Love

1 Corinthians 13:4-7

English Standard Version (ESV)

4 Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant5 or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; 6 it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. 7 Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things,endures all things.

Learning to love, Christian love, is something I need to work on. The above bible verses hold much wisdom to what constitues love.

If we are to speak with such love in our hearts, we would be able to avoid much of the hurt we cause each other, whenever there are disagreements.

Quarelling is never really useful, and should be avoided where possible or at best done in a controlled manner. We need to control ourselves, and not let our emotions run lose and cause us to sin.

Let there be love in our hearts, so that there will be patience, kindness, rejoicing in the truth, bearing believing enduring nd hoping all things.

Each of these fruits of the spirit bear much to be meditated upon. Are we actually able to practice all of this in a real life situation, and dare say on a consistent basis?

Formal Dress shoes

Here I go through some observations made as I KIV purchases:

But before that, here's an interesting link about spending money and how it relates to happiness

http://www.businessinsider.sg/money-can-buy-happiness-2014-4/?utm_content=buffer44e21&utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook.com&utm_campaign=buffer#.U1aDkaoazCS

Been pondering purchases, and my can prices differ by a few times, when the utility is really rather similar! Much money is paid for the "premium" "feeling". Time to be wise folks. 

The above chart linked money and happiness. But really, the assumption seemed to imply that the ultimate goals is  a pursuit of happiness. As a Christian, that's not quite it. A pursuit of God's calling in our lives is what is the essence of Christian living. 

What is my calling?

QT sharing from V

Sensible people keep their eyes glued on wisdom, but a fool’s eyes wander to the ends of the earth. (Proverbs 17:24 NLT)

Wisdom, honesty, patience and love.

A disciplined approach to achieve these instrinsic behavioural goals....

A quick application of these goals:

- Be wise in how we use time, use resources, set goals

- Be honest in how we do business, and how we account for our actions

- Be patient in how we expect rewards, and especially how we expect people to react

- And in all this, the greatest is Love. Love for the Lord and his people should motovate our actions. And importantly to learn how to let others feel loved

1st Infineum Dragon Boat Planning Meeting

Had dinner at Skinny Pizza (ex$) and we agreed on the general plans for the Infineum Dragon Boat Team! Family day and Kayaking will be the fun activities coming up!

Prior to that, had a bad experience with a hard sell sales rep at Westgate... Was pulled into a shop and given a face wash and told that buying the product is a Need and not a Want... Only $130 for 5-6 mths of moisturiser and cleanser...... Right.... Too bad her efforts were not fruitful. Life is tough, hope someone really rich appreciates.

Monthly Spend for the 1% OCBC 360 account

Going through this exercise will earn me 41.60 sgd a mth. Referring to the 1% of 50000 for spending 400 sgd on ocbc cards a mth. There is a further draw to put it all online and exceed 500, to get a further 30 sgd.

Purchases must be justifiable.

April: 

$100 Shimano mtb shoes + mtb pedals

(Investment for Spin Instructor training, easter 10% discount)

$100 1 pair tubular tire

(Replacement plus 1 spare for race wheelset, easter 10% discount)

Shortfall of $200! (And 100 if targetting Frank Card 6%)

Other potential spends to allocate:

RPM training fees ~$350 sgd

Formal shoes $69-189 sgd

Smart phone / tablet ~$450-668

Singapore Triathlon? ~125

Singapore Duathlon? ~100

Repair rear tubular carbon rim... Not chargeable most prob~ 500

Future wants:

- Upgrade to dura ace 9000

- shifters 525

- rear derailleur 195

- front derailleur 99

- chain 55

- cassette 60

Long House is closing...

Facebook posts are littered with cyclists lamenting their last rides from Long House. Seems like its time to make way for the mrt network.

It has truly been an iconic and convenient place to meet for the local road cycling scene. Will miss this place somewhat....

First proper ride 2014

Did my first proper ride today. Started as a solo ride and then just started following wheels of small groups that paased.

