The reason...

I love the reason for the this season! =)
And He has given me so much to be thankful for even in the midst of trouble,
sometimes i just can't help but marvel at His BIGness!

Have started doing my year end reflections and this has been the hardest year EVER to do it...
SO so much has happened that i do not enjoy, and so much of this journey has been bitter sweet.

Right now, i'm glad for this season i'm in...
Broken hearted for the things that break God's heart.
Feeling my heart leap when i encounter a touchpoint...especially in Australia!
Embracing the tears that welled up when Wesley raised his hand,
and the incidents that are similar in nature...seeing God's smile...
Choosing, and choosing and choosing...Faith in Him above all else...
The awesome plans He has allowed me a glimpse of...
Wow...awestruck and i just want to be where you are working right now!

The greatest gift i've gotten? ...
The privilege of learning to care for the things Jesus cares about.

I'm thankful for...
Tenderness of heart that comes...despite....
Being trusted by Him
wounded warriors that serve and are faithful
enjoying the journey in faith
growth

What encourages my heart this season...
People who are open, honest and sincere.

This Christmas and birthday, more than any other, i desire the true fellowship of friends and people who are real, open, honest and sincere. The gifts and the merry making are just wrapping paper hiding the real person, and i want to know the person...not the gift.

So yes, this season, the greatest gift you can give me is to be honest and sincere with me. If a handshake or a greeting is what you can offer. It is a lovely gift already, i thank you for calling me a friend. If you feel compelled to get me something for the sake of IT (the gift) and not for me as a person...then please, in all honesty, i do not require such a present, our friendship is not measured in presents or what you can give me, i extend my friendship without asking anything in return. For those who have put your heart into your gifts, i thank you for sharing a part of yourself with me, calling you friend is a wonder-filled experience. I am a simple man of simple needs, i know i need God and i know i want true friends, and thank you for being one.

Once more please?

My heart...on the way to being broken by the things that break God's heart.

One more into the Kingdom! I've never known such Joy! Thank you Lord for a marvelous few hours, for that wonderful experience of you, for 14 year old Wesley, for your love for him and for me. You truly are the saviour!

SoOOooo many things to be thankful for...gosh!

Praise you Lord!

Farewell Post

The generous man will be prosperous,

And he who waters will himself be watered.

Proverbs 11:25

Thank you Lord!
...for the clip, spent so many weeks but it was worth it, well worth it!

...for my PCG,

...for my SOLEAD class,

...for the little joys

...for the sharings, breakfasts, acts of kindness, and the laughter!

...for late night runs, climbing ropes, flying foxes, balls that can fit humans!

...for the Youthphorians, and those who wanted to surprise me! thanks!

...for all those who mean something to me

...for all those who mean everything and don't know it...

I'll be away to serve the nation, with immediate effect until 1st week Dec...
No handphone, no internet, no TV...

but strangely, it doesn't bother me at all,

it will be a sweet time with God!

To people with papers and exams still,

study well and be good stewards yah?

Poignant Quote

"Death leaves a heartache no one can heal,
love leaves a memory no one can steal."
(From a headstone in Ireland)

I will boast...in the Lord my God!

This is what the LORD says:

"Let not the wise man boast of his wisdom

or the strong man boast of his strength

or the rich man boast of his riches,
but let him who boasts boast about this:

that he understands and knows me,

that I am the LORD, who exercises kindness,

justice and righteousness on earth,

for in these I delight,"

declares the LORD.

Jeremiah 9:23,24

Mmm...taking a break from memorising! yeah...the above is the verse of the moment for me! =)

Understand and know God, tall order? nah...i don't think so...not when His beauty is etched in the sunset, and built into the flowers and trees! Just gotta have eyes that see, and a heart that wants to know, REALLY know God...

The other line that got me pondering..."I am the LORD", reminded me of Amy's class and how she was saying that to the Jews "I AM" was such a wonderful expression of the divinity and completeness of God that no other words needed to be added to it..."I AM" is a standalone phrase that speaks of YHWH...hmm...wonderful...

Follow up to the retreat...

It is amazing how God speaks when we are sincerely seeking Him...=) Had an unexpected blessing when Hung Peng sent out an sms saying that field ministry today was cancelled for us to prepare for checkouts...well...i felt that i could best use the time in God's presence and today was like listening to God part 2!

"This life ought to be spent by us only as a journey towards heaven" ~Jonathan Edwards~

Do you see what this means—all these pioneers who blazed the way, all these veterans cheering us on? It means we'd better get on with it. Strip down, start running—and never quit! No extra spiritual fat, no parasitic sins. Keep your eyes on Jesus, who both began and finished this race we're in. Study how he did it. Because he never lost sight of where he was headed—that exhilarating finish in and with God—he could put up with anything along the way: Cross, shame, whatever. And now he's there, in the place of honor, right alongside God. When you find yourselves flagging in your faith, go over that story again, item by item, that long litany of hostility he plowed through. That will shoot adrenaline into your souls! Hebrews 12:1-3

The whole life of the good christian is a holy longing" ~Augustine~

“No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love him.” 1 Cor 2:9

He who has never failed somewhere, that man cannot be great. Failure is the test of greatness.
~Herman Melville~

All of us experience failure, and no one likes it. But for some people, it becomes a goad to push on to new learning, deeper persistence, more vigorous commitment, more courageous hearts. For others, failure produces utter defeat - a sense of discouragement, a loss of hope, a desire to hide, a secret resolve to never again get out of the boat. ~John Ortberg~

As long as my sense of being valuable and significant is tied to my success, it will be a fragile thing. But when i come to know in the marrow of my bones that i am just as valued and loved by God when i have fallen flat on my face, then i am gripped by a love stronger than success or failure.

Lord, help me to do great things as though they were little since i do them with your power; and little things as though they were great, since i do them in your name. ~Blaise Pascal~

Ok...to compact my learning into action points...
1) Love God more daily
2) This life i have to live is to be lived for His glory and His kingdom
3) Run the race with eyes set on eternity...persevere even in adversity!
4) No running away! Expect God to show up! He will prove Himself!
5) Failure/Success means nothing if i lose my Love for God,
6) My measure will be...do i love God more today?
Can i trust him, inspite of...despite...eventhough...things may not seem ideal in my eyes...

Beyond Calvary...

Retreat Day today...
Pondered more deeply into God's amazing Love

I've recently put up this line in my MSN messenger...
"Jesus bore the pain, because He looked beyond calvary and saw...you and me...*in awestruck wonder...because you first loved me*"

Was just very touched by the words 'He looked beyond calvary..." that i heard in a Parachute band song, and it led me to think on it and imagine that scene on calvary...

Can you imagine? The Lord of the world, supposedly a coming King and glorious in His splendor, willing to come show us the way...bearing the cross, the symbol of shame, the ultimate humiliation of carrying your instrument of torment and knowing that you would die on it. Jesus did it willingly...He bore that shame, that humilation, the pain, the separation from God, the filthiness of sin, even those uncommitted yet...the spotless lamb, dirtying Himself...and for what purpose? As He wallked up the hill to calvary...all a normal man would be able to see would be the cruel guards, the endless taunting, mocking and heckling of the ignorant mob, BUT...Jesus did not see that...

He looked BEYOND calvary! beyond the hill where death lay for him and beyond that dark moment, that momentary pain and that utter hopelessness...He saw eternity...an eternity where He would see that great crowd of witnesses, that great number who know Jesus, and call Him closer than a friend, sharing a divine intimacy for the whole of eternity! He saw a future hope with the heckling crowd transformed, the crowd that very likely contained you and me...

He walked to calvary willingly because of you and me...that final victory scene...Wow...imagining it in my mind totally brought home the impact of His sacrifice!

