He is there.

If I would stop searching for answers to my disappointment, my shortcomings and failures, I would then know that none of it matters because God is out there, in His invincibility, He is watching and He wants me to see through Kingdom lenses, to see beyond, to embrace Him for who He is and to seek His face, a glimpse of His glory.

If all I had was one last breath,
I'd spend it just to sing Your praise,
Just to say Your name.
If all I had was one last prayer,
I'd pray it 'cause I know You're always listening,
If I could live a thousand lives, bind the hands of time,
I would spend every moment by Your side.

'Cause I, I know You're there, I know You see me
You're the air I breathe,
You are the ground beneath me.
I know You're there, I know You hear me
I can find You anywhere.

If all I had was one more song to sing,
I would raise my voice to make the heavens ring,
If all I had was one last chance, I'd take it
I would stake it on You.
If I could raise up high and catch a glimpse of every eye,
I would make them believe,
What I feel inside.

I know You're there.

-Jeff Chandler for Casting Crowns.

This song is hauntingly beautiful, it spurs me to live my life just like that. To know that He is there, all the time, His love for each and every one of us is -worth us staking our lives, our faith and our hopes on Him. As Philip Yancey puts it:

" Someone is out there, I realized. Someone is watching life as it unfolds on this planet. More, Someone is there who loves me. It was a startling feeling of wild hope, a feeling so new and overwhelming that it seemed fully worth risking my life on".

London buzz

I was never too keen to go down to London. Never. I had this impression that it was this vast, sprawling, unfriendly city full of people walking too fast for their own good, jostling into the trains during rush hour and perpetually having their noses stuck into 'The London Paper' or ears jammed with iPod earphones.

I also thought London screamed opulence, which I was quite right about, having gawked at the whitewashed elegant buildings, impeccably dressed people walking down the streets, the trendy cafes and shops bidding me to enter in.

But being a cynic isn't very nice at times, because you are proven wrong.
I was (and still am) pleasantly enchanted by this city. It cast a certain spell on me- wooing me to explore all it had to offer and hence, the making of this second trip down.

The curiosity streak I always had since a child left me leaping for excitement as each time I surfaced from the underground, I discovered a new street, a new square- a whole new world of sorts. The sights, sounds and smells, the joy of discovering the shortest route to take on the tube, the plethora of colourful tube lines, each with its distinct character-I was enamoured.

The London Palladium comes alive with the Sound of Music.

Watching a West End musical according to Wikipedia, is a must-do tourist activity in London. Enjoying a reputation as the English speaking world's highest standard in theatre performance, along with Broadway in New York, West End musicals are world-famous and award-winning thus I cannot but thank God for the wonderful opportunity I had to enjoy two musicals so far, The Phantom of the Opera and most recently, The Sound of Music.

The climax of every musical for me is the curtain call; when the stage performers stand hand in hand and take their bow as the audience laud them for an amazing performance. It's almost as if I can savour the sense of satisfaction and achievement from the cast after all the hard work,blood, sweat and tears poured into the production.

Portobello market crowded with weekend bargain hunters

I've never really enjoyed street markets, partly because the only ones I'd been to were the likes of Petaling Street back home, where imitation Rolex watches and Gucci purses abound. So, I really did enjoy Portobello Market in Notting Hill for I discovered that stall vendors actually do sell you authentic silver and vintage jewellery. I spent quite some time trawling the stalls, admiring the knick knacks sold, trying on little trinkets and fancy ornaments and watching street performers serenade the passing crowds with their own brand of music.

The charming Hummingbird Bakery on Portobello Road.

Sunday morning was at Hillsong London in Dominion Theatre, Tottenham Court Road. We were greeted by friendly people in blue tops along the way and thoroughly enjoyed worshiping God as His presence filled the theatre. The worship team was amazing. You can sense the passion, the heart and the worship. Not just the electrifying beats of the drums, the pulsating bass guitar and loud music but real worship. The music was just the accompaniment.

Food was big on our list. We satisfied our rumbling tummies with roast duck on the first night and- such a blessing from Sheena's aunts and cousins as we feasted on home-cooked Chinese fare the second night. There was roast pork, tofu steamed with minced meat, duck (again!), abalone, mushrooms, rojak (made from scratch!), grilled chicken, fried vermicelli and dessert of lychees and Ben n Jerry's. Absolutely stuffed but satisfied.

On our last day, we decided to treat ourselves to a good lunch so off we trotted to my recommendation, Galileo's Trattoria for starters of polenta and bacon and mains of veal wrapped with Parma ham and two different risottos (one with seafood and another with smoked cheese and courgettes). A decadent and sinfully sweet tiramisu completed our meal.

As we boarded the train back to Manchester, we knew the trip was fruitful -we did see a musical, spend quality time together and God was watching and protecting us the whole way. Praise Him for that!

Thank You God for this blessing, You are greatly to be praised! :)

Diamonds in the dust

What I strive for, is to be entirely attuned to God, so much so that all my threads of ugly ( of character, thoughts, speech) cease to exist.

We all, I believe, have a certain thread of ugly. Sometimes, subconsciously, we judge, demean, derogate and stick invisible labels on others. We struggle to have faith in dark times. This thread of ugly surfaces at times, making itself manifest as we cower in dismay.

But, no, I want this thread of ugly in me to gradually dissipate as I strive to be transformed daily into the likeness of Him. I want my faith to soar, in the good times and bad. Even when His ways don't make sense to me, I would refuse to allow seeds of doubt to flourish.

It is very real, the entrapment of the enemy. Just a couple of days ago, my Shanghainese coursemate was reciting a paragraph or so of ' Your Year of the Dragon horoscope for 2009" to me.

There is no superstition in Christ. There is no such thing as good luck. That is why I struggle to hide my repulsion when people exchange 'good luck' wishes just before an important exam.

When we experience a string of unfortunate events or when we go through a rough patch, it is certainly not a case of 'bad luck', but I would like to think that it is us who will come through refined, stronger and victorious because of the hand of the Lord on our lives. So, yes, have faith, bucketfuls of it!

When we believe, what comes naturally would be this mountain moving faith, this unshakable grounded faith that we have in our Lord Jesus. So when the going gets tough, we are not to be moved, but will come forth glittering with hope and confidence, like diamonds in the dust.

Have a blessed week :)

white winter wonderland

Thank You God for You created snow- this powdery fine, icing sugar white thing called snow which drives the inner child in me wild with excitement.

:-)