Humble Beginnings

Sunday, June 29, 2008

Okay, so school starts tomorrow! And due to my ever growing laziness, i have not blog for quiet a while after a short spur of posting 3 times a day for one day. And those who actually read this blog would know that it is virtually impossible for me to do that everyday. So, i shall be lazy again and just blog about the last week of the holiday.

Monday- Went down to SPS and someone was whining at me for having to go down for my Legion of Mary meeting. So, basically went down to SPS, talked to Brother Edward and stuff. Wanted to go to the canteen but quickly turned back to the Brother's Quarters upon seeing Mr Lak there. So attended meeting, rather fun as the vice president was shocked at seeing me and the members kept pestering him to shorten the meeting. Oh, by the way, I was the president of that group for Legion in Sec 1. So after the meeting, went downstairs and attended the meeting of OLOTS. The officers were stepping down that day and thus, the passionate speeches. Met old friends. After the OLOTS meeting, went back up to the Brother Quarter's and talked to Brother Edward some more before heading home.

Tuesday- Paul and Abel came to my house. Paul came early and while waiting for Abel, we ended playing chinese chess, i got trashed, on a ancient board that we were actually better off drawing it ourself. Then suddenly, Louisa started daoing me for some reason. She wouldn't even pick up her phone when me and Paul called. She finally did after a while. After getting bored of chinese chess, we went to play Snooker in the snooker room while waiting. When Abel finally came, he came down to the snooker room and we played a game before going up to my house to eat. We had chicken sandwich for lunch. After that we went upstairs and started to study. Me and Paul did our History and Abel did his Math. After a while, we got bored. Abel started chatting under my name and Paul started playing the guitar. After that, at Abel's urging, we continued with our work. After a few hours, or minutes of that, we went down for dinner. We had simple fried rice for dinner. After dinner,we came back up, finished up as much as possible before going down to the snooker room again.We played until Abel had to go. We walked Abel down the hill and waited for him to get a taxi. Bloody hard to get one down there as when we were on one side of the road, all the taxis were on the other, and vice versa. So, after Abel got his taxi, Paul and I went back up too play snooker. After that, I waited with him for his dad at the guardhouse.

Wednesday- Officially finished all my homework on this day!!!!!!! Was super happy and slacked through the rest of the holiday.

Thursday- Didn't do anything on this day, I think. Wait, i collected my new pair of spectacles!!

Friday- Went for hospital visit. After that, when i finally got home, did nothing. Finished the Dawn of War: War Hammer 40 000 campaign!!

Saturday- Usual saturday routine. Served mass and Novena. After Mass, went to Orchard to get groceries and to eat. Went to Vivo after that as my dad wanted to get a new HD Box for the house. Had to wait for 1 hour just to get it. Got a new Sigg Bottle!!

Sunday- Nearly woke up late for cathetism class! Half way through lesson, the Sec 1 class joined us and a couple of my classmates shared on their experience of the Pre Confirmation Camp. After that sang a song and class was over. Had meeting after that. Was super irritated by the younger servers who would not listen to me and was irritating me that I fled to Fr Romeo's office to seek refuge. When meeting finally started, managed to get the kids quiet. Fr Damian gave us 2 boxes of Ferrero Roche( Don't correct me, you know who you are!!). The servers totally forgot about it so about 5 people, me included, enjoyed an entire box and being nice, we put one box in the sarcristy.

Argh!! School starts tomorrow!!! Better than rotting at home, but will miss the luxury and the carefree lifestyle!

Sunday, June 29
~Ivor~

Thursday, June 19, 2008

Okay, i know that it has been less than an hour since i last posted but since i am bored, i shall put down a couple of inspiring quotes. Enjoy!!

