Highlights of 2007

I believe in the importance to make proper transitions in life. To take pit stops to reflect on the past, and look ahead to the future.
2007 has been one eventful and memorable year, both of joys and sorrows. Many things to thank God for, He has been good and faithful to me. Though I may not understand His ways, I know His love is unfailing and His plans are sovereign and best. Though I may stumble and fall, but He never fails to pick me up. Through every circumstance, He is teaching and moulding me. And I believe He is doing the same for you too.

Here's looking back at a few of the many events in my life in 2007:


California Road trip - Jan

Post-exam trip to Barcelona - Jan

Chinese New Year at my house - Feb


Day trip to Lincoln with Huifen, Mark & Adel - Feb

Mission Trip to Malta - March


Uni Lakeside during Spring - April


Cornwall Camping Trip - June

Farewell Dinner for Rob - June

Solid Rock (student christian fellowship group in Notts) Leaver's BBQ - June

Last Solid Rock meeting at Uni Chapel - June

Post-final exam trip to Stratford-upon-Avon (in replacement of Eastern Europe trip) -June

Retreat in June

Wimbeldon - July

Psychology conference in Edinburgh, Scotland - July

Graduation - July

Post-Graduation trip: Bath, UK - July

Post-graduation trip: London - July

Post-graduation trip in Greece - July

Post-Graduation trip in Iceland - July

Farewell dinner at Thorston and Kerstin's house - Aug


Philippines mission trip - Aug

Notts reunion in Sgp - Aug

Visiting cousins in Malaysia - Sept

Zijing's acapella concert - Sept


Solid Rock Reunion in KL - Dec

My life has gone through quite many changes in the past year. I do miss the good times in Nottingham, the friendships. But i hope that this doesn't mean the end.
The new year ahead brings more changes. New ministry in church. New career. New friendships. But one thing that remains is my walk with the Lord...

One more step along the world i go,
one more step along the world i go;
from the old things to the new
keep me travelling along with you.

And it's from the old i travel to the new;
keep me travelling along with you

- Sydney Carter

Thank you for all who have walked with me in the past year, through good and bad times; for sharing the moments of laughter as well as tears with me. For standing by me. For believing in me. For praying for me. For encouraging me. For putting up with my idiosyncrasies and flaws. For forgiving me. For accepting me. For loving me. I'm very blessed and touched to know you :)

Wishing you a very blessed 2008, my friends! May the new year be one filled with God's grace and favour in your life!

On Christmas

I went down to Parkway Parade a few days ago to have lunch with 2 friends, and was quite amazed/shocked at the crowd there, doing christmas shopping... A drive down orchard road and you'll be greeted by christmas decorations, radio stations are playing christmas songs... I'm starting to feel the warm and fuzzy christmas atmosphere :)
Still, when i look at all this, when i see all the parties going on around this time, i begin to ask myself what's all the HYPE about? What's the POINT of all this? Perhaps it's just a tradition, another public/ family holiday, or a time to spend bonuses....
Are we missing the whole meaning of the season? I think so. We get so caught up in activities that perhaps we've forgotten what truly matters.

Buying presents for family and friends are thoughtful gestures. But sometimes i wonder to myself if the things we buy are just things to lay up dust for another year. I think kids are getting too many toys these days. Do they really need that another toy? And I begin to think of the kids in third world countries who perhaps doesn't have a single toy. Or perhaps think of the elderly aunty/ uncle in your neighbourhood. Perhaps you could be the first to give them a christmas present. Yes, Christmas is a season for giving and a time to spend with family and loved ones. But let us not forget those not as fortunate as us...

This is an excerpt from The Straits Times:
AS people splash their bonus payouts at the shopping malls this festive season, some 736 low-income families and elderly folks are still waiting to see if their holiday wishes will be fulfilled.

My heart sinks when i read stuff like this... Do check out http://www.bbsgb.org.sg/index.html

Or perhaps you can think of giving to those in need in other countries?


Check out:
http://www.worldvision.org.sg/st_Christmas_Gift_Catalogue.php AND
http://www.gfa.org/gift

'For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.' Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?' The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.'
Matthew 25:35-40

Last but not least, let us not forget the GREATEST GIFT of all this season - Jesus Christ who lived and died for us.

Wishing all my friends and readers a very Blessed Christmas and a Joyous New Year!

Here's a christmas song to share with you. Enjoy and be blessed! =)



Christmas isn't Christmas
Till it happens in your heart
Somewhere deep inside you
Is where Christmas really starts

So give your heart to Jesus
You'll discover when you do
That it's Christmas
Really Christmas for you

Jesus brings warmth like a winter fire
A light like a candle's glow
He's waiting now to come inside
As He did so long ago

Jesus brings gifts of truth and light
And makes them bloom and grow
So welcome Him with a song of joy
And when He comes, you'll know... that...

Christmas isn't Christmas
Till it happens in your heart
Somewhere deep inside you
Is where Christmas really starts

So give your heart to Jesus
You'll discover when you do
That it's Christmas
Really Christmas for you

On Drinking

Today I stepped into a pub in Singapore for the first time. I've been to pubs in England and Europe before (mostly the restaurant-type pubs, and i go there to EAT and not to DRINK). The only exception was in Dublin, where i went into a bar with a girlfriend and had some Bailey's cocktail.

The initial plan was to go to Zouk. But we decided on a quieter place instead, so we went to an Irish pub in Marina Square. Turned out to be a rather nice, quiet place with good music to chill. Felt it was quite similar to some of the pubs back in England. I had some sort of green cocktail/ spirit on the rocks (which tasted like cough medicine!). Also tried a few sips of various beers... but stuck to conservative amount, also made sure i ate some food and drank water in between. I have had wine and some other alcoholic drinks before so it's not my first time, but i wanted to play safe nevertheless... Conversation circled from who could hold their liquor the best, the different types of liquor, work-related stuff, mutual friends, school days and other random stuff... The atmosphere was quite relaxed. Wasn't as hyped up as I imagined it to be. Perhaps it would have been a different story if we had gone to a club instead, but i don't think i would have liked it very much.

i've been told that i can't escape from (alcoholic) drinks in the uniform service. True enough. My initial thought was just to stay away. But I didn't want to be sheltered from the world all the time, i believe that i need to experience some things for myself, of course, without compromising. We are called to be in the world, but not of the world. I believe Jesus would not stay away from such places, but he would be found there as a light to the people. That said, one must be very spiritually mature, strong and wise, as it is easy to fall down the slippery slope. Also must be careful not to stumble other people. Your conscience might be clear, but if stumbles others, then it's better not to do it. Everything is permissable, but not everything is beneficial.

I know of christian bands that go to pubs/clubs to play music, and be-friend people at the clubs/pubs. Think it's a great ministry, but must really be called by God to be a light in such places. Not all can do such a thing.

I'm still considering if I should ever step into a club. Perhaps one day. Perhaps not. See what God says.

THINK Camp 2007 - Ordinary Lives, Extraordinary Existence

Hi friends,

I'm back from camp - again. Phew, 2 camps in row. But both have been very different. This year's camp theme was THINK. To think about our purpose in life and reflect on our life. The speaker was Pastor Ronald Yoew from Grace Assembly of God, very charismatic speaker, some of his stories were so funny people laughed till they cried. heh. The first evening was taken from Genesis about Jacob's struggle with God. 3 main things we need to change: 1) Our grip on things that grip us (be it material things of this world, a relationship, a hobby, etc) 2) our name (not literally our name, but the thing that characterizes us most, e.g. pride, jealousy, glutony, lust, etc.) and 3) our walk (i.e. lifestyle). 2nd evening was about the importance and empowerment of the Holy Spirit and the last message was on Revelation 2, on coming back to our first love for God. That it's not how much good works we do that matters, but how much we love God. We can be doing good works without loving God, but we cannot love God without good works. Seemingly very similar, but very different indeed. The first and last messages hit me the most. Something which i've heard before, but something which i need to hear over and over again occassionally. To strengthen the foundation again. To get rid of baggage and rubbish i take up along life's way.

