The art of conversation-remembering names.

A repost of Pastor Rick Warren, one of the biggest churches in America, senior pastor of Saddleback Church in America.

Pastor, you set the tone and atmosphere in your congregation. If you want to know the warmth of your church, put the thermometer in your own mouth.
I’ve visited some churches where the pastor’s lack of love is the main reason the church isn’t growing. Some pastors, by their cold demeanor and lack of personal warmth, virtually guarantee that visitors won’t come back. And in some larger churches, I’ve gotten the impression that the pastor loves an audience but doesn’t like people.
Great preaching without love is just noise in God’s view.
Every time I speak to at Saddleback, I repeat a simple reminder to myself. I never preach or teach without thinking this:
“Father, I love you and you love me. I love these people and you love these people. Love these people through me. This is not an audience to be feared but a family to be loved. There is no fear in love; perfect love casts out all fear.”
Let me suggest some practical ways that you can demonstrate your love:
Memorize names.
Remembering names shows that you’re interested in people. Nothing sounds sweeter to a second-time visitor than hearing you use his or her name. While I don’t have a particularly good memory, I work hard at remembering names. In the early years of Saddleback, I took pictures of people and made flash cards to help me remember their names. I knew every person’s name in our church up to about 3,000 in attendance. After that my brain fried.
I ask new members in the membership class to tell me their names on three different occasions to help me remember it. When you work hard at remembering people’s names, it pays great relational dividends.
Personally greet people before and after services. Be approachable. Don’t hide out in your study.
For the first three years of our church, we met in a fenced-in high school where everyone had to exit through the same gate. Each week, I personally greeted every person that came to our church. They couldn’t get out without passing by me! One of the best ways to warm up a crowd is to meet as many people as you can before you speak to them. Get out among the crowd and talk to people. It shows you are interested in them personally. Touch people.
At Saddleback we believe in a high-touch ministry. We give a lot of hugs and handshakes and pats on the back. Today our society is filled with lonely people who are starving for the affirmation of a loving touch. So many individuals live by themselves and have told me the only loving physical contact they ever get is at church. When I hug somebody on Sunday morning, I often wonder how long that hug will have to last.
Study the ministry of Jesus and you see the powerful affect of giving people a look, a word, and a touch. Look people in the eyes when you talk with them. Eye contact says, “You matter to me.” Give everyone a word of encouragement. Offer a warm, personal touch to show you really care.
Use a warm, personal style in writing to visitors. We have a series of letters I’ve written to first-time, second-time, and third-time visitors, telling them how glad we are to see them. I don’t sign them with “Dr. Warren” or even “Pastor Warren.” I simply sign them as “Rick.” I want visitors to feel they can relate to me on a first-name basis. If you send a letter to visitors, write it like you talk to people, not in stilted, formal language. I received a visitor letter once that said, “Our church would like to acknowledge your presence with us last Sunday and extend to you a cordial invitation to return on the next Lord’s Day.” Does anyone really talk like that? Instead say, “It was really great to have you. Hope you can come back.” One of the most important issues every pastor must decide is whether you want to impress people or influence them. You can impress people from a distance but you have to get up close to people to love and influence them.

I am truly impacted to remember my cell group member's names and the new friend's names! It is SO IMPORTANT! (; Striving towards excellence~

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Dear God

Dear God, help me to love those obnoxious and snobbish extroverts who think they are the center of the world.
Thank you.
Help me to have self control too.
Please.
Sigh.
And also those girls between 12-15.
Sigh.

Help me to not be obnoxious and snobbish too.

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an infj story. reposted ffrom another infj.

Belonging
I’ve never been a person that feels like I “belong” to a group. I’ve had a few small groups of friends along the way, driven by the circumstances at the time (i.e. small group from high school, small group from college). But in reality, my friendships exist on a one-on-one basis. Six of them have stood the test of time. Even trying to bring some of this group together in a group setting doesn’t work very well. I find that I know them differently than they know each other and most know me in a slightly different way than the others do, as well. When topics of conversation have to be steered toward what is acceptable in front of the whole group…well…a lot of the most important things are “off the table”. More than long-standing friendships, I have random connections. A “ships passing in the night” type connection that typically arises based on an issue, a decision, a crisis. Someone’s relationship is falling apart, a major decision needs to be made, a long-standing dream is in question, or their past has come back for a visit. Sometimes people seek me out and sometimes I can see that they are struggling (whether they want me to or not) and I try to let them know that I’m here if they need someone to talk to or someone to listen to them. I’m not sure what makes me happier than to know that I have helped someone to feel less alone during an important time; that maybe I have made their world a bit better when it mattered the most. We may stay in touch or we may not, but the bond, I feel, lives on. I see this in the ways they think of me when life is good and calm again, and they want to tell me about it. They are in a new, happy relationship. They finally have the child they weren’t sure they’d ever have. I can also bring people together. I know people. I know where they will belong, even when I don’t also belong there. I watch the relationships develop and I feel good about helping people to connect to others they can relate to. Again, in my small way, trying to make the world a better place. So I guess this is where I accept that I am just “different” in my approach to the world. Being me means I won’t quite fit in anywhere. It feels a little lonely sometimes, but there’s no other option if I’m going to be true to myself and how I was programmed.

Sigh, so true.

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Prooject Whatever Commences

Project communistic has ended in failure....

Haha.

Not funny.

Ok, what am I saying right?

I'm not going to live my life anymore.

I'm gonna just be a kid that goes the straight route. No more pranks. Now it is business.

And I mean business.

For the first time there will be a momentum shift.

What shift?

OH I'm getting serious.

What is happening?

Well, I'm changing course.

To the supposed way in the start.

Engineering.

No turning back, no turning back.

This time, God, all you want k. Not going to try to live my own life anymore. 

work, lets go!

November is aproaching.

