Sunday, August 28, 2011
Lite Sour Cream Pound Cake with Pecan Nuts
Saturday, August 27, 2011
Raspberry and Blackberry Tarts
My family had these two tarts for supper tonight. Yum yum :)
Coated the tarts with a layer of melted chocolate, followed by another layer of whipped cream with vanilla beans and some icing sugar.
Bought these fresh Raspberries and Blackberries from the supermarket.
Tuesday, August 23, 2011
Matthew 8,9,10
In Matt 8:2, the leper came to Jesus and said "LORD, if You are willing, You can make me clean." Here we see Jesus demonstrated GOD's power in healing the leper. He also healed the Centurion's servant and Peter's mother-in-law. Why all these healings? In v.17 we read "This was to fulfil what was spoken through Isaiah... He Himself took our infirmities and carried away our diseases." In this context, it is a fulfilment of OT prophecy pointing to the Messiah, the anticipated One whom the Jews are waiting for to rule over Israel II Sam 7:12-13(Ref: Matt 5:17 Jesus came to fulfil the Law, not abolish it.)
2) Authority over nature
This divine action in Matt 8:26-27 is another clue that Jesus is the Messiah, having authority over winds and sea. In Ps 107:6, 23-25 we learnt that in the ancient days, the people cried out to the LORD; those who go down to sea in ships, have seen the works of the LORD... He spoke and raise up a stormy wind which lifted up the waves of the sea. If Jesus has control over the winds and the sea, He is able also to still the storms in our lives.
We were told in Matt 8:28-34 that two extremely violent, demon-possessed men know and acknowledged Jesus as the Son of GOD, His divinity and that it is not time yet for them to be cast into the lake of fire as mentioned in the book of Revelation. It is sad that many who have experienced Jesus and seen His power but still do not know who He is. Forgive us, Jesus, for many a times, taking You for granted. Open our spiritual eyes and heart towards You and Your work so that we may see You in every aspects of life and know that You are GOD.
4) Authority over sins Only GOD can forgive sins. Matt 9: 2 Jesus said to the paralytic "Take courage, son; your sins are forgiven." The religious leader cannot "tahan" Jesus said "this fellow blasphemes" but Jesus, knows their evil thinking and said ".. so that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins" v. 3-6. Here Jesus introduced Himself as "Son of Man", another Messianic title.
We will pause here to look at the different colours of faith and also the costs of following Jesus in these 3 chapters before summing up.
Matt 8:10 - Jesus marveled at the great faith of the Centurion. He compares His own kinsmen with this Roman officer and said He has not found such great faith with anyone in Israel.
Matt 8: 26 - Jesus said to the men who got into the boat with Him "Why are you afraid, you men of little faith." Even with Jesus in the same boat, they were afraid of the storm. How about us, GOD said He is always with us, do not worry, why then, do we still doubt Him at times when we face challenges in life? May we intentionally walk with Jesus daily to know and experience Him in our lives that our faith (trust and dependence) in Him will increase.
Matt 9: 2 - ".... Seeing the faith of the paralytic's friends, Jesus said to the paralytic, "Take courage, son, your sins are forgiven." This is a good lesson for us to preserve in prayer for our unsaved loved ones, friends and people whom the LORD bring to mind.
Costs of following Jesus:
Immediately after Matt 9:38, we see in Matt 10:1 that Jesus summoned His 12 disciples and gave them authority....." I like Jesus' speed at work. He does not need to meet in committees and discuss, then review, then finalize His plans before execution, unlike many church organizations taking years before implementing some plans. Jesus led by example and authorized His disciples; gave them clear instructions, directions and sent them forth. He even warned them of the dangers (persecutions, rejections, etc) they will face but He said "the very hairs of your head are numbered... you are more valuable...do not fear...." V. 30-33 Wow, that's leadership!
Sunday, August 21, 2011
Blessed 49th to my better half
We celebrated Peter's 49th birthday today at Triple Three
The birthday "boy" with his two precious children.
The buffet spread here is quite good and we ate till we were satisfied :)
Naan with mutton curry, asparagus with tepanyaki beef, tempura with wagyu beef.
Eliza posting next to a nice Volkswagen at the hotel's carpark.
Tuesday, August 16, 2011
Matthew 6 n 7
a) V.2 In our giving to the poor, do not do it in order to be honoured by men otherwise you would have sacrificed your eternal reward for the praises of men.
b) V.5 do not pray like the hypocrites, to be seen by men but rather pray to your Father in secret. When we pray, we are not to be like the Gentiles who use meaningless repetition with many words. Instead, Jesus modelled for His disciples the LORD's Prayer, where He started first with worship, showing submission to GOD the Father, then our dependence on Him, followed by confession and forgiveness of sins, asking for deliverance and then end with worship again v.9-13
2) Identify the Challenges
What are the pitfalls and danger zones we have to take note of?