Something that this camp was different from previous camps was that we got the youths to do some community service, instead of the usual games on one of the afternoons. I thought this was quite a needed and good change. We organized games for the elderly, cleaned their houses and sang songs for them. Felt it was a very good and eye-opening experience for many of the young ones. To see the needs of the poor elderly in Singapore, and to serve them. This is what i feel most of the youths of today lack... To think outside of our family and social circle, and reach out to others beyond our comfort zone. I must say i'm still learning myself, to be a good neighbour to all around me.

I was made a 'mentor' of a group, had 2 younger leaders who were the official 'leaders' of the group. Being a mentor is somewhat different from being a 'group leader' in that i'm not supposed to 'lead' the group, but just be a 'spiritual figure' for them... take a step back and support the leaders. It's been 4 years since I attended my church youth camp. I still felt like a 'youth' then. This camp was quite different from the previous camps i went for. Not that I'm very old now, but the gap between the mean/median age has grown, and I'm starting to feel the generation gap, especially with the younger youths. I found myself finding it hard to identify and relate to them, sometimes we were on totally different wavelengths. Have I forgotten my youthful days? Or perhaps times have changed and the stuff youths face today is different from what i faced when i was younger. Last time it'll be normal for me to stay up way late at night playing or talking with friends, but now I'd rather just retreat to my room after a whole day of activities. And I'm only 22. I wonder what would become of me when I get even older. Heh.

I went to camp with 3 main expectations in mind: 1) for a breakthrough in a personal struggle 2) seek God's wisdom in what to do in ministry and relationships 3) to be refreshed by Him. I think I know what He wants me to do in 2) which i'm still grappling with and perhaps still not 100% convinced, 3) was a definite. Really enjoyed God's presence there. But 1) still remains an unsolved puzzle. I'm really tired of fighting this thorn in my flesh, it seems like a never-ending road. Don't know what He wants me to think or do, but i'll still trust Him and press on with His grace. To whom else can I run to? He is still sovereign. His thoughts are higher then my thoughts, His ways higher than mine.

Yup. It's back to work for me on Monday. Feels a bit strange that i've been away from the office for 2 weeks. Well, not long before Christmas and New Year is here :) Still not exactly in the festive mood yet, perhaps in time. Happy holidays to all on holiday at this period in time!

Orientation Training Camp

Hello all,

I'm back from my orientation training camp. It was quite an eye-opener to say the least. Had my first times for a lot of things. Marching, leading a squad, bunk inspection, etc. Was quite a culture shock for me the first few days. We were greeted by a stern-looking instructor, who shouted at us whenever we moved too slowly. He was the OC (officer-in-charge) for my squad. I wasn't very used to the shouting and ordering to say the least. I was arrowed to be the squad IC for the first two days, which involved giving marching commands, which took me some time to remember and co-ordinate my steps together with the rest of the squads. I made quite a lot of silly mistakes, like saying ‘keluar baris’ when at the wrong time and mixing up ‘kiri’ and ‘kenan’. My squad wasn't too big (29 in all including guys and girls) but i still had to shout the commands so that everyone could hear me... Wasn't very used to it. Especially ‘commanding’ a squad of guys who are all older than me, and who have had NS and know all this better than I do. But had to do it nevertheless. Asked the guys when I didn’t know. First morning leading the squad to the flag raising ceremony at the parade square was quite traumatizing. Got scolded by the parade commander cos i led the squad to the wrong place, was too slow in giving commands so the marching was really messy. And the while contingent was waiting for us and watching us, which made it even more stressful. Still, i had to try act cool.... although inside my heart was beating like a drum. My room mate said i was talking marching commands in my sleep that night, cos i wanted to make sure i knew my commands at hand the next morning. Heh. Well, it wasn't perfect, but it was an improvement. I was relieved of the squad IC role on the 3rd day, which was a load off me, but as a senior officer, there is the high expectation to take the initiative to lead by example and to learn new things quickly. As a 'scholar' or so i'm called, even more is expected of me. I’m still not very confident speaking in front of a group of people, which is a very bad weakness, especially in my line of duty, and I really need to overcome this fear and timidity. I’ve to learn to put on different hats at different times, to be serious/stern/fierce when necessary. As a prison officer, I’m both a disciplinarian and a counsellor to prisoners (or inmates as we call them). I can’t be too soft-hearted, and I’ll need to be firm and punish when I must. It’s something I’m still grappling with. Perhaps it’s the same thing with God – There are times He disciplines and seems harsh, and there are times He reveals His gentle nature. But ultimately He’s still the same loving Father and just & holy God.

I thought that prisons was quite safe, and I didn’t have to worry so much about safety and security, but after hearing experiences of other officers, I realized that I can’t take this for granted, and I need to learn to be more security minded as well, and to be ready to handle violent situations. It’s still a prison, afterall.

Another new thing I learnt was 'turn-out' and 'bearing' (i.e. how you look and carry yourself in uniform). Before this I didn't really think it was very important to make sure my uniform is ironed thoroughly, boots are polished, hair is neat and to watch my body language (i.e. not to slouch, etc etc etc.). I felt that all these were externals, that it was more important to have substance inside. But nevertheless it’s important to look smart, and first impressions do count.

Also did some PT (physical training) – which wasn’t too strenuous, other than one of the days when we did station exercises, and we pushed ourselves to the max. Body was aching like mad after that. But it rained the next 2 days so we were spared from more…. As a prison officer, I have to make sure I get at least a Silver for IPPT every year. The PT instructors at the Prison School are quite good I must say. Other than that, there were introductory lectures to the prison system, legislations, operations and regulations in the prison, etc. Was like going back to school again, just that now it’s Prison School, and our lecturers are prison officers themselves.

Yup, all in all, it was a week of discovery for me. I did enjoy myself, squadmates were generally nice to get along with. Though perhaps I think I may be a little naïve and ignorant. I need to learn to be more discerning, though that means finding out things which are not very nice. Felt like I was cut off from the rest of the world in this week. Perhaps I have a slight taste of what NS is like. At some point, I was wondering to myself how on earth I ended up in the uniform service. I know I’ve said I wanted to join the army before, but one thing I don’t like is the regimental nature of the uniform service. But since I’m in it already, I gotta learn to love it. Well, after 5 days of marching, I’m beginning to actually like it. Heh. There’s so much I need to change about myself if I want to thrive here.


Girl squadmates!

It’s still at least another 2 months or so till my actual training starts. I hope that I’ll be more prepared when the time comes. There is still a couple of personal issues I really need to settle first…

Next stop: Church Youth Camp (12-15 Dec)

Christmas is coming soon... This Christmas is gonna be quite different from the last 3 Christmas-es, for several reasons. Nevertheless it's still a time to remember and celebrate Christ's birth. At least that doesn't change.

Wedding

Attended my first church wedding today. The last wedding i attended was about 12 years ago when i was 10 or so. That time i was still too young to appreciate what it was all about. Today was quite different. The bride and bridegroom were both good friends from my cell group. Was quite looking forward to today. Helped with with the reception, which essentially involved sitting at the reception table, smile and try look pretty, ask the guests to sign the guestbook and collect the ang baos.
As always, the bridegroom and bride looked stunning in their outfits. I was really excited and happy when I saw them walk down those aisles. At one point i almost cried, when the bride started to choke with tears when she was saying her vows, think she was getting a bit emotional... but she regained her composure and continued :) Her 2 younger sisters also sang 2 songs for her, which was really sweet and touching as well. There was a short message by one of the church pastors, on the biblical perspective of marriage and what it entailed. I started to think if i'd ever walk down that aisle. It seems not too long ago that I was heading that direction. But I turned away, with much saddness and pain. Someone once said that the decision to get married is the next biggest decision in anyone's life (beside the decision to follow Jesus), and it's smth that i want to be really sure of... Then again, is it possible to be 100% sure all the time?

