in your arms.

2010-02-09T10:30:00.001-08:00

"When i was 5 years old, my mom always told me that happiness was the key to life. When i went to school, they asked me what i wanted to be when i grew up. i wrote down "happy". They told me i didn.t understand the assignment and i told them they didn't understand life." (From a blog somewhere) A Child-like faith :) - Leon Lim

Dear Roger

2010-02-03T16:39:00.000-08:00

Well, you've proven it again. Can't believe anyone would doubt your limitless potential, incredible talent or endless hard work. It seems that, Roger, even on Murray days, you do seem... invincible.

3rd ranked player in the world. Hottest property coming into Australian Open. British numero uno. Deadly backhand. Amazing angles. Best returner in the game. Solid game. In the best shape of his life. Huge coaching team. That's Andy Murray.

Number ONE ranked player in history. Hottest property going into any Slam. History's numero uno. Deadly, well.. everything. Amazing angles. Better than best returner in the game. What's this about solid? Father. No coaching stuff. Mirka. Roger Federer.

Well Andy, you've got a loooooong way to go. 16 and counting.

"No, no one should have ever doubted you, Mr. Federer. The man who almost always wins, the man who reaches the semifinals as surely as he wakes up in the morning, the man who rarely suffers an injury, paper cut, stuffy nose, or bout of heartburn isn’t just great. He’s not lucky, either. He’s the best there has ever been." - Tom Perrotta

http://www.tennis.com/articles/templates/features.aspx?articleid=4048&zoneid=9

History's Greatest

2009-08-17T09:28:00.000-07:00

I never seen a Great like this
slapping forehands with such ease
Spinny backhands and dropshots
all sorts of majestic shots

The big One-Five you have hit
faster than your serve would sit
Never before done in history
has anyone seen such a story

Hard, grass and even clay
you never stopped, you just played
Thinking it was all a myth
number one was only an if.

Lucky some might say it was
even Nadal-less, some say it wore
Soderling and Roddick are not him
French and Wimby, he went missing

But hard to argue all the facts
filled with style and heroic comebacks
The game of Federer so fluid and true
mixed with a grit, and mistakes so few

Like a ballet dance of bat and balls
Orchastrated; the biggest legend of them all
More than just the huff and puff
he made it look easy, although that's a laugh

Federer is now a father of two
passion he still has to pursue
He'll never stop at one and five
you better believe that,

'Cos he's Number One.

2009-05-25T15:03:00.000-07:00

Brecon Beacon. Sprained ankle. Very tired.

Very rewarding. Amazing time today.. 7 hours up and down the mountain. From starting out trying to find lower Neuadd, and the first steep slopes, and the amazing, unbelievable views, and the ascent to the peak.

And then not to forget the path which had no one, the music video, and the descend (which was amazingly tough!).. (it's my car!).

This has to be the highlight of my time here so far. Took just 36exps of black and white, gonna develop them soon and try to spend some time in the dark room.

Thank God for bank holiday Monday. Gotta go again soon.

2009-05-10T01:47:00.000-07:00

Do you remember the times
You tucked me to sleep
When I was still
A wee little kid?

And growing up with
you by my side
Always left me with
warm feelings inside.

All the troubles a boy could bear
You took it upon yourself
You said 'don't despair'

In every stage of my life
You were there
from walking to study
from waking to dawning

So on this Mother's day I remember you
My mum, who threw it all,
and gave me everything I knew

And that billions will always say
Their mother was the best woman
They knew, even till this day.

2009-05-01T16:32:00.001-07:00

crazy. stupid. very crazy. very stupid. and wow.

you know how they say that everyone goes through an incident which makes them actually appreciate that they're alive? mine was really something like that, albeit very very stupid.

So my mate asked me to help him plug on a charger, and me being extremely lazy, just picked up a pair of scissors, and stuck it into the power. (It was a 2 pin charger!, who makes those these days anyway) Needless to say, the power in the house went out, sparks flew and nearly blinded me, and i m really lucky to not have been electrocuted (at all).

