Faces that stir our hearts - earthquakes at Sichuan

My brother-in-Christ, George, sent me some photos and slides on the earthquake at Sichuan, China.

It is really hard-breaking to see the great calamities that have happened to this part of the world.

China has the most severe earthquake in Beichuan, Sichuan province on 12 May 2008. It reached 7.8 scale and is one of the worst one in the past 3 decades. It happened during the day while workers were in their office and children were in their school. It is estimated over 70,000 people have already died and many are still buried.

Many people died in crumbled buildings. Many people perished without saying good-bye.

Bridges collapsed. Historical buildings and foundations were destroyed.

After the earthquake many people have no home, school or office to return to. Many people became homeless.

It is hard to imagine what many people are going through now. The pains and sufferings they experienced from their injuries due to the earthquake is overwhelming. Many suffered physical disabilities and injuries.

Even more people suffered overwhelming emotional loss and pains. Parents lost their children, children lost their parents and many families are disintegrated. The life of many will never be the same again.

In the face of overwhelming sorrows, we read of many heroic stories of how little children risked their lives to saved their family and friends, some teachers risked their lives to save their students and many others who persevered on with the hope of seeing their families and love ones again. The sacrifices and hard work of the rescue teams, medical teams and various volunteers are most encouraging. The resiliency of many people are great encouragements to everyone.

You can read more about the situation in Sichuan China at CCTV.com and China View.

Let us continue to pray for China. China needs our help and prayer. May God bless China and her people in this very difficult time. May many people turn to God and find comfort and consolations in Him in this time of national calamities and personal tragedies.

It is a comfort that God's people who perished in these calamities are now in His presence, no more to suffer in this world.

May God give the people grace and strength to rebuild their lives. It will take a lot of courage and every help that is possible, to help them rebuild their lives. Thank God for many that are willing to help.

The world is mourning for China. We read of how many are moved with compassion and have seek to help by way of prayers, finance, provisions of daily necessities and medical needs. Thank God for all these kind people.

I am reminded of how we live each day by the grace of God. We do not know if we will live to see tomorrow. I hope to cherish this life that God has given me and live each day usefully for God's glory and the benefit of the society.

Natural disaster can happen anywhere and anytime. It is a solemn reminder to me that I need to set my heart and affection on things above, to seek God and His kingdom first. This life is temporary and there is eternal life as God has promised in His Words. If we trust in Christ as our Saviour, we can have the assurance that we will be with Him when we leave this world.

I am also reminded on how we need to cherish our loved ones and all that God has given to us. So often we let little disagreement create unhappiness in our relationship with our loved ones or friends. I am reminded that the time with our loved ones and friends may be short. I need to love and cherish them.

Time of sufferings are also time of sharing each other's burdens and praying for one another. I am reminded that sometimes through others suffering we can extend our love and kindness to others. An in time of our own sufferings, we can experience overwhelming love and kindness.

What about you? How do you feel when you read of such calamities? How has this incident affected you in your outlook in life or your relationship with your loved ones and others?

Therapeutic Walks at the Beach - Another Wellness Activity

I am thankful to God that this week I am able to take a break from work. This is a much needed break and I really cherish it.

At the moment, I can't take a holiday to go out of Singapore, as I am caring for my mother. She has many medical conditions and I need to watch over her daily.

But I am thankful to God for more opportunities to go for walks this week. Walking is very therapeutic to me. Walking has become one of my most important Wellness Activity now.

I love to walk at the parks near my home or go to the beach. Walking really helps me to unwind and relax. As I walk and enjoy nature, fresh air and sunshine, I feel so much better.

As I walk, I will talk to the Lord. I am thankful that God is with me and I can enjoy this quiet walking time with Him. Walking in the parks and beach always remind me that God is all powerful and He is caring for me. I can cast all my cares and difficulties upon Him.

I am thankful to God that on Tuesday I was able to go to East Coast Beach with my good friend, BH. BH is a very sweet and gentle lady. BH knows that walks are good for me in managing my condition and she kindly offered to take me out on Tuesday. Although she has never experienced depression or bipolar before, she is very sympathetic to listen to me. She has other friends who have other form of mental illness, and I can see that BH is not judgemental. She does not condemn me for my experiences with bipolar or depression. She accepts that it is a medical condition, an illness that I need to live with and I can learn to cope by God's grace. BH prays for me whenever I am not well. I am thankful for such a friend.

Here's a video of what I saw at the Beach on Tuesday. Oh, how I love the sea! Watching the waves somehow has such a calming effect on me.

