Eaten Alive!

Our poor tree in front of the house. Got attacked by hundreds of caterpillars and i don't know if it'll survive. The fig tree nearby seems to have been attacked by something too...

"You've been looking a little down lately dear."

Jimmy's heart raced. She'd noticed! He pulled her closer as she approached the bed he was sitting on. He looked up at her then hugged her tightly, his hair wetting her pink work blouse a little. Should he tell her that he was frustrated, angry and sad all at once? Could he tell her that it was partly because of her? All he needed was a little attention. He was screaming for it but she never seemed to notice, till now. He thought hard for the right words to say. Should he also tell her about the problems he'd been having at school? Did he want to burden her with the details? or should he just savor the moment? But before he could open his mouth, she pulled herself away.

"Mummy's gotta go now. Pick yourself up and get on with life", she said as she walked out the door.

Jimmy sat there all alone again. He shouldn't blame her. He knew she loved him and had to work. Maybe he should go away so she didn't have to work so hard....

Ma poor under utilised bike...

My favourite rides are single trails that lead to a river crossing and back. But this poor guy has not seen the likes of that! At least not with my butt on the saddle. Bought this bike many moons ago from a contact off www.bicyclebuysell.com. We drove to Ipoh after work, met the chap, did the transaction and drove back. I really hope I can take it off road more often and plan rides for the young people too! :)

Bukit Lalang

A public holiday is such a precious thing. I know those who are still studying will not understand this. You will, when you start working. Anyway, Desmond asked during fellowship dinner if I wanted to join him and the others on another trip to Nuang. I was rather hesitant, considering my fitness level has deteriorated considerably since the last climb. But more importantly, I was really hoping to go somewhere with my teens club class. I really enjoy bringing them out and spending time with them and we were supposed to plan something, but firstly, they couldn't agree on a place to go and secondly, one three were present last saturday, making planning quite impossible. I was still hoping to arrange something so even if it was for a smaller group. Cheryl has the special girl's meeting on in the morning, so I had asked Jeya if he could come along to assist me. I've already learnt my lesson that I should never bring a bunch of kids out alone. When I checked with him yesterday, Jeya wanted to stay home and prepare his sunday message, but Cheryl was keen to assist me after her meeting ends at around 1:30pm. Long story short, we couldn't arrange anything in time. Then Kenny, my ex-colleague from SAE called and asked if I knew how to get to Bukit Lalang. Alvin had just mentioned this place to me on weds night during regional and I thought I could hook them up since he said he was going on labour day. A few calls here and there and I had arranged for Kenny to come to my place at 5:30am. Actually, I really needed some rest, but since I have not been able spend much time with Kenny for a long time and everytime he invites me to ride, I have to decline cos it's on a sunday, I agreed. Alvin later called to cancel.

I rarely type such 'cheong hei' story so back to short and sweet.

The place was packed. I hate packed trails. Of course if I were to bring a group on a trip there, then I would be as irritating to some people as they were to me. Not that I have anything against them, they have as much right to be there as I do, so I don't hate them, just the situation. Short climb up. Nice scenery. Sunrise wasn't so nice but bumped into Jia Yin :)

As usual, more pics on FB:)

Love

Ephesians 5:25 Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her.

Colossians 3:19 Husbands, love your wives and do not be harsh with them.


A husband's duty is to love his wife. I can only find one verse in the Bible that instructs wives to love their husbands. So, as a husband I need to realise what this means in order to fulfill my duties. Of course it is easy to 'love' someone if they are perfect and cute. But nobody's perfect and not everyone stays cute forever. I heard once that the reason why babies are so cute is because if they weren't, it would be quite difficult to care for them. Anyway, back to the matter of love. The second part of the verse in Ephesians gives a very clear example and model of what love is and how a husband is to love his wife.

To start with, God gave us the marriage institution as a picture of Christ and the church. So, what did Christ do and how does he love the church. Well, as the son of God, he gave up all that he had and came down on earth to suffer and die to pay for our sins. Rising again, he defeated the power of death and hell. Ok, now this is the 'romantic' part. He did this to win us back to God. The next verse tells the story.

Ephesians 5:26,27 ...to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any blemish, but holy and blameless.

So basically, Christ did everything! Being one who believes in chivalry, I do think that husbands ought to do things for their wives (even though they may be totally capable of doing it themselves sometimes!). Of course in the case of Christ and the church, we were totally lost and condemned and unable to help ourselves but he came and sacrificed himself in order to win us over. And it is because of that that we love him.

1John 4:19. We love because he first loved us.

Now back to how that helps me love my wife. If I were to take the example from Christ, then considering how much he sacrificed for our sake, I should do the same. Basically, it is having Cheryl's best interest at heart. It is an unselfish love. One that is very hard to practise and can only be done with God's grace. Totally unlike the kind of 'love' that we see in the world today where everything is about 'what's in it for me'. Don't even get me started on prenups and divorce. Whatever happened to 'for better or for worse'? These days, as soon as it's a little rough, couples bail out. I remember once, a number of years ago, after Cheryl had done something silly. I looked at her, gave a big sigh and said, "for better or worse". Looking back at me, in feigned seriousness, gave a bigger sigh and replied, "for richer or poorer". We had a good laugh over that.

