The Important Things

By now, a lot of people know me as the 'gifts person'. Gifts was always my love language.

While opening my Christmas presents, I realised things have changed.

Of course, I am so grateful for every present I received, and for every person who thought to give me something. Every item showed how well people know me and what I like. Big thank you!

But opening my presents felt a lot different this year. As lovely as each gift was, no longer are things what I really want (please don't take offence gift-givers!). 

Particularly during all the post-Christmas sales, where I would normally be happily and eagerly seeking out the best bargains on clothes, dvds and Christmas decorations for myself,this change came to a head.

I felt almost no desire at all to buy anything.

I still enjoyed the shopping experience, walking around looking at things, helping the Yeap boys choose their clothes, being among the bustling crowds... 

I stood in JB Hi-Fi, looking at all the super cheap dvds that I could buy, and once upon a time, would have definitely bought in an instant. But, I felt absolutely no pull to do so. Sure, it'd be nice to have those things, but I found myself not wanting them.

This is quite a turning point for me. I feel like I've always known what was important and what was not, but now I cannot be held back from pursuing the important by a desire for the unimportant, because that desire is just not there any more.

In this season, there are only two things I really want. Want, as in, I can feel my heart burn when I think about them. (Ask me and I'll share.) Everything else doesn't seem to matter much any more. And I praise God for that. 

Here's to a new season without the distractions.

K

 

God My Strength

"Psalm 18: 1-3
 I love you, O Lord my Strength.


The Lord is my Rock, my fortress, my deliverer; 
my God is my rock in whom I take refuge.
He is my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold
I call to the Lord, who is worthy of praise,
and am saved from my enemies."

When facing hard times, God is everything you need. He is the unassailable and immovable rock. Seek refuge in His fortress. Hide behind his impenetrable shield.

God is not only with you through difficult situations, or painful circumstances, but he is protecting you and wrapping you in His love.

Opinions

Last weekend, I did 2 lots of taste testing for a market research company. And for my troubles, I was paid $100 in grocery gift cards.

I've been asked, and paid, for my opinion on breakfast cereals, milk, lamb, beef, ice cream, websites, fish burgers and more.

But much less often are we asked for or actively seeked after for our opinion on God and the 'spiritual things' in life.

Put it this way: no one is going to pay me for my thoughts on Jesus and Christianity. Rather, it's those thoughts that often people would prefer not to hear, which is a shame because perhaps it's those thoughts (our testimony) that they need to hear most.

In the grand scheme of things, my opinion on which ice cream was yummier will not matter much. It probably won't be remembered in a few years time, it won't help a life and it won't save a life.

But my opinion, thoughts and testimony about God and who He has shown Himself to be - that can make a difference.

So.. make sure you give the opinions that matter, even if there is no obvious 'payoff' straight away. You never know what God can do with your voice :)



K

Just worship

At times, I like to put on a worship CD.
One of my favourites is the "Songs For Communion" by Hillsong.
One of the beautiful songs written by Amanda Fergusson is very uplifting and makes me realise again how thankful I should be for the gift of God's Son.

An excerpt of lyrics:
"Son of God nailed upon a cross
Tender heart was broken for my sin
Loving face marked with blood and tears and dust
And I am overwhelmed
And all that I can say is

Thank you for the price You paid
Paying what no other could
Thank You for the price You paid
For the terrible cost of love"

Whatever trials I face or faults I have, I know that God loves me and knows my pain, since He went through even more. I am often tempted to feel unworthy of such love, but I think the least I can do for God who did so much for me, is to love Him back and accept the gift of His salvation, and His grace for every day.

No such thing as a self-made man.

"Know that the LORD is God.
It is he who made us, and we are his;
we are his people, the sheep of his pasture."
- Psalm 100:3


I went to a selective high school, so I think for a time something about that made me slightly arrogant.


We were smart, we worked hard, and in the end it usually paid off and we became doctors or lawyers or actuaries. And we, and our (very Asian) parents, are proud of our achievements. 


It's not that I ever looked down upon 'normal people' or treated them differently to the 'smart folk', but inside I thought myself special for my smartness and always wanted to come first, and when I did, it made me happy.


I look back now on how fixated I was on making something of myself, and it's both sad and funny. I look to the present to people I grew up with who are now successful lawyers and doctors and actuaries, but declare themselves atheists, and it's no longer funny, but incredibly sad.


I think talent without purpose can be a very dangerous thing. If you are ridiculously smart, can think and talk your way out of anything, and have made a financially comfortable life for yourself thanks to your smartness, why would you need God? Or rather, why would you ever consider needing God or looking for something more than what you are?


When I finally got the revelation that being the best (in worldly terms) cannot infallibly save you, I think it was very freeing. Sure, I still love succeeding in things and doing well and being excellent, but now I understand why and for whom I am succeeding. It is no longer for personal glory, but for His glory - which is infinitely more worth magnifying than my own.


There is no such thing as a self-made man; only those who haven't met God yet.


I hope they get to know Him soon.




K

What's going in?

There was a Sunday School song that we sang frequently when I was younger, and it goes a little bit like this:

"O be careful little eyes what you see

O be careful little eyes what you see

There's a Father up above

And He's looking down in love

So, be careful little eyes what you see

O be careful little ears what you hear

O be careful little ears what you hear

There's a Father up above

And He's looking down in love

So, be careful little ears what you hear"

There's more of the song, and it goes on to say to be careful of where you go, what you do, and what you say. So much wisdom in such a simple song.

I was thinking about this and began to think how true it is to have to be careful and intentional about what we experience daily through our senses. Because what we listen to, what we see, where we go, ultimately has influence on us.

Certain songs on the radio or even on my ipod for example. Some of them should never have been written (in my opinion)... they just kind of add to the noise. In it certain rappers refer to girls as female dogs, address them using derogatory names, and objectify women by means of their body parts. No wonder society seems to think it's ok- and even those within our own gender to call each other these names. It's so important to monitor what we listen to, because there are so many lies being strewn about.

That's what I've been challenging myself with lately, and I've been rifling through my music collection and getting rid of a lot of some songs that I think would not align with what God would want me to hear.

"Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things." - Philippians 4:8

What we have

On Sunday night I was listening to the radio before going to bed (FM103.2). They have an "Open House" program on where they discuss different issues and include interviews with interesting people. One of the interviews was with a man who wanted to live more like Jesus.

