Slave, servant and friend

"You don't know how to be a good friend unless you know how to be slave and a servant. Because when you have a good friend, they would enslave themselves for you without question. And a really good friend would become a servant in a heartbeat without even expecting anything in return. Those two things are foundational pieces that enables someone to be an amazing friend, it's not a progression here, it's important to learn all of these." -- Ps Eric Johnson. 

So much to digest and apply in life here. Wise words, pastor. 

Melbourne

So, I've made a pretty last minute plan just last week to follow my brother down to Melbourne during my Easter break. Although I have been there before, and despite knowing that it might not been as exciting 'cause we won't be renting a car, which means we won't get to travel to faraway places much, I was really looking forward to this trip. I was thinking of being able to have a little 'alone' time, walk around the city alone a little bit, maybe get lost once in a while, and eventually figure out my way back. That seems pretty interesting, adventurous and fun to me. But the major reason is that I get to spend a little more time with my brother (provided he isn't too preoccupied with his girlfriend), I know I don't get to do this a lot, and it's just gonna be worse in future.

Day 1: 20 April 2014

The picture says it all. Perfect Easter morning to take off. 

Had Japanese for lunch and... 

...Korean for dinner. The irony of having more Asian meals in a western country than when you're in Asia. 

Walked around city a little. Visited the State Library...

...St Paul's cathedral...

...Flinder's Station...

...Melbourne central, and last but not least *drum rolls*...

...the Planetshakers' church!!! Wasn't as big as I expected, the building wasn't glamorous, but the worship inside, amazing. One thing off my checklist. 

Day 2: 21 April 2014

Picked my up backpack, headed out of the house, with zero knowledge of directions and transportation here. But that doesn't bother me much, I'm just going to rely on some common sense, my phone, my courage to ask around and a tiny bit of memory from yesterday. 

First stop, University of Melbourne. 

And many more pictures. So, after all, University of Queensland isn't THAT pretty after all. I wanted to visit Ian Potter's art museum but unfortunately it isn't opened. And so is Queen Victoria's market. So I decided to walk to the my next destination. 

The have some pretty cool stuff in there like how a human brain works, the history of Melbourne, etc. 

the museum is flanked by the Royal Exhibition Building...

...and a park. 

Anyways, after that I walked all the way back to the city, thinking of going to H&M, but it was about to close, and to be frank, I'm too lazy to queue up, although it did seem tempting to get in since it's HUGE. But I ended up in Flinder's station.

...and walked along Yarra river enjoying the night view. 

Had some free food, had some scrumptious gelato (RUM AND RAISIN!!) on a freezing cold night 'cause we can, and headed home. 

Day 3: 22 April 2014

Out in a cold, rainy and windy day. Makes me wonder if the UK is like this. 

This is Queen Victoria Market. Revisiting a place that I've been to seven years ago makes it different. Flashbacks came flooding into my mind. I can still remember the traffic light where I crossed the road, the shop where I bought my t-shirt, the place where I had lunch... Somehow it feels good to be back. 

I saw that in the immigration museum and find it pretty unique. Somewhere in there is the Malaysian passport. Only this morning I was chatting with my friend about how we Malaysians still feel that togetherness despite being far away from home. I kinda agree with that, no matter how our country is faring, there is still a part in me that shouts out loud that I'm a Malaysian, and I am proud to be one, and that part means a lot to me. 

Another thing that I've noticed is that in the past, where there is gold there will be Chinese, and where there is Chinese there will often be opium. I have to admit that it isn't glamorous at all, but that is history, and history teaches us to not make the same mistakes in future. 

Off to the Shrine of Remembrance we go. This monument is to commemorate those fought in World War I. They really respect and honor these men so much that visitors are not even allowed to wear caps/hats into the building. I was kinda disappointed 'cause I missed the guided tour by 10 minutes 'cause I took the wrong train towards the opposite direction. Took me 5 minutes to realize my mistake. 

I'm not exactly sure why Malaya was carved onto one of the pillars but hey, since it's there why not just take a picture with it. As Asian as I can be. 

And we can see the Melbourne CBD from the balcony.

Too bad I'm too lazy to head up to Eureka Skydeck. I'm pretty sure the view up there would be much better. 

Next destination: Parliament House. Unfortunately, I missed the tour again, but was in time for an express tour. This Parliament House was the federal parliament until it was moved to Canberra, it took 70+ years to complete. Pretty impressive architecture on the inside I must say. 

That marks the end of my tour today. Wanted to go to DFO but went to the wrong one LOL.

This is the Melbourne Southern Cross station, huge huge station. 

And this, Melbourne Central Station. KL sentral is seriously nothing compared to this. 

Day 4: 23 April 2014

Theme: colors. This was purely coincidental, but it managed to make me happy. 

The Strand, Melbourne, take 1. 

The Strand, Melbourne, take 2. 

Melbourne Central Station, take 1. 

Melbourne Central Station, take 2. 

Brighton Beach, take 1. 

Brighton Beach, take 2. 

Brighton beach, take 3. 

One Malaysia, take 1. No matter how far we are away from home, no matter how different our skin colors are, or how our ways of thoughts vary, there is just this one identity in all of us - we are Malaysians. I'm glad to have been able to meet these people in my life, and catch up with them in a foreign place. 

Not to mentioned we also visited the Old Melbourne Gaol and got put behind the bars. 

 And also got ourselves a mug shot each. 

Oh and, largest H&M in the world, checked. This building used to be the Melbourne General Post Office until it got bought over and transformed into a mall and just recently opened as an H&M retail. Crazy queue just to get in, use the fitting room and to check out. 

