10 Lessons When Starting a Business

Starting a business can be one of the most stressful, yet rewarding, things to do.  Many people have dreamed of putting up their own businesses, yet only a few have survived through this pocket-emptying, worry-filled journey of business venturing.  I don't know if I will survive with Mori Notes, but oh well, I'm writing this as a (hopefully) helpful piece to you, and a constant reminder for me.  

Here are 10 lessons I've learned when starting a business.  :)

1.  To worry about the future may seem normal, but it really isn't.  Underneath it lies a sinful desire that must be uncovered.  

Many books ask what do you worry about?  One major worry in starting a business is sustenance, or in simple terms, money. In a book (“What the Heck am I Going to do with my Life?”) I was reading, it took a step further and asked, “Why do you worry about money? What do you really want from money?”

Is it security? Self-worth? Self-confidence? Significance? Power? Freedom? Importance? Love? Acceptance? Acclaim? Friends? Approval? Protection? Well-being?

Beneath the innocent worries of the future is a big possibility of having an unhealthy relationship with money, making money the source of security, therefore making money more powerful than God.  I realized my reason beneath all the worries was really my lack of CONTROL.  I wanted to earn money so that I could have the liberty to control my direction in life (where I want to live, work or study) or in business (should I diversify or do forward integration, etc).  I then repented, realizing that I wanted to create a route for my own future.  And guess what, from then on my worries lessened significantly.

2.  Be patient.  Rarely does success come overnight, in a month, or in a year.

Thanks to a very honest and caring sister-in-Christ, I was reminded to be patient.  The big plans made in a week cannot be accomplished in the next week.  I cannot attain in weeks or months what others have worked for in years.  Perhaps, it would be better for me to divide the workload into chunks and celebrate after each swallowed chunk.   Perhaps, I should remember it's also my character, more than the business, being worked out here.  Perhaps, it really is not about my timing, and the world’s pacing, but God’s pleasant and perfect timing.

So, it's okay to take your time.  Wake up each morning and ask God to "paint colors to my day today."

3.     When experiencing anxiety attacks, look back.

What kept me from moving forward was the thought,  “What if nobody would buy???”  A cousin of mine told me to look back on what has already been overcome and accomplished.  “Oh! The remembering back method!”  Here goes.. God provided me a product idea that has ignited interest in a niche market...   God has provided me with workers.  God has provided me with great suppliers…  So, if God has provided all these, what’s making me doubt that God couldn’t provide in the future?

If you also get attacks like these (filling you with all sorts of fears and worries), follow the Psalmist in chapter 77 who was groaning in distress, “I will remember the deeds of the Lord; yes, I will remember your miracles of long ago. I will consider all your works and meditate on all your mighty deeds.”

4.     Sounds cliché, but it is indeed about the journey and not the destination.

The world may want us to aspire to be a millionaire before the age 30, or have a business up and running by the age of 25, but that is not what God wants us to aspire first and foremost in life.  God’s will is to save us, sanctify us, and enable us to pursue Christ-likeness.

A journey is composed of sub pockets of adventures, trials and challenges; and in each of these mini-journeys is an opportunity to showcase Christ-likeness.  To deny oneself and be like Christ is to be at the center of God’s will, and this is the goal we need to pursue every second of life.  Pursue humility more than higher positions.  Pursue character more than cash.  Although our work and efforts may lead to success, many times catching a good business opportunity,  and joining an effective work team comes in an “as it turns out” moment.

5.     Don’t discount the “as it turned out” moments.

Reality is God works.  Sometimes it can be as upfront as the parting of the red sea or Jesus’ ascension.  Other times, it can be as subtle as an “as it turned out” moment.

“As it turned out, Ruth found herself working in a field belonging to Boaz, who was from the clan of Elimelech” (Ruth 2:3).  As it turned out.. like a divine appointment.. a God-ordained set-up.  It all started with Ruth going out to the fields to pick up some leftover grains. God had used this ordinary day for Boaz to see her, to take a second look at her, to give her favor, to become her husband, and to ultimately become a forefather of Jesus Christ.

One time, I woke up extra early to attend a conference with my mom.  I prayed, "please paint colors to my day today."    It seemed like an ordinary day, but "as it turned out" God made me meet a woman who then introduced me to willing partners (i.e. housewives) for Mori Notes.

6.  As a daughter (or son) of Abraham, there will be more people who will bless you than curse you.   This is a promise.

Being the descendant of Abraham through the faith-in-Jesus-Christ line, we can also claim the promise God has given to Abraham and His bloodline.  One of the promises is God will bless those who bless us and curse him who curses us so that we can become a blessing.

Based on the NIV Study Bible, the plurality in “those” signifies that there will be more people blessing us than cursing us in our journey.  Looking back, I can only say “amen” to that!

7.     There’s no need to give God time, since God owns time.  

In a recent Bible Study I attended, this very good point was raised up.  The pastor said, many of us set a time once or twice a day to spend it with God and we leave the remaining all to ourselves.  It is only when we see that time belongs to Him, and all of our life belongs to Him, can our work give glory to Him. 

8.     By all means, take the risk.

If God has called you to a social enterprise, to reach out to the marginalized, by all means take the risk.  Risk is a healthy part of life.  Risk enables us to trust Someone greater than ourselves. A life without risk would be a life without God.  If we can do everything and be sure of its outcome, there’s no need for God.  We’d be complete robots.

