Made to Worship – Chris Tomlin
Wednesday, February 28, 2007 at 5:58 pm | In Love that music! | Leave a Comment
Before the day
Before the light
Before the world revolved around the sun
God on high
Stepped down into time
And wrote the story of His love for everyone
He has filled our hearts with wonder
So that we always remember
You and I were made to worship
You and I are called to love
You and I are forgiven and free
You and I embrace surrender
You and I choose to believe
You and I will see who we were meant to be
All we are
And all we have
Is all a gift from God that we receive
Brought to life
We open up our eyes
To see the majesty and glory of the King
He has filled our hearts with wonder
So that we always remember
You and I were made to worship
You and I are called to love
You and I are forgiven and free
You and I embrace surrender
You and I choose to believe
You and I will see who we were meant to be
And even the rocks cry out
And even the Heavens shout
At the sound of His holy name
So let every voice sing out
And let every knee bow down
He is worthy of all our praise
You and I were made to worship
You and I are called to love
You and I are forgiven and free, yeah
You and I embrace surrender
You and I choose to believe
You and I will see, you and I will see
You and I were made to worship
You and I are called to love
You and I are forgiven and free, yeah
You and I embrace surrender
You and I choose to believe
You and I will see who we were meant to be
Exercise…
Wednesday, February 28, 2007 at 4:54 pm | In exercise, health | Leave a CommentExercise does the body good. It really does.
A long long time ago, in a very distant time, I used to be a jogger. Fell into the sport purely by accident. In my 2nd year of university, my university friend “L” decided we should go jogging together as she had recently picked up the sport. So she me took to the athletic center and we jogged. Let me tell you it was pretty difficult the very first time I ever went jogging. Time seemed to stand still, and 20 minutes seemed like forever. Every single minute was difficult.
But soon enough, 20 minutes of jogging became 30 minutes, and then 40 minutes. And before I knew it, I was jogging regularly. And days when I didn’t go jogging, I would crave the exercise. It was something that, no matter how hectic the schedule became, was prioritized as important and squeezed into the day.
But after graduation, the jogging stopped. I’m not sure what was the cause……. perhaps it was the busy schedule….. or perhaps it was hearing my opthamologist talking about the risk of retinal detachment. But whatever the cause, I simply stopped. And before I knew it, I had cut out exercise all together.
But today, we went to the gym. I got on the treadmill with the full intention of ONLY walking. But before I knew it, I was jogging. Mentally, I thought, “how can I possibly go jogging, if I haven’t jogged in ages!” But it was as if I hadn’t stopped. Incredibly, it’s almost like my muscles actually remembered how they had been used years ago. Almost like putting on an old pair of jeans. Granted I couldn’t jog longer than 30 minutes today… but it was rather surprising.
I forgot how much I enjoyed the sport. The steadiness of jogging, where your body falls into a natural rhythm, as you move your arms and legs into a smooth motion over and over again. The release of natural endorphins that occur about 10 minutes into the activity, that brings the sense of that you can literally go on forever. The little worries of the day falling away, as you simply concentrate on the activity at hand, and simply pound away at the pavement (er.. well.. treadmill).
Well… jogging leaves me refreshed. It’s different from praying. Praying does the mind, spirit, and soul a lot of good (and thus indirectly the body as well). Whilst jogging only does the body good. But man, is it ever so good. Almost good enough to make me to jogging again tommorrow!
The departed…. the movie… plot spoiler warning
Saturday, February 24, 2007 at 8:37 pm | In gripes, movies | Leave a CommentI used to be a huge movie buff in my university days. Nothing was more of a treat than going out and watching a movie. Then the fun of dissecting it to pieces and debating it over dinner….
Now, I’m lucky if I get to watch a movie in the theaters once a month. Anyways, I saw a bit of the “The Departed” by Martin Scorsese on a plane recently. About halfway through, we landed, and I never did finish it off. So trying to figure out the ending was literally making me antsy. I raved on and on about the movie, and said, “no wonder it’s being considered for an Oscar… it’s a great film…”
Well… as any true Martin Scorsese movie buff would tell you, the ending is obvious. I was told, “well, if it’s a Martin Scorsese film, expect everyone to be killed off at the end.”
