Faith is the eye by which we look to Jesus
A dim-sighted eye is still an eye; a weeping eye is still an eye.

- George Mueller

Rescue me.

I search for You God of strength
I bow to You in my brokenness
And no other King could have so humbly come
To save my soul and heal my heart

I have nothing more than all You offer me
There is nothing else that’s of worth to me

And I love You Lord
You rescued me
You are all that I want
You’re all that I need

I pray to You God of peace
I rest in You my cares released

In Your freedom I will live
In Your freedom I will live
I offer devotion, I offer devotion

"In Your Freedom"- Saviour King, Hillsongs.

Look what i got!!

haha!

Hell-O

I would think, contrary to popular belief and culture-- Hell would not be a place full of fire and brimstone. It would simply be an existence without God.

Now THAT is frightening.

stumbled upon a post-- Ten Propositions on hell.

'Grounded' in the right things.

Don't you feel stuck sometimes?
i do....

(and anyone who's known me for yonks can tell you that i hate that feeling)
It isn't even halfway through the week and i feel like i've been dragging myself-- through mud, dust, soil... and papers.

Mari and i were just saying how 'reflective' people get towards the end of the year... Christmas and New Year's Eve to be exact. I skim over my year... look at my previous resolutions (yes, i have not given up making those) and re-align my aims for next year. Some of the previous aims might have been waaay off course, too ambitious/ not realistic, some were not done because i was plain lazy, others should have become a lifestyle but they still remain on the paper-- But some, the few that were attained keeps me going and give me the 'hey wait a minute' anything-is-possible feeling.

Most years it's depressing, because there's a standard 'route', a path to follow... first yr uni to second and honours, and post grad. BUT this year... it's different- i get to choose... *000* and this freedom is killing me. This transition is scaarry. I'd opt for the standard route now, just seems i've run out of choice!

Back to my initial point about being 'stuck'-- i meant staying in one place, doing one thing for too long. I think applying for PR sends one of those being 'stuck' shivers down my spine. Yes, of course i want stability and foundation and all of that... but it also means i can't pack up and run off. Also means sparing a thought for my second half--- what his desires, needs and ambitions are. I think i might be commitment-phobic. I hope i'm not.

So being 'stuck' and being 'grounded' are two different things. I wanna be grounded-- in the knowledge that where ever i am, I'm right smack in the purpose God has planned for me. Whatever i am doing and whichever 'route' is embarked upon.... that i am serving Him in my generation, for this short blink in eternity.

Well, so i'm not stuck. I'm just.... GROUNDED in Him.

Weather's gone mad!!

ok, just about 5 minutes ago.. my brother and i witnessed ice bits falling from the sky (a.k.a HAIL)
it is really strange for the fact that it's been really warm the past 2 weeks?!

This global warming thing is really hitting close to home.
Besides the fact that everytime i wash my clothes-- it rains.
gah! The last time i washed my clothes-- it just had to rain!
And i've waited and waited for the weather to turn warm so i cld hang our clothes out in peace!

*shakes fist at the sky*

Anyway, my new enemy is possessive-peg-neighbour. I borrowed a couple of pegs (just a common looking communal basket hanging on the racks) from her/him (identity is unknown) to peg some shirts -- lo and behold she/ he had to take them all off my clothes-- just when it was raining n blowing wind!! GAH! went downstairs to find the clothes (some kind soul hung back the ones which blew off) all wet and soggy... =~(

this is completely insane.
totally. mad.

Reminder!

I have this little note pasted on my lappy...

Going Bananas!!

Did you know???

Bananas contain three natural sugars - sucrose, fructose and glucose combined with fiber. A banana gives an instant, sustained and substantial boost of energy.

Research has proven that just two bananas provide enough energy for a strenuous 90-minute workout. No wonder the banana is the number one fruit with the world's leading athletes. But energy isn't the only way a banana can help us keep fit.

It can also help overcome or prevent a substantial number of illnesses and conditions, making it a must to add to our daily diet.

Blood Pressure: This unique tropical fruit is extremely high in potassium yet low in salt, making it perfect to beat blood pressure. So much so, the US Food and Drug Administration has just allowed the banana industry to make official claims for the fruit's ability to reduce the risk of blood pressure and stroke.

Constipation: High in fiber, including bananas in the diet can help restore normal bowel action, helping to overcome the problem without resorting to laxatives.