I’m a very risk-averse person.  I delay as much as possible before I make decisions. I want all my options open, since deciding would mean risking a better choice and foregoing other options.  I hadn't fully committed to this Mori Notes idea, until I felt God (and even the books I'm reading) was telling me to make decisions by faith now.  I checked my motives.  I sought counsel.  I prayed, "whether win or lose, may this business glorify You and make me closer to You."  I realized, plunging into this business will increase my faith.  This is a better decision. 


The final draw was when I realized, Jesus made the greatest risk of all.  He risked His life just to save a poor, unworthy, not-always-faithful girl like me.  Shouldn’t I take the risk for Him and the society as well?

9.     Focus on your strengths, gifts and talents.  It’s okay to look for people whose strengths can complement yours.

God has given us certain gifts to build up the body of Christ.  Whether we are placed in business or in a corporation, in school or at home, we are to use these gifts to build up the universal church (not to be used solely inside a church building).  And since we are given different gifts, we need to work together with people with complementing gifts so that our work will be done more efficiently.

As the African proverb goes, “If you want to go quickly, go alone; if you want to go far, go together.”  Pray for the right people to join the team.  That's what I've been doing for the past months.  Indeed, God has blessed me with partners holding the same values and burdens.

10. Thank God always.

In starting a business, it’s almost always that we focus on and worry about the upcoming events.  There were a lot of nagging questions tiring me out each day: How can I meet and train housewives to help out?  Where can I find them? Can I trust them? When God was able to provide me with people, questions turned to: Will I be able to sustain these people? Will there be people who will buy the pursebooks?

Looking back, I realized I've wasted countless energies in worrying.  Worry can be never-ending.  The good news is, once you pop it, there’s still a way to stop it.  “By prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God” and you will be filled with peace (Philippians 4:6).  The phrase “with thanksgiving” is very powerful as it allows us to praise Him and, consequently, shift our thoughts from our worries and problems to God’s greatness and power.  To have a heart of thanksgiving, “Remember the Lord your God, for it is He who gives you the ability [gifts, skills, people, resources] to produce wealth, and so confirms his covenant, which he swore to your ancestors, as it is today” (Deuteronomy 8:18).

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Discover Hope This Christmas

I remember how dramatic (or haunted might be a more apt word) the last few days of my maternal grandfather were.  His nurse would tell me that he couldn't sleep at night out of fear.  Sometimes he would lift both his arms and wave them like he was shooing invisible swarms of flies away.  He'd point to the holes of the exhaust and murmur some intelligible words of panic.  He was seeing some things.  "Dark shadows," he said, pulling him off his hospital bed.

Then, last night, during the Joint Cellgroup Christmas party, Rev. Eugene Hao was also sharing that his 82-year-old ahma (grandmother) couldn't sleep for nights because of those ugly black forms trying to get hold of her.  "Wow, those things are really real," I told my friend.  He told me his grandfather also experienced the same things.

So one day, at an unholy hour of 12 midnight, Rev. Eugene was asked to go to his ahma's room.  He found her seated at the edge of her bed sweating profusely.  When she saw him, she signaled him to cover over quickly and then asked him to pray for her.  "Really ahma? But you don't believe in Jesus naman e," he lovingly kidded his ahma.  "Stop joking around!" she snapped, "Come on."  He then prayed for her and bid her goodnight.  The next day, he found her smiling with such a big smile that would almost reach the ear.  "I've never slept soundly all my life!" the octogenarian lady told him.  "That's great!" Rev. Eugene said.  "So now, I pray to Kuanima, and you pray to Jesus for me, okay?" his ahma replied.




So what happened to ahma?

This ahma had a bestfriend of the same age.  Both had probably played mahjong together, gone wet-market shopping together and prayed in temples together.  This friend of hers knocked at her doors one day and divulged a big news to her, "I'm already a believer of Jesus!"  "What?!" ahma shouted in disbelief, "you've believed in Kuanima all your life, and now you're just letting her go? Letting me go?" Ahma felt betrayed.  Then this friend told her, "You know, I've never felt so much peace in my life until I found Jesus."  That day, ahma also accepted Jesus Christ in her life.  Now, she's probably feasting with Abraham and Peter and Paul, or resting in her lavishly prepared room in heaven.





There is hope.

Dark shadows and other things that resemble "death" have become a taboo to most people older than me.  Like, when I was telling an older relative about this story, she grew quiet and then said, "hmm.. maybe I shouldn't use sky or clouds as my log-in name."

Many busy themselves here by studying to earn some money, having a family then making even more money to sustain this new family.  Then what?  What's the point of all these when the ending would just be an infinite number of years DEAD?  This is the life and the mindset with no hope.  There's nothing to look forward to.  There is no point in living.

Christmas reminds us that life can be meaningful and beautiful, that life can be filled with hope.

Once upon a time in an island oceans away, a baby was born in a humble manger meant for sheep and goats.   He grew to be a very wise child, asking questions and conversing with teachers and religious leaders at the temple courts.  Later on, he put on several hats, such as that of a doctor, a teacher, a pastor, an evangelist and a spirit quester (I'm not sure how you call the person casting out spirits).  He did all these not for his own benefit, but for the benefit of the people and for the glory of the Father.

