i am esdoubleyou

GodSpeaks.com Free Devotion 20/05/10

2010-05-24T13:30:00.002+08:00

One of the most precious attributes of Jesus is His willingness to stay with something when all others would give up on it. Just when it looks like the end has come, He sees the slightest sign of life and does all He can for it. As Isaiah once prophesied, He doesn’t snuff out the smoldering wick or break the bent and bruised reed (Isaiah 42:3). He comes alongside and fans the smallest spark into a flame and binds up what is bent.

What a comfort to know that the Lord doesn’t give up or quit on us, even when every one else (including ourselves) would. Many, if not most of us, would never have come to God had He treated us the way the average human being would. And we should follow His lead in this. We should hold out hope for even the slightest signs of life in the lives of those around us.

Daily Devotion 21/05/2010

2010-05-21T10:42:00.000+08:00

“GOD KNOWS YOU BY NAME”

I have written your name on my hand.

ISAIAH 49:16

Quite a thought, isn’t it? Your name on God’s hand. Your name on God’s lips. Maybe you’ve seen your name in some special places. On an award or diploma. . . . But to think that your name is on God’s hand and on God’s lips . . . my, could it be?

Or perhaps you have never seen your name honoured. And you can’t remember when you heard it spoken with kindness. If so, it may be more difficult for you to believe that God knows your name.

But he does. Written on his hand. Spoken by his mouth. Whispered by his lips. Your name.

WHEN GOD WHISPERS YOUR NAME

Can you think of a time when your name was honoured? How did you feel? How does it make you feel to know that your name is on God’s hand?

Daily Devotion 17/05/2010

2010-05-17T15:41:00.002+08:00

“NO NONSACRED MOMENTS”

We are God’s workers, working together.

1 CORINTHIANS 3:9

It’s a wonderful day indeed when we stop working for God and begin working with God. . . .

For years I viewed God as a compassionate CEO and my role as a loyal sales representative. He had his office, and I had my territory. I could contact him as much as I wanted. He was always a phone or fax away. He encouraged me, rallied behind me, and supported me, but he didn’t go with me. At least I didn’t think he did. Then I read 2 Corinthians 6:1: We are “God’s fellow workers” (NIV).

Fellow workers? Co-labourers? God and I work together? Imagine the paradigm shift this truth creates. Rather than report to God, we work with God. Rather than check in with him and then leave, we check in with him and then follow. We are always in the presence of God. . . . There is never a nonsacred moment!

JUST LIKE JESUS

How would you explain the difference between working for God or with God?

REFERENCE:

1 Corinthians 3:9 ( ESV ) ⁹For we are God’s fellow workers. You are God’s field, God’s building.

Daily Devotion 10/05/2010

2010-05-10T21:55:00.003+08:00

“FAITH MEETS GRACE”

Let us come near to God with a sincere heart and a sure faith,

because we have been made free from a guilty conscience. . . .

HEBREWS 10:22

Faith is not born at the negotiating table where we barter our gifts in exchange for God’s goodness. Faith is not an award given to the most learned. It’s not a prize given to the most disciplined. It’s not a title bequeathed to the most religious.

Faith is a desperate dive out of the sinking boat of human effort and a prayer that God will be there to pull us out of the water. The apostle Paul wrote about this kind of faith:

“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith – and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God – not by works, so that no one can boast” (Eph. 2:8-9).

The supreme force in salvation is God’s grace.

IN THE EYE OF THE STORM

“Faith is a desperate dive out of the sinking boat of human effort.” Explain why we can’t save ourselves, why human effort is not sufficient.

Reference:

Ephesians 2:8-9 ( ESV ) ⁸For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, ⁹not a result of works, so that no one may boast.

Owl City - Fireflies Official Music Video HD

2010-05-03T16:48:00.001+08:00

Daily Devotion 03/05/2010

2010-05-03T11:43:00.002+08:00

“SOMETIMES GOD SAYS NO”

Continue praying, keeping alert, and always thanking God.

COLOSSIANS 4:2

Can you imagine the outcome if a parent honoured each request of each child during a trip? We’d inch our bloated bellies from one ice-cream to the next. . . .

Can you imagine the chaos if God indulged each of ours? . . .

“For God has not destined us [emphasis mine] to the terrors of judgement, but to the full attainment of salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Thess. 5:9 NEB).

Note God’s destiny for your life. Salvation.

God’s overarching desire is that you reach that destiny. His itinerary includes stops that encourage your journey. He frowns on stops that deter you. When his sovereign plan and your earthly plan collide, a decision must be made. Who’s in charge of this journey?

If God must choose between your earthly satisfaction and your heavenly salvation, which do you hope he chooses?

