Appreciating the Greatest of all Miracles in the Midst of Total Simplicity

Thought of sharing this devotion.. in conjunction with the coming of Christmas season.

For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son (John 3:16, NIV).
Do you understand why Jesus came to earth as a man? Read on.

May God bless you all.
~
I make room for things that are important to me. I eat two or three meals every day and sleep several hours each night even though my "to do" list is not much shorter today than it was yesterday. I will choose to play with a grandchild over cleaning the house any day of the week. I manage to find a place for that great piece of furniture I don't really need ... but really like. After all, it was on sale. I like watches. Don't ask me why because I simply don't know. I only need one watch, but I own several inexpensive ones. I will have lunch with a friend instead of running errands. And there is always room for chocolate! Silly examples ... right?
I wonder. I wonder what the innkeeper thought as he turned away the young man and his very pregnant wife that holy night so long ago. He had no room ... it was that simple. Do we?
The Christmas season is here. Our calendars are already full, our bank accounts are closing in on empty and our hearts and lives are crowded with things we deem important. But have we made room for Jesus?
I simply cannot imagine a world without the presence of God and yet I often live my life as if He does not exist. A crisis hits, and I try to handle it on my own. I don't understand the trials in my life while those who could care less about God seem to prosper. Instead of reaching out to Him, I withdraw into the darkness. Financial stress fuels worry. Instead of turning to God, I rely on what I can see and understand. I settle.
When I do cry out to God, He lovingly fills each dark corner with Light. His love flows over the pain like soothing balm and once again, I experience the manger. Once again, Jesus Christ steps into the smelly, unlikely and very ordinary existence that is mine to change everything ... absolutely everything!
Jesus could have come to us in many ways. The simplicity of His birth is extraordinary and sometimes hard to grasp. Jesus could have been born in a mansion. He was, after all, a King. Instead, He came to a dirty smelly manger and His birth was announced by common shepherds instead of Kings -- the greatest of all miracles in the midst of total simplicity. Today, Jesus still wants to meet us in the midst of our simple daily lives. It seems too easy and too good to be true, doesn't it?
It was Christmas Eve, and the family was preparing to attend the special service of their local church. Everyone was going except Dad, who was an honest man, a man who could not seem to wrap his logical mind around the story of God come to earth as a baby in a manger. He didn't want to be a hypocrite, pretending to worship a Savior he wasn't sure even existed, so he stayed home, built a fire to dispel the bitter cold of that winter night and began to read the paper while waiting for his family's return. Hearing a knock at the window, he turned to see a tiny bird trying to reach the warmth of the fire. The man opened the window, but the bird refused to come in. Grabbing his coat, the man raced out to the barn and opened the barn doors wide ... but still, the bird refused to come in. The man thought, "If only I could be a bird, for just one minute, I could lead the bird to safety." At that moment, he heard the church bells ring and finally understood why Jesus came to earth as a man - to become one of us - so He could lead us to eternal safety.
The very heart of Christmas is Emanuel, God with us ... with me ... and with you. Christmas is not a date on a calendar. Christmas is a way of life that celebrates the presence of God in the simple, ordinary happenings of daily life: where we go and what we do -- the smile we give the harried stranger or the patience we choose in the crowd of impatient shoppers -- the love that prompts the secret gift or the heart that constantly celebrates His birth through every sparkling light, every beautifully wrapped gift, each special meal, every card, phone call and visit. God is with us ... if we choose to make room for Him.
Let's Pray
Father, today I celebrate the reality of Your presence in my life. Thank You for sending Your Son to earth as a tiny baby in a manger. I celebrate the birth of Jesus and the gift of life that He brings. I choose to receive Your gift of love and forgiveness for my sins. I now surrender everything I am or ever hope to be to You. Please take control of my life and direct my paths. I promise to follow. In Jesus's name, amen.
 ~
Amen. Merry Christmas to all! =)

Beyond that smile

Beyond that smile, there are hurts which you never knew...
Beyond that smile, there are tears which you never seen...
You can never understand how much a person can mean to somebody.. until you put yourself in her shoes.. And when you put yourself in her shoes, you can't seem to understand as much, until you face similar situation yourself..

How can a heart be so fragile? How can God created us this big need..to be loved, to be understood, to be accompanied, to be cared for? How can a seemingly important person in your life, suddenly become the least important person, & you wouldn't even care how is she doing?


Maybe, just maybe, time can fade everything away, every memory away.. But, it is worth it? Is avoidance the best way? Or do we have to deal with it honestly & openly?

I'm dizzy.. and confused. Are things going to be alright, if we keep using the tool of avoidance?

A friend who studied psychologist says, an issue will never really be gone UNTIL you deal with it. Avoidance is a bad way to deal with, because it may arise further complications in the future.. 1 day, the problem may pop up again & we'll still make the same mistake. We need to FACE it. But, how, oh how, can we have the courage? When will God give us this courage?

Hope is the only thing. Hope in God, that one day, in His time, He will make all things beautiful.. in His Time ...

After 1 + 1/2 months of overworking

It's been about one & a half months that me & my team are working on this big project. We have been through sleepless nights together, zombie nights, sleeping talking, sleeping walking & even sleep-working. Towards the end of the submission due date, we stayed back late at night to work. Last night we were in the office until 2AM!

A glimpse of the piles & piles of files that has been compiled..

Along the way, i met many angels.. I'm so touched that when i asked help from colleagues from other department, their answer were:
"It's my pleasure!"
"What are friends for? A friend in need is a friend indeed!"
"Okie dokey!"

I said, "You are my angel".
Her reply, "You are my angel too.. You always cheer people up".