He lived out the purpose set above.   His kind of lifestyle may seem like a waste of time (since he was more often doing stuff for people).  But I guess he lived this way because he knew that life on earth is just a dot in eternity.  There's so much more to look forward to.  There is being with God, the Father, in Heaven.  There is bringing people like you and me there with Him too.  His life has proven that death is not the final ending..  that dark shadows can be overcome.

Jesus is the only way, the truth and the life.  I guess, it's not your nurse, or your spouse, or your money that can save you.  Don't waste your expectations on them.  Hope in Jesus.

In which area of your life are you losing hope in?  

A Bowl of Wisdom: Being a Sanguine

I've complained to God a lot about whom He has made me to be. My weaknesses, well, they're too plenty to count. There's my gold-fish memory; I'm just uber forgetful. There's my inability to see through a plan.. my being disorganized (or differently organized sometimes), and also my un-persevering attitude. I really find it difficult to accept this Mitzi whom God has created. I wanted to have a different temperament. There were times I coveted my friends' temperaments. I wanted to be more goal-oriented like the choleric, more analytical like the melancholic and more organized like the phlegmatic. There was nothing I liked about my sanguinity. I thought I had the least of all temperaments.

Where was I again? Oh yeah, ranting. Anyway, I'll end it before I bore you to death. Have you ever felt like you are a worthless-somebody-with-no-strengths? Like you couldn't succeed in whatever you do because of your character failure? Like God has made you with some lose screws? And like all your friends have better and more promising character traits?

Once again, truth be told, you and I are not alone. I've met friends of different temperaments who are just as discontented with their personality make-up. My melancholic friend hates herself for thinking too much before going to sleep. My choleric friend has unknowingly caused some bruises in relationships. My phlegmatic friend, well, he just couldn't say "no" to people.

I'm writing this entry because recently, God has just been making me smile. He's teaching me, "Mitzi, embrace who you are. That's how I've made you to be." How? One way is God has been sending different people to confirm that my sanguinity can be a blessing. And I'm sharing this with you because you too should start to embrace who you are.

I've always been someone full of crazy ideas. I draw them in my idea notebook, sketch them on a sketch pad, play with them in my head, or just create them out of something like a shampoo bottle. What I used to see as a waste of time and energy is in fact a blessing that can be used for good. Recently, God has given me an opportunity and an outlet to use it. I just felt that when he was pointing me back to my sketchpad and pencil, that I had tucked away in years, He was leading me back to my first love. (God's indeed faithful and loving to give me my heart's desires during time of seeking.)

The "happy" disposition that I have, I also did not know could be a blessing. I thought it was just me being childlike and naive. Later I learned that the smile that I have has eased the pain of some people hurting around me. I never thought that something as small as a genuine smile could help comfort some wounds.

I'm still learning to embrace who I am, for this is part of growing in, of learning and of living God's purpose. Embrace who you are dear readers. Praise God for the strengths He has blessed you with and confess all the weaknesses you have been hiding within. Your anger, your bitterness, your fear, your doubts. These are all consequences of sin. Depend on His grace to cover you and sanctify you to a better, more Christ-like, you.

It's time to celebrate you, the person God has called you to be. You and I are called not to be a loser or a failure or a worry-wart or a mediocre. Embrace who you are and become more joyful and peaceful and thankful. Embrace who you are and let God bring out your fullest potential.

God bless! :)

Meteor Garden ~ A Nostalgic Pleasure

After taking three written comprehensive exams in one day, I decided to treat myself to the nostalgic pleasure of Meteor Garden. Nice thing about the series was that it was fun and long. Season 1 has 19 episodes, and season 2 has 30; the pleasure could be extended to a great number of days or weeks. What's not so nice about it was that I had much too fun far too long. As each episode ran, I enjoyed the thrill of running alongside it. The race was long and it was a torture to cut it into shorter laps. On certain occasions, when I could find a tiny bit of self-control in my system, I'd turn the DVD player and TV off. Even then, I couldn't keep my thoughts from racing back and forth. I realized that this Taiwanese series had its claws sunk deep within me. They took hold of my flesh and my thoughts. Even while reflecting and meditating, I was distracted with the popping images of F4 and Shancai in my head. Funny, eh?

I had finished the last episode last night... and was thinking of starting the Korean version titled "Boys Over Flowers" today. However, I had this odd, guilty feeling when I woke up. I opened my Bible and stumbled upon these familiar words "Remember your creator in the days of youth" in Ecclesiastes. I read and reread the chapter. Alas, before logging in youtube, I was convicted.

Solomon, probably the wisest man who has ever lived, had sought wisdom, pleasure, toil, riches and knowledge in his life just like anyone of us. He provided us a very important insight about life, that we can live by, on the last chapter of Ecclesiastes. "Not only was the Teacher wise, but he also imparted knowledge to the people. He pondered and searched out and set in order many proverbs. The Teacher searched to find just the right words, and what he wrote was upright and true." (Ecc. 12:9,10)

The 12th chapter is telling us that life is short, it is fragile and easily broken. Before you know it, grey hair would start sprouting on your head (if you are fortunate enough); new lines could form on the edges of your eyes; your back would start to hurt; your knees may start to wobble. Before you know it, time has passed...wastefully.. and your end has come.

