Rest

Dingin udara menyengat tubuh
Laksana beribu jarum menusuk kalbu
Dingin
Aku merasa dingin

Sekujur tubuh ku menggigil bergemeretak
Tubuhku berteriak dan mencari cari
Dimanakah gerangan sang surya perkasa
Kenapa yang ada hanya salju putih di hati

Bosan aku dengan kedinginan ini
Bosan
Capai aku mencari cari surya
Aku capek
ingin kurebahkan tubuh di bawah sang surya
menikmati kehangatannya yang agung

Tapi kuterus mencari cari
"I have a dream" kataku
I have a dream that one day I will find it

Akhirnya sang surya perkasa menemukanku
Senang
Girang gemirang rasanya hati ini
Getar getar panas mulai merasuki tubuhku

Aku merasa hangat
Hangat
Kuselimuti tubuhku dengan selimut surya
Dan kurebahkan tubuhku dibawah dekapannya

Exodus 33:14
The LORD replied, "My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest."

Belgium Trip !! ciamik!

I went to 3 cities in Belgium this weekend, Antwerp, Brussels and Bruge ... It was surprisingly good!! Usually when people talk about Europe, they mention England, France or Germany, but very rare people would go to Belgium ... Belgium is famous for its beer and chocolate, yummm, and of course its culture and architectures!!

I went to Belgium with some friends this weekend ... So many things to see and enjoy ... Too many stories behind places that we visit, so I guess I will just post some pictures and videos ... The rest, I will treasure it in my memory ... :)

Palais Royal - Brussels

Bruge

Chololat Museum - Bruge

Brussels square

Kid pee statue - Brussels - this statue is famous the legend says that this kid saved the town from fire with his pee ... haha ... *deeeeee*

Me - :)

Antwerp train station

Bruge square

Musical museum - Brussels
Bruge - Leap of Joy

More pictures -->
http://www.imagestation.com/album/pictures.html?id=2098953097
http://www.imagestation.com/album/pictures.html?id=2098950738

Church History and Anti-Semitism

Some interesting reading about Church History. It's not like I have time to learn about the church history, but it is interesting to see the development of the church ... We who claimed to be the church of God and born again Christians have made so many FATAL mistakes throughout the history and the damage is so large ...

Some of it like hatred towards the jews (antisemitism), or Roman Catholics traded forgiveness of sins are very shameful and if we are to learn from the history, we need to be humble and let God works in our hearts ...

With regards to antisemitism, Christians have done some terrible things in the past. The majority of Germany in World War II was Catholics but they slayed Jews like animal. Interestingly, see remarks from a very important person of Reformation, Martin Luther taken from Wikipedia,

Martin Luther's views on the Jews are described as racial or religious anti-Semitism, ^[1] or as anti-Judaism. ^[2] In his pamphlet Von den Juden und ihren Lügen (On the Jews and their Lies), published in 1543, he wrote that Jews' synagogues should be set on fire, prayerbooks destroyed, rabbis forbidden to preach, homes "smashed and destroyed," property seized, money confiscated, and that these "poisonous envenomed worms" be drafted into forced labor or expelled "for all time." ^[3] He also appeared to sanction their murder: ^[4] "Jerusalem was destroyed over 1400 years ago, and at that time we Christians were harassed and persecuted by the Jews throughout the world ... So we are even at fault for not avenging all this innocent blood of our Lord and of the Christians which they shed for 300 years after the destruction of Jerusalem ... We are at fault in not slaying them." ^[5]

---------------
It was shocking to me that this statement comes from Martin Luther ... I think the context was that he was frustrated of the unbelief of Jews, but still to come up with such a statement as a religious leader is unthinkable to me ... It was no coincidence that the first persecution of Jews done by the Nazi at the date where Martin Luther died (10 November?) ... Such a statement could bring such large damages to the Jews ...

Antisemitism is WRONG!!!! Many people had arguments on why the Jews suffered throughout the centuries: Some people argued the Jews suffer because they have to pay the price for crucifying Jesus. But that is totally WRONG and NON BIBLICAL ...

God is faithful to His people ... If He is not faithful to Israel, what guarantees are there that He is faithful to us gentiles? None ... He can change his mind now and save others while ignoring us to our miseries ... The truth is God is faithful to Israel and He will deliver them from their miseries ... Jews and Gentiles will worship God together and that is the picture of the bible ... God allows these things to happen to Israel to bring them to Himself and that is why He is faithful ... He remembers His promises ...

