31

OCT

Space

posted on Saturday, 2009.

02

AUG

Breaking Down the Barriers

posted on Sunday, 2009.

“For he himself is our peace, who has made the two one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility…” (Ephesians 2:14)

 

 

Walls are necessary to protect a city or a nation from its enemies. The Great Wall of China stretches over approximately 4000 miles and was built to protect the northern borders of the Chinese Empire in the early century. Similarly, in Europe, many castles were built in the age of war with its high towers and thick walls to control and protect its land from enemy assaults. A broken down wall would make the city an easy target and vulnerable to enemies’ attacks. It would be foolhardy in such situations to leave the walls in its state of disrepair.

 

However, in sharp contrast to walls that protect, there are “hostile” walls that need to be broken down - invisible walls that cause division or are barriers to our relationship with God and with others. Sins, disobedience, unforgiveness, discouragements and disappointments, are some examples of the “walls” that separate us from God and others.

 

Ironically, if you read the gospels, you will discover that often than not, it was the crowd who got into Jesus’ way. Metaphorically speaking, the crowd became a “dividing wall of hostility” to others who are seeking God. The crowd of scribes and Pharisees would find reason to accuse Jesus, watching to see if He would heal the man with a withered hand on Sabbath. It was the crowd that told blind Bartimaeus to shut up as he cried, “Son of David, have mercy on me.” It was also the crowd that blocked Zaccheus from seeing Jesus but Zaccheus climbed up a sycamore tree as Jesus was passing by. The crowd were also the ones that prevented Pilate from releasing Jesus but called out “crucify, crucify Him!”

 

As ambassadors of Christ, we have to honestly ask ourselves, are we like Jesus reaching out to the lost and needy or are we like the crowd that became a barrier to others who are seeking God.

 

When the crowd saw Jesus went with Zaccheus, they were quick to judge and grumble that, “He had gone to be the guest of a man who is a sinner.” (Luke 19:7) Little did they know the transformation that was already taking place in the heart of Zaccheus. Who could imagine that a chief tax collector would have a 180-degree change of heart? Zaccheus did not hesitate to confess to Jesus - “Behold Lord, half of my possessions I will give to the poor and if I have defrauded anyone of anything, I will give back four times.” And Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, since he also is a son of Abraham. For the Son of Man came to seek and save the lost.”

 

10

APR

Why Sufferings?

posted on Friday, 2009.

 

We remember Jesus’ death on the cross today. Have you ever wondered why Jesus had to suffer and undergo the cruel torment of a form of execution reserved for criminals? Just think about it, God is so powerful; He wouldn’t even have to lift a finger to do anything. At His commands, the winds stood still. At His Words, the world was formed. He could have come up with something more ingenious or spectacular, yet he chose the path that seem so unfathomable to us. Why would He even consider the option of such mortal suffering? The Bible tells us, “He was pierced for our offenses, crushed for our sin; upon him was the chastisement that makes us whole, by his stripes we were healed.” (Isaiah 53:5) Arguably, God could have easily pardoned our sins without having to suffer. Clearly, these are issues too perplexed for us.

 

It was not surprising that the two disciples on the road to Emmaus were just as confused about Jesus’ death on the cross. They were hoping that Jesus would be the one to redeem Israel. When they received news from some women concerning the empty tomb and the angels’ proclamation that Jesus was alive, they did not know what to make sense of it. In the midst of their bewilderment, Jesus rebuked them “O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into his glory?”

 

How foolish it is that we all can easily get into the muddle of trying to figure out God with our shallow reasoning. What if God does not fit into our own perceived theology, would that negate who God is? Obviously not! Would it amaze you to know that God would consider and actually live like one of us, to suffer the injustice, prejudice, hatred, misunderstandings, pains and hurts. Just think about it, why would God, the Creator of our universe come down to our level? God did not just make a sweeping statement that He loves us but more than just being a relational God, He demonstrated His love for us. Often, when we see someone whom we love suffering, our compassion may drive us to the thought or desire of taking that person’s place to relieve them of their pain and in a nutshell, God took our place of suffering to bring us hope and redemption.