Solomon's telling us that while we're still "youth," we must act wisely. For our actions today (i.e. watching TV series) are definitely affecting our tomorrow. Will your tomorrow be a (1) fulfilled, fruitful & joyous life, or an (2) empty, lonely & bitter life? Here are three things to have the (1) fulfilled, fruitful & joyous life:

1. Remember Him... or in other words "think of Him" or "seek Him." This is the first step. It is filling our minds with His beauty, His Word, His burdens, His promises and His love... filling our thoughts of Him. It is setting Him as the first priority. Here's a quick priority test: What comprises your thought pattern today? Is it your business? Or is it a TV Series?

Upon watching this Tsinovela, my thoughts of God paled in comparison to the colorful and interesting characters of F4. I found myself having more thoughts of the series, cherishing each kilig moment as if it was my own, "prioritizing" it over God-ly thoughts. This is when I realized, I've committed a sin that in the olden times was called "idolatry."

2. ..in the days of your youth. There are a lot of exciting activities that can use up our time during these youthful days. The trick here is to discern whether an activity is meaningful or meaningless. To attain the (1) life, avoid activities that will cause you to develop bad habits. These bad habits can make our hearts grow calloused towards God.

I realized that if I were to watch Boys Over Flowers (again) soon, I might get used to the habit of entertaining myself with spiritual junk food that would not only waste my time but would also distract me from growing in my relationship with God.

Be wary, sometimes, a simple guilty pleasure can lead to an addicting, destructive, habit.

3. Honor Him. Honoring may include respecting, speaking well of God, speaking politely & following His teachings. While we still have the strength, and while the doors of opportunities are still open, let's honor Him with our whole heart, body, mind and soul. Let's honor Him with our all.

You may think, "Oh Mitzi, but this is too simple! What about work? What about business? What about getting married? Aren't they supposed to lead us to a fulfilled life too?" Dear readers, all these things will follow. The things that we need to do, God will make it clear. The things that we need to be content, God will provide. Before asking all those questions, ensure that you are doing these three tips.

At the end of the day, when we sit on the rocking chair, with our white hair tied in a bun and our eyes needing a pair of far-sighted eyeglasses, we can still smile and say "... the time has come for my departure. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith."

Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: 
Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the duty of all mankind. 
For God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil.

~ Ecclesiastes 12:13-14

A Bowl of Wisdom: 4-pcs. Siomai

While mom and I were on our way to the grocery, we passed by a number of colorful food stalls. I'm not much of a siomai eater, but at that particular time, my stomach (or perhaps my tongue) was craving for a bitable meat drenched in sweet and spicy sauce. So there I was lining up in front of this 2x2 meter kiosk, named Siomai House, that was selling 4pcs. pork and shrimp Siomai for Php25.

I poked a piece with a toothpick, and took a bite. Surprisingly, there were no irritating tendon-like bits or yucky big fat unchewable pork. The pork and shrimp Siomai was soft and tasty and it blended perfectly with the chili with crispy garlic bits sauce. This reminded me of the Siomai I had tasted some years back when I was still in college and had not been exposed yet to "the real world."

Let me rewind back to the good ol' days when I was still wearing my bell bottom jeans and rubber shoes. I was hanging out with my group of friends, the ego-boosters, at ZZ canteen for lunch. A friend bought a foot-long hotdog in a bun, other friends opted for rice meals, while I was in the mood for Siomai. The Siomai then was a bit smaller and paler. The skin was quite dry and flaky. But I didn't mind. I sat with my group of friends, and took a bite. As my teeth cut through the meat, I stumbled upon an odd pea-sized bit that was difficult to chew. With the help of water, I swallowed it in a gulp.

Despite the odd siomai, I laughed heartily and joined the chorus. We were young with high hopes and big dreams. We were thirsty for new experiences and new lessons. Young and naive as we were, we were filled with joy and excitement, hopes and dreams.

Now, with a better tasting Siomai laid in front of me and a few bowls of wisdom saved in my wisdom bank, I can't help but wonder, where has the young cheery Mitzi gone? Isn't it odd that the older we get, the less joyful we become? Is this part of growing up?

Perhaps growing up does not necessarily lead to an evergreen life. As I devoured each of the four Siomai, I unearthed some great lessons the child within can teach us about life:

1. Hakuna Matata

When I was younger, I could survive without worrying. And this is one of God's commands that I have mastered less and less, as I grow older. I could laugh and play and let my cares be carried off by the wind then. But now, I worry for the upcoming deadlines and financial pressures among others. I do not think it is necessary to worry when our responsibilities increase. It's a waste of energy. The Lion King's Hakuna Matata principle is something you and I have to learn from our younger counterparts.

Some questions we can ask ourselves are: Why worry when God loves us more than the birds that He feeds and the lilies that He clothes? Why worry when the God who has given us life through Jesus Christ, can sustain us through and through? Why worry when He has called us for a reason? Why worry when we can get nothing out of the very act of worrying? Why worry and ignore God's faithfulness in our lives?

The solution is remembering... Remembering His word and remembering His faithfulness in our past.

2. High Hopes

I remember being a girl with big dreams. Great visions colored my mind. However, entering and moving about in the real world isn't as easy as I thought it would be. It was filled with discouraging competitions and disappointing pursuits. Later on, I realize that we can retain high hopes, if and only if, we are participating in God's bigger plan. When we are on His side.

Despite our imperfections, we can have high hopes that God can use us mightily for the glory of His name. We can dream big for the advancement of His Kingdom, since this is God's same desire. Our extraordinary God can work wonders through an ordinary weakling like you and me. On the other hand, if we live our lives outside this purpose, perhaps for our selfish gains, then know by now that God will pop those 'high hopes' bubbles for us sooner or later.