Luther said "The sea of God's mercies ought to swallow up our particular afflictions."

No matter what difficulties I am going through, it is only one drop of water in the ocean. God's mercies will swallow them up! How thankful I am that I can rest in God's love and faithfulness through all the changing scenes in life.

Thanks for stopping by!

Do you enjoy walks? Do you go for walks regularly? Have you found it therapeutic or helpful in some ways?

Hope you have a blessed day!

Myths and Facts on mental illness

The following is taken from the website of Mental Illness - What A Difference A Friend Makes:

Mental illnesses are very common. They are also widely misunderstood. People with mental illnesses are frequently stigmatized by others who think it's an uncommon condition. The truth is, mental illness can happen to anybody.

Arm yourself with the facts, then use your knowledge to educate others and reach out to those around you with mental illness. Understanding and support are powerful, and they can make a real difference in the life of a person who needs them.

Myth: There's no hope for people with mental illnesses.
Fact: There are more treatments, services, and community support systems than ever before, and more are in the works. People with mental illnesses lead active, productive lives.

Myth: I can't do anything for a person with mental illness.
Fact: You can do a lot, starting with how you act and speak. You can create an environment that builds on people's strengths and promotes understanding. For example:

• Don't label people with words like "crazy," "wacko," or "loony" or define them by their diagnosis. Instead of saying someone is "a schizophrenic," say he or she "has schizophrenia." Don't say "a schizophrenic person," say "a person with schizophrenia." This is called "people-first" language, and it's important to make a distinction between the person and the illness.
• Learn the facts about mental health and share them with others, especially if you hear something that isn't true.
• Treat people with mental illnesses with respect and dignity, just as you would anybody else.
• Respect the rights of people with mental illnesses and don't discriminate against them when it comes to housing, employment, or education. Like other people with disabilities, people with mental health problems are protected under federal and state laws.

Myth: People with mental illnesses are violent and unpredictable.
Fact: Actually, the vast majority of people with mental health conditions are no more violent than anyone else. People with mental illnesses are much more likely to be the victims of crime. You probably know someone with a mental illness and don't even realize it.

Myth: Mental illnesses don't affect me.
Fact: Mental illnesses are surprisingly common; they affect almost every family in America. Mental illnesses do not discriminate—they can affect anyone.

Myth: Mental illness is the same as mental retardation.
Fact: These are different conditions. Mental retardation is characterized by limitations in intellectual functioning and difficulties with certain daily living skills. In contrast, people with mental illnesses—health conditions that cause changes in a person's thinking, mood, and behavior—have varied intellectual functioning, just like the general population.

Myth: Mental illnesses are brought on by a weakness of character.
Fact: Mental illnesses are a product of the interaction of biological, psychological, and social factors. Social influences, like the loss of a loved one or a job, can also contribute to the development of various mental health problems.

Myth: People with mental illnesses cannot tolerate the stress of holding down a job.
Fact: All jobs are stressful to some extent. Anybody is more productive when there's a good match between the employee's needs and the working conditions, whether or not the worker has a mental health problem.

Myth: People with mental health needs, even those who have recovered, tend to be second-rate workers.
Fact: Employers who have hired people with mental illnesses report good attendance and punctuality as well as motivation, good work, and job tenure on par with or greater than other employees. Studies by the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) and the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill (NAMI) show that there are no differences in productivity when people with mental illnesses are compared to other employees. (Mental Health: A Report of the Surgeon General, 1999)

Myth: Once people develop mental illnesses, they will never recover.
Fact: Studies show that most people with mental illnesses get better, and many recover completely. Recovery refers to the process in which people are able to live, work, learn, and participate fully in their communities. For some individuals, recovery is the ability to live a fulfilling and productive life. For others, recovery implies the reduction or complete remission of symptoms. Science has shown that hope plays an integral role in an individual's recovery.

Myth: Therapy and self-help are a waste of time. Why bother when you can just take a pill?
Fact: Treatment varies depending on the individual. A lot of people work with therapists, counselors, friends, psychologists, psychiatrists, nurses, and social workers during the recovery process. They also use self-help strategies and community supports. Often they combine these with some of the most advanced medications available.

Myth: Children don't experience mental illnesses. Their actions are just products of bad parenting.
Fact: A report from the President's New Freedom Commission on Mental Health showed that in any given year five to nine percent of children experience serious emotional disturbances. Just like adult mental illnesses, these are clinically diagnosable health conditions that are a product of the interaction of biological, psychological, and social factors.

