Movie review: 流浪漢世界盃 We will rock you team of miracles

06:55:00 Kikoprincess 0 Comments

Movie Summary: The story follows a christian social worker as he cares for the disadvantaged on the streets of Hong Kong. He trains them and makes them into a team of soccer players.

My thoughts: You can't rate a christian gospel film the same way as a blockbuster. I think it would be unfair to compare it to Shaolin soccer or any cinema hits. The actors (although some professionals) were not entirely convincing but the storyline made up for it. I first watched this film in a cinema (in a foreign country) filled with hundreds of Asias. I laughed, I tried. I thought, I loved. I really recommend this film for youth groups and for adult fellowships.

Not long ago, I found myself in a really underprivileged part of vancouver. So I've seen homeless people before- on street corners and in asia. While unfortunate in their circumstances, they looked unthreatening. But this particular time, I felt like I was in serious danger. Many of them were not of sane mind, intoxicated or both. They were talking to themselves, their clothes were smelly, they had visible dental issues and the spoke with a gruff and threatening tone. They lugged with them all their belongings- cardboard boxes, clothes, plastic bottles. I wanted to avoid eye contact and run as far as possible.

I am really ashamed of my response to these people in need. And I have a high appreciation for those who work in social work and charity settings who help these people everyday. In fact, Jesus, when he was on Earth hangout with those we wouldn't be caught dead around. He ate with prostitutes, was friends with tax collectors, touched the dirty and diseased.

WHAT WOULD JESUS DO?

Resounding the song... forgiveness, matthew west
Show me how to love, the unloveable
Show me how to reach the unreachable
To do the impossible, forgiveness....


Sign language

09:18:00 Kikoprincess 0 Comments

When travelling, you don't only look to the sights and sounds, you also people-watch. Sometimes its sitting in a popular coffee house, on the street or even on public transport.

Today, I was sitting on the bus when a family got on. The mother was mute and she proceeded to have an argument with her child in sign language. The child was frustrated and wanted to tell her mother something, but her mother refused to look at her to see the signs. Finally, the mother looked and then they began to play games and converse in a loving way = all without a sound. It was a beautiful sight, and bought a smile to my face.

Sometimes we may ask for guidance from God and hear nothing. We want him to tell us via phone, text, facebook messages- we want clear guidance about what to do. Sure, God may sometimes be silent, but he's always there. Sure he may be angry, but he loves us. We need to do our part too- we must turn our face towards him, in order to see the signs he shows us.

2 Chronicles 7:14
if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.


We too are signs for others. We should be bright shinning, flashing lights to others leading them to Jesus!



guitar tabs

                              SHOW JESUS                  JAMIE GRACE
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Tabbed by:hurricaneherman
Tuning:Standard

A very cool song, yet simple.

~INTRO~

E  B  C#m  A           E        B     C#m   A
           La la la la la la la la la yeah

~VERSE~

E                            B            C#m                 A
Your smile's always shinning out and they know what it's all about
         E                       B                    C#m     A
It's not hard for them to figure out the way you show Jesus
    E                      B             C#m               A
You know love is what they heard and you didn't even say a word
         E                       B                   C#m   A
Ain't it funny that's the way it works when you know Jesus


~PRE CHORUS~

E B          C#m                        A                              E    B
Oh it's like flipping on a light switch when you're walking in to this room
        A      B
It's so undeniable


~CHORUS~

        E                        B      C#m               A
I gotta tell you that I like the way anytime anywhere any place
     E                     B                     C#m      A
It's written all over your face the way you love Jesus
       E                B           C#m                 A
And it always speaks to me a little joy with a touch of peace
     E        B                    C#m    A
It's so inspiring the way you show Jesus
   E                    B    C#m                       A
So gimme that gimme that and show me that show me that
   E                    B                 C#m          A
Oh gimme that gimme that the way you show Jesus


~VERSE~

         E                  B         C#m                       A
When I'm feeling down on my luck when life's hard and times get tough
       E                      B                 C#m             A
You're right there to pick me up when you bring Jesus
      E             B           C#m                        A
Cause every now and then we all need a really good friend
       E             B                  C#m        A
You're always one of them when you show Jesus

~PRE CHORUS~

E B          C#m                        A                              E    B
Oh it's like flipping on a light switch when you're walking in to this room
        A         B
It's so unmistakeable


~CHORUS~

        E                        B      C#m               A
I gotta tell you that I like the way anytime anywhere any place
     E                     B                     C#m      A
It's written all over your face the way you love Jesus
       E                B           C#m                 A
And it always speaks to me a little joy with a touch of peace
     E        B                    C#m    A
It's so inspiring the way you show Jesus
   E                    B    C#m                       A
So gimme that gimme that and show me that show me that
   E                    B                 C#m          A
Oh gimme that gimme that the way you show Jesus


