Seek.

Do not love the world nor the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life, is not from the Father, but is from the world. The world is passing away, and also its lusts; but the one who does the will of God lives forever. (1 John 2:15-17 NASB)

Come messy.

The Lord's Prayer
"This, then, is how you should pray:
"'Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name, your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. And forgive us our debts,
as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from the evil one.' (Matthew 6:9-13 NIV)

Go to God with a burdened and battered soul, go to Him as you are. Go to Him messy.

Pray.

twist.

Not all things in life go as what we have planned.

If it really goes as what humans have planned, loads of people wouldn't be out of job and many others wouldn't be in severe poverty. Do not be upset if things do not go your way, sometimes they are just not meant to. When we feel that we are out of control, someone is in control. He is always in control.

It all boils down to matter of faith and how much we trust in the Lord. I have to admit, things aren't as rosy as people see all the time. I have faced tough times too. I've been in situations where things are just not right and I feel awful. Most of the time, I will be able to pick myself up from where I stumbled and find my way out in Jesus Christ. It can be plain, given to you on your hands. Other times, it's like a maze. You are lost, and you have to find your way out. It's not as easy as it seems, it may take a lot more than what I'd usually need.

I'm glad that I've made it through this far in life. I'm thankful for what I've received, the people around me and most importantly, having known such a great and wonderful God. Because of what Jesus did on the cross for me, I can look into the mirror with confidence and tell myself that I'm saved from sin, and I have received the greatest gift in life. Thank you Jesus!

Creamy Goodness.

I got my inspiration to make this simple and healthy cream pasta from my dear Oli. I have never ventured into avocados because I thought they were hard to handle and expensive. I was pretty wrong about both. It's easy to handle, relatively easy to pick and I managed to get it at a dollar a pop.

What you'll need (serves 2):
1 ripe avocado, pitted and diced
Fusilli (enough to feed 2)
Cream
3 portobello mushrooms, sliced
3 cloves of garlic
Miso paste
Basil
Thyme
Parmesan/Romano cheese, grated
Butter

Steps:
1. Put a suitable amount of water to boil in a deep pot. Salted water is optional. Chuck the dried pasta into the boiling water, set your timer running according to what's indicated on the packaging.

2. While your pasta is cooking, heat up a frying pan. To a oil free and dry pan, add in the sliced mushrooms. Watch them 'scream' and 'squeal' on the got pan. It'll last for about 3 minutes.

3. Add in a knob of butter to the mushrooms. Followed by the garlic. Turn down the heat, you don't want the garlic get burnt and taste bitter.

4. Then put in 4 tbs of cream to the pan. Add the chopped basil and thyme. To finish up your sauce, add in about 2tsp of miso paste. Stir well. You can add water to make sure the miso gets mixed into the sauce.

5. Your pasta should be somewhat cooked by now. Drain it, add into the pan with the sauce. Turn off the heat. Add in the cheese, give it a good toss.

6. Mix the hot pasta with the avocado in a large bowl. Serve with more grated cheese.


Health benefits of avocado:
http://www.fatburningfurnace.com/blog/avocado-nutrition-facts-–-health-benefits-of-avocado

Choosing an avocado:
http://www.avocadocentral.com/how-to/how-to-pick-how-to-buy-avocados

Enjoy your creamy treat!

count.

it's not only about how much you do, or how good you do it. the intention is important too.

Day #265. 25 days to go.

every breath you take.

good ol' Sting.

I'm humbled by 1 John. God is great. So great that he is beyond measure.
Everything about Him is good. His word is good, His name is good, He is good.

"Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called and about which you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses." -Timothy 6:12

4.5 hours from Singapore. Sand, Sun and Sea.

Overcome the inertia, put one foot in front of another.

It is not about being crazy, it is about having the sense of accomplishment after completing the target distance. Runner's mind is a crazy mind? Not so.

I adore the greatness of God's love for every single one that He has created. He did not leave out anyone and say that "I do not love you. You are not worthy of my love". But instead, His love extends out to all of us, and none of us could ever be worthy of His sacrificial love. How much more could we ask for when our God loves us so unconditionally.

But we do not take this love for granted. Always remember it, give thanks to the Lord for what we have received, sing praises to Him and keep growing in Him. True Godly wisdom flows from Him, not from the world. Be aware of false teachers too, who claim that He has come. No one knows, other than God. Follow, but know who you're following.


