25th Dec 09 : On this day...

25th Dec 09 : On this day... I think it's all about Jesus... we should read what God tring to tell us today... so I have extract out a daily devotional from the "Destined To Reign".

For more info on the Daily Devotional, kindly go to http://www.newcreation.org.sg/

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And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger.

- Luke 2:12 -

You are probably familiar with the story of Jesus’ birth in Bethlehem. The Bible says that when the time had come, Mary “brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger”. (Luke 2:6–7) But have you ever wondered why the angel told the shepherds that the Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger was a “sign”?

A manger is actually a feeding trough for livestock. Do you know what a feeding trough in those days looks like? I have seen a similar one at Solomon’s stables in Meggido, Israel. It is basically a big rectangular block of stone with the trough hewn out of it. So baby Jesus, who was wrapped in swaddling cloths, was placed in such a stone trough.

But why was that a sign? Because if you have seen the empty tomb of Jesus at a place called The Garden Tomb in Jerusalem, you would have noticed that the place where His body was laid, inside a tomb hewn out of rock, resembles a stone trough. The Bible says that after Jesus’ crucifixion and death, Joseph of Arimathea took Jesus’ body, wrapped it in linen and laid it in a tomb hewn out of a rock. (Mark 15:43–46)

Can you see the similarities? Wrapped in swaddling cloths and laid in a manger, baby Jesus would one day be wrapped in linen and laid in a tomb. That was the sign the angel was referring to. It pointed to Jesus’ death.

Jesus was the only child in all of humanity born to die. Once you realize that, you will realize how much God loves you. You will realize that He gave up His Son for that one purpose, and that His Son willingly came for that one purpose — to die for your sins and mine.

Beloved, can you imagine living your life knowing that you are just qualifying yourself to die on the cross to save the world? That was the life that Jesus lived. He lived to die, so that we might live and enjoy life abundantly today!

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Blessed Birthday Jesus

Blessed Birthday Jesus.

Jesus, I know 25th December is not your actual birth day.
However since it is a day chosen to commemorate your birth,
25th December Christmas Day is your day.
A day for us to remember.
A day that greatly remind us of you.

Without CHRIST, there will no longer be any CHRISTMAS.

So Happy Birthday Jesus,
A Greatly Blessed Birthday To You, Jesus.



For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
- John 3:16 -

A SMS From My Wife...

Today I received a SMS from my wife telling me the board game she just played. She found it so fun and interesting.

Suddenly it just caught me out of nowhere. When is the last time I slow down my pace of life to enjoy a simple game with my loved ones?

Did life overrun me unknowingly? Maybe it's time I should learn to “pause” my life and take a good snapshot of myself. Forget about the world and get to know myself. A message about a simple board game but it means so much to me.

Ever since I step on the "big board game" of the world, sometime I just forget about the simple game I've been playing when I am young.

Maybe is life that make me too busy. Or is it I choose to ignore about the simple game and head on only the life game? Is life so important that I can't even stop for a while? Am I afraid to be a laughing stock by others? Or is it there isn't any loves one to play with me? All of them are too busy with life? They are all like me?

Get hold of my life. It is my life. Not others. Who cares about what you think? The ONLY person I care... Jesus. Praise God, I know how you think of me. It is good. Thank you, Jesus.

心灵点滴

是不是人的年龄越大，唠叨也越来越多？不知不觉布落格也成了我发唠叨的最佳之处。

可是这次并不会发唠叨。。。可能是累了吧！脑袋空空似的。讨厌这种感觉。真的讨厌。很讨厌。

Oh lord, lift me up again Lord. Fill my heart with your love again. I once was lost but now I'm found. Oh Jesus, time for me to drink from the living water again.

。智慧 。爱 。

有位好朋友寄了一封电邮给我，里头有一段小男孩和智者的对话。

。。。。

小男孩說 : “你能让我所有朋友永遠健康快樂吗？”

智者說 : “只能四天 !”

小男孩說 : “好,春天、夏天、秋天、冬天。”

智者說 : “三天 。”

小男孩說 : “好,昨天、今天、明天 。”

智者說 : “不行,兩天 !”

小男孩說 : “好,白天、黑天。”

智者說 : “不行,就一天 ! ”

小男孩說 : “好 ! ”

智者茫然...

