Good morning!

It is brand new day! A brand new start! Here I am.

The Salutation of the Dawn

"The Salutation of the Dawn"

Look to this day:
For it is life, the very life of life.
In its brief course
Lie all the verities and realities of your existence.
The bliss of growth,
The glory of action,
The splendour of beauty.
For yesterday is but a dream
And tomorrow is only a vision;
But today well-lived
Makes every yesterday
A dream of happiness
And every tomorrow
A vision of hope.
Look well therefore to this day;
Such is the salutation of the dawn!

By His stripes, we are healed

Surely he took up our infirmities and carried our sorrows, yet we considered him stricken by God, smitten by him, and afflicted.But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities, the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed. -Isaiah 53:4-5

Milo Clique Outing

I am thankful for this day. Milo Clique Outing. Some ice crystals melted. We had our dinner at a restaurant called Green House Cafe, which is also available at Changi General Hospital, National University Hospital and Raffles Hospital. Funny, the time I bumped into some of my friends at the gym... I heard a song playing on the radio... I heard it once again at the restaurant. Maybe it is a popular song... I like the visit to the pet house. I saw the dogs- the sleepy ones, the playful ones, the fighting ones, the cute ones, the big ones, the small ones, the one chasing its tail spinning round and round and the shy ones. They were simply amazing to look at. All of them are between 2 to 4 months old. We actually laughed as we thought of how the dogs might think. My friends took photos of them. Some pet shops do not allow that. And we visited the chocolates' shop which was so cold. The chocolates' girl wore a cool " Be happy!" uniform and she was boiling some chocolates. My preceptorship is just next week. I hope that I will be in good health! Energized. In the pink! =)

Just the way you are

Don't go changing, to try and please me,
You never let me down before,
Don't imagine, you're too familiar,
And I don't see you anymore.

I would not leave you, in times of trouble,
We never could have come this far,
I took the good times, I'll take the bad times,
I'll take you just the way you are.

Don't go trying, some new fashion,
Don't change the colour of your hair,
You always have my, unspoken passion,
Although I might not seem to care.

I don't want clever, conversation,
I never want to work that hard,
I just want someone, that I can talk to,
I want you just the way you are.

I need to know that you will always be
The same old someone that I knew,
What will it take till you believe in me,
The way that I believe in you?

I said I love you, and that's forever,
And this I promise from the heart,
I couldn't love you, any better,
I love you just the way you are.

I don't want clever, conversation,
I never want to work that hard,
I just want someone, that I can talk to,
I want you just the way you are.

Temptations and trials

Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him. When tempted, no one should say, " God is tempting me" For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; but each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death. Don't be deceived, my dear brothers. Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of all he created. - James 1:12-17

Temptations and trials are not necessary bad things unless we choose to wave a white flag to them. Perhaps they can bring out good qualities like creativity and perseverance as we endure and eventually triumph over them. Too often, they also show our dark sides and weak points like impatience, greed and pride. I heard somewhere that adversity does not make a character, it simply reveals it. Should it reveal any cracks, I pray that the big hand of the Potter will mend the cracks and strengthen the instruments/ vessels through which His glory shines.

Weaknesses

I am glad to have started this blog. I understand more about my weaknesses and the need for encouragements and time spent with God. Life consists of ups and downs. Every moment, I am happy to have the holy spirit to be my guide. I am weak and therefore I am strong. Paradox. But it can be so. =)

A children's song
Read the Bible pray everyday
Pray everyday, pray everyday
Read the Bible pray everyday
If you want to grow

Forrest Gump

I watched the movie " Forrest Gump" and I like it a lot. It is about a boy who had an IQ of 75 and physical disability but did incredible things throughout his life time. He had a good Christian mum who brought him up, telling him that he was not very different from the rest. Her mum once said, "You have to do the best with what God gave you." Although he was deemed stupid, his moral compass never wavers and he was an extremely faithful lover, friend and son. He often said," Stupid is as stupid does." And his "stupidity" made him a football stardom, vietnam hero, national ping-pong player, marathon runner on the screen, shrimp tycoon and ultimately be with the one and only true love of his life. Sadly, she passed away soon, leaving him with a little Forrest Gump- his son. What is remarkable about him is that he inspired others through his innocence, simplicity, persistence, courage, loyalty and love. Indeed the world will never be the same once you have seen it through the eyes of Forrest Gump.

