Thursday, February 25, 2010

Proust

What is your idea of perfect happiness?
Finally being Home in Heaven and finally seeing Jesus' face.

What is your greatest fear?
Losing someone I love alot.

What historical figure do you most identify with?
I'm not sure.

Which living person do you most admire?
Right now, Anja Bornman :)

What is the trait you most deplore in yourself?
My impatience.

What trait do you most deplore in others?
Unkindness.

What do you most dislike about your appearance?
I don't like to say, I want to be well on my way to fully accepting myself for what I look like.

What is your favorite journey?
The journey of discovery- of life lessons, of myself, of God.

What is your greatest regret?
Following what my friends were doing when I was younger.

What or who is the greatest love of your life?
God, most definitely.

When and where were you happiest?
I don't remember the date, but I remember it was the happiest phone call, and moment, of my life. I was told Hope99 raised $7,000 for abused children in Thailand.

Which talent would you most like to have?
Musical talent!

What is your current state of mind?
Impatient of myself.

If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?
More patience.

If you could change one thing about your family, what would it be?
That my mum wouldn't work so much.

If you were to die and come back as a person or thing, what would it be?
A bird would be lovely.

If you could choose what or who to come back as, what would it be?
A lead singer of an amazing rock band.

What do your consider your greatest achievement?
Starting up a charity with a friend of mine.

What is your most treasured possession?
I would be very sad if I lost my Bible- I've had it for a long time now.

What do you regard as the lowest depth of misery?
Losing all hope.

What is your most marked characteristic?
I'd say friendly.

What is the quality you most like in a man?
Passion.

What is the quality you most admire in a woman?
Strength.

What do you most value in your friends?
Loyalty.

Who are your favourite writers?
Francine Rivers and Khaled Husseni.

Who are your heroes in real life?
Ordinary people with an amazing passion and love for God.

What are your favourite names?
Chloe and Spencer.

What is it that you most dislike?
Dishonesty, uncleanliness.

How would you like to die?
In my sleep.

What is your motto?
Love. Faith. Hope. In its deepest meaning.

Tuesday, February 23, 2010

The best part


...And the best part is,
I see all your flaws, your corruption, your failures, your past, your hurts, your unfaithfulness, your wordly desires and natures, your longing for sin, your weaknesses, your unloving self, your ungraceful self, your bad hair days and bad skin days, your sick days, your hungover days. I see all your anguish and stubborness, your foolishness, your pride, your selfishness and greed, your hate, your deepest innermost thoughts, and your unspeakable secrets.

I see it all.

And the best part is, despite it all,
I love you and want you and desire you. You are mine. You are beautiful to me. I died so you wouldn't die. Don't underestimate my love. I love you. I truly do.

Sunday, February 21, 2010

Anyway

'If you are kind, people will accuse you of selfish motives; be kind anyway.
The good you do today, most people will forget; do good anyway.

Give the world the best you've got and it may never be enough; give your best anyway.
In the final analysis, it's between you and God; it was never between you and them anyway.'


Mother Teresa

Thursday, February 18, 2010

Lying in bed today, something pushed me over the edge and things started hitting me hard from everywhere.

The usual lies Satan used on everybody was used on me: 'You're not worth it. Look at yourself, how did you end up in this mess? The world treats you how you deserved to be treated. You're ugly. This life is too hard for you to carry on. You don't have what it takes. You have no one's attention.'

I was heartbroken. But in that depth of sadness, I chose to think of Jesus.
Nothing more, nothing less.
I just sat there and bathed in his presence.
And from that presence, I heard a gentle whisper say,

'Child, I love you.'

And I want to share that with you today,
that whatever lies are being whispered to you,
whatever past hurts are stopping you from shining,
God strongly,
deeply,
heart-breakingly
loves you.

Nothing more, nothing less.

Monday, February 8, 2010

Friday, February 5, 2010

Jesus for the Homeless

I usually never go to town to seek the homeless, but last night, I'm proud to say that was what I did with a group a friend of mine started up called 'Jesus for the Homeless.' In the words of my cousin, this group aims to 'seek the homeless, talk to them, give them food, learn something. Show them that Jesus cares about anyone and everyone!'

I was pleasantly surprised after meeting a few people on the streets whom the group talked to. Those people that society considered to be scum were normal people like you and me. One man offered his fries to everyone. One man had an amazing sense of humour.

And then there was Allan and Angie.


We found them lying down near the top of Albert Park (as the bottom of Albert Park is very dangerous to be around at night) with their luggage and a few blankets under and over them. They insisted we sit down and talked to them so we gladly did. My heart was moved by Allan and Angie's heart for God and their strong hope. I was brought to tears when I heard Angie's story about how her family and friends turned on her, her back pains due
to emotional stress and abuse, and her struggle to simply exist. I loved how even after all of that ordeal, and her being homeless, she still wanted to hope and help other people in the same situation as her. She really inspired and touched me. The highlight of the night was Allan giving his life to God right then and there. How beautiful it was to see the light in His eyes, and the joy they both had just because we took the time to talk to them and offer them food, money, company, heart. I will never forget them and I will continue to pray for them.

Even though all we offered them was our time and company, some sandwiches and juice boxes, it felt to me that we offered so much more because of how thankful they were. They smile like they are the rich
est people in the world.

