We pray and WANT instantaneous answers but very few of us pray and EXPECT instantaneous answers. Here’s a reality check- GOD ALWAYS ANSWERS PRAYER. Yep, always. And here’s the caveat you don’t want to hear- IT’S NOT ALWAYS A “YES” ANSWER. Sometimes- in fact a lot of times- it’s a “NO” answer.
Read more ..... HERE
Saturday, November 07, 2009
Thursday, November 05, 2009
Eating fruits
Just received an e mail I thought I should share with you:-
We all think eating fruits means just buying fruits, cutting it and just popping it into our mouths. It's not as easy as you think. It's important to know how and when to eat.
What is the correct way of eating fruits?
IT MEANS NOT EATING FRUITS AFTER YOUR MEALS! FRUITS SHOULD BE EATEN ON AN EMPTY STOMACH.
If you eat fruit like that, it will play a major role to detoxify your system, supplying you with a great deal of energy for weight loss and other life activities.
FRUIT IS THE MOST IMPORTANT FOOD. Let's say you eat two slices of bread and then a slice of fruit. The slice of fruit is ready to go straight through the stomach into the intestines, but it is prevented from doing so.
In the meantime the whole meal rots and ferments and turns to acid. The minute the fruit comes into contact with the food in the stomach and digestive juices, the entire mass of food begins to spoil.
So please eat your fruits on an empty stomach or before your meals! You have heard people complaining - every time I eat watermelon I burp, when I eat durian my stomach bloats up, when I eat a banana I feel like running to the toilet etc - actually all this will not arise if you eat the fruit on an empty stomach. The fruit mixes with the putrefying other food and produces gas and hence you will bloat!
Graying hair, balding, nervous outburst, and dark circles under the eyes all these will not happen if you take fruits on an empty stomach.
There is no such thing as some fruits, like orange and lemon are acidic, because all fruits become alkaline in our body, according to Dr. Herbert Shelton who did research on this matter. If you have mastered the correct way of eating fruits, you have the Secret of beauty, longevity, health, energy, happiness and normal weight.
When you need to drink fruit juice - drink only fresh fruit juice, NOT from the cans. Don't even drink juice that has been heated up. Don't eat cooked fruits because you don't get the nutrients at all. You only get to taste. Cooking destroys all the vitamins.
But eating a whole fruit is better than drinking the juice. If you should drink the juice, drink it mouthful by mouthful slowly, because you must let it mix with your saliva before swallowing it. You can go on a 3-day fruit fast to cleanse your body. Just eat fruits and drink fruit juice throughout the 3 days and you will be surprised when your friends tell you how radiant you look!
KIWI: Tiny but mighty. This is a good source of potassium, magnesium, vitamin E & fiber. Its vitamin C content is twice that of an orange.
APPLE: An apple a day keeps the doctor away? Although an apple has a low vitamin C content, it has antioxidants & flavonoids which enhances the activity of vitamin C thereby helping to lower the risks of colon cancer, heart attack & stroke.
STRAWBERRY: Protective Fruit. Strawberries have the highest total antioxidant power among major fruits & protect the body from cancer-causing, blood vessel-clogging free radicals.
ORANGE : Sweetest medicine. Taking 2-4 oranges a day may help keep colds away, lower cholesterol, prevent & dissolve kidney stones as well as lessens the risk of colon cancer...
WATERMELON: Coolest thirst quencher. Composed of 92% water, it is also packed with a giant dose of glutathione, which helps boost our immune system... They are also a key source of lycopene - the cancer fighting oxidant. Other nutrients found in watermelon are vitamin C & Potassium.
GUAVA & PAPAYA: Top awards for vitamin C. They are the clear winners for their high vitamin C content. Guava is also rich in fiber, which helps prevent constipation. Papaya is rich in carotene; this is good for your eyes.
Drinking Cold water after a meal = Cancer! Can you believe this? For those who like to drink cold water, this article is applicable to you. It is nice to have a cup of cold drink after a meal. However, the cold water will solidify the oily stuff that you have just consumed. It will slow down the digestion. Once this 'sludge' reacts with the acid, it will break down and be absorbed by the intestine faster than the solid food. It will line the intestine. Very soon, this will turn into fats and lead to cancer. It is best to drink hot soup,warm water or warm beer after a meal.
A serious note about heart attacks HEART ATTACK PROCEDURE': (THIS IS NOT A JOKE!) Women should know that not every heart attack symptom is going to be the left arm hurting. Be aware of intense pain in the jaw line.. You may never have the first chest pain during the course of a heart attack . Nausea and intense sweating are also common symptoms.. Sixty percent of people who have a heart attack while they are asleep do not wake up. Pain in the jaw can wake you from a sound sleep. Let's be careful and be aware. The more we know the better chance we could survive.....
A cardiologist says if everyone who gets this mail sends it to 10 people, you can be sure that we'll save at least one life.
Read this...It could save your life!!
Read this...It could save your life!!
Monday, November 02, 2009
An Undivided Heart
Here is another great sharing from Derek:-
Psalm 86:11-12
Teach me your way, O LORD, and I will walk in your truth; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name. I will praise you, O Lord my God, with all my heart.
The psalmist there focuses on one thing that is necessary if we are to walk God's way successfully.
First of all, he cries out, "Teach me your way, O LORD, and I will walk in your truth." We cannot walk in God's way unless God in His mercy teaches us that way. And then he says, "Give me an undivided heart." And a little later he says, "I will praise you, O Lord my God, with all my heart."
Notice the emphasis on the heart: "an undivided heart","with all my heart." That's so important that we don't have a divided heart, that our heart is totally yielded to God, that it's focused on God. We have no second loyalties; we have no options. All our springs are in God; all our expectations are from God.
I've discovered in the Christian life, the further you go in God the fewer the options. The way becomes narrower and narrower and ultimately those who come to the end of the course are those who find their total satisfaction in God. It's not God plus something;it's God alone. That's an undivided heart - when we don't look anywhere but in God for our life, our satisfaction,our peace.
Psalm 86:11-12
Teach me your way, O LORD, and I will walk in your truth; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name. I will praise you, O Lord my God, with all my heart.
The psalmist there focuses on one thing that is necessary if we are to walk God's way successfully.
First of all, he cries out, "Teach me your way, O LORD, and I will walk in your truth." We cannot walk in God's way unless God in His mercy teaches us that way. And then he says, "Give me an undivided heart." And a little later he says, "I will praise you, O Lord my God, with all my heart."
Notice the emphasis on the heart: "an undivided heart","with all my heart." That's so important that we don't have a divided heart, that our heart is totally yielded to God, that it's focused on God. We have no second loyalties; we have no options. All our springs are in God; all our expectations are from God.
I've discovered in the Christian life, the further you go in God the fewer the options. The way becomes narrower and narrower and ultimately those who come to the end of the course are those who find their total satisfaction in God. It's not God plus something;it's God alone. That's an undivided heart - when we don't look anywhere but in God for our life, our satisfaction,our peace.
Sunday, November 01, 2009
Obama meets MM Lee
WASHINGTON 31/10/2009- MINISTER Mentor Lee Kuan Yew capped a series of meetings with top US leaders by calling on President Barack Obama at the White House on Friday.
The meeting at the Oval Office was the first between the two leaders, and lasted for about 45 minutes.
In his introductory remarks, Mr Obama described Mr Lee as 'one of the legendary figures of Asia in the 20th and 21st centuries, somebody who helped to trigger the Asian economic miracle'.
The US leader added: 'Singapore has been an outstanding friend and ally of the United States for many, many years, and so I am very much looking forward to the opportunity of hearing from the Minister Mentor his views on the evolving situation in Asia, as I prepare for my upcoming trip both to Singapore and to other key nations in the region.'
In about two weeks, Mr Obama will embark on his first major visit to Asia as President, stopping in major cities like Tokyo, Singapore, Beijing, Shanghai and Seoul.
In Singapore, he will attend the annual Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) summit as well as the inaugural US-Asean summit.
-The Straits Times
Saturday, October 31, 2009
You are the light of the world
Switch the Light On!
By Cathy Irvin
CBN.com – Here we go again as the night of debate approaches. There is so much controversy about Halloween. Do we stay home or go out? Do we open the door or turn the lights out? I think it is the perfect night for witnessing. I sure won’t hide in the dark. I carry the light of Jesus and I want to boldly get out there. One year I passed out candy in my daughter’s neighborhood while she and my granddaughter took the children around to get some treats.
We won’t let them dress up as evil or creepy characters. This year my oldest grandchild will be an angel. Her choice!! They like to walk around and get candy; to them that is what it is about.
While I sat with the porch light on, I talked to the parents and told them all to be careful and have fun. I spoke to the children and said that God loved them. The night was Ok. I felt I had prayed and watched out for children. I didn’t dress up, but I had a smile and I proclaimed the love of Jesus. I even gave out some tracts, not about not celebrating Halloween but ones that said Jesus loves you. It is the easiest way to witness. Maybe the parents will read it more than the ones bringing condemnation about how evil Halloween is. Yes, the enemy uses that night; but we can take back the night and shed a little love. Throw the light switch on, whether it is on your porch or you are walking with a small child with your flashlight in your hand and the light of Jesus in your heart. Go to their door and tell them, "Jesus loves you and God Bless you."
If you go to a church to volunteer or bring children there, that is good to do too; just so you’re that salt and light. But please don’t hide in the dark when they see your car out front of your house. What would your witness be? The people will only say, “That’s those Christians who can’t give little kids some candy.” Halloween night we can’t retreat; instead we must boldly use the opportunity to let our lights shine!!
Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. (Mat 5:14-16 )
By Cathy Irvin
CBN.com – Here we go again as the night of debate approaches. There is so much controversy about Halloween. Do we stay home or go out? Do we open the door or turn the lights out? I think it is the perfect night for witnessing. I sure won’t hide in the dark. I carry the light of Jesus and I want to boldly get out there. One year I passed out candy in my daughter’s neighborhood while she and my granddaughter took the children around to get some treats.
We won’t let them dress up as evil or creepy characters. This year my oldest grandchild will be an angel. Her choice!! They like to walk around and get candy; to them that is what it is about.
While I sat with the porch light on, I talked to the parents and told them all to be careful and have fun. I spoke to the children and said that God loved them. The night was Ok. I felt I had prayed and watched out for children. I didn’t dress up, but I had a smile and I proclaimed the love of Jesus. I even gave out some tracts, not about not celebrating Halloween but ones that said Jesus loves you. It is the easiest way to witness. Maybe the parents will read it more than the ones bringing condemnation about how evil Halloween is. Yes, the enemy uses that night; but we can take back the night and shed a little love. Throw the light switch on, whether it is on your porch or you are walking with a small child with your flashlight in your hand and the light of Jesus in your heart. Go to their door and tell them, "Jesus loves you and God Bless you."
If you go to a church to volunteer or bring children there, that is good to do too; just so you’re that salt and light. But please don’t hide in the dark when they see your car out front of your house. What would your witness be? The people will only say, “That’s those Christians who can’t give little kids some candy.” Halloween night we can’t retreat; instead we must boldly use the opportunity to let our lights shine!!
Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. (Mat 5:14-16 )
Spooky night - Halloween
Halloween (also spelled Hallowe'en) is an annual holiday celebrated on October 31. It has roots in the Celtic festival of Samhain and the Christian holy day of All Saints. It is largely a secular celebration but some have expressed strong feelings about perceived religious overtones.
