Shift of Focus

I came across an article that teaches you how to be happy.
I summarized it into 7 points.

1. Force yourself to smile and laugh.
2. Make something.
3. Keep a list of things you appreciate.
4. Start a project.
5. Go through your address book and meet up with old friends.
6. Physical Exercise
7. Choose to be happy.

Ironically, if I actually continue doing 5 out of 7 of the above-mentioned suggestions, I might actually become depressed and maniacal really soon enough.

Maybe all we need is a shift of focus.

"The Paradox of Our Age"

By Dr. Bob Moorehead

The paradox of our time in history is that we have taller buildings but shorter tempers; wider freeways, but narrower viewpoints. We spend more, but have less; we buy more, but enjoy less. We have bigger houses and smaller families; more conveniences, but less time. We have more degrees but less sense; more knowledge, but less judgment; more experts, yet more problems; more medicine, but less wellness.

We drink too much, smoke too much, spend too recklessly, laugh too little, drive too fast, get too angry, stay up too late, get up too tired, read too little, watch TV too much, and pray too seldom. We have multiplied our possessions, but reduced our values. We talk too much, love too seldom, and hate too often.

We've learned how to make a living, but not a life. We've added years to life not life to years. We've been all the way to the moon and back, but have trouble crossing the street to meet a new neighbor. We conquered outer space but not inner space. We've done larger things, but not better things.

We've cleaned up the air, but polluted the soul. We've conquered the atom, but not our prejudice. We write more, but learn less. We plan more, but accomplish less. We've learned to rush, but not to wait. We build more computers to hold more information, to produce more copies than ever, but we communicate less and less.

These are the times of fast foods and slow digestion; big men and small character; steep profits and shallow relationships. These are the days of two incomes but more divorce; fancier houses but broken homes. These are days of quick trips, disposable diapers, throwaway morality, one night stands, overweight bodies, and pills that do everything from cheer, to quiet, to kill. It is a time when there is much in the showroom window and nothing in the stockroom. A time when technology can bring this letter to you, and a time when you can choose either to share this insight, or to just hit delete.

Remember, spend some time with your loved ones, because they are not going to be around forever.

Remember to say a kind word to someone who looks up to you in awe, because that little person soon will grow up and leave your side.

Remember to give a warm hug to the one next to you, because that is the only treasure you can give with your heart and it doesn't cost a cent.

Remember to say "I love you" to your partner and your loved ones, but most of all mean it. A kiss and an embrace will mend hurt when it comes from deep inside of you.

Remember to hold hands and cherish the moment for someday that person will not be there again.

Give time to love, give time to speak, and give time to share the precious thoughts in your mind.

AND ALWAYS REMEMBER:
Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away.

Dr. Bob Moorehead is former pastor of Seattle's Overlake Christian Church. The essay appeared in 'Words Aptly Spoken,' Dr. Moorehead's 1995 collection of prayers, homilies, and monologues used in his sermons and radio broadcasts.

Interested in Mission Work?

For whoever interested in Mission Work.

Sharing the gospel:
www.asianoutreach.org

Community Work, without gospel-sharing:
www.worldvision.org.sg

Housing for the Impoverished:
www.habitatforhumanity.org

Training Youths for Mission Work:
www.sif.org.sg

Psalty's Big Comeback!

Christians might find this video hilarious.
Do you remember Psalty?
Our friend from Sunday School days?
(:

Pastor Rick Warren did this video with his church, Saddleback Church.
Yes, the huge church and the author of 'The Purpose-Driven Life'.

Nothing and Everything

I did not receive because I did not ask.

Yet when I asked, I still did not receive because I asked with the wrong intentions.

I always sought it and thought receiving it would liberate me.

Only after many years of tribulations, griefs and anguish did it finally sink into my head that seeking it has not only ruined me, but destructed many others as well.

Instead of liberation, it has only imprisoned.

There are some truths that we can never discover. Have the serenity to accept it when you can't know the truth. Yet also have the courage to face it when you have to face the truth.

We don't have to know everything, because we simply need to trust Him. He knows best. Until you finally fully understand this, you'd never be liberated.

We only go to Him when we're at the end of the rope.

Just recognize it: we're hopeless sinner.

Until you recognize that you're a hopeless sinner, desperate for His Grace, you'd never be liberated.

I always thought 'If only I have this, I'd be blessed and free', but looking back, I was the most liberated and closest to You when I was impoverished. The more I gained, the more I thought I was in control and I thought I could gain more - another classic example of how Your fallen people can't handle too much blessings.

Now, suddenly, I've lost it all. A timely lesson and discipline by You, as I've always implored You to do so unto me.

I give up. Really. Finally. I surrender all to You.

If you are not bothered

This is what The Word says about the unsaved when they're eternally condemned:

1. Thrown alive into the fiery lake of burning sulfur (Rev 19:20)
2. Tormented day and night forever and ever (Rev 20:10)
3. In a place of sorrow, devoid of happiness (Ps 116:3)
4. In a place of worms (Mark 9:48)
5. In a place of darkness, of people weeping and gnashing their teeth in extreme anguish (Matt 8:12; 22:13; 25:30)
6. In a place parched with thirst, and of remembering this life and wishing for no one to join them (Luke 16:24)

Quoting John Cross, "It's a place of lonely suffering, not some buddy-buddy celebration of debauchery."

For the saved, do you sense the urgency to do something?
If no one shared His love and good news with you, how could you have been saved?

The eternally condemned...
It could have been you.

A slower pace

You'll get to the finish line whether you run or walk.

Why not walk instead, so you get to enjoy the scenery and smell the flowers along the way?

With patience and sincerity, a simple fare can be delicious too.

Goodbye Stranger

Hello flautist.
Hello pianist.
Hello stranger.

We could have been so beautiful.
We could have been so blessed.

But you chose to stay in the igloo.
The healer I never knew.

So now, I’m no longer a woman.
But now, I’m an artist.

You will one day realize how beautiful we could have been.
One day very soon.

Goodbye, stranger.

Group Project's Video

CD4F'2008, Group F1, Project Presentation for Contemporary Contextual Studies.


Online Videos by Veoh.com

To remember, To practise

One day, God will right every wrong.
I sought the Lord, and He heard me.
Those who live for God are the real winners in life.
Even the most difficult people we know bear the image of God.
Some people have heaven on their tongues, but the world in their hearts.
Like a compass, the Bible always points you in the right direction.
When God forgives a sin, He never brings it up again.
A trial may be God's good gift in disguise.
Let danger drive you to Jesus.
You meant evil against me, but God meant it for good.
Having food and clothing, with these we shall be content.
Do what you can where you are with what you have.
The closer we walk with God, the clearer we see His guidance.
Unexpected changes are opportunities in disguise.
Don't let satan manage the details of your life.
We need not fear the perils around us because the eye of the Lord is always upon us.
Pride and grace cannot dwell in the same place.
When we put our problems in God's hands, He puts His peace in our hearts.
No one is beyond the reach of God's grace.
We always have enough when God is our supply.
Those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength.
Revenge restrained is a victory gained.
A complaining Christian is a contradiction in terms.
A heart touched by grace brings joy to the face.
Love is the debt we owe one another.