Pavement Art In Southbank

Pavement Art

I was very happy to spend some time with Diana, the artist who drew this picture on the pavement. Life on the street, and drawing can be fun, but at the same time, can be tough and competitive too. Unfortunately when you live the life of a busker you need to go busking for many long hours to make ends meet. May God bless her and many other artists in the area.

Remember The Titans

I watched the movie "Remember The Titans" the other night with my friends at my place. It's a Jerry Bruckheimer Production. The synopsis goes like this:

"Academy Award winner Denzel Washington (The Hurricane), gives a victorious performance in this stirring and uplifting film. Based on a real-life drama, REMEMBER THE TITANS is a rousing celebration of how a town torn apart by resentment, friction and mistruct bomes together in a triumphant harmony. After leading his team to fifteen winning seasons, football coach Bill Yoast is demoted and replaced by Herman Boone, tough, opinionated and as different from the beloved Yoast as he could be. How these two men overcome their differences, and turn a group of hostile young men into champions, plays out in a remarkable and triumphant story full of soul and spirit. You and your family will never forget the Titans."

This is a powerful and well written story. Although I don't know anything about American football, I enjoyed the movie very much.The tagline "before they could win they had to become one" is so true. Unity is so important in any teamwork. The lives of the two coaches Herman Boone and Bill Yoast in the film are inspiring. They do their best with their heart for their work, and that had such a great impact to the team.

The blacks and whites work hard to overcome differences and become a winning team. The Titans teaches the people in the town community how to come together as one, despite their differences. The idea of winning together for a common goal reminds me of the essential core value of teamwork in World Team.

Teamwork – together we accomplish what none of us could do alone. Ministry is best done in teams. If we try to do all alone what is better done as a team effort, the effort will be limited. With all of us pitching in and pulling in the same direction toward a goal, we reap huge dividends from our individual investments. “But in fact God has arranged the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be.” (1 Cor 12:18)

Making The Right Choices Through DVD

My Papa (Professor Basil Brown) gave us a DVD in his sermon today in CCBC's connect worship, which is very inspiring. Below is a summary of it.

Making The Right Choices (Matthew 4:1-11)

D - Decision needed

• Jesus facing his mission: food; a sign from heaven; world dominion; short cuts to glory
• Our challanges and decision: Compulsion of colleagues; inward pressures; demands of “love”

V - Vigilance required

• Jesus knew the presence and power of Satan
• Our struggle is not with flesh and blood (Eph 6).
• The devil is the prince of this age, eager to trap you.

D - Direction accepted

• Choice is directed by what we want to achieve.
• Jesus is directed by God’s will, and so must we.
• His Will is found in the Scripture.
• Our weapon against Satan is the Word of the Spirit – the Word of God.
• How well do you know and use Scripture?

The Journey To the Margins (2)

Andrea from Adventures of an Ordinary Christian sent me a comment in my previous post and asked me how I knew God gave me new eyes to see, and how God revealed Himself to me. Well I think these questions deserve a post to answer them.

I believe that God reveals Himself to us through His Word, His Spirit, people and even through circumstances etc. I agree that God makes known to us His will readily if we respond to Him with obedience, and when we seek Him with all our hearts.

Since I started studying at Bible College, God has been teaching me a lot about the Incarnation - one of the chief reasons why Jesus became human was so that he might display what God is like in terms human beings could comprehend. I have had lots of reflection through my studies, reading, ministry and discussion with other Christians about these theological concepts and ideas.

Indeed many missionaries worked hard to practise incarnation, contextualisation, and discipleship as they follow God's will in their lives. I always ask this question: how am I to be engaging in the culture around me? As I walk around my neighbourhood, I see a number of artists busking as they entertain, draw, perform in the public place not knowing how much they would get as a result of their work. I've been moved to pray for them for a while now, yet recently I sensed that the Holy Spirit wanted me to get to know them, and to share God's love with them. I was grappling with issues of contextualisation! I am committed to contextualising the good news of Jesus in this environment. This, I feel, is part of loving the Lord with our total personalities, and our neighbours as ourselves (the Great Commandment).

God is the Ultimate Artist. After all, He is the Creator of the whole Universe. And we are made in His image (Genesis 1:26-27), so when people create (draw, compose, sing, perform), they are actually reflecting God.
Hence God has revealed Himself to me through these artists very vividly. I can see God in these people. More and more as I get to befriend and spend time with these artists, God has truly given me new “eyes to see, and ears to hear”. I see their emotions, their hearts and passions, and I understand their hurts, their needs and their lives through listening to them. Although they are seen to be the centre of our culture (since arts is prominent in Melbourne), they are actually the marginalised as not many people understand them. The Lord also has given me a heart to love these artists, and I look forward to sharing the gospel with them, just as a begger telling another begger where to find food.

The Journey To the Margins

Melbourne is a city with concentration of the values and ideas which our society and culture embodies and embraces. A question that keeps coming to my mind recently is 'where are the central spaces, and where are the marginal spaces in our city?' The notion of 'centres' and 'margins' is really worth exploring and considering I reckon. Out of that questions comes an extremely important question, 'where is God?'

The past few weeks saw me spending time on my days-off with some artists (the centred and the marginalised) in my own locality (namely the neighborhood of Southbank and Southgate), chatting with them, having coffee with them, and getting to know them. This makes me ponder over the important concepts of incarnation, contextualisation, discipleship, engaging culture, and where God calls me to be and do. As I walk around my proximity space (using Michael Frost's term), I realise that God has indeed given me new “eyes to see, and ears to hear”. May the Lord help me not to only see and hear, but respond to what I see and hear in His love and wisdom.

12 Days Of Christmas

In preparation of a children's Christmas presentation at CCBC on "12 Days of Christmas", I found myself drawn into the symbolism of it. The story behind is just so wonderful! It is really refreshing and constantly putting a smile on my face as I sing the song and reflect on the special spiritual meaning behind the gifts from 'my true love'. Pray that the kids will be inspired and blessed by it.

