Holly Jolly Chicken

The most beautiful time of the year is coming soon, which means it is time to think about the festive meal 😅.

And, it's another festive season that will bring us back in the kitchen! 😋.. So, let the aromas of ginger and spices fill your kitchen as you explore these delicious recipes ideal for the holiday season.

Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me. - Revelation 3:20

Well, sharing is caring! 😍. Hence, I would like to take the time to "thank you" to the person who kindly share the mouth-watering and delightful recipes. So, all credits go to the person and videos!

Juicy Baked Chicken

Chicken Flavour

Chicken, kitchen!

Chicken flavour;

At the kitchen,

Preparing your food,

With the muse of the ingredients.

Food,

Work,

To prepare your food at the kitchen;

And, with the aroma of the spices around.

Kitchen, chicken!

Chicken flavour;

With the aroma of the atmosphere in your kitchen.

Edward Kofi Louis

* * * * *

Juicy Chicken Breast

Ode To A Chicken Meal

Don't give a licken

to your chicken

unless you are in the kitchen.

White or dark meat

cooked brown tender and neat

enjoy this delicious fowl

it shouldn't do no harm to your bowels.

Quinn Graw

* * * * *

Juicy Chicken Legs

Recipe Saver

I clip them from the magazine

And from newspapers too,

I gather them from neighbors, friends...

And this is nothing new.

I take them down from radio

And file them all away,

From TV cooking schools I find

New dishes day by day.

What fancy menus do I plan

From all the recipes;

O I'll bake this and I'll cook that...

The family will I please.

And yet somehow I find myself

Repeating, so it seems,

The same old meals I've done for years...

The rest are in my dreams.

Hilda Butler Farr

* * * * *

Anyway, I want to share not only tasty chickens but also this marvellous and appetizing juicy meat! 😋. I think, it will serve as a perfect meal to enjoy during the festive season.

Juicy Stuffed Pork Loin

The Recipe

The recipe is simple;

ask and you'll receive.

The ingredients are easy;

there's not much that you need.

The prep work has been finished,

many years ago.

God gave His only Son;

so He could save your soul.

A humble heart is needed,

to repent of all your sins.

Then ask for His forgiveness

and invite His Spirit in.

The recipe is simple;

its harvest everlasting.

Share it with your loved ones

and help God save the masses.

Haley Littlepage

* * * * *

So, I hope these recipes and videos will inspire creativity in your cooking for the holiday season!

However, when you aware that festive season is not just about celebration, I think the real "recipe" for the holiday season that we really need is the Creator as well as the Savior 🙏..

Nevertheless, I wish you a very happy holiday filled with love and laughter! 💗.

Silent Night

So again, I find myself in the midst of another joyous, crazy, busy, noisy festive season 😅..

Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth! - Psalm 46:10

But, tonight I feel more calm and relaxed while I'm walking along this pretty little street by myself and enjoying every details especially those beautiful shining and radiance of the gorgeous colours and exquisite lighting decorations 😍.

For God alone, O my soul, wait in silence, for my hope is from him. - Psalm 62:5

It's not that I've never been in a quiet and tranquil or serene atmosphere before, but the surroundings are really put me at ease!..

So I think, as well as being able to walk alone at night like this and to see those pretty lightings are exceptional, magical..😃, along with a silent and still moment... Because, while all the hustle and bustle of our daily lives multiply at increasing speeds, I really look for ways to enjoy the "silent" moments.

And again, we are living in a loud, crazy world with thousands of advertising messages constantly hitting every communication tool that we own. So, during the festive season, we either jump on a freeway of activity or to make a choice to embrace the meaning of "silent night".

It is good that a man should both hope and quietly wait for the salvation of the Lord. - Lamentations 3:26

I'm thinking that being able to take a deep breathe and slowly letting out the havoc which allows us to again regain perceptive, therefore I highlighted "silent night" as that is my wish for you this season 😊. Give yourself the gift of peace and quiet of the silent night. No tasks, no to do items, no one other than yourself. Nothing to buy, nothing to wrap, nothing to mail..😅.

"But the Lord is in His holy temple. Let all the earth keep silence before Him." - Habakkuk 2:20

Walking in a silent night such as like this... A night filled with stunning lightings where I can enjoy peace, joy and give myself the gift of time alone with quiet. All that other stuff is just stuff and, to do items are not really important as for now 😬... A one moment that I dare to turn off the phone and actually be with just myself in calm and peace. And, to give myself the best gift I will ever receive, personal peace and the opportunity to enjoy the life I have built. No pressures and nothing to do. In the end, it will all get done or it won't. The goal is to enjoy the season!

