I was just opening the news when I saw this article in The Age “Cyber Attack Smite Atheist Websites”.  The article was about a hack attack on the atheist foundation website – probably in relation to the upcoming Atheist Convention in 2010.

That aside, however, what struck me was the photo that was shown in the article.  It was a  picture of Richard Dawkins (the famous author of “The God Delusion”) standing beside that advertising campaign which says, “There’s probably no God.  Now stop worrying and enjoy your life”.  And it just struck me how even at a global advertising campaign, apparently atheist dare not claim for sure that “There is no God” – they dare only to say that “There is probably no God”.

The whole point of Atheism was the claim that there is no God, there is no Creator, that we all are here just by chance.  So what’s the point of atheism if even the people who hold it don’t dare to stand and claim for sure the essence of their beliefs?  “Probably” is a strong word, it signifies likelihood, but on the other hand, it also signifies that however strong that likelihood is, there is still a chance of it being false.  Therefore, it signifies doubts.   I just think that somehow it is ridiculous (sorry if this is a strong word) to base your belief on something that you, yourself, have even the slightest doubt about.

While I was writing this, it just occurred to my mind how we, as Christians, need to act in comparison to this.  If we, as Christians, do not dare to claim for sure that there is one and only God; that there is one Savior – Jesus Christ, who died and rose again for us; and that He is the ONLY way to salvation – then what is the point of us becoming Christians? Isn’t He the very foundation of Christianity? And if dare to say that we “believe”, it is not enough yet.  We have to base our actions on what we believe in, live according to what we believe in, and defend what we believe in when necessary.

It is written: “I believed; therefore I have spoken.” With that same spirit of faith we also believe and therefore speak

- 2 Corinthians 4:13

Just a thought that I need to put down.

I did not realise that it’s been half-a-year since I last posted here.  I really should write more.

I’m currently reading this book called 101 Hymn Stories by Kenneth W.  Osbeck – it briefly describes the stories behind the writings of 101 classical hymns.   The first song that Osbeck put in his book is “A Mighty Fortress is Our God”, written by Martin Luther, who was the father of Reformation.

1.	A mighty fortress is our God,
	a bulwark never failing;
	our helper he amid the flood
	of mortal ills prevaling.
	For still our ancient foe
	doth seek to work us woe;
	his craft and power are great,
	and armed with cruel hate,
	on earth is not his equal.

2.	Did we in our own strength confide,
	our striving would be losing,
	were not the right man on our side,
	the man of God's own choosing.
	Dost ask who that may be?
	Christ Jesus, it is he;
	Lord Sabaoth, his name,
	from age to age the same,
	and he must win the battle.

3.	And though this world, with devils filled,
	should threaten to undo us,
	we will not fear, for God hath willed
	his truth to triumph through us.
	The Prince of Darkness grim,
	we tremble not for him;
	his rage we can endure,
	for lo, his doom is sure;
	one little word shall fell him.

4.	That word above all earthly powers,
	no thanks to them, abideth;
	the Spirit and the gifts are ours,
	thru him who with us sideth.
	Let goods and kindred go,
	this mortal life also;
	the body they may kill;
	God's truth abideth still;
	his kingdom is forever.

According to Osbeck, one of the important significance of the Reformation was the discovery of congregational singing.  Luther expressed his beliefs in the importance of hymns in many statements including this, ” If any man despises music, as all fanatics do, for him I have no liking; for music is a gift and grace of god, not an invention of men.” and “I wish to compose sacred hymns so that the Word of God may dwell among the people also by means of songs.”

This song itself was based on Psalm 46, and has become a great source of strength especially during Reformation time, for those people who were suffering for their convictions in Christ.  The song was based on Luther’s own hardships, having confronted the corruption of the church at the time.  He constantly lived in  struggles, being marked as an outlaw, and at the time – going against the church meant death.  However, despite all the fears, despite all the hardships, Luther survived it all and continued to stand firm.  He confided not in his own strength but in God’s.