The symbolism of The Twelve Days of Christmas are as follows:

1 True Love refers to God, A Patridge in a Pear Tree refers to Jesus
2 Turtle Doves refers to the Old and New Testaments
3 French Hens refers to Faith, Hope and Love
4 Calling Birds refers to the Four Gospels and/or the Four Evangelists
5 Golden Rings refers to the first Five Books of the Old Testament, the "Pentateuch", which gives the history of man's fall from grace
6 Geese A-laying refers to the six days of creation
7 Swans A-swimming refers to the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit, the seven sacraments
8 Maids A-milking refers to the eight beatitudes
9 Ladies Dancing refers to the nine Fruits of the Holy Spirit
10 Lords A-leaping refers to the ten commandments
11 Pipers Piping refers to the eleven faithful apostles
12 Drummers Drumming refers to the twelve points of doctrine in the Apostle's Creed

Which one do you like best?

More Than Just Talk

Recently a returned missionary shared an experience that he had at a workshop on Christian spirituality in a church. In the workshop, all the right words were being used, but with real pain he said, "I had my hurts and needs, but no one seemed to be even aware of me, let alone my hurts and needs".

Words, especially pious words, can sometimes shield us from people and their needs. Like the first disciples, we have been challenged by Jesus' words. To rely on words alone would be like building a house on the bed of the Yarra River in Melbourne. Almost without warning the dry river bed can become a raging torrent and wash everything away.

It is faithful obedience to Jesus' teaching which provides the solid basis for the Christian life. Without that obedience fatal collapse will inevitably occur. Lord, please help me not to just use words, but help us to know your will and to do it with courage and faith.

Spirituality Tour

I've been thinking recently about everyday faith - especially faith in the places where we live, our neighbourhood, where we work and socialize. I think it is important for us to emphasis on our homes, proximity spaces, workplaces and the place that we socialize as being as much legitimate places where we know and experience God as the places that we gather for worship at church.

I really enjoyed Living Room tonight. One of our core community members shared the tour of his life and it was quality stuff. We bought dinner at one of his favourite places (a noodle bar close to where he lives), and then we had dinner in the footy club where he is part of, while chatting and looking at people playing footy.

Then we walked up the street to a pub he regularly visits with his footy mates. Then we jumped into his car and he took us on a tour of his life, including the primary school that he works in and the place where he plays touch footy. We also prayed for him, and the people in these places where he experiences and witnesses God.

We heard about his daily routine, the interesting stories about the students in the primary school (which is a very interesting school with children from various cultures and religions). He also told us things that he's passionate about, some of the history of his life, and a little about his family and friends. It was amazing where our conversation went as he shared his spirituality tour and as we asked questions of his life. We saw a different side of someone we have known for a number of months now - it was actually quite special.

Incarnation

Mark Sayers, an emerging missional church leader (Red Network) has written a bible study guide called "Ignition", and in it there was a topic of Incarnation. What he said really got me thinking:

“Jesus in order to complete his mission on earth chose to live amongst us. He lived the life of a human man in a particular time and place, he spoke particular languages and he lived in a particular culture. The gospel writers apart from his first and last few years see his life as so ordinary for that time and place that they do not even record it in any detail. When he begins to preach in his hometown people are shocked, and see him as only the carpenter’s son.”

Isn't it a radical concept? I grapple constantly with the idea and theological implication of the Incarnation of Jesus Christ, which was the way Jesus went about his life, faith and mission. The question I keep asking is: how should that shape my approach in mission and ministry? What is God up to? And what should I be up to? And how should I live my life in a particular context / culture / sub-culture so that the gospel can be seen through me? Really challenging questions and thoughts!!

So what is your idea of Incarnation?

Ken Duncan

Ken Duncan is my favourite Aussie photographer. You'll know why if you look at his work (and his website).
I got chatting with him in his gallery(which to me is really like a Sanctuary) during his book signing in Southgate. I was very inspired by what he had to say. He said that his own love for photography was kindled when he borrowed his dad's camera, and became very excited by the possibilities of photography as an art form. His idea of using photos to share 'the journey of life' is fantastic.

On his T-shirt that day (which is not clear from the photo that I posted in my previous entry), it said that 'life is an adventure, not a worry!' And I like that motto. To Ken, sharing 'the journey of life' has become his driving passion as a photographer, and it led to many adventures along the way. He said that the best way to learn to take photos is to actually take photos. And I want to do the same! I am going to commit to taking more photos from now on.

Ken Duncan's Book Signing

Ken Duncan's book signing

The "M" Word

Speaking of the "m" words in my last post, another popular "m" word is money of course! I was chatting with a dear friend about money last night. This morning, God spoke to us through Matthew 6:19-24 through our devotion together. Matt 6:19-24 talks about storing up treasures (money) in heaven, which is the same as the importance of investing in eternal business.

In the book "The Kingdom and the World", Richard Appleby said the following:

A difficult problem that Christians consistently face is the temptation to put some trust in God and, because their faith is not as complete as it should be, also to rely on things of this world, such as money or possessions.

The detachment from wealth is a great goal to reach for. What do you reckon?

Meeka & I

Amongst many other blessings (like my mum and my mood hehe), another one of which is my world team mate meeka, she always puts a smile on my face and makes me laugh. We work so well together, and we balance each other, and we are both mission mobilizer! Hmmm.... all these m words.

Lord, thanks for this great reminder once again to count my blessings! Praise God for a great Focus Night and World Team End Of Year Party tonight!

(music please) give thanks with a grateful heart, give thanks to the holy one, give thanks because He's given Jesus Christ His son ....

Do you like our photo with the colourful background above? We do have a colourful and meaningful ministry together with World Team, despite constant difficulties and struggles.

World Team End Of Year Party

You are invited to World Team Australia's End Of Year Party - Focus Mission Asia Night
6:45 pm to 7pm Start - Thursday 10th November

Presenters:

Chor Ing Ang and Kitty Cheng
(Central Asia with Uygur Focus)

Tomika Finch (Storytelling)

Brian Billing and Phil Barnden (Cambodia and Laos)

Venue:
36 Barton St, Hawthorn, Melbourne, Australia
Venue of Hawthorn West Baptist Church

Free oriental finger food and drinks

You are very welcome to bring others along. We look forward to welcoming you along with others to encourage and to be encouraged in the Lord.

www.worldteam.org

Moses' Life and Mine

I'll never forget the fear I felt while worrying that I was missing some important step in my search for a treatment to end my suffering. In hindsight, it is obvious that my loved one added months to my suffering due to his ignorance of not knowing the best approach to take, and the fear that others might find out. Fear is caused by ignorance (a lack of knowledge) about a subject. A better understanding of what you need to be doing, and not doing, will help one to overcome.

