Ecstatic... yet anxious...
What's gonna happen? Nobody knows.
I'm just learning to have faith.
In the meantime, good luck trying to wipe this smile off my face.
Tuesday, December 25, 2007
Monday, December 10, 2007
More... Joys
The Joy of Competition...
The Joy of Winning...
The Joy of Accomplishment... of Achievement...
The Joy of Creativity... of Invention...
The Joy of Success...
The Joy of Battle... of Confrontation...
The Joy of Challenge... of Overcoming Challenge...
The Joy of Insight... of Understanding...
The Joy of Scoring...
In summary...
The Joy of Soccer.
The Joy of Winning...
The Joy of Accomplishment... of Achievement...
The Joy of Creativity... of Invention...
The Joy of Success...
The Joy of Battle... of Confrontation...
The Joy of Challenge... of Overcoming Challenge...
The Joy of Insight... of Understanding...
The Joy of Scoring...
In summary...
The Joy of Soccer.
Still... Joyful
Some... unpleasant things... have happened.
Yet... I don't feel... depressed.
Maybe because I'm really learning to trust in God...
Or maybe because I just played soccer...
I know God is my refuge... but soccer is like... my second refuge.
A place where I can be lost to my troubles... my problems... my sadnesses.
What I wanted... or what I thought I wanted... I'm not even chasing it that badly anymore.
Que será, será.
Yet... I don't feel... depressed.
Maybe because I'm really learning to trust in God...
Or maybe because I just played soccer...
I know God is my refuge... but soccer is like... my second refuge.
A place where I can be lost to my troubles... my problems... my sadnesses.
What I wanted... or what I thought I wanted... I'm not even chasing it that badly anymore.
Que será, será.
Monday, November 26, 2007
Joys
:)
Life goes on.
Things happen.
Yet... I've been feeling a sense of peace and joy like never before.
People around me have said I've looked happier. Smiling more.
The scary thing is... I've noticed it too.
Even things that used to matter to me... things that would've devastated me... don't bother me anymore.
I think it's a good sign. I think I'm growing up.
The joy I'm feeling... is like a peaceful spring... clear, unobtrusive, quiet... yet occasionally bubbling over, or erupting like a geyser.
Words cannot describe how good I feel...
Life goes on.
Things happen.
Yet... I've been feeling a sense of peace and joy like never before.
People around me have said I've looked happier. Smiling more.
The scary thing is... I've noticed it too.
Even things that used to matter to me... things that would've devastated me... don't bother me anymore.
I think it's a good sign. I think I'm growing up.
The joy I'm feeling... is like a peaceful spring... clear, unobtrusive, quiet... yet occasionally bubbling over, or erupting like a geyser.
Words cannot describe how good I feel...
Friday, November 23, 2007
2007 Telvent Christmas Party
Just wanted to write down some notes about the wines offered at the company Christmas party.
Zenato Pinot Grigio
A decent white, not exactly packed with fruit. Still, the most enjoyable of the evening.
Zenato Valpolicella DOC Superiore
Might be just me, but I found it unbearable. From the aroma to the taste to the mouthfeel. Sharp - nay, harsh - to the system, burns the back of the throat. I put the glass down and refused to let it further spoil an otherwise decent entrée.
Yellow Tail Shiraz
My guess is shiraz just isn't the grape for me. Goes down easier then the Valpolicella, but you get what you pay for, and with the Yellow Tail you're not paying for great wine. I also set my glass down.
After the two reds, I had a terrible aftertaste in my mouth that I wanted to wash out with a pint of Guinness. I think that says a lot.
Zenato Pinot Grigio
A decent white, not exactly packed with fruit. Still, the most enjoyable of the evening.
Zenato Valpolicella DOC Superiore
Might be just me, but I found it unbearable. From the aroma to the taste to the mouthfeel. Sharp - nay, harsh - to the system, burns the back of the throat. I put the glass down and refused to let it further spoil an otherwise decent entrée.
Yellow Tail Shiraz
My guess is shiraz just isn't the grape for me. Goes down easier then the Valpolicella, but you get what you pay for, and with the Yellow Tail you're not paying for great wine. I also set my glass down.
After the two reds, I had a terrible aftertaste in my mouth that I wanted to wash out with a pint of Guinness. I think that says a lot.
Thursday, November 22, 2007
The Cellar 6th Anniversary Wine Tasting
Tasted seven different wines on Tuesday at the complimentary wine tasting. I'll try to summarize here.
Pinot Noirs: (in order from best to worst)
Kooyong Haven
Tandem "Keefer"
Kooyong Estate
At $70 a bottle, the Haven had better be good. And it was. All had refreshing, fruity aromas, but Haven went down the smoothest. The Kooyong Estate I was least impressed with.
Robert Hall Syrah
A bit tannic, probably could've used some decanting.
Janzen Cabernet Sauvignon
Another $70 wine, a pleasant departure from the predominantly Pinot Noir offerings of the evening.
Chateau de la Roulerie Coteaux de Layon
A very, very sweet white wine. First sniff was a bit of a shock to the system. Slight fizz.
Kooyong Estate Chardonnay
Very sweet also, but not as sweet as the Roulerie. More on the scale of a riesling than a dessert wine.
Pinot Noirs: (in order from best to worst)
Kooyong Haven
Tandem "Keefer"
Kooyong Estate
At $70 a bottle, the Haven had better be good. And it was. All had refreshing, fruity aromas, but Haven went down the smoothest. The Kooyong Estate I was least impressed with.
Robert Hall Syrah
A bit tannic, probably could've used some decanting.
Janzen Cabernet Sauvignon
Another $70 wine, a pleasant departure from the predominantly Pinot Noir offerings of the evening.
Chateau de la Roulerie Coteaux de Layon
A very, very sweet white wine. First sniff was a bit of a shock to the system. Slight fizz.
Kooyong Estate Chardonnay
Very sweet also, but not as sweet as the Roulerie. More on the scale of a riesling than a dessert wine.
Wednesday, November 21, 2007
雪感
十一月二十日.
下雪了.
雪下得很大.
像鹅毛, 像棉花.
铺天盖地的.
想起的, 是三年前.
在瑞士, 站在房间外.
飘着同样的雪.
逝去的一段感情, 再过两天, 有三年之久了.
何谓放下? 何谓忘记?
当你悄然发觉, 一点点的回忆, 一个个的日子, 已经不再重要, 不再扎心的时候.
你才是真正的放下, 忘记了.
下雪了.
雪下得很大.
像鹅毛, 像棉花.
铺天盖地的.
想起的, 是三年前.
在瑞士, 站在房间外.
飘着同样的雪.
逝去的一段感情, 再过两天, 有三年之久了.
何谓放下? 何谓忘记?
当你悄然发觉, 一点点的回忆, 一个个的日子, 已经不再重要, 不再扎心的时候.
你才是真正的放下, 忘记了.
Tuesday, November 13, 2007
兩個失身的少女
"不可姦淫." 出埃及記 20:14
有話想說, 但不知道如何起筆.
怎麽樣的心情? 沉重? 難過? 愕然? 不齒? 憤怒?
小弟雖沒出生於基督化的家庭, 但自幼家教甚嚴, 也上基督教學校念書, 自問也循規蹈矩, 對一般行爲不檢點的同輩敬而遠之.
想不到的是, 這幾年, 這樣的人, 卻在身邊朋友圈子裏面出現.
自己認識的, 失了身的少女, 居然還不止一個. 而且都是基督徒.
聽到的時候, 真的倒吸了一口涼氣.
爲什麽? 爲什麽會這樣?
是哪裏出了問題? 家庭? 教會? 朋友? 團契?
還是責無旁貸?
難道律法寫得不夠清楚麽? 難道聖經教導得不夠明確麽?
原來人放縱私慾的時候, 可以這麽可怕.
或許有人會說, 過去的已成過去, 不必再挖人家的傷口.
我也不是故意挖苦. 或許她們也為過往的罪悲痛, 羞愧, 懺悔.
認罪悔改的, 神會憐憫, 寬恕, 賜福: "我們若認自己的罪, 神是信實的, 是公義的, 必要赦免我們的罪, 洗淨我們一切的不義." - 約翰一書 1:9
不認罪的, 神會審判, 懲罰, 咒詛: "我閉口不認罪的時候, 因終日唉哼而骨頭枯乾." - 詩篇 32:5
又: "遮掩自己罪過的, 必不亨通; 承認離棄罪過的, 必蒙憐恤." - 箴言 28:13
我的意思是, 我不想這樣的事情繼續發生.
我們能做些什麽? 請指教.
"我們都如羊走迷; 各人偏行己路; 耶和華使我們眾人的罪孽都歸在他身上." - 以賽亞書 53:6
願主賜福給祂喜悅的人.
有話想說, 但不知道如何起筆.
怎麽樣的心情? 沉重? 難過? 愕然? 不齒? 憤怒?
小弟雖沒出生於基督化的家庭, 但自幼家教甚嚴, 也上基督教學校念書, 自問也循規蹈矩, 對一般行爲不檢點的同輩敬而遠之.
想不到的是, 這幾年, 這樣的人, 卻在身邊朋友圈子裏面出現.
自己認識的, 失了身的少女, 居然還不止一個. 而且都是基督徒.
聽到的時候, 真的倒吸了一口涼氣.
爲什麽? 爲什麽會這樣?
是哪裏出了問題? 家庭? 教會? 朋友? 團契?
還是責無旁貸?
難道律法寫得不夠清楚麽? 難道聖經教導得不夠明確麽?
原來人放縱私慾的時候, 可以這麽可怕.
或許有人會說, 過去的已成過去, 不必再挖人家的傷口.
我也不是故意挖苦. 或許她們也為過往的罪悲痛, 羞愧, 懺悔.
認罪悔改的, 神會憐憫, 寬恕, 賜福: "我們若認自己的罪, 神是信實的, 是公義的, 必要赦免我們的罪, 洗淨我們一切的不義." - 約翰一書 1:9
不認罪的, 神會審判, 懲罰, 咒詛: "我閉口不認罪的時候, 因終日唉哼而骨頭枯乾." - 詩篇 32:5
又: "遮掩自己罪過的, 必不亨通; 承認離棄罪過的, 必蒙憐恤." - 箴言 28:13
我的意思是, 我不想這樣的事情繼續發生.
我們能做些什麽? 請指教.
"我們都如羊走迷; 各人偏行己路; 耶和華使我們眾人的罪孽都歸在他身上." - 以賽亞書 53:6
願主賜福給祂喜悅的人.
Thursday, October 11, 2007
On my way... don't know where I'm going...
... the famous words of the brilliant Paul Simon.
It just feels... like life is a broken record... replayed over and over with the same tunes...
Like reruns... same scripts, same results...
You keep thinking... this time will be different... but it's not...
I'm trying to keep faith... but it's hard...
Remind me... oh Lord... that you alone are faithful...
It just feels... like life is a broken record... replayed over and over with the same tunes...
Like reruns... same scripts, same results...
You keep thinking... this time will be different... but it's not...
I'm trying to keep faith... but it's hard...
Remind me... oh Lord... that you alone are faithful...
Sunday, September 16, 2007
What is God doing?
Been asking that question for the past 10 days.
Something happened 10 days ago, and I've been wondering whether it was mere happenstance or if God was involved somehow.
Of course, one would argue that nothing is ever pure coincidence. But I want to know whether God is leading me in that direction or not.
If He was, would I be excited? Damn straight I'd be excited. If that is indeed what He had in mind, I'm comfortable going forward.
If it's not, well, I'm OK with that too. At least I'm beginning to feel that, really, with God, anything is possible.
Even the remotest possibilities.
Something happened 10 days ago, and I've been wondering whether it was mere happenstance or if God was involved somehow.
Of course, one would argue that nothing is ever pure coincidence. But I want to know whether God is leading me in that direction or not.
If He was, would I be excited? Damn straight I'd be excited. If that is indeed what He had in mind, I'm comfortable going forward.
If it's not, well, I'm OK with that too. At least I'm beginning to feel that, really, with God, anything is possible.
Even the remotest possibilities.
Wednesday, August 08, 2007
Update
Haven't blogged in sooo long... my apologies.
Been busy with Facebook (*gasp!*), seriously been spending too much time there.
Just came back from summer conference. The sermons were great; I wish we didn't have to come home.
Going away again this weekend. Wineries and orchards in Kelowna. Sweet.
Test drove the Altima sedan yesterday. Quite impressive. I can't wait to try the manual coupe.
Been thinking about the upcoming HK trip, though I shouldn't. Whatever happens or does not happen, it's in God's hands.
Been busy with Facebook (*gasp!*), seriously been spending too much time there.
Just came back from summer conference. The sermons were great; I wish we didn't have to come home.
Going away again this weekend. Wineries and orchards in Kelowna. Sweet.
Test drove the Altima sedan yesterday. Quite impressive. I can't wait to try the manual coupe.
Been thinking about the upcoming HK trip, though I shouldn't. Whatever happens or does not happen, it's in God's hands.
Sunday, May 27, 2007
Prism
Songs are like prisms.
They take the light of your heart and separate it into its rawest, most fundamental form.
