tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2069716225378891832024-02-08T03:18:41.033-08:00God is biting the bullet : When Bad Things Happen to Good people Merton Lee Kindle book New Ground-breaking theodicy : God is biting the bullet theodicy, Solves 5000 year old mystery and problem of human suffering and evil. Explains Why does the world exist. Footprints in the sand (New version July 2013) by Merton LeeAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16132011271499957428noreply@blogger.comBlogger9125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-206971622537889183.post-17621283340946517542013-08-01T03:35:00.001-07:002013-08-12T03:58:42.764-07:00FREE eBook One Thousand Gifts : New Perspectives on Solving the mystery Where is God when it hurts (God is biting the bullet theodicy) My Singapore story<br />
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<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">One Thousand Gifts <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">New Perspectives on<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Solving the Mystery:<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Where is God when it hurts? <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">(God is biting the bullet theodicy)<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Free Kindle eBook<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Available at Smashwords Website<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">by Merton Lee</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Dedicated to Dr Billy Graham, Dr Charles Stanley, <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Dr Charles Swindoll, Dr Rick
Warren, <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Brother David Steindl-Rast, Ms
Elisabeth Elliot, <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Ms Oprah Winfrey, Ms Joni Eareckson Tada, <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Mr Harold Kushner, Mr Philip Yancey, <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Mr Don Piper, Professor Eugene Peterson,<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Thich Nhat Hanh, Dr Roger Walsh, Ram
Dass,<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Dr Jack Kornfield, Ms Sharon
Salzberg,<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Ms Sylvia Boorstein, Dr Wayne
Dyer,<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Ms Louise Hay, Mr Eckhart Tolle and Mr Gary Zukav<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">for their words of love and encouragement <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">in the different seasons of life. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The Thousand Gifts Within<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">In the past few years,
friends and fellow Christians have asked me: What is the meaning of life? Why does the world exist? Where is God when it hurts? How do we sustain our faith?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Usually I would
reply with the following story which I wrote … <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Many years ago,
during the school vacation in summer, a 14-year-old boy from a peasant family
was asked by his father to learn from an old fisherman on how to fish.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">In most of the
days, they were not successful in getting the big fish in a river near their
village. On several rare occasions, they
managed to catch one or two heavy carps.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Three weeks passed
and the boy lost his patience. He
complained to the old fisherman, “I am tired of these fruitless efforts. I don’t understand why I need to learn from
you.”<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The old fisherman in
his early eighties replied, “Perhaps your parents hope that you can find a
wisdom stone in the river.”<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The boy’s eyes
brightened. He stared at the wrinkled face and the compassionate eyes of the
old fisherman.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">“I was told that a
wisdom stone can bring good luck and it can fetch a high price,” said the
boy. “Can I really find it?”<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> The old fisherman smiled and said, “I offer
you my blessings. You can walk slowly to
that spot. Perhaps you may find it.” He lifted his hand and pointed to a shallow
basin of the river about one hundred meters away which was filled with
pebbles. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> The boy became excited. Perhaps his parents were hoping that the old
fisherman would divulge this secret to him.
He handed the fishing net to the old fisherman, waded out of the waters
and walked briskly towards the shallow basin. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">For the next hour,
the boy carefully looked through the pebbles.
Finally, he perceived a red gleam.
He searched around the pebbles and picked up a red stone. It was half the size of his palm. It sparkled in the morning light, like a
ruby. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">“This must be the
precious wisdom stone!” the boy thought.
Elated, he walked briskly back to the old fisherman and showed him his
treasure.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The old fisherman
congratulated him and the boy decided to go home. He placed the wisdom stone in his pocket and
ran home.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">When he reached
home, he shouted with joy. He was eager
to show his treasure to his parents who had just returned from the fields. However, when he put his hand into his pocket,
to his dismay, he discovered that his treasure had become an ordinary black
pebble. His parents were indignant. They thought that the boy was lying and finding
a pretext to laze around at home. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">From that day
onwards and for subsequent years, the boy would occasionally think about the
black pebble and the questions asked by the old fisherman. He did not throw away the black pebble, but
secretly hoped that one day, it would sparkle again like a ruby. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">When he became
older, got married and became a father, he realized that what he treasured most
was not the ‘precious’ stone he had found.
What he truly treasured and hoped for was that he could sell that stone
for a high price and use the money to buy gifts for his parents and friends, to
show his love and care for them. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">He also realized that
there were other ways to show love and care, apart from material gifts. It is such feelings of love, care, sympathy
and compassion which define his humanity, which come from the depth of his soul
and which reflect the moral awareness and heart wisdom within him. These
are the precious gifts given to him by God. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Further, he
realized that God has given him a range of invisible gifts. They include the ability to perceive and
appreciate the beauty of nature; the ability to appreciate inspiring music, books
and works of art; the ability to remember things and events; the ability to
understand the meaning and significance of events; the ability to think and
reflect, to decide and to choose. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> More importantly, God has given him the
capacity to experience gratefulness, contentment, letting go and inner
peace; the capacity to awaken and grow
in wisdom; the capacity to realize the
importance of being humble, prudent, self-reflective and self-disciplined; the
capacity to be watchful and vigilant over one’s thoughts, words and deeds; the
capacity to catch glimpses of the timeless essence within; the capacity to
realize one’s mistakes, to repent and make amends, and move on with life with
renewed commitment to walk the path of righteousness; the capacity to choose forgiveness and
compassion; the capacity to persevere,
to display moral resolve and choose to remain faithful to God during trying
times; the capacity to understand His messages and encouraging words in the
Bible; the capacity to go beyond thinking, to go beyond the small, instinctive
self, to go beyond self-seeking desires; the capacity to look forward to
returning to His kingdom upon completing one’s pilgrimage on earth; and the capacity to experience the joy of
extending a helping hand to the needy and to quietly follow the Creator day by
day. It may take years to discover and
appreciate these priceless gifts from God …<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Pilgrimage On Earth</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">I
was born in 1969 in Singapore under humble circumstances. My father did
not have a stable job while my mother was a full-time housewife taking care of
my two siblings</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">, </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">our grandparents</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> and me</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">.
Thus, I considered myself very fortunate to be able to attend school to receive
formal education. </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">In
addition, I was born with fragile health and occasional back pain due to
curvature of my spine. I did not have the energy and strength to
participate in sports. During my school days, apart from school text
books, I did not have money to buy other books.
Thus</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">,</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> I frequented the school and public
libraries, reading a range of subjects. </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">From
the age of fourteen onwards, I became interested in the meaning of life.
I began to read the Bible and the wisdom literature of the major
religions. I also became a Christian and accepted Jesus Christ as the
Lord. </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">As
the years passed by, I discovered the usefulness of practising the wisdom
teaching. Besides providing me with
positive thinking, they inculcated in me the value of service. They inspired
me to serve noble causes. By undertaking meditation, my health slowly improved.
I was able to complete two and a half years of national service in the Republic
of Singapore Navy. </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">I did
well in my academic studies. By the age of twenty-three, I obtained a
Bachelor’s degree in Philosophy and Economics at the National University of
Singapore. I started to work part-time. In the next three years, I
obtained a Master’s degree in Accountancy and another Master’s degree in
Business Administration via distance learning. At the age of twenty-six,
I joined a public sector organisation as a full-time finance manager. For
the next eighteen years, I devoted my best years to public service. </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">
Thus, for three decades, I have been studying, reflecting on and practising the
key insights of the perennial wisdom of the major religions. As I reach
forty-four years of age, after serving more than twenty years in the public
sector including national service and after being married for seventeen years
and as a father of two children, I deeply appreciate that practising these key
insights has enabled me to accept life’s difficulties. </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">In
addition, over the years, I experienced the deaths of loved ones, friends and
colleagues owing to illnesses or accidents. Those dark days made me feel keenly
the preciousness and vulnerability of life. They made me feel my deep
need for God. I realised that only the Creator could provide me with
spiritual strength to handle adversities. </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Sad
days and dark moments also made me realise that adversities and setbacks grow
the seeds of spiritual qualities within us. They made us humble, sympathetic
and compassionate. Gradually we realise the importance of becoming
God-centered and God-reliant. </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Further,
from age forty-two onwards, due to high workload, my back pain recurred,
together with gastric pain and ailments. There were instances when my
back pain radiated and extended to become chest pain and breathlessness</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">. The </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">doctors
prescribed painkillers. </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">On my part, </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">I lengthened my daily meditation and took
herbal medication for many months. Slowly my health improved. These
experiences deepened my empathy for the sick and needy. I contributed
more regularly a part of my income to charitable organisations which include
the Red Cross, a local hospital for the poor and the Children’s Cancer
Foundation. I could more deeply understand the words of Dietrich
Bonhoeffer: “We must learn to regard people less in the light of what
they do or omit to do, and more in the light of what they suffer.” </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">For
many years, I have also been contemplating and reflecting on: Who are we?
Why are we here? What is the meaning of life? Why does </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">the</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">
world exist? I experienced deep insights
in year 2012. As a humble messenger of God, may I convey His messages in
this book. </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">In
the past ten years, I </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">have been
discussing </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">with
my friends on religious faith</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">. One </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">of the</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">ir</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">
main reasons for </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">rejecting </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">God was that they could not </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">accept </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">the
notion of an all-knowing, all-good and all-powerful God </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">who allows </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">undeserved
suffering and untimely death. I hope His messages in the </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">final </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">part
of this book will answer their questions.</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> On my part, when I discussed with my friends on religious faith,
I liked to tell the following true story.
It reflects an exemplary commitment to do something beautiful for God:<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Many years ago a pastor named Russell Conwell saw a little girl crying
near the door of a small church. It was </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">over-</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">crowded and she could not enter it. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">"I cannot attend Sunday School …" she wept as the pastor
walked by. The kind-hearted pastor took her inside and found a place for her in
the Sunday school class.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The child called Hattie was so touched that she went to bed that night worrying
about those children who had no place to worship God. </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">She began saving her</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> money, </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">so as to contribute towards building a larger
Sunday </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">s</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">chool.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Over a period of
two years Hattie saved 57 cents before she contracted</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> diphtheria a</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">nd died. It was difficult for a poor girl to save 57
cents in the 1880s</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> in the United States</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">. Her
parents gave the money to pastor Conwell, </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">explaining
to </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">him their daughter’s
reason for saving the money.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The girl’s
devotion deeply moved pastor Conwell. </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">For two years Hattie
had sacrificially saved her offering of love. Pastor Conwell instantly knew what he would
do. He repeat</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">ed</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">the</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> story of the girl’s big-hearted love
and devotion to God. He challenged his deacons to raise money for a larger
building.</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">A newspaper </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">also </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">published </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">this event</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">. A </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">r</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">ealtor was </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">so </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">touched </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">by it</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">that he </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">offered a </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">significant </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">parcel of land. When </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">he realised </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">that the church
could not afford it, he offered it for 57 cents. Church members and Christians
from other places also donated. Within
five years the little girl's gift had increased to $250,000 -- a huge sum at
that time.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Hattie’s gift and her pastor’s determination resulted in today’s Temple
Baptist Church attended by thousands and the Sunday School building which can
house hundreds of Sunday school children where no child need to be left
outside. In one of the rooms of this
building may be seen the picture of the little girl Hattie whose love for God is
remembered forever.</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> [3]</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Waiting<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 36.0pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 36.0pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> Doing something beautiful
for God <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 36.0pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> and becoming beautiful doing
it …<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 36.0pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> Timothy I
2:10 (The Message)<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 36.0pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> Let’s do something beautiful for God.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 144.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> Mother Teresa<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 36.0pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 36.0pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Whatever you do, work at it with
all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men …</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 36.0pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Colossians
3:23 <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 144.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> Several years ago I attended a gathering of Christian
friends. We noticed that one of the
children was blind. She was eleven years
old and had been born blind. But she
appeared serene, bright and cheerful.
She could play the piano very well.
We admired her buoyant spirit. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Suddenly
a boy said, “I feel so sorry for you.
You are so pitiful ...” <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> The adults quickly informed the boy not to say indiscreet
things. To our surprise, the blind girl
replied cheerfully, “I am not pitiful.
In fact I consider myself very fortunate.”<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> All the adults and their healthy children were amazed by her
optimism and positive attitude. She explained,
“Although I am blind, I can speak, hear, taste, smell and do many things. I love singing, listening to music and
playing the piano. I can tell stories to
other children about my blessings which are provided by God. Recently I participated in a charity event by
playing the piano. I was glad to
contribute my part to raising funds for the poor.”<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> All the adults and I were speechless. We could clearly
discern her kind-hearted soul through
her smiles. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> She continued, “Most importantly, I have wonderful parents.
I love listening to my mother telling wonderful stories from the Bible. I know that
Jesus Christ always loves me. I pray to
Him every day. I give thanks for all the
wonderful gifts and abilities He has given me.
Now I wish to share my secret with you.
The reason why I consider myself to be very fortunate is that when I
pass away and return to His kingdom, when I open my eyes, I shall see the
beauty of heaven, the smiles of angels and the Face of our Saviour … ”<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> This girl’s resilient spirit reminded me of poet John Milton who was blind when he wrote
Paradise Lost. In his poem “On His
Blindness”, Milton provided a profound meaning to the need for ‘waiting’ --
humble, reverent and patient waiting for God’s direction and for the unfolding
of His purpose:-<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 18.2pt; margin-left: 36.0pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">When I consider
how my light is spent<br />
Ere half my days in this dark world and wide,<br />
And that one talent which is death to hide<br />
Lodg'd with me useless, though my soul more bent<br />
To serve therewith my Maker, and present<br />
My true account, lest he returning chide,<br />
"Doth God exact day-labour, light denied?"<br />
I fondly ask. But Patience, to prevent<br />
That murmur, soon replies: "God doth not need<br />
Either man's work or his own gifts: who best<br />
Bear his mild yoke, they serve him best. His state<br />
Is kingly; </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">thousands at his bidding speed<br />
And post o</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">v</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">er
land and ocean without rest:<br />
They also serve who only stand and wait." <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Waiting was common
in my life.</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> For example, during my National Service days,
I was posted to a new camp after I was promoted to Lance Corporal. Accordingly, from Monday to Saturday at 5.15
am in the morning, I travelled on a bus for an hour from my home to the new camp. Thereafter I trudge</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">d</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">
slowly up a steep hill for 30 minutes before reaching my camp. </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">I was usually panting and sweating heavily </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">by the time I reached the top of the
hill. This continued for more than one
year before I completed my national service.
</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">At that time </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">I did not enjoy </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">the daily toil, </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">although
it </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">gradually </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">strengthened my health. </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">I was more eager to enrol in the local university to study Philosophy
and Economics. </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Now</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">, years later, </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">I
realised that God was cultivating the habit of ‘</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">patient </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">waiting’
in me, as I tend to be impatient during my younger days. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">As
I reach </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">mid-</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">fort</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">ies in</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">
age, I realise that spiritual growth takes time. Catching </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">a </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">glimpse
of God’s purpose takes time. </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">When we begin to walk the spiritual path, we may experience moments of
joyful awakening. They arise from the </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">release of pent-up unhappiness. Initially they
can </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">make </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">us feel lighter. They can </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">make</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> us
feel big-hearted. But these feelings arise and pass away. T</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">hereafter </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">we
have to persevere to follow God</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> day
by day. We learn to become responsible
to God in our daily thoughts, words and deeds</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">. No
one can make this </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">daily </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">decision</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> for us. No one can make this
daily </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">choice for us. This is the s</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">ignificance of having </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">free will</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">. </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">This is the responsibility of having free will inherent in our ordinary </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">waking consciousness</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">.</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> We
have to decide. We have to choose to follow the kind intentions of the soul</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">. We have to choose not to be
driven by </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">selfish
</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">motives.</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> May I share an unforgettable story called The Giving Tree
by Shel Silverstein which I </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">have </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">summari</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">z</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">ed </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">here [4]</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">.
</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Once
there was a tree and she loved a little boy. Every day they would play
together. He would climb up her trunk and swing from her branches and eat
her apples. They were very happy.</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">
As time passed by, the boy became a young man
who needed money. At first the tree gave him her apples. When this did not meet the needs of the young
man, the tree gave him her branches and finally her trunk. Thereafter
the young man travelled overseas</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">. He </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">did not visit the tree </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">for a long time </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">which
had become a stump.</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Many years later,</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> the man </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">returned </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">as
an old man. The tree told him that it had nothing left to give him.
The man explained that his teeth did not have the strength to bite apples. His arms did not have the strength to swing
on the branches. He </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">also </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">did
not have the strength to travel to other places. He would be contented to
sit on the stump and relive their memories. Thus</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">,</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">
the tree and the man became happy again.</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">In
our journey through life, are we thankful to people who have contributed to our
well-being? Are we thankful to our
spiritual ancestors who brought awakening to the world and improved the
well-being of </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">humankind</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">? Did
we give </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">deep </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">thanks to Jesus Christ who awakened us to the
love of God? <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Did</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> we express thankfulness to God for giving us
life, for giving us intelligence</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">, understanding</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">
and wisdom? Did we express thankfulness
to God for giving us a range of abilities </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">which enables us </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">to
appreciate and contribute to life? Did
we develop a </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">contented and </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">grateful heart? Did we realise that in choosing to extend a
kind thought, word or deed to others during a day,</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">that
will be a fruitful day? Did we realise
that God is the ultimate Giving Tree, patiently waiting for us to grow, to
become mature, to catch glimpses of His eternal purpose? <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Bringing Cheerful Tunes to Heaven<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">During
my school days, owing to my fragile health and occasional back pain, I </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">sympathised </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">more
readily with the sick and needy. Thus, I
participated in different kinds of fund-raising activities for the poor. For example, on several occasions, </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">a few </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">of
my classmates and I volunteered to sell stickers to the public so as to seek
their donations for charity purposes.
Early in the morning, we were each given an empty </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">tin</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">
can and we travelled to the shopping centers and bus interchanges to seek
donations from the public. Although it
was tiring to walk and stand the whole day around those busy areas, approaching
people for donations, it was satisfying when our </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">tin </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">cans
were </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">filled with coins in the </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">evening.
We </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">returned to our
school by </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">bus
and handed over </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">the </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">cans to </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">our</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">
teachers</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> to be passed to a
local charity</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">In
a small way, at that young age, my classmates and I were learning to be helpful
towards the less fortunate in our society.
Guided by the Holy Spirit, we were watering the seeds of compassion
within us. To quote Mother Teresa, it is
crucial to do small things with love, to perform little acts of kindness day by
day. In this way we are doing something
beautiful for God. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">In
the past few months, as inspired by the Holy Spirit, I had a vision. In
performing acts of kindness day by day, when our journey on earth ends and we
return to heaven, the Holy Spirit will hand a beautiful box to each of us. When we open this box, cheerful tunes and
rays of rainbow will appear and </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">travel across </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">the
heavenly kingdom. These cheerful tunes
and </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">rays of </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">rainbow come from the acts of kindness that
we had performed on earth. They
complement those diverse Symphonies and Bridges of Rainbows that we experience in
heaven. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">But
what is astonishing is </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">when </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">the Holy Spirit whispers to us, saying
“Please look and hear carefully …” Slowly we realize that many of those
gracious Symphonies and Bridges of Rainbows are made up of all the cheerful tunes
and rays of rainbow brought back by the </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">many </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">souls
who returned from their earthly journeys.
Without their tunes and rays of rainbow, there will be lesser Symphonies
and Bridges of Rainbows in heaven. Perhaps
this is a poetic way to develop some understanding of God’s decision that it is
very valuable to manifest dynamic moral goodness on earth because it
complements divine Goodness in the eternal dimension. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 36.0pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span class="text"><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">… you’ll do best by filling your minds and meditating on things
true, noble, reputable, authentic, compelling, gracious—the best, not the
worst; the beautiful, not the ugly; things to praise, not things to curse. Put
into practice what you learned from me, what you heard and saw and realized. Do that, and God, who makes everything work
together, will work you into his most excellent harmonies.<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 36.0pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span class="text"><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">
Philippians 4:8-9</span></b></span><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">May
I share a real story about a girl called “little Annie”. Many years ago there was a girl known as
“little Annie”. </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">She</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> became partially blind at the age of five
due to bacterial </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">eye </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">infection. Her family was too poor to
provide her with medical treatment. Her mother died when she was eight
and her father subsequently abandoned her. </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Thus,
</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">l</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">ittle Annie was sent to the state poor house
where she was kept in an over-crowded room and exposed to mentally ill
adults. This worsened her defiant personality. </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">caregivers
at the poor house regarded </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">her</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> as being hopelessly defiant</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> and s</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">he received
little care and attention. </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Fortunately
one of the caregivers refused to regard little Annie as being hopeless.
She felt that there was hope for every child of God. She decided to
communicate hope and love to little Annie. Gradually they became friends
and little Annie became less defiant.</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Little
Annie longed to attend school. A few years later when </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">she</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">
was fourteen, </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">the Head</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> of the State Board of Charities, </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Franklin Sanborn, </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">visited
the poor house for an inspection. Annie
courageously walked up to him and requested to go to school. That year
she left the poor house and entered the Perkins Institution for the Blind in
Boston. She also underwent eye surgery which
partially restored her vision. Six years
later at the age of twenty, Annie graduated from the Perkins Institution,
informing her schoolmates that “duty bids her to go into active life.”</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Many
years later the Queen of England was pinning her country’s highest award onto
Helen Keller, the </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">famous </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">writer who inspired millions</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">,</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">
despite being blind and deaf since young. The Queen asked her how
did she overcome so many difficulties and accomplish so much, although she was
blind and deaf. Helen Keller replied that her accomplishments could be
attributed to the love and devotion of Anne Sullivan (</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">“</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">little
Annie</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">”</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">). If not for Anne Sullivan, the
name </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">‘</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Helen Keller</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">’</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">
would remain unknown.</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> [5]</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">This
real life story reflected how the kind-hearted deeds of the caregiver and
Franklin Sanford positively changed the life of little Annie. In turn little
Annie helped to develop the potential of Helen Keller. Subsequently Helen
Keller inspired millions through her writings. </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Thus,
the far-reaching impact of every kind-hearted deed cannot be under-estimated.
Only God knows the long-term outcomes. As emphasized by Romans 8:28, “All things work for the good of those who
love God and are called according to His purposes …” <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">If</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> we extend a kind thought, word or deed to
another person each day, that will be a fruitful day in the eyes of God</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">. If we hold on to our faith and
belief that God is divine Truth and Goodness, despite our daily trials and
suffering, we are contributing our part to the moral dimension of life. In this
way we are fulfilling our life purpose day by day. Thus, we have not lived in
vain. This is </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">reflected </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">in</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> my
favourite poem “I </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">S</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">hall </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">N</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">ot </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">L</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">ive
</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">I</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">n </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">V</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">ain”
by Emily Dickinson: </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 36.0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 36.0pt;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">If I can stop one heart
from breaking<br />
I shall not live in vain.<br />
If I can ease one life the aching<br />
Or cool one pain<br />
Or help one fainting robin<br />
Unto his nest again<br />
I shall not live in vain.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">May
we reali</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">z</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">e that we have not lived </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">in vain, that we have not suffered </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">in vain as long as we hold on to our
faith in God and follow Him day by day</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">. May I </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">quote the immortal words of Helen Keller. Her profound faith in God has inspired and
encouraged so many of us </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">in the different </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">seasons of life. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 36.0pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode"; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">They took away what should
have been my eyes</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode"; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">,</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode"; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> but I remembered Milton's Paradise. They took away
what should have been my ears</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode"; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">.</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode"; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode"; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode"; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Beethoven came and wiped away my tears. They took away what should have been my
tongue, but I had talked with </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode"; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">G</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode"; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">od when I was young. He would not let them take away my soul</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode"; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">. P</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode"; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">ossessing that I still possess the whole</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode"; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">.</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 15.5pt; margin-left: 36.0pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 12.0pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">I am conscious of a soul -- a sense that lifts me above the narrow,
cramping circumstances of my life. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 15.5pt; margin-left: 36.0pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 12.0pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode"; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Character cannot be developed in ease and quiet.
Only through experience of trial and suffering can the soul be strengthened,
ambition inspired and success achieved. </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 15.5pt; margin-left: 36.0pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 12.0pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">For
three things I thank God every day of my life: thanks that </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode"; mso-fareast-font-family: 宋体; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">H</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">e
has vouchsafed </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode"; mso-fareast-font-family: 宋体; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">my</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> knowledge of </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode"; mso-fareast-font-family: 宋体; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">H</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">is works; deep thanks that </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode"; mso-fareast-font-family: 宋体; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">H</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">e
has set in my darkness the lamp of faith; deep, deepest thanks that I have
another life to look forward to</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode"; mso-fareast-font-family: 宋体; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">--</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode"; mso-fareast-font-family: 宋体; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">a life joyous with light and flowers and heavenly song</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode"; mso-fareast-font-family: 宋体; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 15.5pt; margin-left: 36.0pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 12.0pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">If
the blind put their hands in God's, they find their way more surely than those
who see but </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode"; mso-fareast-font-family: 宋体; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">do not </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">have faith</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode"; mso-fareast-font-family: 宋体; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 15.5pt; margin-left: 36.0pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 12.0pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode"; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">I believe that life is given to us so that we may
grow in love, and I believe that God is in me as the sun is in the color and
fragrance of a flower</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode"; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: 宋体; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 15.5pt; margin-left: 36.0pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 12.0pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode"; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: 宋体; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> Helen Keller</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode"; mso-fareast-font-family: 宋体; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<h1 align="center" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;">
<span lang="X-NONE" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: 宋体; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span></h1>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: 36pt;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">New Perspectives on <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: 36pt;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">‘Why Does The World Exist?’ and<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: 36pt;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">‘Where is God when it hurts?’<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: 36pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Did
you ever wonder: Why is there something
rather than nothing? To quote the well-known question of Stephen
Hawking: Why does the universe go through all the bother of existing? Or may I ask: Why </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">did </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">God
go through the bother of creating </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">us and this world</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">?</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">But d</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">oes God exist? If positive, how do I
find Him? How do I find out who am I?
