Learning Opportunity

Everyday presents itself as another day of learning. Whether is it at home uncluttering many things and giving care to folks, or at a booth sale wondering if it is worth it even though the sale does not look good, or at office still coping with piling assignments or even at a personal development level with many areas to work on or improve, each situation presents itself as an opportunity to learn and grow especially when we involve God's presence. 

Press On in Bible Reading

Bible reading is like climbing a very high mountain or tallest building. But to conquer it simply takes smaller steps. Breaking down the journey into smaller bits makes the adventure more bearable. 

Some additional thoughts I learnt in the process to share with everyone:

1. Mark your Bible. Underline verses that put thoughts to you, on who God is, what is the condition of sins of man, emotions involve, new knowledge. 

2. Indicate the date of the reading on the chapter to mark progress. This helps to know you have read it but reading it again is also viable. 

3. Share the learning with fellow brothers and sisters in the Lord. This keeps the reading going and keeps the coal hot for the long journey. And as God leads, many more will desire to read God's precious Word as well. 

Press on. 

Divide And Conquer

If you wonder if Maths is applicable to life or not, put some thought to it. The idea is simply applicable. 

If a question of $66 divide by 5, is challenging, cut the problem into simpler sections. 

$66 = $60 + $6

$60 / 5 = $12

$6 / 5 = $1.20

So $66 / 5 = $12+$1.20

                 = $13.20

If a box is too heavy to be handled, it makes the load lighter by dividing the weight. Either remove the items first or recruit another to help carry together is best. 

If the news needs to be communicated to everyone, we can share it by distributing the load and passing the message to a few more people and those few more people can continue to share with a few more people. 

Divide and conquer. 

Bible Reading Plan

Here is a Bible Reading plan with a story. 

The story is heard of a missionary who reads the Bible every year. How does he do it? Without fail, he reads 4 chapters a day. In doing the Maths, the Bible contains slight over 1000 chapters and dividing the chapters with 360 days of the year, we have about 3 chapters plus to read each day. That was basically how the missionary does it. For the purpose of measurement, goal and daily intake and walk with the Lord, this was a good start point. 

Therefore, the plan is follows:

Read ...

4 chapters a day

120 chapters in 30 days

1440 chapters in 360 days

That figure exceeds the number of chapters in the Bible. There will be some days you may miss it due to various reasons. So that gives an allowance for those days. One more exception is the reading of long chapters like Psalm 119, can be allocated for a day's reading. 

Key Motivation - read the PRECIOUS WORD OF GOD and GROW in the LORD. 

Where Is God In The Pain?

I am wondering if the answer to this question is the answer to another question, "how does God answer our prayers?"

Does God attend to our prayers just like the customer service attends to request from walk in customers? Does God then say, "Hmmm, let us see how we are going to help and answer to this prayer."? 

Or our omniscient, omnipresent and omnipotent God already know what we are going to pray and already set in place the answer to our prayers? He has sent help way way in advance before the prayer and the timing is at the time and place He has set in answer to those prayers, to the praise of His wonderful glory and bountiful grace. 

Doesn't that make you "WOW" in our loving and gracious God?

So does that somehow answer to "Where is God in our pain?"

A Closer Look

What is the difference between looking at God intently and looking at sin intently? Maybe if given the grace of looking at God who is most holy, awesomely great, gloriously wonderful and mind blowing magnificent, looking at sin is just unthinkable. If we have found the greatest treasure and pleasure, going for the little little treasures and pleasures of this world will be going for tiny grapes when you have found the True Vine. 

The Bible also says in the gospel of John that many enjoy darkness so much that they prefer staying in the darkness and not want to come into the Light. They are restrained or chained to their different emotions. 

May God's grace prevail in the hearts of men. May God be glorified in every endeavor. 

God Watches Over All

Does God who is God watches over both the good and the no so good?

In our weakness we ask of His presence. In every human weakness we ask of His help. Does He help? Is He there?

In my request for God's help to destroy the enemies, does God also listen to their prayers to destroy us? God sends rain on both the good and the not so good. God shines and gives light and life to both. 

God who is God is not in any dilemma. In His omniscience and immeasurable wisdom, He rules and judges wisely. Your understanding no one can fathom. Your justice no one will say unjust. 

All will report to You one day. 

If You Can Count

How much hair on every living thing on this planet?

How much water on the face and below the surface of this planet?

How many moulds of soil make up the ground?

How many cells are there on every living creature and how many die and multiply each day?

How many molecules of rain is in the atmosphere?

How hot is the lava within the earth's core?