The colours black and orange have become associated with the celebrations, perhaps because of the darkness of night and the colour of fire or of pumpkins, and maybe because of the vivid contrast this presents for merchandising. Another association is with the jack-o'-lantern. Halloween activities include trick-or-treating, wearing costumes and attending costume parties, ghost tours, bonfires, visiting haunted attractions, pranks, telling scary stories, and watching horror films.
The celebration has some elements of a festival of the dead. The ancient Celts believed that the border between this world and the Otherworld became thin on Samhain, allowing spirits (both harmless and harmful) to pass through. The family's ancestors were honoured and invited home whilst harmful spirits were warded off. It is believed that the need to ward off harmful spirits led to the wearing of costumes and masks. Their purpose was to disguise oneself as a harmful spirit and thus avoid harm. - Source Wikipedia
Singapore
SINGAPORE, Oct 31 — Singapore has emerged as the second leading global financial centre after New York.
While New York has withstood the worst economic crisis in seven decades, London slipped behind Singapore as investors’ preferred place for doing business, according to a global survey.
Some 29 per cent of respondents in the quarterly Bloomberg Global Poll of investors, traders and analysts say that New York will be the best place for financial services two years from now. “Despite the carnage of 2008, I still expect the ‘new new’ thing in financial services to be developed and nurtured here (New York), and ultimately exported to the world,” says Peter Rup, a fund manager at Artemis Wealth Advisors in New York.
Singapore is chosen by 17 per cent of the respondents and London is the pick of 16 per cent. Shanghai has 11 per cent. Tokyo, once considered a global hub, gets the nod from just one per cent.
On a separate question, respondents say that China, Brazil and India offer investors the best opportunities for making money. The US, Europe and Japan are seen to have less potential.
The ascent of Singapore and the decline of London reflect the rise of specialised financial centres that cater to specific segments of the industry.
Many hedge funds have left London because of a new top income-tax rate of 50 per cent for higher earnings and regulations planned by the European Union that restrict the amount they can borrow.
Consulting firm Kinetic Partners says that it had helped 23 hedge-fund firms move to Switzerland from London in the past 18 months and is looking to relocate another 15 since the UK announced a higher tax rate in April.
“About 20 per cent of the hedge-fund community could leave the UK in the next two or three years,” says London-based David Butler, a founder of Kinetic. “The feeling among the hedge-fund community is there is a better place to be.”
Shanghai isn’t as well established as Singapore. Dubai remains a popular regional financial centre for investors who want to take advantage of the oil wealth in the Middle East.
Singapore and Shanghai are growing in popularity as firms look for ways to tap the wealth that has accumulated in China and the rest of Asia. Private wealth management, in particular, is growing in Singapore, which has no capital-gains tax.
“Everything in Singapore is so well organised. Everything is so efficient. Everything works,” says Gary Addison, a partner at the private-equity firm Actis Capital, which has US$2.9 billion (RM10.15 billion) under management. Addison worked in London, then Tokyo, before moving to Singapore two years ago.
The investment climate attracts firms seeking high returns. I perceive Singapore to be a little more of the tawdry wild west, or I guess tawdry wild ‘east’, says Pacific Income Advisors in Santa Monica, California.
Shanghai isn’t as well established as Singapore. Some 11 per cent of those polled see the city as the top financial centre because of the huge growth potential in China. As credit remains tight in the US, China will try to unleash the excess savings of its citizens, says Anthony Comorat at Lydian Trust Co in Palm Beach, Florida.
Dubai remains a popular regional financial centre for investors who want to take advantage of the oil wealth in the Middle East. The sheikdom is the preferred locale of 5 per cent of those polled.
“No one can compete with Dubai in terms of a place to live and work,” says Paul Reynolds, head of debt and equity advisory for the Middle East at NM Rothschild & Sons, in Dubai. — Business Times Singapore
Friday, October 30, 2009
The President and his men
PARIS, Oct 30 — Former French president Jacques Chirac has been ordered to stand trial on embezzlement charges dating back to his time as mayor of Paris, an unprecedented move against a former French head of state.
Magistrate Xaviere Simeoni made the order over allegations that the Paris City Hall awarded contracts for non-existent jobs as favours to people who were politically useful to Chirac.
Chirac’s office said today that he and nine others had been ordered to stand trial over 21 contracts.
“President Chirac ... is confident, and determined to establish before a tribunal that none of the jobs that remain under discussion were non-existent jobs,” a statement said.
Chirac, 76, who was mayor from 1977 until 1995, when he was elected president, is not certain to go on trial, as Paris public prosecutor Jean-Claude Marin had previously said there was no case against him.
Marin is likely to appeal the decision by Simeoni, whose role is to investigate cases and decide whether suspects should face trial. If Marin contests Simeoni’s instructions, an appeals court will take the final decision in another year or so.
Chirac, a conservative, enjoyed constitutional immunity during his 12 years as president, only to be hit by a flurry of legal problems after he stepped down in 2007.
No former French head of state has been prosecuted for corruption, and a trial would be a public humiliation for a man who stood at the heart of French politics for four decades.
Chirac’s legal woes have drawn mixed reactions from the French political class. Both friends and foes seem torn between embarrassment at old business being dredged up and a need to uphold the principle that no one is above the law.
“These are old stories and, today, Jacques Chirac probably has lots of things on his conscience but at the same time he has given a lot to the country,” said Segolene Royal, ex-candidate for president from the Socialist Party, which opposes Chirac.
“He deserves to be left alone, but justice must be the same for everyone ... Even if he deserves this, it’s not good for France’s image,” she said on Europe 1 radio.
In retirement, Chirac has gained in popularity and has devoted his time to writing his memoirs and launching a charitable foundation.
Although he has so far avoided direct involvement in any trial, a number of his former allies and associates have been convicted on corruption charges, leaving a bitter aftertaste of what were known as “the Chirac years”.
His former deputy who succeeded him as mayor, Jean Tiberi, was found guilty in May of electoral fraud dating back to the 1990s. He received a 10-month suspended jail sentence and cannot run for public office for three years.
The nine others charged in the same case as Chirac include two of his former chiefs of staff, Michel Roussin and Remy Chardon, as well as seven beneficiaries of the contracts for alleged non-existent jobs.
They include Jean de Gaulle, grandson of wartime hero and president Charles de Gaulle, as well as Marc Blondel, a former head of the Force Ouvriere labour union, and Francois Debre, brother of the head of France’s constitutional court. — Reuters
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Homesick
Here is another sharing from Derek Prince - Homesick. Let us not run astray anymore but return to God and have a meaningful walking, moment to moment relationship with Him.
Psalm 84:2-4
My soul yearns, even faints, for the courts of the LORD; my heart and my flesh cry out for the living God. Even the sparrow has found a home, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may have her young - a place near your altar, O LORD Almighty, my King and my God.Blessed are those who dwell in your house; they are ever praising you.
Every human soul longs for one thing, a home. A homeless person is an unhappy person. The psalmist cries out in agony in a sense of loneliness, a sense of being cut off. He says, "Lord, even the sparrow's found a home, the swallow a nest for herself. I need a home too." He says, "They found a place near Your altar" and that's where the home of the soul is. Even though we may not have much of a home in this world, there's a home for the soul, a place where the soul belongs, a place where it finds rest and ease and peace, where it's at home, a place near God's altar. The altar is the place of yielding, sacrifice,dedication, self-surrender, and when our soul comes to that place,it's come home.
There is a beautiful homecoming for each soul that will turn from sin and rebellion, turn back to God and come to the place near the altar.
-
Psalm 84:2-4
My soul yearns, even faints, for the courts of the LORD; my heart and my flesh cry out for the living God. Even the sparrow has found a home, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may have her young - a place near your altar, O LORD Almighty, my King and my God.Blessed are those who dwell in your house; they are ever praising you.
Every human soul longs for one thing, a home. A homeless person is an unhappy person. The psalmist cries out in agony in a sense of loneliness, a sense of being cut off. He says, "Lord, even the sparrow's found a home, the swallow a nest for herself. I need a home too." He says, "They found a place near Your altar" and that's where the home of the soul is. Even though we may not have much of a home in this world, there's a home for the soul, a place where the soul belongs, a place where it finds rest and ease and peace, where it's at home, a place near God's altar. The altar is the place of yielding, sacrifice,dedication, self-surrender, and when our soul comes to that place,it's come home.
There is a beautiful homecoming for each soul that will turn from sin and rebellion, turn back to God and come to the place near the altar.
-
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
李光耀：大馬華人越來越少
肯特崗部長論壇
受忽視 少生育 寧移民
李光耀：大馬華人越來越少
李光耀參加國大論壇，與逾千人對話。
（新加坡20日訊）新加坡內閣資政李光耀說，馬來西亞領導人對華人越來越不重視，這么一來，當地華人的人數將逐漸減少。
他指出，由于華人的生育率減少，加上許多負擔得起的華人都把孩子送到國外深造，並決定不再回返大馬。而移民到馬來西亞的人都來自回教國家，它也就越來越傾向回教化。
他說，新加坡人口迅速老化，生育率又偏低，這意味，再過50年甚至是30年，不少土生土長的新一代新加坡人，其父母並不是土生土長的新加坡人。
不過，李光耀認為，若與馬來西亞相比，新加坡的情況或許更樂觀。
他說，再過20年，馬來西亞的每個選區都是以馬來人為主，當地領導人對華人越來越不重視，這么一來，當地華人的人數將逐漸減少。
李光耀昨晚在新加坡國立大學，出席肯特崗部長論壇，針對大馬的情況如此指出。
“這不只是因為華人的生育率同樣在減少，也因為許多能負擔得起的華人都把孩子送到國外深造，並決定不再回返馬來西亞。
“我們至少能通過外來移民填補逐漸減少的人口，移民到馬來西亞的人都來自回教國家，它也就越來越傾向回教化。”
孩子不懂窮滋味
李光耀追述當他擔任總理時被分配官邸，某日帶孩子到那兒玩耍時，皮球滾下坡，服務人員于是跑了數十公尺去撿球。
他與夫人都意識到，如果在那裡住上5年，孩子會把如此舒適的生活當成理所當然。
“這正是我們今天面對的問題。許多住在組屋的家長都瞭解貧窮的滋味，今天的孩子卻不甚瞭解。不過，大家都能理解如果不同樣下工夫，就會回到當年困苦的生活。”
當部長接受心理測試
新加坡需要有幹勁和有前瞻性視野的領導人，這些領導人須是從一套嚴密的選拔人才制度中篩選出來。
李光耀強調，新加坡選拔部長的機制不單是把網撒得更遠，從社會各階層選賢任能，也讓人選接受心理測試，瞭解他們的價值觀、態度及出身等，以物色有衝勁、能作正確判斷的人。
“有些人天生篤信宗教，有些人社會階級觀念很重，一些人在乎經濟回報。因此，人選形象與條件各異。
“我們先網羅他們成國會議員接受考驗，看他們在深水裡是否還能游泳。兩屆任期后，他們當中一些人終于能成部長，屆時我們也就已看出他們的內在特質。”
他認為，新加坡選拔部長人選的做法是獨一無二的，選出的部長素質並不比其他國家領袖遜色。
不奢望後人記功績
李光耀最希望后人記得他哪項功績，及如何評價他？
“老實說，我從來沒想過這件事情。我只專注把現在要做的事情做好。
“我人生的座右銘是，一旦決定做某件事，要么就把它做好，要么就不去做。所以，我決定做的每件事，都盡量做得最好。
“后人將如何對我作出評價？人死后，訃聞內容都是由新聞編輯決定的，他們已經準備好這些訃聞了，而且都是由比你年輕的人去收集資料、去撰寫，所以當人們去世后隔天，就有訃聞刊登。如果不這么做，怎么可能來得及？
“不過，這只是短期的事，一個人的聲譽是在死后的二三四十年后，由歷史學者及研究生經過對你的生平與事業、所寫過的文件及做過的決定進行研究，再來評定你的價值。”
新一代缺幹勁
新加坡有今天的成就，全靠祖輩與父輩吃苦耐勞，如果時光倒流到1959年新加坡取得自治那一年，在舒適環境中成長的年輕一代，未必能為國家作出同樣的貢獻。
針對新加坡要持續發展，年輕人應該有什么樣的價值觀這個問題，李光耀回答學生時說：“你應該有跟你父親或祖父相同的價值觀和態度。”
他指出，由于祖輩大多是移民，具備“死而后已”的拚搏精神，使新加坡取得今天的成就。
“然而，新加坡人現在是在裝上冷氣機的住家成長，處處是連接巴士車站的有蓋走道，出門甚至不需要帶雨傘，自然缺少了先輩的幹勁。”
“我目睹孫子的成長過程，那是比我的孩子還舒適的。”
Monday, October 19, 2009
Strength That Never Fails
Here is another encouraging message from one of my favorite Bible teachers,Derek Prince:-
Psalm 73:26
My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.