”Not possible!” I replied in disbelief. “The film has developed the characters and the plot so well… there is no way he would kill them off at the end. That would be just stupid.”
Well… prepare to be stupified. Last night we rented the DVD for “The Departed”. Needless to say, I felt immensely disappointed by the ending. Not only was it a blood bath, but it also left me feeling a bit cheated.
What a beautifully developed story line, with fully fleshed out characters, and then… just a mass of shootings and killings. No explanation, nothing. It’s anticlimactic. It’s like he spent so much of his energy building up the characters, plot and storyline, that he ran out of energy and didn’t know what to do, and in a puerile fashion simply decided if everyone died, it would solve his dilemma and end the story.
Now having seen the ending, I think that he deserves not to get an Oscar. But I can only surmise he will get one, given that movie critics are prone to liking the unusual and the unexpected.
sigh. I felt so unresolved at the movie ending… never mind the gruesomeness of the killings. I have to say though, Leonardo DiCaprio is a great actor. His depth of acting never ceases to impress me.
Monk the sitcom
Saturday, February 24, 2007 at 8:25 pm | In gripes, racism | Leave a CommentI actually like the sitcom “Monk”. It’s quirky, cute and he is such an odd ball endearing character. I also like the fact that like an Agatha Christie novel, the show allows the reader the opportunity to try to solve the puzzle.
However, last night’s episode of Monk was rather annoying. The typical stereotypes of minorities were portrayed on the small screen. There was the black FBI leader who was constantly yellling, and brimming with hostility and anger. Must our African American brothers always be portrayed as incompetent yelling maniacs full of pure anger all the time???
Secondly, there was the very annoying, brainy, subservient and obedient Asian male FBI agent who “knew-it-all” except the true essence of the how to solve the crime scene. He had all the newest and fanciest gadgets that he comandeered, but was stupidly obviously ignorant. argh.
Then the typical racist scene, where the black man is yelling an order (something along the lines of “get this thing off of me!!!”), and the only person to jump to obey him is, who else… the little asian man.
When will Hollywood stop portraying racist stereotypes? Why is the Asian male always portrayed as such a wimpy obedient guy who listens to orders no matter how ridiculous they are?
grrrr….. Sometimes it makes me almost want to do something proactive….. sometimes…
Wealth, money, riches…. poverty
Thursday, February 22, 2007 at 10:55 am | In money | Leave a CommentThis morning I turned on my computer, and the MSN homepage (which I’ve been meaning to change) popped with this the following titled article: “Secret Millionaires Next Door.” The title caught my eye, and instantly intrigued by the word “secret“, I clicked on the link. Below is the link that leads to the article:
http://articles.moneycentral.msn.com/RetirementandWills/EscapeTheRatRace/EscapeTheRatRace.aspx
The reality is that wealth in the materialistic, financial sense of the word is not all that it is cracked up to be. And truth be told, I am sure the majority of us have a deep unsaid desire to achieve success in various aspects of our lives, not excluding the financial areas of wealth and prosperity. I have yet to meet a 20 or 30 or 40 something year old who deeply desires to achieve financial poverty. However the reality is that wealth, in and of itself, does not provide any measure of fulfillment or satisfaction.
It’s interesting how the Bible actually talks about money, wealth, and poverty quite a bit. I find there is a lot of great advice and wisdom related to money and wealth in Proverbs, as well as throughout the rest of the Bible. It talks of how to become wealthy and prosperous, as well as retain wealth, and more importantly, what our relational stance should be towards money and desiring money. I would highly suggest reading various passages on money in the Bible, for the person who highly desires to get wealthy.
By the magic of the internet, I also happened to stumble upon a blog written by a New Yorker visiting Paris. Overall, it seems her blog is rather cyncial, and although it’s not my perspective on life, hers is an interesting read. Of particular note is her most recent post titled, “Close-Up“, which is actually a snap shot of the empty materialistic lives led by the wealthy in Paris. In one short blurb (or several paragraphs), she conveys how empty, meaningless and fruitless a life the wealthy lead. I’ve posted the link, because to some degree, I think she’s captured how empty and barren a life it can be (much better than I could ever write).
http://opinionistas.com/2007/02/22/close-up//
Ultimately if we greatly desire that pot of gold at the end of the rainbow, we may very well be disappointed that the “pot of gold” truly was a “pot of emptiness”.
