100 Milestone

With this entry, Sabbatical@Happy Valley has now reached a new milestone - This is the 100th post on this blog! Incredible! It was only back in August 07, that I was still figuring out how to set up a blog. From then on, it was pretty much learning by doing (and copying). Essentially, you come across another blog site with some interesting features, which you try to replicate on yours. And when you are stuck, there is always the blog consultant. Since then, I learn to:

• organize the entries using "labels",
• embed background music, slideshows, and video clips from external sources using 'widgets".
• translate the blog from English to 8 different languages, which include Chinese, Japanese, Korean, French, etc., using Babel Fish by Alta Vista (see right). I am amazed by how fast the "translator" work. It is truly a very powerful tool. Try it by clicking on one of the flags.

Reflection: Looking back, I would never have thought that I could be "techy" enough to maintain a blog. But Lao Tzu once said, "the journey of a 1,000 miles must begin with a single step". It means that a long journey can seem overwhelming until you start it. Take enough single steps and you'll arrive. It also implies that any overwhelming project is more manageable if broken up into smaller tasks. But the most important step would be the first one, often the hardest because it requires courage and faith to overcome the inertia! Some people never achieve much in life because they never took the first step.

Time flies, especially when you are having the time of your life.

Homeward Bound: The countdown has begun. We recently confirmed our flight home. We will be leaving State College on the morning of June 17. Our flight is scheduled to reach Singapore on June 18, midnight. Thus, our remaining days in Happy Valley are numbered - 79 days left, to be exact! So, we intend to optimize the time we have left here. We have several trips to make, Florida in April and Georgia in May. And in between, we intend to capitalize on the Spring weather to visit some of the interesting places around here.

internet photo

Today, we will be making a trip to the Shavers' Creek http://www.outreach.psu.edu/shaverscreek/. It is about 20 minutes drive away. We will take part in the Maple Harvest Festival to learn how to identify and tap sugar maple trees and see sap being turned into syrup! There will be costumed interpreters who will demonstrate sugaring techniques used by Native Americans, pioneers, and modern-day farmers. Besides enjoying life music, seeing live birds of prey and reptile shows, we get to savor all-you-can-eat pancakes and maple syrup!

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Poem of the Day: God Grant Us Wisdom

God, grant us the grace to use

all the hours of our days,

Not for our own selfish interests

and our own willful ways,

But teach us to take time for praying

and for listening to You,

So each day is spent wisely,

doing what you want us to do.

- Helen Steiner Rice -

Spring: New Life!

Spring time, almost! Based on the calendar, Spring officially begins on March 20. But the wintry condition still refuses to go away. In fact, over last weekend, we had a snow fall. Thinking that this may perhaps be the last snow for this season, our neighbor made a snowman with her grandson.

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One thing is sure: Spring will eventually triumph over winter! The signs are there: longer days, more sunshine! With it, snow melts, river flows again, the soil thaws, seeds take root, and flower buds! Not wanting to miss any of these actions, I have been going out to the garden daily with my camera. Below are some pictures of new life springing forth in our garden.

last week ............................................. ........ . this week

Spring time indeed marks a new beginning! What a glorious and exciting sight to observe the earth awakening in springtime. See a fragile flower break through, what just a day ago or two, seemed barren ground, still hard with frost... flowers sleep beneath the ground, but when they hear spring's waking sound, they push themselves through layer of clay, to reach the sunlight of God's Day.

The sleeping earth awakens,
The robins start to sing,
The flowers open wide their eyes
To tell us it is spring,
The bleakness of the winter
Is melted by the sun,
The tree that looked so stark and dead
Becomes a living one …
These miracle of nature
Wrought with divine perfection,
Are the blessed reassurance
Of our Savior’s Resurrection.

- Helen Steiner Rice

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Spring is God's way of speaking to men

And saying, "Through Me you will live again."

For death is a season that man must pass through

And, just like the flowers,

God awakens him, too.

.......

Thanksgiving:

Father, your blessings are all around me. How I thank you for your generosity, your mercy, and your love. Help me realize that I am a seed planted in my Master's garden but I can grow and blossom and become a flower worthy to be picked and placed in His bouquet.

Source: H.S. Rice (1989) Daily Stepping Stones

Saving Lives

Photos: Ireland (2005)

On a dangerous seacoast notorious for shipwrecks, there was a crude little lifesaving station. Actually, the station was merely a hut with only one boat… but the few devoted members kept a constant watch over the turbulent sea. With little thought for themselves, they would go out day and night tirelessly searching for those in danger as well as the lost.