Living in the world that is going against us more and more each day, Christians are faced with the burden of having to stand firm.  There are and will be days when we feel weak, where we no longer have the strength to stand.  But let us constantly be reminded that the source of our strength is not from ourselves, but from Him who has risen from the dead.

¹ God is our refuge and strength,
an ever-present help in trouble.

² Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way
and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea,

³ though its waters roar and foam
and the mountains quake with their surging.

- Psalm 46:1-3

I’m still trying to revise my new year’s resolution list so while I’m doing that (and while I’m deciding whether to put it up here) here’s a song that I liked a lot…I went through a lot of searching on the Internet before I finally was able to find the song because I didn’t know the title of the song and even the one who sang it!  All I remembered were a few lines which I was not even sure were right (and it was proved later, that indeed some of them were wrong).

__________________________________________________________________________

Last Flight Out

by. Plus One

I’m so scared that you will see
All the weakness inside of me
I’m so scared of letting go
That the pain I’ve hid will show

I know you want to hear me speak
But I’m afraid that if I start to
I’ll never stop

[c h o r u s]
I want you to know
You belong in my life
I love the hope
I see in your eyes
For you I would fly
At least I would try
For you I’ll take
The last flight out

I’m afraid that
You will leave
As my secrets
Have been revealed
In my dreams
You’ll always stay
Every breathing moment from now

I know you want to hear me speak
But I’m afraid that if I start to
I’ll never stop

[c h o r u s]

I cannot hold back
The truth no more
I let you wait too long
Although it’s hard and scares me so
A life without you scares me more

[c h o r u s]

First of all, happy new year everyone!

Before I moved on, I just wanted to jot down a few rantings on how noisy yesterday was around my house.  I couldn’t sleep a wink until about 1:30AM because somewhere close to my house people appeared to be having fun with fireworks.  BOOM, BOOM, BOOM…again and again…*sigh…I know it’s new year and all but didn’t they realise that some people needed to sleep!

Anyway, aside from all my rantings…let’s think about this new year.  2009 would be a difficult year, many people are predicting, especially in regards of the world economy and stability.  In my own country, there will be a presidential election and from past experiences pre and post-presidential election are not good times to be around.  And this year it will be more than 10 years after the May 1998 riot and the past pattern seemed to show that in every 10 years time there were chaos victimising Chinese Indonesians.  So 2009 doesn’t look very promising nationally and internationally, does it?

However, while the future seems so bleak, I would like to come back to my family’s quiet time yesterday.  My father was reading from some parts of Genesis, looking at Abraham’s life.  It is shown in those parts of Genesis that throughout Abraham’s life, God gave him a lot of promises.  “I will make you into a great nation”, “I will bless you”, “I will make your name great”…(Gen 12:1)…and throughout Genesis we can find lots of  “will”, “will” and “will”.  Lots of promises and no evidence of it happening soon!  Abraham was blessed with Isaac not 2, 3 years after the promise, but about 25 years afterwards!  And moreover, for most of the promises, Abraham didn’t even live to see them (e.g. Gen 15:5; Gen 17:6,8).

But regardless of it all, Abraham put his trust in God!  So God counted it as righteousness.

“Abram believed the LORD, and he credited it to him as righteousness.”

–Gen 15: 6

Let us learn from Abraham’s faith in God, who knew nothing of what would befall him but followed God’s orders regardless.

We don’t know what the future holds, but we can trust The One who holds the future.

- Our Daily Bread

May all of us have a blessed and faithful New Year.  God bless.

In about 3 more hours 2008 will pass…well, it is still another day in some parts of the world but in where I am now soon I will be facing a new year.

So, before I start rambling about what I will be doing in 2009 tomorrow I shall start by doing a bit of reflection on the year 2008.  2008…what a year.  So many things happened in the year: the drama of U.S. Presidential Election, Heath Ledger’s death, the downfall of the world economy, the bizzare wheather in Melbourne where I was spending most of my time this year…and so many other things.

