Rejoice Greatly

"Praise be to God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us a new birth into a LIVING hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an INHERITANCE that can never perish, spoil or fade - KEPT in heaven for you, who through FAITH are shielded by God's POWER until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time. In this you GREATLY REJOICE, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials." - 1 Peter 1:3-6

I've been struggling with personal relationships and having to deal with personal goals being shattered by physical consequences. I was told by the surgeon on Thursday that my ankle wasn't healing fast enough to warrant a cast removal. It'll take at least another two more weeks to heal. I've already taken six weeks of my hospital placements, and I won't be able to take anymore. If I'm still unable to walk independently by next Sunday, I will probably have to take a year off uni.

I was feeling so depressed on Thurs. Everything just seemed to be falling apart.

I'm so grateful for this passage in Peter. It reminded me that all human hope will fade away and will eventually serve to discourage us; there is only a living/growing hope in our inheritance in heaven which will never perish.

I want to surrender all my personal goals to God and just rest in his mercy and grace. Everything that I accomplish in this world will surely fade away so why should I strive so hard to obtain blessings that God hasn't graciously given? I shall receive them should he decide to give them.

I'm so grateful that my inheritance in heaven is being kept not by my spirituality, but by the faithfulness and power of God who is able to keep those who are committed to him. I rejoice greatly that God chose me and glorified me even before I was born. The trials and temptations that snare me presently will only last for a season. God's faithfulness is forever.

i miss..

I miss the explosive emotion of kicking a ball..

I miss running on a pitch of lush green grass..

I miss getting lost in the ecstasy of dribbling past a challenge or two..

I miss the satisfaction of putting on into the back of the net..

I miss seeing the joy in a teammate's face when they score a goal.. and know that I contributed to it somewhat.

You´re better then the best

I´m lucky just to linger in your life

Cooler then the flip side of my pillow that´s right

Completely unaware

Nothing can compare to where you send me

Lets me know that it´s ok yeah it´s ok

And the moments when my good times start to fade

You make me smile like the sun

Fall out of bed

Sing like a bird

Dizzy in my head

Spin like a record

Crazy on a Sunday night

You make me dance like a fool

Forget how to breathe

Shine like gold

Buzz like a bee

Just the thought of you can drive me wild

Ohh you make me smile

Even when you´re gone

Somehow you come along

Just like a flower poking through the sidewalk crack and just like that

You steal away the rain and just like that

You make me smile like the sun

Fall out of

bed sing like bird

Dizzy in my head spin like a record

Crazy on a Sunday night

You make me dance like a fool

Forget how to breathe

Shine like gold

buzz like a bee

Just the thought of you can drive me wild

Ohh you make me smile

Don´t know how I lived without you

Cuz everytime that I get around you

I see the best of me inside your eyes

You make me smile

You make me dance like a fool

Forget how to breathe

Shine like gold

buzz like a bee

Just the thought of you can drive me wild

You make me smile like the sun

Fall out of bed

sing like bird

Dizzy in my head

spin like a record

Crazy on a Sunday night

You make me dance like a fool

Forget how to breathe

Shine like gold

buzz like a bee

Just the thought of you can drive me wild

Ohh you make me smile

Ohh you make me smile

Ohh you make me smile

thanks for making me smile. I miss you :)

Things I'm grateful for:

1) Having a good chat over dinner with Jin, Tommy, and Tom.

2) A very encouraging week at uni

3) My dad's safe return from Sydney

4) Yvonne and Alvin's visit from Singapore

5) Laughter.

Chunky Soup with Puff Pastry..YUM!

Booyah! I'm gonna attempt to cook that tmr night :) After whipping up a chicken and prawn risotto and a ox tail stew in my first week of the hols, I've gotten quite lazy. So I thought I'll cook something cool for Jules before she leaves for Europe on Friday.

She'll be gone for 3 weeks. I know I'll miss her.

Monday night BSF was fun. What was so fun? I got to park in the handicap parking lot so I didn't have to walk for 200m to get into the church. I got to meet a few cool new pple at combined fellowship. I got to pull heaps of Yin-Yang and Singapore's>Malaysia jokes.

But most of all, I had a awesome chat with Tim over coffee to celebrate the end of his exams :) Everyone craves for friends that genuinely love and accept them for who they are. Friends whom they can just be themselves with. Tim's one of those friends to me, and I really thank God for him. He's going away to Canada for the whole of next semester! Ah, I think Sunday's would be very different without him around.

Two weeks on from breaking my ankle: I wish God gave us unbreakable bones.

I was reading the BSF notes today and something really stood out. It read:

"Instead of following a routine of merely obvious actions and decisions, let us first acknowledge God by prayer in all our ways so that He may direct our paths into His ways (Proverbs 3:5-6), resulting in new reactions and meaningful attitudes. Sometimes the good is the enemy of the best."

Jesus' dear friend, Lazarus, was dying from a terminal illness in a location that was a day's journey from where He was. Jesus loved Lazarus dearly and wanted to go back immediately to heal him. But he deliberately waited two whole days before traveling back in accordance to the will of God.