Ultimately my loved one abandoned me. It was then that I realised, when I asked God to use me as His instrument, all things that occurred, no matter how bad they turned out to be, were all permissible under His will. Jeremiah 10:13 declares : “I know, Oh LORD, that a man’s life is not his own; it is not for man to direct his steps”--- throughout the next four years I would come face to face with immense and untold suffering and pain way deep down inside my heart. It was all too much---so much to the point that it was just impossible to describe---I cannot even come to terms with myself since I never can understand why all this is happening to me. Nevertheless, I believe that God Himself is already working in me now, amidst all my suffering and life torn apart.

I give thanks to God because He has always been caring for me. No matter what my situation might be, His love remains. No one can measure how long or wide or high or deep His love is---such is the wonder of His unfailing love. Throughout the difficult times I came to understand how it felt to be despised and rejected, and I also recalled Jesus who also “was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows and familiar with suffering” (Isaiah 53:3). I came to realise that Jesus left heaven and all glory behind Him and came to earth to suffer and to die for me on the cross. Although I was in great despair and without hope to the extent of giving up my faith and myself altogether, yet God Himself never leave me nor forsake me---He continues to lead me through, heals me and places together all the broken pieces that were once in my life and my heart. I am forever grateful for that!

Looking back, I came to realise that my life is a bit similar to that of Moses. This is because when I was young I spent much of my time growing up in a ‘well-off’ family, much loved and protected by those around me, very much like Moses’ growing up in Egypt’s palace. Then turmoil and chaos came into my life, which I found myself similar to that of Moses after he had to leave his life of luxury and had to flee into an unknown and uncertain realm that is the wilderness. Finally, Moses responded to God’s calling to lead His people out of Egypt, so now, like Moses, I have chosen to obey God’s calling and to be of service to Him. May the Lord continue to keep me in the centre of His will through His grace and power.

Jonathan And His Young Armor-Bearer

Susan from a Booklook wrote this very meaningful post about moving in the direction of our passion. She wrote:

Jonathan said to his young armor-bearer, '… Perhaps the Lord will act on our behalf. Nothing can hinder the Lord from saving, whether by many or by few.' 'Do all that you have in mind' his armor-bearer said. 'Go ahead; I am with heart and soul'" 1 Samuel 14:6-7.

Jonathan's young armor-bearer encouraged Jonathan to do what God had put in his mind and what a great victory it was. How valuable it is to have those around us encouraging us to do those things that God has put in our hearts and minds. Jesus gave opportunities to uneducated fishermen, quick tempered brothers and a dodgy tax collector. Jesus also appointed Judas as treasurer even though it turned out that he was a thief. Perhaps Jesus was less worried about failure than we are. At Jesus' arrest when Peter cut off the ear of the high priest's servant, Jesus touched him and healed him (Luke 22:51). Jesus still has the power to fix and heal the mistakes we make.

Lord I am going to follow Jonathan's example, to take risks to move in the direction of the passion you have given me, and encourage others to do the same.

Thanks Susan for your sharing!

Anniverary

Today was CCBC's 15th Church Anniversary. We had a great time celebrating it. Kanae and I really enjoyed serving in the drama today. Through the process of putting the drama together, I am reminded once again that it's not the results that are most important, but the lesson learned, lives touched and moments shared along the way. I am particularly grateful for getting to know Kanae, and sharing our hearts together for the passion of using drama to serve God.

Papa (Professor Basil Brown)'s preaching was fantastic! It was based on the Acts 2:41-47; 1 Peter 2:9,10 titled "The church as the family of God"

Matt 5:45: “Pray…That you may be children of your father who is in Heaven.”
Eph 3:14-15: “I bow my knee before the father, from whom the whole family in heaven and on earth is named.” The following are the 4 insightful points:

1. Membership in the family
It has no human source. It is from God – a new birth, and at the same time, adoption.

2. The family relationship
It is close; they share the same genes – LOVE.
The sick and trouble need prayer -- that is, actions reinforced by prayer.

3. The family members
All are different. So there is tension, which means energy and life.
Dealing with the problem member.

4. The nourishment of the family
You will find the family at the meal table
The Lord’s Table: It is not a new essential ritual. It is a meal – bread and wine. Feasting on the living Christ.

Open House

Today during my 'art date' I attended the Open House at both the Arts Centre and National Gallery of Victoria. It was a fantastic day of discovering the treasures and secrets of these two venues.

There was also a special collaborative work between Melbourne's leading art and cultural venues. Besides the Arts Centre and NGV, there were also Artplay, Australia Centre for the Moving Image, Immigration Museum, Melbourne Museum, State Library of Victoria, and the Ian Potter Centre.

Of special interests were the tour of the Arts Centre, especially the tour of the back stage of the Fairefax Studio, the wardrobe, the make-up room and all the other major theatres. It was such an enjoyable experience! The Australian Collection of art in the Ian Potter Centre has over 30,000 items and includes paintins, decortaive arts, photography, prints and drawings, sculpture, fashion and textiles and jewellery - a collection of great depth and complexity, which reflects the manyb histories of Australian art from the famous to the unfamiliar.

Be Thankful....

Tonight at CCBC, I had such an awesome time with Kanae, not only rehearsing for the drama which we will present on Sunday for CCBC's 15th Anniversary, but most importantly we had dinner, fellowship, sharing and prayed together. Moments of interaction and connection were so special! It was such God-ordained time, and I felt that the Holy Spirit was with us as we walked this journey together for the last few weeks preparing for this special occasion through the drama "count your blessings".

It's a fairly simple drama skit, yet it has reminded me to really give thanks to God for His wonderful blessing over the past 15 years in CCBC, and in particular letting me serve HIM in this family of God. At times I am guilty of complaining about things that don't go smoothly in ministry or whatever, yet I am reminded once again that God is in control of everything, and I am His co-worker. And I am forever grateful for that!

Be thankful that you don't already have everything you desire.
If you did, what would there be to look forward to?
Be thankful when you don't know something.
For it gives you the opportunity to learn.
Be thankful for the difficult times.
During those times you grow.
Be thankful for your limitations.
Because they give you opportunities for improvement.
Be thankful for each new challenge.
Because it will build your strength and character.
Be thankful for your mistakes.
They will teach you valuable lessons.
Be thankful when you're tired and weary.
It means you've made a difference.
It's easy to be thankful for the good things.
A life of rich fulfillment comes to those who are also thankful for the setbacks.
Gratitude can turn a negative into a positive.
Find a way to be thankful for your troubles and they can become your blessings."