You see, there's a difference between the internal and the external. The external is fading, it's temporary; but there's something inside us that's eternal, that's from God, that's linked to God, that doesn't fade, that doesn't wither.
Paul says, "Our outward man perishes, but our inward man is renewed day by day." Whenever I read those words I always think of my first wife, Lydia. Towards the end of her life she suffered from a weak heart and yet she was an amazingly strong and active woman and continued so almost to the last week of her life. And when she felt her heart, her physical heart, failing, that's what she would say: "My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever." She'd learned that lesson that we don't let the external and the physical dictate to us, that there's an inner source of life and strength which is not subject to the weakness and fluctuations of our human body.
Eventually God called her home in tremendous victory after almost fifty years of active Christian service and she left behind her a testimony of tremendous victory.
But she'd learned that secret:
the outward may perish but the inward is eternal. The inward is linked to God, the inward remains a source of strength when there's little strength left in the outward.
More from Derek please click"
Psalm 73:26
My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.
You see, there's a difference between the internal and the external. The external is fading, it's temporary; but there's something inside us that's eternal, that's from God, that's linked to God, that doesn't fade, that doesn't wither.
Paul says, "Our outward man perishes, but our inward man is renewed day by day." Whenever I read those words I always think of my first wife, Lydia. Towards the end of her life she suffered from a weak heart and yet she was an amazingly strong and active woman and continued so almost to the last week of her life. And when she felt her heart, her physical heart, failing, that's what she would say: "My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever." She'd learned that lesson that we don't let the external and the physical dictate to us, that there's an inner source of life and strength which is not subject to the weakness and fluctuations of our human body.
Eventually God called her home in tremendous victory after almost fifty years of active Christian service and she left behind her a testimony of tremendous victory.
But she'd learned that secret:
the outward may perish but the inward is eternal. The inward is linked to God, the inward remains a source of strength when there's little strength left in the outward.
More from Derek please click
"
Strikes are back in town again - Grève SNCF ce mardi
Grève SNCF ce mardi
TRAIN - Le trafic TGV, Corail et TER devrait être perturbé
Le trafic des trains sera perturbé mardi sur l'ensemble du réseau en raison d'un appel à la grève des syndicats CGT, Fgaac-CFDT et SUD-Rail. Des feuillets d'information doivent être distribués aux voyageurs franciliens dès lundi à partir de 6h15.
TGV
Les TGV internationaux et le TGV Est rouleront normalement, mais la SNCF prévoit un train sur deux pour les TGV Atlantique, Sud-Est et Province-Province. Pour le TGV Nord, deux trains sur trois sont prévus.
Régions
Dans les régions, un TER sur deux devrait rouler, tout comme les Corail Teoz (Paris-province) et les Intercités (province-province).
Nocturnes
Pour les trains Corail nocturnes, le service international sera normal dans la nuit de lundi à mardi, mais aucun des 12 trains de nuit en France ne circulera. Le préavis de grève débute lundi à 20h et court jusqu'à mardi minuit.
Ile-de-France
Sur le réseau Transilien, deux trains sur trois sont prévus en moyenne, mais avec des différences notables en fonction des lignes.
RER
Ainsi, si le trafic sera normal sur les RER A et E, ainsi qu'entre La Verrière et La Défense, il n'y aura qu'un train sur deux sur le RER B, deux trains sur trois sur le C et trois trains sur quatre sur le D. ( Only 1 train out of 4 will be in service tomorrow!)
Enfin, vers la banlieue, il est prévu un train sur deux au départ de Paris-Nord et Paris-Montparnasse, et deux trains sur trois depuis Paris-Est, Paris-Saint-Lazare et Paris-Gare de Lyon.
Pour se renseigner: www.sncf.com, ou pour les prévisions Transilien par gare www.abcdtrains.com, ou le 0 805 90 36 35 (Grandes lignes et TER) et 0 805 700 805 (Transilien) ou par téléphone portable sur sncf.mobi.
Saturday, October 17, 2009
Never too late to change
PARIS Oct 17 — For years, the French have complained that their beloved language, and indeed their very culture, is being invaded by English.
Now, it seems they have been resisting the attack — almost too well.
Lamenting their poor scores in international English tests, French President Nicolas Sarkozy announced this week an emergency plan to overhaul the way the French learn foreign languages.
“All our high school students must become bilingual, and some should be trilingual,” he said while announcing his reform proposal for high schools.
Sarkozy, whose own English is patchy, said foreign language instruction needs a true revolution to expose students to native speakers, encourage them to talk in class and arrange linguistic study trips abroad.
Every high school will be required to establish a partnership with a foreign school to give children more opportunities to speak with their peers in another language.
The president also criticised the way the national graduation exam, or baccalaureate, assesses language proficiency.
Those who study Latin, he noted, are tested on their oral and written skills. Those who study English, with the exception of students specialising in literature, have to take only a written test.
Nearly all French students choose to study English as one of their required two foreign languages, starting at the age of eight in primary school. They are also exposed to English in movies, advertising, music and the Internet.
But not enough of them can use it well to compete in the global marketplace, the president said.
France spends 5.8 per cent of its gross domestic product on education, ranking it in the top five worldwide.
But French students overall rank poorly in the Toefl, or Test of English as a Foreign Language, which they have to take to study in the United States. France is in 69th place, out of 109 countries, in Toefl scores.
Sarkozy’s emphasis on getting the French to learn other languages goes against the grain for older people.
They were raised to believe that France has a “civilising mission” to the rest of the world, and that its bridgehead is the French language.
France has a minister in charge of francophone countries and promoting the language around the world.
The members of the Academie Francaise, the body created by royal decree in 1635 to preserve the purity of the French language, spend much of their time coming up with French words for new technologies in a constant battle against the intrusion of English. Previous governments have also wrestled with the problem of how to make the French conversant in languages other than their own. But they generally worried that languages other than English were getting short shrift and looked for ways to make the study of German, Italian and Asian languages more popular.
Teachers’ unions have resisted changes in the curriculum that would require more hours of foreign languages or favour native speakers as language teachers.
“Is the state going to train and hire new language teachers, or just settle for hiring people whose only qualification is that they speak a foreign language?” asked Gerard Aschieri, a union leader, after Sarkozy’s announcement.
Unions also complained that classes are generally too large to teach children effectively to speak a different language.
“At home, in families and in society at large, there is just not the idea that languages are something essential,” Christian Tremblay, director of the European Observatory for Plurilingualism, said in an interview with the Associated Press. “That is what we really have to change.” — The Straits Times
Now, it seems they have been resisting the attack — almost too well.
Lamenting their poor scores in international English tests, French President Nicolas Sarkozy announced this week an emergency plan to overhaul the way the French learn foreign languages.
“All our high school students must become bilingual, and some should be trilingual,” he said while announcing his reform proposal for high schools.
Sarkozy, whose own English is patchy, said foreign language instruction needs a true revolution to expose students to native speakers, encourage them to talk in class and arrange linguistic study trips abroad.
Every high school will be required to establish a partnership with a foreign school to give children more opportunities to speak with their peers in another language.
The president also criticised the way the national graduation exam, or baccalaureate, assesses language proficiency.
Those who study Latin, he noted, are tested on their oral and written skills. Those who study English, with the exception of students specialising in literature, have to take only a written test.
Nearly all French students choose to study English as one of their required two foreign languages, starting at the age of eight in primary school. They are also exposed to English in movies, advertising, music and the Internet.
But not enough of them can use it well to compete in the global marketplace, the president said.
France spends 5.8 per cent of its gross domestic product on education, ranking it in the top five worldwide.
But French students overall rank poorly in the Toefl, or Test of English as a Foreign Language, which they have to take to study in the United States. France is in 69th place, out of 109 countries, in Toefl scores.
Sarkozy’s emphasis on getting the French to learn other languages goes against the grain for older people.
They were raised to believe that France has a “civilising mission” to the rest of the world, and that its bridgehead is the French language.
France has a minister in charge of francophone countries and promoting the language around the world.
The members of the Academie Francaise, the body created by royal decree in 1635 to preserve the purity of the French language, spend much of their time coming up with French words for new technologies in a constant battle against the intrusion of English. Previous governments have also wrestled with the problem of how to make the French conversant in languages other than their own. But they generally worried that languages other than English were getting short shrift and looked for ways to make the study of German, Italian and Asian languages more popular.
Teachers’ unions have resisted changes in the curriculum that would require more hours of foreign languages or favour native speakers as language teachers.
“Is the state going to train and hire new language teachers, or just settle for hiring people whose only qualification is that they speak a foreign language?” asked Gerard Aschieri, a union leader, after Sarkozy’s announcement.
Unions also complained that classes are generally too large to teach children effectively to speak a different language.
“At home, in families and in society at large, there is just not the idea that languages are something essential,” Christian Tremblay, director of the European Observatory for Plurilingualism, said in an interview with the Associated Press. “That is what we really have to change.” — The Straits Times
Sunday, October 11, 2009
Paris 20k race (2009 Edition)
Paris 20k is a very popular race that attracts no less than 20000 runners each year on the 2nd Sunday of October. Judging from the photo which shows a cloudy sky, Indian summer is definitely over.
9:30am Gosh I was late this morning and by the time I'd a quick visit to the potty John, most of the runners inside the stadium have gone to take up their positions right underneath the Eiffel tower
It was so crowded with people in the sheep pan I could only snap a shot at the arrival post on the other side of the tower - a Malaysian sub pacemaker 1 in Paris
10:08 am The gun has gone off quite awhile ago but we were still marching slowly toward the starting line
10:10am Turning back for a photo before we said "C'EST PARTI!"
