Maybe you can ask me about it.
Saturday, September 24, 2022
Thursday, March 31, 2022
Signing off...for good
I guess this is goodbye for this blog. Forever.
What are thoughts shared if nobody reads them? Thoughts that won't be judged.
I have too many fears, and I want to end it all, and imagine it as an endless night.
Life is but a meaningless strut and act in the scene of eternity. (Yes I just unironically referenced Life's Brief Candle)
Well. Fuck it. I hate people. I hate myself and the Alvan that started this blog is a stranger to me. A person from a different life. Metaphorically, mentally and emotionally (what am I even saying lol). He makes me cringe.
Goodnight, goodnight. Sleep forever. Forgotten. Unforgiven. Irrelevant.
I love the dark more than the light. The peace of death. The sweet release. The blissful ignorance.
The fear of missing out has controlled my choices for far too long. I say, I'm a hypocrite, while continuing to be a hypocrite. Illogically trying to be logical. What a walking fool I am.
Just writing, and letting the thoughts just flow. Without limit, without fear. I don't want to worry what someone else will think. Will they be swayed in anyway?
Others may write to impact someone. I write, no, I live, in the fear that I will negatively impact someone. All my actions are as neutral as possible.
I suppose it is a skill, in a pitiful and pathetic sense. I just want to be as invisible as possible.
Why try to be excellent, when I just can't handle it. You will think I'm a horrible person when I suddenly lose control when the burden of maintaining the facade becomes too much.
Alas, I've written too much. I've spilt my secrets. And you may either read and feel something, but I ask you, to just go on with your life and forget me and this meaningless overdramatic monologue.
Maybe you'll hear me again, if I ever get started on my imaginary songwriting career.
But for now, I keep my voice to myself.
Honestly feel like the only "old friend" that would reach out to me would be the one that wants to sell insurance or MLM. Good for you, you have the balls to throw away your friendships for personal gain. I mean, it's not wrong right. Go ahead and prosper. Be happy. Cherish it.
I am bitter, but I deserve it. Who cares what kind of upbringing I had. I am an asshole through and through.
Oh.
I'm going on and on.
Should I even post this?
My attention-seeking side says yes. My fear of social interaction says no.
So if you've read all of this. Just pretend as though you've never read this. It is my open secret.
And if you're thinking of chatting, find me on insta I guess alvan_kyk (follow for more pathetic shit) and say hi. I will reply typically within 24 hours (wow so cool give big duration so can think of what to say after seeing the message) like honestly I know nobody will so why do I give a flying fuck. Yea go ahead and sell me insurance, amway, atomy, public mutual or whatever pyramid scheme, scam or shit. I'll at least listen so hey who knows maybe you can brainwash me and hypnotize me into buying. i mean a "hi, what's your new blog link" would be cool but i'm not gonna tell you what to do. i mean saying "fuck off loser" will bring a smile to my face cuz I know you're referencing this post and insulting me at the same time. hell yeah i'm done what a way to end the last post of my first blog.
But honestly, I'm doing alright. Writing helps me think, Typing is therapeutic, and revisiting a place where I can be myself makes me feel better. Go ahead and judge me, we'll be dead in a few decades anyway.
(wow reminding someone of their mortality to exert dominance, well played, 200 IQ)
Momento Mori (oh let me just add a cool edgy final parting message meaning inevitability of death, amazing.)
Tuesday, February 2, 2021
checking in
hi just checking in.
life is so different now. just wanted to leave something here cuz at least i have been feeling quite motivated today.
although i didn't actually do much today. but i'm excited i'm looking forward
that's a good thing right
remembered last year at this time i was in kapit also having a sudden breath of fresh air in a new environment and suddenly for the first time in a while feeling interested in medicine
then march mco was such an amazing time sleeping during class and catching up on all the movies i didn't watch
and always having the feeling of dread that i will fail my professional
well look at things now. i'm here. i'm still alive.
despite my insecurities
despite my self-diagnosed adhd which i'm 99% sure i have but just too afraid that i'm wrong
despite me only actually starting to feel like an adult
despite me at 25, realize i'm beginning to mature
i don't know what did i do to deserve all the things in my life
i know i don't
thank you 2020. kapit. mco. passing medschool. and unexpectedly meeting.....you.
thank you :)
what do i do
this might be the last post here or maybe not. i might change all my social medias. just feel like commiting social media suicide. it'll be nice i think.
finally i'm just so done with alvan the have to type properly alvan and have to type something meaningful alvan. the care what people think alvan. the don't know what to say alvan.
just be genuine and that's all that matters. friends who are suitable will naturally come. you dont friends for a reason, you're awkward, and it's fine.
better to just not stress out trying to please everyone and give people time
don't expect anything
and don't have a structure to your writing
just write cuz i feel like it and it's just been a while.
goodnight oo
Tuesday, June 30, 2020
Second-choice Worlds
Have you ever been in a situation where you didn't get what you want?
We learn a lot about ourselves in a traffic jam, at airports during flight delays, and at most times when we do not get what we want. This is what we call getting the second-choice, instead of our first-choice.
Second-choice worlds give us the chance to see what is inside us, an opportunity to see what we really are. These testing times are very precious times; they are gold dust to someone who wants to live with a measure of self-understanding.
Second-choice worlds hold up a mirror to us and ask us to have a good look at what we see.
I am admittedly not an avid reader, and it takes a intentional mindful decision to make me pick up that book I've been trying to finish for a couple of months, even years. My mom had recommended a book by Rev. Viv Thomas for me to read I think about 1 or 2 years ago and I'm just took it up again this week to continue where I left off. The words in italic above are some excerpts from it. The book title is Second Choice and it's a very practical Christian view of being placed in situations we normally wouldn't prefer to be in.
Normally, huh? Actually, the norm is, in fact, most of the time we don't get what we want. And rightfully so, because persevering through uncomfortable situations builds character.
I would have to confess that I sometimes fall into the mindset of a victim. I blame my situations, adversities, and just plain "bad luck", to compensate for my incompetency in handling my life. Perfectionism is a good, but definitely not all the time. You will never have a perfect outcome no matter what, although it is important to do your best in all situations and strive to be perfect, or at least improve. There's always room for improvement.
I realize that it was a mistake of me to think back when I was younger, that I will be matured and sure of myself when I reach adulthood. That I would somehow be someone I want to be. But no, if you want to see a change, it starts from now. Nobody is going to hold your hand and tell you what to do. Maybe sometimes for some fortunate people, someone will be there to guide them, but in the end you have to muster up the courage to handle things alone.
Being someone who prefers to handle things all by myself, the so-called "one-man-army", I had to learn even more. Not only did I have to learn when I needed to delegate work, or ask for help, I also had to learn to upgrade my one-man-army because it wasn't good enough. Just because I can accomplish task A well, it doesn't make an excuse for me to be lackadaisical in my approach to task B.
Studying in SEGi definitely has made me grown a lot in the midst of hardship. Not the "it's a matter of life or death" hardship, of course, I'm aware there are many people suffering much more than I am, and I am grateful to live in a peaceful country, to have my parents supporting me financially, and to be studying a very respectable course. Hear me out, though. In the world of medical schools, the crème de la crème always are the medical graduates from UM, UKM for public universities and Monash, IMU and Newcastle for private. SEGi, among the likes of AIMST, UTAR, MAHSA, and Taylor's are among the mid-tier (sorry Taylor's, you're not top tier although your price is the like them).