Thank you Lord for the nails that you took for me, the holes in your hands and feet that would have been mine, you took them willingly so that i would not have to suffer eternal separation from you. Lord, i want to know more of that kind of agape Love. Loving...in spite of...despite...because of...loving because the Love of the Lord that compels us! Lord, you know my heart, you know the innermost depths and recesses even better than me! And Lord, i want to confess that i do not know you enough, but Lord, i want to lay hold of you, to know the majesty and divine mystery of your Love, you've heard my questions and my heart cry for you...i want a desire and love for you that grows daily and conforms me more and more into your image! Grant me more of you Lord...let me be an unblemished mirror that reflects your glory...a vessel, wholly devoted to you, and showing your love and your example in all situations.

Soar On Eagle's Wings

Though youths grow weary and tired,

And vigorous young men stumble badly,

Yet those who wait for the LORD

Will gain new strength;

They will mount up with wings like eagles,

They will run and not get tired,

They will walk and not become weary.

Isaiah 40:30,31

Soaring, Running, Walking...things we'll constantly be doing as long as we live...

Read this insightful piece this morning and decided to blog it to remind myself of this journey of life, this journey that is meant to lived out in faith and which will have stumbles, hiccups and various assorted challenges along with the joys and the laughter! =)

Birds have 3 methods of flight,

1) Flapping - keeping their wings in constant motion to counteract gravity. Hummingbirds do this extremely well, they can flap up to 70 times a SECOND! Flapping keeps you up in the air, but it is alot of work. It gets us from here to there but it is decidedly awkward and clumsy business, and it isn't graceful at all.

2) Gliding - A bird builds up speed, then coasts for awhile. Gravity sets in quickly, and while gliding is nice, it does not go very far or last very long. It is graceful in spurts.

3) Soaring - Only a few birds (like eagles!) are able to do this! Their wings must be strong enough to catch rising currents of warm air, and without flapping their wings at all, they can fly at great speeds (80mph!) and to great heights! They soar on invisible columns of rising air!

As the above article reminded me, soaring is not easy business, we gotta train our wings (build our faith) to be strong enough and soar constantly by the power of the Holy Spirit. Along the way, we'd be flapping along and occasionally experiencing gliding! But! We CAN soar and the Lord WANTS us to Soar! =)

Back to Isaiah

So...in Isaiah, we read about soaring, running and walking.

It is quite an encouragement! When we wait for the Lord...

We can walk (through the drudgery and daily challenges) and not grow weary!

We can run (do work, achieve goals, grow constantly) and not get tired!

We can mount up with wings as eagles! Soaring by the power of the Holy Spirit constantly! Woo!

Ok...that helps to focus my personal retreat alot! =) Thank you Lord! So amazed by you!

SOLEAD BBQ before Yuting left for Oz!

 

Ling Ling's Birthday on Day 1 of summit!

 

Solead Class at Staff Summit

 

Phew...

Okies...after all that work, i gotta take a break!

It's been an interesting first day back to class yesterday after the summit, have quite abit that i've lined up to seek God about next week during personal retreat, so yups...will blog about some of these interesting stuff on my mind!

D.L Moody said that Moses spent

40 years thinking he was somebody

40 years learning he was nobody and

40 years discovering what God can do with a nobody.

Woah...i wanna learn phase 3...

About Complaining

"No talent, no self-denial,

no brains and no character

is required to set up the grumbling business"

The underlying principle between God and His people is LOVE,

Obedience to God's law is a natural by-product of a relationship of Love.

So long as we imagine that it is WE who have to look for God, we must often lose heart. But it is the other way about; He is looking for us. And so we can afford to recognise that very often we are NOT looking for God; far from it, we are in full flight FROM Him, in high rebellion against Him. And He knows it and has taken it into account. He has followed us into our own darkness; there where we thought finally to escape Him, we run straight into His arms. So we do not have to erect a false piety for ourselves, to give us the hope of salvation. Our hope is in His determination to save us, and He will not give in

Simon Tugwell ~prayer~

Sabbath day

Last night, had such a stimulating talk with the supper people! Was just telling them about some of the things i was learning in my course and the stuff i'm becoming clearer about. We got to talking about the Sabbath day, and after ding-donging back and forth, we went to the root of it and it is rather intriguing! =)

Take away all the definitions of work, take away all preconceived ideas and just taking the first instance, the example of God taking the sabbath...we get this...

2 By the seventh day God had finished the work he had been doing; so on the seventh day he rested from all his work. 3 And God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it he rested from all the work of creating that he had done. Genesis 2:2,3

Someone asked..."so...God didn't work on the seventh day, yet He blessed it and made it holy, does it mean the rest of the days were not blessed or holy?"

That's an interesting question isn't it?
God created the earth from scratch, made the oceans and sky, the trees, the animals...everything! God did 6 days worth of miracles! were they not blessed or holy?

All the works of God's hands are fantastic miracles, and yet God reminded us still...on the day that He took a complete rest, that the sabbath is considered blessed and Holy, a special day, a day specifically mentioned and set aside!

That's counter to our culture, we value work, results, being busy, but God is asking us to look from His perspective, and to see why He has blessed the Sabbath. Even after 6 days worth of fantastic miracles, He took the time to rest, to relax, to enjoy creation...He called the sabbath blessed, and Holy!

Interesting isn't it...=) It's not an issue i grappel with, but just thot i would blog this very interesting exchange! I'll give no answers here (you can ask me more if you want), but i'll just say this... to follow the Lord's example is the best way! =)

What keeps you going?

The question that begs an answer...What keeps you going?

For me...the Love of God keeps me going, seeking Him daily, learning to lean on Him, joining Him at work, surrendering and letting go so that i can be fully used by Him. After all, how many years do i have? I'd rather use them for His eternal Kingdom then for anything else!

We are always called to 'someone' before we are called to 'do something'...in my case, i've learnt that it is easy to get waylaid if my focus is wrong. So i have to daily determine to make that 'someone' - Jesus Christ, my Lord and saviour, He who will never fail me.

This summit, poignant questions got asked...like
What keeps you going? What is something i've learnt about myself lately? Who do you love? How do you act because of that love?

What we love determines how we live.

Who we love determines what we do.

Are you a grabber

(Man's way, trying to EARN blessing by DOING good things)

or a receiver

(God's way, surrender what you have, no need to prove your self)

The life of surrender

"...then i no longer have to live in frenzy of activity, overwhelmed and afraid of the missed opportunity..." Henri Nouwen ~3 movements of a spiritual life~

Intimacy with God takes effort...

If intimacy is the goal, then discipline is the means

Distance from God is a frightening thing.

Lord, I place intimacy with you as first in my life...your Lordship has never been as true, or as real as it is now in this season, and yes...it certainly is such a difficult discipline to cultivate, but i truly want to learn how to follow hard after you. I've tasted and i've seen, and your ways are truly best...lead me on, i trust you as i know that your ways are best and will prove itself! AMEN!

SCCC Staff Summit

MMmmm...fruitful summit! Been through many planning sessions with company, work unit, army unit, church and youth, and yes, this planning summit was very good! Saw how through the whole process of defining and focussing the mission, the entire staff of SCCC was engaged and interested. I think that this goes a long way to 'owning' the vision! The process is far more important than the end product as the more people are involved, the more it can be translated into work on the ground level! Encouraged by this whole process!

On a personal note, i liked the morning sessions, so many things i can take home from it!

John 6:1-13
1) Don't see what you don't have
2) Don't doubt what you have! (5 loaves and 2 fishes - Little is much when God is in it!)
3) Surrender what you already have (It is sufficient for the Lord to use!)
4) Know that your God has! (gave thanks, spread the 5 loaves and 2 fishes in faith!)
They had MORE than enough! 12 baskets of leftovers! =) WOO!

Where does your confidence lie?

Family Day was awesome!

MMMM....satisfying weekend! Family Day on Sat was a huge success! Fantastic stuff and i'm glad all the PCG's and co-ordinators managed to pull off a well-run and very smooth program! We covered this program well in prayer, and yes...it was truly God's grace that the Parents who came, and the Youthphorians were blessed!

