The Trinitarian

Pilgrim on a journey, the One he seeks to find,

Is He in ancient stories, yet appears through all times.

With the bible in one hand, he starts across the land,

Yet as he reads the Word, he knows he must form a band.

Thus Pilgrim asks and prays, to his Lord his requests lay,

Without any delay, the Lord brought him to this place,

Where pilgrims come together, all to seek His face,

With patience with each other, showing our Lord's grace.

In groups they meet often, much like those ancient days,

With support and encouragement, much fun, food and play.

When it is time for war, these people rise and soar,

Without any restraints, these people pour and pour.

To walk in this journey, with men and women such,

Pilgrim gives thanks endless, to He who blessed him much.

No longer just a loner, but to Trinity's tribe he belongs,

Now a Trinitarian on a journey, swift merry feet hurries him along.

The Trinitarian by Pilgrim

In His Hands

Gifts for exchange, goods for exchange,
Everyone can come, no matter what age,
Nothing is too cheap, and nothing too dear,
There is only one fear - you do not believe what you hear.

"A broken toy is all I have", a little boy laments,
"I broke it with my clumsy hands but I have since repent."
"Give it to me my dear child and go put on a smile,
I can make it new again, just have to wait awhile."

"A worn out shoe is all I have", says a teenage girl in tears,
"I danced and practiced all day long to fit in with my peers."
"Give it to me my dear child and rest your heart and feet,
You are precious and special, these words you must first keep."

"A failed business plan is all I have", a young man interjects,
"I wanted to make a million but now I am in debt."
"Would you trust me and believe me to take a step a time?
Not jump at every opportune just to make one more dime?"

Can we be like that little child with those clumsy hands,
When he knew that he is wrong he will soon repent.
Or are we like the teenage girl, whose eyes were on the shoe?
Unless she first keeps those words new shoes will wear out soon.

Or are we like the young man who had a business plan?
Even with a million, the chasing will never end.
Can we put everything, all in our Lord's hands,
Hear Him and obey Him, not follow what the world demands.

In His Hands by Pilgrim

The Zebra

When I think of stripes and dimples,
Or a man without any pimples,
Zebra comes to my mind immediate,
A handsome man who is a little quiet.

Curious he is when in a conversation,
Many questions he asks to get clarification.
Playful he is and jokes he freely shares,
Helpful he is and this is how he cares.

Blessed with an analytical mind,
To think and ponder – he is the kind.
Perhaps like stripes white and black,
There is no gray in his mental sack.

Black or white, Hot or cold,
Choose only one, we are told.
Not the dark but into light,
Zebra to Pegasus, from ground to flight.

The Zebra by Pilgrim

The Courageous Pilgrim

A Pilgrim is He who not only dreams, but seeks to live the Journey.
Though the Journey may be braced with Mountains and Valleys,
Yet with courage he edge forward, knowing that the Maker of his life is his Firm Foundation.
With every step, He finds himself being drawn closer to the beauty of his Maker.
Each step marks a step of Faith and Trust in the One whom He knows is Sovereign.
Each step marks the building of Spiritual muscle and stamina that not only sustains him, but builds in others the same Fervor and Stamina in the Maker.
Truly, such Spirit and Tenacity is a Wonderful Treasure in the Maker’s eyes.
Surely the words “Well Done, Good and Faithful Servant” will be bestowed as the Pilgrim journey on.
A Delight to the Maker’s heart indeed is Pilgrim’s faith.
A Sweet Offering of Praise and Worship to the Maker is His yielding Heart to the Maker’s Will.
Journey on with Courage, Dear Pilgrim. And remember to enjoy the beauty of the journey that the Maker has for You!

The Courageous Pilgrim by Ant

The Sheep

For clear evidence that laughter is contagious,
Hang around with this Sheep who is infectious,
With joyfulness and always a big smile,
She welcomes and refreshes even if just for a short while.

A sincere heart she has for our Lord,
His face she would everyday sought.
If you too would like to look for the Shepherd,
She is one to spur you onward.

Her opinions she would frankly share,
This is how she shows she cares.
She listens to the hearts of her friends,
It is as if she is holding their hands.

Over many meals would friendships be built,
Cos this Sheep’s stomach is seldom filled,
Just like her desire for our heavenly Father,
She wants Him much more than any other.

The Sheep by Pilgrim

The Three Young Cats

A refined and more detailed version of the story shared in a gathering last Friday.

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Once upon a time, there were 3 little cats. They grew up in a palace together with their father. Although they were brothers, they were very different from one another. The eldest was full of passion and energy, but he has a short attention span. The second was pragmatic, always ready to analyse and plan with cool-headedness. The third was one who was most obedient to the father and purest in heart, but seemingly the weakest of all the cats. They would gather at the window daily, looking towards the jungle near their home, longing for the day that they would be able to go out into the world to prove their worth and experience life.

Finally, one day, the first cat came of age and said to the Father, “I am a son of the great Lion and I have energy and passion, not to mention a great vision for the world. I am ready!” So he packed up his bags hurriedly and went on his way. In less than a year, he was back in the palace. Working non-stop for a few months in a row tire him out and the busyness of life has stripped him of his passion. He decided he needed to rest and came home, and has been resting ever since.