This is one race that you will find yourself running shoulder to shoulder with thousands of other runners ALL THE WAY
Plenty of music to cheer us along
At the 11th km mark, we have moved through Paris west park and emerged along the infamous River Seine toward the tower
I hope you spot the original statute of Liberty on the right of the tower
Yes this is me. You can see me but I can't see you. This always happen when I put on my teeth
Now no teeth at the finish line
Google route captured by Garmin forerunner 305
Sport track route
Heart rate & speed chart
Splits chart :- 20.4 km in 2hr. I'm well please with the run.
Der medal
and the standard T shirt
Thank God for the run!!!!
9:30am Gosh I was late this morning and by the time I'd a quick visit to the potty John, most of the runners inside the stadium have gone to take up their positions right underneath the Eiffel tower
It was so crowded with people in the sheep pan I could only snap a shot at the arrival post on the other side of the tower - a Malaysian sub pacemaker 1 in Paris
10:08 am The gun has gone off quite awhile ago but we were still marching slowly toward the starting line
10:10am Turning back for a photo before we said "C'EST PARTI!"
This is one race that you will find yourself running shoulder to shoulder with thousands of other runners ALL THE WAY
Plenty of music to cheer us along
At the 11th km mark, we have moved through Paris west park and emerged along the infamous River Seine toward the tower
I hope you spot the original statute of Liberty on the right of the tower
Yes this is me. You can see me but I can't see you. This always happen when I put on my teeth
Now no teeth at the finish line
Google route captured by Garmin forerunner 305
Sport track route
Heart rate & speed chart
Splits chart :- 20.4 km in 2hr. I'm well please with the run.
Der medal
and the standard T shirt
Thank God for the run!!!!
Thursday, October 08, 2009
Air Asia can now fly to Paris
My running pal Ccube has just sent me this link. Good, that will save me some euros.
Air Asia can now fly to Paris
2009/10/08
Nuraina A Samad
PARIS: France has given the green light for Air Asia to land in Paris, Datuk Seri Najib Razak said here.
The Prime Minister said this was conveyed to him by French President Nicolas Sarkozy on Wednesday during what he described as an "extremely good" between them at the presidential residence, Palais de l'Elysee near the Champs-Elysees in Western Paris. Najib, who had called on Sarkozy at the end of his four-day visit to France, said further details on this will be discussed at the officers' level. "What is important is that the President had agreed to a request that I raised during our meeting," he told Malaysian journalists at the Four Seasons Hotel George V late this evening before leaving for home.
On Tuesday, Najib raised Air Asia's application for landing rights at Orly Airport in Paris when he met with French Prime Minister Francois Fillon. He impressed on the Fillon the fact that the airline is the Airbus A320 biggest customer in the world. "It is therefore most appropriate that Air Asia's application be given consideration," Najib had told Malaysian journalists later. Najib arrived in Paris on Oct 4, accompanied by his wife Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor, In his entourage were Foreign Minister Datuk Anifah Aman, Deputy Education Minister Dr Puad Zarkashi and Deputy Minister of International Trade and Industry Datuk Mukhriz Mahathir.
2009/10/08
Nuraina A Samad
PARIS: France has given the green light for Air Asia to land in Paris, Datuk Seri Najib Razak said here.
The Prime Minister said this was conveyed to him by French President Nicolas Sarkozy on Wednesday during what he described as an "extremely good" between them at the presidential residence, Palais de l'Elysee near the Champs-Elysees in Western Paris. Najib, who had called on Sarkozy at the end of his four-day visit to France, said further details on this will be discussed at the officers' level. "What is important is that the President had agreed to a request that I raised during our meeting," he told Malaysian journalists at the Four Seasons Hotel George V late this evening before leaving for home.
On Tuesday, Najib raised Air Asia's application for landing rights at Orly Airport in Paris when he met with French Prime Minister Francois Fillon. He impressed on the Fillon the fact that the airline is the Airbus A320 biggest customer in the world. "It is therefore most appropriate that Air Asia's application be given consideration," Najib had told Malaysian journalists later. Najib arrived in Paris on Oct 4, accompanied by his wife Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor, In his entourage were Foreign Minister Datuk Anifah Aman, Deputy Education Minister Dr Puad Zarkashi and Deputy Minister of International Trade and Industry Datuk Mukhriz Mahathir.
-New Straits Times
Monday, October 05, 2009
Refined in the Furnace
Here is another sharing from Derek:-
Psalm 66:10 & Isaiah 48:10
For you, O God, tested us; you refined us like silver.
And then, later on, God says,
See, I have refined you, though not as silver; I have tested you in
the furnace of affliction.
One thing the Bible teaches very clearly is that God tests His people
and the comparison that's used many times in Scripture is that
God tests us the same way as a silver refiner refines silver. In Bible
times the way that a man did that was to place the silver in a metal
container over the hottest possible fire and then, as the silver began
to melt and bubble in the heat, the dross, the scum, the impurities
would rise to the surface and he would skim them off as they rose up
and he would go on skimming until there was no impurity left in the
silver. And the test of that was that as he looked into the surface of
the silver he could see his own face properly mirrored in the silver.
So that's how God tests us in the furnace of affliction. The
hotter the furnace, the more the impurities are brought to the
surface. And God graciously skims them off with His great heavenly
skimmer. He goes on with that skimmer until He sees His own image
reflected in our lives. And then He knows the process of refining is
successful and He takes us out of the furnace.
Friday, October 02, 2009
Imitate God
I like today's passage in Staying in the Light :-
Imitate God, therefore, in everything you do, because you are his dear children.
– Ephesians 5:1
Ever since the ground was cursed ( Notice God did not curse Adam because man is made in God's own likeness & image) due to man's disobedience in the garden of Eden ( Genesis 3:17), life is no longer a bed of roses.
Jesus never promise us a rose garden when we turn to God but he promise us abundant life, a life that is full of love, peace & joy. In good times and in bad, God never leave us nor forsake us. All because of a very simple fact - we are all His dear children.
Let us spread some love & care around us!
Imitate God, therefore, in everything you do, because you are his dear children.
– Ephesians 5:1
Ever since the ground was cursed ( Notice God did not curse Adam because man is made in God's own likeness & image) due to man's disobedience in the garden of Eden ( Genesis 3:17), life is no longer a bed of roses.
Jesus never promise us a rose garden when we turn to God but he promise us abundant life, a life that is full of love, peace & joy. In good times and in bad, God never leave us nor forsake us. All because of a very simple fact - we are all His dear children.
Let us spread some love & care around us!
Monday, September 28, 2009
Don't take God's forgiveness for a passport to sin
Here is another sharing from Derek:-
God Hears and Answers
Psalm 65:1-3
Praise awaits you, O God, in Zion; to you our vows will be fulfilled.
O you who hear prayer, to you all men will come. When we were
overwhelmed by sins, you atoned for our transgressions.
It often happens that in a counseling session with some troubled soul,
someone who has a marital problem or financial problem or some other
kind of problem; I have to tell that person very honestly: "I
don't have the answer to your problem. I can't tell you
exactly what to do, but one thing I can tell you, God hears and
answers prayer."
That's what the psalmist says, "O you who hear prayer, to you
all men will come." Ultimately everybody needs God. Everybody needs to
know that God hears and answers prayer. That's what's
going to bring, ultimately, the whole of humanity to God - the fact
that God hears and answers prayer. And there's one special
prayer that He delights to answer above all others and that is the
prayer for forgiveness of our sins. When we've sinned and failed
God and man we don't need to turn away in despair, we can turn
back to God, cry to Him for forgiveness and then we'll be able
to say, as the psalmist says there, "When we were overwhelmed by sins,
You atoned for our transgressions."
Don't let fear or guilt or despair keep you from praying.
Remember, in the depths of your agony God hears and He answers prayer.
If I may add, don't take God's forgiveness for a passport to sin, instead we should seek strength from God to become victorious over our sins.
God Hears and Answers
Psalm 65:1-3
Praise awaits you, O God, in Zion; to you our vows will be fulfilled.
O you who hear prayer, to you all men will come. When we were
overwhelmed by sins, you atoned for our transgressions.
It often happens that in a counseling session with some troubled soul,
someone who has a marital problem or financial problem or some other
kind of problem; I have to tell that person very honestly: "I
don't have the answer to your problem. I can't tell you
exactly what to do, but one thing I can tell you, God hears and
answers prayer."
That's what the psalmist says, "O you who hear prayer, to you
all men will come." Ultimately everybody needs God. Everybody needs to
know that God hears and answers prayer. That's what's
going to bring, ultimately, the whole of humanity to God - the fact
that God hears and answers prayer. And there's one special
prayer that He delights to answer above all others and that is the
prayer for forgiveness of our sins. When we've sinned and failed
God and man we don't need to turn away in despair, we can turn
back to God, cry to Him for forgiveness and then we'll be able
to say, as the psalmist says there, "When we were overwhelmed by sins,
You atoned for our transgressions."
Don't let fear or guilt or despair keep you from praying.
Remember, in the depths of your agony God hears and He answers prayer.
If I may add, don't take God's forgiveness for a passport to sin, instead we should seek strength from God to become victorious over our sins.
Monday, September 21, 2009
Les chasseurs de temps 14km race 20.09.2009
This is the last day of summer 2009. Tomorrow we will usher in Autumn and what a way to begin a brand new running season. I have signed up for a 21km race but had to do a last minute switch to the 14km course for lack of physical condition. I have aches & pains all over after playing Badminton for the past 3 consecutive days.
9am On my way to the gathering centre to pick up the bibs
We have some 2000 runners to kick start the season
A lot of last minute entry too. The weather is gorgeous for running. 16°C!
9:30am the crowds
This is the finishing line.
9:55am On your mark.....
Google map registered on my Garmin forerunner 305
Pace chart :- 14.06km in 1hr21:22
My heart beats
And the Medal
Thank God for the run!
9am On my way to the gathering centre to pick up the bibs
We have some 2000 runners to kick start the season
A lot of last minute entry too. The weather is gorgeous for running. 16°C!
9:30am the crowds
This is the finishing line.
9:55am On your mark.....
Google map registered on my Garmin forerunner 305
Pace chart :- 14.06km in 1hr21:22
My heart beats
And the Medal
Thank God for the run!
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
In God alone
Here is another sharing from Derek:-
Psalm 62:1-2; 5-6
My soul finds rest in God alone; my salvation comes from him.
He alone is my rock and my salvation;
He is my fortress, I will never be shaken.
Find rest, O my soul, in God alone; my hope comes from him.
He alone is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will not be
shaken.
There is one very important word that occurs four times in succession in those verses that I've just read. The word is "alone."
My soul finds rest in God alone.
He alone is my rock and salvation.
My hope comes from God alone.
And He alone is my rock.
You see, there's a certain sense in which the only ultimate source of salvation and of hope is God Himself. The prophet Isaiah cried out, "God has become my salvation." Salvation is not to be found in religion, even in a creed or a doctrine, or in church membership. There's only one ultimate source of salvation and it's very important that each one of us comes at some time in our lives to that place where we use that word "alone"; where we say, "God alone is my hope, my rock, my fortress, and the source of my salvation." And, true enough, when we say that, it becomes true in our experience.