Chariots Of Fire

Tonight our LivingRoom group watched the film "Chariots of Fire" at Tim & Suse's place together. The film tells the true story of two UK track athletes, one a determined Jew, and the other a devout Christian who compete in the 1924 Olympics. Eric Liddell, a missionary in China, who runs because he believes it glorifies God (he said, "I believe God made me for a purpose in China, but he also made me fast. And when I run I feel His pleasure.") . Harold Abrahams is a Jew who competes as a way of proving his worth, and he always wants to win (he said, "if I can't win, I won't race"). Both are driven by an inner fire, and yet respect their rivals. This film traces Eric and Harold's paths to the Paris games, where their motivation and character development are portrayed. Yes, it's important to know that Abrahams and Lidell win, but the real theme of the story is contained in what leads up to the races.

Chariots of fire highlights such commendable qualities as commitment, perseverance, and fraternity. The characters were believable. In fact, to a certain extent, I could see myself in (and identify myself with) both Eric and Harold (although I am not a sporty person, or a man for that matter). I appreciated this movie as it gave me a more understanding of human nature, and my own weeknesses and frailty. And the theme of using your gifts to glorify God even if other people around you don't want you to, was wonderful. It spoke to me as a Christian struggling to do what I believe God has led and gifted me to do, in my world. I was encouraged by Eric Liddell's faithfulness to his God, his family, his country, and his friends. And in the end he triumphs by tapping that reservoir of inner strength from God that sustains him.

Learn to dream as a Christian

Although I am enjoying working with World Team and CCBC, I miss studying at Tabor. I really do! Yesterday I received their yearly magazine "Tabor Life" and finished reading the whole thing in an hour.

An article that I particularly enjoyed reading in the magazine was one from the head of Mission Studeis Dr Les Henson entitled "Learn to dream as a Christian". Les shares that dreams play an important part in the lives of the Momina people (the people that he used to work with in West Papua), and how in that context it was important for Les to teach the elders of the indigenous church to screen and critique people's dreams to see if they were from God, and that everything, including dreams must be brought under Christ's lordship. An example that Les gave was about this insightful elder Daniel, who realised that one of the Momina believers' dreams were not from God, told the person to go away and learn to dream as a Christian.

Les wrote the following as the conclusion of his article, which really inspired me:

'Perhaps there is a lesson in all this for us busy Western Christians seeking genuine spirituality. Perhaps we too should learn to "dream as a Christian."'

I pray that the Lord will give us (me) the wisdom and strength to dream as a Christian, and to bring everything under His lordship.

Well the World Team Ringwood East office is only 5 minutes away from Tabor, so it's convenient for me to drop by every now and then to catch up with friends and faculty. I feel blessed by that! :-)

How Do You Spell Faith?

It was Melbourne Cup public holiday today. While everyone in Melbourne was having a day off (well except some students who are facing exams), I was working flat out in the office preparing for the World Team End of Year Party coming up next Thursday, the play and the presentation. Through working on the presentation on some unreached people groups and reading about various stories, I was reminded again that many great people of God have one thing in common, and that is that they have tremendous faith, and they are willing to take risks for their Lord.

Kel over at the X facta posted a very meaningful entry called Water walking. She suggested that according to Simon Peter, faith was spelt as Risk as follows:

R relinquish your doubts
I increase your dependence on God
S step out of your comfort zone
K know the miracle will come

So do you spell faith as risk?

Calming The Storm

Calming The Storm

I am always amazed by the story of Jesus calming the storm. On Sunday my dear friend and coworker at CCBC Becky shared a meaningful message on Jesus calming the storm (according to Mark 4:35-41). I was interpreting it from Chinese into English for her, and was inspired by it.

In verse 39, when the storm was really heavy, the disciples asked Jesus for help. So He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, "Quiet! Be still!" Then the wind died down and it was completely calm. What amazes me is that the storm was completely calm, not gradually or slowly calm. It shows that when we are with the Lord, we are safe in spite of danger (v 37). Praise the Lord!

Spring Fling 2005

Apart from Melbourne Fringe Festival and Melbourne International Arts Festival, I recently also took part in Spring Fling 2005. Spring Fling is a lively and free community festival organised by North and West Melbourne Neighbourhood Centre, features a full day of fun and community displays, sites, and main stage entertainment. It was an enjoyable event. I can see the value of tapping into the community and doing outreach activities there. Also since CCBC is in North Melbourne, it really makes sense for us to walk common paths with the proximity space.

I love Melbourne, and all the festivals that go on here!

Noirstalgia - Losses in Life

On Saturday night I went to see my friend and one of my favourite aussie actors Damon Hunter 's performance in "The Meeting" at Chapel off Chapel. "The Meeting" is about three men, with seemingly nothing in common, arrange to meet every week. What brings them together is the common tragic secret of the loss of a child. The play is a distressing, yet touching storyabout losing hope, and then finding it again in the most unlikely place, which turns out to be a support group setting.

According to Damon, the script writer wrote the drama in order to 'exorcise his own demons', as the events that the play discusses are actually a combination of true events that happened to him personally. I reckon that must have had strong healing effect on him. One day I hope to write a play like that too, God willing!

"The Meeting" reminds me of the importance of support, listening and friendship, which are essential in any relationship. Losses in life are inevitable, whether it's the loss of a child, or a parent, or loved ones, or materials, or even a home or dignity (like those who suffered from natural disasters). Yet I believe that we can survive the losses, the pain and failures of life through having hope. The message of losing and finding hope in the play is really powerful. However, I am convicted that ultimate hope can only be found in the ONE who offers eternal hope, not in human beings.

A Prayer For Love

Great and loving God, I thank you that you have always loved me,
even when I ignore or reject your love. May you so fill me, that I
can love others as you have loved me, not worrying about
how that love will be received, but simply and boldly loving other
people. In Jesus Precious Name I pray, Amen.