What is the purpose of my life? </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">If
God is all-knowing, all-good and all-powerful, why does He allow undeserved
suffering? </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">If God is
all-knowing, all-good and all-powerful, why do bad things happen to good
people? <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">How
do Christians, religious believers and followers of God respond when
non-believers, agnostics or s</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">k</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">eptics quote from the daily newspapers those
accidents, crimes or natural disasters that resulted in undeserved suffering
and untimely deaths? </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Dr Rick Warren’s
bestselling book The Purpose-Driven Life emphasizes that life on earth is not
about us, that our life on earth is not an accident and that we are born to
serve God’s purposes. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Perhaps we may
wonder: How do we find out that life on
earth is not about us, that we are here to serve God’s purposes? How do we
obtain God’s answers to: Why did He create us and this world? How do we obtain God’s answers to: What are His purposes for us on earth?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">In addition, did
you ever experience a sense of meaninglessness?
Did you ever experience the need to find your real life purpose? <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">In the past few
years, I liked to discuss with my friends on religious faith, the meaning of
life and why bad things happen to good people.
To initiate the discussion, I would read the following article which I
wrote “Can You Guess Who am I?”: <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 36.0pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 36.0pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> “Can you guess my real
identity? Can you guess who am I?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 36.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Before you start guessing, p</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">lease do</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">n’t </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">be deceived by my masks. I
am wearing many social masks at home, at the school, at the workplace and at
all types of social gathering. </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">I am </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">trying to show that I am confident, I am
happy, I am </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">popular </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">... </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">But deep inside, I am uncertain.</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 36.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Please do</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">n’t </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">be deceived
by my smiles and laughter, by my jokes and gossip. I am trying to hide my doubts. </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">I am trying to hide </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">my weariness. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 36.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Please do</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">n’t</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> be deceived
by my </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">occasional </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">excitement
about life. </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">I am tired of </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">trying </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">to
outperform </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">others. </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">I am tired of trying to get ahead and obtain
those prizes. I am tired of living my
life as if it were a continuous emergency.
</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">I am tired of being frightened of </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">losing my job and my friends. </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">How can I find tranquillity?
How can I find inner peace?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 36.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">I am equally tired of</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">not understanding my real needs and goals in life. Is it because I do not truly know my life
purpose</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">that I am
pursuing external success and sens</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">e</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> pleasures, so as to try to fill the emptiness inside?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 36.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Please tell me how I can find my life purpose. So many </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">bad things and </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">unhappy events ha</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">d</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> happened to me</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">. Many of them were unfair. They had eroded my
faith in God.</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> Please tell me whether there is a God</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">. Please tell me h</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">ow I can find Him.</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 36.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">B</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">y the way, do you know who am I?
Have you guessed who am I? Yes,
you are right. I am your neighbor. I am your colleague. I am your boss. I am your cousin. I am your niece. </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">I am your uncle. I am your aunt. </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">I am your brother. I am
your sister. I am your child. I am your spouse. I am the everyday man or woman you meet on
the street</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">. Yes, </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">I am </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">also </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">you</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> ..</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">. </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Please help me,
God.</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">”</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">This
book aims to provide </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">useful </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">perspectives</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">, responses</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">and answers </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">to
these </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">critical </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">questions. May we begin by revisiting a famous story
called “Footprints”. I have revised it based on deep insights I received
six months ago.</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> This new version reflects the hope, love and
truth which God brings to us in the changing seasons of life. </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> To
quote Thomas Merton’s memorable words in his introduction to the Japanese
translation of The Seven Storey Mountain: "I seek to speak to you, in some
way, as your own self. Who can tell what this may mean? I myself do not
know, but if you listen, things will be said that are perhaps not written in
this book. And this will be due not to me but to the One who lives and speaks
in both ..."</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Footprints <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">(New Version)</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Jesus said: “The kingdom of God is within you.” <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">
(Luke 17:21)<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 36.0pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode"; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: 宋体; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Saint Teresa of Avila: <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 36.0pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode"; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: 宋体; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">“Christ has no body but yours,<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 36.0pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode"; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: 宋体; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">no hands and no feet on earth but yours.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 36.0pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode"; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: 宋体; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Yours are the eyes with which he looks<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 36.0pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode"; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: 宋体; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">with compassion on this world.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 36.0pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode"; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: 宋体; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Yours are the feet with which he walks to do
good.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode"; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: 宋体; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Yours are the hands with which he blesses the
world.”<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 36.0pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="background: white; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: 宋体; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Ralph Waldo Emerson:
“The </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="background: white; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">soul in man is the background of our being</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="background: white; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: 宋体; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> …</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="background: white; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> From within or from behind, a light shines through us upon things</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="background: white; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: 宋体; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">,</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="background: white; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> and makes us aware that we are nothing, but the light is all.</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="background: white; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: 宋体; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">”<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode"; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: 宋体; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Helen Keller:
“I</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode"; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> believe that God is in me as
the sun is in the colo</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode"; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: 宋体; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">r</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode"; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> and fragrance of a flower</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode"; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: 宋体; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">.”<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="background: white; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: 宋体; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Pope John Paul
II: “M</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="background: white; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">an’s life comes from God</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="background: white; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: 宋体; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">.”<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Mother Teresa: “It is not how
much you do, but how much love you put into the doing that matters.”</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="background: white; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: 宋体; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Corrie ten Boom:
“God values us not for our <span class="yiv1070044478spelle">strength</span>
or our brains</span></b><b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: 宋体; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">,</span></b><b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> but simply because He has made us.” <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">A
middle-aged man dreamed that he had become a spiritual being and that he was
walking on a beach together with God, the divine Spirit. They left two
trails of footprints in the sand behind them. </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Scenes
of the man’s life flashed across the sky. The man observed that during
the pleasant days of his life as shown across the sky, there were two trails of</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> footprints </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">behind
them. He knew that God was walking beside him during the pleasant days.
But during the difficult days, he observed only one trail of
footprints. </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Assuming
that the one trail of footprints belonged to him and that God had abandoned him
during the difficult times, the man enquired why </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">he </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">was
left alone to handle the difficulties.</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">God
explained, "You are My precious child. I will never leave you.
During your difficult times, when you see one trail of footprints, it was then
that I carried you."</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The
man thanked God. Nevertheless he was perplexed by the answer.
Inwardly he reasoned that if God were all-knowing, all-good and
all-powerful, why </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">God did</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> not remove or reduce the trials and
suffering in his life.</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">
Being all-knowing, God was aware of the man’s reasoning. God further
explained, “Please reali</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">z</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">e that I will not let you bear the cross
unless it reveals the eternal life within you.
I will not let you bear the cross unless it is for your eternal best,
unless it contributes to the long-term well-being of humankind.”</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The
man nodded and thanked God. He enquired,
“May I know what is my real identity? Do
I have a soul?”</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">“Yes,
you have a soul</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">,” God said</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">. </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">“</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Let
Me explain. I more than carried you
during your difficult times</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">. </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">All along I have been living inside you in
the form of spiritual essence. Your body </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">is</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">
temporary. Your spiritual essence or
your soul is eternal. It is a part of Me. It is always wholesome,
pure and intact. No people and no events in the world can affect it.
Nothing can impair it. Nothing can defile it. It is an individualised
portion of My </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">essence and cosmic
consciousness.</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">It is always wholesome</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">.</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">”</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The
man thanked God and enquired, “Do I return to heaven after I die?”</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">God
continued, “You are My precious child. You are a spiritual being.
This is your real identity. You are always connected to My love.
Your soul will return to My kingdom when your journey on earth ends.”<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The
man asked, “Thank You for explaining to me my real identity. May I enquire how do I find You? How do I know that You are with me all the
time?” <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">God said, </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">“</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">You can catch glimpses of My presence when you expand your awareness and
let go of self-seeking thoughts, feelings and desires. This can happen when you are walking along
the seaside, enjoying the warm sunshine, the wide blue sky and the rhythm of
the waves. This can happen when you are
enjoying the beauty of a sunset or the whispering of a stream or the
tranquillity of a lake. This can happen
when you are listening to inspiring music or reading a devotional book or poem. This can happen when you are amazed by the
splendor of a sunrise or the beauty of a clear night sky filled with glimmering
stars. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">“Another effective
way to expand your awareness is to learn to meditate. It makes you realize that “thoughts, ideas,
feelings and desires” are momentary and fleeting. They are flashes of mental energy which arise
and pass away. They are not permanent.
They are not your selfhood or personality.
They are not your real identity. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">“Your real
identity is a spiritual being. Thus,
when </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">you meditate</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> and learn not to chase after momentary thoughts, feelings and desires</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">, </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">slowly </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">you
experience mental stillness and tranquillity</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">. Slowly </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">you discover the pure consciousness within
you. This pure consciousness is one of My attributes. It is also an attribute of your soul. What
you suffered in life, I also suffered and experienced through the pure
consciousness living inside you. I am your Living God. I am living inside you during your good days
and during your times of suffering and afflictions. By experiencing your
suffering and afflictions, I can truly understand.”<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The
man nodded and listened attentively. </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">God
said, “I created the visible universe. I
am the Giver of life. I am the Source of your hope and strength.
You are My precious child. Nothing can
separate you from My love. You can look forward to rejoining Me in heaven
when your journey on earth ends. You can
be assured that I will transform your suffering into ultimate good. This
is how I am truly your </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">h</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">eavenly Father.”<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The
man enquired, “May I know what is my life purpose on earth? How do I </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">fulfil</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">
it?” </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">God
explained, “</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">You are My
precious child on earth serving an eternal purpose. To fulfil this purpose, your soul is combined
with a human body. Your waking
consciousness is given freedom of choice.
Your purpose </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">is </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">to </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">become
spiritually </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">aware. </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">In this way </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">your waking consciousness will become receptive to </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">the voice of your </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">soul, the voice of your </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">conscience</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">“Gradually you
realise the difference between the kind intentions of your soul and selfish
desires. You learn to make a commitment
to follow the voice of your soul</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">. You
choose to be responsible to Me in your daily thoughts, words and deeds. You </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">learn to become spiritually mature.
You extend </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">helping
hands to the needy. </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Compassion is realised. </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">This contributes to the moral dimension of
life.</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">
</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">“Spiritual
maturity is difficult. It requires daily moral commitment. It requires
you to choose simplicity, kindness and selfless service. It requires endurance
during the trying times and reliance on My strength. It requires you to become
My instrument of peace, My vessel of love. </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">“The
Moments of Truth come when you face a deep personal crisis, when you face the
loss of your loved ones, when your life is shattered </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">in</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">to
pieces, when you face death itself.
During these Moments, will you choose to follow Me </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">day by day </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">until
your last breath? </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">“When
you make this choice and follow Me </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">day by day,</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> despite adversities, despite your
doubts, grief, fear and agony, </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">holding on</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">to the belief that I am divine Truth and
Goodness, the Significance of these Moments is fulfilled. </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">This is the hard-won</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">,</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">
selfless faith the universe and I have been waiting for. </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> This is the precious human
resolve, commitment and goodwill the universe and I have been waiting for. It gives birth to and actualizes the quality
of moral resolve in the visible world. T</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">his is the Significance of why I </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">chose to suffer</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">
together with you.”<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The
man thanked God and asked, “I understand that if a person committed a harmful
wrongdoing, he would feel guilty. He should
repent and seek Your forgiveness. He
should find constructive ways to make amends in the remaining days of his life
on earth. May I enquire whether there is
cosmic justice for those who committed wrongdoing and did not repent</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">. </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">How do these unrepentant people compensate
for their harmful wrongdoing if they avoided legal punishment on earth?” <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">“Please
be assured that there is cosmic justice,” God explained. “Upon the death of the body, the disembodied
soul will be assessed by My Holy Spirit.
If this soul during its journey on earth had worked in harmony with the
body and </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">its mental states
and it had </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">contributed
to human well-being, it will be given a choice.
It can choose to return to My kingdom or begin another human journey on
earth, so as to further contribute to the moral dimension of life. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">“If
a soul during its journey on earth had endured undeserved suffering and
untimely death, it can choose to return to My kingdom or begin another human
journey, so as to contribute to the moral dimension of life. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">“If
a soul during its journey on earth were not able to work in harmony with the
body </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">and its mental states, </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">and the human body committed harmful
wrongdoing due to self</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">ish</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> desires, upon the death of the body, My Holy
Spirit will direct this soul to embark on another or more human journeys on
earth. This </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">will provide
opportunities where it can</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">
contribute to human well-being. When it has sufficiently contributed</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">,</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> it
can return to My kingdom.”<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The
man thanked God and asked, “For centuries, humankind sought to find out why God
created this world</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">.</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> May I
enquire on this age-old question?”<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">God replied, </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">“</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">It </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">is
time for Me to reveal why I created </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">the visible </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">world.
</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Since eternity I have existed. </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">I
am the </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">divine </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Source. </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> I am the Living God. I am the eternal One in the timeless
Dimension. </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">I am all-knowing, all-good and all-powerful
in the timeless Dimension. </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">“First, </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">My </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">omniscience</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> in the timeless Dimension </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">is
all-sufficient. </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> I know </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">the past, the present and the future. </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">I do not </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">need to create a
visible world to complement or prove </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">it. If
I wished to create a visible world so as to experience and enjoy it, I can
create many types of visible worlds which are peaceful, beautiful and pleasant,
without the occurrences of natural and moral evils, without the existence of
human beings. Such peaceful and beautiful worlds will be congruent with My
knowledge and wisdom. I do not need to
create the type of visible world which human beings currently experience which
is marked by existential uncertainty and suffering.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">“Second, </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">My</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> omnipotence </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">in the timeless Dimension </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">is
all-sufficient. </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> I do </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">not need to create a visible world to complement or
prove it. If </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">I wished</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">, </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">I </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">can create and eliminate </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">visible </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">worlds without
human beings or creatures inhabiting them. </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> If I wished, I can create beautiful and
peaceful worlds so as to enjoy them, without the occurrences of natural and
moral evils, without the existence of human beings. This is congruent with My power and wisdom. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">“Third, being all-good, </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">I am Holiness</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">. </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">I am divine Goodness. But I am also divine
Oneness. As divine Oneness in the
timeless dimension, I do not have a physical body or bodies. I do not live in a space-time dimension. I am not individualized. I am not embodied.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">“In the timeless dimension, it is natural that I do not have the
opportunity to experience physical vulnerability and existential
uncertainty. I do not have the
opportunity to manifest dynamic moral goodness.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">“Dynamic moral goodness includes faith, humility, kindness, love,
compassion, endurance and selfless service which humankind manifested when they
performed compassionate deeds on earth.
In addition, dynamic moral goodness requires Me to create individualized
human beings or embodied souls. Dynamic
moral goodness requires the interactions of individualised, embodied and
vulnerable beings in a visible world. </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">They need to experience trials and suffering to become mature. They need
to exercise free will inherent in their waking consciousness to make moral
decisions and perform good deeds. Thus,
it is a natural condition of My divine Oneness that before the creation of the
visible world and humankind, I have not yet manifested dynamic moral
goodness. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">“For eternity, I
have remained as divine Oneness. At some
point during My eternity, I decided to create a visible world, so as to
manifest dynamic moral goodness through My children. I decided that dynamic moral goodness in the
visible world is a very valuable attribute which complements My attribute of
divine Goodness in the timeless Dimension. I decided to create this stringent
challenge for Me and for My children on earth.
<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">“Thus, I created
this visible universe and humankind. I individualised My spiritual essence so
as to live inside My children. </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">My children and I are moral partners on earth. Through the
pure consciousness of their souls, I share the life experiences of My children.
Together we experience </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">adversities,
trials,</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> and suffering. The
purpose is for My children to become spiritually mature. As the voice of their souls, I encourage My
children to do good. When the waking
consciousness of My children choose</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">s</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> to
listen to </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">the voice of their
souls, they become spiritually aware.
They learn to walk the spiritual path.
<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">“When My children
are honest, kind, sympathetic, faithful and compassionate </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">in their daily lives, despite being
physically vulnerable and facing existential uncertainty, they are manifesting
dynamic moral goodness. </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">When My children resolve to follow Me and choose to do good, despite
trials and suffering, they are manifesting high-quality goodness. In these ways
</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">I </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">manifest </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">dynamic
goodness through My children.</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">“In human
language, this can be called ‘God is biting the bullet’ theodicy. It means that I have decided that My divine
Goodness in the timeless Dimension cannot forever remain untested and
unproven. Therefore, during some point
in eternity, I have decided to bite the bullet and create a stringent
Self-challenge by providing freedom of choice to My children and by allowing
the occurrences of natural and moral evils in a visible world. These give rise to existential uncertainty
and suffering in the visible world. I
have decided to experience and endure such existential uncertainty and
suffering together with My children, so as to manifest dynamic moral goodness
and contribute to the moral dimension of life.
<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">“In this way, My
spiritually mature children are My moral partners. Guided by the voice of their souls, they
strive and struggle in the visible world to manifest dynamic moral goodness
under the stringent conditions of existential uncertainty and suffering. This
attribute of dynamic moral goodness in the visible world complements My
attribute of divine Goodness in the timeless dimension.”<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">“Thanks, God. Does this mean that You are not all-knowing and
not all-powerful in the visible world?” asked the man.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">God replied, “</span></b><span class="yui372401374906117526101"><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">In the
timeless Dimension, I am the Source. </span></b></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span></b></span><span class="yui372401374906117526101"><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">I am the
eternal One. </span></b></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span></b></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span></b></span><span class="yui372401374906117526101"><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">There is enduring peace, beauty, goodness and
harmony in the timeless Dimension. </span></b></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span></b></span><span class="yui372401374906117526101"><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">I remain and
continue to be all-knowing, all-good and all-powerful in the timeless
Dimension. </span></b></span><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="yiv3936368246msonormal" style="background: white; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span class="yui372401374906117526110"><b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span></b></span><span class="yui372401374906117526111"><b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span></b></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span></b></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: 宋体; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">“In contrast, in the visible world, </span></b></span><span class="yui372401374906117526111"><b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">I have
chosen to restrict My powers and omniscience. </span></b></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span></b></span><span class="yui372401374906117526111"><b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">This </span></b></span><span class="yui372401374906117526111"><b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: 宋体; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">arises from </span></b></span><span class="yui372401374906117526111"><b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">My decision
to bite the bullet and create a visible world which is subject to
existential uncertainty</span></b></span><span class="yui372401374906117526111"><b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: 宋体; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> and to</span></b></span><span class="yui372401374906117526111"><b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> the
occurrences of natural and moral evils. </span></b></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span></b></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: 宋体; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span></b></span><span class="yui372401374906117526111"><b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Thus, </span></b></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span></b></span><span class="yui372401374906117526111"><b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">I have
chosen to </span></b></span><span class="yui372401374906117526111"><b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: 宋体; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">restrict</span></b></span><span class="yui372401374906117526111"><b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> My powers
and omniscience in the visible world. </span></b></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span></b></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: 宋体; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">In this sense, </span></b></span><span class="yui372401374906117526111"><b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">I </span></b></span><span class="yui372401374906117526111"><b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: 宋体; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">do not regard Myself as </span></b></span><span class="yui372401374906117526111"><b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">all-knowing
and all-powerful in the visible world.</span></b></span><span class="yui372401374906117526111"><b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: 宋体; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div>
<div class="yiv3936368246msonormal" style="background: white; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span class="yui372401374906117526111"><b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: 宋体; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">“My decision to
restrict My powers and omniscience in the visible world seeks to make the
Self-challenge authentic and stringent. It
also seeks to develop prudence, practical wisdom, self-restraint and self-discipline
in My children, so that they learn not to perform deeds which are harmful to
themselves or others. These are crucial inner qualities which strengthen their
commitment to walk the path of righteousness and compassion.</span></b></span><b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: 宋体; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="yiv3936368246msonormal" style="background: white; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span class="yui372401374906117526118"><b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span></b></span><span class="yui372401374906117526119"><b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span></b></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span></b></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: 宋体; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">“</span></b></span><span class="yui372401374906117526119"><b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The visible world </span></b></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span></b></span><span class="yui372401374906117526119"><b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">is a small
part of the timeless Dimension. </span></b></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span></b></span><span class="yui372401374906117526119"><b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">I </span></b></span><span class="yui372401374906117526119"><b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: 宋体; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">created </span></b></span><span class="yui372401374906117526119"><b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">the laws of the natural sciences and
mathematics when creating the visible world.</span></b></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span></b></span><span class="yui372401374906117526119"><b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> Thereafter, </span></b></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span></b></span><span class="yui372401374906117526119"><b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">I usually do
not intervene directly in the visible world. </span></b></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span></b></span><span class="yui372401374906117526119"><b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">This allows
the occurrences of natural evils. </span></b></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span></b></span><span class="yui372401374906117526119"><b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The
occurrences of natural evils introduce the crucial element of existential
uncertainty into the visible world. </span></b></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span></b></span><span class="yui372401374906117526119"><b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">They include
earthquakes, hurricanes, floods, famines, accidents and diseases. These occur
due to the operations of the laws of the sciences on earth.</span></b></span><b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="yiv3936368246msonormal" style="background: white; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span class="yui372401374906117526129"><b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span></b></span><span class="yui372401374906117526130"><b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span></b></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span></b></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: 宋体; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">“</span></b></span><span class="yui372401374906117526130"><b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Nonetheless, I retain final control of the
visible world. </span></b></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span></b></span><span class="yui372401374906117526130"><b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">I can
foresee the range of possible outcomes in the short term or longer term
regarding an event or a cluster of events in the visible world. </span></b></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span></b></span><span class="yui372401374906117526130"><b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">I can choose
to occasionally intervene in an event or a cluster of events in the visible
world. </span></b></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span></b></span><span class="yui372401374906117526130"><b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">My decision
to intervene is based on the range of possible outcomes of an event or a
cluster of events and their long-term impact on the moral dimension of
life. </span></b></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span></b></span><span class="yui372401374906117526130"><b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">I have
restrict</span></b></span><span class="yui372401374906117526130"><b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: 宋体; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">ed</span></b></span><span class="yui372401374906117526130"><b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> My power of
omniscience in the visible world. </span></b></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span></b></span><span class="yui372401374906117526130"><b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">If I did not
choose to intervene in an event or a cluster of events, </span></b></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span></b></span><span class="yui372401374906117526130"><b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">I cannot
foresee their actual final outcome in the visible world</span></b></span><span class="yui372401374906117526130"><b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: 宋体; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> which is subject to </span></b></span><span class="yui372401374906117526130"><b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">the
operations of the laws of the sciences</span></b></span><span class="yui372401374906117526130"><b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: 宋体; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> and the free will of My children</span></b></span><span class="yui372401374906117526130"><b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">.</span></b></span><b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="yiv3936368246msonormal" style="background: white; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span class="yui372401374906117526139"><b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span></b></span><span class="yui372401374906117526141"><b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span></b></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span></b></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: 宋体; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">“Another aspect is that </span></b></span><span class="yui372401374906117526141"><b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">I have
restricted My omniscience and </span></b></span><span class="yui372401374906117526141"><b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: 宋体; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">powers</span></b></span><span class="yui372401374906117526141"><b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> in the visible world by providing freedom of
choice to My children. </span></b></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span></b></span><span class="yui372401374906117526141"><b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">I do not
intervene in the decisions and choices of My children. </span></b></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span></b></span><span class="yui372401374906117526141"><b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">I also
cannot foresee the final choice of My children regarding an event or a cluster
of events facing them. </span></b></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span></b></span><span class="yui372401374906117526141"><b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">I can only
foresee the range of possible outcomes, based on the range of choices facing My
children regarding an event or cluster of events. </span></b></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span></b></span><span class="yui372401374906117526141"><b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Once My
child makes a decision and a choice and acts accordingly, I can better foresee
the outcome of his choice. </span></b></span><b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="yiv3936368246msonormal" style="background: white; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span class="yui372401374906117526149"><b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span></b></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span></b></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: 宋体; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">“</span></b></span><span class="yui372401374906117526149"><b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">I only intervene indirectly by encouraging My
children to be conscientious and to do good through the voice of their
souls. </span></b></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span></b></span><span class="yui372401374906117526149"><b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">My children
need to listen to the voice of their souls and choose to walk the path of
righteousness. </span></b></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span></b></span><span class="yui372401374906117526149"><b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">However,
if </span></b></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span></b></span><span class="yui372401374906117526149"><b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">some of My
children decided to listen to their self-seeking desires and ignore the voice
of their souls, they are walking the wrong path. </span></b></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span></b></span><span class="yui372401374906117526149"><b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">They can
commit deeds which harm others. </span></b></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span></b></span><span class="yui372401374906117526149"><b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Such moral
evils </span></b></span><span class="yui372401374906117526149"><b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: 宋体; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">give </span></b></span><span class="yui372401374906117526149"><b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">rise to </span></b></span><span class="yui372401374906117526149"><b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: 宋体; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">another layer of </span></b></span><span class="yui372401374906117526149"><b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">existential
uncertainty and suffering. </span></b></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span></b></span><span class="yui372401374906117526149"><b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">On My part, </span></b></span><span class="yui372401374906117526149"><b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: 宋体; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">through the voice of their souls, </span></b></span><span class="yui372401374906117526149"><b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">I continue
to encourage the wrongdoers and the misguided to repent and urge them to walk
the path of righteousness. </span></b></span><b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="yiv3936368246msonormal" style="background: white; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> <span class="yui372401374906117526158"> </span><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span></b><span class="apple-converted-space"><b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: 宋体; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">“Once</span></b></span><span class="yui372401374906117526158"><b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> I decided to provide freedom of choice to My
children, they need to decide and choose their daily conduct and deeds. </span></b></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span></b></span><span class="yui372401374906117526158"><b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">I have
decided to bite the bullet and I will not intervene in their choices. </span></b></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span></b></span><span class="yui372401374906117526158"><b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">It is the
will and resolve of My children to listen to the voice of their souls and walk
the path of righteousness which enable My children and I to become partners on
earth to manifest dynamic moral goodness and contribute to the moral dimension
of life. </span></b></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span></b></span><span class="yui372401374906117526158"><b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">In this way,
we work towards fulfilling our crucial purpose on earth. </span></b></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span></b></span><span class="yui372401374906117526158"><b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span></b></span><b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">“Thus,
I have revealed why I created the visible world and human</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">kind</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">. I am the Giver of life. I am the Source
of your hope and strength. You are My precious child. </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Nothing can separate you from My love.
