Filed under day to day …

Feb 16 2012
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day to day, travel

respect

During the trip to Singapore, I attended the Sunday service at the St. George’s Church. It’s an amazing old architecture made of red bricks, I just can’t take my eyes away from the ceiling and the walls etc. The church was so full of people and there were barely seats left by the time I arrived and thus have to sit all the way at the very last row near the control panel at the end of the room. And there were still people flocking in and they sat on the floor with their young kids. There were almost 10+ kids next to me running and chasing each other like they were in the park or Disneyland. Ok, I tell myself, it’s fine…they are kids and they don’t really know what they are doing. But the parents just gazed at them smiling and letting them do whatever they want to do. I am wondering, do you realize you need to behave in a church and so are your kids? Anyway, I continue my worship and trying to keep my head focused. But then later on, I must admit that the pastor’s sermon is really quite flat and sorry to say that it’s not engaging me, then I notice many people near me they are just checking emails with their phones and they completely surrender – they don’t even bother to try to listen. And I recall once I went to a church discussion panel at night after work, one lady who sat at the very front row of the room actually was playing game with her iPad while the speaker was speaking just like 2 arms’ length away from her – my jaw dropped.  We all should respect the people around us, and not to mention when we are Christians. My friend told me a lot of the people attend the church service like as if it’s a social function, and we both said — at least they go and God will be in action.

Daily Quote
Whoever scorns instruction will pay for it, but whoever respects a command is rewarded.
Proverbs 13:13

I pray to God that we use our head, hand and heart to love God.

Postscript Quote
Submission is not about authority and it is not obedience; it is all about relationships of love and respect.
William P. Young, The Shack

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Feb 10 2012
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day to day

variety

I am heading to Singapore in a few hours, and will be meeting up super good friends over there who used to be my HK church buddy as well. And there is a chance I will checking out the Singapore church this Sunday. This is going to be interesting as I always like to check things out always, I change hair stylist almost every single time, I always find different way to commute to and from office, and I like to go to different church services just to see how different church does their things and speak to their congregations. And of course I love to see the different pastors their style, their gifts and their spirit. It’s important that we all see enough to decide what work for us and I hear friends who have bad experience with one or two church and then conclude that Christianity does not work for them. It’s a pity to hear this kind of things as these people obviously have not seen the fair side of the situation. Let me come back to you guys and let you know how I find the Singapore church!

Daily Quote
We ought always to thank God for you, brothers and sisters, and rightly so, because your faith is growing more and more, and the love all of you have for one another is increasing.
2 Thessalonians 1:3 

I pray to God that I would be diverse and be loyal at the same time to His teachings.

Postscript Quote
The finest souls are those that have the most variety and suppleness.
Michel de Montaigne

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Feb 08 2012
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day to day

what wakes you up in the middle of the night?

It never really takes me more than 3 min to fall asleep and I would sleep like a log or corpse to be exact till the very next morning. Every single morning in my early prayer, I thank God for giving me this amazing blessing in sleep, that it’s sound and I still can wake up the time I need to. But last night was sooo different, I think I at least woke up 3 times having illusion it’s time to work coz I committed to wake my colleague up at 6am this morning. Thus I kept on feeling so worried inside me that it woke me over and over again. I wouldn’t even act like that when I have morning flight to catch, it’s amazing! When I need to be responsible, I would be ‘that’ responsible. In today’s morning prayer, I spoke to God and confessed to him that I did not leave things to him enough, but I thought if God needs to take care of all these ‘nitty gritty’ things, He must be crazy busy, but He is God, I still tend to leave too many things in my ‘jurisdiction’ and not just about this waking thing, it’s in general, I still tend to feel that I am in charge, which as we grow older, we realize things are not really up to us, so, worry less as there are always worries for tomorrow and just leave those to God’s plan. I need to get this in my head more otherwise I am acting God in my own life. My colleague has loads to work and I am glad at least I remind her to pray for God’s power, and don’t feel despair.

Daily Quote
For Christ did not enter a sanctuary made with human hands that was only a copy of the true one; he entered heaven itself, now to appear for us in God’s presence.
Hebrews 9:24

I pray to God that I will submit myself humbly and surrender all of myself to Him, and trust Him He would be preparing me my current life for the eternal one ahead.

