AM TOTALLY INSPIRED BY AIK's TOTALLY COOLIOS BLOG SO I'M DEFECTING TO
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Monday, July 20, 2009
Friday, June 19, 2009
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
Love You Anyway; They need all they can find
HAHAHAHHA. look what i found. hahahahaha, yes its Boyzone of the 90s. Crucify me, but i actually kinda like this song, anyway. but it seems like the blond guy, with slightly longish hair, seems to be the only one singing. and i thought, maybe if they changed their name, and kicked everyone out, it would be alright. TILL, they started dancing. CRINGE ALONG WITH ME! hahaha, they should have just left the dancing to the girls. hahaha, anyway, still a pretty nice song. (but with lots of ample choice words to mock their passe-ness)
I don’t get it, I really don’t get it
I try to walk away but my feet won’t let me
I don’t get it, I just don’t get it
I try to walk away but my feet won’t let me
(I guess they really don't get it. and hahaha. the feet as a personnification/metaphor for record label producers?) hahaha
ENJOY
Sunday, November 30, 2008
piercing and tattoos: the debate
OKAY, the following article is NOT written by me; its written by Brent MacDonald of Lion Tracks Ministries. (c) 2002.
http://www.liontracks.org/roarlion/nlbody.htm
anyways, the funny thing is that this article was found by my dad, who went online in search of a good and reasonable stand on this issue. As such, i stumbled upon this one day, and found it to be really logical, objective and most of all, "right" in the eyes of God. its one thing to be legalistic and the other to follow God's laws and rules. however, certain things have often been made far-fetched through cultural paradigms, personal agendas and simply old-fashioned legalism. anyway, take a read, and feel free to tag/comment on your views, if any. (the bolded parts are a tiny bit more important)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Whether body piercing and tattoos are right for a Christian is very much a topic of debate in many circles. Not surprisingly, teens comprise the bulk of inquires we have received — often looking for something to use in combat with a parent who has already decided the family position.
To examine the issue from beginning to end, we need to first consider if there are clear (in context) Bible passages that rule out these practices. Make sure you read the whole article (and, as always, the Bible references), or you'll miss much of what this article is about.
Some Christians, who believe that these practices are always wrong, hold up the verse...
Leviticus 19:28 "'Do not cut your bodies for the dead or put tattoo marks on yourselves. I am the LORD.’” NIV
... as saying that all cuts on your body (piercing) and tattoos are wrong. Simply put, that passage does not say that. It specifically warned the Israelites to not follow the common practice in the area of cutting your body or marring it (tattoos) in honor of the dead; whether a person or a demon god who is spiritually dead (see also Deuteronomy 14:1, 1 Kings 18:28, Jeremiah 16:6). Some cultures still practice this. In fact, while much of that chapter deals with points of law showing God’s Holiness and sinful practices, many items listed in that chapter where part of the ceremonial law, which was fulfilled in Jesus (Ephesians 2:14-16). That’s why we don’t have to worry any longer about “not wear(ing) clothing woven of two kinds of material. (Lev 19:19)” and “not cutting the hair at the sides of your head or clip off the edges of your beard. ( Lev 19:27),” which is in the verse right before.
Lest anyone goes as far as to try and use Mark 5:5 (as some do), as proof that cutting your body is wrong, this demon possessed person was doing it with an intent to injure and cause pain. Anyone who has an unnatural fascination with cutting themselves or trying to hurt themselves in anyway is in need of help (this could be with sharp objects, or in the form of bulimia or anorexia). It is possible that some who get tattoos and body piercing (especially in excess or very tender spots) fit into this category. This is a principle expressed indirectly in many places in Scriptures, that love of one’s self is natural (see Matthew 22:39, Galatians 5:14, James 2:8, 1 Sam 18:3). This would make hatred of (or want to harm) one’s self unnatural.
Instead of an absolute command on this whole issue, as with many other areas, the Bible does give principles that can (and should) be applied. A few of them are...
1 Corinthians 10:31 So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.
1 Corinthians 6:19-20 Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; 20 you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body.
The bottom line in everything we do needs to be, does it glorify God? Needless to say, many messages on tattoos are obviously not to glorify God. Another question you could ask is, regardless of the message, will that sagging tattoo still glorify God when I’m old?
If the piercing or tattoo is being done in an unsafe manner, or in a place that encourages infection, one needs ask how this would be potentially glorifying to God as well. Piercing of tongues and cheeks have been medically shown to fit into this category, even causing long term damage to teeth.
