Thoughts on iPhone 4, iOS4, FaceTime

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So, I’ve finally watched the keynote. I must say, Steve is still very good at presenting products. He makes no mention of any of the details that was leaked already (other than, something like, “it looks really nice”), but instead he focuses on the technology that’s put into the phone, so it doesn’t seem that the leak “revealed” anything important. =)

iPhone 4 is a sleek looking device. The amount of engineering and designing that’s put into the phone is really what makes this phone stand out among all the competition. Think about it, stainless steel frame, aluminosilicate glass, extra-long battery life, super high-resolution display… all these features are not found on any other phone. Add the three-axis gyroscope into the mix… it just shows how much Apple wants to differentiate their products from the competition. They are willing to explore and experiment new techniques and material to “make the best products for our customers” (Steve said that during D8). That’s the core value of Apple.

So, iPhone 4 is super nice… so nice that I want one, but I probably won’t get it now =)

iOS4 (previously known as iPhone OS) is nice as well. iOS4 adds multi-tasking to iPhone 3GS. The addition of home screen wallpaper is a nice touch, unified inbox and “conversations” are cool, and folders are super useful. There’s also a new thing called “Game Center” which I am still trying to figure out…

FaceTime… it looks good. Too bad it’s only available on iPhone 4… oh well. =)

God’s Will

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Recently I had a chance to talk to a brother whom I felt God has placed in my heart. Not that I felt he’s in need or anything, but just to exchange our thoughts on various topics. I was pleasantly surprised at how clearly he sees things. He sees things that I cannot, and he can put all these in a logical way that I find very easy to understand. =)

We were just talking about the idea of God’s will… What is the true meaning of God’s will in our lives? I remember Pastor Justin saying that God’s will for our lives is like a ball field. There are many ways to get across, and it doesn’t matter which way you take you’ll still end up being on the other side. But what is important is that we need to listen to God so we don’t run into obstacles when he tells us to go around, or when we need to pass the ball to Him. Somewhere along those lines I’ve just noticed how limited my prayers were. I was limiting God’s gift of free will in my prayers! I was praying for THE path, THE way and THE answer, but God has challenged me to broaden my perspective on things. Yes, there may be the best way, but God doesn’t limit us there. We are free to choose, and the most important thing is that we have to realize that we can absolutely experience God in any way that we choose.

I’ve come to a preliminary conclusion that God’s will for us is to be what he created us to be – free beings who are able to make choices for themselves, and acknowledging him in everything we do, every choice we make.

Humbled

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I just feel so humbled by God today.

I am in awe of what He can do. It’s not like I didn’t know that He can do all things… but it’s another thing to experience it.

Glory to God! I pray that I’ll become even more sensitive to His voice, His leading.

What Faith Can Do – Kutless

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Have you ever asked yourself… what can faith do? It doesn’t feed me, it doesn’t earn me a living.

This nice song explains it all.

Yes, Father, I think You that You’ve never left me, that You’re always faithful. I’ve listen to lies of the enemy. But Lord, I thank You. Thank You for sending Johnny Markin to our school today. Lord, Help me to grow in faith. I want to see Your work through me. I want to be Your hands and feet. May I touch people just like You touched people — the sick, the poor, the people that I have every right to dislike. Help me to find faith in the midst of everything that’s going on around me, and Lord I lift up my schoolmate who’s just lost his mother. Lord, help him to grow in faith in You. Comfort him, and carry him through this though situation. Father, I thank You. Thank You that You’ve always listened, even when I’m unaware. Lord, I thank You that You’ve listened to my prayer, and Lord, I thank You for growing my faith in You. Allow me to continue to grow in You.

EGR – Extra Grace Required

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I have been rereading The Purpose Driven Life, and something caught my attention this time. In Day 19, Rick Warran talked about “Cultivating Community.”

As Rick Warran explores this topic, he sums up the five “requirements” of creating community: honesty, humility, courtesy, confidentiality and frequency.

This time reading this chapter, I feel that “courtesy” kinda sticks out to me. Especially the EGR part.

Rick Warran suggests that “in every church and in every small group, there is always at least one ‘difficult’ person.” I have to agree with that. However, Warran also suggests that “God put these people in our midst for both their benefit and ours.”

We all have shortcomings. Sometimes we don’t even know we have some quirks and rough edges that irritate others. We are called to be a family, and family members accept each others’ traits. Thus, by accepting and respecting others, we practice being graceful at the same time. Acceptance is, of course, just one of the many things that knit family members together.

Yeah, I know it’s late, but I feel I have to type it out before I forget. ;)

Rejoicing And Weeping

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Just had a thought when I was reading Romans 12 today. In Romans 12:15, it is said that:

Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep. (KJV)

Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. (NIV)

Laugh with your happy friends when they’re happy; share tears when they’re down. (The Message)

與喜樂的人要同樂；與哀哭的人要同哭 。(Union)

Seems pretty simple? Well, I have a second thought today, and it actually applies to me. I think it is important for me (and others if it applies) that we actually “share” with others. If we can’t share, how can others rejoice or weep with us?

It’s a challenge to myself. I need to be open and transparent and actually share my emotions. In Chinese there’s a saying, “有福同享，有難同當”. The rough translation is that we share not only blessings but also sufferings. Sufferings may actually be a chance for brothers and sisters to grow together as we navigate through rough seas.

So, don’t be afraid! Open up and share your life with others. That’s building relationship. (Especially me! I need serious work, haha)

PS: This post was written partly because of a phone call from someone today sharing some good news with me. Thanks! :)

Pet Peeves (1)

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If you know what I mean… those little things that annoy you…

Round 1 is English grammar and word usage… you see a LOT of that on blogs, forums, even so called “articles.”

  • Affect vs. effect
    affect – have an effect upon, or involvement. Or as a noun, an emotion.
    effect – consequence.
  • Than vs. then
    than – comparative. E.G. A is better than B.
    then – sequential placement. E.G. A went shopping then ate lunch.
  • It’s vs. its
    it’s – short form of “it is.”
    its – indicates possession of an object by “it.”
  • There vs. their
    there – location that is not here.
    their – “belongs to them.”
  • Your vs. you’re
    your – “belongs to you.”
    you’re – short form of “you are.”

Those are the most common ones. You might be surprised to see how often these mistakes are seen. :)

Update: Added another one I saw 2 seconds ago.