Personality Test

Did a very interesting personality test at work today. Are you promoting, supporting, controlling or analytical? Something like DISC tests... well I'm analytical! Fits to a tee! That explains why i'm always asking 'why'? and having a need to have a reason for everything i do.. The brain works. Thoughts rule. I think, therefore I am.. (René Descartes)

Anyway, today's reflection is -- God brings us into desert experiences from time to time, for the purpose of finding out what is really in our hearts. And how alarming it is to realise that actually, what we have in our hearts is not really much. Instead, only much fear and wishes and dreams, wants and desires... and nothing very noble after all. So then, that's why we are always asking God to transform us, change our hearts, and make us better people. God I need you. and i pray for others who need you too, who don't quite realise it yet.

Truly Blue

Your true color is Blue! You're blue - the most soothing shade of the spectrum. The color of a clear summer sky or a deep, reflective ocean, blue has traditionally symbolized trust, solitude, and loyalty. Most likely a thoughtful person who values spending some time on your own, you'd rather connect deeply with a few people than have a bunch of slight acquaintances. Luckily, making close friends isn't that hard, since people are naturally attracted to you - they're soothed by your calming presence. Cool and collected, you rarely overreact. Instead, you think things through before coming to a decision. That level-headed, thoughtful approach to life is patently blue - and patently you!

This is so true... man I am so truly blue. Sigh. Is that good or what?

What's Your True Color?
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The Loxian Language

Interesting and baffling. How people create languages. Just like Enya's Loxian Language. Just how do one do that? Even more so, how did Tolkien create the Elvish language? Purely amazing.

According to Enya, the Loxians are people living on another planet - looking out into space and wondering are there anyone else out there. Maybe that's how Enya gets her ethereal sounds which just engulfs me and makes me wonder at the awesome power of music to take one into another world.

And that brings me to another thought - the Language of the gift of Tongues. If we ever wondered how English got to be the universal language in our world today, we've got to wonder even more how 'Tongues' is the 'language' of God - and how it prevails across all men, and the ages.

Simplicity

Pholph's Scrabble Generator My Scrabble© Score is: 40. What is your score? Get it here.

Simplicity.

Is ironic. A difficult goal. Easily mistaken, disrespected, looked down upon. So often put down, overlooked, discriminated against. Is not mutually exclusive with success - you can be successful AND simple. Is a 'negative' word - akin to 'plain'.

But Simplicity is all that life should be. Why do we make it so complex? with our wants, worries and woes?

Let it Be...

Somehow, I keep thinking of the song 'hopelessly devoted to you' from Grease... reminds me about the fruitlessness of pining for somebody's love. It doesn't change a thing, yet it makes us miserable.... playing the relationship game is not easy... perhaps that's why i'm so putoff by this whole aspect of life? Perhaps i should change my thinking - after all, people treat it as an exciting quest - a very important part of their life. I wonder why i have no inclination to think of it at all. I do at times.. but there seems to be other more important things. Or am I being afraid of it all? Perhaps. Perhaps. for now, i shall just Let it be.. let it be

Let It Be
Writer, lead vocal: Paul McCartney

When I find myself in times of trouble
Mother Mary comes to me
Speaking words of wisdom, let it be.
And in my hour of darkness
She is standing right in front of me
Speaking words of wisdom, let it be.

Let it be, let it be, let it be, let it be.
Whisper words of wisdom, let it be.

And when the broken hearted people
Living in the world agree,
There will be an answer, let it be.
For though they may be parted there is
Still a chance that they will see
There will be an answer, let it be.
Let it be, let it be, let it be, let it be.
There will be an answer, let it be.

Let it be, let it be, let it be, let it be.
Whisper words of wisdom, let it be.

And when the night is cloudy,
There is still a light that shines on me,
Shine on until tomorrow, let it be.
I wake up to the sound of music
Mother Mary comes to me
Speaking words of wisdom, let it be.
Let it be, let it be, let it be, yeah let it be.
There will be an answer, let it be.
Let it be, let it be, let it be, yeah let it be.
There will be an answer, let it be.
Let it be, let it be, let it be, yeah let it be.
Whisper words of wisdom, let it be.

Random Thoughts, HOpes & Good Friday Reflection

Everywhere I go, I see a potential picture perfect shot. Perhaps I should take up photography in greater detail. ;)

I like art. But never really did art. Perhaps I could try digital art. It's after all, 'virtual'.

I did my first drive in Dad's car - alone - without daddy - yesterday! Almost almost hit the wall while turning and parking the car... almost forgot to switch on the lights (it was night). But I made it! YIPPEE!

I realise I've never thought what Good Friday meant to me. But thinking on it, I feel that... God never needed to do what he did - send Jesus down, to take on humanity, die on the cross.. and save humanity! But it was in his plan of salvation that he did.

I'm now thinking I wanna go to Rome - for the Pentecost Rally in early June.

