This morning Patricia and I went for holy communion at Basel church. We try to praise the lord in his holy temple but,sometimes the devil plays hookie and we opt for kon loh mee at Hung Fatt coffee shop instead. Forgive us lord for we are weak...food, food.....
Well this morning, Rev James talked about taking time to talk to God. Well we all do ,talk to god when we need his help. Which I must say, is a lot of times in a day!....well for me at least. I talk to him and thank him or ask for his help for many things,...like the hymn " Lord, I place into your hands the things I cant do .." Then after finish praying, I say 'amen'. Then I am off doing something else. Does it sound familiar?
Then in the course of the day, month or year, we wait for the lord to either answer our prayers or not. I used to think he was totally ignoring me, well, of course that isnt true.
However,the question here is, why doesnt he talk back? It would be nice if he started like...."well Viola, about your......"
Do your know why we have never heard him reply? His cell phone battery went dead? His fax machine broke? The microphone isnt plugged in?...hmmm.
The answer is simple.
We never spend time after saying our prayers, after ' amen', to sit quietly and listen. Listen for the sound of his voice...'Captain Kirk calling Mr. Spock'. We dont spend quiet time with him. How can he talk to us? How can we listen to what he has to say? How can he counsel us when we are off to our next task at hand immediately after AMEN ? Its like talking to our kids and before we can finish talking they say....mum I have to go!. Sounds familiar?
So the moral of this story is, even though God can multitask, we still need to give him our complete attention if we want to hear him. Sorry God doesnt do SMS or email....well not in our life time anyway, hahah.
He hears us every time we pray. We have to take the time to listen for his answer. Ok? understand?....and so, in Jesus's name I pray that I will not be deaf, dumb and blind, intentionally or otherwise, conveniently insane, partially amnesic, or out walking the my pet toad,...when he next talks to me. AMEN. ..ok got to go..........chao !
Sunday, July 26, 2009
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
Talk to them
Last week I was told of the death of a young man. This week an old lady took her own life. Seems to be a epidemic of a small proportion on suicide in our town. What is the matter with us? have we grown to be so modern and busy that we forget our old folks at home. I must say I am guilty of it. However I think I am not the only one not spending enough time with the ones who took care of us when we were too little to fend for ourselves, who stayed up till the early morning to make sure our fever hasnt gone up, who cleaned up our vomit when we had the stomach flu, who cleaned the toilet when we missed the toilet bowl completely, who brought water up so we could have our medication in the middle of the nite, who rub our chest with vicks or fung yu on our tummy when we had wind and who, how annoying they were to us that time, kept pushing us to do our best!
Now in their golden years, are alone because we are too darn busy with our kids and our activities. We assume they are ok as they never complain, they never drop in at dinner time, they never ask if they could have a small piece of the cheese cake we made for our friends the nite before. What happened?
It is so convenient to forget them. It is so inconvenient when we call and they go on and on about their aches and pains and, we have to rush out to pick the kids from school or tuition. It is so boring when they repeat their same old ailments week after week. We get annoyed when they are too stubborn to listen to our advise. They keep eating the things they are not suppose to,...what do the doctors know? What is wrong with this picture?
We grew up and they grew old, thats what happened ! We grew stronger and got busier and they grew tired and got slower. We have our kids at home and they lost all theirs. We work hard to give our kids a good life and a good education while they got bored and lonely cos their kids became global players and moved away.
The good news is that, for some of us it isnt too late to pick up the phone and chat with our parents and visit them. The bad news is that it will happen to us. The million dollar question is....what can we do?
I have no answer to that. If I had I would be on the Oprah show already!
However, I do have some suggestions. Maybe if we live by example, the the kids will follow. If we visit them ( our parents), take them out for dinner, lunch, tea or for shopping, keep them involved in our kids lives and ours, by our words and deeds show the kids how important they are, to be loved and respected, then maybe, when it is our turn, our kids will remember us not as old suitcases to be kept away in the attic, out of sight out of mind, but as their loving parents who have nurtured them when they needed us most. Dont you think?
I call my mother and father once a week, ....other wise my mum will scold me...hahaha. I am told that girls tend to call home more often then boys. Now you know where that puts me! Girls tend to chat and tell their mums about their day or their activities. Trust me, boys dont. Guess I am doomed huh?
Anyway, to get back to the old lady I was talking about, guess she was so lonely and felt so unloved that dying was a better option than living knowing that your kids dont care. Hell has a place for them !
So to all the parents..... dont do unto your parents what you dont want your kids to do unto you......16th commandment!!!!.
