Ephesians 3:17-19
"And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge."
As I listened to my daily podcast of bible verses, every few chapters of the books of the Pentateuch and book of the prophets keep mentioning of the valiant success and then pitiful failures of the nation of Israel.
It's really sad to listen to the accounts of God's people forgetting God and then suffering the consequences.
It is also then that i came to the realisation that we are ungrateful beings. Short-termed memory, never satisfied, always complaining. These are just some of the key traits found in all of us. In many instances, we receive easily and forget too easily the source of our life and goodness.
I can't tell you how to not be forgetful, simply because I too view myself and recognise the flaws of my wretched life. But I pray we can remember the simple truth that God so loved the world that we were individually loved and saved.
M.
Whoever loves money never has money enough; whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with his income. This too is meaningless. (Ecclesiastes 5:10)
11 June 2009
09 June 2009
Parting is such sorrow
The last 2 days were dedicated to the round-up camp. During which I deeply pondered why the older rangers didn't attend or even prioritise to attend it. Disappointing as it was to see them make sure poor decisions, during the moment of thought I realised that it was a costly affair to have so many commanders sacrifice their expensive hours being there for the fewer than expected rangers.
As I lazed in the mid morning sun yesterday, it dawned upon me that I sacrificed 1 precious day of leave just to be there and that itself is worth more than $300 per day based on the salary I draw. How incredibly scary to waste away such money just to take leave to supervise kids and occasionally stone by the beach doing tribal, kampong like activities! Especially if I can better utilise it on a personal holiday overseas.
However, as I left the campers last night at midnight and journeyed home, I discovered that I was dragging my foot and my heart was left behind with the companionship of the kids. I had enjoyed myself amidst their laughter, annoying characters and childish innocence and parting was now such a sorrow. I would have sacrifice much just to be back there and not have to go to work.
Today, I came to work with a heavy heart because I really wanted to be there with the kids as they journeyed to the last of the camp's activities. Working really sucked and had little value compared to being there in the camp. Sadly, as a new employee I cannot afford to take that additional day and I also had 2 important meetings to be in. (which I deem as marginally time wasting, based on my current mellow mood)
I cannot imagine why anyone would prioritise any secular life over christian fellowship and being there with the young, impressionable lives. As the night sermon asked: "How much is your life worth?". I come to realise that my secular life is truely expensive in terms of dollars per hours, but it pales in comparision with the value of being there for and with the kids.
As I look at the time, I know the kids are probably screaming in joy playing Nintendo Wii as they countdown the hours to the end of the camp. To be here working, I earned hundreds of dollars. But to be there with the rangers in camp, priceless.
M.
Psalm 84:10: Better is one day in your courts than a thousand elsewhere
As I lazed in the mid morning sun yesterday, it dawned upon me that I sacrificed 1 precious day of leave just to be there and that itself is worth more than $300 per day based on the salary I draw. How incredibly scary to waste away such money just to take leave to supervise kids and occasionally stone by the beach doing tribal, kampong like activities! Especially if I can better utilise it on a personal holiday overseas.
However, as I left the campers last night at midnight and journeyed home, I discovered that I was dragging my foot and my heart was left behind with the companionship of the kids. I had enjoyed myself amidst their laughter, annoying characters and childish innocence and parting was now such a sorrow. I would have sacrifice much just to be back there and not have to go to work.
Today, I came to work with a heavy heart because I really wanted to be there with the kids as they journeyed to the last of the camp's activities. Working really sucked and had little value compared to being there in the camp. Sadly, as a new employee I cannot afford to take that additional day and I also had 2 important meetings to be in. (which I deem as marginally time wasting, based on my current mellow mood)
I cannot imagine why anyone would prioritise any secular life over christian fellowship and being there with the young, impressionable lives. As the night sermon asked: "How much is your life worth?". I come to realise that my secular life is truely expensive in terms of dollars per hours, but it pales in comparision with the value of being there for and with the kids.
As I look at the time, I know the kids are probably screaming in joy playing Nintendo Wii as they countdown the hours to the end of the camp. To be here working, I earned hundreds of dollars. But to be there with the rangers in camp, priceless.
M.
Psalm 84:10: Better is one day in your courts than a thousand elsewhere
04 June 2009
I am blessed
I never imagined that I'll write this, but it really dawned upon me sometime when I got my current job offer that I am blessed. To write it another way, my life is blessed.
I am where I am without trying very hard. Sure I work hard and know I do great work. But still, to be in work positions which are specially suited to fit me and to be in places that gives me good salary advancement as well as meet my ever picky needs, how many can truely boast that life gives them a good hand everytime.
Sometime in my last job when there was a christmas & chinese new year celebration respectively, I told everyone that I will surely get a lucky draw prize. I didn't get the best, but I just know that inspite of the odds of getting a prize I just would get something. So, I did get something and everyone also remarked that I'm truely very 'heng'.
For a long while, I have been dying to leave my old job. I tried ways and means to, but I was also very selective because I knew what I liked to do, and what made me enjoy working. Part of the criteria was to avoid having multiple rounds of interview. All of which I received in my current job.
Why am I blessed? As I walked back last week, I realised that in the nine years of working, I've never suffered a salary freeze despite the different economic cycles. In fact, I've seen my salary increase regulary and in a sizeable amount too. I've always enjoyed jobs which allows me to take leave to attend my camps and holidays as and when I liked. Importantly, I'm in a role which allows me to do what I love to do. Even in the worst conditions, when I can't do anything more, God always seem to complete what I omitted or can't do. In times where it matters, I find favour in the eyes of others.
I look at my life and am grateful for being in the place I am and enjoying the things around me because God has given me a good hand of cards to enjoy. I am truely blessed.
M.
Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever You had formed the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, You are God. —Psalm 90:2
I am where I am without trying very hard. Sure I work hard and know I do great work. But still, to be in work positions which are specially suited to fit me and to be in places that gives me good salary advancement as well as meet my ever picky needs, how many can truely boast that life gives them a good hand everytime.
Sometime in my last job when there was a christmas & chinese new year celebration respectively, I told everyone that I will surely get a lucky draw prize. I didn't get the best, but I just know that inspite of the odds of getting a prize I just would get something. So, I did get something and everyone also remarked that I'm truely very 'heng'.
For a long while, I have been dying to leave my old job. I tried ways and means to, but I was also very selective because I knew what I liked to do, and what made me enjoy working. Part of the criteria was to avoid having multiple rounds of interview. All of which I received in my current job.
Why am I blessed? As I walked back last week, I realised that in the nine years of working, I've never suffered a salary freeze despite the different economic cycles. In fact, I've seen my salary increase regulary and in a sizeable amount too. I've always enjoyed jobs which allows me to take leave to attend my camps and holidays as and when I liked. Importantly, I'm in a role which allows me to do what I love to do. Even in the worst conditions, when I can't do anything more, God always seem to complete what I omitted or can't do. In times where it matters, I find favour in the eyes of others.
I look at my life and am grateful for being in the place I am and enjoying the things around me because God has given me a good hand of cards to enjoy. I am truely blessed.
M.
Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever You had formed the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, You are God. —Psalm 90:2