Book Review : Dead Heat

My delight was doubled when I picked up Dead Heat by Joel Rosenberg at the library. On first sight, I thought it would be another thriller action novel, along the likes of Dan Brown and James Rollins. The book is a page-turner with its suspense and playout of end-time prophecies.

From the time I had a taste of James Rollins and his mastery in incubating fact with fiction to hatch a fascinating tale of thrilling action, I got hooked onto this style of writing. And so, now Rosenberg presented me with another series of books written along a similar vein. I love how the authors threaded real fact with imagination to weave an almost credible story bordering on real-life investigative work. Some of the plots and subplots mentioned in their books bring a thrill along your spine as they hint of a sinister slant to real world events.

Dead Heat is a roller-coaster ride that had me gripping the political thriller till the end and then, left me rushing to get hold of its earlier prequels. It brings into play Biblical prophecies of the end-times (or eschatology) and shares bone-chilling insights to how it parallels with world happenings as they unfold. What is scarier is that, each of the 5 books in the series was written/published just before the major events mentioned in them happened in our world.

Verdict : 9/10. Two thumbs up!

A New Year Dawns

Time flies, the past year’s events seemed to have sped by and we have stepped into another brand new year.

As I read my thoughts at the start of 2009, I reflected on the experiences my family has had in the past year and all I can say is that God was with us through it all. Several major events still linger vividly in my mind and together with many other small seemingly insignificant incidents, they create a tapestry of God’s faithfulness and goodness.

To list some of the memorable events in 2009 here will serve to journal the milestones of 2009.

• Hubby’s eventful year in the marketplace – I am reminded of how we have grown in the Lord and the effective usage of prayer as both a weapon and as a shield.

• My adventures in the kitchen – I am surprised that I have a genuine lasting interest in cooking and baking

• Our selection as parent volunteers at a preferred primary school for Big Buddy – the song “God will make a way” rings loud and clear.

• My onward journey as a Christian leader in my church – I am once again a carecell leader

• New selling strategies in my business – God opens windows when the doors seem to be closed.

• Our 10th Wedding Anniversary celebrations – a second honeymoon and a family photo-shoot session commemorate the special year for us

• Christmas parties with a personal touch – for the first time, I added personal touches to the invitation, menu and program as hosts for a large party


The woven threads of colourful past experiences culminates in a trust that 2010 will be a sweet year in the Lord. There are several decisions to be made this year in conjunction with how my family life will evolve this year. I harbour dreams and desires that in the course of the year, I hope to see come to past. Dear God, I know not how but I know that You can make it happen.

Let the year 2010 surely be a Year of Celebration for my family!

Book Review : Fame

Most people tend to view Christian literature as well…boring, dry and functions best as a sleep-inducing tool. Reading has always a favourite hobby of mine, as far back as I can remember, and I enjoy books of various genres. The one thing that I had always wondered is why there is an absence of books written for a widely secular audience but yet loaded with Christian values and presented in a manner that paints Christianity in a positive and appealing light. It would be a perfect way of sharing Christ and His values in a most non-threatening manner.

Over the years, I had concluded that it is probably a case of sensibility – dollars and cents just do not marry seemingly lofty heavenly morals. It would be hard to create a riveting storyline with God lurking between the lines, most people would have turned away. Thus, most Christian authors of secular fiction books will just mention God in their foreword or acknowledgment page.

Imagine my delight when I found Karen Kingsbury’s series of books. If you have not read any of her books, you would have missed out on powerful stories beautifully crafted to illustrate God’s blessings and ways in the lives of ordinary families and people. It is totally refreshing to see how ordinary people struggle with and live out kingdom values. Her stories touch on themes of love, loss, death, forgiveness, fame, acceptance, loyalty, trust, etc. Kingsbury effectively portrays Christianity not as a religion but for what it is – real relationship with God.

God comes through so strongly through her books that as I followed the story, I found myself tearing at times and stopping now and then to pray for myself or my family. You know it is a good Christian book when you feel motivated to do something for God. But you know it is a fantastic Christian book when you are compelled to immediately stop reading to respond to the message God is bringing you through the book. And only after you have responded then you are able to pick the book up to continue reading.

God bless Kingsbury for being a literary agent of God’s message to the world. She is also involved in various ministries ministering to different groups!

Verdict : 10/10. I love all her books!

Who says heroes must be superhumans?

Several years ago, I got to know a young lady through some friends in church. My first impression of her was someone with more grey matter in her brain than she chooses to let on. She was quietly confident, without a need to shout out her presence in large groups.

