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Thursday, May 31, 2012

Pass it on

Pass it on

This song used to be a favorite among Christian youth before we have drums and the more sophisticated and expensive musical instruments coming along.

Just a simple guitar and a group of Christians gathered to sing this old time's favorite while lighting up the candle of the person next to you - reminding ourselves that we are to pass on the love of God to others.

On our Friday night service this year, the Chinese church sang this song while passing the candle light to the person next to you, symbolizing our desire to share God's love to others. Unfortunately, most of the congregation did not know how to sing the song.....:(

The Youtube below is a "Karaoke" version of the song.
You can play the video and start sing along with the lyrics. Enjoy!

Pass it on


It only takes a spark, to get a fire going.
And soon all those around, can warm up it it's glowing.
That's how it is with God's love, once you've experienced it,
it's fresh like spring, you want to sing, you want to pass it on.

What a wondrous time is Spring,
When all the trees are budding.
The birds begin to sing, the flowers start their blooming.
That's how it is with God's love, once you've experienced it,
it's fresh like spring, you want to sing, you want to pass it on.

I wish for you my friend,
this happiness that I've found
You can depend on him, It matters not where your bound.  
I'll shout it from the mountain tops, I want the world to know
The Lord of Life has come to me, I want to pass it on.
 

Tuesday, May 29, 2012

Father I place into your hands

Father I Place Into Your Hands

by Jenny Hewer

Father, I place into Your hands, 
The things I cannot do
Father, I place into Your hands, 
The things that I've been through
Father, I place into Your hands, 
The way that I should go
For I know I always can trust You
 
Father, I place into Your hands, 
My friends and family
Father, I place into Your hands, 
The things that trouble me
Father, I place into Your hands, 
The person I would be
For I know I always can trust You

Father, we love to see Your face, 
We love to hear Your voice
Father, we love to sing Your praise, 
And in Your name rejoice
Father, we love to walk with You, 
And in Your presence rest
For we know we always can trust You

Father, I want to be with You, 
And do the things You do
Father, I want to speak the words, 
That You are speaking too
Father, I want to love the ones, 
That You will draw to You
For I know that I am one with You

 

As a student and young Christian in the early 80's, I attended Friday prayer meeting and Wednesday Care Group every week. This song has been a favorite during those times. 

Young people face many issues which most adults think they are childish or so uncalled for. However, those were real struggles young people go through. The church provides the fellowship and support that we require, and most of all, the Father in heaven is the one we can always place all our problems into His hands - because He cares for us. 

Friends, would you place all your problems and struggles into the Father's hands?

Thursday, May 24, 2012

How to Discipline your Child Effectively

I came across this article and thought it was useful tips for parenting. 
As a parent, I realize countless mistakes made in raising up my children. However, My God is faithful and merciful, I am confident that He will continue work in my children's lives until they attain maturity in Christ. 
Enjoy reading it.

Proverbs 22:6 Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it.

How to Discipline your Child Effectively

 

Discipline! Yes or No?
Being a parent, you probably have received thousands of advice from relatives and friends about various ways of disciplining your child. It can be very confusing when these advices are sometimes contradicting with each other. However, deep inside your heart, you know that disciplining a child is one of the most important, yet very difficult, roles of being a parent.
In our desperation of correcting the misbehaviors of a child, we often forget one of the important and impactful objectives of disciplining a child is to teach him or her to be self-disciplined later in life. Effective and positive discipline helps your child grow up to be happy and adjusted well in the environment. It also provides proper guidance for the children that will make them feel safe, secure, and valued.
There are some basic principles in effective child discipline. These principles remain fairly much the same over years. Julia and I learned these principles in one of the child psychology and parenting course when our son Aloysius was just a few months old. That was more than 20 years ago. However, while reading recent researches and studies on child discipline, I noticed that these principles do not change over time. I strongly suggest that parents should arm with these principles and work out the implementation in your own family.
1)   Discipline has to be tailored according to your child’s uniqueness.
Effective discipline has to take into consideration various important factors like a child's age, development and temperament. As parents, we have to understand our goals of disciplining our children are as follows:
  • Protect from danger
  • Assist them acquire the skills of learn self-control and self-discipline
  • Develop a sense of responsibility
2)   Discipline has to instill respect and trust for the parents.

