Brother has always been very adept in culinary. Today brought my mum for walk walk around Telok Blangah area, and before we left, I make a suggestion to my brother if he has time tonight, may want to whip up a terrific western dish for all of us :o) Amazingly & to our great joy, he really did. Went to cold storage, bought fishes, salad vegetables, potatoes & seasonings & did a wonderful western dinner for us. We had a good quality time together as a family. Thank you so much brother.
Not sure if you've heard of Sun's Eternal Blossom..... this is a chinese song which was broadcasted together with the Szechuan earthquake video clip.....
Recently thanks to Kristy and Gerard, who blessed my sister with Light of the City album, and there was this song "Eternal Blossom" sang by Sun....
Whenever I hear this song, I will feel so touched by the music and lyrics. It gives me a very comforting, noble, slightly melancholic and loving feeling. All kinds of emotions are mired in this little track that stir up every wild imagination and nostalgic memories.
I just felt so loved by God as I listen to this little track. Thank God for music, and the people who put this all together.
Discretion is like the finishing school for your character. It is also the invisible glue that holds all the other elements of godly character together and keeps them permanently set inside your heart.
Someone might be a person of great truth, but if he doesn’t understand discretion, he will become so brash that no one will be able to tolerate him. Someone else might be a person of great integrity. But unless he is also a person of discretion, he will become a person of great arrogance. In this way, discretion becomes the governor of all other character traits that we must develop in our lives.
The dictionary defines “discretion” as being careful about what one says or does or the ability to keep silent.
The dictionary also says that this quality is regulated by one’s own choice. For instance, when the law says that something is “left up to one’s discretion,” that means it is left up to a person’s choice. You cannot decide what another person’s discretion is, for it has to do with his own conclusion to the question, How do I think this situation should be approached?
You are a person of discretion because you choose to be a person of discretion. However, discretion isn’t a character trait that you either possess or you don’t. Rather, it is a quality that lives in degrees inside every person.
Other words that help fill out the meaning of the word “discretion” are calculating; careful; considerate; guarded; safe; precaution; foresight; forethought; restraint; and common sense.
People of discretion are calculated, careful, and considerate. They are safe to be around. They are people of precaution who will test the integrity of a situation before they ever go into it.
A person of discretion possess:
· The wisdom to avoid damaging attitudes, words, and actions
· The ability to give insightful counsel to others
· A God-given perception of the nature and the meaning of things that result in sound judgement and wise decision-making.
· The ability to discern spiritual truth and to apply it to human disposition and to human conduct.
Praise & Worship with Anointed cg guitarist - my Darling meimei
This CNY is one of the best I’ve ever had. Because I had a very good time with my darling sister.
There were some difficult periods that my sister and I had gone thru together. I feel that in year 2009, God has brought us closer. I am very grateful for all that my sister has done for me. Her love for me is unconditional. She can put down everything just for me. She’s very wonderful to me, very loving and sacrificial as a sister to me.
Today, we had a very fruitful time together. I thank God that my sister is such an anointed cg guitarist. I felt the presence of God as we sang. It was so enjoyable and heart lifting. She gave me a long list of songs, and I chose. We sang the following songs:
· I’m on fire · The Greatest thing in all my life · Awesome in this place · As the deer · Come Holy Spirit · Eagles Wings · Fall · First · God is great · In the Presence of Jehovah · Like the woman with the issue of blood · Mengenal-mu (Chinese)
I’m very touched as I sang these songs, especially the last 3 songs.
Lyrics: Like the Woman with the Issue of Blood
Like the woman with the issue of blood We press in, we press in Like the blind man waiting patiently We press in through the crowd Then suddenly A touch from heaven Jesus came and rescue me Then suddenly A touch from heaven Jesus came and set me free Lyrics: In the Presence of Jehovah
In the presence, of Jehovah God Almighty Prince of Peace Troubles Vanish Hearts are mended In the presence of the King
Grant Taylor: "I want God to bless this team so much people will talk about what He did. But it means we gotta give Him our best in every area. And if we win, we praise Him. And if we lose, we praise Him. Either way we honor Him with our actions and our attitudes. So I'm askin' you... What are you living for? I resolve to give God everything I've got, then I'll leave the results up to Him. I want to know if you'll join me."
