Mighty to save

My little prayer for you today....

May God bless you with discomfort at easy answers, half truths, and superficial relationships, so that you may live deep within your heart.

May God bless you with anger at injustice, oppression, and exploitation of people, so that you may work for justice, freedom and peace.

May God bless you with tears to shed for those who suffer from pain, rejection, starvation, and war, so that you may reach out your hand to comfort them and to turn their pain in to joy.

And may God bless you with enough foolishness to believe that you can make a difference in this world, so that you can do what others claim cannot be done.

May what matter to us be what matters most to Him each day...



"Bring it on, God. Bring it on!"

Love ME for who I am

When I was single, I’ve always longed for the man who would love me for who I am. No need for beautiful appearances, no need for make up or nice clothes- but just to be loved for who I am. That I will not need to pretend to be who I am not, or change to be someone whom I will never be- he will love and accept all of me- the way I am.

This love I found for many years- only in God, and to some extent my family. It is elusive and unthinkable that another would love me so unconditionally, of his own free will and choose to love me for who I am. I believe that this desire to be loved for who I am lies deep in every soul. Even God. Is it that unthinkable to think that God desires to be loved & worshipped for who He is?

The difference between God and me, is that He is not whiny, attention seeking, “look at me”. He is not flawed, ugly inside out nor selfish. He does not need others to affirm His worth. He is who He is.
The Creator King whose wisdom is beyond measure, the Humble Servant whose heart is beautiful beyond description, the all encompassing Great I AM whose glory knows no bounds nor end, the Faithful Lover who holds on to the very end. He is the only One who deserves to be worshipped for who He is. And He desires to be loved for who He is.

Satan mocked God that there is no one on earth who loved and worshipped Him for who He is- not beyond the good gifts that He gave. What was at stake is not just a little bet- but the entire weight of the glory of God. Satan was saying to God “No one could love You for who You are, God. Do you think anyone truly worships you for You are? They only want Your gifts!” That is why He allowed Satan to test Job- to take away his family, his riches, his health. If Job would still stand and worship Him even in the depths of his sufferings.

Job cried and wailed and lamented in deep anguish. He did not understand, he was pained to think that the God whom he knew to be in control of everything, would do these things to him. But not once in midst of his affliction, Job spoke against God. He lamented and suffered the sacred sorrow till God spoke to him out of the storm. But God gave him no answers. Neither did God told him why these things happened. He just showed Job who He is- and Job repented.

"I know that you can do all things; no plan of yours can be thwarted. You asked, 'Who is this that obscures my counsel without knowledge?' Surely I spoke of things I did not understand, things too wonderful for me to know. "You said, 'Listen now, and I will speak; I will question you, and you shall answer me.' My ears had heard of you but now my eyes have seen you. Therefore I despise myself and repent in dust and ashes."

Father, You are God. I want to love You for who You are, help me please. Beyond the good things You can give, more than Your goodness. I can count the many ways how deserving You are to be loved and worshipped for who You are. But beyond Your beauty, let me love You, simply because You are You.
Lord, You are God and i am not. When things go wrong, keep me close and let me not sin against You. When I do not have the answers, help me trust in You. When the whole world crashes and “You cannot be found”, let me remain in You. When I forget people in my old age, let me not forget my precious Lord and Savior.
Help Your bride to love You, God. To fall in love with You daily, to pursue You passionately. You are God and I want to love You for who You are.

Bangkok Pics

Emma

I fell in love with this old movie recently (thanks to Arthur and Mom) - and found one of my favorite movie character. Emma. This show definitely goes up there with my You’ve got mail and While you were sleeping.

On many fronts, this dear little miss busy-body and match-maker wannabe is so like me. Watching the screenplay of her endeavor to find her good friend Harriet a worthy match, is like holding up a mirror before my own silly dreams of hooking up beloved friends. An alarm bell to not be a silly cupid, especially since I have my prejudices & short-sightedness that can well lead to bad judgment.

I like Emma Woodhouse better than Elizabeth Bennet (from Pride and Prejudice) – she’s a lot chirpier, flightier, and more fun. Hooray for blondes! BUT My Mr Darcy is still un-trumpable. Wahaha..
Mr Knightly’s pretty charming too, but unfortunately, I feel that his character is not too well developed, one of the ills of Jane Austen’s heroine-centric novels. Nevertheless, the chivalrous males from Jane’s novels work their charms on your through the show so subtly.. such that by the end of the movie, you’d wanna go back to the beginning to get to know them all over again.