We had to deal with not knowing what our lecturers are saying because of language barriers (they didn't speak english fluently), classmates not being cooperative and just complaining, and having not much support from the faculty. Campus facilities weren't that great too, especially for an adrenaline junkie like me. But yeah, it was actually turned out to be a good training ground to practice handling personality conflicts and on-the-spot thinking to handle unexpected hiccups.
I've always had an attitude that I'm not worthy to be a leader because I lacked the skills, but it was actually because I never got the chance. So, I was secretly glad to have a chance to handle the job of a class rep when nobody wanted to take on the inconvenient job of bridging lecturers and students, and sometimes being the "bad guy" for people who cheat with attendance. I had nothing to lose, because I didn't really consider any of them as friends, more like acquaintances. But, I learn people respect you if you are impartial and show no favoritism. It's a lonely road to walk, being nobody's friend and also quite confidence-boosting when everyone relies on you.
This post is getting long, so bullets-points come to the rescue!!!
- 3rd year, joined medical society and it was good exposure on how to just be accepting of criticism...which wasn't a problem for me because my dad already grilled (is that the correct term?) that into me since young.
- 4th year, became president of a society nobody wanted to join, Leo Club, which just gave me a little feel of my capabilities and shortcomings. Leo Club has been like a pain in the neck, because it's totally a waste of time in a sense that it didn't help me become a doctor, but nevertheless, it was good exposure to boring meaningless meanings and people wanting to take photos whenever they do charity. At least, I know that even if people say they'll guide you, you're on your own still.
- 5th year, realize that I don't care. I must learn to say no and get my priorities straight. Stop people pleasing and speak up when it's needed, but shut up when it's not worth it. Using intuition and my experience to my advantage in social situations more. Realizing that life sometimes is just a long game of copy and paste or copy, modify and paste (not talking about plagiarism of course, I meant social skills.....or am I?).
I'm running low on attention span (still haven't my suspicion of having ADHD). Till next time then. I hope everyone who reads this didn't feel it was a waste of time here. It's important to give you your money's worth (in this case, I'm saying your time is money).
We learn a lot about ourselves in a traffic jam, at airports during flight delays, and at most times when we do not get what we want. This is what we call getting the second-choice, instead of our first-choice.
Second-choice worlds give us the chance to see what is inside us, an opportunity to see what we really are. These testing times are very precious times; they are gold dust to someone who wants to live with a measure of self-understanding.
Second-choice worlds hold up a mirror to us and ask us to have a good look at what we see.
I am admittedly not an avid reader, and it takes a intentional mindful decision to make me pick up that book I've been trying to finish for a couple of months, even years. My mom had recommended a book by Rev. Viv Thomas for me to read I think about 1 or 2 years ago and I'm just took it up again this week to continue where I left off. The words in italic above are some excerpts from it. The book title is Second Choice and it's a very practical Christian view of being placed in situations we normally wouldn't prefer to be in.
Normally, huh? Actually, the norm is, in fact, most of the time we don't get what we want. And rightfully so, because persevering through uncomfortable situations builds character.
I would have to confess that I sometimes fall into the mindset of a victim. I blame my situations, adversities, and just plain "bad luck", to compensate for my incompetency in handling my life. Perfectionism is a good, but definitely not all the time. You will never have a perfect outcome no matter what, although it is important to do your best in all situations and strive to be perfect, or at least improve. There's always room for improvement.
I realize that it was a mistake of me to think back when I was younger, that I will be matured and sure of myself when I reach adulthood. That I would somehow be someone I want to be. But no, if you want to see a change, it starts from now. Nobody is going to hold your hand and tell you what to do. Maybe sometimes for some fortunate people, someone will be there to guide them, but in the end you have to muster up the courage to handle things alone.
Being someone who prefers to handle things all by myself, the so-called "one-man-army", I had to learn even more. Not only did I have to learn when I needed to delegate work, or ask for help, I also had to learn to upgrade my one-man-army because it wasn't good enough. Just because I can accomplish task A well, it doesn't make an excuse for me to be lackadaisical in my approach to task B.
Studying in SEGi definitely has made me grown a lot in the midst of hardship. Not the "it's a matter of life or death" hardship, of course, I'm aware there are many people suffering much more than I am, and I am grateful to live in a peaceful country, to have my parents supporting me financially, and to be studying a very respectable course. Hear me out, though. In the world of medical schools, the crème de la crème always are the medical graduates from UM, UKM for public universities and Monash, IMU and Newcastle for private. SEGi, among the likes of AIMST, UTAR, MAHSA, and Taylor's are among the mid-tier (sorry Taylor's, you're not top tier although your price is the like them).
We had to deal with not knowing what our lecturers are saying because of language barriers (they didn't speak english fluently), classmates not being cooperative and just complaining, and having not much support from the faculty. Campus facilities weren't that great too, especially for an adrenaline junkie like me. But yeah, it was actually turned out to be a good training ground to practice handling personality conflicts and on-the-spot thinking to handle unexpected hiccups.
I've always had an attitude that I'm not worthy to be a leader because I lacked the skills, but it was actually because I never got the chance. So, I was secretly glad to have a chance to handle the job of a class rep when nobody wanted to take on the inconvenient job of bridging lecturers and students, and sometimes being the "bad guy" for people who cheat with attendance. I had nothing to lose, because I didn't really consider any of them as friends, more like acquaintances. But, I learn people respect you if you are impartial and show no favoritism. It's a lonely road to walk, being nobody's friend and also quite confidence-boosting when everyone relies on you.
This post is getting long, so bullets-points come to the rescue!!!
- 3rd year, joined medical society and it was good exposure on how to just be accepting of criticism...which wasn't a problem for me because my dad already grilled (is that the correct term?) that into me since young.
- 4th year, became president of a society nobody wanted to join, Leo Club, which just gave me a little feel of my capabilities and shortcomings. Leo Club has been like a pain in the neck, because it's totally a waste of time in a sense that it didn't help me become a doctor, but nevertheless, it was good exposure to boring meaningless meanings and people wanting to take photos whenever they do charity. At least, I know that even if people say they'll guide you, you're on your own still.
- 5th year, realize that I don't care. I must learn to say no and get my priorities straight. Stop people pleasing and speak up when it's needed, but shut up when it's not worth it. Using intuition and my experience to my advantage in social situations more. Realizing that life sometimes is just a long game of copy and paste or copy, modify and paste (not talking about plagiarism of course, I meant social skills.....or am I?).
I'm running low on attention span (still haven't my suspicion of having ADHD). Till next time then. I hope everyone who reads this didn't feel it was a waste of time here. It's important to give you your money's worth (in this case, I'm saying your time is money).
Friday, July 21, 2017
He Cares About Every Light - The Passing of an Icon
Yes, I am a Linkin Park fan. I have heard every song from them. But once in a while I do come across some rare song they produced I never heard before...
Yes, I do know what lyrics they sing. It isn't something my elders may be pleased with. Yet, I'm just so moved by their music, to be honest. Even though it is not the best of lyrics to listen to, yet many at times they sing the exact things I felt before. It feels really real, and lets you come face to face with the darkest parts of life, for a brief moment you just soak in the feelings, be it rage, sorrow, determination... I can really feel the pain and impact of those emotions through the songs they sing.
