True Worship

Its been a physically tiring weekend - 1 wedding, 1 meeting, 3 services, a 12-hour migraine and many boo-boos.

One Wedding

My JC friend threw a wedding banquet at a hotel. Although I had a mirgraine, I was glad to have gone for the dinner. At my table, it was a mini-JC reunion of sorts. I used to hang out with a bunch of friends whom we were all doing the same subject combination. We would sit around the same corner at lectures, look out for each other to have lunch, breaks, go for Christian Fellowships on Fridays, basically hang out together quite a lot... strangely none of us got hitched with one another (most of them were guys). Since our JC days, the guys went army and the girls went to varsities to various parts of the world. Somehow we hadn't had much chances to catch up over the last 12 years too...

It was a nice time last night, to find out how each of us were doing. Although it wasn't deep sharing, it was funny when there were mentions of our school teachers, our study days and things which we've not heard for a long time. I was surprised when the guys told me how I used to share my Maths lecture notes with them... when they all don't pay attention and fall asleep during lectures!! But then... I don't remember lending them my notes for them to photocopy!! Nevertheless it was fun time laughing and reminising about the good old school days...

12-Hour Migraine, 3 Services and Many Boo-Boos

Woke up with a headache yesterday morning. Decided not to take paracetamol lest I become dependant on it (was hoping that it will go away by itself or with caffeine but it didn't). But thank God that it only throbs with pain when I am off stage. When I was on stage (because I was leading songs for services), it doesn't hurt at all. And thank God that when I woke up this morning, I was free of headache!

I made many boo-boos (silly mistakes) at all the 3 services - missing to begin singing the song, sang too early, etc... But I thank God that I was not up there to perform or look good (if it was, I might as well go audition for Singapore Idol :P). I was there just as God's instrument to lead the congregation to sing songs of praise to our Almighty God. I thank God that He considers me worthy to be serving Him in this manner. I can fail secular voice auditions but I don't know how I can serve in music ministry with my voice... Is this using God's gift of voice for His glory only? Perhaps so... I hope so... At the end of the day, it is not how good I sang, how nice the music turned out but that the songs that were sung were able to minister to the congregation, in that they can be reminded of our God Jesus Christ, what He has done for us and our rightful response to Him. The music ministry is to share God's word in song. Thank God for affirming me in my ministry through people. I am humbled because I know that it is not my own ability but God enabling me to do so...

True Worship

Pastor JT preached on John 4:1-26 over the weekend. I was reminded of how I should worship God in Spirit and in truth. Our God deserved all honour, praise and glory. It is not whether I feel like worshipping Him but really He simply deserve praise, glory and worship. If I don't feel like I'm in the mood to worship Him, it doesn't make Him any less an almighty God. Regardless whether I'm happy, sad, moody, griefing, etc... He still is God and I should not withhold my worship to Him.

How can I be professing to worship God when I have something against my brother or sister-in-Christ? I thank God that some misunderstanding/conflict that I had with a brother-in-Christ was resolved on Sunday. It bothered me somewhat after being reminded from the sermon I heard on Saturday. But it turned out that the brother-in-Christ made the first move to reconcile. I was humbled... humbled by God. Because God is also the God of relationships, our relationships with one another can be made right... only because of His love... submitting to one another out of reverance for Christ.

Worshipping God is not just singing songs and praising Him with my lips. It is a life worship - how much I obey His word in the Bible and how I love His people. It is not easy but it will be a lifetime of submitting my life to God, depending wholly on Him for my life. The last verse of a song we sang goes...

My heart is filled with thankfulness
To Him who reigns above
Whose wisdom is my perfect peace
Whose every thought is love
For everyday I have on earth
Is given by the King
So I will give my life my all
To love and follow Him

Dear Lord, may I ever be living a life in full submission to You until I see you face to face.

Beautiful Sunsets

One of my favourite photos: Taken in Langkawi 2003

Between sunrise and sunset, which do you prefer? I think I prefer the sunset... probably because I'm not a morning person and do not wake up early enough to catch the sunrise. Hmm to catch a sunrise, I either have to wake up really early (which is not easy) or stay up the whole night just to catch the sunrise. I did it by the beach of Bintan - stayed up whole night to catch the sunrise... but by 3-4am, I was so sleepy... by the time traces of the sun appears, I wish it will come out faster so that I can go to bed... *yawn*

Hmm... perhaps I really do prefer to watch the sunset. Because I need not make too much effort to make it in time to catch it. I guess it also makes me relax as it is moving into the night... as I watch the sun rays hitting onto my office building, I could not help to fish out my camera to take a photo. I think it was not really sunset yet but the sight is therapeutic for me as I look out of the windows of my office pantry... then I realised that I have taken quite a number of photos of sunset in the past. All the photos were taken using my now-2-year-8-months-old Casio Exilim EX-Z3 (phased out now). Here are some to share: (click on the photos if you want to see a larger image.)

In local Singapore land:

Fullerton Hotel and Shenton Way (Singapore River).

National Day Parade Rehearsal (happen to take it when I was in the vicinity) and Sentosa Siloso Beach.

East Coast Park (whilst doing personal reflection) and Pasir Ris Park (after an afternoon of inter-DG games)


A shot from the plane on way back to Singapore and sunset from view of Neptune Restaurant.

