Jacob's space In His Time

What can I do?

2011-11-07T02:09:00.003+08:00

There is a longing only You can fill....

My deliverer, I will wait for you oh Lord, for Your mighty hand to save...

When all crumbles in, when all fails, where can I go? what can I do? but to look to You...

I hope I run to You straight away rather than lean on my strength

Redeemed(:

2011-09-25T23:40:00.003+08:00

I know I'm weak,

I know I'm unworthy to call upon Your name.

but because of Grace,

because of Your mercy

I stand here unashamed......

What on Earth am I here for?

2011-08-30T02:03:00.002+08:00

DISCIPLESHIP- You were created to become like Christ

Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus.- Phillippians 2:5

Flipping in the newspapers with the fallen regime in Libya, the picture that stared at me was the similar scene of blood stains on the ground in pools surrounding fallen/abandoned bodies without the reach of medical treatment, like the one that I met in Phnom Penh.

Pray for the new people in government to show compassion in the face of contemplating the very immediate gratification of taking revenge against followers of the former leader.

What on Earth am I here for?

2011-08-27T11:46:00.002+08:00

excerpt from Rick Warren

"For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do." - Ephesians 2:10

WORSHIP- You were planned for God's pleasure

"Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength."

- Mark12:30

Love the Lord your God
With all your heart
With all your soul
With all your mind
And with all your strength

With all my heart
With all my soul
With all my mind
And with all my strength

I will serve the Lord
With all my heart
With all my soul
With all my mind
And with all my strength

With all my heart
With all my soul
With all my mind
And with all my strength

I will love You Lord
With all my heart
With all my soul
With all my mind
And with all my strength

I will love You
And I will serve You
And I will praise You
For all my days yeah
And I will love You
I will love You
Yes, I will love You

its time

2011-08-24T23:05:00.006+08:00

Having kept this at the back of my head for the past few months owing to distractions all over and the work at school that has been overflowed with tasks to do.
It has been wonderful celebrating in this space.
But perhaps its a good time to start exploring prayers for others in world that need it.

And its one of the things I have to learn to lay down and let God take over this space more.

it's not a good bye, but a 'see-you-later', just like the resurrection and eternal life promised to in placing your faith with the Father(:

Taking Him everywhere I go

2011-08-10T22:06:00.006+08:00

This song and a few others accompanied on an uncanny night at school, typing out reflections that were long overdued.Thankful for the quiet moments(:
and lesson learning to complete my work more efficiently!

Your convictions?

2011-08-10T20:39:00.004+08:00

The height of your accomplishment will equal the depth of your convictions

-William F. Scolavino-

Just blessed to glean from philosophers though they get really deep sometimes

Pause

2011-07-28T00:07:00.004+08:00

In the myraid of emotions that whizzes past me this week, of work demands, relationships, ministry.. I open the letter containing updates that come from Campus Crusade, usually reflections from the country leader which I had started to receive when I got on board supporting a friend of mine, though she has completed her short term internship with them and moving into studies. this line popped out....

" 'Do not fear what they dear, do not be frightened.' But in your hears, set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect."
1 Peter 3:14-15

Want to be ever equipped and ready and being a light in the marketplace

sings* 'Let your light shine, woahhhhhhh, Let your light shine, woahhhhhhh. Let your light shine and let Jesus shine through you....

May yours too(:

Ouch* pain sia

2011-07-22T01:40:00.006+08:00

don't a lot of people say "the truth hurts?"

so one of these truths or feedback was, "that's like wallowing in self-pity?" after we talked briefly and analysed about this 'working late' thing.
The mind's defensive barrier started to build up, but it was a good wake up call, which will be helpful in charting future days at school.

Remembering to put God first(:

YWAM

2011-07-06T22:31:00.004+08:00

What
about
being
a

Youth

with
a
mission?

pondering tonight, with Radion, and a walk to Cambodia, before the work is screaming to me at the corner. Thank God for wisdom(:

Beautiful One

2011-07-03T02:06:00.002+08:00

Remembering from the time of praise we had for the Father while we begin to celebrate and witness hearts of two individuals joining together and it again appearing while we had the children praise the Lord.

Beautiful One - Tim Hughes

Wonderful, so wonderful
Is Your unfailing love
Your cross has spoken mercy over me
No eye has seen, no ear has heard
No heart could fully know
How glorious, how beautiful you are!

Beautiful One I love You
Beautiful One I adore
Beautiful One my soul must sing

Powerful, so powerful
Your glory fills the skies
Your mighty works displayed for all to see
The beauty of Your majesty
Awakes my heart to sing
How marvellous, how wonderful You are

You opened my eyes to Your wonders anew
You captured my heart with this love
Because nothing on earth is as beautiful as You

My soul, my soul must sing
My soul, my soul must sing
My soul, my soul must sing
Beautiful One

sense of moving

2011-07-03T02:01:00.003+08:00

This
is

space

to
be
dedicated
for
His
glory

before I start again

2011-07-03T01:50:00.003+08:00

You suddenly realised that 24hours is a lot of time, and its really scary when you realised what you did with those hours given daily. A lot more evident when I sit down with a 3rd party to analyse this situation.

This week consolidating materials for parent-teacher conference, still consolidating due to the lack of efficiency on my part, and relying too much on physical self .
While consolidating I saw the wonders in how the children have grown since they came in January, February, March, April,May.

a question beginning my week:
Is my energy going into disciplining the children solely or you will choose to empower them in areas that I as their educator will provide for them.

so before I start again this week, a new week with a different perspective

Thank you Lord for His grace in picking me up when you fall really flat onto the ground .
to work hard and play hard for the Lord(:

Remembering your place

2011-06-18T02:11:00.001+08:00

iamsecond.com

reminded of my placement in life, remember yours(:

Kids some days

2011-06-15T01:45:00.002+08:00

Forgetting to shave cos facial hair's not one of those things that grow really fast on me., while looking on at the dark eye bags that accumulate from late nights such as these,this emerged monday afternoon.

" Teacher Jacob, you have a mouthstache. My daddy too." says the pair of twins under my charge.

and I smiled and laughed while saying, "is that so?oh my....." looking in disbelief
and we laughed even more.

such simple conversations that make you sit a while, pause and admire His creation of these little ones(:

Renewed

2011-06-13T00:00:00.003+08:00

leaving the hustle of being at a physical church on Sunday mornings, which I didn't make plans to go a specific one, it was an opportunity to take a rest, spending the quiet time with the Creator and proper lunch at ease with family around-Joel

It was an evening reviving the way I pray and bring my petitions to the Father,watching how God's people gathering to pray, having witness people praying ever fervently, declaring the needs of this land, for the faith of the future generations on top of the current generation

It was rest that I had not have for a long time. Thank you Lord for your providence this week(:

Quietness

2011-06-11T22:11:00.005+08:00

In a day yesterday, I sent 2 groups of a people in the morning and person in the evening, most indirectly and not physically there, but in energy and spirit that I would have been(:

To be spoken to about God's promised future that He planted in us and an army friend who's future manifest in the few years he studies over there.

in the silence of my household, you allow your thoughts finally to get rested and through in your inner being, without the hustle and bustle of getting completing A today, completing B tomrrow.

and having conversations with a few people that I would not have talked to not for rest tonight, and also reminding me of going to God first, and the encouragement of people gathered in intercession.

stop whining and start moving before I waste the energy on the former.

and thank God for rest(:

Rest

2011-06-05T01:37:00.003+08:00

short word,

means alot to my very hectic world and also for me to Slooooooooooooooooooooooow down a little in my pacing and take in the sights of what HE presents each day walking and doing things I'm placed at(:

conversations

2011-06-03T01:38:00.003+08:00

Food! something physical that I often forget staying back at work. Well, not superhuman ain't I? as the body loves to call upon me when I try too hard.

this week was the week of car conversations about
future plans moving on in working, contemplating the route that the Lord steers to you and whether you're called to a fuller time ministry role
and the other about the affirmation of what you're doing at work.
Which I really enjoyed having both
though the very environmental thought of petrol guzzling away.

Thank you Father(:

YHWH

2011-06-03T01:36:00.002+08:00

"There is no God...."
said the man whose very breath came from One who created it

Comparisions

2011-05-22T01:25:00.003+08:00

Flipping open newspapers, reading off the Radion blog and think of what I am put on the table daily, just makes me grateful once again for what i have been given.
In fast paced society of Singapore, many voices I hear includes myself shouts after a 'increased living standard'. Put that in perspective as I walk on...

Want to remember His power daily instead of just the brief days in a mission trip(:

hope you do too.....

New Era

2011-05-08T02:33:00.003+08:00

Sitting here, behaving like a punter, jotting down the figures from the election results,
witnessing how the opposition has won over the GRC in Aljunid yet empathsising with the PAP suddenly...
Good contest and everybody's eyes on how an opposition will take the lead in bringing the
1st world parliment that was talked about after the buzz of a rousing election and perhaps hype of bringing an alternative voice into the parliment even at the supposed expense of mentioned appointment holders.

For the Lord to watch over this new era moving ahead, for the best interests of the people of this nation.

Redeemed

2011-04-25T06:24:00.005+08:00

Watching Good Friday presentations, being part of a Good Friday/Easter Presentation, remembering the death of Jesus & and the redemptive grace of His love was just rekindling my faith once again.
Thank you Lord,
thank you Jesus
for the pain you bore for a ransom for many so that we were able to receive this eternal gift of grace(:

ChangerMaker

2011-04-15T23:39:00.003+08:00

A gleaning from Joel Loke

Don’t wait. Don’t wait to change the lives and communities around you significantly. Once you discover that you can visualize the next step society should take, and then you discover that you can lead others to turn your visions into reality, you can do anything. The only way to know you are a changemaker is to have been one- and the younger the better. If you changed the world in middle or high school, you will be changing it again and again throughout your life. Becoming a changemaker is quite like getting on a bicycle and mastering its Zen. You will not ‘get’ it by merely reading or thinking about it. If you start too late, it may indeed be too late. What is the key to making your first, life-defining commitment to changing your world? Just give yourself permission. Many will tell you that you cannot. Please ignore them- for those whose lives are limited because they never gave themselves permission, your stepping out stirs regret. That is what you are hearing. Far better to listen to your own imagination

thank God for the week(:

rememebr that time?

2011-04-01T00:26:00.002+08:00

Having opened the quarterly newsletter from Radion, still penning my thoughts returning from Angkor of Faith. Its sometimes I put it so mammoth that I feel this computer screen is just too small to concise what the Lord has done in the week.
The follow up actions/steps just seem like treading water having to return to the bustle of work life, focusing on working with 'your' children' at the centres that the children you met in Siem Reap seem to be compartmentalised into a section of your head. the rejoices and thanksgiving at each corner whenever a few of us just sit down and start with a
'Remember that time in Cambodia..."