But for me personally this year has been a year of blessings.  I, for the first time in my life, was placed in a church where I belong, where I do not just receive but can also contribute.  Probably that is the first thing that I am so thankful about to Him this year.  Not just a church, but new friends, new community, a new cell group, and spiritual growth – which although slow but is present.

Another thing would be about my living arrangement in Melbourne, I had to move out earlier this year but I managed to get a good place and up till now am still living there (I’m hoping that I can stay there for another year).  What’s more is that, despite all troubles with my studies (mostly caused by my laziness, I shamely have to admit), I could still pass all my subject (aside from the one subject that I have to withdraw from because of the timetable thingy).  And me getting a job at a good place, and me getting to spend more time with my parents this year because of my dad’s Sabbatical semester (which he used partly to visit us in Melbourne).  And also, I’m very thankful for another year of health, more-than-enough living, and most of all the presence and health of my parents and brothers, and all my relatives.

So many things I was blessed with this year, and I can’t credit it to anyone else but Him.

Of course it hasn’t been an easy year.  I have a year of downfall in my study (which I am now so ashamed of), a year of up and down in my spirituality growth, a heartbreak, etc.  But through it all, I am mostly glad of the chance that He still has given me: another year of life, full of love, family and friends.  When I reflected back to all the things that He has allowed to happen in my life this year, I can’t help but to be amazed by how wonderful His love and works are on me.

Now, now, let me get away from my computer for a while to think and start making a list of resolutions that I can keep for 2009.

I haven’t been writing for a long time about what I have been doing so I guess I should now

I’m currently back home in Indonesia, where the weather was…well, hot all week last week and suddenly (while still hot, and humid, if I should remind you) was showered by heavy rain and thunders; where I should be nervously waiting for my semesterly result (which, btw, will be released in 2 days).  But instead, since 2 days ago I started reading the Twilight series.  I originally purchased three of the series cuz my friend recommended them to me.  Also because I happened to hear that the movie is coming out and people have been so enthusiastic about that.  So few weeks ago I purchased the first three books: Twilight, New Moon, and Eclipse, using these vouchers I got.  I didn’t purchase the fourth book Breaking Dawn, cuz it was at a discounted price already and I thought it would be cheaper when it is already at full price and I can use a voucher on it. I was saving few dollars, I thought, but now I am sooooo regretting it.

I started reading Twilight on Saturday, finished it on a day.  I was so entrapped in the story I couldn’t put it down, I LOVE IT.  And the next day I continued with New Moon, and today I’m already half way through Eclipse.  That’s why I’m regretting not having Breaking Dawn with me, cuz I know I will be finishing with Eclipse soon and I will be soooo dead curious with the continuation.

My only hope is a friend, who, I have purposely e-mailed to get me Breaking Dawn so she can pass it to my big brother who will be going back home next week.

I might be reviewing the books soon here. For the meantime, I’m just going to enjoy reading Eclipse and try not to finish it so fast because I’d be dreading over my stinginess over and over again when I do finish it.

PS: I love Edward Cullen so much.  He is just the most perfect guy ever.  Fictional though, no way a guy so perfect like him exists in the real world.  I am not sure that I like the version played by Robert Pattison in the movie though, I think he suits the character but sometimes he just looks too white — o well, maybe that’s the way he should look in the book but it just looks a bit weird for me.  Also he looks a bit evil in the movie, I like him better when he was portraying Cedric Diggory in Harry Potter.

My favourite song at the moment.  I don’t know why but I just like it, the song keeps resonating in my head often these days.  And I love the video clip as well so I’m putting it up.

