Bitterjoy

I learnt this quote from a friend, "A Christian without pain is like a flower with rain".

I realize this applies not only to Christians, but to Artists and Designers as well. So does this mean a Christian Designer/Artist need an extra dosage of pain in their daily walk?

Sadistic as I might sound, I believe pain is food for the artist's soul.

Masochistic as I might sound, I believe pain brings joy to the artist's life.

Radical as I might sound, I believe pain is inspiration for the artist's work.

Healthy pain is what I'm referring to, though.

I have to stop running away from healthy pain, but embrace pain from now on.

Some people are meant to have lives that are plainly and innocently joyful. Yet some people are meant to have lives that are bitterly joyful.

Just like eating fruits is necessary but have to be consumed in controlled and healthy portions, pain is necessary but have to be allowed into you in controlled and healthy portions.

Revolutions can be better

www.hardboiledmagazine.com

Only victories

After a miraculous deliverance from the Egyptians, the Israelites were complaining instead of thanking. Instead of a joyful and grateful spirit, they had a whiny and complaining attitude. He had already promised victories and the giving of the Promised Land to them, so they already have all that they need to victory.

Likewise, He has already given us His Word, His Spirit, His promises and His power. We're already bound for victory. There's no cause for complain, only plenty of reasons to thank Him. Move ahead with faith and thanksgiving, as we claim and proclaim the victory.

Show us how to use these resources You have richly blest us with, as You lead us into victory. Our faith is in You, we are Your children. 

Solutions to heavy workload and difficult people

Be faithful - and leave the results to God.

The closer you are to God, the more you'll have a heart for others.

The Lord is my Designer

The Lord is my Designer, I shall not doubt His talent.
He surrounds me with His creations,
He leads me into new inspirations,
He restores my mind.
He guides me into creating God-fearing works for His glory's sake.

Even though I walk in an epoch of art abuse, egoism and depravation,
I will fear no evil, for You are here with me;
Your Word and Your Light, they guide me.

You prepare a masterpiece before me in the presence of my enemies.
You anoint my mind with honor;
My sketchbook overflows.
Surely creativity and wisdom will follow me all the days of my life,
and I will live in the Lord's ingenuity forever.

- Janice Grace Pek

The Lord is my Art Therapist

The Lord is my Art Therapist, I shall not lose focus.
He surrounds me with artworks and art materials in a garden,
He leads me into understanding and peace,
He restores my soul.
He lead my hands into holy creations,
and mind into wise righteousness for His glory's sake.

Even though I walk in an epoch of deviation and despair,
I will fear no evil and pain, for You are here with me;
Your art guides me, Your therapy comforts me.

You prepare an art exhibition before me in the presence of my enemies.
You anoint my soul with honor;
My art gallery overflows.
Surely creativity and wisdom will follow me all the days of my life,
and I will live in the Lord's lucidity forever.

- Janice Grace Pek

Wake up, you blessed one

Initially, it was ambiguous whether it was part of His plan.
Fear of humiliation prevented me from finding out.

Obviously, He wanted me to take the step in finding out because he actually has a purpose - to eliminate 'fear of humiliation' or 'self-consciousness' from my character traits.

I thank You for Your prompts and the courage You provided.
Thankfully, this can now be put behind me.

My dignity is intact because I behaved how Your child should be - loving and friendly, especially to Your own family.

It is not my fault if there are family members who choose to disobey and sin against You by treating me (who is Your child and their sister) with disdain.

I tried to unite the group. But as you have given free will to all creation, they get to choose obedience or disobedience. Kindness or haughtiness to their sister.

Seriously, some very blessed people should wake up, before He take their blessings away. The rich will be poor, and the poor will be rich, is what the Book says.

It is our hope for it to function.
But it is Your will whether it ultimately will.

Variety is pleasing and necessary

I know of a young guy who owns a drinks stall in a neighbourhood food market near my place.

It is obvious that he is educated when you interact with him.

People who interact with him are usually left wondering why an educated, upbeat and amiably sociable young chap is shackling himself within a small drinks stall in a food market.

There is a family from my church who stays nearby too and also frequents that guy's stall too, who is obviously on pretty good terms with him as well.

You feel like the whole market loves that helpful, sociable and amiable guy, ranging from the patrons, to his fellow market stallholders to the cleaning staff.

Christians can't help but wonder if he is a believer too. Whether he's a believer or not, a thought dawned on me.

I thought, "Indeed, we can serve Him and His community wherever we are because that is His original plan anyway - His plan to have everyone created uniquely and serving uniquely".

Why is everyone striving to be a doctor and lawyer when some of them are immensely and obviously a talented pianist, enthusiastic painter, compassionate caregiver, or a meticulous mathematician?

Since when did doctors and lawyers become the only 'practical' professions around? Since when did humans cease needing comfort (counselors), cease needing the expressions of emotions, thoughts and ideas (artists) and cease needing education (teachers)? I can go on droning.

Other than the issue of impracticality of having the whole world doctoring each other or debating law with each other, it is also emotionally/mentally unbearable to live in a world without musicians, artists, teachers, engineers, counselors, therapists or even businessmen.

What would happen to the human body if every organ decides to be a brain or heart?

Shawn Li adds this on: "To add on, Jesus was a carpenter."

Enable us for You

Now to You who is able to do immeasurably above all that we ask or imagine, according to Your power that is at work within us, to You be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.

Thank You, for Your faithful character that never changes, providing us hope in a hopeless world.

Vegetation Stewardship

The environment is also under our stewardship since Genesis 1:28-30 says that we rule over the "fish", the "birds", "seed-bearing plant", etc.

The following two sites are more on the vegetation aspect, though.

http://sec.org.sg/
"...educate, inspire and assist individuals, business organizations and environmental groups to care for and protect the environment"

http://www.nparks.gov.sg/
"We conserve, create, sustain and enhance the green infrastructure of our Garden City."