I hardly know anyone who doesn't have a bonuslink card (for the uninitiated, it's a system where you collect points from your purchases and redeem it later for gifts).
Some people go all out to accumulate points to get those nice big gifts (and along the way play into the hands of the purpose of the whole scheme). Some are really nice, and get those gifts for family or friends. If you're like me, it's more of a convenience thing. "oh, i'm pumping petrol at Shell, ok la, swipe la my bonuslink card...."
I'm proud to announce that over a period of 3 years, I have accumulated 5936 points. What an amazing effort. I feel a real sense of achievement. Clap clap clap.....
My girlfriend promptly pointed out to me in my latest bonuslink points summary that I have points expiring within the next few months or so (yes, there is a time limit to the points we accumulate). After much coaxing, I decided, ok maybe i should go redeem something with my points, otherwise go to waste.
There's a 12" table fan, or a sandwich maker, or there's even a badminton racquet for redemption. A nice wallet for dad maybe. There's a nice watch I could get for mum for Christmas, if only she wore watches. The search goes on. Sigh....resources are scarce, wants are unlimited.
http://www.bonuslink.com.my
Merry Christmas everyone.
Signing off another pointless rambling.
Tuesday, November 23, 2004
jika kau fikirkan kau boleh...
Aiyah!!!! Malaysian badminton players fail to capitalise on a golden opportunity to take home an international title again....sigh....
As usual, just when there seems to be some flicker of hope, inconsistency and tournament jitteries/pressures start to blow out the fire.
Could inexperience be a contributing factor? Seems to me that the players get enough tournament outings internationally....
Apparently our mixed doubles pair were completely bulldozed by their Indonesian counterparts....though, major kudos to them for getting so far on their first partnership.
Mr Lee was jittery against Thomas J....but he beat Bao Bao in the semis!!! What happened? Anyway, there's hope still....at least he's starting to shed his "jaguh kampung" image. Hope to see him doing well again in future tournaments in further lands.
Majulah sukan untuk negara.
As usual, just when there seems to be some flicker of hope, inconsistency and tournament jitteries/pressures start to blow out the fire.
Could inexperience be a contributing factor? Seems to me that the players get enough tournament outings internationally....
Apparently our mixed doubles pair were completely bulldozed by their Indonesian counterparts....though, major kudos to them for getting so far on their first partnership.
Mr Lee was jittery against Thomas J....but he beat Bao Bao in the semis!!! What happened? Anyway, there's hope still....at least he's starting to shed his "jaguh kampung" image. Hope to see him doing well again in future tournaments in further lands.
Majulah sukan untuk negara.
Monday, November 22, 2004
amazing grace
Yesterday at sunday worship, one of the songs we sang was:
"Amazing grace shall always be my song of praise,
For it was grace that bought my liberty,
I do not know just why He came to love me so,
He looked beyond my fault and saw my need.
I shall forever lift my eyes to Calvary,
To view the cross where Jesus died for me,
How marvellous the grace that caught my falling soul,
He looked beyond my fault and saw my need."
Wow. Powerful, isn't it? No wonder they call His grace amazing. No wonder GOD IS AMAZING.
Think about it.
Here I was, dead man walking, just waiting for the day that I die, and be sent to hell for eternal punishment and condemnation because of my sins, fallenness and rebellion towards my own Creator.
But God said "no no no....I don't want him to go to hell and suffer, I want him to live, to be with me, from now through eternity, forever and ever."
And God thought "hmmmm, but someone's gotta pay for the penalty of his sins.....I love him, and i don't want him to suffer or die.....ok, I'll send my one and only Son, my dear Jesus, to die in his place."
And so the ever living and true story goes, my Jesus died (and was raised and now lives forevermore) so that I may live. I wanna thank Him a million times over, and by God's grace, my life will echo like a hymn aptly put it:
"Were the whole realm of nature mine,
That were an offering far too small,
Love so amazing, so divine,
Demands my soul, my life, my all...."
"Amazing grace shall always be my song of praise,
For it was grace that bought my liberty,
I do not know just why He came to love me so,
He looked beyond my fault and saw my need.
I shall forever lift my eyes to Calvary,
To view the cross where Jesus died for me,
How marvellous the grace that caught my falling soul,
He looked beyond my fault and saw my need."
Wow. Powerful, isn't it? No wonder they call His grace amazing. No wonder GOD IS AMAZING.
Think about it.
Here I was, dead man walking, just waiting for the day that I die, and be sent to hell for eternal punishment and condemnation because of my sins, fallenness and rebellion towards my own Creator.
But God said "no no no....I don't want him to go to hell and suffer, I want him to live, to be with me, from now through eternity, forever and ever."
And God thought "hmmmm, but someone's gotta pay for the penalty of his sins.....I love him, and i don't want him to suffer or die.....ok, I'll send my one and only Son, my dear Jesus, to die in his place."
And so the ever living and true story goes, my Jesus died (and was raised and now lives forevermore) so that I may live. I wanna thank Him a million times over, and by God's grace, my life will echo like a hymn aptly put it:
"Were the whole realm of nature mine,
That were an offering far too small,
Love so amazing, so divine,
Demands my soul, my life, my all...."
Friday, November 19, 2004
peace to the world
You know the crisis going on in South Thailand? (if not, where have u been, Mars? :P )
Reading from the papers today, the king and queen of Thailand have urged for peace in that region, where many have had bullets and the sort pierced through them, literally.