Myth: Children misbehave or fail in school just to get attention.
Fact: Behavior problems can be symptoms of emotional, behavioral, or mental problems, rather than merely attention-seeking devices. These children can succeed in school with appropriate understanding, attention, and mental health services.

Thankful Thursday - Time

My times are in thy hand:... Psalm 31:15

So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom. Psalms 90:12

How time flies! It's another Thursday for me to count my blessings and remember afresh God's goodness and mercies to me through another week.

Iris has chosen the theme - Time. I am going to try and focus on how the Lord has blessed with time for various things in the last one week.

♥ Thank God that I am able to take time off from freelance work to rest at home as my health hasn't been good in the past weeks. Thank God for strengthening me and with much rest and breaks, I am feeling so much better now.

♥ Thank God that I can call upon Him at any time and He hears my prayers. He knows what is best for me and will answer my prayers according to His grace, mercies and timing. I am learning day by day to submit to His sovereign will which is always good and to remember that He will answer my prayers in His time.

♥ Thank God that any time I remember Him and His love, my heart is encouraged and strengthened.

♥ Thank God that I can go to Him with my cares and difficulties at any time and He will comfort me with His Words and strengthen me, and guide me in His ways.

♥ Thank God for friends who take time to pray and encourage me. Thanks for your prayers and encouragements!

♥ Thank God for more time to seek and serve Him this week. Thank God that through this time of rest, I am able to have more quiet time and read His Words and pray. Thank God for time to ponder over the goodness of God and how best I can walk with Him.

♥ Thank God for a blessed time of hearing His Words and fellowship last Sunday. Thank God for the encouraging sermon I heard in Church on the Fear of the Lord (Proverbs 1:7). I am reminded that we need to cultivate the fear of the Lord and this fear is a reverential and filial fear. Not a dreadful fear but a fear to offend God. A fear that wants to draw nearer to God and to live a life that is pleasing to Him.

The Lord accepts, blesses and answers the prayers of those who love and fear Him. Those who love and fear the Lord will also depart from evil, put their complete trust in God and need not fear men. They enjoy the fellowship with God's people.

♥ Thank God for time to reflect and see how I have gone wrong in some of my thoughts and deeds recently. Thank God that with Him there is forgiveness of sins. Thank God for time to ask for His forgiveness and to know the assurance of His love and help in my weaknesses.

♥ Thank God for time to have fellowship with a sister-in-Christ, BH, and to catch up with her on Tuesday. We both went to East Coast Beach and had a good walk and fellowship. I love to go to the Beach. Every time I watch the waves and the seas I am reminded afresh of the power and sovereignty of God, and of His love and care upon us. Thank God that we can take time to enjoy nature and recount together the wonderful God we serve and His goodness to us.

♥ Thank God for time to visit an elderly church Aunty to encourage and fellowship with her. BH and I are thankful of the way the Lord has restored this church Aunty through her surgery recently. Her cheerfulness and thankfulness to God is always an encouragement to us.

♥ Thank God for more time to spend with my mum this week and to catch up on some things that I have always wanted to do.

♥ Let us continue to pray for the people in China, Myanmar and other parts of the world who are affected by many natural disasters. Let us pray that in this time of calamities and severe pains and sufferings, many may turn to God and know His saving grace, comfort and care.

I am reminded that our time are in God's hands and we are to live for Him and serve Him daily. I am reminded daily that my life is to be lived for the Lord. In the busyness of each day, I ask Him to guide me so that I may seek first His kingdom and righteousness and do His eternal work. I must serve the Lord and do His works while it is day.

♥ Thanks to all of you for making time to read my post and taking time to write your encouraging comments. Your friendships and writings have enriched my life in so many wonderful ways. Thank God for making this possible. Thanks for your friendships and wonderful support!

How about you? How has the Lord blessed you through the past week?

Thanks for stopping by. Hope you have a blessed and thankful day!

For more participants of Thankful Thursday, do visit Iris at Sting My Heart. It will be a very blessed and spiritually uplifting experience for you!

Word-Filled Wednesday : Never forsaken

I have been young, and now am old: yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread. Psalm 37:25

I am learning to cling onto God's precious promises and His love and faithfulness in keeping them.

This is one of God's precious promises which especially encourages me in these recent days.

Thank God for the assurance of His love and care upon us through all the changing scenes in life, from our youth to our old age, and for ourselves and our children.

For more Word-Filled Wednesday participants, do visit Amy at The 160 Acre Woods. It will be a very blessed and encouraging experience for you!

Thank you for stopping by. Hope you have a blessed day!

(I took this picture at East Coast Beach, Singapore)