It is going to be the worse nightmare if your child does not respect, but rebel against your parental authority. Usually, this phenomenon does not occur at the first instance of disciplining your child. It is developed over a period of time when your children are disciplined harshly or unfairly. This is especially so when you, in anger and desperation, have been shouting to them or using humiliating words to hurt their feelings. These repeated incidences have created negative impressions that make it difficult if not impossible for your children to respect and trust their parent.
3)   Discipline has to be consistent
Children at all ages, especially when they are less than 10 years old, do not react well when parents discipline them according to their fluctuating emotions and inconsistent standards. In the adult world, we may understand the importance of being flexible in carrying out a task. However, when you discipline your children without consistent standard, it creates great confusions in these children. They do not know what to expect when they do certain things. For example, you told your child that he cannot throw tantrum. One day when you had an argument with your spouse and were in a terrible mood, your child screamed and cried, you disciplined your child harshly. Few days later, when you happily received a big year end bonus from your boss, your child did the same screaming and crying, you just carried him up and offered him a candy without correcting him at all. You can imagine the confusion that went through the young mind.  The inconsistency will also make the children hard to respect the parents. The worse scenario is that the inconsistency in discipline encourages, albeit indirectly, misbehaving and result in frustration for the children.
4)   Discipline must be fair.
Parents have to ensure that your disciplinary action fits the seriousness of the “crime”. In other words, you do not punish too severely or too lax. The children know exactly the consequences of their actions which are directly related to their behavior. This is just an off shoot of being consistent. One of the ways of exercising discipline and discourage bad behavior is to allow your child to make decisions. If you only impose rules and laws in the house without encouraging the child to take initiative in making decisions, the child can be so bound by legalistic environment that his initiative and creativity will be tampered. Make sure that the rules are meant to protect the safety, health and well-being of your child. Within the limits, there should be enough rooms for your child to explore and make right or wrong decisions. Never discipline a child on a mistake made before he or she knew that it was wrong in the first place.
I know this part of discipline can be quite a challenge, so I intend to share with you a step-by-step method and hopefully you can learn the skill.
  • Set clear expectations - All child psychologists concur on this one principle: setting clear expectations regarding what's acceptable behavior and what isn't. This is a key to success in teaching your child right from wrong. If your standards are muddled or the child learns that in one situation the rules hold true yet in another situation the same rule does not, it makes for confusion and frustration on both sides.
  • Learn to communicate effectively with your child according to his level of comprehension. Don’t expect an adult understanding when your child is only 3 years old.
  • Sit down with your child well in advance and line out the expectations and consequences of misbehaving or a misdeed.
  • Make it clear that in no uncertain terms that whether there is any room for negotiation at the time of the infraction. Should such a behavior occur you intend to be firm in your discipline.
  • Enforce strictly on rules regarding your child's safety, health or well-being. There is no room for negotiation in such cases. For example, your child should not play with fire or sharp objects anywhere in the house.
  • Discuss openly and honestly on other rules which do not cause harm and danger to your child and the family. The consequences and negotiation limits should be forged and agreed upon by both parents and child.
  • Make a contract that is fun and visible between parent and child. Lay the rules out in black and white, in language your child can clearly understand. For younger children, you might want to adopt the positive reinforcement principle into the contract. You may want to develop a good behavior chart where a favorite or special activity may be rewarded for each week that goes by without any infractions being noted. Sometimes the reward needs not be in material or monetary terms, you may want to offer a special time with mom and/or dad. This may be the best currency note they would most treasure.
  • Impart understanding to the children that disciplining them is your way of teaching them what's acceptable behavior and what isn't. Initially, it may be painstaking to fight those rules and regulations with your children, but they will slowly appreciate that such parameters are meant for their well-being. The long term effect is to raise a child into a mature person capable of making wise decisions. Isn’t this a dream of every parent?
Praise Your Child
While we know the benefits of child discipline in bringing up a person with noble character, we also would like to encourage positive behavior by spending quality time alone with your child each day. Always give your child hugs, cuddles or a gentle pat on the back. Remember to give praises generously to your child when they deserve these praises. Your relationship with your child should not be only rules and regulations, but you will shower much love, care and comfort upon them. Let’s be right from the start, you discipline the children because you love them.

