Close Brush With DEATH

Today I had a close encounter with death. Only armed with my wrist guards, I went downstairs to blade supposedly leisurely - slowly and safely.

At the first bus-stop at Buangkok Green, I took a left turn and headed down a slope. By the time i went 10metres, I realised that the slope was pretty steep and I was fast gaining speed. I was a little afraid now, as I continued to gain speed at an alarming rate while noticing 3 things. Firstly, the speed that I was going was so fast now, that it felt my heart was about to jump out of my mouth. I could not slow down with T-stops and heel drags, I only went faster and faster and faster. I contemplated a grass-stop, but realised that I was going too fast, and the sudden change in momentum will throw me flying into the air, possibly into the road. Next, at the end of the 400m(I think.) it was a pretty sharp left turn, 10metres of pretty uneven pavement, and then a rectangular S shaped(extremely tight) turn.

I continued to gain so much speed, a tiny gap, unevenness in the ground, even the covered drain platform might just throw me flying if my wheels get jammed in the slightest wrong angle. You could imagine how close i felt to being critically injured, not having worn any guards (I even thoughts the guards would have been insufficient cause I didn't have a helmet), or worse still, death. As I approached the end of the slope I DIDN'T manage to slow down! But I managed to maneuver the left turn, almost lost my balance but didn't. Somehow by the grace of God I managed to slow down enough to tackle the very difficult S (the path was narrow and uneven) and didn't fly into either the longkan or the road. But I was so shaken after that I couldn't stand straight. Gee.

Next, I went around the blocks towards Hougang Point and back towards my home. Having decided prior to leaving my house that I ought to check out the multi-storey carpark at it's top level, I did. (I hope you have a visual impression of the new multi-storey carparks for purpose of explanation) Going up the slopes each level was a chore, because of the very uneven surface made by the 'circle patterns'. When I finally reached the end, I was panting. Real tired. And I could see into my house! It's the same level as the last open air level of the car park. I went close, and realised that the edge was dangerously low, way below my thighs near my knees and I instinctively stepped back (rolled back actually). When I had to return, I contemplated going down the slopes. I knew I just had to try one. I knew also it was rather steep but I thought it was manageable. I guess I was wrong! I underestimated the slope and when I went down I gained speed at an alarming rate. I had to do a sharp turn by the time the slope ended in order to avoid falling 6 storeys down. It could have been a nice parallel slide but sadly I wasn't proficient in that *nor was the speed and angle I was going anywhere near safe*. I'm thankful I got away with just an abrasion on my left elbow and my knee. I could have been flat on the ground..ground zero. Well after that when I saw the slope down to the bottom level, I was like "OH NO WAY!", not only because I just fell, but because the end of that particular slope is a drainage that had it's covers removed*probably stolen and that gap is just waiting to devour me and fling me into the air.

That's my elbow if you actually thought it was my knee. HAHA.
Not that it's anywhere near funny though. Skating downhill is REALLY SCARY.

Migrate?

Just went to look at the mp3 player code at MySpace. It's pretty nice overall. Like a friendster+music/video/normal blog all squeezed into one. Should I...we migrate? Seems to have more functionality. Opps. I wonder if this post is actually allowed. Later get banned from blogspot haha.

New Addition

Forget about the angst post below. I decided to put some mp3 in my blog (think you'll need apple quicktime if you don't), say - updated weekly or every few days or so. Got requests? Let me know..now playing..last week 2 weeks lesson...Title's at the bottom if you're curious. Yup yup..

Oh I'm sorry.. 56kb users I hope I don't kill your connection ><

Christ Forgives

Everything that used to be in this post - deleted. If Christ can forgive so willingly, then I as a Christian should also strive to be Christ-like, yet not perfect, but made perfect in his graciousness. Therefore as our sins have been blotted out so completely by the Blood of Jesus Christ, then also this issue blotted out completely - yet remembering the lessons learnt. Over the past few days I have read, seen and heard rather miraculous things, and I know divine intervention was in play, is, and will be to come.

