God Loves Broken People–Sheila Walsh

-(…and those who pretend they’re not.)

 

A very recommended read if you’re in a rough patch, seeking to find the reassurance of Christ’s love and power for you to bring you through.

Sheila Walsh shares her own personal stories and fears honestly, as well as some others, effectively conveying the point of each chapter. This is a book full of warmth and emotion; it is as if you are reading a letter addressed to you. However, some people (especially some men) would not find her way of writing all that comfortable to read.

Every chapter is filled with truth about God and his love, told in a way that is seasoned with grace and love. There is no sugarcoating of the truth, nor does it belittle the suffering and pain in your life.

Sheila Walsh acknowledges the presence of suffering and pain in the world, and points to the Shepherd who’ll ultimately lead us, battered, possibly, broken, certainly, but most definitely---home.

4 and a half stars :).

Defiant Joy

-The Remarkable Life & Impact of G.K. Chesterton,

by Kevin Belmonte.

I was very interested in G.K. Chesterton and his works, so when I came upon this book on BookSneeze, I seized upon the chance to review it. However, this book proved to be quite a disappointment to me. It was lengthy and verbose, too scholarly to actually interest people who aren’t already avid fans of Chesterton. It took me quite a long time to get through this, and this is quite rare as I can usually finish a book of much longer length in a week.

I would only recommend this book to people that have a scholarly interest in Chesterton, and even then, perhaps some other book would do that better. This book tries to paint Chesterton as a larger than life figure, full of joy and wit. However, the way the author tries to do so stifled Chesterton’s character instead. It’s hard to get a sense of his life through the author’s words.

I would give this 2 out of 5 stars.

 

*BookSneeze sent me this book, for my total and totally rad reviews.

-censored-

The thing is, I write a whole lot of garbage, and before I even consider clicking ‘publish’, I backspace the whole thing away. Probably for the better, too.

There’s the sense of oh what the point. And who-would-wanna-read-this-anyway.

Not like I would want anyone to read this anyway. No no nooo… Indeed, I made a blog so no one would be able to read it. It’s just to share whatever thought I had and once or twice mention that I ‘elaborated’ it on the blog surreptitiously in some conversation and refuse to give out the address. Sneaky sneaky. Not like they can’t find it on my facebook profile, anyway.

Pride pride. I can’t imagine that I wrote all the things that I wrote just one year ago. Future me would probably blush at the pretentious crap that I garble out now.

Is that a sign of mature-hood? Or is this just some form of self-loathing? I would very like to think I’m ‘mature’ now. But meh. Those usually wanting to be ‘mature’ usually end up being the more childish, narrow-minded bigots.

Every time I visit my blog I find something else to shudder about myself. The color-scheme, the layout, the font, the choice of words, the titles. I’m reminded of how constantly changing my tastes are. And how easily sated, yet only for a very short period of time.

Yep. All jumbled up now. Off to bed.

Camp 2011

So, it was cold. So, it was like totally drama. So, it was torturous and tiring. So?

I learnt something new each day. Being camp papa was no piece of cake, but it wasn’t that hard---we had pastor, and the older ones to help. Without them, camp would be a nightmare. Really.

But yeah, I shall try my best to put down a chronicle of events, according to my P.O.V. la.

-

Day One

I wasn’t early to get to church; I wasn’t late either. So by the time I got to church, there weren’t anything to do! Everything was already loaded up on the bus, everyone was already lined up according to their buses. Good start, good start. Heh heh heh

Anyway, we prayed and left Ipoh. The journey was uneventful. Got to know some people, or rather, I just got to know their names. Saw Nicholas’ cousin and saw that he really was very leng zhai. Hohohohohoho. But anyway!

The bus left us somewhere far from Chefoo itself, so we had to walk up, with the heavy luggages and stuff. And then it started drizzling. Not so good start. But anyway, we managed to unload the drum set, and props, and stuff. Uncle Xiu Ming sent the people to their dorms.

Orientation! Sent them to sit with their games groups. Had them play charades to get their team colour. They had to act out stuff like maggie mee, strawberry, frying rice. I was in the eating mood. Hahahaha. They got to decorate their umbrellas! And then they advertised them. All sorts of lame stuff came out. But at least most of them realize an umbrella is used to protect you from the elements… Don’t know where all the genie-genie stuff came out all. Then it was free time. And there was much rejoicing! For dear campers. Committee had to prepare stuff for the games that will be on the next two days.

Dinner. Session. Oh guess what, I didn’t bathe! :D. We learnt about remaining on the altar, not just jumping off it when it gets hot, too intense for comfort.

Games committee had a meeting that went on til 11+.

‘Hey hey, it’s light’s out now, go back to your dorms and sleep!’

‘Is everyone in here?’

‘Remember, morning devotions tomorrow morning at 7:45! Meet at the hall!’

-

Day Two

Having to wake up early is sad. Having to wake up early when it’s cold is just mean D;. Having to wake up early in the cold, and have no hot water to shower in… D’;. So yeah, I didn’t shower.

The cold was still tolerable. Energy levels still moderately high for me. We had our devotions. I honestly can’t remember completely what it was about. See, I’m so not a morning person.

