27th December 2015 Sermon notes

There is not enough room in your mind for worry and faith.
Only you can control what goes on in there.

What comes to our mind when we think about God is what defines us.


Tests to consider taking:
Birkkman
Secret Pathways
Spiritual gifts??

Green leaf in drought, by Isobel Kuhn

But to tell of the secret Source by which a tree can put forth green leaves when all others around are dried up and dying from the drought - that is timeless. That is need by all of us. Your drought may not be caused my Communism, but the cause of the drying up of life's joys is incidental. When they dry up - is there, can we find, a secret Source of nourishment that the deadly drought cannot reach? This book wants to suggest an answer to that ageless question of suffering men and women.

Falling in Love Is the Easy Part | Mandy Len Catron | TED Talks

You don't just fall in love, it doesn't just happen to you. You choose to fall in love. You continually make the choice over and over again, while hoping that the person you choose to love will also continue to choose to love you back.

Giggle's breakup

Two days after I came back to Beijing after my October break, we had small group. I desperately did not want to go, I wanted to spend time alone with God. (Actually, thinking about the TED talk I recently watched, I was lonely and being self destructive!) But God has a plan like always. He closed off the section of Bridge that I was working at, and I instinctively felt like He wanted me to go.

During small group, Giggle shared about her breakup. She shared her hurt and her sorrow, but also the hope that she was clinging onto. She said: "It is better to lose an eye than to not go into heaven." She posed a complex thought: God wants us to love others, but then when we love others we sometimes get caught up in the midst of it. And yet at the same time, we are not supposed to let go of God.

I realize that it seems trivial but it's hard and I will be the first to admit that this is a big sin for me. I sometimes do replace my relationship with God with humanly relationship.


Giggle went on to sharing that despite being hurt, she knew that God's grace was enough. During that month, she felt that she had become even closer to God than before and was thankful for that. Watching her expressive face and hearing her sorrowful words gave me comfort because it was a gentle reminder that Tim and I had made the same choice. And in that moment, I knew that God specifically created that situation for me to realise that He does indeed have a plan, and that He is in charge.

TED Talks

1. Everything You Think You Know About Addiction Is Wrong, Johann Hari
Addiction occurs when people are lacking connections in life. Patients are given a lot of strong morphine and vicodin, but they don't get addicted because they have other better things to do. You can help break off addiction by replacing it with different thoughts/actions and keeping busy. You need to feel like you have a purpose.

2. How to Practice Emotional First Aid, Guy Winch
Address your issues, and make sure that you battle negative emotions. Negative emotions such as loneliness and rejection can actually be as harmful to your body as smoking. We don't cut ourselves deeper if we are hurt - why then do we put ourselves down when already feeling upset? We need to take note of our mental health and try to make ourselves feel better.

3. How to Stay Calm When You Know You'll Be Stressed, Daniel Levitin
Try to plan for future chaos. Mark out a spot to put your keys, your wallet, your phone. Think of back up plans. Avoid being in the situation where you need to make important decisions on the spot because when you're stressed, you do not think clearly and make bad decisions.

Superwoman

Lately I've been trying to be a more well rounded person by reading the news (Strait Times, New York Times, BBC, The Economy) and watching TED talks. Tonight I watched a TED talk that intrigued me. The speaker discussed her findings about how standing in a "high power position" for just two minutes will lead to your testosterone levels increasing (meaning that you feel more confident) and your cortisol levels decreasing (cortisol causes you to feel smaller). She maintains that if you continue to position your body in "high power positions" for multiple situations and during multiple times, you will gradually become that person you strive to be.

I am amazed at her findings and want to try. Before my exam, may I stand in the pose of superwoman and pray for confidence, wisdom, calmness. Before a class that I am unsure of, may I remember to stand and command that synergy. Before an exam, may I sit with my arms and legs stretched out. I want to become superwoman.

Link to the video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ks-_Mh1QhMc&list=PLOGi5-fAu8bF7r_yq4ZvZNgSbAV9sWPKt&index=4

Turning troubles to blessings

God will not permit any troubles to come upon us unless He has a specific plan by which great blessings can come out of the difficulty.
-Peter Marshall

another woman's beauty IS NOT the absence of your own.

