Ivy Cottage

Adoi, kena bashed on last week Friday...from the Commercial Team...every time, when presented with a new initiative, I sure kena teruk-teruk one...never mind, I learn...I have a long way to go to become influential, convincing, as a facilitator and as a collaborator.  

The first time, presented the template was during zaman Lord Alfonso, so of course when the boss is there...no one makes noise...even though the report was so flawed...and when I now test drive without the presence of the big bosses, kena teruk-teruk pula...I am sure Samuel & Mr. Horton's Secretary is laughing behind my back and was glad that I screwed it up. The only consolation was that the Fresh Team & Peggy was responsive to it...I also don't know whether the Mayor approve or not, I jalan belakang first...hahaha...

So tired lately...nak buat kerja also many people want to question...people are not being supportive but like to open fire pula...never mind...I had it better compare to Joseph & David. God will provide, protect, His promises & plans never fail, His purpose for me is good, His presence & peace will be upon me... 

From Pity To Praise

 

But the Lord stood at my side and gave me strength.

If you're facing a crisis, lacking even the right clothing for warmth or close friends to help, remember God. He's faithful to revive, provide and deliver. Why? For His glory and for our purpose in His kingdom.

Our strong God, when life's circumstances overwhelm us, stand with us, stir our praise, giving us Your strength to overcome.  

Our Deepest Longings

Some people will expend immense energy attempting to amass wealth in an effort to secure their lives. It's a fool's game. Whoever loves money never has enough, Scripture insist. Some will work themselves to the bone. They'll strive and push, comparing their possessions with others and straining to achieve some economic status. And yet even if they gain supposed financial freedom, they'll still be unsatisfied. It's not enough. As the writer of Ecclesiastes states - this too is meaningless.

The truth is, striving to find fulfillment apart from God will prove futile. While scripture calls us to work hard and use our gifts for the good of the world, we can never accumulate enough to satisfy our deepest longings. Jesus alone offers a real and satisfying life - one based on a loving relationship that's truly enough! 

Gracious God, allow me to find my true fulfillment and joy in You. Keep me from a wrong view of work and material things. 

Praying Like Jesus

Father, if You are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but Yours be done.

Every coin has two sides. The front is called heads and from early Roman times, usually depicts a country's head of state. The back is called tails, a term possibly originating from the British ten pence depicting the raised tail of a heraldic lion.

Like a coin, Christ's prayer in the garden of Gethsemane possesses two sides. In the deepest hours of His life, on the night before He died on a cross, Jesus prayed - Father, if You are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but Yours be done. When Christ says - take this cup; that's the raw honesty of prayer. He reveals His personal desire - this is what I want.

Then Jesus turns the coin, praying not my will. That's the side of abandon. Abandoning ourselves to God begins when we simply say - but what do You want God?

Jesus prayed both sides of prayer; take this cup (what I want God), yet not my will (what do You want God?), pivoting between them.

Two sides of Jesus. Two sides of prayer. 

Blessed Bread

Maybe the beginning of your story feels messed up. Maybe you don't think there's much of a future. But there's a bigger story. It's a story of a God who made you on purpose and for a purpose, who took pleasure in you. It's a story of God who came to rescue you, a God who put His Spirit in you to renew you and recover your identity. It's a story of a God who wants to bless you.

Dear Jesus, I place my life like bread in Your hands. Only You can return me to my origin. Only You can carry me to my destiny. Jesus, You are the Author and the Finisher of my faith.

Strength In Suffering

Blessed? What could Jesus have meant? He was referring to the wholeness, joy and comfort found in a relationship with Him.

When we walk with God, no matter our circumstances, we too can experience His peace. He is with us. 

Stay On The Way

 

We have questions about our future. None of us know the details of what lies ahead. Life is full of twists we don't see coming. That's okay. It's enough to know Jesus who is the way and the truth and the life. Jesus knows what's next. He only asks that we walk close to Him.  

Baigel Bake, Brick Lane

 

WatsApp Conversations:

SW: Your buddy talk more LC than me

Me: She is not my buddy

SW: I don’t feel this is good lar, ppl is sharing the plan. Don’t talk like questioning lor

Me: Now u know how we feel (the whole team) everyday

SW: She talk like this to you all also ar, hmm..I think she’s kind of emotional

Me: This is very mild already lor otherwise she scream & yell

SW: Frankly if she’s under me I will teach her not to talk like that, can be firm but still looks professional

Hahaha...yes, naughty me...but I am reporting the truth...

Wood Farm

The other day, also very memalukan punya incident...had a meeting with the GMS Team on their upcoming BTS promotions. Miguel was there, Nixon was there...this Miss Chew just want to cut and remove everything...no numbers in hand, no figures preparation...does she realize the impact to the business or not? I know that Miss Chew is having budget constraint...but she make it so obvious that she do not want to do it because of the right intentions (BTS is too early to start etc) but with the wrong intentions...Merchants is not going to bother about you, you have budget constraint, itu you punya pasal to manage, cannot affect the commercial team.  

Nixon comment - Obvious she pakai tembak saja...