Expectations... can be a killer. We have raised, false, over-idealised hopes. But reality strikes and it hurts. But it would not hurt if expectations were not there in the first place.

Some important things struck me during Gethsemane - the OLPS Lenten Vigil held on 8-9th April overnight.Staying awake through the night, I was so amazed to find myself amidst a crowd of youths and enthusiastic adults.. doing praise and worship, with a fantastic band and 2 majestic choirs. First thing I realise is that if God wants revival, He will bring it. He brought the OLPS Youths -- whole lot of 30 over of them to the YISS last year. And He's going to do more this year in June. I believe and have hopes. All I can do is marvel at His work, and hope of joining in where His Spirit is flowing and moving. And motivate the rest in the ministry too... this is my God-given gift and its no wonder I excel and find so much joy in doing so.

I realise if I keep wondering if I am too This or too That, I will never be happy. Why are humans always judging themselves by comparing against a particular standard? Why should we use the world's standard to measure up? I say this because I believe that the World and all its ways are folly to God. What is success? What is achievement? What are God's ways? Love. Love and Love. So then, the only measure that we need when we die and meet Jesus face to face is -- Have I loved as I ought to love?

After all, when we die, when Jesus ask us what have we done on Earth, what do you think he wants to hear? That we have obeyed His commandments... and what are they? 1) Love God. 2) Love neighbour.

And as I ponder on the topic of Love... I am startled by the lack of Love I see in me.... Even the minute bit of love I have is sometimes... self-focused.

So there. My Good Friday-Easter reflection. Love. Love. Love.

snapshots from my new phone

Latest snapshots.. hehe.. this is fun... check out my reflections page: www.auburnskye.com/reflections.html

Distractions

What a powerful preaching on Distractions. I was at Gethsemane, the OLPS Lenten Vigil organised by the youth ministry. I was impressed right from the start. Simply in awe. There was a whole worship team and band plus 2 magnificent choirs - introducing the crowd to praise and worship - in all its majesty.

The music was fabulous. This is my first comment - being a musician myself. Secondly, being such a organiser, second thing i notice - is the whole setup and programme. Well planned, on time, good breaks, very very impressive. Finally, I get to the heart of the matter - what did I learn tonight?

I realise that all these line up with the 2nd topic that Brother Michael Broughton talked about - Distractions. Just like i was distracted by first the music, then about observing how they plan stuff before i come to the actual matter - Jesus, we are all easily distracted in our lives.

Bro. Michael talked about how anything that distracts us from fulfilling our mission (to love) is a distraction. Success, achievement, happiness, friends, these are secondary to our mission to love and love itself - God. It was such a simple yet profound statement that got me thinking twice and even till today. It's a message that truly sunk in. And i thank God for that message. Because it helps me to keep focus on the one true thing that matters in life - Love.

If i don't have Love, i am just an empty gong.

Love - is God.

God is Love.

Without God in me, how can I love?

With my human weaknesses - I don't feel like loving at all. I don't even love myself.

But with God in me - I can love.

AMEN!

Can living healthy be a burden?

I think so.

Living healthy is such a hard rule to follow. That is - when you want to make it a rule. Rules are meant to be broken - so it seems really impossible after all.

All these sleeping early, the 'must' and 'mustn'ts' , eating the 'right' food.... it can be a burden at times.

And the same goes with saying the 'right' words, having the 'right' thoughts, doing the 'right' things..

But as I am compelled to think otherwise, i come to reality with the truth - that I really need change. And constant change brings freshness to life - motivation, zeal, and freedom!

I find this passage from Sirach 15:11-20 quite insightful....it's on Free Will. I only suddenly read it tonight:

"Don't blame the Lord for your sin; the Lord does not cause what he hates. Don't claim that he has misled you; he doesn't need the help of sinners to accomplish his purposes. The Lord hates evil in all its forms, and those who fear the Lord find nothing attractive in evil. When, in the beginning, the Lord created human beings, he left them free to do as they wished. If you want to, you can keep the Lord's commands. You can decide whether you will be loyal to him or not. He has placed fire and water before you; reach out and take whatever you want. You have a choice between life and death; you will get whichever you choose. The lord's wisdom and power are great and he sees everything. He is aware of everything a person does, and he takes care of those who fear him. He has never commanded anyone to be wicked or given anyone permission to sin."

I think -- if I find myself in dire straits because i was lazy or foolish in my own decisions, i shouldn't blame God and ask him 'why did He not show me the way'. Rather i blame myself for not keeping His commands at all times. What are His commands? Love God & Love your neighbour as you love yourself. Do i love myself? If i don't, i can't fully Love God or neighbour. Because part of me will always be hating something in myself - and that anger and bitterness is sin - which gives rise to the physical problems like this, that, the habits that are rooted into my everyday living. But the root of the problem - as i have suddenly reflected on tonight.. is perhaps - my own free will -to choose LIFE or DEATH.