- a l e x e l l e

you are allowed to choose yourself first, to love yourself more + to freely remove anything or anyone who threatens your space with toxicity. give yourself permission to say "no" and mean it. you don't have to push yourself aside for the comfort of others, especially when they don't see, hear or respect you. walk in your truth knowing that you are allowed, that you belong to yourself + that anything less than loving isn't welcomed or wanted. - a l e x e l l e

Being in the Presence of God

Brother Lawrence's only means of going to God was to do everything for the love of Him. He was thus indifferent about what he did. All that mattered was that he did it for God. It was He, not the activity, that he considered. He knew that the more the thing he did was opposed to his natural inclination, the greater was the merit of his love in offering it to God. He knew that the pettiness of the deed would not diminish the wroth of his offering, because god - needing nothing - considers in our works only the love that accompanies them.

"If it please you, give these kinds of favors and consolations to sinners and to the people who don't know You, in order to attract them to Your service. As for me, who has the happiness of knowing You by faith, I think that must be sufficient. Still, because I should not refuse anything from a hand so rich and generous as Yours, I accept, O my God, the favors You give me. Yet grant, if it please You, that after having received them, I may return them just as You gave them to me; for You well know that it is not Your gifts that I seek and desire, but Yourself, and I can be content with nothing less.“ 

The break

When I was in HK for the October holiday, I raised the idea of taking a break to Tim. It's not that I don't love him anymore, it's that I love him too much. I want to, I need to, I must, put God before him.

The moments building up to THE moment was easy, because I knew in my heart that it was the right to do. I felt peace within, peace from God. I remember lying in bed and hugging him as tightly as possible, trying to tell him my plan as gently as possible. I lay behind him, wrapping my arms and legs around him and trying to melt myself into his bodies. It was easy telling him. But it was hard realizing that he no longer wanted to hug me, no longer wanted to comfort me. And of course, that seems natural and is something I should have expected. I guess I simply did not think so far ahead.

It was even harder getting him to understand where I was coming from. Explaining to him what I felt was wrong with our relationship - that was painful. But the hardest part was telling him that I need to love God more than I love him. That's the thing though - that should be the easiest. I should love God so much that my love for Tim pales in comparison. Right now, that's not what is happening.

Through the next few days, Tim and I discussed what we should do. He agreed with me that we need a life with more of God. We need a relationship that is entirely based around God. I don't know if it is possible. Yes, all things are possible with God who strengthens us, but we are humans and we will fail. With that in mind, we want to try.

We have decided to give each other more space. Funny isn't it - taking a break and giving each other more space essentially leads to the same point, yet because of the way it's phrased, one provides comfort and hope while the other seems more cold and isolated.

Right now, we have decided to talk twice a week, once during the weekend and once during the week. We will talk and catch up and hopefully, we will uplift the name of God during the time together. I thank God for such a discernment, that I wold know something was amiss. And I thank Him even more for the courage to do something about it. It was hard, and it was painful. At times I am lonely and regret and waver, but I keep telling myself that this is better for the long run. I remind myself that God is with me, in me, all the time. All the time, God is good.

I am even more in love with Tim because of the fact that he is willing to do this for me, and for God. I love him because I know that he loves God. I love him for affirming my love in God, and for encouraging me to pursue my relationship with God instead of with him.


I told Tim, "Right now we are 1+1=2, but when we come back together we will be 1+1=3."

Me, God, and Tim.

May I never forget. On my best day, that I still need God as desperately as I did on my worst day.

VOGUE how to wear a strapless bra

First, the band (the bit that goes around your rib cage) must fit snugly and run parallel to the floor. This is what most women get wrong - I, for example, have apparently been wearing lingerie that's one to two band sizes too large. Then, the underwire must come to rest under your arms, not up front against your rib cage. And finally, the front section between the underwires should "tack," or rest against your skin. There, now you have the three steps to fitting...

Bless this town

James 5:17-20:

Elijah was a human being, even as we are. He prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the land for three and a half years. Again he prayed, and the heavens gave rain, and the earth produced its crops.

My brothers and sisters, if one of you should wander from the truth and someone should bring that person back, remember this: Whoever turns a sinner from the error of their way will save them from death and cover a multitude of sins.



Listened to this mini sermon during the ONE. We should be inclined to pray and ask God to BLESS anything that troubles us, instead of complaining.

May God bless Beijing, may He bless us with great weather and blue skies.