Do you understand the title?
I hope you do.
The biggest event every four years that happen in United States.
Oh you probably know it by now.
Sigh.
Why ask for change when the only real difference is the Skin color?
That was the question I asked when i was a secondary one student.
Change, was the message he circulated to his supporters, so what change was there?
A better relation with middle east? Fine, reason accepted.

http://www.chicagonow.com/your-doubting-thomas/2011/09/why-president-obama-sucks/

Why President Obama sucks

By Brian C. Thomas, September 6, 2011 at 10:13 am

Almost three years ago, I was one of the roughly 100,000 people in Grant Park celebrating the election of Barack Obama. However, today, if the Wall Street Journal polled me on President Obama, I would say I disapprove of the job he’s done as president.
I’m not alone. Early Tuesday morning, two new polls came out showing President Obama’s approval ratings at an all time low. ABC News/Washington Post poll has his approval at 43% with disapproval ratings of 53%. NBC News/Wall Street Journal poll has his approval at 44% with a disapproval rating of 51%.
73% of those polled in the NBC/WSJ poll felt the nation was on the wrong track; while 19% thought the nation was headed in the right direction.
I’m left wondering who is that 19 percent?
President Obama has some real problems if I’m flirting with Mitt Romney. I’m a left leaning, black, urban professional with a law degree. Thinking back to 2008 and the type of voter Obama did well with, I hit all of the demographics: I’m black, college-degreed and live in an urban center (Chicago at that). If I’m thinking of abandoning him, then he has some real problems.
The reason I’m reading Mitt Romney’s economic plan is because it doesn’t appear Obama has one. He’s been in office well over two years and he has to give another speech on his jobs plan? Unemployment has been over 9% for two years. Why don’t I know about his jobs plan already?
And the drama about the speech highlights his real problem: the President of the United States has no spine. The President of the United States wanted to give his jobs speech on Wednesday but backed down after Republicans condemned him for his timing. I am bone tired of the President wanting to do something, Republicans blasting him for it and him backing down. It doesn’t matter what he does, Republicans will blast him; he needs to act like he’s the President rather than getting permission from John Boehner to take a piss.
Would George W. Bush change the timing of a speech to placate Democrats?
Another example: President Obama wanted to close the prison at Guantanamo Bay. Republicans argued that security would be compromised and the prison is still open. Question: If President George W. Bush wanted to close Guantanamo Bay, would it still be open?
As much as President Bush’s policies can be questioned at least he knew he was the President and acted like it. Instead acting like the President and leading Americans, Obama tries to build consensus by giving speeches and delegates everything to Congress. Think about the debt ceiling debate, he implored Congress to get him a proposal instead of creating and fighting for his own plan. The same is true with his landmark piece of legislation, health care. Republicans mistakenly call it Obamacare, like he was the one who created it. It should be called Pelosicare. Like everything else, Obama gave speeches imploring Congress to pass universal healthcare and then went off somewhere hoping Congress would give him something sign.
It is a very long time until Americans decide whether Barack Obama is a one-term president. A lot of things can happen which could sway Americans back into his camp. But if Barack Obama really wants to continue being the President of the United States, he needs to get someone in the Oval Office to teach him how to act like it. If he starts acting like the President, rather than whining about Congress (which is more vulnerable than he is) and delegating everything to it, his approval ratings might go up.

Exactly. Why. He. Suck.
No offense, but he seems like a figurehead.

America is... to me... kind of doomed.
Why? cause even candidates of the republican side seems weak.
Mitt Romney insulted people's religion.
I mean, why?
Shouldn't the president, among all people, be the most accepting?
But he insulted the religions of others.

Just look at this article.

http://works.bepress.com/frederick_gedicks/6/

Truth and Consequences: Mitt Romney, Proposition 8, and Public Reason

Frederick Mark Gedicks

Abstract

Although formal religious tests for federal office are constitutionally prohibited, they have long been fact of political life in presidential elections. John Kennedy remains the only nonProtestant ever elected President. The “Judeo-Christian tradition” notwithstanding, no major party has ever nominated a Jew for president—let alone a Buddhist, Hindu, Mormon, Muslim, or unbeliever.
Against this electoral history, it was perhaps predictable that mainstream Christian commentators would feel free to legitimate religious attacks on Mitt Romney during the Republican presidential primaries on the ground that Mormonism is a “false” religion. Ironically, however, the Mormon church periodically intervenes in initiative and ratification campaigns to defend “true” or “divine” principles that it believes ought to be enforced by law and reflected in public policy. How upset are folks entitled to get when their church is labeled “false” in an electoral campaign, if the church itself regularly participates in such campaigns on the basis of religious truth and falsity?
My purpose in this Essay is to examine the deployment of religious truth-claims in electoral politics, through the lenses of Gov. Romney’s unsuccessful campaign for the Republican nomination and the LDS church’s participation in the successful Proposition 8 campaign to ban same-sex marriage in California. I will argue that in contemporary electoral politics, attacks on the truth of a religion make little sense in light of the pluralism and postmodernism that now characterize the contemporary United States, but are a likely consequence when the religion itself introduces such truth-claims into electoral politics.
I argue religious pluralism and contemporary postmodern sensibilities now preclude any religion from plausibly asserting in public contexts that its claims are true to the exclusion of all others. In such a culture, the introduction of religious truth-claims into electoral campaigns presents distinct disadvantages and dangers to liberal democracy, particularly when done from the right. I illustrate the deleterious effects of such claims, and the corresponding virtues of public reason, by reference to the attacks on Romney’s Mormonism during the Republican primaries and the Mormon church’s support of Proposition 8. I close with some observations about the necessary priority of pluralism to truth in electoral politics.

Exactly.
Ok, lemme explain.
Yes, my belief is similar to Romney, but why did he need to make a statement about something that didn't really matter? He should talk less about it, and talk more about the pressing issues in United States.
Focus, boy. Focus.









Now time for me to focus on my work.
Sigh.
Facing the route ahead, should I transfer course?
If I do, I will do it with no regrets.
Business informatics, or engineering, no problem.
I just want to live life.
But of course, I can choose not to.
Let's just see what comes out.
And when November approaches, I would know the answer to that question, as well.

Singaporeans

Well Singaporeans are very concerned about current affairs, and mainly those 'big news' in Singapore.
Why do I say this? Look at that picture I posted. The top 5 are either talking about Singapore Government(not bad things,but analytical views) and my personal view over the chc saga. So... what was my response to it?
Well, simple. Singaporeans like to 'see' the different opinions given, so that they can judge and either say 'good post can kill time' or 'bad post,super biased and sucks' or 'meh'. I have nothing against all 3, so cheers to boredom killed! Hope you enjoyed!
Cheers!

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I love Rick Warren.

Repost from Rick Warren, Pastor of Saddleback Church.

