Punkster. Photographer. Parchitect.: 2005

Tuesday, December 20, 2005

Has It Been That Long Already???

Jedd reminded me last night that I have not updated my blog in a whole month. Wow. Has it been that long already? The past month was certainly an eventful one. There was Evan's Wedding, Preparation for Lijiang Trip, the actual trip, the BIG Move to EXPO and then the SM2 camp. I then enjoyed a whole day of fun at SparksC in preparation for Jan camps and then joined some of our tribe people at Block 162 for 2 days of Experiential Learning Training.

Lijiang was a really good trip for me. I learnt much and I hope others learnt from me too. But more importantly, I saw how God orchestrated things for us. I had the great pleasure of having Narash along with me during this trip and enjoyed the time of close discipleship and getting to know him better.

More about my Lijiang experience later. For now, here are some photos.

Thursday, November 17, 2005

Dream Machine

With a car like that, who wouldn't want to be a policeman ???
More pics here.

Monday, November 14, 2005

Melbourne, You're Next !!!

I was in Melbourne twice. The first time with 3 absolutely fantastic travelling mates - my bro, Yvonne and her cousin; and the second time with my parents. Both times we had so much fun and got to see soooo much. If anything, I learnt that God is surely one seriously creative guy. All the beatuiful landscapes and scenery that we experienced were testament to His artisty at work. All I can say is, "WOW!" I invite you to WOW with me here as you enjoy the photos. :)

Entrance to Melbourne Museum.

The Melbourne Museum sits directly across
this splendid grand old building,
the Royal Exhibition Building in Carlton Gardens.

An exhibit in the Museum.

Reflections...

Isn't it amazing how nature and man-made structures
come togehter to enhance each other's beauty...

St Kilda's Beach.

I thought the traffic light would have been perfect
as a giraffe.

Down the Great Ocean Road,
the sun begins to set at the 12 Apostles.

Only 7 of the 12 Apostles still remain.
Nevertheless, they make for
one glowingly spectacular sight.

Sunsets always remind me of the immense and intense beauty
of God's creations. But more than that,
I am reminded that in His sight, we are more precious
to Him than a thousand sunsets.

Sunday, November 13, 2005

Sydney, Oh Sydney...

A good friend of mine just returned from Sydney, where she was holidaying. I decided to revisit the photos that I took when I was there a few years back and these are some of them. Australia is a really beauitful place. I like it lots.

Surfer at Bondi Beach.

Sydney Opera House at sunset.

Notice how the facade resemble sea shells.

Beauty in Form.

Gateway to the Arts.

An International Superstar.

Seagulls are a common sight in Sydney.

Under Sydney Harbour Bridge.

The Rocks - Sydney's Pasar Malam.

The price of freedom?

Thursday, November 10, 2005

"Hmm... Now, why don't I ever remember myself looking like that..."

Here's another look through the window of time.... See any familiar faces? Ha ha. :)

Sunday, November 06, 2005

How Much Have You Grown?

I was browsing through some old photos the other day and had a laugh over quite a few of them. Some were of my own during JC and Army, some were of friends that I have known for many years and still some, were of people that were strangers to me when the photos were taken but somehow, God allowed our paths to cross. I have included a few here so that we can laugh together. Ha ha ha.

But really, as I was reflecting about who I am today compared to who I was 5-10 years ago, I realised I have grown to be someone quite different. Now, different can mean good and bad. I came to the conclusion that I am happier with who I am today then who I was then. But I also realised that in order for me to reach where I am today, I actually had to DTS (Die To Self) many times over.

Many times, I never understood what God was doing in my life. Many times, i rebeled and grumbled and sulked and got angry with God. Many times too, I stood firm, rose above the waves, dug in, pressed on and saw God come through for me. Each was a choice that I made. Each was a choice that was GIVEN to me to make. I hope that I am the wiser for all of these experiences so far, so that I lead the rest of my life making more right choices than wrong ones.

