Reflections & Resolutions

“....Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable – if anything is excellent or praiseworthy – think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me – put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you. ” (Philippians 4:8-9)

“I know, O Lord, that a man’s life is not his own; it is not for man to direct his steps.” (Jeremiah 10:23)

Today is the last day of the year 2010. As I reflected things happened within me and around me, it is by God’s grace that I am what I am now. Physically, my stamina has improved though I still experienced lethargic, unexplainable pains, sudden sense of unwell here and there.

There are a few milestones I attained this year. First is that I started a blog in July and received overwhelming encouragements from friends and relatives. The other thing is that I acquired an interest in potty gardening and Taiji, now that they become my hobbies. Most of all is that I have more peace in my heart and gained wisdom through the reading of God’s Word in the bible.

All in all, the outcomes this year have been ones that far exceeding my expectations, and I know God’s hand is in all of them. Looking ahead, my life journey is going to be hazy and even scary. This trial has refine, shape and mould me to a better person. I am grateful for learning so many valuable lessons in life within such short span of time. There will be more severe tests to come but I pray that I will be still believing God’s unchanging goodness though I may not understand why they have to be the ways they are.

My New Year resolutions are to pursue excellence in thoughts and values exalted in the above bible verses, and be thankful regardless of circumstances. I hope I can be like Job(Book of Job,Old Testament), who even in the midst of deep afflictions and troubles, is not demanding God for an answer but believing something good would work out ultimately notwithstanding what appeared to the contrary.

The Art of Living

“Do not forsake wisdom, and she will protect you; love her, and she will watch over you.” (Proverbs 4:5-6)

When we read Singapore been rated as no. 1 in economic areas such as the busiest airport in the world, most of us do not give too much thought over it, but when the country is rated as the happiest nation in Asia by the American author, Dan Buettner, based on his comparative data collected (e.g. community tolerance, health care and mobility among the tangibles), many Singaporeans greeted this news with disbelieved.

We are more famously known to be an over-achieving, unforgiving, high-cost place, than a happy place to live in. With rapid urbanisation across the island, it is difficult nowadays to find a place here where you do not hear traffic noise or see high-rise buildings even when you are in the park. So Singaporeans like to go for holidays to get away from this fast-paced and highly-stressed environment.

How ones measured happiness, of course, is highly subjective. When my daughter came back from her 8-day free-an-easy trip to Tokyo three weeks ago, she still missed the place very much. From what she shared with me so far, though I have not been to that place, it is a culturally-vibrant city with good-mannered folks and clean streets (no dustbin provided & nobody eat and walk at the same time!). The Japanese guarded their culture zealously at the expense of economic growth with the shrinkage of labour force (no to influx of mass foreign immigrants).

This taught me a valuable lesson. In life, you really have to decide your priorities. For the Japanese, perhaps happiness is enjoying their well-preserved rich culture for they know that should it give way, no amount of effort and money can rebuild it.

"If Christ has not come"

“If I (Jesus) had not come and spoke to them (the world), they would not guilty of sin." (John 15:22)
“Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks, and send some to those who have nothing prepared. This day is sacred to our Lord." (Nehemiah 8:10)

Economy is doing extremely well and judging from the shopping crowds, people are definitely spending more this year than before. As we re-focus on the true meaning of Christmas, I can’t help but share this very thought-provoking story I read from ‘Streams In The Desert’:-

'A church minister falling asleep in his study on one Christmas morning and then dreaming of a world into which Jesus had never come.

In his dream, he saw himself walking through his house, but as he looked, he saw no stockings hung on the chimney, no Christmas tree, and no Christ to comfort and gladden hearts. He then walked onto the street outside, but there was no church around. When he came back and sat down in his library, he realised that every book about Christ had disappeared. Then the doorbell rang and that a messenger asked him to visit a friend’s poor dying mother.

He reached her home, and as his friend sat and wept, he said, “I have something here to comfort you.” He opened his Bible to look for a familiar promise, but it ended with the last book of Old Testament, Malachi. There was no gospel (New Testament), and no promise of hope and salvation, and all he could do was bow his head and weep with his friend and his mother in bitter despair.