智者問 : “哪一天 ？”

小男孩說 : “在我所有朋友活著的每一天 。”

智者笑了...

智者說 : “以後你所有朋友將天天健康快樂 。”

。。。。

是不是很有智慧的对话？小男孩已自己的才智，成功的回复了智者的难题。这段对话真的让我反覆的回想一下... 在这争名夺利的社会，人是多么的想要拥有很多的智慧来实现梦想。想一想，如果小男孩问的不是智者而是耶稣，猜一猜耶稣会是怎么回应呢？

(以下纯属我个人的猜彻... 你可以不认同...）

。。。。

小男孩說 : “请让我所有朋友永遠健康快樂 !”

耶稣說 : “可以，只要你的朋友认识我，他们就会永遠健康快樂。”

小男孩說 : “就这样？”

耶稣說 ：“是啊，我本来就爱世人。健康，快樂，辛福一至以来都是我所要给每个人。就因为世人不认得我，拒我于千哩之外。

迷失了 ！

我猜迷失了。
我自以为我走了很久，看了很多，我找到了。
我发现，迷失了。
我找不到我原来的起点。

我试图走着。
我走了很久很久，看了更多，我找到了？
我知道，我错了。
我哭因为我迷失又累了。

我又开始走了。
我走了更远更久，看了更多更多，我终于找到了？
我看到，我笑了。
我感觉到我又看不到了。

我又开始哭了。
我真的不想走了，看也不想看了，我真的累了。
我发现，我哭了。
我再一次又一次迷失了。

你让我看到你伸出的手。
你使我也伸出了我的手。
你让我发现我很久没为自己真的笑了。
你使我发自内心的笑了。

你的爱让我找到了我自己。

我不再迷失了。

Bring The Rain

In times when we are tired with life, I think it is good that we forget about all things and sink ourselves into the love of GOD. Raise our hand and praise our GOD with songs about the love of GOD for us. Many turned to the "worldly" song out there... I'm not condemning those songs. I love them and I hear and sing it too. But in times of troubles, I think it is wiser for us to go to GOD than to the world that gives you these troubles. It will only sadden us more and times to recover will takes longer.

As God has promise us, during the storm, keep our eyes on him and he will bring us through it... See the Lyric of this song (Bring The Rain)... It is so beautifully written. Just remember, no matter what happen and no matter what the world throw to us, keep the faith going and keep praising.

Our job is not to fight, for the battles belong to the Lord. And most importantly, He has already won to battles for us. We just have to acknowledge it and receive it.

Amen!

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Bring The Rain

I can count a million times
People asking me how I
Can praise You with all that
I've gone through
The question just amazes me
Can circumstances possibly
Change who I forever am in You

Maybe since my life was changed
Long before these rainy days
It's never really ever crossed my mind
To turn my back on you, oh Lord
My only shelter from the storm
But instead I draw closer through these times
So I pray

Bring me joy, bring me peace
Bring the chance to be free
Bring me anything that brings
You glory And I know there'll be days
When this life brings me pain
But if that's what it takes to
praise You Jesus, bring the rain

I am yours regardless of the clouds that may
loom above because you are much greater than
my pain you who made a way for me suffering
your destiny so tell me whats a little rain

Holy, holy, holy
Holy, holy, holy
is the lord God almighty
is the lord God almighty
I'm forever singing

everybody singing
Holy holy holy
you are holy
you are holy

Bring The Rain - Watch the video
Story behind the song - Watch the video

More Music I Like from MercyMe...

God With Us - Watch the Music Video
I Can Only Imagine - Watch the Music Video (Live)
Finally Home - Watch the Music Video
Homesick - Watch the Music Video (Live)

Desert Song

Got to know of another song from Hillsong's album "This Is Our God". I love the lyrics of this song is awesome. It gives me a reason to stay alive and be happy about. My Lord, my God, my provider, my victory !!! Praise The Lord, for he is good all the time. And all the time he is good.

