He must have been a Godsend. I think DD was right. Maybe I have been looking in the wrong pond. Big fish in little pond perhaps? Time to move on I think...
It's amazing how God works though. Just out of the blue out pops the question. And of course, I gave honest answers. I spoke my heart. It's amazing how God can provide a counseller, a listening ear. Someone to show concern. I live at home with two women. I don't have any senior guys to talk to conveniently. After all, being Chinese as well, we are more 'conservative' when it comes to these things, usually. I'm not that shy about these things, but just find it hard to find 'suitable' people to chat to. So many people around me, all at different stages of life.
The prayer meant a lot to me. Oh Lord, lead the way :)
Athlean-X Training System
On a different note, I have decided to change my workout regime and try out a new 90 program which is to help me develop more lean muscle mass. Although currently I feel I am quite big in size and live up to my nickname Big G, I know I have a lot of body fat as well. Too much in fact. So this program, which has been vouched by thousands to have made a difference in their lives, is set out to give me different workouts every day for twelve weeks, along with an eating plan. Follow it as closely as you can to get as better results as possible. This would involve weight training Monday, Wednesday and Friday with conditioning (cardio) on Tuesday and Thursday. Guess I can rest on the weekends. Instead of slaving away at the gym for hours on end, each workout is designed to last about 40 minutes tops, leaving you more time to yourself yet having your heart beat just as much if not more than a long workout session. The results should be seen within 3-4 weeks. I am looking forward to this change. New exercises to challenge the body and keep it guessing.
I will need to change some habits like try to get at least seven hours of sleep each night. I will try to constantly drink water. I will try to eat small portions every 2-3 hours of the day and keep my metabolism running high. What else... erm... oh yeah, will continue using my mobile stopwatch to time my breaks between workout sets, making sure I don't slack when resting and take too long to get back into it. Might mean no eating out for a good number of weeks too!
I took my weight this morning, one day before I start this program. Most updated figures are:
212.2lbs - 96.2kgs - 15st 2lbs
I shall update after a week I think. Here's hoping I can get through this one week of training! Haha! If anybody is interested in seeing what this program is about, check out the link below! =D
ATHLEAN-X
29 May 2011
16 May 2011
Hello again
Hey all!
Just thought I'd update a little post here since I've not said anything since.... 27th April!!! Lol! Time flies man! 27th April was two days before my 28th birthday! Yes, my birthday was on 29th of April. Oh my goodness! I am 28! That makes me one of the oldest member of the English Ministry in our church. How amazing is that! LOL! Praise God though, that I am still of use in the church and can serve Him through different areas and I feel so honoured to be listed as one of the leaders of EM. Sometimes time I feel so unworthy to be a leader. I feel I have yet so much to learn and I want to develop my faith in the Lord. I guess serving, seeking and learning runs hand in hand. I want to mature in God as I mature physically.