“But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. Be on guard! Be alert! You do not know when that time will come. It’s like a man going away: He leaves his house and puts his servants in charge, each with their assigned task, and tells the one at the door to keep watch.
“Therefore keep watch because you do not know when the owner of the house will come back—whether in the evening, or at midnight, or when the rooster crows, or at dawn. If he comes suddenly, do not let him find you sleeping. What I say to you, I say to everyone: ‘Watch!’” Matthew 13:32-37 (NIV)

5 days of flipping around in bed, sleeping uncomfortably for hours and waking up to find that the virus is still going strong has taken a toll on me. I've yet to learn to take care of myself, when I thought otherwise.

Retrieved.

Recently, I was overwhelmed with the thought of how much I think I can go with my own strength. A part of me wants to be humble and seek, another wants to show the world that I can do with what I have. It was a hard battle, even though the truth is the way to go. You can never put darkness and light together, you have to choose one. That is the order created right from the very beginning, and it was good.

This time I managed to conquer, not with my own strength but with some help from above. Would I get attacked again? I would if I become complacent, if I take things for granted, if I refuse to listen and surrender fully. Self before God? No, I've learnt my lesson.

Falling into the pit even though you want to go around it. You fight the temptation with your own will, not with the strength from God because you refused to seek. Once you're in, there's only one way out. You can't hide from it. You need faith to bail you out, if not you'll continue to wade in mud and slowly fade away.

It's not that no one sees you, but rather you can't see them. Because the pit opening is all you see.

Run.

Listen. It is easier said than done.

Frustration, anger and impatience builds up in the mind, you feel uncomfortable, you can't get anything into the grey mass. You think that the world is not meeting your expectations, while you are trying to meet the expectations of others. You're sinking into a serious boundary catastrophe of your own. After all this turmoil is over, guilt is knocking on your door. It's hard to shut it out. It will seep in, somehow. Faith will keep it out. Faith in the Father, Spirit and Son can do it. Go to the root of the problem which lies deep within, allow the spirit to fill your heart fully so that nothing else can come in.

"Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful." Colossians 3:15

Command.

God has one whole long list of instructions for all of us. Understanding each instruction and executing them, I realise, can be hard.

I believe most of us understand that God has empowered some people with the authority to set rules for us to follow, and we have to abide by those rules if not it would be a clear defiance against God. Clear enough. Simple.

Sometimes, we just refuse to acknowledge these rules even though we know that they are in place. And when we try to find ways to explain why we are not following the rules, there's no way we could.

I'm glad that I have left my iPhone safely at home. It is for the better good, because I know I'm obeying God.


"In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths." Proverbs 3:6

Count

But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
2 Corinthians 12:9-10

It's the process of being tested that we grow and mature, and become complete one day. We learn that God is with us through hardships, by constant prayer and patience to wait for His answer and the revelation of His perfect and wonderful will for each and every single one of us. I have learnt how painful it is to be disconnected from God, seeking not Him but my own perception of what I should be doing.

Make the days count.

Suffering

It's Good Friday today.

We don't have to wait till Good Friday to remember how much suffering Jesus, the Son of God, has gone through, and the reason for Him to have gone through so much humiliation and pain. He died for us-for our sins and for our death, so that we can be pure and have eternal life. Do we deserve this sacrifice? If you think that God and Jesus do not understand our suffering, please think again.

I like to ask God to search my heart, my inner desires first before I come before Him to ask for anything. If I cover up my heart, and do not allow God to know what am I thinking about even though He already knew, I would never be able to let the Holy Spirit fill me up. It's good to bear in mind that Jesus died for us even though we are all unworthy of it, so that we can make a conscious effort to try make up for our unworthiness. Would you want to disappoint God?

I read in a book by Nicky Gumbel which says that whoever that believes in God but does not know Jesus will also become holy and righteous and saved in the end by grace, because he has that least bit of faith that God actually exists. You might ask, so why should I accept Christ? Let me tell you this, if you do not know Christ, you won't be able to be assured of forgiveness and the abundant life He offers, both in this life and in the life to come. For Jesus is not only the way and the truth, He is also the life.

perfect: complete in all respects; without defect or omission; sound; flawless

This is how the Webster's Dictionary defines 'perfect'.

How would you define 'perfect'? What do you think is 'perfect'? Would you look into the mirror and say that the person whom you see is 'perfect'?

I have my flaws, my weaknesses, my imperfections. I admit that I'm not perfect. But I seek to make up for them, by putting trust in my God that He would help me out in places that I'm not good in. If I don't learn now, then when? It's also not only about God, not only about myself, but also the people around me. Are they kind enough to let me know where I need to improve on? Would they give me a chance to?