Poem

Walking alone with the thoughts inside
Trying so desperate not to hide
To be myself has proved a danger
People treating me like a complete stranger
How much is the condition and how much is me?
I am not one nor two but living with three
The name's Esau look into it,then you'll understand me just a bit
So you'll hear from me once in a while, my words are for you please keep them on file

Love

The followings are some of my definition of love:

• Love does not envy!
• Love does not get jealous when someone is better than you!
• Love is being happy for other's achievements!
• Love is letting others be the best they can be!
• Love is not showing off your strengths!
• Love is not egoistic and wanting others to praise you!
• Love does not want to get compliments!
• Love is meek and modest in spirit and behaviour!
• LOVE IS AN INTERNET PROVIDER THAT NEVER DROPS OUT!

What is love to you?

Ken Duncan

photo by Kitty
Ken Duncan is my favourite Aussie photographer. His landscape photos are not only gorgeous, they have the ability to draw me closer to God. Ken claims that his gallery is not just a gallery, but a sanctuary, and I agree with him. Every time I go into his gallery in Southgate, I sense the presence of God through his photos and books. And it's amazing. Ken Duncan is having a book signing on 12 November. I am looking foward to that! If any of you are free that day, I'd love to meet you at Ken's gallery.

Wrap Party in QBH

Melb International Arts Fest Wrap Party

The Melbourne International Arts Festival came to an end on Sunday morning. The final event and wrap up party was on from 10 pm Saturday night to 4 am Sunday morning, and I got to join in for a few hours, and it was simply fantastic to meet and chat with some of the most creative and amazing artists (both performing to visual artists, to curators and organisers) from around the world. There were so many extraordinary connections happened during the Festival, I was so glad that I got to take part in some of those. The creative sparks in my heart are truly flying, and it leaves me feeling so joyful and alive :-)

As Ariane Mnouchkine herself said about the extra shows that were done: "It is very rare to see a government authority recognise the power of theatre and for us it is also very important that it happened in Australia. Of course it is our conviction that theatre and the impact of theatre is a political, educational and enlightening tool for a better world and a better humanity. To see a government recognise this is a cause of pride. As a company we are staggered and moved."

And may I add that as a fellow Melburnian I am also very touched and pleased to see that the government authority sees the importance of arts and theatre!

Wrap Party Performance

photo by kitty in QBH

The Travel Agency

Red Shoes And Good Friends

Once again, I was @ the red shoe delivery Travel Agency yesterday afternoon :-) (also see here, here , here and here. ) This was the third time I was there. It continued to sweep me and my friends away every time I went. It was also fun to see how the project had evolved, and to look at where Melburnians had been travelling to via the van.

I really admire and enjoy getting to know the Red Shoe Delivery Service artists KC, Molly and Cris. Their gifts and passion for what they do are so evident. I am sure they will go a long way, and I hope to be able to keep contact with them.

International Arts Fest - InfraCinema

After drama rehearsal with Kanae on Friday night, we headed to the Arts House in North Melbourne Town Hall to see Melbourne sound artist Bruce Mowson's InfraCinema. InfraCinema is an experimental sound and video installation-performance. It combines the immersion of cinema with the closeness of visual art (static tones with various visual images throughout the show). Infracinema generates an unchanging mass of sound with repeating rhythm, and explores the experience below conscious thinking, and digs into our desire to watch and listen in the dark (which to be honest made me feel a little sleepy).

The interesting thing was that at the end of the show, everyone was sitting still and didn't know whether it was the end of not. It was actually quite funny! I found it to be an immersive festival experience, something I hadn't quite experienced before. It seemed that my ears were playing tricks upon me, and it was actually quite confusing. And it became intense as it was very loud (although we were given earplugs before we entered the theatre). I really can't say that I enjoyed it very much, yet it was certainly an interesting and unique experience which stretched me a bit. Once again, the various art forms available amaze me!

Up, Close & Personal With Artists

Yesterday afternoon during lunch time, I attended the popular 'In conversation with artists" in the famous spiegeltent outside the Arts Centre, where the Artistic Director Kristy Edmunds interviewed two artists: Stephen Petronio (from New York) and Shelley Lasica (from Melbourne).

It was an interesting one hour. Both dancers / choreographers shared about their lives as artists. I really enjoyed their sharing, and gained some great insights as well:

• Stephen said that New York is a dark place, and is made up of rejects. So his work reflects that. He thinks that artists' work is always related to their environment. The spirit of the time cannot be separated from the moment! Dancers need to be able to pick up on how energy flows, have sense of speed, physical as well as spiritual quests.
• Shelley strives to create choreography which has drama without being either expressionistic, totally abstract, or directly narrative. The drama is relational: it exists in the performers' interactions. Four important requirements for artists: curiosity, intelligence, virtuality and relationship.
  
• Kristy Edmunds said that artists must be curious, and seek to connect something to their creative selves. Artistic work is always made in response to the conditions of the environment.

Theatre for One

Theatre for One - Justin Harris

I went to see this custom-built Theatre for One this afternoon after catching up with this new friend that I had met during the Melbourne International Arts Festival. It was a unique experience. Justin Harris designed a very clever video-based piece performed just for me hehe. There was a single-seater behind the red velvet curtain. Although I was the only audience member for the 20-minute Rock Opera (The Late Great Libido), I had fun with this multimedia presentation, which incorporates elements of music, video and sculpture (although I must admit the music was a little too loud at times).

I am so thankful for the Melbourne International Arts Festival. It has certainly opened my eyes and broadened my horizen. For those of you in Melbourne, have you attended any of the events during the festival? If not, there are only 2 days left. I highly recommend that you go and have a look!

Inside the "Box"

Reheat Coffee?

Reheat Coffee?

Have you ever reheated your coffee? My close blogger friend Kel over at the X factor has posted a very meaningful entry about bitter coffee > fresh ground beans.

About Coffee: Coffee should not be reheated. Every time you brew a cup, it needs to be fresh. Make only as much as you plan to drink.
About Life: Don't rehash the past. Your past is the reason, not the excuse. Let go of what is gone.

I reflected upon this important lesson, and realized that I have rehased and dwelt on the past, blamed others for my pains, and not facing up to my own responsibilites for my failures at times, even kept on looking back at my hurts and scars. Yes I have reheated cold coffee, which causes bitterness. I believe dwelling on the past is a sin. I must stop using the past as the excuse.

Since the chaos of my darkest ages, and the diagnosis of my medical condition, life for me has constantly been a journey of letting go of some serious scars. Yes there have been many tears and hurts. Yet I praise God for blessing me with many good friends and family, who love and support me, and I am so grateful for them. Most importantly, I thank the Lord for restoring me and healing me. Letting go and letting God is essential!