In recent months I've been reminded of God's Sovereignty through devotions, how God's authority rules over all the Earth, that nothing and no-one can be more powerful than God. Everything is in His hands, all things big and small. It brings great comfort to know that the God whom I worship, whom I praise is the same God whom I can fully rely on and fully put my trust in. I know no matter however my life unfolds, it will be alright, everything will be fine as long as I live according to His will, as long as I seek to please Him with all my actions. So I have been a lot more conscious of how my verbal and physical communications can portray or display Christ. I try to find ways to bring glory to God through what I do, what I say etc. I can't say that I succeed all the time, but certainly He is on my mind a lot more these days. And when my eyes are on Him more, I can certainly see His greatness and His Sovereignty displayed more and more around me and it is so encouraging! =)
What else is new with me...? Hmm... well I've just been working. Oh yeah... work-wise, well the month of April was quite busy as it was my first month as an independent driving instructor, which meant I am no longer tied to a franchise agreement with a national driving school. Been saving lots more in the weekly francise fee which equated to around £210 per week! Yup! Per week! Regardless if I was working or not. Well my weekly output these days are fuel and car washes. How good is that! I had spent lots on getting the car, the insurance, roof sign, business cards etc. Basically to get myself started up. So I need to wait a while before breaking even in that sense. Saw the accountant last week for tax and accounts for Year 2010/2011. Made a better profit compared to 2009/2010 but not good enough on paper to show banks for a mortgage. He forecasts I should have a much better amount of income for 2011/2012 and should be able to apply for mortgages etc within two years, which is more promising. Yes, two years sounds a bit far away. My initial life plans were to be married, settled with life partner and a house by 30 years old. Seems like that is not going to happen that way. But then again, I submit my life to God and know that His ways are different from my ways. So, Lord, take me, use me and mould me. =)
Back to healthy eating again and getting more focussed with my gym training. Been going to the gym at opening time of 06:30am nowadays. It's much better going early when it's quieter (compared to after work) and then getting home early enough to have a decent breakfast, make packed lunch and even do devotionals before leaving for work again. How I'd love to be able to do a workout, eat at the gym (nothing healthy there! and if I bring packed breakfast it will never be enough!) and then start work. But that's not an option. Guess morning is the only time I have for the the gym. The time I have for myself. Everyone else is in bed so I won't be disturbed and it is more of 'me time' before I start the day. Take tonight for example, I finished work 9pm and got in at 9:15pm. That's considered early, as I can be home as late at 9:40pm depending where the last lesson ends and if it runs over at all. Anyways, Greens shut 10pm so if I don't go early hours I won't get any gym time at all! =D It feels great though to have the workout done early on so I can focus on the rest of the day and all foods that I eat will be burnt away due to increase in metabolic rate. Does mean I get hungry oh so easily now!! Haha!
So that's it really. My life is pretty much focussed on these three things at the moment: God, work and the gym. During the week I don't get to go out much as these three things fill up my week. The weekends I get some opportunities to play. Watch a movie in the cinema if I'm fortunate enough, might even have dinner with brothers and sisters in church after service. It's nice to hang out and fellowship, to bless and encourage one another. Thank God the weather has improved overall in the past few weeks. No more blistering sunshine (which I am SOOO thankful for!) but enough light to give us longer bright evenings. Lol! Praise God!
Just thought I'd update a little post here since I've not said anything since.... 27th April!!! Lol! Time flies man! 27th April was two days before my 28th birthday! Yes, my birthday was on 29th of April. Oh my goodness! I am 28! That makes me one of the oldest member of the English Ministry in our church. How amazing is that! LOL! Praise God though, that I am still of use in the church and can serve Him through different areas and I feel so honoured to be listed as one of the leaders of EM. Sometimes time I feel so unworthy to be a leader. I feel I have yet so much to learn and I want to develop my faith in the Lord. I guess serving, seeking and learning runs hand in hand. I want to mature in God as I mature physically.
