This is enlightenment

I kept my heart from no pleasure, for my heart found pleasure in all my toil, and this was my reward for all my toil. Then I considered all that my hands had done and the toil I had expended in dong it, and behold, all was vanity and a striving after wind, and there was nothing to be gained under the sun.

Ecc 2:10-11

Good that we have King Solomon to go through this process to write about this.. I do think many people may still want to experience these rewards and pleasures before they come back fully to God, right?

One can be guided by wisdom yet crave for the things of the earth on the pretext of living life to the fullest. What is life?

Much labour without God's blessing is truly vanity and grasping for the wind (26-27)
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One way to grow in empowering discipline

Set some personal boundaries.

Eg.

- To always think the best of others.
- To refuse to speak evil or be party to gossip.
- To refuse to retaliate in spite of being wronged.
- To refuse to hold grudges.
- To refuse comparison.
- To refuse to take the easy path.
- To refuse to partake in striving for power.
- To refuse to become performance-oriented.
- To refuse to live on past successes.
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And He speaks.. I hear.. I hear..

Just yesterday morning, I told the SH that I would wake up 15 minutes earlier than usual to do my QT (inspired by Sunday's sermonssss). I did get up 15 minutes earlier but lazed in bed instead. I conveniently muttered a few lines of prayer, silently wondering to myself why I should get up 15 minutes earlier to do QT when I can do a full hour later on in the day. That was my justification to the SH who has been faithfully getting up 15 minutes earlier since yesterday.

Yesterday's message from Roots and Wings was also about cultivating time with God.

Today, in the topic of Biblical Empowering. Pastor wrote that there are three major sources of spiritual empowering: the first, the empowering of the Spirit, the second, the practice of the spiritual disciplines and the third, the spiritual body, the ministry and community of the church.

He said that of the three, spiritual discipline is the least cultivated. Many christians are intimidated by the arduous hours of laborious commitment that it requires. FOR MANY, WAKING UP EARLY FOR A TIME ALONE WITH GOD IS A HERCULEAN FEAT.

However, these disciplines are essential. They bulid our character, increase our depth and strengthen our convictions- that we might be fully empowered by God so as to attain to the full stature of being mature men and women of God.

When we tap into the Divine Source, and His emporwering, we will assume a differnet posture- of inner calm and inner confirence. THen we an live in peace with ourselves, and with our loved ones. Unruffled by pressing needs nad external challenges because we experience a joy unspeakable. THejoy of an inner life anchored daily in the presence of God.

SH and I agreed that Ecclesiastes is the next book to go. She still has Genesis to finish. Hee. I am moving ahead dearie! :)
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Put your trust in Jesus, not in humans.

My friend just sent me an image that shows a sign outside a church " Don't let christians put you off Jesus."

So true. Christians are humans and no matter how spiritual they are, they will still make mistakes and fail..

Jesus, however, never fails. His words are trustworthy. He is reliable. He is perfect, without sin, because he is God. :)

Thanks friend for showing me the picture. :)
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June hols plans

and so, we will be going to church camp instead of Laos. I am glad the SH is more keen on church camp than Laos. Makes it easier for me not to need to make the decision.
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heehee

another one. Read Biblical Priorities under Roots and WIngs. Also about spending time with God being priority to service to Him. :)
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divine

attended both covenant and fcc. Both used similar passages and spoke about similar stuff. Just that Covenant preached more extensively about the passage.

Friend thinks that God is asking us to do our QT. haha.

And thank God I finished setting my paper. :)
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the ex-student

My ex-student called me and asked when I would be free. She said she wanted me to help her go through her company's talk. It turned out that she was selling bio-magnetic mattress.

Thing is, she wasn't even familiar with the product. Her colleague was speaking on her behalf and when I told her I can help in any other ways except buy something I do not need, she kinda pleaded with me to get at least a single mattress which cost close to $2000 so she will be promoted. THe deadline was tomorrow.

I do not know how to help her achieve her sales target. But I told her to train up on her presentation and when she is ready, I can recommend some people to hear her out.

