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“I am a bee, and I pollinate.” Did I get your attention? Two important parts of a flower are the anther and the stigma. The anther, part of the male stamen, produces and releases pollen. That pollen is then transferred to the stigma, the receptive tip of the female pistil, where fertilization can begin. My blooming amaryllis is ready for pollination. I can see plenty of yellow pollen on the anthers, and the stigma has opened at the tip, ready to receive it. So where are the bees, those tiny helpers designed to carry pollen from flower to flower? In April, with single-digit temperatures, there is not a bee in sight — and certainly none flying around indoors. No problem. A “gigantic bee” is ready for hand pollination. Using my index finger, I gently touch the pollen on the anthers and then transfer it to the stigma of a neighbouring flower, cross-pollinating it rather than returning it to the same bloom. If all goes well, fertilization will take place. In time, seeds will form, and later they can be harvested and planted to begin a new generation of amaryllis. Hope I did a good bee job. Interestingly, around the same time, I watched a video about the “milk and honey” of the Promised Land described in Exodus. The speaker shared a simple story: he saw a classmate stirring a cup of milk and asked what he was doing. The classmate replied that he had added honey to it. That small moment stayed with him, especially during a week when they were reflecting on God’s promise of a land flowing with milk and honey. Indoor Bee, On Duty 🐝🌺 So after serving as an indoor bee, perhaps it is only fitting that I reward myself with a cup of milk and honey. Sometimes God lets us witness His quiet work up close — in pollen, petals, seeds, and sweetness. The Lord who cares for the birds of the air also watches over the flowers, the bees, and the hidden processes of life unfolding before us. If He looks after them, great and small, how much more will He care for us? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? -- Matthew Chapter 6, verse 26. #IndoorBee #PollinationWonder #AmaryllisBloom #CreationCare

My two W’s are Word and Writing . Grammarly has been tracking my writing since December 26, 2016, and to date it has recorded a total of 30,003,120 words. Since ChatGPT became part of my workflow, I now write around 100,000 words a week. Today, one unfamiliar word crossed my desktop, and through word association it led me to another. That small link sparked this reflection. One little letter can make a world of difference. Take the word badge. A badge is usually something positive. It can stand for honour, service, identity, achievement, loyalty, or trust. A police badge carries authority. A scout badge marks effort and growth. A name badge tells others who we are. And in daily life, some things become “a badge of honour” — the quiet signs that we have done something worthwhile, shown courage, served others, or stayed faithful through hardship. A badge, then, is more than a piece of metal, cloth, or plastic. It represents character. It tells a story. It says something has been earned, carried, or lived out with meaning. Now change the b to a c, and we get cadge. It is not a word we hear often, but it is a striking one. To cadge means to persuade someone to give you something for free. It can also mean taking, using, or borrowing something without proper acknowledgment. In that sense, cadge leans in the opposite direction of badge. A badge is linked with earning. Cadging is linked with getting without earning. A badge may reflect dignity. Cadging may reflect opportunism. A badge says, “This was worked for, lived out, or faithfully carried.” Cadge says, “Can I get this without paying the proper cost?” What a contrast between two words that look so similar. A badge is usually something positive. It can stand for honour, service, identity, achievement, loyalty, or trust. cadge means to persuade someone to give you something for free. It can also mean taking, using, or borrowing something without proper acknowledgment. And perhaps that contrast reaches beyond vocabulary. In life, do we want to wear a badge — something honest, honourable, and deserved — or fall into the habit of cadging, always looking for the free ride, the shortcut, the uncredited gain? Words can be wonderful teachers. Sometimes they remind us that integrity is only one small step away from compromise — even if, alphabetically, it is just from b to c. The Bible says, “A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and loving favour rather than silver and gold.” (Proverbs Chapter 22 verse 1) A badge may reflect a good name built over time — through service, honesty, effort, and character. Cadging, on the other hand, points in the opposite direction: wanting gain without cost, benefit without effort, or credit without honesty. One honours what is earned; the other cheapens what should be rightly given or gratefully received. A four-line poem: A badge is earned, a mark held high, A cadge just begs and passes by; One shows the worth of work well done, The other dodges what should be won. #BadgeAndCadge #WordReflections #IntegrityMatters #AGoodName 而這樣的對比，也許不只是字彙上的趣味，更是人生中的提醒。我們是想佩戴一個 honest、honourable、deserved 的 badge，還是慢慢養成 cadging 的習慣，總想走捷徑、搭便車、佔便宜，甚至拿了別人的成果卻不加承認？ 文字有時真是很好的老師。它提醒我們：誠信與妥協之間，往往只差一小步；就像字母表裡，只是從 b 走到 c。 聖經也提醒我們：「美名勝過大財；恩寵強如金銀。」（箴言 22章1節） Badge 所代表的，可以是一個人多年建立起來的美名——藉著服事、誠實、努力和品格而得來。Cadge 所指向的，卻恰恰相反：想得益處卻不願付代價，想得好處卻不願努力，想得稱讚卻缺少誠實。一個尊重應得的價值，一個卻把本應珍惜的東西變得廉價。 四行小詩： Badge 是榮光，努力得來， Cadge 是討取，不願承擔； 一個見證忠誠品格， 一個顯出取巧心態。 #徽章與討取 #字詞反思 #誠信可貴 #美名勝於財富

