Santa Claus

Many Christians know that Christmas is about celebrating the birth of Christ- the greatest gift of all (as, from what I understand, in brief: His birth meant the fullfillment of Scripture- that a Saviour was born! Not a political but spiritual one- to reconcile us to God through forgiveness of our sins by bearing them on our behalf by His death on the cross; and sending us the Holy Spirit)

But what about Santa Claus? We tend to perceive him as the season's social icon, perhaps one that has deviated the proper attention due to Jesus Christ; whilst some actually bothered to take note or find out that Santa Claus is actually an eponomy of St. Nicolas, and well, that's about all they know about the person or character.

Curious about the matter myself, i googled ^-^
http://www.stnicholascenter.org/Brix?pageID=38
Summary: Santa Claus DOES originate from St. Nicolas, Bishop of Myra—a natural phonetic alteration from the German Sankt Niklaus and Dutch Sinterklaas. He is actually worshipped by certain religious groups.

So how did a saint turn into rolly polly jolly Santa with the red suit?
http://www.stnicholascenter.org/Brix?pageID=35
Summary: Washington Irving's satirical fiction "Knickerbocker's History of New York"+ John Pintard who commissioned artist Alexander Anderson to create the first American image of Nicholas + "The Night Before Christmas" poem+ (Believe it or not) Coca-cola =)

Now that that's fully understood- let us return our hearts and minds to the true reason of Christmas celebration- Jesus Christ!


~**~Blessed Christmas dear reader~**~


Very merry,
Mi.

Psalm 55:2

This came as a forwarded email... read it and weep ;)

~*~*~
I was driving home from a meeting this evening about 5, stuck in traffic on Colorado Blvd., and the car started to choke and splutter and die - I barely managed to coast, cursing, into a gas station, glad only that I would not be blocking traffic and would have a somewhat warm spot to wait for the tow truck. It wouldn't even turn over. Before I could make the call, I saw a woman walking out of the quickie mart building, and it looked like she slipped on some ice and fell into a gas pump, so I got out to see if she was okay.

When I got there, it looked more like she had been overcome by sobs than that she had fallen; she was a young woman who looked really haggard with dark circles under her eye s. She dropped something as I helped her up, and I picked it up to give it to her. It was a nickel.

At that moment, everything came into focus for me: the crying woman, the ancient Suburban crammed full of stuff with 3 kids in the back (1 in a car seat), and the gas pump reading $4.95.

I asked her if she was okay and if she needed help, and she just kept saying 'I don't want my kids to see me crying! ,' so we stood on the other side of the pump from her car. She said she was driving to California and that things were very hard for her right now. So I asked, 'And you were praying?' That made her back away from me a little, but I assured her I was not a crazy person and said, 'He heard you, and He sent me.'

I took out my card and swiped it through the card reader on the pump so she could fill up her car completely, and while it was fueling, walked to the next door McDonald's and bought 2 big bags o f food, some gift certificates for more, and a big cup of coffee. She gave the food to the kids in the car, who attacked it like wolves, and we stood by the pump eating fries and talking a little.

She told me her name, and that she lived in Kansas City . Her boyfriend left 2 months ago and she had not been able to make ends meet. She knew she wouldn't have money to pay rent Jan. 1, and finally, in desperation, had called her parents, with whom she had not spoken in about 5 years. They lived in California and said she could come live with them and try to get on her feet there.

So she packed up everything she owned in the car. She told the kids they were going to California for Christmas, but not that they were going to live there.

I gave her my gloves, a little hug and said a quick prayer with her for safety on the road. As I was walking over to my car, she said, 'So, are you like an angel or something?'

This definitely made me cry. I said, 'Sweetie, at this time of year angels are really busy, so sometimes God uses regular people.'

It w as so incredible to be a part of someone else's miracle. And of course, you guessed it, when I got in my car it started right away and got me home with no problem. I'll put it in the shop tomorrow to check, but I suspect the mechanic won't find anything wrong.

Sometimes the angels fly close enough to you that you can hear the flutter of their wings...

Psalms 55:22 ' Cast thy burden upon the Lord, and He shall sustain thee. He shall never suffer the righteous to be moved.'

~*~*~

This Christmas season, instead of wishing to meet angels, why not BE an angel to someone instead? =)

We don't always have to fork out money like what the guy in the story did to touch a life- sometimes it's the few extra words of encouragement, a warm hug, a gentle pat, a short lil chat that makes all the difference.

Very merry blessed Christmas dear reader!



Your "regular person",
Mi ^-^

I should be studying...

