Some time ago, the Swallow was looking up in the internet for the song "I believe God is real", hoping to find a recording of the song. This song is one of her many favourites.
Although she was unable to find any recording of that song, in the course of her search, she discovered another song titled "I believe God" by Brian Free & Assurance. If you believe too in that same Lord God as the Swallow's, when you read the lyrics or listen to the song, you may be able to understand why the song has become one of the Swallow's favourites...
I BELIEVE GOD by Brian Free & Assurance
Some place their trust in the wisdom of another
Some search for light in the dark
But like a child, I have come with simple faith
In the only One who can change my heart.
I believe God
I believe His Word is true
For I’ve seen what He can do
When I call upon His name
I believe God
So let the world say what they will
I will choose to serve Him still
Knowing He will never change
I believe God.
Some say that life is the only thing that matters
Some say we live then we die
But I’m convinced that eternity awaits
So with every breath, I will testify…
I believe God
I believe His Word is true
For I’ve seen what He can do
When I call upon His name
I believe God
So let the world say what they will
I will choose to serve Him still
Knowing He will never change
I believe God.
So for this world He gave His only Son to die
And I cry…
I believe God
I believe His Word is true
For I’ve seen what He can do
When I call upon His name
I believe God
I believe His Word is true
For I’ve seen what He can do
When I call upon His name
I believe God
So let the world say what they will
I will choose to serve Him still
Knowing He will never change
I believe God
I believe God
I believe God.
Monday, 7 June 2010
Easy-Stain Remover
A couple of days back, the Swallow used a piece of Corningware to heat up some food. Due to a probable higher heat than was required, the sauce left a stain on the pot with some burnt food residue.
To rid the stain, the Swallow filled the pot with some water and liquid detergent, and left the soapy water in the pot overnight. However, this did not work.
What was the Swallow going to do?
The Swallow had heard of baking soda (aka sodium bicarbonate or bicarbonate of soda) being used to remove stains from the toilet bowl (yet-to-be tried and tested). So the Swallow thought to herself, "Why not try the same idea on the pot?"
You guessed it. It worked wonderfully!
Just boil a little water in the stained pot, add a little baking soda, wait for the reaction between the two, then scrub away with a non-abrasive sponge, or in the Swallow's case, use a chopstick and gently poke at the burnt food residue. Be careful! Remember that the pot and water are hot.
If this idea works on other materials as well, please keep the Swallow posted...
To rid the stain, the Swallow filled the pot with some water and liquid detergent, and left the soapy water in the pot overnight. However, this did not work.
What was the Swallow going to do?
The Swallow had heard of baking soda (aka sodium bicarbonate or bicarbonate of soda) being used to remove stains from the toilet bowl (yet-to-be tried and tested). So the Swallow thought to herself, "Why not try the same idea on the pot?"
You guessed it. It worked wonderfully!
Just boil a little water in the stained pot, add a little baking soda, wait for the reaction between the two, then scrub away with a non-abrasive sponge, or in the Swallow's case, use a chopstick and gently poke at the burnt food residue. Be careful! Remember that the pot and water are hot.
If this idea works on other materials as well, please keep the Swallow posted...
Friday, 4 June 2010
Whatever & Anything
Not too long ago, there was a series of advertisements shown on Singapore television channels highlighting two types of canned drinks. These drinks were called "Whatever" and "Anything". If the Swallow recalls correctly, the former was a non-carbonated drink while the latter was a carbonated drink.
The Swallow thought that the advertisements were well-produced, and she had a good laugh each time any of the advertisements came on. A sample of the advertisements went like this...a sinister-looking guy marches up to the cashier of a convenience store. When questioned by the cashier what he wanted, the man demanded "Anything". The frightened cashier emptied the cash register and tried to pass the money to him. However, he got angry at her and kept insisting that he wanted "Anything...
Whoever thought of the names of the drinks either has a good sense of humour or he was desperate...
Well, the Swallow has a "Whatever" and an "Anything" that has nothing to do with canned drinks, although she does use them as often as possible and not only in desperate times...
Whatever is
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable - if anything is excellent or praiseworthy - think about such things.
The Swallow thought that the advertisements were well-produced, and she had a good laugh each time any of the advertisements came on. A sample of the advertisements went like this...a sinister-looking guy marches up to the cashier of a convenience store. When questioned by the cashier what he wanted, the man demanded "Anything". The frightened cashier emptied the cash register and tried to pass the money to him. However, he got angry at her and kept insisting that he wanted "Anything...
Whoever thought of the names of the drinks either has a good sense of humour or he was desperate...
Well, the Swallow has a "Whatever" and an "Anything" that has nothing to do with canned drinks, although she does use them as often as possible and not only in desperate times...
Whatever is
- true
- noble
- right
- pure
- lovely
- admirable
- excellent
- praiseworthy
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable - if anything is excellent or praiseworthy - think about such things.