So these are the end product which are packed into huge boxes...

And with the naughty me sitting on it...

A result of all exhausted days & nights.. my brain became jammed many times.. oh no.. head damage.. i can hardly think clearly & brain has become slow.. due to heavy lack of sleep :(
Forgive me when i say weird things or being silenced at other times, all at either extreme. What i lack of is sleep. but i'm a weirdo who thinks sleeping is boring & lonely.. anyways.. ... ...

However, i can still sing & i enjoy singing for the Lord.

A "commercial" break ...

Notice the girl at the most left? She is from SMCGC. What a breath-taking gorgeous lady who look alike Final Fantasy!

The Love Story of a King

There was a king who loved a humble maiden. The king was like no other king. Every statesman trembled before his power. No one dared breathe a word against him, for he had the strength to crush all opponents.
And yet this mighty king was melted by love for a humble maiden who lived in a poor village in his kingdom. How could he declare his love for her? In an odd sort of way, his kingliness tied his hands. If he brought her to the palace and crowned her head with jewels and clothed her body in royal robes, she would surely not resist-no one dared resist him. But would she love him?
She would say she loved him, of course, but would she truly? Or would she live with him in fear, nursing a private grief for the life she had left behind? Would she be happy at his side? How could he know for sure? If he rode to her forest cottage in his royal carriage, with an armed escort waving bright banners, that too would overwhelm her. He did not want a cringing subject. He wanted a lover, an equal. He wanted her to forget that he was a king and she a humble maiden and to let shared love cross the gulf between them. For it is only in love that the unequal can be made equal.
The king, convinced he could not elevate the maiden without crushing her freedom, resolved to descend to her. Clothed as a beggar, he approached her cottage with a worn cloak fluttering loose about him. This was not just a disguise--the king took on a totally new identity--He had renounced his throne to declare his love and to win hers.
Likewise, the King, your King, lowered himself to a place of putting on human flesh in His pursuit of your heart. Paul described it this way:
[Jesus] who, being in very nature God,
Did not consider equality with God something to be grasped,
But made himself nothing,
Taking the very nature of a servant,
Being made in human likeness.
And being found in appearance as a man,
He humbled himself
And became obedient to death --
Even death on a cross!
Therefore God exalted him to the highest place
And gave him the name that is above every name,
That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
In heaven and on earth and under the earth,
And every tongue confess that
Jesus Christ is Lord,
To the glory of God the Father (Philippians 2:6-11)
Why would God do such a thing? Because He loves you and longs to have an intimate, personal relationship with you. It was a high price to pay, but Jesus knew you were worth it.
Oh friend, you are not only chosen, you are pursued to the utmost! Chosen. Pursued. Loved. And when you understand the great lengths God has gone through and continues to go through to win your love, it changes how you view all of life.

"But made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant," (Philippians 2:7)

义气 (Loyalty)

I came to realize that i'm very loyal in relationships. I'm not to show off about this, because the statement does not end there.. there is a BUT...  I'm loyal in relationships, BUT! i have also expected others to treat me the same. >.<

How could i ever be so selfish, expecting others to repay my loyalty, to also do same to me, which may be beyond their willingness? That may be no more loyalty, but instead, wrong expectations that tend to force others to do what they didn't choose to, out of the heart. 勉强不是幸福。。 hmm...

It all boils down to personality, i guess. For me, it's never easy to find a friend whom you can be comfortable with, whom you can be yourself when you are with them. A friend who accepts you for who you are, who is true to you, whom you can trust 99% (if not, 98% :P), who doesn't mind to give you a hand when you need them, who laughs & cries with you, who is willing to sacrifice quality time for you, who is never against you but always for you, who encourages you when you think you couldn't make it, who lifts up your spirit & make you happy, and most of all, who enjoys & chooses to be with you too... and who stays that way loyally, being best friends forever. Ah, yes, forever.
Wow, this long list is seemingly perfect.. i wonder if i would ever find such a true friend in my life, besides my other half.

Well, i thought i have found, in some point of my life. We have mutually expressively "declared" our commitment towards one another. If i ever choose to have you as my true close friend, nothing may ever change that fact, nothing, & no one, except for you yourself. I will never break my promise to you, but if you choose to break it, of course i would be sad & disappointed, & hurt. However, i have no choice but to respect your decision. I think, i'm still a small naive little girl...in this big big world..

Circumstances have helped me to grow. Life is never a bed of roses. I have stubborn loyalty towards relationships, & this personality has gotten me hurt. Our relationship would never be the same again. This let me thought of a story i heard before...


There was once a young boy with a terrible temper. He
used to speak harshly and get angry many times a day, at
the slightest provocation. His wise father told him that
every time he got angry he had to hammer a nail into the
wood fence in the backyard. The first day the boy ham-
mered 45 nails into the fence – practically his entire day
was spent in the back  yard. The next day, with his arm
sore from hammering, he tried to get angry less. He ham-
mered only 25 nails into the fence the second day.  By the
end of a few weeks, the boy proudly went to his dad and
told him that he had not gotten angry at all that day.
So, the boy’s father told him that now he could start re-
moving the nails from the fence. There were 2 ways that
nails could be removed: either if the boy could go an entire
day without getting mad, or if the boy apologized sincerely
to someone whom he had hurt through his anger.
So, the boy began to apologize to people whom he had
wounded and he tried hard not to get angry. Slowly, slowly,
the nails began to get pulled out of the fence. One day,
the boy proudly went to his dad and told him that all the
nails were out of the fence. He told his dad that his anger
was “a thing of the past.”
His dad then led the boy by the hand to the fence and
showed him how the fence was now riddled with holes. It
was no longer the sturdy, strong fence it once had been.
It was now weakened and damaged. Every time the wind
blew strongly the fence swayed in the wind, for it was so
full of holes that the breeze caused the fence to move.
“Do you see that?” The father asked the boy. “For you,
anger is a thing of the past. Yet, this fence will never re-
cover. Every time you get angry at someone it is like driv-
ing a nail into them. You may later remove the nail, but the
hole is still there. The effect of your anger can not be
removed.”


