wisdom

I was reading (the Book of) Sirach today and I'm amazed at how relevant and close to heart it is to us even in today's context. Apart from the wise words on the need for reflection, self-control, the call to repentance and the majesty of God, he also touched on several topics like lying, loose talk, silence, speech and inappropriate speech, anger and vengence, hypocrisy, etc. Oh just so many things that we encounter on a day-to-day basis.

It's funny how some people's faces came to mind, including my own of course, as I read through some of his writings.

Well, one piece of wisdom to share with all of you :

"Do not revel in great luxury,
or you may become impoverished by its expense.
Do not become a beggar by feasting with borrowed money,
when you have nothing in your purse.
The one who does this will not become rich;
one who despises small things will fail little by little."
-Sirach 18:32 - 19:1

Praying for Time - Carrie Underwood

I Made my Choice!

I am finally signed up for Choice Weekend and will be attending it next weekend (28-30 Jan). I believe it's all in God's timing really. I was determined to attend it last year in Nov/Dec but I was just too swamped with Advent and Christmas preparations at church that I had to tell the organisers to push me to the next one. They got in touch with me last week and after pondering it over for 2 days, I said Yes.

Please pray for me during this time. Thank you and God bless you!

Afternote: I didn't attend it as I didn't feel quite prepared. I hope that I'd feel ready for the next one!

Love Conquors All

Today was a day when everything worked against us. If I had known better, I would have said that we ought to have really been on our spiritual guard against the evil one (disturbances) who so cleverly caused the laptop/projector/even the CD Player to not work, restlessness amongst the acting cast, and the quick poisoning of minds against one another. To top it off, my fever-flu had to come this weekend. I think it was just a miracle alone that I even made it to church this morning!

Of course, with our desperate prayers and trust in the Lord, He never fails us. Right at the last second, the projector worked, the CD player worked. Everything worked out in the end. Also, a kind gesture from a member who made me warm barley for my sore throat and packed sandwiches for everyone really did touch my hearts. She's already got her hands full with work, travelling up and down to visit her mum in the hospital, doing the Advent booklets and preparing for her own session next week, how in the world does she do it!

In case you're new to this concept, it's called love - when you stop thinking about yourself and start thinking about others. It's wonderful, you ought to try it some time. God bless her heart!

Praise God!

A First of its Kind

After almost 5 years of being together, the Children's Ministry (The Joyful Ark) finally, under the guidance of our Spritual Director Fr Bruno, had our first ministry retreat held at the Jesuit Spirituality Centre.

It started off wonderfully with breakfast and lots of good cheer from all and wonderful "Did you know...." stories from John!

We then made our way to the retreat house in 2 cars and settled in quickly. It was exciting for me cos it really felt like I was a young teen all over again at some confirmation camp! lol. We had meditation prayer in the garden where it was just peaceful and calm.

It was a simple retreat yet powerful in God's ways. Its hard sometimes for us to realise how much this was needed or its importance for us to bond in a Ministry and to pray together. I really had a great time and I pray that the Lord will continue to guide each one of us in this Ministry all set and ready for Advent and the new year 2011.

this sunday morning

Last night, my cuz jess stayed over and we turned in by midnight as we had to wake up for mass the next morning. I set my alarm and prayed for the Lord to wake us up so that we won't be late and scrambling to get to church.

I slept well and was dreaming when I heard my name being called. Twice. By a man who was not in sight but he called my name twice. It sounded so real and clear that I woke up to look at my cousin sleeping to see if she was messing ard. She was sound asleep. I looked at the time and it was really time to wake up for mass.

Still feeling puzzled, I got up and could not stop thinking abt the voice who called me. I am not sure exactly what it was or just a dream but the story of Samuel from the bible did cross my mind.

May the Lord lead me in all I do. Amen!

My Alpha Challenge

I almost didn't make it for the Alpha course tonight. The struggle (as forewarned by close friends) started this evening when I was torn between heading home after a long day at work and to church for my weekly "Catechism Class" aka the Alpha course.

You know, its true what they say: The closer you try to get to know God, the more you'll be faced with distractions, temptations and trials from the evil one. Of course, I knew this was going to happen, coming so close to giving in to temptation. Images of me relaxing at home, watching tv, surfing the net, catching a sweet nap etc started playing in my head. Now, on a Friday night after a long day at work, all that sounded pretty good.

1st Example: I was at the bus stop waiting for feeder bus A to go home when the feeder bus B (that goes to church) came by. Should I go? Should I not? go? no? go? no? I decided ok not, I'm going to wait for my feeder bus A, I think I'll go home. Within seconds after the first bus B left, a second bus B came. I was again thrown into the mode of should I or not with myself. Bus A came and I boarded it to go home. As the bus was moving along, I just closed my eyes and thought it through. Ok, I'm tired but I made a decision few weeks ago that I will go for this. I am committed to this. I will go home, change to comfortable clothes, have a quick snack then cab to church, more than enough time for all of that. And that I did :) I made it to the course that night. Praise God!

2nd Example: The date of the Holy Spirit full-day retreat was made known to us today and it falls right on the same day as the cousins gathering I was insanely looking forward to. Bummer.

What I learnt tonight: Sometimes the good stuff don't come easy or as and when you like it, but you just got to trust that something great is waiting for you and so no matter what, just have to push yourself inspite of how you "tired" or "lazy" you feel. I'm glad I did go in the end.

Jesus is knocking at your door of your heart and the handle's on the inside. Are you going to let Him in? I can only imagine the blessed and wonderful transformation of your life that awaits the moment you call on Him and open your heart to our dear Lord.

"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come." - 2 Corinthians 5:17