What would people say and write about you after you die?
Last Saturday afternoon while packing my desk, I came across a tribute to a professor who passes away at the age of 49 after a long battle with nasopharyngeal cancer. He joined NTU in 1993 and we had a brief working relationship in one of the committee. Associate Professor Chin Mee Koy is one of the brilliant lecturers in the University, spearheading the Photonic Research Centre, publishing many books and journals and at the forefront of cutting edge research.
What get me thinking is that this is a man who is the same age as me, achieve much and quite well known in his field of academic achievement. Yet, death waits for no man. Dying at an age of 49 is relatively young. I don’t know him well to say where his next destination is after leaving earth. But, I believe he has left behind much good stuff for the academic field.
This leads me to think about my way in living. While I may be preparing for the next journey after death, I must also leave behind the good stuff as I travel this journey on earth. Preparing the next journey is very personal, it is between God and me only, none of others business. But living behind good stuff is what others will perceive and get from me. Then the whole living thingy is about “LOVING GOD and LOVING PEOPLE”.
Deep in heart, I know I have done well preparing for my next journey. But I don’t think I have much in leaving an impact in this world to be worth remembered for. When I was young I always dreamt that one day I could discover or invent something, like Teng Lye’s theorem in some intrigue formulae or a hypothesis. When I was studying in University College London and working on my Master research, I generated a complex series in reducing some spurious signals in a mixer design. But, this polynomial series is just not good enough to stick my name into it. So much about invention or discovery.
How about touching lives for the glory of God? How about bringing cheers and joy to the under privileges? We will never reach the level of Mother Teresa, or Florence Nightingale, but at least we can do something within our community.
In 1888, a man was surprised and shocked to read his name in the obituary column in a French newspaper. The obituary stated Le marchand de la mort est mort ("The merchant of death is dead") and went on to say, "Dr. Alfred Nobel, who became rich by finding ways to kill more people faster than ever before, died yesterday." The report made him to think and ask this question, “Is this how I am going to be remembered?” He got in touch with his feelings and decided that this was not the way he wanted to be remembered. From that day on, he started working toward peace. Today, he is remembered by the great Nobel Prize, not the “Dynamite King”.
What will people remember me as?
It is not too late to do something about this.
Bon Voyage, Assoc Prof Chin!
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Monday, March 30, 2009
Maths Solving
New ways of solving Mathematics!!
Polynomial Expansion (combining with English)
The geometry (Pythagoras' Theorem)
Polynomial Expansion (combining with English)
Simplifying Surds!! (I love this)
New way of solving limits!!
The geometry (Pythagoras' Theorem)
And Circular Functions:
From Lily Wee with Thanks. I love the mathematics!!
From Lily Wee with Thanks. I love the mathematics!!
Friday, March 27, 2009
Thanking God - TGIF
It common to hear: “Thank God It’s Friday” mentioned when Friday comes.
Most times, it is said in short, “TGIF ah!” with a smiling tone. Guess, everyone look forward to a good weekend rest or recreation.
Me, too :)
But seriously though, I need to thank God.
Past few weeks was really burn out by work, work and more work. Work is good in such a “bad” time. But, it must be productive and not merely to do work without output. So I want to thank God for energy to clear a few important works. Yah! Energy. Being very tired but has recovered.
Thank God for the family. Family is important. Learning to get along is important. More important is that God must be in the center of the family. There’s nothing fantastic about my family. It’s probably not better than any of yours. But it is the perspective. Learn to see my family from God’s perspective. (That’s the trick of loving your family)
Can I also say, thank God for the church? Thank God for the BSG leaders, they actually willingly come forward to be one. Thank God for those who serve as worship leaders. Let’s thank God for Pastor David. It’s not an easy job to be the only pastor of a congregation of about 80.
(Imagine a ratio of 1:80!!. Worse than a teacher!)
Talking about thanking God, it comes to mind that actually this is the will of God for us (1Thess 5:18)
Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.
Most times, it is said in short, “TGIF ah!” with a smiling tone. Guess, everyone look forward to a good weekend rest or recreation.
Me, too :)
But seriously though, I need to thank God.
Past few weeks was really burn out by work, work and more work. Work is good in such a “bad” time. But, it must be productive and not merely to do work without output. So I want to thank God for energy to clear a few important works. Yah! Energy. Being very tired but has recovered.
Thank God for the family. Family is important. Learning to get along is important. More important is that God must be in the center of the family. There’s nothing fantastic about my family. It’s probably not better than any of yours. But it is the perspective. Learn to see my family from God’s perspective. (That’s the trick of loving your family)
Can I also say, thank God for the church? Thank God for the BSG leaders, they actually willingly come forward to be one. Thank God for those who serve as worship leaders. Let’s thank God for Pastor David. It’s not an easy job to be the only pastor of a congregation of about 80.
(Imagine a ratio of 1:80!!. Worse than a teacher!)
