Insomnia

Last night I had Insomnia. It's something that I've had on and off over the past seven years. It first started in my first year of university. I would lay in bed restless for hours before managing two or three hours of sleep.

I grew out of that.

It has since returned. It comes when I am anxious, and I am anxious a lot lately. Last night I slept at 11pm, woke at 1am, and didn't fall to sleep again until 5am, finally waking for work at 7am.

So what to do at 1am on a week night? This isn't a huge city. We don't have all night cafe's (however, I'm sure that will not be the wisest move considering the goal is to fall asleep). So, I found my answer in Youtube. Youtube provided me with 15 live songs from Gipsy Kings, and a Japanese foot massage. Again, not the wisest move. Rumba Flamenco guitar does not put oneself to sleep.

So, here I am. A client to service, no sleep, and Volare running through my mind.

Web 2.0 and Digital Cameras

I have been lazy adopting the latest Web 2.0 technologies. This is not a good habit to develop since I work in Technology Consulting. So, in the last week I made up for my indescretion. I now have:

• Facebook (signed up 3 months ago)
• Del.icio.us (I'm still unsure if I made the right decision, perhaps I should have chosen DIGG)
  
• YouTube profile

At the moment I'm only using Facebook for work colleagues and friends. I'm not sure yet if I want to start adding my favourite authors and bloggers (e.g., Brian McLaren). Some of my mates have over 400 contacts in their list. I don't want to go to that extreme.

I also lost my digital camera on Christmas Eve. We are currently looking for a new one. I'm tempted to purchase a DSLR (in particular Canon ES 40D), but they're too expensive and I can't justify the cost since I'm not a pro. So, we might settle once more for a compact Digital, probaly Canon IXUS 960 IS. It's still a bit $$$ but hopefully it will give me piece of mind on our holidays, and we do use our camera alot (everyday a photo of something will be taken).

We considered getting a bridging camera (in between a compact and a DSLR, e.g., Canon S5Is) but the only plus I can see is the 12x zoom. My bias is toward size rather than zoom. Anyway, we'll hopefully decide before the City wide sales have ended.

There's so much grace

Another year has come to an end. I struggled deeply with faith this year. Sitting here now, I believe one thing - there's so much GRACE.

I genuinely believe that Christs sacrifice was sufficient and if we live in HIM we have all the benefits of that grace. That means freedom. May 2008 be a year where we all know that grace. May we be the church, worshipping God and living like we should - ambassadors of a better Kingdom - bringing the light and joy of Christ into our neighbourhoods.

I quote Brian McLaren's final sentence from his new book, "Everything must change - Jesus, Global Crisis, and a Revolution of Hope":

"Mountains can be moved and everything can change, beginning with our stories, beginning with faith, beginning now, beginning with us."

I pray for God's blessing on Australia, the world, and the Church in 2008.

God, may Your kingdom come.

In Christ,

Daniel.

An October Update

It's been a while since I posted anything original. the truth is, I have been busy and have lost a passion for reading and posting blogs. I haven't lost my interest in the global subject matter, but when I come home from work I just want to relax and switch off. I haven't even been reading books.

It's Sunday arvo and I am preparing a presentation that I will deliver to a large group of colleagues this Friday. The topic is "A Personal Response to the Issue of Poverty". It is part of my companies 'Continuously Grow and Improve Campaign'. I usually have alot to say about this issue, but even now I am drawing blanks. I seem to have lost my creative streak. The aim of my presentation is to encourage people to find a cause and get involved in the effort to alleviate poverty. For some that could mean Child Sponsorship, for others it could mean Ethics in Business, and for others still, it could mean making better consumer choices. If any reader has some input, please e-mail me.

On Church. I went to Catholic mass this morning and thoroughly enjoyed it. There was a full choir and much of the mass was sung by the Priest. I have been studying the Catholic faith recently and it was refreshing to approach the Eucharist with new understanding. One of the highlights of the mass for me was when the choir (approximately 50 people) sung the Apostles Creed in Latin. Beautiful.

