I did not think that I would be affected by the melamine scare.
Only until last Tuesday did I realize the severity of the situation.
Tuesday is supposed to be Ice Cream day at the cookhouse and guess what? Tuesday Ice Cream day is now Tuesday Fruit Jelly day.
Yipee...
Lactose-intolerant people must be rejoicing by now.
It's funny how even products not tested for having melamine content is now being avoided. You would be surprised at how many food products contain dairy.
It is a good thing that amidst all the scares there is nothing to worry about for those of us who are in this world but not of it.
I wonder if the one dollar ice cream on bread vendors at Orchard Road are still peddling... I could use some nice brick-shaped ice cream on pandan bread right now.
Hmm... I wonder if braised duck rice has dairy ingredients on it too?
Thursday, September 25, 2008
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
Reason 109
Just happened to find that piece of paper again. I wonder if you still have the 108.
35... I don't mind that it's short by 73.
I have to say that I want to make it a total of 109.
109: I keep you in prayer.
35... I don't mind that it's short by 73.
I have to say that I want to make it a total of 109.
109: I keep you in prayer.
Saturday, September 20, 2008
Iced Coffee and Apples
200908. Shall remember this date. I do not keep a journal anymore so for posterity this entry will be the reminder for what I received today.
In the coming weeks, months or even years I want to look back on this day and be able to say that this was another climbing point for my life. For the dreams that He has put in my life I really cannot look at myself and try to acheive those dreams because they are too big for me. There is no way that I can achieve them. It really has to be God.
I like what Pastor Benjamin shared about this Woman of God who had a tremendous healing ministry, I forgot her name but he mentioned that before this Woman would come up on stage she would "die a thousand deaths". She would just tell God that it is not about her, not about how the past meeting went or about how she feels, it was all about Him.
And really, Daddy God, it will have to be all You.
I am really blessed by the sudden ministering session for all the men - from men to Men of Honor.
It is better and more life-changing than enlistment. Until now I still remember 120107, the date when I enlisted and my life was no longer the same after that. Once more 200908, another significant date in my life. My life is no longer the same from this point.
Somehow this song was stuck in my head. I cannot remember when I last heard it but I just kept trying to sing out the chorus although I do not really know the song. Once I heard it and read the lyrics it really speaks to me. Enjoy!
In the coming weeks, months or even years I want to look back on this day and be able to say that this was another climbing point for my life. For the dreams that He has put in my life I really cannot look at myself and try to acheive those dreams because they are too big for me. There is no way that I can achieve them. It really has to be God.
I like what Pastor Benjamin shared about this Woman of God who had a tremendous healing ministry, I forgot her name but he mentioned that before this Woman would come up on stage she would "die a thousand deaths". She would just tell God that it is not about her, not about how the past meeting went or about how she feels, it was all about Him.
And really, Daddy God, it will have to be all You.
I am really blessed by the sudden ministering session for all the men - from men to Men of Honor.
It is better and more life-changing than enlistment. Until now I still remember 120107, the date when I enlisted and my life was no longer the same after that. Once more 200908, another significant date in my life. My life is no longer the same from this point.
Somehow this song was stuck in my head. I cannot remember when I last heard it but I just kept trying to sing out the chorus although I do not really know the song. Once I heard it and read the lyrics it really speaks to me. Enjoy!
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
Thankfulness
I'm beginning to see things in a different light. Just last night I was complaining about the declining quality of the standard of food in this island resort and was slightly admonished by Oinky.
There are a lot of things that I could be thankful for like the fact that at least I have food to eat and I do not have to cook it myself.
After that when I saw today's breakfast I had a different attitude. It was supposed to have ham slices but they ran out, but I was thankful for the scrambled egg, beans and bread that was still available.
There are so many things to be thankful for but sometimes it is easier to see what is lacking.
It is high time to have a repentance in this aspect of my thinking.
Here's to an even more enjoyable last few weeks!
There are a lot of things that I could be thankful for like the fact that at least I have food to eat and I do not have to cook it myself.
After that when I saw today's breakfast I had a different attitude. It was supposed to have ham slices but they ran out, but I was thankful for the scrambled egg, beans and bread that was still available.
There are so many things to be thankful for but sometimes it is easier to see what is lacking.
It is high time to have a repentance in this aspect of my thinking.
Here's to an even more enjoyable last few weeks!
Monday, September 15, 2008
Peanut Butter Cookies
I've been wondering how by the way we live our lives we can inspire others.
