Wishing you Merry Christmas and Amazing 2008 to come!

Merry Christmas to my dear friends, wherever you are...

Sorry for not updating my blog for a long long time because I have been working hard and playing very hard this year. To me, 2007 is another grateful year packed with not just activities but also enjoyment and challenges. Here it goes :

The year kicked off really well with the best holiday I've had by far in New Zealand with my best friends over the Chinese New Year. You may recall my post in Feb with those nice pictures of splendid snow-capped mountains, lakes, woods, pengiuns, dolphins, deer etc. Wished I can revisit this beautiful country again soon....

In March, I co-hosting our firm's seminar / cocktail reception in Beijing and Shanghai. My first time to give a formal business presentation on offshore law regarding private equity transactions and in Mandarin.

This summer went extraordinarily busy this year with the rise of the economy and increasing business activities. Did a couple of listings, one privatisation and a number of mega transactions throughout the summer months. While partners and colleagues were taking turns for family summer holidays, I was working hard and no summer break for me. But I had a really fun junk trip with my fellowship - what a day out in Sai Kung !

In late September, I had a nearly 3 weeks vacation to US / Canada to visit my new born nephew Ethan (4 months old then) in Kansas and seeing my good friends of Tsim Fook church in Vancouver! I picked up alot of baby talk and skills needed for "infant-sitting" during my first week, then I passed the challenge of babysitting the 4 months old at home for 5 hours with flying colors on the last day when my brother took his wife out for their 3rd wedding anniversary ! Feel free to click below to see more pictures of Ethan :

http://family.webshots.com/photo/2716416830101079067vjQqox?vhost=family

Photos of Vancouver:

http://share.shutterfly.com/action/welcome?sid=1QcOGrRm4Yuug&emid=sharview&linkid=link2

In October, my church offered a special worship band training, so I signed up and picked up my drum-sticks again!! With the 3 months crash course on every Tuesday night after (tiring) work, I'm so happy that YES, we were able to "jam" praise hymns in studio, and present our final "performance" with our different instruments. I'm especially thankful that music lifted me up from stress at work, and opened my horizon in listening to CDs now ( I grew interest in hearing the drums !).

Then quickly came my birthday month. It was the busiest month packed with 4 different concerts, 1 business trip to Taipei and 1 get-away-weekend trip to Huahin with my hallmate buddies. (more pictures on "Facebook" ~ Add me !) So, together with my regular weekly bible studies / ministries and birthday celebrations (very happy to have my birthday cake with a sparkling candle specially prepared by James!)...it was indeed a memorable November !

One thing I'm very grateful is that my secretary came to Christ this fall. PTL!! By her testimony, I'm amazed at God's work in people's hearts and His superb timing in His salvation plan for all of us.

December is another amazing month filled with surprises. Nope, I didn't win the grand prize at my firm's Christmas party like last year, but this year is even more rewarding !

At the request of my firm's HR, our firm's cell group was invited to sing Christmas carols at the firm's Christmas party for the very first time in my firm's history! Despite the limited resources, God provided us with a keyboard to practice during lunch hours 3 weeks prior the party, and a super nice piano at the party venue where we could all stand around the piano with our Santa hats on singing hymns (the firm was really generous to rent the piano for 5 hours for our only-15 minutes carols singing!). I'm also touched that it drew not only Christians to our cell group, but also "seekers" to the singing group of 12! And as we invited the floor to sing, many joined ! Priases to God !! May God leads this cell group ahead.

Only by God's grace that we can enjoy each day on earth so abundantly. He came to give us an abundant life !

Wishing you richness from ABOVE and harmony with your beloved ones in the coming new year ~2008 !!

My first Moon Festival in USA

Tonight I saw the biggest moon I have ever seen in my life - so big that I thought we were on another planet ! Imagine the scene of the movie "ET" and you'll know what I mean...


Took more photos these 2 days with baby Ethan. Tried using another online photo webservice - Enjoy !

http://share.shutterfly.com/action/pictures?a=67b0de21b35608c2e499&sid=1QcOGrRm4YuVA


Taking care of baby can be a fun thing. However, full-time is another. While I totally enjoy my time here playing with and helping to take care of a 4 months' old baby, I can't imagine my daily rountine with such schedule...