I have forgiven you, yes i do, but the scar will forever be there. I have come to learn that, i should learn to handle friendships differently. I learnt that it is wrong to have unrealistic expectations like mine. And i'm totally sorry for that. I hope that you would forgive me too.

Jesus teaches us to live peacefully with our brothers & sisters, and He also says that it is more blessed to give than to receive. Thus, if ever I should give, I should never expect anything in return. This is the key to perfect joy.

As a conclusion, loyalty is a good thing. But if it is misused, it will lead to bitterness. I know, I have to learn.. It is hard for me.. but i have to change.. for the better.. Personalities are hard to change, but it's not impossible. Many years ago i have been hurt because of the same reason, yet i have not changed. Lord, pls grant me the strength to overcome & change for the better. Amen.

And, thanks for helping me to grow, my friend... =)

Department-Alone

Many of us had experienced home alone. I have been alone at home since i was still in Primary School, which was just for few hours everyday, when my parents went to work.

What happens if all your colleagues in the office takes leave & you were left all alone for up to a week? Even the head of department went for holiday.

It happens to me just a week ago. I dreaded this day to happen. When the bosses approved my colleagues' leaves, i feel happy for them, but AT THE SAME TIME i felt .. "Why do you guys leave me all alone????" Then they told me not to worry, because the manager would be around, sharing my workload. Then i had a strong feeling that i would surely be bullied...

I prayed that God will be my provision, & He will provide me with angels to assist me, although at that moment it seemed not so possible since the most likely person to work with me would be my manager, who is someone higher authority than me. But i still let God take care of the situation. I even prayed that the workload would be miraculously lesser.

Well, I really thank our Almighty God that He has indeed provided me with an angel.. a trainee in the Technical Department, who eventually became my assistant during the week. She is such a helpful girl & I like her a lot. I really can't make it without her...

Managers & others kept asking me how am i doing handling all things alone.. My answer was always "OK i'm fine". They were surprised & couldn't believe me.. My manager started to give me a "superwoman" title which i think i'm far from that. Well, I'm glad to hear that actually.. All honor & glory be to our Father in Heaven!

I have also found out later that the office was ghosted that week. That week when i was department-alone, i went home around 7pm every night (ALONE), doing my work with most efficiency. I have found out later that the whole office knew about it except me. They said because they did not want to freak me out as they know i would be leaving the office late every night (AND ALONE, & switching off the lights, locking the doors ALONE)

Really thank God for all His provision & protection! God is our refuge & strength, always & forevermore.

This leads me to Psalm 23, where .. though i'm alone, "I will fear no evil, for You are with me".

May God bless you all.
=)

I Just Called to Say, "I Love You"

"Call to me," says the Lord, "and I will answer you and tell you great and mighty things which you do not know," (Jeremiah 33:3).

It was an unusual phone call from my son, Steven. It was the second week of his second semester, his third year in college.
"Hey mom, this is Steven. I just wanted to call and say 'hello'. I haven't talked to you in a while and wanted to see how you were doing."
"Hey bud," I replied. "How are you? How are your classes? Do you like your professors?"
We volleyed questions and answers back and forth. It was a nice intro, and I kept waiting for the request such as, "Could you put an extra $50 in my account for another Philosophy book I had to buy," or a question such as "Does my car insurance go up if I get a parking ticket." But those type questions never came.
"Mom, how are you doing?"
"What have you been up to this week?"
"How's the new book coming?"
After about fifteen minutes into our conversation, I reluctantly asked, "Is everything OK?"
"Yeah," he chuckled. "I just called to talk. Are you surprised?"
"Sort of," I sheepishly admitted. "But it is a wonderful surprise!"
A few minutes later we said our "goodbyes" and "I love yous." Then I sat there and savored the joy of knowing that my son had called...not because he needed anything or had a problem to solve, but just because he loved me. Suddenly I got another call. Only this one was from my Heavenly Father. No, the phone didn't ring, but like a cell phone set on silent mode, God vibrated my heart with that still small voice that I have grown to love so well. Let me paraphrase what He said...
"Sharon, I want you to remember how you feel at this moment. Your son, whom you love more than life itself, has just called to talk to you...not because He wanted anything, not because he had a question about a decision or a detail of life, not because he had a problem to solve. He called just to talk, simply to see what was on your heart - because he loves you. That, my child, whom I love more than life, is the same way I feel when you talk to Me – not because you want something, not because you have a question about a decision you have to make, not because you have a problem to solve. That is how I feel when you talk to Me simply because you want to learn what is on My heart...simply because you love Me."
Steven's call was a poignant reminder that the God of the universe delights when His children call...just to say, "I love You."
 "Call to me," says the Lord, "and I will answer you and tell you great and mighty things which you do not know," (Jeremiah 33:3)

"God we praise you that you are:

• Jehovah – The Self Existent One who had no creator and was before all things (Exodus 3:13-16)
• Jehovah-Raah – The Lord my Shepherd who takes care of me (Psalm 23)
• Jehovah-Jireh – The Lord my Provider who provides for my every need (Genesis 22:8, 14)
• Jehovah-Shalom – The Lord my Peace who gives peace beyond human understanding (Judges 6:24)
• Jehovah-Rophe - The Lord Who Heals  physically, emotionally, and spiritually (Exodus 15:26)
• Jehovah-Tsidkenu – The Lord our Righteousness who cleanses us from all our sin (Jeremiah 23:6)
• Jehovah-Shammah – The Lord is There and Who will never leave us alone (Ezekiel 48:35)
• Jehovah-Nissi – The Lord my Banner Who brings victory in all my spiritual battles (Exodus 17:15)
• Jehovah-M'Kaddesh – The Lord who Sanctifies and sets us apart (Leviticus 20:8)

Dear Father, I love You. That's really all I want to say today. I love you, not because of what You do, but because of Who You are...my Heavenly Dad.
In Jesus' Name,
Amen. 

Winning And Losing

Every one of us strive for success.. we want to win in this life. :)

"Disappointed but not despondent" - Like this phrase a lot.

A good reminder for all.. =) God bless you all.

The Masters Tournament is one of the most prestigious in professional golf. In 2009, Kenny Perry placed second after leading during the final round. Writing in The New York Times, Bill Pennington described Perry as “disappointed but not despondent” after the loss. “I’ll look back on it occasionally and wonder what I might have done differently, but I won’t dwell on it,” Perry said. “If this is the worst thing that happens in my life, I’ve got it pretty good. I won’t let it dog me. There are so many other things in life that matter more . . . . I’ll go home tonight with my family and we’ll have fun.”

The ability to look beyond our disappointments is essential for followers of Christ. Our focus determines how we face the victories and defeats in life. “If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth” (Col. 3:1-2). This way of thinking looks to Christ, rather than our achievements, for significance and validation. We seek Him, not success.

When we strive for excellence and give our best effort, losing hurts, but it doesn’t have to harm us. The key is where we set our minds and hearts.

Lord, thank You that You are the one who measures
how we’ve done in life and determines
whether we’ve been successful. Help us to keep that
focus even in disappointments.
When Christ is the center of your focus, everything else comes into proper perspective.

Friendship - is it worth it?

No matter how much hurt I've been through, it's worth the price ...
Share with you the devotion i've read today, that speaks to me of my heart, something i always used to value a lot, as well as gotten hurt a lot... that i'm close to giving up on ... 

The Treasure of Friendship

Friendship is the springboard to every other love and the foundation for every healthy relationship. It is a proven fact that lonely people live shorter lives than those who have healthy friendships. Even Jesus needed friends when He walked this earth as a man. In fact, He placed great value on relationships. The Bible tells us Jesus spent much of His time deepening the relationships with a few – not the crowd. 
I love the story of an ingenious teenager who was tired of reading bedtime stories to his little sister. He decided to record several of her favorite stories on tape. When he presented the tape player and tape to his sister, he explained, "Now you can hear your stories any time you want.  Isn't that great?" The little girl took one look at the machine, frowned and then replied, "No! It is not great! That thing does not have a lap!"
God created us to need each other. That truth is never more evident than when we are in pain or struggling with some crisis in life. One of the main factors leading to a two-year battle with clinical depression in my life was the absence of replenishing friendships.  As I think back to that time, I am sure many women would have counted themselves as my friend when, in reality, they were simply acquaintances because that was all I would allow them to be. My pride kept me from admitting I wasn't Superwoman and that I did need the help of others. My insecurity held me back from reaching out to new friends and cultivating old ones.
To admit my need of a friend seemed like a weakness instead of the precious gift God created it to be. I refused to take the risk of being hurt, rejected or misunderstood.  I did not have time to invest in building intimate friendships and was too busy doing the work of God to be a friend.  As a result, when the darkness hit, I felt isolated and alone. Friendship took on an entirely different meaning in my life from that point on. In fact, friends are a great source of strength and encouragement in my life today. Friends fast and pray for me, holding me accountable and confronting me when they see my priorities lining up in the wrong way. Friends make me stop and take time for fun. Friends have taught me to be transparent.
Have I been hurt along the way? Yes. 
Have I been misunderstood? Yes. 
Have the friendships been worth the price? Absolutely! 
Roses are beautiful flowers. People who know me are aware of the fact that I can kill any plant known to mankind.  I once had a neighbor who grew roses in every shade of pink, yellow and red. I often watched Joan work in her garden and eventually realized she never handled the roses without wearing long sleeves and thick gloves. The roses were beautiful, but their thorns were not and could certainly inflict a lot of pain. In fact, my neighbor always seemed to have cuts and scrapes on her hands and arms even with the long sleeves and gloves she wore. I once asked Joan why she continued to grow roses and jokingly suggested she might want to consider raising a less dangerous kind of flower. I will never forget her answer and the profound truth it held, "The beauty of the rose is worth the occasional wound it gives. I have learned to handle the roses with respect and in such a way that my wounds are few." The same truth can be said of friendships.

The words of Jesus found in John 13:34-35, portray the perfect backdrop for God's love.  "And so I am giving a new commandment to you now--love each other just as much as I love you. Your strong love for each other will prove to the world that you are my disciples." Does the world know we are His disciples by the way we love and relate to each other? 
   