Like Kel, I've also decided that there will be no more reheated coffee for me (interesting though that I always reuse my tea leaves or teabags, well I'm more a tea drinker than a coffee drink I must admit). All the looking back, wishing, wailing, wondering, even weeping have to go! I know I can't do it myself, but I can do it in HIS strength. May God help me to stop reheating coffee from now on.

Yesterday is history, tomorrow is mystery, today is a gift (that's why it's called the present).

Closing Down Windows

Today I read a suggestion by Pam Farrel (Author of A Woman of Influence) regarding spending extended times with God. She said that closing down the windows of responsibility of one's life is just like we close down the windows on our computer programs. As we slow down, clicking the mouse of our lives to off, we then find we have better reception to what God is saying.

I find that to be really true. That's why I enjoy writing on this blog so much, as it gives me an opportunity to slow down and reflect on things. I also put my heartbeat on paper by freewriting in my journal, logging random thoughts as they enter my mind. I record words, phrases, poems or emotions as I need to release them from the confines of my heart. I find that if I close down my activities, I have much I want to journal back to God!

So what do you do to close down the windows of your reponsibility, or unload the stress of your daily life?

To The Dogs

Lone Twin at Federation Square

After dinner tonight, I headed to one my favourite hang-out places again (yes Federation Square) to see Lone Twin, who is a performance pair from the UK. They are experts in making work that deals with ideas of travel, place, endurance, human interaction and kindness (in a funny kind of way).

For the last 6 days (and tomorrow will be their last day) during the Melbourne International Arts Festival, Lone Twin have been taking to the streets and bikes tracks of Melbourne. They have been cycling around the city (and suburbs) by day and returning each evening at 7:30pm to deliver a performance-dispatch of the day's events from the Yarra steps at Fed Square.

Tonight they reported about their stories of Melbourne city at work, rest and play, and how they connected to them - as they did that, they kept on using the phrase ''to the....." (and would use this funny gesture as they said it) as a way of cheering and giving respect to the people, objects, even anmials (hence the name 'to the dogs') that they had come across during the days past. It was quite hilarious and made people laugh.

What I've gained from their performance (apart from some fun time and laughter) was an insight that as we go about our daily activities, there are bound to be people that we would bump into, (or divine appointments as Bruce Wilkinson calls it ) which allow us to create relationships and connect with strangers in meaningful ways, as Lone Twin had done. That is something I find very interesting and exciting!

What do you reckon?

The Wedding of Cana

This morning at CCBC, my mentor and papa (Professor Brown) shared an important message on "The Wedding of Cana" (John 2:1-11) and how we can relate it to the 'social parties' in this day and age. There were three important "A"s:

Approach

Mistakes some Christians make: to withdraw from going to parties or to compromise in parties. Though a rabbi & prophet, Jesus came to the wedding to enjoy himself.

Attitudes

When you go to a party, you take your Christian faith with you: friendly and helpful In all Jesus said and did, He never lost sight of His mission. He was guided by it. As a Chrisitan, be like Jesus in friendship and enjoy yourself in parties.

Activity (Action)

Jesus saved the wedding by working a miracle. You cannot do that. But be alert, God may want to perform a miracle through you in a party. And remember, Jesus always keeps the best until the last! (like the wine). It's the last days now.

My own reflection: this message was particularly encouraging to me. As an extrovert, going to parties/ social gathering is something I feel 'called' to do often. These three "A"s have given me parametres on how to be an embassador of Jesus through attending social functions. Praise the Lord for these insights.

In India

Woohoo I'm in India with my red boots :-)

We've also 'gone' to the Pyramid in Egypt :-)

Before Mum Goes Overseas.....

Mum and I in Italy

Before my beloved mum heads to Hong Kong, we went to Italy this morning through art that moves us :-) What a technology isn't it?

I went to India

Another destination out of the red shoe delivery service :-)

Red Shoe Delivery Service (MK Guth, Molly Dilworth & Cris Moss) also took my mum, uncle, aunt and I to the pyramid in Egypt :-)

Eyes Fixed

My good friend and fellow World Team mobilizer John Pirrotta has an interesting website called 'Eyes Fixed'

Chalk Circle Arts

This is one of Beverly's great paintings on the Westgate Bridge

If you live in Melbourne and have been to Southgate, I am sure you've seen the fantastic and creative pavement drawings by Bev Issac and her associates.

Beverly Isaac has been a full-time practising artist for 14 years. She achieved her degree in Fine Art (Sculpture) at Victoria College in 1986 and a diploma of Education at University of Melbourne 1991. Although an accomplished painter and sculptor Bev is best known to Melbournians as one of the city's most prolific and original pavement artists. In 1992 she co-founded the special event visual art group "Chalk Circle" to tour Canada, Britain and Europe.The group is still working at the highest level on the International Festival circuit and Beverly's work regularly achieves front-page coverage.

I had been taking photos of Bev's arts, observing and admiring her ability to draw for a long time as I walked past her when she painted for the last few years already. I bought one of her drawings (which she did with her daughter, who is also a great artist) recently. Since then, I have been enjoying chatting with Bev as I walked past Southgate, which is only a few minutes from where I live. I am looking forward to getting to know her more.

I Wish.....

If you look in to a large reflection pool set up in the heart of the Fed Square,
you can see the wishes of festival-goers and you have the chance to add your own too!
For a gold coin contribution I had my wishes made into a small metal object
which I tossed into the pond.

The followings are my wishes:

I wish for world peace.
I wish that all will know Christ and none will perish.
I wish you enough sun to keep your attitude bright.
I wish you enough rain to appreciate the sun more.
I wish you enough happiness to keep your spirit alive.
I wish you enough pain so that the smallest joys in life appear much bigger.
I wish you enough gain to satisfy your wanting.
I wish you enough loss to appreciate all that you possess.
I wish you enough hellos to get you through the final good-bye.

Other heartfelt handwritten messages from young Australians projected onto the Fed Square Big Screen can be read here.

Spring Flowers in Melbourne

Spring Flowers in Melbourne

This colourful peacock is made of various flowers. Gorgeous, isn't it?