I have to say, the world is quite cruel. How many people out there actually do have so much patience to let you try and try and try again? They would rather put themselves before others. How are we supposed to learn and improve if the world is as such? Once you're slower, there you go, you're out of the game. The society rejects you and claims that you are inapt, and refuse you your chance to try. God has the patience. We all seek to be Christ-like, but we fail in the part when we say 'Yes, we will be patient. We will guide whoever that needs help.' How many would actually say that they will be patient for good, they will be always ready to guide. None.

Myself, I do have such problems as well. Praying about it helps. But, it takes time.

Day #43.

Thank God for the peace and stability in Singapore, thank God for the great leaders we have in the country.

有国才有家， 有家才有我。 可是，必须有神才能有一切。

祂

谁让黑夜变为白昼
谁让眼泪变为喜乐
是祂 创造天地的主
是祂 无始无终的主

谁让夜里星星闪亮
谁让春雨滋润大地
是祂 赐我生命的主
是祂 与我同行的主

一切患难中 你是我的安慰
洪水泛滥时 你是我的君王
苦楚虽多 但你的安慰更多
路虽漫长 但我知是谁牵着我

Now it's time for me to apply for my Business-Engin DDP

rest.

It has been a long week, one that was way too tiring and taxing, both physically and mentally. I can barely recall which time during the week that I had a proper rest. Meeting deadlines, timings, performing overnight duties, working without sufficient rest. I do feel like a machine sometimes, and I have to switch off all the emotions that I have in order to give 100%. I cannot say that I'm feeling frustrated, or feel emotional. Once I start thinking of those, I'm off track and I'm delaying everything that's queued behind, waiting for me to attend to them.

Now, my week isn't over yet. But I'm thankful that I still have half a weekend for myself. I'm also thankful that the rain came at the right time. I have some time for myself at this point, I should make use of it to sit back and let everything flow again.

Time to get my life back.

“Do not fear, for I have redeemed you;
I have summoned you by name; you are mine.
2 When you pass through the waters,
I will be with you;
and when you pass through the rivers,
they will not sweep over you.
When you walk through the fire,
you will not be burned;
the flames will not set you ablaze.
3 For I am the LORD your God,
the Holy One of Israel, your Savior; "

-Isaiah 43:1-3

2 years ago, I got my dad to buy me a road bike. And only with a pair of Adidas running shoes, the event singlet and my shorts that has 'SAINTS' on it, I hit the roads and completed the 128km NTU Bike Rally.

Last year, the same bike, but with cycling shoes and locking pedals, tights and a pair of Oakley shades and GNC energy boosters, I completed 168km at the same event.

This year, nothing has changed. The same distance, same event, same equipment. Except that I'm going the distance for you.

For you I will.

day #1 of a new journey.

everything will be slightly different now. it's time i get used to changes in life. no matter how drastic the changes are, we still have to move on.

i'll be waiting patiently.

Convenient Faith

There have been many times when I asked my friends to attend church with me, they would first ask where the church is and think of the distance between where their home is and church. Some will say 'Oh that's really far. I want to find a church that is closer to my place.' After a few of such encounters, I stopped asking Christian friends who live in other parts of tiny Singapore.

Then recently, I thought about this matter again. Is faith a matter of convenience? I'm really encouraged by the elderly in All Saints' Church. Some of them are wheelchair-bound, yet they still faithfully attend church every Sunday morning. It's definitely not convenient for them nor their family who have to drive them to church. It is faith that drives them along. Capable young adults like many of us are able to stand on our feet and walk, some of us can even drive. What reason do we have to not attend church because it is far? Does distance concern you more than soaking in God's love, going to His home to praise Him and listen to His words?

Yes, you could have attended a church that is nearer to your place, as a church will still serve it's purpose. Distance should still not be an issue, if you have to attend a church that is quite a distance away. Convenient faith? Reconsider about it.

everything we do boils down to one word.

Faith.

He is ever so strong, my almighty God.

it's amazing how God made us the way we are.

even the hardest rock will soften when conditions are right.

grab hold of every single moment, for we all don't live that long.

1.1.11

Happy new year, it's 2011.

2010 had a good mix of ups and downs. We've came through it and sure enough, it was a pretty good year for me.

God has been good to me, keeping by my side whenever I need some kind of guidance, or comfort. He's a great listener and advisor. I feel really blessed for everything I have in 2010. A new year ahead, it will be a tough ride. If life is easy, it wouldn't be fun. Keep the faith strong, and He will stay with me through thick and thin. How great is that.

2011, here I come. Throw at me all the challenges you have in store for me, and I'll overcome them one by one and embrace 2012 with open arms.

Have a blessed and good year 2011.