Try not to become a man of success but a man of value.
Albert Einstein

If you have built castles in the air, your work need not be lost; that is where they should be.
Now put foundations under them.
Henry David Thoreau

If you can imagine it, you can achieve it; if you can dream it, you can become it.
William Arthur Ward

Every artist was first an amateur.
Ralph Waldo Emerson

First say to yourself what you would be;
and then do what you have to do.
Epictetus

If you do not hope, you will not find what is beyond your hopes.
St. Clement of Alexandra

We are all inventors, each sailing out on a voyage of discovery, guided each by a private chart, of which there is no duplicate. The world is all gates, all opportunities.
Ralph Waldo Emerson

We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, therefore,
is not an act but a habit.
Aristotle

Do not wait to strike till the iron is hot; but make it hot by striking.
William B. Sprague

Do not follow where the path may lead.
Go instead where there is no path and leave a trail.
Harold R. McAlindon

A leader is a deal in hope.
Napoleon Bonaparte

Thursday, June 19
~Ivor~

Thursday, June 19, 2008

Okay, so in a bid to keep my blog updated, and since i have no motivation to actually type stuff out, i shall just post about this thing which is known to most, if not all the readers of my blog. I am posting these more or less due to my boredom. So don't complain about it's monotony!

FOOTPRINTS IN THE SAND- 3 versions, 3 authors, 1 inspirational poem.

Footprints in the Sand

One night I dreamed I was walking along the beach with the Lord. Many scenes from my life flashed across the sky.

In each scene I noticed footprints in the sand. Sometimes there were two sets of footprints, other times there was one only.

This bothered me because I noticed that during the low periods of my life, when I was suffering from anguish, sorrow or defeat, I could see only one set of footprints, so I said to the Lord,

“You promised me Lord,
that if I followed you, you would walk with me always. But I have noticed that during the most trying periods of my life there has only been one set of footprints in the sand. Why, when I needed you most, have you not been there for me?”

The Lord replied, “The years when you have seen only one set of footprints, my child, is when I carried you.”

Mary Stevenson, 1936

Footprints
Also Known As "I Had a Dream"

One night I dreamed a dream.
I was walking along the beach with my Lord. Across the dark sky flashed scenes from my life. For each scene, I noticed two sets of footprints in the sand, one belonging to me and one to my Lord.

When the last scene of my life shot before me I looked back at the footprints in the sand. There was only one set of footprints. I realized that this was at the lowest and saddest times of my life. This always bothered me and I questioned the Lord about my dilemma.

"Lord, You told me when I decided to follow You, You would walk and talk with me all the way. But I'm aware that during the most troublesome times of my life there is only one set of footprints. I just don't understand why, when I need You most, You leave me."

He whispered, "My precious child, I love you and will never leave you, never, ever, during your trials and testings. When you saw only one set of footprints, It was then that I carried you."

Margaret Fishback Powers, 1964

Footprints

One night a man had a dream. He dreamed He was walking along the beach with the LORD. Across the sky flashed scenes from His life. For each scene He noticed two sets of footprints in the sand. One belonging to Him and the other to the LORD.

When the last scene of His life flashed before Him, he looked back at the footprints in the sand. He noticed that many times along the path of His life there was only one set of footprints. He also noticed that it happened at the very lowest and saddest times of His life.

This really bothered Him and He questioned the LORD about it. LORD you said that once I decided to follow you, you'd walk with me all the way. But I have noticed that during the most troublesome times in my life there is only one set of footprints. I don't understand why when I needed you most you would leave me.

The LORD replied, my precious, precious child, I Love you and I would never leave you! During your times of trial and suffering when you see only one set of footprints, it was then that I carried you.

Carolyn Carty, 1963

~Ivor~

Thursday, June 19, 2008

Once upon a time there were a bunch of tiny frogs.... who arranged a running competition.
The goal was to reach the top of a very high tower.
A big crowd had gathered around the tower to see the race and cheer on the contestants....
The race began.....
Honestly: No one in the crowd really believed that the tiny frogs would reach the top of the tower.
You heard statements such as: "Oh, WAY too difficult!!"
"They will NEVER make it to the top."
or: "Not a chance that they will succeed. The tower is too high!"
The tiny frogs began collapsing.
One by one....
Except for those, who in a fresh tempo, were climbing higher and higher....
The crowd continued to yell, "It is too difficult!!! No one will make it!"
More tiny frogs got tired and gave up....
But ONE continued higher and higher and higher....
This one wouldn't give up! At the end everyone else had given up climbing the tower.
Except for the one tiny frog who, after a big effort, was the only one who reached the top!
THEN all of the other tiny frogs naturally wanted to know how this one frog managed to do it?
A contestant asked the tiny frog how he had found the strength to succeed and reach the goal? It turned out.... That the winner was DEAF!!!!
The wisdom of this story is: Never listen to other people's tendencies to be negative or pessimistic....
because they take your most wonderful dreams and wishes away from you --
the ones you have in your heart!
Always think of the power words have.
Because everything you hear and read will affect your actions!
Therefore: ALWAYS be....POSITIVE!
And above all: Be DEAF when people tell YOU that you cannot fulfill your dreams!