By listening to your conscience and following Me day by day, when your journey
on earth ends, you are once again at Home, back in our timeless Garden, with
our purpose on earth fulfilled.”</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The </span></b><b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: 宋体; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">man said, </span></b><b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">“</span></b><b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: 宋体; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Thank you, God. May I share these
revelations with others</span></b><b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">?”<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">God replied, “Please share them with others. You
are doing something valuable and beautiful for Me by sharing </span></b><b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: 宋体; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">them</span></b><b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> with others</span></b><b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: 宋体; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">, with your loved ones and friends.
It is crucial to share with them.</span></b><b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span></b><b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: 宋体; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> During their moments of sadness
and affliction, during their hours of darkness due to setbacks or unfortunate events,
they will remember My words. They will
realize that I am always with them. They
will realize that they are My precious children and they are always connected
to My love. My words will provide them
with hope, strength and courage. My
words will remind them that they have not lived in vain. As long as they hold on to their faith and
belief that I am divine Truth and Goodness, despite existential suffering, they
have bravely contributed to the moral dimension of life. They have fulfilled
their life purpose. They will rejoin Me in heaven when their journey on earth
ends.” </span></b><b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Wisdom<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 36.0pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span class="woj"><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give
you rest.</span></b></span><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> <span class="woj"><sup> </sup>Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am
gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke
is easy, and my burden is light.
</span></span></b><span class="woj"><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> <o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 36.0pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span class="woj"><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">
</span></b></span><span class="woj"><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Matthew
11:28-30<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 36.0pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 36.0pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span class="woj"><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Leave the broken, irreversible past in God’s hands, and step out
into the invincible future with Him.</span></b></span><span class="woj"><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 36.0pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span class="woj"><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span></b></span><span class="woj"><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span></b></span><span class="woj"><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Oswald
Chambers</span></b></span><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Once
there was a young evangelist who was always anxious about the future. He worried that he might not have the
strength to preach the next day. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">One
night he dreamed that he met Jesus while he was walking alone. He was returning home after attending a
church gathering. He told Jesus about
his anxieties. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Jesus
consoled him and said that He understood his anxieties. He offered the following advice. First, He told the young man to repeat His
words from “</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">John 14:27” </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">whenever he felt anxious: “Peace I
leave you. My peace I give to you.” This would calm him, enabling
him to experience </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">tranquillity and
sustenance from God.</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Second,
Jesus told the young man to repeat these words whenever he lacked
confidence: “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”
(Philippians 4:13) This would remind him that God would always provide
him with strength whenever he needed it.
He ought to remind himself that God is all-knowing, all-good and
all-powerful</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">,</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> that God is the Creator of this
universe. He may feel weak, but God is forever strong. </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Third,
Jesus advised the young man to let go of his worries by learning to live one
day at a time, one moment at a time, in the strength of God</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">. </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> Jesus informed him that he could deepen his
faith in God by affirming these words whenever he experienced doubts: “What God
decides for me is for my long-term good and for my eternal best. He is mainly concerned about my love for Him,
my love and compassion for the people I interact with, and my sincerity to
assist the needy. As long as I love God,
as long as I am sincere in </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">helping
</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">others</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> for worthwhile purposes</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">, I have done good for the day. It is alright that I am not the
best performer. </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Love, sincerity, honesty, humility and
compassion are much more valuable in the eyes of God.</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">”</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Fourth,
Jesus advised the young man to pray </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">every morning </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">the</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> following p</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">rayer</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">s. They will remind </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">him that life in this world is temporary, that </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">only God can fulfil his spiritual needs by providing him with love and
peace. Jesus lifted his right hand and
gently moved it. The words of these
prayers appeared across the sky:-<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 36.0pt;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Saint Teresa’s prayer :<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 36.0pt;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Lord, please make
me realize that<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 36.0pt;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">You are always
with me.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 36.0pt;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Your love for me
is constant.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 36.0pt;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Please make me
understand <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 36.0pt;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">that nothing can</span></b><b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> disturb </span></b><b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">me,</span></b><b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br />
</span></b><b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">nothing can make
me </span></b><b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">afraid.</span></b><b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 36.0pt;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br />
</span></b><b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Please make me
realise <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 36.0pt;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">that all</span></b><b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> things </span></b><b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">in the world </span></b><b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">are passing</span></b><b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">,<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 36.0pt;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">all things in the
world are temporary</span></b><b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">.<br />
Only You and Your love are eternal. <br />
</span></b><b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">As You are forever
with me, I do not lack anything. </span></b><b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br />
</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">You are
sufficient for all my needs.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: 36.0pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 4.8pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: 36.0pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 4.8pt;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Saint Francis’ prayer:<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 36.0pt;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Lord, make me an
instrument of </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Y</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">our peace:</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 36.0pt;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">where there is
hatred, let me bring</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> Y</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">our love,</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 36.0pt;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">where there is
injury, let me bring </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Y</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">our pardon, </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 36.0pt;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">where there is
discord, let me bring </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Y</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">our harmony,</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 36.0pt;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">where there is
doubt, let me bring faith,</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 36.0pt;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">where there is
despair, let me bring hope,</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 36.0pt;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">and </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">where there is
darkness, let me bring light</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">.</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 36.0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 36.0pt;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Lord, make me an
instrument of </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Y</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">our peace:</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 36.0pt;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Grant that I may
seek to console than to be consoled,</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 36.0pt;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">that I seek to
understand than to be understood,</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 36.0pt;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">that I seek to
love than to be loved.</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 36.0pt;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">For it is by
forgetting the self that one finds;</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 36.0pt;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">it is by giving
that one receives;</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 36.0pt;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">it is by forgiving
that one is forgiven;</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 36.0pt;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">it is by dying that
one awakens to eternal life.</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> A new prayer from Jesus</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> (by Merton Lee)</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">:</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 36.0pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Dear</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> God, please
make me </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">realize </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">that You are
the Creator of this cosmos. All events
are ultimately under Your control. You
are my eternal strength and stronghold. </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">A</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">lthough I may feel weak, You are forever
strong. I can rely on Your strength,
wisdom and compassion.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 36.0pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Please make
me realize my real identity as Your child.
I contain Your individualized spiritual essence which is my soul. My
soul comes from You. I am always connected
to Your love. You are always inside </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">m</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">e in the form of spiritual essence and pure
consciousness. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 36.0pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Please make
me realize that my body is temporary, but my soul is eternal. It is timeless. It is always wholesome, pure and intact. Nothing can affect it. Nothing can impair
it. </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Thus, my life on earth is a journey, a
pilgrimage to Your Holy Kingdom. You
will decide whether I will live one day more or less on earth. When You decide that it is time to bring me
home, my</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> soul will
return to Your kingdom</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> to enjoy eternal harmony</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">. </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 36.0pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 36.0pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">One of the
attributes of my soul is pure consciousness.
I can experience pure consciousness when I am mentally still and
tranquil. </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">I can learn meditation to experience </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">tranquillity and </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">inner peace.
This enables me to realize the priceless gifts </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">which </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">You have given to me, namely my spiritual
essence as well as the gifts of wisdom, understanding, compassion, love and
peace.</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> Please help me to share these
gifts with others and help me to awaken them to Your gifts.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 36.0pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 36.0pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">May I submit
to the guidance of </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Your Hands and the </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Holy Spirit</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> day by day</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">. </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">May I rely on Your decisions which are always for my eternal best.</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> Please help me to
remain humble, upright and God-reliant during moments of triumph or defeat,
happiness or sorrow, clarity or confusion, strength or affliction. </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">May I be very grateful and </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">realize the preciousness of </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Your gifts.
</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">They </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">are the
foundation of healthy self-esteem and inner peace. Your gifts are sufficient for all my
needs. I do not need to chase after
external success and worldly recognition.
I can let go of selfish motives and self-seeking desires. I can rise above the need to impress
others. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 36.0pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Please guide
me to choose simplicity, non-attachment and prudence. Please inspire me to be
conscientious, </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">kind and </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">helpful. </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Please make me realize that You are my
genuine lifelong Employer. I cannot
become jobless. I am always employed by
You. I am always Your instrument to do good.
I am serving God by performing little acts of kindness, by extending an
encouraging word to others day by day.
In this way I have done good in my lifetime. In this way I am fulfilling
my purpose in life day by day. I have
not lived in vain. I have not suffered
in vain. By enduring life’s adversities
and walking the path of righteousness day by day, I am deepening my faith in
God.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 36.0pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 36.0pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Please make
me realize that my life purpose is to become spiritually aware</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> and mature</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">, that I am Your partner on earth to manifest
dynamic moral goodness. Please guide me
to serve You with humility and contentment day by day, so that I can live my
life at my own pace, learning useful skills and knowledge to contribute to the
well-being of my loved ones and others. </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> If I were afflicted with illness and became a
care-receiver, please continue to strengthen my faith and help me realize that
my illness can provide opportunity for others to assist me and show compassion
to me. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 36.0pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 36.0pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Please make me realize that I might have died yesterday. Thus, help me to treasure each new day. Help me to regard each new day as Your bonus
gift to me. Every day is a bonus for me
to show my love for You, to show my love and appreciation to my family and to
the people around me. </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Please make me realize that the people around
me are seeking for love and acceptance. </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Please</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> guide me to extend </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">compassionate </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">word</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">s</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">and deeds </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">to others
day by day, so that I can do something beautiful for You.</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> Thank you very much, God. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<h1 align="center" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;">
<span lang="X-NONE" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: 宋体; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span></h1>
<h1 align="center" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;">
<span lang="X-NONE" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: 宋体; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span></h1>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The Tree of Adversities<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Once
there was an old giant tree in a forest near to a village. It
produced flowers and fruits that were bitter and ugly. The villagers
called it </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">t</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">he Tree of Adversities. They told their
children not to go near it, saying that it was useless and did not bring any
benefit. </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">One
year, during a hot summer, a group of villagers became sick. They coughed
seriously and felt dizzy. For two months the medicine men of the village
could not find a cure. </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">One
of the medicine men decided to search the nearby forest for new herbs.
After searching for several days and without finding new herbs, he was on
the verge of giving up when he saw the Tree of Adversities. He rested
under its shade and watched a squirrel eating its bitter fruits. </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">“Perhaps
these fruits can be useful,” he thought. He picked up several ripe fruits
and went home to cook them. One of the patients volunteered to
drink the soup. Surprisingly he recovered a few days later. Thereafter
the other patients drank the soup and also recovered.</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> [1]<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Adversities
are valuable teachers. Their bitterness
contains healing properties. If we encountered
</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">“</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">trees of adversit</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">ies”</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> in
the form of difficult people and challenging situations, we </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">ought to </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">reflect
on what type of lessons we </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">can</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> learn from them. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">For
example, did their ‘bitterness’ disclose an unhealthy attachment to external success?
Did their ‘bitterness’ disclose an inflated sense of self-importance and
pride? Did their ‘bitterness’ disclose
that we have placed worldly recognition before our commitment to </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">serve</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> God?
Did their ‘bitterness’ prompt us to
assess whether we have discovered our real identity as children of God or are
we driven by discontent, envy and greed? </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Did their ‘bitterness’ deepen our</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> patience, sympathy, understanding </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">and compassion</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">?</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Over
the years I reali</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">z</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">e that adversities are formidable healing
forces. They help to break those equally formidable husks which formed
within us over the years -- the husks of self-centeredness and pride. These
are formed by the negative mental conditioning of</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">secular
societies that emphasise external success. They are formed when
we are not aware of the importance of practising the perennial wisdom.
They are formed when we reinforce self-seeking thoughts.</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">
These husks have trapped us. They trap us by restricting and
narrowing our spiritual awareness. They hinder us from finding the Source of
life. They deceive us into thinking that life is a zero-sum game,
that others are rivals seeking to take away limited external prizes. They
deceive us into thinking that life is a continuous emergency, that we must keep
fighting to outperform others. Anxiety and unease become our constant
companions. They create a scarcity mindset, depriving us of inner peace.
</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">
Adversities are wake-up calls.
They help to break these husks. When
these husks give way and are discarded, we are prompted to discover our real
identity as children of God. We </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">are prompted to </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">discover
our need for </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">God, for His love
and sustenance.</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">A Lifelong Experiment</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> At
the age of thirty-two, Buckminster Fuller encountered a series of business failures. One late evening he found himself
contemplating suicide for several hours at the edge of Lake Michigan. </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">After
careful reflections, he decided to challenge himself. From that day
onwards, he regard</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">ed</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> himself as having died that night. He
would live each new day as a gift from the Universe. He sought to embark
on an experiment during the remaining days of his life to find out what an
individual could </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">do to </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">contribute to the well-being of humanity.<sup>
</sup>He kept asking the question: What is it on this planet that needs
doing that I know something about, that probably won’t happen unless I take
responsibility for it? <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The
rest became history. He lived to the ripe old age of eighty-seven.
He became a systems theorist, an author of thirty books and a well-known
inventor which included the geodesic dome. </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[2]</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">
This real</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">life story enables me to better appreciate
the significance of the precept “Please learn to die before we die.”
By letting go of the desire for personal advancement, we free up much
energies previously used to defend, support and protect the illusory ego. These energies can be channelled to</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">assist
the needy. </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> In
addition, we realise that egoistic pride, thoughts and feelings are flashes of mental
energies. They are fleeting. They arise and pass away. They are not solid entities. In softening and letting go of egoistic
pride, we can more readily discern our past mistakes, wrongdoing and selfish choices. We learn to repent, pray for God’s
forgiveness, find appropriate ways to make amends and move on with life. To quote C. S. Lewis: “A Christian is not a
man who never goes wrong, but a man who is enabled to repent and pick himself
up and begin over again after each stumble.”
</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Inner Wealth<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 72.0pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 72.0pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Blessed is
the man who finds wisdom,<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 72.0pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">the man who
gains understanding,<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 72.0pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">for she is
more profitable than silver<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 72.0pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">and yields
better returns than gold.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 72.0pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">
Proverbs 3: 13-14<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The
rooster’s eyes were somb</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">er</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> and
shiny-black with anger as I taunted it with a stick. When the rooster refused to retreat, I
assumed the posture of a knight and began brandishing the stick in the air and
shouted, “</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Flee or else</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> you’ll </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">get </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">a beating </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">…”</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The rooster
was adamant. It did not move. It was
eyeing and assessing me. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Frustrated I
</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">picked </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">up several </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">stones </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">and </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">threw </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">them </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">at the rooster. The stones hit </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">its silky-red feathers. My tactic succeeded. The rooster turned with
fright and scurried away.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Thrilled and
triumphant, I began chasing it across the field, behaving like a victorious knight. While I was enjoying this prankish act, the
rooster suddenly turned around. Cackling aggressively, it pecked at me with its
beak.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Barely </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">five</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> years old, I was shocked out of my
wits. Forgetting that I could defend
myself with the stick, I mindlessly flung it away and ran towards my
grandfather, who was my playmate during our occasional morning walks. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">“Grandpa,
help me!” I shrieked. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">My
grandfather, who was talking to a neighbo</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">u</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">r, rushed forward and picked me up in his arms, saving me from the
wrathful rooster. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">My
grandfather’s embrace, the consoling tenor of his voice, his lean features and
compassionate eyes made me feel blessed.
<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Regaining a
sense of bravery, I indicated to my grandfather that I wished to retrieve the
knight’s stick and re-conquer that rebellious rooster.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">My
grandfather shook his head and said, “No more prankish act. If you were a rooster and a boy were to hurt you
with </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">stones and </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">a stick, how
would you feel? Do not do to others what
you do not wish others to do to you</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">.”<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Although
this incident happened </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">nearly forty</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> years ago,
it stay</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">ed</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> fresh in my
memory</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 36.0pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Anyone who
proposes to do good must not expect people to roll stones out of his way, but
must accept his lot calmly, even if they roll a few more upon it. Albert Schweitzer<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Before the
Second World War, my grandfather owned many acres of plantations in Malaysia
and was </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">very wealthy.</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> He inherited his wealth in his twenties from
his father, a successful merchant. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">An honest and
kind-hearted person, my grandfather was far from being a shrewd strategy-minded
businessman. Various family sources informed me that owing to economic
downturns and the upheavals caused by the Second World War in Southeast Asia,
my grandfather lost </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">all </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">his wealth
in his early forties</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">, when my father was only a boy and I was not born yet ..</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">My
grandfather passed away peacefully at the age of eighty-one when I was twelve</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> years old</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">. That
was many years ago. Being his favorite
grandson, we shared many happy moments together, like playing Chinese chess,
reading, rearing various kinds of tropical fish and planting diverse types of
orchids in the backyard. An avid
philatelist in his younger days, </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">my grandfather </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">taught me how to collect stamps and
differentiate the national identities of numerous stamps. I missed him a lot. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">When I was a boy, </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">I used to
watch my grandfather watering his orchid plants. </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">In some days he
used </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">a brush to
scrub away the numerous little dots of parasitic algae that were sticking onto
the stems, branches and leaves of the orchid plants. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">On </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">one </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">occasion I was playing in the backyard and knocked
down an orchid plant. Instead of
rebuking me, my grandfather </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">patiently </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">clean</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">ed</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> up the spot where I had accidentally knocked
down the clay pot </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">which </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">housed the
orchid plant. Sensing his patience and forgiving heart, I calm</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">ed</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> down and silently assist</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">ed</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> him </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">in sweeping </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">away the lumps of earth and small pieces of
stones and charcoal that supported the roots of the plant. Thereafter we
replaced the plant into a clay pot that contained the correct proportions of
earth, fertilizer, stones</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">,</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> and
charcoal. When we had completed our
task, my grandfather </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">sat</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> on a stool </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">and rested.</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">“Why do we
need to scrub away the little parasites? Mother told me that they will grow
again soon.” I recalled asking him.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">His amiable
face lighten</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">ed</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> into a
smile. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">“Scrubbing
away the little parasites can prevent them from destroying the leaves or
blocking sufficient sunlight from reaching the plants. When we are young, each of us is similar to
this tender orchid plant. Our parents
need to take care of us, so that we grow taller and stronger each day. The
nurturing effort</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">s</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> of our
parents </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">are </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">their way to
contribute to life. In turn the
nurturing </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">efforts </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">deepen </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">the sense of
commitment, patience and responsibility in our parents.”</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">At that
young age I could not </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">understand </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">the meaning
of these words. Now, years later, their
wisdom sparkles</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> …</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The great
lessons I learn from my grandfather are to take things easy; to let go of
external failures; to accept “unacceptable” life changes; to re-center and move
on with honesty and integrity. Imagine if we lost fifty thousand dollars in the
stock market or in a business venture, most of us </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">will </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">be sad and depressed. If we lost one hundred thousand dollars, we </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">will be in </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">despair.
What if we lost our entire wealth?
That was literally what happened to my grandfather. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Losing </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">all </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">his wealth in his early forties, my
grandfather did not lose his sense of inner balance. Re-centering himself</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">,</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> he started a small retail shop. For the next twenty years, he worked hard to
eke out a living to raise five children. He remained an affable and helpful
person. Various sources told me that despite his </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">poverty,</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> he continued to extend helping hand</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">s</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> to needy relatives to tide them over their
difficulties during those lean years after the Second World War. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Looking back
at the long life of my grandfather, I realize how </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">big</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">-hearted and resilient he was in accepting
failures, in accepting and looking beyond the adversities of life. His compassion and profound sense of letting
go left an indelible impression on me. He had unearthed inner wealth far more
precious than external gold</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">.</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 36.0pt;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Here is a rule to remember when anything
tempts you to feel bitter: not “This is
a misfortune”, but “To bear this
worthily is good fortune”.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 72.0pt;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">
Marcus Aurelius<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 72.0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 36.0pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">To laugh
often and love much; to win the respect of intelligent persons and the
affection of children; to earn the approval of honest critics and endure the
betrayal of false friends; to appreciate
beauty; to find the best in others; to give of one’s self without the slightest
thought of return; to have accomplished a task, whether by a healthy child, a
rescued soul, a garden patch, or a redeemed social condition; to have played
and laughed with enthusiasm and exaltation; to know that even one life has
breathed easier because you have lived; this is to have succeeded. Ralph Waldo Emerson<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 36.0pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">During
younger days, I was fascinated by the lives of rich and successful people. </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">I studied their autobiographies and biographies. In my lifetime, I
came into contact with </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">many </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">wealthy and
successful people. Some of them inherited their wealth. Some became rich through self-education and
perseverance. Others became rich by capitalizing on fortuitous events. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Some earned
their first million while in the prime of their life and sustained their wealth
to the end. Others earned their first
million in their twenties, but became insolvent before they reached thirty.
Some </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">regularly </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">donated to
charity, prompted by compassion. Others became philanthropists</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> for the sake of </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">fame.
Some were overly health-conscious or hypochondriac. Others were
sensualists, frittering their lives away. Some were arrogant and
self-estranged. Others were humble and
amiable. Some were spiritually
unconscious, intent on pleasure-seeking</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">.</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> Some were spiritually awake, committed to larger purposes which
brought hope and strength to the less fortunate.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The paradox
of life is: </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">what we are seeking have been given to us. When we yearn for external success and
recognition, what we are really seeking are self-acceptance and inner peace.
These and much more have been given to us by our Creator when we discover the
love of God.</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The outward storms arose and passed away. What remains is a sincere heart at rest
within the oceanic Heart of God.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 36.0pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span class="text"><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Rejoice in
the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice!</span></b></span><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> <span class="text"><sup> </sup>Let your gentleness be known to all men ... <sup> </sup>Be
anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with
thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; <sup> </sup>and the
peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and
minds through Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4 : 4-7</span><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 36.0pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 36.0pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Attitude, to me,
is more important than facts. It is more important than the past, the
education, the money, than circumstances, than failure, than successes, than
what other people think or say or do. It is more important than appearance,
giftedness or skill</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">. </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">We
cannot change our past</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">...
we cannot change the fact that people will act in a certain way ... I am
convinced that life is 10% what happens to me and 90% </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">is</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> how I respond to
it. </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 36.0pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">
</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Dr Charles
Swindoll</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">We
should also be vigilant against building and defending ‘private’ sandcastles </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">which </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">can
hinder spiritual growth, as in the following traditional story:</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">
A group of children was building sandcastles on a beach. After an hour
each child announced that his separate sandcastle was his sole possession and
would not allow others to trespass on it. </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">One
child accidentally stepped on the sandcastle of another child. The owner
was angry and shouted, “You ruined my sandcastle. I shall also destroy
yours.” They started to quarrel and kick at each other’s
sandcastles. The more mature children intervened to calm them. </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">When
evening came and the sun began to set, the children realised that it was time
to return home. They left behind their sandcastles and ran
homeward. </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">During
our journey on earth, did we forget the impermanent nature of external
achievements? Did we build ‘private’
sandcastles to defend and declare as our sole possessions? Did we
learn to let go of our sandcastles of worldly goods, sandcastles of pride and
social status? Did we reali</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">z</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">e
the truth of Saint Paul’s words: “what is seen is temporary; what is unseen is
eternal” (2 Corinthians 4:18)</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">?</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">‘Courage’ From God</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Let us </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">share an impactful story told by Corrie Ten
Boom (1892 - 1983). She</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> is a famous Dutch Christian and a heroine. Together with her father and other family
members, they helped many Jews escape the Nazis during the Second World War. </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">I have revised and condensed her story. </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">It enables us to remember how God has
encouraged and sustained us in the past. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">One
morning a girl told his father that she was worried that when she encountered
trials and setbacks, she might not have the strength to overcome them. Being an admirer of the courage of early
Christians, she also informed her father that if she encountered a crisis, she
might not have the courage to become a martyr for Jesus Christ. </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The
father replied, “When you need to take a train to Rome, did I provide you with
the fund to buy the ticket a few months or a few weeks in advance or did I
provide it on the day that you require it.” </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">“You
provided me on the day itself,” said the girl.</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">“Thus,
please do not worry. </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Read </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">the Bible daily. Pray and give
thanks to God daily. God will provide you with the strength and courage
on a timely basis or just in time for you to handle the adversities of life</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">.</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">”<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 36.0pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Every
experience God gives us, every person He puts in our lives is the perfect
preparation for the future that only He can see.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 36.0pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> Corrie
ten Boom<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The Poet Who Relied On God<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 36pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="background: white; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">One of my favourite poets is
Annie Johnson Flint. For me she is a
“wounded healer”. She endured years of
physical pain and suffering. She
courageously brought back deep insights, emphasizing that reliance on God and
submission to the guidance of the Holy Spirit are the only answers to our
existential problems. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="background: white; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Annie
Johnson Flint was born on Christmas Eve in</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="background: white; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> 1866 in </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="background: white; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">a small </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="background: white; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">town</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="background: white; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> in</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="background: white; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> New Jersey. </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="background: white; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> Her </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="background: white; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">father was of English descent</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="background: white; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> while her </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="background: white; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">mother was Scot</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="background: white; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">tish</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="background: white; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">.</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="background: white; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> Unfortunately her mother died in 1869
following the birth of her sister. Annie
was only three years old when her mother died.
<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="background: white; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Her </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="background: white; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">father
</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="background: white; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">brought </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="background: white; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">the children to </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="background: white; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">live
</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="background: white; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">with
the widow of an old army comrade who had been killed in the Civil War. </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="background: white; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> The widow</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="background: white; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> had two children of her own and her means were limited. </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="background: white; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> The </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="background: white; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">outlook </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="background: white; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">was bleak </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="background: white; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">for </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="background: white; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">the sisters.
Fortunately Aunt Susie, a kindly neighbour, assisted them to be adopted
by the Flint family. Annie’s father
agreed to the adoption as he was ill and he died shortly. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="background: white; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The new parents treated the two girls very well. They taught them to be self-reliant and
thrifty. Annie learnt to make </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="background: white; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">her own clothes</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="background: white; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">.