Now, the whole Marketing Team become like a laughing stock...adoi...

Citizens Advice Harlow

Then the second part...Samuel punya giliran to have a 1 to 1 session with The Mayor. 

Samuel also very honest with The Mayor lah...informing The Mayor that Samuel cannot get along with Miss Chew. The Mayor only jawab...I don't want to know about the past, I don't want to know about the history, I just want to make sure that the structure works...adoi...

The Mayor also ask Samuel to look at Miss Chew's strength. Yes, Miss Chew is cukup garang, Miss Chew memang can lead...but the problem is...Miss Chew is not kind, Miss Chew is not understanding, Miss Chew is nice to the outside people and not to those who are in the team, Miss Chew likes to finger-pointing, Miss Chew is not protective of the team, Miss Chew will put the blame on the team, Miss Chew will not champion for our rights...adoi...

Then, in another way; also thank God that Samuel will remain and still have a job...Samuel will be Miss Chew's key person...I don't know whether Miss Chew knows about it or not lar...Samuel title will change to Assistant Retail Marketing Manager, confirm Miss Chew will lead Malaysia operations...

Samuel also pre-empt us first...that Samuel will now have to wear a mask - hahaha...will pura-pura to ambil hati, berbaik with Miss Chew...Samuel ask us; please don't look senget at Samuel, Samuel have to survive, Samuel need this job...adoi...

Clapham

The first part was like this...I had a conversation with The Mayor...The Mayor jawab that Mr. Horton's Secretary & myself will be in the Trade Planning Office...did not mention Samuel's name...so, I hope Samuel will not kena the axe lah...

Then hor...HR pula telephone I...tanya about Samuel's full name...apparently Samuel's name is not in the HR Talent Central Pool list...so, I got a bit kan cheong lah...

Nonetheless, I have also been a little kepochi - telling everyone that Miss Chew will have the highest chances to lead Malaysia, not to create panic but to manage expectations...I know...die lor everyone...everything also Miss Chew want to masuk campur...everything Miss Chew will make it complicated...everything Miss Chew will blow it out of proportion...everyone Miss Chew will kutuk like nobody business...I feel that the team will be very cham & ke lian... 

Thevenet Alizee

Miss Chew watsapp Samuel a question...then don't know how wor...all of the messages become personal attack against Samuel...Samuel shared those messages to both Mr. Horton's Secretary and myself. 

Miss Chew attack Samuel...saying that Samuel is slow...Miss Chew always have to pick up Samuel's work...Miss Chew don't trust Samuel anymore...first of all...all of the root cause of the problem is from Miss Chew herself...but Miss Chew will not admit that she is wrong, Miss Chew will blame the whole wide world except for herself. Again, I need to emphasize - Miss Chew is so fickle minded, change her mind like nobody business which causes so many re-works. Once there is a re-work, there is where tiredness & confusion sets in. 

Last time, under Marcus - we work under tight deadline but we are happy. Now, we are just flat pork chop. 

Fruit Juice

I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit. Apart from me you can do nothing.

This teaching was given in a grape-growing region. Grapevines are hardy plants and their branches tolerate vigorous pruning. Cut off from their life source, however, the branches are worthless deadwood. So it is with us. 

All powerful God, empower me to remain in You and allow Your loving Word to yield good fruit in me.  

The Would-Be Woocutter

Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you.

God cares about the small stuff - lost keys, lost glasses, lost phones - the little things that cause us to fret. He doesn't always restore what's lost but He understands and comforts us in our distress.

Our concerns are His concerns.

Loving God, here are my concerns (Career, Finances, Health, Family, Friends, Support Group, Skills, Hobbies, Security etc). Please take them, provide as You see best and give me Your peace. 

It's Time To Pray...Again

Pray in the spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests.

God hears and cares about our concerns, whether they're spoken boldly, sobbed silently or secured deep in a hurting heart. He's always ready to make us strong in His power, as He invites us to pray again and again and again.

Heavenly Father, thank You for the privilege of coming to You in prayer.

Thank You God that You found me, rescue me, saves me & redeem me.  

The Bell

Are you struggling with a failure causing you to feel unworthy or unqualified to move on? Don't let the ringing bell of failure cause you to miss God's greater purpose for you.

God, help me to use every circumstance, even my failures, for Your glory and honor!

I really don't like to do the TPG presentations; on every week in and week out...and this Mayor also...don't know is he lazy or got no time. I walk him through on the processes (a dry run with him first)...then email over to him lor...then mana tahu, he ask me to present in front of all of the Leadership Team...siao ar...the presentation is just so raw, not even refine...I bet everyone is laughing at me & behind me...labeling me incompetent, incapable...adoi... 

The Picture Of Despair

In despair? Don't stay silent. Cry out to God. He hears and waits to restore your hope. Though He doesn't always take us out of hard situations, He promise to be with us always.

Heavenly Father, I'm grateful for Your comforting presence.

3 days no water...water disruption due to water pollution from a nearby factory...I have been behaving like a spoilt brat...do forgive me my Abba Father...and thank You for hearing my cries...and yes, the best music in the world is the sound of running water. How sweet the sound...