Christmas Reflections

It's that time of the year again, the time when anybody and everybody focuses on everything that's not important and forget the one thing that is. Don't believe me? Be it at home or on this small lil island, the most crowded of places do not, not the slightest bit, resemble the lowly manger that's supposed to be our focus this season.

I'm not saying all of us should start visiting farms or something. It's the spiritual journey that matters. Christmas has never been about adourning ourselves with lavish clothes or accessories. Neither is it about getting the latest gadgets for ouselves before anybody else does. Whatever is the significance of turkey and log cakes? Who came up with Frosty or Rudolph or the man with the sack (Coca-cola probably came up with santa claus as a marketing hype)? What's up with pine trees? Did Jesus come wrapped up ever so lavishly under a plastic tree? I hate to say this, but I think it's an insult to the true meaning of CHRISTmas.

Maybe this clip will help you understand. It showed me a glimpse of heaven's LOVE.

Of all my years celebrating Christmas, I've only experienced it once or twice at most. The other years were spent trying to flatter myself. Maybe it's time we start looking at someone other than ourselves. For your Christmas present this year, I pray that Jesus (and not Santa) sends you an angel to remind you what CHRISTmas is all about.

Donuts, anybody?

There was a certain Professor of Religion named Dr. Christianson, a studious man who taught at a small college in the western United States.

 

Dr. Christianson taught the required survey course in Christianity at this particular institution. Every student was required to take this course their freshman year, regardless of his or her major.

Although Dr. Christianson tried hard to communicate the essence of the gospel in his class, he found that most of his students looked upon the course as nothing but required drudgery. Despite his best efforts, most students refused to take Christianity seriously. This year, Dr. Christianson had a special student named Steve. Steve was only a freshman, but was studying with the intent of going onto seminary for the ministry. Steve was popular, he was well liked, and he was an imposing physical specimen. He was now the starting center on the school football team, and was the best student in the professor's class.

 

One day, Dr. Christianson asked Steve to stay after class so he could talk with him. "How many push-ups can you do?" and Steve said, "I do about 200 every night."

 

"200? That's pretty good, Steve," Dr. Christianson said. "Do you think you could do 300?" 

 

Steve replied, "I don't know.... I've never done 300 at a time".  

 

"Do you think you could?" again asked Dr. Christianson.

"Well,  I can try," said Steve.

 

"Can you do 300 in sets of 10? I have a class project in mind and I need you to do about 300 push-ups in sets of ten for this to work. Can you do it? I need you to tell me you can do it," said the professor.

 

Steve said, "Well... I think I can...yeah, I can do it."  

Dr. Christianson said, " Go do !  I need you to do this on Friday. Let me explain what I have in mind."

 

Friday came and Steve got to class early and sat in the front of the room.  When class started, the professor pulled out a big box of donuts.  No, these weren't the normal kinds of donuts, they were the extra fancy BIG kind, with cream centers and frosting swirls. Everyone was pretty excited it was Friday, the last class of the day, and they were going to get an early start on the weekend with a party in Dr. Christianson' s class.

 

Dr. Christianson went to the first girl in the first row and asked, "Cynthia, do you want to have one of these donuts?"  

 

Cynthia said, "Yes."

 

Dr. Christianson then turned to Steve and asked, "Steve, would you do ten push-ups so that Cynthia can have a donut?"  

 

"Sure!" Steve jumped down from his desk to do a quick ten. Then Steve again sat in his desk. Dr. Christianson put a donut on Cynthia's desk.

 

Dr. Christianson then went to Joe, the next person, and asked, "Joe, do you want a donut?"

 

Joe said, "Yes."  

 

Dr. Christianson asked, "Steve would you do ten push-ups so Joe can 
have a donut?"

 

Steve did ten push-ups, Joe got a donut. And so it went, down the first aisle, Steve did ten push-ups for every person before they got their donut.

 

Walking down the second aisle, Dr. Christianson came to Scott. Scott was on the basketball team, and in as good condition as Steve. He was very popular and never lacking for female companionship.

 

When the professor asked,  "Scott do you want a donut?"

 

Scott's reply was, "Well, can I do my own push-ups?"

 

Dr. Christianson said, "No, Steve has to do them."  

