Friday, November 26, 2004

Um, it's not that we wouldn't like to take your survey...

- Dot, Animaniacs

Ever watched this show? Super random, but I loved it (even though I was a 'mature' junior high student). Of course, I still watch cartoons, s'all good. So I'm taking a brief leave from the golden oldies theme and I'm inserting this little survey thing (as recommended by Connie). Feel free to comment or email me about your thoughts. (A) First, recommend to me: 1. a movie: 2. a book: 3. a musical artist, song, or album: (B) I want everyone who reads this to ask me three questions, no more, no less. Ask me anything you want. (C) Then I want you to go to your journal, copy and paste this allowing your friends to ask you anything. Tune in again as we gauge how watching Looney Tunes impact your musical appreciation.


Yu-Ling posted at 11/26/2004 01:00:00 AM

Thursday, November 25, 2004

Couldn't you like me, just me the way I am?

- Judy, Vertigo

THE GOLDEN OLDIES SERIES: PART TWO Vertigo Maybe you thought I would post all warm and fuzzy movies for this blog series. But if you knew me better, you know that I have a different side to me ;). One of the earliest types of movies that I remember watching were the ones by Alfred Hitchcock. I remember my dad used to rent a few of them at the local library (Milliken Mills) and we would watch them as a family. Sometimes I'll be a little frightened (which resulted in a few nightmares), but I think I really developed a liking for the suspense-thriller. It's not just about the mood. Hitchcock was able to use all these elements in his films to present many great movies. I remember going to universal studios when I was roughly 12 and actually saw how they made the sound effects for a typical Hitchcock movie - very cool. (sidebar: we did the whole disneyworld/epcot centre/universal studios tour twice. Another interesting note, my parents went to Disneyworld for their honeymoon... with several chaperones!) The story was always good - always a twist at the end that changes your whole perspective for the movie. Haha... haven't even mentioned the movie yet. The gist of it is that there is a detective (James Stewart) who has an obsession over this woman - he basically trails her for the whole movie trying to figure out who she really is. He also has some psychological problems involving heights - Thus resulting in the famous scene with the stairwell, where the camera zooms out with a sense of 'vertigo'. I think this is the first time any movie camera has ever done such a visual special effect like this. If you don't know what I'm talking about, go see the movie. And for the film nuts out there, any info you can pass my way about this would be appreciated. so to recap: memories, dad rent movies, get some nightmares, begin to appreciate suspense/thrillers. I think my family is secretly artsy. That's how we bond.


Yu-Ling posted at 11/25/2004 11:48:00 AM

Tuesday, November 23, 2004

Toto, I've a feeling we're not in Kansas anymore.

- Dorothy, The Wizard of Oz

THE GOLDEN OLDIES SERIES: PART ONE The Wizard of Oz Have you ever felt nostalgic when experiencing the arts? When you look at a picture or listen to certain music or even watching a movie, does your mind and your heart slow down a little bit and fil with memories from the past? For example, I always get in this happy, peaceful mood whenever I come across the song - Vincent by Don McLean. Or when I hear Audrey Hepburn's version of Moon River; Louis Arstrong's What a wonderful World; Nat King Cole's Almost like being in love; Peter, Paul, and Mary - Blowin' in the Wind; Tony Benett's The way you look tonight; Miles Davis' It never entered my mind. And there are tons of other songs. Now movies bring an additional dimension of the visual - and I have direct memories that tie to certain films. In general, I love the quality of filmaking from those good old days (ie. Ben Hur - crazy amt of work). The actors/actresses had incredible talent - they could act, sing and dance (ie. Gene Kelly). The storytelling was so much better, so original (ie. Breakfast at Tiffany's). But I really love these movies because I got to spend time with family when I watched them in the past. My own story. This past sunday, TBS aired The Wizard of Oz and I got to watch it in it's entirety (after watching Extreme Makeover: House Edition - kills me everytime). When I was younger, I watched the Wizard of Oz with my family. My mom specifically mentioned how I got really scared of the Wicked Witch and somehow my aunt would console me. I have some vague memories of having nightmares about the Witch and her flying monkeys. The one solid memory that I have is in watching this movie with my brother and my mom in our basement, sitting on our old beige couch, and waiting for Dad to come home from work. I don't know why it's such a specific image in my head, it might not be completely accurate and I'm pulling several memories together (need to ask my mom to verify this). But everytime I hear 'somewhere over the rainbow', or even see a brief clip of the movie, my thoughts always turn to this one specific snapshot of my life from the past. I wanna continue this trend of reminiscence in my blog, and I think basing my memories on certain 'golden oldies' would be a perfect fit. Of course my version of the oldies, or near-oldies might be questionable in terms of the dating, but I can't question the stories that are associated with them. I have never paid much attention to lyrics before (always focused more on the musicality of a song), but I thought the following was an appropriate description of my mood rite now. Somewhere over the rainbow Way up high, There's a land that I heard of Once in a lullaby. Somewhere over the rainbow Skies are blue, And the dreams that you dare to dream Really do come true. Someday I'll wish upon a star And wake up where the clouds are far Behind me. Where troubles melt like lemon drops Away above the chimney tops That's where you'll find me. Somewhere over the rainbow Bluebirds fly. Birds fly over the rainbow. Why then, oh why can't I? If happy little bluebirds fly Beyond the rainbow Why, oh why can't I?


