"As you well know, we are getting closer to my birthday. Every year there is a celebration in my honor and I think that this year, the celebration will be repeated.
During this time there are many people shopping for gifts, there are many radio announcements, TV commercials, and in every part of the world everyone is talking that my birthday is getting closerand closer.
It is really very nice to know, that at least once a year, some people think of me. As you know, the celebration of my birthday began many years ago.
At first people seemed to understand and be thankful of all that I did for them, but in these times, no one seems to know the reason for the celebration. Family and friends get together and have a lot of fun, but they don't know the meaning of the celebration. I remember that last year there was a great feast in my honor. The dinner table was full of delicious foods, pastries, fruits, assorted nuts and chocolates. The decorations were exquisite and there were many, many beautifully wrapped gifts.
But, do you want to know something? I wasn't invited.
I was the guest of honor and they didn't remember to send me an invitation. The party was for me, but when that great day came, I was left outside, they closed the door in my face .. and I wanted to be with them and share their table. In truth, that didn't surprise me because in the last few years all close their doors to me. Since I wasn't invited, I decided to enter the party without making any noise. I went in and stood in a corner.
They were all drinking; there were some who were drunk and telling jokes and laughing at everything. They were having a grand time. To top it all, this big fat man all dressed in red wearing a long white beard entered the room yelling Ho-Ho-Ho! He seemed drunk. He sat on the sofa and all the children ran to him, saying "Santa Claus, Santa Claus "as if the party were in his honor!
At midnight all the people began to hug each other; I extended my arms waiting for someone to hug me and do you know - noone hugged me.
Suddenly they all began to share gifts. They opened them one by one with great expectation. When all had been opened, I looked to see if, maybe, there was one for me. What would you feel if on your birthday everybody shared gifts and you did not get one?
I then understood that I was unwanted at that party and quietly left.
Every year it gets worse. People only remember the gifts, the parties, to eat and drink, and nobody remembers me.
I would like this Christmas that you allow me to enter into your life.
I would like that you recognize the fact that almost two thousand years ago I came to this world to give my life for you, on the cross, to save you. Today, I only want that you believe this with all your heart.
I want to share something with you. As many didn't invite me to their party, I will have my own celebration, a grandiose party that no one has ever imagined, a spectacular party. I'm still making the final arrangements..
Today I am sending out many invitations and there is an invitation for you. If you wish to attend, I will make a reservation for you and write your name with golden letters in my great guest book. Only those on the guest list will be invited to the party. Those who don't answer the invite, will be left outside. Be prepared because when all is ready you will be part of my great party " See you soon. I Love you! Jesus
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Ps: thanks Freda for this reflective and timely reminder. Incidentally, at Best Denki, Plaza Spura, last Thursday afternoon 20th Dec, i was at the TV section where suddenly i felt Christ on my right. HE beckoned to the many shoppers there and was trying to get hold of their attention- seems like He was saying "Buy Me. Buy Me. I am your best Christmas gift" But many shoppers were oblivious and ignored Him - they forgot the meaning of CHRISTmas.
2000 years ago, GOD who is out of space and time, came to earth through Christ Jesus. "And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth" (John 1:14)" GOD need NOT do so but He chose to because He loves each one of us dearly - He paved The Way for us to return to Him one day. So dear friends, on this Christmas day, my greatest wish for you is to reflect upon the true meaning of CHRISTmas and for you to know Jesus PERSONALLY. Knowing Jesus personally and knowing ABOUT Jesus are entirely 2 different concepts. Have a Blessed CHRISTmas.
Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us (Matthew 1:23)
Monday, December 24, 2007
NITEMARE in Cem Street & CHRISTMAS DAY
Warning: R21 - for mature audiences only and especially those who are NOT afraid of things that go tick tock in the nite. Otherwise, skip this post
i woke up at about 0400 h this morning - had a strange dream - wasn't unpleasant, nitemarish BUT very strange. but it is not something out of the ordinary becos i experienced these strange dreams every now (this is the 2nd one in this month) .
"i was in the States (US) and visited a famous cemetry to pay respects to those departed but strangely this big cemetry was housed in a big air con auditorium. everything was brown in color - brown wall panels, brown ceiling, brown earth but there were lamps around to navigate one's route. i guess i was tired ( maybe i was on a full day tour) so i lay down and rested beside one of the graves and before long, i fell asleep. then i felt a cold (maybe the aircon got colder) and i woke up in the nite, open my eyes and i found myself in the same position earlier in the day- next to a grave. i wasn't frightened at all (would you scream ?) - i stood up and made my way to the EXIT door. Fortunately, the lights were still on though dim; otherwise, i would have tripped. Then, i woke up".
In my lifetime, i have attended many wakes but less at funerals - it's good to be a comforter especially when peole need people the most in their darkest hours. i went to a wake once at 0235 am to assist in "duties". In all these events, one thing that strikes me most and always is the solmen "atmosphere" , great grief and sorrow, helplessness, failure, lost, hopellessness - a feeling of ALL IS LOST- DEATH WINS. I have spent considerable time reflecting on this subject and i can share with you from my personal experience that "Physical" death is very well real; crying loads of tears will not bring yur loved one back. Since the 1st human was created, there isn't one who has died a physical death and then came back to life - except for Christ.
Death is taboo - most dun wanna to talk about or even think about it. Most people rather sweep it under the carpet and avoid the subject. Heard of the usual phrases "parn tarn" or "touch wood" or "choy choy" ? Even the media ads- we plenty of slimming ads, handphones, home appliances, condos, cars etc but ever saw one ad that says "buy one casket now and get 30% discount"? (perhaps i coud use them for storage purposes for the time being and when the appointed time comes, use it to contain my physial self) Dear friends, we WILL all die - for the "wages of sin is death". The only thing that we not know of is the time and the date. When the day and time comes, are we prepared ? OR do we live our lives as if that we will go on forever ? That explains why when death strikes SUDDENLY, most people are unable to accept the sudden loss and cope with their grief. Death can strike at any time.
