Kevin's Column

What a year its already been!

2011-03-03T02:23:00.001-08:00

Might as well share my thoughts seeing how I have a blog ;)

Mentioned to R-Dee last year how big and different this year is going to be.. Amazing that its only March and so much has happened.... Feels like I've got enough memories for the whole year. However I feel God's not quite done yet...

Thank God for leading us to a new church so quickly. Its a crucial step, but it was made easy. Not just because its dad's church, but its because its where God has confirmed that he wants us to be. To share abit of that, prayed with dad, mum and R-Dee on sat night and we had a few words - all of us - over the situation and each other. God confirmed the words by prompting the preacher to change her sermon on Sat night - that sermon was exactly what we needed and very much confirmed the words we had. We were then prayed over and really encouraged. When God moves like that, its easy to respond!

After finding a new spiritual home, I knew the timing was right.. So I made my battle plans on how to propose. The plan had to involve several things:
- a special/meaningful place. Devonport is the most special place for us both. We had several important talks there. Even had a waltz session there at some ridiculous time at night once.
- a special spot in the special place. There was a spot in Devonport where she once asked me (before we were going out) what my intention was. My reply was hilarious, borderline stupid, but hilarious (you'll need to come to the wedding to find out what I said).. and we never forgot that spot.
- an element of surprise. So I did a normal home cooked meal (okay, I cooked her favourite dish) and was being spontaneous self and "suddenly" wanted to see a sunset.
- romantic setting. City lights after sunset - enough said.
- a good ring. I've never chosen any clothes for her (and still don't intend to). An expensive ring was a massive step and a massive risk! However, with Uncle Nel's guidance and about 2.5 hours, I bought one in Malaysia and tucked it away for 2 months.

You only get one chance to propose and I was very very nervous! Battle plan in hand, I committed it to God and went ahead. Everything was going according to the battle plan and I knew it was time to seize the moment... I went on one knee and asked the all important question "Will you marry me?"... After around 5 agonisingly long seconds (very very long seconds!). She said yes.. She even liked the ring!

After 2 days, I think I'm fully absorbing that I now have a fiancee. And she's amazing.

This year is definitely going to be a big year.. Thanks for those who have been supporting us and believing in us... And thanks to the many wishes/support these last few days. Its been special and its even better because its being shared.

(Congrats if you made it this far down my novel)

Btw, did I mention I have a wedding to plan?

Comments that change your life

2009-08-22T00:46:00.000-07:00

Once in awhile in life you meet people who through their lives change yours. Other times you'll be in a conversation and one statement may leave a lasting impact.

One such statement was when I was in uni. Being quite busy in church, studies took a back seat most times. I passed, but never really excelled. I thought I was doing overall. However, through a conversation with a non-christian friend, he made a statement that would change my attitude to my studies for the last 2 years of my uni life. His words were more or less:

"I understand that you can't do well as because you have other priorities".

Now I knew as Christians, we are to excel in all we do. Being busy with other things was not meant to be an excuse. I knew I could do it, I'd just have to work harder. However, hearing that coming from a good friend, set me into action. These actions that would lead me getting into my current job.

I was reflecting on that as now that I'm at work, I've met a colleague who not through her comments, but through her disposition and energy is able to keep going and not get bogged down through the amount of work she has to go through. She's one of those people who are naturally more outgoing/perky, etc, etc. Now its not about being outwardly happy, but she had a good attitude in facing her workload (which was more than mine). That's been rubbing off on me and its something I realised a few weeks ago.

Whats amazing is that none of these people are Christians, yet they were used to make an impact on my life. God can truly use anyone and any circumstance to speak to us.

Shabang!

2009-07-15T02:23:00.000-07:00

Coffee at client = free
Lunch at Wendy's = $10.70
Muffin for avo tea = $4.00
Coffee at cafe = $4.80
Coffee at client = free
Kevin coming home after 5 coffee's = priceless!!!!!!