Last Friday cg was really one of the most blessed cg I've ever had. What a great honor & joy to be able to witness this powerfully made movie that taught us so strongly to resist fear, keep moving on and always giving our best to God. I am very grateful to our cg leader Ziwei for teaching us through this movie and I am so thankful to God for such a powerful msg. This is a powerful common grace. This movie will forever remind me what to do in my encounters with fear.
What I've learnt:
This scene impacted me the most. One scene when Taylor was training his team. There were 2 players he chosen specifically to do the death crawl, where one person will be crawling on the grass with his hand & feet only (knees cannot touch ground) & with another person he has to carry on his back. Then he blindfolded the one who is supposed to crawl. Coach Taylor told him to GIVE HIS BEST. The whistle was blown, and the player started crawling. He feels like giving up after a distance, but Coach Taylor keeps shouting at him to go on and on and on.
Amazingly when the player finally collapsed out of exhaustion, he had covered so much distance. Taylor told him, “You can do it without even seeing it”. This is really a great example about faith --> we do the Will of God without even seeing the results in the natural realm, but we keep trusting in what God is always telling us and keep going on, keep moving, keep persevering, keep crawling, keep running this race.
Kicking Philosophy -- Super funny!
Matt 7:13 “Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it."
Taylor’s wife when realizing that the pregnancy test is negative says to God, “I’d still love you”
One last chance to win this game within a very short period of time! Coach Taylor instructed David to kick the ball for a distance so long that he has never done it before! David was so fearful and not confident of himself. Coach Taylor says, “Do you think God can help you make this kick, do you believe it David?” “But you got to give your best to Him….”
When Coach Taylor was addressing the students, he says “Its not about us, not about how we can win the game, how we can get the ball, how we can get the glory. Its about loving God. The greatest thing is to love God. God cares about our faith and our heart. Football is just one of the tools we use to honor God. Its about your relationships with people, your respect for authority, your behaviour in classroom, and what you do when you’re at home alone surfing the internet. Whether we win or loss, we praise God and honor Him with our actions....."
David: “I’m too small” His father: “You cannot be afraid of failures”
David’s father saying, “Through you, people will see how great God is”
Respecting Authority is so important!!
Pastor walked into Coach Taylor’s office and shared rev 3, stating that until God has clearly spoken to Coach Taylor, he is to bloom where he is planted! Rev 3:7-8 --> “These are the words of him who is holy and true, who holds the key of David. What he opens no one can shut, and what he shuts no one can open. I know your deeds. See, I have placed before you an open door that no one can shut. I know that you have little strength, yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name.”
Pastor said an example, “There are 2 farmers who desperately needed rain, but only one prepared his field so that his field will be ready to receive the rain when it finally comes --> which farmer do you think trusted God to send the rain?” God will send the rain when He’s ready. You need to prepare your field to receive it.
It is such a quality of life, to clean up and beautify the whole house in preparation for Chinese new year, and after all these, to be able to take a seat by the wooden bench in a little balcony, under the sunny light, with a little crystal glass of warm white tea, and a bowl of delicious snack biscuits, taking my own sweet time, to read a book about God…… all in a day.
I’ve always felt, that life can be as beautiful as you want it to be. At different seasons of our lives, we experience different issues that may cause us to “distorted” in our perspectives, attitudes and emotions. At certain period, we may be extremely happy, but as we step into another period, we may feel very moody or upset by certain issues as well.
When we are very intense and trapped in our circumstances, we do not have the capacity to step out, slow down and reflect. Life became concentrated in a negative way, and we forgot all about the people around us. We lose the ability to appreciate the little pleasures of life, nature and the people around us. Our capacity to love and bless are deteriorating and we started finding shortcuts for everything. Everything becomes an obstacle and a hassle to what we’re seeking or desire.
Recently I’ve read a book written by Robb Thompson and I felt that it is so good.
Really, character is so important. Character is the foundation of everything. We spend our lives with people all around us. The decisions that people make affect us. Thus, we will definitely experience the positive and the negative consequences of the decisions and things people around us make or do.