Talking about thanking God, it comes to mind that actually this is the will of God for us (1Thess 5:18)
Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
Encouraging Growth Mentality
Share A Thought: Always take care of your subordinates.
One of my company mechanical draughtsmen has tendered his resignation. Although he is not reporting to me but to another manager, he did all my mechanical drawings for those jobs that I work on. Here is a nice chap with a poly diploma who has been with the company for more than three years, if I am not wrong. Now, I have start all over again, … (sigh!)
I have been prompting my top boss to take care of our engineers’ career path. He decides promotion and pay increment, I have no control over all this. But he doesn’t seem to think the same as me. For him, if someone resigns, “just go and hire another”. But the pain of training a new engineer is not that simple. It takes at least 3 to 6 months if the engineers are fast learners to really get some decent job done. Most don’t stay long enough, 3 years at most.
It is the same as in the Bethany PCES. Do our worshippers see a so call spiritual growth in the church?
Would they see that:
In 2 years time, to become a BS leader or follow-up leader?
Another 2 years then as a committee member;
There after another 3 years to be a deacon,
Etc (short term mission; evangelism; Sunday School teacher) …?
Otherwise, we are all stuck doing the jobs … as a BSG leader, worship leader, committee member … (for life?)
What is the church doing to inculcate the growth mentality?
(comment?)
6So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him, 7rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness. (Col 2:6,7)
One of my company mechanical draughtsmen has tendered his resignation. Although he is not reporting to me but to another manager, he did all my mechanical drawings for those jobs that I work on. Here is a nice chap with a poly diploma who has been with the company for more than three years, if I am not wrong. Now, I have start all over again, … (sigh!)
I have been prompting my top boss to take care of our engineers’ career path. He decides promotion and pay increment, I have no control over all this. But he doesn’t seem to think the same as me. For him, if someone resigns, “just go and hire another”. But the pain of training a new engineer is not that simple. It takes at least 3 to 6 months if the engineers are fast learners to really get some decent job done. Most don’t stay long enough, 3 years at most.
It is the same as in the Bethany PCES. Do our worshippers see a so call spiritual growth in the church?
Would they see that:
In 2 years time, to become a BS leader or follow-up leader?
Another 2 years then as a committee member;
There after another 3 years to be a deacon,
Etc (short term mission; evangelism; Sunday School teacher) …?
Otherwise, we are all stuck doing the jobs … as a BSG leader, worship leader, committee member … (for life?)
What is the church doing to inculcate the growth mentality?
(comment?)
6So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him, 7rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness. (Col 2:6,7)
Monday, March 23, 2009
Thoughts on Yesterday Sermon - Songs!!
Continuing the thoughts on Yesterday Sermon, Brother Chee Seng sang 2 songs and recite 1 lyrics.
So now all who preach must sing. (Die, man!)
If I am called to preach on giving and money again, so how?
1 Song would be by the Beatles - "Money",
... I don't care too much for love, money can't be me love ...
Need to 2 songs leh!
OK, second song will be "No money no talk" by the Wynners
Can or not?
Must practice singing already lah.
So now all who preach must sing. (Die, man!)
If I am called to preach on giving and money again, so how?
1 Song would be by the Beatles - "Money",
... I don't care too much for love, money can't be me love ...
Need to 2 songs leh!
OK, second song will be "No money no talk" by the Wynners
Can or not?
Must practice singing already lah.
Sunday, March 22, 2009
Thoughts on Today Sermon's - "Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow"
Our Brother Chee Seng gave an excellent message today regarding Strengthening Family Relationship.
There were good songs of the oldies - "Yesterday" by the Beatles (my favourite)
The ending of fixing it with God's was well said.
However, one point that may hurt a marriage is this:
"The spouse who goes to work is having a good time, while the other staying at home is not"
(not the exact words but the implication is there)
My wife is a housemaker. She thinks I am having a good time working while she has to bare the blunt of taking care of the children and doing house chores. Hearing what Brother Chee Seng said today would definitely re-inforce her belief. It will hurt the family relationship. I know how she feels anyway so I give her whatever money I earn (after paying bills and givings). She works very hard for the family but that does not mean I am enjoying my time in the office like what Brother preach today.
I am not having a good time at work. In fact, I wish to stay at home and serve the family. It would be a joy to cook for the children, wash their clothes and teach them in their school work. I don't mind having no pay, most of my earning are either to pay bills or give away. Yet, at work as an engineer, my job is to solve problems. If there is no problems, then I have to design new things and that would create problems. So working life is all about dealings with problems. I wish to retire early.
In any case, thanks for the message. Brother Chee Seng.
There were good songs of the oldies - "Yesterday" by the Beatles (my favourite)
The ending of fixing it with God's was well said.