One day, the second cat came of age and said to the Father, “I am a son of the great Lion and people would expect a lot from me. Though I am of age to set out in the world, yet I feel that there are many areas that I am inexperienced and unschooled, I need to learn and read more so that I would not disgrace my Father.” So he spent his time in the library, day and night he was there. And is still there. He never once stepped out of the house.

The youngest cat witnessed the actions of the two elder brothers and thought to himself what he should do. He could not come up with any better ideas or suggestions of what he can and should do out in the jungle. “I am a son of the great Lion, my Father is the One who rules the entire kingdom and jungle, surely He would know what is best.” So the third cat went and inquired of the Father. Day by day he listened and noted on how to manage his life and kingdom, night by night he allowed the words of the Father to stir in him the visions and passion for the kingdom.
When he finally came of age, he was ready. Yet he did not go alone. He asked the Father to give to him the best adviser and guide in the land, one who knew the Father’s heart, so that they might travel together. He asked for a pigeon so that he can always have direct line to his Father in the palace. Whatever he did and wherever he goes, it was as if the Father went along with Him. He was the one, though he was the weakest, yet was the most successful.

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The Pilgrim

Pilgrm on the road,
Unbattered by the storms,
Tenacity he shows,
On every path he goes.
Few are his words,
Yet each is meaningful.
Befriending him,
You'll regret not,
He is giving his all.

The Pilgrim by Oink aka Owl
Have put it up here in case it disappears after some time on the tag board.

The Owl

Just like fruitfulness defines,
The quality of a tree,
A look at her carecell you’ll find,
A leader this Owl is meant to be.

With words of wisdom and knowledge,
She guides His sheep aright,
With a shepherd’s heart she will stage
Opportunities for those below to rise.

Always seeking to grow
To know our Dear Lord more,
Always yearning to sow
Treasures in many hearts she stores.

No doubt in time we’ll see
Much more of God’s imprint,
Bringing her jubilee,
Into her destiny she will sprint!

The Owl by Pilgrim

The Seahorse

There is no one with more celebratory eyes;
Wonderful birthday parties she designs.
With gifts and numerous surprises,
The numbers of people blessed are endless.

Much love for her friends she has,
Obvious from her blog this is.
Her passion no one needs to guess,
Our Lord is the One she please.

If you need to be a little wild,
This Seahorse you must ask for company,
Or someone to shop for things with style,
I’m sure she will go happily.

If you need a friend to listen,
This Seahorse is one you ought to know.
Not someone to argue or reason,
God’s love and patience she would show.

The Seahorse by Pilgrim

The Starfish

Who could reside in the heavens?
At the same time in the seas?
The one guy amongst the brethren,
Who looks good in shirts and tees.

A star he is definitely,
His servant heart often shining!
Be at the altars he is likely,
For many others he is praying.

Not afraid to get his feet wet,
Always teachable and learning.
Into deep waters he won't fret,
He knows God's hand is holding.

So have a blessed birthday Starfish,
Be it in the heavens or the seas.
For God's work to be accomplished,
In you is what we long to see.

The Starfish by Pilgrim

The Polar Bear

Three days of celebration,
With much appreciation,
For our friend the Polar Bear.

With words of encouragement,
Without any judgment,
He would willingly share.

Time he gives freely,
To those that are needy,
He has a heart that cares.

So we ask of our Father,
To bless this brother
Better than the average bear.

The Polar Bear by Pilgrim

Victory at last

My friend the Horse told me recently that I had been on a ten game losing streak (the last time that I won playing with them was way back in June 2003). That was when I just graduated from NTU and started working. Playing sparsely since then, my skills and stamina have both deteriorated. After coming back to the game recently and losing a few games, I was determined not to continue this downward trend.

Coming into the game on Sunday (6th Aug), Horse and myself decided to make some risky changes to our usual tactics, going for the stamina draining man-to-man marking instead of zone defense right at the beginning of the game. We had no idea if we can last the whole game, but it worked to good effect. We won the game with a pretty big margin eventually.

I was glad we won the game, was happier that I played a good game. Gone are the feelings of “if only I had done better in this or that…” or “if I had stamina…” Victory is sweet indeed. The man in the arena has finally gotten a victory.

There is a lesson to be learnt here for me; perseverance and hard work would eventually pay off. The rewards may not be immediate, but coupled with patience, perseverance would reap what was sown.

A line from a story I had written,

“You need to learn to play the right way, with the right attitude, do that and the wins will take care of themselves.”

And even if victory is still elusive, I believe the rewards would come in other ways. The journey builds character; the rewards of character are many.

Thank you Horse. Your hardwork paid off too in more ways than one.

How Sweet

How sweet it is to talk to God above,

Who hears my heart not just my words.

He knows me better than I know myself,

He looks deep within, past my outer shell.

When I have no more words to speak,

To Him yet I will still cling,

For silence with Him though it may seem,

A thousand words have gone between.

