EAT: Scripture reading and meditation

BibleIt’s not meant to be a chore or religious duty but it can easily become such. It’s not meant to be an intellectual ritual, but sadly it is for many. Reading and meditation on Scriptures and praying from them can be a lovely time of listening and sitting at the Lord’s feet. We quiet ourselves. We take a portion of the Bible and read slowly and listen for Him. Some phrase, word, image or insight gently rise above the rest and we dwell on that and eat. And chew. Let our spiritual organs digest and draw nutrition for our walk. Talk to the Lord about your pondering and the feelings that surfaced. How nice, how pleasant it is to dwell in the house of His presence.

If you are wondering what to read and find it hard to decide, why not try the Revised Common Lectionary. Four bite sized portions of Scriptures every week that covers the major themes of the Bible in three years. Some days you may want to linger longer in a passage that is rich and from which the Lord is speaking significant matters to you. Go deeper and abide there till what He wants said is said.

Pin the website to your home page on your smartphone, or favourite it in your web browser. May your times with the Lord be sweet this year.

So I went to the angel and told him to give me the little scroll. And he said to me, “Take and eat it, it will make your stomach bitter, but in your mouth it will be sweet as honey”. (Rev 10:9 ESV)

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Genesis Land: welcomed by Abraham

This was an interesting experience: a camel ride and some hospitality from Abram. Great idea and fun. We rode the camels to Abrams’ tent and there he welcomed us to a meal. We were blessed.

It started with a historical and geographical sketch.
It started with a historical and geographical sketch.
Steven and Tiffany gets on their ride
Steven and Tiffany gets on their ride
Baby and Joyce
Baby and Joyce
Lay Choo and Caleb
Lay Choo and Caleb
Sumei and Ezra
Sumei and Ezra
Sam and Caleb
Sam and Caleb
It was about 15 minutes ride to Abram's tent
It was about 15 minutes ride to Abram’s tent
This was just starters. Sadly no fatted calf was included in the meal. Just Jewish chicken.
This was just starters. Sadly no fatted calf was included in the meal. Just chicken.
The desert has its own beauty
The desert has its own beauty
With my wife and sister in law.
With my wife and sister in law.
With wonderful Raffles Air tour organizers and owners Albert and Jenny.
With wonderful Raffles Air tour organizers and owners Albert and Jenny.

 

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Declutter your soul: its a New Year

Cluttered storeroom
Cluttered storeroom

On Monday my wife and I went into the storeroom and cleaned it up. The more a storeroom has been left untouched, the more clutter, dust and dirt it gathers and the more intimidating it becomes. We felt overwhelmed but were glad we did it.
We removed obstacles that blocked the path, wiped dirt off the shelves, and strengthened sagging shelves. We threw away many things: old wires, rechargers, bathroom floor rugs that had mildew, tools, tired tennis balls, plastic containers with red lids, and other containers.
We got rid of clutter – things we had no use for. We re-organized what was left and important to keep. We cleaned and removed the layers of dust on things and on the floor. No we were not thinking of Chinese New Year. It was simply a long overdue cleaning.
Your life and mine needs a similar de-cluttering and cleaning act. Are there activities that draw you away from Christ, that waste time or distract, or that feed an addiction? Are there spending habits that need to be trimmed, or priorities that need to be reviewed? De-clutter your soul.

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Dead Sea fun

The Dead Sea was the fun part. This is one place in life where you simply cannot sink. We were at the beach in front of the Ahava factory and retail store. Yes we had fun shopping and we had fun plastering our bodies with black mineralized mud that would take years off our skin. Haha.

Steven and me
Steven and me: perfect poise
The ladies soaking in salt-concentrated waters.
The ladies soaking in salt-concentrated waters.
The price you have to pay to look younger.
The price you have to pay to look younger.
Jacob the masseur giving Jenny the finger treatment.
Jacob the masseur giving Jenny the finger treatment.
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Qumran community archaelogical site

We visited the remains of an ancient site of a Qumran community in a semi arid landscape. It was cool but stark. It must have been hard to live in such circumstances where water concerns were predominant and this was reflected in the architecture and the space given for cisterns. The desert made me feel alone, forlorn, quiet, meditative and reflective.

Joyce Leong and Jenny in the museum
Joyce Leong and Jenny in the museum

 

At the Qumran community ancient site
At the Qumran community ancient site
Mr and Mrs Tan Jee Lian
Mr and Mrs Tan Jee Lian
Another view from the hotel
A view from the hotel in Jericho

 

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