However, one point that may hurt a marriage is this:
"The spouse who goes to work is having a good time, while the other staying at home is not"
(not the exact words but the implication is there)
My wife is a housemaker. She thinks I am having a good time working while she has to bare the blunt of taking care of the children and doing house chores. Hearing what Brother Chee Seng said today would definitely re-inforce her belief. It will hurt the family relationship. I know how she feels anyway so I give her whatever money I earn (after paying bills and givings). She works very hard for the family but that does not mean I am enjoying my time in the office like what Brother preach today.
I am not having a good time at work. In fact, I wish to stay at home and serve the family. It would be a joy to cook for the children, wash their clothes and teach them in their school work. I don't mind having no pay, most of my earning are either to pay bills or give away. Yet, at work as an engineer, my job is to solve problems. If there is no problems, then I have to design new things and that would create problems. So working life is all about dealings with problems. I wish to retire early.
In any case, thanks for the message. Brother Chee Seng.
Economy affecting Football!!!
I am no supporter of Man-U, but ...
"9-man Man United lost 2-0 at Fulham, a result that blows the EPL title race wide open"
When economy is bad for AIG - Manchester United could not play.
(AIG is sponsor of Man-U, for those not aware of this)
And it is not once but twice. First to Liverpool and now to Fulham.
So, all football geeks ... Football is not about skill, it is about money. The players are worried about their AIG sponsors and so can't play, man!!
Saturday, March 21, 2009
Random Thoughts on “The Bethany Family”
Remember what I wrote in my previous post about “the stone”?
It may sound stupid, but that’s what I was “directed” to think about all morning and afternoon. So I finally decided to write about it in this blog, even though I still could not figure out what “this stone or stones” is all about. I just know that it is that small still voice speaking.
After the post, I checked my email. Someone from Bethany PCES sent me an email. And it is about “the stone”, asking for help to remove the stone. (“How coincidence!” Was my first exclamation).
At least it gives me the answer why that small still voice prompts me to think about “the stone”. Are there anymore stones in Bethany? I know there are only less than a handful of people reading this, but would they care to think about “the stone”? My answer is “no” and so I decided to erase this out of my mind. Duty done, or so I say.
I hate this but this morning, I woke up thinking about this Bethany family thingy again.
The interesting part is that, in this Bethany family, there are 2 sisters and 1 brother. All three are very good friends of Jesus. The sisters are either serving Jesus or learning from Jesus. The brother is dead and need to be made alive. After been made alive, Jesus is glorified.
Yes, this Bethany family is like most churches I know:
(1) Jesus is the very good friend of the church.
(2) There are usually more sisters than brothers in a church. My previous church has ladies outnumbered men by 2:1.
(3) Sisters are usually more fervent - serving or learning. There is usually not much problem to get them to come for fellowship or cell group.
(4) Men are usually more laid back, either spiritually “dead” or very spiritually “alive”.
(5) Those make “alive” are usually in leadership or mission work. Jesus is glorified by their work.
So, to really start a men group, the leader must first learn to remove “the stone.”
I see our YA in Bethany PCES is also like this.
Ok, I better stop here.
It may sound stupid, but that’s what I was “directed” to think about all morning and afternoon. So I finally decided to write about it in this blog, even though I still could not figure out what “this stone or stones” is all about. I just know that it is that small still voice speaking.
After the post, I checked my email. Someone from Bethany PCES sent me an email. And it is about “the stone”, asking for help to remove the stone. (“How coincidence!” Was my first exclamation).
At least it gives me the answer why that small still voice prompts me to think about “the stone”. Are there anymore stones in Bethany? I know there are only less than a handful of people reading this, but would they care to think about “the stone”? My answer is “no” and so I decided to erase this out of my mind. Duty done, or so I say.
I hate this but this morning, I woke up thinking about this Bethany family thingy again.
The interesting part is that, in this Bethany family, there are 2 sisters and 1 brother. All three are very good friends of Jesus. The sisters are either serving Jesus or learning from Jesus. The brother is dead and need to be made alive. After been made alive, Jesus is glorified.
Yes, this Bethany family is like most churches I know:
(1) Jesus is the very good friend of the church.
(2) There are usually more sisters than brothers in a church. My previous church has ladies outnumbered men by 2:1.
(3) Sisters are usually more fervent - serving or learning. There is usually not much problem to get them to come for fellowship or cell group.
(4) Men are usually more laid back, either spiritually “dead” or very spiritually “alive”.
(5) Those make “alive” are usually in leadership or mission work. Jesus is glorified by their work.
So, to really start a men group, the leader must first learn to remove “the stone.”
I see our YA in Bethany PCES is also like this.
Ok, I better stop here.
Friday, March 20, 2009
Lower Seletar Reservoir, anyone interested?
I went to the Lower Seletar Reservoir at about 1:40 pm this afternoon. Just to do some recce for the up and coming outing for Bethany PCES. The place is really small. Some parts are close and under renovation till March 2010.
