Wonderfully Blessed - A look into life changed by the Almighty.

Last Sunday I watched “The painted Veil” starring Edward Norton and Naomi Watts. It was a love story set in

Shanghai

China

in the 1930’s. The musical scoring was good, actors were really good and the sceneries of old

China

was fascinating. It was a love that didn’t come right away to the woman when they first met while for the man it was love at first sight. Only when they went out together in a remote place where the man is on a mission to help the people from epidemic in the land, the woman found a place in her heart to love him. They found themselves ‘together’ in the mission to save the locals from epidemic and poverty.

T’was a great movie but…I fell asleep after Edward Norton died. Well, aside from I’m on medication (cough syrup and paracetamol), I got bored. I find the setting to be romantic but slow. Music was touching but too poignant and the lead actor and actress were convincing but I know its reel. After the movie, everyone with me seems to be satisfied but I was just ok. I told them I fell asleep and someone jokingly said, “you’re shallow!!!”, I thought it was a paradox because I thought I was deep and the movie was SHALLOW.

But until today that remark haunts me. It reminded me of my 2-week holiday in

Manila

when I was relating to a friend how I cringe every time I see the lovey-dovey soap operas on TV. How I rolled my eyes when I hear the soundtrack of “Sana Maulit Muli” especially the part when the lead actor cried “I love you Poknat!” …’ohmygosh! That baloney was so cheesy!’, I remarked. Even ‘Poknats’ are also endearing nowadays.

But amidst all the cynicisms and ugly remarks I could make, who am I to argue with love? Well, even in our commercialized and capitalistic society, it sells. And I know that even in a seemingly hopeless situation love does prevail. I know it because after saying these entire pointless maladies, I realized that I have forgotten about love and the Author — God. Despising love is tantamount to despising the One who gave it.

Seeing through Painted Veil is like seeing through the heart of a beloved where her Lover decided to love her at first glance. He offered His love and protection to her and promised her that she will do anything for her. She otherwise just wanted an escape from her frantic, hurtful world and went with Him. But because she has a tainted view of love, she became unfaithful and grieved Him.

Seeing through Painted Veil is like seeing through the heart of a Lover that did not give up on her. He sought His beloved and remained faithful even when she is not. He placed her in the deepest spring of His heart that every bit of His heart ebbs for her. He loves her more than words can say.

Seeing through Painted Veil is seeing love unveil with all its realism and idealism. The love of the Lover was noticed in an unusual situation. The heart of the Lover stood out in the game His beloved has seized. For His heart speaks even when He is not talking. His intentions are seen and His beloved witness the purity of it. 

And seeing through Painted Veil is seeing love prevails no matter how much tint we paint on it. It’s His goodness that brought her to repentance. It’s His love that cannot set them apart.

Ah, I cannot argue with love. I am His beloved. And He, He is the One I love – Almighty God.

Breezy air…super dooper cold. This is the coldest I’ve experienced since I came to China. In my 2 weeks of being here, I’ve noticed that the weather has a pattern. Beginning of the week (Mon-Wed) will be all sunny and warm and as the week is about to (Turs-Sun) the weather will be so cold. On my way to the office this morning, a cold wind blew like its going to break my bones. Chewing gum outside can’t be a cool thing anymore cos it gives me headaches from the menthol penetrating my head and the cold, dry wind that shivers my throat. Fwaaah! It’s literally cool and hey, it’s a great experience!

I’m looking forward for this weekend. I want to shop for coats from the bargain shops and a cool pair of knee-length boots. So excited! I wish I could find a cheap, cheap ones cos I don’t think I can use all those when I come back to

Singapore. So at least I have wardrobe for cold weather whenever I step out of the garden city

The last time I went to the bargain shop, it was shocking. Its nothing like bargaining in Greenhills. Right here, you have to slash the item by 60-70 percent of the price they will quote you. I initially felt bad about doing it cos the prices are already very cheap. But my local friend is really a professional shopper. He can even threat the shop owner by pretending to leave then the owner will shout back to give him the price he wants. They speak in Cantonese and it sounded like a huge quarrel that makes you want to go but you want to stay because you want to purchase. Well, if I were to translate it in English, it would be this way…

Local Friend: “How much is this blouse?!”

