John 14: 6 'Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. ⁷If you really knew me, you would know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him." ⁸ Philip said, "Lord, show us the Father and that will be enough for us." Jesus answered: "Don't you know me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, 'Show us the Father'?

So from studying Jesus' character through His actions and the parables He shared, we also get to know God's character.

Seeing Jesus in Matthew, Mark, Luke and John
Our Lord Jesus Christ had got His schedule really full in His earthly ministry. His was teaching, healing, preaching, befriending, supplying, praying, etc. These examples teaches us something about God:

• healing - blind Bartimaeus, death and dumb man, daughter of Syrophoenician woman, woman with issue of blood, man's withered hand, lepers, the demon-possessed
• providing for and prospering the people - turning water to wine, miraculous catch of fishes, feeding of the 5000
• resurrecting the dead-widow's son, Lazarus, Jairus' daughter
• being gracious - Zaccheaus, woman caught in adultery, woman at the well, restoring Peter after His resurrection, coin in a fish's mouth for the temple tax

When people go to Jesus, sickness turns to health, lack turns to supply, ignorance turns to wisdom, condemnation turns to edification and sin to dominion over sin. All went away better off than when they first met Him.

The bible showed that when there was sickness, death, lack, condemnation, or anything or anyone that prevents His people from living the abundant life (John 10:10), Jesus was always there to make things well.  God is good, isn't He?

So from the bible, through Jesus, we see what God is like and His heart for us.  We know His goodness, mercy, grace, power and compassion toward us.

The Cross

The power of the cross...an incredible story

In 1967 while I was taking a class in photography at the University of Cincinnati, I became acquainted with a young man named Charles Murray, who was also a student at the school and training for the summer Olympics of 1968 as a high diver. Charles was very patient with me as I would speak to him for hours about Jesus Christ and how He had saved me. Charles was not raised in a home that attended any kind of church, so all that I had to tell him was a fascination to him. He even began to ask questions about forgiveness of sin. Finally the day came that I put a question to him. I asked if he had realized his own need of a redeemer and if he was ready to trust Christ as his own Saviour. I saw his countenance fall and the guilt in his face. But his reply was a strong 'no'. In the days that followed he was quiet and often I felt that he was avoiding me, until I got a phone call from him. He wanted to know where to look in the New Testament for some verses that I had given him about salvation. I gave him the references to several passages and asked if I could meet with him. He declined my offer and thanked me for the scripture. I could tell that he was greatly troubled, but I did not know where he was or how to help him.

Because he was training for the Olympic Games, Charles had special privileges at the University pool facilities. Sometime between 10:30 and 11:00 that evening he decided to go swim and practice a few dives. It was a clear night in October and the moon was big and bright. The University pool was housed under a ceiling of glass panes so the moon shone brightly across the top of the wall in the pool area. Charles climbed to the highest platform to take his first dive. At that moment the Spirit of God began to convict him of his sins. All the scripture he had read, all the occasions of witnessing to him about Christ flooded his mind. He stood on the platform backwards to make his dive, spread his arms to gather his balance, looked up to the wall and saw his own shadow caused by the light of the moon. His shadow was in the shape of a cross. He could bear the burden of sin no longer. His heart broke and he sat down on the platform and asked God to forgive him and save him. He trusted Jesus Christ twenty some feet in the air. Suddenly, the lights in the pool area came on. The attendant had come in to check the pool. As Charles looked down from his platform he saw an EMPTY pool which had been drained for repairs.

He had almost plummeted to his death, but the cross had stopped him from disaster.
Galatians 6:14

Charles Darwin, British naturalist, 1809-1882

“When we descend to details, we cannot prove that no one species has changed. That is, we cannot prove that a single species has changed.”

“Geology assuredly does not reveal any finely graded organic chain; and this is perhaps the most obvious and serious objection that can be urged against the theory of evolution.”

“Not one change of species into another is on record. We cannot prove that a single species has been changed into another.”

L. H. Mathews, in the introduction to Darwin’s Origin of Species

“In accepting evolution as fact, how many biologists pause to reflect that science is built upon theories that have been proved by experiment to be correct, or remember that the theory of animal evolution has never been thus proved?

Sir Authur Keith, famous British evolutionist

“Evolution is unproved and unprovable. We believe it only because the only alternative is special creation – which is unthinkable.”