So here’s sharing some of my fave quotes from the movie.

The most beautiful thing in the world is a match well made.
~ The Christian in me can rise to refute this statement and reduce it to ashes.. But let’s go easy and not dash the dreams of sweet Emma’s matchmaking efforts.

Your entire personality is a riddle, I thought you overqualified.
~ I love this line… Smart and witty.

It left us speechless, quite speechless, and we have not stopped talking of it since! ~ Another one that cracked Arthur up big time.

Maybe it is our imperfections which make us so perfect for one another.
~ Pretty cliché sounding, but I guess many couples can identify with this one. Still pretty tacky I must say.

Badly done Emma! Badly done.
~ Mr Knightly reprimanded Emma for her unkind remark to a socially awkward friend, and broke my heart.

Emma: I have given them charity, but not kindness, a virtue which some friends may doubt I still have.
Mr Knightly: The truest friend does not doubt, but hope.
~ One of my favorite exchanges between them, very thoughtful and good soup for the soul. Addressing character flaws of the protagonist, gains Emma one up above other just-about-romance romantic comedies.

Dear Lord, if he cannot share a life with me is it wrong to ask that he not share it with anyone? That we go on as we go on now, him stopping by at any hour, always the brightest part of our lives, a natural and easy member of the family. i would be content if he would just stay single Lord, that's it, if he would just stay single that would be enough for me to be perfectly satisfieed...Almost...Amen.
~ Emma’s diary when this little girl finally realized that she has fallen for her friend… Cutely vicious.. hahaha. Beware men for not returning a girl’s affections :p

I watched the movie 3 times in a single day. But if you wanna watch it ever, ask me to watch it with you, please!!!!!

***

On a side note, will be away for the weekend to Bangkok with Arthur. So this space will be a little quiet for a while!

Bride means cook

As I learnt during my bridal shower, “bride” in old English means cook. So how has this newly married fulfilled her “cooking responsibilities” so far?
Taking stock of the days and months, it’s surprising that it’s been only close to 3 months. But my sister would probably say that I’ve cooked more in these 3 months than the last 3 years. Hahhaha…

So just a quick run-down of my cooking excursions so far (sorry no pictures!)-

Prawn Paste chicken wings – baked! Wings lovers may turn their nose on this, but I’m telling you chicken wings can be baked to crisp perfection when you have a master baker (me! :p )- and with sufficient time to allow the wings to soak in the marinade, you don feel that you’ll be missing out much on the unhealthy batter. I’m slowly getting there, it’s a skill to know when to turn up the heat, when to flip each wing over, how golden brown should the perfect wing be. *smackin licious!*

Buffalo wings – Likewise, baked to golden perfection- it’s the healthier cousin of what they serve in Hooters. I’ve made it twice, and am still perfecting the sauce. It’s getting better I think, but I’ve gotta go out there to eat more of these before I can decide how I best like my Buffalo wings to taste.

Chocolate cupcakes with fudge center – It turned out pretty well actually, and honestly I think cupcakes are a lot easier to make and serve than a huge cake in a big cake tin. It was a pleasant surprise to see the cupcakes shrink from the sides of the metal tin tray so nicely- don have to worry about getting the cake out of the cake tin and not breaking it.
And these lovely little things are easy to make a hole in to pour the fudge in. It was a simple experiment, that I think I’m gonna be more adventurous with. Raspberry sauce, hot fudge, white chocolate sauce seeping out of a warm moist chocolate cupcake- anyone?

Burritos – It’s one of Arthur’s favorite foods, and Taco Bell in Singapore is expensive and sucks in his opinion. So I have to try my hands at making this Mexican dish for my darling. Its pretty easy honestly- hamburger (or what we would call mince) browned with taco seasoning, wrapped in a warm tortilla skin with refried beans, shredded cheddar, lettuce, tomato, and top it up with some salsa- there you have it! Serve it with some tortilla chips, and it’s an authentic Mexican home-cooked meal.