3. Naive Faith

When I had my first job, I remember telling my superior, "If any problem arises, we should pray about it. God could work if we just believe in Him." My boss found it childlike and told me to just do my job well. As we grow older, we tend to depend on our own strength in fulfilling our duties.

The childlike faith is pure and straightforward. When God says He can move mountains, when God says He can make the lame walk, children can believe the word wholeheartedly; while adults will have to evaluate His word based on scientific facts and other empirical data. Our rational 'adult' mind simply cannot comprehend an extraordinary, out-of-the-box, God -- the God of Moses who has parted the red sea; and the God who can move mountains when we just call on to Him in faith.

Let us remember that God is the One who created science. He can work over and above it. Let us go back to this childlike 'naive' faith, and become bolder in living for God. Let us not be content with the certain, comfortable tried and tested ways that completely rob us of experiencing God and the joys that come along with it.

4. Blank Slate

My MA professor debriefed us in our last meeting, "It is best to enter my class in a blank slate -- when you know that you do not know. It is only in this way are you willing and ready to learn." As we grow older, we tend to pride ourselves with the knowledge and the wisdom that we have gained over the years. We think that we know everything there is (that we need) to know.

Many of us who may have read the Bible from cover to cover, or have listened to various preachings, have stopped reading the Bible because we think we know what it has to say. We hinder ourselves from learning and being changed for the better. We shy away from new experiences that would provide rich life lessons. Are we just proud? Or are we too much of a coward to admit that we do not know everything? Let us open our minds in wonder like a child.

As I closed the memories of my younger years, I swallowed the last portion of my tasty Siomai. I threw away the paper plate with the remaining chili sauce and toothpicks... and kept to myself the wisdom from this bitable snack.

A Bowl of Wisdom: As a Doggy-Sitter

I can still feel his nails on my arms, his husky hair on my cheek and his soft warm skin resting like a pillow on my lap. It had been a long yet interesting day of baby, I mean, doggie-sitting. For those who’ve dogs at home, this may not be something new to you. Perhaps, you’ll just be reading how one sees a dog through the eyes of a naïve girl.

The first time I laid my eyes on Shiloh was nine days ago. He was so small, so fragile. He was carried like a little stuffed teddy bear by Ona, my auntie’s kasambahay, to our house. At first I thought Shiloh was part of his (pertaining to Ona) clothing; Shiloh was very little, about six inches, and he was covered with a checkered cloth t-shirt that hung loosely on him. When I said hi to Ona, it took me around ten seconds to realize that there was another living thing on his body. It was a delightful surprise! I can’t express in words how cute he is. May the picture below speak a thousand words of cuteness.

So today I became a dog-sitter (not used to typing this new coined word. I had to delete ‘baby’ before I typed the word ‘dog’). My first hesitation of taking care of a dog was that he might pee on me. Soon I learned that like humans, dogs cry before they feel like excreting waste. Shiloh cried for so long. It was only when I placed him on the floor that I knew why. Praise God! That solved my hesitation number 1. My hesitation number two was that he might excrete waste on his bed, which is a little taxing to wash and dry and all. I just discovered awhile ago that similar to humans, little dogs like Shiloh do not want to place their waste just about any where.

I placed Shiloh in his made-up bed. The borders of this bed were a little bit high so it was difficult for a baby boy like him to jump out. I left him sleeping there while I was having lunch. I asked our kasambahay to check how he was doing. She told me that he pooped. Oh my, not in the bed! I thought. Our maid reassured me that he did it on the floor. I went to him and saw him sleeping in the bed. Then I asked, “Fay, did you place Shiloh in the bed again?” She said, “No.” He went out of bed to poop and back to bed to sleep all on his own.. at the age of 1 month and 10 days. Hesitation number 2 solved!

As a doggy-sitter, I had to carry him when he cried, place him under the electric fan when he cried, dance him around when he cried, let him walk when he cried, put him to bed when he cried, let him discharge waste when he cried. I realized he was such high maintenance dog! Believe it or not, I had to wrestle with him just so he could drink 14 teaspoons of milk per meal. Moreover, this must be done either in an airconditioned room or with an electric fan focused on him. Gee!

I also got a taste of being a new mom. Moms carry their baby around while they do ordinary work, right? Ergo, the baby carrier. In my case, I had to carry Shiloh and make him sleep while writing on this laptop, after which I left him on the table in front of me and othertimes in the bed beside me. I had to divide my attention between my work and him. While cooking, I had to divide my attention on my pasta and his crying. It took plenty of multi-tasking skills. I guess this is probably why most women are wired by God to have the multi-tasking ability.

When I met Shiloh’s mom, I was like a child in gradeschool learning about animals. I was amazed at the practical and aesthetic aspects of God’s creation. Check out this logic: since dogs usually bear and deliver a larger number of babies than humans at one period of conception, dogs would need more breasts to nurse the little babies. I discovered that afternoon that female dogs have 10 milking breasts. This gives every puppy opportunity to be nourished.

While Shiloh was in my arms, I was thinking, how do dogs fit-in in the eco-system anyway? Why did God even create them? They do not belong in the wilderness, nor do they fly in the air or swim under the sea. Most often than not, I see them in houses of people. Sometimes locked in cages, sometimes wandering in a bedroom. Then I realized, God may have created them for a beautiful unique purpose... to be the first to greet us when we get home, to follow us joyfully with its tail wiggling wherever we go, to make us feel needed, to listen when no one is around. Perhaps, God may have created dogs for us to have a loyal friend.