 

Signs in trains, Signs in buses,

'Please Give Up This Seat To Someone Who Needs It More'

Its good to see people giving up seats, making way, either in public transportation or on the roads.

I'd like to think that they are a group of people have.  Because they have and knows that they have, that is why they acted out of the ordinary . . . 

Have what?

Courage - to take action, to make a difference

Strength - the stronger helps the weaker

Health and well-being - sick bodies and sick minds can't help right?

Heart - seeing beyond oneself

Abundance - a spirit of abundance acts generously, they do not withhold

Awareness - a person has and knows that he has, a person has and knows not he has

Society group people based on their wealth - the Haves and the Have Nots.

Some might still remember such an incident.

A person took a stack of books meant as a charitable give away to the poor.

He makes his way towards his mercedes benz and drove off. 

Off he went . . . the Have Not.

A person gave up his seat for the elderly . . . the Haves.

This is the story I'd rather read.

One day, as I was happily wrapping up my purchase after shopping at Ikea, a stranger interrupted and offered some advice.  Not only that, this stranger took over the wrapping despite me telling her I'd rather manage it myself.  Then I looked over to her relation.  They looked just as helpless.  There goes my thought of asking them to take their mom in hand. 

One day after shopping, as I was depositing the trolley before going to the Taxi Q, a stranger again instructed what she would consider a better way of doing things.

Gosh.  I'm wondering do I look that helpless?  Is there a message that I'd been missing?

Anyway unsolicited advice is always ill advice,  though I appreciate that their positive intention , but I positively don't appreciate these supposedly kind gestures that much.

thank you BUT NO THANKS.

 . . .

Travelling in my mobile kitchen

Cooking, Baking

Learn a new sport

Gymming

Home Improvements

etc

Callers to our hotline said that at about 7.40pm, they saw a bright green light across the evening sky.

Some described it as a shooting star; others said it was like a satellite re-entering the earth's atmosphere.

They also said it was not very high up in the sky and it had streaked over brightly from east to west.

It was over in a matter of seconds.

Viewers called us from all over Singapore – Serangoon North, Sembawang, Woodlands, Selegie Road, Bedok, Bukit Panjang and Marina South.

The meteorological service said it had no information on the phenomenon as it was too small to be reflected on satellite pictures. - CNA/so

See ye not all these things? . . . Matt24:2

If any man has ears to hear, let him hear . . . 

isn't it happening  (Luke 21:11)

Somehow the monster kept creeping out . . .

"Give Me This Monster!",  oooppsss, uh Lord I mean "Give Me This Monster", again sorry, rewind rewind, I mean, "Give Me This Mountain!"

Earlier this week was my 2nd time at the gym at Novena Square.

Though its been opened for so long, this is only the 2nd time I've been there.

Cos I didn't want to get lost in the ladies' changing room.

Directionally challenged as I am, that little maze is causing me nausea.

Anyway the gym layout is limited by the building's structure and the space limitation.

The weight area is so cramped I felt like 1 female there is one female too many.

So I decided the gym at Boogey's is still the better one.

Having not trained for some time, the last two sessions of weight training was really a huge muscle splitting workout.  So that night I took it easy, no more reps till fatigue.  Didn't want to walk like a zombie the next few days from the DOMS.

45 minutes into cardio and my legs and back are screaming STOP!  so well . . . I obeyed.

I really enjoy the feeling of the soreness and the wobbly legs while walking down the stairs or when sitting down. Every movement of the body the muscles are singing "Yo! I'm moooveeeeng!"

Good to be Alive!

Aye, U worry one or not? I? Of coz got worry lah!

I think this one is international past time ah.  Can set up a society called Worriers Without Borders.  In short, the WorBs

Worry meenz ah, think of something lor.  Then think and think non stop leh. But most of the time no good one lah.  I think sometimes can hear the Bee Gees ah, sing in the background, "Tragedy! . . . . . . . .Tragedy!" Wah Seh, sometimes break into cold sweat man. Susah. 

Then on Thursday hor, I heard some one say worh.  Worry worry can also be good one leh.

Then I think think think, how worry is good meh?!

Then he said, worrying is just the process, the mechanics lor. What we want to worry about is another story. Some people like to do sad sad story, or mad mad story.  But as Christians ah, we got something better leh.  That means ah, what God says hor, just agree with Him lah. 

