Tuesday, February 7, 2012
Sunday, August 7, 2011
God said...
I was rummaging through my friend's dvd collection and their 'Life in the Undergrowth' by David Attenborough greatly interest me. This documentary featured insects and was filmed using high definition photography. I am not a big fan of insects nor slimy creatures so knowing about them on a screen seemed like a better idea.
The first episode was enough to blow me away. Things that could not be seen by the naked eye was portrayed clearly on my television screen. Every strand of hair on a spider now appeared before my very eyes. A few things that fascinated me was the splendid and intricate web spun by the Nephila; the millions of giant mayflies fluttering for the last time against a magnificent sunset at Körös River; and the dragonfly after emerging from its chrysalis, spread out its wings and takes it's first flight.
Throughout the whole documentary, I was awed; awed at God the creator of all things. Here is an account of Genesis 1:20-25:
The first episode was enough to blow me away. Things that could not be seen by the naked eye was portrayed clearly on my television screen. Every strand of hair on a spider now appeared before my very eyes. A few things that fascinated me was the splendid and intricate web spun by the Nephila; the millions of giant mayflies fluttering for the last time against a magnificent sunset at Körös River; and the dragonfly after emerging from its chrysalis, spread out its wings and takes it's first flight.
Throughout the whole documentary, I was awed; awed at God the creator of all things. Here is an account of Genesis 1:20-25:
And God said, “Let the water teem with living creatures, and let birds fly above the earth across the vault of the sky.” 21 So God created the great creatures of the sea and every living thing with which the water teems and that moves about in it, according to their kinds, and every winged bird according to its kind. And God saw that it was good. 22 God blessed them and said, “Be fruitful and increase in number and fill the water in the seas, and let the birds increase on the earth.” 23 And there was evening, and there was morning—the fifth day.
24 And God said, “Let the land produce living creatures according to their kinds: the livestock, the creatures that move along the ground, and the wild animals, each according to its kind.” And it was so. 25 God made the wild animals according to their kinds, the livestock according to their kinds, and all the creatures that move along the ground according to their kinds. And God saw that it was good.
24 And God said, “Let the land produce living creatures according to their kinds: the livestock, the creatures that move along the ground, and the wild animals, each according to its kind.” And it was so. 25 God made the wild animals according to their kinds, the livestock according to their kinds, and all the creatures that move along the ground according to their kinds. And God saw that it was good.
I am convinced that nothing can replace the truth about creation except that God spoke and it was there. In all of our intelligence and might, we can never take care of an entire ecosystem nor replicate a single strand of human DNA. If we do evolve from monkeys, where do monkeys come from? If life was originated from the Big Bang, where did the first atoms or particles come from? There might be intelligent agnostics or naturalists out there who would never believe the words "God said, and it was" but I believe God has shown us in His Word and in this world He created, that He existed before time and He is all-powerful. He just need to speak and He can create a world filled with so much wonder and beauty. Some says faith is blind but I often wonder isn't nature one of the best evidences before our eyes that God's word is true?
One of the things I want to see before I die is the glow worms in the Woitomo Cave of New Zealand. There, you can see thousand of lines suspended from the cave's ceiling made by larvaes of the glow worm. Every line is a strand of silk with a series of droplets made by the larvae. The light produced by the glow worms reflects on the droplets and illuminates the cave, like that of a million stars in the night sky. Who can create something like this? Definitely not me nor the most brilliant intellect.
Sunday, July 10, 2011
A Picture
My sister had her graduation ceremony yesterday. It was a joyous occasion for her. Her 4 years of labour, time and late nights were all for this day. She is the most hardworking student I've ever seen in my life and I am proud of her achievement.
On a day like this, there will be hundreds of cameras snapping away. Some are the digital point-and-shoot cameras while others have the hardcore DSLRs. A typical 'kiasu' sister like me was dubious about my sister bringing just her point-and-shoot camera. I thought that was mediocrity. I have to lug my Nikon D40 along.
So, the shooting begun. Somewhere towards the end of the day, my sister had the chance of taking a photo with one of her classmates. Her friend hired a professional photographer to take her graduation photos. I asked the photographer to show me one of the photo he took and there on his camera's display screen was a picture that looked surreal and professional. At that moment, I wished I had his camera, his speedlight and his gadgets. I thought it might be the camera that could produce something like that. I tried to hide away my seemingly unexceptional camera in case he knows I am just using an entry-level DSLR.
In the end, I felt ashamed of myself; not because I owned a less superior camera but I have lost the focus of why I was in love with photography in the first place! An expensive and topnotch camera can produce the highest quality photos but I think the best picture is one that can paint a thousand words. It is one that when you look at it, it's poetic; it's indescribable; or it simply brings out the heart of the image.
My favourite photo of the day taken with my humble and cherished D40 was this:
It may be an ordinary photo to some but to me, this picture captured my sister's joy while hugging her best friend who had journeyed with her throughout the 4-years course.
Her happiness was contagious. Their smiles were perfect. And I think this picture can paint a thousand words of their uncontainable joy that day.
