Moving Out

Switched me blog to

http://shaunkjw.wordpress.com

Think of it as a change of perspective. You never know what might happen. :)

Excited,

Shaun

The Thought

I've been thinking about this for quite a while.

Lately, passings & funerals have been aplenty. Well, not that many, but enough to eclipse the number that I have been through in the past few years.

Sometimes, sitting there listening to all that has been shared about the person, gets me thinking,

What kind of life have you actually lived?

One that is full of incompletion? regret? or fulfillment?

Its all about the legacy that you leave behind.

A friend told me this story about a real-life person:

A newly graduated doctor, who started Med School at the age of 16 and aspires to be a pediatric neurosurgeon, put every dollar he made into a retirement fund.

His goal in life wasn't to get a big fancy car, or a big fancy house.

He wanted to retire at the age of 30, so that he could spend the rest of his life performing brain surgeries for free.

That's a legacy.

What kind of legacy are we all leaving behind?

Challenged,

Shaun

The Return

I'm back! Hopefully with more updates this time round.

Till then, I have only one thing to say here:

Kaaaa-chaaaak!

Inside joke, do ignore me this time round, heh.

Vivid,

Shaun

Selah

Its been just too busy & tiring for me.

I'm going to need all His strength to get myself through this period.

Till then, updates shall be put on hold.

Still, I know I will come out victorious.

Leap,

Shaun

The Request

Probably going through the toughest week I've had in 2010.

Many tougher weeks ahead, I'm sure.

Still, your prayers are much appreciated.

Believing for God to pull through!

Late nights,

Shaun

The Gracious Hand

Its been a week since I've last updated my blog.

The people to whom I made promises should be angry with me for not fulfilling my blogging pledge. They ought to cast stones at me.

Still, its grace that keeps me standing in realisation that I am forgiven.

Of course, I'm not here to talk about such (quote Joel Ryan) "shallow pallow" stuff. :)

Where would we be without grace?

Such wonder, is it to know that after all the dirt we've got on our hands, all the wrongs that we've done in the past, that a God would still love us enough to call us His children.

Unfailing love, that I can look to Him in times of being stuck in the mud, offer up nothing but the faith of an empty hand, and know that He will still pull through.

We don't deserve it. Wretches like you and me. That's why the extent of it is just so incomprehensible.

Amazing grace. Oh, amazing grace.

Joining the chorus,

Shaun

The Fresh Perspective

Throughout life, I've definitely been hit with a number of disappointments and bad decisions. The latest one being about 2 hours ago.

I should be bitter. I should be angry.

Then again, what right have I to sulk and complain considering all the blessings that I've received?

Such a small obstacle in the journey of life can never compare to the number of clear and breathtakingly beautiful paths that God has set before me.

You're on a road, Shaun. Looking back gets you nowhere. Start looking forward.

Breathing in,

Shaun

The Killjoy

Sorry to disappoint you boys and girls,

but

to lust and to love are two completely different things.

to crush on and to cherish determines the true character of a relationship.

The question is, can you differentiate one from the other?

Of rights and wrongs,

Shaun

The Invisible Hand

Most times, we're always wondering how we're gonna get out of the mess we're in.

Little do we know that God has already laid out a master plan for us. All we gotta do is have faith, listen and be patient.

Patience.

Easier said than done, I know.

But thats where the test really lies, doesn't it? If it was gonna be THAT easy, then there wouldn't be a need for hope or faith anymore, no?

The best way to ruin an amazing plan set for us is to rush things. Take things into our own hands, thinking we know better.

Trust the potter. He knows the clay better than any of us do.

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." - Jeremiah 29:11

Trusting,

Shaun

Of Need and Righteousness

Standing on the side of the road, he was immersed in thoughts of how funny the guy across the street looked, while tapping his foot to the beat of the song playing in a nearby cafe.

A car pulled up beside him. "Hey you", said the man in the front seat. "Your friend there just dropped his wallet on the ground."

Squinting his eyes in the glaring sunlight, he saw a black object on the pavement some 20 meters away from him, followed by a group of youngsters walking away from it. Without hesitation, he sprinted to the congregation of people, deftly picking up the wallet along the way.

"Hey guys! One of you dropped this wallet?"

Heads turned. One by one, they shook their head and said simply,

"No."

He stood there, looking dumbfoundedly at the group of students who just shuffled away nonchalantly.

The wallet opened under his fingertips, and he began searching for some form of identification. Train tickets and Salon Cards in Korean popped up in front of him, and he found what he was looking for. This Korean kid was from the college to his rear.

His fingers then subconsciously opened the compartment that should hold the cash. He gasped. In that little space was 10 blue notes equaling to the high side of RM500, maybe even RM600 if he counted all the red and green ones.

He stared at it for a good 5 seconds. Snapping out from his daze, he looked at his surroundings. No one was looking, no one even noticed he was there. Thoughts formed in his head. The pros and cons of each decision started to take shape.

He could have just swiped all the money in that little pouch, and no human would have known. To think of all the clothes that he could buy! Probably give a little to charity, just to calm his guilt.

