Singapore collected a total of 2 silver medals and 5 bronze medals in the Youth Olympic Games (YOG) 2010 which ended last night after 12 days of competition. Most of the medals were won by young boys and girls who were not expected to win anything at all.
One Singapore competitor, who was one of the hot favourites to come away with a medal, didn't. He was reported as saying that he had cracked under the pressure (he had performed better in a recent world event although the competition was tougher). Well, he is only 16 years old after all! He would now have a better idea of what real pressure can be, so much different when one is a hot favourite as compared to when one is an underdog. He would now have a little experience learning to cope with the pressure.
Can the Swallow say that she would have been able to cope with such pressures when she was at the same age with the same circumstances? She doubts it. The life she remembers of the time when she was 16 years old was a carefree life. The only pressure she had then was that she passed her 'O' Levels, though actually that was not very much a pressure...thank you, Dad and Mom!
When one is least expected to perform, when one is an underdog in any competition, when the pressure is off; these are the times when one usually does very well, as proven by the Singapore YOG team.
Says a lot about life too, doesn't it? One doesn't know how long one's race is or what kind of events would take place. It could be a short-distance race with one's life cut short at his prime. It could be a long-distance race and one would need to pace himself so that he can finish the race well. It could be a marathon and one would need to persevere and push himself beyond his limits. It could be a biathlon, a triathlon or a decathlon where one would need to an all-rounder and doing it fantastically if he wanted to win. It could be smooth sailing or churning waters. It could be a rocky outcrop or it could be walking a tight-rope.
Hebrews 12 : 1b - 2 (NKJV)
...let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him, endured the cross, despising the shame, and has set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Each event has its own preparations, and these preparations may vary event from event. Some events require stamina, some require speed, and some require both. Most require strength, whether physical, mental or emotional strength. The short-distance runner cannot tell the long-distance runner that he is going about with the wrong preparation, nor can the marathoner advise the one doing the decathlon. The shooter cannot teach the swimmer, nor can the runner teach the sailor.
What is important is not how one finishes the event, but that he finishes. And how he endures the challenge and the competition. Like those who fell during the competitions but picked themselves up to complete the challenge. Like those who had 'personal bests' and although these 'bests' were not as good in a bigger field of competition, they pushed themselves and gave themselves a chance for a glimpse of the winner's podium by just entering the event.
Who would one rather be? One of those who won a medal but had to return it when it was won unfairly, and thus not only bringing shame for himself but also for his family and his country? Or one of those who did not even enter the competition because the thought of not winning anything at all could not be borne, and thus did not give themselves a chance to overcome? Better to be one of those who rose to the occasion and did his best, yet lost the competition but came away from the competition with a better experience, an increased knowledge and having had fun along the way!
What is important is not the medal tally, although that can be a goal and a bonus, but about the spirit of the game, the spirit of sportmanship, the spirit of fairness and equality, and the spirit of 'never-say-die'.
So, Singapore YOG team, well done!
Friday, 27 August 2010
Thursday, 26 August 2010
Marble Cupcakes
Blueberry cupcakes proved to be a one-hit with the Swallow's mate. In fact, he requested for more blueberries in the cakes! However, her young ones were not as keen on them.
Knowing the young ones were more in favour of something chocolatey, but not having any chocolate chips in the house at the moment, the Swallow decided to improvise. Mixing a little cocoa powder to a portion of the batter, then alternating the original mixture with the cocoa mixture created an effect known as 'marble', which is also a widely-used effect found in cakes sold in the cake shops.
MARBLE CUPCAKES (makes 12 cupcakes)
Ingredients
Knowing the young ones were more in favour of something chocolatey, but not having any chocolate chips in the house at the moment, the Swallow decided to improvise. Mixing a little cocoa powder to a portion of the batter, then alternating the original mixture with the cocoa mixture created an effect known as 'marble', which is also a widely-used effect found in cakes sold in the cake shops.
MARBLE CUPCAKES (makes 12 cupcakes)
 |
| Marble Cupcakes |
Ingredients
- 125g butter, at room temperature
- 150g sugar
- 3 large eggs, at room temperature
- 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
- 200g plain flour
- 1 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 60 ml milk
- 1 tbsp cocoa powder
- Preheat oven to 180 degrees Celsius. Line 12 muffin cups with paper liners.
- Using a hand mixer, beat butter and sugar together until light and fluffy.
- Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition.
- In another bowl, whisk flour, baking powder and salt together.
- To the butter mixture, add the flour mixture alternately with the milk, beginning and ending with the flour mixture. Scrape down the sides of the mixing bowl when necessary.
- Set aside half of the batter. Add the cocoa powder to this portion. Mix well.
- Fill the muffin cups evenly, starting with a little original batter then alternating with the cocoa mixture.
- Bake for about 15 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into a cupcake comes out clean.
- Remove from oven and let it cool on a wire rack.
- Baking time and temperature may vary for different oven models.
- Do not over bake or the cupcakes will be dry. Check them a couple of minutes before the end of baking time.
Wednesday, 25 August 2010
Servant Leadership
The Swallow and her mate missed the fourth session of Biblical Principles for Leading with Love as well as they had a prior commitment with their church's outreach work to the nearby residents.
Again, it is with gratefulness to the course's moderator who had sent them the notes for that session.
Servant Leadership has often been described as "the Order of the Towel". It is seen very clearly in John 13 : 1 - 7 when the Lord Jesus took a towel, poured water into a basin, began to wash His disciples' feet then wiped the feet with the towel. It is an example which He gave that Christians can follow.
Christian leadership is servant leadership. If one claims to love the Lord, then he must learn from the Lord Jesus, and follow His example.
John 15 : 13 (NIV)
Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends.
