what a day. i need to write it down so i don't forget to re-visit these places again! in love with Tom's trike. i may have to rethink my whole anti-motorcycle thing, cuz my goodness, what an awesome feeling having air zip past you, and how funny that different suburbs have different smells, but more importantly it was like front row seats to view nature. Rode up to Mt. Glorious (which is so beautiful!), then past Mt. Nebo headed down to Samford Valley, then Samford Village for a cuppa. Afterwards riding by the coast seeing the sun fire up the sky in shades of brilliant red as the sun was setting. Seeing the ocean and waves crawl up to shore along Redcliffe. Best moment was riding across this bridge (the name of which escapes my memory), being surrounded by a great expanse of water on either side and seeing the red fiery sunset on my right and the solemn full moon and its reflection on the water on my left all the while having the wind rush past me and feeling the speed of the vroooom underneath. so sad my camera ran outta batteries today.. but wow, I think i've fallen in love with Brisbane & Australia all over again. i wish there were ocean & mountains closer by. makes me miss home a lot.. but what a beautiful taste of nature today. God's creation is just absolutely breathtakingly glorious!

james 4:1-10

"any compromise with the world is spiritual adultery" - SN
"God's priorities ought to be my priorities!" - SN

....

"For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Saviour Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works." - Titus 2:11-14

Thank God for his saving grace which brings salvation to all, and for his empowering grace which trains us to not compromise our faith! What a continual battle it is to say NO to thoughts that invade our heads, which ultimately stem from our hearts.. full of pride and selfish ambition, weak to the ways of this world. But thank God he helps us recognize these thoughts so that we can stamp our foot down on them and resist the liar as God's Spirit works to scoop out our old desires and our old self, and put in us new meaning, new hope, new life, a new mind and heart that desires to be obedient & holy.

the mountain climb

Some friends and I climbed Mt. Tibrogargan! This from someone who used to be & to some degree still is afraid of heights. When we got to the top, it was beautiful! And then coming down, wow it was deathly steep. There were moments where if I lifted off one hand or one foot or for a second lost my balance, I felt like I would go free-falling & tumble down to my doom. Thankfully, the guys were really good at helping A and myself spot out good holds and foot placements. I definitely took it nice and slow :) At the end when we were all back at the base of the mountain, we then read the Warning Sign off to the side mentioning the climb was "dangerous and may lead to serious injury or death". My goodness! Can't believe we missed the sign on the way up! But just looking up and seeing the crazy mountain we climbed you can't help but feel this HUGE sense of accomplishment of conquering the mountain and going beyond what you thought you'd be able to do! Initially A & i were expecting a leisurely hike at a gradual slope up the mountain, good thing the guys didn't tell us what to expect (& that we missed reading the warning sign on the way up lol), otherwise we might not have done it at all!

This mountain climb made me think about how it relates to life. Many want to see into the future, we want to have that peace of knowing the unknown, and so people seek out fortune tellers or call psychic lines or read horoscopes/zodiacs just so that some sort of comfort can be found with having the unknown made known; what a false comfort. I too find myself wanting to know from God where to go and to know what the next step is. I love being able to know and plan and prepare for things, unfortunately that isn't always the way life works, and God doesn't usually reveal everything to us at once. Often you hear ppl say that its through the unknown where our faith is grown, where we gain peace knowing our steps are prepared for us by Him who goes before us (kind of like how a guide would help a climber know where to go and where to place your hands and feet when climbing a mountain by going ahead). At the same time, by His grace, He also knows it's for our own good that we don't know or see too far ahead into the future. Just like climbing up the mountain, there were moments when I'd look up ahead and all i saw was a sheet of rock going up and up, and would think to myself that I couldn't do it and had to snap myself out of it, so we too can easily be psyched out if God were to show His huge plans for us that are WAY beyond our capability and comfort (unless of course He thinks we're ready to handle it), that we'd jump into a boat and head the other direction. By His grace, He shows us just enough. He leads us one step at a time that is in perfect reach for us, sometimes its a bigger step stretching us, but always manageable with Him leading and showing the way. This way we are not disheartened or overwhelmed on the path. And as we gain more and more climbing experience, he stretches us even further bringing us to new heights, and we are no longer scared or discouraged when joining our eyes with His and seeing the big climbs ahead that He will take us on cuz we have increased strength in our well-exercised faith muscle for our Guide who will help lead us to tackle the seemingly impossible paths.