How to Use A Lay Research Team

August 6, 2012 By Rick Warren
Any pastor — no matter how small his church — can have a research team.No matter what size your congregation, there are people there who like to read and research. They’ll be thrilled to help you, if you just give them a list of your sermon topics.I meet with my lay research team every few months, and I explain to them the direction I’m going to take with my sermons, including any sermon series that I’ll preach. I then tell them what to look for: quotes, illustrations, articles, statistics.There are two rules for the research team:First, whatever they give me, they won’t get back. In other words, give me a copy, because I don’t want to be responsible for returning an article or a book, etc. If I don’t use it, then I’ll file it for future use.
Second, I tell them to not get their feelings hurt if I don’t use what they’ve given me. I always get more material than I could possibly use, and I don’t want someone saying, “Gee, I did all this research, and he didn’t use it.” Their research may have helped me as I formed the sermon, but it never made it into the sermon. Or, I may use some of their research at another time.I set up one person as the liaison with the research team. That way, everyone can feed the information to one person, and then that person can give the results to me. It keeps me from getting 15 different messages from 15 different people.
And, finally, I request the information be sent through email. That way I can cut and paste it right into my sermon notes.

Post script: I wanna join a research team! Hahahahahaha

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Optimist/Pessimist? Oh please, it's about the logic behind it.

Ok so, I have heard of this question many times, wonder about you guys.
"Is the glass half full or half empty?"
And people go like, oh if you see it as half full you are an optimist and if you see it as half empty you are a pessimist.
And I went and said: "Bullshit!"
Now when people ask me this question, I will ask them if the glass was full or empty before the action was done to make it half. If it was filled to the brim and then emptied, then it's half empty. If it was empty and then filled, it would be half full.
But of course, those people who just wanted to know which "characteristic" you are just to judge you will make this face -.-
And i get very angry because firstly, I am stating my point of view. If you don't like it, you think I'm trying to be lame/disturb you, or whatever reason, I would like to say this- that emoticon, no matter in what context, doesn't deserve to be used. I have told myself not to use that emoticon many times because what others say or do can make you pissed off, but you dont have to do anything(including emoticons) to tell people you are pissed off. If you don't like it, or do not approve it, just say it nicely or kindly move aside, Request to leave the conversation a while and cool down. In fact, whenever I see that emoticon, I immediately feel angry and would like to flame the person. But I don't because I know that the other party is only upset/angry/disturbed at the moment.
Bottom line is this, while you may be trykng to prove a point and show everyone that you're witty, others may have their two cents worth of appropriate ideas. Even if you do not accept it, just bear with it because what good you do when you ruin the mood? In fact, I rather be patient and keep a happy go lucky attitude then spoil someone else"s mood. Why? Because whatever others may say, do not let it affect you, for why should people's tongue cause you to be provoked? But, if others DO(not say but do) something to you, then it's a different story. Understood? Good.
Post Script: I have nothing against such questions like half full or empty, but only if the question is backed by people of psychological experience or the question really makes sense. These people do not include: Popular pop stars, people with this thing called "swag", people who are famous for "cool shitz" and people with these so called "true facts/quotes/memes".

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Unable to.

I am unable to express my burden for the people around me. i want to go to them and scream: 'Go, and look at the book of Joel!'. Now the thing is this, Joel can be a hard book to interpret, and yes, don't just read the book, research online on it as well, but Joel is by far one of the most relevant books in the old testament, for our time.

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true unity

True unity only comes when the main purpose of life of the group of people are the same, throughout all valleys and mountains.

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So you need Faith? Well, start with your quiet time.

So just because I'm paranoid of being different, doesn't mean I cant ask this question, so i am going to ask it. Do you brush your teeth only when you are experiencing tooth decay? No, but every day, once in the morning and once at night, right?
Now this is the same thing with our attitude.
We must not come to God only when we have a problem. Now understand this, there is nothing wrong with that, but that cannot be the only reason that exist. But we should come to God everyday, to build a relationship with him.
So what is the relation between these two examples?
Now the thing here is this: We brush our teeth everyday, to prevent tooth decay.
Similarly, we must pray and seek God everyday in our quiet time, in his word, so that we can build up our faith in him! And when we have our faith built up in him, we are able to overcome the obstacles with our faith in our God who is mighty to save.
It is important that we build up our faith.
Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
To build up our faith, we must have our quiet time. A quiet time is a period of time where we use to solely seek after God.
When we are in our quiet time, one thing that we do is to pray. And more often than not, don't we always find ourselves lacking in an area, and that we start praying for our God to deliver us from the situation? The thing is that when we pray, we must not just state our problems, but that we confess that our God is bigger than our problems! There is really, nothing too great for a God who created the heavens and the earth!
I dont know about you, but for me, sometimes i pray and when I'm done, i go back and think to myself, i am so gonna die(in that area, context not meant to be taken literally)! NO! When you pray, confess and belief in the positive!
We must exercise our faith in God.
Yes, people may let you down, but God will never let you down. Now, certain times, due to our previous experience in a particular area, which have always been unsuccessful, we tend to instill upon ourselves that no matter how we pray, God may(MAY) deliver me(if he is kind that day) but most likely he can't even be bothered. No! That is the lack of faith! We must have faith, especially in an omnipotent God.
So how do we receive faith?
Now this is not just limited to a person- god relationship, but even person-person relationship. The more you know somebody, the more you understand somebody, the more comfortable you are with somebody, the more you will trust that person. Yes? That is why it is important that we must know God more. And not only that, we are to enter into a fellowship with God.
Now the word fellowship used in the bible was the greek word koinonia, which means the communion by intimate participation. And it is also only when we come into a fellowship with God, that we are able to receive fullness of joy. Now that when we are together in communion with the Lord, we are able to now, put our faith in God because why, because we know that the thoughts he has for us are thoughts of peace, and to give us a future and a hope, thoughts that are not of evil! And that greater is he who is in me, that he who is in the world! And that He is our strength and our refuge, and that he watches over us even more than the sparrows, whom(the sparrows) are seen and cared for by He Himself, how much more us! And how do we know this? When we read his word! Which is, the bible, and since the bible is jesus(for the word was God, and is God). Therefore reading the bible is equivalent to understanding God!
And now, it is only that when we come into a place of intimate communion, a secret place, our prayer closet, our altar that we built before with a heart of worship and sacrifice of praise, then can we know him more, then can we trust him more, and then and only then, can we truly walk in his ways, as his word directs our path.
Let me end off with an example.
In many countries, not really in my church though, the 40 days before easter is called the Lent. It is where we start to be holy and pure and we repent of our sins and do a reflection of our lives. To me, i think that is a great idea. But for me, especially starting today(I am going to ignore my past), I want to live a life that everyday, I commune with him, everyday, he wakes me up and reminds me of his goodness and mercy. Yes it is good to have the Lent, and all, but why not today, since you have read my sharing till this part, spend just a minute. If you can spent 10 waiting in line for a burger queue, spent just one, saying, Hey jesus pop, i love you. And share with him. And if you can, note that this is just an encouragement, every night before you sleep, just spent those 10 minutes you have before you brush your teeth, saying, hey God, and start telling him about your day. Then read the word. Just a chapter a day will do. Even if you dont feel like doing it, do it. It is like sometimes we say, Who cares, one day without that colgate wont hurt me, imma sleep now. But no, make it a habit to talk to God and read his word. In fact, spent a minute after reading the word just trying to ask God, God, what is it that i need to know? And as you slowly develop this habit, as God's word, and his promises, and his blessings, as He reminds you daily of them, then you will be able, to have, more faith, and then, your inner man will be built up, and then, you will be able to face those challenges, those areas of your life which you never thoyght you could. Just give him a week where you read his word and pray. And confess those promises God has for you. I ensure you, your life will never be the same.
This Jesus I have been talking about is able to change your life, he holds the key to eternal life, he is the prince of peace, and has overcomed the world. If you would believe in him wholeheartedly, and  that this Jesus can save you, and that when you pray to him, and that when you read the bible, your whole life can change and take a 180 degree turn.

