I have decided to separate my writings into two separate blogs. Not that I think there is anything wrong with mixing secular thoughts with spiritual ones… It is more for convenience sake. If you want to read some of my spiritual reflection and meditations on the Book of all Books, then head over to http://www.erlern.net. I probably will be putting some interesting items there too. It’s all hush, hush at the moment, but it will get more interesting (to me) as time passes.

I cannot dispense with this blog. I have to confess that there is still a desire to ensure that I do not lose touch with the IT progress. I have been raised up with technology at the forefront of my childhood life. My growth has been much influenced by the many changes that technology had to offer to new consumers like me (at that time). Therefore, this blog will still be my sounding board for things that are definitely not spiritual in focus. I like to look at it as a hobby

It can be useful to just write something different each time (back and forth between both blogs). I would not want to be trapped in a particular mindset that makes me lose context with the people of this world, whom I am staying with for the next few years till my departure

http://www.erlern.net

My personal spiritual blog.

The exhibition is held at the Concourse, Bangsar Village II from the 2nd till the 12th of July 2009. A very nice collection of snippets of the artist’s travel to the ‘land down under’. Take a look at the photos of our visit there on the 4th of July 2009.

An excerpt from the booklet (which you can view in the gallery above – beginning from photo 24 of the collection):

His latest discovery is the “land down under”. Australia is to provide the inspirational thrust that will be instrumental in shaping his new collection of works entitled “Adaptations”. His recent visit to Melbourne has rejuvenated him; the city’s temperate climate and amiable people have had a positive effect on his creative side. The country’s nature, especially that of the Great Ocean Road, with the crushing waves and strong winds, has immensely humbled him.

I enjoyed the show, more so because it invoked many fond memories which both ML and I had in Melbourne. His work has steadily been better over the years, but than I may be biased since both of us took classes under him for nearly half a year It is certainly worth the visit just to break from the monotonity of life. Art surely is a good retreat for the mind when it is so stuck in the routine chores of life.

Enjoy the virtual tour, and if you can make it, do go!

Screenshot of the Site Redesign

Finally, after SO MANY tries and re-tries… the church website (RBCM.net) has been finally been redesigned and completed (except for minor things like photos). Check it out. The MP3s for 2005-2007 has yet to be completed, but they are still available.

Phew… I have to admit that I envy some of the skills that some top wordpress designers have in what they do. They make it seem so easy… Ah well… I cannot complain much on this. Thank God for sustaining me for the past few days. Have been very very crazy and slow in re-categorising the MP3s. The volume is crazy!

Hope you like it too.

www.rbcm.net

I have about 500+ contacts on my Facebook not because of anything, except that having been lecturing for 4 years, you really come into contact with a lot of people. I am more than happy to connect with people that I have met before, or I have met but forgotten (there have been many such persons).

Having said that, I have a strict policy relating to the type of behaviour that I am comfortable with, especially when it is to do with on-line conversation/interaction. For one, do not stretch the friendship by taking advantage of it. Just because I know you and have contact with you for some time (years even), do not take it upon yourself to be ‘rude’ and ‘display your attitude’.

People who generally come online to have a row or fight, proves that they are not true ‘friends’. True friends take the other person’s consideration, even in having opposing thoughts or convictions. Of course this differs depending on different issues, e.g. spiritual issues versus commercial ones However, the point has to be made that you do not come onboard with a rested determination to put down another person without taking into consideration what is being said. It is like a person who just comes into your house and shouts “Your house looks bad!” repeatedly, even after you have explained yourself.

Such person, I believe, needs to be removed from the ‘friend’ list. At least on my books.

It is unfortunate that some people have such high value on their opinions to the extent where they just come down to the level of ‘name-calling’. If you are not ready to listen to the other side of the fence, “DON’T COMMENT or SAY ANYTHING on MY FACEBOOK!”

When speaking with people, I find that one of the sorest subjects have to do with relationships. Admit it, many people who are not married are into relationship issues (whether they are in one or not). And it is sore because of misunderstandings and an immaturity that is prevalent especially among young ladies and men in the church. I will not presume to want to talk about the general population that falls under this category in the world, but zoom in on those who have been called to a higher calling (set by the God of the bible). 

It is with much disappointment to see certain kinds of people who like to give out wrong ’signals’ to the other gender under the pretense of ‘fun’ and ‘making friends’. Self-control over one’s actions seem to be thrown out when they interact with one another; citing that guidelines for friendship is not outlined by God. Far be it, God gives much guidance on friendship and also on courtship. For the former, it is done to the honour of God, much like the kinship between David and Jonathan. For the latter, it is always a transparent commitment and desire to not indulge in the flesh but in the Lord’s glory. What this means is that, there is no such thing as flirting, even so-called ‘playful or innocent flirting’ is just plain wrong, as it seeks to confuse, rather than to focus on the commitment to God. 

Case in point; a person (A) who constantly gets close to the opposite gender (B), which is seen through their mannerism and decision making. When the other person (B) misunderstands the other’s intention (A) and tries to explain their heart, this person (A) realising the mistake done, cuts off all communication with B, leaving the person confused and eventually hurt. 