Chad was a shy, quiet little boy. One day he came home and told his mother he'd like to make a valentine for everyone in his class. Her heart sank. "I wish he wouldn't do that!" she thought. She had watched the children when they walked home from school. Her Chad was always behind them. They laughed and hung on to each other and talked to each other, but Chad was never included. Still, she decided to go along with her son's plan. She purchased the paper, glue and crayons, and for three whole weeks, night after night, Chad painstakingly made thirty-five valentines. Valentine's Day dawned, and Chad was frantic with excitement! He carefully placed the valentines in a bag, and bolted out the door.
His mom decided to bake his favorite cookies because she knew he would be disappointed when he came home from school. It hurt her to think he wouldn't get many valentines -- maybe none at all. That afternoon she had the cookies and milk on the table. Finally, when she heard their voices, she looked out the window to see the children laughing and having the best time. As usual, there was Chad in the rear but walking a little faster than usual.
She fully expected him to burst into tears as soon as he got inside. His arms were empty and when the door opened, she choked back tears as she said, "Honey, I have some warm cookies and milk for you" but he hardly heard her words. He just marched right on by, his face glowing, and all he could say was: "Not a one -- not a one." The mother's heart sank. Then he added, "I didn't forget a one, not a single one!" When God is in control of our friendships and when we trust Him with those friendships, we will be a better friend, and we will have more true friends.

Lord, I praise You for the gift of friendship. Today I commit to investing more time in deepening the friendships You have given me. I want others to see You in the way I relate to my friends. I am willing to risk being hurt in order to be a better friend. I will look for needs that I can meet in the lives of my friends and be transparent in sharing my needs with them. Today, I choose to honor You in every friendship and trust You with each one.
In Jesus' name,
Amen.

If you like Science...

Professor : You are a Christian, aren’t you, son ?

Student : Yes, sir.

Professor: So, you believe in GOD ?

Student : Absolutely, sir.

Professor : Is GOD good ?

Student : Sure.

Professor: Is GOD all powerful ?

Student : Yes.

Professor: My brother died of cancer even though he prayed to GOD to heal him. Most of us would attempt to help others who are ill. But GOD didn’t. How is this GOD good then? Hmm?

(Student was silent.)

Professor: You can’t answer, can you ? Let’s start again, young fella. Is GOD good?

Student : Yes.

Professor: Is satan good ?

Student : No.

Professor: Where does satan come from ?

Student : From … GOD …

Professor: That’s right. Tell me son, is there evil in this world?

Student : Yes.

Professor: Evil is everywhere, isn’t it ? And GOD did make everything. Correct?

Student : Yes.

Professor: So who created evil ?

(Student did not answer.)

Professor: Is there sickness? Immorality? Hatred? Ugliness? All these terrible things exist in the world, don’t they?

Student : Yes, sir.

Professor: So, who created them ?

(Student had no answer.)

Professor: Science says you have 5 Senses you use to identify and observe the world around you. Tell me, son, have you ever seen GOD?

Student : No, sir.

Professor: Tell us if you have ever heard your GOD?

Student : No , sir.

Professor: Have you ever felt your GOD, tasted your GOD, smelt your GOD? Have you ever had any sensory perception of GOD for that matter?

Student : No, sir. I’m afraid I haven’t.

Professor: Yet you still believe in Him?

Student : Yes.

Professor : According to Empirical, Testable, Demonstrable Protocol, Science says your GOD doesn’t exist. What do you say to that, son?

Student : Nothing. I only have my faith.

Professor: Yes, faith. And that is the problem Science has.

Student : Professor, is there such a thing as heat?

Professor: Yes.

Student : And is there such a thing as cold?

Professor: Yes.

Student : No, sir. There isn’t.

(The lecture theater became very quiet with this turn of events.)

Student : Sir, you can have lots of heat, even more heat, superheat, mega heat, white heat, a little heat or no heat. But we don’t have anything called cold. We can hit 458 degrees below zero which is no heat, but we can’t go any further after that. There is no such thing as cold. Cold is only a word we use to describe the absence of heat. We cannot measure cold. Heat is energy. Cold is not the opposite of heat, sir, just the absence of it.

(There was pin-drop silence in the lecture theater.)

Student : What about darkness, Professor? Is there such a thing as darkness?

Professor: Yes. What is night if there isn’t darkness?

Student : You’re wrong again, sir. Darkness is the absence of something. You can have low light, normal light, bright light, flashing light. But if you have no light constantly, you have nothing and its called darkness, isn’t it? In reality, darkness isn’t. If it is, well you would be able to make darkness darker, wouldn’t you?

Professor: So what is the point you are making, young man ?

Student : Sir, my point is your philosophical premise is flawed.

Professor: Flawed ? Can you explain how?

Student : Sir, you are working on the premise of duality. You argue there is life and then there is death, a good GOD and a bad GOD. You are viewing the concept of GOD as something finite, something we can measure. Sir, Science can’t even explain a thought. It uses electricity and magnetism, but has never seen, much less fully understood either one. To view death as the opposite of life is to be ignorant of the fact that death cannot exist as a substantive thing.

Death is not the opposite of life: just the absence of it. Now tell me, Professor, do you teach your students that they evolved from a monkey?

Professor: If you are referring to the natural evolutionary process, yes, of course, I do.

Student : Have you ever observed evolution with your own eyes, sir?

(The Professor shook his head with a smile, beginning to realize where the argument was going.)

Student : Since no one has ever observed the process of evolution at work and cannot even prove that this process is an on-going endeavor. Are you not teaching your opinion, sir? Are you not a scientist but a preacher?

(The class was in uproar.)

Student : Is there anyone in the class who has ever seen the Professor’s brain?

(The class broke out into laughter. )

Student : Is there anyone here who has ever heard the Professor’s brain, felt it, touched or smelt it? No one appears to have done so. So, according to the established Rules of Empirical, Stable, Demonstrable Protocol, Science says that you have no brain, sir. With all due respect, sir, how do we then trust your lectures, sir?