-
Psalm 62:1-2; 5-6
My soul finds rest in God alone; my salvation comes from him.
He alone is my rock and my salvation;
He is my fortress, I will never be shaken.
Find rest, O my soul, in God alone; my hope comes from him.
He alone is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will not be
shaken.
There is one very important word that occurs four times in succession in those verses that I've just read. The word is "alone."
My soul finds rest in God alone.
He alone is my rock and salvation.
My hope comes from God alone.
And He alone is my rock.
You see, there's a certain sense in which the only ultimate source of salvation and of hope is God Himself. The prophet Isaiah cried out, "God has become my salvation." Salvation is not to be found in religion, even in a creed or a doctrine, or in church membership. There's only one ultimate source of salvation and it's very important that each one of us comes at some time in our lives to that place where we use that word "alone"; where we say, "God alone is my hope, my rock, my fortress, and the source of my salvation." And, true enough, when we say that, it becomes true in our experience.
-
Monday, September 14, 2009
Fast for the Nation, Peace for Malaysia
Whenever I turn to the news from Malaysia I just can't help but sense that the whole nation is so overwhelmed by disturbing events one after another.I'm so glad that there is a call for a time of fasting for our belove nation on the 16th Sept 2009. It is indeed a great privilege to take part in "Fast for the Nation, Peace for Malaysia"
As the psalmist cried out to God, so also let us seek the Lord with one voice that our land may be healed with justice and peace and prosperity:-
Hear my cry,O God, attend to my prayer.
From the end of the Earth I will cry to You.
When my heart is overwhelmed; led me to the rock that is higher than I. (Psalm 61:1-2)
Let us join in and be a part!
Monday, September 07, 2009
Are you in despair?
Feeling like you are at the end of the earth? Your life is up in somke?
Well, here is a great sharing from Derek and hopefully it will help you to set sail on the right course:-
From the Ends of the Earth
Psalm 61:1-2
Hear my cry, O God; listen to my prayer. From the ends of the earth I call to you, I call as my heart grows faint; lead me to the rock that is higher than I.
Those words have a very special meaning for me; they were given to me by the Holy Spirit at a time of crisis in my own life and in a remarkable and unusual situation. I was going through a time when I was facing disappointment and sorrow and, really, it seemed that the waves and the billows of God were going over my own soul.
I was in a jet airplane on my way from the United States to Australia.
I opened my Bible in the plane to those words, "From the ends of
the earth I call to you." And I thought to myself, That's
remarkable, because that's where I'm headed for - the ends
of the earth, the farthest part of the earth from the land where those
words were written.
And I thought, Why am I going there, what's God's purpose?
And I read the words again, "From the ends of the earth I call
to you; I call as my heart grows faint." And I realized that in
His infinite wisdom God was taking me all that long journey not merely
to preach to others, but to spend time in prayer myself, to wait upon
God, to call to Him from the very ends of the earth. And there came a
special week in my life at that time when I spent most of my time in
prayer calling to God and as I prayed there at the opposite end of the
earth, God heard my cry, solved my problems and showed me the way out.
So remember that: Call to God in your hour of need.
Well, here is a great sharing from Derek and hopefully it will help you to set sail on the right course:-
From the Ends of the Earth
Psalm 61:1-2
Hear my cry, O God; listen to my prayer. From the ends of the earth I call to you, I call as my heart grows faint; lead me to the rock that is higher than I.
Those words have a very special meaning for me; they were given to me by the Holy Spirit at a time of crisis in my own life and in a remarkable and unusual situation. I was going through a time when I was facing disappointment and sorrow and, really, it seemed that the waves and the billows of God were going over my own soul.
I was in a jet airplane on my way from the United States to Australia.
I opened my Bible in the plane to those words, "From the ends of
the earth I call to you." And I thought to myself, That's
remarkable, because that's where I'm headed for - the ends
of the earth, the farthest part of the earth from the land where those
words were written.
And I thought, Why am I going there, what's God's purpose?
And I read the words again, "From the ends of the earth I call
to you; I call as my heart grows faint." And I realized that in
His infinite wisdom God was taking me all that long journey not merely
to preach to others, but to spend time in prayer myself, to wait upon
God, to call to Him from the very ends of the earth. And there came a
special week in my life at that time when I spent most of my time in
prayer calling to God and as I prayed there at the opposite end of the
earth, God heard my cry, solved my problems and showed me the way out.
So remember that: Call to God in your hour of need.
-
Sunday, September 06, 2009
Rise of ‘two world capitals’ in China
BEIJING, Sept 6 — China will be home to not one but two “world capitals of the future”, according to a report by Forbes magazine.
Its two biggest cities, Beijing and Shanghai, are poised to overtake leading global centres of today, says the magazine in a report by its columnist Joel Kotkin.
Other growing cities that made it to Forbes’ list of 10 “World Capitals of the Future” are Mumbai, Calgary, Dallas, Dubai, Houston, Moscow, Perth and Sao Paulo.
The magazine considered a variety of factors — including population growth, oil-driven wealth, business verve as well as changes in the cities’ skylines — to come up with the list, which does not appear to be in any ranking order.
“In less than a lifetime, we have seen the rapid rise of a host of dynamic new global cities - and the relative decline of many others. The world capitals of tomorrow may largely be not in the Western world, but in countries such as China, Russia and Australia,” says the Forbes report dated Sept 2.
The main reason behind what it termed the “new order among global cities” lies in economic fundamentals.
“Over the past 25 years, per capita income, based on purchasing power parity, grew by over 400 per cent in India and a remarkable 1,500 per cent in China.
“The bulk of that wealth came from urban centres like Mumbai and Shanghai, while the largest concentrations of poverty remained in the countryside. In that same period, US per capita income grew by 245 per cent; growth in most Western European nations was less than that,” the report said.
Describing the rise of Beijing and its likes as remarkable, the report says these cities were either obscure or better known for their destitution than their rapid construction less than a quarter century ago.
While the report did not forecast how close the “future” it talks about is, it noted that those catching-up are clearly gaining on current leading global centres like Tokyo, London, Paris, New York, Chicago, Singapore and Hong Kong in wealth or economic power — and with remarkable speed.
Already, the nascent recovery of the world economy is pointing to the rise of Asia, in particular China, the report suggests.
“China, as opposed to the US, is leading the economic resurgence, drawing in commodities from its rising business partners in all continents,” said the report.
And even as the West tries to work through its housing crisis, residential real estate prices are rising in cities like Mumbai, Bangalore, Beijing and Shanghai, it added.
But the rapid urbanisation of these up-and-coming global cities comes with a flip side.
“These upstarts are often too busy building and trying to impress the rest of the world to focus on architecture or plan niceties to make the heroic routine of everyday life more pleasant,” London-based architect Eric Kuhne was quoted as saying in the Forbes report.
Yet, Kuhne points out, it is a phase which now-reigning world capitals like New York, London, Tokyo, Chicago or Los Angeles once went through.
The rising cities would do best to draw inspiration from their ancient traditions and avoid the “riot-panic” development in which their forerunners were caught in the post-war boom years of the 50s, he says. — The Straits Times
Wednesday, September 02, 2009
Summer vacation 2009 (11) Pulau Tioman 25 to 27/7/2009
We went to La Ciotat, South of France last summer staying at our neighbour's vacation apartment. It was there we encountered an exciting beach activity, snorkeling. We were so entertained by schools of lovely Mediterranean fish. It was then I made up my mind that we should by hook or by crook, squeeze a time out to visit one of our own Malaysian Islands to spot multitude of tropical fish with breathtaking views of coral reef. See all those years when we were in Malaysia, we have never made any trip for holiday except when we could we went to Penang. I was working in a quarry and pioneering a church all at the same time then.
At last we made our way to Pulau Tioman Berjaya resort. Thank God that some angel has made the arrangement so we could stay for free. Praise God!
Checking in. Found out there are lots of holiday makers from Holland and FRANCE! The guy in blue is a family from Rotterdam. They got stuck in Mersing for a day due to a car accident. Thank goodness none of them is hurt.
Lovely place to have a rest
Another view of the suite
Reading under the coconut tree, what great idea!
A tiny Pulau Renggits is at the background. We eventually took a boat there and had a marvelous snorkeling time around it. Lots of beautiful fish & corals.
Playing with the tide
Aren't they happy?
Another gorgeous big pool to choose to spend your time
How can I get away from running?
This way to see the eggs?
Pulau Renggits - don't forget to make a visit 
Running again?
Yup!
A bit of weight training to throw in too, it makes a vacation feels...... complete I think
Captivating sunset
Family photo at the reception
This is the boat we took, a Rm70 return trip from Mersing
And so with that we packed our luggage reluctantly on the 29th and set for Paris once again. May the Lord continues to grant us strength & wisdom that the light of salvation will shine not only on the Chinese students who come across my path but may the local French people also be similarly touched by His love, moved by His Spirit, captured by His grace. Amen!
Until the next trip back to Malaysia then, Au Revoir!
At last we made our way to Pulau Tioman Berjaya resort. Thank God that some angel has made the arrangement so we could stay for free. Praise God!
Checking in. Found out there are lots of holiday makers from Holland and FRANCE! The guy in blue is a family from Rotterdam. They got stuck in Mersing for a day due to a car accident. Thank goodness none of them is hurt.
Lovely place to have a rest
Another view of the suite
Reading under the coconut tree, what great idea!
A tiny Pulau Renggits is at the background. We eventually took a boat there and had a marvelous snorkeling time around it. Lots of beautiful fish & corals.
Playing with the tide
Aren't they happy?
Another gorgeous big pool to choose to spend your time
How can I get away from running?
This way to see the eggs?
Pulau Renggits - don't forget to make a visit 
Running again?
Yup!
A bit of weight training to throw in too, it makes a vacation feels...... complete I think
Captivating sunset
Family photo at the reception
This is the boat we took, a Rm70 return trip from Mersing
And so with that we packed our luggage reluctantly on the 29th and set for Paris once again. May the Lord continues to grant us strength & wisdom that the light of salvation will shine not only on the Chinese students who come across my path but may the local French people also be similarly touched by His love, moved by His Spirit, captured by His grace. Amen!Until the next trip back to Malaysia then, Au Revoir!
Tuesday, September 01, 2009
Summer vacation 2009 (10) Senai 24/7/2009 (part b)
The climax of our visit to my home town Senai where I spent the 1st 18 years of my life, a family gathering with 4 of my sisters ( I have 6 sisters and 1 brother).
A lovely delicious cake made by my niece's daughter
What an honour!
My eldest & 2nd sister
My eldest nephew - Johor State Badminton Champion for many years in the 80's & 90's. I could not get a point off him!
Stuffed brinjal - My all time favorite!
Deep fried chicken
Vinegar Pig's knuckles
Hakka "Kaou Yuk" - Stewed Yam & sliced pork
We are all heavy weights as far as eating is concerned.........
........... if you get my drift
Yes we were in Singapore together, remember?
Badminton strategies???
All my nieces & a nephew with his GF
Some of my "grand" nephews & nieces, I have lost count!!
My eldest Brother-in-law is beside me
My sister Selina with her family - She is the 1st Christian in our family
Now the Durians are falling
A lot of jokes & jokers around
The 2 sons of my eldest nephew. You don't want to bully me, no
Looking at the pictures now makes me want to go back again & again & again!