So he wrote down a list of the things Jesus told us to do in the Bible. The type of things included communion, and selling possessions and giving to the poor. So the man actually got together a group of his friends and they decided to sell half their possessions and give to the poor. One of the revelations that came out of this was that the things that they thought were valuable, were worthless to others.

I can think of some things that I own, that I hardly use, especially clothes and shoes. And I'm not even the type of person that buys much of fashion. Fortunately, I feel that what I have is more than enough. I don't want to sell anything (no time)...but I will reconsider buying or going shopping for clothes. For the past few months, I haven't gone shopping (for clothes, shoes, or accessories)...yet, I don't miss it. There are too many more important things to focus on. I don't think I will be buying anymore clothes for the next year either...except that I'm going to Malaysia next year. I'll only be getting what is absolutely necessary! Or on ridiculous sale!

I once read in a magazine that some women (average women?) spend $100 a month on clothes, or more. That's over $1000 a year. That's 2 children that could be sponsored through Compassion instead.

We need to be happy with what we've got, and stop wanting what others have. Then we will feel secure enough to be generous with what we do have.

Together As One

I thought Sunday night was pretty amazing. A single church was able to gather in Sydney Australia, almost pack an entire arena, glorifying the name of God. I think Pastor Brian mentioned that it was the largest turnout for any album recording in the history of album recordings. How amazing is it that we are a part of church that continues to grow and take ground?! I think it's pretty exciting.

And as I stood there among the thousands of people... I couldn't help but think: If this was to happen forever- if there was a never-ending praise, never-ending songs sung about God.... I don't think I'd mind it.

We'll be doing this in heaven forever right? I think doing it on Earth is good practise :).

Let's continue to press into him the last few months of this year! There's still the last leg of exams and hurdles left... but God is able to get us through it. And I don't know about you- it's been a pretty remarkable year. I've been reflecting a bit on what God has gotten me through, and all I can say is he is faithful!

Mark 2

Mark 2:16

And when the scribes and Pharisees saw Him eating with the tax collectors and sinners, they said to His disciples, "How is it that He eats and drinks with tax collectors and sinners?"

When Jesus heard it, He said to them, "Those who are well have no need of a physician but those who are sick. I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance."


A simple enough lesson here. Bring the broken, the sinners, the heavy-hearted, the diseased to taste from the word of God and fill their spiritual hunger.

Serving with gladness

"Serve the Lord with gladness.." - Psalm 100:2

Yesterday was a pretty full day: shop for spring roll party prize hamper stuff, come home and put the hampers together, marinate chicken wings for our CG table, eat lunch so I don't fall over, cook chicken wings, carry the hampers and church stuff to the car in the basement in 3 trips, get to church, help with setup, etc etc. And yesterday was hot. Mel said I looked tired by the end, and I physically was.

Not complaining; I'm so grateful to God that He made me efficient and capable of much.

I don't care how tired I get; I will never get tired of serving You. My life is not my own, and I don't think I really want it to be my own any more anyway.

Cooking chicken meant that my girls (and the boys :P) had a bit more to eat. Getting the hampers together meant more fun for everyone. Helping with setup meant that everyone actually had somewhere to sit and eat. Everybody happy :)

I don't think I can ever get tired of that kind of joy <3


K

Pruned and purged

Just wanted to share something that I came across this week- to anyone who is being pruned this season :)

It's from the book "Hinds' Feet on High Places" by Hannah Hurnard:

"I am my Love's and He is mine,

And this is His desire,

That with His beauty I may shine

In radiant attire.

And this will be - when all of me

Is pruned and purged with fire.

Come, my Beloved, let us go

Forth to the waiting field;

And where They choicest fruit trees grow,

Thy pruning knife now wield

That at Thy will and through Thy skill

Their richest store may yield.

And spices give a sweet perfume,

And vines show tender shoots,

And all my trees burst forth in bloom,

Fair buds from bitter roots.

There will not I my love deny,

But yield Thee pleasant fruits."

(Cant. 7:10-13)

Blessed

I'm so thankful that God knows what I need, when I need it, without me even asking.

I've been really blessed recently, with an influx of new friendships, and the deepening of others. I can see that God is preparing me for a new season, giving me opportunities to reach more people and love more people.

God has built in such a great capacity of love in all of us, reflective of His own - I can't wait to be able to start reaching more people with that love.

I 've been blessed that through past tribulations, I can now see the fruits of the trials, as my capacity is stretched and my perspective is evolved.

I've been blessed with trials and challenges, with new friendships, with amazing people around me.

So thankful - so humbled to be a beloved daughter of Christ, of our dear Father in Heaven.

I've always been, and always will be, Daddy's little girl. And so are you!

Encouragement

My grace is enough, it's all you need;

My strength comes into its own in your weakness.

Once I heard that, I was glad to let it happen. I quit focusing on the handicap and began appreciating the gift. It was a case of Christ's strength moving in on my weakness. Now I take limitations in stride, and with good cheer, these limitations that cut me down to size - abuse, accidents, opposition, bad breaks. I just let Christ take over! And so the weaker I get, the stronger I become" (Corinthians 12:8-10, message)

Sometimes life can get overwhelming, and we feel like everything we do is not enough. That may be true, but God's grace is enough. In every task, situation, or relationship, God's grace is enough.

Gratitude

No matter how busy or stressed or afflicted we are, it's so important to stay grateful.

We generally remember to thank God when He comes through for us in a big bind, but also take the time to thank God for all the little things too.

A good parking spot.

A nice meal (or even a not so nice one - a lot of people in the world don't have the luxury of choice like we do).

Just for getting you through your day.

"Every good and perfect gift is from above.." - James 1:17

Once we get that revelation that everything good comes from God, we'll realise just how many times a day we should be saying, "Thanks, Lord". :)

K

Good kind of angry

At Sisterhood United last night, Bobbie Houston talked about "Steeling our convictions".

1 Thessalonians 1:3-5

It is clear to us, friends, that God not only loves you very much but also has put his hand on you for something special. When the Message we preached came to you, it wasn't just words. Something happened in you. The Holy Spirit put steel in your convictions.

We can all agree that bullying is bad, or sex trafficking is bad. I don't think anyone would refute any of those statements.

But are those convictions producing actions? We might get moved, or get a little angry, but does that stir us on to do something about it?

I think sometimes I put a barrier up... I don't want to feel to much. I don't want to know too much. Because doing that might just cost me something.

