| i havent gotten my tomorrow's message together. not even the bits. n i m wondering if i should be panicking. it's kinda worrying that i m not worried. maybe it's the pub hol mood at work, or the rainy, sleepy weather that's placed a spell, or just maybe i m just too tired after this trying week n my brain's desperately need a break. i'm glad i'm not panicking now cos it'll be so "no-no"... to ask God to give me His message and while waiting i worry my head off. but i must say there is still pricky pokey feeling around me somewhere trying to tempt me to get really desperate. especially when i dont have the night to work on it. well, God pls come thru for me. for Your people. i'm just Your messenger. shant run off without receiving the message. --- sat in wendy's DG yesterday. here's what went on in my head: what i say or do in my DG does have a multiplying effect. it does get passed down. whether good or bad.i was struck at the responsibility yet felt thrilled to see the multiplying effect at work. gotta watch what i do. i began to see the privilege and joy, besides the awesome responsibility of "imitiate me as i imitate Christ" the importance of tranferability is reinforced in my mind. whether what i say n do in discipling others can be learned and passed on well and effectively without a watering down or changing of meaning n message. was thankful that my gals are led and guided by my Lord. what they've learned fr me in DG + their own preparation n Lord's leading = wow! i wouldnt mind being in their DG! so cool huh. it's such a wonderful thing to be involved in God's work, in building into lives and seeing them do it too - disciple others, give messages etc. so proud of my disciples who are spiritual multipliers! what a joy, honour to know them! --- i finally can say i love C.S Lewis! God used his "The Problem of Pain" to minister to me in the area of "resident evil in man", issue of self-will n surrender, about the uniqueness and longings of each soul and heaven! it has been almost like a devotional. i would somehow ponder or talk about an issue, then almost God addressed it in the book! God taught me and brought me to greater depth of understanding. n this went on for about a week. plain amazing. here's my fav part: p150 - There have been times when I think we do not desire heaven; but more often I find myself wondering whether, in our heart of hearts, we have ever desired anything else. You may have noticed that the books you really love are bound together by a secret thread. You know very well what is the common quality that makes you love them, though you cannot put it into words: but most of your friends do not see it at all, and often wonder why, liking this, you should also like that. Again, you have stood before some landscape, which seems to embody what you have been looking for all your life; and then turned to the friend to your side who appears to be seeing what you saw – but at first words a gulf yawns between you, and you realize that this landscape means something totally different to him, that he is pursuing an alien vision and cares nothing for the ineffable suggestion by which you are transported. Even in your hobbies, has there not always been some secret attraction which the others are curiously ignorant of – something, not to be identified with, but always on the verge of breakthrough, the smell of cut wood in the workshop or the clap-clap of water against the boat’s side? Are not all lifelong friendships born at the moment when at last you meet another human being who has some inkling (but faint and uncertain even in the best) of that something which you were born desiring, and which, beneath the flux of other desires and in all the momentary silences between the louder passions, night and day, year by year, from childhood to old age, you are looking for, watching for, listening for? You have never had it. All the things that have ever deeply possessed your soul have been but hints of it – tantalizing glimpses, promises never quite fulfilled, echoes that died away just as they caught your ear….Beyond all possibility of doubt you would say, ‘Here at last is the thing I was made for.’ We cannot tell each other about it. It is the secret signature of each soul, the incommunicable and unappeasable want, the thing we desired before we met our wives or made our friends or chose our work, and which we shall still desire on our deathbeds, when the mind no longer knows wife or friend or work. While we are, this is. If we lose this, we lose all. [he just goes on n on without breaking for a new paragraph!!!!] …the ins and outs of your individuality are no mystery to Him; and one day they will no longer be a mystery to you… Your soul has a curious shape because it is hollow made to fit a particular swelling in the infinite contours of the Divine substance…Blessed and fortunate creature, our eyes shall behold Him and not another’s. All that you are, sins apart, is destined, if you will let God have His good way, to utter satisfaction… God will look to every soul like its first love because He is its first love. Your place in heaven will seem to be made for you and you alone, because you were made for it – made for it stitch by stitch as a glove is made for a hand. …All your life an unattainable ecstasy has hovered just beyond the grasp of your consciousness. The day is coming when you will wake to find, beyond all hope, that you have attained it, or else, that it was within your reach and you have lost it forever. …The thing I am speaking of is not an experience. You have experienced only the want of it. The thing itself has never actually been embodied in any thought, or image, or emotion. Always it has summoned you out of yourself. |
Saturday, October 13, 2007
Tuesday, October 09, 2007
An atheist professor of philosophy speaks to his class on the problem science has with God, The Almighty. He asks one of his new students to stand and.....
Prof: So you believe in God?
Student: Absolutely, sir.
Prof: Is God good?
Student: Sure.
Prof: Is God all-powerful?
Student: Yes.
Prof: My brother died of cancer even though he prayed to God to heal him. Most of us would attempt to help others who are ill. But God didn't. How is this God good then?
(Student is silent.)
Prof: You can't answer, can you? Let's start again, young fellow.
Is God good?
Is God good?
Student: Yes.
Prof: Is Satan good?
Student: No.
Prof: Where does Satan come from?
Student: From...God...
Prof: That's right. Tell me son, is there evil in this world?
Student: Yes.
Prof: Evil is everywhere, isn't it? And God did make everything. Correct?
Student: Yes.
Prof: So who created evil?
(Student does not answer.)
Prof: Is there sickness? Immorality? Hatred? Ugliness? All these terrible things exist in the world, don't they?
Student: Yes, sir.
Prof: So, who created them?
(Student has no answer.)
Prof: Science says you have 5 senses you use to identify and observe the world around you. Tell me, son...Have you ever seen God?
Student: No, sir.
Prof: Tell us if you have ever heard your God?
Student: No, sir.
Prof: Have you ever felt your God, tasted your God, smelt your God? Have you ever had any sensory perception of God for that matter?
Student: No, sir. I'm afraid I haven't.
Prof: Yet you still believe in Him?
Student: Yes.
Prof: According to empirical, testable, demonstrable protocol, science says your GOD doesn't exist. What do you say to that, son?
Student: Nothing. I only have my faith.
Prof: Yes. Faith. And that is the problem science has.
Student: Professor, is there such a thing as heat?
Student: Professor, is there such a thing as heat?
Prof: Yes.
Student: And is there such a thing as cold?
Prof: Yes.
Student: No sir. There isn't. (The lecture theatre becomes very quiet with this turn of events.) Student: Sir, you can have lots of heat, even more heat, superheat, mega heat, white heat, a little heat or no heat. But we don't have anything called cold. We can hit 458 degrees below zero which is no heat, but we can't go any further after that. There is no such thing as cold. Cold is only a word we use to describe the absence of heat. We cannot measure cold. Heat is energy. Cold is not the opposite of heat, sir, just the absence of it.
(There is pin-drop silence in the lecture theatre.)
Student: What about darkness, Professor? Is there such a thing as darkness?
Prof: Yes. What is night if there isn't darkness?
Student: You're wrong again, sir. Darkness is the absence of something.
You can have low light, normal light, bright light, flashing light....But if you have no light constantly, you have nothing and it's called darkness, isn't it? In reality, darkness isn't. If it were you would be able to make darkness darker, wouldn't you?
