Peek into Emerginia Chia

Problems

2009-09-27T17:50:00.003+08:00

God has a great purpose behind every problem. – Dr A R Bernard

So see problems differently. See it as personal development for molding your character. We all need problems from time to time to mold our character, just like how we need to sharpen our knives from time to time when it becomes blunt.

Be courageous and conquer!

2009-09-27T17:45:00.003+08:00

After Moses passed on, Joshua had huge shoes to fill as the next leader of the children of Israel. He had a huge mission - to lead the people into the Promised Land. This was something that Moses did not even have a chance to do personally.

How did he feel? I believe he was feeling apprehensive, uncertain, perhaps a little fearful even. I am sure he had struggled with many doubts in his heart. I am sure he had toyed with the idea of backing out as the leader of Israel.. He must have felt pressurised. How bad was it? It was so bad that everyone around him had to assure him.

Moses, his mentor, had to assure him.

Be strong and of good courage, do not fear nor be afraid of them; for the LORD your God, He is the One who goes with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you." Then Moses called Joshua and said to him in the sight of all Israel, "Be strong and of good courage, for you must go with this people to the land which the LORD has sworn to their fathers to give them, and you shall cause them to inherit it. - Deut 31:6-7

Then He inaugurated Joshua the son of Nun, and said, "Be strong and of good courage; for you shall bring the children of Israel into the land of which I swore to them, and I will be with you." - Deut 31:23

The children of Israel, the people under him, had to assure him.
Just as we heeded Moses in all things, so we will heed you. Only the LORD your God be with you, as He was with Moses. Whoever rebels against your command and does not heed your words, in all that you command him, shall be put to death. Only be strong and of good courage." - Jos 1:17-18

God Almighty had to assure him.

Be strong and of good courage, for to this people you shall divide as an inheritance the land which I swore to their fathers to give them. Only be strong and very courageous, that you may observe to do according to all the law which Moses My servant commanded you; do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may prosper wherever you go. - Jos 1:6-7

Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go." - Jos 1:9

Now the LORD said to Joshua: "Do not be afraid, nor be dismayed; take all the people of war with you, and arise, go up to Ai. See, I have given into your hand the king of Ai, his people, his city, and his land. - Jos 8:1

Though Joshua had fear and doubts, he was encouraged by the Lord, his mentor and even the people he was leading. The Lord even exalted Joshua before the people.

And the LORD said to Joshua, "This day I will begin to exalt you in the sight of all Israel, that they may know that, as I was with Moses, so I will be with you. - Jos 3:7

And the LORD said to Joshua, "This day I will begin to exalt you in the sight of all Israel, that they may know that, as I was with Moses, so I will be with you. - Jos 4:14

In the end, he rose above the circumstances, his inadequacies, his inferiority and did might exploits for the Lord.

Jos 6 - talks about the destruction of Jericho

Jos 8 - talks about the fall of Ai

Jos 10 - talks about the execution of Amorite Kings and the conquest of the Southland

Jos 11 - talks about the Northern Conquest

Sometimes we let doubts, inferiority and challenges overshadowed what God has called us to do. Sometimes we struggle with apprehension and fear. But as we hold on to the hope of the Words that are spoken forth, it brings forth life, the life to do move on with God, the life that empowers us to fight a good fight of faith, the life that will enables us to conquer our difficulties, just like Joshua.

SO BE COURAGEOUS AND CONQUER!

At the end of the day, we we can be like Paul who said 'I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.'

Irene Chia

The First Shall Be The Last and The Last Shall Be The First

2009-09-13T03:39:00.002+08:00

I was mediating on the verse 'the first shall be the last and the last shall be the first' after Pst Tan's message last weekend. I realised that the verse signifies a cycle. The cycle will only stop until the day you meet Jesus. Those who are the first today may one day be the last and the last today may one day become the first. There is redemption connotation to this verse.

When I first heard and read the Word, I thought it was an absolute - meaning when you become the last already after falling from the first, you cannot move on to be the first anymore.

However, the Holy Spirit reminded me of Moses in this case. Moses spend 40 years thinking he was a somebody (the first), another 40 years being a nobody (the last), and finally the last 40 years being the leader of Israel (the first). The same applies to Peter. Peter was the outspoken one and one of the firsts of Jesus disciple (the first), then he denied Jesus (the last) but he eventually became a great apostle (the first).

I realised that just because one is last today because he has fallen from being the first does not mean that he will not become the first again. He will become the first again so long he practices the 3 attitudes that Ps Tan mentioned - repentance, faith and fruitfulness.

So, even after you made a mistake, and have fallen from the first, the verse will still keep on applying. God is not one who will mark us as failures. We hold the power to decide which one we want to be - the first or the last.

it's about the end...

2009-08-14T16:57:00.001+08:00

Have you watched dramas or movies before thinking you know how it's going to end and the ending is entirely different from what you expect?

I have learnt in life that it's not about how you start but how you end... Familiar saying but hearing it and experiencing it is two different stories. Some people begin well but along the race, they fall away. Some people didn't start on the right foot, but eventually adjusted or changed themselves.

Sometimes seeing other who started later going past you in a race may not be pleasant. But always remember, you decide the pace of the race. You decide if you are going to end it. You decide when to end it - give up halfway or finish till the end.

Sometimes perservering till the end will allow it time for a twist to end, an unexpected result, just like drama.

Keep on keeping on.

The Hanging Monastery

2009-08-06T00:06:00.000+08:00

I just saw a documentary on Discovery Channel on one of the seven wonders of the world - The Hanging Monastery. It was simply magnificent. One can only wonder how the ancient Chinese could come up with such a ingenious architecture - to hang a monastery in mid air. The architecture still bedazzle engineers even till this day.

It was simply breath-taking. I have to go there one day. It would be an awesome experience. To be there will be mind-blowing, standing on a piece of historical evidence that goes back to more than 1000 years ago.

Perched precariously on a near-vertical cliff face of the Golden Dragon Gorge (Jinlong guan) is the Hanging Monastery or the Monastery in Mid-Air (Xuankong si). This is an early architectural feat that is stunning, particularly when you know that the original temple was built in the Northern Wei Dynasty over 1,400 years ago (although later renovated in the Tang, Jin, Ming and Qing Dynasties). It hangs on the west cliff of Jinxia Gorge more than 50 meters above the ground.

How could a building like this withstand the winds and storms of so many years? Hanging Monastery is an architectural wonder. A unique mechanical theory was applied to building the framework. Crossbeams were half-inserted into the rock as the foundation, while the rock in back became its support.

I will try to plan a trip there next year since I am planning to go China to do humanitarian work. Perhaps I should conserve my leave next year for a long travel in China. Hopefully I can find company then.

Leadership is about doing the right things

2009-06-24T14:05:00.002+08:00

'Management is doing things right; leadership is doing the right things, even if it is unpopular.'

Peter Drucker, the management guru, said the part part. I added in the last part 'even if it is unpopular'.

I have been thinking of leadership lately. Isn't it true that leadership is about doing the right things, good leadership that is. Popularity is subjective. Leaders who dare to do the right things even at the expense of being unpopular are good leaders. These leaders are bold and not subjected to the surrounding pressures. There is a weekly poll on the popularity of the US President. If the most powerful man live by the polls, it would be chaotic in this world.

Lately, Ps Kong's blog post on 'What's up with masturbation?' has caused quite a stir (see http://www.konghee.com/www/2009/06/what-up-with-masturbation/) I shan't comment on the content. Know that he would be flamed on his blog, he still chose to put up this blog. Why this controversial topic? He explains that it was because many people had sent him messages to ask for help and advice in this area. Hence, he wanted to address this topic once and for all. I thought it was a pretty cool post considering this is a topic which many will avoid. The word masturbation is almost like a taboo word in the church world, let alone talk about it.

Given his prominence, Ps Kong could have chose to avoid the topic. Yet he still chose to post it in the e-world where it's open to praises and criticisms to the public. This is boldness. He chose to ignore the cricitisms and posted up the topic for the benefit of those who may have been struggling with this. Ps Kong has my respect.

Once again, consider this phrase 'Management is doing things right; leadership is doing the right things, even if it is unpopular.'

Who needs managers in this world? We need leadership.

Liberty

2009-05-24T23:56:00.002+08:00

Today there was a deliverance session at Expo. Saw the people responding and prayed for a few people. Saw the manifestations and the tears. Some need freedom, some need love, some need release, some need a touch.

It's been a while since we have had a ministering service. The presence of God was strong in service. As I prayed for people, the love of God came upon all those who needed His fatherly love. Those who are hurting, those who are feeling inadequate about themselves, those who are angry, those who are bitter....

It's a good reminder that God's love and power is still very real. His presence is still hovering around His people.

The Worst Feeling

2009-05-15T15:02:00.006+08:00

The worst feeling I reckon that one can ever have, is the feeling of no purpose in life.

Our lives are driven by purpose. When one has purpose, passion will ooze out of you to fuel it. But when there is no purpose, there is no passion, no sense of direction. A sense of uncertainty sets in. Frustration sets in. Tiredness crept into life.

You may do many things, have many activities to fill up your time. But there sense of loss, the sense of frustration and tiredness won't leave. Life becomes a shadow-boxing game. You launch your punches yet hitting nothing - no results.

Life becomes just an existence. You fall into majority with the rest of the world. Existing is life in a terrible feeling. Living a life is a wonderful feeling.

Live a life, don't exist a life. Like what I always like to say...

Experiences

2009-05-15T15:02:00.002+08:00

Today I was thinking about something that I used to say... There are three groups of people:

1) People who don't learn anything
2) People who learn something through experiencing failure themselves
3) People who learn something from other people's failures

I always think the third group of people are the smartest because they avoided the pitfalls of others. Yet, experience is something that is essential to a person's growth. It adds colour to life, enhances value in character.

I would like to say I belong to the third group. But I am not. I belong to the second group where I have to learn to take a fall, wipe off the blood, get up on my own and move again. It's the beauty of this experience that makes me a stronger person.

Persistent Prayer

2009-02-04T00:58:00.002+08:00

James 5:16-18 (New International Version)

16Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective. 17Elijah was a man just like us. He prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the land for three and a half years. 18Again he prayed, and the heavens gave rain, and the earth produced its crops.

You can never hear enough about the power of prayer. The presence of God travels through an atmosphere of worship but the power of God travels through an atmosphere of prayer!

I love James 5:16-18 a lot. Verse 16 is a familiar verse. However, I always like to put my focus on verse 17-18. Verse 16 seemingly talks about a perfect man. However, verse 17-18 tells us that prayer does not have to come from a perfect man.

Effective and powerful prayer can be made through normal men like us! The bible emphasized that Elijah was a man just like us. God had to assure us that! When he prayed that it would not rain, it didn't. When he prayed it rain, it would rain. This is powerful! A man who could command the rain. However, still God had to highlight he was a normal man like us. What was the key? I believe it was because Elijah prayed earnestly.

The Oxford dictionary defines earnestly as this - intensely serious, with determination.

I believe many of our prayers do not come to past because we do not have determination. Pst Tan preached that we pound on the wall of obstacle with persistent prayer until it is knocked down.

Have persistent prayer! Keep on asking, keep on seeking, keep on knocking. That's when heaven will open its door.

A good leader wins people to himself

2008-11-27T22:58:00.001+08:00

Thoughts:

This is an example of bad leadership. Leaders should walk the talk. In such down times, ruthless cost cutting measures ultimately affects the workers and not the top management. If leaders want to win people, then they should empathies with the people by going through the hardship with them. This is perfectly what Jesus did – He came for the sinners. He ate and fellowship with the sinners, the lowest caste of the society. He stepped into Peter and Andrew’s world by stepping into their boat. He went to Zacheus’ house and ate with him. That was why He was the greatest leader of mankind.

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Leave private jets at home

Skeptical lawmakers blasted automobile chief executives for flying private jets to Washington -Reuters

Reuters 20 Nov 2008

WASHINGTON - MEMO to US companies seeking a bailout: When visiting Congress to ask for money, leave the private jets at home.

Chief executives from General Motors, Ford Motor, and Chrysler pleaded on Wednesday for US$25 billion (S$38 billion) in federal assistance to help pay their suppliers, workers and other expenses at a time when car sales have plunged along with a souring economy.

But sceptical lawmakers blasted them for flying private jets to Washington and failing to make personal sacrifices in exchange for federal assistance.

'It's almost like seeing a guy show up at the soup kitchen in a high hat and tuxedo,' said Representative Gary Ackerman, a Democrat from New York.

'Couldn't you have downgraded to first class or something, or jet-pooled or something to get here?' Mr Ackerman asked the executives at a hearing held by the US House Financial Services Committee.

Even Democrats who said they were sympathetic to the automakers' plight expressed frustration that the executives used private jets while professing ruthless cost-cutting measures.

'I don't know how I go back to my constituents and say the auto industry has changed if they own private jets which are not only expensive to own, expensive to operate and expensive to fly here, rather than to have flown commercial,' said Representative Brad Sherman, a California Democrat.

'I also, though, must recognise that you're in trouble mostly because of the economic downturn.' Mr Sherman asked the CEOs if they were willing to sell their jets on Wednesday and fly back to Detroit on a commercial flight.

'Let the record show no hands went up,' Mr Sherman said.

Mr Ron Gettelfinger, head of the United Auto Workers union, also testified at the hearing but flew a commercial flight to Washington.

'I got a plane to catch, you know what I mean,' Mr Gettelfinger said to reporters when leaving the hearing room.

GM CEO Rick Wagoner and Ford CEO Alan Mulally are required by their companies to fly by private aircraft for security reasons, according to company documents filed with the US Securities and Exchange Commission.

The policy for Chrysler CEO Robert Nardelli is not required to be disclosed because the company is not publicly traded.

Lawmakers also grilled the CEOs on their pay.

'After all, Mr Lee Iacocca symbolically accepted just US$1 in annual pay. Why can't today's CEOs of General Motors, Ford and Chrysler do the same?' asked Rep Paul Kanjorski, a Pennsylvania Democrat.

Former Chrysler CEO Iacocca famously cut his salary to US$1 when Chrysler was on the brink of bankruptcy and eventually had to ask Congress for a loan guarantee programme in 1979.

The CEOs said on Wednesday they have already taken significant cuts in pay and bonuses.

'I think I'm OK where I am,' Mr Mulally said when asked if he was willing to cut his own salary. Mr Mulally earned more than US$22 million in 2007, according to a Ford regulatory filing earlier this year.

Mr Wagoner said he has voluntarily reduced his salary by 50 per cent and had used his own money to buy a large amount of GM stock, which he said is now worth very little. He did not say he was willing to make more significant pay cuts.

Mr Wagoner earned about US$15.7 million in compensation in 2007, according to a GM regulatory filing in April.

When Mr Nardelli was asked during a Senate hearing on Tuesday if he would be willing to cut his salary to US$1, Mr Nardelli said: 'I'd be willing to accept that.'

Mr Nardelli, who was widely criticised for excessive compensation when he was CEO at Home Depot, failed to tell lawmakers that his annual salary at Chrysler was already set at US$1 when he became CEO last year. His other compensation is not fully disclosed.

Asking God

2008-11-17T09:41:00.000+08:00

"What do you want from me?" I cry out to God in a moment of fear. "What is it I'm not hearing?" I know I'm not getting it, but I don't know what there is to get. I know it's wrong- wrong to drown in self pity; wrong to focus on what I don't have instead of what I do; wrong to be so wrapped up in me that I feel selfish and ashamed.

Still, crouched on the floor in a little ball, crying until my stomach hurts and my eyes sting from the mascara running into them, I cry out again, this time more softly, "What do you want from me?"

I know I'm supposed to be happy- not all the time, but some of it. At least some of it! Was I so bad in another life? Is that it? Perhaps I made some terrible mistakes. Did God send me back to earth to pay Him back? Retribution?

No. I know that's not true. I know I'm reaching. My heart tells me God is not a cruel or vengeful God. He is love. He is love. My breathing quiets for a moment.

I've created this situation. I've made the choices. I've landed in a spot that feels like an uncomfortable, binding shoe that won't come off.

I'm afraid.

The tears spill from my eyes again in a gut wrenching cry that makes me double over and hold my stomach. My life runs through my mind like a movie- happy, sad, full of promise, full of wasted time, but full, nonetheless.

I am missing something. Is my mind so cluttered that I can't hear the answer? I pray to the Holy Spirit to cleanse my mind so I can hear what I'm supposed to. Please, cleanse my mind.

The dam breaks. Negative, sad thoughts form a pool and I'm drowning. I see myself caught up in the undertow- and I am running out of strength.

"What do you want from me?" I beg, treading the waters of my own mind until I can no longer keep up with myself. "Please, God. Help me."

I hear nothing, feel nothing. God's not listening to me today. Perhaps, He's grown tired of my complaints. I am struggling to keep afloat, yet my mind is weighing me down like cement bricks upon my feet.

Happy.

I just want to be happy. Was I put on this earth to fight to be myself? When will I feel loved? When will being me be enough? I want to go back, I cry inside. I want to start all over again and be a child. I was happy then. I knew love, acceptance, comfort and warmth. Being me was always enough.

I know I can't go back, but that doesn't stop the desire from burning. My life, my miscarriage, my divorce, my panic, my fear, my relationship, my God!

I am still. The pool is draining. All the 'my' thoughts. I feel a warmth. No, I feel a love. I can see a bit more clearly and I know I've been unwise and selfish to the point of self inflicted blindness.

The pounding in my chest slows to a calming rhythm. The vice grip on my chest loosens and my body, spent and shaking, leans back upon the base of the ottoman.

I whisper, "I'm sorry." I want to strike the word 'my' from my vocabulary. I want to erase all those times when I got so buried in myself that I couldn't possibly know God. How could I hear Him if my headphones were blasting?

And, I am still.

