Tuesday, November 28, 2006

Stolen Joy

The devil has come to kill, steal & destroy. Therefore anytime anything happens and I find myself robbed of love, joy and peace, I have to recognize that it's the devil at work, stealing from me, and I gotta recognize his ploy to forgive, reconcile and extend love where possible.

Monday, November 27, 2006

Power Plug

A relationship fueled by man's efforts runs out quickly like rechargeable batteries. A relationship plugged into the Holy Spirit however never runs dry - it lubricates love and life's journey.


Love
Joy
Peace
Patience
Kindness
Goodness
Faithfulness
Humility
Self-control


Friday, November 24, 2006

Cherish

I opened my online news page today and saw yet another massive bombing in Baghdad that claimed 152 lives. These were not soldiers fighting in war. These were ordinary folks and civilians assuming their daily lives, disadvantaged by the clutches of fear and terror in a land governed by hate & vengeance.

And it struck me that people living in nations like these probably cherish their loved ones and their lives more dearly than you and I do, even at our best days. Brothers are born in adversity. In a climate of perpetual fear and terror as common as the everyday air that we breathe, will they not be cherishing every minute of time with spouses, family members, relatives, friends, even strangers on the street - holding each one close in their hearts, spreading love and warmth through silent prayers - because all of their lives are as precarious as stormy seas - they are never sure of safety and protection, only resilient resistance to evil that may befall them at anytime.

Saturday, November 18, 2006

Boston

An alternative EMO rock by Augustana. Go check it out on my multiply site. Uploaded it there.

In the light of the sun, is there anyone? Oh it has begun...
Oh dear you look so lost, eyes are red and tears are shed,
This world you must've crossed... you said...

You don't know me, you don't even care,
She said
You don't know me, you don't wear my chains...

Essential yet appealed, carry all your thoughts across
An open field,
When flowers gaze at you... they're not the only ones who cry
When they see you
You said...

You don't know me, you don't even care,
She said
You don't know me, you don't wear my chains...

She said I think I'll go to Boston...
I think I'll start a new life,
I think I'll start it over, where no one knows my name,
I'll get out of California, I'm tired of the weather,
I think I'll get a lover and fly em out to Spain...
I think I'll go to Boston,
I think that I'm just tired
I think I need a new town, to leave this all behind...
I think I need a sunrise, I'm tired of the sunset,
I hear it's nice in the Summer, some snow would be nice...
Boston... where no one knows my name...


Friday, November 17, 2006

Just Do It

Exercising is very much like waking up in the morning for work. You don’t particularly enjoy waking up at the crack of dawn – had it not been for the nagging sense of responsibility to earn to enable survival and luxury living. Similarly, you don’t particularly enjoy dragging your body to the gym or pool or hit the road – had it not been for the mental and physical wholeness and fulfillment after your sporting activity.

Why can’t exercising or waking up for work be easier to accomplish? Why do they have to be loathsome activities to begin with and enjoyable only upon completion?

This is when THE MIND comes into play. If it is a routine/task/responsibility – then just do it, regardless of your willingness and enjoyment level. More often than not, there ain’t any – it’s gotta be mere sheer discipline dragging you forward.

Reebok had a slogan I fancy many years back – Life is short, play hard. True. Life is tough, slack not.

Thursday, November 09, 2006

A String of Pearls

Some things go unnoticed, especially without much mention and publicity, and for songs, commercial airplay. I've always liked Soul Asylum, and it wasn't until recently that I paid closer attention to their songs, and discovered one fantastic buried treasure - "A String of Pearls". The title ain't too much of a catch, but you'll be surprised, the lyrics are very interesting (at least to me! haha). Check it out...

She swings the string of pearls on the corner
The street lights reflect the light in the water
The string it snaps and the pearls go sailing
And they splash and bounce and roll 'cross the wet street
As she bends to chase the pearls a car swings 'round the corner
She darts from the eyes of the panic-struck driver
Who's racing to the delivery room
'Cause in the back seat his wife is busting out of her womb
And the sack breaks and out come the Siamese Twins
Who grow up to become the first President
With two heads, are better than one
He puts his heads in his hands, says I got to put my heads together
I can become the best President ever
And not just President, fend for yourself
Signs his name, takes the blame for all of the names with no shame
In their beliefs, they adjourn and they leave, and in walks a man
With a broom and a knife and blood on his hands
And he sweeps everything under the rug
And goes home to his kids and gives them a hug
But his wife was not there, she had just left a letter
That said "you'd be much better off without me"
Now his wife took the train to her ex-lover's funeral
Who died in the bathroom, hit his head on a urinal
When they got together, the knowledge was carnal
And the widow was at the funeral, and they had quite a catfight
And they fell into the hole where the casket was resting
And the preacher just left in the middle of the service
'Cause death was one thing, but women made him nervous
And he ran to his car and he drove 'round the corner
Then something in the street caught the light in his eye
He pulled over, reached down, and picked up a pearl from the gutter
And he didn't know what to think
And he brought it home and washed it in the sink
And he gave the pearl to Sister Mary Teresa
Who could not accept it so she gave it to Lisa,
A young prostitute who was missing a pearl
On the necklace that broke late last night



Essentially we can conclude that:

1. What goes around comes around

2. All of life is a cycle


Sunday, November 05, 2006

The End of Saddam


Death penalty for Saddam Hussein


Ground-breaking news from BBC News:


Former Iraqi President Saddam Hussein has been convicted of crimes against humanity by a Baghdad court and sentenced to death by hanging. He was found guilty over his role in the killing of 148 people in the mainly Shia town of Dujail in 1982.


His brother Barzan al-Tikriti was also sentenced to death, as was Iraq's former chief judge Awad Hamed al-Bander. Former vice-president Taha Yassin Ramadan got life in jail and three others received 15 year prison terms. Another co-defendant, Baath party official Mohammed Azawi Ali, was acquitted.

Saddam Hussein shouted out "Allahu Akbar!" (God is Greatest) and "Long live Iraq. Long live the Iraqi people!" after the judge announced the verdict.

Correspondents say the former leader looked visibly shocked as the sentence was passed, but the BBC's world affairs editor John Simpson said that as he was led away Saddam Hussein seemed to have a small smile on his face.

"It was as if he was thinking 'I've come here and done what I intended to do'," our correspondent said.

Spiritual Nuggets

There is tremendous power in a life well lived.

Faith travels in an atmosphere of positivity.

Love is expressed in obedience.

Our lives either communicate or contradict the Gospel.

It's not the absence of the fall that matters; it's the presence of grace IN the fall that makes the difference.


Wednesday, November 01, 2006

Covenant-keeping

Arab investors work on plan for
$1b Versace hotel, condo


If built, the S'pore project will be the first such in Asia

Singapore may soon be the site of Asia's first hotel and condominium by Versace, a name more familiar in the fashion world than housing and hospitality circles. Arab investors are now talking to the authorities here about a project costing a whopping $1 billion, which would include an ultra-chic, ultra-luxurious hotel with 500-600 rooms.

(Excerpt from Business Times)

_________________________

You know what does this tell me? That God is a covenant-keeping God. Though Israel is His chosen and special people, He keeps His covenant to Abraham in respect of Abraham's son Ishmael - to this day God blesses the descendants of Ishmael as He does the descendants of Isaac.