Just yesterday we saw an elderly lady eating Subway. Such a simple act as eating fast food can cause so much inspiration.
It was rare to see an elderly person eating in a so-called "happening" place such as Subway. Fast food joints are usually patronized by those of the younger generation so it was cool to see an elderly lady eating Subway.
She was friendly enough and started sharing with us bits of her life. She said that ever since she became a Christian she's been stronger despite being an octogenarian. This was literally renewal of youth like an eagle's.
Simply by how she is living her life she is a living testimony to the love of God and His grace.
Her life is so impacted by Jesus that she does not hesitate to tell others about how good God is.
I pray that my life could also be a living testimony that it would be so glorious that when people see my life and ask what is my secret I can tell them, "There is no secret. It is because I have Jesus!"
-----
Yesterday's service was really good too. Lots of things to reflect upon and to hear and keep hearing.
Before we pray, do we even stop and think who we are praying to? We are praying to Abba Father who did not withhold His only Son from us.
Is good results more important than Jesus? Is favor in the workplace more important than Jesus? Is health more important than Jesus? Is prosperity more important than Jesus?
All these things pale in comparison to the loveliness of Jesus and yet God gave the very best - Jesus, to die for us so that in exchange we may experience life and life more abundantly!
-----
After tomorrow... 58...
Just yesterday we saw an elderly lady eating Subway. Such a simple act as eating fast food can cause so much inspiration.
It was rare to see an elderly person eating in a so-called "happening" place such as Subway. Fast food joints are usually patronized by those of the younger generation so it was cool to see an elderly lady eating Subway.
She was friendly enough and started sharing with us bits of her life. She said that ever since she became a Christian she's been stronger despite being an octogenarian. This was literally renewal of youth like an eagle's.
Simply by how she is living her life she is a living testimony to the love of God and His grace.
Her life is so impacted by Jesus that she does not hesitate to tell others about how good God is.
I pray that my life could also be a living testimony that it would be so glorious that when people see my life and ask what is my secret I can tell them, "There is no secret. It is because I have Jesus!"
-----
Yesterday's service was really good too. Lots of things to reflect upon and to hear and keep hearing.
Before we pray, do we even stop and think who we are praying to? We are praying to Abba Father who did not withhold His only Son from us.
Is good results more important than Jesus? Is favor in the workplace more important than Jesus? Is health more important than Jesus? Is prosperity more important than Jesus?
All these things pale in comparison to the loveliness of Jesus and yet God gave the very best - Jesus, to die for us so that in exchange we may experience life and life more abundantly!
-----
After tomorrow... 58...
Sunday, September 14, 2008
Soya Milk and Bananas
The following week is going to be busy in camp. Going to have to stay in a few days but it feels good because it's the final stretch of this NS journey. Although I still have about two months to go after this coming week things are going to be more relaxed.
I can't wait for this week to be over!
Just want to share this article that has really blessed me...
Carve Out Time for the People Who Matter Most
Valorie Burton
Author & Life Coach
"No man on his deathbed ever said, 'I wish I had spent more time at the office.'"
— The late Sen. Paul Tsongas of Massachusetts
When I married and moved to Maryland in 2003, my father serendipitously received a promotion to move from Colorado to nearby northern Virginia. We had not lived in the same city since I graduated from high school and I was excited that he'd be just 20 miles away. Despite the close proximity, we both noticed something: We didn't actually see one another as often as we'd thought we would.
Have you ever noticed that life sometimes gets so busy that it gets in the way of what you say is most important? It's in those moments, that you must reassess your priorities and make sure your schedule reflects them. If you aren't intentional about how you spend your time, it will slip through your fingers without bringing you some of the experiences that make your life rich and fulfilling.
To make sure we made time together a priority, Dad and I decided to set a standing appointment. On Fridays, we meet for lunch. Same place. Same time. And on the occasions when one of us cannot make it, we make it a point to see each other at some other time. Our lunch date ensures that we never become so busy that we go for weeks, living in the same metro area, without visiting with each other face to face. We visit at other times, too, of course, but we don't rely on happenstance and special occasions to see each other regularly.
This week, I invite you to take a moment to consider the people with whom you most want to spend time with on a regular basis. Then carve out some time and put strong boundaries around it. There is so much vying for your attention that you must be intentional about making time for your relationships. For example, my husband and I carve out weekends to spend time together doing things we love with each other and people we care about. We also eat dinner together nearly every day. I make it my rule not to go more than four months without seeing my mother and little brother who live an hour-long plane ride away. And I have a couple of friends with whom I get together once a month or so. If we don't set a date, one of us calls the other to say, "Hey, it's time for us to get together."