Ulcers: The banana is used as the dietary food against intestinal disorders because of its soft texture and smoothness. It is the only raw fruit that can be eaten without distress in over-chronicler cases. It also neutralizes over-acidity and reduces irritation by coating the lining of the stomach.

Temperature control: Many other cultures see bananas as a 'cooling' fruit that can lower both the physical and emotional temperature of expectant mothers. In Thailand , for example, pregnant women eat bananas to ensure their baby is born with a cool temperature.

Stress: Potassium is a vital mineral, which helps normalize the heartbeat, sends oxygen to the brain and regulates your body's water balance. When we are stressed, our metabolic rate rises, thereby reducing our potassium levels. These can be rebalanced with the help of a high-potassium banana snack.

So, a banana really is a natural remedy for many ills. When you compare it to an apple, it has four times the protein, twice the carbohydrate, three times the phosphorus, five times the vitamin A and iron, and twice the other vitamins and minerals. It is also rich in potassium and is one of the best value foods around So maybe its time to change that well-known phrase so that we say, 'A banana a day keeps the doctor away!'

Bananas must be the reason monkeys are so happy all the time!


Thanks dad... for this email!

thoughts

"God doesn't call those who are equipped,
He equips those He calls."

... A leader prays for you, invests in you, spends time with you, trains you...
...and then asks great things of you.

job hazard

something strange just happened....
I'm working @ the MPSL and there are patrons using the computers in front of me.... so suddenly one of the patrons stretches and raises one hand into the air- i sat up straight and glanced towards her immediately!
... i think it's a job hazard but i'm highly sensitized to people raising their hands up... (looks like students asking questions).

this is so strange.

Proof of Red Sea Crossing

Wow!
Thanks youfay, this was great!

Arithmetic

I've been staring at the sky tonight
Marvelling and passing time
Wondering what to do with daylight
Until I can make you mine
You are the one I want, you are the one I want

I've been thinking of changing my mind
It never stays the same for long
But of all the things I know for sure
You're the only certain one
You are the one I want, you are the one I want

I've been counting up all my wrongs
One sorry for each star
See I'd apologise my way to you
If the heavens stretched that far
You are the one I want, you are the one I want

I won't find what I am looking for
If I only "see" by keeping score
'Cos I know now you are so much more than arithmetic

'Cos if I add, if I subtract
If I give it all, try to take some back
I've forgotten the freedom that comes from the fact
That you are the sum
So you are the one
I want

When the years are showing on my face
And my strongest days are gone
When my heart and flesh depart this place
From a life that sung your song

You'll still be the one I want

'Arithmetic' by Brooke Fraser
Album: What to Do with Daylight

Just Hanging out

On Friday Arvo, mari and i decided to torture ourselves... why not? We had already gone thru 6 weeks of prac with crazy kids... so this shldn't be a biggie.

We visited The Hangout!
Located in the suburb of Bayswater-- off the great eastern highway.
It apparently is Perth's largest indoor rockclimbing gym!
Yes, it was bigger than Rockface the gym in northbridge we frequent slightly more becos of distance.

What was interesting about The Hangout-- was firstly their staff's disdain for Rockface. haha. But that aside... i really enjoyed the varieties of climbs they had there... some were strange-- i loved the curvatures of the walls... not flat board like in rockface... but jutting out and i loved the crags!

That being said... my arms are screaming murder today... and just lifting them alone to grab coffee on the kitchen shelf is a whole lot of work... Driving home yesterday from Bayswater... my right leg was... "nooo, stop using me!!"
Every move is like ouch, ouch, ouch....

ok i'm whining like a girl now.
bah...

Sharing Jerusalem?

Is this the solution?

Both sides don't seem to agree?!

Amazing.

This is fantastic choreography.... and the dance is so unique. Captures the Hummingbird and flower blooming story... check it out!

Familiar?

I miss Jean!

On another note, i thought this was quite funny. We had one of these situations in the staff room. i think you have it everywhere in a communal area....

Idleness

I remember in school my teacher's used to say "An idle mind is the devil's workshop"
And it was repeated so many times i recall it to this day.

I want to say that being idle= or doing nothing, is really very tiring.

I'm tired.

The earth.

The earth is the Lord's, and all its fullness,
The world and those who dwell therein.
For He has founded it upon the seas,
And established it upon the waters.

