Tuesday, July 10, 2007 @2:11 AM
Happy Birthday My Very VERY Dear Friend!
This very day celebrates God's gift of a special friend to me.
Over these years of friendship, we've had our share of ups and downs. Well more ups than downs of course. And through the years this girl has changed a great deal I must say. From one who was fearful of peoples' judgment, to one who has turned such negativity into an inspiration for many. Whilst struggles are inevitable, she has drawn great strength from the almighty one.
On a more personal note, thanks tons for this wonderful friendship! And for all the times you could care less about people's opinion, hence, enabling greater understanding between us. Not forgetting also all the joys we share. Though we've journeyed past certain obstacles along the way, I'm grateful that we've managed to work things out before it got worse.
I pray that God will continue to strengthen you in faith and gradually reveal his wondrous plans for you. Keep up the good fight my friend and if you need a shoulder to lean on I'll be here.
May God continue to shower His blessing on you.
Cheers to a friendship that we hope will last a lifetime =)
With Love,
Ben Long
* Let no one disregard you because you are young *
Sunday, April 22, 2007 @1:04 AM
Our God Is An Awesome God!
Awesome God! Now that's gonna be my personal theme song!
Amazing! Almightly! Glorious! Extraordinary! Loving! Terrific! Illustrious! Magnificent! Wonderful! Majestic! AhHhh he's just more den words can describe!
For awhile now I've been feeling rather dry spiritually. Well here's what happened, after MPM I moved to LDM and I'm still kinda adjusting, but I do still go back to MPM cos the sessions are open to even non-members.
Feeling the common complain of my peers about 'I feel so old' I'm begining to worry about how involve can I really be? After my left shoulder operation, I missed a few MPM sessions and began drifting a lil from community prayer. Hence when I went back yesterday I just had a great urge to Praise & Worship aloud again.
Irritably, as much as I could sing aloud I was only able to raise my left arm to shoulder height. However, as we went deeper and deeper into prayer, I begun to gradually feel the presence of the holy spirit and I was reminded 'Nothing can stop you from praising God'. Hence, I attempted to raise my left up to praise. And amazingly I DID! At the very moment, I was in total awe and begun to burst into tears of joy.
After that incident, my shoulder did not totally heal yet, but I can raise my arm up to praise. And with every person I testify the incident to, I am able to raise my arm higher and higher.
What more? I've not gone for even a single physiotherapy session since my operation.
Now that's how great God is!
* Let no one disregard you because you are young *
Tuesday, April 10, 2007 @2:03 PM
Blessed be God, Blessed by God
Well, one really common question people have been asking me recently is none other than "What happened to your arm?". And after sharing my ever so often repeated account of the incident, it's funny looking at how people squash up their face in disgust with the "eEe!" exclaimation to go with it. Haha
I mean hey.. chill guys and girls, it really isn't as bad as it seems heh.
Well for the benefit of those who do not already know about the operation I just had on my shoulder (And of course so I do not need to invest on a tape recorder) I'll explain breifly what happened.
In Dec 2005, I slipped an fell into a pool and pull a mucsle in my shoulder, yes you heard it right 2005.. a darn long time ago. =P
Initially I didn't borther about it because it just "snaps" occasionally. It hurts but it doesn't affect a whole lot of my lifestyle and stuff. However, in May 06 I sprained my finger. I went to see the Medical Officer hoping he'd do something about my finger and I just 'sun pian' told him about my shoulder and flatfoot.
Hence the many follow ups, from the army medical center to SGH, to physio, to X-rays, to MRI scan and then... OP on 29 March 2007. May 06 to Mar 07 damn long right? I agree man! Ineffiency to the MAX!
But here's the catch. On April 2nd my camp turned into a Stay-In camp. In other words no more Fall-out timing at 5.30pm. The only time we get to go home is friday evening and gotta Book-In on Sunday evening. Thankfully, I am currently on MC from 29th March to only God know when I'll recover. Usually people who go for OP will be out of action for mths. And.. NO I DID NOT PLAN TO "CHAO KENG" HOR =P
I must admit tho, ever since I stopped studying I really miss holidays.
Thank You Lord for this blessed break!
* Let no one disregard you because you are young *
Tuesday, August 22, 2006 @10:47 PM
Kids Anyone?
Just recently I engaged in a 'let's share more abt each other' kinda dialogue with someone. And somehow we arrived at the topic of kids, well not the 'would u wanna have kids in the future?' kinda converstation but rather just generally, Kids. He shared with me abt how he liked to be arnd them, play with em & stuff. And to my surprise, he commented 'You are not the kind that likes kids do you?'.