It's such a privilege to be able to receive God's love with grace, and indeed it is very true that the human heart is made such that it needs God and his gracious love. Devoid of it, life has always something -empty-, knowing that death creeps closer every second and not knowing the fate that lies thereafter. Everytime I turn away from Jesus and slide away I begin to suffer like those without Christ. Life begins to feel so meaningless and I question the meaning of it - when I look at the suffering of myself and others, of war and chaos- the homeless, the oppressed, the fatherless and the widowed. Yet thankfully I do know Christ, and by his love will always somehow draw me back to Him. And I am more grateful for that someone who always reminds me and draws me back to Him. But I feel for those who refused God's love, and with it, the meaning of life and the promise of salvation for the life after. God is real. I'm thankful that while many Christians have seen miracles that some people may attribute it to 'coincidence', I have seen and heard many that are tangible and irrefutable, (some of which I can't share yet.). I have also felt God's presence being very real and tangible in the form of the anointing of the Holy Spirit. It was during a song worship...and I was really cold, close to the point of shivering, but not. And suddenly I felt this wave-like force wrapping my whole body and it felt like electricity rising through my body towards the head - and it was very warm - and no, I wasn't shivering..I wasn't cold anymore. I was quite afraid, yet excited, but was somehow fixed in place somewhat.

Anyhow, that incident tells that while faith in God is of paramount importance, when I started to want to feel God tangibly and felt that, it was a reminder to me that, through physical experience, God is real. The other extreme though, I have seen dozens of people (like south with of indoor standium?) - the city harvest choir being slained all at once, they all fell back at the same time. And so did the other sections. And I saw pastor Kong(sp?)- CHC's pastor being pushed backwards, off the ground, together with 2 people supporting him. I reasoned and knew that the angle and force, the height of how he was 'flying' backwards, with even 2 people supporting him, is physically impossible. Unless perhaps you challenge my knowledge in Physics (Though I believe even an observant secondary school student could tell..), or that the whole thing was staged (which is even more far-fetched, but I will not say why), then there was an unseen force..something very spiritual. However, I was overwhelmed then, but now, decided that I should not attribute everything spiritual in nature to be of God. The devil knows the spirituality of human and makes use of human superstitious behavior to deceive them away from knowing the true God. Thus it is indeed very dangerous to take everything at face value (speaking to Christians), that we should have our foundations fixed on the Word of God- The Bible, that we should put on the full armour of God, and judge the person's teachings (but not the person) and discern if his teachings are of God or not.

In closing this episode...

2Tim.3
[16] All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
[17] That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.

that I would rather face the problem and correct the wrong things, wrong attitude from any side then run away from it. And Jeremy you did that somewhat. That's good. Daniel, you have much to learn my young padawan.

Falling Sick

Oh great, signs and symptoms - and I think I am falling sick soon.
What, you ask?

Yesterday my throat started itching, starting from the palate, right at the back of the throat (it feels dry and itchy...which sucks).
Today, my throat felt itchier, and now it's quite painful.
It probably looks red and swollen now.
Tomorrow, it will probably be a sore throat - coupled with a hoarse voice.
And there after, intermittent fever that fluctuates throughout the day (signs of bacterial infection. - a doc explained to me it's due to fluctuating bacteria levels. But most URTIs are caused by viral infections like common flu, can someone explain why the fever fluctuates? - Shera? Pradip? Anyone?)
I may start coughing. Or I may lose my voice, or both.
Then the coughing gets severe, triggering a mild bronchitis.
And then I cough a few weeks until I recover.

Say. What is it?
My classic signs of an URTI - upper respiratory tract infection. Most of the times it stops there.
I used to have recurrent tonsillitis too, until I had them removed last November.
But when it gets worse, my lungs(lower tract) get affected as well.

I am one weak kid, sad right?
Will the above happen?
Stay tuned!