Anyway, Justin if you're still reading this - Thanks for being a great pal. Miss the gd old tennis sessions. Congrats again and I wish you and Kim all the best as you begin this new life together :)

Where is Your Treasure?

Glenn Lim, spoke at my church youth service last saturday. It's been a while since i last saw him at Sonicedge cell. He was one of those guys who inspired me to join prisons. His life testimony is amazing, of how God redeemed his life from the pits of drugs, rebellion and despair, to make him who he is today. He's recently published a book entitled 'Wake Up Call', do get a copy of it to read! It's inspiring :)

He shared from Matthew 6:21
"For there where your treasure is, there your heart will be also"

Where you spend your time and your money, will show clearly where your heart lies. Whenever I'm out, I never fail to realize that a lot of people around me are engrossed with their handphones, ipods, palm, and now, the latest PSP. It seems that people can't be still, that we need to be 'entertained' every minute, every moment. We're not comfortable with silence. Music is good. But when we become dependent on it, it becomes bad. The same thing applies for almost every good thing. As John Piper puts it, the greatest enemy of hunger for God is not poison but apple pie - it is not the banquet of the wicked that dulls our appetite for heaven, but endless nibbling at the table of the world. It is not the X-rated video (for most of us at least...), but the prime-time dribble of triviality we drink in every night. For all the ill that Satan can do, when God describes what keeps us from the banquet table of his love, it is a piece of land, a yoke of oxen, and a wife (Luke 14:18-20). The greatest adversary of love to God is not his enemies but his gifts. And the most deadly appetites are not for the poison of evil, but for the simple pleasures of earth. For when these replace an appeitie for God himself, the idolatry is scarcely unrecognizable. The pleasures of life and the desires for other things are not evil in themselves. These are gifts of God. They are our basic meat and potatos and coffee and gardening and reading and decorating and traveling and investing and tv-watching and internet-surfing and computer-gaming and shopping and exercising and collecting and talking. But beware that all of them can become deadly substitutes for God.

For example, Glenn shared that guitar was his 'god' at some point in his life, he had a collection of more than 50 guitars, and a terrific guitar player to say the least, but he realized that this had taken our God's rightful place. So he had to surrender it to God and die to it. Believe it wasn't an easy choice but he still did it, and i believe God rewarded and honoured him for his obedience.

We make choices every day. All of our choices are based on our values, from what to wear, to what we say, to what we do, the moral choices that we make each day. We can choose Jesus or we can choose to turn away and ignore Him. Today we can choose Jesus but tomorrow we can choose not. It's a moment by moment decision to follow Jesus. That's why Jesus told us to take up our cross daily.

Realized that i've still not let go of some 'things' dear to me, not as easy as i thought... Sometimes i feel like the singer of the song 'iris'. But believe i'm not the only one; so yeah, if you're feeling this way, you're not alone if that helps...

Take care and may the Lord show His mercy to you each day.

On Healing

Lately I've been thinking on the issue of healing. If God can heal people supernaturally, why is there a need for doctors? When I go for those healing rallies, i can't help but doubt of the surety of healing. Don't get me wrong, I do believe that God can and does heal today. There are many people who can testify to this. But I also think that God doesn't heal all the time, for various reasons. Most of which we may not understand. And guess at times God can use medicine to 'heal' people as well.

I heard the testimony of an energetic and bright young man who was on his way to a bright future as a doctor, when he was struck with polio and paralyzed from the waist down. He was a christian at that time, and he did everything he could to be healed. He went to the doctors, he prayed, went for healing rallies, he tried everything, but still could not be healed. One day while he was praying by himself in his room, God showed him Psalm 147:9-11

His pleasure is not in the strength of the horse,
nor his delight in the legs of a man;
the LORD delights in those who fear him,
who put their hope in his unfailing love.

He got his answer. From then on, he didn't seek to be healed, but instead, God used him to heal others! What do you know, a man in a wheelchair who can't 'heal himself' but instead heals others (through God's power of course).
This man is Dr William Tan, an outstanding neurosurgeon and wheelchair athlete.
Many people would think this is an irony, or maybe even a joke. But I believe there's an important lesson to learn from this. God does not always answer our prayers the way we want Him to, but we can still trust in His goodness. He can turn what seems like a tragedy into something beautiful, if we give it to Him.

Nostalgic

Today I went to Changi Airport for lunch with my collegues. I walked past the arrival hall, the same place where I had walked through just 3 months ago. The scene of family and friends waiting for their loved one(s) to come home, the luggages and all, reminded me of those carefree days.

Where are the days of old
When things were simpler
It’s kinda different now
Now I understand
Why Peter Pan didn’t to grow up
I’m grown up now
Or trying to rather
There is a season for everything
To be thankful for and make the best of the present
Cherish the past
And hope for the future
Is what I’m learning to be

7 Laws for Life

I went for a seminar by CWR (Crusade for World Revival) over the weekend. The speaker was Mick Brooks, the guy who took over Selwyn Hughes, the founder of CWR. Selwyn wrote the daily devotional “Every Day with Jesus” amongst many other things. He was an inspiring writer and speaker. He went to be with the Lord earlier this year.

The seminar was based on Selwyn’s book “The 7 laws of spiritual success”. It was one of those “I’ve heard before and I know” foundational teachings, but I still need to hear them again once in a while. I guess it’s like repairing the foundations of the building when it gets worn out. Here’s to share with you guys what I took home from it. I pray it encourages and refreshed you just as it did for me =)

Why are they spiritual “LAWS”? Why not sth which sounds less serious/ harsh like “principles” or sth along those lines… That question came to my mind too. No one likes laws. Especially in Singapore, when it seems that laws restrict our freedom and all. But perhaps we can see it this way. Just as physical laws govern the physical universe, spiritual laws govern the spiritual realm. We cannot deny or go against the law of gravity, if we do (e.g. try jumping off a 30-storey building), we will be in big trouble. When we go against laws, we are not actually breaking the law per se, but we break ourselves on them. Laws are reliable, unchangeable and provide order for the universe. Laws are always there, they are not created, they are just discovered.

Before I go into the 7 laws that govern spiritual success, let us define what success is. Everyone, in whatever role we take up in life, wants to be successful but there is a great difference between the way the world sees success and the way God sees it. Well, Success in spiritual terms is KNOWING the will of God and DOING it.

At Selwyn’s 70th birthday, he sat down and asked himself: what have I learnt in the many years I have been a follower of Christ? He came up with a list of between 40 to 50 things, which he narrowed them down (thankfully) to these 7 things, which he believes are absolutely essential to living an effective and successful Christian life.

Here they are:

Law #1: Put First things First

“Things which matter most must never be at the mercy of things which matter least” - Goethe

Man was made primarily to worship our Creator – which is to ascribe due to worth to what we value most.
Why Worship? Bcos… In worship…
1. God communicates His presence to us
2. We demonstrate and develop trust in God
3. We are saved from egoism.

Worship is to precede work. However, we often get these two things in the wrong order. We are too concerned about the cause of Christ than Christ Himself.
The central focus of the Christian life is not what we do for Him but what He has done for us (Clarification: What we do for Him is important, but it shouldn’t be the central focus)

Law #2: Develop the Attitude of Gratitude =)

1. Look for the good in everything – Ever heard of the silver lining behind the cloud?
2. Choose to thankful. Praising God is an action of the will.
3. Give thanks in everything – Yup, even in bad times.

Law #3: Keep on Keeping On (i.e. Don’t give up! Persevere in difficult circumstances)

In the christian walk, people give up bcos of various reasons:
1. Trials and troubles – John 16:33 tells us that we will face troubles, but Jesus tells us not to fear bcos He is greater than our troubles. Also, James 1:2 tells us to count it pure joy when we face troubles, bcos it moulds our character.
2. Doubts about the faith – to doubt is not sin. It is normal to have doubts. But we need to confront and anchor them in Scripture.
3. Persecution – Jesus said that we will face persecution if we are true followers of His, but He said that this temporary suffering is nothing compared to the glory in Heaven, so we must be ready to face them with courage, knowing that the Lord understands and will give us strength to face them as well.
4. Falling into sin – Don’t minimize sin or try to justify yourself. Instead, go to God with it and claim His forgiveness. Turn away from the sin and move on. Don’t brood over the past.