Two days later he stood beside her coffin and conducted her funeral service, but there was no message of comfort, no words of a glorious resurrection, and no thought of a mansion awaiting her in heaven. There was only “dust to dust, and ashes to ashes,” and one long, final farewell. Finally, he realised that Christ has not come, and burst into tears, weeping bitterly in his sorrowful dream.

Then suddenly he awoke with a start, and a great shout of joy and praise burst from his lips as he heard the choir singing".....O come let us adore Him, Christ the Lord!" in his church nearby.'

So let us rejoice this season of the year because Christ has come, and may His aroma spread every corner of the world.

Jesus is better than Santa

".....I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep." (John 10:10-11)

I got an email from my nephew in Malaysia yesterday and he shared with me the following which reminds me of the significance and true meaning of celebrating Christmas:


Jesus is Better than Santa

Santa lives at the North Pole.
JESUS is everywhere.

Santa rides in a sleigh
JESUS rides on the wind and walks on the water.

Santa comes but once a year
JESUS is an ever present help

Santa fills your stockings with goodies
JESUS supplies all your needs.

Santa comes down your chimney uninvited
JESUS stands at your door and knocks…and then enters your heart.

You have to stand in line to see Santa
JESUS is as close as the mention of His name.

Santa lets you sit on his lap
JESUS lets you rest in His arms.

Santa doesn't know your name, all he can say is
"Hi little boy or girl, What's your name?"

JESUS knew our name before we did.
Not only does He know our name, He knows our address too.
He knows our history and future and
He even knows how many hairs are on our heads.

Santa has a belly like a bowl full of jelly
JESUS has a heart full of love.

All Santa can offer is HO HO HO
JESUS offers health, help and hope.

Santa says "You better not cry"
JESUS says "Cast all your cares on me for I care for you.
Santa's little helpers make toys

JESUS makes new life, mends wounded hearts,
repairs broken homes and builds mansions.

Santa may make you chuckle but
JESUS gives you joy that is your strength.

While Santa puts gifts under your tree
JESUS became our gift and died on the tree.

It's obvious there is really no comparison.
We need to remember WHO Christmas is all about.

WE need to put Christ back in Christmas.
Jesus is still the reason for the season.

May the Lord Bless and Watch over you and your loved ones this Christmas 2010
and may He prosper and bless the work of your hands in the New Year!

A garbage-free day

“In your anger do not sin; Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry.”(Ephesians 4:26)

“For as churning the milk produces butter, and as twisting the nose produces blood, so stirring up anger produces strife.” (Proverbs 30:33)

My high school friend,Teo Tiam,recently shared with me the following article which reminds me not to become an ‘orchard of bitterness’ and learn to live each day ‘a garbage-free day’:

‘One day I hopped in a taxi and we took off for the airport.
We were driving in the right lane when suddenly a black car jumped out of a parking space right in front of us.

My taxi driver slammed on his brakes, skidded, and missed the other car by just inches! The driver of the other car whipped his head around and started yelling at us.

My taxi driver just smiled and waved at the guy And I mean, he was really friendly.

So I asked, 'Why did you just do that? This guy almost ruined your car and sent us to the hospital!'

This is when my taxi driver taught me what I now call, 'The Law of the Garbage Truck.'

He explained that many people are like garbage trucks. They run around full of garbage, full of frustration, full of anger, and full of disappointment.

As their garbage piles up, they need a place to dump it and sometimes they'll dump it on you. Don't take it personally.

Just smile, wave, wish them well, and move on. Don't take their garbage and spread it to other people at work, at home, or on the streets.

The bottom line is that successful people do not let garbage trucks take over their day.

Life's too short to wake up in the morning with regrets,
So ... Love the people who treat you right.
Pray for the ones who don't.
Life is ten percent what you make it and ninety percent how you take it!’

Personal touch of giving

“Remember this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. ( 2Corinthians 9:6-7)

It has been the practice of the church that I am attending now, to take part in the Boys’ Brigade’s Sharity Gift Box every year during Christmas season. Members of the church can participate by donating the requested items based on the grocery list compiled. Though one can also give cash donations, we are encouraged to add a personal touch by getting the items ourselves.

The items have been arriving at a very slow pace and it is still very far away from the targets. I guess in our fast-paced society, it is definitely not so ‘convenient’ to pick these grocery items from different corners of the supermarket which required much time and effort, than just writing a cheque as donation. Furthermore, one has to bring these heavy stuffs to the church, a collecting point. Nevertheless, I chose the ‘inconvenient’ method with the help of my maid.

