Day 2- You are not an accident

1. You are alive because God wanted to create you!
2. God prescribed every single detail of your body. He deliberately chose your race and nationality. He also determined the natural talents you would possess and the uniqueness of your personality.
3. Many children are unplanned by their parents, but they are not unplanned by God.
4. (To me, this is the most reassuring and touching part.) God says, "I have carried you since you were born; I have taken care of you from your birth. Even when you are old, I will be the same. Even when your hair has turned grey, I will take care of you. I made you and will take care of you."

- taken from Rick Warren's "The Purpose-Driven Life".

There are indeed certain negative aspects of my personality that I am struggling to accept.

The first one is being egoistic (self-centred). I often tend to be only concerned about my feelings and my preferences or dislikes.

Secondly, I desire to seek righteousness (morality) but I have found that I actually lack the courage to act in righteous ways.

Thirdly, although I try to be compliant (willing to carry out orders without protest) to my mother's every command or wish, I am not hundred per cent sincere or honest to my mother. I find myself not being able to confide with her and there are more things I try to hide from her. In that sense, I don't show enough filial piety.

These are the top three weaknesses that I am conscious and can immediately think of. Of course, I may have other weaknesses that I may not be even aware of. I would like to offer all these weaknesses to the Lord and may the Lord purify me. I want to be more like Him in my words, actions and thoughts. Lord, please have mercy on me and save me.

Day 1- It all starts with God

On Wed 21 Nov 2007, I started my spiritual journey to search for my purpose in life. (I do not know why this question has been reverberating [echoing] in my head since the beginning of this year.) As I finish reading each chapter of "The Purpose-Driven Life" written by Rick Warren, I will write a blog entry to share with you what I have learnt and my reflections.

1. Being successful and fulfilling your life's purpose are not at all the same issue!
2. The Bible says, "Self-sacrifice is the way, my way, to finding yourself, your true self."
3. To discover your purpose in life, ask God and turn to God's word.
4. You discover your identity and purpose through a relationship with Jesus Christ.

- taken from Rick Warren's "The Purpose-Driven Life"

I must constantly remind yourself that I'm living for God, not for myself.

赞美敬拜2

感谢上主派遣圣神引领我顺利地领每一次的赞美敬拜。以下的祷文都是经过歌词、圣经、圣咏及团员们的祷文的启发后而写的。特此把这些祷文上载在我的博客中，希望以另一个媒介光荣天父及主耶稣！

歌曲1：《我的明天由天主掌管》

天空的飞鸟，田间的花草，天主都尚且看顾它们。
我们是天父的可爱子女，天主又怎么会舍弃我们呢？
别再担忧了，让我们把一切事情都交托给天主吧！
…………………………………………………………
的确，我们是一群幸福的羊儿，
因为不管我们的人生道路有多崎岖坎坷，
都有主耶稣与我们相伴同行。
上主是我们的依靠，我们又何须害怕，何须忧虑呢？
让我们安心跟随主耶稣去寻求天主的国吧！
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歌曲2：《上主的一切作为》

上主，祢是良善宽仁的，祢的慈爱永远常存。
祢不惜派遣祢的独生子耶稣来救赎我们，使我们得到永生。
祢继而派遣圣神来圣化我们，使我们堪当承受基督的恩许。
上主，祢的工程是多么伟大微妙啊！
我们虽然不能了解祢在我们身上所行的计划，
但我们坚信祢的一切作为，都是为了爱我们！
感谢祢，天主！阿肋路亚！
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歌曲3：《应常欢乐》

上主，祢是那样深深地爱着我们，
常赐给我们丰厚的恩宠，是我们旅途的良伴。
我们所拥有的一切都是祢所赐。
让我们怀着一颗感恩的心、喜悦的心，一齐赞颂天主吧！
感谢主，阿肋路亚！
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赞美敬拜1

感谢上主派遣圣神引领我顺利地领每一次的赞美敬拜。以下的祷文都是经过歌词、圣经、圣咏及团员们的祷文的启发后而写的。特此把这些祷文上载在我的博客中，希望以另一个媒介光荣天父及主耶稣！

歌曲1：《善牧的羊儿B》

是的，主耶稣，祢是我们的善牧！
祢知道我们的能力，也了解我们的软弱，却仍然愿意照顾我们，领我们到祢的福地去。
主，求祢住进我们这些卑微羊儿的心，
让我们充满信德，不再忧虑，
勇敢地寻求天主的国，
勇敢地追随祢！Amen!　

＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿

歌曲2：《主恩深深记心中》

主，祢曾说过不是健康的人需要医生，而是有病的人。
祢来不是召叫义人，而是召叫罪人悔改。
感谢祢，主耶稣！
虽然我们时常犯罪，没有遵从祢的旨意，
但是祢从不曾鄙视我们，从不曾遗弃我们。
主耶稣，我们要永远记住这份恩情，
永远称颂祢的宽仁及慈爱！阿肋路亚！
＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿

歌曲3：《除你以外》

主，感谢祢时时刻刻陪伴着我们。
祢天天同我们在一起，直到今世的终结。
无论我们开心或沮丧，祢都寸步不离地陪伴着我们。
除祢以外，我们还能信靠谁？

是的，主，只有祢才能擦干我们的眼泪，
只有祢才能抚慰我们的悲伤，
只有祢才能赐给我们力量！
主，认识祢是我们永远的福份。
除祢以外，我们还能仰赖谁？

＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿

歌曲4：《植在溪畔的树》

天主，认识祢是我们的福份。
我们愿意跟随祢，活出信仰，结出丰盛的果实，
但正如枝条若不留在葡萄树上，凭自己是不能结出果实的；
若我们不住在主内，也是一无所能。
因此，我们的心灵就像那植在溪畔的树，需要祢圣神活水的充满，圣神活水的浇灌，
以让我们按月结果实，光荣天父！

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歌曲5：《高唱感恩歌》

因为上主是良善宽仁的，
祂是我们的善牧，是我们力量的泉源，
让我们高声赞美祂，高唱感恩歌吧！

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My First Bumboat Ride along Singapore River

I was truly elated (thrilled) during the bumboat ride and was simply captivated by the beautiful scenery. I actually filmed almost the entire jouney on the bumboat with my digital camera, but what a pity, the video clip was too long (22 mins) and was thus too large to be transferred to my desktop. I had no choice but to delete it. Sigh... Therefore, these are the only memories left.

Although it drizzled a bit when we left our school, we did not meet with a stormy weather when we reached there despite the hovering dark clouds. In fact, the tour guide cum the module instructor commented that we were very blessed to enjoy such an excellent breezy weather. Thank you again, Lord, for answering my prayer.

The Bamboo

As a teacher, I experienced countless moments of frustration and helplessness. Very often, I wonder whether I am really suitable for this job. However, God never fails to console me when I am on the verge of giving up. The following passage is fully extracted from a leaflet my mother obtained from Church of St. Michael on its Feast Day.



One day, I decided to quit... I quit my job, my relationship, my spirituality... . I wanted to quit my life. I went to the woods to have one last talk with God.

"God," I said, "Can you give me one good reason not to quit?" His answer surprised me.

"Look around you," He said. "Do you see the fern and the bamboo?"

"Yes," I replied.

"When I planted the fern and the bamboo seeds, I took very good care of them. I gave them light. I gave them water. The fern quickly grew from the earth. Its brilliant green covered the floor. Yet nothing came from the bamboo seed. But I did not quit on the bamboo. In the second year, the fern grew more vibrant and plentiful. And again, nothing came from the bamboo seed. But I did not quit on the bamboo. In the third year, there was still nothing from the bamboo seed. But I would not quit. In the fourth year, again, there was nothing from the bamboo seed. But I would not quit. Then in the fifth year, a tiny sprout emerged from the earth. Compared to the fern, it was seemingly small and insignificant. But just six months later, the bamboo rose to over 100 feet tall. It had spent the five years growing roots. Those roots made it strong and gave it what it needed to survive. I would not give any of my creations a challenge it could not handle."

He said to me, "Did you know, my child, that all this time you have been struggling, you have actually been growing roots. I would not quit on the bamboo. I will never quit on you. Do not compare yourself to others, " He said. "The bamboo has a different purpose than the fern. Yet, they both make the forest beautiful."

"Your time will come," God said to me. "You will rise high!"

"How high should I rise?" I asked.

"How high will the bamboo rise?" He asked in return.

"As high as it can?" I questioned.

"Yes." He said, "Give me glory by rising as high as you can."

I left the forest and brought back this story.

Always remember that God will never give up on you.

• Never regret a day in your life;
• Good days give you happiness;
• Bad days give you experiences;
• Both are essential to life.