Post script:
Ok, now pardon my lack of arrangement of points and all, but this post was pretty impromptu. I just wanted to share what I felt.

This is cricantrail, and i will see you again soon.

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Wow

• YOUR PURPOSE IN LIFE
  

Why am I here?

Have you ever wondered what life is all about? Why were we born into the world in the first place? Is there more to life than this? Can we be truly happy in our life here on earth? The key to understanding the meaning of life and finding true happiness lies in knowing your purpose in life.

The Bible says there is a God who loves you.

This is a good God, who created you to have a relationship with Him and to enjoy His blessings.

Jeremiah 31:3
"The LORD has appeared of old to me, saying: 'Yes, I have loved you with an everlasting love; ..."

John 10:10
"[Jesus says] I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly (to have life in all its fullness)."

However, there is a problem.

God has given Man freewill to make choices in life; to do what is right, to do good; or to do what is wrong, to do bad. Sadly, we live in a broken-down world with sin and sickness.

Romans 3:23
"For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God."

1 John 1:8 (TLB)
"If we say that we have no sin, we are only fooling ourselves and refusing to accept the truth."

All of us have sinned against God and this sin has broken our relationship with Him. As a result, sin causes us to be separated from our God who loves us. Worst of all, sin has an eternal consequence ...

Romans 6:23
"For the wages of sin is death, ..."

The eternal consequence of sin an eternity in hell, forever cut off from God and His desire to be with us for eternity.

What is the way out?

Throughout time, man has tried to bridge the gap with God by religion, philosophy and doing good works. But none of these methods can save us or rid us of our sins and reconcile us back to God. The Bible says that there is only one way ...

John 14:6
"Jesus said to him, 'I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me."'

Two thousand years ago, God emptied Himself of His glory and came in the form of a human being, Jesus Christ. He personally became the Substitute for you and me to take the punishment of sin.

Romans 6:23
"For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord."

And the reason God did this was because He loves us and wants us to know Him.

Romans 5:8
"But God demonstrates His own love towards us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us."

What must I do now to be reconciled back to God?

Here’s what you need to do:

(A) Admit that you are a sinner and need to turn from your sins (repentance).

(B) Believe in your heart that Jesus Christ died to pay for your sins and He is alive today.

(C) Confess Jesus Christ as Lord (or Master) and invite Him to come into your life.

You may pray a simple prayer like this:

"Dear Lord Jesus, I admit I am a sinner and I need your forgiveness. I believe that you died for my sins on the cross. I now open the door of my life and invite you in to be my Savior and Lord. Thank you for forgiving my sins and giving me eternal life. Take control of my life from now on. Make me the kind of person You want me to be. I pray this in Your name, Amen."

Remember:

Romans 10:9
"That if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved."

John 1:12-13 (TLB)
"But to all who received Him, He gave the right to become children of God. All they needed to do was to trust Him to save them. All those who believe this are reborn! - not a physical rebirth resulting from human passion or plan - but from the will of God."

Once we are saved, what is the purpose for living?

The Christian life is a very exciting and supernatural journey!

There are five basic goals in every Christian's life. As you pursue after these goals, you will find a great fulfillment in your life and find yourself growing closer to God.

1. WORSHIP
To know God and to love Him.

2. DISCIPLESHIP
To have your character changed to be more like Jesus.

3. FELLOWSHIP
To build meaningful relationships with other Christians.

4. MINISTRY
To use your talents to serve others.

5. EVANGELISM
To share this good news with others who have yet to know Christ.

The five goals of worship, discipleship, fellowship, ministry and evangelism can only be properly carried out in the spiritual environment of a local church. So, go and get a Bible today and start reading the Word of God. Then join us at City Harvest or find a Spirit-filled, Bible-believing church where you are comfortable in and start attending it regularly as soon as you can.

Welcome to your new life in Christ, my friend. Put on your "seat-belt" and get ready for the great adventure that God has in store for you!

Taken from City Harvest Church's "Your Purpose In Life"

Let's do this with more solemn and seriousness.

I can do this. I can. I know I can,
 I can

Bob the builder, can we fix it? No, but God can.

I need to fix my low self esteem.
seriously.

