well my hubby will be going to USA this weekend and i will miss him. hmm... i hope he will have a rested and fulfilling time there.
the kids will miss their funny daddy too.
jesus i pray you will bless ernest with a good trip there. keep him safe and bring him safely back too. send your angels to guard him dear lord. speak to him about your thought and may it be a time of close communion between both of yhou too.
Wednesday, October 24, 2007
Tuesday, October 23, 2007
A Covenant
A covenant, in its most general sense, is a solemn promise to do or not do something specified.
More specifically, a covenant, in contrast to a contract, is a one-way agreement whereby the covenantor is the only party bound by the promise. A covenant may have conditions and prerequisites that qualify the undertaking, including the actions of second or third parties, but there is no inherent agreement by such other parties to fulfil those requirements. Consequentially, the only party that can break a covenant is the covenantor.
In the biblical context, covenants have been made by God with humanity. This sort of covenant is an important concept in Judaism and Christianity, derived in the first instance from the biblical covenant tradition. An example of a covenant relationship in Judaism and Christianity is that between Abraham and God, in which God made a covenant with Abraham that He would bless Abraham's descendants making them more numerous than the stars. God made an additional covenant with Jesus Christ, called the "new covenant", in which Christ's sacrifice on the cross would atone for the sins of all mankind.
A marriage is also a covenant, sealed with the vow with an object (the ring, for example to signified everlasting with no broken link), that both shall live together for better and for worst.
More specifically, a covenant, in contrast to a contract, is a one-way agreement whereby the covenantor is the only party bound by the promise. A covenant may have conditions and prerequisites that qualify the undertaking, including the actions of second or third parties, but there is no inherent agreement by such other parties to fulfil those requirements. Consequentially, the only party that can break a covenant is the covenantor.
In the biblical context, covenants have been made by God with humanity. This sort of covenant is an important concept in Judaism and Christianity, derived in the first instance from the biblical covenant tradition. An example of a covenant relationship in Judaism and Christianity is that between Abraham and God, in which God made a covenant with Abraham that He would bless Abraham's descendants making them more numerous than the stars. God made an additional covenant with Jesus Christ, called the "new covenant", in which Christ's sacrifice on the cross would atone for the sins of all mankind.
A marriage is also a covenant, sealed with the vow with an object (the ring, for example to signified everlasting with no broken link), that both shall live together for better and for worst.
Monday, October 22, 2007
Bible Study
Noah - Gensis 6 to 9
Present: Rachael, Renna and Ernest @ Renna house on 21 Oct 2007
What and why God grieve?
6:1 When man began to multiply on the face of the land and daughters were born to them, 2 the sons of God saw that the daughters of man were attractive. And they took as their wives any they chose. 3 Then the Lord said, “My Spirit shall not abide in [1] man forever, for he is flesh: his days shall be 120 years.”
Evil began to sip into man. What God saw displeased Him and that He has to shorten the life span of man in order to cut short the amount of evil that man can do. The fallen angles, the Nephilim or the giants had done comething that God did not permit. Note the pronoun, it was when man... and ... then the Lord said...
Side note, these were the giants that Joshua saw when he entered the promise land.
5 The Lord saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intention of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. 6 And the Lord was sorry that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him to his heart.
Why was God grieve? Is it because he had made man as mentioned in verse 6. No, because, verse 6 does not just stand alone, it is because the Lord saw... and because of what he see and that grieved Him. God make no mistake, and in the same way, His intention was beautiful, but because man choose evil and wickedness and refuse to choose God, that grieved Him.
7 So the Lord said, “I will blot out man whom I have created from the face of the land, man and animals and creeping things and birds of the heavens, for I am sorry that I have made them.” 8 But Noah found favor in the eyes of the Lord.
So, as a consequence and as a result.. of what, of the wickedness of man, that God decide to blot out man from the face of the land. BUT (contrast), Noah.. Because of 1 man, the decsion was not totalized, and that was a similar plea Abraham plea for Sodom and Gomorah - if there is 1 righteous man. That is our God. His request to us is simple and His grace comes His mercy for us - we can't do anything, but just do this - believe in My Son Jesus and you will be save - there is no other way.
Righteous - doing all that God commanded
9 These are the generations of Noah. Noah was a righteous man, blameless in his generation. Noah walked with God.
God commanded Noah to build an ark and 22 Noah did this; he did all that God commanded him. 7:1 Then the Lord said to Noah, “Go into the ark, you and all your household, for I have seen that you are righteous before me in this generation.
His obedience, translated into actions and every (all, total, whole) that God commanded. then God called Noah righteous. Remembere King Saul and the Prophet Samuael - to heed is better than sacrifice. Listen and obey that is to heed. When you listen and you obey, that obedience will translate to actions, the right actions and it is not half hearted, or Okay, I will do it. Noah did all, all the details of the ark. How about us? Our actions - how we live is the results of where (our state of relationship with God) we live. Grow deep in God and learnto wait, to listen and keep everything God commanded.
Noah knew the Law
2 Take with you seven pairs of all clean animals, [1] the male and his mate, and a pair of the animals that are not clean, the male and his mate, 3 and seven pairs [2] of the birds of the heavens also, male and female, to keep their offspring alive on the face of all the earth.
So it is not 2 pairs, the final instructions was 7 pairs for CLEAN animals. ?? Moses was the one who gave the law. The law was written in Levitius. Noah live before Moses, so how come Noah know wbout clean and unclean animals? Noah should know which animal is termed clean or unclean. I believed he was taught. God taught him, Noah was righteous in his generation, he has probably obeyed these command and law of God, which was later written in Levitus by Moses.
7 And Noah and his sons and his wife and his sons' wives with him went into the ark to escape the waters of the flood. So how many people entered the ark - 8. The chinese character ship is about a craft filled with 8 'mouth' or person. I use this to share to my Chinese non-believer friend that our fore fathers knew God, and they knew the story of Noah. Chinese has a lot of origin as seen bythe way the chinese character was developed. The other famous character is righteousness - a lamb upon yourself. For without this lamb, there will be no righteousness. so why lamb? Jesus is the answer.
Remember the encounters with God - build an Altar
8:20 Then Noah built an altar to the Lord and took some of every clean animal and some of every clean bird and offered burnt offerings on the altar. 21 And when the Lord smelled the pleasing aroma, the Lord said in his heart..
The flood was over, Noah was on dry land. He remembered God and built an altar. AND because of what Noah did, that sweet aroma went to God and the Lord said in His heart. An altar is a milestone. Something significant happened and the purpose is to remember that event. Often, the biblical altar represent some event that God should be remembered for His greatness, for His acts, for his mercy.. the old testament is full of them. These altars are not the altars, you and me know in other cultures - center of worship. Of course, slowly, when the Israelites entered the promise land, the local influence caused them to build altars that became the center of worship for other Gods. Our encounter with God - points to such an altar. What is yours? Our walk with God should be dotted with such close encounters with God - such encounters closes and set an intimate relationship with Jesus. It will be so sad to live life empty of such altars.
So what did God said in His heart. He has set to blot man out of the face of this earth, but becasue of what Noah, "Neither will I ever again strike down every living creature as I have done"
An Everlasting Convenant in Jesus
What is a covenant? A covenant is a promise between 2 parties.