Holidays in Malaysia:


More Langkawi shots: From the pier and looking out of the Langkawi Lagoon Resort.


Penang's Batu Ferringhi Beach: Parasailing... and C walking along the coastline, happen to be caught in the photo with the little girl (I thought that this was a very nice accidental shot :P)

Dining at Johor Bahru

Holiday in Bintan:

Shots from Bintan ferry terminal before we take the ferry ride for home.

Last but not least, this was taken in Sydney when I was last there in 2003.

Jervis Bay (south of Sydney)

The Power of Flowers

Its amazing what flowers can do to make a woman smile. I received one table arrangement sometime in October last year given by someone in my DG to cheer me up. On my birthday in 2003, J sent me a bouquet of lilies to my office and boy, did she surprised me!! I used to hear people say that it is a very nice and different feeling when girls receive flowers in the office. I guess I will have to agree now...

From my good friend J in 2003

Today, I received a bouquet of flowers in my office! This is totally unexpected and a surprise! (Disclaimer: I rarely get this... this is only my 3rd time receiving flowers in the office and not from a special guy :P. So stop guessing :P) Story goes that last week, I helped J's cousin T to make arrangements for his relatives from Indonesia to do some health screening, etc... To me, it is a privilege to be able to help people in my job and I didn't expect such gifts in return... but this is their way of showing appreciation and surely this is a nice surprise and brought a smile to my face =)

Orchids from the 3 Indonesian men :P

In the recent time, I have also received flowers from other people, but not sent to me in my office. Last year's birthday, some people in my music team, together with some friends from church surprised me with a little bouquet of gerberas (aka. barberton daisy). Just last week, when I was at a flower shop at my office, the shop owner gave me a fresh stalk of big red rose as nice belated Valentine's Day gesture. Hee I suddenly remembered how my brother also bought me a bouquet of blue roses for my birthday many years ago because that silly boy don't know what else to get me. God surely has a way to cheer me up through people in my life =)

Even my mum likes flowers... my dad is not a romantic to buy flowers for my mum. The closest it can get (as far as I remember) is when we the children, helped dad buy a bouquet for mum for Valentine's Day (under our coercion) some 15 years ago! I remembered mum was delighted to receive a bouquet of carnations I got her for Mother's Day last year... so yup flowers can make wonders, if given by the 'right' persons :P

Another disclaimer: I'm not a sucker for flowers :P In fact sometimes I think its not practical and economical to buy flowers and receive flowers... e.g. if I were to receive 99 roses from my boyfriend/husband, I'd think he's wasting money... not unless he is a rich and wealthy man :P But receiving flowers once a blue moon is a nice and sweet thing lah... =) (as long as its not from someone I want to stay away from :P)

Seven...

... and this is not the title of a movie although surely it is my favourite number :P

Orangeclouds was tagged and Orangeclouds tagged Quop and Quop tagged me. Sounds complicating isn't it? Just read on...

Seven dreams before death:
1. Have a loving husband and lovely children and love my grandchildren
2. See and feel snow and play with snow
3. See the cherry blossoms in Japan

4. Have a house by the beach, live there and nuah away

5. Go around the world (in more than 80 days)

6. Please God with my life

7. Drive any car I want... at any time

Seven things I can't do in this lifetime:
1. Be the perfect woman (not even Eve can be)
2. Be a doctor (provided I can stand the sight of blood)
3. Sleep 24 hours without waking up in between

4. Eat and eat without putting on the slightest bit of weight

5. Skydive, bunggi jump... one of those activities that makes your heart pop out

6. Play any of the following instruments - piano, flute, harp, violin

7. Understand many many things in this world... Shall ask God when I see Him

Seven things that attract me:
1. My bed
2. Technology - my PDA, my mobile, my digital camera...

3. Heart to heart conversations
4. Pretty (yet practical) things
5. The thought of holidays!!

6. Food (not all the time though...)
7. Mini Cooper

Seven things I say:
1. Wah Lau!
2. Sure or not??
3. So des (in japanese )
4. Erm...
5. .... meh?

6. Don't like that lah...

7. (Just =) ... a smile speaks a million words)

Seven books that I love: (not really love but surely like. Then again other than Bible, I don't read a lot...)
1. Bible
2. I Kissed Dating Goodbye by Joshua Harris
3. Passion and Purity by Elizabeth Elliot

4. Shape (its a magazine :P)

5. Briefings (its a magazine too!)

6. (I told you I don't read a lot....)

7. (I really cannot get 7 lah...)

Seven movies I've loved: (in no particular order)

1. Turn Left, Turn Right

2. The Hero

3. Titanic :P

4. The Story of Us

5. The Soong Sisters

6. Pearl Harbour

7. Adam's Apple

Seven tags:

1. Quop

2. Marxx

3. Pigstorm

4. Carpe Diem

5. Neonangel

6. Rust

7. My DG

The "Squalor" Song

First heard this song on the Kingsway double cd "In Christ Alone - Yesterday, Today, Forever". Simple guitar tune and the songs speaks of who Jesus Christ is and what He has done for you and I. I was glad that R introduced this song to the church congregation last weekend. I shall choose this to sing at the coming weekend's service again :)

This is the first time I heard the word "Squalor". It basically means a filthy and wretched condition or quality or sordid dirtiness. This describes the condition of the stable where Jesus was born. Jesus the King and Saviour of the world was not born in a 6-star hotel but the squalor of a borrowed stable in Bethlehem...