Postscript Quote
He who makes himself his own master subjects himself to a fool for a master.
Bernard

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Feb 07 2012
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day to day

be nice

I took a same day trip to Shanghai yesterday for biz and on the road I listened to Rick Warren’s podcast. It’s so interesting to hear a few pastors chatting with each other about challenges they see and things going on daily. Rick quoted there was a time he was doing grocery, and the guy in front of him after writing all the check, getting the loads of food all packed, and suddenly remember he needed 2 20KG ice bags! And looked super apologetic and told the cashier he needs to get those back, and the cashier asked if Rick mind the wait again, Rick said it’s perfectly fine and the guy could even ring the ice on his tab and he can take care of those. The cashier looked at Rick at awe and said “who are you?” and the guy behind Rick answered the cashier saying Rick is from the Saddleback Church. The cashier said: “I have a 29 year old daughter and I want her to speak to you!” The topic of this podcast is The Importance of Evangelism for Church Growth. Rick pointed out something really cool but simple is that he said: we just have to be nice to people, people will feel the difference, and actually people are watching. No matter what tee you are wearing or what bumper sticker you are putting up saying quote from the scripture, all you have to do is just be nice to people and they would be interested to know further. It’s so true! I am not nice all the time, and I am hoping I can hold this thought close to my chest and act it out.

Daily Quote
I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you.
John 15:15

I pray to God that each of us will be His evangelist, and we could bring the best of His character running in us everywhere we go presenting to each and everyone we meet.

Postscript Quote
A person who is nice to you, but rude to the waiter, is not a nice person.
Dave Barry

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Feb 03 2012
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day to day

rising with china

China and the way her people spends has always been the spotlight in many people’s lives especially those of HK people’s. Most of the street level retail spaces have become high end brands on timepiece, fashion and jewellery. It’s been a joke on a radio show by the host who said if you are getting hungry in Causeway Bay, you can consider to change your diet by eating watches. And I read from time to time that some countries or companies overseas refused to be acquired by Chinese entrepreneurs. I just read from the NY Times that China is considering to step in to relieve the European economical crisis by lending money to them, or actually pumping funds to the IMF – International Monetary Fund. It’s quite amazing how our fellow Chinese government and the people are equipped with massive funds and letting them pursue a lot of things they desire. There was once I hear on the podcast about a pastor teaching the scripture, he asked the congregation which is easier for them: to feel the pain of those who are in pain, or to feel the joy of those who are in success. At first I thought to myself, I would think it’s the former. But the pastor said it is the latter, it’s hard to be as happy when someone else is succeeding. I think this might be the case for people’s feeling towards China? It has to do a lot with the attitude of the Chinese people, but has it been our perception as well? Lets stay simple in interpreting their intention and action, I believe we need to simplify ourselves then putting a lot of personal interpretation and values in different situations.

Daily Quote
What no eye has seen, what no ear has heard, and what no human mind has conceived— the things God has prepared for those who love him
1 Corinthians 2:19

I pray to God that I will be able to keep a simple mind and be a simple kind.

Postscript Quote
When the solution is simple, God is answering.
Albert Einstein

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Feb 02 2012
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culture, day to day

slow and glow

Colleague just returned from Manila coz it’s her first time visiting the country and what struck her is that she finds the people extremely laid back and in our definition, it’s slow. This coincides my friend’s facebook posting about her serving experience in Kolkata India, that things are simply ssslow. And my friend has always been the type of people which things must be done strategically to stay efficient and effective: using the least time or effort to achieve the same satisfactory result. My friend always queries or challenges how things are done when she’s in HK. She is extremely smart so most things done her ways could almost be considered the ‘best’ approach, thus she is always curious about other people’s approach of treating things, and just want to see if there are room for her own improvement. But where she lives now, so many things are out of control: the language, the people, the place, values – all things are new and different. She couldn’t work things out the way she wants, and she realizes it’s just a time she has to surrender to God by appreciating the way things are set up. If people are laid back, just relax and don’t be anxious. My sermon this morning on iPod by Ken Sparks says: it’s just temptation God is giving us. Jesus is thrown in the desert to confront Satan, Job is being tested by God also, if we understand the principle and value, we will realize those are just temptation or test and stand firm, the process could be a pain, but it would be over. If work is not going right, if health is an issue, if people depress you, if finances is going downhill…ask God to take the suffering away from you. He will lift you up.

Daily Quote
My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry,
James 1:19

I pray to God that I will be clear to see and understand that tough things I see in life is simply a mid-term exam God gives me.

Postscript Quote
Let us touch the dying, the poor, the lonely and the unwanted according to the graces we have received and let us not to be ashamed or slow to do the humble work.
Mother Teresa of Calcutta

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Jan 26 2012
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day to day

brain train

I have always wanted to increase or improve memory and got attracted by a Harvard Business Review article on training your brain to focus – visit this to read further. Instead of the pretty normal and predictable suggestion such as eating well, sleep more and work out generously, it suggests us to stay positive coz an improved emotional balance will improve our performance. And there is a short quiz for you to measure your current positivity ratio: take the test by clicking here. It’s amazing how this article gels with God’s teaching – in Proverbs 23:7 it says: For as He thinks in his heart, so is he. If we truly believes God will carry His promise, then all things will work out ultimately. I love the saying I heard from a Christian radio channel in New York he says: God may not be early, but He is never late.

