For A Purpose

The Transition

2011-12-06T13:59:00.001+11:00

Finally. It is over.

It's the transition now.

I've graduated from Year 12, from VCASS. I've actually made it through these two crazy, hectic, memorable, challenging years! I am so thankful to God. For all the times I had to lean on His strength and find the passion to continue. For all the times I failed big time and made the wrong decisions. For all the times He saved my skin and helped me keep going and trusting!

I have always looked at my future in VCASS and wondered if I'll make it through. And of course, by the grace of God, I did!

As I reflect on the year, I realized it has been the best year of my life! It has been so, so, so good. I thank God again and again for giving me all the opportunities I had! The highlights are finally having muso friends who understand me and I understand them. We share the same passion and drive. We love life and we love hanging out (only after we've done substantial practice ofcourse...). Haha what more can I ask for?

I also LOVED playing in the piano trio with Troy and Justine. One of the best experiences I've had doing music. The most amazing thing is playing with other people who are also passionate about the music, and who feel the same thing you do! It is the best feeling ever. I love it, and I thank God for answering my prayer.

How far I've come! The first time I performed in VCASS, I had a terrible memory lapse. I wasn't nervous, but I wasn't used to performing in that kind of a focused environment either. But with God's help, how far I've come in two years! There is nothing to boast. Only a heart filled with thankfulness because I know I've not done it by my own strength. I can testify that God has answered my prayers. The prayers I prayed when there seemed no way out of Malaysia; when there seemed no hope that I would be able to pursue music, much less perform it for others, even much less get into an arts school in Melbourne!

It is amazing. I remember also praying that I'll get the chance to compose. At the time I was limited. I was homeschooled, I've never performed before, I've never composed a single ensemble piece apart from my simplistic piano compositions. This year God answered my prayer some more! I got to perform my composition in the year-end compositions concert and I finally have the avenue and opportunities to perform and share my music.

It is amazing, not because I am, but because God is!

Sometimes I wonder, am I just kidding myself? Isn't all this just my own hard work and effort? I have plenty of friends who don't seem to be praying but seem to still be doing better than I am. It doesn't make sense! And it is a hard thing to write about or rationalize in the context of my faith. But I choose to believe God, and trust, and keep on believing. I know that He's helped me.

God has been faithful to our family too. The days when we had no money to pay the rent, the money would come in, the exact amount, through people who really have no reason to bless us. Through all this, we know that if we keep following Jesus and holding on to this hope, God will provide for us. It does not mean at all that we sit around and wait for heaven to come. Dad has had to work hard and he's had to do all kinds of jobs. We had to adjust. I had to practice. We all have to do what we have to do. What is beyond us, God can and will do. But we must still do our part. Without God, there is no story. Without us, we are part of no story.

Dad says, it's always 100% God AND 100% man.

I haven't worked very hard at all this year. I haven't been disciplined many times. But I'm thankful I made it through. Year 12 isn't a big thing, studies isn't a big thing. I want to do well, but at the same time, I will not forget God in a bid to do well in the things of this world. Never forget that, Janielle. God is your source, God is your strength. If you forget Him, you may gain the whole world - but what's the point if you lose your own soul?

Now I'm on holiday. I feel free. I'm gonna bury myself in books - autobiographies and Lord of the Rings and Christian literature! Woohoo :D I am determined to spend my holidays fruitfully. I need to spend time with my family. I'm gonna catch up with individuals. I'm gonna read heaps and prepare for next year. I'm gonna practice and also pick up some jazz. I'm gonna aim to acquire more music students for 2012!

Because I'm trying to be disciplined and focused and fruitful these holidays (3 months!!!), I decided to give up my phone (which is a major source of distraction) and use Janna's terribly old brick phone. Haha man, the good old days when there was no Facebook (I still use it though), no qwerty keys or touch screens, no Youtube or internet access on the phone. So much less distraction!

I need to write more. I need to think more and reflect and pray. I forget and I am lazy to do these things. But they are essential to my soul! God, I need you! Let me not live my ignorant life and enjoy myself. Let me not be disinterested in other people's needs. Let me not be so self-absorbed that I see no one else. Open my eyes. Help me to live my life right and use my time wisely. Thank You God for this incredible year. Thank You for dad and mum. Thank You for bringing our whole family here. Thank You for VCASS. Thank You for music. Thank You for blessing me with like-minded friends and driven peers. Thank You for being with me every step of the way. Thank You God.

‘Anthrax isn’t scary at all compared to this’: Man-made flu virus with potential to wipe out many millions if it ever escaped is created in research lab

2011-12-06T13:32:00.001+11:00

“For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences and earthquakes, in divers places.”
—Matthew 24:7

A group of scientists is pushing to publish research about how they created a man-made flu virus that could potentially wipe out civilisation. The deadly virus is a genetically tweaked version of the H5N1 bird flu strain, but is far more infectious and could pass easily between millions of people at a time. The research has caused a storm of controversy and divided scientists, with some saying it should never have been carried out.

The current strain of H5N1 has only killed 500 people and is not contagious enough to cause a global pandemic.
But their are fears the modified virus is so dangerous it could be used for bio-warfare, if it falls into the wrong hands.

Virologist Ron Fouchier of the Erasmus Medical Centre in the Netherlands lead a team of scientists who discovered that a mere five mutations to the avian virus was sufficient to make it spread far more easily.
He conducted his tests on ferrets as the animals have become a model of choice for influenza and have similar respiratory tracts to humans.

Fouchier is so prepared for a media storm that he has hired an advisor to help him work on a communication strategy.

The research done was part of an international drive to understand H5N1 more fully.
Fouchier admitted the strain is ‘one of the most dangerous viruses you can make’ but is still adamant he wants to publish a paper describing how it was done. The study is one of two which has caused serious debate about scientific freedom and about regulating research which might have potential public health benefits but at the same time could also be useful for bio-terrorism.

The other paper, also on H5N1, was done by a joint team at the University of Wisconsin and the University of Tokyo. It is understood to have had comparable results to the study done by Fouchier. Both papers are now being reviewed by the U.S National Science Advisory Board for Biosecurity (NSABB).

NSABB does not have the power to prevent the publication but it could ask journals not to publish.
Paul Keim, chairman of NSABB, said: ‘I can’t think of another pathogenic organism that is as scary as this one. I don’t think anthrax is scary at all compared to this.’ Traditionally scientific research has always been open so that fellow scientists can review the work of others and repeat their methods to try and learn from them.

But numerous scientists have said they believe research on the avian flu should be suppressed.
However bio-defense and flu expert Michael Osterholm, who is director of the Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy at the University of innesota, said the work carried out was important medically.
He added he could not discuss the papers because he was a member of NSABB but said if they were published certain information could be withheld and made available to those who really need to know.
‘We don’t want to give bad guys a road map on how to make bad bugs really bad,’ he said.

Source: www.inthedays.com

In the Dark

2011-11-30T22:46:00.001+11:00

Just now I had a little bicker with my sister. When I retreated to my room to play the piano, she got really annoyed that I was playing past 9 o’clock. So she stormed in, pushed me, headed out, turned off the lights and slammed the door shut. For a brief moment I was left in the dark. I was very annoyed, angry, and then for some reason, afraid. It’s that sudden sinking feeling in your heart that you get when someone plays a nasty trick on you, and leaves you in the dark alone.

It is a horrible feeling. It was a small incident, but when I reflected on it, I found a metaphorical parallel to what must be the experience of countless individuals and abandoned children out there who have had the door slammed shut in their faces; who have been left in the dark – alone, cold and fearful. It is a terrible situation to be in.

I have never been abandoned, so I’ll never know. All I can imagine is that it must be a gazillion times worse than what I felt when my sister pulled that surprise on me and left me momentarily stunned in the dark.

I feel terrible and sick to the stomach thinking about the millions of kids out there who have been orphaned, betrayed by their parents, and left in the darkness to fend for themselves, whether literally or figuratively. No one likes being left in the dark. And you don’t know what to do.

Jesus told his disciples, ‘You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead, they put it on its stand so that it gives light to everyone in the house.’ Matthew 5

The world lives in darkness because man has chosen to stay in the dark and turn away from God. But those who choose to embrace the light will see the truth and find hope at once! Then again, there are those who had the doors slammed shut on them. They had no choice. They never had the chance to see the light, nor hear the truth, or receive love and hope. How can that be?

Those of us who have embraced the light (if we truly have), should not have our lamps hidden under a bowl! We should shine like a city on a hill, like a lamp on its stand, so that everyone in darkness will see by this light. Do not be afraid to shine. There are many who hate the light because it exposes the things they do in the dark. But there are plenty more who need the light, and who do not yet know it until its brilliance is revealed!

The light should never be intimidated by the darkness. Because no matter how black the darkness is, the light will still glow, even if it is a flicker. It will ignite warmth and hope in the hearts of those who have been abandoned, disillusioned, and left to rot in the dark. Do not hide your light! The world needs it. The world who does not know that it is in the darkness until it sees the light.

Distracted, Like the Rest of the World

2011-11-30T22:30:00.001+11:00

Henri Nouwen describes our contemporary lives:

‘One of the most obvious characteristics of our daily lives is that we are busy. Our lives often seem like over-packed suitcases bursting at the seams. In fact, we are almost always aware of being behind schedule. There is a nagging sense that there are unfinished tasks, unfulfilled promises, unrealized proposals. There is always something else that we should have remembered, done or said. Thus, although we are very busy, we have a lingering feeling of never really fulfilling our obligations…

Beneath our worrying lives, however, something else is going on. While our mind and hearts are filled with many things, and we wonder how we can live up to the expectations imposed upon us by ourselves and others, we have a deep sense of unfulfillment. While busy with and worried about many things, we seldom feel truly satisfied, at peace, at home. A gnawing sense of being unfulfilled underlies our filled lives…

The great paradox of our time is that many of us are busy and bored at the same time. While running from one event to the next, we wonder in our innermost selves if anything is really happening. While we can hardly keep up with our many tasks and obligations, we are not so sure that it would make any difference if we did nothing at all. While people keep pushing us in all directions, we doubt if anyone really cares. In short, while our lives are full, we are unfulfilled.’

Now I only have two words to add, ‘TRUE THAT!’

Epiphany

2011-11-10T13:47:00.001+11:00

"God is not like a human being; it is not important for God to have visible evidence so that he can see if his cause has been victorious or not; he sees in secret just as well. Moreover, it is so far from being the case that you should help God to learn anew that it is rather he who will help you to learn anew, so that you are weaned from the worldly point of view that insists on visible evidence. A decision in the external sphere is what Christianity does not want; (...) rather it wants to test the individual’s faith."

Soren Kierkegaard

A Penchant for Words

2011-11-09T21:26:00.000+11:00

I love writing. You can never know what epiphany emerges from a little musing, a little writing.

I'm actually excited for my last Literature exam tomorrow! Right, I haven't 'studied' much for it at all. But I've written a lot and I've thought a lot about the views and values within the texts. I really enjoy all that. Sometimes I dislike the fact that we've to analyse and try to give meaning to a mere man's words. Sometimes it's terribly pointless. Why the heck am I studying the words of someone who probably wrote it out of a whim and without giving it much thought? I myself do the same thing. Why am I scrutinizing something when I can just enjoy it, think about it, muse over it? Why am I trying to pluck out meaning from the air?

Of all things, sometimes I really dislike studying these novels and plays. Yes, some of them do have good values and views and philosophy interwoven in them. But through many classes I sit there thinking if only I spent this much time studying GOD'S WORD. God's word is very much more worth studying. The times when I do meditate on the Word, when I do ponder over the Truth and write about it, my spirit feels nourished. Why the heck am I filling myself with mindless words, words of mere men? Yes, some of it is good, but I've got to remember first things first.

First things first. God, help me to remember You and to abide in Your truth.

The Joy of Improvisation!

2011-11-02T21:16:00.002+11:00

Wooooo, had a very fun teaching session today! :D

It's the best thing ever teaching someone to improvise because it's like a whole new world's opened up to them that they never thought they could venture into before! I felt the same when I started to improvise and make my own melodies. And even more recently this year when I delved into the wonderful world of jazz music.

Improvising has gotta be the best thing ever about music! It's so much fun I don't even notice how much time has passed and I don't even feel like I'm teaching. It's more like I'm just sharing my music and my student is responding to it by listening and playing it back to me in his or her own way. It's such a fun thing to do. I wish I was taught to improvise from the very beginning instead of having to figure it out blindly on my own for those few years!!!

Again, listening is the core of improvising. It's being still on the inside and focusing your creative vibes to create meaningful melodies on the piano itself (or whatever instrument you play). It's hard when you first start. You don't know what fits where. And sometimes it strikes me by surprise when I play something terribly dissonant even though I had thought of something wonderful in my mind. But the trick is to make the change as quickly as you made the dissonant mistake, by hearing, internally responding, and then producing something more accurate to what you initially created in your mind's ear.

The wonderful culmination of your 'jam sessions' is the moment when you can do all that and make all those internal responses almost immediately and without hesitation or doubt that the next thing you play will sound just like you 'heard' it inside you! That's the best feeling ever because you're then unstoppable. Your creative vibes are limitless. All the wonderful, beautiful things you make up in your mind can then be smoothly translated into audible tones in the atmosphere. It is one of the most exciting and exhilirating things I have felt and will continue to feel if I keep LISTENING ACTIVELY!

The Eleventh Hour

2011-11-02T15:34:00.003+11:00

by Janielle Beh on Wednesday, November 2, 2011 at 12:14am.

Time is perpetually passing us by. It is a running stream we're all flowing along to. Some of us just go with it, never pausing to reflect where we're headed. But friends, this is one thing we must do!

We can't just 'let live'. There must be something we're aspiring to. Without vision, without a clear sense of direction, we've just drifting aimlessly with the current of time. How do we make sure what we're doing now is helping us stay in the right direction?

'Be very careful, then, how you live - not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity and REDEEMING THE TIME, because the days are evil.' Ephesians 5:15-16

Someone said, life is what happens when you're not making plans. True, to some extent. But it depends what kind of a life your planning to live. You really don't want to live haphazardly, waiting for the next thing to come round and in the mean time just drifting along!

Redeem the time.

Time WILL pass you by if you never harness every moment for the right things. To pursue the right things. If you don't make the effort to 'redeem' the time, you'll miss a lot of precious one-off opportunities just because you weren't paying attention to life. Don't just drift along waiting for something to catch your fancy! You've got to step out and do what you have to do as well.
It's always the 'eleventh hour' if you think about it. Well, time's always running short. You really don't have all the time in the world. Maybe except when you're on holidays.. But still!

We're on the verge of something. It's closer. We're all tempted to live our own lives and do what we'd like to do. But give life a pause, and think, if its really the eleventh hour, and time is truly short, what am I gonna do with the today God has given me?

Sometimes I don't know what and I don't know how. But you know guess what, it begins here. It begins NOW.

Believing is Seeing

2011-10-31T15:14:00.000+11:00

If seeing is believing, then I believe the reverse is truer: believing is seeing.

Some people take a longer time to make that leap. But the leap of faith is really not all that hard if you let go and let God.

God will give each one the 'measure of faith' to believe in Him. It is hard to believe. We often think people of 'great faith' have faith because they've somehow mustered it up themselves. But that is really not the case! Faith is a gift from God.

However, people mistake that to think they can live as they please until faith calls them. No, it is still a very real CHOICE only you can make. As much as God knows all the possibilities, you still have to make that decision. You still choose.

And why would you wait till the last minute? Why not seek and ask now?

Is believing in Jesus simply about getting eternal life? Is believing in God just about getting blessings and happiness and peace?

It is all these things, and more. I know people who do not believe in God, but still live pretty purposeful lives and they're decent folks themselves. Maybe sometimes even more conscientious than some Christians. But what is it like to not know who you are in Christ? What is it like to not know your true identity, the person you are fully meant to be in Christ Jesus?

I believe in Jesus. I have experienced and still am experiencing His love and grace and truth. But I can't say that I've fully known Christ as much as I would truly like to. I'm still on my journey. That's the exciting thing though. Because then you realize that everything that happens is not haphazard and meaningless and at random. If you truly believe, you would trust in Him, and if you trust in God, you would ABIDE in Him. If you abide in Him, you will have that blessed assurance that no matter what happens, YOU'RE COVERED. Even through the worst that happens, you can continue to live with JOY, not fleeting, temporary, worldly-secured happiness. You can continue to live with thankfulness, even in the toughest moments of seeming death and hopelessness. You're covered.

Most of all, there is something about desiring to know God, and then believing in Him, that satisfies my soul craving. A lot of us have ignored this craving within us. We've temporarily snuffed it out by filling our lives with a lot of temporary, corruptible things that ultimately will not satisfy this soul craving.
Your soul craves truth and unconditional love. None of that exists in any man, any woman, or any idealogy. All of that exists in a Person who claimed to be 'the way, the truth, and the life'.

Jesus is Truth Himself. It is a radical, unthinkable statement for a mere mortal to make. He is either a lunatic, or... the real thing. And not just a mere mortal like you and me.

You see, we don't need religion. We don't need more rules and regulations. We don't need 'good' teachers. We don't need philosophy. We don't need momentary happiness.

What we do need is the Truth our soul craves. We need Someone we can trust. We need this unconditional love we're seeking for in everything we do.

You don't need to think any more about it. The truth is in the Word of God. If you're truly seeking, it's all there. And God is here. He is only waiting for you to call out to Him. And I tell you, if you are genuinely seeking the Truth, He will reveal Himself to you!

For You

2011-10-29T21:22:00.002+11:00

I'm reading David Wilkerson's The Cross and the Switchblade and boy am I inspired and challenged! It is an amazing true story of a man who heeded the 'still, small voice' of God and left his comfort zone to venture into the dark and dangerous ghetto, violence-ravaged inner-city slums of New York City. No, certainly not where the Hollywood-like glamour is. It is far less wonderful.

How does someone heed God's voice so eagerly? And of course, despite all the opposition and troubles and discouraging bouts, David Wilkerson forged on persistently trusting in the Spirit's guidance. There were times when he made the mistake of trusting in his own abilities, and nothing worked. But when he let go, when he did his part and then freely surrendered the rest to God, life-transforming things began to take place in the lives of the hardened, hatred-filled hearts of young gang leaders and prostitutes and drug addicts and murderers.

When I read books like this I am again faced with the awful fact that we all live in such ignorance. We're happy being goody-two-shoes Christians where we are. Going to church on Sundays and being all wonderful and kind among ourselves, among people who will be kind to us in return. But how many of us truly have the 'mind of Christ', in that we see people who are in fact terrible, terrible people and yet still have compassion for them? Most people would condemn these merciless, heartless murderers and say they are deserving of hell. But would Jesus have done that?

Certainly the Bible doesn't say Jesus condemned these ones whom the rest of the law-abiding world condemned. He reached out to them. He saw what was behind all their terrible deeds, all their hurt and all the wrongs they committed. That is what makes Jesus radical. He wasn't just a 'good' teacher or prophet or rebel. He claimed to be God. He claimed to be truth and life itself. THAT is what makes Jesus Christ different. He wasn't for religion. He did not come to impose rules and regulations. He came to fulfill the law itself and in spite of his blamelessness, take the sins of the world on his shoulders.

It baffles me.

God actually cared to come Himself. He could have sent an angel, he could have done something brilliant and miraculous, he could have striked us all dead for our multitudes of wrongs. But he chose to come Himself, in person, because he 'so loved the world'.

It baffles me.

The message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to those who are BEING SAVED, it is the POWER OF GOD.

Reading David Wilkerson's story of his work - no, God's work - among the most broken and hopeless and violent young people makes me realize once again that the message of the cross is for those who NEED SAVING.

Of course, ALL OF US, yes, all of us, need saving. But it is those who realize and admit that they need saving who are able to take that leap of faith and finally surrender trust to the One in whom they were meant to trust in all along. Our Father in heaven. Yes, it makes no sense, doesn't it?

But wait till you experience the power of God sweeping through your entire being through His Holy Spirit. Yes, it makes no sense. But do not be afraid to ask, my friend! If you are truly seeking the truth, you will find Him. You will find the one you can trust because he IS the source of Truth. Truth is really a matter of trust. You only trust someone whom you know is a source of truth, not deceit. Your soul longs for this truth. Your soul craves someone to trust, and you know that no one in this world can ever fill that void, because we're all longing for the same thing that none of us have.

And so someday, you will realize that the end of you is the beginning of God. I just hope you do realize it very soon. Because when you do come to the end of you, you WILL realize that there is nothing and no one who can save you but the One who gave His life for you.

For y o u.

There's More to Come

2011-10-29T12:40:00.001+11:00

First posted by my best friend, Joyce Shamini on Saturday, October 15, 2011 at 9:25pm.

I once heard one pleading with an atheist: “Suppose that we could speak with an embryo time began in his mother’s womb and that you would tell him that the proof that the embryonic life is only a short one after which follows a real, long life. What would the embryo answer? He would say just what you atheists answer to us, when we speak to you about paradise and hell. He would say that the life in the mother’s womb is the only one and that everything else is religious foolishness. But if the embryo could think, he would say to himself, ‘Here arms grow on me. I do not need them. I cannot even stretch them. Why do they grow? Perhaps they grow for a future stage of my existence, in which I will have to work with them. Legs grow, but I have to keep them bent toward my chest. Why do they grow? Probably life in a large world follows, where I will have to walk. Eyes grow, although I am surrounded by perfect darkness and don’t need them. Why do I have eyes? Probably a world with light and colors will follow.’

“So, if the embryo would reflect on his own development, he would know about a life outside of his mother’s womb, without having seen it. It is the same with us. As long as we are young, we have vigor, but no mind to use it properly. When, with the years, we have grown in knowledge and wisdom, the hearse waits to take us to the grave. Why was it necessary to grow in a knowledge and wisdom that we can use no more? Why do arms, legs, and eyes grow on an embryo? It is for what follows. So it is with us here. We grow here in experience, knowledge, and wisdom for what follows. We are prepared to serve on a higher level that follows death.”’

- favorite excerpt from 'Tortured for Christ' by Richard Wurmbrand

If You're Just Purely Matter...

2011-10-29T12:36:00.001+11:00

On one occasion a Communist was giving a lecture on atheism. All factory workers were required to attend; among these workers were many Christians. They sat quietly hearing all the arguments against God and about the stupidity of believing in Christ. The lecturer attempted to prove that there is no spiritual world, no God, no Christ, no hereafter; man is only matter with no soul. He said over and over that only matter exists.