I was like "WHAT?!?!?". The ever playful, annoying, monkey who loves the playground, BenLong DO NOT LIKE KIDS? Are you seriously out of your mind?!? HaHahA! Ok maybe... just maybe... my looks, my age, etc... doesn't match that of a playground.. But HEY! stick with me long enough and you will understand the meaning of a "20 year old KID" I'm sure a lot of Maranuts can vouch for that.. LoL
I mean.. hey what's wrong with kids? They are sOoOo cute!!! I always have the urge to wave & make funny-faces @ em. And just watch them laugh with ever soo much delight. Which thereafter tempts me to wanna pinch their cheery cheeks!
People often say kids are so troublesome, noisy & stuff.. But somehow I prefer dealing with them den mature people. Least you know they do not make mistakes on purpose. They are honest with what they feel and do not put on a mask to hide their emotions, unlike the mature who grow mindful of what people think and say.
Imagin the world with the mentality to the likeness of a child. There will be fights, but the next time they meet, they'll be best of friends playing together again. There'll be no need for politics, no backstabbing, no dbl standards, etc...
As we age, we claim to know a lot.. Experiences tells us much no doubt. Knowledge and wisdom kicks in. However, we slowly forget what it means to be real and not superficial.. to mean every word we say & not just give textbook answers... Like the saying goes.. "Sometimes it's not good to know too much." Yep sometimes too much knowledge harms more den it should do good. Welp.. Adam & Eve is one good example =)
Oh yes.. another thing kids won't do.. They do not call u a pedophile when they see you playing with other kids.. =P
* Let no one disregard you because you are young *
Sunday, July 30, 2006 @11:29 PM
29 July 2006 MPM Session : Self-Sacrifice
I could not have asked for a better team to execute this session.
In no particular order, here's what I've gotta say abt them
Jac: Wonderful with taking initiatives. Every ready to step up to lead when asked to. If there's anything I'd admire her for, it's the way she is always willing to put in her all for God.
Dot: Tho.. known for her quiet & soft-spoken nature, proved to be sincere & determine to make this session a successful one. & on the day itself, I was really impressed with the heart & confidence she had put in executing the session.
Addi: Evidently the busiest of the busiest. Yet still took time to seriously give thoughts to the meditation, never ceasing in his determination to perfect it. Even with many changes made to the storyline, he was patient, understanding & flexible towards opinions.
Aloy: Could perhaps have been a little more serious & less playful during planning & discussion. However, deep within him was still a willingness to learn.
Mel: Perhaps the most inexperienced in conducting sessions amongst the group of us. Yet the most enthusiastic. Never ceased to constantly ask if she could be of help in anyway possible, even tho she couldn't make it for meetings due to personal commitments. Considering it was her first few session she has ever done, Great Job!
Thanks all of u for the tremendous effort put into making this session a success. Without doubt I'm sure the session had benefited MPM in 1 way or another. & not forgetting, on behalf of the team, thanks for being our guitarist TM! =D I'm sure God must be watching over each and everyone of u right now with glee. =)
God Bless ya'll!
* Let no one disregard you because you are young *
Tuesday, June 20, 2006 @9:11 PM
Brother Brother...
Just randomly tot of expressing my gratitude to melanie aka brother, for listening to me whine & putting up with my irritating personality~ hAhaZ.. Thanks for being there tho.. I don't let u in on much of what's bothering me =)
Oh ya~ not forgetting Maria, thanks for the company too~ haha
Seeya at IMH! 12 midnight! Don't be late! =P
* Let no one disregard you because you are young *
Monday, April 17, 2006 @12:07 AM
Easter! Another Step To Peace~
I bottled a lot up.. and really needed to release..
Bore a grudge and needed to forgive..
I felt fear... Loads of it.. But I knew I needed to face it..
This Easter I've made a decision, and I'm glad I made it.
I took that step.
Released what I needed to release.
Took the first step to reconciliation.
To put the past behind and look forward to the future.
Thank God for this opportunity!
Thank God for giving me the courage!
Thank God for friends!
Thank God for this particular person!
Thank god for this learning experience!
The journey wouldn't be easy, but it sure is lighter now.
This Easter will probably be most significant to my life.
Rejoice~! Christ is risen!
Happy Easter to one and all!
* Let no one disregard you because you are young *