I was invited for lunch with a friend of mine. She was SO excited to show me this cafe, which she thinks (and I quote) I "will love it."
We parked her automobile and walked to the highly anticipated (on my end) cafe.
I smiled with joy when I saw it.
Amelie Cafe's very own welcoming attendant - a Maltese named Sunday.
The owner writing 'Today's Specials'.
Rustic setting. I loved it!
The hand painted menus were adorable.
My friend's lunch order: Marjoram Pasta with meatballs & Mango and Cinnamon Lassi (upper right hand corner).
MY lunch order: Mushroom Pasta and Mineral Water (which was served in a clear jam jar).
*
Verdict: My friend was right! I fell in love with the place at the very sight of it. In it's humble space, the owners managed to create a nostalgic feeling with a warmly inviting ambience. I enjoyed myself thoroughly. The food was tasteful, but however not exceptional.
*
Do pay a visit to Amelie Cafe, have a cup of coffee (or lassi) and enjoy an afternoon of reminiscing down memory lane.
It is located at:
No.6, Armenian Street,
10200, Penang.
(T): 012.496.7378
P/S: When you are at Amelie's, do not forget to grab their name cards. They are pretty cute.
Life is a treasure.
More important, it is a precious gem entrusted to us from our Heavenly Father.
Our life, is our very own treasure.
It is devastating to hear news of people thinking that life is made up of mere decisions, either the wrong one or the right one. It is heartbreaking to receive news that because one is of the impression that there is no solution to a calamity, the best possible answer then is to end one’s life.
I started off this entry (and even entitling it) by saying that life is a treasure.
I believe that life was, is and always will be a treasure. The reason as to why it stops becoming THAT is due to perspective.
Perspective is essential in life.
Life is never meant to be constrained to work, education, our thoughts on what success is and delving into whatever measures possible to attain it.
Life is not meant to be lived with our heads alone, basing it solely on intellect. Life is to be cherished with our heads AND hearts.
Life is to be celebrated daily; come what may, regardless of the difficulties, calamities or disasters.
I’m not writing this because I’ve had a terrific day and it has been smooth-sailing thus far.
I’m writing this because this is what my heart is, and this is what I wake up to every morning. It is my take on what life is.
As I sat across two of my friends this morning, over a cup of hot tea with the sea breeze gently ruffling through my hair, I think that their company and our friendship enriches my life in every aspect possible.
Fluttering my eyelids open in the morning and before setting foot onto the parquet flooring, I reminisce the kisses I shared with my Daddy the night before; my arms draped across his shoulders and his prickly moustache tickling my face.
Heading downstairs, I am greeted with excited barks and slobbery kisses from Max. With an apple in my hand, Max reaches out for a bite as well. That brings a smile to my face. It makes my morning, every single day for the past four years.
As I move across the hall to the garden, my nostrils are filled with the scent of morning dew on grass and the sound of my wind chime gently tingling against another. I waft in the beautiful aroma only a new day can bring. It is the scent I carry in my heart throughout the day.
Life is not a treasure because of the things we’ve achieved. Life will never be a treasure if we acclaim it to the knowledge acquired. Life does not translate into treasure by us trying to make out and quantify, with logic.
Life IS a treasure because of the little things that make our day – the seemingly minor things in life that we often overlook, take for granted or over time, lose awe and significance for.
It is those little things that enrich life.
To me, I see it as precious nuggets saved up over time. Surround yourself in that long enough, you’d realise that it becomes an indispensable part of your life.
Life’s a treasure. Never unlock the chest of life and lose the amazing wonder it brings.
My Daddy placed his icy-cold palms on the cheeks of my face and upon hearing me squealing, he walked off laughing and chuckling.
SO. Cheeky. And, cute. And, I love him heaps.
I’ve just returned home after leading worship at Grace Church, Sungai Petani.
Physically, I am worn out and spent. However, my heart and soul is refreshed, SO contented beyond words.
There is truly nothing like the presence of God. Nothing could ever substitute it, it is irreplaceable as much as it is precious – fresh infilling, new revelation, greater depth and increased intimacy.
There is also no greater truth than the Word of God. His Word IS living and active. When it is declared with power and authority, we see the manifestation of His presence in the midst of His people.
And, it is truly one of the moments in life that I live for.