A Christian stood up and asked to speak. Permission was given. The Christian picked up his folding chair and threw it down. He paused, looking at it. He then walked up and slapped the Communist lecturer in the face. The lecturer became very angry. His face flushed red with indignation. He shouted obscenities and called for fellow Communists to arrest the Christian. He demanded, “How dare you slap me? What is the reason?” The Christian replied, “You have just proved yourself a liar. You said everything is matter…nothing else. I picked up a chair and threw it down. It is truly matter. The chair did not become angry. It is only matter. When I slapped you, you did not react like the chair. You reacted differently. Matter does not get mad or angry, but you did. Therefore, comrade professor, you are wrong. Man is more than matter. We are spiritual beings!

— Richard Wurmbrand, Tortured for Christ

A Search for Significance

2011-10-29T12:35:00.002+11:00

Excerpt from Soul Cravings by Erwin Raphael McManus

‘We are strange creatures, we humans. We strive for success, search for significance, look for purpose and dream of our destiny. Why do we need it? Shouldn’t we be able to live without it?

Over the years, I have been asked to speak at conferences on this very subject. Each time in the middle of my lecture I would ask one of the more well-known speakers to come up and help me for a minute. I would try to choose someone the people saw as a symbol of success. Someone who, in a transparent moment, the audience would confess they wanted to be like. I would begin an interview and explain that the only rules were that the person had to be honest. The dialogue would go something like this:

‘Elvis, it’s good to have you today. I want to ask you a couple of personal questions. Is that all right?’

‘Sure, that’s fine.’

‘What I need from you is for you to just be perfectly honest.’

‘Of course. Yes.’

‘You’re a pretty successful guy, and everyone admires you. A lot of people would rather spend their lives imitating you than actually finding their own unique voice. Has there ever been a time when you felt insignificant?’

Long pause… ‘Yeah.’

‘So there’s been a moment in your life when even with all of your success, you’ve wondered if your life had any value, any real significance? In spite of all of your success, these insecurities have haunted you? In other words, you’re nothing but a hound dog?’

‘That’s right.’

‘How did you get through those moments?’

Not mentioning alchohol or prescription drugs, he responds, ‘Love. People around me. Priscilla, you know, the people who care about me helped me through those moments.’

‘And they told you what?’

‘You know, that I’m the King.’

‘In other words, that you’re significant, that you have value, that you’re important?’

‘Exactly.’

‘Well, Elvis, I do some counseling sometimes – not often, but occasionally – and I’d like to help you through this. You know that moment when you felt insignificant, that moment when you wondered if you had any value at all, if your life really meant anything? That was the most honest moment you ever had, because you are insignificant. You’re just a speck of dust against the backdrop of the cosmos. You are an evolutionary tragedy, a gnat with self-awareness heading straight toward the windshield of inevitability. All your future holds for you is splat and then it’s over.

‘I know what you’re thinking, but look at all that you’ve done. You’re the king of Graceland, the king of rock and roll, the king of rhinestones. And what about all the people who tell you that you’re so important? That’s because we all live in this illusion together. If you’re not significant, then what are we? We affirm you’re important in hopes that we are too. But we’re all deluded by the same drug. If we all came to our senses, if we could all sober up, we would see the truth – we’re born, we rock, then we die. Welcome to my own version of reality therapy. So, Elvis, how are you feeling?’

‘Not good.’

‘Oh, by the way, everything I just said is absolutely true if there is no God.’

Maybe you can’t prove God in a tube, but you can find him in your soul. When he’s missing, you can feel it in your gut.

One universal phenomenon I’ve discovered each time I’ve had this conversation is the reaction of those listening. The moment I tell a person he is insignificant, you can feel it in the room. The crowd feels I have done something unthinkable, something even immoral. Maybe you felt it just a minute ago: something in your gut went tight and a voice inside you said, Wait a minute; this is wrong. Most likely you have already picked up on the fact that I’ve never actually had conversation with Elvis, but even that didn’t matter.

Something inside tells you it’s wrong to say to another human being that he or she is nothing. But again, the question begs to be asked, If there is no God, if we’re just drifting through time and space, if we’re actually not going anywhere, if there is no progress, why should it matter and why should we care? If it’s the truth, isn’t it best for all of u to come to grips with it, to come face-to-face with this harsh reality? Even if we are at the far end of the continuum with God on the other side, it doesn’t change it at all.

Atheist, agnostic, existentialist, humanist, Buddhist, Muslim, Hindu, Christian – we all need to believe that somehow our lives matter.

There is reason for our existence, a reason to live, and if we can’t find it, we’ll just make it up. And if we lack imagination, then we’ll just medicate ourselves, sedate ourselves, intoxicate ourselves, indulge ourselves, deceive ourselves, or just simply come to the end of ourselves. Without a reason to live, we don’t even have a reason to get out of bed.

If there were no God, if would be inane for us to search for significance or to be ambitious for success. Our need to become points us to where we’ve come from. The reason we struggle with insignificance, the reason we fight to accomplish something, the reason we aspire and dream and risk is that God created us with an intrinsic need to become.

This thing that haunts you, that never seems satisfied, the cravings in your soul that you are unable to satiate through all the success that the world can bring – this is your soul screaming for God. Only God can take you where you were born to go. There are a lot of roads you can choose, but one path chooses you.’

The Pride of Life

2011-10-29T12:34:00.000+11:00

28.11.10

Inherent in all of us is the ‘pride of life’ and the ‘boasting of what one has and does’. 1 John 2:16

One of the worst things that makes me the wretch that I am is my pride. Within all of us is that streak of self-righteousness and egoistical notion that we’re better than others. Some of us have it more than others. Some of us see it and try to change it; others do not see it at all.

From the moment we enter school, we somehow have that idea drilled in us that we have to be better than all the other kids. We have to do well. We have to prove ourselves better. Whether we like to admit it or not, it’s all there and some may have this intrinsic drive more than others. But we’d all like to be better than our neighbour.

I hate how I often lapse into a judgmental attitude towards my sisters, towards people I do not yet know properly, because I think myself better than others! By the time I catch myself doing it, it is too late. Sometimes I keep it to myself; sometimes I make the mistake of saying it out loud, and so risk jeopardizing my relationship with the person. I’m an idiot a thousand times over for doing that time and time again.

Phillipians 2:3 says, ‘Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory: but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. Every man should not only look for his own interests, but for the interests of others.’

How do I flush out pride? By my own effort I am hopeless. Absolutely hopeless! I can’t force myself to be more humble!

I remember that humility is not thinking less of yourself, but thinking of yourself less.

So the only way to strip myself of pride is to think more on God and the things of God, and so receive the love of God. If you have the love of Christ in you, you will be able to love others genuinely and of course think of others more than yourself.

Pride stops me from loving others, from speaking the truth in love. Pride makes me speak the truth out of spite, and with the effect of condemnation, which all creates strife. Pride does not speak a word of encouragement or edification, it only puts down others so that one can prop himself up higher over the rest.

Even great men of God have fallen prey to this beastly thing cloaked in seemingly wondrous light. It is horrible what pride does to people. And the more successful and accomplished and recognized one is, the most he is at risk of succumbing to pride and forgetting that losing it all is only a breath away.

I realize that God is always reminding me of my pride. Sometimes I pause and listen, and with His help try to change. Other times I am already so puffed up that I just shut Him out and continue with my life. What an idiot I am! Eventually things do get worse, and I thank God for allowing things to get worse, and allowing me to fail big time, so that I realize the root of my problem! When I’m proud, it’s because I think I’m good enough, I’m better, I’m alright, I can do this because I have what it takes. But that is the stupidest notion I can ever entertain! Without God, I am nothing. If there is no God, truly I am an insignificant speck in the cosmos!

But I have experienced God. I know He is real. Even when I doubt, I will remember what I have experienced and what He has done in my life, and I will choose again to believe. So I only lapse into pride because I forget that God is my only source. I think I can do it myself. Well of course, I always have to come back to the painful realization that when I try to do it by my own strength (which is God-given anyway), I am utterly hopeless. Of course, I wonder, there are plenty of people out there who seem terribly successful without God.

But am I looking only for worldly, temporal success?

No, I am not. Success to me is meaningless if God is not a part of it. How did I even get the idea that I’ll be happy and secure and contented if I achieved success, if I followed my dreams? That’s just foolishness. What is momentary success or security and happiness? It is meaningless. It is selfish. It is prideful. Why? Because I think it’s all me. It’s all me.

The moment I think I’m okay by myself is the moment of my downfall.

The pride of life corrodes us silently on the inside. But of course, on the outside, everything seems wonderful and glamorous. But it is a horrible thing. I know that no one can rid me of it, not myself either. No one except God. So I’ll keep praying this prayer: that whenever pride surfaces, God will allow me to suffer the consequences and so realize again that without Him, I am utterly hopeless. If it’s all me, I’m heading nowhere, I’m grasping for the wind. When it’s all about Jesus, it’s all about the people who so need grace & truth and the love of Christ and then there is direction. Then life isn’t just about finding my own success and being happy because of me and the life that I think I want. Life is about doing what I truly want, which is of course, what God has placed in my heart and soul to do – which is of course, much, much better than what this temporary world places in me to temporarily want and in the end find I’ve missed the whole point.

Choosing to Believe

2011-10-24T19:35:00.002+11:00

It's hard to believe it God sometimes. But then again, if you think about it, it really is harder to NOT believe in God.

Each new day, I need to choose anew.

When I see more crap in the world, I doubt God. I ask all those stupid, pointless 'why' questions again. But then God reminds me, 'in quietness and trust', to continue to trust in spite of all the terrible things that seem to be happening. Not so much to me, mind you, but to other people.

Doubt is good if you RUN TO GOD with your doubts. Then you'll realize what pointless doubts they are. And your faith gets renewed when you CHOOSE to believe, and to KEEP BELIEVING.

How many people have stopped believing just because they chose not to run to God with their questions?

Nothing in this world will give you the answer. Even when I run to God, I still have no answers. But I receive a new measure of faith, and peace and assurance that helps me ride through the next bout of doubt. That's the walk of a follower of Christ. Not one of unbelief, but one of choosing again and again to believe in spite of the doubts that hit you.

Actually Listen to the Music!

2011-10-23T21:56:00.002+11:00

I learn so much when I teach piano. I learn more than I teach! I learn to adapt, I learn to speak confidently. I learn to encourage a person and not sound condescending, especially when the student is older than me! I learn to think ahead and listen carefully. I learn so, so much! I wish I had more time to write down the insightful things I learn from teaching after each lesson!

Yesterday I was teaching a 37-year old guy how to improvise on simple chords and make up a melody. It wasn't easy for him because he was a 'grown up'. And you know, I have honestly learnt from my experience teaching adults, that even though adults are more intelligent than kids, they are actually so much less able to step out of their comfort zone, make mistakes and do something new!

The problem my student had was not his lack of ability to grasp the music. It was the fact that he was trying too hard to MAKE SENSE OF IT. When I played something to demonstrate how I could improvise on a chord and add a melody to it, he would try to figure out why I did this or that, and why I chose a particular note, but he would miss the most vital step: to ACTUALLY LISTEN TO THE MUSIC!

I thought I learned such an important lesson that day, just teaching this 37-year old man how to improvise. I learned that in all areas of life, we need to ACTUALLY LISTEN. We need to just for once sit back, stop questioning, stop trying to rationalize and figure things out, and actually just soak in the moment. Then perhaps you'll grasp what you've been trying so hard to comprehend with your puny human understanding!

I also realized why children learn so much better and quicker. It's because they don't have that stuck up self-awareness that they know it all. Adults tend to think they've got it the moment you tell them something. When actually they haven't! Kids will listen better, and they'll do crazy, silly things without worrying about looking silly. Now isn't that the way to live?

I dislike how the older we get, the more conscious we are of what people think. So we venture less into the unknown. We stay back, stay boring, and ofcourse, remain mediocre. And we also begin to think too much and try to make things make sense for us. Do kids do that? Hell no! If they did, they wouldn't be kids. And if you never noticed, children are much happier and creative than most grown ups.

It's inevitable that we're all growing older and that kiddo inside us is ever shrinking. (I feel sad now.) =( But... I resolve to not worry about what other people think when I do crazy thing and look silly! I'll listen more than I ask questions or try to figure life out. And mediocrity isn't my take on life. I won't be like that! And hey, you won't too! >:p

The You Beneath You

2011-10-23T20:05:00.002+11:00

by Janielle Beh on Sunday, October 23, 2011 at 12:11am

It hit me just then.

It is the TRUTH of GOD,
SPOKEN in LOVE,
that truly changes people.
It's not man's ability, neither eloquent words, nor simply the doing of good things. It is the TRUTH that sets people free! Well, at least those who are seeking and whose hearts are ready to receive it.

Cause' in fact, the truth stinks to people who are happy to remain in the dark. Including me, most times. The truth hurts because it exposes all our wretchedness.

But the truth, spoke in LOVE, liberates all who choose to REALIZE that they have been living (not really) like the walking dead, devoid of love, hope and faith. While outwardly they appear all right, inwardly, their soul is starving. You don't physically, mentally, feel it, but once you stop everything else, or if something terrible happens & all the things that had kept you busy chasing after pointless things are removed, you realize how spiritually deprived you are.

Erwin Raphael McManus in his insightful musing 'Soul Cravings', said, 'Remember, what can settle your mind will not settle your soul.'

In other words, what can temporarily satisfy your 'logical' sense and your physical body, will never be able to satiate the deeper longing of your soul to be filled with the truth and love of God. If you've been living, surviving without it, you know something's been missing. You've denied it, but you know it's there. Nothing can fill that void, nothing in this temporary world can give an answer to that question mark in your soul.

Don't deny it any longer. The body will only last for so long. It is the true you, the you beneath you, hidden behind your physical shell, that matters in the end. Don't chase after the wind hoping to find significance or success on your own! You were made for so much more. If you try to only feed this temporary shell and push aside your soul, in the end you will be just that, both less-than-wonderful on the outside and crumbling on the inside!

We forget what is most ESSENTIAL to our existence. It is the me and you beneath us that counts! Its like how we worry about paying the bills or buying the best clothes, but we seldom ever think twice about having air to breathe. Yet truly, which is more critical to life?

Seizing the Day

2011-10-18T14:03:00.004+11:00

by Janielle Beh on Sunday, October 16, 2011 at 1:20pm

How many days and moments have passed us by because we weren't engaging in the present?

How many times have we missed the one time opportunity to talk to someone we should care about?

How many times have we ignored the people in the shadows so the spotlight will be on ourselves?

When i ask myself these questions, I feel so disgusted with my selfishness. No one is exempt from this terrible self-centeredness that eats up all the love and kindness and patience we can have towards others.

I despise the fact that because of this selfishness and pride, I have missed countless God-given opportunities to make a day memorable, to appreciate the people around me, to care about someone apart from me, myself and I.

There is a world out there that we're all so indifferent to. We live our lives as if they were our own. In fact, my life is not my own!

Paul said, 'I count it all as loss, that I may gain Christ.'

The rare times when I let go of myself, my selfish wants, I realize how much freer I am to receive God's love and truth and how much freer I am to let this love overflow in every aspect of my life.

That's the key to seizing the day and seizing every God-given opportunity. Someone once told me, Its all about God and its all about people.

Yes, the two greatest commandments Jesus preached, loving God and loving others!

Imagine A World Without Mirrors

2011-10-18T14:03:00.002+11:00

by Janielle Beh on Monday, October 10, 2011 at 8:16pm

Imagine, a world without mirrors.

Wouldn’t that be horrifying? But hey, on the flipside, it might just be liberating!

Imagine not being relentlessly and continuously reminded of the seemingly one most important thing in the world, YOURSELF.

Yes, waking up every morning without feeling obliged to look at yourself in the mirror. Yes, not periodically checking your face on the reflection of your phone. Yes, going to the mall, but not really buying things for yourself because your appearance isn’t the first thing on your mind.
Imagine the amount of extra time you would have, not caring so much about how you look, because well frankly, it doesn’t matter as much as what you say or do. Because, I do think, your actions, words and attitudes do matter more than how you look or think about yourself.

We never realize it, but we’ve slipped into a very narcissistic existence; we, the generation of youth and technology and fashion – and not to mention Twitter and Facebook. We forget that just 5 years ago, people would never have imagined spending THIS much time checking their phones and tweeting every few minutes or posting random crappy mobile photos or ‘checking in’ and letting the world know where their latest hang-out is. It’s frankly ridiculous if you pause to think about it from a safe distance.

Imagine if you weren’t constantly reminded of how you look.
Imagine if you didn’t constantly face the social pressures of ‘updating’ the world about your ‘happening’ life.
Imagine if you didn’t have to wake up every morning and be reminded in the mirror of how good or bad you look.

Wouldn’t we all be a little more selfless creatures?

I imagine if we weren’t continually conscious of ourselves and what others think of us, we would be so much freer to think of others and to love people with all the kindness and love we can give.

I don’t think society has ever been more selfish than now. Girls and guys have never been more vain and self-conscious than before. The pressure is constantly eating at us. Everywhere we’re bombarded by images of beautiful, perfect looking people. There is however, no information on how these people behave and what they say or do in real life, which might be far from admirable.

Life is so much of a farce nowadays. We’re all influenced by this destructive selfishness, gnawing at our insides, killing our thoughts for other people, making us even more self-centered. All we think about is what we want to do, where we want to go, what our plans are for tomorrow, what our friends think of us. No wonder, even though we are supposedly a very ‘social’ generation, there are actually more lonely people now (in real life, not on Facebook) than there were in the past when there were less social networking and sites helping people to look for a guy or girl friend! It’s ridiculous. Rather depressing don’t you think.

Imagine a world without mirrors. Literally, or figuratively. Imagine if all of us thought of ourselves less and put others first, before our own selfish plans and desires. Wouldn’t life be much more meaningful and memorable? Because as you think more of others, others would also think more of you. And it goes round and round.

~ j a n i e ll e

A Moment of Lucidity

2011-10-02T21:35:00.002+11:00

by Janielle Beh on Thursday, September 29, 2011 at 5:30pm

You know the moments when you realize you've been living on 'autopilot' mode? That's when you either wake up, or carry on in the sorry state of oblivion.

You truly live when you engage in the moment, when you love what you're doing, and when you have a passion for something, or for someone, in the heart of your existence. Look around you, how many people have that?

Seize the moment of lucidity. And wake up.

Look, the rest of the world is in slumber to the things that truly matter. I know I always return to this same old, same old. But how essential it is for us to respond to the rare wake up calls and blessed piercing moments of lucidity when we do realize we've been living in ignorance and selfishness?

I guess the key is not to live for yourself. I know the world promotes this glorified self-centeredness. How about an inherent selflessness? Now that is a rarity.

How to not live for yourself? I presume by first letting go of the things that make you forget others and forget God. I realize when I do let go, I actually realize what little meaning that thing holds! Why did I become enslaved to something so trivial and short-lived?

Mmm. Much to muse on. I'm typing this in Pancake Parlour, sipping coffee and looking out the window.

This is my moment of lucidity.

Girl, you gotta' wake up

Love Despite Change

2011-10-02T21:33:00.002+11:00

by Janielle Beh on Wednesday, September 28, 2011 at 1:53am

'We arent the same persons this year as we were the last; nor are those we love. It's a happy chance if we, changing, continue to love a changed person.' William Sommerset Maughan

We never often think about it... But who are the people we truly love? And who are the ones who truly love us? Changing, fickle, unstable beings as we are, who would love me for who I am?

When you begin to really ponder this, then you realize that maybe the ones who really love you and those whom you truly love can only be counted on your ten fingers...

With that in mind, we should also always remember, no one on earth can ever love us as perfectly and unchangingly as GOD can!

And shifting to another vantage point, oh how precious is life and how fleeting is time so much so that we should give careful thought to whom we spend our time with!

Too often we all go about seeking the approval of those who will never appreciate our friendship. Too often we forget the people who already want to get to know us better and we take for granted these rare jewels right before us in a bid to chase after the wind.

Friends, we need to choose our friends, and we also need to BE a friend to someone who truly needs a friend!

The world's a sad place because everyone's seeking love and approval from the wrong people, and in the mean time, those who truly need OUR love & approval, are left ignored in the shadows.

Make every moment count. Look out for the people who need your love and care. Appreciate the ones who do love you for who you are and who will also have the nerve to tell you off when you're out of place! :p

With wisdom choose what you take in and also what you give out. While we can't love everyone all at once, we CAN reach out to the world by sharing God's love & truth one person at a time. :)

No Compromise

2011-10-02T21:32:00.002+11:00

by Janielle Beh on Sunday, September 18, 2011 at 3:36pm

An old Zen proverb says, 'To know and not to do is not yet to know.'

Most people just carry on. Knowing fully that something is plainly wrong. Yes, knowing, but not doing anything.

How many people in our generation are willing to stand alone? Because 'doing something' usually means standing alone for what you believe in. It usually means being deemed a fool.

Most people make excuses and move on. Most of us will find some way to justify our lack of conviction to do what must be done and slink away from the responsibility of doing what is right.

We've all lived in the dump for too long. We've been smelling the crap since the day we were born. How many have long ago quietly acquiesced to this way of life entirely contrary to what the Creator meant it to be?

The ones who for a moment, have had their eyes and ears and hearts opened to the Truth, will know what must be done to make their stand. But often it is too difficult to slog through the crap and clean up the mess. Like someone said, 'Its too hard to fight if the fight ain't fair.'

Yet which is the better alternative? To at least have tried slogging through the mud, to have at least swum against the current, or to join the others and contribute to the mess and dive into the mud as well?

The problem is most of us inevitably find ourselves just 'carrying on' with our lives. In spite of what we know we should be doing. We just carry on. We simply build a higher tolerance for the crap around us. We try to get used to it. We appease our conscience by doing the occasional good deed and being 'nice people'.

Its not ENOUGH to be nice! Its not ENOUGH to know the truth. If nothing is DONE in response to what is known, it is frankly a pointless, fruitless sort of 'knowing'.

It just baffles me how some people can put up with clear wrongs and lies and pretend 'its alright' just because we don't want to offend anybody. The truth is the truth. The light and the darkness cannot exist as one. Oil and water will never mix. The truth cannot coexist with deception.