Bleah. Hard to turn an ex-student down especially when she pleaded. But it's not the right way to earn money, at least I don't think so.
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Awesome

It was an awesome weekend. Very eventful and exciting for me. And I appreciated it a lot more because I had to finish setting my exam paper. You never know how good a good time is until you go through tough times.

Comparison matters in this case.
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self made proverb

an hour of exercise a day keeps much of the spare tyre at bay.
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Badminton tonight

It was great seeing so many people at badminton today. :)

I am happy whenever I meet my groups of friends. :)

Plush group, Ezer Group, Badminton group, Older women group, discipleship group a bit only. All women's group. Bleah. What does that mean?
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randoms.

During today's Assembly Programme, the school Counsellor showed the half empty/full glass and asked the usual questions. Later, he told the students that they must be positive to see that the glass was half full instead of half empty. Makes me think: I would see it as half empty because it drives me to fill it up! I am definitely not feeling negative when I see it as half-empty. heh.

Took my second HPV jab. Was intending to take it with my sister when she got off work but the SH was sick and she was ready to meet. So I decided to meet up with the SH instead. Took the jab just about 15 minutes ago.

The SH is sick. :( She should be sleeping now.

When I was at the clinic, I saw this mom kept offering her lips to her maybe 3 year old daughter to kiss. Healthy meh? I feel a bit uneasy..

I have a sweet tooth. Very terrible. I wonder why.. Bleah. I don't like. I don't want to grow too big.. and I don't want to have tooth decay.. Too much sweet stuff and carbohydates increases the possiblity of tooth decay.

I kinda got distracted during my facilitation at CG last night. I was bored with myself while I was facilitating as well! What a joke. Thankfully, by the grace of God, truly, some has given good feedback.

I got to set an exam paper by Monday. :( I can do it I can do it I can do it!
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I am thankful for my half load!

Was running through my emails and realised there are many meetings I need not attend. I really like this year. I can focus on the real and important things, though at the expense of half my pay. Heh. But no complaints!
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I can look at you the entire day and not get bored..

Alas! There are other important things grabbing our attention. You got to save the world and I got to save my kids. Wahahaha.
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It's pretty ironic..

Before I was on half load, I wouldn't really care if I was having 2 exercise sessions a day. Now that I am on half load i.e supposedly more time, I am trying to limit my exercise sessions to once daily. I talked about this with the SH just now.

We supposed it's a good thing. :)
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The difference between a prayer and a desperate prayer

Whenever I have to prepare for facilitation, I notice that I wouldn't know how the best way to facilitate the discussion until the night before. Not that I prepare last minute. I need at least 1 week to prepare using about 1-2 hours per day. The way I pray about what to do is like having an easy conversation with God a week up to the facilitation date. I have to decide in what manner, what style, using information from which resources to include, deciding what to put in, what to take out, and finally typing it all out. Then I will start to be as familiar with the content as possible.

Like today, I thought I was more or less set to go but I felt a bit of incongruence when I read through the notes again before tennis with Z. There were one or two missing links. I spent a long time thinking about what they were and finally at 5p.m. after the game, I prayed aloud, in desperation, for God to help. I got the links after dinner. Thank you, Lord!

Now I got to restructure the whole set of notes and pray hard that there won't be any more changes tomorrow before the facilitation. Holy Spirit will lead thence.

P.S I am glad Z is back. I have another daytime exercise kaki.
PPS Nutri Soy Light is yummy. And not so sweet. One 600 ml carton cost $1.20. Goodie!
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Some Random.

I know of a cheap and useful gift. The Crumpler Recycled Bag is big enough to stuff all my things in but not so big to be that conspicuous. It is light yet durable. And it cost only $10. In a few nice colours. I got it free when I bought the Crumpler bag for my bro for Christmas. They placed the Crumpler bag into the Crumpler Recycled bag.
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Great saying.

"Only honest criticism given from a heart of love in a spirit of humanity can qualify as that which builds up the other person."

Jerry Bridges ( The Discipline of Grace)
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Sanctification is a Process

A growth in spiritual knowledge should be accompanied with an increase in spiritual wisdom and love.