9:8 Then God said to Noah and to his sons with him, 9 “Behold, I establish my covenant with you and your offspring after you, ... 12 And God said, “This is the sign of the covenant that I make between me and you and every living creature that is with you, for all future generations: 13 I have set my bow in the cloud, and it shall be a sign of the covenant between me and the earth. 14 When I bring clouds over the earth and the bow is seen in the clouds, 15 I will remember my covenant that is between me and you and every living creature of all flesh. And the waters shall never again become a flood to destroy all flesh. 16 When the bow is in the clouds, I will see it and remember the everlasting covenant between God and every living creature of all flesh that is on the earth.” 17 God said to Noah, “This is the sign of the covenant that I have established between me and all flesh that is on the earth.”
God established a covenant. He backed it up with a sign, so that should the convenant be forgotten, least the sign be used for remembering it. It is an everlasting convenant. God convenant is everlasting. So can a convenant be broken. Yes, but not by God but by man. God will surely remember the rainbow and of course in this case, it is an convenant not to destroy earth. But ask why was the early intention for God to blot man out of the face of earth - wickedness. But because of Noah, God "reconsider". Again, the question is man - the temptation of the world is too great and to break a convenant is easy. To recall, a convenant is a promise between 2 parties, so that if one party break the promise, rightfully, the other party need not to honour the convenant anymore. God love us so much, He knew man has a problem with evil and sins. His everlasting convenant is through Jesus - that established the way back to the Father, with Jesus dying on the cross for us. As long as we believe Jssus and that christ is the son of God - has life.
Noah cursed Ham (a story of heeding)
9:20 Noah began to be a man of the soil, and he planted a vineyard. [3] 21 He drank of the wine and became drunk and lay uncovered in his tent. 22 And Ham, the father of Canaan, saw the nakedness of his father and told his two brothers outside. 23 Then Shem and Japheth took a garment, laid it on both their shoulders, and walked backward and covered the nakedness of their father. Their faces were turned backward, and they did not see their father's nakedness. 24 When Noah awoke from his wine and knew what his youngest son had done to him, 25 he said,
“Cursed be Canaan;a servant of servants shall he be to his brothers.”
To end the study of Noah, the above was a short happening between Noah and his sons. Renna asked about could a father be so harsh and curse his own son? I have no total answer to that, but remember Noah was a righteous man and he will do eveything God say so. SO, what did god say. Not in this concluding verses. Noah was taught about the law and commands, therefore he knew what animals are clean or unclean. Let look at a verse in Levitus.
Lev 18:7 You shall not uncover the nakedness of your father, which is the nakedness of your mother; she is your mother, you shall not uncover her nakedness.
Noah probably knew this. His 3 sons should have been taught these. And that is why Naoh was so angry.
Ham saw and he did nothing. Shem heard and he did the right thing. Again, the lesson on obedience. It is not about knowing and do something, but it is about doing the right thing. The key however, is about heeding - listening and doing the right thing- that's obedience. God can speak to us, but how often, when ask to do the right things, we argued. What's the point, we hear and we did not act, and that is Ham!
Present: Rachael, Renna and Ernest @ Renna house on 21 Oct 2007
What and why God grieve?
6:1 When man began to multiply on the face of the land and daughters were born to them, 2 the sons of God saw that the daughters of man were attractive. And they took as their wives any they chose. 3 Then the Lord said, “My Spirit shall not abide in [1] man forever, for he is flesh: his days shall be 120 years.”
Evil began to sip into man. What God saw displeased Him and that He has to shorten the life span of man in order to cut short the amount of evil that man can do. The fallen angles, the Nephilim or the giants had done comething that God did not permit. Note the pronoun, it was when man... and ... then the Lord said...
Side note, these were the giants that Joshua saw when he entered the promise land.
5 The Lord saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intention of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. 6 And the Lord was sorry that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him to his heart.
Why was God grieve? Is it because he had made man as mentioned in verse 6. No, because, verse 6 does not just stand alone, it is because the Lord saw... and because of what he see and that grieved Him. God make no mistake, and in the same way, His intention was beautiful, but because man choose evil and wickedness and refuse to choose God, that grieved Him.
7 So the Lord said, “I will blot out man whom I have created from the face of the land, man and animals and creeping things and birds of the heavens, for I am sorry that I have made them.” 8 But Noah found favor in the eyes of the Lord.
So, as a consequence and as a result.. of what, of the wickedness of man, that God decide to blot out man from the face of the land. BUT (contrast), Noah.. Because of 1 man, the decsion was not totalized, and that was a similar plea Abraham plea for Sodom and Gomorah - if there is 1 righteous man. That is our God. His request to us is simple and His grace comes His mercy for us - we can't do anything, but just do this - believe in My Son Jesus and you will be save - there is no other way.
Righteous - doing all that God commanded
9 These are the generations of Noah. Noah was a righteous man, blameless in his generation. Noah walked with God.
God commanded Noah to build an ark and 22 Noah did this; he did all that God commanded him. 7:1 Then the Lord said to Noah, “Go into the ark, you and all your household, for I have seen that you are righteous before me in this generation.
His obedience, translated into actions and every (all, total, whole) that God commanded. then God called Noah righteous. Remembere King Saul and the Prophet Samuael - to heed is better than sacrifice. Listen and obey that is to heed. When you listen and you obey, that obedience will translate to actions, the right actions and it is not half hearted, or Okay, I will do it. Noah did all, all the details of the ark. How about us? Our actions - how we live is the results of where (our state of relationship with God) we live. Grow deep in God and learnto wait, to listen and keep everything God commanded.
Noah knew the Law
2 Take with you seven pairs of all clean animals, [1] the male and his mate, and a pair of the animals that are not clean, the male and his mate, 3 and seven pairs [2] of the birds of the heavens also, male and female, to keep their offspring alive on the face of all the earth.
So it is not 2 pairs, the final instructions was 7 pairs for CLEAN animals. ?? Moses was the one who gave the law. The law was written in Levitius. Noah live before Moses, so how come Noah know wbout clean and unclean animals? Noah should know which animal is termed clean or unclean. I believed he was taught. God taught him, Noah was righteous in his generation, he has probably obeyed these command and law of God, which was later written in Levitus by Moses.
7 And Noah and his sons and his wife and his sons' wives with him went into the ark to escape the waters of the flood. So how many people entered the ark - 8. The chinese character ship is about a craft filled with 8 'mouth' or person. I use this to share to my Chinese non-believer friend that our fore fathers knew God, and they knew the story of Noah. Chinese has a lot of origin as seen bythe way the chinese character was developed. The other famous character is righteousness - a lamb upon yourself. For without this lamb, there will be no righteousness. so why lamb? Jesus is the answer.
Remember the encounters with God - build an Altar
8:20 Then Noah built an altar to the Lord and took some of every clean animal and some of every clean bird and offered burnt offerings on the altar. 21 And when the Lord smelled the pleasing aroma, the Lord said in his heart..
The flood was over, Noah was on dry land. He remembered God and built an altar. AND because of what Noah did, that sweet aroma went to God and the Lord said in His heart. An altar is a milestone. Something significant happened and the purpose is to remember that event. Often, the biblical altar represent some event that God should be remembered for His greatness, for His acts, for his mercy.. the old testament is full of them. These altars are not the altars, you and me know in other cultures - center of worship. Of course, slowly, when the Israelites entered the promise land, the local influence caused them to build altars that became the center of worship for other Gods. Our encounter with God - points to such an altar. What is yours? Our walk with God should be dotted with such close encounters with God - such encounters closes and set an intimate relationship with Jesus. It will be so sad to live life empty of such altars.