My contacts with her over the subsequent years have been brief and sporadic. She was an acquaintance but yet somehow she never strayed far from my mind. Perhaps it is due in part to how she chose to conduct herself in situations that most would have responded in the extreme opposite way. Over time, I discovered that she was jovial without being boisterous, talented without being boastful and kind without making a big deal out of it. Instead of the proverbial “an eye for an eye”, she chose to let go and let her talent and tenacity speak for her.

Today, she is one of the anchor teachers at Rus Art Studio, an artist with hundreds of paintings sold all over the world and recently, a business owner of her newly opened shop at Crown Centre #02-15. Take a peek at Artokoro and be refreshed by a whole new perspective of what art is.

My friend is Chun Wee Ping – an accomplished artist, a passionate teacher and an inspiring cancer survivor whose story has been published several times. She is a role model to her students, an inspiration to many and a strong testimony to the world of God’s faithfulness and goodness.

Thank you Wee Ping, for touching my life with your bravado and inspiring me. God bless you.

Sniff sniff cough cough

A week before Chinese New Year, a very strong conviction came upon me to pray for my family’s good health. It continued to weigh heavily and did not let up for several days despite that good physical, social, emotional and spiritual health has always been part of my nightly conversations with God.

Then 3 days before Chinese New Year, Big Buddy and then Little Buddy were badly bitten by mosquitoes. This was followed by Hubby falling victim to a flu which sparked off a series of un-wellness causing various ones of us to seek some form of medical attention. Till date, the children are still on their medications and it seems I am coming down with something again.

While the sudden onslaught of illnesses can be blamed on the changing of seasons, I am also choosing to recognise the hand of God at work. Because He first laid upon me the conviction to pray, I had not been caught off guard when we succumbed to the recent bout of illnesses. More than that, it has further assured me that God’s eye is upon my family and we are significant enough to warrant a special heads-up from Him.

With the current worldwide uncertainty about economies and jobs, I am reminded that my omniscient God knows my family intimately, our fears and concerns, our joys and pains. He has always met Hubby and I during the times we need Him most. Just like yesterday…

We were on the way home. Hubby was sharing with me the challenges at his workplace and lamenting how tough the marketplace has become. We reminded each other that before Hubby accepted the job offer, both of us had prayed and each had been separately convinced that God was leading him to the new job. Just at this point, we saw a car right in front of ours, sporting a huge car decal on its hind windscreen, declaring TRUST in huge bold letters.

Thank you God, for your reassurance once again. We will trust in You and Your plans for Your ways are higher than our ways.

Here we come, 2009

Here we are, well into the third week of January 2009 and here is my first blog entry for the year. Forgive me for my tardiness, my days have been really really busy – my new domestic helper has not yet arrived…

There is usually much talk about new year resolutions round about this time of the year and the cliché predictions about how people never fulfill those goals by New Year’s Eve. I never had the habit of making new year resolutions and but this year, I had thought long and hard about my expectations and outlook for 2009.

Newspapers and analysts round the world are predicting gloom and doom for the next few years. It is not difficult to be pessimistic about the future, worrying about job security and the economy. There is so much depressing news that it just builds a climate of fear and despair.

As I thought about 2009 and what I expect to see, God brought me on a journey of my family’s experiences in 2008. On hindsight now, I see the hand of God leading us through paths that were still murky when treaded then. I had questioned and debated with God, anguished over events that did or did not happen and half fought my through 2008 with God. Now that the mist has cleared, His works and promises fulfilled become apparent.

And because I saw His faithfulness displayed time again, I am imbued with a quiet confidence that God will see me and my family through another year. I believe that my family will be kept secure in the eye of the storm. We will not just survive 2009 but we will be triumphant. We are stepping into the Year of Abundant Living and we are going to reap its abundance!

Tectonic movements

The past 48 hours have been face-changing for the financial sector.

Ripple effects of the US sub-prime crisis had never hit home so close as the news about AIG, the insurer for several of our insurance policies. I read with growing unease about how Merrill Lynch and Lehman Brothers have been drawn into the Wall Street carnage with buy-outs by Bank of America for the former and Barclays for the latter's US units.

Events moved so quickly that it left little time for reaction, leaving many in the tailspin of the whirlwind. In a knee-jerk reaction to the AIG gloom, many responded quickly. Not that I blame them, I guess it is the survival instinct that kicked in the need to do something and not just sit and wait for the worst.

Hubby and I spent a good part of last night assessing the opportunities and risks in the current market turmoil with our financial advisor, who called to address any concerns we might have in view of the recent events. Hopefully things will pan out well in the days to come.

It is early days still. Yet I sense the peace of God even in the midst of all this, akin to being in the eye of the storm.

Job 5:24
You will know that your tent is secure;
you will take stock of your property and find nothing missing.