Session. When we remain on the altar, we've to continually remove the ashes so the fire can burn brightly, unhindered. What are the ashes in our lives? Sin. Baggages. Then Ps. Steven hit us with the hardball: List out 10 major sins/baggages in your life that are affecting you now. After that, share about them with your discussion group. Hard stuff to do. I’m amazed how some people can put out their vulnerable side and be honest. But of course, there are also some that are still cautious, not wanting to open up.

Lunch! Mad dash to finish the food and then rush out to prepare stuff for station games later. Fun.

I get to press the button to sound the siren! ;D. There was once I pressed it like 5 minutes too early. Whoops. People got all muddy. And then they stepped onto the clean, white-tiled floor in the hall. Horror. Grab ALL the mops! Mop ALL the stains! Many people got cuts and bruises here and there. Nothing life-threatening. Yet. Then Timothy got bitten by a spider on the toe and it swelled up a little. Still he went on playing. Kenneth got hit on one eye by a very straight-flying slipper, and he chickened out on all the other dirty games. But anyway, the caretaker freaked out when she saw all the muddy mess. Field is now forbidden area. –dum dum dummmmmm-

Really. I forgot how many times I wrung the mop dry.

After games and all, we sent the dirty, muddy people to go wash up. Committee stayed behind to pack up stuff and clean up, and then get ready for Fun Night. Sweep sweep sweep, mop mop mop. I seriously hope we don’t get blacklisted at Chefoo! D;

Dinner. Found out I didn’t really have urgent stuff to attend to. So I took a shower! Aaaaaaah :D. For my life I can’t remember if I had hot water. I think I did. hehehehehehe. Then mad dash to dress and run to the chalet to get ready for Fun Night. I get to wear my crazy hat and be very campy. Ho ho hooooo

It was indeed a carnival. What with tigers and gypsies all. And then some palm reader got murdered. Then I had to trip over a dog (or so they say, I couldn’t see, it was dark, okay!) while running to close the door. Epic. The dog ran away from me after that every time I went near it.

Then, stuff happened. It was all right for the first thirty minutes. I saw someone on the floor, Henry, surrounded by one huge crowd. My heart stopped. I ran to get the first aid kit. But it couldn’t help him. I called pastor. ‘Keep calm, everyone, go on, go on, don’t dally here!’. I didn't have a clue what happened. Just bits and pieces from people. It might be a fracture. It might be dislocated…… The ambulance came about 30 minutes after.

I pronounced the mime dead. Apparently half the groups didn’t know who the mime was. –sigh-. And it all went downhill after that. People were getting all restless. People were getting frustrated. Reports of the poor station masters getting yelled at, or cursed at got to me. Someone wanted to punch me. I didn’t know what to do. I pronounced the gypsy dead.

I ended the night with proclaiming the acrobat dead. The murderer was the tight-rope walker because she became a little wonky after being shunned by everyone else. 3 groups got it. The whole committee was discouraged. The clowns felt so guilty and sad. Irony. We prayed as a group, for Henry, for everything else to go smooth, for protection, for strength to go on. No time for wallowing---we went on to pack up and clean up.

Everyone in the committee was feeling a little numb already.

Little comforts like milo with whipped cream and chocolate syrup.

Room keys getting missing. Spending time looking around for them. Giving up, assigning people to sleep somewhere else. Henry had to go down to Ipoh for an operation when the x-ray showed that he had a fracture.

Sleep.

-

Day 3

His mercies are new each morning. His love endures forever. He is good, and faithful. I find out that, miraculously, when the team at Ipoh did another x-ray on Henry, the fracture lines weren’t there anymore. Henry didn’t need to be hospitalized for Christmas anymore. No major operation. Just some pain til he recovers. Thank God.

Woke up super late, but in time to brush the teeth. So, yeah, no shower. I remember about the wise mum who puts the vitamins in the cookies for her picky son. Not day 3’s devotion? Whoops, okay.

Session was about adding, I think. Are you adding to your spiritual life so you can grow and be mature? Are you stuck at conversion and never moving forward? Why not surrender it all to God? Why do you sing this and that and never even do this?

For the first time, I was put in charge of a station, together with Nicole, for Amazing Race! I was super lenient with all of the people who came to my station. They were all done in less than 5 minutes. Hahahaha. Oh, and it was raining.

The first team arrived at the finishing line in less than an hour. More like, 40 minutes! I was like, huh? –Calls Ken Xin- -Call didn’t get through- -Calls Li Xin- ' “Eh! One group finish already worrrrr!!” “Yeah, I know ah, Timothy’s group, right?” “Oh, okay, you all are team number one”. Super blur. You know you are super charismatic when people use your name to refer to the group when you’re not even the team leader. First group to come in was Joanna Ooi’s group. Last, was Wai Khay’s. Sad, considering his team was the best for both fun night and station games.

Mop mop mop, sweep sweep sweep. AAAAH CRICKET WORMMMSSSSLSARHAOSHRSROASORSAJORJ. Seriously, Ken Xin.

Practice for Christmas Celebration. Joyous affair, really. I get to eat marshmallows with chocolate syrup. Then I went all hyper on the sugar, or something. I loved dinner. Oooooooh Hooooooly Niiiiiiighttttttt.

