, through the gospel message exposed in the music. Seeing people releasing all prohibitions to praise and worship our God. All these are like seeing a slice of heaven on earth.
Although Hillsong has their issues such as the prosperity doctrine and commercialism of religion, most of us can still learn alot from them, especially from the way they worship our Lord. We tend to withdraw our emotions when we are singing praises to God. Maybe we should learn to set ourselves free, to come before God in worship just as we are, so that we can learn to experience God personally through worship.
I wanted to kneel down and thank God for his salvation during the songs about the death of Christ. I was happy dancing away when I realised that in the resurrected Christ, I am now free. As we sang the last song at the concert, I was trying to hold back tears as I remembered how great God is to each one of us.
It is disappointing that some people missed out on these experiences by attending the concert with preconceived judgemental ideas.
Seeing thousands of pepople coming together to praise Him, lifting their hands up in reverence to our Lord, dancing away for Him because we are free from the bondage of our sins. Being drowned in the music, as we reflect on our own relationships with God. Seeing people willing to be converted to God, through the gospel message exposed in the music. Seeing people releasing all prohibitions to praise and worship our God. All these are like seeing a slice of heaven on earth.
Although Hillsong has their issues such as the prosperity doctrine and commercialism of religion, most of us can still learn alot from them, especially from the way they worship our Lord. We tend to withdraw our emotions when we are singing praises to God. Maybe we should learn to set ourselves free, to come before God in worship just as we are, so that we can learn to experience God personally through worship.
I wanted to kneel down and thank God for his salvation during the songs about the death of Christ. I was happy dancing away when I realised that in the resurrected Christ, I am now free. As we sang the last song at the concert, I was trying to hold back tears as I remembered how great God is to each one of us.
It is disappointing that some people missed out on these experiences by attending the concert with preconceived judgemental ideas.
Cry of Battle
How do you continue to fight a battle when you are all alone? How do you fight when your troops don't even know that they are already engaged in battle? How do you use your troops if they are lazy and lacking experience, not willing to help or step up? How should you feel if your commander resigned, leaving all the troops behind without someone to lead them in battle, and leaving you crying out for someone to lead? How should you feel if other worthy generals leave as well, leaving the troops in the hands of unworthy generals who are there for ulterior motives instead of concentrating on the battle. How should you continue?
Should you still care for the troops if they don't even need your care, and don't understand how important the battle is? Should you still continue if the only battles your troops face are the battles between themselves?
Maybe our focus is not on inadequacies (whether they come from us or our troops) but on the true commander leading us, the Great One, who will lead us into victory. But maybe victory will come at a cost, a cost that may be too great for us to bear.
If noone is willing to pay the cost, then why is there a troop in the first place?
Maybe they will only appreciate when all worthy generals are gone. But even then, they may be too ignorant to know the difference.
Should you still care for the troops if they don't even need your care, and don't understand how important the battle is? Should you still continue if the only battles your troops face are the battles between themselves?
Maybe our focus is not on inadequacies (whether they come from us or our troops) but on the true commander leading us, the Great One, who will lead us into victory. But maybe victory will come at a cost, a cost that may be too great for us to bear.
If noone is willing to pay the cost, then why is there a troop in the first place?
Maybe they will only appreciate when all worthy generals are gone. But even then, they may be too ignorant to know the difference.
Wednesday, March 01, 2006
Expense claims
Do people feel guilty claiming for expenses at a professional services firm?
Is it right for a lawyer to claim $150 for having lunch with a secretary of the legal counsel of a client, treating that as a client marketing expense. Is it right for a boss to claim $7 for having coffe with me, telling me that he will pay for my coffee, but in the end claiming it from the firm as a staff expense?
In desperation I claimed the following expenses today successfully. If other people weren't claiming everything, I would have paid for these expenses myself. But I felt so guilty after I claimed them, as I don't feel right in doing so. The expenses I claimed include:
1. Half of my airfare to HK - claimed to internal marketing, since the last time I went to HK for my friend's wedding, I actually did a presentation at our HK office.
2. Coffee with client - I knew this person before I realised that he is also a client of the firms. I had coffee with him the other day, and I kept the receipt. I claimed this as a client expense.
3. Bottle of wine with collegues - We went to a drinks night organised by the firm, and we stayed back afterwards when everyone was gone. Since all our bosses have left, they weren't there to pay for the extra drinks, so I paid for a bottle of wine for me and my collegues. I claimed this as a staff enterntainment expense.
Maybe I should just do my own thing and ignore how other people are exploiting the firm.
Is it right for a lawyer to claim $150 for having lunch with a secretary of the legal counsel of a client, treating that as a client marketing expense. Is it right for a boss to claim $7 for having coffe with me, telling me that he will pay for my coffee, but in the end claiming it from the firm as a staff expense?