Law #4: Remember to Forget (i.e. Choose to Forgive)

“He who cannot forgive others, breaks the bridge over which he himself must pass” – George Herbert

This is something we all struggle with… but these principles might help us:

1. Remember how much we’ve been forgiven – those who has been forgiven much forgive much; those who have been forgiven little, forgive little
2. Deal honestly with lingering resentments – don’t deny the hurt or/and anger. Bring it to God and choose to release it to Him.
3. Beware of the consequences of not forgiving – remember the story Jesus told of the unforgiving debtor.

Law #5: Give Yourself to Others (i.e. To Love Others)

What is love?
One of the greatest definitions of love I have come across if this:
‘Love is moving toward others without self-protection’. Love is becoming vulnerable and being willing to be hurt. To love well is when though perhaps your own heart may be hurting you can move toward others and be more interested in them than you are in yourself.

We are made in the image of God – whose nature is other-centredness – hence we function best when we are more involved in giving than receiving. But bocs of the fall, we’ve become self-centred creatures. Doesn’t take very long for us to realize that… And often it’s difficult to love.

The speaker asked smth which really got me thinking: Why do people get married? Most answers are: for companionship, procreation, to be loved and taken care of, etc. I realised that most of these reasons are very self-centred. Rarely do you hear someone say they get married bcos they want to give themselves to their partner for the rest of their lives.

How can we learn to become more other-centered?
1. Look into the mirror of Christ – the more we look at Jesus the more challenged we will be to act and behave like Him. As you gaze at Him contrast His attitudes and actions with yours. Decide to follow His example.
2. Ask God daily to show you someone you can serve – It can be someone we know or don’t know. Often we miss opportunities to minister to others because we do not have the attitude of serving. Those with a serving attitude see opportunities where others see nothing. I believe in divine appointments. Even a seemingly irritating insurance agent may be an opportunity to witness for Jesus =)
3. Cultivate the art of giving – I once heard that the best cure for selfishness and greed is giving. It’s been tried and proven to be pretty effective!

Law #6: Continual Repentance

Most Christians see repentance as a one-off event during conversion. But repentance is not only the doorway into the Christian life; it is also the way the Christian life is developed and maintained.

What is repentance? Well, it is NOT…
- regret
- remorse (feeling bad about doing wrong)
- reformation (changing behaviour without changing our attitude or heart)
- reparation (making up for the bad we’ve done)
The Greek word for repentance is metanoia, which means a change of mind.

A change of mind about what? One may ask….
Ultimately, it is the change of mind about where we find love, our self-worth and significance.

All too often, we try to numb our pain with things such as:
Food, Alcohol, Entertainment (tv, internet, games, movies, enjoying oneself), Material Comforts & Possessions (or what they call retail therapy)
Yet, the only one who can meet our real needs is God.

We need to ask ourselves this important question: Where do I go when the going gets tough? What is my escape route? Who is my comforter?
If the answer to these questions is not God, then we’ve sinned and need to repent before God…

Law #7: Care for Your Soul

Just like a garden which needs to be weeded and watered regularly, our soul needs to be cultivated. In this world, whatever is neglected degenerates. Our soul doesn’t take care of itself. This applies to human relationships as well. What more our relationship with God. Whatever you feed, grow; Whatever you starve, dies.

What is the soul? It comprises of the mind, heart and will.

How do we care for our souls? Spend Time:
1. Studying God’s Word
2. Talking to God in Prayer
3. Develop the art of being Still and Listening

Yup. That is all. I hope you’ve been blessed, inspired and encouraged =)
May we not only listen to the Word, but be Doers of it as well.
Amen!

On Street Witnessing

The past 2 Sundays I went out with some of the youth leaders from my church to talk to youths on the streets… It was a first time for some of them, quite an interesting experience. Am really glad they chose to do this despite their worries and doubts, to step out of their comfort zone and challenge themselves to reach out to people whom they don’t know. Had some meaningful conversations with people. Last Sunday 3 people made the decision to follow Christ. PTL! Pray that they will continue to know God more… The opportunities are vast out there, when we’re out there, it truly brings alive what Jesus meant when He said that ‘the harvest is plentiful but the workers are few’.

Next week the leaders will be bringing out the younger ones for a prayer walk around the neighbourhood, then the following week we’ll go out to the streets together! Someone said that he felt that this was a small step to something greater. I pray he is right.

Today I went to buy a packet of soya milk from a provision shop just downstairs from where I stay. I wanted to give the lady at the cashier a tract I had but was hesitant. But I offered it to her anyway, thinking she will reject it. To my pleasant surprise, she looked quite interested, like she had found something she had been looking for... It was priceless. She thanked me for it and I left with more than a packet of soya milk. My small effort had not gone to waste.

Remember my friends: A small gesture can last for eternity.

TGIM

The weeks seem to be passing faster and faster. Friday comes faster than I think, and the weekend passes in the blink of an eye. It's been slightly more than a month since I officially stepped into the 'marketplace' or 'work world' whatever you call it. Feels like a total new phase, though the past 2 years of attachment stints did give me a preview of how it'll be like, so the transition hasn't been too sudden. Though sometimes I feel quite 'stuck' at one place, being 'cut off' from the rest of the world for that 10 hours or so when i'm at work. But this is where God has put me for this time, so it's where i will try my best to do my best for him.

Been reading this book by John C. Maxwell entitled "Life@Work - Marketplace Success for People of Faith". Learnt some insightful stuff that I wanna share with you guys:

The author talks about a ‘schizophrenic’ person: a Christian in the marketplace. The Christian side is accommodating, understanding, patient and all. And the business side is more practical, demanding and performance oriented. Which side should he follow? The answer is: both.

People of faith must learn to be comfortable, valuable, and intentional in 2 worlds: the world of the kingdom and the world of the commercial, the world of faith and the world of work.


For most people, work is bad. We don’t associate work with paradise. In fact, most perceptions of paradise are marked by the absence of work: relaxing on a beach with nothing to do, on board a 5-star cruise liner, etc.

I had the idea that work is part of the curse of the Fall. But I failed to realize that God had already ordained work before the Fall. Genesis 2:15 reads, “The LORD God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it”. Work is not the result of sin. Work was part of God’s original creation. Sin distorted it.

As designed by God, work was not just something for men and women to do, but He designed it to be a deep participation in the life and work of God Himself. The purpose was to “take care” of the earth, to steward it. We are entrusted with taking care of God’s resources in the same manner He would. That mandate for work did not change after the Fall. Man’s continued stewardship is the lynchpin of understanding a theology of work.

That does not mean, of course, that every workday feels like “paradise”. We still have to deal with the thorns that have grown up since man’s fall in the garden. It is not the circumstances of my day, but my seizing the workday as a God appointment that stages a fresh return to paradise.

I used to think that work is worldly and secular. That it prevents us from doing more “sacred” things such as prayer, bible study, church, etc. Don’t get me wrong, these are great things, but this spilt between secular and sacred is contrary to Scripture. These two should be married together - work can be used to glorify God, and is part of God’s everyday involvement with people. Many Christians, if asked to list their priorities, would order them as such: God, family/friends, self, work. I used to think that way too, but this is a very segmented sort of life. God should be involved in every part of our lives: family/friends, self, and yes, work!

I consider myself a “workaholic”. I feel stressed if I don’t have work to do. Which is not really a good thing. Cos I realize that work starts to become my god, and that my identity and sense of security gets wrapped up in my work. That in order to feel secure, I must do well at work. The difference between workaholism and feeling passionate about your work is one of motivation. Am I working to seek success and feel good about myself? Or am I working in the view of glorifying God? The truth is that work is a great environment in which to discover God and glorify God, but it is not God.