From the Squalor of A Borrowed Stable
(By Stuart Townend)

From the squalor of a borrowed stable, by the Spirit and a virgin's faith
To the anguish and the shame of scandal, came the Saviour of the human race!
But the skies were filled with the praise of heav'n, shepherds listen as the angels tell
Of the Gift of God come down to man, at the dawning of Immanuel.

King of heaven now the friend of sinners, humble servant in the Father's hands
Filled with power and the Holy Spirit, filled with mercy for the broken man
Yes he walked my road and he felt my pain, joys and sorrows that I know so well;
Yet his righteous steps give me hope again, I will follow my Immanuel!

Through the kisses of a friend's betrayal, he was lifted on a cruel cross
He was punished for a world's transgressions, he was suffering to save the lost.
He fights for breath, he fights for me, loosing sinners from the claims of hell;
And with a shout our souls are free, death defeated by Immanuel!

Now he's standing in the place of honour, crowned with glory on the highest throne,
Interceding for his own beloved, till his Father calls to bring them home!
Then the skies will part as the trumpet sounds, hope of heaven or the fear of hell;
But the bride will run to her lover's arms, giving glory to Immanuel!

Anyone Interested In A New Gospel?

I attended a church service in Australia some 3 years ago where the preacher challenged us to have new revelations from God in this new age and era. I left the service wondering if there was really a new revelation from God and a new gospel...

Having been a Christian for a number of years, I realised that it can be the case where the gospel that I believed in and gave my life to God by believing in His Son Jesus Christ in response to, can be easily put behind my mind. I don't think I am the only Christian who thinks like that. It is very easy to think that the gospel which I had once heard, is enough for me since I am now a believer of Christ, a Christian and I have eternal life. Therefore I need not think of the gospel and know about the gospel any much further, not until and unless I need to share it with non-believers.... Either that or I can know every detail about the gospel but in my refusal to believe and trust in it and without it transforming my life, those will only just be words that run through my mind.

I am thankful that in my church, we will study 1 gospel every beginning of the year. The 4 gospel books in the Bible (Matthew, Mark, Luke, John) will be rotated year after year and our DGs will study the Bible and sermons will be preached according to the book that we cover. I think I only begin to appreciate why a gospel has to be put in every year. This is to remind us that we cannot and should never tire of learning, knowing and being reminded of the truth of God, the word of life, the gospel of Jesus Christ. The good news of Jesus Christ (gospel) is what we as believers heard and responded to and this is the basis of our Christian faith, the only reason why we still continue to persevere to live godly lives. I remembered Pastor always says that if one day we ever get tired of hearing about Jesus Christ, then we are probably in great danger... and if ever one day he stop preaching about Jesus Christ, we would know that he is not very right...

We are now studying the first 5 chapters of John. At the beginning of DG a few evenings ago, my DGL asked us what we have been learning from the last 3 studies thus far. I led the last study in John 3 where a Pharisee Jewish leader, Nicodemus went to look for Jesus in the dark and in their conversation, Jesus told Nicodemus how one has to be 'born again' to enter the Kingdom of God. Nicodemus, a Jewish leader himself would probably think he would know better than anyone about the way to heaven and what it takes for salvation. But surprisingly, him being a religious leader doesn't grant him automatic entry into God's Kingdom. One has to be 'born again' - born of the water and of the Spirit to gain that entry. Born of the water is to be cleansed as how God said in the Old Testament in Ezekiel that He will cleanse His people of water to make them righteous before Him. To be born of the Spirit, Jesus told Nicodemus that only God can give this Spirit to man as He wills. It takes a simple faith and complete belief in Jesus Christ, the Son of Man to be saved and have eternal life.

To me, I am thankful that through God's word, I am reminded of my need for the gospel and I'm glad that I have not tire from hearing the gospel and it is my prayer that I will never take the gospel for granted but ever be gripped by God's love demonstrated for me in that way, and so that the gospel will be lived out in my life...

I remembered that I have a book titled "Believers Need the Gospel". I fished it out from my cupboard and here are some snips of the book to share.... Its true that believers need the gospel and it should never be out of our lives.

What is the gospel?
It is the good news about Christ – the message of what God has done in and through the Lord Jesus Christ to deal with man’s sin and to make the guilty sinner acceptable to a holy God. (The gospel) is not about Christ healing our bodily diseases. He may do that but that’s not the gospel. Neither is the gospel solving our marriage, emtional or financial problem. The gospel is about Christ dealing with our sin. Sin involves the cross and the cross is always an offense to sinful man because it accuses us, judges us, condemns us. This is the offense of the cross but the glory of the cross is that its only hope of salvation.