I am inclined to think someone with a growth in spiritual knowledge without a corresponding growth in wisdom and love will tend to be puffed up, judgemental, not knowing how to handle the newfound information appropriately.

Similarly, an increase in spiritual wisdom without a similar growth in spiritual knowledge is not too good too (though I prefer this over the former). It will likely make one feel frustrated that they are unable to engage with those highly intellectuals who demand to have everything explained clearly and logically to them (whether they will believe and receive Jesus in the end after having all their questions answered is often another story). THat's also why some people think that Christianity is a blind faith, when believers are not able to answer questions asked about their faith.

Aiming to be a disciple after we become a believer should be a long term goal, and communicated to a young believer, but growing spiritually as a disciple of Christ is a step by step process; it is our entire journey with Christ. Setting too high a goal for a believer to train to be a discple may be daunting for the new believer and could lead to a burnout too fast too soon. Is anyone able to say that they have gotten everything right?

We should pray to grow deep in both the word of God as well as pray for an increase in spiritual wisdom, understanding and love to handle the truth well.
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I really like to get a set of amplifiers soon..

and hear how the semi-acoustic guitar sounds.

The SH has been really sweeeeet. :D I am fed well with food and affections over the week. I feel especially loved this weekend.
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Used google thrice in 5 minutes

The things I get from Google, truly my best friend. Read about the difference between dust mites and bed bugs. Read about the side effects of the HPV jab. I should be taking the second one on the 18th Jan, which is on Tuesday. And HRC Resorts World is open! I hope I am able to use my membership card there! :)
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SK2's miracle water

It is true. The miracle water does make the face a lot smoother after a few weeks of use. It improves skin texture and makes the scars slightly less noticable. :) Maybe I can try the Repair C the next time I pass by DFS. :)

I am glad it is Saturday and I am home early.
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A thought

I am nearly halfway through Roots and Wings. While it is benefitting me, I realised that the more I read, the more I wonder; many of the terms and explanations would seem so cliche to a young believer. How do we make theological concepts simple for them to understand?

I was asking that question while reading Roots and Wings before dinner. The answer just came. I think.

God is the one who touches their hearts when the time is right. All we do is to avail ourselves and do what we are supposed to. Share. God is the one who grows the plant. Our duty is to plant the seed.

But it still sounds very cliche. I do believe prayer for wisdom on the faciliator and understanding on the part of the facilitatees (if there is such a word) works the best. I think.

Bleah. Still doesn't quite convince me. SOmeday, God will reveal more.
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while swimming...

have you noticed that swimmers who swim competitively have very white teeth?

They spent at least 3 hours a day training and as they open their mouths to breathe when they swim, the chlorine which has bleaching properties will whiten their teeth.

Therefore, the longer they are competitive swimmers, the whiter their teeth will be. haha.

just a trivial thought.
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Why should we stop singing Hillsong just cuz they have an anti-gay ministry? It is all about God.

this is my cry
my one desire
is to be with you Lord
now and forever

But I would like to write my own love songs to Jesus someday.
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Contentment

The bible says that contentment is great gain. I agree. Till the point when contentment leads to complacency.

If remaining at status quo causes one not to achieve more, gives reasons to be lazy, then contentment is not good. Contentment in context is talking about not striving for the more than necessary. striving for things that are good for self or others, the heavenly things, not the earthly things. It's really all about the balance of the heart.

Some say wisdom is from the mind. Godly wisdom is intellect plus the working of the holy spirit. Who is the wisest? THe one who is the wisest is also the one who gives the best wisdom.
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I can go on writing and writing and writing..

but I am sleepy. Laterz..
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I think I have found that thorn in my flesh after 31 (soon to be 32) years..

and it comes in the form of a person. Woohoo!
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Of collection of liquor

A guy recently went around the neighourhood getting people to sell their XO to him. My mum was one of them. She sold a 20 year old bottle and a recently bought bottle to him for $620. She did not do any research abuot how much the 20 year old bottle would be worth elsewhere. As long as she is contented I guess. She told me not to tell her if I find out other places buy for a higher price.