What is character?
Character is virtue in the life of an individual.
Character is moral strength.
Character is a reputation of integrity built by the hard choices of self-sacrifice and self-discipline.
Character affects our decisions, our words, our attitudes, our goals, our relationships, and our actions.
In marriage, character is gentleness.
In the home, it is respect.
In business, it is integrity.
In society, it is courtesy.
In the workplace, it is excellence.
In sports, it is fairness.
In relationship, it is kindness.
To the victor, it is congratulations.
To the victim, it is protection.
To falsehood, it is resistance.
To yourself, it is absolute truth.
Indeed a true friend is one who would rather risk rejection than not telling you the truth.
And a person of true character will not reject what you tell him or her immediately, but instead, reflects and ask questions first to understand more before even putting on a strong defense about his or her stand.
Sadly, some people will immediately respond with “I dun live my life according to the expectation of others…. As long as it clears my conscience…...”
Life is not all about ourselves. What we think is correct may NOT be correct. Our moral values may NOT reflect the RIGHT moral values. Else we would not need the bible as character benchmark.
Our conscience may be seared. Thus, even when we feel that we’re doing nothing against our conscience, it doesn’t mean u’re right!
One part Robb Thompson shared really impacted me,
“It is impossible for your life to produce anything beyond the strength of your moral fiber”.
I am beginning to look forward to year 2009. God has been good to me, for year 2008 has been a year of chastening and growth of wisdom & strength. How wonderful it is, when the joy of God fall unto us, when the abundance of God unravels spiritually, that we indeed, have no room to contain it. I am really looking forward.......
Leading to the other end of waves A little rest by the stone seat With a little Word in hand.
Tourists’ dancing around With cameras and smiles Their world seems like a better place Than what I have over here.
Breezes and trees Are the comfort of a Spirit Time and Love Are the Grace of God.
When life has reached the abyss No human can render help And if God allows a salting touch From a heavenly non citizen The remaining days Are no longer earth.
On a normalday, its very hard to get mydaddy out of town "Yishun" and go outfor a longlong time... BUT.... Today...... hebrought us to Macpherson to havelunch!!! Andafter that, wewentNorthpointtoshop........ where he tried a fewpairs of sportsshoes, andshirts!! Andhe bought lots of stuff! Isn'tthatamazing............ howGodcanbless us likethis at times... ? :o)
Feng bo bo came to church during Asia Conference and shared something which inspire me a lot recently. She said that she does not have to live up to any one’s expectation of her and she is free. As free as a little child in the Kingdom of God.
As I relate this to my work, I felt so comforted. It is only during this time that I recalled what Feng bo bo shared, and I know God is with me.
This coming Monday is my month end again, and there’s lots of stuff to take note off. Work has became more complicated because of certain issues that result due to economic downturn, and it is extremely stressful.
Perhaps things were going so well for me in work during this period of time, that I’ve started to allow pride to take place, which perhaps explained, why at times, I felt frustrated, if things go out of control. I felt a rebellion spirit building up in my mind subconsciously, that cause me to submit to higher authority unwillingly.
But God hates this kind of attitude. God places authority in our lives for a purpose, and no matter what, we have to submit, unless the authority requires us to do something against what the bible says.
If we’re to glorify God, and honor God in our marketplace, then we must be prepared to submit, and lose our pride for a good cause, for the glory of God. What is pride & submission, compared to the compliments from God, for a character well molded?
When I think about this, a deep sense of guilt came into my heart, convicted me that I’ve not glorify God, and lived up to God’s expectation of me in the marketplace.
But God is not like that. I believe that God grace is always upon us when we’re truly repentant.
And it is never too late to start all over again in the Kingdom of God.
When we make a mistake and fall, we can commit our guilt & shame unto God, and trust that God will help us get up again.
We must never lament too much on the lost time, relationships, resources and efforts because of our mistakes. Every new beginning from God is never too late.
"Anyone who trusts in him will never be put to shame.” Rom 10:11
When we live our lives to align with the expectation of other people, we will lose heart easily when things go out of control, and when people speak unjustly against us. And when all goes well, pride builds up and we lose our focus.
