I was utterly shocked by the National Kidney Foundation. It has transformed itself into a high powered organisation capable of drawing in millions of dollars each year, all in the name of helping the afflicted in Singapore.

I am definitely open and enthused by the idea of having a big corporation with a passion for saving and improving lives through marketing, mass media and savy financial stewardship, but to have a CEO that urges people to give sacrificially and yet take home such

is simply PURE HYPOCRISY.

You are preaching something you don’t even follow yourself - sacrificial giving of oneself . I think this is a social evil definitely worse than the “Casino issue”. Check out the weblink for a Straits Times report:

http://www.asiaone.com.sg/st/st_20050712_328079.html

Abstained from blogging for a week and am back again writing! Found it quite a self-preoccupied vanity thing sometimes

The past week has been spent in my reservist camp - Tengah Airbase. Was training almost everyday for the IPPT but realised on Wednesday that it is cancelled! Oww…what a wasted effort! I quite cheepo one man; want the $400 incentive

Was chatting with a sister on MSN regarding the definition of “Patoh-ing”. I might not be clear in my elucidations, but here’s what I was trying to say:

The 2 categories can be abit simplistic. Of course you can argue that you can differentiate them into stage 1 and stage 2. But what I am trying to do is to reflect a continum of approaches in the guys’ perspective with two opposite ends. Should he get to know the opposite sex with the first or second approach? How deliberate and proactive should he be in getting to know the girl/s? As the male species, should we initiate a chase since it shows our sincerity or should we go slow in the short term so that things will go much faster/smoother in the long term? What is a mature and self controlled approach that subjugates hormonal proclivities to the more important issues of God’s calling, timing and will?

And there are other factors of consideration. What happens when the the girl or guy is not in the same social circles as you? What happens when in the economics of supply and demand, you happen to be a very eligible individual with lots of admirers clinging at your feet.. Obviously, you can afford the luxury of approach 2. But think again for people who are not so beautiful in the world’s eyes. Obviously, each chase that they experience (i mean the girl), would be extra meaningful? And that would save them the hassle of deciding on whether the admirer is the God’s choice anot, since there isn’t much choice in the first place. I was chatting with Stanley last sunday about this, and he mentioned an example - Joni Eareckson Tada; who whilst being an invalid, can still be just as attractive. I long to concur with what he said…that inner beauty still counts. But with the world being predominantly superficial (including most of us christians), she will remain a rare exception, to have found relationship this way. The question that begs answering is: can we trust the one up there?

I guess most of us at our age grapple with these issues alot, whether verbalised or hidden in the heart. My personal view is that both approaches are possible depending on the situation. I think I have made mistakes in retrospect; facing rejections, embracing disappointments and being hurt, as well as doing all these to others. But through it all, clinging to God and experiencing His love helps me to overcome! If I am desparate, let me find security in the Lord. If I am lonely, let me delight in His love. If I am impatient, let me learn to wait. I should certainly trust Him more than SDU…that the Lord is our Match Maker.

And finally, just a funny note from one of our CGLs - Wen Ee. When asked whether she prefers the “traditional macho” type or the “sensitive SNAG”, she opted for option 3: whatever the type, gimme a God fearer. Woohoo!

Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure; it is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us.

(so let us) in our shrinking, that people would not feel insecure around us, that we may shine as Children of light…

…as we unconsciously let our own light shine, we unconsciously give others the permission to do the same, our presence automatically liberates others…

So so agree man….the world has enough of overbearing religiosity!

Thats the movie I watched on the way back to Singapore. The story is about the racial genocides launched by the Hutus against the Tutsi during the Rwandan civil war. Hotel Rwanda was very much like a UN sanctuary against all the merciless killings outside.

Was very wrenched when watching the show. There was a scene when the caucasians were being evacuated by the UN and the blacks were left alone in the hotel to die; the people were very perplex…why are they not included in the rescue?… That 5 minutes was so poignant as I see the despair in the people’s faces. The lost of hope in their eyes.

I thought about how Jesus wept when he saw the tears of those weeping for Lazarus. The heart rending sorrow of death and separation. How we, as the pinnacle of the world’s creation, have to suffer such a terrible fate. If that is so, how much more will this sorrow be, when judgment day approaches. A great separation between the sheep and the goats, between black and white, between thosed redeemed and those perishing. And I guess I could only emphathize in the smallest way, how deep our grief would be that day, when our brother and sisters are separated from us forever. How grievous it would be to our Lord as well, as he watches his dear children pass out of his sight eternally.

