13/11/2018

A few weeks ago,  Singapore was the country to host the 第八次中区眼科年会 (the 8th annual TCM Ophthalmology Conference, 2018 ). The two-day conference was well attended, more than 40 TCM Eye specialists and Eye specialists from many countries turning up to present their research papers with Q/A sessions. I have had ‘floaters (1)’ in my eyes for years, I signed up to attend with great anticipation to see if  I could learn new treatments apart from applying eye-drops. Furthermore, I need credits of continuing education for the renewal of my TCM practising license. 

A fact knew not too many that in the 16th century BCE inscriptions on oracle bones already took in signs of eye-related diseases and treatments in China (2). On the first two pages of the textbook on Chinese Ophthalmology (3), it says that in the 13th-14th century BCE the Chinese word of “目 (Mù)” was the terminology of the eye, therefore “目疾 (Mù jí)” is eye diseases. During the Warring States Period (475-221 BCE)  Statement says that “目不能决黑白之色谓之盲 (Mù bùnéng jué hēisè bái zhī sè wèi zhī máng),” which means ‘blindness is when the eyes can’t see the difference between black and white, that was the first definition of the physical blindness. 

During the Three Kingdom Period (25AD-220 AD) kinds of literature were found to elucidate the first concept of the Pupil (瞳孔-Tóngkǒng) and bring to light the Pupil related disease (瞳孔异常- Tóngkǒng yìcháng) and also the world’s first discovery of ‘Colour-Blindness. During 581-907, China was also the first to bring about the awareness of ‘Night Blindness,’ while the awareness of the same condition didn’t reach Europe till the late 17th century. it is ironic that people in general, still have had low regard for TCM. Chinese Medicine is only non-scientific when it compares to Anatomical Medicine. 

However, with the holistic approach, the unique feature of TCM Ophthalmology is centred around both of 五轮, (wǔlún), which the literal translation is ‘5-steering-wheel,’ and 八廓 (bākuò), which is the 8-precincts to interface with the specific system of the body for prognostic purposes and concluded therapies. The research in modern Chinese ophthalmology will be done in three areas, how to interface the old Classics into an understandable language in teaching; to keep up with the research that was done by the modern ophthalmology and to rely on the latest equipment that aids for prognosis.  

This year, many papers have weighted on the condition of AMD (Aged Related Macular Disease – 眼部黄斑病变病), which is not curable.  Dr Au Eong Kah Guan (4), a clinician-scientist is active in innovation and research in many areas of Ophthalmologist kicked off the conference. With more than 200 of his publications, in 2005, he was the first to bring the awareness that blindness can be prevented with early detection via regular vision screening, vigorous exercise, balanced diet, quit smoking and take vitamin supplement such Zinc, fish oil and so on.

Dr Au Eong stresses the primary prevention is to curb eye disease from occurring, and secondary prevention is to prevent existing condition from worsening.  Both of the Chinese Eye specialist and the Eye specialists are in agreement that many aged related eye conditions are not curable but are treatable. In TCM, acupunctural therapy (針炙), herbal formulas (方剂), and diet therapy (食疗) are the alternative treatments. As a point of interest, if Google you would find out why the acupoints of ST-1承泣 (cheng qi – ‘ teardrop collector‘)-(5), and the BL-1 睛明 ( Qingming –“Clear Vision“)-(6) are the most common acupoints to treat eye-related diseases. 

It also says that 治眼先治肝, to treat the eye-related condition is best to fortify the free flow of the Liver Qi 肝气 (Liver system). For herbal formulas, it would be too many to list. But I like to mention about the wolfberry (枸杞 – Goji). When in recent years, the Goji berry (7) has become the popular commercial name for wolfberry, then the Goji is almost axiomatic the best herb for eyes and the liver Qi. It is ideal to add Goji to all kinds of nourishing soups; it goes well with morning cereals, and I personally would like to drink Chrysanthemum tea with Goji that’s a caffeine-free drink. 

I was sincerely humbled and challenged when I witnessed a few of TCM Eye specialists had openly professed that they were Eye specialists before and now without looking back, as they have the possessions of both the East/West knowledge on Ophthalmology. The switch is indeed admirable. For me, TCM Ophthalmology was an 80-hours mandatory course study for the general TCM degree. I felt blessed to be able to learn new things from the old especially with all the Classic Herbal formulas that were known for treating the body parts that can be used to treat most of the eye diseases.

Evidently, Floaters/Flash in the eyes is an age-related condition that a cure is not yet in sight that is for me to monitor if there are any drastic changes.  I have the peace to drop my eye drops and have the confidence to do the DIY  with therapy under the TCM guidance. It is the good news that when incurable symptoms can be treatable, however, treatable does not necessarily bring about complete healing. The truly good news is the conviction that my dear  Lord of God, Jesus is the one who heals, as it says : 

• “Nevertheless, I will bring health and healing to it; I will heal my people and will let them enjoy abundant peace and security.” ~ Jeremiah 33:6

1. https://lookafteryoureyes.org/eye-conditions/floaters-and-flashes/
2. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chinese_Ophthalmology
3. 中医眼科学 – 教材
4. Dr Au Eong Kah Guan
5. Home > Education > Acupuncture Point Location > Stomach Meridian Index > Stomach 1
6. http://www.acupuncture.com › … › Acupuncture Point Location › Urinary Bladder Meridian 

7. https://www.healthline.com/health/goji-berry-facts

    

20/08/2018

Proverbs 21:1

“The king’s heart is a stream of water in the hand of the LORD; he turns it wherever he will – (ESV)

Last year, La La Land (received 14-Oscar nominations) (1) was widely predicted to be the Oscar Best Picture for 2017, in an Oscar finale, the announcement says that ‘the Best Picture goes to La La Land. ‘ In the end, MOONLIGHT wins the 2017 Oscar Best Picture “after a mishap occurred during the announcement.” (2). Finally, the people behind La La Land graciously passed the Award to the people behind MOONLIGHT. 