You can have low light, normal light, bright light, flashing light....But if you have no light constantly, you have nothing and it's called darkness, isn't it? In reality, darkness isn't. If it were you would be able to make darkness darker, wouldn't you?
Prof: So what is the point you are making, young man?
Student: Sir, my point is your philosophical premise is flawed.
Prof: Flawed? Can you explain how?
Student: Sir, you are working on the premise of duality. You argue there is life and then there is death, a good God and a bad God. You are viewing the concept of God as something finite, something we can measure. Sir, science can't even explain a thought. It uses electricity and magnetism, but has never seen, much less fully understood either one.
To view death as the opposite of life is to be ignorant of the fact that death cannot exist as a substantive thing. Death is not the opposite of life: just the absence of it. Now tell me, Professor. Do you teach your students that they evolved from monkeys?
Prof: If you are referring to the natural evolutionary process, yes, of course, I do.
Student: Have you ever observed evolution with your own eyes, sir?
(The Professor shakes his head with a smile, beginning to realize where the argument is going.)
Student: Since no one has ever observed the process of evolution at work and cannot even prove that this process is an on-going endeavor, are you not teaching your opinion, sir? Are you not a scientist but a preacher?
(The class is in uproar.)
Student: Is there anyone in the class who has ever seen the Professor's brain?
(The class breaks out into laughter.)
Student: Is there anyone here who has ever heard the Professor's brain,felt it, touched or smelt it? No one appears to have done so. So, according to the established rules of empirical, stable, demonstrable protocol, science says that you have no brain, sir. With all due respect, how do we then trust your lectures, sir?
(The room is silent. The professor stares at the student, his face unfathomable.)
Prof: I guess you'll have to take them on faith, son.
Student: That is it sir... The link between man & God is FAITH. That is all that keeps things moving & alive. .
WANT TO KNOW WHO THAT STUDENT WAS?
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
The student was ...
Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam,
the current President of India and
this is a true story.
the current President of India and
this is a true story.
(i'm not sure how true... juz pasting the article sent me... let me know if source is inaccurate)
Tuesday, October 02, 2007
on MC today cos my left ear lobe is infected!!! its the same old prob 10 years ago... sigh... became bad. infection + stuck earring = painful, costly trouble. doc say thankfully i didnt wait a few more days cos it'll turn v bad. yep..came asap after an hour of futile tug-of-war on my own. so enlisted doc's help (with money of course) it was painful as Dr tugged at earring and then drained the pus and blood. when i got up, there was a little pool of blood on the pillow! n my ear's all bandaged up.
will go down to NUS later for prayer meeting nonetheless. had already miss WWDP already.
ytd was a wasted trip to NTU. they were out of the model i wanted. man... silly of me to have called to ask for everything except if they had stock! so ytd. i travelled from my home to NUS, NUS to NTU, from boon lay to Pasir Ris, then back home again. i spent more than 5 hours commuting! juz fr NUS to NTU took me 1 hour! hence,i had ample time to sleep n read "Teacher" the Henrietta Mears Story. was so good! finally, a woman role model! she influenced Billy Graham(dun tell me u dunno him), Bill Bright (founder of Campus Crusade for Christ - the largest Christian organisation in the world - as quoted in the book), Dawson Trotman (founder of Navigators), and 400 more into full time ministry, and much more in the marketplace. n thats not all. shant put all her credentials here. but yeah... AMAZING woman
finished the book in a day! v thin book lah... =p so with dat, i've read at least 33 books this year (got a few rereads which i dun really count or can recall... wonder if i can end this year with 45...
a little more on "Teacher" The Henrietta Mears Story :
"there is no magic in small plans. when i considermy ministry, i think of the world. anything less than that would not be worthy of Christ noe od His will for my life." (p19)
"teach the Word clearly and correctly to the end that people may come to know Christ as asviour and Lord and to grow spiritually, faithful in every good work." (P29)
"will you stop looking at your problems and wringing your hands in despaor?
faith and despair cannot remain in the same heart.
take you choice; trust God or worry. You cannot really have both." (p32)
"God has an answer. Jesus said that we must make disciples of all men. we are to take His Gospel to the ends of the earth. we must become evangelists even though evangelism is not recognised in our day as a valid program. and we must present the dull doctrine of Christian truth.
God is looking for men and women of total commitment . During the awr, men of special courage were called upon for difficult assignments; often those volunterrs did not return. they were called "expendables." We must be expendables for Christ." (p119)
3 foundational themes: accepting Christ as Saviour and Lord, growing in the faith and developing a vision for the world. (p112)
it's just wonderful to think that what we speak and do are translated some way, in amost mystical and marvelous way, to other individuals and they in turn spread it out and out and out until the circle is so uimmense that we haven't any idea... you dont have to be great. but you can pass on to another the Lord jesus Christ and he, in turn, will amke that man or woman whom He wishes them to be.
what has God told you to do today? would you go home and wite down some decision? dont write down ten decisions. wriet down one decision that you'll do. and ask god to give you courage to fulfill that decision.(p146)
isnt it strange how evil lurks in success as well as in failure, in health adn in sickness, in companionshop and in loneliness?... determine so to live in Christ that by your life you will compel man to think of Christ; God's wisdom to know His will; God's power to do His will - this is really living. (p150)
how do you plan for revival? start with impossibility. see need. throw in a climate ripe for change. then set it on fire. (p115)
---
bill bright's books also are filled with big vision, hard work, dependence on God and much talk and mobilisation towards revival.
"REVIVAL" - a word that seemed so overused in the Church. yet so under-understood, under-experienced. many are afraid... no, cautious would be a better word... many more dare not ask, pray, seek for revival. reading books on great men like Smith Wigglesworth, Charles Swindol, Charles Spurgeon, John Wesley... they never shied away from the word, working towards it with all their energies. small wonder we the 21st century church dont see what the Church throughout centuries have seen. "you have not because you ask not..."
will go down to NUS later for prayer meeting nonetheless. had already miss WWDP already.
ytd was a wasted trip to NTU. they were out of the model i wanted. man... silly of me to have called to ask for everything except if they had stock! so ytd. i travelled from my home to NUS, NUS to NTU, from boon lay to Pasir Ris, then back home again. i spent more than 5 hours commuting! juz fr NUS to NTU took me 1 hour! hence,i had ample time to sleep n read "Teacher" the Henrietta Mears Story. was so good! finally, a woman role model! she influenced Billy Graham(dun tell me u dunno him), Bill Bright (founder of Campus Crusade for Christ - the largest Christian organisation in the world - as quoted in the book), Dawson Trotman (founder of Navigators), and 400 more into full time ministry, and much more in the marketplace. n thats not all. shant put all her credentials here. but yeah... AMAZING woman
finished the book in a day! v thin book lah... =p so with dat, i've read at least 33 books this year (got a few rereads which i dun really count or can recall... wonder if i can end this year with 45...
a little more on "Teacher" The Henrietta Mears Story :
"there is no magic in small plans. when i considermy ministry, i think of the world. anything less than that would not be worthy of Christ noe od His will for my life." (p19)
"teach the Word clearly and correctly to the end that people may come to know Christ as asviour and Lord and to grow spiritually, faithful in every good work." (P29)
"will you stop looking at your problems and wringing your hands in despaor?
faith and despair cannot remain in the same heart.
take you choice; trust God or worry. You cannot really have both." (p32)
"God has an answer. Jesus said that we must make disciples of all men. we are to take His Gospel to the ends of the earth. we must become evangelists even though evangelism is not recognised in our day as a valid program. and we must present the dull doctrine of Christian truth.