 

We are told that Jesus, “…though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the form of a servant being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on the cross.” (Philppians 2:6-8)

 

21

MAR

An Unlikely Hero

posted on Saturday, 2009.

 

Out of the many heroes in the Bible, Gideon would probably been voted “most unlikely to succeed.” He was a whiney character, the weakest link, and a coward to be exact. Pessimistic, unsure of himself and full of excuses, who would ever imagine that Gideon was even hero material? Gideon himself was stupefied when the angel addressed him as a “mighty man of valour” and ordered him to go in his might to save Israel from oppression under the Midianites. Gideon probably pinched himself to see if he was awake or dreaming.

 

Despite those self-doubts Gideon had, God saw the “hero” in him. Gideon and the Israelites were then living in a climate of fear. They were oppressed by their enemies and had withdrawn to the dens in the mountains and caves. They were also in dire economic crisis. Whatever crops they had planted were devoured by their enemies “leaving no sustenance in Israel and no sheep or ox or donkey.” It was in such circumstances that we find Gideon beating out wheat in the winepress to hide from the Midianites.

 

More often than not, we are like Gideon clouded by our own fears, inadequacies and circumstances. We would rather fend for ourselves than pursue the social justice of others. Perhaps, it never dawned on Gideon that he could be the one - a hero to rescue his world.

 

I am reminded of the lyrics of the song, “Hero” beautifully penned and sung by Mariah Carey, “There’s a hero if you look inside your heart, you don't have to be afraid of what you are. There's an answer if you reach into your soul and the sorrow that you know will melt away. And then a hero comes along with the strength to carry on and you cast your fears aside and you know you can survive. So, when you feel like hope is gone, look inside you and be strong and you'll finally see the truth that a hero lies in you.”

 

You don’t have to look far to find a hero. Mr Han Kian Teck, an artist entrepreneur was recently featured in the Straits Times. He is a gem of an artist who is working on a masterpiece not with crayons or paints but with humans. As conveyed in Mr Han’s own words, “I want this to be a masterpiece. I want to paint it with laughter, tears, happiness and sadness. I want this to be something which a lot of people can see, and use, and benefit from.” Like the good Samaritan in the Bible, Mr Han took in a Bangladeshi construction worker who had lost his job – fed him, gave him a room in his house to stay and even gave him a job at Hans Art Gallere. Mr Han had also gone the extra mile for many others- the ex-convicts, the financially challenged and the retirees. Although far from completion, his unfinished masterpiece has already captivated our attention and I hope his work of art will revolutionise the hearts of many during this recession. It is so easy to be caught up with our own world during such tough times but the selfless acts of Mr Han is an inspiration to all. Kudos also goes to Wong Kim Hon, the journalist who gave us the story and continues to inspire ordinary citizens through his writings!

 

23

FEB

Arigato Gozaimasu

posted on Monday, 2009.

“Arigato!” (“Thank you!”) This is one Japanese phrase you can’t do without in Japan. Even though you may be linguistically handicapped, language is no barrier to enjoy the charm of Japan. It is an experience to be savoured and if it’s your first visit, Japan will grow on you.

 

 

All heroes long for adventure and I for one was like a hobbit venturing out of my “Shire”. Although, armed with a lonely planet guide borrowed from the library, nothing prepared me for the mundane challenges ahead- buying a train ticket, figuring out how to use the subway, getting lost and finding directions, ordering a meal and using their sophisticated lavatories that feature a self-raising or closing toilet lid, a seat-warmer plus many other complicated gadgets that I could not decipher. There’s always something new waiting to be discovered if you are observant enough.  

 

Here’s my top ten list of my most memorable moments in Japan.