Walk Your Talk
Just before I go, I cannot emphasize less the importance of “walk your talk”. The most effective way of teaching your child good behavior is that you set a good example yourself. When your child sees you behaving responsibly and appropriately, they will imitate you.

Wednesday, May 23, 2012

For those tears I died

For Those Tears I Died


1) You said you'd come to share all my sorrow,
You said you'd be there for all my tomorrows;
I came so close to sending you away, 
but just like you promised, 
You came here to stay, I just had to pray.


Chorus:
And Jesus said, "Come to the water, stand by my side,
I know you are thirsty, you won't be denied.
I felt every teardrop when in darkness you cried.
And I strove to remind you that for those tears I died."


2)  Your goodness so great, I can't understand.
And dear Lord, I know that all this was planned.
I know You're here now and always will be.
Your love loosed my chain and in You I'm free.
But Jesus why me?

3)  Jesus, I give You my heart and my soul.
I know now without God, I'd never be whole.
Savior, You opened all the right doors,
and I thank you and praise You,
from earth's humble shores.
Take me, I'm Yours.



I remember this song was sung by our dear sister Wong Mei Leng (now Mrs. Sung) in one of our November Missions held in St. Peter Chaplaincy at Oxford Road. It was our annual outreach event to share the gospel with new foreign students first came to Manchester for their tertiary education. Mei Leng has a beautiful voice. As she sang this song after an evangelistic sermon, we saw people responding to the alter call to give their lives to Jesus - they found the Living Water who can satisfy their thirsty souls. Praise God!

I personally think that this song is best sung by a soloist instead of a choir. Well, that is just my personal opinion and taste. In whatever form this song is presented, the impact on the listeners is great. It is our Savior's call for those thirsty and heavy laden to come to Him.

I hope you enjoy this song.

Tuesday, May 22, 2012

The way that He loves

The Way That He Loves

The way that He loves is as fair as the day,
that blesses my way with light.
The way that He loves is as soft as the breeze, caressing the trees at night.
So tender and precious is He,
contented with Jesus I'll be.
The way that He loves is so thrilling because
His love reaches even me.

The way that He loves is as deep as the sea,
His Spirit shall be my stay.
The way that He loves is as pure as a rose,
much sweeter He grows each day.
His peace hovers near like a dove,
I know there's a heaven above.
To Jesus I'll cling, life's a wonderful thing,
because of the way He loves.





This is just another of my favorite Christian song. We used to sing this so often in Manchester Chinese Christian Church, especially during our Friday prayer meeting.
It brings back much sweet memories. We attended prayer meeting and bible study every Friday at 7:30 pm and 8:30 pm respectively. It really helped us to grow spiritually. Missing those students' days when we could have so much time.

Saturday, May 19, 2012

He - An old Christian favorite

He

He can turn the tide and calm the angry sea,
He alone decides who writes a symphony,
He lights every star that makes our darkness bright,
He keeps watch all through each dark and lonely night.
He still finds the time to hear a child's first prayer,
Saints or sinners' call can always find Him there.
Though it makes Him sad to see the way we live,
He'll always say, "I forgive."

He can grant a wish or make a dream comes true,
He can paint the clouds and turn the grey to blue;
He alone knows where to find the rainbow end,
He alone can see what lies beyond the band.
He can touch a tree and turn the leaves to gold,
He knows every lie that you and I have told.
Though it makes Him sad to see the way we live,
He'll always say, "I forgive." 