Anyway, I think it's all about to preparing our hearts to receive the greatest message of our time. Throughout the world, Christmas will be celebrated in many ways because a message of love and forgiveness was shared one "silent night" over 2000 years ago. God was confident enough that a message delivered in a humble and quiet beginning would capture the hearts of those who seeking to understand the mystery.

Be silent, O all flesh, before the Lord: for he is raised up out of his holy habitation. - Zechariah 2:13

Actually, I come across to this sincere and meaningful lyrics of a song... And, it hit me when it says...

"I need a silent night, a holy night

To hear an angel voice through the chaos and the noise

I need a midnight clear, a little peace right here

To end this crazy day with a silent night"

Well, that's deep! And, I'm hoping that it brings the real "message" that we all truly needed at this very moment of time 🙏.

Thus, I dedicate this song to anyone who may be contemplating that one "silent night" in this season 💗.

"I need a silent night" - Amy Grant 🎧

Coffee In The Morning

The monsoon season is a shift in winds that often causes a lot of very heavy rain together with dark clouds ⛈ ☔.. So, it's a monsoon season again! 😅.

So, I'm not surprise where I tend to see dark clouds in the sky almost every morning during this season.. Anyway, the view is still pretty though 😍.

However, despite of all the clouds that you see above, I think, I'm still going to enjoy my morning breakfast with a cup of good coffee! 😊..

I know that there are a lot of coffee stories from the people who enjoy a cup of coffee in the morning. Hence, it's all about morning coffee...😁. The world is full of stories about coffee indeed!

And I think, people will usually tell about something that they can do alongside their coffees. But anyhow, I have a different thought for thinking that no matter how you are going to spend your day, it's always begin with a cup of good coffee in the morning ☕.

What I'm saying is that there's this special and different idea about starting your morning with coffee before you continue with the rest of the day.

So, currently it's kind of interesting and "funny" each time 😆, when I tend to receive an image of a cup of coffee together with simple and wise words from my status or update in the social media platform from the people I know at almost every morning. They are the people who like to greet everybody first in the morning and, the greeting even appears frequently in my status that eventually, it happens to be telling me more about "why coffee in the morning?" 😅.

So anyway,.. Well, morning coffee ☕..., is the very words that can bring on a multitude of feelings. Feeling of bliss, relief, gratitude... It's the feeling that no matter what else is wrong in your world, you still can handle it as long as you've got your morning coffee.

You know it's something like regardless of the dark clouds in the sky, you still can see the bright sunlight in the morning is peeking through the dark clouds. To me, it literally tells me that no matter how life gets hard and you can't control everything, sometimes you just need to relax and have faith that all things will work out. So, let go a little and just let life happen... And then, I remember that's how this little coffee thing comes in to where it brings the feeling of relief, solace, calmness, comfort..., in between.

Or, perhaps other people like to have coffee as it gives them the boost they need for starting the day 😎.

It's something like, your energy level immediately jumps up and you instantly feel it because your concentration becomes sharper. It gives you a boost to do your work or job, to write your stories, to be more productive or, to just do nothing but simply enjoy having breakfast in the morning.

Anyway, we always start our days in the morning before we get to spend the entire day. So, having coffee in the morning, it's like something that somehow it tells you about things that we need to prepare ourselves to start the day.., may it be like a simple and smooth day or a day that seems full of challenges... Thus, whatever the day may like ahead, it's always a good thing to have something that we can begin with.., like with a morning coffee! 😍.

But then, I have a deep admiration for receiving these images with a little cup of coffee from the people each time.. And, I'm thinking that, "do you think that your a cup of coffee in the morning is like an illustrating a "morning prayer" in the morning or "the bible verses" that you would like to read before you start the day?"...

So actually, the bible does mention few verses such as like...

In the morning, Lord, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait expectantly. - Psalm 5:3

But I will sing of your strength, in the morning I will sing of your love; for you are my fortress, my refuge in times of trouble. - Psalm 59:16

But I cry to you for help, Lord; in the morning my prayer comes before you. - Psalm 88:13

Satisfy us in the morning with your unfailing love, that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days. - Psalm 90:14

Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go, for to you I entrust my life. - Psalm 143:8

Lord, be gracious to us; we long for you. Be our strength every morning, our salvation in time of distress. - Isaiah 33:2

Because of the Lord's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. - Lamentations 3:22-23

And with that, may our mornings be a time of renewal and connection with our Creator, setting the tone for a day lived in His grace and truth 🙏.