People met…
Wednesday, February 21, 2007 at 8:03 pm | In travel | Leave a CommentJust recently on my travels, it seems I happen to meet people. I honestly do try to keep to myself (out of pure fatigue usually), but somehow, I end up meeting some rather facinating people.
Recently, I was on a rather full flight across North America. Being full, the chance of getting an empty seat next to to me was almost nil. Although I did hope against all odds that I would have an empty chair beside me, as it would mean I would have more lateral personal space. I quietly said a prayer, asking God to either give me an empty seat, or a nice little elderly lady next to me (instead of a large hulking football player of a guy who would squish into my area). Yes I do admit that sometimes my prayers can be a little immature, tiny in world view and selfish at times .
As it turned out, I was seated next to a couple. Cutest middle-aged/elderly couple you could ever meet. The type of people that just by their demeanor, you could tell that they were sweet, nice, friendly and honest.
They apologized everytime they had to make me get up (as I was sitting in the aisle seat), whenever they went to the washroom. And to make it easy on me, they would get up to go to the bathroom at the same time to prevent me from excessively getting up. I felt so bad for them, that I said it wasn’t any problem at all. But they still continued to apologize and take their bathroom breaks together.
For most of the flight, we kind of kept to ourselves, me listening to my music and sleeping, and they, doing their sudoku puzzles and the wife even playing this electronic Yatze hand held game. Anyways, one hour before the flight was to land, the couple apologized for making me get up again. I responded that it was no problem at all, as I felt the need to get up as well. I knew the movie being shown on the plane was going to end soon, and it was an ideal time for a bathroom break, or else deal with the line-up that would form for the bathroom once the movie finished.
So all 3 of us walked over to the bathroom area, near the bulkhead exit rows, where there was relatively speaking, tons of space to stand. I was actually a little relieved that I had 2 people infront of me, as this gave me the excuse to stand and stretch my legs while I waited (which was a nice change). As it happened, the wife started up a conversation with me, which then continued when I returned to my seat.
Certainly made the last hour go by amazingly fast. It turned out they were a French Canadian couple of a mixed marriage (Italian and Canadian), happily married for over 40 years. They had 4 grown children, 3 or 4 lovely grandchildren (I lost count) and were now retired, and travelling all over the world! It just so happpened this couple had been everywhere in the world you could think of. From China, Hong Kong, Korea, Japan, Malasia, Singapore, Vietnam, Egypt, India, Switzerland, Italy, France, England, Germany, Russia, Turkey, and many many other places in Europe (which I lost count of). They were currently on their way to Australia and New Zealand when I met them.
At this point, I had to ask them something. I asked them, given all their travels, was there anything special or specific they learned from their vast experiences that they hadn’t known before. The answer I received from them was two-fold.
1. Don’t ever make a judgement about a culture or people group (negatives or positives) until you have visited the country they live in, and understand and experience the culture first hand. The wife said that it wasn’t until that she actually visited her husband’s country of Italy, that she finally understood all his idiosyncracies that he had throughout their married life. Basically, all the stereotypes we form, often come from not truly understanding a culture, and being ethnocentric in our world view. (this was advice from the wife)
2. Sometimes a visting a country and culture can be very disappointing, especially if we have lots of elevated stereotypes and pre-formed conceptions of a culture or country. (this was advice from the husband)
And actually I did get one more piece of advice. The husband was actually a wine promoter before he retired. He did mention that wine from all different parts of the country are different. For instance a Reisling from California is different from one from France, and Canada.
I guess wine from different regions are like the people from different parts of the world. Unique.. yet similar.
Both solid pieces of advice… that makes complete sense. I believe there is a saying along the lines of not judging a person until you have walked a mile in their shoes…
to dream big
Wednesday, February 21, 2007 at 1:16 pm | In personal misc. stuff | Leave a CommentThe more I live in the States, I can’t help but marvel at how there is this incredible opportunity everywhere you go. There is this inbuilt, unsaid code that kind of permeates every part of living in the US… and that is the thought that you can achieve whatever you want. This is not to say poverty and homeless does not exist in the States, as it does.