 

Then Scott said, "Well, I don't want one then."

 

Dr. Christianson shrugged and then turned to Steve and asked, "Steve, would you do ten push-ups so Scott can have a donut he doesn't want?"

 

With perfect obedience Steve started to do ten push-ups. Scott said, "HEY! I said I didn't want one!"

 

Dr. Christianson said, "Look! This is my classroom, my class, my desks, and these are my donuts. Just leave it on the desk if you don't want it."  And he put a donut on Scott's desk.  

 

Now by this time, Steve had begun to slow down a little. He just stayed on the floor between sets because it took too much effort to be getting up and down. You could start to see a little perspiration coming out around his brow.

 

Dr. Christianson started down the third row. Now the students were beginning to get a little angry. Dr. Christianson asked Jenny, "Jenny, do you want a donut?"

 

Sternly, Jenny said, "No."  

 

Then Dr. Christianson asked Steve, "Steve, would you do ten more push-ups so Jenny can have a donut that she doesn't want?"

 

Steve did ten....Jenny got a donut.

 

By now, a growing sense of uneasiness filled the room. The students were beginning to say, "No!" and there were all these uneaten donuts on the desks.

 

Steve also had to really put forth a lot of extra effort to get these push-ups done for each donut. There began to be a small pool of sweat on the floor beneath his face, his arms and brow were beginning to get red because of the physical effort involved.

 

Dr. Christianson asked Robert, who was the most vocal unbeliever in the class, to watch Steve do each push up to make sure he did the full ten push-ups in a set because he couldn't bear to watch all of Steve's work for all of those uneaten donuts. He sent Robert over to where Steve was so Robert could count the set and watch Steve closely.  

 

Dr. Christianson started down the fourth row. During his class, however, some students from other classes had wandered in and sat down on the steps along the radiators that ran down the sides of the room. When the professor realized this, he did a quick count and saw that now there were 34 students in the room. He started to worry if Steve would be able to make it.

 

Dr. Christianson went on to the next person and the next and the next. Near the end of that row, Steve was really having a rough time. He was taking a lot more time to complete each set.

 

Steve asked Dr. Christianson, "Do I have to make my nose touch on each one?"  

 

Dr. Christianson thought for a moment, "Well, they're your push-ups. You are in charge now. You can do them any way that you want."  And Dr. Christianson went on.

 

A few moments later, Jason, a recent transfer student, came to the room and was about to come in when all  the students yelled in one voice, "NO! Don't come in! Stay out!"

 

Jason didn't know what was going on. Steve picked up his head and said, "No, let him come."

 

Professor Christianson said, "You realize that if Jason comes in you will have to do ten push-ups for him?"

 

Steve said, "Yes, let him come in. Give him a donut." Dr. Christianson said, "Okay , Steve, I'll let you get Jason's out of the way right now. Jason, do you  want a donut?"

 

Jason, new to the room, hardly knew what was going  on. "Yes," he said, " give me a donut."

 

"Steve, will you do ten push-ups so that Jason can have a donut?"

 

Steve did ten push-ups very slowly and with great effort. Jason, bewildered, was handed a donut and sat down.

 

Dr. Christianson finished the fourth row, and then started on those visitors seatedby the heaters. Steve's arms were now shaking with each push-up in a struggle to lift himself against the force of gravity. By this time sweat was profusely dropping off of his face, there was no sound except his heavy breathing; there was not a dry eye in the room. The very last two students in the room were two young women, both cheerleaders, and very popular.   Dr. Christianson went to Linda, the second to last, and asked, "Linda, do you want a doughnut?"

 

Linda said, very sadly, "No, thank you." Professor Christianson quietly asked, "Steve, would you do ten push-ups so that Linda can have a donut she doesn't want?"

 

Grunting from the effort, Steve did ten very slow push-ups for Linda.

 

Then Dr. Christianson turned to the last girl, Susan. "Susan, do you want a donut?"

 

Susan, with tears flowing down her face, began to cry. "Dr. Christianson, why can't I help him?"