If I could sum up my life’s purpose to one account, I would say that it is to be His vessel, carrying His anointing and bringing the experience of heaven’s worship on Earth.
I desire to lead every person alive to encounter the one, true and LIVING God, to “taste and see that the Lord is good” (Psalm 34:8) and “see Him in His sanctuary, beholding His power and glory” (Psalm 63:2, paraphrased).
It is SO beautiful, it is completely breathtaking.
This is no understatement when I’ve learnt that worship and intercession go hand-in-hand. For a breakthrough in the area of worship, there has GOT TO BE intercession.
It goes beyond merely SAYING a prayer. It surpasses our natural understanding of what WE THINK God can do.
It needs to come to a point where every fabric of a person’s being cries out to God, wanting nothing more but MORE of Him, where “ALL that is within you just longs to bless His holy name” (Psalm 103:1, paraphrased).
It comes to a point of earnest desperation and heartfelt crying out. It takes hours of kneeling down before Him, buckets of tears shed out of a heart longing for Him.
Honestly, I spent most of my time awakened at wee hours of the morning – seeking, prostrating and (a little!) pounding on the floor – asking and asking for His presence, not relinquishing (even by an inch) when it comes to the reality of who He is.
It takes someone with a genuine desire of wanting OTHERS to experience Him. It transcends the self ability, knowledge and limitation. It is tapping into His, it is leaning in close to hear His heartbeat.
I’m amazed, over and over again.
I’m blown away by the intensity of His love and the tenderness of His presence. Glorious and magnificent, yet tender and caressing. SO beautiful.
I am reminded, only by grace, His wonderful grace.
I was awakened at 2AM (yesterday morning) for a late night / super early morning date with my Beautiful Bridegroom.
It was unexpected, yet so precious. It was one hour of adoring worship, heartfelt prayers and deep intercession.
There is inexhaustible joy in my Spirit, when it comes to the things of God.
I’ve never grown tired or weary of singing, sharing and living it all out for Him. And, I will never tire of doing it all.
As I was worshipping Him, a sweet aroma infused the entire room.
In the beauty of His presence, I was reminded of a message entitled ‘The Fragrance of Worship’ which I shared in Youth Impact not so long ago.
Luke chapter 7 (verses 36 till 50) speaks about Jesus being anointed by a sinful woman.
She was undeserving, a trail of sins creeping up behind her.
Yet, in her weakness and shame, she recognised the compassion, love and mercy of Jesus Christ.
At probably one of the most inappropriate time of the day (Jesus was having dinner at that time); she dashed to where He was and fell to her face, at His feet.
She broke the alabaster jar of perfume (worth a year’s wages) and anointed the feet of Jesus.
The room, filled with activity - the hustle-bustle of servants scurrying around setting food on the table, amidst the chatters and noise, the clanging of cutlery against the plates – (I believe) suddenly grew silent. Everything came to a halt.
The fragrance of the perfume permeated the entire place; every nook, cranny and crevice. The atmosphere of the whole room changed.
It was the fragrance of that woman’s worship. (To date, this is one of my favourite examples of true worship.)
She held nothing back. She gave, she gave her all. In exchange, He generously forgave.
The fragrance of her worship changed the atmosphere.
OUR worship must change the atmosphere. The fragrance of OUR worship must change the atmosphere.
Darlene Zschech says this in one of her messages, “Our lives should carry a fragrance that causes people to lean in. His fragrance covers our ordinariness.”
I long for the fragrance of my worship to rise as sweet incense to the throne of God, in which He will inhale and take it in, bringing a smile on His face.
Our lives should be lived infused by Jesus, radiating His glory and releasing His fragrance to our world.
With love and much more love,
Melissa.
I awoke to this adorable face, staring at me.
With those huge brown eyes, he observed my every move and then, rolled over belly up; with one paw gesturing me to shower him with belly rub and tickles.
I'm so thankful for mornings like this.
I'm still laughing over this, Aniq and Dee Dee. It (the joke, in this case, it is Debra) is now immortalised on Chatty Lass.
Two weeks ago, over mugs of latte (my friend’s) and chamomile tea (mine).
Friend: Hey, if you were to have a baby girl, what would you name her?
Melissa: Why the sudden baby talk? Is there something that I should know? (Pure sarcasm, folks.)
Friend: Naw naw. I’m just curious, since I’ve seen you swooning over babies pretty often.
