Income Tax

I submitted my income tax online today and found out that I was not taxable. Why? Because I was jobless for a few months last year. Phew! It was such a relief for me because that I do not have to fork out a single cent.

Having someone who understands........

Having someone who understands is a great blessing for ourselves. Being someone who understands is a great blessing to others.

Wisdom

Wisdom is skill in living

Wisdom is the right use of knowledge

Wisdom is knowing what to do

Wisdom is the ability to see with discernment

Wisdom is the ability to view life as God perceives it

Wisdom is the God-given ability to see life with rare objectivity and to handle life with rare stability

Make sure we treat each day as being important-"Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom" (Psalm 90:12)

Admit out need for wisdom and ask for it-"If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him" (James 1:5)

Work at developing a deep respect for God-"The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding" (Proverbs 9:10)

Be sure that we have a vital relationship with Jesus Christ-"I...do not cease to...mention of you in my prayers: that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him" (Ephesians 1:15-17)

Be willing to pay any price for the truth-"Buy the truth, and do not sell it, also wisdom and instruction and understanding" (Proverbs 23:23)

Every challenge or responsibility that lies ahead of us can be handled in a better way when we handle it with God's wisdom. So, we must desire for wisdom above all else, pray for wisdom, seek wisdom and grow in wisdom.

SMS Encouragement Message Part 3

Mothers' Day is around the corner and the YA in church are the organizers of the event. The person in charge is no other than my dear sister, Stephanie. With a humble heart, I approached her to offer my help in any way I can. After church, her sms came in by surprise:

" Alice, thank you so much for the willingness to help out for Mothers' Day. Indeed, God is good. He truly knows our need by sending us You. Thank you."

I was overwhealmed by her message and really appreciated her kind words of appreciation. Again, I felt truly blessed. I want to thank the Lord for giving me this oppurtunity and opening the doors for me to bless the YA in every way I can.

Bible Verse~Philippians 4:8

Fix your thoughts on what is true and good and right.
Think about things that are pure and lovely,
And dwell on the fine good things in others.

Think about all you can praise God for and be glad about it.

SMS Encouragement Message Part 2

Today I received the following sms message from my dear sister, Stephanie. I am truly blessed and encouraged by her message.

" Since God chose you to be the holy people whom He loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience (Colossians 3:12).
Appreciating you always in Christ."

Emotions

By Gail Rodgers

"Those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God" (Romans 8:14).

Sometimes, as believers, we can find ourselves being dragged around by our emotions rather than allowing the Spirit of God to lead us through our days.

How does one practically apply steps so as not to be caught on an emotional rollercoaster today?

* Pay attention to what is going on in your heart and mind.
* Acknowledge your emotions.
* Look at the circumstances or the reasons causing your emotion.

If there is something you can physically do to help your situation, then ask for God's help and do it. If there is nothing you can actually do about your situation, tell God you will trust Him to be your strength and your supplier. Ask Him to give you peace in your heart and direction in your steps. Every weakness you have is an opportunity for God to show His strength in your life.

Today let your emotions be a guide, or a tool, to push you back to your God and His strength in your times of weakness. Catch the downward spiral before you get caught in it. Ask His Spirit to guide you to solutions, wisdom, insight, help and strength.

If you are at the bottom of the spiral, tell God you need His help to get up. Ask for His strength to fill your weakness. If you need to talk to a trusted friend to find help and counsel in the journey, then make that call for help. God wants His children to be led by His Spirit, not dragged by their emotions.

Prayer: Father God, I thank You that You are there to help me in every step I take throughout this day. I offer my emotions to You and I ask for Your help in managing them and in seeing them as a tool to help me understand what is going on in my heart. I declare that I want to be led by Your Holy Spirit and not tossed about by emotion. Give me understanding and Your help as I keep my heart and mind guarded today. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

Bible Verse~Isaiah 40:31

"But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run and not be weary; and they shall walk and not faint."

Power Comes From Above

By Suzanne Benner

"You would have no power over me if it were not given to you from above" (John 19:11).

Fear often results from a sense of being powerless or when circumstances are beyond our ability to control. Thus, we can combat fear by understanding who is in control and who has the power.

Every power and authority on earth is subject to God.

Therefore, nothing that occurred on the night Jesus was betrayed was beyond God's ability to act or without His foreknowledge.Because God was in control, Jesus didn't tremble before Pilate or feel the need to defend himself. Instead, Jesus stood in silence while the Jews accused Him of many things and the chief priests shouted, "Crucify him!"

During the night of Jesus' arrest and trial, an earthly power struggle raged. The Jews insisted that Jesus must die, but they didn't have the authority to carry out their desire. Pilate, on the other hand, had the power to invoke the death sentence, but he didn't find any basis for the charge against Jesus (John 18:38, 19:6).

Thus, Pilate falsely believed that he was in charge of the situation. "Do you refuse to speak to me?" Pilate said. "Don't you realize I have power either to free you or to crucify you?" (John 19:10)

Pilate thought that he had the power to free Jesus or have him crucified, but Jesus knew the truth. In reality, Pilate had no power over Jesus except what God had allowed Pilate in order to accomplish His purpose.

We can trust God to accomplish His purpose in us and not be afraid, because ultimately power comes from above.

Prayer: God help me to believe that You are in control and therefore I don't need to be afraid.

Remembering 21 years in Malacca....

Back view

When I look at these pictures, I am reminded of all the childhood and youth days I had while I was living in Malacca. Eventhough I did not live in this house (bungalow facing the sea but unfortunately I was not able to take a picture of the sea) since I was an infant but I guess I lived here long enough to treasure the wonderful memories I had with my family.

Front view

10 fingers

I learned something new in church last Sunday. How do we memorise or remember Phillipians 4:13 in a simplier way?

1st finger-I
2nd finger-can
3rd finger-do
4th finger-everything
5th finger-through
6th finger-Him
7th finger-who
8th finger-gives
9th finger-me
10th finger-strength

Ibridge Pot Bless on April Fool's Day

Another successful event of Ibridge. Thanks to Daniel for opening up his house so willingly to hold this event. It was my first time experience organizing a pot bless or should I say my very first time organizing an event. It was not an easy task especially getting everyone to cooperate and respond on the food, buying things, washing up etc. This pot bless would not be a success without the cooperation and support from everyone who attended that night. Thanks for making this event an enjoyable and merry occasion. Without them, there would be no fun, laughter, 'yummy' and delicious food to taste and most important of all, fellowship!!

10 stunning beauties

Left to right: Melanie, Florence, May Li, Carmen, myself, Cheryl, Sue Ann, Sandra, Joanne and Deborah

Left to right:

(on the floor): Hwok Lok, Leo, Aaron, Justin, Luke and John ST

(on chairs): Jimmy, Florence, myself, Daniel, Edward and Yee Weng

(standing): Joanne, Melanie Sue Ann, Cheryl, May Li, Carmen, Chern Ern, Davin, Yew Kong, Vince, Deborah, Chi Hui and Sandra

'So-called future potential AJKs'

Senarai AJK:
CEO (Chief Event Organiser): Alice "The Boss" Cheong
Gracious Host: Daniel "Jelutong Mali" Yeoh
Chefs Extraordinaire: Everyone
Worship Leader: Florence "Darlene Zschech" Toh
Talk Show Host: Davin "Letterman" Wong
Games Coordinator: Jimmy "Ice Breaker" Lee