Memories...

Shining Blade says:
that was fast
Emmett says:
i strong
1-25
Shining Blade says:
pray??
Emmett says:
the matthew
erm
forgot
i pray now
Shining Blade says:
shut down
think about what you learnt
as in really quiet
Emmett says:
lol
learn about who was whose son
-_-
Shining Blade says:
it's really like a love story between you and God when you do that
Emmett says:
like weird
Shining Blade says:
not you, yourself and you,
but you, your bible, and God
when u quieten yourself, read slowly
take as long as u need
Emmett says:
but what to noe about the sons
Shining Blade says:
then time goes really peacefully and satisfying
14 generations
or is it 12?
Emmett says:
yap
14
Shining Blade says:
can't remember
anyway, 14 and another 14 generations is a lot, and how did Matthew know all those people?
Emmett says:
no idea
Shining Blade says:
see, bible is people write one, but who inspire?
Emmett says:
god
Shining Blade says:
so why God bother listing down the ancestors of Jesus?
of David?
Emmett says:
let ppl noe?
Shining Blade says:
noe wad
Emmett says:
noe who is who
who do what
Shining Blade says:
but those are just names
when i quiten down and think
i learn that God prepared all this beforehand
from Abraham, to David, to Jesus, it was all planned out in God's will
Emmett says:
but y
Shining Blade says:
He knew each of them, and it's like a reminder
on what happened on the old testament
abraham, what happened to him?
Emmett says:
he learn bout chirst
Shining Blade says:
then after this, there was this time God tell abraham to kill his own son isaac
which he almost did
but then God finally told him to stop
remember this story?
Emmett says:
i heard before
Shining Blade says:
then there was jacob
Emmett says:
the son also right
Shining Blade says:
this guy play WWF with God
like a funny
Emmett says:
wwe
no more wwf liao
Shining Blade says:
lol, but his wrestling was not for entertainment
Emmett says:
ya
Shining Blade says:
u noe where in the bible this is written?
Emmett says:
dunno
got some str
Shining Blade says:
that jacob like a sad, then God let jacob vent it on God
Emmett says:
lol
Shining Blade says:
then God put a reminder on Jacob
He touch Jacob's leg
Emmett says:
-_-
Shining Blade says:
and for the rest of his life jacob was limping
Emmett says:
wtf
then what happen
Shining Blade says:
ps was afk
Emmett says:
-_-
Shining Blade says:
well before that, we see what happened even before
see jacob was in love with this woman called Rachel
Emmett says:
can change to emmett?
Shining Blade says:
but then her father wanted him to prove his worth
Emmett says:
hahah
Shining Blade says:
lol the bible is more closer to us than we think
anyway, so jacob stay in rachel's father's house
Emmett says:
then
Shining Blade says:
oh
then the father make him work for him seven year
years
Emmett says:
wa
Shining Blade says:
then the father let jacob marry his daughter
but then the father trick jacob!
it's her daughter alright,.
but the other one!
Leah
Emmett says:
-_-
Shining Blade says:
then jacob saded, and the father make jacob work for him another seven years
Emmett says:
wa bad sia
Shining Blade says:
so in the end, jacob married rachel too
but the bible says jacob loved rachel more than leah
Emmett says:
of cos la
Shining Blade says:
than God ZEK AK, let Leah give birth to babies, then made Rachel like a infertile
Emmett says:
zek ak?
Shining Blade says:
no la i meant cruel, like a joke
Emmett says:
so jacob got 2 wife?
Shining Blade says:
no cos God's will too pro for us to understand
Emmett says:
one leah rachel the 2nd wife?
Shining Blade says:
yup, last time people got more than 1 wife
ya
Emmett says:
ya
Shining Blade says:
sisters oso
Emmett says:
wa
jia lat
Shining Blade says:
anyway, then in the end Rachel became jealous cos she cannot bear children
Emmett says:
lol
Shining Blade says:
then she tell jacob to sleep with Rachel's servant called Bilhah, to bear children for Rachel
-.-
Emmett says:
wa
so jacob like some sex machine ar
Shining Blade says:
then to top it off, God made Leah infertile at that point
ya lol
Emmett says:
y sia
Shining Blade says:
then Leah oso copy cat, cos her turn to become jealous
Emmett says:
lol
Shining Blade says:
then Leah gave jacob her servant Zilpah to bear jacob a son
Emmett says:
lol
they like rich
got servant
Shining Blade says:
then after that, God made Leah fertile again
then Leah bore jacob another son
Emmett says:
lol
so got how many liao sia
4 or 5?
Shining Blade says:
let's see
Leah at first
Emmett says:
rachel servant 2nd
Shining Blade says:
4 sons
Emmett says:
4
Shining Blade says:
Leah 4 sons
Emmett says:
wa
leah
4 sons
Shining Blade says:
then rachel's servant 2 sons
Emmett says:
lol 6 in total
Shining Blade says:
then leah's servant 2 sons
Emmett says:
8
Shining Blade says:
then leah another 2 sons
Emmett says:
lol wont get sexual diease ar
10
Shining Blade says:
same people wad
Emmett says:
4 diff ppl
Shining Blade says:
then finally, Rachel prayed at last to God, then God listen to her
bear a son for jacob
his name is Joseph
Emmett says:
11
joseph the father of jesus?
Shining Blade says:
no, not joseph
is judah
Emmett says:
-_-
ok judah the betrayer?
or issit judas
Shining Blade says:
no, judas iscariot is the betrayer, not to be born for another 2000 years
lol
is judah
Emmett says:
lol
ok
Shining Blade says:
anyway, all these sons never include daughters
then in the end, jacob bore another son
so altogether 12 sons
before i tell u to turn to Genesis chapter 32, verses 22 to 32,
where jacob played wwf God,
what happened was that God changed his name to Israel.
Emmett says:
for?
Shining Blade says:
so the twelve sons are the 12 tribes of Israel!
Emmett says:
wa
Shining Blade says:
anyway, that's what we can remember from the first two names in the list
and God was playing a very active role in the other 14, to King David, and another 14
that's why God too pro to understand
Emmett says:
ooo
Shining Blade says:
so shut down ur com, pray, read genesis 32:22-32,
where Jacob wrestles with God
then think, and pray.
then God will open your eyes to something new today.

