Chinese New Year at Queensbay Mall

 

Celebrating abundance of JOY & Riches this Lunar Chines New Year at Queensbay Mall.

"Ang Hu' - Red Fish

We try making 'ang hu' instead of 'ang koo' for Chinese New Year celebration.
It was astonishing and many people like it.

The fish as a symbol in Christianity is nearly as old as the Christian faith itself. The sign is seen in the past on things like art and architecture and today it endures on things like bumper stickers and

business cards as a sign of Christian faith.  The fish is thought to have been chosen by the early Christians for several reasons :

The Greek word for fish (ICHTUS), works as an acrostic for I = Jesus, C = Christ, TH = God's, U = Son, S = Savior (Also see Christian beliefs about Jesus Christ)

In the 1970s the "Jesus Fish" started to be used as an icon of modern Christianity.

 

M Mall 020 @ Penang Times Square

 

Exploring the latest shopping mall in Penang.
The first omni-channel retail and arts & cultural
lifestyle mall in Penang Times Square.

The importance of recreation

Recreation is defined this way.  To recreate, create anew.  The Christian's definition is not the world's definition.  The world is unable to distinguish between recreation and dissipation.  To the world recreation is synonomous with amusement.  That is, whatever appeals to the eye, satitates the desires of the flesh, and contributes to popularity.

The Christian distinguishes between recreation and dissipation.  Recreation is not always amusing.  Amusement is not always recreational.  Study is recreational, but not amusing.  Lascivious literature is amusing, but not recreational.  To the Christian,' recreation is not synonomous with amusement.  A Christian is interested in that which builds spiritually, morally and physically.

The home is a recreational unit.  It molds the immature personalities.  It commands mature affection and loyalty.   Many modern homes are not recreational units but many of the older homes were.  The father organized farm activities.  The mother supervised the household tasks.  The children were definitely interested in the success of the home as an economic, educational and recreational unit.  The older homes believed in hard work and frugal habits.  It believed in practical education.  The homes of years gone by were recreational in that they studied the Bible daily, prayed daily, enjoyed mealtime association, fireside discussions and group entertainments.  The home should and must be a recreational unit.

It is not the duty of the church to furnish recreation but Christian fellowship, prayer, Bible study, singing, church meetings, etc. are recreational.

Christians also have other sources of recreation such as nature.  Yes, we can go walking, travelling, and camping, Nature provides much recreation.  Mental travel, good books such as geography, history, poetry, fiction etc., also with uplifting conversations is recreational.  Bodily exercise such as swimming (not mixed bathing with both men and women), tennis, volleyball, softball, soccer, badminton, basketball, golf, horseshoes, table tennis, etc. provide good recreation under the right circumstances.

Choosing recreation for Christians is a great problem for some and should always employ our deepest consideration.  There are not many iron clad rules that can be laid down, so therefore, we must consider certain principles honest answers and actions to these questions will keep our recreation right. [Doyle Banta, Decatur, Alabama]

Recreation is not a license to be lazy, but diligence is not a command to work until you drop.  In fact, the biblical mandate is to rest and enjoy life as you work.  It is about doing an honest day's work and appreciating play.  It is about living within our means - not hoarding our wealth or pining for more, being driven by greed, but really focusing on a biblical quality of life.

[Extracted from LIVING Life Jan 2013]

Starting 2016 with TimSum

Early morning 'dim sum' is a favourite among Chinese populace.

Dim sum’ (點心) literally translates to ‘touch the heart’, whilst the term ‘yum cha’ (飲茶) translates to ‘drink tea’.

We visited Leong Kee Tim Sum Restaurant for our breakfast.  We had steamed glutinous rice or "loh mai kai", "sui mai" or pork and shrimp dumpling, "har gow" or shrimp dumpling, "wu kok" or yam puff, "chee cheong fun" or rice noodle rolls, turnip cake and cha siew pau

Leong Kee is one of those old-fashioned dim sum restaurants which proliferate in Georgetown's historic commercial/retail centre which stretched from Chulia Street in the north to Prangin Road in the south, with bustling Campbell Street and Kimberly Street in-between. Penang Road and Carnavon Street formed the western & eastern boundaries of this area.

Makinoda

A family friend of more than 20 years visited us again in December.  We were blessed that this bond of friendship lasted so long.

Xmas gift from Japan

I am BLESSED

When I look back over the years, I smile and say to myself :  "I never thought I could do it and I did.  I overcame all the struggles, those rude people, the pain, the heartache, the hurt and the challenges that tried to bring me down.  Thank you Lord for giving me the strength."  I am truly blessed.

Occupied Beach Street

Today we managed to spent an hour brisk walking along Beach Street.  

Every Sunday, Project Occupy Beach Street will temporarily barricade major streets adjacent to Lebuh Pantai for family-friendly, community activities that the public can be a part off.  This is in conjunction to the State government's initiative for Penang Car Free Day.

Discovering each other

Some people marry and then years later realize they don't really know each other. It's sad but understandable. Falling in love focuses on surface issues like physical attraction, looks, and charm. The kind of love that makes a marriage strong and resilient is based on a deep knowledge, understanding, and acceptance of the real person inside.

Even if the two of you married knowing only the superficial kind of love, you can still pursue a richer, deeper relationship. Set aside time to talk about your dreams, and practice trusting each other with your secret, hopes and fear. Learn to know each other as friends. Your journey of discovery will open up levels of intimacy you never imagined possible.

[Extracted from Moments of Peace in the Presence of God for Couples]

What is your Christian life like?

Consider what Jesus said in John 10:10:  "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly." (NASB)

Jesus did not walk the earth to start a religion.  He came to accomplish a specific mission - to provide the means by which mankind could become united with God.

** Luke 12:15:  "And he said unto them,  Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth" (KJV)

And Luke 9:25 :  "For what is a man advantaged, if he gain the whole world, and lose himself, or be cast away?" (KJV)

"abundant life" - Jesus offers us does not refer to material wealth.

A fulfilling life is not one chocks full of events, people and achievements but is about taking better care of your health and spending more time with your loved one.