How Sweet by The Pilgrim

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Sweet Hour of Prayer

Sweet hour of prayer! sweet hour of prayer!
That calls me from a world of care,
And bids me at my Father’s throne
Make all my wants and wishes known.
In seasons of distress and grief,
My soul has often found relief
And oft escaped the tempter’s snare
By thy return, sweet hour of prayer!

Sweet hour of prayer! sweet hour of prayer!
Thy wings shall my petition bear
To Him whose truth and faithfulness
Engage the waiting soul to bless.
And since He bids me seek His face,
Believe His Word and trust His grace,
I’ll cast on Him my every care,
And wait for thee, sweet hour of prayer!

Sweet hour of prayer! sweet hour of prayer!
May I thy consolation share,
Till, from Mount Pisgah’s lofty height,
I view my home and take my flight:
This robe of flesh I’ll drop and rise
To seize the everlasting prize;
And shout, while passing through the air,
“Farewell, farewell, sweet hour of prayer!”

Sweet Hour of Prayer by William Walford

禱告良辰歌
禱告之時甘甜之時，使我離閞煩惱之事，
來到神的座前發表所有意願，所有需要，
當我遇到重壓、憂愁我魂卻常得著自由
不陷惡者所有佈置，因為有你禱告之時。

禱告之時甘甜之時，如有隻翼載我願辭，
到衪寶座向衪求懇，衪是信實衪是全真。
衪既命我尋求衪面，信衪話語靠衪恩典，
我要將我重擔卸釋，在於你前甘甜之時。

禱告之時甘甜之時，每次相逢慰我心思，
直到我在毗斯迦山，發現我家極目一看，
脫下帳棚安靜等候，信心變見盼望成就，
臨行我必大聲告辭，平安平安禱告之時。

Four Legged Animals

I breathed a sigh of relief after penning the last sentence of a story I am working on. Surely, there is another story waiting for me, but nevertheless, I felt that I could take a breather. There were enough planning, meetings plus other stuff that had taxed my brain to the max recently. Mentally I was exhausted.

I took this opportunity to play a sport that I had once loved more dearly than my own physical body. I can remember the times when I would wake up early in the morning to play before the sun was out, and staying on the court till the lights went out. I can remember running drills till my legs and arms and back were sore, yet in my heart was a joy that was rarely felt. I can remember twisting my ankles, both of them, so badly that they were swollen immediately, yet having the desire to continue playing through the pain, through the injuries, and tasting the sweet scent of victory at the end, or even in defeat, knowing that I had given a hundred percent.

This is why I like the quote “The man in the arena”.

And sometimes, I wonder, where has that man gone?
Nowadays, there are many times I just want to be safe, from risks, from hurts, from pain. Like C.S. Lewis said, “Love anything and your heart will be wrung and possibly broken. If you want to make sure of keeping it intact you must give it to no one, not even an animal.” But deep in my heart I think I would despise myself when I become this man. (Strong words perhaps)

Where is that man who gives everything, his all? Where is the man who has a desire that burns so deeply within him? Where is that passionate man, the imprint of the fierce Lion, who seeks to devour everything that stands within Him and that He Loves? I want to find that man.

Like the overseers said this past weekend, we need to dream, we need to have visions. There are times when we must take care, but there are times when we must take charge.

As I look upon my friend the Horse, the one who started later than me but has since overtook me, I see a glimpse of hope. Through sheer hard work and determination, he has improved to be a front-runner. He is no longer weak, but a force to reckon with on the court. Though not a stallion, he can hold his own among the bigger four legged animals around. From pulling a cargo wagon at the sidelines, now he has become a racehorse applauded for his efforts on and off the court. Thank you Horse. Though you do not yet know Him, but there is a four-legged creature you need to know. He is the Lion and you were made in His image. He is the Lamb too, for He is gentle. And there is the Dove, though not like the other two on the ground, ask of Him and He will lead you to find them.

So in a simple game of basketball, So in life.

Every Day

It had been a great number of days since Pilgrim last updated the book on his right hand. Finding a tree to lean upon, he promptly sat down and wrote…

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Two weeks has passed since the Life Conference, where a thousand pilgrims gathered to learn about this “life” that the Storyteller has for us. A lot of things were shared and imparted. The truths and revelations had definitely stirred hearts to desire more of the Storyteller and the life He offers.

The Son spoke, “I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.” (John 10:10)

And also, “Narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few finds it.” (Matt 7:14)

King David said, “You have made known to me the path of life.” (Psalm 16:11)

Saint Irenaeus concluded, “The glory of God is man fully alive.”

Then Dove perched itself on a branch of the tree. With a soft gentle voice He sang a verse,

“Come to the Father though your gift is small,
Broken hearts, broken lives, He will take them all…”

And once again, the Dove, also called the Spirit of Truth and Revelation, reveals that this song is not just for the not-yet-pilgrims, but a daily call to every one of us on the journey.

The Storyteller is able to restore everything, just like He restored the Son to glory after the crucifixion. He is the One and Only One that gives life!

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The conference is over. Now it is time to live out the teaching, with the Dove as my guide, in every day of my life.