Psalms 24:1-2

This verse always reminds me that nothing is too big for God-- He created everything. The heavens and the earth, our minds cannot even begin to fathom His greatness and goodness.

26/26

Recently my parents celebrated 26 years of marriage on the 26th of September =)
haha, just wanted to post smthg to congratulate them and to say i love you mom and dad!

A love affair with God's law

Just reflecting on the recent talk about the 10 commandments and God's law....

The bible is a united proof of God's love for us... yes, it may be divided into the Old testament and the New testament-- but some christians start to believe that the OT is bad news and the NT is good news.

"They sniff from the theological wind that the God of the OT is a demanding God, while the God of the NT is a giving God. But children do not smell this odour. They see as many demands in the NT as there are in the OT- and perhaps harder ones. If the good news depends on God not demanding, there is no gospel. But kids know better. And we might learn from them to enjoy the OT if we see that the obedience it demands is the obedience of faith in future grace."
- John Piper "Future Grace"

By faith Abel offered to God a better sacrifice then Cain...
By faith Noah... prepared an ark for the salvation of his household...
By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac...
By faith Moses... refused to be called the son of Pharoah's daughter...

Hebrews 11:4,7,17,24

When Moses recorded what the Lord required of his people, he said it was "to keep the Lord's commandments... for your good" (Deut 10:13) It is for our good that God commands us to do his will. The men and women of the Old testament knew this. They who loved God received his commandments as blessings and not burdens. They seemed to have a love affair with God's law!

"I shall delight in Thy commandments, which I love. And i shall lift up my hands to Thy commandments which I love; and I will meditate on Thy statutes... I love Thy commandments above gold, yes above fine gold." (Psalms 119:47, 48, 127)

King David knew, more than anyone, how the law of God could crush with guilt- like the guilt of adultery and murder (2 Sam 12:13). But no one loved the law more than David. He reveled in its practical, spiritual value. he said that it "is perfect, restoring the soul;" it is "sure, making wise the simple;" it is "right, rejoicing the heart;" it is "pure, enlightening the eyes." It is "sweeter also than honey and the drippings of the honeycomb" (Psalm 19:7-10) In other words, he experienced profoundly the truth of Moses' words that the commandments of God are "for your good."

The law is not a mere list of commandments. The commandments of the law are woven together with threads of grace- past grace, future grace, forgiving grace and empowering grace. These threads are part of the Old testament law. Before God gave moses the Ten commandments, He reminded him of past grace: "... You yourselves have seen what I did to the Egyptians, and how I bore you on eagles' wings, and brought you to Myself. Now then , if you will indeed obey My voice and keep my covenant, then you shall be My own possession among all the peoples, for all the earth is Mine." (Exodus 19:3-5)

God promised forgiving grace at the centre of the law-giving on Mt Sinai. God identified himself as "compassionate and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in lovingkindness and truth; who forgives iniquity, transgression and sin; yet He will by no means leave the guilty unpunished." (Ex 34:6-7) In other words, at the head of the law stands a future provision for failing to keep the law- God has poured out his forgiving grace!

The grace of empowerment for obedience was not poured out fully in the Old testament times. This greater outpouring was promised in the "new covenant" which Christ inaugurated and sealed by the shedding of his blood (Luke 22:20; 1 Cor 11:25). Both prophets Jeremiah and Ezekiel mention the time that was coming when God would empower his people with a new heart, and a new spirit!

"Behold the days are coming... I will put My law within them and on their hearts I will write it." (Jer 31:31,33) "I shall give them one heart, and put a new spirit within them. I shall take the heart of stone and give them a heart of flesh, that they may walk in My statutes and Keep My ordinances" (Ezekiel 11:19-10 cf. 36:26-28)

We are living in exciting times! The 'days which are coming' in the bible are the times now! Do not exalt our precious privilege as beneficiaries of the new covenant at the expense of the old covenant- it did not command the wrong things- it was not complete because it was not accompanied, by and large, with inner, transforming, enabling divine power (Rom 8:3)

Taken as a whole, the old testament has one great aim:" Whatever was written in earlier times was written for our instruction, that through perserverance and encouragement of the Scriptures we might have HOPE" (Rom 15:4)

The OT was written to strengthen our hope in God!

The commandments of God are not negligible

because we are under grace.

They are doable (through Christ) because we are under grace.