Thus, do take some time to enjoy a cup of good coffee or tea in the morning!

Each Day Is A Gift

I normally used to think that we receive something valuable from other people is a gift! 🎁..

But then, how do you tell that "each day is actually a gift"?.. As far as I'm concerned, we usually do not receive a gift on every single day 😅.. However, receiving every "new" day giving to us is a gift!

Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. - James 1:17

Anyway, I'm thinking that having a job with the same routine everyday feel like a hamster in a running wheel? 😂. There's this round and round you go with the same old habits, or the same stinkin' thinkin' thoughts... And then, you wonder how you will ever get off?..

As I am a person who works long hours in a job that has the same routine each day in the same working environment, I somehow do think of a lot about "change", recently 😳.. Well, there are big changes and small changes and how, nevertheless, any change can make an impact, either positively or negatively.

And, I have come to the point that change occurs every day is largely a gift if only it can make an positive impact even though the change is something small. Well yes, I'm definitely not going to talk about negative changes, so the negative impact is not included! 😆.

So, I think it's all about something that despite all of the same working routines, or the same old habits, or the same situations, problems, struggles and so on that you have gone through in everyday life.. I say that it would be wise enough if only we can see change is a gift that we willingly to receive it as...

A gift to try something new and learn more each day..

A gift to discover and explore new possibilities or opportunities each day..

A gift to see a situation or in any circumstances with new eyes each day..

A gift to start new each day..

It somehow reveals that how gifts' purposes are not always clear immediately, and while we can't choose what gifts we receive, we can choose how to use them. Or, when the events that we might not consider gifts at first, they have, anyhow, become somewhat in ways that make us feel thankful, and show us how even the hardest things can be made meaningful. And so I think, all these will encourage us to embrace each day with mindfulness 😊.

When we notice a change and newness that it makes, and even seeing the small changes, it can boost our gratitude! 😃. We shall express our gratitude for the opportunity of a fresh day each day and see every blessing.

And, at the same time, I think God gifts us change in each new day so that we can change and renew our minds and our hearts to His love as well as loving others.

This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. - Psalm 118:24

So, the real gift for us each day is the our loving God's gift of "change" and knowing that His way of change is progressing every day. Every little change in a day you make that honours God makes a difference. Well, as for me, it's something like...

Every time, I speak lovingly to the people around me when I feel like yelling..

Every time, I shut up my mouth when I feel like to grumble..

Every time, I stay silent instead of complaining..

Every time, I choose God's way instead of my own..

It is always a new change.

It's not always easy to make those small decisions that lead to godly change. And, when you feel defeated in some area of your life.. Take heart. God is not looking for perfection... He knows you can't deliver on that. But a progress to be better, yes indeed and, that is possible. It can lead you to the right direction.

However, each day is a new opportunity to make changes to honour God. His love for you is so great! 💗.

* * * * *

Every morning,

when the sun peeks over the horizon

with a yawn, and a stretch, and a sigh,

another day is delivered to you

like a gift waiting to be unwrapped

and used

and loved.

- anonymous

My Panda Eyes

I'm not sure whether the busy working schedule or the "tiredness" at the end of the day that causes me to have "panda eyes"..? 😅.

Well, Kungfu Panda is cute, not that panda eyes on me though..😆. Anyway, it seems like I tend to have panda eyes more frequently, to be honest..😅.

Dark circles under the eyes (fondly referred to as "Panda eyes"), eye bags and puffiness are likely associated with beauty and health. While it can be frustrating from an aesthetic point of view, dark under-eye circles are not damaging or harmful to your wider health. They are much more of a cosmetic concern than a physical wellness concern.

Puffy eyes, eyes bags and dark circles under the eyes occur for many reasons. But, the most common causes of dark circles are :

Fatigue

Lack of sleep is one of the leading causes of panda eyes. Simply getting more sleep or making sleep a priority is usually the only treatment that is needed. However, to achieve this you may need to make some lifestyle changes.

Dehydration

Dehydration is also one of the most common causes of dark circles under the eyes, and many people have no idea that they are not drinking enough water. When the skin doesn't have sufficient hydration, it can look dull and sunken.