The reason of why Jews suffer throughout the history is *probably* Satan attacked God's people (Jews) and try to say to others that God does not fulfill its promises to the Jews ... Satan is the father of all lies and he attacked Jews to prove that God does not remember His promises to Israel ...

We should encourage Jews to come and accept Christ ... The truth in the bible says that BOTH Jews and Gentiles will worship God together and God is faithful to His people, us and the jews ... !!

Feynoord vs AZ, 18 Nov 2006

First video upload! ... Youtube is quite useful afterall! hehe

Feyenoord vs Az alkmaar (3 - 2)

Wo hoo!! First european soccer game live, amazing bangett! For those of you that know me I am very excited when I watch a soccer match .. apalagi kalau live .. hebat banget lah !!! Feeling so grateful !!

Here are some photos of the match,





And some more photos: http://www.imagestation.com/album/pictures.html?id=2099246691

Irwansyah - Pecinta Wanita

Cool song!!!!!

Lyrics:
Kutemukan dalam pencarian
Cinta sejati untuk hidupku
Kurang lebih yang seperti dia
Kuharap dalam cintaku

Ku tak mau menjanjikannya
Pasti bahagia bila denganku
Biar dia rasakan sendiri
Betapa gilanya cintaku

Reff:
Aku memang pencinta wanita
Namun ku bukan buaya
Yang setia pada seribu gadis
Ku hanya mencintai dia

Aku memang pencinta wanita
Yang lembut seperti dia
Ini saat ku akhiri semua
Pencarian dalam hidup
Dan cintaku ternyata
Yang kumau hanyalah dia

Melly Goeslaw feat Krisdayanti - Cinta

Another nice indo song!

Lyrics:
Melly : Menapak jalan yang menjauh
Tentukan arah yang ku mau
Tempatkan aku pada satu peristiwa
Yang membuat hati lara

KD : Didekat engkau aku tenang
Sendu matamu penuh tanya
Misteri hidup akankah menghilang
Dan bahagia di akhir cerita

Melly : Cinta.... tegarkan hatiku
Tak mau sesuatu merenggut engkau
Naluriku berkata
Tak ingin terulang lagi
Kehilangan cinta hati
Bagai raga tak bernyawa

KD : Aku..... junjung petuahmu
Cintai dia yang mencintaiku
Hatinya dulu berlayar
Kini telah menepi
Bukankah hidup kita akhirnya harus bahagia

Melly : Didekat engkau aku tenang
Sendu matamu penuh tanya

KD : Misteri hidup akankah menghilang
Dan bahagia di akhir cerita

Melly : Cinta.... tegarkan hatiku
Tak mau sesuatu merenggut engkau
Naluriku berkata
Tak ingin terulang lagi
Kehilangan cinta hati
Bagai raga tak bernyawa

KD : Aku..... junjung petuahmu
Cintai dia yang mencintaiku
Hatinya dulu berlayar
Kini telah menepi
Bukankah hidup kita akhirnya harus bahagia

Melly : Bagaimanapun hidup hanya cerita
KD : Cerita tentang meninggalkan dan yang ditinggalkan

Both : Cinta...........

Samsons - Kenangan Terindah

A very nice indo song. I just realized how much I love Indonesian songs .... Long live indo songs!!!

Lyrics:
Aku yang lemah tanpamu
Aku yang rentan karena
Cinta yang t'lah hilang
Darimu yang mampu menyanjungku

Selama mata terbuka
Sampai jantung tak berdetak
Selama itu pun aku mampu
Untuk mengenangmu

Darimu kutemukan hidupku
Bagiku kaulah cinta sejati

Chorus :
Bila yang tertulis untukku
Adalah yang terbaik untukmu
Kan kujadikan kau
Kenangan yang terindah dalam hidupku
Namun takkan mudah bagiku
Meninggalkan jejak hidupku
Yang t'lah terukir abadi
Sebagai kenangan yang terindah

Darimu kutemukan hidupku
Bagiku kaulah cinta sejati

REPENT BEFORE YOU FACE DEATH!!!!

Mario Dayanti - Mencintaimu

Hahaha .... :))))))

More den haag photos

http://www.imagestation.com/album/pictures.html?id=2099608493

More amsterdam museum trip photos

http://www.imagestation.com/album/pictures.html?id=2099622136

Den Haag

One of the most beautiful cities that I have visited ... No kidding ... it's so European with so many activities and a truly vibrant cities with many museums, beach, and food festive. Very unique and a must go city in Holland .... I really enjoyed my day-tour today ... It was amazing ...