Many, many lives were saved by this brave band of men who faithfully worked as a team in and out of the lifesaving station. By and by, it became a famous place.

Some of those who had been saved as well as others along the seacoast wanted to become associated with this little station. They were willing to give their time and energy and money in support of its objectives. New boats were purchased. New crews were trained. The station that was once obscure and crude and virtually insignificant began to grow. Some of its members were unhappy that the hut was so unattractive and poorly equipped. They felt a more comfortable place should be provided. Emergency cots were replaced with lovely furniture.

Rough, hand-made equipment was discarded and sophisticated, classy systems were installed. The hut, of course, had to be torn down to make room for all the additional equipment, furniture, systems, and appointments. By its completion, the life-saving station had become popular gathering place, and its objectives begun to shift.

It was now used as sort of a clubhouse, an attractive building for public gatherings. Saving lives, feeding the hungry, strengthening the fearful, and calming the disturbed rarely occurred by now. Fewer members were now interested in braving the sea on lifesaving missions, so they hired professional lifeboat crews to do this work.

The original goal of the station wasn’t altogether forgotten, however. The lifesaving motifs still prevailed in the club’s decorations. In fact, there was a liturgical lifeboat preserved in the Room of Sweet Memories with soft, indirect lighting, which helped hide the layer of dust upon the once-used vessel...

Shipwrecks still occur in those waters, but now, most of the victims are not saved. Every day they drown at sea, and so few seem to care ... so very few.

Do you?

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1. Keep your porch light on all week to remind yourself that you and your home are to be a lighthouse for the world.

2.Take time today to pray for someone you know who is shipwrecked.

3. Look for someone in need this week and be his "salvation" by meeting his need.

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Source: C.R. Swindoll (1983) A Parable: Saving Lives

Fish Otak

"Otak", sometimes called "otak-otak", is a fish cake found throughout Malaysia, Singapore and Indonesia. In Singapore, we kind of associate otak with nasi lemak or katong laksa. We have tried many versions of the otak, and in our opinion, the best is still the otak from Muar, a town in southern Malaysia. Unlike the Singapore version (which is mashed, wrapped in banana or coconut leaves), the Muar version has chuncky slices of fish, or prawns/squid and steamed, instead of grilled.

internet photo

As I was rumaging through the freezer one day, I came across some frozen fish and prawns. So, I thought it would be a good idea to make "otak" with them since we were also trying to run down our stock of curry powder and chilies.

Here is the recipe from an old newspaper cutting:

Ingredients A - Fried rempah
120 g shallots, 2 sliced galangal, 5 slices of tumeric, 6 buah keras, 2 lemongrass stalks, 1 small piece of belachan, 32 g dried chili (boiled briefly and leave to cool), 8 fresh chilies & 8 tbs oil for frying. Blend all the ingredients. Heat oil in a wok and fry ground ingredients over low heat until oil exudes. Leave to cool. (If you don't have the time, try using one of the those readily available rempah sauce, eg. Brahmin, which you can buy from the supermarket).

Ingredients B - Fish (& prawns)

500 g fish meat (horse mackerel or bei kah, pound or blend 2/3 of it, and slice remaining 1/3 for more bite). You could also add some prawns, which we did.

Ingredients C - mix otak paste

200 ml coconut milk, 1 tbs sugar, 2 eggs, 2 limau purut leaves (finely diced), 1 1/2 tsp coriander powder, 1 tbs cornflour. Add to ingredients A and B and mix well.

Method:

1. Scoop 2 tbs of otak paste onto a banana leaf, fold leaf and secure with toothpicks.

2. Grill for 10 to 12 minutes at about 200*C, till otak is cooked.

internet photo

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In our case, we didn't wrap the otak in banana leaves, as they are not readily available here. Instead, we spread the otak paste over a flat pan. Steam using the microwave. Cut into pieces and eat with bread.