Eye Strain

Doing things like staring at the computer screen or television for hours every day can cause a lot of strain on the eyes. It means more squinting and blinking making the muscles work harder. This enlarges the blood vessels causing the darkening of the skin around the eyes.

Natural Aging

The natural aging process is another cause of dark circles under the eyes. The skin naturally becomes much thinner, due to a reduction in fat and collagen production. The thinning of the skin makes the blood vessels underneath become more visible which is the reason behind the darkening areas under the eyes.

Sun Exposure

Sun exposure can cause an excess of melanin in the body, the pigment that gives the skin its colour. Too much sun, and therefore too much melanin, can lead to periorbital hyperpigmentation that makes the under eyes look much darker than they should.

Actually, there're more other causes of dark under-eye circles depending on each individual or a person's conditions and situations, or circumstances. Thus, I highlight the above reasons as my common causes of my panda eyes because I think, they are the very reasons related to my own, "unique" situations or circumstances...😬, something like I tend to expose myself more to the things such as like my lifestyle, work ethic, work environment, and so on..

So, maybe I do have my own reasons that can lead to these "pretty" panda eyes thing on me 😅, and with that I feel as if something like.., well, we keep working hard.., then suddenly I think of "Kungfu Panda fighting!"..? Huh? 😂.

Anyway, I learn that there are a lot of signs that show through the eyes itself. I would say that it's all about our "tired eyes" due to our own reasons and that is how they look..? 😅, when it seems like everybody is having a really busy life 😬.

Speaking of eyes, the bible has mentioned quite a few interesting things about human eyes. There're more bible verses about the meaning and significance of the eyes. So, just to name a few...

Turn my eyes from looking at worthless things; and give me life in your ways. - Psalm 119:37

I will lift up my eyes to the mountains. Where will my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, Who made heaven and earth. - Psalm 121:1-2

Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and shun evil. This will bring health to your body and nourishment to your bones. - Proverbs 3:7-8

The lamp of the body is the eye. If therefore your eye is good, your whole body will be full of light. But if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in you is darkness, how great is that darkness! - Matthew 6:22-23

Generally speaking, the eyes are the window to the soul..

Long Time No See

It's been a while since I've posted something on my blog...😁. And therefore, I am sorry 🙏..😅.

For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. - Jeremiah 29:11

I guess I have been pretty busy lately, and trying to learn new things as we need to adapt to a new working environment within the company 😆. And, although I used to be writing or blogging in between yet, I couldn't bring myself to actually sit down and write out what I had in mind. Well, maybe it's simply because... I was busy, I was tired.. And sometimes, I wasn't sure about "things" to write 😅. And also, at other times, I was just plain lazy 😬.

Anyway, I'm thankful enough to be able to finally get down to my blog! So now that I've started, the words seem to be coming a little more easily and, it feels a tiny bit more familiar. Although, I have to admit, in spite of being over a 100 words into this post, I still don't know what it is going to be about 😂.

A man's heart plans his way, But the Lord directs his steps. - Proverbs 16:9

Actually, I've been thinking about "different life pathways" kind of thing, long before the company unexpectedly came to introduce a new work environment. It's kind of a funny and weird thing that happened in the middle of busy work and at those times, when I'm trying to figure my life out 😯.

Suddenly, everything changes superfast to a new way of working and all we have to do is to catch up quickly on the new management style and their technology that has recently been introduced by the newly appointed CEO of the company. It feels like everything is super express and eventually, everybody exhausted! 😥..

And, because of the new rules as requested by the new CEO and Board of Directors, we need to update our knowledge and skills that enable us to be more productive in the future. Hence, the company has been loyal to provide and giving its employees (mainly us) 2 days study course pertaining to our clinical knowledge and skills at work.

Personally, I think it's good to improve your knowledge and skills... But, to be honest, I feel overwhelmed 😵, at the same time.

And as for this, I need to open the book and read 😅. And sometimes, I need to memorize...

Well, it's not easy. It's hard! I personally think that there's a lot of difference between when you are studying now and when you were a student years ago. I come to realize that my mind is not that sharp to memorize theories just like I used to when I were a student. It seems like, I have been taught by the working experience more than books!

Anyway, please don't get me wrong. To have read and understand theories are important. They are the fundamentals of all things. As for me, it's good to refresh my memory about the theories that I might have forgotten in a long time.

