I may not have everyone's email / Facebook contact, but here's wishing the 2nd year meddies (who will be having their exams tomorrow) all the best, despite the long road ahead of them :-) Gambate!

The 90/10 principle

Felt like putting up a lesson my ex-shepherd in Melbourne, Jason taught me 2 years back, which I recalled recently (found out that it was based on a book by Stephen Covey - Yes, the author of '7 habits of highly effective people').

In life, 10% is made up of what happens to you. 90% is decided by how you react.

We really have no control over 10% of what happens to us. We cannot stop the car from breaking down. The plane (or people) will arrive late, which throws our whole schedule off. We may be stuck in a jam. We have no control over this 10%. The other 90% is different, because you determine it.

Let's use an example. You are eating breakfast with your family. Your daughter knocks over a cup of coffee onto your business shirt. You have no control over what just what happened. What happens when the next will be determined by how you react. You curse. You harshly scold your daughter for knocking the cup over.

She breaks down in tears. After scolding her, you turn to your spouse and criticize her for placing the cup too close to the edge of the table. A short argument follows. You refuse to give in and instead stormed upstairs and change your shirt. Back downstairs, you find your daughter has been too busy crying to finish breakfast and get ready for school. She misses the bus. Your spouse must leave immediately for work and can't send her to school.

You rush to the car and drive your daughter to school. Because you are late, you drive 40 miles an hour in a 30 mph speed limit. After a 15-minute delay, a near-accident and throwing the $60 traffic fine away, you arrive at school. Your upset daughter runs into the building without saying goodbye. After arriving at the office 20 minutes late, you find that you forgot your briefcase. Your day has started terrible. As it continues, it seems to get worse and worse, important decisions could not be made, and some work could not be done, because you forgot your briefcase. Your boss was left fuming, and threatened to fire you if it happens again. You look forward to coming home, but when you arrive home, you find a small wedge in your relationship with your spouse and daughter.

See the problem?

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Verse 1
When troubles come, I trust in You
For I know You will lead me through
And I know You are faithful, till the end

Verse 2
And when the storms are drawing near
When I'm with You I don't have to fear
You're my shepherd on whom I can depend

Pre-chorus
Through the day, through the night
I know You're always by my side

Chorus
Lord You are always here with me
There is no changing God in thee
You are the same yesterday and today
And forevermore

Here on Your promises I stand
You hold my future in Your hands
My solid rock, almighty God
I worship You

MEDBALL 2008

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Final stretch

Watched 'Facing the Giants' last Saturday. Despite 2008 coming to an end, let's see this final quarter as a new beginning to give God our best touchdown for one final time this year!

Plot
In six years of coaching football, Grant Taylor has never led his Shiloh Eagles to a winning season. After learning that he and his wife Brooke face infertility, Grant discovers that a group of fathers are secretly organizing to have him dismissed as head coach. His car breaks down frequently, and his house is falling apart around him. Devastated by his circumstances, he cries out to God in desperation. When Grant receives a message from an unexpected visitor, he searches for a stronger purpose for his football team. He challenged his players to believe God for the impossible on and off the field. When faced with unbelievable odds, the Eagles must step up to their greatest test of strength and courage. What transpires is a dynamic story of the fight between faith and fear.