Moussy

Behind every beautiful thing there's been some kind of pain.

Pandora bracelet

Tim bought me a Pandora bracelet and he chose two charms for me, Faith & Caring. He said he chose Faith because my faith was being tested by my friends this semester, and Caring because he feels that I nonetheless, always care for them.

Watermark church, 1 Corinthians 14:1-25

If someone were to record you, would they see something beautiful in the way you interact with other people? Would it show a love for the gospel? Or a love for yourself ?

Do you show that the gospel is beautiful? Paul wants us to build others up and in the process, show that the gospel is beautiful.

- Tongues are great but for the church purposes, it is not as edifying as prophesying
- God wants us to help show love and uplift others

Snipits from the message by the Pope

"I know that many of you are on the front lines in meeting the challenges of adapting to an evolving pastoral landscape, like Saint Peter, I ask you, that regardless of the difficulties and trials that you face, be at peace and respond to them as Christ did. He gave thanks to the father, took up his cross and looked forward."

"Rest is needed, as are moments of leisure and self-enrichment, but we need to learn to rest in a way that depends our desire to serve with generosity. Closeness to the poor, the refugee, the immigrant, the sick, the exploited, the elderly living alone, prisoners and all god's other poor, will teach us a different way of resting, one which is more Christian and generous."

Leaving

"So when people leave, I've learned the secret: let them. Because, most of the time, they have to.

Let them walk away and go places. Let them have adventures in the wild without you. Let them travel the world and explore life beyond a horizon that you exist in. And know, deep down, that heroes aren't qualified by their capacity to stay but by their decision to return."

The Staying Philosophy (Everyday Isa)

Piano

Harvey just lent me his piano and I am absolutely obsessed with it. I love the fact that I can make music, that it sounds so beautiful! I regret giving up my piano lessons, and I regret not being more strict with myself about practicing. I thank God that He created music - it truly is something magical.

Daniel & the Lions, Daniel chapter 6

Verse 3 - In all that we do, we should do it for God. It will make us shine. Daniel is said to have a spiritual life - with powers, but he was only brought to authority because he had "distinguished himself".

John 15: Remember the word that I said to you. A servant is not greater than his master. If they persecuted me they will persecute you.

Will the promise of persecution stop us? Or we will carry on to live on God's word?

1) Pride and self worship - will blind us to what is right

2) It is a strong temptation to use other people to boast our "glory"

Verse 7 - How could Darius have possibly not known that Daniel was worshipping God? OF COURSE Daniel would not abide by this new law! His enemies knew this, and this would be the only way to get him into trouble! Darius wasn't thinking/seeing clearly because of his pride. 

Can we be like Daniel who, in verse 10, continued to serve his God despite the man made law? Are we willing to be ostracised and faithful to God?

End of verse 10 states "Three times a day he got down on his knees and prayed, giving thanks to his God, just as he had done before." We can only be faithful one day at a time. It takes a process. 

Throwing a man into a lion's den is no less certain of resulting in death than throwing a man into a fiery furnace. His opponents think that they have won, but all of a sudden, it is them who are thrown into the den. Evil is punished straight away.

This passage also foreshadows for us God punishing everyone who does not believe in Him by sending them to hell. Because God is good, He will punish us for our sins. But in His great love, God sent us Jesus as a substitute sacrifice to those who will believe.

Daniel lived in Jesus's light despite living in a harsh culture.

Reasons why Tim and I are so successful

It amazes me to see couples around me unable to maintain their relationship. My relationship with Tim comes somewhat effortlessly. We work at it, yes, but it does not take up an insane amount of energy. We just put in love.

And I guess that's what's different. We were taught how to love by God and we do love right. Am I being arrogant? No, I don't think so, simply because I will also say this: we have made many mistakes along the way. But our moral compass is being derived from the holy spirit, and we are both individually accountable to God. And this simple factor, I believe, is what differentiates us from the many couples out there.

How I love my God, for He has given me the ability to love not only Tim, but all those around me.

12th July recollections

During worship on Sunday at CCC, I felt my heart swell up, and I felt so touched by God. It was almost as if He was around me, He was pouring His love into my soul. And for that I am so so overwhelmed. That feeling of security and of warmth. It was amazing. I want to pray that in the future, I will also be able to get that kind of feeling, that I will always be able to feel God's love so intimately.

