work

My boss leaving, gave me lots to think about.
She was the big reason for me to join current company, but with her leaving, suddenly... I felt loss.

I've been thinking over the last 6-7 weeks, been thinking of a new job, been thinking of what I want to do. Quite unfortunately, the thinking came to why I came here in the first place, and why we work.

Do we work for men (or woman?)
What exactly do I want, from a job - title? salary? good environment? a Christian boss with chemistry?
Well, I tell myself that good working environement, plus something with not consistently long hours is probably the most important. Christian bosses - nice to have, not a necessity.
It seems that I do have a good working environment & stable hours currently.
And what exactly have I done here in the past 10 months?

Nothing, zip.
make friends, have a good time & work - but nothing of any meaningful eternal consequence.
So what did I leave my previous company & a good ministry for? Happiness?

Sigh... so I got off my A*S, and decided that it was time to do something.
There are other Christians around, instead of waiting for a non-Christian to read the bible with (which was my modus operandi previously), I could do something with the Christians, to encourage one another.

So getting a few people, to pray each week - we don't do that enough, do we, for each other.
So Monday morning 8Oct07, we will start - now, that's a good reason to work.


HEBREWS 10:23-25 Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another--and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

Happy 70th Birthday Mom

It just hit me, as we were planning my mom's birthday... that she is 70!

Strange... suddenly it hit me that my mom was "old".
Up to the 60s (my mom's age that is), she's always been mom... nagging, bothered abt status and bothering me abt my lack there of, throwing money at my kids... mom.

But 70 is suddenly different.
My aunt just passed away a coupla months ago, and she was 73.
Now that my mom is about to be 70... she's catapulted into a different category - the "old, may not be with you too long, let her indulge in her geriatric dilusions old".

She tries to be nice, although she does it in way that "irritates" me... like throwing money at my kids (how am i going to teach them the value of $, if they get it so easily), like asking me quite a few times- so u dun even get to fly business class ah... (when my bro flies 1st class now), like berating me in front of the relatives.

Somehow, it is always easier to put up with it, when they are old folks not your mom - u give allowance, and nod patiently.

I need to learn to be patient.
Instead of ignoring her questions (I rather just keep quiet, then answer an irritating question), I will try very hard to accomodate her.
I will learn to be grateful and thankful for her generosity (it's her way of showing her love).
I will pray for her, and offer to pray with her.

That's gonna be my birthday present... Happy Birthday Mom.

Stock Market

I have learnt that

1. Invest only with with money which you are prepared to loose
thinking about what u will make, only clouds the issue, and may lead to severe losses

2. Holding power, is the only weapon we have, in a market controlled by Big Players
as my market timing is bad - at least with holding power, u sell when it has reached your selling price, and not because you are forced to
the loss is only realized, when u sell

3. Making money
strangely enough, it is much easier to loose money, than make

4. Speculating vs Investing
there is a bit difference between speculating and investing, one based on rumors/gut feeling, the other based on fundamentals
it is easy to start off "investing", but too hard not to cross over to "speculating"

5. Which share to buy
whilst easier said then done, invest only in companies you understand, and industries you know

6. The analysts don't know it all
Whilst research reports are helpful, they are only opinions. I love how Citibank put a sell call on Cosco, with target price of $2+, only to reverse to a buy call with target price of $5+ only 1 month later

7. The market is not really rationale
I don't know why SingTel shares went up from $2 to $3.70 within a few months, even though I was an insider...

1 Timothy 6:10
For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.

The Guard

Received a call oh my HP on 27 July 4.30 pm

Caller: Hello this is the guard.

ss: Guard? who?

Caller: The guard at the main gate.

ss: What main gate?

Caller: The GUARD at the MAIN GATE!

ss: Erh, which main gate? at [my office name]?

Caller: No, I am the GUARD at the MAIN GATE!!!!

ss [grit teeth]: But there's quite a few main gates in Singapore. Which main gate?