In recent months I've been reminded of God's Sovereignty through devotions, how God's authority rules over all the Earth, that nothing and no-one can be more powerful than God. Everything is in His hands, all things big and small. It brings great comfort to know that the God whom I worship, whom I praise is the same God whom I can fully rely on and fully put my trust in. I know no matter however my life unfolds, it will be alright, everything will be fine as long as I live according to His will, as long as I seek to please Him with all my actions. So I have been a lot more conscious of how my verbal and physical communications can portray or display Christ. I try to find ways to bring glory to God through what I do, what I say etc. I can't say that I succeed all the time, but certainly He is on my mind a lot more these days. And when my eyes are on Him more, I can certainly see His greatness and His Sovereignty displayed more and more around me and it is so encouraging! =)
What else is new with me...? Hmm... well I've just been working. Oh yeah... work-wise, well the month of April was quite busy as it was my first month as an independent driving instructor, which meant I am no longer tied to a franchise agreement with a national driving school. Been saving lots more in the weekly francise fee which equated to around £210 per week! Yup! Per week! Regardless if I was working or not. Well my weekly output these days are fuel and car washes. How good is that! I had spent lots on getting the car, the insurance, roof sign, business cards etc. Basically to get myself started up. So I need to wait a while before breaking even in that sense. Saw the accountant last week for tax and accounts for Year 2010/2011. Made a better profit compared to 2009/2010 but not good enough on paper to show banks for a mortgage. He forecasts I should have a much better amount of income for 2011/2012 and should be able to apply for mortgages etc within two years, which is more promising. Yes, two years sounds a bit far away. My initial life plans were to be married, settled with life partner and a house by 30 years old. Seems like that is not going to happen that way. But then again, I submit my life to God and know that His ways are different from my ways. So, Lord, take me, use me and mould me. =)
Back to healthy eating again and getting more focussed with my gym training. Been going to the gym at opening time of 06:30am nowadays. It's much better going early when it's quieter (compared to after work) and then getting home early enough to have a decent breakfast, make packed lunch and even do devotionals before leaving for work again. How I'd love to be able to do a workout, eat at the gym (nothing healthy there! and if I bring packed breakfast it will never be enough!) and then start work. But that's not an option. Guess morning is the only time I have for the the gym. The time I have for myself. Everyone else is in bed so I won't be disturbed and it is more of 'me time' before I start the day. Take tonight for example, I finished work 9pm and got in at 9:15pm. That's considered early, as I can be home as late at 9:40pm depending where the last lesson ends and if it runs over at all. Anyways, Greens shut 10pm so if I don't go early hours I won't get any gym time at all! =D It feels great though to have the workout done early on so I can focus on the rest of the day and all foods that I eat will be burnt away due to increase in metabolic rate. Does mean I get hungry oh so easily now!! Haha!
So that's it really. My life is pretty much focussed on these three things at the moment: God, work and the gym. During the week I don't get to go out much as these three things fill up my week. The weekends I get some opportunities to play. Watch a movie in the cinema if I'm fortunate enough, might even have dinner with brothers and sisters in church after service. It's nice to hang out and fellowship, to bless and encourage one another. Thank God the weather has improved overall in the past few weeks. No more blistering sunshine (which I am SOOO thankful for!) but enough light to give us longer bright evenings. Lol! Praise God!
27 April 2011
Total fail
We all have our good days and our bad days. Our ups and our downs. Guess today was my "down" day. Not all was bad, work was quite good today, praise God. Both lessons went really well. It was what happened between those two lessons that I am very disappointed in. Felt very let down by my phone today, how the battery died on me moments before a scheduled meet up time. I waited at the scheduled place but there was no show. There were no signs. I prayed that God's will be done cos without a phone meant no call, texts or internet, there was no communication and all that was left was prayer and trust in God. God gave me the patience to wait. I waited eagerly. Tried to start up the phone again, but the said smartphone boot up takes longer than sixty seconds, therefore eating up more of the reserved battery. Disappointing indeed. Half an hour later bumped into someone whom suggested the appointment may have been forgotten. Reluctantly I went back home to charge up the phone and powered up to check if everything was ok. Everything was fine. Apparently a text message was sent to me very near the time of meeting, but I still received nothing, even though battery was getting charged up. So, no reply from me (because of no batt!) resulted in no meeting up. What an epic fail! Sigh...! Everything else didn't matter. My sallow face reflected my mood. Total disappointment.
Nobody has any idea what this meant to me. Ok, maybe God does. Maybe it's His way of saying, "Son, give it up. Submit to me!" Arghh!!!
In my peed off mood, I shall no longer tolerate my phone having no battery, so tonight I went ahead with buying an in-car charger for my HTC Magic. Very cheap, only £1.87 total price inclusive of delivery. I can't believe this whole thing was messed up due to a dead battery. I maybe should not have unplugged the charger at 97% this morning. That 3% more power could have made all the difference to my day.... or could it have...?
Nobody has any idea what this meant to me. Ok, maybe God does. Maybe it's His way of saying, "Son, give it up. Submit to me!" Arghh!!!