輸情歌
李克勤
作曲: 金培達
填詞: 陳少琪
編曲: 金培達
監製: 金培達/趙增熹
額頭沒有亮光 人軟弱如沒血糖
失戀之中身體欠安康 躺在病床
面前沒曙光 從前這家裡似天堂
這數百呎 漸已變得 空嚝
＃念著是你好處缺陷 都這麼使我太著緊
過去我得過幾多興奮 換幾多黑暗 簡單的公式太深＃
＊想不到失戀輸了我終身 注碼放太多 天真地上陣
一回頭 身已沒分文永不翻身
想不到失戀輸了我真心 每晚夜難眠然後害怕到著燈
共我手背熱吻 怎會入心
困在回憶的監禁 傢俬枱凳 漸變舊 和我合襯
（踐踏我心的腳印）＊
夢難做太深 遺忘了工作變消沉
我吃與喝 亦會兩手 抖震
Repeat ＃(＊)＊
I'm Gonna Find Another You
John Mayer
It's really over
You made your stand
You got me crying
As was your plan
But when my loneliness is through
I'm gonna find another you
You take your sweaters
You take your time
You might have your reasons
But you will never have my rhyme
I'm gonna sing my way away from blue
I'm gonna find another you
When I was your lover
No one else would do
And if I'm forced to find another
I hope she looks like you
And she's nicer, too
So go on, baby
Make your little getaway
My pride will keep me company
And you just gave yours all away
Now I'm gonna dress myself for two
Once for me, and once for someone new
I'm gonna do some things you wouldn't let me do
I'm gonna find another you
常在你左右
李克勤
作曲: 伍卓賢
填詞: 陳少琪
編曲: Johnny Yim
監製: 金培達/趙增熹
情人今天我 能含笑進睡
被她醫好心碎 如果昨日你
誓死相隨 其實只不過錯下去
難長久相對 能和氣暢聚
或可維持歡樂 歷久不衰
風再沒法吹 便無眼淚
＊如難復合 合做摯友
友愛共伴 伴著最後 能傾訴就夠
我跟你 分憂成為分手
分手成為了友誼萬歲 慶幸放手
從左至右 徘徊在妳的圓周 關心好過懷舊
找到新戀愛 也為你暖手 別做怨偶＊
仍然祝福你 尋回愛氣味
幸福始終等你 明天也像我
絕不出奇 其實只不過碰運氣
從前怎生氣 從頭再細膩
為新情人準備 盡花心機
天氣便轉好 就如勝地
Repeat ＊＊
They take the light of your heart and separate it into its rawest, most fundamental form.
輸情歌
李克勤
作曲: 金培達
填詞: 陳少琪
編曲: 金培達
監製: 金培達/趙增熹
額頭沒有亮光 人軟弱如沒血糖
失戀之中身體欠安康 躺在病床
面前沒曙光 從前這家裡似天堂
這數百呎 漸已變得 空嚝
＃念著是你好處缺陷 都這麼使我太著緊
過去我得過幾多興奮 換幾多黑暗 簡單的公式太深＃
＊想不到失戀輸了我終身 注碼放太多 天真地上陣
一回頭 身已沒分文永不翻身
想不到失戀輸了我真心 每晚夜難眠然後害怕到著燈
共我手背熱吻 怎會入心
困在回憶的監禁 傢俬枱凳 漸變舊 和我合襯
（踐踏我心的腳印）＊
夢難做太深 遺忘了工作變消沉
我吃與喝 亦會兩手 抖震
Repeat ＃(＊)＊
I'm Gonna Find Another You
John Mayer
It's really over
You made your stand
You got me crying
As was your plan
But when my loneliness is through
I'm gonna find another you
You take your sweaters
You take your time
You might have your reasons
But you will never have my rhyme
I'm gonna sing my way away from blue
I'm gonna find another you
When I was your lover
No one else would do
And if I'm forced to find another
I hope she looks like you
And she's nicer, too
So go on, baby
Make your little getaway
My pride will keep me company
And you just gave yours all away
Now I'm gonna dress myself for two
Once for me, and once for someone new
I'm gonna do some things you wouldn't let me do
I'm gonna find another you
常在你左右
李克勤
作曲: 伍卓賢
填詞: 陳少琪
編曲: Johnny Yim
監製: 金培達/趙增熹
情人今天我 能含笑進睡
被她醫好心碎 如果昨日你
誓死相隨 其實只不過錯下去
難長久相對 能和氣暢聚
或可維持歡樂 歷久不衰
風再沒法吹 便無眼淚
＊如難復合 合做摯友
友愛共伴 伴著最後 能傾訴就夠
我跟你 分憂成為分手
分手成為了友誼萬歲 慶幸放手
從左至右 徘徊在妳的圓周 關心好過懷舊
找到新戀愛 也為你暖手 別做怨偶＊
仍然祝福你 尋回愛氣味
幸福始終等你 明天也像我
絕不出奇 其實只不過碰運氣
從前怎生氣 從頭再細膩
為新情人準備 盡花心機
天氣便轉好 就如勝地
Repeat ＊＊
Monday, May 07, 2007
Crystal Man
Yesterday was the first semi-competitive game of the year.
It was a beautiful day, sunny with a steady breeze. The ground was still wet and muddy from three days of rain during the week, so I went with my Nike soft ground boots. They felt really comfortable, once I put an extra pair of socks on underneath my shinpads. Running and turning was effortless.
I started on the sideline, and came on shortly after in right midfield. On my first possession I was double-teamed, and I was having a hard time getting into the game as, as usual, our game involves more north-south work than east-west movement.
Once we gave up a couple of goals and made some changes, moving people around, suddenly I found myself playing in the hole. This was both necessary (someone on our team started invading my territory, so there was a positional overlap) and strategic (someone else volunteered to man-mark the opposition's best player and free me up to attack).
I thrived in it. Running at the D, finding space between D and midfields. One brilliant through-ball for Matthew, who scored on his second attempt. Then a one-two with Addy, who returned the ball with an inspired chip (almost like Paul Scholes to Wayne Rooney, circa CL semi-final vs. Milan, first leg), leaving me to slot the ball past the advancing keeper.
Unfortunately, the keeper clipped my knee as I went in to score, and subsequent cramping (in both lower legs, front and back) meant my effectiveness was limited thereafter. But all in all, I was satisfied with my performance. Short, accurate passing, not giving the ball away easily, good movement to find open space, some good defensive work. The problem is it only lasted 15 minutes.
Just like a piece of crystal. So brilliant, yet so fragile.
It was a beautiful day, sunny with a steady breeze. The ground was still wet and muddy from three days of rain during the week, so I went with my Nike soft ground boots. They felt really comfortable, once I put an extra pair of socks on underneath my shinpads. Running and turning was effortless.
I started on the sideline, and came on shortly after in right midfield. On my first possession I was double-teamed, and I was having a hard time getting into the game as, as usual, our game involves more north-south work than east-west movement.
Once we gave up a couple of goals and made some changes, moving people around, suddenly I found myself playing in the hole. This was both necessary (someone on our team started invading my territory, so there was a positional overlap) and strategic (someone else volunteered to man-mark the opposition's best player and free me up to attack).
I thrived in it. Running at the D, finding space between D and midfields. One brilliant through-ball for Matthew, who scored on his second attempt. Then a one-two with Addy, who returned the ball with an inspired chip (almost like Paul Scholes to Wayne Rooney, circa CL semi-final vs. Milan, first leg), leaving me to slot the ball past the advancing keeper.
Unfortunately, the keeper clipped my knee as I went in to score, and subsequent cramping (in both lower legs, front and back) meant my effectiveness was limited thereafter. But all in all, I was satisfied with my performance. Short, accurate passing, not giving the ball away easily, good movement to find open space, some good defensive work. The problem is it only lasted 15 minutes.
Just like a piece of crystal. So brilliant, yet so fragile.
Sunday, May 06, 2007
Busyness
February 16: Isaiah Bible study
February 17: Model Train Show - Roundup Center & CPO Concert - Jack Singer
February 24: Twelfth Night - University Theatre
February 25: Church Chinese New Year celebration - Stage Team
March 9: New Heart - CCAC
March 10: New Heart - WCCAC
March 31: CPO Concert - New World Symphony & Gershwin - Jack Singer
April 28: John Mayer concert - Edmonton
May 5: CPO Concert - Ode to Joy - Jack Singer
May 11: Brahms' Requiem - First Alliance Church Choir
May 12: Choir BBQ - Keung residence OR Vivaldi, Mozart, Tchaikovsky - Cologne New Philharmonic Chamber Orchestra - Cathedral of the Redeemer
May 13: Fellowship outing - Canmore?
May 16: CPO Concert - Brandenburg and Company - Jack Singer
June 2: CPO Concert - Tchaikovsky and Rachmaninoff - Jack Singer
June 22-24: Isaiah retreat - Chairman
August 3-6: Church summer conference - Assistant General Manager
August 15: Josh Groban - Saddledome
September 1-3: Church inter-city soccer tournament
September/October: Hong Kong - Uncle and Aunt gonna have a baby... I'm gonna be 表哥 finally!
Monday, April 23, 2007
Flames Eliminated
So the Flames, despite their sensational comeback circa Game 3 and Game 4, were finally ousted in 6.
Badly outscored - 18 to 10. Badly outshot - 255 to 129. If it weren't for Kipper's superhuman efforts, this series would've been done long before Game 6 OT.
On paper, the two sides matched up fairly evenly in most areas.
In net, the Flames probably even had a edge over the Wings. The unflappable Miikka Kiprusoff was at his calm-and-cool best in Game 6, repelling 53 of 54 shots until Franzen blasted a high one against the grain past his glove hand to end the series. Dominik Hasek, meanwhile, was at his comical best in Game 4, unsheathing his scythe at Jarome Iginla after a fish-out-of-water impersonation. Oh, and the fact that his English is unintelligible doesn't help his cause.
Up front, it would be hard to argue that the Wings' top players were really miles ahead of the Flames'. Calgary boasted three 30-goal scorers in Iginla (39), Kristian Huselius (34), and Daymond Langkow (33); Detroit had two - Henrik Zetterberg (33) and Tomas Holmstrom (30). Alex Tanguay led the Flames with 59 assists; Datsyuk led the Wings with 60. Craig Conroy recovered from an abysmal 16 points in 52 games season with the L.A. Kings to score 21 in 28 for the Flames; Kyle Calder had an even worse year with Philly (21 in 59) before bouncing back for 14 in 19 in Detroit. Tony Amonte had his worst season in the NHL to date, with just 10 goals and 30 points; Robert Lang had a subpar year with 52. Matthew Lombardi and Dan Cleary both hit 20 goals for the first time in their careers. Jeff Friesen scored a pitiful 6 goals and 12 points, sadly still one better than last year; Todd Bertuzzi had an injury-riddled season.
But really, can you honestly say you'd prefer the Red Wings' top-five of Datsyuk, Zetterberg, Holmstrom, Lang, and Bertuzzi to the Flames' Iginla, Tanguay, Huselius, Langkow, and Conroy?
Depth-wise, Stephane Yelle and Marcus Nilson match up fairly well against Kris Draper and Kirk Maltby, although probably lagging slightly on the physical side. Beyond that, Byron Ritchie, Wayne Primeau, Darren McCarty, and Davis Moss cannot possibly be preferred to Mikael Samuelsson, Johan Franzen, Jiri Hudler, and Valtteri Filippula.
So the Flames could do better on the third and fourth lines, and the Wings' impressive drafting history shines through again. But that's not the most glaring difference.
On defence, Niklas Lidstrom, Mathieu Schneider, and Chris Chelios lead a Detroit blueline that's years ahead of the Flames'. Lidstrom and Schneider, point men on the Wings' PP, combined for 24 goals and 114 points; Dion Phaneuf and Roman Hamrlik had 24 goals and 88 points. Rhett Warrener's physical play equals that of Chelios, and Brad Stuart was a good late-season pickup, though sophomore Brett Lebda has been solid as well. Robyn Regehr and Niklas Kronvall both missed the playoffs due to injuries. The inconsistent play of Andrei Zyuzin and Mark Giordano probably ranks them below Danny Markov and Andreas Lilja. Though Zyuzin displayed flashes of offensive flair towards the end of the series, his poor defensive judgment has proven costly on many occasions, and does not justify his hefty price tag.
Despite employing three aging veterans on the blueline, the Wings clearly benefitted from their timeless talent and experience. Lidstrom has 15 years in the NHL and 174 playoff games under his belt, Schneider 17 years and 92 playoff games, and Chelios 22 years and 228 games. By contrast, Hamrlik has 14 years and 51 playoff games, Warrener 11 years and 95 games, and Stuart 7 years and 46 games. That's 44 combined years to 32, and 494 playoff games to 192 between the two teams' three most experienced defencemen.
Perhaps the most disturbing stat of all is the fact that Zyuzin, of all people, was the only Flame to finish the series at even plus/minus. At the other end, Zetterberg and Samuelsson finished at even. The difference? The rest of the Flames were minuses, and the rest of the Wings were plusses.
In conclusion? The Flames' current corp of D-men aren't as deep as the '04 edition. Regehr and Warrener are still around, and Phaneuf, Hamrlik, and Stuart are probably upgrades over Denis Gauthier, Jordan Leopold, and Toni Lydman. But somehow, Zyuzin, Giordano, and Hale just aren't as reliable as Andrew Ference, Steve Montador, and Mike Commodore.
The Flames can no longer claim to have the league's deepest defence. That honour goes to the Ottawa Senators, with Wade Redden, Tom Preissing, Joe Corvo, Andrej Meszaros, Chris Phillips, Christoph Schubert, and Anton Volchenkov to choose from, even in the post-Zdeno Chara era. Buffalo (Brian Campbell, Dimitri Kalinin, Teppo Numminen, Nathan Paetsch, Jaroslav Spacek, Toni Lydman, and Henrik Tallinder), Dallas (Sergei Zubov, Philippe Boucher, Darryl Sydor, Stephane Robidas, Trevor Daley, Mattias Norstrom, and Jon Klemm), Nashville (Kimmo Timonen, Marek Zidlicky, Shea Weber, Ryan Suter, Dan Hamhuis, and Vitaly Vishnevski), and San Jose (Matthew Carle, Christian Ehrhoff, Marc-Edouard Vlasic, Craig Rivet, Scott Hannan, and Kyle McLaren) are all challengers.
