Funny Quotes

I love to read stories, quotes & jokes. Many of them are interesting, inspiring & innovative. Usually i will try to read these once in a week. Today, i wanna share some funny quotes with you. Be blessed :)

1. Men are like parking spots, the good ones are taken and the free ones are handicapped.
2. Friendship is like peeing on yourself: everyone can see it, but only you get the warm feeling that it brings.
3. When in charge, ponder. When in doubt, mumble. When in trouble, delegate.
4. It's hard to soar like an eagle when you're surrounded by turkeys.

Wow, now i enjoy reading this newly purchased book "IT". Share with you some principles once i m done with chapter 3. By the way, have you been reading any book? At least do one before the year comes to an end ok?

"Bored"

After 2 days of GLS, back to office again..back to reality again!
Haha..after gaining so much at the conference, somehow you just feel "bored" to go back to office again. Not just because there are many things to settle, but you just want to enjoy in God's presence & worried that it might be watered down by bags of things around me. Well, the only way is to stay tuned in the Spirit & stuck deep in the Word.

One thing when you attend conferences & seminars, especially a full day one, you bound to eat & drink more since the lunch & tea breaks are close by. Haha..though i controlled myself, yet i still find somehow i need to exercise since i couldn't go gym on monday. Went to play badminton & really "whacked" all the way. Hehe..played at least 5 games in a roll without stopping. Wow, panting like nobody's business (shh..don't let my doc know or else sure kena left right centre). Haha but shiok lah to 流汗. Then as if i have tons & tons of energy, i still went to conduct cell group meeting. You know why? Because the joy of the Lord is my strength. Keep yourself happy in the Lord & you can carry on.

In Love

At the start of the GLS conference, i was praying for renewal & refreshment in the spirit. I told the Lord to warm my heart & captivate me into His presence again. God is truly a prayer answering God. Right at the worship time, i was appalled by His awesome presence. It's not just the songs, but i can really sense the sweetness, loveliness & gentleness of God's presence.

God never stopped there. He went on to minister into my spirit through His anointed servants. Not just the speakers, but also the fantastic & dynamic videos that were screened throughout the conference. I was so moved to tears by one particular video, which is about the Names of God, the Attributes of God & the Works of God. Right there, i was paralysed by the beautiful descriptions of my God that once again i fell in love with Him again. The reflection times were one of the best moments to allow me in responding to what had been ministered.

When was the last time you fell in love? With God? With someone?

Blurrrr

How blur can i be? Am i blur person to many of you?
Wah..only today i realised how blur is elaine chua..ya no joke..elaine chua the super blur queen!

Blurrrr story started:
Date: 27 oct
Time: 6.00pm
Venue: Riverlife church underground carpark between B1&B2

When we reached riverlife in the morning, we climbed staircase up to 1st storey from the carpark. So afer the seminar ended, we took a lift down to B2. Then i was turning left & right, cannot locate my little red car. Haha..i still asked josline where did i park. She pointed towards the direction of B1, & i still replied "cannot be lah..we went quite down." Here paul came & said "eh elaine, your car is there". Happily i walked towards my car using the car keys to unlock it. Lo & behold, no movement. After pressing for couple of times, i thought maybe something wrong with the battery, so used the manual way to unlock it. Pushed & pushed the the key into the hole but it just didn't fit. I called out to josline telling her that something was wrong with the key, she even walked over & tried it. Haha..guess what..another bro saw the scene & asked me from his car window if that is really my car. Erm..it didn't struck me at all! YA YA YA..how blur can i be? THAT IS NOT MY CAR AT ALL! Win liao lor..it looks just like my little baby. Can you imagine i didn't locate my car even after paul drove his car up from B3?

Haiz..i shall not give excuse of my blurness to tiredness. Haha..i just laughed over at myself. Have you been that blur before? Haha..thank God it's not a mega carpark or else till now i still cannot locate it. Well, elaine chua, get real & just laugh over it!