*Kevin plays bejewelled*
Colin "Ko, what are you on?"
Kevin "Its the caffine speaking man...."
Kevin "yus!! High score!. Crap, its not even my account!"

Welcome to busy season people.... Its about time I made a post and after 5 coffee's and leaving after 7 everyday (more like 8), its now or never. Can't let this blog die!

Okay.. awkward, so buzzed, no idea what to say... Esp when this is meant to be thoughtful. I'll update with some more deep thought, esp since its been like 7 months since my last post soon. Suffice to say I'm buzzed, physically tired and Chuck is starting (Which I only watch it coz of the story line!)

2 days left!

2008-12-17T01:26:00.000-08:00

2 days left before going off on my holidays.... First one was a working person. Having now worked for 10 months, I can see why people need holidays ;) But I can say that I've definitely learnt heaps about my job and businesses in general since we started (Which was part of my aim, so that's great!). However, alot more learning ahead though. It only gets harder... On the topic of work, we managed to pull of the highest amount of donations received for Movember, not a bad effort at all..

Thought I'd leave with a thought about the holidays, wrote this earlier today while replying an email..

"Spiritually, its easy with church routines and that.. but a true test of one's walk with God is seen often in their holidays. I often talk about strength in personal worship, QT and prayer being reflected when leading things (e.g worship, etc etc). However such things can be "learned" or sometimes God uses us even when our walk is not right. However, when all those things are taken away, it'll show if our focus is the things of God or God himself."

Blessed holidays!! ( for all three of my readers ;) - This is just in case I don't have any more posts on my blog as once we're back as a family in Malaysia, we become so absorbed with one another)

Movember!

2008-11-26T23:47:00.000-08:00

For those who aren't familiar with the month of Movember, its a play on the word November using the word "Moustache" (called a "mo" for short), hence Movember. (I'm sure there was a more correct way of explaining it, but you get the point!). Its when the men around the world (well mostly in OZ and NZ) grow a moustache in efforts to raise awareness and money for mens diseases...

So good old Kevin thought it'd be a good thing to do, especially with the number of people doing it in the office. It was also (secretly) a chance to see how I'd look like with a mo, not having a proper one before ;)

So I went about my business growing a mo, first and second day it seemed like I was keeping up with the crowd, but after that it got tragic real fast, my mo wasnt growing!!! People were having mean as handlebars and sideburns and I has little bean sprouts. My Chinese side was getting the better of me, suppresing the facial hair growth. So in the end Shaun (my colleague who also struggeld; he's half islander, quarter Chinese, quarter Caucasian) and I were consoling each other on the facial hair (or lack of it). We were also copping alot of slack from our colleagues! The things we do for charity!

Have raised a reasonable amount, but definately not my best fundraising effort.. if you'd like to contribute to my efforts, its at https://www.movember.com/nz/donate/donate-details.php?rego=1637611&country=nz

Oh and my mo is definately going off come December, copped enough slack for it ;)

So much for twice a month...

2008-11-14T19:16:00.000-08:00

I think I've confirmed to myself what I've feared all along, I'm not an online sorta person!! Aim was to update blog twice a month (or once in two weeks) and eventually get to once a week. Yea rigtht ;)

Anyways, my baby is doing well. Abit slow just coz there is so much information in it, but I'm getting better at understanding my baby, so its good... lots of e-books on it too. Thats like adds another 100 books to my "books I have to read" list. I'm sure I'll get there eventually, finished on recently and starting on another, so thats all good.

Strangely, or not so strangely, I'm reading books on prayer. Along with the word and worship, I see those three as the three pillars, and that pillar in my life is short, so yes, prayer...

My new baby!!

2008-10-28T02:00:00.001-07:00

Yup, thats right, I have a new baby in my house... Thats a good enough reason to blog I suppose ;)

Just received my new bible software, Logos Leaders Library... Been wanting it for ages and finally able to afford it, its probably the first major thing I've purchased for myself. I haven't even bought any new clothes or shoes (two things I need for work...). Think so far most of my money has been used to pay off debt and major expenses like cars.. conventions.. air tickets.. house contributions... So this is probably my first proper purchase of something I actually want.