The gospel, in spite of the fact that its good news, is the most hated and opposed message the world has ever heard. That's because it doesn't merely say "God loves you and wants to spend eternity with Him in heaven" That's only half the gospel and to preach only that is to be a false prophet. Its to preach "Peace, peace," when there's no peace... the gospel always starts by talking of mankind in sin. Only then it does say "God loves you and can deal with your sin and save you." People don't like hearing the message of sin. No one likes being told they are wrong on any point, but to be told, as the gospel does, that our whole life is totally wrong is unacceptable.

The gospel is the power of God to save and this is the sinner’s only hope.. Such is the reality of the bondage of sin that man is in and such is the power of sin in every human being’s life, that nothing short of the greater power of God could make any one of us a Christian… it provides men’s and women’s greatest need: a righteousness to make them acceptable to God. It (gospel) alone deals with their greatest problem: God’s wrath upon them because of sin.

John Piper also wrote something about "How Does the Gospel Save Believers" available in part 1 and part 2.

Also see "2 ways to live" - the heart of Christianity and the choice we have to make.

I pray for you and I that we will always remember and be thankful for God's love for us shown through Jesus Christ at all seasons of our lives.... and to respond to Him by surrendering our wretched lives, to turn away from Sin and turn to Jesus Christ, believe in Him and live a life of righteousness and holiness as He desired us to.

When Two Become One

From tomorrow for the next 3 weeks, I have been invited for a total of 6 weddings - a friend from junior college, colleagues (one couple) and 4 invites from church! This has been a record of so many weddings within a short period of time!! However I am only available to attend 4 of them...

Happen to get the chance to chat with the groom-to-be who is my colleague (Both the bride and groom knew each other in the workplace and I know both of them) today. This excited groom-to-be went on to tell me his preparations, the phototaking, the dinner food, etc... I tried to be as excited with him too but I realised that could not be hyped up. I guess what he has described to me were all too familiar... after all, I have coordinated about 8 weddings in the last 4 years and also helped out in small ways in other weddings - singing, reception, bridesmaid, bridal entourage... I have seen much of the wedding event itself and I know the kind of preparation it takes. So maybe that was why although I understand the excitement of the groom, I could not be as excited with him... although truly, I am very happy for him and his bride.

It makes me wonder if I am jaded by all the weddings that I have been involved with. I remembered someone has ever asked me before if helping out and coordinating weddings has made me jaded about wedding/marriage. My answer was a No. Although coordinating weddings can be tiring physically and mentally, I must say that it has been always a joy for me to be able to serve the couple and to be able to help ensure the day's programme go on smoothly, ensure the bride and groom looks good, photo poses are nice, every little detail that I can observe and help make things right. A wedding is a once-in-a-lifetime experience (for the majority) and it would be nice if everything were to turn out right. Some (if not all) would have a dream idea of their own perfect wedding. But I will also always remind the couple (in a lovingly subtle way) that the marriage is more important than the wedding day itself. A day compared with a lifetime together. So there is nothing much to panic on that big day. Anything can go wrong but everything can also be right :) The most important thing that day is to successfully sign the papers :P

For me, the best moment on the wedding day as a guest or helper, is the moment when I witness the couple make their marriage vows before God and when stories of how the couple come together gets shared with everyone. Understanding God's purpose for marriage and seeing how 2 different persons meet, know each other and soon to share lives together under His convenant... this can strike a chord and warms my heart. A few times, I have to hold back my tears - tears of joy and thankfulness to God for His hand in their lives. Hmm.... perhaps I am not really jaded after all.... I can still feel for the couple and I do still want to get married :P

My colleague told me that 2006 is a good and auspicious year for weddings (better than 2005) and this is probably the reason why so many couples are getting married this year. There is an average of 2 couples per month getting married in my church till the end of the year but I doubt its got to do with any auspicious day/year. The biggest reason is due the presence of many young adults of marriageable ages. Boy, my 2 pastors will be very busy this year just with presiding weddings. I shall not join the crowd then ;P

Happy Hormones

Thank God for endorphins - hormones that are released during exercise that gives one an 'exercise high' or 'runner's high'. These are the same hormones that are stimulated when you eat chocolates. Endorphins make one feel good and happy.

Felt so totally washed-out, brainless and stressed up yesterday. So drained that even a walk doesn't help. I made the right choice by hitting the gym to work out my muscles (but now I'm suffering from DOMS). Endorphins are released and I felt better.

Like it wasn't enough, I treated myself to my favourite yoghurt after my exercise. Yum... vanilla yoghurt mixed with frozen fruits... my all-time favourite would be with cherries, blueberries and strawberries (yup all the berry family).

It was the best combination when I ate my favourite yoghurt in my car, listening to Joi Chua's album, whilst my car is being washed at a manual car wash station. Somehow being in the car when the car is being washed is therapeutic for me.... well probably it has the same effect as driving in the rain (provided that it is not too heavy rain!!) It seemed like watching the rain (when I am in a dry indoor area) has a calming effect on me.

Go ahead and try the above method(s) to destress :) but I supposed it may work for some but not others.... Cheer up!! Grab those chocolates! Get your heart pumping! TGIF!! :))

关怀方式

Titled "关怀方式" which means the ways/methods (方式) that I and you show care/concern (关怀). This is a Chinese song sang in a romantic television movie made and produced in Singapore some (about) 10 years back. The tune is very simple and easy to catch and it can be sang along with simple guitar chords.