Bananas

While i was bathing, suddenly this song that we used to sing in the youth service in the late 1990s rang in my mind. The song goes like this:

I like bananas

I know that mangos are sweet

I like papayas...PAPAYAS

But nothing can beat that sweet love of God

Here we go Here we go Here we go

Well I was walking round in circles five miles an hour

Trying to find my way back to the Heavenly Father

The world tasted sweet, But then it turned sour

So I asked God in and received His power

Like Arnold Schwartzenegger!

Haha..it's an interesting song that speaks on the sweet love of God.
Heaven & earth will pass away, but His love stands forever & it never fails!
Next time, when you eat of any sweet fruit like bananas, mangoes or papayas, think about God's wondrous love.

Suzuki Swift

Wow as i was driving on the way home, i saw my favourite car, the latest silver Lexus model IS250. So classy, so sporty, so cool! Haha..don't know when will i have the chance to own it? Haha..think i will just dream about it.

Too expensive to own one..BUT i am satisfied with my orange red Suzuki Swift. He has been my faithful companion bringing me to Singapore & Malaysia. Not only that, he is not greedy or hungry for food (petrol), only need to pump once in every 2 weeks. Very thrifty & considerate towards his owner. He is rather easy to handle & doesn't cause much problems whether in parking (body short, no buttock), driving (make minimum sound).

Haha..not too bad right if your the other half is like that hor?
Faithful companion...not greedy...thrifty...considerate...easy to handle...doesn't cause much problems!!

Relaxing

Erm..i guess this week will be a relaxing week since most of the deadlines have been met, most of the tasks have been accomplished. All of these are possible because God is in control & His grace is sufficient at all times.

How time passes. Another two more months before 2008 comes to an end. Considering the 2 years of ministry in pastoring Region 3, i conclude that it has been fruitful, exciting & challenging. I have been blessed with friendships, encouragements, supports & loves. Ahead of me, i have more things to learn from people, circumstances, challenges but they will enrich, deepen, mature my life perspectives & experiences even more.

Haha..i guess because it is a relaxing week, i have more time & space to recall, reflect, review things that had happened. Well, of course there are unhappy moments & discouraging times. I still say it has been a good nine months plus.
Though the world economy is collapsing, my hope in God is strengthened.
Though the share market is dropping, my value in God is eternal.
Though the future is bleak, my future in God is secured.

My friends, RELAX in the midst of crisis because we know our God is sovereign & everything is in His hands. Remember: In crisis, there is opportunity.

Cutie Kittens

Cute pictures to make your day because they make mine :)

One after the Other

Haha..today is a crazy day..really crazy!

Morning went to work in the office (have a good time talking to some people over breakfast).

Midday went to check in hotel room for the couple (end up the bridal team was earlier than me because it was drizzling so couldn't take outdoor photo shots).

Afternoon went to settle stuff for the couple (thank God for the sisters. You gals are great!).

Evening went for the couple's solemnisation & dinner (thank God. Everything went smoothly!). Wait, the day hasn't ended.

After reaching home from one whole day of events, my body was worn out. Yet i couldn't sleep because mind was too active thinking about the sermon. I think i didn't sleep till around 2 plus..Lord you must give me strength tomorrow to face what is ahead.

G.O.D.

Last few days has been busy + busy + busy (seems like there is unending stuff to do..hmm), yet i thank God for His

Guidance - helping me in preparing my sermon so that i can finish today

Order -helping me in arranging things properly so that i can get things done before the weekend

Direction - helping me in focusing what needed to be done so that i can prioritise my family, social life, work & ministry


There is something we need to acknowledge & recognise, that is
Whenever we feel weak, in Him we are made strong.
Whenever we feel tired, in Him we are strengthened.
Whenever we feel stressed, in Him we are given peace.
Whenever we feel fearful, in Him we are assured.
Whenever we feel lost, in Him we are secured.

My friends, God's promises are true.
I love you God, my heavenly Daddy :)

Oh No!