Updates:
17/April 07 - 12:10pm

I just woke up. Very Groggy. The Uvula - that bally thing at the back of your throat - is like, twice the size. Sore throat, and rather red. (The bally got so big after my tonsillectomy I couldn't breathe...Yup. Almost covering the whole mouth, choking me when i sleep cause it's extremely lax.) Mucus was green (oh no ...infection) .. but i saw some brown/red substance I couldn't really discern what it was. Blood Probably. But that's unusual, except during the week after my tonsillectomy, that was normal. We shall see!

18/April 07 - 10:30pm

Hmm...feeling sore, but better than expected. I normally lose my voice by now. Which means, all's good! But every morning I just wake up feeling horribly painful in the throat. Ew. Coupled with sinus problems - me having to breathe through my mouth - just makes things worse.
But.. all's good!

Lost Friday the 13th!

Yup. Feeling lost today and in need for directions. UP DOWN LEFT RIGHT? OR UP UP DOWN DOWN LEFT LEFT START+SELECT? Shera is asking moi go Ikea with Mei Lin and Dom...should I go? Then I'll have to lug around my skating equipment ew. Heavy stuff. Lug around cause I have to stay over at my sister's place tonight. Tomorrow is my first day of the 2nd(3rd actually) module of my keyboard lessons. http://www.believermusic.com/EN/program_details.aspx?CourseCategoryID=2
Yups. It's called Worship Dynamics II. Stuff I have learned in part 1:

Theme & Worship Devotion: Discover THE HEART OF GOD (Part I): Connect and align your heart with God’s desires

Rhythm Variation: Perfect your rhythmic feel as you build upon the rhythms learnt in Beginner module and apply them appropriately to express intimacy and intensity

Harmony: Widen your musical vocabulary with enhanced chords (major 7ths, minor 7ths, sus2 & sus4) that add devotional depth to your worship

Chord Progression Immersion: Learn to sense and harness the inherent power of chord progressions

Worship Immersion: Experience authentic worship flow as you combine the power of music with devotional scripture, psalm, prayer and song *Cut n Paste from webby.

Part 2 includes addition rhythm variation, Melodic introduction, melody integration, more fills, and...play in harder keys i guess?

Mind you the first time I attended the first module I was super nervous, cause I thought I wasn't up to par. Then, when they introduced themselves, the other course-mates, so many 8th grade classical students, I was like ... /faint. Guess the way they pace... I'm not that bad after all haha. But I'm feeling pretty nervous about tomorrow...different ballgame. After this next module I'm supposed to be able to lead/play for worship, meaning must be adequately 'zai' ... sigh I get too nervous when playing solo for audience...play alone at home still OK. That means, cell-group setting maybe I can't play but church setting I can? (in a band)...haha. Stupid me.

Anyway peace guys, gtg.

Forgiveness

Everyone needs forgiveness. The world will be a much better place if people are more forgiving of each other's faults. Those who bear grudges will live a bitter life, and that , I don't want. On the receiving end, people feel guilt. Guilty when in knowing, or otherwise, done something wrong. And the grace and love when they are forgiven, it's blissful.

I'm guilty of many things also, consciously or unknowingly I have done wrong to others up till now. I really hope that they will forgive me. It is not in my blood to bear grudges or deliberately find fault with others, to wrong others. What good is it to make enemies of others, when you live harmoniously, amicably with others? So, forgive me if I have wronged you in any way. "Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sinned against us" - from the Lord's Prayer.

"Would u forgive someone that betrayed you?"
Probably Yes..
"But would you forgive someone that repeatedly betrayed you?
Highly Probably No.
-adapted from Ren De's question..hope u dun mind

I guess, not everyone is THAT forgiving, it's only natural. I suppose you have your own way of dealing with it. I on the other hand, have repeatedly betrayed and let ONE man down. It really burdens and wears me down, thats why I'm posting this in the first place. Yet the grace and love never ends, and the forgiveness given freely. Surely one such as I don't deserve such forgiveness? But that is what grace means. That one man is Jesus Christ, Son of God - died for our sins, pure and blameless...yet for our sake suffered humiliation, torture, and death? And do our actions justify enough gratitude for such an act? No, never ever will. We can NEVER do enough, and yet we(I) turn away from Him from time to time. Surely that makes God's heart cry, but mine does too.