So what did God said in His heart. He has set to blot man out of the face of this earth, but becasue of what Noah, "Neither will I ever again strike down every living creature as I have done"
An Everlasting Convenant in Jesus
What is a covenant? A covenant is a promise between 2 parties.
9:8 Then God said to Noah and to his sons with him, 9 “Behold, I establish my covenant with you and your offspring after you, ... 12 And God said, “This is the sign of the covenant that I make between me and you and every living creature that is with you, for all future generations: 13 I have set my bow in the cloud, and it shall be a sign of the covenant between me and the earth. 14 When I bring clouds over the earth and the bow is seen in the clouds, 15 I will remember my covenant that is between me and you and every living creature of all flesh. And the waters shall never again become a flood to destroy all flesh. 16 When the bow is in the clouds, I will see it and remember the everlasting covenant between God and every living creature of all flesh that is on the earth.” 17 God said to Noah, “This is the sign of the covenant that I have established between me and all flesh that is on the earth.”
God established a covenant. He backed it up with a sign, so that should the convenant be forgotten, least the sign be used for remembering it. It is an everlasting convenant. God convenant is everlasting. So can a convenant be broken. Yes, but not by God but by man. God will surely remember the rainbow and of course in this case, it is an convenant not to destroy earth. But ask why was the early intention for God to blot man out of the face of earth - wickedness. But because of Noah, God "reconsider". Again, the question is man - the temptation of the world is too great and to break a convenant is easy. To recall, a convenant is a promise between 2 parties, so that if one party break the promise, rightfully, the other party need not to honour the convenant anymore. God love us so much, He knew man has a problem with evil and sins. His everlasting convenant is through Jesus - that established the way back to the Father, with Jesus dying on the cross for us. As long as we believe Jssus and that christ is the son of God - has life.
Noah cursed Ham (a story of heeding)
9:20 Noah began to be a man of the soil, and he planted a vineyard. [3] 21 He drank of the wine and became drunk and lay uncovered in his tent. 22 And Ham, the father of Canaan, saw the nakedness of his father and told his two brothers outside. 23 Then Shem and Japheth took a garment, laid it on both their shoulders, and walked backward and covered the nakedness of their father. Their faces were turned backward, and they did not see their father's nakedness. 24 When Noah awoke from his wine and knew what his youngest son had done to him, 25 he said,
“Cursed be Canaan;a servant of servants shall he be to his brothers.”
To end the study of Noah, the above was a short happening between Noah and his sons. Renna asked about could a father be so harsh and curse his own son? I have no total answer to that, but remember Noah was a righteous man and he will do eveything God say so. SO, what did god say. Not in this concluding verses. Noah was taught about the law and commands, therefore he knew what animals are clean or unclean. Let look at a verse in Levitus.
Lev 18:7 You shall not uncover the nakedness of your father, which is the nakedness of your mother; she is your mother, you shall not uncover her nakedness.
Noah probably knew this. His 3 sons should have been taught these. And that is why Naoh was so angry.
Ham saw and he did nothing. Shem heard and he did the right thing. Again, the lesson on obedience. It is not about knowing and do something, but it is about doing the right thing. The key however, is about heeding - listening and doing the right thing- that's obedience. God can speak to us, but how often, when ask to do the right things, we argued. What's the point, we hear and we did not act, and that is Ham!
Monday, October 01, 2007
A prayer for my Father
My father is going for an operation on the 3rd Oct. He will be admitted for surgery on the 2 Oct.
I pray for a smooth operation without any complication. And most important, I pray that the Jesus will be able to minister to Him. He knew and heard about the gospel, but somewhat, refuse to acknowledge and submit his WILL to a God who love him. He simply refuse to be loved and choose to harden his heart, and based on his 'superb' knowledge about heaven and earth, life and death.
Lord, weaken his will, so much, but do not take away his life- that he may fall on his knee and realise that there is no way he can go through and walk through life without the almighty help. Have mercy on him, and yolk him so that he may realise your love. Bring him to light that he may see your face and realise the reality of hell.
Lord, let him know, that you love him and that we are praying for him. Let there not be anything that will steal away your glory, that all things that can possible happen is with God permission and is under your control. Any miracle is because of your mercy and your grace.
In Jesus name I pray.
I pray for a smooth operation without any complication. And most important, I pray that the Jesus will be able to minister to Him. He knew and heard about the gospel, but somewhat, refuse to acknowledge and submit his WILL to a God who love him. He simply refuse to be loved and choose to harden his heart, and based on his 'superb' knowledge about heaven and earth, life and death.
Lord, weaken his will, so much, but do not take away his life- that he may fall on his knee and realise that there is no way he can go through and walk through life without the almighty help. Have mercy on him, and yolk him so that he may realise your love. Bring him to light that he may see your face and realise the reality of hell.
Lord, let him know, that you love him and that we are praying for him. Let there not be anything that will steal away your glory, that all things that can possible happen is with God permission and is under your control. Any miracle is because of your mercy and your grace.
In Jesus name I pray.
Weekend Getaway in Hyatt JB
29-30 sep 2007
Its only Rachael and I. We booked a accommodation at Hyatt Regency JB, just to spend time with each other.
Nice stay, except the travel through causeway that take us such a long time to clear custom.
The day is not and we spend much time in the hotel.
We are supposed to read and pray together, but did not really do so. Nevertheless, the time, just alone, enjoying the food (especially super with stinkray and coke), the bed. I hurt my back...
Shopping is definitely not what we both like to do - we shop before we come back, buying all the stuffs for our children, my mother-in-law, my sister-in-law, domestic helpers, my father, except ourselves.
I proposed more of such trips - it will and should be a time of reading the bible, prayers and sharing of God goodness.
Its only Rachael and I. We booked a accommodation at Hyatt Regency JB, just to spend time with each other.
Nice stay, except the travel through causeway that take us such a long time to clear custom.
The day is not and we spend much time in the hotel.
We are supposed to read and pray together, but did not really do so. Nevertheless, the time, just alone, enjoying the food (especially super with stinkray and coke), the bed. I hurt my back...
Shopping is definitely not what we both like to do - we shop before we come back, buying all the stuffs for our children, my mother-in-law, my sister-in-law, domestic helpers, my father, except ourselves.
I proposed more of such trips - it will and should be a time of reading the bible, prayers and sharing of God goodness.
Monday, September 10, 2007
Bible Study
I will finished the remaining chapters study on Ezra, before going to Genesis.
Renna and Rachael felt that Ezra has too many history and the best way is to go back to Genesis. Genesis should be a easy book to read as it is more narative.
I gave an overall view on Genesis - about God plan to redeem mankind after the fall. Through Noah, through Abraham, Issac and Jacob.
We will be cover the first half of 25 chapter and study them in 2 weeks time.
Renna and Rachael felt that Ezra has too many history and the best way is to go back to Genesis. Genesis should be a easy book to read as it is more narative.
I gave an overall view on Genesis - about God plan to redeem mankind after the fall. Through Noah, through Abraham, Issac and Jacob.
We will be cover the first half of 25 chapter and study them in 2 weeks time.