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The final product

Ratings: **

The Last Supper

When evening came, Jesus arrived with the Twelve. While they were reclining at the table eating, he said, "I tell you the truth, one of you will betray me - one who is eating with me." They were saddened, and one by one they said to him, "Surely not I?" - Mark 14:17-19

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The Last Supper has been the subject of many paintings, perhaps the most famous being the fresco painting by Leornardo da Vinci. Located in a church in Milan, the painting was undergoing restoration and was not available for public viewing when we visited Italy in 1999. The fresco painting specifically portrays the reaction given by each apostle when Jesus said one of them would betray him. All twelve apostles have different reactions to the news, with various degrees of anger and shock.

From left to right (source: wikipedia):

• Bartholomew, James (son of Alphaeus) and Andrew form a group of three, all are surprised.
• Judas Iscariot, Peter and John form another group of three. Judas is wearing green and blue and is in shadow, looking rather withdrawn and taken aback by the sudden revelation of his plan. He is clutching a small bag, perhaps signifying the silver given to him as payment to betray Jesus, or perhaps a reference to his role within the 12 disciples as treasurer. He is the only person to have his elbow on the table; traditionally a sign of bad manners. Peter looks angry and is holding a knife pointed away from Christ, perhaps foreshadowing his violent reaction in Gethsemane during Jesus' arrest. The youngest apostle, John, appears to swoon.

• Thomas, James the Greater and Philip are the next group of three. Thomas is clearly upset; James the Greater looks stunned, with his arms in the air. Meanwhile, Philip appears to be requesting some explanation.
• Matthew, Jude Thaddeus and Simon the Zealot are the final group of three. Both Jude Thaddeus and Matthew are turned toward Simon, perhaps to find out if he has any answer to their initial questions.

As the twelve disciples wondered among themselves which of them would ever do such a thing, they began to argue among themselves as to who would have the highest rank (i.e. who among them was considered to be the greatest). Jesus told them,

"The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them; and those who exercise authority over them called themselves Benefactors. But you are not to be like that. Instead, the greatest among you should be like the youngest, and the one who rules like the one who serves. For who is greater, the one who is at the table or the one who serves? Is it not the one who is at the table? But I am among you as one who serves." - Luke 22:23-27.

Thought for the day: Leadership

Leadership: The world's system of leadership is very different from leadership in God's kingdom. Worldly leaders are often selfish and arrogant as they claw their way to the top (some kings in the ancient world gave themselves the title "Benefactor"). But among the Christians, the leader is to be one who serves best. There are different styles of leadership - some lead through public speaking, some through administring, some through relationships - but every Christian leader needs a servant's heart.

In the gospel of John (13:4-15), it was recorded that in the course of the evening meal, Jesus got up, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel round his waist. After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples' feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped round him... When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned to his place. "Do you understand what I have done for you?", he asked them. "I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you."

Servant Leader: Jesus was the model servant, and he showed his servant attitude to his disciples. Washing guests' feet was a job for a household servant to carry out when the guest arrived. But Jesus wrapped a towel around his waist, as the lowliest servant would do, and washed and dried his disciples' feet. He not only lead by serving, he also lead by showing - leadership by example.

This is not a comfortable passage for leaders who find it hard to serve those beneath them.

Reflection: How do you treat those who work under you?

Source: LAB

Holy Week

In the Christian calendar, this week is supposed to be the HOLY week. Like most Singaporeans, I am familiar with Good Friday and Easter Sunday but this is my first time hearing the term “HOLY Week” and participating in "Palm Sunday" and "Maundy Thursday" services. Apparently, the churches observe the HOLY WEEK more religiously in the US.

During the biblical period, the palm branch was a symbol of triumph and victory, used to welcome heroes.

photo: Botanical Garden, Singapore

The Holy Week starts on Palm Sunday, which signifies the triumphal entry of Jesus into Jerusalem with the people waving palm branches.

The great crowd heard that Jesus was on his way to Jerusalem. They took palm branches and went out to meet him, shouting, "Hosanna!" "Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!" "Blessed is the King of Israel!" - John 12: 12-13

Then and even now, the people mistakenly thought the Messiah would come as a victorious and reigning King, but Jesus the Messiah came as the suffering servant.

At Calvary Baptist Church, State College, palm leaves were thrown on the floor. Again, this was something new for both my wife and I.

Then on Thursday, we celebrate Maundy Thursday. The word "maundy", I learnt comes from the latin word "Mandatum," which refers to the new commandment or "mandate" that Jesus gave to His disciples at the Last Supper - "a new commandment I give unto you, that you should love one another as I have loved you." (John 13:34). At 7.30 pm, everyone in the church is invited to participate in an introspective worship service with communion, designed to focus the heart and mind on the events of the last evening of Christ's life. Also, Life Groups are encouraged to share a meal together before the worship service.