Praise the Lord!(:

Leading on...

2011-03-30T01:26:00.001+08:00

Savior I come
Quiet my soul remember
Redemptions hill
Where Your blood was spilled
For my ransom
Everything I once held dear
I count it all as lost

Lead me to the cross
Where Your love poured out
Bring me to my knees
Lord I lay me down
Rid me of myself
I belong to You
Lead me, lead me to the cross

You were as I
Tempted and trialed
You are
Te word became flesh
Bore my sin and death
Now you're risen

To your heart
To your heart
Lead me to your heart
Lead me to your heart

Lead me Oh Father....

Romans 8

2011-03-13T00:25:00.003+08:00

Life Through the Spirit

¹ Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, ² because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death. ³ For what the law was powerless to do because it was weakened by the flesh, God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh to be a sin offering. And so he condemned sin in the flesh, ⁴ in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.

⁵ Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. ⁶ The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace. ⁷ The mind governed by the flesh is hostile to God; it does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so.

⁸ Those who are in the realm of the flesh cannot please God.

⁹ You, however, are not in the realm of the flesh but are in the realm of the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, they do not belong to Christ. ¹⁰ But if Christ is in you, then even though your body is subject to death because of sin, the Spirit gives life because of righteousness. ¹¹ And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies because of his Spirit who lives in you.

¹² Therefore, brothers and sisters, we have an obligation—but it is not to the flesh, to live according to it. ¹³ For if you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live.

¹⁴ For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God. ¹⁵ The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba,Father.” ¹⁶ The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. ¹⁷ Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.

Present Suffering and Future Glory

¹⁸ I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. For the creation waits in eager expectation for the children of God to be revealed. For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope ²¹ that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the freedom and glory of the children of God.

²² We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. ²³ Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption to sonship, the redemption of our bodies. ²⁴ For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what they already have? ²⁵ But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.

²⁶ In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. ²⁷ And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God.

²⁸ And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. ²⁹ For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified.

More Than Conquerors

³¹ What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? ³² He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? ³³ Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. ³⁴ Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. ³⁵ Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?
³⁶ As it is written:

“For your sake we face death all day long;
we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.”

³⁷ No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, ³⁹ neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

God of this City

2011-03-13T00:09:00.004+08:00

tonight as I prepare to sleep for the next 2, 2 1/2 hours, and finally clearing majority of my work before approaching it again when I return..
to reflect what I wrote last entry embarking to Cambodia last year.
Remembering how massive His power can be watching cities crumbling at the quick work of the Earthquake and to rely on the power of prayer ever more walking this week.

been soaking in a myriad of songs from contemporary, soothing tunes possibly for children's naptime, the hillsongs inspirations, children's songs, songs from AOF which I turned it down to approach it in Cambodia with a new heart& also tunes I remember from my first mission trip with crusade to Phetchabun, Thailand, where I witness the mime by Corneylus with Phoebe&Ian singing to the song, "No Sacrifice".

to remember that His life is higher than mine embarking this week in one of God's city, soften the ground and calling the children of heaven(:

To you I give the gifts

Your love has given me

How can I hoard the treasures that you've designed for free?

Because

Your thoughts are higher than mine

Your words are deeper than mine

Your love is stronger than mine

This is no sacrifice

Here's my life

To you I give my future

As long as it may last

To you I give my present

To you I give my past

Because

Your thoughts are higher than mine

Your words are deeper than mine

Your love is stronger than mine

Your thoughts are higher than mine

Your words are deeper than mine

Your love is stronger than mine

This is no sacrifice

Here's my life

routines

2011-03-05T00:54:00.003+08:00

These 3 weeks since Chinese New Year ended revolved around display boards(especially), finding my teaching style, organisational style, understanding colleagues better, building my relationship with the children.

I'm coming to terms with the fact that its work, and the slogan 'work never ends' is quite prevalent in my line of work. Unless there's no children left in the centre, work is bound to continue, and the motion just goes on like a water wheel, rolling as long there's a water current going through.

so the fact is I have take momentarily rest, or 'Sabbaths' just to stop that motion after spending 12plus hours each week night, working towards a seemingly poly assignment deadline, and more starts interjecting in the week.

Especially on my night walks home from the MRT, just to hold on to a little more of my faith and lesser on my own strength, knowing I don't have lots of free saturdays, evenings to spend quietening my heart for HIM lest meet up with dear people around me for dinners that I use to during army days.

Been turning to 98.7fm's top 20 countdown for just some company apart from the ocassional Senior Teacher who's as work focused on friday nights for the evening company, reaslising how little songs though with good beat, how no sense some of it makes, and dee jays who just fill our minds with mindless conversations that keep the cutting, pasting, a little 'thinking out of the box' at random laughters when designs appear different from how you planned it to be.

Thanking God each day, each week for what I wake up to each time.
To be ever grateful for what He's done(:

My children's potential & my thankfulness

2011-02-26T01:00:00.007+08:00

days in school while I reflected on blog. as they get longer, the entries start turning up like dots, joining up one by one in the sky line. like this one here

Learning to be thankful(:

2 'S'-es

2011-02-19T23:55:00.003+08:00

S- igns

Signs for me to be part of the Angkor of Faith this year, with renewed leave, with renewed help, Use me Lord for Your glory...

S - wift

It was a 'Carpe Diem' moment that happened tonight having decided that a previlege to be part of the journey in Cambodia this year. The concentration to book the correct flights, contemplating flight details as I balanced the increased costs in flights with dedication of this trip to my G-man immediately.

Remembering how Satan lurks ever closer when you are near the Lord.

Align my spirit with yours Oh Lord.
Align yours my friends(:

To share...

2011-02-08T22:12:00.003+08:00

Gong Xi Fa Cai!

2011-02-04T09:47:00.005+08:00

Its in the morning, where all my cousins are still snoozing away on the 2nd day of the Chinese New Year. Body alarm just got me up after about 4 hours, haha.
I'm awake filling stuffed from late night prata-ing, technically still sleep deprived and my body calls out for me to start my exercise regime before I struggle to maintain my fitness for the annual taking of the Individual Physical Proficiency Test (IPPT).
Better start training& to apply for the date!

From the Chinese New Year eve, to the first day of Chinese New Year, it has been thanksgiving for the overflow of food, for the cousins that I re-meet especially my dad's side which rarely gets together compared to my mum's for some reason,
for the connectedness when my other cousins with my mum's I think from all the annual chalets, annual outings as really young children to Fantasy Island on Sentosa, not forgetting weekly lunches at ah ma house,and not forgetting the very faithful 4-5 days we shared watching over our great grandma.

Definitely this season's 'highs' of this season saw me watching 'lows' appearing. Perhaps my journey adulthood got me observing how actually certain family members in the extended unit are seemingly in a different group of their own for some reason and the woes that I saw emerging from while working.

its sigh after sigh sometimes, behaving like an old man, which I'm like 'huhh, isn't there a better way we settle this?' into a sense of seemingly helplessness.
BUT, watching the thing go by doesn't seem to be actually helpful ain't it?
Change start with the hardest person......myself.

Remember how thankful we are to be provided with something to feast
while I had the opportunity to look at cards from the World Children Fund and also remember people who can't afford day to day living, what more celebrations like these.

so with that,Have a blessed New Year my friends(:

P.S: I can hear work calling me when the 3rd day of chinese new year come tomrrow:S

By HIS STRENGTH....

Passes

2011-02-02T01:06:00.002+08:00

"I do not know who is Madam Ho, I only know her as ah ma."....

Just one of the lines I remembered from Pamela & Amanda's Grandma's funeral.

I sat there and listen to how their Cousin, George shared of their ah ma,
Food's what most of us remember our ah ma's for. Theirs was steamed Pomfret as the highlight, heartfelt laughable moments while you see their faces lit up, gesturing that "haha, those were the days." giving thanks when their ah ma has received Christ into her life while reminded, MY ah ma's don't exactly have much time left on this earthly realm.

Funerals are usually gone with a role for us related to the family to provide an unspoken support, just the presence, or the handling of contributions to help the family cover funeral expenses. But it also gave me a time of refreshing in my walk with God as I listen to assurance from the reflective songs we shared and of the assurance in the salvation through Jesus Christ through the eulogy&sharing of the worship leader.

"Through it all", especially bringing it back from Thailand while sharing in worship with my mission team mates & meditating on the words "I will trust in You..." when I'm down.

I leave the physical place,having been blessed with this humbling experience spiritually.
Thank God for HIS touch(:

see you later

2011-01-30T23:30:00.005+08:00

Amanda&Pamela's grandma was called finally home to the Lord, moving on 3 years after their grandad did so, while remembering having that contact with her as Grandpa Soo went ahead that week.

Though physically you're gonna miss the person, but its in this calmness that she was called back as a child of God(:

Have a blessed week my friends(:

January

2011-01-29T02:37:00.003+08:00

Its 4 weeks ALREADY since the school just opened its door. My inital shock that 3 children were coming in only,but it was a blessing in disguise. Feeling ever unprepared, underprepared, unprofessional about my standards.

I want to thank God for His wisdom, in small steps that I was able to take
while embarking on this 4 weeks.

October is approaching when my service term completes and
I'm asked,"so Jacob, what's next?Degree to what?"

Father show me...

If you're at such a crossroad,PRAY...praying with you(:

I praise you Lord

2011-01-23T22:05:00.001+08:00

I praise you Lord
for who You are
and all the mighty things You done
You saved my soul
You made me whole
and now I sing my praise to You

When I was lost and deep in sin,
You sent your Holy Spirit in
You cleanse my heart and made it new
and now I sing my praise to You.

it reminded me of the first Angkor of Faith as Joel taught us, sitting in a hot balcony and praising our Father in unison, the more in tuned people letting the Spirit minister to them while I was at a stage of my moment trying to get notes right for new songs. I looked back and laughed with a chuckle, "how time flies" and how different i approach the new songs that I come across now since that earlier encounter.

So this year is into its 5th year,
what's installed for the land that His people will plant their feet on?
We will just have to seek His will, listen, really open our hearts for His love to outpour to the people.

Not "Singaporeans love you, but God loves you"(:

Need to open my 'ears' to listen to His direction.
Hope you do too my friends(:

God is bigger than we think

2011-01-20T01:21:00.002+08:00

Thought for the night:
walls are walls, Bondaries are boundaires, Boundaries are fences with gates.
IN with the good, block out the bad.