Daily Quote
God has begun a good work in me, and He is well able to bring it to full completion.
Philippians 1:6

I pray to God that I will wait, and wait and wait for God’s promises for me to come true. Coz He promises me.

Postscript Quote
Your past does not have to be your future.
Anonymous 

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Jan 23 2012
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day to day

let the dragon roar

It’s the 1st day of Chinese New Year today – wish you all a very prosperous and auspicious year of the Dragon! Saw soo many fortune tellers forecasting each sign’s fortune for this year on TV, my curiosity drove my ears closer when my sign’s commentaries are announced…SORRY GOD! It’s just so interesting to see what they speak about you making you all think it’s so accurate and specific. I know this is a long standing art and culture – but when you think deeper all things they quote are universal such as: drive more carefully, beware when you are in the water, there could be another person getting in your relationship so be patient with your partner, an opposite gender would give you a lift in your career, mind the big mouth and so careful what you do etc etc. These are all time, life long ‘wisdom’ day in and day out no matter where you are and what you do. I am sure everyone is wise enough to understand this but we just all want to know the ‘future’ in advance. We want to feel prepared and secured. But we forget the utmost important rule of thumb is that if you are following the truth & path – which God has commanded, then we all would arrive at the same destination – the eternal land of God. It’s just our process will differ, but we will land our feet at the very same place, so basically we know our future already. Happy New Year!

Daily Quote
Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.
Matthew 7:7-8

I pray to God that I will rely on Him and trust that He will give me the best, if I obey, follow and submit.

Postscript Quote
Do not dwell in the past, do not dream of the future, concentrate the mind on the present moment. Buddha

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Jan 20 2012
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day to day

angry bird

I told my colleague that she should read or at least listen to the topic “How to live beyond your feelings” as both myself and her all live super emotionally. And I have a friend who has problem with anger. She could be lit up like a matches striking against the match box, she would go horrendous and sometimes I joke saying if there is weapon or knife in front of her, I would see her behind bars. She just doesn’t know how to deal with her emotions and I told her to check further about anger management. But I don’t know how to help besides praying for her. I pray to God that He can bring her to follow Him and it would be such an amazing conversion if she accepts Him as her Christ, coz she is an atheist as she believes in herself and will power only. She is a great sportsman because she spends her energy drilling her skills and that is her persistence that she relies on, but nothing else. However, I tried to explain to her that she could also use her strong will power in managing her anger, but I don’t know the tricks to doing that. It’s like you have this super powerful machine in front of you, but you just don’t know how to operate it. I told her she can do it – managing her anger if she wants to. But we got stuck at the point – how to make it happen? Joyce Meyer in her sermons says we just have to use the peace, but where is the peace and how can I get peace I ask myself. I know I have to pray but what if non-believer don’t know how to pray? Then Joyce mentioned that peace already is in us, we just have to use it coz God has given the peace in us ALREADY. I am stunned at this point, coz I think that is actually the case. It’s like we all have wisdom, just use it. I am yet to get there to see how further I can manage my emotions, but I think this is a good start! I hope my Angry Bird friend will one day master her anger and transform the power into something positive.

Daily Quote
Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.
Ephesians 6:13

I pray to God that I will be able to use His gifts to manage my emotions and use it with wisdom.

Postscript Quote
You can feel wrong and still do what is right.
Joyce Meyer

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Jan 19 2012
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day to day

able to be stable

It’s not a very encouraging news in the new year to get to know a dear colleague has decided to move to Shanghai and explore a new career course, plus the person our studio has been waiting up on from New York since last August, he suddenly decided not to join us after we have applied and successfully gotten his working visa in HK. It’s not the end of the world but it’s just not very encouraging. My little colleague said we must hate her for her decision, which is totally not true as the studio’s ultimate goal is that we use our creativity to make an impact on the society which at the same time will fulfill us, and the most obvious outcome is that we all would feel happy with our work. If my colleague will feel happier elsewhere, then she needs to move on and get there. But what my learning through the situations is that, me and my boss are extremely calm and stable. We just sit down and think things through and find out what the quickest solution and what could be done to make things better. Joyce Meyer’s sermons this morning for me on Podcast is about how to be stable. To be stable, we cannot let our emotions overtake us and bring us where it wants to be. To be stable is to feel joyful even we can’t land at where you want to be. This requires extreme discipline and submission of ourselves to God and let Him handle the situation. I never realize it’s so important to be stable, not until I recall I used to work with a person who is extremely moody and emotional, every time when I sense that there are things which could set her off, I felt terrified coz I just hate to see things explode and she gave me that pressure. This will be a reminder to me that I can never let myself behave similarly, we have to make ourselves emotionally stable, and that is one of the best way to show our love.

Daily Quote
The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.
Exodus 14:14

I pray to God that I will remain calm and stable and He would empower me to keep my temper in place.

Postscript Quote
Always remember that the most important thing in a good marriage is not happiness, but stability.
Gabriel Garcia Marquez

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