As long as we're on this earth, in this sinful body, we are presently and practically imperfect (some seem more imperfect then others! haha). And we will often grieve our Lord and stray away from him. How often we have been disobedient and rebellious. But his love is such that he continues to love us and only desires what is best for us.

So husbands, love your wives. Never lose that tender and manja connection with them. Think of their interests above yours. Give in to them and put your ego aside (unless it is a matter which is wrong principally). Take the lead as the head of the family unit and lead them gently. Constantly look to the Lord for guidance and remember, if Christ is our example, there is no sacrifice that can match his...




and hopefully, she'll love you back... but even if she doesn't, your duty is still to love her...



1 Peter 3:7 Husbands, in the same way be considerate as you live with your wives, and treat them with respect as the weaker partner and as heirs with you of the gracious gift of life, so that nothing will hinder your prayers.

today is the 17th of april, 2009

Jasbir commented recently that she checks my blog every other day... So maybe i should be updating it a bit more since there are kind folk who do read it... i don't have to have a sudden inspirational thought or a major event to write about, just updates that help friends know what's happening in my life... So here goes...

Have been enjoying the sunroof a lot recently... initially i would get very annoyed with the sound but now i have learnt to live with the sound and enjoy the sunshine! Here are some sights that greeted me when i looked up this morning...

Clouds left by a passing jet...

Did you notice the moon?


This one is while waiting at the traffic lights in front of pudu jail...


1st time i've beed scratched by the needle, while donating blood today...


Customer brought in this guitar for repair... UV coating seems to be peeling off...


Red mountain racer shedding phase again (notice the blurred eyes?)... Hopefully i's a nice clean shed this time...

It's been a quiet day in the showroom today. Met a dealer, sold some gear, changed light bulbs, restrung a guitar, answered emails and calls. Singapore office is has been busy the past few days. Anyway, my thoughts are still on the youth center and what God wants me to do. Looking forward to meeting up with Aunty Gaik this sunday for lunch. Ee May cancelled her leave for next week, so i won't have to fly solo, except on saturday... It's 4:48pm and i still don't know what to eat for lunch. Must take care of my body, so better go...

Hard to say goodbye?!

We had our Easter and Farewell party today for the teens. A group of them will be promoted to YP next week. Yes, you know who you are (some read this blog). Anyway, I really pray that they will fit in well with the YP and continue to grow in the love and knowledge of the Lord. I'm happy that they are going on to more mature things and I can concentrate better on the younger ones. But of course I'm sad to see them go. Well, I'll still see many of them during other meetings and on saturdays but it won't be the same...

These are some who are going to YP. Others didn't come today as school was on...


Hwei Huih made a cake for them. Yummy!


Keychains that Alvin made for them.



The whole group!

idio[synch]racies

Lately i've been discovering myself displaying certain habits i find irritating in Cheryl. Don't worry, i'm not talking behind her back or bad mouthing her, she already knows all this. Here are some examples...

1. Spilling/dropping food
2. Using tissue paper
3. Wiping wet hands on my t shirt/hips
4. Leaving rubbish in the car
5. Leaving the dishes till tomorrow

More than twice last month i have looked at her and we both give each other that knowing grin... oh well....

Guaranteed Success

When I was just a little girl
I asked my mother, what will I be
Will I be pretty, will I be rich
Here's what she said to me.

Que Sera, Sera,
Whatever will be, will be
The future's not ours, to see
Que Sera, Sera
What will be, will be.

When I was young, I fell in love
I asked my sweetheart what lies ahead
Will we have rainbows, day after day
Here's what my sweetheart said.

Que Sera, Sera,
Whatever will be, will be
The future's not ours, to see
Que Sera, Sera
What will be, will be.

Now I have children of my own
They ask their mother, what will I be
Will I be handsome, will I be rich
I tell them tenderly.

Que Sera, Sera,
Whatever will be, will be
The future's not ours, to see
Que Sera, Sera
What will be, will be.

It's interesting how much truth there is in a simple song like this. On one hand, you could just throw your hands up in the air and say, "Well, everything is fated and whatever will be, will be. So I don't care about anything!" But the truth is in the fact that the future's not ours to see. And as it is written in Matthew 6:27, "And who of you by being worried can add a single hour to his life?"

The fact of the matter is this. We are not in control. We make decisions and they produce consequences but we are still not in control. We may plan and execute, but we have no control over the outcome. We have no idea how long we will live and what will happen in the next second.

This can be super disturbing to some. Let me explain. Someone can, like in the first example, just take the whatever attitude. "Since I'm not in control, what does it matter?" Or someone else can make the best of the situation and try his/her best to work around whatever happens. Strive for a goal and succeed, or not. So, depending on what they're goal is, many people in the world are like the latter. They aim to get rich, or do good, or stay healthy, or achieve great things, or be happy in life. But for all the work they put into heading towards their goal, they are not guaranteed success and the outcome is uncertain. One can spend his/her whole life aiming towards something, only to find at the end that it was all meaningless.