If any of this is being done out of rebellion (against society, parents, etc.) it cannot be glorifying to God. All rebellion is an offense to God...
1 Samuel 15:23a For rebellion is like the sin of divination...
If it’s being done out of vanity, once again it will not be glorifying to God (and this includes earrings)... {em: note vanity is different from wanting to looking good, as opposed to being obessesed with your looks}
1 Peter 3:3 Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as braided hair and the wearing of gold jewelry and fine clothes.
This passage in 1 Peter is not saying that all nice hairdos, clothes, and jewelry are wrong, rather they become so if you have them out of pride and vanity. An overriding question always has to be, “what’s your motive?” God judges motives and actions...
Proverbs 16:2 All a man's ways seem innocent to him, but motives are weighed by the LORD.
While some will say that I am soft on this issue, I cannot hold up, in God’s name, a rule that He did not. To do so is legalism, which so many fall into (Colossians 3:20-23). What is permissible and actually commanded by Scriptures is that parents are to care for their children. In like manner, children are to obey their parents “in all things. (Colossians 3:20)” So, that being said, if a parent says no (regardless of the reason), a child is to obey. It becomes wrong simply because the parent has said so and to go against it is to enter into rebellion (which we have already touched on).
While some single out earrings as being okay, while frowning upon other piercings and even multiple ear piercings, or even ear piercings on guys, the same principles still apply. The Bible no more speaks of one earring, multiple earrings, or guys versus girls on this topic. Ultimately they become cultural items which may vary from one culture to another and not all cultural items are bad. In Bible times earrings were quite common and also worn by men (Exodus 35:22, Numbers 31:50, Judges 8:24 [men], Song 1:10, Ezekiel 16:11-12 [note Ezekiel references a nose ring too!]). For another glance at Biblical body piercing for a cultural purpose, examine Deuteronomy 15:16-17 and Exodus 21:5-6.
As a final personal remark, I’ll mention that I know some Christians, male and female, who have earrings that are very tasteful, even as I know some who have far worse. Sadly, some people have ended up going through life with irreversible regrets, something even more common amongst those with tattoos.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
http://www.liontracks.org/roarlion/nlbody.htm
anyways, the funny thing is that this article was found by my dad, who went online in search of a good and reasonable stand on this issue. As such, i stumbled upon this one day, and found it to be really logical, objective and most of all, "right" in the eyes of God. its one thing to be legalistic and the other to follow God's laws and rules. however, certain things have often been made far-fetched through cultural paradigms, personal agendas and simply old-fashioned legalism. anyway, take a read, and feel free to tag/comment on your views, if any. (the bolded parts are a tiny bit more important)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Whether body piercing and tattoos are right for a Christian is very much a topic of debate in many circles. Not surprisingly, teens comprise the bulk of inquires we have received — often looking for something to use in combat with a parent who has already decided the family position.
To examine the issue from beginning to end, we need to first consider if there are clear (in context) Bible passages that rule out these practices. Make sure you read the whole article (and, as always, the Bible references), or you'll miss much of what this article is about.
Some Christians, who believe that these practices are always wrong, hold up the verse...
Leviticus 19:28 "'Do not cut your bodies for the dead or put tattoo marks on yourselves. I am the LORD.’” NIV
... as saying that all cuts on your body (piercing) and tattoos are wrong. Simply put, that passage does not say that. It specifically warned the Israelites to not follow the common practice in the area of cutting your body or marring it (tattoos) in honor of the dead; whether a person or a demon god who is spiritually dead (see also Deuteronomy 14:1, 1 Kings 18:28, Jeremiah 16:6). Some cultures still practice this. In fact, while much of that chapter deals with points of law showing God’s Holiness and sinful practices, many items listed in that chapter where part of the ceremonial law, which was fulfilled in Jesus (Ephesians 2:14-16). That’s why we don’t have to worry any longer about “not wear(ing) clothing woven of two kinds of material. (Lev 19:19)” and “not cutting the hair at the sides of your head or clip off the edges of your beard. ( Lev 19:27),” which is in the verse right before.
Lest anyone goes as far as to try and use Mark 5:5 (as some do), as proof that cutting your body is wrong, this demon possessed person was doing it with an intent to injure and cause pain. Anyone who has an unnatural fascination with cutting themselves or trying to hurt themselves in anyway is in need of help (this could be with sharp objects, or in the form of bulimia or anorexia). It is possible that some who get tattoos and body piercing (especially in excess or very tender spots) fit into this category. This is a principle expressed indirectly in many places in Scriptures, that love of one’s self is natural (see Matthew 22:39, Galatians 5:14, James 2:8, 1 Sam 18:3). This would make hatred of (or want to harm) one’s self unnatural.