Thursday, 3 June 2010
Friends Forever
During the Swallow's school years, it was the 'in' thing to have one's friends pen their thoughts or well-wishes in an autograph book. These well-wishes can be as simple as 'Thank you for being my friend" or "I am so glad that you are my friend" or "May all your wishes come true", etc. Sometimes, friends with creative juices may come out with some form of poetry or a poem to express their well-wishes in a more elaborate way. Alternatively, one can also memorise and use popular poems or quotes that caught one's attention.
The Swallow remembers one such poem...
True friends are like diamonds, precious and rare,
False friends are like autumn leaves, scattered everywhere.
Who wrote this? The Swallow doesn't know. At that stage in the Swallow's life, the Swallow thought the poem was right, and she had aimed to be a true friend to her friends. Is the author of the poem correct in his / her assumption?
When the Swallow followed her Lord's call to Singapore, she left many friends behind in Malaysia. Some of those she befriended in Singapore have left for the USA, Australia and New Zealand. In a few days, a couple of her friends who came over from Malaysia, one of which had been her friend since her early secondary schooldays, would be leaving for Canada to start a new life.
Based on the poem, all the friendships would seem false. Everyone scattered everwhere. However, over the years, the Swallow has come to realised that the only thing right with that particular poem was that it rhymed.
Some of the Swallow's friends have stayed in touch. When the Swallow visits Malaysia , these friends would meet up with her for a meal or simply to chat and keep up with the changes in their lives. Some friends' contacts were inadvertently lost but when contact was made again, there was much rejoicing.
Of course, there are some friends who fall into the category of 'may not meet again'. Such is the way of living in a global society. Many roads to travel. Many paths to take. More often than not, such roads or paths may not connect with others'. However, with the advance in information technology, this may change. Friendships may be renewed, although it may be in another zone.
Friends Forever was a song made popular in the late eighties, and it is a good description of what friendships should be...
FRIENDS FOREVER by Michael W Smith
Packing up the dreams God has planted
In the fertile soil of you
Can't believe the hopes He has granted
Means a chapter in your life is through
But we'll keep you close as always
It won't even seem you've gone
'Cause our hearts in big and small ways
Will keep the love that keeps us strong.
And friends are friends forever
If the Lord's the Lord of them
And a friend will not say "Never"
'Cause the welcome will not end
Though it's hard to let you go
In the Father's hands we know
That a lifetime's not too long
To live as friends.
With the faith and love God has given
Springing from the hope we know
We will pray the joy you'll live in
Is the strength that now you show
But we'll keep you close as always
It won't even seem you've gone
'Cause our hearts in big and small ways
Will keep the love that keeps us strong.
If the Swallow may rephrase that particular poem mentioned earlier, it would go like this...
All friends are like jewels, precious, not rare,
Treasure them forever, though scattered everywhere.
The Swallow remembers one such poem...
True friends are like diamonds, precious and rare,
False friends are like autumn leaves, scattered everywhere.
Who wrote this? The Swallow doesn't know. At that stage in the Swallow's life, the Swallow thought the poem was right, and she had aimed to be a true friend to her friends. Is the author of the poem correct in his / her assumption?
When the Swallow followed her Lord's call to Singapore, she left many friends behind in Malaysia. Some of those she befriended in Singapore have left for the USA, Australia and New Zealand. In a few days, a couple of her friends who came over from Malaysia, one of which had been her friend since her early secondary schooldays, would be leaving for Canada to start a new life.
Based on the poem, all the friendships would seem false. Everyone scattered everwhere. However, over the years, the Swallow has come to realised that the only thing right with that particular poem was that it rhymed.
Some of the Swallow's friends have stayed in touch. When the Swallow visits Malaysia , these friends would meet up with her for a meal or simply to chat and keep up with the changes in their lives. Some friends' contacts were inadvertently lost but when contact was made again, there was much rejoicing.
Of course, there are some friends who fall into the category of 'may not meet again'. Such is the way of living in a global society. Many roads to travel. Many paths to take. More often than not, such roads or paths may not connect with others'. However, with the advance in information technology, this may change. Friendships may be renewed, although it may be in another zone.
Friends Forever was a song made popular in the late eighties, and it is a good description of what friendships should be...
FRIENDS FOREVER by Michael W Smith
Packing up the dreams God has planted
In the fertile soil of you
Can't believe the hopes He has granted
Means a chapter in your life is through
But we'll keep you close as always
It won't even seem you've gone
'Cause our hearts in big and small ways
Will keep the love that keeps us strong.
And friends are friends forever
If the Lord's the Lord of them
And a friend will not say "Never"
'Cause the welcome will not end
Though it's hard to let you go
In the Father's hands we know
That a lifetime's not too long
To live as friends.
With the faith and love God has given
Springing from the hope we know
We will pray the joy you'll live in
Is the strength that now you show
But we'll keep you close as always
It won't even seem you've gone
'Cause our hearts in big and small ways
Will keep the love that keeps us strong.
If the Swallow may rephrase that particular poem mentioned earlier, it would go like this...
All friends are like jewels, precious, not rare,
Treasure them forever, though scattered everywhere.
Wednesday, 2 June 2010
Sausage Pizza
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| Sausage Pizza |
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