Me too.

IN THE EYE OF THE STORM

Do you hope he chooses your earthly satisfaction or your heavenly salvation? Why?

Reference:

1 Thessalonians 5:9 ( ESV ) ⁹For God has not destined us for wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ,

Weee! New toy

2010-04-17T01:47:00.001+08:00

Tadaa! That's my new toy, yes.
Indescribable awesomeness. Contagious too, so much so that 'Miss Queen' (I think that's what's she's known as) decided to join the Mac family. Tee hee.
Wireless keyboard, magic mouse, awesome clean all-in-one monitor... Sexeh.

Still exploring the machine. I shall do wonderful things using it :D

Daily Devotion 09/04/10

2010-04-09T13:36:00.004+08:00

“TIPPED SCALES”

Christ’s love is greater than anyone can ever know, but I

pray that you will be able to know that love.

EPHESIANS 3:19

It wasn’t right that spikes pierced the hands that formed the earth. And it wasn’t right that the Son of God was forced to hear the silence of God.

It wasn’t right, but it happened.

For while Jesus was on the cross, God sat on his hands. He turned his back. He ignored the screams of the innocent.

He sat in silence while the sins of the world were placed upon his Son. And he did nothing while a cry a million times bloodier than John’s echoed in the black sky: “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”

Was it right? No.

Was it fair? No.

Was it love? Yes.

THE APPLAUSE OF HEAVEN

It is easy to get caught up in the struggle to protect our “rights.” How would your life be different if Christ had struggled to protect his?

Daily Devotion 15/01/10

2010-01-15T10:31:00.000+08:00

“GOD’S GOOD GIFTS”

Every good action and every perfect gift is from God.

JAMES 1:17

Ever fell like you have nothing? Just look at the gifts [God] has given you:

He has sent His angels to care for you, His Holy Spirit to dwell in you, His church to encourage you, and His Word to guide you....

Anytime you speak, He listens; make a request and He responds.

He will never let you be tempted too much or stumble too far.

Let a tear appear on your cheek, and He is there to wipe it.

Let a love sonnet appear on your lips, and He is there to hear it.

As much as you want to see Him, He wants to see you more....

You have been chosen by Christ.... He has claimed you as His beloved.

WHEN CHRIST COMES

Every good gift is from God. Remind yourself of some of these gifts you tend to take for granted.

Flipside Burger Bar

2010-01-14T22:22:00.000+08:00

Front: Classic (150g prime beef, salad, tomato relish & mayo)

Behind (left): Mini Chicken (free range chicken, salad, tomato relish & mayo)
Behind (right): Mini Flip (mini prime beef, salad, tomato sauce or tomato relish & mayo)

www.flipsideburgerbar.com.au

Comments:

Jason it was like a magical feeling! -- Eliza

Party in my mouth -- Lisa

I personally think they make quite healthy burgers, it wasn't oily.

Friend reckons it is great the burgers arrives immediately from the kitchen (no sitting on the benchtop, eating soggy burger buns)

Daily Devotion 14/01/10

2010-01-14T08:46:00.001+08:00

“JUST THE WAY YOU ARE”

In your lives you must

think and act like Christ Jesus.

PHILIPPIANS 2:5

It’s dangerous to sum up grand truths in one statement, but I’m going to try. If a sentence or two could capture God’s desire for each of us, it might read like this:

God loves you just the way you are, but He refuses to leave you that way. He wants you to be just like Jesus.

God loves you just the way you are. If you think His love for you would be stronger if your faith were, you are wrong. If you think His love would be deeper if your thoughts were, wrong again. Don’t confuse God’s love with the love of people. The love of people often increases with performance and decreases with mistakes. Not so with God’s love. He loves you right where you are.

JUST LIKE JESUS

God’s love does not increase with performance or decrease with mistakes. How do you respond to that kind of love?

Can you remember...?

2010-01-12T08:49:00.000+08:00

As the new year approached, some people fully anticipated a new start, new beginning... (and seemingly a new memory)

Hence, I have witnessed a few incidents
1. Forgotten work computer login password
2. Forgotten email login password (and worse, forgotten password retrieval secret question answer, but this is acceptable as this was setup 10++ years ago)
3. Forgotten work alarm code

Can you remember yours?

Happy New Year 2010 !!

2010-01-03T20:27:00.002+08:00

Tea Eggs 茶叶蛋

2009-11-13T09:17:00.005+08:00

2 days ago, I made tea eggs for the first time, needless to say.. it was not quite successful as the eggs werent cracked enough for the second round of cooking, hence the egg was still quite white inside and the taste was not as great. Next time.. I will do better.

