Out with the old, in with the new

At the time of writing this, it is approximately 12 hours to the dawn of the new year. Looking back, this is has been a somewhat interesting year for me. I feel rather melancholic now, knowing that 2004 is coming to an end and 2005 is just around the corner. It's simply amazing how time flies. This year has seen me doing things which I have never done before. This blogging thing, for example, is one of them :) However, I do regret not starting it earlier... it somehow grows on you. Also, what I am most thankful for this year is for getting to know people whom I have since formed close relationships with. All of you have truly made this year special for me and I certainly hope our friendship will carry on next year, and the next... and the next.. :)
It never fails to surprise me how people can have such an impact on my life, sometimes even without me knowing it. I tend to think of myself as not so much of a people-oriented person, but more of a task-oriented person. Before this, I never placed much emphasis on forming relationships with people, but this year has shown me the value of close friendship and again I regret not regarding people as important in my life. Sigh... it just shows that life has many more lessons to teach me.
Another thing which I am grateful for is that this year I have been able to extend my ministry in church beyond the corner of the musical instruments of which I have stood for the past 7 years. I do remember that I did say quite some time ago in a cell group meeting that I would like to serve in other areas and I specifically mentioned childrens' ministry. Which is why you should never say things that you don't mean... God hears you! This year, it has been my privelege to help in the KidsGames held for one week during the school holidays. At first, I volunteered my help out of necessity but I must say that I have absolutely no regrets. To see 800 over children praising and worshipping God is a rewarding sight in itself. To see so many of them being saved and accepting Jesus into their lives... the feeling is indescribable. After the event was over, I thought that was that. However, whoever said that God works in mysterious ways could not have been more true. A few weeks after that, the youth ministry intern called me up and said that pastor wants all the youth leaders to serve once a month in childrens' church as a team. After hearing that, I could only say...wow... God has granted the desire of my heart which I myself had forgotten after such a long time.
2005 is a mere 11 hours away now. It has not been a habit of mine to make new year resolutions all these years, but to keep up with my tradition this year of doing things which I have never done before, I think I have just enough time to add one more new thing to my list. So till next year, here's wishing all of you a blessed 2005!

The post-Christmas post

My Christmas presents are still sitting on the table where I left them. There they lie, amongst the colourful wrappers, ribbons, cards, etc. It's almost as if that I do not want to put them away, hoping that with the sight of those presents, Christmas is not over yet.
Reflecting back, Christmas this year has come and gone in a whirl. I have been so busy with so many things that it is only now I realise I had almost forgotten the true meaning and spirit of Christmas. Christmas is not about giving and receiving presents, Christmas trees, singing carols or even performing in Christmas musicals. Admittedly, these are all part and parcel of the Christmas season, and yet...and yet...
The natural disaster which struck our country and many others in this region on the day after Christmas really put things into perspective for me. Especially after Christmas, people have been questioning, "Why did God allow this to happen?" Funny, isn't it, how people blame God when something bad happens and yet fail to acknowledge Him for all the good things and blessings which they have received.
From this tragedy, I truly believe that the true spirit of Christmas is to have sincere thanksgiving in our hearts always, whether in good or bad times. What more can we be thankful for in that God sent His one and only Son to be born as a child into this world to save us from our sins. If we do not remember Christmas for this reason and this reason only, everything else we do will be in vain. And with this spirit of thankfulness, it is then we can reciprocate by showing to others the grace which we have received from God. Especially in this desperate time of need, we as God's children need to show our love and practical help to the victims of this tragedy. Only then will they realise that someone still cares for them, amidst the grief and loss that they are suffering.
Thus, even in times of great tragedy, I believe God has in purpose in allowing it to happen. We need to take hold of this opportunity that we have to show God's love to those that need it the most and also to be thankful for every circumstance. This I believe is the hearfelt message of Christmas, to be demonstrated in our lives not only during the Christmas season, but all the year round.

Of tidal waves and tsunamis

Tragedy has struck our beautiful island today. I never thought I would see the day, but it has. Tremors from neighbouring Sumatra has brought about a tidal wave to our shores and also to our other neighbours in Asia. So far 11 people have died here in Penang and the number is rising.
In my small comfortable world, I have been blissfully ignorant of the plight of the people who may live just across the border or across the ocean. Until it happens right here, I can think of no other words than this is truly a wake up call. I have been so painfully naive that I had no idea of even what was a tidal wave. The first I heard of it was this afternoon when I received a text message from a friend. Dismissing it as nothing, I prepared myself for what I felt was a well-deserved nap. Later on, however, I received another message from a very reliable source i.e. a good friend confirming what had happened. In my sleep-deprived condition, I called him and thereafter proceeded to demonstrate my utter lack of knowledge on anything concerning tidal waves or tsunamis, as they are known in some parts of the world. Shame on me..
After hanging up the phone, I looked out my window and observed my surroundings. Everything looked normal. The sun was shining, the weather was calm...there was nothing to indicate what had just happened just on the other side of the island. A thought then struck me. This indeed is a sign of the end times and what have I done to prepare for it? Everyday I live my life as if I intend to live on this earth forever. Sometimes I tend to forget that the earth is the Lord's, and just like He created it, he can take it away in just the blink of an eye. Nothing is impossible.
We should all be aware that life indeed is very fragile. Just as God created the earth, so He created us in His image and just like He can destroy the earth, our days here are numbered. A scary thought, but so real. The reality of it all just hits home. Indeed, a true wake up call.

"For I, the Son of Man, will come in the glory of my Father with his angels and will judge all people according to their deeds. And I assure you that some of you standing here right now will not die before you see me, the Son of Man, coming in my kingdom."
Matthew 16:27-28 (NLV)

Intro to me...

Well.. I guess it's finally time for me to join the world of blogging. It was never my intention to do so in the first place but for my good friend who persuaded me to "rekindle the passion for the pen". And since it's the broadband age :), this is a perfect platform for me to express my thoughts instead of hunting out scraps of paper which will be eventually lost in my house under the piles of books and other things.
Anyway, I do hope you enjoy your visit here and please feel free to post comments. Have a nice day! :)