I am at a bar in the northernmost city of Denmark, Skagen.. just saw this comp with free internet in the corner so I could not help myself. This Danish keypad does not have [the flying comma.. what is that called?] so that is why my writing style is so different..
Neways, just wanted to say that the name of that last artist guy was Taitur, not Teitur. He does share the same worldviews, God-views etc. but his style is really nice. Now why does there not exist christian music that is really good? I mean really good! Switchfoot, Newsboys, O.C.Supertones, Jars of Clay and D.C. Talk are all okay, but none of them are really, really good.. That is why I do not listen to Christian music no more.. mostly neways.
Okay, gotta run ppls. Take care, and I just might keep posting regularly!
PS. For those of you who missed it, I am on this trip with my family including my younger sister who is 12 years old. We all went to a beautiful beach to watch the sunset this evening and I started talking with her about romance, specifically the Sacred Romance. I remember how my older sister would talk to me when I was about her age and it meant so much to me that most would not believe it. So I remind myself of how much it must mean to my younger sis that I spend time with her and share my heart, treating her like someone I trust, value and really care about. Anyways, I talked about how romance is not just a term that is to be used about the teenage "in-love" things but how it is also something that ties in closely with beauty (in this case the beauty of the sunset), and of how that beauty was all designed in the heart of God. "I got to a point where I realised that no matter how much I appreciated the beauty of a sunset, I could not capture the beauty and the specific feeling [the romancing of my heart] of the moment. That made me think that beauty is folly - a waste of time - until the day when I would get a girlfriend, because I thought to myself that I the perfect enjoyment of beauty would be realised when shared with someone that I was in romantic love affair with. That is true, but perfect love cannot exist with anyone else than God. So in that way God uses beauty to draw us to him..." I think she understood it quite well actually, and if she captures this at a young age she will have something good to build alot of years on. [smile]
Neways, my crew is leaving..
28 July, 2004
27 July, 2004
communication breakdown expected
I must say, ladies and gentlemen, I've just started investing my internet time in reading other ppl's blogs and it's really good! I'm the kind of person who's really big on communication so to have found this new method of communication is a wonderful, wonderful thing for me... [shine] Plus it's not the shoddy (mis)communication that many think! I really have good 'conversations'!
Bulletin: artist of the week: Teitur. It's worth checking out, folks!
Neways, I'm going on vacation with my family tomorrow (Tuesday) until Saturday and I doubt there'll be internet around. We're going to the highly acclaimed northernmost tip of Denmark ("Skagen"). Apparently 'the lighting' there should be magnificent (go figure!) so take care! I'll miss you... -how wacked that that wasn't even a lie! [sigh]
Meanwhile, the picture above is a picture of my apartment's face towards the main street for you to have fun with.
24 July, 2004
mediocre evangelism
Just read a girl from the State's blog and she was going on about how christians are lame compared to MTV, how we always manage to make productions that are... well, 'lame'! I replied:
"...just wanted to say that it was nicely said about being as agressive as MTV! I've thought about the very same thing and discussed it with numerous people (as late as this evening) being irritated that christian productions are always lame (yes, I'd be unashamed saying that) compared to secular productions. My reasoning is that it's because we as christians have become allergic to money. Yes, the camel and the needles eye etc. but without money, it's impossible to amaze people with show biz!! There are two roads to go:
1) 'Anti-money' mindset (give ALL finances far away from our own easily-corrupted hearts) = evangelism ministry being dependant on God's power alone! The show-biz element is purely miraculous healings, signs and wonders. Includes the complete discard of any attempts at competing with secular show-biz standards. First apostles' method.
2) 'Money=opportunities' mindset (let's have a healthy focus on money, because money gives us opportunities) = evangelism ministry being show-biz to attract the crowd -> the Spirit catching their hearts. The show-biz element is to attract people and to communicate the Message in a culturally relevant way. "...Jew to the Jew and Greek to the Greek." [Paul, the Apostle]
Either way must be whole-hearted because at the moment we're scared of having too much money 'cos "what'll people think if I arrive to church in a sweet BMW7?!" or "...my heart will be corrupted!" -the second of which is fair dinkum but the first of which... The only decent, new Christian movie is The Passion and that was freaking expensive. But it was freaking hot as well!
