29th jan 09, Captivating at curry flavors jap restaurant

Hi all... just to update on our ladies outing on 29th jan 09. We are on our way to do a book(Captivating) that our bro, jon who has kindly brought us a long time ago......We did managed to discuss a bit on the first chapter of the book(10-15mins)... but...we all concluded that we need to read more chapters in order to gain a deeper understanding of what the authors are trying to bring across to us....so...we spent the rest of the hours eating and chatting about other stuffs....hee...anyway it was a great time of fellowship together w/o the presence of the guys in our cell....haha...just joking, no offence.

Okay, personally i find that the first chapter of this book helps us to explore the condition of our hearts as a woman. It also encourages us to examine the common desires that set deep in our hearts but we fail to acknowledge it and downplay it instead. Therefore we need to constantly examine our heart to identify the "pulling forces" in our lives...eg: what are we driven to and why...The things that we are pursuing now, are they a result of our insecurity...? Is God in the picture of our plans? It is important not to miss the heart of a woman as the authors remind us that the scriptures tell us the heart is central. Proverbs 4:23 "Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life."

Well, I hope that as we continue to meet up monthly to study and share more about the book, we will be about to build each other up spiritually. We can also feel free to share about the area in our lives that we are struggling...or anything...=)

Love: 00

A Persevering Spirit

was reading Nehemiah a few times this week. What a wonderful book! So many lessons you can get from this book. It seems like almost every passage jumps out at me when i read it. I will share one lesson i learn - perseverance.

Neh 4 & 6 are really amazing. I will focus on these verses v 14, 19, 20.

[v14]...Don't be afraid of them. Remember the Lord, who is great and awesome,

[v19 & 20]...The work is extensive and spread out, and we are widely separated from each other along the wall. Wherever you hear the sound of the trumpet, join us there. Our God will fight for us!”

Nehemiah is so focused on God. When he faced a big problem, he further magnify God. He knows that God is not one who walks on crutches. He knows God is great and awesome. He knows God will fight for us.

Personal Application

When i faced certain problems like work or personal issues, i often look at the problem. Sometimes, i get immobilized and use "eye" and "heart" power to try to wish the problem will be solved by itself.

But, i have learnt to go past the 'immobilization' step and take an active role in solving the problem. I have to become less problem-centric but more problem -solving centric. Although, the problem do not get solved overnight. But, at least i try.

It definitely takes a lot of perseverance. In the past, I will give up if i cannot solve the problem. I am one of those students who will immediately look at the worked solutions when i cannot solve the Maths problem. Why work so hard when there is a solution in the next page? I didn't realize that this problem became a nasty habit of mine.

Now, i realize i cannot go on like that. I want to solve problems. I want to persevere. I want to be Nehemiah and those builders and use every ounce of their strength to press on and finish the task at hand.

I hope i can be like them.

Ed

The Parable of the Good Samaritan

I have been brought to the attention of this parable several times for this past two months: I read about it in the evangelistic materials; I listened to it in the Christmas musical; I read about it during quiet time; I read about it even when I was reading the notes on the Law of Tort. Surely, I know the emphasis here is for me to remember that I should love my neighbour.

In the parable of the Good Samaritan, Jesus said:

36"Which of these three do you think proved to be a neighbor to the man who fell into the robbers' hands?"

37And he said, "The one who showed mercy toward him." Then Jesus said to him, "Go and do the same."

(Luke 10 v36-37, NASB)

From the lecture notes, it is stated in DONOGHUE VS STEVENSON [1632] HL that:

"You must take reasonable care to avoid acts or omissions which you can reasonably foresee would be likely to injure your neighbor. Who, then, is my neighbor? The answer seems to be – persons who are so closely and directly affected by my act that I ought reasonably to have them in contemplation as being so affected when I am directing my mind to the acts or omissions which are called in question."

The definitions of "neighbour" are slightly different. The later is a more restricted one. One is on offering help, the other is on not inflicting harm. However both are about caring and loving each other.

To love our neighbour is not easy. I think before one can really love, one must first forgive. Last year, I couldn't bring myself to forgive some people who acted selfishly and did things to hurt me. I didn't want to see them at all. The sight of them just made me shiver. Surprisingly, I find myself being able to forgive them this year. My attention has been directed to the word "Forgiveness" in many occasions. If God can forgive our sins, why can't I forgive others? After being able to do so, I feel less burdened.

Hoi Yan

The Parable of the Mustard Seed and the Yeast (Luke 13:18-21)

Recently, I am starting a series of reading the parables that Jesus preach on. Today, I am studying the above mentioned parables. So, what did I learnt?

1. As obvious as it sounds, everything needs time for it to grow. No one becomes great overnight. Beckham does not become a great crosser of the ball overnight. From something raw, they grow and become good. Like the mustard seed, all things start small and grow to something fruitful.

2. Everything needs to work hard to get something. Again, this is obvious. Like the yeast parable, the woman has to work through the dough to get something she wants. Like Tiger Woods and Beckham, they practice and practice and work very hard. In fact, somebody says it takes 1% inspiration and 99% perspiration to be great.

3. So, how do I get the fine balance between work and relaxation? I was exploring this question. Would I rather be overwhelmed with work or overwhelmed with lack of work? Honestly, I prefer the earlier. Naturally, I am a lazy guy. But, I know that I like to achieve something. I like to make my life meaningful. So, I prefer to be overwhelmed with work and challenge myself to complete them efficiently and productively.

Back to the first question, I believe it is all about prioritizing and planning. For me, I split my work to a “Things to do” quadrant (of Urgent/Non Urgent; High Margin/Low Margin) and Schedule of “Things to do”.


4. Applying this to Nissi, I realize that cell is like a mustard seed and it takes time for it to grow. Success in cell does not come overnight. It takes time and hard work. But, surely, it will grow and become good. I am confident of it.
5. In other areas of my life, I am very excited and involved – work, church, cell and evangelism. I just can’t wait for it to grow and let God do such a wonderful work in it. As of now, I am prepared to work hard and work hand in hand with God. Like the woman in the parable, God will provide the large amount of flour and I will work through all the dough. So, help me, Lord I pray.

Ed