Instead, he looked up, closed his eyes, and listened. Seconds passed, and he knew what he had to do. He turned around and walked through the security entrance of the college now in front of him, heading to get the contact number of the unfortunate Korean guy.

He knew from the beginning it was the only thing he would have done.

He was,

Shaun

Temporary Home

Old man, hospital bed

The room is filled with people he loves

And he whispers

"Don't cry for me, I'll see you all someday"

He looks up and says

"I can see God's face"

This is my temporary home, it's not where I belong

Windows and rooms that I'm passing through

This was just a stop on the way to where I'm going

I'm not afraid because I know

This was my temporary home

-Carrie Underwood, "Temporary Home"

Someone quoted it better here.

A powerful truth,

Shaun

The Struggle

Just when you thought you had it bad, someone with even greater circumstances comes along and just gives you a hard knock on the head.

The struggle of faith.

It is never easy.

To believe that everything will turn out alright, what more when the road just looks dark ahead.

It was never meant to be easy.

Then again, the strength we draw from that comfort gives us the courage to go through each day with renewed hope and purpose.

The struggle was always with ourselves.

Once we learn to accept it with a willing heart, the peace comes steadily, little by little.

Our Creator always has our best purposes at heart. Though, not always, it turns out the way we want it to.

The question is, will we walk on? Will we be able to get our feet back on the ground and keep going, no matter the outcome?

How inspiring, to see faith and hope arising in a time of despair and sorrow. Truly, such people will make those new steps.

Come what may.

Dedicated to the family of two amazing young people. My prayers are with you.

Of a new tomorrow,

Shaun

Decisions

To choose between what's safe and what's right.

Such is the measure of a man.

The long road home,

Shaun

It's Alright!

Short update:

Thought you should know that I pretty much messed up the first exam in my med school life.

Still, life goes on. God, You're still amazing to me, and always will be :)

Moving on,

Shaun

Would You Believe?

Would you believe me if I said,

that we are the ones who can make the change

in the world today

Would you believe me if I said,

that all of the dreams in your heart

can come true today

Would you believe me if I said,

that life could be all that you

want it to be today

Would you belive me if I said,

that God can make miracles

happen today

Would you believe me if I said,

that you don't need to wait for the answer before

you step out in faith

Would you believe me if I said,

that nothing is ever impossible

for God

And if I had wings I would fly

'cause all that i need You are

And if the world caved in around me

to You I'd still hold on

'Cause You're all that I believe

and the one that created me

Jesus... because of You, I'm free!

- Hillsong United, "Free"

Singing it out,

Shaun

The (Jesus) Freak

The world labels all of us. Whether we like it or not.

Some people say that to be so crazy about something (or someone) up to a point where you devote your entire life to it, is a crazy man's work.

If we could be so 'freakish-ly' in love with someone, then why not with the person who loved us enough to die for us on the Cross, and bear all our sin?

I choose to be a Jesus freak,

if its what it takes.

Heck, I'm proud to be one.

Getting into the wheelbarrow,

Shaun

The Prayer

God, You really have to help me get through this.

Help them understand why I want to do what I plan to.

Help me find a way to complete this journey I'm on.

I need You.

Desperation,

Shaun

The Two-Faced Contingency

Day after day, our country falls deeper and deeper into a state of backwardness, overt racism and corruption.

Our politicians.

They lie to us.

They bring about a public image of equality and unity.

Yet, behind closed doors, they secretly seek disharmony, injustice and the sorts.

They (very clearly) play a racial card in every decision they make, yet lambaste the minority for (apparently) causing strife in the pursuit for fair treatment.

They say we get what we deserve.

They lie to us.

How then do they explain the incoherent (and violent) displays of supremacy of certain people towards their counterparts of a minor race or religion?

They say we cannot blame them for their actions. It was merely self defence of their rights.

Would the solution have been so diplomatic if the roles were reversed?

They call it "One Malaysia".

They lie to us.

God told us to love our neighbours, regardless of their history, ethnicity or race.

Well, my God did.

As hard to believe as it may be, I actually love my country.

Yes,

I love Malaysia.

With that said, I believe that each race should not be generalised by the idiots that govern them, albeit how vast the number may be.

Yes,

I love my country.

I love my darker-skinned brothers.

Its the people ruling over us that I hold in contempt.

My elders tell me that the land on which we tread is beyond hope.

Honestly, I beg to differ.

I choose to stand for my generation.

Do you?

Of silver linings,

Shaun

Blessed Easter!

A little late but yea,

Blessed Easter everyone!

Tis the day to celebrate the resurrection of our Lord, Jesus Christ!

Such love, that knows no boundaries. I am unworthy, but it's all by Your grace that I stand victorious today :)

Oh happy day, happy day

You washed my sins away

Oh happy day, happy day

I'll never be the same

Forever I am changed

With hands held high,

Shaun

The Weird Vibe

I have been feeling out of sorts lately.

Haven't been able to completely focus on my studies, and have been spending minutes to hours staring into space, just feeling... distant.

No idea what is happening to me.

Ok, maybe I kinda do.

Well, at least I hope I do.

Sigh, actually... No, I haven't had the faintest clue.

Or do I?

See what I mean?

Take me away,

Shaun