this is so true
I read this in devotional, and wow it's really so true.
The drama played out in a nest of bald eagles monitored by a webcam. A beloved eagle family, viewed by many via the Internet, was breaking up. After raising several offspring in previous seasons, the mother again laid new eggs in the spring. But then a young female invaded their happy home. When Dad started cavorting with her, Mom disappeared and the life in the abandoned eggs died.
In an Internet chat room, questions and accusations flew wildly. Everyone who loved the pair was distraught. Biologists warned the amateur eagle enthusiasts not to attribute human values to birds. But everyone did. We all wanted the original couple to reunite. Everyone seemed to “know” that the family unit is sacred.
As chat room members expressed their sadness, I wondered if they knew that God feels much the same way about human family breakups. I also wondered about myself: Why did I feel more sadness over the eagles than over the fractured human families in my community? Clearly, I need to revise my priorities.
In Malachi 2, we see God’s view of marriage. It symbolizes His covenant with His people (v.11). He takes it very seriously—and so should we. — Julie Ackerman Link
Thinking It Over
In Malachi 2:11, what is “profaned” and how?
How does Malachi 2:15 echo Genesis 2:24?
Why is this important? (Mal. 2:15-16).
Put Christ first if you want your marriage to last.
Sometimes we really empathize animals more than human, don't we? Perhaps it's because animal don't really hurt us? They seem innocent. But human hurt human, so we don't extend grace? I always thought I hated the sign on the back of the car "Be kind to animals". Not that I hate animals, but why not "Be kind to human beings"?
coffee
I must really be known as a coffee addict to my friends.
Well. One of my friend gave me coffee for my birthday. Instant one, and coffee drip. Instant one, no hassle, just pour water and stir. Coffee drip, you gotta have patient in pouring. You don't wanna pour too fast because it may break the filter or you don't get much coffee essence in your cup.
A few days ago, I received belated birthday gift. Also coffee. This time, real coffee beans and the coffee press. Though I am a coffee addict, I don't really know much about coffee except, I like it black or a little creamer, but not latte! I dun like too much milk in my coffee. The coffee I love the most is kopitiam kopi-o actually. So, anyways, we were asked what kind of grinding for my coffee beans. I was clueless about this. But have learnt something. So these are the common way of grinding:
Drip coffee makers
(flat bottomed filters) | Medium |
Drip coffee makers
(cone filters) | Fine |
| Plunger pot / French press | Coarse |
So, for my coffee press, I chose coarse grinding. So ya. Just share with ya something I learnt this week. Oh but the sad thing is, grinded coffee only last a couple of weeks. Sigh.
So actually what's best? Hmm.. maybe still instant. Cos it's freeze dried you don't have to worry about the shelf life except the expiry date. When you feel like getting more flavourful coffee, head to starbucks. HAHA.
praying
I was planning for some grad trip, and had to =^_^= ask my parents for some funding. So I asked my mom, can I can I? Tho I really feel bad about it. I mean. I am 24. Still shen shou yao qian. Paiseh. Then my mom said, up to you la. I asked her about the funding then she answered, you ask God. HAHA
Which reminds me of the time when I did ask God for more pocket money. I figured out I shouldn't be so direct to ask my mom about a raise, so I told God: I need a raise. Surprisingly, God tugged my mom's heart and she gave me a raise shortly. I shared with her that I prayed for the raise, and she was like: Wow really? Cos she felt the tug from God. Amazing.
I think since then she use this zhao1. Need something? Ask God. HAHA.
Anyways, God does wonders. He does.
bird sanctuary
My balcony is really like bird sanctuary I realised. Yellow birds, I dunno what species, are always around. And today I heard some loud bird noise, I thought it was some common bird, but I spotted some white coloured parrots! A group of them making noise. Squirrels are quite common too. Sometime ago I also spotted a monkey hanging on a tree. Quite scary. I was scared it will just swing into my room. But I really enjoy it. If only I have my camera with me now.
I'd take the photo of the parrots. Anyways, this is the pic of the yellow bird. Dunno wad's the real name. haha.
if i were a camel
if i were a camel. i would carry my water with me everywhere i go.
but i am a human. so i have to carry water bottle with me, wherever i go.
but i am so absent minded. :( i lost my second water bottle in this semester.
i just bought myself a new one today. hope i won't lose it anymoreeee
perhaps i should put on my water bottle.
if you find this bottle, please contact me at _____
Morning whispers
Sometimes I do wake up with morning whispers. A thought, a picture, or a scene, or something that happened in the past. And sometimes I realize, after doing my devotions.. It was the Holy Spirit, because it tallies with the scriptures I read. How beautiful. Perhaps you also experience this? It's so beautiful to just calm down in the morning to find that God cares to speak. At times I realize I rushed into the chores of the day too fast, to realize that the whispers in the morning was Him. Then as the sun sinks into the horizon, I have forgotten what was whispered in my spirit. He always speaks, but how attentive are we to notice that soft whisper?
Love of a friend
Stumbled upon this story on the internet:
Chuck Colson told the story of a group of American prisoners of war during the Second World War, who were made to do hard labor in a prison camp. Each had a shovel and would dig all day, then come in and give an account of his tool in the evening. One evening 20 prisoners were lined up by the guard and the shovels were counted. The guard counted nineteen shovels and turned in rage on the 20 prisoners demanding to know which one did not bring his shovel back. No one responded. The guard took out his gun and said that he would shoot five men if the guilty prisoner did not step forward. After a moment of tense silence, a 19-year-old soldier stepped forward with his head bowed down. The guard grabbed him, took him to the side and shot him in the head, and turned to warn the others that they better be more careful than he was. When he left, the men counted the shovels and there were 20. The guard had miscounted. And the boy had given his life for his friends.
Can you imagine the emotions that must have filled their hearts as they knelt down over his body? In the five or ten seconds of silence, the boy had weighed his whole future in the balance—a future wife, an education, a new truck, children, a career, fishing with his dad—and he chose death so that others might live.
"Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends."
To love is to choose suffering for the sake of another.