In my peed off mood, I shall no longer tolerate my phone having no battery, so tonight I went ahead with buying an in-car charger for my HTC Magic. Very cheap, only £1.87 total price inclusive of delivery. I can't believe this whole thing was messed up due to a dead battery. I maybe should not have unplugged the charger at 97% this morning. That 3% more power could have made all the difference to my day.... or could it have...?
22 April 2011
A man after God's heart
King David was described as a man after God's heart in Acts 13:22:
"After removing Saul, he made David their king. God testified concerning him: ‘I have found David son of Jesse, a man after my own heart; he will do everything I want him to do.’"
That is what I strive to be also. I want to walk close to God and I want to live a Spirit-filled, Spirit-lead life. What I strive for is simple, but it is not easy to achieve. Sometimes there are many things that distract me and takes my focus away from God. Sometimes the closer I am to God the stronger the temptations or the "bad things" happen to me. From what I understand, this is the devil's doing, trying to bring me down and away from God. However, I know I should stand firm for God. I know should flee from the temptations. I should lift my eyes up to Jesus and draw strength from Him.
I want to honour God in all areas of my life. The things I do, I try to bring glory and honour to His name. Just sometimes I am not sure if it is enough or if I'm doing things the right way. The three areas of my life which matter to me the most are: career, health and heart.
Career
Entered into a career as a driving instructor where there is no stable income. Income can go up and down according to popularity and ultimately it's all at the mercy of the weather. Long summer evenings means more work. Snow, frost and adverse weather means being housebound due to health and safety reasons. However, I remember the verses in the Bible, Matthew 6:25-26:
"Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?"
Although my income and popularity can fluctuate, I have peace in my heart knowing that the Lord will provide somehow. That He will not let me go hungry and that I can continue my 'working to live' and not 'live to work'. Driving tests are not easy things, they get harder and harder each year. Every driving test pass I thank God for. There are certain test passes which I have witnessed first hand God at work. Being in this job with no steady income, no paid holidays etc, I can be rely on God day by day. With no backing of a national driving school, I am left pretty much on my own. However, I know God is with me every step of the way and I am at peace and willing to be a testimony of His great love for me.
Health
I am quite a health conscience person. Since 2003 I have been very conscious about the effects food and exercise can have on the body. After losing almost three stones in around six months in 2003 I did not want to go back to my old looks. It was in 2004 when I had my first girlfriend. Prior to that, nobody was ever interested in me. Many had ran away from me after knowing I liked them. So besides chemistry, I believe my looks definitely helped get me noticed and attention from the opposite sex. So think, why would I ever want to return to having so much flab on me? In the past two to three years I have been looking into ways of enhancing my looks through body sculpting. I would not really call it body building because I associate that with really buff guys with huge muscles, more like Arnold Schwarzenegger or Dolph Lundgren. Body sculpting would be more like Jason Stathan, possibly Jackie Chan: muscle definition without the big bulk. Being called Big G, I feel I should live up to my name and be Big. As I blogged before a long time ago, being health conscious and having a decent size has it's benefits. First, eating healthily will help keep my heart healthy and keep it running for longer. Also, my body is the temple for the Holy Spirit.* I should try to live and eat 'cleanly'. When I train at the gym, I know ultimately I am relying on God given strength to complete my sets, my reps and my laps. With my bigger size I am able to serve Him through physical stuff like moving equipment, setting things up as well as blessing fellow brothers and sisters in Christ by helping them move house etc.
*1 Corinthians 6:19:
"Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own"
Heart
Ah this one is very important. So much to say about this one, but don't know what to say at the same time. Hmm... Ultimately I want to settle with a woman of God. Someone who shares the same passion for Christ. A relationship where we encourage each other's walk with God. Some say it is important to marry into the same class. I've even seen couples who work in the same line of work. But where can I find a Chinese Christian female driving instructor? Haha! What about age? Does an age gap make a difference? How big a gap is acceptable? If two people love God deeply does age, class, occupation and money really matter? I would surely hope not, but what about stage in life? How does one know what he/she wants in life if he/she is still at crossroads of their life and don't know which direction they are heading in? What does God say about all this? If only we live in simple Biblical times where everyone was a bit poorer (or so I'm guessing) and where people are more appreciative of the small things. Didn't have technology advancement, didn't have undue expectations and pressures (or so I guess!). Things these days can be quite complicated.