Caller [speaking to another party]: you better talk with him

Caller 2: Hello, this is tow truck here at Ardmore Park.

ss [light goes on, suddenly it makes sense now]: Hello fren, I am at (office address), you already pick up my car at 2pm, I think kah (call) salah (wrongly) leh.

Caller 2: Oh sorry....

END OF CALL

Bug Tales 2

Last Sunday (22 July)
I found out, that when the fuel gauge needle points to the left most bar, the fuel tank is really empty - unlike other cars when there's still some reserve.

Couldn't believe, my beloved bug just glided to a stop, just in front of a car illegally parked, on a main road. I stuck a note on my screen, and hiked to the nearest petrol station.
Doh! they ran out of tin cans to carry petrol.
Took a bus to the next nearest one, got my can with 5L of petrol, borrowed a funnel, and hiked back. Gosh, I never would have imagined myself running out of petrol in the middle of busy Singapore. And never would have imagined having to manually fill my tank.

Ok, petrol filled - but car won't start!
On advice of my mechanic Thomas, had to crank it numerous times.
After 10 min, it finally roared to life.

whew.

Following Friday (27 July)
Just back from lunch with ex-colleague in town.
As I was just nearing my car park, the car engine suddenly dies! Petrol again? no... there's still plenty. Fortunately, am on downhill slope, and I glide it into a car park space next block to my office.

Good grief. Got it towed back to Thomas.
Ever since my no petrol advanture, I noticed one of the lights with "G" on when I drove - but ignored it. Well, it appears that it is a warning light, that something is wrong is my "generator".
Found out generator/dynamo is kapoots, and as result battery kapoots too!
So "upgraded" the generator to an "Alternator", or whatever.

I got it back today quite happy.
Although still sore from the hole in my pocket.

Bug Tales

From eating bugs, I got myself a bug.


It's a 1973 VW beetle, 1200 cc, in all its green glory.


There's something about owning one, something I've never felt with all my previous cars, starting with a 18 yr old Mitsubishi (can't remember what, but it was bit of a bomb), a brand new maroon Suzuki Swift which my dad bought for me after graduation, Toyota Kijang in Indonesia, Hyundai Matrix when we came back to Singapore in 2003, Toyota Wish (which is the best family car in the world, and used by my wife), and now my very own bug.

It's quite an experience driving it. Like a newfound love, there's a bit of tenderness required in driving it. One must really be one with the car, have a good feel in all its mechanical glory.
There's nothing "auto" about it: stick shift manual gears; no power steering, no reverse sensors, no power windows; no car alarms; even the headlight switch is activated with a mechanical knob - but it is pure driving joy in its most basic raw form.

I actually got some metal sand paper, and scrubbed off the rust on the hub caps & WD40 everything. In my 15 years of driving, I have never ever even washed my car, let alone do any maintenance. The closest I get, is drive to the mechanic.

Now, it is probably one of the cheapest cars to get... but what a car it is.
Thanks Cami (who sold me the car) for this.

Pic of my car below

Conversation with an Aunt

Aunt: U can't believe whatever A says

Me: [uh oh, decide to ignore comment]

Aunt: She's a liar

Me: Urm... I don't think so [feeling a bit offended]

Aunt: Why? You have to .....[Starts to lecture]

Me: erh, I don't want to talk about A [it gets me nowhere, and me upset!]

Aunt: But you have to listen to both sides of the story.... She is...

Me: I don't want to talk about her! [thinking that saying nothing is better than saying something and offending even more]

Aunt: Why.

Me: Because everytime any of u sisters talk about her, we always end up arguing...

Aunt: [changes topic slowly... but quite offended, as I learn]

sigh... didn't handle that too well. Somemore it was on the way to church Evangelistic service. Wife tells me that Aunt was offended at how I "exploded" [but I thot I remained calm throughout, and pretty happy at how I avoided a "hot" topic]. and that she could easily do that to me if I wanted to talk to her about Jesus "Just don't talk to me about God and Jesus!".

sigh... as usual, my wife was right in her rebuke, just takes me a while to swallow my pride, think abt it and admit it.