I loved the games for the parents and the kids to know each other better, i loved the testimonies! Special mention to Tiffany Tan and her sisters, Janelle was really chirpy and funny, great honesty and yes...i could see your mum beaming! haha! =) QL and Benben, yups...you made your mum cry and yes...i think you should invite them to church now! Seize the day! Thanks Minyi, for your heartfelt poem and being so real up there...it showed!

The whole program was a success and it is truly wonderful to be serving with all of you! Guess Rufus' and I had the same sense of..."why were my parents not here..." but yes...i trust that the Lord will work in their lives...i will not give up...slowly but surely...i trust that God WILL work!

Lord, as you honour your name and your people by strengthening the bonds of love in families, i pray that you will also build up those that these lovely families contact too! I totally agree with pastor B that full-time workers, youth workers, PCG leaders are no comparison to the REAL youth workers...Parents who influence their children from birth! And Lord as children are such a blessing and like arrows in a quiver, Lord I pray that their families and their friends will be impacted positively by the Godly example of these faithful children. Make them your shining examples, and do not let anyone look down on them because of their youth!

busy week!

Woo! The week is finally over and i've had time to wind down! =) Yahs...felt amazing to just crash in the GCTC lounge earlier! Had friends around me doing work, but yahs...i just totally crashed cuz of the events of the past week! haha! Unglam...but not like i'm the type to care about appearances! =P

Thank God that i passed the comm drill, one more checkout done, but the most important thing is that i gained knowledge of my WYS in an intimate way. So yes, i thank God for that! I keep reinforcing to myself the fact that i do not need to rush through my checkouts...it is best to gain the knowledge especially about the intricacies so that i can do it well, and yes, i think that attitude has helped me absorb all these materials rather well! This week didn't start as busy as it looked...but then, along the way cuz of comm meetings and handling family day co-ord, plus prayer meeting, things really really got busy! Thank God that i still could prepare for the checkout and remember it well! Really...all by His Grace!

Comm drills this week were fun! yahs...a totally fun time of learning, being stretched, doing all the drills with exaggerated actions...stare at someone for 5 seconds, move towards them (invade their space!), make sure your tone and subtext mean the same thing etc...Woo...totally stretching! It was really good to be stretched and challenged, some was really uncomfortable for me, maybe because i always respect people's personal space so staring and walking towards them was abit unnatural, but yes, it is something i will watch!

My own comm drills were so-so...there was one that i REALLY wanted to stretch myself abit, tell the story of granny, but yahs...decided not to in the end, guess i sorted figured it would have make me too emotional to carry on talking so i kopped out, but yes...it was something on my mind. Oh...and i did see a fantastic drill! haha! nah...not gonna name names or make ppl go red, but yes...it was totally impressive, seeing the preparation to get into role and then the whole gamut of emotions and the exclamation at the end! haha! =) great way to end the comm drills i felt! Felt so accomplished for my classmate, and just felt blessed to have been privy to that moment in living colour! It was really pure joy at watching a great performance! Superbly well done!

Anyways...getting back into the groove of writing and exercising my creative juices despite all the hectic days...and yes, i wanna produce more such works, the more i do it, the better it gets and yes, the better i'll be stewarding this gift that i have! Though of course, the other areas will then have to play catch up...=) haha! good problem to have, not complaining in the least bit!

Lord, thank you for this week, as the Youthphoria Comm catches the vision and the fire for personal discipleship and for multiplying beyond our walls, i pray for your strength and enabling to be upon them. For myself, i wanna live out your call more and more clearly, so yes Lord, speak your heart to me, show me exactly how i should live out my life to glorify your name, these seem to be in the intangibles right now, but i'll be patient and wait on you. I thank you for a SOLEAD class that has been a blessing in the way they shine as lights, i'm so blessed by their hearts for the lost and the commitment they have to you Lord Jesus! Each and every talk with them sharpens me and as you build a generation that seeks your glory alone, may your Holy Spirit come in power and mould the individuals in this SOLEAD class into people who really ARE little Christs, and who move in your enabling!

Declaration!

It's been a long while since my last post, been too busy and hectic to write down all the stuff that has happened! But yes...God is good, daily seeking Him and it is amazing how He works everyday! Truly...God is real, daily, just that sometimes we are not looking out for what He is doing.

"It's not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena...who, at best, knows in the end the triumph of great achievement, and who, at worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly. So that his place will never be with those cold timid souls who know neither victory nor defeat.

~Theodore Roosevelt~

I never want to be a cold, timid soul, i'll dare greatly, love unconditionally, worship in total abandon, speak Words of Life, not death...everything for the Lord who is my everything!

It's all a process...

Gaining abit more perspective nowadays...

Learning how to truly fall well, learn, do it again, and constantly battle, especially against any fear (especially irrational ones!)

This whole life is a process, a refinement, a moulding, and i want to be moulded by the Master into a masterpiece. Sometimes it may entail pain, sorrow, unpleasant surprises, but the more teachable i am now, the less i will have to undo if God convicts later! Like the army likes to remind me...

Do it once, do it good (it should be...Do it WELL! ahaha!)

Lord, teach me to discern your will and do things according to how you are doing it! Teach me to join you where you are working. I do not want to run ahead of your plans, or linger behind after you have left...teach me to continually follow hard after you! Pressing in to your perfect will!

I pray that you will open the eyes of my heart to discern your will! and Lord, i pray also for the leaders and Youthphoria, lead us and guide us into a ministry used for your kingdom purposes, bind us together with your bonds of love and teach us to be faithful and fruitful.

God never fails!

"As for His failing you, never dream of it - hate the thought. He who has been sufficient until now, should be trusted to the end." - Charles Spurgeon

Real Strength

Real strength is not just a condition of one's muscle, but a tenderness in one's spirit.
-McCallister Dodds-

Those of us who are strong and able in the faith need to step in and lend a hand to those who falter, and not just do what is most convenient for us. Strength is for service, not status. Each one of us needs to look after the good of the people around us, asking ourselves, "How can I help?" Romans 15:1 The Message

Be assured that from the first day we heard of you, we haven't stopped praying for you, asking God to give you wise minds and spirits attuned to his will, and so acquire a thorough understanding of the ways in which God works. We pray that you'll live well for the Master, making him proud of you as you work hard in his orchard. As you learn more and more how God works, you will learn how to do your work. We pray that you'll have the strength to stick it out over the long haul—not the grim strength of gritting your teeth but the glory-strength God gives. It is strength that endures the unendurable and spills over into joy, thanking the Father who makes us strong enough to take part in everything bright and beautiful that he has for us. Colossians 1:9-12 The Message

Strength, it was never meant to be for ourselves. But the Lord grants it to us, so that He can work through us.

the spirituality of Choice

Blogging helps me clarify my thots and process what i need to, and yes...i realise that this is the way i journal. Introspectively, and so that i can grow. Challenging myself constantly. Acknowledging my weakness, the Lord's strength, and the countless trials that come unbidden.

Reading this book, 'Seizing your divine moment' by Erwin Raphael McManus and it is challenging me...

"The most important moments rarely come at a convenient time. Sometimes you wish that God would check your calendar first. The ironic part is that our schedules get packed with the mundane and ordinary, and we become irritated with God when he interrupts us with the miraculous and extraordinary. The bible is full of stories of people who were rudely interrupted by God. We read them and long to have the kind of adventure experienced by those men and women. Yet when God interrupts us, are we willing to respond at a moment's notice?"

Opportunity and dilemma, all in a single moment. The path is thick with mystery, danger, the unknown, but isn't that what an adventure is all about? =) The journey begins now - in this moment. That's the mystery of a single moment. It is small enough to ignore and big enough to change your life forever. Life is the sum total of what you do with the moments given you. The divine potential of a moment is unlocked by the choices we make. Each moment's personal, historic and eternal value is directly related to the choices we make. Choice unlocks the adventure. Somehow, the power of choice has been moved from the spiritual to the practical. We have a created a dichotomy between being spiritual and living everyday life, one that was never meant to be there! And we have forgotten that God created us with the power to CHOOSE, He has given us free will. This capacity is perhaps the greatest expression of being created in the image of God!