Vanilla Twilight- Owl City - Lyrics

The stars lean down to kiss you
And I lie awake and miss you
Pour me a heavy dose of atmosphere

'Cause I'll doze off safe and soundly
But I'll miss your arms around me
I'd send a postcard to you, dear
'Cause I wish you were here

I'll watch the night turn light-blue
But it's not the same without you
Because it takes two to whisper quietly

The silence isn't so bad
'Til I look at my hands and feel sad
'Cause the spaces between my fingers
Are right where yours fit perfectly

I'll find repose in new ways
Though I haven't slept in two days
'Cause cold nostalgia

Chills me to the bone

But drenched in vanilla twilight
I'll sit on the front porch all night
Waist-deep in thought because
When I think of you I don't feel so alone

I don't feel so alone, I don't feel so alone

As many times as I blink
I'll think of you tonight
I'll think of you tonight

When violet eyes get brighter
And heavy wings grow lighter
I'll taste the sky and feel alive again

And I'll forget the world that I knew
But I swear I won't forget you
Oh, if my voice could reach
Back through the past
I'd whisper in your ear
Oh darling, I wish you were here




<3
it feels great but also sad to be in love, but let's just drench ourselves in vanilla twilight and all things bright and beautiful.
<3

repost from owlcity

Repost from Owlcity


No one has yet believed in God and the kingdom of God, no one has yet heard about the realm of the resurrected and not been homesick from that hour, waiting and looking forward to being released from bodily existence.

Whether we are young or old makes no difference. What are twenty or thirty or fifty years in the sight of God? And which of us knows how near he or she may already be to the goal? That life only really begins when it ends here on earth, that all that is here is only the prologue before the curtain goes up — that is for young and old alike to think about. Why are we so afraid when we think about death? Death is only dreadful for those who live in dread and fear of it. Death is not wild and terrible, if only we can be still and hold fast to God’s Word. Death is not bitter if we have not become bitter ourselves. Death is grace, the greatest gift of grace that God gives to people who believe in him. Death is mild, death is sweet and gentle; it beckons to us with heavenly power if only we realize that it is the gateway to our homeland, the tabernacle of joy, the everlasting kingdom of peace.

How do we know that dying is so dreadful? Who knows whether in our human fear and anguish we are only shivering and shuddering at the most glorious, heavenly, blessed event in the world?

Death is hell and night and cold if it is not transformed by our faith. But that is just what is so marvelous, that we can transform death.

Dietrich Bonhoeffer
 1906-1945

Inspiring. Totally inspiring dont you think? very awesome in my opinion.

On a side note, I have been getting angry at myself for the slightest things that happen. tsk.
the quic ron fox jumpedover the lazy dog
thats what i meant if you get it.
I hate ittttt

When......

When a guy likes a girl, it's so obvious. OOPs. #justsaying :D :b (: OMG SAMUEL YOU'RE A GAY NOW TROLOLOLOLOLOLOLOOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOL

Yes. These posts are so delicious.

Now, another(yes) repost from Pastor Paul Scanlon's blog.


In the story of Jesus at Mary and Martha’s house (Luke 10) we read that Mary sat at Jesus’ feet whilst Martha was busy feeling stressed out in the kitchen.

Martha never comes off well in this story, tending to be judged rather harshly whenever it is told.
I want to show you another side to this story, which celebrates Martha as much as Mary.

Jesus loved both Mary and Martha (John 11:5), valuing them equally. It’s also clear from the text that the house actually belonged to Martha not Mary (Luke 10:38). So it was Martha who received him into her home.
‘Mary’s’ want to simply worship Jesus but it is the ‘Martha’s’ who build homes where that can happen.

Behind every worshipping Mary there’s an exhausted Martha who takes care of all the things that would prevent and dilute the focus from Jesus.
If the church is all Mary and no Martha, it will be all worship and no structure, but if it’s all Martha and no Mary, it will be all work and no worship.

Martha’s work makes Mary’s worship possible, but if we don’t appreciate this, the Martha types resent the Mary types for not being more practical, and the ‘Marys’ project guilt on the ‘Marthas’ for not being more spiritual.

The reality is that Mary became famous for pouring oil on Jesus feet but it was Martha who burnt the midnight oil for him! We need both; one is not more spiritual or necessary than the other.

I’ve been to ‘all Mary’ churches and, whilst they are very devoted worshippers they can be awful timekeepers, poor organizers and terrible hosts. I’ve also been to ‘all Martha’ churches, highly organized, very hospitable but lifeless and unresponsive to God.
Just as these sisters lived in the same house, we need them both together in God’s house; we need the worship of Mary and the hospitality of Martha.

The church is like a restaurant where everything happens in the kitchen.

People don’t choose a restaurant for its kitchen but rather for its atmosphere, ambience, decor, location, service and food.
The restaurant is calm, peaceful, candlelit. There are wine glasses, white linen, silverware and music.

The kitchen is more like hell than heaven! It’s loud, sweaty, stressful and hectic.
There’s no linen, music or candlelight, and yet that’s the heart of the restaurant. People fall in love with the restaurant not its kitchen.

They recommend the restaurant to their friends and leave others to dine in this new place.

Our problem is when we get more diners – more Marys – who just love the restaurant and we ask them to help in the kitchen; they can get offended.

People may even sign up to work in the restaurant not realising that there’s no real work in the restaurant, it all happens in the kitchen. Marthas live in the kitchen so Marys can enjoy the restaurant but we need more and more Martha’s if we are going to serve more and more Marys.

It’s time to let all the Marthas in your world know just how much you appreciate them.

Repost and something personal

Repost from Pastor Paul Scanlon's blog


Yet again, I’m at the airport!

I am surrounded by thousands of passengers, most of which are not are not here for my plane. I can’t understand why? Because frankly, I think my airline and chosen destination are far better than many others listed on the departure boards.

Yet despite so many not joining us, once aboard the pilot doesn’t start his announcements by saying how upset he is that more people didn’t chose his flight.

He doesn’t take it personally that out of so many, so few have chosen to fly with him and enjoy both his and his cabin crew’s many years of experience, he simply welcomes us on board as his passengers and takes responsibility for the duration of the flight, however long or short it is.

As we leave the plane we are thanked for flying that airline and encouraged to choose them again because, if we fly with them regularly, we can get frequent flyer awards and other benefits.

I think as leaders (or pilots) we can learn from this. Not everybody is going to choose to fly with you so don’t take it personally.

Serve those who did choose you for as long as they’re on board, be it long or short haul because not everyone is a long haul passenger – some just need a lift to the next place and chose you to take them there, so welcome them aboard.
If you serve them well, they may chose to fly with you again or recommend you to other travelers.

Always remember that every frequent flyer was once a first time passenger. Some will become life-long partners with your airline, others will use you just for certain kinds of trips, and on any given day your plane will be full of all types of travelers, from platinum level to day trippers.

