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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

I have been a person of faith since childhood. Yet today, on Christmas Eve, I felt a gentle spiritual nudge to pause and ask a simple question: Why is there a Christmas Eve, followed by a Christmas Day, to remember the birth of Jesus? The answer reaches deeper than modern tradition. In Jewish culture—shaping daily life in Jesus’ time and rooted in the Bible—a new day begins at sunset, not at midnight. Scripture repeatedly tells us, “There was evening, and there was morning…” So in this biblical understanding of time, the evening before a day is actually the beginning of that day. What we practice today in the Gregorian calendar—marking Christmas Eve before Christmas Day—is, perhaps unknowingly, still echoing this ancient, biblical rhythm. In that sense, Christmas Eve is not merely the night before Christmas; it is our entrance into Christmas Day. This matters, because Jesus entered the world quietly, in the night. Shepherds were watching their flocks in the darkness when angels appeared, announcing good news of great joy. Light broke into the night, and hope arrived before the dawn. In time, wise men from afar began their journey, seeking the Child, guided not by spectacle but by faith and obedience. Christmas did not start with noise or power, but with waiting—with heaven drawing near to earth, and God drawing near to us. Each Christmas on earth, then, is not only a cultural celebration but a spiritual remembrance of why Jesus was born. Scripture reminds us that His coming was purposeful. As thoughtfully outlined in a recent Crossway article, Jesus came to: Expose misunderstanding and disobedience Provide a sacrifice for the salvation of sinners Bring light into the world Be glorified by the Father (Full article: https://www.crossway.org/articles/4-things-jesus-came-to-do/ ) Christmas points us not just to a manger, but forward to the cross—and beyond that, to redemption and glory. This is why the invitation to “remember the Christ in Christmas” still matters. Christmas is more than sentiment or seasonality. It is a reminder that hope, joy, peace, and love—symbolized in the Advent candles—are not abstract ideals, but gifts made possible through Him. Whether one approaches this season through faith, tradition, or quiet curiosity, Christmas Eve gently asks us to consider this: What if the light we long for truly entered the world—and still does? 'Tis the season to be jolly, yes—but more deeply, 'tis the season to remember why He came. And His good news, then as now, is for all nations. #ChristmasEve #ChristInChristmas #LightIntoTheWorld #GoodNewsForAllNations

I received a Chinese Winter Solstice (冬至) greeting from a friend, featuring five blessing buns. Those buns immediately drew my attention to the five Advent candles, and from that moment, reflection and creative ideas began to flow. On December 21—the shortest day of the year and the Fourth Sunday of Advent—I re-interpreted the image by adding the date and a short reflection, allowing Eastern cultural symbolism and Christian faith to meet in a quiet, meaningful way -- "The shortest Sunday of the year, the Fourth Sunday of Advent — a bright meeting point of Eastern culture and Christian faith, bringing light and blessing." In the deepest season of darkness, light begins its return. #WinterSolstice #AdventSeason #CreativeReflection #FaithAndCulture On December 21, the shortest day of the year, Winter Solstice meets the Fourth Sunday of Advent. Five blessing buns and five Advent candles come together as a quiet testimony of hope — where Eastern cultural traditions and Christian faith intersect, and light begins its return in the deepest season of darkness.。

