Prayer for a sick friend

is something I stumbled upon as I thought about a colleague who was recently diagnosed with breast cancer and undergoing radiotherapy right now for the next 4 weeks.

"And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise him up. If he has sinned, he will be forgiven. Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective."
James 5:15-16 (NIV)

“And their prayer offered in faith will heal the sick, and the Lord will make them well. And anyone who has committed sins will be forgiven. Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and wonderful results.”
James 5:15-16 (NLT)

Dear Lord,
You know my friend/family member so much better than I do. You know his/her sickness and the burden he carries. You also know his heart. Lord, I ask you to be with my friend now, working in his life. Let your will be done in my friend's life. If there is a sin that needs to be confessed and forgiven, Lord, please help him to see his need and confess. Lord, I pray for my friend because your Word says I should pray for his healing. I believe you hear this earnest prayer from my heart and that it is powerful because of your promise. I have faith in you to heal my friend, but I also trust in the plan you have for his life. Lord, I don't always understand your ways, and why my friend has to suffer, but I trust you. I ask that you look with mercy and grace toward my friend. Nourish his spirit and soul in this time of suffering and comfort him with your presence. Let my friend know you are there with him through this difficulty. And may you be glorified in his life and also in mine.
Amen

(Ref: http://christianity.about.com/od/prayersforspecificneeds/a/sickfriendfamil.htm)

So much to think about when sickness happens to a friend/relative just beside you or on oneself. Much much to think.

Relationships at work

should it be really separate from personal relationships? It's all about human relationships and how we relate with each other whether it be work or personal stuff, right?

If only people could give each other benefit of the doubt
If only people could just give a listening ear to the other person
If only people could gossip less and find out from the source and keep confidentiality
If only people didn't become mini-gods of their own lives
If only people didn't keep thinking about themselves and think everyone's out to harm them
If only people could turn and repent before God whom they have pushed away, ignored, pretend he isn't there

God our Creator will still be God the Creator of all, whether he's recognised or not! Amazing as that is, only one thing for us to do...pursue what is the truth about our world and conclude that only the Lord is the true and living God.

Angel Hair with Spicy Shrimp

is what I decided to experiment just because I read from a blogger about Real Simple website. If a blogger parent (a male) with a young baby can whip up something quick and easy using Real Simple recipe, then it should be something to look into. =)

So, I got excited, spotting a recipe using Angel Hair pasta which I had some remnants and needed to finish. And looking at how easy the recipe was, I went ahead and bought the ingredients I didn't have. Changed recipe abit, as I didn't know some of the stuff it had. Have never really cooked a pasta dish which I was satisfied with, but I think this may be another full proof dish like my tiramisu! woo-hoo!

Only questions left in my mind were...
"are shrimps the same as prawns?"
"is red pepper the same as red capsicum?"
"why did adding butter make the restaurant pasta taste achievable?"
"should cooking white wine be totally void of alcohol? or should some alcohol remain?"
"will cooking on skillet and a pot achieve different result?"
"is kosher salt the same as just normal salt?"
Ok, need to google for answers.

Serves 4 Hands-On Time: 15m Total Time: 15m

Ingredients

• 3/4 pound angel hair pasta
  
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 2 cloves garlic, chopped
• 1 packet frozen peeled prawn, thawed
• 3/4 cup dry white wine
• 1/4 teaspoon diced red pepper
• salt
• 2 tablespoons butter

Directions

1. Cook the pasta according to the package directions. Drain the pasta and return it to the pot.
2. Meanwhile, heat the oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the garlic and cook, stirring, for 1 minute (do not let it brown). Add the prawn, wine, red pepper, and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Simmer until the prawns are opaque, 2 to 3 minutes. Stir in the butter until melted.
3. Toss the pasta with the prawn mixture.

Time to get friends over to try...

4 days with Sam

was interesting. First-time dog sitting Samantha, a Jack Russell. Quite amazing that this dog knows how to pee in pee pad and not anywhere else, she's always wagging her tail being so excited, always hungry and gives me a puppy dog look if I ate anything or if I brought home groceries. haha! It's nice having a dog in the house.

I think I conclude, it's easier to babysit than dog-sit. haha! Just partly cos I'm not experienced in dog-sitting. So much to learn, how to discipline, how much strength to use to restrain the dog from doing silly things like just sitting on the road, how much play time to give, what if I miss 1 of the 2 daily walks will it have adverse effects on it, etc.