To some, it may seem ridiculous to set appointments with yourself and the people you care about. Instead, I see it as a way to honor your most important relationships. In a world in which there is always something calling for your attention, it is essential that you take control of how you spend your time and put boundaries around the time that's meant for your most important priority—your relationships. Here are a few ideas to get you started:
- Invite friends or family over once a month for an old-fashioned Sunday dinner.
- Eat breakfast or dinner together as a family.
- Choose a weekly "date night" for you and your spouse or significant other.
- Have a "game night" with your children or friends.
- Choose a favorite pastime and schedule regular time to enjoy it with someone you want to spend time with consistently.
- Set a standard for how often you want to see loved ones who do not live in your area. Honor your standard by taking out your calendar and marking the dates.
- Carve out regular time just for you. Just as it is important to make time for the important people in your life, it's important to make time just for you, too!
- Come up with your idea by brainstorming with the person you want to carve out time for!
Living an inspired life means aligning your true priorities with your day-to-day actions. When you make time for your relationships, you'll notice that other less meaningful activities may fall by the wayside. Take a deep breath and let them go. You can't be all things to all people. Carve out time for the people who matter most to you. Enjoy!
I can't wait for this week to be over!
Just want to share this article that has really blessed me...
Carve Out Time for the People Who Matter Most
Valorie Burton
Author & Life Coach
"No man on his deathbed ever said, 'I wish I had spent more time at the office.'"
— The late Sen. Paul Tsongas of Massachusetts
When I married and moved to Maryland in 2003, my father serendipitously received a promotion to move from Colorado to nearby northern Virginia. We had not lived in the same city since I graduated from high school and I was excited that he'd be just 20 miles away. Despite the close proximity, we both noticed something: We didn't actually see one another as often as we'd thought we would.
Have you ever noticed that life sometimes gets so busy that it gets in the way of what you say is most important? It's in those moments, that you must reassess your priorities and make sure your schedule reflects them. If you aren't intentional about how you spend your time, it will slip through your fingers without bringing you some of the experiences that make your life rich and fulfilling.
To make sure we made time together a priority, Dad and I decided to set a standing appointment. On Fridays, we meet for lunch. Same place. Same time. And on the occasions when one of us cannot make it, we make it a point to see each other at some other time. Our lunch date ensures that we never become so busy that we go for weeks, living in the same metro area, without visiting with each other face to face. We visit at other times, too, of course, but we don't rely on happenstance and special occasions to see each other regularly.
This week, I invite you to take a moment to consider the people with whom you most want to spend time with on a regular basis. Then carve out some time and put strong boundaries around it. There is so much vying for your attention that you must be intentional about making time for your relationships. For example, my husband and I carve out weekends to spend time together doing things we love with each other and people we care about. We also eat dinner together nearly every day. I make it my rule not to go more than four months without seeing my mother and little brother who live an hour-long plane ride away. And I have a couple of friends with whom I get together once a month or so. If we don't set a date, one of us calls the other to say, "Hey, it's time for us to get together."
To some, it may seem ridiculous to set appointments with yourself and the people you care about. Instead, I see it as a way to honor your most important relationships. In a world in which there is always something calling for your attention, it is essential that you take control of how you spend your time and put boundaries around the time that's meant for your most important priority—your relationships. Here are a few ideas to get you started:
- Invite friends or family over once a month for an old-fashioned Sunday dinner.
- Eat breakfast or dinner together as a family.
- Choose a weekly "date night" for you and your spouse or significant other.
- Have a "game night" with your children or friends.
- Choose a favorite pastime and schedule regular time to enjoy it with someone you want to spend time with consistently.
- Set a standard for how often you want to see loved ones who do not live in your area. Honor your standard by taking out your calendar and marking the dates.
- Carve out regular time just for you. Just as it is important to make time for the important people in your life, it's important to make time just for you, too!
- Come up with your idea by brainstorming with the person you want to carve out time for!
Living an inspired life means aligning your true priorities with your day-to-day actions. When you make time for your relationships, you'll notice that other less meaningful activities may fall by the wayside. Take a deep breath and let them go. You can't be all things to all people. Carve out time for the people who matter most to you. Enjoy!
Thursday, September 11, 2008
Bananas and Water
Wheee. I somehow reached Pasir Ris super early and managed to catch the first shuttle bus. First time ever. I somehow slept so soundly in the bus and the driver did not even bother to check whether there was still any passengers inside and he started to drive out of the ferry terminal and I was still sleeping inside! Fortunately another guy who I suspect also was sleeping soundly woke up and alerted the driver. Even more fortunate was that I woke up just as the other guy was stepping out of the bus. (I forgive him for not even waking me up.)