~BRIDGE~

B C#m        A                                                         B  C#m
Oh it's like flipping on a light switch when you're walking in to this room
        A
It's so unmistakeable
   B C#m       A                                            B C#m        
And oh show up any time of day you could never get here too soon
          A                      A        B
You're so unbelievable you're so unbelievable


~CHORUS~

        E                        B      C#m               A
I gotta tell you that I like the way anytime anywhere any place
     E                     B                     C#m      A
It's written all over your face the way you love Jesus
       E                B           C#m                 A
And it always speaks to me a little joy with a touch of peace
     E        B                    C#m    A
It's so inspiring the way you show Jesus
   E                    B    C#m                       A
So gimme that gimme that and show me that show me that
   E                    B                 C#m          A
Oh gimme that gimme that the way you show Jesus


~OUTRO~

   E                    B    C#m                       A
So gimme that gimme that and show me that show me that
   E                    B                 C#m         
Oh gimme that gimme that the way you show Jesus

God gave me You for the ups and downs

04:14:00 Kikoprincess 0 Comments

Besides nature, one of my favourite things to capture in photos are couple shots. There is something beautiful about taking pictures of two people who belong together.

Young couples who think that they along exist in the world, or old couples who still love each other.

Relationships can be gifts from God. When we seek God's will in finding our significant other, we will find that Two are better than One. As I view the couples in my new church family, I can see how God can draw upon the strengths of both people to further their personal growth and further God's kingdom. On the other hand, I know how long these relationships will last on earth. While some naturally dissolve, others are faced with physical separate due to distance or death. Let us treasure those who are around us while they are still here. They are a gift from God, let us know demand to get our needs met but really try to love the other person and meet their needs and help them grow.

I don't know if my other half is out there somewhere, but for now, I am thankful that I can see love around me. And I hope that I can be a strength for other single people out there, and pick them up when they are down.

Finally, Happy birthday daddy. Always treasured, never forgotten.


Ecclesiastes 4:9-12

New International Version (NIV)
Two are better than one,
    because they have a good return for their labor:
10 If either of them falls down,
    one can help the other up.
But pity anyone who falls
    and has no one to help them up.
11 Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm.
    But how can one keep warm alone?
12 Though one may be overpowered,
    two can defend themselves.
A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.



http://tabs.ultimate-guitar.com/d/dave_barnes/god_gave_me_you_crd.htm


"God Gave Me You" by Dave Barnes
From "What We Want, What We Get" (2010)
Tabbed by Wessley Mitchell and Kevin Dorth

Tuning:  Standard
Capo:  None
(Dave Barnes plays with a capo on the
first fret in concert, but the song
sounds fine without one when playing
with the studio version.)

   Aadd9    E     C#m*    B*    F#m*
e|---0------0------0------0------0---|
B|---0------0------0------0------0---|
G|---2------1------6------4------2---|
D|---2------2------6------4------4---|
A|---0------2------4------2------4---|
E|---X------0------X------X------0---|

Intro:  Aadd9  E  C#m*  B*

Verse 1:
Aadd9       E
I've been a walking heartache,
C#m*        B*
I've made a mess of me.
Aadd9           E
The person that I've been lately
C#m*        B*
Ain't who I wanna be.
Aadd9         E
You stay here right beside me,
C#m*         B*
Watch as the storm blows through,
F#m*             Aadd9  B*
And I need you.

Chorus:
Aadd9                   E               C#m*  B*
God gave me you for the ups and downs.
Aadd9                   E               C#m*  B*
God gave me you for the days of doubt.
           Aadd9              E
For when I think I've lost my way,
             C#m*               B*
There are no words here left to say.
     F#m*   Aadd9
It's true:
    B*
God gave me you.

Aadd9  E  C#m*  B*
Aadd9  E  C#m*  B*

Verse 2:
Aadd9                  E
There's more here than what were seeing,
C#m*     B*
A divine conspiracy,
Aadd9        E
That you, an angel lovely
C#m*          B*
Could somehow fall for me.
Aadd9            E
You'll always be love's great martyr,
C#m*        B*
I'll be the flattered fool.
F#m*             Aadd9  B*
And I need you.

Chorus:
Aadd9                   E               C#m*  B*
God gave me you for the ups and downs.
Aadd9                   E               C#m*  B*
God gave me you for the days of doubt.
           Aadd9              E
For when I think I've lost my way,
             C#m*               B*
There are no words here left to say.
     F#m*   Aadd9
It's true:
    B*
God gave me you.

Bridge:
C#m*                Aadd9
On my own I'm only
                         E
Half of what I could be--I
                 B*   C#m*
Can't do without you.
                           Aadd9
We are stitched together,
                            E
And what love has tethered--I
                B*
Pray we never undo.