I just only found out about Chester's suicide, and well, I really don't have anything to say; I do not know him personally. I'm just sad, that I won't hear another new LP song with his voice in it, if there is even going to be one. He is the icon of the band; I really love his voice. Mike is amazing, and the drummer is insane, the guitarists are crazy good, and there are so many things about the band which I am not adept enough musically to appreciate, but it was Chester's voice that sang all those painful lyrics and made the emotional connection. May his friends and family be comforted in his passing...sigh
***
P/S:
In their new album, I like "Talking to myself", "One More Light", "Sharp Edges" (Chester's fav), "Nobody can save me", "Good Goodbye", "Battle Symphony", ... actually I like all 10 songs...If you don't think so, and you are flexible about the music you listen to, just give it a try; listen to the whole album from the BEGINNING, because it's a story. Remember to use some good earphones (with good ones you'll be able to hear the bass very clearly, and that's where you (might) start enjoying it).
And after that to solve your feeling of emptiness, to help you face the void of the human soul, read a a few biblical proverbs or read the gospel story. and I have a youtube video, that I would like you to watch as well:
I waited more than a month for this to be uploaded, which means this is definitely something I believe you should watch.
***
Father God, please forgive us of our bitterness. Please help us to accept these flaws we live with everyday. Thank You for offering us a purpose-driven life. Thank you for your patience. Yes, I am very distracted; I feel very trapped; I feel very lost. Please have mercy, Lord.
Wednesday, November 23, 2016
Loneliness
This is a rant.
Nowadays, I walk into a class of around 50 people, but I am alone. Maybe I offended them, or maybe people just don't like serious, quiet people.
I don't understand. People nowadays, love and know how to talk nonsense. I am listening to the dialogues around me as I pretend to be minding my own business, and what I hear is just empty words, meaningless chatter.
But the thing is, (Almost) EVERYONE likes this kind of fun conversation. I don't hate it. I find it annoying. I don't hate you. But, you probably hate me because I don't respond to your jokes. It's because I don't find them funny bro.
It's probably me. Because people don't really have conflicts with other people, but I'm the one having conflict with everyone, quietly.
I feel that pang of guilt when I react in an unfriendly way. I have terrible abilities at explaining myself. Because, I can always find a way to make it my fault. Everytime I try to discipline people by telling them, people get offended. Well, maybe all those times, I have done it the wrong way, or chose the wrong person.
I'm really confused and just lost. Seriously, I don't count anyone as a really real friend anymore. I can only trust myself, and God. Unless you count aunties and uncles, then okay, I know they are genuine, but the generation gap. Maybe I should start investing time in making friends with these aunties and uncles, and some younger people who are actually much matured than me.
Before I stop this rant, I wanna ask something to my readers. Why do people nowadays, always think they are right? You know it really really confuses me, why people can suddenly remember oh, no one is perfect, when it is their fault. They tell people, don't judge! They react, when you try to ask them if they are doing something right, and think you are trying to accuse them. Why are people always on the edge, when they get rejected. Or even, they aren't really rejected, but they feel so angry. They see me being quiet and emotionless, and they think I'm a little pissed boy who is too proud to show emotions. They're probably right about me.
But anyway, when it comes to judging others, you seem to forget those stuff you use to defend yourself. I know Christians are hypocrites, we are just a bunch of religious people, going church, acting holy, throwing bible verses at your face. I do it because I care about you. But of course you won't believe me. They think in ways I cannot fathom. Seriously, sometimes, I wish I could pray the prayer that Jesus prayed, Father forgive them for they know not what they do, but who am I to pray that prayer. I'm also a very judgmental person, but I try not to say what I think. In my thoughts, I judge you, but if I see something wrong with you, I would try to fix it if I see an opening. But sometimes there really isn't an opening. Some people, are really hard to be honest with, because they are being dishonest all the time. Or, some people say ok bro I understand, thank you bro in front of you, but they are just the same person, probably cursed me behind my back.
I know I am a very paranoid person. I think a lot. But it is because I think a lot, I know that I don't think enough. And I think people should just learn to keep quiet and just keep quiet and just stay quiet. Learn to listen. Learn to understand. Learn not to judge things too quickly
You're mostly people who have learnt science. Things can't be right or wrong until proven to be either one. It's not - things are wrong unless proven right. And not - things are right unless proven wrong.
Please give people, things, the benefit of the doubt.
On the other hand, please learn to be concerned about important affairs. Pay attention to details. Don't be in a rush, to just go do your own thing. Please learn to be patient. Please learn that awkward situations aren't actually awkward if you don't think they are awkward, it could just mean how different you are from that person, or it could mean how seldom you get real.
Please just learn to listen. If you don't, I really have no point in writing this. You go have your way. I just want to wash my hands off everyone, but...I really pray God will touch everyone around me. Then again. You think I'm a self-righteous person, who only thinks of converting people.
What is there to gain in life? There's nothing. I'm just trying to live for Christ. But I am afraid to explain myself. I have received enough rejection already.
One more thing, don't be ignorant. If you wanna give your opinion about something, you should best keep quiet until you understand both sides. It is important to watch your words. Words have power.
I hope you don't think I'm judging you. I don't know why, but I can't just say "it's their life, it's up to them how they want to live". It's your life, yes, it's up to you to live, but when I see them walking down a road of darkness...what should I do? Is it really a road of darkness? Will they get offended if I try to talk about it? Would they even listen?
Worries.
So don't worry about these things, saying, 'What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear' These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.
Matthew 6: 31-33
Everyone is or has been an unbeliever, nothing to be offended by that word.
Please don't limit God in your thoughts. You can't rationalize God. You can't say I'm much too sinful for God to mend. Please just take time to read Christian books. Read the bible. If you are feeding on the world's thoughts, through the media and through your daily activities, and you want to talk about God, how will that be possible? Please don't simple say things. You need to understand that when you get rejected, or your life has been disaster, when you feel like you have no friends, it doesn't mean God hates you. Please don't say God is merciless, that he can't even grant you the only prayer request you have. How you know He isn't preparing something greater?
Please just open you eyes. I really just have no more means of helping anymore, I'm just human. So I pray that God will break through that covering of darkness that blinds you. I really am exhausted listening to all the negativity. It's getting to me as well. I'm struggling too in my own personal life and walk with God. Everyone is. Don't blame God when you see other people in different situations from you. Just learn to be quiet and listen.
okay thanks for reading. All glory to God.
Nowadays, I walk into a class of around 50 people, but I am alone. Maybe I offended them, or maybe people just don't like serious, quiet people.
I don't understand. People nowadays, love and know how to talk nonsense. I am listening to the dialogues around me as I pretend to be minding my own business, and what I hear is just empty words, meaningless chatter.
But the thing is, (Almost) EVERYONE likes this kind of fun conversation. I don't hate it. I find it annoying. I don't hate you. But, you probably hate me because I don't respond to your jokes. It's because I don't find them funny bro.
It's probably me. Because people don't really have conflicts with other people, but I'm the one having conflict with everyone, quietly.
I feel that pang of guilt when I react in an unfriendly way. I have terrible abilities at explaining myself. Because, I can always find a way to make it my fault. Everytime I try to discipline people by telling them, people get offended. Well, maybe all those times, I have done it the wrong way, or chose the wrong person.