I choose option #2: "Money=opportunities". Let's get rich, people! "Love the Lord..." and let's produce something that'll show people that christians aren't half-hearted and REGRETTABLY GREY [feel it!] but let's be wild for once! Let's be the one's to attack Satan instead of fending off his attacks with conservative rituals!
As far as I see it, christianity has never been the safe choice. It's not supposed to be comfortable! The pleasures of the Lord are not for this life! Let's give it all we've got for a couple of decades and after that we can sit in comfy chairs, with comfy hearts, appeasing our emotions. Risk it all, friggit! Let's be zealous for our dearest like God is zealous for them!"
"...just wanted to say that it was nicely said about being as agressive as MTV! I've thought about the very same thing and discussed it with numerous people (as late as this evening) being irritated that christian productions are always lame (yes, I'd be unashamed saying that) compared to secular productions. My reasoning is that it's because we as christians have become allergic to money. Yes, the camel and the needles eye etc. but without money, it's impossible to amaze people with show biz!! There are two roads to go:
1) 'Anti-money' mindset (give ALL finances far away from our own easily-corrupted hearts) = evangelism ministry being dependant on God's power alone! The show-biz element is purely miraculous healings, signs and wonders. Includes the complete discard of any attempts at competing with secular show-biz standards. First apostles' method.
2) 'Money=opportunities' mindset (let's have a healthy focus on money, because money gives us opportunities) = evangelism ministry being show-biz to attract the crowd -> the Spirit catching their hearts. The show-biz element is to attract people and to communicate the Message in a culturally relevant way. "...Jew to the Jew and Greek to the Greek." [Paul, the Apostle]
Either way must be whole-hearted because at the moment we're scared of having too much money 'cos "what'll people think if I arrive to church in a sweet BMW7?!" or "...my heart will be corrupted!" -the second of which is fair dinkum but the first of which... The only decent, new Christian movie is The Passion and that was freaking expensive. But it was freaking hot as well!
I choose option #2: "Money=opportunities". Let's get rich, people! "Love the Lord..." and let's produce something that'll show people that christians aren't half-hearted and REGRETTABLY GREY [feel it!] but let's be wild for once! Let's be the one's to attack Satan instead of fending off his attacks with conservative rituals!
As far as I see it, christianity has never been the safe choice. It's not supposed to be comfortable! The pleasures of the Lord are not for this life! Let's give it all we've got for a couple of decades and after that we can sit in comfy chairs, with comfy hearts, appeasing our emotions. Risk it all, friggit! Let's be zealous for our dearest like God is zealous for them!"
22 July, 2004
standards
[grin] just read somebody else's blog (yeah, I'm getting into this whole blog-universe!) and it was just freaking funny! Why? Because the swear words were used so eloquently!
I remember in my school where a good friend asked me: "Ivan, why is it that you don't swear? I mean, it's just so expressive. It really helps me say the things that I want..."
Good question right?! Why is it that I don't swear? Lord knows that I really, really want to [in my eternal quest to be funny].. But we're back to the rights for the 2nd time in my blogging history. The right to do what I want.
See, what would this world look like if we all did what we wanted? Let me tell you about the birds and the bees, the rapists and the murderers, the thieves and the 3rd world. "Ash, there you go again, Ivan! What you're talking about is way out of proportion, nobody's thinking of raping and murdering, stealing and with-holding. We're talking about swearing!" Yes, swearing and boundaries. Where does one draw the line for doing what oneself wants and denying the same?
"Do not be conformed to the patterns of this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind." Hmm... Rephrase to: "Do not let my standards be conformed to the standards of this world in fact, forget about standards! Let yourself be transformed so your actions reflect a heart that's pure and good, your actions being pure and good, even "...above reproach..."."
Now to live out these grandiose thoughts of glory...
I remember in my school where a good friend asked me: "Ivan, why is it that you don't swear? I mean, it's just so expressive. It really helps me say the things that I want..."