The most spiritual activity we will engage in today is making choices. All other things we do, worship, prayer, meditation...these are all done in context of choice. Did i choose to worship? Or am i worshipping only cuz it is "time to worship?" Am i choosing to worship or am i just standing and mouthing the words? It's all a choice. Do i feel angry and unable to worship? It is a choice, hold on to anger (or any other emotion) or release it and cling on to God.

"And whatever you do , don't underestimate what you may find, when you seize a divine moment, you instigate an atomic reaction. You become the human catalyst creating a divine impact! "

Lord, teach me to seize the moments boldly, making the most of them and temper my emotions so that i'll not be irritated when you interrupt my plans with your divine ones!

Look beyond...

It never is easy to be refined by the Lord, but the refining is always for a purpose!
Who can fathom God's ways? Only by setting our eyes on the Lord, and at His eternal plan can all the momentary pain and troubles be seen in perspective.

Riches, beautiful clothes, a splendid house, a posh car...just things, they will never bring joy.
Looks, talents, skills, ability, all can be taken away in a blink of an eye.

Trials, challenges, pain...the stuff that God chooses to build character, to test what we have learnt, to see if our walk matches our talk when things get difficult.

After you have entered the refiner's fire, where all things that are not of God get burnt, charred, and painfully cleansed...what finally emerges? Will gold emerge? Will my response be complaining and whining without tangible change? Or will i willingly say..."if i perish, i perish?"

Daniel 3:16-18 Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego replied to the king, "O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter. 17 If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to save us from it, and he will rescue us from your hand, O king. 18 But even if he does not, we want you to know, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up."

Yups...no more yoke of slavery, may that be burnt up in the fire! I take up the yoke which is easy and light! I delight in painful fire for the i know it is searing my character in the right ways! and finally, for the things i may never understand...Lord, i entrust those into your hands. Trusting that to you because you are gentle and compassionate, abounding in Love!

Contentment

Be contented when you have got all you want. - Holbrook Jackson-

I've got Jesus!

One single grateful thought raised to heaven is the most perfect prayer.

- G. E. Lessing-

No more Mr Christian Nice Guy!

yeah...you read it right! No more Mr Christian Nice Guy!

I'm gonna rant, i'm gonna rave!
Vent my anger, unleash the fury!
Scream out loud and curse when i need to!
Yeah! Gonna tear down those walls and crash through all obstacles!

Oh...and in yes...i'm gonna do all the above and more with the weapon of prayer, the weapon of the Holy Word, and the weapon of Praise and Worship!

No more Mr Nice Guy! Our battle is in the heavenlies, and the weapons we have are weapons meant to be wielded! Used for the purposes of tearing down strongholds and breaking the hold of principalities and powers! It's time to be bold and launch the attack! The Lord God of hosts is the one who fights the battle, it time to raise up the standard, release the battle cry!

Be Bold, be Strong, the battle is the Lord's, and the victory is the Lord's already! pray it through! There is no battle too difficult! press on, press on Soldier, the Lord's army is behind you all the way!

i hope i never forget to say...

I love you Lord!

It's been sung, it's been prayed,
countless times throughout time,
It's been said, a thousand ways,
by children and kings, poets and priests...

I'd like to say it again, just let me say it... once again...
"I Love You Lord!" I just wanna say "I LOVE YOU LORD!"
As simple it sounds, in you...my heart is found...I love you!

I Love you Lord, I love you!

Where is your strength?

My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. Psalm 73:26

Such a timely reminder! My flesh and my heart may run the range of emotions, joys and pain, mountain tops and time in the valley...yet, through it all, the unchangable I AM is still my Rock and my foundation!

The word says that we should not be anxious at all, but rather bring all our requests to God through prayer, with thanksgiving, and the peace of God that surpasses all understanding will keep our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:6-7). Those who know God’s name will trust in Him, because he has NEVER forsaken anyone who seeks Him (Psalm 9:10), If we cling to God, even in the midst of our worst, most unfathomable struggles, our faith becomes real! And that is a reward all by itself!

Do not grow weary in doing good, for at the proper time you will receive a harvest. Remember that all our struggles are for our own good, and for the testing and refining of our faith (James 1). Do not be discouraged or without hope when everything, including your heart, fails. You know it is faith when it is all you have.

It is in the testing of our Faith that the rubber hits the road, and we finally discover where our hearts truly are, where our assurance comes from, the Person we cling to, the promises we hold true to.

Fact, Faith, Feeling.

Fact - God Loves me, Jesus died for me, and He has a perfect plan for me!
Faith - In omnipotent Lord Jesus, Righteousness, Faithfulness and His promise of abundant life.
Feelings - Not swayed by mere emotions, but finding pure Joy in the Lord who never fails! No circumstance is bigger than my God! Feelings will be put under submission to the Lord's truth.

Be a thinking, perceptive man of God!

"The unthinking Christian does not realize it, but he is dangerously absorbed into the culture about him. Because his mind is untrained and unfilled, it lacks the ability to produce the hard questions with which the world needs to be challenged. The challenge for the modern Christian in a secular society may be to ask prophetic questions before there is going to be an opportunity to provide Christ-oriented answers."

Gordon MacDonald
"Ordering your private world"

Prepare, prepare, prepare...is that why i'm such a big-picture person? ok...will process this thought when i have more time to think! =)

Ok...my thoughts, finally.
Imagine going on a road trip without a map, without money, without a destination. Just the car with its full tank and lots of dreams.

That is pretty much us if we do not bother to question the culture that we are in. Today, i heard something about culture that i never realised before. Culture is not a new thing, it has always been around, changing, evolving, always trying to differenciate itself...each culture constantly trying to be 'the best', trying to gain the upper hand. The most vivid example being the people at Babel, who wanted to reach God by constructing a tower that would reach heaven. God was so disgusted with them that he confused their language and spread them to all regions of the world!

The christian in the world has the anchor of truth, the firm foundation that is built on Jesus Christ, the Rock, and we therefore possess the only TRUE reference point. The only constant that will never change. So we HAVE TO...it is a moral duty, it is an act of Love, to point in the right direction! For us to be unquestioning of culture and to be moulded by the ideas, the hedonistic pursuits, the latest trends of fashion or gadgetry, would be forsaking a responsibility to point towards Christ. Let's not be charmed by the world, but be challenged by the Word! Growing daily as we are challenged!

Romans 12: 1-2 The Message Version
So here's what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life—your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life—and place it before God as an offering. Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for him. Don't become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God. You'll be changed from the inside out. Readily recognize what he wants from you, and quickly respond to it. Unlike the culture around you, always dragging you down to its level of immaturity, God brings the best out of you, develops well-formed maturity in you.

Walk the talk

Your walk talks
and your talk talks
But your walk talks more
than your talk talks.

Poignant moment, pregnant pause...sometimes, quotes just like this just strike me like a lightning bolt!

We are all called to the great commission and for me, it has always been through my lifestyle and making sure that i'm daily moulded by the Master. And yes, nowadays, i'm very comfortable not being the life of a party, i much prefer holding my tongue, observing and praying for understanding, i realise that that posture is not a common one, but yups...i'll persevere in it and see where God leads with that! It has certainly led me to uncommon times of sweetness and insight in Him!

As i undergo training now, i know it is going to be a challenge for me, i'll going to be tested....but i'm going by faith, trusting that His Love would compel me, and it would conquer any fear/trepidation that i have. I know the greatest Joy and i want to spread the word around about my Jesus, my saviour!

Walk the Talk! that's gonna be tested in street e and in my lifestyle, but yes...by faith, i know that perfect love casts out all fear! So...i'm gonna walk fearlessly! =)

Capture me with grace...i will follow you! GLADLY!

