Is it a need or a want?
Today, I was tempted with an offer that no man could resist.
A free ($100 trade-in) iPhone 8g!
FREE OF CHARGE!
How could that be possible? My limited wisdom started to manifest and go crazy. A free iPhone! Think of all the coolness that will be added into your life! The interactive games that you get to play on the boring bus trips, the phone that's also an iPod, the very interesting navigation features; it's simply the geek's phone.
Mom made the phone call and checked. We can upgrade our plans and get the free iPhone! My heart skipped a beat upon hearing the good news and I was all geared up, ready to change and head straight to the nearest singtel shop.
Doing all these without thinking if this is a need, or a want.
Made a phone call to Bernice and she pulled me back to earth. Haha! Thank God for someone like her, so ungeeky and unfazed by technology. Pragmatic and wise, she didn't have to ask if I needed the phone. All she had to do was to sound disinterested and immediately the hype within me died. But that brought me back to reality, existence, earth.
Is the iPhone a need or a want? I definitely want it because it's cool and geeky. But do I need it now?
My sleek Sony Ericsson is serving me well. Though it has multiple functions, I would frequently use the SMS and phone call functions only. If I were to change to the iPhone, probably I'll only use the SMS and phone call functions too! Well, maybe including the games, skype, facebook and any other cool applications that make you cool.
But ultimately, does it reflect a need in my life or a want in my life?
It concluded as a want; and I love Bernice =)
Saturday, November 29, 2008
Thursday, November 27, 2008
Isn't it irritating when a body of people DO NOT work together?
Can you imagine what would happen if you wake up one day and your hand says, "I don't feel like working as a hand today." It would be disastrous!
Same goes as working in an office. If the employees don't work together, doing their parts, other departments would malfunction!
This is getting so irritating. It seems that everything has to wait. Nothing seems to be done fast enough, and they complain that the management is too fast for them.
Perhaps now i understand why the management is rushing everything.
Maybe I'm used to getting things done fast, of cos with reason. But having so many procedures before the final outcome is ridiculous!
Invoices come in, it's forwarded to the accounting department. From there, it's always bounced back to me to check on this and that and this and that. Look, am I an accountant that knows such stuff? I don't mind checking it for you, to ensure that the numbers are correct, but if you're asking me if the terms and stuffs used are correct, how would I know!? You should know it clearer than I do!
Why am I doing your job!?
Even after my signature is GIVEN, payment can't be made immediately. When the whole world was around, you didn't want the invoices to be checked and signed. Now that the world is gone, and the other company is pressing for payment, you nonchalantly say that nobody's around. What is this!?
I am not surprised that companies are disinterested working with us because of such a system!
I understand there's a need for procedure. I understand there's a need for clearance.
But I also understand that there's always a deadline for everything!
Making things easier for you doesn't mean that it's convenient for others!
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
Life as an working adult is tough. Your days start from 7am, lasting till 10pm at night.
In the morning, after washing up, you'll be sent into a factory where you'll be packed like sardines in a can on a bus. Thank God when you're not standing around people that will literally stick onto you or squeeze into the tiniest gap they can possibly find.
The next thing you thank God for is when the driver decides to be Lewis Hamilton and drive really fast, you can really reach your work place 10 minutes earlier. But having that advantage also means that the risk of him braking hard is high. When that happens, hold on tight to the hand-grips! Bodies will be flying and toes will be squashed.
Then you thank God when you finally reached your work place, but you start to dread working because it's another 9 hours before you step out of office, back into the crazy traffic. You just hope and wish that you've leave or MC so that you can stay at home and play Wii with your kids.
Dragging yourselves to the office, you noticed that you've a million unread mails and your in-tray is stacked high with work, stamped with big red letters- URGENT.
Like working in a production line, your mind switches off and you start to work your guts out.
1230! It's lunch time! Your mind comes back alive and now you start to feel really hungry. Thinking of what and where to eat, you're constantly reminded of the crowd, sweat and smell that sticks onto your favorite Hugo Boss top. With much reluctance, you decided to dine at a swanky restaurant.