Then someone had to suggest Majesty. Oh darnnnnn. Never mind. I’m doing this for God. Whack all I can. It is after all, a very boring, fun song to do. Then the drama came up. Bryan and Beverly did a superb job. The mood was set. Then Uncle Xiu Ming came out……

Games. Then prize giving time! Orange^2, Allegro, Strawberry Spiders. In that order. But, because of all the numerous complaints that I received about Orange^2, we put them to second place instead. In retrospect, we should’ve just taken them out of the placing, another team deserved the spot more. Oh well, it’s over. Everyone was happy, anyway, so it didn’t really matter.

Pack up. Clean up. Sleep. Dorm Wars didn't happen. Sorta. It happened for 10 minutes la, then pastor Elaine showed up. I was sound asleep. Hahaha. I know, sound asleep for the last night in camp. Bummer!

-

Day 4

Almost everyone was late for devotions. Tired and zombie-like.

Session today was about rearranging priorities, like how you rearrange the meat on the barbecue so it cooks better. Heh. I was trying hard not to fall asleep throughout the session. So not a morning person D:.

At least there're no games today, rest for the committee! Sent campers to pack up their stuff and bring luggages to the hall. Then it was wild camera snapping time. >.>

Anyway, I managed to steal shortbread from people. Mwahahahha. Such kind souls. The bus came late. Nobody wanted to claim this pair of zebra shoe-slipper-footwear-thing, so it's with me now.

The bus ride back, I just felt so happy. It's over. For the first time, ever. Since when do you feel happy because camp is over? My business relationship with Natasha thus ended. Heheheh! I wasn't happy just because of that though! No more speaking into the megaphone. Ah, sound of my own voice, shooo! :D.

Okay, weird moment. But it was sad to see everyone leaving like that. Were their needs met? Did they get to have a touch from God this camp? Did they leave with their lives changed, however small a change? How long will that change last?

Henry was there when we arrived back at church! He's alive! and walking! and well! Seriously, thank God.

-

So yeah, that's camp. Ups and downs. Totally drama. Totally tiring. Totally awesome.

God, God, what have you in store for me?

Exams…!

Exams in 5 more days! So not prepared. The more exercises I do, the more I find out how much I don’t know. What have I been doing this whole year?! Not panicking yet, though. I’m not exactly the panicky kind, or so I think. So help me God, help me remember stuffs and understand concepts foreign!

Deciding whether to take on more tuitions next year. I’ll self-study first through the holidays and see what comes. Hopefully I study. Haha

-------------

Games planning for camp is better than I can ever hope for. Nothing energizes me more than a group of creative bunch that don’t just agree with every suggestion I make, but actually fight and contribute, making the initial plan much better than I had ever imagined . I can honestly say I’m waiting for exams to be over in a hurry so we can get started on the work.

Excite excite!

2 weeks + a few days

Yea, I started studying. A small miracle by itself already! The difference now is I actually have a goal in mind now---straight A’s for SPM! Why? Cause I want it. Cause I want to actually make an effort to do something beneficial to my future. I figured out spending so much time socializing isn’t worth the excess time, and effort. People really are fleeting.

Not to say that I’d be a complete nerd starting now; Saturdays and Sundays are my ‘off’ days. No tuitions allowed, if any at all, on those days. And minimal studying, if any. Heh.

After one week (okay, fine, four days. happy?) of sticking to the schedule, I find that I don’t waste as much time. Yea, I still take overly long naps sometimes, I still go on the internet and do stuff, but I’m doing more things in a day than before, now.

---------------

October is already upon us. And I wonder, is there enough time for all that is to be done? How do you mobilize a team that isn’t really that eager to start? Where do you find the energy to go on after doing so much? And ultimately, will the much that you did amount to anything, at all?

Still learning, learning. I like the way that things get difficult cause if it stays easy…. it’s not a challenge for long. Forward, forward, forward!

I’m running around cause that’s how jumbled my thoughts are.

Bovvered Enough to Come BACK!

Can’t stand seeing something I sort of “built up” be left unmanaged. This page is like a testament to my failure of doing something consistently, of keeping something alive! Not like it really matters to anyone else; it only matters to me.

So here I am again, writing on.
-------------------------

It’s already almost the end of September. Daily schedule of studying at least 3 hours never consistently followed; finals in less than a month, SPM, just about a year. Projects, too numerous to count, left undone. Relationships left uncultivated. Thank God for the precious few…! I should really stop sleeping so much.

It’s a marvel, actually, how I stayed on with God, seeing how I fall out of doing things rather quickly---study schedule, calligraphy practice, rudiment practice, quiet time, exercise…… Yeah, I actually exercise! Starting up, fervently. Then it just… dies, just like everything else. Less than midway, I question, ‘Is doing this worth the trouble?’, ‘What is it that I’m really trying to get to?’. Answered with, ‘Probably not’, and ‘I don’t know’.  Doing it for the sake of it, or for fun, just wouldn’t really make it stick, if you get what I mean, for me, that is. I always needed a reason to do something. A good enough one. And even then……

Here’s to building up discipline.

And a video. Catherine Tate, from whom I got the title!