Now in their golden years, are alone because we are too darn busy with our kids and our activities. We assume they are ok as they never complain, they never drop in at dinner time, they never ask if they could have a small piece of the cheese cake we made for our friends the nite before. What happened?
It is so convenient to forget them. It is so inconvenient when we call and they go on and on about their aches and pains and, we have to rush out to pick the kids from school or tuition. It is so boring when they repeat their same old ailments week after week. We get annoyed when they are too stubborn to listen to our advise. They keep eating the things they are not suppose to,...what do the doctors know? What is wrong with this picture?
We grew up and they grew old, thats what happened ! We grew stronger and got busier and they grew tired and got slower. We have our kids at home and they lost all theirs. We work hard to give our kids a good life and a good education while they got bored and lonely cos their kids became global players and moved away.
The good news is that, for some of us it isnt too late to pick up the phone and chat with our parents and visit them. The bad news is that it will happen to us. The million dollar question is....what can we do?
I have no answer to that. If I had I would be on the Oprah show already!
However, I do have some suggestions. Maybe if we live by example, the the kids will follow. If we visit them ( our parents), take them out for dinner, lunch, tea or for shopping, keep them involved in our kids lives and ours, by our words and deeds show the kids how important they are, to be loved and respected, then maybe, when it is our turn, our kids will remember us not as old suitcases to be kept away in the attic, out of sight out of mind, but as their loving parents who have nurtured them when they needed us most. Dont you think?
I call my mother and father once a week, ....other wise my mum will scold me...hahaha. I am told that girls tend to call home more often then boys. Now you know where that puts me! Girls tend to chat and tell their mums about their day or their activities. Trust me, boys dont. Guess I am doomed huh?
Anyway, to get back to the old lady I was talking about, guess she was so lonely and felt so unloved that dying was a better option than living knowing that your kids dont care. Hell has a place for them !
So to all the parents..... dont do unto your parents what you dont want your kids to do unto you......16th commandment!!!!.
Thursday, July 16, 2009
Talk to us
Today at my ladies sharing group I learnt of the untimely death of a young man. He killed himself because he had some problems. I dont know the nature of the problem but, the point is why did he have to end his life. As parents we are truly saddened by news of this nature. He was only 34. What serious problem did he have that he could not talk about with his father, mother or pastor? I feel for his parents who now have to bury their son, who have to live with the guilt that maybe they could have done something, maybe they had.., if only....all the maybes in the world would not bring him back.
We asked ourselves this morning, will our children talk to us if they have a problem? We couldnt honestly answer 100% "yes". I dont know if my kids will tell me if they have a very serious problem. Small problems they do tell me. I pray they will never have to face any problems alone. We are always here. Never be afraid to tell us even if you think it would make us so angry or that it would be a burden to the family. Dont say 'I dont want to trouble my parents' or 'I dont want to worry them so' As a mom I prefer to share your troubles/burden and talk and work it out together, then to journey the rest of my life alone carrying the guilt of 'maybe' and 'if only'
What can be so bad that we cant solve? We love our children. If we cant help them who can? We are experienced in "worry". Once we have kids 'worry" becomes our middle name. To my boys, I want them to know that I am here, dad is here, our lives revolve around our kids. They are the light of our lives. A friend once said to me , without the kids and grandkids what do we have to look forward to? I didnt quiet understand why he said that. But after today, I get the picture. Love is only real when it is shared. We work all our lives for our children. We spend sleepless nites worrying about them and for them. We are happy when they are happy. We share their disappointments,their successes, their ups and downs, our lives are so inter-twined that when one branch breaks, the tree of life becomes lop-sided.
To all the kids who may be reading this, you can never disappoint anyone to the stage where you have to kill yourself. You may give them a bad hair day but, so what?... talk it over.
We asked ourselves this morning, will our children talk to us if they have a problem? We couldnt honestly answer 100% "yes". I dont know if my kids will tell me if they have a very serious problem. Small problems they do tell me. I pray they will never have to face any problems alone. We are always here. Never be afraid to tell us even if you think it would make us so angry or that it would be a burden to the family. Dont say 'I dont want to trouble my parents' or 'I dont want to worry them so' As a mom I prefer to share your troubles/burden and talk and work it out together, then to journey the rest of my life alone carrying the guilt of 'maybe' and 'if only'
What can be so bad that we cant solve? We love our children. If we cant help them who can? We are experienced in "worry". Once we have kids 'worry" becomes our middle name. To my boys, I want them to know that I am here, dad is here, our lives revolve around our kids. They are the light of our lives. A friend once said to me , without the kids and grandkids what do we have to look forward to? I didnt quiet understand why he said that. But after today, I get the picture. Love is only real when it is shared. We work all our lives for our children. We spend sleepless nites worrying about them and for them. We are happy when they are happy. We share their disappointments,their successes, their ups and downs, our lives are so inter-twined that when one branch breaks, the tree of life becomes lop-sided.
