Monday, December 1, 2008 @ 8:59 PM
hello world, it's update time!
first and foremost, I'd like to say that I dont like my blogskin now, it's too dull so I am going to change it! It's gonna be pretty long a story if I were to blog about my entire week because basically it's just been EGGCITING! tiring toooo..
Yup, went for Camp Daniel, on the first day I was totally toasted, didn't even feel like I wanted to be there because there was Tridiuum mass going on in church and partly because all my friends were there and I was left to rot in the camp with the older people, turns out that I was the only one my age. But things got so much better, and I kinda felt bad for my behaviour (: The camp wasn't like any other, it was more carefree and offered you a lot of time to do some reflection and journalling with God, listening to his voice and learning how to be like Daniel ( well not Dan Soo that is ). The 3 things that I've taken home the most is, Conviction, Conversion and Idolatry.
Out of 3, 2 are good ones.
That the Lord loves youth with conviction and we must always stay steadfast in our prayers and duties as Catholic Youths because God is going to use us as prophets on Earth (:
Conversion was about total surrender and having great faith, and even though some of us may be actively involved in church ministries, all the more we should seek conversion as many a time we tend to channel our energy into, DOING rather than BEING.
We start to do the work we do with our minds instead of using our hearts, this makes it all turn into an obligation. I personally am guilty of being a DOING than being a BEING.
When you're so caught up with work and deadlines, you neglect the prayer part of it, and I'm saying this in the context of ministry work. "These days, ministry leaders never last more than 2 years, or maybe even a year, because inside, flows the doing...."
( I strongly agree with Edwyn ) there's so much more to do this..
Lastly Idolatry was about the factors that we chased after in our daily lives, things that drives us away from God or prevents us from leading the life he planned for us. We took a prayer walk down to Orchard Road on a Friday night, in small groups, just to observe where these idols lurked in our lives unconsiously. I guess the one that striked me the most was when we were at Paragon, we passed by the Gucci Shop and we witnessed the sales personnel there serving champagne to their customers? Like huh? Does pride have to go to that extend where you only serve posh drinks to posh people? The next was HMV, I was looking at the Top 4 Charts, and guess what were the titles. 1. Desperate Housewives, 2. Grey's Anatomy 3. Sex & The City
these shows are shows which strongly has sexual connotations, and they are the ones that top the charts. Can you see how our world is idolising the concept of sex, scandal and lies?
Where has the word fidelity gone to? The world has become so superficial to which even outside a tattoo shop, this quote is hugely pasted on the door " Win Influence, Win Friends, Get a Tattoo" Like what?? Haha, best part is, going to Times Bookstore and checking out the religious section to find books with such titles " God is an ILLUSION " , " God is NOT GREAT" , " How to seek a divine life? Dummies Series " I think seeking a divine life is not all about doing hours and hours of pilates or yoga so that you can attain "enlightenment", haha it's bullshit :D
sorry mind my language, and Christmas these days has lost it's true deep meaning. The Christmas decorations are now all candy canes, christmas trees, presents, what happened to the crib? It's true to be a time of giving but that doesn't apply to the context of giving presents to others, can't it be giving of ourselves to prepare for the Son of Man?
I particularly like this bible verse, it's from Psalm 95 :7-8
" All that today you would listen to his voice, harden not your hearts."
harden not my heart... and that's what I'm praying for everyday.
For total surrender, for steadfastness in living by the Word of God and a better spiritual insight, to listen to God's word.
In all these things, I cling on to this...
" I alone know the plans I have for you, plans to bring you to prosperity and not disaster, plans to BRING you about the future you HOPE for..."
- Jeremiah 29:11
i love you, i need you,
though my world may fall I'll never let you go..
my saviour, my closest friend, I will worship you until the very end.
Jesus, lover of my soul.