I struggle to believe this fact, that the final day is coming. Cos if it is true, why then is my life not being a desparate testimony to that fact. Help me overcome the unbelieve!

I touched down today at Changi Airport at a rousing temperature of 32 degrees! Wow man…I hope heaven has a cooler mediterranean climate

On a more serious note, I thought it would be a good time now to share my thoughts regarding BGR…yes the big word that is on the minds and hearts of every single from teenage upwards…

How does one choose one’s mate? What decision criteria is considered wise and realistic? How should we go about dating? Should we kiss dating goodbye? Should we be deliberate about it? Should we let nature runs it course? Should we be self controlled about it, on this single most important decision in our life that will impact the way we serve God and glorify Him?

Valley of Decision
For myself, I think such a relationship is both a journey and a decision, with Marriage being an irrevocable milestone. You can make all the mistakes you want, but once you get married…there is no turning back. Remember the vows that we moderns often take lightly:

“in sickness and in health”, “for better or worst”, “always love and protect”, “till death do us part”.

The gravity of the vows should warn us that this is a serious, decisive and sacred covenant that demands maturity and deep commitment from both individuals. The sanctity of the marriage covenant and the need for marriage between believers are the only two unbendable commands from our christian God.

So that means, that we get alot of room to play isn’t it? Not really ah…we still have to struggle with questions like:

- Is it okay to have a non-christian bf/gf so long as he/she converts before marriage?
- Does the term “being unequally yoked” also stretch to include people of unequal spiritual maturity?
- When we get attached, should we do so with an end goal of getting married, or should we try it out first and grow in understanding as to how relationships works, hence having more experience to decide on a better marriage partner?
- What are the qualities we look for in a partner? What happens if the country you are living in are predominantly muslims? What happens when due to supply and demand, there is very little choice; should you then lower your expectations?
- How should we approach after making a tentative decision? Deliberate, Natural or Self Control?

What do you guys (readers) think?

Ever wondered about why the media and largely almost everyone in the world, is obsessed with being and being jealous over, people more beautiful and good looking than others? I found myself struggling with this perennial issue - is it right to be attracted to beautiful women? Isn’t it shallow? I do have a theory on 3 levels of beauty:

1.Physical: for ladies - being svelte, large eyes, delicate facial features, actomorphic / for guys - tall, broad shoulders, square jaw, masomorphic
2.Personality: Charisma / Winsomeness / Dynamism / Elegance / Confidence / Intelligence / Witty / Humourous / Naughty / Romantic
3.Heart: Character / Values / Integrity / Loyalty / Ability to love others / Brokeness

I must confess that many a time, I am a stickler for looks. Like most of the guys in the world, I have to square up with this [hormone / lust / cosmetic driven phenomena] that idolises superficial superstars, spin out frivolous industries and corrupts the heart of man.

Sounds really severe isn’t it? The issue here is not that we start going after ugly people, as spouses. God did create some people to be more beautiful than others. And its good to appreciate beauty! However, the problem here, is for the guys to open their eyes big enough and long enough to appreciate more inner forms of beauty, so that as we mature, the weightage from point 1 to 3 gradually increases. (wowee…sound like a mathematical formula)

The truth is that it doesn’t really happen so easily. At least for me, I always feel that I could do more to reduce the effect of point 1, and increase the effect of point 3. I guess when I can finally say to myself that point 3 is the most important, then my eyes will be clear enough to appreciate true beauty and make a wise decision with regards to spending the next 50 years together with the woman whose beauty, will always abound more and more, in the likeness of Christ.

There is a verse - beauty is fleeting and charm is deceptive. I guess if the former applies for guys, then most definitely, the latter would apply to the ladies. That means that ladies are still “deeper” than us guys …hehe….at least they are attracted to level 2 beauty.

I once heard a wonderful sister, who told me what kind of guy she likes: A strong Christian who doesn’t really need to be dynamic and spell-binding. But one who serves the Lord quietly and faithfully, having a broken spirit and a contrite heart. Thats the kind of beauty that will stand the test of time. Woa man, this kind definitely worth waiting for !