The new covenant gift of the Spirit

is the power to obey the revealed will of God;

but the path along which the Spirit comes and works

is faith in future grace.

- John Piper 'Future grace'

Angel of Learning

I love it! Thanks girl =)

Faith vs Pride

Thus says the Lord,

"Let not a wise man boast of his wisdom,

And let not the mightly man boast of his might,

let not a rich man boast of his riches;

but let him who boasts boast of this,

that he understands and knows Me,

that I am the Lord who exercises

Lovingkindness, justics, and righteousness on earth;

for I delight in these things," declares the Lord.

Jeremiah 9:23-24

Excerpts from Faith in Future Grace vs Pride
Future Grace by John Piper

Humility is not a popular trait in the modern world.
It's not touted in the talk shows or celebrated in valedictory speeches or commended in diversity seminars or listed with corporate core values. And if you go to the massive self-help section of your sprawling mall bookstore, you won't find many titles celebrating humility.

The basic reason for this is not hard to find: humility can only survive in the presence of God. When God goes, humility goes. In fact, you might say that humility follows God like a shadow. We can expect to find humility applauded in our society about as often as we find God applauded.

In the local news paper (Minneapolis Star Tribune, sept 12 1994) a guest editorial captured the atmosphere of our time that asphyxiates humility:

There are some who naively cling to the nostalgic memory of God. The average churchgoer takes a few hours out of the week to experience the sacred... But the rest of the time, he is immersed in a society that no longer acknowledges God as an omniscient and omnipotent force to be loved and worshipped... Today we are too spohisticated for God. We can stand on our own; we are prepared and ready to choose and define our own existence.

In this atmosphere, humility cannot survive. It disappears with God. When God is neglected, the runner-up god takes his place, namely man. And that, by definities, is the opposite of humility, namely, the haughty spirit called pride.

An appetite for God in the heart

Trusting God and being arrogant are opposites:" An arrogant man stirs up strife, but he who trusts in the Lord will prosper" Pro 28:25. Stephen Charnock said," A proud faith is as much a contradiction as a humble devil." To see why faith and pride are opposites we need to remind ourselves what faith is.

The heart of biblical faith in Jesus is coming to him for the satisfaction of all that God is for us in him. Jesus said in John 6:35 "I am the bread of life; he who comes to me shall not hunger, and he who believes in my shall never thirst." Unbelief is turning away from Jesus in order to seek satisfaction in other things.

Belief is not merely an agreement with facts in the head; it is also an appetite for God in the heart, which fastens on Jesus for satisfaction. In the very first verse up on the top of this blog post-- the bible mentions 3 things which God names his great competitors for the boast of the human heart. Each one-- Wisdom, might and riches- tempts us to take satisfaction in ourselves-- our intelligence, our strength, our material resources. Each one lures us away from trusting God as the superior satisfaction above them all.

When knowledge puffs up

The apostle Paul warns that "knowledge makes arrogant, but love edifies" 1 Cor 8:1. This does not mean he favours ignorance and irrationality: "Do not be children in your thinking; yet in evil be babes, but in your thinking be mature" 1Cor 14:20

G.K Chesterson, the British Catholic Journalist-author who died in 1936, warned that in the 20th Century we are not clear about the relationship between intellectual conviction and pride.

What we suffer from ... is humility in the wrong place. Modesty has moved from the organ of ambition. Modesty has settled upon the organ of conviction; where it was never meant to be. A man was meant to be doubtful about himself, but undoubting about the truth; this has been exactly reversed. Nowadays the part of a man that a man does assert is exactly the part he ought not to assert-- himself. The part he doubts is exactly the part he ought not to doubt-- the Divine Reason.

Paul is not calling into question the necessity of firm conviction and true knowledge. Nevertheless is he keenly aware that what we know- or think we know- can lure us away from resting in God's wisdom and lead us toward boasting in our own.

The organ of knowledge was given to us that we might know God and how the world relates to God. One of the first things we learn, when we know him as we ought, is the Word of Jesus: "Flesh and blood did not reveal this to you, but my Father who is in heaven" Matt 16:17.
All true knowledge depends on God. "Who has been [God's] counselor... for from him and through him are all things" Rom 11:34,36
God gave us minds not only to know, but to know how we ought to know.

We know the way we ought to know when we boast in the Source of all knowing-- God. Not in our fragile little chip-- our limited understanding and knowledge-- with its tiny, God-designed circuitry. When we boast in our wisdom we show that we have turned from God to trust in ourselves.