I visited the following places: Madurodam (little holland), Mauritzhuis museum, Scheveningel beach, Omniversum imax theatre, and parliament and government houses and the shopping district.

Ted Haggard

The fall of Ted Haggard, an evangelical leader in the US, into disgrace has surely done a lot of damage to the Christian community and teaching. It seems now there are grounds for mocking and treating all christians to be as hypocrite as Ted Haggard. The media loves this kind of story when a christian leader fall, that is to be expected and I don't blame them for that since there is no ground for me to do so..

Don't get me wrong, this blog entry does not intend to put the blame on anyone, let alone Mr. Haggard, but I am just trying to point out a fact and looking at the entire matter from our perspective as Christians. I don't intend to pass judgment to Ted Haggard or anyone, since I am also sinful myself, but it is always good to know God's perspective in this matter.

To non-christians:

1. I never deny the fact that Christians do sin in our lives. I sin a lot. It affects pastors as well as the regular born-again christians. When christians sin it has consequences (reaping the fruit of our sins) and if the christian is in leadership, the consequences can be very damaging.
   
   1 John 1:8-10: 8If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. 9If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. 10If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word has no place in our lives.
   
   
2. Jesus condemned the hypocrisy of the religious leaders at that time (looking good on the outside, but very far from God on the inside) and I am sure He is the same before, now and forever. The fact that christians sin should not make us hypocrites and when we sin we ought to immediately confess and ask the Holy Spirit to empower us not to sin again. I guess in the case of Ted Haggard, he is guilty of hypocrisy and deception. I can understand that when a christian or people in general is put in a very high position in society or church, it is very hard to admit their sins first of all to God and to other people when they fall. Remember Clinton!
   
   Matthew 23:27: "Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs, which look beautiful on the outside but on the inside are full of dead men's bones and everything unclean.
   
   
3. Christianity does not hate or comdemn homosexuals, but we believe that the act of homosexual is a sin in the eyes of God. This is not Ted Haggard's teaching nor it is anyone's teaching but it comes from the bible which we believe is the very Word of God. What we do is just to point out to people this sin and it is up to them if they want to listen or not. To suggest that we christians are hypocrite because of the fall of Ted Haggard and we should not teach what is in the bible anymore is not entirely logical if you think of it objectively. The bible is the very Word of God and its truth does not depend on Mr. Ted or the fall of other christian people. I cannot emphasize the importance of this point, that we/I don't hate homosexuals people, they are the same like me, human being created in God's image.
   
   1 Corinthians 6:9: Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor male prostitutes nor homosexual offenders
   
   Romans 1:18-27: 18The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of men who suppress the truth by their wickedness, 19since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. 20For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse.21For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened. 22Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools 23and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images made to look like mortal man and birds and animals and reptiles. 24Therefore God gave them over in the sinful desires of their hearts to sexual impurity for the degrading of their bodies with one another. 25They exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator—who is forever praised. Amen.26Because of this, God gave them over to shameful lusts. Even their women exchanged natural relations for unnatural ones. 27In the same way the men also abandoned natural relations with women and were inflamed with lust for one another. Men committed indecent acts with other men, and received in themselves the due penalty for their perversion.
   

To christians (and especially myself):

1. It is regretable that this incident happened, but it's not the first time. We know that we can sin, but we know that if we confess our sins God will forgive. Do it immediately when we sin and don't wait. Never let a particular sin unrepented to God before you sleep.
   
   1 John 1:8-10: 8If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. 9If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. 10If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word has no place in our lives.
   
   
2. Take heart because God is in control even in this kind of situation.
   
   Isaiah 43:13: Yes, and from ancient days I am he. No one can deliver out of my hand. When I act, who can reverse it?"
   
   Matthew 28:18: Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.
   
   
3. Do have someone that you can trust to share your deepest secret to keep us accountable in our walk with God. Yes, we should firstly be accountable to God, but I believe that other christians can play a very important role as well in this matter.
   
   1 Thessalonians 5:11: Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.
   
   
4. When you are put in a high position in society or church, always be alert!! Your fall could affect many others and there are large consequences need to be paid. Consider your position nothing in the eyes of God because you have died with Christ and the life you live now is for Him.
   
   Matthew 19:23: Then Jesus said to his disciples, "I tell you the truth, it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven.
   