The Right View of the Father

Pilgrim met up with a group of leaders on Thursday, and they were discussing whether the Storyteller of their lives would speak to them when they call upon His name. Whether He would really give us what we want, or only if it is according to His will. Whether we need to ask of Him, whether the asking really matters.

A lot of things were then shared and thought through, alot more prayed through I believe. These quotes and verses are for every one of the leaders, in addition to what had been shared in the book.

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Go not abroad at every quest or call of an untrained hope or passion.
George Herbert

"Everything is permissible" - but not everything is beneficial. "Everything is permissible" - but not everything is constructive.
1 Cor 10:23

Man finds it hard to get what he wants, because he does not want the best; God finds it hard to give, because he would give the best, but man would not take it.
George Macdonald

There is a communion with God that asks for nothing, yet asks for everything... He who seeks the Father for more than anything He can give, is likely to have what he asks, for he is not likely to ask amiss.
George Macdonald

You ask and receive not, because you ask amiss, that you may spend it upon your lusts.
James 4:3 (MKJV)

Test everything. Hold on to the good.
1 Thes 2:21

Beloved, if our heart does not accuse us, we have confidence toward God. And whatever we ask, we receive from Him, because we keep His commandments and do those things that are pleasing in His sight. And this is His commandment, that we should believe on the name of His Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as He gave us commandment. And he who keeps His commandment dwells in Him, and He in him. And by this we know that He abides in us, by the Spirit which He gave to us.
1 John 3:21-24

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O Sweet Dove, open and guide our eyes to the right view of the Father, the same view as that of the Son, that we will not think of Him as the denying one, but the pleasing and giving One, the One that protects us from the bad, the One that witholds the good lest we destroy it with our untrained hearts and hands, only to give it back to us at the appointed time, the best and right time.

The Monkey

Initially when the nickname was given,
A sense of amusement in my heart was risen.
Of all the animals why was the monkey chosen? -
The cousin of the Ape who caused the rebellion.

And yet as I ponder upon thy words,
“I only do my Father's works”
I cannot help but think,
perhaps things are not as bad as they seem.

For whatever a Monkey sees,
Will be what a Monkey does.
If it be Him that's all I see,
A Monkey I'll be if anyone asks.

The Monkey by Pilgrim

Still not Animal Farm

I mentioned earlier in this blog that I am not writing "Animal Farm", that the Storyteller of my life is writing a Big Love Story with me, to me, for me, but it seems that the number of animals has dramatically increased.

From the small humble ant and hamster to the big polar bear, from the sea dwelling sotong and starfish to the high flying eagle, from the domestic cat and rabbit to the wild owl, numbers are being added.

In short, Supper Club is getting bigger. And Supper Club is getting healthier through sports. And most importantly, Supper Club has gathered to spur one another to worship the One who is worthy of worship.

"In God we live every commonplace as well as the most exalted moment of our being. To trust in Him when no need is pressing, when things seem going right of themselves, may be harder than when things seem going wrong. "
George Macdonald

My Grace is Sufficient - Delayed Testimony

Pilgrim sat in front of his computer monitor, an anxious look, a furrowed brow. A task (translation for a funeral) had been given and the deadline furiously approaching from the horizon. Limited time was against him. His limited knowledge was against him. But an unlimited Someone was 'for' him. (Romans 8:31b "If God is for us, who can be against us?")

To the soul, the heart and the mind,
The Dove spoke, "Do not be anxious, ask and ye shall receive."
The Son spoke, "My yoke is easy, and my burden light."
The Father spoke, "My grace is sufficient for thee. Place your eyes upon Me."

Creases on the forehead began to be smoothened. Breathing easier. A conscious effort needed still, but only to focus on Him and not the task. Amazingly, time seemed to move faster and slower at the same time, but they matter not.

In the end, the task was completed. However, for Pilgrim, the more important thing was the lesson learned.

Hold fast to dreams

Hold fast to dreams
For if dreams die
Life is a broken-winged bird
That cannot fly.
Hold fast to dreams
For when dreams go
Life is a barren field
Frozen with snow.
Langston Hughes

A Poem

What shall a man say,
When life's choices pull him in different ways.

On one hand, his heart tells him to stay,
The other, his flesh tells him nay.

"Count the cost, what you are giving up!
Did God really say that you should drink from this cup?"

"Count the cost and the reward," says the Lord with whom you sup.
"When I came and went to the cross I too knew what I was giving up."
Count the Cost by Pilgrim

Beyond 'What if'

At a gathering last saturday, the speaker was sharing about living a "Life of Intent". A familiar passage from 1 Cor 9:24-27 was read. Still, the message spoke to the hearts of many as they responded at the end. Basically, we need to live life with a direction(vision), determination(endure strict training) and with hope(recognizing the prize). Interestingly, alot of what was shared was what I, or rather, a character I am working on is going through.

What if the vision is not comprehended by others such that it becomes a lone fight?
What if, after giving his all, it is still not enough to satisfy?
What if, at the end of it all, the vision is but a wishful thinking? What then?