I didn't realise the severity of the situation till my flat mates told me i was really lucky not to have been shocked, and electrician was just wondering how nothing caught fire. Nothing like that's ever happened in Singapore! my tracksuit now smells of smoke, and i'm still going 'oh my god'. Unbelievable.

Yes I know, very stupid, and deserving if anything actually did happen. But the fact is nothing did happen, bar a couple of seconds blinded, and that's grace for you. Woo wee.Nuts, this is just for the record never to do anything like that again.

2009-04-15T04:06:00.000-07:00

There was a time that forehand made sense
When it was as sweet as a scent
But now, it is all falling apart
Where it seems, no longer an art

When titles and wins were all the same
Losses were few and thoroughly insane
But now it seems that, Number two
You're moving more like R2D2

Number 1 seems far away
Backhands have all gone astray
But stop a while to consider this
Might you be getting too old you think?

Old man of the tour it seems
Breaking threads all at its seams
Just one more to be a GOAT
yet that one more seems hard to boat

Maybe it's all in the mind
It might be that, marriage divine
Or maybe you just no longer feel
the passion to compete, nothing new

Hard to get back on your feet
Difficult, or worse to master this feat
Still if somehow you pulled this through
Number One; is all that is true.

2009-04-12T01:35:00.000-07:00

Lord your Name, is higher than the Heavens
Lord your Name, is higher than all created things
Higher than hope, higher than dreams

THE NAME OF MY LORD

In the days of trouble
You comfort me
In the secret place of refuge
Lord I will sing

So I'll pray to You

Easter Sunday. Celebrate for the Lord is risen.

2009-04-10T04:40:00.000-07:00

Okay EC just over.

For the first time since I got to Cardiff, I finally feel at home. Kinda like a home away from home if you want. It's a fantastic feeling. It's pretty cliched to say this, but
i'm loving it. Micky Ds and their adverts.

2009-04-06T03:00:00.000-07:00

family is best.

this place is ancient.

2009-03-10T05:31:00.000-07:00

Even when the journey's long
And i know the road is hard
well the one who's gone before me
he will help me carry on

and after all that i've been through
now i realise the truth
that i must go through the valley

to stand upon the mountain of god

2009-02-27T05:24:00.000-08:00

found in your hands
fullness of joy
every fear suddenly wiped away

here in your presence

all of my gains
now fades away
every crown
no longer on display

heaven is trembling in all of your wonder
kings and their kingdoms are standing amazed

here in your presence

2009-02-19T15:54:00.000-08:00

you know, I look around me and I see my blessings all around. From studying in the UK, finally doing what I really liked, studying (yes i m actually a nerd), to my church here, my guitar, my friends, my weekly shopping market trips (although i still think it is darn far). the list goes on. yes and cooking is one of them.

2009-02-05T08:17:00.001-08:00

do you sometimes find that you are an ordinary person doing extraordinary things?

2009-02-02T15:24:00.000-08:00

One of the highlights of my time here yet. A five setter in light swirling snow, such a close match. 62 57 36 64 75, and although i lost, it still felt so rewarding after three and a half hours of non stop play. Flakes of snow, sun still bursting, birds chirping.. man i wish i had my camera then, beautiful stuff. Went on and on and the mental challenge was so great, i just went to bed right after a shower for a bit. Woke up feeling absolutely refreshed, and hungry.

Now, after spending the last 20 mins in the snow.. i feel lonely. haha, but it's alright i've never seen people so happy yet! it makes for an extremely positive feeling around this otherwise gloom place. And there's still no water in the flat! But no one seems to be complaining.. must be the snow factor!

Snow snow snow
I've never thought i'll see you so
But I must say, such a delight
You are truly a magnificent sight

White blankets all around
Bonfire booming, and shrieks aloud
Bright headlights and all that jazz
Just brings out your wonderful coat, it's best!

Heavy winter, they said it'll be
And yet no one seems to be complaining, not even me
Wish my family was around,
somehow i miss them, now that i've found

the joy and happiness in the air
what a perfect way to start the 'ear,
Chinese New Year is special in its own way
I betcha you can't find snow, unless you're home away

Thought it might be boring, what's the big deal
What, haven't you seen snow before
Skeptics like me will quickly blend
And fall into its gladness, my love i send.