Think some were from geylang cycling team, team absolut, anza. Anyway.... I couldnt pull at all and just happy to be able to ride for 2 hrs. Thanks for the free ride. Was a good way to de stress. 

Thank God for giving me such talents to enjoy the outdoors.

Pokka Honey Lemon

New drink! 1.90 sgd from petrol kiosk

Good Friday

Attended Good Friday service. Was reminded once again of the suffering Jesus Christ the Lord willing made for us.

In response to His sacrifice which was for the washing of our sins, we pray for forgiveness even more earnestly now and re pledge our selves to move away from our sins once again. I know, its a struggle and battle which we often lose, but its not giving up the fight that lends us that bit of faith in salvation.

Towards the closing of the service, we took the chance to pray for the very real world problems that we as Christian sinners also face: social problems, financial problems, marital problems, relationship problems, health problems, mental health problems, parting with loved ones, persecution, work stress, etc etc. and also prayed about various sufferings Christians around the world who are being persecuted and even slaughtered for the faith.We pray that God is sovereign in all this, and to deliver us from suffering that may be beyond what we can take.

All these I pray in Jesus' name. Amen

During the session of QT, we learn the importance of self-awareness of our feelings and state of mind, and the importance of translating that into prayer. This establishes in us the spiritual life and relationship with God, that will allow us to experience Him constantly and grow in our Faith journey.

An inspiring day indeed.

Saxo Trader

Re looking at some investment options, with long term view

Spinning

Did another session of spinning today, thanks to colleague's recommendation. It's amazing how the instructor is able to keep talking throughout the 50 min work out at aerobic threshold.

Turnout for the class was quite good.

Inspired to emulate and explore instructorship!

First AHM training

Today marked the first training of the year for the 9div / Inf AHM team. A humble turn out but always great to see old friends! The run itself was, well, typical for someone who has not run for 2 mths. I walked... Nothing new.

Taking some time to reflect, it has been 10 years since I've started running in the Army. My time in the army was where my running took off, and along with cycling set things in motion for all the endurance sports I have done to date.

But where to from now? Younger running mates talk about completing a full ironman before 30, and  buying a carbon bike before settling down. I've mostly passed this point of dreaming, although there are moments of such thoughts. There were slight regrets, but I think the lessons learnt in the sporting journey so far have been there all the same. Learning to give up is a lesson in itself too.

Coming of age, sports needs to take on a more meaningful and focused role, no longer simply for personal pride. There are now more focused goals for sport, to be a tool to deliver health, fellowship / networking, and even an income stream. Inclusiveness is important in this also.

Bumped into  2 secondary school batch mates along the way, hope to run into them again next week perhaps? Privileged company.

OCBC 360

Opened an OCBC 360 account today. Intend to take advantage of the growth potential with the savings account!

0.05% + 1% + 1% + 1% = 3.05% max a year for up to $50 000. That's potentially $1500 a year!

First 0.05% is the base.
First 1% is from salary. A letter to company HR, and then too bad for DBS
Next 1% is from paying 3 bills a mth: Handphone bill, IRAS, SMRT Citibank credit card!
Last 1% is from charing more than $400 a mrt to OCBC credit cards: FRANK card for internet purchases, PLUS! card for NTUC, Cashflo card for spreading big purchases into 6 mths.

The last 1% would be harder to meet, but in any case, the interest is credited on a monthly basis so all is not lost if you miss a mth...

Spiritual Growth and Maturity

On Spiritual Growth and Maturity:

1 Corinthians 13:11 When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I gave up childish ways.

1 Corinthians 14:20 Brothers, do not be children in your thinking. Be infants in evil, but in your thinking be mature.

As much as we like to quote how God loves the innocence and purity of children, we have to show our maturity and Christian character in the way we handle the issues of the world.

Let us endeavor to build our character towards maturity, by growing with our experiences.

How can we test our spiritual maturity?