Instead of an absolute command on this whole issue, as with many other areas, the Bible does give principles that can (and should) be applied. A few of them are...
1 Corinthians 10:31 So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.
1 Corinthians 6:19-20 Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; 20 you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body.
The bottom line in everything we do needs to be, does it glorify God? Needless to say, many messages on tattoos are obviously not to glorify God. Another question you could ask is, regardless of the message, will that sagging tattoo still glorify God when I’m old?
If the piercing or tattoo is being done in an unsafe manner, or in a place that encourages infection, one needs ask how this would be potentially glorifying to God as well. Piercing of tongues and cheeks have been medically shown to fit into this category, even causing long term damage to teeth.
If any of this is being done out of rebellion (against society, parents, etc.) it cannot be glorifying to God. All rebellion is an offense to God...
1 Samuel 15:23a For rebellion is like the sin of divination...
If it’s being done out of vanity, once again it will not be glorifying to God (and this includes earrings)... {em: note vanity is different from wanting to looking good, as opposed to being obessesed with your looks}
1 Peter 3:3 Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as braided hair and the wearing of gold jewelry and fine clothes.
This passage in 1 Peter is not saying that all nice hairdos, clothes, and jewelry are wrong, rather they become so if you have them out of pride and vanity. An overriding question always has to be, “what’s your motive?” God judges motives and actions...
Proverbs 16:2 All a man's ways seem innocent to him, but motives are weighed by the LORD.
While some will say that I am soft on this issue, I cannot hold up, in God’s name, a rule that He did not. To do so is legalism, which so many fall into (Colossians 3:20-23). What is permissible and actually commanded by Scriptures is that parents are to care for their children. In like manner, children are to obey their parents “in all things. (Colossians 3:20)” So, that being said, if a parent says no (regardless of the reason), a child is to obey. It becomes wrong simply because the parent has said so and to go against it is to enter into rebellion (which we have already touched on).
While some single out earrings as being okay, while frowning upon other piercings and even multiple ear piercings, or even ear piercings on guys, the same principles still apply. The Bible no more speaks of one earring, multiple earrings, or guys versus girls on this topic. Ultimately they become cultural items which may vary from one culture to another and not all cultural items are bad. In Bible times earrings were quite common and also worn by men (Exodus 35:22, Numbers 31:50, Judges 8:24 [men], Song 1:10, Ezekiel 16:11-12 [note Ezekiel references a nose ring too!]). For another glance at Biblical body piercing for a cultural purpose, examine Deuteronomy 15:16-17 and Exodus 21:5-6.
As a final personal remark, I’ll mention that I know some Christians, male and female, who have earrings that are very tasteful, even as I know some who have far worse. Sadly, some people have ended up going through life with irreversible regrets, something even more common amongst those with tattoos.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sunday, November 23, 2008
NEW YEAR RESOLUTION(S)
well, technically it's not a new year, but who's counting right? anyway, this gonna be an update of all that's happened thus far, and also a resolution for the next few months.
firstly, THANK GOD! for helping through that dastardly thing called the A LEVELS. truely HE is everpresent in ALL my papers, and that without HIM, i would have given up after History SEA. anyway, what was most interestingly funny was that during my A LEVELS, i felt LESS stress that i did when i was in school. irony, no? haha, truely i rue the day that the teachers try to take claim for my good results (which i'm claiming as a promise by the Mercy of God); they have not done much for my academia since day 1. so they can go like be all uppity and hoity-toity as they usually are; seriously the teachers that teach me in SAJC are nothing compared to what i got in VS. like for my VS teachers, like MR KHOO! (pure history), MDM ERNIE (e and a maths), MDM NABILAH (form teacher), and others, they are levels way above my teachers in SA. maybe MS K (lit.) and MRS GOH (KI), could do a little good in terms of teaching; but personal-wise, ALL my SA teachers were horrible. the only saving grace of SA's teachers were my Council teachers, like MS HUANG, MS LEE!, MR CHONG, etc. haha, they are so understanding and all; my curriculum teachers are almost arrogant, stuck-up and totally uninitiated into the life of a JC kid. they treat us children with the IQ of -150, and always insult/mock/humiliate/provoke/irritate us in more ways than one. its good that they want to keep a teacher-student distance, but there's no need to do so in such a manner. anyway, thank GOD its all over; soorry for the rambling on anyway.