However, I notice that living in the US is kind of like living in the wild wild west. There are these incredible chances and opportunities to succeed and achieve whatever you want, if you so desire and pursue it. And by the word “success”, I am not talking about the financial rewards, but rather the true success of ultimately achieving the goals and dreams we all have deep in our hearts. Gone is the hopelessness, and sense of despair that is often visible in areas of the world, where there is extreme competition, and a lack of opportunity.
With such a large economy, one can’t help but succeed if they work at it. And I think that is the beauty of the US. It’s such a breeding ground for creativity, and ingenuity. Be it inventors, or entrepreneurs, or people with a dream (i.e. Martin Luther King, YWAM founder), it seems many of them have come from the USA. There is an incredible sense of optimism that I often don’t see in Canada or the UK. (and in no means am I saying you can’t achieve your dreams in the UK or Canada.. but simply that it seems much easier to do so in the USA).
When I was a little kid, my mother once told me a story that ended with the saying that people who want to succeed in life, go to a place where there is much opportunity for them to succeed. In her specific story, the place that held much opportunity was a large cosmopolitan city. I think to some degree she was correct. I think that whatever field you may be in, you need to go to the place where it is the hub or center of that particular activity to truly contribute towards the dream (at least initially anyways).
For example, when we think of the acting industry, I think we often see people who pursue their acting careers ending up in Hollywood, California. They don’t go to Paris (France), or London (England), or Toronto (Canada). No, instead their ultimate destination is Hollywood, California. That is because the economy of the movie industry is largely based out of Hollywood, and that is where the large number of opportunities exist. It makes perfect sense really.
And to be truthfully honest, the opportunity and optimism I find here in the US is invigorating and challenging at the same time. Exciting. Yes, that is the only word I can use. Everyday seems like an adventure, and a fun one at that.
Sleep like a child – Joss Stone
Monday, February 19, 2007 at 10:15 pm | In Love that music! | Leave a CommentHere is a secular song I ran across on youtube. Joss Stone’s voice is quite beautiful and melodic. Her range and control is absolutely beautiful. This song is really rather haunting and yet the melody is rather soothing, isnt’ it? The video I found you youtube is personally not my favorite. Some of it’s images are rather creepy and I don’t like it. But I posted the youtube, simply for the melody and the lyrics.
Quite a disturbing song really. It’s about someone who can’t fall asleep, troubled by the things of this world… almost tormented to the point of unable to fall asleep. So this song, with reassurances and promises, tries to soothe you into a “sleep like a child.” Haunting is the only word that I can use to describe it.
It’s interesting, cause the Bible actually talks about sleep. One of the things it mentions is that when we are truly consumed with the thoughts of this world, we literally are tormented to the point where sleep flees…
And that a peaceful, sweet sleep that we we seek, where we feel we can rest in safety… truly comes from God alone. Hum.
See below quotes in italics:
This was my situation: The heat consumed me in the daytime and the cold at night, and sleep fled from my eyes.
I will lie down and sleep in peace, for you alone, O LORD, make me dwell in safety.
My son, preserve sound judgment and discernment, do not let them out of your sight; …when you lie down, you will not be afraid; when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet.
It’s interesting how the Bible actually hits upon what much of secular society and pop culture/arts/music comments on as well….
only the solutions are sometimes different…..
Peronsally, I prefer the sleep that the Bible talks about… peaceful, safe, and sweet.
“Sleep Like A Child”Tonight when the darkness comes
Why don’t we treat it like a friend
Then we’ll both be glad to see the night
And we’ll be hoping
It’s never going to endSo don’t be afraid of what the night-time may bring
You must understand that you can dream of anything
[Chorus:]
So fall into sleep
Peaceful and deep
And may this journey help you fly
When you can’t hold out much longer
Don’t you cry
When the darkness is getting stronger
Sleep like a child
Peaceful and deep
And when you lay you down
I pray your soul to keep
Sleep like a child
Peaceful and deep
And I when you lay you down
I pray your soul to keep
You won’t be alone
For I will not be denied
Under the darkest of skies
I’m gunna be by your side
[Chorus]
Well I know
I can see it in your eyes
You’re tired of fighting everyday
Trying to struggle through the night
Yes I know that it’s hard to carry on
So just lay down your head
And in your dreams you will be strong
Sleep like a child
Peaceful and deep
And when you lay you down
I pray your soul to keep
Oh like a child
Peaceful and deep
Sleep like a child
Peaceful and deep
And I when you lay you down
I pray your soul to keep
At the Cross – Hillsong
Sunday, February 18, 2007 at 10:21 pm | In Uncategorized | Leave a Comment
What a beautiful song…..
