An Inspring Meditation Note

‘…clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.’ (Colossians 3:12-13)


Cary Grant was a famous actor and superstar in 1940s to 1960s, with debonair demeanor and dashing good look. It was said that at the end of each performance he would always read a meditation note, jokingly said that he didn’t know who wrote it but it expressed his feelings about life:

• Now LORD, you’ve known me a long time. You know me better than I know myself. You know that each day I am growing older and someday may even be very old, so meanwhile please keep me from the habit of thinking I must say something on every subject and on every occasion.

• Release me from trying to straighten out everyone’s affairs. Make me thoughtful but not moody, helpful but not overbearing. I’ve a certain amount of knowledge to share, still it would be very nice to have a few friends who, at the end, recognized and forgave the knowledge I lacked.

• Keep my tongue free from the recital of endless details. Seal my lips on my aches and pains: They increase daily and the need to speak of them becomes almost a compulsion. I ask for grace enough to listen to the retelling of others’ afflictions, and to be helped to endure them with patience.

• I would like to have an improved memory, but I’ll settle for growing humility and an ability to capitulate when my memory clashes with the memory of others. Teach me the glorious lesson that on some occasions, I may be mistaken.

• Keep me reasonably kind; I’ve never aspired to be a saint, saints must be rather difficult to live with yet, on the other hand, an embittered old person is a constant burden.

• Please give me the ability to see good in unlikely places and talents in unexpected people. And give me the grace to tell them so, dear LORD.

Cary Grant’s meditation note is so humble, balanced and focused. There are so many areas in our lives that call for our silence, love, graciousness, kind, thoughtfulness. I bet we can find at least one.

Stress,stress,stress

‘Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.’ (Matthew 11:28-31)


We all experience stress at some point in our lives. There are many causes for that. To overcome it often means that one has to adjust his priorities, lifestyle and set realistic goals. It is good to ask ourselves this question: Am I in control of my stress, or is it in control of me?

The rigidity of a person’s personality can also be a contributing factor for stress. A rigid person is someone who is unable or refuses to change his actions or attitudes even though objective conditions indicate that a change is desirable. He clings on to certain ways of thinking and acting, even when they are no good to him and burn up his emotional energy and reserve. It is like driving a car with the brakes on, or a housewife who worries till she got into migraine headache just because she cannot maintain a scrupulously tidy home when her grandchildren are visiting.

Sometimes stress comes from ‘too much change’. We do need a certain amount of change to function efficiently. However, when changes come too fast for us to cope with, we are therefore put under tremendous stress.Dr. Thomas H. Holmes from the University of Washington School of Medicine devised the ‘Holmes Stress Scale” to measure stress in terms of "units of change”. His theory is that, too much change in one’s life in a short span of time contributes to stress and robs one’s energy, health. So whenever possible, we must try to limit changes in our lives. For example, the death of a loved one measures 100 units, divorce 73 units, marriage 50 units. His conclusion is that no one can handle more than 300 units of stress in a twelve- month period, and the likelihood of having an accident or becoming ill will increase by 80% during the next two years.

Although his theory cannot be scientifically proven, it does support what we are seeing now – rapid changes within short period of time due to globalisation have caused more people experienced stress in their lives. Like it or no, it has becoming more difficult for us to limit changes in our lives.

Putting a Face on 'Grace'

• Speak words intended to build up, not to bring down

• Focus on their need rather than your own

• Freely forgive

• Swallow you pride and say, “I’m sorry”, and “I was wrong.”

• Live your life with a goal of “no regrets”

• Don’t keep score of what is fair

• Grace doesn’t condemn or give up on people

• Grace emphasizes mercy, not justice

• Read 1 Corinthians 13 (chapter on Love) regularly



By- Richard Blackaby ( from “Putting a Face on Grace)

Values education

"There are six things the Lord hates, seven that are detestable to him: haughty eyes, lying tongues, hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises schemes, feet that are quick to rush into evil, a false witness who pours out lies and a man who stirs up dissension among brothers." (Proverbs 6:16-18)

The Ministry of Education recently introduced a new curriculum called ‘Character and Citizenship’ (CCE) which will incorporate the current ‘Civics and Moral Education”. The aim is to promote a “student-centric, value-driven education”. Clearly from the name itself one can tell that the thrust of the program is to help the students to have a strong foundation in values on one hand, and what it means to be a Singaporean on the other. It can play an important role in helping the Government to fulfill its pledge to strive for ‘inclusive growth’ that will benefit all Singaporeans.