The Thai PM, Thaksin Shinawatra (prize for those who can pronounce his name 10 times in a row without fumbling), also called for the country's 63 million people to rally for peace.
Manmohan Singh apparently is going to great lengths for peace in Kashmir.
All beauty pageant winners wish for world peace (and it's not my place to judge how genuine their intents are :P ).
For centuries, peace has been one of the greatest desires of mankind. But has there ever been a point in time of man's history where we've actually had complete peace? Leaders come, leaders go. Treaties are signed, agreements achieved. But they never last, do they? Every day, every moment, some sort of unrest seems to be ravaging on.
Ever noticed that every day for the past dunno how many years, there's always something in the papers about the Israel-Palestine conflict? And let's not get started about US-Iraq....
Fact of the matter is, as long as there is sin in the world, as long as mankind still dwells in sin, there shall never ever be peace.
But there is a way out for man's sin isn't there? Isn't that why Jesus Christ came to die, and was raised again? Jesus Christ has come to take away man's sin, hasn't He?
Therefore, there is a way to peace, isn't it? The answer lies in Jesus Christ, and I'm convinced of that.
From the Bible, Isaiah 9:6 names Jesus Christ as the Prince of Peace. That's the secret to peace: repentance and coming to God through Jesus Christ (for He is the way, the truth, and the life). Psalm 119:165 says "great peace have they who love Your law, and nothing can make them stumble".
Unless human beings come to their senses about their sinful insanities and let Jesus Christ change us, there will never be real peace, peace that lasts.
Some of you reading this may not agree with what's written above. Your comments are most welcomed, but with what I, and many others or even those who've gone before us, have experienced, we testify that Jesus Christ is the Prince of Peace.
As much as I pray for world peace, I pray more specifically for hearts to be changed in Jesus Christ. From there, comes peace.
May you all find true peace.
Peace out.
Reading from the papers today, the king and queen of Thailand have urged for peace in that region, where many have had bullets and the sort pierced through them, literally.
The Thai PM, Thaksin Shinawatra (prize for those who can pronounce his name 10 times in a row without fumbling), also called for the country's 63 million people to rally for peace.
Manmohan Singh apparently is going to great lengths for peace in Kashmir.
All beauty pageant winners wish for world peace (and it's not my place to judge how genuine their intents are :P ).
For centuries, peace has been one of the greatest desires of mankind. But has there ever been a point in time of man's history where we've actually had complete peace? Leaders come, leaders go. Treaties are signed, agreements achieved. But they never last, do they? Every day, every moment, some sort of unrest seems to be ravaging on.
Ever noticed that every day for the past dunno how many years, there's always something in the papers about the Israel-Palestine conflict? And let's not get started about US-Iraq....
Fact of the matter is, as long as there is sin in the world, as long as mankind still dwells in sin, there shall never ever be peace.
But there is a way out for man's sin isn't there? Isn't that why Jesus Christ came to die, and was raised again? Jesus Christ has come to take away man's sin, hasn't He?
Therefore, there is a way to peace, isn't it? The answer lies in Jesus Christ, and I'm convinced of that.
From the Bible, Isaiah 9:6 names Jesus Christ as the Prince of Peace. That's the secret to peace: repentance and coming to God through Jesus Christ (for He is the way, the truth, and the life). Psalm 119:165 says "great peace have they who love Your law, and nothing can make them stumble".
Unless human beings come to their senses about their sinful insanities and let Jesus Christ change us, there will never be real peace, peace that lasts.
Some of you reading this may not agree with what's written above. Your comments are most welcomed, but with what I, and many others or even those who've gone before us, have experienced, we testify that Jesus Christ is the Prince of Peace.
As much as I pray for world peace, I pray more specifically for hearts to be changed in Jesus Christ. From there, comes peace.
May you all find true peace.
Peace out.
Wednesday, November 17, 2004
all or nothing
All that God is, is available to the man who is entirely available to all that God is.
ramblings from work
THE LORD IS MY REAL BOSS, and I shall not want
He gives me peace when chaos is all around me
He gently reminds me to pray before I speak
And to do all things without murmuring or complaining
He reminds me that He is my Source, and not my job
He restores my sanity every day
And guides my decisions that I may honour Him in everything I do
Even though I face absurd amount of e-mails, system crashes, unrealistic deadlines,
Budget cutbacks, gossping co-workers, discriminating supervisors,
And an ageing body that doesn't co-operate every morning
I will not stop - for He is with me!
His presence, His peace and His power will see me through
He raises me up, even when they fail to promote me
He claims me as His own, even when the company threatens to let me go
His faithfulness and love are better than any bonus cheque
His retirement plan beats every EPF plan there is!
When it's all said and done
I'll be working for Him a lot longer
And for that, I bless His Name!
He gives me peace when chaos is all around me
He gently reminds me to pray before I speak
And to do all things without murmuring or complaining
He reminds me that He is my Source, and not my job
He restores my sanity every day
And guides my decisions that I may honour Him in everything I do
Even though I face absurd amount of e-mails, system crashes, unrealistic deadlines,
Budget cutbacks, gossping co-workers, discriminating supervisors,
And an ageing body that doesn't co-operate every morning
I will not stop - for He is with me!
His presence, His peace and His power will see me through
He raises me up, even when they fail to promote me
He claims me as His own, even when the company threatens to let me go
His faithfulness and love are better than any bonus cheque
His retirement plan beats every EPF plan there is!
When it's all said and done
I'll be working for Him a lot longer
And for that, I bless His Name!
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