In desperation I claimed the following expenses today successfully. If other people weren't claiming everything, I would have paid for these expenses myself. But I felt so guilty after I claimed them, as I don't feel right in doing so. The expenses I claimed include:
1. Half of my airfare to HK - claimed to internal marketing, since the last time I went to HK for my friend's wedding, I actually did a presentation at our HK office.
2. Coffee with client - I knew this person before I realised that he is also a client of the firms. I had coffee with him the other day, and I kept the receipt. I claimed this as a client expense.
3. Bottle of wine with collegues - We went to a drinks night organised by the firm, and we stayed back afterwards when everyone was gone. Since all our bosses have left, they weren't there to pay for the extra drinks, so I paid for a bottle of wine for me and my collegues. I claimed this as a staff enterntainment expense.
Maybe I should just do my own thing and ignore how other people are exploiting the firm.
Farewell, pastor and family..
Its hard to imagine that four pastors have left our church in the past ten years. All of us should reflect why this is the case. Maybe our church has a whole has become too critical and judgemental, instead of showing compassion and appreciation for what our pastors have done. We failed in the lesson of submission, not allowing our pastors to lead our church, and reducing his role to a speaker and administrator.
Our current pastor and his family have just left our church. Its hard when you have developed a personal relationship with each member of the pastor's family. I guess its not like that I will never see them again. They are just a phone call or email away. But I guess the relationship is different now. I guess there used to be two levels of relationships with them - friendship as well as a relationship of being fellow workers in Christ. It is inevitable that both relationships will be lost, as we become busy with our own lives and serving in our own way.
Should I be angry at their departure, for not hanging in there and be more persistent? I don't know. But maybe I should have supported them more in times when they needed support. I don't know. Maybe all of us have a role to play in their departure and we don't realise it.
I guess noone is perfect, and that applies to that pastor and his family. But our pastor is God's annoited one and we should treat him as such. Respect. Love.
Is it ever right for a pastor to leave the church? I used to think it is right if the pastor was a church planter or when the pastor receives another calling from God. But thinking deeper, who are we to judge what is right or wrong? I guess we should trust God when a pastor leaves and trust on His provision.
Is it ever right for us to leave the church for another church? Maybe this can be a topic for discussion on another day!
Our current pastor and his family have just left our church. Its hard when you have developed a personal relationship with each member of the pastor's family. I guess its not like that I will never see them again. They are just a phone call or email away. But I guess the relationship is different now. I guess there used to be two levels of relationships with them - friendship as well as a relationship of being fellow workers in Christ. It is inevitable that both relationships will be lost, as we become busy with our own lives and serving in our own way.
Should I be angry at their departure, for not hanging in there and be more persistent? I don't know. But maybe I should have supported them more in times when they needed support. I don't know. Maybe all of us have a role to play in their departure and we don't realise it.
I guess noone is perfect, and that applies to that pastor and his family. But our pastor is God's annoited one and we should treat him as such. Respect. Love.
Is it ever right for a pastor to leave the church? I used to think it is right if the pastor was a church planter or when the pastor receives another calling from God. But thinking deeper, who are we to judge what is right or wrong? I guess we should trust God when a pastor leaves and trust on His provision.
Is it ever right for us to leave the church for another church? Maybe this can be a topic for discussion on another day!
Thursday, February 16, 2006
Impressionism
The art works from the Impressionists era deplict nature as it is seen at a specific moment in time, emphasising on the emotions and feelings from the moment along with the effect of light on a scenery.
Attending the Pissarro exhibition has rekindled my interest in art. Each painting was able to transport me through time, back to the 1800s to a faraway place, where I am able to experience the smell of nature, the warmth of the sun, the smog from the factories, the livelihood from the markets and the stillness of the rivers. I was able to feel the heat of the sun and the chill from the snow. Each brush, each stroke and each blur deplicts a moment from the past, which I am able to associate with, more than 100 years later.
The experience was enhanced by my friend, who was knowledgeable in painting and who explained how certain effects on the paintings were achieved, giving a technical analysis of the paintings, which counterbalances well with my emotional outpour when reviewing these paintings.
Two and a half hours just flew by so quickly. And in a flash, we were back walking in the sunlight, in the real world, away from the gallery. As I walked down the street and used my eyes to look at the scenery around me, I actually preferred the perception portrayed in those artworks than what I was seeing in the real world, even though artworks are a mere reflection of the real world.
Maybe art is just another form of escape from the reality of this world.
