Celebration of Children

When I saw the letter asking for helpers at the National Children Prayer Conference, I immediately decided to go for it. I didn't think about it. I JUST DID IT. Then I paused and thought: what makes me think I am qualified to teach children about prayer? Being a new Christian, I won't be surprised that some of those kids in the NCPC knew more about Christ than yours truly. And there really were a few brilliant kids I met there whom I learnt a lot from. So I guess the role of being a helper was two-fold: to teach and be taught.


Whilst there, an amazingly intelligent boy of about eight started to talk to me about how he tried to tell his friends about Jesus. But they either ignored him or teased him about it. I was lost for words. What do I say to that? Thankfully, a man, who was also a helper, came to our rescue. He said, "Do not be discouraged. You have already planted a seed in their hearts. You may not see a change immediately. But continue to pray for your friends. God will do the rest."


Wow! I think for me, my teachers in Sunday School years ago, planted that seed in me. I grew up always knowing about Jesus, though my family was Buddhist/Taoist. I even ended my childish prayers, which I did every night, with the words, "In Jesus's precious name."


But once I was older, I became cynical and rebellious. Religion, I argued, has became reasons countries declare war on each other. I believed in God wholeheartedly, but I didn't think religion can solve anything. Who have not heard of priests who had been caught for paedophilia? Or pastors who turned out to be false prophets or involved in frauds? And what about those religious teachings that say women are inferior compared to men?


But I have learnt to separate the human factor in religion, and concentrate on GOD instead. We humans are fallible and imperfect. Only God's grace can save us. HE and only HE is perfect. And He loves us even though we are flawed.

The crux of the matter is that Christianity is not a religion. It is a relationship with God.


Coming back to the NCPC... It was a real eye-opening experience. I enjoyed playing with the children. It was like being a kid once again. I thought I may have to resort to strangling or even sitting on the more boisterous ones ;-P - but I found myself smiling indulgently at them instead (as they jumped around on their seats, spilling their food all over the place, breaking out in rashes, etc).


Anyway, I thought the name "prayer conference" sounds rather daunting. They ought to rename it "celebration" or something more apt, for it was after all a celebration of God's love for children - and the child within us.

Flush before you eat!

At Queensbay Mall in Penang there is a food outlet with a very interesting concept. The name of the shop is T-Bowl. So one may think it has a bowling theme. Or perhaps all its food come in bowls? Nope. It’s a different kind of bowl altogether. T-Bowl is short for Toilet Bowl. Yup, you got that right. Fancy sitting on a toilet bowl as you tuck into your noodle that comes in a mini toilet bowl replica? Or enjoying your ice cream in a mini bathtub? And while you wait, you can check out the seashells in the washbasin that doubles up as your table.



Seriously the owner of that place has got a really crooked sense of humour. Gives a different meaning to “eating and cr@pping at the same place”, doesn’t it? Good thing their copywriter wasn’t crafty enough to come up with interesting names for their menu. Imagine ordering something called Deep Fried Faeces, or Sputum in Salsa Sauce, or Piss n Peas… How appetizing.



The only questions me and my friends came up with were: “Where did they find all these toilet bowls? Are any of them used before?” We certainly hope not!


(Anyhow, the dessert above was yummy - without any extra "unexpected" ingredients. :-P)

Racial harmony?

It's sad. I'm still having a brain block. I wonder what happened? Could be due to all those rubbish I've been reading in the papers about university students protesting against some new proposal by the Selangor Menteri Besar. Somehow this piece of news was reminiscent of the US historical scene where the people protested against admitting minorities into certain establishments. Surely that can't be happening in peaceful Malaysia where all the races live together in harmony, right? Er, right?


And yet, in a different arena, there's the Olympics. The whole of Malaysia is rooting for Lee Chong Wei as he gets ready for the final showdown against Lin Dan in badminton. (At the time I am writing this, there are still a few more hours before the finals starts.) In this particular scene, it's heartening to see that race has nothing to do with it. I could imagine all those protesters putting down their badly-scrawled banners and angry fists (and pitch forks?) to sit down in front of the telly to cheer for Chong Wei. Wouldn't that be ironic?

Or maybe I'm just wishing. It could be that massive brain block - I'm not thinking straight...

Of Kangkungs, Evolution and Masochism

I have got a writer's block. And when I can't write, I read. Or sing. Or play. Or whatever. Here's a list of things I've been up to. If you should care to know (OK, I'm a bit moody too).

1. The War between the Theory of Evolution and Creationism. Can't Science and Religion go together? (My thoughts: Science is just man's way to figure out God and his works.)

2. Adultery. No, I'm not going through this in real life. But I've been reading this book "Fourplay" by Jane Moore, and I can't help feeling rather depressed. There was not only one, but at least THREE instances where adultery was committed. If this was real life, I'd rather not live. (Didn't I tell you I am moody?) This should teach me to resort to chick lit. Give me murder or sci-fi please...

3. I've been learning to play the keyboard by myself. I found a cool site where I can download those kiddy piano sheet music and have been teaching myself songs like "Silent Night", "Joy to the World", "Fur Elise". Just don't ask me to play for an audience yet unless you've got a masochistic streak in you. You have been forewarned.

4. Phlegmy Flamingo. Ian Phlegming. Nuff said.

5. Punny Pun Pundit. Puny Punner.

6. Nasi kangkang. Kangkung kangkang.

I better end here before my brain walks out in protest. Till next time.

Picture Perfect?

~ Random shots of beauty ~

Colmar

KL Tower


Kudat



Pulau Sapi

Subang


Subang II

Damansara

Disclaimer: I don't have a digital camera. All the shots were taken with a pathetic 1.3 mega pixel phone camera. Amateurish, yes? But the gorgeous skies kinda made up for it...