What does that song really mean?

I came across this forum asking if mainstream bands like Lifehouse and Switchfoot are Christian bands. There are arguments because:

1. They refuse to be labeled as a Christian band.
2. As they enter into mainstream music, less and less Christian jargons show in their lyrics. (For e.g. less "Jesus", less "God").
3. Their lyrics sometimes confuse listeners of what the song is really based upon. (listen to LeAnn Rimes's "I need you" and you'll get what I mean). They tend to use "you" to represent God instead. At times it sounds like it's a song for a boyfriend.

Are these guys denying Jesus? Do they view selling albums as more important? (the mainstream scene definitely has a bigger scene than the Christian music industry alone). Have they forgotten their faith with their increasing popularity?

Sometimes we have tend to be hypocritical when things are not done the traditional Christian way. Well I had questions in my head too when I found out that P.O.D with their tattoos and what-nots were originally in the Christian music scene. My best response to this debate would be that it isn't such bad thing. In fact, it isn't a bad thing at all. It's like seeping Christian values into the worldly music industry. Nothing wrong with songs that gives us a more positive outlook on life; songs that remind us that there's some form of hope out there whenever we think all is lost.

These guys can choose to write about anything but yet they can't keep from writing a song or two about their spiritual lives. There isn't any protocols in Christian music. It's how we honour Him with it. So next time you switched on your radio, you might just hear a lil bit of Jesus in there.

He gave me change with his stumps

Went to the Shell petrol station in USJ2 just now to buy batteries. As I head to the counter to pay for my item, this guy took over the cashier and you know what? He had no arms. Literally. He only had stumps for his arms. No fingers. No prosthetic arm or anything. Just two short stumps. Before I could do anything, he grabbed the pack of AA batteries from me, scanned it, muttered the amount, took my cash, gave me my change in coins, and said thank you. That, was the one of the most enlightening 30 seconds I've ever had so far. Back in the car I told Josh about it and we began talking about how admirable that guy is. Despite his handicap, he could still be independent, make a living of his own. He could just choose to give up on life. Maybe beg on the streets, get compensation from the welfare department or something. Instead, he chose not to be some charity case and make use of every little he has. Now, that is something.

Please pray

My mom has been to 4 funerals this year alone already and she told God she freaking does not want to go to another one. My 19 year old neighbour and Marilyn's death tells me that life can be short; even for good people. Men like Adrian are rare. Exactly how many male Sunday School teachers do you see in church?

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Please pray for Adrian. You can check his progress at http://adriancheahupdates.blogspot.com . The last I checked, there was some good news so continue praying.

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I'll be shaking your hand in church soon Adrian.

Aduh!

Today I woke up with a terrible pain near my right molars. "Oh great, another ulcer". Eating was torture. Each bite made me cringe in pain. Grandma's here for the week and now I can't enjoy good homecooked food. What timing.

By afternoon the pain was so immense I decided that maybe it could be a wisdom tooth problem. Going to the dentist is never fun for me. Mom made it worst by telling her experience of having her wisdom tooth extracted. She also mentioned the possiblity of surgery and all that. I decided that, "Ah...whatever. I really can't stand the pain anymore". It was already feeling like somebody just jab a knife up my gums. Hopefully it would just be an ulcer problem. I'd rather have that than bear the pain of having an entire tooth yanked out.

At the clinic, opening up my mouth for the dentist was already difficult. Dentist said I had a wisdom tooth coming out. "Oh crap". In fact she said I had all my wisdom tooth are already out - all four of them. Dentist said I'm brimming with wisdom. Anyway I was prescribed two kinds of antibiotics and painkillers. I can choose to extract the tooth later if I want to. Looks like I'll be eating baby food for these few days.

"Cos I'm a girl and I told you so"

How many times do we guys get manipulated by girls to do stuff for them? Actually its easier than manipulate. It's more like it is expected from us. While I do agree that guys have the responsibility to take care of the girl, be gentlemanly, provide for her needs; however I must say that there are girls who abuse the system. They use their good looks and charm (more like seducing) to get guys to get the things they want. Yup, they're popular, image-conscious bimbos who thinks the world worships them at their feet and think that "the others" are lucky to even know them. They act all sweet in front of you so that you'll give them the due attention they can't live without. Behind your back they criticize your imperfections. They never say "thank you". They say "What will you get me next?". They don't really like you. They just enjoy the benefits. Talk about being taken for granted.