You have to park at the HDB car park directly opposite the reservoir. Public holidays and Sunday are free parking. It's about a short 50m walk and cross the road. Not so bad. There is no entrance to the park for cars and I kept circling around and finally it dawn on me that the HDB car park is just directly across the park.
The Reservoir cater mainly for sea sport - Canoeing $15/hour for two people; Dragon boating $60/hour for 10 but need a trainer to be present; and Kayaking (did not ask for price).
Reservoir view #1
Reservoir View #2
For those interested in fishing, there is a fishing jetty.Entrance to the Fishing Jetty
This is the jetty for those who want to fish
This is the exercise area, for those who are keen to improve on their Individual Physical Proficiency Test (IPPT) 
The place is quite small. And probably not much facilities other than the toilet and changing facility for sea sport.
What say you?
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
Sermon Reflection: “Can you help to remove the stone?”
I woke up this morning thinking about “the stone”.
Yes, you read it right – the stone!!
Ok, it’s just last Sunday worship service message about this family in Bethany. There are 3 siblings, 2 sisters and 1 brother. They are very good friends of Jesus. Yah, very very good friends. So good that whenever Jesus and His disciples come to Bethany, the eldest sister would always cook for them. Imagine 13 grown-up come eating at your house and you want to cook for all of them, because they are your best friends. Then including your own family, 13+3 would be a meal for 16 adults.
So, all “sisters”, what say you? Is it easy to cook for 16 adults? Do you need help? Never mind your own sister don’t bother to help, and cannot complain some more. Wait kena tick off by the LORD. Worst still, this Luke guy writes a book and include this inside and forever everybody of every generation read about it. No face to hide man. He should let the sisters proof read first before publish it!!
Please lah, Luke is a nice guy. Heh, a doctor you know. All doctors are nice guys.
Yah! I pity Martha.
Do you?
Maybe Martha got servants to help lah! She just upset that Mary can sit down, relax and listen to story leh! Otherwise, you think Jesus so mean meh? He actually want her to join Mary and listen and leave the work to the servants. Set priority mah!
OK, I leave it to the ladies to discuss about that (read Luke 10:38-42 first). Those can cook can talk louder. Those can’t, maybe imagine that you are Mary. (Mary of Bethany, Israel; not Mary of Bethany PCES).
We men should think about the man … the brother, I mean – Lazarus.
Nay, think about the stone.
Ok, it is in John Chapter 11. Actually, Lazarus never glorifies God. He’s dead. It was Jesus who performed the miracle of bringing back Lazarus to life and glorifies God. But without the stone removed no miracle could happen. The dead caould not be alive. It was the people who removed the stone. Not Lazarus.
Thoughts:
1. What is one stone you need others to remove before the dead in your life can be alive?
2. What is one stone in Bethany PCES that we need to remove before the “dead” can be “alive”?
3. Most important, can you help to remove that stone?
Think about that stone.
Yes, you read it right – the stone!!
Ok, it’s just last Sunday worship service message about this family in Bethany. There are 3 siblings, 2 sisters and 1 brother. They are very good friends of Jesus. Yah, very very good friends. So good that whenever Jesus and His disciples come to Bethany, the eldest sister would always cook for them. Imagine 13 grown-up come eating at your house and you want to cook for all of them, because they are your best friends. Then including your own family, 13+3 would be a meal for 16 adults.
So, all “sisters”, what say you? Is it easy to cook for 16 adults? Do you need help? Never mind your own sister don’t bother to help, and cannot complain some more. Wait kena tick off by the LORD. Worst still, this Luke guy writes a book and include this inside and forever everybody of every generation read about it. No face to hide man. He should let the sisters proof read first before publish it!!
Please lah, Luke is a nice guy. Heh, a doctor you know. All doctors are nice guys.
Yah! I pity Martha.
Do you?
Maybe Martha got servants to help lah! She just upset that Mary can sit down, relax and listen to story leh! Otherwise, you think Jesus so mean meh? He actually want her to join Mary and listen and leave the work to the servants. Set priority mah!
OK, I leave it to the ladies to discuss about that (read Luke 10:38-42 first). Those can cook can talk louder. Those can’t, maybe imagine that you are Mary. (Mary of Bethany, Israel; not Mary of Bethany PCES).
We men should think about the man … the brother, I mean – Lazarus.
Nay, think about the stone.
Ok, it is in John Chapter 11. Actually, Lazarus never glorifies God. He’s dead. It was Jesus who performed the miracle of bringing back Lazarus to life and glorifies God. But without the stone removed no miracle could happen. The dead caould not be alive. It was the people who removed the stone. Not Lazarus.
Thoughts:
1. What is one stone you need others to remove before the dead in your life can be alive?
2. What is one stone in Bethany PCES that we need to remove before the “dead” can be “alive”?
3. Most important, can you help to remove that stone?
Think about that stone.
Monday, March 16, 2009
Is life’s tiring?