Shall dedicate this for a friend who only knows the tune but does not know the lyrics... :) here it goes....

寂寞开在心事旁
(ji mo kai zai xin shi pang)
随手中一些伤感
(sui shuo zhong yi xie shang gan)
不让星星来规探
(bu rang xing xing lai gui tan)
找个沉默的夜晚
(zhao ge chen mo de ye wan)

找个沉默的夜晚
(zhao ge chen mo de ye wan)
不让星星来规探
(bu rang xing xing lai gui tan)
随手中一些伤感
(sui shuo zhong yi xie shang gan)
寂寞开在心事旁
(ji mo kai zai xin shi pang)

我的关怀方式是你无法擦觉得悲凉
(wo de guan huai fang shi shi ni wo fa ca jue de bei liang)
只能在你不经意时才锁上我心房
(zhi neng zai ni bu jing yi shi cai suo shang wo xin fang)
你往常的亲切友善　是我今生的遗憾
(ni wang chang de qin qie you shan shi wo jin sheng de yi han)
受伤后无悔的埋在不流露的脸上
(shou shang hou wu hui de mai zai bu liu lu de lian shang)

For the Love of God

New album release from Emu Music!

Anyone in Sydney can get it for me?

Nah... I will go get it myself when I go there later this year...

For more info on the new album, see here.

Happy Valentine's Day!

Its Valentine's Day today and I received some emails relating to it.


Just wanted to say HELLO...
Hope you're hanging in there okay.
Hope things are good where you are and that work is not too hard on you.
Hope you're taking some time for yourself, too.
Just wanted to say HELLO and send you something on ...Valentine's Day!!

-----------------------------------

In another email, I was given a link to a "May You Be Blessed" video clip.

-----------------------------------

Then I was told about the history of Valentine's Day and how it came about... (I'm not sure if it is true)

St Valentine's Day is one of a few global celebrations whose origin has long since been lost in the myth and mist of time. On the face of it, it would appear to be a fairly new celebration, given the Christian naming, however its origin stretches further into the past.

The 14th February started out as a festival rather more given over to sexual pleasures than romantic outpourings. The Romans celebrated this day as the festival of Lupercalia, a celebration of Juno, the Goddess of love. On the day cards would be drawn randomly to partner men and women together for the feast and the sexual games which were an integral part of it. This is most likely the origin of the Valentine's Card - although they don't tend to be given with such hedonistic ideas in mind these days.

When Christianity started to become popular throughout Europe, the devout set about systematically changing all the pagan festival days the Romans had so enjoyed, and replacing them with rather more austere Christian versions.

Naturally, the early church had a rather dim view of people spending the 14th of February indulging in unbridled sexual congress with total strangers, and then stuffing themselves with food and wine, so the devout cast around for a worthy saint to replace poor old Juno.

Enter Saint Valentine aka Valentinus. Rather conveniently, Valentinus had been martyred on 14th February. Unfortunately, Valentinus was known as an extremely chaste and pious man and not even vaguely schooled in the art of love. The church, however, was never one to let facts get in the way of a good ritual so set about inventing a history for Valentinus which would be more in line with their new 'festival of romance'.

So, from being the sort of chap who you'd avoid at all costs at a party, Valentinus was transformed into a romantic worthy of a Byron poem. A myth arose that Valentinus ignored a decree from Emperor Claudius II that there should be no marriage ceremonies and secretly wedding couples until he was caught, imprisoned and sentenced to death. To add even more romance around the history of Valentinus, a story sprang up that, whilst in jail, he cured the jailer's daughter of blindness and soon fell madly in love with each other. Then, on the day of his execution, he sent her a card expressing his love and signing off with "From your Valentine".

Whilst the above story was touching and romantic in its own sense, to me, the greatest expression of love... an unconditional love was shown to me as written by the apostle John "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him." (John 3:16-17)

Also, from the apostle Paul, I know that in Ephesians 1:4-6: "For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will—to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves."

In Paul's letter to the Ephesians, I thank God that He has given me every spiritual blessing in Christ. (To understand more, read Ephesians 1:1-14) God has given me the best gift of love in the person of Jesus Christ, who has died in my place so that I can have a personal relationship with God.

Dear Lord, thank you for loving and saving me. Thank you also for the person who wrote me a poem :)

有你多好

(re-post)
有你多好
幸福在远 我愿意陪你冒险
世界在吵 在我耳边
都只有你的声线
虽然你的爱不明显
我会放在我的心里面

原来天一直蓝的美丽
原来我不确新鲜空气
原来窗没打开而已
原来路不是到了尾端
你就在我下一个转弯
带着我走过黑暗

只怕我生命太短 来不及陪你潇湘
握在我手上 属于我们的天堂
离开所有别人眼光 自由飞翔

有你多好
幸福在远 我愿意陪你冒险
世界在吵 在我耳边
都只有你的声线
虽然你的爱不明显
其实我都察觉

有你多好
幸福在远 我愿意陪你冒险
我们最好能一起老
正明爱不会消见
最好谁会先看不见
也要活在对方心里面

Qualities A (Godly) Woman Should Possess

I cannot remember where I read this but I had taken note of them quite some time back. Basically these are qualities that apparently would be appealing to men :)

Women: Take note! :P

Men: Is this true??