In a small church, is there is this tendency to micro-nise God?yes we talked about He's nearer than we think, but what about Bigger than we think?

Ask Him today!(:

to lead, to excel and to overcome.

2011-01-18T00:20:00.002+08:00

Joel's in OCS for his service term before that white chocolate bar on his green uniform actually rises 2 more times to 3, and finally been given a gold embroided one on his parade/office uniform.

I always remember the parades where I was took there with the band, rehearsing the countless times, always think you can't make it after the 1st mad rehearsal at 2.30/3pm in the afternoon, but taking it in gradually, moving up to becoming senior of the band & return the concern,look out for new birds coming in.

He's in 3 weeks, until chinese new year's eve at least,

and that God speaks to him, in His time, be His guide in the jungle of fieldcamps, overseas deployments, away from home.

KABOOM!

2011-01-17T00:41:00.002+08:00

Thank God for the 1st worship that HE held in HIS hand, blessing our time as we honoured HIM. MAy the songs that we used be like fragrant incense that rise to HIM.

I pray that to not be a thing of this 1st sunday, but coming each week as an offering to HIM(:

Will you?

2011-01-17T00:32:00.004+08:00

"will you take Ja seng ran as your weded wife...."
forgot the next section of the vow accompanied it asking Jurgen de Wulf for his vow as her lawful weded husband, but of course its content had about being with her in times of joy and in times of sorrow.

I just kept smiling when the couple was up there taking their vows in the solemnisation ceremony even with aching hands carrying a Iphone4 videoing the whole process.
just a joy to celebrate the union of 2 individuals, and watching the friends coming together to celebrate it with them,in Singapore& skyping from Belgium.
To honour our Father in 'Shout to the Lord', 'Power of the Love',and that last song which I can't pin point the title.

the countless pictures that filled the night, hearing in good laughter, yum seng as we closed.
Its just thanksgiving that I was able to be given the privilege to witness such an ocassion.

I ask that God provide for their walk together now as husband and wife, in marital commitment& growing as a household of God(:

Surprise Surprise

2011-01-13T02:51:00.005+08:00

Apparently, I have witnessed the progress of Blogger's progression from accepting the 'hotmail' to eventually locking out that account and insisting that I sign in with a Gmail one.

Was browsing it a few nights back, into the many drafts that were saved in the account owing to the fact that i have this tendency to "aiya, now not the time, postpone 1st".
The deadliness of 'Procrastination' :X

I actually found things that were amusing, inspiring, God led, Provided by Him, victories, ups and downs of my journey and also noticing particularly specially written if I saw correctly 2 very small corners yet pivotal anecdotals.

Pivotal was because if I have read it there and then, it would have really clear the blurness in my sight.
But I think that will also have taken away the moments I spent with our Father in my walk, just on a single silent retreat, walking that very necessary stretch in the absence of another half physically, and emerge from there a stronger servant of God in my walk.

while on that journey, you were being interceded in prayer and it was a thanksgiving how He provides, and witnessing you lean upon the Lord

Wanna say thank you to you & thank God for the encouragements
and my apologies, i'm a very blind bat.

So that was you my friend writing it while I was thinking to myself when did that emerge from(:

Renewal

2011-01-13T02:50:00.004+08:00

its 3am, just completed 1 of my tasks this week, not believing that I could actually do it.
but Thank God.
Its in the quietness when you really retreat away, away from all distractions, literally when everyone's asleep now, unless you're burning midnight oil doing something.

But thank Him(:

My Sunday

2011-01-09T22:33:00.006+08:00

Wonderful Merciful Saviour
Precious Redeemer and Friend

Who would have thought that a lamb could
rescue the souls of men
Oh You rescue the souls of men

Counselor Comforter Keeper,
Spirit we long to embrace
You offer hope when our hearts have
hopelessly lost our way,
Oh we hopelessly lost our way.

You are the One that we Praise
You are the One we adore,
You give the healing and grace
Our, hearts always hunger for
Oh our hearts always hunger for.

Almighty Infinite Father
Faithfully loving your own
Here in our weaknesses you find us
Falling before your throne
Oh we fallen before your throne.

My hearing increased in sensitivity during sermon to the fact that Kaboom was actually gonna be amiss on 1st weeks of the month, but thank God for the video that uncle Mark shared watching His creation, I just could not hesitate to gasps in the awe of its creation, and actually the aspiration to at least witness it live if I'm given the privilege to.

Today, as we dedicated each ministry to HIS glory, it was thanksgiving after thanksgiving amongst the different ministries, but more importantly, the next thought raced in was, "remember to uphold it to the Maker's hands"

And the songs aligning with today's theme, led by Joshua in hymms and songs brought back nostalgia to times
in Thailand,
and when I was still tenor in pitch moving down the scale towards the bass range.
Our dear director, Eoin who led us in enduring sessions of choir, starting off with hymms, to the above song that was shared at cell.

Songs just bring about expressions that sometimes through my words I just couldn't string the right ones together.
Thank God(:

and that in your week you have a song to praise HIM......

What's Kaboom?

2011-01-09T01:12:00.006+08:00

So in the meeting for Kaboom(thank God) that finally set the tone for 2011,

a concluding question posed to a 8 year old Daphne from mum,

"what comes to your mind when we say Kaboom?"

"praise and worship"

Its a moment when you take in and give thanks that this child was actually what was envisioned, children that praise God.

Not just them, but us who lead these young ones to actually grow in our relationship with our Father and using praises as an offering.

May you find a moment to praise HIM each day(:

the zoom of life

2011-01-09T01:05:00.001+08:00

Boarding the train on friday was so easy yet so hard to forget.

It happened the lady in front of me actually tapped her card for the person in front of her,because that 1st person's card apparently didn't get scanned successfully or hers for that matter.
so I think it was out of impatience that I ended up tapping for her and both of us like whizzed through, even when my mind actually processed,"ok her card was tapped unsuccessfully for herself."

Its like a jolt to my body that, the mundane things in life I take for granted just fly by in motion.

Have to embrace my mundane- ness more with joy&find my Maker

2011-01-02T00:06:00.002+08:00

I'm just loving its tune and emotion behind the intent of this song without the nitty gritty 'taking it apart' process to screen each sentance of the song.
Hope you enjoy it as much as I did watching the young girl, Rapunzel on her adventures(:

Rapunzel:
All those days watching from the windows
All those years outside looking in
All that time never even knowing
Just how blind I've been
Now I'm here, blinking in the starlight
Now I'm here, suddenly I see
Standing here, it's all so clear
I'm where I'm meant to be

And at last I see the light
And it's like the fog has lifted
And at last I see the light
And it's like the sky is new
And it's warm and real and bright
And the world has somehow shifted
All at once everything looks different
Now that I see you

Flynn:
All those days chasing down a daydream
All those years living in a blur
All that time never truly seeing
Things, the way they were
Now she's here shining in the starlight
Now she's here, suddenly I know
If she's here it's crystal clear
I'm where I'm meant to go

Rapunzel & Flynn:
And at last I see the light

Flynn:
And it's like the fog is lifted

Rapunzel & Flynn:
And at last I see the light

Rapunzel:
And it's like the sky is new

Rapunzel & Flynn:
And it's warm and real and bright
And the world has somehow shifted
All at once, everything is different
Now that I see you, now that I see you

New Year, carried beginnings.

2011-01-01T23:54:00.002+08:00

Blessed New Year to you my friends!

had returned from a night of counting down in welcoming the arrival of 2011 over at Han's, where dinner was shared.
Was getting a little mind crash manueovering our black teams Vs coloured team mates in the round robin game,a crazy gift exchange that got all of us hysterical, counting down & the worship/reflection session that got us closing for the night.

Of the many events that took place that evening, reflection stood out for me cos I had the quietest moment with the reddish sky, and tranquility for a clearer mind before my Maker.On top of that to be encouraged by the resolve of others sharing their goals in 2011, of which I noticed everytime you commit something great for God, the warfare from the dark side I call it start sharpening its weapons of choice to make sure it get really tough.

Its termed carried beginnings, cos I felt that its not just dropping everything away and start from zero again, though its usually quite the easiest thing to do.
push restart button*

I kinda see what's still need working,
so with that I carry it to complete what the tasks/voices require of me(:

2011

2011-01-01T16:19:00.008+08:00

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Lk-1iMPUkg&feature=related

The movie that accompanied a few of us after a time of reflection & celebration.
Rapunzel's a depiction of girl power in this show! hahaha, really hilarious with the frying pan of hers & watching her growing in her relationship with her companion, Flynn Rider through the movie.
And yes, Mandy Moore's the singer I was informed(:

7 AM, the usual morning lineup
Start on the chores and sweep 'til the floor's all clean
Polish and wax, do laundry, and mop and shine up
Sweep again, and by then it's like 7:15

And so I'll read a book
Or maybe two or three
I'll add a few new paintings to my gallery
I'll play guitar and knit
And cook and basically
Just wonder when will my life begin?

Then after lunch it's puzzles and darts and baking
Paper mache, a bit of ballet and chess
Pottery and ventriloquy, candle making
Then I'll stretch, maybe sketch, take a climb
Sew a dress!

And I'll reread the books
If I have time to spare
I'll paint the walls some more
I'm sure there's room somewhere
And then I'll brush and brush
and brush and brush my hair
Stuck in the same place I've always been

And I'll keep wanderin' and wanderin'
And wanderin' and wonderin'
When will my life begin?

And tomorrow night
Lights will appear
Just like they do on my birthday each year
What is it like
Out there where they glow?
Now that I'm older
Mother might just
Let me go...

Learnings

2010-12-29T23:31:00.003+08:00

In walking everyday, there are actually so many windows of learning, even up to the simplest learning or re-learning of
placing Him 1st,
patience while queuing instead of sulking
embracing the silence in the wilds travelling,
give thanks & look positive instead of whining about what couldn't be done
actively finding time set aside for my Maker
Intercessory prayers,
preparing ahead,
thinking before speaking,

this year is coming to a close, so what have we done with the life we had this year?
How have we seen the goodness of the Lord working amongst us, not necessarily on us this year?

Have a blessed week counting down to the thanksgivings my friends(:

walking how far?

2010-12-12T23:09:00.003+08:00

counting the days from the last entry,
17 days just whizzed by, like how time passed setting up the things at my new school these few days.

Yesterday was day 1 at Holland Drive officially after 2 months odd at Jurong West. leaving missing these children who gave me joy that comes with the anger&frustration that taught me as a teacher to manage their child-like nature.

watching very hard God moving in the midst though i'm blinded/distracted a lot from the physical fatigue, things on my mind to hold on that I have this fear of fading if I took it off too long.
just the lack of discipline to pen down my thoughts that I have with my Father
cos I realised the memory of mine is very temporary.
Was walking home monday night without a flat phone,
thinking back what I saw in the
Chronicles of Narnia: Voyage of the Dawn Treader past friday.