What belongs outdoors in summer has been carefully kept alive indoors through winter. These geraniums may be inside for now, but they still need what living things need: sunlight, warmth, water, fertilizer, and tender loving care. And they are responding. One pot is producing more and more buds each week, as though it senses that a new season is near. Perhaps it is the longer daylight after spring forward. Perhaps it is simply the quiet signal that spring is on the way. But as the one caring for them, I have to look beyond the buds and check the weather. Here in Ontario, spring officially arrives tomorrow, yet the forecast still speaks of rain, flurries, and even ice pellets. So my message to these eager geraniums is: no rush. Your time to shine outdoors will come. Until then, I will keep caring for you indoors. There is something spiritual in this too. We often want the next season to come quickly. We long for wider spaces, brighter days, and open doors. But God, our wise Tender, knows the timing better than we do. He keeps us, prepares us, and grows us, even when we feel tucked away for a while. What seems like a delay may actually be protection. What feels like waiting may actually be preparation. “For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven.” — Ecclesiastes Chapter 3 verse 1 May we trust the Lord’s timing, receive His care, and be ready to bloom when He says the season is right. #NaturalBeauty #Geraniums #GodsTiming #BloomInSeason

After more than 20 years in parks and playground design—working in the private sector (ENVision / The Hough Group) and later in the public sector (City of Hamilton)—I had the privilege of collaborating with suppliers such as Landscape Structures, KOMPAN, Playworld, GameTime, Henderson, and Bienenstock. Those years taught me that a playground is never “just” a collection of structures. Behind every climber, panel, swing, and splash element sits a deliberate set of objectives—an environment designed to stretch a child safely. In other words, what looks like “just play” is **design with intent**: supporting the whole child through physical development, cognitive problem-solving, social-emotional growth, creativity, and sensory engagement. And when inclusion is done well, it goes beyond access to create a place where children of all abilities can truly play together—not simply side-by-side. And there’s another dimension we don’t talk about enough: the material story. Beyond metal and processed lumber, nature-based builders like Bienenstock draw attention back to natural wood—a reminder that playground design can also quietly teach care for creation and make “save the environment” more than a slogan. That’s why the word *playground* has always fascinated me. It doesn’t only describe a place for children. It can also describe a designed space where growth happens through interaction, practice, and feedback. Today, we have a new kind of playground: a “ChatPlayground AI” product promoted by StackSkills, which showed up in an email I received today. The special is good for today and tomorrow. If a children’s playground trains the body and the mind, an AI chat playground trains the **mind and words**. It’s a virtual “sandbox” where you can try ideas, ask questions, test drafts, compare options, and iterate quickly—without breaking an arm or a leg. In that sense, it feels safer. But here’s the important parallel: outcomes still have consequences. In a physical playground, the risks are usually visible and immediate—hence safety clearances and softer landing materials. In a chat playground, the risks can be cognitive and