God is looking for men and women of total commitment . During the awr, men of special courage were called upon for difficult assignments; often those volunterrs did not return. they were called "expendables." We must be expendables for Christ." (p119)
3 foundational themes: accepting Christ as Saviour and Lord, growing in the faith and developing a vision for the world. (p112)
it's just wonderful to think that what we speak and do are translated some way, in amost mystical and marvelous way, to other individuals and they in turn spread it out and out and out until the circle is so uimmense that we haven't any idea... you dont have to be great. but you can pass on to another the Lord jesus Christ and he, in turn, will amke that man or woman whom He wishes them to be.
what has God told you to do today? would you go home and wite down some decision? dont write down ten decisions. wriet down one decision that you'll do. and ask god to give you courage to fulfill that decision.(p146)
isnt it strange how evil lurks in success as well as in failure, in health adn in sickness, in companionshop and in loneliness?... determine so to live in Christ that by your life you will compel man to think of Christ; God's wisdom to know His will; God's power to do His will - this is really living. (p150)
how do you plan for revival? start with impossibility. see need. throw in a climate ripe for change. then set it on fire. (p115)
---
bill bright's books also are filled with big vision, hard work, dependence on God and much talk and mobilisation towards revival.
"REVIVAL" - a word that seemed so overused in the Church. yet so under-understood, under-experienced. many are afraid... no, cautious would be a better word... many more dare not ask, pray, seek for revival. reading books on great men like Smith Wigglesworth, Charles Swindol, Charles Spurgeon, John Wesley... they never shied away from the word, working towards it with all their energies. small wonder we the 21st century church dont see what the Church throughout centuries have seen. "you have not because you ask not..."
Monday, October 01, 2007
how do you deal with SNT?
---
had a gr8 day yesterday... after speaking, FC dropped me at Park Mall where she was going. took the opportunity to walk ard. i forgot how i love park mall with its atas furniture and home furnishings. BBBbbeeeeaauuuutttttiiiiifffuuuuulllllllll!!!!
came back n further stoned and dreamt out my house and the design... i need a room for myself... so i designed a room for me as well as my po po (my old kitchen to be converted).
---
i've grown much. m surprised how God changed me thru these 2 weeks of speaking. 2 down 2 more to go!
---
getting my macbook today!!!
---
going for BSF today!!!!
---
had a gr8 day yesterday... after speaking, FC dropped me at Park Mall where she was going. took the opportunity to walk ard. i forgot how i love park mall with its atas furniture and home furnishings. BBBbbeeeeaauuuutttttiiiiifffuuuuulllllllll!!!!
came back n further stoned and dreamt out my house and the design... i need a room for myself... so i designed a room for me as well as my po po (my old kitchen to be converted).
---
i've grown much. m surprised how God changed me thru these 2 weeks of speaking. 2 down 2 more to go!
---
getting my macbook today!!!
---
going for BSF today!!!!
Friday, September 28, 2007
an unexpected highlight of my day was meeting up wif greg. we met after team retreat at KAP macs- a place swarming with teens! i havent hung out there in a long while. enjoyed the place tho, insisted on not feeling too old n out-of-place in the sea of sch uniforms. it was a good time tog despite his "marriage promotion".
---
the difference between our 2 year old self n our 22-yr old or 32 yr old self is that the older versions of ourselves fail to comprehend that we r still making "poo poos"- messes - that we cannot even begin to clean up ourselves. n sometimes toodlers mistakenly take their "poo poos" to be chocolates n attempt to eat them (not me!but i've known some 2,3 year olds who did that!) the older version of ourselves may look at our actual messes n think they are good stuff we've come up with n pride ourselves with them.
---
was reading an article on perceptions fr 21/08's ST RECRUIT. was reminded that pp's perception determines their reality. i've seen n experienced this almost everyday of my life as a trained and registered SW, as a full time christian worker. pp say and work out their perceptions leaving others in a cloud of puzzlement created by their actions n reactions. n worse so when pp think they are smart, or understanding, n say so themselves often leaving their hearers aghast- "do not think yourselves more highly than you should."
then the other thing dat is affecting us ALL is this concept of righteousness. everyone seems righteous in his own eyes - "what i did was right" or even when he himself is willing to admit he is wrong, tries to justify with "but..." or when pinned about a difficult situation, sees himself as a victim rather than perpetrator. these 2 malaise put together, you get a person who believes in a reality contrary to the accounts of others and asserting that he is right.
n sometimes... juz sometimes... i'm guilty as charged.
---
we cannot feed pp wat they cannot digest - YK
i cannot invite others to live a life i m not living. - article fr leadership journal
good reminder as i prep 4 sunday's message. a bit not easy eh...
---
on tues n wed, God keep reminding me that THE LORD REIGNS, OUR GOD REIGNS... it's not something i was consciously meditating on. rather it's an answer to my prayers. the way it kept popping up was so randomly God-incidental... n also the way it popped into my mind. it has a very different quality of thought and feel to it - different from my own thoughts n feelings if u noe wat i mean. well... such assurance was much needed. MUCH needed. yes... our God reigns!
---
the difference between our 2 year old self n our 22-yr old or 32 yr old self is that the older versions of ourselves fail to comprehend that we r still making "poo poos"- messes - that we cannot even begin to clean up ourselves. n sometimes toodlers mistakenly take their "poo poos" to be chocolates n attempt to eat them (not me!but i've known some 2,3 year olds who did that!) the older version of ourselves may look at our actual messes n think they are good stuff we've come up with n pride ourselves with them.
---
was reading an article on perceptions fr 21/08's ST RECRUIT. was reminded that pp's perception determines their reality. i've seen n experienced this almost everyday of my life as a trained and registered SW, as a full time christian worker. pp say and work out their perceptions leaving others in a cloud of puzzlement created by their actions n reactions. n worse so when pp think they are smart, or understanding, n say so themselves often leaving their hearers aghast- "do not think yourselves more highly than you should."
then the other thing dat is affecting us ALL is this concept of righteousness. everyone seems righteous in his own eyes - "what i did was right" or even when he himself is willing to admit he is wrong, tries to justify with "but..." or when pinned about a difficult situation, sees himself as a victim rather than perpetrator. these 2 malaise put together, you get a person who believes in a reality contrary to the accounts of others and asserting that he is right.
n sometimes... juz sometimes... i'm guilty as charged.
---
we cannot feed pp wat they cannot digest - YK
i cannot invite others to live a life i m not living. - article fr leadership journal
good reminder as i prep 4 sunday's message. a bit not easy eh...
---
on tues n wed, God keep reminding me that THE LORD REIGNS, OUR GOD REIGNS... it's not something i was consciously meditating on. rather it's an answer to my prayers. the way it kept popping up was so randomly God-incidental... n also the way it popped into my mind. it has a very different quality of thought and feel to it - different from my own thoughts n feelings if u noe wat i mean. well... such assurance was much needed. MUCH needed. yes... our God reigns!