 

Dr. Christianson, with tears of his own, said, "No, Steve has to do it alone; I have given him this task and he is in charge of seeing that everyone has an opportunity for a donut whether they want it or not. When I decided to have a party this last day of  class, I looked at my grade book. Steve here is the only student with a perfect grade. Everyone else has failed a test, skipped class, or offered me inferior work. Steve told me that in football practice, when a player messes up he must do push-ups. I told Steve that none of you could come to my party unless he paid the price by doing your push-ups. He and I made a deal for your sakes."

 

"Steve, would you do ten push-ups so Susan can have a donut?"

 

As Steve very slowly finished his last push-up, with the understanding that he had accomplished all that was required of him, having done 350 push-ups, his arms buckled beneath him and he fell to the floor.

 

Dr. Christianson turned to the room and said, "And so it was, that our Savior, Jesus Christ, on the cross, plead to the Father, 'Into thy hands I commend my spirit.' With the understanding that He had done everything that was required of Him, He yielded up His life. And like some of those in this room, many of us leave the gift on the desk, uneaten. "  

 

Two students helped Steve up off the floor and to a seat, physically exhausted, but wearing a thin smile.

 

"Well done, good and faithful servant," said the professor, adding, "Not all sermons are preached in words. "

 

Turning to his class, the professor said, "My wish is that you might understand and fully comprehend all the riches of grace and mercy that have been given to you through the sacrifice of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  He spared not only His Begotten Son, but gave Him up for us all, for the whole Church, now and forever. Whether or not we choose to accept His gift to us, the price has been paid. "Wouldn't you be foolish and ungrateful to leave it lying on the desk?"

A Father's Love

A Son asked his father, "Dad, will you take part in a marathon with me?" The father who, despite having a heart condition, says "Yes". They went on to complete the marathon together. Father and son went on to join other marathons. The father always saying "Yes" to his son's request of going through the race together. One day, the son asked his fater, "Dad, let's join the Ironman together." To which, his father said "Yes". For those who don't know, Ironman is the toughest triathlon ever. The race encompasses three endurance events of a 2.4 mile (3.86 kilometer) ocean swim, followed by a 112 mile (180.2 kilometer) bike ride and ending with a 26.2 mile (42.195 kilometer) marathon along the coast of the Big Island. Father and son went on to complete the race together!

In life, we are like the paralysed son, unable to do anything if it were not for God the Father. Yes we CAN, through Him who strengthens us. Believe it.

Quote of the Day

Think about it.

Racism

Barack Obama has just been elected President. The White House will admit its 1st black President. A nation previously notorious for centuries of slavery and racial conflict finally voted for change. I read the news with amusement and admiration for the US voters.

I can't help but to compare the US with my hometown, Malaysia. I know many might think that the two countries are on opposite sides of the globe (literally and figuratively) and that there's nothing to compare. Alas, Malaysia is more alike the US than most people think.

For a start, Malaysia, like US got independence from the British, though a few hundred years later, and without bloodshed. Malaysia is also a multiracial country, with its own history of racial conflict and racism. US has elected a black President. When will Malaysia accept a non-UMNO PM? A few hundred years later perhaps, when UMNO finally condemns Malaysia to a point of no return (might not be very far now, mind you).

I'd also like to commend the US Presidential election campaign. Instead of buying votes and fixing roads and drains every four years, Presidential candidates debate about current issues affecting the people and their plans to overcome financial and social woes. For the record, BN candidates have been known to shun debates, claiming it to be a waste of time.

The reason they flee from debates is totally understandable. Having seen some videos of our ministers answering questions whether in forums or in parliament, it would have been even more humiliating had they debated in public. These are the very people the Malaysian electorate have voted into parliament to DEBATE.

All these facts have only proven one thing: we are very far away from a truly mature election process and even more so from a truly 'malaysian' Malaysia.

An adaptation from the movie V for Vandetta, to remember the 5th of November

Missing 'Mojo'

After 10 weeks or so in my not so new environment, I realised that my life is very different compared to how it was back in my hometown, Malacca. For starters, I now share a room with somebody (no complains, though). 

No doubt, I expected university life to be very different, but I somehow ended up lost and went with the crowd. As the first semester finally draws to a close, I realise how mundane and unmeaningful a typical university student's life is. Attend lectures and tutorials, complete assignments, meet datelines, sit for exam, end. For the record, I had a very different lifestyle back home.