Weekends seem to pass by so fast…And, still tired lah! :)
Maybe, it was just too much things going on during the weekend. Or maybe the Bethany PC English Committee meeting was just too long …
Which end up the Sunday afternoon napping. This is my first Sunday nap for year 2009.
And, still tired leh.
Maybe I went for a jog after I woke up. Yah, talk about jogging and I am awake. Or maybe I jogged too much after the nap.
And, still tired loh!
Then, this morning I had to wake up at 5:30am, (even though it is supposed to be school holiday). Well, the oldest girl needs to be in school by 6:30am. She has a Malaysia trip.
So, still tired aaahhh!
It’s that tiring weekend!! I need rest. Which reminds me of Matt 11:28
"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest"
Friday, March 13, 2009
Reflection - First semester of year 2009
Looking forward to the school semester break!!
Tired lah! :)
The first school semester has ended. This year has been quite tiring, having to drive the 2 girls to two different schools. Tanjong Katong road is the worst. This road is seemingly jammed pack with cars every morning. It has only 2 lanes. There is no bus bay and so when a bus stops, it literally hogs a lane. Instead of learning to be patience, I have learnt to weave in and out, overtaking here and there!! May be I shouldn’t do that.
OK, need to be more considerate. And start early.
Work wise, I have been engaging in some new engineering design to launch our very own products. We used to buy and sell the Spanish products. The profit margin is very low, though. So we decided to do it ourselves this year. It seems, God is with me. My design ideas are now working. I need more fine tuning to get it done in the first half of this year. Hope I can do a better design than the Spanish product, at a lower cost.
So, need to think very hard. And pray faithfully.
Personally, I have been quite consistent in reading my Bible and reflecting. I started reading with the historical books from Joshua and to 1 Kings. 1 Kings focuses on King Solomon (chapter 1–11) and King Ahab (end of Chapter 16 till the end of the book, chapter 24). But why cover so much on an evil king like Ahab? Could it be because of the prophet Elijah? They appear at the same time. This prophet plays a very pivotal role in the book of 1Kings also. The key phrases in the book are “did evil in the sight of the LORD” and “did what was right in the sight of the LORD” Really, Elijah and Ahab contrast each other to the extreme. One was for God, the other is for Baal. One was extremely evil, killing life to dead and taking away the rich’s property; the other was extremely good, raising dead to life and providing for poor widows
Therefore, need to do things right. And do it cheerfully.
Proverbs 3:5,6 "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not rely on your own understanding. In all your ways, acknowledge Him, and He will make straight your paths"
Thursday, March 12, 2009
When Stressed - enjoy a Joke!
Thermo Flask
Ah Beng goes to a store and sees a shiny object.
Ah Beng goes to a store and sees a shiny object.
Ah Beng : "What is that shiny object?"
Salesgirl : "That is a thermos flask."
Ah Beng : "What does it do?"
Salesgirl : "It keeps hot things hot and cold things cold"
Ah Beng : "I'll buy it"
The next day, Ah Beng goes to work with his thermo flask.
Boss : "What is that shiny object ?"
Ah Beng : "It's a thermos flask."
Boss : "What does it do?"
Ah Beng : "It keeps hot things hot and cold things cold"
Boss : "What do you have in it !?"
Ah Beng : "Two cups of coffee and one cup of ice cream"
Job Application
Ah Beng is filling up an application form for a job.
He supplied the information for the columns on Name, Age,Address etc.
Then he comes to column on "Salary Expected", but he is not sure of the question.
After much thought, he writes "Yes"
Colour Television
Ah Beng wants to buy a TV set.
Colour Television
Ah Beng wants to buy a TV set.
He goes to a shop.
Ah Beng : "Do you have color TV?"
Salesgirl : "Yes!"
Ah Beng : "Give me a green one, please"
Under 18
AH BENG the Crazy Singaporean.
AH BENG the Crazy Singaporean.
Why did Ah Beng go to a movie with his 18 friends?
Because below 18 not allowed Lah!
Monday, March 9, 2009
When stressed - PRAY!!
Saturday morning 7 March 7:45am
Blood flew out of my right forefinger. It was painful.
I knew then that I was having tremendous stress for the last 2 weeks because of work. I usually could not tell that I was stressful until 3 things happened. Or at least 2 things happened.
One is that when I start getting ulcers. Also, I would be very absent-minded and forgetful. Third, when my thoughts drift away while doing things.
That’s when it happened. I was cutting the bread that morning but my mind was still thinking of the problems at work. In that flick of a moment, I accidently cut my right forefinger. Worst, I had sharpened the knife before cutting the bread. You know how soft bread is. So I needed a very sharp knife to cut it without exerting a lot of pressure.
Then the week before, I misplaced my ezlink card. My wife has changed for me to a new card. Though I seldom use it, I think it is a good idea to have one. I remember clearly I was reading it and decided to put it in my wallet. But it was not in there. I can’t remember what happened after reading it. My mind was totally blank. I can’t even recall what I did to it.