As Christmas approaches, our hearts are drawn again to the birth of Christ and to Mary’s Song of Praise: “My soul glorifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour.” (Luke 1:46-47, 49) Mary’s response to God’s redemptive work was gratitude—deep, humble, and joy-filled. It is a fitting posture for this season, as redemption draws near and grace is freely offered to all who receive Christ with a repentant and humble heart. Interestingly, gratitude is not expressed by humans alone. An article by Nature Canada, “From Ravens to Dolphins: Nature’s Teachers of Gratitude” (December 8, 2025), [ https://naturecanada.ca/news/teachers-of-gratitude/?utm_medium=email&utm_source=engagingnetworks&utm_campaign=eNews&utm_content=eNews+-+December+2025+-+All+Activists&fbclid=IwY2xjawO1QGVleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFhR1VvSk5EbHhLeGFZbHZFc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHoc_lSDmH4v94rpWJPxw_zxakU2Q2RD5uJtrdC25VozhSIDYHRaPIe15EL5r_aem_VXI_J2POqRvypbsqOMx9fQ ] reminds us that creation itself reflects gratitude in remarkable ways: • Crows and ravens have been observed bringing small gifts to people who show them kindness—tokens of recognition and reciprocity. They even remember human faces and communicate kindness to others within their community. • Dolphins share gifts such as seaweed, sponges, or fish with one another, strengthening social bonds through acts of generosity. • Bison, honoured in Indigenous cultures, embody gratitude through the life they provide, teaching respect, balance, and thankfulness for sustenance. • Wolves and lynx demonstrate mutual care and reciprocity within their packs, reminding us that thriving communities are built on shared responsibility. If Creation—without words, institutions, or theology—can model gratitude, how much more should we, as people created in God’s image, respond with thankful hearts? As we reflect on the closing of 2025, Christmas offers a sacred pause to give thanks: • For life, health, and daily provision • For work accomplished and lessons learned • For opportunities to serve, create, and grow • For moments of rest, play, and restoration • For family, friends, colleagues, and all whose words and deeds have touched our lives Above all, we give thanks for Christ—Emmanuel, God with us—whose coming brings hope, joy, and redemption. May this Christmas season shape us into people of gratitude, humility, and joy, echoing Mary’s song and reflecting the quiet thankfulness written into all of creation. Wishing you and your loved ones a blessed, joyful, and thankful Christmas. ✨🎄🎁😊💖 #ChristmasReflection #Gratitude #Magnificat #FaithAndCreation

National Geographic just released their Pictures of the Year 2025 (November 19, 2025), [ https://www.nationalgeographic.com/photography/graphics/pictures-of-the-year-2025 ]  and one photo immediately caught my attention — a tiny “chimney bee” nestled deep inside a sunflower, already drifting into its evening zzz’s after a long day of pollinating. A beautiful moment of rest, captured by photographer Karine Aigner. And then I remembered…I actually photographed something almost identical five or six years ago at the Upper Oakville Shopping Centre — a dwarf sunflower with a bee not sleeping, but buzzing and working hard. Where the NatGeo bee was resting, my bee was working. Two images, worlds apart… yet they tell one complete story: Life needs both work and rest. Both are gifts from God. Both bring purpose, blessing, and balance. As Scripture reminds us: “Six days you shall labour and do all your work… but the seventh day is a sabbath to the Lord your God.” — Exodus 20:9–10 And again: “He gives His beloved rest.” — Psalm 127:2 I uploaded my sunflower photo to Pexels this year ([https://www.pexels.com/photo/33308482/]— no award, no reward — just sharing something beautiful with the world. It’s even become a little “Can you spot the bee?” game. Thirty views so far, and that’s more than enough to make me smile. Today, NatGeo’s photo and my own humble version remind me: Work faithfully. Rest joyfully. Both honour the One who designed the rhythms of life. [#BeePhotography] [#WorkAndRest] [#SunflowerMoments] [#GodsDesign] Rest and Work Can you spot the working bee?

✨🍁🍂🕰️❄️✨🍁🍂🕰️❄️ No pain, no gain — and this weekend, the pain is almost gone! The gain? A full extra hour of sleep as we “fall back” at 2 a.m. Sunday morning. 😴🍂 Remember to turn back all your clocks — digital ones may be obedient, but the analog ones still need a little human touch. How nice it’ll be to wake to a brighter morning! Though, yes... evening will now tiptoe in by 4 p.m., as if to say, “Enough productivity — light your lamps and rest.” 🔦 Ah well, it’s cold and snowing anyway. All the more reason to curl up in a warm, toasty home, with family, pets, and gratitude. Time slows for no one — but this weekend, at least, it kindly pretends to. ⏰😉 The Gift of One Hour When clocks rewind and shadows grow, The golden day yields softer glow. Time lends an hour — a fleeting gift, For hearts to rest, for thoughts to lift. Each tick and tock, divinely spun, Marks dusk’s retreat, the rising sun. For God who framed both night and light Still whispers peace through dark and bright. So use this hour — not just to dream, But live more fully in His scheme. To love, to pause, to give, to care, To find His purpose everywhere. For time, like breath, is heaven’s art — Best treasured in a thankful heart. #GratefulForTime #SeasonsOfGrace 🌅 Fall Back | 撥慢一小時 When time turns back, may our hearts move forward — to rest, to love, to give thanks. God paints the rhythm of day and night, and through every season, His purpose shines. 當時光倒流，願我們的心向前—— 學會歇息、去愛、常感恩。 神親手繪出晝與夜的節奏， 在四季流轉中，成就祂的美意。 FlameThrower™ Salsa Verde Coleus - An annual that gives out fall colour leaves and late summer blooming flowers. FlameThrower™ Salsa Verde Coleus - Nature never ceases to amaze me ... showy fall leaf colour for an annual.