(Not in any particular order of importance....)

• Feminine
• Affirmative Encourager
• Tenderness
• Sensitive
• Vulnerable
• Contented
• Secure in the Lord
• Can handle adversity
• Quietly courageous
• Maternal
• Gentle & quiet spirit

Whether the above is totally true or not (it may be subjective to some men), in the Bible there are some verses which tells us how Christians / godly women ought to behave / to look like:

(Prov 31:30) Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.

(1 Peter 3:1-4) Wives, in the same way be submissive to your husbands so that, if any of them do not believe the word, they may be won over without words by the behavior of their wives, when they see the purity and reverence of your lives. Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as braided hair and the wearing of gold jewelry and fine clothes. Instead, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God's sight.

(Eph 4:2) Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.

(Gal 5:22) The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.

(Col 3:12) Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.

(Titus 2:4-5) and so train the young women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled, pure, working at home, kind and submissive to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be reviled.

(1 Tim 3:11) In the same way, their wives are to be women worthy of respect, not malicious talkers but temperate and trustworthy in everything.

(1 Tim 2:9-11) I also want women to dress modestly, with decency and propriety, not with braided hair or gold or pearls or expensive clothes, but with good deeds, appropriate for women who profess to worship God. A woman should learn in quietness and full submission.

God's Answers to Troubled Thoughts

While I was having my lunch break the other day, I brought along my Bible to prepare for my coming DG's bible study. My mind has been preoccupied with some thoughts of which will not go away. I had been thinking and also praying to commit to God during the little pockets of time in the day. After reading the John 3 passage in preparation for DG. My thoughts flew to what I had been thinking about again and in my heart asking "God, what should I do?" (for probably the 20th time). I thought about how I should pray and decided to flip to Phillippians to look for the verse which I had earlier blogged about praying. As I was flipping the pages of the Bible to find Phillippians, the pages somehow stopped at a passage in Colossians 3 (Colossians is before the book of Philippians). My eyes very quickly drew attention to 3 verses that were highlighted in pink on that page (I don't have many highlighted portions in my Bible).

(Colossians 3) 12Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. 13Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. 14And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.

Although I don't quite believe in flipping the Bible and picking out the verses that you like to fit my circumstances, yet I can't help that my attention was drew to the word "love". I have been thinking and praying how to respond to a particular situation and how best I can do it in (Christ's) love. In the verses, God said to be clothing ourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.

1. Compassion: a sense of shared suffering, most often combined with a desire to alleviate or reduce such suffering; to show special kindness to those who suffer. Jesus was a good example of this.
2. Kindness: the act of being tender, considerate and helpful. It also means tolerant under provocation and being good hearted.
3. Humility: the state of being humble. A humble person is generally thought to be unpretentious and modest: someone who does not think that he or she is better or more important than others.
4. Gentleness: Being gentle is to show a tender nature.
5. Patience: Good-natured tolerance of delay or incompetence.

Clothing ourselves with the above attributes/virtues and being able to forgive others is what I should do. Above all, put on love. Having those virtues is how that I can show love.

I decided to read the verses before and after the above verses so that I can get a better idea of the context of the passage. There was a header at the beginning of Colossians 3 that says "Rules for Holy Living".

1Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. 2Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. 3For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. 4When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.

By acknowledging Jesus Christ as my God and Saviour, I can have eternal life. The Bible tells us that God has a place for me in heaven. I have been raised with Christ (now because I am saved. But not yet fulfilled because Jesus will be coming again and then I will be really raised up with Him) and therefore my heart and mind should focus on things that are above (heaven) and not earthly things (also see verse 5 below). Things that are of the 'above' are things that matter to God - our faith in Him Jesus Christ and our godliness and holiness. Other than putting on love to deal with the situation, I am also reminded to focus on heavenly things.

5Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. 6Because of these, the wrath of God is coming. 7You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived. 8But now you must rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips. 9Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices 10and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator. 11Here there is no Greek or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all, and is in all.

God tells us to put to death everything that belongs to our earthly nature. Sad to say, our earthly nature is sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires, greed, lies, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from our lips. By 'putting to death' is to repent, say NO to them and turn away from them... and turn towards Christ. God is angry with us because of our such nature. But because of Christ, we can put off our old self and be renewed. None of us can say that we are totally free from the list above. But God has assured us that because of Christ, we can be made new BUT we have to 'put to death' those things. 'Putting to death' is not only verbally saying and acknowledging a 'NO' but also that we do what we can (by God's grace) flee from any temptations (or situations) that will lead us back to sin. This reminds me that I am also human and a sinner needing God's grace and salvation. 'Big' sin or 'small' sin, there are all Sin and I too, a sinner is no different from others, needing to put away those things.

15Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. 16Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. 17And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

The above verses reminded me to let God's word dwell in me. God's word can teach and admonish (meaning reprove, take to task, warn, caution) each other with wisdom. I should also be filled with thanksgiving to Him who has given us peace.