The Lord Jesus has set another example for Christians when He gave up heaven's glories to come down to earth, to be borne in a humble stable, and to die on the cross for sins He did not commit. It is an example which the Swallow finds difficult to follow. Laying down her life for those she loves may still be achieved, but laying down her life for those who are difficult to love? It is a humbling thought...
Being a servant is hard when one has difficult masters. So the Swallow is glad that when she serves, she serves her Lord God because it is much easier to please Him than to please men, because "The Lord does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart" 1 Samuel 16 : 7 (NIV).
No matter how difficult or challenging it is, servant leadership is not throwing in the towel...
Again, it is with gratefulness to the course's moderator who had sent them the notes for that session.
Servant Leadership has often been described as "the Order of the Towel". It is seen very clearly in John 13 : 1 - 7 when the Lord Jesus took a towel, poured water into a basin, began to wash His disciples' feet then wiped the feet with the towel. It is an example which He gave that Christians can follow.
Christian leadership is servant leadership. If one claims to love the Lord, then he must learn from the Lord Jesus, and follow His example.
John 15 : 13 (NIV)
Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends.
The Lord Jesus has set another example for Christians when He gave up heaven's glories to come down to earth, to be borne in a humble stable, and to die on the cross for sins He did not commit. It is an example which the Swallow finds difficult to follow. Laying down her life for those she loves may still be achieved, but laying down her life for those who are difficult to love? It is a humbling thought...
Being a servant is hard when one has difficult masters. So the Swallow is glad that when she serves, she serves her Lord God because it is much easier to please Him than to please men, because "The Lord does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart" 1 Samuel 16 : 7 (NIV).
No matter how difficult or challenging it is, servant leadership is not throwing in the towel...
Tuesday, 24 August 2010
Collective Leadership
The Swallow and her mate missed the third session of the course on Biblical Principles for Leading with Love as they had a short holiday with the mate's colleagues in Sentosa over the long weekend which tied up with Singapore's National Day celebration.
However, the Swallow and her mate is grateful to the course's moderator who sent them the notes and highlighted a little of what the session was about.
Collective leadership is about teamwork. It is about people with various leadership styles who come together to make decisions - important decisions or not, big or small decisions. It is about how these people work as a team to come to a mutual agreement to carry out the decisions which will affect the people around them.
In a church, collective leadership will be about a group of men, selected as elders, who will make wise decisions together - decisions that will affect the flock that they have been tasked to oversee, decisions that will decide the course on how the church will follow after its Lord God.
In a family, collective leadership will be about a team of husband and wife who works together and who makes decisions together for the benefit of the family. Sometimes this decision making process may include their children too.
A quiz question was also given...If two horses can pull 9000 pounds, how many pounds can four horses pull? 30000 pounds!
"A team is capable of accomplishing things that no individual, no matter how multi-talented, could do alone".
However, the Swallow and her mate is grateful to the course's moderator who sent them the notes and highlighted a little of what the session was about.
Collective leadership is about teamwork. It is about people with various leadership styles who come together to make decisions - important decisions or not, big or small decisions. It is about how these people work as a team to come to a mutual agreement to carry out the decisions which will affect the people around them.
In a church, collective leadership will be about a group of men, selected as elders, who will make wise decisions together - decisions that will affect the flock that they have been tasked to oversee, decisions that will decide the course on how the church will follow after its Lord God.
In a family, collective leadership will be about a team of husband and wife who works together and who makes decisions together for the benefit of the family. Sometimes this decision making process may include their children too.
A quiz question was also given...If two horses can pull 9000 pounds, how many pounds can four horses pull? 30000 pounds!
"A team is capable of accomplishing things that no individual, no matter how multi-talented, could do alone".
Fellowship
After starting the Bible Study Fellowship (BSF) course a couple of weeks back, the Swallow had a taste of the second aspect of the course ie the fellowship part.
The Swallow had some contact with Christians from other churches during her school-going years when she was involved with the Christian Fellowship at the school she was attending then. However, there were few Christians at her work-place when she finally joined the working force, and any time spent with them was usually spent discussing work instead of having fellowship together.
At the fellowship session today, every member of the Bible Study group was given the opportunity to share how each of them came to know and accept the Lord Jesus Christ as Saviour and Lord. It was a refreshing time. The testimonies showed how the Lord God can touch each person's life in different ways.
The time spent together was also a wonderful reminder that although each one of them came from different churches, maybe with a slightly different emphasis in their church teachings, yet they were able to bond because their fundamental belief was the same ie that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, and because of their common love for the Lord Jesus Christ, and because of their common desire to study God's word in a systematic way.
The Swallow is reminded of a story that tells of a piece of burning coal. When the coal is removed from the rest of the burning coals and left on its own, after some time it will get cold and whatever remaining ember there was will die.
Fellowship is important. Whether with Christians from the same church, or with Christians from other churches, it is good to spend time with like-minded people so that the Christian can be encouraged to press on in a race that is very challenging and demanding, because his focus can easily be drawn away from loving God to loving the many distractions that the world offers in these days.
1 John 1 : 6 - 7 (NIV)
If we claim to have fellowship with Him yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live by the truth. But if we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, His Son, purifies us from all sin.
The Swallow had some contact with Christians from other churches during her school-going years when she was involved with the Christian Fellowship at the school she was attending then. However, there were few Christians at her work-place when she finally joined the working force, and any time spent with them was usually spent discussing work instead of having fellowship together.
At the fellowship session today, every member of the Bible Study group was given the opportunity to share how each of them came to know and accept the Lord Jesus Christ as Saviour and Lord. It was a refreshing time. The testimonies showed how the Lord God can touch each person's life in different ways.
The time spent together was also a wonderful reminder that although each one of them came from different churches, maybe with a slightly different emphasis in their church teachings, yet they were able to bond because their fundamental belief was the same ie that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, and because of their common love for the Lord Jesus Christ, and because of their common desire to study God's word in a systematic way.
