Irritance
Pretty annoyed by what happened this morning.. as I was trying to cut over to another lane (which I am doing properly, with signals and all), some motorcyclists came speeding by. Seeing them, I stick back to my own lane.. one of them honked me as well. I don't mind that, but then that guy stuck his hand out and knocked my side mirror. I was pissed off man. Why must they do that? It's not like I force myself to the other lane without considering them speeding by. I saw them coming and I sticked to my own lane.. does that make any sense?? Sometimes I wonder what is wrong with Malaysian drivers.. am I easy to be bullied because my car is small. Seriously, if anything major happen just now I think I'll get off my car and either scold him on the top of my lungs or I'll just whack some sense into him. Road bullies.. beware.. dun play play with me ! This is one fire waiting to be let out...
Wednesday, December 29, 2004
Sunday, December 26, 2004
Am very very touched by what LaTonya wrote:
We all have gifts that we can present to God - we are that gift. Whatever we have, be it a humble heart, a voice, the ability to play any instruments, the ability to write, the ability to be still, the ability to hear.. we can offer it to God - that's what He wants from us. He doesn't need a full band - a big group of choir.. just a humble heart, an offering of our best would do...
Hope ya all will also be still... and know that He is God
The Humble Gift
By LaTonya TaylorDecember 23, 2004
I sat near the back of the sanctuary as the soloist made his way to the stage before the service began. He looked to be around 16, had dark curly hair and a preoccupied expression on his face. He sat down behind a music stand, adjusted his music, and gently placed his bass guitar on his lap.
Then, accompanied only by the gentle thump of his guitar, he sang the familiar song "The Little Drummer Boy." You probably know the song. It's about a little boy who visits the newborn Jesus. Realizing that he has no gift to honor this baby king, this child-Redeemer, the boy offers what he does have: the gift of his ability. He asks if he can play a drum solo.
My heart was moved as the soloist sang the final lines of the song, where the baby Jesus responds to the drummer boy's gift:
I played my best for him … then he smiled at me.
I don't know if he realized it, but in many ways, this singer demonstrated the beautiful truth of this story. He wasn't wearing a fancy Christmas suit or even a special tie—he was humbly dressed in a baggy sweater and khakis. His voice was soft and a little tentative, like it had just changed and he was still figuring it out. He looked down at his music the whole time. When the song was over, he didn't seem to notice the quiet applause that spread across the sanctuary. Instead, he simply gathered his music and walked to the back of the stage so the choir could file in.
I was moved by his humility, by his gentle, quiet spirit. This simple, tentative rendition of the song was his gift to God, tenderly rendered. It was beautiful.
And it was enough.
The Bible doesn't mention the story of the little drummer boy. As far as we know, this story isn't true in the literal sense of the word. But the writer of this beautiful song knew a deeper truth: that God is pleased when we give him our best.
Think of what the songwriter was trying to convey—who plays a loud, clattering, startling, ear-assaulting drum solo as a gift to a baby? But it came from a pure heart. And the smiling Christ-child sensed the purity of the young man's heart and responded with his own gift—the beaming face of God, the approval and gratitude of the tightly-swaddled Almighty.
Thank you. That was beautiful. What you brought Me was enough.
In many ways, Jesus was kind of like the drummer boy, and like the soloist I saw at church. Isaiah 53:2 says Jesus wasn't beautiful or stunning or especially majestic—that he had "no beauty of majesty in his appearance to attract us to him, nothing in his appearance that we should desire him." In fact, a lot of people missed the chance to get to know Jesus, because he seemed so ordinary.
But he was God's extraordinary gift, someone who came to wear a body like we do, to have a heart that knew abandonment, loneliness, betrayal and pain. He came to be bruised and misunderstood, to take a punishment beyond what our human hearts and bodies could withstand. He came to bring forgiveness and joy and peace and healing and hope and the promise of a perfect eternity.
My hope is that sometime during the rush and excitement of this season you'll have an experience like the one I had during that song. I hope that you'll see or hear something that makes your heart quiet itself and overflow the way mine did. That you'll have a humble moment when you can offer a silent prayer to God:
Thank you. You are beautiful. What you gave us is more than enough.