Anyway. The point is, the Flames need to get back to their old stingy selves if they want to go anywhere in the playoffs. Allowing 40 shots a game isn't gonna cut it at any level of hockey.
Badly outscored - 18 to 10. Badly outshot - 255 to 129. If it weren't for Kipper's superhuman efforts, this series would've been done long before Game 6 OT.
On paper, the two sides matched up fairly evenly in most areas.
In net, the Flames probably even had a edge over the Wings. The unflappable Miikka Kiprusoff was at his calm-and-cool best in Game 6, repelling 53 of 54 shots until Franzen blasted a high one against the grain past his glove hand to end the series. Dominik Hasek, meanwhile, was at his comical best in Game 4, unsheathing his scythe at Jarome Iginla after a fish-out-of-water impersonation. Oh, and the fact that his English is unintelligible doesn't help his cause.
Up front, it would be hard to argue that the Wings' top players were really miles ahead of the Flames'. Calgary boasted three 30-goal scorers in Iginla (39), Kristian Huselius (34), and Daymond Langkow (33); Detroit had two - Henrik Zetterberg (33) and Tomas Holmstrom (30). Alex Tanguay led the Flames with 59 assists; Datsyuk led the Wings with 60. Craig Conroy recovered from an abysmal 16 points in 52 games season with the L.A. Kings to score 21 in 28 for the Flames; Kyle Calder had an even worse year with Philly (21 in 59) before bouncing back for 14 in 19 in Detroit. Tony Amonte had his worst season in the NHL to date, with just 10 goals and 30 points; Robert Lang had a subpar year with 52. Matthew Lombardi and Dan Cleary both hit 20 goals for the first time in their careers. Jeff Friesen scored a pitiful 6 goals and 12 points, sadly still one better than last year; Todd Bertuzzi had an injury-riddled season.
But really, can you honestly say you'd prefer the Red Wings' top-five of Datsyuk, Zetterberg, Holmstrom, Lang, and Bertuzzi to the Flames' Iginla, Tanguay, Huselius, Langkow, and Conroy?
Depth-wise, Stephane Yelle and Marcus Nilson match up fairly well against Kris Draper and Kirk Maltby, although probably lagging slightly on the physical side. Beyond that, Byron Ritchie, Wayne Primeau, Darren McCarty, and Davis Moss cannot possibly be preferred to Mikael Samuelsson, Johan Franzen, Jiri Hudler, and Valtteri Filippula.
So the Flames could do better on the third and fourth lines, and the Wings' impressive drafting history shines through again. But that's not the most glaring difference.
On defence, Niklas Lidstrom, Mathieu Schneider, and Chris Chelios lead a Detroit blueline that's years ahead of the Flames'. Lidstrom and Schneider, point men on the Wings' PP, combined for 24 goals and 114 points; Dion Phaneuf and Roman Hamrlik had 24 goals and 88 points. Rhett Warrener's physical play equals that of Chelios, and Brad Stuart was a good late-season pickup, though sophomore Brett Lebda has been solid as well. Robyn Regehr and Niklas Kronvall both missed the playoffs due to injuries. The inconsistent play of Andrei Zyuzin and Mark Giordano probably ranks them below Danny Markov and Andreas Lilja. Though Zyuzin displayed flashes of offensive flair towards the end of the series, his poor defensive judgment has proven costly on many occasions, and does not justify his hefty price tag.
Despite employing three aging veterans on the blueline, the Wings clearly benefitted from their timeless talent and experience. Lidstrom has 15 years in the NHL and 174 playoff games under his belt, Schneider 17 years and 92 playoff games, and Chelios 22 years and 228 games. By contrast, Hamrlik has 14 years and 51 playoff games, Warrener 11 years and 95 games, and Stuart 7 years and 46 games. That's 44 combined years to 32, and 494 playoff games to 192 between the two teams' three most experienced defencemen.
Perhaps the most disturbing stat of all is the fact that Zyuzin, of all people, was the only Flame to finish the series at even plus/minus. At the other end, Zetterberg and Samuelsson finished at even. The difference? The rest of the Flames were minuses, and the rest of the Wings were plusses.
In conclusion? The Flames' current corp of D-men aren't as deep as the '04 edition. Regehr and Warrener are still around, and Phaneuf, Hamrlik, and Stuart are probably upgrades over Denis Gauthier, Jordan Leopold, and Toni Lydman. But somehow, Zyuzin, Giordano, and Hale just aren't as reliable as Andrew Ference, Steve Montador, and Mike Commodore.
The Flames can no longer claim to have the league's deepest defence. That honour goes to the Ottawa Senators, with Wade Redden, Tom Preissing, Joe Corvo, Andrej Meszaros, Chris Phillips, Christoph Schubert, and Anton Volchenkov to choose from, even in the post-Zdeno Chara era. Buffalo (Brian Campbell, Dimitri Kalinin, Teppo Numminen, Nathan Paetsch, Jaroslav Spacek, Toni Lydman, and Henrik Tallinder), Dallas (Sergei Zubov, Philippe Boucher, Darryl Sydor, Stephane Robidas, Trevor Daley, Mattias Norstrom, and Jon Klemm), Nashville (Kimmo Timonen, Marek Zidlicky, Shea Weber, Ryan Suter, Dan Hamhuis, and Vitaly Vishnevski), and San Jose (Matthew Carle, Christian Ehrhoff, Marc-Edouard Vlasic, Craig Rivet, Scott Hannan, and Kyle McLaren) are all challengers.
Anyway. The point is, the Flames need to get back to their old stingy selves if they want to go anywhere in the playoffs. Allowing 40 shots a game isn't gonna cut it at any level of hockey.
Thursday, April 12, 2007
Game 3
Finally snapped my drought with a topshelf wrister today, the last goal in a losing cause.
We're down 2-1 now in our best-of-5 series. Things are getting a little heated, tempers flaring, people getting physical.
Had a few chances earlier in the game too, but missed the net on one and couldn't stuff it past the goalie on others.
Used my feet a lot more today, indicative of my primal need for soccer.
We're down 2-1 now in our best-of-5 series. Things are getting a little heated, tempers flaring, people getting physical.
Had a few chances earlier in the game too, but missed the net on one and couldn't stuff it past the goalie on others.
Used my feet a lot more today, indicative of my primal need for soccer.
Inevitable
Just when you think I could make it through a game unscathed.
My teammate apparently had different thoughts when he shot the ball at my eye essentially at the buzzer.
The only good to come out of it was the extra long weekend, since I took the afternoon off Thursday after the game. My glasses were so bent out of shape, and I couldn't possibly read the screen without them anyway.
Kept the swelling down and saw my family doctor, who said it's only superficial. Still, it looked as though I was wearing eyeshadow and stuff.
Apparently blood vessels were ruptured in the eyeball, and half my eye was bright red by Sunday. It's almost completely gone now, so I think I'll be ready to go for today's game.
My teammate apparently had different thoughts when he shot the ball at my eye essentially at the buzzer.
The only good to come out of it was the extra long weekend, since I took the afternoon off Thursday after the game. My glasses were so bent out of shape, and I couldn't possibly read the screen without them anyway.
Kept the swelling down and saw my family doctor, who said it's only superficial. Still, it looked as though I was wearing eyeshadow and stuff.
Apparently blood vessels were ruptured in the eyeball, and half my eye was bright red by Sunday. It's almost completely gone now, so I think I'll be ready to go for today's game.
Tuesday, April 10, 2007
Please, Open Your Eyes
It's frustrating when people renounce religion and creationism by citing "scientific evidence".
It's especially irritating when they make it sound like science has proven there is no God, that science has proven life has evolved over unimaginable stretches of time with no need for an intelligent designer.
The scientific method gives us the framework for gathering information, organizing information, and understanding information. The basic idea is this:
1) A scientist proposes a hypothesis to explain a phenomenon.
2) The scientist then either experimentally or empirically verifies the hypothesis.
3) The scientist then combines verified hypotheses into a theory that explains them.
4) The scientific community tests and re-tests the theory through experiments and observations. Hence, experimental procedure used in initially verifying the theory must be reproducible in a controlled environment, in order to preserve the objectivity of the results.
People, please understand the fact that Evolution, Big Bang, Global Warming, etc. are all just theories.
Science cannot reproduce evolution, or the big bang, or global warming in a lab. Science cannot observe irrefutable evidence of evolution, or the big bang, or global warming. Any "evidence" they are able to put together, can just as easily be explained by a different theory. If you cannot prove it in a lab through repeatable experiments, you cannot prove a theory.
Evolution especially gets on my nerves. Nobody's ever seen a fish grow legs or a being that's half-chimp and half-human. Nobody's ever seen a live intermediate species. There is no proof, period. It's all fantasy in the heads of a bunch of scientists who want to believe they descended from apes. That way, they could do away with God and religion, morality and meaning. If life accidentally came out of a pond billions of years ago on its own, then life has no meaning, no reason, and thus man is not accountable to anyone but himself in this world of "Survival of the Fittest". He only needs to look out for number one. Nothing else matters. If intelligence can be evolved, then there is no right or wrong. One's intelligence is no more or less correct than another's.
Evolution proponents argue that the many similarities at the molecular levels between vastly different species is proof that some species evolved out of others. They say that all living things share common building blocks, such as DNA, and as these building blocks mutate and diversify, the living things speciated into different species. Unfortunately, the fact that vastly different kinds of animals share the same building blocks says nothing in favour of evolution. Just because a chair, a table, and a doghouse are all made of wood, doesn't mean one evolved out of the other naturally. The carpenter had the blueprints in his head, and though he used the same building blocks, the same material, the same tools to realize them, they were each their own kind. He did not gradually make taller and bigger chairs until one day he declared it a table, suitable for placing objects on rather than for sitting. Each had its own design, and each served its own purpose. He may, at some point, decide to add armrests to the chair, or make a three-legged round table instead of a four-legged square one, but a chair is nevertheless a chair designed for sitting, and a table is nevertheless a table on which objects are placed.
Evolution is not science. It is at best a theory, and at worst just another religion. If anything, it requires a bigger leap of faith to accept Evolution as truth than to accept the Bible as God's Word.
Evolution reduces us to animals. It says we're merely evolved apes. God says we're special. God says He created man "in His own image" (Genesis 1:27), and "breathed into his hostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being." (Genesis 2:7) God says we are to "rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air, over the livestock, over all the earth, and over all the creatures that move along the ground." (Genesis 1:26) God gave man the gift of intelligence, to the point where he named every living creature (Genesis 2:19-20). God prepared a home for man, a garden in Eden, where He "made all kinds of trees grow out of the ground—trees that were pleasing to the eye and good for food." (Genesis 2:9) God created man to have a relationship with him, to have fellowship with him. Only spiritual beings are capable of communicating with and seeking God, who is spirit. None of the other living creatures have ever displayed any God-seeking behaviour; only man is capable of praying. Only man is aware of the spiritual realm. We are and were created for His pleasure (Revelation 4:11).
The fact that we are not our own masters, that we are at the mercy of a higher being, that we are subject to an absolute moral standard, may offend some people. But choosing to ignore a fact does not make it go away.
It's especially irritating when they make it sound like science has proven there is no God, that science has proven life has evolved over unimaginable stretches of time with no need for an intelligent designer.
The scientific method gives us the framework for gathering information, organizing information, and understanding information. The basic idea is this:
1) A scientist proposes a hypothesis to explain a phenomenon.
2) The scientist then either experimentally or empirically verifies the hypothesis.
3) The scientist then combines verified hypotheses into a theory that explains them.
4) The scientific community tests and re-tests the theory through experiments and observations. Hence, experimental procedure used in initially verifying the theory must be reproducible in a controlled environment, in order to preserve the objectivity of the results.
People, please understand the fact that Evolution, Big Bang, Global Warming, etc. are all just theories.
Science cannot reproduce evolution, or the big bang, or global warming in a lab. Science cannot observe irrefutable evidence of evolution, or the big bang, or global warming. Any "evidence" they are able to put together, can just as easily be explained by a different theory. If you cannot prove it in a lab through repeatable experiments, you cannot prove a theory.
Evolution especially gets on my nerves. Nobody's ever seen a fish grow legs or a being that's half-chimp and half-human. Nobody's ever seen a live intermediate species. There is no proof, period. It's all fantasy in the heads of a bunch of scientists who want to believe they descended from apes. That way, they could do away with God and religion, morality and meaning. If life accidentally came out of a pond billions of years ago on its own, then life has no meaning, no reason, and thus man is not accountable to anyone but himself in this world of "Survival of the Fittest". He only needs to look out for number one. Nothing else matters. If intelligence can be evolved, then there is no right or wrong. One's intelligence is no more or less correct than another's.
Evolution proponents argue that the many similarities at the molecular levels between vastly different species is proof that some species evolved out of others. They say that all living things share common building blocks, such as DNA, and as these building blocks mutate and diversify, the living things speciated into different species. Unfortunately, the fact that vastly different kinds of animals share the same building blocks says nothing in favour of evolution. Just because a chair, a table, and a doghouse are all made of wood, doesn't mean one evolved out of the other naturally. The carpenter had the blueprints in his head, and though he used the same building blocks, the same material, the same tools to realize them, they were each their own kind. He did not gradually make taller and bigger chairs until one day he declared it a table, suitable for placing objects on rather than for sitting. Each had its own design, and each served its own purpose. He may, at some point, decide to add armrests to the chair, or make a three-legged round table instead of a four-legged square one, but a chair is nevertheless a chair designed for sitting, and a table is nevertheless a table on which objects are placed.
