No Man's Wisdom

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Jacob — Mon, 24 Jan 2011 00:23:09 +0000

http://diasporado.tumblr.com/

New blog.

Serving Our Neighbour

Jacob — Sun, 23 May 2010 17:05:25 +0000

I’ve been reflecting upon this since a long while back.

Remember those tissue sellers who always bug you at the hawker centres or along Orchard Road? They always seem to encamp at the same spot. Since I started work at Mandarin Gallery, I’m always approached by this old Indian lady selling tissues at the cross junction daily without fail. I wonder if she recognises that day after day I’ve been rejecting her offer. Every night there’s also this old auntie who’ll lay down a picnic mat and display all her wares of daily household items for sale – can food, instant noodles, and perhaps things donated to her by some welfare groups.

Somehow I find that our perspective and reactions to these people have been so conditioned that our hearts are hardened.

We think perhaps, our money’s much better invested in the Church;

They probably ain’t so needy anyways;

Some professional social workers’re gonna tend to them;

This is not a long term solution, they need a mainstream job;

“The poor you will always have with you, and you can help them any time you want. But you will not always have me”;

“This is someone else’s ministry, not mine.”

I’ve nothing against the types of responses mentioned above. I’m just saddened by the critical spirit that has some how crept into my heart and perhaps yours.

Critical about serving, skeptical about the plight of the needy.

Concern about spiritual providence more than physical providence.

Prudence about where our money’s being invested.

They are hindering us from actually giving to the cause of the needy. It ain’t just about giving to the Church so the Church can give to the needy.

YOU ARE the Church.

The next time you see these people, slow down your steps; pause for a moment and take a deep look into their eyes; and who knows you might just see Jesus face to face.

Resurrection

Jacob — Sun, 23 May 2010 02:36:58 +0000

I called through your door,
“The mystics are gathering in the street. Come out!”
“Leave me alone. I’m sick.”
“I don’t care if you’re dead! Jesus is here, and he wants to resurrect somebody!”

Jellaludin Rumi

Knowing and Not Knowing

Jacob — Mon, 03 May 2010 17:25:36 +0000

The further the leader goes in the journey of minding a gap, the more unexpected gifts “happen” to sustain the journey. The leader does not have all the answers, but he does have a story in which wisdom, faith, a compelling sense of call and vocation, and skills of improvisation have been learned. Within the journey itself, leaders gain the wisdom to trust that God will provide what is needed for the next step.

Leading is not about knowing where you are going. It is about starting somewhere and then taking a next faithful step, then another and another. Thus one of the greatest skills leaders must learn in the journey is the art of improvisation – of navigating very concrete contexts with the right measure of knowing and not knowing.

Reconciling All Things, Emmanuel Katongole & Chris Rice

Why

Jacob — Sat, 01 May 2010 02:18:33 +0000

I wake up every morning without fail, wondering if the work I’m doing is even worth the time and effort. If you applied the principles of economics you’ll find that it’s maximum input producing minimum output. I see little point in it. Just for some crazy idea born in the midst of hurrahs, plagued by a series of systematic mismanagement, structural failures and unfortunate tragedies. It’s a constant struggle. It feels even worse to struggle alone. Sometimes I wonder if I can be like Jonah and run away from this mental prison and from everything.

If only there’s a fish to swallow me up for good.

Okay, back to the harsh reality.

The Blues – Switchfoot

Jacob — Fri, 30 Apr 2010 02:45:13 +0000

Is this the New Year or just another night?
Is this the new fear or just another fright?
Is this the new tear or just another desperation?

Is this the finger or just another fist?
Is this the kingdom or just a hit n’ miss?
A misdirection, most in all this desperation

Is this what they call freedom?
Is this what you call pain?
Is this what they call discontented fame?

It’ll be a day like this one
When the world caves in x3

I’m singing this one like a broken piece of glass
From broken arms an’ broken noses in the back
Is this the New Year or just another desperation?

You’re pushing till you’re shoving
You bend until you break
Till you stand on the broken fields where our fathers lay

It’ll be a day like this one
When the world caves in x6

There’s nothing here worth saving,
Is no one here at all?
Is there any net left that could break our fall?

It’ll be a day like this one
When the sky falls down and the hungry and poor and deserted are found
Are you discontented? Have you been pushing hard?
Have you been throwing down this broken house of cards?

It’ll be a day like this one
When the world caves in x3

Is there nothing left now?
Nothing left to sing
Are there any left who hasn’t kiss the enemy?
Is this the New Year or just another desperation?

Does justice never find you? Do the wicked never lose?
Is there any honest song to sing besides these blues?

And nothing is okay
Till the world caves in x5
Until the world caves in x6

Char Siew

Jacob — Wed, 14 Apr 2010 17:26:17 +0000

Can’t resist posting this. I’m craving for the char siew rice at PS Kopitiam and the one at Kovan hawker centre.

Being a novice

Jacob — Tue, 06 Apr 2010 14:00:54 +0000

The thing about working in the kitchen as a novice is that you’ll always have room for improvement. The only limitation is your willingness to learn and the will to improve in spite of the rigour. Cutting meat and veg is mentally challenging if you perceive it as a boring chore, but to master it requires focus of a gymnast threading on a balancing beam and the tenacity of a marathon runner. Seeing people with the kind of experience light-years ahead of me simply humbles me to want to take steps to improve and do better. Be it delicateness or strength, accuracy or speed, all these are crucial factors contributing to a good cut.

That’s one thing good about being a novice! It’s another thing to keep up constant progress when you’re not one.

When that day comes, I don’t want to have a hardened heart.

Sunday Night Reflections

Jacob — Sun, 04 Apr 2010 14:18:44 +0000

Finally breaking this two-week fast from Christian literature and blogs -.-” I was thoroughly un-entertained in the beginning and the boredom from the lack of things to do got hold of me, but as time passes, I moved on to thinking and doing much much more important stuff. No more pushing aside the work of the spirit and be over-reliant on transient ideas.
Two weeks of care group devotions on Passion Week has given me thorough insight into how obedient Jesus was to every word in the scriptures, every prophecy written about him, every command given unto him by God. He could have walked the 200 meters on Palm Sunday into Jerusalem but he chose to ride the lil donkey, an act of greatness in humility. He could have called the twelve legions of angels to his rescue but he chose not to resist his own arrest. His act of submission compels me to do likewise, for Him, because He has set the ultimate example of wholeheartedness and dedication in following the Father’s perfect will.
As flawless as God can be, sometimes we can still be disappointed in Him – For not blessing us in a certain area when we gave our all in serving and advancing His kingdom; For taking away part of our dreams, dreams that must be protected at all costs from our leaders, from church, and even from Him; For not going the way we made Him out to be.The answer to this disappointment is really to reflect and ask ourselves - Who is the one who brought us here today and gave us grace and mercy to be saved from ourselves? Who’s the one who dishes out good and perfect gifts? Who’s the one who said, “come and share in your master’s joy?” Who has already prepared a room for us in heaven? And there ain’t anything comparably more important than – who is God?

If Jesus Christ be God and died for me, then no sacrifice can be too great for me to make for Him.

Life’s Journey

Jacob — Sat, 20 Mar 2010 17:08:06 +0000

Some people take different paths to reach heaven.

There is no need for regret because our ultimate destination is the same!

Though the straight line guy probably died earlier in a car accident.