GRADO Headphones

Was looking for a good pair of cans lately…went to try out:  1)   Form 2 by B&O. Damage: S$250.00 My review: Fantastic design, but it can clamp between your head real tight and gets uncomfortable if wear for too long. Sounds great. But not bright enough. I think coz my ears too big, so it doesnt cover my ears completely and sound escapes from the side of my ears…or rather I can hear external noises. Very light in weight. The only problem I really have is the earpads too small.   2)   Noise Cancellation Headphones by Bose Damage: S$599 (10% off for Krisflyer members) My review: really good. great design. I like it because there’s only 1 wire that runs from the headphones to player instead of 2 wires i.e. 1 running down from the Right-can, 1 wire running down from Left-can. It really is good just that the price is too much for me to handle. I’m just going to use my cans for playing Dota, iTunes & iPod…not for some studio recording etc. BUT if I have that much cash to burn, I would go for it. Somehow I always feel for Bose…its too commercial…pay for the namesake like B&O   3)   GRADO SR60 by Grado Labs Damage: S$120.00 My review: For the price paid, it beats B&O & comparable to Bose. Just that this pair of cans are designed to be open-air type unlike Bose, thus SR60 is not going to cancel external noises; however it gives a very “airy/light”-feeling as you listen because it is not the closed type like Bose. The sound is bright, crisp & clear. Bass is not too heavy…the way I like it for jazz music. The sound is so clear I can even hear if the singer sings off key. The design is retro and that’s what I like. SR60 is the entry range for Grad labs www.gradolabs.com and its already very fantastic. Definately beats Sennheiser. I got to try SR80(abt S$166) , SR125(abt S$262), RS1(abt S$559). Wanted to get SR80 but sold out. SR125 is even better, just that long term wise, the design of SR125 is not comfortable for long wearing as compared to SR60 & SR80.But hey, if I have some extra cash, I may jolly well get another pair of Grados SR125.   Go check out Grados. It won many awards beating others like Bose, B&O, Sen, Sony etc over the years. www.gradolabs.com

Something light & funny….from this Sitcom “My Wife & Kids”

Terry Crews…really funny!

CCC Music – But God

GUITAR PART BREAKDOWN

VOCALS PART BREAKDOWN – NIKKI FLETCHER

The Life Of Hosea…

Was reading the book of Hosea & Eze 37. Spent time just piecing up thoughts and now penning it down…

Ezekiel 37:1-14 talks about how there was a pile of dry bones that had lost its life, lost the breath of God. Talks about dryness and its dry not just because of death, but because there was a loss of hope, the bones was cut off from the crowd; then how the Spirit of God came upon that pile of bones by the spoken Word of Prophet Ezekiel and it came alive.

Hosea led a very dramatic life. He was a prophet, ministering to the Northern kingdom of Israel (Ephraim). Outwardly, that nation is enjoying a time of prosperity & growth, but inwardly, immorality & spiritual adultery was rampant. Hosea has got 3 life messages that he echoes in his half-century ministry: God abhor the sins of His people, judgment is certain, but God’s loyal love stands firm for His people.

Hosea was instructed by God to marry a prostitute, named Gomer, who would later become unfaithful to him. It is mind-boggling to think why God would command His prophet to marry a woman like that. In those days, a woman like such would be stoned to death especially a prostitute living in her father’s house.

I think Hosea’s marriage is a picture of God’s relationship with Israel. Hosea’s choice of a prostitute was exactly like God’s choice of Abraham. Abraham was just another sinner like the rest of the people in the world. He did not deserve to be chosen. But that isn’t what the Jews thought. They thought Abraham was special because of his own merit and upright character. God may be using Hosea’s marriage to a prostitute to make this point. We will see later that the Israelites thought God owed them blessing. Why else would someone think that, unless they thought they were special through some merit of their own.

So while Hosea was in church ministering in certain days, his wife Gomer would go around sleeping with other men. When Hosea comes back home, all he sees is an empty home, an unfaithful wife returning home late on most days, house chores not done, meals not cooked after a long day’s work, laundry not washed for days, room not packed, newspapers lying all over. One day, the wife couldn’t take it anymore and while Hosea was out in church, she eloped with another man.

Hosea spent days after days, weeks after weeks, month after month looking for his wife Gomer. However, this man lusted after Gomer and after a year, after being so “used” this man sold her to the slave market to make some profit. Being a prostitute, being a married woman, an unfaithful wife then an adulteress, how can she vindicate herself?