Still haven't used it yet, as its currently installing (Seems to take a long long long while to install). Quite shocking. But looking forward to using it. Quite like all the other materials that come with it, i.e. books, atlas'..

Btw, I still want to update this blog more often, will see how that goes ;)

Meant to live for so much more..

2008-10-06T00:41:00.000-07:00

Another switchfoot song??... Yup!

Wierd how I was listening to that the other day (okay maybe two weeks ago, I suck at updating. Just to go off a tangent; this should make those whose emails and texts I never reply feel better, I can't even do MY OWN blog!) So anyways, switchfoot song..

Theme is sligthly similar to the other song "are you who you want to be". Have been just reflecting the last few weeks (believe I'm still thinking abt it), just reflecting over my last few years wondering what shaped me to be who I am and whether I would've done anything differently over the past few years. (Think I take reflecting about your life to another level, its scary.. I'm talking about to the point of losing sleep the last few nigths coz I'm thinking so much)

So yes, there are lots of smaller things I wished I did, didnt do, reacted to, reacted less to.. the list goes on. However, probably the biggest thing, which I shared over the mic while leading worship on Sunday was that I wished I spent more time with God. I was almost in tears talking about that over the mic on Sunday (dont think it was obvious though; the secret is to talk slowly so no one can notice anyway!). But yea, I really do mean it, thats probably my biggest regret, being very much a Martha instead of a Mary, and I'm trying to realign that back whilst catch up on lost time God.

Speaking of which, guess who I'm gonna spend time with now..

Are you who you want to be?

2008-09-14T02:11:00.000-07:00

"This is your life, are you who you want to be?"

I was on one of my analytical moods awhile back, and this phrase was going through my mind.. If its sounds familiar, its coz its from a Switchfoot song.

As we go through life, we are there either by choice or by consequence, but you will go through life. When we go through situations, we have the choice of making a difference/impact or just going through it and letting it shape us. And I was just wondering how much my environment has shaped me as compared to my shaping my environment. Things which I held important I no longer seem to, things which werent important seem to be now. For me, time will tell if those things are for the better.

Important question... But for now, I'm still asking myself if I'm who I want to be and what I can do to be that person I want to be.

If you love you're doing, you'll never have to work another day

2008-08-19T01:45:00.000-07:00

One of my colleagues spit out that quote today. I've heard it before, but now that I'm working, it takes on new significance. To be able to wake up everyday and enjoy what you're doing.. That's a nice thought for me. Not that I hate my life. However I wonder how many people are able to do that. Most importantly, I wonder if its something Christians should be aiming for.

As I pause and ponder on this for a few minutes, I think yes, Christians must be able to live like this. . We should be able to appreciate each and every day in each and every stage of our lives. In every stage to recognise God working in us and to let that stir us into deeper appreciation of him. Basically I see it as enjoying life "in" him, when are able to do that, no matter situation/ circumstance you find yourself in, you'll be able to enjoy yourself. This leads me to think that, we should be able to do this much more easily than the rest of the world as we should be able to enjoy God not because of our circumstance, but in it.

In the "Westminster Cathechism", which was written during the reformation, when the Protestant church broke away from the Roman Catholic church is a quote that captures this though pretty well.

"What is the chief end of man?
Man’s chief end is to glorify God, and to enjoy him forever."

To live life in him and to enjoy him forever...

My 10th post!!

2008-08-02T03:11:00.000-07:00

Its taken awhile, but I've gotten there people!! double digit posts... Booya!!

(Did i just say that?..)

Lots has happened as usual, lovely cousin over. With work didn't get to spend as much time as I like, but I tried.. It was a great break, going to work tired coz I stayed up too long the night before.. lots of talking and laughing. Good times... Now to wait for the others to come over. So far its two out of 10 that have come so far, a whopping twenty percent. Two more coming early next year. That'll be cool.