There’s another myth that the book addresses. It’s the myth that work that is anointed always spells success. There are many stories of skilful men and women who zoom up the career ladder of success. But then there are other stories that also appear in Scripture and in the lives of people we know: people of genuine skill who do not live in the glow of a successful career. They work hard and well, and yet little career good happens. A God-filled life does not always equate with career success. What we should seek is not a Christian key to unlock worldly success, but God’s key to unlocking His intended design for our work, whatever its circumstances or outcomes might be.

The author identifies 4 Tools for Life@Work:

Psalm 78:70-72

[God] chose David (that is calling) his servant (that is service) and took him from the sheep pens; from tending the sheep he brought him to be the shepherd of his people Jacob, of Israel his inheritance. And David shepherded them with integrity of heart (that is character); with skilful hands he led them (that is skill).

Keep posted for more... :)

Hope you have a meaningful and gracious week ahead, be it at school, work or play!

When It Was Over

This song brought back tears to my eyes…

When it was over and they could talk about it
She said there’s just one thing I’ve got to know
When in that moment when you were running so hard and fast
Made you stop and turn for home
He said I always knew you loved me even though I’d broken your heart
I always knew there’d be a place for me to make a brand new start
Oh love wash over a multitude of things
Make us whole

When it was over and they could talk about it
They were sitting on the couch
She said what on earth made you stay here
When you finally figured out what I was all about
He said I always knew you’d do the right thing
Even though it might take some time
She said
Yeah, I felt that and that’s probably what saved my life
Oh love wash over a multitude of things
Love wash over a multitude of things
Love wash over a multitude of things

Make us whole
There is a love that never fails
There is a healing that always prevails
There is a hope that whispers a vow
A promise to wait while we’re working it out
So come with Your love and wash over us

Life@Work/Play

Things at work are starting to gain some momentum… Given more responsibilities slowly. I’m learning for my work to be scrutinized by my boss. Not that my boss is not nice, but just that she’s very very sharp and smart! A lot of times I feel like an idiot (like… why didn’t I think of that?), but my collegues say that this is normal when you’re new. So I’m learning just to laugh at myself, be humble and learn from my mistakes...

Aside from work, I’ve finally decided to learn driving after a lot of debate. Sometimes I still wonder if this is the right decision, but since I’ve started it, I’ll just continue it. I’m also signing up for guitar lessons, in an attempt not to let myself stagnant at where I am, and to motivate myself to play my guitar more often, and equip myself to play guitar for worship. Another thing I want to take up is Malay classes, so I’ll be able to better communicate with the malay inmates and my malay collegues at work. Will also come in handy when I go to Malaysia! I wanna learn Hokkien too (been trying to scout for Hokkien classes even!) but seems that there are none. Guess I’ll just have to pick it up here and there… heh. Been trying to brush up on my Mandarin by watching more Chinese news and shows too. I didn’t expect that a prison officer has to be so multi-linguistic! Next year I’ll be starting a bible correspondence course from America to try get through the Bible in more depth. Also thinking of taking up sailing lessons, something I’ve been wanting to do for sometime already… That’s quite a lot I wanna do… heh.

I feel like I’m becoming more like a Pharisee. I try to set into place spiritual disciplines, only to find that I struggle to do them. I know that I don’t have to do them to earn God’s approval or what, but I know that it is beneficial if it is done in the right attitude. Yet another part of me is reluctant to do it. So in the end, I’m torn as to whether I should do it or not. It’s a mental and spiritual battle each day, and gets quite draining… Is this why Paul used the analogy of an athlete disciplining and training himself/herself to run to describe the christian walk? Is that why he said that he "beats his body and makes it his slave so that he will not be disqualified for the prize after he has preached to others" (1 Cor 9:27)? Is that why i find it so hard to do these spiritual disciplines? Or am i taking things one step too far. Pray that God’s truth would set me free from this, and that I’ll do what is pleasing to the Lord with the right attitude and heart.

I’m helping to organize a street evangelism outreach for the youth ministry in church… it’s been something that been on my heart for sometime, and it’s amazing how this opportunity came about. It’s both exciting and daunting at the same time. I’m afraid to fail, but I know that this is the Lord’s and it’s not for me to make it a ‘success’, just to be faithful in what He calls me to do… Pray that hearts will be touched and lives transformed through this =)

Anyway, here's a song by Bebo Norman to share with you all. He's one of my fav singers. Enjoy and be blessed!

Thanks...

I think I made a lot of you worry in my last post... Thanks for all your words of encouragement, advice and prayers. Every one of it. Really really appreciate it, they have helped me and is helping me go through this period of change. I've learnt a lot in the last 2 weeks, am still learning. At times I still doubt and fear, but I shall put my trust and hope in the Lord.

Things have picked up since last week. Sometimes I still get stressed and discouraged, circumstances don't change, but I'm trying to be positive and not be too hard on myself... I can't reveal too much details about the nature of my work, because of OSA, amongst other things... so decided to delete my second last post if some of you are wondering. So I have to be very cryptic. Heh.

I've been posted out to headquarters this wednesday. It's a refreshing change, atmosphere is more relaxed. Environment is more open and the work is more office like, including the hours. I don't like to be desk bound to office work, but somehow at times i feel this suits me more. Oh well. Guess the grass is always greener on the other side, so i'll just have to learn to adapt and like both sides of the job :) Just been reading up a lot of papers to get information about the latest projects, which i'll be helping out with. Got word that my training might not start so soon, so i'll be here for sometime. Pray that i'll take this time to learn and give as much as i can. To be faithful in whatever He gives me, and to be the best i can be...

Need Your Prayers

Dear friends,

Work in prison has been difficult, finding it hard to concentrate and focus. i'm really struggling each day. Broke down after I came home today... I'm starting to wonder if I can do this prison thingy. Why did God put me here? I feel i'm not up to it. I feel I'm cracking under the pressure to perform. I can only see my faults and weaknesses right now. Tired and broken. I'm trying, but it's not enough. I need God to change me. I feel like I'm being squashed into a mould which does not fit me. And it's painful. Yes i know it produces a harvest of righteousness and it trains my character. Perhaps i'm not soft enough to be moulded... stubborn in my ways. A lot of the stress i'm feeling is due to myself. The desire to look good in front of others, to meet up to people's expectations, to fit into the culture. Perhaps i'm trying too hard. Lately, the devotions i've been reading are about being humble and not seeking for greatness in terms of status or performance. The temptation for the latter is strong, especially in my position.

I seek your prayers and intercession for me. Please pray for me to have humility and learn to serve others, to have the right motives and attitude in all that i do. For protection, discernment and wisdom. And especially for FOCUS at work. May God be glorfied in this, and may i learn to rejoice in trials, sufferings and temptations.

Thank you... really appreciate your prayers. Thanks also for listening in your own way, i needed to let this out.

Voice of Truth

Voice of Truth by Casting Crowns


Oh,what I would do
To have the kind of faith it takes
To climb out of this boat I'm in
Onto the crashing waves
To step out of my comfort zone
Into the realm of the unknown
Where Jesus is,
And he's holding out his hand

But the waves are calling out my name
and they laugh at me
Reminding me of all the times
I've tried before and failed
The waves they keep on telling me
time and time again
"Boy, you'll never win,
you'll never win."

But the voice of truth tells me a different story
the voice of truth says "do not be afraid!"
and the voice of truth says "this is for my glory"
Out of all the voices calling out to me
I will choose to listen and believe the voice of truth

Oh, what I would do
to have the kind of strength it takes
To stand before a giant
with just a sling and a stone
Surrounded by the sound
of a thousand warriors
shaking in their armor
Wishing they'd have had the strength to stand

But the giant's calling out
my name and he laughs at me
Reminding me of all the times
I've tried before and failed
The giant keeps on telling me
time and time again
"Boy you'll never win,
you'll never win."

but the stone was just the right size
to put the giant on the ground
and the waves they don't seem so high
from on top of them looking down
i will soar with the wings of eagles
when i stop and listen to the sound of Jesus
singing over me

I will listen and believe
I will listen and believe the voice of truth
I will listen and believe
'Causes Jesus you are the voice of truth
And I will listen to you...