Do you believe? By faith, or by the miracles that you see(or yet to see), or by facts? YHWH is the God of ALL creation, of the Muslims, the Christians - Catholics & Protestants. Even Muslims acknowledge Jesus exists, but just as a prophet. Do you believe he exists? But just a good and honest man perhaps? But know that only Jesus proclaims that He is God? Know that not one of the founders of the major religions in the world claim that he is God? The big difference?

John1.4

1. [6] Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

Jesus CANNOT just be a Prophet. Jesus CANNOT be just a good an honest man. If he speaks NOT the truth, HE is the world's GREATEST LIAR.

1Cor.15

[14] And if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain.
[15] Yea, and we are found false witnesses of God; because we have testified of God that he raised up Christ: whom he raised not up, if so be that the dead rise not.
[16] For if the dead rise not, then is not Christ raised:
[17] And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins.

But thank God for Christ is risen, otherwise all of us who believes believed in vain indeed, that accounts for billions of souls. Christ is not the world greatest liar. He is the world's GREATEST, and only SAVIOUR. For the very unworthy, He died. Will you take his blood, and believe that you are a sinner - the wages of sin is death, of hell and eternal condemnation - and will accept Christ as your personal Saviour? Pray this, and mean it :

Lord Jesus, I know that I am a sinner, and unless you save me I am lost forever. I come to you now, the best way I know how, and ask you to save me. I now receive you as my Savior. In Jesus Name, Amen.

Everything written in the Bible is of God. It is the LIVING word of God. Which mean it must be entirely true. Which means, hell is real. So you'd better believe...it's not too late yet.

Some amazing stuff about the Bible you've probably not realized (whether you believe or not):
http://www.av1611.org/amazing.html
I dare you to read it.

Hmm. I feel a lot better after writing.
Peace.

Skating And Blisters

07 April 07 (Sat)

Went down to East Coast Park, (Alone. Daniel and Russel pang seh/fly aeroplane/abandon me again.) after my keyboard lessons. Registration started at 3PM. It was a slalom/slide clinic. Slalom is about skating around cones, freestyle. Seen it? Sliding was new to me though, it was about sliding/skidding on rollerblades - daredevil stuff...especially when you need to go pretty fast to slide.

The interesting thing? The group of people attending the class was a group of middle-aged guys, like 40+, with an Aunty amongst them. Hope they aren't reading LOL. And they were sure fit and wild LOL. I saw the oldest amongst them (I think close to 50) hanging upside down on a bar with his legs oO. The other younger people are already part of the inline-culture gang, which I suppose it is a school and they, demo-team. Oh, the clinic was conducted by Naomi Grigg (UK Slalom Champ) and Steven( Cool guy, local).

Anyway here's what slalom looks like:



And this is a power slide (one sliding move):



Anyway. I was totally beat. 3pm to 1030pm? I have NEVER skated that much before. By the end of it my arms were so 'nua' I can't push myself off the ground. They hurt, not ache, even now. Fell a couple of times, most memorably was when the laces on my left got stuck to my right boots. That really threw me off the ground with NO way of recover, except after landing flat on my hips. OUCH.

Oh, I was expecting a blister to form then. Apparently something was rubbing against my feet's arch. It hurts! And now there's a little 10cent sized blister with fluid there..sigh. That spurred me to read up on blisters and hey! Blisters shouldn't be popped cause it's a natural defensive mechanism of the body.

Mine looks something the size of this ;( eww

Wiki- A blister or bulla is a defense mechanism of the human body. When the outer (epidermis) layer of the skin separates from the fibre layer (dermis), a pool of lymph and other bodily fluids collect between these layers while the skin re-grows from underneath. Blisters can be caused by chemical or physical injury. An example of chemical injury would be an allergic reaction. Physical injury can be caused by heat, frostbite, or friction.