How awesome it is that God builds us and leads us up the mountain without us even realizing it. How all the struggles, the persistence & perseverance, the experiences and journeys, how it has all shaped us to where we are now, and to where we are going in the future : )

Matt Papa

"I heard someone say once that it's easy to lift your hands before God in worship, but if you aren't reaching those hands out to the world, those hands lifted to God are worthless. Now don't get me wrong, I'm not against lifting our hands in worship. But we also must love this world with those same hands." -- M. Papa

freedom!

Done Exams!!!

its the first day of post-exam bliss. and there's no better thing in the world than catching up on some one-on-one time with myself - i'm a total closet introvert. Went and finally bought a camera after 4 months of being camera-less. finished reading off 2 books - they were pretty small, just enough for my short attention span. went to the gym (today i also commence mission fit-into-dress-for-wedding! i'm inbetween 2 dress sizes.. so either gotta gain a few pounds, or lose a few pounds, i choose the latter). its been a habit of mine to head to schonell theatre after the gym and scope out if the piano's free (there's only ONE piano on campus for non-music students to play on.. how tragic!). usually someone's playing on it (no surprise there since again there's only ONE piano) and i sadly go home. but once in a while it'll be free, and i'll get to twinkle away on it. today was one of those days : )

I remember the very first time i played on that piano in schonell, i was actually quite nervous and very self-aware, just cuz its such a public place and many people sit and listen and hear what you sing or play (you'd think 12yrs of music festival would make a difference..). But after a while, that feeling sorta faded, however i am still very aware of the words i sing (sometimes too aware that i become somewhat self-conscious). I usually play and sing Christian songs, and although at first i was quite timid whenever i sang about some strong cutting truths, i've gotten a bit better at singing with more boldness.. and i'm beginning to see this as another way to tell people bout the gospel. There have been a few times where people would clap, so I know they must be listening. And some have randomly come up to me to ask what songs I was singing. There was this one time where 2 guys & a girl came up right next to me to watch me play (it was quite unnerving at first, but they urged me to keep on going... they just wanted to see me upclose?). they then told me they'd heard me play a couple times before, and wanted to know what songs i was singing and what they meant. (wow! what an opportunity eh?) we started talking about Christianity for a bit, which then progressed into a mini-lesson on how to improv. lol, how random! (i love it!) Today was also pretty random. A girl came up and sat right across from me to watch me play (seriously, why do ppl do that? its really awkward.. for me at least lol) I sang & played some songs that i wrote from before and when i finished this girl said that she was a fan of mine?! ..and then asked for my number. (i think i'd be more hesitant if it were a guy lol) but ya, apparently she's heard me before, and now wants to come listen whenever i play at schonell. i like random encounters : ) i pray God will be able to use this for His glory!

I also did some major baking today! Made "pigs in a blanket" It's the first time i've ever kneaded dough, was quite proud of myself : ) lesson to learn for next time... i definitely need to invest in a rolling pin! it takes SO LOOONG to roll things out with your hands. also in the future when/if i become more hardcore, i just might think of investing in some kitchen scales : ) i used to bash them, but i'm now seeing their usefulness. was so tedious going online and searching out different densities of baking stuff and equating that to find the cup/tbsp/tsp equivalent for grams. ai. Here's a pic of them, using my brand-new camera : ) They were delish! Kudos to Uncle Rick for the recipe!

New music Renewed mind

At church, during the sermon on James 1:26-2:26, Pastor Steve shared this song by Jon Foreman called "Instead of a Show." What cutting lyrics. Definitely gave me a huge nudge (along with the sermon). The song was written based on Amos 5.