"Dear God, forgive me. Please, show me the way. I've tried so hard to figure it all out, and fell upon the steps, scraping my knees. I have succeeded and I have failed. I have cried and I have laughed. I've been blessed and I've been ungrateful. Please, God. Just tell me. I know I can't do it alone anymore. Look where it's gotten me? Look at me, God, please. I don't want to be like this anymore. I don't. Please take it, take it all. Take my life and take me. My flashlight's gone- the batteries are dead. But, I know your light never goes out. I'm yours. Just tell me what you want from me and I'll do it. Please."

And then, I know. I hear it, feel it, know it, become it as God's answer fills me up, streaming through my blood and making my heart warm, my tears dry.

Had I not reached this lowly state I would not have known. Had I not become so filled with pain that I feared bursting I would not have known. Had I not questioned, for the very first time my entire worthiness and reason for existence, I would not have known. I wouldn't have known the need to surrender, because I would not have felt the need to surrender. Surrender my life to God.

I sat in a crumpled heap on the floor and felt the loving arms of the Father surrounding me. I felt the loving hands of Christ soothing away my hurts, pains, guilt and battle wounds. I cried like a baby in the arms of God, and He never turned away, never let go, never stopped loving me.

It was then I knew what God wanted from me - because I'd just done it.

- Ellen M. DuBois -

Random

2008-11-17T09:38:00.002+08:00

It has been so long that I last blogged that I am not sure where to start from and what to write anymore. Yet the need to remember and mark defining thoughts and moments has compelled me to want to write. It is not that I do not have any more revelations and thoughts. I just dunno how to put it in words anymore. So many thoughts, so much feelings... Sometimes words just can't express what is going on in my heart, my life. There's so much to say but I dunno where to start from... but i will try...

She lives on $1 a day

2008-10-31T16:51:00.002+08:00

She lives on $1 a day

While it may seem impossible to us, frugal 83-year-old Wen Liu Fang has survived for the past ten years or more on $1 a day. A majie who came to Singapore 61 years ago, Mdm Wen rejects welfare and insists on living on her own savings. -AsiaOne

Thu, Oct 30, 2008
AsiaOne

A dollar a day, that is how 83-year-old Wen Liu Fang has survived for the past ten years or more.

She told Lianhe Wanbao that she came to Singapore from China 61 years ago, and worked as an amah (domestic helper) for 30 years. Amahs or majie then had to take a vow of celibacy, and she has remained single till now. About 10 years ago, she had to retire from her job as a cleaner due to arthritis.

With no family in Singapore, Wen Liu Fang and her friends rented a one-room apartment in Chinatown and they do their own household chores including the laundry, sweeping the floor, cooking and boiling water.

She has to wash her clothes by hand as they have no washing machine.

On weekdays, breakfast, lunch and dinner are at the Kreta Ayer Seniors Activity Centre located at Banda Street, Chinatown where they provide seniors in the area with three meals for $1 a day. During weekends, she does her own cooking.

"When I cook, I will usually have simple fare like fish cake, vegetables and potatoes." She told Wanbao in Cantonese.

She seldom eats out, "A cup of coffee at a coffee shop costs 80 cents - I can make eight cups of coffee at home for that amount!"

She does not want welfare

While some may feel sympathy for her, Mdm Wen has a cheerful and resilient attitude to life, and maintains that she does not want to rely on others.

With her savings that she accumulated through years of hard work, she pays her monthly rent ($26), public utility bills (about $30 a month) and medical costs.

Even though she qualifies for social welfare, Mdm Wen insists on living on her own savings. She says she will ask for help only when she does not have enough for food and shelter.

"One dollar a day is enough." she says "I can survive as long as I am fed and clothed."

Making do creatively

When reporters visited her flat, they saw that her bed frame had no mattress - the bed planks were covered with a thin cotton cloth; while her "pillow" was a thick Chinese almanac wrapped in a towel.

She cheerfully said that she had back pain, and it was more comfortable to sleep on the hard planks than on a soft mattress. As for the pillow, the towel was easier to wash than a pillow and pillow case.

She also props up her bed with wooden blocks so that she can store her belongings under the bed in lieu of a proper cabinet.

Wanbao reporters wondered whether her "innovations" were bourne out of necessity.

She walks to see her doctor

To save on transport costs, Mdm Wen walks to Singapore General Hospital whenever she has a doctor's appointment. At her age, and with her arthritis, the going can be slow, but she insists that even taking the bus is a luxury.

"When I get tired I will stop and rest. Taking the bus there and back costs at least a dollar, I will try to save whenever I can."

She cannot remember the last time she took a taxi.

"I have taken a taxi before, but fares kept increasing, so I stopped. I can't remember how long ago that was."

Hope

2008-10-20T09:27:00.001+08:00

Today I sat beside an old man in the train and he was holding on the a 4D ticket tightly and was looking at it throughout the 15 mins journey. The look on his face speaks of desire and hope. Man place their hope their hope in many things - career, family, a person, money, 4D, Toto. Hope is something that is important for our soul. We have seen from movies or even know of people how people who have lost hope just exist on in life - meaningless and unpurposeful. Many choose to put their hope in things. But I choose to put my hope in something eternal, something that will not fail me and that is my beloved Father.

Pst Ulf says when one loses all hope, he loses his life. One can lose all but not his hope. I have been through times when all hope seems to be lost, that is when trusting Jesus becomes a hope in itself. I thank my God

“And now, Lord, what do I wait for?My hope is in You. - Psa 39:7
For You are my hope, O Lord GOD;You are my trust from my youth. - Psa 71:5

Overcoming Fear, Living in Faith

2008-10-20T09:26:00.003+08:00

OVERCOMING FEAR – LIVING IN FAITH!
Defeating anxiety, stress and depression through the power of God.

Luke 8. The disciples are with Jesus, in a boat in a violent storm – a storm so intense they actually fear they could die. These are the disciples and they are with Jesus – and they are covered up with fear! We learn here, it is natural to have fear. Jesus stopped the storm - Jesus declared faith against fear – peace in the storm. Peace is defined by the world as ‘the absence of war’ – but God says true peace is His presence in the middle of a war. He is the peace in the storm!

"Don’t keep on worrying about anything, but in everything pray! Then God’s peace will guard you like a sentinel—your heart and mind secured" Phil. 4:6

Jesus told the disciples that fear overwhelmed them, because their faith was not strong. It was a violent storm, it was a real danger, fear was a natural emotion, but their response was off - it should have been to act in faith – any one of them could have spoken faith into the storm.

God did not give us a spirit of timidity (of cowardice, of craven and cringing and fawning fear), but [He has given us a spirit] of power and of love and of calm and well-balanced mind and discipline and self-control. 2 Timothy 1:7

Romans 8, tells us the world system is set up for frustration, not by its own will, but set up by God, to bring men to Christ. Operating by the world system of thought will always result in frustration.

Here is God’s promise for you and followers of Christ...

John 16:31-33 Jesus answered them,...“The Father is with me. I've told you all this so that trusting me, you will be unshakable and assured, deeply at peace. In this godless world you will continue to experience difficulties. But take heart! I've conquered the world."

THE NEGATIVE IS ALWAYS TRANSITORY -
GOD FINISHES WHAT HE BEGINS
AND ALWAYS ENDS IN THE POSITIVE.

Philippians 1:3 I thank my God upon every remembrance of you, 4 always in every prayer of mine making request for you all with joy, 5 for your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now, 6 being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ;

God’s purposes and plans are for you personally!
Your circumstances do not dictate God’s response to faith!
God always has a strategy - Jesus always had an answer in every situation!

For I know the thoughts/plans I have for you, plans not for your failure, but for success.” Jer. 29:11

WINNERS LOOK AT WHAT THEY'RE GOING TO,LOSERS LOOK AT WHAT THEY'RE GOING THROUGH.

“YOU CANNOT FIGHT HARD, UNLESS YOU BELIEVE YOU ARE FIGHTING TO WIN." Teddy Roosevelt

1 John 4:4 Little children, you are of God [you belong to Him] and have [already] defeated and overcome them [the agents of the antichrist], because... He Who lives in you is greater (mightier) than he who is in the world.

COURAGE IS THE RESULT OF EMBRACING THE PRESENCE OF GOD! TRUSTING HIM IN ANY CIRCUMSTANCE – THAT’S CALLED FAITH.

Enthusiasm is a motivating force, but you cannot build a life on it. Optimism is an attitude that keeps a person positive in outlook but is unable to sustain life. Faith is a substance upon which life can be built, and truth is its foundation.

FAITH DEALS IN REALITY.
FAITH IS A FEELING OF TOTAL CONFIDENCE...
THAT GOD WILL DO WHAT HE SAID HE WOULD DO!

Romans 10:17 So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

Psalm 1:1 Happy are those who don't listen to the wicked, who don't go where sinners go, who don't do what evil people do. 2 They love the Lord's teachings, and they think about those teachings day and night. 3 They are strong, like a tree planted by a river. The tree produces fruit in season, and its leaves don't die. Everything they do will succeed.

FAITH ATTRACTS THE POSITIVE
FEAR ATTRACTS NEGATIVE

Be strong and very courageous. Obey all the laws Moses gave you. Do not turn away from them, and you will be successful in everything you do. 8 Study this Book of the Law continually. Meditate on it day and night so you may be sure to obey all that is written in it. Only then will you succeed. 9 I command you be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the LORD your God is with you wherever you go." Joshua 1:7-9

ROMANS 8: 37 No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us. 38 And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. 39 No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.

A CHAMPION IS NOT A PERSON WHO NEVER FAILS...BUT A PERSON WHO NEVER QUITS.

GOD HAS UNLIMITED POWER!! VICTORY ALWAYS COMES FROM STRENGTH

1 "When you go out to fight your enemies and you face horses and chariots and an army greater than your own, do not be afraid. The LORD your God, who brought you safely out of Egypt, is with you! 2 Before you go into battle, the priest will come forward to speak with the troops. 3 He will say, 'Listen to me, all you men of Israel! Do not be afraid as you go out to fight today! Do not lose heart or panic. 4 For the LORD your God is going with you! He will fight for you against your enemies, and he will give you victory!' Deuteronomy 20:1-9

Now – here’s a plan to live strategically – building strong faith.

Turn off NewsTV, TalkRadio - don’t dwell on negative media images and words.

LISTEN to messages of faith, peace, uplifting power.
Phil Pringle – http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001sWKIl3EGdJfPnYCiosvDbixuW_6uhkSpEd81Cm11en9kUcnSoDKczMW10HfKD2rGzBJDd8Hhxk-v_D1-hRScgtuYQI31oh87Yo_yeePmtbA=,
Andrew Wommack - http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001sWKIl3EGdJcDGH1ihQ_3HrVq11jRPX1JkdKm91yWHy_VFBac-5nSIAkTMirN5oouR4GxkPrHbllNbVP9C-drgXfYhd93IAGs6kTw5R2OvSg=,
HOPE Church - http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001sWKIl3EGdJejDGlwjiqVpEh9GSXDX9mPSLqGz1Ws2DntELlxhfOs67D42hlLHx3_SeaTE5UY2qrhvadRNVWqXRv-yN9Yf4RQaGO-wsFxz1XdrN8gH4QlSA==,
Jack Hayford - http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001sWKIl3EGdJcGGZ2UTNNL-o3g-4hlPpNafKTSzczk2pPwBdhw2s060Ci9YJ5Q1I0_1fsjgNUIeiKfMDGESVx8PX00S5rtZha0JM_SQZsSPVeRQRJckWOWdA==Kenneth
Copeland – http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001sWKIl3EGdJfMFICl_zUqx_IxxLnqz26m3uzb7Z5RNk667C3-z8xw-bl8gPblX4huiwsC5ochK4eHQT5U_WUkhpGbpKiDgvETlmBowy0IFEg=
READ Proverbs every morning, READ Psalms every evening.
Encourage each other! Speak life into those around you.
PRAY - For yourself, for others you know, for those in authority, for your brothers and sisters around the world going through great trials.
DECLARE FAITH OVER YOUR LIFE!
Think about, meditate on, the good things God has done in your life.Journal words of life, peace, questions, prayers...
ATTEND Connect groups, SHOW UP at church meetings.
LISTEN to praise music (Hope CD, Hillsong, United, Chris Tomlin)
DO the smart, wise things in your job, career, school, family, friendships...
DECREASE debt as fast as possible – Streamline, simplify your life.
Tithe, GIVE offerings – GET INTO God’s system of finance.

MT 19:26 But Jesus looked at them and said to them,“With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”

Live in Freedom!

God is Faithful

2008-10-17T09:40:00.000+08:00

I was praying today and was reminded of a prayer that I made 3 weeks ago and had forgotten. Though the prayer that I had prayed was heart felt, yet I often had a short term memory, forgetting those things which I had asked God for. But God is faithful indeed. When we forget, He remembers! As I prayed today, the HS brought to remembrance the prayer that I had made. I could still remember the exact vision that I had made that prayer. And today when I look at my life, that prayer has come to past. He takes those prayers we have made and put it close to His heart and fulfills it even when we can't remember. Thank God for His faithfulness to remember. When we are not faithful, He still remains faithful.

Feelings VS Emotions

2008-07-31T03:14:00.005+08:00

Merriam Webster describes FEELINGS as:

- an emotional state or reaction; often unreasoned opinion or belief
- capacity to respond emotionally especially with the higher emotions

It describes EMOTIONS as:

- the affective aspect of consciousness
- a state of feeling
- a conscious mental reaction (as anger or fear) subjectively experienced as strong feeling usually directed toward
a specific object and typically accompanied by physiological and behavioral changes in the body.

Both are synonyms, meaning that both words can be use interchangably. But even if that is the case, there would still be slight difference in meanings.

God made us with feelings. We are made in His likeness. That means God must have feelings as well. Then is it wrong to be feeling down at times? Is it wrong to feel discouraged at times? Is it wrong to feel sad at times? The answer is NO. If feelings were bad, then God wouldn't make man with feelings. If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him! - Matt 7:11. Moreover, we are made in His likeness. If He has feelings, surely it can't be a bad thing.

But it is only when what you feel gets out of hand and becomes emotions. Feelings is the CAPACITY to respond. Emotions is typically accompanied by PHYSIOLOGICAL and BEHAVIOURAL CHANGES. Thus, we can understand emotions as accompanied by actions then. If that's the case, you can feel something and not get emotional about it. For example: You may feel very down but you do not have to emotional about it by taking your own life. That's why feelings is a good servants but emotions are a bad master.

Of course, there are good feelings that lead to good emotions and that should continue. But when feelings are negative, that is when we give that negative feeling a good makeover by praying and reading the Word. Indeed, it's hard. But we must never be led by that negative feelings and be emotional about it. I believe that's the word where youngsters used nowadays 'EMO' comes from. The most effective way to deal with EMO is to do opposite what we feel like doing. We don't feel like praying, the more we must pray. We don't feel like reading the bible, the more we must read. We don't feel like going to school, the more we must go to school. We feel defeated, the more we must praise God. We lack faith, the more we must confess the Word. We lack vision, the more we must start to see in the spirit.

Have feelings but don't be overly emotional.

PS: I am talking about extreme emotions here. Sometimes, if one is feeling discouraged, it is good to weep in the presence of God and allow God to heal. But one should not feel so discouraged that he does not want to attempt anything at all.

Mindsets

2008-07-26T23:27:00.002+08:00

Classical Greek Philisopher, Plato hot a raw chord when he likened the human race to misduided cave dwellers. He pointed out that we constantly operate under incomplete or distorted perceptions of reality and are violently resistant to having those perceptions challenged; that we are constrained by our mindsets.

Mental models, or what we commonly refer to as our mindets, are the deeply held beliefs, images and assumptions we hold about ourselves, our world, our religions, our cultures and traidtions, and how we fit in them.

It is this very mindset in people that can be an obstacle in our efforts to move forward in our strides towards our calling. With close mind, they move on with their life dwelling in the caves they have trapped themselves in, refusing to explore and learn beyond the shadows on their cave walls.

Our mindsets is the limiter of faith. God wants to bring blessings into our lives, He wants to bring all the good things come to past but our mindsets limit that faith and expectency to receive. That's why two people can read the same Word, hear the same sermon, but different results happen in their lives. Faith puts no limits on God, and God puts no limit on faith. The thing that limits faith is our mindsets.

Some of us have a stronger mindset about certain things and we have to learn to submit that set of thinking to God. Our mindsets determine our attitude, our behaviour, our receptivity towards certain issues. It shapes our values, determines our thinking. If our mindset can dictate all these, therefore, to change our mindsets, we have to allow the Holy Spirit to speak to us through His Word. Sometimes it can be things that we do not want to hear but obedience brings the blessings of God. When we sumbit and yield to God, it will bring forth blessings, even though it doesn't seem align to your thinking at first.

Mindset determines Actions; Actions determine Results

Experience VS Encounter

2008-07-07T21:08:00.000+08:00

Experience: Made up by your background, past exposures, achievements and knowledge.

Encounter: to come upon or meet with, esp. unexpectedly (www.dictionary.com)

When one relies on experience, one eliminates expectation and settles for the norm, reproducing similar results

When one relies on encounter, one depends on the move of God, hungers and expects the supernatural

While experience helps, encounter moves us into the unknown and creates the desire for new things to happen.

Embrace encounters…
New touch…new things…new results

Leadership 101

2008-07-03T06:38:00.000+08:00

Expansion of capacity

Level 1: Do things on your own

Level 2: Involve people in doing things of their capability so that you can focus on things which others cannot do.

Do not be consumed in doing things, maintain the big picture.

Make people happen not make things happen

Level 1: Make things happen – Personal involvement in execution

Level 2: Make people happen – Empower people to make things happen

Impart the reasons behind methods
Utilize the skills of others and develop them at the same time
They will learn how to do it in the future and give you what you want

Higher level of leadership

Disciple, impart, train and build people to be someone they cannot imagine.

What Chia Peck Fern Means

2008-05-24T19:23:00.000+08:00

What Chia Peck Fern Means

You are very open. You communicate well, and you connect with other people easily.