How cold is the deepest depth of the ocean floor?

How deep is it and where is the deepest?

How many fish live in the world wide oceans?

How many birds including penguins live on this planet?

How many reptiles combined are there on this earth?

How many trees are cut down for use with furniture and other uses?

How many many types of products are made each day?

How many products are sitting in the warehouses of the world?

How many people are working now and those not?

How many have chosen their destinations?

How many more questions?

Just too much. 

Who can answer?

Can we trust the Answerer?

If Only They Knew

That God is with them

That God hears their prayers

That God knows their pain

That God sees their hearts

That God feels their sorrow

That God comprehends

That God rules over all

That God saves as many

That God waits for more

That God changes your heart

That God stills the storm within

That God walks with them

That God stands with them

That God hears their cries

That God listens to the silent

That God came as a man

That God died on that day

That God was buried there

That God rose on that day

Cause and Effect

Call it whatever you like i.e. karma, cause and effect, product of, input and output; if there is no effort, certainly no outcome; no pain, no gain. 

If we desire something, effort is surely needed, without which there is pointless to set any expectation of returns. If I want to attain good results, even when sometimes there is no correlation between the variables, some form of effort needs to be put in. 

If I want to build strong muscles, study and exercise have to be planned out and executed, otherwise I will not be able to see the results. 

If I want stay slim, I put in the controls to my diet and stay away from food that affects my weight and include in the week an exercise plan and stick to it. If I want to solve my Maths problems, it is best to put in more effort and time to practise, practise and practise all sorts of problem sums so that we ready ourselves for all types of Maths questions. 

Be on a quest to be an expert, if possible. 

The Encouragement To Read

By not reading, what are we missing out on?

To know the productive ways than going the long way though going the long way is a process of learning as well. 

To know the truth that will set you free. 

To know that you may save in some way than to spend more. 

To know that there is a shorter way and save time than go a longer way. 

To know Jesus and be free. 

While I Wait

While I Wait

Waiting

Patient

Praying

Writing

Observing

Watching

Sleeping

Resting

Sliding

Swiping

Tweeting

Liking

Calling

Talking

Noting

Shopping

Listing

Matching

Clearing

Blogging

Housekeeping

Cleaning

Sweeping

Packing

Meeting

Discipling

Reading

Posting

Hoping

Book Review - Title: Hope Unfolding by Becky Thompson

Hope Unfolding by Becky Thompson 

- from the title of the book we can see the unfolding, not of more stretching distress or more more things to do that stresses me even more; but HOPE unfolding in and through all the thick and thin situations or circumstances or surroundings a mother might be in and or heading into. There is HOPE unfolding in the pages of this book as Becky shares with us her story; her story through ups and downs; through moments really really can be so stretching that leads to depression and burn out and overwhelmness - we need to fill our hearts and minds with these reminders of grace-filled truths so we can fix our eyes on the Author and Perfector of our lives. 

I particularly like the reminder of the story of the Samaritan woman who came with an empty jar to fetch water from the well. She left her jar at the well and went away filled with the Living Water from her encounter with Jesus. 

Get started on this book and find Hope Unfolding page after page. 

The Lord Is My Strength

What do everyone mean when they acknowledge and shout out, "The Lord is my Strength!"?

I remember the children cartoon showing Adam, the son or descendent of Gracegul, where he swings his sword and calls out, "by the power of Gracegul!", he turns into He-man. Or somewhat like Steve Rogers after being pumped in with super soldier juice, he comes out with greater strength and the Captain America. 

When the Lord is my strength, I am simply acknowledging his presence with me and that itself brings the juice within me (adrenaline) to bear the work ahead and forward. It is simply like having the presence of the tiger with me and you can boldly face the villagers. 

When surrounding by overwhelming odds against you, when succumbed to the darkness around you, when faced with the violence and unknowns and uncertainties of daily life and living, when hearing the news of coming defeat and death of so and so, that phrase of "The Lord Is My Strength!" reminds us of His Immanuel presence and sustenance through pain, sorrow and adversity. 

How Did I Get All Those Fats?

Sometimes I wonder how did those fats grew on my thigh?

I didn't see it coming. Many have advised me to exercise consistently and that will help with burning down the fats and keep myself trim. And possible slim. 

I now have those regrets not saying no to eating excessively, especially those fatty meat cooked in braised sauce. Awesome but oily. I also should take in more greens, vegetables and fruits daily. 

Really like accumulating an entire house of things, body weight accumulation also starts with collecting a bit here and a bit there and eventually I noticed that lump of tires around my waist and thighs. 