Adapted from http://michaelpatricksung.blogspot.com/

~Ivor~

Wednesday, June 18, 2008

Okay, despite of my ever growing laziness, i shall blog at the urging of others. No names to be mentioned, they know who they are. So anyway, it is now the third week of my holiday and i am as bored as ever! Shall blog from the point just after my server's camp.

14th June- Went to IHM to give a small sharing for the Holy Spirit Church pre confirmands. I was actually expecting to give the talk to Sec 3s, but it seems that Brother Edward got it wrong, and so i gave the sharing to the Sec 2s. It was a huge class! 54 people, compared to the 17 i have in my class! Okay, so basically, the sharing went rather well, the Sec 2s are a rather rowdy and smut bunch. You could see them getting bored during Brother Edward's talk. After the sharing, we went to Jurong West, the Choice Retreat House, where we had to drop someone off. Then, we went to the market a few metres away from my dad's clinic to have a proper lunch. After that Brother sent me back to my own church. After that, the normal saturday routine applies, served Novena and Mass. This time did not threaten my resignation from the servers.

15th June- Was woken up bright and early by my uncle for breakfast at Sloane's Court. Had an excellent breakfast. Sausages, bacon, egg, toast and a whole pot of coffee!! After that went home and basically slacked all the way until after lunch. Went to Audio House to get a new TV. After a decade without buying a TV, my dad took a heck of a long time to make his decision. Went home after that and met my God Father at my house. After that, had dinner at Novena then headed home to sleep.

16th June- Went for a movie with my Brother. Watched Indiana Jones. It wasn't as bad as i expected it to be. The new TV was already there when we got home and we started admiring it. Not bad i should say. Excellent choice.

17th June- First time in 3 weeks that i actually touched my Math Books!! So, studied all morning and lost motivation to do so in the afternoon. After that, had an extremely filling dinner. Fish & Chips, cooked by my brother. After dinner, I had to rush down to SJI to meet Louisa there but i was late so she kindly offered to give me a lift from Orchard. So I met her there and her mum kindly sent us to SJI for the Heritage Play. I was late due to my own under estimation of time. So, at SJI, met a few old friends. Friends i haven't seen in 2 years! And a few of the facilitators. The Heritage Play was excellent! Very well done despite of the useless sound system of SJI's LT1. That is why SPS is so much better! After the Heritage Play, Louisa's mum kindly sent me to the bus stop opposite Novena so that i could take a bus back. Got back before 11pm which is good.

18th June- Woke up late today. Had lunch just before saying good bye to my parents who would be away in Bintan for a few days. So now, i rule my parent's room. I have 5 pillows to myself, my laptop and a tv right in front of me!! Living the high life in a sense:).

Wednesday, June 18
~Ivor~

Tuesday, June 17, 2008

RULES:
1. Put Your iTunes, Windows Media Player, ETC on Shuffle.
2. For each question, press the next button to get your answer.
3. YOU MUST WRITE THAT SONG NAME DOWN NO MATTER HOW SILLY IT SOUNDS.
4. Put any comments in brackets after the song name.
5. Put this on your journal.

Okay, before I start this, this is a warning, the vast majority of my songs are religious, so don’t cry when you see themJ

1. If someone says, "Is this okay?" You say?
All My Days- Dan Schutte

(What the hell!! I didn’t even know I had this song!!)