This is Shiloh with my handy-dandy pencil case. They are just about the same size!

Life Lesson ~ Experienced Theory

I loved how our Supply Chain Management class professor handled our class today. She made us do a case study (which usually fills 5 to 10 short bond paper sheets when single spaced) after reading a one-page information about MasterTag. This was unlike the other case studies I've had in my other classes, where we were tasked to read 20 to 30 page-long case study materials with an average of 10 exhibits, complete with financial statements, operational strategies, etc. She said, "That's real life. You sometimes do not have all the information. You may have to scramble your way to determine which data to get."

I thought being enrolled in a management class that is very much related to engineering (Industrial) would be boring, but no. I was surprised when my professor was encouraging us to be as creative as possible with our case studies. We could develop our own numbers and crunch them up to compute for the metrics. (In our other assignments we could do case studies of hypothetical companies, but we had to base all info on real hard facts.) We could offer different solutions, different systems, and arrive at different recommendations. There was no right or wrong answer for her. She simply encouraged us to broaden our thinking, and deepen it to the very detail, like "How will you replenish the four racks of goodies in a Ministop shop? Should the delivery happen daily? every other day? Will you ask someone to do rounds every hour?"

Education, as she said, is not merely teaching about theory or experience. It is mixing both. If you teach based only on experience, then when someone asks you, "why should meat stew be cooked slowly?" You can only reply with "because my grandma tells me so." Whereas if you have a theory to back you up, like "slow evaporation keeps the taste full and meat tender," then the lesson is much stronger. Your student would know how to handle something (a task, an experience, etc.) when the environment changes. On the other hand, if everything is based on theory only, it lacks life and vigor. It rests only in the mind with no use for the new knowledge.

Indeed, a life-changing, powerful lesson is one that blends both theory and experience. It is a life lesson (life~experienced, lesson~theory) that sticks. I'd probably remember even after so many years that once upon a time I learned how to create a supply chain model for the colorful horticultural tag company, MasterTag. Maybe that's what all teachers should do, to teach experienced theory, whether it is a Supply Chain Management class, Strategic Management, Arts, Science, History or the Bible. And perhaps this goes out to more than the teachers, to parents who have youngsters, students who have maids at home, and Christians who have friends and families that have not yet tasted the grace of God!

Learn theory, experience the theory, and teach. God bless! :)

Spiritual Check-Up

If I may ask you, how is your relationship with God today? Please avoid telling me what you did or did not do. I'm not asking how often you did your quiet time this week or how long you prayed to Jesus. Nor am I asking if you prayed three times a day. I'm also not asking if you read the Bible in your devotion today. And most importantly, I'm not asking how many ministries you are involved in. What I'm asking is, how is your relationship with God today?

As I tried to answer this question myself and reflected for a while, a picture of a girl suddenly popped in my head. She was a good girl who studied hard at home and in school. She wanted to earn good grades to please her parents. She took home numerous medals and awards. This didn't make her any closer to her parents though. Her achievements did not equal to the depth of communication in their relationship and the delight they have for each other.

I realized that how I, and probably some of you, treat God is similar to how we'd treat our parents. Sometimes we feel that the love of God can be earned by merit. We forget that there's nothing we can do to make him love us any more or any less. He just loves us already. And Jesus made all that possible. He has done everything on our part already when He died on the cross. He was (and still is) the one who makes us clean, who paves the way for us to go to God!

If you were like the girl in my thought bubble, you would have probably started new ministries for Him. Nothing bad with that, but remember, what we do does not make us any closer to Him. A relationship is a matter of the heart, it is inward, it is hidden behind the veil of what our brothers and sisters in Christ cannot see.

Now, think again and dig deeper.. beneath the piles and rubbles of your ministries, of your schedule, of your actions.. search your heart. Do you see God there? If you see that He is at the very core of your being, then praise God! But, if you don't see Him in the midst of all the work you are doing for Him, and you don't see Him in your heart, then maybe it's time to stop achieving for a while (God doesn't need them anyway) and focus on what's most important, your relationship with Him.

Maybe you would like to say a little prayer with me:

Dear Lord,

Thank you for sending your Son on the cross to die for my sins. I know that all the works I do for You are incomparable to what Jesus has done for me. There is indeed nothing I can do to make you love me any more or any less. Thank You very much for loving me.

May you forgive me dear Lord if sometimes I delight more in the successes of my works than I take delight in You. I welcome you to my heart. Please reign in every part of me. Fill in all the cracks and crevices of my heart. May you become my only joy, only peace and only strength.

