Treasure by Gary Chapman

It's been a whirlwind week. Not a rushed week, in fact, very leisurely. I'd had a lot of meeting up with friends this week, and greaaaat food!

But when these things cannot satisfy, I am left with a hanging desire for more more more. The more I look at things in the world, i get disillusioned. I wonder, so what, for what, who cares, better just go and die (and rest in peace ahahaa!).

But when I look at God, I know, that this is my treasure. The purpose of my life, is found in Him.

As such, I post this post, to share this song (written in 1982!) by Gary Chapman... called "Treasure". Amazing Lyrics!




TREASURE
by Gary Chapman

They say that were your treasure is
There will your heart be also
And your heart stays where you hide your greatest love

Now you can leave that love on earth
Where thieves may steal tomorrow
Or you can take it to that hiding place above

There's a treasure at the end of this narrow road I'm traveling
And it gives me a purpose for life
Jesus is my treasure, He's the reason that I am living
And he'll still be my reason when I die

So if you've been wondering where you're at, and where it is you're going
He's left a map for you and me to use
We just read the map and follow close
Always walking where it's showing
You just can't miss it, think before you choose

See there's a treasure at the end, of this narrow road we're traveling
And it gives us a purpose for life
Jesus is my treasure, He's the reason that I'm living
And he'll still be my reason when I die

Now there's a treasure at the end
Of this narrow road that I've been travelling,
And it gives me purpose for life,
Jesus is my treasure, only reason that I live,
And he's gonna be my reason when I die
Yeah, he's gonna be my reason when I die

Social Media - Yet another facade

There is a lot of potential to be disillusioned in social media. When the lure of the wonders of social media cease, and is no longer interesting, I wonder what will be the next thing to occupy our minds. When this happens for me, I retract. I stop blogging, I stop all the useless twittering and narcissistic display of my 'world' online and retreat to that inner world, where I can find something else. That humanity in me. That love. God.

Sometimes, the Internet, has to be discerned as well. It must be a tool that helps us to fulfill our life purpose. Not the main preoccupation, time-passer, etc.

Today, I am a little tired. I want to just meet people face to face and talk. I want to just not READ about something, but really immerse myself in it. I want to not just email people, but to be able to sit with them, and talk about God, life, love, everything.

I just don't understand

Why Do People Judge Others?

I quote from an excerpt from an article online: "Sometimes people are quick to judge or form an opinion about others when they do not really know them or their motives. Everyone cannot be truly happy and fulfilled when they judge, criticize, or hate people. When people work on bettering themselves they can be encouraged to learn from others and the mistakes they make. When people spend less time judging others, trying to fix them, or change them then they can spend more time on improving themselves and who they are. People have plenty of work to do on themselves, if they want to be their best."

What is best, to me, is honest teamwork. No gossip. We can be unhappy with each other, but we can talk it out like normal people. But no gossip. No backbiting. No funny stories going around.

I am amazed at how narrowminded people can be. Perhaps it's my turn to judge now, but it's hard not to. Rest assured, I will keep an open mind and continue to bear in mind my christian principles, that we do not judge, as we will be judged one day before God.

God, who is love and forgiveness, would want me to forgive my enemy indeed.

But I say unto you, love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.
(Matthew 5:44,45)

It is a fact that poor teamwork costs us these, and these I cannot deny:
- Loss of market position;
- Inability to respond to changing customer needs;
- Failure to identify new market opportunities;
- Lack of focus in corporate training or cross functional decision making;
- Increased time required for management intervention on issues related to process and staff performance, not outcomes; and
- Poor responsiveness and time inefficiencies.

The cost to customers impacted by poor teamwork will be affected by the:

Poor service offered to customers;
Company image;
Limited diversity of products and services offered;
Limited customer access to skilled service staff;
Frequency of customer use;
Climate and culture of the organisation;
Existing competence (knowledge, skills and attitudes) of staff and management; and finally
Ability for staff to respond to customers with special or changing needs.

Staff dissatisfaction will translate into costs where it causes:

High staff turnover and/ or absenteeism;
Lack of stability in personal and work relationships;
Conflict in a team or the workplace;
An inability to identify the customer or 'own' outcomes produced by the team;
Lack of consistency in work standards; and
Lack of personal development.

Source

The lamp-post

I had accidently knocked the car bumper into the lamp post at church last Sat. And can you believe it, I was really worried. I did not want to see dad's angry face.

Today, the lamp-post is taken down, being repaired I reckon.

And when I reflect on why this silly mistake has to happen, I think i can only say, that God wants to teach me that: "there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus" (Romans 8:1) -- because I was so worried, to be condemned by my dad (by seeing his angry face and remarks) - but when I told him, he was amazingly calm and quiet.

Also, I was not asked to pay for the damages or anything. So, it's like... God's forgiveness, is free. Anyone can be forgiven.

For this example, I can get a pretty tangible experience of the greatness of God's mercy and forgiveness. I think, this could be my story to tell... should I come across someone who needs to hear it in the future!

Found a nice quote

"Through all the world there goes one long cry from the heart of the artist:
Give me leave to do my utmost." Isak Dineson, 'Babette's Feast'

Sunset Graffiti!

Holiday!

I want another holiday!!! hwaaaa.. barely back and wishing for another holiday... oh gosh! Well, if I had a full month of holiday, what would I do?

I'd watch all my backdated anime & drama! Read Harry potter finish.. Do my paper toling and study more Nihongo... And go for my art lessons, play my piano, and learn the American Quartet and Smetana viola parts properly...

Anyway... I'm so proud of myself for starting to read again... I have barely started - only chapter 1 of this book I bought at the HK airport. Haha.... hope i can make it through... it's been years since I read a full book proper.