Work is going well. I have hit a dry patch in my current project and am looking forward to its completion so that I can move onto bigger and better things. My patience and endurace is being tested daily. There are lots of good opportunities to imitate Christ that I seem to be passing up. I have just reminded myself to try better tomorrow.

A couple of good friends are currently applying for Visas to move to Perth from Indonesia for work. I look forward to having them here.

Other than that, nothing much else is happening. I'll post an update if there anything.

On music...

"One good thing about music, when it hits, you fell okay"

I've always liked music. During my early years in college, I wouldn't leave the house without listening to some good music. A good song would set the tone of my day. Without it, I found that my day lacked rhythm. I still like music a lot, although I am not reliant on it to set the tone of my day any longer. I no longer listen to a lot of the songs that once got me going, and my musical taste is maturing. Here's my current list of favorite albums.

• Cinta Silver (Glen Fredly)
• The Emancipation of Mimi (Mariah)
• Ultimate (Aaliyah)
• Aku & Wanita (Glen Fredly)
• Monkey Business (Black Eyed Peas)

What makes a good album to me? It's one that I can listen to from start to end and appreciate every song on it. My favorite song list is much to long for this blog, but I'll say that my top 3 songs are:

• L.O.V.E (Glen Fredly)
• Aku Cinta Padamu (Glen Fredly)
• Pengakuan Lelaki (Glen Fredly)
  

But then I have hymns that will last forever, and I cannot categorise... they are beautiful and will last through all seasons. They are:

• I need thee every hour
• Let us love and sing and wonder
• It is well with my soul

UNOH with us on the weekend

Ash & Anji Barker, and Shobie Owen from Urban Neighbours of Hope (UNOH) were in Perth on the weekend. As always, they shared their heart for the marginalised and oppressed and called upon Christians to have a conversion to the poor.

Ash and Anji definately rank high on my hero list. They have given up the comforts of the West to move into one of the toughest places to live on earth (the largest slum in Bangkok - Klong Toey) where they live amongst the poverty stricken and share with them in there struggles.

A challenging weekend that resulted in Gayle and I sitting together and reexamining our priorities in life.

You can find out more about the ministry of UNOH at www.unoh.org or their blog at www.unoh.typepad.com.

More meanderings

I was talking to my career counsellor at work the other day about where I would like to use my consultancy skills in a few years - what path would I like to take? The options - strategy & operations consulting for big business or technical integration consulting for big business.

Where do I stand on this issue?

Indonesia, one of the biggest coal and oil deposits in the world is largely at the mercy of big business as they take their resources using their cheap labour. I think that if I were to continue along this path, I would use my services to help grow local national businesses within Indonesia and other South East Asian countries.

Anyway, it's late. I'm on coffee and just meandering. Writing whatever comes to mind. I'm going home now. Easter Sunday tomorrow.

Christ is risen. There is hope for better days.

Meanderings

God willing Gayle and I will move into South-East Asia within two years to embark on mission work among Gods beloved. God willing I won't be afraid to follow.

God willing I will not be burnt out from this crazy consultancy career.

God willing I will be granted the strength and courage to overcome my fear and walk in the purpose that God created me for.

We do not live for ourselves and of ourselves. We were created by God and for God.

I stand at a cross way now. I have two paths before me. I can choose to walk in this career where the opportunity for comfort and security seem real. Travel and financial opportunities. Just working for a tier-one consultancy opens up many doors that are not open to many. But my heart seems uneasy with this.

Is this all there is? Living to work? Living for comfort? No!

I was not called to believe in God for belief does not move to action. I was called to follow my Christ regardless of the consequence or risk.

Will I serve the persecuted church? Will I serve the beloved muslim brothers and sisters? To live amongst them and with them? Will I be a Christian? One who follows Christ? Or will I be afraid and retreat into selfishness and the world.