"I hate, I despise your feasts,
and I take no delight in your solemn assemblies.
Even though you offer me your burnt offerings and grain offerings,
I will not accept them;
and the peace offerings of your fattened animals,
I will not look upon them.
Take away from me the noise of your songs;
to the melody of your harps I will not listen.
But let justice roll down like waters,
and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream"
- Amos 5:21-24

Listening to this song and the sermon, it brought me back to the CMDFA (Christian Medical & Dental Fellowship of Australia) Conference at the beginning of this year, where one of the speakers spoke on Micah 6. i was reminded of all the hopeful plans i'd made that somehow got drowned out from the busyness of life. I have a lot of praying and thinking to do after these exams.. i want to follow through with it all

"'With what shall I come before the Lord,
and bow myself before God on high?
Shall I come before him with burnt offerings,
with calves a year old?
Will the Lord be pleased with thousands of rams,
with ten thousands of rivers of oil?
Shall I give my firstborn for my transgression,
the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?'
He has told you, O man, what is good;
and what does the Lord require of you
but to do justice, and to love kindness,
and to walk humbly with your God"
- Micah 6:6-8

"If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person's religion is worthless. Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world."
- James 1:26-27

"What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him? If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, and one of you says to them, 'Go in peace, be warmed and filled,' without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that? So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. But someone will say, 'You have faith and I have works.' Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works."
- James 2:14-18

I hate all your show and pretense
The hypocrisy of your praise
The hypocrisy of your festivals
I hate all your show
Away with your noisy worship
Away with your noisy hymns
I stomp on my ears when you're singing 'em
I hate all your show

Instead let there be a flood of justice
An endless procession of righteous living, living
Instead let there be a flood of justice
Instead of a show

Your eyes are closed when you're praying
You sing right along with the band
You shine up your shoes for services
There's blood on your hands
You turned your back on the homeless
And the ones that don't fit in your plan
Quit playing religion games
There's blood on your hands

Instead let there be a flood of justice
An endless procession of righteous living, living
Instead let there be a flood of justice
Instead of a show
I hate all your show

Let's argue this out
If your sins are blood red
Let's argue this out
You'll be one of the clouds
Let's argue this out
Quit fooling around
Give love to the ones who can't love at all
Give hope to the ones who got no hope at all
Stand up for the ones who can't stand at all, all
I hate all your show
I hate all your show
I hate all your show
I hate all your show

Instead let there be a flood of justice
An endless procession of righteous living, living
Instead let there be a flood of justice
Instead of a show
I hate all your show


-------------------------------------------------

Today was also introduced to a really awesome rapper by my pastor. Shai Linne, like Lecrae, writes theologically meaty music that's just so rich and hearty to hear and take in. The song below goes through basically the entire bible in one song. nuts! Will definitely track down more of his music post-exams. *oh exams... gonna try and sleep early and wake up early. freedom in t - 4days.


Alright check it: lets go back in time, brethren. Divine lessons always keep your mind guessing. The glory of the Triune God is what Im stressing. The origin of humankind was fine. Blessings were plenteous. God is amazingly generous. Crazy benefits in a state of innocence. God told the man what he could taste was limited. Not long after came our nemesis in Genesis. He scammed well, man fell, damned to hell. The whole human race—he represented it. Fooled by the serpent, man through his work, woman through birth—even the earth ruled by the curses. But instead of a wake immediately. God said her Seed would be the One to crush the head of the snake. Yo, wait what is this? Whoa, a gracious gift! In Jehovahs faithfulness He clothed their nakedness. This was so they would know their Saviors kiss and bliss. But first, many growing pains exist suffering in the worst form, ugly deeds. Eves firstborn seed made his brother bleed. Indeed things got progressively worse. Every section of the earth is been affected by the curse. And though Gods judgments against sin were gory, praise the Lord! Its not the end of the story.

Its the greatest story ever told.
A God pursues foes whose hearts turned cold.
The greatest story ever told.
Restoring all that the enemy stole.
The greatest story ever told.
The glory of Christ is the goal, behold.
The greatest story ever told.
Its the greatest.

Next scene: mans sin was extreme. God gets steamed, man gets creamed. The Lord is so Holy that He drowned them in the water. Fire in the valley of slaughter Sodom and Gomorrah. But at the same time, Hes so gracious and patient that from one man He created a whole nation. Eventually enslaved by the mentally depraved, they cried out to the only One with the strength that He could save. He brought them out with signs and wonders satisfied their hunger. Then He appeared on Mount Sinai in thunder. Where He laid down the law for God-ruled government. Commonly referred to as the Mosaic covenant. Sin was imputed. So for man to know hes unrighteous, God instituted animal sacrifices. This was to show our constant need for atonement. And when it came to sin, the Lord would never condone it. And when His people disobeyed and went astray, He raised up prophets and kings to lead them in the way. But they would get foul with their idolatry—wet and wild prophecy—send them into exile. To take their punishment like a grown man. Then with His own hand He placed them back in their homeland. And while in their forefathers land they dwelt, they awaited the arrival of Emmanuel.