On holiday getting recharged...

Thanks to God for a wonderful holiday break near the end of an unusual busy year.

I'm grateful for a nice time here in Kansas with my brother's family, in particular the 4 months' old baby nephew, Ethan.

Here are some photos of Day 1 and 2 here.

http://family.webshots.com/photo/2716416830101079067vjQqox?vhost=family

Babies are fun ... well, so long as they are well fed and sleep well. I sort of learn the tricks. = )

Babysitting for my brother and his wife today, as it's their 3rd anniversary. Best wishes.

Summer Junk Trip - July 2007

It's has never been this hot to me in HK before. Only in the month of June or early July, temperature already climbed up to 33'C or 34'C !?! Just can't wait to jump into the water!

Sharing some really nice photos taken at a recent junk trip with my friends at my church, TF Friday Fellowship ~ a nice day out sailing, bright sun, cool waters, great fun but ... no sharks! PTL !! = )

http://www.imagestation.com/album/pictures.html?id=2089280742

The Book of Nehemiah- 29 July 2007

The past few months have been packed with mostly work. Can't believe myself finishing 3 significant deals (1 IPO, 1 mega sized M&A and 1 privatisation) nearly all around the same period. Although I don't have time to update my Blog, doesn't mean I stop my daily devotional as the words of God is my strength and direction at all times!

Since June, instead of Our Daily Bread, I started to use another daily devotional materials which offer a systematic studies by following each book in the Bible in one go.

Just finished the book Nehemiah and I learnt something :

1. When doing things for God's kingdom (in this case re-built Jerusalem), strong leaders are needed. And strong leaders need to lead with strict discipline, loving understanding and a humble heart. It's not easy for leaders to lead with a humble heart as personal pride and people's praises will sometimes blur our focus on God's sovereignty. Let's try to be "humble but not weak".

2. When we are serving our God diligently, there bounds to be attacks. From both insiders and outsiders. It would hurt our spirit, but when you focus on God, what can men do to us as everything is under God's plan ? We feel hurt, because our pride is hurt, but when we leave our crown before our King, He will lift you up, for sure.

3. Nehemiah always pray before he makes a decision. Doing God's work is our blessing and His victory. No matter how difficult the process may seem, even in the most impossible circumstance, God never leave His workers alone. God never fail to provide nor open a way. He is always ready to give you cheer, to bring you delight, to nourish your life as you seek Him. Have we seek Him before we make plans ?

4. Upon completion of God's work, He permits celebration for it's a joyful time to give thanks to Him and share blessings amongst those who put effort in it. We have all the joy to tell the world that our God has helped us through difficulties and let others know the wonderous works our God has done for His people. Very often, we pray and ask for God's help, when He answered and did great things for us, we forgot to give thanks to Him and tell others about it.

Going onto 2 Corithians this month...

Simplicity of a child

People always say "you'll see how quickly time flies especially when you see the baby grows." So true !

See how much baby nephew Ethan has grown in his 3rd week.... It reminds me of a familiar passage in the bible :

Luke 18 : 15-17 : People brought babies to Jesus, hoping he might touch them. When the disciples saw it, they shooed them off. Jesus called them back. "Let these children alone. Don't get between them and me. These children are the kingdom's pride and joy. Mark this: Unless you accept God's kingdom in the simplicity of a child, you'll never get in."

Do we have a humble heart like the baby, who totally relies on his father and mother to meet all his basic needs ? We come with nothing, and we will leave just the same. Have we made our lives more complicated than the simplicity of what we really need ?

Precious baby pictures

Do father and son often looks the same ? see here they are....who's the father and who's the son ?= )

22 May - Do not worry

Today's ODB brings me to reflect on a lesson that I'm not yet finish learning - Do not worry. Well, how could one not worry ?
http://www.rbc.org/odb/odb.shtml

One of my favourite passages in the Bible, the book of Matthew 6:25 to 34 says :

"26Look 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? 27Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?.....34Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own."