As in the past, the Dove thus spoke,"It is the glory of God to conceal a matter;to search out a matter is the glory of kings." (Prov 25:2) Life does not, and should not stop at the 'what ifs'. Rather, they are opportunities or doors, where wisdom, courage, hope and faith is exercised.

Again, I shall quote one of my favourite quotes,

"It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood, who strives valiantly... who knows the great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who have never known victory nor defeat. "
Theodore Roosevelt

Stay close to me O Dove, and teach me the Word that I may live a Life of Intent.
Remind me O Dove, of the Son who lived with Intent, whose eyes were always on the Father.
Remind me O Dove, of the loving Father whose Intention is that which I seek.

Thank you everyone

Pilgrim came to another crossroad on his journey. There are many paths that diverge from this road. As he contemplates which path to take, a voice called out to him.

Voice: Turn around.

And so Pilgrim turned. A crowd was standing before him, singing...

Crowd: “Happy Birthday to you!”

The time to make choices will come again, but right now, pilgrim joined his friends in celebration.

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I want to thank all my friends who have made this 28th birthday the most memorable birthday I ever had. Thank you for all the surprises (3 of them!)! I am really touched though I did not cry. I was in too much shock I guess. Hahaha. I really thank God for friends like all of you, who have shown me so much love and support, who prayed for me and encouraged me, who stood by me when things got rough, who came to my house to spend time with my family, who visited my dad when he was in hospital, who cautioned me when I walk on the edge of the narrow road to God... There are so many things that I want to thank God for because He has placed you guys in my life. I am stronger because of all of you.

Thank you John, Vera, Alec, Evelyn, Wendy, Renee, Jee Sing, Zong Hao, Ghim Shin, Alvin, Valerie, Chung Wei and Julin, Shawn and Syndy and Justin, Shirley, Pastor Kelvin, Jing Hui, Hui Mei, Chih Yang and Grace, Evelyn Jnr, Chun Lei, Cherrie, Emily, Pastor Dot, Ai Ling, Alfred, Wilfred, Julian and Michelle for the present and wonderful celebration.

在台灣的朋友們，好久沒見面了．看到你們的短片，我真的是又驚又喜，感動到不知道該說些甚麼好．我當然沒有忘記你們，我的桌上可是擺著你們的照片呢，只是現在因為時間和工作的關係沒辦法抽空到台灣去．希望今年工作會有些成績，便可以找個機會去跟你們聚一聚．

明典表弟，謝謝你所作的一切．你好用心啊，不只是錄音，還加了旁白．感謝神有你這樣一個細心又熱情的好弟兄．

逸文也是，我的媽媽看了短片，聽到你想接待她，馬上就說你好友善又好客．你們不只是我在主裡的弟兄，更在對我的家人作見證，讓他們看到了耶穌的愛．感謝主．

時間過得真快，映慈妹妹都畢業了!回想起來，那個時候妳還在念大一，現在卻步入社會工作了，好奇妙．加油，我也會一起加油的．繼續尋求我們的主．

文瑩，謝謝妳一起安排這一切，讓我的生日過得這麼特別．妳的關心和禱告，對我的家人的照顧，還有那追求主的心都讓我好佩服，感動．

謝謝你們正琪，欽漢，郁瑜，婉琪，羽書，家彥，中傑，弘真. 感謝主讓我在台灣也有這麼多好朋友!

謝謝大家的祝福!

From deepest fear to greatest redemption

I was watching the movie "Coach Carter" this afternoon and this quote came up. However, the real author was not credited with this quote and the lines in blue were left out of the movie version.

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Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness, that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, "Who am I to be brillant, gorgeous, talented and fabulous?" Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small doesn't serve the world. There's nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine as children do. We were born to manifest the glory of God that is within us. It is not just in some of us; it is in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.
A Return To Love by Marianne Williamson

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Some people fear that they are not good enough, hopefully my fellow pilgrims will hear and understand the quote above. Some people think that a good God is too good to be true, the quote below is for the not-yet-pilgrims.

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My theory leaves plenty of difficulty, but has no such fault as that. Why, what sort of God would content you, Mr Faber? The one idea is too bad to be true, the other too good. Must you expand and trim until you get one exactly to the measure of yourself before you can accept it as thinkable or possible? Why, a God like that would not rest your soul a week. The only possiblility of believing in a God seems to me in finding an idea of God large enough, grand enough, pure enough, lovely enough to be fit to believe in."

"And have you found such, may I ask?"

"I think I am finding such," confessed Wingfold.

"Where?"

"In the man of the New Testament."
The Curate's Awakening (New title) or Thomas Wingfold by George Macdonald

The Three Shoes

Once upon a time, there were three pairs of shoes in a shoe shop. They were friends for as long as they can remember for the shoe maker made them on the same day. Since the first day they were laid upon the shelf side by side, they have scrutinised all their prospective owners to be. If there were anyone they liked, they would try their best to shine in order to attract attention.

Shoe 1: I would certainly like my owner to be someone important so that I would be able to travel to many different places of interest.

Shoe 2: What good is travelling? I want my owner to be someone famous, so that people can look at me and be marvelled.

