Hide me now under Your wings
Cover me within Your mighty hand

When the oceans rise and thunders roar
I will soar with You above the storm
Father, You are King over the flood
I will be still and know You are God

Find rest my soul in Christ alone
Know His power in quietness and trust

When the oceans rise and thunders roar
I will soar with You above the storm
Father, You are King over the flood
I will be still and know You are God

~ ~ ~

After 11 wonderful days of brainless break, I'm still not quite ready to get back to work tomorrow. My to-do list is less than half checked. I've got so many things left undone. Go for morning swims, update my more-than-ultra-outdated blog, get my hands on some scrapbooking, pack the overflowing magazine shelves, bring Gabster for afternoon picnics, do God's work and so on and on and on...

Even Winnie said her 2 months break is not enough, let alone my 11 days. Well, better than none at all. Having no work related thoughts at the back of my head felt funny the first couple of days. Now, I'm so used to not having to think about work that I don't how to start my engine tomorrow.

It's gonna be a brand new work environment, brand new culture and brand new personalities that I'd be coming face to face with in less than 24 hours. Excited? Yes, kind of... Nervous? Hmmm... not really... God is with me!

Let me pray the blessings of Deuteronomy 28 over myself and I shall start my new endeavour with His blessings and guidance! Amen!

AMEN!

Here's our visual version, beautifully and flawlessly painted by Esther Lim and Joeel Lee!

We had always wanted to have a cross at home but had no idea where to buy it from or if we'd ever find anything we really like. So, getting it custom-made would be the solution. And who else to go to, but your most trusted, talented artist friends. So a few months back, we decided to check if they would like to do a painting for our humble home.

They were all for the idea and came over to take measurements and discussed extensively how we should be doing it. Then came the illustrations. All we needed was just 1 change and we fell in love with the next illustration that came.

Today, Calvin managed to engage his colleague's uncle's help in transporting the huge painting from Esther's place to ours. Calvin' cousin Dexter also readily agreed to lend his strength and sweat to carry it up 7 storeys to our flat. Thanks Dex, greatly appreciate it!!

Now, the beautiful painting sits at the end of our corridor, greeting us everytime we come home. We love it!!!

But I think we need to change the lighting at the corridor. The white lights really doesn't do any justice to this beautiful piece of work. We need some warm spot lights shining on it to bring out its beauty even more.

When?? Soon, I really hope.

I worked late last night and took a cab home. It was about 10.30pm when it happened. It happened along CTE, just before the Braddell exit. The cab I was in was screeching frantically to a halt. I was startled when I popped my head over the back of the front passenger seat to see my cab closing in very quickly into the cab in front. Within seconds, it rammed into the stationary cab in front.

I was already in anticipation of the crash because of what I saw. The impact threw me ahead slightly, and I believe the shock has been largely cushioned by my anticipation. I rarely belt up in a cab but I've been reminding myself to do so recently. So I did last night. Thank God for that!!

Of course, the first thought that came to mind was, "Is my baby ok??!!" I called Calvin immediately. Both of us trusted God's divine protection. Our baby, God's beloved baby, is very well protected!

Very soon after, a white Toyota pulled up in front of the crash and these 2 guys enthusiastically checked on us, the passengers in both cabs. They even offered to send us to the hospital. In the end, looking at the trail of vehicles forming up behind us in a jam, I decided to take up their offer to send me home, since it's only minutes away.

Calvin waited for me downstairs. We hugged and we thanked God that no one is hurt and that I'm home. Then, we decided to go to the outpatient clinic at Mt Alvernia to have me checked. Xifen came to send us there. Thank you so much my dear friend! The check went ok and doc said the baby should be fine and if I'm concerned I should go to my gynae the next morning to have a scan. So we left with some panadol and cream to apply on my chest area as there's a slight strain due to the impact.

Part 2 of this eventful night was about to happen. We went for prata along Thomson Road after my check. At about 1.20am, just before we get into the car to head home, Calvin's phone rang! The next thing I knew, he kissed me goodbye and he's off in a cab on his way back to work. God's protection is put to work on overtime. This time, protecting my baby's father while he's at work. No. Actually God is protecting us 24 hours a day. There is no overtime. I thank God for His amazing protection!

As much as I needed Calvin to be around especially after the accident, I knew I had to be steady so that he doesn't have to worry about me and focus on his work. I went home, prayed for his safety and went to sleep. Calvin came home slightly after 7am. It was possibly one of his "shortest" ops. I thank God again for bringing my husband home safely.