 

1. Kobe beef you must try.

“Kobe beef is a delicacy renowned throughout the world for its succulent flavor and exorbitant prices.” This was the most expensive meal that I splurged on during my entire trip but it’s absolutely worth it. One can indulge in an 80-minutes “eat to your heart’s content” of Kobe beef in this restaurant with a panoramic view of the picturesque Kobe habour front (Check out Ryu-En 2f-63 @ Mosiac, Kobe). For starters, we tried different parts of the beef. The beef belly and the liver were my favourite.

 

 

 

2. Universal Studios you must see.

It’s every kid’s dream to be in Universal Studios and I was one of them full of glee and excitement. I can just imagine how much more jubilant and electrifying the entrance to heaven will be, as compared to the awesome welcoming sights and symphonic music of Universal Studios. However, it’s a real challenge to be able to complete all the rides within a day unless you have an express pass, so it’s good to get there early on a weekday. The waiting time could be as long as 80 minutes but it is worth the wait. One is being transported to a spectacular world of fantasy – Terminator 2:3-D, The Amazing Adventures of Spiderman, Jurassic Park, the land of Oz, Jaws and the endearing E.T. Adventure. These were some of those thrilling rides we took.    

 

 

3. Osaka Kaiyukan Aquarium you must visit.

This is the closet you will ever get to a 4.61m whale shark and see it up close, it’s simply breathtaking. We thought we could just hurried through this tourist attraction but we were simply overwhelmed and mesmerised by this awesome aquarium that housed some 15 tanks with a capacity of 5,400 tons, the largest in the world. 

 

 

4. Japanese Samaritans you must meet.

Being linguistically handicapped can be a blessing, as one is compelled to move out of his or her comfort zone and approach others for help. It is through such encounters that you meet the good Samaritans who go out of their way to assist you, be it showing you the direction, telling you which platform to take the right train, snapping a photo of you or willing to pose for your camera.

 

I was blessed to meet kind people like these throughout my trip! Peace! Arigato!

 

5. Shopping Malls you must not missed.

Isetan, Sogo, Daimaru, Takeshimaya. These are mega malls familiar to us but they are distinctly and uniquely Japanese. Shopping here is definitely expensive but it is worth a visit. Do check out their food department, usually at the basement. With Valentine’s Day around the corner, most of the malls had one level devoted to chocolates and they were swamped with ladies. I think I was the only thorn among the roses. Fancy elegant chocolate high-heel shoes or a chocolate painting of Mona Lisa? I only found out later that it was Japanese culture for the ladies to buy gifts for the guys on Valentine’s Day which explained the ladies’ presence and their absolute craze for chocolates.

There are also lots of shopping streets like Shinsaibashi-Suji, Ame-mura for you to explore in Osaka. Do make sure that you have on a good pair of walking shoes as you will be doing lots of walking. If you are on a tight budget, you can also shop at the 100 Yen shop or Diaso outlets.

 

6. Kyoto, Kobe & Nara are places you must go.

Kyoto is one of Japan’s ancient capitals and is a nice contrast to modern Osaka. Although many of Japan’s tourist attractions are mainly religious sites, one can still enjoy the uniqueness that each place has to offer. We were pleasantly surprised to discover an Anglican church in the heart of Nara in the midst of its many religious sites. Take time to stroll and if you are there just for a day, you have to plan whether you want to sight-see, shop or eat or do all three.

 

Kyoto

 

Kobe

 

Nara

 

7.  Subways, Trains & Buses are rides you must take.

It can be a daunting task if it’s your first time getting a train ticket. I stood a long time before the ticket machine, studied the map, fiddled with some buttons and observed what some commuters did, before finally buying my first train ticket. The subway system is pretty much a maze for first-timers. I got lost for an hour trying to get to Osaka station as I had mistaken Shin Osaka for Osaka station. The best way to ensure that you get to your destination is to ask the people around you. Always check with the stationmaster’s office for the correct platform for your destination, they are fantastic help.

