Bye 2008, Hello 2009

I am one of those people who don’t really see the significance or appreciate certain dates. So new year day is just another day for me. But I think I can understand that it’s a good thing to be able to mark a day for a fresh start and reflection and new year day is a good candidate for it (it could’ve been any other day of the year, also it doesn’t have to be in yearly interval).

Anyway, enough rambling, year 2008 is now behind, reflecting on what has happened last year:

  • Finally graduated from my master degree – what a huge relief!
  • Graduated from PTC (unexpectedly)
  • Moving to another company (yet again!)
  • Managed to finished reading at least 17 books.
  • Welcoming Matthew to the clan.
  • Credit crunch, financial crisis made me significantly poorer, but in comparison with lots of people in the world, I am still very2 blessed, I still can afford more than basic necessities of life.

I wonder how will 2009 look like for us.  I haven’t really thinking of setting goals etc2, so far I only have a rough idea what I want to do in terms of family, ministry and work. I am not sure I am game enough to publish them online after all I don’t want to be apologizing to myself by the end of the year for not accomplishing them.

The Rapture (Left Behind)

I finished reading The Rapture from the famous Left Behind series. Lina bought the last 2 books from the series quite cheaply from Doulos.

This is the 17th book finished, I am half way through reading the last one, Kingdom Come, except that I can’t find the book now, perhaps it was left behind at the airport today when I picked up my aunt.

I have a mix feeling reading this novel, while it’s quite engaging and quite touching as well (especially if you are a Christian, you cannot help but being stirred in emotion), but I am afraid Christians can mistake this novel as authoritative as the Bible itself (just like the Da Vinci Code does to the non believers). Well it is not a bible commentary, it is just a novel, read your bible and read the novel.

I was prompted to pray while reading this novel which is always a good thing, I guess.

In this is love

1 John 4:10

10In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.

This is the message that was preached during Dan and Fayette’s wedding last month. A very appropriate passage around Christmas.

Why would anyone want to die for me or for you? Humans are such a wreck, totally crippled by sins, I hope you have received or will receive His love. Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Idol 08

I don’t really watch TV that much nowadays, but one show that I love to watch is the Australian Idol. Although my only gripe with the show is, the one who’s best (or better) doesn’t always win (Anthony Callea, Jessica Mauboy, Matt Corby).

But I am glad that this year, Wes Carr has won the Australian Idol 2008. Having been watching the this year’s idol I think he deservedly won it. What a rock star and what a performer he is, quite humble too. Although I like Luke’s single better.