Deut 8:11-17
Beware lest, when you have eaten and are satisfied, and have built good houses and lived in them, and when your herds and your flocks multiply, and your silver and gold multiply, and all that you have multiplies, then your heart becomes proud and you forget the Lord your God who brought you out from the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery... In the wilderness He fed you manna which your fathers did not know, that he might humble you and that He might test you, to do good for you in the end. Otherwise, you may say in your heart," My power and the strength of my hand made me this wealth."

The bible never tires of telling us, "The king is not saved by a mighty army; a warrior is not delievered by great strength" Ps 33:16-17. You can have all these which you buy with your wealth, but unless the Lord decides to give you deliverance and victory, they will be useless in the day of battle. That's why the next few verses in Psalms 33 point to an alternative treasure for our trust: "Behold, the eye of the Lord is on those who fear Him, on those who hope for His loving kindness... He is our help and shield. For our heart rejoices in Him, because we trust in His holy name. ps 33:18-21.

This is the remedy for pride.

Funny Advertisements

This is obviously a burger King Ad.... haha.
This one is brilliant. It's Baygon!

Some things to do before i die

this is an ever increasing list...

1. Raise children who are healthy, funny & god-fearing.
2. Read 90% of all the books i own- there are books i'm not sure why i've got.
3. Pack Europe and put it in my bag; alternatively- backpack across Europe
4. Keep my eyes on the bigger picture

My brother

There was a young man named Josh
Who went for an event quite posh
He bought a new vest
Snazzy with zest
All the girls screamed, "My gosh!"

haha, that was really fun to write. will write more! haha

That's enough!!

okay, since the time i hung the bedsheets out to dry on sunday... it's rained... *counts fingers*
at LEAST 6-7 times (light/ heavy)!!!
I'm giving up, definitely NOT washing the clothes again... altho i probably should-- cos acid rain is not the kind of softener smell i like... BUT that load cost me $4.40!!!
i REFUSE to wash the clothes again.
Now it'll cost me another $3 to dry them... GAH!!!!!

Going to trudge to the laundromat to dry them now....
I was whining to mari the whole way back from school yesterday and today (cos it always chose to rain after school).... NOOOOO.... my laundry..... =~(

*drags feet AND laundry to the laundromat*

AND I'll have to take my laundry down in the rain!!!!!
i detest this. UGH.

boys and guns

My thigh bruise.... (sorry if it's visually unappealing)

I hope he doesn't shoot me in the head!!

Four Guys squeezing behind one barrel... tsk tsk.

Our Medic Max

Getting ready to "chiong"

That's me, number 19.

Can't tell who this is, but he looks super pro!

My bro: the sniper.

********************************************************************************
And so it was the much anticipated Paintball day!!
So much talk about it the entire week... the boys (and some girls) were hyped up about it!
Kept talking about firing squads and army games......
i know my injuries will look gross... but seriously- look at the size of that bruise on my thigh!!!
haha got shot within 3-4 metres... haha...
The weather was fine... @ least it didn't rain!
i was pretty amused at how serious the boys were about the whole thing.
check out some of the shots shin_arkhangel took!!

Jarrah Forest

Pine Nut

Stick and Stone ants
These ants are amazing. They make their nest out of sticks and stones- the structure is incredibly strong. (i tested it) haha.
During winter-- you can see the white, reflective stones which are on the top of the nest. They use the stones to absorb the sunlight and at night they carry it into the nest to keep the temperature up. During Summer, their nest is made of more sticks-- to provide ventilation for the nest-- keeping it cooler on hot days.

*****************************************************************************
Went to the Jarrah forest near Mundaring Weir on thursday with the geography kids. Altho i don't teach geog, i really love the subject and the physical aspect of it. (studies of geography are mainly split into human geog and physical geog)
The eco-tour was about fire and it's advantages and disadvantages. Well, we all know about wildfire and the destruction it causes to the bush here in WA... but there are advantages of fire as well. Some plants require fire to crack open the hard seeds in order for the baby seedlings to grow. Here in WA, there's a practice called "prescribed burning" -- where the rangers set fire (in mosaic patterns) to the forest to enable certain plants to resprout. This also reduces the chances of wildfires starting.