Shabu Shabu @ home – I love Shabu Shabu. Between 7 to 12, we used to have it almost every Sunday at our favorite Japanese restaurant in Tanglin Shopping Centre, at a very affordable price. Ever since it closed down and broke our hearts, the alternatives were grotesquely expensive. So having been starved of Shabu Shabu for so long, have decided to make this Japanese hot pot at home.
The soup is easy- boil it with the thick Japanese seaweed, and you’ll have a nice clear broth. It’s about the ingredients and sauces really- don save on these! Get good cuts of shabu shabu beef, lots of nice golden mushrooms, big white cabbage, the special sauce for dipping the veggies in and the sesame based sauce for the meats. What I need to remember to hunt for next round are the thick Japanese noodles. Any suggestions where?

Tommorrow, will be trying my hands at Thai Pineapple rice and Kai Yang chicken tomorrow. Have made the former many times, so it’s the Kai Yang chicken that’s making me a little excited. Hope it turns out well!!

Bless the broken road

This song is one of Mom's favorite, and when Arthur shared it with me during the early days of our courtship- this song by Rascal Flatts very quickly grew on me too.. Here's sharing a version sang by Rascal and Carrie Underwood with you.. enjoy the beautiful lyrics :)

**

I set out on a narrow way many years ago

Hoping I would find true love along the broken road

But I got lost a time or two

Wiped my brow and kept pushing through

I couldn't see how every sign pointed straight to you

*

Every long lost dream led me to where you are

Others who broke my heart they were like northern stars

Pointing me on my way into your loving arms

This much I know is true

That God blessed the broken road

That led me straight to you

*

I think about the years I spent just passing through

I'd like to have the time I lost and give it back to you

But you just smile and take my hand

You've been there you understand

It's all part of a grander plan that is coming true

*

Now I'm just rolling home

Into my lover's arms

This much I know is true

That God blessed the broken road

That led me straight to you

That God blessed the broken road

That led me straight to you.

**

The institution

There had been a debate at home some time back- about a Christian’s response towards the institution. The institution can be the organization that we work in, its cold-hearted policies, the sum of its politicking colleagues and bottom-line only management. The institution can also be the authorities whose state we live in, it’s autocratic democracy, and laissez faire based governance.

Let the institution be the company we work in.

How shall the Christian view the “company”?
An arbitrary entity void of emotions- will one be a fool to invest emotionally and believe in its name? The wages it pays are but a fair return for the work done- will one be silly to accord loyalty to it?

And how shall the Christian “treat” the company?
The company has hired me because I am their best option at that point as well- should feelings of gratitude be deemed unnecessary? Another company has head-hunted me and offered to pay off my scholarship, one cannot be faulted having returned the company its investment in monies it has demanded in contract- all “righteousness” has been fulfilled, what is wrong with jumping ship? And where progress has been stunted due to a slip, shall I not bail out on the unforgiving institution in pursuit of greener pastures to better fulfill my potential & other life commitments?

One thing I’d say right from the start, is that the Christian need not have illusions about the goodness of the company. The company is made up of people to fulfill certain objectives. Objectives that may be aligned to some of one’s objectives in life, but there is no perfect alignment at all times. And people managing the company are sinful, wicked people- people not very different from herself if she were to be honest.
But should the nature of the company be the determining factor of how the Christian treat the institution? Should that be so, the Christian will need to re-look at her doctrine, and re-examine her life that has been left unexamined for too long. Faith has slowly been divorced from deeds, and God from His throne.

When Paul instructs slaves to obey their masters- I don think he had the loving master in mind. Nor when he instructs everyone to be subject to governing authorities, had he forgotten that those were the authorities that had crucified his Christ. But what he knows for certain is that “there is no authority except that which God has established… Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also as a matter of conscience”. (Romans 13:1-5)

When the Christian forgets that it is God who stands behind the institution, that He is the one ultimately in control, she will be tempted to act like the pagans do- rejecting submission, according no kindness, planning and plotting the next step to keep herself ahead and acting only with her self interest as her guide.
When the Christian forgets her duty to God is in all of her life, she will act like the world- that her stomach is more important than integrity, money is valued more than honor, and her name is more important than God’s.
When the Christian forgets that it is to God who gives and takes away, and man & circumstances are but His tools (just as the nations were His judgment to Israel), she nurses hatred & grudges for a time too long and hurts herself. She begins to think that she can do all things through her strength, and manipulate to get away. She can no longer give thanks for she has earned and deserve everything with her hands.

The institution is the world. The world will never be good to the Christian, the world will never be just. The world is God’s tool to mould the Christian, the fire that refines and burns the chaff away. It matters not how the institution treats the Christian-the outcome is certain. It will not always be fair, but God will reprieve in the end. But it matters how the Christian treats the world for she bears His name. She must carry her cross each day, and live for His honor and glory alone. Amen.

