Friday, December 31, 2010
why does it hurt to do the right thing? emotions in a turmoil; something i want in reach,but that something i know i shouldnt want in the first place. the new year looms, but this emotional debt plagues.Posted by shawnaa. at 3:16 PM
Monday, December 27, 2010
sometimes i feel, life is one big joke.Posted by shawnaa. at 5:52 PM
Saturday, December 25, 2010
to the land of sheldons
went to Kennedy space center today and if anything stood out beyond that confusing physics i swore never to touch again after O levels, was some narration i heard during one of the tons of space related presentations there;"As you pass from sunlight into darkness and back again every hour and a half, you become startlingly aware how artificial are thousands of boundaries we've created to separate and define. And for the first time in your life you feel in your gut the precious unity of the Earth and all the living things it supports.
— Russell 'Rusty' Schweikart, returning from Apollo 9"
in a season borne out of the true essence of love, what better time to ponder on such a thought:)
blessed christmas everyone.:)
Posted by shawnaa. at 2:55 PM
Tuesday, December 07, 2010
in love or to love/
Love is not merely a feeling. It is a deep unity, maintained by the will, and deliberately strengthened by habit; reinforced by the grace which both partners (or friends i would say) ask,and receive, from God .--Mere Christianity, C.S Lewis
Posted by shawnaa. at 9:35 AM
Monday, December 06, 2010
being broken has never been sweeter.
Sweetly Broken-- Jeremy Riddle
To the cross I look, to the cross I cling
Of it's suffering I do drink
Of it's work I do sing
For on it my Savior, both bruised and crushed
Showed that God is love
And God is just
Chorus:
At the cross You beckon me
You draw me gently to my knees, and I am
Lost for words, so lost in love,
I’m sweetly broken, wholly surrendered
What a priceless gift, undeserved life
Have I been given
Through Christ crucified
You’ve called me out of death
You’ve called me into life
And I was under Your wrath
Now through the cross I’m reconciled
In awe of the cross I must confess
How wondrous Your redeeming love and
How great is Your faithfulness
Posted by shawnaa. at 1:31 PM
Thursday, December 02, 2010
conflicting love
over thanksgiving break i headed to canada where pam invited yihui and i for the 1040 screening, which was basically a film about church revival in asian countries and how the gospel is being brought to the ends of the world by them. enter jaeson ma. a Californian pastor, brought up in a black church, dressed in black and blings (ok not really big blings but blings nonetheless). He raps out his message to the audience and i find myself squirming in my seat, uncomfortable at what my mind subconsciously labelled as 'charismatic music that wasn't proper worship to God.'
the night progressed, jaeson ma's talk blasted into the minds of the audience and the film screened--done. My squirming didnt quite stop, but then the last few scenes in the documentary of thousands of people, ten thousands of people from muslim countries rushing forth to accept Jesus as Lord of their lives stopped me in my tracks. Almost involuntarily, tears welled up in my eyes. There's just something so amazing to see hearts turning to Him; no wonder all the angels in heaven break out into chorus at the salvation of just one soul!
and i started to realise one thing. Not once did jaeson ma or any of the pastors in the video say a thing contrary to what the gospel is all about-- man is sinful, we need jesus. fullstop. not loud music, not tongue speaking, not holyspirit slaying. those things occurred, im not going to deny that, but never once did any of them emphasized this over and above the gospel message. I must say that the bible wasnt used as much as i would like it to (which probably explained part of my squirming), but clearly God's name was preached, the Great Commission shared. They did so, and with a passion more than i ever had for people. Can people only reach God through the bible and the bible alone?
Or is the former something that i need to learn to accept, to embrace, to support? No doubting the word must always be the core of every Christian faith-- after all, our belief is not a blind leap in the dark! but people are different, and they CAN come to him through music, technology, medicine, anything that our world is blessed with at this time and age. Come to think of it, the Israelites in the bible danced in the courts like there was no tomorrow for the Lord, why then do i find 'charismatic' music inappropriate when it comes to pleasing God? It's the heart that he sees after all!
When all is said and done though, i know love stands between the gap, the conflict and disagreements. Because this love is not one we are meant to receive, but rather, one to give. For we have already received it, from God--who is love in its every expression.
Posted by shawnaa. at 1:33 PM
chilled on the outside, warm on the inside
observation of the day: the weather turns significantly warmer after a rain event, but the opposite happens after showers of snow. and you would have thought such a phenomenon wasnt possible since they were essentially the same thing!
still, the first snowfall has been nothing but exhilarating. Sticking out my tongue as i trudged to classes and looking like a goon was completely worth it as i felt the ice cold sensation melting at the slightest touch.
and who else have i to thank but the most creative architect of the world for these little joys in my life:)
song of the day: something that we just finished learning today and i really love the lyrics. nothing more apt really, after seeing the beauty of nature, to truly realise that my happiness is found in less of me and more of Him.:)