In the course of the Last Supper, and with specific reference to taking bread and wine, Jesus told his disciples, "Do this in remembrance of me".

photos from internet

On Friday, we celebrate Good Friday. The church encourages us to set aside some time in the day for a self-guided spiritual encounter through a series of interactive prayer stations, exploring the events of Christ's passion - the suffering of Jesus leading to His crucifixion and death. As the sacrificial Lamb, it heralded his impending role as the Suffering Servant of Israel (Isaiah 53, Zechariah 12:10).

And finally on Sunday, we celebrate the Good News of Easter! Christ resurrection - death has lost its sting! After the church service, we will be attending a potluck lunch gathering hosted by the Ambrose family.

Two are Better!

Chicago dyes its river green and has done so since 1961 when sewer workers used green dye to check for sewer discharges and got the idea to turn the river green for St. Patrick's Day. Can you imagine dyeing the Singapore River red for Chinese New Year?
internet photo

March 17 is believed to be the deathday of St. Patrick, who is the patron saint of Ireland. Popularly known as St. Patrick's Day, it is celebrated as a feast day in many countries. Whilst it is not an official holiday here in the US, many Americans celebrate the holiday by wearing green-coloured clothing and items. For the college students, it's a good excuse to be merry, drink and get drunk.

The most significant symbol associated with St. Patrick is the shamrock, which is a 3-leaved clover. Legend credits St. Patrick with teaching the Irish about the concept of the Trinity using the shamrock to highlight the Christian belief of 'three divine persons in the one God'.

source: wikipedia

Christian Doctrine:

Back home, I used to conduct in my church a foundation class for new believers, which covers some basic Christian doctrines. One of the most difficult subjects in Christian theology is the Trinity, which is central to the Christian faith. Many have asked, "How can we believe all three (God the Father, God the Son, God the Holy Spirit) are God and still believe there is only one God?" I admit that this is a difficult question with no completely satisfactory answer, but part of the reason is that our incredibly limited minds are not going to be able to comprehend an infinite God.

Nevertheless, this doctrine has practical ramifications, not only for theology, but for life - the Trinity teaches us that the fullness of life is found within a fellowship. Life is designed for companionship, not isolation. Without intimacy, there will be incompleteness.

Thought for the Day: Loneliness

photo: cheasapeake bay

Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work: If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up! Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone? Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken - Ecclesiates 4:9-12

Two are better than one! You probably think that these words apply to marriage. Although popular with newly married couples, these verses are actually applicable for both the married and the unmarried. The strange irony of it all is that getting married doesn't guarantee a solution to loneliness. There are people who are married, but who are still lonely. Some marriage partners have a search-and-destroy, adversarial relationship rather than a support-and-encourage, affirming relationship. It's tragic, yet true, that some are married to mates who do not lift up their companions.

Charles Swindoll, instead, argues that these verses are for people who are humans on this lonely planet, wondering how to survive in our "dog-eat-dog" culture. The message is simple, "it is better to have someone alongside us in the battle. We gain perspective by having somebody at our side. We gain objectivity. We gain courage in threatening situations. We gain another opinion."

In other words, there are advantages to co-operating with others. Don't isolate yourself and try to go it alone. Seek companions; be a team member.

Reflection: So, who catches you when you fall? No one?

Source: LAB, p. 1133 & C.R. Swindoll, Living on the Ragged Edge, pp. 133-137.

Snow Shovelling

In the summer, you mow the lawn. In the autumn, you rake leaves. And in the winter??? You shovel snow.

Overall, we had a decent snow fall in Happy Valley this winter. Unlike some who consider it a chore, my wife and I enjoyed shovelling snow. Perhaps, it's because the whole experience is still a novelty for us and also, we know at the back of our mind it is only for a season. I liked scooping up the white powdery snow, whilst enjoying the cool and fresh air. Besides having a right shovel, it is important to have good gloves - mine are made of leather and lined inside with wool.

Shovelling is also good exercise. On occasions, particularly when the snow fall is followed by a rain shower and then a freezing condition, shovelling the heavy snow/ice is hard work - so much so that we can work out a sweat even in such cold weather.