what's more important in that mumble-jumble is the sole fact: trust in GOD, and in yourself; though THEY (SA teachers) might get you down, or think you're good-for-nothing, always have faith and continue to do the things of GOD, and all things will follow.
a little testimony: for almost all my exams, i had to SPOT due to the lack of time/energy/motivation. i know its the worst exam attitude, probably a result of my O LEVEL experience. i was kinda depressed and being all retarded during my end of Sec 4 year, and was quite ready to flunk my Os. but GOD and his amazing mercy saved my ass, and delivered me to a 9point. sooo, i guess maybe this time round i got a little complacent with GOD, or maybe i just was too far away to see GOD in this picture. my first paper, SEA HISTORY was horrible and horrendous. i only could do like two of the three essay questions; had to like do something with the third, and i didn't get to finish my SBQ. and this was the paper i studied for MOST, cos its' the first (though even so, it's not a lot).BUT, for the next few papers, GOD gave me such a peace, and assurance that i could do my paper, and feel happy about it. take for example, ECONS! i only studied on MON night and TUES morning for my TUES econs essay paper, and i could do all my papers. haha, also, i stupidly went to borrow TWO library books on MON after LIT, and read both by TUES night. (the same week). retarded right? now for fear of people calling me a boast, i'm only boasting about God's goodness and mercy; it has nothing to do with me, except for me being the vessel of God's miracle.
this is because, if you knew me throughout JC, it would never occur to ANYONE to peg me as an A student; far from it.
so here's more hoping, praying, believing with faith for good results; and even more so, a scholarship to wherever GOD wants me to go. this might seem like such a different EM from before, but trust me, freedom + GOD does wonders to anyone, hawha.
anyway, this few days have been such a blessing for me; everythings looking up for a bright few months, so i decided to also do a checklist/resolution.
(it no order, yet)
1. buy my ukelele, and become a pro player
2. finally learn more chords on the guitar other than G,D,Em and C, and play them in a melody
3. learn french/spanish/hebrew from JAN onwards
4. go and start writing stuff
5. swim, gym and run regularly to transform skinny chicken to buff KFC (look good, taste good)
6. read all the books i want and have to
7. persuade my parents to let me do a motorcycle licence
8. go look and buy a good DSLR
9. get a MACBOOK, black in colour
10. reguarly update my blog
11. get a proper job for once
12. plan and go overseas with the peeps (phuket, tioman, some beach..)
13. wake up BY 9 everyday (to make the most of my day)
14. restart drawing, painting, art-ing
15. be nice to everyone, esp my parents
16. start saving money
17. jam regularly with the peeps
18. dye my hair
19. learn something new, like diving or wake-boarding
20. get a time-machine so i can get a free four months again. (repeat)
hahah, so i'm just gonna enjoy life, relationships, and try to strike out again as Christian, son, friend, acquaintace, and human being. as a rival school says, CARPE DIEM.
have fun you guys, hope to see you around.
firstly, THANK GOD! for helping through that dastardly thing called the A LEVELS. truely HE is everpresent in ALL my papers, and that without HIM, i would have given up after History SEA. anyway, what was most interestingly funny was that during my A LEVELS, i felt LESS stress that i did when i was in school. irony, no? haha, truely i rue the day that the teachers try to take claim for my good results (which i'm claiming as a promise by the Mercy of God); they have not done much for my academia since day 1. so they can go like be all uppity and hoity-toity as they usually are; seriously the teachers that teach me in SAJC are nothing compared to what i got in VS. like for my VS teachers, like MR KHOO! (pure history), MDM ERNIE (e and a maths), MDM NABILAH (form teacher), and others, they are levels way above my teachers in SA. maybe MS K (lit.) and MRS GOH (KI), could do a little good in terms of teaching; but personal-wise, ALL my SA teachers were horrible. the only saving grace of SA's teachers were my Council teachers, like MS HUANG, MS LEE!, MR CHONG, etc. haha, they are so understanding and all; my curriculum teachers are almost arrogant, stuck-up and totally uninitiated into the life of a JC kid. they treat us children with the IQ of -150, and always insult/mock/humiliate/provoke/irritate us in more ways than one. its good that they want to keep a teacher-student distance, but there's no need to do so in such a manner. anyway, thank GOD its all over; soorry for the rambling on anyway.
what's more important in that mumble-jumble is the sole fact: trust in GOD, and in yourself; though THEY (SA teachers) might get you down, or think you're good-for-nothing, always have faith and continue to do the things of GOD, and all things will follow.
