Sincerity (15 January 2006, 11:46 pm)

in today's world, sincerity seems to be a rare resource. I mean, when was the last time we actually trusted someone completely? Parents are constantly warning children to don't speak to strangers. Kids who grow up and find ways to cheat the system (more prevalent in the eastern culture). And when was the last time we actually deal with a company that bases it's business on honest customers?

In the UK, to get a handphone line, one has to have proof of address and proof of credit to pay for the line before getting one. It's like they don't trust us to pay them! In KL, to buy petrol, you had to pay for it first. The major store chains put tags on their goods and detectors at the entrance just to make sure no one sneaks out without paying (which leads to interesting situations but that's another story). Even libraries put magnetic strips hidden within the book's bindings to ensure they are truly borrowed out. What in the world?

Nowadays, it’s quite normal for us to accept that people have to check up on us to ensure our trustworthiness. I find it quite sad actually. it’s like we can’t even trust people’s word anymore. Sometimes, I wonder if we even trust what our friends say to us. Interestingly though, we will trust gossip no matter where it comes from.

Another thing we don’t trust, we don’t trust other people’s sincerity in helping us anymore. Companies offer more job perks because “they want us to continue working for them”. Charity done by companies or celebrities are always publicize because it helps their image in the community. Or worse still, because it’s a “tax write-off”. I wonder whatever happened to helping just because we want to? The kind that not only accepts the anonymity of it, but at times abhors popularity because it distracts from the task at hand.

don’t get me wrong, I also believe there are genuine companies and celebrities who sincerely want to contribute and maybe, use their popularity to increase awareness but the way the world is going, many people are sure to be cynical over their alleged sincerity. I've heard of people who even doubts Mel Gibson did the “Passion of Christ” to show the world what Jesus did on the cross. let’s face it, Mel Gibson is sure to earn quite a bit from the movie and I'm sure some will look at it as a case of exploitation. Of course, no one is going to believe that he donated his earnings to any charity without a big press coverage. It makes me wonder at times...

speaking about celebrities, it also makes me wonder how much passion do today’s artist actually have. When I hear of pop singers who don’t even write their own songs, I wonder what keeps them going. Is it the joy of singing? Or is it the big money and celebrity status they get? Do they ever mean what they sing? it’s interesting how singers whose whole image is based on singing songs related to angst, anger, hatred etc. are actually quite composed in real life. it’s like their songs character and their real character are 2 different worlds. isn’t songs suppose to be the outpouring of your soul? How can you sing such angry songs and yet be happy in front of the camera all the time? One of the other has got to be a fake. There are artists who genuinely act as they sing but that’s another story.

it’s no wonder the world is so cynical. Not only are artists not believed, but there’s a genuine mindset that people take jobs just for the sake of money. I have not heard many stories of people who take jobs because that’s their interest. We even advise kids on which courses to take not due to their interest, but due to the better job prospects! what’s more shocking is how accepted it is!

I truly believe that money is not everything. I know there are those who believe in this as well but how far would you believe this? If choosing between a bigger company with more pay and a smaller company with less pay but having a vision aligned with yours, which would you choose? Or the choice between paying less for goods vs. doing the right thing? When I say I believe money is not everything, what I meant was in my list of priorities and value, money is dead last (if it even makes the list in the first place). I find it hard to keep to that (what with all the things we need money for these days and the fact that I'm quite skint) but I'm trying hard.

“Lord Almighty, you are the Lord of the heavens and the earth. I pray now not
that You grant me great wealth, but that I may be able to willingly and happily
give You all my wealth for You to use as You will. For I know that You are able
to provide for all my needs and that all that I have, it’s because You gave them
to me first. I pray that I may not think of how much I’m using but how much it
can be used to bless others. Amen.”

Springfield ho!!

This marks the first blog post since I've moved to my permanent Penang home. It's been quite a week actually. Discover a new area in Penang which consist of mainly the place around my new home. hehehe...

This week also marks the end of the training program ran by my department. Plus, got a case which I start off on my own!

Actually, I remember doing some things worth blogging about but can't recall any of them due to what I've done just now. Went for a dinner cum video presentation on the relevancy of the bible and God today. Think I've found a direction, sort of.

Also, it reminded me of what I was looking for in a church. I'm looking for a church where the congregation is commited to living completely for God. I'm looking for a church that believes in everything the bible says and believes that there is no other alternatives than to live for God. In some ways, I'm also looking for a church that would inspire, motivate and excite me. I firmly believe that church should be the highlight of every week. I think I'm closer to finding it now.

~It's amazing what God will do with one person in one day, with one passion for His name. - Mal Fletcher~

Work week 02'2006

Right now, I'm in a cybercafe so it's hard to think of anything to write about. But, for the cause of a New Year resolution (and to avoid another free meal!), here's a post!

Let's see... it's been an up and down week, but then again, it's always been an up and down week since I reach Penang. I still miss ACTS and Hope City and there are days when I seriously consider quitting Intel just to go back. Sometimes, I wonder if missing those 2 churches is more to do with me or the churches here.

Other than more thought provoking sessions (i.e. cellgroup and church), I have also picked up Warcraft and DotA! WAahahahahahaaha... but not seriously (I hope!). I see it more as a chance to entertain myself and enjoy time with friends. But, we will see how things proceed from here on.

Countdown... 14 days till house shifting and 21 days till CNY.

Week #2

Okay, here's my second week in a row of posts! So far, no resolution breaking yet, hah!