The Swallow is reminded of a story that tells of a piece of burning coal. When the coal is removed from the rest of the burning coals and left on its own, after some time it will get cold and whatever remaining ember there was will die.
Fellowship is important. Whether with Christians from the same church, or with Christians from other churches, it is good to spend time with like-minded people so that the Christian can be encouraged to press on in a race that is very challenging and demanding, because his focus can easily be drawn away from loving God to loving the many distractions that the world offers in these days.
1 John 1 : 6 - 7 (NIV)
If we claim to have fellowship with Him yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live by the truth. But if we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, His Son, purifies us from all sin.
Friday, 20 August 2010
Sambal Ikan Bilis
Anchovy, or ikan bilis as it is known in Malay, is a good source of protein and calcium. Protein promotes growth while calcium strengthens the teeth and bones. Anchovies are usually added to water and boiled to make anchovy stock. As anchovies also have a strong fishy smell, her young ones do not enjoy drinking soup made with anchovy stock. To encourage her young ones to eat anchovies, the Swallow prefers to use them in Sambal Ikan Bilis, a dish made with a basic sambal tumis recipe with added large onion, which covers up the fishy smell well. This dish is also suitable to be used as an accompaniment for Nasi Lemak.
SAMBAL IKAN BILIS (serves 6 - 8)
Ingredients
SAMBAL IKAN BILIS (serves 6 - 8)
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| Sambal Ikan Bilis |
Ingredients
- 1 portion of Sambal Tumis
Sambal Tumis - 1 large onion, sliced
- 300g dried anchovies
- Remove the head and insides of the dried anchovies. Rinse and drain the anchovies. Set aside.
- Prepare a portion of Sambal Tumis. When the sambal is ready, add the anchovies and sliced onions.
- Cook the mixture until the onions are limp, about 10 minutes.
- Serve hot.
- Dried split fish is a hassle-free alternative.
- If preferred, more onions may be added.
Sambal Tumis
Sambal Tumis or cooked chilli paste is a mixture of chillies blended with several other ingredients. Time and patience are required as the sambal will taste undercooked if the cooking process is rushed.
Sambal Tumis is a basic recipe and is a good accompaniment for Nasi Lemak.
SAMBAL TUMIS (makes about 750g)
Ingredients
This is a basic recipe. For variety, it can be used with the following ingredients
Sambal Tumis is a basic recipe and is a good accompaniment for Nasi Lemak.
 |
| Sambal Tumis |
Ingredients
- 50g tamarind paste
- 400 ml water
- 50g dried chillies
- 300g shallots, peeled
- 4 fresh red chillies
- 6 cloves garlic, peeled
- 50g belachan piece
- 150 ml oil
- 5 tbsp sugar
- 2 tsp salt
- Dissolve the tamarind paste in water. Strain and set aside the tamarind water. Discard seeds.
- Soak the dried chillies in water for 30 minutes. Drain the water.
- Toast belachan piece in a dry heated pan over low fire, turning it occasionally until it becomes crumbly.
- Blend dried chillies, shallots, fresh chillies, garlic and belachan together until a paste is formed. Add a little water into the blender, if it is necessary to get it moving.
- Heat oil in a wok over a medium heat until very hot. Stir the blended mixture vigorously into the hot oil.
- Reduce the heat slightly and slowly fry the mixture until its colour becomes a deep red-brown, and it has thickened into a jammy consistency. At this point, the oil would have separated from the mixture. This process will take about 10 - 12 minutes.
- Stir in sugar, salt and the tamarind water. This will thin the mixture. Fry for another 2 - 3 minutes until it is glossy again.
- Season to taste.
- Do not put more belachan than what is required as it is saltish. A little goes a long way. Reduce if necessary.
- Do not rush the cooking process as the sambal will taste undercooked.
This is a basic recipe. For variety, it can be used with the following ingredients
- anchovies - Sambal Ikan Bilis
- chicken & pineapples
- prawns
Nasi Lemak for Dinner
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| Nasi Lemak (Coconut Rice) accompanied by fried fish, cucumber slices, Sambal Ikan Bilis and fried peanuts |
Keeping a Promise
The Swallow's young ones had been asking repeatedly for a Nasi Lemak meal but due to school examinations, the decision to cook the meal had to be delayed.
Nasi Lemak is the Malay name for coconut rice. In Singapore and Malaysia, it is a also complete meal that is accompanied by fried peanuts, fried anchovies, hard-boiled eggs, cucumber slices and Sambal Tumis (cooked chilli paste). For variety, the sambal can be cooked in different ways, and more complicated dishes may be added.
Nasi Lemak is cooked with coconut milk, so it is not a meal that would meet the needs of those who are health-conscious. However, the Swallow's view is "everything in moderation" so an occasional meal of Nasi Lemak can be enjoyed without guilt.
Tonight, the Swallow kept her promise. The Nasi Lemak served came with the usual roasted peanuts and cucumber slices (the Swallow used Japanese cucumbers in this case as they are crunchier, and the family prefers them). The Swallow also served up fried fish and Sambal Ikan Bilis (anchovies cooked with chilli paste) as additions to the meal. As there was sufficient protein in the meal, hard-boiled eggs were omitted this time.
Nasi Lemak is the Malay name for coconut rice. In Singapore and Malaysia, it is a also complete meal that is accompanied by fried peanuts, fried anchovies, hard-boiled eggs, cucumber slices and Sambal Tumis (cooked chilli paste). For variety, the sambal can be cooked in different ways, and more complicated dishes may be added.
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| Nasi Lemak |
Nasi Lemak is cooked with coconut milk, so it is not a meal that would meet the needs of those who are health-conscious. However, the Swallow's view is "everything in moderation" so an occasional meal of Nasi Lemak can be enjoyed without guilt.