2.How would you describe yourself?
Save Us O Lord- Bob Dufford

3.What do you like in a girl/guy?
Forever I Will Sing- M.D Ridge

Forever I will sing the goodness of the Lord

4.How do you feel today?
I Will Run To You- Darlene Zschech

And I will run to your words of truth

5.What is your life's purpose?
Condero De Dios- Can’t be bothered to type out

( This is not even in ENGLISH!!)

6.What is your motto?
Gather Us Together- Owen Alstott

7. What do your friends think of you?
Unbelievable- Craig David

(Finally!! The first unreligious song!!)

8. What do you think of your parents?
Give Thanks- Unknown

9.What do you think about very often?
Any Dream Will Do- Joseph and the Techni- Coloured Coat

“Far far away, someone was weeping but the world was sleeping”

10.What is 2 + 2?."
Whispering Hope- Anne Murray

11.What do you think of your best friend?
At The Beginning- Unknown

“Here we are, and I’m suddenly standing at the beginning with you”

12.What do you think of the person you like?
Perfect- Simple Plan

“Do you think I’m wasting my time doing things I want to do?”

13.What is your life story?
Pieta- Tom Kendzia

14.What do you want to be when you grow up?
Lead Me Lord- Unknown
“The meek shall come to rule the world”

15.What do you think of when you see the person you like?
I Am The Resurrection- J. Anderson

“ All those who follow me will have new life”

16.What will you dance to at your wedding?
Ever Ever After- Carrie Underwood
( I should change it to my ordination!!)

17.What will they play at your funeral?
Tounge Tied- Faber Drive

“I need a little more help than a little bit”

18.What is your hobby/interest?
Lord, I Hope this Day is Good- Anne Murray

“Lord, have you forgotten me? I have been praying faithfully”

19.What is your biggest fear?
He Is The Lord- D. Hass

“ He is the Lord, He is the Lord!”

20.What is your biggest secret?
Come And See- World Of Worship

21.What do you think of your friends?
Lord Of Glory- T Manion

22.What will you post this as?
Memorial Acclamation D- Celtic Mass- Christopher Walker
( God Help Me!)

23.What song would you play during your first time having sex?
Lord I Lift Your Name On High- World Of Worship

( I should change that to the first time I say mass!!)

Tuesday, June 17
~Ivor~

Thursday, June 12, 2008

Okay, so basically i just got back from my server's camp. However, i shall only post about the Pre Confirmation Camp as it was so much more enjoyable and worthwhile then the server's camp. By the way, there is no offense meant to the facilitators of my server's camp and no great consolation for those who facilitated my pre con camp.

So basically, pre con camp started on the 6th of June at 7pm. I was there about 5 mins early and sat down talking to Raphael(who went for spec course) and Dennis( My cat class teacher). At about close to 8pm, I was brought to the adoration room with a facilitator to pray and open the camp up for me. Then we went to the attic to read a passage which i had to use Lectio Divina on. After that, was the camp official opening. We said prayers and sang a few songs. We also played a lot of ice breakers and broke into our groups. I had to do a forfeit due to the fact that i was hit by a ball and this must have been the most embarrassing moment for me during the entire camp. I had to kneel romantically in front of the girls and sing twinkle twinkle little star. After that, I made sure that i didn't get any more forfeits. Unfortunately for Gabriel, he had to do a forfeit and it was to clean the toilets at the end of the camp, which he did. After all the games, the laughs and fun, we were all so tired so we went to sleep. By the way, just to inform the general audience, if any, is that i find it easier to do a forfeit in front of my peers , meaning same age or older, then to younger kids:) Okay, so back to the task at hand. There were only 5 male participants at that time and so we all slept at a corner and we talked for about 30min before we all fell into a deep sleep. That was a very nice sleep.

Woke up after about 8 hours of sleep. Went for morning PT in sandals!! Had to run in them too. It was a short one and after that we went for breakfast. After that we had sessions. If i am not wrong, we had sessions all the way till lunch time. Our sessions were rather long and draggy but for some reason i absorbed a lot. After lunch, we had WWJD! Which actually stands for What Would Jesus Do. In this, we had to go around the entire church and go around to "villages" to perform tasks to get enough money to start a church and find the amour of God. We had to put ourself in Jesus' shoes and think what he would have done. So, we went around the entire church and i was rather irritated at a point because many people kept pointing us at the different directions. So after the game was dinner. After dinner was our reconciliation sessions. Firstly, we meditated and did the examination of conscience. After that, we meditated some more before going into the next room and performed a few actions which required us to read a sin and take a marble if i did that sin. We then put it together in a common area and started to pray and meditate again. After that came confession. After confession, i started my adoration. After all that, we had a short group reflection, and a walk around the church before heading back up to the attic.