One of those lovely Christian oldies which I sang during my younger days. It brings back so much of memories when I just became a Christian 30 years ago. 
I love to sing this song when I walked to classes during autumn. When I stepped on those golden falling leaves while singing, "He can touch a tree and turn the leaves to gold", my heart was so at awe that our God is in control of the four seasons.
When you listen to this song, do not rush through. Enjoy both the soothing music as well as those meaningful lyrics, and most of all, giving praises and honors to our God.

Enjoy!




Thursday, May 17, 2012

God's amazing creation in Zhang Jia Jie

A few days away from the normal daily activities, spending a few days in Zhang Jia Jie China was really a great decision. 

Julia and I were in awe of God's amazing creation. In the mountain and rock formations His handy work we see. 

China is a big country. She has a rich 5000 years of culture awaiting us to explore and learn; many scenic places which exhibit different moods and beauty in the four seasons; many minority ethnic groups that show us what a simple and happy life is like.........Of course, if you can understand Chinese language and know a bit of the country's history and culture, it helps to add enjoyment and satisfaction in your visit to this amazing country.

If you love natural scenery and want to plan for the next holiday destination, I would suggest Zhang Jia Jie. One piece of advice though. Do avoid the peak holiday seasons like Chinese national day, new year and Labours' Day. We made this unforgiving mistake to travel near the 1 May holiday period, all the scenic and beautiful visiting spots were crowded with people - in Chinese we call it "people mountain people sea" (人山人海) :)

Before I forget, I would highly recommend you to watch a great production of a beautiful love story - 天门狐仙. The story line has nothing to shout about; it is a story of a beautiful fox falling in love with an ordinary wood cutter. This love relationship is not approved by men as well as the fox clan, finally both of them die in the hands of these two powers. Many years later, their tough love touches the gods in heaven and he allows them to meet on a bridge across a full moon. The production is amazing. The background of the stage is the famous "tian men shan" (天门山), hundreds of dancers and actors/actresses, not to forget the beautiful music and singing that come with the show. Those of you who cannot understand Chinese, not to worry, the Chinese lyrics and their English translations are fully projected on the screens. 

I just would like to provide some information of Zhang Jia Jie here for your reading pleasure.

Introduction

The mist glides across hundreds of towering, sandstone pillars topped by trees before plunging down into the green-swathed ravines below. A verbose description of Zhangjiajie's scenery will never quite do the place justice, perhaps this is why the area is such a popular filming and tourist destination. Lying on the border of Hunan, the main draw is the Wulingyuan Scenic Area, which was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1992 and is made up of the Zhangjiajie National Forest Park, Suoxi Valley, Tianzishan mountain ranges and Baofeng Hu. Avid hikers and nature lovers flock to Zhangjiajie explore the mountains, caves and forests of the area, enjoying one of China's most famed landscapes.

While Zhangjiajie is most known for its unusual sandstone pillars, its caves with their numerous stalactites, underground cataracts and rock formations are also impressive: Huanglongdong and Longwangdong are both worth a visit. The wildlife in the National Forest Park is one of the main draws: giant salamanders, rhesus monkeys and golden pheasants are among the usual suspects you might stumble upon. And if you are not the hiking type, access to many of the mountains and caves has been made easier with paved paths and even a new glass elevator that hoists you smoothly to the top of one of the peaks without you even breaking a sweat. Sixty percent of the city's 1.5 million person strong population are Tujia, Miao and Bai minorities–­giving the area a unique cultural feel.  Take some time to properly explore this unusual place, if for no other reason than to return home with the necessary "China scenic" photos.

Briefed History


Zhangjiajie city was originally named 'Dayong' and has historical records going back as far as 221 BC. The name Zhangjiajie was assigned in 1994 in order to draw attention to the area after being designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1992. The Zhangjiajie region covers an area of 91,563 square kilometers and is made up of two districts: Wulingyuan and Yongding, and two counties, Sangzhi and Cili. The region was at one time heavily under Korean influence, both because of investment and tourism, however, more recently, visitors are flocking in by the thousands from China and other Asian countries. International tourists are still in the minority.