Lord willing we will make another trip so....on!
A lovely delicious cake made by my niece's daughter
What an honour!
My eldest & 2nd sister
My eldest nephew - Johor State Badminton Champion for many years in the 80's & 90's. I could not get a point off him!
Stuffed brinjal - My all time favorite!
Deep fried chicken
Vinegar Pig's knuckles
Hakka "Kaou Yuk" - Stewed Yam & sliced pork
We are all heavy weights as far as eating is concerned.........
........... if you get my drift
Yes we were in Singapore together, remember?
Badminton strategies???
All my nieces & a nephew with his GF
Some of my "grand" nephews & nieces, I have lost count!!
My eldest Brother-in-law is beside me
My sister Selina with her family - She is the 1st Christian in our family
Now the Durians are falling
A lot of jokes & jokers around
The 2 sons of my eldest nephew. You don't want to bully me, no
Looking at the pictures now makes me want to go back again & again & again!Lord willing we will make another trip so....on!
Saturday, August 29, 2009
SCIENCE AND CHRISTIANITY, NOT MUTUALLY EXCLUSIVE?
Brother Bene just sent me this:-
NASA & the Bible
Date: Friday, 21 August, 2009, 8:47 PM
Check this out! this was sent by a non-Christian friend who thinks that the bible is the truth - the breath of God! (I believe she will see salvation soon!!)
For all the scientists out there, and for all the students who have a hard time convincing these people regarding the truth of the Bible, here's something that shows God's awesome creation, and that He is still in control. Did you know that the space program is busy proving that what has been called "myth" in the Bible is tue?
Mr. Harold Hill, President of the Curtis Engine Company in Baltimore , Maryland , and a consultant in the space program, relates the following development:
I think one of the most amazing things that God has done for us today happened recently to our astronauts and space scientists at Green Belt, Maryland ..
" They were checking out where the positions of the sun, moon, and planets would be 100 years and 1,000 years from now.. We have to know this so we won't send up a satellite and have it bump into something later on in its orbits.
We have to lay out the orbits in terms of the life of the satellite and where the planets will be so the whole thing will not bog down. They ran the computer measurement back and forth over the centuries, and it came to a halt. The computer stopped and put up a red signal, which meant that there was something wrong with either the information fed into it or with the results as compared to the standards.
They called in the service department to check it out, and they said, 'What's wrong?' Well, they found there is a day missing in space in elapsed time. They scratched their heads and tore their hair out.. There
was no answer." Finally a Christian man on the team said, 'You know, one time I was in Sunday School, and they talked about the sun standing still..' While they didn't believe him, they didn't have an answer either, so they said, "Show us"..
He got a Bible and finally went to the book of Joshua where they found a pretty ridiculous statement for any one with any sense. There they found the Lord saying to Joshua, 'Fear them not, I have delivered them into thy hand; there shall not a man of them stand before Thee.'
Joshua was concerned because he was surrounded by the enemy! And if darkness fell, they would overpower them. So Joshua asked the Lord to make the sun stand still! That's right.... 'The sun stood still and the moon stayed and lasted not to go down about a whole day!' (Joshua 10:12-13)
The astronauts and scientists said, There is the missing day! They checked the computers going back into the time it was written and found it was close, but not close enough. The elapsed time that was missing back in Joshua's day was 23 hours and 20 minutes. . not a whole day.
They read the Bible, and there it was about [approximately] a day. These little words in the Bible are important, but they were still in trouble because if you cannot account for 40 minutes, you'll still be in trouble 1000 years from now.
Forty minutes had to be found because it can be multiplied many times over in orbits. As the Christian employee thought about it, he remembered somewhere in the Bible where it said the sun went BACKWARDS.
The scientists told him he was out of his mind, but they got out the Book and read these words in 2 Kings that told of the following story: Hezekiah, on his death bed, was visited by the prophet Isaiah who told him he was not going to die. Hezekiah asked for a sign as proof. Isaiah said 'Do you want the sun to go ahead 10 degrees?'
Hezekiah said, 'It is nothing for the sun to go ahead 10 degrees, but let the shadow return backward 10 degrees.'
Isaiah spoke to the Lord, and the Lord brought the shadow ten degrees BACKWARD! Ten degrees is exactly 40 minutes!
Twenty-three hours and 20 minutes in Joshua, plus 40 minutes in Second Kings make the missing day in the universe! Isn't it amazing?
References: Joshua 10:8 and 12,13 and 2 Kings 20:9-11.
NASA & the Bible
Date: Friday, 21 August, 2009, 8:47 PM
Check this out! this was sent by a non-Christian friend who thinks that the bible is the truth - the breath of God! (I believe she will see salvation soon!!)
For all the scientists out there, and for all the students who have a hard time convincing these people regarding the truth of the Bible, here's something that shows God's awesome creation, and that He is still in control. Did you know that the space program is busy proving that what has been called "myth" in the Bible is tue?
Mr. Harold Hill, President of the Curtis Engine Company in Baltimore , Maryland , and a consultant in the space program, relates the following development:
I think one of the most amazing things that God has done for us today happened recently to our astronauts and space scientists at Green Belt, Maryland ..
" They were checking out where the positions of the sun, moon, and planets would be 100 years and 1,000 years from now.. We have to know this so we won't send up a satellite and have it bump into something later on in its orbits.
We have to lay out the orbits in terms of the life of the satellite and where the planets will be so the whole thing will not bog down. They ran the computer measurement back and forth over the centuries, and it came to a halt. The computer stopped and put up a red signal, which meant that there was something wrong with either the information fed into it or with the results as compared to the standards.
They called in the service department to check it out, and they said, 'What's wrong?' Well, they found there is a day missing in space in elapsed time. They scratched their heads and tore their hair out.. There
was no answer." Finally a Christian man on the team said, 'You know, one time I was in Sunday School, and they talked about the sun standing still..' While they didn't believe him, they didn't have an answer either, so they said, "Show us"..
He got a Bible and finally went to the book of Joshua where they found a pretty ridiculous statement for any one with any sense. There they found the Lord saying to Joshua, 'Fear them not, I have delivered them into thy hand; there shall not a man of them stand before Thee.'
Joshua was concerned because he was surrounded by the enemy! And if darkness fell, they would overpower them. So Joshua asked the Lord to make the sun stand still! That's right.... 'The sun stood still and the moon stayed and lasted not to go down about a whole day!' (Joshua 10:12-13)
The astronauts and scientists said, There is the missing day! They checked the computers going back into the time it was written and found it was close, but not close enough. The elapsed time that was missing back in Joshua's day was 23 hours and 20 minutes. . not a whole day.
They read the Bible, and there it was about [approximately] a day. These little words in the Bible are important, but they were still in trouble because if you cannot account for 40 minutes, you'll still be in trouble 1000 years from now.
Forty minutes had to be found because it can be multiplied many times over in orbits. As the Christian employee thought about it, he remembered somewhere in the Bible where it said the sun went BACKWARDS.
The scientists told him he was out of his mind, but they got out the Book and read these words in 2 Kings that told of the following story: Hezekiah, on his death bed, was visited by the prophet Isaiah who told him he was not going to die. Hezekiah asked for a sign as proof. Isaiah said 'Do you want the sun to go ahead 10 degrees?'
Hezekiah said, 'It is nothing for the sun to go ahead 10 degrees, but let the shadow return backward 10 degrees.'
Isaiah spoke to the Lord, and the Lord brought the shadow ten degrees BACKWARD! Ten degrees is exactly 40 minutes!
Twenty-three hours and 20 minutes in Joshua, plus 40 minutes in Second Kings make the missing day in the universe! Isn't it amazing?
References: Joshua 10:8 and 12,13 and 2 Kings 20:9-11.
Summer vacation 2009 (9) Senai & JB 23 to 24/7/2009 (part a)
We went to visit my second sister in Kulai where they run a restaurant. The first remark my sister made was I have aged so much after 4 years! Must be the greying hair.
Then we made our way to Senai cemetery to pay respect to my beloved dad & mom who have departed to be with the Lord in 1996 & 1997 respectively. I'm so grateful to God that He alone has worked a work of miracle in my parents that even at their old age & being very much bound by old Chinese tradition, God opened up their spiritual eyes to see the truth. Well its never too late to receive our salvation through Christ our redeemer. With God all things are possible! Amen!
Then we made our way to the town that I grew up - Senai. We stayed at my 3rd sister's hotel. Here I get to eat MY FAVORITE FOOD - Hakka deep fried pork noodles!
Absolutely smashing! I had 2 BIG servings despite down on China food poisoning. If you happen to come to Senai, miss anything but don't let this one slips pass you!!!!
Meeting up with my old schoolmate. We were together in London for almost 10 years.
Meeting up with my overseer, Pastor Benedict Rajan
The church has grown from a 40'ish back in 1989 to more than 1000 today. Amazing Grace. Praise God!
The hall they use for Bahasa Malaysia services
The new hall that can sit 400 people. A visiting minister remarked that it feels like preaching in an aircraft
Nothing beats a good plate of Mee Rebus for lunch
Harris found his favorite shop
Meeting up with Pastor Zeph & family in sieter Siew Ping's house for dinner. Glad to see her daughter Nechelle & hubby Dr. David. All of them have visited us in Paris before. Thank God that my 3rd Brother-in-law got me in time to take some Chinese medication for food poisoning and it worked and my appetite has returned. Wow! Roar!
Sister Siew Ping is truly a Grande Chef.
We will never be able to repay the hospitality showered upon us but I just pray that God will bless all of them manifold in return. Amen!
Then we made our way to Senai cemetery to pay respect to my beloved dad & mom who have departed to be with the Lord in 1996 & 1997 respectively. I'm so grateful to God that He alone has worked a work of miracle in my parents that even at their old age & being very much bound by old Chinese tradition, God opened up their spiritual eyes to see the truth. Well its never too late to receive our salvation through Christ our redeemer. With God all things are possible! Amen!
Then we made our way to the town that I grew up - Senai. We stayed at my 3rd sister's hotel. Here I get to eat MY FAVORITE FOOD - Hakka deep fried pork noodles!
Absolutely smashing! I had 2 BIG servings despite down on China food poisoning. If you happen to come to Senai, miss anything but don't let this one slips pass you!!!!
Meeting up with my old schoolmate. We were together in London for almost 10 years.
Meeting up with my overseer, Pastor Benedict Rajan
The church has grown from a 40'ish back in 1989 to more than 1000 today. Amazing Grace. Praise God!
The hall they use for Bahasa Malaysia services
The new hall that can sit 400 people. A visiting minister remarked that it feels like preaching in an aircraft
Nothing beats a good plate of Mee Rebus for lunch
Harris found his favorite shop
Meeting up with Pastor Zeph & family in sieter Siew Ping's house for dinner. Glad to see her daughter Nechelle & hubby Dr. David. All of them have visited us in Paris before. Thank God that my 3rd Brother-in-law got me in time to take some Chinese medication for food poisoning and it worked and my appetite has returned. Wow! Roar!
Sister Siew Ping is truly a Grande Chef. 
We will never be able to repay the hospitality showered upon us but I just pray that God will bless all of them manifold in return. Amen!