Apart from 'WAH's & other sound effects that accompanied my seat in all movies so far:X

It struck me when they began the voyage, where they were forewarn of temptations, portrayed in smoky green things that slowly seek to engulf you,buzzing around you.
I was like, don't you just want these things to just not appear in the first place and all the struggle to stay strong need not take place, but that's actually what we encounter in life walking the journey isn't it?
with perseverance & 'Aslan' revealing Himself to steer you back.

And when Aslan, dug the claws into the sand, roared at Eustace disintegrating the 'dragon scales' on the outside
reminded me of the time when Corney saw sharing from Isaiah 53:5 in his summary that
" by his stripes, impossible is nothing." from the 3 stripes in the sand.

which actually had the description of the moment Aslan ws brought to the stone to be killed by the ice queen in the 1st movie before he was resurrected.

the next part of thougts
revolved around relationships with people dear to me,
the significance/purpose of the trip to Cambodia, taking myself out of being like this
'I know what's it like to be there' mindset and clearly seeking what He's saying to me.
before it continued, prayer followed in& I reached the lift for an interruption.

My heart to quieten with my Maker
Blessed week my dear friends(:

High Seas!

2010-11-28T00:50:00.002+08:00

The journey begins, we're all getting in, into the Word of God!

that's the 1st line of the song that will greet us at each session at Vacation bible School.
I thank God for allowing me to be part of the time spent there, tasked to shared about the life of Peter, Paul, all the people with 'p's in their names.
And also, spend the time with HIM each morning for my recharging before we busily get into the mode of things. Witness His movement when the group of believers gather to pray and intercede.
This will not last as a 'Spiritual high' only, but a reminder even as we con't to walk daily with Jesus(:

Let the Vast Voyage begin...

The Greatness of His Creation & Forgiveness

2010-11-17T17:14:00.012+08:00

Give me eyes to see
More of who You are
May what I behold,
still my anxious heart.
Take what I have known
And break it all apart
For You my God, are greater still.

No sky contains,
No doubt restrains,
All You are,
The greatness of our God.
I spend my life to know,
And I'm far from close
To all You are,
The greatness of our God.

Give me grace to see
Beyond this moment here.
To believe that there
Is nothing left to fear.

That You alone are high above it all.
For You my God, are greater still.

And there is nothing
That can ever separate us.
There is nothing that can ever
separate us from Your love.
No life, no death, of this I am convinced.
You my God, are greater still.

And no words can say, or song convey,
all You are the greatness of our God.
I spend my life to know,
And I'm far from close
to all You are,
the greatness of our God

I was spoken to through the song, Thank you Lord(:
Did you?

2010-11-15T23:32:00.003+08:00

just browsing through my list of posts randomly, looked back at the one where I talked about attending the seminar at Scripture Union on organising Children's Camps on May 3rd 2010.

reminder to self for what is to be done at camp, not just 'talk' about it.

Have a blessed week my dear friends(:

Lifting my praise

2010-11-14T02:15:00.005+08:00

From the mountains, to the valleys,
hear our praises rise to You
From the heavens to the nations
Hear the singing, fill the air

Will always be researching for actions for the Kaboom Worship songs on Youtube especially on Fridays,even Saturday nights. & the number of potential songs and actions I get surprised and excited over at while looking for the ones that I was suppose to just makes me go 'Wow'.
An art form to praise God.

So just clicking and clicking, you find old songs you heared from Life Meetings at Campus Crusde during your polytechnic days, or from some devotion, praise time you had somewhere with a group of brothers and sisters in Christ to Praise God.

So I found one, and Darlene Zschech then, Darlene Zschech now,
but this time the Lead worshipper that has gradually pushed the next generation up,
passing the mantle.

Remembering Elijah doing so with Elisha before he was brought up to heaven.
And what i need to do.

Hear our Praises-Hillsongs

Being sharper

2010-11-04T07:55:00.008+08:00

"Just like pencil, it needs 'sharpening for it to serve its great purpose of inking its writer's thoughts, sketches on paper"

a quote along these lines I remembered 1 of the students with the
Wheelock Degree Programme at
Ngee Ann Polytechnic.

The buzz of joining an exciting programme, with lots of learning which everyone came out telling, asking myself, "Am I ready for such a programme?"

Where is my Lord calling me to?
He'll show me(:
many things to see

Calling me

2010-10-31T00:39:00.005+08:00

Remember the games in commmunication, being called where a sea of distracting other voices calling out to their own other half, while you scringe and try to listen out to yours,getting carried away saying,"where? where?" which adds to the whole commotion.

Just have to stop, listen carefully again after the initial orientation of hearing your partner's voice.
In my life now, stop, listen, an added Look around,
"What do you see?
What is called for you to do?
Who is in need?
What is in need?
So how?"

For myself, I have to ask, "start from where?"
or else i'll go from all areas and never ever complete my tasks efficiently similarly in my daily work.
In the sea of 'calls'/expectations from others and self, which expands exponentially.

Ok in a sea of self confusing words, I need quietness and listen

Open my ears(:

Sabbath

2010-10-23T11:21:00.005+08:00

Its a day before the 'Sabbath' which most Christians hold pride in being at church mornings ,sometimes to even catch on work from the weekdays.

After repeated warnings of to rest, finally the physical body could not bear the brunt of me abusing it with late nights, long hours in the childcare, where the ocassional sneeze from a child without covering his/her mouth eventually got to me.
Or simply, your body said, "cannot tahan la!I'm only mere flesh"
More importantly, I was asking myself, where is my Sabbath each day to spend with my Creator?

Do I actually have so much things to do (even blogging) to not even spend quality time with my Father? I'm not looking at the pious Christians looking at me shaking my head, "no, no, no." but I'm looking over faithful Christians, who dedicate their lives to praising God each day 1st, in stillness, Quiet Time to just listen.
Serving in the kingdom, holding full-time jobs, juggling a family& that just forms the basic level of a Christian person.

Doesn't get mastered overnight, practise makes better(:

So he says....

2010-10-07T22:15:00.008+08:00

The Bard tells us:

"Love is not love
Which alters when it alteration finds,
Or bends with the remover to remove:
O no! Its is an ever-fixed mark
That looks on tempests and is never
shaken;
It is the star to very wandering bark,
Whose Worth's unknown, although his
height be taken.
Love's not Time's fool, though rosy lips
and cheeks
Within his bending sickle's compass
come:
love alters not with his brief hours and
weeks,
But bears it out even to the edge of
doom."

What says you?(:

Saying goodbye through people

2010-10-07T22:08:00.004+08:00

Reading the Eulogies for Mrs Lee from the papers today,
just beautiful descriptions of how a woman held a family so knitted together.
& that will be once in many whiles that such emotions could emerge from a newspaper for me.
To the man whom she stood by, the mother to the her children & 'Nai Nai' for her grandchildren.

as quoted from Samuel Butler through her grandson,
"I fall asleep in the full and certain hope. That my slumber shall not be broken;
And that though I be all-forgetting,
Yet shall I not be forgotten,
But continues that life in te thoughts
and deeds
Of those I loved."

decluttering

2010-10-06T00:28:00.002+08:00

was just a thought to genuinely declare that my room can be 'ORGANISED'!

was just reading through certain links briefly, this one especially at the all too familiar "I might need it someday" really made me laugh.

The One-Year Box.
"Take all your items that you unsure about getting rid of (e.g. “I might need this someday…”), put them in a box, seal it and date it for 1 year in the future. When the date comes, and you still didn’t need to open it to get anything, donate the box WITHOUT OPENING IT. You probably won’t even remember what there was in the box."

Have a lovely week my friends(:

called to action

2010-10-04T22:50:00.004+08:00

1 of those quotes found in a poster in the room of HR session yesterday..

speaking to me, speaking to me....

I think one's feelings waste themselves in words; they ought all to be distilled into actions which bring results.

Florence Nightingale

Mothers. Mother-in-laws

2010-10-04T22:16:00.010+08:00

Watching an excerpt of Mrs Lee Kuan Yew's life was like I knew her yet I didn't sort of feeling.
And watching her silently at public appearances & the bond they shared was just 'awww', hilarious how they care&joke with each other..touching(:
63 years of lives spent together.

A short conversation about what dos and dont's for woman during confinement with my mother spanned a long list of tips to ensure 'wind' don't enter the woman's body after giving birth.
The trusty ginger,dried pomelo skin +ginger+lemon grass for bathing, black chicken soup, water boiled with logan as her main fluids, some brandy thingy she drank.

The tedious duty my ah ma had to undertake caring for 3 of us living a floor below last time.
& all the nonsense i can remember she put up with me as a michievous child.

Thankful for these 2 women in my life(:

A quote from MM Lee,
"in western culture, you marry the woman you love, in eastern culture, you love the woman you marry..." followed by laughter from the crowd:)

The Hundred Languages of Children

2010-10-01T08:48:00.003+08:00

Looking at a messy book shelf, one the 'loose' pieces of gifts that you tucked at various ridges of your shelf or placed on top of books was narrowed in.
A bookmark with the poem of 'The Hundred Languages of Children' from this pioneer of the Early Childhood field in Italy.
This is one of sharings & gifts I received over these few years learning in the Early Childhood Education field.
Reggio Emilia,Italy would be a previlage to be at for an opporunity to learn even more how are we able to have an extended approach on how we can nurture our children.

My stint at the childcare centre will begin officially next monday, filled with so much things to do for our children, for administrative, for preparations,
I want my inner bridge to still stand strong&strengthen even under pressure
as these I build relationships with our children & teachers(:

The child
is made of one hundred.
The children has
a hundred languages
a hundred hands
a hundred thoughts
a hundred ways of thinking
of playing, of speaking.
A hundred always a hundred
ways of listening
of marveling of loving
a hundred joys
for singing and understanding
a hundred worlds
to discover
a hundred worlds
to invent
a hundred worlds
to dream.
The child
has a hundred languages
(and a hundred hundred hundred more)
but they steal ninety-nine.
The school and the culture
separate the head from the body.
They tell the child:
to think without hands
to do without head
to listen and not to speak
to understand without joy
to love and to marvel
only at Easter and Christmas.
They tell the child:
to discover the world already there
and of the hundred
they steal ninety-nine.
They tell the child:
that work and play
reality and fantasy
science and imagination
sky and earth
reason and dream
are things
that do not belong together.
And thus they tell te child
that the hundred is not there.
The child says:
No way. The hundred is there.

