Peter's Info Box

QUESTIONS OLDER CHRISTIANS HAVE BUT ARE AFRAID TO ASK ALOUD Old age presents a unique set of challenges, and for Christians, these can intersect with their faith in profound ways. Here are five common questions or struggles Christians may face in their later years: Why does God allow suffering and decline? As bodies weaken, illnesses become more frequent, and loved ones pass away, Christians may grapple with the problem of evil and suffering. They might question why a loving and all-powerful God permits such physical and emotional pain, leading to doubts about His goodness, presence, or even existence. This can be especially difficult for those who have lived a life of faith and expected a more peaceful or less challenging end. What is my purpose now? Retirement, loss of independence, and the inability to participate in activities they once enjoyed can lead to a profound sense of loss of purpose. Christians who have been activ...

Christian  communities are expected to be our safest emotional and physical spaces. Even so, there are times this sacred space become toxic, abusive, and traumatizing to a church member when leaders and members of a congregation exhibit actions that fail to reflect the love of God. In the infographic below, four common ways church trauma is caused is identified and explained. I hope the information will help you understand what has happened to you or someone you know in church (or now no longer in the Christian community). The purpose of this post is to promote healing among those traumatized and to highlight practices that need to stop so that a Christian community is restored once again as the safest  emotional and physical space for any child of God. As you continue educating yourself on church trauma and abuse, it’s important to remember that you are not alone. If you need to, seek a mental health professional to help you better understand your condition its impact on your...

 “Give me money for my birthday so I can buy books for me to read throughout the year.” That was my request for my birthday in January this year (2021). Less than ten responded but they gave generously. Now as I type this article, a day before 2021 ends, I am so thankful to report I was able to buy 17 books from Book Depository throughout the year with the money they gave! Though short of my goal – one book a week (so 52 books) – I was kept busy and stimulated with the books I was able to purchase. Here’s a rundown of the books that have been one of my best birthday presents: Dear Life by Rachel Clarke – a must-read book for all who will die especially at the beginning of the year, when you celebrate your birthday. It was a difficult book to read because I abhor death and the end of my sojourn on this lovely planet. Even so, die I will so I read this book by a doctor working in the palliative ward. The first time I saw this word was when I was undergoing chemotherapy for my ca...

Chapter 1: Taking The Mystery Out Of Miracles Elrod begins by introducing two types of miracles - the passive, random type we read about and go "Wow' and conclude it can never happen to us and the more tangible, measurable miracles you have control over (the kind this book promises) [p.14-15].On a side note, I like the difference he notes between being skeptical versus being cynical [p.14]. I also love his definition and concept of a Miracle Maven - a person of understanding who generates remarkable events or development that brings welcomed consequences [p.16]. he then highlights the pre-requisites for a miracle (including envisioning a future you believe is possible and working hard to achieve it). I like that he emphasizes the necessity for the vision/goal to be meaningful (serious, important, worthwhile) to you, calling it the driver for achieving the envisioned miracle [p. 19]. He then introduces his Level 10 concept as our daily focus [p. 20]. To have faith, Elrod presse...

I have worried myself sick (literally) so many times in the past. I have had sleepless nights, I have painted endless terrifying scenarios of the future and have even fainted from excessive worrying! Have you been in the same boat as I? What can we do when worries assail us and we feel that we are about to sink into the abyss of loss, pain and death? Imagine your mind as a drawer with many compartments. Place each worry in one compartment. When dealing with a particular worry, go to the compartment it is kept, open the drawer and deal with it. At other times, leave it in the box and don't even take a peek! Label each box (compartment) and see to it at the appropriate time, ONE box at a time! Catch rogue worries and box them quickly - do not allow them to escape and wander around your mind aimlessly doing mischief. Focus on one box at a time.

New Zealand was cold but he knew just what he needed to keep him warm . . . and to bring him closer to realizing his dream. A leather jacket. He may have told me how and where he got the jacket but I can't remember. All I knew he wore it a lot while studying in New Zealand where he dreamt of wearing it when he rode his big bike. His jacket was part of his dream - to study overseas, to ride big bikes, to be successful - and he treasured it. He eventually returned home and as the years passed, put on weight and no longer could wear the jacket. Furthermore it was too hot and heavy for the humid Malaysian weather but he kept it. A treasure. A memento. A link to a special time in history. But the day came when, out of his generous heart and love for his brother, he gifted the jacket to his brother who was going to Melbourne for a much needed rest. The jacket was received with joy and it served the brother well by keeping him warm and more than that, my continuing its role as memory ...