Good question right?! Why is it that I don't swear? Lord knows that I really, really want to [in my eternal quest to be funny].. But we're back to the rights for the 2nd time in my blogging history. The right to do what I want.
See, what would this world look like if we all did what we wanted? Let me tell you about the birds and the bees, the rapists and the murderers, the thieves and the 3rd world. "Ash, there you go again, Ivan! What you're talking about is way out of proportion, nobody's thinking of raping and murdering, stealing and with-holding. We're talking about swearing!" Yes, swearing and boundaries. Where does one draw the line for doing what oneself wants and denying the same?
"Do not be conformed to the patterns of this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind." Hmm... Rephrase to: "Do not let my standards be conformed to the standards of this world in fact, forget about standards! Let yourself be transformed so your actions reflect a heart that's pure and good, your actions being pure and good, even "...above reproach..."."
Now to live out these grandiose thoughts of glory...
20 July, 2004
I just wanna feel...!
Pacified. I feel pacified. See, my summer holidays have been the most exciting, spiritually speaking and I know that it'll be tough to keep the spiritual focus in this physically minded world. So the deal is that I return from Hungary and a strange camp ready to 'throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles and run the race marked out for me,' but what happens? Guess...
But why is it so freaking hard to change? Why must one wallow and wallow on without ever running? I realise more and more that I am a person who isn't very radical at all [read that without the usual christian-slang-bias].. I really do need provoking circumstances or at least 'exciting' [Hebrews 12:1] surroundings that spur me on. hmm.. Maybe I'll change in tact with time, with maturing. Hope so...
Neways, my parents just bought a new car! Citroen Xantia 1.6i. Quite the mediocre car measured with all others, but if you put it up against any other car we've ever had in the family it measures up with your average Learjet! It's our first ever car with power steering. It's spacious, comfortable and runs like the healthiest porcupine on this blue planet! ...and I got to borrow it for 2 days cos I'm heading south to visit another camp.. [grin] Dang, I love camps! But for the first time in a long time I'm a bit nervous, cos there'll be probably a thousand people where I only know 15-20 of them a bit. Don't even know if they'll wanna 'entertain me' and thus, 300DKK risk being wasted on gas. Oh what the heck, I know I'll have fun..
Adieu ma vie! Je veut faire beaucoup de bon chose, et tu le sais.. should've payed attention in French classes..
"...to the ends of the Earth..."
14 July, 2004
camp stranger
I'm on a camp - where I don't really know anybody.. but that's the beauty of it! It's good being here, people are really friendly and accepting. It's also fascinating to see how other people run camps for teens cos I'm involved in that as well.
argh, ppl are kicking me off the comp! dah! get off oready!
*10 seconds later*
right, managed to buy enuff time to go check my online dating profile for new letters.. =)
argh, ppl are kicking me off the comp! dah! get off oready!
*10 seconds later*
right, managed to buy enuff time to go check my online dating profile for new letters.. =)
10 July, 2004
[sigh]
i wanna be famous 'cos I've got it into my head that I'll be happy when I'm famous. Really I just wanna be appreciated and someone's everyday hero... my goodness, I'm turning into a softy in my old age!
09 July, 2004
camp - again
right ppls, I'm off on another camp for a week. Dunno if there'll be a connection there but if not you can reach me on my mobilephone: +45 61659520 . [grin]
oh yeah, I'm playing at the annual summer camp for all pentecostal churches in Dk tonite... well, just for the 13-16 year olds in their 'café'. Wrote two songs for it aswell so I'm kinda tense about how it's gonna go down.
As well, does anyone have a... a... what's it called in english?! dah... uhh... like a mini tape recorder, hand-held to record [duh!]? Cos I'd like to buy it off you then.
Enjoy my new colors until I see you on the other side! =P
_ivan
oh yeah, I'm playing at the annual summer camp for all pentecostal churches in Dk tonite... well, just for the 13-16 year olds in their 'café'. Wrote two songs for it aswell so I'm kinda tense about how it's gonna go down.
As well, does anyone have a... a... what's it called in english?! dah... uhh... like a mini tape recorder, hand-held to record [duh!]? Cos I'd like to buy it off you then.