It's not ok that there are 27million- more slaves now than any other time in history. And that girls are deceived into travelling to other countries because they are promised jobs, and are subsequently trapped and forced to service men sexually.

It's not ok that teens are being bullied in school, and as a consequence commit suicide.

It's not ok that there are children in Africa (even now) who are being abducted and forced to become child soldiers, and are made into stone cold killing machines.

I want to be able to put steel in my convictions, Holy Spirit help me. Because it's not ok. It really isn't. We are the church. And if not us, then who? And if not now, then when?

Always in line, never in love..

"I'm always in line, but I'm never in love.." - Thrive, Switchfoot

For me, I'm very good at following rules. I'm the obedient Asian kid who always does what she's told. When I was little, if I ever did get in trouble, I'd cry in a heartbeat. Respecting and listening to authority is relatively second nature for me.

This is both good and bad.

Praise God that this trait has kept me out of big trouble: no run-ins with the law, no major problems with parents, no super sour relationships..

But, it also makes it much easier to be task-oriented instead of people-oriented, and very surgical about things. Also, the risk of being judgmental of people who don't live by the book like you do.

It's not that I blindly follow; it's just that generally the rules I've been told to follow make sense to me and I have little desire to rebel.

But do I always have love in my actions? I hope more often than not.

"If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing." - 1 Corinthians 13:1-3

Obedience is great, but you cannot lose the love in it - then, chances are you'll eventually lose the obedience too. (If we can help it, we never stick doing something we don't like for long, do we?)

God wants our heart more than empty deeds.

He didn't make us robots; He made us human with the capacity for love and choice.

Let's choose to have love in everything we do <3


K

Pray BIG

Was listening to a podcast from Craig Groeschel recently and he asked a really challenging question.

"What would be different in the world right now, if all your prayers in the past week were answered? "

Would the world look much different? Would the size of the church double? Would orphans find a home? Would lost family members find God? Would the sick be healed?

Or

Would only your world be changed? Would you ace tests? Would you have good days? Maybe all your meals would be blessed.

Our prayer life reflects what we believe about God, our belief of what he is capable of.

I'm guilty of praying small a lot of the time. But I don't serve a small God.

1 John 5:14-15
This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us - whatever we ask - we know that we have what we asked of him.

Let's pray according to his will, and let's battle in the heavenly realms for those who can't battle for themselves. Let's claim back some things that don't belong to the devil.

Let's pray BIG.

God's Help

Psalm 123:1 (message) - I look to you, heaven-dwelling God, look up to you for help.

Sometimes we can feel overwhelmed by the problems in our lives. We are guaranteed to have problems, but how we react is our choice.


Of course, God gives us wisdom in His Word, for how to deal with many situations. But we need His strength to follow through, and at times, His divine intervention when human solutions aren't enough.


There are aspects in our lives that we can control, and there are others that we can only leave to God to take care of.


We must know the difference between being lazy and trusting God. Also, the difference between striving and acting with wisdom.


For example, let's say we have a friend, who has had a heart attack. Thankfully, he or she survives. But what should be done about this situation? Is it wise to pray that it will never happen again and for good health? Yes! Is it wise for that person to continue in the lifestyle and diet that led to such an event, trusting in God that He is protecting him or her from their stupid decisions? Hmmm....it's like praying that you'll pass an exam without studying.


I think what we should do, is the best that we can. After all, we are an example to others of how to live. Then God will surely intervene in situations where we really have no control and we can't do anymore.


Psalm 125: 4 - "Be good to your good people, God, to those whose hearts are right!"

Bugger off, thanks.

"Behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you." - Luke 10:19

So glad that I don't need to be afraid of the enemy and his schemes, because to be honest, he's pretty good at scheming sometimes.

It's not only handy, but often life-saving to be able to boldly tell the enemy to bugger off. Much better than accepting and succumbing to whatever he wants to inflict upon you.

"Nevertheless do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rather rejoice because your names are written in heaven." - Luke 10:20

It's not with cockiness that we should do that, but with Godly confidence that in Jesus' name, we actually have the power to tell the enemy where to go.

Sorry Satan, you don't scare me any more.


K

Leave out the Leaven!

So during my reading, I came across the word 'leaven'. This was the second time I'd come across it in recent days, and I didn't really know what 'leavened bread' was. So I decided to do a 'thematic study' on leaven. FYI for you guys' information!

For the scientific, a caveat - I have not done a full literature review, and so there may be a little more to add to the leaven story. But I decided to leave it at this!!

(Ah HA HA HA.)

What is leaven?

Any of 5 ‘biblical’ grains which have been exposed to moisture, followed by a lapse of time before baking, during which an agent of change e.g. yeast, may be added.


What are the biblical grains?

Choose 5 from the following 8 (answer is at the bottom of the post)

wheat, barley, rye, oats, rice, corn, spelt, maize.

So here are some examples of leavened food:

· Bread with yeast added

· Bread with no yeast added, but for whatever reason, the cook waited time before baking

· Beer and whisky, created through grain fermentation. Wine… the accounts vary, but considering it is still created through yeast fermentation, I would think it should be considered ‘unleavened’

FYI - Leavened foods forbidden at Passover are also known as ‘chametz’.

Why was leaven initially prohibited at Passover (Pesach)?

Exodus 12:14-15 "This day shall be for you a memorial day (of Passover), and you shall keep it as a feast to the LORD; throughout your generations, as a statute forever, you shall keep it as a feast. ¹⁵ Seven days you shall eat unleavened bread. On the first day you shall remove leaven out of your houses, for if anyone eats what is leavened, from the first day until the seventh day, that person shall be cut off from Israel.”

Leavened bread is bread that has had the opportunity for an outside agent to work upon it, to change the grain. If there is a fermenting agent added (remembering that bread just left for a while prior to baking is still considered leavened), fermentation may occur and change the grain. This does not necessarily ‘spoil’ the grain, but it does change it. So having a time each year when one eats only unleavened bread symbolises coming back annually to the ‘ beginning’ of God’s teaching before man added and changed things i.e. going back to the Torah.

New Testament references to leaven:

Matt 16:11-12 How is it you do not understand that I did not speak to you concerning bread? – but to beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Saducees. Then they understood that He did not tell them to beware of the leaven of bread, but of the doctrine of the Pharisees and Sadducees.