__________________________________________________________________________

No Air

by Jordin Sparks (feat. Chris Brown)

Tell me how I’m supposed to breathe with no air

(Jordin)
If I should die before I wake
It’s ’cause you took my breath away
Losing you is like living in a world with no air
Oh

(Chris)
I’m here alone, didn’t wanna leave
My heart won’t move, it’s incomplete
Wish there was a way that I can make you understand

(Jordin)
But how do you expect me
To live alone with just me
‘Cause my world revolves around you
It’s so hard for me to breathe

[Chorus]
Tell me how I’m supposed to breathe with no air
Can’t live, can’t breathe with no air
That’s how I feel whenever you ain’t there
There’s no air, no air
Got me out here in the water so deep
Tell me how you gon’ be without me
If you ain’t here, I just can’t breathe
There’s no air, no air

No air, air
No air, air
No air, air
No air, air

(Chris)
I walked, I ran, I jumped, I flew
Right off the ground to float to you
There’s no gravity to hold me down for real

(Jordin)
But somehow I’m still alive inside
You took my breath, but I survived
I don’t know how, but I don’t even care

(Both)
So how do you expect me
To live alone with just me
‘Cause my world revolves around you
It’s so hard for me to breathe

[Chorus]
Tell me how I’m supposed to breathe with no air
Can’t live, can’t breathe with no air
That’s how I feel whenever you ain’t there
There’s no air, no air
Got me out here in the water so deep
Tell me how you gon’ be without me
If you ain’t here, I just can’t breathe
There’s no air, no air

No air, air
No air, air
No air, air
No air, air
No more
There’s no air, no air

Ooohhhhh…

[Chorus]
Tell me how I’m supposed to breathe with no air
Can’t live, can’t breathe with no air
That’s how I feel whenever you ain’t there
There’s no air, no air
Got me out here in the water so deep
Tell me how you gon’ be without me
If you ain’t here, I just can’t breathe
There’s no air, no air

[Chorus]
Tell me how I’m supposed to breathe with no air
Can’t live, can’t breathe with no air
That’s how I feel whenever you ain’t there
There’s no air, no air
Got me out here in the water so deep
Tell me how you gon’ be without me
If you ain’t here, I just can’t breathe
There’s no air, no air

No air, air
No air, air
No air, air

I was just dropping by a friend’s house today and when I was there his computer was playing songs from my high school times, music such as Boyzone’s and Westlife’s.  I miss that time.

This song was my favourite song from Boyzone.  I saw it on TV long time ago but never knew the title until 2-3 years ago.  I really love the lyrics.  I even thought before, that one day I want my husband-to-be (well..still a looooonnng time in the future) to play this song when he proposed or something.  Haha…that was like my high school imagination.

‘Cos I believe that destiny
Is out of our control (don’t you know that I do)
And you’ll never live until you love
With all your heart and soul.

__________________________________________________________________________

Everyday I Love You

by Boyzone

I don’t know, but I believe
That some things are meant to be
And that you’ll make a better me
Everyday I love you
I never thought that dreams came true
But you showed me that they do
You know that I learn something new
Everyday I love you

‘Cos I believe that destiny
Is out of our control (don’t you know that I do)
And you’ll never live until you love
With all your heart and soul.

It’s a touch when I feel bad
It’s a smile when I get mad
All the little things I am
Everyday I love you

Everyday I love you more
Everyday I love you

‘Cos I believe that destiny
Is out of our control (don’t you know that I do)
And you’ll never live until you love
With all your heart and soul

If I asked would you say yes?
Together we’re the very best
I know that I am truly blessed
Everyday I love you
And I’ll give you my best
Everyday I love you

= Come Play With Me =

__________________________________________________________________________

Photographer: me

Location: The Wailing Wall, Jerusalem

Editings:

Saturation, levels, colors adjusted

Framed & Signature

This little boy was running around, probably trying to play with these birds.  The birds did not seem to care though :p Poor boy.

= Glory in the Highest =

__________________________________________________________________________

Photographer: me

Location: The Shrine of Remembrance, Melbourne

Editings:

Levels adjusted

Framed & Signature

This picture looks a bit similar to me to the picture I took in Jerusalem “Of All Nations”.  I love how the clouds is at the corner of the picture and looks so “shiny”.