On Money and Death

A few things sparked me to think about these 2 big life issues. No one can escape them. The lure of money and the inevitability of death.

I met up with a friend from church who is also an insurance/investment agent, to ask her more about insurance/investment plans. Partly cos the insurance guy who approached me a few weeks ago keeps calling to ask me if I’m gonna buy insurance. And also I decided it’s better to find out earlier what it’s all about, and see if it’s really necessary to take it up. I questioned the biblical basis of insurance and investment. I mean, if we trust God to provide for our every need, then why need to ensure you have money in case you die, get totally disabled, or suffer from some disease? Why the need to invest money in shares and see your money grow, while a lot of people in the world are starving? Doesn’t the Bible tell us not to store up treasures here on earth, which will not last, but to store treasures in heaven instead?

My friend used the story of Joseph to illustrate the importance of storing up/ saving money in the ‘abundant’ years for the time of ‘famine’ (Can read more of this in Genesis 41). Also, insurance is also in a way being responsible to your family, by providing for them in case, or when anything happens to me. It does make some sense… I guess there are 2 different views to this, and it's up to one's personal conviction and measure of faith to make a decision.

The conversation also sparked off thoughts of death (don’t worry, I don’t mean suicide). Insurance essentially is to insure against death, accidents and diseases. The way that my friend talked about them so matter-of-factly kinda scared me a bit. We often think these things won’t happen to us till it happens. I came back and talked to my mom about it. My mom said that if or when she is diagnosed with a terminal illness, she’d rather not be treated and left to die a ‘natural death’ instead. She doesn’t think it’s worth it to spend thousands of dollars just to prolong her pain and life on this earth. I kinda see her rationale, kinda like euthanasia. Is it wrong to abstain treatment and let ourselves die? Or should we fight till the end? Not sure if the bible is clear on this issue… Anyone can enlighten me on this?

Am I afraid of death? Well, I know that I’m going to heaven, because I’m saved by grace through my faith in Jesus Christ, so I look forward to what’s after death. Not houses or streets made of gold. But just to meet and be with Jesus. Which is better than anything else in this world really. But honestly, I’m afraid of the process of death. The pain and suffering involved. I cried when I put on braces, and I’ve always been quite terrified of injections and blood tests. I’m quite ashamed to say this. All this is nothing compared to a lot of what others have gone through.

I’ve been reading John Piper’s book “Don’t Waste Your Life”. In it, he says that we can magnify God through pain and even death. He is made supreme when we are so satisfied in him that we can “let goods and kindred go, this mortal life also” and suffer for the sake of love. His beauty shines most brightly when treasured above health and wealth and life itself. Jesus knew this. He knew that suffering (whether small discomforts or dreadful torture) would be the path in this age for making him most visibly supreme. That is why he calls us to this. He loves us. And love does not mean making much of us or making life easy. It means making us able to enjoy making much of him forever—no matter what it costs.

He tells a story from the February 1998 edition of Reader’s Digest, which tells about a couple who “took early retirement from their jobs in the Northeast five years ago when he was 59 and she was 51. Now they live in Punta Gorda, Florida, where they cruise on their 30 foot trawler, play softball and collect shells.” At first, when I read it I thought it might be a joke. A spoof on the American Dream. But it wasn’t. Tragically, this was the dream: Come to the end of your life—your one and only precious, God-given life—and let the last great work of your life, before you give an account to your Creator, be this: playing softball and collecting shells. Picture them before Christ at the great day of judgment: “Look, Lord. See my shells.” That is a tragedy. And people today are spending billions of dollars to persuade you to embrace that tragic dream. Over against that, I put my protest: Don’t buy it. Don’t waste your life.

He also tells of a man called Dietrich Bonhoeffer. Even though he died at the age of thirty-nine, his life was not wasted. His life and death continue to speak with power. He was hanged in the concentration camp at Flossenbürg, Germany, on April 9, 1945. He had been a pastor and teacher and leader of a small training school for the confessing church. and had participated in the Protestant resistance movement against the Nazis. He wrote a famous book entitled The Cost of Discipleship in which he said

“The cross is not the terrible end to an otherwise God-fearing and happy life, but it meets us at the beginning of our communion with Christ. When Christ calls a man, he bids him come and die.” Fleeing from death is the shortest path to a wasted life. The only man,” he said, “who has the right to say that he is justified by grace alone is the man who has left all to follow Christ.”

I don’t believe God tells us to go look for death or suffering. I believe death or martyrdom comes when it comes. We just have to be faithful in what He calls us to do, to take up our cross and follow Him – no matter what the cost. I pray that when my time comes, I will face it with joy and courage cos I know my Saviour lives. As Paul said, “For me, to live is Christ; and to die is gain.” Philippians 1:21

7th month and the left-handed swordsman

Was walking around my neighbourhood today, and saw lots of people burning paper and lighting joysticks, and lots of food offerings. Heard from a lady from my flat that it's the last day of the hungry ghost festival. I thought it was a rare thing that she actually spoke to me, cos most ple just give me a blank stare or look away when i look or smile at them. I knew it was an opportunity to share the gospel, but i just asked her why does she burn paper, hoping it would provoke her to think. She looked quite shocked and a little horrified as if i should know why she did that, or maybe she couldn't think of a reason. After an awkward pause, i blabbered smth like 'oh... is it to scare away the ghosts or smth?' (in mandarin) After that, she didn't look like she wanted to continue the conversation. Sigh, blew it again. My efforts to witness on the streets on my own have been quite disheartening thus far. Most i've got is rejections and looks that think i'm crazy. I ask myself and God what i'm doing wrong. I make sure i pray before i talk to anyone. Maybe i'm still relying more on my own efforts than being sensitive to the Holy Spirit. Maybe i'm trying too hard? But i ask myself, how can i not do anything, when 9 in 10 people i pass by on the streets do not know Jesus?

Was listening to a sermon by Pastor Edmund Chan from Covenant Evangelical Free Church today. He shared an inspiring story entitled 'The Left Handed Swordsman'. Here's my adapted version of it.

Long before your time, in a far away land.... Lived an evil swordsman who wanted to kill everyone in the land. As all kung-fu movies, there was a good swordsman who wanted to protect the people and he challenged the evil swordsman to a fight. Eventually the good swordsman got killed, but before he died, he told his son to look for his grandfather who would teach him how to defeat the evil swordsman. So he left to look for his grandfather who lived on a mountain far away. After a long journey over mountains and valleys, he finally reached. He asked his grandfather to teach him how to kill the evil swordsman, but his grandfather refused. He was adamant about avenging his father, and knelt for days and nights till his grandfather relented. But before he agreed to take him as his 'tudi', he asked him if he trusted him. The young man eagerly nodded his head, after which his 'shifu' took out his sword and cut off the young man's right arm! The young man was in utter shock and horror at what his grandfather had done. But he had no other choice but to submit and trust his grandfather, who trained him to combat with his left hand. And so when he was fully trained, he went back to look for the evil swordsman. As all good old chinese legends end, the young man defeated the evil swordsman and brought peace and prosperity back to the land. He then found out that the evil swordsman was trained to beat all right-handed swordsman and he then understood why his grandfather did what he did.

Guess most of us are like that young man. Strong on one hand, but weak on the other. The right hand represents our capability (i.e talents, confidence) and capital (i.e. knowledge and resources), while the left represents our character and capacity (i.e. willingness to submit and serve). We use our right hand to cover up our weaker left hand. So we can be a successful and influential leader in the workplace, and even at church, but underneath is a withered left hand that no one knows about but yourself. But God is not so much concerned about our right hand than our left. Perhaps this is a lesson God wants to teach me before i start work. A friend told me to ask God to give me a vision of what He has in store in my workplace. I've often imagined and envisioned all the inmates worshipping God. As Jesus fasted and prayed to prepare Himself for ministry, i believe this week is for me to prepare myself too... I don't have a strong right hand for a start, what more my left... Well, time for me to go practice my backhand now. So i can perhaps beat my dad at tennis soon :P

Back from Malaysia

I'm back again. Guess if you know me by now, i'm like a bird who can't stay still in one place for long, unless i have too... heh. Trying to 'fly' as much as i can before i start work. Not that work will clip my wings, but it means i won't be able to travel as much... which is smth i enjoy doing.