Luke 13:20-21 And again He said, “To what shall I liken the kingdom of God?” it is like leaven, which a woman took and hid in three measures of meal till it was all leavened

Galatians5:9/ 1 Corinthians 5:6 Do you not know that a little leaven leavens the whole lump?

1 Cor 5:8. Therefore purge out the old leaven, that you may be a new lump, since you truly are unleavened. For indeed, Christ, our Passover, was sacrificed for us. Therefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, nor with the leaven of malice and wickedness, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.

(same event as Matt 16:11-12) Mark 8:13-21

Beware of the Leaven of the Pharisees and Herod
¹³ And He left them, and getting into the boat again, departed to the other side. ¹⁴ Now the disciples^[a] had forgotten to take bread, and they did not have more than one loaf with them in the boat. ¹⁵ Then He charged them, saying, “Take heed, beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and the leaven of Herod.”
¹⁶ And they reasoned among themselves, saying, “ It is because we have no bread.”
¹⁷ But Jesus, being aware of it, said to them, “Why do you reason because you have no bread? Do you not yet perceive nor understand? Is your heart still^[b] hardened? ¹⁸ Having eyes, do you not see? And having ears, do you not hear? And do you not remember? ¹⁹ When I broke the five loaves for the five thousand, how many baskets full of fragments did you take up?”
They said to Him, “Twelve.”
²⁰ “Also, when I broke the seven for the four thousand, how many large baskets full of fragments did you take up?”
And they said, “Seven.”
²¹ So He said to them, “How is it you do not understand?”

So does leaven = sin/evil stuff, unleavened = purity?

Although in many contexts, leaven is used negatively (e.g. Matt 16:11-12), it is also used to describe the Kingdom of Heaven (Luke 13:20-21). So not sure that one would say leaven always = bad. My understanding is that leaven is symbolic of an agent of change; you must use the context to work out if it is good or bad!

Unleavened bread (literally) in Our World

So a few trivial things first:

· I was curious as to whether flat breads e.g. pita bread were unleavened. N.B. Unleavened bread is called matzah. But I discovered that they contain yeast, and thus are definitely not!

· Unleavened Bread is a 1900 novel by Mr Robert Grant – “A businessman's selfish wife forces her way into upper society.” [Wikipedia]

Does unleavened bread play a role in Christians’ lives? Well, we should technically use unleavened bread for communion, as a sign of repenting of our sins and taking up our new righteous life (where our sins are covered by the blood of Jesus). But I think water crackers are more convenient =)

Answer:

Leavened grains: wheat, barley, spelt, rye, oats

References (apologies, not properly referenced)

The Bible =)

http://www.minuteswithmessiah.com/minutes/leaven.html

Wikipedia – for unleavened bread, the novel, flatbreads

I just want to know Him

Just had a MAD weekend at encounter.

LOVED seeing lives changed and people willing to step out and become desperate for God.

The major theme for encounter was God. Plain and simple. Being passionate about him, chasing after him, pursuing him.

As a deer longs for flowing streams,

so my soul longs for you, O God.

Psalm 42:1

So many time I think I seek what God can do for me. And it is true... he IS God, he can do ANYTHING. But that is beside the point. More than what he is able to do, I want to know HIM. I want to get to know what his heart beats for, who He is. Understand Him a little bit more each day.

I think I'm guilty of treating Him like a potential employer sometimes. Because sometimes I might go into a job asking:

a) How much will they pay me

b) What benefits will I get

c) What can I get away with but still get paid

But we don't actually care about who the employer is. Just the benefits.

God is amazing. And I had a revelation of just how much he has done for me. So I just want to know Him.

I just want to know Him.

I just want to know Him.

Stop Drop and Follow

Mark 1:17-18

Then Jesus said to them "Follow Me, and I will make you become fishers of men".


They immediately left their nets and followed Him.


When God is speaking to you, stop and listen.

When you drop everything and follow Him, your life is changed. Leave your doubts, your uncertainty, your insecurities, your circumstance, your material things.. Your burden is lightened. You gain so much more than what you would have had. From catching fish in your nets, for your own livelihood, God empowers you to become fishers of men - expands you, stretches you.

When you follow Jesus, you leave behind your old life of sin, and allow Him to guide you into the new.

Leaders and Teachers

'Love and truth form a good leader; sound leadership is founded on loving integrity'
Proverbs 20.28 (Message)

One of the things my mum gave me for my birthday was a little booklet about teaching. It told the true story of a girl in Malaysia named Moey Yoke Lai who grew up amongst abusive and poverty stricken conditions. Although it meant paying twice the bus fare and walking twice the distance, the girl's mother made sure Yoke Lai was enrolled in a Christian school, Starry Hill. The details of the story are too long to share here, but in summary,Yoke Lai was shown grace and love by her principal, Ms Cooke. One of the things Ms Cooke did was give Yoke Lai accomodation in her own home so that she would be able to have a room to herself to study.

Yoke Lai went on to a career in teaching, and became one of the most positively influential  teachers at Starry Hill. In the book, Yoke Lai defines a student as 'the apple of God's eye' and a teacher as 'the eyes, lips, hands and feet of God in the classroom'. The booklet concludes with glowing testimonies/letters to her from her students One of her students told her: 'You had the ability to make us feel special. You were very pragmatic about it. It wasn't just words, it was tangible support. When someone goes to that extent to help you, it makes you think, "I'm worth it. I'd better pull up my sock and do something!'

In the new school term, I am inspired to make each student of mine feel special and important. To recognise the potential in each one, and be an encouragement and the most help I can to them. I want to make lessons and music fun for them and I want them to feel loved (even if it's not my job to love them). One quote from the book says, 'Teaching is more than just a job. To teach is to touch lives forever. To teach is to touch eternity'. I hope that the way I teach, the students don't just learn how to play the piano, but also learn how to have fun in piano playing and practice, to have courage in performing, persistence in difficulty, and confidence in themselves.

It's not enough to just be a good piano teacher. It's useless if I have no love for my students. Corinthians 13.1 and 3 says, "If I speak with human eloquence and angelic ecstasy but don't love, I'm nothing but the creaking of a rusty gate...no matter what I say, what I believe, and what I do, I'm bankrupt without love" (message version).

Of course, we are all leaders and teachers in some way. Maybe the quote could be modified to say, "Serving customers/being an office worker/studying at university is more than just a job/place to be endured. It is to touch lives forever...to touch eternity".

In closing, here's another inspirational from the booklet:
'Perhaps the only true biography of a teacher is the one written on the faces and lives of his or her pupils'.