(The room was silent. The Professor stared at the student, his face unfathomable.)

Professor: I guess you’ll have to take them on faith, son.

Student : That is it sir … Exactly ! The link between man & GOD is FAITH. That is all that keeps things alive and moving.

P.S.

I believe you have enjoyed the conversation. And if so, you’ll probably want your friends / colleagues to enjoy the same, won’t you?

Forward this to increase their knowledge … or FAITH.

By the way, that student was EINSTEIN

Money.. Money.. Money..

My new shoes - CROCS original! Bought in Brunei, it was "buy 1 free 1".. I shared with a friend, so it actually costs me RM85.

I really do spent a lot recently, remember my previous post on MELILEA? and i'm planning to get my hair straightened.
Throughout the years, i have changed from:
A super thrifty girl --> A little small generous young lady to my best friends (still thrifty to myself) --> A little small generous "not so young" lady to my best friends PLUS me myself.

Previously I would wear my shoes even if it's damaged. Now i would buy a branded shoe called CROCS.

Previously I would never order drinks when i'm eating outside. Now, i won't either. But sometimes I wouldn't mind.

Previously I would never purposely drive anywhere (eg to supermarkets to buy something) unless it's ON THE WAY, just to save my petrol. Now i would drive people from east to west, back to east and then west, for their favour.. even though i may never get repaid.. And driving a friend whose car is in a repair shop, with inconvenient route, many many times until the car is back...

Previously I would seldom reply sms & never return a call because i'm using a prepaid card & it costs, & thinking that if they wanted to look for me they would call me again, & if replying sms i would write it as far as i could to fit into 1 message length, so that it would be of optimum use to the worth of the $. Now, i would even reply with an "Ok" word.

Previously I wouldn't hang out because I wanted to save money. Now, i would be more than happy to be able to have some fun with my buddies.

The list is not exhaustive. Let me end this with the pop song....


Is not about the money money money, we dont need your money money money 
we just wanna make the world change, forget about the price tag. 
We just need the ch-ch-cha chingg cha ching, we just need the bla bla bling.. wanna make the world change, forget about the price tag ...

Melilea Organic

MELILEA. I've heard this brand years ago from Lina but I did not try it back then.
It was only recently, when i complimented on how her face glows (blink blink).. which she says at that period of time she is persistently drinking MELILEA. Not only once. Many times. Other times when she did not consume that constantly, she will not receive that compliment from me..=.=

My small group leader, Regina, is a consumer of MELILEA too. And said of how good that product is. That makes me convinced. I shall try it. So i bought MELILEA Organic Nutritious Botanical Powder which costs RM149 and MELILEA Organic soya drink (RM14.80) from lina. I wondered why the Botanical Powder costs so much more expensive than the soya drink. Regina calls the former "Vegetable Powder".

Well, I started my 1st course of MELILEA drink today! Lina said in order to reach its optimum result (for detoxification), i must go on diet (on first 3 days), drinking only MELILEA for the whole day, with some fruits, nothing else (I can almost hear people screaming in the background, "CHERYL ON DIET?!? NOOOOOOOOOO") I had to convince my dad to allow me so.

So, the whole day i had drank MELILEA for 3 times, drank/ate TEN (10) tablespoons of oatmeal + 2 scoops Milo powder (in 1 serving), ate orange & apple & pear in 3 separate servings, ate chicken porridge at 2020. At the beginning of the day I thought i would really go on diet, but in the end, i broke the rule a bit.. I wonder why people would say they feel sleepy when they are too full, but for me, lack of solid food makes me sleepy...i guess it's the other way around for me..

And hey, lina, why would you say the drink is nice? The vegetable powder is sooo yuck! The ratio of my soya drink & Vegetable powder is at least 3:1 but it still is so yucky! i wonder how can lina make it at ratio 1:1. It tastes a bit like wasabe!!