Your job as captain and crew is not to park at the gate hoping more will get on board or envying the long queue for other flights, it is to serve those who chose you.

People choose airlines and flights for all manner of reasons and ours is not to question why, ours is just to serve and fly!

Thank you for choosing to read my blog and take this short flight with me today. I look forward to welcoming you on board again soon




This is from me to all who read my blog, whether frequent, blogwalker, or anyone. Do continue reading if you enjoy. I am tired. Yawn,

Never question

A repost

From Pst Paul Scanlon

The Bible says that no matter how many promises God has made they are ‘yes’ in Christ (2 Cor 1:20).

God has a ‘yes’ nature not a ‘no’ nature towards us, and that remains true even when his answer is a ‘no’. God is always for us even when circumstances or people are against us, and like any loving parent he is always for our ultimate welfare and benefit, God is a ‘yes’ God.

Many people perceive that God is a negative God with an occasional ‘yes’, so when their prayers go seemingly unanswered, it simply proves his fundamental reluctance to smile on them. However, a ‘no’ to something is always a ‘yes’ to you, It is not personal.

Remember God said ‘no’ to David and Bathsheba’s baby living, ‘no’ to Paul’s thorn in the flesh been removed and even said ‘no’ to Jesus in Gethsemane.

Each no was still a ‘yes’ to the person involved. What may be a ‘no’ to a specific request is always a ‘yes’ to you, so don’t get upset or offended about a ‘no’ because it is not personal.

God ‘knows the plans he has for you, plans to prosper you and not harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future (Jer 29:11).

Those words were spoken to the Hebrews in captivity in Babylon where the context looked like a ‘no’ but God was always saying ‘yes’ to his people even in a negative situation because he sees the big picture. Don’t assume it’s a ‘no’ just because God hasn’t changed your circumstances yet.

Our tendency to live life from event to event means we don’t usually feel any ‘yes’ when positive things aren’t happening. We live from financial blessing, to a new job, to new opportunity, to promotion at work etc. So when we’re between high days we have no theology for the low or ordinary days.

If nothing good ever happened to you again, which it will, it’s still no reflection on God’s ‘yes’ towards you.
The great apostle Paul wrote that God’s a ‘yes’ God even though he had so much suffering in his life despite being totally obedient to God.

He never questioned God’s ‘yes’ towards him. So as you come boldly before that throne of grace today, remember that you don’t need to catch God in a good mood, or on good day. He is like President Kennedy who used to stop whatever he was doing when his kids ran into the oval office. God is for you!

God is a yes God. Even if he doesn't answer, he is a yes, God, and will answer in due time.

Once I ccried out to God, asking for something to happen.
Nothing happened. Then, few months after sorta giving up, he answered.
God is a good God, and his plans are higher than our plans. Always.



God help me!

May today be the last time!
I am gonna be so hard on myself and destroy every comfort zone again.
Come straight in the face of all my fears.
First time I'm gonna do it.
But I will do it.
I have to, got to.
I hate myself for not being able to sleep since two. :(

Being firm.

8 Now the children of Judah fought against Jerusalem and took it; they struck it with the edge of the sword and set the city on fire                                                          

                                                                                                                            

Judges 1                                                                                                                                                  

So I was reading chapter 1 of judges.                                                                                                                                               

And it reminded me of something.                                                                                               

It reminded me of the need to be firm to our past bad habits.                                                         

In verse 8, Judah fought against Jerusalem and set the whole city to ruins.                                      

The whole city was destroyed.                                                                                                    

They destroyed every single Canaanite that lived there.                                                                   

                                                                                                                                                 

27     However Manasseh did not drive out the inhabitants of Beth Shean and its villages, or Taanach and its villages, or the inhabitants of Dor and its villages, or the inhabitants of Ibleam and its villages, or the inhabitants of Meggido and its villages; for the Canaanites were determined to dwell in that land.                                                                                                                        

28     And it came to pass, when Israel was strong, they put the Canaanites under tribute, but did      not completely drive them out.                                                                                                                                                

                                                                                                                                                

Why did Israel not drive them out? Letting them stay will cause problems in the future!                  

It is important to drive out all of our bad habits.                                                                           
If not, in the future, we will have problems dealing with it, because when it is the right time to deal with it, it is not being dealt with.

The Art of Conversation

School Project- Draft one
The reason I'm doing it here is because blogging is the only way I can encourage myself to do work. LOL


The Art of Conversation


It is important in our world today to be able to converse well with people.
Conversing well with people is needed to build a good foundation for relationships, both personal, and work related.
To have a good conversation, One must express interest to the other party.
This is a form of respect.
Not only respect, but first impressions count too.
If you look sleepy and unkempt on your first conversation with someone and your mind appears to be wandering somewhere else, this will lead to the other party having a bad impression of you and this will affect the attitude he will have while conversing with you.
Showing interest is a plus point for having a conversation. This is true for all people as everyone likes to be appreciated, liked admired, and people with common interests with them.
However , this being said, flattery of someone can only work so far. Also, it must be sincere and not sarcastic. In fact, avoid sarcasm.
If it is a general conversation, the purpose is to entertain.The topic must be of general interest. Each person must do his share, and not overdo it. There should be no periods of silence, as that would be awkward. No topic should be dragged out for the sake of having a conversation. The tone should be kept good-natured. No one should be offended by anything said. A very important point is to ensure that one is not extremely critical to another, and do not mention touchy topics. Sarcasm is worst of all because sarcasm implies contempt. It is an insult, and insults are things to be resented.
Another important point is to listen attentively to the other person.
Arguments can be used, but it must be in good humour, for example, a hearty debate.
But in doing so, focus on proving on proving yourself right rather than the other wrong. Also, one must have full control of one's motions. Thus, touchy topics should be avoided at all costs.
One should seldom preach or give advice. One should also not dwell on moral issues or take the attitude of teaching his listeners. However instructive, eloquent and even interesting one's topic may actually be, the final result is not conversation. Thus, defeating the original purpose. 
Desire only to please the people with whom you are talking and you will infallibly do so.