Learning to listen,
LaTonya
We all have gifts that we can present to God - we are that gift. Whatever we have, be it a humble heart, a voice, the ability to play any instruments, the ability to write, the ability to be still, the ability to hear.. we can offer it to God - that's what He wants from us. He doesn't need a full band - a big group of choir.. just a humble heart, an offering of our best would do...
Hope ya all will also be still... and know that He is God
The Humble Gift
By LaTonya TaylorDecember 23, 2004
I sat near the back of the sanctuary as the soloist made his way to the stage before the service began. He looked to be around 16, had dark curly hair and a preoccupied expression on his face. He sat down behind a music stand, adjusted his music, and gently placed his bass guitar on his lap.
Then, accompanied only by the gentle thump of his guitar, he sang the familiar song "The Little Drummer Boy." You probably know the song. It's about a little boy who visits the newborn Jesus. Realizing that he has no gift to honor this baby king, this child-Redeemer, the boy offers what he does have: the gift of his ability. He asks if he can play a drum solo.
My heart was moved as the soloist sang the final lines of the song, where the baby Jesus responds to the drummer boy's gift:
I played my best for him … then he smiled at me.
I don't know if he realized it, but in many ways, this singer demonstrated the beautiful truth of this story. He wasn't wearing a fancy Christmas suit or even a special tie—he was humbly dressed in a baggy sweater and khakis. His voice was soft and a little tentative, like it had just changed and he was still figuring it out. He looked down at his music the whole time. When the song was over, he didn't seem to notice the quiet applause that spread across the sanctuary. Instead, he simply gathered his music and walked to the back of the stage so the choir could file in.
I was moved by his humility, by his gentle, quiet spirit. This simple, tentative rendition of the song was his gift to God, tenderly rendered. It was beautiful.
And it was enough.
The Bible doesn't mention the story of the little drummer boy. As far as we know, this story isn't true in the literal sense of the word. But the writer of this beautiful song knew a deeper truth: that God is pleased when we give him our best.
Think of what the songwriter was trying to convey—who plays a loud, clattering, startling, ear-assaulting drum solo as a gift to a baby? But it came from a pure heart. And the smiling Christ-child sensed the purity of the young man's heart and responded with his own gift—the beaming face of God, the approval and gratitude of the tightly-swaddled Almighty.
Thank you. That was beautiful. What you brought Me was enough.
In many ways, Jesus was kind of like the drummer boy, and like the soloist I saw at church. Isaiah 53:2 says Jesus wasn't beautiful or stunning or especially majestic—that he had "no beauty of majesty in his appearance to attract us to him, nothing in his appearance that we should desire him." In fact, a lot of people missed the chance to get to know Jesus, because he seemed so ordinary.
But he was God's extraordinary gift, someone who came to wear a body like we do, to have a heart that knew abandonment, loneliness, betrayal and pain. He came to be bruised and misunderstood, to take a punishment beyond what our human hearts and bodies could withstand. He came to bring forgiveness and joy and peace and healing and hope and the promise of a perfect eternity.
My hope is that sometime during the rush and excitement of this season you'll have an experience like the one I had during that song. I hope that you'll see or hear something that makes your heart quiet itself and overflow the way mine did. That you'll have a humble moment when you can offer a silent prayer to God:
Thank you. You are beautiful. What you gave us is more than enough.
Learning to listen,
LaTonya
Saturday, December 25, 2004
A very merry Christmas indeed. Received messages from friends that I've never excepted. So sweet of them. Even James messaged me. That was purely a surprised. It came at odd hours, but it was such a joy to receive the message from him. Have been a while since I've heard from him or even call him in return for the messages he sent to me. Am very glad to hear that he is alright and things are going on well for him while he's in England. He even mentioned that I was the third person on his mind during this Merry season. Am very very touched by it. He mentioned he's visiting church today with his friend and the friend's family.. that's very good news indeed. Dear Father, I pray that even as this child of yours carry on with his life, continue to reach out and to touch him, like you did to me. Father, I pray for his salvation, that you will work in him, to bring him back to you and to be able to share his life with you Lord.
Christmas, the day when Christ was born.. was so touched by the scene, time and again, to know that Christ was born, and in all place, a manger. But praise be unto His name, may He be glorified forever and ever on this day.