It must be the fact that You are there
Who else creates such beauty, it is God sent
The timing can't be more perfect
IT'S TIMES LIKE THESE that I give thanks.

A higher cosmic order we do not understand
Like little kids we run around, playing in its sand
In these moments of pure white innocence
let's just say it's an absolute pleasure

And a Happy Chinese new year!

2009-02-02T15:19:00.000-08:00

SNOW SNOW SNOW!! LET IT SNOW!! COME ON SNOW!

I have never felt such a positive uplifting in Cardiff as yet. What an amazing feeling.. that a simple thing as snow can make so many people happy. The amt of people throwing snowballs at each other. Wow.. Just wish....... I wanna hit somebody! heh.

2009-01-18T11:48:00.000-08:00

had youth meeting yesterday about the direction of the youth.. Surprised it went quite so smoothly.

everything's alright here. I guess it is getting warmer, I'm settling in quite well (football and tennis really helps) and all I need to do now is try and get better results.

Okay so i have two choices.

An 80 pounds, welsh house brand guitar, ordinary finish, with gig bag, tuner and sling. All from a store. meaning waranty and all that jazz. and free tuning of the stupid high action.

or, a 50 pounds, unknown brand, beautiful finish, with gig bag and tuner. All from a church member, brand new though. no waranty, and pay for adjustment of action (in singapore in june).

WHICH ONE?!

2009-01-16T05:36:00.000-08:00

my soul sings
my spirit shouts
with every breath
im crying out
i want to live
for you alone
you have captured my heart
mi corazon
Lord
i give you my whole heart
mi corazon

Just had an amazing qt yesterday. Romans 6:13 Present yourself to God as being alive from the dead, and your members as instruments iof righteousness to God.

Ahhh there you go. always have a verse to think about when doing worship really helps i guess. Otherwise it's quite pointless.

Hope everyone in cell's doing alright at home! Till june.

2009-01-01T11:23:00.000-08:00

What an amazing two and half weeks in Singapore.

Felt so good to be back, that i did not prepare myself for the fact that i have to come back to Cardiff. Sitting in my room right now, feeling kinda lost and definitely homesick, I can't help but want school to start as soon as possible. Crazy as it might sound, i'm definitely going crazy in here.

It's New Year's Day and the streets are dead empty. Hardly any noise at all, the silence is defeaning. Dinner is simple ham with cheese, can't really be bothered to cook. Think i'll do some shopping tomorrow, get some work done, and continue to miss home.

See you guys in JUNE!

2008-12-07T10:51:00.000-08:00

why are the tables always reserved before I get there?!

2008-12-06T03:01:00.000-08:00

'Grace without an end
As Your word had promised'
- you saw me

nicely done.

2008-11-28T03:02:00.000-08:00

but for all the mistakes you've made
all the wrong turns that you take
can you ever find a way
will you ever get away

from the start of your choices
to the ends of decisions
it's a journey we all take
but yet, somehow, i feel
mostly a mistake.

Hmm, always pondered on this. The decisions ive made have really shaped how i look at things now. Not always positive, but not all negative.

I think loads of people have questioned why i'm doing journalism. Passion? not yet, although someday i hope. Money? ARE YOU KIDDING ME? Job prospect? HA. erm, get to travel? Well yes maybe. and why UK? cos. erm. it's nice. See the decisions and all the questions, never fully answered till i really got here.

I don't regret going away from home, don't regret doing journalism, but there's a whole load more.

But that's what they call the Past.

Philippians 4:4 Rejoice! Rejoice in the Lord always.

See that's one good decision now. (insert big smiley?) decided not to.

2008-11-21T02:10:00.001-08:00

Haven't got time to do much updating cos of the increasing amount of work and essays that i have to get done. Then again, after what, 2 months here, it has been quite a journey. All the things we take for granted, food on the table when you want it, clothes washed, easy transport, language. The big difference? support. i think it's so easy to just wake up, make a cup of coffee, put on clean clothes, and walk out of the house. Here, you gotta make sure oven's switched off, clean your own stuff, manage your finances, get your own breakfast bloody early in the morning, wash your clothes, all that stuff.