Attending the Pissarro exhibition has rekindled my interest in art. Each painting was able to transport me through time, back to the 1800s to a faraway place, where I am able to experience the smell of nature, the warmth of the sun, the smog from the factories, the livelihood from the markets and the stillness of the rivers. I was able to feel the heat of the sun and the chill from the snow. Each brush, each stroke and each blur deplicts a moment from the past, which I am able to associate with, more than 100 years later.
The experience was enhanced by my friend, who was knowledgeable in painting and who explained how certain effects on the paintings were achieved, giving a technical analysis of the paintings, which counterbalances well with my emotional outpour when reviewing these paintings.
Two and a half hours just flew by so quickly. And in a flash, we were back walking in the sunlight, in the real world, away from the gallery. As I walked down the street and used my eyes to look at the scenery around me, I actually preferred the perception portrayed in those artworks than what I was seeing in the real world, even though artworks are a mere reflection of the real world.
Maybe art is just another form of escape from the reality of this world.
Tuesday, February 07, 2006
Why some people don't want to share
People are expected to have deep personal sharings with others, especially at church camps and sharing gatherings. These are great opportunities for us to share with one another about our inner most feelings in order for us to understand one another.
However, there are reasons why some people don't want to share. A list of possible reasons appear below:
1. People are not close at all to one another anyway. If they don't have any close communication normally, they would not share deeply at an event that happens once a year.
2. Sharing in a large group may not be effective. There is very little time for a response, especially if the group is big. It is this lack of personal response from sharing something that is deep that discourages a person from sharing in such an environment.
3. There is usually no follow up after a group sharing with people. A person may share some inner most thoughts or problems. It is very rare for the people in the group to see how that person is going with their problems after the event. Everyone is busy in their own worlds.
4. Some people just want to know what is happening to the people around them, with no intention of caring or helping. They treat sharing as an information session, and so, the whole experience may be cold and unwelcoming for the people who shared deep things.
5. Not all people in the group have the experience or wisdom to understand the information in the sharing, and accordingly, they are not able to provide any constructive feedback or help to the appropriate people.
If we are to encourage others to open up and share, we should be willing to assist in the aftermath of such a session, by spending time to follow up all the people in the group, not just the few we are close to. How often are we willing to put our time and effort on people outside of these times? What right do we have to want them to share at an annual meeting if we don't even communicate with them through the year.
There are many opportunities in our daily lives for us to know the people around us. Maybe we should make use of these opportunities, instead of just relying on annual events or group sharings, which may not be effective anyway.
However, there are reasons why some people don't want to share. A list of possible reasons appear below:
1. People are not close at all to one another anyway. If they don't have any close communication normally, they would not share deeply at an event that happens once a year.
2. Sharing in a large group may not be effective. There is very little time for a response, especially if the group is big. It is this lack of personal response from sharing something that is deep that discourages a person from sharing in such an environment.
3. There is usually no follow up after a group sharing with people. A person may share some inner most thoughts or problems. It is very rare for the people in the group to see how that person is going with their problems after the event. Everyone is busy in their own worlds.
4. Some people just want to know what is happening to the people around them, with no intention of caring or helping. They treat sharing as an information session, and so, the whole experience may be cold and unwelcoming for the people who shared deep things.
5. Not all people in the group have the experience or wisdom to understand the information in the sharing, and accordingly, they are not able to provide any constructive feedback or help to the appropriate people.
If we are to encourage others to open up and share, we should be willing to assist in the aftermath of such a session, by spending time to follow up all the people in the group, not just the few we are close to. How often are we willing to put our time and effort on people outside of these times? What right do we have to want them to share at an annual meeting if we don't even communicate with them through the year.
There are many opportunities in our daily lives for us to know the people around us. Maybe we should make use of these opportunities, instead of just relying on annual events or group sharings, which may not be effective anyway.
Saturday, February 04, 2006
Opportunities
Sometimes I am accused of missing out on opportunities.
Did I miss out on an opportunity that has haunted me for a number of years afterwards? Should I have tried harder or even fight for it, as opposed to accepting reality and taking a step back? The feeling of loss and rejection surfaced deeping during the wedding, when all the songs they played remind me of those days.
Did I miss out on an opportunity that may have changed my life, giving me an opportunity to experience a different place and culture? Will anyone else in my shoes make the same decision I did? The feeling of loss and non-recognition surfaced when others took up similar opportunities with no hesitation, not understanding that I have given up my opportunity for them.
Did I miss out on an opportunity that may have changed the outcome for a family? If I would have taken a certain position, a family may have been saved from the hurt and depression from rejection and discrimination of others. The feeling of loss and rejection surfaced every time I am reminded by how the family was being treated by others.
