Adventure in December

We had a whale of a time white water rafting last December (21 Dec 09) at Sungei Kampar in Perak (West Malaysia). I never knew they had river rapids. Anyway, it was a "first time" for both Melissa and I and we thoroughly enjoyed the experience!

Unfortunately, Miranda couldn't join in as they had a minimum age limit of 9 years. By and large it was safe as long as one followed the rules - otherwise you may be thrown into the river when it goes over a boulder!

It is also a marvel of nature - river, rock, jungle, mountain scenery, reminding us of the world God had created. Ascribe greatness to our Almighty God!

God is the centre from which we should take our bearings in life

Life after Jul has not been easy. It's tough juggling work and parenting duties. The spirit is willing but oftentimes the body is weak. But I thank God for His goodness and mercy which remain new every day.

Perhaps it is a reminder to me that it is not by my own strength and efforts that I can make it. It is God who sustains and "holds the centre" when everything seems to be out of control. We need to remember afresh each day that God not only "holds the centre" but He is, in fact, the centre and only if we take life from His perspective then we can be at peace.

Nothing is more important than walking close to Him each day and submitting to His will for our lives. Man's applause pales into insignificance in the light of God's commendation.

Nine Months Has Passed

Nine months past. Still counting because the memories remain fresh... Thank God for the words of a song by Chris McClarney & Anthony Skinner, "Your Love Never Fails".

They are a great reminder to me of God's love and faithfulness which sustains me day by day. For sure, pain and heartaches remain together with the onslaught of unhappy thoughts raging in my mind daily but the thought of God's promise of joy, love and mercy in the morning keeps me going on for His sake. Eventually all pain and suffering will give way to everlasting peace and joy in the Lord.

Your Love Never Fails
Author: Chris McClarney & Anthony Skinner

Nothing can separate
Even if I ran away
Your love never fails
I know I still make mistakes
But You have new mercy for me everyday
Cause Your Love Never fails

You stay the same through the ages
Your love never changes
There may be pain in the night
But joy comes with the morning
When the oceans rage
I don’t have to be afraid
Because I know that You love me
And Your love never fails

The chasm was far too wide
I never thought I'd reach the other side
But Your love never fails
The wind is strong and the water’s deep
But I’m not alone here in these open seas
Cause Your love never fails

Eight Months Past & Still Feeling the Loss...

Sometimes I feel that the clock is like fan moving at breakneck speed. It's now 8 months since Juliana somewhat sudden home going. It still feels like we were talking yesterday but she is no longer around... the familiar voice, the physical presence... the moments of sharing...

I have fond memories mixed with times that I recall that fateful final week spent in ICU... the lapsing into a coma and the drifting away... the final hour of departure... it was all too quick to say a goodbye. I will probably keep counting the days and months, perhaps, years. My biggest comfort is that the 3 of us were with her in those final moments and also, one day, we'll all meet again - a day where tears will be no more and there will be great joy in the presence of our Almighty God.

And Lord haste the day when faith shall be sight,
The clouds be rolled back as a scroll.
The trump shall resound, and the Lord shall descend,
Even so, it is well with my soul.

It is well with my soul, it is well, it is well with my soul!

In You alone, I find all that I need

Today marks the 7th month since Juliana was taken home to be with the Lord.

Time and again it is God who has held on to me, helping me to focussed on eternity's perspective. While I still have many "whys" each day, it is only in God that I can keep on keeping on. Steve Green's rendition of "In You alone" rings often in my mind and the lyrics provided much assurance!

In You Alone

When I am weak, You carry every burden
When I'm alone, You're just a breath away
When I am restless, You're the one who stills me
And where I fail, You always stay the same

In You alone, I'm lifted up to heaven
In You alone, I soar on borrowed wings
When I reach the end, You are just beginning
In You alone, I find all that I need

When I am lost, You rescue me from danger
And when I fall, You pick me up again
When I resist, You love past my defenses
And though I stray, You're patient to the end


Words by Steve Green
Music by Bernie Herms

© 2005 Birdwing Music (admin. by EMI CMG Publishing) / Steve Green Music
(admin. by EMI CMG Publishing) / Banahama Tunes (admin. by The Loving Company) / ASCAP

Sorrow Mixed with Light

Steve Green has always been one of my favourite singers and his album, "Somewhere in Between" has be poignantly relevant, ministering to me in my darkest days.

Let me share one of the lyrics of a song in this album here, the words of which I would fully echo:

Sorrow Mixed With Light

How beautiful and frail
Are all the days we share
How fragile is this breath of life
Like mist on the field
Will vanish in the wind
All we've come to know
Fades before our eyes

And what tomorrow brings
Who of us can say
Beyond this sorrow mixed with light
For somewhere in between
The beauty and the tears
This is where we live our lives

My eyes look to You.
You're the hope of my days
My eyes look to You as I cry out Your name
And I wait for all things to be remade

Not every earthly tear
That falls is wiped away
For some are like refining fire
That turn my heart to You, my one desire

Six months has passed...

Today marks 6 months since Juliana was promoted to glory with the Lord. How time flies! The continual flashes of memory of that eventful final week of her earthly life now and then reminds me dearly of the pain and suffering she went through. The moments spent in hospital by her side... Her quiet endurance of pain and discomfort... Even that final hour and the final breath... All these remain firmly etched in my mind. Absence does makes the heart grow fonder. I'm looking forward to the day when the heartaches and sorrow will give way to immeasurable joy as we meet again in God's presence.

Till then, I want to continue to trust God for daily strength, wisdom and sustenance to run and complete my "race".

Lord, help me to finish well and to do what you will bid me do for this time and in this life!