Therefore in the same way I slowly accumulated, the same way I must slowly decumulate or reduce weight progressively by saying no to excessive eating and to fatty food items. Also to make time for exercise and runs to burn away the tires. 

Then eventually I will know and can testify that if I can do it, you can do it too. 

The Smell

The smell of pig slimy food reminds the son of his prodigal days. 

The smell of the meat reminds of the hunt of the older son. 

The smell of heartful offerings pleases the Lord. 

The smell of the moist signals the rain is coming. 

The smell of the air sends the enjoyment of morning freshness to the soul. 

The smell of the soul brings back the memory of mum's home cooked meals. Yummy!

Book Review - Title: Thoughts That Make My Heart Sing by Jago and SallyLloyd Jones

It is a collection of quotes and thoughts on Bible verses that make our hearts want to sing; sing to who you may ask. Sing to the One who gave us all things - wisdom on man who wrote and share their thoughts on God. These collection also makes us put our creativity to print in art and painting, to illustrate the word of God and thoughts of man. 

One sample thought was taken from the parable of the lost coin. Can the coin do something to be found? Can it get up and search for its owner? No right! Because it's not about us doing something to find God. It's about God who did everything to find us!

One other thought was taken from the story of Gideon and his army of 300 against the huge army of the Midianites. God did the math with Gideon and with us. 

Everything - God = nothing

God + nothing = everything

And each though ends with a verse for thought from the Scriptures. 

Really, a wonderful book to be read aloud for both kids and adults. 

The Best Present

While walking the children to school, I would say sometimes to the kids that daddy and mummy can only walk with you all to the gate. After that, We cannot walk with you anymore because the school does not allow parents and for the children to learn independence. 

Then I would say that only that Someone can walk with them through the gate, go with them to the assembly hall, to their classes, listen to their questions and provide guidance and answers to their silent doubt and questions. Jesus will walk with them. Call on Him and He shall answer you. 

Though Jesus is invisible,

but He is invincible. 

God Is Hero, We Are Zero

In most circumstances, we want our own way until we come to a point and usually very desperate point or moments that we are on our knees or flat on the face, "I surrender. Please help me, Lord!"

We thought we could walk on water. Overwhelmed by the surroundings, my thoughts switched to other channels. My gaze was not on the One who could hold me on the water. My eyes were succumbed to the elements. My heart was frightened by the size of the giants in the land. 

Yes, if I want to walk on water, I've got to get out of the boat. But who is on the water? He is, not me. I am no hero. I am just zero in the midst of the huge spread and expanse of water. But He is the Hero. I need to fix my eyes on Him. He makes me stand on the elements. He is the Giant of giants. He is the Mightiest of the mighty. He is the One who made the elements. He is the One who knows what the elements are made of. 

When God is with us, who can be against us? When the tiger stands with you, all others tremble. I am zero. God is Hero. 

1 + 1 = 2 but 1 + Jesus = ?

Disgusting Things by A

Dig nose 

Eat pisai

Pluck skin

Eat skin

Smell armpit

Lick armpit

Lick feet

Smell feet

Suck toes

Smell toes

The Rain

Pitter, patter, pitter, patter, the rain falls from the sky. Once the gather of fellow friends of molecules and matter, we have become like bladder with time to spatter everywhere like the fountain of the mouth of Merlion found in Singapore. 

The travel up was steady but now the downward scatter was like the Giant Drop in an amusement park. You can literally hear the screams of every drop if they be given their voices and their varied expressions. 

The splat and the scatter and the water came just nice for the plants and the farmers. The little people needed the coolness of the curtain fan and the animals quenching their thirst after the very hot burning scorching and warm heating surroundings. The children enjoyed the bath and play and the birds took their needed cleanup. 

Then when the sky has emptied everything they've got, the molecules and vapors start to lose their grip on the ground and up they rise once more. Some from the floor and some from the surfaces of trees and creatures. Some from crevices hidden somewhere and some from in-between the soils. Lots from the gathering of moist and flow; of reservoirs and pools of rivers. 

The World by A

The world is big. 

I am small.

There are people everywhere small, big, fat, thin, pretty and ugly. 

However, all are still smaller than the world.

People were made to worship the Almighty God.

They weren't made to make idols. 

People think they have the right to say vulgarity. 

But it was the sinful people, those who make idols, they made these words.

They think these words are cool, are awesome. 

However, they do not know the true meaning, how it affects others. 

They do not know how Satan tempts them, how they can be tempted. 

Satan is flirting around. He is trying to make all of us a sinner a disgrace to God. 