Once again, had 8 hours of sleep. Went for the 8.30am mass. After had breakfast. Then had sessions until lunch. After lunch had a session then went to play floorball in the badminton court. It was fun. Found out that Raphael, Gabriel & Danielle are super good floor ballers. My group won the other but lost to the all Facil group. After that, i showered and went for another session. This session involved the appreciation of our parents and we had to write a letter to them. After writing my essay, i went to sleep and was rudely awaken by my friend when everyone finished. After this, we were given candles and we were brought downstairs. There, I was shocked to see my parents waiting for me at a table. We had dinner together and after we had all eaten, our camp facilitators told us that we had to sing a song for the parents and give them the letter we wrote to them. We were totally shocked and some of us violently objected. In the end, we sang the song and gave our parents the letter. To my surprise, our parents also had a letter for us. I read it and reflected on it. Very touching. After all that fun, all the camp participants were ushered to the girl's domitory, which is next door to the guy's and we had to wait there for an hour. Next door, we knew that preparations were taking place for our pray over. The air in the room was not tense though as we played Bingo, and went through the new and old testament maps. We also had an IQ lesson. When our facils brought us back to the next room, everything was ready. I will not say anything here as even if i type or say it out, it would be totally impossible to explain and for others to fully comprehend the situation at hand. One thing was for sure though, it was one of the scariest and most emotional time of my life. I actually teared during that session. After that, we had a short reflection and we went out as our groups to have a private reflection. We were then brought up to the badminton court to have a short reflection again. After that, we went down once again and started to talk and eat. Fostering fellowship among the participants. After that, we all had about 2 hours before lights out. So i started writing affirmations and putting them into my friend's respective letter boxes. After that, we played a few games and most of the male participants were asleep even before lights out.

Woke after 8 hours again. Had a very weird morning prayer. We had to stick paper on our back and had to go round the room writing affirmations for others on that piece. Being the tallest, people had to stand on chairs, tip toe or i had to bend down to allow them to write. After that was done, we went for breakfast. After that we cleaned up the area before having a final debrief and subsequently leaving the camp.

I pretty much enjoyed the camp overall. To tell you the truth, i came into the camp expecting nothing at all but came out filled with the knowledge and the Spirit. I really enjoyed the camp and i think that now, my class is getting better bonded together. Better than before. I shall out the pictures as soon as i get them from Dennis. These are some beautiful songs which shows the glory of God.

How Great is Our God- Chris Tomlin

Who Am I- Casting Crowns

Majesty- Delirious

Here I Am To Worship

Heart of Worship

Thursday, June 12
~Ivor~

Monday, June 09, 2008

Starting time: 6.20pm

Name: Ivor

Sisters: 1

Brothers: 2

Shoe size: 13??

Height: 180+

Where do you live: Singapore

Favourite drinks: Coffee, don’t leave home without it

Favourite breakfast: Continental! Bread and butter with bacon and sausages.

Have you ever been on a plane?: Duh!

Swam in the ocean: Yup

Fallen asleep at school: Is Sunday school counted? If yes, then yes. If no, then no.

Broken someone's heart: Parents?

Fell off your chair: Yup

Sat by the phone all night waiting for someone to call: No

Saved e-mails: yup

What is your room like: Nice

What's right beside you: My Hand phone

What is the last thing you ate: Luncheon meat

Ever had chicken pox: yup

Sore throat: yup

Stitches: Yup, appendicitis

Broken nose: nooo

Do you believe in love at first sight: No

Like picnics: Depends on company and what food is avaliable

Who was were the last person people you danced with: Jessica, but that was forced!!