The reason why I enjoyed my Form 6 days was definitely not studies. It was because of my involvement in church activities. I had a purpose, a direction - to serve. To serve God in whatever I do. That was my priority back then. Serving God does not benefit Him, but ourselves. I learned a whole lot about organization as well as made a whole bunch of crazy friends along the way.

Over here, it's a whole new world. I no longer serve in a youth ministry - that takes away a huge part of who I am, since I gave my all to serving Him and my involvement in government-required activities were minimal. I guess that's why I got lost in the first place.

I used to have a good balance in life back home; physically (eat well, excercise well, sleep well), intellectually (studies, obviously), socially (friends who are like siblings), emotionally (proper channelling of stress, leisure, FUN), and spiritually (serve God). When I came over, a huge portion of social and spiritual disappeared. I never really bothered what had been lost, but just went along with the crowd, which was a whole lot of intellectual. That's when life becomes pre-programmed and mundane. 

Surely, everybody's perspective on balance is different, but I'd stick with this model, which means that I'll have to find a way to put the talents He's given me to good use - serving others!

Teachers

This clip really got me thinking - how teachers aren't supposed to just teach a subject, but to also bring out the best in his students. As Prof. Randy Pausch puts it, dream enablers. How often do we come across teachers who really care about their students and try their best to see them succeed, not just academically but also socially, emotionally and spiritually? You're truly blessed if you've met one. I know I am.

Just a thought: With a teachers workload nowadays, I don't blame them for not being able to care. In fact, I'm amazed they can remember so many names. Too many students, too few teachers. The Malaysian education system is seriously flawed in many ways, but I'd say its greatest flaw is that it fails to recognise non-academic talent. So what if some people can't remember all seven food classes? So what if some people screw up all the dates in Islamic history? All that matters is maturity of thought and creativity, the ability to think outside the box. Honestly, there are people who excel academically but still lack these basic skills. And we wonder why graduates aren't able to find employment. The system has got to go.

Free Hugs

Was browsing through some viral videos (videos that are so good they spread like viruses) and came across this clip. It's amazing what one man can do to change society. Notice how stiff and unfriendly people in the clip are at first, and how free hugs change them. I think a place like Singapore could really use some free hugs. Anyone?

Politics

In light of the recent ruckus back home, I've finally decided 2 share what I think of politics back home. Sure, I know most of us will have the same opinion that Badawi does a great job in promoting racism, corruption,  and whatever else that UMNO is capable of doing (Najib is worse, mind you). Seems that they have forgotten why they were voted in the first place - to bring Malaysia to greater hights, to improve the standard of ALL Malaysians, regardless of race and belief. (It would be a whole lot better if a local university were to accept base on merit, and not race, as it does now. Don't worry so much about world rankings. If we get a truly Malaysian University, the ranking will go up on its own. Malaysians are smart, if only we were given the chance)

I am also aware that Malaysians are turning to a so called 'Saviour' - Anwar Ibrahim, to turn things around. Some have gone to the extent of 'worshipping' him, singing his praises everywhere. The Pakatan Rakyat, or so the opposition calls itself, is not all that much better than BN. Here are some reasons why:

Let's start with Anwar. Being a former DPM (Deputy Prime Minister), he was involved with UMNO and Mahathir (the father of corruption, I'd call him) and all the UMNO hocus-pocus. What changed? Did he get a vision in prison telling him to turn from his sins? Did he mix with the right crowd in prison? Did he become straight (no more intersted in guys)? Or is this all just for revenge? People never change, even if they wanted to. If he really wanted to take over the government, he'd have done so sooner. Why the wait? He became a MP back in August. Now the economy is suffering due to political unstability. Who're the losers? The Rakyat, who, unsurprisingly, are supporting Anwar eventhough he lied about Sept 16. (He's probably lying about the 30 crossovers too. Only 1 way to find out)

On to DAP. DAP has always condemned UMNO's racist approach to government, but to me,  it's just a pot calling a kettle black. DAP has always stood for the rights of Chinese Malaysians. However, seldom do we see Malay and Indian MPs hailing from DAP. I attended one of DAP's campaigns back in Malacca. They make racist remarks every two sentences or so. They would love to have more Malay and Indian candidates, but only to look multiracial. Not really an ideal ruling party. 