Home-Made Sambal Tumis
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| Home-Made Sambal Tumis |
Wednesday, 18 August 2010
He is No Fool
The Swallow first heard the song "He is no fool" at a recent leadership course she had attended with her mate. The words of the song were touching, encouraging and motivating. The song is a call, to those who is running the race for the Lord Jesus Christ, to press on even when they are called fools.
As Jesus said in John 12 : 25 (NKJV), "He who loves his life will lose it, and he who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life".
The song is based on the lives of two men in history, Jim Elliot and Eric Liddell, who gave up their dreams to follow their Lord and Master, the Lord Jesus Christ.
HE IS NO FOOL (sang by Twila Paris)
There once was a man, born of high circumstance
Heir to advantage, he had every chance to succeed
But light from the cross made his dreams appear small
And to their surprise, he went far from it all
For the love of His Saviour, for one priceless jewel
They could not understand, so they called him a fool
He is no fool
If he would choose
To give the thing he cannot keep
To buy what he can never lose
To see the treasure in one soul
That far outshines the brightest gold
He is no fool
He is no fool
He is no fool
He is no fool.
There once was a boy, who could run like the wind
Given to lead, every man was his friend at the line
But light from the cross made his race appear small
And to their amazement, he followed the call
For the love of his Saviour, for one priceless jewel
They could not understand, so they called him a fool
He is no fool
If he would choose
To give the thing he cannot keep
To buy what he can never lose
To see the treasure in one soul
That far outshines the brightest gold
He is no fool.
Show me the fool who abandons his life
To walk in the steps of our Lord Jesus Christ
He is no fool
If he would choose
To give the thing he cannot keep
To buy what he can never lose
To see the treasure in one soul
That far outshines the brightest gold
He is no fool
He is no fool
He is no fool
He is no fool
He is no fool
He is no fool.
As Jesus said in John 12 : 25 (NKJV), "He who loves his life will lose it, and he who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life".
The song is based on the lives of two men in history, Jim Elliot and Eric Liddell, who gave up their dreams to follow their Lord and Master, the Lord Jesus Christ.
HE IS NO FOOL (sang by Twila Paris)
There once was a man, born of high circumstance
Heir to advantage, he had every chance to succeed
But light from the cross made his dreams appear small
And to their surprise, he went far from it all
For the love of His Saviour, for one priceless jewel
They could not understand, so they called him a fool
He is no fool
If he would choose
To give the thing he cannot keep
To buy what he can never lose
To see the treasure in one soul
That far outshines the brightest gold
He is no fool
He is no fool
He is no fool
He is no fool.
There once was a boy, who could run like the wind
Given to lead, every man was his friend at the line
But light from the cross made his race appear small
And to their amazement, he followed the call
For the love of his Saviour, for one priceless jewel
They could not understand, so they called him a fool
He is no fool
If he would choose
To give the thing he cannot keep
To buy what he can never lose
To see the treasure in one soul
That far outshines the brightest gold
He is no fool.
Show me the fool who abandons his life
To walk in the steps of our Lord Jesus Christ
He is no fool
If he would choose
To give the thing he cannot keep
To buy what he can never lose
To see the treasure in one soul
That far outshines the brightest gold
He is no fool
He is no fool
He is no fool
He is no fool
He is no fool
He is no fool.
Effective Leadership
"He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain that which he cannot lose." --Jim Elliot--
In the second session of the course "Biblical Principles for Leading with Love", the Swallow and her coursemates watched a short clip titled "He is no fool". It was a short chronicle of the lives of several well-known men and women who chose to give their lives in service to their Lord God.
Some of the men were killed while they were trying to reach out to a tribe in the jungles of Ecuador, with the hope of bringing the saving Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ to them. The world called these men fools because they were in the prime of their lives, and when they died in the course of serving the Lord God, they had left behind their wives and young children. Yet they did not die in vain. Although they were not alive to witness it, their deaths brought about salvation for the very natives that killed them.
To be an effective leader is to be one who has an influence on the lives of those around him. For he who thinks he leads but has no followers, is only taking a walk.
Jesus is the greatest example of an effective leader. He influenced the lives of those around him, whether they were humble fishermen or intelligent tax collectors. The characters of Peter, John and Thomas were examined in order to see the influence of Jesus in their lives. These men were part of a group of twelve men chosen by the Lord Jesus as His disciples.
Peter's character is his impulsiveness. He was the one who claimed, very quickly, that he would be steadfast even in the face of persecution (Matthew 26 : 33). He was the one, when Judas Iscariot came with soldiers and officers from the chief priests and Pharisees to arrest Jesus, who drew his sword (quickly too?), struck the high priest's servant, and cut off his right ear (John 18 : 10), but he was also the one who, just as quickly, denied three times that he knew Jesus (John 18 : 15 - 18, 25 - 27).
For John, he was known as the disciple whom Jesus loved. Confident in Jesus' love for him, he was the one who leaned back on Jesus' breast to ask who would betray Him (John 13 : 21 - 25), yet he was also the one, together with his brother James, who went to Jesus with the request to sit at Jesus' hands in glory (Mark 10 : 35 - 40).
Thomas will always go down in history as the doubter. He needed to see in Jesus' hands the print of the nails, he needed to put his finger into the print of the nails, he needed to put his hand into Jesus' side before he could believe that Jesus had risen from the dead, and had appeared to the other disciples (John 20 : 24 - 25). Yet a little known side of him was that he was the one who suggested that the disciples follow Jesus to Bethany, a town near Jerusalem, because Jesus was going there to see Mary and Martha whose brother, Lazarus, had just died, and because the Jews in Jerusalem had recently been seeking to stone Jesus (John 11 : 16).