Ireen was sharing about YWA camp and one part that Pastor Benjamin shared. It was on John 8 on the woman who was caught in adultery.
For many of us we know that this was the passage where Jesus gave the gift of no condemnation before the woman could sin no more.
Verse 10-11:
When Jesus had raised Himself up and saw no one but the woman, He said to her, “Woman, where are those accusers of yours? Has no one condemned you?” She said, “No one, Lord.” And Jesus said to her, “Neither do I condemn you; go and sin no more.”
Those verses alone are enough to blow me away with Jesus awesome goodness but the story does not end there.
Verse 12:
Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.”
Pastor Benjamin said that the light of Jesus is a light of no condemnation. That is something that we miss because we often stop at verse 11.
What's so cool about Jesus being the light of the world? When there is light, darkness cannot exist. When we feel condemned it is like allowing darkness to remain in our lives but Jesus is the light! Whenever there is light, darkness has no choice but to flee! Darkness cannot exist where light is shining. Sin, condemnation and every other thing that is of darkness cannot exist in the same place where Jesus is. Jesus' as the light shines out and illuminates every area of darkness in our lives.
How can we who have Jesus in us walk in darkness? We have the light of life!
Ireen was sharing about YWA camp and one part that Pastor Benjamin shared. It was on John 8 on the woman who was caught in adultery.
For many of us we know that this was the passage where Jesus gave the gift of no condemnation before the woman could sin no more.
Verse 10-11:
When Jesus had raised Himself up and saw no one but the woman, He said to her, “Woman, where are those accusers of yours? Has no one condemned you?” She said, “No one, Lord.” And Jesus said to her, “Neither do I condemn you; go and sin no more.”
Those verses alone are enough to blow me away with Jesus awesome goodness but the story does not end there.
Verse 12:
Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.”
Pastor Benjamin said that the light of Jesus is a light of no condemnation. That is something that we miss because we often stop at verse 11.
What's so cool about Jesus being the light of the world? When there is light, darkness cannot exist. When we feel condemned it is like allowing darkness to remain in our lives but Jesus is the light! Whenever there is light, darkness has no choice but to flee! Darkness cannot exist where light is shining. Sin, condemnation and every other thing that is of darkness cannot exist in the same place where Jesus is. Jesus' as the light shines out and illuminates every area of darkness in our lives.
How can we who have Jesus in us walk in darkness? We have the light of life!
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
Apples and Milk
Might start slowly at first but I'm going to try to maintain...
I remember one day thinking that I do not want to share too much on things I receive from God because I thought that I want to keep them for when sharing would be really applicable or at the right time.
In a way I was "stingy" with the things that I received but I slowly realized that if I wanted to receive more from God, it would be wise to give out what He has already given.
Whenever I share I open myself to receive even more and keeping things to myself only makes me a reservoir - just a collection with no outlet and hence no life can flow out.
I've held back most of the time due to laziness but I'm slowly beginning to realize that sometimes I have to choose to make time for the things that are important to me. So now I'm taking time out and going to start off with something that I received...
We know that Jesus' blood has redeeming qualities. When he sweat blood in the garden it was our redemption from stress and from condemning thoughts. When His blood was shed on the cross it redeemed us from our sins.
Pondering this I began to see something that was not obvious to me although it should have been. Jesus' blood was shed on the scourging post.
When Jesus was scourged, it was for our sicknesses and diseases. By his stripes we are healed. I did not realize that when he went through the flogging, his blood was shed. His blood was there on the stripes and wounds on his body. When his blood flowed out from the flagellation it was when our sicknesses and diseases were being paid for.
Even as he was hanging on the cross he bore all our sicknesses and diseases and even then his blood was redeeming us from sicknesses and diseases. Our health and wholeness have been paid for in full!
I do not want to live a life that short-changes me from what Jesus paid for by his blood - not even sinusitis or short-sightedness. If Jesus paid for it, then I want to receive it completely and wholeheartedly. Even with all the symptoms still present it does not change the fact that Jesus' blood has been shed and that it was an overpayment.
By his stripes I am healed!
I remember one day thinking that I do not want to share too much on things I receive from God because I thought that I want to keep them for when sharing would be really applicable or at the right time.
In a way I was "stingy" with the things that I received but I slowly realized that if I wanted to receive more from God, it would be wise to give out what He has already given.