You are a naturally creative person. Ideas just flow from your mind.

A true chameleon, you are many things at different points in your life. You are very adaptable.

You are truly an original person. You have amazing ideas, and the power to carry them out.

Success comes rather easily for you... especially in business and academia.

Some people find you to be selfish and a bit overbearing. You're a strong person.

You tend to be pretty tightly wound. It's easy to get you excited... which can be a good or bad thing.

You have a lot of enthusiasm, but it fades rather quickly. You don't stick with any one thing for very long.

You have the drive to accomplish a lot in a short amount of time. Your biggest problem is making sure you finish the projects you start.

You are usually the best at everything ... you strive for perfection.

You are confident, authoritative, and aggressive.

You have the classic "Type A" personality.

You are influential and persuasive. You tend to have a lot of power over people.

Generally, you use your powers for good. You excel at solving other people's problems.

Occasionally, you do get a little selfish and persuade people to do things that are only in your interest.

You are friendly, charming, and warm. You get along with almost everyone.

You work hard not to rock the boat. Your easy going attitude brings people together.

At times, you can be a little flaky and irresponsible. But for the important things, you pull it together.

You are a seeker of knowledge, and you have learned many things in your life.

You are also a keeper of knowledge - meaning you don't spill secrets or spread gossip.

People sometimes think you're snobby or aloof, but you're just too deep in thought to pay attention to them.

You are loving, compassionate, and ruled by your feelings.

You are able to be a foundation for other people... but you still know how to have fun.

Sometimes your emotions weigh you down, but you generally feel free from them.

You are wild, crazy, and a huge rebel. You're always up to something.

You have a ton of energy, and most people can't handle you. You're very intense.

You definitely are a handful, and you're likely to get in trouble. But your kind of trouble is a lot of fun.

You are very intuitive and wise. You understand the world better than most people.

You also have a very active imagination. You often get carried away with your thoughts.

You are prone to a little paranoia and jealousy. You sometimes go overboard in interpreting signals.

What's Your Name's Hidden Meaning?

BEING A MOTHER...

2008-05-03T22:38:00.002+08:00

BEING A MOTHER...

After 17 years of marriage, my wife wanted me to take another woman out to dinner and a movie. She said, 'I love you, but I know this other woman loves you and would love to spend some time with you.'

* * *
The other woman that my wife wanted me to visit was my MOTHER, who has been alone for 20 years, but the demands of my work and my two boys had made it possible to visit her only occasionally.

* * *

That night I called to invite her to go out for dinner and a movie.

* * *

'What's wrong, aren't you well,' she a sked?

* * *

My mother is the type of woman who suspects that a late night call or a surprise invitation is a sign of bad news.

* * *

'I thought it would b e pleasant to spend some time with you,' I responded. 'Just the two of us.'
She thought about it for a moment, and then said, 'I would like that very much.'

* * *

That Friday after work, as I drove over to pick her up I was a bit nervous. When I arrived at her house, I noticed that she, too, seemed to be nervous about our date. She waited in the door. She had curled her hair and was wearing the dress that she had worn to celebrate her last birthday on November 19th.

* * *

She smiled from a face that was as radiant as an angels. 'I told my friends that I was going to go out with my son, and they were impressed,' she said, as she got into that new white van. 'They can't wait to hear about our date'.

* * *

We went to a restaurant that, although not elegant, was very nice and cozy. My mother took my arm as if she were the First Lady. After we sat down, I had to read the menu. Her eyes could only read large print. Half way through the entries, I lifted my eyes and saw Mom sitting there staring at me. A nostalgic smile was on her lips. 'It was I who used to have to read the menu when you were small,' she said. 'Then it's time that you relax and let me return the favor,' I responded.

* * *

During the dinner, we had an agreeable conversation- -nothing extraordinary but catching up on recent events of! each other's life. We talked so much that we missed the movie.

* * *

As we arrived at her house later, she said, 'I'll go out with you again, but only if you let me invite you.' I agreed.

* * *

'How was your dinner date ?' asked my wife when I got home. 'Very nice. Much more so than I could have imagined,' I answered.

* * *

A few days later, my mother died of a massive heart attack. It happened so suddenly that I didn't have a chance to do anything for her.

* * *

Some time later, I received an envelope with a copy of a restaurant receipt from the same place mother and I had dined. An attached note said: 'I paid this bill in advance. I wasn't sure that I could be there; but nevertheless, I paid! for two plates - one for you and the other for your wife. You will never know what that night meant for me. I love you, son.'

* * *

At that moment, I understood the importance of saying in time: 'I LOVE YOU' and to give our loved ones the time that they deserve. Nothing in life is more important than your family. Give them the time they deserve, because these things cannot be put off till 'some other time.'

* * *

Somebody said it takes about six weeks to get back to normal after you've had a baby.... somebody doesn't know that once you're a mother, 'normal' is history.

* * *

Somebody said you learn how to be a mother by instinct.... somebody never took a three-year-old shopping.

* * *

So! mebody said being a mother is boring.... somebody never rode in a car driven by a teenager with adriver's permit. Somebody said if you're a' good' mother, your child will 'turn out good'.... somebody thinks a child comes with directions and a guarantee.

* * *

Somebody said you don't need an education to be a mother.... somebody never helped a fourth grader with his math.

* * *

Somebody said you can't love the second child as much as you love the first..... somebody doesn't have two children.

* * *

Somebody said the hardest part of being a mother is labor and delivery.... somebody never watched her 'baby' get on the bus for the first day of kindergarten ... or on a plane headed for military 'boot camp.'

* * *

Somebody said a mother can stop worrying after her child gets married.... somebody doesn't know that marriage adds a new son or daughter-in-law to a mother's heartstrings.

* * *

Somebody said a mother's job is done when her last child leaves home.... somebody never had grandchildren.

* * *

Somebody said your mother knows you love her, so you don't need to tell her.... somebody isn't a mother.

* * *

Pass this along to all the 'mothers' in your life and to everyone who ever had a mother. This isn't just about being a mother; it's about appreciating.

The people in your life while you have them....no matter who that person is.

Engaging the World

2008-04-27T21:00:00.003+08:00

I love the cultural mandate series. It's a practical approach to a realistic world. I have seen it for myself how Christians can becme irrelevant to the world.

I heard about a person who went to the pub lately with her colleagues. She doesn't drink as she is a Christian. But when her colleagues started to offer her drinks, her response was one which turned off many others - "If you were to come to church with me this weekend, I will drink with you." All the colleagues who were that were shocked at her reply. It sets me wondering if Christians are indeed becoming irrelevant to the world. The way to reach out isn't like this. There is a serious problem with this statement. Firstly, if you are really holding on to your values, then your values shouldn't be compromised by drinking if they agreed to come to church. Secondly, we don't threaten or negotiate for people to come to church. We reach out in love, by meeting needs, healing hurts.

I have met yet another friend who is a devout Christian. She puts a few bibles in the office and many Christian books. When they were planning to employ another person, the boss commented they must have the right person with the right skills, she added, with the right God too. Her boss is also a devout Christian and goes to church services weekly. She is the admin assistant. But he definitely wasn't comfortable at her comment as well as her 'irrelevance' to the world. When he shared with me this, I can't help but to think this 'Aren't we supposed to be the salt and light?' It doesn't matter if the new person employed is a Christian. If the new person is, then praise God. If the new person isn't, then reach out to the person. Why are we oscratcising the non-Christians? The whole real purpose of us as believers in this world is to reach out. To me, I would see this as a good opportunity to each out to the person, considering they spend 8 hours working together each day.

Through these incidents, I realised the important message behind cultural mandate. The world doesn't define who we are. The bible defines us. Jesus said He has sent out out as sheep among the wolves. Isn't that the whole deal why He came to save the sinners, ate supper with the taxcollectors, healed the harlots, embraced the widows?

Engaging the world is indeed a precarious thin fine line that all Christians must know how to manage. Else, we will risk irrelevance where we turned off the non-Christians. The other side is that we become part of the world. It's all about leaning on the wisdom of the Holy Spirit. So long, we pray, seek the Lord and do things that does not grieve the Holy Spirit, I believe God is happy with us engaging and shinning in the world.

Joy

2008-04-23T23:38:00.002+08:00

Joy is relative to how you feel. That is what people will tell you. But real joy comes from the Lord. It comes from knowing who you are in Christ, in being at ease with things.

There is always a thin fine line between the real joy of the Lord and humanly joy. The real joy of the Lord is sustainable. The real joy of the Lord gives one strength. Human joy is not sustainable. It doesn't last long. Human joy certainly doesn't give one lasting strength.

Due to the thin fine line, there is always a danger of conditioning ourselves to human joy instead of the real joy of the Lord. When we don't have the joy of the Lord, we try to look for joy that satisfy us momentarily. Though initially, we cannot get used to this human joy, our mind will condition us to accept this as the ultimate joy. Thus, one will begin to settle into this comfort zone of joy where the joy of the Lord doesn't matter anymore.

We must always seek the will of the Lord so that the real joy of the Lord will come. One can be happy reading a book. But one must be satisfied reading the book. The real joy of the Lord gives us the strength to move on, to accomplish the difficult things, to go the extra mile.

Always ask God and yourself if you are truly happy in what you are doing. If you aren't, then don't do it. The reason why Paul can go through all the hardships, I believe, is because of the of the joy of the Lord that he has. If one is getting tired too often and burnt out, then one must ask himself/herself if there is real joy of the Lord. If you don't have, ask God to renew your mindset. Often, when you see things from a different perspective, when you see things from the Lord's perspective, you will begin to find the joy. Like Jesus, for the joy that was set before Him, He endured the cross. All because He knew that the Abba Father's joy will give him strength to go to the cross.

Evaluate where you stand in terms of you joy factor today.

Because You're You

2008-04-20T23:59:00.003+08:00

Recently, I sang this very old worship song at a meeting. I always love this song as it is so simple. It simply just express a pure desire of loving God. It's true that there are many things that we can love God for - blessings, miracles, etc. But take away all these, what is left is a simple pure love for God. For who is he.

Usually many people worship God with their problems. The worship to God will be an 'outpouring' session where we unload our problems to God. Usually, there are tears in our eyes. But are the tears due to being touched by God or are the tears there because of your problems, because of what you are going through? I was worshipping when God spoke to me to worship Him for who He is; that I shouldn't focus on what I am going through but rather, to dedicate this time of worship to Him fully and whole-heartedly.

There will be times when we go through seasons in our lives and we come before God and wept because of what we are going through. But are your weeping only confined to difficult seasons? If it is, then we need to come back to the heart of worship, where we worship Him for who is He and let His presence touch our hearts and melt us.

There are many many reasons
Why I love You like I do
But Lord most of all
I love You
Most of all, I love You
Jesus most of all, I love You
Because You're You

Don’t give up…..

2008-03-30T00:08:00.000+08:00

One day I decided to quit…

I quit my job, my relationship, my spirituality… I wanted to quit my life.

I went to the woods to have one last talk with God.

‘God’, I asked, ‘Can you give me one good reason not to quit?’

His answer surprised me…

‘Look around’, He said. ‘Do you see the fern and the bamboo?’

‘Yes’, I replied.

‘When I planted the fern and the bamboo seeds, I took very good care of them.

I gave them light.

I gave them water.

The fern quickly grew from the earth.

Its brilliant green covered the floor.

Yet nothing came from the bamboo seed. But I did not quit on the bamboo.

In the second year the Fern grew more vibrant and plentiful.

And again, nothing came from the bamboo seed. But I did not quit on
the bamboo. He said.

‘In year three there was still nothing from the bamboo seed.

But I would not quit.

In year four, again, there was nothing from the bamboo seed. I would

not quit.’ He said.

‘Then in the fifth year a tiny sprout emerged from the earth. Compared

to the fern it was seemingly small and insignificant…But just 6

months later the bamboo rose to over 100 feet tall.

It had spent the five years growing roots. Those roots made it strong
and gave it what it needed to survive.

I would not give any of my creations a challenge it could not handle.’

He asked me. ‘Did you know, my child, that all this time you have
been struggling, you have actually been growing roots’.

‘I would not quit on the bamboo.

I will never quit on you.’

‘Don’t compare yourself to others.’

He said.

‘The bamboo had a different Purpose than the fern.

Yet they both make the forest beautiful.’

‘Your time will come’, God said to me.

‘You will rise high’

‘How high should I rise?’

I asked.

‘How high will the bamboo rise?’ He asked in return.

‘As high as it can?’ I questioned.

‘Yes.’ He said, ‘Give me glory by rising as high as you can.’

I left the forest and brought back this story.

I hope these words can help you see that God will never give up on you.

Never, Never, Never Give up.

For the Christian Prayer is not an option but an opportunity.

Don’t tell the Lord how big the problem is,

tell the problem how Great the Lord is!

Heavens door open this morning, God asked me…

‘My CHILD, what can I do for you?’

And I said, ‘FATHER, please protect and bless the one reading this message.’

God smiled and answered, ‘Request granted.’

This message is now in your hands.

What will YOU do with it?

Five Year Old Blind Genius Pianist

2008-03-24T01:36:00.000+08:00

You are awesome

2008-03-23T01:54:00.002+08:00

As I was spending time with God, this old song just came to mind. Old worship songs are always beautiful. New songs are good. But the old songs always have a special place in my heart. Although the lyrics aren't that fanciful, the tune is simple, yet it fully expresses my love for God - in simple words, in simple tunes. It's enough to express on what's on my heart to Him.

As I come into your presence
Past the gates of praise
Into Your sanctuary
Till I'm standing face to face

I look upon your countenance
I see the fullness of Your grace
I can only bow down and say

You are awesome in this place, Almighty God
You are awesome in this place, Abba Father
You are worthy of all praise
To You our lives we raise
You are awesome in this place, Almighty God

7 Spiritual Disciplines Checklist

2008-03-23T01:46:00.003+08:00

I recently just re-visited Dr AR Bernard's message on engaging culture and in this portion, he spoke about how we need to ensure we don't become of the world while living and engaging in this world. He listed the 7 spiritual disciplines that we need to live out. It was a good time to re-evaluate my life in this first quarter of the year to make sure that I am still on track while engaging the culture.

There are so many times when we are just so busy trying to fulfil the Cultural Mandate that we neglect our personal development with God. As time passes by, unconciously, we are being influenced by the world rather than us influencing the world. To engage the culture, we must always come back to the place to remember why we want to do it in the first place. Then it becomes crystal clear by the spiritual disciplines become important. Sometimes, when we realise that we have become part of the world, it's already too late. Time to do a stock take before moving on for the next quarter of 2008. Is anything missing? If it is, time to work on that area.

Spiritual Disciplines Checklist:

1) Life of prayer.
2) Consistent reading of the Word.
3) Consistent Bible study.
4) Life of fasting.
5) Life of thanksgiving.
6) Solitude.
7) Repentance + Confession of Sin.

Science and God

2008-03-19T23:13:00.003+08:00

'Let me explain the problem science has with Jesus Christ.'

The atheist professor of philosophy pauses before his class and then asks one of his new students to stand.

'You're a Christian, aren't you, son?'

'Yes sir,' the student says. 'So you believe in God?'' asked the professor.

Absolutely.

''Is God good?' questioned the professor.

'Sure! God's good.'

'Is God all-powerful? Can God do anything?'

'Yes.'

'Are you good or evil?'

'The Bible says I'm evil.'

The professor grins knowingly.

'Aha! The Bible!'

He considers for a moment.

'Here's one for you. Let's say there's a sick person over here and you can cure him. You can do it. Would you help him? Would you try?'

'Yes ! sir, I would.'

'So you're good...!'

'I wouldn't say that.'

'But why not say that? You'd help a sick and maimed person if you could. Most of us would if we could. But God doesn't.'

The student does not answer, so the professor continues.

'He doesn't, does he? My brother was a Christian who died of cancer, even though he prayed to Jesus to heal him. How is this Jesus good? Hmmm? Can you answer that one?'

The student remains silent.

'No, you can't, can you?' the professor says.

He takes a sip of water from a glass on his desk to give the student time to relax.

'Let's start again, young fella. Is God good?'

'Er...yes,' the student says.

'Is Satan good?'

The student doesn't hesitate on this one.

'No.'

'Then where does Satan come from?'

The student : 'From...God...'

'That's right. God made Satan, didn't he? Tell me, son. Is there evil in this world?'

'Yes, sir.' 'Evil's everywhere, isn't it? And God did make everything, correct?'

'Yes.'

'So who created evil?' The professor continued, 'If God created everything, then God created evil, since evil exists, and according to the principle that our works define who we are, then God is evil.'

Without allowing the student to answer, the professor continues: ' Is there sickness? Immorality? Hatred? Ugliness? All these terrible things, do they exist in this world?'

The student: 'Yes.'

'So who created them?'

The student does not answer again, so the professor repeats his question. 'Who created them?

There is still no answer.

Suddenly the lecturer breaks away to pace in front of the classroom. The class is mesmerized.'Tell me,' he continues onto another student. 'Do you believe in Jesus Christ, son?'

The student's voice is confident: 'Yes, professor, I do.'

The old man stops pacing. 'Science says you have five senses you use to identify and observe the world around you.

Have you ever seen Jesus?'

'No sir. I've never seen Him'

'Then tell us if you've ever heard your Jesus?'

'No, sir, I have not.'

'Have you ever actually felt your Jesus, tasted your Jesus or smelt your Jesus? Have you ever had any sensory perception of Jesus Christ, or God for that matter?'

'No, sir, I'm afraid I haven't.'

'Yet you still believe in him?'

'Yes.'

'According to the rules of empirical, testable, demonstrable protocol, science says your God doesn't exist. What do you say to that,son?'

'Nothing,' the student replies. 'I only have my faith.'

'Yes, faith,' the professor repeats.

'And that is the problem science has with God. There is no evidence, only faith.'

The student stands quietly for a moment, before asking a question of his own. 'Professor, is there such thing as heat?'

'Yes,' the professor replies. 'There's heat.'