At The Cross (Key E)
Verse 1:
Oh Lord You’ve searched me,
You know my way;
Even when I fail You,
I know You love me.
Your holy presence
Surrounding me
In every season,
I know You love me;
I know You love me.
Chorus:
At the cross I bow my knee,
Where Your blood was shed for me,
There’s no greater love than this.
You have overcome the grave,
Your glory fills the highest place,
What can separate me now?
Verse 2:
You go before me,
You shield my way,
Your hand upholds me;
I know You love me.
And when the earth fades,
Falls from my eyes,
And You stand before me,
I know You love me;
I know You love me.
Bridge:
You tore the veil, You made a way
When You said that it is done.
On a serious note:
Sunday, February 18, 2007 at 9:38 pm | In Uncategorized | Leave a CommentCorrection: This is not the Lord’s Prayer, but the rather favorite all time bible verses of the Lord is my Sheppard passage set to music by Keith Green.
Talk about solemn……. but it is beautiful.
Keith Green and his MUSIC!
Sunday, February 18, 2007 at 9:07 pm | In Love that music! | Leave a CommentThe first time I heard Keith Green’s music was in my undergrad years. The Chinese Christian Fellowship at University was doing this mime, using the music to Keith Green’s “the Prodigal Son” to narrate the story. The music was absolutely captivating and moving. The piano, the lyrics and the melody was hear rending and passionate. At that point, I simply had to know who had written that song. The name that I got was “Keith Green”.
That was the beginning of my love of his music. Here is a little clip of him playing one of his songs:
I Can’t Believe It
There is nothing new
I could give to you
Just a life that’s torn
waiting to be born
Rivers overflow
friends may come and go
But you’ve been by my side
with every tear I’ve cried
Oh, I can’t believe that You’d give everything for me
I can’t believe it no, I can’t believe it no, no
I know You never lied and so it’s just my foolish pride
That I just won’t receive it yeah
It’s so hard to receive it in my heart and make the start with you
Help me, help me now
I just don’t know how
You know, I’ve been so alone
please melt this heart of stone
Lah, lah, lah, lah
Oh, I can’t believe that You’d give everything for me
I can’t believe it no, I can’t believe it no, no
I know You never lied and so I’m giving up my pride
So I can receive it yeah
I just want to receive it in my heart and make the start with you
Lah, lah, lah
Your Love Broke Through
Like a foolish dreamer, trying to build a highway to the sky
All my hopes would come tumbling down, and I never knew just why
Until today, when you pulled away the clouds that hung like curtains on my eyes
Well I’ve been blind all these wasted years and I though I was so wise
But then you took me by surprise
Like waking up from the longest dream, how real it seemed
Until your love broke through
I’ve been lost in a fantasy, that blinded me
Until your love broke through All my life I’ve been searching for that crazy missing part
And with one touch, you just rolled away the stone that held my heart
And now I see that the answer was as easy, as just asking you in
And I am so sure I could never doubt your gentle touch again
It’s like the power of the wind
Like waking up from the longest dream, how real it seemed
Until your love broke through
I’ve been lost in a fantasy, that blinded me
Until your love, until your love, broke through
I Can’t Wait to get to Heaven
Oh Lord, You’re Beautiful
What always gets me about his music is the passion, the sincerity and absolute momentum of his music. The lyrics actually carry you through his songs, and it’s not some repetitive line over and over again.
So, anyways, I ended up getting all his music, and reading his biography called, “No Compromise”. I can’t tell you how many times I cried through the story. It was inspiring and yet so touching at the same time. The sad part is that Keith Green died at the age of 28 years old in a tragic accident. But his music still lives on.
Here are the YouTube version of Keith Green’s life, that I highly suggest you peruse..
What I truly like about Keith Green’s music ministry was that it wasn’t about the money or the fame. He believed if his music was a ministry, then it shouldn’t be something that should be something people should pay admittance to see. How revolutionary.
Wishin’ and Hopin’
Sunday, February 18, 2007 at 8:34 pm | In Love that music! | Leave a CommentThis video is toooo cute! I loved this song in the movie, “My Best Friend’s Wedding” and ended up buying the CD for it when it came out.
