anywayz, last couple of days, been good to hear from friends who are overseas on elective!!! mary and shaz, miss u both so much!!! but good that we have the net to keep in touch... i think i'm one of few who are remaining grounded here in melbourne for elective, but i guess it's not all bad... ;p talking to jim on msn now too - all the way from scotland!!!
tennis on tv again ;p feeling like playing again... hmmmz - watched chinese 19-y.o. peng, who beat myskina!!! hmmmz, such good tennis, so few errors on her part... myskina was a bit out of sorts tho... i think peng's going to be someone to watch in the future!!! haha, she reminds me of holy ;p like twins?!? haha... hewitt too good in men's... i think this aussie open will be interesting in the women's side... but mens - i dunno if anyone can beat federer?!?
this is what summer's always been about for me haha... - jus hot dayz, beach, tennis... lazzzzzyyyyy... ;p
anywayz - change of topic - ;p interesting to see post on sally's blog about grumbliness attracting comments!!! reminds me of how the disaster/tragedy stories are the ones that seem to attract the most attention in the news... but also, how i probably become more likely to take a step back and think about things whenever i'm confronted with a negative mood or situation...
read somewhere interesting, a novel by deepak chopra called "soulmate" (which, interestingly is a very unlikely sort of story about love at first sight and stuff... - haha, something i can't say i identify with or agree with...), something about surrender being about taking a step back so we can appreciate the greater view... surrender to God is indeed a very interesting, but often misunderstood concept... that's what we must do... it's in a way very passive, giving oneself to the Spirit of God... but it doesn't mean it's easy... indeed, for me, it's often really difficult, coz i have to let go of all the things that seem so ingrained that are contrary to the Spirit... and letting go of these is an effortful process... i can't really say it any better than Paul put it in Galatians 5...
Galatians 5:16-25
So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature. For the sinful nature desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the sinful nature. They are in conflict with each other, so that you do not do what you want. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under law.
The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and selfcontrol. Against such things there is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.
while in concept, it's not that difficult to understand, the practical aspect of doing such is plagued by our imperfections... hence we fall into a cycle of periods of surrender and relapse... but through repenting time and time again, and falling back on the hope and assurance that we've gained through our trust in Jesus, we will become transformed... i have to jus remember that it's not something i can do in my own strength... for the cycle will be exhausting and fruitless if i rely on myself... but God lives!!! and with Him, all things are possible!!!
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