1.cor.13

sugar is sweet

when we forgive someone,
the knots are untied
and the past is released.

- Reshad Field

grandma

here she is, with:
- 1 daughter
- 5 grandkids
- 1 granddaughter-in-law
- 5 great-grandkids

sibling rivalry

we must have loved this book very much

the transformation

Notice

Dear Sir/Madam, dear Sir/Madam.

Our store will be called 'close' on the following day:
Date: 18th December 2007
Time: 1:00 a.m. to 7:00 a.m.

We will be called 'close' today to perform our monthly change of business from a fast-food outlet into a cleaning store.

Our cleaning stores will have already started at 7:00 a.m..

Thank you very much.

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Team, McD LITRAK LDP

don't drive

he drove today, so i can do all these

the cafe

looks like somebody was here →

not so welcome

the nice effect aside,
what happened here?

not stopping

it just went right by

these days

this is what it looks like
this is what it feels like
this is what it is like
inside and outside

appalling farewell

i guess, this is how it will be
though neither nice nor ideal
don't you get so upset
as nobody is happy about this

i hope you will come around
as things will still be the same here
but probably these two days
will not be enough to work things out

and since i can't tell it to your face
i just would like to say...

all the very best to you

3 rules 1 regulation

this would work much better without the 'allowed's.

and the last one is a little odd. that must be the one regulation.

in times like these

... even His goodness will overflow

knowing i don't want to

what is this that i hear about you?
is it true that you have been plotting this
for your own gain at the expense of
those who were loyal to you?
i may not know the whole story
but i know enough from both ends.
probably you should taste
how is it like to lost one's trust

...in you

may God have mercy on you.
you won't spoil my Christmas.
it's business as usual.

soon it will be

the most wonderful time of the year

for you

blessed birthday, with love

among the rocks

interesting position for a lamp

this is how

you take a photograph
of the camera you are using
to take this photograph

yes, you

your vehicle is long,
and i'm sure you know well
that the road is always crowded.

so, put it properly inside the box.

sunset rays

to see great artwork,
one merely has to look at the skies.

although, things can get unusual
sometimes.

before after

which do you think is which...

seen from here.

esplanade and house revisited

another look at
both esplanade and house

big

these things get really big in and around the jungles.

do take another look.

won't be needing you much longer

1. position camera
2. set to manual focus
3. zoom and focus on target object
4. remove target object
5. set white balance to flash exposure
6. set shutter mode to timer
7. hold coins
8. press shutter
9. wait
10. drop coins
11. shutter opens
(repeat 7-11 as necessary)

just look up

it helps to focus on what is ahead,
though the path is anything but rough.

the rest of the photos here and here.

float like one

no doubt there were bigger ones;
here's one up close.

the rest of the photos here and here.

start all over

i don't know why they decided not to publish their lyrics to this one:

sometimes i wonder how You could ever love us
we're never satisfied no matter what You do
You sent the rain and we complain there's no sunshine
yet every breath we take is all because of You

only heaven knows the pain we put You through
i don't know what You're thinking, Lord
but i know what i would do

i'd start all over on Mars
create a world that is far away from our ungratefulness
if i were the God that You are
i would be tempted to walk away
wash my hands off this crazy mess
make a world that would follow Your heart
i'd start all over on Mars

sometimes i wonder will things get any better
looks like we haven't changed since the dawn of time
You light the way, still we stay in the darkness
and we try to tell ourselves that we will be just fine

only heaven knows the pain we put You through
i don't know what You're thinking, Lord
but i know what i would do

i'd start all over on Mars
create a world that is far away from our ungratefulness
if i were the God that You are
i would be tempted to walk away
wash my hands off this crazy mess
make a world that would follow Your heart
i'd start all over on Mars

Lord i'm sure that You know
where this crazy world is heading
and i'm sure You know just what the future holds
don't give up on us, Lord
even though we don't deserve it
it's good to know that You're in control

if i were the God that You are
i would be tempted to walk away
wash my hands off this crazy mess
make a world that would follow Your heart
i'd start all over on Mars

through

however dark it may seem
nothing can stop His love
from breaking through

end of day

rest now, a new day is coming.

of belief and faith

i thought i was going to miss this lesson, but i'm glad i could join them.

this time, it's about I Believe in God the Father Almighty. we had some fun with the Latin version of the Apostles' Creed. what's next, German?

thoughts:

i put my faith in the fact that there is only one God. i believe He should be in control of everything. i believe i should not try to manipulate or control Him. He is the reason why i live.

so since God is in control, all the more i should depend completely on Him.