But now with the advent of youtube, it’s all on the net. Anyways, the video was so comical and funny, I simply had to post it … if just for the sake of pure laughter 
Enjoy!
The song is cute, but when you think about the lyrics … it’s funny what it says about our society and how women feel about getting married. A little bit of idolatry, no? I mean, it’s a bit like idolizing “true love” or “becoming his”….
Hollywood has a way of making love seem this great goal to achieve for. I think they got the “love” part correct, but it’s the issue of what kind of love are we truly searching for….
How Great is Our God – Hillsong
Saturday, February 17, 2007 at 10:27 pm | In Uncategorized | Leave a CommentI only have a few songs by Hillsong… but the ones I’ve heard on youtube is enough to make me buy their album from iTunes.
This song is a very simple one… but it’s a pretty awesome song. I expect that this is how Heaven would be like… in everyone praising God all together. Really, nothing beats singing priase with all your heart and your soul. 
I think this song is just a bit of the song written and sung by Chris Tomlin. But it’s still beautiful none-the-less.
Lyrics to HOW GREAT IS OUR GOD [Chris Tomlin, Jesse Reeves, Ed Cash]
Verse1
The splendor of the King
Clothed in majesty
Let all the earth rejoice
All the earth rejoice
He wraps himself in Light
And darkness tries to hide
And trembles at His voice
Trembles at His voice
Chorus
How great is our God, sing with me
How great is our God and all will see
How great, how great is our God
Verse2
Age to age He stands
And time is in His hands
Beginning and the end
Beginning and the end
The Godhead three in One
Father Spirit Son
The Lion and the Lamb
The Lion and the Lamb
Bridge
Name above all names
Worthy of all praise
My heart will sing
How great is our God
Here is the original song in full by Chris Tomlin. Which Hillsong has taken the chorus and bridge and used it in their worshp. It’s a gorgeous song as well in full.
And here is a clip of Chris Tomlin himself, teaching us how to play his song. It’s it’s even better than the 2nd clip from YouTube actually. You can feel the passion and honesty when he sings by himself, live with his guitar.
I absolutely love YouTube and the fact that people have actually walked you through how to play the guitar chords. Now I just have dust off my guitar, retune it, and relearn the chords and play it again. Either that, or buy a small piano. At least with the piano, it won’t be a challenge for me…but with guitar, I’ll truly have to learn. It’s been a few years since I’ve played it.
Sonic flood – Famous one
Saturday, February 17, 2007 at 8:57 pm | In Love that music! | Leave a CommentCan’t believe I”m still surfing youtube. Wow… it’s really prolific in all the stuff people have posted.
This song I have not heard before, but I do have a bunch of songs by Sonicflood on iTunes…
This one is really well done. No snazzy lights or production… pure and simple acoustics and singing. It’s like fine dining, without the butter, wine and extra peripheral items that can be rather frivolous and irritating.
Instead it’s just simple and elegant… instruments and a singing (almost the opposite of the Delerious concert video). I really like this one…
I wish I could play the guitar as well as this guy.
Here is a song that I do have on my iTunes list. It’s a little more mellower than their usual song… but it’s one of my favorites that they have played… (I have no clue who those people are on the video, but probably a church slide show…)
Here is a video by SonicFlood that I haven’t seen or heard before. But it’s not bad… 
great time wasters
Saturday, February 17, 2007 at 8:19 pm | In Uncategorized | Leave a CommentBetween youtube and wikipedia, it’s amazing how time flies on the net. Yes, I’m procrastinating again, when I can be doing some real work right now. I’ll stop surfing youtube for now.
One of these days, I gotta post something about Keith Green, cause if there is anyone who was talented and committed to God, it was him. Decades later, his music still moves the masses of youth and young people today. His lyrics and melodies still touch me in a way that many contemporary Christian songs can’t.
I don’t know why I’m such a grouch today. I forget to see all the many blessings given to me, and sometimes forget. Maybe it’s also the crappy weather. Maybe it’s the fact that I’m doing my last minute readings today, that will spill over tommorrow.
But as I sit here, I think I realize that God has been so good… and amazing. And life is abundant and full. There is absolutely no reason for me to be such a grouch.
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