O our taste buds!

Saw little Abigail chewing her piece of bread during class that day- it looked so tasty, so sweet and like she’s enjoying every single bite of it. But it was only plain white bread she was chewing. It made me start wondering how and when did our taste buds change as we grow up?

The training of mental faculties happened in school, we progressed from elementary arithmetic to advance algebra as the teachers worked with us through classes and homework. The moulding of our character was fundamentally a factor of our parent’s love and discipline, peer influence, and the environment we were in. Our fashion sense changed with the times and were dictated by the fashion moguls like Louis Vuitton, Gucci and Versace.

But our taste buds… Who told us what is to like and what not to? Mummy can tell us not to eat the unhealthy chips but she cannot tell us not to like its taste. Grandma can tell little boys to eat their veggies, but she cannot stop them from thinking it taste like poison.

How did our taste buds morph (or degenerate?!) from finding white bread tasteless, and find only ‘atas’ bread from Provence palatable? How did it stop finding satisfaction in Cadbury, and considers only Godiva or its likes worthy chocolate? How did our taste buds become fickle to our “favorite” kind of chips- switching from Sour Cream Pringles to Original Lays to Cheddar Ruffles to Honey Dijon Kettle Chips within a year; and yet at the same stayed faithful to the old-fashioned vanilla ice-cream we had since we’re five? O our taste buds! You're an enigma :p

I have no answer for these musings- nor would I attempt to objectify something so subjective- especially since everyone’s taste is different, and each man is rightfully entitled to his own. As Xun always says “One man’s meat is another man’s poison”. The mystery also gives me room to insist that “my taste has changed” when I don feel like eating something some day. :p

But one moment of truth I’d throw to those with expensive taste buds though- is to remember what we used to like & find satisfying in the old days, and not become too far from returning to them some day. Do not become a victim of your own taste buds. Do not fall prey to restaurant operators who deepen the rich-poor divide subconsciously based on the food we eat- they are but after our pockets. Do not feel “high class” simply because you ate at a “high class” restaurant.

And remember- while we are choosing today the type of grains we would like in our Q Q Rice Balls, there are those who do not even have that spoonful of rice they require to live that day.

Tiny thoughts on a Friday

"Sometimes I wonder about my life. I lead a small life - well, valuable but small. And sometimes I wonder, do I do it because I like it, or because I haven't been brave?"

This is one of my favourite quotes from one of my favorite movies by one of my favorite Hollywood sweethearts. It’s small and it’s sweet, but very haunting too. Wondering if my decision to stay or my indecision to move, would have led me to something very different in life. But thankfully, the certainty that He holds my life firmly in His hands is strong enough to hold back any foolish bravado.

**

Dedicated to a precious aching heart-

I don have an answer for you and I don know what to say.
It’s a beauty they say to dare to love and give a part of your heart away.
But before the courage is taken again in time,
I pray and plead- that you’ll dare to decide that He will be your prime.
So that when He takes your heart and give it to another,
You’ll know the peace that is for real.
The certainty that it’s His will for you,
And you have His blessings for sure.
He wants the best for you, not one who will hurt you,
Trust Him and His choice and time- He never fails.
And He alone is God who holds your future-
Beauty He says, is surrendering to His plan.

P/s: It hurts me to see you cry, am helpless,
But my tiny shoulders are here.

story illustrations (II)

“How is married life?”

For the lack of a celebrity status, there will be no friends from the press who would cover a public statement for me. So here I am to address a fond question of many when they meet me. Some are from kind-hearted passer-bys who asked the “by-the-way” question on their way. :p Some are from my beloved friends- whom I cannot give an adequately honest answer during my time with you, as my mental faculties cannot work fast enough during conversation. So, if you really want to know… here’s a peek at some of my thoughts..

Married life is a bed of roses. The passionate big blooms that tell you life is beautiful, and makes you smile each day the sun shines through the window. The accompanying greens that gives a calm soothing quality to the ordinariness of the everyday life. The thorns that sticks and pricks no matter when you’re carefully treating each other, or carelessly brushing the other person off. The roots that go “down-to-earth”, reminding you of the reality of the hard work that needs to go into making the tiny love plant grow- and also building a home together.