As shovelling entails considerable amount of work, it can be a strain on the back and the heart. I read that each year some senior citizens and middle aged persons die from heart attacks while shovelling snow. Thus, those unwilling or unable to labour, especially those with large driveways or other substantial surfaces may hire a contractor with a plow bearing truck or a shovel.

a contractor ploughing snow for the neighbour opposite

On one occasion, after a large snowfall, an enterprising man came knocking on every door in the neighbourhood, offering to shovel the snow for money. In our case, we don't really need to engage a contractor because one of our neighbors, Wayne, has been blessing us. After each heavy snow fall, he will come over to our side of the house, without asking, to help clear the snow with his snow blower. In appreciation, my wife baked Wayne and Anna, his wife, some muffins.

Wayne ploughing snow

Proverbs for the Day (10:7): The memory of the righteous will be a blessing, but the name of the wicked will rot.

Snow Sledding

We ate at the Chinese takeaway today. Usually, after the meal, you are given a fortune cookie. Mine read, "you will never regret the present, you live life to its fullest!". It also came with a set of "lucky numbers", 3, 22, 24, 27, 28,29.

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So, when is the last time you "jumped in" to anything? Honestly, can you remember the last time you broke with routine and did something unusual?

Slab Cabin Park at 316 Elmwood Street. During the winter, especially after a few inches of snow fall, you will find families converging to this hill for sledding.

So far, we have visited this community park twice. The first time, we went on our own. The second time, we went with our neighbors and bumped into another neighbor and a church friend there.

If you have not tried it, sledding down a hill is crazy fun. It is a little harmless, although we have seen a kid ended up in the stream b'cos the sled was travelling at a very high speed.

The habit of always putting off an experience until you can afford it, or until the time is right, or until you know how to do it is one of the greatest burglars of joy. Be deliberate, but once you've made up your mind, jump in! - Tim Hansel

click to play video

What are you doing to keep the cutting edge of your life razor sharp? Perhaps another way to ask that is for what are you waiting? Or for whom are you waiting? How many burglars of joy do you allow to break through the doors and windows of your life to rob you of fun, the challenge of living life to the fullest?

To live on the dull edge is really to become a slave to life. Is that happening to us? Are we allowing someone or something to enslave us, so that we will live our lives and ultimately pass from time to eternity without ever discovering who we are? Some do. That's not living. That's existing.

Source: Charles Swindoll, living on th ragged edge, pp.338-9.

New York

We have been on the road since Thur. For the past few days, we stayed with the Spieler family in their semi-detached house in Brooklyn, New York. On Friday, I presented a research paper at the Hofstra University in Long Island, NY.

On Saturday, we went into Manhattan. It was a complete wash out as it rained the whole day. So, we decided to take it easy and have a feast. First, we went to Chinatown to have some dim sum. After lunch, we walked around Chinatown and Little Italy, before its time for tea at 3 pm. This time, we went to a Malaysian restaurant, called "Nyonya", located along Grande Street. We had "assam laksa" and "penang lobak". In the evening, we participated in a surprise Birthday Party that our host planned for his wife. The meal at a Spanish/Mexican restaurant was delicious.

file photo: Central Park, New York

Our coming itinerary:
On Sunday and Monday, we will be taking a leisurely drive towards Connecticut. We plan to stopover in Mystic, a popular seaport resort favored by the Americans, and then to Foxwoods Resorts and Casino, which has the largest casino in the world. No, we are not going there to gamble. We thought it would be a good place to break our journey as it has quality rooms, live entertainment and good food at reasonable price. In Singapore, it would not be called a "casino" but an "Integrated Resort". So, this will be a good chance for us to check out the feel of an IR!

From Wed to Friday, I have research meetings at the University of Connecticut. So, we will be back in Happy Valley on Saturday.

BTW, the universities in the US is on a one-week spring break. As a further indication that Spring is coming soon, we adjusted the clock forward by one hour today. So, we are now back to 12 hours behind Singapore.

Joe's "Mee Rebus"

In January, I tried a new recipe - "mee rebus", which is a common breakfast meal in Singapore. Back home, my wife and I like the mee rebus sold by a Malay lady at the hawker stall in Clementi Avenue 3. Compared to the mee rebus sold in Singapore, I would consider mine to be a premium version because, in addition to mashed sweet potato, I also used mashed asparagus to thicken the gravy.

