‘Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.’ ( I Thessalonians 5:18)
‘Feeling gratitude and not expressing it is like wrapping a present and not giving it.’ ~William Arthur Ward
In Luke chapter 17 of the Bible we read about Jesus healed ten men of leprosy. Only one of them came back to Him, praising God in a loud voice, threw himself at Jesus’ feet and thanked Him.
The cartoon character, Charlie Brown, gives several suggestions as to why the other nine lepers never returned to Jesus:
First one: waited to see if the cure was real.
Second one: waited to see if it would last.
Third one: said he would see Jesus later.
Fourth one: decided that he had never really had leprosy.
Fifth one: said he would have gotten well anyway.
Sixth one: gave the glory to the priests.
Seventh one: said, “O, well, Jesus didn’t really do anything.”
Eight one: said, “Any rabbi could have done it.”
Nine one: said, “I was already much improved.”
These suggestions speak a lot about our human nature. Think about it, we are not much better than the nine lepers. We often rationalized the blessings and gifts we received without thankfulness. May we remind ourselves to have an attitude of gratitude, not just during this season of the year, but every day! Have a blessed Christmas & New Year!
Thursday, December 22, 2011
Wednesday, December 14, 2011
'Grandma in court'
In a trial, a small-town prosecuting attorney called his first witness, an elderly grandmother to the stand. He approached her and asked; "Mrs. Jones, do you know me?"
She responded, "Why, yes, I do know you, Mr. Williams. I've known you since you were a young boy, and frankly, you're a big disappointment to me. You lie, cheat on your wife, manipulate people and talk about them behind their backs. You think you're a big shot when you haven't the brains to realize you never will amount to anything more than a two-bit paper pusher. Yes, I know you."
The lawyer was stunned! Not knowing what else to do, he pointed across the room and asked, "Mrs. Jones, do you know the defence attorney (the opponent's lawyer)?"
She again replied, "Why, yes, I do. I've known Mr. Bradley since he was a youngster. He's lazy, bigoted, and has a drinking problem. He can't build a normal relationship with anyone and his law practice is one of the worst in the state. Not to mention he cheated on his wife with three different women. One of them was your wife. .. Yes I know him."
The defence attorney almost died.
The judge asked both lawyers to approach the bench and in a quiet voice said: "If either of you rascals asks her if she knows me, I’ll send you to jail for contempt of court!!!
She responded, "Why, yes, I do know you, Mr. Williams. I've known you since you were a young boy, and frankly, you're a big disappointment to me. You lie, cheat on your wife, manipulate people and talk about them behind their backs. You think you're a big shot when you haven't the brains to realize you never will amount to anything more than a two-bit paper pusher. Yes, I know you."
The lawyer was stunned! Not knowing what else to do, he pointed across the room and asked, "Mrs. Jones, do you know the defence attorney (the opponent's lawyer)?"
She again replied, "Why, yes, I do. I've known Mr. Bradley since he was a youngster. He's lazy, bigoted, and has a drinking problem. He can't build a normal relationship with anyone and his law practice is one of the worst in the state. Not to mention he cheated on his wife with three different women. One of them was your wife. .. Yes I know him."
The defence attorney almost died.
The judge asked both lawyers to approach the bench and in a quiet voice said: "If either of you rascals asks her if she knows me, I’ll send you to jail for contempt of court!!!
Lesson: Lawyers should never ask grandmas a question if they aren’t prepared or the answer!
(Shared by Fiona)
(Shared by Fiona)
Tuesday, December 13, 2011
Pension quagmire
“By wisdom a house is built, and by understanding it is established; and by knowledge the rooms are filled with all precious and pleasant riches.” (Proverbs 24:3-4)
The public sector workers in Britain went on a ‘one-day walkout’ on 30th November, to protest on the government’s proposal to work longer till 66, and to increase their pension contribution payments. They also faced the possibility, if the proposals went through, a lower pension payout which is based on their average salary instead of the final salary they draw.
The gap between the public sector pensions and payouts in U.K. has been widening over the years, and ordinary taxpayers have been asked to contribute to this shortfall. This is obviously not acceptable in the long run given the country already running at 80% debt to GDP. As the population aged, we begin to see many ‘downsides’ of such pension scheme. The pool of economically active population has been shrinking. This coupled with extremely generous medical benefits for the pensioners, making such scheme untenable over time. I can understand these people’s fear as they faced great uncertainty what they would be getting when they retired if the scheme is subject to changes from time to time. Our government is wise enough to stop such scheme in the 80s to save itself from the financial nightmare as I see the huge medical cost some of my friends who are pensioners choked up.
In this aspect, our CPF scheme seems to be more transparent and equitable as the contributor knows the ‘ins’ and ‘outs’ of his account. In this sense, he does has a say on how to use it wisely within the guidelines. This scheme highly favours those young workers as they do not have to pay high taxes in return for pension payouts. They are therefore in a better position to accumulate their wealth at a faster pace. Many are able to own their houses instead of renting by tapping into the funds.
However, it looks like people are using too much of their funds in housing , such that they are asset rich but cash poor when they retired, and the idea of ‘reverse-mortgage’ is still frown upon by many. May be more should be set aside for the Special account and Medisave account. The scheme has now become too complicated with too many usages for the funds. Has our scheme also run into ‘problems’ that we do not know? The fact that the retirement age keeps pushing back makes me uncomfortable.