Jesus was so in tune with God that he knew the perfect time for everything, even when it was contrary to the rational mind. This resulted in a far greater miracle and glory to God than if He had simply healed Lazarus. It resulted in the development of Martha's faith and confounded all doubts that Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead (he had been dead for 4 days).

"Sometimes the good is the enemy of the best."

I know God wants the best for me. I just have to trust in Him enough and not rush into actions to resolve my problems impulsively.

3 blessings I'm grateful to God for:

1) My dad who works tirelessly to support my family

2) Laughter

3) The lesson He's going to teach me from my broken ankle

the path.

"You make me thank God for all the mistakes I made because each one led me down the path closer to you."

- Legend-wait for it-dary black dude from HIMYM.

4 hours of coffee

I had a 4 hour chat with Tracey over coffee today about starting a Christian t-shirt business. Jo somehow remembered that I had told her about this idea I had some time last year, and she told Tracey about me. I wasn't sure about how much help I would be, but time just flew by us as we were sitting there in Word bookshop. We talked about everything from t-shirt designs, market trends, business plans, personal goals, focus groups, marketing, etc.

She basically wants to start a business that produces custom-made t-shirts presenting Godly valued that are "uplifting" to the human soul. I thought about a very similar idea last year based on the fact that the Word of God is "living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart." (Heb 4:12) The Word of God has the power to feed the soul; the ability to bring deep satisfaction and fulfilment.

How effective would it be to display the Word of God on clothing?

"Jesus loves YOU. But I'm his favourite"

"Jesus PRAYS for YOU" - Hebrews 7:25

"Jesus LOVES the HELL out of you" - John 3:16

"He keeps me in PERFECT PEACE." - Isaiah 26:3

"I can do ALL things through HIM who gives me STRENGTH" - Philppians 4:13

I felt like I did something today helping Tracey get a clearer idea on how to pursue her dream. Quite often, I get crazy and fun ideas that pop up in my mind just like bubbles. They amuse me for just a little while and then they go "pop!" The next time I get a bubble in my mind, I wanna take a good look at it, capture its reflections, and then pursue it even after it pops.

I CAN'T believe Kaka got sent off against Ivory Coast last night. He's such a legend of the game with such a humble spirit. He doesn't deserve a red card just because some dude felt like randomly falling over and whining cuz his mum didn't give him a gun for his 1st b'day present. Seriously, Abdul Kader Keïta, you are a bloody diver and I've lost all respect for you. Grow some balls, and a conscience while you're at it.

I miss fishing. It's less than 2 weeks since I broke my ankle, but it already feels like forever! :( I wanna go fishing. I wanna run. I wanna be able to walk to the toilet.

3 blessings I'm grateful for:

1) Friends who truly love the Lord (Mink, you're someone who really inspires me :D)

2) Memories of both the good and the bad

3) The breath I just took

Brush Your Teeth!

A new medical study shows that individuals who do not brush their teeth twice a day have an increased risk of heart disease.

"Kids, brush your teeth or you'll get a heart attack!"

Yesterday was pretty cool, Sharon, Nick, and Jules came over to visit me at different times of the day. I had good conversations and a fun night :)

Thanks guys, you're awesome.

I learnt how to play "Banana Pancakes" by Jack Johnson yesterday. My finger tips felt so sore from all the hammering and sliding. It's a song that I've always wanted to learn. I'm glad that I actually took the time to sit down and learn it.

Can't you see that it's just raining

Ain't no need to go outside...

But baby, you hardly even notice

When I try to show you this

Song is meant to keep ya

From doing what you're supposed to

Like waking up too early

Maybe we can sleep in

I'll make you banana pancakes

Pretend like it's the weekend now

And we could pretend it all the time

Can't you see that it's just raining

Ain't no need to go outside

But just maybe, laka ukulele

Mommy made a baby

Really don't mind the breakfast

'cause you're my little lady

Lady lady love me

'cause I love to lay here lazy

We could close the curtains

Pretend like there's no world outside

And we could pretend it all the time

Can't you see that it's just raining

Ain't no need to go outside

Ain't no need ain't no need Mmmm MMmmm

Can't you see can't you see

Rain all day

And I don't mind.

The telephone is singing

Ringing it's too early

Don't pick it up

We don't need to we got everything

We need right here

And everything we need is enough

Just so easy

When the whole world fits inside of your arms

Don't really need to pay attention to the alarm

Wake up slow, yeah wake up slow

You hardly even notice

When I try to show you this

Song is meant to keep ya

From doing what your supposed to

Like waking up too early

Maybe we can sleep in

I'll make you banana pancakes

Pretend like it's the weekend now

And we could pretend it all the time

Can't you see that it's just raining

Ain't no need to go outside

Ain't no need, ain't no need

Rain all day and I really really really don't mind

Can't you see can't you see,

You gotta wake up slow

So I was reading the Word yesterday (Mark 5:21-43) about how Jesus healed a woman who was sick for 12 years. She had haemophilia, which meant that she bled really easily and couldn't stop bleeding. She was damaged not just physically, but also socially and psychologically as she would have been ostracised by the Jewish community. ONE DAY, in a single MOMENT, Jesus came along and healed her.