David Tennant was the Tenth Doctor, of the series Doctor Who; Catherine Tate played his companion. So yeah, get the joke…? >.>

Just so you know

NOT DEAD YET!

You know something is going wrong when every other post is to remind people that this blog isn’t dead, just yet.

----

Homework’s piling up. But I’m coping, oh yeahh, I’m coping! No tuitions for me, yet. So I actually have lots (well, compared to others) more spare time to do them. But then again, I’m lazy, and a procrastinator. NOT a good combination.

I made a daily schedule, with 2 hours of study, and another 2 for homework after school. Might as well throw it down the drain.

----

You MUST read this! http://www.jonacuff.com/stuffchristianslike/

Stuff Christians Like, or SCL for short, is about… well… stuff Christians like. Read it lah! It’s hilarious! Yet, insightful. And the serious Wednesday posts are so ;’((((( yet ;’))))). I know, I’m not making sense. SO JUST GO READ IT.

-----

Gong xi gong xi gong xi ni yaaa~

Incoherent

• So many people lugging around DSLRs around! Even my school started a photography club, the prerequisite? A DSLR. They don’t even know how to use them properly!
• Whose Line is it Anyway?
• Tomorrow’s Saturday. Qi Vin’s back! :O
• Tuitions---bane of students’ existence!
• x = negative-a-plus-minus-squarerootof-b-tothepoweroftwo-negative-4ac over 2a
• Everyone’s busy busy busy ;(

Living With Confidence In A Chaotic World – What on Earth Should We Do Now?

By Dr. David Jeremiah.

When I first received this book, I thought it would be one of those feel-good theology books. You know, those “God will prosper you no matter what, don’t worry”. But no, this book soberly faces reality, and counsels you on the best course of action---setting your mind on God---without going into virtual reality.

I’m not that impressed with the cover art. It’s like they just saw the word “earth” and “world” and decided to do just that. But then again, the cover’s not that important as the content. I like the typography---it manages to make large blocks of text readable, and actually made me want to read it.

What do you do when the world’s abuzz? So much activity going on. What do you choose to do, among hundreds of things that other people are doing to cope? This book tries to answer all that, and does it quite well, too!

My family read this book after me, and they were impressed and genuinely inspired by it. I would recommend this, really, to people that need it :).

Four stars.

 

See what I mean?

-Standard disclaimer:- BookSneeze provided me this free copy to review, which I took quite a long time to do so, blah blah blah, my own free will and choice and opinions and thoughts. Don’t shoot me.-

YouthQuake 2010 – Shockwave

Super long post ahead!

I’ll do a chronicle of this :).

---

Day 1 - Sunday

Meet-up at church at 11a.m. before boarding the bus and leaving for Peace Haven, Genting. Was almost late! Whew.

Experimented something on the bus. Ahem:-

Experiment 1 – The effects of isolation

Aim: To find out the effects of isolation on a person.

Method:-

Subject keeps to himself and limits contact with others. Subject does not encourage, but rather discourage, conversation and whatnot with closed body and facial language, and vocal tones.

Chronicle of events by subject:-

Boarding the bus. Sits at random seat somewhere in the middle, alone. People pass by, uncaring, until the back gets filled. Reluctant person sits next to subject---he will disappear to back of bus for the duration of the ride.

Plays the sign-board game. Starting from A to Z. Done before bus leaves Ipoh.

Walkman proves to be a solid companion.

Back of bus getting rowdy.

Some people decide to play cards beside subject.

Toilet stop! People inquire of subject’s aloofness; people already came up with excuse for subject: sickness.

Bus ride continues.

Bus reaches Peace Haven at about 3:30, thus ending the experiment.

Findings:-

Subject felt an abject sense of loneliness and being left out throughout the duration of the ride. This is amplified with the subject being enclosed in a bus, forced to listen to the noisiness; remedied with the walkman at high volumes. Slight depression.

Subject doesn’t need an excuse for aloofness; people already came up with one---sickness---to avoid un-pleasantries of dealing with emotions, and get on with fun.

Social awkwardness still continued after experiment, took some time to recover.

Conclusion:-

Isolation causes depression, loneliness, and sense of low-self worth.

-

So, please don’t isolate yourself, whatever you’re feeling will just get worse.

After the bus ride, we went straight up to the main hall---Rhema hall---for registration. Got our name-tags, folder for morning devotion material and other things, and T-shirt. I didn’t get a T-shirt.

We were divided into 20 groups for team-building and into 50-something devotion groups.

Peace Haven is super strict, with lots of rules. We were briefed on them after registration. All lights off at 11p.m. Hot water for bathing available only at specific times. This and that.

Dinner after going to our dorms/rooms and fitting in our beds.

Worship for all four days was great :). Plenary (that means everyone has to attend) session after worship.

Plenary Session Night 1

Acts 16:26. Paul and Silas, and the earthquake that freed them, and the lives of the jailer’s family.

This session talks about the shockwave that God causes, why it happens, how it happens, and what it does.

It happens to shake you up, make you think, see clearly the things God want you to see, and whatever that isn’t from God will crumble and fall.

It wakes you up; sets you free. Makes you realize that everything else that you hold on to will not hold, only God is stable and unshakable, your one true hope.