We decided to make a last min appointment with Dr Ho and we got one at 12.15pm. Dr Ho is really nice about it, he was calm, steady and he assured us that the baby is fine. The heartbeat is steady, and everything looks fine. But he wanted to be sure and so asked us to see him again a week later for another scan.

So much happened in just one night. And because of this, I missed my neighbour (or rather ex-neighbour) Natasha's wedding. Sorry neighbour... for not being able to be there to celebrate your big day.

Father God, we thank You for Your protection. We thank You for giving Your angels charge over us, to safekeep us. We thank You for Your unconditional love. Under Your wings we will always abide. This household loves You, because You first loved us. Thank You Father!

Thank You Jesus! You thought of me when you took the fall. You thought of me when You willingly walk down Calvary. You thought of me when You laid down Your life. You thought of me when You put on the crown of thorns. You thought of me when You bore those stripes. You thought of me when You let them pierce Your hands. You thought of me when You called out "It is finished"! And You thought of me, above all!

Here's today's devotional from The Vine and it really encouraged me as I face discouragement, stress, doubt, hardship and fatigue at work over the last week. I hope it encourages one of you out there too.

Thank You Father for Your comforting presence and assurance and thank You for sending people around me to encourage me.

* * *

"Staying The Course"
The testing of your faith produces endurance.
James 1:3 NAS

Endurance means "staying the course." But endurance is only a word until you have to deal with a strife-torn marriage, the long road back from bankruptcy, divorce or illness, the rebuilding of your life, or the required preparation for success in any field. It takes commitment to keep going when friends fail you, discouragement whispers "give up," and doubt says "it can't be done." That's when endurance takes on new meaning. It becomes your anchor in the storm, your compass in times of confusion, and the head of steam that gets you up the next hill.

Remember, God knows when to discontinue a trial because its purpose has been fulfilled. And He gives us two great promises: (1) His comforting presence (Isaiah 43:2-5). (2) The assurance that He won't permit more pressure than we can handle (1 Corinthians 10:13).

But there's another reason - others are watching! Paul writes, "People are watching us as we stay at our post… working hard, working late, working without eating; with pure heart, clear head, steady hand; in gentleness, holiness and honest love; when we're telling the truth… when God's showing His power; when we're doing our best setting things right; when we're praised, and when we're blamed; slandered, and honoured; true to our word, though distrusted; ignored by the world, but recognised by God… immersed in tears yet always filled with deep joy; living on handouts, yet enriching many; having nothing, having it all" (2 Corinthians 6:3-10 TM). That's called "staying the course."

So many heart-wrenching episodes happened over the last 2 weeks. First, it was Alex - the guy who got knocked down by the cabby. Then it was the 2 PCGs who died in line of duty. And the latest shocking news of the massacre in US.

It's scary how vulnerable life is. It's scary how the "now you see it, now you don't" situation can happen to human lives!!

But, thank God for Jesus. Thank God that because of Jesus, I can rest in knowing that my loved ones are protected. Here's a prayer for all the precious lives around me.

Psalm 91
Safety of Abiding in the Presence of God
He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High
Shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.
I will say of the Lord, "He is my refuge and my fortress;
My God, in Him I will trust."

Surely He shall deliver you from the snare of the fowler
And from the perilous pestilence.
He shall cover you with His feathers,
nd under His wings you shall take refuge;
His truth shall be your sheild and buckler.
You shall not be afraid of the terror by night,
Nor of the arrow that flies by day,
Nor of the pestilence that walks in darkness,
Nor of the destruction that lays waste at noonday.

A thousand may fall at your side,
And ten thousand at your right hand;
But it shall not come near you.
Only with your eyes shall you look,
And see the reward of the wicked/

Because you have made the Lord,
who is my refuge,
Even the Most High, your habitation,
No evil shall befall you,
Nor shall any plague come near your dwelling;
For He shall give His angels charge over you,
To keep you in all your ways.
They shall bear you up in their hands,
Lest you dash your foot against a stone.
You shall tread upon the lion and the cobra,
The young lion and the serpent you shall trample underfoot.

Because he has set his love upon
Me, therefore I will deliver him;
I will set him on high, because he
has known My name.
He shall call upon Me, and I will answer him;
I will be with him in trouble;
I will deliver him and honour him.
With long life I will satisfy him,
And show him My salvation.