Did I miss out on an opportunity to say words that are close to my heart during the life of a person? If I made more of an effort in communication, I may have shared deeper with that person, before they left permanently. The feeling of loss and guilt surfaced every time I woke up after dreaming where the scenes in the dreams contained that person as if they were on earth.
Maybe the only thing I should do is to grasp hold of opportunities in the future and don't let them slip away. There are always opportunities in life. But unfortunately, some opportunities happen only once in your lifetime.
Did I miss out on an opportunity that has haunted me for a number of years afterwards? Should I have tried harder or even fight for it, as opposed to accepting reality and taking a step back? The feeling of loss and rejection surfaced deeping during the wedding, when all the songs they played remind me of those days.
Did I miss out on an opportunity that may have changed my life, giving me an opportunity to experience a different place and culture? Will anyone else in my shoes make the same decision I did? The feeling of loss and non-recognition surfaced when others took up similar opportunities with no hesitation, not understanding that I have given up my opportunity for them.
Did I miss out on an opportunity that may have changed the outcome for a family? If I would have taken a certain position, a family may have been saved from the hurt and depression from rejection and discrimination of others. The feeling of loss and rejection surfaced every time I am reminded by how the family was being treated by others.
Did I miss out on an opportunity to say words that are close to my heart during the life of a person? If I made more of an effort in communication, I may have shared deeper with that person, before they left permanently. The feeling of loss and guilt surfaced every time I woke up after dreaming where the scenes in the dreams contained that person as if they were on earth.
Maybe the only thing I should do is to grasp hold of opportunities in the future and don't let them slip away. There are always opportunities in life. But unfortunately, some opportunities happen only once in your lifetime.
Wednesday, January 25, 2006
Say the truth
Our lifes are covered by lies and half truths.
Why don't we all learn to say the truth?
To parents:
1. If you are not happy with my choices in life, just let me know. You can be supportive even if you don't agree with me. Even though I may still make those choices in the end, I just want the truth from you.
2. If I am unhappy and I don't want to talk about it, just let me be. Sometimes I need my own space!
To girls:
1. If you don't like me, just say it to my face. It hurts me more when you pretend to be nice and lead me on. I rather know the truth sooner than later. If you like me, be sure to let me know. I am tired of guessing games.
2. If I am busy and can't find time, then please understand. Sometimes there are urgent things in life that I need to take care of. It is not an indication that you are not important or that I don't like you.
To close friends:
1. If you don't want to entertain me, just let me know. It is better to reject me sooner than to hold me off and reject me afterwards. Since we are close friends, just tell me straight in the face without implying things which I may misinterpret. Also, if you don't want me to ask you things, let me know. I respect that you need your space and privacy.
2. If I don't want to talk about things, just let me be. It is not because I don't view you as a close friend. It is because sometimes I need to go through things myself and feel uncomfortable talking about it.
To bosses:
1. If my work is not up to scratch, tell me. Don't use flowery language and say that I am good but there are some points I need to improve. Tell me straight and let me handle it.
2. If I have an off day, try to understand. I may be having some personal crisis which may affect my work performance.
Isn't it ironic that we all go through the same things, but it seems like noone wants to say the truth to others.
Well, by writing this blog, and making things so generic, I am also not able to say the truth to people around me.
Why don't we all learn to say the truth?
To parents:
1. If you are not happy with my choices in life, just let me know. You can be supportive even if you don't agree with me. Even though I may still make those choices in the end, I just want the truth from you.
2. If I am unhappy and I don't want to talk about it, just let me be. Sometimes I need my own space!
To girls:
1. If you don't like me, just say it to my face. It hurts me more when you pretend to be nice and lead me on. I rather know the truth sooner than later. If you like me, be sure to let me know. I am tired of guessing games.
2. If I am busy and can't find time, then please understand. Sometimes there are urgent things in life that I need to take care of. It is not an indication that you are not important or that I don't like you.
To close friends:
1. If you don't want to entertain me, just let me know. It is better to reject me sooner than to hold me off and reject me afterwards. Since we are close friends, just tell me straight in the face without implying things which I may misinterpret. Also, if you don't want me to ask you things, let me know. I respect that you need your space and privacy.
2. If I don't want to talk about things, just let me be. It is not because I don't view you as a close friend. It is because sometimes I need to go through things myself and feel uncomfortable talking about it.
To bosses:
1. If my work is not up to scratch, tell me. Don't use flowery language and say that I am good but there are some points I need to improve. Tell me straight and let me handle it.
2. If I have an off day, try to understand. I may be having some personal crisis which may affect my work performance.
Isn't it ironic that we all go through the same things, but it seems like noone wants to say the truth to others.
Well, by writing this blog, and making things so generic, I am also not able to say the truth to people around me.
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