I found some great blinkies

For some time, I have been wanting to add some blinkies to my blog to liven up the look. Finally I managed to find some time to surf around and I uncovered some interesting ones at Blinkies By Alexis, Blinkies by Sparky, Desha's Blinkies, Mel's Blinkie Swap and Tami's Blinkies.

These brought back warm memories of some 80's movies I had enjoyed :






I remember watching this with my brother after accompanying him to collect his PSLE results.


My father brought us to watch Empire Strikes Back at the now-defunct Rex Theatre.


And here are some musicals that Hubby and I love.








I remember the front few rows of audience were offered umbrellas to shield themselves from the water during the splashing rain acts.

Here are some other random ones that described my family's taste in life, or just because they are so witty and catty!

Busy as a bee

Busy busy busy! That is how I would describe the past 2 months.

Business-wise, we have been swamped by RFQs as we jostle for a share of the early childhood education market. MOE and MCYS are inviting eligible preschools to submit their applications for grants given for purchases of educational products and other teaching aids. With tight deadlines to meet, I have been working late into the nights to rush out quotations.

Well, I am not complaining. Being kept busy with constructive tasks is a good sign.

In the business world, everyone seems to agree that it is all about profits. I would like to position ourselves as different. Yes, staying profitable is importable but we desire to be successful through honourable means. I desire that my character and soul to be kept from being tainted by any thing that shuns the light of day.

Sometimes, because of this stand, we lose out. And so I have been asking the Lord to bless my business, to bring in successful deals. I wanted the Lord's goodness and His glory to be manifested through what I do so that even my work can be a testimony of God's blessings.

Birthday Thoughts

As my birthday rolls round once again, I seem to be in a more reflective mood this year.

I ponder over the past years of my life and wonder what the future beholds. I savour my past achievements with a mixture of pride and nostalgia, and wonder what new milestone has my name on it. I look at my children and see my future in theirs too.

Over the years, I have mellowed down a lot. I see my character refined with each significant event, my maturity developed with each situation I encountered and my perspective of life moulded by the experiences I had been through. I am now more introspective, valuing quiet moments over boisterous partying, treasuring a few good friends rather than a sea of acquaintances.

Last weekend's sermon touched on God's covenant and anointing for a new season. How apt it was for this phase of my life. I felt that for the past few years, I have been in a phrase of repose. Whereas over the past few months, I have sensed that I am on the brink of something big and about to ride on the crest of the next big wave.

Oh Lord, bless me and lead me. Bring me into the next chapter of my life.

Celebrating Parents' Day

Our church has the annual tradition of concurrently celebrating both Father's Day and Mother's Day in June each year, dubbing it Parents' Day. I personally find it meaningful as parenting is a partnered responsibility and celebrating both occasions on the same day confers due recognition to both parties at the same time.

This year, Hubby was asked to pray for the parents of our church and on behalf of the parents, to pray for the youth of our church too. I was listening to his prayer and I was overwhelmed that God considered Hubby and I qualified to be the earthly guardians of our two sons. Yes, parenting is indeed a privilege and an awesome lifelong responsibility. We not only look after our children's physical needs but also their emotional, social, psychological welfare and as Christian parents, their spiritual growth too. It really seems daunting now that I have typed it out, somehow it sounds less intimidating when I say it in my nightly prayers :)

However, apart from the demands of parenting, we have also experienced immense joy, amusement, pride and satisfaction as we witness their growth, antics and achievements. There were the tears, fears, stress and I-am-so-mad-till-I-want-to-pull-out-my-hair moments but definitely nothing else comes close to what our children have given us.

On this Parents' Day, I want to say Thank You to God for adding both our sons to our family. Thank you too, to Big Buddy and Little Buddy, for being such joys in our lives. Our hearts are full.....

The Lows

I have been a little depressed lately and have been neglecting to blog. Inundated with the various issues, I just did not have the mood to come in here to write. However, today I felt that precisely that, perhaps I should, all the more, journal it all down to flush it out of my system. Sigh.....

It was 20 months ago when Little Buddy first displayed a dislike for milk. I thought then that perhaps it was just an infant thing to be difficult and would probably be just a passing phrase. However, it proved to be a prolonged passing phrase. Each milk feed turned into a huge struggle as he just would not take the teat, practically yelling and crying through each session. Then started a quest to unearth the reasons for his rejection.

Instead of direct latch-on, I tried expressing out my milk and feeding via a bottle, trying all the available types of bottle teats, varying feeding positions, etc. Till finally I gave up and spoon-fed him. It was a little better as it shortened each milk feed to a mere 20 minutes, compared to a 2-hour marathon which would still leave me with an unfinished bottle of milk.