Wednesday, September 26, 2007
went to pierce my ears today. finally got it done! the 1st time was 10 years ago, n i had let both sides closed up. had a little shock when it hurt more than i rem! my ear lobes are fiercely red for an hour or two and whenever i accidentally touch it, like when i changed out of my clothes, or tugged my hair behind my ear, it shot a biting protest to my brain.
had the extra push from shu-en when after a dg hearing abt me walking in the bazar looking at ear rings, she went n bought a pair for me. she had wanted to give me last fri but we missed each other. so yesterday at AGM, she gave me. it brings a smile to my fave juz recalling how she was kinda excited abt it all, and tried to add suspense saying, " i got something for you, but i'm not giving u now" wif a twinkle in her eye. i wondered if she knew i didnt have pierced ears like her.
so yeah,,, now nursing my throbbing ears... n hopefully soon enuf can wear the nice doggy ear rings she gave.
charm sms me on mon to say sge missed me. so nice 2 noe!
had OA141 meeting tonight. such a load off my shoulders that we got our timeline out and we are launching on 7 oct. the comm was gr8 and so bursting with ideas i had a little bit of difficulty getting them back fr throwing ideas to settling on some to work on and putting into our schedules. but yeah. m glad we settled the prog n work for the next 6 weeks!
i ve learnt alot abt myself these past 2 weeks.
thru staff summit n connect conf n juz working n doing min.
i've learnt that i blame myself ALOT. way too much. i have to learn to regulate and be fair to myself in that way.
i've learnt that to love means to give up always having to be right.
love covers a multitude of sins/wrongs.
love is patient, love is kind, love does not keep a record of wrongs...love bears all things.
to love is to give up my self-righteousness.
yet at the same time, not to take up being wrong when there's no wrongs on my part to bear.
i've come to deeper realisation of what it means that the Lord is our vindicator, our advocate, our mediator. and how He takes on slime, slander and blame EVERYDAY abt His character, abt what He has allowed in the world... n how we cannot even take being maligned for a sec. we try to fight n get justice for ourselves etc.
i've learnt to ask, "what is the Christ-like thing to do in this situation?" not so like the WWDJ question which i tihnk has become more a cliche that a help.
i've learnt to lean on others, to receive their support and love. to trust in them being able to catch me.
i've learnt to learn, unlearn, relearn. huge difference these 3.
had the extra push from shu-en when after a dg hearing abt me walking in the bazar looking at ear rings, she went n bought a pair for me. she had wanted to give me last fri but we missed each other. so yesterday at AGM, she gave me. it brings a smile to my fave juz recalling how she was kinda excited abt it all, and tried to add suspense saying, " i got something for you, but i'm not giving u now" wif a twinkle in her eye. i wondered if she knew i didnt have pierced ears like her.
so yeah,,, now nursing my throbbing ears... n hopefully soon enuf can wear the nice doggy ear rings she gave.
charm sms me on mon to say sge missed me. so nice 2 noe!
had OA141 meeting tonight. such a load off my shoulders that we got our timeline out and we are launching on 7 oct. the comm was gr8 and so bursting with ideas i had a little bit of difficulty getting them back fr throwing ideas to settling on some to work on and putting into our schedules. but yeah. m glad we settled the prog n work for the next 6 weeks!
i ve learnt alot abt myself these past 2 weeks.
thru staff summit n connect conf n juz working n doing min.
i've learnt that i blame myself ALOT. way too much. i have to learn to regulate and be fair to myself in that way.
i've learnt that to love means to give up always having to be right.
love covers a multitude of sins/wrongs.
love is patient, love is kind, love does not keep a record of wrongs...love bears all things.
to love is to give up my self-righteousness.
yet at the same time, not to take up being wrong when there's no wrongs on my part to bear.
i've come to deeper realisation of what it means that the Lord is our vindicator, our advocate, our mediator. and how He takes on slime, slander and blame EVERYDAY abt His character, abt what He has allowed in the world... n how we cannot even take being maligned for a sec. we try to fight n get justice for ourselves etc.
i've learnt to ask, "what is the Christ-like thing to do in this situation?" not so like the WWDJ question which i tihnk has become more a cliche that a help.
i've learnt to lean on others, to receive their support and love. to trust in them being able to catch me.
i've learnt to learn, unlearn, relearn. huge difference these 3.
Monday, September 24, 2007
apple has done it again... really... these guys are dedicated to b number 1, n dedicated to outdo themselves! competitors... eat their dust!
check out Steve Jobs' sept presentation
http://stream.qtv.apple.com/events/sep/s83522y/m_63827621b_650_ref.mov
quotes from the presentation:
"That’s what we set out to do, and we think we did a pretty good job at it."
to the cheers fr the audience when he presented the ipod classic. "But... we're not done yet!"
"when we released ipod in jan people say it is the best ever.. but we have better yet.. "and goes on to introduce the ipod touch.
wow watching the pres on ipod touch, not a few ideas popped up in my head on how i can use it for evangelism, for work on campus! safari n youtube on ipod touch with wifi capabilities! n the screen is so cool, can see the webpage properly, unlike other pdas with wifi. n it's juz 8mm thick!
haha.. but but... i'll wait a year or two! cos i owned my ishuffle for barely a year and we now have new, better stuff! so yeah... wait...
check out Steve Jobs' sept presentation
http://stream.qtv.apple.com/events/sep/s83522y/m_63827621b_650_ref.mov
quotes from the presentation:
"That’s what we set out to do, and we think we did a pretty good job at it."
to the cheers fr the audience when he presented the ipod classic. "But... we're not done yet!"
"when we released ipod in jan people say it is the best ever.. but we have better yet.. "and goes on to introduce the ipod touch.
wow watching the pres on ipod touch, not a few ideas popped up in my head on how i can use it for evangelism, for work on campus! safari n youtube on ipod touch with wifi capabilities! n the screen is so cool, can see the webpage properly, unlike other pdas with wifi. n it's juz 8mm thick!
haha.. but but... i'll wait a year or two! cos i owned my ishuffle for barely a year and we now have new, better stuff! so yeah... wait...
Saturday, September 22, 2007
was trying to prep my sunday message. but have been v tired n had other things dat threw me off course. today at connect conf, evan (SP) came up to me and said hi. n told emily (N2) whom i was talking to dat we(the 2 evans) met each other cos she attended my workshop last dec's conf, which, according to her, was v good. n she told me that she can still rem it! n proceeded to tell me wat she rem. i felt v encouraged. v. esp when i ve not prep like i wanted to for this sun message. n she ended saying God will use me. i m so saying "amen!"to it! typing this now cos i m juz to lazy n distracted to journal.
i sometimes get so irritated by how the boarding passengers block the exiting passengers trying to squeeze past them before they can get off. and yesterday, i was so so tired. and i was standing in front of these 2 persons who got off. and before i can make a move to claim a seat cos i m the closest standing passenger, a lady tried to squeeze pass me. so i let her. and she obnoxiously put her hand onto the empty seat beside her and called to her friend. her friend didnt want to sit and hence a "no i dont want to sit" "seeeet lahhhh" for 3 minutes! then they called to their friend who was talking on the phone at the far end of the cabin. and after some time, that 3rd lady finally came to sit. -_-
well, today my dad sms me this:
MRT pledge -
we, the passengers of MRT, poise ourselves as one kan cheong people. regardless of old folks, kids or pregnant women, to rush for unoccupied seats, based on pushing and shoving, so as to achieve rest, slumber and sleep for our comfort.
pls........
well, today my dad sms me this:
MRT pledge -
we, the passengers of MRT, poise ourselves as one kan cheong people. regardless of old folks, kids or pregnant women, to rush for unoccupied seats, based on pushing and shoving, so as to achieve rest, slumber and sleep for our comfort.
pls........