If what says that ” Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows (James 1:17), then, who was the one that gives the award, in the Oscar night? This year, at the 90th Oscar, ‘The Shape of Water” that received 13 nominations won the Best Music (Original Score), Best Production Design, and the most precursor awards of the Best Picture and Best Director (Guillermo de Toro).

I have never been a fan of science fiction films. The entire cast of ‘The Shape of Water,” was unfamiliar to me, except the former Oscar winner Octavia Spencer who was again nominated for this film. The story was about a single, mute cleaning lady forms a bizarre relationship with an amphibious feature. At first, I found that the amphibious feature was not pleasant to look at, and as shallow as I have been that I puzzled why “The Shape of Water” is the movie title? 

If I would cast my emotional ballot, with my love for fashion, ” Phantom Thread” would be my best picture.  Just to watch fashion parades in the film is like having a spa for my eyes. The winners of “Lincoln (2013),” “There Will Be Blood (2008),” “My Left Foot (1990)” with multiple nominations, such as “Gangs of New York (2002),” it is hard for me to relate Daniel Day-Lewis now to act as Haute Couture designer to construct fashions, and he performed well in the movie.

Recently I spent 3-weeks on my US revisit. One of the great ways to fly with Singapore Airlines is the chance to keep my backlog of movies. I rewatched ‘The Shape of Water” to fill up my two hours during the flight. And I was hoping to see Jesus in the film. And I  saw God’s sense of humour that with the issues of ‘hate crime,‘ ‘fake news,’ ‘white supremacy,’ ‘Guns.’ and ‘MeTooism,’ are much in vogue, in the US. And we have an African American woman, a mute janitor, a gay and the amphibious creature are the principal characters in the best movie of Oscar 2018.

For the box office, producers have to put in the suggestion of a historical Cold War background; the highly secure government research facility as the set. Rusian espionage who has infiltrated the lab, the person in charge of the facility with his mean spirit following the cruel torture has continually inflicted on the creature and with a hidden intention to kill him. With compassion, it triggered Elisa (Sally Hawkins – nominated for the best actress) to stage a “Great Escape” at the end. 

The plot is centred around the extraordinary relationship between Elisa, the isolated, mute janitor and the amphibious man. But it also includes Elisa and Zelda (Octavia Spencer), her co-worker, whenever trouble posted, Zelda was indeed faithfully to stand by her until the end. And also Elisa and her gay neighbour who is a father’s figure to her and for her. I easily relate Jesus’  attributes in every Elisa’s relationship with others. And if this film is a heartwarming love story, and Jesus is all about love and compassion.

As for water, the first miracle of Jesus occurred in the Bible was when Jesus turned water into wine at a wedding banquet (John2:11); the story of the woman at the well, is how Jesus reached out to the social outcast, is about the water to quench the physical thirst but also the living water as the gift of salvation (John 4). The movie starts with Elisa soaking in a bath, does the film try to remind us that all of us need to be touched by that ‘Water, the living Water’ to be able to live and deal with our lifelong ramifications?  

I am sure that many would like the ending of “The Shape of Water” as a love story. I take comfort to cheer that the concept of the story is like a breath of fresh air in the time we live in, right now. I like the poem at the end of the movie, which can be a poem that I could borrow it as a Psalm for my Maker and my daddy God. 

” Unable to perceive the shape of you, I find you all around, your presence fills my eyes with your love, you humble my heart, for you are everywhere.” – The Shape of Water

My thanks are to my BFF, Linda Lai for her forever encouragement. Thus, I was led to rework my piece that was being published a few days ago. In God’s faithfulness, I was given two passage scriptures to be reflective upon. ‘The Shape of Water” is a movie, a fantasy. Is Guillermo de Toro, the Best Director of Oscar, 2018 trying to use it to point us to a promise from the Almighty, when there’s no hope to be hopeful, like Elisa, Zelda, the gay artist and the amphibious man occurred in the movie? 

Psalm 65:5 (ESV)

” By awesome deeds…, O God of our salvation, the hope of all the ends of the earth and of the farthest seas…”

 

1. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/La_La_Land_(film)
2. MOONLIGHT WINS BEST PICTURE AFTER 2017 OSCARS ENVELOPE MISHAP BY. JIM DONNELLY

 

 

 

 

 

13/01/2018 update from 05/01/2018

While people still exchange seasonal greetings for the new year, I received the same link from three of my chat groups. It is a four-minute read of excerpts from a book ‘Why We Sleep?’ by Dr Matthew Walker, a Neuroscience and Psychology professor of UC Berkeley in the US to discuss on “What Happen To Your Body and Brain If You Don’t Get Sleep.”

According to Dr Walker that the sleeplessness is considered be associated with the heart problem, Alzheimer,  and cancers…We all know that insomnia has become an epidemic for decades, and no root cause of it has been found yet. And ‘How To Use Acupunctural Therapy To Treat Insomnia’ just happened to be the topic of my thesis for my degree in TCM (1) so I rework part of what I wrote back in 2013 here:

27-06-2013 – rework

Insomniac – Pt One

Psalms 4:8

In peace I will both lie down and sleep; for you alone, O LORD, make me dwell in safety.

An article with a title of ‘Sleepless in Singapore No More’ in the local newspaper, the Straits Time, dated 28/05/2013, which reveals an alarming figure of how many people are having the problem of ‘Sleeplessness.’ Many remedies were recommended by experts or doctors but didn’t say much about why people had the disorders. I definitely don’t have the answer. However, the textbook  Root Causes of Sleeping Disorder is all about the imbalance of Yin/Yang according to TCM (1)

Before I could find times to expand on the doctrine of Yin/Yang,  we all know that sleep is essential for mental and physical restoration. The contributing factor for the disorder might be due to the various circumstances, conditions, or diseases, and also emotional distress. Unfortunately, we still don’t have any scientific and conclusive findings to pin down the actual root causes of it.

People may get different insights from looking at two Chinese words 休息 (xiuxi) that articulate Rest and an old phraseology of 不寐 (Bu Mei) that defines ‘Sleeplessness, ’ which first occurred in 内经 (Neijin) (2). And the Chinese character of 忙 – Máng could also help elaborate the importance of rest/sleep.