Evolution is not science. It is at best a theory, and at worst just another religion. If anything, it requires a bigger leap of faith to accept Evolution as truth than to accept the Bible as God's Word.
Evolution reduces us to animals. It says we're merely evolved apes. God says we're special. God says He created man "in His own image" (Genesis 1:27), and "breathed into his hostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being." (Genesis 2:7) God says we are to "rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air, over the livestock, over all the earth, and over all the creatures that move along the ground." (Genesis 1:26) God gave man the gift of intelligence, to the point where he named every living creature (Genesis 2:19-20). God prepared a home for man, a garden in Eden, where He "made all kinds of trees grow out of the ground—trees that were pleasing to the eye and good for food." (Genesis 2:9) God created man to have a relationship with him, to have fellowship with him. Only spiritual beings are capable of communicating with and seeking God, who is spirit. None of the other living creatures have ever displayed any God-seeking behaviour; only man is capable of praying. Only man is aware of the spiritual realm. We are and were created for His pleasure (Revelation 4:11).
The fact that we are not our own masters, that we are at the mercy of a higher being, that we are subject to an absolute moral standard, may offend some people. But choosing to ignore a fact does not make it go away.
Sunday, April 08, 2007
Enjoy
"A man can do nothing better than to eat and drink and find satisfaction in his work. This too, I see, is from the hand of God, for without him, who can eat or find enjoyment? To the man who pleases him, God gives wisdom, knowledge and happiness, but to the sinner he gives the task of gathering and storing up wealth to hand it over to the one who pleases God. This too is meaningless, a chasing after the wind." (Ecclesiastes 2:24-26)
"I know that there is nothing better for men than to be happy and do good while they live. That everyone may eat and drink, and find satisfaction in all his toil—this is the gift of God." (Ecclesiastes 3:12-13)
"Then I realized that it is good and proper for a man to eat and drink, and to find satisfaction in his toilsome labor under the sun during the few days of life God has given him—for this is his lot. Moreover, when God gives any man wealth and possessions, and enables him to enjoy them, to accept his lot and be happy in his work—this is a gift of God. He seldom reflects on the days of his life, because God keeps him occupied with gladness of heart." (Ecclesiastes 5:18-20)
"So I commend the enjoyment of life, because nothing is better for a man under the sun than to eat and drink and be glad. Then joy will accompany him in his work all the days of the life God has given him under the sun." (Ecclesiastes 8:15)
"Go, eat your food with gladness, and drink your wine with a joyful heart, for it is now that God favors what you do. Always be clothed in white, and always anoint your head with oil. Enjoy life with your wife, whom you love, all the days of this meaningless life that God has given you under the sun— all your meaningless days. For this is your lot in life and in your toilsome labor under the sun." (Ecclesiastes 9:7-9)
"Now all has been heard;
here is the conclusion of the matter:
Fear God and keep his commandments,
for this is the whole duty of man.
For God will bring every deed into judgment,
including every hidden thing,
whether it is good or evil." (Ecclesiastes 12:13-14)
"I know that there is nothing better for men than to be happy and do good while they live. That everyone may eat and drink, and find satisfaction in all his toil—this is the gift of God." (Ecclesiastes 3:12-13)
"Then I realized that it is good and proper for a man to eat and drink, and to find satisfaction in his toilsome labor under the sun during the few days of life God has given him—for this is his lot. Moreover, when God gives any man wealth and possessions, and enables him to enjoy them, to accept his lot and be happy in his work—this is a gift of God. He seldom reflects on the days of his life, because God keeps him occupied with gladness of heart." (Ecclesiastes 5:18-20)
"So I commend the enjoyment of life, because nothing is better for a man under the sun than to eat and drink and be glad. Then joy will accompany him in his work all the days of the life God has given him under the sun." (Ecclesiastes 8:15)
"Go, eat your food with gladness, and drink your wine with a joyful heart, for it is now that God favors what you do. Always be clothed in white, and always anoint your head with oil. Enjoy life with your wife, whom you love, all the days of this meaningless life that God has given you under the sun— all your meaningless days. For this is your lot in life and in your toilsome labor under the sun." (Ecclesiastes 9:7-9)
"Now all has been heard;
here is the conclusion of the matter:
Fear God and keep his commandments,
for this is the whole duty of man.
For God will bring every deed into judgment,
including every hidden thing,
whether it is good or evil." (Ecclesiastes 12:13-14)
Heartrending
You know what the saddest thing is?
That "... God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life" (John 3:16), for "we all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way; and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all." (Isaiah 53:6)
"... Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners..." (1 Timothy, 1:15), "He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him." (John 1:11)
It is so frustrating to hear, day in and day out, how people either cite evil as evidence of God's nonexistence, or attribute it to Him.
"The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God." (2 Corinthians 4:4)
"The fool says in his heart, 'There is no God.' They are corrupt, and their ways are vile; there is no one who does good." (Psalm 53:1)
How can one use evil as evidence against God's existence? If anything, evil should prove God's existence. For evil is simply deviance from God. You can't deviate from something that doesn't exist. Darkness cannot exist on its own; it is merely the lack of light. If light never existed, we wouldn't know what darkness was. Likewise, without some form of God's moral standards imprinted in our hearts, we wouldn't know what evil meant.
Worse yet, how can one attribute evil to God? If God is evil, then who is good? Man? It's only logical that if a God exists, He must represent pure goodness. It is impossible for created beings to have a higher moral standard than the Creator.
Yes, the world is a scary place.
"The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of men who suppress the truth by their wickedness, since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse.
For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened. Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images made to look like mortal man and birds and animals and reptiles.
Therefore God gave them over in the sinful desires of their hearts to sexual impurity for the degrading of their bodies with one another. They exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator—who is forever praised. Amen.
Because of this, God gave them over to shameful lusts. Even their women exchanged natural relations for unnatural ones. In the same way the men also abandoned natural relations with women and were inflamed with lust for one another. Men committed indecent acts with other men, and received in themselves the due penalty for their perversion.
Furthermore, since they did not think it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God, he gave them over to a depraved mind, to do what ought not to be done. They have become filled with every kind of wickedness, evil, greed and depravity. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit and malice. They are gossips, slanderers, God-haters, insolent, arrogant and boastful; they invent ways of doing evil; they disobey their parents; they are senseless, faithless, heartless, ruthless. Although they know God's righteous decree that those who do such things deserve death, they not only continue to do these very things but also approve of those who practice them." (Romans 1:18-32)
"I have written you in my letter not to associate with sexually immoral people — not at all meaning the people of this world who are immoral, or the greedy and swindlers, or idolaters. In that case you would have to leave this world." (1 Corinthians 5:9-10)
"Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. Because of these, the wrath of God is coming. You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived. But now you must rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips." (Colossians 3:5-8)
If it saddens me so to see these people, many of whom I've never even met, lost and wandering aimlessly through life, without Christ and without hope, and never finding the abundant life that God promised through Christ, who "[has] come that they may have life, and have it to the full" (John 10:10), how much more must God, who created each and every one of us, who knows each of us by name, who has numbered the very hairs of our heads (Matthew 10:30, Luke 12:7), who has known each of us since before we were even born (Psalm 22:9-10, 71:6, 139:13), despair at our refusal to repent and return to Him?
"The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field." (Matthew 9:37-38, Luke 10:2)
"Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, 'Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?'
And I said, 'Here am I. Send me!'" (Isaiah 6:8)
That "... God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life" (John 3:16), for "we all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way; and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all." (Isaiah 53:6)
"... Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners..." (1 Timothy, 1:15), "He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him." (John 1:11)
It is so frustrating to hear, day in and day out, how people either cite evil as evidence of God's nonexistence, or attribute it to Him.
"The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God." (2 Corinthians 4:4)
"The fool says in his heart, 'There is no God.' They are corrupt, and their ways are vile; there is no one who does good." (Psalm 53:1)
How can one use evil as evidence against God's existence? If anything, evil should prove God's existence. For evil is simply deviance from God. You can't deviate from something that doesn't exist. Darkness cannot exist on its own; it is merely the lack of light. If light never existed, we wouldn't know what darkness was. Likewise, without some form of God's moral standards imprinted in our hearts, we wouldn't know what evil meant.
Worse yet, how can one attribute evil to God? If God is evil, then who is good? Man? It's only logical that if a God exists, He must represent pure goodness. It is impossible for created beings to have a higher moral standard than the Creator.
Yes, the world is a scary place.
"The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of men who suppress the truth by their wickedness, since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse.
For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened. Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images made to look like mortal man and birds and animals and reptiles.
Therefore God gave them over in the sinful desires of their hearts to sexual impurity for the degrading of their bodies with one another. They exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator—who is forever praised. Amen.
Because of this, God gave them over to shameful lusts. Even their women exchanged natural relations for unnatural ones. In the same way the men also abandoned natural relations with women and were inflamed with lust for one another. Men committed indecent acts with other men, and received in themselves the due penalty for their perversion.
Furthermore, since they did not think it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God, he gave them over to a depraved mind, to do what ought not to be done. They have become filled with every kind of wickedness, evil, greed and depravity. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit and malice. They are gossips, slanderers, God-haters, insolent, arrogant and boastful; they invent ways of doing evil; they disobey their parents; they are senseless, faithless, heartless, ruthless. Although they know God's righteous decree that those who do such things deserve death, they not only continue to do these very things but also approve of those who practice them." (Romans 1:18-32)
"I have written you in my letter not to associate with sexually immoral people — not at all meaning the people of this world who are immoral, or the greedy and swindlers, or idolaters. In that case you would have to leave this world." (1 Corinthians 5:9-10)
"Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. Because of these, the wrath of God is coming. You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived. But now you must rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips." (Colossians 3:5-8)
If it saddens me so to see these people, many of whom I've never even met, lost and wandering aimlessly through life, without Christ and without hope, and never finding the abundant life that God promised through Christ, who "[has] come that they may have life, and have it to the full" (John 10:10), how much more must God, who created each and every one of us, who knows each of us by name, who has numbered the very hairs of our heads (Matthew 10:30, Luke 12:7), who has known each of us since before we were even born (Psalm 22:9-10, 71:6, 139:13), despair at our refusal to repent and return to Him?
"The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field." (Matthew 9:37-38, Luke 10:2)
"Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, 'Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?'
And I said, 'Here am I. Send me!'" (Isaiah 6:8)
Wednesday, March 28, 2007
Knowing God
Knowing God is like knowing your father.
As a child, you spend the majority of your time around your parents. They teach you, nurture you, and generally impress upon you how you should live your life.
As a child, you continually ask questions, and push the boundaries, and in doing so, learn more about their characters, their standards, their morals and rules.
Basically, you find out what is expected of you, what you can get away with, and what is off-limits.
That's why, as you get older (or, more accurately, as you mature), certain questions no longer need asking. You've learned to discipline yourself according to the expectations and rules. You know they'd like you to help out around the house with chores; whether you do is another matter. You know they expect you to be responsible for homework, for practices, for fueling up the car; whether you are, again, is another matter.
Likewise, a born-again Christian goes through the same process in the spiritual level.
The idea that we are "born again", as Jesus said to Nicodemus, implies that we're infant Christians who need to grow to the "full measure of Christ".
Just as newborns need to be attended to constantly, and can consume only milk and baby food, and are weak and fragile and cannot stand on their own, so too newborn Christians need to be cared for, and taught the basics of our faith, and need to be reminded constantly of the hope in Christ.
Just as toddlers constantly ask "Why?" and wreak havoc around the house, and need discipline as the parents begin to mould them as individuals, and seek to help out around the house (although not always with the desired results), so too toddler Christians need to have their faith reinforced, and to have rules laid down for them as to what is acceptable behaviour, and to be given the first opportunities to serve God (though they may not reach the expected standards).
Just as teenagers are bound to question authority, and rebel against established rules in their quest for freedom and independence, so too Christians are prone to question God's authority, God's law, God's love, God's faithfulness, God's will, and indeed everything about God. Their failure to recognize that God has their best interests in mind - that, indeed, "萬事互相效力, 叫愛神的人得益處" - prevents them from experiencing at its fullest depth the bountifulness of God's grace.
Actually, I've once again strayed from the original intention of this post...
The point was... that I'm asking questions that, because of the amount of time I've spent with God, and because of my knowledge of God, I already know the answers to.
I know I shouldn't be asking for such things, because I know they fly in the face of God's will. I know I'm better off without them.
Is it wrong then to ask? Is it a sin? Or will it merely disappoint God?
Will asking continually somehow make God change His mind? Will pestering Him endlessly somehow soften Him up? Will He allow something less than optimal to take place if we want it badly enough? Will there be a happy ending? Or will He merely use it to teach us a lesson?
If I thought it was something even worth praying for... I would. But I really don't. I don't even honestly think that God will relent and let me have it my way even if I prayed my heart out.
So... why bother?
As a child, you spend the majority of your time around your parents. They teach you, nurture you, and generally impress upon you how you should live your life.
As a child, you continually ask questions, and push the boundaries, and in doing so, learn more about their characters, their standards, their morals and rules.
Basically, you find out what is expected of you, what you can get away with, and what is off-limits.
That's why, as you get older (or, more accurately, as you mature), certain questions no longer need asking. You've learned to discipline yourself according to the expectations and rules. You know they'd like you to help out around the house with chores; whether you do is another matter. You know they expect you to be responsible for homework, for practices, for fueling up the car; whether you are, again, is another matter.
Likewise, a born-again Christian goes through the same process in the spiritual level.
The idea that we are "born again", as Jesus said to Nicodemus, implies that we're infant Christians who need to grow to the "full measure of Christ".
Just as newborns need to be attended to constantly, and can consume only milk and baby food, and are weak and fragile and cannot stand on their own, so too newborn Christians need to be cared for, and taught the basics of our faith, and need to be reminded constantly of the hope in Christ.