Praying to God and confiding in Him about waiting for the one whom he brings along. Yes I can pray, but can I seek? If I seek, does that mean I do not trust Him to answer my prayers? If I pray and then do nothing about seeking, will He just miraculously drop someone down onto my lap? (Figuratively speaking!) Prayer without doing anything... does that work? Of course, if I'm asking God for Chinese Christian girl as a life partner, there are plenty whom I know. But which one is suited to me? And I to her? Which one will not look at my income, my status, my longing for a family, and not be scared away? Which one will understand my need for attention and the need to feel special? I can devote myself to this one who can give me the chance, but is there chemistry? So many questions swirling around my head and heart.
Therefore I should remind myself that if I seek first the Kingdom of God, if I look to please Him above all else in life, He will bless me with things in the correct time and in the correct place. I have faith in that. I have hope in that. I know He has plans to bless me, not harm me (Jeremiah 29:11) so I can rest assure He knows my heart's desire to be with a God-fearing life partner and I am pretty sure He will grant it to me. Even if I do consider potentials, I should tread carefully and with discernment of the Holy Spirit. I must keep a close walk with God and so to know what I can/should say/do in order to approach people safely and in a Godly way. I should listen to the Holy Spirit and let the inner voice guide me. Above all, take my time, don't rush in. Think a lot, pray a lot. And remember God is ultimately in control =)
"After removing Saul, he made David their king. God testified concerning him: ‘I have found David son of Jesse, a man after my own heart; he will do everything I want him to do.’"
That is what I strive to be also. I want to walk close to God and I want to live a Spirit-filled, Spirit-lead life. What I strive for is simple, but it is not easy to achieve. Sometimes there are many things that distract me and takes my focus away from God. Sometimes the closer I am to God the stronger the temptations or the "bad things" happen to me. From what I understand, this is the devil's doing, trying to bring me down and away from God. However, I know I should stand firm for God. I know should flee from the temptations. I should lift my eyes up to Jesus and draw strength from Him.
I want to honour God in all areas of my life. The things I do, I try to bring glory and honour to His name. Just sometimes I am not sure if it is enough or if I'm doing things the right way. The three areas of my life which matter to me the most are: career, health and heart.
Career
Entered into a career as a driving instructor where there is no stable income. Income can go up and down according to popularity and ultimately it's all at the mercy of the weather. Long summer evenings means more work. Snow, frost and adverse weather means being housebound due to health and safety reasons. However, I remember the verses in the Bible, Matthew 6:25-26:
"Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?"
Although my income and popularity can fluctuate, I have peace in my heart knowing that the Lord will provide somehow. That He will not let me go hungry and that I can continue my 'working to live' and not 'live to work'. Driving tests are not easy things, they get harder and harder each year. Every driving test pass I thank God for. There are certain test passes which I have witnessed first hand God at work. Being in this job with no steady income, no paid holidays etc, I can be rely on God day by day. With no backing of a national driving school, I am left pretty much on my own. However, I know God is with me every step of the way and I am at peace and willing to be a testimony of His great love for me.