'And is there such a thing as cold?'

'Yes, son, there's cold too.'

'No sir, there isn't.'

The professor turns to face the student, obviously interested.

The room suddenly becomes very quiet.

The student begins to explain.'You can have lots of heat, even more heat, super-heat,mega-heat, unlimited heat, white heat, a little heat or no heat, but we don't have anything called 'cold'. We can hit up to 458 degrees below zero, which is no heat, but we can't go any further after that. There is no such thing as cold; otherwise we would be able to go colder than the lowest -458 degrees. Everybody or object is susceptible to study when it has or transmits energy, and heat is what makes a body or matter have or transmit energy. Absolute zero (-458 F) is the total absence of heat.You see, sir, cold is only a word we use to describe the absence of heat. We cannot measure cold. Heat we can measure in thermal units because heat is energy. Cold is not the opposite of heat, sir, just the absence of it.'

Silence across the room. A pen drops somewhere in the classroom, sounding like a hammer.

'What about darkness, professor. Is there such a thing asdarkness?'

'Yes,' the professor replies without hesitation. 'What is night if it isn't darkness?'

'You're wrong again, sir. Darkness is not something; it is the absence of something. You can have low light, normal light, brightlight, flashing light, but if you have no light constantly you have Nothing and it's called darkness, isn't it? That's the meaning we use to define the word. In reality, darkness isn't. If it were, you would be able to make darkness darker, wouldn't you?'

The professor begins to smile at the student in front of him. This will be a good semester.

'So what point are you making, young man?'

'Yes, professor. My point is, your philosophical premise is flawed to start with, and so your conclusion must also be flawed.'

The professor's face cannot hide his surprise this time.

'Flawed? Can you explain how?'

'You are working on the premise of duality,' the student explains. 'You argue that there is life and then there's death; a good God and a bad God. You are viewing the concept of God as something finite, something we can measure. Sir, science can't even explain a thought. It uses electricity and magnetism, but has never seen, much less fully understood either one. To view death as the opposite of life is to be ignorant of the fact that death cannot exist as a substantive thing. Death is not the opposite of life, just the absence of it.'

'Now tell me, professor. Do you teach your students that they evolved from a monkey?'

'If you are referring to the natural evolutionary process, young man, yes, of course I do'

'Have you ever observed evolution with your own eyes, sir?' The professor begins to shake his head, still smiling, as he realizes where the argument is going. A very good semester, indeed.

'Since no one has ever observed the process of evolution at work and cannot even prove that this process is an on-going endeavor, are you not teaching your opinion, sir? Are you now not a scientist, but a preacher?'

The class is in uproar. The student remains silent until the Commotion has subsided.

'To continue the point you were making earlier to the other student, let me give you an example of what I mean.'

The student looks around the room. 'Is there anyone in the class who has ever seen the professor's brain?'

The class breaks out into laughter.'Is there anyone here who has ever heard the professor's brain, felt the professor's brain, touched or smelled the professor's brain? No one appears to have done so. So, according to the established rules of empirical, stable, demonstrable protocol, science says that you have no brain, with all due respect, sir. So if science says you have no brain, how can we trust your lectures, sir?'

Now the room is silent. The professor just stares at thestudent, his face unreadable.

Finally, after what seems an eternity, the old man answers. 'I guess you'll have to take them on faith.'

'Now, you accept that there is faith, and, in fact, faith exists with life,' the student continues. 'Now, sir, is there such a thing as evil?'

Now uncertain, the professor responds, 'Of course, there is. We see it everyday. It is in the daily example of man's inhumanity to man. It is in the multitude of crime and violence everywhere in the world. These manifestations are nothing else but evil.'

To this the student replied, 'Evil does not exist sir, or at least it does not exist unto itself. Evil is simply the absence of God. It is just like darkness and cold, a word that man has created to describe the absence of God. God did not create evil. Evil is the result of what happens when man does not have God's love present in his heart. It's like the cold that comes when there is no heat or the darkness that comes when there is no light.'

The professor sat down, defeated.

Initiative (by Dr. John C. Maxwell)

2008-03-17T23:50:00.000+08:00

Initiative
by Dr. John C. Maxwell

It's cliche to say that every journey begins with a single step, yet it's true. Leaders don't wait for everything to be perfect before they move forward. They don't wait for all the problems or obstacles to disappear. They don't wait until their fear subsides. Leaders take initiative.

Leaders know the secret of momentum: once you take the first step and start moving forward, everything becomes clearer and easier. If momentum gets strong enough, problems begin to take care of themselves and new opportunities arise. But the benefits of momentum only come into play once a leader takes initiative.

As leaders, why are we sometimes timid or tentative when we should be taking action? In my experience and observation, there are six root causes of our procrastination.

SIX SOURCES OF PROCRASTINATION

1. We hesitate to do chores we don't enjoy.

For me, yard work has always been draining. I don't find pleasure in it, and there's a million other things I'd rather spend my time doing. When I was first married, I would procrastinate mowing the lawn until it grew into a small jungle. I knew mowing would make my home look nice and would please my wife, but I abhorred giving it my time and attention.

2. We hesitate to do activities we aren't good at doing.

I enjoy the arts, and I am fascinated by highly creative persons. However, I'm not particularly gifted in painting, drawing, or designing. That's why I avoid decorating. I enjoy a finely manicured Christmas tree, or an exquisitely decorated room, but I simply have no talent at making things look good. As a consequence, I will put off decorating as long as possible.

3. We hesitate to do what isn't on our agendas.

Human nature tends to be set in its ways. When changing circumstances make our plans obsolete, we resist making adjustments. We stubbornly hold to our old course of action and avoid altering our behavior.

4. We hesitate to solve situations that are likely to be messy

A prime example is confrontation. It's difficult to tell someone what they don't want to hear and probably won't respond well to being told. Dreading the possible outcomes, we dawdle and delay rather than initiating confrontation.

5. We hesitate to tackle a task that is high-energy and low-return.

As leaders, we are hard wired into getting the most bang for our buck. The same holds true with our time. We want to invest it profitably. As such, I have always been hesitant to put energy into relationships with high-maintenance donors or investors who aren't substantial contributors to the organization.

6. We hesitate to step into things we don't understand.

Hence the saying, "You can't teach an old dog new tricks." My generation has had to come to grips with fast-moving technologies, and it hasn't been easy. I don't understand many features of GPS systems, iPods, or PDA's, and, as a result, I procrastinate adopting them into my life - even though I know they could be helpful to me.

VISION AND VALUES - THE ANTIDOTES TO PROCRASTINATION

Author John Kotter, says, "Most people don't lead their lives, they accept their lives. Leaders are the exception. In their mind's eye, they have a vision of exactly where they want to go. By keeping that vision in the forefront of their minds, leaders develop priorities, maintain focus, and, acquire a sense of urgency. The vision becomes the driving force behind everything a leader does.

Leaders with a vision are active rather than passive. Whereas most people follow the path of least resistance, visionary leaders refuse to settle for what's comfortable or easy. They shape their world rather than fitting into its mold.

In addition to following a vision, leaders relentlessly schedule their lives around their core values. Leaders are attuned to what they feel is important in life, and they align their activities to reflect those beliefs. Values dictate what they will do, what they will avoid, and where they will invest their most precious commodity - time.

THE POWER TO QUIT

You may have heard the saying, "Quitters never win, and winners never quit." Nothing could be further from the truth! Leaders are strategic quitters. They ruthlessly avoid activities that don't align with their vision or values. They know the power of "NO" when faced with opportunities that threaten to drift them away from their purpose.

I've quit a lot of things during my leadership journey: counseling, administrating, controlling, people-pleasing, and more. Quitting has been healthy for me because I've always quit for the right reasons.

VALID REASONS TO QUIT

You quit something you don't do well to start something you do well.
You quit something you're not passionate about to do something that fills you with passion.
You quit something that's doesn't make a difference to do something that does.
SUMMARY

To acquire more influence, taking initiative is a prerequisite. Leaders step forward when they clarify their vision and values. Knowing their purpose gives them a starting point, and a reason to act. By clearing out the clutter in their agendas, leaders recognize the power of quitting. Free from the handcuffs of over-commitment, leaders are able to choose the dreams they chase rather then drifting down the current of life's circumstances.

Living without regrets

2008-03-17T16:06:00.003+08:00

Seeing a man who is so positive and passionate about life makes me wonder what are we doing with what we have right now - that is our life, our dreams. Must a man really go to the brink of death before he will cherish life? Must a man go through a bad and rough patch before he lives life passionately?

I am very encouraged by Dr Randy Pausch because he has to courage and passion to tell his story. Many of us will probably wallow in depression, discouragement. I always appreciate people like them. It helps to put me into perspective, know that what I am going through is nothing as compared to them.

If today, you only have one more day to live, would you regret your life? If the answer is Yes, time to change your life.

Improvised Words

2008-03-17T15:22:00.001+08:00

Lately, I came across this word ‘shlumpadinka’ on Merrriam-Webster website. Oprah Winfrey came up with word. It means a woman who dresses like she has completely given up on herself and it shows : a dowdy and unstylish woman. (see http://www.merriam-webster.com/shlumpadinka.html)

It is interesting to note that she can come up with a colloquial word like that. This word has its origins in Yiddish language but this word is never quite like its original meaning. To have this ‘new’ word utter on one of the most popular talk show in America, surely this word will become part of the American culture – at least among the housewives who form part of the regular audience/viewers of her show.

In our daily lives, we also have these convenient colloquial words that we have used yet unheard of in the official English language. The following are examples of a few that I have heard or used it myself:

Shoe-a-holic: used to describe someone (most probably a woman) who loves shoes.
Eg: The annual shoe sale is here. She, a shoe-a-holic, will surely rush to the store to get dozen pairs of shoes.

She-ki-ra-ba-hai: an expression used when things are exasperating or are going wrong. (only CHC people would know this)
Eg: She-ki-ra-ba-hai! This machine is spoilt again for the third time today!

Siao on: used to describe someone who is very enthusiastic about something.
Eg: Ask her to organize this. She is always siao on about such things.

Fanterrific: a combination of fantastic and terrific. Used to describe something even better than fantastic and terrific.
Eg: The movie was really fanterrific! It was the best I have ever seen!

Very up: describing someone who is very capable.
Eg: I always think he’s very up, having become a CEO at such a young age.

Atas: high class
Eg: Using a ipod phone nowadays is considered atas.

When happiness is finding your inner receptionist

2008-02-19T09:48:00.001+08:00

When happiness is finding your inner receptionist

Financial Times 11 February 2008

A couple of months ago a friend asked if I'd write her a job reference. She is bright and witty and sophisticated and for about 20 years has held a succession of powerful jobs in television and newspapers.
Yet this latest position was rather different: she had applied to be a receptionist at a small office building in Mayfair. This struck me as an eccentric career choice for a clever woman on the cusp of 50, but I wrote out the reference and in due course she got the job.

Last week I had lunch with her and asked how it was going. She told me that for the first time in her life she was entirely happy in her job. At last she had found something that had all the good things about office work and none of the bad ones.

Her routine was soothing. The people were friendly. The work was pleasant. It was also finite, easy to do well, and ended on the dot of 6pm. There were no unmanageable work loads, no ugly competition, no gnawing anxiety that you aren't up to it and that someone else is better.

But best of all, she said, the receptionist's job didn't swamp her mind and her life; instead it left plenty of room for her to think her own thoughts. The only thing that wasn't fantastic was the money, but it was enough and she didn't mind.

After our lunch she took me to see the site of such happiness. I eyed her curvy glass desk and saw through the square-paned windows the bare trees of Green Park. I imagined myself smiling at the hedge fund managers who came in and out: "Hello, it's milder today isn't it?" I could see a certain charm in it.

Yet what impressed me most about her satisfaction was how it contrasted with the dissatisfaction of almost all my other contemporaries. One word describes how most of us in our late 40s are coping with far more interesting jobs: badly. In varying measures we are susceptible to boredom, fear, exhaustion and frustration. We've all been working for an eternity as it is, but we now realise we'll have to go on working until we are 70 at least and so there is still a long way to go. In all it is not pretty. We feel we ought to leap, but don't how and don't know which way to go.

A relatively sensible article in February's Harvard Business Review attempts to explain why we are getting it all wrong and why my receptionist friend is getting it right.

The rest of us are falling for the most common misapprehension of mid-career crisis - which is to think this is the beginning of the end. Instead the magazine insists that we have more opportunities than we used to. Because we have worked for a few decades, we know what work is like and what we are good at. The trick isn't to hanker after some magical transformation - one minute you are a banker, and then, hey presto, an organic farmer - but to think carefully and practically about what suits you.

When I think about it now I see that, unlike my friend, I'm not ready to get in touch with my inner receptionist. She says the job gives her space to think, whereas I have a horror of unstructured thought. Indeed one of the things that I've worked out over the past few decades is that I need to be wildly busy all the time: in fallow periods my thoughts wander off in all sorts of unwanted directions.

Still more hearteningly, the HBR reminds us that even though some doors may be closed at 50, in reality there weren't so many open ones at 25. This is a truth that we tend to forget: most people are in a rut from the start, blindly pursuing careers with no idea of what the other options were. When I was in my 20s I didn't feel that I was deciding rationally between hundreds of possibilities, I was simply trying to do what I thought was expected of me, and what my friends were doing. My motivation was to do it better than a tiny handful of people I considered to be my rivals.

Now that I think of it, I have stopped caring about these petty contests. I am doing better than some of my former competitors and worse than others, but either way it doesn't matter any more. This is liberating. I am starting to mind less what other people think of me and that is liberating too.

My friend confirms that she couldn't have become a receptionist in her 20s or 30s. She would have been miserable, unfulfilled and certain she was throwing her life away. At 49 she has nothing more to prove; she has already proved that important jobs are no longer what she wants.

A couple of weeks ago another cheering piece of work was published by scientists at the University of Warwick showing that happiness over a lifetime is U-shaped. It looked at thousands of workers in 80 different countries and found that most people start off happy, and then slide towards misery, reaching a trough at 44. By our early 50s we start to get happy again and by our 60s and 70s happier still.
It isn't altogether clear why we get cheerier as death draws closer. I suspect it is mainly because the burden of ambition and expectation slips away. We no longer hanker after what we are never going to have. I'm not quite there yet and neither are most of my contemporaries. Ambition still rages, and prospects are intolerably uncertain. But if we hold tight, the upward curve of the U will carry us along soon. We don't need career coaching. We just need time.

T.E.A.M

2008-02-18T15:47:00.002+08:00

Saw this on a poster. Thought it would be good to note it down.

TEAM stands for :

Together
Everyone
Achieves
More

Teamwork and success go hand in hand.

Creating a Winning Environment - Part One by Dr. John C. Maxwell

2008-02-16T18:21:00.003+08:00

Creating a Winning Environment - Part One by Dr. John C. Maxwell

The environment has taken center stage recently in the American media. Going "green" has become trendy among everyone from Hollywood elites to suburbanites. Corporate America is experiencing pressure from environmentally savvy consumers who are flocking en masse to socially responsible companies. At a time when the USA is at war, an American, Al Gore, was awarded with the Nobel Peace Prize for his persistent advocacy of the environment. Whether the discussion involves global warming, renewable energy, or organic agriculture, seemingly everywhere environmental issues are at the forefront of debate.

Perhaps "environment" should be the word at the center of leadership conversations as well. Consciously or unconsciously, leaders cultivate the environment in their workplaces. Some are lush climates where leaders flourish and thrive, while others are toxic environments where leaders either leave or wither from the pollution. In each of the next two editions of Leadership Wired, we'll pose five questions about the environment you're creating as a leader. My goal is to help you nurture a winning environment in your organization.

The Growth Environment

Growth is the yardstick by which you can measure the well-being of your organization's environment. A healthy climate is conducive to growth, and functions as an incubator where leaders are birthed and developed. The following qualities characterize a growth environment:

1. Others are ahead of you.
2. Your focus is forward.
3. The atmosphere is affirming.
4. You are often outside of your comfort zone.
5. Failure is not your enemy.
6. Others are growing.
7. People desire change.
8. Growth is modeled and expected.

To gauge your success in setting the climate of your organization, monitor your people to see whether or not they're growing.

Questions That Create a Winning Environment

1. "Do I understand what it takes to be a team?"
Without effective teamwork, an environment is doomed to fail. A collection of individual contributions will never compare to the synergy of a cohesive team. A successful team displays:

Tolerance of one another's weaknesses.
Encouragement of each other's efforts.
Acknowledgement that every person has something to offer.
Mindfulness of how each person depends on the others for success.

As Mother Teresa was fond of saying, "You can do what I cannot do, I can do what you cannot do, and together we can do great things."

2. "Are my expectations crystal clear?"
We all deal with the impact of expectations in 3 dimensions:

1. Expectations we have for ourselves.
2. Expectations we have of others.
3. Expectations others have of us.

Leaders clarify expectations in every dimension, and they frequently revisit them to make adjustments or to realign team members to the expectations.

3. "Do my people understand why what we do is important?"
In any environment, workers can lose focus of how their task relates to the big picture. Leaders connect activities to the purposes behind them by bridging "what" and "why". They do so by exposing team members to the end results of their labor, by expressing gratitude for their work, and by explaining how each job is relevant to the company as a whole.

4. "Does my team define success with their customer?"
In an optimal environment, every person is pulling in the same direction toward a common goal of serving the customer. From the sales team to the accounting office, no one should be in the dark when it comes to understanding customer needs and figuring out how to exceed them.

Before I speak to an organization, I ask questions to uncover their motivation for bringing me in as a featured guest. The organization's response helps me tailor my presentation so that they receive maximum value from me. Afterward, I follow up by asking if I met their expectations. Doing so gives me feedback while also demonstrating my commitment to serving them.

5. "Am I holding people accountable for performance?"
In the work environment, what doesn't get inspected, won't be respected. If there's no accountability in an area, then there's no incentive to perform with excellence in it. It's incumbent upon a leader to design scorecards and benchmarks to evaluate performance.

