ninety five.
Oh, I missed the 3 month mark 3 days ago... oops...
Anyway... =].
Went to church today... After much struggle due to a lack of sleep... But a coffee fixed that =].
When I got there, worship in song is as awesome as ever... Something about dimmer lights/a dark hall that's comforting in a way that no one can see you when you just want to let it all out. =].
Pastor Doug mentioned his son who was released from the hospital but is still fighting pneumonia... At this point in time, any parent whose child is at risk of dying will not care about anything else but the child's life be spared. They would do anything it takes to preserve his/her life.
He then invited us all to ponder about the gift of family. Those people who you see basically everyday and who know you the best - what you're like in the morning, when you're angry, when you're sad, whether or not you run around the house naked after a shower.... etc..
What does your family mean to you?
PARENTS
For me, I love my family. I have wonderful parents who sacrifice their all for the sake of the family. A father who, during my youth, used to spend only 4 or so weeks in a year with us in Sydney because the bulk of his business is in Indonesia. A mother who obtained a driver's license just to be able to take us everywhere like princes and princesses (and never disappointed us if we ever needed to be picked up). But most importantly, both my parents' love for one another and a genuine heart to seek God in prayer every morning and before sleeping (praying together as a couple) have probably been the biggest influence.
Though we've all practically reached adulthood (we can drive ourselves, work, cook, clean, etc..) there is never be a moment where we can say "I don't need my parents anymore". There is so much for me to learn from them.. And even if I am several thousand kilometers away from them now, I am still being taught by their actions and wise words.
SISTER
My sister is the oldest but by far (arguably) the most childish when combined with her girly ways (duhh). When she's fixated on her Korean comedy shows, you can hear her laugh from the kitchen and when I'm bored, I know that I can always storm into her room just to scare her and she will never go off at me for doing so.
She just recently abandoned me here in Korea but I'm glad her trip was fun and safe. I have missed her crazy, random personality that has always brightened up family vacations and when combined with the rest of my siblings... Oh it can get chaotic (VERY sad she won't be joining us in January).
She has always been a caring sister - selfless and considerate of our needs. When we are ever in need of money, we know that we can always go to her and she'll be more than happy to lend a few hundred dollars (*COUGH* Ivan)... And when I come home from a long day or a week away from home, I know I'll always be greeter with a smile from her and probably a dorky "Oh, you're back... WHYYYY?!"
She's probably never understood why the boys spend so much time around our cars... But she is always supportive of what we do for our cars (probably influence from my cousins).
Furthermore, when one of us needs to use a car at the same time as her... She always offers to back down in exchange that she gets driven to the station that day.
Awesome sister =].
BROTHERS
DEFINITELY the craziest bunch in the family... These guys are the monkeys of the Oei clan. My mother always tells me that if the boys are ever out on a road trip or a camp... The house is a sanctuary. But when we're around.... Doof doof music is played, laughter and screaming are heard and a multitude of "OBEDDDD. HEMMMM. OI EVAN. HEY IVAN" is heard too.
There is no 'fun' without the complete sibling list of the Oei clan.
Our 2006 trip to America would not have been as fun as it was without these boys...
Our 2007 Indo trip (Just the boys + dad) was equally as fun but moreso crazy because my sister wasn't there to balance us out.
Our 2012 Port Macquarie trip would not have been as hyper as it was without them.
In general... Anywhere is a party with these 3 brothers of mine... Even an 11pm trip to Coles or Woolies is crazy (Gosh how I miss buying twiggy sticks or random pre-cooked ham with them).
Hemi is the iconic big brother. Always looking out for you behind the scenes but he will never interfere unless he needs to, to fulfil his role as an older brother. If he ever hears about any of us younger brothers being bullied or threatened - his rage meter shoots up and he's ready to deal with the perpetrators (but he has not been summoned as of yet).
He takes off my mother who I can always depend on for lifts. If I am out at 3am, I know very well I can call him and he'll pick me up even if I am in Woop Woop... He is also usually lazy to drive if any one of us are sober to drive (unless driving a manual or the CR-V) but he can because he's the most experienced driver out of all of us.
He's also like my sister - sacrificial and considerate to our needs. I can come to him if I need money also.. And he's supportive of most of the things I do. If I ever need to buy something that he's uncomfortable with, he always questions me about it and makes me justify it before doing so - just so that I can avoid disappointment and unwise spending.
Sometimes however, I think he is too nice. In many occasions, he has placed himself second when it comes to his friends. He will often fulfil the needs of his friends at his expense and I'm sure they know he can be that person they can depend on fully.
It takes something VERY big to ever get on his bad side.. and if you are unique enough to grasp his sense of humor, he can always make you laugh with his ridiculousness.
I've been on several road trips with him and we share basically the same group of friends. It's because he is versatile and is open to a wide variety of personalities.