Just as toddlers constantly ask "Why?" and wreak havoc around the house, and need discipline as the parents begin to mould them as individuals, and seek to help out around the house (although not always with the desired results), so too toddler Christians need to have their faith reinforced, and to have rules laid down for them as to what is acceptable behaviour, and to be given the first opportunities to serve God (though they may not reach the expected standards).
Just as teenagers are bound to question authority, and rebel against established rules in their quest for freedom and independence, so too Christians are prone to question God's authority, God's law, God's love, God's faithfulness, God's will, and indeed everything about God. Their failure to recognize that God has their best interests in mind - that, indeed, "萬事互相效力, 叫愛神的人得益處" - prevents them from experiencing at its fullest depth the bountifulness of God's grace.
Actually, I've once again strayed from the original intention of this post...
The point was... that I'm asking questions that, because of the amount of time I've spent with God, and because of my knowledge of God, I already know the answers to.
I know I shouldn't be asking for such things, because I know they fly in the face of God's will. I know I'm better off without them.
Is it wrong then to ask? Is it a sin? Or will it merely disappoint God?
Will asking continually somehow make God change His mind? Will pestering Him endlessly somehow soften Him up? Will He allow something less than optimal to take place if we want it badly enough? Will there be a happy ending? Or will He merely use it to teach us a lesson?
If I thought it was something even worth praying for... I would. But I really don't. I don't even honestly think that God will relent and let me have it my way even if I prayed my heart out.
So... why bother?
Thursday, March 22, 2007
Things Happen When They Happen
I guess Joanne is right.
Whatever's gonna happen, will happen when they're gonna happen.
I cannot even begin to wonder what God's schedule is.
But my whole life... God has never failed me.
My education, my career... everything came together when they needed to.
So who am I to doubt God now?
All I can do is follow Him.
Whatever's gonna happen, will happen when they're gonna happen.
I cannot even begin to wonder what God's schedule is.
But my whole life... God has never failed me.
My education, my career... everything came together when they needed to.
So who am I to doubt God now?
All I can do is follow Him.
Tuesday, March 20, 2007
Detached
Reviewing my recent posts... and it feels like I'm losing touch with reality.
Too much going on inside my head...
I thus resolve to focus a little more on what's actually happening in the physical world.
Too much going on inside my head...
I thus resolve to focus a little more on what's actually happening in the physical world.
Opportunities
If an opportunity presents itself, how do I know if the opportunity is from God?
Opportunities, in and of themselves, are neither good nor evil. They merely present us with the choice of doing either. An opportunity to dishonor God is also an opportunity to honor Him. An opportunity to stray from God is also an opportunity to follow Him. An opportunity to blaspheme God is also an opportunity to praise Him. An opportunity to wallow in self-pity is also an opportunity to count your blessings. An opportunity to avenge is also an opportunity to forgive.
The real question here is not whether the opportunity is good or evil, but whether our choice is good or evil. Furthermore, do we know what constitutes good and evil? How do we distinguish good from evil? What are the criteria? Because without criteria, we "cannot tell [our] right hand from [our] left". (Jonah 4:11)
Lastly, is there such a thing as an inconsequential or neutral reaction? Is it possible for a choice to be neither good nor evil? It feels like we're moving away from binary logic, into tri-state logic or even the realms of fuzzy logic.
Opportunities, in and of themselves, are neither good nor evil. They merely present us with the choice of doing either. An opportunity to dishonor God is also an opportunity to honor Him. An opportunity to stray from God is also an opportunity to follow Him. An opportunity to blaspheme God is also an opportunity to praise Him. An opportunity to wallow in self-pity is also an opportunity to count your blessings. An opportunity to avenge is also an opportunity to forgive.
The real question here is not whether the opportunity is good or evil, but whether our choice is good or evil. Furthermore, do we know what constitutes good and evil? How do we distinguish good from evil? What are the criteria? Because without criteria, we "cannot tell [our] right hand from [our] left". (Jonah 4:11)
Lastly, is there such a thing as an inconsequential or neutral reaction? Is it possible for a choice to be neither good nor evil? It feels like we're moving away from binary logic, into tri-state logic or even the realms of fuzzy logic.
Forget Me Not...
Been going through old photos the last couple days...
It's like picking scab off a healing wound, then rubbing salt into it, then pouring alcohol onto it, then taking a pen and jabbing at it just for kicks.
Why do I do this to myself? I don't know.
I guess I'm trying to remind myself of the pain... lest I ever forget how it felt.
Is it healthy? Probably not.
What's closer to the truth? "What doesn't kill you makes you stronger"? Or "一朝被蛇咬, 十年怕井繩"?
It's like picking scab off a healing wound, then rubbing salt into it, then pouring alcohol onto it, then taking a pen and jabbing at it just for kicks.
Why do I do this to myself? I don't know.
I guess I'm trying to remind myself of the pain... lest I ever forget how it felt.
Is it healthy? Probably not.
What's closer to the truth? "What doesn't kill you makes you stronger"? Or "一朝被蛇咬, 十年怕井繩"?
Priorities...
"But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you." - Matthew 6:33 KJV
"你們要先求他的國和他的義, 這些東西都要加給你們了." -太 六：33
Rev. Kwan was saying, in Sunday School (sorry, I just can't get used to the "Bible School" moniker... it'll always be Sunday School to me, even on Saturdays...), that Isaac was much more blessed in his marriage than his son Jacob, because he allowed his dad, Abraham, to choose his bride (actually, Abraham entrusted that task to a servant...), who turned out to be Rebekah. Jacob, on the other hand, chose his own wife in Rachel.
Let us compare the two...
Abraham's servant prayed to God, "O LORD, God of my master Abraham, give me success today, and show kindness to my master Abraham. See, I am standing beside this spring, and the daughters of the townspeople are coming out to draw water. May it be that when I say to a girl, 'Please let down your jar that I may have a drink,' and she says, 'Drink, and I'll water your camels too'-let her be the one you have chosen for your servant Isaac. By this I will know that you have shown kindness to my master." (Genesis 24:12-14)
Et voila! "Before he had finished praying, Rebekah came out with her jar on her shoulder. She was the daughter of Bethuel son of Milcah, who was the wife of Abraham's brother Nahor. The girl was very beautiful, a virgin; no man had ever lain with her. She went down to the spring, filled her jar and came up again. The servant hurried to meet her and said, 'Please give me a little water from your jar.' 'Drink, my lord,' she said, and quickly lowered the jar to her hands and gave him a drink. After she had given him a drink, she said, 'I'll draw water for your camels too, until they have finished drinking.' So she quickly emptied her jar into the trough, ran back to the well to draw more water, and drew enough for all his camels. Without saying a word, the man watched her closely to learn whether or not the LORD had made his journey successful." (Genesis 24:15-21)
Meanwhile, how did Jacob choose Rachel? "Now Laban had two daughters; the name of the older was Leah, and the name of the younger was Rachel. Leah had weak eyes, but Rachel was lovely in form, and beautiful. Jacob was in love with Rachel and said, 'I'll work for you seven years in return for your younger daughter Rachel.'" (Genesis 29:16-18)
An aside... we already saw the servant's attitude in Rebekah... what can we see in Rachel?
"When Laban had gone to shear his sheep, Rachel stole her father's household gods... Jacob had pitched his tent in the hill country of Gilead when Laban overtook him, and Laban and his relatives camped there too. Then Laban said to Jacob, 'What have you done? You've deceived me, and you've carried off my daughters like captives in war. Why did you run off secretly and deceive me? Why didn't you tell me, so I could send you away with joy and singing to the music of tambourines and harps? You didn't even let me kiss my grandchildren and my daughters good-by. You have done a foolish thing. I have the power to harm you; but last night the God of your father said to me, "Be careful not to say anything to Jacob, either good or bad." Now you have gone off because you longed to return to your father's house. But why did you steal my gods?' Jacob answered Laban, 'I was afraid, because I thought you would take your daughters away from me by force. But if you find anyone who has your gods, he shall not live. In the presence of our relatives, see for yourself whether there is anything of yours here with me; and if so, take it.' Now Jacob did not know that Rachel had stolen the gods. So Laban went into Jacob's tent and into Leah's tent and into the tent of the two maidservants, but he found nothing. After he came out of Leah's tent, he entered Rachel's tent. Now Rachel had taken the household gods and put them inside her camel's saddle and was sitting on them. Laban searched through everything in the tent but found nothing. Rachel said to her father, 'Don't be angry, my lord, that I cannot stand up in your presence; I'm having my period.' So he searched but could not find the household gods. Jacob was angry and took Laban to task. 'What is my crime?' he asked Laban. 'What sin have I committed that you hunt me down? Now that you have searched through all my goods, what have you found that belongs to your household? Put it here in front of your relatives and mine, and let them judge between the two of us.'" (Genesis 31:19, 25-37)
So whereas Rebekah was submissive, Rachel was deceitful to both her husband and her father. But hey, hold on, what's this?
"When Isaac was old and his eyes were so weak that he could no longer see, he called for Esau his older son and said to him, 'My son.' 'Here I am,' he answered. Isaac said, 'I am now an old man and don't know the day of my death. Now then, get your weapons—your quiver and bow—and go out to the open country to hunt some wild game for me. Prepare me the kind of tasty food I like and bring it to me to eat, so that I may give you my blessing before I die.' Now Rebekah was listening as Isaac spoke to his son Esau. When Esau left for the open country to hunt game and bring it back, Rebekah said to her son Jacob, 'Look, I overheard your father say to your brother Esau, "Bring me some game and prepare me some tasty food to eat, so that I may give you my blessing in the presence of the LORD before I die." Now, my son, listen carefully and do what I tell you: Go out to the flock and bring me two choice young goats, so I can prepare some tasty food for your father, just the way he likes it. Then take it to your father to eat, so that he may give you his blessing before he dies.' Jacob said to Rebekah his mother, 'But my brother Esau is a hairy man, and I'm a man with smooth skin. What if my father touches me? I would appear to be tricking him and would bring down a curse on myself rather than a blessing.' His mother said to him, 'My son, let the curse fall on me. Just do what I say; go and get them for me.'" (Genesis 27:1-13)
So it looks like Rebekah isn't completely innocent either.
Back to the original trian of thought... so Isaac's marriage was arranged, and representative of feudal society, whereas Jacob chose his own wife, thus more representative of modern society.
What were the consequences?
"Now Isaac had come from Beer Lahai Roi, for he was living in the Negev. He went out to the field one evening to meditate, and as he looked up, he saw camels approaching. Rebekah also looked up and saw Isaac. She got down from her camel and asked the servant, 'Who is that man in the field coming to meet us?' 'He is my master,' the servant answered. So she took her veil and covered herself. Then the servant told Isaac all he had done. Isaac brought her into the tent of his mother Sarah, and he married Rebekah. So she became his wife, and he loved her; and Isaac was comforted after his mother's death." (Genesis 24:62-67)
"When Rachel saw that she was not bearing Jacob any children, she became jealous of her sister. So she said to Jacob, 'Give me children, or I'll die!' Jacob became angry with her and said, 'Am I in the place of God, who has kept you from having children?'" (Genesis 30:1-2)
Despite not meeting Rebekah until practically wedding day, Isaac loved her. Jacob's family, however, was a mess - plagued by jealousy and rivalry.
But was it all down to the fact that Jacob chose his own wife? Let us see what Isaac said to him while sending him away...
"So Isaac called for Jacob and blessed him and commanded him: 'Do not marry a Canaanite woman. Go at once to Paddan Aram, to the house of your mother's father Bethuel. Take a wife for yourself there, from among the daughters of Laban, your mother's brother. May God Almighty bless you and make you fruitful and increase your numbers until you become a community of peoples. May he give you and your descendants the blessing given to Abraham, so that you may take possession of the land where you now live as an alien, the land God gave to Abraham.' Then Isaac sent Jacob on his way, and he went to Paddan Aram, to Laban son of Bethuel the Aramean, the brother of Rebekah, who was the mother of Jacob and Esau." (Genesis 28:1-5)
So in reality, Jacob had done all that his father commanded him. Although Isaac and Rebekah never met Leah or Rachel, Jacob had done exactly as his father said: Take a wife from among the daughter's of Laban. Which left him with one simple choice: Leah or Rachel. Was one choice really that much better or worse than the other?
Either way, we know God has the power to use all things, good or bad, to fulfill His ultimate will. Though Jacob's years were "few and difficult" (Genesis 47:9), God's promises to him were fulfilled nevertheless: "I will give you and your descendants the land on which you are lying. Your descendants will be like the dust of the earth, and you will spread out to the west and to the east, to the north and to the south. All peoples on earth will be blessed through you and your offspring. I am with you and will watch over you wherever you go, and I will bring you back to this land. I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you." (Genesis 28:13-15)
So what, really, is the conclusion here? Are we for or against arranged marriage?
If we really wanted to examine a case where the parents were seriously displeased with a child's disobedience in the matters of marriage, should we not look at Esau instead?
I've been going on and on... and I just realized I don't even know what the original point of this post was...
I think part of it is trying to figure out how involved my parents need to be when it comes to my future marriage... and another part of it is trying to figure out how to actually find the girl I should marry...
"你們要先求他的國和他的義, 這些東西都要加給你們了." -太 六：33
Rev. Kwan was saying, in Sunday School (sorry, I just can't get used to the "Bible School" moniker... it'll always be Sunday School to me, even on Saturdays...), that Isaac was much more blessed in his marriage than his son Jacob, because he allowed his dad, Abraham, to choose his bride (actually, Abraham entrusted that task to a servant...), who turned out to be Rebekah. Jacob, on the other hand, chose his own wife in Rachel.