Christmas has become VERY commercialised so much so that its intended and significant meaning has been lost. Have you ever paused for a moment and reflected what it means when someone says "MERRY Christmas" ? Does it mean merry making, having parties, buying expensive gifts? What is the celebration all about ? Why are we celebrating ?
By all means, have a great time - it's a good time to have fellowship and perhaps a thanksgiving dinner with your families and loved ones BUT do not lose sight of the focus of the essence of TODAY and that is - there is Hope because HE came so that we may live abundantly and eternally. Dear Jesus, i pray that whoever reads this post, that you will touch their hearts warmly and their lives so that they will know YOU are THE SOLE REASON for Christmas today. Amen.
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life” (John 3:16).
i woke up at about 0400 h this morning - had a strange dream - wasn't unpleasant, nitemarish BUT very strange. but it is not something out of the ordinary becos i experienced these strange dreams every now (this is the 2nd one in this month) .
"i was in the States (US) and visited a famous cemetry to pay respects to those departed but strangely this big cemetry was housed in a big air con auditorium. everything was brown in color - brown wall panels, brown ceiling, brown earth but there were lamps around to navigate one's route. i guess i was tired ( maybe i was on a full day tour) so i lay down and rested beside one of the graves and before long, i fell asleep. then i felt a cold (maybe the aircon got colder) and i woke up in the nite, open my eyes and i found myself in the same position earlier in the day- next to a grave. i wasn't frightened at all (would you scream ?) - i stood up and made my way to the EXIT door. Fortunately, the lights were still on though dim; otherwise, i would have tripped. Then, i woke up".
In my lifetime, i have attended many wakes but less at funerals - it's good to be a comforter especially when peole need people the most in their darkest hours. i went to a wake once at 0235 am to assist in "duties". In all these events, one thing that strikes me most and always is the solmen "atmosphere" , great grief and sorrow, helplessness, failure, lost, hopellessness - a feeling of ALL IS LOST- DEATH WINS. I have spent considerable time reflecting on this subject and i can share with you from my personal experience that "Physical" death is very well real; crying loads of tears will not bring yur loved one back. Since the 1st human was created, there isn't one who has died a physical death and then came back to life - except for Christ.
Death is taboo - most dun wanna to talk about or even think about it. Most people rather sweep it under the carpet and avoid the subject. Heard of the usual phrases "parn tarn" or "touch wood" or "choy choy" ? Even the media ads- we plenty of slimming ads, handphones, home appliances, condos, cars etc but ever saw one ad that says "buy one casket now and get 30% discount"? (perhaps i coud use them for storage purposes for the time being and when the appointed time comes, use it to contain my physial self) Dear friends, we WILL all die - for the "wages of sin is death". The only thing that we not know of is the time and the date. When the day and time comes, are we prepared ? OR do we live our lives as if that we will go on forever ? That explains why when death strikes SUDDENLY, most people are unable to accept the sudden loss and cope with their grief. Death can strike at any time.
Christmas has become VERY commercialised so much so that its intended and significant meaning has been lost. Have you ever paused for a moment and reflected what it means when someone says "MERRY Christmas" ? Does it mean merry making, having parties, buying expensive gifts? What is the celebration all about ? Why are we celebrating ?
By all means, have a great time - it's a good time to have fellowship and perhaps a thanksgiving dinner with your families and loved ones BUT do not lose sight of the focus of the essence of TODAY and that is - there is Hope because HE came so that we may live abundantly and eternally. Dear Jesus, i pray that whoever reads this post, that you will touch their hearts warmly and their lives so that they will know YOU are THE SOLE REASON for Christmas today. Amen.
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life” (John 3:16).
Monday, December 3, 2007
Dun get your fingers burnt
Many people have misconceptions about lightning strikes – that tall objects like trees or tall buildings will be hit. This is NOT true because lightning can strike ANYWHERE even at ground zero in an open field Have I got lightning phobia ? If i am caught in an open space with flashes of lightning, immediately I stoop low and shuffle briskly like a penguin, hopefully to find a shelter Whether we are are on our own or with our families or loved ones in Singapore or abroad, we ought to equip ourselves with the knowledge of lightning dangers, precautions and safety.
Click to read the article on “30/30 Rule” & Lightning Safety published by NOAA (National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration) Severe Storms Laboratory. Definitely worth a read B4 we venture out.
KEY POINTS
Flash-to-bang: When you see the FLASH - Count the seconds to the BANG Every 5 seconds equals 1 mile. Divide by 5 to give the distance in miles from you to the lightning. 30 seconds -suspend all outdoor activities (lightning strike was 6 miles away or less) and seek safe shelter
If you count 15 seconds or less, a lightning strike could occur where you are (3 miles away or less).
Click to read the article on “30/30 Rule” & Lightning Safety published by NOAA (National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration) Severe Storms Laboratory. Definitely worth a read B4 we venture out.
KEY POINTS
Flash-to-bang: When you see the FLASH - Count the seconds to the BANG Every 5 seconds equals 1 mile. Divide by 5 to give the distance in miles from you to the lightning. 30 seconds -suspend all outdoor activities (lightning strike was 6 miles away or less) and seek safe shelter
If you count 15 seconds or less, a lightning strike could occur where you are (3 miles away or less).
Monday, November 26, 2007
Slumberland
Goodnite beloved people. Sweet dreams in ChemLand :)
* jus returned from year IV Prom Nite 20 minutes ago.
* jus returned from year IV Prom Nite 20 minutes ago.
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