Fire is not all that bad- little is known about the Aboriginal practice of prescribed burning- but it is evident that they have been doing it for centuries before the British came to Australia.

hi, remember me?

i think it's been awhile since i actually sat down to surf the net. haha.
Anyway, i said in class today:
"there are no excuses for not doing your homework- i've tried them all in school and i know what you are up to. The dog did not eat your homework, and your work did not slip out of your bag whilst you were running for the bus. Between the time you watch the Simpsons, Neighbours and Australian Idol-- Sit down and get it done. End of story."

haha. and then there was silence.
Amazing.

I am struggling with my year 8s and some behaviour management-- the girls are good workers, but some of them are really too chatty... the noise drives me insane, gives me a headache and stretches my nerves a lil' too much.

I wish

... that i actually paid attention in my Economics classes.

Happy Fathers' Day

Dear Dad,
they say a Father's love conquers all
gives hope to us whenever we fall
Brings strength and love
Hope and courage from above
Thank you for the tears,
the laughter and the cheer
When life deals us zero
You are our "Lau Hero"
We love you very much
From the bottom of our hearts!

Of Sphinxes and Pharoahs

I liked the very succinct descriptions of the exhibits... not long winded... i really enjoyed myself browsing the different stages of the Egyptian afterlife.
I cldn't take any photos of course-- didn't want to get dragged off screaming by 2 security guards. But here is a nice photo gallery that thewest.com.au managed to scrummage.

It doesn't encapsulate the splendour of the exhibits per se... but it runs through the key statues/ things-that-quite-look-the-same-after-a-while-especially-when-your-students-are-making-al ot-of-noise.

Made me wonder as well... about the Egyptians as a people-- and their many gods. And it brought me back to Exodus when the Israelites were slaves to this great civilization. I thought about people... about Moses, Aaron... haha the exhibits brought me back to biblical times!

"The exhibition comprises 500 objects collected over nearly 200 years from the Archaic Period (3100-2700BC) to the Ptolemaic Period (c.332-30BC). It is touted as one of the finest collections in the world." Thewest.com.au

Go see it! On display til 28th October 2007!

Practising the Presence

By Max Lucado
From Just Like Jesus

How do I live in God’s presence? How do I detect his unseen hand on my shoulder and his inaudible voice in my ear? A sheep grows familiar with the voice of the shepherd. How can you and I grow familiar with the voice of God? Here are a few ideas:

Give God your waking thoughts. Before you face the day, face the Father. Before you step out of bed, step into his presence. I have a friend who makes it a habit to roll out of his bed onto his knees and begin his day in prayer. Personally, I don’t get that far. With my head still on the pillow and my eyes still closed, I offer God the first seconds of my day. The prayer is not lengthy and far from formal. Depending on how much sleep I got, it may not even be intelligible. Often it’s nothing more than “Thank you for a night’s rest. I belong to you today.”

Give God your waiting thoughts. Spend time with him in silence. The mature married couple has learned the treasure of shared silence; they don’t need to fill the air with constant chatter. Just being together is sufficient. Try being silent with God. “Be still, and know that I am God” (Ps. 46:10 niv). Awareness of God is a fruit of stillness before God.

Give God your whispering thoughts. Through the centuries Christians have learned the value of brief sentence prayers, prayers that can be whispered anywhere, in any setting.

Imagine considering every moment as a potential time of communion with God. By giving God your whispering thoughts, the common becomes uncommon. Simple phrases such as “Thank you, Father,” “Be sovereign in this hour, O Lord,” “You are my resting place, Jesus” can turn a commute into a pilgrimage. You needn’t leave your office or kneel in your kitchen. Just pray where you are. Let the kitchen become a cathedral or the classroom a chapel. Give God your whispering thoughts.

And last, give God your waning thoughts. At the end of the day, let your mind settle on him. Conclude the day as you began it: talking to God. Thank him for the good parts. Question him about the hard parts. Seek his mercy. Seek his strength. And as you close your eyes, take assurance in the promise: “He who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep” (Ps. 121:4 niv). If you fall asleep as you pray, don’t worry. What better place to doze off than in the arms of your Father.

Field trips

Only my 3rd day in school and i've been signed up for 2 field trips!
I'm going to the Art gallery of WA this friday to see the "Egyptian antiquities from the Louvre" exhibition! haha! =) wanted to go for a while now, but since it's during school hours-- i'm glad!

The 2nd field trip is a whole day to the Jarrah Forest in mid-september!
This is with the geography department =)

Update again soon!