Rescue - Acquire the fire conference
You are the source of life
I can't be left behind
No one else will do...
I will take hold of You!

I need You, Jesus, to come to my rescue
Where else can I go?
There's no other name
By which I am saved
Capture me with grace
I will follow You...

My heart is Yours...for life
I need Your hand...in mine
No one else will do
I put my trust in You

I will follow You...This world has nothing for me
I will follow You...This world has nothing for me

I need You Jesus
To come to my rescue
Where else can I go?
There's no other name
By which I am saved
Capture me with grace...Capture me with grace...
Capture me with GRACE
I will follow You
I will follow You...no turning back...No turning back...

NO TURNING BACK!

Jared Anderson© 2003 Vertical Worship Songs/ASCAP

Unlike in other times, i just simply cannot find the words to express myself today...except through this song...

I really need you Lord Jesus, come to my rescue! My heart is crying out for you...i know you see the pang, you feel the searing heat, that gnawing anguish that is just ravaging within...I WILL TAKE HOLD OF YOU! I want to be apprehended by your love, your majesty, your greatness, to be wholly consumed by your refiner's fire...i CHOOSE to respond in worship to you, even in the trials, ESPECIALLY in the long, arduous testings...because I KNOW i'm not turning back...

child-like wonder...back...=)

Lovely statements! I like! =)

Dear God: I saw a kangaroo and a buffalo today at the zoo. I like the lion best. What is your favorite? I think the ostrich is funny looking - did you do that on purpose?

Dear God: We read Thomas Edison made light. But in Sunday School we learned that you did it. So I bet he stole your idea. Sincerely, Donna

Dear God: I didn't think orange went with purple until I saw the sunset you made on Tuesday. That was cool! Signed, Eugene

The joys of looking at things with child-like simplicity! =) More joy, more laughter, everything is enjoyable because it is you we delight in!

Lord, i'm glad that you give us the grace to be child-like in our trust and in our faith! I'll be foolishly naive and simple because of my hope in you! May your glory be my rearguard, and may your love guide the way! I love your outrageous love!

If you want me to...

For my friends...first, a death and secondly, something with symptoms exactly like a sudden death, the gut-wrenching hurt, the searing pain of loss, the specter of loneliness, a lack of direction, a confidence broken...

This is for those who are in pain and struggling...if i knew how, i would post the song up. But since i can't, please allow the words to minister to you.

JSJM and EC, please, allow the Lord of love to enter and provide that comfort and that love that you need. The Lord does not waste any experience, He captures each drop, each tear in the palm of His hands, and He will be there to point the way out. Painful as it may be...do not run away from His Love, do not run away from the lessons He is teaching, trust our gentle Jesus to complete His work no matter how painful it might be. He will NOT let you be crushed by this! Put your trust in Him, place your hope in Him, you can stand firm on the Love of God which never fails.

The road is not easy, we may never totally understand why, but grieve when you need to...allow the Lord to lead you deeper into intimacy with Him, the answers are found in Him. May Psalm 37 speak to you...continue to place the Lord first, put on His righteousness, vengence is the Lord's, do not let anger, bitterness or resentment to set in, release, surrender and trust in the Lord.

If you want me to – Ginny Owens

The pathway is broken…the signs are unclear
And I don’t know the reasons…why you brought me here,
But just because you love me…the way that you do
I’m gonna walk…through the valley, if you want me to…

No, I’m not who I was, when I took that first step,
And I’m clinging to the promise…you’re not through with me yet,
So I follow these trials, bring me closer to you
And I will walk through the fire…if you want me to…

And it may not be the way, I would have chosen.
When you lead me through a world, that’s not my home
But you never said it would be easy,
You only said…I’d never go alone…

So when the whole world turns against me and I’m all by myself,
And I can’t hear you answer…my cries for help,
I’ll remember the suffering…true love puts you through,
And I’ll walk through the darkness…if you want me to…

Cause when I cross over Jordan, I’m gonna sing, gonna shout,
I’m gonna look into your eyes and see…you’ve never let me down!
So take me on the pathway that leads me home to you
And I’ll walk through the valley…if you want me to…

Yes, I will walk through the valley, if you want me to.

soon to be busy beyond words!

Been a really interesting 3 days living out Proverbs 27:17 "As iron sharpens iron, one man sharpens another", it really is such a blessing to be set against the grindstone of God. As i'm getting into the hang of things in GCTC, learning more about Crusade, learning the unique character and culture, it has been a really eye-opening experience! =) It has been good to talk to people and see how pro-active they are, how quick they are to help! It has helped me quite abit! Guess no one really understands how disorientating it can be for me, since i've never been in any Crusade ministry, so haha...yups...Leslie is right, the use of acronyms is so prevalent that i have to be alert and make the connections! haha! but it's ok, i'm sure i'll pick everything up in time!

My lessons start officially on 4th Sept, and yahs...can foresee that it is going to get real hectic!haha! Along with the classroom lessons, there will probably be practical sessions with my team in NUS, and back in church, i'll be helping to co-ordinate the prayer meeting worship, on top of Youthphoria events, and LCEC responsibilities, so yes...i'm gonna be praying about it, i know that i will have to relinquish some stuff and delegate more of everything out, but still provide focus for going ahead. So it is going to get real interesting and i'll have to pace myself. And in all of it, i know that my focus on discipling people is foremost, so yes, i determine not to get distracted by activities and 'stuff', yups...leaning on God's strength so it should be great!

This prayer was in my QT material! Found it very insightful, so i paraphrased it here...=)

O Lord, whenever your ways in nature or in the soul are hard to be understood, then may our quiet confidence, our patient trust, our loving faith in you be great, and as children knowing that they are loved, cared for, guarded, kept, may we with a quiet mind at all times put our trust in you. So may we face life without fear, and death without fainting. AMEN.

Dehydration

Some of my pals are going for the army half marathon tomorrow! cheers to them! I've not had sufficient time to train and i'm afraid that my legs will fall off! haha! so yups! better get training before i attempt some milk run/10km and then work my way up! =)

Anyways...since i'm more a skills-based person, the thought of running got me imagining the mental battle and how the physical will affect the mental, and yups...an interesting thot struck me! =)

Dehydration is very real for runners, especially in hot and humid Singapore, and yes, part of the race prep is that you should consume lots of fluids starting from 48 hours before. And also, during the race, regardless of whether you feel thirsty or not, you should consume some water at every water point. Why? Because by the time thirst hits, your body is already in the 1st stages of dehydration! And it is likely that it you will continue to carry that dehydration along even if you drink copious amounts of fluid from the moment of thirst! So yups, if you refuse to carbo-load, and water-load (is there such a term? ahaha) it only means that your performance will be affected and you run the risk of getting a heat disorder...

Isn't that true also for us in the spiritual realm? If we fail to drink of the Living Water daily and regularly, we find ourselves 'dehydrating' (drying up...), we get affected by every little thing, we 'overheat' easily and everything seems so difficult to bear? If we wait until the thirst hits, we have been walking in our own strength for awhile and have forgotten how to lean on the Lord for His strength...so yup...drink up warriors of the Lord! Your battle is long and arduous, never forget that our life is a marathon, not a sprint! =) Be faithful to the end!

Parting thought
Physical exercise has some value, but spiritual exercise is valuable in every way, because it promises life both for the present and for the future. 1 Timothy 4:8 (GNB)

Ok...i'm rambling...

Today...random thoughts have been flashing through my head and i've been pondering how blessed i have been, and how much i have already.