Friday, August 28, 2009
Summer vacation 2009 (8) Singapore 22 to 23/7/2009
Time waits for no man and we have now come to the last leg (week) of our hectic holiday back in Malaysia.We thought we must at least make it to Singapore this time and visit my sister, Selina and her children whose family have become permenant residents recently. We last came to this neigbouring country in 2001, just before we embarked on our 1st missionary journey to France. Gosh! That was quite a while ago!
Bugis Street beyond my recognition.
Marina Bay & we are heading towards the Singapore River
Justice Pau is here?
Singapore Durian?
Skyline
This reminds me when I was 10. We were doing exactly the same thing back then in Senai. Nostalgic!
Now who is the lord of the land here? Why aren't we all sitting down???
Singaporeans are health conscious and why not?
We were supposed to have a good dinner somewhere but Harris felt a severe headache coming & I was still sick with "China" food poisoning so we headed for my sister's flat in Potong Pasir
My 1st morning run in Singapore. Big foot is here?
Hey better watchout, they can fine you for cycling!
I love the run by the river. Its serene & calm
Big old tree left by the British? Those simple flats at the back ground are not cheap. A 4 rooms flat can fetch 250,000 SD.
St. Andrew Junior College is just a stone throw away
Another view of the college
The clan made a quick appearance at Orchard Road. They have just opened another shopping arcade right inside the train station.
CK Tang is still around
They sell all the branded goods inside this funny looking building
With that we said bye to the little red dot and took a Taxi to Rochor centre to take an express Bus back to Malaysia. We have another dinner appointment to catch in Johor Bahru.
Bugis Street beyond my recognition.
Marina Bay & we are heading towards the Singapore River
Justice Pau is here?
Singapore Durian?
Skyline
This reminds me when I was 10. We were doing exactly the same thing back then in Senai. Nostalgic!
Now who is the lord of the land here? Why aren't we all sitting down???
Singaporeans are health conscious and why not?
We were supposed to have a good dinner somewhere but Harris felt a severe headache coming & I was still sick with "China" food poisoning so we headed for my sister's flat in Potong Pasir
My 1st morning run in Singapore. Big foot is here?
Hey better watchout, they can fine you for cycling!
I love the run by the river. Its serene & calm
Big old tree left by the British? Those simple flats at the back ground are not cheap. A 4 rooms flat can fetch 250,000 SD.
St. Andrew Junior College is just a stone throw away
Another view of the college
The clan made a quick appearance at Orchard Road. They have just opened another shopping arcade right inside the train station.
CK Tang is still around
They sell all the branded goods inside this funny looking building
With that we said bye to the little red dot and took a Taxi to Rochor centre to take an express Bus back to Malaysia. We have another dinner appointment to catch in Johor Bahru.
Thursday, August 27, 2009
天使的三個答案
Pastor Eunice just sent me this touching article, please read :-
天使的三個答案(強烈推薦閱讀)
Tue at 6:25pm
在一個寒冷的冬夜裡，一個鞋匠在守了一整天空盪盪的店舖後，拖著一身疲累，返回他那破舊的小屋。
他想著家裡沒剩多少麵包了！而這個冬天，一刻比一刻更冷。
他忍不住打了個哆嗦，拉緊他唯一一件，薄薄的外衣。
唉！好些個日子沒有收入了，太太一定又會扳起了臉孔。
他慢慢的踱著步伐，影子在月光的渲染下拉的長長的…就像他的心情一般，又沈又重！
突然，街角那月亮眷顧不到的地方，彷彿有一個白色的東西在蠕動…
因著好奇心的趨使，他走向前去，哎呀～是一個人呢！
冷冽的寒風中，他竟然是光溜溜的一絲不掛！
鞋匠走到他的面前，蹲下，那人緩緩的抬起頭來，他的臉上，沒有任何表情。
「不行啊！這樣下去，你會凍死的！」
鞋匠脫下了自己的外套，披在他身上，除下了腳上的鞋子，替他穿上。那人依舊動也不動。
「走吧！到我家去！」鞋匠說著，卻不敢相信自己說出的話。
門咿呀一聲，開了，鞋匠太太迎了出來，臉上的表情瞬間換了個樣，
因為，他丈夫的衣物竟然全穿在一個陌生人的身上。
「給他一些食物吧！」鞋匠這樣對他的妻子說。
「你瘋了嗎？我們只剩一塊麵包當今天的晚餐了！」鞋匠太太大聲抱怨著。
壓低了聲音，鞋匠說：「給他吧！我們一餐 沒吃算不了什麼，
可是他看起來好像已經餓了很久，要是再不吃些東西，他會死的。」
「好吧！既然你這麼說 .... 」鞋匠太太動容了，
她將櫃子裡僅剩的一塊麵包拿給了那位全然陌生的人，
而他，看到了夫妻倆溫暖的臉龐，蒼白的臉上，浮起了一抹微笑。
這是他第一次露出笑容。
就這樣，鞋匠夫婦收容了這個倒在雪地的年輕人，並且教他做鞋子和修補的技巧，
很快地，他學會了鞋匠所有的本事，並且在鞋匠的店裡幫忙照顧生意。
他有一雙巧手，做的鞋子既堅固耐穿又美觀，修補的技巧更是高明，幾乎讓人挑不出破綻。
於是，一傳十，十傳百，整個小村子都知道鞋匠的店裡來了一位手藝精湛的師傅。
自此以後，鞋匠的店生意越來越興隆，鞋匠夫婦的生活也越來越舒適，
他們十分感激這位陌生人的幫助，好幾次，他們想為他做點什麼，
只是他從來未曾開口說過話。
只是默默的坐在窗邊，工作，沈思…
一天，一輛豪華的馬車在鞋店的門口停了下來，車門開了，
走出來的是整個小鎮最有錢的人，他走進店裡，丟給鞋匠一塊皮革，不可一世地說：
「這是一塊上好的小牛皮，我要你幫我做一雙長統馬靴，要堅固的，你要給我保證能夠穿一年！」
奇怪的，年輕人看到了富翁，臉上竟然出現了笑容。
這是他第二個微笑。
富翁走了之後，鞋匠把牛皮交給了年輕人，他知道這是一個他可以完全信賴的人。
不到一刻鐘的時間，年輕人裁好了樣式，鞋匠接過去一看，天啊！那是一雙短靴的樣式，
「我，我不是告訴你要做一雙長統的靴子嗎？
結果你竟然…我的天啊！你要我怎麼賠給人家？」
就在這個時候，富翁的僕人氣喘吁吁地跑回來，一進門就大聲嚷嚷：
「不用做了！不用做了！方才在回家的路上，因為馬車失去了控制，
我的主人跌出了車外，當場死亡。所以他的家人想要求你改做短靴，才好當他的陪葬品。」
就這樣，匆匆的，六年的歲月消逝了，年輕人一直留在鞋匠家中，
還是不說一句話，只是時常望著窗外，沈思…
有一天，鞋店來了一位婦人帶著對雙胞胎，其中的一個跛了腿。
坐在窗邊的年輕人看到她們，站了起來，他笑了。
這是他第三個微笑。
「我想替她們各做一雙鞋子。」婦人說。
「那是妳的女兒嗎？真是可愛啊！」鞋匠稱讚著。
「不是的，我只是代她們母親照顧她們。那可憐的媽媽在六年前生產的過程中去世了。
而她們的父親也早就離開了這個世界，留下孤苦無依的她們。
因為我自己當時也正好生產完，有充足的奶水可以哺育她們，於是便接下了這個工作。
再加上許多鄰居們熱心的幫忙，勉強將她們扶養到這麼大。」
說著說著，淚水滑落了那女人的臉龐。鞋匠也灑了幾滴同情的淚水。
送走了婦人和那對可愛的姊妹，年輕人對鞋匠說，這也是他頭一遭開口：
「我要走了，回到我原來的地方。」
「為什麼？」難掩臉上的驚訝，鞋匠問：
「從來你不曾告訴我們從哪裡來，叫什麼名 字，有什麼家人，現在你要離開，往哪兒去呢？」
「我是一個天使，來自天上。我 原來的工作是帶領離開了身體的靈魂往他們該去的地方。
六年前，我帶走了一位婦人的靈魂，她就是剛才那對雙胞胎的母親。她在生產過程中去世，
壓到了其中一個嬰兒的腳，所以造成了她的殘缺」
看了一眼鞋匠不敢置信的表情，年輕人繼續說著：
「那位母親苦苦哀求我，不要帶走她。因為她的孩子們已經沒有了父親，
要是再失去母親的照顧，她們一定沒辦法生存下去。
我一時心軟，答應了她的請求。上帝知道後，非常忿怒，
祂取回了母親的靈魂，也把我貶下了人間。
上帝說：「你根本不了解人類！」
「你不知道他們心裡有什麼？天將給他們什麼？他們周遭的人又是怎樣的影響他們？」
〝去～〞上帝斥責著：「到人間 去！要我尋找這些問題的答案。」
於是我來了！就在六年前你發現我的那個夜晚。
決心親自體驗人類的生活，希望能從其中了解上帝的旨意。
而當我見到那對姊妹的時候，我知道…上帝已經原諒我了！
因為祂已告訴了我那三個問題的答案！
“當你的妻子將你們櫥櫃中僅有的那塊麵包遞到我的手中時，
從她的眼神，我解決了第一道難題。
人們的心中，有愛！因為〝愛〞，使他們甘願付出所有。
當我見到那位富翁時，我解決了第二個疑惑。
因為人們不知道，自己的下一刻鐘會遇上什麼！
當他興致勃勃的準備做一雙能夠穿上一年的皮靴時，
他並不知道自己已瀕臨死亡。
但我知道…那時我看到我的一個同伴正站在他的身後。
因為〝無知〞，使他們無所畏懼。
而能夠使人們解脫生命的枷鎖的人不是誰，不是父母，不是恩師，不是老板，
不是朋友，而是上帝， 當我見到那兩個小女孩的時候，我心中讚美天主，
因為他使我清楚的了解了第三個問題的答案。
～人，可以仰賴陌生人的幫助而生存！
她們的母親之所以會求我不要帶走她是因為她覺得，
沒有親人的照顧，這對雙胞胎根本沒有存活的希望。
但她永遠不會知道，有個陌生的女人，代替她盡了母親的義務；
有一群人，正幫忙撫育著她的孩子。
因為這份〝莫名的感情〞，使得人間充滿了溫暖。
人與人之間，因為有愛，有情感的交流，使得生活中的一切都是這麼的美好。
挫折、沮喪、失望，都是難免的，但正因為有這些醜惡的事存在…
所以讓我們學會更珍惜目前所擁有的，最珍貴的情誼！
心中的那畝田地，需要你辛勤的耕耘，
而這份工作，也只有你自己能做，能做到最好！
幸福的人生，總是被懂得感恩的人獲得，
當上天對我們好，我們是否也曾想把這份好分享給別人？