In Jesus' name I pray,
Amen

Take this vitamins before you go. May this blessing refresh you in your walk with Him. :)

An Irish Blessing

May the blessing of light be upon you
Light on the outside, light on the inside
With God's sunlight shining on you

May your heart glow with warmth like a turf fire
That welcomes friends and strangers alike

May the light of the Lord shine from your eyes
Like a candle in the window
Welcoming the weary traveler

May the blessing of God's soft rain be on you
Falling gently on your head
Refreshing your soul with
The sweetness of little flowers newly blooming

May the strength of the winds of heaven bless you
Carrying the rain to wash your spirit clean
Sparkling after in the sunlight

May the blessing of God's earth be on you
And as you walk the road
May you always have a kind word to those you meet

May you understand the strength and power of God
In a thunder storm and winter
And a quiet beauty of creation
In the calm of a summer sunset

And may you come to realize
That insignificant as you may seem
In this great universe
You are an important part of God's plan

May He watch over you and keep you safe from harm

Food For Thought: Good Food for a Good Cause

Food For Thought is a small store beside Royal at Queens hotel in Singapore. I was only able to discover this hidden treasure when my friend brought me there 30 minutes before our (hotel) check out time. I was supposed to be up in my room packing. But I decided to go with her since I didn't know when I'd be back again.

Food For Thought not only provides 'good food for a good cause', but it also advocates NGO causes that include conservation of the environment, fight against hunger, helping the poor children, etc.

I particularly love the shabby chic ambiance of the store. It has a pleasant country style with quirky twists. If you would look at their ceiling, they decorated it with recycled old vases and orchids. They also used glass cups for the lighting, probably to add shimmer and lessen the use of electricity.

On their walls and table tops were printed statements that speak of the causes they believe in. For example the one below is "Make Poverty History. 'Cause we wait for the day when the last shall be first." Wonderful isn't it?

Learning from the vision of the future (read Matthew 25), as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goat, so will God separate the righteous from the unrighteous on the day of judgment. And if you would look closely, God will not ask, "Why will I allow you to enter my Kingdom?" and expect a simple answer of "because I believe in You."

On the judgment day, it is definitely easy to just say, "I believe in Jesus, so please let me enter Heaven's gates." But God will hold you accountable (responsible, liable) for every blessing (gift, time, wealth and other provisions you receive). Were you able to use them well? Did you use them to help the least of His brothers? Did you feed the hungry and the thirsty, clothe the needy and heal the sick? Or are you using them selfishly?

I don't mean that God looks only at your good works. By all means, no. When you are helping the poor, you are doing it for Jesus! And this is faith in action. ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.’

I say faith in action because it is still by faith that we are saved - a gift of God, and not by good works. But faith is not static. It moves people to action. Wasn't it faith that let Noah build an ark of cypress wood when all men were rejoicing and corrupting? Wasn't it faith that let David muster up the courage to fight against Goliath when he had no experience in fighting a giant? Wasn't it faith that let Mary, the sister of Lazarus, pour a pint of pure nard (a very expensive perfume worth a year's wage!) on Jesus' feet? Wouldn't it be faith to offer the same or even more to the "least" of our family because this equates to doing it for Jesus?

I was really moved while I was inside. I saw various social enterprises helping the poor in different Asian countries (i.e. Cambodia, Vietnam). I know it is more profitable to establish ordinary single-bottom-line (for profit only) businesses compared to social and ecological enterprises. However, these establishments have decided to share their profits and tighten the gap between the rich and the poor. I hope more social entrepreneurs and advocates will rise up. It's funny how one of the shirts in the store has put my sentiments in a lyric form, "'cause apathy is so last millennium."

I believe that this is a new season for us Christians to not simply be good boys and girls in the workplace. It is time to act upon our faith, to be proactive, to focus on people OUTSIDE the church (to help the street children for instance). It is time to move one step up from learning (and even teaching)... to doing.

Someone told me, many of us are afraid to advocate social causes because we don't want to be like the other sects and denominations who only "do good works." Please. Let's stop making excuses.

Faith is not static, it moves people to action.

Faith without works is dead (James 2:17)

PR 503: Flight to Singapore

The flight to Singapore was jampacked last May 26, 7:20AM. Such that when my mom, dad and I arrived at the check-in counter an hour and a half before the flight, the lady behind the counter placed us in seats far from each other. My seat was at the tail of the plane in between the aisle and the window seats.

When I got to the back end, seated beside my empty chair was a 'cool' looking middle eastern man. He looked like someone from the popular crowd. He was quite intimidating actually. He seemed like someone who would mock me if I opt to open my Bible in mid air. I could already imagine him asking "What are you reading?" with a smirk. I was still wrestling whether to read now in the plane or find some other time later to read it. If ever I would experience persecution or being the butt of his jokes, at least he'd know that I believe in God. And since God has promised vindication, I knew that He'd believe in God sooner or later.

So I decided to open my Bible. I read Isaiah 49. It was a VERY timely message. Before I boarded the plane, when I was waiting in line at the customs area, I was reflecting whether I should continue writing or start a business already. I asked a good friend of mine the same thing. She suggested that maybe I should prioritize writing for now because I bless more people that way. But I am not earning from it, I thought. I'm not even sure if people were reading my entries. I just felt quite lost.

Before my turn came, something inside me was telling me, use your gift to bless others even if it won't pay much. Trust that God will provide. Now, back to Isaiah 49. Isaiah 49 was my reading for that day. I was surprised that when I arrived at verse 4, someone knew how I felt and put it all into a verse.. "I have labored in vain; I have spent my strength for nothing at all. Yet what is due me is in the Lord's hand, and my reward is with my God."

Amazing how timely it was. And even more amazing was God's reply. He started by saying he formed the servant in the womb. Even before he was born, God has placed in him his purpose. His purpose was something greater than restoring Israel. He was to be "a light for the Gentiles" that God's salvation may reach to the ends of the earth. I felt that God was speaking straight to me; telling me to go be a light, whether you write or speak, just go and light up the world.