Truthfully, I have nothing to boast about, except of the Lord. I am but a sinner saved by grace. Still, I seek to be even more excellent for Him with each breath that I take. How much have you grown? No, seriously.... How much have you grown. We have only one life. Let's live it intentionally. :)

L-R: Brandan, Edward and Samuel at Phileo Camp 2001

L-R: Marcus, Daniel, Andrew, Narash and Angus 2002

Trying out at Asia Beat 2002

Encounter Weekend 2003: Before I knew Shujun.

Phoebe's Gift Rehearsal 2003: Before I knew Cynthia.

Thursday, November 03, 2005

How Big The Move

This was taken outside Max Pavilion.

Let's look beyond our grasshopper vision and take the land
that is flowing with milk and honey.

We went down to Expo as a G12 after our planning session to pray together. Pastor wanted us to be able to see for ourselves the multitudes and claim it in our spirit even before our physical move. If we read Numbers 14:24 onwards, we read about God saying that because Caleb has a different spirit and follows God wholeheartedly, he will enter the promised land and his discendents will inherit it. Now, exactly what kind of spirit was God talking about?

Numbers 13 tells us that upon returning from their exploration of the land of Canaan (the promised land), the men reported that it was indeed flowing with milk and honey. However, they also reported that it was impossible to take over the land as compared to the people there, the Isrealites were like grasshoppers. All except Caleb, who silenced the people before Moses and said, "We should go up and take possession of the land, for we can certainly do it."

Caleb saw not the problems and obstacles that lay ahead, but understood that if God is for him, who can be against him! Knowing that God had promised His people a land flowing with milk and honey, Caleb eagerly desired it. He was prepared to do all it took to make it happen. Imagine yourself as a soldier during that time. How would you know Caleb wasn't having a misplaced sense of faith? How do you know that he wasn't just trying to impress Moses with his big talk? I'm sure these could very well be some of the thoughts that went through the people's heads then. Of course we read from the Bible clearly that God Himself told Moses to send the people to explore the land that He was going to give them. And after they started to grumble, the Lord questioned our long they would refuse to believe in Him even after showing them so many miracles.

Well, the point I'm making is this. In many ways, EXPO is truly a miralce given to us from the Lord. The whole set-up itself demonstrates and still continues to demonstrate the favour of the Lord upon His church. What then should be our response? We can certainly learn from Caleb. Let's cry out to the Lord to enable us to see this Big Move in our spirit first. And then, let's work hard to bring the multitudes in. How Big the Move? Wrong Question. I will choose to proclaim instead, "How BIG My God!!!"

Tuesday, October 25, 2005

"Which Way, Lord?"

I was looking through some of my Shanghai photos and decided to post a few. Not your typical ones though. Yes, Shanghai was home to me for 6 months when I was there on a student exchange program.
Recently I had the chance to talk to 2 friends who might be going overseas for at least a year. In the process, I got to share with them my own experience in Shanghai. One of the things I discovered about Christian living then was that the BEING of a Christian was more important than the DOING. One of my prayers in Shanghai was, "Lord, tell me what you have brought me here for, so that I can do my all to accomplish that." Not a totally wrong prayer to make, except that I learnt that I was looking for the wrong answers. God was not so much concerned with the form of how I led my life than the principle by which I led it. Sometimes in life, God's answer to our prayers of "Which way, Lord?" is not a right or wrong but a right and a right. But what distinguishes the person who knows the Lord's heart is when he knows how to live his life reflecting the glory of God no matter which "right" he decides on. And by reflecting the glory of God, the Bible really means living a life of compassion, full of grace and mercy. Cheers!

Friday, October 14, 2005

Desaru Half-Ironman 2005

As most of you would now know, I went as photographer, not as participant. But I left telling myself that I want to give a go at the OSIM sprint tri next year. Yes, I am declaring THIS to all of you so you can hold me to my word. I shall put down a truck load of bug fries as collateral. If I don't make it next year, you can all enjoy a swim in the bug fries. Any way, I have new-found respect for my brother and Josh, watching them finish the half ironman. Enjoy the pics.