   
5. Be faithful to Jesus and His Word.
   
   
6. Pray for your christian leaders
   

My whole life to You, everyday

God, I praise You, because You are good
You are good to those who love You with all their hearts
Many times I failed You and I did not understand what You want with me
Like a dumb sheep I fail to listen to Your voice

I know there are things in my life that I still hold dearly
Things that hinder me from You
It is hard to let go, very hard
I thought, it's ok as long as it is not a sin to cling to it

I am letting that go now, o God
I declare that I am letting it go, forever
Give me the courage to face the problems after
Display Your power in me according to Your will

I want to know more about Your will
I want to listen to You everyday
I want to grow everyday
Teach me to live for Christ and consider death as gains

Here is my whole life to You, everyday

Amsterdam Museum Trip

1. Anne Frank Huis Museum
   I went to Anne Frank Huis museum in Amsterdam (and some other museum) yesterday ... I just can't resist to put an entry of my thought to this blog about it ... To cut the story short, Anne is a jew, and she and her family were hiding from the German occupation of the Netherlands in 1942 in her father's company office ... Another family soon joined them in hiding, and they were 8 people in total hiding ... The family had some helpers which is the employees in that office ... They supplied them with food and news from the outside world ...
   
   During that time in hiding, Anne wrote her diary describing day-to-day life in the three storage floor office ... Her father still controls the company and that's how they manage to live .... Anne wrote a detailed experience of what it is like to hide from the German ... The fear of being discovered, living in the dark for 2 years (not total darkness), speaks in whisper, scared to be shot, etc ....
   
   Eventually someone betrayed them (no one knows until now who) and the German caught them just 1 month before the liberation by the British ... It was so sad ... The whole family died in the concentration camp except Otto Frank Huis (the father) ... All of the helpers (employee) survived the war, and together they published Anne Frank Huis diary to the public ...
   
   Immediately, I drew parallel with what Jesus said in the bible, that people who believes in the Lord will be persecuted at the end of time ... Even though this happens now in other parts of the world, but it seems to me that Jesus was saying a large scale of that event ... Nobody with the mark of God can buy or sell food, trade, and they go in hiding .... The bible describes how terrible is those days, but the one who stands until the end will be saved ....
   
   I was just thinking, if I was in Anne's situation, what would I do? They were persecuted by the German because they were Jews ... The answer is I wouldn't know what to do and have to ask God ... I couldn't see it happening in a large scale in the next 5 years or so, but who knows what will happen ... It is possible that America and UK will fall and then the new world power allow such thing to happen, no one really knows .... It does not matter really, but what matter is are we ready for it as Christians, people chosen by God?
   
   
   The house with green door is the house of Anne Frank Huis
   
   
   
   
   
2. Rijksmuseum
   It is the biggest museum in Holland, but unfortunately it is undergoing some construction work now, so I just got to see some part of it ... As usual when you go to museums, you see a lot of paintings ... Rijksmuseum has lots of it and as usual I have no clue about paintings ... haha ... But I started to enjoy looking at it, the details, strokes, colour mix, expressions, backgrounds, story behind the paintings, cultural effects, etc ...
   
   The big item in Rijks is "The night watch" and the "Jewish Bride" by Rembrandt, the true genius Dutch painter .. There are of course other paintings and amazing silver paintings ... I totally enjoy the arts eventhough I am crap at it ... haha ..
   
   Dutch VOC ships
   
   
   The night watch by Rembrandt
   
   
   Cupid, god of love? haha
   
   
   
3. Amsterdam Historical Museum
   This museum tells the history of Amsterdam from 15-- until 2000 ... It is interesting to see how a city develops into big metropolitan ... It's like playing a "civilization" game .. those of you who plays game should at least heard of this game .. There were some paintings, archaelogical discovery, history, maps of what Amsterdam looked like, etc ... Batavia (now Jakarta) is also mentioned several times as the center of the East Indies Company (VOC) in east Asia ... That's the time of golden age for Holland and I thought, yeah rite golden age after you sucked our resources ... :)
   
   Dutch town hall
   
   Excavation items

More Paris Photos

Paris Trip 5: http://www.imagestation.com/album/pictures.html?id=2100018497
Paris Trip 4: http://www.imagestation.com/album/pictures.html?id=2100018805
Paris Trip 3: http://www.imagestation.com/album/pictures.html?id=2100019127
Paris Trip 2: http://www.imagestation.com/album/pictures.html?id=2100020471
Paris Trip: http://www.imagestation.com/album/pictures.html?id=2100101993

Stronger (in God's perspective)

In my previous entry/ies, I sometimes said I wanted to be stronger ... Well, it is true that I wanted to be a stronger Christian and a stronger person ... Smarter ... Wiser .... Maturer ...