Sermon:
What does it meant to be salty & light?
If we are the salt & light, we WILL be persecuted. 

Sale is not even alive, but everything that it comes into contact with salt is affected by it's living nature.  Salt itself is a gift; its gift of presence. Salt melts ice; salt heals. It melts down the icy hearts of people. By loving people, we too can heal them. Salt perseveres meat. In the same way, we can help people preserve their relationship with God.

What bowl do we have to put on the light? Ourselves. When we make things all about us. Light gives direction. As we abide in Christ, we are showing people the way to God. People observe; light illuminates. We should shine for all to see. Light gives life; we need light. It brings a positive spin to all that it comes into contact with. Similarly, our lips are meant to speak life. We should say more happy, positive things to others.

Encouraging quirks

Lord, send me anywhere, only go with me.
Lay any burden on me, only sustain me.
Sever any tie but the tie that binds me to Thyself.


Zephaniah 3:17
The Lord your God is with you
He is mighty to save
He will take great delight in you,
He will quiet you with his love,
He will rejoice over you with singing.


Hosea 14:9
The ways of the Lord are right; the righteous walk in them, but the rebellious stumble in them.

In regard to my studies

The things which are impossible with men are possible with God. Luke 18:27

Acts 8

Even though the apostles were spreading the gospel all over and they were on fire doing so, they chose to stay in Jerusalem and to stay in the city. They had not done enough there, and needed to do more. That was where their job was, that was where God wanted them to be.

Phillip is being bold in preaching & missionary aspects.

1. A mission fanned by tribulation (verses 1-3)
Verse 1: Saul approved of the execution
Saul was going house to house, ripping Christians from their families and enjoying it - great persecution against the church, causing the Christians to be spread out. But, this instead sped up the process of them being spread out, forced them to go away and thus, spread the gospel. God actually used the persecution to help the people spread out and spread the gospel.

The mission is NOT about Jerusalem and the temple, but it is about CHRIST
Like a bushfire, the more satan tried to stomp it out, the bigger the "fire" spread


2. A mission manned by non professionals (verses 1, 4)
The apostles stayed in Jerusalem, meaning that the "ordinary" people were the ones spreading the gospel. It is only with the help of EVERYONE; not just the professionals, that God's word can truly spread everywhere.

The apostles stayed behind because they refused to leave their post. We all have different kinds of jobs - some must stay put, and others must go out.


3. A God that cannot be bribed (verses 5-25)
Samaritans -  a different group of people. Phillip first baptised them in the name of the Lord Jesus, but it was only when Peter & John came that the spirit came, that they received the second blessing.

The gospel had just crossed over a huge cultural divide. It was important for the apostles to see that it was the same spirit that was at work, so that the Jerusalem church and the Samaritan church would be one and the same. This incident is unique to the early church.

Simon was wrongly baptised - he thinks about the material value of what Peter and John did. This also applies today, we should not think of what God can do for us.


4. A God that seeks out the outcast (verses 26-40)
There is so much to do in Samaria but yet Phillip was brought to the desert. Sometimes God will bring us down seemingly useless paths but God knows what is happening, God has a plan. 

This is the first incident of personal conversion. This was the edge of the known world during the time, and only the very rich and powerful rode in chariots. He was an eunuch, a willing servant for the queen. It seems like he was a powerful man with high influence and a lot of money, but empty inside.

Eunuchs are not called to enter the temple (Deuteronomy laws prevent "unclean" from entering). He must have travelled so far only to be denied entrance - this must have been so humiliating for him but yet he did not give up. The verse says that he was reading Isaiah 53:7-8. This would have been the perfect verse because it completely related to his situation. Phillip might have showed him Isaiah 56:5, just a few chapters forward, where it states that eunuchs will be welcomed to the house of God. How awesome for Phillip to show the eunuch that God is seeking him out!

There were no barriers that kept the eunuch from accepting God, as long as they went through the one door called Christ.


Who would be Samaritans for us today? Who are the people we clash with culturally? Who are the eunuchs for us today? Who is unwelcome? It would have baffled the people of that time to see all these different groups of people com together and worship, and they would have had no choice but to admit that it was God at work.