忙 – Máng = 忄 Xin + 亡 Wáng

The word 忙 – Máng is of two Chinese pictograph words put together as one that means Busy or Hurry or Haste.

忄 Xin is Variant of 心 (“heart”) when used as the radical in the dictionary that means heart; a frame of mind, a mental state.

亡 Wáng means Perish, lose, destroy and death.

We need to let our physical, emotional and spiritual Heart taking on a core dwelling within our body.  If we allow the constant busyness to push our heart aside  (忄), then it is possible for people to have a cardio related condition. And for example, a heart attack may result of overwork (忄亡 = 忙).

息 – Xi = 自 Zi (“nose”) + 心 Xin (“heart”)

The word of 息 Xi means Breath life through one’s nose,  Rest, Cease breathing, to hold the breath, to Stop, or to put an end, 

自 Zi is originated from the ancient stone script of Nose, and later the word was being adapted to use as the common word of Self.

心 Xin is both an independent Pictograph word that means of human Heart as well as an ideographic radical in the dictionary that means Heart, Mind, Intelligence, Soul and Center Core. 

We have the word of  Nose 自 Zi (“nose”) on top and the word of  Heart (心 Xin) below. Personally to me, the word of 息 – Xi is an ideographic compound word to denote that we are breathing at night, our heart is reclining in the mood of Rest. Therefore, I like what it says that  ‘We sleep with our Heart.’

不寐 （Bu Mei)

不 (Bu) is a pictogram (象形) word of a person spreading his arms to signify negation or refusal. Therefore, it means Un-; Not; No or Prefix of Negation

寐 (Mei)

According to the Kangxi Dictionary, the radical of 宀 (mian), which means ‘Indoor’ or ‘Roof.’ And 寐 (Mei) under the radical of 宀, so we find a bed =床 (Chuáng) under the roof  that pictograph ‘Sleep’ or ‘to Sleep.’

Therefore,  the phraseology of 不寐 (Bu Mei)  literally means ‘Sleeplessness’ ‘No Sleep,’ or ‘Un Sleep.’ And it first occurred in内经 (Neijing) that have been the phrase to expound ‘Sleeplessness’ for more than two thousand years.

In the ancient Chinese art of healing, to understand causes/effects are primary in clinical trials, and treatments are determined by syndrome differentiation. The valuable medical finding through tests on the human for thousands of years had been well catalogued and documented concurrently for people to use as the point of reference for diagnostic purposes, and after thousands of years later those Classics are still valid until today.

For example, if we were to look for the root of ‘Sleeplessness,’不寐 (BuMei) we need to start with the category of 心脑病证 (XinNaiBinJin). Contextually, in the TCM, the word of Heart (心/Xin) infers our Cardio Qi or our Cardio system, as for Brain (脑 /Nao)  is part of the Nerve System but never the anatomical organs in our body. That’s why the latest Scan still wouldn’t be able to tell what’s on our mind.

Symptoms like ‘Palpitation (心悸),’ ‘Stroke (中风),’ ‘Vertigo (眩晕),’ ‘Epileptic (痫病) and ‘Dementia (痴呆)’… have all been classified in the same category of 心 脑病证 (Xin Nai Bin Jin). Although TCM has never had its claim as part of Anatomical Medicine, its evident that any one of the above symptoms would lead people to have the problem sleeping at night. So I have to ask that what say you?  After you read the excerpts of the book by Dr Walker, a US Neuroscience and Psychology professor on “Why We Sleep?’ 

My heart goes out to anyone of you who are having the problem to get to sleep at night. I would find times to address the issue again. While we are waiting for the scientific findings, we shall have an open mind to see the possible spiritual root of the problem. Therefore, I put it under the category of  ‘Healing and Belief,’ which will lead me looking the issue through the lens of the scriptures in the Bible.

Stay tuned and Happy New Year

1. https://www.tcmworld.org/what-is-tcm/
2. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Huangdi_Neijing

 

29/12/2017

We would enter into the new 2018 in two days, and I had this urgency to put up this last piece of my draft, which I had a few reworks on it. May thanks being to my Daddy God for HIS enabling hands upon me.  

modified 19/10/2017 and 05/04/2012 

Without knowing what to expect, my friend, Kit and I went to attend our first Tai Chi class, on one of the Saturday afternoons. And both of us were a bit apprehensive when we found out the’ 108 Forms of Wu family Tai Chi Chuan1 was that what we were about to be in for.

The first lesson, the preparation was the Stance (站 椿 Zhan Chun), which is the Standing Exercise. The etymology of the Chinese character 椿 (Chun) means a ‘Tree,’ or ‘like a Tree.’ It may sound easy, but the actuality of standing like a tree is hard to attain when your mind is all gearing to make a move.

With full concentration, we have to learn to have our entire body and mind in a total Relaxation mode. With the correct breathing exercises, we have to slightly bend down our knees, gently avoid the S shape of our spine and have our tailbone points to the ground. I didn’t expect to relax my lower waist and softly descend my hip-joint were difficult to come around. The more I tried, the more uptight I had become.

Consistently, the instructor reminded us to watch out for our posture to avoid knees injuries or to twist our waists accidentally. And I certainly didn’t know that there are 95 postures that we need to be mindful of in Wu Tai Chi Chuan.2  As for the defence practices, we were told that the mental preparation is the key. It is within a second, we have to use our ‘pushing hands (椎 手– Tui shou) to maintain the correct balance in our standing.

I was seriously challenged and humbled to follow the flow of doing it and worry if my moves would look clumsy in the class. Take, for example, it was that if when somebody suddenly tried to grab my hand by force. And I need to rely on reflexive discerning spirit coupled with my unforced pushing hands movements to shaken the centre of gravity of the opponent for my self-defence, and in the meantime to bring down the attacker.