That got me continue my trivial hobby of collecting all flavours of the Vodka series. So far, I thought I was only lacking the Disco and the Pepper. After doing some research online, I realised they produced the Snowflake at one time too! On top of that, they have 2 mexican styled vodka which is not sold in Singapore.

I saw a guy selling the disco for $70. I asked if he would like to trade for the Limited Rock edition, an extra I got. He asked me to top up $10. So now, I am lacking only the Pepper and the Snowflake. If anyone knows of anyone else who's selling those two flavours, do let me know.

Made me think: Vodka would forever be producing different flavours. Do I want to participate in that neverending quest till the day I die?

Is there eternal value in possessing the whole range of Vodka? Does anyone know if I can bring my collection of Vodka up to heaven? They look pretty :o.
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I hate cockroaches and many other things that fly.

I heard from a friend that a cockroach flew into her friend's ear and the friend was suffering horribly because the cockroach was fluttering its wings inside her ears. She had to go to the doctor, got admitted into the A & E and the doctor injected something in the ear so the cockroach could stop moving and then removed. YEEKS. I am highly disgusted.
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Achieving the Balance

It is sufficient exercising an hour a day. Why is there a need to exercise more? Time can be spent on other important things. One hour more on exercise means one hour less on other things. If one is exercising more because they are eating more, then perhaps they are eating too much. We need to steward our bodies to God by being in good health.

I am talking about myself. Hee. One hour a day is sufficient.
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Sunday and churches

attended Covenant with the SH, then rushed home to send my bro to church. After he cleared his N levels, he told me that he will start going to church every Sunday because he made a deal with God. So I hooked him up with A's son since A said the youth service at BPJ Methodist Church is better than that @ Covenant. It was all good.

Lilia was going out too because it was her off day. I felt sad for her that she kept missing her 930a.m. tagalog service @ the Novena Church because she feels the need to be around till my mum gets ready to leave. Like today, by the time she left the house, it was already 1030a.m.! She said she would go to church if I would bring her. I reckon FCC would not be appropriate at this time so I dropped her at the Salvation Army family centre, just besides BPJ Methodist church where they have an 11a.m. service.

Headed to FCC, lunch with the gals and back home. Currently nursing the calluses on my fingers after practising on the guitar for an hour plus.. It has become less painful though. I remembered some months ago when I practised till it hurt quite badly. It was not just the fingers that hurt but other parts of my body too. Just as the foot has different reflex points, I think fingers too.
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Home-cooked food

So with more time @ home, I willed myself to have my meals @ home as often as I can. I realised over the period of 3 days, that we have at least 2 different types of meat as dishes at every meal. It's either fish, prawns and chicken, or chicken, beef and fish, or pork, chicken and fish. How much does my dad spend on marketing every week, I wonder! Such rich food! No wonder I look so well-fed. hehe.

The only meal I had outside this week was with my colleagues. 3 of us took the opportunity of the CCA-less and Remedial-less first week and headed to Greenwood's Pepperoni where we shared the Portobello Mushroom, the aglio olio and a 12 inch Saucisson. Such yummy food they have there! And I heard from one of them the Greenwood Fish Market sells oysters @ $1 each on Tuesdays! Shall go there one Tuesday with the SH when there is no cg/when she is on leave.
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My mum

It is she who got the car without even having my sis and I pay anything --> So that is her car.

After a while, I paid half the monthly instalment to use the car.

When I went on half- pay, I was not expecting not to use the car because I couldn't afford to pay her what I used to. THankfully, she agreed to let me continue to use the car paying her half of the half I originally paid. The sis has started work recently and giving my mum some money too. SO I think that's why it is okay.

At half past eight in the morning, she asked me what time I was leaving for work. I said I got to reach work at 930a.m. She said she was also leaving at 930a.m. I was too lazy to offer to give her a lift. Moreover, she takes forever to get ready. I would have sent her if she had asked. After all, it's her car. And I was puzzled why she didn't.

She must be concerned that I am wasting my time. She asked me to take up a course. Twice this week. She must be unused to seeing me at home so much.

