the food critic, back by popular demand

I successfully sold the idea of a second food review video to Mommy by telling her how much my friends enjoyed the first one (I'm telling the truth!).

Watch till the end and see how many stars - out of five - my mum gave to Jack's Place's roasted turkey breast with chicken ham.

Nerds and leather go together

My boss, James, knows I have a soft spot for nerds. And it’s sort of true. He is a nerd with a leather… bible!

The conversation was a little more succinct this time, concluding outstanding issues raised last Friday and taking the last opportunity to clarify doubts. He has spoken to Pastor and I have discussed with Kengyi.

• How are Christian relationships different?
• Are we ready to make sacrifices for the other person?
• Where do we go from here?

We were on the same page (I think) on most issues. For the rest, we will have to work at it along the way. I foresee it is going to be ‘long-suffering’ for him because of all my weaknesses and stubborness.

He pointed me to Ephesians 5. The guy leads in the relationship and ‘lays down his life’ for her as Christ did for the church. “He wears a crown of thorns,” he said.

Speechless and impressed.

He is such a bully

Satan claims that Job worships God because of how God has blessed him. God allows Satan to prove Him wrong by taking everything – children, friends, status, wealth and health – away from Job.

Job cries out to God but receives no answer. He is a righteous and godly guy – so why is he suffering?

God answers at the end of the book. Who are you to question me?

I know that God has the authority and power to do all things and he judges what is right and wrong.

But doesn’t that make him a little of a bully?

(Answer to come soon)

exciting job

My work at Alphabet Media is pretty exhilarating, but what I'm really thinking about is the book of Job.

It has kept me wanting.

When the train approaches my destination and I have to keep my bible, my heart screams out in anguish for Job: "God, how can you remain silent and let your righteous child suffer and be maligned?!"

I know He has an answer, I just cannot see it right now.

(Soon though, I'm already at Chapter 31!)

will you be my girlfriend?

It was at least an hour long chat. And at the end of it, I don't think he even asked it in such simple words.

The conversation was a mash of a sermon, bible study and interrogation. Ok, I'm exaggerating (but only a little).

I had to display understanding of:

• Why we should be contented as singles
• What is the purpose of marriage
• Why no relationships are flawless
• How do children fit into the plan
  

He presented a case of why he thinks we are compatible and justified the question, which was qualified so much I can't repeat it for my life. And I will not be surprised if he can't too.

In this way, he is different, but in a good way. That is why I said yes.

(Great materials on Christian relationships: Four talks on Love, Sex and Marriage by Matthias Media, Joshua Harris' I Kiss Dating Goodbye and Boy Meets Girl, and of course the Bible!)

mee and mee

It's noodles day with grandma!

What I'm having:
Wanton noodles with roasted pork meat $3.50

What grandma's having:
Vegetarian fishball noodles $2.50

me: pimp-my-bedroom

Presenting my new pink room....



Special thanks to Mommy who not only helped to move the furniture, but practically redesigned my new room. What can I possibly do without her.

skipping church

We missed service today, but not fellowship.



I had a blast hanging out with my bros and sisters;

• Andrew: The silent and assuring big brother made us feel safe in the foreign land and ensured we were all behaving.
• Pih: Poor Pih was running a fever but she was still such a sport and went everywhere we headed and made us laugh like she always does.
• Fang: She showed great patience even though she had to work on a Sunday! Thanks for the cherry chocolate muffin from Starbucks.
• Bel: She was our Operations Director who spoke to the Duty Manager so we get upgraded to a suite.
• Dorcas: It was only my second time hanging out with her but I didn't need more time to tell she is a ball of fun!
• Jenn: He is half the size of Ben but pulled his weight when it was time to finish the food.
• Ben: Our unofficial tour guide who couldn't resist buying anything and everything edible we passed.
• Jerry: We saw a quieter and more serious side of Jerry. Only because he was sick. It was unanimous that we like this Jerry more.

church camp day 4: james the man

We do not work for our salvation. Neither are both faith and works prerequisites for God to accept us.

But faith without works is dead. Real faith naturally and must follow with works. Because while God didn't save us because of good works, we are saved for it.

I pray that He will help me live it out, because by myself, I absolutely suck at it.

church camp day 3: justice mercy grace

Justice: Getting what you deserve
Mercy: Not getting what you deserve
Grace: Getting what you do not deserve

church camp day 2: people watch

I love the time I get to spend with God's family.

I feel like an aspiring singer with a golden pass into the back stage of a mega concert. With direct access into room after room of successful famous singers of all time, observing as they practise and prepare for the show.

The girls gathered in one of the rooms tonight. A sister was describing how she was maligned at work. But at no point did she curse the accuser. Instead, she gave thanks to God for the (little) good that came out of this experience.

There are many more in this family who display God's love in their lives.

I can only pray for God to help me be more like Him.

church camp day 1: i am a slave

I am a slave of Jesus Christ.

That is how James introduces himself in the letter. And that is who I am.

All of myself belongs to God and my chief purpose in life is to glorify Him and enjoy Him forever.

It is not easy to remember, let alone do it. But I pray that God will keep me and His Spirit will help me to work into my identity.