Recap of the day

It's been a rather long day. Had classes the WHOLE day. Thank God it was raining and gardening ended up being cancelled. Otherwise I would be really really bushed by now(I spent those hours snoozing in my bed instead).

It's been a good day of learning though. I had Corinthians class - I totally agree with Silvester. I really like the reflection part of the class. Much to think about persecution and the church of Malaysia - how being able to worship freely indeed is a privelege. Also was challenged to think about the song "In Christ alone". About how Paul would probably said that in every suffering (instead of victory) his source of strength and hope was Christ.

Had a ball of a time at Christian Education class too. Always come out of the class feeling very challenged and blown away. Herbert Tan's really a great 'educator' (CE jargon - hehehe). Learnt so much stuff - how we need to re-think of the way we teach in church - that many times when we teach we only adress the cognitive part of man (and neglect the emotional and behavioural aspect). We also did discussions on what's the best way of learning for different groups of ppl - it was really interesting to see how different ppl learn. Also learnt how powerful experiential learning is. Herbert gave the example of how someone who was a spiritual father carried this 40-year-old guy up the stairs(this guy's father never hugged or showed any affection through touch) to show a father's love. His experience helped him to understand what it meant when God said in the OT how He would carry his ppl and sing over them. Definitely some stuff to think about there.

Another thing that was kept on being repeated for today is the importance of the church being relevant to the society and community around them - especially with the current issues. We have been slow to address issues around us and many times sweep the more difficult/sensitive issues under the carpet. That being said, I guess that this is true of me too. I have hardly been reading the newspapers lately. Definitely something to examine and continually work on.

Dear Father,
So much to learn today - help it not just be an intellectual exercise. Rather, please help me to connect it to daily life. I want to glorify You in all I do.

To forgive or not to forgive?

It is easier to forgive an enemy than to forgive a friend. - William Blake

Thoughts

A close friend wrote today to ask me how I've been doing and I've realised that I've not been posting up anything lately - I blame it totally on the almost non-existent internet connection from the girls dorm. :p (ok ok - partly my laziness also laa)..

Going into the fourth week of semester now - there's the 10 assignments that are practically yelling to be done, one special project (still deciding whether i should take it up), the weekly greek stuff and the weekly weekend practical work. Have also finally taken the step to start driving classes. *grin. I can hear my long time friends saying "FINALLY". Will hopefully finished everything by mid March before things begin to get really crazy here. Also have had my first guitar class - might have to be on hold until i find time to practice :p. Sounds really crazy huh - but am rather having a ball of a time. Sometimes I do feel the pressure of time but am happy as a lark for now.

On a more personal side, I am continually glad for the support of friends who continue to rally around me - who show me not necessarily with words but with actions that they care. These couple of days, I've also been having some conversations with some friends which reminded me of the preciousness and fragility of friendship. I attended a talk on bitterness recently and the speaker from RBC recently said that according to statistics, a person is counted fortunate if they can find 5 good friends in their life. I count myself truly blessed cos I have more than that - I consider them a gift from God(haha - i know i'm starting to go on and on but sometimes words cannot adequately express my gratitude). Things have not necessarily been smooth going - but as another wise and good friend said, it's definitely part of God's way of moulding me.

There is a group of friends that I do truly miss - though I may not say much. They've taught me a lot in the last year and I do miss their friendship but at the same time, I cannot ignore the sense of rightness - that I am where I'm supposed to be now. For a long time, sorrow had outweighed joy. However, I do wish them the best with their spiritual journey - perhaps one day I'll say more about it. For now, I can but quote my friend who has written what resonates in my heart:

"God has to teach me that earthly pleasures can only fulfill in proportion to how much they foreshadow heaven's glory. Our earthly friendships, marred by selfishness and separation, must pale in the face of eternity; the surprise is not that our friendships are this fragile, but that they exist at all, in this world where we so often withdraw into ourselves by sin and pain and the fundamental isolation of simply being human. We grieve the friendships which we lose or pause, but in this short and brutish world we should be joyfully astounded that we shared those brief moments together at all. Every moment in which minds meet is a miracle." -Shern Ren-

In the midst of all these happenings, I'm continually challenged by God in my walk with Him. I struggle to blog down openly the joy and the downs of my relationship with Him. There have been times when I've just sat in a dark corner just crying my heart out for more of Him only to be met with silence. And yet, there have been times of joy and peace that surrounds unexpectedly - sometimes in the unlikeliest of places. Am still working out my relationship with Him - but am learning to appreciate the unexpected from Him and to continually trust him in my journey with Him.

Dear God,
I love you because You first loved me. I seek You because You have first sought me. Thank You....