It hit me that this is what REAL christianity is all about. Jesus never ignored the lesser people of socitey. In his eyes, they were the most important. He sat with the hookers, the poor, the lame, the broken, the needy, the outcasts. He gave them God's love, and love was all that was needed. He says in Matthew 25:31-40:


"But when the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all his holy angels with him, then he shall sit on the throne of his glory.
And there will gather before him all the nations, and he will choose them one by one, like the shepherd separates the sheep from the goats.
And he sets the sheep from his right and the goats from his left.
That is when the King says to those from his right, 'Come, blessed of my Father, inherit the Kingdom that was destined for you from the foundations of the universe. For I was hungry and you gave me to eat. I was thirsty and you gave me to drink. I was an outcast and you took me in. I was naked and you clothed me. I was ill and you visited me. I was in prison
and you came to me. '
Then the saintly will say to him, 'Our Lord, when did we see you hungry and we fed you, or you were thirsty and we gave you drink? And when did we see you an outcast and we took you in, or when were you naked and we clothed you? And when did we see you ill or in prison and we came to you?'

And the King replied and told them, 'Amen, I am telling you, that whatever you do for one of these my little brethren, for me you have done that.'

Of course at the beginning I had my doubts.
I felt that touching them would be unclean. But touch is what they long for. Touch might be something that would make them feel somewhat valid again. Touch is what they are deprived of. All I can say is that the fear you have for doing what society looks down upon is cast away by God's perfect love. Truth.

I am definitely going to do this again.
God is so good.
All the time, he is good.

Monday, February 1, 2010

Jenny Chang

I am a simple creature, but complex at the same time.
I hate meeting strangers online. I think certain people will befriend someone because they 'look good' on the internet. I want to meet people who will know and come to love me for the real-life me, not how I appear on the internet.
When I have a down in life, I go down hard. But when I'm at my peak, I'm amazingly positive.
I'm afraid of becoming loving a particular band/musician because I hate the fact that they won't know how much of an impact they made on me. Crazy huh? I envy musicians because they get to play and inspire and travel and create. But I know the point is not to be envious, but to do the same with what I have..with the talents I have been given.
Some people draw energy from being around people, butI draw energy from being by myself.
I love God beyond what I can explain. I would rather spend one day in his presence than 1000 days on this earth.
I drink too much tea.
I love street fashion, and most of the time, I think runway fashion is just a bit silly.
I love reading a good book.
My dream is to one day travel the world as a photo journalist, make Hope99 (Kate and I's mission organisation) into a worldwide organisation, and make enough money to put my mum into early retirement. But mainly, to travel the world and experience life on the edge.
I don't take things on surface level, I'm very deep when I want to be. It's a blessing and a curse.
I love people-watching, and I'm always aware that there is always more than meets the eye.
I'm a sucker for romantic songs, even though I'm a bad player in the game of love.
I love love love the rain. I always have an urge to run out and play in it sometimes, but then I don't want to be sick.
I can never get to sleep at night, and I can never seem to wake up when I do.
I'm always a bit tired.
I care too much about first impressions and what people make of me.
I draw inspiration from sunsets, stars, the beach, love, music, and ordinary people who do incredible things with what they have.
I don't like TV or watch it much. I feel like it's a bit pointless and soul sucking, and I don't really have the patience for it. I only watch shows that make me laugh and add a little sunshine into my life, like Friends and The Mighty Boosh.
I will never think less of you because of your past. I also believe you are worth it.
I have had a hard past...and sometimes I look back and begin to shake. I realise the circumstances I face now and I have faced in the past are sort of like a refiner- I am being polished into something beautiful and strong. Although I do envy people who have had an easy time growing up, who have stable families and dads, who havn't had money issues etc, I know I am not lesser because of the cards I have been dealt it. It's learning to see the stars in the gutter.
Smokes relax me.
I appreciate tattoos and the stories they tell, and I am hoping to have my body tattooed one day.
Faith, Hope, Love.
I am waiting relentlessly for my Prince. In God's time, not mine.
I hate wasting food and I have a bad habit of eating everything even when I'm really full.
When I was younger I spent all my pocket money on buying CDs at Real Groovy in town, and I loved it. I would put the CD in my CD player soak in every chord, every beat, every tune. I love how music takes you to a faraway place, and drowns out the bad in the world.
I love dogs, and will definitely get one when I move out as my mum definitely doesn't like dogs.
I love to laugh and encourage people.
I think crying is beautiful. Tears are a way to express what cannot be expressed in words. And I read somewhere that ever since the beginning of birth, it has always been a sign that you are alive.
Love is the final fight.
Music breaks all barriers, transforms, inspires, speaks, loves, comforts, uplifts and changes things. It does many others for me too.
Sushi and avacados are my favourite.
Tigers are fierce and independant, whales are big and strong but humble and peaceful, birds are gentle and always return home, and dogs are loving and friendly. These animals have atrributes that kind of desribe me or what I want to be, and that's why they're my favourite.
I'm a clean freak.
My deepest darkest fear is losing someone I love because I think I won't be able to cope with it. Also, not being able to travel and experience the world.
I never know what I want to do with my hair.
I'm a bit awkward.
I feel life is moving too fast, even though I tell it to hurry up sometimes.
I will and want to believe in the good left in this world.
Whenever I meet someone, I always look at their shoes. To me, you can tell alot about someone by the shoes they wear.
I get along with guys way more than I do with girls.
I think the smile and the eyes are the most attractive features in the opposite sex. I think you can tell alot about a guy like how kind and genuine and honest he is by his smile and eyes.
I like a good challenge in life. Call me weird but I enjoy the hard times in life more than the good ones. Just because during the hard times, you grow and you struggle but you lean on and get to know God more. And it's during the hard times that people's true colours show.
I'm shy when I first meet people, but once I get to know you I crack a lot of jokes.
I can't save money. At all.
I don't express my opinions out loud, even though I'm quite an opiniated person. I guess I'm a little afraid of what people might think, or of being wrong.
I'm worth it. And so are you. I'm beautiful. And you definetly are too. I can make a change. And I know you can too.