Many are the plans in a person's heart, but it is the Lord's purpose that prevails. - Proverbs 19:21

So, I guess I've been staying quiet lately..😅. I remember that when it happens to be really busy at work and try to adjust to the new system and also, to learn and update ourselves with the knowledge and skills at the same time, it feels so overwhelmed and exhausted. Anyhow, it's all good and it brings the best benefits to the employees and company.

Actually, it's best to have the company being upgraded to a new level and able to compete in business is the thing that, overall, they want to achieve the most. But, during the entire process of upgrading the business, I have different thoughts in mind 😮.. I've been thinking about a whole different thing, initially.

In other words, I'm thinking of "Should I stay?" Or, "Should I go?".. But then, before I could figure it out myself, this whole bunch of new things happened so fast?.. And, I couldn't even think of an answer just yet. But, deep down inside it feels somehow dissimilar... I wonder? 😳..

I Am Going Home

"..Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go." - Joshua 1:9

When I have done my best effort to purchase my flight tickets and the payment was completed, suddenly I feel nervous?.., and it's scary at the same time?..😅. Huh!..

Well, I'm not saying that I have never travelled by plane before but, the thing is that I have never been into an airplane for quite some time now 😬... And, all of a sudden, I feel weird?..😳.

Because, the last time I had travelled back home was not by air, but embarked on a long-distance driving instead. Actually, my brother loved long distance drive...😄. So, I had the opportunity to hop on a long car journey with him and we went back home that took us for about 10 to 12 hours of journey! 😮. Well, it was more likely a long day's journey into night, kind of thing... But, that was literally about more than 1 year ago now after we went back home, and then recently, when I know that I am going home again by plane.., I feel so excited, at first?.. But then, suddenly I feel lost? 😟.

Anyway, I take a plane to go back home... And this time, I am alone..😥. And now, it feels so weird! 😵.. And, awkward?..

Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand. - Isaiah 41:10

For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them. - Matthew 18:20

Well yes, there are a lot of people at the airport. It seems to be another one busy day for all the people who are travelling by plane. Although it's not my first time to have been encountered with an active or fully engaged, or occupied environment such as this in the airport... But then, all of a sudden, it reminds me about my younger self...😆, that when I look back on my younger self and I can't help but smile at how naive I was back then. So, I used to travel a lot when I was a student. We usually travelled by plane in groups with friends especially during our study semester breaks, as the airplanes were the only transportation method used because well, we needed to "flew across the sea" 😂 whenever we went back home, each time...

When I was younger, travel took us out of our comfort zones and inspired us to see, taste and tried new things. And during that time, I felt excited and had a lot of fun! It was like, all I thought was me... I only thought about myself. I never really thought about other people or the environment around me. I did not feel nervous or weird... It did not even feel scary! 😬.

Anyway, let's fast-forward to the time I stand now after so many years and to make a comparison or to reflect on how I have changed over time. Surprisingly, when I get older, I have some concerns about a certain situation..😧. But then, it's not really to say that I worry about things but, I become more aware of the people around me. Or, there are times it feels like I appear to be sensible enough to observing my surroundings or things around me. So now, I know that it's not all about me. But, it's merely about all the things that are happening around me.

Just like when I'm at the airport, I tend to see people and to perceive things and also, to be more aware of my environment. So with that, is it wise enough to feel nervous, weird and scared at times like this?

"..Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you." - Deuteronomy 31:6

"..The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged." - Deuteronomy 31:8

I sought the Lord, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears. - Psalm 34:4

Well yes, I'm travelling alone but I'm still happy to have my brother who comes to fetch me from the airport in the end!..

Actually, I did not notice that my brother was shooting a "mini" video of me upon my arrival 😅... And also together with my nieces 😃... Well, to my beloved and crazy brother.. "Thank you for the lovely shot?".. Huh!

Delicious Homemade Meals

I would say that "the weekends" are the days that we can spend with love and joy together with our loved ones 😍.

And, I know that during this time, my mom will always love to cook homemade foods! The special thing is that my aunties, or mom's sisters will also come and join together with mom at home to cook even more delicious home foods! 😋.

It's all about gathering together with the big family and spending a quality time among my aunties, uncles, cousins as well as grandparents, and enjoy eating delicious homemade meals together too!