Loris Malaguzzi

Prayer warriors are you there?

2010-09-28T23:14:00.003+08:00

A note from Cailin...
please keep the student at University of Texas in prayer, where Uncle Richard's sons are at, supposedly gunmen are in their compound at the moment:S

Hearing my parents really concerned for their nephew & family, while I do my part as cousin.
Please be praying for my cousin brother Joseph seem to undergoing quite a challenging phase right now, having baptised and dedicated himself to God's Lordship, has objections from his father.
The disagreements are starting to spew out of control revolving around this disagreement,
peace and calm parties to resolve it amicably.

In the storm, to look to YOU....

The B.I.G-ness

2010-09-28T00:23:00.012+08:00

-in the middle of falling rain-

I suddenly had an urge to do a google search on the
Government of Singapore Investment Corporation(GIC),
then went over to Temasek Holdings
just to see what's it like on taking place through their webpages.
Wow, the big-ness of the names I see on each page with full credentials,
internalising why they are hired to be there,
and the amounts each organisation handles each year.

Thought the current organisation that I'm working with was quite big - this was BIGGER
made me feel small, really tiny for such a big man, literally.

It reminded me of the smallness picturing lightning& blasting thunder I heared on a few ocassions in rainy storms, with 1 just happening last wednesday.
Perhaps the call for global warming is ever louder, and the anger filled in the storm.
Watching the flashes & deafening sounds of the thunder,
the power contained in each bolt that will not hesitate to strike a sinful man like me.

I am gonna begin a journey of teaching our young ones, mulling over my decisions between Early Childhood or the Primary track.
Or decisions over in my life as come to know of good/not so good news.
Asking myself the very real question,
"what do you want to do?"
and Higher, "Lord where do you want to place me?"

To witness his Big-ness from my BIG man, was just humbling.
I have to come before Him, to lay at HIS feet.
Do you want too?

家家有本难

2010-09-21T23:14:00.006+08:00

Pardon for the poor chinese.
It should mean in every household, each has their own difficulties.
I'm observing it in most families that I come across,
the tinge of 'dysfunctional'/imperfection that makes this family unit characteristically unique,knitted&perfected in some way.

like how we are put under the umbrella of God our heavenly Father embracing us
& remembering Jesus as our Saviour & seeking direction from the Holy Spirit.

In imperfection, I seek HIS hand to strengthen us(:

The Lord gives and takes away,but my heart will choose to
declare
Blessed be the name of the Lord..

Flow

2010-09-19T22:48:00.002+08:00

Perhaps I was singing it at different occurances of the today&yesterday,
the line from one of the vacation Bible school(VBS) songs this year,
its flowed back in my mind earlier.

"Today is the day, you have made, I will rejoice and be glad in it
and I won't worry about tomrrow, I'm trusting in what you say,
Today is the day."

Indeed Lord's promises as we gaze upon Him.
gonna take a lots of faith-ing this week to declare that instead of just a comforting sounding song.

Have a blessed week with the Lord my friends(:

My call today

2010-09-17T09:32:00.002+08:00

Psalms 138

1 I will give thanks with all my heart;
I will sing praises to you before the gods.
2 I will bow down toward your holy temple
And give thanks to Your name for Your lovingkindness and
Your truth;
For You have magnifies Your word according to all Your name.
3 On the day I called, You answered me; You made bold with strength in my soul.
4 All the kings of the earth wil give thanks to You, O Lord, When they have heared the words of Your mouth.
5 And they will sing of the ways of the Lord, For great is the glory of the Lord.
6 For though the lord is exalted, Yet He regards the Lowly, But the haughty He knows from afar.
7 Though I walk in te midst of trouble, You will revive me;
You will strectch forth Your hand against the wrath of my enemies, And Your right hand will save me.
8 The lord will accomplish what concerns me;
Your lovingkindness, O Lord, is everlasting;
Do not forsake the works of Your hands.

Amen

Mum & Dad

2010-09-16T23:31:00.004+08:00

Perhaps its the time of age that adults reaching their 50s get a little grouchy,
or its just that the events happening are taking a toll on their inner spiritual composure
and adding to it an extremely irritating son like me,
who tends to be rash talking to them, asking whys whys and more whys,
welcoming a debate.

So stop....pause(just for a split second)
AND
Honour my father and mother.

Honour yours too(:

Causes

2010-09-15T00:48:00.005+08:00

What is my cause of change & what do I want?

that's the thought heavy on my mind this week that i got directed to during dinner with my dear friend,Farhana from the polytechnic, currently at the one the childcare centres being forefront of advocating best practices for our children.

Peparing to begin my sponsorship bond
on top of preparing for Kaboom,Vacation Bible School(VBS), tidy up my every messy room.

What do I want to achieve out of this experience?

Retreat for HIM to speak to me this week as He lead my way(:

This and that

2010-09-06T17:52:00.004+08:00

Preparing for the Army Half Marathon with a semi closed wound from a wisdom tooth extraction's not a thing you wanna have before a run, but taking it in my stride.

Getting an earful reminder of the my role as a Chrisitian
before participating in such things happening on Sunday from my faithful dad.

Realising that doing a shorter run while helping people like reading of the Yellow Ribbon Run
would have been a better alternative, (resolution for the coming run selections)
though with the hoo-haa of people misappropriating funds& the very stories of funding not getting to people who really need it,
and at the back of my mind, feeling strongly to demand the commitee to be accountable.
Hope the funds contributed to the run will be disseminated adequately to the various people who REALLY need the assistance.

A start to the new week,
People with exams, more school homework during the holiday week, exam preparaions.
Have a blesssed week& we look towards our Father for our strength(:
AND another few more days to O.R.D.

Today is the Day

2010-09-02T01:56:00.015+08:00

I'm beginning this post at such an unruly hour after returning from sending Han off earlier.

Having decided that I will not fall asleep before I end my prayer to God tonight,
I decided it was time to change my posture to at least end my prayer properly.
People dear to me, Loved ones, things just ran past my mind praying,
and I actually ended the prayer for the night.
But closing my eyes just didn't seem to 'off' the mind' with tooth aching,
perhaps caffeine overdose with coffee&tea earlier.
So, rather than flipping&tossing in bed, ink it down before its put off AGAIN.

Its ever closer to my Operationally Ready Date(ORD),
resting at home having gone for wisdom tooth extraction,
thank God for the intercessions & encouragement from Jonas,Mithrian, Sue Ann,Joel, Amanda , many more that morning,
for medical staff that were up with a smile,
for patience in waiting,
table tennis finals to cheer on before&after the mini surgery.
(1 more later in the morning:p)
In times of struggle where holding on to God felt most real.
Remembering for thanksgiving & placing HIM 1st(:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-SVOBKbWndU

-Like Incense-Hillsongs-

Remembering the simple phrase of 'Oh God you are my God& I will ever praise You' seeking Him in the morning(&evermore),learning to walk in His ways
while my doctor drilled on for my tooth in that duration of 15minutes.

These 2 weeks watching the Youth Olympics Games' Volleyball ,Table Tennis matches
&the National Day Rally stirred up the attribute of a leader.

While your workers are labouring, its not the leader who takes a break,
but yet he/she works even more.
like spotting for your blind spots,
Really observant coaches feedbacking your performances in sport match breaks for really effective counterattacks,
captain of volleyball teams especially the Peru girls' Captain hanging on in the entire match up against Belgium.
The brief shot of Mentors seated in front of the Prime Minster,
of continuous learning even at such advanced ages.
How important a lesson.

And Procrastination,('waiting a while')
struggle mann, do it now instead.
Something i should leave out of my system.
Dear friends, raise your flag and flag me!
I'm learning to note things on my mind&do it
while my trusty notebook hangs around me to help me.

Renewal & growth Lord, putting You no.1 in ALL things(:

Have a blessed week my friends(:

Taking in each moment.

2010-08-07T22:42:00.003+08:00

POP Lo!

2010-07-05T00:30:00.002+08:00

-Joel, POPs!-

Passed out not from fatigue, but from Basic Military Training over at the Sunny island that most boys will call home for 3 months(:
And I had the privilege to be playing for his parade.
The familiar faces all gather at the same venue at each passing out parade from each cohort, Polytechnic mates,mission trip mates&church mates.
And my good old company building, with the memory of booking in for the first time as recruit, fearing everyone that wasn't of the same rank intially.
Returning,promoted 2 ranks, passed my fitness test and almost completing my stint with National Service was just 'WoW' & thankful(:
No wonder when guys meet together, this topic of National service will rarely leave their lips, the camaderie, the feeling of being tired, the laughters of singing songs when it was time to book out.
crazy sounding as it be, I'll miss NS
Thank God for bringing me through the entire process(:

My Mourning into Dancing

2010-07-04T22:59:00.002+08:00

¹⁰ Create in me a pure heart, O God,
and renew a steadfast spirit within me.

¹¹ Do not cast me from your presence
or take your Holy Spirit from me.

¹² Restore to me the joy of your salvation
and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me

was like this "you sure you had everything?what if it doesn't go?are you suppose to do this/that?" combined with a week that goes up looking over the beautiful view at a sunny/rainy Tekong and down with fatigue/withholding the Word, owing the little amount of sleep the previous night, and the absence of the Spirit.

These words were part of the bigger Psalms 51 that I flipped to
making my way to church today. Its like not so quiet quiet time with the muted noise on the trains&tunnels to the walking feet/buzzers...ok, doesn't sound that muted after all suddenly.
In the midst of that 'distraction's, psalms just redirect the direction as I bring myself to church to praise HIS name with fellow brothers and sisters.thank God for that(:
its a silent retreat from the hustle and bustle of getting in a car to church with the rest of family.
Myself, God and HIS people on the train, and thoughts of people who are physically not around me at the moment.

when I begin work or a school year, I hope draw to HIM ever nearer will be what I can do each day.

Hope you find your moment to draw near to what He has for you each day my friends(:

ever stayed up?

2010-06-28T23:04:00.003+08:00

This past week,returning from church camp,and not falling sick though sleep was like 5 hours a night. Thank God & thank the vitamin C.
I look back to see how gracious God was as the Vacation Bible School for the children was ran at the church camp, I saw how everybody involved came together to present to the children their better. Better? Cos it was great effort that I saw being put in and with the attitude, we can do even better!

was reminded&embarrassed how I can fall-in on time in the army, at work, at events, but I had seemed to have left that attribute of punctuality back in SG and lateness got the better most of the time if not ALL the time:/

and I saw a very pressing need to live on the power of prayer, dedicating what we do, defending ourselves against spiritual warfare, uplifting fellow brothers and sisters.
Pray powerfully my friends in the name of the Lord!