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Desert Song

This is my prayer in the desert
And all that's within me feels dry
This is my prayer in the hunger in me
My God is a God who provides

And this is my prayer in the fire
In weakness or trial or pain
There is a faith proved
Of more worth than gold
So refine me Lord through the flames

Chorus:
And I will bring praise
I will bring praise
No weapon forged against me shall remain

I will rejoice
I will declare
God is my victory and He is here

And this is my prayer in the battle
And triumph is still on it's way
I am a conqueror and co-heir with Christ
So firm on His promise I'll stand

Bridge:
All of my life
In every season
You are still God
I have a reason to sing
I have a reason to worship

This is my prayer in the harvest
When favor and providence flow
I know I'm filled to be empited again
The seed I've recieved I will sow

Wants to know more about the Story Behind Desert Song? Watch the Video by Jill McCloghry. Alright it touches me as I watch Jill shares on her experience. It was during a difficult moment of time when the song came to her... Keep singing Jill, God is good. Keep the faith going.

Watch the video

As We Gather / The Steadfast Love Of The Lord

My wife was singing this song since yesterday... Oh Lord, are you telling me something? Telling me your love will be with me always? Your mercies for me are new every morning?

Great is Thy faithfulness for me...

Thank You Jesus... and Thank You darling for reminding me about the Love of God.

Thank You.

----- oo0oo -----

As We Gather / The Steadfast Love Of The Lord

As we gather may Your Spirit work within us
As we gather may we glorify Your name
Knowing well that as our hearts begin to worship
We'll be blessed because we came
We'll be blessed because we came

Chorus:
The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases,
His mercies never come to an end,
They are new every morning, new every morning
Great is Thy faithfulness (Oh Lord)
Great is Thy faithfulness

You have called us by Your Spirit into worship
In this temple You have set our hearts aflame
As we lay our hearts upon Your holy altar
We'll be blessed in Jesus' name

Let us cleanse our hearts as we begin to worship
Let us fill our hearts with love for You and sing
Open up our eyes so we may come to know You
And unto us the Spirit bring

By Jesus Stripes, I Am Healed !!! - PART II

Day 2 of my medical leave… looks like I’m really that free on these 2 days… I’m on the Blog again… actually yesterday I wanted to write something on COUGH. Suddenly it just turns out to be on the topic “Why do we get sick”?

Nevertheless let’s me continue today… so "WHY DO WE COUGH?" Anyone got any idea please? Ok, I’m asking myself actually… :-P (who will answer me in my blog?) So let me google it again… (hey, I’m not a doctor, of course I google lar)

Below is what I found on the internet:

A cough is a symptom of infection, inflammation or irritation of the respiratory tract (lungs and airways). It is usually a reflex action triggered when cough receptors are stimulated by an irritant. Okay, Layman term… Coughs are our body's way of clearing dust and other obnoxious things out of our windpipe and lungs.

In most cases, a cough lasts 1-2 weeks and tapers off as the irritant or infection subsides. A cough lasting more than 3 weeks is known as a chronic cough and needs to be investigated. (Alright, I cough for almost 3 weeks… so no excuses for me not to see doctor… hehee)

So are there different types of cough?

Yes, 3 types actually…

1. Dry - A dry or non-productive cough produces no phlegm. Normally starts as a tickle in the throat. It is usually caused by inflammation of the throat and upper airways (common cold or flu).
2. Productive - A productive or wet cough brings up mucus or phlegm from the lungs. If bacterial infection is present, this sputum may be greenish, grey, or brown. In the case of allergy or viral infections, the sputum may be clear or white. Occasionally, the sputum may be blood-stained.
3. Chesty. - A chesty cough may produce phlegm but the phlegm may not be loose enough to be coughed up.

Come to think about it, the 1st week I have a “little bit” of flu (nose blocked) and start to have dry cough… Mmm… then 2nd week onward, I started to have productive cough… Wow… 3 types I got 2… Think buy Toto also not so “lucky”.

