Devotion - Beware of Heartening of Hearts

14 Then the Lord said to Moses, ² “Tell the Israelites to turn back and encamp near Pi Hahiroth, between Migdol and the sea. They are to encamp by the sea, directly opposite Baal Zephon. ³ Pharaoh will think, ‘The Israelites are wandering around the land in confusion, hemmed in by the desert.’ ⁴ And I will harden Pharaoh’s heart, and he will pursue them. But I will gain glory for myself through Pharaoh and all his army, and the Egyptians will know that I am the Lord.” So the Israelites did this.

⁵ When the king of Egypt was told that the people had fled, Pharaoh and his officials changed their minds about them and said, “What have we done? We have let the Israelites go and have lost their services!” ⁶ So he had his chariot made ready and took his army with him. ⁷ He took six hundred of the best chariots, along with all the other chariots of Egypt, with officers over all of them. ⁸ The Lord hardened the heart of Pharaoh king of Egypt, so that he pursued the Israelites, who were marching out boldly. ⁹ The Egyptians—all Pharaoh’s horses and chariots, horsemen^[a] and troops—pursued the Israelites and overtook them as they camped by the sea near Pi Hahiroth, opposite Baal Zephon.

In this Chapter, God is using the circumstances to bring glory to himself. Through this, Egypt will know that he is God, 

Often We can't help but ask why would God harden Pharaoh's Heart. I was wondering to myself, When I refuse to do something, it is God who make me refuse and hearten my heart such that I will come to realise the bad of it later?

It can be confusing at first, but one thing for sure, God created us with a will of our own,We have a choice. I believe Pharaoh, right in the first place was unwilling to let Israel go. He Huber up bitterness because he can do nothing to stop God's will. In the Process, his heart become harden without he himself knowing. (Exodus 8:15,32), all these lead to him bring his army to chase Israel to stop what is about to happen.

When it all seem to end...that the Israelite will be wipe off by Pharaoh's Army, but God lifted up the red Sea for Israel to walk through and in the process kill Pharaoh's Army and Pharaoh himself in it.

We can see 2 important things here about our human nature.

- When we are often face with difficulties, unfair treatment or negative influences, we often leave God out of the picture, and in the process, we build up bitterness against the situation we are in. As this last longer, our heart become harden to the fact that we are beyond help and it is no longer our fault.

I see this in my current job clearly, often felt unfair, mistreated, when I voiced out, the other party also say I judge them. Often I miss out God in the situation, to turn to him for comfort and to pray (which I am still not used to). 

- To trust that God is in control. He know the beginning and the end. He know what you are about to do and not to do. When Israel trusted and obey God instruction, peace comes to them and when they started to complain and grumble and choose to do thing in their own way, it is often difficult and failure results.

Being Obedient take more than just understanding and know God's word. It take a constant will and effort to denies our self of our own desire. God's will and instruction will not always appear as logical most of the time.

Step by Step @ the National Vertical Marathon

We Did a run together, 10km. Dear is not game enough for a 21km...the stress she give me.....just to train for a 21km. I did this last year with a colleges of mine...63th Floor Climb to the top of One Raffles Place, I thought Why not Climb the highest building in Singapore Together, anyway it is kinda suggested by her. Lover's Challenge...

This year, they changed the location at the last minute from One Raffles Place to Asia Square which is lower than last year's building by almost 20 floor. We are just going to scale a 43 floor building. Work well for me consider I just did Sundown last week and have yet to recover from my knee injuries (Or so I think, been feeling the ache since sundown, hopefully in time to recover for GC)

Load of NTU Student, probably from Student union, getting ready to register all those who came for the challenge. We are allocated a timing of 2.30pm.

We are group together with the Family group Challenge as well.....time to line up for our challenge. As usual, since this is organise by a University, we must be one of the oldest in our challenge...maybe the oldest...one...lol

A 50m dash to the stairway...Ready, Get Set...go....

The idea is to climb up step by step non-stop as we don want lactic acid to build up as we climb, we saw a couple who rush up faster than us...later we find them seating halfway resting....we overtook them.....and some from the earlier batch.....we are actually quite fit consider our age...but still no fight for the young people...lol...we came in 24th out of the 82 Teams, with time of 26min for 2 person. The First team took only 15min to cross the finishing line...that is like 7+ mins per person...fast..

We were each given a medal once we cross the finishing line.....there were loads of them for distribution.

Dear hated this photo....I thought it was the only decent photo we have up there....the bad of only me having a camera. Having been telling dear that she should get a camera so that I would be in more photos....(never listen one....hiaz...)

At only 43 floors, not expecting much to see .....

Asia Square must have a few towers...why is there another Asia Square opposite of us??

Google it and realize that the building here is Tower 2...which is a hotel by Westin.