For full passage, click :
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew%206:25-34&version=31;

Recently, I have been having ups and downs at work. Immense workload, sudden or tight deadlines and unreasonable requests from clients which all pushed me to a helpless corner. Yet, I find keeping the regular habit of daily devotion and reading the words of God, peace and protection from temptations or traps strengthened me, day by day. When I allow God to take charge of my work, where I pray before making some phone calls or sending emails, He let me experience His power and might !

One recent incident is that I was hard-pressed by persistent but nasty counter-party on an unreasonable request, I was totally lost with words and ways for exit. I lifted it up to the Lord in my bedtime prayer, and it was miraculously lifted from me the next morning ! Then, the incident "revived" after a week, again, with the grace of God, the unreasonable demand was amazingly given up by the client at the end.

Praises to God for His victory !!

My nephew - Ethan

Thanks to God - Baby Ethan was born on 12 May 2007 in Kansas to my brother and sister-in-law.

So I'm now 姑媽 - feeling a bit "old" tim.

Sharing with you pictures of Ethan at his own BLOG : http://ethanlau.blogspot.com/

May he grow in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and men ~

Wonderful day at Ocean Park 5 April 2007

What a wonderful day...! See our pictures... just click and enjoy the slideshow!
Thanks, MCC, for these great snapshot. = )
http://good-times.webshots.com/slideshow/558607280JBFNye

Hectic month of March

It's been a rather hectic month of March, both workwise and socially.


Workwise, March is the financial year-end : all bills and work-in-progress needs to be billed; clients are also keen on closing deals; further, there were preparation and invitation with the 1 week China Roadshow in the last week of March, all added up the stress with the urgent works on my desk.


Yet, I'm thankful for the month of March as it's also the month of The HK 35th Arts Festival. This year, I booked 4 events : The Great Mass, The Opera - La Boheme, The HK drama - And there is you, The Soweto Gospel Choir. I enjoyed these evenings after work at the Cutlural Centre or APA with different performances by various international performers from Germany, Italy, South Africa. After these shows, I am most impressed with these artists who strive to lead their lives for their interests or dreams in music, drama and dance.


My last week of March was spent in Beijing and Shanghai. The 1 week China Roadshow was smooth and successful by the prayers lifted by many. Flights delays weren't as serious though there were a couple, and already got new business enquiries before I returned to HK. Both Beijing and Shanghai have changed alot, and I mean ALOT, since my last visit 1-2 years ago. Although the roads are pretty much the same, numerous new buildings or construction sights have filled both sides of the roads.


Sharing 2 pictures taken at the roof top of a recent hot spot in Shanghai : Three on the Bund, overlooking the famous "M on the Bund" - a french restaurant.

March 25, 2007 - Worship leading today with thanks

Thanks to God for another great Sunday service today. While our worship team is still short of a guitar,drums, or other instruments, with just a classic piano, we sing with our hearts and voices in harmony.

While many of our worship team members have undergone a very tough week, the unspeakable peace and strength from Above is forever reassuring!

Thanks to God for His leading and providence with our worship leading today, in particular, this hymn just warm my heart and tears swell my eyes.

God is always faithful in His loving kindness, no matter how we are, just because He cares for who we are - His children.

【每一天 Day by Day】

1. 每一天所度過的每一刻，我得著能力勝過試煉；
　我倚靠天父週詳的供應，我不用再恐慌與掛念。
　祂的心極仁慈無可測度，祂每天都有最好安排，
　不論憂或喜祂慈愛顯明，勞苦中祂賜安泰。

2. 每一天主自己與我相親，每時刻賜下格外憐憫；
　我掛慮主願安慰與擔當，祂的名為策士與權能。
　祂保護祂的兒女與珍寶，祂熱心必要成全這事，
　「你日子如何力量也如何」，這是祂向我應許。

March 15 - Full Pockets

Today's ODB - Full Pockets - http://www.rbc.org/odb/odb-03-15-07.shtml

"And children know that if they ask Mom or Dad to search their pocket or purse for a piece of gum, a mint, a comb, a tissue, or a dollar—whatever it is they think will meet their need at the moment—they will receive it!

It’s not unlike our privilege as God’s children." - How true !