It only means that the people who choose to remain silent in the midst of what they know is clearly wrong, are those who have compromised. Compromise is not an option! You either do something about the mess, or you leave the mess. You cannot try to live WITH the mess.

Friends, we either do something about it or we have no part with lies and deception. Compromising the truth and your faith is not an option.

Jolted Awake

2011-10-02T21:31:00.004+11:00

by Janielle Beh on Sunday, September 11, 2011 at 11:59pm

Its unpleasant to be jolted awake.

But sometimes you need it. Such as when you smell something burning and realize you forgot to turn the stove off. Or when you've dozed on the train and just missed your stop.

From time to time, I need to be jolted awake. And I've shifted from merely physical terms here. Spiritually, we can all be so depraved and ignorant of our own sorry conditions. The condition of the heart and soul.

From day to day, I sometimes catch myself drifting with the trends of society. Often than not, they go against the Truth that I have instilled in me. It is tiring to struggle against the current. Sometimes I do give in and acquiesce, to my later regret.

So the rare moments when I DO get jolted awake, unpleasant though it may be, I realize how grateful I am afterwards that I was not allowed to drift in ignorance! Like the days when I doze off on the train, and thankfully, I for some reason wake up with a start just before I arrive the stop. Of course, the safer thing would be in the first place to not doze off!

Its a constant struggle to not drift! Its a constant challenge to not fall into complacency. Well no one said it would be easy. But it is well worth the effort and struggle when at the end of all things you realize once again that you DID stand for the right thing.

The Precious Few

2011-10-02T21:29:00.002+11:00

by Janielle Beh on Sunday, September 11, 2011 at 2:46am

Unfortunately, we live in an ever-increasingly ignorant and self-centered society, where the precious few who DO NOT CONFORM and who remain true to their unique identity, are ridiculed, rejected and misunderstood.

The precious few kids who are truly driven and passionate for the right things in life (often absolutely contrary to the things most teens nowadays do and say) are ignored and unrecognized. The crowd mentality I have to battle against every single day makes me so so so discontented with the way this generation is turning out.

So many kids are distracted and quite frankly mindless. They're just being tossed to and fro by their 'friends'. Even adults and teachers nowadays know no better. It exasperates me to spot the precious pearls while the rest of the world bypasses them. These ones who truly deserve the attention and recognition!

But no, the ones who go with the crowd are the ones who gain increasing popularity. The ones who swear and talk crap and spend countless hours on brainless pursuits are accepted as the cool kids. The ones who have no identity whatsoever and are merely copying what others are doing and jumping on the bandwagon, are applauded by their ignorant peers who also fare no better.

To stand apart from the crowd is to risk rejection. But who cares, if you stay true to who you were made to be. It is easier said than done. No doubt there are times when I've felt pretty shit, to put it bluntly and honestly. But also no doubt, I have no regrets. Better to die an original than to live an imitation.

Pardon my rant. Actually no, I really meant what I said. But you get my meaning. Hopefully, if you're not one among the crowd.

~ J a n i e ll e

Faith

2011-10-02T21:27:00.000+11:00

by Janielle Beh on Monday, August 29, 2011 at 11:44am

If my faith in Jesus is the crux of my life and the essence of my existence, then it should define who I am and what I do.

Let not my faith be determined by mere emotions, fleeting and capricious.
Let not my faith be dictated by what other people say, think or do.
Let not my faith be based on the shifty, intellectual reasonings and arguments of merely intellectual men.

Let not my faith be swayed by my selfish, shortsighted dreams and plans.
Let not my faith be governed by the petty laws of this world.
Let not my faith be regulated by the expectations of men.

Let not my faith be founded on the opinions and half-truths of this generation.
Let not my faith be restrained by the troubles of this world.
Let not my faith be limited by my doubts, fears and failures.

Let me not forsake my faith for the fleeting, tangible things the majority pursues.
Let me not forsake my faith because of the criticism and derision of mere men.
Let me not forsake my faith for the momentary pleasures of this crumbling society.
Let me not forsake my faith to gain the ungainly, worthless approval of man.

Let me not forsake my faith to pursue my selfish dreams!
Let me not forsake my faith to chase after the wind.
Let me not forsake my faith to attain shortlived success.
Let me not forsake my faith for the recognition of this passing world.

Let me not forsake my faith for a false gospel.
Let me not forsake my faith because of the need to conform.
Let me not forsake my faith to indulge in the evil intent of my heart.
Let me not forsake my faith to live the way I want.

It begins with today. It begins with a choice.

~ j a n i e ll e

It's a Noisy World

2011-10-02T21:24:00.000+11:00

by Janielle Beh on Saturday, August 27, 2011 at 10:37pm

Tis' a world full of noise.

If only I settled in the spaces of silence...
Have I the choice?

The problem is I still choose the noise! Arrgghh. There are the sweet moments when we retreat from this world of unrest. But inevitably we return to it. We return to it!!! By choice?

Some people love noise and movement. Others love to be in the happening spot. I love the silence. I only wish I could be still. More often.

Whatever it is, I'm still gonna' be stuck in a noisy world. But I have a choice. Yes, be still my soul, be still.

~ J a n i e ll e

What DEFINES You

2011-10-02T21:22:00.003+11:00

by Janielle Beh on Thursday, August 25, 2011 at 10:50pm

What DEFINES me and you?

Is it the family and environment we grew up in? Is it the people we hang out with? The things we are taught at school?

Is it the music we listen to, the books we read, the people we encounter, the friends we make?

Is it our personality, our genes, the choices we make?

What defines you?

It becomes quite a daunting prospect when you begin to attempt to list all the possible influences on your life that makes you uniquely you. There are some things that are inevitable and which we cannot change. But what of the things that we CAN avoid, and the things that we can CHOOSE to be influenced by?

The outward persona that most of us assume may be a loose fitting drab that really does not represent who we truly are, and who we are MEANT to be. It pains me to see that so many people are insecure about their identity. It pains me because sometimes I myself fall into the same trap.

Someone wittingly said, 'We are all unique. Just like everybody else.'

Ha-ha.

Like it or not, although all of us are different, most of us are trapped by the need to conform. It may not be a bad thing. But it will be if conforming means abandoning the person that you were created to be in the image of God and in the likeness of Christ!

The moment we let the fleeting opinions, expectations and successes of this world define who we are, we have lost the essence of God's stamp on our lives.

Augustus said, 'In the moment of our creation, we received the stamp of our individuality; and much of life is spent in rubbing out and defacing the impression.'

How sadly true! If only we were more aware of the forces and voices around us. If only we are more discerning, if only we learned to filter all these influences and take in what God meant for us.

~ J a n i e ll e

Just Floating?

2011-10-02T21:21:00.002+11:00

by Janielle Beh on Monday, August 22, 2011 at 11:14pm

It irks me - no, it DISTURBS me, to see that so many of us are mindlessly floating from one thing to the next.

Yes, including myself. I despise the fact that in spite of my desire to 'go against the flow', I always somehow end up getting caught up with it again. And again.

And again.

It is a constant battle. Well, at least for those who are trying to swim against the current. For those going with the flow, it's no doubt quite an easy ride.

But like Malcolm Muggeridge says, 'Only dead fish swim with the stream.'

In our case, most of us aren't dead - just floating!

So many young people nowadays are being tossed to and fro by the winds of opinion, media, expectations and deception in the world. Most are simply drifting from one preoccupation to the next.

How many of us are actively CHOOSING? How many have the will to stand their ground and choose the right thing, often the thing contrary to the 'norm'?

When all the world around us is buffeted by the whirlwind of distractions, lies and temptations, who will stand firm and swim against the current?

A lot of people know a lot of things, but most of it isn't necessarily founded on the Truth, and on solid values and principled judgment. As a result, there is so much confusion and deception! This young generation is a distracted, ignorant generation. So knowledgeable and capable, yet most are founded on shifty ground.

So many people out there have stopped choosing. They go with what's trendy, what's socially acceptable, what's popular, what's easy, what's successful. They've allowed the whirlwind of opinions and distractions and expectations of the world to dictate HOW they'll spend their time and live their lives. It is a sorry fact.

No wonder the Apostle Paul exhorts us to 'Redeem the time, because the days are evil.'

Redeem. To buy back the time. Because constantly, our time - the time God has given us - is being robbed of us by the preoccupations and mindless distractions of this world. We don't need these things. We don't even need to do all these things which we foolishly deem important!

What are the things I can live without? Strive to live without them. Strive to let go.

It is not about being ascetic. Its about removing the distractions to see clearly what's important. Its not even just about going against the flow. Its about CHOOSING WELL.

Ask yourself, for how long have you been just floating?

~ j a n i e ll e

Anarchy

2011-10-02T21:20:00.000+11:00

by Janielle Beh on Wednesday, August 10, 2011 at 10:34pm

Reading the news about the atrocity of the UK riots, and even of riots in other parts of the world has made me wonder how man can be so lawless when given the chance to show their true colours.

How many of us have clear, inherent ethics and principles that we will stick to in spite of trying circumstances?

How many will not succumb to looting and murder when they are starving hungry?

Or even in the case of these so-called civilized people living in grossly privileged, developed nations, who are not even to the point of starvation or in great depravity.

Even children are seen running about amok in the rioting crowds looting and adding to the havoc. It is quite unbelievable. You'd think only barbarians would act like this. But no, even educated, normally well-mannered folk can run around harming even the common people and beating up the police.

This makes me think, what of the people around me today? What about myself? If I were in a situation when the law no longer bounded me, where 'everyone else' is running around doing as they please in the cause of so-called 'rioting', would I join the band-wagon as well?

What about people I know? Nice, friendly, kind, caring people. If they were placed in desperate situations; if they had to steal or kill for food; if they had to harm others to save themselves; if they had to forsake their friends and family to preserve their own lives, would they very well succumb to such pressures?

If I had to one day deny Jesus to save my temporary existence on earth, would I do it?

These are unanswerable questions for the moment. But really, it is the questions that make this meaningful and intriguing, not concrete answers. It is the tight rope of faith that I'm balancing on that makes this life exciting. But then again, I am in a precarious position. I could fall. I could very well succumb and go with the flow. I could very well turn into a monster if I were forced to show my true colours. Now THAT'S a scary prospect for each of us.

Despite all the laws and regulations this world has now, things don't seem to be getting any better. Despite all the high-flying technology, despite education, the number of hungry people and impoverished families continue to increase steeply. Despite all the knowledge man has, there is still that inherent stain of evil intent in each of our hearts.

What can deliver us from this except the blood of Jesus sacrificed as an atonement for our fallenness?

People will still continue living, working, protesting, rioting, whatever. But won't they realize that it is all in vain if they have not the stamp of Christ's redemptive work on their lives?

The world will only continue to decline. We know it. Everything is only being held together by a thin, flimsy frame. By the grace of God we will have a bit more time. Meanwhile the world is filled with chaos, confusion, deception, and ultimately anarchy. In many places its already happening. Some of us are safer, others are not. Whatever it is, lets hold on the the TRUTH and the HOPE that we have in Christ Jesus.

~ J a n i e ll e

Let Go

2011-08-12T13:55:00.001+10:00

by Janielle Beh on Saturday, July 30, 2011 at 3:34pm

The sky is falling, all else is crumbling
Where do I run to?

The world needs saving, the ship is sinking
Who will come to the rescue?

The light is fading, the wind is sighing
Oh is this the end of me?

No one is seeking, no one is praying
I wonder if all is lost?

My candle burns briefly, so briefly.
Still I cling on to this Hope.
Yes, this anchor for my soul.

The rest can let live. But I will learn to let go.
~ j a n i e ll e

The Silver Lining

2011-08-12T13:54:00.004+10:00

by Janielle Beh on Saturday, July 30, 2011 at 12:18am

'Don't you give up now,
the sun will soon be shining,
You gotta face the clouds,
To find the Silver Lining.'
-Kutless

I love the song 'What Faith Can Do' by the contemporary Christian band 'Kutless'! That's where those lyrics are from. You gotta face the clouds, to find the silver lining!

On one cloudy and gloomy day, I was tired and gloomy myself. What a dread to face the heavy, grey clouds while walking to school. Ah, but then my perspective changed when I saw a golden tinge outlining the clouds and the warmth of the blessed sun glowing somewhere beyond. Although the clouds were still hanging, and all around me was grey, it heartened me to know that somewhere beyond the sun is still shining.

I remembered the lyrics to the song and started singing. Immediately I felt much better. Sometimes we just need these silent reminders to help us see BEYOND ourselves and beyond the grey and gloomy state we're in. How much more joy and peace will we find if we stop focusing on our petty worries and instead fix our eyes on the things that transcend all these temporal troubles!

If we care to look. If we care to see and listen. If we choose to pause and be silent. Yes, just for a moment. We will realize more often that the challenges we face each day are merely stepping stones in the larger picture that God sees. Why do we not see it?

C.S. Lewis said, 'Time is like a line drawn on a piece of paper. And God is that piece of paper.'

God encompasses past, present and future. He's already there, he's here, he sees it all. WE, on the other hand, are limited by the present. We are that dot, that speck on the line progressing to the next dot to form the continuous line. Humanly speaking, it is unnatural for us to see beyond ourselves, to try to grasp the larger picture. But with God's help we can. I just need to take a step back sometimes. We're often too focused on the little things so much so that we neglect the more important things that will encompass the smaller issues!

How shortsighted are we. How blinded at times by our own petty problems. How hopeless we are if we try to venture out on our own! Even the sun that gives us warmth and life, cannot be controlled by us.

We can command nothing. We can demand nothing. We can only surrender everything, and in that paradoxical act of self-surrender, receive everything that God can and will give those who can see beyond the temporal and are ready to give their all to Him.

~ J a n i e ll e

Anarchy

2011-08-12T13:54:00.002+10:00

by Janielle Beh on Wednesday, August 10, 2011 at 9:34pm

The Road Less Traveled

2011-07-25T11:49:00.005+10:00

by Janielle Beh on Sunday, July 24, 2011 at 11:42pm

TWO roads diverged in a yellow wood,
And sorry I could not travel both
And be one traveler, long I stood
And looked down one as far as I could
To where it bent in the undergrowth;

Then took the other, as just as fair,
And having perhaps the better claim,
Because it was grassy and wanted wear;
Though as for that the passing there
Had worn them really about the same,

And both that morning equally lay
In leaves no step had trodden black.
Oh, I kept the first for another day!
Yet knowing how way leads on to way,
I doubted if I should ever come back.

I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.

By Robert Frost (1874-1963)

Beauty Isn't Haphazard

2011-07-25T11:49:00.001+10:00

by Janielle Beh on Wednesday, July 20, 2011 at 10:53pm

Colours, shapes and patterns fascinate me.

I love photography, so I tend to look out for things in a perspective that may be totally different from someone who may simply pass it by and miss an extraordinary detail or scene.

Because I love colours, shapes, patterns and all things alive, I can spend ages in the garden or some natural setting taking macro photos of flowers and insects. I used to spend nearly 2 hours on many afternoons after I'd finish my studies or music, just basking in the sun and looking at the tiniest spaces of the garden in search of anything specially unusual and beautiful. Most people won't have the patience to hunch over a little seemingly insignificant flower or spider for a long period of time. But it is through the lens that I can appreciate the unbelievable intricacies of a simple flower. And I love love love it!

Symmetry and balance fascinates me to no end. Every time I go back to nature, I can't help but wonder how such a beautiful, extraordinary, living thing can grow out of mere soil. How? I'm at a loss for words. How..?

How does one plant have five perfectly symmetrical petals and another have six? Or twenty four? Its perfectly balanced and shapely and beautiful. The same goes with insects. Even the common, boring, loathsome house fly or mosquito has a structure that is worth examining. I can go on being amazed my entire life!

When an artist sets out to paint a beautiful portrait, he does not just swish a whole lot of colours onto the canvas haphazardly. There is a plan. A sketch. Then hours and hours of imagination, painstaking detail in delicate brush strokes and careful touch-ups. Beauty is not haphazard. It cannot occur by chance. That is impossible!

Yet we think, while nature is beautiful and glorious, it is also terrifying and unpredictable. How do we weigh this antithesis and make sense of this beautiful yet terrible world we live in?

That is the question. I am afraid to answer it because then I might go on forever and still not come up with something that will satisfy my soul!

Then I remember the verse in the Bible where the Apostle Paul says, 'I planted, and Apollos watered, but it is God who gives the increase.'

Wow. There you go. That is enough to satisfy the first bit of my question. It is GOD who makes it grow! We may plant a seed, water it, and the sun shine on it, but ultimately it is GOD who gives the increase. Who provided the DNA for a 5 petal flower? Or a brilliant yellow for the sunflower? Or the delicate, soft texture of the petal? You know the answer.

Beauty is not haphazard. It cannot occur by chance. Symmetry, order and balance comes from a master design. No doubt. I'm inclined to think, after all I've seen, that there was a master plan.

And you know what, the key to understanding the beauty and unpreditability of our world is to remember this:

THERE IS STILL A MASTER PLAN.

~ j a n i e ll e

Preconceptions

2011-07-25T11:48:00.001+10:00

by Janielle Beh on Friday, July 15, 2011 at 8:12pm

None of us are free from preconceptions and prejudices.

We ourselves are influenced by our own preconceptions of other people. I despise the fact that no matter how often we remind ourselves that we should not 'judge a book by it's cover,' it is still inevitable that we will end up falling into the same trap time and again.

Why do we have all these prejudices and misconceptions and stereotypes of the people and the world around us?

We are all brought up in unique circumstances. We all have different parents who will instill in us unique values and ideas. All these shape our thinking and the way we ultimately respond to the world around us.

It is vital that what enters our thoughts, and what moulds our thinking, is sound and true. If we are absorbing distorted half-truths and misconceptions, we will view the world through hazy, dirty lenses. But if our thoughts, ideas and judgments are founded on solid truth and on godly values, we will view the world through God's perspective and live applying wisdom.

~ j a n i e ll e

Stand Your Ground

2011-07-25T11:47:00.003+10:00

by Janielle Beh on Friday, July 15, 2011 at 12:24am

'Put on the full armour of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you will be able to STAND YOUR GROUND. And having done everything, to stand.' Ephesians 6:13

That is the ultimate call. What's so difficult about simply 'standing'?

In this day and age, everyone is constantly being tossed to and fro by the media, by trends, by the opinions and patterns of this world. We are a distracted lot. What do you really stand for?

Few people have true convictions. We are all being tossed to and fro by mere feelings and emotions that influence our thoughts and actions in the spur of the moment. But what is the unwavering truth that we should stand by in spite of all our emotions and all the distractions we face?

We are not called to go with the flow. Just because the vast majority of young people today enjoy listening to Lady Gaga doesn't mean that's its necessarily good music. Just because everyone accepts something to be the 'norm' doesn't mean it is acceptable and pleasing in God's eyes.

The hardest thing about standing your ground is to stand ALONE. What does is feel like to be the only person speaking out and standing up? Frankly one would imagine it to be embarrassing and quite frightening. But we do not truly stand alone, although physically it seems we are.

It baffles me to think that Jesus, despite all the wonderful miracles he performed, despite the words of Truth, His love for the people in the shadows, was ultimately rejected and crucified by the world, even by the people who knew the good things he did. A servant is not greater than his Master. If Jesus suffered these things, do we expect any less?

Do we expect to lively successfully this side of heaven and compromise the truth we are meant to live by and speak of? Can we expect to comfortably live each day going about our plans, without our friends ever knowing the Hope that we have in Christ? Do we expect to not be ridiculed and persecuted for our belief & our testimony of faith in Jesus?

If we are not facing opposition by the world, that means we are living too comfortably. We are compromising, we do not even realize that we've already begun to fraternize with the enemy. The deception does not occur brazenly, it creeps in ever so subtly. Christians who are half asleep, and spiritually starved will not realize it. That is the danger. We no longer stand our ground when we are not watching and alert.

Having done everything, our call is to stand. In everything we do, remain steadfast in Christ. First things first and the rest will come. Do not worry what the world thinks, for this world is soon passing away. Cling on to the things eternal, not the things temporal. Stand your ground by standing firm on a faith that is founded not on shifty emotions, but on the unwavering Truth.

~ j a n i e ll e

THERE IS MORE - joyceshamini :)

2011-07-25T11:47:00.000+10:00

by Janielle Beh on Wednesday, July 13, 2011 at 1:10am

'It’s all VERRRRYYYY exciting, how I’m being made to repeat elementary spiritual
lessons now after all those years of being a Christian. I’ll follow Him wherever He takes me! I really believe that anything could be worked out now, as long as we REMAIN in Him. Live, breathe, laugh, cry, work, operate in Him.

I wonder, why does He say that APART from Him we can do NOTHING? I daresay many have
achieved many things without God. So it can only mean that THERE IS MORE. Imagine putting so much effort and yielding results and yet have your yields labelled ”nothing” in the end. Yer. And so Lord, once again, I enthrone You Lord in everrrrryyyyyyy
branch of my life.

Oh and I admit my stupidity more so You would come teach me
more!'

~ joyce shamini :)

P a s s i o n

2011-07-25T11:46:00.001+10:00

by Janielle Beh on Sunday, July 10, 2011 at 10:46pm

Few people have true passions in the journey of life. We often stumble onto something that catches our eye for a moment, but then we do not really find the passion, dedication and courage to pursue it further.

A passion for something, someone or a cause is what drives our life. Unlike mere animals, we are unique individuals created for a unique purpose. No two persons will pursue the exact same thing. Each one goes through experiences unique to themselves. We were made to live for something, for someone.

Since the Fall, men have made the diabolical mistake of living for THEMSELVES. Ever since, we have all been ensnared in the same trap and deception. We THINK we will find happiness, purpose and passion by living for ourselves, by pursuing success, by seeking an ideology, or pursuing a person we admire, and chasing after the things of this world.

But no, we have missed the point, friends! We were created to seek something beyond ourselves. We were made to live our lives not for ourselves or for this temporal world, but for God! And here's where the deception of all time creeps in. We think that to give our lives to this faraway Creator is to relinquish our freedom, our free will, our identity, our uniqueness. But no, oh no! We are so terribly mistaken!