Greater ambition

This week in BSF I learnt that we should all strive to have greater ambitions - not just when we are living, but also when we die. We should strive for a life and death that would be a testimony to who God is and His love for us. How can I do this? What greater ambitions could I have? I need to keep in mind that nothing is too great for my God.

Complete reversals that might be possible if I get the situation to God:

School - being able to understand completely and be on top of everything

Capital Kids - always having enough volunteers to run the whole thing

Relationships - that people might see from my actions that I am God's daughter and aim to please Him

Would expecting these reversals to occur be considered as having greater ambitions? Or is this wistful thinking? Or is my thinking that it is wistful thinking a sign that I am not being ambitious enough? 

God please show me the answer.

Turn your eyes upon Jesus

Turn your eyes upon Jesus
Look full in His wonderful face
And the things of earth will grow strangely dim
In the light of His glory and grace

Its my birthday, It's my birthday

This year's birthday is the first time I have ever thought it was a "normal" day. I use quotation marks because it is also Easter Sunday today, and when can Easter ever be normal?

I was reminded in the service today of the significance of Jesus and the fact that He took the cross for me, for everyone. Rick said this during the service: The moment we abide in Jesus, God is able to shine His light into this world, even if only for a moment. What if, instead of saying "I can't do that, I can't do that," we took a moment and prayed, "Jesus, would you do that in me through you? Would you fill me with that ___?" How profound the difference would be if we asked for Jesus' help. It takes no energy to abide in Jesus. It only takes intentionality.

But I digress. Today was a "normal" day because the celebrations started 2 days ago when I hosted a lunch for my friends. I invited quite a few people and almost everyone came. We had a part of 20 and it was a simple, yet festive, lunch at The Steps Bar. I loved it. I have realised that I like being among big groups of people. It gives me purpose, makes me feel as though we are all a part of something great. The friendships and the different relationships among the bigger group - to me, that is precious and invaluable. My friends made the occasion special and worth remembering simply by gracing me with their attendance. Sima even bought a fruit cake for me: it had kiwi, mango, strawberries and dragon fruit. It was delicious - the cream was not too sweet and the cake was layered with crepe and the afore-mentioned fruits. I can honestly say that it was the best cake I've ever had so far.

Having my parents fly up for the weekend was an of-course thing to do. At least in my mind. I realise now that I am perhaps the very definition of spoiled with love. I am an extremely lucky girl and God, I thank you so much for your grace and mercy in my life. It is my goal to demonstrate the love that has been poured out to me to everyone around me.

Presents: As if having my parents fly up was not enough, daddy also bought me THREE Mansur Gavriel clutch bags. He claims he wanted to buy a tote bag but unfortunately, it was all sold out by the time he had the chance to. No matter. I love bags. I am such a lucky girl. On top of that, we went to the outlet mall and daddy bought me a MCM tote bag. I'm taking in these big dollar bags like nobody's business. I love my daddy.

Thought that just came to mind - if my earthly daddy could love me so much and provide so unselfishly for me, even with the financial difficulties he claims we have, what more about my heavenly daddy? Wow. I am indeed a lucky girl.

Hebrews 10:11-14

"Day after day every priest stands and performs his religious duties, again and again he offers the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins. But when this priest had offered for all time one sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God, and since that time he waits for his enemies to be made his footstool. For by one sacrifice he has made perfect forever those who are being made holy."

Capital Kids

Has God chosen you to be a teacher or leader of His people? Then He will bless your work. He will do this, not because of who you are or anything in you but because He has chosen you. It is His purpose to bless you and to bless others through you.

My heart belongs to the maker of the stars

It's sometimes challenging trying to lead a life that is correct. By correct I mean: go for classes, eat healthy, sleep early, revise homework, be polite always, no bad thoughts etc. I try to be correct constantly but the other side is so much more tempting, so enticing. I would love to just relax and lead life leisurely; if only my brain would absorb things at a faster rate, perhaps then the causal lull of my teachers would not cause such an obstacle. I would simply be able to side step such a situation and just know my work.

In doing BSF I learn that God can be an angry God, that He has an obligation to judge sin based on the fact that He is Holy and the great I Am. I want to please Him and adore Him day after day, minute after minute. I want to make correct choices that will make Him proud, choices that I myself will also be proud of when I look back to my 21 year old self.