Friday, September 07, 2007
Phuket 1-5Sep 2007
1-5 Sep 2007
We had a 5 nights and 5 days stay in Phuket at Kat Palm Resort.
To start off, this is our first time trying out the budget airlines. Its a short trip, about 1.5hrs flight. Of course the timing is werid. We flew from Singapore at 1905 and reached hotel and settle in at local time 2130hrs, which is Singapore time 2230hrs. The flight back is worst at 2255hrs and by the time we reach home, it is 0230hrs. Deborah enjoyed herself on the way there and made friends with the air stewardess.
It rain on the alternate day. I am fine, just staying in the hotel with the kids - jumping bed, playing in the bath tub, watch TV and video, playing gameboy. But Rachael was bored. To me, I just want to laze around, doing 'slow things', just be in the presence with the family and reading the bible. Of course we use the pool and that was Sunday.
We booked a trip out to Phi Phi on Monday. We had a fun time on the boat, Josef enjoyed the ride with the waves and running about in the boat with me. We and a close encounter with the fish at close proximity. Even Deborah has a chance to feed them. Rachael and Josef went snokelling, while I accompanied Deborah feeding fish. The trip back was fun for the children - big waves, coconut, feeding fish, balloons.
Tuesday was spent at the beach. Josef had a great time with Rachael. Deborah was frighten and I was with her. She later slept with me on the beach chair. We had a great lunch and again, because of the rain, we spent another day in the hotel room. An unsucessful trip was spent going to Phuket town with much dismay.
Our last day, but it is a whole day. We extended our stay till 1800hrs. The good morning was spent at the beach, enjoying the big big waves and the sand. We rested in the afternoon, before checking out. Within the last hour, Rachael did her shopping, buying gifts for friends and family. We left hotel at 2000hrs and flew home at 2300hrs.
We had a 5 nights and 5 days stay in Phuket at Kat Palm Resort.
To start off, this is our first time trying out the budget airlines. Its a short trip, about 1.5hrs flight. Of course the timing is werid. We flew from Singapore at 1905 and reached hotel and settle in at local time 2130hrs, which is Singapore time 2230hrs. The flight back is worst at 2255hrs and by the time we reach home, it is 0230hrs. Deborah enjoyed herself on the way there and made friends with the air stewardess.
It rain on the alternate day. I am fine, just staying in the hotel with the kids - jumping bed, playing in the bath tub, watch TV and video, playing gameboy. But Rachael was bored. To me, I just want to laze around, doing 'slow things', just be in the presence with the family and reading the bible. Of course we use the pool and that was Sunday.
We booked a trip out to Phi Phi on Monday. We had a fun time on the boat, Josef enjoyed the ride with the waves and running about in the boat with me. We and a close encounter with the fish at close proximity. Even Deborah has a chance to feed them. Rachael and Josef went snokelling, while I accompanied Deborah feeding fish. The trip back was fun for the children - big waves, coconut, feeding fish, balloons.
Tuesday was spent at the beach. Josef had a great time with Rachael. Deborah was frighten and I was with her. She later slept with me on the beach chair. We had a great lunch and again, because of the rain, we spent another day in the hotel room. An unsucessful trip was spent going to Phuket town with much dismay.
Our last day, but it is a whole day. We extended our stay till 1800hrs. The good morning was spent at the beach, enjoying the big big waves and the sand. We rested in the afternoon, before checking out. Within the last hour, Rachael did her shopping, buying gifts for friends and family. We left hotel at 2000hrs and flew home at 2300hrs.
Monday, August 20, 2007
The Study of Ezra
Ezra Chapter 1 to Chapter 4:5
Our journey with God
1) The promise and the hope
The story begins interestingly with a hope. In Jer 25:11, Jeremiah "11 This whole land shall become a ruin and a waste, and these nations shall serve the king of Babylon seventy years." It was prophesised that after 70 years in captivity, the people were be free. In addition, in Isa 44:28 who says of Cyrus, ‘He is my shepherd,and he shall fulfill all my purpose’;saying of Jerusalem, ‘She shall be built,’and of the temple, ‘Your foundation shall be laid.’”.
Imagine, in Ezra "1:1 In the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, " Wow, this will be the year and we are going to be free, free from captivity. Indeed, we served a God of hope. From the begining, He promised us a saviour, a salvation plan. To Abraham, He promised a nation, to the people in Egypt, He promised them land flowing with milk and honey. To Daivd, He promised a lasting kingdom. What then is your destiny? Our hope is in Him, the provider and author of our faith.
Indeed, when Cyprus made the proclaimation, we witness the fulfilment of the promise. God promise and fulfil them. He is a faithful God and we served that faithful God. He may seem slow at times, but never late in fulfilling the promises. Claim the promises.
2) The journey of faith
The journey of faith begun. Those who chose to go back, did so. But not everyone did so. Ezra 1:5"everyone whose spirit God had stirred to go up to rebuild the house of the Lord that is in Jerusalem.". Nevertheless, the others gave to those who went back. How about you? Would you want to go back. Yes, for years and decades, the people has been very comfortably settle in the cities of Bablylon. A lot of us, may say no. What's install there?
The journey from Babylon is significant. It is not only a step of faith, but a claimant to the promise God had given. Abraham was called out of Ur or Babylon. He obeyed. He took that step of faith and moved out of his home town - a place filled with idol worship and choose to worship and trust the soverign God. Likewise, the city of Babylon was a city of idol worshippers. Very simply, by just staying there, we will be corrupted.
In our world today, we had to made choice and some meant giving up. But when God called, do you obey?
3) The encounter with God
In Jerusalem, the people began a rebuilding program. They first rebuild the altar then followed by the temple. These were centre of worhsip - represented the presence of God - our focus.
When they started out their journey back to Jerusalem with the hope, but when they saw the destruction, something has to be done. The journey represent our first step of faith, the rebuilding represent our encounter with Him. If we choose to end our journey in Jerusalem, we failed to see the purpose, we will fail to claim the promise.
Ezra 3: "And all the people shouted with a great shout when they praised the Lord, because the foundation of the house of the Lord was laid. 12 But many of the priests and Levites and heads of fathers' houses, old men who had seen the first house, wept with a loud voice when they saw the foundation of this house being laid, though many shouted aloud for joy, "
These older generation priest knew the former glory of God and the temple, but definetely not the newer generation. In verse 11, the foundation was laid, when the people shouted for joy. It is only the foundation not eh completion of the temple.
Our walk with God will be spices up with oir personal encounter with God. These encounters required our delibrate actions and a choice and santification on our part.
Noted lastly our encounters with God is not without trouble. The whole of chapter 4 spoke about that.
In the next study, we will look into how the obstacle was overcome.
Our journey with God
1) The promise and the hope
The story begins interestingly with a hope. In Jer 25:11, Jeremiah "11 This whole land shall become a ruin and a waste, and these nations shall serve the king of Babylon seventy years." It was prophesised that after 70 years in captivity, the people were be free. In addition, in Isa 44:28 who says of Cyrus, ‘He is my shepherd,and he shall fulfill all my purpose’;saying of Jerusalem, ‘She shall be built,’and of the temple, ‘Your foundation shall be laid.’”.