Malaysia was refreshing. Was supposed to be a long-awaited family holiday with my mom, sis and bro, but my sis couldn't go with us last minute cos she got a new job offer. It's been sometime since my bro went on holiday with my mom and i since he started jc and went into army. Was nice to spend time with him doing things together, reliving our childhood days, just not quarrelling now, well, almost. heh. Was weird to go to the theme parks, the place seems so small and childish now, as compared to when we were younger - we were more easily thrilled by rides and all. Guess we've outgrown it. Must say my bro has changed much from before i left for UK. Sad that i couldn't be there to go through the changes with him. But i can see he's grown and matured a lot, of course, there's those irritating habits that still remain :P He was disappointed with church and left God for a while, but really glad he's coming back now. Also met up with some Notts friends in KL, was nice to see old familiar faces again, though it was short - perhaps it'll be a long time before i see them again.

I've got another week before i start work. Actually could have started this monday, but wanted to push it back cos i didn't want to start work so soon. I really don't feel ready. But later on i felt that i should not be an escapist, and should have started earlier. But i believe that this extra week is necessary. i still haven't done a lot of things i wanna do in singapore cos of my frequent travels, which i hope to do this week. Also wanna take time to spend with God. I've been reading a book called 'Attack Lambs' by Mark Geppett. Quite a simple but powerful book about prayer - interceding to be specific. Praying for our family, friends, collegues, schools, workplaces, communities, country, world. I realize how powerful and effective intercession can be, it can do and change things which man cannot do, if only we take time to pray in faith. We do not wage war with flesh and blood, but with the principalities, powers and rulers of this dark world. Prayer is a weapon we need to use if we want to win this battle. Prayer changes things in the spiritual realm which ultimately will change things in this world. It has been done and proven. But on the other hand, we must remember that faith without works is dead too - "What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him? Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to him, "Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed," but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead" James 2:14-17

Sketch

Simple but powerful message. Be blessed and pass it on :)

3 weeks on...

It’s been rather eventful since I got back from The Philippines. Met up with quite a number of friends, some of whom I haven’t seen for sometime, and some were visiting Malaysian friends whom I knew in Nottingham. Went to East Coast beach for the first time since I got back. East Coach holds a special place in my heart, and it was a warm and nostalgic feeling to be back there, taking in the sea breeze, looking at the ships and sailing boats in the distance, watching the planes fly by, the cafes and pubs by the beach and watching people jogging, bbqing or just enjoying a stroll.

I realized that quite a lot of things have happened in church. Some of which are not very pleasant things. A lot of people who used to be my close friends are no longer there, which is quite sad… But I believe I will stay on. I’m trying out various bible study groups to decide where I should settle down in. Still praying where I should serve in church. I feel somewhat out-of-place amongst the youths now… sounds like I’m so old and mature, but actually I’m not that. Maybe that’s what you call the generation gap.

I had an interesting meeting with a friend who was encouraging me to join a business/MLM company… it was interesting and mind-boggling to see how much money I can make from investing in such a business, but I realized that I’ve no interest in such things… A few days ago an insurance person approached me and told me all the different investment/savings/insurance plans. I was like… hmm. Do I need all these? I might just die today. But yeah I know it’s also good to save and take insurance, if not for myself, then for family. A fine line, but I guess it’s a personal conviction and a balance. I’ll be earning my own money soon, and I’ll have to decide how I’m gonna use this money. Pray I’ll not fall into the temptation of making my bank grow bigger and bigger. But I’ll be wise in using it and invest it in what is eternal. People ask me if I’m looking forward to work, honestly, I’ve been quite apprehensive, perhaps it’s the usual resistance to change, and also cos I feel really inadequate and unprepared to face the challenges of working life and responsibilities of my job. But i know that God's grace is sufficient for me, and His strength is made perfect in my weaknesses, therefore i can boast in my weaknesses that the power of Christ may work through me...

I’m also starting to exercise. (Yes, I didn’t exercise much in UK sad to say…) Went jogging at Bedok stadium, I felt like fainting after just 2km. Man. Also played tennis with my dad which was utterly disappointing. I’ve lost the skills and confidence I once had. Hopefully I’ll improve with more practice.

Lately the burden to witness to strangers on the streets have grown… I feel that the church confines evangelism to within the 4 walls of the church building. We get so caught up in our daily schedules and appointments we fail to see the people around us through God's eyes. Whenever I go out, I feel that I need to share Christ with the people in my path as I go about my daily affairs… The feeling is sometimes so intense it scares me… I ask myself if I’m being too fanatical or radical. I think I’m weird and no one can understand, feel alone and all. I ask myself if it is just me or the Holy Spirit. I feel like Jonah trying to run away from it, but I can’t seem to shake it off… Shared this with a friend and we went street witnessing a couple of times. Got the usual stares from people who think we’re out of our minds, but also got quite a few encouraging responses – spoke to an Indian couple for abt 2 hours (who even paid for our dinner!), spoke to 2 Muslim girls who seemed quite open and asked questions about Christianity, had an intense discussion with 2 ‘ang-mos’ who were atheist, prayed with an elderly man selling tissue paper who broke down… Sometimes i get discouraged cos no one has made a decision immediately to follow Jesus, but my friend reminded me that sometimes we don't get to see the fruit of our labour, but so long as we are faithful to obey God, the rest is up to God. But I still feel it’s not enough to just DO street witnessing. It’s not smth to DO. It’s a lifestyle. It can be anytime, anywhere. I read somewhere that God doesn’t look for ability, but availability… I’m still in the process of learning. I still make mistakes. Do it on my own strength sometimes. I need to be more sensitive to the Holy Spirit so I can discern His voice. I need His perfect love to cast out my fears… Will someone join me in this journey? Check out http://www.mercystreet.com/ it'll inspire you

The World Needs by Matthew Chern

The world needs
Someone who will love without expecting
A gift in return
The world needs
Someone who will run the extra mile
To touch a broken heart

The world needs
Someone who will open wide his heart
Knowing it would hurt
The world needs
Someone who’ll feel the pain of his brother
And take it for his own

The world needs
Someone who would give his life for them
To pardon their sin
The world needs
Someone who would say, “Lord forgive them
They know not what they do..”

(Chorus)
The world needs a shoulder to cry on
The world needs a friend to rely on
The world needs someone who has known the love of Christ
To give up his life

(Bridge)
Don’t you know
It’s time to go
It’s time for you to reach out to this
Lost lost world

Only you
Can here decide
To tell the Lord, “I will abide..”

How can they survive
Only if you’d give your life

"How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written, "How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!"
Romans 10:13-14

Little Women Music Video- Bebo Norman

Is it true that time takes a toll on love?

I'm waiting and holding on

But with each day

I ask myself

Am i hanging on to false hope?

Only God knows...

Back from Philippines

Philippines was humbling. Quite a vast change from UK, being in a third world country. From the plane you can only see small zinc roofed houses and more and more padi fields.


Took us 10 hours to get to our destination (a village called Cabugao) from the airport. They don't have highways there, only mud roads, with lots of pot holes. 2 guys from church drove us there with the church van. Reached there at midnight.


The church there was started by a Singaporean Indian (Pastor Michael) who used to attend Church of Singapore. He married a Philippino and started the church there some 10 odd years ago. But the church is more of a home for abandoned children and troubled youths. About 22 children and 16 young peole live there. And it's not a very big house. We slept on mattresses on the floor, accompanied by mosquitoes and lizards. heh. Thank God it is the typhoon season now so it's not so hot. But it was raining quite a lot while we were there. First time i'm experiencing typhoon rain. The rain falls like hail, and with the howling winds, bomming thunder and lightning, can be quite scary. But thank God that the roof didnt fly off.