Oh no..i haven had anything in mind for this Sunday's preaching at the youth service. How ah? *Stress! Jialat! Headache! Faint!*

Actually started the preparation 2 weeks ago, but nothing just came in mind even after praying & praying. My dear blog readers, please keep me in prayers or else it will be 你看我，我看你了! Everytime when it comes to preaching, i will struggle like nobody's business (maybe it's not my cup of tea?). I really don't know why & many times i wonder if the rest of the preachers face the same. Haha..suddenly this song rang in my mind:

"Lord i need your grace & mercy.

I need to pray like never before.

I need the power of the Holy Spirit to open heaven's doors.

Spirit touch elaine, stir my heart today.

Revive me Lord with your passion once again.

I want to preach Your word like Jesus preaches His.

Let your reign fall on me."

I'm gonna trust in God. I'm gonna believe the message will come. Amen!

Two Powerful Words: Servant & Encouragement

Wow..today i have a fruitful day because Ps Wilson preached a very good message on the "Paradox of Kingdom Leadership" & i was reminded once again to be a servant leader. God's ways are truly different & unique because they do not align with man's ways.

Servant Leadership
In the account when the mother of James & John asked Jesus to consider her sons by placing them at His right & left, it is interesting to see that Jesus did not accede to her request. Yet He acceded to the request of the thief, who was crucified with Jesus, when he asked the Son of God to remember him. Isn't it puzzling to see that God can reject the mother's request of his closest disciples & agree to the one asked by the thief? And what was actually ringing in the mind of the mother when she saw the Messiah hanging on the tree?

Jesus is not concerned about your position or title (so what if James & John were his closest disciples), it is the motive behind the request. James & John were looking for the seat of power & position by sitting the right & left of Jesus, when He was ushering in the Kingdom in their lifetime. On the other hand, the thief's motive is genuine repentance & forgiveness from the Son of God at the point of his death.
Remember #1: The place of power is determined by God.
Remember #2: Servanthood precedes greatness.

Encouragement
I also have a great time teaching at the ACL class, where we talked about building personal relationships with people around us. We ended the class by writing encouraging cards to 4 of our pastors, thanking & appreciating their impartation to the students. It was shiok to see them participating enthusiastically, with the sole desire of appreciation & heart-felt thanks. More so to see broad smiles on the faces of these pastors when the cards were given to them immediately after the class ended. I was thrilled to see the love of God shed among His people by the simple act of writing. TQ God for giving me that idea :)

Hey you might not know the impact by writing to someone an encouraging note. Look at this anonymous encouragement poem and be blessed.

"When things go wrong as they sometimes will

When the road you're trudging seems all up hill

When the funds are low and the debts are high and you want to smile

But you have to sigh,When care is pressing you down a bit

Rest if you must, but don't you quit

Life is queer with its twists and turns

As every one of us sometimes learns

And many a failure turns about

When he might have won had he stuck it out

Don't give up though the pace seems slow

You may succeed with another blow

Success is failure turned inside out

The silver tint of the clouds of doubt

And you never can tell how close you are

It may be near when it seems so far

So stick to the fight when you're hardest hit.

It's when things seem worst that you must not quit."

Have a Break

After one week's work & school, where do you usually take a break especially if it's Friday? Erm..some has cell group, so they will only hang out on Saturdays while others start to run wild on Fridays. Whatever it is, TGIF. It's the end of the week, so enjoy your weekend & have fun. Don't hide yourself at home. Go out & have a break. Even if you stay home, make sure you do something that you really love for a good break after a week's hard work. Don't forget to eat a kitkat! (Erm..not sure if it still can be eaten leh)

My week is quite packed - deadlines & budgets, cell groups, teaching lessons not forgetting got to preach at the youth service next week.

I WANNA GO BACK FOR HOLIDAYS!! Haha..anyway it's a great week!