Let us compare the two...
Abraham's servant prayed to God, "O LORD, God of my master Abraham, give me success today, and show kindness to my master Abraham. See, I am standing beside this spring, and the daughters of the townspeople are coming out to draw water. May it be that when I say to a girl, 'Please let down your jar that I may have a drink,' and she says, 'Drink, and I'll water your camels too'-let her be the one you have chosen for your servant Isaac. By this I will know that you have shown kindness to my master." (Genesis 24:12-14)
Et voila! "Before he had finished praying, Rebekah came out with her jar on her shoulder. She was the daughter of Bethuel son of Milcah, who was the wife of Abraham's brother Nahor. The girl was very beautiful, a virgin; no man had ever lain with her. She went down to the spring, filled her jar and came up again. The servant hurried to meet her and said, 'Please give me a little water from your jar.' 'Drink, my lord,' she said, and quickly lowered the jar to her hands and gave him a drink. After she had given him a drink, she said, 'I'll draw water for your camels too, until they have finished drinking.' So she quickly emptied her jar into the trough, ran back to the well to draw more water, and drew enough for all his camels. Without saying a word, the man watched her closely to learn whether or not the LORD had made his journey successful." (Genesis 24:15-21)
Meanwhile, how did Jacob choose Rachel? "Now Laban had two daughters; the name of the older was Leah, and the name of the younger was Rachel. Leah had weak eyes, but Rachel was lovely in form, and beautiful. Jacob was in love with Rachel and said, 'I'll work for you seven years in return for your younger daughter Rachel.'" (Genesis 29:16-18)
An aside... we already saw the servant's attitude in Rebekah... what can we see in Rachel?
"When Laban had gone to shear his sheep, Rachel stole her father's household gods... Jacob had pitched his tent in the hill country of Gilead when Laban overtook him, and Laban and his relatives camped there too. Then Laban said to Jacob, 'What have you done? You've deceived me, and you've carried off my daughters like captives in war. Why did you run off secretly and deceive me? Why didn't you tell me, so I could send you away with joy and singing to the music of tambourines and harps? You didn't even let me kiss my grandchildren and my daughters good-by. You have done a foolish thing. I have the power to harm you; but last night the God of your father said to me, "Be careful not to say anything to Jacob, either good or bad." Now you have gone off because you longed to return to your father's house. But why did you steal my gods?' Jacob answered Laban, 'I was afraid, because I thought you would take your daughters away from me by force. But if you find anyone who has your gods, he shall not live. In the presence of our relatives, see for yourself whether there is anything of yours here with me; and if so, take it.' Now Jacob did not know that Rachel had stolen the gods. So Laban went into Jacob's tent and into Leah's tent and into the tent of the two maidservants, but he found nothing. After he came out of Leah's tent, he entered Rachel's tent. Now Rachel had taken the household gods and put them inside her camel's saddle and was sitting on them. Laban searched through everything in the tent but found nothing. Rachel said to her father, 'Don't be angry, my lord, that I cannot stand up in your presence; I'm having my period.' So he searched but could not find the household gods. Jacob was angry and took Laban to task. 'What is my crime?' he asked Laban. 'What sin have I committed that you hunt me down? Now that you have searched through all my goods, what have you found that belongs to your household? Put it here in front of your relatives and mine, and let them judge between the two of us.'" (Genesis 31:19, 25-37)
So whereas Rebekah was submissive, Rachel was deceitful to both her husband and her father. But hey, hold on, what's this?
"When Isaac was old and his eyes were so weak that he could no longer see, he called for Esau his older son and said to him, 'My son.' 'Here I am,' he answered. Isaac said, 'I am now an old man and don't know the day of my death. Now then, get your weapons—your quiver and bow—and go out to the open country to hunt some wild game for me. Prepare me the kind of tasty food I like and bring it to me to eat, so that I may give you my blessing before I die.' Now Rebekah was listening as Isaac spoke to his son Esau. When Esau left for the open country to hunt game and bring it back, Rebekah said to her son Jacob, 'Look, I overheard your father say to your brother Esau, "Bring me some game and prepare me some tasty food to eat, so that I may give you my blessing in the presence of the LORD before I die." Now, my son, listen carefully and do what I tell you: Go out to the flock and bring me two choice young goats, so I can prepare some tasty food for your father, just the way he likes it. Then take it to your father to eat, so that he may give you his blessing before he dies.' Jacob said to Rebekah his mother, 'But my brother Esau is a hairy man, and I'm a man with smooth skin. What if my father touches me? I would appear to be tricking him and would bring down a curse on myself rather than a blessing.' His mother said to him, 'My son, let the curse fall on me. Just do what I say; go and get them for me.'" (Genesis 27:1-13)
So it looks like Rebekah isn't completely innocent either.
Back to the original trian of thought... so Isaac's marriage was arranged, and representative of feudal society, whereas Jacob chose his own wife, thus more representative of modern society.
What were the consequences?
"Now Isaac had come from Beer Lahai Roi, for he was living in the Negev. He went out to the field one evening to meditate, and as he looked up, he saw camels approaching. Rebekah also looked up and saw Isaac. She got down from her camel and asked the servant, 'Who is that man in the field coming to meet us?' 'He is my master,' the servant answered. So she took her veil and covered herself. Then the servant told Isaac all he had done. Isaac brought her into the tent of his mother Sarah, and he married Rebekah. So she became his wife, and he loved her; and Isaac was comforted after his mother's death." (Genesis 24:62-67)
"When Rachel saw that she was not bearing Jacob any children, she became jealous of her sister. So she said to Jacob, 'Give me children, or I'll die!' Jacob became angry with her and said, 'Am I in the place of God, who has kept you from having children?'" (Genesis 30:1-2)
Despite not meeting Rebekah until practically wedding day, Isaac loved her. Jacob's family, however, was a mess - plagued by jealousy and rivalry.
But was it all down to the fact that Jacob chose his own wife? Let us see what Isaac said to him while sending him away...
"So Isaac called for Jacob and blessed him and commanded him: 'Do not marry a Canaanite woman. Go at once to Paddan Aram, to the house of your mother's father Bethuel. Take a wife for yourself there, from among the daughters of Laban, your mother's brother. May God Almighty bless you and make you fruitful and increase your numbers until you become a community of peoples. May he give you and your descendants the blessing given to Abraham, so that you may take possession of the land where you now live as an alien, the land God gave to Abraham.' Then Isaac sent Jacob on his way, and he went to Paddan Aram, to Laban son of Bethuel the Aramean, the brother of Rebekah, who was the mother of Jacob and Esau." (Genesis 28:1-5)
So in reality, Jacob had done all that his father commanded him. Although Isaac and Rebekah never met Leah or Rachel, Jacob had done exactly as his father said: Take a wife from among the daughter's of Laban. Which left him with one simple choice: Leah or Rachel. Was one choice really that much better or worse than the other?
Either way, we know God has the power to use all things, good or bad, to fulfill His ultimate will. Though Jacob's years were "few and difficult" (Genesis 47:9), God's promises to him were fulfilled nevertheless: "I will give you and your descendants the land on which you are lying. Your descendants will be like the dust of the earth, and you will spread out to the west and to the east, to the north and to the south. All peoples on earth will be blessed through you and your offspring. I am with you and will watch over you wherever you go, and I will bring you back to this land. I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you." (Genesis 28:13-15)
So what, really, is the conclusion here? Are we for or against arranged marriage?
If we really wanted to examine a case where the parents were seriously displeased with a child's disobedience in the matters of marriage, should we not look at Esau instead?
I've been going on and on... and I just realized I don't even know what the original point of this post was...
I think part of it is trying to figure out how involved my parents need to be when it comes to my future marriage... and another part of it is trying to figure out how to actually find the girl I should marry...
Eyes
I like to take pictures...
I take pictures of the oddest things... including my Hoops & Yoyo plushes...
But... I don't like being in pictures...
And suddenly... one day...
I realize there aren't many pictures of myself...
Plenty of records of what I've seen with my own eyes...
But very little of what others see of me...
And... thus... I can't tell what others see when they look at me...
I take pictures of the oddest things... including my Hoops & Yoyo plushes...
But... I don't like being in pictures...
And suddenly... one day...
I realize there aren't many pictures of myself...
Plenty of records of what I've seen with my own eyes...
But very little of what others see of me...
And... thus... I can't tell what others see when they look at me...
Saturday, March 17, 2007
Ramblings...
I wanna slowdance with you... holding you in my arms... your head on my shoulder... as we sway to the music under the moonlight...
I wanna hold your hand... and your gaze... and watch you shyly look away as the sunset flickers in your eyes... and listen to your voice against the waves... as you snuggle your sandy feet against mine, wriggling your toes...
I wanna sing you a love song... with my voice and my guitar... and I'll misplay many notes... and you'll hear and laugh... and I'll laugh along and keep going anyway...
But my sweet love... forgive me this... when I'm on the field running after a ball with twenty-one other men... and I seem to forget you... know that every goal I score... and every match I win... I dedicate to you...
I wanna hold your hand... and your gaze... and watch you shyly look away as the sunset flickers in your eyes... and listen to your voice against the waves... as you snuggle your sandy feet against mine, wriggling your toes...
I wanna sing you a love song... with my voice and my guitar... and I'll misplay many notes... and you'll hear and laugh... and I'll laugh along and keep going anyway...
But my sweet love... forgive me this... when I'm on the field running after a ball with twenty-one other men... and I seem to forget you... know that every goal I score... and every match I win... I dedicate to you...
Wednesday, March 14, 2007
Five Stages of Drunkenness
Denial - "I'm not drunk!"
Anger - *Shaking fists* "I said I'm not *bleep*ing drunk!!!"
Bargaining - "Come on, let me have one more beer."
Depression - "Oh sh*t, there's no more beer."
Acceptance - *Slurring* "Mmmmk I'm drunk..." *Topples over and falls off barstool*
Anger - *Shaking fists* "I said I'm not *bleep*ing drunk!!!"
Bargaining - "Come on, let me have one more beer."
Depression - "Oh sh*t, there's no more beer."
Acceptance - *Slurring* "Mmmmk I'm drunk..." *Topples over and falls off barstool*
WWJD?
Having a major faith crisis.
Missed the first train this morning, and as I was waiting on the platform, a couple of train operators chased a woman off the train that was going out of service for the morning.
She stumbled off the train and sat down on the bench, shivering and fidgeting. Everybody just looked on.
I didn't know what to do. I wanted to ask if she was alright, if she wanted to go inside and stay warm. I wanted to offer her something to eat or drink.
But I just stood there, watching, wondering, like the rest of the world.
The next train came and she scurried on, and I lost sight of her.
The entire way to downtown, I felt awful and couldn't fall asleep. What happened next only made matters worse.
Just as we left City Hall, a coworker of mine left his seat halfway down the car and sat down next to me. Then I heard loud mumblings in the direction from which he came. I asked if somebody was talking to himself. He said some guy on painkillers or something sat down next to him, and he didn't feel like chatting, so he got up and walked away.
I was torn. I didn't know what I could or should do. Was I supposed to get up and go to this man to see if he needed help? Was I supposed to talk to him? Preach to him? Was I supposed to do anything to show my coworker what Christians do in this world? I couldn't. I just sat there looking out my window as though nothing was going on.
"You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men.
"You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven." - Matthew 5:13-16
By now I was in a full-blown crisis. What kind of Christian am I? How was I remotely different from anyone else? Did I feel compassion for these people? Sure. But how does that mean anything when it doesn't translate into actions? I could blame it on my personality, my upbringing. But is faith not supposed to transform a person? I'm nearly too ashamed to profess my faith anymore.
Does this make me a hypocrite? Am I no better than a Pharisee?
As I got up to get off at my stop, I saw the woman again, curled up in a seat not ten feet from mine. It was the final slap in the face.
Missed the first train this morning, and as I was waiting on the platform, a couple of train operators chased a woman off the train that was going out of service for the morning.
She stumbled off the train and sat down on the bench, shivering and fidgeting. Everybody just looked on.
I didn't know what to do. I wanted to ask if she was alright, if she wanted to go inside and stay warm. I wanted to offer her something to eat or drink.
But I just stood there, watching, wondering, like the rest of the world.
The next train came and she scurried on, and I lost sight of her.
The entire way to downtown, I felt awful and couldn't fall asleep. What happened next only made matters worse.
Just as we left City Hall, a coworker of mine left his seat halfway down the car and sat down next to me. Then I heard loud mumblings in the direction from which he came. I asked if somebody was talking to himself. He said some guy on painkillers or something sat down next to him, and he didn't feel like chatting, so he got up and walked away.
I was torn. I didn't know what I could or should do. Was I supposed to get up and go to this man to see if he needed help? Was I supposed to talk to him? Preach to him? Was I supposed to do anything to show my coworker what Christians do in this world? I couldn't. I just sat there looking out my window as though nothing was going on.
"You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men.
"You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven." - Matthew 5:13-16
By now I was in a full-blown crisis. What kind of Christian am I? How was I remotely different from anyone else? Did I feel compassion for these people? Sure. But how does that mean anything when it doesn't translate into actions? I could blame it on my personality, my upbringing. But is faith not supposed to transform a person? I'm nearly too ashamed to profess my faith anymore.
Does this make me a hypocrite? Am I no better than a Pharisee?
As I got up to get off at my stop, I saw the woman again, curled up in a seat not ten feet from mine. It was the final slap in the face.
Monday, March 05, 2007
Müde
Anxiety is like a debilitating toxin...
It slowly eats away at your emotional being... leaving you dysfunctional and vulnerable...
Your physical health is compromised as well... as your body becomes deprived of rest...