Health
I am quite a health conscience person. Since 2003 I have been very conscious about the effects food and exercise can have on the body. After losing almost three stones in around six months in 2003 I did not want to go back to my old looks. It was in 2004 when I had my first girlfriend. Prior to that, nobody was ever interested in me. Many had ran away from me after knowing I liked them. So besides chemistry, I believe my looks definitely helped get me noticed and attention from the opposite sex. So think, why would I ever want to return to having so much flab on me? In the past two to three years I have been looking into ways of enhancing my looks through body sculpting. I would not really call it body building because I associate that with really buff guys with huge muscles, more like Arnold Schwarzenegger or Dolph Lundgren. Body sculpting would be more like Jason Stathan, possibly Jackie Chan: muscle definition without the big bulk. Being called Big G, I feel I should live up to my name and be Big. As I blogged before a long time ago, being health conscious and having a decent size has it's benefits. First, eating healthily will help keep my heart healthy and keep it running for longer. Also, my body is the temple for the Holy Spirit.* I should try to live and eat 'cleanly'. When I train at the gym, I know ultimately I am relying on God given strength to complete my sets, my reps and my laps. With my bigger size I am able to serve Him through physical stuff like moving equipment, setting things up as well as blessing fellow brothers and sisters in Christ by helping them move house etc.
*1 Corinthians 6:19:
"Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own"
Heart
Ah this one is very important. So much to say about this one, but don't know what to say at the same time. Hmm... Ultimately I want to settle with a woman of God. Someone who shares the same passion for Christ. A relationship where we encourage each other's walk with God. Some say it is important to marry into the same class. I've even seen couples who work in the same line of work. But where can I find a Chinese Christian female driving instructor? Haha! What about age? Does an age gap make a difference? How big a gap is acceptable? If two people love God deeply does age, class, occupation and money really matter? I would surely hope not, but what about stage in life? How does one know what he/she wants in life if he/she is still at crossroads of their life and don't know which direction they are heading in? What does God say about all this? If only we live in simple Biblical times where everyone was a bit poorer (or so I'm guessing) and where people are more appreciative of the small things. Didn't have technology advancement, didn't have undue expectations and pressures (or so I guess!). Things these days can be quite complicated.
Praying to God and confiding in Him about waiting for the one whom he brings along. Yes I can pray, but can I seek? If I seek, does that mean I do not trust Him to answer my prayers? If I pray and then do nothing about seeking, will He just miraculously drop someone down onto my lap? (Figuratively speaking!) Prayer without doing anything... does that work? Of course, if I'm asking God for Chinese Christian girl as a life partner, there are plenty whom I know. But which one is suited to me? And I to her? Which one will not look at my income, my status, my longing for a family, and not be scared away? Which one will understand my need for attention and the need to feel special? I can devote myself to this one who can give me the chance, but is there chemistry? So many questions swirling around my head and heart.
Therefore I should remind myself that if I seek first the Kingdom of God, if I look to please Him above all else in life, He will bless me with things in the correct time and in the correct place. I have faith in that. I have hope in that. I know He has plans to bless me, not harm me (Jeremiah 29:11) so I can rest assure He knows my heart's desire to be with a God-fearing life partner and I am pretty sure He will grant it to me. Even if I do consider potentials, I should tread carefully and with discernment of the Holy Spirit. I must keep a close walk with God and so to know what I can/should say/do in order to approach people safely and in a Godly way. I should listen to the Holy Spirit and let the inner voice guide me. Above all, take my time, don't rush in. Think a lot, pray a lot. And remember God is ultimately in control =)
20 April 2011
Postponed
My alarm went off at 6am this morning. Went to the toilet and came back to find my phone flashing with a new text message. Ally from Greens texted to say the life guard called in sick so he had cover the swimming pool duty this morning and had to call off this morning's personal training session. He asked if I wanted him to reschedule it to same time next Wednesday. I texted back saying same time next Wednesday would be great. I then laid back down in bed to think about the types of exercises I'd do myself today. Also, I won't be able to train on Friday because public holiday on Good Friday means the gym opens 9am-7pm which totally doesn't suit my working schedule. Thinking I'd be able to train tomorrow at least, I allowed myself to drift back into slumber. However, having just gotten up not long ago, I just realised that tomorrow is Thursday and the AA have arranged for collection of their tuition vehicle (finally!!). The guy should come between 8am-9am! Gosh!! No gym again!! So no training today, tomorrow, Friday and Saturday. The only day that's left is Sunday morning, cos Easter Monday is another day off!! Arrrgghh!! Must train harder on Sunday and the rest of the week!! =D
16 April 2011
Slower
I have learnt I should walk a bit slower, especially in company. I think I tend to make people trot alongside me to catch up with me! Lol! I should walk a bit slower and I should eat a bit slower as well. Dunno how I developed this habit to do things so fast. Must be my 'go get it' nature and maybe adapting to the fast paced lifestyle of a driving instructor where even my breaks are quite rushed and a forty minute lunch break is a luxury! I should slow down when I can. Learn to enjoy those moments with friends, with food, with anything. Rushing constantly is not very good. Keeps you fit perhaps, but quality time takes exactly that: time.