Imagine, in Ezra "1:1 In the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, " Wow, this will be the year and we are going to be free, free from captivity. Indeed, we served a God of hope. From the begining, He promised us a saviour, a salvation plan. To Abraham, He promised a nation, to the people in Egypt, He promised them land flowing with milk and honey. To Daivd, He promised a lasting kingdom. What then is your destiny? Our hope is in Him, the provider and author of our faith.
Indeed, when Cyprus made the proclaimation, we witness the fulfilment of the promise. God promise and fulfil them. He is a faithful God and we served that faithful God. He may seem slow at times, but never late in fulfilling the promises. Claim the promises.
2) The journey of faith
The journey of faith begun. Those who chose to go back, did so. But not everyone did so. Ezra 1:5"everyone whose spirit God had stirred to go up to rebuild the house of the Lord that is in Jerusalem.". Nevertheless, the others gave to those who went back. How about you? Would you want to go back. Yes, for years and decades, the people has been very comfortably settle in the cities of Bablylon. A lot of us, may say no. What's install there?
The journey from Babylon is significant. It is not only a step of faith, but a claimant to the promise God had given. Abraham was called out of Ur or Babylon. He obeyed. He took that step of faith and moved out of his home town - a place filled with idol worship and choose to worship and trust the soverign God. Likewise, the city of Babylon was a city of idol worshippers. Very simply, by just staying there, we will be corrupted.
In our world today, we had to made choice and some meant giving up. But when God called, do you obey?
3) The encounter with God
In Jerusalem, the people began a rebuilding program. They first rebuild the altar then followed by the temple. These were centre of worhsip - represented the presence of God - our focus.
When they started out their journey back to Jerusalem with the hope, but when they saw the destruction, something has to be done. The journey represent our first step of faith, the rebuilding represent our encounter with Him. If we choose to end our journey in Jerusalem, we failed to see the purpose, we will fail to claim the promise.
Ezra 3: "And all the people shouted with a great shout when they praised the Lord, because the foundation of the house of the Lord was laid. 12 But many of the priests and Levites and heads of fathers' houses, old men who had seen the first house, wept with a loud voice when they saw the foundation of this house being laid, though many shouted aloud for joy, "
These older generation priest knew the former glory of God and the temple, but definetely not the newer generation. In verse 11, the foundation was laid, when the people shouted for joy. It is only the foundation not eh completion of the temple.
Our walk with God will be spices up with oir personal encounter with God. These encounters required our delibrate actions and a choice and santification on our part.
Noted lastly our encounters with God is not without trouble. The whole of chapter 4 spoke about that.
In the next study, we will look into how the obstacle was overcome.
Tuesday, August 14, 2007
Talents, Money and Time
I was reading "Master Your Money" by a Christian author Ron Blue. In his book, he mentioned about using your talents, money and time for God.
Is money bad? - Not really - its the love of money. If you are not earning any money - there will be no bread on the table. You may choose to differ - that God will provides. I will say amen. But since God has given you the talents and time - why are you making use of them to bring bread on the table.
I will not try to debate on the topic, but however intend to explain how my work in forex is linked with the vision God gave me, as well as fulfilling the dreams of my family.
I am a on-line trader in spot forex. I trade mainly GBP/USD and EUR/USD currency pair - 1 forex, 2 currency pair and 3 economies. I have been in forex for about a year.
Let's look at history on how I landed doing forex.
I had a number of childhood dreams - that was before I know Christ:
1) To design my own house
2) To be a chef
3) To be a teacher
4) To own a cafe
I had always wanted to be a architect, and knew very well that I will not be a doctor, a chemist.. But when I realised that it would be a 6 years course I gave up and became an engineer instead. I have save enough for my own degree from my NS pay, supplemented with extra from tuition. As I looked back, the Lord has blessed me. By the time I completed my 4 years degree course, I paid all my loans, without paying a single interest.
I did not began as an engineer. I first fulfilled my dream as a chef (and waiter) during my engineering course time. I took up a job as a teacher for a year, before working for 2 engineering company till now. So I still have 2 un-fulfilled dreams.
So where is God in the picture. Not here, these are the dreams I have before I know Jesus. Then I was only a teenager. I was searching for God. I was only 13 or 14. My mum died when I was 14. I knew what I want - that's the dream, they are not eternal. I wanted 2 more - something external on this earth and something external after death. The search began.
It was until 1988, in my first year of NS, when I accepted Jesus as my Lord and saviour. "He is the way, the truth and the life", and no ones comes to the father (God) except through me (Jesus), "God so loved us.. He gave us Jesus, that who ever believes in Jesus, will not persish nut has external life" I found it.
So what is external on this earth - family. Geonology, a family line that contiune the legacy. I am the first in the family to become a Chirstian. So the search began and it took me 14 years before I meet Rachael on 19 March 1997, evening at TCC. What legacy?
In 1998, I began another quest, a thrist for a vision, a purpose God has for me. God first touch me and I first encoutered with God. I received a vision - my heart cry for the people in Yunan, see picture of the particular region.
A region in the north west of Yunan provice, China. Two main rivers runs across - Nu Jiang and Lan Cang Jiang. The region is generally mountainous. In general, the region is economically disadvantage. The people there in general are from the monority tribes.
So, the vision, is too big for me - I will not be able to finish it. My family will - that the legacy. My son is called Xusong- light on a mountain and Kaixi- peace to the river.
The vision, my childhood dreams how will they fit into a overall plan. Maybe only one. But it will be nice to have both.
As I seek, I came up with a 4 x 5 years plan. The first 5 years - get all your creditials to get into a polytechnic, the second 5 years, teach there and enjoy the 42 days of leave. During which I will spend the leave to develop a buisness plan. The third 5 years, execute the business and the last 5 years grow the business.
Why business? ESBI (emplyment, self-employed, business and Investment)
Yes, God provides, but it is the talents you have that you should multiple. In the first sermon - the sermon at the mount, Jesus saw the multitude, but he retreated to the mountain with his disciples and began preaching on the beautitudes. Why not preach to the multitude? Jesus knew that minsistering to the multitude only address their current needs, but it would be the disciples that will fulfil the great commission.
Yes I can work, but I know very well that for a dollar I am being paid, I will have to work harder. Remember - the vision, my dreams and the family that I so longed for. I would rather spend time in these. In addition, working towards these needs resources - money. Of course, God will provides. Business is one way of generating profits and profits translate to cash or capital for investment and investment with compounded interest, multiple. Once at that stage, time is what you gain and money just roll in.
Let see how God has provided. I need time and money. Basically I need to use less and less time earning money and yet has sufficient for my ultimate intent.
I started off with conventional business, but it failed. Not only that conventional ties me down in Singapore, it needs capital. Remember the vision, yes in Yunan, not Singapore. I don't want to be looking after my business in Singapore and not able to go anywhere for long period of time - relocation if God calls.
I came up with my three business model law:
1) I must be able to do business transaction everywhere I go
2) Regardless of economic situation - inflation or recession, bull run or bear, I must be able to do transations
3) The effort I made in transactions must be able to be compunded or be able to multiple
I found three type of business. Tried them and two of them was not sucessful. In the end, and that was some 2 years ago - I did stocks options, futures and forex.
It was forex that I stayed on for a year. In my earlier blog, I shared why not options, future, index and why forex.
As I looked back, when I started work, a ex-colleague Simon introduce me to stocks. It was then many years later when another colleague, Max, left the company, he introduced options. It was last year, I went for a church breakthrough weekend, I was introduced to Abraham. He taught me the ropes to forex. Being graphical and mathematically incline, I was able to grapse the technics of forex.