After I thanked God for His wonderful living Word and the joy and comfort alongside it, my seatmate took out a book and started reading as well. The book was oddly familiar. It was in English. Before I got to peek the title on the cover, he turned to me and ask, "What version are you reading?" I said, "NLT." I learned after a short volley of dialogue later that he is a brother in Christ!

His side of the story. When a flight attendant announced, "For those who are willing to pay extra $20 to change seats, there are still some seats available near the exit doors," he was tempted to grab the opportunity. But he felt that he shouldn't, and so he decided to stay in his cramped spot. He admitted, "Maybe this is the reason why something in me told me to stay, (for us to encourage one another)." He told me that the day before our flight, he was on the verge of giving up his faith.

Interesting how the book he was reading and a two hour conversation with a family in Christ brought back joy in him. I was more often merely listening to him share about his learnings, the books that he read, and a bit of his struggles. The fire in him was slowly lighting brighter and brighter as he excitedly quoted verses from the Psalms and shared how these lines helped him that day.

I thank You and praise You, Holy Spirit for speaking to us when we need it the most. In Jesus name, Amen. :)

Christmas Eve Special: Come to Jesus

On December 24, 2010, at exactly 5 in the afternoon, the lights in the church were dimmed and the cold mist from the fog machine filled the air. People flocked in, one family after another. They searched for empty pews to sit on. In a few minutes' time, the whole church was filled and the triumphant sound of "Joy to the World" entered with a blast.

The presentation this year was in no way you're-ordinary-Christmas-eve-celebration where the scene of belen was reenacted nor was it a simple concert of Christmas jingles. It was the story of Jesus' birth in the eyes of popular and not so popular Biblical characters. Each stood on a mini-stage strategically set-up around the church.

Mary, the mother of Jesus, stood under the cold dark winter night as she carried the baby in her tummy, looking for a place for rest, and possibly to give birth.

Joseph, the carpenter, sat at his work station with a few lumber cut in blocks and pieces in the background. He spoke of the time when he planned to divorce Mary upon learning that she was pregnant when they were already engaged. But the angel of the Lord prevented him doing so, this angel told him that "what is conceived in her is from the the Holy Spirit." It's so ironic that the King of kings was born out of a weak teenage woman who had no place to stay and a simple carpenter who probably couldn't afford the finest things in life. God does indeed choose the ordinary to do the extraordinary.

The three wise men, magi as they called themselves, walked across the aisle on their way home from handing their gifts to Jesus. Isn't it awesome that the wise (probably the wisest) men on earth knew about his coming - the exact date, time and place? Isn't it awesome that they worshipped a baby born in a stable where animals had lived? Isn't it awesome that this humble birth caused a stir during Herod's reign?

Anna, the prophetess, stood at the temple and told her story. For 60 years, she waited for the coming of the Messiah. She spent it fasting and praying, ministering to the people. And when the time has finally come, when she has finally seen the baby Jesus, her eyes swelled with tears as she joyfully proclaimed to the world that the Messiah child has finally come! "The redemption of Jerusalem is here!" I believed that many people in the congregation cried along with her.

And last but not the least, the innkeeper. Nothing much is said about the innkeeper in the Bible. This lady told Mary and Joseph that there was no room in her inn to accommodate them that night. However, she allowed them to stay in a stable outside (where she kept her animals) for a fraction of a price. This could keep them safe from thieves and warm them in the chilly night . Later, when she learned that the Savior was born in a humble place, specifically, in her stable, she regretted not giving them her room, the Master's Room.

I loved how the innkeeper's monologue led us to reflect: Do you have room for the Savior? Are you willing to give Him the Master's Room of your life? Are you willing to make him your Master? I guess, this is the best birthday gift we can ever gift to the One who's birthday is on the CHRISTmas day.

If you would like to witness this memorable evening yourself, good news!

The Christmas Eve Special: Come to Jesus will have its 2nd and 3rd repeats on:

Date: January 3, 2011

Time: 7pm and 9pm

Venue: Jubilee Evangelical Church

Do invite your family and friends. Come and let's celebrate!

In the Grip of God

A burning and deluding passion inside
Cracked the innocence of mankind,
They cover their bodies with leaves and twigs
Their sins shadowed by the false righteousness they sing.


They who were beautifully and wonderfully made
Hid in seclusion. The light and vigor fade
Wholly, unduly,
into darkness.

he twisted like the serpent --
Although cunning and independent,
The purpose of life he yearned,
Is not in the darkness, he learned.


his emptiness, hunger and thirst
were left unquenched like a curse.
“Lord, Lord,” he cried out
From darkness, he wanted out!

When he heard Jesus call his name
he faced Jesus with regret and shame
The door to his heart he unlocked,
Jesus reached out and welcomed him back.


he called Him Savior, he reached for His hand
he journeyed with Jesus to near and distant lands
From the darkness he left, the bondage of sin he escaped,
By the blood of Jesus, his eternal crimes were cleanly scraped.

Sometimes he fails to remember
That while on earth, he is still a sinner
Ready to be tempted and devoured
By Satan who is creeping around the corner.

Yes, he still sins and acts in folly and haste
And sometimes he even wanders in a “keep-off” miry place.
he realizes that even if his spirit is poor and weak
he can not escape from God's firm and loving grip.



For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
~ Romans 8:38-39