1 Cor 3: 18 -19 Stop deceiving yourselves. If you think you are wise by this world’s standards, you need to become a fool to be truly wise. For the wisdom of this world is foolishness to God.
As the Scriptures say, “He traps the wise in the snare of their own cleverness.”
In reflection, it is better to let go of all what is expected of you, and just do the best that you know how, and trust in God to lead you, and empower you with the wisdom of God to live a great and victorious life.
When we do not let other peoples’ expectation of us rule our lives, we’re letting go of a great burden, and be truly free to work creatively & effectively, doing our best, regardless of whether our efforts are recognised publicly. Because God knows every good works that we have done, and God will give us a good reward in due season.
Below quote was recited by a yoga teacher during my yoga lesson at Pacific plaza. Inspiring!
Start by doing what's necessary; then do what's possible; and suddenly you are doing the impossible.
Attended 3 days of Asia Conference and volunteered in Greeters’ ministry. Now settling down in a day of serenity, in a little space of my own, taking stock of my life.
Having being alive for “slightly” more than 20 over yrs on this magnificent earth, I felt that it is so important to be have a mind that is very conscious of the importance of being “open” to good ideas, renewed thinking & other “good stuff”, which we may not be receptive to initially, but willing to ponder over it & exercise good judgement, eventually leading to acceptance & transformed mindset.
This requires humility, wisdom, a pliable heart and a teachable spirit.
Our path in life is really shaped by layers and layers of decisions, resulting in and from consequences to consequences. Short cuts or long cuts, is determined by how open we’re to God’s leading, and how much we are willing to relinquish control, as well as the environment of fellowship (group of friends) we’re in. Bad company corrupts good character, but neither will good company help us much, if we’re not willing to be “open” to our friends’ good intentions, which may not be expressed in a way we may appreciate.....
Sometimes, a little bit of opening up, may sow a little mustard seed which leads to great harvest in our lives. If only we can see this, if only we can hear this, if only we can understand this, if only we can accept this, if only we can listen just this once, if only we’ll try just once........if only............. just a little “if only....”
I guess the “if only” only comes to pass when our hearts totally synchronise with our minds....... our minds may noe what’s the right thing..... but our hearts maybe super retarded..... slow in following up with what should be...... or even the stubbornness to follow up....... if these two are always in tandem..... the world would be a better place......
Our lives are in our own hands..... nobody can force us into any good intentions......
Let us give God a chance, to work in our hearts and minds, to transform us in our mindset, so that we can live a more fruitful and joyful life, have lots of joy and abundance, and many breakthroughs.
Let us give God a chance, to stroll together with Him in our lives, and allow God to lead us and guide us.
Let us talk openly and share deeply with God, like a close friend, allow God to heal our hearts, and take away the hurts and fears that have taken root and empower us with great courage, boldness, confidence and strength. Trust that God is really listening.
Let us entrust God wholeheartedly our lives, depending on God fully, no matter how negative the circumstances maybe. God will deliver us in due season.
If you cherish me as a friend, trust me, because I’ve been thru’ and I understand.
Recently life has been so hectic and so overwhelming that things seem to have been so out of control and emotions going crazy every now and then. It is only when things have came to this stage that I felt so deeply that I have been relying on my own strength and wisdom all along. The fact that nothing has happened, coupled with the steadfast victorious momentum in your life, does not mean that everything is alright. In fact, this is the time that we really need to be on alert spiritually, because the devil is always waiting nearby, waiting to prowl on us when we lose guard.
30 Sep 2008 marked the beginning of my rest in God. This is the turning point of my life in God. This was a time when a part of me was lost, and it seems like a drowning experience when you know fully well that the only saviour float is God, and no one else. I take pride in turning to God even in the most devastated circumstances, and I rejoice in the grace and mercy of God, for He has not forsaken me in such a time as this.
Rest in God is not easy. It means finding freedom from mental activity. It means not having to live in the torment of reasoning, always trying to come up with an answer we don’t have. We don’t have to worry; instead, we can remain in a place of quiet peace and rest.
Like a little princess going up to the Father, our Father’s hands are always opened to hug us. I worked my way slowly, and rest began to dwell in my heart. Peace sinks in slowly, and hope strengthens.