In this season of giving, it may be worthwhile to spend time buying our loved ones something than giving out cash. We actually derived much joy from doing that, likewise for those at the receiving ends. My youngest sister and her children in Malaysia are coming to visit me next week. I have opted for the ‘inconvenient’ way of buying the children some gifts than giving them red packets.

Confusing Chinese names & why Chinese shouldn't have Christian names

Confusing Chinese names:

Caller : Hello, can I speak to Annie Wan (anyone)?
Operator : Yes, you can speak to me.
Caller : No, I want to speak to Annie Wan (anyone)!
Operator : You are talking to someone! Who is this?
Caller : I'm Sam Wan (Someone). And I need to talk to Annie Wan (anyone)! It's urgent.
Operator : I know you are someone and you want to talk to anyone! But what's this urgent matter about?
Caller : Well... just tell my sister Annie Wan (anyone) that our brother Noel Wan (no one)has involved in an accident. Noel Wan (no one)got injured and now Noel Wan (no one) is being sent to the hospital. Right now, Avery Wan (everyone) is on his way to the hospital.
Operator : Look if no one was injured and no one was sent to the hospital, then the accident isn't an urgent matter! You may find this hilarious but I don't have time for this!
Caller : You are so rude! Who are you?
Operator : I'm Saw Lee (Sorry).
Caller : Yes! You should be sorry. Now give me your name!!!
======================================================
Why Chinese shouldn't have Christian names:

Anne Chang => Dirty (Mandarin)
Anne Chin => Keep Quiet (Mandarin)
Faye Chen => Dusty (Mandarin)
Carl Cheng => Buttock (Hokkien)
Monica Cheng => Touching your buttocks (Hokkien)
Lucy Leow => You are dead (Hokkien)
Jane Tan => Frying eggs (Mandarin)
Suzie Leow => Lose till death (Hokkien)
Henry Mah => Hate your mum (Mandarin)
Corrine Tai => Poor fellow (Hokkien)
Paul Chan => Bankrupt (Mandarin)
Nelson Tan => Bird laying eggs (Mandarin)
Leslie Tong => Rubbish Bin (Mandarin)
Carmen Teng => Leg hair long (Hokkien)
Connie Mah => Call your mother (Cantonese)
Danny See => Squeeze you to death (Hokkien)
Rosie Teng => Screws and nails (Hokkien)
Pete Tsai => Nose droppings (Hokkien)
Macy Koh => Never die before (Cantonese)

(The above humorous piece is contributed by Fiona,a close friend)

Inflation or deflation?

“He makes grass grow for the cattle and plants for man to cultivate, bringing forth food from the earth.” (Psalm 104:14)

“People curse the man who hoards grain, but blessing crowns him who is willing to sell.” (Proverbs 11:26

For the past 2-3 months whenever I go marketing with the maid, I can acutely feel the impact of inflation. The officially published figure for the month of October is 3.3%; in reality, man-in-the street knows that it is much higher than that. China’s figure is 4.4% and expected to rise to 5.4% next year. I think this also applies to most Asian countries despite the strengthening of their currencies against Euro & US dollars. On the other hand, in US, the Federal Reserve is more worried about deflation as the official inflation of 1% is deemed too low, so there is room to reflate the economy by printing more money and keeps the interest rate ultra low.

The source of inflation basically has to do more with runaway food prices than otherwise. China can produce everything under the sun at a rapid speed, but not for agricultural products. We know that down the road we will face higher food prices with higher domestic demands from China and India, but I am surprised by the sharp hikes for the last few months despite no severe droughts or floods takes place recently. Clearly there are hot monies gone into speculating commodities that even non-perishable items like cotton, turmeric,barley, prices have gone up. My Chinese herbs which have held steadily since June last year, now have also increased from $4 to $5 per packet recently.

In local context, there may be one more reason why food prices have gone up: there are more rich people in Singapore than ever before! My friend who used to go to Ghim Moh wet market on the weekends. This place is popular among people staying in the west because things there are cheap and fresh. Now no more, she said, as she found out why - when she observed her Honda Jazz is surrounded by increasing number of big and posh cars in that wet market’s car park!