</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="background: white; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> She was also capable of housekeeping.</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="background: white; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="background: white; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">After finishing </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="background: white; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">high school</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="background: white; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">, Annie started teaching a primary class. She planned to earn </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="background: white; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">regular </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="background: white; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">income as Mrs Flint
was failing in health. According to the
contract, she was to teach for three years.
</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="background: white; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="background: white; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">However,</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="background: white; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">
arthritis began to </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="background: white; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">afflict her</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="background: white; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> during the second year</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="background: white; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">.</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="background: white; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="background: white; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> Annie went to see </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="background: white; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">several doctors, but </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="background: white; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">her
illness </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="background: white; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">grew
worse until it became difficult for her to walk</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="background: white; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">. She had a very difficult time </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="background: white; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">finishing </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="background: white; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">her
</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="background: white; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">third
year</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="background: white; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> of teaching</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="background: white; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">. </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="background: white; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="background: white; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">After </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="background: white; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">her contract ended, </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="background: white; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">due to her illness, </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="background: white; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">she </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="background: white; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">was
unable to teach and had </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="background: white; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">to
give up her </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="background: white; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">job. Thereafter
she experienced </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="background: white; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">three
years of increasing helplessness.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Her </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">adopted
parents </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">passed away during this difficult period. The sisters had </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">little money </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">and Annie was incurring medical
expenses.</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> The </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">faithful
Aunt Susie came </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">again </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">to
</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">assist them. </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">She </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">suggested that Annie might find a cure </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">at</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">a s</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">an</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">a</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">t</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">o</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">rium </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">in New York.
</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Accordingly, Annie </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">decided to </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">stay at the sanatorium. </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">She rented
out her house, </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">so </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">that she could obtain </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">some money to </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">care for </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">her sister.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="background: white; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">After examining Annie, the </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="background: white; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">doctors </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="background: white; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">at
the s</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="background: white; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">an</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="background: white; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">a</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="background: white; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">t</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="background: white; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">o</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="background: white; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">rium </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="background: white; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">told
her the disappointing news that her condition was severe</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="background: white; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">. It was
likely that she would </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="background: white; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">continue to be an </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="background: white; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">invalid. </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="background: white; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> Thus</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="background: white; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">,</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="background: white; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> Annie’s illness compelled her to be </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="background: white; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">dependent </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="background: white; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">on
</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="background: white; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">the
care of others. </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="background: white; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> For the rest of
her life, her condition did not improve.
</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="background: white; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">With
a pen </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="background: white; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">held by </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="background: white; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">bent
fingers and swollen joints</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="background: white; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">, she began writing poems. She also </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="background: white; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">began making hand-lettered cards and gift books</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="background: white; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">. </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="background: white; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Two publishers printed </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="background: white; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">her cards. Nevertheless</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="background: white; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">,</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="background: white; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> she struggled for the rest of her life to meet her
medical expenses. A</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="background: white; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">lthough
</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="background: white; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">she was </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="background: white; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">crippled,
</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="background: white; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Annie </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="background: white; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">did
not consider herself </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="background: white; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">use</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="background: white; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">less</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="background: white; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">.</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="background: white; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="background: white; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="background: white; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">She believed that God had </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="background: white; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">a </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="background: white; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">purpose</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="background: white; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">. She </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="background: white; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">put her best into </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="background: white; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">writing </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="background: white; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">her
poems</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="background: white; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">,</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="background: white; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="background: white; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">so
as to encourage others. When she died in
1932, she left behind a treasury of verses which </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="background: white; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">continues to inspire </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="background: white; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">us
</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="background: white; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">in the different </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="background: white; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">seasons
of life.</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="background: white; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> [3]<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 36.0pt;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="background: white; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="background: white; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">One Day at a Time<span class="yiv1346533167apple-converted-space"> </span></span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="background: white; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br />
One day at a time, with its failures and fears,<span class="yiv1346533167apple-converted-space"> </span><br />
With its hurts and mistakes, with its weakness and tears,<span class="yiv1346533167apple-converted-space"> </span><br />
With its portion of pain and its burden of care;<span class="yiv1346533167apple-converted-space"> </span><br />
One day at a time we must meet and bear.<span class="yiv1346533167apple-converted-space"> </span><br />
<br />
One day at a time to be patient and strong,<span class="yiv1346533167apple-converted-space"> </span><br />
To be calm under trial and sweet under wrong;<span class="yiv1346533167apple-converted-space"> </span><br />
Then its toiling shall pass and its sorrow shall cease;<span class="yiv1346533167apple-converted-space"> </span><br />
It shall darken and die, and the night shall bring peace.<span class="yiv1346533167apple-converted-space"> </span><br />
<br />
One day at a time - but the day is so long,<span class="yiv1346533167apple-converted-space"> </span><br />
And the heart is not brave, and the soul is not strong,<span class="yiv1346533167apple-converted-space"> </span><br />
O </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="background: white; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">merciful </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="background: white; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Christ,
be Thou near all the way;<span class="yiv1346533167apple-converted-space"> </span><br />
Give courage and patience and strength for the day.<span class="yiv1346533167apple-converted-space"> </span><br />
<br />
Swift cometh His answer, so clear and so sweet;<span class="yiv1346533167apple-converted-space"> </span><br />
"Yea, I will be with thee, thy troubles to meet;<span class="yiv1346533167apple-converted-space"> </span><br />
I will not forget thee nor fail thee;<span class="yiv1346533167apple-converted-space"> </span><br />
I will not forsake thee; I never will leave."<span class="yiv1346533167apple-converted-space"> </span><br />
<br />
Not yesterday's load we are called on to bear,<span class="yiv1346533167apple-converted-space"> </span><br />
Nor </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="background: white; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">to</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="background: white; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">morrow's
uncertain and shadowy care;<span class="yiv1346533167apple-converted-space"> </span><br />
Why should we look forward or back with dismay?<span class="yiv1346533167apple-converted-space"> </span><br />
Our needs, as our mercies, are but for the day.<span class="yiv1346533167apple-converted-space"> </span><br />
<br />
One day at a time, and the day is His day;<span class="yiv1346533167apple-converted-space"> </span><br />
He hath numbered its hours, though they haste or delay.<span class="yiv1346533167apple-converted-space"> </span><br />
His grace is sufficient; we walk not alone;<span class="yiv1346533167apple-converted-space"> </span><br />
As the day, so the strength that He giveth His own</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="background: white; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 36.0pt;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="background: white; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> Annie
Johnson Flint<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The Best Definition of Love</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 36pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The
best definition of love that I came across was from Dr Wayne Dyer:
“Love is the art of giving. It expects nothing in return.” </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Let
us share a well-known real life story. Edwarda
O'Bara (March 1953 – Nov 2012) was an American who spent 42 years in </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">a diabetic coma </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">after
contracting </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">p</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">neumonia at the age of sixteen. Before
slipping into the coma, she pleaded with her mother Kaye, “You won’t leave me
will you, Mom?” <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Her
mother Kaye responded, “I will never leave you.
I promise …” </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">In
the next 38 years until she passed away at the age of 81 in year 2008, Kaye took care of her daughter. She fed
Edwarda from a tube. She turned her daughter
from side to side every few hours to prevent bedsores and changed her
diaper. She gave her daughter insulin every four hours. She also read,
played music and made conversation with her daughter. Her family also
raised money to pay for the medical bills. After Kaye’s
death, Edwarda was cared for by her sister until her death in Nov 2012.</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> [4]</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">
The unconditional love of Kaye for her daughter has inspired thousands. Both Kaye and Edwarda contributed greatly to
the moral dimension of life. Kaye was the exemplar of unconditional love
and devotion, adding this priceless quality and dimension to life. On
Edwarda’s part, she was an appreciative recipient of love. She provided opportunities for others to show
love, care and compassion for her and her family members. </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Honored In Heaven</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Once
there was a farmer whose ten-year-old son was drowned in a nearby river.
The farmer and his wife were grief-stricken.
The boy was their only son. He was obedient, filial and
kind-hearted. Their neighbours mourned the loss with them. </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">One
year passed. The neighbours observed
that the farmer and his wife remained sorrowful and depressed. The plot
of land owned by the farmer was uncultivated during that year. </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The
neighbours explained the situation to three elderly teachers and invited them to
console the farmer and his wife. The
three wisdom teachers agreed and they went to the farmer’s house one morning.
They consoled the couple and mourned the loss with them for seven
days. </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">On
the eighth day, the teachers began to play gentle music with their
flutes. The farmer became angry and enquired why they were playing
music.</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">“Please
do not be angry,” explained one of the teachers gently. “Please
realise that the soul of your son has gone to heaven. He is now enjoying
eternal joy and harmony. We have finite minds. We do not know why God decided to </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">bring </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">your
son </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">back </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">to His kingdom. We could not see His
long-term plan. But we can hold on</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">to
our faith that what God has decided for us is for our eternal </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">best</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">. We learn to accept that God will decide
whether we live one day more or less. We know that when it is time
for us to leave this world, we will be reunited with your son in heaven.”</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> “Please
also realise that the children of your neighbours are also your children,” said
another teacher. “We are all children of God. If we expand our perspective, we can regard
other people’s children as our children. You can better appreciate the
abilities of these children and the joy they bring to the world. You can also visit the orphanage in the
village and consider to regard some of the orphans as your children. Perhaps please consider to contribute a
portion of your income to them. They will be very grateful to you.”
</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">“Yes,
it is helpful to discover our real identities that we are all children of God,”
said the third teacher. “When our
journey on earth end</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">s</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">, our souls will return to the kingdom of
God. Thus, please rise above the mental labels of “your children” and “my
children”. Please discover the immortal
essence within us. Please rise
above the mental labels of “yours” and “mine”, “gains” and
“losses”. This is the route to genuine peace and faith in God. We
can thereby serve God until He decides to bring us home</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">.</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">”</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The
farmer and his wife thanked the teachers for their advice. The next day
they began to grow vegetables and fruits on their land. They also visited the orphanage in the village
and adopted two orphans as their children.
They also contributed a quarter of their annual income to the orphanage </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">for thirty years </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">before
they retired. </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">When
they died of old age and went to heaven, the angels greeted them. They were joyful to see their son. They
were also surprised to see a statue erected in heaven to commend their generous
contributions to the orphanage. The angels explained to them that their
kind deeds might not be recognised by others on earth, but their generosity was
all along recognised by God. In addition, their contributions to the
orphanage enabled a significant number of the orphans to attend schools in the
city who became useful citizens to the country</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">.</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">
</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[5]</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">“My Grace Is Sufficient For You …”<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 36.0pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 36.0pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span class="text"><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor
demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers,</span></b></span><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> <span class="text"><sup> </sup>neither
height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate
us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.</span></span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">
Romans 8 : 38 - 39<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 72.0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 72.0pt;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">
</span></b><b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">What God Has Promised<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 72.0pt;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">God has not promised</span></b><b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> s</span></b><b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">kies always blue,<br />
Flower-strewn pathways</span></b><b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> a</span></b><b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">ll </span></b><b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">through </span></b><b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">our lives;<br />
God has not promised</span></b><b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> the s</span></b><b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">un without rain,<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 72.0pt;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Joy without sorrow,</span></b><b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> p</span></b><b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">eace without pain.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 72.0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 72.0pt;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">God has not promised</span></b><b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> we</span></b><b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> shall not know<br />
Toil and temptation,</span></b><b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> t</span></b><b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">rouble and woe;<br />
He has not told us</span></b><b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> w</span></b><b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">e shall not bear<br />
Many a burden,</span></b><b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> m</span></b><b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">any a care.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 72.0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 72.0pt;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">But God has promised</span></b><b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> s</span></b><b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">trength for the day,<br />
Rest for the laborer,</span></b><b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> l</span></b><b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">ight for the way,<br />
Grace for the trials,</span></b><b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> h</span></b><b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">elp from above,<br />
Unfailing sympathy,</span></b><b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> u</span></b><b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">ndying love.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">
Annie Johnson Flint<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> May
I share the following real life stories which have inspired me over the years.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">“Miraculous Joe”
: In Dr Gerald Jampolsky’s bestselling
book Love Is Letting Go Of Fear, he related a real life story about Joe, a
fifteen-year-old boy whose head had been run over twice by a tractor. While at the hospital, the doctors discovered
that the accident had rendered him blind, mute and sensationless. Joe was in a coma for months. The doctors
were not hopeful that he would survive.
<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">However, Joe’s
family did not give up hope. They prayed
and lived one day at a time. A series of
miracles began to happen. Joe recovered
consciousness. Gradually he recovered
his ability to speak. Slowly he began to
walk. Joe’s positive spirit and attitude
astonished everyone, including Dr Jampolsky.
When Joe became better, although he was still blind, he began to talk to
other patients and encouraged them. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">When Dr Jampolsky
asked Joe how he could remain so positive and helpful, he replied, “I just look
at the positive things in everyone and pay no attention to the negative things
and refuse to believe in the word impossible.” [6] By extending
kind thoughts to others, Joe manifested the love of the Holy Spirit flowing
through him.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">“Miraculous
Minister of Hope”: Mr Don Piper is often
being introduced as the Minister of Hope.
He is the bestselling author of Ninety Minutes in Heaven. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">In his book he
explained that on 18 January 1989, he died in an automobile accident. He emphasized that it was not a near-death
experience. Two EMTs pronounced him dead
and he spent ninety minutes in heaven before a pastor prayed him back to
earth. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">After the
accident, he had to undergo thirty-four surgeries. Because of his heavenly
experiences and the deep pain and suffering he had endured due to the accident,
he was able to share his experiences with others and encouraged them. These are his memorable words, “Wonderful,
loving God, help me fill my mind with the best and the purest thoughts. Help me keep my attention on you during the
worst situations and you will give me your deep inner tranquillity. You will take me through all the difficult
times and I am grateful.” [7]<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">“Miraculous
Faith”: In his bestselling book It’s Not
About Me, Mr Max Lucado was visiting his
friend in a hospital who had cancer. His
friend had prayed many times to God to heal his sickness. But nothing seemed to happen. His cancer remained. He was confused, perplexed and on the
verge of despair. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Max Lucado
suggested another response, “It’s not about you. Your hospital room is a showcase for your
Maker. Your faith in the face of
suffering cranks up the volume of God’s song.”
<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">His friend’s face
brightened up. He realised that he had
not failed God and God had not failed him.
There was a deeper purpose in his suffering and afflictions. He had a choice. He could choose to see his sickness in terms of
God’s eternal purpose. Gradually he rediscovered
his faith. He rediscovered his sense of
dignity and purpose in the midst of suffering.
He learnt to accept his cancer as an assignment from God. He chose to become a missionary in the cancer
ward. He made a commitment to reflect
faith in God, by displaying courageous smiles to all, to the nurses, to the
doctors, to all his friends. He told Max
Lucado, “Who knows who needed to see God, but I did my best to make Him seen …” [8]<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> “</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Mira</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">culous Nick Vujicic”: </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Nick was born in 1982 in Melbourne, Australia. He was born with severe disabilit</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">ies</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">. He
ha</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">s</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> no arms and
no legs. Thousands have watched his You
Tube video showing how he went through his daily life. For all of us with arms and legs, suddenly we
felt </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">very</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> fortunate
and blessed. Imagine </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">having no</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> arms and </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">no</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> legs. </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">How do we survive, let alone finding a
job? <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">In his
bestselling book Life Without Limits, Nick described his confusion, sadness and
struggles as an adolescent with issues of self-esteem and self-image. During his dark moments at </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">a young </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">age, he was planning a suicide so that he
would not be a burden to others. At the
critical moment, Nick realised that he could not bear the thought of leaving
his beloved parents </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">behind. </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">His father’s
</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">subsequent </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">words also
encouraged him, “We will always be here for you</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">.</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">”<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Nick has
since become a best</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">-</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">selling
author and the CEO of a non-profit organisation. He travelled around the world, speaking to
millions of people and in church congregations of all sizes. He wrote, “I realised that my purpose was to
turn my struggles into lessons that glorify God and inspire others. He blessed me as a blessing to others. Distribute your own blessings with enthusiasm,
and know that whatever you do will be multiplied many times. In all things God works for the best for
those who love Him</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">.”</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> In
Nick’s book, he also narrated a </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">real</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">life
story</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> about </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">a twenty-year-old woman who lived in
India. She was kidnapped from her rural home at the age of ten and was
forced to become a prostitute in the streets of Bombay. By the time she
was thirteen she managed to clear her ‘debts’ owed to the operators of the
brothel. However, when she reached home, her family did not want
her. Without a home, she was </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">again </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">forced
to work as a prostitute in the streets of Bombay. Recently
she discovered that she contracted AIDS and her pimp fired her. Thus she
became homeless. Fortunately she was given shelter and medical treatment by a
Christian agency where she heard about Jesus. The missionaries were
deeply moved by her misfortune. She found spiritual strength after
she learnt about the gospel. With astonishing hope in God, she told
the missionaries, “Now I know God did not cure me of AIDS because I could
bring other women to Christ</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">.”</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[9]</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">
Her response reminded me of the words of Viktor Frankl, the author of the
classic Man’s Search For Meaning</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">. He </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">was imprisoned at Auschwitz and other
concentration camps for three years during the Second World War. Although
I read his great book several times in the past fifteen years, I could </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">now </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">more
fully appreciate the depth of his insights into the meaning of suffering: </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">“When a man finds that it is his destiny to
suffer, he will have to accept his suffering as his task: his single and unique
task … His unique opportunity lies in the way in which he bears his
burden</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">.</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> For us the meaning of life embraced the
wider cycles of life and death, of suffering and dying</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">. </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">There was no need to be ashamed of tears, for
tears bore witness that a man had the greatest of courage, the courage to
suffer.”<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 4.8pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">“Miraculous S</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">aint Maximilian
Kolbe</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">”: Saint Maximilian </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Kolbe was born in Russian-occupied Poland </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">in</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> 1894</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">. </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">His</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> parents initially
worked as</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> basket weavers. </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Later his mother operated a shop </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">selling</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> groceries. </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> His </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">life
was strongly influenced by a childhood vision of the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Virgin_Mary" title="Virgin Mary"><span style="color: windowtext; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">Virgin Mary</span></a> which
he later described:</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> “</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">That night, I
asked the Mother of God what was to become of me, a </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">c</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">hild of Faith.
Then she came to me holding two crowns, one white, the other red. She asked me
if I was willing to accept either of these crowns. The white one meant that I
should persevere in purity</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">and the red one
meant that I should become a martyr. I
said that I would accept them both.</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">”</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">
<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 4.8pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">In 19</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">14</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">, Kolbe</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">took his</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> final vows. </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">He
</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">studied and </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">earned
a</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> doctorate in philosophy</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> in 1915 and a</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> doctorate
in theology </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">in 1919</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">. He</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> was</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> ordained </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">a </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">p</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">riest</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> before he </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">returned to </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Poland. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 150%; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">After the outbreak
of </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">the Second World War, Father Kolbe’s</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> monast</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">e</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">ry became a refugee camp for thousands of Poles and
Jews </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">who were </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">seeking
</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">to </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">escape
from Nazi persecution. </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> As</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> a publisher who had refused German citizenship, </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Father Kolbe </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">was considered a
threat to </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">the </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">German</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">s.</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">To
incriminate him, the Gestapo permitted one final printing of the "Knight
of Mary Immaculate" in Dec 1940. It
was in this issue that Father </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Kolbe </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">wrote:<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 150%; margin-left: 36.0pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-outline-level: 3; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%;">No one in the world can change Truth. What we can do and should do is to
seek </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%;">T</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%;">ruth and to serve it when we have found it. </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%;"> </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The real conflict
is inner conflict. Beyond armies of occupation and the catacombs of
concentration camps, there are two irreconcilable enemies in the depth of every
soul: good and evil, sin and love. And what use are victories on the
battle-field if we ourselves are defeated in our innermost personal
selves? <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 4.8pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">In February 1941
he was arrested by the German</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">s.
Soon he was </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">transferred
to <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Auschwitz" title="Auschwitz"><span style="color: windowtext; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">Auschwitz</span></a> as
</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">a </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">prisoner</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">.</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">He
was put to hard labor.</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">In </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">July 1941 three prisoners disappeared from the camp</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">. The </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">deputy camp commander </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">selected </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">ten</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> men to be starved
to death to deter escape attempts. When one of the selected men</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> cried</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> out, "My wife! My children!", </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Father Kolbe </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">volunteered to
take his place.</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 4.8pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">In his prison
cell, </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Father Kolbe</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">
</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">encouraged the </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">condemned men </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">with songs
and prayers.</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> After two weeks
of starvation, only </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Father Kolbe </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">remained
alive. </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The
guards </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">injected him with </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">lethal</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> carbolic acid. </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Some who were
present </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">said </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">that
</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Father Kolbe </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">raised
his left arm </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">calmly </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">and
waited for the injection.</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">He </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">was </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">canonized </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">in </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">1</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">982
</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">as</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">
a </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Martyr of</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Charity</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">. </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[10]<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 4.8pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Equally </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">immortal are the
deeds and </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">words
of Saint Paul</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">. He was </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">imprisoned many times for spreading the
gospel</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">.
He was </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">flogged
by the Jews, beaten with rods, stoned once and shipwrecked three times.
He had to labour and toil and he had often gone without food. He also
suffered from a thorn in his flesh and pleaded with God to take it away.
But God said, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in
weakness.” </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Saint
Paul said that for Christ’s sake, he delighted in weaknesses, in insults and
hardships, in persecutions and difficulties. For when he felt physically
weak, he remained spiritually strong by relying on God, the eternal Strength
and Stronghold. </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Serving
God’s Purposes<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">May
we remember that a single lamp can light our path. A single sunbeam can
clear the doubts. A single inspiration can bring deep awakening. A
kind-hearted deed can change the direction of a person’s life. The
steadfast love, faith and hope of our spiritual ancestors manifested the true
messages of the perennial wisdom and charted the long-term course of human
civilization. </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">May
we realise the astonishing insight of Saint Paul who observed that the
treasures of light and strength that shine within us are held in perishable
containers, in our weak bodies, in jars of clay, so that everyone can see that
our glorious strength comes from God and not from our weak bodies (2
Corinthians 4:7). </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">May
we remind ourselves every day </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">of</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> Saint Paul’s insight that although we may
feel physically weak, God is forever strong. There is eternal hope and
strength in our Creator as reflected in the well-known </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">twenty-third </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Psalm</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">:</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span class="yiv566882635apple-converted-space"><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span></b></span><span class="yiv566882635versetext"><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The Lord is my
shepherd,</span></b></span><a href="" name="1"></a><span class="yiv566882635apple-converted-space"><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span></b></span><span class="yiv566882635versetext"><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">I shall not be in want.</span></b></span><a href="" name="2"></a><span class="yiv566882635apple-converted-space"><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span></b></span><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 36.0pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span class="yiv566882635versetext"><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">He makes me lie
down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters,</span></b></span><a href="" name="3"></a><span class="yiv566882635apple-converted-space"><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span></b></span><span class="yiv566882635versetext"><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">he restores my soul.</span></b></span><a href="" name="4"></a><span class="yiv566882635apple-converted-space"><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span></b></span><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span class="yiv566882635versetext"><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">He guides me</span></b></span><a href="" name="5"></a><span class="yiv566882635apple-converted-space"><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span></b></span><span class="yiv566882635versetext"><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">in paths of righteousness<a href="" name="6"></a> for his
name's sake.</span></b></span><a href="" name="7"></a><span class="yiv566882635apple-converted-space"><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span></b></span><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 36.0pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span class="yiv566882635versetext"><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Even though I walk
through the valley of the shadow of death,</span></b></span><a href="" name="a"></a><a href="" name="8"></a><span class="yiv566882635apple-converted-space"><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span></b></span><span class="yiv566882635versetext"><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">I will fear no evil,</span></b></span><a href="" name="9"></a><span class="yiv566882635apple-converted-space"><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span></b></span><span class="yiv566882635versetext"><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">for you are with me;</span></b></span><a href="" name="10"></a><span class="yiv566882635apple-converted-space"><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span></b></span><span class="yiv566882635versetext"><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">your rod and your staff, they comfort me.</span></b></span><span class="yiv566882635apple-converted-space"><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span></b></span><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 36.0pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span class="yiv566882635versetext"><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">You prepare a
table</span></b></span><a href="" name="11"></a><span class="yiv566882635apple-converted-space"><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span></b></span><span class="yiv566882635versetext"><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint
my head with oil;</span></b></span><a href="" name="12"></a><span class="yiv566882635apple-converted-space"><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span></b></span><span class="yiv566882635versetext"><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">my cup</span></b></span><a href="" name="13"></a><span class="yiv566882635apple-converted-space"><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span></b></span><span class="yiv566882635versetext"><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">overflows.</span></b></span><span class="yiv566882635apple-converted-space"><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span></b></span><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 36.0pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span class="yiv566882635apple-converted-space"><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span></b></span><span class="yiv566882635versetext"><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Surely goodness and </span></b></span><span class="yiv566882635versetext"><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">unfailing </span></b></span><span class="yiv566882635versetext"><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">love</span></b></span><a href="" name="14"></a><span class="yiv566882635apple-converted-space"><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span></b></span><span class="yiv566882635versetext"><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">will follow me all the days of my life, and I will
dwell in the house of the Lord forever.</span></b></span><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">May
we pray the prayer of Saint Francis every day and give thanks to God for His
sustenance, guidance, strength and love. </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> May
we share Saint Paul’s insight that neither height nor depth, nor anything else
in all creation, can separate us from the love of God. </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">May
we realise that to give is to receive, to forgive others is to be released from
hatred. </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">May
we realise that God does not want us to bear the cross unless it reveals the
eternal life within us, unless it is for our eternal best, unless it contributes
to the moral dimension of life. </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">May
we realise that our inner essence is always wholesome, pure and intact. May we realise that we will return to the kingdom
of God</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">when our journey on earth ends. </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">May
we listen to the voice of our soul every day, extend a helping hand to the
needy and do something beautiful for God. In this way we are serving God’s purposes in
our generation. </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 36.0pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Nothing that
is worth doing can be achieved in our lifetime; therefore we must be saved by
hope. Nothing which is true or beautiful or good makes complete sense in the
immediate context of history; therefore we must be saved by faith. </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 36.0pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">
</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Reinhold Niebuhr<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 36.0pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">On earth we
have nothing to do with success or results, but only with being true to God.</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Defeat in doing right is nevertheless victory. </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 36.0pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Frederick Robertson</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 72.0pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 36.0pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Every
spiritual life entails a succession of difficulties because every ordinary life
also involves a succession of difficulties …
In a spiritually informed life, however, these inevitable difficulties
can be the source of our awakening, of deepening wisdom, patience, balance and
compassion. </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 36.0pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">
</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Dr Jack Kornfield<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 36.0pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 36.0pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">If there is
anywhere on earth a lover of God who is always kept safe, I know nothing of it,
for it was not shown to me. But this was
shown: that in falling and rising again, we are always kept in that same
precious love. </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 36.0pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Dame Julian of Norwich<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 15.5pt;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 15.5pt;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: 宋体; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Let’s Do </span></b><b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Something Beautiful For God<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 15.5pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">A truth-seeker said to God, “The good I did to
others was soon forgotten.”<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 15.5pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">God replied, “Please continue to do good because
I remember.”<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 15.5pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The seeker said, “The kindness I extended to
others was regarded with doubts and distrust.”<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 15.5pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">God replied, “Please continue to be kind because
I understand.”<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 15.5pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The seeker said, “The love and care I showed to
others went unnoticed.”<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 15.5pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">God replied, “Please continue to show love and
care because I am aware.”<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 15.5pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The seeker said, “</span></b><b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: 宋体; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Thank you, God, for
enlightening me. But I observe that t</span></b><b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">he worthwhile deeds I performed in the past which helped others were not
permanent</span></b><b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: 宋体; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">. They</span></b><b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> did not last.”<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 15.5pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">God replied, “</span></b><b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: 宋体; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Be assured that all </span></b><b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">worthwhile deeds are honoured in heaven.</span></b><b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: 宋体; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> Thus, please
continue to perform them.</span></b><b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">”<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 15.5pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The seeker said, “I could only carry out little
acts of kindness in my lifetime and I am a nobody in the eyes of the world.”<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 15.5pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">God replied, “Please continue to perform little
acts of kindness in your lifetime because they are the most beautiful things in
My eyes, because you are always My precious child, because you are always
Somebody in My eyes.”<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 15.5pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The seeker asked, “Every now and then, despite
my best efforts, I yielded to pride, greed and desire for sense pleasure.” <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 15.5pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">God replied, “As an embodied being, you cannot
outgrow temptations. </span></b><b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: 宋体; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span></b><b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Thus you need to maintain vigilance at all
times. If you stumbled or made mistakes,
please repent sincerely, seek My forgiveness, make amends and move on with
life.” <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 15.5pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The seeker asked, “</span></b><b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: 宋体; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Why </span></b><b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">is my life filled with difficulties and setbacks? Why am I bearing the cross in many days of my
life?”<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 15.5pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">God replied, “Please realise that I will not let
you bear the cross unless it reveals the eternal life within you, unless it is
for your eternal best. Please realise that</span></b><b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: 宋体; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> you are My precious child.