Am very very hectic these past weeks, so much so that I feel so tired. But God is good, He gave me strength to sustain all that there is. Jesus said, "Peace, be still. Let us be still on this joyous season, be still to hear Him, to share the joy and happiness that there is...Be still and know that Christ is Lord. Continue to bask in His love....
Christmas, the day when Christ was born.. was so touched by the scene, time and again, to know that Christ was born, and in all place, a manger. But praise be unto His name, may He be glorified forever and ever on this day.
Am very very hectic these past weeks, so much so that I feel so tired. But God is good, He gave me strength to sustain all that there is. Jesus said, "Peace, be still. Let us be still on this joyous season, be still to hear Him, to share the joy and happiness that there is...Be still and know that Christ is Lord. Continue to bask in His love....
*ChristmaS*
It's Christmas day today! Merry Christmas everyone.. such a joyous day...
Today also mark the anniversary of my return from Australia over a year ago. Memories came flooding to my mind even as I am typing this... memories of the good times, of the sad times, of the friends, of the family that I was part of.. memories.. beautiful and wonderful memories.
Thank you for being those friends who sticks closer than a brother for me (Proverbs 18:24b - modified version). I pray that God will continue to bless you all with his love and annointing.
It's Christmas day today! Merry Christmas everyone.. such a joyous day...
Today also mark the anniversary of my return from Australia over a year ago. Memories came flooding to my mind even as I am typing this... memories of the good times, of the sad times, of the friends, of the family that I was part of.. memories.. beautiful and wonderful memories.
Thank you for being those friends who sticks closer than a brother for me (Proverbs 18:24b - modified version). I pray that God will continue to bless you all with his love and annointing.
Friday, December 24, 2004
Time to be Alone with God
Increasingly realising that it's hard to find time to be alone for God. Even when we're alone, we seek for things to fill that empty void in us, thus, television is on always, music as well, books, whatever that can keep us "occupied". I do that too, but yet, work makes a difference, because it takes up even more of your time. I fill up the void by reading, by surfing, by chatting and by listening to music. Yet increasingly, I felt the pull to be closer to God. Been listening to only gospel music these days, even when I am work. Feels so hard, for I don't have the chance to sing like I used to, like, whenever and wherever. Even when I hide in my room, it's hard, because being around family and singing is like disaster. Forever hearing comments from her, which makes me realise that she doesn't understand that by me singing, I'm releasing something... so tough being me. Thank God I don't have to be alone.
I'm always hit by realisation these days, the fact that I longer have my collection of songs in my notebook since it crashed the last time, the lost of all my song lyrics...A couple of days ago, this realisation hit me, there's no one to share my love, my passion with, there's no one here who shares my love and my passion for songs and singing. Sad world isn't it...but God is ever faithful, will continue to seek Him...
Increasingly realising that it's hard to find time to be alone for God. Even when we're alone, we seek for things to fill that empty void in us, thus, television is on always, music as well, books, whatever that can keep us "occupied". I do that too, but yet, work makes a difference, because it takes up even more of your time. I fill up the void by reading, by surfing, by chatting and by listening to music. Yet increasingly, I felt the pull to be closer to God. Been listening to only gospel music these days, even when I am work. Feels so hard, for I don't have the chance to sing like I used to, like, whenever and wherever. Even when I hide in my room, it's hard, because being around family and singing is like disaster. Forever hearing comments from her, which makes me realise that she doesn't understand that by me singing, I'm releasing something... so tough being me. Thank God I don't have to be alone.
I'm always hit by realisation these days, the fact that I longer have my collection of songs in my notebook since it crashed the last time, the lost of all my song lyrics...A couple of days ago, this realisation hit me, there's no one to share my love, my passion with, there's no one here who shares my love and my passion for songs and singing. Sad world isn't it...but God is ever faithful, will continue to seek Him...
Monday, December 20, 2004
Christmas is just around the corner. Can't believe it, Christmas day is the day that marks my return to my homeland for one year. Seriously, one year has past but the memories of the time in Gippsland is so fresh in my heart and mind. It's amazing how fast time flies.
Will never deny the fact that the one year I was in Gippsland was the happiest in my life. Being surrounded by friends who are like family to me, makes it even sweeter. Really really amaze me, the friendships that was built then. Never in my entire life have I ever had such close friends in my life, so much so that there was never an issue on give and take, but everyone was willing to give and give. Such joy, such beauty in our friendship.