To all the kids who may be reading this, you can never disappoint anyone to the stage where you have to kill yourself. You may give them a bad hair day but, so what?... talk it over.
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
Who invented the Virus ?
Whose great idea was it to add dirt to an already polluted world ? Now my computer has a virus H208N411....aahhhh. It has to go into the workshop for treatment. I didnt do anything illegal ( as if I know how )but to open emails, facebook, blog and some attachments. This is what the government means when it says the virus has spread internally. Someone should invent a computer panadol.
Virus in the computer. Virus on the planet. What next? Now I have to decide to go or not to go to Brisbane. Want to go but,then again not necessary . Go but kids busy with college and Uni. I would have jumped at the chance to go anywhere a few years ago. Now have to think and think as if ....I think we are getting too comfortable at home. The thought of being displaced, ie, different beds, different toilet, having to do laundry, washing up and living out of a suitcase is so traumatic, hahaha, sorry, I think its the "50 going on 60" syndrome.Travelling used to be fun, an adventure, cant wait to leave for the airport, but now its like, huh? where? when? why?...if only we can teleport back and forth. Where is Mr. Spock when I need him? Earthling calling Vulcan!
Even going to KL I have to think and think, KK included. Why is this happening? People say when the kids have left home you are free to travel but, well, not so cos there is no place like home to me. We were planning to do a lot of travelling now. Unfortunately earthly viruses have put a temporary stop to that.From andamic to epidemic and now pandemic. Earth quakes, floods, bombs, bridges collapsing, roads and new building falling down like rain drops, a volcano in the Philippines about to erupt and closer to home, my Honda is dented, my dog has died, there are scratching sounds under my roof ( no,not a ghost, more like a rat!)the water pressure was so strong yesterday some pipes busted...what else need I say?....but life is still beautiful cos I only have to decide ( for now ) to go or not to go.....lol
Virus in the computer. Virus on the planet. What next? Now I have to decide to go or not to go to Brisbane. Want to go but,then again not necessary . Go but kids busy with college and Uni. I would have jumped at the chance to go anywhere a few years ago. Now have to think and think as if ....I think we are getting too comfortable at home. The thought of being displaced, ie, different beds, different toilet, having to do laundry, washing up and living out of a suitcase is so traumatic, hahaha, sorry, I think its the "50 going on 60" syndrome.Travelling used to be fun, an adventure, cant wait to leave for the airport, but now its like, huh? where? when? why?...if only we can teleport back and forth. Where is Mr. Spock when I need him? Earthling calling Vulcan!
Even going to KL I have to think and think, KK included. Why is this happening? People say when the kids have left home you are free to travel but, well, not so cos there is no place like home to me. We were planning to do a lot of travelling now. Unfortunately earthly viruses have put a temporary stop to that.From andamic to epidemic and now pandemic. Earth quakes, floods, bombs, bridges collapsing, roads and new building falling down like rain drops, a volcano in the Philippines about to erupt and closer to home, my Honda is dented, my dog has died, there are scratching sounds under my roof ( no,not a ghost, more like a rat!)the water pressure was so strong yesterday some pipes busted...what else need I say?....but life is still beautiful cos I only have to decide ( for now ) to go or not to go.....lol
Monday, July 13, 2009
Fishcakes and Fiddlesticks
Says who doing things on the computer is easy? My son is guiding me on how to install Skype all the way from Brisbane and my shoulders are aching.Either I am simpleminded or out right s----- !
I rather think I am not too computer savvy.....being born in the " hand written" era and all that, .....but maybe , just maybe you can still teach an old dog new tricks eh?....well, at least the skype is slowly being downloaded as we speak , but the million dollar question is ..." will it work?"....hahaha have to wait and see. Jordan says its suppose to take 3 mins. But now its still going on and its part 2
....aahhhhh!!! what have I installed?.....Have I opened the gates to hell?.........
It works !...well nearly, called Jordan but he didnt answer.
I rather think I am not too computer savvy.....being born in the " hand written" era and all that, .....but maybe , just maybe you can still teach an old dog new tricks eh?....well, at least the skype is slowly being downloaded as we speak , but the million dollar question is ..." will it work?"....hahaha have to wait and see. Jordan says its suppose to take 3 mins. But now its still going on and its part 2
....aahhhhh!!! what have I installed?.....Have I opened the gates to hell?.........