Was listening to Randy Harris sharing about the ressurection of Lazarus and the series of events that unfolded between Martha/Mary.

²⁵Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; ²⁶and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?" ²⁷"Yes, Lord," she told him, "I believe that you are the Christ,the Son of God, who was to come into the world."

and further down....
.
³⁸Jesus, once more deeply moved, came to the tomb. It was a cave with a stone laid across the entrance. ³⁹"Take away the stone," he said.
"But, Lord," said Martha, the sister of the dead man, "by this time there is a bad odor, for he has been there four days." ⁴⁰Then Jesus said, "Did I not tell you that if you believed, you would see the glory of God?"

for the moment that I said "yes Lord, I believe in you"
how many situations have erupted that really got me compromising that and just keeping the faith to myself. This word 'Faith-ing', got me reminded to live out my faith.
English majors please correct me if i'm wrong, its a verb yea?

ready to be'Faith-ing' for Jesus? Our mighty God, and Father who gives you peace lead you in your week ahead my friends(:

Doing what is right

2010-06-15T00:39:00.007+08:00

-My 1st bak chang of the ended dumpling season-

This past week, during Lord supper reflection by Uncle Suen Kwong,
forgetting the bible text for the Sunday:X

It talked about the law and its purpose, and how people reciting the law doing the law, might not last without such a physical commandment imprinted in stone/papayrus.
instead of being told what was right,
the REAL test of whether doing right really applied in your lives will be revealed especially in a family context when the parents are no longer there to be your physical law to direct you.
When the people who upheld accountability for you are not around,
Ready to ever stand strong & uphold the accountability for yourself?

S.U.M.O

2010-06-06T01:15:00.010+08:00

Uncouthly, it means Shut Up, Move On.

But it reminds me of times when I'm brought a problem/challenge...
instead of getting stunned, freeze up, screams flying around in my head,
breathe, pray for GOD to use you or me greatly in the situation.
Cos getting stunned doesn't help, screaming's not really solving the thing except telling everyone you're still stuck, you're kinda going no where.

take a bow- Rihanna

It was used to describe an inner sense of frustration that some people had with issues that arised in church. "but its over now, go on and take a bow"The curtain's closing, show's about to have a closing chapter. The talk was the imminent possibility of the permanent absence of certain people because of how the situations have snowballed.

i'm calling out the need for us to not be higly skilled in the word, in our works. Its just not enough, its like a shortfall of something. In our faith in Jesus , God and the Holy Spirit which was given, serving as a guide in our lives, and the rest of the things will just fall into place thereafter. Cultivating aGod- spirited led being instead of me being the centre of it.
How we respond to others in the right spirit or not?

In my situations, in my experiences...
but "For me and my household, we will serve the Lord"
Let's do that my friends(:
-Praying for HIM to fill each one of us with the right spirit to move in our lives-

Memories

2010-06-02T11:20:00.003+08:00

This 2 weeks have led me to such a a varied range of emotions.

From laughing at funny antics of band mates, a very cool duty buddy making exquisite Origami, listening to some of the never ending compilation of movie soundtracks he had with the ocassional peek into songs from Chris Tomlin.

Being sad over aunty Cassandra's departures, my spirit beginning to flow with tears as the medium listening to the final sharing that afternoon that resounded in "don't be sad".
To joy for the return of a daughter to God & how she stood courageous as an example for many of us,deciding to not fear her imminent departure but be using the energy left with the relationships that mattered.

The melting of my heart when Wesleigh her daughter dashes towards me to hug at my knee height and the child expressing honest words of love.

The gratitude to God giving us a founding father's Goh Keng Swee whom I could meet when the body laid in Parliament House.

To worshipping with our children at Kaboom resounding in How Great is our God. Indeed He is Great(:
How's God great in your life?

Looking at how the Spirit of God manifest or don't manifest in a person's life is rather scary and a reminder to persevere in cultivating the manifestation of the Holy Spirit in my being for HIS glory.

Another week for HIM to work in your life my friends(:

1,2,3 Secure!

2010-05-24T23:11:00.010+08:00

that was 1 of the many phrases for the movement in the squares that we used for our band display. Completing Navy Open House with the daily trips to Changi Naval Base, taking a different habit of feeding from the book of Joshua, thinking about where's the kingdom of God in my life? and for once in a long while, reading a novel, the Kite Runner.

I just smile at the way they reply one another, my emotions racing a little at certain revelations of our main man Amir's life, though the outcome was just further down the page.
and the ending of feeling released as he began chasing the kite.
vivd descriptions of certain emotions and feelings in simplified analogies are really helpful.
can't remember all of them, perhaps a re-read will serve me well, before the National Library calls for its return.
I just love the way they way people reply sincerely,
"For you a thousand times over"
the extent of what one will do/sacrifice for another person that you cared for is just heart felt
Reminded of what Jesus did, imagining the love God had for us for the love sacrifice to happen, and we're made clean.
The way we should be responding towards others that we meet in our lives(:

Unity in Prayer

2010-05-10T22:09:00.006+08:00

In unison the children and young people resounded in the song from Celine Dion's
"Because you Loved me"
as we said Happy Mother's Day to our Mothers at church.
The pureness of the children's voices, the 1 voice that gathered from all the many voices singing

" You were my strength when I was weak
You were my voice when I couldn't speak
You were my eyes when I couldn't see
You saw the best there was in me
Lifted me up when I couldn't reach
You gave me faith 'coz you believed
I'm everything I am
Because you loved me "

No matter how old I get, remember my parents have done for all of us(:

In this past week, from what I understood,
Aunty Cassandra who has been battling cancer for the longest period of time
was about to leave to return to the Lord like really soon.

Personally, yes, I will rejoice that a daughter of God is returning to HIS arms,
but its just the thoughts of
children with the eventual absence of their mother,
a husband's loss of a soulmate that pushes me to say, "Lord, I ask for you to heal her?"

I'm just asking GOD to be GOD and do what HE needs to do,
and this son of yours to commit to prayer & fixing my eyes on Him through this process,
praising HIS name, thanking HIM.

I thank God for her presence, even before she had a relapse in the condition.
I remember the times when she is in Singapore for treatment,
and her youngest daughter comes to Kaboom Worship, with seperation anxiety concerns on some sundays right before we begin.
With the "see you later mummy", both mother and child move to their different venues, main auditorium & Kaboom Worship Hall, reuniting at the end of the session with smiles on their faces once again

Or when a group of us visited her when she became less mobile due to the swelling in the legs from the treatment, she still uplifted, doing her best to be a good host, laughing, maintaining that positive outlook.
Turning to her saying,
" I'm waiting for you to come pick Wesleigh up from Kaboom."
something along the lines of "sure, sure I will" she replied

Let's continue to pray & ask HIM for HIS will be passed(:
Have a blessed week my friends

He's right beside me

2010-05-03T23:42:00.003+08:00

This past weekend was over at the St Andrew's village listening to David Leong or Uncle David and the Scripture Union Team sharing on how to organise Children's Camps.
its usually the case during seminars where everything is 'wahhhh, quite cool', but the real questions lies after you're done with the thing,"so what have you learnt?"

Some things that caught me by the eye,
was the potential depth of how our camps can be for our children&even for our adults,
*Quiet time for our children,
for the whole process of organising the camp & executing it to be filled with the people committing to pray, not just for lip-service
but sincerely as we petition for God's will to preside as the camp is runned.
-To pray like never before-

Its a timely reminder that the spiritual warfare that goes on in our christian lives everyday from Joshua&Han, from the Lord of the Rings' final installation of 'The Return of the King'
on Saturday night.
To not be just on the defense, but on the offense to drive Satan back.
Especially walking through potential valleys of darkness, the scenario of one side tempting me and the other side waiting to embrace me.
He's closer than I actually pictured it to be.

Asking to stand up strong with God's strength in the battles as I journey ahead.
Hope you draw yours from there too(:

Time waits for no man

2010-04-23T06:42:00.003+08:00

Indeed it doesn't...

The past 2 weeks, as I talk to certain people,
whose lives have such a desire to not be wasting time.

1 side reminding me,"think,think, how are you gonna lead this group of people?"
like a person from the corporate world.
Or am I thinking upon it with God?
Am I asking HIM to lead my life.
Am I even acknowledging him daily be my no.1 instead of myself or the other things 1st?

the other side, another friend,having a gift for accuracy, calculating that actually based on 24 hrs, you actually suppose to spend about 2hours with God, if your doing it on a 10% basis:X
How much time do I spend actually with HIM?

my eyes 'opened', whenever I walk in my day. I'm glad & thankful it did(:

These reminders just pop in my mind, especially when i'm free, like resting, perhaps laughing about stuff, poking fun at people for the moment, travelling to and fro destinations. and back to the thinking mode, praying mode, asking to be wise in my discernment.

have to fix my eyes on things that use my time meaningfully before Satan's does put his 'ideas' into my head. he almost did again.

Hope your week is going well by God's Grace(:

Good Byes

2010-04-05T18:40:00.005+08:00

Its been 2 weeks returning from Siem Reap, Cambodia.
Had to re-ignite my engine for 'regimentation' reporting in various attires for different occassions after a week dorn in shorts and slippers for almost the whole time.

I'm looking at food in a different light each time its in front of me,
having spent 3 days for various reasons not having/ having little lunch.
For Aunty Cassandra, for the benefit of children at the Tonle Sap, for the benefit of the children at the lunch gatherings we had.
The thankfulness&appreciation of the abundance we have, the ability to afford such immediate needs,
The replies of 'good', laughing together as the children and adults sit together. Just reminds me of the children in Siem Reap, the memories of insisting 'feed the children' before i eat.

Living like a tourist or a tour guide was a challenge that Uncle Paul gave us at 1 of the devotions.

Going local roadside than resturants that does remind me of a Holland Village enclave.
No complaning of rusty water for bathing, of mosquitos, of the heat, of a lower standard of food hygiene, feet that will almost never be entirely clean with the sandy, eating a beetle that taste like ikan billis, eating a half formed duck egg as part of a devotional thought to live like street kid, dry season reminded me of the similar experience up in Phetchabun, Khek Noi Village in Thailand last year.

The morning devotions that our Japanese friend, Junichi gives daily.
The same question echoing with the accent, "How can we be friends with children?"

with our Hands,
Our Feet,
Our Ears,
Our Mouth,
and our Hearts.

No matter how childish children naturally are, approaching them with a sincere heart.
I listened to stories they share about their lives gives me a 'wow' and also how family units are not as intact compared to many of us here
I saw them rest in the common hall of the guesthouse sleeping soundly like angelic beings for a brief amount of time and up moving about again, the generosity of them giving you the bangles they make, paper wind mills, being your tour guide cycling along the cambodian road and the occassional tempers when they misunderstand your intentions in getting them lunch for that day.

