Meet Tan Hong Ming

Jewels

There is a well known verse in the Bible, the book of Matthew that says: 'Where your treasure is, there your heart is also'. Yesterday, we were encouraged to worship God with our hearts, not just with lip-service.



But did you know where God's heart and treasure is?

In Isaiah 62:3 it says

'You shall be a crown of beauty in the hand of the Lord, and a royal diadem in the hand of your God'

We are treasures in God's eyes. What an amazing thought! If you are a Christian, that is, if you believe that Jesus died for your sins, and you've chosen to give your life to Jesus, you are no longer just you. You are elevated, treasured by God and no one can rob you of that.

We were restored to worship God with our hearts now and forevermore. Praise God, my soul, all that's within me blesses His name.

Thanks to Natalia for sending me such an incredible verse!

Constant vigilance - and a confession

Today an old struggle dropped back to haunt me. I let my guard down, having had lots of revision to do and very little rest, I neglected my usual time with God. Even the very important prophet Daniel, a learned man with a full schedule set apart time with God, each and every day. King David, a busy ruler, set aside time each morning to just dwell in God's presence.

When I was a teenager, I lived in an elite girls' boarding school. It was very much a sorority environment - we looked out for each other and I loved every minute of the sorority life. However, I was obsessed with being perfect. There was always something to strive towards, and someone to model myself after - the prettier girl, the smarter girl, the more athletic girl, the dancer, the singer, the pianist, the cheerleader, the netballer, the hot one, the cool one... the list goes on. Being on scholarship, I wasn't well off like my paying friends were, but I fitted in well. I loved my time there but I was swept along the rat race. We enjoyed being 'admired' by the younger girls (it's complicated!) who gave us gifts on Valentine's day, and who would look up to us whilst we took them under our wing.

I wanted to make sure I would always be looked up to. As a child, I was always teased for being chubby but at the end of the day, I would come back home and the pressure is lifted. Then boarding school happened. All of a sudden there were 200 other girls in my age range. They were beautiful, rich, glossy, talented and clever. I started to eat very little and did a lot of exercise. I was up at 6.30 and running on the track, had P.E during school, played some basketball after school and swam before dinner. Some days I could get by with just a tiny cup of carrot sticks or nothing at all.

I was obsessed with being thin

I let my weight define my self-worth. I filled my mind with rubbish.

Then God found me. He defined me: a child of the King of Kings, saved, loved, highly favoured, a citizen of His kingdom.

I failed to fill my mind with the things of God this week. My workload got the better of me and the old habit of wanting to gain control crept back, stealthily, sneakily, cunningly. I was looking through some old photos of me back in boarding school - dance photos, choir photos, photos of us chilling in our dorms. Before I knew it, I was filled with horror at how fat I've become. How I've let myself go. How I'm not going to marry the "right" sort (rich, good looking, elite-society). How I've neglected my piano playing. How I haven't played netball in awhile and I bet I'm really sloppy with my footwork now.

I told myself I was ugly and fat.

WHAT RRRUBBISH!! (Dave Emmett style)

Well the enemy is a liar.

Romans 12:2 says "Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is - his good, pleasing and perfect will."

I need to be vigilant in my relationship with God. It is after all the most important thing I will ever invest in.

Alive! Easter concert by King's Church Manchester

Winter on my street - Canon G11?

The biting cold has gone and evidence of spring is starting to peek through (albeit very reservedly!). Just to remind myself of the beauty of winter, I've put two photos up which I took with my simple digital camera. They turned out so pretty in the end I just had to share them with you!



The first is a frozen dewdrop surrounded by snowflakes and cobwebs nestling on the metal railings outside my apartment.




The next one is a photo of wilted red berries carrying the weight of some heavy early morning snowfall. The poor things were shrivelled up but still so brilliantly red. I imagine this is what inspires lots of Christmas themed colours (red and white). God our Creator is such an artist!

Unfortunately that digital camera was stolen a few days ago and now I am saving up to replace it. Am thinking of the Canon G11 but at its cheapest online, it's still a good £350!!! I love the idea of owning a DSLR but would hate lugging it around. I think for people like me who don't photograph professionally, utility is just as important as function, if not more. Most of the compositions I see in my head which I really want to photograph tend to be off-the-cuff moments when I'm out and about, on my way to the library, in the park or at lunch. I want something I can just whip out of my handbag when I see an opportunity.

I don't know, what do you think?

Dear future husband

I love you. You make me laugh so much. You're wise and steady, you keep a cool head under pressure. You never lose your temper, you're gracious, forgiving but firm. When I'm clearly in the wrong but stubbornly refuse to budge, you rebuke me with such love I never feel condemned.

You love and fear God, and I am so blessed that you'll be leading our household.

p/s Grandma thinks you're "not handsome" but I beg to differ!

Happy 2010 everyone!

It's snowing in Manchester. Lots and lots of fluffy fresh snowy goodness! This picture was taken miliseconds before I had a snowball pelted on my face.