It works !...well nearly, called Jordan but he didnt answer.
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
Worth the ticket
Last night we went to the cinema with Sheldon , spontaneously, and watched Ice Age 3. Oh its definitely a must see. We watched 1 and 2 and now 3.....well we really enjoyed the hilarious punch lines coming out a mile a minute from " animals " ....so clever, hmm, so funny, cute (maybe), cuddly (sure), stupid ( of course) but ...you must go and watch it. I love cartoons. They bring out the best and worst of everything and everyone.
I grew up watching lots of Mickey Mouse, The Jetsons, Flintstones but I also love Sponge Bob Square pants and occasionally The Simpsons. Though I find Homer too dumb even for a carton character.....
However, I really do not understand cartoons like Animae, Dragonball and most of the japanese cartoons,....maybe I need a doctorate in " how to kill your brain cells painlessly "....as if not enough plunging into this deep dark world of absurdity, some young people in Japan actually dress in their favourite characters....why would a young handsome man want to look like a fruitcake? Or a young girl like she fell into a cupcake making machine and came out on the wrong side of the universe ?....beats me.
Life is strange, just dont fall into this melting pot of absurdism, neurotic hotch potch and cyber sickos.! Watch but do not follow, learn but do not copy, listen but do not repeat.....experience life the normal way !
I grew up watching lots of Mickey Mouse, The Jetsons, Flintstones but I also love Sponge Bob Square pants and occasionally The Simpsons. Though I find Homer too dumb even for a carton character.....
However, I really do not understand cartoons like Animae, Dragonball and most of the japanese cartoons,....maybe I need a doctorate in " how to kill your brain cells painlessly "....as if not enough plunging into this deep dark world of absurdity, some young people in Japan actually dress in their favourite characters....why would a young handsome man want to look like a fruitcake? Or a young girl like she fell into a cupcake making machine and came out on the wrong side of the universe ?....beats me.
Life is strange, just dont fall into this melting pot of absurdism, neurotic hotch potch and cyber sickos.! Watch but do not follow, learn but do not copy, listen but do not repeat.....experience life the normal way !
Sunday, July 5, 2009
Tell me something I dont know
Everyday its the same news.....no current here, no current there, weather so hot, traffic lights not working....why are all these things happening and no one has gone on strike like in other countries? Maybe we are so used to it that we have become complacent and immune...grumble grumble and then delete. When election time comes we choose the same goof balls. So why complain? I have given up complaining of all these negative news. Just accept and get on with life. No current ?. So? Find something to do that doesnt need current. When life throws you lemons make lemonade.
This morning it rained, yahoo!....free watering service for my garden and free water for my pond! The rain would have washed away all the mosquito lavae so, goodbye dengue !!.....
Well, any complains????....yes, the clothes cant get dry ! ...hahahaha ......which goof ball should I call to complain to?? Now excuse me, I have to make a phone call to Jabatan Alam Sekitar to see if they can get the sun to shine so my clothes will dry by 6 pm....malaysia boleh right?....1 people, action now !!....anyone has Najib's HP no ??
This morning it rained, yahoo!....free watering service for my garden and free water for my pond! The rain would have washed away all the mosquito lavae so, goodbye dengue !!.....
Well, any complains????....yes, the clothes cant get dry ! ...hahahaha ......which goof ball should I call to complain to?? Now excuse me, I have to make a phone call to Jabatan Alam Sekitar to see if they can get the sun to shine so my clothes will dry by 6 pm....malaysia boleh right?....1 people, action now !!....anyone has Najib's HP no ??
Friday, July 3, 2009
Optimus Deception
Well, we finally went to watch the greatest movie of the month. Transformers ! My kids said we must not miss this movie. Well, I must say they are right...lOl...if you blink or sneeze you will miss a fair portion of the action. My goodness, the movie went by at the speed of lightning. There is actually no time to absorb and reflect and ponder what is going to happen next. Didnt think my eyes and brains could move that fast, I am sure I missed alot. If breathing wasnt automatic the audience would have fainted within the first 10 mins as you dont have time to remind yourself to breath. My son says you have to watch many times before you can actually see all the scenes as and when it happens. Dont even scratch...some robot would have been blown away!! You need bionic eyes to capture all the images. Really! before the image can reach the brain , 100 images would havel filed past.
I would suggest that you dont watch this movie unless you have either watched the first one and can comprehend the story line or your kids have explained to you, who is who, at least 6 times and, you actually understand or you want to be cool and show off that you have seen this movie..( but dont even try to talk about it ).