 

 

8. Yummy Food you must eat.

Japan has glorious food! Oishii! (Delicious!) Sushi, Sashimi, Tempura, Sukiyaki, Yakitori, Okonomiyaki, Domburimono, Udon, Soba, Ramen… and you must try Takoyaki (Octopus Ball, a specialty of Osaka!), Japanese Pastries, Green-tea Ice-cream … By the way, even though it’s in winter they will serve you chilled water with ice cubes together with your meal.

 

 

9.  Trends you must catch.

It’s strange but I observed that generally everyone seemed to be wearing the same kind of clothes with uniformed colours of black, grey, dark navy blue and I really stood out in the crowd in my bright chirpy green jacket. You could hardly see anyone wearing bright happy colours. Is this a fashion trend in winter or a reflection of their colourless world within? Nevertheless, there’s always the exception to the norm with someone making a statement with his or her outrageous outfit in sharp contrast to the ordinary. By the way, manga (comics) is not just for kids but it’s common to see grown men reading manga on the train. There is certainly lots of quirky stuff to look out for in Japan.

 

 

10. Niceties you must remember.

“Irasshai-mase!” This is a common phrase you will be greeted with whenever you enter into any Japanese shop. Customer service is top notched in Japan. When you make a purchase and they know that you are getting it as a gift, they will have your gift beautifully wrapped and will even include extra pretty paper bags for you without you asking. And if you are carrying lots of stuff in your hand, they would offer you a big paper bag to put them. In one particular pastry shop in Kobe, when they realised that we were tourists, they were very generous in giving us some really nice samples to try. Their hospitality really touched our hearts and made our trip to Kobe memorable! Arigato!

 

 

The Japanese are not only creative and innovative in their product design but you will notice that they are very civic –minded and always have others in mind. If you are taking the train, you will notice markings on the floor that tell you the queue is for the elderly, pregnant ladies or women only. When you enter the train, there are heaters beneath the seats to keep your legs warm in winter. Also, you are able to reverse the seats so that you are facing the direction that the train is moving.

 

Quality is very important in Japan. A Japanese told us that you will never find a curved cucumber sold in Japan. If you grow cucumbers and they are crooked, you will have to eat it yourself or throw away. Only straight cucumbers are sold in Japan. I do not know how true this is but one can hardly dispute the quality of stuff made in Japan.

 

This has certainly been a memorable journey for me and I savoured every moment. May it be just as wonderful a trip for you if you are heading for the land of the rising sun.

 

18

JAN

Ordinary Heroes

posted on Sunday, 2009.

I am a fan of “Heroes,” the TV hit series. I am always fascinated by stories of ordinary human beings with superhuman abilities. Oxymoron isn’t it? If we are endowed with superhuman abilities then we would be anything but ordinary. Imagine the ability to soar in the sky or to be able to listen to the thoughts of others? What if we could freeze time or travel back in time? Are these notions just figments of our human imagination or are they indication of an awareness of the intense longing within us to emulate a “Super Hero” who is already out there.

In the Gospel of John we read “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him and without Him was not anything made that was made...and the Word became flesh and dwelt among us and we have seen His glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father full of grace and truth.”

I am baffled that God with all His super divine attributes would choose to become one of us. A “Super Hero” living among us. Unlike the fictional Clark Kent in suit and tie, working in Daily Planet with a secret identity, and rescuing the victims as costumed Superman, Jesus was as ordinary as the Jews of His time who lived among them to show them the way, the truth and the life. He did not hide his divine identity from others but demonstrated the constant unmerited mercy and grace of God. Jesus’ life on earth and his sacrificial death on the cross paved the way for us to live life above the ordinary in a relationship with our supernatural God. We are no longer trapped in a victim mentality, waiting to be rescued but we all can be transformed into heroes on a mission.

Perhaps some would argue or object that “if Jesus was God as well as Man, then He had an unfair advantage which deprives Him for them of all value”. However, this line of reasoning would be skewed as ingeniously pointed out by C.S. Lewis “...it seems to me as if a man struggling in the water should refuse a rope thrown to him by another who had one foot on the bank, saying, ‘Oh but you had an unfair advantage.’ It is because of his advantage that He can help.”