Work is still going. Its pretty cool, its something different every week. Different clients, different parts of the audit to do. Still lots of learning, at least I'm looking semi-competent at work now. No longer asking the experienced client accountants dumb questions.

Caregroup has been good... in a different way. No longer am I able to lead from the front because of work and all, because of work. But I've seen the people around me work hard and really carry on the work and its been great. My core team has really progressed and have taken the caregroup up as their own and have sacrificed so much. Its great to be working alongside such great people. God has lots in store for this special group and I'm looking forward to see what the future holds for them.

As I reflect I feel the words of the chorus I used earlier this year come to mind. Lots has happened, and there is more to come...

"There's a stirring in the spirit,
there's an urgency in this hour.
We as children must obey,
can you hear the footsteps of God"

God moved... I was there

2008-06-18T03:34:00.000-07:00

Thought it was about time to update the blog ;) Btw, the title is just what I've been saying in response to the prayer meeting we just had. I think it aptly represents what usually happens, God moves because he wants to (moves through worship and sets hearts of the people) and I had the benefit of leading today.

I've been finding that God chooses to work through me just as he pleases, not when I've been good or been "holy" or particularly spiritual. I've been finding that being used by God and being close to God is not necessarily synonymous. I dont fully comprehend why God chooses to use me, but he does.

To list a few examples... Prayer meeting today was awesome, God showed up and pretty much everyone responded to the word, it was one of the most annointed sessions I've led so far. Last week when I was looking after the kids at kids church, I led the kids in prayer to stop the rain so we could get into the kids chruch room, and the rain stopped instantly. Two weeks ago during shepherding, felt like spirit had something to say to my sheep, so just prayed during shep and shared a word and it was exactly what he needed.

That got me thinking, and I was struggling to talk to God last week, was the most I struggled for awhile, and yet while doing ministry things, awesome things happen. I then reflect on Mat 7:21-23 and it just serves as a warning to me. Its not about what we do, its about who we know.

My final reflection on all that is this: I want my focus to be on knowing God and serving hard on the side NOT Serving hard and knowing God on the side.

Friendship first

2008-04-26T01:15:00.000-07:00

Something that I've been pondering abit is the importance of friendship first with people, especially when we are talking about growing the Kingdom of God. Something that I've seen heaps of people do is to be over eager to invite their friends to church/caregroup that all they even do when they see them is to invite them. After some time, they may come once just to shut the person up. After that, they don't feel obligated to come anymore and just "drift" away from the well meaning Christian. What happened?

I think that we can forget that if we want to reach out to someone, we need to first be genuine friends. The saying "people don't care how much you know till they know how much you care" is so true. The moment people smell that you're not interested in them, but just for them to get something out of them, they'll run. This girl I knew was helping out in world vision, I met her at Parachute Music Festival and she asked me to sign up and support. Long story short I sponsored a child anyway as it was always something I wanted to do, but I could tell that she truly wasn't interested me or my thoughts about the kids.

Friendship first, I think this must be true in our lives if we are to reach people and bring them into the Kingdom. It takes time and energy, like in all relationships, but we must be willing to invest it, not because we have a hidden agenda, but because we value them. I only drink around two times a year, simply because I have two non-Christian friends whose friendship I value and want to support them in the way they celebrate their birthdays. Yesterday one of them came to caregroup (to my surprise) and I hope he continues to come and that he eventually comes to know God personally.

Friendship is not only important to speak into the lives of people. When people are down and everything is falling around them and their natural response is one of isolation, the power of a friendship could cause them to come back to church or to caregroup. Even for leaders or fellow Christians who struggle for a season, the power of a friendship can have such a therapeutic effect for them. It can be thing that bring out through a hard time

There is so much that genuine friends can bring... Friendship first...