It's been my habit (or habitual belief) to have bandages and alcohol prep pads in my wallet, just in case somebody get hurt and need immediate sterilisation for wounds. Over the Chinese New Year holiday, I was biking with my friends in New Zealand, one of my friend fell off the bike and wounded her arms, hands and chin. I immeditely took out my "first-aid" alcohol pad for her, in the hope that it'd be of great use! Yet, perhaps the pad has been kept unused for too long, it was dried out and couldn't be used. How embarrassing of me ...

However, it's never the case with our Lord.

Ephesians 1:11-12 : (The Message) It's in Christ that we find out who we are and what we are living for. Long before we first heard of Christ and got our hopes up, he had his eye on us, had designs on us for glorious living, part of the overall purpose he is working out in everything and everyone.

11 那憑著自己旨意所計劃而行萬事的，按著他預先所安排的，預定我們在基督裡得基業（“得基業”或譯：“成為　神的產業”），12 藉著我們這在基督裡首先有盼望的人，使他的榮耀得著頌讚。

40 Days Campaign - (2) Holiness

Having practised the Prayer exercise for nearly 2 weeks now, I must admit that when "We come near to God, God will come near to us" (James 4:8). Last Saturday morning, it was a beautiful morning at my home's balcony. I turned off the mobile, took my bible with my journal and started my 1 hour of prayer with God. As I read my journal, my heart was swelled with joy and praises for His unfailing love and promises on struggles past and prayers heard. What a sweet hour in the presence of God, alone.

To continue with the 40 Days Campaign...

聖潔的操練：
1） 不講閒話：若發現自己正在講別人閒話的時候，快快停止，並轉換話題。
2） 不講負面的話、批評的話，只講正面、欣賞別人的話；若不慎講出一句負面的話，馬上向神認罪，並馬上補上一句正面的話。
3） 用祈禱和安靜的態度，從神那裡獲得力量，去面對各樣的「試探」。
4） 在本週內背誦數句金句 (例如詩五十一10)，當試探來的時候，用神的話語來禱告，藉此勝過試探。
5） 每早晨用十分鐘時間，思念清潔和美善的事情。
6） 立志只講「真話」，把事情簡單說清楚，裡面絕對不加上不真實的內容。
7） 不「貪戀」任何事物，例如金錢、升職、別人讚美的話等。
8） 每天用十分鐘時間數算主恩。
9） 不去看任何使自己落入試探的事物、人物或影像。
10) 立志在這星期內，不看任何電視、留心一下不看電視後，自己的生活及心情有怎樣的反應。把看電視的時間用在祈禱、看聖經和閱讀屬靈書籍。
11) 禁食24小時，用本來用膳的時間來禱告和看聖經。
12) 背誦十誡(出二十)。
13) 放假一天(利用星期日也可以)，不做任何的事情，包括家務，容許自己休息、午睡、做點運動等等。

※操練時必須注意的三件事：
1.不要怕失敗，我們不是要追求達到目標，乃是要追求親近神。
2.不要把操練的目標放在操練的練習上，要把目標放在「為甚麼」我要操練(因為我們要親近神)。
3.你也可以改動一下練習，或自創練習去乎合自己的需要。

I've chosen items 4 and 5. And you ?

40 Days Campaign began - (1) PRAYER

Last Sunday, our church has embarked a 40 days campaign, challenging each of us, as children of God, to exercise various aspects of our spiritual lives. The whole church will look into 5 important aspects on weekly basis until Easter. As nothing is possible without prayers, it kicked off with PRAYER and the following exercise - choose any two for practice in the coming week.