Three different men. Three men with different strengths and weaknesses. Yet these three men went on to be men known for their love for the Lord Jesus Christ. Historians recorded that Peter died on a cross too, hung upside down as he felt he was not worthy to be hung the same way as his Lord and Master. John became the last disciple to die, who wrote Revelations, the last book in the Bible, while in a Roman prison on the island of Patmos. Thomas was the one who brought the gospel of Jesus Christ to India.
How to be an effective leader? Look at the Lord Jesus Christ and learn from Him.
For those men who died for Christ, they were no fools. They were effective leaders.
In the second session of the course "Biblical Principles for Leading with Love", the Swallow and her coursemates watched a short clip titled "He is no fool". It was a short chronicle of the lives of several well-known men and women who chose to give their lives in service to their Lord God.
Some of the men were killed while they were trying to reach out to a tribe in the jungles of Ecuador, with the hope of bringing the saving Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ to them. The world called these men fools because they were in the prime of their lives, and when they died in the course of serving the Lord God, they had left behind their wives and young children. Yet they did not die in vain. Although they were not alive to witness it, their deaths brought about salvation for the very natives that killed them.
To be an effective leader is to be one who has an influence on the lives of those around him. For he who thinks he leads but has no followers, is only taking a walk.
Jesus is the greatest example of an effective leader. He influenced the lives of those around him, whether they were humble fishermen or intelligent tax collectors. The characters of Peter, John and Thomas were examined in order to see the influence of Jesus in their lives. These men were part of a group of twelve men chosen by the Lord Jesus as His disciples.
Peter's character is his impulsiveness. He was the one who claimed, very quickly, that he would be steadfast even in the face of persecution (Matthew 26 : 33). He was the one, when Judas Iscariot came with soldiers and officers from the chief priests and Pharisees to arrest Jesus, who drew his sword (quickly too?), struck the high priest's servant, and cut off his right ear (John 18 : 10), but he was also the one who, just as quickly, denied three times that he knew Jesus (John 18 : 15 - 18, 25 - 27).
For John, he was known as the disciple whom Jesus loved. Confident in Jesus' love for him, he was the one who leaned back on Jesus' breast to ask who would betray Him (John 13 : 21 - 25), yet he was also the one, together with his brother James, who went to Jesus with the request to sit at Jesus' hands in glory (Mark 10 : 35 - 40).
Thomas will always go down in history as the doubter. He needed to see in Jesus' hands the print of the nails, he needed to put his finger into the print of the nails, he needed to put his hand into Jesus' side before he could believe that Jesus had risen from the dead, and had appeared to the other disciples (John 20 : 24 - 25). Yet a little known side of him was that he was the one who suggested that the disciples follow Jesus to Bethany, a town near Jerusalem, because Jesus was going there to see Mary and Martha whose brother, Lazarus, had just died, and because the Jews in Jerusalem had recently been seeking to stone Jesus (John 11 : 16).
Three different men. Three men with different strengths and weaknesses. Yet these three men went on to be men known for their love for the Lord Jesus Christ. Historians recorded that Peter died on a cross too, hung upside down as he felt he was not worthy to be hung the same way as his Lord and Master. John became the last disciple to die, who wrote Revelations, the last book in the Bible, while in a Roman prison on the island of Patmos. Thomas was the one who brought the gospel of Jesus Christ to India.
How to be an effective leader? Look at the Lord Jesus Christ and learn from Him.
For those men who died for Christ, they were no fools. They were effective leaders.
Monday, 16 August 2010
Blueberry Cupcakes
In the late 80's, Blueberry Cake was a popular choice whenever the Swallow wanted to buy birthday cakes for her friends and loved ones. When there was an offer for blueberries at a nearby supermarket, the Swallow could not resist buying a box of the blueberries. The Swallow does not have the ability to produce a Blueberry Cake like the ones sold in cake shops, but she managed to improvise a little to produce some Blueberry cupcakes.
This recipe is good for those who those who likes to use ready mix flour.
BLUEBERRY CUPCAKES (makes about 24 cupcakes)
Ingredients
This recipe is good for those who those who likes to use ready mix flour.
BLUEBERRY CUPCAKES (makes about 24 cupcakes)
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| Blueberry Cupcakes |
Ingredients
- 125g fresh blueberries
- 500g Optima ready mix flour
- 5 eggs, at room temperature
- 50g butter, at room temperature
- 100ml water
- Preheat oven to 175 degrees Celsius. Line 24 muffin cups with paper liners.
- Beat the butter with a hand whisk.
- Add the eggs, one at a time. After each addition, mix it well with the butter.
- Add the flour and mix well.
- Add the water and mix well.
- Add the blueberries and mix well.
- Fill liners to a level about 3mm from the top.
- Bake until golden brown, about 15 minutes.
- Baking time and temperature may vary for different oven models.
Blueberry Cupcakes for Dessert
 |
| Blueberry Cupcakes |
That Cup of Coffee
The Swallow is not a fan of coffee. Whenever she dines out with her family, a cup of Milo or a can of chrysanthemum tea would be her usual choice of drink. However, she does indulge in an occasional cup of coffee, especially when its taste is like those cups of white coffee found in Ipoh or at the few remaining coffee shops where the one who made the coffee took pride and time in his preparation of the coffee and where each cup of coffee was like a work of art.
The Swallow found two brands of white coffee which met her standard of what coffee should be ie with a slight bitter taste, yet with a sweet taste that did not overwhelm the bitter, and of course, a wonderful aroma! These coffee brands supplied the coffee in sachets so it was a convenient way for the Swallow and her mate to enjoy coffee from the comfort of home. One was the traditional Ipoh white coffee while the other came with an additional taste of hazelnut.
Last evening, while her mate enjoyed his Ipoh white coffee, the Swallow chose to indulge in a cup of hazelnut white coffee. It was a costly indulgence...