Special Peoples

Yesterday i was leading one of my young adults cell groups & i really have a great time with them. Hearing their roaring laughters, their lame jokes, their cute teasing, their super openness, their 100% genuinity lightened my mood & made me so comfortable. One beautiful thing about these cell members is they will not merely listen to you, but they will probe more with questions. They are teachable, respectful, supportive. I am so proud of them :)

Here are some words about them:
TQ kel for going to Canada so that i can lead this group for a week.
TQ wilson for sharing openly about your "pimple".
TQ arnold for helping me to set up the wireless account at mac.
TQ reuben for confessing your "lateness" & trying hard to change.
TQ fan for giving me those goodies coupons that i can have another cup of coffee.
TQ chan for wanting to "fine" me $1 by not bringing the Bible.
TQ rena for telling me about your dec korea trip that i can get you to buy some stuff.
TQ cel for looking out more free cakes since you won the excellence award.
TQ fish for lending me the bible that i won't kena $1 fine by chan.
TQ ning for hugging me so hard & still calling me elainey.
TQ cai for giving those answers in hokkien & making us laugh.
TQ van for being not around else the cell group would end super late.
TQ sam for studying hard in your quiz & hoping you would do well.

Another One

Another one again? Another Korean movie star committed suicide again? What is happening? Why one after the other? Haiz..sad sad sad! Another one gone, how about another one saved? Or how about another one blessed?

Now the economic situation doesn't look too bright, another one again! Financial crisis like 1997 or even back to 1930s again? Oh no! No one knows.
Well, nothing lasts except God, so another one more chance in this current situation to trust in Him.

Before i sign off, another one encouraging note for you:

God will make a way, where there seems to be no way.

He works in ways we cannot see, He will make a way for me.

He will be my guide, hold me closely to His side.

With love & strength for each new day,

He will make a way, he will make a way.

By the roadway in the wilderness He'll lead me

With rivers in the desert will i see

Heaven & earth will fail, but His Word will still remain

He will do something new today.

花是美的

I love flowers, so my eyes were fully satisifed when i saw the beautiful & gorgeous flowers blooming during the Korea holiday trip. My camera kept on shooting at these lovely creations & i believe you will agree with me.

Rescuer

Within a month, Korea entertainment circle lost 3 Korean actors & actresses, who had chosen the path of suicide. It is scary to think that someone who used to be glamorous outwardly, can be going through rough patches inwardly. Imagine the amounts of stress, fears, hopelessness & desperation they must have faced before walking into the road of self-destruction. Sometimes one really wonders if that is the ultimate way for these people.

Fame come & go, isn't that goes the same for problems & troubles? If they come & go, then shouldn't it be worthwhile to tarry a little longer to win the battle? Maybe sometimes the battle is really hard that the issues cannot be ironed out. Maybe they are too insurmountable & overwhelming? Maybe suicide is the easy way out? Or maybe ..one chinese saying says it well "笑里藏刀". You won't know someone's pain behind the smiles.

How about being a Christian? How should we react when we hear such saddening news?
In Him we have our being, so we should treasure the life God has given to us. Times may be tough, but lean on the everlasting arms of God where there is safety & security. Tough times never last but tough people do, so be hopeful that they will come & go. Stand in the gap & pray. Also be sensitive & alert to people around you. There may be hurts & struggles one faces behind the smiles. When you turn other's mourning into dancing, other's tears into joy under the anointing of the Holy Spirit, you have rescued a soul.
Aim to be someone like that, then your life will be more meaningful & fulfilling.
Lord, help me to be a rescuer of souls.

TODAY

After gyming, i picked up TODAY afternoon edition & started reading while waiting for the train. Came across one interesting article that is entitled as "Teen Sex and The 'P' Factor" & would like to share its thoughts with you.
If you are a parent who has growing up kids,
If you are going-to-be a parent,
If you are newly-wed,
If you are dating someone for marriage,
If you are a working adult,
If you are a teenager,
These are good stuffs & tips to inculcate the right set of values into your children.

Quoted from the report by Chitra Rajaram:

Statistics:
Among youngsters aged between 15 to 24, the incidence of sexually-transmitted infections (STI) among young people in Singapore has nearly doubled over the last 10 years. The incidence of STI was 231 per 100,000 in 1998, but now it is 418 per 100,000 last year.