Back to work and you totally regretted eating at the swanky restaurant because you had to gobble your food down, before you're late to start work again at 1.30pm.
Time seems to slow down at 5pm. Every minute feels like an hour and you keep glancing towards the huge clock thats placed at the side of your monitor. Your mind starts to come up with plans after work; how are you going to surprise your wife, kids today? Suddenly your boss appears out of no where, in your face, and says, "OT tonight! Major change in plans!"
Your sandcastles starts to get destroyed by the waves and waves of working that's piling up your in-tray again. Your phone beeped. It's your wife! She says there's dinner home and she's waiting for you. With tears in your eyes and trembling fingers, you revealed to her the bad news.
silence.
Your eyes shifted back to your monitor screen and off you go, furiously typing away. Your short term goal is etched in your mind- "Finish fast, home fast."
A shout of triumph! You've done the impossible! A quick glance to the clock, you wondered why did time past by so fast when you're not looking at it. It's 9pm! Kids maybe still awake if you rushed home now, your wife would be still up, waiting for you to return.
The run to the bus stop never seemed so slow. You feel yourself running, breathless and dodging every obstacle. But the bus stop seems so far away! You see a bus pulling up, the number looks familiar. A voice in your head says, "RUN! It's your bus!!"
With a deep breath, you sprint like as though you're a 16 year old kid. Taking long strides, you ran your lungs out. Waving at the bus, a sense of desperation comes onto you; you really want to get onto it. Bus stops, with a sigh of relief, you boarded it and tried to scan your ez-link card.
*beep beep beep*
The dreaded 3 beeps! You've insufficient funds in your card! Face flushed and still gasping for air, you grope for your wallet in your bag and ask for the bus fare.
Sinking onto the seat, you smile at the thought that at least you're going home now and you get to see your wife and kid. Cruising along the expressway, a smile is formed on your face. You're getting closer to home, you can literally smell the food that your wife has prepared and the sounds of joy your kid makes whenever you're around.
Storming up the stairs, as the lift took such a long time, you opened the door, waiting for 2 figures to run towards you. But that never happened. You tiptoed into your room and you see something that touches your heart.
Your beautiful wife cuddled up in bed, with your kid in her arms.
You get washed up, changed and headed straight to bed, cuddling them.
Reflecting back, you realize the reason why you're willing to go through all the trouble everyday. The answer is in your arms, they're the love of your life- you'll do everything to provide for them and at the end of the day, you thank God for the job that He has given to you.
A ring.
To many, it's just a ring. A ring that costs thousands and loads of heart ache. But more than that, a ring is symbolic of your love to your partner.
The ring is worn on the fingers. Why fingers? So that you can flaunt your diamonds when you worship God? NO!
Your hands are used to work everyday. You type, clean, literally do everything with your hands everyday. On your hands, are your fingers. When you work, you look at your hands. Well, besides typing. But whatever you work with your hands, your eyes will be fixed on the object and your hands.
The glittering diamond ring should be distracting enough for you to cast another look on it. Now the test comes, do you just brush it aside or look in adoration?
Will you remember how your spouse proposed to you? Or the first date that you had with him? All are these memories hidden somewhere in the dark corner of your memory?
Keep the love fresh! Keep it lasting! A commitment has to be developed, not taken for granted. Just because you're married to him, doesn't make him psychic, knowing how terrible your day has been or how lousy you feel.
Though it takes 1 hand to slap, it's still nicer to clap with your partner! Communication is still the key of life!
Back to the ring. So when you look at your ring now, do you remember the painful thoughts or the sweet memories? It's a choice that you make and nobody can force you.
You choose your own destiny.
Do you want to be bound by sad and negative thoughts or feel euphoric about your relationship with your better half?
Your partner is not perfect. She's not everything that you wished for. He's not the perfect listener nor is she the best advisor. But since you made the choice to go through thick and thin with her, why waste time getting into meaningless arguments?