Wednesday, September 19, 2007
Tuesday, September 18, 2007
watched Rataouille with charlene n joanne. was good... made us really want 2 eat... n if there was a dish "ratatouille" selling nearby, we'd b sure patrons of the eatery. so yeah... got me all interested... n after searching online, i realised how it is so almost impossible a dish to be set b4 the world's most critical critic! remember how anton ego n skinner were taken aback that they were served ratatouille? it's like chap choi in french style. you've got a million ways to do this 'everyday-anyhow' dish. it's a dish mostly taken for granted so really no one serves it in a high class restaurant, much less to the chef's most nightmare, the world's most critical food critic! makes me wonder how one can get such a reaction from eating it (think vege stew... chap choi... can u actually get so moved from tasting it? *scratch head*
included the recipe below.tell me how it turns out should u b bold (or free) enough 2 give it a shot!
included the recipe below.tell me how it turns out should u b bold (or free) enough 2 give it a shot!
Ratatouille Recipe
Ratatouille is essentally a vegetable stew, and as with most stews, the quantities and proportions are variable. Ratatouille is good served over pasta, rice or couscous; or as a vegetable side dish. Tradition preparation of this dish requires browning each vegetable separately to develop individual flavors, then combining them for further cooking to blend the flavors.
Ingredients
- 1 large eggplant, or several smaller ones
- 2 medium zucchini
- 1 onion
- 1 pepper
- 2 tomatoes (more if small)
- 2 cloves garlic
- 2 tablespoons chopped basil, oregano or marjoram (or a mix)
- 2 tablespoons chopped parsley (optional)
- 4 tablespoons olive oil salt
Container: large skillet with cover
Servings: 4
Prep Time: 30 minutes
Directions
Cut eggplant, zucchini, pepper and onion into cubes of about 1/2 inch. Mince or press the garlic. Finely chop the tomatoes, retaining seeds and juice.
Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Sauté the eggplant until it begins to brown a little. Remove eggplant, add to the pan the remaining 2 tablespoons olive oil, the onions, zucchini and peppers. Cover, reduce the heat and cook for 10 minutes.
Add garlic and tomatoes and cook 5 minutes. Add the browned eggplant and the chopped herbs and cook until all vegetables are tender - 10 to 15 minutes.
Add salt to taste and serve hot or at room temperature.
source:http://www.recipetips.com/recipe-cards/t--1946/ratatouille.asp
Sunday, September 16, 2007
nua the weekend away... stayed home except for a short while to jog. my brain juz refuses to work despite knowing that i have tons to do.
well meaning friends tell me i needed to rest, dat s y. but i noe better... juz needed time off to be by myself. hee. shall go off to do more of my anti social behaviour... shall go offline now... maybe will sleep soon... yawn...
tmr on retreat leave... haha.. yay!
well meaning friends tell me i needed to rest, dat s y. but i noe better... juz needed time off to be by myself. hee. shall go off to do more of my anti social behaviour... shall go offline now... maybe will sleep soon... yawn...
tmr on retreat leave... haha.. yay!
Saturday, September 15, 2007
THE LORD'S PRAYER IN SPANISH
Padre nuestro que estás en los cielos Santificado sea tu Nombre Venga tu reino Hágase tu voluntad En la tierra como en el cielo Danos hoy el pan de este día y perdona nuestras deudas como nosotros perdonamos nuestros deudores y no nos dejes caer en al tentacion sino que líbranos del malo.
Amen/Así sea
bought a ring ytd.. dat has this on it. was love at 1st sight. finally... was looking for a thumb ring for the longest time since the red leather one that Di gave me looked more n more like rags. was glad after i purchased it. after that i went to buy the bag i had been wanting to get for the longest time too...yep was in a weird mood yesterday... guess dat s wat being cooped up for the whole week got me feeling. haha... spent $50 in total for my 2 buys.
sorry for disappearing from the cyberworld for so long. to all netizens out there...I'M BACK! was so busy, didnt feel like coming online, then went for staff summit all week...
so yeah... brave yourselves...!
was home all day... felt good retreating into my world with TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD. finally got to finish it. lamented dat i didnt get 2 do it 4 sec sch lit. joked to KH at summit dat i was reading it to reclaim my childhood. cooked dinner... a sudden whim came over me when mum suggested to dine out. the enlightening realisation that i really dun like eating out (which i do ALL the time cos i work most evenings). i've never considered myself a homebody... but seriously wouldnt die if i was to stay in for a whole week... got enuf to amuse myself with at home.
so yeah... the day's passed by lazily... restfully... contentedly... juz tot i'd pay a quick penance b4 i run off to NTUC... didnt noe i m so domesticated huh? LOL...
turning into a huang lian po...
Padre nuestro que estás en los cielos Santificado sea tu Nombre Venga tu reino Hágase tu voluntad En la tierra como en el cielo Danos hoy el pan de este día y perdona nuestras deudas como nosotros perdonamos nuestros deudores y no nos dejes caer en al tentacion sino que líbranos del malo.
Amen/Así sea
bought a ring ytd.. dat has this on it. was love at 1st sight. finally... was looking for a thumb ring for the longest time since the red leather one that Di gave me looked more n more like rags. was glad after i purchased it. after that i went to buy the bag i had been wanting to get for the longest time too...yep was in a weird mood yesterday... guess dat s wat being cooped up for the whole week got me feeling. haha... spent $50 in total for my 2 buys.
sorry for disappearing from the cyberworld for so long. to all netizens out there...I'M BACK! was so busy, didnt feel like coming online, then went for staff summit all week...
so yeah... brave yourselves...!
was home all day... felt good retreating into my world with TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD. finally got to finish it. lamented dat i didnt get 2 do it 4 sec sch lit. joked to KH at summit dat i was reading it to reclaim my childhood. cooked dinner... a sudden whim came over me when mum suggested to dine out. the enlightening realisation that i really dun like eating out (which i do ALL the time cos i work most evenings). i've never considered myself a homebody... but seriously wouldnt die if i was to stay in for a whole week... got enuf to amuse myself with at home.
so yeah... the day's passed by lazily... restfully... contentedly... juz tot i'd pay a quick penance b4 i run off to NTUC... didnt noe i m so domesticated huh? LOL...
turning into a huang lian po...
Thursday, September 06, 2007
random notes... still trying to put my notes n ppt tog. blogging unrelated tots to dispel some of the stress.
- if u dun care for the people you minister to, you cant minister to them.
- if people walk away from your message thinking "what a great speaker!" you have failed.
you would have succeeded when they say, "what a great God!"
- y did Jesus choose Judas?
it wasnt a mistake. Jesus loved judas all the way. wat an example. you dont love only the people who love you. dat, the ungodly also can do.
- wat bus do you most frequently take? it's the USB (universal serial bus)!
- if u dun care for the people you minister to, you cant minister to them.
- if people walk away from your message thinking "what a great speaker!" you have failed.
you would have succeeded when they say, "what a great God!"
- y did Jesus choose Judas?
it wasnt a mistake. Jesus loved judas all the way. wat an example. you dont love only the people who love you. dat, the ungodly also can do.
- wat bus do you most frequently take? it's the USB (universal serial bus)!