Feeling a little blue

School has started for a week and a day now and despite feeling more confident/determined to do well than before, it's kind of a drag. Time flies by and my anticipated accomplishments for any given day are never satisfactory to me. I need to focus on my work more, and work faster. I am bent on excelling this semester; I have a schedule I want to keep to and I have a GPA that desperately needs boosting. My trick for this semester is this: I will put God first and rely on Him for all the rest, while ensuring that I am working hard.

Aaron's blessing of the people (Leviticus 9)

The Lord bless you

              and keep you;

the Lord make his face shine on you

              and be gracious to you;

the Lord turn his face toward you

              and give you peace.

Blessed are the meek, Matthew 5:5

Psalm 37: 1-11

Meek: those who leave their rights
to God







Meaning of meekness:

1. Trusting in the lord and
continuing to do work, trust that gods way is better

Verse 3; Trust in the lord and do
good

Verse 5; commit your way to the
lord, trust in Him




2. Take delight in the lord

Verse 4; take delight in the lord

Bob pierce, world vision 1950
"let my heart be broken with the things that break the heart of God"

Hosanna song : break my heart for
what breaks yours

This will lead to knowing God
better, thus leading to us being able to better differentiate what is important
and what is not




3.Verse 7; be still before the lord
and wait patiently for him; do not fret when people succeed in their ways, when
they carry out their wicked schemes

Receive strength from God to say
all is well, I'm at peace.




God will take care of the wicked
and evil people. Remember to TRUST GOD.




Isaiah 57:15

God not only lives in high places
but also lives in the hearts of the lowly and contrite; he lives in the hearts
of the meek.










Praus - Greek word for meekness

1. In Greek literature the word is
used to describe a soothing medicine

Must be given in the right amount,
not too much not too little

2. Used by sailors to describe a
gentle breeze

Uncontrolled wind can destroy a ship,
here it is used to describe controlled ship that can be steered

3. Used by farmers to describe a
broken colt or tamed animal

When an animal is tamed, it can
then be ridden




These 3 situations describe
scenarios where great power is present but you need to control it so that it
becomes might.

Power is not might until it
is under control.

Power is mightiest when it
comes under God's control.

Gods way of controlling
power is meekness.







How to be meek:

If there is a room that no one
wants, give that room to me

Saying that you will take the
"harder" solution instead of others








































































































Being meek is the solution for the
"Darwinian jungle"

Airports

My favourite airport (among the three that I frequently visit) would have to be the Hong Kong airport. I feel at ease there, simply because people of all kinds can be found. Being the cosmopolitan country that it is, Hong Kong's airport is buzzing with people on the move, people who have places to be. These people come together with such a great diversity that regardless of the season or time at which I find myself at the Hong Kong airport, I always feel that I fit right in.

The Singapore airport, on the other hand, reeks of comfort topped off with a hinge of the unfamiliar. I see faces typical of a Singaporean and feel relief to know that I am back in my home country. Yet at the same time I am on alert, constantly people watching. During my year abroad, it has come to my attention that more and more foreigners have slipped into this country. I watch them and wonder if they are coming or going, if they have made a life for themselves here or if their purpose is only to rest their souls for a few days.

Lastly, the Beijing airport. The main reason why this cannot possibly be my favourite airport is because it is a cold and disconnected place. The journey to get to the luggages is a seemingly impossibly long one, including the train that I repeatedly dread to get on - it is too tiring after after the long voyage I've just concluded. There are no shops to browse around, the ceiling is high, the floor is not carpeted and the light is too bright for ease. Lastly, the majority of people at the airport are constantly, time after time, the Chinese locals. And while this makes perfect sense since the location is, after all, in Beijing China, this create a drastic contrast to that of the airport in Hong Kong and even in Singapore. I find it isolating and lonely.

And I guess this is somewhat symbolic since everything I go back to Beijing, that is how I feel.

Esther 4:4

"For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father's family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?"
- Perhaps this is the moment for which you have been created.



Nothing is more impressive than a woman who is secure in the unique way God made.

God writes the music of our lives

Not without design does God write the music of our lives. Be it ours to learn the tune, and not be dismayed at the "rests." They are not to be slurred over, not to be omitted, not to destroy the melody, not to change the keynote. If we look up, God Himself will beat the time for us. With the eye on Him, we shall strike the next note full and clear. If we sadly say to ourselves, "There is no music in a 'rest,' " let us not forget "there is the making of music in it." The making of music is often a slow and painful process in this life. How patiently God works to teach us! How long He waits for us to learn the lesson!

