The Dawn of a New Blogger

Did you know that the NEW version of Blogger is in the works? For now, only a selected number of people are allowed to convert their existing blog into the Blogger Beta version. If you see a link on your dashboard letting you do that, then you know you are one of the lucky ones. If you don't, you can still sign in to blogger with your existing Google account (eg. gmail login id) and start a new blog with Blogger Beta.

I'm sure we have all been wondering what the good people at Google Planet have been doing since they bought over Blogger. For a long while, we thought they slacking their butts off didn't we? Well, this is proof that they were hard at work with something great! While they try their best to complete the transition process, I'll be contented experimenting with my very own new Blogger Beta account to see how much things have changed. For one, you will be glad to know that there is FINALLY in-built support for Tags or Categories (whichever you call it). Hooray! But what took you so long??! You can see my experiments on Blogger Beta at http://punksterteo.blogspot.com/.

It's great to see Google/Blogger working hard on the new version. Now, perhaps the same could be done with the already-great-but-could-do-with-an-upgrade Picassa. Do you hear me Google?!

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Finding "x"

This is so hilarious I just had to copy it off my friend's blog to show it to the rest of you! Kenny, if you are reading this, don't mind me spreading some laughter around hor. :) I think the student in the first 2 examples really has a sense of humour!!! Ha ha ha. Not that funny if he doesn't buck up for the 'A's though. But seriously, if you really didn't know the answer to a math question, what else could you have done??! Ha ha ha. I bet the teacher laughed his/her socks off! Excellent! I give you 5 stars! :)

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Preach your heart out!

Preach for 5 min. I think I can do that. More importantly, this would be the start of my journey to become an anointed preacher for God. If you happen to be at Expo Hall 9 at 4pm, look out for me. You know what the wierd thing is? My brother's preaching too, he and his spiritual son, Stevie are representing their tribe. And guess what, my spiritual son, Keng San and me are representing Ps Seng Lee's tribe. I've said this before, I'll say it again. My brother and I are so different, yet so alike.

Oh yes, there hasn't been much posts recently cos I have been busy with my architecture dissertation. I was just thinking the other day... I started this blog to write on my own terms, but here I am making an effort to apologise and explain the lack of postings recently. I realise that a blog is never really entirely your blog. When you open it up to others, it becomes theirs too.

Ever asked someone why there hasn't been updates on his/her blog recently? That's what I'm talking about.

Anyway, do you know that Xiaxue, Singapore's famous blogger is a "professional blogger"? That's kind of interesting isn't it? What does a professional blogger do? It's mind-boggling how almost anything can be considered a profession these days. Soon we will see professional gamers, professional trainers for gamers and maybe even professional commentators for game competitions. Wait a minute... don't we have these already?

Anyway, I'm not trying to be sacarstic here, but seriously, I am quite impressed with the different ways human beings come out with new ways to amuse and entertain themselves. And make money from, of course. It goes to show how all these are really tools that can be used for good or for bad, to encourage creativity or to entice into addiction. I'm glad when I hear of people who want to be a famous blogger so that they can influence people with good values. I'm proud of the fact that organisations like TYS (TOUCH Youth Services) have programs to encourage healthy gaming among other things. It helps put things in perspective for the rest of us.

I like this quote from the Bible, "Everything is persmissible, but not everything is beneficial".

Go chew on it. :)

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Is change always for the better?

I just came back from Tiong Bahru market where I had supper after visiting my grandfather in hosipital. I had quite a surprise when I discovered that the old place has actually been transformed into a built-up 2 storey complex. I knew renovations were taking place, but had no idea of its extent and scale.

My first impressions of the new place? It's bad. Yes, it's clean, brighter, there are hundreds more seats and so many more stalls. But it looks like any other refurbished hawker centre I've been to. None of the character or distinctiveness of the old hawker centre remained. There is a sense of disorientation as you try and figure out where you favourite corner carrot cake stall etc. is located in this huge new complex.

I'm not kidding when I say it is big. Correct me if I am wrong, but there must be like twice the number of stalls now. I thought one of the great things about the old place was that it was just big enough for a certain sense of intimacy. And people came because they knew there was good food. Now the place is so big, you feel like you are in just another generic hawker centre or coffee shop, or food court for that matter.

The only good thing now is that you no longer have to wait long for a seat. Then again, that was part of the old market's charm wasn't it. I wish I had taken photos of the place and its people when it was still around. Would have been good to preserve some memories. I am trying to find time now to go take pictures of the National Stadium before it is torn down. Anyone care to join me?