Well guys, take care! I have to go play my games and rest. (It is not an *oxymoronic statement!) 2 days after the event and still aching all over.

Peace!

Thanksgiving!

4th April 07 (Wednesday)

Our one and only.....ZHU JIA! (Mr. Piggy) Happy 21st birthday dude!
The choice of celebration is *drumrolls* KTV! Woo, it's been ages since I last visited one. It's in Serangoon CC, can't remember the name. It's was a hilarious night, the attendees were myself, Daniel, Cher Hao, Julia, Alvin, Ying Xi and the man himself, ZHU JIA! It was a night of horrendous out-of-tune singing *props to daniel*, and pat yourself on the back if you were there to hear him sing! It's a rare treat. Funny as Hell. (not that hell is any bit funny.) Oh and please. Japanese songs in hiragana, sweet?! Anyway, some pics for you guys. Note the kissing~!

Making a wish?

(Must want a new GF)

Lucky Zhu Jia! I also want!

(but he looks surprised, lol)

Now this looks interesting....

(Note we heard some slurping sound....eee)

Thanks Zhu we enjoyed ourselves :P

5th April 07 (Thursday) - Thanksgiving!

Well, I have a lot to give thanks to God for today!

Today's my Final Theory Test. Well the last time I did any studying was a month ago. So the night before and this morning, I realised I couldn't recall anything at all. Know that feeling before a test? (And I didn't even do any last minute studying, just bring the theory book around doesn't count ;P) Anyhow, I decided to go early to try out one e-trial test before the actual one.
I wasn't so early, and the counter staff were really slow. It makes me really nervous as the minutes tick by... until it was so late, like just 10 mins before registration I decided to trust in God's grace. "Yea, though I walk through the valley of hte shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me;thy rod and thy staff they comfort me." Psalm 23:4
And thus, in faith I had no preparation and took the test.
It turned out..easy. I finished under 12mins and was the 2nd guy out of the room. The result??

PASS!

And the afternoon's weather was blazing hot. I could feel the intense heat, especially by the road. And I thought (or prayed), may the Lord sustain me and let me not go weary. Immediately a strong breeze blew, and it continued, and I was like, wow. Praise God. Then I recalled a friend that shared with us about how when she did wakeboarding( is it wakeboarding down at ECP? not sure), it was raining heavily. But every time her turn came, it dwindled to a drizzle, and immediately after her turn it would start pouring again. Amazing. haha. Like an On/Off switch.

Anyway, Peace.
Jonathan

666 Mark of the Beast

Behold! Some company's paying $250 per person who signs up to get an IDchip implanted.
Webby : http://www.idchip.com/s1/entry.htm

What say you, will you bow to the Devil and receive the mark?
Revelation 13:16-18: "He causes all both small and great, rich and poor, free and slave toreceive a mark on their RIGHT hand or on their forheads, and that no one may buy or sell except one who has the mark or the number of his name. Here is wisdom. Let him who has understanding calculate the number of the beast, for it is the number of a man: His number is 666."

Read on. Read wisely. Then choose.

Eavesdropping

Tsk. Bad manners but I can't help it. (It's audible!)

Last sunday I was on bus 72 on the way home when I started hearing the couple behind me arguing. Not so actually, the girl said something along the lines of, "I don't want to say this actually, but.." And that was the start of it, more like a one sided complain, or that the guy couldn't mouth anything while the girl barrages him. Gee.

The problem arose, apparently, because the guy was waiting for that girl, and because of that the girl had to leave the cellgroup early. The girl was terribly pissed cause she wanted to fellowship with them and in doing so, minister to them. That is to her, doing God's work. The guy, being rather insensitive continued to SMS her many times, knowing full well that she was in the cell. She asked a rhetorical question of how many hours had she spent with the guy days before, and that he is stopping her of doing God's work.
"So I have a bf, I can't do God's work? Which is more important I thought we have laid it all down?"
"How much time do you want me to spend with you? A few months(I think she meant days) don't see each other will die meh? Is our love that shallow?"