We soothe distressed babies & children; as adults we too need to be soothed when distressed. Distress tolerance skills (DTS) necessary to help you go through a crisis, or when you are not able to solve a problem or when you do not want things to get worse. Self-soothing (SS) is a DTS skill. you treat yourself with compassion, care and kindness you build resilience; bounce back faster useful when experiencing major stress or overwhelming emotions SS focus on your 5 SENSES - 'enjoyable sensory experiences' SIGHT - pretty nature spot, art, coloring SOUND - calming music, nature sounds, songs SMELL - scented candles, essential oils, cooking TOUCH - warm bath, soft clothing, brush TASTE - drinks, chocolate, delicious meal and ONE EXTRA KINESTHETIC  - rocking chair, pleasant stroll, playing Experiment, find what best fits you. Look for elements of warm, dark, quiet, mellow, sweet, soft, rhythmic, cuddly.   You may resist this because believe don...

Here are some good reads about depression: Are you depressed? Read this to find out.

A declaration of faith and hope: Money flows to me readily and easily. My life is like a large river being fed by multiple streams of money that are forever flowing. My life is bursting at the seams from all the money that comes into my life. My thoughts are focused on generating and receiving wealth. I deserve all the money that flows to me. I am constantly amazed at how money just seems to find me. It pops up in unexpected places. Seemingly hidden sources of money are available to me at all times. I merely need to keep my eyes open to see and benefit from these sources. I regularly find lost change on the ground. I know that by accepting these small tokens of wealth, I am able to also accept bigger opportunities to earn and receive greater amounts of money. Today, I allow more money to flow into my life. My resistance to money is completely gone. I am open to all the wealth and abundance that the universe provides. (Copy paste from here because it is exactly what I want to...

Something I have almost never done but seems it is so necessary in my life - REFLECTION. Here then are my notes and thoughts on this subject, based on an article I read. So self-reflection is giving careful conscious consideration and an analysis of of my beliefs and actions for the purpose of learning. For this to happen I will need to pause, untangle and sort all my observations and experiences. Once done, I will need to consider multiple possible interpretations to create meaning of what I have been through. This meaning creates new mindsets and actions. Sounds exciting! On why we don't reflect I liked two of the reasons given because they resonate with me. I don't know how to reflect I don't like the process and especially the results - the slowing down, the personal responsibility, the sense of vulnerability and discomfort and the noted weaknesses. Even so there are steps to be taken (will try to do them): Identify important questions (look up Pinterest)...

A good review and reminder of what I know and have preached (several times) in the past about tempting God from Matthew 4:7. To tempt God is to conduct an undue and unwarranted trial of God, concerning His power, goodness and greatness, from a position of unbelief and a demand from distrust , questioning the presence of God until see a supernatural proof of it. Throwing yourself  into voluntary and uncommanded dangers, then appealing to God for protection or trifling with His promises about His assistance in times of danger is a big NO NO. God aids His people who are placed by Him in trials and dangers and NOT those who do so unwisely or purposefully especially in order to tempt Him or prove Him and His Word. If there are stairs in a building you can take to go down, casting yourself from the top of the building because God has promised to protect you is presumption not faith, tempting God not trusting Him. "Do not question whether God will save you from dangers which y...

It all began when I caught myself saying to me: You are wasting money. You don't know how to use money. Don't use money. No wonder I have had a bad relationship with money. So I got thinking. What does it mean to waste money? How do I know I am wasting or not? What do I need to know and learn so I am able to declare I know how to use money. Why am I unwilling (afraid) to use money? The answers from Google were shocking and surprising as well as enlightening. I actually have a real legit phobia - the fear of money!