- John Ruskin

Quote by Bob Moorehead

“The paradox of our time in history is that we have taller buildings but
shorter tempers, wider Freeways, but narrower viewpoints. We spend more,
but have less, we buy more, but enjoy less. We have bigger houses and
smaller families, more conveniences, but less time. We have more degrees
but less sense, more knowledge, but less judgment, more experts, yet more
problems, more medicine, but less wellness.

We drink too much, smoke too much, spend too recklessly, laugh too little,
drive too fast, get too angry, stay up too late, get up too tired, read too
little, watch TV too much, and pray too seldom. We have multiplied our
possessions, but reduced our values. We talk too much, love too seldom, and
hate too often.

We've learned how to make a living, but not a life. We've added years to
life not life to years. We've been all the way to the moon and back, but
have trouble crossing the street to meet a new neighbor. We conquered outer
space but not inner space. We've done larger things, but not better things.

We've cleaned up the air, but polluted the soul. We've conquered the atom,
but not our prejudice. We write more, but learn less. We plan more, but
accomplish less. We've learned to rush, but not to wait. We build more
computers to hold more information, to produce more copies than ever, but we
communicate less and less.

These are the times of fast foods and slow digestion, big men and small
character, steep profits and shallow relationships.

These are the days of two incomes but more divorce, fancier houses, but
broken homes. These are days of quick trips, disposable diapers, throwaway
morality, one night stands, overweight bodies, and pills that do everything
from cheer, to quiet, to kill. It is a time when there is much in the
showroom window and nothing in the stockroom. A time when technology can
bring this letter to you, and a time when you can choose either to share
this insight, or to just hit delete...

Remember, to spend some time with your loved ones, because they are not
going to be around forever. Remember, say a kind word to someone who looks
up to you in awe, because that little person soon will grow up and leave
your side.

Remember, to give a warm hug to the one next to you, because that is the
only treasure you can give with your heart and it doesn't cost a cent.

Remember, to say, "I love you" to your partner and your loved ones, but most
of all mean it. A kiss and an embrace will mend hurt when it comes from
deep inside of you.

Remember to hold hands and cherish the moment for someday that person might
not be there again. Give time to love, give time to speak! And give time to
share the precious thoughts in your mind.”

Travelling notes

1. Disney World Crowd Calendar
Click here

2. How To Travel To The Maldives On a Budget: It's Possible!
Click here

3. 50 Unpredictable and Non-Cliched Places To Travel To in Your 20s
Click here

4. 16 Private Pool Villas In Bali You Didn't Know You Could Stay Under $100
Click here

Articles I found online about families

On relationships:

1. The No. 1 Cause of Divorce May Not Be What You Think
Click here

2. 36 questions - To Fall In Love With Anyone, Do This
Click here

3. 10 Ways You Are Being Unfaithful To Your Spouse - And You Don't Even Know It
Click here

4. It Matters Whom You Marry
Click here

5. He Said He Was Leaving, She Ignored Him
Click here

6. Here's The Best Advice From A Single Guy Who Spent A Year Interviewing Couples
Click here

On raising children:

1. 11 Questions That Will Make Your Child Happier
Click here

2. Why Some Kids Try Harder and Some Kids Give Up
Click here

3. 16 Tips for Drama-Free Parenting: How to Bond With Your Moody Teenage Daughter
Click here

4. This Is What Sex-Positive Parenting Looks Like
Click here

5. 15 Things I Want To Tell My TCK
Click here

6. What Little Girls Wish Daddies Knew
Click here

Missing Tim

My heart literally hurts because I am feeling very alone. Tim is on his flight back to the states and it sucks. I didn't realise that I have become so dependent on him and our nightly talks. I don't want to call mommy and complain to her - I have grown up and am beyond that stage of life. I am trying to rely on God. I know that He is with me and that He is always always looking out for me and my heart. I need to remember that.


Having exams right now don't help either. I am stressed and disappointed in myself. I thought I'll be smarter; I know I could do better if I were in another school, in another program. Specifically one that is taught in English. I loved high school; I loved psychology and learning about things like that. I loved the interaction that western schools give you and I yearn for it. Lord, why is it that I am here? I detest this kind of learning. I want to be more hands on. I want to feel like I'm making progress. Help me oh Lord, to find peace and calmness within all the chaos of my emotions.