emotional, and sometimes more subtle: half-truths that sound confident, advice that isn’t wise for your situation, language that shapes your attitude, even narratives that lodge in memory and affect psychology. That’s why Scripture’s view of words is so realistic. Words are not neutral. They build, or they tear down. “Death and life are in the power of the tongue” (Proverbs 18:21). And God’s Word is described as “sharper than any double-edged sword” (Hebrews 4:12)—not to harm us, but to cut through confusion and bring truth. So an AI playground isn’t “let it run wild.” It’s like any well-designed playground: you bring intent. You set boundaries. You learn the rules of engagement. You practice discernment. You use it to build skill—writing, thinking, problem-solving, creativity—while remembering that a digital sandbox can shape the heart and mind as surely as a physical one shapes muscles and balance. A "sandbox" for children (Playground/Play structures) and adults (ChatPlayground AI) Even in an unlimited digital playground, the human mind must set the boundaries. Education, community, and spiritual formation keep sharpening our discernment—so we can use these tools well, rather than being used by them. Visit StackSocial: https://www.stacksocial.com/sales/chatplayground-ai-unlimited-plan-lifetime-subscriptions #PlaygroundDesign #InclusivePlay #ChatPlaygroundAI #WordsMatter

Cantonese has a fascinating “water culture.” So many everyday expressions end with 「水」, showing how flexible and alive this character is in the language. Water can suggest conversation, money, profit, confusion, luck, or atmosphere, depending on the setting. For example, 吹水 can mean casual chatting — something close to the English phrase “shoot the breeze.” Perhaps that is part of the beauty of water itself. It flows, adapts, and takes the shape of its surroundings. Yet water also appears in three states: liquid, solid, and vapour — water, ice, and steam. What flows can also freeze; what is seen can also rise and become unseen. In a similar way, language carries meanings that can be concrete, fixed, or subtle. This is part of what makes Cantonese so vivid. A single character can move through so many situations in daily life, from humour to hardship, from money matters to human relationships. Water is not only something we drink or use — in Cantonese, it has become something people think with, speak with, and live with. The Fluidity of 「水」 (Water): Cantonese, Culture, and Creation ... And beyond language, water points us to the wonder of creation. The God who made sea and land filled His world with patterns, beauty, and meaning. Creation does not define God, yet it often gives us glimpses of His greatness. Even something as ordinary and precious as water can stir reflection, gratitude, and worship. It reminds us that the Triune God — Father, Son, and Holy Spirit — is wise beyond all human language, and that His creation often carries echoes of His order, richness, and glory. So the next time we hear another Cantonese expression ending in 「水」, perhaps we can smile at more than clever slang. We may also be hearing how culture, language, and creation quietly flow together. For those who can read Chinese, refer to the image for more samples. Not sure of the source. It came from a FB friend’s sharing. For fun, feel free to download the Cantonese "Water Culture" with  English and Mandarin table. https://drive.google.com/file/d/152Fgd-Z1VgJVNsfBUVXGtcwPNTBRSiWj/view?usp=sharing #CantoneseCulture #WaterInLanguage #LanguageAndCreation #FaithAndReflection Cantonese phrases ending with the 'water' character.