In what ways are such wrong signals seen? In the words they use; possessiveness of another person, encouraging response from the other person. In the decisions they make; always involving the other person even in the most ridiculous events or activities, putting them in a place of honour (which the public can see). 

Grow up. 

If you put out the wrong signals, be responsible for your actions and own up to YOUR mistake. Do not make the other person feel like a fool for your own foolish actions. It is worrying that such people do not seem to care… and the ridiculous excuse they always give is; ‘lighten up… you are looking too seriously into my actions’. If others misperceive your actions, it is PROOF that you are already giving wrong signals, and thus ‘playing with people’s heart’. 

Do you ever see Rebecca doing such things? Or Mary? Or Sarah? Or Ruth? Or Esther? Or Isaac? Or Jacob? Or David? Or Solomon? Do you think that the people of old did not flirt? Of course they did… those were the pagans and of the world. Those who were of the book showed control in their dealings with the opposite sex. Though weak and sinful, they showed their intentions clearly. 

Know that people get hurt when what you build up for them is denied by you, out of your own foolishness. I am not talking about some peculiar people who falls for anyone who gives them any attention (not that minority), but the majority, which are misled by your prolonged actions that are not consistent. 

God have mercy on us all.

Everytime when I want to change my phone, I somehow come across something that extends its usefulness a bit longer. I am using an o2 XDA Stealth that was made by Gigabyte (yes, of motherboard fame). It is surprisingly lasting and sturdy. It has everything except a keyboard (although it has a keypad), GPS and accelerometer. It does have infrared (which is not a popular device at the moment). 

One good thing is this: it runs on Windows Mobile 5.0. Not an iPhone definitely, but it is skinnable and the type of applications that I am able to use is astounding. Makes it very easy to be mobile. 

I like Pointui (http://pointui.com/) the most. It is a skin over the hideous Windows Mobile desktop environment. Let me show you my current desktop outlook below:

This is the Mac OS X wallpaper that looks so cool on my phone now

This is the Clock widget. The User Interface (UI) is really clean and very friendly for touchscreen use.

Slideshow widget – Customized to Fullscreen

What is exciting about Pointui is its Widget desktop. There are many widgets that are being produced by independent developers, which are freely available to users on the forum page. Best of all, the UI is really attractive. Many people who have seen my old phone thought that it was a new one. 

My favourite widget at the moment? The fullscreen Slideshow. It shows my photos clearly, instead of half the size previously. Take a look for yourself… it’s really cool! And to scroll through the picture collection? Just click on the left of right of the screen… that’s it Anyway, Pointui 2.0 is free… but a Pro edition is coming out real soon (which is paid). That will enable GPS usage and other cool stuff which my phone does not support. 

For my MP3 player, I use another free software… S2P player, although there are some nice MP3 widgets available for Pointui. Ah… but that’s another story altogether  

If you have a Windows Mobile phone, why not give Pointui a try? You won’t regret it.

http://pointui.com/

I am not a writer. Really do not think I have the flair of those who are natural authors of books which you would pick up and read. I do not think I have the persuassive power to sell water in a desert. Okay, that may be an exaggeration… 

Anyway, just as a way to keep myself accountable to myself… I hope to finish two things this first half of the year. 

1) Short booklet on James Renwick (the Covenanter). Publishing online using Issuu too. 

2) A short booklet for evangelism (seeker friendly and yet comprehensive on main points). 

I’ll blog my progress on it, with pictures, notes, etc. 

There. Got it off my chest. Now to begin.

After a week of crazily slow Internet speed, I finally found the problem: a faulty ADSL modem. Went and bought a new one on Friday, and voila…

I’m finally happy with my Streamyx speed.

I heard that some kungfu practitioners would actually make their fists strong by pounding against sand and other materials. The rationale is that splinters will form in the fist bones and in time, it will heal and be stronger than before.

The sentence is poorly constructed, but what I mean is this:

Some things that are broken, becomes stronger for it.

Thank God for His immense Grace to sinners.

The world is intrigued with it’s ever ‘evolutionary’ outlook; believing that things get better as time progresses. But the fact when you drill down properly is this: nothing changes in the areas that count. Take for example, technology. Sure, it gets faster and better each day. But if it does, why are we doing less than our forefathers? Why are people not performing better than those who did not have technology like we do?

It’s a conundrum to say the least, but it is there for us to see. The Christian does not seem to be able to do more ‘evangelism’ as the older generations, for all our talk of the Internet proliferation. In fact, it tends to dilute evangelism… believing that evangelism can be done in ‘cyberspace’. The effect? A division of lifestyles that is wholly inconsistent by the Christian professor.

There is no such thing as Christian 2.0 in this world. There should not be any. To be a Christian is sufficient. It was sufficient in the time of Paul and the apostles, it will be sufficient for our day and generation too. All these so-called development are mere distractions. Meaningless they have become.

We can obviously use technology in our daily living, but God help us if we define Christianity by what technology is in use.