Most importantly however... Is my admiration of his dedication to his ministries. Study camp, sunday school, youth group, accountability partners, singing/choir and anywhere else he can show God's love.. He is there.
When I was playing D3 and I wanted him to play with me, he'd often refuse because he knows he has to prepare that bible study and that it takes priority over any other forms of recreation. He also skips out on work on high paying days ($40/hr) just so that he can spend time at Church and/or with friends during public holidays. He has always humbly sought after God and is always aiming to be a better man.
A patient, caring, unique, sacrificial... and SINGLE man (line up, ladies).
Evan is the oldest of the twins. Probably the most similar to me because he can be stubborn, emotionally hidden and loves doing things his own way. He is also probably the naughtier twin but nevertheless, does not fall short of a genuine care for his siblings. In the past, I've been in many fights with Evan... Mostly due to our prides and stubbornness clashing... But only now do I realise we fight because we are so similar. We don't fight anymore now and it's been years since our last clash.. I am so thankful that we've both grown out of the need to fight over silly stuff and learnt to consider each others' interests.
Evan is the type who will try his best at everything as long as he is passionate towards it. He goes to extreme measures to obtain what it is he is seeking and anyone and anything that gets in his way, you know very well that he will deal with them.
This hot-headed spirit of his is something to admire... Because I know that if his heart is pointing towards God and His glory - he will be on fire.
Evan is also a lady-killer in my books... He was the first child in the family to get a girlfriend and I'm sure many ladies are lining up for him right now too.
He takes after Hemi's sacrificial nature when it comes to his friends and he is the guy to go to if you're looking for a fun time filled with McDonalds runs and/or night (I hope safe) drives around town.
His taste in music often clashes with mine and because we are in the same room, I often have to endure some nights of doof doof.... Strangely enough, I kind of miss it now.
Evan's taste in fashion is also somewhat refined... He loves to look good and his charisma makes his outfit work. He takes after Hemi's fashionable nature and no doubt it's what gets the girls' attention. =P.
But that being said... Evan is a one-woman man. He has a gentleman's feel about him but he never needs a girl to tell him what he's worth.
A strong and bold man.
Ivan is the youngest out of the whole family, but the biggest in size. To match his big size, he has a big heart. In many occasions, I have let my stupidity and impatient nature act out in rage for the silliest reasons. Last time I had asked Ivan and Hemi to pick me up from work. I needed to do something urgently, but they came late due to unforeseen reasons... After a long day and in my stupidity, I went off at them both... Turning their smiles that greeted me as I stepped into the car, into empty blank expressions of confusion and UNDESERVED accusation. As I remember this right now, I am appalled and disgusted at how I acted because I knew that night, Ivan wasn't happy with me and he really did not see the justification behind how I acted... So again, I apologise for that Ivan...
But that brings me to my next point.... No matter how many times I disappoint Ivan, he is always willing to forgive. Give him a few hours and you know very well he will greet you with intentions of reconciliation. Not long after that undeserved blame I put on Ivan, we resumed our late night Coles runs and everything was back to normal.
He is also the one I can 100% rely on to come with me to pick my parents from the airport. We are early morning 7-11 buddies and it started when we had to pick my mother, father, sister and grandma from the airport at what we thought was 6am. We waited at a street near the airport for several hours and in our hunger, we decided to venture to the nearby 7-11 to eat breakfast (sausage rolls and other unhealthy goods). Since then, it has been a ritual every time we went to the airport together and I asked him to get me one when he picks me up from the airport upon my return next year.
Being the youngest brother, he also is the most sacrificial. With his time, energy and money, he is often the most willing to help you out with anything and everything he is capable of. Fixing a computer, fixing a phone, buying you lollies, etc... I can always rely on him for these things and more.
He is also the second most involved person in ministry - being a RICE choir participant for some years now. He takes on after Hemi in that field and he enjoys it as much as Hemi does.
Ivan is your typical nice guy. I'm not sure if people take advantage of him because of that, but I'm saying this now... ANY girl would be lucky to have him as a boyfriend. I've seen the way he spoils his friends and his genuine care for them in all fields.
A kind, humble and smooth man.
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I love my family and I can not ask for a better bunch to share my life with. Now that I am living away from them do I realise their importance and what they mean to me.
For this reason, I am more looking forward to seeing them in January and hopefully by my return next year, I will become a better brother and a better son to them.
You don't know what you've got till it's gone. God may You keep them safe and bless them in all that they do.
WHOSE LIKENESS AND INSCRIPTION?
Luke 20:19-26
If you could look like anyone... who would it be?
A question some of us ask ourselves very often.... In a country such as this... where looks and presentation is of the utmost importance, it is hard not to base your worth by how you look.
Why do we style our hair the way we do, dress the way we do and in general, do the pretty things to our bodies the way we do?