I should very well be studying for my paper on Tuesday. But I had the sudden urge to blog or to simply put down what I'm feeling now. As I was going through some questions to prepare myself for exams, memories from the past started coming back. I had been really nervous about doing well for my last paper and finally graduate not because I can't stand it but because I really should by now. In the last 3 months I have had such a hard time keeping myself together from having a complete emotional break down from all the stress and pressure that I'm facing. Surely you must be saying " Girl, there are bigger things out there, and you're worried about not passing your exams? "

You know, that made perfect sense. There are bigger things out there. This is nothing by comparison. But somehow it was a huge emotional and spiritual struggle. Did I bring it upon myself? I don't know. I guess I won't ever need to. Maybe not knowing is the best part of this whole experience. I've come to admit how helpless I am without Him. How He is in complete control of my life and all that's happened and will happen for me. If anything, He didn't fail me. I failed Him for not trusting Him enough and doubting Him every now and then. We always say He's got other plans and He will see us through everything. We need to wait on Him. Definitely easier said than done.

Its very true. Tonight, all the memories of how faithful He was before came right back like it happened just yesterday. Though it wasn't very long ago. There's this sense of peace that tells me no matter what happens, He will be there. No matter what, God is ever so faithful and He will decide my life for me. I don' t know if taking myself away from studying for just a bit to share this is the right thing to do. But I know this 15 minutes of Selah, mulling and be overwhelmed in the peace that only God can give, is worth every minute. I am clueless on what's going to happen. But I guess we'll find out.

Thanks for listening =)

The one who eagerly awaits His miracle to bring all things to completion. Me.

I almost forgot how great it feels...

Today is just one of those days that God proves Himself to be ever so wonderful. I've been so caught up with work and studies which has led me to almost losing my sanity because it's so hard to juggle everything. But ironically, the nearer exam is, the more at peace I feel. Weird don't you think? Just proves that God is faithful. I had an opportunity to share just a small portion of God to my colleagues today. I hope that I lived my life with Him shining through. I almost forgot how amazing it feels to be given the opportunity to sow a seed for Him. To share a part of Him to someone else feels so great because I shared how wonderful and real He truly is, the God that made me who I am. I hope to share this testimony with you (dear reader) once He's brought everything to completion. Till then, take care

Love always,
The one that lives to share His amazing love, Me

Frenz 4Eva

I stumbled upon this post reading up some of my friends' blogs...

For a reason,for a season,for a lifetime..
People come into your life for a reason, a season or a lifetime.
When you know which one it is, you will know what to do for that person..,

When someone is in your life for a REASON,
it is usually to meet a need you have expressed.
They have come to assist you through a difficulty,
to provide you with guidance and support,
to aid you physically, emotionally or spiritually.
They may seem like Godsend and they are.
They are there for the reason you need them to be.

Then, without any wrongdoing on your part or at an inconvenient time,
this person will say or do something to bring the relationship to an end.
Sometimes they die. Sometimes they walk away.
Sometimes they act up and force you to take a stand.
What we must realize is that our need has been met, our desire fulfilled, their work is done.
The prayer you sent up has been answered and now it is time to move on.

Some people come into your life for a SEASON,
because your turn has come to share, grow or learn.
They bring you an experience of peace or make you laugh.
They may teach you something you have never done.
They usually give you an unbelievable amount of joy.
Believe it,it is real. But only for a season.

LIFETIME relationships teach you lifetime lessons,
things you must build upon in order to have a solid emotional foundation.
Your job is to accept the lesson, love the person
and put what you have learned to use in all other relationships and areas of your life.

Thank you for being a part of my life...
whether you were a reason,or for the season or maybe even for a lifetime..

I believe this is very true,as many people walk in and out of our lives so often.
So which one will you want them to be in?
Will it be for a reason,for a season or for a lifetime?
Will they leave footprints in your heart,only to be washed away with time,
or will the footprints last long enough to be remembered,
or will your footprints always be next to this person's footprints for a lifetime?
So,what would it be? A reason? A season? Or a lifetime?
=====

Reading this sure stirred up my thoughts, my memories, my emotions.

As much as I wish I could say that my friendships to date have been "forever", the reality is very much as the poem described- some for a reason, others for a season, and this one- possibly a lifetime.

However it has been for me, most have stayed on as friends in my life. And in meeting those friends- bumping into them being the most common- it's amazing to look back and realize how these moments we are spending to catch up, are hinged upon the reason or season that has passed us by; but ah~ the reasons and the seasons... They have definitely been real, beautiful, wonderful... And will always be kept amidst the cherished memories of a time gone by...

That said, it dawned upon me a special Friend- who has been there for a reason, a season, AND (of this I'm sure,) a lifetime.

Oh how many times I have turned to Him for a reason, remained faithful for a season... Still He is here beside me. His footprints never left mine... Only mine, was now and then, not there to be found.

How could that have happened? Well, I was too tired, too weary to move on, and as I braced myself for the 'beautiful freefall'- He stretched out His firm yet gentle hands and carried me on. I shall always remember the times my eyes looked back and beheld only one set of footprints in the sand... The times when He lifted me.

[At this point, a dear old friend happened to call!!! You know who you are =) ]

Friendships are such a blessing.

That reminds me...
I haven't always been the best friend to the people in my life- especially during college and university times cos I was so flooded by everything @.@ So if you're reading this, and in your heart, I've already been categorized as your friend from a reason or your friend from past season(s); [as David Cook had put it,] before it's too late, what about now? I would love to (re)start/continue keeping in touch =)


Well, gotta go... GOD bless.