Final Product
A video of failed conversations: Dos and Dont's

Old time singspiration song

So today I learnt a little from Pastor Kevin Gerald. Could have learnt more but no telling you why i didn't. :D
We learnt about controlling our train of thought and we must know the destination of our train of thought.
Thus it means to know where does our train of thought will lead us. If we know it's not a good place, then don't venture into that thought. But rather read positive stuff. Be with positive people.
And I am reminded of this song.


I am traveling on the hallelujah line,
On the good old Gospel train,
I am on the right track and never will go back
To the station of sin again.
I need no fare, I’m riding on a pass,
’Tis the blood for sinners slain,
I am traveling on the hallelujah line,
On the good old Gospel train.


Yeahh.
Since we are already on the right track, why go back?
And never ever change train. You can stop the train, but never change train.

not what i really intended to post.

So what am i doing at this time of day?
I am slacking... around.
I want  to do a post on absence but... it will take very long.
so now, wp8!!!!
windows released their newest stuff not too long ago.
AWWSUMM WINDOWS TABLET- DA SURFACE
yea. And if you noticed, there is a slight change to the windows logo.
http://live.theverge.com/windows-phone-developer-summit-2012/#
yea, if you noticed there's a change in the logo here too.
And while windows had their summit, apple had its 23rd wwdc.
WWDC APPLE
Siri was a troll to Samsung and their refrigerator.
I think both are great, so if you ask me to choose....
I don't know. Make your own choice.
Of course, i have to give it to apple because it is more advance and it has a very vibrant appstore and awesome graphics.
Not only that, apple is definitely winning as windows is only at dual core, while the rest of the world are reaching quad core...
But had windows been faster, apple would not have stand a chance.
But... things often don't happen as we thought it would.
So, hard choice, but i have to give this to apple.
Awesome job, good conference.

Camp Crossover- Yilun

Crossover.

24 Then Jacob was left alone; and a Man wrestled with him until the breaking of day.
25 Now when He saw that He did not prevail against him, He touched the socket of his hip; and the socket of Jacob's hip was out of joint as He wrestled with him.
26 And He said, "Let Me go, for the day breaks." But he said, "I will not let You go unless You bless me!"
27 So He said to him, "What is your name?" He said, "Jacob."
28 And He said, "Your name shall no longer be called Jacob, but Israel; for you have struggled with God and with men, and have prevailed."
29 Then Jacob asked, saying, "Tell me Your name, I pray." And He said, "Why is it that you ask about My name?" And He blessed him there.
30 So Jacob called the name of the place Peniel: "For I have seen God face to face, and my life is preserved."
31 Just as he crossed over Penuel the sun rose on him, and he limped on his hip.
Gen 32: 24- 31.

Do not let what others definition and mindset of you define who you are, But rather, perceive of yourself in the same way God perceives you. 
Jacob is a name that meant swindler.
What a sad thing it is to be given such a name!
Imagine your parents calling you everyday, swindler, your domineering brother who dominates your life and controls it calls you a swindler. How would you feel?
Jacob probably felt; okay, if you call me a swindler, i will prove to you i will be the deadliest swindler!
But did Jacob really want to do that?
Jacob was described as a child who was quiet and does all the chores, tend the sheep.
He must have been a good boy.
Surely that couldn't have angered anyone!
But he was in a way despised.
He was from the day he could understand, looking at himself as a born swindler.
It is as if today your parents had you at 1 year old, and name you sinner! Wouldn't you feel sad?
To be called a sinner even when you are one of the most blameless person on earth!
Wouldn't you want to prove people wrong?
And when you are at your breaking point, what would you say?
maybe "FINE! I will show you what I am capable of!" ?
And that is what Jacob felt.
And with that he tricked his brother of his birthright.
Not only that.
His mom perception of him, led him to disguise as Esau and to receive a blessing, causing him to really feel that he is a swindler. What do you think is his perception of himself? Obviously, a swindler.
He probably had very low self esteem.
imagine everywhere you go, people address you as loser.
How down would you feel?
For me, i would have cried.


Now, back to the passage.
Jacob was wrestling with God, and he continue fighting.
Until it was day, and there was no winner.
Jacob could have easily given up, but he didn't.
And Jacob was asked, What is your name?
And Jacob replied Jacob.
Can you imagined if you were Jacob and you replied swindler. what is people's first impression of you?
But thank God that for in God everyone becomes a new creation.
And Jacob was called Israel.
Which means, that you have struggled and prevailed.
Struggled with men to prove them wrong on their perception of you.
That was Jacob's new name.
God changed Jacob's perception of himself.
Israel. To struggle and succeed!
And Jacob's socket was touched and he had to limp.
He had to struggle.
But with God, he struggled and prevailed!
For in our weaknesses, God will use it and in it we are made perfect.
Just as the rainbow was a reminder to Abraham, the limp was a reminder to Israel.
So do not let what others think of you from birth till now defines who you are. But let who God calls you to be and what God sees you as defines who you are.

What can I give that's worthy? (:

Love without condition
Heart that always listens
To a crying world
Lord of all creation
Humble as a servant
With You, all praise begin

Grace is all sufficient
You become my portion
More than life could bring
All my past forsaken
I lay my own ambition
Before my King of dreams

(pre chorus)
What can I give that's worthy
To You, my soul will sing

(chorus)
Beautiful One, Merciful Son
The Crown of all heavens
Reigning in my heart
Beautiful Love, Gift from above
Adore You forever
My Savior, Jesus

(Bridge)
More than enough, You're
More than enough, You're
More than enough for me


<3

And so...

And so I say a little prayer, and hope my dreams will take me there, when the skies are blue, I'll see you once again, my love.
All the seas go coast to coast Find the place I love the most Where the fields are green To see you once again my love
WOOHOO(:

Perception part 2?