Melbourne - Boom Town :)

A recent study by a renowned international design consultation has confirmed what I already knew - Melbourne is a great place to be! :)

Danish urban design consultant Jan Gehl 's study found that Melbourne is "a vibrant, charming 24-hour place" that is livelier, more attractive and safer than most other city centres worldwide (and artistic may I add).

According to city of Melbourne News, in 1982 Melbourne's CBD had only 5 apartment blocks. Today there are more than 240. I thinking Melbourne's transformation is quite thrilling. The widening of pavements in Melbourne city has created more public space and increased pedestrian activity, while improved lighting and its parks in the city has helped to draw people in by making them feel safer at night.

I simply love the city of Melbourne. What about you?

Candlelight Productions Community

he/she/it cast & crew

The he/she/it season finished last night (after 3 weeks of performance and many months' preparation). It was such a joy and pleasure to be part of the crew (and prayer warrior) in the Candlelight Productions Community. I am so grateful for that. I don't know how to describe it, but the world of he/she/it is not just a comedy show during the Melbourne Fringe Festival, it is a portrayal of many relationships today (both on stage and the interactions in the community). It has indeed encouraged me a lot, to seek out healthy examples of relationships and people. I see a community that is so committed and everyone serves others in which they'd like to be served. People engage with people. Considering what it all means for me as I introduce myself and get to know the Candlelight crew and audiences in the front of house (and backstage too) is such an enriching and meaningful experience. I certainly have taken away some key points with me during this season of he/she/it that may guide me towards more fulfilling relationships of all kinds.

The ‘Theatre People’ review is up and running at
http://www.theatrepeople.com.au/Reviews/reviews-%20hesheit.htm

Red Shoe Delivery Service - Art That Moves You

red shoe collections from the delivery service travel agency

The Melbourne International Arts Festival is happening right in the middle of one of the most livable and artistic cities in the world. And it has invited many artists to journey from all over the world to be involved in the festival. There are a variety of arts available to us. Theatre show, dancing, music, movies, visual arts program etc.

One of the very creative art forms is the idea of taking ‘Art’ to the streets of Melbourne through interacting with festival goers - The collaborative group of the Red Shoe Delivery Service (RSDS) - Art That Moves You. The service are US project creator MK Guth, driver and designer Molly Dilworth and video artist Cris Moss . The service takes the mysterious journey into the realities in Melbourne through and enjoyalbe interactive art experience.

Armed with a van, a driver, a photographer, a videographer, and a whole heaps of sparkling shoes, the RSDS team takes you to any where you want to go. As I headed to the Arts Centre today, I went with a high expectation - and boy oh boy, how the RSDS team exceeded my expectation. I had the opportunity to chat with MK and I was fascinated by the imaginative ideas, creativity and her ability to make soooooo many gliterring red shoes. I am looking forward to being 'moved' to more places again during the International Arts Festival. I will surely go back to the RSDS.

Red Shoe Delivery Service

Red Shoe Delivery Service Travel Agency
I had a great 'art date' in both the arts centre and fed square today during the Melbourne International Arts Festival. It was such an enjoyable and relaxing afternoon. The Red Shoe Delivery Service is known as the "art that moves you". It was based on the idea of Dorothy's shoes from the Wizard of Oz. It's a collaborative group from the USA who create an interactive art experience through the magic of multimedia technology, and people are virtually 'transported' to anywhere in the world they want.

As the end of the experience, I got a photo as a souvenir of my 'trip' to Raj Mahal Palace in India. And it was so cool! :-)

Account Your Blessings

CCBC's anniversary is coming up on 6 November, and I've been asked to organise a drama presentation to celebrate it. These past two days saw me thinking about all the blessings that I've been having since I joined CCBC (well although at times there were heaps of challenges and difficulties as well). God gave me an inspiration to write a short script about 'accounting your blessings and thanksgiving' (based on the idea of 'thanks returns' as opposed to 'tax returns').

What about you? Have you been taking your blessings for granted? Do you give thanks to God in ALL things?

Melbourne - Australia's City Of The Arts

If you are in Melbourne, check out the Arts Directory Listings in The Age today, tomorrow and Saturday. There is a review of he_she_it at Melbourne Fringe Fesitval ( http://kittycheng.blogspot.com/2005/09/hesheit-melbourne-fringe-festival.html ). It was a fair evaluation. These are the last few lines of the review: “...outstanding performances mixed with a great soundtrack, in what could only be described as a wonderful story. It was so refreshing to attend theatre that speaks the truth about our fight for power. I could even go as far as saying that the story behind He/She/It has the potential and the market to make a great Australian film. It’s just quality Australian writing. I eagerly await the future works of Candlelight Productions.” The final show of he_she_it will be on Saturday night at 8pm. If you are interested, please contact me asap so I can reserve tickets for you. I highly recommend it!

Apart from the Melbourne Fringe Festival, I am also extremely excited about the Melbourne International Arts Festival that is happening from today till 22nd October. I am interested in a few things and I am going to check them out, mainly the freebies, but might go to some of the other ones too. I'll certainly be going to the ride-in movies at the Federation Square, Red Shoe Delivery Service Travel Agency at the Arts Centre, The Dogs and Ghost Dance. Well if you are in Melbourne and thinking of taking part in the festival, please let me know, perhaps we can go together!

Treasure in Jars Of Clays

Tonight at LivingRoom we had a great Bible focus night. The theme was on seeing God in the mundane, ordinary and small things in our daily lives. I was struck afresh by the concept of us being jars of clays (things being of mundane value yet treasures).

“But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body.” (2 Corinthians 4:7-10)

The challenge was to impact people and make a difference in the mundane through touch, acts and words. One of the examples we were reminded of was how Jesus touched the lepers (someone deemed unclean) and made such a difference in their lives. I feel that we should certainly consider how this might shape our approach in life and ministry.

Some questions we were pondering as we went through the theme included:

o Can you see the deaths, divorces, job losses or changes, disappointments, surprises and successes on people’s faces and lives – and how do you make a difference in their lives?

o Have people been happy, sad, disillusioned, or gratified because you are in their lives?

o How do we see the extraordinary God in our ordinary lives?

o How do we represent the extraordinary God in our ordinary lives?

Would be interested in your answers!

5 Things (7)

This is the last of the 5 Things posts. I've been enjoying doing this, Thanks John.

