The worst sin towards our fellow creatures is not to hate them,
but to be indifferent to them; that's the essence of inhumanity.
George Bernard Shaw
Wednesday, August 15, 2007
Friday, August 10, 2007
The Most Amazing Dog!
If this 2-legged dog can overcome its handicap and live normally, we can overcome any giants in our lives.
National Day Parade 07
We had a great time @ the National Day Parade this year held at the Marina Bay.
The fireworks is so close... and because we are by the bay, we had lots of sea display like the Navy's power of boats and the Airforce's jets and helicopters were great.
The finale of fireworks and the ending of the Pledge and National Anthem was so nostalgic.
After everything, 20 minutes walk back to Adelphi in the human jam and then the 40 minutes out of the basement carpark was no joke...
Wednesday, August 8, 2007
SICK SICK SICK
Aiyah... The flu bug has got me...
My nose is dripping, I keep sneezing, my throat is sore and painful, my eyes is teary...
O Lord, I need to stay healthy...
Ruth is away in NY and the kids will be asking for more attention.
I don't want to pass this bug to them.
And I have work to do... A number of items needs my attention.
I feel drowsy now and must rest...
My nose is dripping, I keep sneezing, my throat is sore and painful, my eyes is teary...
O Lord, I need to stay healthy...
Ruth is away in NY and the kids will be asking for more attention.
I don't want to pass this bug to them.
And I have work to do... A number of items needs my attention.
I feel drowsy now and must rest...
Tuesday, August 7, 2007
Spectacles
Sometimes I ask myself,
"Am I making a statement when I wear the different spectacles that I have recently?"
That without the glasses, I would be half blind...
That without the glasses, I would be half blind...
Or that when I wear blue spectacles, I am in a serious mood while the white spectacles is telling everyone that I am in a crazy and fun mood.
Another Week Past
It has been another busy week...
I have had a few last minute arrangements recently.
On Monday evening, I receive a call requesting me to bless their house.
A week later, another call on Monday morning requesting me to conduct a funeral cremation service on the same afternoon. I am not complaining but I am just amused that today everything is done so quickly.
In between there were quite a number of meetings to attend.
I fell ill with a terrible throat on Sunday after my preaching at the Sunday Services.
I guess my body just realise that it has over-stretched from the running around attending to the many commitments of ministry.
Thank you Lord, for giving me opportunity to serve the people both in happy occasions and in distress moments of their lives. Help me to rejoice with them and weep with them. Give me wisdom when I need to present or advise during administrative meetings. I need your strength and that you will keep me from falling ill. Amen!
I have had a few last minute arrangements recently.
On Monday evening, I receive a call requesting me to bless their house.
A week later, another call on Monday morning requesting me to conduct a funeral cremation service on the same afternoon. I am not complaining but I am just amused that today everything is done so quickly.
In between there were quite a number of meetings to attend.
I fell ill with a terrible throat on Sunday after my preaching at the Sunday Services.
I guess my body just realise that it has over-stretched from the running around attending to the many commitments of ministry.
Thank you Lord, for giving me opportunity to serve the people both in happy occasions and in distress moments of their lives. Help me to rejoice with them and weep with them. Give me wisdom when I need to present or advise during administrative meetings. I need your strength and that you will keep me from falling ill. Amen!
Matthew 5: 43 - 48
"You have heard that it was said, `Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.”
LECTIO & MEDITATIO
What is active love? It is loving the unlovable. It is loving those who have evil intentions against us. It is loving not expecting to be loved in return. I think this is Agape love or in English, “godly or divine love.” And Jesus did not just preach it but demonstrated it on the cross.
CONTEMPLATIO / PRAYER
Lord Jesus, help me to love as Jesus loves. Amen.
LECTIO & MEDITATIO
What is active love? It is loving the unlovable. It is loving those who have evil intentions against us. It is loving not expecting to be loved in return. I think this is Agape love or in English, “godly or divine love.” And Jesus did not just preach it but demonstrated it on the cross.
CONTEMPLATIO / PRAYER
Lord Jesus, help me to love as Jesus loves. Amen.
Friday, August 3, 2007
Matthew 5: 42
“Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.”
LECTIO & MEDITATIO
Have you lent some money to someone and never got it back?
And this has happened to us many times in the past. When I first experienced such an encounter, I was hurt and had a grudge against the borrower. It happened some 20 years ago. Then it happened again and again. Then it happened to my wife. And the amount was not small. It was then that my wife quoted this saying:
“When someone comes to you to borrow money, lend never expecting return.” If they had the ability to return, they would never have to borrow in the first place.
Again I have to realize that lending will not be so simple. There will be those who abuse and cause those who really needed help to be discounted. So even in this, discernment is essential in our decision to help. Or else we will be abused by those who came to cheat and those who really needed our help may not get our help as our finances are limited.