Shoe 3: I do not know about all those things, I just want to be happy. How that would come I do not yet know.

Now it came to pass that all three shoes were bought on the same day. The owner of the first shoe was a businessman. He was a globetrotter. Shoe 1 shined with full delight and the businessman was his. He was bought. Shoe 2 spied an up and rising actor and immediately he gleamed. The actor was picking out shoes for his new role and promptly picked up his new shoe. Shoe 3 was left upon the shelf but an old man took notice of him. This old man seemed poor and unimportant, but as he carried the shoe in his arms, Shoe 1 felt that happiness might have come.

A few days later, all three shoes came together at a gathering. Shoe 1 and Shoe 2 were on a stage. The businessman had put money into a show that the actor was in. They were the highlight of the gathering. The old man was one of those in the crowd. Shoe 3 was on his way out.

Shoe 2: Where are you going?

Shoe 3: My master has things to do, and so I must be on my way.

Shoe 1: What sort of friend are you? Why can't you spend some time to share in our delight? I want to tell you where I have been.

Shoe 3: My life and time are not my own, so I am afraid that I cannot stay.

Shoe 2: Forget him. We can make many new friends here. I am famous now.

The old man walked on and Shoe 3 bid his farewell. Shoe 1 and Shoe 2 stayed in the limelight.

Some time later, all three shoes found themselves in a junkyard. They have been discarded.

Shoe 1: The only thing I saw were hotels and conference rooms, though I have been to more countries and cities than many.

Shoe 2: You fared better than me, after the movie was finished, I was left in a cupboard, with fifty other pairs of shoes.

Shoe 1: You looked the most worn out, life must have been hard on you.

Shoe 3 was breathing his last breath when he said this.

Shoe 3: On the contrary, I have found what I was looking for. For it is written,"How beautiful on the mountains are the feet who bring good news..." (Ish 52:7) I travelled far and wide into mountainous regions and saw nature's beauty, I brought my owner to people who loved him and were marvelled at his words. Truly I must say, I am satisfied. I am happy.

With this statement, Shoe 3 breathed his last and was not more, according to what we say in our world... In another world, his life has just began.

Not the same anymore

Today is the official day that I have entered into a new phase of my scriptwriting program. I did a count and realised that it has been two years and three months since my acting class first started, around one year and nine months since the screenwriting program started. It has been one year and eight months since I left my dad's company to pursue screenwriting, which means that long without a stable job and source of income. Finally, I am moving into another phase, a phase that I have been waiting for a long time. Things will not be the same anymore.

White Bear, Self Talent and myself were talking about our past a few nights ago (Self Talent too is on the journey to seek Him). It has been quite some time since we started on this journey, and what a journey this has been. All the tests and trials that had gone by had molded us to become who we are now. It is amazing to see how the Storyteller had been there all the time, protecting and guiding our lives, slowly revealing Himself to us though we did not know it. But today we can say, we know Him. We are not the same anymore.

For me personally, it has been 10 years, 3 months and 3 days since I started on the journey to seek Him. There were times when I was stagnant, there were times when I moved fairly quickly. There were times when I would shout with jubilation, and there were times of silent tears. There were times of safe refuge, and there were times of great risk. One thing I can be sure of, it is never easy.

The spiritual life cannot be made suburban. It is always frontier, and we who live in it must accept and even rejoice that it remains untamed.
Howard Macey

Safe? Who said anything about safe? 'Course he isn't safe. But he's good.
The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis

But though it is not easy, I will still keep on walking and running and swimming and crawling forward. As long as the Storyteller grips my hands, as long as the Son intercedes for me, as long as the Dove is there to guide me to the right direction, I will go forward. And I know, I will not be the same anymore. I am becoming the person He wants me to be.

Right Time, Right Place, An Awesome Place

By the time I put up this post, it would already be early morn on tuesday. 8 days of high and low adventure has passed. There are too many details for me to put here all at one go, but a broad stroke should serve the same purpose here.

The lowest point point came when I found out that the kingdom as I know it was collapsing. Even though I knew that it would some time down the road, yet I did not expect it to be so soon. Was it any easier to know that it is not my fault? No, not at all. Was it any consolation to know that I did not contribute to its collapse? Nope, nothing there either. However, this news came at the right time.

The Right Time. On wed, a whole group of people came together to an Awesome Place to seek the Story teller. A seer gave me words from the Story teller Himself. Needless for me to elaborate, those were the right words that kept my eyes on Him. The news that caused the lowest point came after this. He must have known and thus prepared me so that I would not look to anywhere else but Him. Praise Him!

The highs came when the door that I thought had been closed had burst wide open and the other door that is already open now has a ticking clock on it, asking me to go through it quickly. Though sleep and food are scarce and irregular, I have no qualms about it. I feel that I have been sleeping for too long anyway. But still, the words from the Story teller brought everything to perspective.

He reminded me that this journey is one to be enjoyed, that He is the one writing my story. As long as I am in his hands, I am safe. He has me where he wants me to be. This is the Right Time. This is the Right Place. An Awesome Place.