A scripture that's been on my heart lately:

"Therefore since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. Let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning it's shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who faced such opposition from sinful man so that you will not grow weary and lose heart." (Hebrews 12)

We are ambassadors.

We are servants.

We are beloved.

We are not forsaken.

We are cherished.

We are being renewed.

We are called for mission.

Jesus said: "Love God with all your heart, with all your mind, with all your soul, and with all your strength. Love your neighbour as yourself."

Live each day for Christ as though you know no other way to live.

just an update.

I am spazzing out now. My routine for so long has been to take every Sunday and use it to go to Church in the morning, have lunch with my wife at a South Perth cafe, spend some time alone, and then spend about 2 hours between 2 and 4pm in a cafe writing. It was a time when I could be in my own zone. My mind would be oriented on the important things. I would write anything that came to mind. Much of the poetry and creative essays about justice in this blog came from those cafe times.

However, a nearly two months ago our car was damaged in an accident and we have been car-less while it is in the panel beaters getting fixed. So, what has happened? Sundays are spend at home or in the city. I can't write creatively at home. I miss my church and I miss my cafe.

The good thing is, the car will be returned within two weeks. Our zhangziggy. Freedom will be restored. Creativity will flow.

Work is going great. I love the things I am learning. I am currently assigned to two clients. I am doing a Business Process Improvement at one, and a Gap Analysis at the other. One is a government company, the other is an engineering company. What one do you think I like most? The engineering of course. Government agencies were a shock to me. It almost seems as though work ethic is non-existent. Send me to the resources sector any day.

Anyway, time to work. Catch ya'll soon.

March Update

So this is an update… it’s about time!

I’ll start by saying “I’m exhausted!”. I have begun my new career as a consultant for one of the largest professional services firms in the world, and I could not have prepared myself for the challenge. I have been ripped from my comfort zone and put in a role that is extremely dynamic.

But I love it! For those who know me, I am passionate about business. I’m especially passionate about business in Asia Pacific. I’m now in a role and company that can increase my exposure in this area.

Most of you know that I’m in love with Indonesia, and I’ve been keen on doing business in that country. However, after a number of recent local issues (especially the floods that affected Jakarta in February), I have had to think again. Indonesian needs to work on developing it’s infrastructure before they can be really competitive in the world market (maaf teman2, tapi sekalian tahu ini benar). So, I’m hoping that I can migrate to Hong Kong or Singapore to gain the exposure that I want (especially focusing on Human Capital and Supply-Chain strategy).

I do have to make one thing clear. My interest in business is not for self gain. I believe in the mandate that followers of Christ have to be Ambassadors of God. Business has the potential to remove nations from abject poverty and increase the quality of life for millions who are currently living like animals. The church is not an entity that exists for and of it self. It is people like me and you who believe in Christ and will live for Him in our daily roles. For me, that role is business.

Anyway friends, Carpe Diem!

Why this blog?

There is a strong desire in my heart to give my all to Christ. I believe that he asks nothing less of me, but to sacrifice all to live out the dream of God, and to be His body on earth. I do not hide from the fact that what we are called to is not easy. There will be times of joy and times of pain. I do not acknowledge a half-gospel that preaches the materialistic comfort for Western society. I acknowledge a full gospel, whereby I am called to be a disciple. I am on a journey to follow Jesus. I want to say sincerely in my heart “for me to live is Christ” but I am afraid. I am afraid of what I will lose, and I cannot yet see clearly what I will gain. But this path cannot be followed based on what I will gain, but must be followed out of love. Love to live as the creator intends. Love to serve my brothers and sisters – all of God’s children. Love to see culture transformed into the fulfilled dream of God. Love to see creation come into holistic community. Love to see oppression and injustice cease. And love to see all people come into relationship with their creator.

I will use this blog to share some of this journey with you. I’ll also post meanderings, book extracts, poetry, news commentary, and general life/culture stuff.