Nothing can separate you from My love.
I am always with you.</span></b><b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span></b><b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: 宋体; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span></b><b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">When your journey on earth ends, you will rejoin
Me in heaven.”</span></b><b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: 宋体; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 15.5pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: 宋体; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The seeker said, “If I faced temptations, if I felt anxious, sad and
fearful, what should I should?”<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 15.5pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: 宋体; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">God replied, “Your thoughts and feelings of anxiety, sadness and fear
are temporary. They are flashes of
mental energy which arise and pass away.
Your body is also temporary. But
your soul or your spiritual essence is eternal.
Your soul comes from Me. It is
always wholesome, pure and intact.
Nothing can affect it. Your soul
will return to My kingdom when your journey on earth ends. If you faced temptations, if you felt anxious,
sad and fearful, please repeat these words until once again you are aware that
you are always connected to My Love: “Peace of God … Forgiveness of God … Power
of God … Love of God …” You may feel
weak at this moment, but your Creator God is forever strong. I created this visible universe. It reflects only a small part of My Power and
Strength. Thus if you repeat these
words, you will be filled with spiritual strength and courage which come from
Me. They enable you to endure the
difficulties of life until I decide to bring you home to My kingdom.”<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 15.5pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The seeker </span></b><b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: 宋体; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">said</span></b><b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">, “</span></b><b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: 宋体; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Thank you, God. May I ask w</span></b><b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">hat is my life purpose on earth?”<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 15.5pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">God replied, “To become spiritually aware and do
something beautiful for Me.”<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 15.5pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The seeker said, “How do I begin?”<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">God replied, “You will be doing something
beautiful for Me by sharing this message with others …”</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 36.0pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The above are sample chapters extracted from Merton Lee’s new book: <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 36.0pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 36.0pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">When Bad Things Happen to Good People (God Explains Life’s Mysteries,
Problems and Wisdom) <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 36.0pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Available at Amazon.com Kindle eBook and Paperback<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">******<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16132011271499957428noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-206971622537889183.post-76966353659968683992013-07-30T03:39:00.004-07:002013-07-30T03:39:59.668-07:00When Bad Things Happen To Good People and God is biting the bullet theodicy (Free Sample Chapter) Merton Lee<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: center;">
<b style="line-height: 150%;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br /></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 31px;"> Extracted from Merton Lee's "When Bad Things Happen To Good People (God Explains Life's Mysteries, Problems and Wisdom)"</span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 31px;"> Published at Amazon.com June 2013</span></b></div>
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<b style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 31px;"> Available at Amazon.com Kindle eBook and paperback</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span></b></div>
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<b style="line-height: 150%;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Dedicated to Dr Billy Graham, Dr Charles Stanley,</span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Dr Charles Swindoll, Dr Rick
Warren, <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Brother David Steindl-Rast, Ms
Elisabeth Elliot, <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Ms Oprah Winfrey, Ms Joni Eareckson
Tada, <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Mr Harold Kushner, Mr Philip Yancey, <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Mr Don Piper, Professor Eugene Peterson,<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Thich Nhat Hanh, Dr Roger Walsh, Ram
Dass,<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Dr Jack Kornfield, Ms Sharon
Salzberg,<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Ms Sylvia Boorstein, Dr Wayne
Dyer,<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Ms Louise Hay, Mr Eckhart Tolle and Mr Gary Zukav<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">for their warmth, love and encouragement <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">which they keep bringing to us <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">in the different seasons of life. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> Did
you ever wonder: Why is there something
rather than nothing? </span></b></div>
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<b style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br /></span></b></div>
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<b style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> To quote the well-known question of Stephen
Hawking: Why does the universe go through all the bother of existing? </span></b></div>
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<b style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br /></span></b></div>
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<b style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> Or may I ask: Why </span></b><b style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">did </span></b><b style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">God
go through the bother of creating </span></b><b style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">us and this world</span></b><b style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">?</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: left; text-indent: 36pt;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">But d</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">oes God exist? If positive, how do I
find Him? How do I find out who am I?
What is the purpose of my life? </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: left; text-indent: 36pt;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">If
God is all-knowing, all-good and all-powerful, why does He allow undeserved
suffering? </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: left; text-indent: 36pt;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">If God is
all-knowing, all-good and all-powerful, why do bad things happen to good
people?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">How
do Christians, religious believers and followers of God respond when
non-believers, agnostics or s</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">k</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">eptics quote from the daily newspapers those
accidents, crimes or natural disasters that resulted in undeserved suffering
and untimely deaths? </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Dr Rick Warren’s
bestselling book The Purpose-Driven Life emphasizes that life on earth is not
about us, that our life on earth is not an accident and that we are born to
serve God’s purposes. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Perhaps we may
wonder: How do we find out that life on
earth is not about us, that we are here to serve God’s purposes? How do we
obtain God’s answers to: Why did He create us and this world? How do we obtain God’s answers to: What are His purposes for us on earth?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">In addition, did
you ever experience a sense of meaninglessness?
Did you ever experience the need to find your real life purpose? <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">In the past few
years, I liked to discuss with my friends on religious faith, the meaning of
life and why bad things happen to good people.
To initiate the discussion, I would read the following article [1] which
I wrote “Can You Guess Who am I?”: <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 36.0pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> “Can you guess my real identity? Can you guess who am I?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 36.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Before you start guessing, p</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">lease do</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">n’t </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">be deceived by my masks. I
am wearing many social masks at home, at the school, at the workplace and at
all types of social gathering. </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">I am </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">trying to show that I am confident, I am
happy, I am </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">popular </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">... </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">But deep inside, I am uncertain.</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 36.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Please do</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">n’t </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">be deceived
by my smiles and laughter, by my jokes and gossip. I am trying to hide my doubts. </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">I am trying to hide </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">my weariness. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 36.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Please do</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">n’t</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> be deceived
by my </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">occasional </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">excitement
about life. </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">I am tired of </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">trying </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">to
outperform </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">others. </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">I am tired of trying to get ahead and obtain
those prizes. I am tired of living my
life as if it were a continuous emergency.
</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">I am tired of being frightened of </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">losing my job and my friends. </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">How can I find tranquillity?
How can I find inner peace?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 36.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">I am equally tired of</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">not understanding my real needs and goals in life. Is it because I do not truly know my life
purpose</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">that I am
pursuing external success and sens</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">e</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> pleasures, so as to try to fill the emptiness inside?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 36.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Please tell me how I can find my life purpose. So many </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">bad things and </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">unhappy events ha</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">d</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> happened to me</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">. Many of them were unfair. They had eroded my
faith in God.</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> Please tell me whether there is a God</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">. Please tell me h</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">ow I can find Him.</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 36.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">B</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">y the way, do you know who am I?
Have you guessed who am I? Yes,
you are right. I am your neighbor. I am your colleague. I am your boss. I am your cousin. I am your niece. </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">I am your uncle. I am your aunt. </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">I am your brother. I am
your sister. I am your child. I am your spouse. I am the everyday man or woman you meet on
the street</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">. Yes, </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">I am </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">also </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">you</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> ..</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">. </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Please help me,
God.</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">”</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">This
book aims to provide </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">useful </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">perspectives</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">, responses</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">and answers </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">to
these </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">critical </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">questions. May we begin by revisiting a famous story
called “Footprints”. I have revised it based on deep insights I received
six months ago.</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> This new version reflects the hope, love and
truth which God brings to us in the changing seasons of life. </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> To
quote Thomas Merton’s memorable words in his introduction to the Japanese
translation of The Seven Storey Mountain: "I seek to speak to you, in some
way, as your own self. Who can tell what this may mean? I myself do not
know, but if you listen, things will be said that are perhaps not written in
this book. And this will be due not to me but to the One who lives and speaks
in both ..."</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Footprints <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">(New Version)</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Jesus said: “The kingdom of God is within you.” <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> (Luke
17:21)<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 36.0pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode"; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: 宋体; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Saint Teresa of Avila: <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 36.0pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode"; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: 宋体; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">“Christ has no body but yours,<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 36.0pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode"; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: 宋体; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">no hands and no feet on earth but yours.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 36.0pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode"; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: 宋体; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Yours are the eyes with which he looks<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 36.0pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode"; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: 宋体; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">with compassion on this world.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 36.0pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode"; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: 宋体; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Yours are the feet with which he walks to do
good.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 36.0pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode"; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: 宋体; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Yours are the hands with which he blesses the
world.”<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 36.0pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="background: white; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: 宋体; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Ralph Waldo Emerson: “The
</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="background: white; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">soul in man is the background of our being</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="background: white; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: 宋体; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> …</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="background: white; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> From within or from behind, a light shines through us upon things</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="background: white; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: 宋体; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">,</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="background: white; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> and makes us aware that we are nothing, but the light is all.</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="background: white; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: 宋体; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">”<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 36.0pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode"; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: 宋体; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Helen Keller:
“I</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode"; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> believe that God is in me as
the sun is in the colo</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode"; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: 宋体; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">r</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode"; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> and fragrance of a flower</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode"; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: 宋体; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">.”<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="background: white; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: 宋体; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Pope John Paul
II: “M</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="background: white; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">an’s life comes from God</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="background: white; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: 宋体; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">.”<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Mother Teresa: “It is not how
much you do, but how much love you put into the doing that matters.”</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="background: white; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: 宋体; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Corrie ten Boom:
“God values us not for our <span class="yiv1070044478spelle">strength</span>
or our brains</span></b><b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: 宋体; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">,</span></b><b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> but simply because He has made us.” <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">A
middle-aged man dreamed that he had become a spiritual being and that he was
walking on a beach together with God, the divine Spirit. They left two
trails of footprints in the sand behind them. </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Scenes
of the man’s life flashed across the sky. The man observed that during
the pleasant days of his life as shown across the sky, there were two trails of</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> footprints </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">behind
them. He knew that God was walking beside him during the pleasant days.
But during the difficult days, he observed only one trail of
footprints. </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Assuming
that the one trail of footprints belonged to him and that God had abandoned him
during the difficult times, the man enquired why </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">he </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">was
left alone to handle the difficulties.</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">God
explained, "You are My precious child. I will never leave you.
During your difficult times, when you see one trail of footprints, it was then
that I carried you."</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The
man thanked God. Nevertheless he was perplexed by the answer.
Inwardly he reasoned that if God were all-knowing, all-good and
all-powerful, why </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">God did</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> not remove or reduce the trials and
suffering in his life.</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">
Being all-knowing, God was aware of the man’s reasoning. God further
explained, “Please reali</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">z</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">e that I will not let you bear the cross
unless it reveals the eternal life within you.
I will not let you bear the cross unless it is for your eternal best,
unless it contributes to the long-term well-being of humankind.”</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The
man nodded and thanked God. He enquired,
“May I know what is my real identity? Do
I have a soul?”</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">“Yes,
you have a soul</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">,” God said</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">. </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">“</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Let
Me explain. I more than carried you
during your difficult times</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">. </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">All along I have been living inside you in
the form of spiritual essence. Your body </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">is</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">
temporary. Your spiritual essence or
your soul is eternal. It is a part of Me. It is always wholesome,
pure and intact. No people and no events in the world can affect it.
Nothing can impair it. Nothing can defile it. It is an
individualised portion of My </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">essence
and cosmic consciousness.</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">It is always wholesome</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">.</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">”</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The
man thanked God and enquired, “Do I return to heaven after I die?”</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">God
continued, “You are My precious child. You are a spiritual being.
This is your real identity. You are always connected to My love.
Your soul will return to My kingdom when your journey on earth ends.”<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The
man asked, “Thank You for explaining to me my real identity. May I enquire how do I find You? How do I know that You are with me all the
time?” <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">God said, </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">“</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">You can catch glimpses of My presence when you expand your awareness and
let go of self-seeking thoughts, feelings and desires. This can happen when you are walking along the
seaside, enjoying the warm sunshine, the wide blue sky and the rhythm of the
waves. This can happen when you are
enjoying the beauty of a sunset or the whispering of a stream or the
tranquillity of a lake. This can happen
when you are listening to inspiring music or reading a devotional book or poem. This can happen when you are amazed by the
splendor of a sunrise or the beauty of a clear night sky filled with glimmering
stars. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">“Another effective
way to expand your awareness is to learn to meditate. It makes you realize that “thoughts, ideas,
feelings and desires” are momentary and fleeting. They are flashes of mental energy which arise
and pass away. They are not permanent.
They are not your selfhood or personality.
They are not your real identity. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">“Your real
identity is a spiritual being. Thus,
when </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">you meditate</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> and learn not to chase after momentary thoughts, feelings and desires</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">, </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">slowly </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">you
experience mental stillness and tranquillity</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">. Slowly </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">you discover the pure consciousness within
you. This pure consciousness is one of My attributes. It is also an attribute of your soul. What you
suffered in life, I also suffered and experienced through the pure
consciousness living inside you. I am your Living God. I am living inside you during your good days
and during your times of suffering and afflictions. By experiencing your suffering
and afflictions, I can truly understand.”<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The
man nodded and listened attentively. </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">God
said, “I created the visible universe. I
am the Giver of life. I am the Source of your hope and strength. You
are My precious child. Nothing can
separate you from My love. You can look forward to rejoining Me in heaven
when your journey on earth ends. You can
be assured that I will transform your suffering into ultimate good. This
is how I am truly your </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">h</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">eavenly Father.”<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The
man enquired, “May I know what is my life purpose on earth? How do I </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">fulfil</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">
it?” </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">God
explained, “</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">You are My precious
child on earth serving an eternal purpose.
To fulfil this purpose, your soul is combined with a human body. Your waking consciousness is given freedom of
choice. Your purpose </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">is </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">to </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">become
spiritually </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">aware. </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">In this way </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">your waking consciousness will become receptive to </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">the voice of your </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">soul, the voice of your </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">conscience</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">“Gradually you realise
the difference between the kind intentions of your soul and selfish desires. You learn to make a commitment to follow the
voice of your soul</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">. You choose to be responsible to Me in your
daily thoughts, words and deeds. You </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">learn to become spiritually mature.
You extend </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">helping
hands to the needy. </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Compassion is realised. </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">This contributes to the moral dimension of
life.</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">
</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">“Spiritual
maturity is difficult. It requires daily moral commitment. It requires
you to choose simplicity, kindness and selfless service. It requires endurance
during the trying times and reliance on My strength. It requires you to become
My instrument of peace, My vessel of love. </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">“The
Moments of Truth come when you face a deep personal crisis, when you face the
loss of your loved ones, when your life is shattered </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">in</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">to
pieces, when you face death itself. During
these Moments, will you choose to follow Me </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">day by day </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">until
your last breath? </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">“When
you make this choice and follow Me </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">day by day,</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> despite adversities, despite your
doubts, grief, fear and agony, </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">holding on</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">to the belief that I am divine Truth and
Goodness, the Significance of these Moments is fulfilled. </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">This is the hard-won</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">,</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> selfless
faith the universe and I have been waiting for. </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> This is the precious human resolve,
commitment and goodwill the universe and I have been waiting for. It gives birth to and actualizes the quality
of moral resolve in the visible world. T</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">his is the Significance of why I </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">chose to suffer</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">
together with you.”<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The
man thanked God and asked, “I understand that if a person committed a harmful
wrongdoing, he would feel guilty. He should
repent and seek Your forgiveness. He should
find constructive ways to make amends in the remaining days of his life on
earth. May I enquire whether there is
cosmic justice for those who committed wrongdoing and did not repent</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">. </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">How do these unrepentant people compensate
for their harmful wrongdoing if they avoided legal punishment on earth?” <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">“Please
be assured that there is cosmic justice,” God explained. “Upon
the death of the body, the disembodied soul will be assessed by My Holy
Spirit. If this soul during its journey
on earth had worked in harmony with the body and </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">its mental states and it had </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">contributed to human well-being, it will be
given a choice. It can choose to return
to My kingdom or begin another human journey on earth, so as to further
contribute to the moral dimension of life. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">“If
a soul during its journey on earth had endured undeserved suffering and
untimely death, it can choose to return to My kingdom or begin another human
journey, so as to contribute to the moral dimension of life. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">“If
a soul during its journey on earth were not able to work in harmony with the
body </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">and its mental states, </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">and the human body committed harmful
wrongdoing due to self</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">ish</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> desires, upon the death of the body, My Holy
Spirit will direct this soul to embark on another or more human journeys on
earth. This </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">will provide
opportunities where it can</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">
contribute to human well-being. When it has sufficiently contributed</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">,</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> it
can return to My kingdom.”<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The
man thanked God and asked, “For centuries, humankind sought to find out why God
created this world</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">.</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> May I
enquire on this age-old question?”<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">God replied, </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">“</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">It </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">is
time for Me to reveal why I created </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">the visible </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">world.
</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Since eternity I have existed. </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">I am
the </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">divine </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Source. </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> I am the Living God. I am the eternal One in the timeless
Dimension. </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">I am all-knowing, all-good and all-powerful
in the timeless Dimension. </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">“First, </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">My </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">omniscience</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> in the timeless Dimension </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">is
all-sufficient. </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> I know </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">the past, the present and the future. </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">I do not </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">need to create a
visible world to complement or prove </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">it. If
I wished to create a visible world so as to experience and enjoy it, I can
create many types of visible worlds which are peaceful, beautiful and pleasant,
without the occurrences of natural and moral evils, without the existence of
human beings. Such peaceful and beautiful worlds will be congruent with My
knowledge and wisdom. I do not need to
create the type of visible world which human beings currently experience which
is marked by existential uncertainty and suffering.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">“Second, </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">My</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> omnipotence </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">in the timeless Dimension </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">is
all-sufficient. </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> I do </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">not need to create a visible world to complement or
prove it. If </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">I wished</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">, </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">I </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">can create and eliminate </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">visible </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">worlds without
human beings or creatures inhabiting them. </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> If I wished, I can create beautiful and
peaceful worlds so as to enjoy them, without the occurrences of natural and
moral evils, without the existence of human beings. This is congruent with My power and
wisdom. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">“Third, being all-good, </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">I am Holiness</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">. </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">I am divine Goodness. But I am also divine
Oneness. As divine Oneness in the
timeless dimension, I do not have a physical body or bodies. I do not live in a space-time dimension. I am not individualized. I am not embodied.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">“In the timeless dimension, it is natural that I do not have the
opportunity to experience physical vulnerability and existential
uncertainty. I do not have the
opportunity to manifest dynamic moral goodness.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">“Dynamic moral goodness includes faith, humility, kindness, love,
compassion, endurance and selfless service which humankind manifested when they
performed compassionate deeds on earth. In
addition, dynamic moral goodness requires Me to create individualized human beings
or embodied souls. Dynamic moral
goodness requires the interactions of individualised, embodied and vulnerable
beings in a visible world. </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">They need to experience trials and suffering to become mature. They need
to exercise free will inherent in their waking consciousness to make moral
decisions and perform good deeds. Thus,
it is a natural condition of My divine Oneness that before the creation of the
visible world and humankind, I have not yet manifested dynamic moral goodness. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">“For eternity, I
have remained as divine Oneness. At some
point during My eternity, I decided to create a visible world, so as to manifest
dynamic moral goodness through My children. I decided that dynamic moral goodness in the
visible world is a very valuable attribute which complements My attribute of divine
Goodness in the timeless Dimension. I decided to create this stringent challenge
for Me and for My children on earth. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">“Thus, I created
this visible universe and humankind. I individualised My spiritual essence so
as to live inside My children. </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">My children and I are moral partners on earth. Through the
pure consciousness of their souls, I share the life experiences of My children.
Together we experience </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">adversities,
trials,</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> and suffering. The
purpose is for My children to become spiritually mature. As the voice of their souls, I encourage My
children to do good. When the waking
consciousness of My children choose</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">s</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> to
listen to </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">the voice of their
souls, they become spiritually aware.
They learn to walk the spiritual path.
<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">“When My children are
honest, kind, sympathetic, faithful and compassionate </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">in their daily lives, despite being
physically vulnerable and facing existential uncertainty, they are manifesting dynamic
moral goodness. </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">When My children resolve to follow Me and choose to do good, despite
trials and suffering, they are manifesting high-quality goodness. In these ways
</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">I </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">manifest </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">dynamic
goodness through My children.</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">“In human
language, this can be called ‘God is biting the bullet’ theodicy. It means that I have decided that My divine
Goodness in the timeless Dimension cannot forever remain untested and
unproven. Therefore, during some point
in eternity, I have decided to bite the bullet and create a stringent
Self-challenge by providing freedom of choice to My children and by allowing the
occurrences of natural and moral evils in a visible world. These give rise to existential uncertainty
and suffering in the visible world. I
have decided to experience and endure such existential uncertainty and suffering
together with My children, so as to manifest dynamic moral goodness and
contribute to the moral dimension of life.
