God's Grace

Rainbow sighting in Gothenburg, 11 August 2010

Yesterday was my second service at New Creation Church that I have attended in 2011.  This was also the 2nd one in more than a decade, I believe.

I couldn't fathom what my good friend, BL, told me about how she has learnt and experienced God's grace after attending this church.  I could not understand what is so different about the preaching in this church as compared to the previous churches that I have been.

However, after going thro the Orlando trip and the recent spat that I had with my sister in which we both hurled pretty hurting remarks at each other, I realized that the reason why I couldn't do what I set out to do was because I was trying to do things on my own strength.  I could not accept the truth about God's grace and His unmerited favour.  I felt that such a message is telling people to continue to go about in their sinful ways and mindset because God's grace and favour will bless them in spite and despite of who they are and what they did.

Hence I was still very much on this "performance-centered" approach towards maintaining my relationships with people and family; perhaps even in my relationship with God.  I could not "proclaim" God's blessings and healing like what Pastor Joseph Prince said.

However, from yesterday's sermon and the message from the key scripture verses (Hebrews 12:14-29), I realised that by insisting on a judgemental and performance-centric approach to life and relationships and trying hard to be effective via my own efforts and strength, I have fallen from the grace of God and consequently, allowed the seeds of bitterness and resentment to take root in my heart and soul.  This has no doubt resulted in the consequent sense of estrangement I had both with family, friends and even colleagues.

Pastor Prince said that in order to pursue peace and holiness, we have to be in God's grace and love. 

"Holiness is the Fruit while God's Grace is the Root" 

I have to learn to claim God's grace in my life and then let His love transform me.  I very much would want to claim His grace and love on my family - especially for my sister and her children and husband...the healing between her firstborn and her husband; the trust and love of the mother as experienced and appreciated by the firstborn; God's protection on the firstborn; God's continued favour and blessings on her second autistic son and God-given success and good health for the youngest.

Long Vacation - 1996 Jap Drama starring Takuya Kimura

Starring Takuya Kimura

Finally stumbled upon and bought the classic J-drama, 悠长假期 (Long Vacation).  First heard about this drama from Jerry Yan and Ella Chen's Taiwanese drama, Down with Love.   Jerry mentioned this while trying to cheer Ella's character up after she found out that she has been duped by her so-called boyfriend.

I always enjoyed  木村拓哉(Takuya Kimura)'s series (eg Hero, Mr Brain & Moon Lovers).  He's an interesting character.  Can't say that I am a huge fan of his.  However, the good thing about watching J-dramas is that they are usually short and succint (about 12 episodes long on average).

I am now midway through the series and already, I am bowled over by the famous lines by Takura in Episode 2...

"About the times when you are tired or when things are not going smoothly - to treat this period as a God-sent Long Long Vacation.  There is no need to give or do your best all the time.  It's ok to rest, take it easy, go with the flow, be kinder to yourself, no need to push yourself so hard...things will ultimately turn for the better..." 

"人生不需要终是盡全力衝刺,

人终有不顺利或疲倦的时候.

在这时候,我就把它当成是上天赐给我们的假期,

不必勉强衝刺, 不必紧张,不必努力加油.

一切顺其自然,然后一切就会好转."

These must be some of the best lines that I have ever come across in any TV drama or movies...Tbe story has a timeless appeal which allowed me to transcend beyond the dated fashion style that made the drama so 1990s.  I liked the character development especially the tentative but sweet budding friendship turned romance between the two lead actors.  The chemistry between Takuya and Tomoko Yamaguchi was palpable and most enjoyable.

Wetlands, Snakes & Alligators - all at Grand Lakes, Orlando

Entrance to Primo Herb Garden



This garden supplies fresh greens and herbs to the Primo restaurant



Lovely view of the different types of wetlands in Grand Lakes

Butterfly Garden but we saw no caterpillars nor butterflies-in-the-making

These are similar to the electronic "lalangs" that were found in Punggol Riverside Walk

Inside Primo Herb Garden

JW Marriott, Grand Lakes, Orlando Florida

We stayed in J W Marriott, Grand Lakes Orlando.  It's a 5-star resort hotel, albeit pretty far flung and away from downtown Orlando and other tourist spots.  You would need to drive or have deep pockets to rely on town cars or taxis to shuttle you around.

But for a hotel stay, it was very comfortable and relaxing.  It was a pleasant surprise to encounter another type of wetlands at this resort.  Here are some pictures of the lovely resort.