Leadership in a family

“ Wives, submit to your husbands as to the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church......” (Ephesians 5:22-23)

The husband’s role in the family is that of leader. With more women become better educated, are they actually subconsciously taking the role of ‘leadership’ in the family? Women are financially more independent nowadays. Do they really harbour this thought that more money in their pockets means more power at home so much so that they think it is alright to usurp the leadership role of the husband in the family? This is definitely not a healthy idea which is in fact detrimental to a healthy marriage and family in the long run.

There are some disagreements as to which one is the more influential in the life of a child, the mother or the father. The mother is the one who guides the child to his immediate goals in the daily living, whereas generally, the father is the one who establishes the long-range ambitions, those ideals for which to strive in order to make a success in life.

It seems to me that more men are abdicating their role of leadership in the family and leaves it to the wife to be the head of the home. When husbands have fewer responsibilities at home, they are opened to temptations with much free time on hand. They may also feel been marginalised in family decision-makings. Our actions, as wives, sometimes indirectly encouraged such ‘symptoms’. I must say that I am guilty for that, especially in the past, I took things into my hand ('shortcuts') and made decisions on my own when the other party was too slow or indecisive in making decisions on these matters.

How can women force the issue with the husband if he takes the easy way out? I know it is easy to say than done. Men tend to be more egoistic and the wives really have to steer their husbands quietly and gently. In this dark and decaying world we are in, the unity in heart and spirit of the marital partners is even more treasured in order to prevent the disintegration of family.

Be thankful

I AM THANKFUL: FOR THE WIFE
WHO SAYS IT'S INSTANT MEE TONIGHT,
BECAUSE SHE IS HOME WITH ME,
AND NOT OUT WITH SOMEONE ELSE.

FOR THE HUSBAND
WHO IS ON THE SOFA
BEING A COUCH POTATO,
BECAUSE HE IS HOME WITH ME
AND NOT OUT AT THE BARS.

FOR THE TEENAGER
WHO IS COMPLAINING ABOUT DOING DISHES
BECAUSE IT MEANS SHE IS AT HOME, NOT ON THE STREETS.

FOR THE TAXES I PAY
BECAUSE IT MEANS I AM EMPLOYED .

FOR THE MESS TO CLEAN AFTER A PARTY
BECAUSE IT MEANS I HAVE BEEN SURROUNDED BY FRIENDS.

FOR THE CLOTHES THAT FIT A LITTLE TOO SNUG
BECAUSE IT MEANS I HAVE ENOUGH TO EAT.

FOR MY SHADOW THAT WATCHES ME WORK
BECAUSE IT MEANS I AM OUT IN THE SUNSHINE

FOR A LAWN THAT NEEDS MOWING,
WINDOWS THAT NEED CLEANING,
AND GUTTERS THAT NEED FIXING
BECAUSE IT MEANS I HAVE A HOME .

FOR ALL THE COMPLAINING
I HEAR ABOUT THE GOVERNMENT
BECAUSE IT MEANS WE HAVE FREEDOM OF SPEECH.

FOR THE PARKING SPOT
I FIND AT THE FAR END OF THE PARKING LOT
BECAUSE IT MEANS I AM CAPABLE OF WALKING
AND I HAVE BEEN BLESSED WITH TRANSPORTATION .

FOR MY HUGE ELECTRIC BILL
BECAUSE IT MEANS I AM WARM.

FOR THE LADY BEHIND ME IN THE CHOIR WHO SINGS OFF KEY BECAUSE IT MEANS I CAN HEAR.

FOR THE PILE OF LAUNDRY AND IRONING
BECAUSE IT MEANS I HAVE CLOTHES TO WEAR.

FOR WEARINESS AND ACHING MUSCLES AT THE END OF THE DAY
BECAUSE IT MEANS I HAVE BEEN CAPABLE OF WORKING HARD.

FOR THE ALARM THAT GOES OFF IN THE EARLY MORNING HOURS
BECAUSE IT MEANS I AM ALIVE.

AND FINALLY, FOR TOO MANY E-MAILS
BECAUSE IT MEANS I HAVE FRIENDS WHO ARE THINKING OF ME!

(article contributed by my close friend, Mui Huang)