<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">“In this way, My
spiritually mature children are My moral partners. Guided by the voice of their souls, they strive
and struggle in the visible world to manifest dynamic moral goodness under the
stringent conditions of existential uncertainty and suffering. This attribute
of dynamic moral goodness in the visible world complements My attribute of
divine Goodness in the timeless dimension.”<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">“Thanks, God. Does this mean that You are not all-knowing
and not all-powerful in the visible world?” asked the man.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">God replied, “</span></b><span class="yui372401374906117526101"><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">In the
timeless Dimension, I am the Source. </span></b></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span></b></span><span class="yui372401374906117526101"><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">I am the
eternal One. </span></b></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span></b></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span></b></span><span class="yui372401374906117526101"><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">There is enduring peace, beauty, goodness and
harmony in the timeless Dimension. </span></b></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span></b></span><span class="yui372401374906117526101"><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">I remain and
continue to be all-knowing, all-good and all-powerful in the timeless
Dimension. </span></b></span><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="yiv3936368246msonormal" style="background: white; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span class="yui372401374906117526110"><b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span></b></span><span class="yui372401374906117526111"><b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span></b></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span></b></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: 宋体; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">“In contrast, in the visible world, </span></b></span><span class="yui372401374906117526111"><b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">I have
chosen to restrict My powers and omniscience. </span></b></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span></b></span><span class="yui372401374906117526111"><b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">This </span></b></span><span class="yui372401374906117526111"><b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: 宋体; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">arises from </span></b></span><span class="yui372401374906117526111"><b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">My decision
to bite the bullet and create a visible world which is subject to
existential uncertainty</span></b></span><span class="yui372401374906117526111"><b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: 宋体; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> and to</span></b></span><span class="yui372401374906117526111"><b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> the
occurrences of natural and moral evils. </span></b></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span></b></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: 宋体; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span></b></span><span class="yui372401374906117526111"><b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Thus, </span></b></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span></b></span><span class="yui372401374906117526111"><b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">I have
chosen to limit My powers and omniscience in the visible world. </span></b></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span></b></span><span class="yui372401374906117526111"><b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">I am no
longer all-knowing and all-powerful in the visible world.</span></b></span><b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: 宋体; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="yiv3936368246msonormal" style="background: white; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span class="yui372401374906117526118"><b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span></b></span><span class="yui372401374906117526119"><b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span></b></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span></b></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: 宋体; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">“</span></b></span><span class="yui372401374906117526119"><b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The visible world </span></b></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span></b></span><span class="yui372401374906117526119"><b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">is a small
part of the timeless Dimension. </span></b></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span></b></span><span class="yui372401374906117526119"><b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">I </span></b></span><span class="yui372401374906117526119"><b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: 宋体; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">created </span></b></span><span class="yui372401374906117526119"><b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">the laws of the natural sciences and
mathematics when creating the visible world.</span></b></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span></b></span><span class="yui372401374906117526119"><b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> Thereafter, </span></b></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span></b></span><span class="yui372401374906117526119"><b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">I usually do
not intervene directly in the visible world. </span></b></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span></b></span><span class="yui372401374906117526119"><b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">This allows
the occurrences of natural evils. </span></b></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span></b></span><span class="yui372401374906117526119"><b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The
occurrences of natural evils introduce the crucial element of existential
uncertainty into the visible world. </span></b></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span></b></span><span class="yui372401374906117526119"><b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">They include
earthquakes, hurricanes, floods, famines, accidents and diseases. These occur
due to the operations of the laws of the sciences on earth.</span></b></span><b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="yiv3936368246msonormal" style="background: white; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span class="yui372401374906117526129"><b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span></b></span><span class="yui372401374906117526130"><b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span></b></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span></b></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: 宋体; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">“</span></b></span><span class="yui372401374906117526130"><b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Nonetheless, I retain final control of the
visible world. </span></b></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span></b></span><span class="yui372401374906117526130"><b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">I can
foresee the range of possible outcomes in the short term or longer term
regarding an event or a cluster of events in the visible world. </span></b></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span></b></span><span class="yui372401374906117526130"><b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">I can choose
to occasionally intervene in an event or a cluster of events in the visible
world. </span></b></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span></b></span><span class="yui372401374906117526130"><b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">My decision
to intervene is based on the range of possible outcomes of an event or a
cluster of events and their long-term impact on the moral dimension of
life. </span></b></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span></b></span><span class="yui372401374906117526130"><b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">I have
restrict</span></b></span><span class="yui372401374906117526130"><b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: 宋体; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">ed</span></b></span><span class="yui372401374906117526130"><b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> My power of
omniscience in the visible world. </span></b></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span></b></span><span class="yui372401374906117526130"><b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">If I did not
choose to intervene in an event or a cluster of events, </span></b></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span></b></span><span class="yui372401374906117526130"><b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">I cannot
foresee their actual final outcome in the visible world</span></b></span><span class="yui372401374906117526130"><b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: 宋体; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> which is subject to </span></b></span><span class="yui372401374906117526130"><b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">the
operations of the laws of the sciences</span></b></span><span class="yui372401374906117526130"><b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: 宋体; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> and the free will of My children</span></b></span><span class="yui372401374906117526130"><b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">.</span></b></span><b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="yiv3936368246msonormal" style="background: white; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span class="yui372401374906117526139"><b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span></b></span><span class="yui372401374906117526141"><b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span></b></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span></b></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: 宋体; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">“Another aspect is that </span></b></span><span class="yui372401374906117526141"><b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">I have
restricted My omniscience and </span></b></span><span class="yui372401374906117526141"><b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: 宋体; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">powers</span></b></span><span class="yui372401374906117526141"><b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> in the visible world by providing freedom of
choice to My children. </span></b></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span></b></span><span class="yui372401374906117526141"><b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">I do not
intervene in the decisions and choices of My children. </span></b></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span></b></span><span class="yui372401374906117526141"><b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">I also
cannot foresee the final choice of My children regarding an event or a cluster
of events facing them. </span></b></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span></b></span><span class="yui372401374906117526141"><b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">I can only
foresee the range of possible outcomes, based on the range of choices facing My
children regarding an event or cluster of events. </span></b></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span></b></span><span class="yui372401374906117526141"><b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Once My
child makes a decision and a choice and acts accordingly, I can better foresee
the outcome of his choice. </span></b></span><b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="yiv3936368246msonormal" style="background: white; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span class="yui372401374906117526149"><b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span></b></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span></b></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: 宋体; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">“</span></b></span><span class="yui372401374906117526149"><b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">I only intervene indirectly by encouraging My
children to be conscientious and to do good through the voice of their
souls. </span></b></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span></b></span><span class="yui372401374906117526149"><b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">My children
need to listen to the voice of their souls and choose to walk the path of
righteousness. </span></b></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span></b></span><span class="yui372401374906117526149"><b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">However,
if </span></b></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span></b></span><span class="yui372401374906117526149"><b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">some of My
children decided to listen to their self-seeking desires and ignore the voice
of their souls, they are walking the wrong path. </span></b></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span></b></span><span class="yui372401374906117526149"><b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">They can
commit deeds which harm others. </span></b></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span></b></span><span class="yui372401374906117526149"><b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Such moral
evils </span></b></span><span class="yui372401374906117526149"><b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: 宋体; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">give </span></b></span><span class="yui372401374906117526149"><b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">rise to </span></b></span><span class="yui372401374906117526149"><b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: 宋体; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">another layer of </span></b></span><span class="yui372401374906117526149"><b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">existential
uncertainty and suffering. </span></b></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span></b></span><span class="yui372401374906117526149"><b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">On My part, </span></b></span><span class="yui372401374906117526149"><b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: 宋体; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">through the voice of their souls, </span></b></span><span class="yui372401374906117526149"><b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">I continue
to encourage the wrongdoers and the misguided to repent and urge them to walk
the path of righteousness. </span></b></span><b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="yiv3936368246msonormal" style="background: white; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> <span class="yui372401374906117526158"> </span><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span></b><span class="apple-converted-space"><b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: 宋体; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">“Once</span></b></span><span class="yui372401374906117526158"><b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> I decided to provide freedom of choice to My
children, they need to decide and choose their daily conduct and deeds. </span></b></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span></b></span><span class="yui372401374906117526158"><b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">I have
decided to bite the bullet and I will not intervene in their choices. </span></b></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span></b></span><span class="yui372401374906117526158"><b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">It is the
will and resolve of My children to listen to the voice of their souls and walk
the path of righteousness which enable My children and I to become partners on
earth to manifest dynamic moral goodness and contribute to the moral dimension
of life. </span></b></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span></b></span><span class="yui372401374906117526158"><b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">In this way,
we work towards fulfilling our crucial purpose on earth. </span></b></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span></b></span><span class="yui372401374906117526158"><b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span></b></span><b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">“Thus,
I have revealed why I created the visible world and human</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">kind</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">. I am the Giver of life. I am the Source
of your hope and strength. You are My precious child. </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Nothing can separate you from My love.
By listening to your conscience and following Me day by day, when your journey
on earth ends, you are once again at Home, back in our timeless Garden, with
our purpose on earth fulfilled.”</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The </span></b><b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: 宋体; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">man said, </span></b><b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">“</span></b><b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: 宋体; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Thank you, God. May I share these
revelations with others</span></b><b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">?”<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">God replied, “Please share them with others. You
are doing something valuable and beautiful for Me by sharing </span></b><b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: 宋体; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">them</span></b><b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> with others</span></b><b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: 宋体; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">, with your loved ones and friends.
It is crucial to share with them.</span></b><b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span></b><b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: 宋体; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> During their moments of sadness
and affliction, during their hours of darkness due to setbacks or unfortunate
events, they will remember My words.
They will realize that I am always with them. They will realize that they are My precious
children and they are always connected to My love. My words will provide them with hope, strength
and courage. My words will remind them
that they have not lived in vain. As
long as they hold on to their faith and belief that I am divine Truth and
Goodness, despite existential suffering, they have bravely contributed to the
moral dimension of life. They have fulfilled their life purpose. They will rejoin
Me in heaven when their journey on earth ends.” </span></b><b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Wisdom<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 36.0pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span class="woj"><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give
you rest.</span></b></span><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> <span class="woj"><sup> </sup>Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am
gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke
is easy, and my burden is light.
</span></span></b><span class="woj"><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> <o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div>
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<span class="woj"><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">
</span></b></span><span class="woj"><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Matthew 11:28-30<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 36.0pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span class="woj"><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Leave the broken, irreversible past in God’s hands, and step out
into the invincible future with Him.</span></b></span><span class="woj"><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 36.0pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span class="woj"><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span></b></span><span class="woj"><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span></b></span><span class="woj"><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Oswald
Chambers</span></b></span><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Once
there was a young evangelist who was always anxious about the future. He worried that he might not have the
strength to preach the next day. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">One
night he dreamed that he met Jesus while he was walking alone. He was returning home after attending a church
gathering. He told Jesus about his
anxieties. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Jesus
consoled him and said that He understood his anxieties. He offered the following advice. First, He told the young man to repeat His words
from “</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">John 14:27” </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">whenever he felt anxious: “Peace I
leave you. My peace I give to you.” This would calm him, enabling him
to experience </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">tranquillity and
sustenance from God.</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Second,
Jesus told the young man to repeat these words whenever he lacked
confidence: “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”
(Philippians 4:13) This would remind him that God would always provide
him with strength whenever he needed it.
He ought to remind himself that God is all-knowing, all-good and
all-powerful</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">,</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> that God is the Creator of this
universe. He may feel weak, but God is forever strong. </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Third,
Jesus advised the young man to let go of his worries by learning to live one
day at a time, one moment at a time, in the strength of God</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">. </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> Jesus informed him that he could deepen his
faith in God by affirming these words whenever he experienced doubts: “What God
decides for me is for my long-term good and for my eternal best. He is mainly concerned about my love for Him,
my love and compassion for the people I interact with, and my sincerity to
assist the needy. As long as I love God,
as long as I am sincere in </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">helping
</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">others</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> for worthwhile purposes</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">, I have done good for the day. It is alright that I am not the
best performer. </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Love, sincerity, honesty, humility and
compassion are much more valuable in the eyes of God.</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">”</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Fourth,
Jesus advised the young man to pray </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">every morning </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">the</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> following p</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">rayer</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">s. They will remind </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">him that life in this world is temporary, that </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">only God can fulfil his spiritual needs by providing him with love and
peace. Jesus lifted his right hand and gently
moved it. The words of these prayers
appeared across the sky:-<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span></b><b style="line-height: 150%;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Saint Teresa’s prayer :</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 36.0pt;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Lord, please make
me realize that<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 36.0pt;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">You are always
with me.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 36.0pt;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Your love for me
is constant.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 36.0pt;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Please make me
understand <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 36.0pt;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">that nothing can</span></b><b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> disturb </span></b><b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">me,</span></b><b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br />
</span></b><b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">nothing can make
me </span></b><b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">afraid.</span></b><b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 36.0pt;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br />
</span></b><b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Please make me
realise <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 36.0pt;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">that all</span></b><b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> things </span></b><b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">in the world </span></b><b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">are passing</span></b><b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">,<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 36.0pt;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">all things in the
world are temporary</span></b><b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">.<br />
Only You and Your love are eternal. <br />
</span></b><b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">As You are forever
with me, I do not lack anything. </span></b><b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br />
</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">You are
sufficient for all my needs.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: 36.0pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 4.8pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: 36.0pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 4.8pt;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Saint Francis’ prayer:<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 36.0pt;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 36.0pt;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Lord, make me an
instrument of </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Y</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">our peace:</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 36.0pt;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">where there is
hatred, let me bring</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> Y</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">our love,</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 36.0pt;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">where there is
injury, let me bring </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Y</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">our pardon, </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 36.0pt;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">where there is
discord, let me bring </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Y</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">our harmony,</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 36.0pt;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">where there is
doubt, let me bring faith,</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 36.0pt;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">where there is
despair, let me bring hope,</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 36.0pt;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">and </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">where there is
darkness, let me bring light</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">.</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 36.0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 36.0pt;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Lord, make me an
instrument of </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Y</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">our peace:</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 36.0pt;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Grant that I may
seek to console than to be consoled,</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 36.0pt;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">that I seek to
understand than to be understood,</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 36.0pt;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">that I seek to
love than to be loved.</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 36.0pt;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">For it is by
forgetting the self that one finds;</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 36.0pt;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">it is by giving
that one receives;</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 36.0pt;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">it is by forgiving
that one is forgiven;</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 36.0pt;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">it is by dying
that one awakens to eternal life.</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> A new prayer from Jesus</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> (by Merton Lee)</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">:</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 36.0pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Dear</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> God, please
make me </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">realize </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">that You are
the Creator of this cosmos. All events
are ultimately under Your control. You
are my eternal strength and stronghold. </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">A</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">lthough I may feel weak, You are forever
strong. I can rely on Your strength,
wisdom and compassion.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 36.0pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Please make
me realize my real identity as Your child.
I contain Your individualized spiritual essence which is my soul. My
soul comes from You. I am always
connected to Your love. You are always
inside </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">m</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">e in the
form of spiritual essence and pure consciousness. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 36.0pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Please make
me realize that my body is temporary, but my soul is eternal. It is timeless. It is always wholesome, pure and intact. Nothing can affect it. Nothing can impair it. </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Thus, my life on earth is a journey, a
pilgrimage to Your Holy Kingdom. You
will decide whether I will live one day more or less on earth. When You decide that it is time to bring me
home, my</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> soul will
return to Your kingdom</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> to enjoy eternal harmony</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">. </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 36.0pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 36.0pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">One of the
attributes of my soul is pure consciousness.
I can experience pure consciousness when I am mentally still and
tranquil. </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">I can learn meditation to experience </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">tranquillity and </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">inner peace.
This enables me to realize the priceless gifts </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">which </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">You have given to me, namely my spiritual
essence as well as the gifts of wisdom, understanding, compassion, love and
peace.</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> Please help me to share these
gifts with others and help me to awaken them to Your gifts.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 36.0pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 36.0pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">May I submit
to the guidance of </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Your Hands and the </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Holy Spirit</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> day by day</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">. </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">May I rely on Your decisions which are always for my eternal best.</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> Please help me to
remain humble, upright and God-reliant during moments of triumph or defeat,
happiness or sorrow, clarity or confusion, strength or affliction. </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">May I be very grateful and </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">realize the preciousness of </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Your gifts.
</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">They </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">are the
foundation of healthy self-esteem and inner peace. Your gifts are sufficient for all my
needs. I do not need to chase after
external success and worldly recognition.
I can let go of selfish motives and self-seeking desires. I can rise above the need to impress others. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 36.0pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Please guide
me to choose simplicity, non-attachment and prudence. Please inspire me to be
conscientious, </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">kind and </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">helpful. </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Please make me realize that You are my
genuine lifelong Employer. I cannot
become jobless. I am always employed by
You. I am always Your instrument to do good.
I am serving God by performing little acts of kindness, by extending an
encouraging word to others day by day.
In this way I have done good in my lifetime. In this way I am fulfilling
my purpose in life day by day. I have not
lived in vain. I have not suffered in
vain. By enduring life’s adversities and
walking the path of righteousness day by day, I am deepening my faith in God.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 36.0pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 36.0pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Please make
me realize that my life purpose is to become spiritually aware</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> and mature</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">, that I am Your partner on earth to manifest
dynamic moral goodness. Please guide me
to serve You with humility and contentment day by day, so that I can live my
life at my own pace, learning useful skills and knowledge to contribute to the
well-being of my loved ones and others. </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> If
I were afflicted with illness and became a care-receiver, please continue to strengthen
my faith and help me realize that my illness can provide opportunity for others
to assist me and show compassion to me.
<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 36.0pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 36.0pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Please make me realize that I might have died yesterday. Thus, help me to treasure each new day. Help me to regard each new day as Your bonus
gift to me. Every day is a bonus for me
to show my love for You, to show my love and appreciation to my family and to
the people around me. </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Please make me realize that the people around
me are seeking for love and acceptance. </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Please</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> guide me to extend </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">compassionate </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">word</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">s</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">and deeds </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">to others
day by day, so that I can do something beautiful for You.</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> Thank you very much, God. </span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 36.0pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 36.0pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> Extracted from Merton Lee's "When Bad Things Happen To Good People (God Explains Life's Mysteries, Problems and Wisdom)"</span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> Available at Amazon.com Kindle eBook and paperback</span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br /></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> ***</span></b></div>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16132011271499957428noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-206971622537889183.post-5623145242012743542013-06-01T01:03:00.002-07:002013-07-30T03:45:21.196-07:00Jesus explains Why Do Bad Things Happen To Good People and Why does the world exist<br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><i><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">Extracted from Merton Lee's book</span></i></b><br />
<b><i><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">When Bad Things Happen to Good People (God Explains Life's Mysteries, Problems and Wisdom): Available at Amazon.com Kindle eBook and Paperback (July 2013)</span></i></b><br />
<b><i><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;"><br /></span></i></b>
<b><i><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">Jesus
Explains …</span></i></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;"> <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #984806; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN;">“Why Do Bad Things Happen To Good
People?”<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #984806; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN;"> “Why Does The World Exist?” <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #984806; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN;">“What is God’s purpose of creation?”<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #984806; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN;">A group of Christians became
disappointed with God. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">Some have lost their jobs due to
retrenchments. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">Some have lost their homes due to
hurricanes or floods. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">Some have lost their children or loved
ones due to earthquakes, crimes, accidents or illnesses.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">When queried by non-believers, they do
not have the answers to their setbacks and tragedies.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">They are beginning to lose their faith
in God.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">How do they rebuild their faith? <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">How do they defend their faith in God?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">Thus, they travelled to a quiet beach.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">They put up their tents and cooked
their meals.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">They stayed there and prayed sincerely for
a few weeks.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">They hoped to find Jesus ...<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-left: 54.0pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">One evening they heard His gentle
voice. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">They came out of their tents and Jesus
appeared.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">He embraced each of them and kissed
their foreheads.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;"> He comforted them by saying the 23<sup>rd</sup>
Psalm.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">The group of men and women gathered
around Jesus and they sat down.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">They asked, “Lord, please explain to us
our setbacks and tragedies. Please help
us to deepen our faith in God …”<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">Jesus nodded. His eyes and voice reflected
understanding, sympathy, love and compassion.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">The group of men and women asked, “Why
do bad things happen to good people? As
God is all-knowing, all-good and all-powerful, why does He allow undeserved
suffering and untimely death? Why does
the world exist?”<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">Jesus replied, “God has decided to
reveal the truths. From the year 2013 onwards, humankind can more deeply
understand these problems and deepen their faith.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">“First, please </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">reali</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">z</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">e that </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">God</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;"> will not let you bear the cross unless it reveals the eternal
life within you. </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">He</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;"> will not let you bear the cross unless it is for your eternal
best, unless it contributes to the long-term well-being of humankind.”</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">The group of men and women listened
attentively.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">Jesus gently asked, “Do you know your
real identity and the real identity of your loved ones? <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">“L</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">et Me explain</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">. Please realize that God</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;"> more than carried you </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">and your loved
ones </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">during </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">the times of
suffering. All </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">along </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">He has been </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">living inside you </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">and inside your loved ones </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">in the form of spiritual essence</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;"> and pure
consciousness</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">. </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">He is your
living God. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">“</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">Your body </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">is</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;"> temporary. </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">But y</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">our spiritual essence or your soul is eternal. </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;"> Your soul </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">is a part of </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">God</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">. </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">It is an individualized portion of
God. </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">It is always wholesome, pure and intact. No people</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;"> </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">and no events in the world can affect </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">your soul</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">. Nothing can impair it. Nothing can defile it. It
is always wholesome</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">.
When God decided to bring you home, your souls will return to His
kingdom to enjoy eternal peace and harmony.</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">”</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">The group of men and women thanked
Jesus for His explanation.</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">Jesus continued, “All of you and your loved
ones are</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;"> precious child</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">ren of God</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">. </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;"> All
of you are spiritual beings. This is your real identity.</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;"> You are always connected to </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">the love of
God through the spiritual essence living within you.</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">”<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">The men and women </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">asked, “May </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">we</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;"> enquire how do </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">we</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;"> find </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">God</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">? How do </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">we</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;"> know that </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">God is</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;"> with </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">us</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;"> all the time?</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">”</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;"> <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">Jesus said, “You can do so by learning
to meditate. Close your eyes and gently
let go of your thoughts, feelings and desires.
Watch them arise and pass away. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">“Please do not chase after them. They
are fleeting and momentary. They arise and pass away. They are only flashes of
mental energy. They do not make up your
selfhood or personality. They are not your
identity. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">“Your real identity is a child of
God. Your real identity is your soul. When you let your thoughts, feelings and
desires to arise and pass away, you experience tranquillity and inner peace. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">“Slowly the </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">pure consciousness</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;"> within you</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;"> </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">will emerge.</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;"> </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;"> </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">This is </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">an </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">attribute</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;"> of your soul</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">. It is also an attribute
of </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">God. By
experiencing pure consciousness, you begin to experience the presence of
God. Slowly you realize that God has
been living inside you all the time.</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;"> </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;"> </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">What you suffered in life, </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">God</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;"> also suffered and experienced through the pure consciousness
living inside you. </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">He is </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">your </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">l</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">iving God. </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">He is </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">living inside you during your good days and during your times of suffering.
By experiencing your suffering, </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">He </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">can truly understand.”</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">The men and women thanked Jesus and
asked, “What is our life purpose on earth?”<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">Jesus explained</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">, “</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">You are precious partners of God. You are here on earth to serve an eternal
purpose. It is to contribute to the
moral dimension of life. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">“God created you to fulfil this purpose.
God individualized His spiritual essence
into pockets of souls. He created your
soul. He combined your soul with a human body at the
time of your conception and birth. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">“The everyday waking consciousness of
your embodied soul is given freedom of choice. You can choose between listening
to the voice of your soul or to ignore it and be driven by self-seeking
thoughts.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">“Your life purpose </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">is </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">to </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">become spiritually </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">aware and to
contribute to the moral dimension of life. By becoming spiritually aware, you become
receptive to </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">the voice of your </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">soul. Gradually you realise the difference between the
kind intentions of your soul and selfish desires. In helping the poor and needy, compassion is
realised. </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">This contributes to the moral dimension of life.</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;"> </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">“Spiritual maturity
is difficult. It requires daily moral commitment. It requires you to
choose simplicity, kindness and selfless service. It requires endurance during
the trying times and reliance on </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">God’s</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;"> strength. </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">“The Moments of Truth
come when you face a deep personal crisis, when you face the loss of your loved
ones, when your life is shattered </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">in</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">to pieces, when you face death itself. During these Moments, will you choose to follow
</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">God</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;"> until your last
breath? </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">“When you make this
choice and follow </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">God</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;"> faithfully, despite the doubts and fear, holding on</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;"> </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">to the belief that </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">God is </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">divine Truth and Goodness, the </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">s</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">ignificance of these Moments is fulfilled.</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;"> </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">This is the hard-won humane and selfless faith </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">God has </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">been waiting for. This is the </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">s</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">ignificance of why </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">God decided
and chose to suffer </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">together with you.”<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">The group of men and women thanked
Jesus. They asked, “Why do bad things
happen to good people?”<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">Jesus said, “</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">For centuries, humankind </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">have </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">sought to find out why </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">did </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">God create</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;"> the visible </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">world</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;"> and why did He allow the occurrences
of natural and moral evils.</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;"> </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">“Natural evils include natural
disasters such as earthquakes, hurricanes, floods, tornadoes and outbreaks of
diseases. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">“Moral evils refer to the abuse of free
will when human being ignored the voice of their souls and performed immoral
and harmful deeds under the misconception that these can protect or enhance
their well-being.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">“It </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">is time to reveal </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">why God decided to create the
visible world. Let us begin at the
beginning. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">“</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">Since eternity </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">God has </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">existed. </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">He is divine Oneness. He is </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">the Source. </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">He lives in the timeless dimension. He
is </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">all-knowing, all-good and
all-powerful. </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">“First, </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">God’s </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">omniscience is all-sufficient. </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;"> He knows </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">the past, the present and the future. </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">He does not </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">need to create a visible world to complement or prove </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">His</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;"> omniscience.</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">
<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">“If God wishes to create a visible
world so as to experience and enjoy it, He can create many types of visible
worlds which are peaceful, beautiful and pleasant, without the occurrences of
natural and moral evils, without the existence of human beings. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">“Such peaceful and beautiful worlds
will be congruent with God’s supreme knowledge and wisdom. They will reflect God’s supreme knowledge and
wisdom. God does not need to create the
type of visible world which human beings currently experience which is marked
by existential uncertainty and suffering.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">“Second, </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">God’s</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;"> omnipotence is all-sufficient. </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;"> He does </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">not need to create a visible world to complement or prove it.
If </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">God wishes</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">, </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">He </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">can create and eliminate </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">visible </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">worlds without human beings or creatures inhabiting
them. </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">“If God wishes, He can create beautiful
and peaceful worlds so as to enjoy them, without the occurrences of natural and
moral evils, without the existence of human beings. This is congruent with His supreme power and
wisdom. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">“Third, being
all-good, </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">God is Holiness</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">. </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">He is Purity. He is divine Goodness. But God is also divine
Oneness. As divine Oneness in the
timeless dimension, God does not have a physical body or bodies. God does not live in a space-time dimension. God
is not individualized. God is not
embodied.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">“In the timeless dimension, it is
natural that God does not have the opportunity to experience physical
vulnerability and existential uncertainty.