Part of the Lazy River

Another view of the Lazy River

Huge Swimming Facility

Grand Lakes, with Wetlands, Butterfly & Herb Gardens

That's Ritz Carlton in the background, sharing spa facilities with JW Marriott

More Photo Memories of Orlando Florida

Animal Kingdom, WDW

Must-do Safari Tour - the 'Day' version of our Singapore Night Safari

Although a fake tree, it's huge and iconic - can't be missed!  The bugs tree...

This is by far the most interesting parade in WDW!

Universal Islands of Adventure

One of the attractions in Seuss Land

Fantastic interactive effects - a must-see attraction!

A very very crowded World of Harry Potter

The Hogwart Castle

Photo Memories from Walt Disney World, Orlando Florida



Magic Kingdom, WDW

 


One of the 3 key not-to-be-missed parades in MK



The second WDW theme park we visited

  


Iconic landmark within Hollywood Studios

 


One of the highlights of HS

 




Passing On

I received a surprise call from someone I knew many decades ago, from the first church that I grew up in.  Found out that the wife of someone I used to care very much about has just passed away.  Apparently she has a blood clot in her brain and collapsed while she was on an overseas trip.  She was declared brain dead upon return to Singapore last week.

It was a very very rude shock.  The wife was an ex-school mate and ex-church mate.  I am not close to her at all but because she was one year my senior and was from the same batch as my ex-Bible Study leader who has also passed away in 1999 when she was only 37, the news brought back a very strong sense of loss.  Not a pleasant feeling when people your age have or are passing on so suddenly.

This is the second piece of news that I have gotten since Orlando.  Last week, SS texted to say that her mom had a fall as well as a brain bleed.  This came almost immediately after she has tendered her resignation. 

The suddenness of these two events resulted in very mixed feelings and a sense of uncertainty. Suddenly, it seems that not only has my career life reached a stage where a mid-life assessment is necessary; it seemed that people around me (my friends and contacts) are also going through similar situations, with some experiencing some form of life crisis of sort.

Somehow it became all the more important to have a clear sense of purpose in life and a strong sense of determination and discipline not to procrastinate to do the things that we want to while we have the time and energy to do so.   In this sense, I am glad to have gone to Orlando with my sister so that both of us will have no regrets in terms of fulfilling our respective dreams and goals. I am also glad to have taken this 6-month sabbatical to "refocus and (perhaps to) regain that bounce in my step", as said by Joanne Lee in Straits Times, 11 April 2011, Money page "Take a break to help your career".

Memories from Orlando

It's been slightly over a week since our return from Orlando. 

My memories from the trip:

• Missed flight connection & mad rush to catch connecting flights or to secure the much needed aisle seats
• Rapid heartbeat caused by sudden flight reservation cancellation as a result of the missed flight

• Strong gutsy winds coupled with torrential rains, tornado warnings and lightning strikes
• Overdose of theme parks, rides, attractions, and people
• Strong sense of insecurity (only experienced in the US) as well as "rejection" because of our "non-white" skin
• Outlet shopping with fantastic deals from our favorite labels and brands

 Although it was not my kind of trip and because of that, it brought out the worst in me.   It must have shocked my colleague to see this other side of me, although my sister was quick to affirm that this is the real me.  My short fuse and lack of patience/tolerance, aggravated by constant worry and stress caused by the prevailing sense of insecurity made me a most unpleasant companion.

My need for personal space and downtime was not felt by the colleague.  I knew she needed assurance and support; this being her first long trip overseas.  But I was really worn out by the constant need to talk about work and office gossips.  As usual, instead of coming out in open to express my sentiments, I chose to withdraw and be misunderstood.

This character flaw is something I need to deal with, as part of my Half-Time assessment.  I have yet to learn to let go, rest and trust in the One upstairs to help manage whatever situations we were or would be in. 

Realised that whatever I have endeavoured prior to the trip, I did not achieve them cos I was depending mainly on my own wits and strengths.  As a result, I couldn't relax neither could I bring joy and fun to the companions I was with during the trip.  But thankfully, I know that the One up there was keeping a very close watch over us and because of that, we managed to overcome and enjoy:

• Free and safe transport arrangement
• Visits to the largest Walt Disney World theme parks and Universal theme parks
• Easy and fast access to many of the rides and attractions that we have previously identified and targeted
• Plenty of shopping opportunities for my sister at the theme parks
• Outlet shopping with really value for money deals
• 5-star resort hotel stay (even though it was extremely inconvenient for the three of us who do not drive)

I am glad it's over and I have done my part to help fulfill my family member's lifelong dream.