I'm really confused and just lost. Seriously, I don't count anyone as a really real friend anymore. I can only trust myself, and God. Unless you count aunties and uncles, then okay, I know they are genuine, but the generation gap. Maybe I should start investing time in making friends with these aunties and uncles, and some younger people who are actually much matured than me.
Before I stop this rant, I wanna ask something to my readers. Why do people nowadays, always think they are right? You know it really really confuses me, why people can suddenly remember oh, no one is perfect, when it is their fault. They tell people, don't judge! They react, when you try to ask them if they are doing something right, and think you are trying to accuse them. Why are people always on the edge, when they get rejected. Or even, they aren't really rejected, but they feel so angry. They see me being quiet and emotionless, and they think I'm a little pissed boy who is too proud to show emotions. They're probably right about me.
But anyway, when it comes to judging others, you seem to forget those stuff you use to defend yourself. I know Christians are hypocrites, we are just a bunch of religious people, going church, acting holy, throwing bible verses at your face. I do it because I care about you. But of course you won't believe me. They think in ways I cannot fathom. Seriously, sometimes, I wish I could pray the prayer that Jesus prayed, Father forgive them for they know not what they do, but who am I to pray that prayer. I'm also a very judgmental person, but I try not to say what I think. In my thoughts, I judge you, but if I see something wrong with you, I would try to fix it if I see an opening. But sometimes there really isn't an opening. Some people, are really hard to be honest with, because they are being dishonest all the time. Or, some people say ok bro I understand, thank you bro in front of you, but they are just the same person, probably cursed me behind my back.
I know I am a very paranoid person. I think a lot. But it is because I think a lot, I know that I don't think enough. And I think people should just learn to keep quiet and just keep quiet and just stay quiet. Learn to listen. Learn to understand. Learn not to judge things too quickly
You're mostly people who have learnt science. Things can't be right or wrong until proven to be either one. It's not - things are wrong unless proven right. And not - things are right unless proven wrong.
Please give people, things, the benefit of the doubt.
On the other hand, please learn to be concerned about important affairs. Pay attention to details. Don't be in a rush, to just go do your own thing. Please learn to be patient. Please learn that awkward situations aren't actually awkward if you don't think they are awkward, it could just mean how different you are from that person, or it could mean how seldom you get real.
Please just learn to listen. If you don't, I really have no point in writing this. You go have your way. I just want to wash my hands off everyone, but...I really pray God will touch everyone around me. Then again. You think I'm a self-righteous person, who only thinks of converting people.
What is there to gain in life? There's nothing. I'm just trying to live for Christ. But I am afraid to explain myself. I have received enough rejection already.
One more thing, don't be ignorant. If you wanna give your opinion about something, you should best keep quiet until you understand both sides. It is important to watch your words. Words have power.
I hope you don't think I'm judging you. I don't know why, but I can't just say "it's their life, it's up to them how they want to live". It's your life, yes, it's up to you to live, but when I see them walking down a road of darkness...what should I do? Is it really a road of darkness? Will they get offended if I try to talk about it? Would they even listen?
Worries.
So don't worry about these things, saying, 'What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear' These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.
Matthew 6: 31-33
Everyone is or has been an unbeliever, nothing to be offended by that word.
Please don't limit God in your thoughts. You can't rationalize God. You can't say I'm much too sinful for God to mend. Please just take time to read Christian books. Read the bible. If you are feeding on the world's thoughts, through the media and through your daily activities, and you want to talk about God, how will that be possible? Please don't simple say things. You need to understand that when you get rejected, or your life has been disaster, when you feel like you have no friends, it doesn't mean God hates you. Please don't say God is merciless, that he can't even grant you the only prayer request you have. How you know He isn't preparing something greater?
Please just open you eyes. I really just have no more means of helping anymore, I'm just human. So I pray that God will break through that covering of darkness that blinds you. I really am exhausted listening to all the negativity. It's getting to me as well. I'm struggling too in my own personal life and walk with God. Everyone is. Don't blame God when you see other people in different situations from you. Just learn to be quiet and listen.
okay thanks for reading. All glory to God.
Monday, September 19, 2016
The Tyranny of the Urgent
An article by Charles E. Hummel.
Have you ever wished for a thirty-hour day? Surely this extra time would relieve the tremendous pressure under which we live. Our lives leave a trail of unfinished tasks. Unanswered letters, unvisited friends, unwrittened articles, and unread books haunt quiet moments when we stop to evaluate. We desperately need relief.
But would a thirty-hour day really solve the problem? Wouldn't we soon be just as frustrated as we are now with our twenty-four allotment? A mother's work is never finished, and neither is that of any student, teacher, minister, or anyone else we know. Nor will the passage of time help us catch up. Children grow in number and age to require more of our time. Greater experience in profession and church brings more exacting assignments. So we find ourselves working more and enjoying it less.
Jumbled Priorities
When we stop to evaluate, we realize that our dilemma goes deeper than shortage of time; it is basically the problem of priorities. Hard work does not hurt us. We all know what it is to go full speed for long hours, totally involved in an important task. The resulting weariness is matched by a sense of achievement and joy. Not hard work, but doubt and misgiving produce anxiety as we review a month or year and become oppressed by the pile of unfinished tasks. We sense uneasily that we may have failed to do the important. The winds of people's demands have driven us onto a reef of frustration. We confess, quite apart from our sins, " We have left undone these things which we ought to have done, and we have done those things which we ought not to have done."
Several years ago an experienced cottonmill manager said to me, " Your greatest danger is letting the urgent things crowd out the important." He didn't realize how hard his maxim hit. It often returns to haunt and rebuke me by raising the critical problem of priorities.
We live in constant tension between the urgent and the important. The problem is that the important task rarely must be done today, or even this week. Extra hours of prayer and Bible study, a visit with that non-Christian friend, careful study of an important book: these projects can wait. But the urgent tasks call for instant action - endless demands, pressure every hour and day.
A man's home is no longer his castle; it is no longer a place away from the urgent tasks because the telephone breaches the walls with imperious demands. The momentary appeal of these tasks seems irresistible and important, and they devour our energy. But in the light of time's perspective their deceptive prominence fades; with a sense of loss we recall the important tasks pushed aside. We realize we've become slaves to the tyranny of the urgent.
Can You Escape?
Is there any escape from this pattern of living? The answer lies in the life of our Lord. On the night before He died, Jesus made an astonishing claim. In the great prayer of John 17 He said, "I have finished the work which Thou gave me to do" (v. 4)
How could Jesus use the word "finished"? His three-year ministry seemed all too short. A prostitute at Simon's banquet had found forgiveness and a new life. For every ten withered muscles that had flexed into health, a hundred remained impotent. Yet on that last night, with any useful tasks undone and urgent human needs unmet, the Lord had peace; He knew He had finished God's work.
The Gospel records show that Jesus worked hard. After describing a busy day Mark writes, "That evening, at sundown, they brought to Him all who were sick or possessed with demons. And the whole city was gathered about the door. And He healed many who were sick with various diseases, and cast out many demons." (Mark 1:32-34)
On another occasion the demand of the ill and maimed caused Him to miss supper and to work so late that His disciples thought He was beside Himself. (Mark 3:21) One day after a strenuous teaching session, Jesus and His disciples went out in a boat. Even a storm didn't waken Him. (Mark 4:37-38) What a picture of exhaustion.