God does not have the opportunity to manifest dynamic moral goodness.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">“Dynamic moral goodness includes faith,
humility, kindness, love, compassion, endurance and selfless service which
humankind manifested when they performed compassionate deeds on earth.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">“In addition, dynamic moral goodness
requires God to create individualized human beings or embodied souls. Dynamic moral goodness requires the
interactions of individualised, embodied and vulnerable beings in a visible
world. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">“These embodied souls need to experience
trials and suffering to become mature. They
need to exercise free will inherent in their waking consciousness to make moral
decisions and perform good deeds. Thus,
it is a natural condition of God’s divine Oneness that before the creation of
the visible world and humankind, God has not yet manifested dynamic moral
goodness.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">“In order for God to contribute to the
manifestation of dynamic moral goodness, God needs to bite the bullet. This can be called “God is biting the bullet”
theodicy.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">“God decided to create an authentic
self-challenge for Himself and for His children on earth. He decided that He cannot remain forever
untested and unproven in the timeless dimension. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">“God decided to create a visible world
with its natural laws which can give rise to natural evils. He decided to endow the waking consciousness
of His children with freedom of choice which can give rise to moral evil. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">“The risks and occurrences of natural and
moral evils bring about the conditions of physical vulnerability and
existential uncertainty. Humankind endure and suffer the risks and occurrences
of natural and moral evils, which enable them to develop spiritual and moral qualities
such as faith, humility, acceptance, endurance, sympathy, compassion and
selfless service. By manifesting these
qualities, they contribute to the moral dimension of life in the longer term. This is the ultimate purpose of God’s
creation. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">“Since eternity, in the timeless
dimension, God has remained as divine
Oneness. At some point during His eternity, God decided
to create a visible world, so as to manifest dynamic moral goodness through His
children. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">“God decided that dynamic moral
goodness in the visible world is a very valuable attribute which complements His
attribute of divine Goodness in the timeless dimension. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">“God decided to bite the bullet and create
this stringent challenge for Himself and for His children on earth. His children need to bear and suffer physical
vulnerability and existential uncertainty due to the occurrences of natural and
moral evils.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">“Thus, God created this visible world and
humankind. He individualised His
spiritual essence, so as to live inside His children on earth. To make the stringent challenge authentic, His
earthly children will not remember their real identity when they are born. They need to experience trials and suffering
to awaken to their real identity, to become mature. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">“God and His </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">children are moral partners on earth. </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;"> </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">Through the pure consciousness of their souls, </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">God will </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">share the life experiences of </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">His</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;"> children</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;"> on earth</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">. Together </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">they</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;"> experience </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">adversities, trials</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;"> and suffering. The purpose is for </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">His</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;"> children to become spiritually mature. </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">“</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">As the voice of their souls, </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">God </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">encourage</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">s His</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;"> children to do good. </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">God provides
the Holy Spirit in the visible world to encourage and spiritually strengthen
His children. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">“</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">When the waking consciousness of </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">His</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;"> children choose</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">s</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;"> to listen to </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">the voice of their souls, they become
spiritually aware. They learn to walk
the spiritual path. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">“When His children are honest, kind,
faithful and compassionate </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">in their daily lives,
despite being physically vulnerable and facing existential uncertainty, they are
manifesting dynamic moral goodness. </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">“When His children resolve to follow God
and choose to do good, despite trials and suffering, they are manifesting
high-quality goodness. In these ways God has manifested </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">dynamic goodness through </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">His</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;"> children</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">.”<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">The men and women thanked Jesus for His
explanations. They said, “We understand
that if </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">a person committed a harmful wrongdoing,
he should repent and seek Your forgiveness. He should find constructive ways to
make amends.</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;"> </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">May </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">we</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;"> enquire whether there is cosmic justice for those who committed
wrongdoing</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">,</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;"> </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">who </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">did not repent</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;"> and </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">avoided legal punishment on earth?” <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">Jesus explained, </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">“Please be assured that there is cosmic justice</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">. </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">Upon the death of the body, the disembodied soul will be assessed
by My Holy Spirit. </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">“</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">If this soul during its journey on earth had worked in harmony
with the body and </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">its mental states and it had </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">contributed to human well-being, it will be given a choice. It can choose to return to My kingdom or
begin another human journey on earth, so as to further contribute to the moral
dimension of life. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">“If a soul during its
journey on earth had endured undeserved suffering and untimely death, it can
choose to return to My kingdom or begin another human journey, so as to
contribute to the moral dimension of life. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">“If a soul during its
journey on earth were not able to work in harmony with the body </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">and its
mental states, </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">and the human body
committed harmful wrongdoing due to self</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">ish</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;"> desires, upon the death of the body, My Holy Spirit will direct
this soul to embark on another or more human journeys on earth. This </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">will provide
opportunities where it can</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;"> contribute to human
well-being. When it has sufficiently contributed</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">,</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;"> it can return to My kingdom.”<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">The group of men and women thanked
Jesus and asked, “Can we share these revelations with others?”<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: 宋体; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN;">Jesus said</span></b><b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">, “Please share </span></b><b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: 宋体; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN;">these revelations
with </span></b><b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">others. You are doing something valuable and
beautiful for </span></b><b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: 宋体; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN;">God</span></b><b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"> by sharing </span></b><b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: 宋体; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN;">them</span></b><b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"> with</span></b><b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: 宋体; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN;"> your loved ones and friends. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: 宋体; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN;">“It is crucial to do so.</span></b><b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"> </span></b><b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: 宋体; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN;"> During their
moments of sadness and affliction, during their hours of darkness due to
setbacks or unfortunate events, they will remember His words. They will realize that they are precious
children of God and they are always connected to His love. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: 宋体; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN;">“God’s words and the Holy Spirit will provide them
with hope, strength and courage. His
words and the Holy Spirit will remind them that they have not lived in vain,
that they have not suffered in vain. As
long as they hold on to their faith and belief that God is divine Truth and
Goodness, despite existential suffering, they have bravely contributed to the
moral dimension of life. They have fulfilled their life purpose. They will rejoin
God in heaven when their journey on earth ends.” <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: 宋体; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN;">(Summarised from Merton Lee’s Footprints of God In
Every Season, Amazon.com and Barnes
& Nobles.)<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: 宋体; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN;"><br /></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: 宋体; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN;"><br /></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: 宋体; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN;"><br /></span></b></div>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16132011271499957428noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-206971622537889183.post-47722765711844396242013-06-01T00:55:00.001-07:002013-07-30T03:45:34.156-07:00Jesus Presence of Jesus and God in Poem by Merton Lee When Pebbles Share The Mystery<br />
<br />
<h1 align="center" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span></h1>
<h1 align="center" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">When Pebbles Share The Mystery</span><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: 宋体; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> by Merton Lee<o:p></o:p></span></h1>
<h1 align="center" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">(On reading the poem “Dover Beach”)<o:p></o:p></span></h1>
<h1 align="center" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: 宋体; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span></h1>
<h1 align="center" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: 宋体; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span></h1>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Those pebbles in morning light,<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">they prefer living in that kind of spring<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">less touched by time.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Perhaps they share the Mystery<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">or can share their mystery with us.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Are they timeless siblings?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Are they another kind of holograms<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">containing a piece, a glimpse of our Creator?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Are they crystallized droplets of God’s tears
–<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">tears of hope, resolve, healing, renewal?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Or they half-speak, half-disclose to us<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">only because they have been baptized<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">by the ancient waves,<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">by the raw visible world,<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">by His voice from the sea.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Or together with the waves<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">they resonate those birth pangs,<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">growth, waning, and revival of
human faith,<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">those epoch-making conflicts, awesome
sacrifices<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">at the world’s naked
shingles and hallowed grounds.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Or the immemorial waves<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">have dissolved blood, toil,
tears, and sweat --<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">the pebbles sanctified further<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">into light-reflecting prisms:<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">glimpses of His greater vision.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Or pebbles all along are part of the Mystery,<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">beckoning at the meek, <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">for in tempering human wills,<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">inner kingdoms are tamed,<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">bearing fruits nurtured by the Spirit,<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">some with the scent of hidden
seaside laurels ...<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Those pebbles in evening light,<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">the earthly self has since been emptied,<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">to be filled with their blessing,<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">a kind of special blessing<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">coming from these offspring of
mythical stones,<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">so at home with the nuances of sunrays<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">while distilling secrets of the Deep …<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Is the immense blueness before us,<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">an aimless Experiment<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">or out-of-proportioned Accident?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Are those seagulls, pelicans, and
sparrows,<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">ventures of an impersonal Chaos<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">or an untrammelled Free Will?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Beyond the veil of Chaos,<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">beyond red claws and battle cries,<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">do we sense something which
Death’s scythe<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">cannot smell, taste or touch?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Is that something providing<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">life </span></b><b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">to
our bodies and souls?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Are our bodies and souls,<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">revived by wise breezes,<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">nudged to converse with the One?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Did God resolve to create<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">a stringent Self-challenge,<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">akin to biting the bullet,<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">giving us free will<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">to the extent that we can reject Him,<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">to such depth that we can denounce Him …<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">so that when whispers of the Mystery reach
us,<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">we awaken to greater depths,<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">where His love flows<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">beyond those special spring mornings,<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">beyond those rivers of time,<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">beyond our surprises of being born?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Can we stand on tiptoes on the golden sand;<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">can we climb a tree, a hill, a vantage point,<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">to reach that warm sunlit height<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">of our feelings, sensing, awareness,<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">trying to look over the rim of the sea,<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">hoping to catch that gleam from the Source …<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">or simply contented to be surprised<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">by the unique life<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">already glowing, breathing, blinking<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">on our suntanned faces?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Perhaps inside,<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">somewhere
somehow </span></b><b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">we know<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">those glowing, breathing, blinking<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">are already coming<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">from beyond the rim of the sea.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Or can we enter the thin places
between heartbeats,<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">glimpsing the inner kingdom
of Saint Francis,<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">before disappearing …<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">becoming Life’s children once again,<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">as precious as the eyes of that evening
light,<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">finding new, old and long-lost friends,<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">memories, dreams, and joy<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">among the waters, waves, pebbles, and
seashells …<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">until beyond our wishes for something more,<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">beyond poem-writing and reverie,<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">we finally sense their mystery,<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">eager to tell us<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">how to discover,<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">how to be amazed<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">by the many-splendored thing,<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">a blue sea with sunlight sparkling on it,<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">because within it,<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">when we are allowed a glimpse,<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">is the life-giving Presence.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> Merton
Lee </span></b><b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br /></span></b></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16132011271499957428noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-206971622537889183.post-28725844712006692542013-06-01T00:51:00.006-07:002013-07-30T03:46:37.029-07:00Jesus New Prayer of Jesus (Year 2013) written by Merton Lee<br />
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<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;">Extracted from Merton Lee's new book : When Bad Things Happen to Good People (God Explains Life's Mysteries, Problems and Wisdom)</span></b><br />
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;">Available at Amazon.com Kindle ebook</span></b><br />
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;"><br /></span></b>
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;">Wisdom<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;">Once there was a young evangelist who was always anxious about the
future. He worried that he might not have
the strength to preach the next day. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;">One night he dreamed that he met Jesus while he was walking alone.
He was returning home after attending a
church gathering. He told Jesus about
his anxieties. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;">Jesus consoled him and said that He understood his anxieties. He offered the following advice. First, He told the young man to repeat His words
from “</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;">John 14:27” </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;">whenever he felt anxious:
“Peace I leave you. My peace I give to you.” This would calm him,
enabling him to experience </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;">tranquillity and sustenance from God.</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;">Second, Jesus told the young man to repeat these words whenever he
lacked confidence: “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens
me.” (Philippians 4:13) This would remind him that God would always
provide him with strength whenever he needed it. He ought to remind himself that God is
all-knowing, all-good and all-powerful</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;">,</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;"> that God is the Creator of this universe. He
may feel weak, but God is forever strong.
</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;">Third, Jesus advised the young man to let go of his worries by
learning to live one day at a time, one moment at a time, in the strength of
God</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;">. </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;"> Jesus informed him that he could deepen his
faith in God by affirming these words whenever he experienced doubts: “What God
decides for me is for my long-term good and for my eternal best. He is mainly concerned about my love for Him,
my love and compassion for the people I interact with, and my sincerity to
assist the needy. As long as I love God,
as long as I am sincere in </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;">helping </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;">others</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;"> for
worthwhile purposes</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;">, I have done good for the day. It is alright that I am not the
best performer. Love, sincerity,
honesty, humility and compassion are much more valuable in the eyes of God.</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;">”</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;"> <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;">Fourth, Jesus advised the young man to pray </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;">every morning </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;">the</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;"> following p</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;">rayer</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;">s. They will remind </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;">him that life in this world is
temporary, that </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;">only
God can fulfil his spiritual needs by providing him with love and peace. Jesus lifted his right hand and gently moved
it. The words of these prayers appeared
across the sky:-<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;">Saint Teresa’s prayer :<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;">Lord,
please make me realize that<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;">You
are always with me.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;">Your
love for me is constant.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;">Please
make me understand <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;">that
nothing can</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;">
disturb </span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;">me,</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;"><br />
</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;">nothing
can make me </span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;">afraid.</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;"><br />
</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;">Please
make me realise <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;">that
all</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;"> things </span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;">in
the world </span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;">are
passing</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;">,<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;">all
things in the world are temporary</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;">.<br />
Only You and Your love are eternal. <br />
</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;">As
You are forever with me, I do not lack anything. </span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;"><br />
</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;">You
are sufficient for all my needs.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;">Saint Francis’ prayer:<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;">Lord,
make me an instrument of </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;">Y</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;">our peace:</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;">where
there is hatred, let me bring</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;"> Y</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;">our
love,</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;">where
there is injury, let me bring </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;">Y</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;">our
pardon, </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;">where
there is discord, let me bring </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;">Y</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;">our
harmony,</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;">where
there is doubt, let me bring faith,</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;">where
there is despair, let me bring hope,</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;">and </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;">where
there is darkness, let me bring light</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;">.</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;">Lord,
make me an instrument of </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;">Y</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;">our peace:</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;">Grant
that I may seek to console than to be consoled,</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;">that I
seek to understand than to be understood,</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;">that I
seek to love than to be loved.</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;">For it
is by forgetting the self that one finds;</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;">it is
by giving that one receives;</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;">it is
by forgiving that one is forgiven;</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;">it is
by dying that one awakens to eternal life.</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> A new prayer from Jesus</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> (written by Merton Lee)</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">:</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Dear</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> God, please
make me </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">realize </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">that You are
the Creator of this cosmos. All events
are ultimately under Your control. You
are my eternal strength and stronghold. </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">A</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">lthough I may feel weak, You are forever
strong. I can rely on Your strength,
wisdom and compassion.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 36.0pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Please make
me realize my real identity as Your child.
I contain Your individualized spiritual essence which is my soul. My
soul comes from You. I am always
connected to Your love. You are always
inside </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">m</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">e in the
form of spiritual essence and pure consciousness. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 36.0pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Please make
me realize that my body is temporary, but my soul is eternal. It is timeless. It is always wholesome, pure and intact. Nothing can affect it. Nothing can impair it. </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Thus, my life on earth is a journey, a
pilgrimage to Your Holy Kingdom. You
will decide whether I will live one day more or less on earth. When You decide that it is time to bring me
home, my</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> soul will
return to Your kingdom</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> to enjoy eternal harmony</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">. </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 36.0pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">One of the
attributes of my soul is pure consciousness.
I can experience pure consciousness when I am mentally still and
tranquil. </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">I can learn meditation to experience </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">tranquillity and </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">inner peace.
This enables me to realize the priceless gifts </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">which </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">You have given to me, namely my spiritual
essence as well as the gifts of wisdom, understanding, compassion, love and
peace.</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> Please help me to share these
gifts with others and help me to awaken them to Your gifts.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 36.0pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">May I submit
to the guidance of </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Your Hands and the </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Holy Spirit</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> day by day</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">. </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">May I rely on Your decisions which are always for my eternal best.</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> Please help me to
remain humble, upright and God-reliant during moments of triumph or defeat,
happiness or sorrow, clarity or confusion, strength or affliction. </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">May I be very grateful and </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">realize the preciousness of </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Your gifts.
</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">They </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">are the
foundation of healthy self-esteem and inner peace. Your gifts are sufficient for all my
needs. I do not need to chase after
external success and worldly recognition.
I can let go of selfish motives and self-seeking desires. I can rise above the need to impress others. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 36.0pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Please guide
me to choose simplicity, non-attachment and prudence. Please inspire me to be
conscientious, </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">kind and </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">helpful. </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Please make me realize that You are my
genuine lifelong Employer. I cannot
become jobless. I am always employed by
You. I am always Your instrument to do good.
I am serving God by performing little acts of kindness, by extending an
encouraging word to others day by day.
In this way I have done good in my lifetime. I have not lived in vain.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 36.0pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Please make
me realize that my life purpose is to become spiritually aware</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> and mature</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">, that I am Your partner on earth to manifest
dynamic moral goodness. Please guide me
to serve You with humility and contentment day by day, so that I can live my
life at my own pace, learning useful skills and knowledge to contribute to the
well-being of my loved ones and others. </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 36.0pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Please make me realize that I might have died yesterday. Thus, help me to treasure each new day. Help me to regard each new day as Your bonus
gift to me. Every day is a bonus for me
to show my love for You, to show my love and appreciation to my family and to
the people around me. </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Please make me realize that the people around
me are seeking for love and acceptance. </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Please</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> guide me to extend </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">compassionate </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">word</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">s</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">and deeds </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">to others
day by day, so that I can do something beautiful for You.</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> Thank you very much, God. </span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br /></span></b></div>
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<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16132011271499957428noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-206971622537889183.post-10535854325834086042013-06-01T00:48:00.003-07:002013-06-01T00:50:05.293-07:00 Helen Keller : Sir Winston Churchill : " Helen Keller is the greatest woman of our age"<br />
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<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;">Helen Keller</span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;">Sir Winston Churchill said, "Helen Keller is the greatest woman of our age ..."</span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;"><br /></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;">May I share a real story about a girl called “little Annie”. Many years ago there was a girl known as
“little Annie”. </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;">She</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;"> became partially blind at the
age of five due to bacterial </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;">eye </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;">infection. Her family was too poor to provide her with
medical treatment. Her mother died when she was eight and her father
subsequently abandoned her. </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;">Thus, </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;">l</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;">ittle Annie was sent to the state
poor house where she was kept in an over-crowded room and exposed to mentally
ill adults. This worsened her defiant personality. </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;">The </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;">caregivers at the poor house
regarded </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;">her</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;"> as being hopelessly defiant</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;"> and s</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;">he received little care and attention.
</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;">Fortunately one of the caregivers refused to regard little Annie
as being hopeless. She felt that there was hope for every child of
God. She decided to communicate hope and love to little Annie.
Gradually they became friends and little Annie became less defiant.</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;">Little Annie longed to attend school. A few years later when
</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;">she</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;"> was fourteen, </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;">the Head</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;"> of the State Board of Charities,
</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;">Franklin Sanborn, </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;">visited the poor house for an
inspection. Annie courageously walked up
to him and requested to go to school. That year she left the poor house
and entered the Perkins Institution for the Blind in Boston. She also underwent eye surgery which
partially restored her vision. Six years
later at the age of twenty, Annie graduated from the Perkins Institution,
informing her schoolmates that “duty bids her to go into active life.”</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;">Many years later the Queen of England was pinning her country’s
highest award onto Helen Keller, the </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;">famous </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;">writer who inspired millions</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;">,</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;"> despite being blind and deaf since young.
The Queen asked her how did she overcome so many difficulties and
accomplish so much, although she was blind and deaf. Helen Keller replied that
her accomplishments could be attributed to the love and devotion of Anne
Sullivan (</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;">“</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;">little Annie</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;">”</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;">). If not for Anne Sullivan, the name </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;">‘</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;">Helen Keller</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;">’</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;"> would remain unknown.</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;"> [5]</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;"> </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;">This real life story reflected how the kind-hearted deeds of the
caregiver and Franklin Sanford positively changed the life of little Annie. In
turn little Annie helped to develop the potential of Helen Keller. Subsequently
Helen Keller inspired millions through her writings. </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;">Thus, the far-reaching impact of every kind-hearted deed cannot be
under-estimated. Only God knows the long-term outcomes. As emphasized by Romans 8:28, “All things work for the good of those who
love God and are called according to His purposes …” <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;">If</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;"> we extend a kind thought, word
or deed to another person each day, that will be a fruitful day in the
eyes of God</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;">. If we hold on to our faith and belief that
God is divine Truth and Goodness, despite our daily trials and suffering, we are
contributing our part to the moral dimension of life. In this way we are
fulfilling our life purpose day by day. Thus, we have not lived in vain. This is </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;">reflected </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;">in</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;"> my favourite poem “I </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;">S</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;">hall </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;">N</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;">ot </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;">L</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;">ive </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;">I</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;">n </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;">V</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;">ain” by Emily Dickinson: </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;">If I
can stop one heart from breaking<br />
I shall not live in vain.<br />
If I can ease one life the aching<br />
Or cool one pain<br />
Or help one fainting robin<br />
Unto his nest again<br />
I shall not live in vain.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;">May we reali</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;">z</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;">e that we have not lived </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;">in vain, that we have not suffered </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;">in vain as long as we hold on
to our faith in God and follow Him day by day</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;">. May I </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;">quote the immortal words of Helen
Keller. Her profound faith in God has
inspired and encouraged so many of us through the changing seasons of life. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 36.0pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode"; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">They took away what should
have been my eyes</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode"; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">,</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode"; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> but I remembered Milton's Paradise. They took away
what should have been my ears</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode"; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">.</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode"; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode"; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode"; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Beethoven came and wiped away my tears. They took away what should have been my
tongue, but I had talked with </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode"; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">G</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode"; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">od when I was young. He would not let them take away my soul</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode"; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">. P</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode"; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">ossessing that I still possess the whole</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode"; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">.</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 15.5pt; margin-left: 36.0pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 12.0pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">I am conscious of a soul -- a sense that lifts me above the narrow,
cramping circumstances of my life. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 15.5pt; margin-left: 36.0pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 12.0pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode"; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Character cannot be developed in ease and quiet.
Only through experience of trial and suffering can the soul be strengthened,
ambition inspired and success achieved. </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 15.5pt; margin-left: 36.0pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 12.0pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">For
three things I thank God every day of my life: thanks that </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode"; mso-fareast-font-family: 宋体; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">H</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">e
has vouchsafed </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode"; mso-fareast-font-family: 宋体; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">my</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> knowledge of </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode"; mso-fareast-font-family: 宋体; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">H</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">is works; deep thanks that </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode"; mso-fareast-font-family: 宋体; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">H</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">e
has set in my darkness the lamp of faith; deep, deepest thanks that I have
another life to look forward to</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode"; mso-fareast-font-family: 宋体; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">--</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode"; mso-fareast-font-family: 宋体; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">a life joyous with light and flowers and heavenly song</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode"; mso-fareast-font-family: 宋体; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 15.5pt; margin-left: 36.0pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 12.0pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">If
the blind put their hands in God's, they find their way more surely than those
who see but </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode"; mso-fareast-font-family: 宋体; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">do not </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">have faith</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode"; mso-fareast-font-family: 宋体; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 15.5pt; margin-left: 36.0pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 12.0pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode"; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">I believe that life is given to us so that we may
grow in love, and I believe that God is in me as the sun is in the color and
fragrance of a flower</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode"; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: 宋体; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">. </span></b><br />
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode"; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: 宋体; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br /></span></b>
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode"; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: 宋体; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">
Helen Keller</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode"; mso-fareast-font-family: 宋体; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16132011271499957428noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-206971622537889183.post-81295395869141050392013-06-01T00:43:00.004-07:002013-07-30T03:46:50.084-07:00Vision of Heaven<br />
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<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;">Heaven<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;"> Several years ago I attended a
gathering of Christian friends. We
noticed that one of the children was blind.
She was eleven years old and had been born blind. But she appeared serene, bright and cheerful. She could play the piano very well. We admired her buoyant spirit. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;">Suddenly a boy said, “I feel so sorry for you. You are so pitiful ...” <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;"> The adults quickly informed the boy
not to say indiscreet things. To our
surprise, the blind girl replied cheerfully, “I am not pitiful. In fact I consider myself very fortunate.”<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;"> All the adults and their healthy
children were amazed by her optimism and positive attitude. She explained, “Although I am blind, I can
speak, hear, taste, smell and do many things.
I love singing, listening to music and playing the piano. I can tell stories to other children about my
blessings which are provided by God. Recently I participated in a charity event by
playing the piano. I was glad to
contribute my part to raising funds for the poor.”<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;"> All the adults and I were speechless.
We could clearly discern her kind-hearted soul through her smiles. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;"> She continued, “Most importantly, I
have wonderful parents. I love listening to my mother telling wonderful stories
from the Bible. I know that Jesus Christ always loves me. I pray to Him every day. I give thanks for all the wonderful gifts and
abilities He has given me. Now I wish to
share my secret with you. The reason why
I consider myself to be very fortunate is that when I pass away and return to
His kingdom, when I open my eyes, I shall see the beauty of heaven, the smiles
of angels and the Face of our Saviour … ”<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;"> This girl’s resilient spirit reminded
me of poet John Milton who was blind
when he wrote Paradise Lost. In his poem
“On His Blindness”, Milton provided a profound meaning to the need for
‘waiting’ -- humble, reverent and patient waiting for God’s direction and for
the unfolding of His purpose:-<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">When I consider
how my light is spent<br />
Ere half my days in this dark world and wide,<br />
And that one talent which is death to hide<br />
Lodg'd with me useless, though my soul more bent<br />
To serve therewith my Maker, and present<br />
My true account, lest he returning chide,<br />
"Doth God exact day-labour, light denied?"<br />
I fondly ask. But Patience, to prevent<br />
That murmur, soon replies: "God doth not need<br />
Either man's work or his own gifts: who best<br />
Bear his mild yoke, they serve him best. His state<br />
Is kingly; </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">thousands at his bidding speed<br />
And post o</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">v</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">er
land and ocean without rest:<br />
They also serve who only stand and wait." <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;"> </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;">Waiting was common in my life.</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;">
For example, during my National Service days, I was posted to a new camp
after I was promoted to Lance Corporal.
Accordingly, from Monday to Saturday at 5.15 am in the morning, I
travelled on a bus for an hour from my home to the new camp. Thereafter I trudge</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;">d</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;"> slowly up a steep hill for 30 minutes before reaching
my camp. </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;">I was usually panting and sweating heavily </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;">by the time I reached the top of
the hill. This continued for more than
one year before I completed my national service. </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;">At that time </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;">I did not enjoy </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;">the daily toil, </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;">although it </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;">gradually </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;">strengthened my health. </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;">I was more eager to enrol in the local university
to study Philosophy and Economics. </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;">Now</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;">, years later, </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;">I realised that God was
cultivating the habit of ‘</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;">patient
</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;">waiting’ in me,
as I tend to be impatient during my younger days. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;">As I reach </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;">mid-</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;">fort</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;">ies in</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;"> age, I realise that spiritual
growth takes time. Catching </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;">a </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;">glimpse of God’s purpose takes time. </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;">When we begin to walk the spiritual path, we may
experience moments of joyful awakening.