Look to you

Mike Chung has some great shots of ZPH our culture, the worship, the people....
Click on the link here for more!

You are my strength

My Song of the week.

You are my strength
Strength like no other
Strength like no other
Reaches to me

You are my Hope
Hope like no other
Hope like no other
Reaches to me

In the fullness of Your grace
In the power of Your name
You lift me up
You lift me up

Unfailing love
Stronger than mountains
Deeper than oceans
Reaches to me

Your love O lord
Reaches to the heavens
Your faithfulness reaches to the sky

Hillsongs (Saviour King)

Guilt and Grace

Guilt and Grace
by Max Lucado

Sometime ago I read a story of a youngster who was shooting rocks with a slingshot. He could never hit his target. As he returned to Grandma’s backyard, he spied her pet duck. On impulse he took aim and let fly. The stone hit, and the duck was dead. The boy panicked and hid the bird in the woodpile, only to look up and see his sister watching.

After lunch that day, Grandma told Sally to help with the dishes. Sally responded, “Johnny told me he wanted to help in the kitchen today. Didn’t you Johnny?” And she whispered to him, “Remember the duck!” So, Johnny did the dishes.

What choice did he have? For the next several weeks he was at the sink often. Sometimes for his duty, sometimes for his sin. “Remember the duck,” Sally’d whisper when he objected.

So weary of the chore, he decided that any punishment would be better than washing more dishes, so he confessed to killing the duck. “I know, Johnny,” his grandma said, giving him a hug. “I was standing at the window and saw the whole thing. Because I love you, I forgave you. I wondered how long you would let Sally make a slave out of you.” (Steven Cole, “Forgiveness,” Leadership Magazine, 1983, 86.)

He’d been pardoned, but he thought he was guilty. Why? He had listened to the words of his accuser.

You have been accused as well. You have been accused of dishonesty. You’ve been accused of immorality. You’ve been accused of greed, anger, and arrogance.

Every moment of your life, your accuser is filing charges against you. Even his name, Diabolos, means “slanderer.” Who is he? The devil.

As he speaks, you hang your head. You have no defense. His charges are fair. “I plead guilty, your honor,” you mumble.

“The sentence?” Satan asks.

“The wages of sin is death,” explains the judge, “but in this case the death has already occurred. For this one died with Christ.”

Satan is suddenly silent. And you are suddenly jubilant. You realize that Satan cannot accuse you. No one can accuse you! Fingers may point and voices may demand, but the charges glance off like arrows hitting a shield. No more dirty dishwater. No more penance. No more nagging sisters. You have stood before the judge and heard him declare, “Not guilty.

emotional

"i'm emoting that i'm feeling emotional about the emotions that i emote."

Got work work work extra hard during the weekend!
I really have fun being with the people i serve with in drama... =)
Despite all the other things we have to subscribe/adhere to....

i love you guys.
You people rock.

Hiatus

Sorry for the blog hiatus!
Exam was over this morning! Thank God the deed is done.
Met my new mentor today as well =) different school, different sort of students....
Really looking forward to starting this prac, next week.

Unfortunately, i doubt i'm able to run City to Surf this year... it coincides with 40 Hour Famine on the same weekend... so unless i am able to "run and not grow weary, walk and not be faint" without food... haha, i will not attempt to over work my already beaten body.

On the topic of the 40 hour Famine (which runs from 24th-26th Aug):

I'll be going without food for 40 hours to raise money to help feed hungry kids.

Just $40 will help feed and care for 8 children in Laos and Southern Africa for a whole month. To find out more about how the funds raised are going to be used click on http://www.worldvision.com.au/40HourFamine/about_funds.asp.

Could you please support me by giving a donation?

If you can, simply visit the World Vision 40 Hour Famine website (http://www.40hourfamine.com.au) and click on Donate Here. Donations are tax deductible and the minimum amount is $2. You will receive a receipt as soon as you've made the donation.

When it asks you for the Famine Number, please enter 27216745-3. This makes sure that the donation is recorded against me and that I'm sent a record of your donation.

cute!

oh my.... so cute!! Maltese puppy!

Hot Cuppa

.... is all i need.

Played a bit of half court netball in the drizzle today.... =p
Got soaking wet... socks, shoes everything...
Twas fun! the game is officially on monday... we have an awesome team!
Now need to hit the books... 40% assignment due on monday.... and 50% exam on wednesday!
Wait, i think i have a 10 min microteaching session on monday as well...

