A few days before the yearly visit back to Malaysia last year, the Swallow went to watch the movie 'Frozen' with her young ones. It was a tale of two sisters whose love for each other helped them to overcome certain obstacles that came their way. Along their road of self-discovery, they realized what true love was all about - an act of sacrifice. A Disney production, this musical animation was a pleasure to watch, and the song 'Let it Go' was an instant hit with the Swallow, her young ones, and her very young niece who could be heard singing this song at the top of her lungs in the bathroom :)
Showing posts with label Review. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Review. Show all posts
Thursday, 16 January 2014
Saturday, 24 September 2011
The Proverbs 31 Woman
Proverbs 31 : 10 - 31 (NKJV)
Who can find a virtuous wife? For her worth is far above rubies,
The heart of her husband safely trusts her; so he will have no lack of gain,
She does him good and not evil all the days of her life.
She seeks wool and flax, and willingly works with her hands.
She is like the merchant ships, she brings her food from afar.
She also rises while it is yet night, and provides food for no household, and a portion for her maidservants.
She considers a field and buys it; from her profits she plants a vineyard.
She girds herself with strength, and strengthens her arms.
She perceives that her merchandise is good, and her lamp does not go out by night.
She stretches out her hands to the distaff, and her hand holds the spindle.
She extends her hand to the poor, yes, she reaches out her hands to the needy.
She is not afraid of snow for her household, for all her household is clothed with scarlet.
She makes tapestry for herself; her clothing is fine linen and purple.
Her husband is known in the gates, when he sits among the elders of the land.
She makes linen garments and sells them, and supplies sashes for the merchants.
Strength and honour are her clothing; she shall rejoice in time to come.
She opens her mouth with wisdom, and on her tongue is the law of kindness.
She watches over the ways of her household, and does not eat the bread of idleness.
Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her:
"Many daughters have done well, but you excel them all."
Charm is deceitful and beauty is passing, but a woman who fears the LORD, she shall be praised.
Give her of the fruit of her hands, and let her own works praise her in the gates.
Seen to be a superwoman or a paragon by many people, the Proverbs 31 is "not a real woman but a model - someone whose example we can follow.", as written by Gien Karssen in her book "The Best of All".
Having read the book at different phases in her life, the Swallow recently sat down and read it again. Easy to read, and not too thick (an important point for busy women of nowadays!), the book offers many thoughts on the Proverbs 31 model of a woman. For an overwhelmed Swallow, they were fresh reminders that she needs to fear the Lord, and He will strengthen her to be "The Best of All".
Who can find a virtuous wife? For her worth is far above rubies,
The heart of her husband safely trusts her; so he will have no lack of gain,
She does him good and not evil all the days of her life.
She seeks wool and flax, and willingly works with her hands.
She is like the merchant ships, she brings her food from afar.
She also rises while it is yet night, and provides food for no household, and a portion for her maidservants.
She considers a field and buys it; from her profits she plants a vineyard.
She girds herself with strength, and strengthens her arms.
She perceives that her merchandise is good, and her lamp does not go out by night.
She stretches out her hands to the distaff, and her hand holds the spindle.
She extends her hand to the poor, yes, she reaches out her hands to the needy.
She is not afraid of snow for her household, for all her household is clothed with scarlet.
She makes tapestry for herself; her clothing is fine linen and purple.
Her husband is known in the gates, when he sits among the elders of the land.
She makes linen garments and sells them, and supplies sashes for the merchants.
Strength and honour are her clothing; she shall rejoice in time to come.
She opens her mouth with wisdom, and on her tongue is the law of kindness.
She watches over the ways of her household, and does not eat the bread of idleness.
Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her:
"Many daughters have done well, but you excel them all."
Charm is deceitful and beauty is passing, but a woman who fears the LORD, she shall be praised.
 |
| The Best of All - a book based on the Proverbs 31 woman |
Seen to be a superwoman or a paragon by many people, the Proverbs 31 is "not a real woman but a model - someone whose example we can follow.", as written by Gien Karssen in her book "The Best of All".
Having read the book at different phases in her life, the Swallow recently sat down and read it again. Easy to read, and not too thick (an important point for busy women of nowadays!), the book offers many thoughts on the Proverbs 31 model of a woman. For an overwhelmed Swallow, they were fresh reminders that she needs to fear the Lord, and He will strengthen her to be "The Best of All".
Saturday, 5 February 2011
A Christmas Gift
 |
| Growing Strong in the Seasons of Life - paperback edition |
Looking at the books in her home library, the Swallow's eyes fell on the book "Growing Strong in the Seasons of Life" by Charles R Swindoll. The book was a Christmas gift from her youth leaders, twenty years ago. The Swallow cannot recall whether she had finished the book, but two decades is a long time and whatever was read would be worth another reading.
The author centres the book, which can be read devotionally, around the four seasons of the year. He describes winter as a season of reverence, spring as a season of renewal, summer as a season of rest and autumn as a season of reflection. He aims to help readers become stronger Christians as they both hear and do the Word of God.
The Swallow hopes, as she reads this book in the days and seasons ahead, to be encouraged in her Christian walk, and to grow stronger in her faith and in the knowledge of her Lord and Saviour.
Thursday, 22 April 2010
What Would Jesus Do?
In her younger days, the Swallow was given a comic version (drawn by Al Hartley) of the story 'In His Steps'. The story made a lasting impression on the Swallow, and she has kept the comic with her since. Recently, she had the opportunity to get hold of the book version written by Charles M. Sheldon.
'In His Steps' tells the story of several Christians who chose to pledge their lives, for at least a year, to ask the question 'What would Jesus do?' before making any decisions or facing any life situations. These Christians pledged to follow in Jesus' footsteps regardless of what others might do. The story goes on to highlight some difficulties and challenges these Christians faced in the process.
1 Peter 2 : 20 - 21 (NIV)
To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in His steps.
What would Jesus do?
Although the Swallow liked the concept of the story, she had never asked herself this question before embarking on anything. The Swallow, in her younger days and being an impulsive person by nature, would usually do first and ask questions later. Now that she is older, it would seem that she is at the other end of the pendulum for she finds that she is more cautious. Many questions would be asked, and many prayers uttered before she leapt into any endeavours. Still, she has yet to ask herself this question...
What would Jesus do?
The Swallow hopes that at this stage in her life, she would have grown to know her Saviour to such an extent that she would be willing to follow in His steps, regardless, without having to ask this question first...
'In His Steps' tells the story of several Christians who chose to pledge their lives, for at least a year, to ask the question 'What would Jesus do?' before making any decisions or facing any life situations. These Christians pledged to follow in Jesus' footsteps regardless of what others might do. The story goes on to highlight some difficulties and challenges these Christians faced in the process.
1 Peter 2 : 20 - 21 (NIV)
To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in His steps.
 |
| In His Steps - comic edition (left) & paperback edition (right) |
Although the Swallow liked the concept of the story, she had never asked herself this question before embarking on anything. The Swallow, in her younger days and being an impulsive person by nature, would usually do first and ask questions later. Now that she is older, it would seem that she is at the other end of the pendulum for she finds that she is more cautious. Many questions would be asked, and many prayers uttered before she leapt into any endeavours. Still, she has yet to ask herself this question...
What would Jesus do?
The Swallow hopes that at this stage in her life, she would have grown to know her Saviour to such an extent that she would be willing to follow in His steps, regardless, without having to ask this question first...
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