Whenever I share I open myself to receive even more and keeping things to myself only makes me a reservoir - just a collection with no outlet and hence no life can flow out.
I've held back most of the time due to laziness but I'm slowly beginning to realize that sometimes I have to choose to make time for the things that are important to me. So now I'm taking time out and going to start off with something that I received...
We know that Jesus' blood has redeeming qualities. When he sweat blood in the garden it was our redemption from stress and from condemning thoughts. When His blood was shed on the cross it redeemed us from our sins.
Pondering this I began to see something that was not obvious to me although it should have been. Jesus' blood was shed on the scourging post.
When Jesus was scourged, it was for our sicknesses and diseases. By his stripes we are healed. I did not realize that when he went through the flogging, his blood was shed. His blood was there on the stripes and wounds on his body. When his blood flowed out from the flagellation it was when our sicknesses and diseases were being paid for.
Even as he was hanging on the cross he bore all our sicknesses and diseases and even then his blood was redeeming us from sicknesses and diseases. Our health and wholeness have been paid for in full!
I do not want to live a life that short-changes me from what Jesus paid for by his blood - not even sinusitis or short-sightedness. If Jesus paid for it, then I want to receive it completely and wholeheartedly. Even with all the symptoms still present it does not change the fact that Jesus' blood has been shed and that it was an overpayment.
By his stripes I am healed!
Sunday, September 07, 2008
Muffins and Apples
Gosh, there's so much I want to share but I'm not making the time and effort to do so. Sigh.
Every time when I feel like blogging it's when I'm not at home and unable to do so.
Anyway, for now I want to say that I'm happy that I'm slowly seeing restoration in some of the relationships that I thought were lost.
Sometimes it has to be a choice on my part to talk with friends that I have not talked to for a long time. I don't mean to say that I have to persuade myself to talk with the person; what I mean is that sometimes I can get caught up in my own life that it seems like I don't have time for relationships but all it takes is a simple "hello" to catch up with someone. It's that kind of small choices that I have decided to try and make more often.
I know it's impossible to maintain a constant level of familiarity with all my friends but it does not mean that I should cut off all ties altogether.
That's why I'm so happy to receive a reply from a friend from the Philippines. Although we have not spoken for so long I don't want the friendship that we had last time to just disappear. I just decided to send a short message of how I have been and just to say hello and I did not receive a reply for a few weeks. I was not sure whether I would get a reply because it's been so long and as the days passed I thought that the message was ignored.
I remember praying for favor over the message before sending it out and God has answered the prayer with the reply.
It was the same for another friend, one day I just felt like sending an sms even though I have not spoken with the person for so long. I prayed for favor over the message and did not expect a reply because I just wanted to encourage the person so I sent a close-ended message. I did not think about it after that but on the same week the person spoke with me on msn and I managed to catch up through that.
So even if it's in small ways, I want to make the choice to catch up whenever I can - even if I don't get a reply.
Yup. Hopefully I'll be able to make the choice to blog more often as well...
Every time when I feel like blogging it's when I'm not at home and unable to do so.
Anyway, for now I want to say that I'm happy that I'm slowly seeing restoration in some of the relationships that I thought were lost.
Sometimes it has to be a choice on my part to talk with friends that I have not talked to for a long time. I don't mean to say that I have to persuade myself to talk with the person; what I mean is that sometimes I can get caught up in my own life that it seems like I don't have time for relationships but all it takes is a simple "hello" to catch up with someone. It's that kind of small choices that I have decided to try and make more often.
I know it's impossible to maintain a constant level of familiarity with all my friends but it does not mean that I should cut off all ties altogether.
That's why I'm so happy to receive a reply from a friend from the Philippines. Although we have not spoken for so long I don't want the friendship that we had last time to just disappear. I just decided to send a short message of how I have been and just to say hello and I did not receive a reply for a few weeks. I was not sure whether I would get a reply because it's been so long and as the days passed I thought that the message was ignored.
I remember praying for favor over the message before sending it out and God has answered the prayer with the reply.
It was the same for another friend, one day I just felt like sending an sms even though I have not spoken with the person for so long. I prayed for favor over the message and did not expect a reply because I just wanted to encourage the person so I sent a close-ended message. I did not think about it after that but on the same week the person spoke with me on msn and I managed to catch up through that.
So even if it's in small ways, I want to make the choice to catch up whenever I can - even if I don't get a reply.
Yup. Hopefully I'll be able to make the choice to blog more often as well...
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