2015 blessing from Godparents

May the coming year be a time when:
your faith in the Lord grows stronger
your love for the Lord grows deeper
and your fellowship with the Lord grows sweeter

One exam done, 2 more to go

Today I'm not in a mood to work; I'm feeling moody and agitated. I dislike the fact that I am so competitive, that I am unable to separate feelings of anxiety that arise from school and all it's pressures from my daily life. I see my friends breeze through their preparations for exams and it irritates me. It confounds me; how can people simply memorise and retain information so swiftly? I hide out during these days leading to exams simply because ugly thoughts are being formed in my head and I don't like the person it turns me into.

God made me the way I am. I may not be the smartest cookie in the jar but I am a loving person, filled with compassion and enthusiasm about life. I am affable - something I am proud of. I have good thinking skills and am great at organisation. And above all, I love God and I am loved by God. That is my identity and that is what I'm going to stick to.

A small collection

Some of my favourite verses/sayings that I collected throughout the year of 2014

1. Psalms 37:39 
The salvation of the righteous comes from The Lord; He is their stronghold in time of trouble

2. Abide constantly, obey instantly

3. Delight yourself in The Lord and He will give you His will in the form of YOUR desire

4. Revelation 3:21 
To [her] who overcomes, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I overcame and sat down with my Father on His throne.

Psalms 131

A song of ascents. Of David.

1My heart is not proud, Lord,

my eyes are not haughty;

I do not concern myself with great matters

or things too wonderful for me.

2But I have calmed and quieted myself,

I am like a weaned child with its mother;

like a weaned child I am content.

3Israel, put your hope in the Lord

both now and forevermore.

David - a man after God's own heart

1. When he finally became King of Israel, he wanted to bring the ark of the covenant back to Jerusalem
Verse 2: David simply wanted to be with God. He had no ulterior motive, no hidden agenda. Weaned child - a baby who has been breastfed. The child has moved on to solid food but still wants to get back to his mother, just to be with the mother and nothing else.
How can we learn to be calm and not worried?


2. Years later, King David even wanted to build a temple for God

1 Chronicles 17:1
"Behold, I dwell in a house of cedar, but the ark of the covenant of the Lord is under the tent"
2 Samuel 7:1
"Now when the king lived in his house and The Lord had given him rest from all his surrounding enemies" - describing the past 7 years of David's life

David was actually rejected by God, God has said that it was supposed to be his son who was going to build the temple.


David is teaching us to yearn for a relationship with God.
Difference between a weaned child and not:
1. Desire vs compliance
2. Intimacy vs transaction
3. Others vs self

Verse 1&3: Too wonderful for us to comprehend, but if we are small and God is big, then we can trust God.

Deut 29:29
"The secret things belong to The Lord our God, but the things that are revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may do all the words of this law"
Acts 1:7
"He said to them: "it is not for you to know the times or dates the father has set by his own authority"

Being calm = showing that you have faith in God = shows how great our God is

Colossians 3:12-17
How we should behave to be a witness for God

Psalms 121

A song of ascents.

1I lift up my eyes to the mountains—

where does my help come from?

2My help comes from the Lord,

the Maker of heaven and earth.

3He will not let your foot slip—

he who watches over you will not slumber;

4indeed, he who watches over Israel

will neither slumber nor sleep.

5The Lord watches over you—

the Lord is your shade at your right hand;

6the sun will not harm you by day,

nor the moon by night.

7The Lord will keep you from all harm—

he will watch over your life;

8the Lord will watch over your coming and going

both now and forevermore.

我要向高山举目

我的帮助从何来？

我的帮助从造天地的耶和华而来

Jews use to sing this to take time away from their pilgrim back to Jerusalem. They needed to be protected from robbers along the way.

4 ways God takes care of us:
1. He is close by, ready to catch us in case we fall; verse 3

2. He never rests and never leaves his post; verses 3&4

3. He is there.
Verse 5: Right side is where their weapon would be placed, so this would make it easier for opponents to attack them
Verse 6: Sun refers to a sunstroke. Moon = lunar. It is during the night that people become lunatics!

4. God protects us eternally; verse 7