Colossians 4:2-6
Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains. Pray that I may proclaim it clearly, as I should. Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.

ARPC Church Camp 2007

I love church camps.

I grew up in Zion BP, attending tons of em... although they were more social then. As an adult, it's different.

With a church so large (1,000 plus folks), its normally hard to get to know people.
We normally sit the same place during the service, talk to the usual folks we hang out with. So in church camp, with us assigned to groups, through the activities & bible studies, we get to know just that few more folks. Plus meal times are another way to meet new folks.

And you know, we just aren't as rush. With lots of free time, we can just chill, relax and chat away. Nice.

Anyway, I really enjoyed this year's church camp. The speaker (David Cook), spoke short sermons, but sure hit on the spot. Very application-able. One particular take-away, is my renewed understanding of the Parable of Wise/Foolish builder.

MT 7:24 "Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. 25 The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. 26 But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. 27 The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash."

Now, I've always taken the foolish guy, who builds his life on like material stuff, whereas the wise builder is the one who builds his life on Christian stuff.

Well, not quite. Look at verse 24 and 26 again - Both the wise and foolish builders, BOTH HEARS the words of Jesus. The key difference is that one "puts them into practice" whereas the foolish chap, hears but just boh chap/does nothing. It is whether we heed & put into practice Christ's words. Hearing must be followed by obedience.

So far so good? OK, here's another lesson from the church camp - Jesus says, we cannot serve both God and money - this we know. But how often has that become: "ideally, we cannot serve both God and money"; or "we can balance both, although God still ranks ahead of money" - we tell ourselves.

The problem is that Jesus says it is IMPOSSIBLE to serve both God & money. We hear it, but do we believe it? Does God really know what is best for us?
Love our enemies -get real.
Cannot serve both God and money- ridiculous!
Really, I know what I can do and cannot - better than God.
I really want to run my Christian life, my own way.

Uh oh - smells a tad bit like sin no? smells like the foolish builder - we know what Jesus says, but rather than simple obedience, we don't put it into practice, instead we justify it away.

So it isn't easy.
Eat from any tree, except the fruit of the knowledge of good and evil - ok.
Enter the promise land, and the land is yours (just ignore the well built army, who's bigger, better trained, and better equiped than a bunch of wondering slaves) - ok.
Love your enemy - ok.
Go and teach your wealth a lesson, and give half of your savings to God's work - ok.

It's really the best way to live - do we dare to believe and do it?
Just do it - God's way.

Yummy... Korean Food

I'm was in Korea just. And the fun thing about being in a different country, is to learn new culture/peoples, and stuff unique to them, and yes the food.

Here's something I tried last saturday... guess what it is?

yes, looks yummy, chocolates you say?

ok, here's a yummier picture - close up (left), and no, they are not Chocoloates, as you can see.

It's actually a silkworm larvae (not butterfly cocoon, as I was told before) - I knew there had to be a better use than just producing silk - and the Koreans love them!

It's called bbeondaeggi, sold by the street boiled (see picture on right), and served in a cup - just like sweet corn!

Unfotunately, there is nothing sweet about this snack - full of protein they may be (my kind colleagues assured me, whilst munching on a toothpick full of them), but besides how they look (they look like legless fat cockroaches) they taste as bad as they look - yes, surprisingly, they were unpleasant to eat. Vile actually.

Been there, done that - can't say I'm happy to try that again.

I got my colleagues to bring me to try another Korean speciality - san nak ji. Here's a look (see right). Now, it is served in a restaurant, so nothing like street bugs.



Looks familiar?

ok, let me tell you what it is - it is live baby octopus. Yes, they fish out a live one, chop it up, add some sesami oil, and serve it fresh - no, not fresh, still wriggling/writhing. I kid you not - the octopus on the plate, every bit of it was wriggling! Strangely, I felt cruel, and sad for the octopus who had to die a pretty horrific slow death - then it was time not to waste the guy's death, and eat. I used my chopstick, hold on to the plate to pull him off (the suction cups still work), and as you hold it, the guys is wriggling, and curling around the chopstick. And when you put it in your mouth, I got a big shock! yes, because the suction cups still work, they stick to your inside cheeks and tongue - it just caught me by surprise. But it ends quite quickly when you chew.