Next, I am wishing for more time once again because i just have too many hobbies. It's so hard to make time... I wonder, do I really enjoy all these hobbies or am I just doing too many things?

The result is, I really enjoy all these things. Unfortunately, time is not unlimited, so as I do all these things, I have to also manage my time even more!

That's why, these few days, I'd been thinking of being more disciplined. I could do a few things within 1 night if I portioned my time well.

And so,.... I shall embark on a disciplined lifestyle. And that should include prayer time as well! Must not forget.

Not to mention, I think i have to go shopping again. It's been like 8 months since I last shopped! Can you believe that?

Wonderful God

It's a wonder, how songs can suddenly pop up in my head even though I seldom listen to them nowadays. Maybe it's God's way of speaking to me... having me remember a song out of the blue, and finding that the lyrics are quite meaningful for me at this point of time... ?

Tonite, after the OLPS Parish dinner, I come back and settle down and still wide awake, here I am again online. And this song "wonderful God" by Darlene Zschech just pops into my head. Trust me, I don't know this song at all, but the intro tune "Wonderful God..." just replays and replays in my head and I just have to go and do a search on Google.

SO, I then find out that this song is from Hillsong's God He Reigns album. And I find out more of its lyrics. Here goes:



Wonderful God Lyrics

Beautiful is Your creation
You're glorious in every way
You surround us with
Your faithful love
And we can trust in all You say

Wonderful God
Wonderful O God

You are worthy of all glory
All honour and praise
All to You our God
Forever and always
You are worthy of our worship
And worthy of our love
We stand in awe of
All You are

You are love
You are life
You are all glorious
You are love
You are life
You are all glorious

And at the end of this song.... I can feel God asking... "Follow me"!

Trust me, the spiritual life is not an easy path. It's so hidden. It's fleeting. No one can really understand. If I say, God spoke to me... who would believe me?

But therefore, I want to walk this road. How to live my christian life? I can only learn from the ONE father, the one God, the creator of life, of heaven and earth. I, who am nothing, can't know what to do in my own wisdom. I have to trust in Him, my Lord and creator...

These truths, suddenly seem quite clear again. Maybe after many months of cloudy vision, the sky is clearing up again.... that I may see God's face... and hear God's voice?

Eternal Place

This song struck me some time long ago. The title, "eternal place", reminds me of "heaven". And one of the lyrics (english part) says, "Tell me how to live without your love".... if you take it in a worldly sense, it is simply someone else's love, But if you take it in a spiritual sense, i can also make it refer to the love of God, rite..



Anyway I just watched the J-drama "Innocent Love" -- the writer must be a catholic or something, it's strewn with catholic scenarios, a church (with crucifix), priest & confession, the songs "amazing grace" "what a friend we have in Jesus"... and so forth. I think if I go back in the episodes, i can pick up the wordings to the song even! haha... watched this drama coz of Horikita Maki (actress in HanaKimi, Atashinchi no Danshi). I think she's "ok" in this show. But I prefer her in comedy roles.. :)

Ok back to talking about an "eternal place" - at this stage... i just imagine a peaceful haven... sunlight streaming down through the woods, a little enclave, little wild flowers growing all around, and it is just peaceful. Sometimes, we long for a bit of magic, an illusion, an alternate reality.. Nothing wrong with present day life. But nothing wrong, also nothing to excite...

I am dreaming again..

Nutcracker Suite

Lovely:





The japanese conductor reminds me of Nodame cantabile... hwhaha..

Anyway... I'd been dehydrated for the past 4 days since having fever on Friday. It's like no matter how much water I drink, still thirsty... not sure why leh. It's perplexing to have to be so thirsty all the time...

Reflection on 'The Shortness of Life'

I was inspired today by a quote I read in the paper by Lucius Seneca (c. 4 BC – AD 65), Roman Stoic Philosopher. He wrote "The Shortness of Life".

(Read more here for the full article of "The Shortness of Life" & readers' comments)

I especially liked his quotes which depict how we "live", but do not really "live" -- That everything could very well be idle preoccupations, but not really leisure. It is so true sometimes! "The part of life we really live is small.” For all the rest of existence is not life, but merely time (Lucius Seneca)

But... as I was reading on, into the comments on this post, I came to read someone's comments, which consisted bible passages. It not only enlightened me, but made my heart jump a little. And I began to think, that philosophy is still philosophy after all, it is MAN's ruminations. But when it comes to the Word of God, I feel that it is not just "ruminations" but it is the answer of Life.

Maybe this faith to believe this, is God's grace too, for I realise that no one can really have hope in a book such as the bible, unless they have been given that "spiritual insight" by God.

So then, will people who are not believers ever be able to get that spiritual insight? Yes, by God's grace. So if their hearts are open, if they would just go directly to question this God about HIS truths, I believe HE would show himself to them.

From PROVERBS 3:1-10
Have you considered these words:
1 My son, do not forget my teaching, but keep my commands in your heart,
2 for they will prolong your life many years and bring you prosperity.
3 Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck,
write them on the tablet of your heart.
4 Then you will win favor and a good name in the sight of God and man.
5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding;
6 in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.
7 Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD and shun evil.
8 This will bring health to your body and nourishment to your bones.
9 Honor the LORD with your wealth, with the firstfruits of all your crops;
10 then your barns will be filled to overflowing, and your vats will brim over with new wine.

Have you considered what Jesus said about living for the after life instead of this life?

Treasures in Heaven (Matthew 6:19-24)
19″Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
22″The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are good, your whole body will be full of light. 23But if your eyes are bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light within you is darkness, how great is that darkness!
24″No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money.

2 Corinthians 4:18
So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.

1 John 2:17
The world and its desires pass away, but the man who does the will of God lives forever.

Playing with Slide creater at Slide.com

SEOUL 2009