BUT

It was a wrong way of thinking ... NOT BIBLICAL ... I was struck with the truth that God is not in the business of making me or any Christian stronger .... In fact, it is the other way around, God is in the business of making Christians DIE to the cross with Jesus so we could attain the power of the resurrection ... Paul also said that in my weaknesses I am strong .... So if we pray, God I am facing this problem so please make me stronger, that is not entirely correct ... What we should pray instead is God, I am weak and I have died 2000 years ago, but please display Your power in me so Your name might be glorified ...

This is one paradox in the bible that I am still trying to grasp these days in my daily life and one of my struggle in my saat teduh ....

Sharing with ICF Chinese group

I have been blessed last week after my trip from Paris ... I visited the house one lady from ICF named "Ank" with the chinese group and we had a nice sharing time together ... She asked me how I became a christian and I shared my struggle as well ... The others also do the same and even though it has to be translated from English to Chinese, I felt God works in our sharing ... Ank is very wise and she was a missionary originally to Indonesia but could not enter the country and was directed to China by God ... She is very energetic in her age, maybe like dudley ford in Sydney .. hehe ... I am glad to know her, and I might visit the chinese group bible study this monday ... initially I was reluctant becoz of language barrier, but I was encouraged by the sharing and wanted to have that fellowship more ...

It was also a special time last Sunday seeing 2 of my chinese friends got baptized and 2 other dutch which I only heard stories of ... Baptism in here is a big event ... haha .. they had to make a speech in front of the congregation before being baptized sharing their faith .... The dutch husband and wife had a story that they had to decide against their family's will to be baptized ... it was so hard for them to get into that point, but I thank God for He is working in His people .... It reminded me on how long I have been baptized (12 years now) and one question which Ank asked me: "Have you been growing?" <-- she asked this to everyone ...

I don't know what to answer usually with this kind of question ... I should say "Yes, praise the Lord, because He is the One that gives growth", but at the same time I felt I could have grown more if I had not messed up at different points in my life ... Everything is part of God's plan and I should rejoice for where I am now ...

Well, tomorrow I will go to Amsterdam to see the museums, and back to church on Sunday again ... woo hoo ... thank you God !

Karena Kutahu Engkau Begitu

NTU Student survey - Funny comments

very funny ... !!

Paris

Wo hoooo ... Paris is so beautiful, especially from the top of Eiffel tower ... Mann, you should see it ... Sugoi ... Kirei ... Amazing beneran deh .... I really really really love Paris, it is a city of architecture and arts ... full of expression and beauty .... Amazing amazing .... Definitely worth a visit again later ...

Here's a summary of my tour:
1st day: Wandered around the city, to the church of notredam, st sulpice church, some other churches and buildings, louvre museum (outside), first and second triumphant gates, shopping district, moulin rouge, eiffel tower. It was a good but tiring day, but eiffel tower is just amazing, especially looking at Paris from the top ... I was scared going up since I am afraid of height, but It was worth it ... Most Paris looks white, except the new city which pretty much look like modern cities such as sydney or new york, full of offices ... It really felt like I was in the 1st century kingdom or Rome up there ... haha ... so full of architectural beauty ... Everywhere you go, there is always a beautiful building ...

2nd day: Visited Louvre museum ... it was hugeeeee ... Someone said if you only look at each item for 30 seconds in louvre, it will take you around 3 months to finish the whole museum ... It was an amazing experience for me looking at these arts ... Man, I wish I can appreciate it more, the arts, history, different cultures, sculptures, mona lisa (oh my God) ...

3rd day: I went to Chatteau de Varseille, which used to be a palace for kings and queens ... apparently it is the biggest palace in europe ... so pretty with all its huge gardens and fountains and the queen palace .... so beautiful .... We also went to La Fayette which was the most luxurious shopping stores in France, full with expensive brands which I know little about like LV, etc ... Then we went to china town to have dinner together ... We were grateful to have found an all-you-can-eat restaurant since the whole 3 days was quite tiring ...

4th day: We did not go to many places, but only visiting a church which is said to be located in the highest point (land) in Paris, UNESCO world heritage, Grande Palaise, and one free museum ... We finished our trip by having lunch in a Thai restaurant near our hotel ...

Paris is definitely worth a visit ... Thanking God for the opportunity to go there and enjoy my holiday after such a long half-semester (block) ... I plan to go to berlin, brussels, antwerp and amsterdam (again) during this month and will also watch a soccer match in rotterdam (feyenoord vs az alkmaar) ... woo hoooo ... soccerrrrr ... ole ole ole ole ...

Paris Trip (4)

Paris Trip (3)

Paris Trip (2)

Paris Trip

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