Taste? taste like octopus sashimi - but really chewy. Did I say that it was fresh?

[update 20Apr]

Friend told me that there is another version, where you get to eat a whole octopus live! they put a really small one in a shot glass, put some alcohol (i think) in it, and u just bottoms up - yummy.

u are supposed not to chew so fast, play with your food inside your mouth(yes, your mummy told you not to, but hey) , then chew it. Advice has it to chew it well, before attempting to swallow.

now, i think that this will be mentally rather challenging... yes, I don't take alcohol.

Parenting 103

It's been a good week.

It didn't start off so well, when I loss the coin toss to attend Parent-Teacher meet.
I'll spare the details... least to say that I better practice on my coin tossing...
Sure, we want some feedback on how the child is doing in school, but i'm not sure whether I really want to know every infringement that happens...

Oh, oh yes, as I was saying, it's been a good week.
Being the school holidays last week, plus my own resolution (and lots of prayer) to be more loving, I tried being less "uptight" - don't sweat the small stuff. And it worked somewhat - I actually enjoyed the relationship better, when I wasn't snapping at every little thing, and nagging.

Ok, also ignoring the 2 incidents events of outright lying to get out of homework, but relatively (compared to the past) it's been a good week.

I felt bad coz I couldn't take leave coz of work, so my lovely wife arranged a family holiday on Saturday. And we had a great time - minibus took us (w 2 other families) to Johor, where we visited a kelong (my son got to fish in a floating net breaming with hungry "milk" fish or Ikan Bandeng - almost shooting fish in a barrel, only easier.
We had to pay RM1 for each fish we caught, and another RM2 if we wanted to take it home. Was a bit strange until I realized that once a fish is caught, it is left jumping in a dry barrel till it dies - quite a loud (fish really strong and keeps jumping) messy (bit bloody) affair. And if u dun want it, they'll freeze it to be sold to the market. They tell me that once the fish is hooked, it dies eventually - so they don't throw it back.
After that, we got to eat lunch, and at the risk of being the obscene Singaporean - the food was really cheap! We had soup, veges, toufu, steamfish (w this lovely assam samble sauce), deep fried calamari (really really good), fried chicken w thai sauce, curry prawns (really nice too, lots of spices, curry leaves and dried prawns), desert - more food than we could finish, and all for RM15 each. Amazing stuff - definitely returnable.
We spent some time in shopping mall, before heading to Royal London Circus show. Now, being spoilt Singaporeans, we got front row seats - and it was really good fun. First time to a live circus, and being right in front, was really quite good fun. If only the trapeze artist didn't fall on top of me, it'll would have been more enjoyable...
Well, all in all, it was an overseas holiday, for abt $300 for the whole fam!

Oh yes, back to being less uptight, I was proud to say that after church, whilst talking with some friends, I saw my oldest disturbing my youngest till he cried, then when bored, started poking and disturbing my daughter (I watched from the corner of my eye, but didn't say anything and surprising didn't get angry). Ok, I was not impressed when he complained to me that one of his siblings hit him (in retaliation no doubt) - and I recounted his misadventures, that IF YOU CAN'T TAKE IT, DON'T DISH IT OUT!!!

Well, it's a start. I need to work hard at being loving, and to show it, be less uptight/nitpicking - but what a big hill to climb, and a long way to go. But's its a start.
Training in righteousness (both for my son and myself), is a long term thing - there's no instant obedience unfortunately. Took Israelites 40 years to get to promise land, took me 20+ years to finally repent before God... and just as God didn't give up on me, I gotta work hard and persevere.

It's a good week - gotta give thanks to God, when I can.

Remove that bible?!!!

I just noticed that the "sponsored link" sitting right on top of mail in my gmail account, was this website www.removethatbible.com

This made me think: from the numerous hotels I've stayed at, I've never really paid attention to the Gideon bible - one of those things you take for granted.