In the same place was Jairus, a rich and happy Jewish politician, had all he ever wanted - a happy family, fame, wealth, and a nice camel to ride on. Yet ONE DAY, in a single MOMENT, his world was crushed at the news that his daughter died. Though Jesus raised his daughter back to life later on.

"Ignoring what they said, Jesus told the synagogue ruler [Jairus], "Don't be afraid; just believe." - Mark 5:36

Point is: we don't know what the next moment holds. We can be suffering for 12 years, or living in bliss for 12 years, and it can all change in one SINGLE moment. So I'm going to be close to the Lord always; praying and building my relationship and faith in Him. I'm not going to be living in ignorant bliss or wallowing in suffering because I know that it can and WILL change in just a single moment :)

I'm gonna watch the Australia vs Ghana match at Dan's place tonight. Hopefully it'll be an entertaining match! :)

3 blessings I'm grateful for:

1) Julia Donald

2) Not waking up to watch the England vs Algeria game this morning

3) A loving God.

Breaking Seeds. Sowing Ankles.

I broke my ankle last Wednesday while playing mixed Futsal. A desperate stretch to take a shot on goal landed me with a spiral fracture to my lateral malleolus and a purple cast which I will have to leave on for the next 6 weeks :(

I was rushed to the hospital straight from the futsal match by my dear friend, Shaz. The doctor didn't bother to wash or sterilise my sweaty skin before casting up my ankle. I'm not allowed wet the cast, so that means that the dirty skin underneath would be uncleaned for 42 days. I sure hope I don't find anything green or black growing on my skin when I get the cast removed.

So.. I decided to revive my blog being filled with inspiration after reading Mink's blog.

I just finished watching "500 Days of Summer". I loved every lame joke and every awkward moment in that movie. Near the end, the narrator reads:

"Most days of the year are unremarkable. They begin, and they end, with no lasting memories made in between. Most days have no impact on the course of life. But the 23rd of May was a Wednesday..."

It is quite true that very few lasting memories are made in between most days of the year. Yet I believe that every day endows lessons and memories, be they significant or not, that shape our mindsets and influence our thoughts, words, and actions. They are the sum of who we are. They are forgotten not because they're not important; they are forgotten simply because we do not remember them.

So I've decided to make short posts about what God's taught me through each day lest I forget.

"Still others, like seed sown among thorns, hear the word; but the worries of this life, the deceitfulness of wealth and the desires for other things come in and choke the word, making it unfruitful." - Mark 4:18

I felt convicted when I read that passage today because I know that I've been subject to these 3 pitfalls: worries, greed, and discontentment.

The seed is the Word of God which brings freedom from sin, freedom from the fear of death, freedom to forgive, freedom to love, eternal life, joy and peace. Yet I know that I have been "unfruitful" because I worry about my future. I worry about my relationships. I worry about whether my friends will remain true. I worry about whether I'll get a job that I enjoy doing; about whether I will earn enough money; about getting an iPhone 4; about getting a bigger and better house, about getting a spiffy car. I worry about soo many things.

I know that all worries, greed and discontentment draws my attention away from the things of God. So I'm going to trust God to provide for my needs and I'm going to focus my time, finances, and attention into doing his will.

"The happy man is not the one who gets what he wants but the one who wants what he gets." - some wise dude

I'll finish off with a completely unrelated medical piece of information. An experienced doctor once told me: "Your diet doesn't affect acne at all."

I was like: "What? Are you sure?"

Experienced Dr: "Prove me wrong!"

I can still remember the smug look on his face when he said that.

Dear Dr. Smug-face,

"Population-based and migration studies have suggested a correlation between diet and acne. Large, well-controlled, observational studies have demonstrated that diets high in dairy products are associated with an increase in the risk for and severity of acne. Researchers have found significant associations between all varieties of cow's milk and acne. The relationship between milk and acne severity may be explained by the presence in dairy of normal reproductive steroid hormones or the enhanced production of polypeptide hormones such as IGF-1, which can increase androgen exposure, and thus, acne risk. Recent findings also describe an association between a high-glycemic-index diet and longer acne duration. In addition, randomized clinical trials have demonstrated that a low-glycemic-load diet can influence hormonal levels and improve insulin sensitivity and acne. No study has established a positive association between acne and chocolate, saturated fat, or salt intake."

Yours truly,

Skin Therapy Letter. 2010; 15(3):1-2.

P.S. Try to have some respect for your patient's queries in the future.

Three things I'm grateful to God for:

1) The powerful gust of wind that woke me up. I actually thought the rapture was happening!

2) My dad, mum, sis, and granny who've been waiting on me in love

3) Love.