I cannot complain about our team effort in the kitchen when he cleans up after I cook. And it’s really fun to cook for two and eating the meal together- be it in front of the TV watching the Lord of the Rings, or just at the dining table catching up on each other’s day.
And he does most of the cleaning the house- although he’s still waiting for me to fly into a rage and scream “Don’t touch my things!” :p The record of this messy one’s stands at an occasional frown- “there’s order in my chaos ok..”
Although we were told that we’re strong communicators, there are times when the communication line is broken as well- there are still times when the intent is misunderstood, or when the tone is not pleasing to our ears, or when an apology is not given as expected.

Married life is having a mirror held up to you 24-7. He’s your biggest fan and cheerleader, and harshest critic and voice of conscience at the same time. It’s a delicate business pointing out the other person’s erroneous behavior and bad attitude- and no acquaintance would care enough to do that, nor would a friend would risk the relationship to do that, and we discount our family most of the time. But I guess that’s why our Good Father has given us the perfect environment of a marriage to spur us towards holiness. When correction is done in and with love, the humble pie is easier to eat and you want more to change. Pray that it will always stay this way.

Married life is His grace in my everyday. Recently, I have felt like an unworthy daughter of the Most High, a hypocritical testimony at best. I cringe when I need to pray aloud, and choose to be an ungrateful brat when I could give thanks. I don’t know how to open the door to Him, and I feel stuck in this spiritual mess. But yet when I cried for an answer, He points me to the breath He has given us both today- and that we have each other to hold. And this is grace untold.

Married life is “business as usual”. The wedding’s an event- it is fun. And there are life-long lessons still to learn about being married and “working things out together”. But yet in the stillness of your heart, when the activity ceases in your mind as you wait for the red light to turn green, what lies deepest within still- is an answer you have to give to Your King. How will you live your life for Him.

Living Word 2008

Thanks to Yibin and Serene, was treated to a Revelations 12-14 feast by DA Carson this week. This was the 2008 Living Word conference held by our brothers and sisters in the Anglican Church. The clear NT scholar once again opened my eyes to the jewels in the Holy Scripture with his faithful exposition of the text. *clapclapclap* Will try to contain my praises for this man of God as I am sure he is not seeking for man’s applause- but may all honor & glory be to God whose Living Word is powerful, and the bestowing of gifted teachers to encourage His people. :)

There are lots of wonderful treats listening to Prof Carson. he leaves you with a good grasp of what the text is talking about and solid applications to digest, the history & context of not just the message but also world & church history, wonderful nuggets of interesting bites on things like how apocalyptic literature works, worldview of key Christian theology, clearer insights on not just the text in study and also other parts of the Bible… But the best part of it is that you do not feel like a knowledge-puff at the end of it. Hard to believe- but you don’t.

Instead, you feel like you have just been ushered into the throne room of God, caught another real glimpse of Him, contemplated on yourself & your world, and be once again brought to your knees in holy fear. Like what James has said- it’s like looking into the mirror. And you see a reflection of yourself, not just because of what it says about mankind, but because you see a clearer picture of your Creator-Maker-Saviour-Lord.

You thought you knew Him, but you didn’t- not of His justice, not of His wrath, not of His Majesty.
You thought you knew your place before Him, but actually you didn’t- not how disgusting and adulterous you have been as you go about setting up idols in your life, not how you’ve trivalized His holy wrath that would burn and consume you if not of His Son, not how you have made Him small by assuming you're familiar with Him, not how you have made yourself god by thinking you can approach the Almighty in any fashion you like in the name of grace.
You have been so mistaken, so mistaken.

That I may fear You, Lion of Judah
That I may remember You, the slain Lamb
That I may owe my all to You, Creator and King
That I may love You, the One who loved, loves and will save me.

That I may have Your heart, weeping for the hardened hearts
That I may have Your feet, to go and seek the lost
That I may be like You, and be the broken bread
That I will be to You, like a pleasing offering.

"If there's anyone who can appear before Aslan withouth their knees knocking, they're either braver than most or else silly... who said anything about safe? Of course he isn't safe. But he's good. He's the King, I tell you"

There is much much to share on the content- but I’d rather have you listen to him. Have placed an order for the CDs of the talks- let me know if you’re interested!

story Illustrations...

Just some quick pics from the wedding to satisfy the curious first.. More will be added later! Still waiting for my photographer to get back to me *yawn*

Pics from Arthur & Xun's birthday party @ Khansamana. Indian anyone?