Seller: “RMB 130”

Local Friend: “What! That is so expensive!”

Seller: “ok…ok…how much you want?!”

Local Fiend: “RMB 50. That should be the price!”

Seller: “Oh no…I can’t give you that price, it’s too little. I won’t be able to earn on that! RMB 70!”

Local Friend: “that’s actually expensive in RMB 50! I don’t think I want to buy if your price is like that. Come Theresa, let’s go…(pretending to leave…waking away from the store)

Seller: “OK, OK, 50!!!!”

Local Friend: (walking back, looking unconvinced) “40!!!!”

Theresa: (getting my chance) “30!!!!”

Seller: “35 please….”

Theresa: ok…ok…we will buy…(biting my lip)”

It takes a good 10-15 mins to get an item but its all worth it. Shop! Shop! Shop!

“The first time I was here was 3.5 years ago, and the people are still on bicycle. But now building are mushrooming all over and you will hardly see bicycles around. Mostly are cars.” says Evely Chua-Ng, a Filipino-Chinese friend who is currently based in Guangzhou China. From what she said, things are moving fast in the southern part of China and a lot of things are coming soon. Constructions are happening left and right and there’s no doubt that this country is going to be the next big thing. It’s just a matter of time and we will see a sleeping giant rising up.

I arrived in Guangzhou International Airport on the noon of April fools day with my 2 students going for Industrial Attachment in Whirlpool Corporation in Shunde Beijao, a city of Foshan province in Guangdong, southern part of China. Guangzhou is the biggest city of Guangdong and I suppose the most industrialized. The nearest airport to my suppose place is Guangzhou which is an hour away from Shunde. Well, too much for the geographical explanations, the world became big to me again

There were a lot of perceptions I got, warning I received and dislikes I gathered before coming here. I won’t mention any of those but this place is not exactly what other people are claiming it to be. This place rocks!!! At least, to the place where I am. Of course there’s pollution and traffic and honking on the streets but hey, every place outside Singapore has one of those or all, yah?

I should say, the best part of being here are the people. They are warm, friendly and unassuming. Totally opposite of what other people told me. They are simple, straight-thinking, hard-working and helpful people. I have managed to make friends here (which is not a difficult thing to do). Can’t ask for more.

Pictures attached are taken from Whrilpool in Shunde Beijao while my students are having their company orientation programme. You will see pictures of hight rising building which was taken from Guangzhou City. And mountain and lake taken from Bai Yu Mountain in Gunagzhou. Click here: http://theresagroyon.blogs.friendster.com/photos/china_week_1/

Btw, foods are great too. It’s a dim sum feast for me. Love it!

So when you have time, visit China and have an open mind. this is a good place. God has great plans for this country and this country and its people are opening. The Chinese belongs to God. He created lots of them! Pray for China.

I look unto You and sing,

A tune of a melody unnamed.

I lift my gaze for I am amazed,

At the wonders You have made.

Have you seen the One my soul love?

I look into the marketplace, He can’t be found.

I ran into lives and discover all my might,

For the one my soul love, I’m eager to have.

My soul desires to be awaken,

By the love only You can utter.

I yearn for a love rekindle,

To have my love, in my arms again

In this silent scream, I know you can come,

Not having anything but my heart

Hear my whisper, heed my cry,

To the One I love, I sing through the night.

A song of love to my God…

Things may look apparent but don’t be conned,

            It’s not what it seems.

You can go on wondering, speculate if you may, but,

            It’s not what it seems.

You retort, an elucidation of sort, but then again,

            It’s not what it seems.

It’s never seemed to be what seems to be because it’s never been what it seems.