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1st of October 2008

Today is a rather special day. It is the People's Republic of China's National Day, as well as Hari Raya Puasa. Both holidays pertaining to the two major races of my country, yet not many local Chinese would know of Mao Zedong's declaration of PRC.

Anyway, today is also Children's Day and Isaac's birthday. What a coincidence.

This holiday season, I've probed many things, but among others, I found the value of leaving words unsaid, patience being more than just a virtue, and the realization that the first step to becoming someone you wish to become is to admit that you're not that someone yet.

Other than that, I've learnt the importance of not expecting to be treated differently. The reasoning behind that will be left for another day, but I'll still put this here just to remind myself should I come poring over these old archives!

There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.
And if you are Christ's, then you are Abraham's offspring, heirs according to promise.

27th September 2008

Ah, I wonder what I should spend my remaining holidays on? Let's see whether I can do something really productive...

0.o
o.0
???

7th August 2008

Wow wow wow! Everyone presented their own songs on Tuesday; it was breathtaking! Seriously, 1/3 of the songs played can be hit songs! But then, my song sucked because I sang it, but still got good grade because of mixing and recording techniques, ahaha...

The best song was by this super experienced classmate, who has got his own recording studio at home; and his song was epic! Classically trained choir voice for padding, excellent synthesizer comping, stellar violin played by a very talented guy, but okay piano, and super drums; the mix being so good with that sense of space expertly set, is was really great!

Can't wait for next year, where we get to learn on evenly spacing out mixes and such!

4th May August

I think I can, I think I can, I think I can...

Just four more days to end of all the projects! Then one more slack week to one and a half months of holidays!

Hang in there!

===
Anyway, Festival of Praise was awesome! And to think that I thought Saturday was awesome, Sunday was totally beyond description! Me and Jonathan were very startled when we heard a tune that sounded like the intro of Swithcfoot's On Fire being played by Parachute Band as their first song. Then we went warm and fuzzy all over when they the song indeed is On Fire! And soon enough, we went totally "OMG!" when people all over the stadium joined in the song instantaneously after the first three words "I'm on fire" were sung. Like, so many people know this song!?

And then the sermon was earthshaking, as usual, and there was a finale that the previous days did not have; both the Parachute Band and Hillsong team joined in a super combo! Then there were like this crazy section at the beginning of the end, where both drummers caused the whole stadium to tremble for like 32 bars of fanfare; they passed the limelight between each other, with perfect synchronization! They even doubled the kick drum by having one play on the upbeat, with the other on the offbeat (which is actually quite difficult), and the combined kicks were so fast it sounded like a canon with a machine gun firing mechanism!

The finale started off with the phrase "Shine your light and let the whole world see; we're singing for the glory of the risen king!" and then the heart warming "Saviour, He can move the mountains; My God is mighty to save, Jesus; mighty to save". It was utterly indescribable how powerful it was. The gates were opened and people started running to the floor, and everywhere around the stadium, people jumped, and the platform we were in started to creak, but we did not mind that. The famous riff of "Salvation is Here" sparked the next movement, and there were instances where a guy from Hillsong held the chords of the guitar while another person from Parachute Band strummed the same guitar. It was hilarious, inspiring and heartwarming all in one! And lo and behold, "One Way" started, and it was really long, this one. I won't even bother to describe it. I'd say, if heaven was praising God like this for eternity, I can't wait to tell the world that Jesus lives!