It was like watching magic when our instructor demonstrates his moves, which are the internal style using the borrowed power from without to hit the opponent off-guard with his pushing hands. The movement may appear effortless to human eyes, but the results are lethal. Of course, I  was impressed with the end result of his moves, without anticipating the whole process from how he first started. I only found out later that he still practices every day and teaching us for free with his passion for Tai Chi. 

It took a little over a year,  I managed to have my instructor’s approval on my forms, in classes, but not much on my techniques. As to play the piano with playing and to drive a car with driving; Tai Chi also requires practice to be able to synchronize a series of movements into one continuous Form, which is the perfection of Tai Chi. I regret that it was mainly due to my issue with time management, so after self-searching and prayers, I decided to leave the class.  

At first, I took comfort to reckon that I didn’t waste my times to learn Tai Chi, after all, I was learning it by actually practising it. And I have finally been able to comprehend the vitality of ‘Standing Exercise’ as the preparation in Tai Chi, especially in defence, which requires a total reliance on the incomprehensible interconnection between ‘retreat vs push;’ and ‘gentle strength vs powerful force.’3 The Tai Chi class was finally behind me, but Tai Chi has never been out of my heart.

I felt strongly that I saw the depth of Tai Chi in the mirror of Scriptures. In reflection, I was reminded that Jesus tells HIS followers that there will be troubles in the world, which we live in (John 6:33a)? Apostle Paul also warned Christians about the spiritual attacks, which is the Warfare from the heavenly realm (Ephesian 6:11-16)? Yet by the grace of Google search, people would be able to find more than 100 verses scriptures in the Bible to command Christians to ‘Fear Not!‘

As it also says, Jesus, that HE would overcome the world (John 6:33b); and Apostle Paul teaches us that we were promised to be able to withstand the spiritual attack, if we were able to take the firm inner stance (Ephesians 6:13). It is because that the battle is in with the Lord of Jesus Himself, which means the Real Combat is HIS. Amazingly, Oswald Chamber talks about the ‘Spiritual energy, ‘which is the ‘unforced propelling action coupled with the repelling concentration’ as the spiritual forces to defuse the natural forces, in his devotional book (4) in the April month.

19/10/2017

My Bible study this morning was in the book of John chapter 19 versus 31-37 (4). In great details, Apostle John expounds that the Jews was not only want to make sure that Jesus to die on the Cross, but the Jews also urged Pilate to have the soldiers to break Jesus‘ legs to hasten HIS death. But before the soldiers came, Jesus already died. So the scripture was fulfilled –  The Exodus 12:46 rule is also prophetically in synced with Psalms 34:20: “He protects all his bones, not one of them will be broken [5).’

It is also vitally important for our natural bodies to be able to stand firm at all time while holding. One careless trip would result in injuries or an uncalled for fractures in bones, and for the seniors, it may cost their lives if they failed to hold their stance in balance.  Like my beloved uncle, he was miraculously in good shape at 92. On an evening, he tripped on his way to the bathroom, and it was dark, The fall was nasty, he was taken to the hospital with a broken ankle and concussion. And a few weeks later, he was called home to be with the Lord.

As for is it prudent for Christian to take up Tai Chi? I have to admit it honestly that I may not be able to give out a straightforward yes/no answer. As a Christian myself, I confess that I did it for a short while with inner peace. First of all, I never believe that I have to keep a list of doing/don’t to maintain a close relationship with my Savior. And the most importantly I was blessed to be able to see my emotional, and experiential knowledge on Tai Chi, which is a natural occurrence that has had a spiritual parallel, which I am forever thankful!

Psalms 20:7-8 Esv <https://www.biblegateway.com/passage

‘Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God. They collapse and fall, but we rise and stand upright. ‘

 

1.     https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/108-form_Wu_family_tai_chi_chuan

2.     https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wu_Style_Tai_Chi_Fast_F

3.     https://www.pinterest.com/pin/476607573048611027/

4.  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oswald_Chambers

5.  Matthew Henry commentary John 19:31-37

<https://www.bible.com/bible/111/psa.34:20&gt;.

23/12/2017

One of my friends reminded me that I didn’t put anything up for more than seven weeks. And I had two articles in my draft box. Two weeks ago, one early morning, I didn’t expect the first thing that appeared on YouTube was ‘Kate Middleton wears Diana’s favorite tiara and people get the chills….’  

August/2017 – rework

One of my dear sister in Christ suggested that I shall write about Diana in tune with the category of  ‘addicted to love.’ And how could I be able to add anything to write about Princess Diana if what says in theGardian that ‘millions upon millions of words were written about Diana, Princess of Wales, while she lived? Multiple millions of words were written when she died so shockingly in 1997.’ thus more ‘millions of words will be added to this already superabundant store.’ (1) 

Only when I found out that Princess Diana was an Anglican Christian, then I had the inner peace to share of how her funeral impacted the world and supernaturally brought glory to God, 20 years ago. And I also expounded on why her impact is still real, 20-years on, it was not because of a dianaminia phenomenon, it was after her own ‘Tell All” documentary was being aired. It only takes women understand other women.

In further, here I wonder what her life would be for being a Christian, had she ever been exposed to any of Apostle Paul’s teachings? Having God’s curse upon women in mind (Genesis 3:16), as result, emotions would always have a stronger hold on women than on men. And it had been more so in Diana’s emotional make-up. For according to the scriptures, its only prudent for Diana not to separate from her husband even she was in a loveless marriage. After 11 years of marriage, the Royal couple separated in late 1992.

1 Corinthians 7:10-11 (2)

‘and to the married I announce — not I, but the Lord — let not a wife separate from a husband: but and if she may separate, let her remain unmarried, or to the husband let her be reconciled, and let not a husband send away a wife.’

For being single again, although Diana had heavily devoted herself in many global humanitarian works, but due to her addicted to love personality, as if her deep longing of love were written all over on her forehead for the whole world to witness. With more than her share of scandals, affairs and the explosive TV interview, finally, in 1996, a divorce was inevitable. And yet according to Apostle Paul, it would deem unwise for her to remain unmarried, after all, she was still young.

