All Things New

Have you ever get stuck in a hopeless situation, unable to get unstuck?

Have you seen bad history repeating itself over and over again, felt too small or helpless to do anything?

Do you commit the same mistakes over and over again, like bad habits?

Have you ever suffer the same nightmare, over and over again?

Do you hear people say about bad things being permanent, cannot be changed?

Do you despise yourself sometimes, for doing things you don't want to do, but yet you do?

Have you ever watch a bad scene in a movie in 'repeat' mode, never get to the happy ending?

A certain Switchfoot song (The Blues) sometimes ring in my head:

Is this the kingdom
Or just a hit and miss?
Is this the new year
Or just another desperation?


Recently when I met my former youth pastor, I asked him many things about life, ministry, country, and what God's doing in the nations. He's kinda given up on the local scene of ministry. These days, he travels to Jakarta, to be a part of the revival happening in churches there. One of the things he told me was this:

The leaders in church will somehow mirror the leaders in the nation. The governance in churches in a particular nation reflects the state of government in that nation.

Two great examples he cited were neighboring countries, Indonesia and Malaysia. Churches in Indonesia thrive today under their current (since 2004) national president Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, who led the national reformation in the post-Suharto era, who stand for what's right. As a result, the richest and best contributors in Indonesia today are the christians. Malaysia? The churches here are mirroring the sad state of the government. He said unless there's a change in the government, there's no hope here.

Did I hear the echo cry of reformasi?

We also talked about music and I mentioned that I liked GMB's (Indonesia band) songs. He recommended True Worshippers' (new name for the band, extended setup) latest live concert album CD-DVD All Things New. I tried very hard to remember the name and said I'll get it. Later I totally forgot about it. Last weekend I happened to be in a christian book fair in KL and suddenly remembered about that album. After consulting with sis Kim (who now works in Canaanland) who commented highly on that album, I bought it instantly.

Before I give my comments on the album....

Recently my mom commented on how pathetic the future of our nation will be under the current government. She said if things continue the way they are, Indonesia will overtake us in advancement of technology, amongst other areas. In fact, they are already overtaking us in certain areas. She added that now, Malaysians hire Indonesians as our maids. If the present government continues to lead the nation like how they've been doing for so long, our future generations will be Indonesians' maids one day. Think about that! Distant reality? Possible? You reckon?

Think about the churches. If the churches here continue the way they are without change, how can we be ready for God's visitation? I don't wanna imagine when the time comes, we'll be borrowing Bahasa praise and worship songs from our neighbour to sing, because our local productions do not match the required standard.

I listened to All Things New CD in my car for a couple of days to soak in the messages of the theme. Tonight I finally had time to watch its DVD live concert. Wow! The quality of the production was actually quite good. I remember not too long ago that Indonesian christians were being persecuted. Now look at what they're doing!

The album made several impressions upon me. One of the later song (highlight) in the album 'Pray for the nation' really touched me. A simple repentant song of the theme many of us should be familiar, but do not really, as in really really really know. And other songs centering around the celebratory theme in Revelation 21:5 - And he who was seated on the throne said, "Behold, I am making all things new". Towards the end of the concert, they displayed on big screens of frontpage highlights of Indonesia's national achievements, results of God's blessings and visitation on that nation and the churches. I was inspired.

Theme of the season: Change. Celebration. New Things.

Let me end with a wise quote from Einstein. Another reminder for myself.

Insanity = Doing the same thing over and over again expecting different results!

The Bible puts it like this: Like a dog that returns to his vomit is a fool who repeats his folly (Prov 26:11 ESV)

Is it really possible that God can make our nation new? And all things in it? Including you and me? Who dares believe it? How can I believe it? It must be Him.

Tuhanku mahabesar
Tuhanku mahakuasa
Raja segala raja
Dia takkan tergoyahkan
Dia takkan terkalahkan......
(from the song Serukan Namanya)

Getting out of the way (Part 2)

I was thinking on how to continue with Part 2, but Phelps just helped me. Between my last post and the time of writing, Michael Phelps had won FIVE gold medals (all with new world records!) at this Beijing Olympic and ELEVEN in his career Olympic golds. He achieved immortality of being the most successful Olympian of all time (previous was nine gold medals), and he's not done yet.

Before the Games started, Phelps was asked if he could break Spitz's long-held record of winning the most (7) gold medals in one Olympic. He didn't cave in to the world's expectation. He said that was the media and the world's expectation of him, his own goal was never published. Well answered, like a true champion.

During yesterday's butterfly event, his strongest opponent was his eyewear. His goggles were filled up with water till he could hardly see. After touching the wall, he ripped them off and angrily looked at the board (not even around him), and realized he broke another world record. But he was still upset as he didn't swim below his targeted time. He certainly didn't care about world records! Just like the best of the bests, in his mind, Phelps is one who race only with himself. The others were just fighting for silvers, and felt honored just to be in the same pool as Phelps.

Phelps have three more events to go, and with the tougher events behind him, his only obstacle is himself. Will he be contented now and let the "best Olympian ever" title get into his head, or focus on the task at hand and achieve the impossible EIGHT?

Will he get out of his own way, like what he has been doing all along up till this point?

(to be continued)

Getting out of the way (Part 1)

Few days ago Michael Phelps was asked what goes on in his mind when he hits the water. He simply said "nothing", just totally "in the Zone" as he glides pass his competition. A multiple world record holder, Phelps is expected to win many gold medals in the Beijing Olympics. He's competing in eight swimming events, and no one has ever won more than seven gold medals (in a single games). The world is expecting him to make history and to be the best ever.

I marvel at how athletes like Michael Phelps handle pressure. I'm talking about immense pressure to perform. How do they shut out everyone and every distraction to perform at their very best? Tiger Woods has a laser-beam like focus, also known as the "Tiger Trance". He also has this ability to be completely absorbed and lose everything around him as he drills ball after ball into the holes.

Elite athletes like them talked about one of the keys in getting into the Zone: by getting out of their own way.

(to be continued)

I Will Find You

Two nights ago I couldn't sleep thinking about many things, also about special people in my life which I've no time to spend with or somehow lost touch. People from near and far. Many times I get so caught up with chasing nothing, really. I know what I must do. Wrote down a few things in the middle of the night. My redemption plan. And I will find them back, one by one. I will give up. After that I could zzzzzzZZZZZ