Yet His life was never feverish; He had time for people. He could spend hours talking to one person, such as the Samaritan woman at the well. His life showed a wonderful balance, a sense of timing. When His brothers wanted Him to go to Judea, He replied, "My time has not yet come." (John 7:6) Jesus did not ruin His gifts by haste. In "The Discipline and Culture of the Spiritual Life," A.F. Whiteham observes: "Here in this Man is adequate purpose...inward crowded life: above all there is in this Man a secret and a power of dealing with the waste products of life, the waste of pain, disappointment, enmity, death - turning to divine uses the abuses of man, transforming arid places of pain to fruitfulness, triumphing at last in death, and making a short life of thirty years or so, abruptly cut off, to be a 'finished' life. We cannot admire the poise and beauty of this human life, and then ignore the things that made it."
Wait for Instructions
What was the secret of Jesus' work? We find a clue following Mark's account of Jesus' busy day. Mark observes that "in the morning, a great while before day. He rose and went out to a lonely place, and there He prayed." (Mark 1:35) Here is the secret of Jesus' life and work for God: He prayerfully waited for His Father's instructions and for the strength to follow them. Jesus had no divinely-drawn blueprint; He discerned the Father's will day by day in a life of prayer. By this means He warded off the urgent and accomplished the important.
Lazarus' death illustrates this principle. What could have been more important than the urgent message from Mary and Martha, "Lord, he whom You love is ill"? (John 11:13) John records the Lord's response in these paradoxical words: "Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus. So when He heard that he was ill, He stayed two days longer in the place where He was," (vv. 5-6) What was the urgent need? Obviously to prevent the death of this beloved brother. But the important thing from God's point of view was to raise Lazarus from the dead. So Lazarus was allowed to die. Later Jesus revived him as the sign of His magnificent claim, "I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in Me though he die, yet shall he live." (v. 45)
We may wonder why our Lord's ministry was so short, why it could not have lasted another five or ten years, why so many wretched sufferers were left in their misery. Scripture gives no answer to these questions, and we leave them in the mystery of God's purposes. But we do know that Jesus' prayerful waiting for God's instructions freed Him from the tyranny of the urgent. It gave Him a sense of direction, set a steady pace, and enabled Him to do every task God assigned. And on the last night He could say, "I have finished the work which Thou gave me to do."
Dependence makes you FREE!
Freedom from the tyranny of the urgent is found in the example and promise of our Lord. At the end of a vigorous debate with the Pharisees in Jerusalem, Jesus said to those who believed in Him: " If you continue in My word, you are truly My disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free... Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who commits sin is a slave to sin... So if the Son makes you free, you will be free indeed." (John 8:31-32,34,36)
Many of us have experienced Christ's deliverance from the penalty of sin. Are we letting Him free us from the tyranny of the urgent? He points the way: "If you continue in My word." This is the way to freedom. Through prayerful meditation on God's word we gain His perspective.
P.T. Forsyth once said, "The worst sin is prayerlessness." We usually think of murder, adultery, or theft as among the worst. But the root of all sin is self-sufficiency - independence from God. When we fail to wait prayerfully for God's guidance and strength we are saying, with our actions of not our lips, that we do not need Him. How much of our service is characterized by "Going it alone"?
The opposite of such independence is prayer in which we acknowledge our need of God's instruction and supply. Concerning a dependent relationship with God, Donald Baillie says: "Jesus lived His life in complete dependence upon God, as we all ought to live our lives. But such dependence does not destroy human personality. Man is never so truly and fully personal as when he is living in complete dependence upon God. this is how personality comes into its own. This is humanity at its most personal."
Prayerful waiting on God is indispensable to effective service. Like the time-out in a football game, it enables us to catch our breath and fix new strategy. As we wait for directions the Lord frees us from the tyranny of the urgent. he shows the truth about Himself, ourselves, and our tasks. He impresses on our minds the assignments he wants us to undertake. The need itself is not the call; the call must come from God who knows our limitations. "The Lord pities those who fear Him. For He knows our frame; He remembers that we are dust." (Psalms 103:13-14) It is not God who loads us until we bend or crack with an ulcer, nervous breakdown, heart attack, or stroke. These come from our inner compulsions coupled with the pressure of circumstances
Stop to Evaluate
The modern businessman recognizes this principle of taking time out for evaluation. When Greenwalt was president of Dupont, he said, "One minute spent in planning saves three or four minutes in execution." Many salesmen have revolutionized their business and multiplied their profits by setting aside Friday afternoon to plan carefully the major activities for the coming week. If an executive is too busy to stop and plan, he may find himself replaced by another man who takes time to plan. If the Christian is too busy to stop, take spiritual inventory, and receive his assignments from God, he becomes a slave to the tyranny of the urgent. He may work day and night to achieve much that seems significant to himself and others, but he will not finish the work God has for him to do.
A quiet time of meditation and prayer at the start of a day refocuses our relationship with God. Recommit yourself to His will as you think of the hours that follow. In these unhurried moments list in order of priority the tasks to be done, take in account commitments already made. A competent general always draws up his battle plan before he engages the enemy; he does not postpone basic decisions until the firing starts. But he is also prepared to change his plans if an emergency demands it. So try to implement the plans you have made before the day's battle against the clock begins. But be open to any emergency interruption or unexpected person who may call.
You may also find it necessary to resist the temptation to accept an engagement when the invitation to accept the invitation first comes over the telephone. No matter how clear the calendar may look at the moment, ask for a day or two to pray for guidance before committing yourself. Surprisingly the engagement often appears less imperative after the pleading voice has become silent. If you can withstand the urgency of the initial moment, you will be in a better position to weigh the cost and discern whether the task is God's will for you.
In addition to your daily quiet time, set aside one hour a week for spiritual inventory. Write an evaluation of the past, record anything God may be teaching you, and plan objectives for the future. Also try to reserve most of one day each month for a similar inventory of longer range. Often you will fail. Ironically, the busier you get the more you need this time of inventory, but the less you seem to be able to take it. You become like the fanatic who, when unsure of his direction, doubles his speed. And frenetic service for God can become an escape from God. But when you prayerfully take inventory and plan your days, it provides fresh perspective on your work.
Continue the Effort
Over the years the greatest continuing struggle in the Christian life is the effort to make adequate time for daily waiting for God, weekly inventory, and monthly planning. Since this time for receiving marching orders is so important, Satan will do everything he can to squeeze it out. Yet we know from experience that only by this means can we escape the tyranny of the urgent. This is how Jesus succeeded. He did not finish all urgent tasks in Palestine or all the things He would like to do. The only alternative to frustration is to be sure that we are doing what God wants. Nothing substitutes for knowing that this day, this hour, in this place we are doing the will of the Father. Then and only then can we think of all the other unfinished tasks with equanimity and leave them with God.
***
Too long, didn't read? This portion was what stood out to me most (the entire article is really goood):
P.T. Forsyth once said, "The worst sin is prayerlessness." We usually think of murder, adultery, or theft as among the worst. But the root of all sin is self-sufficiency - independence from God. When we fail to wait prayerfully for God's guidance and strength we are saying, with our actions of not our lips, that we do not need Him. How much of our service is characterized by "Going it alone"?
