Peaceful Afternoon

Posted on April 16, 2013 by clay

The Word of God came at the right time…

This afternoon, took a time to read from Psalm 33. Nevern been such comfort and peace from reading it before.

The Lord looks down from heaven;
    he sees all the children of man;
from where he sits enthroned he looks out
    on all the inhabitants of the earth,
he who fashions the hearts of them all
    and observes all their deeds.
The king is not saved by his great army;
    a warrior is not delivered by his great strength.
The war horse is a false hope for salvation,
    and by its great might it cannot rescue.

Those words suggest that God above watching closely over everyone on Earth. And strangely, talking about salvation, protection, safety……..great army, great strength, war horse….considered as false hope.

I do understand Abram’s fear for his life…when he knows the beauty of his wife Sara, and the wickedness of the place he’s going to. Fear for safety is something common to all human race. And I believe the Lord understands that very well too. He didn’t bring it up against Abram, despite we can say he’s little faith then.

Behold, the eye of the Lord is on those who fear him,
on those who hope in his steadfast love,
that he may deliver their soul from death
and keep them alive in famine.
 

Interestingly the Psalm gives comfort by saying that after the Lord looking for and looking out…..now His eye is fixed…………to those who fear him and hope in his steadfast love. Hope is theme of the Psalm. Hope means our eyes fixed on him. So interesting that God’s eyes are fixed on those whose eyes fixed on him. And His promise, He will keep them alive in famine. How is it possible? That’s the beauty of this Psalm.

Everything is false hope. Only God is the sure hope, even through impossibility. I guessed Abram learnt his lessons through the 2 episodes when he trusted wrongly. God is able, and he will keep His promise. Even in famine, his children could still be alive 🙂

Posted in Assured, Hope, Providence, Psalm, Security | Leave a comment

Strong-willed kid

Posted on February 15, 2013 by clay

Yesterday, an acquaintance came to office. And many commented his appearance that was somehow thinner than the last time he was. To that he replied that it is caused by his 2nd kid, who is strong-willed 🙂

I could understand that, and that’s how i responded in the beginning also. Having a strong-willed kid is tough. They want things according to their way. They insists on their ways.

But then, another thought came to me. I shouldn’t look at it the way it is. The fact a child (not the kid, as he/she is a person, and kid is demeaning call for a child) is strong-willed, probably linked to his/her survival. For unless this child has that kind of strong-willness, he/she may not survive being 9 months in the womb. Not alone to be pushed outside to the real world. In order to survive, he/she needs that strong-willness.

I remembered how a few times our daughter threatened by miscarriage. Especially during the early days, when she’s so fragile, I thot we had lost her. The fact she persisted till delivery day, I know that this child is very strong-willed. She wants things her way, and will insist very hard.

So, i thank God for that toughness in her. And i pray we won’t quench her spirit. Rather we should direct it in correct path. And that strong-willness will become a key of surviving against all odds and blessings.

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God is faithful

Posted on February 9, 2013 by clay

Tonight, after Reunion Dinner, we went home, and as usual, we read bible for our family devotion.
Pauls’ last words were our devotion for past 3 days. And today, he quoted what Jesus taught (interestingly not recorded in any the gospels): “It is more blessed to give than to receive”.

I commented, how different that would make if christians more following it today. After so many years, I am reminded refresh…that life is about how much we give…not so much how much we gain.
And the blessedness that comes through giving……..it’s God’s promise and we know all his promises are true and amen.
If only we do it, then we experience the blessedness.

It’s further strengthened by my mum story tonite.
She got a helper…when it’s almost impossible to get one.
The prayer i offered a week earlier, to be honest, i was not sure myself…
I just hit and wish for the best
But the Lord showed me that He is able
And He is Faithful. He doesn’t change.
He still answer prayers…and make sure all His promises fulfilled.

Tomorrow CNY….may i be christian who lives the word : “It is more blessed to give than to receive”

Posted in Bible, Blessedness, Providence, Thankful, Tired | Leave a comment

Adorable 5

Posted on January 31, 2013 by clay

Yesterday we just realize that she’s responding to our actions, and not so much of our distress. Probably in distress, our faces look so funny that she laughs.

Her laugh makes a big difference. That whatever things we’re doing, she’s just burst into laughter.

Continue reading →

Posted in Encouraged, Joyful | Leave a comment

January 2013: 4 Accidents in 1 month

Posted on January 28, 2013 by clay

Things just getting better recently. So could spend time to update this blog 🙂

January 2013 would soon be over. And looking back, I really thank God for His wonderful protection. Some things could be avoided, but others are beyond our control. The accidents serve as reminder indeed God protects!

The first took place at normal public eating place. When someone threw a bowl of hot soup on the table…and the soup just spilled over …to my wife, to my sis-in-law, to my baby’s pram…but thank God, our little girl is not affected. There’s no way we could run away as it happened so fast out of sudden.