They arise from the </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;">release of pent-up unhappiness. Initially they can </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;">make </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;">us feel lighter. They can </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;">make</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;"> us feel big-hearted. But these
feelings arise and pass away. T</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;">hereafter </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;">we have to persevere to follow
God</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;"> day by day. We learn to become responsible to God in our daily
thoughts, words and deeds</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;">. No one can make this </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;">daily </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;">decision</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;"> for us. No
one can make this daily </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;">choice for us. This is the s</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;">ignificance of having </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;">free will</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;">. </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;"> </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;">This is the responsibility of having free will inherent
in our ordinary </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;">waking consciousness</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;">.</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;"> We have to decide. We have to choose to follow the
kind intentions of the soul</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;">. We have to choose not to be
driven by </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;">selfish </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;">motives.</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;">
<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;"> May I share an unforgettable story
called The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein which I </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;">have </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;">summari</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;">z</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;">ed </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;">here [4]</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;">. </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;">Once there was a tree and she loved a little boy. Every day they
would play together. He would climb up her trunk and swing from her
branches and eat her apples. They were very happy.</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;">
As time passed by, the boy became a young man
who needed money. At first the tree gave him her apples. When this did not meet the needs of the young
man, the tree gave him her branches and finally her trunk. Thereafter
the young man travelled overseas</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;">. He </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;">did not visit the tree </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;">for a long time </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;">which had become a stump.</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;">Many
years later,</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;"> the man </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;">returned
</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;">as an old
man. The tree told him that it had nothing left to give him. The
man explained that his teeth did not have the strength to bite apples. His arms did not have the strength to swing
on the branches. He </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;">also </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;">did not have the strength to
travel to other places. He would be contented to sit on the stump and
relive their memories. Thus</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;">,</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;"> the tree and the man became happy again.</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;">In our journey through life, are we thankful to people who have
contributed to our well-being? Are we
thankful to our spiritual ancestors who brought awakening to the world and
improved the well-being of </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;">humankind</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;">? Did we give </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;">deep </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;">thanks to Jesus Christ who
awakened us to the love of God? <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;">Did</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;"> we express thankfulness to God
for giving us life, for giving us intelligence</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;">, understanding</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;"> and wisdom? Did we express thankfulness to God for giving
us a range of abilities </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;">which
enables us </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;">to appreciate and contribute to life? Did we develop a </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;">contented and </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;">grateful heart? Did we realise that in choosing to extend a
kind thought, word or deed to others during a day,</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;"> </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;">that will be a fruitful day? Did we realise that God is the ultimate
Giving Tree, patiently waiting for us to grow, to become mature, to catch
glimpses of His eternal purpose? <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;">Bringing Cheerful Tunes to Heaven<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;">During my school days, owing to my fragile health and occasional
back pain, I </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;">sympathised
</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;">more readily
with the sick and needy. Thus, I
participated in different kinds of fund-raising activities for the poor. For example, on several occasions, </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;">a few </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;">of my classmates and I
volunteered to sell stickers to the public so as to seek their donations for
charity purposes. Early in the morning,
we were each given an empty </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;">tin</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;"> can and we travelled to the shopping centers and bus interchanges
to seek donations from the public. Although
it was tiring to walk and stand the whole day around those busy areas,
approaching people for donations, it was satisfying when our </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;">tin </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;">cans were </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;">filled with coins in the </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;">evening. We </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;">returned to our school by </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;">bus and handed over </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;">the </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;">cans to </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;">our</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;"> teachers</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;"> to be passed to a local charity</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;">.
<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;">In a small way, at that young age, my classmates and I were
learning to be helpful towards the less fortunate in our society. Guided by the Holy Spirit, we were watering
the seeds of compassion within us. To
quote Mother Teresa, it is crucial to do small things with love, to perform
little acts of kindness day by day. In
this way we are doing something beautiful for God. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;">In the past few months, as inspired by the Holy Spirit, I had a
vision. In performing acts of kindness day by day, when our journey on earth
ends and we return to heaven, the Holy Spirit will hand a beautiful box to each
of us. When we open this box, cheerful
tunes and rays of rainbow will appear and </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;">travel across </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;">the heavenly kingdom. These cheerful tunes and </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;">rays of </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;">rainbow come from the acts of
kindness that we had performed on earth.
They complement those diverse Symphonies and Bridges of Rainbows that we
experience in heaven. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;">But what is astonishing is </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;">when </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;">the Holy Spirit whispers to us,
saying “Please look and hear carefully …” Slowly we realize that many of those
gracious Symphonies and Bridges of Rainbows are made up of all the cheerful
tunes and rays of rainbow brought back by the </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;">many </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;">souls who returned from their earthly
journeys. Without their tunes and rays
of rainbow, there will be lesser Symphonies and Bridges of Rainbows in heaven. Perhaps this is a poetic way to develop some
understanding of God’s decision that it is very valuable to manifest dynamic
moral goodness on earth because it complements divine Goodness in the eternal
dimension. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span class="text"><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">… you’ll do best by filling your minds and meditating on things
true, noble, reputable, authentic, compelling, gracious—the best, not the
worst; the beautiful, not the ugly; things to praise, not things to curse. Put
into practice what you learned from me, what you heard and saw and realized. Do that, and God, who makes everything work
together, will work you into his most excellent harmonies.<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div>
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<span class="text"><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> Philippians 4:8-9</span></b></span><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16132011271499957428noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-206971622537889183.post-8569224446153197522013-06-01T00:33:00.004-07:002013-07-30T03:47:50.046-07:00Pilgrimage by Merton Lee blogspot<br />
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<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;">Pilgrimage On Earth by Merton Lee (author's background)</span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;">I was born in July 1969 in Singapore. I was born in humble
circumstances. My father did not have a stable job while my mother was a
full-time housewife taking care of my two siblings</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;">, </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;">our grandparents</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;"> and me</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;">. Thus, I considered myself
very fortunate to be able to attend school to receive formal education. </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;">In addition, I was born with fragile health and occasional back
pain due to curvature of my spine. I did not have the energy and strength
to participate in sports. During my school days, apart from school text
books, I did not have money to buy other books.
Thus</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;">,</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;"> I frequented the school and
public libraries, reading a range of subjects. </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;">From the age of fourteen onwards, I became interested in the
meaning of life. I began to read the Bible and the wisdom literature of
the major religions. I also became a Christian and accepted Jesus Christ
as the Lord. </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;">As the years passed by, I discovered the usefulness of practising
the wisdom teaching. Besides providing
me with positive thinking, they inculcated in me the value of service.
They inspired me to serve noble causes. By undertaking meditation, my
health slowly improved. I was able to complete two and a half years of
national service in the Republic of Singapore Navy. </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;">I did well in my academic studies. By the age of twenty-three, I
obtained a Bachelor’s degree in Philosophy and Economics at the National
University of Singapore. I started to work part-time. In the next
three years, I obtained a Master’s degree in Accountancy and another Master’s
degree in Business Administration via distance learning. At the age of twenty-six,
I joined a public sector organisation as a full-time finance manager. For
the next eighteen years, I devoted my best years to public service. </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;">
Thus, for three decades, I have been studying, reflecting on and practising the
key insights of the perennial wisdom of the major religions. As I reach
forty-four years of age, after serving more than twenty years in the public
sector including national service and after being married for seventeen years
and as a father of two children, I deeply appreciate that practising these key
insights has enabled me to accept life’s difficulties. </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;">In addition, over the years, I experienced the deaths of loved
ones, friends and colleagues owing to illnesses or accidents. Those dark days
made me feel keenly the preciousness and vulnerability of life. They made
me feel my deep need for God. I realised that only the Creator could
provide me with spiritual strength to handle adversities. </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;">Sad days and dark moments also made me realise that adversities
and setbacks grow the seeds of spiritual qualities within us. They made us
humble, sympathetic and compassionate. Gradually we realise the
importance of becoming God-centered and God-reliant. </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;">Further, from age forty-two onwards, due to high workload, my back
pain recurred, together with gastric pain and ailments. There were
instances when my back pain radiated and extended to become chest pain and
breathlessness</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;">. The </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;">doctors prescribed painkillers. </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;">On my part, </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;">I lengthened my daily meditation
and took herbal medication for many months. Slowly my health improved.
These experiences deepened my empathy for the sick and needy. I contributed
more regularly a part of my income to charitable organisations which include
the Red Cross, a local hospital for the poor and the Children’s Cancer
Foundation. I could more deeply understand the words of Dietrich
Bonhoeffer: “We must learn to regard people less in the light of what
they do or omit to do, and more in the light of what they suffer.” </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;"> </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;">… </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;">when I discussed with my friends
on religious faith, I liked to tell the following true story. It reflects an exemplary commitment to do
something beautiful for God:<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Many years ago a pastor named Russell Conwell saw a little girl crying
near the door of a small church. It was </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">over-</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">crowded and she could not enter it. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">"I cannot attend Sunday School …" she wept as the pastor
walked by. The kind-hearted pastor took her inside and found a place for her in
the Sunday school class.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The child called Hattie was so touched that she went to bed that night worrying
about those children who had no place to worship God. </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">She began saving her</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> money, </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">so as to contribute towards building a larger
Sunday </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">s</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">chool.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Over a period of
two years Hattie saved 57 cents before she contracted</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> diphtheria a</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">nd died. It was difficult for a poor girl to save 57
cents in the 1880s</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> in the United States</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">. Her
parents gave the money to pastor Conwell, </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">explaining
to </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">him their daughter’s
reason for saving the money.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The girl’s
devotion deeply moved pastor Conwell. </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">For two years Hattie
had sacrificially saved her offering of love. Pastor Conwell instantly knew what he would
do. He repeat</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">ed</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">the</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> story of the girl’s big-hearted love
and devotion to God. He challenged his deacons to raise money for a larger
building.</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">A newspaper </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">also </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">published </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">this event</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">. A </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">r</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">ealtor was </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">so </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">touched </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">by it</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">that he </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">offered a </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">significant </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">parcel of land. When </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">he realised </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">that the church
could not afford it, he offered it for 57 cents. Church members and Christians
from other places also donated. Within
five years the little girl's gift had increased to $250,000 -- a huge sum at
that time.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Hattie’s gift and her pastor’s determination resulted in today’s Temple
Baptist Church attended by thousands and the Sunday School building which can
house hundreds of Sunday school children where no child need to be left
outside. In one of the rooms of this
building may be seen the picture of the little girl Hattie whose love for God is
remembered forever.</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16132011271499957428noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-206971622537889183.post-74717852445389214442013-05-25T23:06:00.002-07:002013-07-30T03:47:40.423-07:00Jesus Explains … “Why Do Bad Things Happen To Good People?”<br />
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<b><i><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">Extracted from Merton Lee's new Book: When Bad Things Happen to Good People. Available at Amazon.com Kindle eBook</span></i></b><br />
<b><i><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;"><br /></span></i></b>
<b><i><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">Jesus
Explains …</span></i></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;"> <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #984806; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN;">“Why Do Bad Things Happen To Good
People?”<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #984806; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN;"> “Why Does The World Exist?” <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #984806; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN;">“What is God’s purpose of creation?”<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #984806; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN;">A group of Christians became
disappointed with God. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">Some have lost their jobs due to
retrenchments. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">Some have lost their homes due to
hurricanes or floods. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">Some have lost their children or loved
ones due to earthquakes, crimes, accidents or illnesses.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">When queried by non-believers, they do
not have the answers to their setbacks and tragedies.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">They are beginning to lose their faith
in God.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">How do they rebuild their faith? <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">How do they defend their faith in God?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">Thus, they travelled to a quiet beach.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">They put up their tents and cooked
their meals.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">They stayed there and prayed sincerely for
a few weeks.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">They hoped to find Jesus ...<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">One evening they heard His gentle
voice. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">They came out of their tents and Jesus
appeared.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">He embraced each of them and kissed
their foreheads.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;"> He comforted them by saying the 23<sup>rd</sup>
Psalm.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">The group of men and women gathered
around Jesus and they sat down.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">They asked, “Lord, please explain to us
our setbacks and tragedies. Please help
us to deepen our faith in God …”<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">Jesus nodded. His eyes and voice reflected
understanding, sympathy, love and compassion.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">The group of men and women asked, “Why
do bad things happen to good people? As
God is all-knowing, all-good and all-powerful, why does He allow undeserved
suffering and untimely death? Why does
the world exist?”<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">Jesus replied, “</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">For many generations, many virtuous,
kind-hearted, compassionate and devout Christians, religious believers and
followers of God had endured the suffering and afflictions of life without
having deep insights into these mysteries. </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">God has decided to reveal the truths.
From the year 2013 onwards, humankind can more deeply understand these problems
and deepen their faith.</span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">“First, please </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">reali</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">z</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">e that </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">God</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;"> will not let you bear the cross unless it reveals the eternal
life within you. </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">He</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;"> will not let you bear the cross unless it is for your eternal
best, unless it contributes to the long-term well-being of humankind.”</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">The group of men and women listened
attentively.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">Jesus gently asked, “Do you know your
real identity and the real identity of your loved ones? <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">“L</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">et Me explain</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">. Please realize that God</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;"> more than carried you </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">and your loved
ones </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">during </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">the times of
suffering. All </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">along </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">He has been </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">living inside you </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">and inside your loved ones </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">in the form of spiritual essence</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;"> and pure
consciousness</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">. </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">He is your
living God. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">“</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">Your body </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">is</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;"> temporary. </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">But y</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">our spiritual essence or your soul is eternal. </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;"> Your soul </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">is a part of </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">God</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">. </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">It is an individualized portion of
God. </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">It is always wholesome, pure and intact. No people</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;"> </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">and no events in the world can affect </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">your soul</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">. Nothing can impair it. Nothing can defile it. It
is always wholesome</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">.
When God decided to bring you home, your souls will return to His
kingdom to enjoy eternal peace and harmony.</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">”</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">The group of men and women thanked
Jesus for His explanation.</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">Jesus continued, “All of you and your loved
ones are</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;"> precious child</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">ren of God</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">. </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;"> All
of you are spiritual beings. This is your real identity.</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;"> You are always connected to </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">the love of
God through the spiritual essence living within you.</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">”<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">The men and women </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">asked, “May </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">we</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;"> enquire how do </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">we</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;"> find </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">God</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">? How do </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">we</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;"> know that </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">God is</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;"> with </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">us</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;"> all the time?</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">”</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;"> <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">Jesus said, “You can do so by learning
to meditate. Close your eyes and gently
let go of your thoughts, feelings and desires.
Watch them arise and pass away. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">“Please do not chase after them. They
are fleeting and momentary. They arise and pass away. They are only flashes of
mental energy. They do not make up your
selfhood or personality. They are not your
identity. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">“Your real identity is a child of
God. Your real identity is your soul. When you let your thoughts, feelings and
desires to arise and pass away, you experience tranquillity and inner peace. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">“Slowly the </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">pure consciousness</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;"> within you</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;"> </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">will emerge.</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;"> </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;"> </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">This is </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">an </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">attribute</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;"> of your soul</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">. It is also an attribute
of </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">God. By
experiencing pure consciousness, you begin to experience the presence of
God. Slowly you realize that God has
been living inside you all the time.</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;"> </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;"> </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">What you suffered in life, </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">God</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;"> also suffered and experienced through the pure consciousness
living inside you. </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">He is </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">your </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">l</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">iving God. </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">He is </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">living inside you during your good days and during your times of suffering.
By experiencing your suffering, </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">He </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">can truly understand.”</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">The men and women thanked Jesus and
asked, “What is our life purpose on earth?”<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">Jesus explained</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">, “</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">You are precious partners of God. You are here on earth to serve an eternal
purpose. It is to contribute to the
moral dimension of life. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">“God created you to fulfil this purpose.
God individualized His spiritual essence
into pockets of souls. He created your
soul. He combined your soul with a human body at the
time of your conception and birth. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">“The everyday waking consciousness of
your embodied soul is given freedom of choice. You can choose between listening
to the voice of your soul or to ignore it and be driven by self-seeking
thoughts.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">“Your life purpose </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">is </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">to </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">become spiritually </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">aware and to
contribute to the moral dimension of life. By becoming spiritually aware, you become
receptive to </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">the voice of your </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">soul. Gradually you realise the difference between the
kind intentions of your soul and selfish desires. In helping the poor and needy, compassion is
realised. </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">This contributes to the moral dimension of life.</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;"> </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">“Spiritual maturity
is difficult. It requires daily moral commitment. It requires you to
choose simplicity, kindness and selfless service. It requires endurance during
the trying times and reliance on </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">God’s</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;"> strength. </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">“The Moments of Truth
come when you face a deep personal crisis, when you face the loss of your loved
ones, when your life is shattered </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">in</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">to pieces, when you face death itself. During these Moments, will you choose to follow
</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">God</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;"> until your last
breath? </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">“When you make this
choice and follow </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">God</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;"> faithfully, despite the doubts and fear, holding on</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;"> </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">to the belief that </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">God is </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">divine Truth and Goodness, the </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">s</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">ignificance of these Moments is fulfilled.</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;"> </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">This is the hard-won humane and selfless faith </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">God has </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">been waiting for. This is the </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">s</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">ignificance of why </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">God decided
and chose to suffer </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">together with you.”<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">The group of men and women thanked
Jesus. They asked, “Why do bad things
happen to good people?”<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">Jesus said, “</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">For centuries, humankind </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">have </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">sought to find out why </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">did </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">God create</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;"> the visible </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">world</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;"> and why did He allow the occurrences
of natural and moral evils.</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;"> </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">“Natural evils include natural
disasters such as earthquakes, hurricanes, floods, tornadoes and outbreaks of
diseases. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">“Moral evils refer to the abuse of free
will when human being ignored the voice of their souls and performed immoral
and harmful deeds under the misconception that these can protect or enhance
their well-being.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">“It </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">is time to reveal </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">why God decided to create the
visible world. Let us begin at the
beginning. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">“</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">Since eternity </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">God has </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">existed. </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">He is divine Oneness. He is </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">the Source. </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">He lives in the timeless dimension. He
is </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">all-knowing, all-good and
all-powerful. </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">“First, </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">God’s </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">omniscience is all-sufficient. </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;"> He knows </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">the past, the present and the future. </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">He does not </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">need to create a visible world to complement or prove </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">His</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;"> omniscience.</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">
<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">“If God wishes to create a visible
world so as to experience and enjoy it, He can create many types of visible
worlds which are peaceful, beautiful and pleasant, without the occurrences of
natural and moral evils, without the existence of human beings. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">“Such peaceful and beautiful worlds
will be congruent with God’s supreme knowledge and wisdom. They will reflect God’s supreme knowledge and
wisdom. God does not need to create the
type of visible world which human beings currently experience which is marked
by existential uncertainty and suffering.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">“Second, </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">God’s</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;"> omnipotence is all-sufficient. </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;"> He does </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">not need to create a visible world to complement or prove it.
If </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">God wishes</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">, </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">He </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">can create and eliminate </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">visible </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">worlds without human beings or creatures inhabiting
them. </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">“If God wishes, He can create beautiful
and peaceful worlds so as to enjoy them, without the occurrences of natural and
moral evils, without the existence of human beings. This is congruent with His supreme power and
wisdom. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">“Third, being
all-good, </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">God is Holiness</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">. </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">He is Purity. He is divine Goodness. But God is also divine
Oneness. As divine Oneness in the
timeless dimension, God does not have a physical body or bodies. God does not live in a space-time dimension. God
is not individualized. God is not
embodied.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">“In the timeless dimension, it is
natural that God does not have the opportunity to experience physical
vulnerability and existential uncertainty.
God does not have the opportunity to manifest dynamic moral goodness.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">“Dynamic moral goodness includes faith,
humility, kindness, love, compassion, endurance and selfless service which
humankind manifested when they performed compassionate deeds on earth.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">“In addition, dynamic moral goodness
requires God to create individualized human beings or embodied souls. Dynamic moral goodness requires the
interactions of individualised, embodied and vulnerable beings in a visible
world. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">“These embodied souls need to experience
trials and suffering to become mature. They
need to exercise free will inherent in their waking consciousness to make moral
decisions and perform good deeds. Thus,
it is a natural condition of God’s divine Oneness that before the creation of
the visible world and humankind, God has not yet manifested dynamic moral
goodness.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">“In order for God to contribute to the
manifestation of dynamic moral goodness, God needs to bite the bullet. This can be called “God is biting the bullet”
theodicy.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">“God decided to create an authentic
self-challenge for Himself and for His children on earth. He decided that He cannot remain forever
untested and unproven in the timeless dimension. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">“God decided to create a visible world
with its natural laws which can give rise to natural evils. He decided to endow the waking consciousness
of His children with freedom of choice which can give rise to moral evil. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">“The risks and occurrences of natural and
moral evils bring about the conditions of physical vulnerability and
existential uncertainty. Humankind endure and suffer the risks and occurrences
of natural and moral evils, which enable them to develop spiritual and moral qualities
such as faith, humility, acceptance, endurance, sympathy, compassion and
selfless service. By manifesting these
qualities, they contribute to the moral dimension of life in the longer term. This is the ultimate purpose of God’s
creation. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">“Since eternity, in the timeless
dimension, God has remained as divine
Oneness. At some point during His eternity, God decided
to create a visible world, so as to manifest dynamic moral goodness through His
children. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">“God decided that dynamic moral
goodness in the visible world is a very valuable attribute which complements His
attribute of divine Goodness in the timeless dimension. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">“God decided to bite the bullet and create
this stringent challenge for Himself and for His children on earth. His children need to bear and suffer physical
vulnerability and existential uncertainty due to the occurrences of natural and
moral evils.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">“Thus, God created this visible world and
humankind. He individualised His
spiritual essence, so as to live inside His children on earth. To make the stringent challenge authentic, His
earthly children will not remember their real identity when they are born. They need to experience trials and suffering
to awaken to their real identity, to become mature. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">“God and His </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">children are moral partners on earth. </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;"> </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">Through the pure consciousness of their souls, </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">God will </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">share the life experiences of </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">His</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;"> children</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;"> on earth</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">. Together </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">they</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;"> experience </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">adversities, trials</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;"> and suffering. The purpose is for </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">His</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;"> children to become spiritually mature. </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">“</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">As the voice of their souls, </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">God </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">encourage</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">s His</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;"> children to do good. </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">God provides
the Holy Spirit in the visible world to encourage and spiritually strengthen
His children. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">“</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">When the waking consciousness of </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">His</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;"> children choose</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">s</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;"> to listen to </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">the voice of their souls, they become
spiritually aware. They learn to walk
the spiritual path. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">“When His children are honest, kind,
faithful and compassionate </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">in their daily lives,
despite being physically vulnerable and facing existential uncertainty, they are
manifesting dynamic moral goodness. </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">“When His children resolve to follow God
and choose to do good, despite trials and suffering, they are manifesting
high-quality goodness. In these ways God has manifested </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">dynamic goodness through </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">His</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;"> children</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">.”<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">The men and women thanked Jesus for His
explanations. They said, “We understand
that if </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">a person committed a harmful wrongdoing,
he should repent and seek Your forgiveness. He should find constructive ways to
make amends.</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;"> </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">May </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">we</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;"> enquire whether there is cosmic justice for those who committed
wrongdoing</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">,</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;"> </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">who </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">did not repent</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;"> and </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">avoided legal punishment on earth?” <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">Jesus explained, </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">“Please be assured that there is cosmic justice</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">. </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">Upon the death of the body, the disembodied soul will be assessed
by My Holy Spirit. </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">“</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">If this soul during its journey on earth had worked in harmony
with the body and </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">its mental states and it had </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">contributed to human well-being, it will be given a choice. It can choose to return to My kingdom or
begin another human journey on earth, so as to further contribute to the moral
dimension of life. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">“If a soul during its
journey on earth had endured undeserved suffering and untimely death, it can
choose to return to My kingdom or begin another human journey, so as to
contribute to the moral dimension of life. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">“If a soul during its
journey on earth were not able to work in harmony with the body </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">and its
mental states, </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">and the human body
committed harmful wrongdoing due to self</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">ish</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;"> desires, upon the death of the body, My Holy Spirit will direct
this soul to embark on another or more human journeys on earth. This </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">will provide
opportunities where it can</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;"> contribute to human
well-being. When it has sufficiently contributed</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">,</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;"> it can return to My kingdom.”<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;">The group of men and women thanked
Jesus and asked, “Can we share these revelations with others?”<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: 宋体; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN;">Jesus said</span></b><b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">, “Please share </span></b><b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: 宋体; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN;">these revelations
with </span></b><b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">others. You are doing something valuable and
beautiful for </span></b><b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: 宋体; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN;">God</span></b><b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"> by sharing </span></b><b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: 宋体; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN;">them</span></b><b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"> with</span></b><b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: 宋体; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN;"> your loved ones and friends. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: 宋体; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN;">“It is crucial to do so.</span></b><b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"> </span></b><b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: 宋体; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN;"> During their
moments of sadness and affliction, during their hours of darkness due to
setbacks or unfortunate events, they will remember His words. They will realize that they are precious
children of God and they are always connected to His love. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: 宋体; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN;">“God’s words and the Holy Spirit will provide them
with hope, strength and courage. His
words and the Holy Spirit will remind them that they have not lived in vain,
that they have not suffered in vain. As
long as they hold on to their faith and belief that God is divine Truth and
Goodness, despite existential suffering, they have bravely contributed to the
moral dimension of life. They have fulfilled their life purpose. They will rejoin
God in heaven when their journey on earth ends.” <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: 宋体; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN;">(Summarised from Merton Lee’s Footprints of God In
Every Season, Amazon.com and Barnes
& Nobles.)<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: 宋体; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN;">* * *<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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