Comfort, comfort my people,
says your God.

Speak tenderly to Jerusalem,
and proclaim to her
that her hard service has been completed,
that her sin has been paid for,
that she has received from the LORD's hand
double for all her sins.

A voice of one calling:
"In the desert prepare
the way for the LORD^";
make straight in the wilderness
a highway for our God. ^"

Every valley shall be raised up,
every mountain and hill made low;
the rough ground shall become level,
the rugged places a plain.

And the glory of the LORD will be revealed,
and all mankind together will see it.
For the mouth of the LORD has spoken."

A voice says, "Cry out."
And I said, "What shall I cry?"
"All men are like grass,
and all their glory is like the flowers of the field.

The grass withers and the flowers fall,
because the breath of the LORD blows on them.
Surely the people are grass.

The grass withers and the flowers fall,
but the word of our God stands forever."

You who bring good tidings to Zion,
go up on a high mountain.
You who bring good tidings to Jerusalem,
lift up your voice with a shout,
lift it up, do not be afraid;
say to the towns of Judah,
"Here is your God!"

See, the Sovereign LORD comes with power,
and his arm rules for him.
See, his reward is with him,
and his recompense accompanies him.

He tends his flock like a shepherd:
He gathers the lambs in his arms
and carries them close to his heart;
he gently leads those that have young.

Who has measured the waters in the hollow of his hand,
or with the breadth of his hand marked off the heavens?
Who has held the dust of the earth in a basket,
or weighed the mountains on the scales
and the hills in a balance?

Who has understood the mind of the LORD,
or instructed him as his counselor?

Whom did the LORD consult to enlighten him,
and who taught him the right way?
Who was it that taught him knowledge
or showed him the path of understanding?

Surely the nations are like a drop in a bucket;
they are regarded as dust on the scales;
he weighs the islands as though they were fine dust.

Lebanon is not sufficient for altar fires,
nor its animals enough for burnt offerings.

Before him all the nations are as nothing;
they are regarded by him as worthless
and less than nothing.

To whom, then, will you compare God?
What image will you compare him to?

As for an idol, a craftsman casts it,
and a goldsmith overlays it with gold
and fashions silver chains for it.

A man too poor to present such an offering
selects wood that will not rot.
He looks for a skilled craftsman
to set up an idol that will not topple.

Do you not know?
Have you not heard?
Has it not been told you from the beginning?
Have you not understood since the earth was founded?

He sits enthroned above the circle of the earth,
and its people are like grasshoppers.
He stretches out the heavens like a canopy,
and spreads them out like a tent to live in.

He brings princes to naught
and reduces the rulers of this world to nothing.

No sooner are they planted,
no sooner are they sown,
no sooner do they take root in the ground,
than he blows on them and they wither,
and a whirlwind sweeps them away like chaff.

"To whom will you compare me?
Or who is my equal?" says the Holy One.

Lift your eyes and look to the heavens:
Who created all these?
He who brings out the starry host one by one,
and calls them each by name.
Because of his great power and mighty strength,
not one of them is missing.

Why do you say, O Jacob,
and complain, O Israel,
"My way is hidden from the LORD;
my cause is disregarded by my God"?

Do you not know?
Have you not heard?
The LORD is the everlasting God,
the Creator of the ends of the earth.
He will not grow tired or weary,
and his understanding no one can fathom.

He gives strength to the weary
and increases the power of the weak.

Even youths grow tired and weary,
and young men stumble and fall;

but those who hope in the LORD
will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
they will run and not grow weary,
they will walk and not be faint.

(Isaiah 40)

For those who know God and belong to him, it is a great comfort that we are not in control. His wisdom is far beyond ours and guess what? The wonder of it all is that he cares for us and wants what is best for us. And the only way to guarantee success in life is if we live according to his will and do what he wants us to do. What a blessed position that is! If the one who holds that future guides us, who can fail? It is a guaranteed success. True success is when something does well what it was designed to do ;)

Beryl's Chocolate Factory

Teen's club outing to the chocolate factory yesterday. We arrived early in 4 cars and a van. Had to wait for half an hour before taking the tour which took about the same amount of time. I think the children enjoyed just going out for a trip and not so much where they were taken. After spending some time buying chocolates, we headed for the Bangi park where we had lunch and the children played under the scorching sun. I didn't organise the games i had planned as the sun was so hot, and getting them to stand in the sun didn't feel like the right thing to do. At least when they are left to run, they can choose to stay in the shade... I'm sure most of them went home with melted chocolates...

Updates...

Sorry to have gone MIA for so long. Was sick all CNY so here are updates of all that happened in between the last post and now... Well, for one... jeng jeng jeng... NEW RIDE!

In time for going up to Penang after Christmas.

We had a good time wondering around and spending most of our time in the Baptist bookstore. But Pa got sick halfway through the trip :(

Had a great time playing Risk - Transformer Edition on new year's eve... until 6 in the morning!

Cheryl made CNY cookies and fried seaweed!


And then we doggie sitted Lulu when Jerome and Amber were away for holiday.

She even helped me with the new Teens' Club attendance chart!


More pics of Lulu in my Facebook album!