It is when we give up our lives BACK to the One who is the Source, that we FIND our true identity and passions in life. When we hold back and try to conjure happiness and success by living for ourselves and the things of this world, we are in actual fact hindering ourselves from discovering our true passions and purpose in life. Surely, a nail cannot help a hammer do what's its meant to do, but the person HOLDING it can. If we're looking to all these other temporal things for help to discover our passion and purpose in life, we're looking in the wrong direction. Only the inventor knows best what his invention was created for and what it can do!

What are the passions in your life? If you have some in mind, surrender it back to the One who gave it to you & in that, you will find greater freedom to pursue your passion because you will then see the bigger picture!

If you can't exactly think of one that is really driving your life, then ask God. He will know. Maybe we've all been searching in the wrong places and asking the wrong people who are also sadly lost themselves!

True purpose comes when true passion is unleashed. Apart from God, we can do nothing. All is vanity if nothing is done for God's glory!

~ J a n i e ll e B e h

A b i d e

2011-07-25T11:45:00.001+10:00

by Janielle Beh on Wednesday, July 6, 2011 at 10:59pm

Jesus said, 'If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ask whatever you wish and it will be given to you.' John 14:7

IF you abide in Me.

When we pray are we merely asking for what we THINK we want, or what we know GOD desires? In the first place, if I am not abiding in Christ, how can I know what He wills?

We are not supposed to be asking blindly. If God's words remain in us, what we ask for will be in line with His good purpose. The confusion and disappointment comes when we are asking the wrong thing, THINKING that it is the right thing, because we do not have God's Word hidden in our hearts.

That is the danger. Not when we ask the wrong thing, but when we think it is right and continue in our blindness. When we come back to the truth, God's Word always exposes what is in the darkness. It is never too late to make a new prayer.

If we abide in Him and His word is in us, we WOULD be living in accordance with God's will and purpose. And whatever we ask will be given, because as the next verse says, 'this is to the Father's glory.' Not our own. Not for our selfish benefit.

The problem arises when people treat God like some gumball-machine. Or come to Him when its convenient. Or when they are ALREADY in deep trouble. Its never too late, but why wait till disaster strikes when you can start now & perhaps avoid falling into such a situation?

First of all, abide in Christ. Sigh, but with all our distractions & a million preoccupations, that is really the hardest thing to do.

~ j a n i e ll e

F a k e r s

2011-07-25T11:44:00.002+10:00

by Janielle Beh on Sunday, July 3, 2011 at 11:25pm

Genuineness is scarce,
Authenticity is rare.
Fakers are rampant,
Artificiality is rife.

Counterfeits everywhere,
Originals too rare.
Imitations seem alright,
Can't tell black from white.

We can't tell no more! Only discerning individuals who hide the truth in their hearts, minds and souls will be able to see clearly the difference between honesty and hypocrisy, authenticity and artificiality, truthfulness and fallacy.

Do you have the Truth?

We all have disguises. We all have different faces. Some are granted, some are not. It is a dangerous business. Having various facades for various people or places. After a while we might not be able to distinguish the real thing from the fake countenance. Then we're doomed. Because in all that pretending, we've lost ourselves. The real me. The real you. Doesn't matter if the real me and you is horrible and shameful. As long as you dare own up to it before God and strip off the facade, you will find again the true you.

You don't want to die an imitation.

~ J a n i e ll e

Bypassing Beauty

2011-06-28T12:30:00.001+10:00

Tuesday, June 28, 2011 at 8:47am

Few people notice details. Few people pause to notice the spectacular sunset out the train window. Few people stoop down to behold the intricacies of a simple flower.
Most people live everyday bypassing the beauty of nature.

Or maybe we are so surrounded by everything concrete and man-made that there is no decent place to relax and just take in the wonders of nature. We only ever get to do that on holidays. But then again, some people in the world never have the chance for a holiday!

I'm blessed enough to be living in holiday-land here in Australia. Nearly every week my family will explore some new park or go hiking. I LOVEEEE IT!

But yes, some people have to toil all year round and some people obviously will never have enough money to splurge on a luxurious holiday. I cannot imagine.

Another reminder to not take 'simple' luxuries for granted. Here we have fresh air, clean parks, green grass, blue skies. In many other cities there is much less beauty to behold, unfortunately.

What inspired this note was when I was walking to the station today, I passed a stretch of tall trees, and the heavenly thing was the sunlight streaming through the greenery. You could see the sunrays, you could touch it! How I wish I could just stand there for longer and soak it in. Alas, I had to rush off to catch the train! Haha that's when 'bypassing beauty' came to mind.

-JanielleBeh

Reiterations

2011-06-28T12:29:00.004+10:00

Monday, June 27, 2011 at 9:38am

I realize that a lot of the things I say, think and write are influenced by the things I've heard and read. Are my ideas really simply reiterations of thoughts that have already been thought and shared ages ago?

I think that's pretty much the case. If you have a new idea, or a brilliant phrase that just came to you, just google it up, and it is most probable that it would have already been thought of by someone sometime ago! I know, I always do that. What an ingenious way to gauge if my ideas are original... Hahaha, maybe I haven't got a life.

Anyway... reiterations. Are the things we say and think merely echoes of a true, original voice? I suppose all of us are moulded to some extent by the people we grow up with, by our parents and teachers, by the things we read, see and hear. But how much of our thoughts are unique to us?

We must be aware of the things that influence our musings. Are they good or bad, are they truly gold or fully crap? Seriously, I think it helps to be blunt here. Because we really don't want to allow crappy people or crappy books or crappy songs to fill our heads with crappy, worthless, distracting content. How then can we think straight, think well, think right?

How then can we speak words of life and truth if all we have is a jumble of mingled ideas from all sorts of senseless sources?

Of course, our own unique thoughts and personalities will merge with whatever we pick up from the external world. So really, no one is exactly reiterating or repeating the original idea from someone somewhere.

I do hope that once in a blue moon, and more often, I would have original ideas no one has thought of before. Stories and songs, poems and phrases, music and dreams, that no one has conjured before. That would be a thrill!

I don't want to die a copycat, although I suspect many people have. The problem is everyday we are surrounded by a myriad of ideas and opinions that, if we're not discerning, will strip us of the true you and true me.

We have to filter what we see, hear and read. We have to catch ourselves thinking! You'd be surprised to stumble on the content of your musings. We often don't think very coherently or thoughtfully when we daydream or even when we're thinking normally. See what you catch yourself pondering when you're sitting on the train with nothing to do. Then you'll have an inkling what really influences your thought processes and whether or not they're worthy influences!

-JanielleBeh

I n t r i n s i c

2011-06-28T12:29:00.002+10:00

Friday, June 24, 2011 at 11:25pm

I remember my dad once told me about intrinsic motivation. That's what inspired this note. For most people, and for most of our lives, we are taught to learn what we are SUPPOSED to learn. How many of us actually have the passion for the things we are learning?

Wouldn't it make a huge lot of difference if people were truly interested about the things they learn? How can we cultivate that intrinsic drive?

I now realize that for a long time, my parents have grounded in me a form of self-learning. From the time I was homeschooled, really, I was on my own when it came to learning. After a while, I realized that I'm not just learning for the sake of learning. I'm learning because I truly want to learn. I'm learning not simply by someone telling me what to do, what to write or think, but by digging things up myself, and uncovering hidden treasures by being creative, by writing, by composing music and poems of my own.

I think too many kids nowadays have teachers who don't care less whether they excel or just scrape through a pass. I see many young people nowadays not making full use of their youth and their brilliant minds and talents because no one is investing the time and imparting the right values and wisdom into their lives.

That's obviously why a lot of young people these days see no point in learning. There is no in-built motivation, there is no thirst for true knowledge. Even if people DO study, it is only for the sake of passing exams and 'getting a good score' or 'straight A's'. Just so you can get into uni, pass more exams, obtain a decent degree, and get a good job. Just so that you can earn money, pay the bills, buy a house and car, feed the family. And then what. Is that truly the point of learning?

I beg to differ!

I've thought about it. Awhile ago I've realized that these days, we waste a lot of time at school. Seriously, if everyone spent more time READING and writing and thinking, the world would be a much better place. Also, if everyone were given the chance to be creative, to compose, to write, to make music, life would be so much more fulfilling!

The problem is so many kids do not have such opportunities and even if they did, often the teachers do not truly care for these young people. Of course, there ARE the blessed few who DO care and who go past the ordinary level of doling out boring ol' theories and formulas and the usual things you have to learn to 'pass an exam' these days.

How many teachers have you had who have inspired you? Has anyone recognized a potential in you that had not yet surfaced at the time and he or she took time to draw it out? Has anyone gone past the level of ordinary, impersonal teaching to cultivate in you the intrinsic desire to learn and think as a unique & creative individual?

I think back, and I'm thankful to God for sending me three teachers who have impacted my life, my thinking, and my creative streak. The first two are my dad and mom! The most important thing they ever taught me to seek for myself, which cultivated in me an intrinsic drive, is God. To trust only in Him. They instilled in me the incessant reminder to pursue the things of God and to seek out the Truth. Without this, all the knowledge we have, all the experience and opportunities we may acquire, is pretty much meaningless!

C.S. Lewis said, 'I believe in God as I believe that the Sun has risen, not only because I see it, but because by it I see everything else.'

That pretty much sums up my own convictions. If you haven't got the thing that matters most at the center, the core of your being, then everything else can be thrown out the window! Because you're pretty much hanging on to all these other things, but walking about blind.

So yes, back to intrinsic motivation. The other teacher who really made an impact on my musical side is the piano teacher God blessed me with during my first year in Melbourne. Sandra Birze. She was one of those teachers you see in those inspirational movies. I was the hopeless kid. Seriously, I actually knew nuts about music. I was playing the notes, but I lacked technique, I lacked feeling, I lacked understanding. I can't say I have acquired all this by now, but that one year I had with her sure did open my eyes to all these aspects of music that I've been missing out on. I didn't have the opportunities before to grow in such a way. Now God answered the prayer I've been praying since 14 and I was going to seize the opportunity he was giving me!

A true teacher isn't just one who imparts knowledge and leave it at that. A genuine teacher with a heart is one who teaches in such a way that the student is inspired to LEARN FOR HIMSELF. So even when the teacher is gone, you can bet that the student will still be traversing that extra mile to uncover the hidden treasures for himself and make his own unique interpretations and works.

I aspire to be that kind of a teacher. And a teacher who truly teaches is one who also truly learns.

Carpe diem,
Janielle

The Voiceless

2011-06-28T12:28:00.005+10:00

Friday, June 24, 2011 at 4:26pm

'All it takes for evil to triumph is for good men to do nothing.' Edmund Burke
Yes, to do nothing and remain silent.

How often does everyday life give us the opportunity to speak up for someone, for something we believe in?

Not very often. And even if we do get the chance, we often chicken out, and choose the easier path. To let it pass.

Countless times I regret later that I did not speak up and instead chose to squirm in my comfort zone when I knew I should have stood up and said something.

This world would be an even sadder place if there weren't the blessed few throughout the centuries who stood up, risked their lives and declared the truth. Or exposed it.

All of us are given unique opportunities. Some are given fewer opportunities than others. So what do we do when we have so much? Is it fair for those who have less that we keep our talents and opportunities for ourselves?

It's true that for those who are given more, much more is expected from them. Can you think of people who have so much in this life, but who live selfishly, keeping it all to themselves? Do you really want to be them? Do you really want to have their talents and yet share your gifts with no one?

'A man can receive nothing unless it is given to him from Heaven.' John 2:10

All that we have, 5 talents, or even 1 talent and opportunity, is given to us from God. Why so unfair, we wonder. But really, if you think about it, sometimes it can be a scarier thing to be given MORE. Because it is not to be kept to ourselves! The more we are given, the heavier the responsibility falls on us to do something purposeful with our gifts. And not to make a name for ourselves, but to use it to bless those who were not blessed with the opportunities to develop such talents.

Likewise, some of us are placed in positions to speak up for those who have no voice. It is not limited to adults, or to people in positions of authority. Where we are, in our schools, at work, we are in a position to speak up for those who are bullied, manipulated, and taken advantage of. If we see injustice and remain quiet, we are guilty of being complicit already. If we see lies and know the truth, but remain silent, we are already indirectly liars.

A zen saying goes, 'To know and not to do is not to know.'

It begins with the little things I guess. Sometimes we aim too high, expect too much of ourselves, that we neglect to seize the smaller opportunities that will help build our confidence and maturity to tackle the bigger things!

There are too many in our society who are voiceless, who stand in the shadows and go unnoticed, unreached, every single day. Often in our self-importance, we stride past these people. In our ignorance, we forget that it is not all about us, and not all for us. In our indifference, we become almost complicit to the injustices in our society. By 'minding our own business', we are in effect depriving a lot of people of an opportunity to live an abundant life.

Of all people, we have our ultimate role model, the best example we can follow, Jesus Christ. He taught the truth, he declared the truth, he exposed the lies and hypocrisy, and he not only spoke, he acted on his words too.

It is not enough to be nice. Every one can be nice just to feel good and settle their conscience. Sometimes its harder to speak up because it involves trashing that facade of feigned niceness. Sometimes for the sake of justice, for the sake of speaking for someone who cannot speak for himself, we have to throw away the niceties and embrace the cold, hard truth.

So let's.

Carpe diem,
Janielle

The Pause Button

2011-06-28T12:28:00.001+10:00

Monday, June 20, 2011 at 9:41am

Do you ever wish life had a pause button?

Sometimes I just want to stop. You get what I mean. Wouldn't that be delightfully convenient?

Some days we just don't have the motivation, nor the inspiration, or the strength to keep going. It'd be nice if we could hit the pause button and just have that window of time for our hearts and souls to catch up with our bodies and our fast-paced lifestyle!

People don't have time to think these days. I don't have time to read a thought-provoking and inspirational book. We don't have time to catch up with the people who matter. We don't have time to reach out to someone who needs a word of encouragement, a helping hand, a thoughtful gesture.

Yet we all know that if we go on everyday neglecting to do all these things, we really are not living. At least the way Jesus did. He had frequent windows of time where He would retreat to a place of stillness and renew his spirit. Jesus took time to pause and reach out to the people who were normally overlooked and downtrodden. Jesus made time to proclaim the truth and to wash his disciples' feet. He took time aside to remove himself from the world, to fast and pray and to meditate on the Word.

None of us seldom ever make all these things a priority as Jesus did. Can you imagine we continue living the way we do all our lives? In the end, what have we truly accomplished? Would we have truly lived each moment, not focused on ourselves, but on the people around us?

All is vanity if we do not live each moment for God's glory.

~ j a n i e ll e

Hope in the Rubble

2011-06-28T12:27:00.004+10:00

Sunday, June 19, 2011 at 11:28pm

It always crosses my mind - when I see tragedy strike, when I hear of the poor kids in Africa, when I see photos of the slums in India, when I live where I am everyday and life, people, society, just doesn't seem right, it always crosses my mind:

CAN GOD BE FOUND IN THIS RUBBLE?

Is there hope in this mess? In this tangle of humanity, in such unrest, in war, in sickness, in poverty, in injustice, in unfairness? Is there any reason why people should go on living?

Sure, most of us privileged enough to have access to Facebook are obviously not too deprived, not too sick, not too poor, and you get where I'm getting at. But do we ever stop to think, amidst our wealth, our opportunities, our luxuries, that the majority of the world have none of these things?

We cannot fathom. I cannot. It blows my mind to think, well, we have about 20 million people in Australia. We're all well-off, comfortable, well-fed, well-paid, well-educated. Can you imagine, there are 1 billion people in India, ONE BILLION! And do you know that 80% of the population lives on less than $2 a day? Not to mention other countries in Asia, South America and the Middle East.

Unthinkable! Our one meal out costs $10. Counting the cost of the clothes we have on, the shoes, the phones, the ipod, the bag, the money, the jewelry. We have so much more!

Its easy for us to comfortably believe in God. Its easy for us to go to church every Sunday. Its all so accessible. We have Bibles on our bookshelves, in the bookstores, in our phones. We have education, we have rights, we have privileges. We can actually enjoy life. So things are not too bad for us. What I'm talking about can't even apply to us, because most of us have never experienced any great tragedy or great loss.

And yet, people in such underdeveloped nations have always lived like that. Below the poverty level. Degraded and mistreated in society. We can sit here comfortably and say God is with us, blessing us.

Many people give such excuses to NOT believe in a God who's involved in our world, who's listening in, and whose hand is moving amongst men. We cannot fathom. How? How is it that things are so wrong, so messed up, so unfair if God is here?

For me, instead of saying, I see all this injustice, there can't be a God. I'm thinking, precisely because there is such injustice, such hopelessness, there HAS to be a God!

No matter how many times I sort it out in my mind, I will always return again to the same question every time I see something so sad, so tragic, so unfair, so terrible happen. Is God really in this with us? With these people?

The Word says He is right here. And He will reveal Himself to all those who call out to Him. Make that one prayer. That's the beginning of the faith of a mustard seed, as Jesus said. If it doesn't make sense, and you're thinking like me, how can there be a God? Make that prayer. I tell you for sure, God will reveal Himself and give you His peace that surpasses all understanding.

Salvation isn't MERELY about receiving blessings and living your best life now. It isn't about God being some sort of gumball machine, some sort of genie pandering to your wants at your convenience, at your disposal. Salvation is not just about 'going to heaven when you die'! Remember I used the words 'merely' and 'not just'.

But the essence of salvation in Christ Jesus is this, knowing that we are hopeless, we are lost, we are engulfed by darkness and injustice, and admitting that we NEED saving. Humanity needs saving. No man, no religion, no law, no education, no good works, no charisma, can save you and I, my friends! Only God, through Jesus Christ, can.

So why does God allow all these bad things to happen? Why do the rich get richer and the poor get poorer? Why do some kids become orphans, why do some turn out notorious criminals, drug addicts?

We can ask all these why questions that will for the meantime go unanswered. I agree with C.S. Lewis when he ingeniously puts it this way:

'Can a mortal ask questions that God finds unanswerable? Quite possibly. All nonsense questions are unanswerable. It is like asking, why is yellow a square?'

Spot on! We humans cannot fathom God's ways. Yet I tell you, we are not meant to be entirely clueless. God breathed life into His inspired Word and there we will find our answers, our hope and encouragement, promises that will stand for eternity.

Although we cannot yet understand why all these sorrowful things happen, we can be rest assured that in all this, God IS in the rubble. Jesus was there. Jesus IS with us, with those people in their suffering. Whatever it is, even those who are notorious troublemakers, only God knows what happened right from the start. God knows the story behind each person's fault, failure and accomplishment.

There is hope in the rubble. There is light in the darkness. There IS a whiff of heaven on earth. There IS a God WITH US through the person of Jesus Christ and now through his Holy Spirit. Everyone who calls on the name of Jesus will be saved. So do not despair if you see injustice for the moment, tragedy for the time being. C.S. Lewis said, 'Pain is God's megaphone.' Yes, to wake us up. It is His severe mercy. If there is evil, there has to be good. If there is injustice, justice will come. Maybe not now, definitely not through men. But while we are here, we must speak the truth, be the light, as Jesus spoke the truth and lived in light of eternity.

Carpe diem,
Janielle

From Dream to Waking

2011-06-28T12:27:00.001+10:00

Sunday, June 19, 2011 at 6:41pm

'This is how I distinguish dreaming and waking. When I am awake, I can, in some degree, account for and study my dream. The dragon that pursued me last night can be fitted into my waking world. I know that there are such things as dreams; I know that I had eaten an indigestible dinner; I know that a man of my reading might be expected to dream of dragons. But while in the nightmare I could not have fitted my waking experience.

The waking world is judged more real because it can thus contain the dreaming world; the dreaming world is judged less real because it cannot contain the waking one!

For the same reason, I am certain that in passing from the scientific points of view to the theological, I have passed from dreaming to waking.

Christian theology can fit in science, art, morality, and the sub-Christian religions. The scientific point of view cannot fit in any of these things, not even science itself! :O

I believe in Christianity [i believe in God] as I believe that the Sun has risen, not only because I see it, but because BY IT I see everything else.'

~C.S. Lewis
P.s. So plain, yet so true! So simple, yet so profound!

Trees and Cages

2011-06-28T12:26:00.002+10:00

Friday, June 17, 2011 at 11:56am

'God loved the birds and created trees. Man loved the birds and invented cages.' Jacques Deval
Wow that just says it all! I'm loving this quote!

God loved man and gave him free will. Man loved himself and chose not to love his Creator.

That is how the world has become such a hopeless, sorrowful, godless place. It is not that God became ignorant and left creation to wallow in the mud and injure themselves in the pitch darkness. It is not that God is far-removed from men and wants to have nothing to do with us fallen creatures. It is not that God is not omnipotent, omnipresent, encompassing love, mercy and justice itself. He is still all this. And He still loves his rebellious people.

It is WE who have strayed far, who have chosen to walk out of the light. Instead of embracing the freedom God gives within His perfect will and good purpose, we prefer to do our own thing and in effect, invent cages and chains for ourselves to be entrapped in.

'Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If any man HEARS MY VOICE and OPENS THE DOOR, I will come in and dine with him, and he with Me.' Revelation 3:20

He really is not far-removed from us. He is close by, always knocking and calling your name. But the noise this world has drowned out the Voice that matters most. Our own selfish plans and opinions have shut out the inaudible voice that can only be heard in the silence and stillness of the soul.

How often do we tune in to that voice? How often do we pause to listen? While walking to school, while travelling in the train, while going about our daily routine. Do we ever stop to listen?

And even if we do hear His voice, do we feel good for a moment, and then resume our lives as if the truth we stumbled on is nothing significant? Even if we do tune in, do we then OPEN THE DOOR of our hearts and souls to allow Jesus in?

It is all very figurative and quiet unfathomable. But may God give us eyes to see, ears to hear, and faith to believe!

People think that surrendering to God means to become limited, caged in, boring and uncreative. What! I beg to differ! On the contrary, surrendering and submitting our lives and plans to God will release us from our carnal bodies that so often entrap us and prevent us from living our purpose.

Turning to the One who designed us, who searches our hearts and knows what we are meant to do, just as a carpenter knows what to do best with a hammer and a nail, and a doctor knows best how to use a stethescope, God knows best what we were meant to be and destined to do.

Turning to God does not limit us, on the contrary, it unleashes our true potential, our original passion, our unique creativity and individuality in Christ!

So remember, just as God loved the birds and created trees, so He loves us and grants us free will. On this side of heaven we're given the choice to choose freedom in Christ, to love God back. Or to turn the other way and slide down the slippery slope to darkness and separation from the One who loves us most.