I Corinthians 7:7-9  New International Version

‘But if they cannot control themselves, they should marry, for it is better to marry than to burn with passion (or unfulfilled sexual passion).’

In the end,  her sudden, tragic death shocked the whole world. She died certainly before her times at 36. People may wonder would she be aged gracefully or beautifully at 56 this year? Would she receive ‘admonition‘ from the Church of England on her 2nd marriage to any man with whom she was in love? Did it ever occur to her what the impact would be upon her sons, knowing that her 2nd husband is going to be the stepfather of the future king of England? Would the Windsor be giving her the blessings?

What if her future husband didn’t share her Christian faith and value? Had she been warned that her yoke with an unbeliever would make a problematic marriage?Or would she be too addicted to her love for her beloved to take warnings? Or would she give up her faith for love? What if the man didn’t know how to love her, or to cherish her the way she desirous of being loved and cared? Or what if her future husband were too weak to flee from the worldly lust or temptations?

If all good things in life are from God (James1:17), and then it is that ‘the Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away..'(Job 1:21 KJV). Diana was given all things in life, but she died young. Her life was an example of how a woman who was intensively in need to love and be loved but had no one to point her to the true love that could only be found in Jesus. It doesn’t mean that Christian women either single or married are immune from feeling lonely or miserable when their emotional need is not met.

It is until and unless we,  as women are fully aware of our inner self, our helplessness and ask Jesus to drive away all our weakness that we see in our own carnal emotions then not only we would be able to experience HIS love but also a curse-free life would be within our reach. So if a royal princess candidly talked about her problem openly, all women if in the similar situation should openly talk to people or to ask for help without being tarry.

It says in the book Philippians 4:13 –‘you can do all things through Christ who strengthens you.’

Now in December, and is the month with it all the joy of Christmas. I wonder if Princess Diana ever had any truly joyous Christmas within or without those Palace walls? Now we can rejoice as we all know that she is with her Daddy God in heaven as His beloved. No more emotional disorder, no more bulimia or cutting herself up. And Jesus knows when her yearnings of love are. What about you, are you feeling lonely or December is the most miserable month in a year as you don’t have someone to spend Christmas with?

Many women would echo that it is possible for us to feel lonely even we are with our loved ones. The antidote, therefore, is how essential for all of us to pray for one another, especially during this time of the year to be able to discover that the most significant gift of all and for all is not found under the Christmas tree. It is the moment when we allow our entire being to be filled with Jesus’ love that never fails and never disappoints. After all, HE is faithful and HE is the true personification of love on earth.

This morning the scriptures that’s from the book of  Number 6:24-26 came to me, and it’s actually the lyrics of a Jewish scriptural song, the ‘Priestly Blessing’ and then I thought that it would be the perfect greetings for me to share it with you all during this festival season, what do you think?

‘The LORD will bless you, the LORD will keep you and the LORD will make His face to shine upon you; the LORD will keep you and be gracious unto you. And HE will give you peace, and HE will turn His face to you..‘ (3)

1. https://www.theguardian.com › Opinion -26/08/2017
2. Young’s Literal Translation

 

 

James 1:17a (NIV)‘

Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights….

No public event on the date that marked the 20th anniversary of the death of Princess Diana, but the anniversary was not muted. Weeks before apart from newspaper headlines and TV tributes, a brand new documentary ‘Diana, In Her Own Words’ (1) was on the Tube. It said that it was at her most candid, and original interview which revealed the profound insights into one of the most iconic women of our time.

All of us, being as women, including those who had never cared for her; or had a mixed feeling of admiration and resentment toward her or disliked her, even, could be able to reflect on ramifications of our own emotional life, via the lens of Diana’s life, one way or another. That’s why we found many of her devotees were young women in their early twenties. It means that some of them were not born 20 years ago.

The documentary was like ‘keeping up with Diana (1981-1997),’ but not at all like what with the ‘Kardashians.’ As it may bring out old controversies, and it bared Diana’s hurts beyond belief and her pain. Furthermore, Prince William and Prince Harry decided were the appropriate time, 20-years on for them to openly articulate their griefs of loss. I was trying to catch keywords from her ‘Tell All” and see if I could get a Christian perspective on her life and death.

With father absence and mother always distraught marked Diana’s unhappy childhood. According to the Windsor, a virgin with no romantic history was considered a most ideal match for the Prince, the future king. The Royal wedding 1981 with over 750 thousand viewers around the world. It was none of any version of the Cinderella as we had known of before because it was done with God’s favor on the Royal couple.

It is written, in the Book of Genesis 2:28 (NIV), that the Lord, God said,” It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him.” Also, it says (Proverbs 18:22-NIV) that “He who finds a wife finds a good thing and obtains favor from the Lord.”

Why ‘In Her Own Words,’ Diana calls the wedding to Charles the “worst day of my life?” And the whole world knew that Prince Charles had a married lover, Camilla, all along. Diana had her first nightmare as Prince Charles brought along a stack of books to read on their honeymoon. Didn’t he realize that he just married the most admired woman in the world?

No wonder she kept using words of ‘sacrificial lamb‘ to describe herself in the Royal marriage. I believe that Prince Charles would want to love her, would grow to love her but the big gap in ages and the lack of compatibility between them, he probably let her feeling rejected and discarded, without knowing it. So she was miserable and unhappy.

“Under three things the earth trembles….., under four it cannot bear up….’an unloved woman who is married” (Proverbs 30:21, 23- NIV). 

Was Diana hysterical wanting attention? But the whole world was madly in love with her; paparazzi never let loose on chasing after her every move. It was a loveless marriage the cause of her unhappiness. As a result, she openly talked about her Bulimia; her seeking help from doctors; her suicidal attempts, cutting herself up with knives. Finally, she rejoiced with a thankful heart when she gave birth of her two sons.

And it was admirable and courageous that Diana was resolute to impact her kids out of her awareness of life beyond the Palace wall. It was said by the young Prince: “She was one of the naughtiest parents.” “And of course, as a son, I would say this, she was the best mum in the world. She mothered us with love, that’s for sure.” Diana adored her sons and loved them deeply and dearly. 