Oh hai.
Long time(actually no) since I blogged?
Haha...
Oh well.
There are differences in all of our speech, correct?
Now, note that I am talking about the tone and the body language we give out when talking to someone, and not the content.
So, let us begin.
When we are talking to someone whom we just met, we normally respond with a tone on how we feel at the moment, or a happy tone.
Unless, the person really gives you a very bad impression, no idea why.
If we are talking to someone whom we are friends to for like a year, like classmates or colleagues, we tend to talk happily and chat about everything under that scope.
If we are talking to a close friend, or a clique member, we tend to talk about other close friends, and about memories, or just laughter and chat with a very happy attitude.
If we are chatting with a teacher, we tend to be very assertive, or very quiet.
No?
It's like, when the teacher says something, we usually just say, "uh huh. yes. arh. correct. yes cher."
But when the teacher goes overboard, we tend to be very defensive.
" What? How could you say this? I tried so hard!" et cetera.
When we are chatting with that special someone, we start of very sweet, especially if we are in a good mood.
If not, it would be like, "eh" or "dear" or "baby" or "darling".
Right?
Unless we are a bit angry.
Even then we are still quite sweet, no?
I don't know.
=D
But why do we use different tones for different people?
Because of 2 things.
1. Level of mutual understanding.
2. Our Perception

Let us talk about mutual understanding.
Firstly, the level of mutual understanding is the amount of trust we have on each other.
The higher the level of trust, the higher the tolerance level we have.
True?
Yes?
That is why husbands and wives can stand each other even if the other likes to sing though he has a terrible voice(He's not saying you, Cricantrail is talking about himself).
The singing is just one example.
Now, the topic I keep harping about eh.
Perception
Perception (from the Latin perceptio, percipio) is the organization, identification, and interpretation of sensory information in order to fabricate a mental representation through the process of transduction, which sensors in the body transform signals from the environment into encoded neural signals.
So, based on our view of the person, we make intuitive guesses at first glance, then change them through our 2nd and 3rd glance, to form a mental representation of them.
Thus, this is why we often fall in love with someone we have a good perception of.
Ain't that true?
Let's even say crush,
It is in fact due to our perception of the person, but just that the perception is only at one glance.
And we say, Wow! Beautiful and pleasant to my two eyes!
No?
Isn't that our "First Impression" which some call it "Love at first sight" ?
Thus, everything we do is by our perception.
Technically, the moment we have an impression on someone, we are using our intuition to evaluate them.
So.
After typing so many sentences, you must be wondering what point am I trying to bring across this time right?
Well, it is to always erase our first perception of someone.
More often than not, the first impression lasts the longest, but is in fact the weakest.
That's why in literature, we read the passage once, to get the gist, twice to understand the concept, and three to understand the deeper meaning, with close reference to the real world as much as possible.
Thus, always abandon your first thought.
It may be right at times, but it doesn't hurt to get a clearer picture eh?
;)
So people.
Chillax yo!
This is cricantrail, and take it easy.

micro blog inspired post.

So as I was looking at my friend's micro blog post on twitter,
I saw that she tweeted this:
Brought my dog down for a walk just now! I love how he always want to walk beside me and does not want to be in front or behind me.
This set me thinking.( I think a lot ).
Isn't this pretty much like how God loves us?
God likes it when we are in step with his plan, right on track.
Not moving faster than expected trying to rush things our own way, but also when we keep asking God to stop and wait when we want to finish up the mundane things we deal with in life.
But when we say yes, and move with his plan, we make God happy.(:
Why?
Because we are in sync with his plan, His awesome plan.

Ecclesiastes 1 :D

So Today I was reading Ecclesiastes chapter one..

Ecclesiastes 1

New King James Version (NKJV)

The Vanity of Life

1 The words of the Preacher, the son of David, king in Jerusalem.

² “Vanity^[a] of vanities,” says the Preacher;
“Vanity of vanities, all is vanity.”

³ What profit has a man from all his labor
In which he toils under the sun?
⁴ One generation passes away, and another generation comes;
But the earth abides forever.
⁵ The sun also rises, and the sun goes down,
And hastens to the place where it arose.
⁶ The wind goes toward the south,
And turns around to the north;
The wind whirls about continually,
And comes again on its circuit.
⁷ All the rivers run into the sea,
Yet the sea is not full;
To the place from which the rivers come,
There they return again.
⁸ All things are full of labor;
Man cannot express it.
The eye is not satisfied with seeing,
Nor the ear filled with hearing.

⁹ That which has been is what will be,
That which is done is what will be done,
And there is nothing new under the sun.
¹⁰ Is there anything of which it may be said,
“See, this is new”?
It has already been in ancient times before us.
¹¹ There is no remembrance of former things,
Nor will there be any remembrance of things that are to come
By those who will come after.

The Grief of Wisdom

¹² I, the Preacher, was king over Israel in Jerusalem. ¹³ And I set my heart to seek and search out by wisdom concerning all that is done under heaven; this burdensome task God has given to the sons of man, by which they may be exercised. ¹⁴ I have seen all the works that are done under the sun; and indeed, all is vanity and grasping for the wind.

¹⁵ What is crooked cannot be made straight,
And what is lacking cannot be numbered.

¹⁶ I communed with my heart, saying, “Look, I have attained greatness, and have gained more wisdom than all who were before me in Jerusalem. My heart has understood great wisdom and knowledge.” ¹⁷ And I set my heart to know wisdom and to know madness and folly. I perceived that this also is grasping for the wind.

¹⁸ For in much wisdom is much grief,
And he who increases knowledge increases sorrow.

Yea. And This is what i thought about it...Vanity means meaningless.Thus, it is about the meaning of life.

For Solomon, was asking, why work so hard to obtain the treasures of the ground, to achieve a fruit of labour when it will be meaningless in the end?

It will end off futile.

Even if people remember you, they will only remember you till they pass away too.

No one really cares about the previous generations.

And thus, why do we work so hard if working will eventually amount to nothing? Now, see, we must have a purpose in life.

We must know what is our calling and works towards it.

If we do not work towards our purpose and our destiny, we will eventually lose our meaning to life.If we live without a heavenly purpose, then what's the use? 

For the sun and moon are just gonna keep going, everything will continue in an unchanging cycle.

Do not let your spirit get irritated and annoyed when going after the issues of life.

You know in verse 13 it says "I set my heart to seek and search out by wisdom concerning all that is done under heaven..."

And Solomon finally knew that what he did, was the grasping of the wind. Chasing for meaningless things. 

Thus, look unto heaven and desire to know things above heaven.

Look above heaven for your purpose in life, your destiny.

For the things below, here on earth are just things that are grasping of the wind, and the vexation of your spirit,

All things are full of labour, man cannot utter it.

We will keep pursuing, without end, the things on earth which we want.

Everything is useless.

Or rather, put it this way.

Everything that we chase after under the sun is hard to chase after, while the things above are easy.

Yet we chase after the things which require so much labour.

But ultimately, we must pursue our higher calling.

We must pursue our higher destiny.

Our higher purpose.