We finally sold off MediaRing after making 10% of our capital amount. But it rose another cent after we sold it (I made the decision so I was nagged at). Well, there might be a possibility that it could go down too. So after selling MediaRing, I am holding just 1 more stock now. Shall wait patiently for another burst before investing in blue chips.

That's all the interaction between my mum and I in the past 3 days. :)
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this is quite funny

The male teacher in a girls' school asked the science class: "Who can tell me what organ of the human body expands to 10 times its usual size when stimulated? Mary, can you tell me?"

Mary blushed furiously as she stood up. Then replied, "Sir, how dare you ask such a question? I will complain to my parents, who will complain to the principal."

The male teacher was taken aback at first by Mary's reaction. Then, as understanding dawned on him, he called for another pupil, this time a volunteer.

Lilly put up her hand. "Yes, Lilly?" asked the teacher.

"Sir, the correct answer is the iris of the eye."

"Very good. Thanks, Lilly," said the male teacher.

He then turned to the 1st girl, who threatened to complain to her parents and principal: "Well, Mary, I have 3 things to tell you:

First, you have NOT done your HOMEWORK.

Second, you have a DIRTY mind.

And thirdly, I fear, one day in future, you are going to be sadly disappointed!"
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Week 1 and 2 in a day.

Session 2: The presence of an absence - Vital Spirituality

Lesson 1 take home:

God searches my heart. And He will judge stagnancy and complacency. I have to repent and return to God on His terms and rededicate myself back to Him.

Lesson 2 take home:

The spiritual life is to be practised before God, the audience of One. It is not for show. Spirituality is an inner disposition rather than outward habits. I want christianity to be a consuming passion, not a dull habit. I want to please God, not men.

Lesson 3 take home:

Do not run on empty - poverty of the soul nor run after emptiness - the addiction of the soul. Dig up the empty things in my life and pursue God instead. Let my dependence be not on outer props or securities apart from God.

Lesson 4 take home:

Number my days. Ask for wisdom to make the right choices. Steward my life and resource. Seize the day.

Lesson 5 take home:

Christ is pre-eminent. It is so evident. He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. He is creator for by Him all things were created.. all things were created through Him and for Him. He is self-exisiting. He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together. He is head of the body , the church. He is the beginning, the first born from the dead. All the fullness of God dwells in Him and through Him God reconciles all things to Himself. (Col 1:15-20)

And so He must reign supreme in my life. To have first place in everything (so difficult)
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Bruises and Aches over the week

tried rockwall climbing 2 days ago. My forearms ache the most. I had a few bruises to add on top of the few I acquired whilst in Bambini's Playground with my goddaughter. I have not climbed since OBS 12 years ago. It was a great workout.

Walked for an hour around the SPE tracks with the SH after that. It was good catching up over exercise! I love it!

Badminton training with badminton partner yesterday cured my stiff neck. What a workout!

I went to bed @ half past 11 last night and could only sleep at 1a.m. Pre-school jitters. Maybe just the bubble milk tea I had for dinner.

Thankful for the bible, the living word. Good reminders throughout the book of Mark.

Reading Roots and Wings currently- An intergrative bible study for discipleship written by the CHANs. Very insightful. One reason why i really like Pastor Ed is because he goes deep, not just deep into the word of God, but deep into the importance of our inner life, on our personal walk with God and how it must bring about a transformation in the way we lead our lives. Reading this causes me to dig deep within me, reflect on my life and start once again to revaluate my priorities.

Met 2 of SH's closest friends for yummy famous chicken rice brunch yesterday. Nothing more comfortable than being in the company of those who knows about the two of us.

My holidays are just over but I am craving for another one. But bleah, half pay means half the hols.

Have been practising scales on the guitar. So slow that I am frustrated with myself sometimes.

I drew up a very neat timetable from Monday to Friday. On to building my inner life if I follow it closely.

Thinking of how to use the LDS.

As J always says, wheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee. Off to the dentist now!
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Some Hillsong in the morning.

I am lost in the rivers of your love
swept into the power of your presence
I come to you in quiet adoration
And fall before your feet my King
I am living for the beauty of your presence.
To behold the glory of Your face.
God of all creation
I worship you.
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