Wednesday, September 05, 2007
SOLEAD teaching tmr. GIG training on fri.
now pia-ing to come up with student notes, ppt, n my lesson. my HDD konged out on me... my notes n ppt presentation is gone. now trying to srcamble to get it all together.
a few of you have been asking how u can b praying for me. i'll put up a prayer request segment where u'll find wen u click the "3rd heart". but since i m v swamped with prep now, i shall do it next week. so for now, i'll update you here.
pray for
- clarity of mind n organisation of thought n student notes,
- good grasp of materials
- clear presentation and effective teaching that the trainees and students will be able to learn n use the training.
- good rest at night
thanks!
oh... i'm packed all the way till next weekend. so sorry... cant hang out!
now pia-ing to come up with student notes, ppt, n my lesson. my HDD konged out on me... my notes n ppt presentation is gone. now trying to srcamble to get it all together.
a few of you have been asking how u can b praying for me. i'll put up a prayer request segment where u'll find wen u click the "3rd heart". but since i m v swamped with prep now, i shall do it next week. so for now, i'll update you here.
pray for
- clarity of mind n organisation of thought n student notes,
- good grasp of materials
- clear presentation and effective teaching that the trainees and students will be able to learn n use the training.
- good rest at night
thanks!
oh... i'm packed all the way till next weekend. so sorry... cant hang out!
Tuesday, September 04, 2007
juz came back from work. poiema lyd msn me... wanting to chat cos she says "
im in the crap mood" but was sensitive enuf to ask me wat i was doing. n after finding out, typed
"i shall leave the bz evan-almighty-not to work"
i tot dat was cute cos i'm gonna watch Evan Almighty with them this sun. ahaha.
anyway, today was a very lousy day for me. cos i was feeling so terribly low n tired.
n now while i m typing the above line, this came in from msn:
MA says:
*hugs*
MA says:
hello! and i hope you are okay!
MA says:
that is all.
evanTUALLY фиоритура says:
huh how u noe
MA says:
how i know what?
evanTUALLY фиоритура says:
how u noe i need "hugs"
MA says:
erm
MA says:
i don
evanTUALLY фиоритура says:
WOW!
MA says:
do you?
evanTUALLY фиоритура says:
been pretty low these days
MA says:
*more hugs*
evanTUALLY фиоритура says:
really lousy wash out low
MA says:
awww... that sucks.
evanTUALLY фиоритура says:
couldnt hold myself tog cry in DG kind of low
MA says:
oh dear... are you better now, or are you still low?
evanTUALLY фиоритура says:
u have such perfect timing!
evanTUALLY фиоритура says:
i love you!
MA says:
my timing is imperfect
MA says:
God's timing is perfect
evanTUALLY фиоритура says:
i dun believe this!
evanTUALLY фиоритура says:
yah
evanTUALLY фиоритура says:
how God always uses u to love me
MA says:
God just push my button "activate"
MA says:
tee hee hee
evanTUALLY фиоритура says:
i m awed
evanTUALLY фиоритура says:
wow.. God is so good
evanTUALLY фиоритура says:
i m kinda blown away
MA says:
awww
MA says:
praise God then
evanTUALLY фиоритура says:
yep i m
MA says:
*hugs hugs hugs*
MA says:
love you lots and lots!
MA says:
and i think you are too busy.
wow... God IS amazing! i'm encouraged!
ok... now evan almighty-not will get right back to work.
im in the crap mood" but was sensitive enuf to ask me wat i was doing. n after finding out, typed
"i shall leave the bz evan-almighty-not to work"
i tot dat was cute cos i'm gonna watch Evan Almighty with them this sun. ahaha.
anyway, today was a very lousy day for me. cos i was feeling so terribly low n tired.
n now while i m typing the above line, this came in from msn:
MA says:
*hugs*
MA says:
hello! and i hope you are okay!
MA says:
that is all.
evanTUALLY фиоритура says:
huh how u noe
MA says:
how i know what?
evanTUALLY фиоритура says:
how u noe i need "hugs"
MA says:
erm
MA says:
i don
evanTUALLY фиоритура says:
WOW!
MA says:
do you?
evanTUALLY фиоритура says:
been pretty low these days
MA says:
*more hugs*
evanTUALLY фиоритура says:
really lousy wash out low
MA says:
awww... that sucks.
evanTUALLY фиоритура says:
couldnt hold myself tog cry in DG kind of low
MA says:
oh dear... are you better now, or are you still low?
evanTUALLY фиоритура says:
u have such perfect timing!
evanTUALLY фиоритура says:
i love you!
MA says:
my timing is imperfect
MA says:
God's timing is perfect
evanTUALLY фиоритура says:
i dun believe this!
evanTUALLY фиоритура says:
yah
evanTUALLY фиоритура says:
how God always uses u to love me
MA says:
God just push my button "activate"
MA says:
tee hee hee
evanTUALLY фиоритура says:
i m awed
evanTUALLY фиоритура says:
wow.. God is so good
evanTUALLY фиоритура says:
i m kinda blown away
MA says:
awww
MA says:
praise God then
evanTUALLY фиоритура says:
yep i m
MA says:
*hugs hugs hugs*
MA says:
love you lots and lots!
MA says:
and i think you are too busy.
wow... God IS amazing! i'm encouraged!
ok... now evan almighty-not will get right back to work.
Saturday, September 01, 2007
Happy teachers' day to all you 'Chers out there!
got a surprise sms from M1 lois last night:
dunno if this is techincally accurate. but i don't think there's a disciplers' day..so happy teachers' day Evan! x) may God's truth be your joy each day. thank you for giving :-) glad for you.Heh.
(31 aug 12.20am)
n this (after i replied w smthg like "thanks, you've blessed my soul. refreshing surprise..."):
heeh :-D i know you have been a blessing to me and many others. Even though, you know, we've only known each other two months :p God bless the work of your hands :-)
blogging this cos i felt really blessed and appreciated. esp since i didnt expect it. and it's amazingly timely too since today started out to be a dreadfully sian day for me! n seriously, besides the God-orchestrated lessons, i blame it on PMS. argh.
woke up to the reality that i had mistakenly set the alarm clock to 7PM instead of AM. had trouble waking up (wat's new). decided to take cab so as not to be late for M2 DG at 930. walked to quite a few places n taxi stands but got pp. finally got onto a cab whose driver took me on a big round 2 get to PIE (very much to my displeasure). cab fare - $18.90, being late 30min nonetheless - priceless. argh.
the only thing i could find to give thanks for was that last night's prayer to have the ache of knowing how much we need God (kindly prefer to below) was being answered even till now; that everything inside of me was whining, growling, sulking; that this had put me in a place of need n i desperately know i need God.
my DG gals knew it. cos they could see it. and i had to confess it. and i felt it was all the better for us all to see the vulnerability, the struggle, the growl during the not-so-good days, and to see that i m really not-so-gotten-together.
and re-reading lois' sms b4 my N2 DG at 3pm, something hit home. i knew i needed joy. today i walked ard like Oscar the grouch. her "may God's truth be your joy each day" was something i do need. n i realised i needed to claim n live God's truth even in my "argh-i-ness" and make His Word my joy, my delight. to delight in His truth, His statues, His laws, His ways. well, that helped.
another thing that helped was God showing me and reminding me how He really works in me during DG. i really do enjoy sharing the truths and seeing the gals getting wide-eyed n the invisible light-bulb going on in their mind. n i m humbled that it really is God n i, n honoured that He chose to use me.
besides that, it was a keener awareness of my needs for Him, for support, for prayers, for love. and the day ended well with spending time with lb, dinner, work n all.
came home after midnight n got my cheques from cashing out my investments. i didnt lose that much in the market crash afterall. after i decided to cut my losses, i felt so guilty abt being a bad steward n prayed so hard that my losses wouldnt b that bad. well, the markets picked up juz b4 i sold. Praise God!
a masterful writing of yet another day by the Author of life, i must say. it's another "wow!" to God. applause.
got a surprise sms from M1 lois last night:
dunno if this is techincally accurate. but i don't think there's a disciplers' day..so happy teachers' day Evan! x) may God's truth be your joy each day. thank you for giving :-) glad for you.Heh.