Life is all about loving God and loving others.

Priorities...

As I'm getting older, I'm finding that things which used to hold a lot of my time and attention are becoming much less important.

Case in point: I used to love buying dvd box sets of all my favourite tv shows and watching the episodes for hours on end (all in a row, commercial free!). I used to get super excited when I saw a box set on special in a catalogue and would go out as soon as I could to buy it.

While I do still love burying myself in tv eps from time to time, I've found that the desire to buy and collect box sets is completely gone. 

"When I was a child, I spoke and thought and reasoned as a child. But when I grew up, I put away childish things." - 1 Corinthians 13:11

I'm not sure that I actively decided to put away this 'childish thing' of mine - it more feels like God just took it away for me.

Perhaps, I think the more my eyes have been opened (to really see other people and their needs, and more of the bigger picture), the less room there is for childish things.

It's certainly not bad to have hobbies, nor does it mean that I'm losing my personality and turning into someone who's not really me. After all, we as a person should not be defined by our habits and hobbies, our likes and dislikes... right?

I also don't at all begrudge God for replacing my enjoyment time with His own choice of activities for me - in fact, I'm finding that there is much greater, truer enjoyment in things that actually matter.

It doesn't really matter if Meredith and McDreamy end up together in Grey's Anatomy. But it does really matter if I'm there and available when someone needs me. Or more tellingly, if I'm not there when someone needs me.

More of You, less of me. There's just not really room for both.

K

Common bond

We've said tonight (at CG) that we want to be honest with each other. And I love how everyone has one goal in mind- that we get closer. And honestly, it has been on my mind for quite a while.

I'll be the first to admit that I was/am still a bit scared. I was thrust into this situation with limited experience with all of this. I know I haven't been putting my best efforts forward to get to know you girls. And it's really not an issue of not caring...I think my issue is trying to figure out how to show that I care. And I think I've been failing miserably. I'm not a warm and fuzzy person, I don't do well speaking on the phone. I generally am quite reserved. These are all great excuses, that I have believing for the longest time.

What I do know is that each and everyone of you are so unique and so inspiring to me. Like Krystle said- when you guys are at your best, I definitely see Jesus. And when you're at your worst, you're still our girls. And we'll be right there with you.

I still question why I am where I am most of the time. But you know what? I'm here.

It's time to stop, it's time to turn around. It's time to let go of whatever's been holding me back from forming great relationships. It's stopped me for long enough.

And I hope that we do get closer. Because we do have a common bond- Jesus. And I hope we can DO LIFE together. Life is always better when you've got others believing in you, and cheering you on, and will be there to pick you up, dust you off and send you back in the battle after you've fallen.

We can't achieve this in a week, or even 3 months. But let's start trying. Meet up with someone in connect who you don't really know.. or give them a call.

They just might surprise you : ).

Reasons in the Seasons

I want to put an interesting question out to all of you.

Why do you believe in God?

No, I'm not talking about your testimony. But the reason why you believe what you believe, what is the evidence of God in your life that reaffirms and keeps your faith strong. Something in this world you can see God's fingerprint in.

For me, it came from a fascinating documentary I watched a long time ago on TV about the human anatomy. They explained all the different microscopical elements in the human body, the cell, the atom etc. And the smaller, and more magnified they went, the more mysterious and unexplainable things became as our human technology had a limited reach. It discussed things like the String theory, evolution, etc. They also described how certain cells worked, and going smaller still into the cell etc (I can't remember the specifics) and how perfectly each minute 'gear' of the entity has to work to be able to operate. Each and every part working in perfect harmony.

How can all of that happen out of a chance explosion, or a chance evolution? It doesn't make sense! A highly researched and intelligent documentary posed more questions than answered them. These tiny designs are far too perfect for probabilities and luck. But in my eyes, evidence of a Master Creator.

Not to mention the unexplainable mysteries of what lies beyond what our technology can reach. Only speculation and guesswork attempts to fill the gaps, where God rightfully reigns.

To me, this is evidence of God's existence, His flawless design flaunted through our every breath, and what I know to be truth.

What's yours?

Little Victories

This year hasn't been an easy one for me, and it seems like just when one bump in the road is crossed, another bigger one is right there after it waiting to trip me up.

There are still a lot of big battles going on, and even though the full and complete victory is not won yet, I must not forget the little victories that God has helped me win along the way.

We need to not let our 'giant' problems eclipse all the good that our giant God is doing.

Yes, the restoration or healing or salvation is not 100% complete, but maybe 50% already is? Even 5% progress is something to give thanks for.

Yes, the battle is not won, but we're well on the way.

K

Study...then do.

'There's no end to the publishing of books, and constant study wears you out so you're no good for anything else. The final word is this: Fear God. Do what He tells you.' (Ecclesiastes 12.12-13)

'You have your heads in your Bibles constantly because you think you'll find eternal life there. But you miss the forest for the trees. There Scriptures are all about me! And here I am, standing right before you, and you aren't willing to receive from me the life you say you want' (Jesus speaking, John 5.39-40 Message version).

Many things are easier said (or read) than done. We read that we should love God, and love others. But it's not easy! We can listen to many sermons and read many books about relationships and God, but it's useless unless we put it into practice.

In our everyday lives, there are opportunities to love others (especially our own family or people we come in contact with daily/weekly). However, we can held back by our laziness, ignorance or insecurities, and not be a loving person as a result. To love others, we need to receive Jesus first of all. Then everyday after that, to depend on Him to fill our hearts with His love, since God is the source and inspiration.

Differences

How do you love those who seem to be so different from you?

I've found that there have been many instances where I have found it really hard to like, let alone love people who I don't quite understand.

You don't quite get where they're coming from, and struggle to come up with a motive that would explain why they did what they did... whether what they said was meant for malice, or if it's just their normal language- how they speak everyday.

But I can unashamedly admit that I think the world would be an immensely boring place if everyone turned out like me, thought like me, or acted like me.

I guess it's the process of actually getting to know the person that's important. Anyone can love somebody who is lovable. We are also here for the down and out, the lonely, the widows, the orphans. The ones who might be difficult to deal with. The people who seem unlovable.

And I think that that is what I have to constantly remind myself. God came for all. The church is for all. Therefore I must not be selective in who I like, and essentially- who I love as well.