Glory to God!
Janielle

We may only have tonight

2011-06-28T12:25:00.002+10:00

Thursday, June 16, 2011 at 9:31pm

Does it scare you to think that today might be your last day?

Then again, today is ALWAYS your last day. Because today will never come again. There will be no other day with the same opportunities, the same people whose path you will cross at that exact point in time. Today is the only day we have.

And what of tonight?

I tend to waste a lot of time at night. What I have to do, I delay, I think, Nah I'll do that tomorrow.

What if tonight is all I have left in the hourglass of life?

Oh..

Yikes, then I shouldn't even bother with this! I'll go do what I know I must do now.

Make full use of tonight, today, the present moment in time. That's all you and I have! Seize it! Mark these words! Carpe diem, my friends!

Good night,
Janielle

The Waiting Room

2011-06-28T12:24:00.002+10:00

Thursday, June 16, 2011 at 3:36pm

How much of our life is spent w a i t i n g?

Oh the dreaded word! The reason I thought about this is because I'm currently stuck in the train due to a delay. Waiting.

Really, how much of our life is wasted on waiting?

Well you can't always say its wasted time, though. It depends what we're waiting for.

If we're waiting because we've been delayed, interrupted, due to some inconvenience, then its a waste of time. But if we're waiting, for a loved one to emerge safe from the surgery room, for the plane to arrive and fly us to our destination, for freshly baked muffins in the oven, then the wait is worth it!

I don't even know where I'm heading here. Haha it so happened I was inspired to write about such a diabolically boring topic.

(Oh no, wait, I just thought of a point.)

Regardless WHY we're waiting, whether it is for a ridiculous reason or for a valid purpose, I guess it is what we DO when we're waiting that decides our state of mind. We can be stuck in the train, and get all worked up that it's 'one of those unlucky days'. Or we can think on all the days everything worked out well and be thankful that today gives us a chance to remember those days that we didn't bother to pause and be thankful for.

I agree, its easier said than done!

The waiting periods in life are agonizing! It matters not whether we're waiting for something good, or we're waiting because we've been placed into an unfortunate situation. But what I do and say, and think, at the time of waiting, really shows what sort of a person I am.

Do I complain? Do I treat others with contempt? Do I start throwing a silent fit?
Do I just dream on as I wait? Or do I look to God?

How often DO I look to God?

To some it is a remote notion, to 'look to God'. To others it is an everyday affair.

I do believe that looking to God, prayer, and reflection, makes a whole lot of a difference. It changes the course of my day by first changes the course of my mind, my thoughts, my will. And looking to God, begins with the little things. If we know not to commit to God even the littlest things that we do, how can we even think of surrendering to God the bigger things?

If we know not to turn to God in the seemingly most insignificant waiting periods of life, how will we know to call out to Him when we are in our most agonizing moments?

We are forgetful beings. We rely on ourselves. To rely on Someone we cannot tangibly touch and see, or audibly hear, is close to unthinkable!

But I am convinced I will do the unthinkable. I will believe the unthinkable. Even if the others think me a fool. Will you be a 'fool' in that sense?

It is in the silence that we hear the inaudible. It is in the moments of waiting that we learn to be thankful for the rest of the time that we do not have to wait.

It is in the waiting room that we have another God-given window of opportunity to pray, and allow God to turn a potentially hopeless situation around for us.

God is G O D

2011-06-16T11:44:00.005+10:00

Tuesday, June 7, 2011 at 7:57am

Excerpt from 'Our Daily Bread' ~

When Polycarp (AD 69-155), who was the bishop of the church at Smyrna, was asked by Roman authorities to curse Christ if he wanted to be released, he said, 'Eighty six years I have served Him, and he never did me any wrong. How can I blasphemy my King who saved me?'

The Roman officer threatened, 'I you do not change your mind, I will have you consumed with fire.' Polycarp remained undaunted. Because he would not curse Christ, he was burned at the stake.

Centuries earlier, when 3 young men named Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego faced a similar threat, they answered, 'O Nebuchadnezzar, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us from your hand, O king, that we do not serve your gods.' (Daniel 3:16-18)

A similar experience but two different outcomes. Polycarp was burned alive, but the 3 young men left the furnace unsinged.

Two different results but the same display of faith. The men showed us that faith in God is not simply faith in what God can do. But it is the belief that God is GOD whether He delivers us or not. He has the final say. And its our decision to choose to follow Him through it all.

-Albert Lee

N i c e Is Not Enough

2011-06-16T11:44:00.002+10:00

Monday, June 6, 2011 at 7:01pm

""Niceness' - wholesome, integrated personality - is an excellent thing. We must try by every medical, educational, economic and political means in our power to produce a world where a many people as possible grow up "nice"; just as we must try to produce a world where all have plenty to eat. But we must not suppose that even if we succeeded in making everyone nice we should have saved their souls.

A world of nice people, content in their own niceness, looking no further, turned away from God, would be just as desperately in need of salvation as a miserable world - and might even be more difficult to save.
For mere improvement is not redemption, though redemption always improve people even here and now and will, in the end, improve them to a degree we cannot yet imagine."

-Mere Christianity, C.S. Lewis

I n s i d e Out

2011-06-16T11:43:00.002+10:00

Monday, June 6, 2011 at 3:27am

Transformation and renewal of the heart, mind and soul happens from the inside.
We often forget that. We worry too much about this temporal, outer shell and forget the core essence of our existence that REALLY, truly matters.

Jesus said to the Pharisees, 'You hypocrites, you wash the outside of the cup but inside you are full of self-indulgence and wickedness.'

And again, 'You blind Pharisees! You are like whitewashed tombs that look beautiful on the outside but are full of rottenness and dead man's bones on the inside. Even so, you outwardly appear righteous to men, but within you are full of hypocrisy and wickedness.'

Jesus saw right through them and spoke the plain, hard truth. We are just as hypocritical, I am just as guilty. When we see someone fail, before we criticize or judge, it would do us good to examine OURSELVES first.

How can we remove the speck in someone's eye if we ourselves have a plank in our eye?

It is not what goes in that makes a man unclean, but what comes out. Our thoughts and words, our actions and intentions are what determines who we truly are. Not what we eat or drink.

I find it interesting to note that Hitler was actually nearly quite as abstinent as a vicar! He actually never smoked nor drank liquor. He was strict and particular with his meal times and his diet. And yes, he was a vegan. I find that so absolutely strange! For such a tyrannical figure, it is quite unthinkable that he was physically such a disciplined man.

But then again, it may not entirely be that bizarre a personality trait. Often you find great contradictions between personalities like Hitler. He was extremely particular about what went into his body, but was there any morality and goodness coming out from within?

Then again, mentioned in my previous note is C.S. Lewis' understanding of evil, which I find quite humourously enlightening. He says that 'A man who is getting better will see more and more the evil still left in him, while a man who is getting worse will see less and less the badness within.' How true! While one is sleeping, one cannot tell he's asleep. When a person is not drunk, he can understand the it, but when he IS drunk, he has no sense whatever of his drunkenness.

It is the same with our hypocrisy. We worry about what goes in, we worry about man's traditions, we worry about other people, but how often do we see within ourselves and allow God's truth and light to expose the ugliness inside?

Expose. It is horrible to be exposed. To be exposed is to be vulnerable. Almost at the mercy of the person who now sees it all. God have mercy on us. But if we aren't exposed, we will continue in our blindness. 'Having a form of godliness but DENYING ITS POWER.' 2 Timothy 3:5

If we do not allow God to search our hearts, we will continue to wallow in man's approval thinking we're pretty good people. But we're not! I am not, you are not one bit good. And it is only when we realize that we are hopelessly full of wrongs that God can step in and be real to us.

Before, we think we are alright, self-righteous. But the truth will expose everything in the darkness. Don't be surprised many of us often will prefer darkness to light because it keeps our unsightly deeds & intentions hidden under the facade of godliness.

Only God's truth and His Spirit cleanses, transforms and renews our core beings from within and defines our identity in Christ. Only Jesus living in me and you can change us and help us to think, act and speak right.

Carpe diem,
Janielle =)

Understanding E v i l

2011-06-16T11:42:00.002+10:00

Wednesday, June 1, 2011 at 5:25pm

'Remember that the right direction leads not only to peace but to knowledge. When a man is getting better he understands more and more clearly the evil still left in him. When a man is getting worse he understands his own badness less and less.

A moderately bad man knows he's not very good: a thoroughly bad man thinks he's all right. This is common sense, really. You understand sleep when you are awake, not while you're sleeping. You can see mistakes in math when you mind is working properly: while you're making them you cannot see them. You can understand the nature of drunkenness when you are sober, not when you are drunk!

Good people know about both good and evil: bad people do not know about either.'

~ from Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis
P.s. Haha I found that humorously enlightening! And remember, no one is thoroughly 'good'.

C r o s s

2011-06-16T11:40:00.000+10:00

Tuesday, May 31, 2011 at 10:37pm

'We are bid to take, not make our Cross.' William Gurnall
I had to read that twice.

What a powerful and succinct quote referring to Jesus telling the disciples, 'If any man will come after me, let him DENY HIMSELF, and TAKE UP HIS CROSS, and follow Me.' Matthew 16:24

We are bid to take, not MAKE our cross! Yet the latter rings true for many of us today. Or worse, the very idea that Jesus told his disciples to deny themselves and take up their cross might have not even crossed our minds! Or maybe we know, but we choose to avoid the prospect.

Yet Jesus said, 'Whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it.' Matthew 16:25

What a paradox! It is hard for our puny minds to grasp it. Even if we fathom the concept for a moment, it fades from our understanding the moment we begin living our daily life. That is our cross. To deny ourselves our selfish desires, and to seek out and do the will of God. To do the right thing, the thing that we each find most difficult to do. One of the things for me is learning patience. It sounds all very chaste, almost austere, but I think the point we begin to make a daily habit to take up our cross, we find our true identity in Christ Jesus and our true destiny & purpose! Apart from God, our achievements and dreams are nothing but a momentary candle burning, which will soon be extinguished. And our efforts lead us nowhere closer to the purpose for which we were placed where we are.

Do not deceive ourselves to think that we can make up what we decide our cross to be. Often we will make the mistake of choosing what is convenient and easy. That which costs us nothing cannot be offered to God. Not that God needs our petty givings, but He only desires to form in us a pure heart, a giving and genuinely committed spirit. Hah! Easier said than done.

Nevertheless, we are not supposed to become a hermit and try to do this alone! If we think we can bear the cross by our human strength, we deceive ourselves. Only by the grace of God can you and I deny ourselves and take up our cross to follow Jesus. It all sounds very grand, but in daily life its less conspicuous, I imagine.

So yes, it is only by the grace of God and by the measure of faith that He provides that we are able. Without Him, we can do nothing.

'I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.' Phillippians 4:13

Not things that pleases me to do, not what is convenient at the time, but the things that are pleasing in God's sight and the things that are His will for me. Then I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me!

Carpe diem,
Janielle =)

Transient Beings

2011-05-28T23:53:00.002+10:00

28.5.11

10.55pm

I love this word! I read a thought-provoking book titled Simply Christian and this word popped up. I thought it was such a good word that I should make it a title of a blog post. And so there you go! I now will attempt to write something out of the initial one-word idea. Haha.

We are transient beings. All we are, and all we have accumulated over the years are temporary. Our outer, physical “shell” is merely an avatar, so to speak. If we were to view life as simply birth, life and death, the ultimate closure, then living would become quite pointless. Especially for people who haven’t have much to look forward to in the present.

But we do not merely exist. We are living, transient beings. Transient meaning that death is not the end of the journey. The Latin origin, transiēns means going over, from transīre to pass over, and from trans- + īre to go. Our moments in the present are merely a “passing through”, a dress rehearsal for what is to come. How we live now, determines how we live in eternity.

I admit, it all sounds a bit loony, illogical, unfathomable. I admit, I feel the same sometimes. But which is better, to deny the fact that my soul, the essence of my humanness, somehow knows, feels that there must be more to life than this, or to embrace the Hope, Truth and Grace that God has freely given through Jesus Christ? It’s all a bit loony, but like the Apostle Paul said, ‘We have this hope as an ANCHOR for our soul, firm and secure.’ (Hebrews 6:19)

The moments when I lose my anchor and turn my back on God, I lose all security and peace and hope. Life becomes quite miserable although I try to convince myself that I can survive alone. No, we were not made to live apart from people, and from our Creator!

Have you ever wondered why people so crave relationship and friendship? Family, friends, community, a sense of belonging, a desire to be wanted and loved and accepted, a desire to connect with others. It is in-built in us. If we were simply a work of chance chemicals floating in the universe and converging in a cataclysmic blow resulting in intelligent beings and beautiful, ordered creations with seasons and universal laws, do you think we would care, or desire love, desire friendship, crave acceptance, cry out for justice?

Have you ever wondered why we all appreciate and crave beauty and perfection? We weren’t meant to be full of flaws and blemishes, full of injustice and wickedness, full of imperfections and wrongs. We admire all things beautiful and wholesome. We can separate the sightly from the unsightly. We like to listen to a majestic and harmonious piece of music; we can admire a work of art. If humans did not have a Creator, if nature did not have a Designer, wouldn’t we be a sorry, unsightly, distasteful glob of mess? How did we come to seek social justice, to set up laws and systems to keep ourselves in tact? How did we learn to admire beauty and art and set aside time for rest and leisure?

If we were merely surviving and existing, and eliminating the “weaker” ones, we wouldn’t bother with all these things. Yet we all know that of all the creatures on earth, humans are more than just animals. We have an inkling in us the desire for fairness, justice, love and peace. As much as there has been the minority of tyrants, most people know that things on earth are not right as it should be.

We try to make right. We try to set up government and laws. We try to educate children and help people in poorer countries. But nothing has so far solved any of the world’s biggest problems. Nothing. No one. No religion has solved the world’s problems.

But what I know is that if we choose to ignore these desires in us, these ‘signposts’ that point to the meaning of our existence and the SOURCE of our life, then we are more doomed than ever! Then we are sinking even lower into the quicksand. But if we choose to pause and ponder why might we have these in-built desires for love, justice and mercy, then we will realize that yes, there must be something more to this seemingly petty existence.

We are transient beings. Today is fleeting. Tomorrow is non-existent. We live today. We are continually in transition. Remember, death is not the end. The challenges we face in life are not dead ends. The suffering and turmoil on earth is not another reason why “God cannot exist”. They are merely pointers, for those who are seeking, to the original plan. They merely slam it in our faces that yes, the world is not right at all. And yes, we cannot save ourselves. AND YES, MANKIND NEEDS RESCUING!

The good news is, there is and has been a rescue plan all along. Since the first sin committed. God gives us a choice. That is all we have, and that is the best thing to have. We can choose the rescue plan, or we can choose to sink deeper into the mire and be lost forever.

The rescue plan manifested in the life, death AND resurrection of Jesus Christ. No religion, no man, no good works, no education, no wit, no power, no name can save you and me but the name of Jesus! He alone is mighty to save.

As we go through this transitory journey, let us live every moment with our eyes fixed on Jesus, the Author and Perfector of our faith!

Carpe diem,

Janielle

Loving the Unlovely 20.4.11

2011-04-24T20:56:00.002+10:00

'Never look down on somebody unless you are helping them up.' Rev. Jesse Jackson
Its easy to be nice to the people who are well-off, intelligent, beautiful. We have no difficulty showing love to people who can be nice to us in return.

The DIFFICULT thing is loving the people who are unappealing in every way. It is tougher to be helpful to people who cannot be helpful to us in return. It is way harder to go out of our way to love someone who is in every way UNlovely.

Inevitably, we all have our misconceptions and preconceptions. Unavoidably, we all have a tendency to judge a book by its cover. However cliche, the saying still rings true. We still make judgments about people based on the outward, the physical, the circumstances at hand. Sometimes our judgments are right, oftentimes they are wrong.

Regardless whether we're right or wrong, our CALL is to love the unlovely. To reach the unloved. Jesus said the healthy and righteous do not need a Physician or a Saviour. He came to save the sick and the lost, those in the shadows, those who RECOGNISE they NEED to be SAVED.

While it is always easier to pander to the whims of those who are in positions of authority, who are popular, likable, fashionable, knowledgeable, it is far more rewarding to do the HARDER thing. That is to GIVE OF OURSELVES, our time, our energy, our talents, to bless those who need a helping hand, who need a friend, who need the saving grace & love of Christ.

Friends, with God's help, we can choose the harder thing. Because Jesus did.

Carpe diem,
Janielle =)

The Shadow & the Light

2011-04-24T20:55:00.002+10:00

'Evil is like a shadow. You cannot make it disappear simply by fighting it, stamping on it or railing against it. You cannot destroy it by any emotional or physical means. The only way to make it disappear is to SHINE LIGHT on it.' - Gawain

And ofcourse, the presence of the shadow obviously indicates that there is Light
nearby.

That is our hope.

Although we are surrounded by shadows and darkness, we have the Light, Jesus Christ, the hope of glory in our hearts - that is if we receive Him.

Apart from God, we are in darkness. And we will not even know it. Sometimes its easy to stay in the darkness and people may prefer it to the Light. Because the Light EXPOSES the things hidden in the darkness.

Without the Light we are blind, vision-impaired. Without the Truth that the Light brings, we live in deception.

'The Word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path.' Psalm 119:105

The Word of God opens our eyes to the things in our life that are destroying us and drawing us away from the Light. The Word is Life. We may be physically healthy, but inside, we are rotting and dying and lifeless.

This world, our society, me and you, we need the Light. We need the Word, the truth. We need Life. We need Christ, the hope of glory! Without Him we are void, we are empty.

Apart from Him, all the good things, all the bad things, all the suffering and pain, will have no meaning and no purpose. Abide in Him, and we have the Light of Christ in us. We have a hope and peace that surpasses what this world can offer only temporarily.

So are you still in the shadows? Do you and I have the Light in us?

~ J a n i e ll e B e h

Letting Go

2011-04-24T20:54:00.000+10:00

'He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose.' Jim Elliot
What a brilliant quote!

What are the things that we should easily let go of? The things that we cannot keep!

Often life becomes the never-ending pursuit of things that we cannot keep past our due date. Yes, OUR due date. The day we cease to exist on earth.

How have we become so caught up in the noise of this world that we prefer to chase after the things that will ultimately pass away? We prefer these corruptible things to the things that will last longer than this lifetime.

As much as this present world is our reality, it is really only a stage, a dress-rehearsal for the REAL THING - a life beyond this passing world. If I sound bonkers to you, fine by me. But you see that most people arrive the end of their lives regretting that they have wasted all those years pursuing the things that ultimately matter not.

He is no fool - though the people of the present world will call him a fool - who gives what he CANNOT KEEP.

LETTING GO begins now. It begins today. Not when the time comes to choose between light or darkness. It begins now, even when things seem alright and it seems only reasonable to acquire the things that will not matter in the end.

If we give away what we cannot keep, we gain what we CANNOT LOSE.

If we let go of the things that ultimately matter not, we end up focusing our vision and energy on the things that will last for ETERNITY. If today, everyday, we choose to give away what we cannot keep, we inevitably gain a transformed perspective on how we must live this temporal journey in preparation for the real thing.

Ah, the real thing. For now, we learn to choose. To let go and give away, to hold on LOOSELY to the things of this world that will soon pass away.

Janielle =)

Saying Thank YOU

2011-04-24T20:51:00.000+10:00

We forget to say thank you. Every moment of today, even now, we forget that we are living by grace.

We think we're in control. We think its all good or all bad because we made it so, or the world made it so.
But for all the wonderful moments, and even the unbearable seasons, we often forget to say thank YOU.
You and I deserve nothing. Not even life. We do not even deserve the right to complain and voice our dissatisfaction. Yet the very reason we are living now, right now, is the proof of His amazing grace. Have you and I forgotten to say thank YOU today?

The moment we live each precious moment with a heart of thankfulness, a prayer of gratitude, a burst of inexplicable joy, is the moment we experience life as He meant it to be.

Living by His grace,

Both in laughing & in crying
Walking by simple faith,
In the night and every morning.

And if we do just that, remember to say thank You to the one who holds our destiny in His sovereign hands, whatever the circumstance may be, wonderful or unbearable, there will always be an ever-present assurance that 'in all things God works for the good of those who love Him'. =)

Love, janielle =)

Why Live?

2011-04-24T20:47:00.000+10:00

Honestly, today's one of those days I have so much to do that I feel overwhelmed and I question WHY I'm doing all this.

Isn't it good to ask why?

Because if we never think of WHY we do things and put effort or no effort into what we think we must do, then it is all pointless.

Why am I doing all this? In the end it amounts to nothing! If indeed it amounts to nothing. I know I'm a repetitious fool, and I keep saying the same thing. But truly, it is a stark reminder time and again that I cannot just live and let live. I cannot just do all this and know not why I strive so hard to accomplish a task or reach for excellence.

Do we do all this merely because it is expected of us? By our parents, our teachers, and even ourselves?

Or is there a more sophisticated reason behind it all?

Like I said, I'm a repetitious ol' fool and I keep coming back to the same thing. Basically it's because I'm going through the tedious process of reminding myself again. And again, attempting to grasp a lesson that I have once learned and understood, but which I have in my ignorance forgotten.

Well truly, this is essentially the crux of the matter, of our everyday lives. If there is no PURPOSE behind all this, if there is no meaning and ultimate satisfaction in what I do and must do, then I'd rather not continue. Yes, I'd rather not continue!

Too tedious a life to live - although there are good things to enjoy and people to meet. But if ultimately all this disintegrates and is forever forgotten, why live?

Indeed, why live.

~ j a n i e ll e

Vanity makes the world go round

2011-04-01T15:47:00.003+11:00

'We are so vain that we care for the opinion of those we do not care for.' Marie Eschenbach

Vanity! I love this word. It somehow sounds like what it means.

Vanity makes the world go round. I think there has never been a time such as now when men and women were THIS vain. And its not just about painting a facade on the outward scale, as Shakespeare wrote in 'Hamlet'.

Vanity nowadays connotes a gazillion other forms in which it thrives, or in a less positive sound, festers.

Through Facebook and Twitter, and scores of other online sites, people have all popped up as aspiring mini-celebrities. Even myself. But yet, who the heck cares what you ate for breakfast or what music you listen to? Who cares what you think about politics or philosophy or computer games?