Reflection: in our daily lives, we often rush around to get things accomplished. But we seldom have time to sit down and reflect a little about what happen throughout the day, or to see what God has done in our lives, even the tiniest things. Like today, we were so afraid we might miss the sunset by the beach. But the sunset, is something that happens everyday. We rush through every day, trying to have the best of everything, we capture moments by taking photographs, but hardly we take time to really live the moment. There is nothing for us to catch, we just had to take some time to savour God's creation, instead of taking them for granted. And when you do, wonders happen. 

Day 5: 24 April 2014

In the end, I still went out, despite having made the decision of staying home to recuperate. Today was more of a day to just chill. Interpret: shopping. I'm not exactly sure when I started enjoying shopping. Maybe it's just in the ladies' blood. 

Headed to DFO South Wharf. Gosh that place is so hard to go, I got lost so many times in the process. But in the end I still arrived safely and bought more clothes. Guilt engulfed me to be honest but I keep telling myself that clothes can be worn for a long period of time. Maybe it's time to get myself more tops than trousers. Note to self: the next time I head home, I will need to bring a lot of clothes and food over. 

These are some pretty unique architectures I saw along the way today. Pardon me for not being able to remember the names of the bridges 'cause there really are too many of them. 

Second destination: National Gallery of Victoria. Totally off schedule, I arrived an hour before it's closed. Missed the third level but there are some pretty cool stuff in there, such as the history of the Chinese dynasties, European paintings and sculptures etc. 

Third stop: Eureka Skydeck 88. Definitely worth going. Although I would say it's pretty much like what you see from any tall towers/buildings such as the KL tower or the Gateway Arch or Sydney Tower, you basically see the skyline, but seeing different skylines just gives you a different feeling. I managed to see the sunset from above, although I got there a little too late to get nice pictures of the skyline when there is full light, I at least got to see the city after dusk. 

Watching life go on from 1000 feet above is just so amazing. I wonder if God experience the same thing too, watching over us from beyond the clouds. 

I like how in this picture, half of the city is still coloured and half of it is just in shades of grey 'cause of the clouds. 

The night lights, just too pretty. 

So long for now. This shall mark the end of my Melbourne tour. If one day I shall return to Victoria state, it would definitely be the scenic trails that I will visit. 

Undeserving

So many times I've failed in all aspects. I've failed to live up to the standards of God, I've failed to be a good testimony for Christ, I've failed to reflect His love for us onto others, I've failed to do the works that I was called to do. The list just goes on. 

Then I thought of grace. How undeserving are we to be called His children. But He has promised us, no matter what we've done, no matter how we fall, He takes us as we are. 

Let the enemy remind me no more of my past mistakes and failures, let the enemy distract me no more from turning my eyes upon The Lord and Saviour. 

"And the voice of truth, tells me a different story,

And the voice of truth says do not be afraid,

And the voice of truth says this is for My glory,

Out of all the voice that is calling out to me,

I would choose to listen and believe to the voice of truth."

Life Group today asked us to think of who or what Jesus is to us. And I would say that He is all gracious. Without Him, I wouldn't be where I am today. I am extremely grateful that He took the cross for us, bearing all our sins, that we might live again. 

#PSAWAKENING

"Never once did God try to redeem Lucifer. But no matter how many times we fall and fall and fall again, God sent His son to die for us. His love never fails, never gives up, never runs out on us."

-- Jetnezen Franklin

"The law condemns the best of us, but grace saves the worst of us. The law is like a mirror, it just shows you your problems but doesn't help you to fix then. It is designed to show us that we can never be able to meet the demands without the help of a savior." 

-- Dr Creflo Dollar

#PSAWAKENING

So close yet so far

Have you ever encountered an incident in which you were so close to something you wanted badly but yet so far at the same time?

The feeling you get - the disappointment, the fury, the sadness, all in one blow, is just indescribable. 

All this week I only had one thing set in my mind - Jesus Culture concert. Okay to be extremely frank, maybe two, that, and Suits Season 3 finale. 

But before that, my housemates and I had to do our weekly grocery shopping first. It took us forever to leave home, as usual, and after everything is done, I didn't even have time to come home with them. 

All alone, I took the bus, came home and met with two other friends before heading down to Southbank. Still, I was 45 minutes behind my scheduled plan. 

The queue when we got there was insane! I thought Malaysians were crazy, but I never thought that people here were as crazy as we are back home. Somehow I just had the feeling that we won't be able to get in.

We waited for nearly an hour outside but the line just got cut like about 20 people ahead of me. That heartbreak I've never felt before. I couldn't take it any longer, I broke down right in front of the entrance.  

I thought there was still hope. I waited, and waited, and waited. But no, the security guard wasn't going to give in. 20 minutes gone, I heard 'One Thing Remains' being sung in the auditorium. 

Hope is a good thing sometimes, but when you don't get what you hoped for, that disappointment is worse. 

So here I am, on a Sunday night, heading to city, for dinner and movie, when I can be in the auditorium encountering God. When I got home, the first thing my brother asked me do was to check my motives for going to that concert. Am I there to seek God, or am I there just to enjoy the music and the band? 

Maybe that was the lesson of the day. To check my motives. My heart wasn't right, it wasn't aligned with what God wanted.

Let this be a painful lesson. 

This is a picture I 'stole' from a friend I hope she doesn't mind. Praying hard that there will be a next time, and by then, my heart will be set right.

So pull me a little closer, take me a little deeper, I wanna know Your heart.