Daylight

'Oh, how sweet the light of day,
And how wonderful to live in the sunshine!
Even if you live a long time, don't take a single day for granted.
Take delight in each light-filled hour,
Remembering that there will also be many dark days
And that most of what comes your way is smoke'
Ecclesiastes 11.7-8

Today I read a few chapters of Ecclessiastes. This book emphasises the shortness and frailty of human life. One of the lessons of Ecclessiastes is to enjoy life while it lasts and appreciate each day you've been given, realising that our time is limited.

Although the tone of the book can be quite pessimistic, we don't have to be disheartened about our relatively short life here on earth, because we know that we have Eternity to live. With that in mind, we should live with Eternity in perspective.

So enjoy the sunshine (I know I do!)...summer is approaching :)

Appreciate the good days, and know that God is with you through the 'bad' ones.

Realise that you're on Earth for a greater purpose than mere enjoyment. Live and speak in a way that shows that we have hope in Jesus, so that others who don't know Him will want to. Life is to be enjoyed, but we should also use this gift given by God for God.

The Important Things

In Mark 12:30-31, we're told the most important things are loving God and loving people.

But, we seem to spend a lot more time caught up in other things... eg. loving ourselves/being selfish, entertaining ourselves, procrastinating, stressing, etc etc..

We gotta keep the main thing the main thing.

We cannot let our own worrying and self-concern become the main thing. 

And conversely, there's nothing wrong with treating ourselves well and having fun, or affording ourselves leisure and chillax time, but we cannot let our own enjoyment or comfort become the main thing.


In fact, I've found that the real fun and true joy comes from choosing to please, and therefore love, God first. After all, it's what we were created to do.. :)


K

Positioning

There is definitely a theme running through these posts... and I kind of feel that it's pretty relevant for this season.

We just found out recently that our neighbour's daughter who live right next to us, is having a lot of health issues. We've never really gotten to know them very well, but we knew they were Christian, and we'd exchanged a few conversations. But do we REALLY know them? I guess not.

And in their time of need right now, I'd say that we're not fully positioned to help. Sure, we could babysit from time to time, pray, and bring over some food. But I don't know... I just feel like we could have done more if the relationship had been more fully formed beforehand?

I feel helpless, and that there's nothing much we can do: our words of comfort probably wouldn't hold as much weight as someone who has had more of an influence in their lives. We're almost strangers to them.

So I guess what I'm saying is... I've been challenged to get to know people. To get to know my neighbours. Because one day, they might need help, and I want to be in a position that says: "I'm right there with you, we'll get through this together. "

Because everyone needs a neighbour.

Greatest instructions

Wow! Seems like we're on a theme here. "Love your neighbour", something I also want to touch on.


Jesus gave us 2 commandments he said were the most important:

Love your God
Love your neighbour as yourself

Pretty simple isn't it? And I think one is tethered to the other. In loving and prioritising God, we learn to be more like Him as we spend more time in His presence. Then in turn we begin to learn to love others as we reflect Him.

So make like a mirror and start reflecting!

Loving people you don't like

Recently, I've been thinking about people that might not like me. I haven't confirmed the truth about this because it would be weird to go up to someone who you think doesn't like you and ask, "Why don't you like me? What have I ever done to you?"...because they might just think I'm crazy and it would be an awkward moment. Or they could say, "Actually, I liked you...but now that you brought it up, I don't like you anymore".

Honestly, I try to see the good in other people and I hope that others try to see whatever good there is in me. I know that I'm far from being the perfect person. God loves me and likes me, I have a family and I know who my true friends are, so it doesn't matter so much to me.

I made a list of stuff that I don't like about some people (I'm sure you can relate!)

- Proud actions: you know those people, who bump into you, and don't say sorry; those who look at you and don't say hello or smile; those who greet the person next to you, but totally ignore you; those who think they are the centre of the universe, people who think they are right all the time, even if they are.

- Deception: I absolutely hate this one; people talking about me behind my back; saying one thing to my face and another to someone else...please, insult me to my face because then I can at least cry about it before I fall asleep at night if it is true, or have the pleasure of rebuke you if it's not.

- Rudeness: this doesn't need explaining.

- Stinkyness: When people smell bad (this is not as serious as the others...or is it?).

I can't think of anything else. Those are the main things. They are the things I tend to avoid doing myself because I know how much I dislike it in others. 

After identifying those things that I find so repulsive in people, it is important for me to remember that God loves them. He might even like them. After all, He created them. 

Liking someone isn't a choice that you can make. Somethings are just repulsive to some people. But loving people is a choice and series of actions. 

For example, there have been times when young students have farted in their piano lessons. Now, just because I don't like the smell, doesn't mean I stop teaching them. I accept them for who they are, farts and all.

Okay, maybe that wasn't the best example. How about...

Giving a birthday present to a girl who doesn't like you (or who you may suspect doesn't like you)? 

Praying for someone who has hurt you in the past?

Believing in the potential of someone to become your friend?

Funnily, I wasn't really planning to write about loving your neighbour...but this kind of relates if you don't like your neighbour (or if you suspect that your neighbour doesn't like you).

In the neighbourhood...

Lately, this has been on my mind: We need to be better neighbours.

Mark 12 commands us to love our neighbours as ourselves, second only to loving God, so it's clearly something we need to practise and get good at.

I think we can all be good neighbours - we don't need to have lots in common with them, we don't need to be super talkative people who have all the right words to say. Sometimes, as I am finding more and more, all we need to do is take that one 'small step'.

For our physical neighbours, maybe that's just leaving a Christmas card in their mailbox.

For our workmates, maybe that's just slipping them a chocolate egg at Easter time.

And for our church family, maybe that's just saying hello to the uncle that you always see but never talk to.

You do not need to be a friend to be a neighbour. But often, if you're a good neighbour, friendship will naturally follow. Or, at the least, respect. And praise God for the opportunities that come with it.

Who knows? You could be entertaining an angel (Hebrews 13:2).


K

All in

"If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are to be pitied more than all men."- 1 Corinthians 15:19

In Paul's time being Christian wasn't a glamorous thing. It brought them persecution, ridicule, and even caused them to be ostracised from their families. Life was harder for them. But they dealt with it in hope, because they knew that there was more to life than what we live on earth. Because they had their trust in God.

I guess the question is then, hypothetically- What would we lose if Christ turns out not to be real?

Would we lose much at all? Or would life still go on as usual?