What if we rise up, receive God’s power, and activate it?

Have faith, He will do great things in you, and through you.

Buzz-session after that, which means a meet-up with your devotion group, and then supper and lights out :).

--------------------

Day 2 - Monday

Woke up at 6a.m.! Super-cold. NOT used to it yet :(. Prayer at 7.

Devotion today talks about friends. Are the friends you surround yourself with true friends? Friends that will stick with you through thick and thin?

Breakfast. Worship. Workshop.

“In His Image”

We’re all created in His image, we’re his “eikons”, or icons, his “little images”.

We started off with an exercise---imagining yourself:-

How do you see yourself?

How do others see you?

How does God see you?

--

Then we looked at the apostle Paul. Before and after his encounter with Jesus.

--

We were designed for one-ness. But Adam and Eve disobeyed God, and that created a rift between us all, this otherness. And this otherness expands throughout history. This otherness  happens between us and God, us and other people, us and the natural order of the world, us and ourselves.

Then Jesus came and showed us the way, so that we may be one in Christ.

Now, we await the second coming of Jesus, that this oneness in Him may be consummated forever :).

--

Then the speaker taught us an old old song:-

Had lunch after that. Bad thing about lunch was this: CGMC group just sat together. I regret joining them.

Registering for creative ministries. Got into drama! Whoop :). They had Vocals, Photography, Sign Language, Self-Defense, Drama, and Dance.

Team Building up next! Super-super tiring, but fun la. We had 5 stations, scattered all around Peace Haven.

Station 1 is called “Passion”, and we had to do a dance routine to Black Eyed Peas’ “I’ve got a Feeling”, edited worship version. I enjoyed this one the most :).

Station 2 is the Intellect station. We had to shut up for the whole duration of that game, while spelling out words in Acts 16:26 with our bodies. Uhhhhhhh. I won’t go into what happened :P, ask Alisson.

Station 3! Prayer. Knee-ball! Which is just captain-ball, down on your knees, with 4 teams at once. Super hectic. Screaming and shouting and clawing around. Scary la!

Station 4 is Power. We had to do 1000 push-ups, 1000 sit-ups, 500 star-jumps and don’tknowhowmany squats. Can die.

Station 5 is Love. We had to transfer people, along with 10 items (one person, one item) to the other side and back. Mat and hula-hoops provide the road.

Dinner. Worship :). Plenary Session.

Plenary Session Night 2

Main point is “Will you keep trusting and worshipping God even when the going gets tough?”

I was super emo before worship. Why? Because. Well, I shared this during buzz-time. I observed the people in YouthQuake, and although it’s a camp, everyone’s supposed to have fun, enjoy, meet God, they are so busy, going around. People they don’t know they just pass by with barely a glance. Busy busy busy, for what? I am guilty of this, too. Passing by so many people, not even with a hi, just to find my “gang”. How will there be unity if we don’t even take the time to know other people?

Thank God, he lifted me up during worship. I just didn’t feel like it when worship started. But I told myself, this isn’t about you, Jon. Worship is for God. So stop being such a selfish brat and give it all up to Him, for isn’t it  called a “sacrifice of praise”?

Today is the day, you have made; I’ll rejoice and be glad in it. I won’t worry about tomorrow, I’m trusting in what you said. Today is the day!

------------

Day 3 - Tuesday

Brrr. Colder. STILL not used to it.

Devotion today talks about ungodly friends, bad company……. About how they can corrupt your character. So choose wisely. And also, how good a friend are you to others?

Breakfast. Worship :D. Workshop. I went for “Inner Healing”.

Inner Healing

This workshop teaches you how to start the process of inner-healing, focusing more on the familial aspect.

It starts with us being divided into groups. Then, we had to share a secret with each other. Anything. After that, a little more intimate secret, the speaker picked the helpers in the groups to share. The participants were told to not pay attention to them. Funny things happened :D.

Ahem. Anyway. This workshop teaches us about wounds and emotions and arises when something happens, and how those wounds and emotions can be repressed underneath, which allows them to fester and boil, and cause personal development to go stunted. And these wounds must be acknowledged, or they won’t ever heal.

Three types of wounds:- Developmental, Emotional, and Memories. Developmental being those wounds that develop over time, something that happens again and again, like being disappointed by someone again and again. Emotional wounds may be caused by a tragic event, which may cause shock and trauma, and lead to repressed emotions. Memories, events that happened, and when something---a sight, smell, or touch---triggers it, the same emotions and thoughts come running back.

The speaker then proceeds to tell us that emotions have two layers, like an ice-berg, the top---which everyone can see---and the bottom---which only you yourself can feel, and that bottom emotion is the one that has to be acknowledged.

How to start the healing process? Be honest to yourself and a confidant. Pray. Forgive, let go. Got steps wan, but I didn’t write them down ;(. But that’s the overall gist la :).

Lunch. Siesta (which means “nap”), I didn’t take any nap at all throughout the camp. Creative Ministries! :D:D:D

DRAMA!

Why Drama?

It can be a better way to address certain issues that your pastor may not want to address due to any reason.

--

What is drama meant to do?

Glorify God! and edifiy the Church.