The falling eagle

An egg has hatched.
And an eagle is born,
dependent on its mother for food.
Eventually, the mother entices the eagle out of the nest,
by flying next to it,
with food in her mouth.
And everyday,
she moves the food,
further and further away from the mouth.
Until one day,
the eagle leaps unknowingly out of the nest.
And then it starts falling,
fast like a rock,
32 feet per second,
per second.
There was no turning back,
ever.
In the fall, the eagle discovers what it can and cannot do.
In that moment.... (swish)
Up it soars,
into the sky,
where eagles are meant to be.

God's beauty

Each person is created to see a different facet of God's beauty, something no one else can see in quite the same way, and then to bless all worshipers through all eternity with an aspect of God they could not otherwise see.
- An idea by C.S Lewis

The face of God

To love another person is to see the face of God.

- Les Miserables

Daily Inspiration

Who is this? He commands even the winds and the water, and they obey him.

Daily Inspiration

Thank Him in advance for what the future holds, for He is already there.

-unknown

The redeemed will know lasting joy

The wilderness and the wasteland shall be glad for them,
And the desert shall rejoice and blossom as the rose;
It shall blossom abundantly and rejoice,
Even with joy and singing.
The glory of Lebanon shall be given to it,
The excellence of Carmen and Sharon.
They shall see the glory of the Lord,
The excellency of our God.

Strengthen the weak hands,
And make firm the feeble knees.
Say to those who are fearful-hearted,
"Be strong, do not fear!
Behold, your God will come with vengeance,
With the recompense of God;
He will come and save you."

Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened,
And the ears of the deaf shall be unstopped.
Then the lame shall leap like a deer,
And the tongue of the dumb sing.
For waters shall burst forth in the wilderness,
And streams in the desert.
The parched ground shall become a pool,
And thirsty land springs of water;
In the habitation of jackals, where each lay,
There shall be grass with reeds and rushes.

A highway shall be there, and a road,
And it shall be called the Highway of Holiness.
The unclean shall not pass over it.
But it shall for others.
Whoever walksthe road, although a fool,
Shall not go astray.
No lion shall be there,
Nor shall any ravenous beast go up on it;
It shall not be found there.
But the redeemed shall walk there,
And the ransomed of the Lord shall return,
And come to Zion with singing,
With everlasting joy on their heads.
They shall obtain joy and gladness,
And sorrow and sighing shall flee away.

-Isaiah35:1-10

Closure, time & energy

I like the journey of self discovery. I like the sense anticipation as one greets the day " Good morning! " and the sense of fulfillment when it comes to night time knowing that the day is well-lived. Minimal idling. It can be spent on leisure and recreation nonetheless. I don't like that sense of things-undone and issues-not-sorted out. Something lurking at the back of my mind stealing away my energy. It is like too windows ( the computer's term ) being opened and the computer is running slow. I like the sense of clarity. Even if others do not understand what I am doing or judges me unfairly ( a bad scenario that I thought of... ), I am still filled with a sense of great purpose and happiness. If a dancer dances to a different beat or seems out-of-sync with the rest, it might be that he heard a different drummer. Isn't that a very energy-giving thought? A licence of acceptance given for all to dance freely. I just write whatever that comes to mind and it is sort of like a catharsis. It's ok that it is not really neat.

Dance as if nobody is watching,
Work as if you don't need the money,
Love as if you have never been hurt,
Live as if it's heaven on earth.