祈禱操練練習：

1. 每天祈禱10分鐘。
2. 本週撥出1小時，不做任何事情，只單單祈禱。
3. 每一日選擇一句經文用作「不住祈禱」，例如：詩篇五十一10
4. 每一天讀其中一課／章有關祈禱的書籍。
5. 每一日寫一頁禱文給天父，告訴祂有關你內心的感受。
6. 可以到戶外，觀賞大自然的美麗，從而欣賞天父的創造，並在大自然中思念天父的偉大。
7. 每一日用15分鐘時間去數算主恩，不為任何事和人代禱，只單數算主恩。
8. 完全靜下來5分鐘，嘗試聆聽天父的聲音。
9. 每一天默想一節聖經，留心聽天父有沒有藉著這經文向你說話。
10. 每一天用10分鐘來為你的朋友、同事、家人代禱，並留心天父在他們身上的作為。
11. 為教會的傳道人、執事、團契職員、組長、各部的職員代禱，求主保護並加添他們力量去事奉神。
12. 每日在車上、等人、看報紙、睇電郵、開會等事情上，實踐「不住禱告」的原則，為你所看見的人之需要代禱，求主與他們同在，賜喜樂和平安給他們，或按他們的需要為他們代禱。
13. 在本週內，用一個小時，走入煩忙的街上，為街上的人和社區代禱，求主得著他們的心。
14. 在你做運動的時候，為你想到的人代禱。

I've chosen items 2 and 10. I remember the days when I was living alone in Beijing, I used to set aside Saturday mornings as "my date with God". No phones calls or other interruptions, but just let myself with 2 to 3 hours reading the Bible, listening to God, praying and singing to Him - those were the sweetest moments I have ever experienced.

Somehow life is busier in HK, even Saturdays are not easily free from appointments unless you make an effort to block your diary for something more important. Um...I do wish I could resume that weekly rountine.

Feb 23-新年進步

久未執筆寫BLOG,願在新的一年再次努力互勵互勉. 並恭祝各位主恩滿溢, 靈命進步,萬事從主意,事主更蒙福!

最近聽到一句很奇怪的拜年賀語 : 「不勞而獲!」.我還以為恭祝「生意興隆, 一本萬利,今年賺多啲」...等已經好好意頭, 然而人的貪念和惰性居然墮落至如斯地步. 作為現今的基督徒要面對社會上各種形形式式的物質享受的追求和衝擊,若不是站立在聖經上堅定的確據, 深信一切福樂滿足皆末來自萬有的創造主,我們在世作客旅的日子必如傳道者言 : 「然後，我省察我手所作的一切，和我勞碌所成就的，想不到一切都是虛空，都是捕風，在日光之下毫無益處.」(傳2:11)

Yet when I surveyed all that my hands had done and what I had toiled to achieve, everything was meaningless, a chasing after the wind; nothing was gained under the sun. (Ecc 2:11)

主耶穌在路加福音 12:15教導我們：“你們要謹慎，遠離一切貪心，因為人的生命並不在於家道豐富。”

願我們彼此建立真正豐盛的生命!

Holiday in a land of new discovery

Magnificant, majestic, stunning, beautiful, fantastic, amazing, what a sight, what a view...!

I nearly ran out of words when I saw the beautiful scenery one after another as we traveled throughout the South and North islands in New Zealand - a place where the creation of God is kept at its pure and original state, almost untouched by mankind. And it is my hope that it remains so.

In our 11-days journey, almost half of which were on the roads. We planned quite an aggressive itinerary and moved from place to place everyday because there is just so much to see!! I took nearly 1400 photos and 2.5 hours video taping in this trip, capturing as much as possible the numerous scenic views and many wild animals in their natural environment. So you can imagine how pretty this place is....

What animals have we seen ? Just to name a few we encountered : yellow-eyed penguins, dolphins, sea gulls, miniture horses, cows, glow worms, national treasure - kiwi and of course, thosands of sheep!

What have we done ? Hiking by Mount Cook, biking by Lake Wakatipu, animal-feeding at Deer Park Heights at Queenstown, speed-boat riding at Dart River, watching bag-pipes parade at Dunedin, walking through the woods and other "Lord of the Ring" filming locations in Glenorchy, wine-tasting at the winery at Marlborough, star-gazing at night, kayaking at the beaches in Abel Tasman National Park at Nelson and many more....

Anywhere I laid my eyes, they were met with magnificant views. In such an upclose perspective, I just couldn't hold my praises but sing to the Almighty God. He is indeed the greatest artist who paints the earth and sky in its utmost beauty with colors unseen.

More privileged is that I was able to share all these "woos and ahs" with my good friends in His love and fellowship. Relationships were built and friendship strengthened.