This initiative is timely in that there are obvious signs in the breakdown of the traditional social values especially among the younger generation with the current emphasis on materialism in our society. There is also a need to promote strong nationalism with the increasing number of ‘new’ citizens coming from the non-traditional sources.

Values education has always been linked to moral education. Parents, communities and government have always expected schools to develop students who would contribute to the society in which they live. This expectation is centred on making society better for all, not just for some, or for one individual. School is therefore seen as an appropriate place where ethical and performance values which formed the foundation of good character development are promoted. It is endeavor to provide opportunity for moral actions, creating a caring community.

Notwithstanding the admirable goals the ministry sets out, I doubt it will produce the intended results. It is a known fact that the current ‘Civic and Moral Education’ is a subject that our students disliked the most. I wonder whether they internalized what they have learned, how much actually go into their thoughts and actions. One has to bear in mind that inculcate values are not the same as teaching academic subjects where the results are more predictable. Our students do need to expose to some real life challenging experiences and have role models to imitate.

In the olden days students looked up on their teachers as their role models. The old adage that "teachers need to be themselves what they want their children to be" is as true today as it has ever been in education. Role Modelling remains a powerful and effective strategy for teaching values and for moral education. Today with more teachers coming from a generation which hardly goes through struggles in life, it is a big question whether they can fulfill their calling in this aspect. This is not helped by indulgent parents who spent little quality time with their children.

Values education has been implemented by western countries long ago such as The United States and Australia without much success. Well, notwithstanding my reservation, it is still better to give it a try and hope for the best.

God won't ask

God won't ask what kind of car you drove, but He'll ask how many people you helped get where they needed to go.

God won't ask the square footage of your house, but He'll ask how many people you welcomed into your home.

God won't ask about the clothes you had in your closet, but He'll ask how many you helped to clothe.

God won't ask how many friends you had, but He'll ask how many people to whom you were a friend.

God won't ask in what neighbourhood you lived, but He'll ask how you treated your neighbours.

God won't ask about the colour of your skin, but He'll ask about the content of your character.

Confession of sin

‘Woe to the world because of the things that cause people to sin! Such things must come, but woe to the man through whom they come!’ (Matthew 18:7)

‘You rebuke and discipline men for their sin; you consume their wealth like a moth – each man is but a breath.’ (Psalm 39:11)


Sin is described in the Bible as transgression of the law of God, and rebellion against God. The world’s definition probably means any immoral action. Regardless of one’s religion background, we all have to acknowledge our innate nature is sinful.

Dealing with our sins without conviction does not bring about real changes in us. I read with interest that in Las Vegas, they have this ‘call-in confession line’. Any person can ring (up to 3 minutes) to confess his sins to this recording machine for US$9. If one wants to hear others’ confessions, he has to pay US$18 for that. The business is thriving because it does away with embarrassment a person may experience from confessing ‘face-to-face’.

We know that this is not a serious way of dealing with the problem. Without committing to forsake our sins with divine help, we cannot break away from any persistent pattern of sinning as there is no regenerating of mind taking place. As a volunteer instructor for the ex-drug offenders, I can truly feel their pains and cries for deliverance from the bondage of sin as they shared through their lessons.

Below are excerpts of some of these confessions from their contrite hearts:-

‘Our heavenly Father, please rescue me from my drug addiction. With my own effort I have failed so many times. Without your support I am weak in front of my foe. Let me hold on to Your mighty hand. Let me cling on to Your glorious feet. I will be strong to confront my enemies. Away from me my deceitful friend. I have my Lord with me. Never again will I need your company. With my Lord I have everything. Amen.’

‘Father in heaven, always I fall into sin easily. Please help me to have Your sword, Your Word, to defend myself. I want to surrender my worries and problem to you. Almighty God, please take me to you and transform a person you want me to be.’

‘God is faithful. His promise to me will never fail. When I fail and falls into the wrong track, it is my foolishness. It is my sinful nature at work. I have been shortsighted and indulge in temporary, meaningless pleasure. God has shown me the right way. God has warned me but I failed God. But our loving God is patient. He is always watching and waiting. Like a good shepherd He will carry me back to His flock when I cry out to Him.’

‘God is always and will be always faithful, no matter how many times I fail, as long as I learned my mistakes and pray to God for strength and forgiveness and repent, and God will forgive me. God is today, tomorrow and forever with me. Nothing can separate me from the love of God.’