For a land that needs God, in the bustling of a tourist area. For lives of children to be ministered to, for the hungry, for the misguided individuals.
So much to do for a relief worker/missionary placed there.
So much to be praying for each time instead of for yourselves 1st.

No matter how strange songs sequence, we sing with a grateful heart.
In perfecting our singing for singing class, a pure heart as you approach God.
As you sing that He's the Father of Mercies, Worthy is the Lamb, the darling of heaven that was crucified, the song of the redeemed that God's children because He Reigns.

Leaving a day earlier was not easy, with the children's face sadden, with invisible 'I will miss you' on it. Giving your hugs, reminders for some of them to start school, study hard and get a good education.
Knowing that MORE that we can do for these children on top of the fun stuff that was done each day. If i'm allowed to, it would be my previlage to return.

better get all of it down before I drift further away from the memories that formed this experience.

Surrendering to God in all of my situations(:
Have a blessed week my friends

Packing and checking

2010-03-13T02:10:00.003+08:00

Packing my bag tonight for Siem Reap,
hoping parents don't jump out of their room and nag at me,
gathering my thoughts on the logistics of this team, remembering how the team was prepared in spirit during my time up to Thailand and what I could do with this team.

Thanking God for my brother, Joel's given grades,
watching over him as he walks the next phase of his journey even when he doesn't seem to be able to feel so.

thank God for the showers of blessing which quenched a little of the haze, or most of it!
it was WOW , my previlage to ask for rain & HE sent it and overflowing here.
-have to start praing for Philipines& I to eat less rice-

Thank God for feeding on HIS word in Luke 19:1-10. bullet training a little at sharing,but in hope that the group was able to soak in HIS word as I was used as a mouth piece.
and remembering Zaccheus, what Jesus did, how the crowds of people reacted to & remembering to put judgements of people on hold and find out before you 'box' them up.

Remembering to intercede for others, which you realised how many people in the world
He watches over,
how powerful prayer in faith and confidence of the Lord takes place,
putting my struggles in front of HIM,
giving thanks in all circumstances,
Remembering he gives and takes away.

a week ahead to allow HIM to flow in us as offerings to HIS people in Cambodia,
pray with me for the teams that congregate to serve with Love and passion for these people, as though we saw Jesus pouring in their lives.

I'll see you in a week's time!(:
and Indeed he Reigns!

where does it come from?

2010-03-08T23:15:00.003+08:00

Beginning to run, dedicating it to God...
Feeling the movement in the wind that blows in my face occasionally,
and actually you never know where it specifically came from or where it stops.
Having some 'eco-siveness', if that's even a word,
that i think stirred up after helping twice with the Romanates' recycling project last year..,
feeling compelled to pick up plastic bottles,cans, and dropping it at the recycling bin in my vincinity.

Porridge Buffet for lunch with 2 Band Mates, Kelvin & Luke...
eating shocking amounts of oranges for dessert.
taking an after lunch stroll before we cathing a 4.30 movie.
Deciding with 'Alice in Wonderland' over
Jack Neo's local production of '做人' a.k.a how to behave as a human being.

Alice in wonderland, was intriguing,
filled with many underlying messages behind the characters involved.

Remebering the Red Queen's bad temper and executing everybody who was not up to mark with, "OFF WITH HIS HEAD!"
Alice's resolve to stand out as Alice who thought of impossible things, reminded by her father of doing 6 things.
and the amusing thing about the 'smartest people all are actaully mad' when Alice is panicking of her nightmares & her action of consoling the Hatter.
the quirkyness that happens in wonderland & cheshire cat.

Thank God for the Day(:

Awakening

2010-03-08T00:43:00.002+08:00

Instead of feeding on physical food which i'm no stranger to,
I will be feeding on spiritual food before I do anything else in my day.

At cell, an individual's resolve for the group to not live in a 'everything's good' world got the group discussing, sharing a slice of their life, deeper, which since shared are kept within the group to be interceded upon.

For us to be receiving in worship instead of just giving.
is for us to Outpour our SELF
and Let God fill our cups.

Praise The Lord!
Hope you are able to praise the Lord this week and eat well(:

Listen and work

2010-03-01T14:35:00.012+08:00

Resting at home before the SAF Band Anniversary Dinner in the evening.
It was liberating to be spending good time quietly by the canal with God's word and HIS presence, to recall how he delivered me.
How easy was is to fall back into old self thereafter, just wallowing in 'just nice comfy' zone,
but the work goes on.
^{Psalms 27:1}
The LORD is my light and my salvation—
whom shall I fear?
The LORD is the stronghold of my life—
of whom shall I be afraid?
The warm spell in the air reminds me of my time in Cambodia and Thailand.

was blessed by this video watching Channel 5.
watching the News yesterday of the Earthquake in Chile, my brother, Joel ask in jest,
"so what happened to Haiti?"
on top of the current disater, remember Haiti and do our part in efforts and prayer.
Music simply brought unspoken feelings across easily.
May you too exude similar emotions by it(:

Have a blessed week my friends(:

Offering

2010-02-21T00:19:00.002+08:00

"Unashamed"
by Starfield

I have not much
To offer You
Not near what You deserve
But still I come
Because Your cross
Has placed in me my worth

Oh, Christ my King
Of sympathy
Whose wounds secure my peace
Your grace extends
To call me friend
Your mercy sets me free

And I know I'm weak
I know I'm unworthy
To call upon Your name
But because of grace
Because of Your mercy
I stand here unashamed

I can't explain
This kind of love
I'm humbled and amazed
That You'd come down
From heavens heights
And greet me face to face

Here I am at Your feet

In my brokeness complete

listened with a new perspective:)

新年快乐!

2010-02-14T01:32:00.002+08:00

Its the first day of the lunar new year....returning from reunion dinner.
A reminder of the need to meet with extended family though we see each other rarely see each other, leading own lives away from their older folks.

a lot of things I have experiences that I have carried over these few weeks. of which I remember of it at the moment.

I saw a father and his daughter of 12 being in conflict on Sunday afternoon,7th Feb, before I left for the Change-of-guards ceremony preparation. The immense outburst of energy that was filled in each moment of exclamation was just terrifying even for me. Feeling helpless to not be interfering when there's an angry man, I couldn't even pray but watching the cycle 3 times was just heart wretching. The scary 'thing' in him just creeped out and did its damage to his daughter possibly for for worse. it had to happen repeatedly cos she, like me, especially being angry in my younger days will just not do what parents ask me to do at that moment, which my folks will say,"sure, not needing dinner?alright." which I go hungry,swallowing my pride and I still have to ask for some leftovers later." but her male folk is a ltitle more insistent of his way, hence such a scenario.
I hope its the last of such instances where I have to see father/fathers lose their cool in such a way. Its just personally rather deterimental for children to be expressing displeasure in such a rash manner. Still thinking about & wanna be praying for them....

and to be questioned on what's actually happening&beneficial in being at bible study,cell group on top of sunday's just froze me for a moment. In the span of such sessions, what exactly did I store in my head?how many percents just flew past me? And asked about the relevance to the working world, and yes,values differ, but there are ways to align the kingdom values with the marketplace ma. The pointing out of my opinions just stopped at the tip of my mouth taking into consideration of relation of seniority and being responsible witnessess to others cos being blunt might have aggravated the atmosphere.
still thinking of it& praying for senior to let junior be allowed to spend time at especially cell group&bible study. For senior to see the transformation for what termed as 'timid' junior to a courageous servant in the marketplace when he's called to. And a reminder for me to put in extra effort for each meet I am provided with...

BLESSED NEW YEAR it will be to spend my time with my loved ones & family. Am thankful for the previlage to share in one.
This time with much more thinking for others instead of myself(:

Have a wonderful time with your loved ones too...

Grow Wiser with the Lord

2010-01-09T23:40:00.007+08:00

In a flash, Christmas and ushering in the New Year is past...

was collecting newspapers with the guys at Braddle for the recycling for church on the 27th.
It is hard work I must say,
'selling' your smile, your patience, repeating the mini-speech, in
english/singlish/mandrin/broken dialect,
and my hand gestures of newspapers, plastic bottles & metal cans.
Slow and steady Joseph and I went off each wing of the block to kindly have their recycables.
Met a nice lady who waited the whole morning to pass you the recyclables.
People who kindly turn you down as they did their part in recycling
participating in their estate's bi-weekly collection just past Friday.
The few folks very cautious of another 'salesman' at their door with a not so realiable product.
Houses which were well re-renovated,
dark houses which exudes an aura,brrrrr.
Smell of one that reminded me of the children home in Seremban, of time not given to clean the house.
One of which seemingly looked like a home business of massage going on in the house. The other group of Joey, Benny & Jordan re-telling Joseph and I of a household for interrupting their very crucial Mahjong Session:p
The huge number of households which have not known of christ walking past their doors.

spending time in camp on New year's Eve was a first for me, catching some residue of fireworks, watching TV, calling to bid "see you later" to Xiang before she leaves us briefly for 4 years.

The movie of Avatar, watching the movie too noisily, making my own special effects of 'wow-ing' and 'ouch'. Need to restrain myself from those sounds. holding on to 2 boxes of nachos, half box of popcorn halfway into the show, when young cousins just nibble off some and you helm the rest automatically after. Avatar showed me the connectivity of each element on Pandora, how linked is everything, existing together, especially when your hair is the connection key in linking up with another being and when the Rhinos and Pather were called on. just Beautiful.

Christmas
using what I have been given to share a little, though walking on the streets, you encounter the real people who needs some of this sharing.
So a friend of mine said and was greatly convicted to say, and I refer to saying, "its rather strange that we can enjoy sitting in the cosy seats in church, when I can't help but think of the people who has not received this news and are not with us yet."
while we go to church weekly, some people around us just can't fathom why we go each week, who is this God that we talk and profess, and claim as our Father, sometimes wondering "you christian?" or why are perceive people of good character and made fun of, just because its not realistic and world tells us to defend our needs 1st .
Something to think about and work on it.

and the 1st week of 2010 just ended.
More students on the trains,
an activity learnt not too late during my time in Band to do to fellowship with others
TT, or table tennis though its shortlived cos of the need to submit a report for a project.
Spins of ball just momentarily sets me in awe for that split second.
Prep talks that helped me in my thoughts, and reminders echoing in the background from the VBS CD resonating of
I will not be afraid,
get down and HE lifts me up,
Faith to see beyond what I can see,

And the call to think further,when thoughts come into this mind of mine. Understanding the level of intensity that I should have. From the Body&mind, and the heart that houses my spirit, which should be at the core of every action I take. being wiser.