(31 aug 12.20am)
n this (after i replied w smthg like "thanks, you've blessed my soul. refreshing surprise..."):
heeh :-D i know you have been a blessing to me and many others. Even though, you know, we've only known each other two months :p God bless the work of your hands :-)
blogging this cos i felt really blessed and appreciated. esp since i didnt expect it. and it's amazingly timely too since today started out to be a dreadfully sian day for me! n seriously, besides the God-orchestrated lessons, i blame it on PMS. argh.
woke up to the reality that i had mistakenly set the alarm clock to 7PM instead of AM. had trouble waking up (wat's new). decided to take cab so as not to be late for M2 DG at 930. walked to quite a few places n taxi stands but got pp. finally got onto a cab whose driver took me on a big round 2 get to PIE (very much to my displeasure). cab fare - $18.90, being late 30min nonetheless - priceless. argh.
the only thing i could find to give thanks for was that last night's prayer to have the ache of knowing how much we need God (kindly prefer to below) was being answered even till now; that everything inside of me was whining, growling, sulking; that this had put me in a place of need n i desperately know i need God.
my DG gals knew it. cos they could see it. and i had to confess it. and i felt it was all the better for us all to see the vulnerability, the struggle, the growl during the not-so-good days, and to see that i m really not-so-gotten-together.
and re-reading lois' sms b4 my N2 DG at 3pm, something hit home. i knew i needed joy. today i walked ard like Oscar the grouch. her "may God's truth be your joy each day" was something i do need. n i realised i needed to claim n live God's truth even in my "argh-i-ness" and make His Word my joy, my delight. to delight in His truth, His statues, His laws, His ways. well, that helped.
another thing that helped was God showing me and reminding me how He really works in me during DG. i really do enjoy sharing the truths and seeing the gals getting wide-eyed n the invisible light-bulb going on in their mind. n i m humbled that it really is God n i, n honoured that He chose to use me.
besides that, it was a keener awareness of my needs for Him, for support, for prayers, for love. and the day ended well with spending time with lb, dinner, work n all.
came home after midnight n got my cheques from cashing out my investments. i didnt lose that much in the market crash afterall. after i decided to cut my losses, i felt so guilty abt being a bad steward n prayed so hard that my losses wouldnt b that bad. well, the markets picked up juz b4 i sold. Praise God!
a masterful writing of yet another day by the Author of life, i must say. it's another "wow!" to God. applause.
Friday, August 31, 2007
the half day leave i took was so refreshing. cos since it was half day, meant i had to work. n working fr home n lb's pl proved so productive n freeing. having now to lock in my time on campus, i missed such flexible work venues n times (wen i was in community). i realised today that i was n still m a very free spirit. n inflexibility crushes n frustrates me. i felt so good really!
it was raining so heavily all over the island the whole day. really thankful to God for withholding the rain when we were returning the flags. cant imagine the trouble we ll have if the stands, poles n flgs were wet. thank You God!
stumbled upon this unique artist in yahoo while clearing mail. Phil Hansen specialises in pointillism and uses internet to bring his art to pp. his projects are amazing!
http://potw.news.yahoo.com/s/potw/23115/strokes-of-genius
http://philinthecircle.com/
juz makes me rem my own dabbling in art. n how drawing, painting n taking pics used to bring so much joy and refreshment to my heart and soul. maybe i really should make time for this. i rem that i was a happy gal during the time wen i did spend alot of my free time on such.
prayed with joanne n a line hit home- make our hearts feel the ache of how much we need You. n i recalled that there was a time wen i more keenly yearned for God than i m now. n, i remembered how my heart ached for God then. n then, i felt my heart ache. not in a similar way, but in the way like when something hard cracks up. i ached for how my heart no longer ache for God. Joanne's prayer was answered almost immediately. now, the ball's in my court. wat do i do when i feel this ache? carry on my work n distractions? put them down to satisfy the ache of my soul?
yes... i'll go off now.
it was raining so heavily all over the island the whole day. really thankful to God for withholding the rain when we were returning the flags. cant imagine the trouble we ll have if the stands, poles n flgs were wet. thank You God!
stumbled upon this unique artist in yahoo while clearing mail. Phil Hansen specialises in pointillism and uses internet to bring his art to pp. his projects are amazing!
http://potw.news.yahoo.com/s/potw/23115/strokes-of-genius
http://philinthecircle.com/
juz makes me rem my own dabbling in art. n how drawing, painting n taking pics used to bring so much joy and refreshment to my heart and soul. maybe i really should make time for this. i rem that i was a happy gal during the time wen i did spend alot of my free time on such.
prayed with joanne n a line hit home- make our hearts feel the ache of how much we need You. n i recalled that there was a time wen i more keenly yearned for God than i m now. n, i remembered how my heart ached for God then. n then, i felt my heart ache. not in a similar way, but in the way like when something hard cracks up. i ached for how my heart no longer ache for God. Joanne's prayer was answered almost immediately. now, the ball's in my court. wat do i do when i feel this ache? carry on my work n distractions? put them down to satisfy the ache of my soul?
yes... i'll go off now.
Thursday, August 30, 2007
LONGER, DADDY…LONGER
(Gary Smalley and John Trent, from Leaving The Light On)
Recently, a woman grabbed my arm at a conference after I had finished speaking on the enormous need we all have for affirmation.
‘Dr Trent, may I tell you my story?” she asked. “Actually, it’s a story of something my son did with my granddaughter that illustrates what you’ve been talking about – the importance of affirmation.
“My son has 2 daughters, one who’s five and one who is in the ‘terrible twos,” believe me, she is!
“For several years, my son has taken the oldest girl out for a ‘date’ time, but he had never taken the 2-year-old until recently. On his 1st ‘date’ with the younger one, he took her out to breakfast at a local fast-food restaurant.
“They had just gotten their pancakes and my son decided it would be a good time to tell this child how much he loved and appreciated her.”
‘Jenny,” her son has said, “I want you to know how much I love you, and how special you are to Mom and me. We prayed for you for years, and now that you’re here and growing up to be such a wonderful girl, we couldn’t be more proud of you.”
Once he had said all this, he stopped talking and reached over for his fork to begin eating…but he never got the fork to his mouth.
His daughter reached out her little hand and laid it on her father’s hand. His eyes went to hers, and in a soft, pleading voice she said, “ Longer, Daddy…longer
He put down his fork and proceeded to tell her some more reasons and ways they loved and appreciated her, and then he again reached for his fork. A 2nd time…and a 3rd…and a 4th time he heard the words, “Longer, Daddy…longer.”