Finally updated

2008-04-05T03:01:00.000-07:00

Its crazy how little attention I give this blog. It must've been crying out for attention. Poor blog ;) Time for a few updates...

Convention!! It was a great time for me spiritually. I didnt cry like a little girl like I did the last one. This convention, not a tear was shed, but I've left feeling as challenged as I've ever been to serve God more and to expand his kingdom. Funny how God works, we dont always need to cry or have an "emotional high" to be challenged and to be inspired. That was a new way of experiencing God. I came to convention feeling overwhelmed, but left wanting to do more and to do them well! I wished I had more time to spend with people, its a real shame I couldnt... thats my one down point about it. The ones I did spend time with, we had to do after the convention hours, so I had little sleep the whole convention. I also the worst day of work on Tuesday morning!! 4 coffee's!!

Work... Work's been brilliant, we had our proper training for a whole week. We were put up in a hotel (buffet meals everyday!) for the whole time, so it was cool to be away, but not cool that we had 8am starts daily. But yeah, food was awesome, information was good (now I feel semi-knowledgable) and hanging out with the new colleagues was cool. They're a fun bunch...

This last week has been great, I've been getting easy engagements, so I've been able to work from the office and leave early. Others go to clients locations and stay till 6ish... depending on their jobs. Its always mroe relaxing in the office. Also I thank God that I've been getting favour from my direct manager, so thats great too.

Next thing I want to do is get this blog looking pretty, its quite a drab now. Will need to put that on my to-do list!

Ciao for now...

Work work...

2008-03-01T01:48:00.000-08:00

Just ended my second of work, and man... its been tough! For those who dont know; I'm an auditor. A dictionary definition is "a qualified accountant who inspects the accounting records and practices of a business or other organization " So anyway...

First week was sweet, Monday and Tuesday were easy days, a few admin things and little bit of training, but was overall pretty sweet, we got off at 3pm. Wednesday to Friday, we were put up in a 4 and a half star hotel and had motivational speeches as well as come career talks, basically to inspire and impress us. It worked!

Then of course came the second week... not so good. Monday was full day for the software and some procedures we use (man is it complicated!!). Tuesday was the beginning of my nightmare... Was sent out to a clients place and had to start work. Now I know the definition says I'm "qualified", but really, not yet I'm not. Our official training for that is in a weeks time and alot of things are not covered in much detail at uni. Think it was the stupidest I felt in a long long time. But we work in teams and my teammates were good, asked 1000 questions a minute and got through it. That went on till Thursday, and by then they were done. Boy was I thankful!

Yeah, so it was a bitter sweet experience. Awesome first week followed by the "real work" in the second week. But receiving the frist paycheck the end of Friday did make it all abit better ;)

South Island

2008-02-15T17:17:00.000-08:00

Just came back from 11 days, 10 night trip to the south island. Was there with Li Hsien, we started out journey from Christchurch and went down the east coast then moved on to the west coast, before making a full circle back to Christchurch. 2600 kms driven in all, thats alot of driving for such a short time!

The first comment to make about the trip is the beautiful beautiful scenery there. Li Hsien and I both had the words "What can I do, but thank you" stuck in our heards as we admired the beautiful scenery. It also become obvious why Lord of the Rings can be filmed there and where inspiration for songs like God of Wonders came from.

Also I took over 300 photo's!! First time I took so many shots, infact I think I took as many in the trip when compared to the rest of my life! Regretted not having a nicer camera with me. Definately getting a new one once I start work. It'll be added to my wish list.

Spending that much time with someone was also new for me. Though I can be noisy and outgoing, I also really enjoy my alone time and dont often share too much. So spending 24/7 was a new thing for me especially as I never had a room mate either. Although it was a new thing, we did well, often talking and talking and not keeping track of time. It made the car rides and the nights shorter. It interesting how different personalities we have yet think quite similarly.

Also, doing quiet time was a new thing... I had to do my QT it in front of someone for so many days!! It was wierd and we both had ours shorter than normal the first few days, but after a few days we both felt it. After that we did get used to how QT was going to be and we did spend more time with God.

