Yoshi’s Noteboard 2.0
Write About NowArchive for Friends
Twenty Nine Years of His Faithfulness
On this day of all days, when an insignificant event made its way into the subconscious of a few score individuals and wonderful people of this blessed earth; the intentions in the heart of The Supreme Being became hidden, encapsulated in the tiny sinews of understandings that make up the fabric of this lesser being, which when fully formed in Christ, would never cease to bring Him the highest praise, seeking not its own glory, but to the One whom created the Heavens and Earth, that it may in some small way contribute to the chorus of glory that ascends to the Throne in daily worship.
Thank you... to those who contributed to the Wings of Yoshua, my deepest gratitude! You will see its use in days to come .
To the rest who sent sms-es and greetings, I know the responsibility of living brings with it its own hazards, but one can live hazard-ful and yet bring about greater good. May the Most High be glorified in all our futile efforts. Amen.
Life in STM
STM Student Council 2009... The Dream Team
The Bible College that I spend 80% of my time during the week is a representative microcosm that reflects the Malaysian Church in all its flawed glory. There is the clannish Chinese communities- fragmented, loud and critical; the indifferent and individualistic English-speaking Chinese; the ‘neglected’ and ‘marginalized’ Indian ‘minority’; the local bumiputra students that lend much mirth to our dreary and kiasu-istic lifestyles; and the foreign students, who remind us of a growing immigrant population in the country and its crying needs.
Inseparable...My former roomie (Jegadass) and me. Peas in a pod.
I believe this larger, more intricate family must be brought to a love-centered balance, not by sheer reason, persuasion or charisma, but by prayer and quiet trust alone. No amount of talk (and I have had heard alot of it since coming in to STM) will bring men and women together in harmony of purpose. Some quarters complain that the students are not mentored or discipled by the lecturers enough. In some sense it is true, but I prefer to seek for alternatives, rather than wait for the proverbial moon to turn blue. In the same way, I feel that the seniors should play a bigger role in mentoring and assisting the juniors. (And I guess I could complain that we have not been discipled and mentored enough!) However, after a year here, I have learnt to adapt and get my input elsewhere.
Growing up... the sophomores y'all!
But for the juniors under me, I have been seeking after a way to allow my current year to be more pro-active towards welcoming the freshies. So far, there has not been a concerted effort to reach out to them- much like what happened to my year- but I hope this will not be a norm in the days to come. May we learn what it means to love with greater sincerity.
Myself included.
Can nothing be something?
Easy
Valentine’s Day was uneventful, but fun. Spent the morning and early afternoon going through with my sis some points on “The Art of Meaning”- trying to define art for what it is, and how it contributes towards meaning. Then in the afternoon, met up with an old friend, Cheng Wee:
Housemates in da 'hood... breakfast taken in 2005, Cheng Wee standing. Cool guy, cool hair.
The evening was spent in YF. We had a blast: games, writing whacked out love letters, etc. Jit shared a short message on love and keeping one’s heart pure; and the place was done up swimmingly by Josie and her team. Even the songs were apt (Well done everyone!).
Medium
Even as I have been mulling over the progress of various ‘ministries’- one consistent event is recurring: that we are under some kind of ‘dampening influence’, both as individuals and as groups. And I am starting to ponder on the (lack of) progress of some of the Kluang youth. There has been breakthroughs in some lives, but others have either stagnated or diminished in fervour/understanding/insight. This is distressing when there is so much more ground to cover, and I wonder whether their faith will hold up when the tide of darkness covers all.
I myself struggle to “keep in step with the Spirit“, but I am being reminded of the importance of putting love into every action. This means pausing to know, understand and celebrate the people around me, who they are becoming and who they have become. This may also mean accepting the possibilities of independent thinking, even if it means foregone conclusions of failure, or so I think lah. But love can also open one’s mind to deeper and wider things.
In the Zone
Complacency, disobedience and unaccountability are recurring sins. Although certain other ‘elemental spirits’ are more neutralized, other ’sins of omission’ are equally damaging to one’s spiritual growth. I have been finding it hard to focus, and have not been praying enough. There are improvements in other areas- time management, awareness and reading. But a nagging issue still remains. Baby, I need to go kite-flying.
When you step out
and move beyond the shadows of leaving
A void of clear crystal
envelopes my mistaken longings
There is no way to know for certain
Whether you will ever return
As a guest or as a light bearer
For the days are shrouded with questions without conclusions
And as the hours grow longer
and the growing darkness reminds me of a distant call
The memories of failure are my only companions
On a road with no followers
Fell me and leave me to wander.