Then I think think think. I think no need to think actuawry. Because ah, since what God said ald write in the bible, just refer and read and agree can ald lor. Just think think of what He said can ald.  No need so susah lah.

U think think see correct or not? 

How did Jehoshaphat, king of Judah triumph over the invaders of his land?

Being greatly outnumberd, this battle was destined for doom. Fear, anxiety and hopeless can't help. Valiance and strength can't battle the multitude.  Fight or flee, victory would be miraculous.

Then the Lord said, the battle is not yours, but God's.  Not only that. You shall not need to fight.  Just stand still and see the salvation of the Lord with you.  (2 Chronicles 20:15, 17)

Like that can huh?  Sure or not? In my mind, doubts would be flying at light speed across my mind.

But Jehoshaphat and his people, fell before thre Lord and worshipped Him.

At the battle front, enemies faced Judah with swords, spears and shields, ready to attack.

Judah, what did they do?

They fronted their army with singers, singers unto the Lord. They sang praises unto the Lord, praising His beauty, His mercy.

Aye, crazy is it? Still got mood to sing song ah?

And what did thre Lord do?  He set ambushments and caused much confusion amongst the\ enemy.

2 Chron 20:22 And when they began to sing and to  praise, the Lord set ambushments against the children of Ammon and Moab, and mount Seir, which were come against Judah; and they were smitten.

Yo, not smitten with one another okay, its total destruction ah.

Sing praises unto the Lord and give your battle to him.  Stand still, sing and relax lah.  After that got goodies to collect.  WHOAHAHAHAHA. 

GOD IS GOOD. EL OLAM, the everlasting God.

Teh Tarik, my favourite beverage of all time.

As far as I remembered, it is my mom who introduced me to this wonderful drink.

You see Mustafa, the 24 hour shopping centre now? Across the lane was where the store was located. It had got a green tent, wooden bench and a simple counter.  Right beside this set up stood the Teh-Tarik Man.

Initially apprehensive, my mom convinced me that I'd love it once I tasted it.

So here, teh tarik for two.

The teaspoon hitting against the aluminium container as the Teh-Tarik man stirred the beverage sounds so musical.  Then he stepped out from behind the counter, with two containers in hand.

Slowly he pours the beverage into the empty container, slowly raising one hand and lowering the other till a stream of brown liquid seemed to be connecting these containers.  Then finally the beverage flowed nicely into the lower container.  He repeated this several times.  Boy, I was bewildered.  This is more fun than watching trapeze flying to-and-fro.

Two cups of the beverage is set before us.

In my mind I had this plan to do what he did.  So I asked my mom how did he do it.

For a long time, I had two containers in my bath.  Well, you know what it is for already I believe, haha.  Teh-tarik practicse session was during bath time.  Keke.

So every time I down this wonderful brew of  fragrant tea, creamy evaporated milk with condensed milk, these fond memories come to mind.

What makes a good teh-tarik?  A good teh-tarik has its signature reddish brown colour, you can smell the wonderful fragrant as you bring the tea to your lips, then as the tea wraps it velvety body around the tongue, I can taste every element of the fragrant tea and milk, and wonderful memories that are playing in my mind. . .

Much is brewing in the Middle East now.  As usual the media covers one-sided anti-Semitism news.

As for myself, I am more interested in the latest archaeological find - a first century church.

Where?  Interestingly at the place where the last the last battle would be fought - Armageddon.

Is the battle field being prepared?  Well, that only my Maker knows.

Now my interest in Hebrew and Greek is being fanned.  Come November, I'll make more time for this

God knows for I need rest.  Woke up at 11am today.

Think I really need sleep.  Yesterday I was asleep on the way to bible study.  But of course once my feet touched the ground as I got off the bus, I'm quite fully awake.

And how safe I feel with April beside me, who would voluntarily or involuntarily stop the traffic, so that we both can cross safely into the mall.  Keke

This morning a nice SMS greeted me.  Oh what a wonderful world, despite of what I feel, despite of what I see or hear.  Hallelujah!

So of course being blessed with such a wonderful message in the morning, Ingrid the Blessed messaged this blessed friend of mine.  And lo and behold, a lunch appointment was neatly arranged.