That's the gist of it basically. Admittedly I don't know the full story nor have I heard everything right. I wouldn't judge, but I'll give my opinions. (I had the urge to turn around to talk to them then...LOL)

1. The guy was too insensitive about the girl's needs and desire to do God's work, having already laid down the priorities in their relationship.
2. I agree with the girl, is their love that shallow? Personally in my own relationships I have marriage as a goal. What is a few hours, days, compared to a life time? Maybe, just maybe, if the guy had such a perspective he wouldn't feel so insecure, wanted so much control. Hmm.
3. Nevertheless, the girl ought to appreciate the bf. I mean, at least the guy wants to be with her(at least credit him for that.).
4. I hope they work out ;p

____________________________________

I would like to apologize for making my friend angry.
It might have been a bad joke, you might have been moody.
Nonetheless I was too insensitive and thoughtless.
So with all sincerities, I apologize.

Jonathan

Bizarre Twists

It's going to be a long post, bear with me!

30 Mar 07 (Sat)

I attended my saturday keyboard lessons as usual at believermusic. It is a local (I think) company that trains musicians for worship, in a very Christian-ed setting. There's keyboard, guitar, vocal for all levels. I was introduced to this by Hsiu Huan (hugs for that). Anyway, just in case you guys are interested , the website is http://www.believermusic.com/EN/Index.aspx.

Anyway, I'll talk about that another time. Today (yesterday actually) is Clarence Chan's 21st birthday party. When the group of us (Sivam, Daniel, Yi Xiong, Jeremy, Ping Han/Hao, Victor, ME!) took 29 from Tamp there, we sorta got...lost. And to think we've got a SAT COM(Yi Xiong) and a Recce/Scout (Victor) with us...what's that about efficient 3G Army oO. When we got there, the chalet was...huge. 2storey bungalow, Aloha chalet. The thing that caught our eyes were... the number of people (and of course the number of pretty girls haha). It's probably the largest-scaled birthday party I have ever attended. The decor, the reception party, food&drinks, games, uh - and a full band. Projector TV and...XBOX oO? It was really humid...but it was also fun to see old friends and uh, familiar faces. Clarence happened to be my pri/sec/jc friend...so I saw many pri/sec/jc friends too.

Here's the joke of the century. I saw Lynnette Kang (frm tjc, forgot wut cg) and I assumed she was invited as a jc friend. Strangely, she was sitting with Clarence's primary school classmates(6/7). So I asked her, "What are you doing here?" and she replied "Uh, I'm invited here of course?" Actually I was just curious how was she related to Clarence. Then I asked, "How come you hanging out with the 6/7 gang?" To my HORROR, she was from 6/7. I mean, OMG? 2 years in Temasek and neither of us knew that we were from St.Hilda's primary?!
I mean comon, I recognised everyone else's faces when I was in TJ, but hers! (It's a consolation she didnt' recognise me either). BUT! 6/7 was like one of the closer classes my class used to mingle around. Had a couple of good friends there too.
Simply flabbergasted. *Hides under blanket*

01 April 07 (Sun)

Oh yeah, I saw Agnus and a couple of familiar faces too. Anyway, Zhu Jia and I stayed over Daniel's place cause we simply stayed too far to take cab home. (Overnight charges are expensive) Anyhow, Zhu Jia slept like a pig (hence his name?) the moment his head hit the mattress. I was, as usual, playing Diablo 2. I swear that one of them was sleep-talking, or otherwise I was hearing things. I slept late, naturally. Could hardly wake up. When I did, I was giddy *having slept at 4am and being woken up rudely at 9+, who wouldn't?*. A night without brushing teeth, washing face, showering felt like I was in field camp. I really how people can go for days without? So I thought to myself.."too tired..never brush teeth..don't feel like going church". A few minutes later Daniel's mom came in asking if we wanted toothbrushes. AH.
I never enjoyed brushing as much as I did today. Anyway, I still felt tired and lacked motivation to go. Just then, my close friend called up to check if I was awake to go to church. That was it.
God provides. I just had to go.

Praise God.