In affluent Singapore, we talk alot about 'our rights', 'good service', and all this pseudo-civilised stuff...it just makes me remember the simpler times in Thailand and Cambodia, where people have had so little and did not talk about 'rights' or 'service', they just banded together in a community, and got down to caring and sharing...a family problem was a community problem and they treated everything with the same kind of respect. Instead of talking about it, they put their love into action and HELPED! Sometimes makes me wonder who the really civilised ones are...

yups...just truly makes me wonder, especially when people are trodden upon in the name of 'service'...hmmm...isn't true service an act of humility? do we actually have a right to judge someone else's act of service? Some of us give gifts, some of us give words of encouragement, others give a smile, some lend a hand, there are SOOoooOOO many kinds of service, why can't we be thankful even for the feeblest act of love? If a baby were to give a broken twig, wouldn't you still be greatly happy, grinning ear-to-ear and giving the dear infant the biggest hug and encouragement! Sometimes...that is what us 'civilised' people need too...to see everyone as a child and appreciate their gifts!

But i guess that it will never be understood if our lenses are unfairly tinted...Just like the woman who emptied perfume on Jesus' feet...Judas immediately put a monetary value on the perfume and proclaimed that it would have been better used to sell it and give the money to the poor. How poor in spirit and deluded in mind we are sometimes...

Do i see as Jesus does? or as Judas sees? *ouch!*

Just wanna be thankful for the people who blessed me today...God sends blessings daily! So yes...wanna thank you all!

Leslie for helping me out with the GCTC lock, Debbie Lamster for the nice choc before prayer, Wendy for the really fragrant apple ( i love smelling it so much that i can't bear to eat it!), Pastor Bernard for the ride to Azhar, and Jaime for the Ricola and the ride back home...Thanks for blessing me in the little ways. Each of those acts blessed me, i remember them still and they made my day! I appreciate it lots! and more importantly, i treasure you! Thank you for showing Christ to me this day.

Live to the hilt!

Wherever you are, be all there.
Live to the hilt every situation you believe to be the will of God.

~Jim Elliot~

Many times, especially in our busy everyday lives, we are so a-hustle and a-bustle, that we forget to be 'in the moment', enjoying the present.

Our mind is racing ahead, planning for the next activity, the next person, the next meeting...we get distracted by our handphones, an sms, the television, the computer...it is so dangerous when that happens, and it is tragic when we allow it to happen.

I'm a laid back kinda guy, and i love long, unhurried conversations, sharing of hearts, sharing of desires, looking someone in the eye, connecting...thank God that more opportunities to do that have arisen. He truly works in amazing ways! =)

Wherever you are, live to the hilt, be present every moment, give someone your full attention, don't do anything you'd regret, express all you need to, be the best testimony of Christ so that you are 'love in action'.

a broken connection?

Sometimes, reliance on the internet is a bane...
Does your connection 'drop' sometimes? or sometimes, it is awfully slow? and do these things happen when you need the internet the most? haha! Such irony! =)

Well...isn't that what happens in out lives sometimes? In the times when we need the Lord most, we do not seem to 'hear' His still small voice, when we are most desperate, we find that WE are furthest away from God. (It is NOT Him who is far away from us...)

That is the importance of our daily communion, our times of quiet reflection, prayer, worship, time spent with the Lord, reading His word. Little things that creep in to steal our joy, and our times with the Lord must be pushed aside, because if we do not...those little things will snowball into larger and larger obstacles, and soon we will find our connection with God is 'broken' and He 'feels far away'...and that is usually when a crisis hits.

I've been learning to guard my time with the Lord daily, spending time, learning to be devoted to Him, and training my ears to hear His voice. That way, in my interactions with the people i meet, the words exchanged will not be spurious and meaningless, i can be patient and listen, there is a calm within my heart even as i honour the other person above myself and seek to serve them first. I'm learning that it is difficult to be a servant in conversation...to serve someone else's needs, to be a humble listener, to allow the other person to pour out all their troubles, it is just not that natural to be a servant because we always want to 'provide help' prematurely, but yes, sometimes, it is best to wait for the Lord to prompt when to speak...

Be humble, cherish time with the Lord, guard it jealously, when devoted to the King, a servant heart will be cultivated. A heart that serves in humilty, knows how to serve in deeds, in conversations, in interactions with others, knows how to esteem others greatly, lead by serving and build others up through service to them.

Now...that was a mighty long digression from a broken internet connection! ahaha! God works in mysterious ways! =)

Carabiner

A Carabiner...a marvelous little contraption. It was made not only to secure equipment, but also as a piece of protection during rockclimbing.

It may look simple, but a carabiner can be easily misused or used in such a way that it is ineffective in doing it's job.

First thing to note, a carabiner is most effective when it's gate can be locked (as above), otherwise, it is actually possible to open the gate in certain instances, especially if the rope or secured equipment wraps around itself and forces itself against the gate.

Secondly, the strongest and best way to use the carabiner is to secure the equipment securely along the vertical face of the carabiner, as it curves over to the gate. That is the strongest point of the carabiner. Any other place provides leverage for the secured equipment to oppose the carabiner, thus reducing it's effectiveness!

Ahhaha! why did i post this up? Hmmmm....no particular reason! just something that interested me greatly! =) Anyways, i wrote this myself, so if it is factually wrong, someone please correct me! ahahaha! DISCLAIMER: Use at your own risk!

Simple...but not easy

"All that is not eternal, is eternally useless." C.S. Lewis

I love the truth that springs forth when you read a good book, or when you absorb the wisdom of pilgrims who have walked the road before you have.

I see so many great examples of people who have walked the journey of life victoriously, and according to the principles laid down by the bible. They seemed to have no trouble with struggle or with obstacles, but in reading their autobiographies, it is clear that they have the very same struggles, just that they have constantly and faithfully turned to God in each trial, leaning on Him and learning along the way. These markers help to remind them of how to be walking in faith and not giving up...

Sometimes, the journey God has given us is simple...he who is faithful in the little things, will be entrusted with greater deeds...persevere, persevere, persevere...

Simple...but not easy...what a paradox! =)

Tribute to the ladies...

IF it had been Three Wise Women...

They would have asked for directions,
arrived on time,
helped deliver the baby Jesus,
cleaned the stable,
prepared a lavish spread,
and brought disposable diapers as gifts!

Yup...thank God for the ladies and the remarkable gifts that they bring! God made men and women to complement each other and the better we recognise that, the richer our lives will be, we can never do everything ourselves. And having a partner who complements you is definitely a blessing from God.

At the foot of the Cross...

The cross is a shining testimony to the fact that we cannot be successful in the Christian life until we find ourselves utterly unable to accomplish it on our own.

The cross shows victory through humility and brokenness.

You will never know what God can do in your life until you come to the foot of the cross completely broken and allow Him to reshape the shattered pieces of your life into something brand new.

the nails in your hands,
the nails in your feet...

they tell me how much you love me

the thorns on your brow,

they tell me how,

you bore so much pain to love me

when the heavens fade away

all your scars will still remain,

and forever they will say

just how much you love me,

and i want to say...

Forever my love...

Forever my heart...

Forever my life...

is yours...is yours...

Beauty!

Sometimes, we just have to sit back and admire beauty! This is a beautiful shot of the bridge connecting the indoor stadium to Tanjong Rhu. And nope, i still do not have a camera so yup...this is taken from a friend's digital SLR. I love the shot as it seems so surreal with the clouds lighted up and the lights reflecting off the water! Beautiful!

It is such a blessing to be able to relax with friends, having yummy food, laughing and talking, looking up into the skies spotting parachutists, helicopters, planes and of course, fireworks! And the unexpected joys of little children making soap bubbles big and small, plus beautiful orange and pink sunsets! They were the bonus subject matter for plenty of shutterbugs! =)

Reflection: Finished two 40Day campaigns this year...
Firstly, 40 Days of Purpose - wonderful time of finding God's direction and growing in faith.
Then, the 40 days of Prayer - a time that TOTALLY spoke to me and challenged me daily to trust God for the future.

Lord...if nothing else happens, this has been a mighty year of transformation already, i really have no idea where you are leading me, and i don't know why you choose work in certain ways yet not in others, i'm not sure of your timing also, but i'm diligently learning to hear from you, walking in faith even when the road is rocky and painful...

...dearly holding on to you, Lord Jesus!