I've never really gospelized by osmosis - the mere presence of a bible hidden in a drawer didn't do much for me, especially when it was sitting next to the Koran (hotels in Indonesia).

No, I am not mocking the mission of the Gideons (ironically, the little I know is from the above website). The words within, whilst doesn't quite convert the book into a "Holy Book" like some sort of talisman, is the very words as inspired by God himself.

It is the very power of God - the same power that through mere words, created the very universe we exist in, the same power that rose Jesus from the dead, it is the same power of God that will bring salvation to those who believe - not by man's words or wisdom.
And for those whom God moved heaven and earth for, so that they would "chance" upon the Gideon bible so inconspicuously placed in the bed side drawer - Hallelujah!

Yes, pure foolishness of the Gideons to hope for such miracles, but since when has the wisdom of man outsmarted the foolishness of God?

Go Go Gideons!

ok, excuse the digression, back to the petition.

Now, I'm not really surprised about such a petition. As Paul writes (2 Corinthians 2:14-16)

But thanks be to God, who... through us spreads everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of [Jesus] For we are to God the aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing. To the one we are the smell of death; to the other, the fragrance of life.

Yes, the good news of Christ, is a double-edged sword, and those who don't know God, they can't stand it - a foul stench, the "smell of death". And people have hated that smell from the beginning, culminating with them killing Jesus to rid of his smell. And people will keep hating this "smell of death", sadly blind to the aroma of life, even in this day and age.

They much prefer Famous Amos' "Free Smells"... the cookie that saves... NOT!

No, I say let's an eye for an eye. I am proposing my own online petition - so sign up here!

http://www.removethatpetitiontoremovethatbible.com/

He's Everything To Me

Elliot led a song a coupla weeks ago during offering.
It's was extremely nostalgic for me, a song I knew from growing up, singing in our youth group - but not since I left my old church some 20 years ago (eekks! I'm that old?!!!)

Not speaking theologically, but the song sung and its arrangement was just brilliant - a jazzed up version, really classy. Great job guys!

And thanks for the memories.

He's Everything To Me

In the stars His handiwork I see,
On the wind He speaks with majesty,
Though He ruleth over land and sea,
What is that to me?

I will celebrate Nativity,
For it has a place in history,
Sure, He came to set His people free,
What is that to me?

Till by faith I met Him face to face,
and I felt the wonder of His grace,
Then I knew that He was more than just a God who didn't care,
That lived a way out there and

Now He walks beside me day by day,
Ever watching o'er me lest I stray,
Helping me to find that narrow way,
He's Everything to me.

Ralph Carmichael

My Funeral Service

It's never too late to think about dying.

My daughter prayed the other morning, for the kids to behave well, so that if daddy dies, they can take care of mommy - or something like that. Hmm... not quite sure whether it is a good prayer or not...

ok, about death, more specifically, what happens at my funeral service.
I saw "the weatherman" or something like that, with Nicholas Cage in it.
Not such a great show, but Nicholas' character had a living funeral service for his dad who was about to die. Not such a bad idea really.
But in the event that my wife/kids don't get the chance to, a after-I-die service will do - not much of a choice anyway.

Songs
These are the songs I wish sung
1. Amazing Grace - good story abt my life. God did pluck me out of sin, and only thru his grace I have been redeemed. Great funeral hymn, ends in great triumph - lots of people will cry.
2. God Sent His Son - another great old song I grew up with, a reminder of God's big plan, how can we not live for God, after what God has done for us?
3. In Christ Alone - one of my fav "modern" songs, esp the version by the iWorship series. what a great reminder of the basis of our salvation.
4. There Is A Higher Throne - [updaed 19Feb07] -thanks Anon for reminding me of the title. What a beautiful picture painted, but u know what? it ain't nothing compared with the real stuff!
5. It Is Well, With My Soul - [updated 7Mar07] - I hope that my family can sing this. This is of course no theoretical feel good hymn, but this is written by Horatio G. Spafford as the ship he was on, passed the place where his 4 daughters perished a few weeks earlier. Only the wisdom of God can help a man say it is well - what a powerful testimony.