It's such a refreshing vacation rejunvenating the souls. Thanks to God for His abundant grace and love!

Jan 11- How to be Happy

Today's ODB is a happy one to ponder indeed-about happiness! Here I quote the list of "Ten Rules for Happier Living" below, try answering how often you follow one of those rules:

1. Give something away. - I sometimes do, not very often though
2. Do a kindness. - I try to do more
3. Give thanks always. - I often do
4. Work with vim and vigor (infml Eng means cheerful forcefulness-energy). - Thankfully that I often do
5. Visit the elderly and learn from their experience. - I seldom do
6. Look intently into the face of a baby and marvel. - I don't have such a baby to look
7. Laugh often—it’s life’s lubricant. - I wish I could laugh more and haven't had a good one for a long time!=(
8. Pray to know God’s way. - I always try
9. Plan as though you will live forever—you will. - I often make plans
10. Live as though today is your last day on earth. - This is kind of rare to me

What about you ? I believe happiness comes from the inside and not the outside. It's what we are and not what we have. We are the precious children of God, we are the heir to a mighty King. While we can't be content with our lives everyday (as there bound to be some bumpy grounds day in and day out), we can get by each joyful or dreadful day thinking to ourselves: well, this is not my home anyway! Hurray!

Stay happy! = )

Psalm 146 : 1-3
1你們要讚美耶和華。我的心哪！要讚美耶和華。
2我還活著的時候，我要讚美耶和華；我還在世上的時候，我要歌頌我的　神。
3你們不要倚靠權貴，不要倚靠世人，他們一點都不能救助你們

Jan 5 - The Waiting

Title for ODB today is "The Waiting". When was the last time you appreciate "a waiting" ? waiting for your date ? to return a call ? to turn up at the theatre before a movie ? or waiting for a baby born ? for the 1st time he smiles back at you ?

http://www.rbc.org/odb/odb.shtml

"Waiting for God’s promises to be fulfilled is part of trusting Him. No matter how long the delay, we must wait for Him. As the writer of Hebrews reminds us, "Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful" (Heb. 10:23). "

We all live in an impatient world. Everything must be fast and efficient, if it's not immediate, it must be quick. We don't seem to accommodate too much waiting time. But with God, there is no limit in time, there is no idea of 'waiting time'. To Him, everything is in eternity, so why the rush ?

"....but they that wait for Jehovah shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; they shall walk, and not faint." (Isaiah 40:31)

Stay refreshed all year round

Coming to the end of 2006 with a thankful heart, I, like most people, find a sense of excitment at the beginning of a new year. I got a few resolutions or the "to-dos" this year. Yet, I was reminded of the way to stay afresh all year round in ODB yesterday, to quote :

"Many of our New Year’s resolutions may actually accelerate our pace of life instead of helping us to slow down. In a quest for greater productivity and efficiency, we overschedule our days, then rush through meals, drive impatiently, and wonder why the joy of living eludes us.

Carol Odell, who writes a business advice column, says that slowing down can positively affect our lives at work and at home. She believes that rushing can cloud our judgment and cause us to overlook important things and valuable people. Carol encourages everyone to slow down, and even suggests the radical idea of welcoming red traffic lights and using the waiting time to meditate.

In Psalm 1, there is no hint of a frenzied pace. It describes a person who enjoys the blessing of God. Instead of thinking and acting like those who rarely consider spiritual matters, "His delight is in the law of the Lord, and in His law he meditates day and night" (v.2). The result is a fruitful life and a well-nourished soul (v.3)."

The word "meditates" carries the following meaning in Hebrew : "to moan, growl, utter, muse, mutter, meditate, devise, plot, speak
a) (Qal)
1) to roar, growl, groan
2) to utter, speak
3) to meditate, devise, muse, imagine
b) (Poal) to utter
c) (Hiphil) to mutter"

http://www.blueletterbible.org/cgi-bin/words.pl?book=Psa&chapter=1&verse=2&strongs=01897&page=

I'm sure the Lord knows that I'd easily run ahead with the many "to-dos", plans and actions and neglect the importance of quietness, meditations on His words and waiting upon the Lord. He is the ultimate spring of a fruitful life and well-nourished soul.