PAS, my least favourite of the 3 Pakatan Rakyat parties. Nothing much I can say, except that Malaysia was never meant to be an Islamic country. 

Why then, am I writing this? I want Badawi and his UMNO aristocrats to leave. Malaysia has suffered so much as it is. The only way for this to happen is for the Pakatan Rakyat, the lesser of two devils, to take over. And keep praying for a true Malaysian to take over someday and to harness Malaysia's true potential as a resource-rich, talent-filled, multi-racial, peaceful utopia.

Responsible Use of Wealth (Sirach13:3-19)

Lately, I've thought of buying a new phone for myself and naturally, being in Singapore, I tend to save as much as I can. I'd even save on meals sometimes. This of course affects my decision on what phone to buy, an Apple iPhone, HTC Diamond, or jz an old Nokia model (they're the REALLY tahan lasak ones). I was in a dilemma. Should I save every penny I have as the saying goes, a penny saved is a penny earned, or should I go ahead and get the newest phone out there?

God speaks to us in many ways. One of it is through the BIBLE. Yes, the BIBLE. I came across this particular passage, "Responsible Use of Wealth". I'll just give you the gis of it, knowing how some of you actually resent reading the Bible. 

It isn't right for a selfish person to be rich. What use is money to a stingy person? If a person denies himself in order to accumulate wealth, he is only accumulating it for someone else. How can you be generous to others if you are stingy to yourself? No one is worse off than someone who is stingy with himself; it is a sin that carries its own punishment. Greed will shrivel up a person's soul.

Treat yourself as well as you can, and bring worthy offerings to the Lord. Our time on earth is short. Before we die, be kind to friends, be as generous as possible. Don't deny yourself a single days' happiness. If there's something something you want to do and it is lawful, go ahead! Enjoy yourself, there is no pleasures in the world for the dead. Everything made by human hands will decay and perish, along with the person who made it.

It's the Bible that tells us to enjoy ourselves. But as always, beware of the thin, almost non-existent line between spending to enjoy ourselves and a craving for pleasures. It's two totally different things when you buy an iPhone because it's a good phone, and you need a phone at the moment, and when you buy an iPhone because you've just gotta have that phone. Like my dad always told me, spend if you have to, do not waste.Whenever you go shopping next time, think about this: Why am I buying this?

Priorities

A lot of my friends and juniors asked me how I managed to be so active and yet still perform academically? If you happen to be wondering just how active I was, let's just say the youth advisor had to make me take a break from youth activities by August last year, my STPM year (trials were in September). Well, my answer has always been to pray hard. Without God, we are nothing. Seriously, DO NOT underestimate the power of prayer, especially when there's faith.

Though it'd be a swell thing to leave everything in God's hands, HE only helps those who help themselves. Do your best, and God will settle the rest, sound familiar? That is why apart from advising my juniors to pray hard, I also encourage them to prioritize. It's the secret behind solid time management. 

Priorities - what in the world is that? It's basically a list of what you value most in your life, from the most valuable at the top to the least at the bottom. What were my priorities? The first place definitely goes to God, and in serving HIM. It's the reason I was that active in church, especially in the youth. I wanted the youth to see that God is NOT an obstacle to academic excellence, HE's the reason for it. Perhaps a little more than that, I wanted the youths to put God first in their lives, no matter what happens. Honestly, my results are testimony to what God can do in our lives, if we only trust in HIM.

Next on my list is quite general - family and close friends. Why so general? Truth be told, I do treat close friends like family. Which is why I often consider myself as having a large family. Families are great. I've learnt a lot from my parents and I wouldn't be who I am if not for them. In the words of Randy Pausch, I struck the 'parent lottery'. My siblings, best ever (although it might not feel like it most of the time, if you get what I mean). When it comes to close friends, nothing says it better than "I'll be there for you". I know that might sound cheezy, but how many of us actually have friends who 'will be there for us'? 

Lower down the list would be studies and all the other stuff. Honestly, do you think that a piece of paper is all that important? It's what's on the inside that counts. I'll probably lose my papers once I finish this, but what I've become will stick with me for life.