[will add songs progressively]

Sermon
Hopefully lots of non-Christians family and friends will be there.
And hopefully ChrisChia will be around and available to speak (we were the first he married... if i don't remember wrongly).
Not sure how many services there are, but the sermon has got to be evangelistic please.
Maybe a passage on Revelation 20/21- coz that'll be reality for me then!
yes, make people envious - see lah, who ask u not to know Jesus and then die earlier than me?

Attire
oh please - none of that black and white only clothing.
how abt orange, yellow or lime green only - plus everyone has to wear crocs!
ok, something cheery - its a time of celebration, I have fought the good fight, I have won the race and receive my crown of righteousness - yes celebration time.

Coffin
Cremation is the order of the day. how abt something dramatic afterwards like sprinkling of ashes into the sea/ocean? none of that ashes in vase, stuck in some concrete hole stuff.
hopefully i'm not remembered by just my ashes.


oh yes, coffin. I'd prefer something cheap, but unique - not those boring lacquered wooden coffins. how abt something like this? but painted orange?

I'm not so sure I want my dead body to be seen - u can leave it sealed.
somehow, dead bodies look nothing like what they are when alive.

Organ Donation [updated 7March07]
Now, I don't really mind donating what left of me that can be recylced. But one small request, which came to mind after reading this - WAIT TILL I AM REALLY DEAD!!!! I would really like the benefit of that one more day, really.

But if I'm brain dead, and after my 1 day's grace and things don't improve, then to my family: pls don't waste money keeping the life machine on.

Anyway, I don't think I would really like being recalled back, after getting to be with Jesus.

Parenting 102

AAARRGGGHHH!

Another complain from teacher, this time Malay teacher abt forgetting to bring textbooks, and not doing work.
Decided to check bag, after being assured that it is packed properly, and all work done.... found abt 4 worksheets accumulatedly undone! plus lots of rubbish and unnecessary books brought, whilst the right ones are left behind.

My theory was to train the child up to be responsible, meaning give instruction, expect child to obey, and handle consequence - consistently. Theoretically, child will learn... right? wrong.
It's just a viscious cycle... of carelessness, absent-mindedness, and plain laziness. After each rebuke, feel sorry, but back to square one.

So last night, I sat down w my oldest boy, checked each sheet that it was properly done, got him to empty out whole bag, and show me each item being put in. The rest, either throw or file - properly.
Somehow, I felt sorry for him (yes, had to punish him for lying to me during weekend, to wife) and compassionate as I sat next to him. Am trying to be more patient and loving - but not so easy.

Gotta remind myself that training in righteousness is long haul. It took me abt 21 years, before I came to know the Lord... and my son is only 9... but I don't remember me being so difficult!
Then again, that's according to me... don't ask my folks.

and it could be worse... at least I don't have to homeschool him...

DG 101

New material
After a year of having to write our own studies, the church (Adam Road Presbyterian Centre) has decided to give us a break, and try out study guides again. Ironically, whilst initially thot it a "drag" coz of time commitment, I enjoyed writing my own studies, like my Uni days.
Now I have to fight the temptation of a lazy prep, the questions are all there, and even the answers!

But I do like these Pathway Bible guides we're using for Discipleship Group, this time covering Luke 9-12 over 7 studies.

PrimaFacie, it is theologically simple. Questions/material provided not as cheem/detailed as the normal Mathias Media studies we've been using. It even comes with leader's notes (maybe i should remove that section from everyone else, so that i can really appear smart - ha!)

Well, where it does well, is in the application part - where it gives us the opportunity to hit it home, and let the rubber hit the road - and that's the hard part. I've had a good opportunity to meditate on it myself, as well as drill this in the DG.
The starter questions are also pretty good - considering most others are pretty cliche, and i've always had trouble thinking up of good ones when writing my own.

New members
We've had a few nearly new members last year, but some reasons or other didn't work out. So we stayed pretty much the same numbers - which is good, coz we got to know each other, and were able to share more.