Fortunately, I did not have any ulcers.
Saturday morning 7 March 10:15am
I received a call from my boss while I was at my office. Good news!!! One of the very difficult projects is now working. On Friday night, the engineers finally got some workable results. I am the designer and am very stressed by it. But Friday night was prayer night in Bethany PC so I quietly left early.
****
A few days ago, whether by God intervention or not, I managed to get the 21.75GHz oscillators working. I still do not how it happened. All I know is that I prayed almost every minute while working on this. Then I decided to write in my blog about this (2nd March, Monday night).
Spend the Tuesday night praying.
On Wednesday morning, I decided to do exactly what I done before, and just pray. Amazingly it worked. Then I tried to do the same for another unit, but it didn’t work.
Spend the Wednesday night praying.
On Thursday morning, again decided to do the same thing the day before. Now it worked, but with a bit of glitch. After much fine tuning, the result's more acceptable.
I still have a lot of other difficult works to tackle. Must PRAY!!
Blood flew out of my right forefinger. It was painful.
I knew then that I was having tremendous stress for the last 2 weeks because of work. I usually could not tell that I was stressful until 3 things happened. Or at least 2 things happened.
One is that when I start getting ulcers. Also, I would be very absent-minded and forgetful. Third, when my thoughts drift away while doing things.
That’s when it happened. I was cutting the bread that morning but my mind was still thinking of the problems at work. In that flick of a moment, I accidently cut my right forefinger. Worst, I had sharpened the knife before cutting the bread. You know how soft bread is. So I needed a very sharp knife to cut it without exerting a lot of pressure.
Then the week before, I misplaced my ezlink card. My wife has changed for me to a new card. Though I seldom use it, I think it is a good idea to have one. I remember clearly I was reading it and decided to put it in my wallet. But it was not in there. I can’t remember what happened after reading it. My mind was totally blank. I can’t even recall what I did to it.
Fortunately, I did not have any ulcers.
Saturday morning 7 March 10:15am
I received a call from my boss while I was at my office. Good news!!! One of the very difficult projects is now working. On Friday night, the engineers finally got some workable results. I am the designer and am very stressed by it. But Friday night was prayer night in Bethany PC so I quietly left early.
****
A few days ago, whether by God intervention or not, I managed to get the 21.75GHz oscillators working. I still do not how it happened. All I know is that I prayed almost every minute while working on this. Then I decided to write in my blog about this (2nd March, Monday night).
Spend the Tuesday night praying.
On Wednesday morning, I decided to do exactly what I done before, and just pray. Amazingly it worked. Then I tried to do the same for another unit, but it didn’t work.
Spend the Wednesday night praying.
On Thursday morning, again decided to do the same thing the day before. Now it worked, but with a bit of glitch. After much fine tuning, the result's more acceptable.
I still have a lot of other difficult works to tackle. Must PRAY!!
Friday, March 6, 2009
True Love includes Forgiveness
“If my husband cheats on me, I will divorce him!” One Christian lady forcefully spoke up during my Bible Study class long ago but it still rings deep inside me.
The toughest part in a relationship is able to forgive those who wrong and hurt you. The closest relationship is between husband and wife.
Recently, the news of Cecilia Cheung’s interview appears in the internet. Cecilia Cheung lashes out at Edison Chen - Yahoo! Singapore News
No, I am not discussing about the man who has the same name as Thomas Edison, the greatest inventor. This is not a gossip blog, but a thinking-reflecting blog.
What strikes me about her poring out of her heart is this:
"On the first day the photos were leaked out, my father-in-law came to my place. He did not say anything but just pretended to be visiting Lucas. I think he was trying to send me a message: If there is anything, the family will bear it together! My mother-in-law gave me a porcelain figurine of two dolls holding a lotus leaf on which four Chinese characters 'feng yu tong lu' (meaning: we'll brave the wind and rain together) was engraved. I believe it was a message to me. My husband did not ask anything but just said, "Dear, it's fine. I'm here for you!"
While it seem common for celebrities to divorce, here we see that the husband standing up for the wife in such a time like this. Also, they are not Christian.
How will you response if you are Cecilia Cheung’s husband? Something we should think and learn from this.
And Jesus said, “Neither do I condemn you. Go your way, and from now on, do not sin again.” (John 8:11 NRSV)
The toughest part in a relationship is able to forgive those who wrong and hurt you. The closest relationship is between husband and wife.
Recently, the news of Cecilia Cheung’s interview appears in the internet. Cecilia Cheung lashes out at Edison Chen - Yahoo! Singapore News
No, I am not discussing about the man who has the same name as Thomas Edison, the greatest inventor. This is not a gossip blog, but a thinking-reflecting blog.