Place of Deeper Still

Friendship - God's Unique Design (Author: Sharon Jaynes)I believe that God, our Father, understands a woman’s desire to have close friends. He made us that way. He created us to be in relationship.
In Luke 1, the angel Gabriel delivered some pretty incredible news to young Mary.  While still a virgin, she was going to conceive a child by the Holy Spirit and give birth to the Savior of the world.  Before Mary could catch her breath, the angel continued by telling her, “Oh, by the way, your supposedly barren cousin, Elizabeth, is also pregnant with a child in her old age” (Jaynes version). He knew the young girl was going to need the encouragement of a friend who would understand, so before she could even ask, He sent her to Elizabeth.
So Mary, probably around sixteen years old, traveled one hundred miles from Galilee to Judea to spend three months with her friend.  When Mary walked into Elizabeth’s home, the older woman gave her a blessing. “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child you will bear!  But why am I so favored, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? As soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy.  Blessed is she who has believed that what the Lord has said to her will be accomplished! “(1:42-45).
Can you imagine the turmoil Mary felt as she traveled to Judea? “No one is ever going to believe me? Joseph could have put me away. And what will my parents think?”  Can you imagine how those words of encouragement were a balm to the young girl?  God divinely revealed His plan to Elizabeth and she in turn affirmed Mary before Mary even revealed her news to Elizabeth.  What a precious Lord we serve!
Mary was so encouraged, she broke out into song. She stayed with Elizabeth for about three months, no doubt helped with the labor and delivery of John and then returned home.
Jesus Himself had best friends.  Think of concentric circles with graduated smaller ones inside the larger like an archery target.  His first and largest realm of influence was to the multitudes. Next, He gave special attention to 72 men whom He sent out ahead of him to every town and place where he was about to go.   Smaller still, Jesus gathered 12 men to be His good friends whom He closely discipled, but then He chose an even smaller group of 3 to be His best friends — Peter, James and John.  These three men were privy to Jesus’ transfiguration (Mark 9:2), his deep sorrow in the garden (Mark 14:32), and the joy of the empty tomb (John 20:3).  But then there was a “place of deeper still” — the bull’s-eye of friendship, if you will, that Jesus shared with no man.  It was a place reserved for God alone.
Before His arrest, Jesus took Peter, James and John with Him to Gethsemane to pray.  However, He left the three and went a “little farther” to be alone with His Father. It was a place where no man could join Him, no man could calm Him, and no man could reassure Him.  He had to go alone. I honestly believe that is a place we rarely go, but a place where Jesus longs for us to join Him.
Dee Brestin, in her book, The Friendships of Women, describes our relationships “like gently moving streams joining into one river, we round the difficult bends of life together, strengthening each other with a fresh water supply.  We are free and flowing and unconcerned with boundaries….We are afraid to run toward the ocean alone.  We feel a sense of panic in solitude.” (Dee Brestin, The Friendships of Women, (Wheaton Illinois: Victor Books, 1988) p37.)
What a beautiful picture of the refreshing, refueling, and renewing power of friendship.  However, our friends were never intended to meet our greatest need to be in relationship.  No woman – or man- can fill all our emotional needs, and if we look to one friend for everything or even a few, we’ll be doomed to disappointment. That is an empty place only Jesus can fill.
I have found that when I feel empty inside and try to grasp desperately at friends to fill the void, I come up emptier than before.  At those low points, friendships seem to elude me. The more frantically I grasp, the more elusive true friendships appear.  However, if I go to Jesus Christ, allow Him to fill me with His love, I move from needy to full, and from being a taker to a giver.  Then I find friendships are plentiful.
When God calls us to come “a little farther” away to be completely alone with Him in the garden of our souls, but we go to others instead, we will be sorely disappointed.  People are a poor substitute for God.
However, I do believe that there are times when God gives us the wonderful gift of friendship with another.  When we find such a friend, we have found a treasure indeed.

Seek Ye First

This is one of the songs I've been listening to almost everyday while i'm driving to /from work... And it has been for more than a month.. since I received this wonderful birthday gift from a sweet friend.

Recently from my stresses & sadness & insecurities, I feel far apart from God...

But these songs... actually soothes my soul, telling me through the music & lyrics that, God will never, ever forsake me, no matter what...because I am His beloved daughter, & His Love for me is indescribable.. He is, and always will be there for me...

I have been praying, crying, altogether...

And feeling His holy presence, His peace, His sovereignty...

He wants me to know...
"My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness" (2 Cor. 12:9)

And I've been learning, once again, that my security does not depend on my career or anything in this world, but my security lies in God and God alone... =)
I Love You, Lord ~

Whenever life’s burdens oppress you
And trials are too much to face,
Remember God’s strength in your weakness;
He’ll give you His power and grace.
Amen.

My true joke-story

This story happens to me... last night.

I was in my living room, using my laptop, when i suddenly noticed a sound..

It was music. Sentimental, beautiful worship songs. Which is coming out from outside, from my neighbour, i guess.

But something cool about this is, few days ago i just received a CD from my friend as a birthday gift, which plays these songs too. And it was the exact sequence of songs. So, naturally, i thought.. hmm.. my neighbour has the same CD as I do! This CD must be popular recently that's why my friend bought it for me? I'm not sure. Anyway, the songs are really soft & beautiful... really enjoyed it..

It was 10pm. The songs were still playing. Now it is a bit weird. I was thinking why my neighbour was still playing the songs even though late at night. And kept repeating it too! They must love them as i do.. but it kept repeating the same songs... someone loves those songs that much?

10 something at night. I wanted to go to sleep. I went upstairs to my room. The songs were still playing, but a bit softer now.. Well, nice songs so maybe it can help me sleep well throughout the night... not bad..

The next day (Today) i woke up. My goodness.. the songs are still playing!! WOW... i thought.. this fella must be crazy in love worshiping God with the same songs over and over again!

Then i got myself ready for work. When I wanted to grab my car keys, i couldn't find them! I remembered yesterday evening my dad helped me to re-park my car since it was blocking my grandpa's car. Now where did Dad put my car keys?? I searched everywhere, while asking Mum too. Mum asked, "Go check whether it's in the car". I replied, "Impossible". But i still went to check anyway.

I had a big shock! The car keys were REALLY there in the car. And, most of all, the car engine was turned half on (only car battery was on). And most most most of all, the CD of my songs were playing........

"Why Don't You Want Me?"

Loving someone doesn't mean you have to have in possession of him/her. Although it is painful not to have in possession, there's a wonderful truth behind that we shall learn together. In conjunction with Valentines' Day yesterday, let me share with you a devotion that I read today. I find it very touching that i almost cried. Sometimes we would ask "Why Don't You Want me?" since I love you so much... & the feeling of rejection is inevitable..

I pray that the article below would somehow touch your heart too, my beloved friends, and may lead you to another level of understanding of God.. who gives & also teaches us what true love is. I understand it is much difficult to do than say, but together, we can encourage one another =)

Please read the article below:

The LORD spoke his word to me, saying: "Before I made you in your mother's womb, I chose you. Before you were born, I set you apart for a special work (Jeremiah 1:4-5, New Century Version).