Straps
Besides walking slowly in the literal sense I should also walk slowly in other areas of my life. Health for example. And when building relationships. I bought a pair of weight lifting straps today at JJB for only £3.99. Good quality Everlast weight lifting straps which will assist me when I do lifting / pulling exercises like pull ups, deadlifts, barbell rows etc. The straps will help improve my grip strength and my overall pulling power which will help blast the target muscles (primarily the back and whole body when doing deadlifts). I will not be rushing into the gym and train super hard expecting amazing results instantaneously. But instead I will increase the weight of my lifts little by little and as the weights go up along with my reps, I will expect my muscles and strength to go up as well. Deadlifts are definitely a great muscle toner and builder and I look forward to the weight increase for that exercise! :)
Relationships
As for building relationships. There are so many different ways to connect with someone these days: social networking, online, mobile phone, all sorts. These are all channels of communication open for our use, or abuse. It is so easy to establish contact with somebody through indirect ways, like Facebook comment, Facebook chat, even "poking" somebody on Facebook can be a simple way of saying "hi!" without saying anything. Some stuff we find on Facebook and other social networks can be quite superficial. People say or do things for attention. Some get their attention, some fail. The ones who fail might give up thinking they are worthless and never as popular as other people. Others might keep trying, harder and harder to get themselves seen/ heard. Just like the girl in the movie "Scre4m". Won't give spoilers here, but hey, have we been there before at some point? Maybe not to that extreme! Lol!
Be genuine and be yourself. If a relationship is worth developing, it will feel comfortable and it will feel "easy" in the "uncomplicated" sense. You won't have to go all out the way to impress or to make things work. Yes, effort has still to be put in of course, but overall, both parties should feel comfortable and in a way, normal. Haha! Should not be any awkwardness. And above all, it should develop from a friendship stage. Two strangers should not just "hit it off" like that. It's strange and does not work. Ok, that's speaking from personal experience here. Hasn't worked for me. Things have to be nurtured for sure. Things have to be Godly and God-guided from now on.
"But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well." Matt 6:33
Straps
Besides walking slowly in the literal sense I should also walk slowly in other areas of my life. Health for example. And when building relationships. I bought a pair of weight lifting straps today at JJB for only £3.99. Good quality Everlast weight lifting straps which will assist me when I do lifting / pulling exercises like pull ups, deadlifts, barbell rows etc. The straps will help improve my grip strength and my overall pulling power which will help blast the target muscles (primarily the back and whole body when doing deadlifts). I will not be rushing into the gym and train super hard expecting amazing results instantaneously. But instead I will increase the weight of my lifts little by little and as the weights go up along with my reps, I will expect my muscles and strength to go up as well. Deadlifts are definitely a great muscle toner and builder and I look forward to the weight increase for that exercise! :)
Relationships
As for building relationships. There are so many different ways to connect with someone these days: social networking, online, mobile phone, all sorts. These are all channels of communication open for our use, or abuse. It is so easy to establish contact with somebody through indirect ways, like Facebook comment, Facebook chat, even "poking" somebody on Facebook can be a simple way of saying "hi!" without saying anything. Some stuff we find on Facebook and other social networks can be quite superficial. People say or do things for attention. Some get their attention, some fail. The ones who fail might give up thinking they are worthless and never as popular as other people. Others might keep trying, harder and harder to get themselves seen/ heard. Just like the girl in the movie "Scre4m". Won't give spoilers here, but hey, have we been there before at some point? Maybe not to that extreme! Lol!