What strikes me about her poring out of her heart is this:
"On the first day the photos were leaked out, my father-in-law came to my place. He did not say anything but just pretended to be visiting Lucas. I think he was trying to send me a message: If there is anything, the family will bear it together! My mother-in-law gave me a porcelain figurine of two dolls holding a lotus leaf on which four Chinese characters 'feng yu tong lu' (meaning: we'll brave the wind and rain together) was engraved. I believe it was a message to me. My husband did not ask anything but just said, "Dear, it's fine. I'm here for you!"
While it seem common for celebrities to divorce, here we see that the husband standing up for the wife in such a time like this. Also, they are not Christian.
How will you response if you are Cecilia Cheung’s husband? Something we should think and learn from this.
And Jesus said, “Neither do I condemn you. Go your way, and from now on, do not sin again.” (John 8:11 NRSV)
Thursday, March 5, 2009
Reflection: Eph 5:22-33 Strengthening Family Relationship
“Good title!”
That was my first thought as I read the Sunday Worship Order. A good title prepares the hearer.
“Maybe, it should be Strengthening Spouses Relationship”, knowing that Eph 5:22-33 is about husband and wife, not including children.
I was expecting to learn something about strengthening my marriage relationship after reading the title during last Sunday sermon.
Instead I kept hearing the word “power play”:
- Power play to get your need met
- Power play in aggression
- ….
- Submission relinquishes power play
After a while, I started counting the number of times it was spoken and lost track of the sermon.
As the speaker has said, he’s not going to expound the passage but only preach topically. That meant that he preached what he sees as appropriate for the congregation’s need. Half the sermon was on “power play” between husband and wife. Maybe, more than half. I remembered the hypothetical dysfunctional family illustration which the husband ended in adultery. Hmmn, I guess then that he knows that the congregation needs to stop engaging in “power play”. Being a pastor, he visits his flock, tends for them, and conducts pastoral counseling. Surely the message is appropriate to the congregation. OK, appropriate for the majority of the member.
But, I would be more prepared for the message would it have titled: “Power play in marriage”
Not able to get some practical aids on strengthening my relationship with my wife from this sermon, I need to do some serious reflection on my own.
The key to strengthening my marriage lie in me (as a husband) in loving my wife. Loves his wife is mentioned 4 times (vs 25, 28a, 28b, 33). Most of the time when a marriage gets into problems, it is the husband lack of visible love. We men don’t like to admit that but deep down inside us we know that what Paul said in Eph 5 is right.
How should I go about doing that practically?
Remember important occasions
The wife is meticulous over important dates – anniversary, birthday, mother’s day, Valentine days …
So, for the first time after more than a decade of marriage, I finally decided to order a bouquet of flower and deliver to her on her birthday. That was her birthday last year. Can you believe it if I tell you the bouquet is still in our bedroom even it is all dried up? See the impact of flowers? Let’s not sting on a bouquet of $60 flowers if that can strengthen spouses’ relationship.
Another thing I have not done is to bring her out for dinner, alone without the children, after more than a decade of marriage. So, I brought her out on Valentine eve. I had Bible Study on Valentine day so, no choice have to do it a day before. For me, these are very small and insignificant things. But to her, ….
Someone once joked that I am a “First class” husband.
No, I am an “Economy class”. I don’t have the money to be “First class” or “Business class”
Flowers, simple dinners are all economy class which we can all do that. Diamond and expensive gifts are “first class” which only first class husband can do. But the point in marriage is to fly the relationship forward, whether first class or economy class, it doesn’t matter.
Be Sensitive
Never talk to her when she is cooking. Any words touch the tips of the iceberg. Cooking is her Achilles’ heel. Just the other day, my daughter asked her to sign a school’s form while she was cooking. As I can guess, a barrage of thunder storm broke off. The girl was almost in tears, not knowing what she had done wrong. Later, I had to console and explained to the girl in privacy that it is not her fault. Every one has her soft spot. Just be sensitive not to press on it.
OK, I will just end here. It will get more sensitive.
Maybe ah, strengthening something need power leh.
So ah, power play in strengthening relationship is OK what!
That means the title is still good, right?
That was my first thought as I read the Sunday Worship Order. A good title prepares the hearer.
“Maybe, it should be Strengthening Spouses Relationship”, knowing that Eph 5:22-33 is about husband and wife, not including children.
I was expecting to learn something about strengthening my marriage relationship after reading the title during last Sunday sermon.
Instead I kept hearing the word “power play”:
- Power play to get your need met
- Power play in aggression
- ….
- Submission relinquishes power play
After a while, I started counting the number of times it was spoken and lost track of the sermon.
As the speaker has said, he’s not going to expound the passage but only preach topically. That meant that he preached what he sees as appropriate for the congregation’s need. Half the sermon was on “power play” between husband and wife. Maybe, more than half. I remembered the hypothetical dysfunctional family illustration which the husband ended in adultery. Hmmn, I guess then that he knows that the congregation needs to stop engaging in “power play”. Being a pastor, he visits his flock, tends for them, and conducts pastoral counseling. Surely the message is appropriate to the congregation. OK, appropriate for the majority of the member.