But once you get into the groove it's alright i guess. It's quite funny though, meeting new friends from new church, getting to cell, spending time with God. i guess we're just all lost in a foreign place, but with a common goal. i cannot say i miss my friends too much, or my family though. i miss the support, the fun, but since i got here, i've grown up so much i feel (strangely enough) i've outgrown all these emotional attachments. see it's different. i miss God so much that i seek him more here (makes things easier that there is very little else that i rather do, like going out and all that) than back home, but ironically enough, the revival here is quite stagnant.

i'm coming out of a phase of life i guess. No more fancy clothes, dress to impress, going to church cos it's popular, going out on sats , insulting people with the same tongue you use to praise God, giving the 'i dont care' attitude when you do care, or acting like you care. if you think that's you, well, honestly, grow up.

on that note, i'm still growing up though. so i guess we're all stuck together on the same boat.

2008-11-21T02:07:00.000-08:00

3 years is a long time no?

2008-11-14T02:51:00.001-08:00

and poof! everything goes right once again.

2008-11-13T04:04:00.000-08:00

everything is going wrong in reading week. what the hell. YOU WOULDN'T BELIEVE HOW HARD IT IS TO FIND MASKING TAPE HERE! seriously now, I can't wait for uni to start again. all this waiting about is getting on my nerves.

2008-10-10T10:10:00.000-07:00

The Ten Commandments (For a Blogger)

Just had a class on online journalism. A really interesting article came up, and I thought it was spoof at first. Apparently not!

Ten commandments for bloggers
1 You shall not put your blog before your integrity
2 You shall not make an idol of your blog
3 You shall not misuse your screen name by using your anonymity to sin
4 Remember the Sabbath day by taking one day off a week from your blog
5 Honour your fellow-bloggers above yourselves and do not give undue significance to their mistakes
6 You shall not murder someone else's honour, reputation or feelings
7 You shall not use the web to commit or permit adultery in your mind
8 You shall not steal another person's content
9 You shall not give false testimony against your fellow-blogger
10 You shall not covet your neighbour's blog ranking. Be content with your own content

It's up on http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/comment/faith/article4833275.ece!
Check it out!

2008-10-06T11:21:00.000-07:00

061008 Monday

Alright then, it’s been two weeks since I’ve been here. The people here sure are different! More outgoing and all that, but I miss (quite a bit) the quiet reserved Singaporean. Haha, don’t ask why. All of you guys who wanna get out of Singapore, and going on about how much it sucks… don’t. Cos there’s really nothing like home.

School’s just starting here. Been out quite often.. the culture here’s really quite different. School’s packed with work.. And yes University life really does force you to do your own research, reading, studying blah blah blah. There are free days but you gotta really mug to catch up with all the lectures and stuff. Settling in well here, except for the occasional pangs of homesickness, it’s been great.

Meanwhile, my quiet time here has been rather excellent. Lots of feeling and that sense of abandonment in God’s arms are well, for lack of better word, homely. People are rather sceptical about the whole God thing here.. but this song’s just perfect innit?

This is the air I breathe
This is the air I breathe
Your holy presence, living in me

This is my daily bread
This is my daily bread
Your VERY WORD spoken to me

And I, I’m desperate for you
And I, I’m lost with you

And that just simple sums up some stuff. The sunsets here are horrendous compared to Singapore I must say! And the weather. Goodness. I have no idea why I can't upload any pictures at this time. Another time then.

Cheers mates, and to all you guys with exams, I’ll be praying!

2008-08-14T07:54:00.000-07:00

Heart of Worship

Have you ever gone through a time of worship, where all it meant was just words and music? When you forget the lyrics and go, “oh man!” or when you strum the wrong chords, and all you think is, “I sound bad.”

But try to understand, that worshipping is not about music. It’s not about lyrics. It’s not about the musicians (definitely not)! It’s much more than that. It’s about one thing, one God, and one King.

We might use English, Mandarin, and other languages to praise God. Remember those pictures you saw in church whenever someone came back from a mission trip? Or the times you received a brochure filled with pictures of people with arms lifted? How did you know what language hey were using? Or what they were saying? Were they even worshipping? Or how did it strike you that they were communicating with God?