Melissa: Baby girl, you said? I like Ayla and Maia.
Friend: Nice names. (grins cheekily) What if you were to have a baby boy?
Melissa: You and your never-ending questions. I like Atticus, for a boy.
Friend: Looks like you’ve got it all planned out. I’m so happy for you. I think that you’d be an amazing mumma.
Melissa: (gushes and blushes) Awww, thank you.
Friend: So, when do I get to hold babies - Ayla, Maia and Atticus?
Melissa: -_- Let me find their daddy first.
I have had the urge to write this entry for a couple of days, but not knowing where and how to start, I brushed it aside.
Till tonight.
I came home, sat at the feet of my Beautiful Jesus and I was urged to turn to Luke 15.
It was confirmation, on my end. Sensing it deep within me and with conviction blazing, I am perched on my chair writing this entry.
In Luke 15, Jesus shares of 3 parables – The Parable of the Lost Sheep, The Parable of the Lost Coin and The Parable of the Lost Son.
Particularly captivating my attention and has been the prompting of my heart for this few days is the last of the three, The Parable of the Lost Son.
Christians reading this, you have heard of this story told ample times – from the days of Sunday School till now.
It is one of the best demonstration of grace and a story of earnest repentance.
However, that isn’t the primary focus of this entry.
Let us shift our focus to the lost son, for a moment. In other translations, he is referred to as the prodigal son.
Picture this with me.
I would see him as the dominant personality in the family. He would probably be loud, boisterous. He was always the one to take the lead, and loves being in the limelight. He enjoyed being among the company of his equally flashy companions and is often times the life of the party.
Not content with living in a mundane environment, he longed for an adventure. He wasn’t one who settles for the norm, he desired the extraordinary.
The life of luxury and comfortable environment in which he was brought up in did not bring him contentment.
Urging his father to give him his share of the inheritance, he splurged it all. My guess? The contribution of his father’s hard earned cash went booze, entertainment and girls. This is not merely my own assumption, the Bible mentioned it (Check out Luke 15:13 – “...squandered his wealth on wild living.”)
The insides of his pockets turned out and cash running low, I see him now trudging through the streets, thinking of means of survivals.
I am pretty sure the thought of returning home crossed his mind, at least once.
Pride got better of him. He felt the need to prove himself. Not yet, he reckons. “Let me give this one more shot,” he said to himself.
Of all the things he could have done, he landed himself a job to feed the pigs.
Those pink, bolster-like animals were his responsibility. They had more to eat than him. He had nothing. Nada. Zilch. No food to fill his rumbling tummy.
By now, he would no longer be loud and boisterous.
He would have looked scruffy, unshaven, with messed up hair. His shirt would probably be losing a few buttons. He hasn’t had a shower in weeks; he would be funny-smelling even.
Verse 17 is my highlight – “When he came to his senses...”
The reality of his predicament sunk in. He looked around him and he saw the state that he was in.
"It is time," he told himself.
The beauty of this parable – He took The First Step.
He wasn’t going to let guilt stop him from returning. He wasn’t going to let his pride get in the way.
He had it in his mind, and he put it into action. He stretched out his legs and took The First Step.
I believe that the purpose of this parable isn’t just to illustrate the kindness and forgiveness of God.
It is also to challenge us to have a willing heart. It is for us to be the ones taking The First Step.
The thing I love most about our Father in Heaven is that He is such a gentleman. He is so deserving, yet He never forces. He is so worthy, yet He never imposes or demands.
He wants us to want Him. He wants us to leap into His arms willingly, not by force.
We are to come to realisation of our need of Him; of how lost we are without Him, of how meaningless life is when it is not spent with Him.
And, we are to take that first step towards Him.
Nothing could ever come between you and God, unless you have built up a wall to isolate yourself from Him. Nothing you do could ever make Him love you less or more.
"Neither death nor life, nor anything else in all creation would be able to separate you from the love of God"(Romans 8:38-39, paraphrased).
So, what awaits you when you boldly plunge your feet in His promises and take on that First Step towards Him?
From a distance, you see His arms wide open, welcoming you.
Coming face to face with Him, he puts on the robe of righteousness on your back, slips on the ring of son(daughter)ship on your finger.
He pulls you into a close embrace with Him, He places His hands on both sides of your cheeks and kisses you.
He’s there – waiting, aching and longing for your return. Take that First Step, back to Him.