Actually, we love mom's homemade food 😊. The food is tasty and healthy! Those foods are literally the local food that only can be found in the local market in the hometown or being brought by the villagers from their farms and sell their local goods at the market. And, these local people are selling a variety of fresh local vegetables and fruits, as well as local fishes and meats!

So back at home, mom and aunties will cook delicious and healthy homemade meals for everyone to enjoy!

As the home kitchen is just a few steps away from the back yard, our big family would always prefer to gather together in the back yard as it has bigger space and with a huge dining table placed in the middle to put all kinds of tasty homemade foods.. And also, there is a pretty nice space at one corner for a perfect backyard barbecue!

So, my favourite is always the barbecue and grilling homemade meats, pork and chicken wings in the back yard. They say grilling and chilling are best together..😎. And well yes, it is!.. And, the food is so delicious! 😋.

Well yes, it's all about homemade meals made only from the local foods and cooked at home. My mom is always the expert where she usually prepared the homemade food with natural ingredients that offer various health benefits. The homemade food is hygienic. And, in homely foods, we may add healthful and natural ingredients by adding more vegetarianism and fruits. Hence, we have the control in our palms on both the caliber and amount of components for use in the food.

Thus, the benefits of homemade meals are infinite, and the dishes are suited to our own taste and preferences, each time.

Anyway, there are even more homemade local dishes made from local foods or, similar to "native" in food. And, it's always refers to a traditional or culturally specific meal that is associated with a particular region or within the community. And I think, we all aware that the one important benefit of eating locally grown foods is that it gives your body the nutrients it needs!

Then God said, "I give you every seed-bearing plant on the face of the whole earth and every tree that has fruit with seed in it. They will be yours for food. - Genesis 1:29

Everything that lives and moves about will be food for you. Just as I gave you the green plants, I now give you everything. - Genesis 9:3

And above all, I think is that I'm so grateful for my aunties who always come to visit mom on the weekends to just spending time together with her and doing all the cooking things and, enjoy eating delicious homemade meals altogether!

So, with all these things are happening at home, it usually reminds me to try to spare some time for myself and to be together with your loved ones...😊, especially with my mom! 💗.

I know that I seldom meet mom because I rarely return to the hometown. And I think, it's nice and always a pleasant thing to do to just spend time with our parents sometimes.

And also, at the same time, I do think that, "it's okay to take a break" and giving yourself permission to do so whenever you feel that you really need a break. So sometimes it tells me to... "Just go home!" 😅.

while he himself went a day's journey into the wilderness. He came to a broom bush, sat down under it and prayed that he might die. "I have had enough, Lord," he said. "Take my life; I am no better than my ancestors." Then he lay down under the bush and fell asleep.

All at once an angel touched him and said, "Get up and eat." He looked around, and there by his head was some bread baked over hot coals, and a jar of water. He ate and drank and then lay down again.

The angel of the Lord came back a second time and touched him and said, "Get up and eat, for the journey is too much for you." So he got up and ate and drank. Strengthened by that food, he traveled forty days and forty nights until he reached Horeb, the mountain of God. - 1 Kings 19:4-8

True Wisdom

There are happy times. And then there are sad times.. And I think, God has made both the good and bad times that we experience throughout life.

I think, we naturally desire happy times more than the sad times. We want happiness and comfort. But, the thing is that even the much comforting things can sometimes become an idol. However, bad times and difficulties are when we can obtain wisdom and have a proper and genuine perspective about God and our earthly life.

Surprisingly, I have come across to read the verse from the bible that speaks about true wisdom. It guides us to the real truth behind all things where we need to putting our fear, love and trust in God alone 💗. So, what the bible verse talks about is this...

A good name is better than fine perfume, and the day of death better than the day of birth. It is better to go to a house of mourning than to go to a house of feasting, for death is the destiny of everyone; the living should take this to heart. Frustration is better than laughter, because a sad face is good for the heart. The heart of the wise is in the house of mourning, but the heart of fools is in the house of pleasure. It is better to heed the rebuke of a wise person than to listen to the song of fools. Like the crackling of thorns under the pot, so is the laughter of fools. This too is meaningless.

Extortion turns a wise person into a fool, and a bribe corrupts the heart.

The end of a matter is better than its beginning, and patience is better than pride. Do not be quickly provoked in your spirit, for anger resides in the lap of fools.

Do not say, "Why were the old days better than these?" For it is not wise to ask such questions.