The trip was a good break. Aside from the beautiful scenery which I really appreciated and enjoyed, I also got to know Li Hsien alot better. We also got to do many cool things, like horse riding, quad biking, two cruises... We also cooked our own salmon and even made out own muchroom soup!

Before that ranting, I must talk of how I had two near misses on the road and thank God for protecting us. Once as I was going up a windy road, the other car from the opposite side decided to overtake was 1/3 into my lane!! Thank God I decided for that corner to drive on the extra space on my side of the road, otherwise I'd have no reaction time (It was some slow car bay or something). Second time was on a one lane bridge (so only one side goes over at a time), I was waiting and was slightly over the waiting line and decided to reverse abit behind the line to be safe... The truck which was going real fast and the size of two shipping containers that was passing was so close to taking me out and would've if I hadnt reversed.

I could go on and on abt the trip, but I must stop. Right now I'm just afraid to work out how much the trip costed in total ;)

Parachute!

2008-01-31T01:40:00.000-08:00

Parachute so deserves a post. For those who dont know, its a music festival with around 30,000 people attending. They have 8-9 stages with different bands playing simultaneously, so you get to go to whatever you like, over 700 musicians were present. Its HUGE. Heard alot about it, but was never really motivated to go even with the well known bands there. This year I decided to go as I'm free and not working yet... Good decision that turned out to be.

Wasnt expecting too much, but I did keep an open heart. Its like camp atmosphere, when you're away from your surrounding and its just you and God (amongst 30,000 people). It was awesome being in front of such annointed bands and meeting God there. It was a time of refreshing and healing for me. I know its a big moment when I start crying and twice it happened (of course none of the boys saw... had to keep my reputation ;)

First time was just overwhelmed by God's love as Parachute band played "Mercy", that is such an annointed song. I was standing in front of the others (Ivan, Philip and Steph), and just felt his love cover me and reassure me. It was great. Second time, was during "Surrender All", another annointed song. Felt God asking me to give it all up to him, my concerns, my worries... How I enjoy his presence.

Then there were the preachers, three of them and all very diff. Excellent messages. Reggie Dabbs was good, one of the funniest prechers I've ever met. During his session, which was more evangelistic, so many responded, it was great. I personally like Charlotte the best though, she's from UK and just blunt yet brilliant. Its the type you need to push/encourage people to do things. She preached Jonah from a totally diff angle than I've ever heard.

I'm also inspired to play the guitar better, Leigh Nash (from sixpence none the richer) sang with only a guitarist, and he was brilliant. So inspired to play more and improve myself, just hope I'll get time to do it. Also Leigh Nash had a sore throat yet continued to sing... I was so touched by that, she didnt want to dissapoint anyone after travelling so far. That's the main reason why I'm singing with a sore thriat for prayer meeting and for caregroup, whereas normally I'd have pulled out and gotten replaced by now.

So after four days and three nigths of parachute, I returned darker than ever (everything was outdoors) and with a sore throat. I thoroughly enjoyed the time there, I wish we didnt have to walk so far to showers and the discomfort of tents, but overall I'd do it again. Will just see how things go next year before I decide anything though. But yeah, praise God for such a wonderful time there.

God is moving

2008-01-13T00:02:00.000-08:00

At church, our theme for the year is Breakthrough. A message that was prophesized and confirmed in chruch through different people. We started our caregroups with two new people, Kaite and Tommy joining us, they found us online. They thought alot more of the CCM website than I did ;) Surely this is God beginning to move already...

I believe this is just the start of great things to come I believe. We have a great group of people from my caregroup last year, they're been faithful and perhaps my favourite caregroup yet, they've shown such a good attitude and a willingness to learn and grow God's kingdom. We also have a whole bunch of first years coming in, so they'll bring lots of energy and excitement. I can see the two combining and working together as one to take this uni group to a whole new level.

The lyrics of "God is moving" is so appopriate right now.