Be genuine and be yourself. If a relationship is worth developing, it will feel comfortable and it will feel "easy" in the "uncomplicated" sense. You won't have to go all out the way to impress or to make things work. Yes, effort has still to be put in of course, but overall, both parties should feel comfortable and in a way, normal. Haha! Should not be any awkwardness. And above all, it should develop from a friendship stage. Two strangers should not just "hit it off" like that. It's strange and does not work. Ok, that's speaking from personal experience here. Hasn't worked for me. Things have to be nurtured for sure. Things have to be Godly and God-guided from now on.
"But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well." Matt 6:33
14 April 2011
Spoilt
Had my first ice cream tonight. Was an unplanned thing. Haha! Was ok la. Felt it was quite sweet. Maybe cos I've not had any this year. Think my last taste was ice cream was back in Three Steps to Heaven on Byres Road. But totally forgot who I went with and what I had. Lol!
Is it ok to "spoil" someone? I think it is ok. Because our Heavenly Father spoils us so much each day. Not that I am God, but indeed, if I am blessed so much by Him I think it is nice to bless others. Also, "we love because He first loved us." (1 John 4:19) :)
However I should be aware that I am blessing and loving for the right reasons. That it is with Godly intentions. Sometimes we set out to do something with Godly intentions but there might be an element of personal intentions involved. I am aware of this, hence bringing this up. There should be a careful line drawn to avoid any mix up or confusion. Above all, I know when I do something I should try and do it so it brings glory to God. Can't always turn out that way, but I try :)
Here's an example of God spoiling me. By His grace two more pupils passed their driving tests this week - Monday and Wednesday. Great results and delight all round. However, that also meant I lose two more pupils. I haven't been worried though about pupils because first of all, I could do with a little rest but also I know the Lord will always provide for me. Even the birds in the air survive on the Lord's provision. Sure enough tonight on Fb chat, a former classmate pinged me and asked about driving lessons. He lives not far away actually, in the east end. Would be a pleasure teaching him and helping him out. He took lessons last year and stopped at the end of the year and have not picked it back up again. Hope to help him as I have helped other pupils. This is how God can bless me and knows what I need. The first lesson with this new pupil will be 27th April as I am fully booked up until then with lessons and driving tests. Praise the Lord! =D
Is it ok to "spoil" someone? I think it is ok. Because our Heavenly Father spoils us so much each day. Not that I am God, but indeed, if I am blessed so much by Him I think it is nice to bless others. Also, "we love because He first loved us." (1 John 4:19) :)
However I should be aware that I am blessing and loving for the right reasons. That it is with Godly intentions. Sometimes we set out to do something with Godly intentions but there might be an element of personal intentions involved. I am aware of this, hence bringing this up. There should be a careful line drawn to avoid any mix up or confusion. Above all, I know when I do something I should try and do it so it brings glory to God. Can't always turn out that way, but I try :)
Here's an example of God spoiling me. By His grace two more pupils passed their driving tests this week - Monday and Wednesday. Great results and delight all round. However, that also meant I lose two more pupils. I haven't been worried though about pupils because first of all, I could do with a little rest but also I know the Lord will always provide for me. Even the birds in the air survive on the Lord's provision. Sure enough tonight on Fb chat, a former classmate pinged me and asked about driving lessons. He lives not far away actually, in the east end. Would be a pleasure teaching him and helping him out. He took lessons last year and stopped at the end of the year and have not picked it back up again. Hope to help him as I have helped other pupils. This is how God can bless me and knows what I need. The first lesson with this new pupil will be 27th April as I am fully booked up until then with lessons and driving tests. Praise the Lord! =D
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