Devotional Read - God's Presence and Love

¹¹ “After the Lord brings you into the land of the Canaanites and gives it to you, as he promised on oath to you and your ancestors, ¹² you are to give over to the Lord the first offspring of every womb. All the firstborn males of your livestock belong to the Lord. ¹³ Redeem with a lamb every firstborn donkey, but if you do not redeem it, break its neck.Redeem every firstborn among your sons.

¹⁴ “In days to come, when your son asks you, ‘What does this mean?’ say to him, ‘With a mighty hand the Lord brought us out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery. ¹⁵ When Pharaoh stubbornly refused to let us go, the Lord killed the firstborn of both people and animals in Egypt. This is why I sacrifice to the Lord the first male offspring of every womb and redeem each of my firstborn sons.’ ¹⁶ And it will be like a sign on your hand and a symbol on your forehead that the Lord brought us out of Egypt with his mighty hand.”

Crossing the Sea

¹⁷ When Pharaoh let the people go, God did not lead them on the road through the Philistine country, though that was shorter. For God said, “If they face war, they might change their minds and return to Egypt.” ¹⁸ So God led the people around by the desert road toward the Red Sea.^[a] The Israelites went up out of Egypt ready for battle.

¹⁹ Moses took the bones of Joseph with him because Joseph had made the Israelites swear an oath. He had said, “God will surely come to your aid, and then you must carry my bones up with you from this place.”^[b]

²⁰ After leaving Sukkoth they camped at Etham on the edge of the desert. ²¹ By day the Lord went ahead of them in a pillar of cloud to guide them on their way and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light, so that they could travel by day or night. ²² Neither the pillar of cloud by day nor the pillar of fire by night left its place in front of the people.

Back in the past, I always known the Old Testament as something very Regimental in nature, while the New Testament show real freedom, But God would not be writing the bible in 2 different concept  Today's Devotion show how they are all related and none of it is not relevant and make not relevant by the New Testament.

In Exodus, A lamb dies in place so that a new born son of Israel can live. Jesus had to die for us in order for us to live with God. In Doing so, we are to remember what Jesus has done for us is all about God's Love for us. It will serve as a reminder to all believers to never take this for granted and as a result lives lives foolishly. We are to walk in what God want us to do and not on our own desire.

God Presence is also a focus here. The Ironical thing is that though Israel have god Presence  they are still unbelieving. We all know that When God is with us, All promises and victories are won. But if he is not there, promises are held, we would find it difficult to improve, and often we fail in our battle. But in today's concept, we might not see God as a Pillar like in Exodus, but Jesus has given each believer holy spirit. God is always present with us. Our Sin and relationship with God will determine how closely drawn to him we are.

To put Analogy into our current lives, Exodus to Israel is like Accepting Christ to us. It is a starting point. As we continue to read further into the other Chapters of the bible, We find that God will be our guide, we will go through area of wilderness, trial, suffering in order for us to enter the promise land, but the enlightening part of our journey is that God is going to be our guide, we are not going to fail. but The important thing for us today is to draw near to him for wisdom, power, care and mercy and our journey would be something we never would have thought off.

I am still working hard at this, I feel that I am in a state of wilderness, where I am going neither up or down, standing still which make me feel helpless. Though I use to complain and ask people how should I be hearing God, but though I don hear him as often as I would want to, I see his message now and then, actually almost everyday. The Question now is that how I am suppose to response to that message which I need God's Wisdom to understand and walk right.

Sundown Marathon - The year it pours in the Race

As usual, haven't got enough time to train for the Marathon. Am not expecting to Clock any PB here due to the lack of training. I would be glad if I can maintain it within the 5hr range.

Manage to Hitch a Free ride to the starting point as the 21km and 42km will be starting together...how timely. By the time we reached. The 10km have almost completed their runs.

Deposited my baggage and spend a good 15mins finding where they are. Lucky still in time to take some photo together.

 

Before going to the Starting point!!! All getting ready to score.

The starting point for the 21km and 42km are side by side. Expecting super jam later since so many of us are running.

Started the run and thought that the weather is super hot for night temperature. Spend the first 20km running terribly. Super lousy timing based on my Garmin. Definitely not expecting any PB now with 21km and 10km worst than last year.

What I entered ECP, small droplet, thunder and lightning can be seen along the MBS area. Was Thinking could it rain in the race. Sure enough, when I reach my 23km, it started to drizzle. 

By 25km It is pouring. I took shelter for a while as I am worry my Iphone will be drench. It happen to my 3GS, not even my 4S is affected. Decided to just get wet and continue the run. Iphone died after 25km. Total Silent from then on. I did received an SMS alerting us about the CAT1 Weather.