I received an email today from StackSkills with this line: “The Skill Every Applicant Needs.” What is that skill today? The Skill Every Applicant Needs Interestingly, it is not hacking, but defensive cybersecurity. I like that word: defensive. It means learning how to protect yourself online — your accounts, your devices, your passwords, and your data. Not long ago, a friend sent me a link, and when I clicked it, NordVPN warned me that it might be dangerous. My friend said his own Apple VPN setup did not flag it. That was a reminder: not every tool catches the same threats, and online safety now requires alertness, not assumptions. Hope none of his personal data has ended up on the deep web. For $35, this bundle itself focuses on practical protection: Wireshark, Splunk, firewalls, IAM, ISO 27001, vulnerability tools, and more — 12 courses and 54 hours of training, according to the course page. The 2026 Complete Defensive Cyber Security Bundle: Master Real-World Cyber Security with 12 Hands-On Courses Covering Wireshark, Splunk, Fortinet, IAM, ISO 27001 & More in 54 Hours of Expert Training. And the need is real. The FBI says reported internet crime losses in 2024 exceeded US$16 billion. The FTC says reported fraud losses in 2024 exceeded US$12.5 billion. In Canada, reported fraud losses in 2024 were over C$638 million — and authorities say many cases are never reported. So yes — 以退為守. Pause. Verify. Defend. That may be one of the most practical life skills of our time. In both faith and daily life, being still does not mean being passive. It means being grounded, alert, and prepared. A calm heart can think clearly, a watchful mind can avoid danger, and a prayerful spirit can walk wisely. “Be still, and know that I am God.” — Psalm 46:10 For those interested, here is the link for more info: https://stackskills.com/p/the-2025-complete-defensive-cyber-security-bundle?coupon_code=COMPLETE35&product_id=6364262&utm_content=course1 #DefensiveCyberSecurity #CyberSafety #BeStillAndBeWise #DigitalDiscernment

March 8, 2020, was spring forward. March 8, 2026, today, is also spring forward. This one hour forward is truly living up to its name, bringing spring a little closer here in Canada. Today we have 11°C, with rain in the forecast. The white snow piled in the backyard is giving way to patches of green grass. Even nature seems to know the season is changing. My wife Betty spotted a Black Squirrel with a patch of lighter hair, as if it were shedding its winter fur for a fresh new spring coat. And for us, there is much to do. Spring cleanup for the garden and the house. Spring joy for a safe and wonderful winter now behind us. A fresh season always seems to awaken fresh energy, fresh ideas, and fresh purpose. Spring also reminds us that God does not leave us in the cold places forever. What looked buried, silent, or lifeless through winter can begin to breathe again under His care. In His timing, He brings new growth, fresh strength, and quiet beauty into every part of our lives. So let me ask you, dear FB friends: what spring projects are you contemplating? Gardening? Cleaning? Renovating? Writing? Photographing? Or, humourously speaking ... making spring rolls? ✨😊 May this new season move us forward with hope, diligence, gratitude, and joy. “See! The winter is past; the rains are over and gone. Flowers appear on the earth; the season of singing has come.” — Song of Solomon Chapter 2 verses 11–12 #SpringForward #SignsOfSpring #NewBeginnings #GodsCreation #SeasonOfSinging

At the Cantonese cell group, Pastor David Hoi asked: Why was Jesus raised in Nazareth—small, overlooked, even dismissed? And why was He labelled “the carpenter’s son”? (Matthew Chapter 13 verse 55) In the Gospels, the word used is the Greek tekton—closer to “builder / craftsman” than a narrow modern idea of carpenter. A tekton measured, cut, joined, repaired, and solved real problems on site. Yet in a status-driven world, that identity wasn’t “impressive,” so people tried to reduce Him: Isn’t He just…?—as if insignificance could explain away authority. But that’s exactly the point: God often hides glory in humility, and places power in the ordinary. That’s why carpentry—then and now—matters so much. It’s creation for survival and for life: the frame of a house, the handle of a tool, rope and weaving, transport by raft, bridges and piers. Without builders and craftspeople, it’s hard to imagine human life enduring or communities forming. And it leads me to trees. A living tree is a masterpiece of provision: shade and cooling, fruit and nuts, seeds for propagation, sap for sweetness, vines and bark for craft. When a tree falls, the story doesn’t end—logs can become tools, shelter, a pier, even a raft for transport. Not to mention it offers birds a place to nest and shelter, and provides wildlife with food for survival (fruit, nuts, and seeds); fallen leaves then decompose and return nutrients to the soil, and the soil gives life back to the next season of growth—life, death, renewal, and rebirth, woven together again and again. Here’s a core recognition that frames it all: “By God’s wise design, trees are among His most precious gifts to humankind and the earth—living systems that hold together food, shelter, materials, fuel, soil renewal, and habitat, making them a vital pillar of life on land.” And there’s a paradox that keeps speaking to me: In many ways, a tree must “die” to multiply its usefulness. And Christ, too, gave Himself on wood—the cross, a symbol of death, became the doorway of salvation. Death is not the end: trees carry seeds, and the Gospel is a seed that grows in people—forming salt and light, proclaiming Good News. That’s the heart behind this artwork: The Intricacy of Trees for Mankind and Wildlife ---- A living cycle of God’s provision—food, shelter, craft, and habitat, woven together by design. If you’ve ever felt small, overlooked, or ordinary—Nazareth has a message for you: God builds His greatest work through humble beginnings, and He can turn what the world dismisses into a blessing. #TreeOfLife #Creation #TheCross #SaltAndLight

