Counting and Calling Life

I count it comfort when I am down and I have a few friends to rely on. 

I count it blessings when I am wrong and I have friend to tell me so.

I count it joy when I could tell my wrongs and be accepted as me.

I count it freedom when I am allowed to express my inner self.

I count it special when I am given a favour I undeserved.

I count it peaceful when I could rest in the midst of turmoil.

I call it love when I am loved for who I am.

I call it grace when I am given another chance in life.

I call it faith when I believe in what my eyes have not seen.

I call it kindness when I fall and I am helped to stand up again.

I call it rest when I could sleep in the midst of storm.

I call it complete when in vulnerability I am set free.

Christmas Songs for the soul

Because I touched those cups

It was past midnight around 1:30 am, our son woke up crying and rubbing his hands real hard, "My hands are dirty. I want to bath." He kept repeating in between sobs, I was feeding the younger brother, dad had to give in for his wish of a bath at 2 am! I could hear his little bathtub being filled up with water and he went straight into it. I thought to myself, this is rather unusual, I know my kids love to bath and its play time for them but why at 2 am? Our son was enjoying his bath and I thought it might be the start of another episode of you-ain't-see-nothing-yet phase a.k.a. from now on, he is going to ask for midnight bath as when he fancies a midnight bath ! 

I got out of bed and checked on him, he was still washing and rubbing his hands as if they were dirty. I asked him, "You wanna to bath now because your hands are dirty?". "Yes", he replied me. "Why are they dirty?" I need to hear from him his explanation. His reply gave me a chill, "Because I touched those cups!"

My mind went back to that very Sunday morning. 

Every Sunday morning after church, we would have our breakfast with another family, it was the favourite time of the week for both adults and kids, they got to meet with their buddies once a week and its food and play time for them. One of our favourite place to dine was the Tom Yam Noodles place at Iramanis, a place of warehouses and shops. In between the two rows of shops, there was a pavement and in the middle, was a little red altar house. The boys were really curious when they first saw it, "Mummy, there is a little red house over there." "There are little cups lined up there with food and sweets." We explained what those are, told them never to touch it or eat anything there. The boys stood in a row, nodded indicating they understood but their eyes were filled with questions. They went away and jumping around. Then came that very Sunday, one of the boys came telling us, "Wallace touched the cups, he removed them." We came running and reprimanded them or being over curious. We asked him why and what did he do and I remembered saying a little prayer of protection over him and the boys. The boys were asking "Will the gods be angry now since he touched the cups?" 

I motioned him to get out of the bathtub, dried him and dressed him up in his PJ. "Next time, when we tell you not to do something, you must obey. OK ?" He nodded and promised me to be so. I handed him a bottle of milk as surely he would be hungry after a midnight bath. He was drinking from the bottle on the bed while I was praying that this would be it and no more issue from this. I even braced myself for him to develop a little fever arising from this ordeal (logically as he showered head to toe in the early morning and spiritually as I knew he has touched something of the spiritual realm). In the quietness of the night at 2:30 am, our boy softly recited, 

"The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. 

He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters. 

He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness For His name's sake. 

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.

 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; My cup runs over.

 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me All the days of my life; And I will dwell in the house of the Lord Forever."

With that, I just knew in my heart that all is well. 

Some parents told me they do not think kids can understand spiritual things and even some say they let them choose when they get older. Our son was just 3 years old then, clearly, he knew what he did was wrong and something was bothering him that night. He seemed to figure out how a bath could help and I had to seal it with a prayer to make sure there be no more issue arising from his curiosity of disturbing a worship altar. 

Life for young families are full of daily fresh challenges, our kids are like little antennas ready to receive and broadcast what are in their hearts. They can be such "teachers" for their parents with their child-like faith. In our son’s mind, he thought a cleansing bath will get rid of the dirtiness. I am still amazed where did that come from. 