Yu-Ling posted at 11/23/2004 01:24:00 AM

Thursday, November 18, 2004

In the emerging church, especially in churches larger than one hundred people, leaders will struggle with a great tension: How do we lead well yet keep our hearts soft?

- Dan Kimball, The Emerging Church

I finished this book about a week ago and I'm still thinking about it. I circled a lot of words, underlined tons of paragraphs, and wrote many point form questions/notes in the margins (I'm beginning to do that to all my books, so if you want to borrow one - be aware of that). What's been on my heart for a while is the leadership development at church. It's been very interesting meeting up with various leaders and getting their perspective about church, administration, spirituality (What a weird mix, huh?). I'm hoping to be more intentional with these meetings... leading up to a leadership module that will begin in january. I'm hoping to aim this module specifically at students - univ and high school, but the additional dream is to invite developing leaders from all age groups to join our discussion. Perhaps that's why I've been meeting/praying/thinking/dreaming/acting on this idea of increasing the leadership capacities of all people in our church. While all this is going on, a developing conversation has taken place between mama foo and me. I guess in my earnest desire to see the church grow through the development of leaders, I've taken on very much a 'do all things for all people approach' (1 Cor. 9). Of course this mentality is usually seen as a over-zealous mindset that is proned to judmental thoughts and having a critical spirit. For instance, I want people to grow in love, in truth - and demonstrate spiritual fruit. So right now I'm in a confrontational mindset and I end up challenging everyone to put up or shut up (so what happens when you're surrounded by people who just shut up around you?). This tactic has worked for the most part, and I honestly think I'm approaching this in a manner of loving others in truth. But - I'm sure sometimes it comes off as unloving. The mama's been warning me to watch my spirit (of which I confessed to my grad group) so that I won't become one of those hypocritical people at church who walk around with a stern look on their face and condemning all parts of the church because it's not reaching it's maximum potential - man, I'm already halfway there (at least wiht the stern look) - hope I don't go all the way towards condemning others. I'll share this section of the emerging church that may shed some light on my struggle. In the emerging church, especially in churches larger than one hundred people, leaders will struggle with a great tension: How do we lead well yet keep our hearts soft? We need to approach leadership with author Henri Nouwen's heart of being like Jesus, compassionately caring for people, desperately dependent on the Spirit. At the same time, if your church grows, you need to develop the leadership skills of casting vision, developing multileveled teams, and recruiting and training leaders like author John Maxwell is well known for. If you read these authors, you know that they approach leadership differently. But using one approach without the other will not be as effective in a larger emerging church. Josh Fox and I often joke that your reading diet should be a leadership sandwish of Nouwen and Maxwell. Both are needed to lead larger groups of people. So more often than not, I lean towards training/equipping myself with the ministry savvy of the likes of Maxwell. And I can say that I also have many times where my heart melts for people the way Nouwen describes. I just need to manage the tension better so that I have a healthy does of both leadership viewpoints. I can easily understand how some people will just be disgusted with the church-must-be-efficient monsters of people. Yet, I also identify with people who can't stand the just-love-and-everything-will-be-okay types of people. Maybe I'm just riding the fence... but I have a feeling this is just a tension that will always be around ministry. How can I raise the levels of both? Tune in again when we disect the shrewd snakes and the innocent doves.