It will come

As pilgrim makes his way past a slum, where the poor and sick and underprivileged dwell, a man full of white hair standing nearby shouted out to him,

Stranger: Where are you going my friend?

And pilgrim turned and responded,

Pilgrim: Oh hi there, I am on my way to find the Story teller of my life.

Stranger: I see, You have the book of records on your left hand and another book like a journal on your right, your bags are packed and you even have the right shoes for the journey. Where are you going?

Pilgrim looks puzzled.

Pilgrim: I... I am on my way to find him, the Story teller.. of my life.

Stranger: I know you are on your way to find Him, the same can be said of me. But...

Pilgrim spies the same book of records on a table nearby.

Stranger: But don't you see there are people here that need your help?

Pilgrim: I would offer my help kind sir, but my rations are low and I need to be on my way.

Stranger: I am not asking for alot, just an amount as the Dove would tell you to.

Pilgrim consults the Dove.

Pilgrim: That is an awful lot that I am afraid I do not have.

Stranger: It will come to you... like it used to when two fishes and five loaves of bread fed a multitude. It will come. You do not have to give everything today, but as you start giving, it will come.

Pilgrim: I know what you say is true, for that is the nature of the Story teller. It is not easy for me, but as the Dove instructs, so in faith will I give.

Stranger: In faith, that is as pleasing to the heart as it sounds, for this faith I know will not fail. You are a pilgrim on a journey, and the little that you give today will yet make thousands more pilgrims in time to come. And this is all that matters.

Pilgrim: Verily verily I agree. I thank you for bringing this up to me, for I do not want to think when I see the Story teller, I would be with just a few friends. I do dream that it was crowded, a festive crowd.

Stranger: And indeed it will be... Where are you going my dear friend?

Pilgrim: I am on my way to find the Story teller of my life, and bringing others together with me.

Stranger: Well said, but before you go on any further, perhaps you want to take a look inside the tent where the children are in, for the Son is here.

Not Animal Farm

I had the chance to meet up with quite a few friends over this week. Firstly, it was the Eagle, another dear friend I had know for more than six years already. Like always, he was soaring way above most other people I know. We can only get to meet once in a while, a long while, but the meetings have always been wonderful times of catching up. Like in the past, one of the topics fell on finding a partner on the journey (life partner, or soul mate, they call it). He is still soaring alone way up there, I am still running alone down here. Maybe he should start looking down and I up. Another reason why I enjoy meeting the Eagle was that we would seek the Lion (who is also the Son, who is also the Lamb, who is also... but that is another story) together at the end of every meeting. This did not happen. Perhaps we were both tired at 3 in the morn.

I met up with White Bear tonight, again, after seeing him from a distance but it was something else that prompted this meeting. Travelling on this journey is not easy, and I had taken quite a beating this week. Like Frodo when he travelled to Mordor, I realised that my lumbar's bread and water was running out, and there seems to be no place that I can replenish my supplies. Another antagonising thing was this maze I am trying to get out of. I thought I had found my way out, but now it seems like it is not so. This door is almost shut, yet another door I did not expect had opened. However, the immediate way ahead of this second door is dark, though it looks promising a little further down the road. It was when I was contemplating all these that I saw White Bear, and thus led to the meeting with him.

Just like with the Eagle, the time spent with White Bear is as wondeful. As I emptied the jug of confusion and contemplation, he began to refill me with living water from the Lion's stream (it is another saying, John 7:38, that streams of living water with flow from within him who believes in the Lion). I don't think I ever told him (maybe I did at one of his birthdays, but I cannot remember) that the reason that I enjoy the time with White Bear was that he reminds me of the Lion. And unlike the donkey and the ape in "The Last Battle" by C.S. Lewis, this Bear would never claim to be the Lion, he just points people to Him, which was what he did tonight.

So after I got back to my cabin, I spent some time looking for the Lion in the records of the book on my left hand, and asked the Dove to be my guide. He pointed me to a familiar verse which goes like this,

Psalm 23

The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not be in want.

He makes me lie down in green pastures,

he leads me beside still waters, he restores my soul.

He guides me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,

I will fear no evil, for you are with me;

your rod and your staff, they comfort me.

You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies.

You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.

Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life,

and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

The Dove guides and gives understanding. The Lion always points to the Story teller and proves that obedience is the key to the Story teller's heart. And the Story teller goes on inviting me to write this story with Him, no matter how difficult it seems.

Though there are many animals here, it is not animal farm we are writing.

One Big LOVE Story

I hold in my left hand, a book which is a record of the people who have journeyed to find the Story teller after knowing that the Story teller had first came to look for them. Some people find it strange that we are on this journey because they do not believe that there is a Story teller in the first place. Others find it more strange; if the Story teller has already looked for us, why do we need to seek after Him? If the Story teller is already telling our stories, what part do we have other than living our lives out whether we look for Him or not? The answer is already in the records, we just have to humble ourselves and look deeper.