Many of us join a gym or take up jogging, yoga, or swimming to stay fit and healthy. Some exercise daily, others occasionally, and some merely think about it while sitting comfortably on the couch. Many listen to upbeat music, podcasts, or watch TV while working out — trying to make the time pass faster or to distract from the effort. But what if physical exercise could be more than a health routine? What if it could become a sacred moment — a time to connect with God, to align our hearts while strengthening our bodies? A recent article, “How to Pray When You Exercise,” by David Mathis, offers a refreshing perspective on how believers can make their workouts holy through the Word of God and prayer (1 Tim. 4:4–5). When we do so, ordinary exercise becomes a spiritual practice that nurtures both body and soul. (https://www.crossway.org/.../how-to-pray-when-you.../...) How to Pray When You Exercise 1️⃣ Receive Exercise as a Gift Every heartbeat, breath, and muscle movement is a gift from God. Thank Him for the strength of your legs, lungs, and arms, and even for the limits that remind you of your dependence on Him. Gratitude turns simple movement into worship — “For you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.” (1 Cor. 6:20) 2️⃣ Ask God for Help Pray for energy, endurance, and self-discipline. Ask Him to help you overcome laziness, push through discomfort, and avoid injury. Let your exercise build not only physical stamina but also spiritual perseverance — the kind that resists temptation and grows in self-control. (1 Cor. 9:27; Gal. 5:23) 3️⃣ Keep the Right Perspective Fitness can easily become self-focused or appearance-driven. Pray that your exercise won’t feed pride or vanity, but serve humility and godliness. Let your workouts make you more ready — not just to look good — but to love and serve others well. 4️⃣ Make It Worship Before, during, and after your run, walk, or stretch, whisper a prayer: “Father, this body and this time are Yours.” Consecrate your movement as an offering to the One who designed and sustains your life. Exercise then becomes not just training for the body, but joy for the soul. Final Thought So next time you lace up your shoes, step into the gym, or take a morning walk, remember: you can exercise with purpose beyond the mirror — to glorify God with your body, renew your spirit, and find joy in His presence with every step and every breath. #PrayWhileYouExercise #FaithInMotion Each step, a prayer. Each breath, thanksgiving.

I read an article in Popular Science by Leah Hudson, published September 18, 2025, entitled “The 21 grams experiment that tried to weigh a human soul.” （ https://www.popsci.com/science/21-grams-experiment/...） It told the story of Dr. Duncan MacDougall, who in 1907 placed dying patients on a scale, hoping to prove the soul had physical weight. He claimed the body lost 21 grams at the moment of death — and the idea stuck. More than a century later, books, movies, and even anime still reference “21 grams” as the supposed weight of the human soul. But science was silent. The experiment was flawed, the results inconsistent, and no one has ever proven the soul can be weighed. Yet the fascination continues because people are still asking, and the article ends with the same question: Are we more than just a body? Does something in us live on after death? The Bible already answers what science cannot. “The dust returns to the ground it came from, and the spirit returns to God who gave it” (Ecclesiastes 12:7). For believers, Jesus promises: “Today you will be with me in Paradise” (Luke 23:43). Paul longed “to depart and be with Christ” (Philippians 1:23). For those who reject Him, Scripture warns of Hades and judgment (Luke 16:23; Hebrews 9:27). The truth is clear: the soul is spirit, not substance. It cannot be weighed on a scale — but it carries infinite worth in God’s eyes. Science may ask, but Scripture answers. When science is quiet, faith speaks. And I can’t help but wonder: had Dr. MacDougall known the Bible’s truth about the soul and trusted Christ, he would have found more than an experiment. He would have found salvation — and perhaps one day I might meet him in Heaven. 📖 “What good will it be for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul?” (Matthew 16:26) #FaithOverScience #EternalTruth #SoulWorth #GospelHope