His Story

***

Just a simple story, one of many in history
Of life given in love, a promise to eternity

We live but in a moment, within the frame of time

An ordinary allegory, our lives to be a sign

*

There is a greater story beyond our history

Of life given in love- a pathway to eternity

He came but in a moment, within the frame of time

To redeem the fallen story, His life rewrote the lines

**
We come today to celebrate

A chapter in the story of two hearts

That in His time have vowed

To write His love in life

And on this day

We pray that as you follow in His way

(In His image He will mould, as the story unfolds)

His Story will be told

In your everyday

***

*Thanks Grace, Henry & Bernice for this lovely song... could not have captured our prayer better* :)

My Big Fat Greek Wedding

Stealing the movie title “in honor” of my own inter-cultural marriage. Of course the label is apparent to everyone looking in from outside; and Arthur prob feels it more than I do at this point, since he is the one now living in a foreign culture. But there is this strange feeling as I admit to being a party in this “social-cultural phenomenon”, that is the subject of many studies.

Marriage is of course too big to be discussed, and we are still experiencing its thrills and pricks in the course of our relationship. So for now, would just like to use this space to leave some alternative reflections upon our “inter-cultural wedding”, as we slow down after the wedding preparations, family holiday, and all the huzz buzz.

Something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue- the common “must-haves” on an American bride. Didn’t know about this till the bridal shower actually, so was my borrowing of lynn’s gown a “prophetic move”? hahaha… Was missing the blue thing though, does the car count? :p

Having a real real home made wedding cake was really sweet. (In Singapore, we typically have a “fake cake” with only one layer of real sponge for cutting as the camera clicks.) Thank you all for your labor of love- and to all those who loved it, thanks for making the efforts worthwhile.
The process of the baking of the wedding cake was jaw-dropping. Mom & Brittany spent an entire day baking 17 chocolate and vanilla sponges. Aunt Carol and cousin Jane spent another day putting the cake together- decorating it with white chocolate icing, carving the intricate design of the 5 layered cake. And its tradition to keep a portion of the cake for 1 year, and have it on our first year anniversary. Now let’s hope my mother doesn’t scream for taking up that space in her freezer for so long.

I thought throwing the bridal bouquet only happened in the movies. FUN!! Thanks to all my gal pals for being so game to be willing to reach for the bouquet :)

Really really wanted to see each other for the first time that day in church, at the ends of the aisle. Thankful to my parents for allowing my secret dream to happen. Being willing to allow me to do away with the “receiving the bride” in the morning, and having the tea ceremony in church. All whom I have troubled to have the make-up done in church, thanks!!

Given the screwball queen I am, the wedding would of course not have been “signaturely me” if the sounds didn’t screw up that day hahaha. Everyone and everything else was too perfect, so something has to give you see. But really sorry to have caused Bingxun & Enoch so much stress in the sound room, and so sorry to those who were there who had to bear with some bad screeches.

The above are just the froth of my reflections on that day of course. There is so so much to give thanks for. And the weight of the love that we received from family & friends- who gave, who were there, who wanted to be there, is just too weighty for words. So just allow us to plant your seeds of love in our hearts, and praying that our lives will bear fruit for you some day.

* pictures later, promise ;) *

Scibbles before the day..

Indeed things have been pretty quiet around here for a while… But well how can I leave no trace of one of the memorable seasons in my life on this precious collection of my thoughts…

So it’s counting down 5 days to the wedding. 5 days- goodness, from months to weeks to days, it has come to this. Nervousness and anxiety? Nope, not at this point though I can so totally see the butterflies coming in to stay in my tummy on Friday.

Let’s make some quick notes on what has happened so far-

Totally completely bowled over by God’s provision for the family’s accommodation. It’s ideal, affordable, perfect and beyond perfect- in the entire climate of skyrocketing hotel and rental prices, lack of options for short term rentals, delays in committing to what seem to be good God-given options. He has given where we have now. Praise be to Him!!

A little tired from all the mid-night trips to the airport. 2 consecutive nights- not too many but pretty tiring nonetheless. Arthur’s family has almost all come by this weekend. Spending time with them, hanging out- it’s all pretty fun. But somehow, I wish I had the quiet time and space to have deeper conversations with each of them. In time in time- after all it’s been only 2 days… And I know my man’s been pretty stressed- hiding in his cave and trying to solve problems by himself. Pray for him.