Enjoy my new colors until I see you on the other side! =P
_ivan
08 July, 2004
"A moment of me" from the 19th Jan, '04
The bird's flight is crippled
by an involuntary plunge
towards the misty undergrowth
due to careless feather hygiene.
Upon seeing the darkness below
coupled with sensing
it's rapid descent,
panic clouds the mind
and despair blocks the airways.
Call it a light at the end
of the tunnel
or perhaps a spiritual
safety net.
Believe it, discuss it or
even discard it
but this innate belief in
the finality of
the victory of good
renders hope to the despairing
and rectification to
the downcast.
Do not be deceived
hope exists as long
as there is time.
Time to change
and time to be changed.
Time to start anew
and to start again
Time. Anytime.
-The Plaintive
by an involuntary plunge
towards the misty undergrowth
due to careless feather hygiene.
Upon seeing the darkness below
coupled with sensing
it's rapid descent,
panic clouds the mind
and despair blocks the airways.
Call it a light at the end
of the tunnel
or perhaps a spiritual
safety net.
Believe it, discuss it or
even discard it
but this innate belief in
the finality of
the victory of good
renders hope to the despairing
and rectification to
the downcast.
Do not be deceived
hope exists as long
as there is time.
Time to change
and time to be changed.
Time to start anew
and to start again
Time. Anytime.
-The Plaintive
05 July, 2004
Budapest - yup, I've just been to Hungary!
Home! Just stepped in the door and the first thing I did was to turn on the computer... *sigh* What does that mean? *smile*
I'm happy... -happy I went on this trip. Okay, from the top: I've been on a Jesus Revolution 12-day summer camp in Budapest, Hungary, with 30 other people from my youth group here in Dk. There were around 50 other participants (I think!) and I bought home 10 new t-shirts..
The camp was planned so that the first 5 days were training days with different work(/sweat)shops and I joined the one called 'band'. So we worked on three songs, 4 hours a day. One of these was one that I'd written which was cool, I reckon! =P The last seven days were so-called 'outreach days'. We took the stuff we'd learnt in the workshops and performed them on the street 4 times per day to tell people that God is a reality that needs to be dealt with.
How was it?
When I look back at my childhood, I remember that there were two occasions where I felt disrespected and stepped on by my older brother. I can't remember what it was about the first time, but the second time it was about a toothbrush (go figure..) In any case, he - by force - took something that belonged to me after I had refused to lend it to him. I never ever before or after remember having been so angry, I'm talking "hysteric-weeping-and-uncontrollable-shaking"-rage... Point is that when I was still shaking mad, I appealed to a higher authority - my dad - to seek justice. I mean, I was right! It was my possession (sp?) and even though I had a moral obligation to lend it to him, it was my judicial right to deny him access to it.
So I was shaking and crying, doing my best explaining of the awful atrocity commited against my youthful soul to my dad and here's the punch line:
He looks at me in that serious "*sigh*-son let me explain"-way and says: "Ivan, you have to be broken." I was dizzily confused for ten seconds cos, I mean, clearly my brother was wronging me so what kind of reply was that?! But the same brother (I only have one, but it just sounds cool: "...the same brother...") said something about doing the dishes when it wasn't his turn that applies beautifully: "Jesus died on a cross - I can do the dishes."
Yes, it's back to the rights, people! Jesus' rights were stepped on till he died so who am I to complain?
But the point of me saying this is that my trip to Budapest was very much about me saying: "Ivan, you will lay down your right to freedom to plan your own day and to do your own thing. You will choose to love the leader who's being waaaay to tight-arsed about this whole eleven o'clock bedtime thing! You will love him and think well of him."
But it was good. Oh my goodness, crazy blessing to learn to submit and lay down your own leadership urges [read: rebellion] for a while. Learning to love people you wouldn't normally love. [smile] I'm happy and proud that I managed to do it.
God's been crazy on this trip too... can't believe how ppl manage to live without a belief in His love because my life is just so much because of that very knowledge. -I am loved. I am perfectly accepted. It is done! It's hope and joy, peace and confidence. It's all that you need!