Okay so Now I have seen the Doctor… is there anything I can help the body to remove the irritants as quickly and effectively as possible? Yes… let’s me see…

1. Drinking more fluids, especially warm fluids, can help relax the airway and loosen up the mucus. Some people find drinking hot tea flavoured with honey helpful for coughs caused by colds or flu.
2. Ensure your bowel is working daily, to flush toxins out of the system. (Praise God, this is something I have no problem in. Maybe I really have a lot of toxins in my body. No wonder I always go to the washroom. ;-P)
3. Reduce intake of dairy foods
4. Breathing warm humidified air can be helpful in loosening dry coughs.
5. Increasing your intake of vitamin C, may be helpful in preventing colds and flu.
6. Don’t stay in stuffy rooms or expose to cigarette smoke. (polluted environments) Enjoy the fresh air but wrap up warmly and don’t expose your throat to cold winds.
7. Avoid exercising as exercise can trigger coughing spasms. (Oh no… My IPPT date is coming near… and I have not train for it… Oh No… no stress no stress… keep cool… okay after this better go sleep ;-P)
8. If cough is caused by a respiratory infection, get plenty of rest and keep warm.
9. Last but not least… stays in faith… remember what I wrote yesterday???? "Oh Lord, by your Stripes, I Am Healed!" (Isaiah 53:5 & 1 Peter 2:24)
   

Okay this is for people whose faith is not there yet… So when should we see a doctor?

1. Cough that lasts more than 10 -14 days
2. Cough up blood
3. Are short of breath/have difficulty breathing/fast, laboured breathing, chest pain
4. A cough in a Known asthmatic, whether or not having trouble breathing
5. Have persistent green/yellow phlegm
6. Cough that is accompanied by high fever that is not settling
7. Cough that appears with other symptoms
   

So what will doctor do?

Normally doctor will prescribe cough medicine like...

1. Anti-tussives - Cough suppressants that block the cough reflex
2. Expectorants - Drug that thin the mucus to make it easier to cough up
3. Demulcents - Cough mixtures that relieve cough

If the cough still persistence, doctor might take a history and examine your chest. You may be referred for a chest X-ray to rule out a serious lung infection. A sputum sample may be taken to help identify the type of bacterium causing the infection and to identify the most suitable antibiotic.

Hold on, I saw another article that said, “One problem with any cough suppressant is that getting rid of the cough may leave you unable to get rid of mucus and irritants from the lungs. It's possible to end up with pneumonia if you prevent your body from clearing the lungs regularly and automatically.”

Ah… is that so??? Looks like unless you want to get a medical leave else I think we should just stick to the 9 basic steps to help the body to recover first…

Nevertheless, why should we be sick? We are too blessed right? Jesus has redeem us from the sickness… so let’s us hold on to the truth and stay healthy together… and if SATAN gives the symptoms attack, let’s us said it out loud…

“BY Jesus Stripes, I Am Healed!”

By Jesus Stripes, I Am Healed !!! - Part I

Why do we get sick? Any one got any idea?

Well, as I was writing this, I’m actually on medical leave for 2 days. I’ve been coughing since 2 weeks ago. Today I went to see the doctor for the 3rd time. Guess what? I was told that this round I will be given a better anti-biotic… Indeed, it was personally taken out from the doctor’s cabinet instead from the usual place where the nurse normally took it for patient. And most importantly, the price is also much higher… so better medicine = higher price ;-P

Ok, sound serious rite? Cough for almost 3 weeks. See doctor for 3 times liao. Especially the night, I have to wake up so many times because of coughing. (Sorry darling, because of me, I have caused you so many sleepless nights. I praise God for such an understanding wife that I have.)

In fact, when I split out the Phlegm last night, I can see some spotting of blood in it. (Alright I admit, that’s the reason why I visited the doctor again. Hey, blood leh… You think what? Hero? Cough till phlegm got blood, you not scared meh? ) Worse, guess what the doctor said? She actually told me that if this round, I’m still unrecovered, I will need to go for X-ray. Aiyo… Now it sounds really serious hor? Cannot make it…

Alright, me and my never ending “talks” again… come back Thaddeus… ok where am I??? Yes, why do we get sick? As usual, anything doesn’t know… “Google it”.

Okay, we get sick due to germs that get into our body… attack us… that’s how we get sick. A search on germs, I saw an article by Louis Pasteur who developed the Germ Theory.

“Germs and other microorganisms can only feed on dead tissue in the body. The tissues in our bodies start to die as the pH balance of our bodies becomes too acidic. The acidic environment of an unhealthy body gives the germs freedom to feed and grow.” And before he admitted near the end of his life, he added that “it was not the germs which were the problem of disease, but the medium in which they lived.”

Another search, I saw another interesting article by Annemarie Colbin, Ph.D.