Yu-Ling posted at 11/18/2004 03:39:00 PM

Friday, November 12, 2004

This is the duty of our generation as we enter the twenty-first century -- solidarity with the weak, the persecuted, the lonely, the sick, and those in despair. It is expressed by the desire to give a noble and humanizing meaning to a community in which all members will define themselves not by their own identity but by that of others.

- Elie Wiesel

So much has happened in so little time, and it has all revolved around the central msg of community. I'm having a jumble of thoughts right now, writing them down initially so that I can elaborate later on. What does a God-inspired community look like? How real is the postmodern shift where people wish to belong before they believe? What does it mean to belong before we believe? How do we communicate belonging? How should we? In holding to the truths of our faith, can we allow people to belong before they know or fully understand what they are getting themselves into? Or better yet, what would we getting into ourselves if we allowed just anyone to belong? Things that happened so far: - finished 3 books (Boundaries in Dating, Twelve Ordinary Men, Emerging Church) - started 1 book (the search to belong) - still reading 3 books (Change your church, how to read bible, 3 colors of love) - communion service was good (inspirational) - sunday school was good (educational) - grad group was good (communal) - CC is coming along, will update after the meeting tomorrow - TC is developing, need to be more actively involved soon - RCCF is feeling the ups/downs of ministry, keep the faith - value love, by telling the truth to friends and family - show love, by helping a friend in need - receive love, by getting help from a friend - filled with God's love, by gradually seeing His plans more clearly I'm having a heavy heart, but I'm having a ball.


Yu-Ling posted at 11/12/2004 10:39:00 AM

Thursday, November 04, 2004

The trouble with the world is that the stupid are cocksure and the intelligent are full of doubt.

- Bertrand Russell

Over the weekend, I went to Waterloo to lead a CCF leaders workshop on 'balancing the tensions in ministry'. It was great. Man, I must admit I had huge doubts that people would show up. But I believe that God is really moving in the hearts of the young people (I'm a grad, I can say things like 'young people'). First, it was great to worship and fellowship with the UWCCFers again. I arrived in 'loo on friday afternoon and I was able to meet up with a few older people and catch up with them. The program was a concert of prayer and it was kewl to see the fellowship unashamedly commit to prayer and worship for the nite. Afterwards, the wonderful sense of spontaneity was demonstrated as a much needed aspect of community - since I was able to hang out with the older leaders at Grand China until late at nite. The CCF workshop in the morning was a mixed bag as I had to condense 2 hrs worth of material into 1 hr. Overall, I think it helped the leaders think through how they're balancing their ministry objectives. Definitely need some feedback so if you leaders read my blog, gimme some feedback! It was in the afternoon that I found God working in noticeable ways. As AFC proposed some potential new initiatives as well as a cry for help, the leaders responded in kind to our needs. I was impressed that many of the leaders understood the need to vision for a greater ministry that goes beyond their individual campuses. I think this was reflected by the offering of help for things like Campus Challenge and desiring to prepare near-grads for the post-univ world. Lord, forgive me for my doubts. After the meeting, I drove some UTSC people back home and eventually went to Kingston to be apart of their 35th anniversary dinner. In spite of being tired, I had a great time (albeit for less than an hour). I kept on thinking - this is really how christians should celebrate the lives of one another. Certainly I've experienced UW grad dinners, and they were great - but I was so touched by the many generations of people who helped celebrate KCCF's 35th. Really, our communities should celebrate more often - and the celebration should transcend age/language barriers. I think I'm beginning to see Blackaby's emphasis on God's sovereignty and my inadequacy. In spite of my knowledge from books/scripture, or my networking/training of leaders, even my own earnest cries for revelation/direction from God - I think good ministry does begin from the acknowledgment of God as the initiator of all good things, and that anything that I can do will only be done through His power. Forget being smart or stupid, I need to work on my doubtful spirit. Thinking about (Phil 3:10-11) - such a mysterious passage, gonna look more into it. Tune in again for details about my colors of love.


Yu-Ling posted at 11/04/2004 01:09:00 AM