Now 5 people I want to do this (it was a difficult decision, but I have chosen 5 of my aussie mates):

1. Kel
2. Rodney
3. Susan
4. Christop
5. Tab

Vincent Van Gogh's Starry Night

I always think that we can encounter God through art. I came across Van Gogh's Starry Night on the internet tonight, and found it to be such a powerful painting that can draw us to God. When I look at paintings, I always ask questions: eg: why would the artist paint the sky this way? why did he use those colours? why did he paint in that particular style etc. Artists communicate their feelings through their arts (be it painting, poem, song, mime, dance or drama), which is always beyond a mere physical or scientific description. I reckon this is much more powerful than straightforward words. So consider for a moment that Van Gogh might have been feeling something so powerful that he had to go beyond the familiar to express it through this painting.

Van Gogh was suffering from a mental illness called "acute mania with hallucinations of sight and hearing." I can imagine that he frequently was living in fear that he would never escape his 'prison'. I can imagine his battle because I also face my own personal fear. In fact, I believe we all do, whether it be medical condition, the loss of a loved one, financial worries, addiction, or any of the troubles that make us wonder whether God knows of our suffering; whether He will ever truly deliver us from affliction. In such moments it is tempting to collapse in hopelessness.

But if you look closely to the painting, you'd realise that the sky that swirls across the canvas shows vitality and power that speaks of God's presence. The stars explode in radiance. The earth seems to respond to the movement in the heavens, forming its own living waves in the mountains and the rolling trees beneath them. In the sleepy village, the windows of the houses glow with the same light that illuminates the universe. The church steeple in the center seems to struggle to point to God, who is so alive in this scene. But the little church is dwarfed by the cypress trees at the left, which seem to capture the joy of the inhabited creation around them by erupting in a living flame of praise.

Vincent's desire to be useful, transforms into the wish to become an artist while still be in God's service. He writes: "To try to understand the real significance of what the great artists, the serious masters, tell us in their masterpieces, that leads to God; one man wrote or told it in a book; another, in a picture." This really inspires me!

5 Things (6)

5 celebrity crushes

1. Mel Gibson (Passion of the Christ)
2. Russell Crowe (A Beautiful Mind)
3. Tom Hanks (Cast Away)
4. Andy Lau (Ah Fu)
5. Colin Firth (Love Actually)

What Is Your Love Language?

I recently finished re-reading Gary Chapman's book "Five Love Languages" and found it insightful - here goes the summary:

Love Language #1:Words of Affirmation
Verbal compliments, or words of appreciation, are powerful communicators of love. They are best expressed in simple straightforward statements of affirmation

Love Language #2:Quality Time
A central aspect of quality time is togetherness. Two people sitting in the same room are in close proximity, but they are not necessarily together. Togetherness has to do with focused attention. Quality time does not mean that we have to spend our together moments gazing into each others eyes. It means we are doing something together and we are giving our full attention to the other person.

Love Language #3:Receiving Gifts
Gifts are visual symbols of love. Most wedding ceremonies include the giving and receiving of rings. The person performing the ceremony says, "These rings are outward and visible sings of an inward and spiritual bond that unites your two hearts in love that has no end." That is not meaningless rhetoric. It is verbalizing a significant truth—symbols have emotional value.

Love Language #4:Acts of Service
Such actions as cooking a meal, setting a table, washing dishes, vacuuming, removing the white spots from the mirror, getting bugs off the windshield, taking out the garbage, changing the baby’s diaper, painting a bedroom, dusting the bookcase, keeping the car in operating condition, cleaning the garage, mowing the grass, trimming the shrubs, raking the leaves, walking the dog, and changing the cat’s litter box are all acts of service. They require thought, planning, time, effort, and energy. If done with a positive spirit, they are indeed expressions of love.

Love Language #5:Physical Touch
Physical touch is also a powerful vehicle for communicating love. Holding hands, kissing and embracing are all ways of communicating emotional love to one’s partner. For some individuals, physical touch is their primary love language. Without it, they feel unloved. With it, their emotional tank is filled, and they secure in the love of their spouse / friends.

Out of these 5, which one is your love language (for giving and receiving)?

5 Things (5)

5 things I say most often

1. Cool / Wow :-)
2. Thank you Lord
3. Good onya
4. I love you (I say that to my dear mum every day before I leave to work)
5. (God) bless you

My Medical Condition - thanks for your kindness

Since my last entry "My Medical Condition" regarding bipolar, to my surprise ...I got quite a few email responses and some comments from personal friends and blogger friends alike. You would be very interested to know that a number of people shared their own struggles with various forms of mental illness with me and all I can say is that I am privileged to be the one that you shared your stories with. Thanks so much! I really appreciate it!

I'm also glad that I felt free to talk about this openly, as well as receiving so much support, encouragement and love from my family and friends (including my personal friends and friends in the blogosphere). I hope a positive reception to me discussing it here has helped wash away any perceived stigma for the condition as well. Another friend of mine in Melbourne who also has bipolar told me that sharing her journey with people has helped her understand and accept whom she is :-)

My lovely blogger friend Kel also told me about the benefits of art therapy (as she has recently completed studies in art therapy and knows that it could be a very helpful tool for my condition). I would really love to give it a go, especially art is something I really enjoy anyway. I learned that painting and art can be a great medicine, and creativity is the opposite of depressive illnesses. I suppose that is probably the reason why I am staying healthy nowadays, as I have been involved in creative arty stuff~~! Would love to learn more about it all.

Kel has also suggested an article in The Age on this site for more information on the benefits of art therapy, which I found useful. And the followings are some of the testimonies of people who have experienced this modality :

KAREN Hall has bipolar disorder — the condition formerly known as manic depression — and no one was more surprised than her when she enrolled in an art therapy course and started painting flowers.
She's interested in computers and architecture, not flowers. She's not a flower person at all. But that's what she painted.
"It's not the sort of thing I expected to paint," she said. "Never in a million years."

Ms Hall, 28, of Coburg, enjoyed the experience so much, and gained from it in ways that traditional therapy hadn't reached, that she bought paints and brushes to use at home.

For fellow course member Christine Myhre the stakes are higher. She said the art therapy course had saved her life. "I have been suicidal," she said, "but this course keeps me going."

Ms Myhre, 55, of Geelong, suffers from acute depression, but she finds it is softened and sometimes even cured by turning up once a week to Prahran's Victoria Clinic, where the course is held.

Organisers believe the Creative Solutions day program is the only hospital-based art therapy course of its kind in Australia.