Another week lies ahead to grow deeper with God.
Have a blessed week my friends(:

Let's do better things.

2009-12-23T01:55:00.006+08:00

This week returning back to camp on a Monday,
having slept not very long the last evening after a late night with
extrinsic motivation of a cup of drink awaiting the person who drops the tower of JENGA,
which I personally had to manage 4 of it.
Its amazing how high the tower doubles itself with such 'motivation' dished out at us. Our never quit approach to looking for the next possible piece to continue on, hoping we manage to 'allow' everybody an opportunity to taste the drink.

the beginning of a 2000 piece puzzle whose frame was completed,
MTV videos are energising me for some reason with humming tunes from Foo Fighters,Miley Cyrus & Michael Bluble for the memory. Just a little sleepy as we colour coded the pieces.
I lied on that bed, finally calling it a night.

Refreshed after a cold shower before setting off to camp,
it was PT after a very long time
not stepping out of the house on a morning to embrace the breeze.
Reminder to get that butt of mine of my house and into the field to travel and soak in the warmth of the Sun.

And returning to find out that I have more Offs than I actually had for the BMT's Passing out Parade(POP) 2 weeks back led me back home again before I return on Thursday morning.

With the time that I had, its really easy to get submerged in my Sofa/chair,
reading away at newspapers, sitting around staring blankly,
setting off to do something, but walking up and down everywhere, trying to accomplish more, than what you can focus on.

Let me do better things with what HE's given me and I will(:
*Right after I say such things, Satan began thinking of ways to quench such aspiring fire.
-For the Lord is the stronghold of my Life-

爷爷

2009-12-17T11:38:00.003+08:00

-To see the Doctor we are-

This week began with an accompanying trip to NUH for my granddad's Blood test,
which spilled over to a need to be warded because of
haemoglobin,
white &
platelet counters being too low.

an agonising 3 hours and another 3 hour thereafter, because the supply exceed the demand for beds.
Granddad and I whining ocassionally about the slow pace but he's a calm sage
I keeping a look out for him while he sits on the chair.

Sitting at the waiting area, looking around, don't know what thoughts are whizzing through his mind. The sea of teochew vocabulary when I ask a question which I faintly understand half and he repeats the rest in mandrin.
His favourite past time is actually to count money & play mahjong with the pros who have money.
Him laughing quietly to himself when my face points blank after being bombarded with teochew.
He directing me where to push him while he sits on the wheelchair.

Having the previlage of the afternoon with him, topics begin.
His roots, his journey to Singapore from the Sounthern province of this place Swatou in China, to Hongkong, back to China then to Thailand before arriving at the age of 25 in Singapore.

The question of christianity I asked which bore a hardened heart after the brunt of so many year(he's 87), working and fighting to protect and raise his family.
Toiling his trade once as a painter, fending for himeself alone in Singapore.
How do I begin sharing about Jesus's story to this man? But I need to begin sharing.

Pray that he gets better, he should be getting home to recuperate tomrrow and the quality time to share on the story(:

我的天堂在哪里？

2009-12-15T12:54:00.002+08:00

Where is heaven bound?

This is one of the many quotes my dear friend, Amanda shared the other night.

"Heaven's not a place."
"I didn't say it had map coordinates..."
"If it was in the sky, then birds would get there before you.
If it was under the sea, fish would be first."
"Then where is it?" I asked.
"It's inside you,"
Shay said,"and outside too."

I want to look with an eternal perspective(:

So far?

2009-12-14T00:50:00.007+08:00

Walking the past month, and I write this today....what has been taking place in my life

My birthday celebration with people in my life,
the romanates retreat,
BMT parade,
worships on Sunday...
thankful for it all...

-Safra Retreat with a birthday gathering at bungalow 9-
It was as always wonderful to be able to gather with cousins on my maternal side for annual gatherings. With members putting in effort, not easy with the children growing up and different phases in life..and the surprises I got that day..
.from milk,sarsi and 7-up into a sunday's outfit
a Big welcome banner,
seeing my mates from my life..
getting drench in water and cream at my 'thank-you' speech,
very appropriate blessings I received in gifts and text greetings
to move ahead with my walk in God

-Sharing in the song 'Everytime I see a cross' inspired the sand work-

Over at the Retreat,
East Coast Parkway by the beach was humbling.
To stand at the sea, in the calmness of night, or the breaking of morning.
just open your ears, close your eyes, be still,let the heart start singing with the right heart & spirit...
the wind just passes by your face & ears and my heart aches as I faintly hear and feel something speaking to me.

Each morning when I see the Sun, any morning now practically after having a sharing from
Ecclesiastes 11:7
"Light is sweet and it pleases the eye to see the Sun."
to remember my Creator, to remember that what I prayed and asked HIM,
he has shown and delivered me, in HIS time.
And when I was confused, I just have to focus on HIM
a sense of release.

the praise when the young people lead in worship. A similar selection of songs, but with a group of true worshippers, you know it when its not the mind getting notes right, but the heart touching heart, spirit touching spirit.
Was talking to Joseph, and he shared," very long never hear such singing le"
Beauty in an offering of true praise(:

Laughing as hard as they could, light hearted talk drawing the relaxed person in each of them was a previlage to witness.

And the sharing of Burning bush that Moses saw.
Answering that call...will you answer it? do you see it? I'm still trying to piece my logic into God's will, which doesn't fit! Listen to you...
Why am I not answering the call? I seem to lack something to move my stubborn legs that are 'cemented' on the position. But I pray to not be double-mindedness when I pray, I pray that what I pray is not of me, but you lead me

From all these,
worships on Sundays just become even more powerful..
i see it again about 'its not the song, its the heart.

Being back on the sunny Island of Tekong just brings back memories of how I once was there.
People saying 'POP loh', others are yelling, "ORD Lo!"
My Enciks or warrant officers are posted to other units.
Remember this particular one personally after all the nonsense he twists at the circumstance of stuff and 'nagging' at me for not clinching 6 pull-ups. Shall push for Gold and send him a note to thank him for the initial motivation, adding colours, lots of colour to my BMT life.
Next round I get back to Tekong I shall do just that which coincides with my ORD date:)

The month of November just ended..and ahead stands new sights I'm gonna see on my journey. Set sail I should.
my Friends we shall see each other on our journey and wave hello.
Have a blessed week ahead(:

Heart Felt

2009-11-08T23:17:00.002+08:00

How my heart moved when i saw my 3 year olds now are 5 year old, a particular one who had a developmental delay in speech, now communicating, presenting their chinese item on stage at their annual concert.
was a 'WOW',
Beautiful moments when you see these children from where they were and how the school's environment pushed limitations and gave what was best for children to be nurtured.
How when people gather together and songs sang with an earnest heart seek to honour HIM the most high before themselves, makes my heart feel.
Children using their voice in unision as they echo resoundingly.
Children listening attentively to a teacher's lesson and learning from it with their imgaination.

some of the many beautiful moments in a life of mine that were given.

Thank God for that(:

Woken Up

2009-11-03T21:56:00.006+08:00

The past weeks, making decisions were scratching head moments. Answers of "don't you think of it?" kept popping up going about in the daily matters and planning of things. I
t was good awakening, I thank God for using brother&sisters to remind me

On top of MY struggles, MY inequities... It was MY relationship with God that mattered in ALL the situations. No relationship, don't know HIM well, I find it all the more harder to listen out to what HE has for me. Humble myself in God's presence.

It's all about You before me.

Will you take the lead?

2009-10-05T12:17:00.004+08:00

A quick moment to say 'Yes! I will follow HIM& HIS ways' and the next moment you stumble and fall flat to the ground. How quick that happens. :/
It a vicious cycle if I'm not going to do anything about it.
A mind of Christ keeps me alert so that instead of walking and falling flat, I would miss falling narrowly, not falling becomes 2nd nature.

Being in Kaboom, I get real questions & statements from people.
"Is this your where you wanna be doing, your purpose?"
"If something's your purpose, you are gonna think of it, sleep on it, eat with it"
which also means that you commit to it, in prayer & in actions.
Changing those 'IT's to Kaboom you get the picture.
Will I take a lead?

Outpour all of Me before YOU fill and overflow in my life...

Have a blessed week my friends(:

How have you been?

2009-09-10T12:45:00.003+08:00

So far How for me? Sorry ar, putting things off just seem to conveinent sometimes...

The month of August was working towards NATIONAL DAY. My 1st time participating in it. I thank God that I was able to go for the PREVIEW which marked the 1st time of the long awaited city March after weekends after weekends of rehearsing at the F1 Paddock, playing the blame game to who's fault is it when sound waves proven by science takes time to travel.
The unavoidable time arrived on the 9th of August, when there was space for 6 trombonists in the city march when there 9 trombonists. do the math
9 - 6 = 3 trombonists who are not going for the city march

which I was part of the 3.
And me overlooking that I'll still have the previlage of bringing the Guard of Honour to the entrance of the floating platform, the other guy & I(1 was elsewhere needed in the earlier part of the parade) just stoned & sat out for the entire thing.
How foolish of me looking back.

I wouldn't say unlucky, I still thank God for my Sunday spent there.
Missing the afternoon sessions playing chinese chess, sharing with my band mates, Helman, Kai Chuan,Brenden about Christianity as they question parts of my faith,having a mini brass quintet playing before parade rehearsal,taking walks to the old chang kee lorry, Milo Van.
watching the actual fireworks on 9th august
Thinking of the these thanksgivings, don't you think you should be thankful?

This past month of September with Concert style Dining-in for officers, all of them from my BMT batch who are going to commission.
BMT passing out, bringing me back the nostalgia of the sunny island of Tekong(:

On top of the fun & laughter we have in band,
I thank God to have fellow christian brothers who keep your faith in check. The 'hard' questions that I seemingly wonder how come I don't have much of that self directed thinking. The 'are-you-sure' thoughts, the greener grass on the other side syndrome & taking things for granted.

The reminder that "Jacob, before you begin asking asking asking, do you think you've been offering your best in the prescene in front of our Creator?"

Reminded me of the time in '08 when I was in Thailand,where the same question was asked. We get so focused on the problem that all you want is the answer to be delivered instead of the relationship with God.

So as I live my life daily, take it deeper with HIM. Meditate upon HIS word. Allow HIS spirit to flow as I spend moments with HIM. I hope you my friend have take time to sit down in HIS prescene to let HIM flow in. Time to empty our wants and let HIM fill it up with HIS(:

Have a blessed week!