Strangely enough, we do keep tabs on what other people are doing or saying or thinking. Even if they're not famous, even if they're talking crap and filling us in on useless, insignificant pieces of information. I think that's the reason why we're SUCH a distracted society. Especially young people like me.

With Facebook on, I just cannot concentrate! I check it periodically, I post up statuses (hoping they are meaningful and not too trivial), I write notes in the mornings on the train. Am I doing this for myself? Or to gain the 'likes' of all these other people whom I barely know on a 'good friend' basis.

Isn't it true? The people of our time and age have become so decadent, self-indulgent and almost repulsively vain that we bother notifying others about our whereabouts and glamorous (usually feigned) undertakings. Like Eschenbach said, we have become so vain that 'we care for the opinion of those we do not care for.'

Its quite unbelievable. The youths 10 years ago didn't have this kind of a form of vanity that is now so rampant. I confess to falling prey to it. Facebook is not evil in itself, it is simply my lack of self-control and focus. Without discipline and self-control, even the most wonderful, sumptuous and useful things can create a horror out of you.

If it is possible, for this coming week I aspire only to write notes and post a meaningful status or two. Hahaha. ;)

Carpe diem,

Janielle

Eternity in Our Hearts 31.3.11

2011-04-01T15:47:00.000+11:00

My dad said to me this morning on the way to the train station, 'You need to make routines in life, but at the same time find LIFE in the routines.'

Or else you'll just be going through the motions, perpetually in and out of the doldrums.

Perhaps it’s possible that after a while people lose their true selves in the monotony and demands of daily life. We end up doing what we think we must do, but not accomplishing what we were uniquely created to do.

That is if you believe we were 'uniquely created'. If not, what then is life? An endless amount of hurdles leading to an unfortunately insignificant end?

Take the Myth of Sysiphus, where Sysiphus was doomed for an eternity to roll a huge boulder up a hill only to have it roll back down. Again and again. Where is the satisfaction? Existentialists say it is that brief, precious, rewarding moment when Sysiphus has rolled the boulder to the top of the hill. There he stands for a moment, savouring his accomplishment. And then it is back to square one.

But if we were to describe life this way, wouldn't people be satisfied with such an answer? Truly, if there is no Creator, then this is the life we must live. But the truth is people, most people, are not satisfied with such an answer to the meaning of life. So if there IS a Creator, what then?

I am convinced that most people crave for something more. As the book of Ecclesiastes says, 'He placed eternity in our hearts.' Don't you long for something more than this?

It is no wonder most people are afraid of death. Because there is no answer to what's beyond. Or so they think.

It is no wonder most people desire to know what happens after death. Don't you realize it is inbuilt? If we were simply unplanned for random particles clumped together and evolved into such advanced and intelligent beings by the clever hand of Evolution, like Sysiphus, we would ask no questions. We would be contented to live, LIKE ALL THE OTHER ANIMALS - if you accept evolution for what it is - going through hurdle after hurdle, trial after trial, only to end as a heap of rotten, decayed flesh disintegrating back to dust and ashes.

But no, we DO ask questions. And we are not like the other animals. We don't just live today and forget yesterday or disregard tomorrow. We think about all three! We think about tomorrow. 'He placed eternity in our hearts.'

And that is why I believe there is MORE to all our daily routines, more to all our plans and desires, more to all our talents and accomplishments. More. Because He placed ETERNITY IN OUR HEARTS.

~ J a n i e ll e B e h

by Janielle Beh on Thursday, March 31, 2011 at 8:17am.

Hearing Voices 30.3.11

2011-03-30T12:24:00.003+11:00

Everyday, commencing the moment we are born, to the time we awake every morning, from all directions we are bombarded with a myriad of thoughts, opinions, criticisms - and to sum the lot, voices.

No doubt that today will be no different from yesterday. We will have to listen to our parents, teachers, friends; the media, internet, textbooks, news. It is a non-stop flow of incoming ideas. Doesn't matter whether they are good or bad - we've already absorbed it - consciously or subconsciously.

How precarious it is for our state of mind and our hearts if we do not GUARD our thoughts! How dangerous if we take no care to keep watch over the doors of our consciousness through which all these voices enter!

The most terrifying part of all this is our IGNORANCE. We often do not realize that corruptible ideas and misconceptions and subtle lies have stealthily - or even bravenly - slipped into our minds. People seldom stop to think about what other people are telling them. Before we even know its garbage or not, we've already taken it in.

I'm convinced we cannot simply float from one thing to another. Yes, be at liberty to absorb as many ideas as you can, but do so with circumspection and discretion. Without which we will be tossed to and fro by the many voices shooting our way; without which we will not be able to make wise decisions according to the Higher Purpose because we have all these other wiseacres chipping in.

Most of all, listen not to the voices of this world! Inevitably, we will still be hearing voices, but we can CHOOSE to filter them with the TRUTH.

And finally, above all, take time to shut out the noises and voices of this world to hear God's still voice within our hearts!

Having Faith 28.3.11

2011-03-30T12:24:00.000+11:00

'Faith is not faith if its not all you're holding on to.' Thomas Aquinas
In today's day and age, there is seemingly great irrelevance for faith and hope in something, someone, higher than ourselves. As knowledge increases, science gets more specific, people become more outward-focused rather than inward-focused, the notion of faith and confidence in something or someone greater than we are seems rather ludicrous.

Yet for the believer, the opposite holds true.

All the more, BECAUSE things are getting so fast-paced, so instant, so shallow, so trivial; because people have become so numb to the spiritual, so ignorant of the suffering in other parts of the world, so self-centered and materialistic, the believer craves for something MORE than all this.

In our 'modern' society, the notion of the metaphysical, of a spiritual realm, is often shunned and disregarded. Fools, they say. Only fools believe in a Creator. Only ill-informed people place their faith in something greater than themselves. Isn't the here and now, and me and you all there is to it?

Tis' a meaningless, depressing existence indeed.
If no higher purpose or greater plan exists.
Why, if this were truly so, I would rather not live! But wait, give me a moment.
I choose to have faith, not in myself, not in men, not in riches, nor in knowledge, but in the One who holds time and space, in the One who has bestowed upon me grace!

'Faith is the substance of things hoped for, and the evidence of things unseen.' Hebrews 11:1
~ j a n i e ll e

Shaken

2011-03-13T16:09:00.002+11:00

'A fire broke out backstage in a theatre. The clown came out to
warn the public; they thought it was a joke and applauded. He
repeated it; the acclaim was even greater. I think that’s just
how the world will come to an end: to general applause from
wits who believe it’s a joke.' Soren Kierkegaard

I read this on my good friend's site and thought it was an interesting one to post up!

With all that's going on in today's society, in today's world, you have reason to consider pausing for a second. Or longer...

I'll begin with an admission: I'm not taking things seriously enough, as someone cautioned me. In fact, most of us aren't. We see all these tragedies and disasters, famines and wars, corruption and morality-going-down-the-drain happening. Yet if it hasn't directly affected us, the cries of the wounded and oppressed and dying fall on our deaf ears.

Like I said, the majority of folks are not taking things seriously. Most young people are ignorant. We pause for a second, but then life goes on. However, there's MORE to what is happening than we think!

Watching the LIVE news on the earthquake in Japan and seeing the awesome and fearsome tsunami swipe through the land just made me feel all this is so surreal. But its really happening, right as I'm watching it. People are dying the very moment I'm saying to myself, 'This isn't happening. This is beyond reality.' And yet it is.

What must be shaken will be shaken.

Will we remain hearts of stone? Must we wait until we are shaken so drastically in order to wake up and turn from our ways? Will it be too late by then?

One can only wonder. Or one can make a choice.

Enjoy what can be enjoyed. Live today fully while it is today. Yet in all this, remember the One who holds the world in His hands. He who ALLOWS things to move in His perfect timing and good purpose; who shakes what must be shaken and saves the wretched beings we are.

We must take HIS WORD seriously. People wonder how can God allow such pain and disaster and unfairness. Perhaps, if I may be so radical to suggest, God is in His graciousness showing mankind a 'severe mercy' to call us to attention. And yet, you see (this further enforces my point), there are still so many people around us who are ignorant and complacent and still stubbornly clinging to their wayward ways.

Ultimately, everyone will have to face it. You've gotta take God's Word seriously. We don't wanna end up like the audience Soren Kierkegaard described.

~ J a n i e ll e B e h

Unmasked

2011-03-03T19:48:00.000+11:00

In His marvelous Light all things hidden in the dark are revealed.

In His glorious presence all our seemingly beautiful facades are stripped away.

In His beauty and majesty all our false visages are left unmasked to reveal our true countenance.

What can I hide? What can you cover up?

He who knows us from inside out, who knows us even more than we know ourselves, searches our hearts.

Do not look at the outward appearance. Often it is a countenance painted over the real character within. God looks at the heart.

Let our thoughts & words and actions be pleasing in His sight all through the day and night.

~ j a n i e ll e

Finishing the Race

2011-03-03T19:47:00.001+11:00

Its not how you begin, but how you END the Race that counts.

Heard that one countless times before. But no one knows when exactly is the end of the Race. All we know is NOW.

Therefore how we run the Race NOW determines how we will end it.

'Do you know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to GET THE PRIZE.' 1 Corinthians 9:24

How should we run today's lap? We must run in such a way as to attain the Prize. Our mind and heart must be set on finishing the Race and obtaining the Prize. Our eyes must be laser-focused on the ultimate goal.

Everyone is running the Race. But not all run in such as way as to attain the Prize. Some begin very well, but will end poorly. Others do not abide by the rules of the Race and end up disqualified. Some take a break along the way and lose precious time. How will you and I run the Race TODAY?

What are our eyes fixed on? What are our hearts and minds set on doing?

We may get distracted along the run. We may stop to see how the other runners are faring. We may lose precious time. Sometimes its difficult to keep going.

If we have our sights set on the wrong goal, on the wrong target, we will run in vain. In the end, we will not obtain the Prize, even if we've abided by the rules and ran well and done everything necessary.

What is our goal and the Prize we're setting our hearts on?

The Apostle Paul says, 'One thing I do: forgetting the things which are behind, and reaching forward unto the things ahead, I press on toward the goal for the Prize of the upward CALL OF GOD in Christ Jesus.' Philippians 3:14

We discover our destiny in our Maker. We find our identity in Christ. If we are not seeking our Creator, and having our sights set on Jesus, we run this race in vain. In the end we are disqualified; in the end we will lose. No matter how successful we've been along the way, if our efforts were never pointed in the direction God desired us to, it all amounts to nothing.

Let's run today's race 'with our eyes fixed on the Author and Finisher of our faith.'

What He has Done

2011-03-03T19:41:00.003+11:00

'God does not save us because of what we've done.

Only a puny god could be bought with tithes.

Only an egotistical god would be impressed with our pain.

Only a temperamental god could be satisfied by sacrifices.

Only a heartless god would sell salvation to the highest bidders.

And only a great God does for his children what they CAN'T do for themselves.'

Excerpt from 'Cast of Characters' by Max Lucado :)

God's delight is received upon our SURRENDER to Him, and not awarded upon conquest.

'If any man abides in Me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; but apart from Me you can do nothing.' John 15:5

The Absurdity of Life

2011-03-01T19:43:00.001+11:00

Sometimes, only sometimes - like today - I realize how pitiful we must all look. A mass of humanity, squashed up in a train. Going to the same destination? All living different lives.

Yet we're all in that same hamster wheel. At least for most people. All the pursuits of Life, one after another. Climbing one mountain just to climb another one, and another. What is the meaning to all this?

I never tire of coming back to this absurd subject. At least 'absurd' for people who accept the idea that we breathe, we grow, we live, we suffer, we enjoy, and finally, we die, and there is no transcendent purpose or destiny in all this.

Surely then this life is a ridiculous and incredulous cycle that goes on and on. And for a moment, each one of us appears on the stage, only some stand in the spotlight, others are not even on the show, and then so quickly it is over and we are no more. If we do pause to consider these things, there is no doubt that all this we love and hate and accomplish, and buy or sell, amounts to nothing in the end.

Even all my musings are merely 'grasping for the wind' as King Solomon said. 'Words, words, words,' as Hamlet said in Shakespeare's play.

What of the good and 'nice' people, who may do many charitable works? They too come to nothing in the end. Perhaps they leave a lasting impact on the next generation? Or leave a memorable memory of oneself? Well before long, even that will fade away.

And how about the 'bad' people in society? The corrupt, the lazy, the murderers and thieves. Weren't they all once young innocent boys and girls too? What made them go wayward? If how we live in this life makes no difference after it is ended, then why, we could do whatever we want. This world has no real justice anyway.

How absurd then is our society! We humans, all full of flaws and evil ourselves, try to implement laws and rules and justice. We try to make right the wrongs already existent long ago. Will we ever right things? As long as we're in this rat wheel, refusing to acknowledge that we can't help ourselves, we will be running to and fro but never finding the truth. We will be going in circles, thinking we've reached the top when the next moment we're going down the wheel again. And in the end, death has the final say. Game over, friend.

Or is that so?

Death does NOT have the final say. Life is not MERELY a series of unfortunate events or a brief strut on the stage. Perhaps it is so, but it is also more.
You looks at the heavens, you see the stars.

You marvel at the wings of a hummingbird, you look at a blade of grass.

You stand in awe of the lightning storm, and you realize how tiny you are.

You can't help but wonder, why am I here?

In the Moment

2011-02-21T09:39:00.001+11:00

7.27am - LIVE IN THE MOMENT.

And if we remember that, wouldn't we begin living life not merely for the sake of surviving or existing or having a good time for ourselves? Too often I worry about the future that I spend all my time and energy hoping it'll turn out alright. But what about today?

The only time I've got living is NOW. When I arrive in the 'future', it is no longer seen as the future, but as the present. And its a totally different thing from what our minds have pre-conceived or anticipated that the 'future' would be like.

What can I do NOW?

If I do what I can and must do now, tomorrow will take care of itself. Because by then, I would be ready to take on whatever the 'future' is.

I am always fascinated by the notion of 'time'. Only we humans have this contraption called the 'clock' which tells us the 'time' and basically regulates our daily events.

Animals have no ordered sense of time whatsoever, at least not in detail like we do. The universe 'out there', outside of planet earth, is neither confined nor subjected to the notion of time. Animals live and let live. They survive. But they're happy where they are. And the universe simply exists, out there.

We humans are not simply meant to 'survive' like mere animals. Neither are we simply 'existing'. Don't you think there's more to us? There's more to our life?

Only we live to work, play and enjoy life. Only we have music, art, education and technology. Only we show compassion, and hate, and the lot of it. If we're simply surviving, we don't need all this extras. If we're simply existing, we wouldn't live to enjoy the moment. But we do.

And again, isn't there more to life than just surviving and existing for the sake of it?

Some people live that way. Others, many others, have no choice BUT to live that way. Injustice. Poverty. Victims of crime and corruption and exploitation. Fatherless, motherless children. Can they enjoy life? How? They only survive. They only exist for a short time. Cause' no one cares.

But then again, don't we, the more privileged ones - and the wealthy, the ones in positions of power - ALSO remain only for a short time? In the end, no one cares. The memory of us will fade like snow melting in the sun. And life goes on for the others.

For the moment, we are trapped in time. We think of past, present and future. But God is out of it! He is not confined by the clock, by the times and the seasons. He cannot be confined by our puny ways of thinking.

I know that God knows the agony of His children in poverty, in sickness. He also knows the corruption and selfishness of the wealthy and powerful.

In the end, rich or poor, we all go to the same end - when past, present and future ceases to be and all that remains is what GOD THINKS of you and me.

Musings on the Train

2011-02-16T09:34:00.000+11:00

7.45am

Its amazing how we slip into routine so easily. I remember how hard it was when I first had to travel on the train every early morning to school. Then I also had to take the bus and the tram. It seemed a new and strange routine to get used to, having been homeschooled the past few years back.

But now I hardly notice the 'novelty' of travelling on the train everyday. We so easily slip into something familiar that we no longer pay attention. I tell myself not to slip into ignorance and complacency!

Its so easy to see the same people day after day and take them all for granted. Its so easy to take all the daily luxuries I enjoy for granted when it comes too easily and accessibly.

We barely notice it when we no longer ask the people around us important questions about them, about their thoughts and struggles. We get by each day just saying a non-commital, 'How're you doing?' and we don't even wait for the answer. And even if there was an answer, it would be less than genuine or true to what the person is really feeling or thinking!

Its easy to just live through everyday taking care of ourselves. We talk to the people we like to talk to. We often talk about fleeting, casual, unmemorable things. We often talk to the people who would make us feel a little just as popular as they are. We often ignore the people who already have no one to talk to.

Its easy to slip into our own clique and comfort zone day after day. Will we ever change after that? Perhaps we'll just change to fit into yet another exclusive clique, another fixed mindset.

Its easy to live on and on, very selfishly. We are selfish creatures. But I notice that the moment pride and selfishness creeps in, I become a very miserable person. Disconnected. From what, from who?

I feel disconnected from my Life Source. The moment I slip into my own selfish bubble and forget that I've a higher purpose and a greater destiny to get out of my comfort zone and do something that matters for God and people, I become very miserable and lonely indeed. Disconnected.

What is life, even with all our skills and education, technology and achievement, family and friends? What about the people who lack all this? What do they have?

While our lives may be fueled by all the things & people I listed, the fuel will eventually burn out. In the times of utter hopelessness and loneliness, what will spur us on to continue living and seeking our purpose? I am convinced that it is GOD who will give us that enthusiasm and energy to do His will.

Connect yourself to the Life Source. Without Him, everything is meaningless. All our skills & achievements, our relationships on earth, are meaningless. They will come to an end. And if we have not God in our lives and His Spirit guiding us, how can we know how to use our skills and opportunities meaningfully, how can we know who to reach out to and build purposeful friendships?

Our life, as much as it is driven by all these external things, will ultimately be an aimless vessel floating in a windless vast ocean.

Only God, only Jesus, the 'author and perfector of our faith' and of our lives from beginning to end, can give us this intrinsic drive and purpose and sense of destiny. Without Him, we cease to live.

Carpe diem,

Janielle =)

No Compromise

2011-02-15T08:27:00.002+11:00

7.20am

We live in such a society that is full of compromise. People don't hold to their values and morals and principles. We are so easily swayed by the distractions and goodies of this world.

How can you and I possibly escape?

Everyday we are faced with situations calling for us to make a stand, difficult though it may be. Each day, wherever we are, we are in a position to stand firm to what God has called us to or to stay silent and waver along with the flow of the crowd.

How is it possible to go against this mighty current?

It is hard to stand firm, to hold fast to the Word of Life. It is even harder to step out and make a difference. It is even much harder when we have to do it in the face our fears and weaknesses, the opposition of others, or the opinions or scoffers of this world.

You know, in this world, its easy is to the wrong thing, its also relatively easy & not impossible to do the RIGHT thing. No problems there. But the hardest thing to do in this society that we live in is the GOD THING.

The world will just have none of it. How can we possibly make our stand and voice our faith to do the GOD thing?

We hold on to His promise,

'Little children, you are of God, and have OVERCOME them; because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.'
1 John 4:4
If you and I truly desire to do His purpose for our lives, then we can have no doubt that He will instill His will and desire in us so that we will be so sure of what we must do while Today lasts. And He who is in us will help us to overcome he who is in the world.

Remember, the troubles and troublemakers and scoffers are not the devil. Like Batman said to his enemies, 'You are not the devil, you are just practice.'
We don't have to fight these people who scoff in our faces and give us trouble or stand in our way. We don't have to argue with them. They do not see. We trust God and do what we have to do. Not that we are so good that we can see, because many times we miss what God has for us, but it is that we place our trust in Him. And that's the difference. We have taken that leap of faith.

Whatever it is, we fix our eyes on our Saviour & King, and make no compromise.

Solum deum Timidus,
Janielle =)

Letting Go

2011-02-11T13:17:00.000+11:00

I gotta learn to 'let go' and just relax sometimes. We often get so pressed to control things and get the results we have in mind. But what if we're not ready?

I was reading an incredible book by Madeline Bruser titled, 'The Art of Practicing'. One memorable quote was, 'Ambition is healthy. But it becomes destructive when we push ourselves too hard and drive our minds & bodies before they are ready.'

Its true. Often in my piano practices, I find it so difficult, tiring and 'grueling' because I am pushing myself too hard! I don't know how it took me so long to face this fact. I've always convinced myself that I can never get ENOUGH practice. And if I want to achieve the sound I so desire, I have to keep at it, relentlessly. However, I so often, in my zealousness to get the 'sound', forget to LISTEN. Forget to take a break. Forget to relax and just enjoy the sound I'm already making. Forget to LET GO and just play with ease and spontaneity, without tensing my muscles so much - foolishly thinking that it will yield a better sound.

Likewise, I'm learning that even in daily life and unanticipated circumstances, I need to LET GO and stop trying so hard to control the things that I cannot YET control, or the things that I am not YET ready to tackle.

You can't learn to soar like an eagle if you don't first plunge down the cliff.
You can't learn to soar high above if you don't first let go and spread out your 'wings', trusting that it will help you to glide.

Likewise, we can't accomplish some things unless we let go of our tension and fear and anxiety and expectations, surrendering the things that are beyond us to GOD.

'Commit your way to the Lord, trust also in Him, and He will bring it to pass.' Psalm 37:5

Eyes on the Prize

2011-02-08T07:52:00.000+11:00

7.30am

Why do I wake up every morning? What makes us roll out of bed? Is it because we have to, or is it more than that. Is it because I've got something specific to do today? If I don't get out of bed, there'll be missed opportunities and precious time wasted.

You gotta admit, not everyday holds such 'promise'. Some days I just feel like, Why am I doing this??! Aren't there better things to pursue? Or I'll just roll back into bed.

This morning I'm reminded to fix my eyes on the Prize. What prize?

Many of us drift through day after day. And this year seems like just another year. Perhaps a little more challenges and excitement, but in the end, what?

I wonder, what drives each of us to do what we do, say what we say, and behave how we behave. Our attitudes are influenced by many things out there. Often we go through 'just another day' with no specific drive of our own. We are driven by our parents expectations, our obligation to go to school or work, our desire to gain favor from the people around us. But I think all these 'drives' come from outside sources. Many times it drives us to do or pursue things and become someone that is not truly who we are.