Accountability starts with a look in the mirror. Workers are unsuccessful for three main reasons, and in each case, leadership may have set the stage for failure.

Root Causes of Poor Performance Leadership Responsibility
Inadequate Training Proper Equipping
Lack of Capacity Picking the right people for the job
Bad Attitude Modeling confidence and optimism

Before blaming or disciplining their people, leaders should first scrutinize their performance of personal responsibilities.

Review
Questions That Create a Winning Environment

1. "Do I understand what it takes to be a team?"
2. "Are my expectations crystal clear?"
3. "Do my people understand why what we do is important?"
4. "Does my team define success with their customer?"
5. "Am I holding people accountable for their performance?"

Where Would I Be Without You?

2008-02-15T04:51:00.003+08:00

I have never walked on water
Felt the waves beneath my feet
But at Your word Lord, I'll receive Your faith to walk on oceans deep

And I remember how You found me
in the very same place
All my failings surely would have drowned me
Still You made a way

You are my freedom Jesus, You're the reason
I'm kneeling again at Your throne
Where would I be without You
Here in my life, here in my life

You have said that all the heavens
Sing for joy at one who finds the way to freedom,
Truth of Jesus bought from death into His life

And I remember how You saw me through the eyes of Your grace
And though the cost was Your beloved for me
Still You made a way

***************************************************************
Thank you Jesus for accepting me in spite of all my weaknesses.
Where would I be with you?
If not for You, I would have surely been lost in this world.
You picked me up from the mire clay, reshaped me, mould me so that I can become a new creation.
You gave me a new life, a new purpose so that I can lift up my head.

In my journey with You, I have stumbled and fell many times.
There are so many times when I just felt like lying on the ground, lost, discouraged and sapped of strength.
Yet each time, you picked me up and healed me so that I can walk again.
Each time your grace abounds in my life.
Your mercy renewed me each day.
Your love empowered me to move on.
Your hands led me through through the dark days.

Though there are times when I could not see Your hands, I know I can trust Your heart.
Your gentle whisper encouraged me through the unseen road, giving me directions.
You always made a way for me.
Even if it was at the expense of Yourself, You still did.

Where would I be without You?
Here in my Life
Here in my Life

Gambling - Right or Wrong?

2008-02-15T04:02:00.002+08:00

Lately, I have people asking me if gambling is right or wrong. Perhaps it's the Chinese New Year period and that's why people are wondering. I have wondered about this when I was a young Christian too until I did some research on my own.

The bible didn't say explicitly that gambling isn't right, just like smoking. But we know that the Bible tells us that our body is the temple of the Holy Spirit and we are to take good care of it. Smoking destroys our health and thus we become bad stewards of the temple. So where can we find explanation for gambling in the bible?

What is gambling?
Gambling refers to a wager or bet in which each player agrees to risk losing some material possession to other players in exchange for the chance to win the possessions of other players without compensation to the loser, the winner(s) and loser(s) being determined by the outcome of a game.

Merriam Webster defines it as 1 a: to play a game for money or property b: to bet on an uncertain outcome2: to stake something on a contingency : take a chance

Bible Objections
The word "gamble" is not found in the Bible, yet the practice violates Bible principles regardless of the amount of money involved. The Bible authorizes only three morally legitimate ways for money or possessions to pass from one owner to another. Gambling fits none of them.

1. The law of labor ("the work ethic")
One may be paid as compensation for work done to produce goods or services that benefit other people. The Scripture strongly teaches this "work ethic."

1 Timothy 5:18 - The laborer is worthy of his wages. [Luke 10:7]
Ephesians 4:28 - Do not steal but labor at good (beneficial) work.
1 Thessalonians 4:11,12 - To meet our needs, we should do our own business and work for an income (not take what other people earned). [Matt. 20:1-15; James 5:4]
2 Thessalonians 3:10-12 - Like Paul, people should work so they can eat their own bread (not other people's bread). If they will not work, they should not eat.

We must not try to live off the labors of others. We can expect goods or services from others only as compensation for work we do that produces something of benefit (that which is good - Eph. 4:28).

Gambling undermines the Biblical work ethic because, instead of accomplishing productive labor that benefits others, the gambler seeks to get something for nothing by taking what other people have earned.

If someone claims that gamblers must work to win, we respond that this is not the labor described in these verses, because it produces nothing of benefit to others. Instead it attempts to take what others have, without compensating them. A thief also must do some labor; but such "work" is forbidden because it is harmful to others, not beneficial. If gambling were Scriptural labor, then all gamblers should be paid because all are laboring to win.

Someone may argue, "Gamblers are just paying for a form of entertainment." However, in legitimate entertainment the entertainers are paid a predetermined fee for providing a service to others. But gamblers are all providing the same "service" for one another; so if gambling were legitimate entertainment, then all participants should be paid or all should pay. The gambler does not want the other players to profit; he wants to profit at their expense! This violates the principle that the laborer is worthy of his hire.

2. The law of exchange
A person may simply agree to exchange possessions (goods or money) with someone else. Each party is paid or fairly compensated by receiving possessions of fair value in return for what he gives up.

Genesis 23:1-18 - Abraham bought a field and a cave for money.
Matthew 13:45,46 - A merchant sold possessions to buy a pearl.
John 4:8 - Disciples bought food.

Note that, in a fair transaction, both parties receive what they view as fair value compared to what they give up. Neither party should attempt to take other people's property without giving fair value in exchange. But again gambling does not fit here, because the winner has no intention to compensate the loser. In fact, each gambler hopes other people will lose so he can take their property, while at the same time he hopes no one will take his property. This violates the law of exchange.

3. The law of giving
A person may knowingly choose, of his own free will, to unconditionally give something away as an expression of good will or kindness, with no obligation for the receiver to offer any compensation in return.

Ephesians 4:28 - One who has earned goods by his own labor may choose to give to others in need.
2 Corinthians 9:6,7 - We should give willingly and cheerfully, not grudgingly. Note: If gambling fits this, then we should all gamble bountifully!
Acts 20:35 - It is more blessed to give than to receive. Do gamblers consider giving to be more blessed than receiving?
1 John 3:17,18; 1 Corinthians 13:3 - Giving must be motivated by love, compassion, and desire to help others. Is this what motivates gamblers? No, they agree to give (if they lose) only because they want to win what others possess!

Again, gambling does not fit this category because gamblers do not give willingly, freely, as an act of love or compassion.

Gambling promotes covetousness and greed

What is covetousness and greed?
In general covetousness is the desire to wrongfully take someone else's property. It is "a desire for the increasing of one's substance by appropriating that of others" (Baker's Dictionary of Theology). So a person is covetous if he wants to take other people's property in a way not authorized by God.

Ephesians 5:5-7; 1 Corinthians 6:9-11 - Those who covet will not receive the kingdom of God, but God's wrath abides on them.
Romans 1:29-32 - They are worthy of death, and so are those who approve or encourage their conduct.
1 Corinthians 5:11 - Church members who practice it should be disciplined.

Someone may say, "Gamblers agree to pay up if they lose, so they do give it willingly." But it is not done in the spirit of good will that the Bible describes, else why does the gambler try to keep others from taking his possessions?

The truth is, gambling is mutual covetousness like dueling is mutual attempted murder. In dueling, each person agrees to let the other person try to kill him in exchange for the opportunity to try to kill the other person. But killing would still be unauthorized regardless of the agreement (Romans 13:8-10). So a gambler agrees to let others try to take his possessions in exchange for the opportunity for him to try to take the other person's possessions. And it is still covetousness, just like dueling is still attempted murder. The agreement simply makes both parties guilty of sin!

Someone else may say, "It's just a friendly game. We don't really care whether we win or lose the money." A professional gambler once told me that people gamble, not to make money, but for the thrill, the high, the excitement.

If people don't gamble for the money, why not leave the money out of it and just play for fun? If you say, "the money makes it more exciting," then I ask why so, if you don't care about the money! The only possible reason why the money makes it more exciting, is that gamblers do care about the money! So the money does matter, and therefore gambling really is covetousness.

When a person wants to take someone else's property that they really don't want to give and without returning fair value in exchange, that person is guilty of covetousness. And that is exactly what the gambler does.

We are stewards of possessions that belong to God.
1 Peter 4:10,11 - We are stewards of God's manifold blessings and should use these blessings to glorify God "in all things." A steward is a servant who has been entrusted to use his master's property to achieve the master's purposes. The master will judge the steward for how well he used the property. [Luke 12:42-46; 2 Chron. 28:1; 1 Cor. 4:1,2]
Psalm 24:1,2; 50:10-12 - Material property is part of our stewardship in that God ultimately owns all physical things but has entrusted them to us.

The gambler is an unfaithful steward.
Luke 16:1,2 - Instead of using the Master's possessions for the intended purpose, the unfaithful steward wastes them or risks losing them for selfish purposes. This is exactly what the gambler does. [Matthew 25:14-30]

To illustrate, suppose you give some money to a friend for safekeeping. But then, without your permission, he uses your money as his stakes for gambling. Whether he won or lost, would you not confront him for misusing your money? For his own self-indulgence he risked losing what belonged to you.\

But every gambler gambles with money that belongs to God without His permission. He wastes his master's substance and risks losing it in unauthorized activities for his own selfishness. God will hold him accountable.

Stumbling Others
Gamblers not only sin and tempt themselves to sin, they also tempt others to sin.
Consider these passages.
1 Timothy 4:12 - Set a good example in word, manner of life, love, faith, and purity. Does the gambler set this kind of example?
Matthew 5:13-16 - Our lives should be like a light so others may see our good works and glorify God. Who will glorify God from seeing you gamble?
Matthew 18:6,7 - Woe to one who tempts others to sin. It is better to be drowned than to be guilty of this.

Whom does the gambler tempt to sin?
* Young people - As with smoking, drinking, and drug abuse, most gamblers start young because of the influence of others: friends, relatives, older people they respect. If you gamble, your example may lead some young person to start or continue gambling. He may then become trapped in the sins involved in and associated with gambling. If so, you will also be held responsible for his fate. Do you want this on your conscience?

* Reformed compulsive gamblers - As with alcoholics and drug addicts, when a compulsive gambler quits, he must never again return to the practice or he immediately becomes an addict again. If he sees or knows you gamble, your example encourages him to try the practice again. If he does, he is immediately addicted again. And you are responsible.

* Non-Christians - Many people who are not Christians know that gambling is very un-Christlike. If you gamble, you may never be able to lead them to hear the soul-saving gospel. Yet the Bible plainly obligates you to do all you can to help other people be saved (1 Corinthians 8-10). The gambler will never be a successful soul-saver (Prov. 11:30).

Conclusion
No one gambles alone. If you gamble, you must gamble with others. So every gambler has a bad influence on someone. The only way to avoid this problem is simply to avoid gambling altogether. Once you gamble, you plant a seed in others and in yourself and open yourself to future temptations of gambling. Though many people say Chinese New Year is only once a year and I am not a chronic gambler, yet the bad seed planted may bear bad fruits in time to come. If it's only once a year, why even want to enjoy a momentarily of pleasure which happens only once a year for a year's of conscience and spiritual growth? Don't even play with money then, then it would not be gambling.

Some may say they play because their friends or relatives pressurised them and jeered at them for being Christian. I guess that is what it is all about. This is what makes us Christians. What is this little jeering when Jesus went to the cross for us being spat at and jeered at along the way?

I guess we would have a clearer idea of gambling now and are able to steer clear of it. Hope this helps!

Relationship (by Ps Kevin Loo)

2008-02-12T02:33:00.000+08:00

Relationship is a big thing in life. It precedes ministry and gives us the right and privilege to speak into people’s lives. As a leader, we need to first build relationship before we can begin discipleship. That means we need to first invest time and attention into their lives. We need to go into their world to understand them in order to meet their needs better.

Jesus did the same. He went into His disciples’ world in the first place. He met them at their workplace. Jesus was genuinely interested in their livelihood. From there, He built a strong bond with them and it was through His relationship with the 12 disciples that Jesus transformed our world for the better. He ensured that the person’s soul is privy to any healings or miracles that are going to take place. This is something very important that we must learn from Jesus. We cannot neglect this part of life, no matter how big our business or our ministry has become. Relationship is always a priority. The moment we take this for granted, we will begin to see our life’s work going downhill. We will lose the beauty of serving and ministering to one another. We will take ministry as a job, a chore instead of a privilege and a call. I have seen many people fail in this area. Instead of pleasing the heart of the LORD, they begin to please their own desires. This causes them to drive for results instead of a genuine care and concern.

What was Jesus’ identity? Was He a leader who served or was He a servant who led? Was being a leader His identity or being a servant His identity? If being a servant was His identity then what was His task? This is a serious question that we must ask ourselves. Am I here as a servant with the task to lead or am I here as a leader who serve? If we are the latter, then what happens to our identity after our job of serving is done? Do I expect to be served? Do I lord over others?

This is a question you need to answer for yourself.

Chinatown Trip on CNY Eve

2008-02-07T18:27:00.000+08:00

I went to Chinatown on CNY Eve to suck the festive mood again. Basically, I just had a craving for Taiwan jelly and they had it there. Why CNY eve? Because I didn't have the time to go on any other days. But this year's CNY has been the most entertaining ever coupled with a good walking companion, Ms Fan Yu Zhen!

We was supposed to meet Cindy and Pauline when we reached there. But we just decided to walk around ourselves first because we thought it would be hard to meet 大海茫茫 but we meet them while walking along a congested alley! How amazing! Later as we walked on, we saw Lim Bing Ren and Jamie Phua too! Then we saw Eugene and Yilun! Wow. That's really unreal. While I was shopping for Taiwan jelly, standing opposite us were Shuping and Li Chiun! After that, we saw Cindy and Pauline again! So many people at Chinatown yet we managed to meet so many people we know within an hour. Is Chinatown too small or what?

Me and Yuzhen were just walking around and enjoying ourselves by watching some stuff. Usually in such a congested place, I will feel rather irritated as I am not a very patient person and I don't like crowded places also. But this time round, I really enjoyed myself just watching stuff especially on how some stall vendors tried to sell their stuff.

We were at a muah chee stall when the uncle kept saying into the microphone don't let police catch you just because you wanna steal some stuff which cost only a few dollars. The way he said was so funny and sacarstic.
Next, I went to the Taiwan jelly store. The guy with the microphone even passed me the microphone to say a few things. But the most interesting one was the cuttlefish man. He rapped about his cuttlefish. He kept asking people to try his stuff for free. Just take as many as we want. And there are people who really grabbed a handful of cuttlefish and walked off. Amazing! Just like that.. and he didn't even mind. 敢敢吃，敢敢买，敢敢try!! The stall beside him was trying to stop people from taking their food. 不可以试，不可以try. What a constrast.

After buying a few stuff, I saw some people carrying a beautiful box containing Taiwan muah chee. I asked a Caucasian guy who walked past where he gotten it from and he just gave his box to me! Inside consist of what i guess was more than 2 kg of muah chee! That was nice of him! I insisted on giving him some wasabi nuts to go with his beer. This reminds me of Australia days where people are so chin chye. They just give and bless strangers along the road.

With that, the load of stuff we bought increased. Both me and Yuzhen were lugging our foodstuff like crazy. I guess we had bought over 7-8 kg worth of food, including the free muah chee.

As we were walking, we happened to be at a spot where we could see fireworks. It was nice but as some of you know, I am not a big fan of fireworks. I get bored after a while. The nicest ones that really caught my attention was at Brisbane when they had fireworks festival. Else, other fireworks in Singapore doesn't really interest me.

I was telling Yuzhen that it's rather divine that we seemed to be at the right place at the right time. We were right there to watch the fireworks, we were at the right lane to buy our foodstuff even though we had a hard time navigating ourselves. When Yuzhen's parents called and wanted to meet us at 美食街, we were stumped as we had no idea how to get there. We were tired to think of the navigation. Until we realised that the spot we were standing at leads into a alley which leads us straight to 美食街! Hooray! Then Yuzhen's parents offered to drive me home since I had soooo many 'burdens' on me. That was really nice of them.

This concluded the my start of CNY. I reached home dead tired from all the walking and squeezing. I hope I lost some weight in all the walking. Haha...

Chinese New Year

2008-02-07T18:26:00.000+08:00

There doesn't seem to be much of a festive mood for Chinese New Year this year. It seems a bit quiet. I am more excited at the prospect of having a long holiday. Even after trying to blast some CNY songs and visiting Chinatown with Pastor on last Thursday doesn't help to pump up the mood. The only thing that excites me this CNY would probably the 3 much talked about, much awaited movies that will open on the 7th Feb. All the 3 shows seems very nice and I hope I can catch all of them.

This year, I am not going to Malaysia to visit my relatives too. Last year, kept meeting up with them over wedding dinners. This year, just decided to take a break and rest and catch up on some DVDs that I bought back from my KL trip! Yooo Hoo!

Missing Blogger

2008-02-07T18:18:00.000+08:00

I have been MIA from blogging for a few weeks already. Don't have much inspiration to write. Either that, or no time to sit down and write. When I have something to write, I always don't have access to the computer. Once I have access, the 'moment' seemed to have pass for that topic. Perhaps I can come up with some stuff over this CNY since I can have some quiet moments to myself.

The LEFT Theory

2008-01-29T01:46:00.000+08:00

I was in a car on the way home yesterday with some friends and one man in the car said "When you don't know which direction to take, always turn left."

I am totally amused by that statement as he sounded very sure and very confident about the left theory. He said he has hardly gone wrong with this left theory... hmm... very very interesting...

Verse for the Ministry in 2008

2008-01-29T00:57:00.000+08:00

Now if anyone builds on this foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, each one's work will become clear; for the Day will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire; and the fire will test each one's work, of what sort it is. If anyone's work which he has built on it endures, he will reveive a reward.