Exposure:
In the 1970s, many grew up on a weekly dose of "The Cosby Show" & "The Waltons" where they were good, wholesome family soap dramas with strong value systems. The closest sex scenes were chaste kisses & holding of hands. Today, our teenagers are overdosed with "90210, Gossip Girls, The OC" with the overarching theme of teens & sex.

Television, movies, videos, music & the internet bring a new of people into the teenager's lives. Once they pick up everything - fashion, attitudes, expressions & behaviour trends - they become cool among their own social circles & casual sexual relations.

Solutions:
Parental intervention where more time is spent between parents & children over dinner tables (a powerful platform which we can get the right values across to our teens) & family activities. Parents should make a conscious effort to spend time with their children, so that they have lesser time for external bombardment.

Society responsibility where we have to go back to basics & wean our teens away from the values they are getting from other sources. Make the extra effort for them to spend that time with us.


Be ready to initiate
Be ready to sacrifice &
Be ready to go the extra-mile
To spend time with people you love so that lasting bonds can be fostered & stronger values can be transmitted.

No Man is an Island

Relationships with people are important & they are a part of our lives.
Without relationships, life would be meaningless & purposeless. That's why we have relationship with God, relationship with our parents & siblings, relationship with friends, classmates & colleagues, relationship with church & cell members, relationship with your life partner, relationship with your children, relationship with your grandchildren. Many different kinds of relationships all narrow down to one truth: No man is an island!

Build as many relationships as possible. Good, positive, edifying ones. How sweet it is when the Lord is the Lord of them, they will be your friends forever.

Introduce some of my lovely friends here:

Korea-A Beautiful Country

Korea is a nice country to consider going for holiday trips.

Beautiful scenaries..friendly Koreans..yummy food (especially those who love kimchi, squid)..trendy clothes..stylish accessories..clean toilets.

Share with you some pictures. Pleasure viewing:)

God of Wonders

I remember someone ever said, when Christians go overseas for holidays, the tendency of praying & doing QT seems to be drown away by the holiday mood & pleasures. How true it is when we are not careful to fall into such trap, thinking of leaving God at home for awhile while we enjoy first without Him around. Our God is an Omniscent God & He is ever present with His people, no matter which corner of the world we are at, even at the most insignificant places.

This trip has not only refreshed my physique & emotions, but also rejuvenated the spiritual aroma of God's wonderful presence upon me. As we traveled from place to place & the traveling time takes at least 1 hour & more, so i have more than ample time to sleep & rest on the coach. THAT was a great time of praying & worshipping when everyone else was sleeping away. The admiration of greenary nature, magnificent mountains, flowing streams & glazing sheep was fantastic to worship the King of kings, the Creator of these wonders.

God, you are the God of wonders!

Thank you for your creations so that we can appreciate, admire & adore You!

Happy Children Dae

Back to reality..cannot really imagine the speed of time!
8 days passed just like that where my holiday trip to Korea come & go.

Elaine, back to work! But i am refreshed!
Generally it was a good trip covering the whole of South Korea, from Jeju Island to Pusan to Kyongju to Yongpyong to Seoul. Things are not cheap. You name it. From food to clothes to shoes (cheapest pair cost almost $40 to $200) to assessories. Haha..i spent almost $800 not counting the package tour.

Guess what i spent? Main bulk went to skin products, cosmetics, local food products like kimchi, radish, squid & seaweed. extra meals & sightseeing entrance fees. Brought a pair of shoes that cost me $45 & 3 ear rings that cost me less than $15. One thing for sure is that the clothes, shoes & assessories are really cheo & great designs. If you want to get them, better be ready to spend outrageously & extavangantly. Another cool thing we did is SPA for 2 hours. Very shiok & really relaxing. One of the reasons i chose this tour is because of this. Not just sightseeing, shopping & eating, but also spaing. Oh yes, i also have the chance to wear the Korean traditional costume FOC (see below: do i look alright?) Took alot alot of photos & i will be busy for the next few days editing them. Will load up some here soon once i am done.

Meanwhile, take this chance to wish you, the children of God, "Happy Children Dae". Of course, how can i forget to wish my lovely sister, Laureen, "Happy 21st Birthday".