The last trip down was very memorable as well. Although things were weird at first, for a year since we've met up, but slowly things were like last time. I have had a great time, the things that we did, the games that we played, the silliness that existed during that time, brings such great memories of the past to me. I seriously did not want to leave that day, my heart was truly breaking as the bus pulled away from the station. Though they are still in sight, still there seeing us go, I willed them not too. But reality is reality, coming back is truly reality.
Went to work the next day, but came home half day, couldn't take it, not feeling well.. mebe it was heart ache, I do not know, but it took me a while to get back up.
Thank you for G and LA, who helped me through a period where it hurts, where everything seemed to be wrong, where everything seem to fade... thank you for being there for me, for helping me up and most of all, for loving me.
Will never deny the fact that the one year I was in Gippsland was the happiest in my life. Being surrounded by friends who are like family to me, makes it even sweeter. Really really amaze me, the friendships that was built then. Never in my entire life have I ever had such close friends in my life, so much so that there was never an issue on give and take, but everyone was willing to give and give. Such joy, such beauty in our friendship.
The last trip down was very memorable as well. Although things were weird at first, for a year since we've met up, but slowly things were like last time. I have had a great time, the things that we did, the games that we played, the silliness that existed during that time, brings such great memories of the past to me. I seriously did not want to leave that day, my heart was truly breaking as the bus pulled away from the station. Though they are still in sight, still there seeing us go, I willed them not too. But reality is reality, coming back is truly reality.
Went to work the next day, but came home half day, couldn't take it, not feeling well.. mebe it was heart ache, I do not know, but it took me a while to get back up.
Thank you for G and LA, who helped me through a period where it hurts, where everything seemed to be wrong, where everything seem to fade... thank you for being there for me, for helping me up and most of all, for loving me.
Monday, December 13, 2004
LIfe is definitely a mystery, yet this is one mystery that we can solve with God's help. Though it might not always be the answer that we hope or wish it to be, but yet, the answer is there.
God has truly bless me in my life, taking good care of me since I was a little girl and even till now, a young working adult. Sometimes it's hard to comprehend the ways of God, and sometimes we find it hard to follow Him through that narrow path. But praise God, for we don't have to walk that narrow path on our own. All we have to do is just to ask Him, Father, can you help me and guide me through this narrow path, He will answer, yes, my dear child, let me hold your hand and guide you. If you allow God to take hold of your hand, praise Him! The path will not feel so narrow anymore, for you'll know where to step. Sometimes we may stumble and fall, but when we cry out to our Father in heaven, He will turn around and carry you through. I've stumbled and fall many times, yet, He never once choose not to help me up. I've took a tumble recently and He was there when I cried out to Him. Praise Him for He is always with us. Sometimes we wonder, is God with us? All we need to do is just to be still for a moment, and we will hear Him. Look up to the sky, you'll see the beauty of His creation. Let everything around you quiet down, and you'll hear Him. Let our heart quiet down and be at peace, and you'll feel HIm around you.
Praise God for His love, praise God for His everlasting love..
God has truly bless me in my life, taking good care of me since I was a little girl and even till now, a young working adult. Sometimes it's hard to comprehend the ways of God, and sometimes we find it hard to follow Him through that narrow path. But praise God, for we don't have to walk that narrow path on our own. All we have to do is just to ask Him, Father, can you help me and guide me through this narrow path, He will answer, yes, my dear child, let me hold your hand and guide you. If you allow God to take hold of your hand, praise Him! The path will not feel so narrow anymore, for you'll know where to step. Sometimes we may stumble and fall, but when we cry out to our Father in heaven, He will turn around and carry you through. I've stumbled and fall many times, yet, He never once choose not to help me up. I've took a tumble recently and He was there when I cried out to Him. Praise Him for He is always with us. Sometimes we wonder, is God with us? All we need to do is just to be still for a moment, and we will hear Him. Look up to the sky, you'll see the beauty of His creation. Let everything around you quiet down, and you'll hear Him. Let our heart quiet down and be at peace, and you'll feel HIm around you.
Praise God for His love, praise God for His everlasting love..
Saturday, December 11, 2004
Sometimes life can be so unpredictable. There's so many happenings in life that you find it hard to be still for a moment and think things through. Sometimes find it hard to be still and wait on Him, my world is so bombarded by things... wana learn to be still and wait on Him. Maybe it'll be different then, things I mean....