When I rest in God, He reveals so much more that is beyond what I could ever imagine or expected. He shows us an alternative plan to the ultimate goal (so exciting!). It is only then we realised the folly of our desires based upon the “Will of God”. Wrong motivation to glorify the Kingdom of God. We need to repent, and abide in the perfect peace of His holy presence.
How does it feel when someone promised you to one thing, but did not fulfil his or her promise to you?
This is like the story of the boy who cried wolf...... when a person break his promise too many times, his words no longer becomes trustworthy. His words are no longer his bond, and he has no weight in whatever he says.
You will find it harder to trust this person........
James 5:12
“Above all, my brothers, do not swear—not by heaven or by earth or by anything else. Let your "Yes" be yes, and your "No," no, or you will be condemned.”
When you say “Yes I will do it” => DO IT.
Trust is such an important factor that we should always be very careful of our speech and action in case we slowly squander away trust without realising it, till it is TOO LATE.....
If you cannot fulfil your promise, don’t say it. ESPECIALLY when the promise may seem INSIGNIFICANT.
Bible says, that we should be very FAITHFUL with 3 things:
a) What belongs to others
b) Money
c) Little things
You will notice that at times it is usually the smallest issue that may cause a very negative impact, especially when accumulated over time.
If you promise a treat to a good restaurant, do it.
If you promise to complete a task, do it.
If you promise to help, do it.
If you promise to commit, do it.
If you promise to go, go.
If you promise your time, give!
NEVER take your time to fulfil your promise to others, DON’T DELAY, DON’T PROCRASTINATE.
NEVER fulfil your promises to others BASED ON HOW YOU FEEL. Don’t be temperamental. DO THE RIGHT THING REGARDLESS OF HOW YOU FEEL.
We tend to take very lightly of our promises to those closest to us, like our family members.
Maybe it is easier to get away when we fail to do it.... DON’T TAKE YOUR FAMILY FOR GRANTED.
Trust, when lost, is very difficult to regain.
When you lose trust, you lose relationships.
Keep building trust, you will reap tremendously in all aspect of your life.
Be a person of integrity and good character. God will bless you.
Was walking along the road on my way home when I saw the soil and rocks on the pavement. Suddenly I feel that it is so wonderful to be alive, to be able to walk on the pavement, to be able to breathe the air that I breath. Life is too short to be angry, too vulnerable to be unhappy. Recently I have learnt, that it is so important that we must do the RIGHT THING no matter how intense our emotions are, irregardless of the circumstances and the people around us. The good works that we do is not to earn the praises of man, but God will honour us for all that we have done, God sees, and our labour will not be in vain. We always reap what we sow. I have learnt, that TRUE CHARACTER is when we’re so overwhelmed, yet we esteem other people’s interests higher than ourselves, when we’re able to let go, and let God, when we’re able to submit to higher authority in the face of injustice, when we’re able to show care and concern to the people around us even when we’re feeling angry, when we’re able to love our enemies, when we’re always trying our best to bless the people around us in the midst of pain and hurts.
I just cherish my family and friends so much. I want to bless them with all that I’ve because God is Love. In the midst of everything, the joy of God is my strength. Righteousness will always overcome darkness. The light of God will shine in the midst of darkness. God is faithful.
Life is too short. I wouldn’t want to waste it. I will DO THE RIGHT THING NO MATTER WHAT. I will try my best to be a person of integrity and good character. I want to go heaven one day, and hear from God personally, “Well done my princess, Xiaowei”.
My dad always fetch me every morning to mrt. 2 weeks ago, it was raining very heavily. And my dad parked his car below the block, came out of this car with his umbrella, and stand under the block, holding the umbrella, resting his eyes while waiting for me to come down. I teared when I saw him waiting there for me. He is so tired, resting his eyes even as he is standing, and yet waiting there for me with his umbrella. I was so touched. I love you father.