Final Chorus:
Aadd9                   E               C#m*  B*
God gave me you for the ups and downs.
Aadd9                   E               C#m*  B*
God gave me you for the days of doubt.
Aadd9                   E               C#m*  B*
God gave me you for the ups and downs.
Aadd9                   E               C#m*  B*
God gave me you for the days of doubt.
           Aadd9              E
For when I think I've lost my way,
             C#m*               B*
There are no words here left to say.
     F#m*   Aadd9
It's true:
    B*
God gave me you.

Outro:
Aadd9  E  C#m*  B*  (Repeat to End)

Movie Review: Hugo (2011)

07:46:00 Kikoprincess 0 Comments

Movie summary: Hugo lives with his dad. His dad has a fascination of fixing things and works in a museum. He takes home a human-shaped broken robot. He and his son try to fix it but before they succeed, he dies. Hugo's custody then lies with his drunken uncle who works to keep the clocks running at a railway station. He mysteriously vanishes from the scene and Hugo is left to survive and run the clocks alone. He befriends a girl and shares with her his vision- that the world is like a machine and there are no extra parts. Each part has it's own worth and purpose. The story follows how Hugo tries to fix the machine against all odds and finds his purpose in life. In the process, the pair go on an adventure that fixes the lives of others.

My thoughts: The film is a marvel. It's beautifully shot. And attention to the detail in the film is breathtaking. It made laugh, shocked, cry. It bought out the themes of love, lost and discovery.
God also doesn't make extra parts. Each part has a purpose. We each have a purpose. I'm in the process of discovering mine.

WHAT IS YOUR PURPOSE?

the short leash

01:41:00 Kikoprincess 0 Comments

As part of my American experience, i walk the dog when I come home from work. Mandy is the cutest little thing.
Now although she is tiny, she is really strong. So I keep her on a short leash and we negotiate whether we are going straight or turning or back home.
On the first day, she got the better of me and I picked her up and changed her direction. The second day, she flat out refused to let me lead, she was leading me. I was worried that if I ever had children what kind of mother I would be. Would I be a helicopter mother who won't let their kids explore.
Now, after a week with Mandy, I'm comfortable with letting Mandy explore the world around her and come back to me. I let the leash out a little further. A me who is a constant. She knows now that I get changed after work and will take her for a walk. She knows how far she can go before she has to turn back with me.
I wonder if God is like that? He has given us incredible freedom to explore the world around us. He is always there even if we forget him in our busyness. He calls us to come back to his side so that he can guide us and lead us to green pastures. Our owner loves us and knows the best for us, if only we follow by his side.

Review: I kissed Dating Goodbye IV

09:53:00 Kikoprincess 3 Comments

Review: I kissed Dating Goodbye IV: Looking ahead

Summary: In the first section Harris reminds us that worldly dating is defective. In the second second, he explains how we should love others. In the third section he teaches us how to make it work.

Having realistic expectations about marriage
- marriage doesn't end at the ceremony
Marriage should be held in honor: Bible equates Jesus relationship with the church as a marriage. 
- Marriage is a refining process. Marriage is giving and forgiving.

Looking for true character
- looking for things that last.
- True character is defined by the decisions and choices that people make each and everyday.
- How a person relates to God.Looking for a man or woman who as a single, seeks God wholeheartedly, putting Him before anything else.
- How a person relates to authorities.
- How a person relates to parents
- How a person relates to the opposite sex
- How a person relates to companions
- Personal discipline. How a person uses time, money, care for own body.

Attitudes:
- An attitude of willing obedience to God
- An attitude of humility
- Attitude of industriousness
- Attitude of contenment

From friendship to marriage?
- Casual friendship-> deeper friendship -> courtship -> engagement
- responsible for relationship with that person, with family/friends, with church and God
- friendship deepening activities with family and friends
- avoid doing things that express romantic love.
- watch and pray before moving past friendship.
- greenlights: God's word, are you ready for marriage? Approval and support from parents. God's peace.
- guys take the lead for the bible ordains a guy to be the spiritual leader.  Girls be really honest in your responses.

Someday I'll have a story to tell.

My thoughts: I found this section very helpful. I mean, it's much of the same things we would talk to couples about who go through couples therapy. Irrelevant of your belief, its important to be clear on expectations on a relationship. It is also important to really observe whether the person fits into your expectations of a partner and visa versa.

Over many meals, the topic of what to look for in a potential partner is often thrown around. Many times, I have had to defend my "checklist" to christians and non-christians alike. Now my list isn't huge, but it's probably hard to achieve. Someone who loves God, loves me and loves others. And likewise, I am hoping that I can be that person too- someone who strives to please God, serve and Honor God with all that I do. Someone who truly loves those around me.

Having taken this different attitude- of saying goodbye to dating, I have been challenged. Just when I am not dating, suddenly many many eligible guys come to the centre of the stage. But thanks to my commitment with some people I know- who will keep me accountable, I will treat these guys as nothing but friends. This is truly a refreshing way to get to know others without expectations of a relationship. I feel like I am growing stronger relationships without compromising emotionally. And until I get God's green light I look forward to meeting many more male and female friends!