BKK
Thursday, February 26, 2009
I have no clue what to expect over the weekend. Ha ... we have no itineraries, no plans ... just going to do whatever the four of us fancy.Woohoo ! Bangkok !
Is this it ?
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Is this it, God ?Over dinner last night, we were talking about death ... a spin-off from Y's unknown heart condition. If I drop dead tomorrow what will I regret? I think I've led a pretty fruitful life and I've been true to myself ... perhaps the only regret is not having my own child.
Is this it? Work, family, friends, church, gym, travel ... that's it? I mean it's all hunky dory but ... that's it ?
Oh well, maybe my weekend trip to BKK will give me some fresh revelations ...
Q: Why does sun ray changes color from dawn to dusk ? Yellowish at dawn, then white(?), then orangy at dusk. Hmmmm... why lei ?
Sweet Sad Song
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Lucky - Jason Mraz feat. Colbie Caillat
Do you hear me,I'm talking to you
Across the water across the deep blue ocean
Under the open sky
oh my, baby I'm trying
Boy I hear you in my dreams
I feel your whisper across the sea
I keep you with me in my heart
You make it easier when life gets hard
And so I'm sailing through the sea
To an island where we'll meet
You'll hear the music, feel the air
I'll put a flower in your hair
Sad because it's a song about being apart from the one you love. I love this bit - 'I'll put a flower in your hair' . Picture the beach, sea breeze, long hair flowing in the wind, guy gently brushes girl's hair behind ear and put a frangipani in her hair ... Yes, we all love the idea of being in love, don't we?
I was sharing with a colleague that I'm asking a friend along for a 'date' to minimise the chances of waking the butterflies in my stomach. Received a earful about what a silly idea that is and how if she is the one turning 30 next year, she will be desperately trying and not jeopardise it by doing what I do. Was quite upset with that statement that sounded like something one will utter in the 80s. Honestly, I rather not settle down than be with the wrong guy. Oh well... to each her own ... end of the day ... is it love (effort) we are pursuing or the idea of being in love (fluff) ?
Farewell party girl ...
Monday, February 23, 2009
Recently, a colleague wrote me a note and she ended with 'keep partying' and another friend greeted me as 'party gal'. How strange as I have not stepped into a club since Nov and it was many months before that too. Didn't guess it will be such a hard image to shed.
Since five years ago, clubbing became a way of life and at one point, I was hitting the clubs 3 times a week. I had friends, superficial friends who were only bearable after downing a couple of shots and my idea of fun was being intoxicated and having every single thought was drowned by the loud music.
I realised I had a problem about a year ago but it was difficult to stop and I was suffering from 'withdrawal symptoms'. Stumbled into God's hands ... He picked me up ... stumbled again ... He picked me up again. It was a arduous process and I paid heavily each time I stumbled (as recently as November 08) but God restored me patiently time after time .... incoherent speech, mascara smeared by tears, stinking of tequila and cigarettes ... no complaints.
Hence, I can't help but pat myself on the back when a rather cute army captain asked me out for a drink last week and I replied 'Thanks for the invite but for anything involving alcohol ... you can count me out'. ALRIGHT! *Ding Ding Ding Ding*
Last Sat, I was at 'a pinch of salt' for dinner and there is a piano in the cafe. After dinner, one of my cell member started playing the piano and the rest of us gathered around and started singing. I had fun ... no shots required :)
'But you are a chosen people, ... , a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light' - 1 Peter 2:9-10
Story of the prodigal son
Sunday, February 22, 2009
The Return of the Prodigal Son (1773) by Pompeo Batoni Pompeo Pastor John spent an hour talking about the story of the prodigal (recklessly extravagant) son today and it's fascinating how the same story interpreted by different pastors always bring fresh insights. You can read it in Luke 15:11-32. First time I heard the story, I thought, okay, that's nice but I did not fully appreciate the depth of this Father's love till today. Almost identical to my own story ... well... that will be for another day.
Leaving you with an extract from Max Lucado's 'Everyday deserve a chance':
'God runs when he sees the son coming home from the pig trough. When the addict steps out of the alley. When the teen walks away from the party. When the ladder-climbing executive pushes back from the desk ...
When prodigals trudge up the path, God can't sit still. Heaven's throne room echoes with the sound of slapping sandals and pounding feet, and angels watch in silence as God embaraces his child.
You turn toward God, and he runs toward you.'
'22"But the father said to his servants, 'Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. 23Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let's have a feast and celebrate. 24For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.' So they began to celebrate.'-Luke 15:22-24
It's a new season ...
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
Yes, a new blog again. This is my 5th blog and I love the colour and simple layout. It's 'brighter' and less complicated than previous blogs. Decided to start a new blog as this is a new season for me with a new job and a new level of intimacy with God.As I embark on this new season with both a sense of anticipation and a tinge of uncertainty, I'm glad I have God to calm those nerves. It's like a foetus in it's mother's womb, there might be movements, there might be loud noises but the foetus is protected by this cushion of amniotic fluid. Ha, not exactly the prettiest analogy in the world but that is how it feels. I feel protected and know I will be as long as I remain in the boundary God has set. So, I'm not sure how future entries in 2009 will pan out but I guess that's the beauty of life, isn't it ...
Your Name - Paul Baloche