--

What is drama NOT meant to do?

Detract from the sermon---rather, it should complement it.

Being the center of attention of the service---people should remember the main message, not the drama.

Go against Scripture.

--

What do you need to be able to do to be an actor?

1. See pictures in your head, a.k.a. having an imagination!
2. Translate pictures in head to words, movement---being able to express it.
3. Get in character---not jumping to stereotypes, but rather dimensioning, giving depth and life to, your character.
4. Able to read. Really.
5. Be directed by others.
6. Kill pride.
7. Empathize with the character you’re playing and the characters your character interact with.
8. Be observant.

--

Character Development

1. History
2. Background/Culture
3. Motive
4. “How do you get into it?”

--

Drama Concepts/Techniques

• Improvisation/Ad Lib

Which means, on the spot thinking, going with the flow. Requires a leader or initiator and a follower.

• Body & Facial Language

Be self-aware!

• Vocal Expression/Control

Being able to convey expression and moods through your voice.

• Interspatial Dynamics

Where you are in relation to where other people are on stage; the stage is not a real environment!

--

Then we had to do a drama on friendship and what we learnt at YQ. Rarwarawr.

It was fun :D.

Dinner. Worship :)! FUN NIGHT!

“I say stand, you say up!” “Stand!” “Up!” “Stand!” “Up!”.

“If this is a fish, –hand motion-, what is this –another hand motion-?"”

“A FISHBALL!!!”

“Cause I want it that way ~~”

“Mmchichi, mmchi, tokitoki tokitoki, tongchaktongchak”

----

Day four – Wednesday

Wasn’t that cold today. Or maybe I’ve gotten used to it. Or maybe it was just a particularly warm day.

Devotion today talks about betrayal, betrayal by a friend; how it can deeply affect and destroy your trust and faith in people, and how can you deal with it. Forgive!

Breakfast. Worship. Workshop!

Peer Counselling :D

Peer: an equal, either in abilities, qualifications, age, background, or social status.

Counselling: to advise.

The focus here is age. People who are within 5 years of age between each other can be considered as peers, usually. But this is not true most of a time---consider a 18 year old with his/her boyfriend/girlfriend problem, sharing it with a 13 year old. Of course, maturity can’t really be calculated, so this is just a general statement.

--

Pros and Cons:-

Adult Counselling:-

• Pros:
• Experienced
• More mature……? [Some adults may be less mature than youths, but generally speaking…..]
• Better judgement (Adults have a developed frontal lobe, which recognizes future consequences)
• Better idea on consequences [see above]
• Emotional Stability [more so than youths, generally, if an adult isn’t emotionally stable, they can’t be counselling]
• Cons:
• Gap between adults & youth---age, culture…..
• Misunderstandings
• More judgemental---jumps to conclusions….
• No good rapport
• Forceful
• Neglecting emotions [that is, belittling or not considering emotions experienced]

Peer Counselling

• Pros:
• Easier to trust
• Better rapport
• Same “language” [yo, dude!]
• Easier to relate to the emotions
• Easier to bond with
• Non-threatening
• Cons:
• Less experience
• Maturity…….?
• Harder to make good judgement
• Not that good on looking at consequences
• May not know how to offer help / Can’t offer help---cannot drive, this that.
• Emotional instability

----

Before you counsel someone, check yourself for limitations---what you know and do not know, whether your emotions are stable, what can you do or not……

--

Things we base on to counsel people:

1. Moral Values
2. Social Norms
3. Societal Standards
4. Teachings
5. Rules/Laws
6. Religion

Out of that 6, 5 are man-made. Which means they change regularly. While religion, if it comes from God, is constant, and never changes.

--

What you must have to be a good counselor:-

• Be able to take good advice from others
• Believe in something, firmly.
• Love.

--

Characteristics of a good counselor:-

• Understanding
• Good listener
• Respects privacy of others
• Know when to refer to a professional/other people
• Ready to take on responsibilities
• Cut emotional ties [that is, if someone comes to you with a problem with a guy you hate, you still have to listen and give good counsel, not gossip and backstab that person]
• LOVE!
• Patience

--

When to refer to a professional:-

• Dramatic behavior changes
• Lots of pressure on the person
• Isolation
• Depression
• Death Wish
• Anger
• Deep guilt
• Substance Abuse
• Skipping school
• Acting out sexually

Do not ignore them when they say they want to suicide, no matter how casually they say it---it’s a cry for help; giving us one last chance before they do it.

--

Counselling techniques

• Listen well!
• Ask open-ended questions
• Look at person with respect and approval
• Show interest
• Gentle tone of voice
• Do not interrupt with story of your own
• Encourage expression of emotions!

--

Then I got chipsmores cause my group won. Mwhahahahaha

The end

------

Lunch. Siesta. Team building part 2!! :D

Team Building #2

Again, 5 stations! Passion, Energy, Mind, Prayer, and Love :)

Passion:- Part two of the dance routine! Ripple, bounce bounce bounce bounce x4, jump jump jump jump x2, bow arrow bow arrow, roll~~~head hold! Monkey bar, step and open, monkey bar step and open, boogie down, boogie clap, boogie up, boogie clap, lean lean lean lean, aeroplaneeeee, up down up down!