Wisdom, like an inheritance, is a good thing and benefits those who see the sun. Wisdom is a shelter as money is a shelter, but the advantage of knowledge is this: Wisdom preserves those who have it.

Consider what God has done:

Who can straighten what he has made crooked? When times are good, be happy; but when times are bad, consider this: God has made the one as well as the other. Therefore, no one can discover anything about their future. - Ecclesiastes 7:1-14

Hence, true wisdom is to fear God even when we cannot see all that God is doing. We can leave it to Him to make sense of it all, until the end of our lives on this earth, that is death! Furthermore, it describes the meaninglessness of living without God. And well yes, the meaning is deep!..😅.

When we getting to learn and understand the true wisdom from God, we all can and should be happy and joyful no matter the circumstances of our lives. It teaches us that if we pursue the way of wisdom, we will experience that deep inner joy. And, although we cannot know the future, we don't have to know the future to experience joy. God is who He is, and we can trust in Him, following His way of wisdom. And that is the better way to live.

Ecclesiastes really gives us the brilliant lessons that the key to life is not in life itself. The pursuit of pleasure, materialism, wealth, money and power is useless, foolish and ultimately unsatisfying. True happiness comes from centering our lives on God, and not ourselves. And, that true joy only can be found in putting our faith in God and to be grateful always.. And then, you will receive a joyful heart only from above when you have acquired His true wisdom in your life 🙏.

Last but not least, the secret to life is not in things. Instead the key to fulfillment, meaning and joy is to enjoy life and fear God!

Love Is In The Air

Actually, I've been walking through the park almost every day or night as it has been my "primary route" to go and back from work. And I think, it's always just an ordinary walk in the park almost every day for me... :)

But now, it's a rainy season again ☔.., where it happens to be raining almost every day especially in the late evening or at night! Thus, because of the rainy season, I've encountered "frogs" 🐸, many times now... Well, what I mean is that the "sounds" of the frogs that we usually hear mostly after the rain! 😅.

Well, it's funny! Because actually, I've been hearing the "croaking, quacking" sounds and "ribbit, ribbit"..😬 many times already while walking through the park on my way home after work at night... And eventually in one particular night, I've decided to take a shoot while walking in the park after work... And I think, well yes it's crazy! 😆.

Frogs singing 🎧..😂.

Anyway, I truly appreciate it if you can bear with me until the recording ends! 😊. Well yes, you'll see nothing much but only just to hear the "sounds" from the froggies! 🐸🐸. And yet, that's actually what it's like every time while I'm walking along the park with frogs croaking accompany me.., and also with that "ribbit, ribbit" sounds along the way...😂. And I think, what makes it special is that those "sounds" come only after a rain! It seems that those frogs really miss and love the rain. They obviously know that there's a beautiful thing will happen only after the heavy rain. Because, it's going to be the love is in the air soon! 😮.

So, I think that's how frogs perceive their "things" each time after the rain stopped. Their nature behaviours seem to giving us the glimpse of something beautiful that will happen soon! 😍.

Well now, the funny thing is that there're things like wise sayings or good meaningful sayings that are related to the rain... And, it's not just only about the frogs 😅.. Hence, I will just to mention a few although there're plenty of others more, and so it's something like this...

"There's sunshine after the rain."

"There's always a rainbow at the end of every rain."

"It can't rain all the time."

"And when it rains on your parade, look up rather than down. Without the rain, there would be no rainbow."

And, so forth... :)

Well yes, we're definitely not frogs 😂.. But, I'm in awe of these tiny cute little creatures that always miss and love the rain so much. And also, it feels like they even enjoy the rain!.. By knowing this manner, I think, it's supposed to be the mirror of life, where it's not just merely about all those hardships in life but...

"Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass. It's about learning how to dance in the rain."

* * * * *

However, recently I was caught by surprise when I suddenly came across a book in a bookstore. Well, I knew that I've always cherished short stories more than the others, and so this one had literally got my attention, again! 😜..

Well, the book looked simple and it summarized by saying things like...

"50 Greatest Love Stories brings to you the most charming and heart-warming tales that encapsulate the affection and fondness of the human heart. Witness the way two souls fall in love and the different forms in which love exists. Featuring the work of some of the greatest writers in the history of literature, from Maupassant to Mansfield to Maugham, this book will leave you feeling all warm and fuzzy inside."

So, do you think that it's something like a redemption season?.. And, there'll be love in the air?.. Anyway I think, it really warms the heart! 💗.