All that energy that could translate into productivity... instead is wasted on senseless wanderings of the mind...
Life would be so much simpler if one could stop worrying... just do what is asked of him... and "qué será, será"...
It slowly eats away at your emotional being... leaving you dysfunctional and vulnerable...
Your physical health is compromised as well... as your body becomes deprived of rest...
All that energy that could translate into productivity... instead is wasted on senseless wanderings of the mind...
Life would be so much simpler if one could stop worrying... just do what is asked of him... and "qué será, será"...
Sunday, February 25, 2007
Exhaustion
So tired... so so so tired...
Enough church stuff for now... I need to recharge...
I can't believe tomorrow's Monday already... I hardly had a break all weekend...
It's so bad I can't even type properly now...
Enough church stuff for now... I need to recharge...
I can't believe tomorrow's Monday already... I hardly had a break all weekend...
It's so bad I can't even type properly now...
Thursday, February 22, 2007
反省
有時發覺, 其實自己真係成日戴有色眼鏡睇人, 特別係基督徒.
不論係外人定自己人, 都不能幸免.
牧師講得啱, 評事易, 了事難.
成日都好多嘢睇唔過眼, 覺得嘩乜呢啲就係所謂嘅基督徒呀? 唔怪得之教會每況越下.
"你們不要論斷人, 免得你們被論斷. 因為你們怎樣論斷人, 也必怎樣被論斷； 你們用甚麼量器量給人, 也必用甚麼量器量給你們. 為甚麼看見你弟兄眼中有刺, 卻不想自己眼中有梁木呢? 你自己眼中有梁木, 怎能對你弟兄說: 容我去掉你眼中的刺呢? 你這假冒為善的人! 先去掉自己眼中的梁木, 然後才能看得清楚, 去掉你弟兄眼中的刺." -馬太福音 七:1-5
留意最尾一句, 顯然並非否定弟兄眼中有刺. 經文並唔係話我哋因爲自己眼中有梁木而眼花花睇錯弟兄眼中有刺, 而係弟兄眼中真係有刺. 不過我哋要做嘅係先正己身, 正如...
"你們中間誰是沒有罪的, 誰就可以先拿石頭打他." -約翰福音 八:7
而正因爲我哋冇一個可以做到冇罪, 所以更加唔能夠論斷人.
再而...
"你是誰, 竟論斷別人的僕人呢? 他或站住, 或跌倒, 自有他的主人在; 而且他也必要站住, 因為主能使他站住... 你這個人, 為甚麼論斷弟兄呢? 又為甚麼輕看弟兄呢? 因我們都要站在神的臺前. 經上寫著: 主說: 我憑著我的永生起誓： 萬膝必向我跪拜；萬口必向我承認. 這樣看來, 我們各人必要將自己的事在神面前說明. 所以, 我們不可再彼此論斷, 寧可定意誰也不給弟兄放下絆腳跌人之物." -羅馬書 十四:4, 10-13
然而, 亦唔係話其他人冇權論斷我, 神又話我"凡事都能作", 就可以任意妄爲...
"凡事都可行, 但不都有益處. 凡事都可行, 但不都造就人. 無論何人, 不要求自己的益處, 乃要求別人的益處." -哥林多前書 十:23-24
"無論是吃肉, 是喝酒, 是甚麼別的事, 叫弟兄跌倒, 一概不做才好." -羅馬書 十四:21
呢個"甚麽別的事", 可以好廣泛, 但"最要緊的是彼此切實相愛" (彼得前書 四:8), 凡事以造就別人為宗旨.
講咗好多, 大家慢慢消化下.
不論係外人定自己人, 都不能幸免.
牧師講得啱, 評事易, 了事難.
成日都好多嘢睇唔過眼, 覺得嘩乜呢啲就係所謂嘅基督徒呀? 唔怪得之教會每況越下.
"你們不要論斷人, 免得你們被論斷. 因為你們怎樣論斷人, 也必怎樣被論斷； 你們用甚麼量器量給人, 也必用甚麼量器量給你們. 為甚麼看見你弟兄眼中有刺, 卻不想自己眼中有梁木呢? 你自己眼中有梁木, 怎能對你弟兄說: 容我去掉你眼中的刺呢? 你這假冒為善的人! 先去掉自己眼中的梁木, 然後才能看得清楚, 去掉你弟兄眼中的刺." -馬太福音 七:1-5
留意最尾一句, 顯然並非否定弟兄眼中有刺. 經文並唔係話我哋因爲自己眼中有梁木而眼花花睇錯弟兄眼中有刺, 而係弟兄眼中真係有刺. 不過我哋要做嘅係先正己身, 正如...
"你們中間誰是沒有罪的, 誰就可以先拿石頭打他." -約翰福音 八:7
而正因爲我哋冇一個可以做到冇罪, 所以更加唔能夠論斷人.
再而...
"你是誰, 竟論斷別人的僕人呢? 他或站住, 或跌倒, 自有他的主人在; 而且他也必要站住, 因為主能使他站住... 你這個人, 為甚麼論斷弟兄呢? 又為甚麼輕看弟兄呢? 因我們都要站在神的臺前. 經上寫著: 主說: 我憑著我的永生起誓： 萬膝必向我跪拜；萬口必向我承認. 這樣看來, 我們各人必要將自己的事在神面前說明. 所以, 我們不可再彼此論斷, 寧可定意誰也不給弟兄放下絆腳跌人之物." -羅馬書 十四:4, 10-13
然而, 亦唔係話其他人冇權論斷我, 神又話我"凡事都能作", 就可以任意妄爲...
"凡事都可行, 但不都有益處. 凡事都可行, 但不都造就人. 無論何人, 不要求自己的益處, 乃要求別人的益處." -哥林多前書 十:23-24
"無論是吃肉, 是喝酒, 是甚麼別的事, 叫弟兄跌倒, 一概不做才好." -羅馬書 十四:21
呢個"甚麽別的事", 可以好廣泛, 但"最要緊的是彼此切實相愛" (彼得前書 四:8), 凡事以造就別人為宗旨.
講咗好多, 大家慢慢消化下.
Wednesday, February 21, 2007
Tuesday, February 20, 2007
Praise the LORD...
... for He is faithful~
Ecstatic right now, so humbled and grateful and delighted all at the same time.
The LORD indeed "[throws] open the floodgates of heaven and [pours] out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it." (Malachi 3:10)
"Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows." (James 1:17)
"For great is his love toward us, and the faithfulness of the LORD endures forever. Praise the LORD." (Psalm 117:2)
"Great is thy faithfulness." (Lamentations 3:23)
"I will sing of the LORD's great love forever; with my mouth I will make your faithfulness known through all generations. I will declare that your love stands firm forever, that you established your faithfulness in heaven itself." (Psalm 89:1-2)
Do I deserve any of this? Certainly not! Yet the LORD has considered me worthy. Praise Him!
Is it because of anything I've done? Absolutely not! Yet the LORD has looked beyond my faults. Praise Him!
Boy if I'm this happy over nothing... wait till the day some girl somewhere says "Yes!"...
Ecstatic right now, so humbled and grateful and delighted all at the same time.
The LORD indeed "[throws] open the floodgates of heaven and [pours] out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it." (Malachi 3:10)
"Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows." (James 1:17)
"For great is his love toward us, and the faithfulness of the LORD endures forever. Praise the LORD." (Psalm 117:2)
"Great is thy faithfulness." (Lamentations 3:23)
"I will sing of the LORD's great love forever; with my mouth I will make your faithfulness known through all generations. I will declare that your love stands firm forever, that you established your faithfulness in heaven itself." (Psalm 89:1-2)
Do I deserve any of this? Certainly not! Yet the LORD has considered me worthy. Praise Him!
Is it because of anything I've done? Absolutely not! Yet the LORD has looked beyond my faults. Praise Him!
Boy if I'm this happy over nothing... wait till the day some girl somewhere says "Yes!"...
She Has No Time...
... for you now...
Always loved this song by Keane.
You think your days are uneventful
And no one ever thinks about you
She goes her own way
She goes her own way
You think your days are ordinary
And no one ever thinks about you
But we're all the same
And she can hardly breathe without you
She says she has no time for you now
She says she has no time
Well think about the lonely people
Or think about the day she found you
Or lie to yourself
And see it all dissolve around you
She says she has no time for you now
She says she has no time for you now
She says she has no time
Lonely people tumble downwards
And my heart opens up to you
When she says she has no time for you now
She says she has no time for you now
She says she has no time
So true... so true...
Always loved this song by Keane.
You think your days are uneventful
And no one ever thinks about you
She goes her own way
She goes her own way
You think your days are ordinary
And no one ever thinks about you
But we're all the same
And she can hardly breathe without you
She says she has no time for you now
She says she has no time
Well think about the lonely people
Or think about the day she found you
Or lie to yourself
And see it all dissolve around you
She says she has no time for you now
She says she has no time for you now
She says she has no time
Lonely people tumble downwards
And my heart opens up to you
When she says she has no time for you now
She says she has no time for you now
She says she has no time
So true... so true...
食而不知其味...
... is not necessarily a bad thing.
You might think it's a result of sadness or depression.
Actually, it may be more accurate to describe it as a result of distraction.
Distraction of any form can take our concentration off the food.
You might think it's a result of sadness or depression.
Actually, it may be more accurate to describe it as a result of distraction.
Distraction of any form can take our concentration off the food.
When in doubt...
... sit back and do nothing.
Most people who know me, know that I'm hardly a risk-taker.
So... instead of doing anything that'll get me into all kinds of trouble... I'm just gonna sit back and do nothing.
Life may be a series of choices, but that's no reason to make them rashly or jump head-first into stupidity.
Most people who know me, know that I'm hardly a risk-taker.
So... instead of doing anything that'll get me into all kinds of trouble... I'm just gonna sit back and do nothing.
Life may be a series of choices, but that's no reason to make them rashly or jump head-first into stupidity.
Frustration
This need of mine... this unquenchable thirst... like an itch I can't scratch... is driving me nuts...
I need to play soccer.
I need to play soccer.
Monday, February 19, 2007
Loneliness
Loneliness is not a result of circumstances...
It is a state of mind...
It festers as we indulge in it...
How can I beat it?
By focusing on God... because that really does solve all problems and dilemmas.
Let me elaborate...
What do I mean by "Loneliness is not a result of circumstances"?
I mean that when I feel lonely, it's not because I'm single or because my friends don't have time for me.
It's because I choose to let these things affect me.
It's because I allow my need for companionship to take precedence over my relationship with God.
It's because I forget that Jesus is the only friend I need and the best friend I have.
If I'm able to keep that in mind, I could be alone on a desert island and not feel lonely.
Do I fret about my future? Sure... but I'm learning to put it all in His almighty hands.
It is a state of mind...
It festers as we indulge in it...
How can I beat it?
By focusing on God... because that really does solve all problems and dilemmas.
Let me elaborate...
What do I mean by "Loneliness is not a result of circumstances"?
I mean that when I feel lonely, it's not because I'm single or because my friends don't have time for me.
It's because I choose to let these things affect me.
It's because I allow my need for companionship to take precedence over my relationship with God.
It's because I forget that Jesus is the only friend I need and the best friend I have.
If I'm able to keep that in mind, I could be alone on a desert island and not feel lonely.
Do I fret about my future? Sure... but I'm learning to put it all in His almighty hands.
Sunday, February 18, 2007
Classical Concert Etiquette
Went to the Shostakovich 10 concert at the Jack Singer last night (with my mom... sad...).
Sat near the back of the orchestra center section, and unfortunately the older couple behind us weren't quite as well-schooled in concert etiquette as one would like. Twice during the first piece they spoke above a whisper. Not to mention the constant lip-licking sound from the old man sitting right behind me. Thankfully, they moved over to open seats across the aisle after the intermission.
Even more unfortunate, however, was my cold. Midway through the Shostakovich piece my throat started to tickle, and, realizing I couldn't stifle my coughs, I had to walk out briskly so I don't start hacking away in the concert hall and draw stares from every corner.
It was certainly an evening of wonderful music, nevertheless. The young Tokyo-born Canadian violinist, Ms. Karen Gomyo, was sensational (not to mention stunning in her scarlett-red dress). And while some conductors may appear to be putting on a show with exaggerated expressions and body language, Maestro Roberto Minczuk focused on the music, which, as the oldest bassoonist in the CPO (I believe it was Mr. Stephen Franse) said in his introductory spiel, was uplifting, strengthening, as well as bright and powerful and plenty more.
I'm hoping to get tickets for a few more concerts in March and April. Of course, there's also the John Mayer concert in Edmonton I'm going to. It's gonna be fun~
Sat near the back of the orchestra center section, and unfortunately the older couple behind us weren't quite as well-schooled in concert etiquette as one would like. Twice during the first piece they spoke above a whisper. Not to mention the constant lip-licking sound from the old man sitting right behind me. Thankfully, they moved over to open seats across the aisle after the intermission.
Even more unfortunate, however, was my cold. Midway through the Shostakovich piece my throat started to tickle, and, realizing I couldn't stifle my coughs, I had to walk out briskly so I don't start hacking away in the concert hall and draw stares from every corner.
It was certainly an evening of wonderful music, nevertheless. The young Tokyo-born Canadian violinist, Ms. Karen Gomyo, was sensational (not to mention stunning in her scarlett-red dress). And while some conductors may appear to be putting on a show with exaggerated expressions and body language, Maestro Roberto Minczuk focused on the music, which, as the oldest bassoonist in the CPO (I believe it was Mr. Stephen Franse) said in his introductory spiel, was uplifting, strengthening, as well as bright and powerful and plenty more.