Origin Naming of Zhang Jia Jie

The new name of Zhangjiajie City was adopted in 1994, after the National Forest Park in the Wulingyuan Scenic Area (武陵源) in order to give it more prominence and after this site had been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1992. The National Forest Park had been given the name of Zhangjiajie after the name of a small village located within its bounds, and now a popular tourist attraction within the park. The three-character name (张家界) can be interpreted as follows: "Zhang" (张) is a common surname in China; "jia" (家) can be translated as "family"; and "jie" (界) can be translated as "homeland", giving the completed translation of "Zhang family homeland." It has been reported that at least one tourist guide has said that the name may have been chosen to convey the idea or impression of "Open the family door to welcome the world" (门引进世), but this is not the locally-accepted and directly translated meaning of the name. The official version of its name is linked to a Han general, Zhang Liang, who resettled in the area after a suspicious Liu Bang, the Han emperor, started to persecute his staffs and generals who had contributed to his becoming emperor. It was so named to signify that the Zhang family had set up home there.


Climate

It belongs to the sub-tropical climate of Central Asia. Splendid mountains and luxuriant trees help form a favorable climate: warm in winter and cool in summer. The average temperature is 13C (55F), the highest 17C (62F ) while the lowest is 10C (50F) on average in winter. The charm of the park varies with the alternation of seasons; therefore, it attracts visitors all year round. Besides its pleasant climate, the environment and air quality also provide visitors a chance to breathe healthy air which is believed to be rich in negative oxygen. It is also believed that hypertension patient may have their blood pressure lowered if they stay in the park for a period of time. This is due to the fact that dust particles in the park are 88% lower and the air 10% mistier than outside.


 



Foliage
About 98% of the area is covered with vegetation. There are 720 species of the 102 families, including all the five most important floras, namely, the rose family, pulse family, grass family, composite family and orchid family. Some of these trees are rare and regarded as national treasure. For example, the Dove tree, known as living fossil, can be traced back as early as the Fourth Ice Age. The great variety of plants in the park takes up 82% of all the flora families in Hunan Province.

Animals

Zhangjiajie National Forest Park also boasts a variety of animals. Exuberant forests offer them ideal habitats to live in and procreate their own species. There are more than 149 kinds of chordate animals inhabitants in this park. Among them, 28 kinds are under national protection, amongst which, are the Golden Pheasant, Rhesus Monkey, Giant Salamander and Musk Deer. Visitors will be able to hear birds singing and see monkeys playing in the tree.

Festivals and Events

In the evening of the 25th day of the 6th lunar month the Bai minority peoples celebrate their Torch Festival. When night falls, the Bai will leave their houses, light torches and converge at a central meeting place where they will pray for their safety and health for the year to come. Other interesting festivals occur at different intervals throughout the year, the Tujia ethnic group celebrate the new year three times a year, in June, October and at the regular time as with the rest of China. Sometime at around the middle of February, unwed youths will begin courting rituals involving ear piercing, marriage proposals made by go-betweens and elaborate ceremonies concerned with cooking and furniture making.

Food

Hunan cuisine is known for its spicy flavors. If "stinky tofu" doesn't excite your taste buds, try lamb leg braised in soy sauce, spicy chicken, the salted meat of Tujia, salted fish from Tony Zu and Linwu duck.

The Tujia minority have excellent smoked meat dishes including smoked pork, salted lamb and salted beef. The pumpkin soup is a treat. If you have adventurous tastes, you will enjoy the variety of flavors with everything from pickled vegetables, sour fish and sour corn mash; rice tofu and spicy fish. Most of the restaurants are on Chongwen Lu or Tianmen Lu. The Hongge Restaurant, Philander Sister Restaurant, Red Lotus Tujia Special Flavor Restaurant and Yuanyuan Special Restaurant all serve up good local fare.