The public sector workers in Britain went on a ‘one-day walkout’ on 30th November, to protest on the government’s proposal to work longer till 66, and to increase their pension contribution payments. They also faced the possibility, if the proposals went through, a lower pension payout which is based on their average salary instead of the final salary they draw.
The gap between the public sector pensions and payouts in U.K. has been widening over the years, and ordinary taxpayers have been asked to contribute to this shortfall. This is obviously not acceptable in the long run given the country already running at 80% debt to GDP. As the population aged, we begin to see many ‘downsides’ of such pension scheme. The pool of economically active population has been shrinking. This coupled with extremely generous medical benefits for the pensioners, making such scheme untenable over time. I can understand these people’s fear as they faced great uncertainty what they would be getting when they retired if the scheme is subject to changes from time to time. Our government is wise enough to stop such scheme in the 80s to save itself from the financial nightmare as I see the huge medical cost some of my friends who are pensioners choked up.
In this aspect, our CPF scheme seems to be more transparent and equitable as the contributor knows the ‘ins’ and ‘outs’ of his account. In this sense, he does has a say on how to use it wisely within the guidelines. This scheme highly favours those young workers as they do not have to pay high taxes in return for pension payouts. They are therefore in a better position to accumulate their wealth at a faster pace. Many are able to own their houses instead of renting by tapping into the funds.
However, it looks like people are using too much of their funds in housing , such that they are asset rich but cash poor when they retired, and the idea of ‘reverse-mortgage’ is still frown upon by many. May be more should be set aside for the Special account and Medisave account. The scheme has now become too complicated with too many usages for the funds. Has our scheme also run into ‘problems’ that we do not know? The fact that the retirement age keeps pushing back makes me uncomfortable.
Thursday, December 8, 2011
Family holiday
”Not that I (Apostle Paul) am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need.” (Philippians 4:11-12)
Last week my family went to Taipei for a one week free-and-easy holiday. This is the first time for them to venture out to a distant country without me. Thank God that the trip turned out generally quite pleasant with only minor ‘hiccups’. They have passed the test of learning to be independent without having me around.
I did not want to tag along and ended up becoming a ‘burden’ as I have such a long list of things to take care of. To begin with is my strict diet. I have been eating this typical simple diet –steam or boil fish/chicken breast with vegetables and brown rice for almost 3 years. My brain starts to reject other kinds of food. I also want to avoid been exhausted with too much walking which is not good for my health. The other issue is that after went through 2 big operations, I find difficult to control my bowel movement since then. Lastly, having to take the Chinese concoction everyday (twice) is a big obstacle and challenge for me to ever think of venturing away from home even for a day. Whatever it may be, I learnt to be contented and lived with what I have been blessed with.
Last week my family went to Taipei for a one week free-and-easy holiday. This is the first time for them to venture out to a distant country without me. Thank God that the trip turned out generally quite pleasant with only minor ‘hiccups’. They have passed the test of learning to be independent without having me around.
I did not want to tag along and ended up becoming a ‘burden’ as I have such a long list of things to take care of. To begin with is my strict diet. I have been eating this typical simple diet –steam or boil fish/chicken breast with vegetables and brown rice for almost 3 years. My brain starts to reject other kinds of food. I also want to avoid been exhausted with too much walking which is not good for my health. The other issue is that after went through 2 big operations, I find difficult to control my bowel movement since then. Lastly, having to take the Chinese concoction everyday (twice) is a big obstacle and challenge for me to ever think of venturing away from home even for a day. Whatever it may be, I learnt to be contented and lived with what I have been blessed with.
Tuesday, December 6, 2011
Where God wants me
“Don't even grumble, as some of them did and were killed by the destroying angel.”( 1 Corinthians 10:10)
A very close friend shared with me recently a very inspiring PowerPoint of the above title. It really challenges us to see those ‘annoying’ things happened in our lives from a very different approach. These ‘things’ can be when we got stuck in a traffic jam, forget to bring the credit card, or miss an elevator. Some people are so affected by these things that they let them spoilt the rest of their days.
Are we too, been disturbed by these ‘annoying things’? If we do, then think of on that very eventful day when the Twin Towers was attacked. Many of those who are alive are those who put up with annoying things on that day! So the most sensible thing for us to do is stop grumbling, see them as God wants us to be in that annoying situation for a purpose. So keep smiling is one of the best advertisement for God. It makes people wonder what we have got!
A very close friend shared with me recently a very inspiring PowerPoint of the above title. It really challenges us to see those ‘annoying’ things happened in our lives from a very different approach. These ‘things’ can be when we got stuck in a traffic jam, forget to bring the credit card, or miss an elevator. Some people are so affected by these things that they let them spoilt the rest of their days.
Are we too, been disturbed by these ‘annoying things’? If we do, then think of on that very eventful day when the Twin Towers was attacked. Many of those who are alive are those who put up with annoying things on that day! So the most sensible thing for us to do is stop grumbling, see them as God wants us to be in that annoying situation for a purpose. So keep smiling is one of the best advertisement for God. It makes people wonder what we have got!
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