CONTEMPLATIO / PRAYER
Lord Jesus, grant me your wisdom so that I can discern who I should help, lending never expecting return. Amen.
LECTIO & MEDITATIO
Have you lent some money to someone and never got it back?
And this has happened to us many times in the past. When I first experienced such an encounter, I was hurt and had a grudge against the borrower. It happened some 20 years ago. Then it happened again and again. Then it happened to my wife. And the amount was not small. It was then that my wife quoted this saying:
“When someone comes to you to borrow money, lend never expecting return.” If they had the ability to return, they would never have to borrow in the first place.
Again I have to realize that lending will not be so simple. There will be those who abuse and cause those who really needed help to be discounted. So even in this, discernment is essential in our decision to help. Or else we will be abused by those who came to cheat and those who really needed our help may not get our help as our finances are limited.
CONTEMPLATIO / PRAYER
Lord Jesus, grant me your wisdom so that I can discern who I should help, lending never expecting return. Amen.
Thursday, August 2, 2007
Matthew 5: 40 - 41
And if someone wants to sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. If someone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles.
LECTIO & MEDITATIO
If someone wants to sue me, then I must have wrong that person.
And Jesus has put pressure on his disciples not to just put right to the wrong but to compensate more. I think Jesus is bringing across that we are to do our best to reconcile the relationship. That we should make every effort to reinstate the pain and hurt of the offended and reconcile the relationship. Again we do our part and leave the rest to God. In the eyes of the law, we have already recompense and paid the price. And in the eyes of God, we have done all we can to reconcile the relationship. There will be times when the other party may not respond positively. So that is why we live everything to God after we do what is right and even more.
CONTEMPLATIO / PRAYER
Lord Jesus, help me to put right what I have wronged and not just put right but to reconcile the relationships that had gone sour. Even if I do not get the response that I desire to receive, I leave everyting to You that You will make everything beautiful in Your time. Amen.
LECTIO & MEDITATIO
If someone wants to sue me, then I must have wrong that person.
And Jesus has put pressure on his disciples not to just put right to the wrong but to compensate more. I think Jesus is bringing across that we are to do our best to reconcile the relationship. That we should make every effort to reinstate the pain and hurt of the offended and reconcile the relationship. Again we do our part and leave the rest to God. In the eyes of the law, we have already recompense and paid the price. And in the eyes of God, we have done all we can to reconcile the relationship. There will be times when the other party may not respond positively. So that is why we live everything to God after we do what is right and even more.
CONTEMPLATIO / PRAYER
Lord Jesus, help me to put right what I have wronged and not just put right but to reconcile the relationships that had gone sour. Even if I do not get the response that I desire to receive, I leave everyting to You that You will make everything beautiful in Your time. Amen.
Wednesday, August 1, 2007
Matthew 5: 38 - 39
"You have heard that it was said, `Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.' But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also.
LECTIO & MEDITATIO
Jesus brings another extreme action which is difficult to follow. After being struck on the cheek, we are to offer the other cheek. This is something quite humanly impossible. If someone were to cheat me of $100,000, will I still be willing to help this person if he comes to me with another $100,000 debt that he needs to clear? Many questions will run in my mind that by clearing the debt, it will not help this person and only cause him to be irresponsible. But if I look at it simply, will I still go all the way and help him? This is un-natural and difficult especially when he had already cheated me.
I may not be able to reach to that level of forgiveness or compassion. But I do know that I will try to help in the way I find most suitable and to my ability emotionally, practically and spiritually. That is the standard Jesus is talking about.
CONTEMPLATIO / PRAYER
Lord Jesus, help me to grow to love like you. To be able to forgive and to have compassion on the people around me. Sometimes it may be difficult but I know that by your strength and love, I will be one who cares like Jesus cares. Amen.
LECTIO & MEDITATIO
Jesus brings another extreme action which is difficult to follow. After being struck on the cheek, we are to offer the other cheek. This is something quite humanly impossible. If someone were to cheat me of $100,000, will I still be willing to help this person if he comes to me with another $100,000 debt that he needs to clear? Many questions will run in my mind that by clearing the debt, it will not help this person and only cause him to be irresponsible. But if I look at it simply, will I still go all the way and help him? This is un-natural and difficult especially when he had already cheated me.
I may not be able to reach to that level of forgiveness or compassion. But I do know that I will try to help in the way I find most suitable and to my ability emotionally, practically and spiritually. That is the standard Jesus is talking about.
CONTEMPLATIO / PRAYER
Lord Jesus, help me to grow to love like you. To be able to forgive and to have compassion on the people around me. Sometimes it may be difficult but I know that by your strength and love, I will be one who cares like Jesus cares. Amen.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