So now everybody if you have read this, if you want to receive Christ pray this prayer:

God Almighty, I want to know you Lord. Come in my heart. But firstly please forgive my sins. God I will love you forever in my life.

AMEN.

Book Review: Title - Boundaries in Dating by Dr Henry Cloud & Dr John Townsend

An excellent book on guiding your consideration, thinking into and thoughts on this topic of Dating. Also to assess yourself where you are in the sphere of boundaries in dating. A very good book to guide you on what next whichever stage of dating you are in.

In the book, it is divided into four parts:
1. You and Your Boundaries - This is the important section to read up and appreciate boundaries in real life. An interesting chapter with the heading, 'Take God on a Date' - ever wonder and try that out?

2. Whom Should I Date?

3. and 4. on Solving Dating Problems.

On This Side Of The Planet

While I am on this side of the planet, the world at large continues with life. The living goes on living, the dying may die or live on another day. The animals will continue to roam the land. Big ones and micro ones they continue to live and reproduce as they may and directed by the design given to each. 

While I am on this side of the planet, the other parts live on. The buses continue to be driven by people and they awake to do the work they are employed to do and to drive people to work or enjoyment and to fulfill the purpose of their journey. The bus or transport interchanges in the world continue to be busy or super busy. Sometimes you may wonder when these will ever stop. Maybe like zombie movies, it will stop when life ceases. The empty streets. Cars and vehicles everywhere. Life gets eaten when it appears. 

While I am on this side of the planet, the doctors are busy or acting busy, doing their rounds and checking the conditions of patients and many also rescuing the seriously injured and operating on important organs of people whose value is highly highly high. The nurses play their helping roles and reminders and ensuring conditions are within range. The technicians are on standby to right equipments when they fail. 

While I am on this side of the planet, the fish continue to swim or run for their lives. The sea creatures, big and small live on in their various environments. Prawns, crabs, dolphins, whales and all the many many different species, known and unknown enjoy the life given them - for the pleasures of the One who gave them. 

While you are on that side of the planet, what do you think and say and write and do?

How can I impact or make a difference to that side of the planet while I am on this side of it? Mmmm.

I read. 

I pray. 

I email. 

We connect. 

Learning Interruptions from the Parable of the Good Samaritan

Facing the interruptions or going my own way?

Weighing the priority of the need at hand versus the priority of the unfulfilled need later?

Performance affected if I help out but a person is helped and fulfilled when the need is attended to. Which bring fulfillment and satisfaction? Which brings out the light?

Matthew 5:16

我要赞美神

我要赞美神
我要赞美神
我要赞美耶和华
我要赞美神
我要赞美神
我要赞美耶和华

我要跟随神
我要跟随神
我要跟随耶和华
我要跟随神
我要跟随神
我要跟随耶和华

我的心有神
我的心有神
我的心有耶和华
我的心有神
我的心有神
我的心有耶和华
Hallelujah
Hallelujah
Hallelujah hallelujah

我要依靠神
我要依靠神
我要依靠耶和华
我要依靠神
我要依靠神
我要依靠耶和华
Hallelujah
Hallelujah
Hallelu hallelujah

有一天祂会来
有一天祂会来
祂会带我回天家
有一天祂会来
有一天祂会来
祂会带我回天家
Hallelujah
Hallelujah
Hallelu hallelujah

Wanna Praise The Lord

Wanna praise the Lord

Wanna praise the Lord

Wanna praise the Lord my God

Wanna praise the Lord

Wanna praise the Lord

Wanna praise the Lord my God

Hallelujah

Hallelujah

Hallelu hallelujah

Hallelujah

Hallelujah

Hallelu hallelujah

Wanna serve the Lord

Wanna serve the Lord

Wanna serve the Lord my King

Wanna serve the Lord

Wanna serve the Lord

Wanna serve the Lord my King

Hallelujah

Hallelujah

Hallelu hallelujah

Hallelujah

Hallelujah

Hallelu hallelujah

Wanna trust the Lord

Wanna trust the Lord

Wanna trust the Lord my Lord

Wanna trust the Lord

Wanna trust the Lord

Wanna trust the Lord my Lord

Hallelujah

Hallelujah

Hallelu hallelujah

Hallelujah

Hallelujah

Hallelu hallelujah

He's the coming King

He's the coming King

All of us to home He brings

He's the coming King

He's the coming King

All of us to home He brings

Hallelujah

Hallelujah

Hallelu hallelujah 

Hallelujah

Hallelujah

Hallelu hallelujah