I'm happy... -happy I went on this trip. Okay, from the top: I've been on a Jesus Revolution 12-day summer camp in Budapest, Hungary, with 30 other people from my youth group here in Dk. There were around 50 other participants (I think!) and I bought home 10 new t-shirts..
The camp was planned so that the first 5 days were training days with different work(/sweat)shops and I joined the one called 'band'. So we worked on three songs, 4 hours a day. One of these was one that I'd written which was cool, I reckon! =P The last seven days were so-called 'outreach days'. We took the stuff we'd learnt in the workshops and performed them on the street 4 times per day to tell people that God is a reality that needs to be dealt with.
How was it?
When I look back at my childhood, I remember that there were two occasions where I felt disrespected and stepped on by my older brother. I can't remember what it was about the first time, but the second time it was about a toothbrush (go figure..) In any case, he - by force - took something that belonged to me after I had refused to lend it to him. I never ever before or after remember having been so angry, I'm talking "hysteric-weeping-and-uncontrollable-shaking"-rage... Point is that when I was still shaking mad, I appealed to a higher authority - my dad - to seek justice. I mean, I was right! It was my possession (sp?) and even though I had a moral obligation to lend it to him, it was my judicial right to deny him access to it.
So I was shaking and crying, doing my best explaining of the awful atrocity commited against my youthful soul to my dad and here's the punch line:
He looks at me in that serious "*sigh*-son let me explain"-way and says: "Ivan, you have to be broken." I was dizzily confused for ten seconds cos, I mean, clearly my brother was wronging me so what kind of reply was that?! But the same brother (I only have one, but it just sounds cool: "...the same brother...") said something about doing the dishes when it wasn't his turn that applies beautifully: "Jesus died on a cross - I can do the dishes."
Yes, it's back to the rights, people! Jesus' rights were stepped on till he died so who am I to complain?
But the point of me saying this is that my trip to Budapest was very much about me saying: "Ivan, you will lay down your right to freedom to plan your own day and to do your own thing. You will choose to love the leader who's being waaaay to tight-arsed about this whole eleven o'clock bedtime thing! You will love him and think well of him."
But it was good. Oh my goodness, crazy blessing to learn to submit and lay down your own leadership urges [read: rebellion] for a while. Learning to love people you wouldn't normally love. [smile] I'm happy and proud that I managed to do it.
God's been crazy on this trip too... can't believe how ppl manage to live without a belief in His love because my life is just so much because of that very knowledge. -I am loved. I am perfectly accepted. It is done! It's hope and joy, peace and confidence. It's all that you need!
22 June, 2004
vacatioooon!!!
heck yeah, ppl's! i'm finally gonna have some down time. I'm going on a short term missionary trip to Hungary (Budapest) with 32 youngsters from my church (yeah, missionary trips are what I consider 'down time'!). I just started packing... no, that's a lie! I haven't started packing yet and it's 02.30am! We gotta assemble at 0745 hours.
But don't let this distract you!
PLEASE POST YOUR OPINION IN THE DEBATE ABOUT BUSH in the previous post ("war")! I'll check in from time to time depending on the frequency of my visits to an internet café.
Love and circumstance-despiting-joy!
But don't let this distract you!
PLEASE POST YOUR OPINION IN THE DEBATE ABOUT BUSH in the previous post ("war")! I'll check in from time to time depending on the frequency of my visits to an internet café.
Love and circumstance-despiting-joy!
21 June, 2004
war
You know how you can know things and at other times really realise the same fact in a way that engages your mind AND feelings?
Well I just had that experience when I happened to come by an American lady's website where she was freaking out because her husband's stationed out in Iraq. Her husband is at war! 'War' to me has always been something that happened 60 years ago (WW2) or something in some remote corner of our globe, but to this lady and many other people RIGHT HERE IN THE WEST 'war' is an issue that touches their daily lives! It might as well be my dad or brother that's fighting a rebel enemy because men in suits and big offices have prideful problems relating to other men in big suits. I never thought I'd become one to say it (never really 'cared' about war because it was so distant), but peace is in the best interest of your people, Bush and all other heads-of-state!