After reading through the verses and reflecting on them, I cannot help but marvel at how God has assured me through His word in the Bible. I chanced upon Colossians 3 and the passage does encourage and remind me as I was thinking and praying about the situation. I know to some this might sound absurd that I had 'chanced upon' the passage and it 'applied' to me. I kinda had some answers to my question to God "What should I do?" as I was thinking and praying during the day. But I wasn't sure if I was right... Reading this Bible passage has then served to affirm my answers. It seemed like God's way of telling me "My child, I have already given you the answers in your thoughts and prayers by my Spirit. Here are my words in the Bible to confirm it." By His wisdom, I will know how to handle the situation practically, in the way that will please Him.

"Thanks and Praise to You Lord" :)

My First Time

Last Friday when my company had Lo Hei, there was a little red bag of 2 oranges (tangerines) and an ang bao of 2 chocolcates (wrapped in the shape of golden coins) given to us.

Everyday since, I have been seeing the red paper bag in front of me, wondering when I should eat up the oranges. Finally today, I decided to pick up one of them. Little known to people, I'm not a great fan of orange, but when they are peeled or juiced, I will eat them. But I won't deliberately peel them just to eat them. I know I sound pampered but well I just don't eat them when they are not peeled. But when people peels them for me (like my daddy), I won't mind enjoying it. I just don't make the effort to peel them to eat because I don't particularly love. i.e. I can live without it :P

I have seen people peeling the oranges before. But I almost forgot. So after confirming with my colleague that I should peel from the bottom of the orange, I began on the task... and because I have relatively long nails, peeling it was not a difficult task. So peeling oranges wasn't that difficult after all! :P

My boss happened to walk to my workstation (something which he rarely does, since we are located at different offices) and seeing me peeling the oranges and eating them, commented that I must not eat too much of them as they can cause one to get sore throat (that was what happened to him). When I smiled and told him that it was my first time peeling the oranges by myself, he cheekily said "You don't need to do it yourself, cos your boyfriend peels for you right?" Anyway, the point is if a doctor tells me not to eat too much, I better listen ;) So I wil probably only have the other remaining orange tomorrow and won't eat it for some time until... next Chinese New Year?? Hee then I won't need to peel oranges for the time being :P

"I did it! My first time!"

Strangely I have more patience to shell roasted chestnuts. Hmm, I guess because I love to eat them! :)

God Speaking??

I collected some postcards a long time ago. They were printed by a local Christian organisation. I thought that the messages were simple yet speak volumes...

I am here. God

There are 6,200,000,000 people on the planet. But I made only one of you. God

What do I have to do to get your attention? Send you a postcard? God

Don't forget your umbrella, I might water the plants today. God

Don't drink and drive, you're not quite ready to meet me yet. God

Am I Only 4 or 5 Years Old?

To continue about my little friend... A conversation between us yesterday went like this:

(Her mum and I were chatting about people getting married)
Cha: Mum, I told you already... I don't like my favourite che che to get married! (she always evesdrop at adults' conversation)
Me: Cha, you mean I cannot get married?
Cha: Yes, you cannot.
Me: Why?
(she could not verbalise her answer to why she doesn't like it. But her mum and I knew that it was because she feels that I will love her less when I get married)

(At another conversation with Cha at the poolside)
Me: Cha, I really cannot get married?
Cha: No
Me: Then are you going to get married?
Cha: Yes
Me: When are you getting married?
Cha: Erm... when I'm 5 years old (this bum is 4 years old soon)
Me: 5 years old!?!? But I'm more than 5 years old, surely I can marry?
Cha: How old are you?
Me: I'm 2-x years old
Cha: Uh!!! That is like my mummy!!
Me: No, your mummy is older than me... so Cha, when can I get married?
Cha: When you are 5 years old, you can get married like me
Me: But Cha, I am more than 5 years old....

This was then I realise this bum probably regard me as her peer. After all, I am the only adult that she addresses as che che (sister). There are 2 other female adults whom she cannot make up her mind if she should address them as che che or auntie. So sometimes she goes "Aun-che xxx" (hybrid of both but because she change her mind half way, it came out as 'Aun-che') but for me, she always address me as che che island or island che che.

Not that Cha is weak with her numbers, but she probably just have a yardstick of only being able to get married at 5 years old... (I wonder where she got that number from) and so she discounts the fact that I am way past 5 and that I cannot meet the/her criteria. Hmm... I shall go ask her who she will marry when she is 5...

In another heartwarming incident, Cha got the mistaken idea that I was unhappy about something from her parents. She told her parents "Tell che che island don't worry, I love you. Next time when I see you, I will cheer you up...." So when I met her yesterday, she made a little handicraft for me, saying "Whenever you are upset, remember to look at this that I make for you. And when you see this, you cannot be upset anymore..."

Isn't it so sweet of her? Sigh this bum... when she grows up, I will make sure I re-tell these stories to her!

To Give or Not To Give Ang Bao

Reading Carpe Diem's entry on Memoirs of a Swinging Single reminded me of numerous similar encounters I have had this CNY season.

Scenario 1: 1st day of CNY part 1

Mum's oldest sister (my auntie) wished me CNY greetings and added that she hopes to see my boyfriend next year's CNY... “明年带一个‘手牵手’的给我看啦!”

Scenario 2: 1st day of CNY part 2

Went to church service in the morning. Everyone were doing the usual CNY greetings. As I was greeting one of my church elder, he went "Happy New Year! So how? Are you getting married this year?"