The second which happened the most terrifying. We’re boarding into public bus here in Singapore. It was Sunday evening, around 7pm dinner time. The bus was empty, and as result we dare to take. My wife carried the little baby went in first, followed by me with the pram. And out of sudden, without warning, the driver moved the bus when my wife was still trying to find a seat. The most frightening thing happened. She lost her balance and fell down, together with the baby!! The baby’s head hit the chair. So many people around rushed to rescue the baby…followed by helping her to stand. …

Again, the Lord protected our little baby. She’s alright, despite the accident. And the bus company hasn’t apologized to us ever since.

The third one happened in our bedroom. I was carrying her and trying to stand up. When somehow i lost my balance…and slowly my body sinking to the floor. I was terrified…in slow motion either i throw her to the bed…or falling down with her. At the end, i could not manage to throw her to bed….So i fell down with her….with my leg and knee hitting the floor….followed by my hand carrying her hitting the floor. Her head escaped the floor just by thickness of my palms…………………What a terrifying moment for me.

The last one happened just yesterday. While we’re pushing the pram….i saw sprinkle of waters moving. Suddenly i moved the pram away. And the water came and splash on my hand…Someone who’s living high floor throwing water outside the window……..What a scarry place to live in.

Again the Lord reminded us….He’s protecting our little baby from all harms. Thank you Lord.

 

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Life’s Purpose and Annointing

Posted on December 6, 2012 by clay

Just a contemplation of the meaning of these all.
I do believe that when God created a person, he has a purpose. For He’s God with purpose. Not doing things unthinkingly or haphazardly. The whole account of the Bible clearly says that God is wonderful planner & creator.
As such, every person carry life’s mission. The purpose which God created them.

The next question then…whether up to them to find out? Or God will tell them? Or probably both ways? Looking quickly into the Bible, and these few patters appear:
1. Anointing moments (be it directly by God himself, or by someone else whom the Lord sends)
Example whom someone else anoint the person for his life mission:
– Joseph by Pharaoh : “you’re to be 2nd in charge after me…”
– Saul by Ananias : “brother Saul, the Lord sent me to annoint you …. to proclaim his name among the gentiles”
– Paul & Barnabas by the Church : “Dedicate Paul & Barnabas for the task I’ve assigned for them”
– Saul & David by Samuel then subsequent kings : “I annoint you King over Israel..”
– Peter by Jesus : “You are now fishers of men.”
Example those annointed by God himself through divine encounter:
– Abraham : “Go into the place i will show you”
– Moses: “I sent you to Pharaoh..”
– Jesus: “This is my son whom I’m well pleased.”
– Jeremiah: “I called you.”

What then if we never encounter those moments in life? Meaning God didn’t speak directly, or nobody come to us and tell us the mission for us?

🙂 Continue next moment

Posted in Encouraged, Restful | Leave a comment

Understanding Girl

Posted on November 7, 2012 by clay

This morning, I thank God for an understanding daughter 🙂
It’s purely grace…:) Otherwise we won’t be able to pull it through.

Last nite probably the first time she listened to me and fell asleep.
She been crying looking for mother to be able to sleep.
But by God’s grace, i spoke to her…telling her mama need to cook, and papa need to do work.
God is with her and she can sleep on her own.
Except when she feels hungry or need to change diaper…she can call us.
Less than 1 minute, and she fell asleep very soundly…till the next morning 🙂

That’s a miracle to me…:) Thank God for an understanding girl.

Posted in Blessedness, Daily Life, Family, Fatherhood, Thankful | Leave a comment

Open-minded

Posted on October 29, 2012 by clay

This morning, on my way to office, I read from 2 Timothy what Paul advice the young man…to focus on his duty like a soldier that focus to please his commander and not involved with civilian affairs. That verse makes me to ask…..if the current pro-family life style is a world’s value instead of biblical value?

I’m not talking about abandoning family. But imagine at war-time, where men are going to war, leaving their family behind. Is it what Paul meant there? The focus and priority of one’s life.

So this morning i pray that if what i thought all this time were wrong, may the Lord help me to live by faith & obedience. I’m open if i were wrong…following the pattern of the world and not of God.

Posted in 2 Timothy, Family, Restful | Leave a comment

Feeling heavy

Posted on September 17, 2012 by clay

Time really flies
Heavy hearted for the many things happened …
Life isn’t so simple after all
One thing after another
I really hope life would be much simpler than this

I guess probably physically and mentally been very tired with the so many things happened at one time.

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A walk together after a long pause

Posted on September 9, 2012 by clay

Finally, we’re walking together again, hand in hand…..after 1 month passed.
The feeling is strange…warm…..like the first time we’re holding hands…
Probably that’s the wonder of abstinence 🙂

Just treasure it…the day we spent 5 hours, leaving our daughter to her grandma.
Thank God for grandparents.
May the Lord bless them with good health.

Posted in In Relationship, Joyful, Thankful | Leave a comment