JESUS YOU YOU HOLD THE WORLD WITH YOUR UNFAILING LOVE THE HEAVENS SING YOUR PRAISES FROM ABOVE IN YOUR NAME LIPS SHALL PRAISE AND KNEES SHALL BOW
FATHER YOU THE UNIVERSE EXALTS IN WHO YOU ARE THE STARS DECLARE YOUR WONDERS FAR AND WIDE HOW MAJESTIC IS YOUR LOVE THROUGHOUT MY LIFE
IN YOU I FIND MY PEACE IN YOU I BEND MY KNEE
YOU ARE LORD OF HEAVEN YOU SHALL REIGN IN ALL THE EARTH I HUMBLY BOW BEFORE YOUR MAJESTY AND I'LL SING YOUR PRAISES AND I WILL SING FOREVERMORE I'M CAPTIVATED BY YOUR LOVE IN ME
It is said we do not stop playing because we get old. We get old because we stop playing. “If others are laughing, laugh along with them. Let it catch you. Get infected.” The bible has always contained the verse: “A merry heart does good, like a medicine. But a broken spirit dries the bones” (Prov 17:22)
Even the Middle Ages mystic Francis of Assisi, who is invariably portrayed as a serious-minded devotee, sees the value of mirth; “When we who are servants of Christ stand in the centre of the devil’s cloud of doubt and accusation and instead of breathing this choking dust refresh ourselves in the water of God’s joy until it overflows even in holy laughter – then not a single demon can harm us in any way.”
Postponing joy until something happens to justify happiness guarantees a miserable life.
In the video, it starts off with God creating man and showing him God's creation. The "order of creation" was not the most accurate as God created the world first, then man.
But it is amazing in it's message of how Christ saves us in the midst of all our sins.
" Through the blessing of the upright a city is exalted..........."
Through Righteousness, a Nation is exalted. What a great verse, especially for people in the marketplace. Recently, I feel that righteousness is so important.
This is a kind of GODLY righteousness, that nobody can destroy, nobody can take away. This is a righteousness that will remain even in the face of adversity, and pressure.
In our workplace, we need to have such righteousness. Bible says very clearly (Matthew 10), that even though we may be as sheep in the midst of wolves, but we are to be as wise as serpants, and as harmless as doves. Though we may face hypocrites and politics players, God will protect us by giving us wisdom, but God will also want us to be nice to such people unconditionally by giving us supernatural strength.
No matter how negative the environment may be, we need the Peace of God to come into our hearts, and this is the peace that will protect us, make us feel safe and help us to be righteous for God and to honour God in our words and behaviour when it seems so difficult.
Righteousness is so fundamental. It will bring blessings to a family, a company, and a country. Righteousness do not succumb to temptation and pressure. Righteousness is unconditional love, strong foundation, and unyielding protection.
This was forwarded to me by a friend, whose friend's wife died from cancer. He shared the whole journey in his blog. Reading his blog down the months, posts by posts, is like walking back in history painful moments. You will realise how powerful blog can be, in bringing life, or death, joy or grief, encouragement or discouragements. It is like a friend who is always there for you. I nearly teared when I read his blog, and he made me felt so deep that life is so much more than the desires you have in your heart. It is so much more than what you wanted and God hasn't given you. What really matters, is if you have blessed someone today? If you have done something great for a loved one today? If you have really loved with all your heart and deed?
It is so painful for him, I can feel his pain when I read those articles. This person is so strong. I am very very proud of him, and I truly believe God is too. When you read this blog, you will cherish your life and your loved ones even more, and all other things..... doesn't really matter anymore.....
Eucalyptus .................................
On the mountain of blue.....
Nature depicts its pride...........
When green becomes blue
Beautiful matters descend
Healing will come........................
Hearts will be happy...................
Lives will go on.
-- Wei (Mar 2003)
Brother has always been very adept in culinary. Today brought my mum for walk walk around Telok Blangah area, and before we left, I make a suggestion to my brother if he has time tonight, may want to whip up a terrific western dish for all of us :o)
Last Friday cg was really one of the most blessed cg I've ever had. What a great honor & joy to be able to witness this powerfully made movie that taught us so strongly to resist fear, keep moving on and always giving our best to God. I am very grateful to our cg leader Ziwei for teaching us through this movie and I am so thankful to God for such a powerful msg. This is a powerful common grace. This movie will forever remind me what to do in my encounters with fear. 