-from my memory

Praise looks good on you

Artist - Don Moen
Album - God Is Good

Verse 1:
When you lift Your hands up high
And you sing a song of praise to Me
It brings Me great delight
Such a lovely sight
And yes it is true
Praise looks good on You
Morning night and noon
Your praise ascends to heaven
Like the smell sweet perfume
Filling every room
And yes it is true
Praise looks good on You

Chorus:
You bring your sacrifices
And you offer up your praise
You lift your voice with singing
But your heart seems far away
More than a sacrifice
I am looking for your life
Holy and acceptable
And pleasing in my sight

Verse 2:
So offer up your lives
Holy and acceptable
A willing sacrifice
Precious in my sight
But in all that you do
Remember all I want is You

(Repeat Chorus)

Verse 3:
So lift your hands up high
And worship Him before the altar
Consecrate your life
A willing sacrifice
But in all that you do
Remember all He wants is You
And yes it is true
Praise looks good on you

Way back into love

Way back into love

-from the movie " Music & Lyrics"

I've been living with a shadow overhead

I've been sleeping with a cloud above my bed

I've been lonely for so long

Trapped in the past, I just can't seem to move on

I've been hiding all my hopes and dreams away

Just in case I ever need em again someday

I've been setting aside time

To clear a little space in the corners of my mind

All I want to do is find a way back into love

I can't make it through without a way back into love

Oh oh oh

I've been watching but the stars refuse to shine

I've been searching but I just don't see the signs

I know that it's out there

There's got to be something for my soul somewhere

I've been looking for someone to shed some light

Not just somebody just to get me through the night

I could use some direction

And I'm open to your suggestions

All I want to do is find a way back into love

I can't make it through without a way back into love

And if I open my heart again

I guess I'm hoping you'll be there for me in the end

There are moments when I don't know if it's real

Or if anybody feels the way I feel

I need inspiration

Not just another negotiation

All I want to do is find a way back into love

I can't make it through without a way back into love

And if I open my heart to you

I'm hoping you'll show me what to do

And if you help me to start again

You know that I'll be there for you in the end

http://youtube.com/watch?v=BZ6rHxHHeQs&mode=related&search=

Psalms & proverbs

It seems that psalms speak to my " emotional brain" & proverbs to my "thinking brain". Often my pleasure to type out and learn.

Psalm 138

I will praise you, O Lord, with all my heart;
before the "gods" I will sing your praise.
I will bow down toward your holy temple
and will praise your name for your love and faithfulness
for you have exalted above all things your name and your word.
When I called, you answered me;
you made me bold and stouthearted.

May all the kings of the earth praise you, O Lord,
when they hear the words of your mouth.
May they sing of the ways of the Lord,
for the glory of the Lord is great.

Though the Lord is on high, he looks upon the lowly,
but the proud he knows from afar.
Though I walk in the midst of trouble,
you preserve my life;
you stretch out your hand against the anger of my foes,
with your right hand you save me.

The Lord will fulfil his purpose for me;
your love, O Lord, endures forever-
do not abandon the works of your hands.

Proverbs17:27
A man of knowledge uses words with restraint,
and a man of understanding is even-tempered.

The Journey

by Mary Oliver

One day you finally knew what you had to do,

and began,

though the voices around you kept shouting their bad advice-

though the whole house began to tremble and you felt the old tug at your ankles.

"Mend my life!" each voice cried.

But you didn't stop.

You knew what you had to do,

though the wind pried with its stiff fingers at the very foundations,

though their melancholy was terrible.

It was already late enough,

and a wild night,

and the road full of fallen branches and stones.

But little by little,

as you left their voices behind,

the stars began to burn through the sheets of clouds,

and there was a new voice which you slowly recognized as your own,

that kept you company as you strode deeper and deeper into the world,

determined to do the only thing you could do-

determined to save the only life that you could save.

Something beautiful

Have you ever seen something beautiful and not being to explain why it is beautiful? Have you ever know the right course of actions without much evaluation? A sense of " Just it is"/ knowing descended upon you. It is like the light bulb that lights up suddenly- " Ding " and everything is so clear. May any darkness in you/your life be pierced by the light of joy! Brighten up. =)

The best and most beautiful things in life cannot be seen or even touched - they must be felt with the heart.
-Helen Keller

Psalm 1

Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers.

But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he mediates day and night.

He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers.

Not so the wicked! They are like chaff that the wind blows away.

Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgement, nor sinners in the assembly of the righteous.

For the Lord watches over the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked will perish.

Words of wisdom

Better a poor man whose walk is blameless than a fool whose lips are perverse.

It is not good to have zeal without knowledge, nor to be hasty and miss the way.

A man's own folly ruins his life, yet his heart rages against the Lord.

Laziness brings on deep sleep, and the shiftless man goes hungry.

He who obeys instructions guards his life, but he who is contemptuous of his ways will die.

He who is kind to the poor lends to the Lord.

-Proverbs19:1-3, 15-17

Listening time

Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to bones.

He who answers before listening- that is his folly and his shame.

A man's spirit sustains him in sickness, but a crushed spirit who can bear?

The heart of the discerning acquires knowlege; the ears of the wise seek it out.

A gift opens the way for the giver and ushers him into the presence of the great.

- Proverbs 16:24, 18:13-16

In my opinion, the most precious gifts from God/ to others are that of understanding and encouragement. I thought of the phrase " twice blessed." Nothing to lose but both parties blessed.

Amazing discovery

It was a great day of energy! I discovered some of my talents- it often surfaced during emergency & I felt good about helping someone breaks one's fear. I couldn't believe as it wasn't thought to be my arena but I like my spontaneity & the thirst for challenge. Perhaps there wasn't anything to lose & the environment was good. I seldom felt this way. Ok, I'll eat my humble pies later but I really want to thank myself. It's a good experience to learn from others too. Haha. Celebrate me for now!

Captain of the journey

I took a bus recently.

Ya huh? Nothing special mah, wasn't that very common?

Yes and no. There was something special about it. As the passengers boarded the bus at the interchange, the bus driver greeted everyone with a huge smile and a series of " Good night! Thank You! Enjoy your journey!" That was a good spirit, considering the queue was rather long. I think that it must have brought him joy if not his work will be mechanical without personal touch to it. It lifted others also.

Coolz. Did you note down the bus plate?

Well, I didn't. If not, I would have sent in a letter of appreciation.

And I may have idea on what to buy for the 4-digits.

Straight from the heart

"True success is about finding something you believe in so much that you will risk giving your heart for it."

"The best things in life are worth giving your heart to and worth looking bad for."

"The biggest risk a person can take is not live from the heart."

-Robert Holden

The Ultimate Determinant - Oh my God!

The Lord works out everything for his own ends- even the wicked for a day of disaster.

The Lord detests all the proud of heart. Be sure of this: They will not go unpunished.

Through love and faithfulness sin is atoned for; through the fear of the Lord a man avoids evil.

When a man's ways are pleasing to the Lord, he makes even his enemies live at peace with him.

Better a little with righteousness than much gain with injustice.

In his heart a man plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps.

- Proverbs 16: 4-9

The Tree of Hope

by gems

In the modernized city stands this tree,

Not far away from the gushing waves.

It is filled with amazement.

Its fences are low to draw people with its welcoming hands,

Unlike its citymate - a fiery stone beast whose stature scares off intruders.

It is a tree not of wood and leaves.

Yet it gives off vibes of life with different species of colourful flowers.

It is a wishing fountain,

Chanced by a white dove.

Three wishes on a tattered paper - a letter to God in a curvature,

Which went rolling down from the stubborn rocks with a series of "dub".

Then "Splish"!

After enduring much violence,

the lovely messenger gently swayed her hip through the waters,

Going to who-knows-where.

The answer will come back in due time.

Let God be God

"I am the Lord, and there is no other." - Isaiah 45:18

I found a soulmate!

Yesterday, I found a really cozy place for my soul. There was light music with the sea view in sight. Yes! And I found him. His thoughts resonated with me so well and seemed to echo what was within me. We hit right off and somehow clicked that I spent the rest of my evening with him. Both a friend and a mentor. Eventually I decided to pay for him. A treasured book of mine now. Haha. =)

Brainteasers

ReFlection---------------------------------------------------- Good & Evil coexist

Service

You can't live a perfect day without doing something for someone who will never be able to repay you.
-John Wooden