bringing forth

All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of their possessions was their own, but they shared everything they had. With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And God's grace was so powerfully at work in them all that there were no needy persons among them. For from time to time those who owned land or houses sold them, brought the money from the sales and put it at the apostles' feet, and it was distributed to anyone who had need.
Acts 4: 32-35

The year is drawing to a close and the world is fascinated by Christmas - the promise of a holiday break, festive celebrations, sumptious meals and gift exchanges. Yet there are people in less privileged parts of the world who will not be experiencing much of what we are doing to celebrate the holiday. How holy are our holi-days? Have we forgotten Who made it holy in the first place? Is Xmas just Christ-mas in abbreviated modern-day lingo?

When God gave His Son, Jesus Christ to die for us, He was to be the greatest gift the world can ever receive. Even before we acknowledged Him as Abba Father or gave Him our hearts of love, He gave what was dear and precious to Him. It is the gift of salvation, of life, of love and of infinite abundance. What is beautiful about this gift is that it never runs out, it never dulls in worth and it has the power to last forever.

You may be asking what am I getting at? World Vision Singapore runs a yearly campaign when they approach people like us, anyone and everyone, with an offer to donate or buy gifts for children in poorer parts of the world. Their needs are simple and they do not ask for much. Whether it is a blanket or sweater to keep them warm in cold weather, reading books, a community toilet or school uniforms amongst others. We have been given so much in life - stable jobs, supportive families, education and healthy bodies.

God declares several times in the Bible that He will never leave us, neither will He forsake us (Deuteronomy 31:6, Joshua 1:5, Hebrews 13:5). I pray that we will slowly understand and appreciate the true worth of a gift this season and through our giving, show these children that there is a God who remembers, who loves and who has not forsaken them. Many of us have heard of the quote which goes along the lines of - We can give without loving, but we cannot love without giving. Let our hearts be enlarged this season, to think and see beyond the limits of our circumstances. Let us give a gift of Love. Let us show them that God and people whom they may never meet who believe in them.

http://www.worldvision.org.sg/st_Christmas_Gift_Catalogue.php
Check this out for more information!

By no means am I insisting that you do this through World Vision. I am sure there are other organisations which are running similar campaigns. [neither do you have to feel condemned if you decide not to] I am intending to donate to World Vision. So if you will like to do likewise you can contact me and we will submit in our orders together in the same form. To all my friends, it will be really cool if we can all chip in! ^^

As for why I began with a passage from Acts... well read it again! May it stir something within your heart. It is not about how much we give to people around us in terms of financial worth, quantity or material quality. But it is about the heart which is filled with so much love, kindness and caring that transforms a simple gift into a awesome blessing.

No it is not a campaign to save rice paddy fields from prying fingers, it is something charitable souls have started to benefit hungry millions from underprivileged parts of the world.



www.freerice.com

Calling all wordsmiths, literate people and anyone with a penchant for multiple choice questions - work out your computer terminal for a better good!

Mon plus profond et sincère remerciment a Jonathan pour son assistance des plus aimable pour avoir aider une pauvre fille desesperer qui ne compren rien sur les ordinateurs et a créé le theme de son blog present.
Probablement elle aurait effacé son blog ou tous ces entrées par accident si vous ne l'aviez pas aider.
C'est pour cela que vous meritez une petite entree en francais, rien de moins, pour avoir créé le monde virtuel qui est un endroi plus vivable.Avec mon blog minion, l'hamster qui tourne et tous.

-lux-

I just checked the calendar. It is amazing. It has only been two weeks since I came back but so much has happened.
I had jetlag, then a rather intense bout of Melbourne-withdrawal symptoms. Up till last week I was wondering what it will take to get myself settled in. The weather made me swoon. Crowds jostled me around. I got onto a bus and enquired whether it was headed toward Clementi MRT station in English. The lady gave me a stunned look and nodded. Only when I sat down did I realise that even though Singapore prides herself on being multi-lingual/cultural/racial etc; if you are Chinese, please speak Chinese.

I attended to the corn on my big toe. My sister commented that each elaborate corn plaster costs around 80-90 cents. It is fascinating because the plaster does work. My precious feet. They have indeed been through numerous shoe changes, a corn, many blisters, cracked heels and raw exposed slivers of flesh just this year alone.

I realised how strange my family can be. Food prices have been looking northward this year leading to a subsequent rise in bread and hawker food prices, amongst unnoticed others. My mum said, "Oh, we should eat less lah!" Seriously if you saw our four frames, the last time you will say is cut down on food consumption. Then again we are well-trained. If Singapore ever undergoes an emergency food rationing exercise, we can still function like we do right now.

Yet what has been most prominent in my daily schedule thus far is my walk with God. The things which I have been through the past two weeks has been intense and I mean everything this descriptive word implies. Working through past memories of when I was still in Singapore, growing up, and not having stepped on Melbourne's fair shores yet. God was cleaning up so much in my life - not just in relation to the past but also in the way I relate to Him. Trust, my imperfections, grace and truly what grace is (2 Cor 12:9), pride, love, joy, salvation, His death on the cross, forgiveness, asking for forgiveness, humility, peace, rest, comfort, faith faith and faith. And grace. I am running through the whole gamut. And in all seriousness, most of this came only within the past week. Many revelations which I am so so thankful for.

The journey is not over. There is still a stretch to go. Giving up is not even a worthwhile consideration. Suddenly so many things in my life are being put into perspective. I have become more sensitive of late. It does not always seem good to be this sensitive but I am sure there is a greater reason for all this.

Wrote an email to a friend in Melbourne to update her on my latest comings and goings. She replied with this eloquent and beautifully-descriptive passage talking about how I should and can trust God, the true artist who can transform even the holes which I have poked into my canvas as I try to fix my problems into an awesome masterpiece. It is not the artwork it is the artist whose masterly hand brings forth life. As for the surge of memories, it is a change in perspective, now that I am ready and can take a long range view on matters and life, and this I can trust God to grant understanding. Using art terminology works because I can associate with the writing easily. Hmmm... I am wondering now if God opened up this vision in her mind. Must have been beautiful. I will love to have that too!

But then just look out into nature, do you not see His presence filling this earth?
Do you not see the glory behind the sun's smile, the dance of the trees, the rhythm of flapping wings as the birds fly as one?

I am not sure what summer in Singapore this time holds for me. Yet I am certain it is a place which is good.