In the verse Paul says that if that were to be true- if what they had pinned their hope on, had dedicated their life to turned out to be only for "this life", a life of suffering for Christ, the work of spreading the Gospel, that they "are to be pitied more than all men." They had put all their eggs in one basket.

They lived radical lives. They put their TOTAL trust in him.

If that were so, they would pretty much be left with close to nothing.

I guess that scares me, yet inspires me at the same time.

It's kinda like going all in in a poker game. You could lose everything, or you could gain everything.

I want to live that kind of life. To have the kind of faith that says playing it safe is not an option for me. That like Paul, if he did turn out to be false... that I would be pitied because my life was all about Him. And I could say that I was ALL IN.

Fathers, Changing.

No doubt, this month has been one of change, new experience and discomfort. New job, new family member, new friends, new opportunities, lost opportunities.

But I want to everyone to remember, that in the midst of change, GOD IS CONSTANT. We need to fix our eyes on Him, not on the fleeting things around us.

Since Father's Day has just passed I thought I'd write about something that always comes to heart during this time for me.

Since I don't have an earthly Father, Father's day has always been a little bittersweet for me. I get a little jealous when people talk about the gifts they are able to give their dads, the silly little things, or being able to ask my dad to buy me a pretty dress I want. Even for the bigger things, like life advise. Why can't I have that too?

But even with those questions, I have to remember that I have the best Dad ever. God! God is my Daddy in Heaven. Nothing will separate me from His love. Cause I'm His little girl. We're all His little girls, His princesses. He's watching over us with loving eyes. He's there for us when we' need advise, when we need life guidance, or when we're hoping to snap up that awesome dress for a good price. He LOVES us, SO much.

HE LOVES YOU! :) 

Sometimes I forget this.

But when remember, I feel so uplifted! :D

Love you guys (:


ALSO. I was going to post up a link to our blog sometime this week, I hope that's okay with everyone?? If there are any objections, let me know!!

What do we know?

"What gets us into trouble is not what we don't know. It's what we know for sure that just ain't so" - Mark Twain.

This year, I've been doing some reading on nutrition and health, which has been one of the factors that led to me becoming vegan. Previously, I thought meat, eggs and dairy was healthy in moderation. And probably that's what many people still think. That it's harmless; a good source of protein, iron and other stuff that makes you strong.

One of the books I'm reading is the China Study, the most impressive and comprehensive scientific study on human nutrition ever done, and the startling results of the experiments. One of the findings includes animal product consumption being linked to the likelyhood of getting liver (and other) cancer...much like smoking is linked to lung cancer. In the book, there are many other studies showing the harm done to the human body by consuming animal protein, but you'll just have to read the book to understand (by the way, I highly recommend the book - The China Study by T. Colin Campbell, PhD and M. Thomas Campbell, M.D). It's not only scientific, it's presented in a way that is easy to understand, and an engaging read. If I had known this before, I might have changed diet sooner. Now, I'm so aware of how unhealthy it is, I don't even want to give chocolate to people anymore because I'll feel a little guilty of contributing to cancer! (and baby calves being deprived of their mother's milk and fed formula instead).

I think that we should always be willing to learn, and willing to change. We cannot know it all, all at once. Learning is lifelong, and the motivation to change is often knowledge multiplied by need. When people feel that they don't need to change, knowing what they should be doing isn't going to produce any change in them. Likewise, we cannot change if we don't have the knowledge to do so.

When we read God's Word, we gain knowledge and wisdom that we can apply to our lives. It's truly life-changing. I'm currently reading through both Leviticus and Proverbs in the Bible. Proverbs is full of observations and tips for living in a way that honours God, and produces blessing. Go against God's laws, and in some way you'll suffer. But obey and fear God, and you will have His favour on you.

Where Are You?

Ps Robert Fergusson preached last Sunday about being in search of Jesus, and said something I thought was quite profound:

"We have no right to complain about the absence of God, because we are a great deal more absent than He ever is."

Often when something bad happens, either to us or to someone we love, our tendency is to question where God is and why He isn't doing something to fix it.


Sometimes, I've found myself so consumed by the weight or the thought of a problem that it's hard to see anything but the problem, let alone something often 'invisible' like God working on the problem. I've been distracted, and hence absent to His presence.

Even when something bad isn't happening, I've been busy with too many things and tasks that I didn't answer His knock on my door. No excuse to be had there.

"As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts." - Isaiah 55:9

I pray for all of us that in both good times and bad, we remember God doesn't always work and think the way we expect or the way we do. He is not absent from us, but perhaps..hiding for a little while. As Ps Robert put it, it's a bit like hide and seek - He wants us to seek Him. And I guess if He's not hiding, it can make us quite forgetful to do the seeking part.

I don't know why bad things happen to good people. I don't know why we are sometimes made to endure suffering and trials and pain. I don't know why He hides sometimes.

But He promises to not forsake us. Ever.

All I know is that You are good.


K

Why?

Definition of 'why'- For what reason or purpose.

To want to know the reasoning behind why things are the way they are is human nature. We have numerous professions dedicated to it, spent countless hours in school learning about the 'why' behind things in subjects like science and history. You'll even find that inquisitive toddlers can't stop asking the question.

There are the easy questions, like- Why do we need to eat? Or why is it important to exercise? Questions that can easily be answered. But there are questions that even now, the smartest person on earth can't wrap their head around.

This generation has information at their fingertips. We are the most informed bunch of youngsters that have ever lived. But we still have a lot of questions. And it's good to be inquisitive. But sometimes needing to know 'why' can be dangerous.. it might even cost us our faith.

Let me explain. I think sometimes we feel that God owes us an explanation. "Why did you let that happen to me God?", "Why did you place me in this position?".

He is GOD. He is SOVEREIGN. In His grace, sure, sometimes God reveals to us the reason behind his actions. But he doesn't owe us anything.

And when we ask the questions like that, I think we have to ask ourselves what we are really questioning. Are we questioning God's character? His faithfulness? Who He says He is? Because that is dangerous territory to get into.

When God speaks, and asks us to do something that just seems ridiculous at the time, or when bad things happen, it's natural to want an explanation. But when we ask and don't get an answer, I hope it doesn't cause us to stumble. Because he is God. Trust in who God says He is. You would follow the instruction (no questions asked), or accept the ruling of someone whose character you had total faith in. Because you know they would never purposely do anything to harm you.

So trust in God. Even if you don't know why. That sounds something like faith to me.