Little Buddy was not gaining weight too well, so I decided to start him early on cereal at 5 months. He took to it rather well and I was relieved. But I was not to know that it was only a temporal respite. He reverted to rejecting his meals and I was again at a loss at what to do.

Since then, I have cooked all the different types of food - vegetables, meat, soup and fruits, in every possible way that a young child of that age can possibly try. Yes, I have even tried starving him, hoping that he would eat when hungry. Most people would give me an incredulous look and be at a loss for words when I share how I tried everything that had been suggested but have yet to see any improvement in Little Buddy's feeding habits. I have brought him to different paedatricians, sought opinions of other mothers, searched for information on the web but I still could not find anything that helped. The paeds told me there is nothing physically wrong with Little Buddy, it is just a passing phase. Other mothers tell me to vary the food and preparation methods and that it is a just a passing phase.

I have been told 'it is just a passing phase' so many times that sometimes I really want to strangle the next person who says that. Oops! Yes, that is how terrible I feel right now. I mean this passing phase is already a 22-month phase! And I am exhausted having already struggled 22 months x 30 days x 5 solid/milk feeds per day = 3,300 times! Honestly, the whole issue is really getting into me and making me worried and depressed, wondering how long more this is going to last. I now dread every feeding session.

I have been praying and praying and praying daily, asking for a breakthrough. Please God, please let the day come when Little Buddy begins to enjoy his meals.....

Where is Jesus?

"Do you know why we celebrate Good Friday and Easter?" I asked Big Buddy over lunch yesterday.

"Huh?" was his reply. So I ventured to explain how Jesus loves us so much as to die for all of us on the cross and how He then rose from the dead three days later on Easter Sunday.

To ascertain if he understood what I had said, I asked "Where is Jesus?"

"On the cross" Big Buddy said.

"Well, Jesus died on the cross but because He is alive now, He is in heaven. And if you love Jesus, you can also ask Him to come into your heart." I was trying to share Christ to my son! "Do you love Jesus?"

"Yes"

"OK, so can Jesus come and stay in your heart?"

"Yes"

"So where is Jesus now?"

"In my heart" came the reply.

I realise with all probability that Big Buddy may not fully comprehend what had transpired in this short conversation. It is sometimes a challenge to share in a manner understandable to a young child. However, I choose to believe that I had deposited some Christian truths in his heart.

Hubby and I are fully convinced that as Christian parents, our sons should be brought up according to God's ways and this includes talking to them about God. While we are thankful and grateful to school and nursery teachers in church who share God's word and values with them, we recognise that ultimately, it is our sole reponsibility.

Today, I asked Big Buddy again. "Where is Jesus?".

"In my heart" was his reply.

Future worship leader in the making?

I think Big Buddy has an inherent love for music. He loves to sing and often hums along to his own rhythms. He makes up his own songs and sings them at the top of his voice.

Today, he decided to add a whole new dimension to his performances. He found Daddy's plectrum (guitar pick) and proceeded to 'play' an imaginary guitar with his left arm extended while 'strumming' away with his right hand holding the plectrum. He was singing a song at the top of his voice. Initially I could hardly make out the words he was singing but I found the rhythm and snatches of the song vaguely familiar. Then I realised with much surprise that he was singing the chorus of "You Are My All in All" - one of my favourite Christian worship songs! Little Buddy was watching him and soon joined his brother, singing 'Jesus' at all the appropriate invtervals.

Both Big Buddy and Little Buddy enjoy watching Hubby during his jamming sessions at home when he picks up the guitar and just sings whichever Christian song that comes to mind. So, playing the guitar while worshipping is not foreign to Big Buddy. However, I suspect that he might have learnt the song through school. His school has a daily habit of doing morning devotion with all the children before lessons begin for the day. While it is true that I neither know what format nor material is covered during devotion, I do know that the N3 worship sessions in church do not yet use this sort of 'mature' songs for his age group

I am so happy to see how his teachers have deposited something in my son. Hubby and I chose to send our children to a Christian kindergarten for the reason that we want our children to be brought up in a Christ-centred environment as much as possible.

It was such a joy to see him prancing around, worshipping the Lord in his own way. My heart overflows.....


YOU ARE MY ALL IN ALL
You are my strength when I am weak
You are the treasure that I seek
You are my all in all
Seeking You as a precious jewel
Lord to give up I’d be a fool
You are my all in all

Chorus
Jesus Lamb of God
Worthy is Your name
Jesus Lamb of God
Worthy is Your name

Taking my sin, my cross, my shame
Rising again I bless Your name
You are my all in all
When I fall down You pick me up
When I am dry You fill my cup
You are my all in all