The techniques I used will spend me 5-10 minutes a day, with 4-5 hours of research and eading every week, the return is about 300pips for a standard lot of investment. I can spend more time with my God, my family, my exercise routine, with people and of course doing the things I like, fulfiling my dreams and my vision.
God gave the vision. Bless me with a family (support and co-heirs to the vision). God gave me the knowledge and know-how and daily decision making (talents) and provides the people (Simon, Max and Abraham) and the resources (capital).
I pray that with the money, time and talents, that my god provides and bless, I will bless others and gives. As you my Lord leads, I journeyed with you and as I do so and see how my faithful God provides, my faith in you increase. Amen.
Tuesday, August 07, 2007
My family dreams
"For a man without visions, will perish"
I have a session with Rachael and encouraged her to write down her dreams. What is the purpose. We live only once, therefore live it with a purpose and a fulfilling one. Without listing down your dreams, it would be OK to have, Ok not to have it, there may be a lack of motivation and you may just fail to strive out your best to achieve anything.
We have a limited resources, time, talents and money. We need to know how to use them for whatever purpose and intends - be it a calling in God's work or others.
"Seek ye first the kingdom of God". Indeed, if you don't seek, you will be just beating around the bush. God gave Abraham a very clear destination, He gave Mosses clear guidance and provides us a definte saviour. What's yours?
I believe that I cannot lead where I have not gone to. There is a lot of things we want to do for God, but seek first the intend. I shared and will share it again: - The first lesson was on core cirriculum. It talks about knowing who God is, followed by knowing who our master is, and knowing who I am, next, knowing our purpose, values and priorities. The last two is our empowerment (doing what is right) and gaining in our foundation, so that we can know who God is more.... The cycle goes round again and we grew more in God.
Discipleship is about PDA - Personal revival, Divine Appointment and Active obediece. We cannot go where God does not lead, we cannot lead where we have not gone to. First it is about myself and God. Listen and grow internally and in steadfastness in God (personal revival). Pray for divine appointment - who heal the cripple at the gate of Jesusalem (Peter or God). Unless God call, nothing happen, we will be doing it out of our own strength. But when God call -obey (active obedience). If you have a personal walk with God (P) , you will learn to hear from Him (D) and when He speaks, you obey (A) and when God does the work, you grow - the cycle goes again.
What is then these to do with your dreams - simply we are God children. God must be part of us, He is our dream and our destiny. How can we be in tune with God - "take up the cross and follow me daily" . Read, pray and spend time alone with Him everyday. Relationship grows as we spend time. Listen to God.
So back to dreams, what is Rachael's dreams? I list them without ranking them in priorities.
1. To be able to skii
2. To go to the Candadian Rockies
3. To be with Deborah (play together)
4. To BBQ at East Coast Park
5. To visit Alaska
6. To swim with Dolphins
7. To be with the orphans in China
8. To bring people to Christ
9. To spend time with Josef (hepl him in his homework, play together, watch movies, beach)
10. To bring mum and dad to meal
11. To have a fit body
12. To update woredrobes
13. To win at least 1 or 2 disciples for Jesus in ?
14. To have a car of my own
What's mine?
1. To design and own my new house
2. To gain financial independence
3. To visit the people in the provice of Yunnan, China
4. To help the orphans and the econmomically disadvantage in the region mentioned in (2)
5. To watch and spend time with my family - going places, growing in the Lord togehter, play
6. To make disciple for Christ (my family, my relatives, friends, and the people in China)
7. To own and start a cafe business
8. To spend a year or so in North America with my family
9. To set up a trust fund to help the less fortunate and the economically disadvantage
I may not have finished my list, but that is ok to start.
The next excerise is for Rachael and myself to rank and prioritize them. By ranking them, help us to make decisions, be it spiritually and permit us to allocate with priority resouces to achieve them.
Well with all said - "many are the plans of man, but it is the Lord purpose that prevail" In Jesus name I committed them to you. Amen.
I have a session with Rachael and encouraged her to write down her dreams. What is the purpose. We live only once, therefore live it with a purpose and a fulfilling one. Without listing down your dreams, it would be OK to have, Ok not to have it, there may be a lack of motivation and you may just fail to strive out your best to achieve anything.
We have a limited resources, time, talents and money. We need to know how to use them for whatever purpose and intends - be it a calling in God's work or others.
"Seek ye first the kingdom of God". Indeed, if you don't seek, you will be just beating around the bush. God gave Abraham a very clear destination, He gave Mosses clear guidance and provides us a definte saviour. What's yours?
I believe that I cannot lead where I have not gone to. There is a lot of things we want to do for God, but seek first the intend. I shared and will share it again: - The first lesson was on core cirriculum. It talks about knowing who God is, followed by knowing who our master is, and knowing who I am, next, knowing our purpose, values and priorities. The last two is our empowerment (doing what is right) and gaining in our foundation, so that we can know who God is more.... The cycle goes round again and we grew more in God.
Discipleship is about PDA - Personal revival, Divine Appointment and Active obediece. We cannot go where God does not lead, we cannot lead where we have not gone to. First it is about myself and God. Listen and grow internally and in steadfastness in God (personal revival). Pray for divine appointment - who heal the cripple at the gate of Jesusalem (Peter or God). Unless God call, nothing happen, we will be doing it out of our own strength. But when God call -obey (active obedience). If you have a personal walk with God (P) , you will learn to hear from Him (D) and when He speaks, you obey (A) and when God does the work, you grow - the cycle goes again.
What is then these to do with your dreams - simply we are God children. God must be part of us, He is our dream and our destiny. How can we be in tune with God - "take up the cross and follow me daily" . Read, pray and spend time alone with Him everyday. Relationship grows as we spend time. Listen to God.
So back to dreams, what is Rachael's dreams? I list them without ranking them in priorities.
1. To be able to skii
2. To go to the Candadian Rockies
3. To be with Deborah (play together)
4. To BBQ at East Coast Park
5. To visit Alaska
6. To swim with Dolphins
7. To be with the orphans in China
8. To bring people to Christ
9. To spend time with Josef (hepl him in his homework, play together, watch movies, beach)
10. To bring mum and dad to meal
11. To have a fit body
12. To update woredrobes
13. To win at least 1 or 2 disciples for Jesus in ?
14. To have a car of my own
What's mine?
1. To design and own my new house
2. To gain financial independence
3. To visit the people in the provice of Yunnan, China
4. To help the orphans and the econmomically disadvantage in the region mentioned in (2)
5. To watch and spend time with my family - going places, growing in the Lord togehter, play
6. To make disciple for Christ (my family, my relatives, friends, and the people in China)
7. To own and start a cafe business
8. To spend a year or so in North America with my family
9. To set up a trust fund to help the less fortunate and the economically disadvantage
I may not have finished my list, but that is ok to start.
The next excerise is for Rachael and myself to rank and prioritize them. By ranking them, help us to make decisions, be it spiritually and permit us to allocate with priority resouces to achieve them.
Well with all said - "many are the plans of man, but it is the Lord purpose that prevail" In Jesus name I committed them to you. Amen.
Sunday, July 29, 2007
The family CFO
I read this book "The Family CFO" by Mary Claire Allvine and Christine Larson. Very interesting.