There's been some mix up with my enrolment... sigh, cleared that up today.
The administration never seems to end.
i just want to teach!! =)

Mucking around

Was @ Kiew's house trying to get some drama video editing done... but to no avail... we (esp marcus) were/was so distracted... cldn't get anything done in the time that we wanted to... starting playing Wii (which is really addictive)-- Rayman versus the Raving rabbits. hahah. And our famous trivia questions.... which ranged from the strangest things to the most interesting...
Well, we truly learnt new things today... more than i can ever gain from Dolores Umbridge's class...

Did you know that Puerto Rico is the only colony left in the world? (Still under USA)
Did you know that the Marianas Trench is the deepest place on earth? (near Philippines)
Did you know that the biggest bird is the Californian Condor?

MC: so... MW, what is the most poisonous jellyfish on earth?
MW: the... man of the earth? ... no no war!!

Bouts of laughter...

MC: you sure?
MW: yah, i dunno from belgium???

Bouts of laughter

She knew the answer, it just came out wrong.
(Ans: Portuguese Man of War)

MC: so ML, what does ohm stand for?
ML: i dunno, but i know how to draw the sign (does weird hand gesture to signal knowledge)

Bouts of laughter....

I really didn't know the answer....
(Ans: The ohm (symbol: Ω) is the SI unit of electrical impedance or, in the direct current case, electrical resistance, named after Georg Ohm)

HAHA.. you should hear my bible jokes.

Cold, wet, working day

For the non-perthians who do not know what the weather has become here in Western Australia... it's been cold, wet and miserable. Downright dreadful. Like one of my replacement lecturers. (another story for another time)

On another note, we're going climbing later in the evening =) been a long while since we've hit the rock gym... Just need a morale booster, despite the weather... =p

Handed in an assignment today =) Procrastinated actually doing it over the whole weekend, and finished it on sunday! woo hoo.

That's my workspace in my room-- taken yesterday (one of the few days it wasn't rainy). Lots of green, good for my eyes... and i become very distracted looking at birds chirping outside the window. haha.

Non-web surfin' days

7 overdue things

It's been a while, but i remember i was tagged... sometime last, last month?

7 things about mishi

1. I work better under pressure.
Tis' true, unfortunately, that i have to feel that sense of urgency- before i start producing something.

2. I also require alot of sleep when i'm stressed.
I slept a whole lot during my honours year, and very early at night when i'm on prac as well.

3. I enjoy the great outdoors

4. I love dogs. (esp Jean)

5. I appreciate heart-to-heart conversations.

6. I like to read-- fiction and non-fiction.

7. I eat almost anything. (i think.)

Work is due...

Snowy Jean

She reminds me of Tintin's Snowy....

Hotel 1929

Whilst i was back in Sg-- parents brought me to this lovely restaurant @ Hotel 1929.
The dining experience there was fantastic. =)
It was a 3-course luncheon.
I had the fried tofu, mom and dad had the foie gras (goose liver) with bacon.
Had some from their portion, it was absolutely brilliant.
Tender and juicy.
Just melted in my mouth.
Ingenious, whoever thought of goose liver.

The fish we had was really fresh and the sauce was buttery yet savoury.
Mom had the linguine with clams... awesome.
Just HAD to show you the pictures.... my dad's camera was sooo sharp.

geez. i'm hungry now.

dreamy

It's a strange feeling-- rather dreamy... sorta like floating, being back at uni.
2 weeks into classes, all the hustle and bustle... it seems i have not missed much!
haha, then again i will never know what i missed... cos i wasn't there in the first place.

2 more weeks of uni then back to teaching in the classroom.
Time really flies, it wasn't too long ago that i was looking forward to the China trip.
Now it's all over, and i've learnt so much... overflowing.

Oh anyway! LC and Adeline are engaged!!! Congrats you two!! *hugs*
Wedding's 6th Sept 2008... =)

Still not halfway thru Deathly Hallows. This is the longest i've taken to read any Harry Potter book. I'm always engaged in something, and when it gets til 10pm @ night i just feel so so sleepy.
i really want to finish it. And every other assignment i've got on my hands at the moment. =p

design....

A big thanks to Nikki, who's helping me tweak the blog design! =)

ZZ memories