But Lucky for the rain. I did a much faster pace from then on. No need to put much Deep heat or water point drinking. Though my shoes are super wet and heavy

I manage to finished the Race in 5hr 41min. Just 6min shy of my PB, in fact this is my 2nd best timing. Very happy with the result actually.

Dear actually plan to support me at the finishing line with WY as Olsen is also running. But WY decided not to come due to the rain.

Thanks Dear for coming. Having a morning person GF have it's benefits. Someone here to take photo with and taken off...

Me with the medal  - A hard Earned one.

The Runner Tentage are filled with people. Wanted to take photos but since my camera is in my bag decided to go collect baggage. It quite a long walk and muddy all the way. In the End, ended up cannot take photos at the booth as it is closed. Really these booth catered to the sub 5 runners. I wonder I can ever do a Sub 5 here in Singapore. 

Starting to feel sleepy already..Ready need some coffee and food fast.

Left the place around 7+ via the Train to Serangoon NEX for breakfast.

After burning over 2000 Calories. I have alot of capacity to eat now. Dim Sum Breakfast @ Food Republic. Thanks Dear for the Treat and helping to buy...Leg painful from the 5hr of run.

Perk up with Coffee...but no use....sleepy...and need to go to bed liao. 

Mongolian Buffet after 20 years

Part of our Regular company's "Teambuilding" event, This year, the event is held @ Mogolian Buffet, this place have been around for more than 20years, I remember I came here once during my Army days. We Arrived relatively early at around 5.30pm

I can't remember what is the pricing last some 20 years ago. But I believe that they have gone up definitely. The Art of "Inflation". We arrived too early thinking that they will allowed us inside to start mugging on the food. However, Buffet only start at 6pm and we apparently booked the place for 7pm and for whatever reason, they want to stick to our booking time. Lame

The Main dish of a Mongolian Buffet is their ever Famous Stir-Fried mixed Beef/Pork. Done live on the spot for all to see. It really look delicious some how skilful the chef is...

U get to select a choice of meat and vege...just like a buffet except that it is Raw. Looking at the spread, I wanted to make my dish taste amazing..What should I put in??? Chicken, Beef...EVERYTHING!!!

This is followed by adding the choice of sauces....My frank Opinion tell me.....it is ALL IN ...haha except the spicy ones...lol

Mixed it up and stir-Fried. This is the result. It actually shrink alot after all the cooking and oil...Though the variety of the ingredients we put into the dish. The taste was not as satisfying as I hope it would be. This is the best dish of the Buffet I would say. The rest were rather mediocre. Totally Disappointed consider how much ingredients went into the dish...

The typical fare of Buffet Menu is also available for those we don fancy the Mongolian Fare. Pretty Standard for the Food.

But I am especially attracted to the Salmon which I always have for all buffet. The Quality here is nothing to crave about. I just love Salmon. Thought that they din have enough Salmon for me.

The Soup - mushroom is another quite all right sample...

Their Dessert fare is pathetic. So little variety to choose from

Though the Food is nothing to shout about, The company sure make the difference....we must be one of the loudest group in the restaurant.

All of us are so used to Buffet nowdays....first thing we entered the place...is to grab food. See no table are without food...and that is within 5mins.

Love must be really selective of the food here, as she is allegoric to Seafood. No wonder she can maintain her "Figure"...lol and I can imagine ,Vincent is twice her weight.

When they are near Food.....all their mood super good, especially 小弟!!!

All rush to the Famous Mongolian live demo

We have the quieter table here...even the food is modest..lol

Do they look like Father and son....Arms all so big

We have the same Color clothes today...and Waty sure know how to look smaller....in this photo..lol

Collegues that are close to me...(Vendor included)

小弟 sure know how to make all the girls in the department take a photo with him. So Blessed !!!

As the youngest of all in our department, will the Ladies bully 小弟??

someone call him 小宝!!! got so many wives...lol

The guys are sure more down to earth...lol...

By 9pm, the gang already at their max capacity, some still want to go for night activities....but on my mind...is to head straight back home on Francis's Car. Tomorrow, Big Day - Sundown Marathon

Pohlee's Birthday

Only in the month of May, we have birthday celebration so close to each other. This Time round is Pohlee's 35th big Year. And some sotong got a Mother's Cake instead, Lucky the birthday girl is already a mother of 2 kids...lol

I donno When we have this culture to switch off all the lights to light up the Birthday Cake

Pohlee is really a person who is not too conscious of her behaviour having a negative impact on her image. She just be herself. Something very admirable. For sure, I can't be like her....I don think I can handle the "consequences"...lol

Wonder what she wished for.....

It is a short Party session at 3pm from a days of working my ass off.....The Girls Photos

Follow by the guys Photo with Francis acting super Cute with his best Friend.....