Why she still suffered from her emotional disorder? Why at the end the divorce was inevitable?  Naturally, emotionally the big void in her heart was always in her intense longing for the love of her husband, but in vain. Can we say that the supernatural reality was that what God’s curse (due to Adam’s sin against God in the Garden – Genesis 3) upon all women in the world, which we live in today?And Diana was without exception.

“.…..Yet your desire (passionate or intense longing) will be for your husband, And he will rule over you.”- Genesis 3:16b (NASV).

Immediately I was reminded of an unloved woman, “Leah” who was married that occurred in the book of Genesis.  In life, Diana had mirrored Leah’s life to some extent. But unlike Leah, Diana had no problem with her eyesight. The story of Leah would be just a ‘click’ away on Google search. It is naive for any woman to believe that giving birth a child would resuscitate a loveless marriage, but the worst is still, plus a child.

God is LOVE, HE loves the world so much and sent his only son, Jesus ‘to have a human nature as sinners have and to pay for sin. That way God condemned sin in our corrupt nature (Romans 8:3- God’s Word Translation).’ So all men and women would be able to have a curse-free life. And for women, we need the power of God’s perfect love to strip off our weakness in our emotions so we will not look for love in all the wrong places.

‘Diana devotees’ were in their infatuations on what they saw of her in public. After her ‘tell-all,’ people, especially women could easily relate to her brokenness and to feel for her severe emotional disorder that plagued her life. Women were hurt for her when finding out that she had everything on earth but not true love and happiness. That’s probably why when her love life after being single-again was tainted with a fair share of gossips and scandals, and yet she was still people’s Princess in their hearts.

1. channel.nationalgeographic.com/diana-in=her-own-wordss/
2. ‘theGuardian’ – Diana, Princess of Wales Opinion – Editorial

I don’t know when my next posting on Diana will be up again, but I hope to be able to expand on how her divorce and her single-again life in tune with apostle Paul’s teaching

Kay

2 Peter 1:3

“His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of Him who called us by his glory and goodness.”

My friends would wonder why I bother to spend time on the late British singing artist, Amy Winehouse. (1) I knew not of her, nor her music, before her tragic death at the age of 27 (1983-2011). Let this be my tribute to her with the love of Jesus.

Amy’s brief life was alien to me before her passing. It was sad to see the tabloids unrelentingly spotlighted more, on her makeup, her tattoo, and her ” rowdy behavior,” till the “Amy Winehouse Biography” by Cyril Cordor,(2 )came out. And I like what says:“…fans and critics alike embraced her rugged charm, brash sense of humor, and distinctively soulful and jazzy vocals, Her....”

With personal endorsements and Archival shots, the Oscar-award-winning documentary ‘Amy (2015)’ (3)by Asif Kapadia, is perfect, to chronicle the “meteoric rise and terrible fall of the Grammy-winning British, Singer-Songwriter, Amy Winehouse.’I personally, like the onscreen lyrics, which are in line with most of Amy’s performance, in the film.

Apart from her unique voice, I got to know more about her and her striking talent, in writing her lyrics, at such a young age. I have never developed an appreciation for Soul or Jazz music, but I have to echo what the critics were saying that Amy was an old Soul songwriter, but trapped in a young body. Personally, her lyrics are very PG-13.

If what says that ‘every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of heavenly lights…(James 1:17 NIV) then it was God who gives Amy the ability to write her first song at 14 and followed by her great success in the area of her music and her wealth.

She said that her songs were her stories, then albums from “Love Is A Losing Game,” “You Know I’m No Good,” and “Tears Dry On Their Own,” were all interfacing the outcry of her emotional hunger and dryness. Her songs of ‘Rehab,’ and ‘Addicted’ revealed her addictiveness.

Christian John Wikane John, an NYC-based journalist, and music essayist also the Contributing Editor for “The PopMatters,’ had a comprehensive write-up with the title ‘Amy Winehouse – “Back to Black,”‘ (4) to expound on Amy’s music and more, and the full article is just a click away.

With her on/off relationship with her ex-husband, she wrote ‘We only said goodbye with words, I died a hundred times – you go back to her – And I go back to ….’ as lyrics for her hit song, ‘Back to Black., ” I died a hundred times…” she subconsciously was either playing with mortality or knew that she was going to die before her time.

It was grief-stricken to see the footage of when she was booed off the stage, as she was tipsy and too drunk to perform at her last concert. According to the autopsy, alcohol poisoning was the cause of her death, but we may have to ask was that what plagued her life?

Amy had mirrored a young woman who was deeply addicted to love with love, for the wrong guy. And in the meantime, when she was exposed to drugs or alcohol, then her life was a downward spiral with no way of turning back. Some people would deem that Amy shouldn’t say ‘NO’ to Rehab. People near her, and probably even herself would reckon that’s the end of it.

Therefore, it is highly possible that Amy was fully aware of her powerless state and what she wanted was not as simple as to rid of the substance, but a Spiritual Rehab. Amy needed help. Had anyone near her pointed her to Jesus? And Jesus would wipe out her tears;

Had anyone ever told her or ensured her that the Daddy God would never leave her nor forsake her, but love her for eternity? And had anyone told her that her love affair with Jesus is going to be a beautiful thing, not a losing game?

Veteran singer Tony Bennett, in an interview with theGuardian, (5) said: “Of all the contemporary artists I know, she has the most natural jazz voice, but I’m worried about her and I’m praying for her.” “She ‘d help everybody by sobering up and cleanings up her spirituality.”

It was tragic that Amy died at such young age. And 7 years ago, her hit album ‘Back to Black’ had over 200 million views on the VEVO channel, on YouTube. And few of her albums have been charted ever since her passing, and some of them have been re-charted again recently.

Amy was killing herself softly with songs she wrote. And I wonder how would her songs have any impact on those who are listening to her songs? How many out of that 200 million viewers need to hear about Jesus? Finally, no Amy would come out for curtain calls. As God put a complete stop on her deep addictive lo…longings for love in all the wrong places, probably with all the wrong guys.