A RADICAL MOVEMENT?!

I'm being haunted by this single word..."MOVEMENT"

Lord...you want a people whole-heartedly given to you, stewards who will make FULL use of these gifts given to us, moving in the Holy Spirit, grounded in your word, making an impact in the place that we are at. Sharing, giving, showing your divine standard of Love.

Lord Jesus...you certainly want to build a 'MOVEMENT', a radical shift in the climate that affects the spiritual and certainly the physical world. But...do i hear it correctly? do you REALLY want to use me?

You certainly see how I'm feeling...how i've been such a wreck, broken, helpless, floundering, mind in a whirl, emotions stirred...

I must admit that in this whole confusing season, i've been surviving by just leaning on your leading, fixing my mind on you so that nothing whirls out of control, praying in the most feverish of manners when i feel that call, keeping the closeness of intimacy, and a walk that desires to honour you...

there have been naysayers, doubts, discouragements, things have been so hard...and yet there have been victories! Small ones, baby steps, learning to walk again, learning to retreat and regain that child-like wonder, being released, seeing how God is faithful, how he provides (My Jehovah Jireh), makes my paths straight, how the glory of the Lord is my rearguard... the wonder and amazement i feel...puts me at a loss for words...

Though i feel so small, and inadequate...i trust in you Lord...I know you have given me gifts, and i pray that you will teach me how to use them to be the most effective for your Kingdom glory. Build up the team, the ministry, the group of people committed to you that will bring about your purposes...Lord, this is your name and your glory and i believe that your kingdom purposes cannot be thwarted! So have your way...purify, sanctify those you are going to use, prepare the way for the your work to be completed...a MOVEMENT, a people following your pillar of cloud by day, and the pillar of fire by night...build that radical, friend-of-sinners, fool-for-Christ, God-seeking Jesus generation that honours you...Lord, show your glory!

All to you, to you my Lord, in you whose gentle hands never stop working...healing the blind, removing the dross, warming a cold, broken heart, demonstrating a love that is practical...working your miracles...thank you Lord.

Life through the eyes of Death

Things are so much clearer when seen through the eyes of the great equalizer - Death.

Today, our lay leader was laid to rest, and the whole event brought me back to November when i lost my granny...it was the exact same hall, the same heartache, the same release, the same Joy unspeakable. I know that they are in a better place, perfectly healthy and full, as they enjoy praising the Lord in Heaven!

I shall write my own tribute to an incredible man...
As everyone said, Uncle Thian Lye was an unceasingly patient man who really treasured his family. My interactions with him were very few, but he always impressed me with his presence. He would give you his fullest attention, look you straight in the eye, and when you had finished talking, he would drop in with his words of wisdom or encouragement. He never made me feel stupid or inadequate, and he would always ask the youth, and the younger leaders to give our input as we see things differently. He was a man who could easily command attention from anyone he wanted, but he never sought that, his humility made him accessible to everyone. Listening to the eulogies, and seeing the amount of people who came, i can only conclude that pastor is right, and the bible is right...about uncle Thian Lye, "I have fought the good fight, i have finished the race...", Thank you for showing us a life well-lived, uncle Thian Lye. You truly are a unique man, and you have blessed me with your fine example of a godly and loving man.

"...for me to live is Christ and to die, gain"

Content

What a lovely picture of the Light shining through!

Been feeling content just resting in the Lord, i realise that in Him,
i have nothing that i need, that i've not already been given!
I have nothing to be envious about, nothing to be resentful about,
As I walk this path that the Lord has laid for me,
it has brought Peace, Contentment, Joy immeasurable!
This position can never be bought, satisfied by possessions,
or fulfilled by the pleasures of life in all their forms.
It is found only in Jesus, and His gifts given to us freely!
I found one gift in that photo above!
Natural beauty, unmarred, the Lord's encouragement!

"The fear of the LORD leads to life: Then one rests content, untouched by trouble."
Proverbs 19:23

A heart at peace gives life to the body, but envy rots the bones.
Proverbs 14:30

Do not let your heart envy sinners, but always be zealous for the fear of the LORD.
Proverbs 23:17

I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.
Phillippians 4:11,12

 

Retreat Day

I find that i do my retreats best in a natural setting and so today i went to Bukit Timah Nature Reserve to have a walking retreat...

It was a great time spent walking/hiking 3 of the 4 designated trails and several other longer routes, and thereafter just staying at a pavilion and seeking God. No cares on my mind, just praying and talking with God...it was very refreshing and cleansing to be enjoying the great outdoors, the fresh air, even the slight drizzle! Thank you Lord!

I met with some spiritual truths too...

Throughout my walk, the most important thing was my visitors map as it kept me from getting lost, and it also told me of where the hill and the valley was. On this trip, as i determined to walk from the lowest elevation all the way up to the summit, even in the really steep or really jungle swept sections, i had no fear because i knew EXACTLY where i was and where i was headed! (due to the map!)

That walk is so much like life isn't it? We walk and walk, sometimes we get lost, sometimes we despair in the valley (where everything is downhill) or on the hill (where everything is slow-going cuz it's so hard to trudge uphill), but of course there are beautiful moments like seeing the beauty of nature or the thrill of overcoming obstacles!

Along this journey, we can easily feel so utterly lost or just be walking around aimlessly. Unless we have a map that gives us some security as we know where we are and where we are headed! I find that security in God's Word, the Bible (our map for life), it keeps me sane and on the right road, even when things get tough in the valley where even our fears seem to echo off the walls and mock us! The bible is THE map for life!

I was brought back to His Word, His Promises, His assurances, His omnipotence, His omniscience, His immutability (His unchangeable character!), and once again, i KNOW of His divine Love and how He will never leave me nor forsake me, how His Love covers over all weaknesses, the depth of His compassion displayed in the way He forgives, and how God's work among men stands on His ability to fulfill His promises and does not depend on our ability to live up to the perfect law of God! Wow!

The Hope of Life is Jesus, the Reason for Life is Jesus, in Him and through Him, all things are given their meaning! And yes...He is my refuge, my strong tower, the Father who has already given me all the good gifts i need to be fruitful in His Kingdom and for His purposes!

"Here I am, Send me!"

Praise the Lord!

I love, ABSOLUTELY LOVE the youth! =)

Today, i saw a wonderful family of God gathering round to welcome Feo back! The moment we spotted him, i was so delighted to see the word spread and then people coming round to welcome him back and make him feel welcome! AMC Youth, you make me proud and i will boast in the Lord about all of you! Continue displaying the Love of the Lord in tangible ways! Let's gather round more of our people who need the support!! show the Love of Christ!

Second, thanks to all who took extra effort to make the day special for a treasured birthday boy! Making the effort to go down to his place blindly, totally unsure if he'd be home or if we'd be welcome. I think the time paid off spectacularly! Let's continue going the extra mile for others!

Thirdly, let's continue to pray for healing and support our physically hurting friends...Junlong, for his back, and Thaddeus for his knee, he is still on crutches and is bored at home! Pray for a quick recovery! Also...let's not forget those hurting emotionally, and silently, pray for the Lord to minister to the hearts and the inner hurts of people in our midst!

Exercise!

Didn't intend for this to become an exercise blog, but after a whole day of activity today, i've just realised how much more in shape i'm in than 2 months back!

Guess it started early June, when decided to get a program going, and yups...it was a good retreat and release for me each time...just sweating away all the stress and letting out all my frustrations and pain during the exercise! Running is as therapeutic as bus rides for me, i can pray and just keep running and that helps me keep going!

My program soon became a daily exercise circuit of like basic army 5BX stuff, plus max reps each time i pass the pull up bar downstairs...which is several times a day...so yups...felt like army again! ahaha! just that this time, it is on my own motivation, not cuz my instructors! Actually, i think the most intensive times i had were in S.Korea, as i exercised just to keep warm! and i could actually keep going on and on while praying, and the double-decker bed was perfect to do pull-ups and and concentrate on strengthening my right shoulder (the one that pops)...