~1 Cor 3:12-14~

Cellgroup Mission Statement

To build a spiritual cellgroup which is united, fun and loving, where every member represents Christ positively in his family and school as a witness, looking out for the interest of each other to serve one another.

The Raw Material

2008-01-23T15:06:00.000+08:00

Clay - you can mould anything you want.

It all depends what you want.

Life - You can choose what you want to be.

Actor, Manager

Success, Failure

Rich, Poor

Happy, Depressed

It's all within our choices.

Goals

2008-01-23T14:55:00.000+08:00

Having determination and perseverance is good. But having goals is also as important. Let me illustrate with a movie 'Forrest Grump':

Forrest Grump is a man who had determination and perseverance, highly motivated. But he has a problem. His problem was that he wasn't sure where he was going. When he was playing American football in the movie, he grabbed the ball and he ran and ran and he even ran outside the stadium!

What good will determination and perserverance do in this case except to persevere in a wrong direction.

If you need to be successful in life, you need to know where you're going. After you determine where you are going, put on full force your determination and perserverance, charge at that goal full force. Make it come to past.

But before that, determine where you are going in life.

KL Trip

2008-01-11T13:56:00.000+08:00

Went to KL last week for a personal retreat with Yuzhen and Cindy Koh. It was really a rest and relaxed trip. This trip provided time for me especially to reflect on certain things and made certain commitments to the Lord. Also managed to take time to pray on the bus. The main purpose of my trip there is to set goals for 2008 too. Without a vision, the man perish. This year will be the best year yet as the vision is set. As I plan my way, I believe that God will direct my path.

Both Cindy and Yuzhen has blogged about the KL trip on their blogs which is respectively located at http://cin-val.blogspot.com/ and http://fyuzhen.multiply.com/journal/item/988.

We set of this trip on a hurried note. In the morning, Yuzhen went to work at Citycare till 1pm and went to do calling for Karen at 2pm till 3.30pm. I went to the clinic with a client and then went to NGO to do some paperwork. After that, I had to rush back home to get my luggage. Cindy had to rush to Lavender to get our return tickets. Everything was so rushed! But thankfully, we still made it to the bus on time. Finally, we were on our way.

On the way there, I had thought I would sleep a lot as I had purposefully not sleep much the night before so that I can sleep all the way. But I only slept for about an hour plus only! What to do out of the 5 hours trip then? I spent time praying on the bus (though I looked like I was sleeping). I spent time thinking about God. It was a great feeling of not being distracted by anything else but just pondering and praying.

We stayed at Ps Eng Eng's house which was like a mini cottage. It was so cozy!

Our host Malvin was tremendous! He was so hospitable! Little wonder he gotten the best Minister Award of SOT 2006. He kept insisting on paying for our meals. Having a meal with him always results in a battling of payments. However, he always win.

We also visited DUMC - the largest Methodist church in Malaysia. This chuch is also Malvin, Melissa and Ps Eng Eng's church. They were in a new building and the building was awesome! It was so big! Cindy, Yuzhen and me were green with envy. In my heart, I asked God for a new magnificient building for CHC too.

We visited CHC KL, Ps Kevin's church! His church has grew much since my last visit in August. Now his auditorium is fully packed with people. People had to sit on the steps too. I always loved to listen to Ps Kevin's preaching. His preaching is always peppered with hilariously funny real life jokes which were totally down to earth, but totally funny too! The biblical principles were not lacking though even with all the jokes. It was great to hear him preach once again especially since he was preaching the first sermon of 2008 to set the direction for his church.

The highlight was being able to fellowship with Ps Kevin. He is so friendly and humbled. Although we were not any 'big shots', he still took time out to talk to us and fellowship with us. I am always overwhelmed by his friendliness and humility. He told us about his new building plans and the plot of land which he bought. The land was four football fields size! He mentioned the facilities of his new building and how he hoped to see the church surroundings becoming like a little community around the neighourhood. Wow! Once again, I asked God in my heart to give CHC a magnificient building, in the marketplace, for the marketplace to penerate the marketplace. He also showed us baby Eitan who was soooooo cute and handsome. He is certainly very photogenic. He also told us what he did with the ceiling - that one day, he had an idea to paint int dark blue, so he gathered back his staff and they did it in one day! The ceiling was the tall kind unlike our HDB ceilings, if you are wondering. I was certainly impressed by Ps Kevin's readiness to engage us to talk and chat even though we don't really know him that well. Wow! I caught something that day.

All in all, the KL was great! We were really sad when we had to leave. We wish it would have been longer and we didn't have to come back so soon. We also wished we had more money to spend. Haha....

It was certainly a good break in KL. It was something that fed our souls. I have to thank Yuzhen and Cindy for being such great travelling companions.

On the way back, I only slept for hours. The rest of the time, I was praying and committing 2008 unto the Lord. It IS going to be a GREAT YEAR!

2007 is Gone

2008-01-11T13:53:00.000+08:00

Read a few people's blog and they all blog about 2007 and how it ended. I didn't have the time till now. I figured since it's long gone, I shan't spend so much time blogging about it. So for all those who have been reading my blog and figuring why I didn't blog about 2007, it's really because there were too much to say and too little time to write. But of course I did my own reflection for 2007 while I was in KL.... Just that I am lazy to write it out. Now, I am looking foward to 2008!

'What is Your Personality Love Style?' Quiz

2008-01-07T23:28:00.000+08:00

http://www.quizbox.com/personality/test80.aspx

Here is the analysis:

You desire a love that will last forever. You are quite serious about finding this type of love, and that's why you think carefully about the men that you meet before deciding whether you could really love them. You don't just develop a crush on someone overnight: you look at a person's personality and other aspects of their life before deciding to form an attachment. If a guy doesn't meet your expectations, you would rather be alone. Your love has to be perfect. Be careful though, you could be missing out on some worthy relationships because your standards are so high.

Quiz - Get to know myself

2008-01-07T23:10:00.000+08:00

Saw this on Cindy's blog and decided to try out the quiz. http://www.quizbox.com/personality/test82.aspx

Your view on yourself:
You are intelligent, honest and sweet. You are friendly to everybody and don't like conflict. Because you're so cheerful and fun people are naturally attracted to you and like to talk to you.

The type of girlfriend/boyfriend you are looking for:
You are a true romantic. When you are in love, you will do anything and everything to keep your love true.
Your readiness to commit to a relationship:You are ready to commit as soon as you meet the right person. And you believe you will pretty much know as soon as you might that person.

The seriousness of your love:
You are very serious about relationships and aren't interested in wasting time with people you don't really like. If you meet the right person, you will fall deeply and beautifully in love.

Your views on education:
Education is very important in life. You want to study hard and learn as much as you can.

The right job for you:
You're a practical person and will choose a secure job with a steady income. Knowing what you like to do is important. Find a regular job doing just that and you'll be set for life.

How do you view success:
You are confident that you will be successful in your chosen career and nothing will stop you from trying.

What are you most afraid of:
You are concerned about your image and the way others see you. This means that you try very hard to be accepted by other people. It's time for you to believe in who you are, not what you wear.

Who is your true self:
You are mature, reasonable, honest and give good advice. People ask for your comments on all sorts of different issues. Sometimes you might find yourself in a dilemma when trapped with a problem, which your heart rather than your head needs to solve.

How Do I Get The Best Out Of Life?

2008-01-04T23:04:00.000+08:00

I asked God, "How do I get the best out of life?"

God answered:
"Face your past without regret.
Handle your present with confidence.
Prepare for the future without fear."

Then He added:
"Keep the faith and drop the fear.
Don't believe your doubts and never doubt your beliefs.
Life is wonderful if you know how to live."

It's Better To Regret What You Have Done Than What You Haven't (by Paul Arden)

2008-01-01T03:27:00.000+08:00

Many people reached the age of forty, only to realise they have missed out in life.

In many cases, they had everything going for them, except when teh gauntlet was toosed their way, they lacked teh courage to pick it up.

No one is going to cut off your right arm, take away your motorbike or put you in jail if you don't succeed.

A friend of mine whose father had lnks with th IRA was in a spot of bother, so he went to his father for advice.

He said "Dad, I am in trouble."

The father asked, "Are they going to kill you?"

He said, "Oh no, no."

His father said "Son, then you don't have a problem."

Even when we want to be timid and play it safe, we should pause for a moment to imagine what we might be missing.

I Want (by Paul Arden)

2008-01-01T03:21:00.000+08:00

I want means: if I want it enough, I will get it.

Getting what you want means making the decisions you need to make to get what you want.

Not the decisions those around you think you should make

Making the safe decision is dull, predictable and leads nowhere new.

The unsafe decision causes you to think and respond in a way you hadn't thought of.

************************************************************************************
After I read this, I thought about Moses. When Moses and the children of Israel were pursued by the Egyptians and they were at the banks of the Red Sea, Moses lifted up his staff and parted the Red Sea.

They were at the end of the road and Moses didn't have a choice. It's either do or die. It's either he trust God and make it happen or the 3 million Isralites will perish.

If they had time to take a vote, the Israelites definitely would not approve of him parting the Red Sea with a staff. That was too risky.

But Moses made an unsafe decision, not the decision that he felt the crowd would have wanted him to make. He took a risk. He took a step of faith. God came true. All the Israelites crossed over successfully. Not one perished.

Decisions

2008-01-01T03:12:00.000+08:00

In Pst Tan's message on 'Change Leads to Growth', there is this part which he spoke about decisions.

Decision means you have passed judgement on an issue.

Sometimes we make good decisions, but that doesn't happen all the time.

Which is better? No decision or bad decision?
No decision => means you might live in regret for the rest of your life.
Bad decision => means you might have discovered somethng that doesn't work or gaining an experience in your life.

Many people are afraid to make decisions. Thus, they shunned away from it and leave it hanging in the air, hoping things will work out by itself.

But remember God is on your side. Even times when you make bad decisions, God is able to make ALL thing work together for good to those who love Him, to those who are called according to His purpose.

David made bad decisions before. He committed adultery and murder. But it was through those times when he was able to write some of the most beautiful Psalms and he understood fully the mercy and grace of God.

Think Out Of The Box

2008-01-01T03:06:00.000+08:00

In 1881, Geroge Eastman, a junior clerk left his safe job in a local bank to start a photographic company.

But here is the interesting part.

Seven years later, he changed its name to 'Kodak", an odd chice since it was meaningless and in those days as nobody gave random names to serious products.

Eastman's reasons for choosing the name were that it was short; that it was not open to mispronunciation; and it could not be associated wiht anything else.

Even today, corporations cannot think like that.

Only entrepreneurs can.

*********************************************************************

Recently I heard that a local condomium in town had paid over $100,000 to a small company to think of a nice name for its condomium. They came up with a four letter word 'The _c_n'. A very simple name. What an interesting world.

Hard Times

2007-12-29T01:28:00.000+08:00

Recently I've been learning that life comes down to this:
God is in everything. Regardless of what difficulties I am
experencing at the moment, or what things aren't as I would
like them to be, I look at the circumstances and say,
"Lord, what are you trying to teach me?"
~Catherine Marshall~

Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of
many kinds, because you know that te testing of your fiath develops
perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be
mature and complete, not lacking anything.
~James 1:2-4 NIV~

Thanksgiving

2007-12-29T01:22:00.000+08:00

God gave you a gift of 86, 400 seconds today.
Have you used one to say thanks?
~William Arthur Ward~

There is a legend that tells of two angels who come from heaven each morning and go on their rounds all day long. One is the Angel of Requests, the other the Angel of Thanksgiving and Praise. Each carries a basket. The basket belonging to the Angel of Requests is soon filled to overflowing, for everyone pours into it great handfuls of requests; but when the day is ended the Angel of thanksgiving and Praise has in his Basket only 2 or 3 contributions.

I always remember the above story and since then, I have always want to give thanks to God for everything. Learn to pepper our words with 'thank God'. It helps to remind ourselves of God's goodness. The hardest thing to do may be to give thanks during difficult situations. But like the sacrfice of praise, the thanksgiving becomes precious as we do that in difficult situations.

Joy

2007-12-29T01:18:00.000+08:00

Joy does not depend upon your circumstances;
it depends on your thoughts and upon your relationship with God. ~Dr AR Bernard~

Talk about happiness. The world is sad enough without your woes. ~Ella Wheeler Wilcox~

Forgive, Accept, Believe (In Yourself)

2007-12-29T01:15:00.000+08:00

If you can forgive the person you were,
accept the person you are,
and believe in the person you will become,
you are headed for joy.
So do what is necessary.

My Love Will Get You Home

2007-12-28T23:15:00.000+08:00

Heard a song by Christine Glass entitled 'My Love Will Get You Home' on a TV drama. It sounds nice so I downloaded it. It is the song that you are hearing now. Didn't realise the significance of the lyrics until I read it through. It sounds like something that Jesus would say to us. Lovely song...

****************************************************************************
My Love Will Get You Home (Christine Glass)

If you wander off too far, my love will get you home.
If you follow the wrong star, my love will get you home.
If you ever find yourself, lost and all alone,
get back on your feet and think of me, my love will get you home.
Boy, my love will get you home.

If the bright lights blinds your eyes, my love will get you home.
If your troubles break your stride, my love will get you home.
If you ever find yourself, lost and all alone, get back on your feet and think of me,
my love will get you home.
Boy, my love will get you home.

If you ever feel ashamed, my love will get you home.
If where's only you to blame, my love will get you home.
If you ever find yourself, lost and all alone, get back on your feet and think of me,
my love will get you home.
Boy, my love will get you home.

Are you happy?

2007-12-27T15:41:00.000+08:00

If you had to be the person you are today for the rest of your life, would you be happy?
If the answer is "Absolutely!", keep up the good work.
But if the answer is "Maybe" or for that matter, an outright "No" - then it's time to take
responsibility for your future ... and it's time to start making changes now.

~Adapted from Happiness is... by Dr A R Bernard~

Jelly Beans (Yummy!)

2007-12-25T01:35:00.000+08:00

Today Yuzhen gave me not 1 but 2 bottles of jelly beans! Yummy!

Unknown to many, I have a soft spot for jelly beans. They are my favourite! Jelly beans makes me happy! I can't stay unhappy at the sight of jelly beans. The pretty colours makes me happy. Now I have two bottles of them, I am a happy woman now.

Sadly I can't post the pictures online as there is something wrong with my handphone's camera.

But I just wanna tell Yuzhen, thanks!!! She surely know what I want. She's cool!

Vision (II)

2007-12-24T01:15:00.000+08:00

Vision is like ...
oxygen to the body.
light in the dark.
compass to the lost.
water to the tree.

Without vision, a person will perish and go back to the past. Worse still, if one has no past to go back to, one will come to a standstill or will choose to self deceive to escape the present.

As the year end approaches, it's time to set vision again for year 2008. 7 more days to 2008. What can we expect in year 2008? What we expect is what we will get or even better. God will give us exceedingly, abundantly, above all that we ask or think according to the power that works in us.

What do we see want to see for next year happening in our lives? Faith is substance of things hope for, evidence of things not seen (in the natural). Faith is the foundation for our vision. As we visualise next year, let it become a substance in our spirit and let this substance on the inside of us bring our visions to past next year.

Bill Gates' 11 Rules for the Would-Be Wealthy

2007-12-23T16:19:00.000+08:00

Rule 1 - Life is not fair - Get used to it.

Rule 2 - The world won't care about your self-esteem. The world will expect you to accomplish something BEFORE you feel good about yourself.

Rule 3 - You will NOT make $40,000 a year straight out of high school. You won't be a vice president with a car phone until you earn both.

Rule 4 - If you think that your teacher is tough, wait till you get a boss. He doesn't work for others.

Rule 5 - Flipping burgers is not beneath your dignity. Your grandparents had a different word for burger flipping - they call it OPPORTUNITY.

Rule 6 - If you mess up, it's not your parents' fault. So don't whine about your mistakes, learn from them.

Rule 7 - Before you were born, your parents weren't as broing as they are now. They got that way from paying your bills, cleaning your clothes and listening to you talk about how cool you are. So before you want to save the rain forest from the parasites of your parents' generation, try delousing the closet in your own room.

Rule 8 - Your school may have done away with winners and losers, but life has not. In some schools, they have abolished failing grades and they will give you as many times as you want to get the right answer. This doesn't bear the slightest resemblance to ANYTHING in real life.

Rule 9 - Life is not divided into semesters. You don't get summers off and very few employers are interested in helping you find yourself. Do that on your own time.

Rule 10 - Television is NOT real life. In real life, people acutally have to leave the coffeeshops and go to jobs.

Rule 11 - Be nice to nerds. Chances are you'll end you working for one.

My Promise to Edwin

2007-12-23T15:43:00.000+08:00

I promised Edwin that I will post in my blog in reply to his blog entry dated 17 Dec at http://guezznot26.spaces.live.com/. Sorry Edwin, for the late reply!

And of course the topic of my entry is none other than EDWIN!!! The hot looking hunk, Mr Emerge 2007, the one and only Mr Emerge!

He often tells me that if I were younger, he would go after me. In response, I would always say that if I were younger, I would go after him. Haha, as you can see, we are each other's ego booster. Any time we need words of affirmation in this area, we can look for each other.

He can sing, he can act, he can play guitar, he's a head turner, he has a good build. So hot!!! Haha...

(Edwin: I publicly endorsed you leh. Your ratings will rocket sky high. Haha)

Check him out at his blog today.

Knowing who your God is (follow up from previous entry)

2007-12-17T01:19:00.000+08:00

Notice that Peter asked his audacious question immediately after knowing that the person walking on water was Jesus? Where did Peter have his sudden urge of boldness? It came from knowing who Jesus was. He knew what Jesus could do and the power that Jesus had.

Peter saw how Jesus fed the 5000; how Jesus healed the sick; how Jesus delivered unclean spirits; how Jesus taught the multitudes with great wisdom. He knew who Jesus was and what He could do. Thus, his sudden urge of courage to ask the audacious question came because he knew who His God was.