As to how our 3 years old could recite Bible verses, that itself is another story. I read somewhere that reciting the Bible is a good way to boost speech and memory. So I was teaching our eldest 5 years old Bible Verses during bedtime every night, starting with Psalm 23. I was not really teaching the 3 years old, it came as a bonus as he was listening in the whole time and one night he broke out reciting with the 5 years old brother.  

Psalm 8:2

Through the praise of children and infants you have established a stronghold against your enemies, to silence the foe and the avenger.

Matthew 21:16

Jesus answered, "have you never read: 'From the mouths of children and infants You have ordained praise?"

This incident happened in the year 2001 at J10 Taman Likas Jaya, our first house, after Malcolm was born (8 Nov 2000) and before Oct 2001 as we moved out of the old house at J10 Taman Likas Jaya. Wallace was about 3 years plus, so that could well be between April to October of 2001.

The True Meaning of Christmas (by Santa)

The Meaning of Christmas

Just a week before Christmas I had a visitor. This is how it happened. I just finished the household chores for the night and was preparing to go to bed when I heard a noise in the front of the house. I opened the door to the front room, and to my surprise, Santa himself stepped out from behind the Christmas tree. He placed his finger over his mouth so I would not cry out. "What are you doing?" I started to ask him.

The words choked in my throat, as I saw he had tears in his eyes. His usual jolly manner was gone. Gone was the eager boisterous soul we all know.  He then answered me with a simple statement, TEACH THE CHILDREN! I was puzzled: What did he mean? He anticipated my question, and with one quick movement brought forth a miniature toy bag from behind the tree. 

As I stood there bewildered, Santa said, Teach the Children! Teach them the old meaning of Christmas. The meaning that a now-a-day Christmas has forgotten!

Santa then reached in his bag and pulled out a FIR TREE and placed it on the mantle. Teach the Children that the pure green color of the  stately fir tree remains green all year round, depicting the everlasting hope of mankind.  All the needles point heavenward, making it a symbol of man's thoughts turning toward heaven.

He again reached into his bag and pulled out a brilliant STAR. Teach the Children that the star was the heavenly sign of promises long ago.   God promised a Savior for the world, and the star was the sign of fulfillment of that promise.

He then reached into the bag and pulled out a CANDLE. Teach the Children that the candle symbolizes that Christ is the light of the world, and when we see this great light we are reminded of He who displaces the darkness.

Once again he reached into his bag and then removed a WREATH and  placed it on the tree. Teach the Children that the wreath symbolizes the eternal nature of love. Real love never ceases. Love is one continuous round of affection.

He then pulled out from his bag an ornament of HIMSELF. Teach the Children that Santa Claus symbolizes the generosity and good will we feel during the month of December.

He reached in again and pulled out a HOLLY LEAF. Teach the Children the holly plant represents immortality. It represents the crown of thorns worn by our Savior. The red holly berries represent blood shed by Him.

Next he pulled out a GIFT from the bag and said, "Teach the Children that God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son. Thanks be to God for His  unspeakable gift. Teach the Children that the wise men bowed before the holy babe and presented Him with gold, frankincense, and myrrh. We should give gifts in the same spirit as the wise men." 

Santa then reached in his bag and pulled out a CANDY CANE and hung it on the tree. Teach the Children that the candy cane represents the shepherd's crook. The crook on the shepherd's staff helps bring back strayed sheep from the flock. The candy cane is the symbol that we are our brother's keeper.

He reached in again and pulled out an ANGEL. Teach the Children that it was the angels that heralded in the glorious news of the Savior's birth. The angels sang 'Glory to God in the highest, on earth, peace and good will.'

Suddenly I heard a soft twinkling sound, and from his bag he pulled out a BELL. Teach the Children that as the lost sheep are found by the sound of a bell, it should bring people to the fold. The bell symbolizes guidance and return.

Santa looked at the tree and was pleased. He looked back at me and I saw the twinkle was back in his eyes. He said, "Remember, teach the Children the true meaning of Christmas, and not to put me in the center, for I am but a humble servant of the One who is, and I bow down and worship Him, our Lord, our God." 