V. 19-20 says do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth but store up for yourselves treasures in heaven. Reason being the wealth, status, power and stuff we accumulate here on earth are temporal. Only the good works done with the right motive, glorifying GOD have eternal values.
V. 21 - "where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." During my youth days, I learnt this song in church and have always been reminded of the words in this song:
It’s there your thoughts
and feelings all begin
But if you never give
your heart to Jesus
You’ll never really have
a part in Him.
Then your heart will be there too
And the things you say and do will show Christ’s love
But if your treasures here on earth
Tell me where your heart will be
You’ll never have a part in things above
And you’re walking in God’s light
Then the watching world will see Christ’s love in you
But if your mind’s set on the earth
And the earthly things you do
In poverty you’ll live your whole life through
V. 22 reminds us to have the right focus in life. What do we see with our eyes - they are the lamp of the body.
V. 24 we are warned that the world and her wealth are competing for our allegiance. We cannot serve 2 masters - which one will you choose?
There are 3 reasons why we should not worry in life (V. 25-32)
a) Life is more than food and clothing
b) You can't add a single hour to life by worrying.
c) Do not be like the Gentiles who eagerly seek these things. Why? Because your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things V. 32 and in V. 8 ".... even before you ask Him." Isn't it comforting and reassuring that we have such a wonderful, caring and thoughtful Father who knows our needs even before we ask of Him? Thank you GOD, with You I shall not be in need.
V. 33 "But seek ye first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you." Prov 3:5-10 tells us to TRUST in GOD, Who gives us our daily bread.
3) Identify the Challengers
Matt 7:15 - Here's another "BEWARE" Of who? False prophets who come to you in sheep's clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. And how do you know if they are real or false? V. 16 n 20 say "You will know them by their fruits."
In V. 1-5 we are taught to judge with discernment from GOD. In Greek "krino" means distinguish and to make a decision. John 7:24 says we are to judge with righteous judgment, in the fear of the LORD. V. 6 sounded weird to us Gentiles but not to the Jews at that time. It means if you use GOD's principles and practice them on the non-believers, then you are like "giving what is holy to dogs and throwing your pearls before swine."
V 7-11 refers to prayer. When we are thirsting and practicing righteousness, seeking first His kingdom, we are driven with an inner desire that manifest into action and direction. Intentionally seeking that relationship with GOD and His righteousness.
V. 12 - Do unto others what you would others do unto you for this was what the Jews were taught in their OT Law and from the prophets.
V. 13-14 talks about the wide gate that is broad that leads to destruction and the narrow gate with the small and narrow way that leads to life, practicing righteousness that surpasses that of the Scribes and Pharisees.
V. 21- 27 warns us that only those who does the will of GOD, who hears His Word and acts on them will enter the kingdom of heaven, but those who practice lawlessness and does not act on what he hears from GOD's Word will not enter the kingdom of heaven.
V. 29 In all of the above, Jesus taught with authority.
Seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness
And all these things shall be added unto you
Allelu, alleluia
That proceeds from the mouth of God
Wednesday, August 10, 2011
Hand knead Bread
It all started with this lump of wet and yucky looking thingy. I was not able to take my own pictures of the kneading method but after kneading it for about 20 minutes, it formed into the dough you see in the next picture.
Yesterday, I baked one recipe of 2 variations; luncheon meat and tuna with onions.
My son took the luncheon meat bun to camp for his breakfast and one of his camp mates had some to try and was impressed. Said it was as good as the ones he bought from the shops ;)
Matthew 5:13-48
Light of the world means be a big beacon of light for Jesus. Don't hide it! "Let your light shine... that they may see your good works and glorify your Father Who is in heaven." I John 1:5-7, Eph 4:6-14 If you are truly transformed and have faith in Jesus, you cannot be living lives in the opposition direction of being a salt and light for GOD.
When I was a in Sunday School, I used to sing this song:
V.38-42 talks about Restitution or Revenge. Jesus is saying, while it is our legal right to be compensated for the wrong doings others have committed against us, we can also exercise forgiveness and give up that right for restitution so that your "righteousness surpass that of the Scribes and Pharisees" v. 20.
Finally, Matt 5: 48 ended with "Therefore you are to be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect." Perfect refers to "Teleios" - complete, mature; wanting nothing necessary to complement. Lev 19:2, Deut 18:13, I Pet 1:13-16.