Its the greatest story ever told.
A God pursues foes whose hearts turned cold.
The greatest story ever told.
Restoring all that the enemy stole.
The greatest story ever told.
The glory of Christ is the goal, behold.
The greatest story ever told.
Its the greatest.

After 400 silent years filled with sighs and tears. In Bethlehem the Messiah appears. God in the flesh—Second Person of the Trinity. At thirty begins His earthly ministry. Baffling cats with accurate, exact facts and back-to-back miraculous acts. A stumbling block to the self righteous. But the humbled—His flock, said Theres no one else like this. He came from heaven to awake the numb. Demonstrated His power over nature, son. A foretaste of the Kingdom and the age to come. But the reason He came was to pay the sum for the depths of our wickedness, our wretched sinfulness. Bless His magnificence! He is perfect and innocent. Yet He was wrecked and His death. He predicted it. Next He was stretched, paid a debt that was infinite. He said that He finished it. Resurrected so the elect would be the recipients of its benefits. Through faith and penitence we get to be intimate. His grace is heaven sent, it never diminishes. Now the Holy Spirit indwelling is the evidence for heavens future residents who truly represent Jesus, the Author, Producer, Director, and Star of a story that will never, ever end!

Its the greatest story ever told.
A God pursues foes whose hearts turned cold.
The greatest story ever told.
Restoring all that the enemy stole.
The greatest story ever told.
The glory of Christ is the goal, behold.
The greatest story ever told.
Its the greatest.

bgr

i think culture places too much emphasis on boy-girl relationships. you're brought up thinking that the only right path through life is to date, marry, have kids, then grandkids. you see it in the movies, you hear it in the songs we listen to, and then there's everyone around us (ie. parents, especially moms, and friends) who pressurize (maybe a better word to use would be 'encourage') you to live like everyone else. and i guess in a way it is the norm, since strictly speaking on numbers the majority of the population do get married. anyone else who doesn't fit into the mold is seen as strange. or rather ppl say "Why is he or she still unmarried?" as if to allude to some innate defect in that person. i hate it. its wrong. and i love how the Bible (as always) is an upside-down reversal of countering the 'normal' ways of thinking.

"I would like you to be free from concern. An unmarried man is concerned about the Lord's affairs - how he can please the Lord. But a married man is concerned about the affairs of this world - how he can please his wife - and his interests are divided. An unmarried woman or virgin is concerned about the Lord's affairs: Her aim is to be devoted to the Lord in both body and spirit. But a married woman is concerned about the affairs of this world - how she can please her husband. I am saying this for your own good, not to restrict you, but that you may live in a right way in undivided devotion to the Lord." 1Cor7:32-35 (NIV)

wow, what a privilege to be single no? it's not to say marriage is wrong. it is a very lovely thing - seeing a man and a woman come together before God to become one. at the same time its not the pinnacle of yearning and hopefulness we ought to look forward to. as a woman, i often find myself yearning to fulfill that path in life of dating, marriage, kids etc.. but i take a step back and have to stop myself. I would in a blink of an eye give up all hopes of family & relationship in the future if it meant seeing many come to Christ. Then again i find myself faltering at times, and feel my words become empty as my heart seeks for something else. I do yearn to live solely-devoted & single-mindedly for the Kingdom. and just as a friend said, if a guy comes along who has that same passion, then maybe we can run side-by-side for the Kingdom. but while I am single, there's just so much work to be done, and perhaps by His grace He will keep me single for long.

out of the blue

i was riding home after a long day of studying at the hospital and as i was on the bridge, i looked up and my breath was taken away by the most beautiful picture. The sky was painted in different shades of violet and red. the clouds stacked over each other, with the sun rays illuminating and bringing them to life. it all just caught me off guard. nature. God's paintbrush and canvas of beauty. and to think this beauty is only a shadow in comparison to its Creator. Days like today make me feel so happy to be alive and to be in Brisbane. its strange but it hit me rather suddenly while i was on my bike that i really wouldn't mind staying in Brisbane for longer than originally planned : )