We spent the days visiting the surrounding village churches, the pastors there and some of the cell members. The Philipinnos are really friendly and hospitable people. They don't have much and are very poor, but they still offer us the best food when we're there. And they eat our leftovers. Some of their house roofs even leaks when it rains. For us, it's not considered liveable condition, but for them, so long as they have a roof over their heads, it's good already. Their livelihood is mainly planting rice and rearing animals. Having rice on the table to eat is a struggle for many.


When we were not out, we spent time with the kids and youths in the home. I was quite shy and didn't know how to talk to them. But the kids warm up really fast. I just sit there for a few minutes and before you know it all the kids start surrounding me. Can see how much love and attention they lack and need. Most of them were abandoned by their parents. A few were literally dumbed in the garbage bin. Pastor Michael picks them up and brings them home. There were a few difficult kids though, one was mute and another had Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, and kept on pulling my hair and arms. But was really touched when he gave me a note that said thanks when i left, as well as 2 batteries for my camera in case it ran out of battery. The youths spend their time in routine tasks taking care of the home and children, like washing, cooking and cleaning. So didn't really talk to many of them. They spoke the local language (Illocano) to one another, and their english is not too good, so made it harder. Many of them come from broken homes, and complicated backgrounds. Parents abandoned them, some couldn't afford to bring them up so put them there. Some were single mothers at the age of 23. Education is expensive and may of them want to go to school but can't afford it. Even if they are educated (some of them have uni degrees), there are not many jobs there, and end up staying in the home to help out. They pass their free time playing chess and playing volleyball in the streets. Really not much entertainment there. I played chess and dai-tee with some of them (they are really quite good! Or maybe i'm quite bad... heh). Got to know a few of the girls there better, and was moved when they gave me their clothes and simple gifts when we left. I thought we were supposed to be the ones giving cos we've got so much, yet they still give out of their little they have (Reminds me of the bible story of the widow and the two coins). Can see that they are really sincere and they desire and treasure friendship. They asked me for my photo and to write to them. One thing that amazed me was that they woke up at 4am every day to have group devotion. If they failed to attend or if they were late, they wouldn't get food for the whole day. Must say the way the philippinos worship God in song puts many of us to shame.


Also visited a prison there. Was really small - only 3 cells, housing about 30 inmates there. Quite cramped. But the security is quite lax there. We had direct contact with the inmates and sometimes they can come out into the public to play simple games. Some of them have been there for a few years without trial (the justice system there is really slow and corrupted). We sang some christian songs with them and one of the ladies from the mission team shared her testimony and from the Word. We found out it was 2 of the guy's birthdays that day so we bought them birthday cakes. They said that it was the first time in their entire life that they had a cake for their birthday! Could see they were really happy and touched by such a simple gesture.

Please Pray for Philippines. Pray for:

- more godly men and women to govern the country to stamp out corruption

- the children and young people. Many of them have been forced into the sex trade as young as 8 years old. Many of them lack love and a family.

- the poor people. That God will provide for their families.

- the churches there. That the pastors will be people after God's heart, and God will build His church there. They are severely lacking in discipleship. Many of the churches don't have a building to meet also.

- Health. It's the typhoon season now, and there's quite a lot of flooding, which also means water-borne diseases. Health services are not so readily available and as good there as compared to here. Pray for God's protection and mercy.

- God's truth to be known throughout the land. Many people are involved in cults and distorted christian teachings. Even though it is known to be a roman catholic land, many of them don't actually believe or know what the bible teaches, or have a personal relationship with God.


As much as I wish and like to go to third world countries for short mission trips (still hope to visit India, Myanmar, Cambodia and Indonesia someday), i really don't know if i can be a full-time missionary there. I don't know if can give up my comfortable life here in Singapore, but if and when God does call me to go, i better say yes. I got word that i'll be starting work in prison on 17th sept. i won't be working as a prison officer YET cos i need to go through training first which only starts in Jan next year, but i'll still be working working. Thought i could start later, but guess God wants me in prison soon. heh. Good also lar, can't run away for long... Have mixed feelings about it. But pray i will have a positive attitude and trust God in the midst of difficulties and uncertainties. Will be going away for a short trip to Malaysia with my mom, bro and sis in early sept. it's been a long time since the whole family went on holiday together.


I've still yet to settle back into life in Singapore. Feel quite lost still. And dealing with some personal issues right now... Pray for me to be still to seek God, in what He wants me to do in various areas of my life. Thanks... :) May you find Him in all that you do each day my friends.


Can view some of the philippine pics here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/17466796@N00/

Back in Sgp

This is the 3rd day I’ve been back in Singapore. Still jet-lagging a bit, getting used to the hot weather and finding my sense of belonging and direction.
I touched down at 8pm on National Day, managed to catch a glimpse of the fireworks just when the plane landed, which was nice. Stepping back into change airport, seeing the familiar faces of Singaporean people, the young, elderly, brought a smile to my face. I knew I was home. After collecting my luggage, I walked through the arrivals gate, and was met with eager faces looking and waiting for their loved ones. It gave me a warm but stinging and empty feeling in my heart. I waited a while for my mom and uncle to pick me up from the airport, which was nice… My family moved to a 2-bedroom HDB falt early this year, so I came back to an unfamiliar place. It was nicer than I expected. Much smaller as compared to the condo I was staying at, but the place was quite nicely furnished and clean. Or so I thought, till I spotted a lizard. Heh.

First day my mom helped me familiarize myself with the new surroundings, and told me how to get around from here. Went to settle bank and phone stuff, also met up with my dad and his family for dinner at Parkway. Had lunch with my family and grandma for lunch the following day at Pasir Ris downtown east. Some things seem familiar, but of course, there’s always new changes. Went for young service at church on Sat night. Only a few people knew I was back, so a lot of people were surprised to see me. I was both excited and fearful. Was nice that many people came to say hi, but I still felt quite awkward and out-of-place. Was quite overwhelmed by the number of people there, and I tried to get a brief overview of what’s happening in people’s lives. It will take time to re-connect. I guess. As always. One step at a time.

Today I tried to give a tract to a lady on the bus, but got rejected. Everywhere I go, I see strangers who don’t know Jesus – the cleaner in the foodcourts, the lame man selling tissues by the street, the uncles and aunties in the neighbourhood. My heart aches for them, but I feel so afraid to step out of my comfort zone to reach out to them. It’s the same familiar feeling I have each time I come back to Singapore. I wonder if I’m silly or crazy doing what I do sometimes, it’s not really conventional. A lot of me just wants to ignore these promptings, and just go on with my own life. Lately I’ve been having a lot of inner distractions which can be frustrating when I can’t concentrate on what’s at hand, but it humbles me and forces me to depend on God more. Pray that I will listen and obey.

I will be going to Philippines for a mission trip with my mom and some church members from 15-22 August. Have wanted to go for a mission trip somewhere in Asia when I got back to Singapore, and this came up, which I believe is an answered prayer and open door. Honestly I don’t feel ready or adequate to go, but like all mission trips, I’ll just go and give what I have, and God will do the rest. Quite looking forward to it (:


Blessed Be Your Name
In the Land that is Plentiful
Where Your Streams of Abundance flow
Blessed Be Your Name

Blessed Be Your Name
When I'm found in the desert place
Though I walk through the wilderness
Blessed Be Your Name

Every blessing You our out
I'll turn back to praise
When the darkness closes in Lord
Still I will say...

Blessed be the Name of the Lord
Blessed be Your Name
Blessed be the Name of the Lord
Blessed be Your glorious Name

Blessed Be Your Name
When the sun's shining down on me
When the world's all as it should be
Blessed Be Your Name

Blessed Be Your Name
On the road marked with suffering
Though there's pain in the offering
Blessed Be Your Name

You give and take away
You give and take away
My heart will choose to say
Lord, Blessed be Your Name