Servanthood

"whoever wants to be great  among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as ransom for many"

Mark 10:44

It's a hard lesson to remember sometimes. Riches and glory does not bring us greatness. Perfect grades or a huge social circle does not bring us greatness. Serving and being servant-hearted brings greatness. Humility and selflessness brings greatness. And by then, greatness isn't even the most important thing anymore. Love is. Love for others, love for God.

I think this is such a profound antithesis in the bible, but a lesson I'm still trying to learn and apply in all areas in my life.

My prayer is that everyone will adopt a servant-heart. It'll change your perspective on a lot of things in life. Even doing the dishes!

Daddy Daughter Day

Spent some good time with my dad yesterday morning - lining up at Costco, having cheap chinese food for lunch, picking up free pot plants from the council, doing the groceries...

It reminded me that quality time needs to be set aside and purposed.

"You, God, are my God, earnestly I seek you; I thirst for you, my whole being longs for you..." - Psalm 63:1

So in the same way, we need to purposely set aside time to be with God.

Every day should be Daddy daughter day :)


K

Making up make up lessons

As a busy person, it is difficult to accomodate the requests of students/parents to make up missed lessons without having to compromise on my holiday time. Like today, a girl who usually was meant to come on Friday was scheduled to come today at 1.10pm. But she then forgot to tell me that she couldn't make it today. And because of this, I have a one hour gap in my schedule, which I could have filled with another student. In fact, the student who came before, at 12.10 could have come for 90 minutes instead of only one hour. Instead they are coming again on Tuesday night at 8.30pm for the rest of the half hour.

What's more...I decided to make up this "make up" lesson. At least half of it anyway. I'm not actually that annoyed. I've gotten used to things like this happening, and instead of reacting with a bad attitude, to just go with the flow, and know that people make mistakes.

How much more has God been gracious to me, for all the times I've knowingly and unknowingly sinned? I hope that by having a peaceful and forgiving spirit towards others that He would be reflected in me.

Little things, Big things, All things

Sorry this was meant to go up on monday but it's been a bit of a crazy week!

This is just a little reminder that God answers your prayers, no matter how minuscule, or insignificant or HUGE and impossible it may seem. GOD IS LISTENING.

Earlier this year I had been actively searching for a job, and felt the pressure as the uni semester began and it became harder for me to take money from my mum. (Maybe its a "growing up/getting out of high school" thing?) I was specifically interested and looking for a receptionist/tutoring job ( I figured it could be good for me, and it'd be good for my resume later on too). I must have applied for over 50 or so jobs, and looked through hundreds more, mind you I hadn't really prayed about it through this period.

Then, MANY months later, Caleb told me that he put in a prayer request for me at one leader's CG, and prayed with me again that night about getting a job. We were very specific in what we wanted. A good receptionist job, nearby, and suitable to my uni timetable.

Maybe a month or less later, a dear friend of mine called me up to ask if i wanted a job where she worked! HOW AMAZING IS THAT. It fit perfectly with my uni timetable, its about 3 minutes from my house, and its a receptionist/tutoring position!

Also, you all may have heard about the difficulty I had initially with not being able to communicate properly with my boss and if I remember correctly we prayed about it at CG. And guess what? It's getting so much better! I'm beginning to enjoy my job more, and seeing how I'm able to facilitate each student that comes in, organise various things, it just feels a lot more fulfilling now. Not to mention I'm beginning to form a basic "code" of what my boss wants when she says certain things in her broken english.

This, amongst other little prayers, truly show me how loving and attentive God is. And it's just really begun to dawn on me that I have the great privilege and honour to have a direct communication line to the creator of the universe!

Sometimes your prayers may not go to plan, but know that God has a greater plan than you can imagine!

On a little side note question:

What are your opinions on getting tattoos/piercings? Considering this verse:
"You shall not make any cuts on your body for the dead or tattoo yourselves: I am the Lord." - Leviticus 19:28 

(This was from a post by a friend on fb, who also asked the same question, which sparked some great answers and discussion, but I want to know what YOU guys think :D)

Thanks for reading guys! Love you all <3

Busyness

I used to be in a choir in New Zealand. Looking back, those were some of the best years I've had. We got to travel internationally with friends, just by doing what we loved. One little thing I remember the choir conductor saying one day that was pretty cool and I've kept with me is- "there is always a time for silence in music".

In every piece of music, there is a pause. There are rests. Whether its for a crotchet beat, or a semibreve, or a quaver. And it adds to the music. In fact she put it this way- rests are "musical notes of silence". In a song for example, if there are no rests, everything would just run into each other. There would be no proper phrasing or shape, and it would be very bland. There are a proper places for rests, and they are intentional.

Being productive is good. And I'm all for that. But it's good to stop and take rests. God didn't need to take the day of rest on the Sabbath. He's GOD. He doesn't need to rest. But it was intentional. It was a principle that he laid out for us to follow.

So I guess the goal is to apply it to my life, and hopefully this may speak to you as well. Rest is intentional. We all need it. It's a fast-paced world we live in. And we all want things to have been done yesterday. But life will soon get tough pretty fast if we don't learn to slow down. Take a breather. Rest.

"The seaweed is always greener,

In somebody else's lake"


I have the song "Under the Sea" from the movie, the Little Mermaid in my head because I'm teaching one of my students to play it on the piano. Basically the song is about appreciating the things that we have and to stop wanting what we don't have.


At times, this year, I've wanted to have the free time of my brother...who currently doesn't have a full time job, or have to study. While I'm doing both at the same time. I think about the movies I could watch, the friends I could go out with, the shopping I could do, the holidays I could take. And seeing the fun stuff my friends get up to without me through their shared online photos doesn't help either.


But I am also aware that I'm so blessed to have built up a piano teaching career, where the supply of students is ever flowing. I have also been blessed to have been accepted into a PhD in Music. This must have all been for a reason. To glorify God in the work that I do, and to trust him when I feel overwhelmed, tired or frustrated. After all, He provides for me everything I need (including time, health and enough energy) to complete the tasks ahead. 

Ecclesiastes 3:1

There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens.

As for my brother, although he has free time in abundance, it's been difficult for him to find a job in his field. So there's always two sides to the story. Also, although we are finite in our abilities, God is able to do more than we could imagine (and in a way that is incomparable to what other people have) in our lives if we trust Him. 

Ephesians 3: 20 Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, ²¹ TO HIM BE THE GLORY