Christianity is the only faith where we relate to God as our Father. many who study the Bible notice the stark contrast between how God relates to the people before and after Jesus.

for me, that's on the surface level. i do not see any differences at all. God is as loving as a Father before, during and after Jesus walked on earth. probably takes the Holy Spirit to help one see that.

there was a person argued that God is not almighty. his query was 'can God lie?'

probably that caught many people off-guard, but God is almighty from the perspective that He cannot fail. we fail. He cannot fail.

thus, my thoughts on the study. i'll miss the Maker of Heaven and Earth.

first thing

every morning when I rise
help me to prioritize
all the thoughts that fill my day

before the snooze alarm
reminds me that it's morning
before the dreams have left my head

before the curtains part
before my day is starting
before I make up the bed

before my feet hit the floor
before I fill my cup
before I start my day

before my schedule
tells me that my day is full
before I'm off and on my way

i want to praise You
i need to praise You
let the first words that I say
be thanks and praises
to my God and King

(also) start of something new

K is embarking on an additional bible study (as if we have not got enough from the weekly discussions).

and i have verified that i have been tagged. also because i was one of the few who didn't say much during the discussion, here are my thoughts on the Apostles' Creed.

one:

as it was written so long ago, there are those who would dismiss it as ancient and irrelevant. no - like the Bible, it is timeless and is applicable to every area of our lives, yesterday, today and tomorrow.


two:

i grew up in a presbyterian church that does not follow the traditional liturgy (stand up, read a verse, sing a song, sit down, recite Apostle's Creed, etc..). occasionally i did visit churches that follow these, but it never hit home. i must have come a long way since then - at least on the Apostle's Creed.

that is because when i saw and recited the creed for the first time (can't remember when was that), it confirmed everything i have been taught all these years about the basics of Christianity. i truly appreciate it. i might not have felt that way if i had recited the creed every week.


three:

who wrote it didn't really bother me. as long as it is taken out of the scriptures, it can't be wrong. if one lives on the belief of 'no creed but Christ', it is as good as believing in the creed already. in fact, that is better as the creed itself is only an overview, while the Bible contains the details.


those are my thoughts.

and i don't think i have anyone else to tag. so please leave your thoughts here or here.

thank you. and thank You.

yeah, you go!

and this time, there is a group of us behind you.

apple

no matter who you are
you will always be
the apple of someone's eye

cast & crew

christmas is coming. and it's never too early to prepare.

here's my second attempt at cloning.

big blue sky

Lord, the sky's still blue
for my hope is in You
You're my joy and
the dream that's still alive
like the wind at my back
and the sun on my face
You are life, You're grace
You are blue skies
You're my blue skies

behind the clouds
the sun is shining
believe me even though
you can't quite make it out
you may not see the silver lining
but there's a big blue sky
waiting right behind the clouds

lunar light

taking a peek at the full moon
through the trees

hello Tobey

vlog post #100, for Tobey Tan.

here is the little guy, 14 days old.

moved

it can be agreed that
the scenic bridge was scrapped
and built here instead.

one to seven

the original photograph of the models,
by Sharon Chu.
the silhouette effect is
specifically requested by the artist.

the background is erased.
the image is darkened,
and the edges blurred slightly.

a beach photograph
with one set of footprints
(the other set was erased)
is put into position.

more colour saturation
for the warm evening sunset effect.

the sun and sea backdrop
is positioned relative to the models.

sun rays are added
for that sun ray effect.

finally, the shadows are given
to the models.

breather

i wonder where it leads to.

taking the chance walking down the road will make all the difference.

lamp

a lamp among the bushes.

a pleasant sight for a walk in the night.

incubator

1. sit up straight chair
2. personal trash can
3. big table
4. nice table
5. more leg space

not in picture:
6. window with cozy view
7. backyard with landscaping

not too far away

she is not spared from me with a camera, even though she is half a world away.

remind me again

this day, i am reminded again of what the kingdom of heaven is like.

because of you

you need to know
that what you did
only reflects your selfishness
and your indifference

trust is lost
someone is in tears
and at the same time
others are disappointed

don't add to the sorrows
there's more than enough
and more than what we need
in this world

one rare d.r.h.

i wonder... why do i like things that are so difficult to come by?

thank you, the smile said it all.