On a day like this, there will be hundreds of cameras snapping away. Some are the digital point-and-shoot cameras while others have the hardcore DSLRs. A typical 'kiasu' sister like me was dubious about my sister bringing just her point-and-shoot camera. I thought that was mediocrity. I have to lug my Nikon D40 along.
So, the shooting begun. Somewhere towards the end of the day, my sister had the chance of taking a photo with one of her classmates. Her friend hired a professional photographer to take her graduation photos. I asked the photographer to show me one of the photo he took and there on his camera's display screen was a picture that looked surreal and professional. At that moment, I wished I had his camera, his speedlight and his gadgets. I thought it might be the camera that could produce something like that. I tried to hide away my seemingly unexceptional camera in case he knows I am just using an entry-level DSLR.
In the end, I felt ashamed of myself; not because I owned a less superior camera but I have lost the focus of why I was in love with photography in the first place! An expensive and topnotch camera can produce the highest quality photos but I think the best picture is one that can paint a thousand words. It is one that when you look at it, it's poetic; it's indescribable; or it simply brings out the heart of the image.
My favourite photo of the day taken with my humble and cherished D40 was this:
It may be an ordinary photo to some but to me, this picture captured my sister's joy while hugging her best friend who had journeyed with her throughout the 4-years course.
Her happiness was contagious. Their smiles were perfect. And I think this picture can paint a thousand words of their uncontainable joy that day.
Saturday, June 25, 2011
Revive, blog!
Though my blog entries are sporadic but no amount of words can describe how faithful God has been in my life.
I've come to a conclusion that I am a person that,
1) Loves organiser especially pretty ones but charts a few pages of agendas in the first few months and subsequently, neglects the whole thing altogether.
2) Wants to pen down things that go through my mind but the lazy bug is always there to stay.
3) Regrets not documenting my thoughts and then tries to remember what it is exactly but to no avail.
I woke up to a beautiful morning and started the day reading Vance Christie's biography of Hudson Taylor.
I've come to a conclusion that I am a person that,
1) Loves organiser especially pretty ones but charts a few pages of agendas in the first few months and subsequently, neglects the whole thing altogether.
2) Wants to pen down things that go through my mind but the lazy bug is always there to stay.
3) Regrets not documenting my thoughts and then tries to remember what it is exactly but to no avail.
I woke up to a beautiful morning and started the day reading Vance Christie's biography of Hudson Taylor.
He is the pioneer missionary to China. His life overflowed with love for the gospel and the burden for the millions of lost souls in China. If you had read about his life, he learned the Chinese language and clad in Chinese dressings so as to assimilate with the Chinese. One thing that was eminent in Hudson Taylor was his prayer life. When he was left with his final bowl of porridge, when there was a need for more missionaries in China or during the times he lost his children and wife to various fatal diseases, he retreated to pray. He tenaciously clinged to God in times of trials, hardships and joy and finally, at the age of eighty, he died on his last visit to China. His tombstone read "A man in Christ."
At the end of the book, I teared at how faithful God is in Hudson Taylor's life. God had used this man and many others mightily so that the gospel can be made know to the Chinese. Praise God for His patience and compassion to us sinners! I am also deeply encouraged by Taylor's dependence on God's providence and promises.
On one occasion when Taylor read about some disparaging article with regards to him, he smiled to his friend and said, "This is very just criticism, for it is all true. I have often thought that God made me little in order that He might show what a great God He is."
Amen.
At the end of the book, I teared at how faithful God is in Hudson Taylor's life. God had used this man and many others mightily so that the gospel can be made know to the Chinese. Praise God for His patience and compassion to us sinners! I am also deeply encouraged by Taylor's dependence on God's providence and promises.
On one occasion when Taylor read about some disparaging article with regards to him, he smiled to his friend and said, "This is very just criticism, for it is all true. I have often thought that God made me little in order that He might show what a great God He is."
Amen.
Tuesday, December 7, 2010
Papa and his taxi
Yesterday night, the postman to our flat and my sister signed for a letter designated to my father. It was a letter from his taxi company. Apparently, my father's taxi agreement with the company was to be ceased. He have to return his taxi 2 weeks later. There were no reasons stated for the cessation of the taxi agreement which left all of us puzzled. My dad seemed to take it quite well and he still joked that he can retire now. However, deep down in my heart, I worried for him.
I can still remember when I was 8 years old, my father came home one day and said he lost his job. But later, he found a new job as a taxi driver. I still remember I was crying when I knew about it. Since I was young and naive, I thought becoming a taxi driver meant that he would have to leave us. However, he still came home every night though sometimes he had to work late.
My dad is a hardworking man. He gets up at 7am without fail, rain or shine, every single day till night falls. He works even though it's Chinese New Year. He literally knows every single road in Singapore. I call him the 'road directory'. He has seen through his first taxi to the fourth one this year. I still remember me and my sister would pose with his taxi to take photographs. His recent taxi, a Hyundai Sonata was his pride. He would often tell me his ride is so comfortable and luxurious now. He maintains it well and keeps it clean all the time. The taxi was also a necessity. As my sister was often sick, he would ferry my sister to the hospital in his taxi. Sometimes, he would also wait for me at my workplace to bring me home after his work. Being a taxi driver was his livelihood. He has been one for almost 16 years of his life.