Energy:- Carrying people on mats---not fun!

Mind:- Moving chairs while chattering all the while---not fun!

Prayer:- Squeezing and contorting ourselves into positions to get 10 feet 10 hands and 1 butt on the mat---not fun!

Love:- Lowering a stick with the lame sign---not fun!

Okaylah, fine. Quite fun la. Hahahahahaha

Dinner. Worship :D.

Plenary Session Night 4

Dare to be different in a culture/society that tries to be someone else. You are different; you don’t need a tattoo to be different.

We are supposed to change the world; not vice versa, as it is now.

Our example is Jesus. We imitate him; not the world.

Don’t go down the path of least resistance---conformity.

Then an extended time of prayer for everyone who wanted to be prayed for. Super-super happifying sight, to me. Everyone else was crying or emoing while I was smiling and grinning like some crazy person. What to do? God answered my prayers! :D

It was straight on to supper cause prayer ate all the time :).

Oooooh. And I sat with different people during lunch and dinner today!

---------

Day 5 – Thursday – Last day! :OOOO

I’ve somewhat gotten used to the cold weather already. My lips were all cracked, though, and drinking lots of water doesn’t really help---more toilet trips only. Thank God the toilets are easily accessible at Peace Haven. Haha!

Devotion Day 5

Being a Friend of God

Today’s devotion talks about us being friends of God, like Abraham was. Is God just a mere acquaintance, or a close friend? How do we build a deep deep friendship with God?

:)

Breakfast. Worship :D.

Challenge: Will you let God continue to rock your world, and make a change through you in your church, community, school…..?

Prayer for those who wants to be prayed for again. Another crying fest. Yup, I was smiling and grinning and being super happy, again. What to do. God answered my prayers :D.

---

Then we packed up and say goodbye to everyone and get email addresses and phone numbers and hug hug hug hug hug hug and go back home ;(.

:)

The End.

The Best Side to Be

Even if you’re right, it’s better to be on the side that goes, “I’m sorry”.

Because, then, the other side has an either-or option---to forgive, or to hold the grudge, which would make him/her/them look childish and unforgiving.

Besides, “sorry” works wonders on wounded pride, egos and anger; it’s much easier to bring him/her/them to your point of view when he/she/they are calmer.

Anyway, saying sorry requires lots of effort and inner-strength. It kills the proud :D.

BUT.

Using “sorry” like this:-

“I’m sorry I fell in love with you, sorry I gave everything you wanted, sorry I was there for you all the time”

That’s not apologizing. That’s something called GUILT-TRIPPING. Because, what is the person being “apologized” to going to respond? It’s all right, I liked it when it happened?

Reminds me of some parents in movies:-

Parent to teen: ”Well, I’m sorry for giving you the best!”

Best way to counter?

Teen: ”It’s all right; I didn’t really need the best, anyway.”

WEIRD thought.

I suddenly thought of those not-so-important-but-important-enough-characters in novels. Then I thought, huh, why does it sound so much like what I do most of the time.

They seem to have no problems themselves. Goodness, their role in the novel is help solve the protagonist’s problems. All in the name of character development.

But truth is, they do have problems. They face troubles, sometimes even troubles greater than what the protagonist faces. It’s only when suddenly he/she breaks down, goes missing, gets involved in crime…... that something about that character is revealed. Otherwise, he/she is taken for granted.

And he/she doesn’t mind, usually. He/she takes great measures so the protagonists have a great time, have all their problems solved, putting their interests before his/hers.

But what does he/she gets in return? Novels kill them off, or let them go forgotten. They are no longer needed. What’s interesting is the hero/heroine.

-

But that’s what Christ is telling us to become, right? To recognize your role, your calling, and live up to it. No matter if you won’t be center-stage. No matter if you won’t be appreciated. God sees, and he never forgets. and He’ll surely reward justly.

One key difference is that you don’t hide your problems deliberately. Share it, find a friend, never mind if they can’t really help; just let it out. OhgoodnessthisissoundinglikesomeDearThelmasection

But then again, this is just what I think. Not completely thought out yet….

To obscurity and beyond!

Lalalalala :)))))

I’m so blessed. SO many people going around down with some sort of sickness… or “down-ness”, but not me! Mwahahahahha

I don’t even feel tired now! :O.

VBS is over. Thank God. Really. First time I played till my arms got tired. My elbows actually felt sore >.>’.

I actually remembered all my kids’ names :D!

Thank God for Xiu Ming who did so many many things :). If I could change SC2’s, I would not change Xiu Ming awayyy. Though maybe he might want to be someone else’s SC2, not my problem.

-

Back to normal routine……..?

VBS!

I really don’t know where to start on this. It’s such a big thing.

-

So much work went into just preparing it. From the planning, logistics, the props, decor, drama, worship, sound, lights, and the days themselves.

It’s events like these that stresses the importance of unity in the Body. Everyone, every part, doing their share of work. Contributing to the overall success of the event. If one part does their job well, the others will follow suit; if one does their job badly, the others will deteriorate as well =/.

No time for emo-ing.

-

I like my kids :). They are so typical of primary chinese school students, yet so different. For one, their English is actually good. >.>’ Not that I like them just because of their English but anyway.

