Yoshi’s Noteboard 2.0
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Missed
Frustration... "My Greek is bad."
1. Was fleeced today in Greek exam. I know I could have done better, but got bogged down with locating the meanings and then realised I did not have enough time for my final section. *sobs* Just when I was starting to understand things…
2. Earth hour: Why turn off lights when you can turn off air-conditioners? I’m still skimping plastic bags, paper and unnecessary trips to the washing machine.
3. STM condition: It has been raining a bit recently. Everyone is overcome with work: some even missing chapel to sleep, or were too sick to get out of bed, or just plain ’studious’. Missing chapel to study?
4. UMNO elections: KJ and Sharizat are in. I’ve heard rumours that this season marks the beginning of a dark age for non-Muslims in the country. Hmmm…
5. Working on an assignment to be handed up tomorrow. Studying the lives of Martin Luther King, Sunday Adelaja and Mother Teresa, but I lament my slow progress. To all the studious students out there, all z best and keep up the slogging. One day, all of this will be worth the while. Just don’t return everything to your teacher.
Happily misunderstood
I’m glad that most people misunderstand me. It gives me the opportunity to be creative and unpredictable. It also gives me the added option of turning an unexpected broadside on unwitting trouble-makers. The joy of seeing their faces- the jaws dropping, the angry eyes and the furrowing of the brow; I think that is enough to make my day. “I can’t believe Yoshua could have said that!” whether it was for good or for bad.
I’m not as ‘holy’ or ‘godly’ as some people perceive me to be. Nor am I as perverted or hypocritical as others might believe. I can remain invisible and insoluble to most, as you will only know me based on how much I divulge.
As most would know, things are not that complicated. Or are they?
There is no Right or Wrong?
Come on... You can't expect me to buy into your whole Absolute Truth rhubarb?
Some people argue that there are no absolute truths. There is no such thing as an absolute Right or an absolute Wrong. Let’s look at some ‘aggressive’ applications of this concept:
1. Imagine a day when students can answer technical subjects like Mathematics or Physics with whichever answer that they think is correct (including wonderfully subjective answers), and that the teachers will still have to give them an ‘A’? Think metaphysics, man.
2. That there is no such thing as Law and Order, since people can do as they think is best- what I feel is right is right; whereas what You feel is right, etc. Since humankind has the ability to reason and to think rationally, why should we be subject to illogical laws or things which we think are impossible to believe because we can’t see/hear/touch/smell it?
3. Incest, murder, rape, abortion and torture will not be ‘morally’ wrong, since man determines what is ‘right’ and ‘wrong’, therefore, if given the circumstances, these ‘crimes’ are no longer ‘crimes’, but ‘accidents’ or symptoms of psychological dysfunction, and all we need is a little rehabilitation. Victims? Life’s unfair. Get over it.
4. No one can charge me for anything. No one SHOULD charge for anything that I do, say or THINK, since I am my own judge and set my own rules. Whoever said that I should be bound to anyone’s self-imposed laws. Why should I listen to what you have to say or expect me to do? Even if you are very knowledgeable on the subject, who cares? Your voice/face annoys me.
5. A man can marry an elephant; a woman can have multiple live-in partners with dogs, cats, or any other animal. What’s so wrong about ‘loving the animals’? Its just a matter of getting used to, that’s all.
6. The environment is neutral. It can be destroyed. Or not. Up to you lah.
7. Do as you like. Do as you please. And no one can/should say anything against that.
From a Christian perspective, it is the Church that has failed in its role to show society what Truth really is. So in a way, we cannot blame people for thinking and believing in the way they do. God, have mercy on our saltless Church.
Smitten
Only one word comes to mind... the calm before the storm.
The cries of ‘Holy, Holy’ remind me of the cherubim encircling the Great Throne, and my spirit quickens. My hairs are standing on edge.
My being resonates with the worship resounding in the heavens, where lightning and thunder arc to glory and majesty incomparable.
As the storm begins to swirl on this boat of simple makeup, I look past the rain that will flood my tear-dried face. Everything will fade- my dryness, my anger, my anxiety and my petty worries. My boat will fill with water from the waves and will probably sink.