Recieving one such letter could crush any spirit. He was the sole breadwinner and recieving such a letter meant how he could feed his family, how he could pay for my sister's medical bills, and thinking what other kinds of jobs he could work without any qualifications. I don't know what went through my father's mind last night and it hurts my heart.
I wrote this so that I would not forget how I am feeling this instance. I want to remember not to take my father for granted. I want to remember what I have today, besides knowing God is my ultimate Provider, that my father worked hard for his family with his humble taxi. When my father is old and fragile, I will not throw him away. When he no longer can work with his hands and feet, I will be his.
I can still remember when I was 8 years old, my father came home one day and said he lost his job. But later, he found a new job as a taxi driver. I still remember I was crying when I knew about it. Since I was young and naive, I thought becoming a taxi driver meant that he would have to leave us. However, he still came home every night though sometimes he had to work late.
My dad is a hardworking man. He gets up at 7am without fail, rain or shine, every single day till night falls. He works even though it's Chinese New Year. He literally knows every single road in Singapore. I call him the 'road directory'. He has seen through his first taxi to the fourth one this year. I still remember me and my sister would pose with his taxi to take photographs. His recent taxi, a Hyundai Sonata was his pride. He would often tell me his ride is so comfortable and luxurious now. He maintains it well and keeps it clean all the time. The taxi was also a necessity. As my sister was often sick, he would ferry my sister to the hospital in his taxi. Sometimes, he would also wait for me at my workplace to bring me home after his work. Being a taxi driver was his livelihood. He has been one for almost 16 years of his life.
Recieving one such letter could crush any spirit. He was the sole breadwinner and recieving such a letter meant how he could feed his family, how he could pay for my sister's medical bills, and thinking what other kinds of jobs he could work without any qualifications. I don't know what went through my father's mind last night and it hurts my heart.
I wrote this so that I would not forget how I am feeling this instance. I want to remember not to take my father for granted. I want to remember what I have today, besides knowing God is my ultimate Provider, that my father worked hard for his family with his humble taxi. When my father is old and fragile, I will not throw him away. When he no longer can work with his hands and feet, I will be his.
Sunday, May 9, 2010
Holiday
Realise that my blog is going to extinct soon. My last entry was 23 March and it's almost gonna be two months. Anyway right now, my contact time in school is a meagre 5 hours instead of 8 hours previously. One semester is coming to an end soon. Exams are just around the corner. Autumn is here and I'm starting to dread winter. Yes, I'm not a fan of cold.
I had my sister here in Perth for 5 days and it was great to have a piece of home with me. I brought her around Perth and it was great fun. The highlight of our little holiday is to this suburb called Rockingham. We took a ferry to the sea to see wild dolphins. They were really mild and playful creatures. Every time I go out into the sea, I will always marvel at God's creation. There must be a diverse and spectacular ecosystem underneath the waters.
I had my sister here in Perth for 5 days and it was great to have a piece of home with me. I brought her around Perth and it was great fun. The highlight of our little holiday is to this suburb called Rockingham. We took a ferry to the sea to see wild dolphins. They were really mild and playful creatures. Every time I go out into the sea, I will always marvel at God's creation. There must be a diverse and spectacular ecosystem underneath the waters.
Another creature that I find exceptionally adorable is the kangaroo! My Australian housemate was telling me that kangaroos are pests. They have to kill and eat them because they are feeding on too much leaves! When I saw and touched the kangaroos at Caversham Wildlife Park, I have concluded that 'Thou shalt not eat kangaroo meat".
With 2 bus cards, bag packs and some enthusiasm, we travelled to quite a number of places in Western Australia and hummed 'By The Boab Tree' wherever we go. Australia is indeed a beautiful place with flora and fauna to flaunt!
It's even more beautiful when you can share the wonder and beauty of this extraordinary land with someone you love.
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
I survived the Great Storm of Perth
It all started on a Monday evening. I did my laundry at noon and had left my clothes to dry on the laundry lines. I had this lecture at 4pm and before I head for class, I thought the sky appeared slightly overcast. I thought to myself that since I'll be back in an hour, it might not rain yet. Even if there was rain, it would just be a drizzle. Little did I know we were hit by one of the worst storm in Perth.
Walking back home from school, drenched in heavy rain was indeed miserable. I feared of getting struck by lightning. With all my clothes still out in the open, I went to collect and had them washed again. I should have collected them before I went for class but no use crying over spilled milk now.
After all the drama on my side, I watched the news and some parts of Perth were hit by the hailstorm. Some had to be evacuated from their homes while others had to clear water that had been flushed into their houses. Cities were blacked out too.
Perth wakes up to a $100m restoration cost today! However, I thank God for the sun and glad that people wasn't hurt from this storm. I pray those people stranded in the convention centre for the night can return to their homes today. As for the damages caused by the hailstorm, it may take a while to be restored back to normal.
The rainbow after the storm
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