Accommodation

Zhangjaijie village is cheaper than staying in the city and is closer to the stuff that you want to see and do anyway—nature, outdoorsy activities. There are some budget places by the bus station, but, although it's not super cheap you won't have difficulty finding accommodations and there are a lot of hotels in the scenic area. Prices go up on weekends. The best place to stay is Minzu Shanzhuang with thatched roofs and Tujia-style wood rooms, some of which have balconies and views (250 RMB). Two other fairly up-market places are Xiangdian Shanzhuang (400 RMB) and Zhanghaijie Binguan (dorms 75 RMB, doubles 250-500 RMB). You might also try to find accommodation in the lesser known Suoxi Valley.
  
Main Scenic Spots
Zhangjiajie National Forest Park is endowed with many scenic spots, such as the Yellow Stone Stronghold (Huangshizhai), Yaozizhai, Yuanjiajie and the Golden Whip Stream.

Yellow Stone Stronghold (Huangshizhai)

Yellow Stone Stronghold (Huangshizhai), Yaozizhai is located west of the park. It is named after a story whereby Huang Shi saved Zhang Liang from misfortune when the latter isolated himself from society in this forest.
Occupying an area of 41 acres and 1,200 meters (0.8 miles) above sea level, this stronghold is the largest observing spot of the forest park. One cannot claim to have visited Zhangjiajie without visiting Yellow Stone Stronghold. The main scenic spots include Tranquil Trail in Fir Woods, Imperial Edict and the Precious Box, Needle Peak, the Southern Gate to Heaven, Five-Finger Peak and so on.

Golden Whip Stream

Sceneries along the Golden Whip Stream are most enchanting in the park. Named after the Golden Whip Rock that it flows by, this stream, 5.7 kilometers long (3.5 miles), joins the Lute stream in the west and Suoxi Stream in the east. A 300-meter (984 feet) walk from the gate of the park will lead you to the entrance of the Golden Whip Stream. Flanked by ridges and peaks, the crystal clear water makes it possible to observe every action of the fish in the water. Wild flowers are in abundance here.
On the way, girls from Tujia will present visitors traditional folk songs when requested. The main scenic spots here include: the Welcoming Guests Rock, Golden Whip Rock, Reunion Rock and the Purple Grass Pond.

Yuanjiajie

The northern part of the park is the essential tourist route. Yuanjiajie is a natural platform that faces giant rocks rising from deep valleys and surrounded by higher mountains. Unique in their shapes and covered with pine trees, these rocks resemble a vivid Chinese painting.
Main scenic spots include: Back Garden, breath taking Mihun Stage and the First Bridge under the Sun.


 

I really enjoyed Zhang Jia Jie - not only its natural scenery, the minority ethnic group and their history and culture has also added some depth to my visit to this amazing place.





 

Monday, May 7, 2012

This is how you write and make your point!

 This is how you write and make your point!
 
The staff has enough daring, enough humor; however, this boss is also funny enough, but also slick enough. 這個員工夠大膽,也夠幽默,然而,這個老闆也夠滑稽,也夠滑頭。
 
This employee writes a letter to her boss requesting a salary raise:
Dear Bo$$
In thi$ life, we all need $ome thing mo$t de$perately. I think you $hould be under$tanding of the need$ of u$ worker$ who have given $o much$upport including $weat and $ervice to your company.
I am $ure you will gue$$ what I mean and re$pond $oon.
Your$ $incerely,
Marian $hih
 
第二天,她收到了老闆的回信:
The next day, she receive a reply from the boss:  
 
Dear Marian
I kNOw you have been working very hard.NOwadays,NOthing much has changed. You must have NOticed that our company is NOt doingNOticeably well as yet.
NOw the newspaper are saying the world`s leading ecoNOmists are NOt sure if the United States may go into aNOther recession. After the NOvember presidential elections things may turn bad.
I have NOthing more to add NOw. You kNOw what I mean.
Yours truly,
Manager
 

Friday, May 4, 2012

Smiling always, and I say again smile.

Wishing all of you a happy day! 
Smile - not only when you are carrying a burden. Smile - it is contagious - we will receive many more smiles coming your way.