還是我們總認為這份好，是我自己認真打拼得來的？
生命的層次，自己，家人，朋友，社會～
您，把自己定位在哪一個階層裡？
不管您現在的處境有多艱難或是多幸福，別忘了～
綠灯的盡頭是紅灯，而紅灯的盡頭也將是綠灯，
上天總是公平的對待每一個，而只要您替祂做點事，祂絶對會對你更好，
因為祂知道，您會把祂的（好）分享給更多的人！！
把這個故事轉寄給您的朋友吧， 讓他知道，生命的無常是可愛的，
接受一切就能擁有一切，此岸就是彼岸。
淨土就在您的心中～
天使的三個答案(強烈推薦閱讀)
Tue at 6:25pm
在一個寒冷的冬夜裡，一個鞋匠在守了一整天空盪盪的店舖後，拖著一身疲累，返回他那破舊的小屋。
他想著家裡沒剩多少麵包了！而這個冬天，一刻比一刻更冷。
他忍不住打了個哆嗦，拉緊他唯一一件，薄薄的外衣。
唉！好些個日子沒有收入了，太太一定又會扳起了臉孔。
他慢慢的踱著步伐，影子在月光的渲染下拉的長長的…就像他的心情一般，又沈又重！
突然，街角那月亮眷顧不到的地方，彷彿有一個白色的東西在蠕動…
因著好奇心的趨使，他走向前去，哎呀～是一個人呢！
冷冽的寒風中，他竟然是光溜溜的一絲不掛！
鞋匠走到他的面前，蹲下，那人緩緩的抬起頭來，他的臉上，沒有任何表情。
「不行啊！這樣下去，你會凍死的！」
鞋匠脫下了自己的外套，披在他身上，除下了腳上的鞋子，替他穿上。那人依舊動也不動。
「走吧！到我家去！」鞋匠說著，卻不敢相信自己說出的話。
門咿呀一聲，開了，鞋匠太太迎了出來，臉上的表情瞬間換了個樣，
因為，他丈夫的衣物竟然全穿在一個陌生人的身上。
「給他一些食物吧！」鞋匠這樣對他的妻子說。
「你瘋了嗎？我們只剩一塊麵包當今天的晚餐了！」鞋匠太太大聲抱怨著。
壓低了聲音，鞋匠說：「給他吧！我們一餐 沒吃算不了什麼，
可是他看起來好像已經餓了很久，要是再不吃些東西，他會死的。」
「好吧！既然你這麼說 .... 」鞋匠太太動容了，
她將櫃子裡僅剩的一塊麵包拿給了那位全然陌生的人，
而他，看到了夫妻倆溫暖的臉龐，蒼白的臉上，浮起了一抹微笑。
這是他第一次露出笑容。
就這樣，鞋匠夫婦收容了這個倒在雪地的年輕人，並且教他做鞋子和修補的技巧，
很快地，他學會了鞋匠所有的本事，並且在鞋匠的店裡幫忙照顧生意。
他有一雙巧手，做的鞋子既堅固耐穿又美觀，修補的技巧更是高明，幾乎讓人挑不出破綻。
於是，一傳十，十傳百，整個小村子都知道鞋匠的店裡來了一位手藝精湛的師傅。
自此以後，鞋匠的店生意越來越興隆，鞋匠夫婦的生活也越來越舒適，
他們十分感激這位陌生人的幫助，好幾次，他們想為他做點什麼，
只是他從來未曾開口說過話。
只是默默的坐在窗邊，工作，沈思…
一天，一輛豪華的馬車在鞋店的門口停了下來，車門開了，
走出來的是整個小鎮最有錢的人，他走進店裡，丟給鞋匠一塊皮革，不可一世地說：
「這是一塊上好的小牛皮，我要你幫我做一雙長統馬靴，要堅固的，你要給我保證能夠穿一年！」
奇怪的，年輕人看到了富翁，臉上竟然出現了笑容。
這是他第二個微笑。
富翁走了之後，鞋匠把牛皮交給了年輕人，他知道這是一個他可以完全信賴的人。
不到一刻鐘的時間，年輕人裁好了樣式，鞋匠接過去一看，天啊！那是一雙短靴的樣式，
「我，我不是告訴你要做一雙長統的靴子嗎？
結果你竟然…我的天啊！你要我怎麼賠給人家？」
就在這個時候，富翁的僕人氣喘吁吁地跑回來，一進門就大聲嚷嚷：
「不用做了！不用做了！方才在回家的路上，因為馬車失去了控制，
我的主人跌出了車外，當場死亡。所以他的家人想要求你改做短靴，才好當他的陪葬品。」
就這樣，匆匆的，六年的歲月消逝了，年輕人一直留在鞋匠家中，
還是不說一句話，只是時常望著窗外，沈思…
有一天，鞋店來了一位婦人帶著對雙胞胎，其中的一個跛了腿。
坐在窗邊的年輕人看到她們，站了起來，他笑了。
這是他第三個微笑。
「我想替她們各做一雙鞋子。」婦人說。
「那是妳的女兒嗎？真是可愛啊！」鞋匠稱讚著。
「不是的，我只是代她們母親照顧她們。那可憐的媽媽在六年前生產的過程中去世了。
而她們的父親也早就離開了這個世界，留下孤苦無依的她們。
因為我自己當時也正好生產完，有充足的奶水可以哺育她們，於是便接下了這個工作。
再加上許多鄰居們熱心的幫忙，勉強將她們扶養到這麼大。」
說著說著，淚水滑落了那女人的臉龐。鞋匠也灑了幾滴同情的淚水。
送走了婦人和那對可愛的姊妹，年輕人對鞋匠說，這也是他頭一遭開口：
「我要走了，回到我原來的地方。」
「為什麼？」難掩臉上的驚訝，鞋匠問：
「從來你不曾告訴我們從哪裡來，叫什麼名 字，有什麼家人，現在你要離開，往哪兒去呢？」
「我是一個天使，來自天上。我 原來的工作是帶領離開了身體的靈魂往他們該去的地方。
六年前，我帶走了一位婦人的靈魂，她就是剛才那對雙胞胎的母親。她在生產過程中去世，
壓到了其中一個嬰兒的腳，所以造成了她的殘缺」
看了一眼鞋匠不敢置信的表情，年輕人繼續說著：
「那位母親苦苦哀求我，不要帶走她。因為她的孩子們已經沒有了父親，
要是再失去母親的照顧，她們一定沒辦法生存下去。
我一時心軟，答應了她的請求。上帝知道後，非常忿怒，
祂取回了母親的靈魂，也把我貶下了人間。
上帝說：「你根本不了解人類！」
「你不知道他們心裡有什麼？天將給他們什麼？他們周遭的人又是怎樣的影響他們？」
〝去～〞上帝斥責著：「到人間 去！要我尋找這些問題的答案。」
於是我來了！就在六年前你發現我的那個夜晚。
決心親自體驗人類的生活，希望能從其中了解上帝的旨意。
而當我見到那對姊妹的時候，我知道…上帝已經原諒我了！
因為祂已告訴了我那三個問題的答案！
“當你的妻子將你們櫥櫃中僅有的那塊麵包遞到我的手中時，
從她的眼神，我解決了第一道難題。
人們的心中，有愛！因為〝愛〞，使他們甘願付出所有。
當我見到那位富翁時，我解決了第二個疑惑。
因為人們不知道，自己的下一刻鐘會遇上什麼！
當他興致勃勃的準備做一雙能夠穿上一年的皮靴時，
他並不知道自己已瀕臨死亡。
但我知道…那時我看到我的一個同伴正站在他的身後。
因為〝無知〞，使他們無所畏懼。
而能夠使人們解脫生命的枷鎖的人不是誰，不是父母，不是恩師，不是老板，
不是朋友，而是上帝， 當我見到那兩個小女孩的時候，我心中讚美天主，
因為他使我清楚的了解了第三個問題的答案。
～人，可以仰賴陌生人的幫助而生存！
她們的母親之所以會求我不要帶走她是因為她覺得，
沒有親人的照顧，這對雙胞胎根本沒有存活的希望。
但她永遠不會知道，有個陌生的女人，代替她盡了母親的義務；
有一群人，正幫忙撫育著她的孩子。
因為這份〝莫名的感情〞，使得人間充滿了溫暖。
人與人之間，因為有愛，有情感的交流，使得生活中的一切都是這麼的美好。
挫折、沮喪、失望，都是難免的，但正因為有這些醜惡的事存在…
所以讓我們學會更珍惜目前所擁有的，最珍貴的情誼！
心中的那畝田地，需要你辛勤的耕耘，
而這份工作，也只有你自己能做，能做到最好！
幸福的人生，總是被懂得感恩的人獲得，
當上天對我們好，我們是否也曾想把這份好分享給別人？
還是我們總認為這份好，是我自己認真打拼得來的？
生命的層次，自己，家人，朋友，社會～
您，把自己定位在哪一個階層裡？
不管您現在的處境有多艱難或是多幸福，別忘了～
綠灯的盡頭是紅灯，而紅灯的盡頭也將是綠灯，
上天總是公平的對待每一個，而只要您替祂做點事，祂絶對會對你更好，
因為祂知道，您會把祂的（好）分享給更多的人！！
把這個故事轉寄給您的朋友吧， 讓他知道，生命的無常是可愛的，
接受一切就能擁有一切，此岸就是彼岸。
淨土就在您的心中～
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
Summer vacation 2009 (7) Guilin,China - 15 to 19 /7/2009 (part b)
The main highlight of the Guilin trip must surely be the river cruise on the Li Jiang river from Guilin to Yangshuo
Yes, they even cook up some special delicacies for you while you enjoy the breathtaking scenery
My Mom-in-law & Brother-in-law with his wife
Now you see hills upon hills
We were having a feast
Soft shell crabs
Snails, anyone?
Prawns
Caught in the fight
The famous Li Jiang fish
Finally we arrived at our destination Yangshuo
The West street of Yangshuo
Went for a good show
Man down with food poisoning! Harris & florence also. We took turn to puke in the toilet from 9pm till noon the next day
Nanning Brother Jiang's hospitality
I was a complete "no show" - still puking left right & center over food poisoning. Harris & Florence didn't even manage to get to the restaurant!
Our 5 days in Guilin has come to a quick end - at the waiting lounge in Guilin Airport
We are back in LCCT Kuala Lumpur with me still suffering from food poisoning.
It has been is a memorable trip out to China. It was the first for everyone except me. It was most encouraging to hear from Brother Jiang's fiancée that he still has the Holy Bible by his bedside. We pray that he will go the way of the Lord from faith to faith and from strength to strength, that the glorious light & truth of the Lord shall shine victoriously through his life. Amen!
Yes, they even cook up some special delicacies for you while you enjoy the breathtaking scenery
My Mom-in-law & Brother-in-law with his wife
Now you see hills upon hills
We were having a feast
Soft shell crabs
Snails, anyone?
Prawns
Caught in the fight
The famous Li Jiang fish
Finally we arrived at our destination Yangshuo
The West street of Yangshuo
Went for a good show
Man down with food poisoning! Harris & florence also. We took turn to puke in the toilet from 9pm till noon the next day
Nanning Brother Jiang's hospitality
I was a complete "no show" - still puking left right & center over food poisoning. Harris & Florence didn't even manage to get to the restaurant!
Our 5 days in Guilin has come to a quick end - at the waiting lounge in Guilin Airport
We are back in LCCT Kuala Lumpur with me still suffering from food poisoning.
It has been is a memorable trip out to China. It was the first for everyone except me. It was most encouraging to hear from Brother Jiang's fiancée that he still has the Holy Bible by his bedside. We pray that he will go the way of the Lord from faith to faith and from strength to strength, that the glorious light & truth of the Lord shall shine victoriously through his life. Amen!
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