***
Too long, didn't read? This portion was what stood out to me most (the entire article is really goood):
P.T. Forsyth once said, "The worst sin is prayerlessness." We usually think of murder, adultery, or theft as among the worst. But the root of all sin is self-sufficiency - independence from God. When we fail to wait prayerfully for God's guidance and strength we are saying, with our actions of not our lips, that we do not need Him. How much of our service is characterized by "Going it alone"?
The opposite of such independence is prayer in which we acknowledge our need of God's instruction and supply. Concerning a dependent relationship with God, Donald Baillie says: "Jesus lived His life in complete dependence upon God, as we all ought to live our lives. But such dependence does not destroy human personality. Man is never so truly and fully personal as when he is living in complete dependence upon God. this is how personality comes into its own. This is humanity at its most personal."
Our practice: meditation, prayer, and dependency on God, which gives birth to a purpose-driven, well-ordered life which we can look back on and know that we finished what we needed to do.
long, long way to go.
Our practice: meditation, prayer, and dependency on God, which gives birth to a purpose-driven, well-ordered life which we can look back on and know that we finished what we needed to do.
long, long way to go.
Thursday, September 1, 2016
What I learnt from Zlatan
Zlatan Ibrahimovic
I think the one thing I can relate with Zlatan is his anger, how he wants to show everyone that someone from a rough background can do it. That "I'll show them all" kind of attitude.
He wants to overcome everything, no matter how unfair life is, he's not going to let that make Him stop trying. He wants to show society that they should never underestimate him, or anyone. He wants to show those who look down at him or block his way, that he is in control of his life.
I admire that determination, that toughness, that anger. Because there are so many people who just don't like enthusiastic people. I don't know why, but some are so negative and so manipulative. I admire how he is proud of his roots and how he cares for his home neighborhood.
Not saying that we should be angry...but I understand exactly how he feels. Because I've also been looked down on, and have been scoffed at. I like to see those smug faces turn to shocked faces, when I play. "I'll show them all". It's a bit childish of me, but I can't help but feel that anger. "How can you be so quick to judge?" sort of thing.
Something that I admire about Zlatan is his straightforwardness. He's not a coward and he's not a backstabber. "Wounds from a friend can be trusted but an enemy multiplies kisses" Proverbs 27:6. His confidence is also something admirable. Considering the background he is from, I think his confidence and toughness is really something special.
***
The thing that burns very strongly in me is the longing for sincerity and trust.
Ambiguity, dishonesty, sloppiness makes me really angry. I'm not talking about people making mistakes or carelessness. Everyone makes mistakes, and everyone doesn't know what is right at first. But what really triggers me is someone who just doesn't even want to try, and doesn't let others try; someone who is complacent, selfish, not having the longing to improve; someone who is pretentious. You make me so angry I want to scream.
If you are unsure of what you want, say it. If you have no enthusiasm, say it and don't slow people down. If you are lost, then ask and look for answers. If people have already told you what to do, and you know what to do, then you do it. But if you don't want to do it, then don't you DARE complain that you are not where you want to be. Don't you DARE pull other people down to your level just because you still want to be better than others. Don't you DARE spread your spirit of discouragement, lie to people or falsely accuse people.
***
But.
God's grace is abundant, and he is always ready to forgive us if we repent.
I'm sorry for being so strong in my words, and hitting the nail too hard. I need a grace awakening, just as George Verwer says. We all need to be less judgmental and negative, but more gracious and forgiving.
The thing I learnt this year, was to stop living in fear. I am still trying to improve, and I am definitely still making many mistakes, even when I know what I should do. But, I have to stop living a life of guilt and fear.
Well, the process continues...
Friday, June 24, 2016
Conscious of my selfish unconscious
I know that when I give time to people, I give it freely to them without expecting anything in return. Yet, I inevitably feel sad when they don't notice the energy I used up.
It's sort of a cycle. I don't want them to notice and purposely make it look like I did it nonchalantly, but deep down I do want to be noticed. I wish I wasn't so selfish, then I wouldn't be having all these thoughts. Maybe the effort I put in is overshadowed by the far exceeding efforts and contributions of others. I guess I'm just a background prop in their life's play. Look at me being crestfallen and pitiful about my shortcomings and limitations.
I can't help feeling hurt, and it's pathetic. When can all these selfish thoughts of mine go away? It's really childish of me.
Probably the same way parents feel when their children take things for granted. Guess it's payback time for me.
oops. negativity again :P
It's sort of a cycle. I don't want them to notice and purposely make it look like I did it nonchalantly, but deep down I do want to be noticed. I wish I wasn't so selfish, then I wouldn't be having all these thoughts. Maybe the effort I put in is overshadowed by the far exceeding efforts and contributions of others. I guess I'm just a background prop in their life's play. Look at me being crestfallen and pitiful about my shortcomings and limitations.
I can't help feeling hurt, and it's pathetic. When can all these selfish thoughts of mine go away? It's really childish of me.
Probably the same way parents feel when their children take things for granted. Guess it's payback time for me.
oops. negativity again :P
Wednesday, June 15, 2016
Them Feels
Okay I just had to share this xD #christinagrimmie
Wow, this is the best experience ever, seeing someone's fails in retrospect after seeing their success. The keyboard-slamming especially, I totally get mad like her HAHA awesome. I can't believe someone so talented (insanely talented) can share the same frustrations as I do. (Talented, but I'm not disregarding the amount of work she put in to become so so so so so skilled. So skilled that posting about her here feels like an insult to her life story.) I know nobody is born a pro, but it only feels true when you see it with your own eyes.
***
Yeah, just looking at her old videos. Feeling lousy for only knowing about her after her death.
It does feel very unfair and it is heart-wrenching. My friend is angry at the world because a guy killed his teenage crush. I just don't know what to say. Does make one feel like, "that should have been me. What did she do to deserve this?"
The killer. We don't know him, we don't know what he went through, so we wouldn't understand. Am I too kind to a cold-blooded murderer? Or are we too judgmental to a victim of psycho-social events?
Security should have been proper. mm hmm
Not forgetting her brother's bravery, too.
Just letting my thoughts run.
It does feel very unfair and it is heart-wrenching. My friend is angry at the world because a guy killed his teenage crush. I just don't know what to say. Does make one feel like, "that should have been me. What did she do to deserve this?"
The killer. We don't know him, we don't know what he went through, so we wouldn't understand. Am I too kind to a cold-blooded murderer? Or are we too judgmental to a victim of psycho-social events?
Security should have been proper. mm hmm
Not forgetting her brother's bravery, too.
Just letting my thoughts run.
God's in control. You can't define God or His plans based on your perspective. I can't see it but I trust that He had a plan in her life and even in her passing. He is able to make it into something beautiful.
Also, in my opinion, death can be better than life on earth.
Also, in my opinion, death can be better than life on earth.
Monday, June 13, 2016
Pepper Ration
Just this week there has been two shooting incidents that's publicized to the entire world (and there are tons more which I didn't know about, it was rather shocking gotta admit that). Instead of trying to imagine how the friends and families of the victims were coping, I imagined what would happen if it happened right where I am. When is it going to be our turn to get reality, by whatever means, shoved into our faces?
"Who knows God's purpose for your life?" A pastor once asked this question during a sermon, and I raised my hand without thinking. 'To serve Him,' I thought, as the usual, generalized answer came to mind. Then I realized I didn't know specifically what it was, and my hand started shaking a bit.
I trust that I am where am I supposed to be, but what exactly am I supposed to do? I've got to spend more time praying about it...