I am talking about a higher purpose. An intrinsic drive. A desire to reach for our destiny with our eyes never wavering from the ultimate prize. Where does this drive come from?
I have no doubt that this drive doesn't come from myself, nor from men, nor from education or religious teaching. It comes from the One who placed the breath of life in us.

What makes the plants grow? Yes, scientists know how it all works, but here's the greater question, WHY DOES IT WORK?
Likewise, we apply the same question to our lives. Yes, scientists and doctors and psychologists can tell us with all their fancy jargon about HOW our brilliant brain and body works, but they often ignore the WHY question. WHY do we go through day after day and 70 years or a bit more? Is it just another day, another year?

This drive to live and pursue and discover and attain knowledge comes from our Creator. Tell me this is crap, you don't believe in God. You prefer the evolution theory. Ok, fine by me. But if you truly want to know WHY, if you're truly seeking, you will find the answer. You will think thoroughly about these questions and if you seek the right Source, the Life Source, you will find it.

Carpe diem,
Janielle

This Morning, You're Not Alone

2011-02-04T18:48:00.000+11:00

Here I am, this morning.

I'm sitting at the bus stop. Waiting for the bus to come, to take me to the train station. And then waiting for the train to arrive to transport me to the city. And from the city, waiting for the tram to come to bring me to school. Or instead of the tram, I might walk with my friend. =)

This morning I woke up early. And then I had this very strange, nostalgic feeling. A poignant thought crossed my mind. Wow, this year is going to be so different compared to last year - the first year in VCASS. This year I'm entering school with new eyes and a very different perspective! Soon, all the pressure of juggling 3 hours practice and finishing academic work at school so that I can go home and JUST practice my beloved piano, will come surging back. I feel a tingly, jittery feeling down my neck.

At the same time, I cannot wait to live out my last year of highschool! My EIGHTEENTH year!

And this morning, as I sit here, I am thankful. My heart bursts with thanksgiving that God gave me two years in this place, in this arts school. I don't measure up, I'm not very capable in many ways, but God heard my prayer and opened the door. I cannot imagine how I'd want to spend my last two years of highschool any other way!

As I sit here, I am thankful. In my weakness and failure, God has showed His strength and goodness. I am thankful for all the blunders and mistakes and failures I've had. Because without them, I would not be placed in the position to have faith, not in myself, but in God.

I thank God for sending me friends, who are like-minded and wonderful altogether. =) I thank God for all the days I felt absolutely terrible because I knew I wasn't good enough and it was so tough to keep up! It was then that I also knew, I could LET IT GO and cast all my cares and anxieties on Jesus.
Once I did so, I could do my part and leave the rest to God with peace in my heart.

It sounds silly maybe, but I will have it no other way!

This morning, is a rainy, gloomy, cloudy summer morning. I can't help but smile and remember the cold, wintry, difficult days of last year. On this journey, I am quite alone. Not just the physical journey, but the incredible journey in my mind and spirit. A thousand times I've took a wrong turn and sometimes gone backwards. But my God, who is near to me when I call out to Him, has heard me and brought me back on track time and time again.

I don't know how the others do it. Do it alone. I'm just bursting with thankfulness that I am not truly alone in this!

And you, you are not, too.

Solum Christum cognoscere,
Janielle =)

You ain't seen nothin' yet!

2011-02-03T18:46:00.001+11:00

The Government's global warming advisor Ross Garnaut said to flood and cyclone battered Australians: 'You ain't seen nothing yet.' Prof Garnaut said climate change caused by global warming would increase the incidence of severe weather features and cause bigger natural disasters.

Yup, you ain't seen nothin' yet.

Call me pessimistic, morbid, negative. But you gotta admit, things are not getting better around here. And there. Basically, everywhere. In all areas of life, in every country and people and society, in every school, workplace and hospital, things are getting messier and confused. Good and bad is mixed up and kids nowadays don't see the difference. Although technology is great, scientists are full of new discoveries and medical research is on a high - people remain ever more ignorant and deaf to the truth of the situation.

Sometimes I feel trapped. This world is not right. Its careening off the edge of the cliff and soon about to plunge into the unknown blackness below. People continue eating and drinking and marrying. Studying and working and making a living. Life goes on - in spite of all the disturbing things we read on the news and even witness in our daily lives.

And remember, we ain't seen nothin' yet!

This is the beginning of the end. Am I talking hogwash to you?

In these times, many people bemoan their 'cruel fate' and suffering in the time of natural disaster or whatever other tragedy, and they even point a finger at God and say, How can a God exist?

But let me pose a different perspective to you. I took a walk in the cool evening today and I pondered many things. I wondered, in the face of such calamity, it is inevitable that people will question God or have all the more reason to say that 'there can't be a God'. So how does that tie in with 'God is merciful'?

Then it came to me once again. God IS merciful. In the face of calamity and tragedy, God IS still merciful. How?

He wants ALL man to be saved, and that none should perish. While people cruise along and get too comfortable and turn a blind eye & deaf ear to God's word and call, here's how God gets our attention. How can the situation turn so desperate that God has to resort to such drastic measures & allow disasters or tragedy to shake us out of our slumber?

Well, I suppose the situation must be very desperate then. We're all sinking deep and we don't know it. When all these things happen that seem not-so-good or a 'cruel fate', try to switch to the perspective that God's calling us to listen. In the eye of the storm, listen. He will help you to soar above it. If only we remain still and listen.

When God allows these seemingly bad things to happen (yes, I AM saying that He is ultimately in control - things had never gotten 'out-of-hand' for God), he is showing mankind 'a severe mercy', as Sheldon Vanauken called it. On the contrary to what most ignorant folks think, God DOES exist, and He IS in control, even in the face of disaster and sadness and death.

But how about the 'innocent' people who get swept along in the disasters? How about the Christians, and the 'good guys' who get killed anyway, even though they had been listening? No one knows the answer. No one knows why some people have less time. A life cut short. Babies unborn. Children born in poverty. No hope, no future.

Is is our call to judge and question God? While we can, because it makes us think and search, it is really not our part to determine. But I know I'm rest assured that each one will stand before God someday. And we're not going to talk for someone else. We're only accountable for ourselves. God sees every opportunity or lack of opportunity appointed to each one. And He will know who is who and who never had a chance to hear the Gospel.

But to get back on topic, because WE are the stubborn and stiff-necked, hard-of-hearing, ignorant, disobedient folks, God is revealing His 'severe mercy' by allowing these 'bad' things to happen. So we wake up - if by God's grace we do! And it is only for those who wake up and turn to God, who will be able see beyond their loss & grieve and realize that through this tragedy, God can still turn the bad things around for the GOOD of those who love Him and are called according to His purpose!

Carpe Diem,

Janielle

The Crux of Complacency

2011-02-03T02:53:00.000+11:00

People who are aware of the pricelessness of time and the significance of life on earth will not live like the rest of the world lives. Success is redefined in the terms of eternity. No longer must I seek the approval or favor of men. No longer must we grasp at the wind by trying to please ourselves and please people.

I would rather be so to say in lack, than have everything I want. I’d rather not have all the opportunities in the world. I’d rather not have what most people see as “success”. Well, am I settling for less? I believe not.

The lives of my Dad and Mom are teaching me to hold loosely to the things of this world. When the time comes to let go, it must be as easy as a snap of the finger. Let go. As long as you already have what matters, inside you. And in the hearts and lives of others – a continuum from their time on earth, to the next great journey beyond.

While it is Today, we cannot fall into the chasm of COMPLACENCY. Comfort is good. Success is good. Or is it?

Over the past months, I begin to realize that complacency is the underlying, subtle current that drags me further and further away from the Truth – and my destiny in Christ. Complacency is like a sly undercurrent that unnoticeably pulls many, many ignorant souls out to the open sea. Soon they begin to drift, and drift out there, never finding the shore again.

That is a scary thought. No, it is a terrifying thought…

What do I mean by complacency?

It is when we become too ignorant and comfortable – not only with our surroundings, but with ourselves. When we no longer desire to grow our character to be more like Christ. When we no longer pray & live to change our wayward thinking, actions and words.

It is even when we mindlessly think “God is always a good god who wants to bless and prosper me.” Yes, God is a good God. He wants to bless His people. But not when they’re holding on tight to their possessions and not daring to leap out in faith. Not when we’re perpetual sitting ducks. Not when we’re no longer seeking and knocking and asking. That’s when we have to ask ourselves, is God really giving me all this so I can sit here and live my jolly life?

I have to admit, coming to Australia has “dulled my senses”. Although there have been “leaps of faith” with God’s help, it is inevitable that after awhile, in such a nice, comfy land of opportunities, I have become ever slightly so complacent. Once you’re in it, dragged out into the sea, it takes awhile to fight your way back to land.

Here, I have a choice. You have a choice. We can either continue to drift out into the dark seas without even realizing it, or we can choose to wake up and begin the struggle back to shore. It is a struggle – an often unseen, inner struggle that only God can see. Is it worth it? I wonder.

“Since they hated knowledge and did not choose to fear the Lord, they will eat the fruit of their sinful ways.

For the waywardness of the simple will kill them, and the complacency of fools will destroy them.

But whoever listens to me will live in safety and be at ease without fear of harm.”

Proverbs 1:28-33

For sure, I’m listening; I don’t want to drift aimlessly and “contentedly” out there! I’ve got things to do back on shore. While it is Today, I still have time. While you and I are out there in the open sea, still struggling against the current, I am filled with sudden hope & joy that hey, there is someone out there I can reach out to!

We’re not alone. Be rest assured that at least, there is someone out there swimming “against the current” too. Even if we don’t seem to be getting anywhere, take heart – at least we’re swimming. ;)

Carpe diem,

Janielle

A Seeking Heart

2011-01-25T20:07:00.001+11:00

We live at the risk of too much rationalization. People like to argue and debate over the spiritual things of God. So they never pause to really soak it in, listen, and believe.

Nowadays I am becoming more cautious about praying certain seemingly ‘outrageous’ prayers too. I tend to brush it at the back of my mind for a while. Somehow, it isn’t as easy to go to God and ask for His help anymore. I feel incredibly sad at the thought. It is not that I don’t want to ask God, it is more like I’ve forgotten that I could. And I can.

Faith is a gift of God. No one can say, “I have great faith because I can somehow muster up great faith.” No, faith is a gift of God. We each begin our journey of faith by the miracle of God Himself first giving us the ‘measure of faith’ to believe in Him and His word.

“Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you.” Romans 12:3

Perhaps one of the scary things about growing up is the beginning of our ever-decreasing faith in God. The ‘reality’ of the world caves in on us and we struggle to go to God and ask Him to save us! Even when I do, there’s usually something holding me back, and I misguidedly think that God cannot really save me.

When the ‘carefree’ days of childhood are over, it’s harder to believe that God really answers prayers because our minds are often blocked by our own clever rationalizations. Without even considering going to God, we plunge into the problem and try to figure it out ourselves. No wonder the world’s a mess. It’s not a child’s world.

Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.” Luke 18:16

The adults were hindering the kids from coming to Jesus. They probably thought, “Nah, these kiddos wouldn’t be able to grasp Jesus’ teachings.” They thought they were clever and the kids wouldn’t understand. Yet time and again, Jesus spoke in parables, and not many understood. People try to figure out the Bible intellectually, with all their age-old philosophy and clever ideas. But it never works. Faith is a gift of God. Jesus didn’t call for the wisdom of the world in order for one to receive Him and enter the Kingdom of God. He called for the simple, yet great, faith of a child.

He called for a seeking heart.

Not a knowledgeable brain filled with great rationalizations and worldly wisdom. Not a righteous man with many good works to show for. Jesus called for a seeking heart of a child. Eager to receive, quick to listen, ready to learn – with a measure of faith to pray seemingly unthinkable, outrageous prayers that all the more God will answer to show His power to those whose hearts are seeking Him.

But as we all get older, we get caught up with pursuing the things that draw us further from the still, small voice of God. The light fades dimmer and dimmer until we no longer even realize that we actually no longer truly believe that God is able. I wrote a poem yesterday and one of the stanzas read,

‘Success is often short-lived
Riches ultimately meaningless
Beauty inevitably temporal
& Philosophy often faithless’

I looked up at the stars one night and in a moment of lucidity, realized with shame that,

“My great God is not limited by the four walls of my home,

Nor by the four walls of the church or by any other building!

His majesty surpasses even the clouds and the sky above

His power goes beyond my faults, fears & failures

My awesome God is not limited by the opinions of this world

His grace and truth is not caged by the doubts and unbelief of men

His peace surpasses all understanding

And who am I, a tiny good-for-nothing in His marvelous universe, to not believe that He is able???”

Then I am reminded of the man, whose son was tormented by an evil spirit, who said to Jesus,

“If you can do anything, take pity on us and help us.”

“’If you can?’” Jesus replied. “Everything is possible for him who believes.”

Immediately the man exclaimed, “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!”

Mark 9:21-24

Jesus is saying the same to us. Don’t just pray, “If You can, you can help me.” We must pray that same prayer of the man who exclaimed, God, I do believe, I want to believe; so help me overcome my unbelief!

Carpe diem,

Janielle

Camping in the Prom Country!

2011-01-24T22:07:00.000+11:00

17^th - 21^st January 2011

For the summer holidays, our family planned a camping and cabin trip to the mountain ranges of Grampians, west of Victoria! But unfortunately, we had to cancel it since it had turned into a FLOOD ZONE. So one day before the 17^th, we decided to take a last minute 'gamble' and drive to Wilsons Promontory instead!

We knew there was no chance we'd find any accommodation or even a proper campsite since it was last minute. So I checked the internet and found a remote FREE camping spot at Cape Liptrap Coastal Park right beside the beach overlooking the mountains of Wilsons Prom! The campsite is called Bear Gully. We decided to take a risk and hope & pray there'll still be a spot for us at Bear Gully. The setbacks were there wasn't going to be any power or electricity and clean water for drinking or bathing! And those are the basic requirements for most people when they go for holidays...

But we were so eager for an outdoor crazy adventure that we took the chance! It would be our first time camping in Australia. We didn't know if we'd even last 2 days camping without showers or electricity or a warm bed, but we ended up staying 5 days! Haha J Every night was very cold, with the wind howling and the distant rumble of the waves by the coast. When we woke up, we couldn't even wash our faces or brush our teeth because the toilet water was brown & it wasn't much of a toilet anyway... Hahaha.

Thank God the day we arrived, after driving through a winding dirt road, we found a nice cozy spot with some gnarly low-hanging trees. We pitched 3 tents! Dad & mum shared one, me & Janna shared another, and Jirene had a tiny tent for herself!

Since it was our first time at the rather unknown camp spot, we had no idea what the conditions were gonna’ be like. Funny thing was, we searched the place all over and to our dismay realized that there were NO SHOWERS! Oh no, so how are we gonna survive even 3 days without showering? Especially when we'd be getting sweaty and salty from hiking and beaching!

Thank goodness me, we managed to find an open tap shower at the beach in Venus Bay. And none of us complained about having to wear our swimsuits and take a quick 1 minute cold shower outdoors! Boy was it freezing, since it was at the beach and the cold wind blew continuously! But it was very funny seeing my dad shampoo his hair wearing his swimming trunks and doing it all by the side of the road. Hahaha. The great thing was we had no choice & no one complained cause' at least we had clean water!

It was freezing at night & we had to ration water when cooking because there was no clean water tap. But we had lots of fun sitting by the 'Campfire' – also known as the portable gas stove and the lamp. My sisters and I played the ukelele, recorder and harmonica while we all sang praise and worship songs and simply improvised. It was a fun way to pass the night time when we had no light!

Our thirst for adventure took us hiking and beaching to explore the heights of Mt. Oberon at Wilsons Promontory, the beautiful Cape Liptrap Coastal Park, the Squeaky Beach, Venus Bay and the Limestone Kilns. All in all, it was an amazing and memorable family adventure!!! =) Can’t wait for more family camping trips in the future :D :D :D

On Mt. Oberon overlooking the clear blue seas at Wilsons Promontory! =)

Dad stopped the car and I jumped out to capture this beautiful shot of the pastel-coloured skies and the rising full moon by the countryside! =)

The endless blue sea and swirly clouds above.

It was an amazing experience with my adventurous family once more! Thank God for everything. Love dad and mom, and my quirky sisters to bits!!! =)

Confusion

2011-01-24T20:05:00.000+11:00

Written from my heart, while sitting in a park near the Warrandyte River. Cool and breezy, quiet tranquility.

Swirling ideas
Truths untold
Promoting false hopes
And many tall tales

What is right
What is wrong
All muddled up
In the throng

What is light
What is darkness
Who is good
Who is heartless?

Hear the laughter
And piercing screams
Hear the crying
See scattered dreams

While there is life
Barely life
There is death
Cold, dark death

Children orphaned
Families torn
People hungry
Spiritually worn

How to tell
What is truth, who is lying?
How to tell
What's alive, who's really dying?

Keep a straight face
While inside you're wavering
The outward is a farce
Nothing but mere acting

In the deafening chaos
Full of noises
We lose our own voice
And all purpose ceases

Why are we here?
Many aimlessly drift
Why do we fear?
In the carnage we grieve

Success is often short-lived
Riches ultimately meaningless
Beauty inevitably temporal
& Philosophy often faithless

Often we miss the point
Life flying past
Before we know it
Time's up in the Hourglass
Yesterday was a gift
Today is a present ;)
Tomorrow is not a promise
But a chance graciously given

A chance to speak truth
An opportunity to do right
A day to reach for heaven
A chance to walk in the Light
In spite of confusion
Strive to know the Truth
Despite the dire situation
Seek to find Him in your youth

While the world thinks,
'We've got all the time in the world'
We should say,
'Let's not place our hopes in tomorrow!'

Live today
Savour the moment
Pray and pray
Don't just go through the motion

Trust not in power
Nor simply in might
Trust not in men
Nor live by sight

See through the lies
Sift through deception
Open your eyes
And see past the confusion!

By Janielle :)

The Inevitable End

2011-01-16T01:44:00.000+11:00

‘All share a common destiny…
The same destiny overtakes all.’
Ecclesiastes 9:3

Although Maximus – the Gladiator – the hero of the movie, ended up dying, he was not defeated. In his death, he won, he triumphed. At the same time, the death of the Emperor, the schemer, the man who hated all the world and who hated Maximus the most; who cheated in the battle and tried to tear a good man down without reason – this man died a death of pain, loneliness and shame. And I felt sorry for him.

[Watch the epic movie The Gladiator if you haven’t!]

Is death ever a good thing?

No, of course not... Right?

People mourn and cry in sadness over the loss of life. Death is never good – even if it means “release” for some. Death is the final enemy. We do not welcome death. We live our lives ignoring it. We shut it out and shun its lurking existence. Right?

Nevertheless, no man in the history of mankind – except JESUS CHRIST – has ever defied the chains of death. All have fallen. All have been ensnared, often caught unawares, by the jaws of death. None have escaped.

We never think of it. Or maybe we do – occasionally when we read the news. Sometimes when we watch the movies – no good movie omits the presence of death and the epic struggle between living and dying! But somehow, we dodge it. Let it be. Let live until the day comes. For now, we go on as if it will never come. That terrible day when our eyes grow dim, our minds cease to absorb one more memory, our hands grow cold and the world fades to nothing.

For people who see this life as a ‘chance’ existence, death is certainly a fearful prospect. It is the END. Just like that. A whole life of learning and working and toiling; failing and trying; winning and losing; again and again. And then what – to lose it all in one final clean, or not so clean, sweep? Incredulous! Yet true. Finally, regardless whether you’re prepared or not, each man has to face the inevitable end.

Why are you talking about death? You say. It is an unpleasant subject! I know you’re trying to sound philosophical and all. But its best kept forgotten and subdued somewhere in the crevasses of our consciousness. While life goes on, let it stay there and wait. Right?

But mark these words – death is inevitable! Why suppress and shun the very thought of our ‘final act’? Having said that, the mysterious thing about this off-putting subject is it is an unforeseen shadow. No man knows what or when is his end. To attempt to bind and cage this shifting shadow is merely to “grasp for the wind”, as the wise King Solomon said. It is futile. If time is up, time is up. Who can halt the mysterious workings of the universe – who can reverse what the Creator has appointed to each man?

‘All share a common destiny…
As it is with the good man, so it is with the sinner.
Their love, their hate and their jealousy have long since vanished.’
Ecclesiastes 9:2, 6

But our meaning on earth is not to contemplate death everyday. (Do not think I am implying that!) Our purpose on earth is not to dwell on our unforeseeable end. We are not to constantly live today worrying about tomorrow. If we worry about tomorrow, we inevitably cease to live today – in the present!

And so our destiny is to live today. While it is called Today, we live. We eat and drink and work. We pray and laugh and love. We cry and share and we reach out to the people who need reaching out to. WE DO OUR PART.

And finally, when the inevitable day comes, we will not be afraid. Death no longer frightens us. Meaningless is its merciless taunting. No longer does it roar in our faces. It is a prowling lion silenced by a muzzle. Although death is still our solemn end, we face no defeat. If we have lived our lives doing our part, living for the glory of God and doing His will for each of us individually, death is nothing to fear! If you and I have such a perspective on our God-given lives, fear not, for death is but a portal to the next incredible journey.

‘So I reflected on all this and concluded that the righteous and the wise and what they do are IN GOD’S HANDS.’
Ecclesiastes 9:1

Solum deum Timidus,

Janielle =)

The World Needs Silence

2011-01-13T21:00:00.000+11:00

This world needs some quietness.

I say that with a tinge of exasperation.

But for the moment, I’m having a very wonderful ‘alone’ time. And I’ve decided to write. It’s raining outside. The sky is dark and gloomy. But for once, I’m enjoying this rainy day! I don’t have to go anywhere or do anything urgent. So the rain doesn’t bother me. I’m just sitting back, looking out my window, and enjoying the strange quietness of falling rain.

It strikes me that all the day, our lives are full of noise. We all know it. But can we escape it?

I think those of us who sometimes choose to retreat into the quietness of our hearts will know how to escape it.

All day we are bombarded by sounds, sights and voices. Information and messages – not to mention the notorious or ardently dull Facebook statuses (!) – invade our minds and dominate our train of thoughts. And sometimes, we too, are full of “noise”; both inside and outside. We constantly have thoughts swirling all over, distracting us – a never-ending stream of consciousness. And not to forget, our external noise-piece, our tongues!