Deuteronomy 31:6b ESV
…….for it is the LORD your God who goes with you. HE will not leave you or forsake you.”

Stay Tuned

Kay

25/02/2017

 I used to be a movie lover that was always being laughed at for couldn’t differentiate fantasies from realities. In the 80’s, I had lived in Los Angeles, for more than 6-year, actually, for my advanced education, and I was also deeply immersed in the US sub-culture of Hollywood, apart from my hectic schedule on campus.

Honestly, now, I am not about to say that I am not a movie goer anymore. But my priority has changed since I have become a Christian. I would still put movies as my hobbies if I were asked. I always make a point to watch movies on big screens, especially for those were nominated for the Oscar.

I like to watch the Red Carpet event, on Oscar night, for high fashions. Mostly, I want to see, how many major award winners those who are in line with predictions. In the meantime, I have a friend who is a Catholic, lives in Canada would send me do/don’t movie checklist for Christians. So it would be no fun to be a guilt-ridden movie-goer.

It is really disheartening to see the excessive of sexual scenes, violence and with so much vain use of Lord’s name. My friend, Polly shared my view and told me that she knew people are explicitly praying for Hollywood. As a result, I have been intently looking for traces of Jesus in whatever I watch. It brings warmth to my heart to hear entertainers openly acknowledge Jesus.

Take the movie ‘Jackie,’ for example, is not a documentary film on the former US first lady. Many people would probably want to see if the movie might tip-off whom, actually behind the Assassination. But the film hasn’t revealed more secrets than the world has already known.

All the critics of the film would be just Google away. And I have to say that I was mesmerised by Natalie Portman’s incredible performance; as Jackie, and I wouldn’t be surprised if Portman won her another Oscar after she received her award in the film of ‘Black Swan,’ 2010.

Personally to me, ‘Jackie’ is a God-glorifying film. And I have to say commending the production team would actually give in, and allow Jackie’s (Portman) “spiritually illuminating” dialogue with an old priest to be included in the movie. Without knowing how factual of Jackie’s spirituality, in life, but that’s a bold move in Hollywood production.

“ If God is love, why doesn’t HE stop all the horrors that we visit each other?” or “Was God in the bullets that killed Jack?” These questions are the classic, default way of thinking that bedevil both of the people with deep religious faith and pre-seekers.

I was moved by the answer that was given by an old priest (John Hurt, who died in Jan. 2017) to Jackie (Portman), in the film. He reassures her that “even in moments of unimaginable tragedy, God is still there…” And even more helpful. ’The  priest then challenges Jackie (Portman) to see that” the works of God have been revealed in her.”

I was serious as challenged in the cinema by the dialogues from a film as well listening to any truth that was brought out from the pulpit. Personally, the most thoughtful touch was the ending of the film that Jackie shared of her infatuation, over the enchanting music of the Camelot, to counter balance her grief of the tragic Assassination of her husband.

If the dialogues in the movie actually occurred in Jackie’s life, then I would think that was how my Daddy God prepared Jackie to face another tragic blow when her only son died on the plane he was piloting crashed into the Atlantic Ocean near the Coast of Martha’s Vineyard, in 1999.

If not, it certainly brought the sense of victory and peace to those who have been praying for Hollywood. Unlike Mel Gilson’ s, ‘The Passion of Christ,’ the production team used the platform, which Jackie held, as the former US first lady, to be instrumental for HIS glory. Do you know there is another God-glorifying, Mel Gilson film, will be in the cinema soon?

Romans 8:39

“No power in the sky above or in the earth below–indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

p.s.

In the end, it was not Portman, but Emma Stone, of ‘LA LA Land’ took the Best Actress of the Oscar for 2017, and it gave me a good reason to go to the cinema for the film. And Emma Stone is perfect for her role. I love the movie, as what the critics were saying that “It brought tears to your eyes and a new song in your heart.”I thought that it was a movie for women, but it was on my brother-in-law’s high recommended list.

I would find time soon, to talk about another Movie, ” Churchill ”

Kay Loke

15/07/2017 modified

Stay Tuned

 

 

 

 

 

27/05/2017

 2 Corinthians 4:18 NIV

 ‘So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.’

I was intrigued to find out that ‘Jesus Met A Woman At the Well’ is the title of an old gospel song, (1) which relates the story of Jesus met with a Samaritan woman, which occurred in the Gospel of John at 4:4-26. And how this story has mirrored ‘Addicted To Love.?

If we would write a play on this most famous Bible story and the cast of the leading roles are Jesus and the Samaritan woman. And the setting is the Jacob’s well; the scene is that Jesus alone with the woman having dialogue, while HIS disciple went to town to get food.

The long and deep-rooted dislike between the Samaritans and the Jews was the scene that’s ‘unseen.’ The screen started rolling as Jesus, being the son of man, traveled from Judea to Galilee, interlaced with what says in John 4:4 NIV that ‘now HE had to go through Samaria.’ Therefore, Jesus made a detour and went to the ‘well’ and asked for water.

The nameless Samaritan woman also went to the well. She was not only an ethnicity out cast in the eyes of the Jews, but also was a social out cast to her own people. What’s ‘unseen’ is that she was divorced 5-time; had a bumpy love life and was with her 6^th man at the time.

No matter it was by chances, or by choices, or due to all of her former husbands dealt treacherously against her, she indeed was divorced 5-time. And after gone through 5-marriage, she still had faith to be with her 6^th man, then her addictive personality to love was evident.

It says in Malachi 2:16a, ‘“I hate divorce!” says the LORD, the God of Israel.”’(1) Also having God’s curse for women, in mind that says in the book of Genesis @3:16b, it has always been a trying deed and feeling shameful a cruelty especially for the divorced women.

