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Showing posts with label reflexions. Show all posts
Showing posts with label reflexions. Show all posts
Thursday, November 12, 2009
Saturday, May 23, 2009
Monday, February 09, 2009
Farewell, Markus
Gazing at the late Markus Ng as he lay in peace in the casket, I couldn't help but notice the poignancy of the items that lay there beside him: A bilingual English-Chinese Bible, a black cap with the words "Saya Anak Bangsa Malaysia" proudly embroidered in gold across the front, a box of his name cards with the credentials "Anak Bangsa Malaysia", and some colourful guitar picks. No doubt, they were symbols of his passion and purpose in life, and even in death.
I thought to myself... What can I take with me when I go? What will I leave behind?
In his "short" life of 23+ years on earth, Markus has made a big impact in many people's lives. It's ironic that many of us who were touched by his life didn't realize it until he was gone. He leaves us his legacy.
I do not understand why God called Markus home so early and so suddenly, but I know God's ways are higher than ours. God's will is perfect, so we rest assured. Yea, Markus' life was short, but definitely full.
Markus, you were one of those guys I would have liked to get to know better. Your youthful passion tempered with mature ideals belied a man beyond your years. Your burning desire to see a diverse yet united nation of Malaysia was visionary and exemplary. Truly, you were more than qualified to carry the title "anak bangsa Malaysia". Your love for God was as great as your love for your neighbour. Your commitment to the cause of justice shone as bright as your friendly smile. I was impressed by your poetic eloquence in Bahasa Malaysia, in those pantun that you often posted on Facebook. It's a pity I only found out at your wake that you had so many other accomplishments, and played the guitar and sang so well. And I'm sorry I still haven't attended any of those anti-ISA candlelight vigils which you talked excitedly about.
Markus,
You have fought the good fight,
you have finished the race,
you have kept the faith.
I know you are in an incomprehensibly better place, the best place ever. But those of us who linger on here on earth will still miss you, because we're just human. I know some will miss you much more than others will, and the grief may wash in and out of our consciousness over time. We'll meet again, but in the meantime, you are not with us, and that hurts.
I thank God for your life that you have shared with us. I thank you for inspiring us.
Now, I am challenged to live another day, and to make it count for eternity. Live with no regrets.
I thought to myself... What can I take with me when I go? What will I leave behind?
In his "short" life of 23+ years on earth, Markus has made a big impact in many people's lives. It's ironic that many of us who were touched by his life didn't realize it until he was gone. He leaves us his legacy.
I do not understand why God called Markus home so early and so suddenly, but I know God's ways are higher than ours. God's will is perfect, so we rest assured. Yea, Markus' life was short, but definitely full.
Markus, you were one of those guys I would have liked to get to know better. Your youthful passion tempered with mature ideals belied a man beyond your years. Your burning desire to see a diverse yet united nation of Malaysia was visionary and exemplary. Truly, you were more than qualified to carry the title "anak bangsa Malaysia". Your love for God was as great as your love for your neighbour. Your commitment to the cause of justice shone as bright as your friendly smile. I was impressed by your poetic eloquence in Bahasa Malaysia, in those pantun that you often posted on Facebook. It's a pity I only found out at your wake that you had so many other accomplishments, and played the guitar and sang so well. And I'm sorry I still haven't attended any of those anti-ISA candlelight vigils which you talked excitedly about.
Markus,
You have fought the good fight,
you have finished the race,
you have kept the faith.
I know you are in an incomprehensibly better place, the best place ever. But those of us who linger on here on earth will still miss you, because we're just human. I know some will miss you much more than others will, and the grief may wash in and out of our consciousness over time. We'll meet again, but in the meantime, you are not with us, and that hurts.
I thank God for your life that you have shared with us. I thank you for inspiring us.
Now, I am challenged to live another day, and to make it count for eternity. Live with no regrets.
Monday, September 22, 2008
Sunday, August 31, 2008
Merdeka
Negaraku, tanah tumpahnya darahku,
Rakyat hidup, bersatu dan maju,
Rahmat bahagia, Tuhan kurniakan,
Raja kita, selamat bertakhta.
Rahmat bahagia, Tuhan kurniakan,
Raja kita, selamat bertakhta.
Selamat Menyambut Hari Merdeka!
Rakyat hidup, bersatu dan maju,
Rahmat bahagia, Tuhan kurniakan,
Raja kita, selamat bertakhta.
Rahmat bahagia, Tuhan kurniakan,
Raja kita, selamat bertakhta.
Selamat Menyambut Hari Merdeka!
Thursday, July 17, 2008
How rich are you?
I got this forwarded in my email. I don't know how accurate it is, but it's an interesting exercise. Try it. You might actually be richer than you think. So count your blessings.
Sunday, May 04, 2008
Sunday musings...
The Word of God to me today (as shared by Jon):
Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade—kept in heaven for you, who through faith are shielded by God's power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time. In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls. 1 Peter 1:3-9.
Amen.
* * * * *
On another note... I have been repeatedly reminded of my new official status as "uncle". Yes, my brother and sister-in-law became proud first-time parents on May 1. Oh, the beauty of life. :)
I've also been pondering over my own epic recollection of my Reef Check experience in the previous post. While I really appreciate the beauty and wonder of God's creation of the natural world, I still remember one incident when a wise guy challenged my concept of "appreciating God's creation". I was talking about going to Taman Negara to enjoy God's creatures, when he pointed to himself and declared, "I am God's creature too."
That got me thinking... yea, people are God's creation too. In fact, humans are the crown of creation. We are infinitely more valuable than tigers and turtles. So, yes, while I enjoy coral reefs and montane forests, I need to remind myself that people are more important. Having said that, the reason we protect and conserve our environment is for our own sake, and for our neighbour's sake. It's for the health and well-being of humanity, because we are inextricably interconnected with the natural world around us. And we're responsible as stewards of God's creation. It's for us to use, but not abuse.
Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade—kept in heaven for you, who through faith are shielded by God's power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time. In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls. 1 Peter 1:3-9.
Amen.
* * * * *
On another note... I have been repeatedly reminded of my new official status as "uncle". Yes, my brother and sister-in-law became proud first-time parents on May 1. Oh, the beauty of life. :)
I've also been pondering over my own epic recollection of my Reef Check experience in the previous post. While I really appreciate the beauty and wonder of God's creation of the natural world, I still remember one incident when a wise guy challenged my concept of "appreciating God's creation". I was talking about going to Taman Negara to enjoy God's creatures, when he pointed to himself and declared, "I am God's creature too."
That got me thinking... yea, people are God's creation too. In fact, humans are the crown of creation. We are infinitely more valuable than tigers and turtles. So, yes, while I enjoy coral reefs and montane forests, I need to remind myself that people are more important. Having said that, the reason we protect and conserve our environment is for our own sake, and for our neighbour's sake. It's for the health and well-being of humanity, because we are inextricably interconnected with the natural world around us. And we're responsible as stewards of God's creation. It's for us to use, but not abuse.
Wednesday, April 02, 2008
Easter baby
This year's Easter came and went without much traditional fanfare for me. It's because I was away in Hanoi that weekend. I think this was first Easter in which I did not go to church. Well, OK, maybe not the first.
You see, I spent my first ever Easter in hospital. I was born on a Saturday, between Good Friday and Easter Sunday. So Easter does have some special meaning for me. It's about birth and new life in the midst of death and gloom. The cross ends with the empty tomb.
The death and resurrection of Jesus Christ makes sense to me. It means my sins are forgiven when I believe in Jesus, not because I deserve to be forgiven, but because God so loves me. It means salvation is not something I earn, but receive graciously from God. It's not "rational", but requires faith. It's free but it's not cheap. It cost the life and blood of Jesus, the Son of God. And it will "cost" me a lifetime of surrender and submission to God who saves me.
It's good to be an Easter baby. :)
You see, I spent my first ever Easter in hospital. I was born on a Saturday, between Good Friday and Easter Sunday. So Easter does have some special meaning for me. It's about birth and new life in the midst of death and gloom. The cross ends with the empty tomb.
The death and resurrection of Jesus Christ makes sense to me. It means my sins are forgiven when I believe in Jesus, not because I deserve to be forgiven, but because God so loves me. It means salvation is not something I earn, but receive graciously from God. It's not "rational", but requires faith. It's free but it's not cheap. It cost the life and blood of Jesus, the Son of God. And it will "cost" me a lifetime of surrender and submission to God who saves me.
It's good to be an Easter baby. :)
Thursday, January 31, 2008
Inside Out
We hear many promises of change, but what we really need is a change from the inside out. External changes last but for a moment. Only internal change from deep within our heart of hearts will last forever.
God, change us from the Inside Out.
God, change us from the Inside Out.
Wednesday, December 26, 2007
RefleXions
I know it's not so good to get into too melancholic a mood, but I was just thinking, more than half the world celebrates Christmas under the blazing sun or torrential rain. No winter or snow whatsoever. So our "traditional" Christmas is clearly set in a very Northern Hemisphere-ish Euro-American culture. Well, just a thought. But it would be nice if it snowed in KL though. I mean, maybe just once. Aye?
Overall, this year's Christmas has been good, although I did not get a Canon 40D. Either Santa Claus doesn't exist, or I've been a naughty boy. Yeah, right.
OK OK, let me get my perspective right: Christmas is about Jesus Christ, not about me.
I've been listening to Bebo Norman's Christmas album over the past two weeks, and I like Track #1 the most. It's "Come and Worship". I also like Track #2, "Born to Die." I think that sums up the message of Christmas.
And, as I dwell on some preliminary end-of-year reflections, I can only say that it has been a good year for me. Praise the Lord. However, I also realize that this year has been a time of deepest grief and anguish for some.
If I could live this year again, I wouldn't do anything differently, except perhaps I would make the time to do at least one dive trip. :P OK, even that's not such a big deal after all. I've found that the lack of nitrogen saturation in the bloodstream does not cause serious mental or physical impacts. I can live without it.
I also wonder if the world would have turned out different today if I had bought Canon instead of Nikon. Haha. Again, trivial issues, in comparison with the incomparably more important matters of life and death that have filled the pages over the past year. My heart is more deceitful than I realize...
I shall search my soul a little bit more in the coming days as the new year approaches.
Overall, this year's Christmas has been good, although I did not get a Canon 40D. Either Santa Claus doesn't exist, or I've been a naughty boy. Yeah, right.
OK OK, let me get my perspective right: Christmas is about Jesus Christ, not about me.
I've been listening to Bebo Norman's Christmas album over the past two weeks, and I like Track #1 the most. It's "Come and Worship". I also like Track #2, "Born to Die." I think that sums up the message of Christmas.
And, as I dwell on some preliminary end-of-year reflections, I can only say that it has been a good year for me. Praise the Lord. However, I also realize that this year has been a time of deepest grief and anguish for some.
If I could live this year again, I wouldn't do anything differently, except perhaps I would make the time to do at least one dive trip. :P OK, even that's not such a big deal after all. I've found that the lack of nitrogen saturation in the bloodstream does not cause serious mental or physical impacts. I can live without it.
I also wonder if the world would have turned out different today if I had bought Canon instead of Nikon. Haha. Again, trivial issues, in comparison with the incomparably more important matters of life and death that have filled the pages over the past year. My heart is more deceitful than I realize...
I shall search my soul a little bit more in the coming days as the new year approaches.
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