While AI-assisted art is remarkable, encountering poetry that marries spiritual depth with divine grace is truly rare. This Lunar New Year, Brother Lawrence Cheng of Rock House Publishers has composed two evocative poems, beautifully paired with imagery by Brother Joseph Yu. Together, they invite us to journey from the dawn of creation to the promised covenant of the rainbow. The Second Day: Praise from the Beginning of Time (On the "Opening of the Year," Lawrence reflects on the arc of history from creation to eternity, weaving the characters for "Second Day, Opening Year" into his verse.) In the dawn of time (初), there was only God, The One and Only (二) Sovereign over all. As heaven formed and earth opened (開), humanity rose, To leave a legacy that outlasts the ages (年). The Third Day: From Judgment to the Covenant of Peace (Following the opening reflection, the "Red Mouth" (赤口) poem bridges Chinese tradition with Biblical truth, tracing the path from human frailty to the triumphant redemption of the cross.) Since the very beginning (初), humanity fell, For no earthly peace (三/Harmony) could restore the soul. Yet where judgment flowed, the Crimson (赤) Promise appeared, As countless voices (口) now rise in a triumphant song. Closing: These works—where poetry and art breathe as one—capture the profound transition from human brokenness to divine grace. May you walk in His favor throughout the Year of the Horse, anchored in the hope of His eternal promises!

I recently read about how parts of the Gobi Desert—long seen as barren and unproductive—have been transformed into forest land capable of producing high-quality rubber. (See article: https://www.scmp.com/news/china/science/article/3341641/it-flourishing-chinas-man-made-forest-gobi-produces-good-rubber-military-use?utm_medium=email&utm_source=cm&utm_campaign=enlz-china&utm_content=20260130&tpcc=enlz-china&UUID=ab2fb359-7cfe-40df-b3d0-ed1e850e6259&next_article_id=3341618&article_id_list=3341641,3341618&tc=3 ) What struck me was not the rubber itself, but the way people chose to see the land. Instead of writing it off, they studied it. Instead of forcing quick results, they worked with time. Instead of extracting what little was there, they cultivated what could grow. Over years, knowledge, patience, and stewardship did what speed never could. It reminded me that this is not just about land. So often, we label places, people, or seasons as “unproductive” simply because they don’t yield immediate returns. But growth—whether in soil or in souls—often requires unseen preparation. This echoes an old and gentle invitation: “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.”(Matthew Chapter 7 verse 7) Asking, seeking, and knocking are not acts of passivity. They are expressions of trust, patience, and perseverance. Leadership, work, and life all share this truth: what is cultivated with care often outlasts what is taken by force. #Leadership #Stewardship #CultivatingPotential #LongTermGrowth #FaithAndWork