Arguments are normal for all relationships. But if there's a conclusion and both parties learn something about each other, it's good! But if it goes on forever and it never fails to revive itself whenever an argument comes on again, it's really pointless.
I just can't understand why people expect a perfect partner when they themselves are not perfect. Why must she do this! Why must he act like that!? Why this why that. Why do you want to make your own life miserable!?
Why not cast aside all differences, re-ignite the fire thats extinguished and start all over again?
If she doesn't change, YOU change.
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
Post Asia Conference.
Still trying to catch up with the lack of sleep, accumulated over the conference week. So many things happened during the conference.
Pastor Ulf laid hands and prophesied, Pastor Phil laid hands and prophesied too, Dr Bernard shared a great world that took the church up another level and Pastor Benny Hinn moved in science and wonders.
Not forgetting our very own Pastor Kong, preached with great fire, passion and conviction to the delegates from Asia.
Though it has been a really tiring week, I found it really fruitful. Learnt so much more in depth about the Cultural Mandate, Holy Spirit and the impact CHC is making through the community services. I really believe that for this entire week, the delegates really got their eyes opened up and mouth left hanging open.
Many people came filled with expectancy. Now is the time for them to return back to where they came from, to be the salt and light, transforming their churches, engaging culture and eventually their countries.
It is really amazing to see CHC working together as one, to make this conference possible. The magnitude of this event is huge and the staggering amount of volunteers serving during the conference astonishing. Just the Elites alone, we've close to 15 of us serving together for each session.
Halls were packed beyond belief. Hall 8 was jammed packed for all services, Hall 10 and 7 would always be filled with thousands of people, hungry for the Word of God. It is really amazing to experience such a conference of this scale.
Just when we thought Emerge Conference is one of the biggest conferences.
It is evident that many people are searching for God. Many people want to learn about His words and experience His love.
It's time to share the blessings that God has given to you all these months and years. Its about time someone else gets to know about Jesus Christ and experience the same love, blessings and prosperous life that you're experiencing now.
Still trying to catch up with the lack of sleep, accumulated over the conference week. So many things happened during the conference.
Pastor Ulf laid hands and prophesied, Pastor Phil laid hands and prophesied too, Dr Bernard shared a great world that took the church up another level and Pastor Benny Hinn moved in science and wonders.
Not forgetting our very own Pastor Kong, preached with great fire, passion and conviction to the delegates from Asia.
Though it has been a really tiring week, I found it really fruitful. Learnt so much more in depth about the Cultural Mandate, Holy Spirit and the impact CHC is making through the community services. I really believe that for this entire week, the delegates really got their eyes opened up and mouth left hanging open.
Many people came filled with expectancy. Now is the time for them to return back to where they came from, to be the salt and light, transforming their churches, engaging culture and eventually their countries.
It is really amazing to see CHC working together as one, to make this conference possible. The magnitude of this event is huge and the staggering amount of volunteers serving during the conference astonishing. Just the Elites alone, we've close to 15 of us serving together for each session.
Halls were packed beyond belief. Hall 8 was jammed packed for all services, Hall 10 and 7 would always be filled with thousands of people, hungry for the Word of God. It is really amazing to experience such a conference of this scale.
Just when we thought Emerge Conference is one of the biggest conferences.
It is evident that many people are searching for God. Many people want to learn about His words and experience His love.
It's time to share the blessings that God has given to you all these months and years. Its about time someone else gets to know about Jesus Christ and experience the same love, blessings and prosperous life that you're experiencing now.
Thursday, November 20, 2008
Asia Conference 2008!
It has finally kicked off with a huge bang! Pastor Kong spearheaded the first service and I'm really believing God for GREATER breakthroughs!
Pastor shared about breaking into the realm of the second space and aiming to be in the realm of the third space. It's really phenomenal to hear from Pastor, sharing about the Cultural Mandate in a different angle.