On this sunny afternoon, as Hosea was passing by the crowds in the slave market, at the corner of his eye, he caught sight of this woman dressed up in tattered sack-cloth, with dirt all over her body, marks and scars of abuse, this woman sheepishly looked away from the eyes of Hosea. By now, Hosea recognized her as his long lost wife Gomer. He approached her and each step he took towards Gomer, thoughts of her shameful past and present state caused her to take a step back from Hosea. Finally, she couldn’t take it anymore and with tears in her voice told Hosea, “Please…I am not good enough for you…I have been unfaithful, haven’t been a good wife but instead brought you shame & embarrassment to your name and family…leave me alone…find another wife…someone better than me…”

Hosea said, “Hey…I’ve married you. We are not divorced yet. You are my wife, and you will always be my wife…come home with me…I need you back at home…the family is waiting for you…” Hosea paid for the release for his wife, brought her back home and started everything anew.

Hosea offers the possibility of salvation if only the nation would turn away from idolatry back to God.

No matter how low we may think of ourselves by the certain setbacks or dryness we may have, God is faithful. Never lose HOPE & CUT AWAY FROM THE CROWD. I watch alot of Discovery channel and when lions hunt, they usually go for the sheep that is strayed away from the pack because it is an easy target. So is the same in our walk with God. Never cut away from fellowship especially when we are going through tough times because when we cut away, we become an easy target for our enemies to put in thoughts, ideas & spirit that should not be entertained. If Gomer was cut away from crowd, Hosea might not have even found her.

Recently I receive a comment on my blog on Sun. This dude was saying something to the effect that, “…Have you seen Sun in the Chinawine MV? The lyrics did you hear? The last part the words did you hear?…so are you saying that she is portraying the image of God? Is that how God is like? Is that how she is shining for the Lord? She’s a pastor’s wife for goodness sake…blah blah blah…rattle rattle rattle…(same old stuff I hear)”

My view is this: Sun is in US, she is also in Asia. Different strokes work for different folks. Different styles appeal to different crowd. Yes, in US, her dressing is really sexy, nothing biblical or verses I can quote to answer back this dude. However, with the results she is producing, I cannot deny that God is not using her mightily. A person can say for all they want about the “pastor’s wife”, “red dress” and all the other shallow comments that aren’t constructive. I would really appreciate if you leave comments especially negative, it would be backed up by constructive comments and be responsible enough to also explain the actual negative impact you observe and feel. Don’t just state a fact and expounding on facts (which is where I find it shallow in most of these comments) but state a truth.

The FACT is Hosea was commanded by God to marry a prostitute (I know once I put this statement out, there would be again some pests who would comment, “Then you go marry prostitute la!! Then God will be pleased with you”…gimme a break…I don’t think you are that stupid to think that way…but then again..its hard to say)But the TRUTH is, in the big picture, God used his life to bring salvation to the nation of Israel.

I have seen Christians, how they are so quick to find a verse, use the word of God (and many times very twisted truths or legalistic approach) and hammer someone who just does something that may not be conventional and then get upset, uptight & constipated…God says,…”chill…My ways are higher than your ways, thoughts higher than your thoughts…”. What would people think, Abraham got a command from God to go kill his son Issac?? “Killing is not of God Abraham!! You sure you hear correctly Abraham???” But indeed it was the voice of God we all know, and God spoke the 2nd time to stop Abraham.The problem with most people is they hear the 1st voice, starts to hesitate, think its not of God, not from God, starts throwing all shapes and sizes of stones without realizing that it could really be from God and there could be a 2nd voice; and because in the midst of all that chaos, they miss hearing that 2nd voice and commit spiritual murder…killing the vision…

I mean…even in the Book of Esther, the name God was never mention…are we going to say that book should be taken out of the bible??? Look at how God used Esther then…What did Esther do that glorify God? Spend 6 months in the palace to be trained how to walk, do make-up, beautify herself, then catwalk in swim suits before the King that she got chosen to be his wife? How unspiritual is that? She don’t even pray in front of the King to impress the King or show her spirituality to him. Isn’t it very shallow then to look at Esther and say, “Chey…what kind of girl is that? Your book doesn’t mention the name of God…you just flaunt your body, your assets and your job is just to sleep with the King…” But look at how God used Esther. End of the day, its the end result we are interested in; and before we get our results just hope for the best for one another and not talk down for those in this body.

