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First off, pardon me for this rather long hiatus... haha. On one hand I really didn't know what to type everytime I had the opportunity to drop by... ever since I included the "frivolity" section I am mindful not to write an entry that would eventually be classified under that... Hahaha. But yeah... rather, I find that the scarcity of free time these days has resulted in lesser reflections on my part... and even at this point of writing, my schedules are already packed into the new year with just one more short break (thank God for Char - she is right la... if it's not for her I would be staring at the computer screen 24/7 this season in time... Pa is good. (: ) And yes... I should be sleeping now because I'll have to wake up very early later and make a trip back to the apartment to dump some stuff before heading down to Nick & Beck's wedding... am leading worship.

But I guess certain things that transpired casually over the course of a very good dinner tonight... they're worth a mention and an entry here - something that made me ponder... and probably would serve as a good reminder.

Char and I went for a little housewarming at a friend's place... man we were treated to a really good feast! We eased into the food and conversation began amongst those present... as stories went around, it was mentioned of a Major in an army unit whose ambition seemingly was to tekan (torment) the people under him, treating them like underlings. He would use foul words (he's a university graduate if I'm not wrong) on them and give unreasonable tasks for his men to complete... and as though there was a need to strike a balance off the negative tangent, it was then said of him that he's really devoted in his faith and goes to Bible studies four days a week.

I had a chill pass through me when the latter part was being told over the dinner table... my insides were like, eeyer... why like that...

Lest I become judgmental! Haha... I am reminded that we are all creations of God, all under construction.

The pitfall is that whereas many call upon Jesus as their Saviour, many don't quite catch the implications of the second part, when they are to acknowledge Jesus as their Lord and grow to being more and more like Him, where the fruit of the Spirit are love, joy, peace, patience, kindness... to name a few.

I have my fair share of personal encounters, especially this year, when I officially hold a full time job and get to interact with more people beyond church, both adults (colleagues) and youths (students).

There are colleagues who are believers whom I had rather peculiar not-so-pleasant encounters with... I had to be reminded by my immediate boss (whom I am really thankful to God for... having him as my immediate superior and mentor is like adding a thousand dollars to my salary!! Haha... :P) that I have to learn to be discerning - not all Christians are Christians - I was like. HOR. That makes sense... but I'll rather believe that they've called upon Jesus as their Savior, but perhaps not so much of acknowledging that He's Lord and that they need help in becoming more like Him...

And I must admit that I must constantly check the planks in my eye - I may not be filled with many prickly traits and attitudes on the outward, but I am reminded that God sees me from the inside out... and only He knows how irky it can be sometimes. :|

And youths? It's always been the case that it is more tolerable for me to look beyond the ignorance and incongruence for the professing youths... they are after all growing in their faith and learning what it means to follow Christ and carry His Cross. It's a joy that I'm given the opportunity even to witness the transformational power of the Cross in the lives of individuals who took that step of faith... and beyond that, got themselves discipled along the way. :)

And that... will be the mark of God working and growing us to becoming more like Him. The next chapter of the Major's life has yet to be written... probably somewhere down the road that transformation would occur. And it will probably be so for others... myself as well. And for those who've yet to know Jesus personally and not just knowing about Him from hearsay, friends, media, books and literature... there'll probably come a time as well.

Knowing Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and Savior can be the greatest service you'll ever do to yourself.

Another Christmas is coming in a few days' time... it'll be yet another time of good cheer, of gift exchanges, of merry making, of love, joy, peace... then come January, everything returns to square one.

Or does it have to?

Know Christ... know Christmas. No Christ... you get mas. mas selamat. Haha...

Head down to Orchard Road these few days (19-25 Dec) and soak in some true spirit of Christmas! ;)