"There's a stirring in the spirit,
theres an urgency in this hour.
We as children must obey,
can you hear the footsteps of God"

There is yet much work to do, but if we do our parts well, I believe I will be posting the next part of the song later in the year.

"God is moving, God is moving
Can you hear the sound of revival"

A New Christmas

2007-12-20T23:36:00.000-08:00

I've missed a few Christmas' over the last 22 years. By missing I mean not going back to Malaysia, which is generally an annual trip. This will be my first Christmas in New Zealand, I've been too busy with house stuff to miss going back.. till now. When i can reflect back on how the whole "experience was".

My family... one of the things which I'm most proud of and blessed to have 10 uncles and aunts and 13 cousins. Its great how there are lots of us(cousins) whose ages are closer together three of us are one year apart, three are two/three years older and another two are 2/3 years younger. Basically, theres a bunch of 8 of us who are not too far apart in terms of ages. The rest are quickly catching up though... This translates to lots and lots and lots of fun when we get together, especially on our annual family trips.

Not being with them sounded real sad, especially when all the cousins look forward to going back so much. For us we hardly go online and reply emails, etc etc. For them, most of their friends are on hold, and its pretty much just family from Christmas till new years. I know... we are quite obsessed with one another ;)

Chrsitmas didnt really start till like 30 mins before our Christmas even BBQ, coz we were so busy with the house. The BBQ itself was nice... Dad's pastors family came (we went on ski trip together), and we each had a few friends come, as well as dad's cousins family. So it was nice, sorta like back home, but it was good because it was with people we are closer with. We sang carols, played taboo, played on table tennis table, overall a nice night.

Right after that, I went for a coromandel trip with some of the chruch leaders and Angela's family. 3 days, 2 nights, kinda what would happen in Malaysia. That was a good trip, we picked oysters, pipi's and cockels. I'm not much of a shellfish person, but I survived!! It was also good spending it with them because they are the people I see almost as much as family here, they too see my ups and down and have to put up with me.

After that, we spend some time with Dad's friends from Brunei, two couples are at our place. So all three of us boys are in Colin's room, its our little refugee camp. They're real close and fun to be around. So its all good ;)

We spend New Years together... we are in a restaurant with live music and a few drinks. They even got me on to the dance floor, something which many have tried and very few have succeeded. I tried to dance, then i stood around, then I sneaked off ;) NEVER AGAIN!!! Then we had a train, and some random person in front of me... We ended doing our countdown on the dance floor.

I realise how much of a family person I am, looking at both Christmas and New Years, I'd do Christmas agian, not so sure about New Years.

Looking back, I enjoyed my holidays, it wasnt the same as it wasnt with family and I miss them HEAPS (and they owe me huge presents next year from his years savings). However, I spent it with special people here too and for being able to be surround by great people whether I go back or not, I am thankful to God for.

Blogs...

2007-12-04T02:37:00.000-08:00

A place for people to share their thoughts and feelings; basically to share their lives online. I used to think that it was absolutely pointless, basically that if you wanted to get to know someone, then go and spend time with them. I never saw the point of one. The same rule applied to me with friendster, facebook and any other peer to peer websites; I just created accounts for other people's sake.

Then came bible college... My New Testament lecturer, Mark Keown talked about Paul and how he was adept in the culture of his day. The letters he wrote and the messages he preached was directed to his audiences in a way they would understand, accoring to their culture and times. For example, his letters(epistles as we now know them) follow the format of the times. In Acts 17, while preaching to the Athenians, he showed knowledge of what their poets have written and even uses what was inherently their culture against them (Acts 17:28). He also understood their mindset and their thinking (Acts 17:22), he even commended their attention to spirituality.

That basically set me on the course of rethinking what we mean by "we are in the world, but not of the world". Surely we are to understand the things of the world if we are to connect with the world.

Long story short, that was my motivation for facebook and now the blog. Amazing what bible college can do.

--Kev