Not long after the night cap, the Swallow's mate was off to dreamland. The Swallow? Well, she found herself lying down but staring at the ceiling, then sitting up again to look out of the window and viewing the not-so-starry nightsky, lying down yet again but then to toss and turn instead...lots of yawning but sleep did not follow...
It did not help that just before trying to sleep, the Swallow and her mate were engaged in a discussion of how to solve some issues that came up in the church ministries they were serving in. It was not a problem for the Swallow's mate. It has always been easier for her mate to switch off and sleep.
Not so for the Swallow. Her mind was still working overtime...until she realised that that was anxiety. So she went to her Lord God in prayer, casting her anxieties to Him. But the Swallow's mind is a mysterious thing. She may tell herself that she needs to trust her Lord, and she does...for a while...then her mind goes off again, taking back the anxieties and trying to work them out herself. Oh, the Swallow has still much to learn in this area.
When the Swallow found herself still awake at 3a.m., she decided enough was enough. There must be something that she could do to shut her mind off. So off the bed she went, carried her Bible and her bible study notes to her little corner, sat down and prepared to study her way to the morning. If her mind was going to work overtime, then it would be better to do it on something useful!
An hour later, with her bible study completed, she tried lying down again. The next thing she knew, the Swallow was wishing that someone would get up to turn off that noisy alarm...
The Lord is faithful! He brings peace to those who seek it from Him and Him alone. It is the Swallow who failed to rest on the One who cares for her, who tried instead to solve her own problems. The Swallow still has a long journey to go. And this is what the Swallow will strive to do...to go on in her quest to fully trust her Lord, little by little, everyday...and to stay away from coffee after dinner!
The Swallow found two brands of white coffee which met her standard of what coffee should be ie with a slight bitter taste, yet with a sweet taste that did not overwhelm the bitter, and of course, a wonderful aroma! These coffee brands supplied the coffee in sachets so it was a convenient way for the Swallow and her mate to enjoy coffee from the comfort of home. One was the traditional Ipoh white coffee while the other came with an additional taste of hazelnut.
Last evening, while her mate enjoyed his Ipoh white coffee, the Swallow chose to indulge in a cup of hazelnut white coffee. It was a costly indulgence...
Not long after the night cap, the Swallow's mate was off to dreamland. The Swallow? Well, she found herself lying down but staring at the ceiling, then sitting up again to look out of the window and viewing the not-so-starry nightsky, lying down yet again but then to toss and turn instead...lots of yawning but sleep did not follow...
It did not help that just before trying to sleep, the Swallow and her mate were engaged in a discussion of how to solve some issues that came up in the church ministries they were serving in. It was not a problem for the Swallow's mate. It has always been easier for her mate to switch off and sleep.
Not so for the Swallow. Her mind was still working overtime...until she realised that that was anxiety. So she went to her Lord God in prayer, casting her anxieties to Him. But the Swallow's mind is a mysterious thing. She may tell herself that she needs to trust her Lord, and she does...for a while...then her mind goes off again, taking back the anxieties and trying to work them out herself. Oh, the Swallow has still much to learn in this area.
When the Swallow found herself still awake at 3a.m., she decided enough was enough. There must be something that she could do to shut her mind off. So off the bed she went, carried her Bible and her bible study notes to her little corner, sat down and prepared to study her way to the morning. If her mind was going to work overtime, then it would be better to do it on something useful!
An hour later, with her bible study completed, she tried lying down again. The next thing she knew, the Swallow was wishing that someone would get up to turn off that noisy alarm...
The Lord is faithful! He brings peace to those who seek it from Him and Him alone. It is the Swallow who failed to rest on the One who cares for her, who tried instead to solve her own problems. The Swallow still has a long journey to go. And this is what the Swallow will strive to do...to go on in her quest to fully trust her Lord, little by little, everyday...and to stay away from coffee after dinner!
Saturday, 14 August 2010
Youth Olympic Games (YOG) 2010
Today marks the first opening ceremony for the Youth Olympic Games (YOG) 2010 and it is to be held in Singapore! Two years ago, Singapore outbid Moscow and took the privilege of being host to the inaugural YOG which will last until 26 August.
After travelling many miles over many countries, passing from hand to hand, the Youth Olympic flame finally reached the hands of Singapore's Minister Mentor, Mr Lee Kuan Yew, who lit up the cauldron with the flame, lit up the faces of many with smiles, and lit up the hearts of many with cheers.
One of the Swallow's young ones may also have the privilege of witnessing one of the games with his schoolmates. He is looking forward to the occasion which may come only once. His sibling is green...
When Singapore handed in its bid to host the YOG 2010, many people voiced their negative opinions. Then Singapore won the bid...
As a Christian, the Swallow is reminded that one needs only to do his / her best, regardless of criticism, and the Lord will bless with His best...
After travelling many miles over many countries, passing from hand to hand, the Youth Olympic flame finally reached the hands of Singapore's Minister Mentor, Mr Lee Kuan Yew, who lit up the cauldron with the flame, lit up the faces of many with smiles, and lit up the hearts of many with cheers.
One of the Swallow's young ones may also have the privilege of witnessing one of the games with his schoolmates. He is looking forward to the occasion which may come only once. His sibling is green...
When Singapore handed in its bid to host the YOG 2010, many people voiced their negative opinions. Then Singapore won the bid...
As a Christian, the Swallow is reminded that one needs only to do his / her best, regardless of criticism, and the Lord will bless with His best...
Friday, 13 August 2010
Back to Basics
Most recipes can be simple and easily prepared. However, due to men's thirst for originality and creativity, these basic recipes have been modified, changed and recreated, and thus may require more time for preparation and cooking.