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To receive, you must give as well. A relationship can't be one-sided. It can't just be all about the girl alone although I must admit that you tend to be head-over-heels for the girl when you're in love. Wouldn't it be nice if she can just call you once and ask how you are after the many calls that you made to her each week? Wouldn't it be great if she surprises you with a small gift just to say how appreciative she is. What's wrong in sharing the bill once in awhile? Afterall she earns money too. It doesn't necessary have to be a gift. Whatever happen to sincere "thank you's"? Girls aren't really like that. It just slip their mind.

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I can go to the ends for a girl but it had better be worth it. And when my efforts are successful I'll be singing this song:

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We should get jerseys cause we make a great team

But yours would look better than mine, cause you're outta my league

And I know that it's so cliche to tell you that everyday

I spend with you is the new best day of my life

Everyone watching us just turns away with disgust

It's Jealously, they can see that we've got it going on

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And I'm racking my brain for a new improved way

To let you know you're more to me than what I know how to say

You're ok with the way this is going to be

This is going to be the best thing we've ever seen

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If anyone can make me a better person you could

All I gotta say is I musta done something good

I came along one day and you rearranged my life

All I gotta say is I musta done something right

I musta done something right

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Maybe I'm just lucky cause it's hard to believe

Believe that somebody like you'd end up with someone like me

And I know that it's so cliche to talk about you this way

But I'll push all my inhibitions aside

It's so very obvious to everyone watching us

That we have got something real good going on

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Clara got bored so I'm blogging 'bout her.

• Labeled as "Miss Shrimp-ess" by Piao.


• Taught me how to dance and made me a superstar.


• Wanna know a secret? I used to think of her as this rude, need-for-attitude-adjustment tween.


• She's super nice now. =)


• Talented pianist.


• Plays the guitar.


• Awesome singer!


• Calls me her "personal driver".


• I like calling her Clara even if the others don't.


• Has LIPS


• Recently had a weird dream about an elephant.

No fair. Your picture is much nicer here.

All-England champions!

Finally! Malaysia is winning something in badminton. I think this dudes are awesome. Most of the credit must go to their coach too I guess. They're fast, capable of lethal shots, daring and they're only so young. Up next, World Championship! Damn, I have to watch them live in Bukit Jalil then.

p.s. Paul...when are we gonna play like that?

The Wedding

Troy (finally) got married last Saturday and gee...I felt happy for him. He used to be my cell leader and I remembered how committed he was towards the cell. And yeah, he was there to provide some love advice as well. Even got me started on reading Josh Harris's books. Congrats to Troy and Janice. To Troy, glad you met the love of your life.

Couple

This local indie band has been getting some attention not only from our local newspapers but magazines from the US. All of that I think came from their Myspace website. Recently they've been voted "Top 25 bands in Myspace". Not bad for a band from Ipoh. They've also signed record deals with labels from Indonesia, Japan and currently US. Weird. How come they didn't get any record deals from a Malaysian label? Anyway I decided to check on this band to see whether all these newspaper reports are true about them being that good. Well, they're certainly very pop-ish, staying true to the fact that they're a power pop band. I must admit that the lyrics are pretty catchy and the tunes addictive. My 12 year old brother was overhearing one of the songs playing when he walked by and next thing I know, he was humming the tune downstairs. They're definitely not the fist-in-the-air, guitar-shredding, moshpit-breakout type of band but keep hearing their songs and you'll find yourself dancing along. Sometimes bands just try too hard. Couple gives you simple, classic, feel-good music and they have fun doing it. Check them out at www.myspace.com/couple. There are links to their interview and acoustic performance with MTV Asia which you can check out at their site too. Personally I think they suck in their PR skills. I guess they speak through their music. Malaysian bands aren't so bad afterall. =)

I'm not handsome

Mom: Hey, this cookies quite nice lah. Finish it lah.
Me: Yeah, they're nice. You eat lah.
Mom: That girl from place X gave it to you right? She likes you ah?
Me: Wow...I didn't think it that way. *in mocking tone* Could it really be?
Mom: Ceh, you're not that handsome also.
Me: Hmmph! You're not that pretty either.
Mom: It's okay. I'm already old anyway.
Me: I take after your looks you know.
Mom: No lah, you look like Pa lah.
Jared: Mommy...am I more handsome than Tai Kor?
Mom: Ya.