He mention about Paracelsus who lived at the end of the 15th and the beginning of the 16th Centuries. Paracelsus considered that there were five major causes of illness.

1. External – Usually caused by the environmental. For example, excess heat, cold, dampness, wet, wind, pollution, acid rain, electromagnetic fields… etc

2. Poisons – Things (impurities) we eat. Example, spoiled food, contaminated food, poisonous substances, bad or refined or junk food… etc

Interestingly, he mention something about Colostrum, the watery substance secreted by the mother for the first two or three days after birth, is a major factor in a person’s lifetime immune strength: Colostrum cleanses and colonizes the infant’s intestines with healthful lactobacillus, and thereby sets up the immune system for life.

Mmm… is that the reason why for the past 2 centuries, we received more and more news on new diseases that kill more people than before? More infants these days are surviving on infant formula than breast milk… Is the world having more diseases or is the mankind getting weaker? People who has not given birth or who are going to have children… Take Note.

Btw, Mum… you fed me with breast milk when I’m a baby?

3. Psychological – Mainly due to Stress and it is defined as lack of sleep. As we repair our bodies during sleep, when we don’t get enough of it, we don’t get the chance to repair properly, and disease ensues.

4. Hereditary – inherit the weaknesses of our parents and ancestors, and may be more likely to suffer the same illnesses as they did.

5. Karmic – Spiritual… anything that we can’t resolved or explain using our modern science.

So what did we learn from this 2 articles? (of course, if you have a lot of free times… you can always search it up for more articles on it… me 2… hey, I’m sick you know? Comment from 2 articles is a lot liao… somemore got to spend time to write this blog, read more, think this blog can never write finish… ;-P)

I don know for you… at least I know we should held responsible to our own health. As Louis said, the main problem is the medium that the germs “stuck” on. That’s our body. Look after our own body and no matter what germs that “stuck” on us, we will be immune to it.

So how do we go about doing it?

What did Paracelsu said?

1. External causes by environment => COLD? Wear a jacket. HOT? On the fan, try not to stand under the hot sun, wear comfortably, if necessary go and bath. (Do I have to explain all that?)

2. Poison??? => Look at what you eat. Know what and how much you should/can eat. Don’t anyhow eat.

3. Psychological? Stress? => Go and Sleep!!!

4. Hereditary? Genetic issue? => Look after your own health, it should not exist in the first place. It is the thought and the fear of it that caused it to happen than it should exist in the first place.

5. Karmic? Yes, actually I love this the most. For me, no matter how or what… I do believe there is GOD. He loves us and he wants us to be in good health.

In fact let me tell the world about GOD and Christian…

Let’s us look in the bible, we will know that the world has fallen. God created a world free of pollution. In fact he even declared it as VERY GOOD… (Genesis 1:31) However ever since then, Man has been tearing down forests and jungles and added in more and more “ingredients” into the air we breath.

God even taught us what we should eat… (Leviticus 11), it is the creation of God for mothers to have breast milk for the child to drink, but now we use infant formula. (Okay, you might have your reason… maybe breast cannot produce enough… etc…)

Even God rested after he created the heaven and earth on the seventh day… (Genesis 2:3) Who are we to work days and night without resting? He even commanded Man to rest on the seventh day… (Leviticus 23:3 – Sabbath Day) Even the earth got to rest on the seventh year… (Leviticus 25:4-5 – Sabbath Year) So who are we to be so stress? In fact, as a Christian, we should be proud to declare that, “We are too blessed to be stressed”!!!

Genetic? Again, as a Christian, we are new creation from God. Old things have passed away and all things have become new… (2 Corinthians 5:17) Genetic problem? Yes we do have it, but its God’s genes now… so as the Lord is, so are we in this world… (1 John 4:17) Strong and Mighty is he!!!

Suddenly, after writing all these… I’m so glad that I’m a Christian. Bible is really a book by God. He answers every single of our needs… (Psalm 23:1)

Oh Lord, by your Stripes, I Am Healed!!! (Isaiah 53:5 & 1 Peter 2:24)

God, I know my faith is not there yet, nevertheless, I know that your son has redeem all my sin on the cross and healing belong to me, so let the miracle fall on me. In Jesus mighty name… Amen!!!




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PS: what about Karmic??? Do I still need to explain that??? Give me a break.