Been quite a long week for me, dunno why. After all, it's only 4 days of working! Maybe it's the multitude of things I've learnt. Or, could be the exciting things coming up. Anyway, hard to believe the weekend is finally here! Oh, here's something interesting...

I post up 3 posts last week but only 2 are dated 1st January. Anyone knows why? I did'nt change the dates either! Yes people, those dates up there are true! Come on... it's not that hard, is it?

3 paths in life

I've realise that there's 3 basic paths to take in life, the normal non-Christian path, the success-story Christian path and the Christian path. There's a poem I used to know (well, coz it was in my English Literature book but...) about the path less taken. Can't remember the author though. I think he meant between the path which everyone takes and the path that hardly anyone takes. Anyway, I relate that to life in the sense that everyone usually follows the 'norm'. Those who decide to forge out new paths (breaking the norm) usually find it tougher but more worthwhile.

Those who follow the norm are those who lead a normal path. I equate that to getting the basic needs in life such as food, shelter, etc. People who just get a 9-to-5 job to pay for their needs. The kind that most parents would ask of their kids. You know, get a decent job with a decent salary, get married, have kids, be happy and get grandkids. Nice, normal, simple. This kind of life is not very interesting though. Granted, there will be times of joy and adventure but those are far and few between and not to mention, comes through external sources. It's a very passive lifestyle.

Those who lead the success-story lives are far more interesting. They forgo the 9-to-5 safety net in order to reach their (as they believe it) full potential. These people live out their dreams and are commited to it no matter what. I've read stories of such people who sacrifice so much for their dreams, sometimes even food becomes a luxury. But in the end, they will achieve great success and can coast the rest of their lives, living on the major earnings they now pick up. Or, if not coasting, then they will be the people who get to live life luxuriously. The ones who have 4 storey bangelows and 4 cars in the garage. But they all had to struggle hard and be extremely dicipline to work at their dreams. It's very exciting during the initial stage coz they start without a real safety net. But at the end, it gets a little...monotonous? maybe not, maybe they just keep getting excited at the prospect of expansion. *shrug*

And then, there is the Christian style of living. If you think the above was wonderful, wait till you hear this one. I akin this lifestyle to a rollercoaster. A rollercoaster that starts the day you decide to live fully for Christ and stops when you die/Christ comes back. For I have learn that the only way to live for Christ is to give my all for Him. This means my money, my ambitions, my current lifestyle, everything! In fact, the only thing I would have to fall back on is Christ Himself! That's because in order to fully experience God's works in our lives, we have to first be in a position where the only way out is God doing a miracle. Then, and only then will the biggest and best testimonies from our lives come out. For if we have money/parents/anything to fall back on, we won't put our full faith in Him to bring us through. The problem with having something to fall back on is that you can't reach far holding on to it (which explains how successful people succeed). However, giving everything to God has great benefits. On Earth, we will be His witness to many miracles and enjoy many success. Sure, we will have our down times but what's most important is to remember that God has a plan for our lives and the up times is much, much greater than how bad the down times can be. That, I believe, is what God meant by giving us life to the full. It's to live a life sold out for God and to enjoy the maximum of His promises for us on Earth. And the best part is, the biggest joy and blessings for us is reserved for enjoyment in Heaven! So, no matter how much we will enjoy now, we will enjoy later!

I know that some Christians don't really live a very exciting life now. I believe it's because they have not yet fully commit to Christ. Commiting to Christ doesn't mean giving up your job yes that's true, but commiting to Christ means saying "Yes" to whatever God tells you to do, no matter how difficult nor how crazy it might sound. When you live for God (and that, I believe, is the true Christian living), you will be ridiculed, you will be mocked, people are sure to fight you and definitely, you will have people who want to kill you. I guess, maybe that's why not many Christian go down this path. Accepting Christ as your personal Lord and Saviour don't just mean church on Sunday and having life after death, it's an enrollment into the biggest and longest war in history, the battle between God and Satan. One thing for sure, your life will never be dull again and, you will end up winning (i.e. be successful) most of the time. And usually, you'll realise that you don't deserve the success! Coz it was not through your own strength that you gain victory, it's because God gave you victory. Now that's the kind of life I want. What kind of life do you want?

New changes

Hehe... fast right? Anyway, just to warn you all that I had to turn on the word verification coz somehow, my blog has spammers! Wonder why though...

Happy 2006!!!

Well, it's the new year! Along with it, comes 2 new resolutions for this blog of mine. The first, is to keep it updated at least once a week (I know, I've made this promise since the beginning of time but now, it's for real!). Secondly, I'm going to be changing the blog around as I learn more and more about websites. So, look forward to seeing new things in the coming months!

Ok, quick look back on 2005. Audacious changed my life forever. Hope City will always remain in my heart. In fact, 5 months since I've left it, I'm still missing the friends and the church! Sighhhhhhh

For those who haven't known yet (where have you been?!) I'm now working in Intel, Penang for about 2 and a half months now. Getting settled down not only on the job but also with life in Penang. Only thing is still haven't found a good church. Too many decent ones. Pray for me please!

Other things I've been up to includes attending my cousin's wedding in singapore, visitting Batam, going on a mission trip to Pengkalan Hulu, getting into another accident, bowling a 100 points game, got my car washed so it looks like new (not now though, never park under trees if you want your car to look very new!) and went church hopping. Feeling very lost now...

Oh well, that's all for now. See you all later!