21 June 2008

O Thou, the Breath, the Light of All,

Let this Light create a heart-shrine within.

And you Counsel rule 'til Oneness guides all'.

Your One desire then acts with ours, as in all light, so in all forms.

Grant what we need, each day, in bread and insight.

Loose the cords of mistakes binding us, as we release the strands we hold of other's faults.

Don't let surface things delude us.

But keep us from unripe acts.

To you belongs the ruling mind,

the life than can act and do,

the song that beautifies all,

from age to age it renews.

In faith, I will to be true.

This is a translation of the Lord's Prayer from Syriac Aramaic, which is possibly the closest existing version to the prayer that Jesus spoke, in contrast to the more common "Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your Name" translation.

I remember that a few days ago, I visited Isaac's house, straight after piano lesson. Being the wuss that I am, I was very straightforward in declaring my state of hunger, since I hadn't eaten breakfast, and lunchtime was almost over. My polar opposite in terms of noisiness, he very promptly fried a bowl of ham and eggs for me. I was took over by surprise, both by his hospitality and his culinary skills (okay, as well as the overwhelming portion of oil... Just kidding!). All in all, I didn't manage to achieve much in terms of tutoring Isaac. I guess I make a better comedian, but then I wouldn't do very well with such a career choice anyway. Isaac, what you really need now, is to put effort in. Read aloud, and refrain from excessive internet surfing. More specifically, anime. I believe you'll have all the time in the world to watch afterwards. At least until the start of tertiary education. =)

I personally hoped that he would be able to join us for the retreat/camp on next Friday though. It really rocks to be able to have friends who stay true with you even after ending education. Close friends, with whom I can talk about, more than the best skills to use in DoTA or Company of Heroes, more than what to do or where to go after class or CCA, more than the chio bu sitting opposite the classroom (XD).

But of course, such a fellowship isn't always peaceful and smooth. True, our planet is prone to natural disasters, but in my opinion, EVERYTHING that is on this world is afflicted with "earth"-quakes and tsunamis. Electrical devices, schoolwork, politics, marriage, etc. So this is where prayer comes in.

My friends, I beseech you once more. Pray for me. I don't want to leave a bad influence on others. I don't want to be insincere. I don't want to be the cause of heated arguments. I want to be a better ambassador of Christ in my school, and that I would not feel pressurized and discouraged when pre-believers mock me. This vessel of mine wants to be a servant to the only person who sees clearly all the sides of me, not just the good, nor just the bad, but the wretched and broken side of me.

There are so many prayer meetings globally that many of us would know the power of prayer. That doesn't mean that when more people pray, there would be more favor/power/mana to ensure success of the prayer. What I'm convicted in, however, is that whenever I pray for others, whenever I join in such prayer meetings, my faith is strengthened. Praying for others does not set me apart from the rest; it keeps me humble, helps me feel significant, and influences me to rely more on Him. So, my brothers and sisters, would you pray with me?

My life may be shaken by storms, and the boat we travel in may be shaken by the devil, but I'm so glad I have Him in my life, and He uses weak people like me to be glorified and show his omnipotence in creating order from chaos. And I just wanted to remind you; you have God in your life too! With Christ in the vessel, we can smile at the storm!

11th June 2008

I'm thinking of an idea to write a song for my assignment. But I am in a loss here. Maybe I need inspiration. So, I wanted to compose a song with the title of "Let the Healing Begin", but found out that the title was already taken up. So maybe I will name it "Let it Regenerate". Lyrics? I need help. Let's see...

Verse 1
I'll dwell no longer in this ward of mine
The bill's too high for my folks
It'll be his birthday 'fore the week is past
When I am gone, will he love me too

Verse 2
All he asked was a world without strife
He saw refugee camps, hostile guards and rats
An altar call to be a human bomb
The news reported, "Children killed in suicide attack"

Pre-chorus 1
Why, O Lord, do you stand far away
Why do you hide in our times of dismay

Chorus 1
Have we alienated from ourselves
Diverted one another
It's time to stop our running
Let it Regenerate

Bridge
The Being that can act and do
The Song that beautifies all things
The Hand that picks everyone off from the floor
And has the strength to carry all

Pre-chorus 2
What must I do, to renew our broken hearts
What can we do, to bring hope to this fallen land

Chorus 2
Have we alienated from ourselves
Diverted one another
It's time to face all our fears
Let it Regenerate
Hear my call, my brother
I need you here by my side
Hear my call, my sister
We're not in this alone

My first verse saw it's inspiration from a note left over by a married female who was 59 years of age. She stayed in hospital for more than two months and her condition was worsening despite of expensive treatment. She committed suicide days before his husband's birthday. (http://www.well.com/~art/suicidenotes.html)

My second verse was from from a poem I once read by Richard Macwilliam which talked about how the media always depicts terrorists as pure bad guys, but does not reveal their side of the story; of how the strong shows the weak no generosity other than in being more significant.

The first pre-chorus can be found in Psalms 10:1 by King David. He cries out because of all the wickedness and arrogance present in the world, yet understands that the time is not yet right for judgment to be passed.

The chorus was from a Crossroads meeting (part of my CCA) I went, and the speaker reasoned and logically deduced how we've alienated from nature, from one another, and ourselves.

The bridge was formed in awe and wonder of God, though his actions and "passivity" are beyond our understanding, never fails to deliver in the end.

The second pre-chorus was born from the need of so many people around the world, and the sudden realization of how insignificant I am.

The final part comes from a phrase I always keep inside my heart. "If He carried the weight of the world upon his shoulder, I know, my brother, that He will carry you; if He carried the weight
of the world upon his shoulder, I know, my sister, that He will carry you."

Argh. Hopefully this song can be accepted for the assignment. Argh. So long a song. Tune or comments, anyone?

9th June 2008

赐自由的灵啊，求你来
来到我的里面，来到我的生命
赶走生活中的愁烦
驱走我心中的不安
你的灵啊，在哪里
哪里就有自由
世界虽有劳苦重担
求你灵来赐我自由

4th June 2008

I listened to a story that talked about a guy operating a bridge over a river in Pennsylvania; whose job was to raise the bridge when a ship wanted to cross, and lower the bridge if a train was approaching to get to the other side. One day, he brought his grandson to his workplace, so that the little guy could observe his grandfather's workplace. However, unbeknownst to them, the last train scheduled for that day was to be late. As they waited for the train to approach, the grandson insisted on fishing from the superstructure of the bridge. After repeated requests, the grandfather finally allowed his son to go; provided that he stay within his sight. When the train finally came, the grandfather activated the mechanism to lower the bridge, but lost sight of the boy. Much later, he saw his grandson's baggy overalls caught in the gear assembly that elevated the bridge. By then, it was too late to stop the lowering bridge without causing the train to fall into the river. Left without a choice, he saw his grandson crushed to death before the train passed over the river. Back then, those people were not aware of the sacrifice the bridge operator had done to allow them to live.

The full story can be read in http://www.thesonsetrefuge.org/Newsletters/Newsletter%203.pdf
At the section; A God of Sacrifice.

For someone who sacrificed his own grandson to save the lives of people he didn't know; it isn't easy. It's touching, but ultimately it makes us think.

So, i just want to pray to God for all the things that I've been through.

Lord, we need your grace and mercy
We need to pray like never before
We need the power of your Holy Spirit
To open heaven's door

Lord, we humbly come before you
We don't deserve of you what we ask
But we yearn to see your glory
Restore this dying land

Spirit touch your church, stir the hearts of men
Revive us, Lord, with your passion once again
I want to care for others like Jesus cares for me
Let your rain fall upon me,
Let your rain fall upon me