"Does God hate Haiti?"

is an article written by Albert Mohler which is worth reading since questions like the following would be in people's minds...
"Did God make this happen?"
"Why is God so cruel?"
"Life is short, so let's just eat, drink and be merry, right?"

"The leader has the answers"

is what I keep hearing and wonder is it because the person didn't take time to find the answer themselves or they think a human leader is infallible? I'll want to immediately ask the person why he/she thinks the leader has the answers and that they wouldn't be able to provide one if they searched for it themselves? And with the answer they found, they could then discuss with the leader at the same level and be sharpened as a result? At least you know the leader isn't leading you blindly or "smoking" you.

That is, if we take the basis that we're to discern what we're taught and not blindly follow, even if the leader is sincerely teaching for our own good.

If the basis is that the leader has the answers and the only one who has the answers, then it might all fall apart when the flaws of the leader's character is one day revealed. It would be really painful and disastrous for one.

Hope that all friends will consider for themselves how we sometimes place a human leader on a pedestal and we don't want to use our brains because it's the easy way out? I urge you all to know what you believe and hold on to, and to have healthy discussions where we listen to one another, and agree to disagree, whether on the same beliefs or different.

Reminds me of Jay Smith and how he has debates with his muslim friends in Hyde Park and after the debate, they will still be friends and have a drink together at nearby KFC. It's not for the sake of arguing over words, but a strong concern for each other and to ask the difficult questions which a friend you dearly love should consider, and leave it as it is. For us, christians, we'll keep our friends in prayer after that.

Fried olive rice

I love and so quick and easy to put together. Got it from eatzybitzy, where recipes are easy.

See pic of my final product. Yums!

Mince meat, Garlic, Olive vegetables and maybe peanuts as garnish.

Babysitting for friends

was triggered when a friend asked if I could help her with her kid in 2001. And she said she just needs someone in the house so when there's fire, just grab kid and run. She also said she'll write out instructions of what to do if kid cries or anything, which helped my logical mind to be able to cope with any situation thrown at me.

From then onwards, another friend could have heard from this friend and all of them/mums had a pool of resource/help when babysitting need arose.

That's how it all started.

It has been a most helpful learning and journeying with friends who became mums and struggling along each step and also sharing the moments of joy in their lives. Had they not included me in their lives and trusted the Lord with their kid's lives in the hands other than their own, things would have been different. I might not have known their struggles, they would be struggling quite abit by themselves, no dates with husbands, I wouldn't know I could calm a child who got injured by giving water to the child to manage the pain, etc.

Thank you Lord for friends who trust you, share their struggles of motherhood, and know that their children are in their temporal care for now but ultimately belong to you in the end.

Richard Baxter

is an amazing man and the work the Lord had done in him - wow! Truly thank the Lord for what he's done in Richard's life such that today, I'm able to read his writing and be spurred on!

Anyone who's teaching the bible, especially pastoring, taking care of God's people should read what he wrote. Aiya! Think all God's people should have a read of his book actually cos gives lots to think about God's church and its leaders - now but not yet, saying no to ungodliness, etc.

Wow! There's even a free audio download of his book!

I'm surprise after not reading for so long that old english written by Richard Baxter was drawing me to keep reading. Can't wait to finish it and re-read it again. Abit like chasing after those Korean/Jap/Taiwan dramas. Haha! But of cos Richard Baxter's book spurs one onto thinking things of heaven, longing for Christ's return.

Too much cornflakes

and what do you do with it? You use the recipe on the cornflake box and use up 2 cups of cornflakes to make cookies =) I gave it a try but changed milk choc to 70% dark choc which I love. Not too bad, though it made me guilt-laden for eating each one, but happy at the taste as I consume it. haha!

Time to distribute it to friends to share the fat =)

Ingredients:
- 150g butter/margarine
- 1 cup castor sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla essence
- 2 eggs
- 2 cups self raising flour
- 1/2 cup dark chocolate bits
- 1/2 cup sultanas
- 4 cups cornflakes

Method:
- Pre-heat oven to 180deg.
- Cream butter and sugar together until light and fluffy.
- Add vanilla essence then add eggs one at a time beating well.
- Fold in flour, choc bits, sultanas and 2 cups of cornflakes.
- Shape level tablespoons of mixture into balls. Roll balls in remaining cornflakes.
- Place onto lined tray and press down with a fork.
- Bake for 12-15mins or golden brown.
- Cool on racks and store in airtight container for up to 10days.