14th July 2008

As usual, after school every Monday, I went for the lesson at my piano teacher's house. Everything seemed normal until when I went inside the bungalow and started to put down my bag, I spotted from the corner of my eye, a rectangular shape of fur running towards me. Inevitably, it bumped into my feet and recoiled a little from the sudden halt. Then it stood on its hind legs and started prodding its nose at my legs, and next my feet; even my bag could not escape its inescapable snout. From a whole day of school, as well as a recent 10 minutes walk under the sun, my socks were definitely admittedly smelly. Yet that wasn't deterrence enough for that tough little fella.

Cut a long story short, my piano teacher's family got themselves a papillon puppy! Standing at a proud 30 cm, with a long silky black and white coat, a bushy tail that curves over its back, and ears shaped like the wings of a butterfly, I met 3 months old Noah. Will upload pictures next week! My phone ran out of battery. -_-"

While I walked the gauntlet up to the teaching room at the second floor, that little pipsqueak tailed behind my legs, sometimes, to my horror sneaking in between my moving legs. If it could think like me, it would most probably be saying "olé!" to itself. Multiple puppy horror moments later, the maid promptly appeared and carried it away.

The same thing happened after the lesson when I was about to leave. It smelled me coming, raised its head from its prone position like all dogs do when they sense something approaching, got up to its legs and tiptoed towards my position. My evasive maneuvers were no match for its superior strafing skills, and I was soon assaulted by its olfactory organ once more. Don't ask me what that means, check dictionary.com! That's where I get all these cool but weird words from.

Today's event brought back a lot of memories, to more than twelve years ago, when I entered the very same house, mini umbrella in hand poised and ready to strike on any delinquent canine. I heard a high pitched bark, and distinguished those menacing butterfly ears. Soon after, little Mozart came charging out of the door, circled yours truly, who was trying my utmost best effort to defend myself from the cage of its white and black blur. Well, at least that was all I recall.

I might reminisce that truly, time motivates the unseen finger to turn the pages of my version of the world's story, and every now and then, a new chapter begins. Even though mine has only begun 18 years ago, many things have happened, that up to date, still continue to amaze and touch me.

I witnessed Mozart, another papillon puppy from an earlier age, grow to become the hero guardian of the house it was. It, too, observed me grow into the big bulk that I am now. Well not exactly now, because it passed away roughly two years ago.

I can't explain the emotion that I'm feeling right now. It isn't really grief, nor is it nostalgia, but it still gives me teary eyes. Though other than breed, they are not really related, but still, in Noah's eyes, I see Mozart's ghostly visage. The past comes floating through my mind; youthful exuberance, crazy fantasies and Friday nights; shattered dreams, wounded hearts and broken toys.

I wonder where do such faithful pets go after they die. Would I see Mozart, Noah, Iggy or even Teddy many years from now? Nevertheless, I trust God's perfect plan. Once again, somehow seemingly unrelated events cause me to stand in awe of God.

It rains because time passes by, never to be seen again. Yet the sun shines, as time has been God's tool in molding me into what I am. Thus, there is a rainbow in my heart.

For the first time; ShiningBlade, signing off. God bless.

2nd July 2008

Life is never easy. A lot of things to have to handle with, it's really taxing. Gotta juggle so many things, and sudden changes in our life are not easy to deal with. Indeed, as soon as I was born into this world; as soon as everyone is born into this world, hearts beat. It cannot stop for even a few minutes without putting lives in danger. This goes on and on, for years; maybe fifty, maybe sixty, maybe seventy. Could be much less, or much more. But as long as you live, your heart cannot rest, until the day you die; by then you would not even notice it stop. Life is never easy.

But then, God knew me before my heart started beating. Well, he knew me even before I was formed in my mother's womb. I dare admit that He knows me more than I know myself. He knows what I really need, not what I think I need. My life is changing everyday, every possible way. How God shapes me, it's just wonderful; indescribable. Even though I am still not perfect; I doubt I will ever be, it still inspires me how just one single classmate has changed so much and had been so willing to come to Christ. How humble he is, I must learn. So sincere and poor in spirit is he. Even though he has bad habits and must learn to be patient, and good-tempered I can see miracles happening everyday. Thank you God for such wonderful experiences.

Cranberries - Dreams
Oh my life is changing everyday
Every possible way
Though my dreams, it’s never quite as it seems
Never quite as it seems

I know I felt like this before
But now I’m feeling it even more
Because it came from you

Then I open up and see
The person fumbling here is me
A different way to be

I want more, impossible to ignore
Impossible to ignore
They’ll come true, impossible not to do
Impossible not to do

Now I tell you openly
You have my heart so don’t hurt me
For what I couldn’t find

Talk to me amazing mind
So understanding and so kind
You’re everything to me

Oh my life is changing everyday
Every possible way
Though my dreams, it’s never quite as it seems
’cause you’re a dream to me
Dream to me

You can download this song for free at http://www.paradise-engineering.com/quotation/dreams.html
It's really nice, recommend it.

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?