But, I would be more prepared for the message would it have titled: “Power play in marriage”
Not able to get some practical aids on strengthening my relationship with my wife from this sermon, I need to do some serious reflection on my own.
The key to strengthening my marriage lie in me (as a husband) in loving my wife. Loves his wife is mentioned 4 times (vs 25, 28a, 28b, 33). Most of the time when a marriage gets into problems, it is the husband lack of visible love. We men don’t like to admit that but deep down inside us we know that what Paul said in Eph 5 is right.
How should I go about doing that practically?
Remember important occasions
The wife is meticulous over important dates – anniversary, birthday, mother’s day, Valentine days …
So, for the first time after more than a decade of marriage, I finally decided to order a bouquet of flower and deliver to her on her birthday. That was her birthday last year. Can you believe it if I tell you the bouquet is still in our bedroom even it is all dried up? See the impact of flowers? Let’s not sting on a bouquet of $60 flowers if that can strengthen spouses’ relationship.
Another thing I have not done is to bring her out for dinner, alone without the children, after more than a decade of marriage. So, I brought her out on Valentine eve. I had Bible Study on Valentine day so, no choice have to do it a day before. For me, these are very small and insignificant things. But to her, ….
Someone once joked that I am a “First class” husband.
No, I am an “Economy class”. I don’t have the money to be “First class” or “Business class”
Flowers, simple dinners are all economy class which we can all do that. Diamond and expensive gifts are “first class” which only first class husband can do. But the point in marriage is to fly the relationship forward, whether first class or economy class, it doesn’t matter.
Be Sensitive
Never talk to her when she is cooking. Any words touch the tips of the iceberg. Cooking is her Achilles’ heel. Just the other day, my daughter asked her to sign a school’s form while she was cooking. As I can guess, a barrage of thunder storm broke off. The girl was almost in tears, not knowing what she had done wrong. Later, I had to console and explained to the girl in privacy that it is not her fault. Every one has her soft spot. Just be sensitive not to press on it.
OK, I will just end here. It will get more sensitive.
Maybe ah, strengthening something need power leh.
So ah, power play in strengthening relationship is OK what!
That means the title is still good, right?
Monday, March 2, 2009
Work, work, work ...
Every time I face some very difficult problems in my work, I think of retiring.
OK, not every time, but at least some time.
When I graduated and starting work, I planned to retire at age 40. Then when I got married, I thought of retiring at age 50. After the birth of my third child, I told myself, I better retire at 60.
Why 40?
Well, it takes me 25 years to prepare for a career on earth. If I retire at the age of 40, I can have at least 25 years to prepare for a career in heaven. But then, 40 come and go. So, I jump into plan B. Preparing for career in heaven part-time. Smart right!!
That’s when I started to attend night classes in SBC, initially in the certificate program just for learning. Then, I attended more night classes and then day classes also. What amazes me is that there are many other Christians who think like me, but none from Bethany, probably. Getting to know such Christians and studying together make learning very enriching. I am hoping to get some Bethany to go for night class some days. Still looking ..
Still thinking of retiring …
Well, for the last two weeks till now, I am working on some very difficult work – creating a very high signal source. Very, very high frequency. 21.75GHz oscillator. I am doing a 21,750,000,000 cycles per second of signal. The last time I did that was in 2003 and sold it to this UK company. Don’t know how I did it then. Now, 6 years later, they gave me the order to do 3 units. Times are bad, so I have accepted it. I have been struggling and praying, praying and struggling.
Still thinking hard (for a solution lah!) and praying … (yah, keep me in prayer!!)
OK, not every time, but at least some time.
When I graduated and starting work, I planned to retire at age 40. Then when I got married, I thought of retiring at age 50. After the birth of my third child, I told myself, I better retire at 60.
Why 40?
Well, it takes me 25 years to prepare for a career on earth. If I retire at the age of 40, I can have at least 25 years to prepare for a career in heaven. But then, 40 come and go. So, I jump into plan B. Preparing for career in heaven part-time. Smart right!!
That’s when I started to attend night classes in SBC, initially in the certificate program just for learning. Then, I attended more night classes and then day classes also. What amazes me is that there are many other Christians who think like me, but none from Bethany, probably. Getting to know such Christians and studying together make learning very enriching. I am hoping to get some Bethany to go for night class some days. Still looking ..
Still thinking of retiring …
Well, for the last two weeks till now, I am working on some very difficult work – creating a very high signal source. Very, very high frequency. 21.75GHz oscillator. I am doing a 21,750,000,000 cycles per second of signal. The last time I did that was in 2003 and sold it to this UK company. Don’t know how I did it then. Now, 6 years later, they gave me the order to do 3 units. Times are bad, so I have accepted it. I have been struggling and praying, praying and struggling.
Still thinking hard (for a solution lah!) and praying … (yah, keep me in prayer!!)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