Never was and never will be…

Ah, the complexity of life, the intricacy of being.

this was my reply to my worried sis when she learned that i cried 2 days ago……

Sis,

actually it was friday night. i was reading the life of emily and oscar shindler after watching hitler’s rise and fall (dvd). i didn’t see shindler’s list (movie), so i just read their biographies and achievements on the internet. i found out that oscar shindler was actually a womanizer, alcoholic and briber but God used this man despite of his flaws. during his time, he was the least person whom anyone could think will help any jew. he bribed the nazis to get more jews to work for him so he could protect them from being sent to concentration camps. he spent an estimated US$2 million to save the jews which was really a huge amount of money that time. at the end of his life, he had nothing in his wealth but the love and respect of the people - jews and germans alike.  he said in one of his interviews "even when you see a dog being crashed by a car, wouldn’t you do something to save it?".

that really touched me. it reminded me that we are here for a cause. no matter what we are, who we are, what we have done - our past mistakes and failure,  God can use us to improve the lives of others. i was so convicted of how much i look at myself so much and dwell on the things that i am lacking when there are a lot of people who are not enjoying what i have. it breaks my heart to realize that there are tons of people who need to hear the good news about life, eternity, happiness, security, purpose, wealth and family. that life is worth fighting for because this life is given by God. that we ought to bring back to the society, to our community, to our country and to the world what He gave us.

sometimes I complicate it. I act like I should be qualified to help others. the truth is the only qualification I should have is my heart - my willingness to help. Its not money, position or gifts. its the heart that matters. as long as Iam willing, God can use me and God will use every single bit of what we have and turn it for His glory.

sometimes the problem is not whether we have what we need to help. the biggest problem is, we are contented on where we are. after my endless pursuit for contentment, i realized the it can never be found anywhere here on earth. so lets not desire or even act in contentment. lets not be contented. we owe it  ourselves, to our God and to our community to DO something. lets wake up everyday uncontented so that we will do something worthwhile. lets  not be content and say ‘I’m happy this way’ lest we miss the purpose of our lives.

love,
Tere

Isaiah 6:1

"In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord sitting on the throne, high and lifted up, and the train of His robe filled the temple."

Isaiah 6:5-8

"Woe is me, for Iam undone! Because I am a man of unclean lips; for my eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts.

Then one of the seraphim flew to me, having his hand a live coal which he had taken with the tongs from the altar. And he touch my mouth saying: ‘ Behold this has touched your lips; Your iniquity is taken away, and your sin purged..’

Also I heard the voice of the Lord saying: ‘Whom shall I send, and who will go for Us?"

Then I said, "Here I am! Send me."

At the foot of the cross,

Where grace and suffering meet

You have shown me Your love

Thru the judgement You received.

And You’ve won my heart…
Yes You’ve won my heart….

Now I can, trade this ashes into beauty

I’ll wear forgiveness like a crown.

Coming to kiss the feet of mercy,

I lay every burden down

At the foot of the cross…

At the foot of the cross

At the foot of the cross,

where I am made complete.

You have given Your love

Thru the death You bore for me.

And You’ve won my heart….
Yes, You’ve won my heart….

Why Eagles Fly and Chickens Flutter
By Dan Miller 48days.com

Once upon a time in the long, long ago the Eagle and The Chicken were very good friends. One day while flying, the Chicken said to the Eagle: “Let’s drop down and get a bite to eat. My stomach is growling.” “Sounds like a good idea to me,” replied the Eagle. So the two birds glided down to earth, saw several animals eating, and decided to join them. The Cow was busy eating corn, but noticed that the Eagle and the Chicken were soon sitting on the ground next to her. “Welcome,” said the Cow. “Help yourself to the corn.” This took the two birds by surprise. They were not accustomed to having other animals share their food quite so readily. “Why are you willing to share your corn with us?” asked the Eagle. “Oh, we have plenty to eat here. Mr. Farmer gives us all we want,” replied the Cow.