Fresh in my mind was this skeleton found in a residence in Upper Thomsom.  No one knew . . .

Of course with such wonderful ladies waiting for my cab to pick them up, I feel blessed that I have friends who know that any day is a good day for nice fellowship.  Hey Hey.

Though I just ate lunch, meeting up for a nice chat is good too.

You know since June I'd been craving for durians.  And for 3 consecutive nights of this week I'd been eating durians for supper.  Praise Jesus the craving is gone now.  After the enjoyment of this creamy soft, pungent fragrance, it should be enough for now.

28 June 2006 - Solutions Focused Brief Therapy-SFBT.

Lecturer is only slightly older than me, but not ‘hamsome’.  Haiz.  That is beside the point.

The whole lecture, I’m distracted by his Engrish.

As he was narrating on the ‘morder’ of  SFBT, I can’t help but look at the corner of his lips.  A pool of saliva was hanging there precariously as he spoke.  It almost turned into Saliva Focused instead.

He’s got a some what big face, except that the eyes, nose & mouth were compacted into the centre part of the face.  Squinting his beady eyes while he spoke aggravated my agony during the class.  I wondered if I were the client, I’d be experiencing either more pain or sympathy for him?

“So, what comes to mind when we think of  "BRIEF” he asked.  I can’t help but reply underwear.   Calvin Klein..  Tsk Tsk.  Of course I was thinking it might help some people who could get excited over it and temporarily relieves them of their problems.  Brief therapy, in every sense of the word.

Brief means ‘Not one session more or not one less, as decided by the client’.

He related one occasion which a parent approached him for help on how to deal with ‘chewrn’.  When you deal with ‘chewrn’ got soft approach and hard approach.  If both doesn’t work try something else.  Yah man, so insightful.

Actually from the answers he gave to our questions, I’m relieved that it offered me some hope.  Cos he’s also a very ‘big chunk’, big picture person.  And SFBT is my preferred intervention technique too.  So I thought what kind of people, either client / therapist, would prefer SFBT.

But to effectively tease out info from our clients, ‘intoooview ‘ techniques are very important.  Yes sir, I heard that.  Also very important is that the ‘intoooviewer’ dun have saliva dripping from the corner of his mouth.

Role play time came.  I took the ‘intooviewer’ role.  Observer, as Mr Facilitator puts it, observes.  Whoahahaha.  Client narrates porbum.  Yes sir, amen.

Here’s a part of the transcript for the role play, hope you enjoy it.

Intooviewer : “How have you been?”
 

Client : “Better.  My colleagues dun treat me as if I’m transparent.”
 

Intooviewer : “Wow, that’s fantastic.  What did you do to make yourself more opaque?”
 

Client : “?????  Oh, I fermented grapes.”
 

Intooviewer : “What else?”
 

Client : “uhhh, beans also.”
 

Intooviewer : “Have you tried fermenting tofu?”
 

Client : “No.”

Intooviewer : “I’m glad you are taking concrete steps to make yourself better.  What else?”
 

Client : “Oh yes, after that I threw the water out of the window.”
 

Intooviewer : “How does that make you feel?”
 

Client : “Happy . . . very happy”
 

Intooviewer : “Can I join you?”

Someone once told me I’m a perfectionist.
If there is a slightest disappointment I would write the whole thing off – quite speedily.

I can’t disagree.  I’m still quite exacting about certain things.

As the cliché goes “The more you love, the harder to forgive”.  I’m still working to loosen that knot.

I have a scale in my heart – I need to learn to be unconditional in areas only I know what they are.

After spending some months trying to understand why people go into therapy, or need therapy.

I now have a reinforced knowledge.  People NEED to have a PRESENCE and being LISTENED to.
This part of myself that I noticed is that when I can’t get the presence or the listening ear,

I tend to just shut out almost completely.  Then the justification is that there is no reason to talk when there is no quality exchange.

Too soon people offer their 2 cents
Too soon people show that they have something better on their mind
Too soon people become absorbed into their own ideas and world

I have to really kick myself sometimes because I’m guilty of the above charges as well.

But I highly need reciprocity.  What a nice way to put it.
Negatively put, its called calculative or demanding.  Whatever . . .

For those dear people in my life who feel shut off, my apologies.  I’m trying to loosen this knot.