I hold in my right hand, another book, one that I am writing. Other than my own stories, I write stories about other people too. I realised some time after writing a few such stories that they are not always chronological. The characters that I write about live out their lives chronologically, but I am outside of their time. I see their past, present and future together at the same time. I know their decisions before they make them, and I know how they would feel after they have made their choices. I know what other alternatives they have, and how their lives would pen out if they had gone on a different path. If only they would come alive and ask me, I would be able to direct them out of harm's way (though not out of training, which is at times painful).

This is where the great difference lies, my characters do not have a will of their own, they cannot choose to ignore me if I make myself known to them. But the Story teller I am looking for has graciously given free choice, so that I can reject Him daily, or accept Him just as much. What a powerful gift this is. And not only that, He has chosen to look for us, to reveal Himself to us! Wow! However, that is not the end, He actually invites us to write the Story together with Him! Unbelievable? Maybe. Crazy? Definitely. Improbable? The people of the book in my left hand begs to differ. And reading the accounts of their stories, I agree with them too. This is one big LOVE Story we are writing with Him.

1 Cor 13:13
And now these three things remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.

How wonderful

I was pruning a tree late last night, or you can say early today (the skies were still quite dark), and I was hungry. The growling in my stomach did not cease for a while and thinking that I would be fast asleep soon after my task, I thought not of my hunger.

Suddenly, I spied a bear in the distance, whose fur was as white as snow. I recognise that he was my dear friend, one whom I had met while on this journey. He too was on his way to find the Story teller. I saw that he was sitting near a food vendor. So I called out to him, to see if I could join him there and perhaps have some food together. He promptly replied that I could. Almost immediately, I left the pruning of the tree till the morrow, and joined my friend the bear for a meal.

While eating, we talked and joked about our recent encounters and trials, about our desire to want to do the right things, and also about the tough trials our fellow pilgrims are going through (This journey to find the Story teller is not for the faint hearted, though I believe the faint hearted, if he were to seek after Him, would in due time find that he would not faint so easily). We agreed that it would be wonderful if as fellow prilgrims we could come together and spur one another on, carrying and supporting one another.

When I got back to my cabin, I found that I was not only full from food, but some thirst in me was quenched. I spoke to a Dove and asked him why. He reminded me of an old saying, ”For when two or three are gathered in my name, there am I with them.” I realised then that my friend the bear and I were not alone at the table a while back ago, the dear Son of the Story teller was there too. The Dove spoke again, ”Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.” He fed us with food and water.

How wonderful the Son. How wonderful the Father. And how wondeful the Dove who helped me see them.

Challenges on the road

For my fellow pilgrims, wayfarers, who had come face to face with many challenges and obstacles recently...

An excerpt from C.S. Lewis's "The Horse and His Boy"

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And being very tired and having nothing inside him, he felt so sorry for himself that the tears rolled down his cheeks. What put a stop to all this was a sudden fright. Shasta discovered that someone or somebody was walking beside him. It was pitch dark and he could see nothing. And the Thing (or Person) was going so quietly that he could hardly hear any footfalls. What he could hear was breathing. His invisible campanion seemed to breathe on a very large scale...

If the horse had been any good – or if he had known how to get any good out of the horse – he would have risked anything on a breakaway and a wild gallop. But he knew he couldn't make that horse gallop. So he went on at a walking pace and the unseen companion walked and breathed beside him. At last he could bear it no longer. “Who are you?” he said, scarely above a whisper.

“One who has waited long for you to speak,” said the Thing. Its voice was not loud, but very large and deep...

“Oh please – please do go away. What harm have I ever done you? Oh, I am the unluckiest person in the whole world!” Once more he felt the warm breath of the Thing on his hand and face. “There,” it said, “that is not the breath of a ghost. Tell me your sorrows.” Shasta was a little reassured by the breath: so he told how he had never known his father or mother and had been brought up sternly by the fisherman. And then he told the story of his escape and how they were chased by lions and forced to swim for their lives; and of all their dangers in Tashbaan and about his night among the tombs and how the beasts howled at him out of the desert. And he told about the heat and thirst of their desert journey and how they were almost at their goal when another lion chased them and wounded Aravis. And also, how very long it was since he had anything to eat.

“I do not call you unfortunate,” said the Large Voice. ”Don't you think it was bad luck to meet so many lions?” said Shasta.

“There was only one lion,” said the Voice. “What on earth do you mean? I've just told you there were at least two the first night, and...” “There was only one; but he was swift of foot.” “How do you know?”

“I was the lion.”

And as Shasta gaped with open mouth and said nothing, the Voice continued. “I was the lion who forced you to join with Aravis. I was the cat who comforted you among the houses of the dead. I was the lion who drove the jackals from you while you slept. I was the lion who gave the Horses the new strength of fear for the last mile so that you should reach King Lune in time. And I was the lion you do not remember who pushed the boat in which you lay, a child near death, so that it came to shore where a man sat, wakeful at midnight, to receive you.”

“Then it was you who wounded Aravis?”

“It was I.”

“But what for?”

“Child,” said the Voice, “ I am telling you your story, not hers.”

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Sometimes, a story can impart more truth than the finest teaching, and hopefully this story has spoken to some of your hearts. Things may not be what they seem...

Seek the story teller.

1st post

Testing.