I bought my ingredient in a pre-mix packet, but please find below the proper recipe.

Ingredients (Serves 6)
6 eggs
Water

3 tablespoons soy sauce
1 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon black tea leaves (pu-erh tea) or 1 tea bag
4 pieces star anise
1 small stick cinnamon or cassia bark
1 teaspoon cracked peppercorns (optional)
2 strips dried mandarin peel (optional)

Method

1. Place eggs in a pot of cold water - water level should cover the eggs.
2. Bring to a boil for 10 minutes, then simmer for 5 minutes.

3. Remove eggs, rinse with cold water, and tap each egg to crack shells in 2 or 3 places.
4. Return eggs into pot, add all ingredients and stir.

5. Bring to a boil, then immediately turn down to simmer for 1-2 hours (the longer the better), adding water as necessary.

6. Serve hot or cold.

Note:
Serve immediately or leave the tea eggs in the mixture overnight to further develop the deeper color and stronger flavour.

Daily Devotion 12/11/09

2009-11-12T09:10:00.003+08:00

“DO WHAT IS RIGHT”

Trust (lean on, rely on, and be confident) in the Lord and do good;

so shall you dwell in the land and feed surely on His faithfulness,

and truly you shall be fed.

PSALM 37:3

Powerful results happen when you do what is right. Doing what is right is high tech spiritual warfare! It puts you in a position where the devil can’t affect you, because you have decided to stand and not be moved.

Remain in faith and trust God. The Bible says in Psalm 37:1 that evildoers, “those who work unrighteousness (that which is not upright or in right standing with God),” will be cut down like the grass. When problems arise against you, when your enemies attack you, or when evil makes an all out assault upon you, trust in the Lord, and do good.

Daily Devotion 05/11/09

2009-11-05T10:35:00.009+08:00

“TALK TO GOD ANYWHERE”

Do you not know that your body is the temple (thevery sanctuary)
of the Holy Spirit Who lives within you,
Whom you have received [as a Gift] from God?

1 CORINTHIANS 6:19

The angel of the Lord said to Moses, “Take the shoes off your feet, for the ground on which you stand is holy ground” (see Exodus 3:5). The ground was holy because the Holy One was there. Now through faith in Jesus, you are the temple of the Holy Ghost. Everywhere you go becomes a holy place because the Holy One dwells in you.

God is not in a building, where you can only visit Him on Sunday morning. He is with you everywhere you go. You can talk to Him while you vacuum, or while you change the oil in your car. When you let God become involved in every aspect of your life, every day becomes exciting.

Pankun & James doing exercise

2009-11-04T21:33:00.002+08:00

This is too amusing, I laughed over and over again watching this.
Pankun is the chimp, James is the dog.

1st time.. blood test

2009-11-04T09:25:00.002+08:00

I had my first ever blood test done today. Eek.
About 10 results were needed, the nurse came in with 4 normal and 2 smaller tubes.
*Poke* and blood is drained out.. about 50ml altogether?
and.. no, I didn't faint. I was quite amused actually...

Daily Devotion 04/11/09

2009-11-04T08:53:00.009+08:00

“KEEP BALANCED”

For we who have believed (adhered to and trusted
in and relied on God) do enter that rest.

HEBREWS 4:3

It is easy to get over-committed, burned out, bummed out, worn out, and stressed out if you are trying to keep up with too many commitments. It is out of balance to try to do everything. If you are happy doing what you do, keep doing it. But if it wears you out and robs you of peace, don’t do it. What sense does it make to commit to something, and then murmur and complain about it while you are doing it?

Being over-committed will frustrate you. Anxiety is usually a sign that God never told you to do what you are doing in the first place. To avoid frustration in your life, keep in balance.

Daily Devotion 03/11/09

2009-11-03T09:30:00.002+08:00

“ENCOURAGE, DON'T CRITICIZE”

Therefore encourage (admonish, exhort) one another
and edify (strengthen and build up) one another.

1 THESSALONIANS 5:11

We can improve our relationship with others by leaps and bounds if we become encouragers instead of critics. It is the greater person who does the right thing; Christ's righteousness dwells in you to help you do what is right. You are great in God's eyes when you choose to do right and bless others.

No matter how rough your day is today, speak words that uplift and encourage those around you. Encourage others if you notice them doing a good job - not just those who work with you, but people wherever you go, such as store clerks, auto mechanics, and waiters. Say something like, "I appreciate the extra effort you are making to do your job well." You can change your life and someone else's by choosing to speak positive words.

My November 2009 wallpaper calendar

2009-11-01T16:23:00.024+08:00

Source: Smashing Magazine

They have nice wallpaper calendar in the beginning of each month, enjoy.