I wonder, when is the only time of the day where you can be totally quiet? No talking, no people around, no music, no reading, no doing anything. Just sitting quiet and “listening” to the silence.

I admit, I find it extremely difficult to find a quiet place and stay silent even for 10 full minutes! Often the house is full of noise. I have to wait till everyone has retreated to their rooms. But I realize that you don’t have to be in a totally silent environment, devoid of sounds, in order to be quiet within yourself.

Often, while travelling to and from school in the train, I would close my eyes and retreat into my thoughts. The external world would fade and blur. Many times I prefer not to listen to my iPod. The music distracts me from my thoughts. All it does is keep the external noise out. But what I enjoy doing is to shut out the noise of the world on my own. I think if we can do that more easily, nothing can deter us from keeping a laser-sharp focus on our thoughts, and on the sounds and voices that are WORTH listening to.

This is my 2011 resolution. Let’s make a point to shut out the noise of this world to hear the only Voice that’s worth listening to – more than anything!

Carpe diem,

Janielle :)

Love's Still Voice

2011-01-13T20:33:00.001+11:00

A poem I wrote, inspired by the quote, 'Fiat justitia, et pereat mundus.'

Let there be justice, though the world perish.

The needy plead
Still no one hears
The orphans cry
Who wipes their tears?

Who will go,
Whose hands reach out?
The one who listens
The one who hears

Wrung in grief
Heart filled with compassion
The one who cares
The servant with patience

Ears that hear
Eyes that see
A dying man's
Still, silent plea

Those ignored,
Those rejected
The ones forgotten
No longer remembered

We're too fine
We're too well
Much too far
From their living hell

When will we awaken
To the suffering & strife?
Wait till you're taken
By the last awful surprise

The day we complain
We cease to hear those in pain
When divided we stand
Any kindness is mere pretend

Who are we to sigh
Who am I to cry
For many out there,
Life is no pumpkin pie

How can we fight
Will man ever make right?
If you agree to the latter
I simply beg to differ

Don't give in
Don't you lie
Stand for the truth
Be ready to die

Alas, a scary thought
Still, one that must be caught
While all goes on, all goes on
Many perish without a sound

Who will know,
But the One alone
Searching to and fro
For a heart that's loyal

He who inclines his ear
Silencing the world of noise
Will hear ever so clear
The call of Love's still voice.

Solum Deum Timidus,

Janielle

Let there be justice, though the world perish.

This Jar of Clay

2011-01-09T20:41:00.003+11:00

Inspired by John 2:1-11 and 2 Corinthians 4:7.

'But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us.' 2 Corinthians 4:7

This jar of clay
A lowly, breakable vessel
What weakness on display
Too unworthy to behold

This jar of clay
A fragile little cup
Seldom does it overflow
With Heaven's steadfast love

This jar of clay
An insignificant vessel
Seemingly too simple
Far from the precious Pearl

This jar of clay
Is not its own
He surrendered his soul
To the Potter to mould

This jar of clay
Fill it to the brim
When it is overflowing
Once more life will spring

This jar of clay
It is simply I
How cracked and fallen
Hopeless & almost beaten

This jar of clay
Nothing worth a penny
Little did I realize
Someone did look upon me

Ah, so here is the miracle
The Saviour saved my soul!
So I chose to fill my vessel
With His love right to the full.

'But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us.' 2 Corinthians 4:7

By Janielle =)

Facing the Crossroads

2011-01-08T20:59:00.003+11:00

I’ll always remember what I think is a most memorable quote in Harry Potter. It’s a simple challenge posed by the wizened old Dumbledore to Harry Potter. Not to mention, to me and you too.

In a serious undertone, Dumbledore admonished Harry, “We live in dangerous times, Harry. There will come a time when we will have to make a choice between what is right and what is easy.”

The people of our generation will choose the easy way out of things – whatever suits their intentions and wants; whatever is convenient at the time. What will I choose? What will you choose?

Sometimes it takes a lot of courage to go the opposite direction, to make a stand when it’ll make us look like fools to the watching world. Are we prepared to look like a “fool” to our family, friends and foes simply because we choose to pursue the truth, and do the right thing?

I have trouble answering that one. It sure isn’t a piece of cake when it comes to real life – confronting real people and facing real circumstances! We all struggle with that.

I learnt in Psychology that when an accident occurs, or someone is in need, most onlookers will stay put. Everyone is waiting for the first ‘someone’ to step out and do something. Most people, in that moment, hesitate to stand up even though they badly want to. They are more afraid that they’ll look foolish to the bystanders. And since everyone thinks ‘surely someone else will do it,’ in the end, no one does it!

When I make decisions, no matter how small, I tend to choose the easy path – the wide, beautifully-paved road, compared to the narrow and rocky path. I know I’m doomed to slip and fall if I go on that pebbly, winding road! I might twist my ankle or break my neck, or tumble off the cliff-side…!!! (The point is to sound paranoid.) Haha. We can laugh about it, but the truth is, all of us often prefer the clean and cobbled street. Less chances we’ll fail or be at our wit’s end.

But suddenly, as I write the last paragraph, I realize that hey, we really shouldn’t be living our lives on the wide and easy road! However, to most, it may seem sensible & harmless. But we should be choosing the road less traveled, in spite of the challenges and failures and “accidents” that might transpire along the way.

Then again, let’s ask ourselves, “Why?” Why be so “foolish” to take the difficult path and risk all the rough falls?

Before I attempt to make sense of that question, we must firstly acknowledge that often that not, “choosing and doing what is right” is equivalent to taking the risky and rocky path. Perhaps it’s all too easy for me to say because I haven’t really gone on that road… But you can say that I’m at the “intersection” or the “crossroads”, as most of us are at numerous junctures in life.

So why take the tough and rough journey?

What first comes to mind is that Jesus Himself challenged us to do just that.

¹³"Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it.

14 But narrow is the gate and difficult is the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.

Matthew 7:13-14 (NKJV)

Many of us may rationalize, Oh don’t be so literal! What harm can taking the easy path do?

But I realize that what Jesus meant by “the broad way leads to destruction” is, when we choose what is easy, the “wide highway” the crowd takes, we often COMPROMISE the values and commands that God has called us to live up to! No wonder it’s a ‘difficult road and a narrow gate that leads to life’. No wonder those who take it are “doomed” to slip and fall, and encounter challenges along the way. Those of us who choose what is right will be confronted by others and with our own FAILURE to abide by the standards God has called us to.

Yes, failure! When we decide to do the right thing, when we want to live up to God’s commands, have no doubt that we WILL fail. ‘All man has fallen short of God’s glory.’ But does that sorry fact deter us from seeking the Truth and striving to do the right thing? Does that stop us from embarking on the journey along the rocky road and through the narrow gate?

No! Our human failures cannot separate us from God’s love and grace. Where would we be ithout His grace? We wouldn’t even have the guts to take our first step on the narrow path! What I’m trying to say is, if we choose to take up Jesus’ challenge and traverse the road less travelled, GOD WILL BE ON OUR SIDE. He will not leave us to fall along the cliff. Although God may allow us to teeter a bit… and go through our portion of falls, hurts and weariness, it is not all for nothing!

Despite the difficulties of choosing the do the right thing in God’s eyes, regardless what the world thinks, we must ask God to help us see the challenges ahead not as obstacles, but as HURDLES. What’s the difference? Well, obstacles block you from crossing over, but hurdles are meant to be leaped over!

The time is now. We have to choose between what is right and what is easy.

Like someone said, “Life begins at the intersection.”

Here’s where we choose between the broad highway to destruction (though it may not be so apparent…) and the narrow path to life beyond what this world can offer. May you and I choose well.

Solum deum Timidus,

Janielle =)

Facade

2011-01-02T01:17:00.007+11:00

Its all a facade.

Our world is steeped in deception.

For example, see the profile pictures on Facebook?

The majority of us are not really intending to post up & display to the world the not-so-appealing side of us. OBVIOUSLY. Or else Facebook wouldn't be so appealing.

People put up a show of what they would LIKE others to think they are. I admit, I do it too. The urge to project a false but appealing image of ourselves in the cyberworld & even in reality is so unavoidable that its almost intoxicating.

In the media, in the news, in the headlines, its all the same old, same old. Creating a beautiful-enough outer facade to fool the world. Those who cannot see past the surface will take it as true, as truly wonderful and beautiful. But we must SEE. We cannot afford to NOT see!

But of course, if we go around trying to 'find fault' in people & attempting to dig up whatever underlying threat or lie they might harbour, we would become very unpopular and miserable and no one would like us! True or not?

So is it an either-or matter? I think there is one thing we CAN do:

We must DISCERN.

The word 'discern' has its roots in Old French, meaning 'to divide or separate BY SIFTING'.

To discern is the process of knowing right from wrong by sifting whatever we read, hear and perceive in daily life as we interact with people & evaluate ourselves.

But how can we sift rightly? What are our standards of right and wrong? Where is the line clearly drawn? How do we know if we've discerned correctly?

I believe no one can discern unless GOD gives us the ability and the wisdom to do so. Without the filter or sifting net of God's word, we will have no standard of what's right in order to know where the line is drawn. Therefore in order for me to know right from wrong, to see through the deceptive facade in so many areas of life, I must ask God to OPEN MY EYES and give me a discerning heart. I must know His word & see the world in light of God's truth.

Nothing beats the truth. When we put lies, half-truths, and tall-tales beside the Word of God, the delusive words crumble while the Truth firmly remains!

'For the Word of God is living and active, sharper than an double-edged sword. It penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints & marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.' Hebrews 4:12

To know the Truth,
Janielle =)

Living in Light of Eternity

2011-01-01T20:46:00.000+11:00

1.1.11

Long gone are the days
To live in ignorant bliss

Still we're blinded by the haze
Never seeing beyond the mist

Oh God open my eyes
To see across the chasm

To envision eternity
And fix my eyes on Heaven

It may sound rather silly
Too far off & a little dreamy

But I'll walk the remaining years
Living in light of eternity!

'Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things unseen.' Hebrews 11:1

Carpe diem,

Janielle =)

The Matthew 6:33 Filter

2010-12-28T18:29:00.000+11:00

Whatever we do must go through what I call the 'Matthew 6:33 filter'.

'Seek first the kingdom of God & His righteousness and all these things shall be added to you.' Matthew 6:33
Every day, every step of the way, every plan and decision, should be seen and done through the filter of God's word. Especially Matthew 6:33, where Jesus reminds us that we should let aside all our petty worries & do first things first: seek God.

However, we often go the other way round. We stick to our plans first and only when things don't work out, we seek God's help. Well its never too late, but precious time & opportunity would've been lost.

And even when we do seek God, we usually have some sort of 'back-up plan' forming at the back of our minds...

'The main thing is to keep the main thing the MAIN THING.'
What is the center of your existence? What do you value and love and enjoy doing?

All I'm saying is that whatever we have, whatever we hold dear, whatever skills we possess, should be GIVEN BACK to the One who bestowed us with these good gifts.

'A man can receive nothing, unless it is given to him from heaven.' John 3:27
Many times I wonder what I should do with my life in the future. I have these skills and opportunities. But how should I use them?

Again, if I put all these questions and plans through the Matthew 6:33 filter, I can easily return to the MAIN THING.

Before I even attempt to answer my questions or finalize any of my own plans, I need to seek God first. But how? Its easy to say, but what if there is no clear answer or direction?

Perhaps we're not listening. Maybe we're afraid to. Things may not go as WE plan it to be. Or whatever God's direction is may require a touch of foolhardiness, or at least it may seem so in OUR human eyes.

Nevertheless, no matter how difficult it is to submit to the direction of Someone we cannot see, feel tangibly or hear audibly, we must make it our life's aim and stick to it. Why? Because there IS no other better way. I know that. I believe that. I trust that because God has proved Himself faithful and true countless times over.

When I have no 'back-up plans', when I have nothing, no one else, it is the best situation I can be in. It may not be entirely pleasant, because we humans like to have control over our lives; but it is in these kinda situations that God can show Himself strong THROUGH our weakness.

I will try to keep this note in mind through 2011 - last year of highschool & time to CHOOSE!!!

Carpe diem,
Janielle =)

2010-12-25T18:29:00.002+11:00

Have you got the feeling that Christmas doesn't FEEL like Christmas anymore?
It used to be so exciting.
Christmas dinners with family.
It used to be so fun.
Opening presents!
It used to be more eventful.
Everyone's jolly and into it.
It used to be more meaningful.
Less of all these extra, excessive 'embellishments'.

Yeah, that's kind of why... But I've got another reason why I think Christmas no longer feels like Christmas.

We're in a part of the world blessed enough to be celebrating Christmas fairly extravagantly! Still I can't help but wonder, what is it like for those who cannot afford food and expensive presents like most of you guys spend on?

Is it LESS of a Christmas for them, then?

For my family, we've actually stopped buying presents the past 2 years. I mean, yes, we buy something small and simple for each other for fun since its 'Christmas'. But there are a lot of things we don't really really need. I'm just thankful and glad we can already celebrate Christmas as a family with homecooked food and stuff.

Perhaps we all need to strip away a lot of the excessive stuff that turns Christmas simply into another festivity to splurge & put on 10 pounds in a weekend! Perhaps it would do us good to keep things simple and embrace the HEART of Christmas.

Yes, we give and share, but its quite evident that this key part of Christmas has become a very shallow 'tradition' sort of thing that masks the true REASON for us to give & share and love & care!

The reason for Christmas is JESUS. Yea yea yea, we all KNOW that. They say that every year.

Once a year, perhaps?

Well Christmas or not, the reason for our lives is that JESUS CAME FOR US!

Without this hope, we can count ourselves living dead. Jesus Christ wasn't even born on December 25. There was no Christmas tree or Santa Claus or elves or reindeer prancing about. All this came from some pagan-influenced traditions. Its no big sin, but let us just not FORGET why we celebrate Christmas. It is to REMEMBER that Jesus came, lived, died and ROSE AGAIN.

He gave His life. God gave us this free GIFT of love and grace. Whoever RECEIVES the Gift receives eternal life through Christ Jesus.

The reason I think Christmas no longer feels like Christmas is because everyone has FORGOTTEN. We've gone on eating, drinking, buying, giving and having fun with friends & family. And for most people, that's ALL it is. Well... Isn't that what Christmas is about?

You tell me.

Blessed Christmas & DON'T FORGET WHY!
Janielle =)

Who's Taking Center Stage?

2010-12-19T00:59:00.000+11:00

What matters? If you don’t come back to WHY YOU DO WHAT YOU DO – as my dad always tells me – then you’re a lost cause, and whatever you do is done in vain.

I feel like I’m in the “final act” of my teen years. You people would be telling me to chill and just enjoy the remainder of it! But I have a feeling that if I don’t carefully use and harness this remainder, I’ll blow it. I’ll waste this precious time. It’ll be gone forever. I’d miss the chance to ‘get my act together’ and be ready when the time comes to crossover into the “real world”.

Yes, enjoy while you are young. Even the wise King Solomon said in Ecclesiastes, ‘Young man, let your heart give you joy in the days of your youth; follow the ways of your heart and whatever your eyes see…’

But here’s the catch, too:
‘Know that for all these things God will bring you to judgment.
So remember your Creator in the days of your youth.'

'Oh time is slipping fast
See the fine-grain'd sands falling
To the bottom half of an hour-glass.

Oh life is flying pass
Like the scorching sun blazing
Over the fields of withering grass.

Alas, alas
The gentle wind blowing
Tis' sweet dandelion to its utter ruin

Yea, it is gone...
And the world remembers it no more.'
- Janielle

I don’t want to forget what matters. I don’t want to live carelessly and stumble into the next phase of life half-blind. I want to see clearly and do what counts for eternity. Well it’s easy to say. But to really follow through? To seek thoroughly and know fully, with a God-given peace in my heart that this is what I have to do? Wow, that’ll no doubt be a tough journey!

But I know it’ll be worth the seeking & searching, the days spent in silence, waiting, praying. I know 100% God will show up. He has before. But should I fail, it will be my fault alone. Because that means I didn’t take time to seek, to sit in silence and listen. That means halfway down the track, I got distracted by what the rest of the world’s got to offer. Yes, along the way, all the high-flying dreams you have, all the idealism and fervor of youth will be watered down. It sounds terribly disappointing…

So what is the key? What matters?

I realize today that we will all fail. And even no matter how successful some people may get, in the end, what matters is if JESUS was at the CENTER of it all. If He wasn’t, or isn’t, then you’ve lost it all.

I must see myself, my life, my plans, my thoughts, in relation to my Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Nothing else matters. But right now, I’m pretty sure Jesus is not really the center of my life. If He was, then a lot more things would be in their rightful places. But now, things are still messed up. I’m still wasting my time on a lot of nonessentials and bickering over things that don’t matter in the end. I’m still getting distracted, tossed to and fro by the whirling ideas and opinions around me.

To stop ourselves from getting swept down the current, we need to ask ourselves: WHO AM I in relation to God? What is my position when viewed in relationship to Jesus Christ?

Just like the earth, moon and stars orbit around the Sun, so must our lives revolve around the Son. Jesus has to be the center. Otherwise, we’re all just acting for ourselves. And believe me, that’s a very precarious position to be in. You’re basically flailing aimlessly in the dark, infinite black hole of the universe – all alone. Yikes, God knows what you’ll crash into next!

This life is about FINDING MY IDENTITY IN JESUS CHRIST.

Am I just another hapless chimpanzee that’s part of the ever-evolutionary zoo on this God-forsaken planet called earth?

Are you simply a nobody prancing about on the center stage of this short, miserable 70 years called life?

Is that it?

Then I’d agree with Shakespeare that –

“Life's but a walking shadow, a poor player, that struts and frets his hour upon the stage and then is heard no more; it is a tale told by an idiot, full of sound and fury, signifying nothing.”

But here’s the heartening news! We are NOT simply hapless monkeys or pitiful, estranged creatures wandering aimlessly or strutting miserably on the stage of life. It does not end here. Our short life now is merely for us to work out where we will stand in ETERNITY. Here’s our time to choose right, to work out our identity and position in Christ!

It all sounds crazy. It sounds like a hopeful man’s fairytale. But no, it is not. Life does not magically become a happy-ending story once Jesus takes center stage. But it does take on a new meaning, a new purpose, a new hope. Oh thank GOD we’re not alone or flailing in the darkness after all! If anything, don’t blame God. It is WE who have turned away from the Light and chosen to wander in the shadows of darkness…

Solum Christum cognoscere,

Janielle =)

Celebrating Australian PR Approval After 2 Years!

2010-12-15T19:32:00.003+11:00

Finally, after two years of living in Melbourne, our family has been granted our official Australian Permanent Residence. It is nothing short of a miracle that we’ve come this far. From the day we migrated to Australia in November 3^rd 2008, and stepped in Melbourne for the first time, knowing that for the next 3 years we won’t be able to go back to M’sia. All 5 of us arrived in Melbourne without a job, car, house or relatives. My sisters and I didn’t know what school we’d be going to.

We almost stepped into a “new dimension”. Life in such a beautiful and wealthy country was totally new. Going to a real high school was totally foreign and intimidating at first. But by God’s grace and providence we all have made it this far. We began this journey trusting God to lead us and open the right doors in a new land. We also arrived at this point, finally getting our PR, trusting that God will allow it to be granted to us in His perfect timing.

The story of how we were granted our Australian PR is nothing short of a miracle too. All glory to our God!

About 3 weeks ago, my dad sent the lengthy documents proving that we’ve all been living, working and studying here the past 2 years without returning to M’sia. People have warned us that it usually takes about 6 months + a medical checkup for the whole family before they grant us the PR. The odds were more so against us since it’s the Christmas season, and if you know Australia, everything stops during Christmas break!

So anyway, my dad prayed that we would get the PR before Christmas. It was almost, nearly, really, quite an impossibility! But my dad projected ahead and had the peace that God would answer. Of course, my mom and all of us prayed too.

But my dad pushed it even further, so that no one can say it is mere coincidence. On December 9, he prayed that the PR would be granted in 3 days time.

And most amazingly, dad received an email on December 11 saying the PR has been approved! More incredulously, we didn’t even have to waste money on taking medical checkups and go back to M’sia to stamp our visa! Most people had to go through these procedures and the long wait before they receive the PR. So very truly, it was nothing short of a miracle! We got it in less than a month!

To celebrate and have family thanksgiving, dad brought us out to a fine dining Modern Fusion Cuisine restaurant for a scrumptious meal. =)

Jirene and her appetiser =)

I love the food decoration! =) Essentially, that's what we're paying for... Hahaha.The novelty of having flowers and leaves and pebbles on your plate in addition to the delicious food. :P

Green tea Cheese cake =)

Red bean Macaroons =)

All glory goes to God for His abundant grace and providence over our lives. As much as it is heartening that we have crossed this hurdle, dad also reminded us that we can never get too comfortable. We mustn’t forget that God has brought us here and given us the faith and ability to make it this far FOR A PURPOSE. =)

Living With Porcupines...?

2010-12-13T01:22:00.002+11:00

'During the Ice Age many animals died because of the cold. Seeing this situation, the porcupines decided to group together, so they wrapped up well and protected one another.

But they hurt one another with their thorns, and so then they decided to stay apart from one another.

They started to freeze to death again. So they had to make a choice: either they vanished from the face of the earth or they accepted their neighbor’s thorns.

They wisely decided to stay together again. They learned to live with the small wounds that a very close relationship could cause, because the most important thing was the warmth given by the other.

And in the end they survived.'

A witty short story by Paulo Coelho, South American writer of inspirational, thought-provoking novels.

What a funny illustration! =)

Although we humans poke and jab each other, no matter how irksome we may be to one another, we cannot deny the fact that none of us can survive without each other's company. We'd probably go even crazier than if we were to put up with our irksome friends, family or neighbours!

I cannot describe just how much I am thankful to God for my family. Without dad and mum, their sound advise and heartfelt encouragement, their reminders and corrections... Without my sisters Janna and Jirene, their mere existence in the home, the 'background noise' they make - without which the house would be eerily quiet - and the fun we all share on holidays and on 'normal days'... Without these people, I wouldn't be Janielle.

No matter how annoyed or angry or frustrated we get, no matter how bad we get on each other's nerves, like the porcupines, we still need to stay together to "keep warm". Well, at least getting poked and pricked is certainly the "lesser of two evils"!