Life has its seasons. When the Swallow's young ones were younger, time spent in the kitchen was limited. The Swallow had to rely very much on the basic and simple recipes to get her through. Simple is not necessarily boring. When given a box, think out of it...
Now that the young ones have grown, the Swallow has even more time to play around in the kitchen.
Life has its seasons. When the Swallow's young ones were younger, time spent in the kitchen was limited. The Swallow had to rely very much on the basic and simple recipes to get her through. Simple is not necessarily boring. When given a box, think out of it...
Now that the young ones have grown, the Swallow has even more time to play around in the kitchen.
Tuesday, 10 August 2010
Happy 45th Birthday, Singapore!
Singapore celebrated its 45th year yesterday with a spectacular show at the Padang. The Swallow and her family watched the display from the comfort of home. At 2010 hours precisely, they joined numerous Singaporeans from across Singapore in one voice to recite the country's pledge and to sing its national anthem.
Singapore may not be the Swallow's country of birth, but it is the country of her calling, and she is happy to be called a Singaporean. And if home is where the heart is...then the Swallow is at home.
Happy Birthday, Singapore!
Singapore may not be the Swallow's country of birth, but it is the country of her calling, and she is happy to be called a Singaporean. And if home is where the heart is...then the Swallow is at home.
Happy Birthday, Singapore!
Thursday, 5 August 2010
Finding the Right Church
The Swallow had attended a church in central Malaysia since her primary school days. Although she had moved with her family to attend another church a couple of years before leaving for Singapore, this was the church of her heart. Whenever possible, she would revisit and spend time with the church family there.
When she knew that she was coming to Singapore for a few years, her first thought was to join a church which would have similar beliefs and practices. But where to start looking for one, let alone finding one that she would be able to fit right in?
It was a step-by-step-of-faith situation.
After some prayer, and in a mood for doing some household chores, she came across a telephone directory printed by the church she had left. A few pages from the back of the directory, the Swallow saw a list with names of churches in Singapore, with their addresses, which had similar beliefs and practices. Praise the Lord who answers prayers!
Not being familiar with Singapore roads, the Swallow decided to choose the one that seemed to be situated along the same road as her home. Although it was one that was at the bottom of the list, it was a start. She decided to make use of the few days she had before Sunday to do some exploring as well as to check with some colleagues where that church was.
The Swallow's colleagues were quick to tell her that that road was a very long road, and based on its address, the church was actually located at a different end of the long road. Travelling there from her home would have incurred extra time and costs, if the Swallow could manage to find the church at all! It was back to the list and more exploring...
Trusting in her Lord to guide her, she continued her search for a church she could identify with.
A few days later, the Swallow cast her eyes out of the window in her bus journey to work and saw a medium-sized unassuming-looking building. When she saw the name of that building, her heart leapt! A little bell in her head rang. Wasn't the name of that building on the list she had?
Getting through the rest of the work day was a blur. When she reached home that evening, she rushed to take out the list she had. There it was, right at the top of the list...Praise the Lord who answers prayers!
That weekend marked the beginning of a new church family. It took the Swallow some time to make new friendships, but through it all the Lord was slowly, but surely, revealing His plans for the Swallow.
The Swallow has no regrets following the Lord. If she continues to trust Him, He will show Himself faithful!
When she knew that she was coming to Singapore for a few years, her first thought was to join a church which would have similar beliefs and practices. But where to start looking for one, let alone finding one that she would be able to fit right in?
It was a step-by-step-of-faith situation.
After some prayer, and in a mood for doing some household chores, she came across a telephone directory printed by the church she had left. A few pages from the back of the directory, the Swallow saw a list with names of churches in Singapore, with their addresses, which had similar beliefs and practices. Praise the Lord who answers prayers!
Not being familiar with Singapore roads, the Swallow decided to choose the one that seemed to be situated along the same road as her home. Although it was one that was at the bottom of the list, it was a start. She decided to make use of the few days she had before Sunday to do some exploring as well as to check with some colleagues where that church was.
The Swallow's colleagues were quick to tell her that that road was a very long road, and based on its address, the church was actually located at a different end of the long road. Travelling there from her home would have incurred extra time and costs, if the Swallow could manage to find the church at all! It was back to the list and more exploring...
Trusting in her Lord to guide her, she continued her search for a church she could identify with.
A few days later, the Swallow cast her eyes out of the window in her bus journey to work and saw a medium-sized unassuming-looking building. When she saw the name of that building, her heart leapt! A little bell in her head rang. Wasn't the name of that building on the list she had?
Getting through the rest of the work day was a blur. When she reached home that evening, she rushed to take out the list she had. There it was, right at the top of the list...Praise the Lord who answers prayers!
That weekend marked the beginning of a new church family. It took the Swallow some time to make new friendships, but through it all the Lord was slowly, but surely, revealing His plans for the Swallow.
The Swallow has no regrets following the Lord. If she continues to trust Him, He will show Himself faithful!
Wednesday, 4 August 2010
Algae Invasion!
Several months back, the Swallow posted that her family was going to have another go at keeping fish. Well, she is sad to say that this endeavour is officially a failure, and a worse one too!
After a week away during the June school holidays, the family arrived home to a sight of a fish tank invaded by algae. Most of the leaves of the plants were brown although the glass walls of the fish tank looked quite clean. A few of the fish (as well as the remaining fry...boo hoo...) were missing and the rest looked sickly. Cleaning the tank and taking away the browned leaves did not bring recovery to the fish or the plants. The remaining fish died a few days later, and the plants did not fare any better. All that was left was a remnant of a Java fern. Sigh...
In Singapore's The Straits Times last Saturday, an article on algae caught the Swallow's eye. Having read through the article, the only conclusion that the Swallow could come to was that she still had a lot to learn about keeping a fish tank.
