Only in the Dark

forest, originally uploaded by mincaye.

While reviewing the photos I took at FRIM, I learnt a lesson: never take a photo of the 'forest.' The lush greens give no sense of perspective at all; the photo above is one of the better ones, probably due to the light and the relatively bare canopy.


Li-Shia sent me several verses via SMS today for encouragement. They are Romans 8:26, Isaiah 40:29-31, Romans 5:3-4 and Matthew 6:34.

Isaiah 40:31 has always encouraged me.

He gives strength to the weary
and increases the power of the weak.

Even youths grow tired and weary,
and young men stumble and fall;

but those who hope in the LORD
will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
they will run and not grow weary,
they will walk and not be faint.

And the logic of Matthew 6:34 is unquestionable.

Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

Nevertheless, I still don't know how to face tomorrow. It will be a decisive day, and will determine the direction of the editorial board for, probably, the rest of the year.


Yesterday, at the Phases Online Launch at The Mustard Tree restaurant in The Ampwalk, I received as a gift an EP featuring songs (in remembrance of the 2004 Tsunami) by Patrick Leong, Liang, Juwita Suwito and Altered Frequency.

Suwito's contribution, in particular, encouraged me tremendously as I listened to it in bed this morning. Here's the chorus of 'Only in the Dark':

Only in the dark when I can't seem to see
I learn to hear Your whisper
That's been guiding me
Reach out for the Hand
That bears the light
So my step is right
Only in the dark


I just printed out the sermon given by N.T. Wright, Bishop of Durham, on Easter Morning. (Thanks Steven for sending it to the mailing list!)

Here's hoping, as Denise and Sivin said to me, that we will experience the resurrection power of God even in this Easter season. Yet the irony is that, before something can rise to life, it must die.

Someone once asked, "Why do we fall, but to rise again?"

Elsewhere, Thomas Wayne and Alfred put it this way, "Why do we fall? So that we can learn to pick ourselves up."


What is it that must die this time around? What needs to be sacrificed?

I beg of you, if ever you come across these words, please pray for the Victorian Editorial Board, that God may lead it where he wants it to go from here.