With that invitation, the Eagle and The Chicken jumped in and ate their fill. When they finished, the Chicken asked more about Mr. Farmer. “Well,” said the Cow, “he grows all our food. We don’t have to work for the food at all.” “You mean,” said the Chicken, “that Mr. Farmer simply gives you all you want to eat?”“That’s right,” said the Cow. “Not only that, but he gives us a place to live.” The Chicken and the Eagle were shocked! They had always had to search for food and work for shelter. When it came time to leave, the Chicken and the Eagle began to discuss the situation. “Maybe we should just stay here,” said the Chicken. “We can have all the food we want without working. And that barn over there sure beats those nests we have been building. Besides, I’m getting tired of always having to work for a living.” “I don’t know about all this,” said the Eagle. “It sounds too good to be true. I find it hard to believe that one can get something for nothing. Besides, I kinda like flying high and free through the air. And providing for food and shelter isn’t so bad. In fact, I find it quite challenging.” Everything went fine for the Chicken. He ate all he wanted. He never worked.

But then one day he heard the farmer say to his wife that the /preacher was coming to visit the next day and they should have fried chicken for dinner. Hearing that, the Chicken decided it was time to check out and rejoin his good friend Mr. Eagle. But when he attempted to fly he found that he had grown too fat and lazy. Instead of being able to fly, he could only flutter. So the next day the farmer’s family and the preacher sat down to fried Chicken.

When you give up the challenges of life in pursuit of “security,” you may give up your freedom. *(I’ve never been able to identify an author for this story, and have taken the liberty to modify it over the years.)

From the Bible: “A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest, and your poverty will come like a robber, your need, like a bandit.” Proverbs 24: 33-34 (HCSB) Direction for Today: Where in your life has the temptation of “security” led you to a potential trap?

Seeing life thru the lenses of other people will give you a broader perspective. Last week my spirit was challenged to look at things differently. i have a colleague in ITE whom i admire for being driven, hard-working and beautiful at the age of 40+. i told myself, i want to be like her when i grow old

She’s Christine Siat; ms christine as i fondly call her. she was my committee leader in community service and my hands are up unto her for all the things that she did to the committee. she gave me a real great example. well, i could say that she’s an epitome of an accomplished, grounded and beautiful woman.

When we found out that she has a cancer last year, I was very shocked. i imagined her discouraged, sad and bitter about everything. if ms christine is in america, i could say that perhaps she used to live an "american dream" life until this cancer came.

She came back this year and her frame greatly changed. i was so hesitant to speak to her when she invited me to join her and our friend for a chat. She told us that she is leaving ITE to go for full-time ministry in church with her husband. i was awed hearing that because all of my speculations about her turned out to be untrue. she looked at her cancer as a privilege in sharing Christ suffering. She knows that her cancer will serve a purpose on her life and she plans to minister to other cancer victims specially those who doesn’t know the healing and forgiveness of Christ. She praised God for the miracles He brought into her life(she was healed of cancer twice) despite of what happened.

Romans 8:28
"For we know that God work all things together for good for those who love God."

I’ve seen ms christine when she was strong and healthy and beautiful and i have witnessed her willingness to help others in her committee. But now i see her in a much stronger faith, healthier spirit and a very beautiful heart willingly committing again to be used in the ministry where God is calling her.

After our conversation, i reflected; what am I doing? Theres this amazing woman who almost lost her life because of cancer and she is still thinking of how to reach out to others and help; she’s willing to lose it for others. Here I am strong, healthy and capable but is often caught up by trivial things – offenses, frustrations, hurts and disappointments to name a few. Do I need to be get older, married and sickly to do this? I’ve decided I’m gonna do it now that I am young, strong, healthy and greatly blessed. For we are all shaped to serve God by using our talents, ability, time and most of all our heart for service. And wherever we are, whichever field we may be, we are called to serve others. Thanks Ms Christine!

My prayer:
“Lord, give me a heart for service. Let my heart burn for serving other people. let me delight in your creation by looking at them thru your eyes and see their needs. Take away my selfishness and self-centeredness so that I will have the fullness of Your joy whenever I serve. In Jesus Name, Amen.”

1 Peter 4:10 (LB)
“God has given each of you some special abilities; be sure to use them to help each other passing on to others God’s many kinds of blessings.”