This year Athena, hubby SoonMeng and mom Ann, decided to join us, after their JFN group moved to Tuesday - and they prefer a Sunday. Whilst it does change the dynamics a little, it's good for the group I think, that it forces us out of our comfort zone - especially me, coz I'm "forced" to observe, listen, and see how we can integrate.
Well, it's a great encourage to me, for Ann, who is more "matured" than the rest of us - that she recently came to know Jesus, and now hungry to learn lots. It's great that our new friends are open, asking questions, and willing to share.

[19Feb update: Getting another couple from same DG as Athena & gang. Thanks Marie!]

Old workplace bible study group
Been trying to encourage my old workplace DG to meet up (stopped since I left abt 3 months ago... and I feel partly responsible...).
I must learn to trust in the Lord, that He will look after His flock, and that it isn't up to me 100% (thank God!) - Faithful we must be, but Trusting even more.

[19Feb update: sigh... this has died an unnatural death. Somehow, trying to meet up isn't working, and I have given up "nagging" - but not giving up on praying for em!]

oh yes, must remember to work on consistency of prayer life.
Just covered study in Luke on Parable of Annoying friend (my words), just after Lord's prayer. Need to be persistent.

Parenting 101

Parenting is hard work.
Teaching a child and molding his character to fear and know the Lord, is no easy stuff (ok... so it's hard for the rest of us too) - when do we punish, when do we reward, and the how is the tough part.

We struggled thru an episode this week - 3rd complain from the teacher since this year! And each time, the "crime" seem to get worse... that I was at a total lost... nothing seems to work... we've tried the scolding, canning, depriving of privileges, rewarding (bribing?), reading the bible and praying together... textbook stuff, almost every trick in the bag (ok, very small bag), and yet, it all seems to fall apart. feel like giving up. Strangely I didn't even feel like punishing the child or talking to him. Hmm, it was certainly tempting to just give up, be indifferent - why bother when nothing works anyway.

No, some serious reflection was required, bit of honesty with myself and God. Something was seriously wrong, and I needed to do something abt it (see, us guys just have to find a fix). No no, if I was any interested in being a godly parent, a good father and concerned abt raising the child up to know and fear the Lord (be wise), I suspect ignoring a child isn't the best of reactions.

Went yesterday for swimming brief by the club. Coach told me abt my son, that he responds better to positive encourage, and uses it to better use, than critisizing/discouraging... sigh... Yes, I am overly harsh. After each stunt, we react and get bit more strict, and the next stunt seems to get a little more rebellious, intentionally or unintentionally. I am quick to punish, slow to love. It's just so hard to love sometimes... is it possible that I'm a recalcitrant and hard to love too by God? Hmm, took Him more than 20 years, and He didn't give up... Love is not a feeling, but a choice. It'll be nice if there was some feelings of love as well...

Drats! we just did the parable of sower last week at bible study, and today's sermon in church... Why did the passage have to hit so close - can I love someone I don't like? So much easier to love the millions in deep darkest Africa, but what about your own child?

Ok, had a good chat with the wifey - she's always good counsel - we need to change our approach - our son is NOT like us (why can't he be more like me?!!!). we need to learn who he is, accept it, and work with it.
We took sometime in the afternoon, for a good heart-to-heart talk. We talked abt what happened, the reasons for doing, and explained why it was not right; what he need to do to correct his actions, and more importantly (hopefully) addressed his deep seated fears/concerns.
Well, let's hope this works... I can only trust in the Lord for wisdom and strength.

Yes, our child is also our neighbour.

My First!

Excited - first time trying out this blog thing - I must say that creating this blog was a breeze - toughest part was selecting the color scheme from the templates available. Gotta give these google guys credit - for coming up with something so simple and FREE!

Well, guess this is a bit like an online journal.
Ironic coz I'm not a keep journals kinda person, but now older, gotta get on with the times or be lost in oblivion :)

ok, wife is awake and wondering why i'm still up at 1.13am. Gotta wake up at 6, so nitey.