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 :)