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What inspired me to think of this dish was some boiled sweet potato, leftovers from a dessert we had the previous day. So, whilst my wife was attending the Ice Cream 101 course, I stayed at home to do my internet research and prepare the dish. My plan was to surprise her with a warm bowl of "mee rebus" when she came home that evening.

My search on the internet came up with several versions of the recipe, which I adapted and improvised based on the ingredients we had in the fridge and pantry. Here is the recipe:

Ingredients: yellow noodles, bean sprouts, sweet potato (& asparagus), coconut milk, eggs, tofu, shallots (finely sliced), sour lime(or lime juice), dark soya sauce, green chili (sliced), chicken, fried prawn (fish) cakes

Rempah: garlic, dried chili, shallots/onion, tumeric, curry leaves, ginger, blacan(shrimp paste), coriander powder, fermented beanpaste.

..

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Preparation:
1. Boil chicken in a pot to make stock. Strain & set aside the chicken.

2. Peel and boil sweet potatoes (& asparagus), then mash.
3. Boil eggs, shell and cut into halves (or quarters)
4. Blend rempah mixture in a blender.
5. Cut tofu into small cubes and deep fried in oil.
6. Tear chicken meat into strips

7. Fry fish or prawn cakes.

8. Fry sliced shallots till crispy and fragrant.

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The gravy is what makes "mee rebus" so yummy!
Preparing the gravy:
1. Fry rempah in oil till fragrant, add chicken stock and bring to boil.

2. Add mashed sweet potato (& asparagus). Note: Most recipe will suggest adding sweet potato flour (first mixed with water) until the gravy become thick and creamy. I didn't. Instead, I boiled and blended some soyabeans into a paste and used that in addition to the mashed sweet potato and asparagus, as my thickening agent

3. To cream the gravy, I added evaporated milk (in place of coconut milk).

4. Bring to boil, simmer and season to taste with salt and sugar.

To serve:
1. Bring a pot of water to boil, blanch bean sprouts. For extra crunch, I added some iceberg lettuce.

2. Quickly blanch the yellow noodles.

3. Place noodles and bean sprouts in a bowl and pour gravy on top.

4. Garnish with tofu, egg, chicken, green chilies, fried prawn cakes & fried shallots.

5. Squeeze a small lime and add a few dash of black sauce.

...
As you can see by the number of steps involved, it took me more than two hours to prepare this simple dish from scratch. A lot of hard work for just two bowls of noodle. Not something you will want to bother with, unless you are 10,000 miles away from home or you want to impress that someone special.

Verdict: Two chopsticks.

But she was not too impressed with the mess I left in the kitchen.

Water Lilies

In some cultures, water lilies (& lotus flowers) are considered a symbol of perfection, beauty, and purity because the blossoms float on the surface, untouched by the muddy water.

photo from internet

Facts: The lily has a spongy leafstalk with four main channels to carry oxygen from the surface down to the large stems (rhizomes) buried in the muck.

Habitat: quiet water, throughout the East.

Source: Familiar Flowers of North America, The Audubon Society Pocket Guides

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Why suddenly think of lilies? Well, it was snowing heavily this morning. And here I was, sitting beside the window and thinking how privilege we are to experience one of nature’s great wonders for a season. As I watched the white snow cover everything in sight, including all the filth and dirt, a word came into my mind - PURITY. = clean, spotless, not stained, unadulterated, not corrupted.

photo: side view of house

“How can a young man keep his way pure?”, a psalmist once asked. The short reply given, “by living according to God’s word” (Psalms 119:9). For me, it's tough, even with God's words! Some, like the Amish, separate themselves from the society and try living within their own communities.

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Not easy because purity is more than just doing the right thing. It is doing the right thing with the right motive! In fact, it is more about 'being" rather than"'doing". It starts with the heart, not just the actions. It's tough to stay pure, really! Especially, when the surrounding is polluted and muddied. Nevertheless, that should not stop us from trying - to be a "pure", or should I say, a "rare" breed in our society today.

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Thus, water lilies & lotus flowers truly deserved our admiration! This morning, as I enjoy the white snow and appreciate the white lilies, I applaud the white party governing a small, but blossoming, island state in South East Asia, which some called a "little red dot".

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"Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God"

- Matthews 5: 8

A Prayer: from Psalm 139:23-24

Search me, O God, and know my heart;

test me and know my anxious thoughts.

See if there is any offensive way in me,

and lead me in the way everlasting