Gen 3:16 b

“ In pain, you shall bring forth children, yet your desire shall be for your husband and he shall rule over you,”- New American Standard 1977

Why Jesus wanted to be alone, at the well to meet with this scandalous divorcee? The scripture tells us that Jesus did what the One who sent HIM to do (2) that’s to do what God wills him to do.  But as the son of man, didn’t HE have concern for HIS reputation or temptation? Was that drawing water what is all about?

As the dialogue between them had evolved, evidently, it’s all about the water. And it’s to compare and contrast between the natural water that quenches the physical human thirst, and the Living Water that is for the thirsting soul.

Being all-knowing, Jesus knew all about this nameless woman but didn’t reproof her current state of life. Jesus didn’t hold a double standard, as the Son of God to the woman. HE has always been a God of compassion, HE knew that the woman needed a savior.

Exodus 34:5b-6 NIV

……”And he passed in front of Moses, proclaiming, “The LORD, the LORD, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness,”

Being all-powerful, as the giver of the Living Water, Jesus reached out to her and taught her the Divine things on high. HE further emphasizes that the Living Water is the Spirit, which would spring from within, and would no more feel thirsty again. The woman immediately said that “give it to me.”

Immediately, with a new spirit, she becomes an Evangelist to spared the good news to her people. No past sins could hinder her of acceptance of the Lord of God, Jesus. Today, the old Jacob’s well is still in the city of Nablus, in the West Bank, hypothetically the play would be a low-cost production, but it actually cost our dear Lord of God everything to send His one and only Son to come down to die for us.

And don’t we all, as women need that drop of living water to live a curse-free life? With no condemnations, and then scripture comes to me as below:

Isaiah 12:3 NIV

With Joy, you will draw water from the wells of salvation

 

 1.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5SYxW8uCVkU

2.John 4:34 – “my food is to do the will of him who sent me, and to finish his work”

Stay Tuned

 

 

 

 

 

15/07/2017

In the midst of expounding on the late Amy Winehouse, I found what Paul Lester wrote in his contribution to theGuardian with the title of “Whitney and Amy: worlds-apart artists who wound up in the same place.’ (1)

I was a puzzled why Paul used the phrase of ‘wound up’ as the title of his article, but I have appreciated how Paul Lester insightfully compare and contrast Amy and Whitney in line of their personalities, up brings and their talents in music.

Unlike Whitney, Amy didn’t have the ‘mainstream showbiz linkage,’ but Amy wrote her own songs and lyrics to tell her stories. So Amy’s popularity was a true validation of her as the gifted Singer/Song writer.

Whereas Whitney was a Christian, with deep trace of gospel in her voice. As for Amy who had a Jewish up bring. With their ‘world-apart differences, they were both sadly wound up ‘stumbling wrecks dependent on ‘bad boys and drugs.

 15-02-2012 edit

Ecclesiastes 3:1-2

 ‘To everything there is a season; A time for every purpose under heaven: A time to be born, and a time to die; A time to plants, and a time to pluck what is planted;

I have never been a real fan of either artist. It was few months earlier that Amy died. And now Whitney was found dead, drowning in the hotel room. Immediately, Whitney’s candid dialogue with Oprah Winfrey(2 )in the exclusive interview (2009) came to my recollection.

My heart went to her for her emotional afflictions that she had to go through, as a public figure. I was puzzled, at first, as she helplessly devoted to her husband. And it made a lot of sense when she said that she was addicted to her love for him, and he was like drug to her.

But her testimony of ‘‘come through moment’ at the interview was up lifting and edifying. She openly professed that it was the Spirit of God that had sustained her through out, and she had humbly claimed nothing on her own efforts and strength for it.

I was then, facilitating a Monday night women’s Bible study at the church. So I shared what I heard from the interview with ladies in the class, and invited them to pray for her, only whenever they felt led to pray, and we were all in agreement that Whitney Houston needed prayer supports.

Then she died, and few days later, I watched the Anderson Cooper Live, on CNN, with few Medical Doctors on the panel; the discussion was centered on the terms of ‘Drug Death’ or ‘Pill death’ that quoted by the MDs to reveal the horrific drug abuse situation in Hollywood.

It revealed that most of the entertainers would rely on prescription drugs to ease up their pressure in their line of works or to handle their instant success that led to. It all started off with addiction, then it led to death on drug over doses.

The panel cited all the drug-related deaths such as Michael Jackson (June, 2009), Amy Winehouse (July 2011), Whitney Houston (February 2012) and definitely Elvis Presley and Marilyn Monroe were also mentioned.

As my daily scriptures reading from Philippians 4:10-20, I learned that even Apostle Paul had to learn to be contented by asking his dear Lord to give him the ‘spiritual muscle to endure lean times and to avoid the pitfalls of abundance’ – OurDailyBread 15/02/2012 

As the media would keen to focus on what Whitney died of? I wished to know, definitely on why she died pre-maturely? She was gifted with a unique voice in singing, she was good to look at from all angles, and she always professed her love for Jesus.

Is it because her spiritual muscle was not strong enough to save her at the end? It brought warmth to my heart to know that a private funeral service was schedule to hold in her home church where she used to sing for God, there, when she was only 11.

I am sure that it would be a God glorifying funeral service, and a good sent off for Whitney. I was led to pray with the following scripture, as God would minister to her family, especially her daughter and her fans, all over the world.

Evidently, in Whitney’s case, for whatever our dear Lord of God, Jesus, gave and HE was taken it back. We shall rejoice that Whitney has finally found her rest and her true Love that’s in the bosom of her Daddy God, and Whitney could sing her heart all out to Jesus that ‘I Would Always Love You!(3)

Romans 8:38-39

(38) For I am sure that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, (39) nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

 p.s.

Bobbie Kristina Brown, Whitney Houston’s daughter tragically died at 22, on July 26, 2015, was she also wound up in the same place like what her mother was at?

 Stay Tuned

 Kay

 

1. (Paul Lester for the Guardian – Last modified on Tuesday 14 February 2017 25 GMT)

2.  Oprah.com/whitney houston interview

3.  https://en.wikipedia.org/…/Grammy_Award_for_Record_of.