Simply amazing! Really didn't realize that Paul was faced in such a situation and the breakdown of events that happened, written in the bible, was such a great revelation! Pastor didn't have a intenstive line upon line, bible study with us. But he guided us through the steps of Paul and shared with us the way he responded to the marketplace leaders, even though they were pagan worshippers!
In modern day context, Paul is like a senior pastor of a mega church. He meets up with the CEOs and ministers of the country who aren't Chrisitans. But he doesn't goes there to condemn, instead he's there, winning the lost over! How? By loving them, accepting them and influencing them with Christian values!
Now, how many people really does that? Most people will shun away from the 'world' during the weekdays because they are afraid to engage the world. But Jesus has come to send us out among wolves!! Sent back to the world!
Why should we reject the world, when the world needs Jesus Christ?
Without you, THEY will never come to the knowledge of the love of God.
Without you being the salt and light, THEY will never know that Christian moral values are true and the promises of God stands.
Without you to reach out to them, THEY will never step into a church and experience God.
Don't wait anymore.
It has finally kicked off with a huge bang! Pastor Kong spearheaded the first service and I'm really believing God for GREATER breakthroughs!
Pastor shared about breaking into the realm of the second space and aiming to be in the realm of the third space. It's really phenomenal to hear from Pastor, sharing about the Cultural Mandate in a different angle.
Simply amazing! Really didn't realize that Paul was faced in such a situation and the breakdown of events that happened, written in the bible, was such a great revelation! Pastor didn't have a intenstive line upon line, bible study with us. But he guided us through the steps of Paul and shared with us the way he responded to the marketplace leaders, even though they were pagan worshippers!
In modern day context, Paul is like a senior pastor of a mega church. He meets up with the CEOs and ministers of the country who aren't Chrisitans. But he doesn't goes there to condemn, instead he's there, winning the lost over! How? By loving them, accepting them and influencing them with Christian values!
Now, how many people really does that? Most people will shun away from the 'world' during the weekdays because they are afraid to engage the world. But Jesus has come to send us out among wolves!! Sent back to the world!
Why should we reject the world, when the world needs Jesus Christ?
Without you, THEY will never come to the knowledge of the love of God.
Without you being the salt and light, THEY will never know that Christian moral values are true and the promises of God stands.
Without you to reach out to them, THEY will never step into a church and experience God.
Don't wait anymore.
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
Monday, November 10, 2008
Thursday, November 06, 2008
If you just want sunny days in your life, you'll get a very dry desert.
Heard this phrase during cellgroup, shared by Marlin just now.
This phrase is so true! If all we want in life is nothing but the sun, optimistic and always bright and sunny, we'll really get a desert! It's impossible to live in an condition like this! It'll be so hot that you wouldn't be even able to sleep at night! IF there's a night.
Many people tend to deceive themselves, living life on a constant high. But it is the lows of the life that moulds you as well. Psalms 23, the very famous passage in the bible, says that I may walk through the valley of death, but I do not fear!
What's a valley? A valley is a very low point in planet earth and psalmist David says valley of death! How low can that be!?
But he chooses to praise God!
Wow.
I really believe that if everyone adopts the mentality of David, praising and trusting in Him even though you're going through trials and tribulations, you'll not just be a better person, you'll become someone whom God can use for His eternal glory!
Heard this phrase during cellgroup, shared by Marlin just now.
This phrase is so true! If all we want in life is nothing but the sun, optimistic and always bright and sunny, we'll really get a desert! It's impossible to live in an condition like this! It'll be so hot that you wouldn't be even able to sleep at night! IF there's a night.
Many people tend to deceive themselves, living life on a constant high. But it is the lows of the life that moulds you as well. Psalms 23, the very famous passage in the bible, says that I may walk through the valley of death, but I do not fear!
What's a valley? A valley is a very low point in planet earth and psalmist David says valley of death! How low can that be!?
But he chooses to praise God!
Wow.
I really believe that if everyone adopts the mentality of David, praising and trusting in Him even though you're going through trials and tribulations, you'll not just be a better person, you'll become someone whom God can use for His eternal glory!
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