I'm hoping to get tickets for a few more concerts in March and April. Of course, there's also the John Mayer concert in Edmonton I'm going to. It's gonna be fun~
Thursday, February 15, 2007
Tuesday, February 13, 2007
Friday, February 09, 2007
Johari Window
11 people responded and described me with words in the Johari Window.
Of the 55 words in the window, their choices spanned 31 of them, ranging from modest to proud. (No, really, I'm serious.)
But nobody - not a single person - thought I was witty.
Honestly, I'm hurt.
The words most chosen were: Intelligent, Introverted, Logical, Religious, Sentimental, and Kind.
But really... nobody thinks I'm witty?
Anyway... I still doubt that everyone understood every word... so take it with a grain of salt.
Of the 55 words in the window, their choices spanned 31 of them, ranging from modest to proud. (No, really, I'm serious.)
But nobody - not a single person - thought I was witty.
Honestly, I'm hurt.
The words most chosen were: Intelligent, Introverted, Logical, Religious, Sentimental, and Kind.
But really... nobody thinks I'm witty?
Anyway... I still doubt that everyone understood every word... so take it with a grain of salt.
Unwell
Coming down with something, I think, after playing floor hockey indoors and then walking out into the cold in my wet clothes.
So out of shape, thought I was gonna faint. Still, managed to score a goal by driving the net hard (took on 2 d-men and shovelled the ball through the goalie's pads, after running chest-first into some guy's shoulder to win the ball). Had a few more chances in close, but the goalie came up huge a few times and I missed the net a few other times.
My chest is still sore after that little run-in. So if you see me grabbing at my chest, it's not because I like to grope myself... I'm probably in pain.
So out of shape, thought I was gonna faint. Still, managed to score a goal by driving the net hard (took on 2 d-men and shovelled the ball through the goalie's pads, after running chest-first into some guy's shoulder to win the ball). Had a few more chances in close, but the goalie came up huge a few times and I missed the net a few other times.
My chest is still sore after that little run-in. So if you see me grabbing at my chest, it's not because I like to grope myself... I'm probably in pain.
Thursday, February 08, 2007
The Parable of the Sower
There is but one kind of seed. The seed is good; it is the Word of God. There is no bad seed that fails to grow on good soil.
We are the soils. There will always be those among us who don't understand the Word, those who fail to grow roots, and those who allow worries of the world to distract them. Who among us will persevere and produce eternal crops?
We are the soils. There will always be those among us who don't understand the Word, those who fail to grow roots, and those who allow worries of the world to distract them. Who among us will persevere and produce eternal crops?
Wednesday, February 07, 2007
That Selfish Bastard
Was running a bit late this morning.
As I got out of the train station, I saw a rather unkempt white male with a walker walking toward me. He stopped and asked for change. Said he wanted to take the bus to Superstore. I dug out whatever change I found in my pocket ($1.65) and handed it to him. He started talking about himself. While I politely listened and chimed in as necessary, all I had on my mind was that I should get moving. When he was finally done and we went our separate ways, guilt set in.
Profess our faith as we may, yet when it comes to actually practising it, how many of us can even come close to the example Jesus set for us? Was I really concerned with that man's well-being? Or was I more preoccupied with my getting to the office? And I didn't even give him enough change for the bus.
Alex, you're a selfish, selfish bastard.
As I got out of the train station, I saw a rather unkempt white male with a walker walking toward me. He stopped and asked for change. Said he wanted to take the bus to Superstore. I dug out whatever change I found in my pocket ($1.65) and handed it to him. He started talking about himself. While I politely listened and chimed in as necessary, all I had on my mind was that I should get moving. When he was finally done and we went our separate ways, guilt set in.
Profess our faith as we may, yet when it comes to actually practising it, how many of us can even come close to the example Jesus set for us? Was I really concerned with that man's well-being? Or was I more preoccupied with my getting to the office? And I didn't even give him enough change for the bus.
Alex, you're a selfish, selfish bastard.
Friday, February 02, 2007
Glenbow... "博"物館
So, so, so disappointed.
The Ancient Mediterranean exhibition, featuring artifacts from Egypt, Greece, and Rome... massively disappointing.
Sparsely occupying three adjacent rooms on the second floor, there was really nothing in there that truly impressed.
And I'm still pissed off that you aren't allowed photography in there. Only in North America do you find such anal museums.
Granted, I was able to pay closer attention to each piece without spending half my time snapping pictures. The sad part? Even though I read pretty much every word of description for every single piece, I still finished the entire exhibition in roughly the same amount of time as a soccer game. Less than two hours.
Obviously, Calgary is not the place to discover the Mediterranean. If you want to see native art, go to Glenbow. If you want to see Egyptian or Greco-Roman culture, go to Europe.
The Ancient Mediterranean exhibition, featuring artifacts from Egypt, Greece, and Rome... massively disappointing.
Sparsely occupying three adjacent rooms on the second floor, there was really nothing in there that truly impressed.
And I'm still pissed off that you aren't allowed photography in there. Only in North America do you find such anal museums.
Granted, I was able to pay closer attention to each piece without spending half my time snapping pictures. The sad part? Even though I read pretty much every word of description for every single piece, I still finished the entire exhibition in roughly the same amount of time as a soccer game. Less than two hours.
Obviously, Calgary is not the place to discover the Mediterranean. If you want to see native art, go to Glenbow. If you want to see Egyptian or Greco-Roman culture, go to Europe.
Monday, January 29, 2007
Recurring Nightmares
One of the scariest recurring nightmares I've got at the moment...
... bad teeth.
Mostly losing them... like the whole lot of them.
Really scary.
Words cannot express how scary.
... bad teeth.
Mostly losing them... like the whole lot of them.
Really scary.
Words cannot express how scary.
Any Given Thursday
Was watching John Mayer's Any Given Thursday concert.
He was singing Comfortable, which I'd heard before, but I hadn't heard this ending that he added.
That you were my first love
Is just dumb luck.
A technicality.
You were ahead of me.
That you were my first love.
Is just dumb, dumb, stupid luck.
A technicality.
You will always be ahead of me.
Oh, oh, tell me.
Why I have to practice on you.
Why I have to practice on your heart.
Oh.
How does it feel to be blown away and touched to the core simulatneously? The way I feel now.
Edit: Just thought I'd post the entire song...
I just remembered that time at the market
Snuck up behind me and jumped on my shopping cart
And rode down
Aisle five
You looked behind you to smile back at me
Crashed into a rack full of magazines
They asked us
If we could leave
Can't remember
What went wrong last September
Though I'm sure you'll remind me
If you had to
Our love was
Comfortable and
So broken in
I sleep with this new girl I'm still getting used to
My friends all approve, saying she's gonna be good for you
They throw me
High fives
She says the Bible is all that she reads
And prefers that I not use profanity
Your mouth was
So dirty
Life of the party
And she swears that she's artsy
But you could distinguish Miles from Coltrane
Our love was
Comfortable and
So broken in
She's perfect
So flawless
Or so they say
She thinks that I can't see the smile that she's faking
And poses for pictures that aren't being taken
I loved you
Grey sweatpants
No makeup
So perfect
Our love was
Comfortable and
So broken in
She's perfect
So flawless
I'm not impressed
I want you back
He was singing Comfortable, which I'd heard before, but I hadn't heard this ending that he added.
That you were my first love
Is just dumb luck.
A technicality.
You were ahead of me.
That you were my first love.
Is just dumb, dumb, stupid luck.
A technicality.
You will always be ahead of me.
Oh, oh, tell me.
Why I have to practice on you.
Why I have to practice on your heart.
Oh.
How does it feel to be blown away and touched to the core simulatneously? The way I feel now.
Edit: Just thought I'd post the entire song...
I just remembered that time at the market
Snuck up behind me and jumped on my shopping cart
And rode down
Aisle five
You looked behind you to smile back at me
Crashed into a rack full of magazines
They asked us
If we could leave
Can't remember
What went wrong last September
Though I'm sure you'll remind me
If you had to
Our love was
Comfortable and
So broken in
I sleep with this new girl I'm still getting used to
My friends all approve, saying she's gonna be good for you
They throw me
High fives
She says the Bible is all that she reads
And prefers that I not use profanity
Your mouth was
So dirty
Life of the party
And she swears that she's artsy
But you could distinguish Miles from Coltrane
Our love was
Comfortable and
So broken in
She's perfect
So flawless
Or so they say
She thinks that I can't see the smile that she's faking
And poses for pictures that aren't being taken
I loved you
Grey sweatpants
No makeup
So perfect
Our love was
Comfortable and
So broken in
She's perfect
So flawless
I'm not impressed
I want you back
Tuesday, January 23, 2007
Thank You
多謝
谢谢
Thanks
Danke
Merci
Grazie
Gracias
Thank you, Father, for the little bit of talent and plenty of passion you've given me for the beautiful things in life.
Little bit of talent, lest I boast.
Plenty of passion, lest I give up.
I know I don't have the talent to be the best of the best, but thank you, Father, for the passion that drives me to improve and to enjoy the journey.
谢谢
Thanks
Danke
Merci
Grazie
Gracias
Thank you, Father, for the little bit of talent and plenty of passion you've given me for the beautiful things in life.
Little bit of talent, lest I boast.
Plenty of passion, lest I give up.
I know I don't have the talent to be the best of the best, but thank you, Father, for the passion that drives me to improve and to enjoy the journey.
Monday, January 22, 2007
Multiple Choice
Never been one to be spoilt for choice.
University... only applied to Calgary and Waterloo... and the 'Loo turned me down.
Work... applied to numerous companies... only CoreData and Telvent offered me jobs.
Suddenly, I'm faced with a tough choice...
What to do with my money...???
a) iMac w/ OS X 10.5 Leopard
b) XBox 360 + LCD HDTV
c) Athlon 64 X2 PC w/ Windows Vista
d) RRSP
Oh boy...
University... only applied to Calgary and Waterloo... and the 'Loo turned me down.
Work... applied to numerous companies... only CoreData and Telvent offered me jobs.
Suddenly, I'm faced with a tough choice...
What to do with my money...???
a) iMac w/ OS X 10.5 Leopard
b) XBox 360 + LCD HDTV
c) Athlon 64 X2 PC w/ Windows Vista
d) RRSP
Oh boy...
Sunday, January 21, 2007
Arsenal 2 - 1 Man United
Furious.
Absolutely furious.
I practically prophesied the end result. And it was all so predictable.
Anyone could see that Fergie had given up the match the moment he took Cristiano Ronaldo off for Gabby Heinze as the clock neared full-time.
Such negative tactics in a bid to preserve one point backfired again, with Henry netting an inspired header to snatch all three points, leaving United still only six ahead of Chelsea.
Had Chelsea not lost to Liverpool in similarly spectacular fashion on a rare top-four weekend, United would be feeling their breath on the back of their necks.
Still, with 3rd place Liverpool and 4th place Arsenal both gaining grounds, neither United nor Chelsea can rest easy.
Mourinho, amidst speculation regarding his future with Chelsea, desperately needs his first-choice centerbacks to return. Rightback Paulo Ferreira and midfielder Michael Essien failed miserably to handle the robust partnership of Peter Crouch and Dirk Kuyt.
So Arsenal have done the double over United this year, although they still languish in fourth place. Meanwhile, United have yet to play at Stamford Bridge and Anfield. Wouldn't it be fabulous to win the title at Stamford Bridge on April 14, with four matches to spare?
Absolutely furious.
I practically prophesied the end result. And it was all so predictable.
Anyone could see that Fergie had given up the match the moment he took Cristiano Ronaldo off for Gabby Heinze as the clock neared full-time.
Such negative tactics in a bid to preserve one point backfired again, with Henry netting an inspired header to snatch all three points, leaving United still only six ahead of Chelsea.
Had Chelsea not lost to Liverpool in similarly spectacular fashion on a rare top-four weekend, United would be feeling their breath on the back of their necks.
Still, with 3rd place Liverpool and 4th place Arsenal both gaining grounds, neither United nor Chelsea can rest easy.
Mourinho, amidst speculation regarding his future with Chelsea, desperately needs his first-choice centerbacks to return. Rightback Paulo Ferreira and midfielder Michael Essien failed miserably to handle the robust partnership of Peter Crouch and Dirk Kuyt.
So Arsenal have done the double over United this year, although they still languish in fourth place. Meanwhile, United have yet to play at Stamford Bridge and Anfield. Wouldn't it be fabulous to win the title at Stamford Bridge on April 14, with four matches to spare?
Thursday, January 18, 2007
别怪我
苦...
苦苦苦苦苦...
苦... 不堪言...
狠心... 并非我的天性...
只是... 为求自保... 我别无选择...
我不能面对的... 不一定出于怨恨...
但... 为了逼使自己不能回头...
我... 还能够怎样...?
不能回头... 多年前... 早明言... 不能回头...
或许... 你早已不在意...
也许... 你怀念的不会是我...
与其强逼两个心境完全对立的人坦诚的沟通...
即使再见面... 成熟地表演...
不如不见...
对不起... 各位...
苦苦苦苦苦...
苦... 不堪言...
狠心... 并非我的天性...
只是... 为求自保... 我别无选择...
我不能面对的... 不一定出于怨恨...
但... 为了逼使自己不能回头...
我... 还能够怎样...?
不能回头... 多年前... 早明言... 不能回头...
或许... 你早已不在意...
也许... 你怀念的不会是我...
与其强逼两个心境完全对立的人坦诚的沟通...
即使再见面... 成熟地表演...
不如不见...
对不起... 各位...
Wednesday, January 17, 2007
Monday, January 15, 2007
It's for the best...
Coming to terms with things...
Beginning to accept the fact that... I'll never be married...
It just won't ever work...
Really, it's for the best...
Beginning to accept the fact that... I'll never be married...
It just won't ever work...
Really, it's for the best...
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