For example (without any judgemental issues), you wouldn't ask of a beggar for $1 million dollars because you know he wouldn't have. But you can safely know that a billionaire possess $1 million dollars and ask him for it. Why? Because you know who they are and what they can do.

Knowing who our God is enables us to ask audacious questions; simply because we know what our God can do. Peter knew that it was well within the realm of the power of Jesus to enable him to walk on water. So he popped the question and got what he wanted.

Your knowledge of who God is will affect your asking. If you know of God as a small God, you will ask for small things. If you know of God as a big God, you will ask for big things.

Ask, knowing that your God is the one who parted the Red Sea. Ask, knowing that your God can do great things. Ask, knowing that your God is the creator of the universe. Ask, knowing that your God has all power. Ask, knowing that your God is the one who resurrected after three days.

What are you asking for today?

Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.

~Eph 3:20-21~

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

~Phil 4:13~

Those who do wickedly against the covenant he shall corrupt with flattery; but the people who know their God shall be strong, and carry out great exploits.

~Dan 11:32~

Asking Adaciously

2007-12-08T23:50:00.000+08:00

And when the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, “It is a ghost!” And they cried out for fear. But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, “Be of good cheer! It is I; do not be afraid.” And Peter answered Him and said, “Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water.” So He said, “Come.” And when Peter had come down out of the boat, he walked on the water to go to Jesus.

~Matt 14:26-29~

The disciples saw someone walking on water. But Jesus assured them that it was He and asked them not to fear. Peter responded to Jesus by asking Jesus to command him to go to Jesus by walking on water.

Did you notice that after the disciples realised that it was Jesus, none of them reacted except Peter? Peter asked Jesus an audacious question "Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water.” Only Peter responded back to Jesus. His response was an audacious question! Walking on water! Something that is so unthinkable, out of this world! The Message Bible says in Matt 14:28 'Peter, suddenly bold, said, "Master, if it's really you, call me to come to you on the water."'

A key point there. It's about the asking. It's always about the asking. You have not because you asked not. Peter went down in history as the only man after Jesus to walk on water. None of the disciples ever had that kind of experience. Why? Because only Peter had the audacity to ask. He didn't allow fear or hesitancy to stop him. He simply just opened up his mouth to ask. And the rest just only have a share to watch him walk on water.
Dr Bernard also preached that audacity is one of the key ingredients for success. He said of his congregation that he wants them to be so audacious about their goals that when they present them to God, that God can look at them and say 'If you have the audacity to ask me for something like that, I have the power to bring it to pass.'

So have audacity to ask from God. Asking cost nothing but not asking might cost you everything. Be bold! Ask for your dream. Ask for your sales. Ask for your good health. Ask for your blessings. Ask for that house. Ask for that car. Ask for that cellgroup growth. Ask for that school revival! Ask for your family salvation.

Keep asking. Keep on asking. One day, it will come to pass!

Audacious: Fearless, daring, unrestrained by

any sense of lack and inadequacy

Go For It!

What a day at Singtel Hello shop!

2007-12-08T23:29:00.000+08:00

Today I went with Cindy to a Singtel Hello shop at Raffles Place, OUB centre. The shop was rather crowded with people. We took a number at 4pm and our number was 1121. So we chatted and waited around. The shop was small and crowded. There were no seats around and we basically stood around to chat in the limited space. We waited till 4.45pm and we gave up waiting.

Why did we give up waiting? Because the number only moved once! The number took a 'great' leap from 1108 to 1109! That was really 'encouraging' for the both of us! Even the patient Cindy couldn't take it anymore because the number jumped only once in 45 mins. Can you imagine how long we have to wait just to apply for a Singtel Broadband Mobile? We can easily spend half a day waiting, considering we are 12 numbers behind! So, if you fail to take leave during a weekday to apply for a service at this particular Hello shop, I guess you can forget about it.

The service was slow and the staff did not look urgent at wanting to serve their customers. By the way, they were not short handed. There are at least 4 staff at the counter. By the way, the counter was really small and pathetic. The counter was about 1.2m long and it was divided into 4 sections, namely counter 1-4. Can you imagine how close each counter was to each other? Imagine how the staff will be confused which customer was speaking, especially with a loud talking customer.

The whole situation was unprofessional and I wondered how this could happen in a CBD area where time is precious during a weekday. Better service should be expected to raise the standards of Singapore. Even Cindy made this comment, 'I thought this is a Singtel shop, so they should be very profession and efficient. I was a bit disappointed.' Even the good-natured Cindy said that, what else can I say?

Anyway, I am not angry or upset. I am just irritated at the time spent today waiting and the nonchalent attitude of the staff. I guess we might still have a long way to go. But surely and perhaps surely, we will reach there.

I take pleasure in worshipping

2007-12-07T01:00:00.000+08:00

I was reminded of an old song when I was praying. Grattitude just filled my heart as I worship. To worship God is such a tremendous privilege. Worship allows me to touch God's heart as He touches mine. I definitely take pleasure in worshipping God.

I have come to bow down at Your feet Lord Jesus
In Your presence, there is fullness of joy
There is nothing, there is no one to compare with You
I take pleasure in worshipping you Lord
I take pleasure in worshipping you Lord
I take pleasure in worshipping you Lord

The work of Jesus on the cross

2007-12-06T23:56:00.000+08:00

...who in the days of HIs flesh, when He had offered up prayers and supplications, with vehement cries and tears to Him who was able to save Him from death and was heard because of His godly fear, though He was a Son, yet He learned obedience by the things which He suffered.

~Hebrews 5:7-9~

Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay side every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the jou that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls.

~Hebrews 12:1-3~

As I read this verse and 'Saviour King' was playing in the background, I wept as I began to think about what Jesus has done on the cross for us. These two verses aptly describes the work of Jesus on the cross. Because of what He has done on the cross, we are able to run the race with endurance, having a model who has gone before us. He too endured the race till the end and emerged victorious. We too can endure the race till the end and emerge victorious. Because of what He has done on the cross, there is now hope for all of us.

Saviour King

We love you Lord

We worship You

You are our God

You alone are good

You asked Your Son

To carry this

The heavy cross

Our weight of sin

I love you Lord

I worship You

Hope which was lost

Now stands renewed

I give my life

To honour this

The love of Christ

The Saviour King

Stepping Out vs Staying Put

2007-12-05T00:44:00.000+08:00

Today I met a young man who describes himself as a high risker taker. I spoke to him for a while and found his perspective to be very interesting. The way he talked seemed to make you feel that there's nothing to lose. Even if you lose, it's easy to start all over again. A survey done has shown that many of the successful people were high risker takers. Perhaps the way to be success is really to take risk.

I was pondering about Peter's walk on water. Jesus beckoned Peter to walk on water and he did. What went through his mind when he heard that? Did he even stop to think? How did he feel? Many people always pointed out that Peter sank and focused on Jesus question to him 'Why did you doubt, you man of little faith?' But how many applaud his courage and readiness to obey the Lord? Today if Jesus were to say to us 'Come to me' and beckoned you to walk on water, how would we feel?

Perhaps many times, it's not about walking on water but Jesus may have asked us to do something else that requires a step of faith, something that is out of this world, something that may shake us to the core. Something that is of the same intensity as walking on water. How would we react? Shrink away and stay put in the boat with fear or step out of the comfort of a boat and venture out into the icy water?

No matter what, the point is this - Peter didn't drown! Jesus was there to save him. He will never let us drown! All things will work together for good to those who love Him, to those who are called according to His purpose! So how will he let you drown then? Nothing is wasted in life. Peter's experience of walking on water probably taught him a great lesson on faith.

So let's step out and not stay put! God will honour the faith we have for stepping out. Step out!

Another Man Whom I Respect A Great Deal

2007-12-04T02:15:00.000+08:00

Today, I saw a man whom I respect a great deal online. I hardly talk to him online as he is always busy. However, I managed to pluck up my courage and greet him online. I would have thought that that's the end of the conversation.

Surprisingly, he took time to talk to me on msn. He replied and also asked how I was and what I was up to recently. I was taken aback and this was an open-ended question. That means that he was open to talk more. I was really really touched as I knew he was busy. It was also an unearthly hour at 1.15am in the morning. He began to share a bit with me. Usually I would just said ok or great. Instead, I began to share some thoughts with him. He gave his comments too. At the end, he said 'please keep in touch.' The whole conversation lasted only for about 15-20 mins (non-continuous).

I learnt one thing from this person. I learnt what it means to show concern even in the midst of busy-ness. A simple gesture like this made a difference to me. I would have feel that at least he bothered even in the midst of his busy schedule. Not that he needed to do that because I would surely understand his busy-ness. Yet he went the extra mile to do so. By the way, he was still online when I went off at 2.30am in the morning.

Quantity does not mean quality. The words that he said in this short little conversation set me thinking about certain matters. Thank God for this conversation with him. I will surely keep in touch with him. His assurance has set my heart at ease to keep in touch. : )

No inspiration

2007-12-04T02:09:00.000+08:00

Recently, I don't have any inspiration of what to blog about. I always have topics while I am outside and I will write down the general topic but by the time I reached back home, the inspiration seemed to be all gone. The topic was not 'hot' anymore in my heart. I have been racking my brains over what to write but I really have no idea. My entries come from my thinking and pondering over issues. Does it mean that I am not thinking and pondering as much as before? Hmm, I better get back the habit then. New blog entries coming soon!

The Dragonboat Tragedy

2007-11-27T22:40:00.000+08:00

The headlines these few days on the newspapers and news time on TV was about the Dragonboat Tragedy that happened in Cambodia. I have been looking the news closely. Although I don't know anyone of them, my heart felt for the family members as well as the young lives that were lost.

Life is vulnerable and unpredictable. Who would have known that a competition overseas which the sportsmen have been to countless of times would result in a tragedy like this? My heart went out to the family members. It must have been a terrible shock and grief for them.

In particular, I remembered reading an interview with the father of one of the victims. He said that his son was rarely at home due to his busy schedule in school and with trainings. His son would travel frequently for overseas competitions and the family would rarely know when he was flying. He also mentioned that his son came back home past midnight the night before he was due to fly and was looking for his passport. The son left early next morning for Cambodia. The father lamented how he wished he could have been able to talk to him son before he went off, so that he could tell him to be careful and take care. Now he regrets not being able to say the last words to his son.

This report caught my attention as I being to wonder about the unpredictability of life. Many times, I have taken for granted that things would always stay status quo and nothing would ever change. Perhaps things would happen to others but it would never happen to me. This is always been my complacent attitude until I read this report.

I realised that I need to spend more time with my family, whom I have taken for granted most of the time. I have always been a independent person who likes to have my personal space. I also like to spend time with my friends and outside doing my own stuff. I would rarely have time to be at home.

However, recently, I have been spending a lot of time at home and been having dinner at home more. I saw how happy my parents were when I did that. It didn't take a lot of effort on my part yet it brought them happiness. I had more time to listen to my mum as she always loves to recount the past - especially the difficulties she had when she was pregnant with me, how I was a late bloomer in talking and walking. By the way, I only started talking and walking when I was nearing 3 years old! My grandparents and my parents thought I was a mute! Hmm, that explains my chatty-ness now. It's to make up for the lost time! Haha.... I had more time to talk to my father about politics too. My dad is a politics bluff, especially with Taiwan politics. Little wonder where I inherited my political interest from. Just yesterday, I even had the time to sit down and dress my younger brother's wounds when he cut his finger.

Anyway, I know I will start to spend more time with my family members now. They are the closest and dearest persons to me and I know that whatever happens, I can count on them. : )

Winners vs Losers

2007-11-25T17:59:00.000+08:00

WHEN A WINNER MAKES A MISTAKE, HE SAYS 'I WAS WRONG.'
When A Loser Makes A Mistake, He Says 'It Wasn't My Fault.'

A WINNER WORKS HARDER THAN A LOSER AND HAS MORE TIME.
A Loser Is Always Too Busy To Do What Is Necessary.

A WINNER GOES THROUGH A PROBLEM.
A Loser Goes Around It, And Never Gets Pass It.

A WINNER MAKES COMMITMENTS.
A Loser Makes Promises.

A WINNER SAYS 'I'M GOOD BUT NOT AS GOOD AS I OUGHT TO BE.'
A Loser Says 'I'm Not As Bad As A Lot Of Other People.'

A WINNER RESPECTS THOSE WHO ARE SUPERIOR TO HIM AND TRIES TO LEARN SOMETHING FROM THEM.
A Loser Resents Those Who Are Superior To Him And Tries To Find Chinks In Their Armour.

A WINNER FEELS RESPONSIBLE FOR MORE THAN HIS JOB.
A Loser Says 'I Only Work Here.'

A WINNER SAYS 'THERE OUGHT TO BE A BETTER WAY TO DO IT.'
A Loser Says 'That's The Way It's Always Been Done Here.'

THE CHOICE IS YOURS ... CHOOSE TO BE A WINNER!

Dreaming of Australia

2007-11-17T23:50:00.000+08:00

http://www.todayonline.com/articles/222186.asp

Saw this article a few days ago on women travelling by themselves. Wow! It's so cool! I like to travel by myself too. Else, just a few close friends will do. Not too big a group though. Big groups always have many differing opinions. In the end, they will most probably break up into small groups to travel too. Finding like-minded people to travel is definitely a pleasure - especially when you have the same agenda and venues to visit.

Surprisingly, I am not really a heavy shopper. Probably just for one day but I will probably spend the rest of the time visiting places of interest. That would be really nice!

I am hoping to go back to Australia next year end to take a look. Planning to go Brisbane (my hometown for 2 years!) then visit the 4 worlds there. How can I forget about Sunshine coast and Goldcoast? Then will go and visit all my favourite shops in Brissy. It would be really nice meeting up all the old friends there too, not forgetting to pay Dunamis Christian Centre, my spiritual home, a visit. Not forgetting, my uni! University of Queensland! I will visit the Great Court. It's the place where I always lie down on the grass and do my studies under the warm sun. It would be great to visit my professors there. Ooo...

Then I will go backpacking in Sydney and Melbourne, visiting all the places of interest and staying at a backpackers' hotel there. The backpackers' hotel there is really really decent. There are sufficient facilities there and most importantly, the price is cheap! I have never fancy backpacking when I was younger but now, as I get older, I become more adventurous.. Haha...

Wow, that sounds really relaxing huh... That means I have to work very very hard from now till then to realise this dream and I will! Heh... Now back to dreaming about Australia again....

Spinning Around...

2007-11-16T19:37:00.000+08:00

Lately, I have been feeling giddy again. I don't mean a one time off giddiness but daily for almost half the time. Of course it's not so bad that I will faint. But the world seemed to be spinning at a slow pace. The worst ones are times when I would feel really nauseous.

I visited the doctor before and she said it's something like migraine. Mirgraine occurs on a frequent basis. So does my giddiness. Then she put me on pills which I stopped taking for almost 1 month till this week. This week, the different thing I did was that I woke up earlier in the morning and returned home later at night. Besides that, I don't think I am really working myself very hard. At least not like before.

Whatever it is, I pray for complete healing to come upon me.

By His Stripes, I Am Healed!

Ps 94:16-23

2007-11-15T17:40:00.000+08:00

Ps 94:16-23

Who will rise up for me against the evildoers?

Who will stand up for me against the workers of iniquity?

Unless the Lord had been my help,

My soul would soon have settled in silenced.

If I say, “My foot slips.”

Your mercy, O Lord, will hold me up.

In the multitude of anxieties within me,

Your comfort delights my soul.

Shall the throne of iniquity,

Which devises evil by law,

Have fellowship with You?

They gather together against the life of the righteous,

And condemn the innocent blood.

But the Lord has been my defense,

And my God the rock of my refuge.

He has brought on them their own iniquity,

And shall cut them off in their own wickedness;

The Lord Our God shall cut them off.

Challenges and Trials

2007-11-15T17:39:00.000+08:00

Today I had a chance to lunch with a man whom I respect a lot. His words, his vision always left me very impressed and inspired. Though the lunch was a short one lasting only 45 mins. It was enough to set me thinking the whole day.

He shared about the difficulties when he first started out in his life - ministry and career. He spoke about how God chastened him when he was younger as a Christian. It took two whole years! God was silent on him for two years! Imagine that! That must be the worse time in his life. He shared that he felt so unsure about himself. Not only that, the leadership also 'discipled' him and he felt like giving up everyday.

At the end he said this "I became a more broken and humbled man. I lost the 'self' in me and became more submitted to Christ. All I want now is to do God's will. Whatever the Lord wants me to do, I will do it."

Wow! Everyone will go through that chastening and breaking period where you feel that all is gone and daily you struggle with thoughts of giving up. If you have not experience that yet, congrats cos yours will come soon. If you have experience that, you will totally understand what I am writing here.

The thoughts of defeats, the thoughts of giving up comes upon us daily. We start to wonder if you are doing the right thing. It doesn't help when Satan is the accuser. When he starts to plant thoughts in your minds. When all the small voices start to speak about how bad a person you are.

But all these are necessary for God to use you in an even greater measure. He said that through that, he found his calling. Actually he took about 5 years to realise what God actually wants him to do. Through all the chastening, now he's ready to embark on what God has set for him to do.

Like what Pastor Ulf Ekman said, sometimes sufferings, chastening, challenges are necessary to make us into the person that God can use for His plan. No one enjoys that moment of slip, that fall, that blunder, that challenge, that trial. But once we respond correctly, we are set for His will.

I believe that Peter's denial of Jesus has broke him. He not only wept, but he wept bitterly. Through this breaking, only then could Jesus restore him and give him his calling. He was ready to feed and tend the sheep.

I believe that all of us will have have our own stories to share one day about how your chastenings, challenges and trials. But before telling, first of all, we have to walk that path. After walking that path and emerging victorious, we can share the story with the others about how He brought us through.

He must increase, but I must decrease.

Living For Him (I)

2007-11-14T00:50:00.000+08:00

I was listening to Ps Phil's sermon when he said this:

"There may be days when you want to die, when you think it would be easier to die

and that would be sweeter answer to your life than living for Christ.