The father never did get much to eat that morning, but his daughter got the emotional nourishment that she needed so much. In fact, a few days later, she spontaneously ran up to her mother and said “I’m a really special daughter, Mommy. Daddy told me so.”
----
juz like the litle girl of two, we need to know how we are special, and how much we are loved. often the sad tragedy is not that we are unloved, but that we are not told by those who love us so. while we can lament at that, know this:instead of you needing to say "Longer Daddy, longer", your heavenly Daddy is saying to you "longer, child, longer" so that He can tell you all that you long so much to hear. only, will u go? only, will u stay?
again, as in the previous post, quiet time is spending time with Someone who infinitely loves you.
(Gary Smalley and John Trent, from Leaving The Light On)
Recently, a woman grabbed my arm at a conference after I had finished speaking on the enormous need we all have for affirmation.
‘Dr Trent, may I tell you my story?” she asked. “Actually, it’s a story of something my son did with my granddaughter that illustrates what you’ve been talking about – the importance of affirmation.
“My son has 2 daughters, one who’s five and one who is in the ‘terrible twos,” believe me, she is!
“For several years, my son has taken the oldest girl out for a ‘date’ time, but he had never taken the 2-year-old until recently. On his 1st ‘date’ with the younger one, he took her out to breakfast at a local fast-food restaurant.
“They had just gotten their pancakes and my son decided it would be a good time to tell this child how much he loved and appreciated her.”
‘Jenny,” her son has said, “I want you to know how much I love you, and how special you are to Mom and me. We prayed for you for years, and now that you’re here and growing up to be such a wonderful girl, we couldn’t be more proud of you.”
Once he had said all this, he stopped talking and reached over for his fork to begin eating…but he never got the fork to his mouth.
His daughter reached out her little hand and laid it on her father’s hand. His eyes went to hers, and in a soft, pleading voice she said, “ Longer, Daddy…longer
He put down his fork and proceeded to tell her some more reasons and ways they loved and appreciated her, and then he again reached for his fork. A 2nd time…and a 3rd…and a 4th time he heard the words, “Longer, Daddy…longer.”
The father never did get much to eat that morning, but his daughter got the emotional nourishment that she needed so much. In fact, a few days later, she spontaneously ran up to her mother and said “I’m a really special daughter, Mommy. Daddy told me so.”
----
juz like the litle girl of two, we need to know how we are special, and how much we are loved. often the sad tragedy is not that we are unloved, but that we are not told by those who love us so. while we can lament at that, know this:instead of you needing to say "Longer Daddy, longer", your heavenly Daddy is saying to you "longer, child, longer" so that He can tell you all that you long so much to hear. only, will u go? only, will u stay?
again, as in the previous post, quiet time is spending time with Someone who infinitely loves you.
turns out, cloudy sky over singapore blocked our view of tue's eclipse! oh well, it wasnt as if i was sitting ard looking into the sky at that time anyway. was busy with DG and nursing Survivor, then to LM at that time (tues 4-7pm). so the ecilpse slipped my mind!
well, the tan from sat is here to stay. m too lazy to post the pic of how tanned my arm is. so juz take it from me la ah.
LM(tues) was good. good time of reminding all of us wat the one priority, the one thing that is needful - ENJOY GOD (theological sanctification!). quiet time is not learning more about God, knowing more about wht the Bible says, but quiet time is spending time with Someone who loves you infinitely. priority is abt "arranging your life’s activities, so that by doing what I can do TODAY, I can move closer to what I want to be in THE FUTURE"
finally... the Taleban released 12 of the 19 south korean hostages yesterday. they didnt keep up their side of the bargain, holding still 2 more. how long Lord? it's been 6 long weeks, 2 deaths. Your will is indeed a mystery, Your thoughts are not ours, Your ways are higher.
Iran's poised to "fill the power vaccum in iraq" so says Iran's president Ahmadinejad. well well... watch out... Revelations is playing out right before our eyes people! Persia will rise.
Blessed Theresa of Kolkata, or more commonly known as Mother Thersea's private journals and letters will be published next month (Mother Theresa: Come Be My Light) revealing that the saint suffered decades of "dark nights of the soul" where she questioned even her faith. will this "delight her detractors and confuse her admirers. or is it the other way around?" (ST p 37 30th August 2007) well, MOther Theresa concluded that her dark night could help her identify not only with the abandonment that Jesus felt during the crucifixion, but also with the abandonment faced by the poor.
well, all in line with the topic i m studying for this period. teaching "How Can A Loving And Powerful God Allow Evil and Suffering?" at School of Leadership and Development. taught it last year too. but this time's different. gotta revise the student notes n instructors' guide so that others can teach it too need alot of time to do it! read a few books in prep for it. but still not much headway. need to really sit down and set aside enough time to wrestle with the comp!
these2 months will be quite tight with a few church speaking engagements on the workshop i did last dec. m a little apprehensive cos it's like alot of speaking engagements coming together - 5 sessions in 6 weeks. a little daunting. need to pace myself n set aside time to prepare!
took half day leave to settle mis conf stuff. cos returning stuff to Trinity needs to be within office hours... so yeah while i m waiting for my uncle n his pick-up, i finally sat down to blog! i m not pleased with how lazy n tired i m that blogging gets shelved once too many.
well, the tan from sat is here to stay. m too lazy to post the pic of how tanned my arm is. so juz take it from me la ah.
LM(tues) was good. good time of reminding all of us wat the one priority, the one thing that is needful - ENJOY GOD (theological sanctification!). quiet time is not learning more about God, knowing more about wht the Bible says, but quiet time is spending time with Someone who loves you infinitely. priority is abt "arranging your life’s activities, so that by doing what I can do TODAY, I can move closer to what I want to be in THE FUTURE"
finally... the Taleban released 12 of the 19 south korean hostages yesterday. they didnt keep up their side of the bargain, holding still 2 more. how long Lord? it's been 6 long weeks, 2 deaths. Your will is indeed a mystery, Your thoughts are not ours, Your ways are higher.
Iran's poised to "fill the power vaccum in iraq" so says Iran's president Ahmadinejad. well well... watch out... Revelations is playing out right before our eyes people! Persia will rise.
Blessed Theresa of Kolkata, or more commonly known as Mother Thersea's private journals and letters will be published next month (Mother Theresa: Come Be My Light) revealing that the saint suffered decades of "dark nights of the soul" where she questioned even her faith. will this "delight her detractors and confuse her admirers. or is it the other way around?" (ST p 37 30th August 2007) well, MOther Theresa concluded that her dark night could help her identify not only with the abandonment that Jesus felt during the crucifixion, but also with the abandonment faced by the poor.
well, all in line with the topic i m studying for this period. teaching "How Can A Loving And Powerful God Allow Evil and Suffering?" at School of Leadership and Development. taught it last year too. but this time's different. gotta revise the student notes n instructors' guide so that others can teach it too need alot of time to do it! read a few books in prep for it. but still not much headway. need to really sit down and set aside enough time to wrestle with the comp!
these2 months will be quite tight with a few church speaking engagements on the workshop i did last dec. m a little apprehensive cos it's like alot of speaking engagements coming together - 5 sessions in 6 weeks. a little daunting. need to pace myself n set aside time to prepare!
took half day leave to settle mis conf stuff. cos returning stuff to Trinity needs to be within office hours... so yeah while i m waiting for my uncle n his pick-up, i finally sat down to blog! i m not pleased with how lazy n tired i m that blogging gets shelved once too many.
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