spell

reflections (A), originally uploaded by camil tulcan.

The books or the music in which we thought the beauty was located will betray us if we trust to them; it was not in them, it only came through them, and what came through them was longing.These things—the beauty, the memory of our own past—are good images of what we really desire; but if they are mistaken for the thing itself they turn into dumb idols, breaking the hearts of their worshippers.

For they are not the thing itself; they are only the scent of a flower we have not found, the echo of a tune we have not heard, news from a country we have never yet visited.

Do you think I am trying to weave a spell? Perhaps I am; but remember your fairy tales. Spells are used for breaking enchantments as well as for inducing them. And you and I have need of the strongest spell that can be found to wake us from the evil enchantment of worldliness which has been laid upon us for nearly a hundred years.

Almost our whole education has been directed to silencing this shy, persistent, inner voice; almost all our modern philosophies have been devised to convince us that the good of man is to be found on this earth.

- C.S. Lewis
(from Weight of Glory,1942)

defined

agapanthus, originally uploaded by sheelajoy.

We must not be defined by anything that has happened to us or anything that we have done. We are defined by who we are in Christ.

- Beth Moore

alisha update

After the drama of going in and out of hospital, two scheduled operations being cancelled, and several days being force-fed some really nasty medicine, Alisha finally got the go-ahead to have the operation at noon (Singapore time) today.

Please pray that her recovery is swift!

*** November 11th Update ***

Jo sent an email saying...

Dear friends,

Alisha's operation is over, it took more than 4 hours, longer than expected. According to Dr Lynne Lim, the operation is successful. The operation took extra time because part of Alisha's damaged cochlear has turned into bone (not sure if it is the right description), the doctors have to drill through the cochlear to insert the electrode. The electrode inserted was shorter than the usual one but Dr Lim said that it is alright. Now, we have to work on giving her the audio therapy.

Alisha has some post operation symptons ... but other than that she seems fine. She even signed with her little finger to want to go to toilet, to have water to drink.

Please continue to pray for recovery.

Many blessings,
Jo

the shepherd psalm

Spring Lamb, originally uploaded by EssjayNZ.

[Psalm 23 has] virtue, which streams to heal those who touch; so it is true, that its power lies in dwelling so little upon man, and so much on God. See how every verse tells us what He is doing. This is the true policy of life. Unbelief puts circumstances between itself and Christ, so as not to see Him; as the disciples did, through the mist, 'and they cried out in fear'. Faith puts Christ between itself and circumstances, so that it cannot see them 'for the glory of that light'. Unbelief fixes its gaze on men, and things, and likelihoods, and possibilities, and circumstances. Faith will not concern herself with these; she refuses to spend her time and waste her strength in considering them. Her eye is fixed steadfastly on her Lord; and she is persuaded that He is well able to supply all her need, and to carry her through all difficulties and straits.

O trembling heart, look away, and look up! Your sorrows have been multiplied indeed, by looking at difficulties and second causes. Now cease from all this. Talk no more about the walled cities and giants; about the rugged paths and dark valleys; about lions and robbers. But think of the love, the might, and the wisdom, of the Shepherd. Love that spared not its blood! Might that made the worlds! Wisdom that named the stars! Your salvation does not depend on what you are, but on what He is. For every look at self, take ten looks at Christ. Cease using the first pronoun, and substitute it for the third.

Tell us no more of your tears, your failures, or your sins; but tell us, oh tell us, of the all-sufficiency of Jesus; and how your needs have been the foil of His deliverances. Sing again the old song of how all wants are swallowed up in the shepherd-love of God. And emphasize each ‘HE’ as you say again the Psalm of childhood and of age.

- F.B. Meyer (The Shepherd Psalm)

* * *

I recently was given this small but powerful book that brings new life to that much-loved psalm. If you've not yet read The Shepherd Psalm, read an excerpt here. Remind yourself of Psalm 23 here.

Alisha

Meet Alisha, the adorable 4-year-old daughter of one of the women employed by Touch Nature.

Alisha lives with her mother, Maili, and two older siblings. Her father left the family when Maili suffered with meningitis and jaundice while pregnant with Alisha. Those two illnesses were to have another very serious consequence – Alisha was born with profound hearing loss.

In the midst of these circumstances, God has shown Himself mighty on Alisha’s behalf. Recently, Jo was able to find a doctor in Singapore who is willing to conduct a cochlear implant, which should significantly enhance Alisha’s hearing. Miraculously, Maili and Alisha have since been issued with passports and have flown to Singapore. Initial tests have been conducted, and doctors are waiting for little Alisha to recover from a cough and flu before proceeding. The operation has been postponed to Thursday, November 5th, pending her recovery.

A successful recovery largely depends on speech therapy and tuning of the implant, so please pray with us that all will go well.

This procedure is, however, an expensive one. God has touched many hearts to give generously, for which we are thankful. However, we are still short of Sing $30,000 (approx. US $21,400). Please pray with us that the money will come in. If you are willing to help, please contact touchnature.jo@gmail.com.

Oh, and by the way, I've put a link to TouchNature's website on my sidebar. Do go and have a nose around the site, but please bear in mind that it is a work in progress and I'm learning as I go along!

birthday

gracie, originally uploaded by sheelajoy.

Thank you for the birthday cards, emails and messages! You are lovely. I am blessed. And yes, I did have a wonderful birthday weekend.

Before the weekend, my dad and I had gone out for lunch together. We get very little time together, so that was really enjoyable.

On Saturday, three dear friends came over we and spent the day talking, laughing, eating (carbs!), drinking and oohing over Keshy's little girl, Grace, who is arguably the cutest human being on the planet. I went with chocolate cupcakes, using this recipe and my favourite 7 minute frosting.

Sunday, my birthday, was a much-needed pootle day, spent reading and resting at home. And eating leftover cake. Bliss for a boring old soul like me. :)

pootle day, my foot.

A single fallen leaf on Earth, originally uploaded by ionushi.

I had the cunning plan to take today off work to rest. This is what transpired...

1) Baked a loaf of Irish soda bread (Yes, it was delicious, but no, it did not strictly adhere to the low-carb diet I'm supposed to be on. These are the little sacrifices we have to make, I feel).

2) Cleaned the front porch.

3) Watered the plants.

4) Harvested some of the late (slightly frostbitten) tomatoes.

5) Lunched on the aforementioned bread and some rather lovely soup.

6) Swept up the many, many fallen leaves from back garden. I spent a significant amount of time doing this, and felt thoroughly proud of my achievements, only to discover a few hours later that everything looked exactly as before. Nature mocks me.

7) Did a write-up for the Touch Nature website, and sent it off for feedback.

8) Drank copious amounts of tea, and watched a double episode of Jonathan Creek.

9) Made a cheat's curry involving a pre-made sauce. I'm so ashamed.

10) Planned my birthday menu. I'm having a few friends over. I'm thinking homemade spinach and feta pizza, followed by cupcakes - either chocolate or red velvet. Yes, I do take my low-carb diet very seriously. Why do you ask? By the way, does anybody have a tried and tested red velvet cake recipe they'd care to send me?

In conclusion, aren't you thrilled I have access to the internet so I can share with you my life in all its mundane glory?