It's way more difficult to live for Christ than to die for Him.

To live for Him when you hit times of depression, discouragement, failures, you hang in there because

you know this is part of your development. This is part of what God is shaping you into."

Phil 1:23-24

For I am hard-pressed between the two, having a desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better. Nevertheless to remain in the flesh is more needful for you.

What was Paul's result of remaining in the flesh?

On one hand, he faced imprisonments, beatings, stonings, betrayal by his disciple Demas, ship wrecks, etc.

On the other hand, the result of him remaining in the flesh was people getting healed, spreading the gospel, building churches, raising up strong leaders such as Titus, Timothy, etc.

Remaining in the flesh may require a price yet the day when God say to us 'Well done, my good and faithful servant. Enter into the joy of the Lord.'

That would have been worth everything.

Phil 4:11-13

2007-11-14T00:41:00.000+08:00

Phil 4:11-13
Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

To be able to come to a place where Paul could qualify himself to say v11-13, he must have gone through a lot. Yet in all, he relied on the strength of God. Knowing how to be abased and how to abound is a quality that one must possess in life to survive. But the key to be victorious on life is knowing that it's Christ who strengthens us through all things.

I CAN DO ALL THINGS THROUGH CHRIST WHO STRENGTHENS ME!

Carola Häggkvist - I'll Never Walk Without You

2007-11-12T20:47:00.000+08:00

Lyrics

When autumn comes and leaves are falling down
The smallest seed of life fall to the ground
When early morning rise light my day
The evening shadows turn my soul to pray

That's how I know You are near
That's how I know I need no fear
When early morning comes light up my day
I'll never walk without You

When autumn comes and leaves are falling down
The smallest seed of life fall to the ground
When early morning rise light my day
The evening shadows turn my soul to pray

That's how I know You are near
That's how I know I need no fear
When early morning comes light up my day
I'll never walk without You

The greatest of them all is love
It conquers all the storms in my life
It shelters all the tears that I have cried
I'll never walk without You (without You)

Slack-a-holic

2007-11-08T01:02:00.001+08:00

Someone said today I was a workaholic. I always work very hard always, spend day and night working and being focused. I am still focused now but I focus on being slack now. So that same person called me a slack-a-holic. This shows in whatever I do, I am always always very focused. I put in 100%. Haha....

Down with Sore Throat

2007-11-07T20:06:00.000+08:00

Throat pain... haiz.. ate too much chili crab noodles... kept craving for spicy food nowadays... need liang cha...

Classical Music

2007-11-06T16:07:00.001+08:00

I have been listening to classical music and instrumental pieces lately. Recently, I just watched Jay Chou's movie on 'Secrets' and my love for classical and instrumental music was stirred up once again.

It has been such a long time since I listened to these music. I haven't been around at home enough to listen to these pieces.

Why can't I put it in MP3 player? The reason is that I like to listen to classical and instrumental pieces with my stereo fully blasted. This way, one can experience the full magnificience behind the pieces with its notes tingling your emotions. Imagine sitting on a massage chair listening to the pieces. Wow! What an enjoyment! What I lack now is a massage chair.

Anyway, back to the story, so by the time I reached home, it's always late at night. Sadly, I can't blast my stereo. Neither am I at home on weekends.

Opera is the same too! Blast it full on to experience the tingling emotions that the music and the voice will leave on you.

Think it's time I continue to explore this love area of mine. Ps Kong has been talking about one being asthetic. Guess it's a good time to cultivate this area now. Now I have Tchaikovsky's secretive-sounding piece of Sleeping Beauty playing in the background. Of course it's fully blasted now. Why secretive? Listen to the piece and you will know. *smile*

Arise & Build 2007

2007-11-04T03:09:00.000+08:00

Today was Arise and Build 2007.

The feeling of this year's A&B is different. Pastor Kong did not really challenge us on this actual day to give or to rethink our amounts. Most probably it's because our congregation has come to another level of maturity. In addition, the preparation work before this was done well as most members probably have come prepared to give an amount that represents their sacrifice to God.

Nonetheless, as I give, tears streamed down my eyes, like previous years. Each time there is A&B, so much emotions just goes through my mind. Just the thought alone of building God a magnificient house is enough to overwhelm me. I feel so privilege that I am able to be part of this building project. Unequal amount, but truly it's a sacrifice.

I remembered after we shifted into Jurong West building, we stopped A&B for a few years. I actually felt lost then and I felt that I had missed the opportunities to be able to give. Giving to offerings was good but giving to build God a house is an entirely different experience. We are building it from scratch, from nothing to something.

Then shortly a few years later, we outgrew JW building. I was secretly elated. I had the opportunity to give again to build God yet another great house! We always go from glory to glory and strength to strength. I believe that this stadium we are going to build will be an even more glorious house for the Lord.

A magnificient house for the magnificient Lord. Wow!

I Can Be Rich Too!

2007-11-04T03:00:00.000+08:00

Singapore's Millionaires Increase at Fastest Pace in World

June 10, 2007 (Bloomberg) -- The number of millionaires in Singapore rose at the fastest pace in the world in 2004, according to a report by Cap Gemini & Merrill Lynch & Co.

Singapore millionaires rose 22.4 percent to 48,500, the report said. In the U.S. the number increased 10 percent to 2.5 million and in Hong Kong they rose by 18.8 percent to 67,500. Asia had 2.3 million millionaires last year, up 8.2 percent, the research showed.

China's economic growth of 9.5 percent last year drove economic growth across the Asia Pacific region, the report said, and the world's most populous nation will continue to generate new wealth. Wealth globally swelled to $30.8 trillion by the end of 2004.

I CAN BE RICH TOO!

Speak It!

2007-11-01T01:10:00.000+08:00

God created the entire universe with His Words. There was no one there whom He was talking to. He spoke the world into existence. So the first purpose for our words is not for communication. It's for CREATION.

Speak things into existence. Maintain things through your words. What you say have a far greater effect than you think it has. Sometimes we dismantle the very world we created by our negative words.

Command your world to change. Let the weak SAY I am strong. Let the poor SAY I am rich. Don't depend on what your physical eyes can see. The entire kingdom does not move by sight. It moves in the realm of faith. God has given us the authority to create the world we want. So use that authority today.

Speak it until you believe it. Speak it until it becomes a substance on the inside. Speak it until it becomes a vision. Speak it until it becomes a reality.

Too Busy For A Friend

2007-10-26T22:55:00.000+08:00

26/10/07 (Friday)

One day a teacher asked her students to list the names of the other students in the room on two sheets of paper, leaving a space between each name. Then she told them to think of the nicest thing they could say about each of their classmates and write it down.It took the remainder of the class period to finish their assignment, and as the students left the room, each one handed in the papers. That Saturday, the teacher wrote down the name of each student on a separate sheet of paper, and listed what everyone else had said about that individual. On Monday she gave each student his or her list. Before long, the entire class was smiling. 'Really?' she heard whispered. 'I never knew that I meant anything to anyone!' and, 'I didn't know others liked me so much.' were most of the comments.

No one ever mentioned those papers in class again. She never knew if they discussed them after class or with their parents, but it didn't matter. The exercise had accomplished its purpose. The students were happy with themselves and one another. That group of students moved on. Several years later, one of the students was killed in Viet Nam and his teacher attended the funeral of that special student. She had never seen a serviceman in a military coffin before. He looked so handsome, so mature.The church was packed with his friends. One by one those who loved him took a last walk by the coffin. The teacher was the last one to bless the coffin As she stood there, one of the soldiers who acted as pallbearer came up to her. 'Were you Mark's math teacher?' he asked. She nodded: 'yes.' Then he said: 'Mark talked about you a lot.'

After the funeral, most of Mark's former classmates went together to a luncheon. Mark's mother and father were there, obviously waiting to speak with his teacher. 'We want to show you something,' his father said, taking a wallet out of his pocket. 'They found this on Mark when he was killed. We thought you might recognize it.' Opening the billfold, he carefully removed two worn pieces of notebook paper that had obviously been taped, folded and refolded many times. The teacher knew without looking that the papers were the ones on which she had listed all the good things each of Mark's classmates had said about him. 'Thank you so much for doing that,' Mark's mother said. 'As you can see, Mark treasured it .'All of Mark's former classmates started to gather around. Charlie smiled rather sheepishly and said, 'I still have my list. It's in the top drawer of my desk at home.' Chuck's wife said, 'Chuck asked me to put his in our wedding album.' 'I have mine too,' Marilyn said 'It's in my diary.'Then Vicki, another classmate, reached into her pocketbook, took out her wallet and showed her worn and frazzled list to the group 'I carry this with me at all times,' Vicki said and without batting an eyelash, she continued: 'I think we all saved our lists.' That's when the teacher finally sat down and cried. She cried for Mark and for all his friends who would never see him again.The density of people in society is so thick that we forget that life will end one day. And we don't know when that one day will be. So please, tell the people you love and care for, that they are special and important. Tell them, before it is too late.

Interesting Signs

2007-10-26T01:34:00.000+08:00

26/10/07 (Friday)

Give Us A Break!

This is the sign on the back of those blue London 'driver under instruction' buses that London Transport use to teach bus drivers how to, er, drive buses. It's incredibly disarming.

Is Less Better Or More Better?

Sometimes less is more...

A haunting reminder to tie your shoe-laces

What Would You Exchange For Your Soul?

2007-10-26T00:18:00.000+08:00

26/10/07 (Friday)

For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul? ~ Matt 16:26

Esau exchanged up his birthright for a bowl of red bean soup.
Judas gave up his destiny for 30 pieces of silver.
Gehazi, Elisha's disciple, fell from grace because of his greed.
Demas, Paul's disciple, left his ministry because he could not take any hardship.

What will a man give in exchange for his soul?

Walk the narrow way.

And whoever does not bear his cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple. ~ Matt 14:27

When Life Is Less Than Pefect

2007-10-24T16:53:00.000+08:00

24/10/07 (Wednesday)

Every life has difficulties. It may be a difficult mariage, chronic pain, depression, painful childhood memories, past mistakes, or emotional pain. Maybe we have begged God to take it away but it's still there. One thing is true: God has the power to change our circumstances - so it is acceptable to ask Him to do just that.

Paul asked the Lord three times to take away his thorn in the flesh. Christ prayed the night before He was crucified, My Father, if it is possible, let this cup be passed from me.

Even in their willingness to do God's will, there was an expressed desire that God take the hard thing away. In both cases, God chose not to grant their requests because there was more important good to come.

When bad things happen:

1) See things from God's perspective. A 'no' from God allows us to step back and look at the larger picture, perhaps to even understand His reasons.

2) Depend of God. Pain and weaknesses keep us in touch with your vulnerability and in touch with your need for God and others. Trust in God.

3) Let difficulties provide character. Just as physical muscles are developed in the hard work of pullling or pushing against weight or gravity, our spiritual muscles are developed in the hard work of living in less than perfect circumstances. There is no other way for some character traits to be developed. We also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulations brings about perseverance, and perseverance, proven character, and proven character, hope (Rom 5:3-4)

4) Expect God to use it. He wil use areas of weaknesses and vulnerability in your life for His purposes. It is more natural to hide those things rather than risk misunderstanding, embarassment, or disrespect from those do not know how to respond to the reality of human limitations. But Paul said that God wants us to boast about our weaknesses - puttng them right out there in plain view.

Job vs Ministry

2007-10-24T16:44:00.001+08:00

24/10/07 (Wednesday)

Some people have a JOB in the church;
others involved themselves in a MINISTRY.

What's the difference?

If you are doing it just because no one else will, it's a JOB.
If you are doing it to serve the Lord, it's a MINISTRY.

If you quiet because somebody criticised you, it's a JOB.
If you keep on serving, it's a MINISTRY.

If you will do it only as long as it does not interfere with your other activities, it's a JOB.
If you are committed to staying with it even if it means letting go of other things, it's a MINISTRY.

If you quit because no one praised you or thanked you, it is a JOB.
If you stay with it even though nobody recognises your efforts, it is a MINISTRY.

It's hard to get excited about a JOB.
It's almost impossible not to be excited about a MINISTRY.

If your concern is success, it is a JOB.
If your concern is faithfulness, it is MINISTRY.

An average church (cellgroup) is filled with people doing JOBs.
A great and growing church (cellgroup) is filled with people involved in MINISTRY.

Are you doing a JOB or a MINISTRY?

God is good

2007-10-23T15:56:00.000+08:00

23/10/07 (Tuesday)

For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. ~ Jer 29:11

And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. ~ Rom 8:28

"All my failings surely would have drowned me, still You made a way."

Missing my life in Australia

2007-10-23T00:55:00.000+08:00

23/10/07 (Tuesday)

Today I was reminiscing about my life in Australia two years ago. Just a short introduction... I went to Australia and studied in University of Queensland for two years and came back with a Degree in International Relations, Communications and Language.

I kind of miss the independent lifestyle that I have there where I stayed alone and had space of my own. Though it was not exactly that comfortable as that means that I have to do my own laundry, cook my own meals, do my own grocery shopping, etc yet that was when I really learnt what it means to stand alone, to be independent. I miss that kind of independence. Life is comfortable now staying with my family. Meals are prepared, clothes are washed, ironed and folded neatly, food appears in the fridge, things get stocked up when it runs out.

But a comfortable life, a comfortable zone is not what I like. I am a weird person. I like to do things that are uncomfortable, because that's when I learn to stretch and grow as a person.

Unbelievably, I used to cook a lot in Australia. I would pick out a new receipe each day and try it out. I would bake too! Though I was less successful at that. Ask Mervyn and he will give you his two cents worth of comments about my rock cakes.

And strangely, I am so independent that I would not get home sick. I miss my family but I would not miss home so much that I would keep crying. I transit and settle down quite fast. Fact is when I go overseas for trips, I don't miss home at all! Haha, I think I will make a good missionary then.

In Singapore, it's a luxury to stay alone. In Singapore, space is so confined that it probably only means your bedroom. For some of us, we don't even have that luxury if we share rooms.

Space is important to me. I love my family, my friends. Yet, I love my personal time too. Time spend alone in thoughts, with God, doing the things that I like is precious especially in Singapore.

I wonder if I would ever have the chance to live that independent lifestyle again. I wonder how does it feel once more? I continue to reminisce....

Fellowship with some SOT leaders and Alumni

2007-10-23T00:23:00.000+08:00

23/10/07 (Tuesday)

Today had dinner with Terence, Yuzhen, Lynn and William. Edwin pointed out to me that this is the SOT people (except William who is an Alumni). Haha... Didn't even realised it till he said that.

We had dinner at New York New York. The food was okay, though not the fanta-bulous kind. We were supposed to meet at 6.30pm. Guess what? Lynn only came at 8plus! She came out of her house only at 7.30pm at Boon Lay! Faintz! She was so nua that she forgot the time.

Though the food was average, what fancintated us and brought us back to childhood was the candy floss machine churning out apple-flavoured candy floss! Yummy!

What does it take to cheer an uncle up? Candy floss! Look at Terence who's wearing a formal shirt and eating candy floss. What a mismatch! Haha!

Lynn looks young with her candy floss. Put her alongside with the P6 kids, you can't tell the difference.

After New York New York, we headed for Cartel for the 50% discount on cakes (after 9pm!). Look at the spread below!

What a sinful meal! This is going to be 5km of run, 500 of crunches, 4000 steps of skipping. Haiz.... All for a moment of pleasure... Vainity Vainity... All is vainity...

Making a Difference

2007-10-22T23:41:00.000+08:00

22/10/07 (Monday)

Ps Tan preached a great message yesterday on <>. Something so powerful yet a simple truth. We are called to be the light of the world and salt of the earth. Today, if you are not around anymore, will others miss your presence? Did someone's life change because of you? Did you make a difference in someone else's life? Sometimes we think what difference would it make? There are far too many problems to be solved, too many needs to be met, too many hurts to be healed. But it will make a difference to that individual and to God. The value of our lives is not measured by how much we earn. The value of our lives is measured by how much difference we make in this world, in others' lives.

In the book "Tuesdays with Morrie". Morrie had a disease and he knew he would pass away soon. He held a 'living funeral' in his living room to celebrate his death. He gotten people who attended to laugh instead of cry. He also gotten them to share about what he had done in their lives in his lifetime. At the end of the 'living funeral', he knew he had made a difference in their lives. He went around and gave them all a big hug.

I always have a a wish like him - that one day, in my funeral, people will each come to me and tell me what I have done in their lives, no matter big or small. And I know I will hear from heaven, knowing that my life has been worthwhile living for Jesus; knowing that I was a star thrower.

For to me, living means living for Christ, and dying is even better. But if I live, I can do more fruitful work for Christ. So I really don’t know which is better. I’m torn between two desires: I long to go and be with Christ, which would be far better for me. But for your sakes, it is better that I continue to live. Knowing this, I am convinced that I will remain alive so I can continue to help all of you grow and experience the joy of your faith.~Phil 1:21-25 (NLT)

" I made a difference to that starfish."

Gang's Reunion! 8 years of friendship....

2007-10-19T01:27:00.000+08:00

19/10/07 (Friday)

Finally I have a chance to sit down and blog about the BIG THING! Gang's Reunion!

It's been ages and ages since the 10 of us met up as a full Gang! Each time we meet, somebody will be missing. For once, we can remiscise the old days as a full body of the Gang.

It was Cindy and Wenhui's birthday and we celebrated by eating Shanghai hotpot and had a leisure drink at TCC. The feeling of meeting up with old friends is so good. Perhaps because I am older now, I cherish friendships more now. It used to be that I will spend time pursuing other things. Friendships were not the priority. It's only when one is more mature that one can truly appreciate the full value of friends.

No More Emerge...

2007-10-19T01:07:00.000+08:00

19/10/07 (Friday)

No More Emerge.... No More Emerginia Chia....

It's my honour that I was involved with that last Emerge for 2007. Not one, but three of them! Wow! What a privilege!