-

Go boys! Will the girls win again this year? I hope not =/.

 

Lalalala

Dum dee dummm

I actually like breaking social norms and make people squirm. Lalala.

Until other people whom I’m not familiar with do it back to me. EEP.

The golden rule.

-

VBS is next week.

The end of MYF, session 2010, ends next week.

Christmas is next month. So so very soon.

Youth Quake is next month.

-

I’m home alone! :D.

Before you go, “aiyerr, so good wan”. Let me tell you, I’ve heard that enough times, and it’s not a good thing. You’ve to clean up the house, do all the chores you didn’t have to do when your mum’s around, FIND TRANSPORT for every single outing (thank GOD I’ve such good friends :)))), COOK, plan ahead, buy groceries, get paranoid over weird noises at night…..

I’m so blessed la, my sister calls to check on me, asking weird questions. Then my mum’s friend calls to check on me, asking more questions. They all seem to be very concerned about my pet. Huh.

Weird thing is: whenever I tell an adult that I’m home alone, they’ll ask how are you, why you didn’t go, want to come my house to eat? Of course, I say fine; because I don’t like travelling; Nah, it’s all right :), I can cook :))). Then I realize how blessed I am.

I know, that sounds rather superficial. But their offers are genuine, and they give me food even without me asking.

Then I realize how right my mother has been, teaching me to be independent, teaching me to cook, do chores, get around. I’m glad she didn’t hire a kakak to do everything for me. Though, of course, I’m still lazy and would run away from chores, anytime! Now, there’s no running, if I go out, leaving them undone, I still have to do it when I come back.

Ah, long post :).

Thank God, really.

I’m an ungrateful brat. Really!

I asked for so many things from God. Big things. Small things. Not so big or small things. I either get them or I don’t. Weird thing is, I complain more often when I get it than when I do not.

Repeat after me: Jon is an ungrateful person [understatement!]. (Or maybe I’m just weird, whichever makes you happier) [or both]

For example, I asked God to break my heart for what breaks His, to see things as He sees them. He did. What I saw was truly heart-breaking. And I for a moment just went, why why why did I have to know, see all these things happening around me.

He answered. I wasn’t thankful. I wasn’t prepared, or so I thought.

But God enables us to be strong in the midst of trouble. He gives us only what we can bear, just almost, at any single time, with his help.

I could’ve went all depressed and moody; let the emotions run free; wallow about; complain more. But what good would that do to anyone? What good would that even do to me?

I could’ve went all cynical and skeptical about everyone; forever suspicious of others; having no faith. The question remains.

Not to say I feel great all the while. Who can? The occasional feelings of unworthy-ness, self-pity (I know, right), superiority yet at the same time inferiority (told you I’m weird >.>’), comes back. Old “comrades”; “allies”; the enemy and I are one and the same. Am I such a bad person to have such things? I’m starting to think I’m a perfectionist deep down >.>’.

But I will not indulge in them. As “nice” as it may be to do so, it’ll not make me feel better. It’s a slope of gradual descents. Of course, I will pass these feelings up to Christ. And they will bow to the lordship of Jesus. They do not control me; the reins are in my hands, and I pass them to Christ.

Ahem. Put simply: I’ve got Jesus, Jesus; He calls me for His own~ And He lifts me, lifts me, above the world I knoowww~~ :D

‘cause the World needs more joy :)

Even if you’re sad and down inside; even if you need to cry; even when things seem so overwhelming; even if the pain just won’t go away, put it aside, push it away, look to your friends’ interests, sympathize, empathize.

Perhaps, what you need is more of a dose of helping others, and not a dose of wallowing in self-pity.

-

For self-pity is such a selfish thing. It encloses you in your own little world. Every difficulty enlarged; every situation against you. You suffer.

Others suffer along.

Selfish, self-centered person!

People try their best to be with you, yet you taint them with your foul mood; destroy the day for them; killjoy.

-

Nooo! I’m not angry!

Just annoyed.

Slighty.

Really!

Weird thing!

My “meeehhh day” starts at night. Which causes difficulty in sleeping for me. =.=’

Thank God his mercies is renewed every day, and his joy will come in the morning, though the sorrows may last for the night.

:)))))

So, the response was very unexpected. The sanctuary was crowded. The normally stiff congregation got about and moved. The youths actually did jump! Will they still be doing that when the artists leave and the more “normal” ones come back?

I suppose we do need to loosen up much more. If we’re going to do it for the Lord, we’re going to do it for the Lord; no holding back! Why the need to be so self-conscious?

The only thing you have to think about is this: will what I’m doing, in my expression of worship, cause others to stumble?

Of course, I do see the need for reverence. After all, the fear [reverence, awe…] of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, isn’t it? But that doesn’t mean we speak of him in hush-hush tones, pray with some weird, English accent you don’t use in normal conversation.

It means to seek His will in all things, at all places; to stand for His truth; to glorify his name.

Once that’s settled, inwardly, it will be settled outwardly, too. For out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks.

Just as Juwita Suwito said, you’ve to feel the song, mean it, and it’ll just naturally show on your every move, every expression, every gesture.