And where does time management come in? Trust me, once you've got your priorities straight, time management would be the least of your problems.

Patriotism

Malaysia recently celebrated its 51st Independence Day and in light of what has been happening back home, I thought I'd write something about it, something positive, since the negatives have all been posted by fellow 'bloggers' back home.

Being in a foreign land (Singapore), where most of its population are or were Malaysians, I tend to meet people who have strong negative feelings about Malaysia. Yes, the government has screwed up more than it should, and is only making things worse (check out what other bloggers have to say if you don't already know). However, being patriotic has absolutely nothing to do with the government. The government is NOT Malaysia, n Malaysia is NOT the government. Politics is overrated.

Last July, I attended the World Youth Day 2008 in Sydney. Whenever people ask where I'm from, Malaysia would be my proud answer (yeah, I do get some uneducated replies, like "Where?"). I believe that God put us in this corruption-stricken land for a reason. HE could have just as easily gave us Caucasian parents and made us Europeans or Japanese or even Korean. But HE chose Malaysia. There's a reason in everything. We just have to figure out what.

For those of you who can't wait to leave Malaysia for a better country (if there are any), think about this. In the last Beijing Olympics, which badminton player did you support? Sony? Taufik? Lin Dan? Or Chong Wei? Do you feel as 'at home' as you did in Malaysia? Are there better mamak stalls? Is the asam laksa better than back home? Does satay celup even exist elsewhere? Sure, the grass is always greener on the other side, but which country is without turmoil? Every nation has its own problems.

And just for the record, I love Malaysia!

"Inspirations" column

In this column, I'll post some videos, music, or whatever I come across that really highlights the important things in life.

FYI, Randy Pausch's lecture on achieving childhood dreams is also known as The Last Lecture. Literally speaking, it was his last lecture (he died of pancreatic cancer back in July '08). If you happen to be bored and have an hour to spare, do watch this video. You won't regret it.

Power

I went for a talk this morning (some call it a sermon) and the priest was talking about power, since today's reading mentions Jesus handing the key of Heaven to His apostle, Peter. The key is a symbol of power for the church (the Pope's coat of arms has 2 keys, symbolizing his power). Enough of sermons, here's what I think about power, and the people who are entrusted with it.

Power (or authority) is supposed to be given to, not fought for. Just like in the bible, Jesus entrusts the keys of Heaven to Peter. He did not fight with the other apostles over it. There was no power struggle of any sort. Power works best in the hands of those who serve, who use it for the common good and for the good of others. In the hands of fools, fools who wield it like a hammer (or "keris"; sound familiar?), power can be destructive, both to the fool, and to the people around.

The same rule applies today, as it did back then. I have experienced two different definitions of leadership. In school, leadership was all about power. Whoever played into the good books of the club adviser stood a better chance of getting higher posts. Backstabbing and politicking was not uncommon. Even though that was high school, I doubt things are much different in the working world and I'm sure most of you have experienced this kind of "power".

The second type, one I experienced in the youth ministry in church, was different. There were no merits, no special treatment, no extra points or whatsoever for those who held leadership positions. We were there for a reason - to serve. Of course, this does not apply for churches everywhere, I'm just sharing my experience of serving others.

Here's something to ponder upon, especially for those in power or are vying for a leadership post. Why are you doing it? To benefit yourself, or the community?

Why am I doing this?

For most of you who know me, I don't actually blog, neither do I read blogs. So why am I doing this?

Well, being a varsity student, I'm supposed to be thinking outside the box, thinking maturely, thinking about my future, and thinking about loads of other thinking stuff (you UNI students should get my drift). So I thought, why not publish some of my thoughts? This way, not only can I remember what I thought about a particular topic, but other people can save some time by not thinking about it (I have NO idea who reads blogs). Of course, this is just my side of the coin. So any of you who happen to disagree with anything on this blog, by all means, leave a comment or post your own thoughts. For those who agree, post your comments just the same.

Another reason I'm starting this blog is because of my sis. Yea, the person who's supposed to tell you what's right and what's wrong based on their experiences (kind of like a 2nd mom), which is good. I wouldn't have started anything if not for her. Thanks, sis!