Yesterday's gone, tomorrow's new year's day

Stephen Hawking posted this thought provoking question some time ago to challenge all of us to seek a solution.

I think what he asked is still relevant today.

The question he asked was this and I quote:

"In a world that is in chaos politically, socially and environmentally, how can the human race sustain another 100 years?"

Think on it as we conclude this year (2009) with either a loud bang or a soft whimper and if you have a solution to it write to me.

I will close with this well known oldie, a song much loved by guys of my generation.

The sweet clear voice is from Mary Ford and the guitarist Les Paul really needs no introduction.

The song is entitled "Vaya Con Dios"(May God be with you). Cheers and Happy New Year!

2009's almost gone

It’s almost time to say goodbye to the year 2009. It has come and gone before our very eyes!

To some of us, we wish it could stay longer for one reason or another but to many it’s good riddance that the year is finally coming to a close. Whatever desires, time certainly waits for no man.

We had our good times and we have had bad times in 2009 too. As we reflect on these aren’t we glad that for better or worse, we are still alive and kicking?

Time actually doesn’t forget but time will certainly heal.

Even in our darkest day in 2009, there must be something good that we can extract from it. What is this “good”? Can we find it in the midst of life’s rumble and tumble?

Someone did say and I totally agree, “Life is tough but if you have the ability to laugh at it you’ll have the ability to enjoy it.”

You can’t undo anything you’ve already done, but you can face up to it. You can tell the truth. You can seek forgiveness. And let God do the rest.

You know, forgiveness is a funny thing. It warms the heart and cools the sting.

Indeed, you are richer today if you have laughed, given or forgiven.

And if you haven’t done any of these, it is still not too late to do it. Just let your selves go. You are actually a bigger person than what you think!

Let’s embrace 2009 for the last time as we bid it adieu and let’s welcome 2010 with a big and cheerful heart.

Indeed, tomorrow is brand new day!

Though no one can go back and make a new start, but anyone can start from now and make a brand new ending. What’s keeping us?

Happy New Year everyone and God bless.

Here's Westlife with an inspiring song entitled "Flying Without Wings", the music-video is courtesy of "Gawjus 109". Sing along with the lyrics and recharge the human spirit in you.

The 12 days of Christmas, does it mean anything?

There is one Christmas Carol that has always baffled me.

“The twelve days of Christmas.” Remember that one?

What in the world do leaping lords, French hens, swimming swans, and especially the partridge which won't come out of the pear tree have to do with Christmas?

This week, I found out. The story goes…

From 1558 until 1829, Roman Catholics in England were not permitted to practice their faith openly. Someone during that era wrote this carol as a catechism song for young Catholics.

It has two levels of meaning: the surface meaning plus a hidden meaning known only to members of their church. Each element in the carol has a code word for a religious reality which the children could remember.

-The partridge in a pear tree was Jesus Christ.

-Two turtle doves were the Old and New Testaments.

-Three French hens stood for faith, hope and love.

-The four calling birds were the four gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke & John.

-The five golden rings recalled the Torah or Law, the first five books of the Old Testament.

-The six geese a-laying stood for the six days of creation.

-Seven swans a-swimming represented the sevenfold gifts of the Holy Spirit--Prophesy, Serving, Teaching, Exhortation, Contribution, Leadership, and Mercy.

-The eight maids a-milking were the eight beatitudes.

-Nine ladies dancing were the nine fruits of the Holy Spirit--Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness, and Self Control.

-The ten lords a-leaping were the ten commandments.

-The eleven pipers piping stood for the eleven faithful disciples.

-The twelve drummers drumming symbolized the twelve points of belief in the Apostles' Creed.

So (believe it or not) there is your "history" for today. This knowledge was shared with me and I found it interesting and enlightening and now I know how that strange song became a Christmas Carol...so pass it on if you wish.

Merry (Twelve Days of) Christmas Everyone!

This animated video-clip made by "chrispradeep" about the 12 days of Christmas is unique and worth viewing. Thanks to Chris for sharing.

Christmas and the real Jesus

Christmas is nigh and let me ask you when Christmas time is here every year what does Christmas actually mean to you? A time to enjoy and a time to reflect on what you have achieved so far and perhaps on what you couldn’t too?

Indeed, it is a time of celebration, a celebration of life, the good and healthy life that God has blessed us with if we are indeed the lucky ones for we must remember there are still many who are in pain or are struggling to make ends meet and for these there will be no celebration.

It is also a time of giving and for many a time for forgiving too.

Christmas conjures up a picture of Father Christmas, Christmas tree with multi-colored lights, sledge rides in the snow and perhaps Christmas songs ringer and linger longer in our ears more than anytime of the year!

It’s the holiday season and big sales are on in every shopping centre that you can find.

It’s also bonus time. To the employee, a time of great expectation but to the bosses or the businessmen, Christmas time can be a big challenge and a headache too, isn’t it?

But is that all Christmas is about? We know it is to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ but how many of us really know what is the significance of this birth?

It is hope that the world not only remembers Jesus’ birth but more importantly what he came to do. There is a solemn side to Christmas but alas, does the world care?

I hope we will take time to reflect, to remember Jesus for who he is and also for what he had done. Get to know the real Jesus real close, not what the world has generally made him out to be.

The Bible tells us because of what he had done, man can expect to live forever even after death in fellowship with God the Father, our Creator.

What a beautiful hope, a wondrous love and boundless grace that's being held out to sinners like us. That’s the Father’s love for all of us, incomprehensible but true!

So as we celebrate Christmas with thanksgiving, let us give a thought to Jesus, the Son of Man who gave his own life for the lives of his “friends” and the Bible again tells us we are his friends if we follow him.

Indeed, what greater love is there than this that a man is willing to lay down his own life for a friend?

If your life is not right with God, shouldn’t you make it right this Christmas? Go to a church, experience forgiveness and get God’s blessings. It’s never too early nor too late.

To all my readers and friends, I wish you all a Blessed Christmas and a Wonderful New Year

Cheers!

I hope you like this catchy number from Boney M entitled "Mary's Boy Child" the music-video courtesy of "Klonproduct".