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Dancers in the Dark

These are some photos from a performace in Catholic Junior College some time this year. The dancers are from the CJC Dance Group of which Luke is part of. You must be thinking, why in a thousand years would I be there. Well, I was there to support Luke and I must say he did a pretty good job. In fact, I thought the dance team put up one of the best performaces that night.

It was a simple show. But I wasn't there for the show. I was there for Luke. I was there for my son. That's what fathers do. It's great to be a father. Enjoy the pictures.

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An experiment in INTERACTIVITY

What happens when you view two photos at the same time? Is it any different from viewing them separately?

What if these photos were moving? Does that affect your experience again? Now, what if they were both moving and you could control how fast each of them moved?

Interactivity has always been something that has piqued my interest. Whether it is an exhibition, a blog, a display or even shopping. Having a chance to interact and be involved adds a new dimension to what you are doing. I believe human beings were built to interact. I believe more of everything we do should have some dimension of interactivity and involvement (right on my mind now is architecture, as I think about my dissertation).

What do you think?

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One Up for Singapore

You've got to see this. I found it on my of my friend's blog and almost fell off my seat watching it. I thought to myself, "Wah, sure or not? Don't kid yourself lah. Where got people so excited to go to Singapore university one? It's such a lie lor. Even Singaporeans themselves want to get out and go to overseas university. How can you even produce a video like that??!"

On reflection though, I started to ask myself how come I would have such a response. Is it only natural to feel repulsed by something like that?

Yes, I do have my fair share of bad run ins with the school administration. Maybe more than my fair share even. Was that the reason I found it difficult to be proud of my own alma mater? It's strange isn't it? That we find it difficult to be proud of many things Singaporean. For example, many successes of Singaporeans are seen with skeptical and suspect eyes until these people are actually recognised by the international community. Then we go, "Wah... this guy Singaporean leh. Must be because grow up overseas that's why so good lah..."

I am sure I am not alone in thinking like this. And I feel this is a cause for prayer. Can we believe God that one day our local university will be so popular internationally because the students and teachers are a great blessing to anyone who studies there? I think that should be a more appropriate response than to be skeptical about a video like that. In fact, if you look at it this way, then this video is really prophetic in a way! And it starts from us believing that God can indeed use our educational institutes in this powerful way!

Let's start by being that blessing to the people around us in school. Let's be like what Paul told Timothy in the Bible - An example for the believers.

As much as the video still makes me cringe a little, I claim it in Jesus' name and ask God for a change of heart. If we are to answer God's call to be a blessing to the nations, then certainly this is what we must do. What do you think?

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Shaking the planet in Ultraviolet - Last day TODAY!

Ultraviolet Concert 2006
Planetshakers

Date : 11 Aug (Fri) & 12 Aug (Sat)
Time : 7.30pm
Venue : MAX Pavillion, Spore Expo Hall 10
Price : Student/NSF: $4 per ticket
Working Adult: $8 per ticket

The time has come for the Planetshakers Team to shake another region of the globe. Uniting with Faith Community Baptist Church in Singapore for the Youth Harvest Weekend on August 11 & 12, the Planetshakers Team are excited about sharing the love of Jesus in this religiously diverse nation. Powerful praise and worship and anointed preaching - this will be an encounter with the power of God like none other!

Click on the above here for more exciting information and to send e-invites to your friends.

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Are you a TRANSFORMER?

http://www.transformersmovie.com/

For most of us born in the 1980s, Transformers represented an era where we were constantly captivated by the imagination and inspiration that this cartoon series brought. I loved the Transformers man. I thought it was one of the most exciting and visually enticing cartoons of its time. Together with cartoons like Visionaries, Robotech, Mask and Centurians, this show ranked right up there in my list of must watch cartoons.

But that's not why I am writing this. I was more drawn to the word TRANSFORMERS than the cartoon or in 2007, the movie itself. What is a transformer? Electrical engineers will tell you it's the thing that steps up or steps down voltage in a power grid. Haha.

To me, a transformer is someone who transforms things. But in order for him to do so, the transformer must be able to first transform himself. That made me think about how God has called us to be the light and the salt in this world. Both are transformers if you think about it. They change the environment they are in. They make a place brighter or tastier. How can we be the light and the salt if we are first not transformed by His grace?

And if we self-proclaim that we have been transformed, how can we not change the environment that we are in? That's the beauty of it! When you are truly transformed, you naturally become a transformer!