Last made you smile: My mum

You last yelled at: Young irritating servers

Today did you

Talk to someone you like: yup

Kissed anyone: no

Get sick: nope, but close to it

Talk to an ex: no

Miss someone: No

Eat: Yes

Best feeling in the world: When you are sleeping

Do you sleep with stuffed animals: No

What's under your bed: Another pull out bed

Who do you really hate: No one in particular

What time is it now?: 6.28pm

Random:

Is there a person who is on your mind now: Somewhat.

Do you have any siblings: Refer to top

Do you want children: No, I hate kids. Unless someone can change my mindset.

Do you smile often: Depends. But I don’t get angry easily.

Do you like your hand-writing: Yup, but others don’t.

Are your toe nails painted: No

Whose bed other than yours would you rather sleep in:

Some warm 5 star hotel bed.

What color shirt are you wearing now: White

What were you doing at 7:00 p.m. yesterday: Can’t remember. Either having dinner with my parents or sleeping while waiting for others.

I can't wait till: 20, after NS

When did you cry last: yesterday

Are you a friendly person: depends

Do you have any pets: No

Where is the person you have feelings for right now?:

Downstairs?

Did the last person you held hands with mean anything to you now?:

No.

Do you sleep with the TV on?: Nope. I save the environment.

What are you doing right now?:

Doing this dumb quiz.

Have you ever crawled through a window?: I think so.

Can you handle the truth?: Nope.

Are you too forgiving?: Don’t know.

Are you closer to your mother or father?: Mum

Who was the last person you cried in front of?: God?

How many people can you say you've really loved?: Immediate family.

Do you eat healthy?: Definitely not.

Do you still have pictures of you & your ex?: Don’t have ex.

Have you ever cried because of something someone said to you?:

Yes.

If you're having a bad day, who are you most likely to go to?: Bed, or God?

Are you loud or quiet most of the time?:Depends

Are you confident?: Somewhat.

5 things I was doing 10 years ago:

1.Eating

2.Sleeping

3.Playing with my toys.

4.Watching TV

5.Swimming

5 things on my to-do list today:

1.Sleep

2.Pack my bags for camp tomorrow.

3.Start reading.

5 snacks I enjoy:

1.Pringles

2.Nougout

3.Beef sandwich

4.Ice Cream

5.Sushi?

5 things I would do if I were a billionaire:

1.Travel the entire world.

2.Buy a Volvo xc 70/90

3.Buy an Audi

4 Buy a Ferrari!

5. Buy a damn nice house.

5 of my bad habits:

1. Stoning

2. Procrastination

3. Laziness.

5 places I have lived in:

1 Mount Faber.

5 jobs I've had:

1. Student

5 people I tag:

No ONE!!

Monday, June 9
~Ivor~

Friday, June 06, 2008

Okay, before i go off for my pre-confirmation camp in about 1 and a half hours, i shall blog about the week.

Monday- Went to watch Iron Man with my brother. Top class show i should say. Very well done and worth the watch.

Tuesday- As King Louis XVI of France would have said, Nothing. (If you don't know what this means, go read your French Revolution History, or get a teacher like Dr Underwood)

Wednesday- Was suppose to go watch Narnia with a group of friends but due to my Mum and me being very obedient, i didn't and when the reports came in about that outing, i really thought that I should have gone!!

Thursday- Watched Narnia with Fr Damien. Was a good show but really very unrealistic. Brought out themes from Harry Potter, Lord of the Rings and from the 10 Commandments. Other than that i was fun, but too long. Gave me butt cramps.

Friday- Went for Hospital Visit. After that went to eat a steamboat buffet at Vivo City. Good food. Free flow ice cream so i gorged myself. After that, came home and rested. Confined myself to my bed with the laptop on my lap.(Isn't that how laptops got their name?) Had dinner about 15 min ago and now, i am back on my bed. I am nearly ready to go for camp, shaved already, just need to shower. I am still confined to my bed. By the way, this is a self imposed confinement. It is 6.03 on my handphone clock, camp starts in 87min! Hope i enjoy it. Will be back on Monday and off on Tuesday again for my server's camp. Have a good day.

Friday, June 6
~Ivor~

Thursday, June 05, 2008

Another one of the emails i thought was very nice. Found it buried somewhere deep in my inbox. Thought that i should share it.