But how can I refuse the voice, “Come…” ?
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.
Historic Fight for Democracy Under a Rain Tree (3/3/09)
Man of the moment...The Speaker, Sivakumar, in full ceremonial garb. Click on photo for link to news article.
The Pakatan Rakyat Members of Parliament went ahead with an emergency sitting of the State Assembly, called by the Speaker Sivakumar and by the powers vested in the decision, the ‘ousted’ MB, Nizar, will now proceed to make another appeal to the Sultan of Perak to dissolve the State Assembly and to call for state-wide elections.
Tree that made history... the site of the State Assembly. Photo courtesy of anilnetto.com. Click on picture to go there.
See also the following links for onsite/live updates for this morning:
Malaysia Today
http://delcapo.wordpress.com
The Nut Graph: Perak Crisis Deepens
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.
Belligerence Begins Again
During devotions yesterday, among many things learnt was: “The one who lives alone is self-indulgent, showing contempt for all who have sound judgement.” (Prov 18:1, NRSV) Which struck a chord, since I like being alone, and realized that many a recluse was self-indulgent, myself included.
Another verse which got me was, “Desire without knowledge is not good, and one who moves too hurriedly misses the way.” (Prov 19:2, NRSV) Resonated because I was just nursing a defeat at basketball where I lost the game because I was too nervous- couldn’t get my shots right- and also the considerations of leadership and moving through unchartered waters. More knowledge and insight is needed.
Israel votes today... pic courtesy of Rina Castelnuovo for The New York Times
Interesting article written by an Israeli on the recent war in Gaza, and how Israel will vote in their elections this afternoon. Click on picture for news report on the elections.
Khairy at an UMNO meeting in 2007. He required that all UMNO Youth do the same at such meetings, or be riskedbeing labelled as traitors to their race. Click on image for news article.
Even in Perak, a timely reminder that Khairy is still stoking racial sentiments, as the Little Napoleons begin to strut their plummage afresh.
Perak’s Unconstitutional Crisis
Although this post belongs in the ‘Malaysian Issues’ Page (see ‘Other Pages on the Noteboard’), it is a matter that has been on my mind alot lately.
1. See a few technical (read: legal) explanations on the matter by respected lawyer Malik Imtiaz Sarwar.
a) Making Sense of the Perak Controversy
b) An Unconstitutional Crisis
At the moment, while the Pakatan Rakyat bring this matter to the courts, let us watch and pray.
Bantah... On the 6th of Feb, many families came out to protest the decision of the Sultan. The PR have asked for calm.
CNY Apathy
Sometimes in the milieu of meaninglessness, a shrink is called for...
I’ve been having a nice and sombre little Chinese New Year this year. Like Christmas and New Year’s Day, where I spent a large portion of my time indoors (the happies), this CNY was spent with friends and family, traversing stops to collect more ang pows and renewing the bonds of friendship that should never be broken.
Through such a brief excursis, I have learnt that I am still a recluse at heart, an introvert that has learnt how to fit in to a noise-needing crowd, and being able to more adequately decrease my daily output of words to preserve sanity, both internally and externally. It has been quite fruitful so far.
School starts on Thursday, and then I travel down to Kluang again to begin lectures to the YF on Romans, which I am eagerly looking forward to. (how do you explain the concept of justification to 13 year olds?) Will see how they take it all in. I’ve got tonnes of preparation work (not including promises of forthcoming work, and mountains of wonderful books to read) and here I am using the MacBook Pro to lighten up.
Anyway, as an aside, here is a cute little quote I came across that I would like include as a lament to some ‘intellectual’ people I know:
“If the intelligentsia want to make a contribution to society, they must first understand what kind of society they live in. By society, of course, I do not mean the high society of snobs and socialites, but of people at grass-root level: how they live, how they work, what they do in their leisure time, what they think of the world, their hopes, their fears and aspirations… because the intelligentsia are puzzled over the nature of the society they live in, such views as they express from time to time relate to abstract principles in “vacuo”. Goh Keng Swee, 1967.