Though I have not finished the book, but I have already learning a lot from it. The author encouraged couple or a family to practice and run it as if it is your business and your company.
Set up your board of directors - to plan the vision (dreams). It mentioned that giving time frame and priority to these dreams help make money decisions eaily.
Next it talk about setting yo the CFO office - staffing it with a Cash Manager and a Investment Manager (though in a family the two roles may be played by the same person). The Cash Manager manage the Income, expediture, cash flow and pay bills of the family. The Investment Manager manages the extra income determine the insurance, mortage, investment plans. The CFO finally present in either monthly or quarterly the finance statement of the family - detailing how well is the family reaching their dreams.
Dreams are infinate but resources need to achieve these dreams are finite. Therefore planning - which invole decisions making are needed. The finance satement of a family can be used to plan and executing and fulfils these dreams.
BTW - one of my dream is to bring my whole family to stay in the West Coast of U.S.A for a year - enjoying the four seasons, the people and the culture.
Though I have not finished the book, but I have already learning a lot from it. The author encouraged couple or a family to practice and run it as if it is your business and your company.
Set up your board of directors - to plan the vision (dreams). It mentioned that giving time frame and priority to these dreams help make money decisions eaily.
Next it talk about setting yo the CFO office - staffing it with a Cash Manager and a Investment Manager (though in a family the two roles may be played by the same person). The Cash Manager manage the Income, expediture, cash flow and pay bills of the family. The Investment Manager manages the extra income determine the insurance, mortage, investment plans. The CFO finally present in either monthly or quarterly the finance statement of the family - detailing how well is the family reaching their dreams.
Dreams are infinate but resources need to achieve these dreams are finite. Therefore planning - which invole decisions making are needed. The finance satement of a family can be used to plan and executing and fulfils these dreams.
BTW - one of my dream is to bring my whole family to stay in the West Coast of U.S.A for a year - enjoying the four seasons, the people and the culture.
Saturday, July 28, 2007
Kids Grow Fast
The kids are growing so fast. josef has reached our chest height and deborah is now tottering around confidently. She has grown much longer too. How time flies and how fast they grow.
i enjoy every single moment with them. They enjoy mine too. I think we are priorities in each other lives.
as i look at the lives of some of the teens around me, i realise how much they desire to have their parents' involvement in their lives. i hope to be a parent who is very much of the children's lives.
ernest is such a darling too. he repaired the sink and door. he is the repair man of the house. well his love language is service. he is also the children's playmate as he always clowns around with them.
thank god for such a lovely family. where your heart is there the treasure will be.
follow your heart desire in this life. you live only once.
i enjoy every single moment with them. They enjoy mine too. I think we are priorities in each other lives.
as i look at the lives of some of the teens around me, i realise how much they desire to have their parents' involvement in their lives. i hope to be a parent who is very much of the children's lives.
ernest is such a darling too. he repaired the sink and door. he is the repair man of the house. well his love language is service. he is also the children's playmate as he always clowns around with them.
thank god for such a lovely family. where your heart is there the treasure will be.
follow your heart desire in this life. you live only once.
Sunday, July 08, 2007
Sentosa Trip on 1 July 2007
Racahel suddenly has this craze on Sentosa. First we spent a night at the newly build Siloso Resort from Sunday to Monday. She return to Sentosa with the kids to visit Underwater Water World and Songs of the Sea on Tuesday. In fact she was still talking about bring the kids back on Wednesday to Pink Dolphin Lagoon, but did not do so because of her school work.
Well, we enjoyed the trip. I had fun with Josef at the pool and the "car ride" down the slope. Thank God for the provision.
Deborah
My little has grown up too. Now she can walk, but still can't talk, but communicate through her little gesture and finger pointing with "heagh heagh heagh".
Spa with Rachael
I had a couple spa with Racahel on Saturday. Wonderfully. But the sad thing is that she lost her ear ring (diamond) which her mother gave it to her. I pray that it can be found at the spa.
Racahel suddenly has this craze on Sentosa. First we spent a night at the newly build Siloso Resort from Sunday to Monday. She return to Sentosa with the kids to visit Underwater Water World and Songs of the Sea on Tuesday. In fact she was still talking about bring the kids back on Wednesday to Pink Dolphin Lagoon, but did not do so because of her school work.
Well, we enjoyed the trip. I had fun with Josef at the pool and the "car ride" down the slope. Thank God for the provision.
Deborah
My little has grown up too. Now she can walk, but still can't talk, but communicate through her little gesture and finger pointing with "heagh heagh heagh".
Spa with Rachael
I had a couple spa with Racahel on Saturday. Wonderfully. But the sad thing is that she lost her ear ring (diamond) which her mother gave it to her. I pray that it can be found at the spa.
Saturday, January 06, 2007
A Trip to A'Famosa
A'Famosa Malacca 20-22 Dec 2006
We did not fly in the year 2006. The main reasons were because Deborah was born in Feburary as well as Rachael had her studies and exams in Decemeber. Therefore, besides this trip to Malacca to mark the end of this year, we had only a trip to KL in June for a church camp plus a day extension at Plalace of the Golden Horse.
First, I want to give thanks to God. It rain and rain almost everyday for the last week to the day we set off for A'Famosa. We had booked outdoor activities packages! to my even bigger surprise when we were back, we realised that during that week it the rainfall collected from 19 to 21 Dec was equaled to that of the whole of December. It has cause floods not only in Malacca, Johor as well as Singapore! Not a way for our major trip for the year!
When we reached there it was still raining. When we checked in to our spacious, we realised that there is nothing much we can do. To make things worst, most of the outdoor activities, except water sports will be closed. There are no mini-mart to shop and buy things to eat (only at the lobby where we bought some expensive ice-creams). We did not bring any thing to munch and even if we had, we cannot cook! This is the first time, when I feel really - what a holiday - no food, no activities! The only entertainment we had is the "Connect Four" game which I suggested to bring.
Praise God. The rain stop at six - time for dinner. the sky was still overcast. We deceided to ajourn to Cowboy town - dinner, carnival plus watch a 4-D movie. Stepenie ordered steak, which I felt that the resturant had failed to cook it well. Josef had only fries. Josef enjoyed himself watching the tiger and the lion chained to the stage. We watch the 4-D movie and it is a good experience for Josef - the chair move, water spat at you, air blown at you, plus the 3-D movie with colour and sound.
Rachael enjoyed the Red Indian show - but to me its some performer blowing fire. In reflection, Rachael commented how blessed we are. It tough on those performers to blow kerosene out of their mouth.
Again, but though it rain, it is not that big. We managed to share umbrellas and enjoyed the Indian show and later the canival. Josef enjoyed watching the chicken match pass. The canival ended with a fireworks which I enjoyed it very much. It's spectactular to see the fireworks at such a close range!
We spent the rest of the night in the same bedroom.
Breakfast was provided - but to mention, the coffee is so diluted that it should be called coffee coloured water! We had either sauages with bread or lasi lemak. It continue to rain, so cold that I observed that the only two kids at the swimming pool refuse to get into it. We also borrowed some games - chess and karium. Nobody actually played much for the karium.
Again praise God, by lunch, suddenly, the rain stop. It our time for the water world. It was our only chance that afternoon or we would forgo what we paid for the package.
