Being happy

Laughter, thanks for the visit these few days, and I really hope that you're here to stay. =)

So as not to ruin the moment, I'll post up some pictures instead.

An instrument I'll never regret learning.

An instrument I wish I can play fluently someday.

Taking the stand.

Escape 07 #1.

Escape 07 #2.

If you like looking at how pictures can tell stories, visit this blog.

NOT addicted

57%How Addicted to Blogging Are You?

Guess I'm not that addicted to blogging as I thought I would be! *sigh of relief*

But still, I'm addicted to changing layouts often. Very often.

I haven't laughed so hard like I did last night since CK's plastic skirt fell off when he was doing the ballerina dance during NS, which was ages ago.

Speaking of which, where are all you NS people?!

it is well with my soul

There's no better way of celebrating/mourning the end of the mid semester break-- watch Transformers! Well, there are some cheesy parts, eg. how the geek always gets the girl in movies, the right song at the right time, how the Bumblebee's eyelids flutter when he's injured etc. As for me, those parts are outweighed by the great graphics, somewhat original funny scenes, and a childhood dream fulfilled. =)

***

A short video clip was shown during church yesterday morning. "In 1873, Horatio Spafford wrote the words to the hymn "It is Well with My Soul" after the tragic death of his four daughters. A very moving sermon illustration". Watch it, and reflect on it.





When peace, like a river, attendeth my way,
When sorrows like sea billows roll;
Whatever my lot, Thou has taught me to say,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.


It is well, with my soul,
It is well, with my soul,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.


Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come,
Let this blest assurance control,
That Christ has regarded my helpless estate,
And hath shed His own blood for my soul.


It is well, with my soul,
It is well, with my soul,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.


My sin, oh, the bliss of this glorious thought!
My sin, not in part but the whole,
Is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more,
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul!


It is well, with my soul,
It is well, with my soul,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.


And Lord, haste the day when my faith shall be sight,
The clouds be rolled back as a scroll;
The trump shall resound, and the Lord shall descend,
Even so, it is well with my soul.


It is well, with my soul,
It is well, with my soul,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.

A bubbly tale

Semester 1 results are officially out. Not the best I can achieve, but I'm happy that I scored pretty good for a paper that is considered to be really tough for many people. Hmm maybe I should switch majors to microbiology instead? Would be interesting to stare down at dozens of microscopes every single day looking at little (sometimes) moving organisms, trying to understand their roles and how they eat, sleep (if they do), secrete wastes, etc etc.

Then when I've finally figured out how microorganism X blows bubbles, I can write a textbook called "Bubbles in our world". I'd make it a compulsory textbook for students enrolled for Health Science first year in 2020, and 1 textbook alone would cost 33 bubble gums. On page 333 of some textbooks would contain special peppermint flavoured tickets to see a special show.

The special show would explain the greatest mystery to human kind EVER. That is, the answer to why Homo sapiens blow bubbles when those transparent, oh-s0-poppable spheres dissolve into the air 5 seconds after they are made. It makes no sense, really, to waste money and time doing that act. However, after thoughtful consideration and 5 years of research, a mad scientist have finally solved the riddle.

No, it is not as simple as mc [square], mind you, it is much much more complicated, so complicated that the scientist had a "mad" added onto his title after he discovered the answer. The lucky audience waited 3.3 hours for the mad scientist to appear on stage, and the chatter stopped once he stepped in front of the podium.

No reporters were allowed, you see. Security measures were so tight that everyone was given a super chewy bubble gum before they enter, this is so that the sticky gum would attract the little organisms living in the oral cavities of people who were lucky enough to witness this once-in-a-lifetime convention.

Everyone sucked in their breath as they take in the mad scientist's words: "... and now, the moment all of you have been waiting for: Behold, a normal bubble is NOT normal at all. They are tools used by aliens used to monitor the evolution of human kind. When you blow a bubble, saliva and thus, DNA flows into the bubble. Then, as it pops, a special signal is transduced to them, allowing them to keep track of us. I discovered that within this little bubbles is a magical ingredient which keep us addicted, if I might say, to blowing bubbles. And people, that is why we blow bubbles!"

The audience stared at the mad scientist in awe, not because they finally understood the mystery, but because the scientist was suddenly wrapped around by a huge bubble, and then taken up into the sky and never to return again!

The end.

***

If you're still reading this, congratulations on being super bored. It has been a joy entertaining you. =)

The betrayal factor

Taken from the daily devotions.

John 13:4

He rose from supper and laid aside His garments, took a towel and girded Himself.

Have you ever been betrayed? Your name smeared unjustly? I'm not talking on the bathroom wall either. I'm talking about at the same church you were baptized and married in. I'm referring to when your best friend from childhood through adulthood is two facing you to others. I'm talking about your own flesh and blood biting the very back they use to lie upon while watching Saturday cartoons. I want to move close to you for a moment. Have you ever been betrayed by a person you loved with all your heart. In the movie Braveheart, there is a scene that speaks a language of pain and betrayal without words. It is the look upon William Wallace's (Mel Gibson) face as he pulls the knights helmet off his would be enemy; only to discover his own king and friend has betrayed him after a handshake of loyalty. Remember the scene? Remember the look? Is your betrayal fresh, or old? Was it yesterday or 10 years ago? Have you really dealt with it? Did it break your spirit?

Stay with me. I want to show you 3 truths that will start the healing process in you. It is important that you guard your heart from hatred, rage, unforgiveness and bitterness toward the guilty person. Judas and Peter were the only two disciples who verbally betrayed Jesus. Ironically, Judas and Peter are the only two names mentioned around the table where Jesus was washing filthy feet. Could Jesus be revealing an insight into overcoming betrayal? Let's see.

Knowing whose you are and where you are going in God
This is the first step to overcoming betrayal. It was for Jesus. Read how He encouraged Himself before washing Judas's feet. Remember, Jesus already knew Satan had entered Judas before He washed his feet. Jesus silently encourages Himself in scripture. "Jesus, knowing that the father had given all things into His hand, and that He had come from God and was going to God, rose from supper and laid aside His garment...." John 13:3 Jesus encouraged Himself in the fact that He had come from God and was going back to God. This gave Him the ability and strength to wash His betrayer's feet. How much more do we need to follow Jesus' example here. Again, knowing who you belong to and what He has called you to do is key to overcoming the hatred and bitterness attached with being betrayed.

You must take action
"After that, He poured water into the basin and began to wash the disciple's feet." John 13:5 Note the action of pouring. Much effort and strength is required to lift and pour water. Don't forget that forgiveness, as well as love, is a verb. Take action! If Jesus had not forgiven Judas, He would have sinned. Unless you forgive, you cannot be forgiven the Bible declares. It's your heart at stake, not the betrayers. You cannot control the hearts of others. You must take action and begin to pour the water yourself, regardless of how you feel about the situation. The Holy Spirit is a wonderful counselor if we'll listen to Him. If your motive is pure, He will direct, comfort and empower you to walk out your action. Leave the consequences to God. You be obedient!

Your dry towel must get wet
John 13:5 "...and to wipe them with the towel with which He was girded." That means the towel Jesus was wearing got uncomfortably wet, dirty, stinky and heavy. Friend, if your going to overcome the Judas's in your life, you must take off and put on the garment of humility. It' going to get messy, dirty and heavy! Just remember, it's God's mess! Jesus didn't stop after washing their feet, but completed the task by drying as well. Don't leave loose ends. Don't just call or email. Go directly to your brother or sister! Dirty towels can always be washed! A dirty heart is a completely different matter.

Don't let the sun go down on your wrath!