Notes and thoughts from my study of this article after I realized I lived expecting tragedies to always follow (happen). So I found out that catastrophizing is a form of anxiety, something irrational, based on false assumptions. Technically I have a cognitive distortion. What was scary that hit close to home was the notion it could be a symptom of trauma (tell me about it!) that stems from and breeds helplessness and hopelessness!!! Wow, immediately I was flooded with childhood memories of various forms of abuse and gripping fear that almost daily clouded my being. Talk about revelation. Talk about feeling helpless and hopeless as a kid. Anxiety - yup. It is also a way to prevent myself from loss. If I allowed myself to celebrate (which I don't), feel wonderful (happy etc., anything positive), I become fearful that it will be lost (soon). So I preemptively guard against the loss of joy. I anticipate disaster, failure and loss lurking in the bushes ready to pounce and drag awa...

Here are some 'new' insights I got after reading a bunch of commentaries on a 'common' verse, Matthew 4:4. My biggest realization is that the phrase 'live by every word that comes from God' most probably does not mean 'live in obedience to the commands of God' but rather, looking at the context Deuteronomy 8:3 is set in, we live by reason of every word uttered by God that preserves our life, words spoken by God which effects the preservation of our life in extraordinary supernatural ways. In other words, I live not solely dependent on 'bread' (which I by default assume) but actually by the words of God that creates 'manna' for me. God is my sustainer and provider, declaring into being alternative supernatural resources I have access to that will keep me alive! If I depend on Him, I do not need to take things into my own hands and transgress the laws of nature (and God) to meet a need. Live a life in complete confidence that God is ...

My takeaway after meditating on Jesus' words in Matthew 3:15 What is proper to do now may demand a reversal of roles or doing things differently. It may also be temporary. Now determines who does what. But what to do now ? Do whatsoever is just, fit, requisite in our circumstances. "Observe every divine appointment and honor every divine ordinance" even if you feel unworthy and awkward. As a result, one necessary (required) act in obedience will result in the doer and the recipient being blessed and benefiting richly.

When a yucky, negative, depression-causing thought invades your mind and messes things up, it's time to address these corrosive cognitions. Ask yourself: What evidence supports my thinking? Would others say this is true about me? Does feeling this way make me feel good or bad about myself? These negative thoughts need to be replaced (reframing negative thoughts will be addressed in another posting). Even so, replacing negative thoughts with positive ones doesn't mean repeating empty affirmations (something I have been doing in the past; no wonder those affirmations didn't work). Instead create and use self-statements that are factual and meaningful . Begin by writing down - journaling - your negative thoughts as it will you you cut them down to size.

Realize I have been bingeing on information, with very little action taken, what more action that transform and bring wealth and health. Time to lessen drastically entertaining information.

Made aware I have very low self-esteem and a key contributor would be beliefs, conclusions and negative self-talk. Here are some I caught myself saying to myself: You are a failure like your father  You never complete anything you start. All half-bsked, incomplete projects  You are lazy  You so stupid You always don't know what to do  You always do things wrong  No wonder this ship is sinking ... 

A teaching by Emily Esfahani Smith. The pursuit of happiness (a state of comfort and ease, feeling good at the moment; most often via success) is actually counterproductive as it could actually make you unhappy and lonely. Instead search for meaning in life. Our search for meaning in this life stems from a realization of our mortality and a resulting question: How do I live given the fact that I will die? According to Emily, a meaningful life is when you connect (belong to) and contribute (serve) to something beyond yourself (i.e. family, work, God etc.). People who have meaningful lives have one or more of the following four pillars: Belonging – the state of being in a relationship or group where you are valued for who you are intrinsically and you value others similarly. You are valued for who you are , not what you do, believe or have. You believe your life matters to others and vice versa. This springs from love. Learn to slow down to talk to others and treat the...

The Path is All Yours Chapter 1 You must be smart and strategic about how you use your content. First create valuable content that will grow your influence. Q: Are you creating valuable content that is strategically used? Think of yourself as tomorrow’s newest star. Q: How do you think about yourself? It’s a matter of survival to think beyond your current successes and constantly look for ways to create new ones so that you are never limited to any one platform or even one topic. Do this by creating a personal brand so powerful it transcends even your passion! Q: How are you forward looking when it comes to constantly creating new successes? (When it comes to social media) you are in complete control of how the world sees you, how often, and in what context. Remember: in complete control. Use this privilege to the max for your success! (Some who have made it) said that the experiences and skills they gained in their former jobs – even the ones they hated – were e...