The girls had hot luncj, while the boys had burger, so that we can quickly get into water. Josef and I had a good time - from fighting in the wave pool to atacking the children pool andthe Arabian castle. It is also the first time Josef take a water silde so high that he commented that his stomach came out!
Deborah surprised everyone by crawling along the wave pool. Besides the wave pool is a sand pit. Tough baby!
Dinner was brought back - bascially we had burgers, nuggets and sandwiches.
The next morning, taking advantage that the sky was not raining, we went to have some sports. It was Josef who had all the fun. He had a horse ride, followed by a Go-Kart. The guy at the Go-Kart gave Josef more rounds and I can see that Josef enjoyed himself - speeding all the way! I hope that give him something to remember.
We finally check out at 1200hrs and the rain also started. We had lunch at the same resturant where we had our first meal when we first arrived.
Well, a trip with much thanks to God. Basically, it keep us (my family, my mother-in-law and my sister-in-law) simple - a holiday with not much heavy activities and plenty of rest.
We did not fly in the year 2006. The main reasons were because Deborah was born in Feburary as well as Rachael had her studies and exams in Decemeber. Therefore, besides this trip to Malacca to mark the end of this year, we had only a trip to KL in June for a church camp plus a day extension at Plalace of the Golden Horse.
First, I want to give thanks to God. It rain and rain almost everyday for the last week to the day we set off for A'Famosa. We had booked outdoor activities packages! to my even bigger surprise when we were back, we realised that during that week it the rainfall collected from 19 to 21 Dec was equaled to that of the whole of December. It has cause floods not only in Malacca, Johor as well as Singapore! Not a way for our major trip for the year!
When we reached there it was still raining. When we checked in to our spacious, we realised that there is nothing much we can do. To make things worst, most of the outdoor activities, except water sports will be closed. There are no mini-mart to shop and buy things to eat (only at the lobby where we bought some expensive ice-creams). We did not bring any thing to munch and even if we had, we cannot cook! This is the first time, when I feel really - what a holiday - no food, no activities! The only entertainment we had is the "Connect Four" game which I suggested to bring.
Praise God. The rain stop at six - time for dinner. the sky was still overcast. We deceided to ajourn to Cowboy town - dinner, carnival plus watch a 4-D movie. Stepenie ordered steak, which I felt that the resturant had failed to cook it well. Josef had only fries. Josef enjoyed himself watching the tiger and the lion chained to the stage. We watch the 4-D movie and it is a good experience for Josef - the chair move, water spat at you, air blown at you, plus the 3-D movie with colour and sound.
Rachael enjoyed the Red Indian show - but to me its some performer blowing fire. In reflection, Rachael commented how blessed we are. It tough on those performers to blow kerosene out of their mouth.
Again, but though it rain, it is not that big. We managed to share umbrellas and enjoyed the Indian show and later the canival. Josef enjoyed watching the chicken match pass. The canival ended with a fireworks which I enjoyed it very much. It's spectactular to see the fireworks at such a close range!
We spent the rest of the night in the same bedroom.
Breakfast was provided - but to mention, the coffee is so diluted that it should be called coffee coloured water! We had either sauages with bread or lasi lemak. It continue to rain, so cold that I observed that the only two kids at the swimming pool refuse to get into it. We also borrowed some games - chess and karium. Nobody actually played much for the karium.
Again praise God, by lunch, suddenly, the rain stop. It our time for the water world. It was our only chance that afternoon or we would forgo what we paid for the package.
The girls had hot luncj, while the boys had burger, so that we can quickly get into water. Josef and I had a good time - from fighting in the wave pool to atacking the children pool andthe Arabian castle. It is also the first time Josef take a water silde so high that he commented that his stomach came out!
Deborah surprised everyone by crawling along the wave pool. Besides the wave pool is a sand pit. Tough baby!
Dinner was brought back - bascially we had burgers, nuggets and sandwiches.
The next morning, taking advantage that the sky was not raining, we went to have some sports. It was Josef who had all the fun. He had a horse ride, followed by a Go-Kart. The guy at the Go-Kart gave Josef more rounds and I can see that Josef enjoyed himself - speeding all the way! I hope that give him something to remember.
We finally check out at 1200hrs and the rain also started. We had lunch at the same resturant where we had our first meal when we first arrived.
Well, a trip with much thanks to God. Basically, it keep us (my family, my mother-in-law and my sister-in-law) simple - a holiday with not much heavy activities and plenty of rest.
A Trip to Kota Tinggi
Kota Tinggi 13-14 Dec 2006
After so many years, finally I made my first trip to Kota Tinggi, despite the numbers of water falls I have visit, further than Kota Tinggi.
We had a good time, the weather was perfect, despite it had rained for the past few days and almost every day.
Accordingly to Rachael, who has been there more than a decade ago, the place has changed. Very nice and fun for kids. Josef had a great time at the pool and slide - not at the falls. Deborah enjoyed herself too, so was my domestic helper.
We drived there and I realised the way to go there via Woodlands checkpoint is to make a U-turn after Malaysia immigration point and turn left into Jalan Wong Ah Fook. From there followed the sign board all the way to Kota Tinggi. However, Kota Tinggi is just a town, not a water fall. The actual destination is another distance. The actual name is "Air Terjun", followed the sign board in brown and all the way till the dead end - that's the main gate. To my surprise, you need to pay. Maybe if you make a detour and enter through the carpark, it's free. It is a national park and should be free access!
We spend almost the rest of the morning and part of the afternoon there.
Instead of going home, our intention is to stay a night in Johore. But unfortuntely, instead of going to Desaru, which I think I lost my way, we ended ourself in JB and spent a night there. It is a simple stay at Crystal Crown. We had a good dinner of yong tao foo, which I had two servings!
In my opionion, I will not choose to stay in Crystal Crown, quite a old 3-star and I should have asked for a smoke free floor. The car park ins very small.
On returning home the next day, we had some shopping. Everyone was tired, especially Josef.
After so many years, finally I made my first trip to Kota Tinggi, despite the numbers of water falls I have visit, further than Kota Tinggi.
We had a good time, the weather was perfect, despite it had rained for the past few days and almost every day.
Accordingly to Rachael, who has been there more than a decade ago, the place has changed. Very nice and fun for kids. Josef had a great time at the pool and slide - not at the falls. Deborah enjoyed herself too, so was my domestic helper.
We drived there and I realised the way to go there via Woodlands checkpoint is to make a U-turn after Malaysia immigration point and turn left into Jalan Wong Ah Fook. From there followed the sign board all the way to Kota Tinggi. However, Kota Tinggi is just a town, not a water fall. The actual destination is another distance. The actual name is "Air Terjun", followed the sign board in brown and all the way till the dead end - that's the main gate. To my surprise, you need to pay. Maybe if you make a detour and enter through the carpark, it's free. It is a national park and should be free access!
We spend almost the rest of the morning and part of the afternoon there.
Instead of going home, our intention is to stay a night in Johore. But unfortuntely, instead of going to Desaru, which I think I lost my way, we ended ourself in JB and spent a night there. It is a simple stay at Crystal Crown. We had a good dinner of yong tao foo, which I had two servings!
In my opionion, I will not choose to stay in Crystal Crown, quite a old 3-star and I should have asked for a smoke free floor. The car park ins very small.
On returning home the next day, we had some shopping. Everyone was tired, especially Josef.
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