When Marge Jetton turned 100, she didn’t slow down—she renewed her driver’s license for another five years. What keeps her going, she says, is not just good habits, but her Christian faith. Marge lives in Loma Linda, California, a community long studied by scientists and first brought to global attention by Dan Buettner in National Geographic as part of the Blue Zones research. People there—many of them from the Seventh-day Adventist Church—tend to live 4–10 years longer than average. Their secret is not a miracle cure, but a way of life: • simple, mostly plant-based foods (grains, fruits, nuts, vegetables) • avoiding smoking, alcohol, and junk food • regular rest and rhythm • strong community life • and a clear sense of purpose shaped by faith Marge puts it simply: “We need someone to guide us in this life, and we need great hope. God is a good friend to have.” That line reminds me of the old hymn—and the song recorded by Alan Jackson, What a Friend We Have in Jesus (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=znWu2HCJ92c) —faith expressed not in lofty terms, but in "friendship" and "trust." Of course, Adventists are only one example among many. The Blue Zones research also highlights: • Japan (Okinawa): strong community bonds and shared meals • Mediterranean regions: simple foods, daily movement, social connection • Sardinia: purpose, family, and rhythm of life For people of faith, the takeaway is clear: we don’t need to change our denomination to learn from healthy food cultures or disciplined living. We can adopt wise practices—while letting our own faith be the “hall monitor”, guiding how we care for the body, which Scripture calls the temple of the Holy Spirit. Longevity, it turns out, is not just about adding years to life, but about aligning faith, discipline, community, and daily habits so that life can truly flourish. #Longevity #FaithAndHealth #StewardshipOfTheBody #LifeWellLived (Source: Dan Buettner, Blue Zones research, National Geographic) - https://www.nationalgeographic.com/health/article/longevity-blue-zones-dan-buettner-archival What a Friend we have in Jesus Chinese lyrics

January 1 always carries a quiet question: What does “new” really mean? A new year gives us another beginning—but not a blank slate. We do not start from zero; we start from experience. The past 365 days have shaped us: through success and failure, clarity and confusion, joy and loss. Newness, then, is not denial of the past, but an invitation to step forward differently. In everyday language, we speak of new starts, new habits, new energy. In Scripture, the word “new” goes deeper. It is not cosmetic; it is transformational. Jesus spoke of new wine that cannot be poured into old wineskins. Not because the old is evil, but because it cannot stretch. Newness requires renewed capacity—a change in thinking, posture, and willingness. The Bible repeatedly connects newness with life: • a new heart, not just new behavior • a new mind, not just new information • a new creation, not just a better version of the old one This kind of newness is not powered by willpower alone. It is fueled by hope—the conviction that tomorrow can be different because meaning is larger than circumstance. Even in secular life, we know this intuitively. Athletes speak of reset. Artists speak of fresh vision. Scientists speak of paradigm shifts. All are acknowledging the same truth: continuation without renewal leads to exhaustion. So what fuels us to move from the present moment into the next present—the next gift of time—toward an unknown future? For some, it is purpose. For some, responsibility. For some, love. For many, faith. Biblically, newness is always connected to God’s faithfulness, not human perfection: “His mercies are new every morning.” That means we are not sustained by yesterday’s strength. We are carried by daily renewal. And newness does not end with time. Scripture points from new beginnings toward eternity—a future where renewal is no longer fragile or temporary: “Behold, I am making all things new.” This is the ultimate horizon of “NEW”: not endless restarting, but lasting restoration. So as we step into 2026, the question is not simply: What will I do differently? But deeper: • What am I willing to let go of so I can stretch? • What old patterns can no longer hold new life? • What truth will I carry forward when energy fades? • What hope will sustain me when outcomes are unclear? A new year does not promise ease. But it offers another chance—to think again, to walk again, to hope again. Newness isn’t blind optimism. It’s courage grounded in meaning. And that is enough to walk the next 365 days—one present moment at a time—toward a future we do not fully see, but are invited to trust. (Written on the first New Day of the New Year 2026) #NewBeginning #RenewedMind #NewYearReflection #FromNowToEternity