Sunday, December 5, 2004
Name Four Things You Are Thinking About Now :
- why am I feeling the way I am
- how's my blog now
- why must I go to work tomorrow
- should I sleep or should I watch vcd
Name the Last Four Things You Have Bought:
- Slurpee
- watches
- a pair of shoes (in spore)
- Korean vcd
Name the Four Drinks You Regularly Drink :
- Water
- Orange juice
- yoghurt
- teh ping
Name the Four things You Wish To Have :
- a closer relationship with God
- close friends to be around me always
- A bookshop of my own
- love
Last person chatted online with?
- Geraldine
Last Time You Cried?
- About an hour ago
What's Under Your Bed?
- nothing lor..
Current Clothes
- my pj
Current Desktop Picture:
- picture of Mel, Alicia n me
Current Screen Saver:
- can't remember, think it's pictures
Current Worry ?
- why the heck I am so depress at the moment
Current Hate ?
- feeling depressed
Favorite Physical Feature Of The Opposite Sex
- don't go for physical, but more of personality
Favourite Place To Be?
- some place where I am happier
Least Favorite Place?
- place that makes me sad and hurtful
Favorite Color(s)?
- red, pink, black
Do You Believe In An Afterlife ?
- yes, I do believe in heaven
Current Favorite Word/Saying?
- cacat
One Person From Your Past You Wish You Could be?
- myself when I was closer to God than now
Favourite Days?
- in Gippsland with my friends
Favorite Bike?
- erm... duno.. gime a mountain bike and i'll cycle lar
Favourite Cartoon Character?
- anime can?? they are soo cute
Favourite Food ?
- lai fun (only available in gopeng, ipoh
Favourite song?
- I need you Lord
What do you like to do most?
- read and sing
Do you like to eat fish or chicken?
- chicken, scared of fish, coz there was a time I'm always cooking fish at home.. ergh
Do you like to complete your homework in school or at home?
- at home lor.. but now no more homework lor
Do you skip school often ?
- only when I was in Uni in Gippsland... kekek
What are you doing now?
- nothing, trying to find something to occupy me so that I don't feel what I don't want to feel
- why am I feeling the way I am
- how's my blog now
- why must I go to work tomorrow
- should I sleep or should I watch vcd
Name the Last Four Things You Have Bought:
- Slurpee
- watches
- a pair of shoes (in spore)
- Korean vcd
Name the Four Drinks You Regularly Drink :
- Water
- Orange juice
- yoghurt
- teh ping
Name the Four things You Wish To Have :
- a closer relationship with God
- close friends to be around me always
- A bookshop of my own
- love
Last person chatted online with?
- Geraldine
Last Time You Cried?
- About an hour ago
What's Under Your Bed?
- nothing lor..
Current Clothes
- my pj
Current Desktop Picture:
- picture of Mel, Alicia n me
Current Screen Saver:
- can't remember, think it's pictures
Current Worry ?
- why the heck I am so depress at the moment
Current Hate ?
- feeling depressed
Favorite Physical Feature Of The Opposite Sex
- don't go for physical, but more of personality
Favourite Place To Be?
- some place where I am happier
Least Favorite Place?
- place that makes me sad and hurtful
Favorite Color(s)?
- red, pink, black
Do You Believe In An Afterlife ?
- yes, I do believe in heaven
Current Favorite Word/Saying?
- cacat
One Person From Your Past You Wish You Could be?
- myself when I was closer to God than now
Favourite Days?
- in Gippsland with my friends
Favorite Bike?
- erm... duno.. gime a mountain bike and i'll cycle lar
Favourite Cartoon Character?
- anime can?? they are soo cute
Favourite Food ?
- lai fun (only available in gopeng, ipoh
Favourite song?
- I need you Lord
What do you like to do most?
- read and sing
Do you like to eat fish or chicken?
- chicken, scared of fish, coz there was a time I'm always cooking fish at home.. ergh
Do you like to complete your homework in school or at home?
- at home lor.. but now no more homework lor
Do you skip school often ?
- only when I was in Uni in Gippsland... kekek
What are you doing now?
- nothing, trying to find something to occupy me so that I don't feel what I don't want to feel
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