I know that this man is concerned for me. In the quickness of my answer, I went "I don't know! But are you prophesying something??" But of course I knew he was just probably trying to pull a fast one on me....

Scenario 3: 2nd day of CNY

Dad's cousin asked me if I have a boyfriend. After my honest reply of a No, she went on to ask why and if I was setting my expectations too high and if I were looking for the 5C-man. 5Cs being Cash, Condominium, Career, Credit Card, Car.

In my attempt to want her to not continue with the interrogation, I told her that 5Cs are not enough and I am looking for 10Cs. But of course she didn't get the point and went on to say things like "Aiyah, don't set too much expectations... find a good man will do...."

Scenario 4: 6th day of CNY

Uncle's family had dinner at my place. Before he went off, he told his son (my young cousin) to say goodbye to me and ask me when he can collect ang bao from me and if it will be next year? My answer to him was that he wait a longer time and probably he will get the chance to get it from my sister first.

Scenario 5: A few days before CNY

Spoke to one colleague on the phone. She asked me if I had any planned holidays this year. I told her that I might be going Australia twice for a wedding and a music conference and of course not forgetting my annual church camp.

"Hey, why is it that your holidays are always to Australia? Nowhere else in the world to travel to? You got boyfriend there, is it?" she went.

"Do I? How come I don't know? You know something that I don't know?" was my 'trying-to-act-blur' answer.

Worse thing is, when people ask my mum if I have a boyfriend, her answer will be "I don't know! Maybe she has but she don't want to tell me..."

Although it is not the case where I choose to be single, I also know the value of being patient until the time where God decides to change my gift of singleness to a gift of marriage. I always tell my mum that isn't it better that I marry the right man rather than marry early and marry the wrong man and suffer for the rest of my life? i.e. I should not rush into marriage just because, socially-speaking, that is the 'right' thing to do.

If anything, I am really thankful for the genuine concern of my family, relatives, friends and colleagues. I know of the many married friends whom I have coordinated weddings for or helped in, waiting for that one day where they can see me happily getting married and ever ready waiting for their turn to return the help that I have given to them. There were also some couples who arranged social get-togethers so that I can get to know Guy A and Guy B, etc... I find it very amusing also, to see how both my guy and gal friends can be so so so excited for me about the possibility of a potential man.... so excited for me that they can scream out in their excitement in the public and embarrass me... :) sometimes, knowing that I have friends like these who care for me seemed sufficient for me to be happy... even probably if God is not gonna do a gift exchange with me....

The only one person who doesn't wish for me to get married is probably my little friend Cha Cha. Even at 4 years old, she understands what is getting married. If you were to ask her, she will tell you that she won't like her favourite che che to get married. But of course this little bum is worried that I will love her less then now. Hmm, I wonder if she will ever consent to be my flower girl... :)

捞呀捞，捞得风生水起！

The Lo Hei season continued in my office today. But of course the ingredients were much better than that at my DG gathering. There were decorations to enhance the mood. Chinese New Year music was also played which probably helped to remind everyone that it is still the CNY period.

Everyone went around to wish each other new year greetings and a good year ahead. But of course the highlight was still the Lo Hei action in place!!

发糕 "Fa" cake - eat more of it and one will prosper!

(It seemed like a messier affair with my colleagues!)

Lo Hei!! (捞起)

Lo Hei is part of the local tradition during the Chinese Lunar New Year. Lo Hei is a Cantonse word for '捞起'. The Chinese equivalent is Lao Yu Sheng '捞鱼生'.

In the Singlish Dictionary, it is explained as the following:

lo hei /loh hay, «U heI/ n., v. & int. [Cant. lo dredge, scoop + hei up; Mand. 捞起 lāoqĭ] A n. An act of partaking in Yusheng, particularly during the Chinese New Year season. B v. Mix or toss a dish of Yusheng during a Chinese meal. C int. Exclamation traditionally uttered when one is mixing or tossing a dish of Yusheng... Lo hei is the act of tossing yu sheng. B 2001 Krist Boo & Samantha Ng (quoting Dawn Ranji David) The Straits Times, 8 February, H2 Yesterday was also yuanxiao jie, the 15th and last day of the Chinese New Year, which is typically marked with family reunions, lanterns and the eating of tangyuen (sweet rice-flour balls). .. ‘I suppose it’s their last chance to lo hei?’ she said, referring to the custom of tossing raw-fish salad for good luck.

Essentially, the plate of ingredients for Lo Hei includes shredded carrots, cucumber, raddish, chilli-like stripes, preserved onions, raw fish (salmon is the most popular fish), a few types of sauces like plum sauce, honey and others like pepper, cornflakes, sesame seeds... Each ingredient signifies something to the effect of prosperity, good luck, good health, etc... for the year ahead. And from an article that I have read somewhere before, there was a write-up on the list of Chinese auspicious words that are to be said as one pours each ingredient into the plate. I can't find it now... In addition, good and auspicious words are also be uttered as one toss the ingredients.

If you want to know more about it (and if you understand Chinese words), you may read it from a Lian He Zao Bao article dated back in 2001. In the mean time, my DG gathered during the festive season and here is a video recording of the Lo Hei :)