Simply, it is to impress one or more people that we walk past every day. Face it, if we did not take such consideration into how we looked, we would go around with the simplest of clothing and even bed hair.
Not saying that dressing up prettily is a bad thing, it all comes down to WHY and WHO you're doing it for... and whether or not it is the source of your worth.
In today's sermon by Pastor Doug, we looked into the book of Luke Chapter 20.. where Jesus was being targeted by scribes and elders (v.19~). For the sake of context, scribes back then were among the most honorable and righteous people, and so were elders. But in this passage, it is revealed that they sent spies to watch Jesus to see if they could catch him out in something that he says - a common pattern back in the day to test Jesus and question his radical teachings.
It was interesting to note that even the most righteous people dared to question the Son of God... They thought that they were smarter than Jesus and so wrong were they...
If you don't have an argument against Jesus, you can do one of two things...
1) Humble yourself because you know you're wrong and you can't prove him wrong.
2) Leave him be for he is the genuine WORD in flesh.
Everything that comes out of his mouth is absolute divine truth and all that he does is perfect.. He was without sin and lived a life worthy of all glory.
In v.21, we see a form of flattery performed by these spies as they tried to disarm Jesus - "Teacher, we know that you speak and teach rightly, and show no partiality, but truly teach the way of God."
This was designed in a way to lower Jesus' guard thinking that they are fully beside him in all things.. so that they could catch him out with their question - "Is it lawful for us to give tribute to Caesar, or not?" (v.22).
This was a lose-lose question. It was designed in a way to catch Jesus out if he were to say yes or no.
YES - If he said yes, Jesus is then submitting to Caesar - a pagan king who thinks he is God.
NO - If he said no, Jesus would then be accused of starting a rebellion against Caesar.
So what did he do?
v.23-26 - Jesus' one liner.
"Show me a denarius. Whose likeness and inscription does it have?... Then render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's."
Wow... With that one line, he not only addressed legitimately the government but he placed a clear divide between what is worldly and heavenly.
To understand this better, Pastor Doug told us of his adventures at Chuck e Cheese's in America...
You see, at this restaurant.. the motto is 'Where kids can be kids'... As well as a food stand, they have a playground full of arcade games and what-not... But there is a catch - you have to buy Chuck e Cheese currency to play the games. He also mentioned that a lot of fights break out among kids over who gets to play on the machines.... Sometimes even adults participate.
So with this analogy...
'As long as you are in the domain of Chuck e Cheese, you have to use CC coins'.
'Just because you are in the domain of CC's... it doesn't mean you have to act "cheesy"'.
- As long as you are under the rule of Caesar, you have to use Caesar currency..
- Just because you are under the rule of Caesar, it doesn't mean you have to act worldly.
As you know, a denarius is the currency used at the time.. It is a coin/money that has Caesar's inscription and sign on it... Signifying that it belongs to his government.
So with this said...
If a coin could speak... it would probably say 'I belong to Caesar... I am used for the benefit of Caesar'.
What about you?... Who do you belong to? Whose image and inscription is on you?
COINS are made with faces and government icons to signify its belonging to a nation.
YOU are made with faces and divine inscriptions to signify belonging to God.
If coins are valuable to the domain of its creator, we are valuable in the domain of the CREATOR.
Don't let anyone tell you otherwise of your worth...
GIVE to Caesar what belongs to him.
GIVE to God what belongs to Him.
The most dangerous/greatest enemy to the Church is not science or philosophies..
But rather, Christians who claim to know Jesus but do not look like him.
The greatest enemy to the world is the Christian who knows who they are... who they belong to... and who cling onto that identity firmly and live it out.
For the above, I was greatly rebuked because I seldom think about how I look in front of my friends as I engage in certain activities... If it is drinking, whether or not I am self-controlled... If it is driving, whether or not I am submissive to authority... If it is relationships, whether or not I seek purity... etc...
People notice how you act... and they will judge your actions and will usually form a general conclusion toward all Christians in doing so... Be careful.
The greatest compliment you can get in this world is not 'I like your hair today..' or 'Nice car' or 'I love your Prada bag'... But instead, it is for someone to say 'I see Jesus in you'.
WHOSE LIKENESS AND INSCRIPTION ARE UPON YOU?
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After the sermon, Pastor Doug encouraged us to give thanks for those people who have impacted our lives and who have really shown Jesus through their actions...
So I sent a message to my parents and remembering what they've done, I teared up a bit on the train... (HA! GAYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY moment right there).
But in pondering that very question... I also remembered another special person who has shown me Jesus when I was at the lowest point of my life... You're still in my thoughts.
Thankful: A refreshing Sunday. ++ Good catch up with Hemi and Sam online.
Prayerful: Another week this week. It's already 4am and I have class in 6 hours.. SOLDIER ON!
Dangers: In my laziness... I may fall very easily into a dry week of absent prayers and rare quiet times...
