My Sister's Keeper

I knew this will be a tear jerker; I don't usually choose to watch these kinda shows. I'm glad I caught this one.

I really dislike shows that emphasize on the finality of death and the futility of life; because I don't think that's what we're supposed to be focused on. It is true we are subjected to futility of life, how death comes and all the treasures we built up on earth will vanish (because the world is passing away), but it is also true that we are subjected to hope in the Lord whom we can spend eternity with.

I thought "My Sister's Keeper" is just going to be all about futility - but it surprised me. The theme that struck me would be 'accepting that death happens' and when it does, we face it bravely. That not only meant for the one departing, but the ones left behind too.

I like how each family's perspective is conveyed and how precious their relationship with each other is. The show does not really emphasize on how the relationship with one departing will end, but on strong their ties are; how they are willing to do so much for each other.

It was a beautiful story.

Great Teacher Onizuka

Takashi Sorimachi. After all these years, I still think he's something.

People and Words

信

i learnt something today...
The word TRUST in chinese (Xing) is made up of 2 components:
People (Ren zi pang) and Word (Yan)

Sometimes I tend to hide things from people and avoid open communication - with the reason of protecting a relationship; would that be right?

what happens to speaking the truth in love? what about trust?

If a basis of a solid relationship is indeed trust - i guess communication must be in place; perhaps that what the ancient chinese (btw same meaning in kanji) are trying to teach their decendants.

Newton's Law in my life

Mr Newton is right (somewhat)

1) An object at rest will remain at rest unless acted on by a force.

"...how long will you slumber O sluggard?...when will you rise from your sleep?"

How true. Inertia is a trademark of a sluggard.

A sluggard will not start, will not finish and will not confront things.

2) Acceleration; when Force acts on a Mass

May the force be with you.

"and what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power."

Returned

we went to her usual corner and told her, "it's like you've never left"

for the first time in many years, we sat in her discussion group after prayer meeting. I really missed that.

We each talked about our lives - the mundane, the nothing-seems-glorious day, the murphy's law-days/weeks...Do we see the Lord?

She took my sunday school class for 4 years and we've been bugging her after prayer meetings all the time... discussion brought back so many memories of my JC and uni years - did we learn anything from the Lord in the different circumstances we faced in the past? Have we thought about the principles we can work with? Did we establish those principles in our lives?

Until we do, we have to keep working with those set of principles we have yet establish... I find this statement particularly true.

Be it bad days, weeks or months (ok, maybe not months) - can we appreciate the learning PROCESS? appreciate that it comes from God?

Numbers 14:21

"All the earth shall be filled with the glory of the Lord."

Seeing her commitment to honour God after so many years and observing how she used her brilliance for the work of God and not for self glory; I am glad that the possiblity to be faithful is not an illusion.

Something about failures

Incline your ear...

Thank you so much!

I'll try my best.

when the din of the world is so overwhelming, this is a good advise indeed!

...

God grant me the serenity

to accept the things I cannot change;

courage to change the things I can;

and wisdom to know the difference.

Living one day at a time;

Enjoying one moment at a time;

Accepting hardships as the pathway to peace;

Taking, as He did, this sinful world as it is, not as I would have it;

Trusting that He will make all things right if I surrender to His Will;

That I may be reasonably happy in this life

and supremely happy with Him

Forever in the next.Amen.

--Reinhold Niebuhr--

Polling

Dear all, 

If you wish to vote, you can vote only once (but you can click more than 1 song). 

To view polling results, please open showresults link in another window/tab. 

I dunno lah. Just a list of songs I can choose from to teach the children this camp. 

Oh, these songs were songs in the night to me, even now!

=)

zm

L-O-V-E

Love abounds in knowledge and discernment....

for those who received Youth Walk from P. Mitch and wonder if they really know how to love; pay close attention to the latest email!

Sometimes (manytimes), I assume love - I think I love God, or I think I've loved my brethren and people around us enough. can I be more wrong?

Love's not as instinctive as it seems (coz it's not just feelings) - the purpose of the commandment is love ---> if people need to be guided and commanded to love, love is anything but natural!

I should never assume love (for God, for anyone) - it takes knowledge, it takes discernment. 

******

On the other hand, we should never assume that our love for anyone is wise/valid... one needs to guard the heart; lest distractions steps in, or deception fool us. We have one heart, onus is up to us to give it entirely to God and to render it for His purposes. 

I am a classic "suckah" that would readily give my heart to anyone I feel emotionally attached to.

Looking back, I've made many unwise and ill-informed decisions.

Hence, as much as possible, I have decided to follow our God; who is love and knows what true love is, and let Him decide who I should love - (in knowledge and discernment) 

First, we love God, because He first loved us. 

Click on the title and reminisce one of my favourite songs. 

I Will Follow Him

I will follow Him, follow Him wherever He may go. 

and near Him I always will be;

for nothing can keep me away, 

He is my destiny...

I will follow Him, ever since He touched my heart I knew

there isn't an ocean too deep

or mountain so high that can keep; keep me away, 

away from His love