Thursday, October 9, 2008

Passion for Nice Food

I like to eat. Tonight I happened to find a great fusion restaurant in Auchenflower. The name is Hanabi, and you can find it at 28 Grimes St, Auchenflower. I tried the Blue Soft Shell Crab, which was very well presented and delicious. The Apple Custard Rolls and Double Choc Beano with Mochi has the best choc topping on it. Other recommended items: Sushi Seafood Garden, Salamon Island, Seared Miso Scallops, and Fireworks Salad with Eel. I think it's worth going there with friends (or a special someone), because the atmosphere and presentation is very interesting. I would highly recommend this place to anyone who is looking for something special for dinner.

Wednesday, December 26, 2007

Boxing Day

Some people still think that boxing day is a day to celebrate a sport called 'boxing' where they put 2 fighters in a box. The aim of the game is to punch each other's head so badly until they see spinning boxes. These fighters are called boxers, and since they only wear shorts during the game, their shorts are called boxer shorts. The Germans went overboard when they invented a new breed of short dogs and called it 'boxer'.

Boxing is more often associated with kangaroos, because some people think that kangaroos are good at boxing. I'm not sure whether it's a myth, but I know that they are often wrapped in a box, marinated, and ready to cook.

Maybe boxing day should be called 'unboxing' day, cos I think it's also the day when kids are supposed to open their presents. But kids don't follow rules, so parents have to take their kids shopping on boxing day so that they can buy another boxed present to open. Actually, that's mums' excuse because mums love to go shopping and will say anything to go on a mission with dads' credit card.

Or maybe that's the day when baby Jesus started sleeping in his very own box. Probably modified from a wooden milk crate that Joseph found in his relative's house. This is only a speculation, so christian mums please don't put your babies in milk crates so that they can be more like Jesus.

Tuesday, December 25, 2007

Christmastime

Why do we say Happy Birthday, Happy Easter, Happy New Year, and even Happy Chinese New Year, but Merry Christmas? Anyway, Happy Christmas!

I spent Christmas Eve with my extended family at Mersilau, on the way to Mount Kinabalu. It was a great time, a few hours of scenic drive with many stopovers to eat and check out some hotels. The hostel that we stayed in has changed a lot, now there's a golf course and the road is much better.

Apart from the usual family politics, I actually enjoyed the trip, expecially with my cousins. Just before I left, I received a notice that a parcel is waiting for me at the post office. I wonder who sent me my only christmas present this year :)

Just like every holiday, it's not complete without yummy feast. Yesterday we had BBQ. It was not exactly delicious, but the roasting made it memorable. The fat portions belong to God, and the rest belong to me. Not everything was fully cooked, but I enjoyed my fair share of corn and sweet potato :)

The best surprise comes as part of the christmas package. Somehow there's more friends who signed up with facebook, and I'm glad to hear from some long-lost friends :) Must be the holiday effect. Thanks to everyone who sent me encouraging messages too!

Tuesday, November 27, 2007

Shoe Polish

The other day I was polishing my shoes with australian bee wax. Then the Holy Spirit impressed upon my heart that applying God's word is like shoe polish. Without shoe polish, the shoes will wear out faster. Shoe polish protects the shoes from the sun, dust, and water. Similarly, we are just filthy and evil without God's word (James 1:21).

But when we humbly accept God's word, we are saved. God's word not only cleans us from filth and protects us from evil, but also makes us shine. It's not enough to have the word of God though. James 1:22 says that we have to apply it, like a shoe polish.

If you have polished shoes before, you'll know that it's not enough to put the polish on the shoe. You have to rub it diligently until the shoe shines. Similarly, it's not enough to read the bible, but we benefit most when we do what it says. This is especially true for me, cos I tend to forget, and I need to revise and practice many times until I get it.

Tuesday, November 20, 2007

How much is enough?

How much do you need now? A bachelor living with parents may say $1000 per month, but a father of 4 teenagers (6 cars, 2 wives, and 3 crocodiles) may say that he needs to spend $80,000 per month.

How much do you think you'll need in the future? If Jesus doesn't come back in my generation, I may have another 70 years to live. Then again, I may not be living alone. I may have to feed 1,000 orphans, 5,000 drug addicts, or maybe just one or two dogs. And a wife, because wives tend to outlive their husbands by 8 years (I wonder why).

When you take up insurance, forget about investment-linked insurance, because after 50 years, you probably have nothing left. Go figure. If you plan to insure yourself, consider how much you (and your family) need in the future, and how much you can spend on the premium in the next few years. Take into account the inflation rate and rising costs of medical services. Then settle with what you can afford.

If you consider investments, try not to use it unless if necessary. Otherwise your investment will be like a runner running with an open parachute.

Compound interest is the most powerful tool in history. $100,000 becomes $1,000,000+ in 25 years at 10% interest. And it becomes $1,500,000+ 4 years later. Consider what will happen if you add $10,000 annually.

Enough is never enough. With so much temptations in the world, God had to remind us that Thou shalth not covet thy neighbours' 4 wives, Taylor guitars, BMWs, plasma TVs and diamond noserings (Exo 20:17). Doesn't mean that you can't have more than your neighbours though :P

It's not good to work for more than enough. Too much honey is not good for you (Pro 25:27). It's ok to earn supernormal salary, but don't forget your health, and other things that matter in life. So set a realistic goal for your life, and don't forget to enjoy it.

Be content with what you have in every situation (Phil 4:11-13). True contentment is irrelevant of wealth (Ecc5:10-11), but is found in relationship with God.

Monday, November 19, 2007

Beowulf

I watched Beowulf on Saturday night. It's an ethical movie about sin that so easily entangles in our lives (Heb 12:1). Be careful, because even kings and heroes fall for it. All the time.

I was somewhat intrigued because some of them mentioned Jesus Christ as a solution. But it's not enough to know about the Way. Acts 24:22-27 told us about a person who knew the Way, but was not willing to confront some personal issues, or simply loved the way of the world. True repentance is difficult because we have to deal with pride, greed and lust.

When you are drowning in sin, you have to stop struggling, then God can save you.
13 When tempted, no one should say, "God is tempting me." For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; 14 but each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed. 15 Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death. (James 1:13-15)

Tuesday, November 13, 2007

Little Mouse Story

Just imagine.. you are in a dark room, and when you turn on the torchlight, you happen to shine it at a little mouse, and you see a huge shadow of the mouse on the wall. But when you switch on the ceiling light, you don't see the huge shadow anymore, you only find a little mouse ready to be pounced.. or maybe not, by then the mouse would have escaped already.

so what's the moral of the story? guess what, different light perspectives give us different ways of reacting to the mouse. The intimidating shadow turns into a vulnerable little mouse. Romans 12:2 reasons that we must renew our minds, then we can test God's reality. We have to take the step of faith, then we can discover more about God.

Sometimes we look at issues like ice in a glass of water, thinking that it will melt soon. But it may turn out to be the tip of an iceberg, able to sink even the mightiest battleship! be careful about the little sins in your life. and be extra careful about what's going on around you.