The journalist who wrote the article suggested that a little algae is actually good because it is a sign that the tank is able to
The journalist suggested several ways to discourage the proliferation of algae
After a week away during the June school holidays, the family arrived home to a sight of a fish tank invaded by algae. Most of the leaves of the plants were brown although the glass walls of the fish tank looked quite clean. A few of the fish (as well as the remaining fry...boo hoo...) were missing and the rest looked sickly. Cleaning the tank and taking away the browned leaves did not bring recovery to the fish or the plants. The remaining fish died a few days later, and the plants did not fare any better. All that was left was a remnant of a Java fern. Sigh...
In Singapore's The Straits Times last Saturday, an article on algae caught the Swallow's eye. Having read through the article, the only conclusion that the Swallow could come to was that she still had a lot to learn about keeping a fish tank.
The journalist who wrote the article suggested that a little algae is actually good because it is a sign that the tank is able to
- support life on its own
- support the production of oxygen needed by fish and other organisms
- support the function of the biological filter
The journalist suggested several ways to discourage the proliferation of algae
- avoid direct sunlight - this was not a problem as the Swallow's fish tank was situated in a dark corner and away from direct sunlight
- don't overfeed, remove uneaten food promptly - err, there may be some enthusiasm in the family when it comes to feeding the fish! Also, there did not seem to be any food left behind, or if there was, it was usually too small to be seen or it would be stuck in between the gravel
- change water regularly, between 10 - 15 percent of the water once a week - the Swallow is guilty of not doing this. A week seems to go by so quickly that most of the time, the Swallow does not realise that the water has not been changed for a long while
- clean the fish tank promptly ie once algae is seen growing, clean the tank - again, the Swallow is guilty with regards to this
- keep plants - this is a problem. The Swallow wants to keep plants but she has yet to find plants that can handle the level of light in her fish tank. More research is required...
- keep algae eating fish - another problem. The last algae eating fish the Swallow had, died too...
Tuesday, 3 August 2010
Bible Study Fellowship (BSF)
The Swallow was invited to attend an introductory session of BSF, an acronym for Bible Study Fellowship, this morning. The main mission of BSF, as told to the Swallow at the introductory session, is to provide tools and support for men and women to study the Bible systematically in a condusive environment.
This was not the first invitation the Swallow has received. At that time, the Swallow was in the season of life where care for her young ones was a primary concern. Now that the young ones are older, the Swallow is thus able to accept the fresh invitation, and to register for the BSF.
The Swallow is looking forward to learning more from God's word.
This was not the first invitation the Swallow has received. At that time, the Swallow was in the season of life where care for her young ones was a primary concern. Now that the young ones are older, the Swallow is thus able to accept the fresh invitation, and to register for the BSF.
The Swallow is looking forward to learning more from God's word.
Monday, 2 August 2010
Biblical Leadership
"Leadership is not optional. It is the ingredient essential to the success of any organization. Take away leadership and confusion replaces vision." -- Charles Swindoll
"Leadership is influence, the ability of one person to influence other." -- J Oswald Sanders
"Whoever desires to become great among you shall be your servant, and whoever of you desires to be first shall be slave of all." -- Jesus (Mark 10 : 43 - 44, NKJV)
The spiritual leader must be "spiritual" first and a "leader" second.
At the first session of the course "Biblical Principles for Leading with Love", the topic of Biblical Leadership was dealt with. The Swallow and her coursemates were given the task of identifying some differences between a natural leader and a spiritual leader by comparing the descriptions of Paul the Apostle, before and after his conversion, based on several bible passages.
Before his conversion, Paul was a natural leader.
Based on Galatians 1 : 13 - 14, Paul was seen as
Based on Galatians 1 : 15 - 16, Paul attributed his leadership abilities to the Lord God, for he says
How wonderful it is when that lady's (the Swallow's and everyone else's) hope is in the Lord God. He never fails, time and time again. Praise be to His name!
"Leadership is influence, the ability of one person to influence other." -- J Oswald Sanders
"Whoever desires to become great among you shall be your servant, and whoever of you desires to be first shall be slave of all." -- Jesus (Mark 10 : 43 - 44, NKJV)
The spiritual leader must be "spiritual" first and a "leader" second.
At the first session of the course "Biblical Principles for Leading with Love", the topic of Biblical Leadership was dealt with. The Swallow and her coursemates were given the task of identifying some differences between a natural leader and a spiritual leader by comparing the descriptions of Paul the Apostle, before and after his conversion, based on several bible passages.
Before his conversion, Paul was a natural leader.
Based on Galatians 1 : 13 - 14, Paul was seen as
- active / on the go - he persecuted the church of God beyond measure and tried to destroy it
- intelligent - he advanced in Judaism beyond many of his contemporaries in his own nation
- legalistic - he was more exceedingly zealous for the traditions of his fathers
- circumcised on the eighth day (an important tradition to the Jews)
- of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of the Hebrews (a coursemate described it as pure-blooded)
- a Pharisee (someone who would know the law)
- zealous (persecuted the church)
- blameless (righteous in following the law)
Based on Galatians 1 : 15 - 16, Paul attributed his leadership abilities to the Lord God, for he says
- it pleased God, who separated me from my mother's womb and called me through His grace
- God revealed His Son to him, that he might preach Him among the Gentiles
- the things that were gain to him, he counted loss for Christ
- he counted all things as loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus his Lord
- he suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that he might gain Christ
- he wanted to be found in Jesus Christ
- he wanted the righteousness which is from God by faith, through faith in Jesus Christ
- he wanted to know Jesus Christ and the power of His resurrection
- he wanted the fellowship of Christ's sufferings, and being conformed to Christ to His death
How wonderful it is when that lady's (the Swallow's and everyone else's) hope is in the Lord God. He never fails, time and time again. Praise be to His name!
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