Having a bowl of chicken macaroni soup for lunch at my desk and found this devotional in my archived mailbox. And it spoke directly to me! It encouraged me, and I hope it does the same to you.

Whenever I'm stressed out at work, Calvin always reminds me that "I can do ALL things through Christ who strengthens me". Yes, with God ALL things are possible. So dear friends, take God to work today, tomorrow, everyday.

Take God To Work (1)
The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you.
Deuteronomy 31:8 NIV

Surely God would only send those He could trust into enemy territory. Understand this: God cares about where you are. He has selected you for your work environment. He has already, or is currently equipping you. You wouldn't send your child off to camp without packing his bags or making provision for everything he would need while he's away. And God wouldn't either.

Sometimes hostile environments can be overwhelming - but by God's grace we can thrive in them! If you'll take God to work with you and keep your identity intact, the enemy will lose ground. Don't let him keep you focused on everything that's problematic: gossip, office politics, the too-heavy workload, the too-low pay, the micro-managing supervisor, the injustice of a system that seems to promote based more on who you know than what you know. The danger is that you'll focus on the discomfort of the moment and miss the blessings that lie beyond it. While you're praying for God to change your circumstances and take away your stress, He's saying, "If only you knew what awaited you. Your purpose and destiny are only moments away, and, though not wrapped in shiny paper, they contain all you'll ever need to reach your goal and bring Me glory."

God understands us so well. He realises our tendency to stay too long when things become comfortable, to lean on the arm of flesh. Often He has to trouble the waters so that we'll reach out to Him in desperation, and as a result, tap into strength and success we never knew possible.

Take God To Work (2)
I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
Philippians 4:13

Whether it's doctors in surgical scrubs or firefighters in heat-resistant uniforms, proper attire is required to do certain jobs. And as Christians, we also have to dress for work. We don't necessarily need to fuss with our outward appearance (although how we're perceived can go a long way toward helping us achieve) but we must dress up our character by "putting on the Lord Jesus Christ" (Romans 13:14). After all, we're His representatives!

Secular society is confused about who Christians actually are. And these misconceptions are fed by our inability to step out in our true colours. Your workmates probably don't need another sermon, they can get that in church. Your job is your pulpit! How you conduct yourself should reflect what you believe and who you belong to. You may protest that it's difficult to maintain Christian integrity when you have to deal with backstabbing, unfair criticism and the misuse of power. Actually, we Christians are supposed to be at our best under pressure (Isaiah 59:19). God's power is released in our lives by enemy encroachment. Sometimes we just have to get more creative as challenges enlarge or intensify. You may have to step outside of the situation and remind yourself Who put you there. Leave your office, take a break, or simply go to the restroom and talk to God - your real Boss. God is very present in times of trouble, and learning to call on Him instead of falling into the trap of the enemy is what wins spiritual wars!

When adversity and challenges come - as they surely will - remember this, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."

Nov 1

Although it sometimes seems to us
our prayers have not been heard,
God always knows our every need
without a single word.
- Helen Steiner Rice

Your Father knows what you need before you ask Him.
- Matthew 6:8

This is the day to assure yourself
that He hears you when you call.
Ask and listen for His answer.

Today's devotional reminds me of a beautiful testimony I heard some years back. Gonna share it with you and hope it will encourage you.

In late 2002, L and his wife were planning a trip to Hong Kong during the CNY period in 2003. They set their hearts and minds on staying at the Metropole Hotel (guess it's some sentimental reasons). So they went to make early bookings to secure a room in that hotel. But every travel agency that they went to gave them a "sorry, no rooms available" response. They prayed and prayed that God would give them a miracle as they really wanted to stay there. But no, God didn't give them that miracle. Nonetheless, they went ahead with the holiday with much disappointment.

So in Feb 2003, the couple went for their HK trip. Not long after the holiday, media in the region all reported 1 piece of news: SARS! Turned out that the lady who carried the virus, was staying in Metropole Hotel during the same few days that L and his wife were supposed to be there. Had God answered their prayers the way they wanted it to be, they would have stayed in Metropole Hotel and got infected by SARS! It was only then did L realise that the whole time he was asking God why didn't He answer, God already knew what's ahead. It wasn't that God didn't answer his prayers, God just had a better answer.

So the next time you pray and nothing happens, don't question God. God's answers are never wrong. God's plans are never less than perfect. God is never too late, neither is He ever too early.