So yes...it's paying off! today, i realised that after my regular 7-9am soccer game, i could still play games at Past Vs Present, and thereafter, even at Youthphoria! played another hour of captain's ball! That's almost a whole day of exercise! feels just like secondary school days! =)

Was really good to meet and catch up with my friends! Met my batchmate who left her lawyering with Harry Elias several years back to pursue a renewed passion, TONS more fulfillment, and more family time! (Good perspective girl! Family is definitely more important!) And another who is flying off to the US for 18mths! He and I met so many umpteen years back that we can't even trace it! ahhaha! Best wishes there dude!

Oh...plus met my littlest sis who was selling tickets to the play, yups....of course i'm going! It's my littlest sis! I'm proud of her! And ahaha! bumped into Pamela, she's not only teaching my sis, she's also in the play! ahhaha! and...my littlest sister (Sec 1) has sprouted so much that she's gonna shoot past me soon, she taller than Pam now! Gosh! all the tallies in my family!

Sad note...Junlong got injured during past versus present games after he accidentally collided with the terminator (Marshall) and another fellow...aggravated a back injury...last i heard, he's still in pain but is home, and on MC til tuesday...gonna keep him in prayer.

okies...now, gonna do some more stretching before i sleep just so i can dissipate the lactic acid and not feel so sore tmr!

Conversations

I love deep, long, heart-to-heart talks, talks where everything good or bad is honestly discussed, talked out, resolved, or at least understood and out in the open.

Sometimes, there is no resolution...things just have to be said, and left out in the open...sometimes, we think best as we are talking and letting out our fears, insecurities and issues.

But it is in the honest exchange, the sharing of hearts, the touching of minds, that we see things as they are, that we feel the anguish and the pain, and we sense the confusion and the turmoil.

Honesty, empathy, the desire to understand, the self-control not to be offended by the way things are spoken, the trust in each other that the parties must share, all these are absolutely vital, so that things are clear...so that the broken pieces and the jumbled issues can be disentangled or resolved, the friendship can resume, the healing can start, the love in a friendship can grow and all parties involved can mature.

It's like Gold going through the furnace.

True communication is LIFE to the people involved, as the gold (people) must be courageous enough to go through the furnace, allow the dross (falsehood, wrong ideas, misunderstandings) to be burned away, and then let the true nature of the gold (without impurities) emerge.

28th July 2006 - 40 Day Prayer Guide

Like i said, this 40 Days Prayer has been the most impactful ever...gosh...today, it ended with this challenge...

Does your love for God go deeper than your instincts of self-preservation? Is God's glory foremost on your mind, or are you solely concerned with your own security and safety, peace and prosperity? The ultimate question is this: Is God worth it? Is He worth serving at great personal cost? Is He worth the giving up of your life, your assets, your future, your personal dreams, your loved one?


Yes...He's worth it...
DEFINITELY worth it...

He is no fool who gives up what he cannot keep,

to gain what he cannot lose. ~Jim Elliot~

C.S. Lewis Quotes

"Love anything and your heart will be wrung and possibly broken.

If you want to make sure of keeping it intact you must give it to no one, not even an animal. Wrap it carefully round with hobbies and little luxuries; avoid all entanglements.

Lock it up safe in the casket or coffin of your selfishness.

But in that casket, safe, dark, motionless, airless, it will change.

It will not be broken; it will become unbreakable, impenetrable, irredeemable.

To love is to be vulnerable."

~C.S. Lewis~

Nothing that you have not given away will ever be really yours.

~C.S Lewis~

Love never gives up.
Love cares more for others than for self.
Love doesn't want what it doesn't have.
Love doesn't strut,
Doesn't have a swelled head,
Doesn't force itself on others,
Isn't always "me first,"
Doesn't fly off the handle,
Doesn't keep score of the sins of others,
Doesn't revel when others grovel,
Takes pleasure in the flowering of truth,
Puts up with anything,
Trusts God always,
Always looks for the best,
Never looks back,
But keeps going to the end.
1 Corinthians 13:3-7 (Message)

My heart will CHOOSE to say...

I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection

and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings,

becoming like him in his death. Phil 3:10

"I came naked from my mother's womb, and I will be stripped of everything when I die.

The LORD gave me everything I had, and the LORD has taken it away.

Praise the name of the LORD!" Job 1:21

Though it is painful,

Though i may not understand,

Though it is so confusing,

LORD, MY HEART WILL CHOOSE TO SAY, BLESSED BE YOUR NAME!

BLESSED BE YOUR NAME, JESUS!

Fruit!

Galatians 5:22, 23
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.

After the earlier post regarding 'SELF'...this verse came up to me...and yes, it is the hope and encouragement that the Lord provides! =)

When we submit to Him and build our lives on His word, one of the fruits of the spirit will be 'Self-control!'...yups! Will take the Lord at his word! There is definitely a means to eradicate all the "self"-ish, "self"-centeredness!

Self-reflection...

By three methods we may learn wisdom:
First, by reflection, which is noblest;
Second, by imitation, which is easiest;
and third by experience, which is the bitterest.
~Confucius~

Matthew 7:3-5 (New International Version)
3"Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother's eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? 4How can you say to your brother, 'Let me take the speck out of your eye,' when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? 5You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye.

More and more in this season of reflection and seeking God, He is refining me by showing me the areas in which i fall short. And it is evident to me that it is the SELF that is the problem, SELF-centeredness, SELFishness...He is taking this season to teach me how to turn towards Him, put on His Righteousness, submitting/surrendering SELF-will, so that His work can be done in my life.

Saw it so clearly in a sudden moment of lucidity! What are my years here for? My time here is limited, how many years does a man live? Is this REALLY MY life? All the wealth and pursuit of happiness that happens, though it brings satisfaction now, cannot be brought into eternity...

The only purpose that i have here is to steward my days well for the advancement of His Eternal Kingdom.

To go where He leads, to follow in obedience, to willingly be a fool or to be undignified if it is what He calls me to! After all, Jesus was scorned, forsaken and broken...ALL so that His redeeming Grace could be freely available to all who believed in Him!

Just so Thankful! beyond expression...

Thank You - The Katinas
Just a little while longer I wanna pray
Can't get You off my mind so I came to say...
Thank You Lord ...just for loving me
Many times I do forget
Every need that You have met
Oh thank You Lord! I know You're showing me
You are there when I am down and out, You're holding me,
Your love is so ama-azing! Oh it changed me

Chorus:
Here I am with all I am
I Raise my hands to worship You
I wanna say thank you, oh thank you!
For everything, for who You are,
You cover me, You touch my heart
I wanna say thank you...

I could have died in my sin but You saved me
Didn't have any hope at all
You gave me peace divine, strength to carry on
I should have been the one to pay
But instead You took my place...
Amazing Grace, it's more than just a song
Even though I don't deserve Your love for me
You look beyond my fault and You showed me...mercy

CHORUS 2
I wanna say thank you for the sun
Lord we thank you for the rain
Everything You do is beautiful!
I'm so grateful for Your love

Taken from my quiet time

The First Miracle, a Counterpart to the First Temptation of Jesus

The first temptation (Jesus in the desert)
Alone in the wilderness there came the whisper, "There is no bread; command that these stones be made bread."

The first miracle (Wedding at Cana)
Now at the marriage feast there comes the whisper, "There is no wine," and Jesus turned the water into wine.

Both acts would have called for equal power; they were identical if regarded outwardly, yet Jesus saw in the former a snare of evil, and by the latter He began to show His glory.

Do you see the difference between the two? In the one, His power would have been employed upon Himself (SELF); in the other, it was at the service of His friends (SELFLESS).

He turned the water into wine for others, but for Himself He would not turn the stones to bread.

He saved others, Himself He would not save.

He came not to be ministered unto, but to minister.

It was the golden dawn of a self-forgetful service that won its crown on Calvary.