*humming*
You've got a friend,
in Mi~

I dare you to HOPE

Brother J faithfully sends out sermon summaries every week. This one struck a chord in my heart.

In a time like this- whatever it may be for you- exams, peak periods, recession, depression... I pray this message which encouraged me (for I go through dark valleys in my life as well), will go on to encourage you.

[As per the email- If you're short of time, catch the bold]

The Surprises of God

This Sunday, we were privileged to have brother Chin Ee Tek give the message on the Surprises of God, which focused on the story of Elisha and the Shunemmite woman.

The background of the story was the Kingdom Divided, the Northern Kingdom of Israel and the Southern Kingdom of Judah. Elisha’s ministry was mainly to the Northern Kingdom, as was the ministry of his master before him, Elijah. Whereas Elijah’s message was mainly of judgment and in very public settings, Elisha’s message was of the grace, mercy and love of God, and he ministered mainly to individuals, privately. Shunem was only a small place in Israel, near Mount Carmel and it could hardly be found in the map. Still, Elisha must have passed there on his circuit, and a small Shunemmite couple there decided to show kindness and hospitality to this man of God. They even went to the extent of preparing a small room for Elisha so that he could stay there when he was in the area. Elisha was touched and wanted to repay their kindness. However, they seemed to have no physical needs. They were well to do, and did not ask Elisha for anything. Still, Elisha’s observant servant, Gehazi highlighted to him that the couple had no children, and this would have been a matter of great sadness to them. And so Elisha promised them a son, even prophesying the time he would be delivered. The main lesson of this first scene was that God’s grace is shown to common people, like you and me.

At this point, brother Chin also told us some aspects of the story of Eric Lidell, the famous runner who chose not to run the 100m because the event was on a Sunday, and he felt doing so would be dishonoring God. The headlines the next day blared “God before country”, and his decision sent shockwaves across the whole sporting world. Still, he had the opportunity to run in the 400m and this event he won amazingly against the odds, breaking the world record. Before his race, it was said that his sister had passed to him a note quoting 1 Samuel 2:30, the words of the Lord “Those who honor me I will honor” and he held the note to the finishing line. His story is of course immortalized in the great film, the Chariots of Fire, and he lived a great life of service to God in his missionary work in China. The key point of the entire message was exactly that “Those who honor the Lord will be honored”, and this was exactly true of the Shunnemite woman.

In the second scene, we see a terrible tragedy, for the son of the Shunnemite woman had died prematurely. In her agony, she immediately set out to find Elisha in Mount Carmel. She had serious questions. Why did God allow this to happen? Why bring this sorrow upon her when she had not even asked for a son? Why do bad things happen to good people? Still, her actions showed that she had not given up hope. She believed Elisha could do something. It was an exercise of faith that caused her not to prepare the funeral but to immediately seek Elisha. In her urgency, she did not slow down to explain the matter to Gehazi. She was persistent. She pleaded for her son. There are certain burdens we do not tell others, but here the Shunnemite woman poured out her troubles to Elisha.

The initial action did not work, for even the great staff of Elisha had not raised the boy, and there was a sense of desperation in the air. However, Elisha and the Shunnemite woman still hoped, still believed, and God eventually answered and restored the son to life.

In the final scene, we see another moment of crisis involving this same Shunnemite lady. In response to Elisha’s prophecy of a famine that would last seven years, she fled to the land of the Philistines with her family. After that time, she came back to beg the King of Israel for her land back. In the first scene, she had been well-to-do, with no physical wants, but now, she was in serious trouble, and could lose everything she had if the king did not listen to her request. Just so happened, at that very moment when she came in, Gehazi, the servant of Elisha was there, talking to the king. In fact, he was talking about the exact miracle Elisha had done concerning her, in raising her son to life. And when she came, Gehazi quickly pointed out to the king that she was the one. Amazed, the king granted her request, and even better, ordered that all the income due from her land during the 7 years be restored to her! God is in control of all things, and His timing is always perfect!

In closing, brother Chin exhorted us to always remember that God honors those who honor Him, and never give up hope, but trust that God will make all things perfect in His good timing. May the Lord indeed help us honor Him and trust Him at all times to the end. In Jesus name, Amen.


Hopeful,
Mi.

The mill will never grind with the water that has passed

Greetings!

As you're reading this post, I'm actually off at Johor on a job. (Yes, this is actually a "post-dated post") But I want to share this with you, and I hope you grasp its meaning. For I loved this poem dearly having realized what it means...

The Lesson of the watermill

Leave no tender word unsaid;

Love, while life shall last!

The mill will never grind

with the water that has passed.

And the proverb haunts my mind

like a spell that's cast.

The mill will never grind
with the water that has passed.

Power, intellect and strength

may not, cannot, last;

The mill will never grind
with the water that has passed.

Take this lesson to your heart,

Take, oh! Hold it fast;

The mill will never grind
with the water that has passed.

by: Sarah Doudney

Did you learn the lesson of the windmill?

from afar,
Mi.