I feel like I'm in a dream. I see all these warning signs that God has placed for us to know that He is coming soon, yet I am still going at my own pace. I just can't keep up with life.
This isn't an admit of defeat though. It's the start of more searching. The search for where God wants me to be at what time until the the day of my departure.
"Who knows God's purpose for your life?" A pastor once asked this question during a sermon, and I raised my hand without thinking. 'To serve Him,' I thought, as the usual, generalized answer came to mind. Then I realized I didn't know specifically what it was, and my hand started shaking a bit.
I trust that I am where am I supposed to be, but what exactly am I supposed to do? I've got to spend more time praying about it...
This is to all of you still trying to see where God is leading you: don't despair but rejoice in all the small steps you take to get nearer to His calling :) Maybe the time hasn't come yet. Maybe He wants to mold you more first.
"Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children; and walk in love, just as Christ also loved you and gave Himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God as a fragrant aroma. But immorality or any impurity or greed must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints; and there must be no filthiness and silly talk, or coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks. For this you know with certainty, that no immoral or impure person or covetous man, who is an idolater, has an inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. Therefore do not be partakers with them; for you were formerly darkness, but now you are Light in the Lord; walk as children of Light (for the fruit of the Light consists in all goodness and righteousness and truth), trying to learn what is pleasing to the Lord. Do not participate in the unfruitful deeds of darkness, but instead even expose them; for it is disgraceful even to speak of the things which are done by them in secret. But all things become visible when they are exposed by the light, for everything that becomes visible is light. For this reason it says, 'Awake, sleeper, And arise from the dead, And Christ will shine on you." Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men but as wise, making the most of your time, because the days are evil. So then do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. And do not get drunk with wine, for that is dissipation, but be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody with your heart to the Lord; always giving thanks for all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God, even the Father; and be subject to one another in the fear of Christ.
from the book of Ephesians, chapter 5: verses 1 to 21
p/s: the shootings were horror events but I don't think there is anything more I can say that can do any help. I only feel terrible because these things are happening to others while I'm just living in comfort. More importantly, remember that God is in control, and if you commit your life to the Saviour then death on earth means eternal life in heaven.
Sunday, June 12, 2016
CoffeeTasteCopyPaste: Dear Teenagers
An article with a powerful message for all young people today. Thanks Aaron Chew for sharing it on fb. I didn't edit this, I didn't write this. All credits to John Piper.
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A Call to Teenagers to Be Free
Article by John Piper
Article by John Piper
I am writing for the liberation of teenagers. I write to challenge teenagers to “live as people who are free” (1 Peter 2:16). Be wise and strong and free from the slavery of culture-conformity. To put it another way, I am calling teenagers to a radical, wartime lifestyle.
The Creation of “Teenagers”
As teenagers, you should know that the idea of “teenagers” was created only seventy years ago. The word “teenager” did not exist before World War II. Between children and adults, there was no such category of human being. You were a child. Then you were a young adult.
Just a hundred years ago, you would bear crucial responsibility at age thirteen on the farm or in dad’s business — or mom’s kitchen and weaving room. You would be trained for gainful employment, or domestic enterprise, by age seventeen, and would marry before you were twenty, and be a responsible husband and father — or wife and mother — by your early twenties.
This scenario is perhaps hard for you to imagine. And I am not saying we can go back to that era, or should want to. My aim is that you be liberated by the truth. The truth will set you free. The truth that you do not have to fit into the contemporary lockstep expectations put on you by your culture or your peers.
Very few teenagers have an awareness of history. That ignorance leads to a kind of slavery. Most teenagers are slaves of the expectations of their peers and of the big industries that market their fashion and music and technology and entertainment.
This slavery is so pleasant — and so consistently rewarded — that the possibility of being free from conformity to teen-culture rarely enters your mind. Being aware from history that other possibilities exist can set you free for radical “wartime living” in the name of Jesus.
What “Teenager” Meant Seventy Years Ago
In 1944, when “teen-age” was still hyphenated, Life magazine covered the new teen phenomenon. The article said,
There is a time in the life of every American girl when the most important thing in the world is to be one of a crowd of other girls and to act and speak and dress exactly as they do. This is the teen age.
This was not a very enviable beginning for the meaning of “teenager.” Things have not changed much in sixty years. A teenager wrote to my hometown newspaper:
This was not a very enviable beginning for the meaning of “teenager.” Things have not changed much in sixty years. A teenager wrote to my hometown newspaper:
Most of my friends often are not comfortable with what is popular, but we wear it anyway. Standing out is just not always worth the struggle. Society tells us to be different, yet mainstream.
How do you dress to please yourself, your parents, and your peers? You can’t. Teens end up compromising their values to fit in. If we intend to make it through high school, or even junior high, without being tormented, then we must dress to please our peers.
We are the up-and-coming leaders of this nation, and we must see what we have become and change. (Minneapolis StarTribune, November 16, 2002: A23).
It is not easy to be a Christian teenager. You desperately want to be liked. To be rejected by friends can feel devastating. But just like this young woman, you know deep down that living to be liked is slavery. And if you belong to Jesus, that slavery may be a torment worse than rejection.
It is not easy to be a Christian teenager. You desperately want to be liked. To be rejected by friends can feel devastating. But just like this young woman, you know deep down that living to be liked is slavery. And if you belong to Jesus, that slavery may be a torment worse than rejection.
What Does It Mean to Be Cool?
For many, being cool is everything. But what is cool? Is it really which phone you have? Or what movies you’ve seen? Or how strong or fast or handsome you are? Or the way your hair falls and your figure is shaped? You are not stupid. You know that living for such things is superficial and meaningless.
What is cool for a fourteen-year-old young man? I think what follows is a hundred times more cool than phones and clothes and movies and games. The year is 1945. World War II was still raging. Thousands of teenagers wanted to fight. The Battle of Iwo Jima was one of the deadliest — 6,800 American soldiers are buried on that tiny island, many of them teenagers.
Jack Lucas had fast-talked his way into the Marines at fourteen [in 1942], fooling the recruits with his muscled physique. . . . He stowed away on a transport out of Honolulu, surviving on food passed along to him by sympathetic leathernecks on board.
[At 17] he landed on D-Day [at Iwo Jima] without a rifle. He grabbed one lying on the beach and fought his way inland. Now, on D+1, Jack and three comrades were crawling through a trench when eight Japanese sprang in front of them. Jack shot one of them through the head.
Then his rifle jammed. As he struggled with it, a grenade landed at his feet. He yelled a warning to the others and rammed the grenade into the soft ash. Immediately, another rolled in. Jack Lucas, seventeen, fell on both grenades. “Luke, you’re gonna die,” he remembered thinking. . . .
Aboard the hospital ship Samaritan, the doctors could scarcely believe it. “Maybe he was too damned young and too damned tough to die,” one said. He endured twenty-one reconstructive operations and became the nation’s youngest Medal of Honor winner — and the only high school freshman to receive it. (James Bradley, Flags of Our Fathers, 174–175)
You Are Teenage Soldiers in a War
Knowing you are in a war changes what is cool. If your family is under attack, fretting about your clothes and your hair stops. There are more important things at stake. And we are at war. The enemy is stronger than the Axis of Germany, Japan, and Italy. Indeed, stronger than all human powers put together. The battle is daily. It is fought in every locality. And its victories and defeats lead to heaven or to hell.
Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. (Ephesians 6:11)
Fight the good fight of the faith. (1 Timothy 6:12)
Wage the good warfare. (1 Timothy 1:18)
The weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh. (2 Corinthians 10:4)
Share in suffering as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. (2 Timothy 2:3)
Abstain from the passions of the flesh, which wage war against your soul. (1 Peter 2:11)
What Is Really Going On?
Don’t be part of the blind, teenage masses who do not know what is going on. They think that to know the latest movie or iPhone app or hit song is to know what is going on. Those things are like cut flowers. Bright today, tossed out tomorrow. They are utterly insignificant compared to events that are shaping the course of eternity.
What is really going on is that people and nations are being enslaved by Satan or liberated by Christ. And Christ fights his liberating warfare through Christians, including teenage Christians.
But not through teenagers who are amusing themselves to death. The average teenager is so wrapped up in himself, and how he looks, and whether anyone likes him, that he makes a poor soldier. One of the great marks of the soldier in wartime is that personal comforts give way to the strategic mission. Soldiers may play cards the night before the battle, but when the trumpet sounds they lay down their lives.
The Battlefield of Money
Take the battlefield of money, for example. The trumpet has sounded. You are the soldier. The battle has begun. You may not feel rich, but you have lots of stuff. Your stuff threatens to strangle your soul by lying to you about how important and how satisfying it is (Mark 4:19). And the money you don’t have threatens to pierce you by creating a passion to be rich.
The Great General has sent you a personal message on the battlefield. It reads,
Those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs. (1 Timothy 6:9–10)
Does this call wake you up? Does it make you vigilant like a soldier on alert?
Does this call wake you up? Does it make you vigilant like a soldier on alert?
Then, along with the alert, he sends a great promise that he will not leave you stranded and alone in this battle:
Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” So we can confidently say, “The Lord is my helper; I will not fear; what can man do to me?” (Hebrews 13:5–6)
You are set free from fear and greed by this confidence: The Commander-in-Chief will not abandon me to perish on the field of battle. So look your enemies in the eye. Stare down covetousness and craving, and slay them with the Sword of the Spirit and with the superior pleasures of Christ: “I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord” (Philippians 3:8).
You are set free from fear and greed by this confidence: The Commander-in-Chief will not abandon me to perish on the field of battle. So look your enemies in the eye. Stare down covetousness and craving, and slay them with the Sword of the Spirit and with the superior pleasures of Christ: “I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord” (Philippians 3:8).
The Battlefield of Comfort
Or take the battlefield of comfort and ease. Almost all the forces in your life put you under pressure to maximize your comfort with the ease and softness of our age. But the Great General has sent you a message, as the enemy surrounds you. Remember the great warrior Moses! Fight like he did!
By faith Moses, when he was grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter, choosing rather to be mistreated with the people of God than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin. He considered the reproach of Christ greater wealth than the treasures of Egypt, for he was looking to the reward. (Hebrews 11:24–26)
O, there is reward for victories in this warfare! Yes, there is — beyond imagination! But the enemy wants you to think all the rewards are in this life. He has dropped propaganda leaflets behind the lines that read, “Heaven is a fairy tale. You are a fool to live for the reward of heaven and not the reward of comfort and ease in this life!”
O, there is reward for victories in this warfare! Yes, there is — beyond imagination! But the enemy wants you to think all the rewards are in this life. He has dropped propaganda leaflets behind the lines that read, “Heaven is a fairy tale. You are a fool to live for the reward of heaven and not the reward of comfort and ease in this life!”
But the Commander-in-Chief counters his propaganda at every turn with spectacular promises. No matter how hard the fighting is — no matter even if you die in his service — he will raise you up and give you the best pleasures forever.
“Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven.” (Matthew 5:11–12)
This light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison. (2 Corinthians 4:17)
In fact, the Great General has sent us word on the battlefield that he will not just reward us, but he will be our reward. “In your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore” (Psalm 16:11).
In fact, the Great General has sent us word on the battlefield that he will not just reward us, but he will be our reward. “In your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore” (Psalm 16:11).
With this sword in our hand, we drive back the lying hordes of safety and ease and comfort and offer ourselves for Christ’s service in the most risky assignments.
The Battlefield of Ego
Or take the battlefield of ego and peer-approval. O, how powerful this enemy is! He has swallowed up more teenagers perhaps than any other adversary, even lust. He comes with horrible stories of how painful your shame will be if you do not conform to this world. He will lie to you, and say that the only alternative to the mood and fashion and music and movies and sexual pleasures of this world is utter humiliation and embarrassment.
The Great General sees it all. His walkie-talkie lights up with messages for his embattled teens. Do not be deceived. They say you will experience shame. No. No. It is they who play the futile game of trying to turn their shame into their glory. But you see reality for what it is. They do not. They “walk as enemies of the cross of Christ. Their end is destruction, their god is their belly, and they glory in their shame, with minds set on earthly things” (Philippians 3:18–19).
They think all the fun lies with them. It is a fool’s fun — like a roller coaster that, at the most breathtaking moment, flies off the rails.
With respect to this they are surprised when you do not join them in the same flood of debauchery, and they malign you; but they will give account to him who is ready to judge the living and the dead. (1 Peter 4:4–5)
You are the ones who know reality. You know what lasts — what really satisfies. For them, all is grass and the flower of grass.
You are the ones who know reality. You know what lasts — what really satisfies. For them, all is grass and the flower of grass.
“All flesh is like grass and all its glory like the flower of grass. The grass withers, and the flower falls, but the word of the Lord remains forever.” (1 Peter 1:24–25)
Let the messages of the Commander sink in. Your identity is deeper and stronger and more durable and more glorious than any plastic veneer that your peers try to pressure you into. “You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body” (1 Corinthians 6:19–20). You are a treasured possession (1 Peter 2:9). You are a son or daughter of the Creator of the universe (Romans 8:16).
Let the messages of the Commander sink in. Your identity is deeper and stronger and more durable and more glorious than any plastic veneer that your peers try to pressure you into. “You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body” (1 Corinthians 6:19–20). You are a treasured possession (1 Peter 2:9). You are a son or daughter of the Creator of the universe (Romans 8:16).
With these truth-daggers in your hand, slay the ghoulish lies of peer pressure that try to deceive you into thinking conformity is freedom.
Let None Despise Your Teenage Youth
We could go on with all the different kinds of battlefields you must fight on. But you get the idea. The enemy lies, and the Commander-in-Chief counters with truth. And the truth sets you free (John 8:32).
When the Great General says, “Let no one despise you for your youth” (1 Timothy 4:12), he means: Don’t fit into the stereotype of the aimless, careless, superficial youth. Break the mold. You belong to Christ. Show the world that there is another kind of teenager on the earth.
This teenager is not a leaf blown along with the wind of cultural trends. He is not a jellyfish floating with the current of the times. He is a tree that stands firm in the strongest storms. He is a dolphin who slices the waves against the tide. He is going somewhere.
Dream of being a kind of teenager that the world cannot explain. Maybe someday, if there are enough of you, they will invent a new name. And “teenager” will be a footnote in the history books.
***
Dear Father, help us pursue Your righteousness and Your will, help us to be strong and courageous in the face of temptation and persecution, and help us to persevere in all things big or small to be bearer's of Christ's image for as long as we live.
Amen
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