--Very thought provoking. Hope you read it to its end!!!!!

A TEENAGER'S VIEW OF HEAVEN

17-year-old Brian Moore had only a short time to write something for a class. The subject was what Heaven was like. 'I wowed 'em,' he later told his father, Bruce. 'It's a killer. It's the bomb. It's the best thing I ever wrote..' It also was the last.

Brian Moore died May 27, 1997, the day after Memorial Day. He was driving home from a friend's house when his car went off Bulen-Pierce Road in PickawayCounty and struck a utility pole. He emerged from the wreck unharmed but stepped on a downed power line and was electrocuted.

The Moores framed a copy of Brian's essay and hung it among the family portraits in the living room. 'I think God used him to make a point. I think we were meant to find it and make something out of it,' Mrs. Moore said of the essay. She and her husband want to share their son's vision of life after death. 'I'm happy for Brian. I know he's in heaven. I know I'll see him.'

Brian's Essay: The Room...

In that place between wakefulness and dreams, I found myself in the room. There were no distinguishing features except for the one wall covered with small index card files. They were like the ones in libraries that list titles by author or subject in alphabetical order. But these files, which stretched from floor to ceiling and seemingly endless in either direction, had very different headings. As I drew near the wall of files, the first to catch my attention was one that read 'Girls I have liked.' I opened it and began flipping through the cards. I quickly shut it, shocked to realize that I recognized the names written on each one. And then without being told, I knew exactly where I was.

This lifeless room with its small files was a crude catalog system for my life. Here were written the actions of my every moment, big and small, in a detail my memory couldn't match. A sense of wonder and curiosity, coupled with horror, stirred within me as I began randomly opening files and exploring their content. Some brought joy and sweet memories; others a sense of shame and regret so intense that I would look over my shoulder to see if anyone was watching.

A file named 'Friends' was next to one marked 'Friends I have betrayed.' The titles ranged from the mundane to the outright weird 'Books I Have Read,' 'Lies I Have Told,' 'Comfort I have Given,' 'Jokes I Have Laughed at .' Some were almost hilarious in their exactness: 'Things I've yelled at my brothers.' Others I couldn't laugh at: 'Things I Have Done in My Anger', 'Things I Have Muttered Under My Breath at My Parents.' I never ceased to be surprised by the contents.

Often there were many more cards than I expected. Sometimes fewer than I hoped. I was overwhelmed by the sheer volume of the life I had lived. Could it be possible that I had the time in my years to fill each of these thousands or even millions of cards? But each card confirmed this truth. Each was written in my own handwriting. Each signed with my signature.

When I pulled out the file marked 'TV Shows I have watched', I realized the files grew to contain their contents. The cards were packed tightly, and yet after two or three yards, I hadn't found the end of the file. I shut it, shamed, not so much by the quality of shows but more by the vast time I knew that file represented.

When I came to a file marked 'Lustful Thoughts,' I felt a chill run through my body. I pulled the file out only an inch, not willing to test its size and drew out a card. I shuddered at its detailed content.

I felt sick to think that such a moment had been recorded. An almost animal rage broke on me. One thought dominated my mind: No one must ever see these cards! No one must ever see this room! I have to destroy them!' In insane frenzy I yanked the file out. Its size didn't matter now. I had to empty it and burn the cards. But as I took it at one end and began pounding it on the floor, I could not dislodge a single card. I became desperate and pulled out a card, only to find it as strong as steel when I tried to tear it.

Defeated and utterly helpless, I returned the file to its slot. Leaning my forehead against the wall, I let out a long, self-pitying sigh.

And then I saw it.. The title bore 'People I Have Shared the Gospel With.' The handle was brighter than those around it,seemed newer, almost unused. I pulled on its handle and a small box not more than three inches long fell into my hands. I could count the cards it contained on one hand.

And then the tears came. I began to weep. Sobs so deep that they hurt. They started in my stomach and shook through me. I fell on my knees and cried. I cried out of shame, from the overwhelming shame of it all. The rows of file shelves swirled in my tear-filled eyes. No one must ever, ever know of this room. I must lock it up and hide the key. But then as I pushed away the tears, I saw Him.