To stir up a discussion though, if you were chilling with George W. Bush Jr. in privacy and you asked him why he decided to go to war, would he say that it's for his people: "Striking the 'enemy' while they're still overseas and away from the women and children is a preventative action for the safety of the homeland and the peace therein. And yes, I do want the oil because America as we know it cannot function without oil."
I know this might provoke many, but I wanna get this sorted out in my head. I mean is it possible that Bush isn't as corrupt as the general opinion says he is? There should be a lot of angles and factors in this, but please, go ahead and convince me!
Debate in the comments section please!
Well I just had that experience when I happened to come by an American lady's website where she was freaking out because her husband's stationed out in Iraq. Her husband is at war! 'War' to me has always been something that happened 60 years ago (WW2) or something in some remote corner of our globe, but to this lady and many other people RIGHT HERE IN THE WEST 'war' is an issue that touches their daily lives! It might as well be my dad or brother that's fighting a rebel enemy because men in suits and big offices have prideful problems relating to other men in big suits. I never thought I'd become one to say it (never really 'cared' about war because it was so distant), but peace is in the best interest of your people, Bush and all other heads-of-state!
To stir up a discussion though, if you were chilling with George W. Bush Jr. in privacy and you asked him why he decided to go to war, would he say that it's for his people: "Striking the 'enemy' while they're still overseas and away from the women and children is a preventative action for the safety of the homeland and the peace therein. And yes, I do want the oil because America as we know it cannot function without oil."
I know this might provoke many, but I wanna get this sorted out in my head. I mean is it possible that Bush isn't as corrupt as the general opinion says he is? There should be a lot of angles and factors in this, but please, go ahead and convince me!
Debate in the comments section please!
20 June, 2004
recommendation
I was just reading back over my posts so far, and I just wanted to recommend this book I'm reading. It relates to the post entitled "men".. -well really, it's not one of those about relationships (although they aren't bad! (read "the five love languages" if you ever get the chance.. life changer, that'un!) but it's about life as a christian and how to cope with one's longing to be perfect. We aren't, we all know, but we're all striving to be (aren't we?) but how to? I know I've tried for years and years but I can't. The answer's in the Bible, but this book provides a great understanding.
I won't try to rehash what the book says cos I really cannot, but do yourself a favour (this would be the equivalent of doing yourself the favour of saving your own life) and read it if you're ever near it. If you have to buy it, buy it! If you finish it and deem it unworthy of your time, energy and money, I'll refund your spent money, okay?! It's: "Inside Out" by Dr. Larry Crab. I haven't found where to order it online yet but when I do I'll post the link for ya's..
"Love, love, love, love, love... love, makes the world go 'round."
-Powerpuff Girls
I won't try to rehash what the book says cos I really cannot, but do yourself a favour (this would be the equivalent of doing yourself the favour of saving your own life) and read it if you're ever near it. If you have to buy it, buy it! If you finish it and deem it unworthy of your time, energy and money, I'll refund your spent money, okay?! It's: "Inside Out" by Dr. Larry Crab. I haven't found where to order it online yet but when I do I'll post the link for ya's..
"Love, love, love, love, love... love, makes the world go 'round."
-Powerpuff Girls
17 June, 2004
me v.1.2
I sat down at the computer and had something really deep and meaningful to write, but it got away.. now the comp's just serving as a procrastination device. I should prepare, prepare, write music but I'm just not in the mood!
Had the funnest walk with my older sis today.. in the heart of little ol' Denmark (yes, Randers IS the heart of Dk!) we were walking through the drizzle going off in loud, loud, loud singlish (singaporean english accent), discussing the meaning of life in a very unserious manner.
ALRIGHT, CONSCIENCE!!! I'LL GO DO WHAT I SHOULD, NOW GET OFF MY BACK! *sigh* I'm a haunted man...
Had the funnest walk with my older sis today.. in the heart of little ol' Denmark (yes, Randers IS the heart of Dk!) we were walking through the drizzle going off in loud, loud, loud singlish (singaporean english accent), discussing the meaning of life in a very unserious manner.
ALRIGHT, CONSCIENCE!!! I'LL GO DO WHAT I SHOULD, NOW GET OFF MY BACK! *sigh* I'm a haunted man...
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