It had been a wonderful day. We were all tired after hiking Grandfather Mountain and stopping on the way home to picnic beside a pristine North Carolina creek. Bedtime preparation was proceeding amazingly well. All that mountain air and country cooking was a natural sedative for our two pleasantly exhausted children. I looked forward to joining my husband, Dan, in the front porch swing to cuddle, gaze at the stars and dream of what might be.

Danna, our three-year-old daughter, was out like a light - one down and one to go. Jered, our six-year-old son scrambled into bed, ready to recap the hiking adventure and make a plan for tomorrow. We snuggled under the fluffy down comforter, talking and laughing about how much fun the day had been, then settled into a cozy, comfortable silence.
His question ripped through the still, silent night and my heart, exposing every fear and insecurity carefully buried there. "Why didn't she want me?" Jered softly asked. I knew immediately what he meant. After years of trying to have children naturally, Dan and I had discovered God had a wonderfully different plan for us. We adopted both Jered and Danna as infants and marveled daily at the precious gift of our two children. For years, I had known this question was inevitable but I was still caught off guard by Jered's probing words. My uncertain heart cried out to my Father. I needed an answer – for Jered and for me. Instantly, it came. Bruno!
When Jered was four-years-old, we were given a chocolate colored Labrador puppy that quickly outgrew our small yard, our not-so-understanding neighbors and our apprehensive children. We named this gentle giant Bruno. With each passing day, Bruno became an increasingly frustrated dog. Our postage stamp sized back yard offered little freedom or room for him to romp. Our elderly neighbors did not appreciate his early morning barking alarm and our kids soon refused to venture into the back yard because Bruno, who loved them and wanted to play, delighted in pinning them to the ground with his massive paws. It soon became clear to all of us that we were not the right family for Bruno. 
After an intensive search, we discovered "Adopt a Pet," a remarkable organization that finds homes for animals whose owners, for one reason or another, cannot keep them. We were promised Bruno would be placed in just the right home where he would be loved, well cared for and have plenty of room to run and play. We talked and explained, struggling our way to the difficult decision that it was time to put Bruno up for adoption. Still, on the day they came to pick up Bruno, we all cried. Yes, we knew it was the best plan for Bruno, for us, and for a very excited family that wanted a Labrador, but it still hurt. Sometimes, doing the right thing - the best thing - the highest thing - is also the most painful thing.
As I looked into the beautiful, blue eyes of the little boy I loved more than life itself, I prayed for just the right words. "Jered, do you remember Bruno?" At the memory of the dog, Jered smiled and sadly whispered, "I still miss him." I nodded in agreement and replied, "I know, Son. I know you loved Bruno and were sad when we had to give him away.  But do you remember why we gave Bruno away?" Jered thought for a moment and carefully answered, "Because we loved him so much and we knew we couldn't take care of him right ... and because he wasn't very happy ... and because we wanted the best home in the whole wide world for him."
I paused for a moment, basking in the simple and faithful wisdom of my Father, spoken through the heart of my only son. Now I was ready to answer his unsettling question. "She did want you, honey. And she did love you ... so much, in fact, that she was willing to give you away, just like we gave Bruno away. Just as we wanted what was best for Bruno, your birth mother wanted what was best for you!" I fully recognize that it was an extremely simple illustration for a profoundly complex life circumstance – but it was enough.  

I lay there in the darkness, holding this chosen baby in my arms, listening to him breathe as he drifted into a peaceful, trust-filled sleep. My heart filled with wonder and awe at the faultless plan and complete provision of God in our lives.  With tears of gratitude spilling down my face I thanked God for two courageous young birth mothers, for the plan of adoption that brought our children to us and for God's perfect work through an unusual servant named Bruno. With a contented smile on his face, Jered sighed, turned over and whispered the precious words, "I love you, Mom."

We are all desperate to be loved and to love. We innately search for significance and are created with the powerful need to belong. We pursue worth in worthless places. We demand validation from invalid sources. In the darkness of that mountain cabin, I caught a new perspective of God's stubborn love and the absolute sacrifice He made by giving up His son, Jesus Christ. It is only through a personal relationship with Him that we experience authentic love; a love that displaces thoughts of rejection and banishes feelings of abandonment. It is in this priceless gift that we comprehend the amazing truth that even if we were never wanted or planned by human heart and mind, we were planned and wanted in the heart and mind of God! And that, dear friend, is enough!
"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." John 3:16


Thank You for loving me, God. Honestly, I don't understand that kind of love; a love that sent Jesus Christ to the cross so that I can live. But today, I celebrate Your love. Help me remember I am chosen and because of Your love, I will never be alone or abandoned. You created me for a personal relationship with You. I am not an accident and I am not a mistake. I was created in response to Your plan. Today, I celebrate the fact that I am a chosen child of the King.
In Jesus' name,
Amen.

Blackout

For the first time in my whole life, i experienced BLACKOUT.

That happened last midnight 12.30am when i woke up to go downstairs to get water. As I was sick, my head was feeling heavy.. I walked to the kitchen when all of a sudden, my brain cut off from my consciousness, and i fell down on the floor. I felt something crashing onto me at the same time of my fall. My mind was black & blank for a few seconds & i felt like i was sleeping. But i need to wake up to see what was the thing pressing on me. When i open my eyes, only then i knew it was a rack in which my mum put onions and stuff.

I got myself up, then walk for another 1 or 2 more steps, i went blackout again. I couldn't believe I was so weak! I got up after few seconds too, i guess.

I'm so scared that I may fall anytime again that I quickly went back to my bed to sleep.

I realised that because of the 2 falls, i hurt my head, my arm, my knee & even my lips (the lower part of my lips bleed)!

I didn't know exactly how i fall, because I was unconscious.

What an experience!