Many years ago, I was asked to think about my mission statement in life. I told God, I wanted to be an architect. An architect of man. A person who builds up the people around him. So that as I grow and experience the reality of God in my life, the people around me might also do so because of what I had allowed God to do through my life. Yes, I think I have done that to a certain extent. But I am ready for a power-up.

What about you my dear reader, are you ready to be transformed? If you are, join me as I borrow a line from the Transformers.... "People of God, TRANSFORM and ROLL OUT!"

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A Change in Perspective

When was the last time you heard your teacher tell you that your worth is determined by how well you scored in your examinations? She might not have said it exactly in these words, but I'm sure some time in your school life, you might have heard statements such as, "If you don't study hard now, what are you going to become in the the future? You want to be road sweeper ah?"

Or, "If you don't put in more effort, you are not going to get your As. How to get scholarship like that?" If these are not familiar to you, I'm sure you think the people in your school who score the best are somehow more valued. Afterall, they are the ones that the school acknowledges, they are the ones that the government is most willing to spend money on to sponsor for overseas studies, they are the ones who are superior to us!

And when we do actually get a chance to be one of these "superior beings", we can't help but think lesser of others.

Now, since when was the value of our life determined by academic qualifications? Since when was the life of a road sweeper less precious than any one of us? According to the Bible, NEVER!

In Psalms 139:14, the psalmists tells us that we are fearfully and wonderfully made! Not some of us, not those who study hard, but ALL OF US!

Why then do we subscribe to the thinking that our worth is determined by the value system of the world that we live in? My guess is, that's the only way we know how to. THAT was the way we were TAUGHT to! Such ideas and mindsets have become 2nd nature to us in a society where meritocracy is the rule of the day!

Is meritocracy a necessary evil? No. By itself, it is a fair way of helping us be accountable for the work we put in. Basically, you reap what you sow. But taken the wrong way, it also says, if you reap badly this time, then your value as a person is less. So basically, if you reap badly too many times, you just become a person who is of no value to anybody.

What does all these tell us? Education in the world needs to be REDEEMED. Dr Richard Edlin from NICE (National Institute of Christian Education) gave an insightful and thought-provoking lesson at tribe meeting yesterday. He challenged us to re-think the way christian teachers taught in school and to consider whether each gesture, word, teaching method etc came from a perspective that was biblical. He put forth to us that there is no such thing as NEUTRALITY. If we are not teaching something that is biblically sound in values and motivation, then we are re-enforcing worldly values to our students.

I thought to myself, "Gosh, although I am not a teacher, I need to be able to discern for myself what values my teacher/lecturer is teaching me, or promoting through his/her teaching!" It determines what kind of experiences I allow myself to be influenced by and hence what kind of person I become!

Yesterday's teaching was special because it wasn't about teachers rising up to their calling in Christ and about Christian education. Not just about anyway. For me, it was a call to live my live as a TRUE Christian! One that was approved unto the Lord. Regardless of what profession I am in or intend to be in, it was a challenge to re-examine how I lead my live - my motivations, my intentions, my way of doing things, my values.
It was a call towards holiness and Godliness!

Hence, I think it apt to end this entry with a timely reminder from Romans 12:1-2.

1Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship.

2Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

I urge you to read these 2 verses, and then read it once again. What does it mean for you? Let God reveal to you the ways that are not pleasing unto Him so that you might be transformed through the living word of God.

Amen

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Walking for a Cause.

What is it about close to 20, 000 people waking up even before the sun has on a saturday morning, to go walk around the city? On a normal day, madness I would say. But this was no ordinary day. As I rode the escalator up from City Hall MRT, still very much in screen saver mode, I laughed to myself as I saw may others like me, complete with panda eyes, trudging their tired bodies along to the Padang. Yes, on a normal day, we wouldn't be caught dead doing this. but like I said, this was no ordinary day.

Today, we came to revive a special walk. A walk that was really about sending a message of hope and love to our community. Being in FCBC, we are naturally also volunteers of TOUCH Community Services (TCS). And participating in today's walk showed a support on our part of the good work that TCS does, a sign of approval to the many staff and volunteers of TCS that we appreciate your service and a loud resounding message to those we serve that "YES, YOU MATTER!" So as I dragged myself to the padang, haversack, camera bag and 2 laptops in tow, I put a little more lift in my step and smiled a little brighter. Yes, today was a significant day.

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