He only understands the language of love.

It’s simple. A good photographer aside, it’s all about the emotion that goes through you in worship. I don’t mean, everyone go dance right now during praise songs, go raise your hands and touch the ceilings with that slow and uplifting worship song. Or just collapse. If it is your way of conveying your emotions, no one can say you were trying too hard (unless you were, obviously). I think of my own way of doing worship. Sometimes, it’s all about the chords. But for most, I can safely say (well blessed me), I feel it. I feel Him. I feel the Love. And I get touched by it.

I think if you, sometimes, see me in worship, you might go, “sure bluff one this guy, where got people get so high..” or if you are rather nice-r, you will say, “ maybe he is just trying to get everyone in the mood.” Fact is, if I am ever about the chords, it’s rather obvious. You will see me quite, erm stale, and inactive. I will not sing much, I will not speak much, and I will not show much feelings.

Now, I am blessed to be surrounded by true worshippers. Every time I see someone get on stage and praise God, it seems real mostly. But there are also days, when everyone realises something is strangely wrong.

The spirit of God is real. If you bring that spirit of worship into your set, it beats hands down all the complicated “non-God, but Christian” songs you can play. It means more to Him, then all the wrong chords that you play, it means more than all the out of tune singing you do. It blesses His heart, the same way you worship with that sense of conviction and truth.

Play the wrong notes, by all means. Sing it out of tune. But make sure you praise Him. So the next set that you do, do it for that right purpose. Do it with belief and in power.

Do so, and you will find that set will mean so much more to you (and the people around) than ever before.

2008-08-13T04:54:00.000-07:00

Ashamed - Pillar

ooo, so this is what blogging is about. So happened to be listening to delirious? at this moment, therefore the title.

Anyway, it's the last day before magazine's closing. Which is really good. And it was a lot of fun. And stressful, really. The experience I picked up while I was in the company was extremely invaluable and useful. I actually feel like my life's going somewhere now.

Oh and speaking of which, this year's walk with God has been quite an eye opener. I look around, and I see still many Christians (veteran ones too) worried to speak about their religion. "What would people think? ", or rather, "how uncool", and the worst, the ones who just "shut up” and then, total indifference. As if it hasn’t impacted you in one way or another.

Look I’m not saying I am not guilty of this. There are times when I think about this quite a bit. Many people aren’t afraid to talk about where they studied (Hi, I was from this premier school, with much gusto), or where they worked (I’m now a banker with this and this bank, earning so much! money). Another especially ironic one ( I come from this and this huge church, and we have these many members, and we have a real power band, a pastor who has this many degrees, a growing and fun cell, but erm, can we talk about something else?).

Okay so it’s not wrong to be talking like that. It is in fact, a show of either affection or pride, at what you’re doing, where you are from. So it makes me wonder sometimes, if we are really that proud of being a follower of Christ. Why cower behind a farce when you don’t really have to? Why not sing ‘how great is our God’ loudly when you’re happy, instead of Viva la Vida (which is a really good song, and more catchy, no doubt). The amount of people at conferences, the noise and excitement at the recently concluded festival of praise’08, all that jumping and screaming, yelling yourself hoarse, but in the shelter of the indoor stadium. Amongst our brothers and sisters, we are not afraid to voice out. The raised hands, the singing with much enthusiasm, dancing even, why not translate that to more than the four walls of your church or cell?

I don’t mean you go out tomorrow, get a pick up truck, plug on your expensive electric guitar, sing till your voice goes, and drive down Orchard. Although, it will be real cool if you will do that. And trust me, you will get your fair share of condescending looks, and from some Christians, no less. “That fella must be out of his mind!” But I know, for when the day the King comes, you will be placed rather high on His List of Cool People.

You know all about storing up your treasures in Heaven. You have probably heard Matthew 6:20 until you grow sleepy the next time someone preaches to you about it. So start applying it. Start moving up the list that really matters today.

Step out, in faith. And find for yourself, that sudden step up, in grace.

p.s. this is a really damning post. Not a real smart way to start your blog, ain’t it?