~ Author Unknown

Source : http://www.annien.com/Holidays/Christmas/ChristmasStories/meaning_christmas.htm

1 Corinthians 13 Christmas Style

1 Corinthians 13 Christmas Style

©By Sharon Jaynes

If I decorate my house perfectly with lovely plaid bows, strands of twinkling lights, and shiny glass balls, but do not show love to my family – I’m just another decorator.

If I slave away in the kitchen, baking dozens of Christmas cookies, preparing gourmet meals, and arranging a beautifully adorned table at mealtime, but do not show love to my family – I’m just another cook.

If I work at the soup kitchen, carol in the nursing home, and give all that I have to charity, but do not show love to my family – it profits me nothing.

If I trim the spruce with shimmering angels and crocheted snowflakes, attend a myriad of holiday parties, and sing in the choir’s cantata but do not focus on Christ, I have missed the point.

Love stops the cooking to hug the child.

Love sets aside the decorating to kiss the husband.

Love is kind, though harried and tired.

Love doesn’t envy another home that has coordinated Christmas china and table linens.

Love doesn’t yell at the kids to get out of your way.

Love doesn’t give only to those who are able to give in return, but rejoices in giving to those who can’t.

Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, and endures all things.

Love never fails. Video games will break; pearl necklaces will be lost; golf clubs will rust. But giving the gift of love will endure.

Selah moment definitions

This week, a friend shared about a selah moment in her life through facebook and I learnt something. Here is what I have learnt about a Selah Moment.

My understanding of Selah Moment


It is a WOW moment frozen in short span, crystallised with a great moment of truth, such strong truth and awakening that you just simply has to pause and rethink through it !

I need more Selah Moments in my life, I need to be zapped by moments of truths from God, to humble me, to re-build me, to restore me. Make me useful for His purpose.

Here are some internet notes that I have learnt from.
http://selah-moment.blogspot.com/
The word 'Selah' in the book of Psalms seem to imply a brief moment of silence, a rest in a flurry of musical notes and poetry, a pause for the musicians to take a breather, a moment for the priests to sacrifice their offerings before the Lord.
This blogger uses Selah Moment as a collection of their moments of reflection; of the silent pauses in their journey of faith.

http://ezinearticles.com/?The-Selah-Moment---When-Time-Stands-Still-For-You-to-Reflect&id=3941372
The "Selah" Moment - When Time Stands Still For You to Reflect

By Steve Wickham


Selah [pause, and calmly think of that]!

~Book of Psalms, variously throughout (Amplified version).

Time in life is generally abundant yet we lose our grip on it so ironically in our grasping of it a.k.a. "busyness." Like the concept of happiness, the moment we grab time is the moment we lose it.


Note to self: time is an uncommodifiable thing--we're no merchants of time, we are simply marvellers of it.

The "Selah" (say-lah) moment is a place of consciousness that is barely beating. It takes the being partaking of its grace to a place pervaded in a concept like, wait for it, 'reverse time.'

It's a time of anti-time, if there were such a thing. It's a time-vacuum where the things of time matter less.

It's a destination of the mind and heart where matters of everyday life don't matter so much; it's possibly a positive numbness--given to the sacred pastime, set aside to Divineness. It's a gentle though punchy and stringent relief in anyone's day.

The "Selah" moment is thick with spiritual meaning and truth; we can pause and reflect--stunned enough simply to STOP. Stopped in our tracks, but so totally in accord with our wills; spiritual relevance smacks us between the eyes of our heart. We so want this time even if it comes as a transitory inconvenience. We reflect later-with a charmed grin-that as God is good, so is the "Selah" moment!

It's there for us--in our direct midst--if only we'll recognise it. It stands there waiting for our hand, to take ours in its hand, and journey with us--beyond our so-called realism.

To take advantage of the moment in reflection we are necessarily in a mood a world away. When it takes us, we simply cooperate. We enjoy the flight of fancy that re-invigorates and restores us mentally, emotionally and spiritually.

Until the next time it breaks through our consciousness... a very dear friend. Selah is wellbeing.