No, please not Him. Not here. Oh, anyone but Jesus. I watched helplessly as He began to open the files and read the cards. I couldn't bear to watch His response. And in the moments I could bring myself to look at His face, I saw a sorrow deeper than my own.

He seemed to intuitively go to the worst boxes. Why did He have to read every one? Finally He turned and looked at me from across the room. He looked at me with pity in His eyes. But this was a pity that didn't anger me. I dropped my head, covered my face with my hands and began to cry again. He walked over and put His arm around me. He could have said so many things. But He didn't say a word. He just cried with me.

Then He got up and walked back to the wall of files. Starting at one end of the room, He took out a file and, one by one, began to sign His name over mine on each card. 'No!' I shouted rushing to Him. All I could find to say was 'No, no,' as I pulled the card from Him. His name shouldn't be on these cards. But there it was, written in red so rich, so dark, so alive. The name of Jesus covered mine. It was written with His blood. He gently took the card back. He smiled a sad smile and began to sign the cards. I don't think I'll ever understand how He did it so quickly, but the next instant it seemed I heard Him close the last file and walk back to my side.

He placed His hand on my shoulder and said, 'It is finished.' I stood up, and He led me out of the room. There was no lock on its door. There were still cards to be written.

'I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.'-Phil. 4:13 'For God so loved the world that He gave His only son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.' If you feel the same way forward it so the love of Jesus will touch their lives also My 'People I shared the gospel with' file just got bigger, how about your

Ok, now for some bullshit if i may say.

Beauty of Maths!

1 x 8 + 1 = 9
12 x 8 + 2 = 98
123 x 8 + 3 = 987
1234 x 8 + 4 = 9876
12345 x 8 + 5 = 98765
123456 x 8 + 6 = 987654
1234567 x 8 + 7 = 9876543
12345678 x 8 + 8 = 98765432
123456789 x 8 + 9 = 987654321

1 x 9 + 2 = 11
12 x 9 + 3 = 111
123 x 9 + 4 = 1111
1234 x 9 + 5 = 11111
12345 x 9 + 6 = 111111
123456 x 9 + 7 = 1111111
1234567 x 9 + 8 = 11111111
12345678 x 9 + 9 = 111111111
123456789 x 9 +10= 1111111111

9 x 9 + 7 = 88
98 x 9 + 6 = 888
987 x 9 + 5 = 8888
9876 x 9 + 4 = 88888
98765 x 9 + 3 = 888888
987654 x 9 + 2 = 8888888
9876543 x 9 + 1 = 88888888
98765432 x 9 + 0 = 888888888

Brilliant, isn't it?

And look at this symmetry:

1 x 1 = 1
11 x 11 = 121
111 x 111 = 12321
1111 x 1111 = 1234321
11111 x 1 1111 = 123454321
111111 x 111111 = 12345654321
1111111 x 1111111 =
1234567654321
11111111 x 11111111 = 123456787654321
111111111 x 111111111 = 12345678987654321

Now, take a look at this...

101%

From a strictly mathematical viewpoint:

What Equals 100%? What does it mean to give MORE than 100%?

Ever wonder about those people who say they are giving more than 100%?

We have all been in situations where someone wants you to GIVE OVER 100%.

How about ACHIEVING 101%?

What equals 100% in life?

Here's a little mathematical formula that might help answer these questions:

If:

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

Is represented as:

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26.

If:

H-A-R-D-W-O-R- K

8+1+18+4+23+15+18+11 = 98%

And:

K-N-O-W-L-E-D-G-E

11+14+15+23+12 +5+4+7+5 =96%

But:

A-T-T-I-T-U-D-E

1+20+20+9+20+21+4+5 = 100%

THEN, look how far the love of God will take you:

L-O-V-E-O-F-G-O-D

12+15+22+5+15+6+7+15+4 = 101%

Therefore, one can conclude with mathematical certainty that:

While Hard Work and Knowledge will get you close,
and Attitude will get you there,
It's the Love of God that will put you over the top!

Have a nice day & God bless!!

Thursday, June 5
~Ivor~