I think of those comments and I think..”So what if you give really good points to prove your point and start getting sulky over what’s happening?” If one is unagreeable, just don’t flow with the vision, be nice, let your words be filled with grace, like that you won’t upset by what you think and you’ll be happier and live a longer life. Life is short…don’t make it shorter for yourself.

In any case, you could have also chose not to read my blog in the first place and get your thoughts challenged by mine, so you won’t get “chi-kek” (in Hokkien meaning “forced to frustration”). Then again, don’t get me wrong. I love people.

The Fellowship Of The Unashamed Creed…

 

 

I am a part of the fellowship of the Unashamed. I have the Holy Spirit Power. The die has been cast. I have stepped over the line. The decision has been made. I am a disciple of Jesus Christ. I won’t look back, let up, slow down, back away, or be still. My past is redeemed, my present makes sense, and my future is secure. I am finished and done with low living, sight walking, small planning, smooth knees, colorless dreams, tame visions, mundane talking, chintzy giving, and dwarfed goals.

I no longer need preeminence, prosperity, position, promotions, plaudits, or popularity. I don’t have to be right, first, tops, recognized, praised, regarded, or rewarded. I now live by presence, learn by faith, love by patience, lift by prayer, and labor by power.

My pace is set, my gait is fast, my goal is Heaven, my road is narrow, my way is rough, my companions few, my Guide is reliable, my mission is clear.

I cannot be bought, compromised, deterred, lured away, turned back, diluted, or delayed. I will not flinch in the face of sacrifice, hesitate in the presence of adversity, negotiate at the table of the enemy, ponder at the pool of popularity, or meander in the maze of mediocrity.

I won’t give up, back up, let up, or shut up until I’ve preached up, prayed up, paid up, stored up, and stayed up for the cause of Christ. I am a disciple of Jesus Christ. I must go until He returns, give until I drop, preach until all know, and work until He comes.

And when He comes to get His own, He will have no problem recognizing me. My colors will be clear for “I am not ashamed of the Gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes..” (Romans 1:16)

 

FOR I AM PART OF THE FELLOWSHIP OF THE UNASHAMED!

Manhood & Christlikeness are synonymous…

Recently I hear a good friend of mine whom one would consider to be mature in the Lord having some struggles in his relationship and on the verge of a breakup. In a nutshell, it all started when he got to know the past of his girlfriend. I would say, this girl is a really sweet-nice person, with good looks and very meek. Nothing negative I could think about her. Because of those attributes of her, there were guys who had been after her all these while. But one particular guy agitated this friend of mine. Actually, the way I look at it, its a very small issue, however such issues seems to be bugging alot of other guys when they are in a relationship.

Let’s call my guy friend “W” meaning “Winner” since he got the girl, and let’s call that particular guy “L” meaning “Loser”. As their relationship progress, this girl just talked about her past to W of how L used to try to be close to her, tried to hold her hands, always around her and did things for her that move her alittle; though never once she like L. Upon hearing that, W got uncomfortable because he sees L almost everyday. He confronted L and L denied any of those things he did. That made W even more frustrated because now W realises that L has got no integrity and had not been honest.

This issue got W to constantly remind his girlfriend of the past and each time they talk about the past, it ends up in some bad feelings because W just cannot let go of his gf past.

The way I look at it, “What’s W’s problem???” It seems like guys nowadays are so insecure and they are not able to let go of people’s past. He is not the only guy I know struggling with insecurity. I happen to mention him because like I said, he is supposingly to be someone others look up to as a spiritually mature person…and…its such a small issue. It’s not that the gf fornicated and got pregnant before or no longer a virgin etc. Its only about L trying to chase her. For her to make that decision to be with W, what’s the problem? To me, its just an issue of letting go of her past and move on. The word I want to mention here is “Security”. More than just faithfulness, acceptance and trust in a relationship, there should be security…knowing how much you are really worth to the other person and that person knowing how much she is worth to you.

