Thursday, December 31, 2009

Supernatural Hope for 2010

As we look forward once again to the turning of the calendar, many of us have come to the threshold of 2010 carrying heavy concerns either for ourselves– or for others.

So it might be worth thinking together about a statement that the Apostle Paul wrote in the middle of his own problems and concerns for others. The words I’m thinking of occur toward the end of his letter to the Romans. No stranger to trouble or conflict, he wrote,

“For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope (Rom 15:4).

A few statements later he again expresses that desire for his readers when he writes,

“Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Spirit” (v 13).

Have been thinking about how the Scriptures (v4) and Spirit (v 13) Paul is referring to are a basis of personal patience, comfort, and hope– that is “supernatural”…

How do the Scriptures give us perspective? How do they put us in touch with the Comforter we need? How does this inspire the courage that is necessary to patiently endure our fears?

As we move to the end of the year, would be interested in hearing from those who have begun to get even a small glimpse of how– through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures– and the “Comforter” Jesus promised– to find hope.

Tuesday, December 29, 2009

2 secs on the surf board

Surfing in Cherating. Well, I almost did it...was standing on the surfboard for 2secs before getting dumped back into the sea.
Had my first taste in surfing over last Christmas weekend. Drove to Kuantan with Michelle after a nice Christmas lunch with her parents at Plaza Damas. We tried a Jap-Western fusion lunch at La Yosh restaurant.
In Kuantan, we stayed with the MTB gang; Kenny, Debbie, Lee, Yap & Lydia. Too bad we were not into MTB...yet...as we missed their ride at Sg Lembing. So Sat morning after breakfast, the MTB gang went one way and surfer wannabes went the other. Together with Bernard & Lina, off we headed to Cherating.
I must say surfing is a lot harder than it looks. I decided to do some open water swimming instead while Michelle became a surfer girl.
As for me, I tried and was a 2 seconds surfer. Bummer!

Friday, December 25, 2009

Meaning of Christmas

It's the time of the year where everyone wishes each other "Merry Christmas" and it's everywhere.

Merry merry merry merry Christmas!!!!

Yes, it's a nice warm feeling but does everyone know what Christmas is all about?

Merry Christmas...what does it mean??

Happy New Year is...well, what else but a new year according to the calender we are using.
Gong Xi Fa Cai...chinese celebrating their new year according to the lunar calendar
Deepavali...celebration of good over evil
Hari Raya Aidilfitri...time for forgiveness and strengthening bonds with each other

Christmas...is not just a one day celebration. We should remember it everyday for it means the birth of Jesus Christ, son of God, for God loves us so much that He send His Son down to earth to be born as a man. Why?

Read on...




By Martha Noebel

CBN.com - It's that time of year again. December has come and with it all the joys of Christmas. But what is the real meaning of Christmas? Is it the gifts under the tree, the lights in the windows, the cards in the mail, turkey dinners with family and friends, snow in the yard, stockings hanging in the living room, and shouts of "Merry Christmas" to those who pass us in the streets? Is this really Christmas?

For many people, Christmas is a time of sorrow. They don't have the extra money to buy presents for their children, family, and friends. Many are saddened at Christmastime when they think of their loved ones who will not be able to come home for various reasons. Turkey dinners may be only a wish and not a reality for some.

Yet, Christmas can be a season of great joy. It is a time of God showing His great love for us. It can be a time of healing and renewed strength. You see, Christmas is when we celebrate the birth of the Christ child. God sent His Son, Jesus, into the world to be born. His birth brought great joy to the world. Shepherds, wise men, and angels all shared in the excitement of knowing about this great event. They knew this was no ordinary baby. The prophets had told of His coming hundreds of years before. The star stopped over Bethlehem just to mark the way for those who were looking for this special child.

Luke 2: 4-19 says:"So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord.

This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger." Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests." When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let's go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about." So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart."

Why did He come? Why did God send His son to this sometimes cruel and hard world? He sent Jesus to us so that one day, He would grow up to become a very important part of history. His story (history) is one of truth, love, and hope. It brought salvation to all of us. Without Jesus, we would all die in our sins.

Jesus was born so one day the price could be paid for the things we have done that are wrong. The Bible says that all have sinned. We are all born with a sin nature. We do things that do not please God. Through the sins of Adam and Eve, we have all inherited that sin nature. We need to have that removed. The only way is through Jesus. Jesus came so He could die on the cross for ALL of our sins. If we believe that Jesus died for our sins, we can ask Him to come into our hearts and forgive us. Then, we are clean and made whole. We can know that heaven is a place where we can go to when this life is over.

"But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us and to cleanse us from every wrong." I John 1:9

We can truly be happy at Christmas! No matter what may be happening, we can know that we are His children. We then become sons and daughters of God. Heaven will be our home one day.
Look at Christmas in a new way this year. This is the year to invite Jesus into your heart. You will then have a "Merry Christmas." The joy and peace you will receive will last all year as you look to God for all your needs to be met.

Jesus Is The Reason For The Season! Rejoice!

Sunday, December 13, 2009

Good Shepherd


The qualities of a good shepherd are: to protect, provide, care and unite with deep and personal dedication to his sheep to the point of risking his life . Jesus, the Good Shepherd died for us, so that we can gain eternal life . Are we not infinitely blessed and eternally indebted to Him?

Saturday, December 12, 2009

To be or not to be...

Ironman Langkawi 2010 is less than 3 months away and I'm getting scared. Haven't done serious IM training, unlike last year where by now I was in Putrajaya roads at least 3 times a week. To do 1 discipline is fine but 3 in 1 in an iron distance is getting on my nerves. I'm getting worried...scared...totally not confident at all.

Today is the worst...so far. Planned to clock at least a 3hr ride but it all vanished when I instead did a 3hr sleep overdose! Oh no! Oh crap! Oh how!?!?!?!

Hmm...there is the 12hr Putrajaya walk tonight so maybe I should clock some mileage there.

Monday, December 7, 2009

Faith

In today’s Gospel, Jesus cured the blind man because of his strong belief that Jesus could cure him . When we pray to Jesus for our needs, we are called to focus on developing our relationship with Him and not solely on our needs . We should not be self-centred when we pray .

Sub4 but no PB

10km - 53min
15km - 1.19
20km - 1.44
30km - 2.33
40km - 3.40
42.195 - 3.53.32

Report coming soon...

Friday, December 4, 2009

Marathon...again



Standard Chartered Singapore Marathon 2009

Race: Full Marathon 42.195km

2nd marathon in Singapore
What is it gonna be?
How long will I take?
Is it a fast or is it a LSD?
1 more day and I'm gonna find out!
Just keep on rollin!


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