The bridal shower Arthur’s mother, aunt & sisters threw for me was good fun. Learnt that “bride” in old English meant “cook” *bleah*, received about than 7 cookbooks *hope I use them enough* and 4 sexy nighties *errr…nervous* as bridal shower gifts. I guess it’s all well summed up by what Marilyn (Arthur’s mother) pointed out- there are only 2 rooms that a woman can make her man happy- the kitchen and the bedroom.

But I guess one single thought that really captured me today in midst of all the fanfare was this- that as I make my vows to a man to love him in sickness and in health, for richer and poorer, for better for worse till death do us part- may I the bride of Christ also live that single-minded commitment to Christ as the vows prescribe. That this role as a bride to a man, may teach me more on how to be a bride to my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

One Pure Holy Passion

"Adoption is as far as possible from the mindset that rejects children as an intrusion.... God's cost to adopt us was infinitely greater than any cost we will endure in adopting and raising children." -- John Piper

And should not the cost that He has incurred compel me to offer the option of adoption to all mankind- irregardless of how ugly and awful i think they are? If He cares, and if i love Him, He needs to matter more than them. Shall i let His blood be shed in vain for them?

Bangalore & Beijing Trip

Sichuan Quake

"No one may claim the name Christian and be comfortable in the face of hunger, homelessness, insecurity, and injustice found in this country and in the world."

There is a strange detachment I felt being in midst of the Wenchuan Earthquake even though I was in China. It might be the over-dosage of propaganda, the fanning of notes in front of the donation boxes before the camera, the silliness of the media coverage on how entertainment stars are contributing to the relief. But my nagging suspicion is that the sum of all that is nowhere near the ignorance of disaster for the spoilt Singaporean, or the cold calculating cynical critic within.

This self-awareness when revealed before Him, is thankfully a sobering correction tool that our Father uses. Though still a far cry from our compassionate Lord Jesus, I pray these thoughts He has left circling will lead to transformation, wisdom and love. Just to share some of this "medicine" He has given me.

Pill #1 - I think it’s His grace that He has humbled the China with this quake. In midst of all the Olympic hype, the growing economic powerhouse, the dragon that is awaiting to prove itself to the world- this quake is its timely reminder before its pride leads to an inevitable fall. God loves China, He does. In spite of its pagan appearance, His people are growing there. The heart that He has put in His church for that land is unmistakable. And now, He disciplines it before she becomes recalcitrant. Pray too that I will love it as He does some day.

Pill #2 - It seems to be an understatement to say that extent of destruction of the earthquake is huge. But it is our only crutch to help us behold the greatness of our Lord. When the Bible says the earth quaked and trembled in His presence, you'd think you can truly comprehend? The earthquake helps us to do that. The destruction He can bring about is THAT great. He is THAT powerful. The earth is merely His footstool and He is THAT great. Imagine the day when He will come and the mountains will tremble. Pray that we will be found running towards Him and not be scrambling into caves to hide from His presence. Pray that His unfathomable greatness will cause us to behold Him, fear Him and worship Him.

Pill #3 - Imagine that the house you have been saving or paying to own all your life has been reduced to naught overnight. Imagine what is left of all your possessions lie in the rubble. Would I still feel I have a nest to lay my head at night? Would I feel safe and secure? Would I still feel I have something I own? Would I still feel I have something to give? Naked have I come, naked will I depart. All that is in between in transient- each breath, each smile, each tear, each experience is truly by grace and grace alone. Pray that I will truly store my possessions in heaven and be identified in Him alone.

"It is not wrong to want to live better; what is wrong is a style of life which is presumed to be better when it is directed towards "having" rather than "being," and which wants to have more, not in order to be more but in order to spend life in enjoyment as an end in itself.
It is therefore necessary to create lifestyles in which the quest for truth, beauty, goodness and communion with others for the sake of common growth are the factors which determine consumer choices, savings and investments." -- John Paul II

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Thank you Father for answering my prayers for Man-U. Thank you for indulging this little daughter of yours. YAY!!! *muacks*

A lil prayer for Man U

Dear God,

Thank you so much for letting Man U win :) Hugz. Muacks :p

Now that Man U and Chealsea are through to the Champions league, please "display your glory" that the previous defeat of Man U might lead to a greater win in this finals so that they will see how "the first shall be last, and the last shall be first". And teach the ya-ya Chealsea a lesson :(

Please God give Man U the double this 50th anniversary of the Busby tragedy plllllleeeeeeease?