a little testimony: for almost all my exams, i had to SPOT due to the lack of time/energy/motivation. i know its the worst exam attitude, probably a result of my O LEVEL experience. i was kinda depressed and being all retarded during my end of Sec 4 year, and was quite ready to flunk my Os. but GOD and his amazing mercy saved my ass, and delivered me to a 9point. sooo, i guess maybe this time round i got a little complacent with GOD, or maybe i just was too far away to see GOD in this picture. my first paper, SEA HISTORY was horrible and horrendous. i only could do like two of the three essay questions; had to like do something with the third, and i didn't get to finish my SBQ. and this was the paper i studied for MOST, cos its' the first (though even so, it's not a lot).BUT, for the next few papers, GOD gave me such a peace, and assurance that i could do my paper, and feel happy about it. take for example, ECONS! i only studied on MON night and TUES morning for my TUES econs essay paper, and i could do all my papers. haha, also, i stupidly went to borrow TWO library books on MON after LIT, and read both by TUES night. (the same week). retarded right? now for fear of people calling me a boast, i'm only boasting about God's goodness and mercy; it has nothing to do with me, except for me being the vessel of God's miracle.
this is because, if you knew me throughout JC, it would never occur to ANYONE to peg me as an A student; far from it.
so here's more hoping, praying, believing with faith for good results; and even more so, a scholarship to wherever GOD wants me to go. this might seem like such a different EM from before, but trust me, freedom + GOD does wonders to anyone, hawha.
anyway, this few days have been such a blessing for me; everythings looking up for a bright few months, so i decided to also do a checklist/resolution.
(it no order, yet)
1. buy my ukelele, and become a pro player
2. finally learn more chords on the guitar other than G,D,Em and C, and play them in a melody
3. learn french/spanish/hebrew from JAN onwards
4. go and start writing stuff
5. swim, gym and run regularly to transform skinny chicken to buff KFC (look good, taste good)
6. read all the books i want and have to
7. persuade my parents to let me do a motorcycle licence
8. go look and buy a good DSLR
9. get a MACBOOK, black in colour
10. reguarly update my blog
11. get a proper job for once
12. plan and go overseas with the peeps (phuket, tioman, some beach..)
13. wake up BY 9 everyday (to make the most of my day)
14. restart drawing, painting, art-ing
15. be nice to everyone, esp my parents
16. start saving money
17. jam regularly with the peeps
18. dye my hair
19. learn something new, like diving or wake-boarding
20. get a time-machine so i can get a free four months again. (repeat)
hahah, so i'm just gonna enjoy life, relationships, and try to strike out again as Christian, son, friend, acquaintace, and human being. as a rival school says, CARPE DIEM.
have fun you guys, hope to see you around.
Friday, October 24, 2008
SEVEN TO DEATH
I'm not sure how i got to this point of my life. 18 years past, and the As loom large, as in next week LARGE. And i'm so not prepared to be honest.
ON a completely different note, i went to sulynnnn's play, a remake of Kuo Pao Kun's the Prince and I, and i must say it was not too badly done. i haven't seen the original so i wouldn't know the comparison. but good job nonetheless kiddo.
i guess when we care for the wrong things, caring can be futile, and maybe even bad.
so i guess i should just not study?
haha.
i wish.
where's my little rose to protect?
ON a completely different note, i went to sulynnnn's play, a remake of Kuo Pao Kun's the Prince and I, and i must say it was not too badly done. i haven't seen the original so i wouldn't know the comparison. but good job nonetheless kiddo.
i guess when we care for the wrong things, caring can be futile, and maybe even bad.
so i guess i should just not study?
haha.
i wish.
where's my little rose to protect?
Wednesday, October 08, 2008
Last Stretch
As usual, it's been a while since my last post. Blogging for me is utterly sporadic, random and spur-of-the-moment. By anyways, tomorrow is Farewell. Unfortunately, the melancholy of it all is quite undermined by the fact that tomorrow is not the actual last day of school. In fact, we have econs and lit on friday, so why the hell is it called Farewell and the LAST day, when we still have to come back for so many lessons in the next few weeks prior to our As. On another note, its still sad to realise that our journey in JC is coming to an end. Though i definitely will not miss most of the teachers (can't think of any), it will be hard to say goodbye to all the friends i've made in the short two years. Though i've been such a whiner to all my friends about my time in SA, thanks to all those who encouraged me through the hard times and especialyl when i wanted to leave and all. thanks for sticking with the complaining, etc. To my class, council, OGs, non-organisation related friends, et al; it's been a great time knowing you guys. It is truly the people who make SA, so thank God for all of you.
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