It is appalling that in most cases I know, guys are the more insecure ones in a relationship because perhaps I had a wrong-preconceive idea that girls are meant to be the more emotionally-dependant creatures. Things like how guys would be possessive, keep checking on their gf, want to know where they are, with who, doing what, why no time to spend with them, why she is not accountable to him, why she choses to do things this way, and questioning every single details when most of the time really its just a matter of preference, and its none of their business and of no importance to know why. Then the guy may say, “I am asking you so much because I care for you and I want to protect you.” Done in the name of “Care & Concern” when how I look at it really is a struggle of low-self esteem & insecurity to want to be looked upon to as one to be treated with respect. In the first place, a relationship should NEVER be controlling because that had never been the basis of why a love-relationship is started for. Dr Ed Cole once said, “Love is asking what you can GIVE to the other, while lust is asking what you can GET from the other.” So wanting to GET control over the other in a relationship is a pretty dubious and shady affair. To a certain degree, there are things a couple should know about each other, but when its taken to the extreme and balance is lost, unnecessary disputes arises simply because of insecurity.

To me, security is knowing who you are, what your partner is really like and trusting that they are who they are and I don’t have to do anything to try score a point and prove to her anything. I strongly believe, the moment you chose a girl to be your life-long partner, you should already be prepared to accept her weaknesses and her past. You accept her as a “package deal” and not a “mix-n-match”. Yes, we want our partner to become better people, but we also have to respect them enough not to impose our convictions on them. The moment you respect your partner in that manner, automatically, that respect would be reciprocated and hearts would be opened for one to inspire them to change. So is the same for discipleship.

That sense of security is not found in the other person or from the external situation we may be in. Security has to be found first in within yourself. Sometimes I see guys getting involved in petty quarrels and squabbling with their gf…its so…*no words to use*. I can say all these because being a guy in a relationship for more than 4 years now, I’ve come across many situations my values were challenged as to how I should react in a manner that exemplify Christ to my gf. The bible says that women should submit to their husbands and husbands should love their wives like how Christ love the church and that they should exemplify Christ to their wife. Then now it becomes a question of…”How is Christ like?” I believe He is a very secure person. When Satan tempted Jesus to jump off the pinnacle of the temple, His reply was that He need not do that to prove anything to anybody…He knows very well who He is and the authority He has. Never in the bible also I read about Jesus having petty quarrels with women. In fact, He treated women with alot of respect despite some really sinful ones like Mary Magdelene caught in that very act of adultery. He didn’t condemn her but accepted her despite what she had done. He is really gracious & merciful, forgiving & magnanimous. I also believe that Jesus is someone able to “let go” of a person’s short-comings easily, yet very strong in His convictions and while being very opinionated. Though God is love, but Jesus in the bible was not portrayed as a lovey-dovey character with Bambi eyes and very “emo”, always sharing with chicks his struggles and relating to chicks about His life & His problems. He found His true strength in the presence of God. His true strength is demonstrated in His moral fiber.

As a man, the bible says we(men SUPPOSINGLY) are the stronger vessels compared to women. What this would translate to me and I practice in my own life is that during an argument or quarrel, when both parties get involve in a heated argument and there is this period of cold-war, one waiting for the other to give in and apologize; be it the guy is in the right or wrong, he should say ‘sorry’ first. The guy should be the one always ready to forgive despite how grave a mistake the girl did. Especially so in a relationship. By apologizing first is not talking in a manner, “Sorry la sorry la…my fault ok? Everything my fault la. HAPPY???” But rather in a sincere genuine manner that exemplify the grace of God. The grace of God is that while we were still yet sinners, Christ came to die for us; meaning that grace is a gift we receive though we do not deserve it and we don’t have to earn for it. Exemplify Christ to your chick!

Be a courageous dude who can in-turn give your chick security. But how can you give security to her when you yourself do not have security? I remember what Dr Ed Cole say which is burnt deep in me for the past many years, “Courage is the ability to walk away(letting go) when others choose to fight and it is exemplified by the willingness to fight when others choose to run.”

All in all, I would wish all the best to W & his gf and I do not wish to see them breakup(in any case, he doesn’t know I have a blog and so he won’t be reading this). But I told him that the fault lies with him and he should go deal with his insecurity problem and let go of his gf past. (Now I sound really like Uncle Agony or some kinda Dong-Fang Billy Chat sessions…which I detest…so I shall end here)

I wanna be “THE BIGGEST LOSER”

I SERIOUSLY WANNA DIET! By year end, I wanna be “THE BIGGEST LOSER”

Anybody with experience can offer professional advice?