What I found disappointing was that the hero, Optimus Prime died so soon and so fast and, only fought for a wee while at the end. In between everyone else did the fighting while he was laying flat and relaxing. The human hero, Sam did he bit and earned his salary, the heroine ran around half naked, in spagheti strap tee while everyone else were fully clothe, as usual....and now we wait for part 3 ! ....stupid or what?
How can you climb up a pyramid with rocks falling in every direction and not get hurt??....and climb so fast too !....must ask him what vitamins he is taking. Oh, another piece of advice, if you normally go to bed early dont go to the 9.30 show, it finishes at 11.55, and if you are above 55, you may just fall asleep inspite of the terribly loud explosions occuring through out the movie......heheheheh....no, I didnt fall asleep at all.
Ok, if you are not convinced go and waste $10 and enjoy 45% . To enjoy 100% you have to go again and again.......good luck!
Anyway, the producers of the movie are laughing all the way to the bank and back. So, if you havent seen it yet, wait for the DVD and buy it for $10 and watch slowly. You can rewind if you missed a part.
I would suggest that you dont watch this movie unless you have either watched the first one and can comprehend the story line or your kids have explained to you, who is who, at least 6 times and, you actually understand or you want to be cool and show off that you have seen this movie..( but dont even try to talk about it ).
What I found disappointing was that the hero, Optimus Prime died so soon and so fast and, only fought for a wee while at the end. In between everyone else did the fighting while he was laying flat and relaxing. The human hero, Sam did he bit and earned his salary, the heroine ran around half naked, in spagheti strap tee while everyone else were fully clothe, as usual....and now we wait for part 3 ! ....stupid or what?
How can you climb up a pyramid with rocks falling in every direction and not get hurt??....and climb so fast too !....must ask him what vitamins he is taking. Oh, another piece of advice, if you normally go to bed early dont go to the 9.30 show, it finishes at 11.55, and if you are above 55, you may just fall asleep inspite of the terribly loud explosions occuring through out the movie......heheheheh....no, I didnt fall asleep at all.
Ok, if you are not convinced go and waste $10 and enjoy 45% . To enjoy 100% you have to go again and again.......good luck!
Anyway, the producers of the movie are laughing all the way to the bank and back. So, if you havent seen it yet, wait for the DVD and buy it for $10 and watch slowly. You can rewind if you missed a part.
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
Que Sera Sera
What will be will be ! You have heard of this song title ? Well, now I dont want to worry too much about anything as I feel that my family is on track. My sons control their own destiny. If they want to taste the sweetness of success than they just have to slog for it, there is no easy way.
Me, I am taking it easier and doing things I should have done moons ago, like exercising and getting to know God. Its never too late and its even better when you have less to worry about,... what day? what tuition?, what lesson? which Taman? etc etc. Now its like what time is lunch and where and with whom?
Well, of course I have some worries. Are my kids alright? Did Noel get home safely? and so on and so forth, your normal everyday mummy's concerns. But I have learnt to put my fears and worries at the feet of someone who loves me so much that he died to save me, "J" . He will take care of me and my family. I sleep better now too. I am not trying to preach here but telling you the change I feel ever since I shifted my needs and trust in him. I am so glad that 3 of my boys have found him too.
If you think its hog wash, so be it. You can only experience it if you believe. I believe. Hence the title Que Sera Sera, what will be will be....we can only live life day to day and treasure it every second and be grateful for it, both good and bad, as that is our destiny. As we cant change our destiny, why complain?
However we can make the journey less stressful by " Having the courage to accept what we cannot change, the strength to change what we can and, the wisdom to know the difference. "
Me, I am taking it easier and doing things I should have done moons ago, like exercising and getting to know God. Its never too late and its even better when you have less to worry about,... what day? what tuition?, what lesson? which Taman? etc etc. Now its like what time is lunch and where and with whom?
Well, of course I have some worries. Are my kids alright? Did Noel get home safely? and so on and so forth, your normal everyday mummy's concerns. But I have learnt to put my fears and worries at the feet of someone who loves me so much that he died to save me, "J" . He will take care of me and my family. I sleep better now too. I am not trying to preach here but telling you the change I feel ever since I shifted my needs and trust in him. I am so glad that 3 of my boys have found him too.
If you think its hog wash, so be it. You can only experience it if you believe. I believe. Hence the title Que Sera Sera, what will be will be....we can only live life day to day and treasure it every second and be grateful for it, both good and bad, as that is our destiny. As we cant change our destiny, why complain?
However we can make the journey less stressful by " Having the courage to accept what we cannot change, the strength to change what we can and, the wisdom to know the difference. "
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