It had only just begun

Yet the end has come.

To be continued...

At this time of the year, there is often a reflection of the past year and the hope for the new. I too, was almost caught in the trend. While I had wanted to write about it the night before I left for Sheffield, I did not have the time to do so and hence the incomplete post. 

Perhaps, it's meant to be this way. The process of reflecting, searching, self-discovery has no end. The end of 2011 was just the end of a chapter; an end filled with and yet without answer(s). A chapter that witnessed and experienced the most of the stages of human life and its emotions since life has begun for me: of life and death, peace and strife, joy and pain, happiness and sorrow, love and the lack of it, fulfilment and futility. The title of the chapter is probably called 'Of Life'. It is too much to go through and I don't wish to - probably am glad I didn't. Our existence is but frail and fleeting; and for all the experiences, there are always two sides of the coin. 

Life goes on - everyone has to deal with this. But I can almost feel the Author of my life writing the title of the new chapter: "All Things New". Yes, You make all things new. 

03.01.12 

Chill Pill

It's not yet fully into winter but it's already kind of chilly. To understand how it feels, hold a few ice cubes in your hands and walk around holding them. Then imagine your whole body feeling this cold sensation on your palms. Chilling isn't it...hey man, take a chill pill...

The heater in my room was spoilt since last week and it has been around 2-4 deg every night. It was not that cold but sufficiently cold that I almost got muscle cramp on a few occasions - soreness every night though. I resorted to doing push ups, crunches etc to make my body feel warmer... It didn't help much so the best solution was just to put on my jacket in my room. The heater might have been asking me to take a chill pill...

Anyway, I am grateful to a friend in my hall who got to know of my chilling attitude and decided to lend me her heating fan...not sure what you call it but it looks like this:

I hate to say this but it was quite lovely to have blasts of hot air blowing at you; I'm certain it would have been an abominable thing in Singapore (aircon please). Thankful for my friend's kindness.

The heater started working again yesterday - it was so comforting to walk back into a warm room. It really made me appreciate the things that I have. This is so cliché, but we really often neglect the things we have till we no longer have them. My experience with these few cold nights also gave me insights on those who are unable to afford the heating during winter, and also those homeless I see at times.

In everything, give thanks.

p.s. I should be doing my coursework but I ended up here. Somehow I really don't have the mood to do work...I guess I will pay for it the night before submission but I suppose taking a chill pill is fine.

Turn me to You

 Turn us again, O LORD God of hosts, cause thy face to shine; and we shall be saved.

Psalm 80:19

This was the ending verse for my scripture reading last night. God has often spoke to me through the occurrence of events in nature e.g. the way of an eagle in the air in contrast to a bird that can never soar in the skies, and He did it again this morning when I drew the curtains open. I know your face is shining and I shall be saved.

I had my first exam as a university student today and am thankful to God for the peace and rest in Him. While knowing God's faithfulness in speaking to me through such occurrence of the nature, I am also mindful that I cannot rely on these to build my faith in Him- for we are to walk by faith and not by sight.

The rampant harm of an evil heart of unbelief is far greater than what we can imagine.